#{{ a message from afar

[merakiui]

💌 Send this to the twelve nicest people you know or who seem to have a good heart, and if you get five back, you must be pretty awesome. 💌

Thank you so much!!!! You're too sweet!! (*¯ ³¯*)♡ sending this message and many good vibes to you and everyone who I talk to and brain rot with on here because everyone is super kind and deserves the world!!!! :D

[witchembrace-a]

Lacing long, red locks of hair between his fingers, Sunday's gold eyes gaze the other man a rather ... mischievous smile. "You know..." , Sunday paused, moving his gaze from his hand to making eye contact, "it's your blood that's red like those roses you're so fond of." (Perhaps there was a part of him that wishes to see it spilt one day...) [ trust love // sunday to argenti // pinokoni ]

prompt.

The gentleman's gaze froze when it met Sunday's mesmerizing hues, the way they shimmered in the light of the moon reflecting a beauty that lured Argenti ever closer. He was almost too distracted by such to realize what the older man was saying, but eventually, he did process the words spoken.

Humming, he leaned in closer, placing a hand over his heart with a dramatic flourish. " Why, yes, it is, isn't it ? This crimson river of life flowing through my veins is like a rose garden in itself, a reflection of true inner beauty ... "

Nope, he didn't quite catch on. The darker implications went right over his head. He was an idiot, plain and simple.

// @pinokoni <3

[tellescope]

@talesimagination said: Curious little Gio is here to find the mysterious AI. He knew Mama would have liked to meet them but Mama was busy so he came to look for the being. He didn't know what he could do or how he'd act but he'd sure try his best.

*a snow devil for Originator*

     A guest? They haven't had a visitor to the station in so long that it's quite a surprise when the security system rouses KAI from low-power mode. He'd spun down his drives while Len was away, little else to do to keep occupied other than 'sleep'.      Hidden cameras activate a facial recognition scan but as always the only result is corruption. He does note the interesting attire of the visitor however. Such vibrant colors! With a quick command the darkness of the entry hall begins to lift as the lights come on one by one, blue glow shining against black metal. A warm voice calls out over hidden speakers, 「Welcome to PD Outpost. I'm sorry for the darkness. It should lift shortly.」      A quiet hum of machinery and a small device floats into view before the visitor. With a click a hologram materializes around it, forming a blue-haired young man with a smiling visage.

     「It's been quite some time since we had visitors. Do you have some form of identification?」

[petalsinned]

@dreamtchamber sent a letter:

Hong Lu let out a chuckle, grin on his face and head propped up by his hand once again. "Maybe I just want you to be happy! ....and perhaps a little bit naked." If he hadn't been nursing a nice buzz for the past half hour, he probably would have never said that to the other sinners' face. But here he was, and there was no backing out now. Absolutely no shame in his brain at this point in time.

And this is when Gregor nearly choked on his drink, coughing and nearly tearing through the glass with his inhuman limb. If the alcohol hadn't reddened his face before, the out-of-pocket comment from Hong Lu certainly cemented it. He wasn't sure how to respond at first; the remark had briefly left him speechless, dumbfounded, even.

The veteran glared at the other Sinner, practically burning a hole through his skull. "For Wings' sake, you can't just say things like that! There are other patrons here; what if they heard you?!" He sighed and rose from the table. "We're going back to the bus. You've clearly had too much to drink."

[tenebriism]

// Happy Birthday to all the Kaeyas. Your big brother, Diluc, loves y'all and wishes y'all the best. ❤️ Even if it's not easy for him to say it.

[vixletserenity]

🎤 !!

A meme and dash commentary together? yes

[f1crecs]

Fic Rec List - Fics with 500 Kudos or Less!

we wanted to post this as a thank you for 500 followers and to highlight some of the fics we think are underrated!

if your fic is on this list and you don’t want it to be, please let me know and we will remove it immediately, no questions asked. we have contacted most of the authors on this list, but sometimes people fall through the gaps - just pop us a message🤍

have a pairing you want us to do next? please read the faqs and then head to the inbox.

don’t forget to give the authors featured on this list some love in the form of kudos, bookmarks, and comments!

like we're the last people on earth by @pessimisticidealist | Lando/George | T | 17.6K

Lando joins Mercedes alongside George Russell for the 2026 season. George expects it to go poorly, incredibly so. And he's correct. The characterizations in this one are clear and feel very real, the tangled emotions and the potential catastrophes falling slowly into something terrible and wonderful and complex. Alex's involvement in the whole ordeal turns it into a wonderful exploration of the 2019 rookies.

Lewis was right, ultimately, George thinks; his only consolation is that it isn’t Alex who he’s going to destroy, who’s going to destroy him. Maybe Lando is a little more oblivious, but — no, no, he knows they will consume each other and themselves, if not this year then next, if not the next then not long after. Nico still floats around the paddock on race weekends like a lost moon, still interviews Lewis with longing heavy in his voice. Lewis speaks to him like he would any other reporter. George doesn’t want to do that to Lando, either. He doesn’t want Lando to do that to him. “Thrilled, of course, Lando’s a good mate,” he tells the press, with vacant eyes and a fixed smile. “No one deserves the Merc drive more than him.”

plant new seeds in the melody by @lellabella | Lando/Oscar | T | 20k

In this magical realism AU, Lando and Oscar are both still McLaren drivers, with one small twist: they both have powers. The worldbuilding in this fic was exceptional: vivid and so well developed, I could picture it all unfolding before my eyes. Both Lando and Oscar's powers fit them so well, and I love how the author carefully built the development of their relationship around them becoming more comfortable with each other's abilities. Despite all powers, though, they are still so very Lando and Oscar at the core of this fic, and I loved the characterisation and writing so much.

But now that Lando is the senior driver, he's supposed to be the one who handles his feelings with maturity, not hopelessly crushing on a younger rookie. This isn't ogling handsome Carlos from afar; he wants to wrap Oscar in a blanket and make him hot chocolate and know that he's okay. He wants to see Oscar smile not just because it's pretty but because he genuinely cares about his happiness. That part is new.

nsfw: live in five by @danifesting | Daniel/Max | E | 25k

Daniel discovers Max's Twitch stream and quickly becomes obsessed with them. This fic explores Max and Daniel getting to know each other and learn each other. I really liked the Max characterisation in this. Very direct but also very open to learn. One of my favourite parts is the mod group chat and how it serves as extra information for the reader, set's the tone nicely and helps you understand the overal context of Max and Daniel.

“I should probably explain my different set-up. This is not permanent. I will be back to my normal room at home in two weeks but for now, I am visiting my boyfriend.” electricsld: oh! a boyfriend! andpussycats: say more max dr3rd: yeah maxy, say more “Well, he is very sweet and he does not mind that I need to stream while I visit him. We live in different places, so we, of course, do not get to see each other very often, but it has been very nice to visit.” dr3rd: is he handsome? Max wants to roll their eyes at Daniel fishing for compliments but they contain themself. “Yes, very handsome. So handsome I cannot believe he picked me.”

I Know Your Name (But Not Who You Are) by @wanderingblindly | Charles/Max | T | 7.7k

Charles isn't in Monaco anymore, instead, now he's in Arizona. He's suffered loss at the hands of racing. Max turns up unexpectedly. Great fic if you want to cry and sob and scream into your pillow at 2 am! Amazing writing that just makes you want to lie in bed and contemplate life :) this is such an underrated fic!

There’s not another soul in the desert, just the brief rustle of an autumnal breeze ghosting along the loose earth. But behind Charles’s eyelids, in the space between him and the world above, it’s them. It hasn’t been them in a long time, he hasn’t let himself think of it. He isn’t running from anything, fluttering from city to city, crossing oceans he never touched as a boy. He’s searching, maybe, for a place where the wind can blow it all away. The sun feels warm as he raises his arm, fingers outstretched as he tries to hold that boundless blue in his palm.

nsfw: Everybody Wants to Rule the World by @kaytheologiearchive | Nico/Sebastian | E | 23k

It's 2022, Sebastian is driving for Aston Martin when their new team principal is announced – Nico Rosberg. The author said it best herself – this fic is all about "the absolute fantasy of being the villains favourite girl". And Nico makes a lovely villain, snarky and a bit pretentious but with the ability to back up his words and make his promises reality. I especially love Seb's character arc, starting with 2022!Seb, reluctantly forced to accept that his world champion days are over, to then finding his spark again under Nicos guidance and returning back to his charming, selfish, index-finger-in-the-air ways. Really they are both absolute assholes in this but thats what makes them perfect for each other.

“I’m here for the same reason you are,” he says, megawatt smile back on his face. “To win you a title.”Seb sits back in his seat, grinning bitterly. “Don’t let Stroll hear you say that. The only reason he bought this team is to try to get a title for his son. I’m just here to play mentor until they build us a car one of us can win with, and then he’ll turn me loose.” He doesn’t add, just like Ferrari did. He doesn’t have to.Nico scoffs. Seb’s met so few people who actually scoff in real life. “Lance Stroll,” he says, disdain dripping around every consonant, “is never winning a title. You still could, though, and you know it. You’d have retired if you didn’t think so.” Seb opens his mouth, prepared to contradict him, and Nico silences him with a wave of his hand. “Don’t give me your go-to line about the love of the sport. You’ve only ever been here for one reason. The media might forget, you might even want them to forget, but I know what you’re really like.”“And what’s that?” Seb asks. Against his better instincts, and even though he knows Nico can’t have a single good motive for being here, he’s intrigued by whatever Nico’s about to say. Nico’s always been an enigma to him, Nico’s opinion of him doubly so.“You’re ruthless,” Nico says, almost in a whisper. “You’re brutal, and ambitious, and you’ll do whatever you have to to take everything you want.”

Rabbit, Rabbit (it takes a village) by @481boxboxbaby | Lando/Oscar | M | 25k

Oscar wakes up to find four baby bunnies in his shower. In the world of this story, that's as good as peeing on a stick. This boy is knocked up, and there are six possible baby daddies. This is a sweet, funny and heartfelt fic that takes a cracky idea (magic bunnies means you're pregnant) and treats it seriously. Oscar is definitely a bit of a pillow princess and good time guy - that's why he has bunnies - and the fic follows his journey of self discovery, growing as a person along the way and learning that knowing himself is far more important than knowing who the daddy is. The guy who steps up, and who Oscar chooses in the end, is maybe a little unexpected but it absolutely worked for me.

“Oh,” Oscar blushes a fierce shade of red. “We’re not a throuple. They’re just friends. I mean, maybe one of them is the other father but - um - that’s sort of the thing.” The midwife raises an eyebrow and cocks her head to the side, waiting for him to go on. Oscar instead looks at Liam and Logan, desperate for one of them to bail him out. “You see, there’s a roster,” Logan says, his expression awfully serious like he’s trying to be as tactful as possible, even if he did just start off by outing Oscar as a hoe.

THREE SCENES IN A CITY by @loveisworry | Alex/Charles | T | 6.8k

Charles and Alex and a party. This is the kind of fic that you read, and then you remember for the rest of your life. This is a truly stunning urban fantasy, very immersive and atmospheric.

'Charles, the city’s chosen son, knows these streets better than the backs of his hands, which are often smeared with ink. There’s a scar where his left thumb joins the meat of his hand that he always forgets about. He’s had it since he was a child, and doesn’t remember it’s there because he doesn’t remember how he got it. Without a story to hang onto it disappears'

[butididntpourthewhiskeys]

CITYBOUND III

TW: sexual references 🚨

With her face in the sun, Taylor closes her eyes, feels the warm sensation hit her skin. A siren goes off, only a few feet away. The usual car honking that always reminds her exactly where she lives, also doesn’t stop. But it won’t end this peaceful moment. The first rays of sunshine in New York City this year. The first time she’s on the rooftop this year. Eleanor’s little voice from afar, playing by herself. In her winter puff jacket and with her sunglasses on her nose, she opens her eyes again now, looking at the blonde toddler sitting on the wooden patio floor only a few feet away from her. She’s playing with her dolls on top of the stairs leading to the covered pool. She seems to be in her own world, doesn’t even notice Taylor sitting on the sofa next to her, with a wool blanket on top of her. The fact that she so desperately soaks in these first sunrays of the year makes it more than obvious that she and Eleanor need to escape to LA for a few days. She can’t take winter no more. Time for spring to come.

“Honey, remember, no playing by the pool top.” Taylor says, using her hand to shield her sunglasses, making sure she can see clearly what the toddler in her green puffer jacket is doing. Eleanor just nods, two big tails on the little curly head. She’s playing with the two mini dolls that her mother got her a few weeks ago and she still seems to be obsessed with these little princesses. Taylor smiles. She sinks her head, fixes the big blanket over her legs and checks her phone. Just as she was about to reply to the dozens of unanswered messages in her inbox, she can hear the door from the end of the rooftop open. Within two seconds, Taylor sees two huge feet tucked into these ugly big Nike slippers. In his sweatpants he closes the door slowly, smiling through the sun right at her. He’s done with work. She’s glad. Two hours were two hours too long. Too long of him working, and her pretending as if she’s glad to have some time by herself. 

“Wow, this is nice.” he says as he slowly makes his way towards her. With an approving smile, Travis takes a look around the luxurious rooftop. Hard to believe that this peaceful outdoor space is right in the heart of Manhattan. 

“Yeah.” she just says, her eyes still focused on the tall man, slowly making his way towards her. He lets himself fall down right next to her on the outdoor couch. She smiles at him through her sunglasses. 

“How was it?” 

“Good.” he smiles at her, his hand already on her thigh again, right above the blanket that’s been keeping her warm out here. “Jason says hi.” 

She smiles, nods. She wonders what his brother thinks about all this. She knows that Travis is very independant from anyone’s opinions. It’s one of the things she admires about him. She knows he won’t get influenced by anyone else’s opinion about what they’re doing, who she is or whether this really is a good idea. But she still wonders what his family thinks. The fact that he’s just spending the week here, at her apartment. With her and her child. A weird thought that brings up some anxiety the more she thinks about it.

“Thanks.” she says, and he can feel that she’s insecure of how to react suddenly. 

“I didn’t.. I didn’t tell him much. He knows I’ve been seeing you, but nothing more.” he says, has clearly just read her mind again. She nods. It’s okay. This answer is something she can live with. 

“I know.” she says quietly, moves her cold hand on top of his. Her eyes looking for Eleanor once more. Travis just looks at the blonde woman next to him, smiles. He moves his thumb a little up and down, gently caressing her small and soft hand that’s on his. 

“How are you feeling?” he asks then, and Taylor looks back at him. She sighs, leans back on the comfortable sofa that the two are sitting on, just facing the sun. He still can’t believe how nice and quiet it is here, in the middle of a rooftop in this big city jungle. 

“Crappy, to be honest. But it’s okay. I’m used to it. Anytime she gets something, I get it two days later. Just… mom life.” she says, almost laughing at the end of her sentence. He nods. “I feel bad though because I told you a million times that you’re getting it next. And..” 

“And I told you a million times that I don’t care.” he interrupts her gently, not raising his voice. Instead, his hand just keeps on caressing hers and it does something to her that she can’t quite explain. She feels safe. She feels seen.

“You’re stubborn, has anyone ever told you that before?” 

He laughs at her statement, throwing his head back like a little kid for a second. She can’t help but smile at him, too. She loves it when he laughs like this. She loves how easy everything is with him. There’s no darkness when they’re together. The black dog that always follows her around just disappears. This familiar blue feeling of anxiety on her chest dissolves slowly. He’s pure sunshine, and she doesn’t know he is aware. 

“Touché.” he just says. She smiles. She’s got no arguments left. 

“Mommy, Travy. Look.” 

The two are suddenly pulled out of their thoughts. With her little pink converse shoes, Eleanor comes running towards the two of them. Travis can’t help but laugh at her bouncy pigtails. With her finger up in the air she stops right in front of him, holding the little ladybug right into his face. 

“Honey, don’t.. don’t push it in Travis’s eye, please. Careful.” Taylor tries to stop her toddler, but it only makes the man next to her laugh. With his big hands, he gently holds on to the little hand, looks at it in awe, just like Eleanor did before. 

“Wow, where did you find this little beauty?” he asks Eleanor. Her eyes are lid up. Taylor loves it. She loves seeing the world through Eleanor’s eyes. She loves that for this little girl, life is still as magical as it can get. 

“It.. it was just flying on my hand. Just like that.” she says, giggles in excitement that this little animal chose her for a visit on this sunny afternoon. 

“Want me to show you a trick?” Travis asks, and Eleanor nods. Taylor watches the interaction and smiles. With his huge fingers, he shows the little girl how to get the ladybug to crawl from her one hand to the other. Eleanor giggles, and Travis smiles at her when she does it herself for the first time. 

“Now, you have to make a wish. Close your eyes.” 

With a smile on the little face, she closes her eyes. Her small hands still gently in Travis’s. Taylor’s heart feels like bursting for a second. 

“You got one?” 

“Mhmhm.” 

“Now blow it away. One, two…” 

Eleanor blows the ladybug away, jumps up and down for a minute out of excitement. Travis laughs at the little girl’s excitement, still holding both her hands in his. 

“Great job, E. High five.” 

Eleanor claps her small hand against Travis’s. The smile on the little face is so evident to Taylor. Eleanor feels the sunshine, too. 

Not just the one coming from the New York skies today. 

She runs away, back to playing with her dolls at the end of the patio. Travis still chuckles, looking after her. His hand wandering to hers again. 

“She’s so adorable.” he laughs, then looks at Taylor. She smiles at him, and he knows exactly what her face is telling him right now. 

“I know, she is. Thanks for.. for being so sweet with her.” 

Travis doesn’t say anything for a moment. He appreciates her words. Truth is, he appreciates every moment of the past 48 hours. Being here, in her home, with Taylor and her daughter. Being able to just be together. Watching her take care of her child. Taking care of her. Lots of hugs to give and witness. Lots of kisses in this house. Lots of laughs. He hasn’t felt this happy and secure in a while and he hopes that this bubble won’t burst anytime soon. He knows it’s outrageous for him to have cancelled a majority of his off season plans for this week, just to spend time here. It’s unlike him to give up work (and play) commitments just to be with a woman. But this time, it’s different. It feels more like a deep need to be here with her now. Not like a choice. He knows, he needs to find the right words soon. But for now, it’s enough to turn off his mind for a bit. Enjoy a few more hours of heaven with Taylor. 

“Thanks for introducing me to her.” he replies, his face moving closer to hers. He gently kisses her cheek, his beard scratching her slightly. She looks back at him, nods then. Her forehead leans gently against his chin, her small hand caresses his beard for a moment. He steals her forehead a tiny kiss. 

“Means a lot, Tay.” he adds. She nods. He knows it still makes her feel incredibly vulnerable to have let him enter her and Eleanor’s life. And he can only fathom why. It must have been a tough fight for her to take back her own life after separating from Eleanor’s dad. And he knows she won’t let anyone hurt her daughter ever again. But he just wishes she’d know that he will never hurt either of the two. 

She doesn’t reply to him, instead lets her head gently fall onto his shoulder. His arm wanders around her and he loves holding her like this. The sun facing them. It’s peaceful here. It’s peaceful between them. He loves to feel this shift since the other night. Since the night she opened up, and allowed him to get close.

Closer than ever before.

___

With the hood of his jacket pulled deep into his face, he enters her building. It’s gotten dark outside now, and the sunny afternoon has turned into an icy, freezing night. Brandon opens the big doors for him, then enters the code to operate the elevator for him, and a few seconds later he steps inside. The doors close, and he can finally pull down the hood covering him. He can breathe again. None of the paparazzi outside have noticed him. 

“Quiet evening, man?” he asks the security guard, who politely smiles back. 

“Yeah, all good. Did some shopping?” 

Travis smiles and nods, the wine he got for himself and Taylor securely wrapped in a brown bag in his hands. 

“Yup. Got her some snacks. Keeping both of’em happy.” he jokes.

Brandon smiles. The interaction ends once the elevator door opens again. Travis steps outside, uses the key she gave him to enter the penthouse. Brandon says his goodbye, wishing him a nice evening and Travis closes her door. In an instant, her smell creeps back into his nose, into his lungs, into his… heart. It’s the same smell as her hair, when he kisses her head gently. The same smell as all her clothes, and the bed he slept in for a few nights now. He feels this indescribable feeling of happiness again, just by smelling her. He knows he’s far beyond the stage of falling for her. Her home feels like home to him, and every day - it just keeps getting worse. 

Travis takes off his jacket, gently throws it over the chair in the living room. He steps into the generous, open kitchen, and carefully places the bags of food and wine on the countertop. He knows Taylor struggled to get Eleanor to sleep tonight. So the last thing he wants to do is wake up the small girl. He takes the bottles of wine from the brown bag, finally finds free space in the wine cabinet on the other side of the kitchen.

“Hi.” he hears a familiar voice coming from the stairs then. He turns to her, closes the wine cabinet. She smiles, the same make up free face as earlier, before he left to go to the grocery store on Greenwich Street that she loves so much. She’s in her comfy clothes from before, her bangs a bit messed up from Eleanor’s pillow. 

“Is she out?” he asks, and Taylor nods, makes her way up to him. He immediately opens his arms, pulls her in for a tight hug. Her face pressed into his shoulder, nothing but her bangs looking out. She breathes him in. 

“Yeah finally.” she sighs, “Why do you smell so good.” 

Travis chuckles, moving his head in her tight hug to kiss her soft cheek again. 

“You smell so much better.” 

She lets go of him, both her hands wandering to his face. She smiles, then comes closer to kiss him gently. 

“I got you some snacks. And wine. And..” 

“Thanks so much. I promise, I will make a batch of cookies later tonight. I haven’t forgotten it. And I really want you to try these. Because, quite frankly, it’s a crime to stay at my house for more than 24 hours without trying my chai..” 

“Hey, I have a better idea.” he says then. She stops for a second, has already started reaching for flour, sugar and the chai tea in her cupboard right in front of her. She can feel his big hands wrap around her from behind, and it makes her smile.

“Yeah, and what is that?” she asks, his beard pressed into her neck, gently kissing her skin. 

“Come here.” he mumbles. One second passes and she feels his strong arms on her hips, lifting her up and placing her on the countertop behind her. She can’t help giggle a bit, loves that she’s towering him now. Her hands securely on his shoulders. He’s so strong and it never leaves her unimpressed. His nose touches hers for a second, and the smile on his face warms her heart in an instant. 

“Mister, if this is what I think it is, can I remind you…” 

“It’s not.” he assures her, kisses her again, can’t help but let out a laugh. She closes her eyes, both her arms wrapped around his neck. She feels herself letting go, a low sigh escaping her mouth. He pulls back after a few seconds, fixing a strand of hair behind her ear. 

“I wanna spoil you tonight.” he says then, and she smiles, biting her lower lip for a second. He’s so handsome in this moment, and his eyes could move a damn mountain. She can’t unsee these pictures of him as a little boy. He truly, still, is the goofy kid he told her he once was. And god, does she have love for this kid. Does she have love for this man in front of her, his huge hands being so gentle and kind.

“You spoil me every night.” she whispers against his lips, making him laugh a bit. 

“I don’t mean that kind of spoiling you.” he says, and she stops for a second. 

“Wait, you’re not talking about… sexy time?” 

“Sexy time?” he asks her with a laugh, can’t believe this is the way she describes their mindblowing, life-changing sex.

“I mean.. yeah it can be. But, I want to give you a massage. A proper one.” 

She can’t believe his words, almost feels insecure for a moment. It’s been a long time since someone she shared a bed with has made this kind of effort for her. She still remembers, early on with Joe, he would do small little things for her. But it was never like this. It was always accidental. Always unplanned, but sweet. But this, right here, with Travis, is different. She can’t believe he’s thought about this. Can’t believe he wants to spend the evening giving her a massage, has actively thought about what she would need right now. It’s a new level of attentiveness she’s foreign to when it comes to relationships. 

“Would you.. would you like that?” he asks then, has noticed her getting lost in her own thoughts. Within a second, she’s pulled back to reality and nods. Her mouth forming a smile.

“I would love that. I would absolutely love that. Thanks so much.” she murmurs, comes closer to him again and kisses him gently. He can tell she’s touched by this gesture, but that’s exactly what he wanted to achieve tonight. He wants to make her feel appreciated, respected, loved. He knows that after the past years with her ex, it’s still hard for her to let herself fall, enjoy the moment, let someone else take full control. But she deserves to be spoiled. She deserves to be treated this way. Always.

“Want to eat first? Or..” 

She shakes her head, and it makes him laugh. She just presses her face next to his, hugging him like a koala bear. He smiles, can feel her craving his proximity. Within a second, he has lifted her up from the countertop, slowly walking up the stairs with her hugging him this closely. He can hear her giggle into his sweater, carefully closes the door to her bedroom behind them. 

“Shall I leave the door open in case the little one wakes up?” he asks, carefully lets her down. She looks up at him smiling, then shakes her head. 

“No, all good. I still have the baby monitor app on my phone. If there’s movement in her room, my phone goes off.” 

He nods, his hand already on her cheek, stealing her forehead a last kiss before letting go again. She quickly turns on the little light next to her bed, then dims the room by turning off the main light. The mood has shifted, and it’s this romantic, low light she loves so much whenever she gets to be alone with him. This is her safe space. Him in her bedroom. The door closed. The world just staying outside. 

“I’ll quickly go pee, okay? Do you.. do you need anything?” 

“Bodylotion and a towel.” he says, and she smiles, not moving for a second. 

“What?” 

Standing in the door to the bathroom, looking at him, she just starts giggling. Her hand in front of her mouth now, the way she always does, whenever she gets shy for a second. 

“Nothing. I.. I just can’t believe you’re so serious about giving me a massage.” 

“Of course I am.” he says, has already taken off his sweatshirt and throws it over the little chair at the end of her bedroom. 

“Do you have a lighter?” 

“Yeah, top drawer by my bedside.” she says, can’t believe he’s putting so much effort into this. She just watches him reach for the lighter, then begins putting on the big Loewe candle at the end of her room. She can’t believe he’s got this romantic side to him. A side of him she doesn’t really know that well yet. He suddenly looks at her, a bit confused, not sure what she’s waiting for.

“Go pee, now. Come on.” 

“Okay, okay.” she mumbles, laughing to herself and closing the bathroom door gently. A few minutes later, the door opens again and she’s slowly stepping up to him. He has sat down on the side of her bed now, wearing nothing but his sweatpants and some socks. She stops right in front of him, looks around the room. She can’t believe he’s put on the candles. 

“Bodylotion?” 

“Oh, I forgot.” she mumbles, makes her way back into the bathroom again. When she comes back, she passes him her favorite shea body butter and a large white towel. A little out of place, she just stands there, watches him place the towel on top of her bedding. 

“Shall I..” 

“Come here, I’ll do that.” he smiles at her, and she trusts him. In her sweatpants and shirt, she crawls onto the bed, lands on her back and giggles as he reaches for the hem of her shirt, slowly pulling it over her head. She’s not wearing a bra yet he won’t break eye contact to her. A few seconds pass, and her pants have gone, too. She lays there for a moment, in the dim light, feeling a bit more vulnerable than usually. 

“You warm enough?” he asks her, notices immediately that she’s not a hundred percent comfortable. But she nods, just watches him closely. He puts a generous amount of body lotion into his hands, starts warming his hands together. 

“Shall I.. shall I take these off?” she asks him with a smirk in her face, and it makes him laugh.

“Yes.” 

“Oh, so it’s that kind of a massage?” 

“Babe..” 

“I’m teasing.” she giggles, gets rid of her thong and turns around. Laying flat on her stomach now, she feels his hands land on her back and it makes her shiver for a second. With her head turned to the side she closes her eyes, feels him fix her hair to the side, to ensure it’s out of the way. 

“Do you have a spot that pains you sometimes?” he asks her, almost a whisper. This is their world. Nobody is here to listen in, and she feels herself let go. Feels herself open up. 

“Yeah my.. my upper back and neck. I have horrible posture, so..” 

Within a second, Travis starts massaging the spot that always hurts her, and she melts into the pillow. She feels goosebumps form all over her body, and she can’t believe he’s so good at doing this. For a moment, she can’t really speak, can’t really think anymore. His warm, soft hands kned over her skin and she feels a deep relaxation take over her. 

“Oh my god..” she whispers then, and he smiles, giving his best to help her muscles relax properly. 

“Is that okay?” he asks her quietly, his hands moving up and down her back, again and again. 

“So good. This is.. so good.” he smiles, continues his work. He takes some more of the body lotion, moves with his hand movements down again to her lower back. He can feel her relax more and more underneath him. With her eyes closed, the talkative woman is suddenly dead quiet. 

“Baby?” 

He hears her whisper, almost feels like his entire body tingles for a second. She’s never called him that. She’s never called him anything other than the occasional ‘babe’ or ‘Trav’. For a second, he loosens his movements, looks up at her. She hasn’t moved, her eyes are still closed. He’s worried he might have hurt her. A hint of fear coming through. 

“You okay?” 

“I might fall asleep, is that.. are you mad, if I..” 

He laughs gently, keeps on working on her back. 

“You can fall asleep if you want to. This is for you to relax, stop worrying about falling asleep.” he says in the calmest way possible. Taylor doesn’t move. She feels herself drift off, can’t believe the amount of work and effort he puts into every single inch of her body. She can still feel him work on her lower back, now slightly moving to her hips. She can feel his talented hands move down every single muscle on her side. Not only are his movements the perfect amount of pressure and ease, but he also seems to have an extensive knowledge about the general muscle allocation. She’s never been massaged by someone she’s intimate with, didn’t know how good it can feel to let go off the tensions she carries in her upper thighs, and even her bottom. She doesn’t move, doesn’t know if she’s asleep yet or if she’s reached a new level of letting go. She can feel him work his way down her legs, massaging out all the tension from tour rehearsals in her calves. It’s the first time that his touch hurts a little, but it gets less and less with every round of kneading from his fingers. With every touch, the tension leaves her body. She lets out a soft sigh when he starts massaging her feet. She knew he’s good at foot massages, but she didn’t know his massaging skills extend to her other muscles, too. 

“You still awake?” 

“Mhmhm.” she mumbles. 

“Can you turn around for me?” 

She immediately moves in her bed, looks at the man smiling at her. He can’t help but laugh a little bit. She must have been so comfortable that she didn’t notice the pillow leaving a proper imprint on the right half of her face. She’s too cute. Before reaching for the body lotion again, he can’t help but get closer, steals her warm cheek a soft kiss. 

“I’m shocked about how talented you are, mister.” she mumbles then, relaxation in her voice. He smiles, reaches for her left hand, massages her arms up and down. She’s laying fully exposed in front of him. No blanket covering her. And she’s never felt so safe. Never before. 

“This is the best massage I’ve ever gotten.” she adds. Her eyes slowly closing. With his left hand he holds her arm upright, kneading all the tensions in her upper arm. 

“I’m glad.” he says, fully focused on his work. “I’ve gotten so many massages before that I really picked up where some of the muscles are located, and what type of movements help release tensions.” he explains, slowly lets go off her arm, and Taylor opens her eyes again. She feels his hands full of lotion gently massage her tummy now. Suddenly, her hand reaches for his arm. He looks at her. 

“Trav?” 

“Mhm?” 

“Kiss me.”

He smiles, comes closer to her and steals her lips a gentle kiss. He lets go after a few seconds, keeps on massaging her soft belly. She feels everything in her body tingling for a second, and she knows why. She knew this massage would eventually get to this point, but she didn’t think it would relax her this much. She then feels his hand move up her torso and within a second, her eyes are open. Wide open. He stops then, lowers his head and starts laughing. Within a second, the mood has changed. Drastically.

“I promise this.. this was not a boob grab, I just wanted to massage your cleavage. You do have muscles there. Believe me or not. And..” 

She giggles, too, holding onto his strong arm, clearly messing with him. 

“Please go ahead, I’m not stopping you.” she says with a giggle, her eyes not leaving his. With his soft hands he wanders up, starts massaging the muscles on the side of her neck. He’s so close to her face now, so close, and his hands keep on making the same moves. She looks deep into his eyes, feels him hit her deep muscle tissue then. She swallows. It hurts. It hurts to feel all the tension leave her body. She closes her eyes. 

“You’re so tense here.” he whispers. She nods. He keeps massaging her. “Feels like.. feels like you carried a lot of weight on your chest.” 

She has no idea why, but within a second, a tear streams down her face. Travis stops immediately, but her hand reaches for his. 

“Please keep.. keep going.” she sniffles. She doesn’t know why she gets so emotional all of the sudden. But whatever he was doing with her body right here, works. She feels all these stuck feelings leaving her body. So many emotions come back up. She’s so tired suddenly. She feels this pain so clearly. But she needs him to keep going. She needs him to knead it out until the very end. 

“Is it.. is it getting less?” he asks her, has noticed what she experienced just now. He’s learned from his physiotherapist that especially in the chest area, people tend to hold their tensions. Their grudges. Their undigested feelings. The last thing he wants to do is hurt the woman in front of him. But with every kneading movement of his fingers, he can feel her soften up. She has her eyes closed, nods. He won’t stop. After a few minutes, his movement gets slower. She opens her eyes again, looks into his. Within a second, her hands land in his neck and she pulls him down to her, kisses him gently. Her tears have dried up, and instead, she feels him be as gentle as she can be. And he loves tasting her. He loves how soft she is. Everything about her. A doze of dopamine hitting his system. She lets go off him then, her hands in his neck so that their noses still touch. 

“Thank you.” she whispers against his lips. He nods. She doesn’t need to say anything else. Slowly, she reaches for his left hand, not letting her eyes leave his. Within a few seconds, he realizes where her hand has moved. With the most gentle motion, she has placed his hand on the most intimate part of her body. He understands immediately, lowers his face to kiss her neck gently. He’s trying so hard. He’s trying so hard not to let these three words just come bursting out of his mouth in this moment. Her skin is so soft under his lips, her little hands on his scalp, caressing him gently. He can feel her longing for him in between her legs. His fingers gently exploring her body, being as careful as they could be. Within a few seconds, he leaves her neck, looks back into her eyes again. Her lips are a bit swollen from their previous kisses, and there’s a kind of calmness in her eyes he hasn’t seen before. 

“You sure?” he asks her again, and she appreciates it so much. Not a single time they’ve slept with each other without Travis asking for her consent beforehand. She appreciates this, appreciates just how much he respects her. She nods, adjusting her head on the pillow. She looks down, so that she can witness his fingers moving gently. She feels her chest rising, enjoys every single one of his hand movements so much. She swallows, her breath a bit shaky now. She can feel him kiss her cheek while his hand keeps up the steady movement. She feels so safe in this moment. She knows she can let go. She knows with him, she’s always safe to let go. 

“Fuck..” she mumbles then, a little sigh escaping her mouth then, breaking the silence between them. She’s holding onto his neck with her hand, desperately looking at him.

“Can you..” 

Travis immediately looks at her. She is fully focused on his hands, her left hand on his lower arm now, feeling his muscles move while he pleasures her. With the other hand, she’s holding onto the towel underneath her. She struggles to speak right now, but he patiently waits for her to finish her thought. He feels so close to her in this moment. They’ve just reached a new level of intimacy. He can feel it in his bones. 

“What..” 

“Can you go.. just a bit faster?” 

He doesn’t reply to her, just does what she asked him. His circle motions are steady but at a higher speed than before. And she appreciates it. So much. She lets her head fall back into the pillow, the little frown appearing on her face that he knows so well. A frown he only knows when he’s in between her legs. And he loves it so much. With his free hand he begins to caress her naked stomach a bit, her hand reaching for his. She’s close. And he’s ready to be there for her, for every second of it. A last little moan escapes her mouth and it gives him goosebumps. Suddenly, her breathing gets faster and faster and he can hear her whisper his name a few times, with the same high pitched desperate moan that he knows and loves so much. He can feel her ride off her wave of pleasure, tightly holding into his arm, guiding him in his movements. He looks into her face as it happens, and he swears he’s never seen anything more beautiful in his life. For a few seconds, she breathes fast with her mouth open, her body just coming down from this mountain she climbed with him. He knows she’s sensitive now, and he’s as gentle with her as humanly possible. His hand still between her legs, he doesn’t move, gives her the time and space to come back down to planet earth. She opens her eyes again after a few seconds, her cheeks flushed. She just pulls him down to her, kissing him full of giggles and lust. He can feel her hand reach for his boxers. He laughs into the kiss. He knows what she wants, and he would be lying if he said he doesn’t want exactly the same. 

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.” she mumbles in between the shower of kisses she gives him, her hand now fully landing on his naked butt. She smiles into their kiss. The stubble of his beard scratching her face in the best way. 

“You’re so welcome.” he whispers back, smiling at her. She loves to feel his naked weight on top of her now. Two noses touching. He looks down for a second, gently guiding himself into her. He watches her face closely, trying to find any trace of discomfort. But there is none. She closes her eyes in pleasure again, and so does he. Paradise. He opens his eyes again, feeling her arms holding onto his. Her frown is back. Paradise. He can feel her move with him, her mouth opened, sweet moans escaping her again. He knows she’s holding back, not forgetting that they’re not alone in this house. But he’s still in paradise. 

“Baby..” she cries out then, half a whisper, half a beg, half a moan. He looks at her, his big hand already cupping her face. He kisses her forehead right over her bangs. She’s warm. She’s slowly but surely starting to sweat a little, just like him. 

“Can I.. I want to be on top, please. Please.” she mumbles. He immediately stops, lets himself fall next to her in bed. He feels her get up, position herself on top of him. She’s still flushed, yet her eyes barely leave his. He looks up at her, can’t help but feel like he’s dreaming. Her long hair over her naked shoulders. Her hands reaching for his chest to hold herself upright. She’s the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. She begins her movements again, and he helps her. His hands on her hips, his eyes on her face. She’s so beautiful. He can’t help but look at her. Can’t help but stare at her letting go on top of him. 

After a few minutes, he feels his vision get blurry. She lets out another moan, a little louder than before. He feels himself come undone, then loves to feel her collapse on his chest. She’s breathing heavy, both of his hands on her bare back, feeling her lungs do the most in this moment. She comes down only slowly. Her skin hot and soft. She doesn’t move, just relaxes slowly. And he loves every minute of it. He loves feeling her get heavier and heavier on him. His hands stroking her back up and down, making her feel just as loved as before they had sex. A few seconds later, she looks back up at him, a smile on her face. He smiles back at her, both his hands cupping her face now, kissing her gently. This time, there’s no lust in his kisses no more. There’s just love. A lot of love. 

She quickly moves on his torso and lets herself fall next to him. She stares at the ceiling for a second, then turns her head back to him. He’s moved to his side, just so he can see her better. His hand on her stomach again. He loves being so close to her. There’s nothing better than being so close to her. His fingers drawing circles on her skin. 

“That escalated quickly.” she mumbles. He laughs, stealing her temple a soft kiss. 

“Thanks for your.. for your incredible massage. Also for.. the other part after.” she says, grinning at him as goofy as a teenager who just had sex for the first time. It makes him laugh. 

“I don’t think my body has ever felt so relaxed, Trav.” she whispers. His lips still on her temple. He smiles, as she looks back at him. There’s a sparkle in her eyes, he hasn’t noticed before. It must be the afterglow that people always speak about. 

“You’re very welcome. Glad you liked it.” 

“I didn’t just like it. Trav, that was.. electric. Literally electric.” 

He smiles at her using his own words. She lets their noses touch once, has now moved to the side to be face to face, and eye to eye with him. 

“Thank you so much.” she says again. He doesn’t really react, just places his hand on her cheek. There’s so much love in his eyes in this moment. He doesn’t need to say anything. His eyes just say it all. 

“You cold?” 

“A little.” 

He starts moving, for the first time since minutes and helps her crawl underneath the big blanket just under them. She adjusts a little, then cuddles herself fully under the covers. Her hands looking for him. She moves again, until she’s finally fully embraced in his arms. He kisses her head, makes sure she’s covered by the blanket. Silence takes over, and he allows himself to close his eyes for a minute. 

“Trav?” 

“Mhm?

“Can we try this?” 

“Try what?” 

“Us.” 

For a second, he can’t dare believe his ears. His eyes open, but he doesn’t move. He doesn’t know if she just meant what she said, but she said it. Taylor moves again, turns around to be able to face him. She’s worried suddenly that she’s said too much. She’s worried that his silence is something other than utter surprise. He looks at her in shock. Within a second, she feels a tummy ache flaring up inside of her. 

“Do you.. can you please say something?” she mumbles and he takes a breath, slowly sits up. She’s worried now. She’s never witnessed him this freaked out. She knew it was too soon. But she can take it back. Thank god she didn’t fully speak it out yet. She can fix this. She looks at him leaning against her bed rest. She carefully sits up as well, holding the blanket close to her naked body. 

“I’m so sorry for.. just.. not finding the right words, Tay.” he says finally, and she nods “No worries, I mean I know I..” 

“My answer is yes. But I need you to know what I’m in for.” he interrupts her and she’s shocked for a moment. She looks at him, feels her hands shaking suddenly. She doesn’t feel relaxed anymore, at all. What bomb did she just set off? She can feel him get nervous as well. It’s been a while since he was acting like this around her. 

“I.. I don’t want us to just be another fling. I..” he stops, gathering his words, “I know this is not the most romantic way to do this, but if we try this, if we.. if we try being something serious. Like.. as serious as a relationship. Then.. then I want you to know that I’m in it for the long run.” he looks into her eyes, fully aware that this could scare her off for good. But he needs to honor himself. He needs to be straight with her, or else this won’t have a chance of working out. 

“I’m not in this, if.. if you want a little distraction. Or a little fun. I want a partnership. I want to have a family eventually. And of course, we.. we have a long way to go. To see if we fit. To see if this can work. But I just want you to know that if we try this, then.. then this is my intention.” 

Travis takes a deep breath after finishing his little speech. He can’t dare look at her again, but he’s proud of himself for having said it. Suddenly, he feels her hands reach for his. He looks back into her eyes, and she smiles. A little tear in her eyes. He can see that clearly. 

“Okay.” she whispers. He swallows, not sure how to react. All he feels is her small hand caressing his. 

“Okay?” 

She nods, a smile on her lips. 

“I want the same thing. With you. But.. I’m just.. I just hope you know what you are in for. With all this attention. I will be on tour soon, Trav. If you think this is bad, the security and the.. the staying hidden, then you have no idea what you’re in for in the next months. My life is crazy. My life is.. fully out of control. But it’s my life. And I have lost years of my life hiding for someone else who couldn’t handle the pressure. And.. and I can’t do that no more. I’m all in, but I just hope you know what that means for you.” 

He looks at her, a big smile on his face. All the worries from before are gone. He nods. 

“Tay?” 

She looks at him, worry in her face. She knows his smile can’t really mean that he changed his mind after her little speech. But she is in fact worried that he will regret this. That he will ask her for more time to think about this. About what it means to be in a relationship with her. 

“I need to tell you something.” 

“What?” she says, her hand still holding his. She looks at the man in her bed. His naked torso leaned against her bed rest, his smile all over his face as he looks at her. She feels calm just looking at him smile like this, but there’s still a part of her that is full of anxiety right now. 

“I.. I think I’m really really really in love with you. Like… so much, it’s not even funny.” 

She doesn’t say anything, just stares at him for a moment. 

“Is that okay? I feel like.. maybe this is a good time to tell you. I will let you know if I can’t handle your life, I promise. But I need you to know that I’m ridiculously in love with you. And.. and it would make me the happiest person on this planet to call you my girlfriend.” 

Travis finishes his sentence. She doesn’t say anything, just sits up a bit, both of her hands touching his cheeks. She presses her forehead against his, then leans in and kisses him. It’s a different type of kiss. She’s emotional. His hands land on her bare back again. 

“I love you, too.” she whispers then, closes her eyes and lets him kiss her bangs gently.

“So much.”

___

“You sure this is a good idea?” 

He asks again, sitting on the bed and looking at her. He’s wearing a pair of his Nike sweatpants and a black t-shirt. He watches her finish her make up in the mirror by her bedroom. She looks incredible, just like every day. A pair of blue boyfriend jeans covering her small frame, a grey longsleeve shirt on top and her black adidas shoes covering her feet. He loves to watch her get ready in the morning. He doesn’t know why, but it’s just another way of spending time with her. Witnessing her every move, every mundane thing she does in the morning, getting to know her even better. 

“Of course it is.” she says again, for the fifth time today, turning around to look at him with a smirk. He laughs too, now, knowing he acts absolutely ridiculous. After all, it’s her dad. She loves her dad. And he’s always been popular with his ex- girlfriend’s fathers. No need to act like a little boy now, Travis. 

“Listen, my parents are.. very much open to the idea of me dating again. I know they want me to be happy. And.. trust me, it’ll be fine.” 

He nods, watches her walk towards him. She stops standing right in front of him. He presses his face into her shirt, right above her stomach, giving her a few nervous kisses. 

“Also, I can’t stand the thought of you flying out today. So we definitely need to have a nice lunch altogether before you leave.” she mumbles into his head, kissing his head once. 

He looks back up at her and smiles. He can’t believe he’s flying out to Kansas City again. He can’t believe he’s spent five extra days in this city. Unplanned. The most incredible, beautiful, five days with this woman. Not a single chance, he could ever forget these days in his lifetime. 

“I’ll miss you, sweetie.” he mumbles. She nods, and he can see in her face that it worries her. She doesn’t want to leave their bubble. And neither does he. 

“I’ll miss you, too.” she says, “But it’s just one week.” 

He nods. They can do one week. They’ll be fine. 

“Travy, look. I did this for you!” 

Taylor quickly lets go off Travis, hears her daughter run into her mother’s bedroom. A pencil and a piece of paper in her small hands. Taylor and Travis decided to let some time pass before explaining to Eleanor where they both stand, with each other, in their relationship. She won’t ever fully introduce someone into her life, unless it’s as serious as it could get. And they’ve got time. They’ve got all the time in the world for this big move. 

“What? For me?” Travis looks at the little painting she made him. He’s in true disbelief. Eleanor smiles proudly at her mommy, gets all shy and nods then. 

“This is Olivia and Benjamin and Chauncy and Rambo.” 

Taylor can’t help but laugh a little, looks from Travis back to Eleanor. Her hands land on the little curlyhead. All it took was for Travis to show Eleanor a few pictures and videos of his dogs, and the little girl fell in love. Taylor knows how much she adores animals. Of course, she would fall in love with his doggs in a minute - even without having met them yet. 

“Oh my goodness. Eleanor. This is.. this is beautiful.” he says, completely serious, looking into the little girl’s proud face. 

“Wow, you’re so talented.” he says,pokes her tummy once and she giggles. 

“Can I get a hug?” he asks, and Eleanor falls into the big man’s arms. For a moment, Taylor stands there and feels herself get emotional. She knows this little girl hasn’t had a steady male figure in her life, besides her grandfather and her uncle, for almost a year now. Ever since her separation from Joe, Eleanor has seen her father twice. Phone calls that were promised got less and less. And Taylor could feel Joe not just forget about her, but also his daughter. He’s left her. She can barely let these thoughts enter her mind, but sometimes, they just come creeping back up. She knows that Eleanor knows exactly that her father hasn’t called in months. And Taylor knows that maybe, just maybe, this is why she’s so crazy about Travis. And how can she not be? He’s tall, he’s funny, he makes her laugh and he’s so kind and gentle to her. 

“Thanks so much, girly. I’m honored. This is beautiful. I will hang this one up in my house.” Travis says to Eleanor. Taylor notices Eleanor’s hand landing on Travis’s.

“And I promise you, soon you will meet Rambo and Chauncey. I promise. And I’ll send mommy some videos tonight.” he says, making Eleanor jump up and down a few times. Taylor loves seeing her so excited. She loves this relationship that’s slowly forming between Travis and her. But then again, the more she feels these two connecting, the more she feels herself growing anxious. A deep wave of anxiety, worry, almost panic arising in her chest.

If this won’t work out, then Travis will break two hearts. 

Not just one.

___

“Grandpa!” 

Travis hears Eleanor screaming while running towards the elevator door of the townhouse. He just stands there in the kitchen, taking a deep breath, which he hopes will remain unnoticed. Taylor already laughed at him taking off his earrings before. But he wants to be as presentable as possible for her dad. After all, he’s the man who entered his daughter’s and granddaughter’s life. He wants him to have a good first impression. Whatever that means. Travis slowly makes his way to the door, watches Eleanor jump onto Scott’s arm. The older man laughs a few times, already listening to Eleanor tell him all about her new school. Taylor just looks back to Travis, rolling her eyes at her daughter. He laughs. Eleanor is a very talkative little girl. He absolutely adores it about her. 

“Hi, honey.” Scott says then, hugging his daughter. Travis immediately feels the man’s eyes on him. He smiles at him, not sure how to act. He takes a step closer to him, opening his arms. Immediately, he realizes that Scott gives him a hand shake instead. Slightly embarrassed, he shakes his hand, tries to hide the fact that he expected the welcome to be a bit warmer, instead. 

“Hi, Mr. Swift. It’s so good to meet you. Taylor told me so much about you.”

Scott smiles, barely, and nods. 

“Nice to meet you.” 

Taylor watches the interaction, and gets a little confused. Her father is usually the warmest person she knows, has never not opened his arms for any of Taylor’s friends, or even her crappy ex-boyfriends. She’s not used to her dad being this cold, especially towards someone as open and as warm as Travis. Her parents have always taught her to keep warm people close. And Travis is one of these people. 

Taylor doesn’t say anything, just places her arm on Travis’s shoulder. It’s a small gesture but he knows its her way of assuring him.

“So glad you get to meet Travis, dad.” she mumbles, but Scott doesn’t really react, is suddenly extremely busy hanging up his jacket next to the door.

“Alright, shall we have lunch?” she says then, hoping the mood in the room gets lighter soon. She feels incredibly insecure suddenly. But she hopes Travis won’t feel any of this. He doesn’t deserve to not feel welcomed. After all, he’s been the most incredible person in her life for these past months.

“Sounds good.” Scott says, placing his bag in the dining room. 

“Grandpa, can we watch a movie together?” Eleanor asks her grandfather, already holding his hand again. Scott smiles at her, his hand protectively on her little head. 

“Sweetheart, your mommy and I have a few work meetings after lunch. But tonight, we can watch a movie together. How about that?” 

Eleanor nods, seems to not be very happy about his answer. 

“Should I.. do you need any help in the kitchen?” Travis asks Taylor. She looks at him, and immediately feels his tension. She hates it. 

“Actually, why don’t you and dad just sit down, and Eleanor and me we can get lunch ready huh?” 

Her hand lands on Travis’s back. He gives her that one look that always makes her laugh. But she knows this is good. As soon as her dad and him talk for a bit, the tensions in this penthouse will disappear and her dad will absolutely love him. Just like everyone else in her life so far.

“So, Scott. I heard you were also big on football during high school?” Travis asks, sitting down right in front of him at the dining table. Scott looks at him, no smile in sight. He nods. 

“Yup, I was a running back for five years.” 

“Oh wow.” Travis laughs, obviously relieved that the two have found a topic to discuss. “That’s awesome. Did you ever think about doing it professionally?” 

“I was a Finance major. So football was obviously just a hobby. Nothing more.” 

“Yeah, I get it. For me, was quite the opposite. Sports was always the only thing I was good at, so..” 

Scott doesn’t react. Silence. Travis looks up at him, has run out of things to say. Her dad clearly isn’t interested in a conversation with him. Instead, the seventy year-old man picks up Eleanor, helping her crawl onto the chair next to him. She shows him her little photo book that her mother has crafted with her, and filled with polaroids of herself and her three cats. Travis watches Scott smile at Eleanor. The shift in his mood couldn’t be more obvious. He’s completely in awe with his granddaughter, as he should be. And he couldn’t be less interested in getting to know him. Travis swallows, feels Taylor’s hand on his back. He can see in her face that she feels the same as him, pretends to put on a smile for him. But he can see right through her. There’s no denying that the mood is off. 

“What do you guys want to drink? Water? Sparkling water? Soda?” 

“I’ll just get a water. Thanks, honey.” Scott says. 

“Coke for you, babe?” she asks Travis. Her hand gently caressing his cheek over his beard. 

“I’ll just.. get a water. Thanks, babe.” 

She doesn’t say anything, and Travis wasn’t the only one feeling her father’s eyes on him. Taylor walks back into the kitchen, feels herself slowly get angry. She doesn’t know what has gotten into her dad. But she really hopes he gets it together, soon. 

“Do you usually just drink sodas for lunch, Travis?” 

Taylor places the waterbottle on the countertop with a bang. She’s getting mad, now. One more word and she’s going to loose her patience. Travis has been nothing but kind and polite. Yet her father treats him like a criminal. 

“Well, I train a lot. So I need to get my calories in somehow. I try to stick to diet drinks, but.. well sometimes an ice cold coke is just.. refreshing.” he laughs, a little insecure as he doesn’t get a nod back.

“Sodas are the number one reason for type one diabetes in our country. And that goes especially for children, Travis. I always tell Taylor it’s probably safer to have pesticides in the house than to give Eleanor any of these sugar drinks.” 

Travis doesn’t say anything, just nods. He asks himself if he was irresponsible these past days. After all, he did drink coke in front of Eleanor and even let her try once when Taylor allowed him to. He gets quiet, understands that there’s no arguing with her dad in this. After all, he’s right. 

“Too bad, because all this little girl drinks is coke and fanta and sprite. Oh, and sometimes before bed I add some sugar to her coke. Just makes her more sleepy, I find. The good old sugar crash just does the job.” Taylor says, a hint of anger in her voice. She places the food and water she just brought on top of the hardwood table. Scott just shakes his head, his hand still protectively on Eleanor’s little head. 

“Not funny, Taylor.” 

“Dad, come on. As if you never drink coke for lunch.” 

“Well, I certainly don’t after having cancer.” 

“Here goes the good vibes.” Taylor says, angry, looking at Travis. He doesn’t say anything, and she feels horrible for him. Under the table, she reaches for his hand, squeezes it a few times. 

“Eat up, guys.” she says then, encouraging the two men to start eating. Eleanor reaches for her glass of water, and starts chugging it down. It gets quiet. Horribly quiet. Travis doesn’t speak, and neither does Scott. 

“Grandpa.” Eleanor says, and Taylor has to smirk. Of course her bubbly five-year old would kill these weird vibes today. 

“Yes, honey.” Scott says. 

“Look at my bracelets.” she says, proudly, showing her grandfather her arm full of friendship bracelets. 

“Oh, beauiful. Did you make that all by yourself?” 

“Yes, with my friend Emily.” 

“That’s awesome.” 

“And this one I made with Travy yesterday.” she says proudly, smiling at Travis. He smiles back at her, his head tilting slightly to the side. He always does that whenever Eleanor looks at him with her little eyes. Taylor witnesses the interaction with a smile. 

“Travy?” 

“Yeah, she… well, my nieces always call me Travy so I told Eleanor she can call me..”

“Taylor. Can I speak with you outside for a second.” 

Taylor swallows. For a moment, the entire demeanor around this table has shifted, once again. Travis knows exactly what this is about. He feels guilty all of the sudden. Guilty for having entered Taylor’s life. Guilty for getting closer to Eleanor. He can feel Taylor get more tense. The two adults get up, leave the room to take the stairs up to the rooftop patio. He swallows. He’s definitely lost his appetite now. He just sits there, leans back. A door is closing. Loudly. And then all he hears is yelling. Scott yelling, then Taylor. Then Scott. Then Taylor interrupting him yelling some more. He’s so glad he can’t hear just every word he says. But he knows what this is about. And hearing Taylor yell like this is not something he’s ever witnessed before. 

“Travy..” Eleanor mumbles then, looks at Travis confused. 

“Is mommy fighting with grandpa?” she asks him, has also put down her fork. He can see in her little blue eyes that she’s worried. And Travis feels even worse. He swallows, takes a deep breath, then sighs. 

“Yeah, I think so.” 

Eleanor nods.

“I don’t like it when mommy is mad. Because.. because sometimes, she gets sad, too.” 

“Yeah, I also hated when my mommy was sad.” 

Eleanor nods. 

“Maybe grandpa didn’t like my bracelets.” she says then. Travis can’t help but smile suddenly. He can’t believe this beautiful little girl thinks anything she ever did is the reason her mom and grandpa are fighting. 

“Hey, give me your hand, girly.” he says then, gently. Eleanor looks at him, and Travis reaches for her small hand on top of the table. 

“Listen to me.” he mumbles, “your grandpa absolutely loves your bracelets. Trust me.” 

Eleanor nods slowly. He caresses her tiny hand for a second, so long, until Eleanor seems to be lighting up again. 

“Travy.” 

“Yeah?”

“Promise to send mommy the video of Chauncey and Rambo, okay?” 

He smiles gently, then nods. 

“I promise.” 

[vvh0adie]

strawberry kisses | myg

pairing: yoongi x reader | type: oneshot | words: 9.6k | rating: 18+ / M

Yoongi loves Summer. It’s a time of basking in the sun, feeling the beach breeze, and taking in the crisp scent of his favorite strawberry field during the annual market festival. He goes every year to pick fresh berries. And every year he watches from afar as you do the same, but he's never mustered the courage to properly talk to you. Good thing you finally have.

⇴ genre/au: angst | tooth rotting fluff ‖ budding romance | acquaintances to lovers ⇴ persona: shy!yoongi | city boy!yoongi | bubbly!reader | country girl!reader ⇴ cw: mature language | smut | ebonics | miscommunication | alcohol consumption | social anxiety | confessions of love | allusion to depression | hurt comfort | crying ⇴ dynamic: soft dom!reader | switch!yoongi ⇴ sw: food play | french kissing | hand job | finger sucking | dry humping | anal play | overstimulation | outdoor sex (backyard) | cum/slick eating | vaginal fingering ⇴ a/n: One of my very first wip ideas while on Tumblr. It was a brainstorm for another author looking for summer fic ideas, but it didn’t get picked up. I may make this a yearly progress fic, just to see how much I’ve improved. Who knows?

⇴ tracking: #fic: strawberry kisses | #strbrrykss: ask | #strbrrykss: feedback | #strbrrykss: mentioned | #strbrrykss: vibes

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© vvh0adie 2022- [do not AI train/copy/repost/translate]

The night is long and it seems as if it could go on forever. Slid down into his chair, Yoongi stares at blocks of colors stacked on top of one another, each holding a different sound from drums, to synthboards, to 808s. He’s been working on this track since before the sun came up. He continues to blink at the track, scrolling back and forth, thinking of how to fill the gaps.

He knows he didn’t sleep enough, but not finishing this track has been bothering him throughout the week. His temples are pounding and his eyes feel heavy too as he feels like someone is poking him in the back of the eye socket. It could partly be his fault as he’s sitting in his dark ass bedroom with his computer screen on full brightness and gazing upon his work without glasses. Really, he should have gone to his studio, but his body’s been content with just being here.

At the moment, Yoongi’s over it, clicking the save button and turning the computer off, watching as the little ring goes round in circles till the screen goes dark, leaving him to stare back at his own reflection. He looks a hot mess: just a sunken lump of ruffled hair and cat-like eyes as he’s tucked away into his hoodie, nose down. He feels like he needs a hot shower to ease his muscles from the absolute deadlock he’s placed his body in.

Yoongi swivels in his chair, turning towards the floor to ceiling window as he gazes up on the many skyscrapers clustered around, lit up with neon signs or office lights from remaining employees. His eyes shift, following cars till they're out of his sight, just for him to target another.

The city is beautiful at night, but he can’t help but feel out of place. He’s alone for most of the day, and barely sees his friends which you could say is partly his fault. But even with them, he feels like he’s just drifting along till the next big thing in his life happens.

Yoongi sighs, closing his eyes to listen to the bustling transportation. He feels himself about to drift off, when his phone vibrates against his hand, prompting him to pull both from his hoodie pocket.

He taps the screen, immediately turning away at the brightness. After quickly turning it down, he enters his password, redirected to his messages.

Joon: drinks with me and Hobi

Yoongi stares at the message from his friend. It’s been awhile since he’s seen them, and he knows he wants to see them but his body deems otherwise.

Suddenly, three little ellipses bounce on the screen.

Joon: really gonna leave me on read hyung?

Yoongi’s eyes flicker to the little ‘read’ label under Namjoon’s text. Then he sighs at the fact that he forgot to go in and change it.

Joon: our spot in 15

“Why? What if I don’t show up?” Yoongi says to his screen, sitting up as his body begins to pop. “Oh, shit.” He stretches his arms up, feeling his spine pop, shivers running through his entire body. He really shouldn't have sat like that. He rolls his neck, allowing for a pop to sound through the room.

After straightening up, he looks at his phone again, seeing that Namjoon hasn’t texted anymore. But that gives Hoseok all the more reason to try for himself.

Hobi: I know where you live 👁️

Yoongi chuckles at his friend’s remark. It’s always like Hoseok to try and get Yoongi out of the house. He knows for sure Hoseok will come and drag him out, but he doesn't really want his friends to see his home in complete disarray cause he knows they’ll never end up leaving till Hoseok is done tidying up like the ultimate cleaning fairy he is. Then, Namjoon will probably turn around and make him have a heart to heart as to why he’s been neglecting himself. Either way, they’re there for him, so the least he can do is show up for his friends -the only true ones he has actually.

“Come on, Yoongi. You can do it. Drinks then back to shower and sleep. Easy,” he says, slapping his cheeks.

Yoongi walks into the bar, greeted by a waitress as he bows back. He looks around, only for his name to be called. As he continues to search, there’s a couple of eyes on him and he really sticks out, deciding not to change much except combing his hair. He doesn’t even have a shirt on under his hoodie and he’s still wearing his flip flops.

“Yoongi, over here.” He turns, seeing Hoseok and Namjoon waving. He slowly walks over with his hands in his sweatpants.

Once at the table he throws them a little deuce before sitting down across from the duo.

“You look like shit.” Namjoon says, as he and Yoongi stare at each other.

“The dead has arisen. I didn’t think you were going to show up; let alone have your phone on,” Hoseok says.

“We haven't seen you in days, Hyung. Almost called for a wellness check; still think I need to though.” Namjoon quirks a brow, looking at his disheveled friend as he sips from a shot glass.

“Well, I'm alive.” Yoongi deadpans.

“Doesn't seem like it. You look paler than usual.” Hoseok chuckles.

“Maybe he’s dead and we’re just drunk enough to cross the spirit realm.” Namjoon giggles in a drunken stupor, causing the man in question to roll his eyes. A part of him wants to laugh at Joon’s stupid joke but he remains stoic, not having the energy to do so.

“Here, drink.” Hoseok pours his friends a shot. “Excuse me, miss, we need another bottle.” He holds up the empty soju at the waitress as she walks by.

“So, what you been up to?” Namjoon leans back, folding his arms.

“Producing.” Yoongi murmurs.

“That's very much apparent.” Namjoon glares at him for the obvious. He cares about Yoongi and he can clearly see the sleep deprivation hammered into his usually soft face. The dude looks like he just survived a withdrawal. It’s concerning.

“Yah! Tell us what's wrong?” Hoseok whines, after making a throaty sound from knocking back a shot.

“I don't know. I guess I’m just ready for summer vacation.”

“Why wait? You’re a freelancer; you can pick up and go anytime, Hyung.” Hoseok lays a hand on Yoongi's shoulder. Hobi’s lashes are heavy and his cheeks are slightly flushed. Yoongi gazes upon the younger’s face. Even when drunk, Hobi always has a solution.

“Where are you trying to go?” Namjoon stares at Yoongi taking a shot; just in time for the waitress to land a new bottle of soju on their table.

“The countryside.” Yoongi wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Ah, gotcha.” Joon nods slowly, staring aimlessly at the table. Summer is Yoongi’s favorite season. He’s never really divulged why but it has to have some heavy significance. But Namjoon also understands that summer just hits different and that his friend needs a change in pace. To be honest, he’s started to feel it too; how slow everything has become.

“You gonna go be a farmer?” Hoseok laughs to which Yoongi tries to roll his eyes but ends up joining him. Hoseok claps, wearing the biggest grin. “There we go!” he yells, happy to see Yoongi smile.

Yoongi truly is happy about summer coming and it only took stepping out of the house for him to see that. He can’t wait to feel the warm sun on his skin and smell the crisp air. But most of all he can’t wait to spend time with his grandma and see new yet familiar faces. He has very fond memories of his childhood, helping her harvest from the garden, playing in the sprinklers, and eating watermelon outside. Then there’s the annual festivities that he loves so much.

“What about you guys?” Yoongi may be a little out of it but he still cares to ask and not make this entirely about himself.

Namjoon sits up, placing elbows on the table as he takes a shot. “I got a collab in New York. Probably do some sightseeing; go to a museum or two.”

Yoongi looks at Hoseok who grins before taking a shot and clapping his hands. “Dubai.”

“Dubai?”

“Yep! Sand, beach, camels, hot babes on my arm while I sip martinis. And get this… casual sex; no strings attached.”

“That sounds like you.” Yoongi smirks, picking up his glass. “Cheers, then.”

“To Summer Sex.” Hobi laughs.

“I don't know about that.” Yoongi says.

“Ah, Hyung. Have some faith, huh?” Namjoon frowns. It seems someone’s been manifesting a lay recently.

“Fine. To Summer… Sex.”

“Cheers,” they chime in unison, throwing one back. 

Summertime has finally come, awakening Yoongi with its warm rays of sunlight. He stretches upwards as the sun shines on his face, a smile spreading on his lips at the warmth that wraps around him. Light dances across his skin, highlighting his golden undertone. He hasn’t woken up feeling this refreshed since he was a child; even better that he gets to wake up in his old childhood bedroom too.

He swings his legs over the edge of the bed to look around. The atmosphere is so serene that Yoongi’s heart nearly skips a beat at the lack of city sounds. He can’t help but laugh at himself.

With a sigh, he rests an elbow on his thigh as he lays his cheek upon his hand. He takes a deep breath, air feeling his lungs and nose with the crispest air. He thinks he could celebrate the air quality alone.

“Min Yoongi-ah!” His grandmother knocks on the door. “Are you awake?”

“Yes, Halmeoni.” 

“Good. We have a lot to do today. Get ready and meet me in the kitchen.” Yoongi smiles, reminiscing how he used to dread the sound of his grandmother’s voice early in the morning, but now he sees it as a gift because he’s still able to see her everyday.

Yoongi hops out of bed and makes his way to the bathroom, surveying the hall. He’d hate to be indecent in front of his grandma.

Since coming to stay, he’s begun taking better care of his appearance, like he did prior to his slump. His hair has grown out to his shoulders and he’s refrained from dying it, letting his natural color come in. He feels more mature this way, but he also wants to avoid a scolding from his grandmother.

When he’s finished grooming, he makes his way to the kitchen, greeting the little old lady he adores so much.

“Good morning, Halmeoni.”

“Good morning, puppy.” She smiles at him as he mimics, right down to their gummy smile. People always wonder where he gets it from. His cheeks hurt from just how much it pleases him to be called the nickname he’s had since the woman learned his mother was pregnant. He likes it much better than being called a cat -which don’t get him wrong because he very much sees the appeal.

Halmeoni sits Yoongi’s breakfast down, petting his head as she coos about how much he looks like a nice young man. He thanks her, diving in to savor the meal.

He closes his eyes, humming at the taste on his buds as he taps the plate with his fork. “Delicious.”

“Really? I wasn’t sure if I should make a big meal or not.”

“No, Halmeoni. We need to eat light. You said we have a lot to do anyway.”

“Oh, my grandson, so considerate. You keep it up, you might meet a nice girl while you’re here,” she dotes.

Yoongi dips his head, taking another bite to hide his flushed face. The town is small where everyone knows each other and he’s practically lived here before, knowing most of the women as they never seemed to move after high school.

He thinks they’re nice but as much as he loves countryside living, he loathes some of the mindset that the locals have. He’s very much the type to go out and travel when he’s not in a rut, just so he can come home and be a homebody till the mood strikes again. Truthfully, he wants someone who can complement him. He hasn’t told his grandmother yet, but he definitely has his eyes set on someone.

After breakfast, Yoongi helps his grandmother clean the kitchen before heading out into the front yard.

He takes a deep breath of the warm, crisp air and closes his eyes. This is all he’s ever wanted and he’s starting to feel like he doesn’t want to go back to the city.

“OH MY GOODNESS! MIN YOONGI?!” He opens his eyes to see you speeding by on your bike as you disappear down the road. But then a screech followed by the pitter patter of your sneakers comes back as you roll your bike to park in front of the house. “Hi, Yoongi-ssi.”

Yoongi simply throws a hand up and a quaint smile. He looks so put together in his long sleeve, blue jeans, and brown work boots. And his hair catches the light, showing off the brownish undertones of his long locks. Even his hands stand out, tan and veiny from gripping the crates. He looks like a genuine small town country boy. 

“Are you here for the annual market?” You smile weakly before biting your lip. Of course he is; he comes every year. Honestly, small talk is the only thing you can get from anyone around here.

“Yes.” Yoongi pops the tailgate of the truck to pull crates off.

“I’m going to be there too, but my booth is much bigger this time.”

“That’s nice,” he says, never looking at you as he stacks the crates.

“You should stop by. I’d love for you to come try my pastries. I’ve expanded since last year.” You tilt your head and lean, trying to get a look at his face. Even from behind the gate, he doesn’t seem the slightest bit interested.

“Sure.” Welp.

You know Yoongi’s rather laid back and very shy. You chalk it up to him not really interacting with much of the town except during the market. You know he used to go to school here but it's been a while since he moved away to the big city.

“Oh, well I look forward to seeing you there. I heard the Kim brothers are even setting up a booth for the wine business they started this year.”

“Yeah, I know.” Of course he’d know; they’re his friends.

Silence stirs; just the sound of crates hitting each other, a light breeze, and chirping birds. It feels awkward and intrusive to just stand here and gawk at him. 

“Well… I have to head back to my shop.” He stacks crates. “Bye.”

He bows to you before picking up the crates and heading into the house; leaving you standing there to watch. You feel your chest tighten and swallow the lump in your throat.

Yoongi walks down the corridor, listening to the sound of your bike grow further from him. Then he sets the crates near the back door to the garden, afterwards crouching down as he covers his face. “Yeah, I know?” he mumbles into his hand. ‘YEAH, I KNOW’?! What the absolute fuck kinda response is that?!

“Puppy?” Yoongi looks up at his sweet grandmother’s face.

“I’m fine, Halmeoni; I’m just a little hot.” It's true that he’s hot but that's only because he’s furious with himself and still slightly anxious from having to speak with you. He’s literally sweating like a pig from how nervous he was.

“Halmeoni will get you some water, but sweetheart you should go lay down.” Halmeoni pats him on the head before going to the kitchen.

Yoongi can only imagine that this is a taste of Hell and surely he isn’t ready for the eternal flame that he very much deserves. How could he be an absolute dickhead to you? HOW?!

The sky is blue, birds are chirping, adults are in community, and children are laughing all while the sun lays a warm blanket over the land and a cool breeze sweeps through to aid in a relaxing day.

And one Min Yoongi can’t stop smiling as the apples of his cheeks hurt. He doesn’t know why he’s smiling but it just seems like the right time. And for once, he doesn’t really mind others greeting him with a gentle smile as well.

“Puppy, help Halmeoni get the crates.” Yoongi looks over to see his grandmother trying to pick up a crate of tangerines by herself. 

“I got it.” He goes to take it from her but she turns away.

“I’m not that old, you know.” Yoongi’s brows raise. “I move better than you young ‘uns.”

“Sorry, Halmeoni.” Yoongi swiftly picks up a crate of his own this time and follows in behind his grandmother as he looks around.

The whole market is covered by a giant tent that’s supposed to shield the produce and festival goers away from the sun. Yoongi likes the steady breeze flowing from under the tent, but he does hate how dark it is. He’d rather much be in the field picking fruits and vegetables.

“It looks like the Kim brothers were serious when they said they’d be selling wine.” Halmeoni sets down the crates on a clothed table, looking behind Yoongi. He does the same, seeing their empty stand, but knowing very well it is in fact their station just by the use of silk, velvet, and gold decorations everywhere and professionally made menu posters.

“Who sells wine in the summer?” Halmeoni shakes her head before heading back to the truck.

“The Kim cousins. I’ll be damned if I call them brothers.” He says under his breath. He almost goes to follow his grandmother till she sees a couple of high school volunteers show up.

This is the perfect time to dip and go see what this wine is all about. Yoongi lightly jogs to the unoccupied booth now closing in on the two enormous barrels with taps sitting on the table and the display case of what seems to be summer inspired wines. Most of them are berries, so it can’t be that bad.

He carefully picks up a bottle and checks the alcohol content. As much as the Kims get on his nerves sometimes, they’re actually funny guys and great business men, so Yoongi’s glad to support them in their endeavors.

“Hey, Kookie, can you hang this up for me, please?’ Yoongi immediately sets the bottle down, looking around in search of your melodic voice again.

“Yeah, sweetheart.” Yoongi’s broods at the sound of Jungkook’s voice. When he finally has eyes on the two of you. Jungkook is throwing a cloth over a bar, while your hand is on his stomach as you begin to laugh. Yoongi doesn't know what you see in the boy, but he’s never seen you upset over him. So that is something he can give the kid.

“Minie, be careful. Don’t get hurt.” Yoongi watches your other friend, Jimin, set down a stack of pink pastry boxes as he lets out an over dramatic grunt.

“Come rub my back,” He says slumping into a chair.

“No can do, I’m gonna go look at the funky shaped watermelons.” You grab your basket and walk off.

“She better be glad that her friendship is enough.” Jimin cranes his neck to look up at Jungkook.

“Whatchu mean? We get free snacks, too.” Jungkook looks at him with doe-eyes, causing Jimin to grin. It seems your charms can swoon over any man.

Yoongi knows it’s toxic but having Jungkook and Jimin as your friends and employees makes him feel a little bit better about his chances with you. Which may be slim to none, but at least he knows there's a chance that they also don’t like anyone who fancies you. 

“If you take a picture, it’ll last longer.” Yoongi jumps at his friend Kim Taehyung whispering in his ear. He has the slyest grin on his face as he walks by, his arms folded, afterwards turning on a heel to face Yoongi.

“Taehyung.” Yoongi broods.

“I’ve admired ____ for some time now. She’s cute and passionate about her business. You think she’d accept, if I proposed, Yoongi?” Yoongi turns to Kim Seokjin who’s twirling a bottle of wine in hand as he “reads” the label. Jin doesn’t have to look to know that his friend is stunned.

“Hyung.” Yoongi hates to admit that he truly believes that Jin would do such a thing just to teach him a lesson.

“You think she’d like a boyfriend too, Seokjin?” Yoongi whips over to look at Taehyung again.

“An open relationship? I don’t know, Taehyung. Let’s ask Yoongi.” He turns to the man in question who simply rolls his eyes. “How does Mrs. and Madam Kim sound to you, Yoongi?” Seokjin stares at the man, his face cold like marble as Yoongi hears Taehyung snicker.

“You two are sick.” Yoongi shifts between the two men.

“Oh, I see. You wanna do way worse to her.” Jin grins, laying a hand to his shoulder before being shaken off.

“Being a husband and a boyfriend isn’t always about sex, Yoongi. Who’s the sick one, now?” Taehyung crosses his legs, holding the table behind him as he quirks a brow at his lovesick friend.

“Ugh. Do you two ever give good advice?” Yoongi groans, snatching a basket on the table before walking off.

“For a price!” Seokjin shouts out to which Yoongi throws a middle finger back as he walks off.

He doesn’t understand why the Kims think embarrassing him will encourage him to confess his feelings for you. In situations like these, he wishes Hoseok and Namjoon were around. But Hell, he may still end up rejected because those two know how to charm a woman without even trying. Then you’d just be Mrs. Kim-Jung.

Yoongi finally steps from under the tent, the sun instantly shining down on him. He shields his face and makes his way over to the strawberry field up ahead. He crouches down, taking a plump berry into his hand. It’s vibrantly red and firm, ready for picking. He likes that the field is the staple of the market festival every year because they just go with summer. There’s other fruit fields like the watermelon, but there’s something serene about getting low to the ground and smelling the dirt as you pluck a ripe berry from its vine. Plus there’s so many things you can use them for: salads, smoothies, cakes, lemonade.

Yoongi takes a deep breath, taking in the crisp air as he watches festival goers peruse the scene. There’s plenty of old people here, but you won't miss your occasional parent and child, teen volunteer, and young lovebirds.

Without realizing he starts to look for you out in the various fields and back at the market. He doesn’t see you wandering about; just Jimin and Jungkook using their boyish charms to sell desserts. Yoongi would buy something from you, but he thinks it would be awkward either way he goes about it: buying while you’re not there may seem like he’s avoiding you and buying in your face even though he didn’t seem to make such a big fuss might feel like he’s doing it out of pity.

He has so many thoughts swirling in his head that it takes him a moment to register the shadow that’s creeped in front of him. When he finally does he turns to see you standing over him and he’s utterly stunned.

You look ethereal with the sun shining behind you as your dewy skin shimmers. You’re practically glowing. And the scent of your perfume encapsulates him as a light breeze blows, hitting him with the fresh smell of crisp peaches. His senses shock to life and he stands up to gaze upon your even more beautiful face.

“Oh, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” You shield your face from the sun while touching his shoulder. He looks like he saw a ghost or any other cosmic being.

He looks at your hand on his shoulder and you swiftly take it away. “I should have asked, sorry.”

“Uh, you’re fine.” Come on, Yoongi, say more than two words.

You look in his basket and see the numerous berries he’s picked. “What are you gonna use those for?” You smile at him, finally letting your hand down as the sun's rays hit your face and cleavage. Yoongi can't help but think how’d it feel to lay upon your soft bosom and let all his worries melt away.

He forces himself to focus on your face because looking at you wholly is way too much for him to handle. You’re the personification of summer in your baby blue midi dress and beige wedges. Your hair is up in a bun, big and full, as two little twists hang by your ears. You have excitement in your eyes, and a smile so bright it compliments the glossiness of your lips. You’re ready for what Summer has to offer and he’s in love.

“It’s okay, if you haven’t yet. At least you’re not like me; I have a million recipes I can think of off the top of my head, but not nearly enough man power and time to execute them all.” You start to fan yourself, then look towards the breeze, letting it soothe your cheeks. “If you want, you can come to my shop, I can help you put ‘em to use.” You look back at him and he’s staring at you.

But then you notice he’s zoned out a bit, and you immediately worry that he may be too hot. The weather forecast didn’t predict heat-stroke levels of temperature, but everyone’s temperament is different. “Yoongi, are you okay? Do you need to sit down?” You go to grab his hand, being the caring person you are. You’re more than willing to help him back to the tent.

“Yoongi?”

“No, I’m sorry; uh- I was just thinking. There’s really a lot of things you can do with -uh- strawberries.” You freeze looking at him. He was zoned out the entire time, letting you ramble on. You feel like a fool and you can’t hide how your eyes gloss over.

You let go of his hand and push your basket up your arm. “Well, if you’re fine now, I’m gonna go. I have a lot to do back home. And I think I’ve embarrassed myself enough,” you mumble the last bit, now in your head about everything. You don’t know why you feel so self conscious around him or why you want him to like you.

You walk off, careful lifting your dress to watch your feet.

“Wait, ____.”

“It’s okay, Yoongi, you have a wonderful evening,” you say, quickly walking away. He wants to follow you. He should follow you but he does want to respect your boundaries. Maybe he should give you some space? He never meant to make you feel stupid. He just thought you looked like Summer.

After gathering all he can, Yoongi comes back to the tent, walking past the Kims’ booth. They almost get his attention till they see the glare on his face. He’s not in the mood for more of their taunting.

He immediately makes a straight shot for your booth and is met with the most unsettling glares from Jungkook.

“Is __-”

“What do you want?” Jungkook stands, his arms folded.

“I came to speak to ____.”

And as if it couldn't get any worse, his worser half, Jimin comes out. He stares at Yoongi before leaning in to whisper to his friend. The two hold each other's gaze till Jungkook’s voice interjects.

“She’s not here.”

“Then where-”

“None of your damn business.” Jimin calls out before turning to go behind the curtain, looking back to glare at him. He stands there for a bit till Yoongi sees what looks to be your hand pulling him towards you. The curtain flows for just a second longer for Yoongi to see you laying your head against Jimin’s stomach as you cry.

“You should lea-”

“Okay, you’ve made your point.” Yoongi interrupts as Jungkook quirks a brow. What? Did he truly expect for him to just back down without giving him a taste of his medicine?

Yoongi simply picks up his basket and leaves you crying in the arms of your friends. He can’t do anything with them around. They’d never let him get close enough to breathe the same air as you ever again. He’s shit out of luck at the moment and maybe forever.

As he makes it back to his grandmother’s booth, she’s busy counting money to place into her collection box. When she glances over at her grandson, she immediately knows something’s wrong.

“Min Yoongi?”

“Yes ma’am.” He doesn’t look at her, instead playing with the berries.

“Is there something going on?” She taps the money on the table before putting it in the box, but she never wavers from her grandchild.

“Yes, ma’am.” Her sweet boy dumps the berries into a styrofoam cart and places them in a cardboard box. He can’t lie to his grandmother; it literally causes him a visceral reaction.

“Then what are you going to do to fix it?” Yoongi looks at her staring back. His expression is unmoving but he can detect the admiration in her eyes. He knows this is how she helps but it's never been enough. Her generation barely wants to talk things out; they just want solutions because feelings don't solve problems.

“Pray for a miracle?” He sighs, giving her a weak smile.

“Well, you keep praying then, but it won’t make him answer on wishes alone. You have to make an effort as well, son.” At least she isn’t a fanatic that sits and waits for her blessings. And honestly, he shouldn’t either.

Yoongi walks into his bedroom and flops onto the bed, before letting out the loudest guttural sigh. How did he fumble this so hard in such little words? You practically ran from him. 

He finally sits up to look outside his window. What is going to do? You probably hate his guts right now. Or you’re so distraught that you can’t even feel anger; just sorrow. If he doesn’t rectify the situation now, you may think he hates you forever. You don’t deserve to harbor that kind of pain because he can't find the balls to tell you how he truly feels about you.

“You gotta fix this, Yoongi. If it's one thing you do with your measly life, you don’t break her heart… a little too late for that, but you don’t shatter it into a million little pieces, man. I can mend this.” Yoongi puts on his shoes and heads to the kitchen to rummage through the junk drawer. When he finds the sticky notes, he leaves a message for his grandma, telling her that he’s gone to your house. He’s most certain he’ll be back before she is, but it's just in case she decides to call her game of Bridge with friends short this evening.

Yoongi leaves the house on foot. You only live a mile up the road, and he wants to give you a proper apology, so he wants as much time to really find the words to convey to you that he never intended for his behavior to come off as disdain or even hatred for you.

But that leaves the real question of whether he should confess to you or not? He imagines that this interaction could get emotionally charged, so he doesn't know if something as big as a confession could really change how heavy this already is for you.

When Yoongi finally closes in on your house, he takes a minute to just breath before he rushes up to the door and knocks. He waits for a while. Your lights are on unless you were so emotionally exhausted that you went to sleep without shutting down the house. He then presses the doorbell. 

“SORRY… UH, I- I'M IN THE BACKYARD!”

Yoongi walks around the side of the house and comes up to the gate. He’s so nervous that he takes some time to breathe.

“Hello?” You see a figure standing there and get a little scared because you left it unlocked as the town is pretty safe.

“Huh, yeah. Sorry, it's Min Yoongi.” His voice wavers.

“Oh,” you murmur, sounding sad.

“Uh -aht- can I talk to you?” Yoongi can’t describe how nervous he is, but he can feel his whole body buzzing as his shaking hands hold one another.

Silence stirs. Did you up and leave? It would be valid if you did.

“__-”

“Sure… the gate is unlocked.” You don’t sound too enthusiastic.

He pushes past the wooden gate, coming in to see you sitting under a tree. There’s baskets of varying fruits surrounding you, but you’re busy cutting an apple with a pocket knife. He stands there awkwardly with his hands clasped, looking like an inquisitive little grandpa.

This is Yoongi’s first time at your house and he’s mesmerized by the way you’ve decorated the yard. There’s fairy lights strung along the tree and an awning attached to the back of the house creating a patio with a firepit. The grass is so lush that it almost looks like fur. And there’s little sprouts of flower bushes planted around. It’s truly magical, especially with the orange-pink sky up above.

Eating a slice of apple off the knife, you watch him intently as he observes your home and you can’t help but find him cute. “Come sit,” you finally say, patting beside you. He hesitates a little but eventually follows, plopping down rather close to you. You study him for a while. Admittedly, this is your first time seeing him up close like this. Other times, he’s always kept his distance or never looked at you directly. It’s a nice change and it lets you admire the little moles on his face, his eyes, and his silky black hair. But most of all his scent. He smells like fresh linens hung out near an ocean breeze. It’s calming.

“What is it that you wanted to talk about?” His eyes wander your face; your smile is warm -welcoming even- but he does notice the slight gloss and redness to your eyes. And if he wasn’t already feeling guilty enough, he now feels worse because it’s almost nightfall, meaning you’ve been in shambles the entire day. And considering how he’s treated you throughout the week, this probably isn’t the only day you’ve cried. He feels like utter shit; just thinking about you crying in bed because of him.

“I’m so sorry.” His features soften as his brows come together and his cheeks puff out. “For ignoring you and making you feel like I didn’t like you.”

“It’s okay.” You look down, slicing the fruit again, but settle on staring at it.

“But it’s not. You’re the last person I would hate. I’d have to hate myself before I could even fathom turning on you.”

Your brows raise at the high stakes he sets for himself. “I don’t want you to hate yourself, Yoongi.”

“But I do. You didn’t deserve that from me.” He sighs before letting a moment of silence stir. “Truth is, ____… you make me nervous.”

“Nervous?”

“Yes, you’re so pretty and smart that whenever I get around you, my mind goes blank and it leaves me looking like an asshole who can only respond in simple sentences. And you’re so bubbly and outgoing too that it intimidates me a little bit.” He looks down at his hands, but abruptly shoots back up at his words. He waves his hand. “But not in a bad way. Just like- I don’t know… there’s way better people you could talk to… than me.” All of this wouldn’t have happened had he just been direct with you. It’s so easy to be that way with everyone else, but with you? You just have this way of disarming him, and frankly he’s not opposed to it. You’re immensely charming, but he’s just…. “____, there’s no excuse for my behav-”

Your giggle graces his ears first before your smile does. When he looks at you, there’s just a mix of shock and confusion scribbled on his face. “I’m sorry… it just seems like I should be apologizing to you, now.”

“What?! N- no. Truthfully, I don’t have much experience with people. I lock myself in my studio and I only talk to the same two people -three, if you count my grandma. So it's been hard for me to tell you that I like you.” Silence ensues again and he looks up to see you staring back. Your eyes wander his face and you begin to notice just how attractive and enduring this man is.

“You really like me?”

Yoongi’s eyes widen at the realization of his confession. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this or ever. He wants to crawl into a hole and never come out. Why would he say all that? If you thought he was odd then, you definitely think so now. But truthfully you don’t; you never have.

Before he can even try and cover himself, you reach out and take his hand as your head tilts in admiration of him. He can’t find his voice as you’ve completely disarmed him. Like you always do.

“I more than like you,” he murmurs as you watch his round cheeks turn red and the big sigh he lets out genuinely surprises you. He’s been holding this in for some time now; letting it cause him great stress. You even feel his hand relax.

All has come to light now, and he can honestly say an immense weight has been lifted off his chest. If you reject him right now, he can honestly say he won’t have any regrets and be proud to say he even tried.

Yoongi stares back at you, waiting, but he didn’t prepare for your features to suddenly contort, tears streaming down your face as your voice cracks and wails.

Yoongi instantly feels his heart drop into his stomach, twisting into the most sickening knot. What has he done? He never thought confessing would make you cry. He expected rejection but not full blown tears. Do you think he’s pranking you by toying with your heart? Maybe it was better to just let you go on thinking he hated you?

He shifts, getting ready to speak which he’s sure no amount of words could help him recover from this, but he has to try, for you.

“I’m so happy to hear that, Yoongi.” His brows raise. “I’ve been really lonely since I moved here. I mean… I love the town but really only old people live here and… the adults our age don’t really talk to me cause they think I’m too different. I have Jungkook and Jimin but we’re just friends.” Yoongi is trying to process everything but his mind’s still lingering on your first statement. “For a while, I told myself that even being your friend would make me happy, but sometimes I catch myself thinking about you, but beyond friendship.” Yoongi isn’t sure he heard you right. “You’re charismatic and shy but I know you deeply care for people. I just couldn't for the longest time fathom why it couldn't be me. And even though I thought you harbored these feelings against me I still have to accept that maybe I’d like to have you more than a friend.” No, he heard you correctly the first time. “But I’ve been too scared to shoot for anything bigger.”

“Why?” Is all he says. It’s frankly all he can muster.

“I thought that maybe you had someone back home already. We’re older now and this is the time when people usually settle down.” You look away, your cheeks growing hot. “So I took my chance at the fair, thinking it might be my last.” Yoongi feels awful that it took heartbreak to reveal your mutual pining for one another. He truly doesn’t have any words for you. All he can think is that somehow all the celestial bodies aligned perfectly on this night to grant him his one wish and apparently yours too.

You two don't speak for a while as it’s grown dark and the only sounds present are your sniffles and chirping crickets.

He doesn't know how to make the situation better or any less awkward, so he simply gets up, grabbing your basket of strawberries and heads to the water pump to clean them. You watch through teary eyes in confusion. You just had a heart to heart and this man is washing fruit. You don't know whether to be upset or intrigued by his thought process.

When he flops back down, placing the basket between you, he picks a berry up by the tuff of its leaves and holds it out to you.

“Today’s been… eventful to say the least.” So a strawberry is going to help? Your eyes shift between his. “Eat.” Confusion stirs on your face at the sudden shift in his demeanor, but you lean in anyway, taking a bite of the fruit. It’s sweet with a sour kick at the end, making you hum. Maybe it helps a little.

Yoongi eyes the way your lips wrap around, the bright red contrasting with your pout till you pull off with a smack. Juice catches on your bottom lip as you lick it off, gazing at him with glossy eyes.

“Feel better?” You nod, watching him bite the berry. You think nothing of it, but he savors the taste, knowing your lips have blessed it first. He holds the berry in his mouth, bringing a hand to your cheek as he thumbs away your tears. Then he releases the fruit with a smack. “Then don’t cry anymore. Although you look pretty, I hate the reason behind it.” You’re utterly stunned, feeling in a state of limbo. Who is this man? And what has he done to Min Yoongi?

Yoongi finishes off the fruit, setting the leaves down near the tree roots before picking up another strawberry. He holds it out to you again as you stare deep into each other's eyes. “You done?” he asks, going to take it for himself till your hand grabs his wrist, redirecting him back to your plump lips. There's no hesitation this time as you let him feed you once more. 

Yoongi watches your lips wrap around the big berry, juice squirting and spilling down the side of your mouth. The entire time, you’re engaged in a deep stare as he swallows hard, licking his lips. He quickly lays a hand lazily over his crotch, trying to hide his ever growing erection.

When you release, a moan escapes you. He’s about to burst when you give him a little smile. Then he gazes at the drop of juice on your lips. “Oops, I made a mess,” you giggle, your big eyes shining and lips pouty. You look almost innocent, and Yoongi can’t help but wonder if you mean it on purpose. You giggle once more. “It looked too good not to act on impulse.” And you mean it. It’s a perfect distraction and you honestly feel a lot better.

“Hm.” His eyes wander your face, his features going darker. “Wanna ‘nother?”

“Yep. Aah~” You open wide, exposing your palate to Yoongi. How are you this fucking cute? Everything about you is sweet, innocent, and bubbly. He wants to appreciate this side of you more but his mind keeps flickering to him fucking the back of your throat raw and abusing the roof of your mouth as he empties his ball before making you swallow his cum.

But he grants your wish instead, taking another strawberry to let you devour it whole as you giggle at the juice running down your lip. A little dark patch of dirt begins to form from the liquid dripping down.

You finally release with a hiss, taking in a cool breath as the refreshing taste lingers on your tongue and the crisp scent fills your nose. It tastes like heaven, and Yoongi is contemplating whether he died on his way to your house and is already enjoying his stay in eternal paradise.

Seeing a drop of juice rest upon your bottom lip, he takes his thumb, smearing the essence across the full expanse of your plush pout. Your eyes wander his, watching as they become slightly heavy and dark. He finally inches his thumb past your lips and you willingly take it into your mouth, sucking his thumb. 

His mouth falls open, whining as you suck and hollow your cheeks before popping off to twirl your tongue. You don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you’ve officially crossed that line and you don't think you two could even stop if you wanted to. There would always be this lingering desire for one another, so you might as well see where the night takes you.

And Yoongi certainly feels the same, taking the berry and feeding you till you hit the rine. He then pulls from your grasp to glide it across your lips before leaning in to kiss you. The taste of strawberries and each other mix together, dancing along your tongues as they swirl about. You want -no, need- more of him.

You quickly crawl to straddle him, sitting on his thigh as Yoongi wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you closer. Your clothed clit drags along the rough denim of his jeans, and you cup his cheeks, deepening the kiss. He squeezes your sides and hips, occasionally straying further down before finding his way back up. Even now, he’s trying to be a gentleman.

“Squeeze my ass, Yoongi,” you moan against his lips, grabbing his wrist to place his hands on your plump ass. He obeys, but catches you off guard as he grips you so fiercely that his nails dig into your supple skin. You moan at the slight sting spreading down your thighs as his large hands rub to soothe you. “Yoongi,” you whimper as he does it again, this time giving you a shake that rubs your pussy deeper into his thigh. Yoongi groans into your mouth, feeling a wet spot seep through his jeans. Your hands travel down his stomach and into his shirt to graze his abs, afterwards snaking further to grope his massive bulge.

“Ah~ ____,” he growls, bringing a hand to the back of your neck to press you deeper into the kiss.

Your pace picks up as you rut your hips against his thigh. He quickly throws your dress up in the back and slips a hand down into of your panties. With one hand spreading a cheek, he uses his other middle finger to tease your rim.

“Oh my -fuck- baby, yes.” He dives down further to your entrance, circling around as your hands grip his belt. Your pussy lays soft kisses upon the tip of his finger, urging him to sate your clenching walls. You hastily unbuckle his jeans. Yoongi always took you for a sweet girl, but he never thought you’d be such a cock-hungry slut. He likes this side of you just as much.

Whipping out his dick, the two of you stop to look at his massive erection: long, thick, and riddled with bulging veins. You can hardly wrap your hand around him. And a lush patch of dark hair brushes your skin. His tip is a deep mauve, glistening with precum. He’s been pleasing you this whole time and in need of release. You spit, watching as a long thread glides down your wet taste and drips onto his tip, your hand moving to coat him in a slick mess.

“Aah~ Fuck,” he rasps out, his voice shaky as he watches you stroke his cock. The warmth and firm grasp of your hand feels divine, sending his head to knock back into the tree as you attack his jaw with kisses. You’re sloppy, licking from his ear to his neck, then placing chaste kisses to his cheek as you giggle.

But your amusement soon ceases, now replaced with lust as he dips two fingers into your slick pussy. They glide in and out of you with ease except for when they rub against your beveled walls from clenching so hard, causing your thighs to shake a little at the sweet sting of him hitting your g-spot.

“Fuck my pussy, Min Yoongi. Ugh~ Baby, just like that.” Your warm breath tickles his ear as you whimper in approval of his fingers curving and pumping vigorously inside of you. His moans grace your ears as well, making more slick seep from around him. You look down, licking your lips at the way his foreskin pushes all his precum to the tip, some of it white from friction.

The atmosphere fills with the sounds of both your whimpering, fucked out voices. But it doesn’t matter as all your neighbors live miles away from you. Simply just another reason for loving the countryside. And as far as they're concerned, you’re two wild animals going at it -which is true in many respects.

You continue to please each other till your vision becomes a cloudy, white haze and the pressure in your stomach finally snaps. You press your open mouth to Yoongi’s as you both cry out, writhing in pleasure together.

You swirl your tongue around his, trying your best to ride through your orgasm as your body writhes and you coat his fingers white. Then you feel Yoongi twitch, veins pumping as he coats your hand in hot cum. “Mmh~ Yoongi, good boy. Cum for me, baby,” you coo, earning a whimper from him as he cums again for you to milk his cock. “Give me your cum, Yoongi.”

“Aah~ Fuck, ____.” You feel exhilarated hearing your name moaned into your ear and his hot essence in your palm.

“Do I make you feel good, Yoongi?”

“Ugh, yes. Yes, baby. So fucking much. You don’t even…” His features contorts and his mouth gapes open, unable to make a sound.

“‘I don’t’ what? Tell me, Yoongi.”

“Kn-know how much I’ve wanted to ruin you.” You continue to coax him through his orgasm, stroking him and sucking his lips and tongue as he whines from overstimulation.

Looking down, your head tilts as you watch one big rope of cum spurt from his tip. You look absolutely intimidating as Yoongi whines and watches your tongue glide along your top lip, a smirk appearing at the way he so easily obeys you.

“You did so good, baby,” you whisper in his ear and he whimpers with a shutter. You caress a cheek and kiss the other before gazing over his flushed face. He’s going to sleep good tonight.

Once Yoongi falls silent, you stop and rest against his shoulder. Your body relaxes into his as you sit, listening to each other’s shallow breaths. It’s only till Yoongi pulls his fingers from your aching cunt that you whine and grip his arm, burying your face in his neck. He gazes upon his glistening hand, spreading his fingers to watch golden light dance along the threads of your slick. Your scent is pungent, yet intoxicating.

You unburrow to look at the sight too. You even surprise yourself with how drenched his hand is. But that doesn’t stop you from showing him that you’re an absolute freaknik when you take one of his fingers into your mouth, the decadent tang dancing along your buds.

You continue to suck, bobbing your head back and forth as your big eyes gaze into his. You stick him so far down your throat that your eyes start to water. The hum around him causes his mouth to gape open as he hisses, thinking that he’d could get it up again for you to perform the same to his cock.

When you finally pop off, you guide his middle finger into his mouth, so he can savor your taste as well. It’s maddening, the way your head tilts as you look at him with soft eyes full of endearment. 

“How’s it taste?” you ask so casually that it almost seems like you're talking about actual food.

“Better than any strawberry.” He gives you a quaint smile. 

You’re like the sweetest dream as you loom over him smiling. Though, even through haziness, he can see that hint of mischief as you raise your hand to lick all his cum up. You never break your gaze with him, grinning around your index finger. You're like an actress for a yogurt ad, pulling a spoon from your lips as you look at him with big innocent eyes.

“You taste good, too.” You giggle, leaning in to kiss him. This is not the first time Yoongi has tasted himself, but doing so from your tongue makes it seem like a transcendent experience.

“I like you so much,” he confesses quietly, like he’s telling you his greatest secret.

“I like you so much, too,” you whisper back, running your clean hand through his hair as you gaze into his deep brown eyes. “Come on, let's get cleaned up.” You kiss him before getting up and heading towards the patio sliding door. You hold the door open after entering your home and Yoongi follows after.

He looks around admiring how cozy the place is. You have plenty of blankets for a good cuddle and the air smells like fresh baked cookies.

“You can go first; it's the door right there.” You point. He looks back at you, giving him a shy smile before he goes inside. You think it's cute how he’s always looking for you or not wanting to leave your side.

When he comes out, he looks around for you. “Yoongi.” He turns and his eyes light up at the sight of you sitting on the couch. “Come make yourself at home. After I’m done, I have something for you.”

“For me?”

“Yep.” You giggle through a small crack in the door before closing it.

Yoongi is buzzing with excitement as to what your surprise could be. You’ve already given him your affection which is enough for him. Well, almost because he hopes to completely win over your love one day. And he’s more confident than ever that he can.

You come out, smiling at him as you come to grab his hand. Once in the kitchen you pull out his chair and gesture for him to sit.

You then rewash your hands before pulling out a plate from the overhead cabinet and a fork. You look over at Yoongi to see him posted on an arm watching your every move. “You gonna stare the whole time.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yoongi, it's fine. I like when you look at me.”

“Oh… well, I can only imagine that you look even more beautiful….”

“Naked? Y'know Yoongi, you don’t have to imagine anymore.” You smirk at him as his cheeks get flushed. 

You then open the fridge and bend over, exposing the back of your thighs. Yoongi wants to be able to bite them one day and get a taste of your nectar right from the source as your beautiful legs fight to stay open. But he wouldn’t mind being trapped between them forever as he holds onto your plump ass for dear life.

When you raise up, there's a glass dish in your hands. You set it down, pulling off the foil before grabbing a serving spoon to scoop a big helping of pineapple dump cake onto the plate. You then pop it in the microwave and turn facing him as you grab onto the counter behind.

You two stare at each other for a while before your feet are guiding you to him. You just can't stand being apart from him anymore as you cup his cheeks and kiss him. He moans at the intrusion of your tongue. He loves how you just take what you want from him. He’d happily grant your every fantasy; do anything you tell him to when making love. He’s absolutely smitten with you.

The alarm goes off and you release him, giggling at the way he breathes heavily. You grab the plate and trot back to him, setting the plate down and handing him the fork.

He looks at the dish and he’s glad it's a simple homemade dessert; he feels a little less guilty of ruining it unlike your decorative pastries you sell at your bakery. He does hope to taste them one day, but something tells him that this is something he’ll only be able to get at your home.

You pull a chair beside him and sit, both hands on your cheeks as you anticipate his very first bite. When the warm gooey goodness hits his buds, all he can do is hum in delight as he shakes his head.

“So good, baby.” Your heart jumps at his praise. You typically make Jungkook and Jimin try your food and they always have great things to say but it feels good to have that extra affection. You always want him singing your praise whether it's feeding him or fucking him.

“You make me feel so good, Yoongi.”

“That’s all I’ve ever wished for.” His big smile sets off a spark within you.

You’ve never felt this strongly about someone as you do now. He better get ready cause this will be the last time Min Yoongi ever slips from your grasp.

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[alisonwritesimagines]

Back to December ~Simon "Ghost" Riley Imagine~

Summary: Simon and you meet up at a café when you come to visit England.

Author’s Note: I just thought of this while listening to Back to December in the car.

Song: Back to December (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift

Reader’s Pronouns: She/Her

Warnings: light angst, fluff in the end, unexpected pregnancy, vulnerable Simon

Side Note: This is a secondary blog. If you comment a question down below, I will not answer since this is not the main blog. Please send the question to my inbox if you want a response back!

Do not repost this anywhere!

I'm so glad you made time to see me How's life? Tell me, how's your family? I haven't seen them in a while You've been good, busier than ever We small talk, work and the weather Your guard is up and I know why

Hey. I'm visiting England with my family if you want to meet up if you're on leave right now. - Y/N

That was the first thing you've said to him in a year. Simon stared at the screen on his phone as he leaned back against his couch. Should he go visit you? Fuck it.

He messaged you on where you wanted to meet up before getting on the train to go to you. Luckily, you told him the name of the pub you wanted to meet at that was near your hotel.

Once Simon got to the nearest pub near your hotel, he sat in a booth in the corner. He eyed the door as he waited for you to come through. You walked through the door, scanning the area before finding Simon in the corner. You smiled before walking over towards him.

"Hi. Hope you weren't waiting long," you tell him as you sat in front of him.

"Not at all."

"I'm glad you said yes to meeting with me," you tell him.

"Me too. How's your team going?" Simon asked. He hasn't seen them since the 141 teamed up with them for a mission. The same mission where he had broken it up with you.

"They're good. Still doing good. The weather here is interesting," you tell him. Simon couldn't blame your stupid small talk. After all, he had hurt your heart pretty bad.

Because the last time you saw me Is still burned in the back of your mind You gave me roses and I left them there to die

The last time you saw Simon, it wasn't a pretty picture.

"Why won't you come with me to America for the holidays? My parents and my siblings would love to meet you," you tell him.

"I don't think it's a good idea for me to go with you love."

"Why not?"

"Because..."

Simon stared at you with a sad look. He didn't want to lose you. He didn't want to see you hurt. No matter how many times you've proven to him that you're more than capable on handling yourself, he couldn't lose you like how he lost his family.

"Because I don't think this is working out. I'm sorry."

"Simon-"

"I think it's best if we just end this," Simon told you.

"So after everything we've done and been through, this is just it? You're just ending it like this?" You asked heartbroken.

"I'm sorry, Y/n. It's for the best," Simon said before walking away.

Simon didn't even say sorry or say his goodbye to you when you and your team left to go back to your main base. You looked for him one last time before getting on the plane to head back. Simon watched from afar as your plane left making him turn back around to go back to being the cold lieutenant he was before you came along.

When Simon came back to his room, he found a rose on his desk with a small note.

If you change your mind, here's my address. I'll be home on December 18th. - Y/n

So this is me swallowin' my pride Standin' in front of you sayin' I'm sorry for that night And I go back to December all the time It turns out freedom ain't nothin' but missin' you Wishin' I'd realized what I had when you were mine I'd go back to December, turn around and make it alright I go back to December all the time

"I want to apologize about what happened that night," Simon told you.

"You don't have to."

"I want to. I thought I was protecting you, but turns out I just hurt you and I ended up missing you."

"Then why didn't you come over for the holidays with me if you missed me?"

"Thought I was doing the right thing."

"Is the terrifying Lieutenant Ghost Riley admitting that he misses me?" You tease slightly to ease the tension.

"More like apologizing for that night."

These days, I haven't been sleepin' Stayin' up playin' back myself leavin' When your birthday passed and I didn't call Then I think about summer, all the beautiful times I watched you laughin' from the passenger's side And realized I loved you in the fall And then the cold came, the dark days When fear crept into my mind You gave me all your love and all I gave you was goodbye

You moved over to the side of the table where Simon was sitting at. You were two drinks in and leaning against him while he had an arm around your shoulders, holding you close to him like he used to before.

"You could've just told me the truth," you tell him.

"You know me. Don't know how to process my feelings correctly," Simon tells you.

"When did you realize that you liked me a little too much?" You asked.

"You mean when I realized when I loved you?" Simon asked. You looked up at him and nodded.

"The second to last time I saw you. Around October."

"That mission really gave us an opportunity to let us fall for one another huh?" You asked.

"Yeah."

The amount of times your team and the 141 had crossed gave you and Simon many opportunities to get to know each other more. Which ultimately lead to your heartbreak.

I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile So good to me, so right And how you held me in your arms that September night The first time you ever saw me cry Maybe this is wishful thinkin' Probably mindless dreamin' But if we loved again, I swear I'd love you right I'd go back in time and change it, but I can't So if the chain is on your door, I understand

"It's getting a little late," you tell him.

"I'll walk you back," Simon told you. You nodded as you got out of the booth. Simon paid for the drinks before the two of you started to walk over to your hotel.

"You never told me why you wanted to see me," Simon told you.

"Oh! I can't believe I forgot! It was something important but I guess I got caught up with us," you tell him.

"What is it?" Simon asked.

"It's best if I show you," you tell him as you lead him back to your hotel.

You lead him to your room where your sister was playing with your daughter. Simon stared at the child as she looked a lot like you and him.

"Sorry for taking a little longer. Y/s/n, this is an old coworker of mine. Simon, this is my sister," you introduced.

"Nice to meet you," Simon said, giving her a nod.

"No worries. I'm going to get some sleep. See you tomorrow. Nice meeting you Simon," your sister said as she handed you your daughter to you.

"Bye," you said as you locked the door behind her.

Simon stood where he was as he stared at you with the baby girl in your arms. You nervously walked back to him with a shy smile.

"Simon, this is your daughter," you introduced.

Simon's eyes widen as he stared at her. He looked back at you before looking back at her. He quickly took off his mask as he stared down at her.

"I found out a little after our last mission. I asked Price for your number when I got here," you tell him.

Simon caressed his daughter's cheek a little, making her stare up at him with a smile. She giggled at him as she reached for his hand which he gladly let her take.

"I'm sorry. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't have hurt you-"

"Simon. It's okay. I forgive you. I just wanted you to meet Sophie."

"Sophie? That's her name?"

"Yeah. Do you want to hold her?" You asked.

"Will she be okay with that?" Simon asked.

"She seems to like you already."

You handed her to Simon who smiled down at her. He looked over at you as you leaned against the wall.

"Do you think it's too late for me to ask for one more chance?" Simon asked you. You shook your head at him as he got closer to you.

"I promise I won't let anything happen to you two. I swear on it," Simon tells you.

"I know you won't," you smile at him.

When you put Sophie to bed, you lied on bed with Simon as he held you tightly in his arms.

"Thank you for giving me another chance," Simon said.

"I love you Simon."

"I love you too," Simon said before leaning in to kiss you.

"Would you think about coming with us back to America?" I asked him.

"Darling, I'll follow the two of you wherever you two go," Simon tells you before kissing you once more.

[beautifulpersonpeach]

As a very bored person who just watched tons of BTS official content and vlives I think I can say as a fact that Jimin likes to grab Jungkook's face, neck, chest and Jungkook likes Jimin's waist&carry him or just hovering around him like the world cutest weirdo and stare. I love what they have

*

Ask 2: The level of joy and happiness on Jimin's face when he saw JK in his docu live from afar. The giggles, the smiles, the way he lit up. How can anyone even dare to speak on them is beyond me. Also

The tiddy grab..almost like an instinct. I'm so jealous lmao

*

Ask 3: bpp have you seen jimin’s hair???? I’m not a fan of that color on anyone but why does he make it look good?!!! Is it because he’s truly a natural blonde????? And why does blondemin scare me so much what is he cooking he hasnt had blonde hair in so long 😭

*

Ask 4:

BPP!

I'm sure your inbox is flooded with similar messages but jikook jikooked on livestream😭

I missed them so much😭

Why are they so cute😭

*

Ask 5: bpp.......................... i understand u now................. i really do................................................................ i want to talk about jimin but all thats coming out is feral bog creature howling noises.............................................

***

Hi Anon(s)!

How are we feeling? :)

Cause I know how I'm feeling... I have questions!

Several, in fact.

Such as, what is Jimin feeling for when he grabs Jungkook's tiddies?

Firmness?

Heft?

Lumps? (Please remember to test and scan regularly)

Is he feeling for a pulse?

Trying to... idk.. squeeze out milk?

Because there's other places he can more conviniently get that from Jungkook.

So, why the tits?

Is Jimin just a boob guy?

This would make sense given they'd have to balance out each other's energy and we all know Jungkook loves Jimin's "well-trained ass".

But then again, Jimin is fond of JK's ass too. In fact not just his ass, he can't seem to not be all over him sometimes?

Anyway, QTNA.

In the meantime let's enjoy jikook's wholesome relationship.

*

How adorable.

[otp-holic]

Center for Brooklyn History. Two men at Coney Island. Not dated. circa 1932

Matilda's e-mail finds Steve home alone, and he takes a deep breath before clicking it open. 

I think I found another one, the subject reads.

Getting a message from the Center of Brooklyn History always stops his heart for a second wondering what to expect after the image or document loads. 

They've become good friends with Matilda, one of the researchers who keeps squinting through the archives to find the scattered pieces of their past. Of the people they were.

When the picture loads, Steve realizes she's right, she found another one. An important one.

Steve is looking at a picture of the exact moment he decided to accept Bucky's offer to move in with him after his ma died.

It was a Friday, barely five days after they buried her, and Bucky collected his paycheck and forced him to go to Coney Island with him to eat a hotdog and get some air.

He remembers the smiling photographer walking around the lines trying to get people to take a picture, and Bucky agreeing to even though they both knew they'd never be able to afford actually picking it up a few days later.

Bucky's hand on his shoulder told Steve it was an excuse to keep him closer to him. To touch him how he wanted where it was forbidden, and his own gut reaction was to hug him as tight as he could.

It was just an instant, and they stepped away from each other the second the photographer moved to the next people in line (a boy and a girl their age who were laughing and holding hands), but it was enough.

Enough for Steve to want to smile for the first time in days, and enough for him to know that being alone was stupid and pointless. That they were better together. Bucky was his family, and he didn't want to spend more time fighting it out of mere stubbornness.

"I'll move in, Buck," he told him right away, looking into his eyes and seeing that beautiful, wide, smile directed at him. "But we're not sleeping on those pillows on the floor."

"We can share the bed like adults, and leave the extra pillows for fighting like when we were children,"  he answered, hugging him briefly, and patting his back.

The closest to a public kiss they could have back then.

Steve hits the reply button with a smile on his lips, and a little mist on his eyes, but the sound of the key on the door distracts him for a second, and Bucky’s answer appears in his inbox (“That’s us, indeed, Matilda, thank you again. You can title this one “A stubborn punk finally coming into his senses.”) at the same time he comes into the apartment.

“I’m home, you punk,” he says from afar. “Have you seen Mat’s mail, right? I think I was looking at the ground to avoid spending the night in jail for kissing the hell out of those lips. I swear I can still feel your arms around my waist.”

Steve leaves the phone on the counter and goes find him. The fact that he can kiss Bucky in the open now doesn’t mean he can’t do it at their home, too.

A stubborn punk comes to his senses also over AO3

For @stuckybingo O4 Pillowfight TR4061. It was fun to revisit this universe even f only just briefly.

[witchembrace-a]

[Obi to Shirayuki] “ there’s a killer storm going on outside , so unless you want to disappear under mysterious circumstances , i suggest you get comfortable . ”

there's a slight concern etched onto shirayuki's countenance when obi speaks ; the apple-haired girl's hands , usually steadfast and strong , have a slight tremble to them . emerald hues flick around , searching for someone who isn't there . ' where is . . . zen ? ' she asks in a soft voice , more concerned for the prince than herself . ' shouldn't he be here ? ' more importantly , is he alright ?

. . . meme.

[tellescope]

@adoranoia said: “count your breaths with me, okay? ready? one, two, three, four…” // not a game au, tommy @ gordon, obvs! tfw ur bestie has a panic attack bc shits fucked. sorry buddy.

>>From this meme

     It's probably unbecoming of someone who's supposed to be the leader, but honestly Gordon long ago ran out of fucks to give. He's allowed to have what Dr. Coomer called "a case of the crumbles". I mean, you try being in that situation!      It's kinda funny in a sad way though. Soldiers and aliens and whatever-the-fuck-else and he manages fine decent well enough to function, but all it takes to lose that held-by-a-thread sanity is a flicker of the lights.      The power had gone out. Not for long. Maybe a minute. The lights came right back.      Gordon hadn't.      A scream, a shot at the wall (thank fuck he hadn't hit anyone), and the others had found him when light returned having scrambled back up against a wall, left arm clutching his right, hyperventilating. Eyes blown wide behind cracked glasses looking but not seeing.      It's not gonna happen again.      They aren't taking anything else from him.      He needs to...      To...      "Count your breaths with me, okay?" A familiar voice breaks through. "Ready? one, two, three, four…"      Really? Fucking breathing excercises? Now is not the time for–for fucking therapy bullshit! Heart pounds in his ears and he swears he can see the damn skeleton in his peripheral, but Tommy gets his attention again and repeats himself.      Alright fine. Whatever. Not like he has any better options. With a shaky nod he tries to slow himself, following in and out with Tommy's numbers. One, two, three, four...      Again.      And again.      And it actually begins to work.      Reality fades in with every round and when he can finally register more than Tommy's voice, see the concern written in their features, Gordon slumps; head to hands resting on knees, eyes on the HEV suit curled beneath.

     ❝God. Fuck.❞ He's a mess. A clipped sigh as he comes back up, good hand running through messy bangs before looking up at Tommy. It's always Tommy. Like the universe is trying to smack him upside the head for his initial treatment. The one he judged most, doubted most, is the one to come through the most. It's always Tommy. ❝Sorry you had to–shouldn't have had to deal with, with whatever the fuck that was. I don't deserve you, man.❞

[petalsinned]

"Did you forget our agreement Inquisitor?" the CEO's eyes opened a cold glare cast upon the silver haired woman. "May I remember you are gambling not only with your own life but the life of your guardian... Guido was it?" She tilts her head as she asks quietly. "So then will you try attacking me again?" Alfonso had her pinned, her face dangerously close to the others as she flashed a smile full of razor sharp teeth

YOU GRITTED YOUR TEETH and growled lowly as Alfonso pinned you against the wall; you could F E E L the other woman's breath on your own lips, you were that close. Hearing the mention of Guido made your skin crawl, you had forgotten that he, too, was under fire if you did not listen to the director's orders to the L E T T E R .

This was rather infuriating for you, but you didn't really have a choice in the matter.

How does it feel to once again be trapped under the cruel whims of someone else?

You simply L A U G H E D, it was your way of coping, after all, and a grin of the same intensity as Alfonso's upturned your fanged, bloodied lips. " Awwwww, what, do you expect me to play the perfect little princess for you? Hah, you wish. " Kicking the other woman away, you brushed debris off of your outfit. " Did you really think my first advance on you was an A C C I D E N T ? You must be more idiotic than you realize, Director~ "

[eveenstar]

hi! for a while now I've had the idea of the proxies (specially tim and brian) taking care of the reader, who used to be their friend before the whole operator thing happened, but from far away so to not put them in danger. maybe the reader has been helping jay out with the tapes he found in hopes of finding their old friends (and maybe more???). Feel free to ignore this if it's not interesting<3

Hello! I love this idea! I did these two together but if you want one separately, hit my inbox up and I'll gladly do it for you! I see a lot of potential in this for a part 2 or even part 3. I feel like I got a bit carried away but hey, hope you still enjoy it! :)

Masky and Hoodie watching over you | Headcanons

How did you end up in this situation? It was bad enough with Jay, now you're in it too. Will you end up 'missing' like the others? There are multiple times were both ponder on it, though Masky is more inclined to not let it escalate that far while Hoodie thinks he could save you afterwards.

Bit of backstory, you met Tim first. He was the quiet kid and you were new to the school, that's how the little 'alliance' formed, then Brian came along and two became three. Of course, you already knew some of the others, that's how they all got up together.

So in the beginning, Masky and Hoodie watch you from afar, trying to shield any dangers away, but of course they can't do that forever so eventually things might get physical.

They don't 'take care of you' together'. Absolutely not. Hoodie hates Masky and he's not being forced to work together with him on this, so he won't share you. For them to be aware that both are watching over you like some messed up guardian angels, they probably bumped into one another on one unfortunate night. No fighting, just an intense stare-down.

Unconsciously take turns on days/nights. They always know when the other isn't available.

I assume you know, conscious or not, that you're being stalked by them, or at least by Masky. Hoodie is way more skilled in not being found while his 'partner' will slip here and there. They won't harm you unless you're being careless, then get ready to be pushed around or even knocked out cold and taken to safety.

As you have noticed by now, I'm referring to them in their 'dark' counterparts. You've probably read my general headcanons about them so you'll know that Hoodie is Brian and Brian is Hoodie no matter how much he'd like to pretend otherwise, while Masky is...Masky and Tim is Tim. He won't even be aware that he's stalking you until you three meet (as in you and Jay).

Back to business, Masky is not at all gentle with his methods and he's also very much in your bubble. Hope you're a heavy sleeper or you'll wake up in the middle of the night with this guy watching you. He messes everything up to try to push you away from Jay and go back to minding your own business, far away from this. By this I mean, fucking up all your plans of finding Alex or even them. Things will go missing, especially keys or cameras.

He has, and will again be given the chance, grabbed you out of a situation after the Operator made its presence announced. He left Jay behind but hey he can take of himself.

The way he grabs you is rough, partially uncaring even. If you struggle he might hop you over his shoulder or knock you out so you don't get in his way more. He sorta...means well, or at least some deep part of his mind tells him that.

Now, you won't even notice Hoodie. He's far more gentle and planning with his moves and places to hide. I don't mean gentle as in very caring and dotting, no, I mean he can be borderline creepy with the way he'll hold your chin to look at him while you lay on the ground, as if saying I told you so. Still, Hoodie in his MH era is still very insecure and new to all this, so you'll catch his hands shaking from time to time, or the way his chest goes up and down quickly as if he's about to break down. But he won't, never, not even for a second.

He'll leave threatening messages on walls or mirrors warning you not to go with Jay, or to meet up with Alex. Whatever you two have planned, you shouldn't do it. Or a simple "Stop".

Before this, he saw you as one of his best friends and potentially more had Alex and Tim not ruined everything. Maybe it's why he's risking his plans to protect you. You're not to blame for any of this or for what happened to him, you're still pure (yet intoxicated by the Operator as you continue this ridiculous ghost hunt). He can save you, if you only listen to his threats advices.

Different from Masky, he watches you from outside if you're sleeping. You'll never have to worry about seeing some masked guy looming over you if you never see him. He uses the shadows to his advances. He may be new but not totally unskilled.

Brian's mind is shattered, broken, just a shell of who he used to be. But he knows you deserve a chance. He's not gone in his Hoodie state, at least not in the way Tim is when he becomes Masky.

When you and Jay eventually find Tim and the gang's back together, it becomes a mess. Of course, it gets brought up that Tim (unaware) had been stalking you for months. Deep down, it's like he already knew. He hates seeing you in this, putting yourself in danger for something that's not even your fault! But he also hates that he scared the shit out of you multiple times as Masky.

Gods he's,,, very annoyed at himself but more at Jay. Look, the entire confrontation is a mess.

Hoodie on the other hand is...enraged. Tim will fuck you up just like he did him and- he can't have that. He'll change his plan accordingly, and you'll be safe, at least that's what his twisted mind tells him.

Anyway, with these two watching over you, it's tricky to say if you'll be safer or more in danger than before. They're like your messed up guardian angels but they're not stronger than the Operator, but let's remember that Tim has faced up that creature before and he'll do it again if it means he gets to protect you.

Hoodie...well...he just might take you away.

REQUESTS ARE OPEN