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jackson didn’t speak right away. he just watched her, listened, his hand tightening just a little around hers when she mentioned axel. that name always stirred something in him, something protective and a little angry. but tonight, he didn’t let it take up space between them. instead, he let her finish. let her ramble the way she always did when she was sorting through something that mattered. and when she looked at him again, he was already there, eyes steady, warm. “i do want to show you off, baby,” he said simply, like it wasn’t even up for debate. “not just because you’re beautiful. though, for the record, you are, but because you’re mine. and i’m proud of that.”

his hand slipped from her lap just long enough to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “as for carter…” he let out a quiet breath, leaned back a bit, thinking. “yeah. i’ve been thinking about it too.” he glanced down at their joined hands. “i hate lying to him. but i also hate the idea of anything messing this up.” a pause. then he looked at her again. “but if it’s weighing on you, we’ll figure it out. together.” he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “when you’re ready, i’m ready.”

valerie didn't think it was ever possible for feel like this. so painfully in love with someone that it hurt. everything made her heart flutter. from the way that he was holding onto her, to the way he so proudly said her name when he talked to the hostess. he was as proud of her as she was of him. the view from their table added to the perfection. it was so beautiful, the golden sun washing over them. she took a moment to close her eyes. to feel to heat from the sun, the breeze over her skin, the feeling of him instantly reaching out to her. everything was perfect. that was the only way that she could describe it. she sighed happily, sitting in silence for a few moments as she soaked it all in.

"mhm..." she murmured finally, her eyes fluttering back open. she looked over to him, a smile on her face. "i know... it feels like i should be pulling away..." she paused for another moment. "axel wasn't proud of me like this... i know we're not hiding because you are ashamed of me. but he didn't even always want to hold my hand..." unable to stop herself from rambling once more. "it just feels different with you. like you want to show me off... we just can't..." another short pause. "do you think we should tell carter soon? i feel guilty sometimes with all this lying..."

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luke shifts onto his back again, eyes tracing the cracks in the ceiling like they might offer a script he can follow, some cheat sheet for what the hell you’re supposed to say after sleeping with your best friend and not regretting a single second of it. he doesn’t know if she’s going to say something or just stay quiet, and the not-knowing makes something in his chest twist. “i mean… i’m not saying it wasn’t a little insane,” he adds with a lopsided smile, voice lighter now, like maybe if he makes her laugh they can both breathe a little easier. “you were climbing me like a tree and i was, like, five drinks deep and absolutely useless at stopping you.” he turns his head, eyes flicking toward her pillow fort again. “but it didn’t feel like a mistake. it felt…” he trails off, fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. “i don't know... kinda inevitable?” that part slips out before he can stop it. and once it’s out there, he doesn’t take it back. just shrugs like it’s not the most honest thing he’s ever admitted out loud. “like don't best friends accidentally sleep together? or is that just us?”

“put it in the group chat and i’ll break your phone.” the threat doesn’t carry much weight when it’s being spoken facedown into a pillow, but she gives it her best effort. even if her little comment isn’t going to scare him off, it was more than enough to convince maggie that shutting her mouth is likely the best option moving forward. it started off small, but who knows what the fuck might come out in a minute’s time? she’d love not to accidentally spill her guts because she’s still half-asleep and desperate to seem nonchalant in the face of a hot flush spreading over her skin. the longer luke speaks, the stronger it becomes. “...what does that mean?” it brings her out of the hiding spot (albeit hesitantly), prompting her to roll over onto her side to get a better look at his face and allow for another quick retreat if necessary. “you really wouldn’t go back and change it? if you wanted to put all the blame on the alcohol and move on, i wouldn’t blame you. no hard feelings.”

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blaire didn’t rise to the bait. not this time. he was all sharp edges and tired charm, throwing up smoke screens like it was second nature, but there was something in the way he said it. she told herself she was just reading between the lines, doing her job. but the quiet in the room didn’t help. the lack of cameras, the stillness, the way his voice sounded less performative. “it’s not about being pulitzer-worthy,” she said, steady but softer now, pen resting against the edge of her notebook. “it’s about honesty. whether or not you mean what you say.” she flipped to a new page, more out of habit than necessity. avoiding his eyes for a beat longer than she needed to. “so if you don’t take the work home with you… what do you take?” her gaze lifted again, catching him in full this time. “anything ever stick? or is it all just lines and call times until the next project rolls in?”

tongue held between his teeth, sniping any impulsive thought that dared slip out. he knew he was on record, knew anything could be twisted out of proportion. “ depends on who you ask. you're paid to have an opinion. so is every other person who's watched that film. i just show up to set and say the words i'm supposed to. ” voice raspy, denver reached for the water glass, a long sip to keep himself from speaking more than he should. he hated the scrutiny — quiet as it was, he felt blaire's observance peering through. “ i'm proud of the work, sure. let's say that. it's a character i played, a job i did. i don't take it home wit me. i move onto the next thing as soon as we wrap. is that pulitzer-worthy enough for you? ”

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“alright. fair enough. no teasing… unless i start barking in my sleep. then it’s open season.” they’re tucked into the couch now, side by side, her thigh brushing his. her hand stays in his, and he hasn’t stopped tracing gentle lines along her knuckles. his other arm rests casually along the back of the couch, fingers just barely skimming her shoulder, close without crowding her. he glances at her from the corner of his eye, lets the silence breathe between them. god, all those years of hearing about her, none of it touched this. she was always more than what people said, but now, sitting beside her like this, he finally sees it. “i mean,” he says, voice easy, “the couch’s got character. adds to the ambiance. real vintage sleepover vibes.” he shifts slightly, knee knocking gently into hers again, more deliberate this time. “i’ve definitely had worse.” his thumb brushes over hers again, almost thoughtless. “you should probably know, though,” he adds, leaning a bit closer, voice dropping just enough to feel like a secret. “i’m a total sprawler. limbs everywhere. no sense of boundaries. it’s a whole thing.” he flashes her a grin, but underneath it, something softer pulls at him, something that wants to reach further but knows better than to push. she’s letting him in, even if just for now. and that’s enough. “anyway,” he adds with a light shrug, “i’m assuming you’ve got something truly awful queued up to watch. like… cult classic horror bad. don’t lie.” his knee knocks hers one more time, a quiet, grounding touch. “i can handle it. i’ve survived worse tonight.”

“i’m so sorry, that’s my bad. if you have any more requests, let me know and i’ll do my best to spruce the place up a bit next time.” for the sake of the joke, she would simply have to follow through on that promise, even if it does sort of imply that this won’t be the last time she allows him inside. fuck it, maybe it’s worth it. the feel of ethan’s hand in hers is admittedly a nice one and she finds herself staring at them for a minute like some lovestruck teenager who's never been touched before, even giving his a gentle squeeze as a reminder that he’s tangible and alive. someone with a steady, beating heart that knows the ugly truth about her and somehow isn’t afraid. whether it’s just for tonight or they really do end up seeing each other again, she should learn to appreciate it while it’s here. “i don’t know, that's tough… i’d love to agree, but i think it all depends on the position. are you a limbs sprawled kind of guy? a drooler? do you circle the bed a few times before curling up in a ball like a little dog?” oddly, jackie can picture that last one pretty easily and mentally kicks herself for finding it endearing. pathetic. she thought the walls she’d spent so long putting up were a whole lot stronger than this. “i’d be a hypocrite to talk shit about someone’s sleeping habits considering my own are totally fucked, so i’ll try to keep the teasing to a minimum. i'm afraid that’s the best i can offer you.”

[lovedrunked]

horribly toxic but super sexy plots for grace pls and thank u

[lovedrunked]

blaire hummed, not quite a laugh, more like the sound of someone deeply unimpressed but too entertained to walk away. “you really love talking about how untouchable you are, huh?” her fingers toyed with the hem of her skirt, but her eyes stayed locked on his. “gotta admit, it's kind of hot in that terrible, morally gray, terribly convenient sort of way. big name. big ego. no consequences.” she leaned in slightly, her voice softening. not because she was being sweet, but because softness, with blaire, always meant something dangerous was coming. “but let’s get one thing straight, alistir. you don’t fuck me for the hell of it. you fuck me because i let you...which i never let dr. osburne do, by the way.” then the smirk returned, slow and cutting. “and because i make it worth your while.”

"You know I think I'll bring that up in my next review," Alistir teased knowing that even if the administration knew of all the sexual activities he got into with students or teacher aides no serious action would be taken. With how much money his family has given to the university over the years he was untouchable. "Yeah well it's only not accurate because I think Dr. Osburne in the chem lab is way hornier than me. I'm just better at keeping it lowkey. Until I find someone I want though," he smirked reaching over to gently brushing his hand over her thigh. "We don't even need to record if you aren't up for it. I'm more than happy just to fuck you for the hell of it."

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“mags… come on. you’re not gonna scare me off with words like ‘skilled.’ though, full disclosure, i am putting that one in the group chat later.” watches her roll over and hide like the conversation might vanish if she does. and part of him wants to laugh, keep it easy, say something dumb just to make her peek out from the pillow again. but the other part, the one that’s been slowly catching up to the reality of what they’ve done, won’t let him move past it so quickly. because they’d done it. crossed a line he swore, deep down, they never would. not because he didn’t want to. god, he’d always wanted to. but because wanting her and having her weren’t supposed to be the same thing. not when she was his best friend. you know,” he says quietly, “if you told me a year ago...hell, even a month ago, that this would happen, i would’ve laughed. or panicked. or both.” a dry little laugh escapes him. he rakes a hand through his hair, suddenly feeling too warm beneath the sheets. “i don’t regret it,” he says. “i probably should, but i don’t.”

“yeah, i… probably could’ve phrased that better.” that one is on her — she’s not exactly smooth at the best of times — but maggie is of the belief that she’s deserving of a pass just this once due to the current circumstances. she didn’t know she would ever have to prepare for waking up naked next to her best friend. if someone had tried telling her as much, she would’ve laughed right in their face. “oh, uh, thanks? good to know i was adequate at least. things might have gotten even more awkward if it turns out the sex sucked on top of everything else.” then she’d have to stay solely in her bedroom for the foreseeable future, maybe contemplate moving out while she’s at it. it may seem dramatic, but how could they look each other in the eye again after that? she doesn’t handle embarrassment very well. “you weren’t bad either. very… skilled.” ugh. an immediate cringe follows, hands quickly lifting to cover her burning face until she decides that’s not enough and rolls over to hide in the pillow instead. when she speaks next, her voice is muffled. “just pretend i’m not here.”

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“dangerous little thing,” he murmured, gaze locked on hers. “you know exactly how to get what you want, don’t you?” he still didn’t kiss her. instead, he tilted his head and brushed his nose along her cheek, slow and deliberate, letting his mouth ghost across her skin without giving her what she might’ve been expecting. or what he knew she wanted. “i make you feel something,” he said softly, like he was letting her in on some big secret. “and you hate that. just like i hate that it works both ways.” “so,” he said, almost lazily, mouth now at her neck, “you gonna pretend this didn’t happen tomorrow too?”

This so-called relationship between them was incredibly toxic yet Diana couldn't bring herself to stop seeing him. Not only was the sex incredible yet she enjoyed the secrecy of it all. Eventually someone would find out but for now she was going to have as much fun as possible with him. "I do," she whispered meeting his gaze lightly biting on her lower lip. "And I'm so glad it is you." She whispered not making a move to kiss him either. "I pretend the sounds didn't happen so that you feel compelled to make me repeat them again." While she didn't feel any serious romantic love for him - what she did feel was a desire only he could satisfy. Something only he could make her feel.

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madison didn’t mean to make the noise she made. that wrecked little gasp in the back of her throat when his fingers pushed in, when his tongue found exactly the spot. but it was too much. the heat, the rhythm, the way he groaned against her like he was the one falling apart. her hips arched, instinctive and needy, chasing every bit of pressure he gave her. “fuck, that’s - ” her voice broke off, her breath catching on another wave of pleasure. her hand gripped tighter in his hair, the other clutching the edge of the couch like it could anchor her to something real. he was too good at this. it wasn’t fair. “orson...” his name came out sharper this time, drawn tight around a moan. she could feel it building. god, it was building. that unbearable coil low in her belly, ready to snap. but not yet. not yet. “i hate how good you are at this,” she panted, eyes fluttering shut as her hips rolled again, seeking more. “you’re supposed to be an actor, not... fuck, not this.”

While he knew he was good at sex, Orson felt the drive to be even better now with Madison. He wanted show all the rumors about him were true. Already he could tell she was going to be an active participant in this as her thighs squeezed around his head causing him to groan in delight. There would be no argument from him about following this order. Eagerly he pressed his face against her lapping up her juices with his tongue. She tasted heavenly - sighing as he easily slipped his fingers inside of her as well wanting to please her as much as possible. Softly his tongue continued exploring her body until he found her clit. Then he slowly started rolling his tongue over her sensitive nub knowing it would be the quickest way to make her climax. At the same time he kept pushing his fingers deeper into her cunt, curling his fingers curious to see how she was react.

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“wow. you really went with ‘you’ve been inside me’ first thing in the morning, huh?” he grins, shaking his head. “that’s one way to keep it from getting weird.” his knee bumps hers again, a little more deliberately this time, like he’s trying to nudge the tension out of the air. but then she says that last part, about how he might see her differently, and his smile falters, just barely. he looks at her then, really looks, and something soft flickers behind his eyes. “no,” he says, simple and sure. “i don’t see you any differently. if anything, i....” he cuts himself off with a breath, raking a hand through his hair again like that might help him figure out where the hell he was going with that sentence. “i still think you’re my best friend,” he says instead, with a small, crooked smile. “and definitely not a bad kisser, so, congrats on that, I guess.”

even though the compliment is something she would stand by while sober, maggie’s skin flushes and she forces a roll of the eyes like it’s no big deal. “try not to let it go to your head.” too late it seems, but a bigger problem presents itself when his bare skin bumps against hers and it suddenly makes her mouth go dry. that’s new. clearing her throat, her tongue darts out to wet her lips while she nods, hopefully convincingly. “yeah. i mean… i’m a little scared about what happens next. i don’t want things to get weird between us just because you’ve, like, been inside me.” an attempt is made to replicate luke’s own teasing tone, but the second the words come out, she worries it isn’t nearly as successful. it doesn’t come as easily to her as it does for him. “you don’t see me any differently, do you? like, instead of thinking ‘that’s maggie, my best friend!’, it’s already become ‘that’s maggie, the bad kisser’ or something?”

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jackson kissed her back the second she pulled him in. slow and easy, one hand settling at her waist like he didn’t want to let her go just yet. “yeah,” he said under his breath, almost like he was still catching up to the moment. “it does feel different.” he followed her the rest of the way, their hands still tangled, his thumb tracing soft circles against her skin as they stepped inside. he glanced around, then looked back at her. she still hadn’t let go. “table for valerie,” he echoed with a small grin, like even just saying her name out loud in public felt like something they weren’t supposed to get away with.

the host led them to a table near the window, and jackson slid into the seat beside her. his hand settled easily in her lap again, fingers finding hers like second nature, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. he leaned back just slightly, glancing out at the view, sunlight slipping below the horizon, casting everything in gold. but when he looked at her, it was softer. like the world had quieted around them. “feels weird,” he said after a second, almost like he was thinking out loud. “not having to hide.” his thumb traced a lazy line along the inside of her wrist. “i don’t think i realized how much we’d been holding back. not until now.”

"you don't have to get the shrimp scampi... they do have good burgers too." she was practically skipping as they made their way down the sidewalk. she was just so proud of her relationship. this what she had wanted for so long. she wanted people to see how in love they were, she wanted them to feel jealous. their arms swung naturally as they continued down the street. "i love you so much."

his comments about it all being worth it made her smile even wider. "it's all worth it. this is better than i could have ever imagined... it's perfect." she stopped for a moment to pull him in for a kiss, her eyes fluttering shut. the breeze from the ocean blowing her hair softly. it felt like she was in a movie scene. "i'm always happy with you... but this just feels different baby...." she murmured before beginning to walk again. soon they were at the restaurant entrance, stepping in to let them know she had a reservation under valerie. her fingers stayed tangled with his though, wanting to feel that closeness as they were lead to their table.

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ethan lets out a soft breath, smiling like he can’t help it. “okay, yeah… the lack of hotel-grade amenities is tragic. no mint? no tiny shampoo bottles? i’m questioning everything.” he says it like a joke, but there’s a thread of tenderness under it, the kind that slips through when the walls start coming down. his fingers brush hers again before he gently laces them together, grounding himself in the fact that she’s letting him stay. letting him in, even if it’s just for tonight. “i mean it, though. i’d take a busted couch and one sad pillow over going home right now.” his voice dips a little, not quite fragile but real. “it’s weird, right? all those years of hearing stories about you… and none of them came close to this.” he glances at her, not trying to make her uncomfortable, just seeing her. “not the version people made up. you.” there’s a quiet moment that passes between them, a kind of shared understanding that neither of them is exactly whole right now. she’s not who she used to be. maybe he isn’t either. but still, they’re here. “and yeah, you’ve changed. but you’re still fighting to stay you. that’s more than most people can say after what you’ve been through.” his hand tightens slightly around hers. not to hold her in place.just to let her know he’s not going anywhere. “so i’ll make you a deal. i won’t complain about the pillow… if you don’t make fun of me when i fall asleep in the dumbest position possible.”

“apparently so. i just wish they could’ve given me a heads up or something. i doubt it really would’ve changed anything, but at least i could’ve had a couple years to prepare for this.” then again, there doesn’t seem to be very much material to learn from out there. she’s tried her damnedest to find everything she could. searched through countless shady webpages into the early hours of the morning, even borrowed a few books from the local library, yet they all contain the same few snippets of information — sex, manipulation, draining energy. all things she figured out for herself within the first few days and all fucking useless. as far as jackie can tell, she’s become something inscrutable and there’s no reversing the process. “yeah, well... a little change is to be expected when someone tries to kill you, i guess.” or does kill you. that part she still isn’t a hundred percent certain on, but if the amount of pain was a true indicator of anything, it sure felt like she died. sometimes she can still feel the burn and to distract herself from it, she attempts to get more comfortable against the soft cushioning of the couch. “oh, a delicate sleeper? i don’t know, it kinda sounds like you have high standards to me. i’m afraid you might be disappointed that i don’t have hotel quality pillows.”

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jackson let her ramble, let her bounce beside him, and just listened, grinning the whole time like he couldn’t believe this was real. like he was watching his favorite thing in the world light up in front of him. “shrimp scampi, huh?” he said, glancing over at her as she tugged him along. “you’re already ordering for me?” he bumped her lightly with his shoulder. “guess i’ll allow it. as long as you promise not to judge me when i end up ordering, like, a burger or something.” he was joking, mostly. but he liked how easy it was between them right now. how natural. no ducking around corners. no pretending. just her hand in his, her smile wide and real, her excitement spilling out of her in waves.

“you know, i think this is the happiest i’ve ever seen you,” he said, half to himself. “and i gotta admit, it’s kinda messing me up a little.” he looked at her again, more seriously this time. “in a good way. like… all the hiding we’ve been doing? i’d do it again if it meant we got here.” they rounded the corner, the soft sounds of the ocean growing louder, the restaurant coming into view up ahead. jackson gave her hand another squeeze. “lead the way, baby. i’m all yours tonight.”

"you look so handsome too... but you always look handsome. i am so lucky." she murmured before she giggled at his next comment. "okay... i'll stop the kisses for now." she tangled her fingers with his as they began to walk, tucking herself close to him. this was what she had wanted for so long. to be affectionate with him proudly. "i'm so lucky." she repeated her words from their bungalow. she couldn't help herself. she needed him to know how much this meant to her. how much he meant to her. it was so peaceful with him, it was like her anxiety just melted away. he knew how to sooth her, how to make her feel at peace.

"a seafood and fish place. it's so good baby i promise." her excitement spiked again. "it has pasta and good sandwiches. really anything that you want as long as it is seafood or fish." she rambled for a few moments, almost bouncing along the sidewalk. "my parents took us here when we were younger. i loved the shrimp scampi." her grip on him stayed tight, essentially dragging him along their walk. she couldn't control it. it was like she was walking on air next to him, finally flaunting the relationship she was in.

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“yeah… i remember the lap part too.” his hand scrubs at the back of his neck, suddenly aware of how close they still are. of how much of her skin he’s already seen. touched. bitten, apparently. he tries not to look at the spot her fingers graze. tries not to wonder if he left a mark. if she wants him to. “i remember most of it,” he admits after a beat, glancing over at her again. “bits are hazy, but… yeah. i remember enough.” his gaze lingers a second too long, then flicks away. he swallows. “you, uh… said i always smelled good.” a small, crooked smile tugs at his lips, playful again, like maybe they could pretend this was just one of those stories they’d laugh about in a week. “which i’m not gonna let you live down, by the way.” he bumps her knee lightly beneath the sheets, a teasing nudge. but then, quieter, almost without meaning to: “you good?”

“i… remember drinking a lot.” that feels like an understatement, but she figures it’s best to start small and try to ease them into talking about the elephant in the room. it helps that luke seems to be on the same page, speaking softly like any sudden noise could make her panic. he might be right about that. “i remember us kissing, being on your lap... but i’m not sure how we got there. the rest is still coming back to me.” as the dots continue to connect, a hand distractedly drifts towards her neck. there’s a vague memory of teeth against skin and maggie wonders if there’s physical evidence of the moment left behind. not that they really need solid proof as to what happened. “uh, what about you? is your head any clearer than mine?”

[lovedrunked]

lana flinched, not at the word yes, but at how easily he gave it. like it wasn’t even a question. like her pain didn’t register. she opened her mouth to argue again, to push back, but then his voice caught. and then it broke. the change was so fast, it stunned her. the ferris that stood in front of her now wasn’t cold or cruel. he was unraveling. she watched it all hit him in real time: the helplessness, the fear, the way his breath stumbled and his voice failed. lana’s own frustration stilled, replaced by something deeper, more instinctive. protective. her arms dropped to her sides and she moved toward him, slowly, carefully, until she was right there. close enough to steady him if he needed it, even if he didn’t want her to. “ferris,” she said softly, voice steady despite the way her own chest ached. “you’re okay. you’re okay, hey. just breathe, okay? look at me.” one hand on his forearm, her thumb brushing over the tense curve of muscle there. the other moved to his back, barely touching at first, then a little more firmly once she felt how hard he was shaking. “i know this is too much. i know it’s...more than you could carry on your own. but you’re not on your own, alright?” her fingers brushed his sleeve, grounding. “i’m here. i’ve always been here.” she let the silence stretch a second, enough to let him take it in, to let the words settle under the noise in his head. “it’s no one's fault, okay?,” she said gently. “it’s just… shitty. and unfair. and we’re doing the best we can. both of us.”

in this haze of uncertainty of fear that ferris was struggling to wade through, he'd found that the easiest source of comfort would be the company of his other cat. he couldn't imagine any other way he would be able to stay calm, but the request came out more like a cruel, bitter command than anything else. there was no taking it back and he could barely think to correct his tone or see the fault in it. he needed to be with leia, he was going off the deep end already and he didn't know why he had to worry about someone else's feelings when his cat's life was on the line. even lana's. lana, who he knew deep down did her best to take care of the cats, who never did anything that he wouldn't do, who listened to every inane request he made for their wellbeing. he stared back at her, refusing to budge on what he'd said, firm and swallowing the lump in his throat. "yes." he replied, simple and still so, so cold. his jaw clenched in an effort to keep his mouth shut, though her emotion prodded at his ability to make that happen. "if it isn't your fault, whose fault is it? what is there to do, then? if it isn't your fault, if this kind of thing just happens, just —" ferris cut himself off and it was as if the band of his emotion, pulled so taught that it was straining suddenly snapped. his eyes widened and it felt like a sudden blow to the back of the head. "this isn't just... it can't just..." he kept trying to form the words, but his heart rate had suddenly sped up and his brain was jumbled. he couldn't seem to get his breathing under control either, leaving him to suck in big breaths that didn't seem to help. not only that, but as he reached up his cheek was hot and wet and it occurred to him only then that he was crying.

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jackson couldn’t stop smiling, not even if he tried. she was so damn cute when she got excited like that. giddy, glowing, twirling around in that dress like she was sunlight bottled up in a person. and she was his. “you look perfect.” when she came back in close and wrapped her arms around him, he let out a quiet breath and held her there, hands sliding over her back. he kissed her again, just once, but lingered after. “you keep kissing me like that,” he murmured, “and we’re not making it to dinner.” he let her go, but his hand lingered on her waist for a second longer before finally stepping back and grabbing his wallet and the keys. “i love you, baby. so much. ” he said smiling, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. because it was.

jackson held the door open for her, stealing one last glance before they stepped out. “alright, let’s go. before i actually do change my mind and talk you into staying in.” closing the door behind them, the soft click sealed in the little world they’d built for the day. outside, the air was warm with a quiet breeze, the kind that carried salt from the ocean and made everything feel just a little lighter. he reached for her hand without thinking, his fingers lacing through hers as they started walking. “remind me where you’re dragging me tonight?”

when he tried to hold her back in bed she whined softly. "but we can finally go on another more real date." she giggled once she was out of his strong grip. she couldn't even describe how excited she was for their date. to show the world how much she loved him. their little bungalow was perfect, secluded enough for them to have their private moments. but now she wanted to show him off. she wanted to prove how much she loved him. "we can hold hands... kiss... just be together." she smiled before turning and pressing a soft kiss against his lips. "i love you so much jackson."

"it does feel like a dream..." she pulled away to slip the dress on. a perfect flowy floral dress, revealing just enough. "how do i look baby?" she asked as she did a little twirl for him. "no pulling me back to bed yet." she closed the space between them once more pressing her lips against his again. her arms wrapped around his torso, savoring his warmth. she could stay like this forever, just in his embrace. "we should get going..." she groaned softly, pulling away to grab her purse.

[lovedrunked]

luke lets out a breath, dragging a hand down his face before glancing over at her again. she looks a little freaked out. understandably. but the thing that gets him most is how quick she was to call it fine. like she had to say it before either of them could feel too much about it. he shifts onto his side, elbow propped up, voice low and a little hoarse but gentler now. “hey…” his eyes meet hers, steady. “it’s okay.” then a slight pause, more careful this time. “…what do you… remember?” he keeps his tone light, almost teasing, like he’s just trying to piece together a funny story from the night before. not the part where he kissed her like it meant something. not the part where she pulled him closer like it did, too.

it’s not like she’s never fallen asleep next to luke before. there have been plenty of times in the past when a quick nap has been taken on his shoulder or an overnight stay somewhere else meant sharing a bed was required. that isn’t the issue here. what maggie is more pressingly concerned with is the current lack of layers between them, eyes widening and hastily pulling the covers over her chest to preserve what little modesty might still remain. “um, did we…” who is she kidding? of course they did. bits and pieces of the night before start coming back in a hazy mirage — flashes of skin, hands in hair, his name on her lips — and she swallows nervously. “okay. this is… this is fine. we’re fine. right?”