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inquixotic · 1 year

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JOSH & MALI, DAY 29.

with @graftisms !

mali wattapohn.

"please tell me you're not kissing anyone right now." she has a hand over her eyes, mostly teasing — she kind was the main instigator in all that, but whatever. details. "i have a drink, no strings, if you'll keep me company for a few."

josh vargas.

"do i look like i'm kissing anyone?" he scoffs, taking a swig of the terrible drink he made himself, too stubborn to throw it out. "last i saw, you were kissing dylan... or was it frankie? is this you promising that you'll keep that," he motions to her face, "to yourself?"

mali wattapohn.

"don't know, got my eyes covered," she returns, peeking before lowering her hand, offering one of the drinks — probably some fancy old person shit again — as she moved to sit on a chair adjacent to his. "i'll keep it to myself, i swear it," she agrees, laughing a little. "what's with the attitude? i thought i was meant to graft."

josh vargas.

he finds it funny that she sits across from him instead of next to him, but maybe it's a blessing in disguise. "i'm not giving any attitude," he laughs, taking the drink from her with a grateful nod. "i'm not meaning to, at least. just not very fun watching everyone make out with each other from the benches." it makes him wonder who in the other villa is in his position, sitting at the sidelines being equally bored. he wants to think it's naomi, but he doesn't believe she'd ever be anywhere less than the center of attention. "you like dylan?" he asks in passing, taking a sip of his drink. let the record show it's the first time he hasn't called dylan 'kangaroo boy' in weeks.

mali wattapohn.

"sure you aren't," she teases, leaning back into her own chair. "so that wasn't judgment at my choice in kisses i heard?" if it had been maddox, she's not sure she would've gotten the same reaction, because he had literally told her to go after maddox. "you could've joined." she knows he couldn't, but the sentiment is mostly meaningless, anyways, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. their lips purse at the question, trying to think of how to answer it. "not as much as phoebe does," she says, in lieu of answering it, smiling in spite of it. "he surprised me, though, that's for sure."

josh vargas.

"you can do what you want," he leans back too, resting his weight on his hands. eyebrows arch as if to say really?, knowing he doesn't need to say it aloud. they both know he wasn't going to join—and not just because dylan and frankie are both not his type. "yeah, he surprises me too," josh nods a bit, and for once it's not meant as a dig. one thing he hadn't expected out of casa was to (gag) like dylan. "are you gonna go for it, or do you like phoebe too much?" he has to imagine that if she liked phoebe too much, she wouldn't have kissed dylan in the first place.

mali wattapohn.

“with maddox,” she points out, rolling her eyes a little. something about having permission makes her want that a little less, honestly. but she’s distracted again with the talk of dylan, nodding slowly. “i think there’s a lot more to him than he’s shown.” it’s just an observation, but she does think it’s true. she sucks in her cheeks, frowning. “no, probably not,” she admits, chewing at her lower lip. “i don’t know. i’ll feel it out, maybe, but i don’t want to hurt her,” they give a shrug, worried that that will come back to bite her if they let it. “she’s been too nice to me to just…steal him away.” she gives him a wry smile, given that’s virtually what she had been trying to do to him. “it doesn’t feel right.”

josh vargas.

"or whoever," he laughs, wondering if him mentioning maddox earlier today had been a bad move. it's not like everybody doesn't know where he stands with the guy. "if you wanna go for bash, i'm not stopping you. he could probably use it." because josh doesn't particularly think rhys is being loyal back home, nor should he. "like what?" josh can't help but scoff. what, dylan is nice and deep? what isn't he? eyeing mali curiously, josh finds it hard to believe a girl like her cares so much for the feelings of another girl she only met two days ago, but if mali is being insincere, he can't tell. "i think he likes her," josh pipes up, not sure how much help he can be, "but naomi's got him by the balls, even here. if she wants to steal him, she can't move at glacial pace. even if he's making excuses to kiss you all." he can't blame dylan.

mali wattapohn.

“if you say so.” she’s mostly teasing, to no end. she did mean it when she said she’d keep it to herself, but she’s not going to not flirt either. “who brought up bash? if you just want me back in the villa, you can say that, darling.” though part of her does wonder if he knows something she doesn’t about bash, giving him a slightly quizzical look that’s sure to be misread. “he’s a better chat than i expected. i tried to see if he was really so serious, and he didn’t bite at all, without it being a Thing.” maybe it’s a little petty to bring that up, when josh himself had — it’s not her intention to make him compare the two, when they’re not trying to. “and he’s taller in person,” her eyes roll, laughing at herself. “i hope she knows that,” she says sincerely, biting her lip, sure she’ll tell her that later. “but i think he does, too, even if he’s not looking to admit it.” there’s so much for josh to read into here if you want holy fuck. “who knows, though? it’s only day 2.”

josh vargas.

"who brought up maddox?" he echoes her words, giving her a look. josh doesn't want her back in the villa--not because he doesn't like her, but it'd be hard to get naomi to move past his actions with mali in casa if she's physically there. but josh is also bored of being the casa bystander, impossible not to give his two cents about any of his fellow islanders being grafted. "who, dylan?" he's not sure if she's talking about dylan or bash, but knowing his luck, probably dylan. "serious about what? what did you say to him?" he wonders just how many people have brought up josh and naomi to dylan. no wonder he basically laughed in josh's face yesterday. "i'm taller," josh feels the need to point out. "are you a good enough friend to help her out? you seem much better at getting what you want then she is," josh casts her a look.

mali wattapohn.

“you, about six hours ago,” their fingers points at him in accusation, jesting. she doubts he’d actually see her back, anyways. maybe she can burn some bridges on her way out, though. “yes, dylan,” she gives him a look, like keep up. “serious about naomi. i’m sure everyone else is calling him a mug, but i don’t know.” it’s not her style. “maybe he just likes the girl. he certainly didn’t fall for my little damsel in distress act.” their eyes roll. even if he was being flirtier today, she’s not convinced he’ll bring anyone back — probably to his detriment. “and unavailable,” she lobbies back, giggling at the apparent need to compare himself even then. “oh, i’m a pro,” she boasts, giving him a tiny smile. “i’ve given her some tips. and if she’s asks, i’ll help, yeah.”

josh vargas.

"only because you said you wanted to get to know him. i'm not conjuring maddox's name out of thin air." it's not like he's trying to get the dude laid, not that maddox needs the help. "he is serious about naomi," his eyes roll, "or was, i guess. i don't think he knows how to not be serious with someone. it's obvious he likes her." it feels so grade school talking like that, but mali clearly hasn't met naomi herself, doesn't know just how easy it is to get ensnared in her charm. like a siren leading sailers to their death. "but they were together, like, three days. i want to see him move on." the words slip out before he can help it, although josh doubts maki will be surprised to hear it. eyes roll when she calls him unavailable, laughing once. "glad to hear you're using your powers for good instead of evil," he teases, flashing her a smile. "maybe i'm biased, but you're definitely the best bombshell here."

mali wattapohn.

“uh huh. say what you will, i think you actually like the bloke.” her eyes are twinkling with delight at the back and forth. if they can get a rise out of him, they will. “obviously,” she shakes her head a little. men. “but what i wanted to know is if he just thought he was, or if he actually is. there’s a difference, you know.” maybe she shouldn’t be spelling this out to someone she doubts is actually serious, honestly. “how long were they chatting before it was official, though?” she asks innocently, her eyebrows raising. she truly doesn’t remember, but she wonders if he recognizes the irony in having faith she didn’t do the same to him that she did to dylan. they can’t help the surge of pleasure that swells in her chest at the approval, a laugh bubbling out of her. “mixed signals,” she teases him, trying and failing to frown disapprovingly. she knows he doesn’t mean it like that, to be clear, but still. it’s nice to be liked. “it’s all about balance. a little bit of evil, then a little bit of nice. keep karma at bay.”

josh vargas.

he tries to give mali a serious look, but it's hard to not smile at her, so instead he flips her off. "you wanted to know what?" he's not following. definitely doesn't want to talk about naomi and dylan's early stages when josh was still in the picture, lips flatlining. "how should i know?" it's her laughter that warms his frostiness up, shaking his head. "it's just a compliment, jeez," he teases, even though he can hear how it might sound. "it's too bad you're a bombshell for casa," he shakes his head, eyes lingering on her, "i feel like you guys got the shit end of the stick. you'd have much more fun with the whole group."

mali wattapohn.

her laughter is almost a cackle, bordering on unladylike at being flipped off. "sometimes you can think you really mean something, but when another option presents itself...it turns out you didn't. he passed, by the way." it's added offhand. she's not sure he'll continue to, given he called his situation complicated. her eyebrows lift a little at his tone, chewing on her lower lip. "you should ask." it's advice she really doesn't want to give, since it's sort of implying he won't actually bring anyone back, but it stands. "oy, don't give me any of that. you sound like a funeral director, i'm not dead." their laughter is a little indignant, but they get it, too. the sentiment is nice. "i might get to meet everyone yet. maybe i'll steal your girl this time."

josh vargas.

her laugh makes him laugh too, not sure if he ever heard such a wild noise come out of her. "so what's the verdict, then? you think he's gonna go crawling back to her?" josh is feigning disinterest as much as possible, but mali might know more about dylan's motives than josh right now. he'd like to think dylan has enough self-respect than to go back for naomi--he's banking on it, actually--but josh really doesn't know. "yeah, no thanks." he's not looking to get wrapped up in the past of naomi and dylan's relationship, instead trying to focus on what's ahead, and whether that means him and naomi or not. "i'm not ruling it out," he smirks a little, assuming that maddox will probably bring mali back, mostly because it's exactly what josh would do if he didn't have anyone else to think about. her talking about stealing naomi makes him snort. "get in line."

mali wattapohn.

“i don’t know, truly. he called it complicated.” she sees no reason not to give him that kind of information, honestly. she doubt it’ll impact her. “i think it would be short sighted to trust her.” they do their best not to make that sound pointed. it’s not in either of their best interests, as far as she’s concerned. “suit yourself,” she shrugs, pausing as if holding back a little. “i would want to know if i were you, i suppose.” they laugh, tossing her hair over her shoulder with some pride. she doesn’t think she will, but she can never be sure. “lines are not made for pretty girls,” she teases, a smirk appearing. “you think i couldn’t?”

josh vargas.

"well that's an understatement." he wonders if talking about the naomi/dylan/him love triangle thing with mali is the best use of his time, if she's somehow going to use all this information against him. but at this point, he can't imagine it'll get more complicated than it is now, and it's not like he's saying anything to her that he wouldn't say to dylan. "i don't trust her," he admits, "but i know she doesn't trust me either, which was the whole problem in our relationship. someone's going to have to give if anything is going to come from it, so... i'm trying to make it be me," he shrugs, a little sheepish. "but if it blows up in my face, at least plenty of people will get to say they told me so. why, is it just gonna piss me of?" she's starting to sound like she knows more than she lets on. "i didn't say that," josh lets out a laugh. "you might be too similar for her taste, though."

mali wattapohn.

she gives a hum, thoughtful. surprisingly mature coming from someone who literally just slept with a person he's not interested in starting anything with only yesterday. "probably a good start. even if you do end up looking stupid," she agrees, her eyebrows still raised though. "it might a little. i don't think what they've shown was all that bad, but i know i wouldn't be pleased." flirting is harmless when she does it, but if it's their partner, that's another story. the double standard runs deep. "are we much alike?" it's a little surprising to hear — naomi always seems more fiery than mali feels they are on screen. "i didn't get that impression."

josh vargas.

he knows the risk of looking stupid is great, especially if naomi wants nothing to do with him after sleeping with mali. but maybe it's being in casa, but josh is beginning to grow a little tired of the show. if he wanted to keep things going here, it'd be easier to bring mali or layla or anyone back and try for something real—but right now naomi is a giant question mark that he's not looking to leave untouched. even if it doesn't end well, he doesn't want to come out of this with any regrets. "are you talking about just flirting, or... did something happen?" he hesitates, not sure what she's getting at. "a little bit," he nods. "you remind me of her when we first got together. flirty, a little high maintenance, but a good time." naomi without all the drama that's come after them since then, or the crazy arguments. "obviously you're not the same person. you don't have a celebrity parent, do you?" he smirks a little.

mali wattapohn.

"um," she gives a small exhale through her nose, looking skyward as she works out the timeline mentally, doing the math on when they had officially split after the jenny ordeal. "flirting is probably the best way to frame it," she says slowly, trying to recall if there was anything more — other than their little kitchen ordeal, she didn't think anything was too incriminating, but had it been her on the other side of that? "i've probably spoken well out of turn now, you know," she points out to him, licking her lips for something to do. "i am not high maintenance, thank you very much," she reaches over to smack his knee lightly, rolling her eyes. "well," she jokes, smiling a little. "probably not in the same way. my parents are quite private."

josh vargas.

he nods mutely, not really surprised by what she says. "you're fine," josh shakes his head, offering her a small smile. he doesn't actually know is she's saying this for his sake or hers, but naomi and dylan flirting while they were together doesn't mean much to him. naomi flirts with basically everyone. "okay," his laugh is sarcastic, eyes rolling lightly as well. "that definitely sounds like they're famous." god, he should've known, huh? maybe he just attracts these girls. "what do they do?" eyes flicker to meet hers, hoping she knows that she doesn't have to answer the question if it's too much.

mali wattapohn.

"i know that." they're not really concerned with saying too much, more so just not overstepping. "i just think you should know your behavior was only a little worse than hers, from where i stood." and, really, the longer she speaks to him, the more sure they are that he really doesn't always think with his brain. "not the kind of famous you would know," she returns, laughing in spite of herself. "my dad's got a hand in a tech company, and my mum is very philanthropic." the way she says it is only slightly sarcastic, a roll of her eyes. "it is less fame, honestly, they just...have a presence, i guess?"

josh vargas.

that is something he hasn't heard yet, someone not blaming everything on him. it takes him aback, blinking in surprise before his lips fall into a smile. "wow, that might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me," he jokes, hazel eyes soft. it does mean a lot to him, more than he cares to admit. he needed to hear that, even if she's just trying to inflate his ego. it's working. "oh, so they're rich," josh laughs, flashing her a grin. "you're rich. that makes so much sense now." he's teasing, of course, foot reaching out to nudge her lightly. "i should've known when you said singapore."

mali wattapohn.

her lips curve in a teasing smile, rolling her eyes. "your standards are in hell, then," she quips, meeting his look with a small press of her lips, feeling a little discomfort from it. "besides, is it nice if it's true?" her laughter is a little more sheepish at that, a finger going to their hair to give them something to do, absently. "you should've known. all the clues were there, i even told you where i spent my holidays." singapore is kind of a dead give away if you're looking for rich and bored on a reality show. "is it too cliche to say we're comfortable?" she winces a little, joking, giving him a grin anyways.

josh vargas.

"don't i know it," he snorts. they seem to get lower as the days go by here. if josh makes it to the end, he better hope that he actually has a relationship, because nobody is gonna want to touch him with a ten foot pole. "yeah, it is," he laughs, shaking his head. "you don't get it. i have marcus shitting on me because he doesn't get why i'd be annoyed that he didn't warn me that he kissed naomi, when we were together three fucking weeks. all because people act like what i did with jenny was some unspeakable act." it really upsets him, actually, because kiss aside, josh had really tried to make things right with both girls. "oh, i figured," he grins at her, "but i wasn't gonna call you out. but them being known? you're rich rich," he teases. "don't give me that, i use that line and we're, like, middle class." upper middle class. "would i know the tech company, or is it an asia thing?"

mali wattapohn.

“so raise them.” she nudges his leg with their foot, gently, even if their tone is exasperated. “the bathroom thing was a little messed up,” she allows, tilting her head a little. “but you tried to tell her your head wasn’t in it, while naomi is having almost kisses with dylan in the kitchen?” their delicate shoulders lift and fall, not really seeing the why behind the naomi dedication (yet). “i don’t know that it’s fair to make you into some kind of devil for that, in truth.” it was so sticky, but it was clear the edit was trying to make him look like the villain, and she never got why. maybe they just like villains, though. “it’s my parents money?” she tries instead, laughing. “only middle class?” she acts a little scandalized, hand going to her mouth with wide eyes. “what will the papers say.” she hesitates only for a moment, before answering. “i think mostly an asia thing. do you know paralus?” it’s made up but like on par w accenture.

josh vargas.

"what, you want me to never date again?" as if dating after the show isn't going to be hard enough for him. hookups, on the other hand... he's hoping that gets better. not that he had any trouble in the first place. "what do you mean, almost kisses?" THAT gets his attention, fully looking at mali now. any amusement from the playful conversation has stalled in his eyes. josh knows he shouldn't care about what happened in the past, that it's pointless if dylan is going to hopefully move on anyway—but it does hurt to hear, especially when everyone has been acting like he's the bad guy in their breakup. "suddenly you having your own business makes sense," he smirks a bit. "upper middle class, i guess? i don't know. we're comfortable," he echoes her words slyly. josh had been hoping to recognize the name, but he shakes his head.

mali wattapohn.

"oh, please, like you'll have trouble with that," she scoffs, pointedly looking him over. there's no way a guy who looks like him is going to have a shortage of girls after him, mid sized dick comments and all. the look he gives her is more serious, less amused by her opinions and she does pause for a moment, her lips parting and closing once more as she realizes no one's said anything to him. "after mimi left, i believe? maybe a little before. they had a little...moment," she explains, slowly, her own smile fading. "they did not mention it?" maybe it was just production playing things up for the viewers, though. "i work very hard, thank you," comes the quick answer, but she's laughing through it. "i am very lucky to have good connections," she concedes, not wanting to be one of those nepo babies. "oh, so you're rich, then." she gives him a teasing smile. "i think only those tech bro types would." (edited)

josh vargas.

"you think?" he grins, another stroke of his ego that she has no problem assisting with. "i feel like the girls are either gonna love me or hate me when i get out of here. be honest—has twitter been ripping me to shreds?" as if he doesn't already know the answer to that. her vagueness isn't helping his annoyance, not directed at her, but at the situation in general. hearing 'they did not mention it?' about anything naomi and dylan related feels like a preemptive slap in the face. josh may have been the dick that kissed jenny while they were together, but at least he was honest about it. "what kind of moment?" he pushes. "did they kiss?" if they did, he swears to god... this is exactly the lack of trust him and mali were just talking about. "that's what all nepo babies say," josh snorts, managing a small smile on his lips. "definitely not rich. at least, not by tech companies and actor dad standards."

mali wattapohn.

"you have a very healthy base of stans, i think they're called." it's a direct dodge to the question because, yeah, a little, but he does have apologists (mel, the rare kel). "i think you are the mums' favorite," she adds helpfully. part of her nearly backpedals, shaking her head quickly at the question. "no, no. just an almost kiss, like i said." a tiny sigh, before continuing, "they were playing around in the kitchen and got quite close to it, though. very close." since she assumes he'll ask. "yes, well. i'm a stereotype, i suppose." a sunny smile, despite his teasing. "is her dad an actor? god, so she's a nepo baby, too. no wonder you compared us."

josh vargas.

"stans?" he laughs, having never heard that phrase before. clearly he's not on tumblr. "is that a good or bad thing?" the mention of moms liking him makes him cringe, thinking about his other mother no doubt watching the show religiously, along with the rest of the family. "because i'm so sweet?" the sarcasm is thick in his voice, flashing her a smirk. part of josh wishes that it had been more than an almost kiss, so he could be validated for feeling as annoyed as he does—but maybe he's also just looking for a reason to fall off the naomi train. it doesn't help when there's pretty girls in every corner of casa flashing him a charming smile and not-completely-innocent eyes. "yeah, he is," josh nods a bit, before grimacing. "sorry, i don't mean to keep bringing her up. thanks for telling me, though. and for what it's worth, you guys aren't that similar. i don't want you thinking that's the only reason why i like you."

mali wattapohn.

"it's some term for fans, i'm not too sure," she giggles along, especially when he cringes and gives her a sarcastic answer. "do you want an honest answer or do you want me to agree?" it's teasing. she's sure he knows why. "it's more likely because you're fit, honestly. they love eye candy." they give a little headshake at his apology, not too bothered. honestly, they're kind of curious about the other girl, given how dedicated she had two separate men, at least at the start of yesterday. "it's alright. i wasn't sure if you'd want to know, honestly, but i would." and there's no chance she'd handle it as well as he is, frankly. "so you do like me," there's amusement in her eyes, a triumphant smile, even though she's sure he'll backpedal that and claim platonically or whatever — he's already said she's his favorite bombshell, afterall. but they can't help but tease. "i'm not too concerned about her, hon. you can tell me the other reasons, though," they toss their head, her ego peering out. "flatter me, i won't let it get to my head."

josh vargas.

"i want you to be honest, always," he says, flashing her a grin, "—as long as it's about me being eye candy, obviously." the last part is said in jest, but not without his own little chuckle. "nah, that tracks. i've been hit on before by friend's moms before. they love me, what can i say? it's the dimples." he pokes his own dimple on his right cheek, flexing it in the process. "no, i'm glad you told me. if there's anything else you think i should know, with her or whatever else, i'm here to listen." it's not like josh isn't tempted to know every single thing that's made it in the edit that he has no idea about. it's hard to keep a secret in the villa, but clearly some people have. "you know i like you," he laughs, eyes watching her closely. josh is glad they're sitting far enough away from each other; if they weren't, he would've tried to make some excuse to touch her, which would ruin the whole no mixed signals thing he's trying to let go on. which speaking of— "sounds like you're asking for me to give you mixed signals," he smirks, throwing her own words back at her. if he was smart, he'd make an excuse to get up and walk away.

mali wattapohn.

"as if you don't know that already," her eyes roll, still a little charmed by it anyways, in spite of herself. the mom knowledge doesn't surprise her at all, but she's still got a slightly impressed smile on her phase. "the dimples, the boyish charm," she teases. "were they good looking at least?" it's a little weird to be hit on by parents of your friends, but she's still curious. sue her. "yeah? i'm glad. i don't like to speak out of turn," not true, she loves giving her opinion at all times, "but in case it lends some clarity." they aren't sure he feels guilty about jenny, exactly, but maybe it'll lessen that. "i don't know, it's so difficult to read you sometimes." they have to bite back a joke about knowing well and good how much he likes her, pressing her lips together into a sarcastic smile instead, breathing out a laugh over her own words being tossed back. "what if i promise to take it strictly in a friendly sense?" the wide eyed look she gives him is really anything but, though it could pass as simply earnest if you don't look too hard. "or, better yet, i'll forget you say anything after."

josh vargas.

"some of them are," he laughs, hoping this isn't something they air on television. he doubts his own mother would get a kick out of the story. josh gives her a look that says he doesn't believe her in the slightest. "sure you don't," he snorts. "but it's fine, you could never speak out of turn." not with with him, at least. "i'm difficult to reason, seriously?" it's hard not to sound surprised at that, even though jenny had pretty much told him the same thing once upon a time ago. in a way, the two of them had been in a similar position that him and mali are in now. maybe it only comes out when he's half-assing trying to keep his cool in front of a pretty girl. "don't give me that look," his eyes narrow playfully at her, knowing that the doe eyed thing works too well— you know, on him. his tongue swipes over his bottom lip for a beat, before he shakes his head. "i'm too good with my words. you won't forget it," josh jokes, although some of the flirtatious humor is sucked out of him, this time listening to the warning bells sounding in his head. swallowing down the rest of the drink she made him, he takes a deep breath. "i should go find miles, see if he needs help grafting." it's a piss-poor excuse and they both know it, but he rises to his feet anyway. "you gonna ask maddox to sleep with you tonight?"

mali wattapohn.

"lucky. i wish a hot mum would hit on me." it's clearly a joke, but she also knows her dms after the show would likely be swarmed after that remark, should they air it. her grin widens at the clear disbelief and she nods. "i'll keep that in mind." she doesn't believe him really, but they will consider it if there's more to say. "yes, it must be all the mixed signals and crossed wires," she drawls, drily, to let him know she's only teasing. "i think you've just got a lot going on up there." they gesture to his head. she can kind of sense she pushed a little too far when he finds such an obvious excuse. "he's going to scare her away with his jokes if he's not careful, he'll need the rescue, so..." they trail off, graciously accepting the slight rejection despite the disappointment, giving a broad smile. "another time." she moves her drink to the side, half gone and looks back up with a quirked eyebrow, inquisitive. "probably, unless he's already half in love with layla."

josh vargas.

"do you?" his eyebrows raise, clearly not believing her. yeah, it was a nice ego boost, but there is something to be said about getting hit on your friend's mom... just kidding, josh totally loved it. this might be the first time anyone's ever assumed that josh has too much thoughts going around in his head, but he flashes her a grin anyway, somehow touched. "i think you overestimate me," he admits, although it's nice to know she's thinking about him regardless. there's no doubt in his mind that if naomi didn't exist in the game, he'd be all over mali while here. it's exactly why he's mumbling an excuse now, a small smile gracing his lips when she doesn't call him out on what he's doing. "i doubt it," he snorts, "but layla and i are sharing a bed tonight, so i don't think you have to worry about that. but hey, the couch is open tonight, if you think you'll miss it too much." smirking to himself, josh's mouth opens to add something else—then decides against it, closing shut after a beat. eyes flit over her a little sheepishly, before giving her a nod and turning to walk off. he really ought to get better at staying away from that one.

#thread: discord.#thread: mali.#mali & josh.

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writingsbychlo · 4 years

Text

poker night | stiles stilinski

word count; 9320

summary; you and stiles have grown close since leaving for college, and the pack coming to visit is the little push you need to finally cross that bridge.

notes; this is teh second fic for my birthday week/7,000 follower celebration!

warnings; smut, drug use, underage drinking.

Excitement and pure joy were coursing through your veins as you watched out of the open curtains down to the street below, the sun just beginning to set as the late evening moved into early night, and you heard Stiles chuckle from across the room where he was tipping various chips into different bowls to lay out beside the poker table he’d rented that sat in the middle of the room.

“Excited, much?”

“Yes!”

You turned to look at him, giving him a pointed stare as you dropped your hand from holding open the curtains to instead place both of your hands on your hips, giving him a wide smile as you rocked on the balls of your feet, and he returned the wide grin, crumpling up the foil packets and dropping them all into the bin as he deemed the room ready. He was lucky, he had a rather large dorm, and all to himself, far bigger than yours was but you were still convinced that the pre-FBI program gave each of their candidates far better university living than the rest of you got. There was plenty of space for everyone to cram in, some of them choosing hotels in the area and some of them choosing to stay with Stiles, it had been a squeeze to get everyone in, but it was worth it.

You hadn't seen your pack since the day you’d left Beacon Hills.

It was hard to be away from them all for so long, after everything you had all been through, and yet you knew you had it easier than most. Stiles had only been a fifteen-minute drive from your accommodation, and so the two of you had grown infinitely closer than you had ever been, relying on one another heavily to make the transition easier. Lydia had called you every day for the first month and a half, and you’d all had weekly facetime sessions, but it just hadn't been the same.

With the first year coming to a close and everyone being far too broke to be able to afford to actually go anywhere, you’d settled on a few days up at college together for a small but parent-free vacation before the journey home.

It was the perfect opportunity for you all to get unnecessarily drunk, excessively high, and eat a lot of junk food, all while not having to worry about any oncoming attack that might strike, as the year-marker of safety was quickly approaching. Naturally, Stiles had decided to set a theme, and where was the place that drinking and gambling was the norm? Vegas. So of course, Stiles had gone all out with renting a poker table and set, and hanging vaguely Vegas-themed decorations around the place. He was even wearing a t-shirt with a tux pattern printed on the front, and had managed to convince you into wearing your party shirt with the flapper-style tassels on to match.

“C’mon, Stiles, it’s been almost a year since we’ve seen anyone from the pack, why aren’t you bouncing off of the roof with excitement?”

“I’ve seen one person from the pack all year.” He prompted, shooting you a playful wink and laughing as you rolled your eyes at him, before throwing away all the wrappers and holding his arms out for you in an invitation for a hug.

Accepting his offer, you moved away from the window and let him wrap his arms around your waist, barely a sliver of space between your bodies as you looked up at him and sighed. “I’m nervous. It’s been so long since we’ve seen them all, and I love them all so much, but nothing bad has happened since we’ve all been separated but what if just when we all get together again, something bad happens, and we don’t even get to enjoy it an-”

He shushed you gently, using one hand to weave through your hair and tuck it away behind your ear, his eyes fixed on you carefully as the playlist you and Stiles had spent a whole week building was playing in the background, waiting for everyone to arrive to appreciate it. “Bad things don’t happen when we’re all together, bad things happened because we were in Beacon Hills. We aren’t in Beacon Hills anymore, and we aren’t scared kids anymore, okay?”

“Okay.”

“You wanna’ cheer up? Nobody can be sad in faux-Vegas!” He cheered, waving his arm around the room, and you chuckled, catching his face brighten even further as he watched the worry slip away from your features, his lips brushing your forehead before he was tucking you under his chin, and holding you tightly.

You were only still for a second, the two of you swaying slowly before you heard the tell-tale signs of a car pulling up outside, the engine dying and doors slamming, and an excited gasp left your lips. “I bet that’s them!”

His fingers laced with yours and he was moving before you were, the two of you speeding over to the window to peer out, catching sight of Derek’s black car, the man himself leaning against it and waiting as Mason and Liam pulled their bags out of the trunk, Scott sitting in the passenger seat with the door open and his bag in his lap. Both yours and Stiles’ phone were chiming a second after he put his own away, notification in your group chat as he informed you both that they’d arrived, unaware of you watching on from the window with anticipation.

The group was on the move, the car locked and disappearing from sight as they entered the building's lobby area, and Lydia had offered her own ETA as the others all chipped in theirs, and just like that, your fears were gone as you swung open the front door and peered out into the corridor while you waited.

Within forty minutes of the Beacon Hills group arriving, everybody was here, and drinks had been cracked open, snacks dug into, and you were all lounging around and catching up on missed gossip and news, sharing photos and stories that you had wanted to tell in person and saved just for this moment.

Pizza boxes were piled high within two hours, and smoke was filling the air, giggles and laughs shared all around as the group simply rejoiced in being back together once again. Liam and Mason had told you all about the latest shit that Coach had been dishing out, and all the pranks that they had committed, as well as Mason, blushing when Lydia and Kira had pressed him about Corey. Scott and Derek had given a brief update about everything that had happened in Beacon Hills, which was surprisingly little with all things considered, and Lydia had tried to inform you all about the advanced placement work she had been doing in her classes, but had lost you all at some point as it became far too complex for you all to understand, and so instead had switched to telling you about the cute guy she had met at the coffee shop three months ago.

Kira and Malis had been travelling, the pair had recently been all over Europe exploring, and had even visited Isaac in France and Jackson in London, before they’d finally returned home to see everyone. They dished out all the little souvenirs that they had bought, and shared them out with you all before showing you pictures and telling you the stories behind each trip. You had shared your own stories, all the funny ones you had of Stiles falling over or spilling something in public, and he embarrassed you just as much, teasing you until your cheeks were red and he was cuddling you into his side and ruffling your hair as everyone laughed.

It was like nothing had ever changed, and you loved it.

The night had drifted on with natural progress until the music had been turned down to a lower level with the late hours, and the hazy atmosphere had everyone moving sluggishly and lazily as empty bottles littered the floor and the stubs of many dead blunts sat in the ashtray on the edge of the poker table, even the wolves having a little wolfbane laced treats to help them hit the mood just as much as all of the non-wolves had.

You were currently lounging across both Liam and Malia on the couch, lay out over them as you continually brushed off your midriff, crumbs dropping down onto your top each time Liam took a bite of the chip dish that was positioned between him and Mason, the two absolutely gone as they laughed and giggled among themselves about everything and anything.

Alongside their voices, and the conversation between yourself, Malia and the boys, was the rustle of cards and clinking of poker-chips, and you were itching for more physical affection than you were getting now, your inhibitions lowered and your need for physical attention through the roof from the substances racing through your bloodstream. Your sights honed in on Stiles, hair messy from playing with it and back facing you, your chair long abandoned from where you’d given up on cards when they’d started the real gambling, and you’d remembered just how crap you were at the game.

Getting up onto wobbly legs, you made your way across the room, resting your hands on Stiles’ shoulder as you stood behind him, smoothing them down his chest and he placed his beer down, licking the excess of the bitter liquid from his lips and placing the hand on top of one of yours, squeezing lightly as he turned to look at you.

“Hi, cutie. What d’you need?”

“Nothin’.” You sighed, slumping down further and resting your chin on the top of his head, used to the sweet little nicknames he fixed you with, and you relaxed against him as he leaned back a little further in the chair and pushed himself a few inches out front he table, seeming to predict your next words before you had even spoken them; “Was just feeling like I wanted some attention.”

“Hm, well c’mere, you can play cards, I’ve seen your poker face in the midst of some much more intense situations than this, I think you can handle it.”

You flicked him in the ear for his joke about all your supernatural struggles, but he held your hand and guided you around him to stand by his side, making space for you to sink down atop him and get comfy.

Slumping down across the boy’s lap with a deep sigh, your legs were slung across his at an angle, and his arms were quick to wind around your waist, one hand tucking itself under your shirt to seat on the heated skin of your waist, and the other held his cards limply in his hand, but his focus was no longer on them. You’d long since given up on the game, barely able to hold a focus as your mind spun from the hazy smoke in the air, and the taste of bitter-sweet alcohol still lingering in your mouth.

Slightly sticky lips brushed your shoulder as he peppered the bare skin with sweet kisses, and you turned your head to give the boy a dopey smile, watching as his own face creased in a beaming grin in response. His eyes were blown wide, slightly widened and his hair messy from constant playing with it, the arm of yours that wasn’t sitting around his neck for support was lifting up so that you could weave a hand into the chocolate locks, and he sighed out softly at the contact, letting you twist in his arms to face him even more.

“Like it when you play with my hair.”

“Mhm, I know.”

Your words were mumbled in response and he chuckled under his breath as his eyes fluttered shut, tipping his head into your hand, before a voice coughed loudly and the two of your jumped, eyes snapping open and focus moving back to the poker table before you both, other members of the pack gathered around and smirking at you both knowingly, but you let out a deep sigh and only relaxed into the boy under you even further.

“Stop looking at us like that.”

“Like what, exactly?” Lydia all but purred out her words, and you shot her a pointed look, as the others around the table all tried to muffle their laughs of agreement. Derek was looking at his cards and trying to bite away his smile by nibbling on the inside of his cheek, Scott and Kira were pretending to discuss their hand at cards, but were shooting the pair of you small looks throughout their whispered conversation, and Lydia was staring at you with a challenging smirk. You could even feel the members of the others scattered around you watching on, the pack spread out around the smoke room, the funky smell hanging off of everyone and everything.

“You know what like. You’re looking at us like you know something we don’t, like it’s a joke only we aren’t a part of.”

You felt a nose push at the underside of your jaw and tipped your head up to allow the boy more space to nose at the space under your jaw and by your ear, letting him just gain his own affections to his heart’s content, and this only spurred on Lydia’s piercing stare at the two of you. “You aren’t a part of a joke, and in fact, it’s incredibly unfunny. However, I do know something you don’t. We all do.”

“Care to share?”

It was the first night in almost a year that the pack had all been together. Lydia had finished her exams early, Scott had gotten ahead on his training with Deaton to create time, and Liam and Mason had ditched their last week. Derek had driven them all up here, and Lydia had come down from her college to see you all. Kira had come with Malia on the plane after they had recently finished their travels of Europe, and you had come across from your own dorms.

It was barely a travel, you and Stiles went to colleges that were only ten miles apart, and so you were hanging out regularly during the week, you were the only two that had seen each other in person since leaving for college and not just via facetime, and in this time, the two of you seemed to have grown even closer than you had ever been despite all the supernatural drama you had been through.

“C’mon, you two have gotten so close since we all left for college.”

“So?” you and Stiles spoke at once, looking to Scott for his comment, before you were giggling and sharing glances in your utterly smoked out state, finding entertainment in your joint statement.

“Nothing.. ‘sparked’ in that time?”

You took a deep sigh, your eyes wandering around the room, flicking from Lydia to Malia, before back to the redhead who was watching you intensely. “Feels a bit weird to talk about this in front of two of his exes.”

“So, there is something to talk about!” Lydia shouted the words like she had suddenly realised the key to life, looking far more excited than someone who just discovered their best friends having feelings for their ex should look. “God, finally, I’ve only been staying with you for three days and the sexual tension is already too much for me to handle.”

“What are you talking about?” Stiles questioned, breath fanning over your face from where he was all but mouthing at your jaw, dry kisses pressed there as he held you to his chest tightly, having put his cards down on the table at some point so hold you with both hands.

“When I left, you two were friends who would hug, now you’re this pair who are all over each other without even realising it! I mean, the two of you are closer right now than Scott and Kira have ever been!” The couple that was involved against their will let out various noises of complaints, being waved off by the redhead and they comforted one another with small kisses, both you and Stiles shrugging languidly. “Listen, Malia and Stiles ended ages ago, and Stiles and I were barely a couple, we didn’t even sleep together, so don’t feel weird.”

“Way to boost my ego, Lydia.” The brunette under you sighed, but you only squeezed yourself around him tighter, feeling him reciprocate the emotions and push his hand even further up over your ribs.

“Even I can smell the arousal and longing rolling off of the two of you in waves. Just admit it to each other already.” Derek muttered, shifting his cards before pushing some of his counters into the middle, and despite all the alcohol and weed in your system, your eyes went wide as you shifted to look at the boy underneath you, his lips parted a little as he gave you a nervous smile.

“You’re longing? For me?”

He grinned widely, his head tipping to the side, cheeks flushed with warm heat, before he licked over his lips and nodded slowly. “Yeah, since like the first month when you stayed that whole weekend to binge marvel movies with me so I didn’t feel alone and you did that dance thing while you were making pancakes on Saturday.” He paused, thinking over his words, before he was leaning in a little and bumping his nose with yours as your hand came out of his hair to sit on his cheek delicately. “You’re aroused? By me?”

Your breath hitched, and he smirked very lightly at your response, his lips brushing yours when you nodded. “Yeah, ever since the day you came over right after going to the gym and you were all sweaty and asked if I minded if you used my shower and then you walked around with your shirt off before dinner. I definitely didn’t mind.”

He laughed lightly at your statement, his eyes glazing over a little as he remembered the day. “Are you longing, too?”

“Mhm. Are you also aroused?” Your question hung heavily in the air and he let out a soft sound under his breath as you asked him.

“Of course.”

“Cool.” You both spoke the single syllable word at the same time, your eyes closing as your fingers dug into his jaw a little, your breathing as light and shallow as everyone else in the room seemed to fade away. It was simply the two of you, sharing breath and his tongue brushing your lips when it peeked out of his mouth to wet his own, and you whimpered under your breath so quietly only he would hear it, to which his hands tightened on your flesh as he picked up on the sound.

“You want to go back to your place?”

“Oh, definitely.” You nodded rapidly, and he beamed shifting in your lap, taking a swig of his drink as he downed the rest of the glass, and slipped his hand into your back pocket as the rest of the group stared at the two of you with wide eyes, shock evident on their faces about how easy that conversation had really been, but you didn’t care, because Stiles was running the pads of his fingers very subtly over your ass and squeezing through your pocket, even as he stared down everyone else in the room, and your skin was beginning to feel hot from something entirely other than the atmosphere in his dorm that you had all created. “We need a cab.”

“We can call one and makeout in the doorway while we wait, go get your bag.” He pulled his touch away from you, placing a playful slap on your ass and grinning at the way you squeaked before scurrying away to gather your belongings, and he was grabbing his wallet, throwing down a handful of notes on the table, quickly booking an Uber with the app on his phone.

When your hand slipped into his again the shocked looks had morphed into smirks, the only three teams still sitting around the table were reshuffling cards and setting themselves up to play, Stiles telling them all not to wait up for him to come home, before he was pulling you from the room and towards the door. “You booked a cab?”

“Yes.”

“And we’re going to make out in the doorway until it gets here?”

“Fuck, yes.” He tipped his head to look at you, slamming the front food shut and guiding you towards the stairs you were so familiar with, as the two of you set off on your quick and stumbling journey toward the main entrance to the building.

“Will you grab at my ass again like you were before?”

“Do you want me to?” He didn’t give you a chance to respond, however, before his fingers were leaving yours and moving over your lower back to grab at your ass roughly, feeling your shake as he curled you into his side, the two of you inching down the lower staircase. “Like that?”

“Yeah?”

“Honestly, I’ll do anything you want me to.”

“I’m going to remember that for later.” You punctuated your words with a nibble on his lower lip, glancing up into his swirling whiskey eyes through your lashes, and he groaned under his breath, letting himself nod slowly as he used his grip on your ass to pull your body flush up against his. His mouth descended onto your own once again, catching your lips in a fiery kiss, instantly parting as the lust took over your both, tripping and stumbling down the final few steps as he pressed you into the wall beside the door, uncaring for who may see the pair of you as his tongue tangled with your own, visible between your parted mouths whenever your heads twisted to the side for deeper access.

It was sloppy and wet, and a clash of moans and whimpers as the two of you teased done another endlessly with a mixture of slow and ongoing kisses that alternated with needy and rushed ones, teeth clashing and lips dragging.

Hands roamed one another’s bodies, your palms tracing over the broad and hardened planes of his chest, the workouts he had been on for the pre-FBI fitness programs had done things to his body that lacrosse never did, and you were sure the day you’d seen Stiles do a pull-up was the day you realised rolling over guys may actually be a thing. The muscles twitched and tensed under your fingertips, and his hands were rubbing along you back all the way to your upper thighs, exploring your body as he pinched and squeezed in places that made your body jerk and twitch into him.

His lips were working along your neck as your heart raced, your eyes closed and back arching up, chests pressed flush together, and the what around the two of you almost felt like it was too much. The fingers that were sitting low on your waist slipped even further, grazing along you covered pussy through you jeans, ad he pushed down teasingly on the spot he knew your clit would be, biting down on the joint between your shoulder and your neck when he heard you moan his name out breathlessly at the simple action.

He dragged his tongue over the spot, moving in to dip back down to kiss you, before the two of you were breaking through your haze at the sound of a horn honking, and the phone in his back pocket was buzzing. He was panting for breath as he pulled back from you, only one hand still touching you as his fingers laced with your own, a stark contrast from every part of him pressed to every part of you only seconds prior.

“Good thing, one minute longer and I probably would’ve had my hands down your pants right here in the doorway.”

He gave you a sultry wink, before he was pulling you along to the car waiting on the edge of the road, ignoring your wide eyes and stuttering words, holding the door open for you and helping you inside like a gentleman, like he hadn't just threatened public nudity and a great orgasm only seconds prior. He was seconds behind you, confirming his identity and booking to the driver, and as the car took up motion on the short journey once again, he turned back to you.

“You okay, baby? You look flushed.” You turned to look at him, sensing the light tone in his voice that was playfully disguising the question underneath as to whether you still wanted this, and you nodded gently, taking his face in your hands and pulling his face down so that you could peck his lips.

“I like it when you call me baby.”

“You do?” He dragged his nose along your cheek, brushing a kiss to your skin, the intimate and sweet touches making you blush hot and red under his touch, his chuckle so soft that only you could hear it.

“Yeah. We could have been doing this for months, y’know.”

“Making out in a taxi and trying not to feel each other up to much before we get back to your place?” He joked, tucking an arm over your shoulder and you settled into his side, your hands playing with his other one as it sat on your thigh and squeezed lightly.

“I was going to say being together, but sex works too.” Your words were whispered out, and he twisted until he was nuzzling affectionately into your hairline.

“You want that? To be together with me?”

“Well, I wasn’t longing for fun.” You scoffed, and he shifted his hands to lace your fingers together, his arm squeezing you tighter to him.

“I can’t say I always knew we were meant to be, or that I spent my whole child and teenhood pining after you, but I really think we would be special together, and I think we could go a long way together.” You rolled your eyes at his affections, but the alcohol and drugs in your body were making you emotional, and you sniffed away your feelings as you pushed your face into his neck, pressing a kiss to his skin in a silent acknowledgement of his statement.

“Together, then.”

“Together.” He confirmed, and the scenery flashing by before you both was quickly coming to an end, Stiles confirming a payment to come out of his bank account, before he was thanking the driver and watching as you clambered from the car to stand before your own building, Stiles stumbling out behind you and pressing himself up to your back as the two of you giggled in your drunkenness.

It was an awkward walk between the two of you, you back pressed to the wall of your elevator as you each tried to hit the right button for your floor, seeming to hit every single one but the right one, and the journey was filled with shared giggling ad little moans as you let him kiss and lick at your neck, marking your skin with red marks that would be dark by the morning. His hands had fished your keys out of your pocket, and he was holding them up before you as the two of you all but raced along the corridor to your room.

The door slammed off of the wall as you made your way in, dropping the keys to the floor and kicking the door shut behind you as he navigated you on the path he knew so well toward your bedroom, the light feeling in the air gone as lust and heat replaced it, your mouths meshing together in urgent kisses that begged for more, wandering hands and tugs of material, your jacket pushed from your shoulder to the floor and your hands tucked underneath his t-shirt as you finally got to feel the abs that you had so often watched sweat run down when he’d taken you to do workouts with him, or showed up at your place straight after the gym or a run.

Pulling his own shirt up and over his head, your hands were immediately drawn to the exposed skin of his chest. It certainly wasn’t the first time you’d seen him without a shirt on, but it was the first time you’d been allowed to actually look, to touch, and your fingertips were pressing into the smooth skin, palms flat to his flushed chest, pink and shining with a light layer of sweat from the heat forming between the two of you. “Damn, Sti.”

“What? Still thought I was the skinny kid with the buzzcut from sophomore year?”

“No, you’ve spent enough time wandering around without your shirt on while I’m around for me to know you’re hot, it’s just now I can actually appreciate it.” You flashed your teeth at him in a cheeky grin, and he gave a breathless chuckle in response, the muscles in his stomach tightening as your fingers dragged down over the taut flesh, until your nails were scratching at the trail of dark hairs below his navel, hooking into his dark jeans.

“I wouldn't have minded if you’d appreciated it before.” You tipped your head up, kissing along the underside of his jaw gently, licking at the smooth flesh from where he had shaved earlier in the day, and his breathing shallowed as you did, his fingers tightening on your hips. “Okay, no fair, shirt off, baby. I’ve been wanting to know what your tits looked like since you wore that red bikini to the pool party I took you to.”

You went almost the same shade as the aforementioned garment as he whispered the filthy words into your ear, and he pushed his hands up under your shirt, hands inching the flimsy material up until it was sitting just under your bra, his thumbs smoothing out over your skin and brushing at the wire of your bra. “You sure you want to do this? We don’t have to. I swear, I’d be more than happy to just cuddle with you and watch movies like we always do on Tuesday nights, just s-”

Your lips met his, pressing a deep and longing kiss to his lips, and he moaned into your mouth when the connection was made, your bodies coming up flush against one another as you moved your hands back up to loop around his neck. Your fingers weaved into his hair, one hand behind his head as the other cradled his jaw, and he tipped his head to the side, your noses bumping and brushing as his tongue dipped out to tempt your lips to open up for him. Instead of allowing that, however, you were pulling away, just enough until your lips were barely brushing his, letting him groan out in dissatisfaction.

Pulling your shirt up and over your head and dropping it to the ground, his eyes widened as he took in the sight of your exposed chest, all other than the simple white bra you were wearing underneath, and your jaw dropped as you suddenly remembered the underwear that was clad on your body.

“I wasn’t expecting this when I put my comfy underwear on today, I have way cuter bras than this.”

He smirked, popping the button on your jeans so that they were loose enough for him to tug down softly, until they were tight around your thighs, your jaw hanging open as both of his palms slipped down to squeeze at your ass. “I was assuming you wouldn't be wearing the cute blue thong when you had no idea what would happen tonight. Besides, if you'll let me, I’d much rather have your underwear off and on the floor, with my head between your thighs and my hands on your tits instead.”

“How do you know about my cute blue thong?” You whined, tipping your head back with false-irritation in your voice, and letting him kiss down your neck as your hair fell back behind you.

“You do your laundry with me every week, sometimes I’d see what was going into the machines, and that piece caught my eye, I always hoped I’d get to see it on you, and we have plenty of time for that. Besides, I’m wearing boxers with hotdogs printed on, so don’t worry about it.” His fingers moved one of the straps of your bra away, letting it fall away to sit on the side of your arm, exposing your shoulder to him, and you own hands found the clasp behind your back, undoing it for him and watching as his eyes focused in one your breasts, nipples already hard under the material, and he licked at his lips as he stared down at your chest. “Shit, you have such perfect tits.”

You took one of his wrists in your hands, dragging the limp limb up until his palm was pressing over your skin, a content sigh falling from your lips was beyond your control as his fingers twitched and he took control once again, squeezing at the fleshy mound you had given him access to. His thumb and forefinger pinched your nipple teasingly, rolling the taut bud between the pads, and your back arched up, pressing even further into him.

Dipping down, he took the other between his teeth, pulling lightly before sealing his lips around it, his arm wrapped around your lower back so that he could tip you backwards, your hips pressing into his and the bulge in his jeans becoming obvious as you found yourself flush up against one another.

“I really need to know what else that mouth can do, and what else you’ve got hidden, and then when we’re all fucked out, we can definitely cuddle and watch a movie. First, though, I want you to make sure I scream loud enough that my neighbours know your name.”

“And here I was thinking I’d be doing the dirty talk, huh?” He sighed out against your skin, pulling away from your breast with a ‘pop’, the skin wet and shiny and he moved back up to brush his mouth with yours. “You got it, princess.”

His hands found your hips, pushing you backwards onto the bed, and he was pulling your jeans the rest of the way down your legs, taking your socks and shoes as he went, stripping you down to just the polka dot cotton panties you wore, and your hair fanned out around you on the bed as your chest rose and fell, mind spinning as you tried to gather yourself, the whole motion had happened so quickly. His hands were on your knees, pushing your thighs apart until he could settle on the mattress between them, and lick a long stripe up along your covered core, spit soaking you underwear, but the feeling of his hot breath against you was already making you tremble underneath him.

“Can’t wait to taste you, I bet you’re sweet, hm? That okay? I’ve been dreaming ‘bout getting my head between these thighs, or having you ride my face, cum on my tongue, how’s that sound?”

“Yes! Yes, to all of it, whatever you want!” Your words were promising for him, and he caught your eye as you propped yourself up on you elbows to look at him, his eyes blown with lust and dark as he hooked his fingers into the elastic of the waistband, tugging the material away from your swiftly, and he let out a noise that was somewhere between a growl and a moan as your glistening folds were put on display for him, with no barrier between.

“Oh, fuck, you look so good. All spread out for me, dripping wet and blushing. You’re perfect.”

“I’m not perfect, Stiles.”

“You absolutely fucking are, and I’ll prove just how perfect I think you are.” His lips descended onto yours as he leaned over you, one hand holding him up as you shared a sloppy and heated kiss, the clashing of teeth and tangling of tongues, wet sounds audible in the room as the two of you frantically dove into one another's mouths, exploring and becoming familiar with new territory. The other hand snaked down between your body, cautious fingers dragging along your drenched skin as two digits parted your folds, swirling in the built-up wetness and bumping against your clit. “Shit, you’re so wet. All for me, yeah?”

“All for you, Stiles, you really have no idea what you do to me.”

“Mhm, I think I do.” He joked, grinding his hips down into one of your thighs, pressing the erection that was straining into his jeans into your thigh, and you both let out whimpers at the action.

“Then fuck me, Stiles, show me I affect you like you affect me. Fuck me, now.”

“I will, I promise.” He cooed, grinning into your skin, his face buried in your neck as he sunk a single finger into you, all the way down to the knuckle, feeling your velvety walls clench around him immediately, coating his skin in your juices. “I gotta’ open you up first, get you ready for m’ cock, okay? And, I do just really want to fuck you with my tongue.”

With that, he was slipping out of your eyesight and down your body, his arms wrapping under your thighs as he situated himself between your legs, letting out a shaky breath as he lapped at his lips and stared lustfully at your centre. You felt drunk on his touch, everything in your world seeming hazy and blurry as he pressed kisses up along the inside of your thighs, his teeth dragging against the soft skin, and you felt your breath hold in your lungs as he came to the apex of your thighs. That second-long pause felt like it dragged on for hours, before his tongue was finally dragging slowly along your core, a trail from your entrance to your clit, and a loud moan tore from you at the feeling of his mouth on you.

His lips sealed around your clit, sucking harshly, and your back arched up from the bed as he barely did anything, and yet pleasure was already spiking along your entire body. He dragged his tongue, flat and warm, over the bud and made sure that he moved as slowly as possible, teasing you endlessly, despite how much you wanted more. You wanted to remember this moment and make the most of it, but you couldn't think about anything but the pure bliss Stiles was giving to you, the way he was drinking up every drop of arousal you made, the way he was sucking and nibbling at your core in a most delectable way that had a heat curling in your belly and your body somewhere between relaxed and tense.

Once he was satisfied that he had licked up everything you had already given, his mouth closed over you, the tip of his tongue poking and prodding at your entrance and teasing the hole, before dipping his tongue into you, and he groaned out as his mouth was flooded with more waves of your juices. You clenched around the wet muscle eagerly, feeling the way your own body was reacting to him like you never had with anyone else, and your hips rocked up into his face, rolling in repeated motions to meet the thrusts of his tongue in and out of you.

“Fuck, Stiles!”

His chuckle was muffled against your core, the feeling of it vibrating along you body though, and the upturned tip of his cute little nose was once again you downfall, though now instead of being due to making your heart race, it was instead form the way it was nudging against the throbbing bud nestled between your legs, and you felt the nerves in you body zapping and jolting with electricity each time he tilted his head or dove into you even deeper than he already was.

His fingers were digging into your thighs, holding you close to him as you cried out his name, and he was moaning into your centre with each flick of his tongue and drag of his lips against your dripping cunt, slurping sounds that would make a pornstar blush, and you brought up a shaky hand to thread into his hair, tugging on the chocolate locks in warning. You felt the heat overwhelm you, your body tensing and back arching up until it was no longer on the bed and your legs clamping around his head as you came, his name leaving your lips as a sob when he bit down on your clit just enough to spur on your orgasm with a little more power.

Your body was shaking and muscles cramping up, your skin shining with a sheen of sweat and he continued to greedily lap at your hole until you were oversensitive and pushing him away prying your own legs open to release him, and when he popped back into your line of sight, he was wearing own of the cockiest looks you had ever seen on him. His cheeks and chin were shining, and his lips were swollen, hair messy from where your fingers were tangled in the strands and he kissed his way back up your body, smearing your sin with your own fluids, and taking his time in making sure he had kissed and licked at every bit of skin, until his mouth was moving across your cheek and back to your lips.

“You tasted so fucking good, you want to try?” His words were deep, and seductive, and his voice was raspier than you had ever heard it, even in the mornings when the two of you had fallen asleep slumped against one another on the couch after marathoning a new TV show. You found yourself nodding before you even really processed the words, and he beamed down at you with a filthy smile, his thumb pulling your bottom lip down and opening your mouth just enough for his tongue to slither out and play with yours when his lips slanted across your own.

It was a taste you weren’t used to, foreign in your mouth and unexpected and yet it was just a little sweet, like he had said. It was mixed with the taste of him, one which you much preferred but at this point every inhibition you had was thrown out of the window because right now you were drowning in the way his lips played with your own, his lips tempting yours into the interaction alongside his. For a few minutes, you just lay there, your fingers weaved into his hair as you made out, lazy and messy and hot in a way you couldn't even begin to explain, but each kiss left you breathless and craving more, and each flittering touch of his hands along your body as he moved them, dragging them over every limb and expanse of skin, had your body setting alight once again.

“How do you feel?”

“I feel fucking incredible.” You smiled up at him dopily, and he laughed down at you, the moment so incredibly intimate that you felt like your heart was swelling up, and his finger tapped the tip of your nose, before brushing over your kiss-bitten and pouted lips, letting you kiss the pad of his finger.

“Yeah? That’s good, I like this. Us. I like us being like this, it sorta’ feels like one of those lazy Sunday mornings. Don’t you think?” Your arms wrapped around his neck, and you pulled up your legs to clamp around his hips, humming thoughtfully as you considered his words.

“I do, but-” you paused in your words, flipping the two of you over, and he let out a sound of sunrise and shock, before he was staring up at you in awe and swallowing thickly as he found himself on his back, watching your tits bounce above him as you leaned down, hair framing your face and lips barely touching his. “-if this was a lazy Sunday morning, you definitely wouldn't be wearing jeans, and I would be able to ride you a lot easier.”

To emphasise your point, your rocked your hips down into him gently, your eyes rolling a little and eyes fluttering shut as the denim he wore grazed against your sensitive core, a wet patch being left over the bulge of his jeans, the two of you watching between your bodies as trails of slick leaked from you, covering the front of his pants each time you rose up and pushed back down into his covered erection. “You are everything wet dreams are made of.”

His words were groaned out, his hands coming down between your bodies, and he rose his legs behind you, bumping you up just high enough that when his hips lifted from the bed with you sat in his lap, he was able to push his jeans and boxers down to his mid-thighs. His cock was pulsing with need, skin hot and flushed and dripping with precum, both of you letting out squeaky and broken sounds of satisfaction when his cock rubbed against your folds.

Grinding down onto him, his legs fell flat, both of you far too needy for a connection to even undress him properly, and you sat up, hands splayed over his chest for leverage and knees digging into the mattress on either side of his hips, giving you the leverage you needed to be able to rock your hips into him.

The head of his cock pushed against your neglected bead each time, his cock and thighs shining with your arousal as you pleased yourself, whimpering at each strangled noise he let out as his hands clenched by his sides, chest rising and falling under your palms as your dragged your pussy up and down his cock, feeling him nudge against your hole each time, but you were enjoying the build-up a little too much, and you could tell he was too, from the way his face was scrunched up in pleasure and the way his lips were parted to let out short breaths.

“Please, princess. I need to be inside you, I have been wishing for this moment for almost a year, don’t make me wait any longer.”

You nodded, lifting yourself up as he quickly took himself within his hand, pumping himself easily with all the slick on his skin, before he was lining himself up, his eyes finding yours and his other hand finding your jaw, bringing your lips down to meet his in a tender kiss as he felt you sink down onto his cock, gasping against your mouth and nibbling on your lower lip as you took him into your warmth, inch by inch until he was fully sheathed within you.

He let out a long and shuddering breath when your hips met his, your walls clamping around him and flexing experimentally, and he wiggled happily, his whole body deflating as a look of ecstasy and joy took him over. “Holy fuck, you feel incredible.”

You rolled your hips back, circling them slowly as you adjusted to his size, and you felt the breath knocked from your lungs as he dragged against every inch of your walls slowly. There was no barrier between you, and your forehead dropped down to press against his as you experimented with the swivels of your hips and the movements you made, trying to find a rhythm of what worked best for the both of you. His hands came up to your hips, holding on tightly and helping you move, and when his noises picked up in frequency and pitch at the same time that your own eyes rolled back and your skin erupted in goosebumps was when you knew you had found the best way to move.

You left a series of prolonged and loving kisses to his lips, feeling him lean up into it as best as possible, before your nails were digging into his skin scraping lightly as you moved yourself back to sitting up on his lap. He stretched you out, his generous girth and length filling you to the brim, and he was tapping against spots you didn’t even know you had, bringing you more pleasure than you could possibly have imagined, and you clenched around him tightly and rolled the muscles in your stomach. “Oh, God! Don’t do that unless you want me to cum in like thirty seconds, because that was fucking incredible, but I won’t last if you do.”

His words were wheezed out and you smirked, repeating the action and watching the way he writhed and squirmed underneath you, and he shot you a mock glare, pinching at your thighs and making you jump in a way that brought both of you a little jolt of electricity.

“You are a hazard to my fucking health, princess.”

A needy noise left you at the pet name, and you began to bob up and down on his shaft, throwing you head back as you took what you wanted, the feeling of another climax buildings as creeping through your veins and making your vision flash with spots as your eyes rolled, and your lips were drying with each quick pant you took for breath. The angle changed when he pushed himself up onto his hands, and a cry left you, your legs tightening around him as he pushed against a certain spot.

“There?”

“Right there, Stiles! Fuck, please!” Your hands were in his hair, his lips on your tits and teeth grazing your skin as he tried to buck up to meet your movements, and you only sped up more and more as you found yourself becoming comfortable in your motions. The room seemed to fade away, nothing mattered between the two of you except the way his hands felt on your body and the way his cock felt every time it slid out of you almost entirely, before you were slamming yourself back or him and crying out his name.

His own mumbles of praise and arousal were spurring you on, your body feeling like it was on cloud nine, and you no longer felt intoxicated on anything except the feeling of his body underneath you, the way he looked at you lighting you up and the way he kissed you making you feel like nothing would ever matter again. Stiles meant everything, he was made for you, and you could feel from the way the pair of you fit so well together that nothing would ever matter again, as long as you had him and he had you.

Your muscles were growing tired, your knees aching thighs screaming out, but your climax was so close that you could barely even speak sentences now, nothing but his name and your begs for more, and you could feel him twitching and leaking precum within you as he neared his peak. He fell back until he was laying down again, his legs still popped up behind you and you followed after him, a hand on either side of his head as his thrusts into you became easier for him, your jaw slack and tears lining your eyes as pure pleasure overtook you.

He picked up his pace, chasing his own high as well as yours frantically and the press of your chest to his, the feel of the short hairs at his base tickling against your overstimulated clit was enough to completely drive you into bliss. He was pounding into you, never letting up as he kissed your through your climax, feeling you scream out into his mouth as he muffled your sounds and made sure to fuck you through until you could no longer take it. You were scratching at his chest, shaking as everything all when into hyperdrive, feeling like you were floating as he flipped you over, holding your legs up and open as he desperately fucked into your abused hole, wetness on your cheeks as a third orgasm built, straight off of the second one and it all became too much.

His fingers on your clit, his mouth on your chest, his cock stretching you out wide and dragging against your rim with each deep and penetrating thrust, and your fingers tangled in the bedsheets as you thrashed happily under him. Nothing had ever felt this good, no orgasm you’d ever had with anyone else or alone, nothing you had even imagined, and every nerve within you was sparking and crackling with energy as you finally exploded for a third and final time.

You clenched around him so hard that you dragged him over the edge with you, his body collapsing down onto you as he went entirely boneless, spasming atop you as the two of you pressed together and rolled through your peaks. Spurts of hot and thick cum filled you up in ropes, spattering against your walls and filling you up, so much so that each time he shafted you could feel him leaking out of you and dripping down into the bedsheets below, and he pressed multiple soft and chaste kisses to the skin that he could reach, before letting out a deep and satisfied groan.

“Oh, my God. That was the best sex I’ve ever fucking had.” He was crushing you, but you still managed to let out a small giggle underneath him, before he was rolling himself off of you and pulling out, a relieved sigh on your lips as he did. “You’re incredible, absolutely amazing, the best. Just the best. Fuck, I can’t wait to do that again, and just be with you. This is going to be great, an-”

You pressed up to push your lips against his, and he let out a soft sound when you did, before his lips were curling up in a smile and he was kissing you back as best he could.

“You were rambling. You’re even more affectionate after sex.”

“Are you complaining?”

“No! God, no, I love it.” You rubbed the tip of your nose with his, before you were sitting up and grumbling at the protests your body made as you did. “I like it when you’re all clingy and needy, it makes me feel less weird about it when I do the same to you.”

“I like it when you get all touchy, and now I can really do something about it, because let me tell you, all those cute time that you’d come over and just want to cuddle me while I was cooking for us or when you’d hold my hand when we went shopping or lean into me when you’re tired? I wanted to kiss you so fucking badly, and now I can.” Long fingers brushed sweaty and matted hair out of your face, and he pressed his lips to your forehead, before standing up and shucking off the jeans that were still pooled around his calves, kicking off all the remnants of his clothing.

“I can’t wait, because a little secret would be that I wanted you to kiss me in all of those times, too.”

“Good to know, princess.” You hummed, accepting the hands he was holding out to you, and his eyes scanned along your naked form, swallowing thickly and averting his eyes when he caught sight of the mess leaking out of you. “We should get cleaned up, then you can have those cuddles I promised you.”

“Bath time, then a movie?”

“Sounds perfect to me.”

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calpops · 3 years

Text

seven days | c.h.

Your baby is born two months early. You and Calum face the complications and uncertainties with each other and the help of family.

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Calum’s world spins in slow motion. He sees you but you’re out of focus, his vision is hazy past tears. He’s numb but somehow he can still make out that your hand is in his, your grip is like iron, the hold you have on each other is unbreakable. He can hear static, white noise tumbles through his senses raised into a panic induced overdrive. He loses you and finds your baby and wonders why there’s no crying. The doctor has her in her arms and she’s saying something, Calum can see that her lips are moving but his mind can’t keep up, her voice is lost to him. Neither of you were prepared for this, the classes and books neglected to ready you for only seven months of pregnancy, ten minutes of labor and the doctor rushing your daughter out of the room. He looks back at you and sees your once outstretched arm fall, your lip quiver, eyes go wild through your weary and worried exhaustion. Your voice finally breaks him.

“Follow them,” you plead and though Calum wants to stay with you there’s someone else in the world who needs him too. Someone else he wants to be with just as much as you.

With every footstep down the sterile hallway he wishes your hand could still be in his. He’s stopped short, a nurse he barely recognizes from his disconnect while at your side stands in front of him.

“They’re bringing her to the NICU,” the nurse says and though her voice and eyes are kind Calum feels fear and frustration rising inside of him, boiling and breaking him as she stands in his way. “You can’t go in yet.”

“What—I’m—she’s my daughter,” he stumbles out, throat on fire and eyes burning just the same.

“They’re getting her in an incubator. She needs oxygen and vital care,” she says and goes on to explain it will take a bit of time. “When she’s ready you’ll be able to go in. You’ll need to scrub up and wash your hands first.”

Calum shakes his head, not quite able to process all of this information on the spot. He lets out a shaky breath, curls his fingers into his palms, feels the coolness of his wedding ring on his skin and it reminds him of you; he lets the thought of you attempt to calm him. His head shake turns to a nod though he’s still not sure he can completely comprehend all that is happening.

“When can I see her?” he finally manages to get out though it’s not without a fight or a broken syllable.

“Follow me,” the nurse offers and without thinking Calum is walking down the hallway again, trailing the nurse to a break in the white wall where a window rests. “You can watch from here.”

The view is startling. Machines and equipment line the NICU, doctors and nurses pass in and out and create fears with every step they take. It takes a moment to find the team that delivered your baby, joined by a few new nurses and another doctor. Just past the crowd he can see the incubator and your daughter being settled within, tubes for oxygen and the like disguising her small face. Her eyes are closed and though she looks peaceful the striking contrast of your sleeping daughter and the dire circumstances are enough to choke Calum. He can’t watch the rest, his eyes skirt to the floor but he stays put. He’s not leaving her, his resolve is shaken but stays intact. He wants you with him, he wants her to be on the other side of the glass, in his arms, welcomed to a world without complications.

Time passes in a blur, his eyes fixed on his shoes and the tile floor below. He’s vaguely aware of other people in the hallway. Doctors, parents, nurses and patients all pass him by without a word. The kind nurse is long gone and Calum finds himself wishing he had asked more questions. The silence is deafening. He wants to have your whispered words of reassurance in his ear. He wants the repeated mantra of “it’s gonna be okay” to be believable. His phone buzzes but he doesn’t reach for it. He knows he should make calls. Tell his parents, inform the guys he left with a million questions and concerns in their minds. He doesn’t have the energy or the will to do so.

His shoulders slump but he straightens himself when a doctor approaches.

“Mr. Hood?” he asks, clipboard in hand and cool eyes sweeping him up and down. Calum nods. “You can go in now. Follow me. We have to get you ready.”

Calum’s heart lurches with the first step he takes to follow the doctor, to be with his daughter. He thinks of you, doesn’t want to imagine the panic and pain that being alone is causing you. He reminds himself Mali is with you, that you told him to follow. He’s led to a solid door and ushered through. There’s a room connected to the NICU; cabinets with scrubs and gloves and sanitizer and a medical sink claim the small space. He realizes all parents must enter through here before getting to their babies. In a blink he’s wearing a gown, and his hands are thoroughly washed. He takes just one second to take a breath, to gather courage, keep you in his thoughts and ready his heart for his daughter.

“We usually encourage skin to skin contact to bond with babies while they’re being treated. You can hold her hand, talk to her, she’ll know your voice,” the doctor explains while they approach the incubator.

There’s a thousand questions swirling through Calum’s mind that he wants to ask the doctor beside him. But his breath catches in his throat at the sight of your daughter. Her eyes are still closed from when he first caught a glimpse of her through the window. The incubator is closed, she’s surrounded by the help she needs but holes provide a place for Calum’s hand to find her. The doctor talks to him, Calum knows he should be listening but the whir of the machinery and the thumping of his pulse inside his ears drown out the words. He keeps his gaze on her, swallows back a sob and feels the ache in his heart grow as he realizes you’re alone in the room down the hall, that she’s right in front of him but they’re separated by plastic and plexiglass.

He wants to say something to her, he can’t find words, more than anything he wants to hold her. He can’t. He sinks down to level with her and slowly reaches through to lightly hold her hand that’s so small it brings tears to his eyes. She doesn’t respond but he feels better having even the smallest form of connection to her. He doesn’t even know when he realized that he was right; your baby is the most beautiful little girl he’s ever seen. Your bet is meaningless, winning and names are lost in the plight of life. The doctor leaves eventually but hospital staff still surrounds the NICU, nurses and doctors ready at a moment’s notice. It’s silent save for the hum of the machines. Only a few other babies are being treated, spaced out to afford families privacy. He doesn’t know how long he stays bent over with his hand lightly on hers before he finally finds words.

“We love you,” he tells her, knowing if you were with them you’d say it too.

It might have been minutes but is more likely hours by the time a nurse pulls Calum from her side. The mention of you finally rousing him from his state. He doesn’t want to leave but he wants you. He wars over it for a moment but nods, gives her hand another touch, tells her that you both love her and finds himself wandering the hallway back to you. You’re stricken when he enters the room. Mali is trying to be a calming presence, to keep you in bed, but it seems a losing fight.

“How is she?” you ask, breathless, hopeless and forlorn.

Calum swallows down a lump in his throat, bites back tears and tries to stay strong for you and for her. A rush of the doctor’s words come back to him. What scattered remnants of pieces he barely heard charge through.

“She’s beautiful,” Calum says first, sits down in the chair at your side and takes your hand as softly as he had taken hers. “The doctor said the first twenty four hours are the most vital. They’ll know more at forty eight and even more at seventy two.”

“I want to see her,” you say and Calum hears the edge of hysteria in your tone.

“You need to rest,” Mali tries but falls short when you and Calum both shake your heads.

“I didn’t even get to hold her,” you cry and it’s enough to bring Calum to you, his arms gently around your shoulders. You can’t hold her, he can’t hold her, but you can hold each other and hope. “I want to see her,” you repeat and the words hit Calum’s skin and wrench his heart.

“We’ll ask the doctor if you can,” he promises, not knowing how physically affected you are from labor, not knowing if getting up and going would be okay or not.

“I’ll go get her,” Mali says and excuses herself from the room to track down the doctor and to give you two a private moment.

You’re both quiet for a few seconds, content to hold each other together in the silence. Calum feels your grip on him tighten as you shift in the hospital bed and eventually pull away so he can see your face. He runs his thumbs over your cheeks to wipe away your tears.

“Are you okay?” you ask him, eyes wide and concerned. “I wish I could’ve been there with you. I don’t know how hard that must have been.”

Calum shakes his head as if he’s trying to shake away your worries. You feeling guilty for not being there with and for him was the same war he had about leaving you behind.

“‘I’m”—he says and sucks in a deep breath—“I’m okay. I’ll be okay. She’s gonna be okay,” he finishes and finds a new mantra though it’s hard to believe and each sentence sounds more like a question than the last.

You nod, a small shudder shaking your shoulders and racking your body. Calum reaches for you again, let’s his hands settle on your shoulders to give you strength and comfort.

“I know she will. She’ll be okay, she has to be, she’s half you and you’re the strongest person I know,” you rationalize, eyes lost to the wall in front of you. You look back at Calum and he sees the stony wall you’ve put up start to crack as you gaze at him. “But it’s okay to break sometimes,” you finish and Calum knows you’re saying it to him, reminding him that he can break into your arms and have you there to help him put back the pieces.

For the first time since your daughter was born Calum allows himself to crumble. The tears he’d been fighting back slide down his cheeks and his shoulders slump with the weight of the world. He’s brought back to you by your gentle pull and finds reassurance in the love you show him. Mali comes back in with the doctor and Calum tries to collect himself, wipes tears from his face and clears his throat.

“I hear you’re asking about your daughter,” the doctor says as she steps into the room and takes a sweeping glance at you, Calum and Mali. “Parents are allowed in at all times. Visiting hours for others are seven in the morning to seven at night. Only two at a time.”

“Can I go see her?” you ask, a fragment of hope clinging to your words and getting lost in your eyes at the mention of parents being allowed in whenever.

“In the morning,” the doctor replies and Calum swallows down a lump in his throat, knowing that’s not the answer you wanted. “Your labor was quick but very intense. Your body needs to rest, the drugs need to wear off, you wouldn’t make it down the hallway in your condition.”

Calum sees the refusal cross your face, the staunch disbelief that you can’t see your daughter almost enough to crack anyone’s resolve. The doctor keeps explaining to you but it falls on deaf ears and interjections. You ask if this way would be possible, if that way would, but nothing seems to be possible to the doctor who means to keep you in bed until morning.

“What if she doesn’t have a morning?” you finally ask and suck in a breath as if the words themselves strike physical pain through you. Calum’s nearly certain they did, just the thought is enough to make his chest feel like it’s caving in.

“She’s stable and comfortable. If anything was to happen we would get you in there. For now, please try to get some rest.”

The doctor gets paged and makes her escape. Calum clutches you, holds you and makes whispered promises he’s not sure can be kept.

“I don’t want her alone,” you whimper and Calum follows your gaze out the door.

“I’ll go—do you want me to stay with you? Where do you want me?” he asks, stumbling over his words, unsure where to go or what to do.

You nod. “Go be with her. Please. Make sure she’s okay,” you instruct and Calum can hear how much it pains you to let him go to her without you. He holds your hand, kisses your forehead.

“I’ll come back to check on you in a while,” he promises. “And I’ll take so many pictures of her. Sweetheart, she’s beautiful,” he adds, realizing his first time in the NICU was so filled with shock that not one photo was taken and the only time you’ve seen her was when she was being taken away.

“Thank you,” you whisper, eyes glossy. “I love you.”

“I love you,” he answers without hesitation but takes an extra second to gaze at you before heading out the door.

He’s back with your daughter before he even realizes it. Her small hand is warm inside the incubator, her eyes are still shut and past the tubes that breathe life into her she almost looks peaceful. He takes as many photos as he can without disturbing her. He settles into the hard plastic chair beside her and tilts his head back until it gently thumps against the wall. His hands find his face and rub at his jaw. He hadn’t realized before but it’s been clenched and holding tension for hours. Time passes as he sits at her side, talks to her, sings and hums when she so much as stirs slightly. He’s able to lull her and he takes those moments as victory and ones to keep with him forever. Once more he wishes you were with them, knowing you would be able to do the same for her with the sound of your voice, the gentle touch of your hand. When it nears midnight and she hasn’t stirred in a while and a nurse has come in to check on her, Calum convinces himself it’s time to go check on you.

He knows he could call or text but he misses you. He’s faced with a conundrum as he gets one foot out the door of the NICU. Now he misses her. But he doesn’t have time to do much of either as the kind nurse he recognizes from earlier stops him once more. This time she has a clipboard with papers and pen in her hand.

“Forms for her birth certificate,” she informs.

Calum gapes at the papers. Even the easiest of questions and information seems impossible. You both still don’t even know her name yet.

“You can take your time on them. I’ll be around to help if you have questions,” the nurse says before excusing herself to rush off to help another patient.

Calum’s left with the clipboard in hand, aches in his heart and questions in his mind. He heads back for your room to find you awake and Mali gone. You smile to greet him but Calum can see how flat the gesture is and he can’t blame you.

“Where’s Mali?”

“Getting a coffee. I can’t sleep and she wanted to stay up with me,” you explain and Calum settles himself on the edge of your bed. He takes your hand and places the clipboard on his lap. “What’s that?”

“Forms for her birth certificate,” he says and sighs. “I can’t even fill in her name.”

You squeeze his hand in understanding. “Do what you can,” you reply and inch closer to take a peek at the papers. There’s a moment of silence between the two of you as you each get lost in your own thoughts. “I know you get to name her…”

Calum shakes his head. All bets off. “We’ll decide on something together. I love all the ones on your list,” he tells you and finally gets a genuine smile from you, eyes alight and all.

“I want to see her before we choose, I feel like I don’t even know her.”

Calum trembles at your words and the honesty in them. You carried her for seven months and had about seven seconds to see her before she was carried off. He leans closer to you, gives you many small kisses from your cheek to forehead as worries and fears tumble inside him, each one coming to life and bringing life to others. He drowns them out, for you and for her. He’s already crumbled once. He wants to be resilient. Mali comes back with coffee in hand and tired eyes but such a sheer will to stay Calum can’t even work up the nerve to even suggest she go home and get some sleep. And in all honesty he’s glad she’s here and can be there with you when he can’t.

“I called mum and dad, I hope you don’t mind,” Mali says when she takes a seat on the opposite side of you, sliding into the chair in a tired yet graceful way.

Calum shakes his head. He doesn’t mind at all. He wanted to do it but didn’t have the heart or the words or the right mind to even dial the phone.

“They’re flying out as soon as they can,” Mali further informs, then sips at her coffee. “We’re all gonna be here for you. Both of you. All of you.”

“Thank you,” Calum gets out past a choked up throat and stands to stride to his sister and give her a long overdue hug. She affords him comfort and when she realizes how tired his eyes are she gives him her coffee and says she’ll get another.

Mali leaves again and Calum spends the next few minutes drinking in the caffeine and soaking up some time with you. He wants to get back to your daughter but the war of you being completely alone confronts him once more. He decides to wait until Mali gets back to head back to the NICU. When she does stride back through the door he gives you a kiss, tells you he loves you and makes a promise to stay with her until morning; until you can be with her too.

He spends the night in the uncomfortable hospital chair, hand inside the incubator, finger lightly stroking her tiny hand in soothing rhythms. He talks to her when the moon is out, he shows her pictures of you and doesn’t let it bother him when her eyes don’t stay open for long. He comes to terms with the fact that she’s resting and when she’s resting she’s getting stronger each and every second. Through the night he shifts in the chair but never leaves it. There’s a kink in his neck and his muscles ache by the time morning comes but those pains are minimal in comparison. He rubs at his tired eyes after waking from a miraculous little doze. He straightens and finds her immediately.

“Good morning,” he sings quietly as he gets level with her. Her eyes are barely open. “You get to see your mommy today.”

He knows it’s not likely, probably impossible, but he swears she smiles when he tells her that. His phone buzzes in his pocket. He has no intention of answering it—he’s surprised it still has enough charge to buzz—but he checks who’s calling. Ashton lights up the screen. Calum sends him to voicemail and jumps when motion in his peripheral startles him. Ashton is standing outside the NICU window, looking in at Calum with his phone pressed to his ear. He frowns when he hears the voicemail greeting. Calum gathers up the courage to leave his daughter. He gives her a small goodbye squeeze on her hand, tells her he loves her and exits the NICU, the routine of leaving the used gown behind already set in stone.

“How is she?” Ashton asks, giving no time or thought to explaining how he knew where to go or why he holds a duffel bag in his grip.

Calum wracks his brain, trying to find the last update from a nurse or doctor but comes up short after his long night. He sighs and his shoulders slump.

“She made it through the night,” he says and hears the desperate intone of needing hope in his voice. “What are you doing here? How’d you know?”

“Mali texted, Luke has Duke,” Ashton explained and lifted a worry from Calum. He’d nearly forgotten Duke in the fray of it all. Ashton hoisted the duffel bag up. “I brought you both clothes, phone chargers, and I even have a present for her,” he continues and rummages around in a small gift bag until he pulls out a plush koala bear.

“She’s in a closed incubator,” Calum says though he knows he should be saying thank you instead. He can’t stop the words once they start. “She can’t have anything in there.”

Ashton nods, knowing the slight bite in Calum’s tone is not frustration at the gesture, just the circumstances. “It can go in her nursery.”

“We don’t even have it set up yet.”

Calum knows he’s starting to crack again but he doesn’t know how to stop himself. If it were anyone else he might have had a fighting chance of keeping himself together but Ashton’s been there for unspeakable highs and lows. He can’t fight himself into submission. He can’t keep himself together without a little help from his best friend. That’s exactly what he gets, a comforting hand on his back as the bags hit the floor and a hug to remind him that it’s not just you and him against the world. It takes a few minutes for Calum to pull himself together, to offer an apology for his tone that Ashton shrugs off in understanding and head for your room, the sudden remembrance that you get to finally see your daughter carrying his steps.

He finds you and Mali in the same spots as last night. He can tell you didn’t sleep. Your eyes are bloodshot and heavy but the smallest of smiles captures your lips when you see him.

“You ready?” Calums asks and you nod, needing no other prompting to understand. “Let’s get you dressed then we can go,” he adds on and searches through the duffel bag for some clothes as Ashton and Mali head to the hallway.

“How was last night?” you ask him as you pull a hoodie on.

“Long,” Calum answers and takes a breath. “But she made it through with no problems. I talked about you, showed her pictures, I think she’s excited.”

You laugh at Calum’s recount of the night and his projection of her possible excitement. It’s the first time he’s heard you laugh in nearly twenty four hours. It’s not as hearty and joyous as usual but it’s a start to feeling normal. You both hold onto that feeling as you exit the room and head to get ready for the NICU.

Calum doesn’t know what to expect when you enter and see her for the first time since she was taken away. He figures you might tear up, that you might clutch him or go straight for her. He doesn’t expect you to freeze in your tracks halfway to where she sleeps. He doesn’t know what to do when you wrap your arms around yourself and tremble where you stand.

“It’s okay, sweetheart, come on,” he tries with a soothing voice. He’s a step ahead of you and you continue to stand still. He backtracks to you, puts a reassuring hand on your back. “What’s going on?”

He focuses on the subtleties of your face and is drawn to your eyes. He sees the way they shine and knows that you’ll soon be biting your lip and scrunching your nose as you do your best to hold back your emotions.

“All these machines…” you trail off with eyes roaming the NICU and the sight of dozens of incubators and the like. Calum knows how overwhelming it is but he’s had time to adjust and get used to the hum and flow of the world your daughter lives in.

“They keep the babies safe and comfortable,” he says, knowing that’s what will get through to you. “I’ll show you, she’s nice and cozy, getting stronger every second.”

You nod and take very small steps with Calum at your side. He doesn’t rush you or push you along. He goes at your pace, his eyes skirting from you to your daughter. He knows you can see her from your vantage point. Her eyes are closed as sleep claims her once more. Calum is used to the tubes that give her oxygen and help sustain her life. It startles you when you first approach and Calum witnesses the tears that finally slide down your cheeks. You’re timid at the edge of the incubator, hands curled into fists and steadfast at your sides. He hears your breath shaking and reaches for your hand.

“You can touch her. Hold her hand. She likes that,” Calum informs, knowing his touch and voice had soothed her through the night whenever she stirred. “Like this,” he says and reaches his free hand toward her, lightly stroking the soft skin on the back of her hand. Her eyes open but she stays calm and content.

You go slowly, as if afraid to startle her or scare yourself. Calum retracts his hand from her but keeps his other in yours for support and comfort. It takes one touch for your fears and stone wall to come crumbling down. Your eyes soften as more tears make stride and a sob wracks your body.

“Hi, sweetheart,” you manage to get out through a cracked voice and Calum smiles at the choice of term of endearment. You’ve always been his sweetheart, now you have one of your own. You look up at your husband and Calum meets your eyes. “She looks just like you.”

Calum shakes his head. “She’s you too, look,” Calum says.

You giggle through another cry but Calum knows the tears and sobs are all born of something good. “She’s got your eyes and purses her lips just like you.”

Calum smiles at that. “But that nose and those cheeks are all you.”

“You think so?” you ask, turning away from her to look at Calum with hope in your eyes. He nods. You turn back to look at her and keep up the small rhythm you have of stroking her hand. “Yeah,” you agree upon further inspection with such adoration in your tone it makes Calum laugh.

For as hesitant as you were to enter the NICU it quickly becomes apparent that nothing in the world will tear you from her side. You take up residence in the chair Calum spent the night in, never once letting your hand leave her, keep your voice soothing as you talk to her. Calum finds his way to the other side, content to hold her other hand and listen to the sweet words you whisper to her.

“I love you so much,” you repeat, having found a new mantra. “I can’t wait to bring you home. You’ll get to meet your auntie Mali, grandma and grandpa, all your uncles. Your doggie, Duke. We’re all waiting for you, whenever you’re ready.”

“Some are less patient than others,” Calum says around a laugh as he spies two people on the other side of the window. You make a confused noise until Calum motions over to the window and you both take in the sight of Ashton and Mali waving behind the glass with glossy eyes and smiles to accompany them.

“They’re really special, huh?” you ask and smile, appreciative for all of the effort they’ve put in. You both know you wouldn’t be able to get through this without family by your side.

“The best,” Calum agrees with fond eyes.

You fall into silence, content to stay by her side and do nothing but gaze at her and each other adoringly. Calum doesn’t expect to look up and find you in tears again but he does and it nearly rips his breath away before he detects that though you’re crying it’s a good kind of cry this time.

“What’s going on, sweetheart?” he asks.

“This is just—it’s all I’ve wanted,” you manage to get out with your gaze roaming from her to Calum and then to Ashton and Mali still watching from the window. “It’s our family.”

Calum smiles at the sentiment and the honesty in your voice and knows the gesture reaches his eyes and hopes you can feel it in your heart the way he does. He knows your rocky relationship with your parents and that you haven’t felt like family in a long time. They have still yet to meet Calum after bailing on a dinner and the wedding. He’s not sure if you’ve called them about the birth or if they even bothered to answer but he’s happy to see you content with the family that chose you.

You sniffle and meet eyes with Calum. “I have an idea for her name,” you announce and Calum’s heart skips a beat. He’s ready to start calling her by her name, to fill out the forms in his hoodie pocket, but then he laughs as he realizes he might more often than not call her a term of endearment, just like he does with you.

“Anything you want,” Calum promises, knowing that it will be perfect because it came from you and your heart.

***

Another day slips by and Calum finds himself alone with your daughter once more. You’ve been brought back to your hospital room to talk with your doctor and see where you’re at and when you’ll be ready to be discharged. Calum asks you to get some rest while you’re in there. You make no promises but heed his words. You both have thoughts of her name in your heads, still undecided, wanting more time with her to be absolutely sure but feeling that it could be right. Calum’s hanging on by a thin and tattered thread. He’s exhausted and nodding off in the chair when Ashton rouses him with a phone call and coaxes him out into the hall, but not before he spends the time to tell her that he loves her. He meets his best friend in the hall, a yawn falling from him, arms wide as they stretch out the aches and tightness from his prolonged position.

Calum rubs at his eyes. “Why’d you drag me out here?”

“I think you should go home for a while,” Ashton says, getting straight to the point. When Calum immediately refuses with a shake of his head Ashton sighs and continues, “just a little while. You’re running on empty.”

“No. No, I don’t want to leave her. I can’t leave them,” Calum refuses, head still shaking and eyes darting to the window.

“Go home. Take a shower. Eat something. Take half an hour to sleep. They need you to be rested,” Ashton says and Calum can almost hear the words he didn’t say. They need you to be strong.

It’s the implication and words unsaid that even marginally make Calum consider the proposition. He runs a hand through his hair as tangles of thoughts snarl through his mind. He lets out an accidentally long held breath and turns the shake of his head into a nod as his shoulders relax. He decides he will, but only after he’s sure you’re okay and can be in with her. He tells Ashton as much.

“Good, I’m on shift right now so I can be in there with them when you’re gone if you guys want,” Ashton informs. Mali had finally gone home to get some rest for herself and Ashton slid seamlessly into her role at your sides to fill in the gaps when you have to be separated.

“I’m sure we’d all love that,” Calum assures, utterly grateful for his family’s presence.

Ashton does as promised. Calum watches as the two of you enter the NICU, sticks by the window until he sees Ashton take her hand for the first time and glow with such love and adoration it makes Calum certain she’s okay in his hands. And yours, though he’s never had a doubt about that. He heads home after waving and blowing a kiss—and laughing when Ashton pretends to snag it from you and keep it for himself. He calls for a car, knowing he’s well past exhausted and being behind the wheel would be dangerous. The car stops at the curb of your home and Calum stops short when he steps out. Two cars sit in the driveway where your cars are usually parked.

He enters the house and is met with disgruntled noises coming from down the hall. He makes way to the back room and finds Luke and Michael in a mess of boxes and half put together nursery furniture. He laughs as he stands in the doorway and it catches his friends attention, they look up at him, wide eyed and startled.

Michael is the first to stand as he abandons a screwdriver on the floor among the mess of cardboard, bubble wrap, and probably unread instructions. “How is she? How are you? What are you doing here?”

“She’s getting better everyday,” Calum answers and doesn’t even question the knowledge they have of her and the troubles she’s been facing. He knows Ashton must have filled them in. “Ashton forced me home to get some rest. But the better question is what are you two doing here?”

Luke blows out an irritated breath. “Trying to build her nursery. We figured Mali and Ash wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon so we might as well be helpful in the meantime.”

“Do they know when she can come home?” Michael asks and tucks his hands in his pockets, eyes sweeping the mess of a nursery. He clears his throat.

“Not yet. Hopefully soon,” Calum answers with an arched eyebrow, also taking in the room.

Luke stands. “Don’t worry. We set up a bassinet by your bed. We read it’s good for newborns to sleep near their parents. Just in case,” Luke informs. “She’ll have somewhere to come home to and rest. Now it’s your turn,” he finishes and waves a hand as if to dismiss Calum from their presence.

“Alright, I’ll take the hint. Just… try not to break anything,” Calum says and excuses himself to head across the hall to his own room. He spots the bassinet immediately and gravitates towards it without thinking. He has the stuffed koala Ashton got for her in his hoodie pocket. He pulls it out and places it inside, optimistic that she’ll be able to come home to it soon.

Calum doesn’t linger at home too long. He showers, eats and struggles to sleep for a while. Luke and Michael make minimal progress in their efforts to put together the nursery. Before heading out again Calum stops by to thank them.

“We couldn’t do this without you guys,” Calum expresses his thanks and means every word of it.

“That’s what we’re here for. It’s what families do,” Luke reassures.

“You can thank us by showing us some pictures of her,” Michael states and tilts his head. “The only ones we’ve gotten are blurry and through a window from Ash and Mali.”

Calum is more than happy to comply, he’s taken dozens, likely hundreds, since the first one he snapped for you. With two of his best friends by his side he swipes through endless photos. Most of just her, nearly identical, some with you and her, some of him and her and a few taken by a nice nurse of the two of you with her. He’s not looking at Luke and Michael—much too busy staring at the screen, wanting to be back with her and you to look at them—but he can feel the smiles in their voices.

“She’s the prettiest little thing I’ve ever seen,” Luke coos.

Michael makes a comment that she’s lucky she favors you over Calum and all three laugh. It’s one of few genuine laughs Calum has had over the past few days and even though it’s at his own expense he doesn’t mind. It feels normal. Michael and Luke aren’t treating him like glass and he feels less likely to shatter because of it.

“I gotta get back to her,” Calum concludes and locks his phone after the last photo is shown.

“Send us new photos when you get there,” Luke insists and lets Calum part with them after a hug for each.

Calum leaves the half finished nursery and hears his friends go back to squabbling.

“Where the hell did the crib go?” Michael’s voice asks as Calum heads for the door.

“I think it’s under the rocker,” Luke says. “Which is under that styrofoam.”

Calum leaves with a grin and gets back to you and her as soon as he can. He has to switch places with Ashton to get back into the NICU. He immediately greets you and her and though he’s sure at this point you both know he tells you he loves you.

“Will you sleep tonight?” Calum asks, knowing it will likely be your last night in the hospital, your visit from the doctor informing you that you could be discharged in the morning.

“No,” you respond.

“Will you at least try?” he questions with pleading eyes. He doesn’t want you to spend a night in a chair after all your body has been through though he knows you will without question. “You need rest,” he reminds. “I did. Now it’s your turn.”

You sigh and Calum can hear how tired you are just from that. You mull it over for a minute and finally nod. “I’ll try. Stay with her?”

“Always,” Calum promises and meets you around the incubator to give you a hug before separating for the night.

It’s another long and restless night for Calum but he finds small joys where he can. He’s happy to see her content and resting easily. He revels in holding her hand and talking to her. The doctor said she would know his voice and as time passes he starts to believe it. He can’t help but think back on all the times had talked to her before he was born. He found comfort in holding your bump and telling you both about his day or humming and singing familiar and beloved tunes. Those days aren’t so far gone and Calum feels a tug in his chest as he realizes how quickly they left. Seven months was too short. But as he gazes down at her he can’t help but be happy to have met her early. He laughs when the thought of her just wanting to meet you as soon as possible enters his mind and knows he’ll have to tell you that, knows it will make you smile. The night goes by without incident and it instills more and more hope into Calum’s heart that she could be going home any day now. He gets a text from you early in the morning when the sun is still making it’s ascent into the sky.

He finds himself in your hospital room with a view of pink clouds on the horizon and the golden sun greeting you as the doctor says you’re okay enough to be discharged. You both listen to the instructions and advice the doctor gives you and Calum can see the relief and happiness on your face as you settle into the realization that you can be at your daughters side at any and all times. The doctor tells you to rest and take it easy but Calum knows nothing will be restful or easy until she’s home and you both know she’s okay. Your minds and hearts won’t have peace until she can rest in your arms. Calum helps you get ready to leave your own hospital room and head back to the NICU. Over the next couple of days you and Calum find an exhausting rhythm of being at her side. It takes a lot of convincing from Ashton and Mali to let them be there for her while you take just a small amount of time for yourselves. Though it’s hard and goes against all of your instincts to be there with her at every single minute you relent after nearly thirty six hours without real sleep.

The first time you and Calum leave and Ashton and Mali go in together you linger by the window and watch as they take up positions by her sides. Calum feels warm and okay as he watches, he even manages a smile when Ashton and Mali light up when they hold her hands. The first time eases the transition to being able to take small moments away, long enough to eat and stretch your legs. But you never stay away for too long and even when they’re in with her you always find your way to passing the window and checking in on her and them. Nights are a different story. There is nothing that will make either of you leave her side. Days go on with uncertainty and worries but having Ashton and Mali around helps take some of the pressures and anxieties off of your shoulders.

Night settles upon you both with weary exhaustion clinging to your minds, bodies and hearts. Your daughter has been doing well but there’s still no word of when she can go home. It leaves you reaching for fragmented pieces of hope. Curling your fingers around broken shards of optimism and the fabric of each other’s shirts, holding onto all that is dear. Calum tries convincing you to go home for a night but you staunchly refuse, you tell him that you’re okay though your eyes betray how tired and broken you really are. He doesn’t push the matter, just holds you close in the uncomfortable hospital chair and keeps his hand on hers and yours and whispers reassurances all three of you need.

“I don’t even care if we go home soon or not. I just want to hold her,” you whisper and cut through Calum’s attempts at soothing you. “It’s been what? Four days? Five?” you ask and furrow your brows, the concept of time completely lost.

“Six,” Calum answers and is only aware of it from the watch on his wrist. It feels like a lifetime and he realizes that for her it is. He nearly gets choked up but clears his throat and blinks his eyes rapidly trying to keep himself together. He feels you shake your head against his chest as if you can’t believe it.

“She’s so tiny she could probably fit in one hand,” you say and let out a forlorn sigh. “I don’t know if we have clothes small enough for her.”

“We can send Mali out for that, I’m sure she’ll have a field day. We might have to build another closet for her,” Calum says and a small laugh follows, you giggle slightly and it’s more than Calum has let himself expect in a long while.

You lapse into silence, too tired to keep talking but too aware and afraid to fall asleep just yet. Calum’s learned to blur out the noise of the machines and just focus on your steady breathing. It comforts him. Just as he knows the beat of his heart is comforting you with your head pressed to his chest. His lap is numb but he wants you as close as possible.

“Have you thought more about her name?”

“I like what you mentioned,” Calum answers, a tilt of a smile forming for you and the thought of her possible name on his face. “Let’s sleep on it one more night,” he says and hopes that you actually will be able to sleep.

He finds himself nodding off, neck crooked and head falling against the wall behind him. But slumber is quickly taken from him when he feels himself being shaken and hears your breathy whisper.

“Something’s wrong,” you say and he immediately perks up, heart lurching and breath catching at the two words. “Look.”

You point out the window of the NICU where a group of doctors have convened with sullen looks on their faces. There’s a moment where everything is palpable and tense. Calum’s throat tightens and his heart rate spikes with anxiety. He can hear machines beeping but it’s not uncommon. The doctors break their group and start to move.

“Please don’t come in here,” he hears you say but he’s too fixed on watching the doctors disappear from the window and waiting for the door to burst open. Waiting for a doctor to take his daughter away again. “No, no, no.”

Calum’s hand finds hers and it feels just the same as always, warm and soft and perfect. His heart drops. Nothing happens, the door doesn’t open and the beeping stops. He gives it another moment and clutches at his chest with his free hand. He lets out a breath that’s nearly painful. He doesn’t even notice that in the heat of the moment you left him and stood, but now he refocuses, where once there was white edging into his vision as panic picked up he blinks it away and notices your hands are shaking. When you turn back to look at him he sees tears in your eyes.

“It’s okay,” he says and reaches a hand out to bring you back to him. “It’s okay. She’s okay.”

“I’m sorry,” you whisper and settle back against him, and he can feel the tears on your face as you find a home against the crook of his neck. “I was scared.”

“I know, it’s okay.”

“I shouldn’t have woken you. I shouldn’t have”—you begin but Calum strokes your hair and stops the words from coming out.

“That’s what I’m here for. I would’ve done the same,” he promises and assures. “She’s okay, we’re okay,” he continues when your small sobs and shakes don’t stop. He knows that you’re panic stricken and need to let the fear out. He holds you while you do, keeps his gaze flickering from you to her and lets the hum of the machines settle back in. He runs his hand up and down your back and hopes the rhythmic motion will help to calm you. He’s nearly certain sleep won’t be had any more for the night, he’s been running on coffee, anxiety, naps and adrenaline for days now. Once you’re calmed, or at least calmer, you pull away from Calum and he watches as you move back to her, settle so you can hold her hand and whisper to her. Her eyes are open and she’s calm. Calum notes and realizes how quiet she is, has been since she was first born. Even her cries are small and timid. He listens to you tell her that you both love her, that you can’t wait to bring her home and promise to always be there for her. Once the panic flees you both settle back in for the night but stay awake with closed eyes and hands on hers.

Morning comes in a slow creeping way. Doctors and nurses enter the NICU, you both watch silently as they make sure your daughter is doing well. It’s a silent and solemn affair to watch someone else be able to hold your baby—even if it’s just for a routine check in to make sure she’s making the progress she needs. Calum sees your arms flinching, watches as they calm when she’s back in the incubator and quiet. He knows it’s killing you to not hold her, cradle her in your arms and keep her safe from the world. It’s killing him too. Though you’re both somber and exhausted from the previous night, Calum finds that the morning is easier, he’s a little more light and certain. He won’t call it a good feeling as he doesn’t want to jinx it, but as he stares down at her and her eyes flutter open to meet his gaze he feels more calm and collected than he has in a week. His phone buzzes and though he doesn’t want to peel his gaze away from her he looks down and finds a message from Ashton.

“Ash says we should go get breakfast, he and Mali will come in for her,” Calum informs you and for the first time you don’t argue in favor of staying. Last night was too much, twenty minutes to recollect yourselves sounds good, and you’ve both come to trust Ashton and Mali to be alone with her.

“Alright, just get something quick from the cafeteria,” you agree and give your daughter one last touch and affirmation of love. You’ve both made it a habit to have your parting words to her be “I love you”.

Breakfast passes in a blur, remnants of blueberry muffins get swept into the trash and soon enough you’re both on your way back up to her. You’re stopped short in the hallway, a doctor calling out to you.

“Hoods?”

You both turn and a nervous feeling flutters through Calum’s chest. He holds his breath for a moment as he takes in the sight of the doctor. He exhales when the doctor seems in no rush and holds no note of concern. Calum supposes it’s a routine check in to tell about her progress and what the next steps are. Calum’s about ready to ask if you might be able to hold her soon, knowing how far she’s come and how much better she’s doing but the words get trapped as the doctor starts talking.

“She’s put on some weight. Her vitals are good. We’ll be transferring her to an open incubator for the day and if all goes well she should be able to go home by tonight or tomorrow morning.”

“What?” you ask, voice small in Calum’s ears, tinny and distant as you both process the news.

The doctor runs through it again, tells you slowly and answers questions that pop up during the explanation. Once it all makes sense, once it sinks in and the reality that her and home is coming sooner than either of you could have hoped for you’re both struck with a whirlwind of emotions. You freeze and for the second time the life of your daughter brings Calum to his knees. He doesn’t realize that he’s sobbing until you find him on the floor and your gentle hands and voice start to soothe him. Your fingers run through his hair and you repeat a new mantra that’s carved in stone and faith.

“She’s okay. We can go home.”

Your voice is a whisper and the NICU door opening and closing and footsteps all scream around you both. Calum clutches you and tries to catch his breath.

“What’s going on? What happened?” Ashton’s voice cuts through and brings you both to your feet. Calum doesn’t let go of you, face buried against your shoulder, but he finds some breath and wrestles with words and comes up empty.

“We get to take her home,” you explain and Calum suddenly hears Mali too, excited gasps and squeals sounding all around. Calum doesn’t let go of you but he feels his sister and best friend join the hug and appreciates their presence more than any choked up words could explain.

“Right now? I’ll go get the car,” Ashton asks and is reeling and ready to go but is stopped short.

“Tonight or in the morning,” you explain and Calum is grateful you’re strong enough to find words when he can’t. He continues holding you when Mali and Ashton break away, spilling their excitement out in bursts followed by tears.

He feels your hands in his hair again and the gentle sway of your body rocking him as he tries to ground himself into the reality that she really is okay. That nights filled with worries and days packed with exhaustion and waiting and waiting and waiting are going to be over. He breathes a little easier and finally detaches himself from you. You wipe his tears and he wipes yours and small laughs formed from disbelief and exhaustion spill past your lips.

“We have to finish her forms,” you remind and Calum doesn’t hesitate to dig into his jacket pocket where the papers for her birth certificate have been on standby. All that’s left to fill in is her name. “Should we go with…?” you ask and trail off as you peek at Mali and Ashton who are waiting with great suspense. Calum nods.

You fumble with the paper and pen and write her name out against the wall. You stay silent as you turn back to the group. You can sense Mali and Ashton are trying to be patient but the anticipation grows and keeps them on edge. All you do is silently hand them the paper so they can read for themselves.

“Mila Ashe Hood,” Mali reads in a breathy whisper coated with surprise. “She’s named after us?”

“After her godparents,” Calum says, finally finding some words but getting the wind knocked out of him once more as another group hug ensues. “Thank you guys, for everything, we couldn’t have made it without you.”

“That’s what family is for,” Ashton says without hesitation. “Now get in there and celebrate with her.”

***

“Do you want to hold her first?” you ask and look up at Calum with wide eyes. He meets your gaze, remembers your outstretched arm falling as they took her away, your pained and whispered words of just wanting to hold her, the way you flinched with fear at the sight of doctors outside the window. He wants to hold her but he wants you to have the moment you’ve been missing for seven days.

“It’s all you, sweetheart, you can go first,” he says and is content to watch with adoration and love as you reach into the open incubator she will be leaving for good momentarily to take her into your arms for the first time.

“Hi love bug,” you whisper as she settles in your hold; eyes open, quiet and content. “She’s so tiny and beautiful and perfect,” you say and softly rub her back. Calum sees tears in your eyes and for one of the first times in a week he knows they’re made of happiness. “Are you ready to go home?”

Mila doesn’t so much as squirm and you both take her contentment as a resounding yes. Calum lets you hold her for a few minutes more, takes several photos to capture the moment forever, knowing neither of you will ever want to forget. Mila’s eyes find Calum and his heart flutters.

“That’s daddy,” you tell her in a coo. “Do you want to go see daddy?”

The slow motion of Calum’s world stops as his entire universe ends up cradled in his arms. Mila weighs barely five pounds and Calum surmises your guess of her fitting in one hand would be right. But he holds her with all of the soft strength and love he has and wonders if he’ll ever be ready to let go.

“Ashton’s bringing the car around,” you inform. “Her car seat…”

“Luke dropped by and installed it,” Calum responds and laughs when you give him an uncertain look. “I’ll make sure it’s secure.” He would never let anything bad happen to his baby girl.

The transition from the hospital to the car goes fast in comparison to the agonizing wait of seven days. You both sit in the back with her, holding her hands, talking to her and enjoying the feeling of freedom from the incubator and anxiety. Mila is back in your arms and seeing her home for the first time in what seems like no time at all. The car ride flew by. Calum heads down the hall and takes a peek at the nursery.

“Sweetheart, come look,” he calls down the hall and pushes the door fully open when you and Mila reach him.

The sight of the finished nursery is breathtaking. You and Calum show Mila around her room; from the white crib and the pictures of woodland creatures above, to the rocker in the corner and the endless clothes that line her drawers.

“This is your room,” you coo, and shift your weight from one foot to the other, already noting that she likes a small rhythm when she’s held. “You’ll sleep right here when you’re bigger. For now you sleep right by mommy and daddy.”

You go across the hall to your room where her bassinet is set up and timidly ask Calum if it can switch sides of the bed so she can be near you. You explain it’s so you can feed her easier in the night but Calum doesn’t need an explanation, he’d do anything for you and her. He makes the switch and you gently lay her inside, kiss her forehead and clutch Calum as he stands by your side.

“I want to have more kids, I want her to have a sibling like you and Mali but I can’t go through that again,” you whisper and Calum can hear the heartache in your tone.

He pulls you close. “She will. We wanted to adopt, remember?”

You light up at that and smile with such sincerity it takes the ache right from your hearts. “Yeah. We’ll adopt,” you say and snuggle against Calum’s chest as a smirk grows on your face. “So, do you want to start that process tomorrow or?”

Calum bellows out a laugh and runs his fingers through your hair.

“Let’s take a breather, yeah? Enjoy being home with her for just a bit.”

“Okay,” you concede and Calum lets you drag him to bed where you can both rest. With his arms around you and your eyes on Mila who has fallen fast asleep you let out a content sigh and Calum smiles.

“I love you,” Calum says once and then again, one for you and one for Mila and you repeat the same back to them.

“I’m so happy to be home with my family,” you say around a sigh.

Seven months of pregnancy and seven days in the hospital have worn you both thin but in that moment there’s no other place you’d rather be. Beside your baby and in each other’s arms. The wait and anxiety are worth it once you find that all you have now is happiness and love. Calum and Mila.

<< >>

I can’t believe we’ve finally made it to this point in the dates with cal universe. I’m so appreciative of the support whether you’ve been around since the very first blurb, joined somewhere in the middle or are just finding this world. Thank you all so much. There is much to come, I hope you stick around for the journey.

Premature birth can come with many complications. What was depicted in this fic is one scenario of struggles parents and preemies can face. If you feel so inclined there are amazing charities to check out to help support families and babies in their time of need. Overall, stay kind and spread love and support.

If you’d like to join my tag list just let me know!

Tagged: @rosecolouredash @irwinkitten @golden-hood @who-do-you-love-5sos @caswinchester2000 @wildflowergrae @cuddlemecalx @malumsmermaid @babylon-corgis @outerspaceisbetterthannothing @mariellelovescupcakes @xhaileyreneex @gosh-im-short @spookydaddycal @loveroflrh @findingliam-o @flowerthug @g-l-pierce @talkfastromance4 @cashtonasfuck @sc0ttish-wildfl0wer @wastedheartcth @calumscalm @notinthesameguey @lukesfuckingbeard @myloverboyash @treatallwithkindness @haikucal @wiildflower-xxx @calum-uncrowned @egyptiangoldhood @drarryetcetera @another-lonely-heart @megz1985 @idk-harry @dinosaursandsocks @wildflower-cth @idontneedanyone @everyscarisahealingplace @myfavfanficsever @stormrider505 @karajaynetoday @333-xx @calumshpod @calumsphile @calumrose @justhereforcalum @grreatgooglymoogly @calumance @ashhhbeee @chicken-ona-stick @wish-you-were-here-hood @mantlereid @hemmingslftv @homeofpoetry @shamelessfangirl-3

#Calum hood #5sos #5 seconds of summer #Calum hood blurbs #Calum hood imagines #5sos blurbs #5sos imagines #calum hood x you #calum hood x reader #calum hood angst #Calum hood fluff #dad!cal #cal!dates #5sos x you #5sos x reader #5sos angst #5sos fluff #chblurb

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hoodharlow · 3 years

Text

At the Top of Cherry Hill

El Novio Quarantine Edition: Part 4

AN: Here’s Part 5! Sorry for the delay, the past few days I was going through it, but now I'm better <333 Hope you enjoy this. Thank you at @tekweela for the Cal picture ilysm

Requested? No

Warnings: almost smut, the consequences of not using any sort of contraception or birth control, and an angsty ending :)

Claudia huffed and rolled her eyes at Calum before she took the sunscreen he offered her. She angrily rubbed some all over her face. She just couldn't believe he and Medelyn would set her and Danny up like this. She barely tolerated him and now she was forced to walk five miles with him under the blazing sun.

Ever since the baby shower they haven’t talked. When the stay at home orders became mandatory, they moved back to Diego and Soni’s house. They agreed to not talk about the baby shower incident until they were ready to have an actual conversation. The three months they spent at their parents’ house were awkward, but luckily for them, their parents didn’t pick up on it. Though their older sibling did.

On Junior’s day off from the restaurant he went over to their parents’ house and instantly noticed the twins were in a fight. In his twenty one years of being their older sibling, he always knew when they were in a fight. He called them to the yard and lectured them, trying his best to figure out why they were arguing. Claudia made up some reason because if he knew the real reason he would have murdered both Danny and Paco.

Calum got out of the car and motioned Claudia to do the same. She grabbed her mini Prada backpack from the back seat. It was a gift from Calum after they watched 10 Things I Hate About You on loop for a week, and Claudia always acted out the part where Chastity and Bianca talked about the differences between like and love.

She put on her mask and awkwardly tugged her bike shorts by her inner thighs. One of the reasons why she hated the summer was the awkward tugging between her thighs wherever she would wear shorts or rompers. She tugged her sport's bra and handed the sunscreen to Calum.

"Can you get my back?" She asked him sweetly.

"Don't start anything." He warned her

He tapped the bottle on his hand to get the last of it. "Did we add sunscreen to your list?"

"No," Claudia shook her head. She bent down, pressing her ass to Calum's crotch so she could get her phone from her backpack. She pushed herself a little more rougher when she got up with her phone. "Let me add it."

After getting Duke from the back, Calum tugged Claudia towards the black Ford 150. Danny had his back to them as he changed Sebastian's diaper. Medelyn waved to them as she fixed the stroller.

"I didn't think he knew how to change a diaper." Claudia mumbled to Calum.

"Claudia," He warned.

"I'm just saying that he spends so much time in the shop with Beatriz Hernandez—"

"What the fuck is Beatriz doing in your shop?" Medelyn asked Danny as she handed Sebastian to Calum.

He gave Claudia a glare. "Why do you always have to make me look bad? What does the person I hired as the receptionist of my shop have to do with me changing diapers? Nothing. No más quieres abrir el pinche osico Claudia." Danny turned to Medelyn. "I didn't know who Beatriz was until esta came in to get her tattoo and told me. I can't just fire her because of some shit that went down in high school."

After a few awkward moments of silence, Medelyn spoke up. "I kinda got a headache. Maybe we should do this another time."

"I agree." Calum nodded.

Danny collapsed the stroller and placed it in the back of the cargo bed. He whistled at Panchito who was with Claudia and Duke and helped him up. He secured him and went in the truck.

Calum helped Medelyn with Sebastian and went up to where Danny was sitting and talked briefly. He nodded and patted the door. He scratched behind Panchito's ears before going back to Claudia.

"It wasn't even five minutes, Claudia." He said, sitting on the picnic table near them. He pulled off his cap and brushed his hair with his fingers. "Do you know what I would do to have Mali living twenty minutes away from me?"

"Cal…"

"Let's just go home Claudia." He said defeatedly. He took Duke's leash from her and went to the car.

He let Duke sniff around while Claudia catched up.

Calum didn't mean to make her feel bad, but he was exhausted. They didn't see how lucky they were to be so close. They weren't separated by an entire country and an ocean like him and Mali. The only thing that kept the twins apart were their massive egos.

Duke halted and looked behind him. His ears perked up, alert of his surroundings. He tugged Calum to the opposite end and barked.

Calum heard a soft whimper. He cautiously let Duke approach the whimpering sounds.

"Claudia, can you help?" Calum asked her when they reached the sounds.

"Yeah." She took his hand and crawled to where Duke was.

There was a small dalmatian puppy curled up under a rock that provided some sort of shelter. Its bones slightly poked through as it shivered.

"Here," Calum said, handing her his shirt.

Claudia set it on the ground and reached for a snack in her backpack. Cursing that she only has cherries, she pitted the seed of one of them and offered it to the pup. It hesitated and ate it. It ate a few more and allowed Claudia to place it on the shirt.

She wrapped it up and picked it up. She hummed quietly hoping the puppy would relax.

"It's okay," Claudia said softly. She rubbed its head.

"Let's head back. We can take her to Duke's vet. They have walk-ins on Saturdays." Calum said.

Claudia kept the puppy on her lap while Calum drove them to the vet. Duke protested once recognizing the vet's logo.

"It's okay mi vida." Claudia told him quietly. "We're gonna go see that your new friend is okay. Te quedas con Cal, va?"

Duke laid back on his seat. Calum helped Claudia grab her things and her mask. He opened the door for her and slid back in the car with Duke.

An hour or so passed when Calum’s phone began to buzz. He lifted it from the cupholder and answered it once seeing it was Claudia.

“What happened?” He asked.

“Can we keep her? Please? The vet tech said that she's about ten weeks old. Then they scanned her in case she was chipped and nothing popped up. They are bathing her and gonna give her all of her 8 week shots.” Claudia explained. “Duquito didn't try to fight her when we found her. She's just so precious. They were gonna take her to a shelter.”

“She’s going to be your responsibility. I’m not picking up her shit.” He said in a tone that reminded Claudia over dad when her and Danny asked for a dog.

“I pinky swear...what does Duke think?”

“Let me ask him.” Calum put Claudia on speaker and turned to Duke. “Do you want the puppy to stay with us?”

Duke lifted his head and yipped excitedly.

“Yay!” Claudia quietly squealed. “We’ll see you in a bit. Love you guys.”

Another half hour passed when Claudia and the puppy came out of the vet. The dalmatian looked nothing like the one they found on the hiking trail. It was a complete 180.

"So this is Cherry," She said, introducing Calum and Duke to the puppy.

Duke pushed himself onto the center console and sniffed Cherry. He happily yipped at her. He curled up and laid back in his spot.

Calum stretched out his hand to her. She nudged his hand and sniffed it. She licked his hand.

"You should have named her apple or apricot. That way we could have been ACDC." Calum joked as pulled into the street.

Claudia kissed the top of Cherry's head and gave Calum a pointed look. "In my defense I was going to pack some apple slices, but you rushed me."

***

Claudia gently knocked on their bedroom door and poked her head in. She cleared her throat. In part to get Calum's attention and to muffle her moan. Something about Calum shirtless in only black pants and that damn belt with the big silver buckle sent her spiraling. All she could think of dropping to her knees and letting him have his way with her mouth.

"Everything alright?" He asked her as he placed some shirts in his suitcase.

"Just letting you know dinner will be ready in five." She said, eyeing his ass through the mirror.

"Is that all?" He asked, knowing that look she had.

"Yeah." Claudia closed the door and went back to the kitchen.

Calum was just making sure his pants and favorite belt still fit. He had most of his clothes packed, save for his undergarments. He pocketed his phone and went downstairs.

He poked his head in the living room and saw the two dogs peacefully napping on their beds. His mind wandered to when he and Claudia had kids and he was checking in on them, sleeping without a worry in the world like Duke and Cherry.

Calum and Claudia haven't brought up the topic of starting a family in almost two months. Truthfully they only talked about it once in the driveway of her parents' home after they took her nephew to get stitches. haven't brought it up since then.

"They are literal angels." Claudia whispered, bringing Calum back from his thoughts.

"Yeah." He agreed. He pulled her close to him.

"Are you still mad from earlier? You know, me not knowing when to talk and ruining our hike." She quietly asked.

"I wasn't mad. I was in a weird headspace. I miss Mali and the fact that you have Danny so close to you and you both choose to not talk about what happened at the baby shower made me slightly disappointed, I guess. I know he hurt you with what he said and his actions, but at the end of the day he's your brother." He shrugged. "I know it's not my place to tell you how to work through your feelings and it's up to you to figure out what and who are best for you."

"You're right… I'm sorry for being an inconsiderate dumbass and ruining our hike."

"Apology accepted." He said, kissing the top of her head.

"Speaking of knowing who and what are best for me...you and this belt are currently what's best for me."

"I figured when you were eye-fucking me earlier."

Calum pulled Claudia to the kitchen so they could have more privacy. He leaned down and captured her lips. It didn't take long for them to deepen the kiss.

“Let me turn off the espagueti verde.” Claudia mumbled, pulling away from his lips. She leaned over and turned off the heat. She smiled and took off her shirt. “Where were we?”

“I think you were going to drop your panties and let me bend you over the counter." He said.

"That sounds about right." Claudia nodded. "But I'd prefer it if you took them off."

"That works too." He smiled.

He caged Claudia in, pressing his growing hard on as he leaned down to kiss her. Calum pulled down the silk camisole and exposed her breasts. With one hand he toyed with her breasts as his mouth descended down to her jaw. He gently nipped and sucked, leaving love bites around her neck. He continued his journey down, showing love to her small tattoos and until he reached her panties.

Calum kissed her 'wildflower' tattoo and pulled down her panties along with her camisole. Wordlessly he placed one of her legs over his shoulder. He sponged kisses all over the inside of her thighs, making Claudia grow impatient.

"Cal," she whimpered.

One of her hands was already gripping his curls. Claudia unsubtly bucked her hips for some relief, but she wasn't getting any of his.

"Turn around." Calum said, dropping her leg and getting up from the floor.

"I wanted your mouth." She pouted before she turned around.

"I know." he said, kissing her shoulder. "You'll get it in a bit."

Claudia rolled her eyes and bent at the waist, jutting her hips back and gripping the counter. Calum stifled a laugh and pushed her further up the counter, so they were at the same level.

"Tell me again why you have a tall counter." Claudia asked,lightly kicking the air.

"Tell me again why you're short," he retorted.

"Excuse you, I'm 5'6."

"On a good day, you're normally 5'5, Claudia." He said, in the same tone she said it when someone asked her how tall she is.

Claudia scoffed and looked back at him. "Do you wanna get laid or what?"

"I'm joking," he said, kissing her. "I'm gonna get a condom."

Claudia watched him pull up his pants and take his car keys. He had an extra stash of condoms in the glove compartment.

Coincidentally, Claudia had run out of birth control at the same time Calum told her that he was planning on going to London to work with Mali on her album. He was leaving in three weeks.

Claudia didn't see the point of getting her ten week supply. He was going to be gone for two months, and her pills were specifically programmed to be taken at the time she bought them. If she waited to take them when Calum came back they wouldn't be effective.

"You didn’t buy any when you went to Target right?" he said, coming into the kitchen.

"No. Are we out?" she said as she pulled herself up so she sat on the counter. She reached for one of their decorative dish towels and covered herself.

"Yeah." he pushed back his curls and leaned against the counter. "How do we finish a 36 pack so fast?"

"Considering the amount of quickies we had in your car while we were at my parents' house." She shrugged.

"I bought that pack about two weeks ago after Ashton did his album shoot here." He deadpanned.

"Oh," Claudia giggled shyly.

She leaned forward and pulled him to her lips. She wrapped her legs around his waist and deepened the kiss. She let Calum's hands wander all over her body. Claudia slowly reached down and pumped his cock.

"Fuck," Calum groaned. He leaned his forehead against hers and watched her hand work on him.

"Cal I need you in me." Claudia sighed.

"We don't have any condoms." He reminded her, kissing down her neck.

"I know… just this one time?"

Calum pulled away to make sure she was okay with what they were going to do. "Just this one time."

***

Claudia checked her calendar once more, hoping the date wasn’t off. Her period was about six weeks late. She was supposed to get it the week Calum left for London. She didn’t think much when it didn’t show up. Her period was usually late when she was stressed about something. Calum traveling across the country and Atlantic Ocean in the middle of a global pandemic was something she worried about.

Six weeks later and nothing.

She chewed on the loose skin around her fingernails as she waited for the timer on her phone to go off. Annoyed that in the ten minutes she waited only an actual minute passed. She got up and went to the kitchen.

Cherry and Duke lifted their heads from the couch as she passed them. Cherry got off and followed her. She sat in front of Claudia’s stool and waited for her to get her snack. Claudia rolled her eyes and tossed her a baked treat. Duke came in seconds later and asked for one as well.

Claudia grabbed a bowl of fresh kumquats from Calum’s tree and began taking out the juice. Weirdly enough the bittersweet flavor helped her with morning sickness. If anyone saw her, they’d be confused as fuck seeing her eat kumquats. Everyone and their mother knew she detested them and would do the most if she was near them. The same thing with pickles.

She knew something was up when she went out to get lunch with KayKay and Sierra a few days ago. KayKay was the one to point out that she didn’t tell the server to remove the pickles from her chicken sandwich.

Her phone went off. She cursed and got up from her stool. A loud crashing sound came from the backyard, making her halt. She waited a few more seconds and she heard the same sound in the little area Calum works out in.

Panicking, she scooped up Duke and motioned Cherry to follow her upstairs. She quickly rushed back and swiped her bowl of kumquats. She pushed the dogs in the closet and grabbed her laptop off her bed. While she waited for her laptop to load she called Danny.

“Do you know what time it is?” He snapped.

“I think someone’s trying to break in.” Claudia spoke in a hushed voice.

“What?”

“I said, I think—”

“I heard you. Did you call 911?”

“No, I don’t want Cal to get the notification that the police came. Can you come and bring Panchito? Cherry is still at that phase where she lets everyone pet her. He could bite the burglar and we can just say it was self defense. Like who are they gonna believe? Me or the robber. I mean technically I’m not the homeowner, but my mans is you know. And sure, Panchito doesn't live here, but like we can just say—”

“En un ratito llego.” He said hanging up.

Claudia set her phone down and logged into the Ring website so she can get access to the cameras Calum got installed before they left to her parents’. She cursed as the website glitched and sent her back to the shopping tab. She grabbed her phone and went to the app store to download the app. Another five minutes passed and she logged into the app. She found cameras that aimed where she heard the sounds and sighed in relief. It was the neighborhood cat.

The elderly woman who lives up the street owns it, but she let’s it roam around the neighborhood. Claudia has seen it a few times chilling at the top of some people’s fences.

She checked the other cameras and dialed Danny.

“What?” He said, stifling a yawn.

“So I checked the cameras and it was a cat.” Claudia said, opening the bedroom closet.

“You don’t need me to come over?”

“No, sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m like ten minutes away. You want carne asada fries?”

“Please.”

“Te veo en un ratito.”

“Bye Danny.” She said hanging up.

Ten minutes later Danny showed up with her carne asada fries and a bat. Cherry went up to him and sniffed him. She yipped excitedly and wagged her tail.

“She’s growing fast.” He said scratching behind her ears.

“I know.” Claudia said, leading him to the kitchen.

Danny set the bat under his seat and grabbed one of her disinfectant wipes to clean the to-go box before setting it down on the counter. He took a fork Claudia offered him.

“I have sparkling cider if you want or do you want a beer?” She said, placing the bottle on the counter.

“Is it apple and grape?”

“Obis jobis.”

He motioned Claudia to hand him the bottle. He opened it with his bottle opener keychain while she grabbed some cups.

“When is Calum coming back?”

“Tomorrow, his flight is at twelve London time and he lands around four in the afternoon.”

“That’s good.”

“Yeah…”

They awkwardly ate in silence, only talking to pass around la salsa verde.

“Danny?” Claudia began, getting his attention. “I’m sorry about blurting out that Beatriz thing to Mede. It was fucked up and uncalled.”

“Don’t worry about it. Mede and I talked it through… I’m sorry about the whole Paco thing. Especially what I said about you not putting out. That was pretty fucked up.”

“Apology accepted.” Claudia said, sipping her sparkling cider.

“I think la güerra and him are a thing.” He said.

“I knew it! I was watching her snapchat story a few weeks ago and saw a familiar tattooed hand.” Claudia laughed.

They fell into conversation. Lurking La Güerra’s, their cousin Vanessa on their dad’s side, social media Claudia and Danny were able to figure out that their cousin and Paco have been a thing around the start of quarantine. The conversation moved to Danny and his tattooing.

While they hung out on the couch with the new medical drama playing in the background, Danny inspected the tattoo he did on Claudia's knee a few weeks ago. "It healed nicely," he said, smacking her knee. It was two fish skeletons in circular motion, but one fish was shaded while the other was outlined.

"Thank you. I have another appointment in a few weeks. I think I'm going to get it on the inside of my ankle. Sara drew this cool picture and she let me use the drawing." Claudia sipped more of her sparkling cider. "Who was the first person you tattooed at Ivan's shop?"

"Mede." He said, pulling Cherry to his lap. "She and her sorority sisters were in San Diego because UCSD was hosting an event for all of the sororities or some shit for the weekend. Ivan told me I earned my own chair and the whole day none of the walk-ins wanted me to work on them. It made sense, I was barely 20. Anyways an hour or so before closing Mede and few of her sorority sisters showed up.

She recognized me and I freaked because she remembered me. The girls with her teased her and she got all shy and shit."

"No mames estas enamoradisimo de Mede." Claudia teased him.

"I'm pretty sure I've been in love with her since high school— anyways, they all wanted to get the sorority's name and a symbol relating to the ocean. I drew their designs and no one wanted to get them. So Mede volunteered. She got it on her side boob because she didn't want Deacon Pepe and Marcela to see it. You know how they are about tattoos."

Claudia nodded as she turned back to get a blanket. "Doña Marcela literally made me wear long sleeves to soccer games and track meets because my tattoo was inappropriate." She said, lifting her arm to show him her first tattoo she got when she was sixteen.

It was spatula and baseball crossed together with a soccer ball like royal arms that represented her and her brothers. The spatula was for Junior because he followed their father's footsteps and became a chef. The baseball was for Danny because he was their high school's star player. Lastly the soccer ball represented Claudia because soccer was her thing.

"Like my dad was there when I got it done." She said.

"At least she didn't forbid you to be near Mede because you made homemade tattoos at the back parking lot at school."

"The fact that you didn't get caught still amazes me."

"Dr. Vazquez caught me but was impressed and let me do one on him." Danny shrugged.

"Shut up!"

"I swear. It was a pinup girl on his calf."

"That's so weird!" Claudia cringed.

An hour or so passed and they were still talking, but Claudia began dozing off. “I should get going." Danny said.

"When Cal is done with his three week quarantine, we should all hang out." Claudia offered.

"Yeah, I'm gonna leave you that bat in case someone does try to break in you get them with it."

"Dude don't scare me."

"I'm kidding, mensa." He said, giving her a side hug. "Where's your bathroom?"

"The door closest to the front door." Claudia said, checking her phone.

He nodded and went. She closed some apps and noticed her period app. "Shit!" She got up and bolted to the bathroom. "Wait Danny!"

"What the fuck Claudia!" He exclaimed, exiting the bathroom.

"Did you see them?" she asked, so she wouldn't have to see the results.

"No, I'm not touching your pee." he grimaced. "Do you not know?"

Claudia shook her head and hugged herself. "I don't wanna see."

"Go see."

Claudia groaned and slipped in the bathroom. She crossed herself and quietly prayed that they were all negative. She glanced at the test and cursed.

"So you're gonna have a new niece or nephew." Claudia said awkwardly as she came out of the bathroom.

"Fuck! Claudia, you're the smart one." Danny began lecturing her. "How could you two be so irresponsible? Of all the tests to fail you decide to fail a pregnancy test?"

Taglist: @f-mu @another-lonely-heart @sunshinebabycal-deactivated2021 @calumscalm @karajaynetoday @cherryxwildflower @myloverboyash @idontneedanyone @findingliam-o @5-secondsofcolor @mulletcal @sexgodashton @fckingpernico @2fangirl4u @calpops

#calum hood smut #calum hood fluff #calum hood imagine #calum hood one shot #calum hood series #calum hood one shots #calum hood imagines #calum hood fanfic #calum hood fanfiction #calum hood fan fiction #calum hood fan fic #El Novio series #el novio quarantine edition

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inquisitive-mess · 3 years

Text

A Slice of Happiness Final Part

Including Sibylle of Cleves and Maria of Jülich-Berg by @blackdiamondwrites127, and Katherine Tudor by @ellielovesdrawing

Mention of Jane Paker by @altairtalisman and Anya Askew by @thenicestnonbinary

T/W: Blood, Past Characters Death, And Hint of Past Trauma and Abuse

When Sibylle and Kath heard Ann, Sibylle was kind of surprised on how easy that was. She expects Ann to put up more of a fight, but see how vulnerable she currently is and how things has been, it does made sense that she doesn't have the strength to do that. Kath decided to grab Ann's coffee and tiramisu with some plates and utensils from the kitchen and place it on the table. She figure this may be a long story, so she want Ann to be comfortable when telling it. Ann saw Kath bring the tiramisu and some plates to them and was confused by it. She didn't know why Kath brought them and it made her feel a little worse. It was a constant reminder on how she didn't deserve this. Kath soon sat next to Sibylle and took a sip of her coffee while Sibylle got herself comfortable in the chair. Ann try to take her mind off the dessert and begin speaking " It begin when I was thirteen and started to work at the palace...." Kath choke on her coffee, put her mug down after spitting her coffee back into it, and begin coughing when she heard Ann. Sibylle went to Kath side as she try to help her breath correctly. Ann look at Kath when this happen and asked her " Are you okay?" Ann felt little bad that she cause Kath to choke on her drink. Kath soon recovered and nodded. She was kind of caught off guard on what Ann had said and made her confused by it. Sibylle looked at Ann and she nodded. Sibylle then told Kath " Babe, Ann just like us. She a reincarnate and been around for ten years, like I have. She's the younger sister to Catherine Parr. She knows that Jane, Anya, and Mali are too." Kath took in this information and realized why Ann look so familiar to her. Ann does share some facial feature to Cathy. Kath then said " So is that why you wanted a tiramisu because it has coffee in it?" Ann replied " I would say yes, but it not because I'm addicted to coffee, like my sister. You see, I wanted something i'm familiar with in taste since this would be the first time trying it. Jane was the one who told me about it after we went to restaurant yesterday and a dessert that is hand-made in a bakery are usually better than ones you buy in a supermarket. To tell you the truth, I only have coffee when i'm in the mood for it." This made Kath really happy because Ann trust her this much to make this order for her and Siby knew how much this made Kath day.

Once eveything had settle down and Kath was alright, Sibylle and her got themselves comfortable again, so they can listen to Ann talk and Ann begin again " As I was saying, it began when I was thirteen and start to work at the palace. My mom mange to get me a post in court and I became a maid-of-honour to Catalina. She was good friend with her and part of her lady-in-waiting staff. I wanted to be good as my mom was and did my very best, which I really enjoy." Ann grip her mug a little tight and continue " Unfortunately I did see the bad things while being there. Like how the king treated Catalina and witness how terrible the king was. Once Catalina got divorced and sent away, Anne became queen and I begin looking up to her as role model. I knew it wasn't Anne fault for what happen to Catalina, since I already know what really happened. I continue to follow her example, until she got executed. I knew Anne didn't commit any of those crimes, but I couldn't do anything about it, since that would mean I would have to go against the court and the king. I watched her death and blame myself for being a bad assistant, student, and friend. Jane became queen soon after and I was shocked that she still wanted me there. She must of knew how I felt and blame herself for what happen to Anne. I was part of the funeral cortege when she died and one of the fortunate to be present in Prince Edward baptism." As Sibylle and Kath listened, they wanted to tell Ann that this wasn't her fault and she did nothing wrong. Sibylle could see why Ann ask her that question when they were in the room before dinner and her hesitation on being friends. Ann looked down at her mug and said " Soon after, I met my future husband, William, in court and got married. I do miss the time we spent together and family we made. He may not be smartest person, but he was strong, loyal, and good father to the children." Ann smile a little and wished she lived long enough to see all of her children grow up and get married. Sibylle knew how Ann felt, since she does think about John and her kids from time to time.

Ann took a sip of her coffee and went on " I went back to court when the king marry Anna and served her." This perk Sibylle's interest a bit and wonder what Ann did in her sister time in court. She knew what happen during Anna time and didn't like it. In fact, she would of called out everyone, even the king about everything. " When I learn she didn't know much English and heard what court have been saying to her, I took upon myself to learn German, so she had someone to talk to and may be help her. As you can see, that didn't end well when her marriage got annulled and sent away. She did visit time to time, so that was good thing at least. Though I could tell her self-esteem did get hurt a bit even when she try to hide it." Sibylle did get her answer when she learned that Ann does know German and wasn't hearing things when she was at her shop during the incident. Kath was glad that Sibylle had another person she can talk to in her native language. Ann then begin to tense up as she begin talking again " Then Katherine became queen..." Ann got a little sad and continue " When I saw how young and inexperience she was, I wanted to help her all I can and she took a liking to me. I eventually was appointed the keeper of the royal jewel, but I had to leave for short time to give birth to my first child. I did return back to court, but it was around the time Katherine was charged and arrested for adultery. I didn't know how this happened and soon realized that the incident was happening again. What makes it worse is that when Katherine had the choice to choose to accompany her through all this, she picked me. I accepted her request and followed her until her death. I was one of last people she trusted and felt honored she saw this highly of me, but I also felt that I failed as friend and assistant."

Ann took a deep breath to ease her tension and begin speaking again " Then came my sister time as queen. I was completely caught off guard when the announcement was made and didn't know what to feel. I was really worry about my sister safely and didn't want anything bad happened to her, but Cathy reassure me and told me that everything would alright. My husband and I were there for her private marriage ceremony to the king and I was appointed chief lady-in-waiting. We had each other's back and made sure we didn't do anything to attract any attention. Of course, it didn't go that smoothly. A few courtiers didn't like Cathy and try to get Anya to confess that Cathy, me, and few close friends were Protestants, which you know what happen there. When I learn what happen to Anya, it hurt me knowing how she was beaten and burned to death. I blame myself what happen to her and wish I was able to do something. Cathy felt the same way and eventually help each other with it. Then the possible arrest warrant happen. I didn't know much about it until later on when Cathy told me in private. I was shock by it and didn't know what I would of done if it did happen. I was worry about my children and others rather than my own safety. I was so thankful that Cathy was able to persuade the king before it happened. When the king died, my second son and I moved and was part of Cathy household in Chelsea while William was appointed one of the guardians to King Edward. We stayed there until Cathy married him and we all know how that went. I still feel responsible for what happen to her by trusting him so easily, which cost Cathy her life. I still have memories of her funeral service and how everyone was. I lived my rest of my life in peace. Raising my three children, my title increases as William continue serving Edward, and was one of the ladies to Mary, until my untimely death. I really don't know how I died, but I remember being painless. And that's the end."

When Ann was finish her story, she closed her eyes, put her hands together, and took in the silence in the room. She felt kind of relief that she was able tell someone that wasn't family or Jane about this, but the same time, she knew she just exposed her emotions to Sibylle and Kath. She didn't know if they would feel sorry for her or think she was damaged and have to be with friends because of it, which is something she didn't want happen. She really do want to have friends, but the worry still lingers in her head that she would hurt them. As she was thinking, Sibylle and Kath took everything in and couldn't believe what Ann had been through. True, it wasn't that surprising back then, but the fact that she witness almost everyone she knew deaths and still be in one piece was incredible. Ann was whole lot stronger than she give herself credit. Sibylle couldn't imagine how that feels, even with everything she dealt with. They now understand why Ann has this fear and knew what to do. Sibylle place her one of her hand on Ann hands, which cause her to open her eyes to look at Sibylle with a small smile on her face and spoke " Thank you for telling us, Ann. I know that must be hard for you to do and we appreciate it." Kath appears behind Ann and gave her a hug, which surprised Ann. Sibylle continued " I understand why you think the past would repeat itself, but we are here to tell you it not. You're able to protect your friends now and prove that already by stopping me from hitting that guy and protecting Jane and Mali from me. You're a lot stronger then you know it. And if you still feel that way, I have no problem teaching some things, so you can gain some confidence to be able to protect them." Ann start tearing up when she heard Sibylle and didn't know what to say. Kath then told her as she let go and begin serving the dessert." We love to spend more time with you. You accept our past, so we can accept your past too. Plus you seem to be fun to be with." Ann look down and started to cry. Sibylle saw Ann crying and told her " Do you know what Jane said to me when I ask about you? She told me that you had a hard life, but you're definitely one of the kindest people she ever known and you would be the go to person if she ever need to bury a body. Anya also thank me when she got back from fix Cathy laptop at your shop. I didn't understand all this, but after spending time with you and see what kind of person you are, I can say all of this was true. You truly are the most kindness person I every met and we loved to be your friend." When Ann heard all this, she felt happy as she cried because she finally made friends without worrying that something bad would happen to them. Kath place the tiramisu in front of Ann, which Ann saw and feel confident on eating it, so she grab the fork, took a piece of it, and ate it. She really enjoyed it and was glad she was able to experience this while Sibylle and Kath got their slice and join Ann on eating it.

After they finish the tiramisu and everything was back to normal, Ann was getting tired and excuse herself, so she can get some sleep. Both Sibylle and Kath told her have a good nap and Ann nod at them to tell them okay. She went to room, closed the door behind her, place her stuff back on the table, and lay on the bed, which she completely knockout once her head touch the pillow. Once Ann left, Kath and Sibylle start picking up the mess they made and Sibylle ask Kath, if she going back to bed after this. Kath shook her head and told her that she it was almost time for her to go to work. Sibylle nod and went back clean. When they got done, Kath gather her things for work and was ready to leave. Kath gave Sibylle a kiss on cheek before leaving. Sibylle decide to stay up and decided to do some work on her laptop, before going to her friends house for her bike. A few hours pass by and Sibylle got some work done, which is good because she can focus on other things when she gets to the theatre. She went outside for a bit and head to her friend house to pick up her bike, thanks to her friend, and went back to the house rolling her bike on the side. She parked her bike on the driveway, walk back inside, and started doing her morning routine. She went to the kitchen, pull out food for their pets in the storage closet, pour some in their dishes, put it away, and got herself ready for work. After hour went by, she walk back in the kitchen and saw Killjoy and Malky was eating, but didn't see Oz. She went looking for him all over the house and couldn't find him, until she saw the door to the room Ann was sleeping in was open. She walk to it, stick her head inside, and saw him on the bed sleeping next to Ann. She quietly walk inside and head the bed, where she smile a little when she saw this and thought it was cute. She took her phone and took a picture of it, which Oz begin waking up. Sibylle pet his head to prevent waking Ann up. She then move him carefully and place him on the ground, where he started heading to kitchen to eat. Sibylle was about to leave, when she heard Ann moving in her sleep, remove blanket covering her, and pushing together to form some kind comfort pillow. Sibylle figured that she was trying to make up the difference in mass once Oz was gone. She then notice the bottom of Ann's shirt was raised up a bit exposing the lower part of her body and saw something there. She quietly got close to her to see what it was and got shocked once she saw it. It was dark patch of discoloration that spread from the front of the body that looks it goes up to her chest to a small part of her back. Sibylle mood change immediately and slowly left the room heading to the kitchen.

As she was walking, Sibylle was really angry what she saw because this wasn't the first encounter with that. It was when she went to juvie and saw other adolescents covered with them. They were the ones who looked so defeated and was very sick due to how malnutrition they were. In fact, some were so mentally destroyed that they try to kill themselves in there. Sibylle clutch her fist at the thought of it when she realized that everything made sense now. How Ann doesn't like talking about her past, her breakdown at the zoo, her refusal on asking or accepting help, why she wasn't adopted, and some of her behavior. Ann was mentally abuse and most likely neglected in the orphanage. This hurt Sibylle knowing that Ann went through this growing up and didn't have anyone to turn to, like before. She wanted to tell Ann that she was okay now and wasn't alone anymore, but knew that if Ann found out that Sibylle knows, she may overreact and possibly do permanently damage to her on a mental level. Sibylle decide to keep this to herself until Ann is ready to tell her and the others about it. She did however want to know the person who did this to her and make them pay. When she was in the kitchen, she pull out her phone and texted Papa Julian to see if he can help her with this. She want to be discreet about this, since she didn't want the others to learn what she was doing, especially Kath and alart Ann about it. Once she done, she put her phone away and decide to make her and Ann breakfast before going to work. Ann soon got up and head to the kitchen where Sibylle was done cooking and was setting up the table to eat. Ann ask Sibylle if she need help, but Sibylle told Ann to sit and would serve her. Ann was ready to object, but Sibylle gave her a look and Ann listened. She sat down and waited until Sibylle served her food. Sibylle soon sat down and they begin eating with no trouble. Once they were done, they clean up the kitchen, grab their things, said their goodbyes to Oz, Killjoy, and Malky, and went out the door as Sibylle lock the door behind her. Sibylle soon head to work on her bike while dropping Ann at shop and provide her a helmet. Once they got Ann's shop, they said their goodbyes and Ann thank her and Kath for everything. Sibylle nod and told her that it no trouble and will relay the message to Kath when she sees her. Sibylle then start her bike and drove off going on their separate ways. Sibylle made promises to herself that she will help Ann in any way and made sure that Ann doesn't feel alone or go through anything like that ever again.

A week later, Kath was in her bakery doing some orders when a man in a worker uniform walk inside her shop, head to the counter, and stop there. Kath walk up to the man and did her usually greeting " Welcome to Tudor Rose, how can I help you?" The man answer " Are you Katherine Tudor?" Kath looked confused and reply " Yes..." The man lift up a clipboard front of him and read off a paper on it " We are here to deliver a new industrial baking oven, remove the old one, and install the new one for you. Do you have a back area where we can go through to do this?" Kath was even more confused by this because she didn't order anything and would remember certainly something that huge. Kath ask " I think you got the wrong place. I don't remember ordering or paying for anything." She had no idea what's going on and didn't know what to do. The man show Kath the paper on clipboard and told her " Well, as you can see we have a order for here for this place to do all this and been paid for by someone. The person didn't give us a name, but say it was to be delivery to Katherine. There also no way for us to take it back once the order is done." Kath look at the paper and true to the man's word. It did said her name and her business, but no name for who order it. She had no choice, but let them do their job. She show the the man where he and his team can go through to deliver and install it. Once she did, she let the workers do their job while she look at the paperwork. She then saw what kind of oven it was and shock by it. It was the one she wanted for the long time, but didn't have the funds to get it. She called Sibylle and wait for her to answer. Sibylle answer in few rings and Kath said " Ibby, I though we agree we going wait until we have enough to get me that." Sibylle was confused by what Kath had said and ask " What are you talking about, babe?" Kath question Sibylle by asking " I have workers here who delivery and installation that oven I wanted and removed the one one. Did you ordered and paid for that oven for me?" Sibylle then answer " No, I didn't. As you said, we talk about it, so I wouldn't done something like that, especially since we didn't have that kind of money. Are these people legit?" She knew why Sibylle said that since they walk in the same road before. Kath replied back " Yes, I checked everything out and they weren't lying. Also there no way to stop it." Sibylle sighed on the phone and told Kath " I'll check on you on my lunch break. Keep up posted if any change." Kath nodded and said " I will" She soon got off the phone and went to the front of the store to tidy things up with Mari since she can't do anything, until the workers job was done. The workers got done with the job in a few hours and went on their way. Kath with Mari finally went to the kitchen and saw the oven. It was beautiful to see and Kath was smiling, but was more curious on who got this for her. Far as she knows, only Sibylle and Mari were the only people who knew this was the oven she wanted and talk to about it. As she was looking, Sibylle walk in, stand next to Kath, and asked her " It looks as beautiful as it is in that catalog. Do you know who got this for you?" Kath shook her head and answer " No. The paperwork didn't show the name of the person who order." While they were talking, Mari called out as she stand next to the oven " Kath, zere's something here" They both walk the oven and saw what Mari was talking about. There an engrave Tudor Rose on the side and a folded piece of paper tape below it. Sibylle took the paper off of it, open it up, and read it. She soon hand it to Kath and read what it said " The answer of course, is that the clock isn't meant to measure earthly time, but the time of the soul. Redemption and condemnation time. For the soul, each instant is always a minute short of judgment." ~ Gregory Maguire After reading this, both Sibylle and Kath chuckle a little and knew a certain person is going to have an earful when they see them again, but for now, let them enjoy their day. They deserve some happiness in their life.

Pervious

#six #six oc #sixtended verse #Ann Parr #Sibylle of Cleves #Katherine Tudor #Maria of Jülich-Berg

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n-ctarinenga · 4 years

Text

Best Friend [ luke hemmings ]

surfer!luke au | pt.1 | word count: 5,222 | masterlist

If anyone had been your bestest friend in your life so far, it was definitely Luke Hemmings.

Since day one, when you ran into him looking at skateboards in your friend's store not far from Venice Beach, you've been somehow cosmically tethered to him.

What started out as an offer to help him pick a board and learn to skate, him telling you he's always been more of a surfer than a skater, soon turned into hanging out without your respective boards, going to shows together, being at the same parties, both of you being on your friend Michael's exclusive dinner party guest list, basically, you guys hit it off.

After hanging out with Luke more over time, you learned that he had moved to California after dropping out of university in Sydney, not happy with the path he could see his life was on and following his passions instead, which led him to the same place it led you when you left your hometown, California.

You had been one of the first true friends Luke had made after his big move, and even though you told him to lay off, he would often remind you that you were the one to help him settle into the life he has now, your friend group quickly adopting him not long before he ending up running the surf section of your friend's shop that you'd met him in all those years ago.

It started out like any normal day for you, getting up, getting ready, and heading to your job at the cafe you'd been working at for a few years now. It didn't take you long to make friends, evident by the way people greeted you like an old friend as they came in for their morning coffees or lunch break meals. You were a generally sociable person, and enjoyed the daily interaction with the regulars and new customers that would come through the doors.

It was just a little after the lunch time rush that Luke came strolling in the door, knowing well how busy you would be at the peak of rush hour.

"Afternoon handsome, what can I getcha?" You ask with a grin, leaning forward and putting your elbows on the counter to prop your head up on your fists as you looked to him.

Luke lets out a laugh as he copies your pose, him having to bend down a lot more because of his height, the small space of the counter meaning you were pretty much face to face with him.

"Coffee and a apple cinnamon muffin please, knucklehead." He responds, his accent all over the place as normal.

You give a nod and slap the counter as you push yourself up, walking to the espresso machine on the bench behind you.

"Michael came in today." Luke announces, still leaning on the counter.

"How is he?" You ask, scraping off the coffee grounds to make it level and putting it in to brew before turning back around to see him.

"Good, we've got dinner with him on Friday."

You raise your eyebrows with a nod, pleased at the news.

It wasn't unusual for you or Luke to make plans involving the other without them there, your friends joking you've been a package deal as long as you've known each other. Besides, how could you be upset considering Michael's food was involved?

"What's the theme this time?" You ask curiously.

Since Michael had become an apprentice chef at a local restaurant, he had been hosting dinner parties for his friends every couple weeks, his vegan cooking some of the best you'd ever had. To spice things up a bit, he started giving each night a theme, everyone showing up dressed in costumes to fit. It was one of your favorite nights of the week when it came around, and you were already excited at the thought of this Friday.

"Pina Colada, the song. Apparently dress code is hawiian shirts and lei's at the door." He says with a laugh.

You hold your tongue as you put the lid on his coffee, placing it on the counter in front of him.

"Go on, say it, I know you wanna." He sighs with a smile on his face.

"So are you looking forward to finally getting lei'd?" You ask with a sly smile on your face as you grab the apple cinnamon muffin from under the glass cover beside the till.

He groans dramatically, but his grin still covers his face. For the whole time you'd known Luke, while he had been on a couple dates here and there during your friendship, he hadn't been in an actual relationship since you met. Neither had you, the reason unknown to him, but it did mean you would casually poke fun at each other because of it.

"You're really on fire today y/n/n." You roll your eyes as you hand Luke his muffin and coffee, ringing up his order.

"You try getting sleep while Calum and a special guest is in the next room." You say with a raised eyebrow.

Getting what you mean, Luke laughs, putting his hand on your shoulder and giving it a supportive squeeze.

"You're a stronger person than I am. But if you do want a break, my door is always open."

You smile at him, letting out a light sigh as you pat his hand, thankful for his offer.

"I appreciate it. Now go get back to work before Sierra kicks your ass." You smirk, referring to your other best friend, and his boss.

"See ya later, sweetheart." He says with a wink, picking up his food and walking towards the door.

"Will do, darlin'." You smile.

Feeling her presence behind you, you roll your eyes as you can practically already hear her comment.

"You guys are cute together." Ali, your workmate and committed work wife says as she returns from her own lunch break.

"Ma'am." You say in a warning tone, and she brushes you off with a light laugh.

"What? I'm right."

"Yeah, you are." You think to yourself.

With Ali back, you busy yourself grabbing a muffin, before you turn to walk out back and take your own lunch break.

After replying to texts and watching too many tiktoks while you ate, you went back out front until closing, where Ali offered to shut up shop so you could get home a little earlier since she lived closer than you did.

After thanking her so many times she broke and finally told you to fuck off, you offered to return the favour whenever she needed it and made your way back to the apartment you shared with Calum.

Calum was like a brother to you. Him being a year older and around you basically since you moved to California, as not only did you end up having the same friend circle, but his sister Mali was also your boss, being the owner of the cafe.

Sighing in relief as you pull your keys and lanyard out of your pocket, you unlock the door to your apartment and quickly regret it when you hear loud moans and banging coming from Calum's room yet again.

With a frown already set on your face, you refuse to put up with another night of disrupted sleep, putting your airpods in and turning them up before venturing down the hallway to your room.

Pulling one of your bigger bags from your closet, you set to work putting some things together in a makeshift overnight kit. Grabbing a couple outfits you could wear to work tomorrow depending on your mood and the weather, as well as all your other basic items, you write a post it note message for Cal, still being able to hear the sound of the action in his room over Awsten Knight loudly trying to drown it out.

"Safe sex or no sex, you two!!" You call out as you stick the note to his door.

You collect the last of what you'd need from the bathroom, before walking out and locking the front door again behind you.

The walk between your place and Luke's wasn't that bad, it's close proximity being one of the selling points to you when you and Calum were first looking for somewhere new after your last lease ended.

You already knew that Luke would be home at this time, him finishing an hour and a half before you and spending most of that time at the beach until it passed golden hour, which was just fading as you walked out of your apartment.

Climbing up the exterior steps that lead to his apartment unit, you could already see the light on through his window, his silhouette being framed for a moment as he walked past it letting you know he was home.

Readjusting the bag over your shoulder, you step onto the "welcome" doormat you brought him as a housewarming present, knocking twice, then once, then three times.

It only takes a second for you to hear his footsteps coming towards the door, and as he opens it, a smile appears on his face as he realises who it is.

"Hey stranger." He greets with a slight grin, but you could see he was slightly confused about why you'd shown up.

"Hey, do you ah, is that offer still on the table?"

Luke's face softens as he remembers what he told you earlier in the day, raising an eyebrow.

"He was at it again huh?" He asks, and when you nod, he shakes his head as he steps aside, letting you in.

"Of course the offer is open, but you are gonna have to help me cook dinner."

You smile as you look up at him while you pass through into his apartment.

"Sounds like a plan to me." You laugh happily, making yourself at home and dropping your bag at the end of the couch as you hear Luke shut the door behind you.

Turns out veggie stir-fry is on the menu for the night, one of your favorites. You both take a knife and chopping board each, chopping up ingredients and adding them to the fry pan before Luke takes it to the stove to get the garlic and onion started while you get going on the carrots and bok choy.

You and Luke move around each other easily, naturally. You'd been in his kitchen enough times to know where everything was, and even with music playing from the corner covering the sound of your movements, you both seemed to know where each was the whole time.

Taking a deep breath and inhaling the gorgeous scent of the cooking food, you lean up against the counter, crossing your arms casually and looking over to Luke.

He stood with spatula in hand, moving the food around while slightly swaying to the music. You felt a small smile come to your face, getting to admire him for a minute while he was distracted with the food in front of him.

There was a part of you that very much wanted to ignore and deny the warm feeling that would bloom in your chest around Luke, but an even bigger part of you that knew it was pointless to even try.

The feeling wasn't a stranger to you, in fact you'd been living with it nearly since the day you'd met him, even though it was a lot less back then, the seed was still planted.

But, you knew that the feeling would remain just that, a feeling. At this point in your life, you couldn't imagine what you'd do if you lost Luke. While yeah, he was your best friend, and you would regularly flirt with each other casually, there was still part of you scared that if you did let him in on the secret you hadn't told a soul, you would lose him completely. You knew the possibility of losing him was there no matter what, but you'd be damned if it was gonna be because of something you had done.

A change in song brings you back to reality, and your eyes snap to the ground, clearing your throat before speaking.

"So how have you been? We haven't caught up in a minute."

With summer fast approaching, this was peak season for Sierra's store, meaning you'd been missing out on both of your best friends lately to tourists and hobbyists coming out of hibernation.

Luke shrugs slightly, looking to you for a moment with a perplexed expression.

"It feels like we get busier every year, which I'm not complaining about at all, but it's just…. draining I guess." He sighs.

Frowning, you turn towards him more, waving slightly to let him know it's okay to keep going if he wants to.

"I end up missing things more than usual. Sleep mainly." He says with a hint of humor to his voice and a small smile on his face. "And the sea, and you, and the guys. All my favourites."

Never really being one to comfort with words, you place a supportive hand on his, as it rests on the counter beside the stove, propping him up as he stirred with the other hand. You let your thumb brush over the back of his hand, understanding exactly what he meant.

Luke smiles as he looks down, wordlessly moving his hand slightly so he can hold onto yours.

You ignore the way your heart skips a beat as you look up from your joined hands to his face, a kind smile on yours as you speak.

"We're not going anywhere hun. I know I won't be." You say softly, clearing your throat as you realise there's a small chance he could read into the last part of your sentence. "I'm pretty sure the sea isn't going anywhere either." You add on quickly.

Luke takes a deep breath, his gaze lingering on you for a moment before he laughs, turning his attention back to the food as you slip your hand away from his.

"Yeah, good point."

You nod, holding your hands together in front of you and looking down at your socked feet against the tile of the kitchen floor.

"Hey, uh, can you grab some plates? I think we're nearly ready to go here." Luke asks casually, diffusing the tension you could feel had built in the room.

You agree with a nod, moving around the kitchen and collecting together what you'd need. While Luke dishes up, grabbing you both drinks as well, you grab some cutlery and place mats for the table, setting them out and helping Luke carry everything the couple feet journey from the kitchen to the table before sitting down, taking a quick picture of your combined efforts before picking up your fork.

You both dive into the meal, singing your praises to his cooking skills as you complement the food in front of you. You smile as you see Luke turn a slight shade of pink as you do.

Distracted by your conversation, your empty plates sit on the table beside you as Luke pokes fun at you for what happened on some random day you'd mostly forgotten, one where you both had ended up nearly getting your friend group kicked out of a club a few months ago.

You're both laughing as you recall the details when Luke's phone starts vibrating closer to the edge of the table, him quickly catching it before it can fall.

"Shit, I'm meant to be calling my mum in ten minutes." He frowns, mad at himself for losing track of time.

"Okay. You get set up, I'll do the dishes, you should be good to go in ten if you start now." You say, jumping into action and stacking the dishes as he looks up to you to protest.

"You don't have to do the dishes, I'll just stack them and get to them later." He fights, but quickly loses the battle when you point to him, then his laptop, silently instructing him to get going.

He looks at you defiantly before deeply sighing and getting up, grabbing his laptop and setting it up on the other side of the open plan room on the coffee table in front of the couch.

"You're too good to me." He sings while he does as he's told, you smiling to yourself as you run the water.

"Enjoy it while it lasts." You sing back.

The familiar chime of the Skype call ringtone emanates from the other side of the room, and you look over to see a bright grin covering Luke's face as the call connects.

Luke loved his family, and especially his mum. You knew he would still go through bouts of homesickness from missing them, which is why you knew any contact he did have with them was extremely important.

"Hey mum." Luke grins.

"Hi bub, how are you?" You hear his mum ask though the speakers.

You do your best to zone out of the conversation, wanting to give him privacy. Instead, you focus on the music still playing in the corner, though it's playing more softly than before.

Doing your best to stay quiet, your ears perk up as you hear your name from across the room.

Realizing it came through the speakers instead of from Luke, you fight your better judgment and try to eavesdrop, having no success when Luke starts to talk a lot quieter.

Why would Luke's mom ask about you? Sure you were best friends, but you didn't see yourself as that important.

Lost in your thoughts, you lose your grip on the plate in your hand, flinching as it drops back into the sink with a loud clattering noise.

"Are you okay?" Luke asks, bolting up with a concerned look on his face, ready to help in an instant.

Looking in the sink, you see the plate still fully intact and nod as you take a deep breath.

"Yeah it's all good, just lost my grip." You explain, giving him a thumbs up.

He examined you for a moment before sitting back down with his laptop, but instead of picking up where he left off, you hear his mom asking who that was, referring to you.

"Y/n is staying over, loud roommate issues." He explains with a slight laugh.

"Why are you hiding her?! I want to see the pretty girl I've heard so much about." You hear her reply, your cheeks growing pink as you do your best to smother a laugh at the light telling off he was getting.

Looking over to Luke, he raises his eyebrows at you, silently asking if you wanted to come over and say hi. Looking between him and the laptop, you silently mouth "you sure?" to him, receiving a small smile and a nod in return.

You dry your hands on a kitchen towel hanging on the oven door, nervously wringing your hands as you walk over to the couch, sitting down beside Luke and waving to the webcam.

"Hi Mrs. Hemmings, it's nice to finally kinda meet you." You smile as you laugh slightly.

"Nice to meet you too love! Luke's told me a lot about you, all good things I promise." She laughs lightly. Even through a screen, you could feel the warm nature of the woman who'd raised your best friend, though it did make sense his mom would be a sweetheart if he was.

"I'm glad to know I've made such an impact." You bump your elbow into Luke's arm, his head down as he laughs to himself, blonde hair falling over his face. "I promise Luke's done the same for you. I probably don't have to tell you how family proud he is."

His mom smiles, a sense of pride about her for a moment before she looks to the side of the screen where Luke would be.

"You wouldn't be able to tell with how he's trying to hide now." She teases, Luke shifting sideways so he's more in frame, your shoulders and knees now touching.

"I thought mums had to be nice to their kids in front of their friends?" He asks with squinted eyes.

"I don't remember that being a rule. Besides, you don't have the same accent I remember my son having so I'd say it's fair game."

"That's because I spend too much time with this one." Luke says, nodding his head towards you.

"Excuse me?" You say with a raised eyebrow. Luke just smiles at you, his teasing having the desired effect. You don't manage to hold onto your hard exterior for long, cracking and smiling back at him.

Liz laughs at the two of you, dispelling the moment as you both look back to her.

"Yeah we do spend a lot of time together." You say, Luke nodding in agreement as the three of you fall into easy conversation.

You end up staying for the whole video call, Liz asking you about your life, what you do, all the story details Luke had failed to tell her himself.

As you both say a lengthy goodbye, Luke promises to call Liz more between video calls, and you promise to keep an eye on him for her in the time in between those as well.

After closing his laptop, Luke leans back into the couch with a sigh.

"She likes you." He says quietly, looking over to you with soft eyes and a softer smile as you mimic his actions and lean back into the couch, turning your head to look at him.

"You think so?" You ask, just as quietly as he spoke.

He nods tiredly, wrapping his arm around your shoulder and pulling you into his side, his hand squeezing your shoulder as your rest your head against his.

Ever since Luke had hit end on the call, you felt a wave of tiredness wash over you, which you half blamed on the time, and half on stressing yourself out trying to make a good impression.

You can feel yourself falling asleep as you sit there, feeling comforted and comfortable as your breathing turns shallower, the scent of salt water and cologne clouding the front of your mind.

"We should probably go to bed." You suggest, right as Luke covers his mouth with his spare hand as a yawn escapes him.

"Good idea." He agrees.

He gives your shoulder another squeeze before you both get up, him moving to get you a blanket and pillow and you moving to get something to sleep in out of your bag.

Tiredly digging through, your hands pass your work uniform, toiletries, and a sweater, but not one of your old t-shirts you normally slept in.

Seeing the annoyed look on your face, Luke frowns slightly as he returns to the room.

"What's up?"

You groan as you sit back on your legs, gesturing to your bag.

"All I packed was my uniform for tomorrow and a sweater in case I got cold. I was in too much of a rush to get out of there I guess and didn't pack a shirt to sleep in." You frown, mentally scolding yourself.

"Hey, don't worry about it. You can just borrow one of my shirts." He says with a light shrug, like it's the obvious answer to the issue.

"Are you sure?" You ask, and he nods, placing the pillows and blanket down on the end of the couch.

"I'll go grab one and you can get dressed in the bathroom while I change in my room, then it's all yours." He says, and before he walks off, you call him back.

"What do you mean all mine?" You ask.

"You can have my room for the night and I'll take the couch."

You raise your eyebrow, standing up and crossing your arms.

"If you think I'm making you sleep on your couch in your own house then you obviously don't know me."

Luke sighs, well aware of your stubborn nature and already knowing he's fighting a losing battle.

"You must not know me if you think I'm gonna let you sleep on the couch." He responds.

You stare each other down for a minute, both of you not backing down on your point until you relax your face and stance, picking up your toiletries bag and shrugging.

"Guess we're sharing a bed then. I'm gonna go brush my teeth." You say casually, leaving Luke standing in the doorway of his bedroom open mouthed in shock.

As you stared yourself down in the mirror while you brushed your teeth, your internal monologue was punching you in the face repeatedly.

There’s a huge difference between passing out on the same couch together and actively choosing to sleep in the same bed together, and it was only one of those things you’d done with Luke in the past. Sure, there had been times where you had slept in Calum’s or Sierra’s beds, but with Luke, it had never been something to come up.

You remind yourself that it doesn’t mean anything. You and Luke are both grown adults, two stubborn grown adults, but adults all the same. You weren’t strangers to each other by any stretch, so you couldn’t figure out why the plan you’d put upon yourself made your heart beat a million times faster.

Little did you know, Luke was doing the exact same thing in the room over. As soon as you had stepped out of the room, his hands started to sweat. He was nervous, more so than he had been in a long while.

That was the thing that scared Luke the most about you, apart from the fact he’d seen you take down a man twice your size after getting cat called on Pasific Ave, was the special type of nervous that you made him without even trying. He knew the reason why it happened, not that he was willing to admit it to you, or anyone else but Ashton and his mom for that matter.

How was he meant to spend the night in the same bed as the girl he’s in love with, let alone fall asleep at all?

Mentally slapping himself in the face to make himself move, he pulls one of his favorite t-shirts from his closet, knowing that not only did you like it, but it was also one of the most comfortable things he owned.

To someone who hadn’t known Luke a while, they would be surprised to know how organized he is, clothing and home always organized just as well as the boards and gear he overlooked in Sierra’s store.

You rinse the toothpaste out of the sink, taking a deep breath as you hear Luke’s footsteps come closer. He knocks first, opening the door slowly just in case after you tell him to come in.

“Here, to sleep in. I know you like Guns n Roses.” He says with a cheeky wink as he hands you the shirt.

You scoff lightly as you take it, it being a running joke between you how much you disliked Guns n Roses, while he counted them as one of the all time greats.

“Thanks, you really know me.” You grin as you roll your eyes, lightly pushing him out of the bathroom and closing the door.

You hold the shirt up in front of you, looking in the mirror to see the difference in size between you and your best friend. While it fit normally on Luke, you could see it would graze your upper thighs, your height not all that different from his.

Taking your clothes off, you fold and stack them into a pile by the sink while you change your underwear and pull Luke’s shirt over your head, the smell of cologne and salt water hitting you again as you inspect yourself in the mirror.

Even though you had your reservations about the design on the shirt, you couldn’t deny it was one of the most comfortable things you’d ever worn.

Gathering your stuff, you open the bathroom door and walk back to your bag by the couch. Moving your uniform for the morning to the top, you put your old clothes in the bottom of your bag, calling out to Luke who must be in his bedroom.

“Bathroom’s all yours.” You call, zipping your bag again as you sit down on the couch to pull on your socks.

It was more out of habit than anything else, and consideration for the person you shared a bed with, knowing your feet always get freezing cold at night.

Luke walks out of his bedroom dressed in sweatpants and a black undershirt, pausing when he sees you. You see him take a deep breath in as you stand up, setting your bag back at the end of the couch again.

"Alright hun?" You ask, frowning slightly in confusion as he seems rooted to the spot.

He shakes himself out of it, nodding quickly before ducking into the bathroom. You stay in your spot, still confused as ever til his head pops out the door.

"You can head to bed if you like, I'll be there soon."

You nod as the door shuts again, ignoring whatever just happened as you walk to his bedroom, smiling at the sight of the glow in the dark stars you put up around the head of his bed still there from well over a year ago.

Walking over to what you could tell was the lesser used side of the bed, telling by just the lamp on the bedside table instead of the books piled on the other, you pull the bedding back, sliding between the cold sheets and letting your head fall back onto the pillow.

You let out a low groan as your body sinks into the bed, comfort washing over you as it felt like your bones sank back into the right place again after your long day.

As Luke walks back to the room, you're still lightly groaning, making him laugh as he shuts off the overhead light, walking into the room and shutting the door behind him.

"You okay there?" He questions, pulling back the bedding on his side and sliding in next to you.

"Your bed is so fucking comfortable."

Luke just laughs at you again, turning onto his side to look at you. You can feel him looking at you, so you decide to level the playing field and turn on your side too, your breath catching in your throat as you do when you realise your faces are now only inches away from each other.

You both just lay there, smiling softly as you unapologetically take in his features so close, the curve of his nose, his lips, the shade of his gorgeous blue eyes.

“Stop being cute.” He laughs, pulling your hair over your face.

"I will when you do too." You fire back.

Luke just slightly shakes his head, letting out a deep breath before leaning forward, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead, lingering for a moment before pulling back.

"Goodnight, y/n." He sighs, and as your heartbeat rings in your ears, you slowly lean forward, returning the soft kiss to his forehead.

"Goodnight Luke."

taglist: @spicycal @softbabiestan

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sinceileftyoublog · 3 years

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Georgia Anne Muldrow Interview: Rhythm Is A Form of Gravity

Photo by Antoinette A. Brock

BY JORDAN MAINZER

“The people keep you fresh. They keep you on your toes,” Georgia Anne Muldrow told me over the phone last month. The prolific L.A. musician, whose output ranges from experimental hip-hop to neo soul to jazz and everything in between, is releasing her fifth record in four years on Friday, and the third overall in her beats series. VWETO III (FORESEEN + Epistrophik Peach Sound) follows last year’s Mama, You Can Bet! (released under the name Jyoti), 2019′s collaboration with Dudley Perkins and VWETO II, and 2018′s acclaimed, Grammy-nominated Overload. Unlike any of the previous albums, it was put together with some “calls to action” in mind.

Thought some of the songs were around for longer, VWETO III as an entity was made last year, “over a course of time where things were changing in terms of different recording techniques I was trying,” said Muldrow, harking back to techniques and inspirations from her early years of music making. The record was also, obviously, formed during a global pandemic that caused folks to lock down, and Muldrow is conscious to giving listeners opportunities to reach out on her very active Instagram account. Each of the album’s singles have been paired with those aforementioned calls to action. “Unforgettable”, which combines 80′s-sounding synths with 90′s G-funk, calls for vocalists to submit performances to go along with Muldrow’s vocals on the song. “Mufaro’s Garden”, inspired by an illustrated folktale book called Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, asks for visual artist submissions. On the day of the album’s release, Muldrow will ask for dance submissions to “Slow Drag”, a throwback Hammond-guitar-piano ditty named after the juke joint dance of the same name. Next month, it’ll be “Action Groove”, with calls for turntable scratch ‘n’ sampling remixes from DJs. And it’s not just the singles that exemplify Muldrow’s desire to connect with listeners on a granular level. Many of the songs on VWETO III refer to or are inspired by specific eras, from the Afrofuturist jazz of “Afro AF” to the genre tribute “Boom Bap Is My Homegirl”. That the titles are clearly referential, too, like “Old Jack Swing” or “Synthmania Rock”, shows that Muldrow’s not winking and nodding or trying to fool us, earnestly inviting us to dive in.

Moreover, VWETO III is coinciding with what Muldrow’s calling the Teacherie, classes she’s trying to develop to spread knowledge of what she’s learned throughout her own career, everything from philosophy to instrumental-specific classes. Right now, from her saved Instagram story called “Teacherie!,” you can take an assessment to fill out what you’re interested in. “It helps me to see what skill levels people have and what they want to learn in the class,” Muldrow said. “I seek to continue to stay open enough to make relevant music and have relevant things to share with people.” Overall, Muldrow is the type of artist that uses online platforms the way they’d be used in an ideal world. Her use of NFTs, too, is noble; the album art by Cape Town-based Breeze Yoko is being auctioned off, with 50% of proceeds going to prison abolitionist organization Critical Resistance. Even when the offline world returns--Muldrow’s slated to play Pitchfork Music Festival on Saturday, September 11th--Muldrow’s created a blueprint for navigating an increasingly isolating digital world, by seeking out real connections.

Below, read my conversation with Muldrow, edited for length and clarity, as she discusses making the record, being inspired by African rhythms, the influence of Digital Underground, and why her work logically extends into prison abolition. You can also catch her tomorrow on Bandcamp Live at 8 PM CST.

Since I Left You: Why did you decide this was a good time to revisit your beats album series?

Georgia Anne Muldrow: The people love it, you know? I always like to post beats on Instagram and share my poetry or state of mind of what’s going on in the world according to my people, and provide a place of joy and uplift. The voice of the people kind of determined what songs were on there. There are some songs that nobody’s ever heard. Different ideas, something a little bit more energized.

Something for the people. It’s really great that I have direct contact with them. Some of the songs are things I like to try based on the vibes I get from their feedback. It’s great; it’s a beautiful thing for me. I’ve gone through phases where critics love me, but the voice of the people that really support your work is really cool to hear. It’s like a little focus group. I just like sharing my music with folks because it’s my way of contributing love energy to the world in a direct, immediate way.

SILY: A lot of folks are still staying home and needing that connection. You’re connecting with them but also providing a platform for them to connect with each other.

GAM: Yes. I’m way into that and seek to be expanding that in an even more literal sense with my classroom project [Teacherie], like a live webinar sort of thing, that enables folks to speak amongst themselves. A more extended form of what I do on social media. An intimate look at what’s really going on in music. They can see where my emotions end and the music begins and try to make things seamless within their own music. Teach what I’ve picked up along the way, because I won’t be here forever. Spreading the love but the knowledge, too, with the music that I share. There’s a certain quality that you can achieve if you have patience.

SILY: Did you always know you wanted to do these calls for action, like for vocalists on “Unforgettable”? And how did you decide which tracks you wanted to do them for?

GAM: It’s definitely my way of trying to promote some sort of hip hop jam in lieu of the isolation that folks are weathering...I’m really inspired by the early age of hip hop where everyone had different dances. They brought their art books to the hip hop jams. The jackets with the art on it, the MCs rapping. The breakdancing, the DJs. All of the different things in place for it to be complete. That’s part of what got me hooked on production. One night years ago, [when I first played] my stuff, and folks started to dance, it got me hooked--to make somebody move. Somebody can rap over this, somebody can dance to this or draw to this. That’s the reason for the calls to action. Opening up a hip hop jam all over the world. I hope it gains some momentum. That would be nice, for more people to put themselves out there. But I do understand we live in different times right now and people are trying to get by. I still have to post some of the artists from “Mufaro’s Garden” and these rap videos from “Unforgettable”.

SILY: You’re giving people an opportunity, even if they’re just trying to get through the day, to take a break or have a beneficial creative exercise.

GAM: Yeah. Being creative together, and togetherness. The thinking that the songs aren’t complete without dance. Lyrics are a certain kind of fulfillment of music. But the movement of the body is another one. [It] goes back to gravity. Drummers harness the power of gravity and manipulate it so things can fall at a certain time. Same thing with dance--[dancers] don’t manipulate gravity, but interact with it and create an interdependence with it. When somebody’s dancing, they come back down to the ground, and you could let that go and let gravity guide what your dance looks like. Rhythm is a form of gravity--a form of gravity engaging with life. I feel like movement is the fulfillment of all the arts. I just seek to do my part.

SILY: You mentioned being inspired by a specific early era in hip hop, and there’s a lot on here inspired by genre or era-specific trends, like the G-funk in “Unforgettable” and “Boom Bap Is My Homegirl”.

GAM: [Boom bap] is one of the things that I specialize in. It’s a home base for me. In my experience, it’s a very African point of access. A lot of the boom bap rhythms are straight from Africa. Most of them are. Off the shores of West Africa. I heard so many of them, from The Gambia, Senegal, Mali. Over there, you hear so much of it. I want to be part of that. At the same time, I might wake up and make a free jazz record. I don’t feel like a traditionalist; I just want to preserve the culture of Black music from this hemisphere. I love traditional ideas, but it’s not like I’m gonna do this one idea for the sake of staying in a lane. There’s no place that Black music hasn’t influenced, molded, shaped, nurtured.

SILY: When was the last time you were able to perform in Africa?

GAM: I believe it might have been 2017. These years have started to run together. I don’t mind it, though. Keeps me young. [laughs]

VWETO III cover art by Breeze Yoko

SILY: How did the songs on here with vocals come together, whether the ones with your singing or the ones with featured artists? Did the words or beats/melodies come first?

GAM: The beats came first except for “Shana’s Back”. Shana Jensen is my sister; she’s the mother of my niece. Every time she’d come over and I had an idea to compose songs around her, they’d end up being huge songs. She’d be like, “Bye!” [laughs] I guess she wanted something a little more understated. I’d always end up doing big Motown sounds. There’s a song on The Blackhouse called “Shana’s Groove”. It’s a like a reoccurring situation and character. It’s kind of funny at this point.

The other ones, like “Unforgettable”, I’m very much matching the vibe, the punk-funk aesthetic. Sometimes a little hook just pushes it over the edge and gets them into the mindset I was in when thinking about it. Other songs like “Love Call” I just wanted to sound like it was in an arena. Arena rock, funk, Digital Underground-inspired, all the way.

SILY: Are you a big Digital Underground fan?

GAM: I think it shows in a lot of the music I make. I don’t think I can hide it. This record has so many examples of that. I love Shock G so much. He was so bad, as a thinker, a philosopher, a community builder, artist, pianist, maestro. The “Love Call” groove, “Unforgettable”, “[Old] Jack Swing”, you can hear it. I was raised with that kind of music in my head as a child. Unashamed to be funky and make a groove have extra grease on it. That’s what distinguished our sound from other region’s sounds. Getting greasy. While still doing the boom bap and all that other stuff. For me, it was always a goal to represent where I’m from in my music in a non-traditional way. Bringing what I love about the West Coast to whatever I was working on.

Shock G lives in all of us. He brought so many different vibes. A rhythmic pocket that breathes. Somewhat right under "Atomic Dog”. It keeps you moving. It has a breath of life in it. I’m so thankful to have lived in an era where I could hear and experience his work.

SILY: How did “Ayun Vegas” come together?

GAM: Ayun is my little brother. I think I’ve known him since 2014 or ‘15. He’s quite a talent. I love his style. He’s from [New] Jersey. I love his sense of rhythmic dynamic. His use of metaphor, double entendre. I feel like he’s really a gifted poet. He can do all types of different things. He’s an amazing MC--he just released a project with Jacob Rochester called Slaps & Hugs. I’m gonna lean towards people who are creative themselves and insert themselves into everything they do.

Ayun is very secure in being different. He came out to Vegas, and I had this song. Usually, when I play leftfield stuff, MCs want that beat they can crush and not feel challenged by. This song is really old. I feel like it was made in 2016. I feel like that was the first time when somebody was willing to rap on an idea that was out of the ordinary. It’s not just in your face. It’s something different, but I want you to rap for your life on this. Something more like a movie score, where you find your character. He did it! He didn’t leave one beat behind.

He’s rhythmically gifted and quite the poet. He almost went into pro football but he chose music. He’s a very enterprising brother, doing all types of apparel. He was working in the visual artist community, in the videographer community. Any time I can showcase what it is that he got to share, I’m there. He’s not afraid to speak the truth. This verse is impressionistic. It’s like somebody is taking a really big brush and making a beautiful image, strong-arming it. It’s dope. I love it.

We did another song together on the Overload album, but it didn’t make the cut. The Japanese version of Overload has a song called “What Can We Do Now”, and it has Ambrose Akinmusire, Ayun, and me. I’d love for that to be heard stateside, because it’s definitely about what’s happening over here.

SILY: Why did you choose to have the proceeds for this record go to Critical Resistance?

GAM: I’ve always wanted my music to be a tool for the motion of people. It doesn’t stop with dance and rapping and singing and drawing. It begins with that. Where it ends up, the movement of people coming into their powers, truths that in order to have a more humane society, we are going to have to throw some of this bullshit away. The spoils of enslavement. We’ve got to get rid of those spoils so we can get to a more realistic place of folks being cognizant of the activities that they take a part in. Jails ain’t gonna help people feel like they’re part of the community. They cage people and endanger their lives and run the risk of ruining somebody’s mental, emotional, and spiritual state even if they did commit the crime they’re in there for.

There’s a sense that all crime is committed from a place of fear. Many crimes people are locked up for is just folks trying to find a way. I don’t see how more fear is going to rehabilitate. The idea that punishment leads to enlightenment. People in the public school system are taught about some of the baddest people that ever lived--mass murders. But they’re not the type of people held accountable. They’re who brought over the imprisonment systems from their failed nations.

I don’t believe in reform at all. Critical Resistance seeks to abolish prisons as we know them. I love that their resolve is so sure and bold.

Photo by Antoinette A. Brock

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mukuaruuze · 3 years

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African Myths and Creation stories

According to many African myths, the creation of heaven precedes the creation of earth and man was created before the animals. The sun and the moon are given high status, even seen as gods in some cultures and because all African societies depend on rain, it is also held in high regard.

The earth is a very important element in the many myths. It is regarded by many as a mother goddess who rules all people and gives birth to new generations of all beings. It is believed that earth conceals life, protecting it from drought and reviving it when the rains come.

All creatures are earth and none can live without her. Even the elements come from the earth, yet the earth itself is seldom worshipped. She is regarded as a powerful spirit, ruling over life and death, moving mountains, forests and all when angered. It is said that animals understand and obey the earth but that man does not.

Some African peoples believe that the spirits live in the sky and control the rain, while others believe in water spirits that control the rivers, lakes and oceans. There also exist African myths of spirits that inhabit rocks, mountains and trees, such places are considered sacred.

It can be good or evil....

In African mythology, Jok is the concept of the divine; it can be good or evil, one or many. Unlike Europeans, who believe spiritual beings must be separated, African mythology believes Jok is the unified spirit of all supernatural beings: God and the spirits, the gods, the holy ghost and beings from the otherworld.

African Religion believes in the existence of good and evil spirits and rituals play a very important part in African culture. Bad spirits are believed to cause misfortune and illness and many societies have spiritual professionals who communicate with ancestral spirits to protect against evil. Mediums enter into trance-like states, allowing a spirit to possess their body and use them to communicate or prophesy.

African religious practitioners undergo intense training and there are different roles of spiritual professionals including priests, rainmakers and healers, also known as diviners or herbalists.

Some African Religions even distinguish more than one spiritual essence residing within a person. In Nigeria, the Yoruba people believe that a person has at least three spiritual beings. Emi (meaning "breath"), is a vital force that keeps man alive. It resides in the heart and lungs and is fed by the wind. Ojiji is a shadow that follows its owner and awaits his return in heaven when he dies. The third being is Eleda, or spirit, which must be fed by sacrifices. These spiritual beings flee the body at the time of death and all await his return in heaven.

African Myths on Destiny

The Yoruba people also believe that a man's success or failure in life depends on the choices he made in heaven before his birth. Ori is the Yoruba god in heaven who supervises people's choices. Ori means "head" or "mind".

Even the gods themselves depend on Ori to direct their personal lives. Gods and men alike consult their sacred divination palm nuts daily in order to receive direction from Ori.

African Creation Stories

These stories are adapted from The Origin of Life and Death: African Creation Myths. London: Heinemann, 1966.

A Fulani story (Mali)

HOW THE WORLD WAS CREATED FROM A DROP OF MILK

At the beginning there was a huge drop of milk

Then Doondari (God) came and he created the stone.

Then the stone created iron;

And iron created fire;

And fire created water;

And water created air.

The Doondari descended a second time. And he took the five elements

And he shaped them into man.

But man was proud.

Then Doondari created blindness and blindness defeated man.

But when blindness became too proud,

Doondari created sleep, and sleep defeated blindness;

But when sleep became too proud,

Doondari created worry, and worry defeated sleep;

But when worry became too proud,

Doondari created death, and death defeated worry.

But when death became too proud,

Doondari descended for the third time,

And he came as Gueno, the eternal one

And Gueno defeated death.

A Nupe story (Nigeria)

God created the tortoise (turtle), men and stones. Of each he created male and female. God gave life to the tortoises and men, but not to the stones. Noen could have children, and when they became old they did not die but became young again!

The tortoise, however, wished to have children, and went to God. But God said: “I have given you life, but I have not given you permTortoiseission to have children.”

But the tortoise came to God again to make the request, and finally God said:

“You always come to ask for children. Do you realize that when the living have had several children they must die?”

But the tortoise said: “Let me see my children and then die.” Then God granted the wish.

When man saw that the tortoise had children, he too wanted children. God warned man, as he had the tortoise, that he must die. But man also said: “Let me see my children and then die.”

That is how death and children came into the world.

Only the stones didn’t want to have children, so they never die!

An Efe story (D.R. Congo) :The Forbidden Fruit

God created the first human being with the help of the moon. God kneaded the body out of clay. Then God covered it with skin and the end God poured blood into it. God called the first human Baatsi.

Then God whispered into his ear telling him to beget many children, but to impress upon the children the following rule: from all trees you may eat, but not from the Tahu tree.

Baatsi had many children and he made them obey the rule. When he became old he retired to heaven. His children obeyed the rule and when they grew old they too retired to heaven.

But one day a pregnant woman was seized with an irresistible desire to eat the fruit of the Tahu tree. She asked her husband to break some for her, but he refused. But when she persisted, the husband gave in. He crept into the forest at night, picked the Tahu fruit, peeled it, and hid the peel in the bush. But moon had seen him, and she told God what she had seen.

God was so angry with humans that he sent death as a punishment to men.

A Nyamwezi story (Tanzania) :The Plant of Life

Shida Matunda created all things. After making the earth and water and plants and animals, he created two women and took them as his wives.

His favorite wife, however, died. Then Shida Matunda buried her in her house and remained at her grave watering it every day. After some time, a little plant began to grow from the grave. Then he was glad, because he knew that the dead woman would rise again. He did not allow his other wife to come near the grave.

But one day when Shida Matunda had gone out, the wife was overcome with curiosity and she stole into the house. When she saw the plant, she was jealous and cut it down with a hoe. The blood of the dead woman poured out of the grave and filled the house.

When Shida Matunda returned and saw the blood, he was much afraid and said: “You have killed your co-wife and thereby caused all men, animals, and plants to die.”

From Shida Matunda and the surviving woman descended all other humans.

An African-Cuban Creation Story:How Truth and Falsehood Got So Confused.

Olofi created the Earth and all things in it. He created beautiful things and ugly things. He created Truth and he created Falsehood. He made Truth big and powerful, but he made Falsehood skinny and weak. And God made them enemies. He gave Falsehood a cutlass [large knife], unbeknownst to Truth. One day, the two met and started fighting. Truth, being so big and powerful felt confident, and also very complacent since he didn’t know that Falsehood had a cutlass. So Falsehood cunningly cut off Truth’s head. This jolted and enraged Truth, and he started scrambling around on the ground for his head. In his scrambling, Truth stumbled unto Falsehood, and knocking him down Truth, felt the head of Falsehood, which he took to be his own head. His strength being truly awesome, a mere pull from Truth yanked off the head of Falsehood. Truth then put the head on his own neck. And from that day what we have had is a horrible mismatch: the body of Truth and the head of Falsehood.

African Bushmen Creation Myth

People did not always live on the surface of the earth. At one time people and animals lived underneath the earth with Kaang (Käng), the Great Master and Lord of All Life. In this place people and animals lived together peacefully. They understood each other. No one ever wanted for anything and it was always light even though there wasn't any sun. During this time of bliss Kaang began to plan the wonders he would put in the world above.

First Kaang created a wondrous tree, with branches stretching over the entire country. At the base of the tree he dug a hole that reached all the way down into the world where the people and animals lived. After he had finished furnishing the world as he pleased he led the first man up the hole. He sat down on the edge of the hole and soon the first woman came up out of it. Soon all the people were gathered at the foot of the tree, awed by the world they had just entered. Next, Kaang began helping the animals climb out of the hole. In their eagerness some of the animals found a way to climb up through the tree's roots and come out of the branches. They continued racing out of the world beneath until all of the animals were out.

Kaang gathered all the people and animals about him. He instructed them to live together peacefully. Then he turned to the men and women and warned them not to build any fires or a great evil would befall them. They gave their word and Kaang left to where he could watch his world secretly.

As evening approached the sun began to sink beneath the horizon. The people and animals stood watching this phenomenon, but when the sun disappeared fear entered the hearts of the people. They could no longer see each other as they lacked the eyes of the animals which were capable of seeing in the dark. They lacked the warm fur of the animals also and soon grew cold. In desperation one man suggested that they build a fire to keep warm. Forgetting Kaang's warning they disobeyed him. They soon grew warm and were once again able to see each other.

However the fire frightened the animals. They fled to the caves and mountains and ever since the people broke Kaang's command people have not been able to communicate with animals. Now fear has replaced the seat friendship once held between the two groups.

The Bushmen of Africa believe that not only are plants and animals alive, but also rain, thunder, the wind, spring, etc. They claim:

What we see is only the outside form or body. Inside is a living spirit that we cannot see. These spirits can fly out of one body into another. For example, a woman's spirit might sometime fly into a leopard; or a man's spirit fly into a lion's body. (Fahs and Spoerl 6)

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tonguetiedvalentine · 4 years

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For the hc, could you do one with best friend cal? Like you met in your early 20s, so you don’t know each other very well, but you actually get along pretty well? Thanks, i love what you write! 🤍

i‘m sorry for seeing this just now!!! but omg absolutely i‘m a SUCKER for best friend!calum but we been knew lmao

— so imagine one day you decide you want to discover the world so you move to london for a bit because it‘s such a beautiful city i miss london

— thats where you meet his sister mali and you start hanging out, she shows you the city and you befriend her

— so when calum comes to visit her, she‘s so excited to introduce you to him

— because she knows how well you‘d get along

— so you end up going to a bar with calum, mali and some of your friends you got to know during your time in london

— you haven‘t really been going out lately because you spent most of your days exploring london so you ended up being super tired at the end of the day and didn’t have much time to get into the nightlife

— so you‘re SUPER enthusiatic about getting drunk and having a good time

— so is he

— because let‘s be real

— calum is the life of the party

— and when you‘re drunk you end up rambling a lot and he ends up listening to all your stories and chuckles at everything you say because he thinks you‘re SO attractive, thats the first thing he thought when he saw you

— and when everyone ends up leaving because it‘s already 2am

— and you‘re all :( because you’re having so much fun

— he ends up staying with you because he‘s been enjoying your company just as much

— so you end up drinking more, staying for one more hour until he decides it‘s time for you to go to bed before you end up drinking too much

— he takes you home hoping you remember how to get there because he has no idea obviously

— resting your head on his shoulder while driving to your apartment

— kissing his cheek when he drops you off without really thinking about it while it basically makes his whole night

— you hang out once or twice before he has to leave

— him wanting to get your number but forgetting to ask you so he has to stop by your apartment on his way to the airport so he ends up almost missing his flight

— texting non stop

— eventually getting to know each other really well

— late night facetime calls when you can‘t sleep and he isn’t busy while he‘s on the other side of the planet

— eventually you have to go back to LA

— and you‘re sad because you‘ve been having such a great time in london

— but you‘re also excited about being able to reunite with cal and being able to hang out with him more often

— because months and months of daily texting made you two become very close

— he offers to pick you up from the airport

— you get lunch together because you chose to ditch the airplane food

— and you catch up even though you have been telling him about pretty much everything that‘s been happening

— he introduces you to the rest of the band

— you get along very well with them

— and end up getting along too well with michael, at least for calums liking

— when all the boys take their girlfriends to events or just movie nights at their places he ends up taking you

— not just because he hates being the only one without a date

— but because he enjoys being with you

— you make him feel calm ((no pun intended)) and comfortable in a way no girl has ever done it before

— rumors about you being his girlfriend

— him making sure to call you his best friend and only that in all his IG captions of posts you‘re in

— the fans pointing out that it sounds like he‘s friendzoning you which makes you think about the whole situation in a different way and leaves you kinda hurt ngl

— eventually kinda falling for him ???

— you don‘t realize it, you just notice how you feel different about him suddenly so you don‘t hang out as much anymore

�� at least until you know whats going on

— you get whats going on in your mind when you walk into his place one day with the spare key he gave you and you see him making out with a random girl you‘ve never seen before

— you apologize and shut the door, running back to your car and driving away mindlessly

— your heart BROKE when you saw them and you started crying the second the door shut behind you

— you don‘t realize where you’re heading until you arrive at ashtons place

— and he opens the door with a smile not expecting you to come over spontaneously only for it to turn into a worried frown when he sees your red puffy eyes

— you explain everything

— your weird feelings for calum that you can‘t really understand, running into him making out with „some random bitch“

— „i don‘t know but to me it sounds like you have a crush on him?“

— „aSHTON NO, he‘s my best friend“

— „well yeah but–“

— „ASHTON“

— you realize he‘s right though

— he helps you deal with your feelings that you didn‘t want to accept at first

— because it has always worked out and you didn‘t want to risk a friendship that worked out so effortlessly

— calum wondering why you‘re avoiding him

— you miss him so much but you‘re so afraid of what it‘s gonna be like when you finally see him again

— ashton forcing you to attend lukes birthday party even though calum will obviously be there

— you get REALLY DRUNK to stop feeling so nervous to be around your best friend you apparently have feelings for

— but when he takes your hand and pulls you away from the others to go outside and talk to you you think your heart is going to BURST from beating so fast

— him saying that he misses you and that he‘s been feeling terrible because you haven’t been around and you stopped replying to his texts

— him thinking he‘s done something wrong when in reality you were just running away from your feelings being too scared of ruining something that made you feel so good

— feeling so bad about making him think he‘s to blame that you start bawling

— and rambling

— so when you try explaining your feelings and why you‘ve been distant you don‘t give him a chance to say anything

— „i‘ve been so confused because i didn’t know what was going on and why it hurt me so much to see you make out with that girl back at your place, i just wanted to try to spend time with you again to get back to enjoying your company but then that happened and when i went to ashtons place to rant about it he“

— „you talked to ashton instead of me?“

— „CALUM I CAN‘T BELIEVE I‘M TALKING ABOUT THIS DON‘T INTERRUPT ME NOW“

— „anyways he told me that i might have a crush on you and i didn‘t want it to be real i just wanted to be your best friend because it worked out so well, WE worked out so well and i don‘t want to destroy what we have just because of some random crush that might only be temporary oh god i ruined it now didn‘t i fuck i didn’t mean to fuck this up i‘m so sorry i hope we can go back to being friends one day but i get if you no longer want to talk to me now i destroyed everything we had please don‘t hate me i–“

— he grabs your face and shuts you up immediately

— you really just said that ???? out loud ?? to him ??????

— you‘re about to start crying again

— but he pulls you closer and kisses you

— and you‘re so confused and overwhelmed that you don‘t even get to kiss him back

— but when he pulls away and you see his face you look at him and realize how much you missed seeing him

— and you notice how PRETTY HE IS

— his golden skin, his dark eyes, his plump lips

— even the bags under his eyes from sleepless nights full of thinking about you look beautiful

— and then you snap out of your trance when he raises his voice

— „how could i hate you when i‘ve been waiting for so long to hear these words“

#this is so cheesy i‘m sorry #i just #i love him so much what the fuck #calum 5sos imagine #calum 5sos #5sos oneshot #calum hood imagine #calum hood #5sos imagine #calum hood oneshot #calum hood headcannon #5sos headcanons #calum headcanon #5sos hc #calum hc #calum hood hc #best friend calum

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stormbreaker101 · 3 years

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So apparently the tags I put on my last post just kinda inspired me. IDK if this has been done before but uhhh some more expanded headcanons about my Drakeswap AU.

- Sylvia was originally the one who first fell ill, just like in canon. However this time, Malistaire forced the plague out of her with some advanced necromancy. The magic alone almost killed him, and the plague itself couldn’t be destroyed by necromancy, only forced to another host: Malistaire himself. He barely had the time to get to his own room and write a final message before he passed.

- When Sylvia discovered Malistaire, the entire campus felt her grief. It was her outburst of pain that caused the Death School to fall to Nightside. Plants ruptured the ground of Ravenwood and tore the school away. Malistaire died and now his legacy dies with him. She quit that day. Her eldest student, Moolinda Wu, took her role as the Professor of Life starting the next semester.

- Cyrus knew of Malistaire’s plan to sacrifice himself for Sylvia’s sake. He tried to convince him not to do it. Malistaire insisted, however. He could trust his life to the abyssal force of Death, but he could not trust it to be kind to his love. Malistaire told nobody else, and he made Cyrus promise not to tell until after he had done it. If word of Mali’s plan had made its way to Sylvia... Malistaire feared that Sylvia would blame herself for his death, and he did not want her to constantly life in guilt. It’s worse than grief.

- When we go to the Necropolis to find Malistaire’s spirit, he isn’t a wraith. Rather, his spirit is trapped within his dead but never rotting body, unable to go to the Other Side. The excess Life magic also forces some Undead and apparitions of pure Life to inhabit the tomb, which we have to fight through. We get to speak with Malistaire before he goes into the Knowledge Crystal that Cyrus asked us to make. He’s unaware of what happened after his death, and only knows that what he experienced, being trapped within his own body, was not how things were supposed to be.

- This time, Morganthe raises both of the deceased Drakes, but at two separate times. She raises Malistaire to capture the Lords of Night, and we do indeed fight him on Xibalba. She then raises Sylvia to keep the Lords of Night in line and to help her master the Song of Creation, since after all Life magic is derived from the Song.

- While questing in Khrysalis, we manage to free Malistaire from Morganthe’s grip, as part of our ongoing quest to undo the pain Morganthe caused the land. Perhaps the rematch against Malistaire takes the place of the Shadow of the Land’s fight, since Malistaire is also representative of our failure in Azteca. Sofia Darkside proposes this fight as simply symbolic, a test to ensure we are strong enough to use Shadow magic, but she doesn’t realize that this is THE Malistaire Drake until we defeat him. “Shadow of the Heart”, this Malistaire form is called.

- After we save him in Khrysalis, Malistaire tries to move onto the Other Side, but he finds that he can’t. Sylvia is not in the Other Side, he discovers, but rather still in Khrysalis aiding Morganthe. Malistaire joins us when we go to the Hive, because he senses that that’s where Sylvia is, though he cannot navigate that Lightless place on his own.

- Because Malistaire was under Morganthe’s thrall back in Azteca, and Morganthe herself is puppeted groomed by the Arachna Magi and Grandfather Spider, he is very suspicious and wary of Old Cob. That old spider’s magic seems too... familiar.

- After we fight through the Galleries and rematch with Morganthe’s many warlords, Malistaire stays behind to free the Lords of Night and to try and duel the shadow out of Sylvia. We face Morganthe alone.

- Malistaire is only somewhat successful in his attempt to save his wife this time. When Morganthe dies, Sylvia is freed from her control, but she still carries the hunger for vengeance that all wraiths have. Some part of Sylvia still remembers us as the one who killed her. She is the final boss of Darkmoor this time around.

- In the Dream Hive, Sylvia appears to us instead of Malistaire. The dynamic is almost beat for beat the same as in canon.

- The Mooshu BOX follows Moolinda, rather than Dworgyn, trying to apply for professor and Ostrame gets in the way. Instead of the quest being “The Three Deaths” it’s “The Three Lives”. I am very tempted to make a DreamSMP reference.

- The Avalon BOX is somewhat different from canon and it’s not just the characters have swapped around. Sylvia is still General Spitfire and she is somewhat antagonistic to us at first, but ultimately the Maestro is trying to use Malistaire to wreak havoc. In the canon BOX I’ve always believed that the Maestro is using some sort of manipulative magic on Sylvia to make her work with him: her school in the BOX is Fire like him rather than Life, and once we defeat the Maestro Sylvia says something to the extent of “did that just happen?” as if she isn’t fully aware of what she had done. So the same applies to Malistaire.

- Perhaps the Professor is aware that this timeline isn’t how things are supposed to go. That would be interesting. He could play a bigger role than just showing up in the BOXES event and for the level 75 spell quest.

#i wrote a thing!#does this count as writing #idk #wizard101 #w101 #malistaire drake #malistaire #sylvia drake #sylvia #wizard101 au #au #alternate universe #god how long did i spend writing this #most of this i wrote on the fly kinda #just a stream of thoughts and ideas #long post #leah speaks :3

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taleofharrison · 4 years

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Finally | Michael Clifford

Summary: You’re Calum’s sister and just broke up with your boyfriend and you think it’s time to give your crush Michael a shot.

Warnings: a mention of cheating and swearing

Requested: No, just something I wanted to write for my boy.

Word Count: 2262

A/N: this is based from a prompt I saw around here I don’t remember exactly waht it was and sister!reader which is a prompt I’ll always be a sucker for anyways enjoy

MASTERLIST HERE

"Y/N/N!" Calum exclaimed once he opened the door and saw you, he was happy when you visited you were his sister after all but his face completely changed once he saw the tears running down your face "what happened? what's wrong?" "Ryan he-" you trailed off looking for the right words to say "we're done" The moment he heard the name of your now ex-boyfriend he knew that he had to cancel his plans with the guys to make you company and listen to whatever emotions you had to get out. He was your older brother after all and your only family in California. "Alright so get comfy" he pulled you into his house "I'm going to call Luke and tell him I can't go out today" "No Calum, don't cancel your plans because of me" you tried to stop him "I didn't know you had plans" "You're my sister and an asshole just broke your heart" he stated "You need me more than they do" "I guess there's nothing I can do to change your mind" you sighed taking a seat on the biggest couch while Calum went to his bedroom "...I can't go today my sister needs me" he said to the phone coming back to the living room pillows and blankets in his free hand "I'll see you tomorrow then" He finished the call and helped you build a small pillow fort with the couch cushions, pillows and blankets just you two used to do whenever one of you felt upset the only thing that was missing was your older sister Mali. "Now tell me what happened" Calum spoke after finding a comfortable position next to you. "Ryan and I broke up" you simple stated hoping it'd be enough for him even though you knew it wouldn't he could read you like a book "Y/N tell me what happened" he pushed "Please" It was 6-month relationship Calum just couldn't take that as an answer even though he never really liked him he knew he couldn't stop you from dating him if you were meant to last then you would last and even though it seems like it destiny didn't want it to be with a defeated sigh you prepared yourself to start talking again. "He was cheating on me" your voice became small the lump in your throat growing bigger again "You know he gave his house key I wanted to surprise for his birthday and I-I heard moans and then-" Calum's blood was boiling he more than anything wanted to go and hit him square on the face but you were more important and you were crying again this time on your brother's chest. "I gotta tell you the truth I never really liked him" his chin resting on your head "and I know you love him but he's not worth it okay" "I know you love him" his words echoed in your head. Did you love him? You started dating him the moment you accepted that maybe Michael, your crush since you were in school your brother's best friend and bandmate, just was not meant to happen. These 5 words suddenly put everything in perspective. "You did love him right?" Calum asked once your sobs suddenly stopped and you pulled away from him. He knew you better than anyone in the world he knew exactly what words made you stop. "I don't know" you whispered sure you had exchanged 'I love yous' but did you mean them? did you trick yourself into believing you love him back? did he ever love you back? Maybe you were just crying because your trust was broken. Your brain was running at full speed and your tears began again everything was confusing again. Calum was quick to hug you again he would be there to listen to you and hold you and give you as much advice as possible.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "No problem mate" Luke replied to the phone "See you tomorrow. I guess" "What? Calum is not coming?" Ash asked Luke making Michael turn his head to give full attention to his best friends' conversation. "No, Y/N has a problem" Luke explained "he wants to be by her side" "Is she hurt? What happened?" Michael jumped at the answer getting a suspicious look from Ashton. "Relax mate," Luke said "she just got her heart broken. It sucks but physically she's okay" A not so subtle sigh of relief escaped from Michael's lips and Ashton could've sworn he saw a faint smirk that disappeared fast. "You seem quite happy to know that Y/N/N got her heart broken" Ashton teased and suddenly the whole attention of the two musicians was on Michael. "I-I mean she could've had an accident or-or something" he stammered "she could be in the hospital I'm relieved she's at Calums safe and sound" Ashton and Luke shared a playful smile knowing exactly what Michael was feeling. "Or maybe you're happy she and Ryan aren't together anymore and you can have a shot with her after all?" Luke inquired making Ashton burst out laughing "What?!" Michael exclaimed "I-No!" "Yeah sure," Ashton laughed "why don't you just admit you're in love with Y/N?" "I'm not-" Michael tried to defend himself "Dude" Luke interrupted him, "I think you and Y/N are the only ones who don't know you're in love with each other" "She's not-She can't-" Michael mumbled trying to find the right words "I'm just another brother to her" "No, WE are brothers to her" Ashton pointed to himself and Luke "she doesn't look at us the same way she looks at you" "You had a lot of opportunities to make a move" Luke joined Ashton in his lecture to Michael "what stopped you?" "I don't want to hurt her" he whispered looking down feet. He couldn't believe what the boys were telling him. Was he really that oblivious? Were you really in love with him? Was this just a sick joke? He knew Ash and Luke wouldn't do that but he couldn't help the doubt inside of him. He knew he was in love with you the moment you were allowed to join them on tour the gleam in your eyes when they picked you up at the airport was something he would never forget, all the times you made them laughed while playing videogames lit up his days especially the way you celebrated when he let you win and the way you smiled and dance from the wings of the stage gave him more energy than what he needed to have on stage. "I just don't want to fuck things up with her" he added with a groan. For the first time since the conversation started Luke and Ash admitted he had a point what if they broke up in bad terms? It would not only hurt her friendship with Y/N but with Calum too and it may hurt the band in a way too. "You're not going to fuck fuck up anything" Ashton assured him "Calum trusts you, Y/N trusts you AND she has feelings for you too...what do you have to lose?" "Give her time and try to make a move" Luke spoke again grabbing his shoulder showing Mike some support "You're gonna regret it if you don't so please don't let this go" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About a month later after what felt like a thousand video calls with your sister Mali and your brother Calum and eating as much pizza as possible your vision and thoughts were finally clear and you even had enough guts to meet with Ryan again, you didn't think he'd agree to meet you but to your surprise he did. As you waited for him in café Calum's words echoed in your head it was amazing the influence and connection you had with your siblings. "Y/N don't go he's not worth it" but here you were looking at the window waiting for him and maybe he was right, maybe you shouldn't be here, maybe you shouldn't have arranged this meeting but it was late your ex-boyfriend was now in the café looking for you. "Hey!" he said taking the seat in front of you "What do you want to talk about?" "Uhm-I need to clear things up a lot has happened this past month and I want to-I need answers" you explained "How long have you been cheating on me?" you asked avoiding eye contact. "Uhm-since we hit the 4-month mark I think" he answered awkwardly he wasn't expecting this. "So for two months" you weren't hurt, you were completely healed but it still surprised you. "I- Y/N I gotta be honest I never felt a strong connection from your part," Ryan said "It felt like you were waiting for someone else" "Can I ask you something? And please be honest with me" he asked again after the silence that took over both of you, his answer was a small nod from you "Did you ever love me?" "No" it came as a barely audible whisper and in a way as word vomit "I'm sorry" "Don't be" Ryan brushed it off "We both hurt each other I guess I needed to know that to finally move on" You barely smiled at his answer "Can I hug you?" "Go for it" he chuckled "Now go after the boy who really has your heart" You smiled pulling away from him "Thank you" was the last thing you told him before making your way back to your car. You drove as fast as you could back to Calum's place he had told you he'd be with the boys songwriting and you were welcome to join them for a movie night/sleepover if your meeting turned out wrong. As you drove back you were preparing yourself, trying to come up with a speech. You were trying to focus, looking through your brain for the right words but soon you realized that it was harder than what you thought it would be. You had been in love for years now why now finding for the right words to come forward was the hardest thing you've ever done? When you parked in you knew your time was over. "It's now or never" you sighed giving yourself strength before knocking the door. "Y/N/N! How did it go?" your brother asked "You look okay" "Yeah everything went smoothly I don't know if we can be friends after but we ended up in good terms" you answered, "uhm actually I'm here to talk to Michael, can I come in?" "Uhm sure" Calum wasn't expecting that answer but had to admit he was happy you were finally going to tell Michael what you felt, he secretly had been rooting for that relationship As you walked into the living room you saw him it felt as though you two were the only ones in the room but Ashton, Luke and Calum were there too and if Luke hadn't spoken to you, you probably wouldn't have noticed them. "Hey you!" he greeted making Ashton and Michael take the attention from the sheet with lyrics they had been checking to give it to you "Is everything alright?" "Yeah everything's fine" you replied after his voice brought you back to reality "Micahel can we talk in private?" "Yeah-sure uhh" Michael answered he was taken aback by your words "Should we go to the backyard?" "Yeah, I think it's better than the kitchen" you accepted knowing that your friends would eavesdrop your conversation. You walked towards the backyard leaving the guys behind Michael got up quickly from the couch following you. "So what do you have to tell me?" he asked you once he closed the backyard door. "Okay so please don't speak let me finish first," you asked and he nodded doubtfully not really knowing what to expect. "I-I don't want to say I love you but I think I do" you took a second to rethink what you just said "Yeah that's it I'm in love with you Michael since who knows when and I really thought I could move on with Ryan because I thought I didn't have a chance with you but I just can't pretend anymore" Michael was so surprised and shocked he would be lying if he said he hadn't thought of this happening though he always imagined he would be confessing his feelings and you saying I love you back. "Please say something" you pleaded closing your eyes. Before you knew it Michael was kissing you it took you a second to kiss him back. It was the best feeling in the world. "I'm in love with you too" he breathed once you had to pull away from each other "For a few years now" You let out a breathed laugh full of relief, it had come out the way you imagined even better after a brief second you pulled him again into another kiss. "Fucking finally!" Ashton exclaimed making you both stop abruptly "Guys you have to see this!" "I guess our alone time has come to an end" Michael joked making you laugh once again and he felt his heart flutter just like every time he made you laugh "Can I take you on a date tomorrow night?" "Of course!" you exclaimed pulling him closer to kiss him another time you knew the boys were cheering you on from the house but this time you didn't care you just smiled between the kiss finally feeling happy.

#5sos #5sos blurbs #5sos imagines #5sos blurb #5sos imagine #5sos fluff #michael clifford #michael clifford x reader #michael clifford imagine #michael clifford imagines #michael clifford blurb #michael clifford blurbs #michael clifford fluff #michael clifford fic #5sos fics #My Writing Corner #angie is writing

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calpops · 4 years

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engagement party | c.h.

Your engagement party with Calum goes off without a hitch and questions about the wedding get answered with grins and full hearts.

1.3k words

dates with cal masterlist

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Thousands of blooming flowers surround you, stems and petals and fairy lights creating a demure glow to the night. People linger all about and Calum stays at your side. The ring on your finger glimmers under a full bright moon as friends and family come up to congratulate you both and take a peek at the opal and flecks of diamond. You wear a smile that doesn’t go away and Calum matches you, eyes crinkling and hands squeezing yours. He’s dressed up but not as much he will be for the wedding, images of him in a proper tux invading your thoughts. His parents and Mali even made it to the party, Calum flying them out without a second thought after the night he consoled you and promised you he and his family were your family now.

Michael and Luke come up at the same time with their partners on their arms and genuine happiness for the both of you on their faces. Small talk ensues about the wedding before Calum clears his throat and gives them both a knowing look.

“You’ll both be in my groom’s court?” Calum asks though you’re pretty sure he doesn’t have to. They’re his brothers and would never say no.

“Obviously,” Luke says and claps Calum on the back. The unasked question of one of them being the best man doesn’t phase either of them. You’re pretty sure everyone knows who that will be; there’s no envy or hard feelings about it. You’re also pretty sure they’ll all circle around to each being a best man for each other at some point.

“Couldn’t stop me even if you tried,” Michael joked, the entire group laughing but knowing the joke was quite honest. “I really didn’t know this day would ever come,” Michael continued, a teasing air to his tone. “Until the day he came back from your first date. Then I figured it would happen eventually.”

You go warm through a night breeze at Michael’s admission and look to Calum who only smiles at the told truth. The bench you sat on for your first date is just ahead of you, memories of sweaty hands and blushing cheeks, gentle small talk, a walk home and an even more gentle kiss on the cheek flood you. Calum quietly recounts that day to the group who coo at the memory. The botanical garden is the perfect place to celebrate the engagement. It had been in Calum’s plans since he decided to buy you a ring and ask you to marry him. Ashton comes through the small crowd suddenly, a glass of sparkling cider in his hands and amusement in his eyes.

“I told Calum to propose to you here,” Ashton says with a shrug. “Not that it would’ve happened that way anyway,” he says with a knowing eye. You go flush at the comment but Calum pulls you closer, fits you under his arm and shakes his head. The night of the proposal had been a bit of a disaster but a yes and the next day had made up for it tenfold.

“I wanted to save it for this… and the wedding…” Calum trails off and looks at you. “If you’d like that?”

You’re nodding before words of confirmation can form. He’s smiling. The group rings in with their approval and comments of how beautiful that will be. “I would. Can we? Is it possible?” You inquire. The engagement party being here during closing hours is one thing, but a wedding during business hours is another.

“I’ve already looked into it,” Calum confirms with a nod and dips down to kiss your cheek. “But we can look for other venues too, just to be sure.”

You shake your head. You’ve already got images of the wedding here in your mind. The crowd of close friends and family mingling with flowers and lights helps to bring the picture alive. A wedding arch where the bench you first sat would be divine with blossoming marigolds behind you, possibly even intertwined into the lattice work of the arch you can conjure up in your imagination. You don’t want to be married anywhere else.

“No, this is perfect,” you say, mind made up without needing to venture anywhere else.

The group starts to disperse so other people can congratulate you but Calum holds Ashton back.

“I gotta ask you something,” he says and makes Ashton pause and turn back around to face you both. You already know the question that will pass Calum’s lips. “Would you be the best man?”

Ashton’s grin is splitting, dazzling against the background of highlighted flowers. He nods through his words. “Of course. I’m so happy for you two,” he says and pulls you both into a hug with his drink splashing around the rim at the motion. Ashton and Calum both choke back what could be tears.

“Thanks mate, for everything,” Calum says as you realize how much Ashton has done for Calum and for your relationship with him. He was the one to fly to London with him to help pick out the ring with Mali, the one to help plan the proposal that accidentally happened twice. You have no doubt he will be the best best man.

“Anytime,” Ashton promises and steps away so Calum’s parents and Mali can take his place.

You have your own question to ask Calum’s sister. As soon as she’s in hearing distance you’re blurting it out—a lot less practiced than Calum’s question for Ashton—and she’s nodding as she wraps her arms around you, forcing Calum’s hold from you in favor of hers.

“I was wondering if you’d ask me to be the maid of honor,” she said as she pulled away from the hug.

“I told her you would,” Calum comments and throws his hands up in surrender when you give him a look for ruining the surprise. “She wouldn’t drop it. I had to tell her,” he defends and Mali corroborates for him.

“There’s no one else I’d want up there with us,” you promise much to her delight and satisfaction.

Mali and Calum’s parents wish you both well and move on for others to come through but you pull Calum aside when you want a moment alone. Crowds—even small ones with only people closest to you— have never been your favorite. You need a moment to catch your breath and calm down, Calum’s presence always helpful in those endeavors.

“Doing okay?” He questions, concern evident in gentle brown eyes.

“Yes,” you answer honestly, you are okay, you’re overwhelmed with happiness at what the future holds and all that this party means. You sigh, unsure you can put that into words. Instead you settle for, “I can’t wait to be married.”

Calum smirks. “I can’t wait for the honeymoon,” he says and pushes a strand of hair behind your ear. He’s delicate with you and his words are enough to get you to laugh. You needed this moment alone with him more than you first realized.

He wraps his arms around you and kisses the side of your head in your moment of being alone with him and bliss. Your friends and family linger out in the garden while you soak up Calum’s affections and jokes.

“Will you ever tell me where this honeymoon might be?” You wonder aloud, Calum having told you he had it taken care of.

“No, that’d ruin the surprise,” he says. “Just trust me.”

“I do,” you reply and grin at the word choice you will be saying again soon enough. Calum catches it too and smiles along with you. I do isn’t so far away and you know those words will last forever.

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If you’d like to be added to my tag list just let me know!

Based on the dwc prompts: “Will you be the best man?”, “I can’t wait to be married”, “I can’t wait for the honeymoon” and @outerspaceisbetterthannothing message: Engagement party in a botanical garden they had their first date (where Cal planned on asking her to marry him originally). Everything is in the lights and looks magical. Ash mocks her how he ruined a perfect proposal they spent weeks organized. His family is here (he had no doubts and flown them out), she asks Mali to be her maid of honour and says how she’s always wanted a sister. And Cal is happier than he ever though he could be.

Tagged: @rosecolouredash @irwinkitten @golden-hood @who-do-you-love-5sos @caswinchester2000 @wildflowergrae @empathycth @cuddlemecalx @malumsmermaid @babylon-corgis @outerspaceisbetterthannothing @mariellelovescupcakes @xhaileyreneex @goth5sos @gosh-im-short @feliznavidaddycal @loveroflrh @findingliam-o @flowerthug @g-l-pierce @talkfastromance4 @superbloomirwin @sc0ttish-wildfl0wer @wastedheartcth @calumscalm @notinthesameguey @lukesfuckingbeard @myloverboyash @treatallwithkindness @haikucal @wiildflower-xxx @calum-uncrowned @egyptiangoldhood @drarryetcetera @another-lonely-heart @megz1985 @idk-harry @dinosaursandsocks @wildflower-cth @idontneedanyone @everyscarisahealingplace @myfavfanficsever @stormrider505 @karajaynetoday @333-xx @calumshpod @calumsphile @calumrose @justhereforcalum @grreatgooglymoogly @calumance @mantlereid @hemmingslftv

#Calum hood blurbs #Calum hood imagines #5sos blurbs #5sos imagines #Calum hood x you #Calum hood x reader #5sos x you #5sos x reader #Calum hood fluff #5sos fluff #cal!dates #cal!engagement

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hoodharlow · 4 years

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Drunken Showers

AN: So the idea was requested at the very start of quarantine. Anon, hopefully you're still here. If not I'm sorry I didn't get to you sooner. Fun fact the idea for this was the first piece I had planned for El Novio.

Requested?: Yes, "hi! your writing has been one of the only things keeping me sane during this quarentine. I love it all hehe. Could you do something about your friends not liking cal at first because he a big celebrity and they have like read bad stuff about him online. So you stand up for him and then when they meet him they love him. If you don't want to write it that's totally fine!"

Warnings: mentions of smut, mentions of past toxic relationships

Word count: 3.6k words

Calum watched Damian walk by the kitchen for the fifth time from where he was sitting at the kitchen island. He stood in the walkaway looking at the cookies Claudia had decorated, but soon ran outside again. She was too busy decorating cookies to notice the six year old.

Calum and Claudia somehow ended up watching Damian while her family ran errands. Junior had come to drop off some tables, and Damian insisted on staying because he wanted to play with Duke and Panchito, Danny's dog.

”Why isn’t Mali here?” Damian asked Calum. He pulled at the stool next to him and sat down.

“She lives in London,” Calum said. He pulled out his phone. ”I'm going to text her and see if she can talk. Yeah?”

Damian nodded excitedly. He hopped off his stool and climbed onto Calum's lap, watching Calum text Mali. She responded seconds later with a smiley face, so Calum called her.

He let Damian hold his phone while Mali connected and reached over the tray of cookies he was eyeing earlier. He looked up and locked eyes with Claudia, earning a glare from her. Still he smiled at her as she rolled her eyes and went back to decorating cupcakes. Calum split the cookie and gave half to Damian.

”Hello Damian, how are you?” Mali said seconds later.

The smile on Damian’s face grew bigger when he saw her through the phone screen. He dove into conversation with her. Summarising everything since Christmas. He told her that his lita and lito were planning babyshower for Medelyn and Danny because of the baby they were having. He went on about the brincolin Diego rented, and how he likes jumping and doing flips. He flipped the camera and showed her Claudia. She gave her a small wave and went back to the cupcakes.

About fifteen minutes passed and Damian decided he was bored and wanted to go play with Duke and Panchito. He handed the phone back to Calum and slid off his lap.

”Bye, tío Cal,” He said running to the backyard.

Claudia's eyes widened at hearing Damian call Calum tío. Never in a million years did she think she was going to ever hear 'tío Cal' come out of his mouth. Though Calum was too focused on the screenshot he took while facetiming Mali to notice what the boy said.

”Can I use your phone?” He asked Claudia.

”Sure.”

Before she could get her phone, she felt Calum's hand on her back pocket, and he pulled it out. He held the phone for her to put her passcode. She typed 0-1-2-5 and pushed it back down.

Calum wrapped an arm around her waist as he pulled up Instagram. He looked for Felix and scrolled through his profile until he found a good picture of his left arm that was covered in tattoos. Calum put his phone next to hers and compared.

”That's his arm.” He stated.

Claudia leaned over and squinted. The screenshot he had taken was a bit blurry, but Felix' tattoos were very distinguishable.

”You can't really tell,” she began, remembering what Felix had told her. Him and Mali were casually going out but if things got serious between them they were telling Calum. ”Who knows who it is.”

Calum looked up and gave her a pensive look, unsure if she knew more than she said.

”You're probably right.” He locked his phone and handed Claudia hers. His hand hovered over the cookie tray, wiggling his fingers as he decided which cookie to get.

”Grab another cookie and I'll call Ashton myself to tell him that y'all need a new bass player.” She warned him.

”Better my hand than my heart, Claudia.” He said kissing her temple.

”I hate you,” she said playfully.

”Not what you said last night after you—”

”Here,” she shoved a cookie in his hand, ”ya vete.”

Her cheeks reddened, remembering what they were doing in the back of Diego’s truck when they were at the drive-in last night.

”You’re lucky those Roger Corman films are full of actresses who scream all exaggerated because people would have heard you instead,” he whispered in her ear.

She cleared her throat and went back to decorating the cupcakes. She slowly piped out little succulents with buttercream onto a small piece of wax paper before she transferred them on to the actual cupcakes. Her job was to make dozens of cookies, mini tarts, mini cheesecakes, and brownie cups. Fortunately, Marlene was making the gelatinas, arroz con leche cups and the candy goodie bags.

Duke and Panchito's growls sounded in the backyard. Calum quickly stood up and went outside. He scooped Duke in his arm and held Panchito's collar.

A guy walked in the yard holding two trays covered in aluminum foil. Calum instantly recognised him. It was Claudia's ex. He knew he was going to meet him today. Just not this soon nor alone. Well, not really alone Damian was behind him, holding the frisbee.

He reached for Panchito's leash that was on the table with other toys and clipped it to his harness. ”I'm going to put them in the garage.” Calum told Damian. ”Could you get Claudia?”

”Okay, tío.” Damian nodded. He left the frisbee on the table and went inside.

Without another word, Calum went to the garage. He was placing the dogs in their respective kennels when he heard the garage door close. Damian awkwardly stood in front of the door.

”Hi,” he said.

”Hi.”

”Can you make me a grilled cheese, please?” He asked, looking down at his untied shoes and then back up at Calum.

”Yeah. Lead the way.”

They made their way to the kitchen and Damian helped Calum get ‘the good cheese tía Claudia uses.’ He sat in front of the stool and watched Calum build his sandwich.

Calum looked over to the yard where Claudia was still talking to Paco. She had the most serious face he'd ever seen on her. Her eyes were expressionless and unreadable, the little glint she had was gone. Her ever present smile flattened into a tight line.

”I don't like him. He doesn't like playing with me and Diego and Paloma.” Damian said as he poked his straw into his juice box. He took a sip and looked over to Claudia. ”She always looks sad when he's here.”

Calum hummed and flipped their sandwiches. He grabbed two plates from the drying rack and placed their sandwiches on them. He cut them diagonally and slid a plate to Damian.

Claudia came in and slammed the sliding door shut. She walked past them to the living room where her dad stores the good alcohol and brought it back to the kitchen. Damian and Calum watched as she poured herself a tall glass of tequila.

”Everything okay?” Calum asked her.

Claudia held up her finger to him and in one huge gulp she downed the tequila.

”Just peachy.”

***

This was the most drunk Calum had seen Claudia.

He held onto Claudia so she wouldn't fall off his lap as she did her shot with her cousins. Even in her drunk state she knew to cover his face when her cousins recorded themselves taking shots. She wore one of his flannels over her dress, so the sleeves were big enough for her to shield his face.

”Mede this one's for you, mamas.” Claudia stood up and shouted across the yard where she was with Danny and their friends. She held the shot glass and tossed the vodka back. She turned to her cousins and cheered.

She reached for the bottle, but Calum was quicker and moved it out of her reach.

”No more vodka for you.”

”You're no fun.” She pouted. She poked his cheeks, “Be fun.”

”You guys would make such cute babies.” One of her cousins gasped. She pulled out her phone from her bag. ”Like fucking deadass, I have an app that morphs your faces and shows you your babies. I did it to see how my babies would look with Jaden Smith.”

With that her cousin went on talking about her love for Jaden since the Karate Kid came out. Claudia leaned against Calum's chest and listened to her. Minutes later Calum felt her breathing change, she had fallen asleep. He cursed to himself, knowing she was not going to like getting woken up.

”Claudia,” he nudged her. She huffed and nuzzled herself more into her chest. ”Let's get you to bed. Yeah?”

Claudia nodded and wobbled a bit, but Calum was quick to catch her. He motioned Diego that he was going to take her to her room, and Diego nodded, going back to talking to his compadres and brothers.

Calum guided Claudia to the kitchen. He sat her on a stool and poured her a glass of water.

”Drink this.” He said, handing her the glass.

”This is a lot of vodka.” she gasped, amazed at the large glass. She took a long sip, downing the whole thing. She set the glass next to her. ”This vodka is so good. It's so good and smooth. Where did you get it?”

”From the Brita filter.”

”From the Brita filter,” she repeated to herself.

”Let's go upstairs.”

”Cal, my whole family is here. I can't have them hear you fuck me.”

”That's— Where did you get that?” He asked her as she sipped her cantarito. ”I said no more drinking.”

”Nu-uh you said 'no more vodka for you,' this is tech-weela and Squirt,” she said matter of factly. Then she burst into a fit of giggles. ”Remembered when you made me squirt on Valentine's Day. I had fun that day. Thank you for taking me to Reptile Park. I liked seeing all the koalas.”

”Your welcome. Let's get you to bed.”

”Okay.” She obliged.

Calum guided her up the steps and held onto her so she wouldn't miss a step. He reached in his pocket and unlocked her room, walking them in and closing the door behind them. He turned on the lights and sat her on the bed. He helped her out of her tall heels and set them back on the box she had on her desk chair.

Claudia reached for his belt and unbuckled it.

”No.” Calum said sternly, pushing her hands away.

”Please,” she pouted. She sat back and spread her legs open to him. ”I'm not even wearing panties. You have easy access.”

”Fucks sake,” he mumbled. He went to her underwear drawer and grabbed the first pair and slipped them on her. He rolled her onto her side. ”Get some sleep.”

”Can you stay for a little bit?”

”Fine, but no funny business.”

Claudia nodded eagerly and made some space for him. She patted the mattress, so he kicked off his shoes and laid next to her. She pressed her whole body on his and wrapped her arms around his stomach.

”Cal?”

”Yes.”

”I'm hungry. I haven't eaten since breakfast.”

”Of course you haven't.” He said to himself.

He waited a few minutes until she was fast asleep. He slowly lifted her arm off him and slid out of her bed, placing a pillow where he was. He twisted her hair as best he could into a braid and tied the ends of her hair. He set a timer on her phone to wake her up in an hour or her sleep schedule was going to go off the rails. Then he made his way back down and went to the taco line so Claudia had something to eat when she woke up.

Calum was responding to a text Michael sent him about the change of plans for an upcoming event they had when he felt someone behind him.

Claudia's ex.

”We didn't get to greet each other earlier. I'm Francisco, but everyone calls me Paco.” He said, holding his hand out to him.

Calum shook his hand.

”Calum.” he said curtly.

”This must be weird. You being Claudia's new boyfriend and me being her ex.”

”It's not awkward unless someone makes it awkward.” Calum said.

It was his turn to order and asked for five asada, five lengua and five tripa. Paco ordered some in Spanish and laughed at something the taquero made.

Calum asked the lady putting the onions and cilantro if she could put it on a separate thing. She nodded and grabbed an extra piece of aluminum foil and placed it on top of the tacos. She pointed off to the other table that there's salsa containers of guacamole, three kinds of green salsa and red salsa along with three vitroleros of agua frescas.

He was pouring himself a cup of agua de jamaica when Paco approached him.

”Can I give you some advice?” He asked Calum. Not waiting for his response, he dove in. ”Get out while you can. Claudia's great and all, but it's not worth it. You're famous. You have loads of experienced girls to choose from. Don't settle for Claudia. Because next thing you know three years pass, and all she's willing to do is suck your dick. Danny said you've been together for almost a year—”

”I'm going to stop you there.” Calum cut him off. ”I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about what happened between you and Claudia, or rather the lack of it, as you implied.”

”Look man, I'm just tryna give you advice.”

”I wasn't asking for it. But what I am going to ask you is not to disrespect her in my presence.”

Calum took the plates and made his way back to the kitchen. He stored them in the fridge and pulled out his phone, finishing his response to Michael. He sipped his drink when a group of girls sat around him. They were Claudia's friends. He sighed remembering overhearing the redhead tell Claudia she didn’t approve of him because he was famous and didn’t want her to get hurt. But Claudia quickly shut her up and told her that she wasn’t looking for approval and that she didn’t care what they thought because she was in a good place with him.

”Now that you're alone, we want to have a little talk with you,” the redhead of the group said.

There were four of them. They wore similar outfits: black jeans, black top and a denim jacket. They also carried matching Smirnoff lemonades, taking sips at the same time.

”Mikayla, shut up.” one of them rolled her eyes at the red head. ”Look obviously, we weren't the nicest nor the most welcoming when Claudia introduced us. Like the breakup was hard on our friend group. When Claudia told us she was seeing someone, we judged you without even knowing you. Then we saw how you were around her. You literally took care of her drunk ass and stuff. So like overall we just want to apologize.”

”Oh,” it was all Calum could say. He nodded and took a sip of his drink.

”Well, we're gonna go back out. If you wanna hang or whatever you know where to find us.”

They all got up and walked back to the rest of the group. He sighed and read some emails. A few minutes later someone else walked into the room.

”Calum,” Diego called him, making him look up. ”Can we talk?”

”Um, yeah…”

'Everyone is in a chatty mood,' he thought to himself.

”I overheard your talk with Paco, and I wanted to thank you for defending mi niña. No one wants to hear someone disrespect their daughter, especially by someone they once considered family.” Diego said. ”You're a good man, Calum.”

”Thank you, Mr. Santos.”

”Diego,” he corrected Calum.

”Right, Diego… um I'm sorry that you had to hear him talk about Claudia like that. No one deserves to hear that about their daughter, especially if she's as amazing as Claudia.”

Before Diego could say something, Paloma struggled with opening the sliding door, so he got up and opened it for her.

”Grandpa, Medelyn is opening the presents.” Paloma said excitedly. She looked over to Calum and shyly looked away.

Diego motioned him to follow. He took a seat where Claudia's family was. Damian went up to him and sat on his lap to see Medelyn and Danny. He held the present bags while she pulled out clothes, bibs, stuffed animals, everything and other accessories. After opening them, they moved onto the bog boxes. The first few were boxes of diapers and wipes.

”Don't rip the paper, I like it.” Medelyn told Danny. He carefully removed the tape and removed it from the box, revealing a stroller. It was the stroller Danny told Claudia he was saving up for.

Calum was with Claudia when she was looking at the prices. She told him how she wanted to buy it for them, but since she turned into her grad school applications, she couldn't afford it.

”Cal, we can't accept this,” Medelyn said.

”Wasn't me,” Calum quickly said.

”You forgot to cover your name.” She pointed at the shipping label.

”Claudia used my address.” He lied. ”She said something about people in her street having their packages stolen.”

”Oh, that's so sweet of her.”

***

Calum lost track of Claudia when he got back from carrying a sleeping Damian in Junior’s car. An hour later she wandered back down as if she didn’t drink a bar and a half. The last time he saw her, she was in the yard talking to some of her friends while she ate the tacos he got for her. Now he spotted an angry Medelyn entering Claudia’s room, so he followed her.

“Let me get this straight. Your best friend tried to force Claudia to do something she wasn’t comfortable nor ready for, resulting in him cheating. And your initial response to that was ‘well maybe if you put out then he wouldn't have cheated.’” Calum heard Medelyn from the doorway.

“Your best mate cheated on your sister and you’re giving your sister shit?” Calum blurted out. He was livid. Claudia had only told him about the horrific shit he said to her when they broke up. The cheating was new to him. He saw Claudia's stricken face and entered the room, closing the door behind himself.

"Cal, drop it." Claudia said softly.

"No. I've had enough of his shit." He sneered at Danny. "You let that guy drag Claudia's name through the mud. If anyone let out so much a peep about Mali, I would have shut it down because I know the kind of person my sister is. You know the kind of person Claudia is, so you know she doesn't deserve any of the shit he put her through."

Everyone stood quiet, unsure how to respond. The door opened, with Diego and Soni peaking through.

"Why are you up here? Your friends are downstairs." Soni said.

"We were just saying bye. Cal got a call, and he needs to be in LA in the morning. So we're leaving. Right?" Claudia asked Calum.

"Yeah." He nodded, following along. "I'm going to get Duke."

Diego watched Calum leave and gave the three of them a skeptical look.

"Okay. Do you want to take any leftovers?" Soni asked Claudia.

"Sure." She smiled and with that her parents left them.

"Claudia—"

"I don't wanna hear it Danny." she sighed. "Just go."

He left without another word.

"This is all my fault. I shouldn't have said anything about the stroller." Medelyn began to ramble. "I should have just written you a thank note y ya."

"It's not your fault." Claudia reassured her. "This was bound to happen. I just didn't think it was going to happen now, you know. But it did. I'm sorry for ruining your babyshower."

"It was ruined the minute my parents came and plucked Melina without even saying hi to me."

Claudia nodded, remembering how Medelyn's younger sister had come to the baby shower. She was the only member of Medelyn's family that came. Soni told Claudia that she called their mom and invited her. But the woman had declined it, saying that she only has one daughter. Then they showed up and didn't even acknowledge Medelyn. They just grabbed Melina and left.

"Are you ready?" Calum asked Claudia from the doorway.

"Yeah."

Calum took their bags and he went back to the car. Claudia and Medelyn made their way back down. They were in the kitchen, waiting for the leftovers Soni was packing. Calum and Claudia bid goodbye to her parents.

Claudia turned to Medelyn. "Take care of him— well, not really… you know what I mean."

"I know. I'll text you so we can get lunch."

"Y Danny?" Soni asked.

"We already said what we needed to say to each other." Claudia told her.

She gave her parents one last hug before joining Calum in the car.

The car ride was silent. Claudia covered herself with Calum's jacket and curled up in a ball. She rested her head on the center console. Occasionally, Calum would run his fingers over her hair, making her sleepy.

She woke up almost two hours later as Calum ordered In-N-Out at the drive thru a few miles from his house. He handed her their boxes and her vanilla shake, parking the car under a tree.

Uncapping the lid, Claudia dunked a fry in her shake and handed it to Duke.

"Thank you," Claudia told Calum, once she was halfway through her cheeseburger.

"I knew you were gonna get hungry since you didn't eat much." He shrugged sipping his lemonade.

"I meant to say thank you for defending me. I didn't expect it."

"You're my girlfriend, of course I'm going to defend you. I know you, and that's why I won't tolerate anyone saying shit."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

He leaned in and captured her lips. Claudia pushed herself up and pressed her hand on his thigh, as they deepened their kiss.

Calum pulled away and looked down at her hand. "Claudia, you just smashed your burger on my leg."

Taglist: @calpops @5-secondsofcolor @findingliam-o @cherryxwildflower @calumscalm @sexgodashton @another-lonely-heart @idontneedanyone @karajaynetoday @myloverboyash @spicycal

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