#Everything's gonna get redder and redder until this wildness is over

[distant--shadow]

the fact i get to tag this as #cr spoilers is very special to me

[cloudytamaki]

hq » dumbass things

warnings: crack, dumbass topics (choking etc), swearing 😺✨ author’s notes: sorry if i didn’t get many characters / all of them,, i’m new to watching/reading + this is my first time writing haikyuu!

bokuto • you were choking on water, and guess what this dumbass does? he panics and yells your name, jumping up quickly as he slaps his hand down hard on your back. sir?? are we trying to give y/n a mcfucking back issue?

sugawara • found a puppy in the backyard at 12 am and brought it inside. i’m currently wondering if he needs glasses or a slap on the back, because it was obviously a coyote. you kept telling him and told him not to bring it inside, but he was in his mom mode and brought the ‘homeless shepherd mix’ inside anyway.

tsukishima • so you got up early in the morning and absolutely lost it when tsukki got up without pants on. this man was wearing his mom’s birthday gift from last year – boxers with chibi dinosaurs on them. when you pointed them out, he got redder than the dinos on the fabric.

asahi • you asked him to watch a horror movie with you. this was a very bad idea since you chose saw. he actually jumped into your lap a few times, and on a particularly gory part, he gasped and suddenly went silent. he actually fainted.

oikawa • you did the tiktok shower prank on him since he was singing at the top of his lungs. you jumped in, fully clothed, expecting a funny ass reaction. what you didn’t expect was him screaming, pulling down the shower curtain, slipping and falling, butt ass naked. he got shampoo in his eyes and landed hard on his wrist. you had to help this man up and rinse him down, then dry him after.

yamaguchi • you were at a gas station, buying slushies and random snacks for the car. you paid and walked out of the store, getting into the car. you thought he was behind you... he wasn’t. he actually got into an unlocked car; you dragged him out before the person could come back and call the cops.

kuroo • you have a pair of crocs that you wear all around the house, and you usually keep the strap up. but when you slid them on, you didn’t notice that the strap was down, and you were in the hallway trying to yank your feet out of the crocs when kuroo came in and scared you, causing you to fall right on your ass. he started laughing like a hyena and didn’t help you fix them.

goshiki • you were giving him a haircut since he insisted. i don’t even know how this happened but your dog came running in and started barking because of the mailman. and guess what?? goshiki jumped and there was some screaming – then suddenly you realized you had chopped a lock of his hair off. cue intense fright when he looks in the mirror. never again.

iwaizumi • you were cuddling in bed, fully asleep when suddenly he had a nightmare. his foot slammed into your shins and you let go of him, screaming. he shot up, his eyes crazed and his hair wild when he saw you on the floor. he helped you up and was so confused when you scooted to the other side of the bed.

kageyama • he... i don’t know how to explain this but he managed to get his foot stuck in the door. literally not joking. he managed to get his foot stuck in the door and called you for help, you grabbed him and pulled him hard but it didn’t work until you unscrewed the door.

daichi • he was eating lunch with you; he ordered a dish and he forgot to tell the waiter to hold the spice. so, when he started eating, he started coughing loudly. his entire face was red and no amount of water could fix it. guess who’s never going back there.

hinata • you know the funny my-child-is-at-the-register joke? you always laughed at it until it happened to you. you went to the bathroom and when you came back out, you couldn’t find hinata. he was gone... or so you thought; your name was blasted throughout the store on the loudspeakers. when you came over there he looked like he was about to piss himself.

lev • you were at the beach, slowly stepping into the water to have some fun. then your 6′5 boyfriend comes running in the water and slips on the sand, doing a wonderful face plant. and when he slipped, mud and water sprayed all over your nice new bathing suit. 

kenma • this man... you were at ikea looking at some new beds and wallpapers for your rooms, kenma was looking for a gaming desk. you told him you were gonna look at another theme and he nodded and sat down on a nearby couch. then you walked back over and saw him slumped on the couch, passed out. you had to shake his ass awake because there were angry staff people behind you.

tendou • he was making a scene about how he stuffed 12 pieces of gum in his mouth and was dancing to the store music when he started choking on his bubblegum. people literally passed by the aisle you were in with disgusted looks as you gave him the heimlich. don’t even ask me how, but he managed to get it stuck in his hair.

akaashi • you were going ice skating. kind of a classy activity, so you thought he’d be great at it. well... he kind of was; he didn’t fall, but he accidentally slid into the wall/railing thing a few times.

atsumu • begged you to go out with him to a new pizza restaurant and said he’d pay for everything. you reluctantly agreed, and you had the best pie of your life. and the $40 receipt comes, and you realize this man. left. his wallet. at home.

osamu • he mopped the floor and went outside, then came back inside, expecting the floor to be dry. well, it wasn’t, so when he walked on it, there were some nasty ass footprints. he actually blamed it on you uhm...

sakusa • someone recognized him in public and shook his hand because they were a big fan. the man went into convulsions when the person’s skin made contact with his.

terushima • he keeps acting like his tongue piercing is something to brag about. it definitely isn’t when he gets it stuck in some food and asks you to help him take it out.

suna • so... you were unaware he was taking a nap in the other room, and you were shaking your ass to some cardi b songs. and you thought the door was locked, and he caught you right in the middle of a split. your muscles popped when he threw open the door asking you to turn the volume the fuck down.

ushijima • you were cleaning the fish tank with him and you offered to carry the 10 gallon tank back to where it was after you washed it. he kept denying you and lifted it up to prove his point. when he was walking with it, he dropped it. 

yamamoto • kept talking about having guts and being manly, so you decided to test his resolve by dragging him to an actually haunted house. he did a very good job of disguising his surprise, but he just squeezed your hand tighter. you were nearing the exit when a big ass hairy spider dropped right in front of his face. man jumped back and shrieked like the little girl you saw earlier. he was so embarrassed when you brought it up.

nishinoya • you invited him horseback riding, and he happily agreed. well, you warm up to the horse before swinging yourself onto its back. he somehow botched both of those – the horse bit him and ran off when he got on. that pretty much ruined his perception of horses.

tanaka • he was going out in public and was completely oblivious to his own smell. goddamn, it smelled like baked beans fermenting in a sewer. he was acting all cool and didn’t even notice people covering their noses. when he got home with a bouquet of marigolds, you didn’t know what smelled worse, the flowers or him.

[sakis-sweets]

If you're feeling like it, I'd like to see your approach on Hojiro x Itachi.

did you know that itachi views interpersonal connections as weaknesses and therefore doesn't see anyone as a friend? that's absolutely canon. i literally just found out about it. didn't even know when i wrote that impulse uekiya x itachi fic. wild. yanderedev probably wrote that in to distinguish itachi from budo but personally i don't think people like that become leaders, they become lonely and egotistical. also it kind of makes any kind of pairing with the guy impossible. however the wiki states that hojiro and itachi have known each other since childhood so we have something to work from! obligatory rambling over, let's do this

Iruka was the only one who knew the secret of Akademi's Sports Club.

It wasn't anything major like misappropriation of funds or secret abuse. It wasn't something he discovered by being in the right place at the right time. It was something only he could have found out about - his devotion to practice made it so he was almost always in the presence of at least one club member, and he was so quiet that the other members basically forgot he was even there. That's how Iruka was able to discover the secret.

It happened during after-school practice, very soon after the first semester began. Iruka was the first one at the pool after Itachi, and it seemed like that would be the routine for the rest of the year. Very soon after that, Hojiro marched up the stairs. Iruka was already getting used to Hojiro's shouting getting gradually louder as he made the trek.

"Itachi!" he bellowed. "Today's the day that I beat you!"

"Sure it is," Itachi groaned.

Hojiro continued shouting; he hadn't heard Itachi's response. "You've seen me, haven't you? I'm getting stronger and faster every day! Today's the day that I surpass you; I know it! You're gonna listen to me once I claim victory!" He continued rambling like that all the way to the edge of the pool, even after Itachi had already dived in. "Hey! Head starts don't count!" Hojiro started scrambling to catch up, but it skills were clearly still not up to par.

And so it went on like that until six o'clock. Hojiro scrambled and flailed and did everything he could to antagonize his rival. "Itachi! Race me properly already!" "You saw how much faster I was that time, right?" "You better get ready!" Itachi responded not even once to any of the exclamations, choosing instead to focus on his own training, but Hojiro made them all the same. To Iruka, it sounded like somewhat motivational white noise. He figured he could learn to like being among these people. But there was an unanswered question - what exactly did Hojiro want Itachi to hear?

After the meeting ended, all five boys returned to the locker room to wash the chlorine off before going home. As Hojiro hosed down, Iruka saw Mantaro nudge him with his elbow. "Hey, man - you got mad determination, and I respect that. Why're you so determined to beat our cap'n, though? If you want, you can test your skills against me!"

Hojiro laughed. "Thanks bud, but I wouldn't wanna crush a first-year's motivation. Me and Itachi, though, we go way back. Not once have I ever been able to beat the man in anything. But this year, it's gonna happen, just you watch! Besides..."

"Besides?"

"Okay, you're a chill dude, so I can trust you to keep this lowkey, right? There's something I've been wanting to tell Itachi for a while, but he said he won't hear me out unless I can surpass him. So I really don't have a choice."

"Something you wanna tell him? Dude, that sounds like a love confession!"

"Shut up, man! It's nothing like that!"

The two men shared a laugh, but only Iruka quietly observed that Hojiro's neck had turned a shade redder than before. When he turned to observe their leader, he almost saw nothing out of the ordinary, until he noticed that the tips of his ears had flushed ever-so-slightly, and his gaze had turned particularly stony.

There was a story there, and Iruka didn't know all of the details. He didn't know why nothing was being done about the secret. But he did know what Mantaro and the rest of Akademi didn't - that Hojiro and Itachi were in love with each other.

Whatever else he learned, it would stay with him. Telling wasn't in his nature. He would have to root for them silently, deep within his own heart.

[unholyimagines]

Choke

JJ Maybank x Reader

Summary; by @maybanktho - JJ in detention. Chaos, fluff, chaotic fluff if you will. He’d be that kid that walks in late with a bag of McDonald’s and calls the teacher by their first name, has the audacity to offer them a french fry, all while wearing a big dimpled grin. Can’t help but love him!

Warnings; choking obvs, teasing, cocky jj, not actual sex tho

A/N; my mind went wild with this one and it’s what the summary says, but smutty. (gif credits?) also i wrote this kinda fast so it’s a bit short and not as sinful as it could’ve been

You were eyeing the clock that was ticking louder than your thoughts as you tried to focus on the test in front of you when suddenly the door the the classroom busted open.

A grinning JJ Maybank walked in with a big smile on his face, his dimples clear as he held a bag that had Heyward’s Seafood written on it.

God that smile melted your heart, but of course, you would never admit it to anyone, being the only girl to have not fallen for the boys tricks.

“Mister Maybank!” the teacher loudly yelled.

“Oh, hey Karen! How you doing today?” he winked at the teacher as he eyed the class that was looking at him in shock.

Mrs Manger, or Karen, was known to be the schools worst teacher and no one ever spoke to her the way JJ just did.

“How dare you show up late to my class? We’re in the middle of a test!” the old woman seethed at the boy.

“Well, I thought I’d stop by to see your delightful face once in a while!” he grinned at her as he walked to be back, sitting next to you.

“Mister Maybank!” she yelled again, now just staring the boy down.

JJ kept silent for a second before his eyes lit up in realization.

“Oh, shit, sorry! Here, you can have some” JJ smiled as he reached into the bag to offer a box of french fries to the teacher who’s face was getting redder by the second.

“Detention!” she simply shouted at him, clearly trying to hold back a few certain words as she sat down, telling everyone to continue their tests.

You tried getting back to failing yours when you felt JJ’s eyes on you, distracting you from even trying to write anything down.

“What?” you shook your head at him, whispering to avoid the teacher yelling at you too.

JJ smirked at you, saying nothing as you were staring to feel nervous under the boys intense gaze.

“You want one?” he finally whispered back, now offering you the french fries.

“What-no!” you pushed back the box but it fell down, causing the silent class to turn their attention towards you.

“What is it now?” Mrs Manger questioned.

“Y/N here rudely declined my offer and-“ JJ started to explain before she interrupted him.

“Detention, both of you” she simply said.

“Wait, what? Why? I didn’t do anything!” you tried, but the teacher just gave you a stare that was enough to shut you up.

Falling back in your seat, you huffed in annoyance.

“C’mon Y/N, can’t be that bad. You get to spend the afternoon with me” JJ winked at you, making you roll your eyes.

As the clock rang, the whole school emptied in a matter of minutes, but you were dragging yourself into detention.

Opening the door to the library where the detention was, you spotted JJ already there, leaning against the window, his eyes glued to you.

You stopped by the teachers table to tell you were there before the man stood up.

“As there is an even number of you here, I’ll divide you into pairs and you can start putting the books back from this cart” the male teacher explained and you hoped you wouldn’t be paired with JJ, knowing it was going to be hard to resist him. Resist to kiss him, or resist to punch him, you weren’t sure yet.

“Y/N Y/L/N, you’re with JJ Maybank” the teacher said you immediately groaned inaudibly, quickly grabbing a handful of books and walking to the back of the library, hoping he wouldn’t follow.

“Hey Y/N, you’re looking really good today” JJ appeared next to you in a second. You frowned at his comment, deciding to keep up your facade of not wanting him.

“I know JJ, why don’t you tell me something I don’t know?” you challenged him and for a moment, you saw him contemplating his next move, clearly not expecting an answer like that.

“Well, I bet you didn’t know that I know you’re into choking?” he smirked at you as your mouth fell slightly open.

“I-uh, wha- how did you know?” you struggled, not finding it in your mind how he knew.

“I didn’t, but now I do” he kept smirking, taking a book from you and placing it on the shelf.

You couldn’t utter out a word, not believing you had fallen for it.

Not wanting to give the satisfaction, you decided to up your game.

“So what if I do? It’s not like you’re ever gonna get to do it” you chuckled lightly, knowing you had hit a nerve as he was proud how he thought he could get any girl.

Suddenly, the books were pulled from your hands and fell to the floor, JJ’s hand now around your throat as he pushed you against the shelf.

“And what makes you think that, baby girl?” he spoke lowly in your ear, sending shivers down your spine. Your eyes closed for a moment when he nuzzled his face into your hair, slightly biting your ear when you suddenly remembered where you were.

“JJ! You can’t do that! Not here!” you whisper yelled at him, pushing him away from you, trying to remove the sexual tension.

He stumbled back a few steps but the smirk never left his face, it only seemed to get darker.

“Not here? So, should we leave?” he questioned.

“W-what? You- I- what?” you struggled again, not believing how bold the boy was.

He only chuckled at you, going to pick up the books and placing them on the shelf as you just stood there, realizing how hot and bothered you were.

“C’mon now Y/N, these books aren’t gonna get sorted by themselves” JJ taunted you, like nothing had just happened.

You still couldn’t say or do anything.

“Loser says what?” JJ suddenly asked before you had a chance to say anything.

“What?” you frowned at him before realizing what you did. Grabbing a book in frustration, you brought you hand back to smack him with it before he caught your wrist midway.

“You wanna try that again?” he raised an eyebrow at you, pushing you against the shelf again.

“JJ- I don’t...” you started, not really knowing what to say when his face started to inch closer to yours until you felt his breath against yours lips, making yours get stuck in your throat.

“You really think I don’t know what you’re doing?” he whispered, his other hand still holding your wrist as the other went down to your lower back.

“What?” you breathed out, confused about everything that was happening.

“You’re doing a really bad job at trying to resist me. I can see your breath getting faster whenever I’m close to you, your fingers trying to find something do to distract yourself, your eyes trying to avoid mine” he chuckled when you were in fact, refusing to meet his eyes.

“I don’t do that, you’re just trying to-“ you started to ramble but again, a hand was around your throat, lifting your chin up to make eye contact with him.

His eyes seemed a lot darker that normal .

“C’mon, beautiful. Don’t lie to me, just tell me what you want and I’ll give it to you” he urged.

“JJ, I-“ you breathed out.

“Just say it” he demanded, his grip getting slightly tighter around your throat.

But you didn’t, instead, you brought your hands up to his hair and pulled his lips to yours, him instantly reacting and kissing you back.

Both of his hands were quickly wandering to your chest, snaking their way under your shirt to grope your tits roughly.

He was pushing his crotch against yours as you were now pressed tight between him and the shelf behind you.

His touches were getting more rough and you would’ve lied if you said you didn’t enjoy it. JJ was pushing all your buttons and you couldn’t control yourself anymore.

“Please, JJ” you whined, needing him.

He was fast to pull your bra over you chest, still under your shirt, pinching and twisting on your nipples, making your breath uneven.

“Shh, baby, you need to be quiet” he whispered after his lips left yours and he was back at nibbling on your ear.

“Fuck” you cried out silently, pushing yourself against him to feel his cock rock hard.

Reaching down to palm him through his pants, he did the same but his fingers slipped inside yours, dipping through your soaked folds.

His middle finger now wet, he used it to rub against your clit, driving you wild from the touch.

He was kissing your neck, his other hand still working on your nipples and you were, faster than ever, starting to reach your peak.

“Shit Y/N, I can’t wait to be inside you” he growled at you. You wanted to cringe at the cheesy comment but you were too caught in the moment to care.

Just before you were ready to cum, the bell rang, signaling that detention had ended.

“But that’s not gonna be today” JJ pulled his hands from you, earning a pained whimper as he hadn’t let you finish.

“No, please. We can go to-“ you tried, wanting to have your orgasm.

“Sorry, baby girl. I’ll see you next time” he winked at you as he fixed his dick in his pants and left you with a smirk.

[tngrace]

“Are you fucking insane!?” For the prompts please! I loved your last work!! 💕

Awww thank you nonnie! I've enjoyed getting back into writing so im glad people are enjoying it. 🤗 this fic is inspired by this 911 scene with Athena when she's trying to get back into the dating scene. I was rolling with tears of laughter during it and I could just see it happening to Tarlos so I decided to write it. However I'm editing the scene to make it fit Tarlos and the situation; I don't think in the concept art, Carlos has a headboard but for this one shot pretend he does. Thank you for the ask nonnie & thank you @moviegeek03 for helping me figure out who they would call, how this scene could work, and all your support it means the world ❤ also thanks to my girls @toews-a-peek & @justkillingtimewhileiwait our little memory lane conversation today helped put me in the right mindset for this 😉😏🔥 🤣

Send me prompts from this list

Completed prompts- links to a masterlist for this little series. Everything requested is already listed and I will add links to it as I post them.

Carlos and TK had been out to the club with Paul. They were decompressing from the week like they usually did at least every couple of weeks depending on how their shifts lined up. Carlos had had his one beer minimum, and Paul was well on his way to a good time.

Ever since he and TK had been together, Carlos kept himself at one beer out of respect for his boyfriend. TK had told him it didn't bother him, but Carlos still wouldn't drink more. He didn't need to drink with TK, always feeling love drunk any time his boyfriend was close.

They'd been dancing and having a good time, the club scene allowing them to be as close and as handsy as they wanted. The energy was high, the music flowing through them;TK was currently grinding all over Carlos, hands everywhere, but Carlos was no better; the alcohol making him free with his hands and lips. Since he quit drinking as much, one beer does more to him than it shoud. His hands gripped TK's hips helping keep him steady as his lips stayed attached to TK's neck either whispering words of promise for later or placing kisses in all of TK's sensitive spots.

It doesn't take many more well placed kisses or promises of giving TK everything he wants, before TK is finding Paul and telling him they're heading out. He passes TK his keys, ever the responsible one even if it was one beer hours ago, as they head out. Carlos's hands wander the whole time TK's driving from his thigh up to TK's hips and crotch and back until TK is going crazy.

"Carlos I swear to God if you don't quit I'm gonna use your handcuffs and cuff your hands," TK whines as he's stopped at a red light. "We're almost home," he says with a smirk sent Carlos's way.

"You started it," Carlos pouts reminding TK how hard he'd made him inside the club. Carlos was just trying to return the teasing favor.

"I know. Just let me get us home so I don't wreck your other baby," he teases as he gives Carlos a quick kiss before he finishes driving them home.

Carlos rolls his eyes affectionately at TK but he does keep his hand still on TK's thigh as TK keeps driving. Once home, lips attack lips once more as they're trying to unlock the front door to stumble through.

Carlos manages to get the door unlocked and then he's spinning TK into the wall beside the TV as he kisses him senseless. TK is just as enthusiastic, pushing his hips into Carlos's, making breathy sighs and moans of pleasure encouraging Carlos not to stop.

"Were you serious about the cuffs?" Carlos murmurs in between kisses as TK flips them so Carlos is against the wall. His mind had been playing TK's threat on loop, and it slipped out before he could think it through. At TK's lust blown wide eyed nod, Carlos can't help but growl and lift TK into his arms, carrying him up the stairs to their bedroom.

He knows how much TK likes it when Carlos let's his dominate side out, and he's proved true as TK attacks his neck; Carlos is almost positive he's leaving a hickey, as TK let's out little whines and moans of pleasure. He drops TK on the bed and quickly strips as TK does the same, doing his best to wiggle out of his skin tight jeans.

Carlos gets his cuffs out of his utility belt that's hanging on the closet door as TK gets lube and a condom out. Carlos tosses the cuffs down beside him as he climbs over TK, pinning him down and kissing him senseless.

TK moans and withers under him as Carlos keeps kissing all over him, but TK takes him by surprise and flips them around so he's on top. He gives Carlos a shit eating grin as he pulls back so they can catch their breaths. "Let me see your hand Officer," TK says reaching for Carlos's wrist.

Carlos chuckles as TK takes his wrist to handcuff to the headboard. TK was too busy trying to kiss Carlos while cuffing him that he wasn't paying attention and ended up cuffing himself as well. "Oh shit," he murmurs as he realizes what's happened.

"What? What's wrong?" Carlos asks finally looking up at his boyfriend. His eyes go to where TK's hand is still next to his and the cuff is securely around his wrist.

"Ty," he whines face palming with his free hand.

"I'm sorry. Your lips are distracting," TK accuses as he readjust his straddle on Carlos. "Please tell me you got the key," he all but begs, each word making Carlos's eyes wider.

"Dios mio," Carlos groans his hand running down his face once more.

"Carlos," TK whines as the reality of the situation dawns on them.

"You weren't supposed to be cuff too," he huffs. "You should've been able to easily get it."

TK hands his head resting it on his arm that is now cuffed to the headboard too. "Fuck what are we gonna do?" TK asks Carlos.

Carlos is racking his brain, but there is no way either of them are going to be able to reach his belt for the key. "We're gonna have to call someone," Carlos whispers in dread.

"We could call 911," TK starts before shaking his head no. "Or Michelle. She has key to your place."

"Are you fucking insane?" Carlos asks with wild eyes. "No. No. No. We're not calling either of those. We'd never hear the end of it Tyler. And besides if we call 911 and get Grace what are you gonna do when she tells Judd?"

He watches as TK's eyes get wide. "You're right both of those are bad options. Fuck," he groans trying to rattle the cuffs to see if his would give.

"What about.... what about Paul?" Carlos asks. "He'd keep our secret wouldn't he?"

TK thinks it over for a minute before nodding. "Yea... we could do that." He starts looking for either of their phones and realizes they're both too far away. "Fuck we're gonna have to use siri," TK groans.

Carlos has the calmest most authoritative voice of the two of them. So he calls for siri to call Paul on speaker and he just prays he picks up. Just when he thinks it's going to voice-mail Paul answers. Carlos asks him if he could come over and do them a big favor, and when Paul agrees, Carlos let's out a sigh of relief and tells him the front door should be open.

While they wait, they cover up better but continue making out and leaving hickeys on each other. If it wasn't for Carlos's good ear they never would've heard Paul come in. Carlos hears him call out and Carlos wiggles his way to sitting with TK in his lap, TK's back to the bedroom door and the covers pulled up all around him. "Bedroom," Carlos calls back already feeling his face so red before Paul even gets there.

The bedroom door just barely creaks open and TK turns his head to look at their best friend. "Yall know I'm straight right?" Paul reminds them with a hesitant look as TK starts laughing and Carlos turns redder.

"Yes you dork," TK says holding up his wrist which in turn shows off Carlos's. "I accidently cuffed myself too and now we can't get the key. So would you be so kind as to get the key out of the belt hanging there on the closet and then leave," TK asks like the brat he is making Carlos groan.

Paul stares at them like they've lost their minds before he starts laughing. "Wow... yall need this key?" He asks pulling it out of the utility belt.

"Yes please," TK says. He'd hold his hand out for it, but he can't. Paul moves to unlock the cuff, but TK stops him. "Just the key. I'll get that later." Carlos isn't sure how he can keep turning redder but his face is on fire and he's gonna kill TK he thinks.

"Oh... oh... I see. Ok. Here," Paul says dropping the key within reach. "You two don't hurt yourselves. Don't need yall calling 911 like this," he laughs as he heads back for the bedroom door.

"Keep this between us?" Carlos finally finds his voice to call out before Paul is gone.

"Yea.. oh yea. Ain't nobody need to know about this," he laughs phone in hand as he heads out the door.

Carlos is cussing in Spanish as TK laughs and resumes kissing all over him. It is some of the hottest sex of their lives, but they don't live it down from their friends for a solid two weeks.

[le0watch]

Miss Red and Mister Snow

It's a busy day in the bar as usual. Langa weaves through his many patrons, the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke filling his nostrils with every breath. If he wasn't already used to this overwhelming mixture of scents, he probably would have thrown up by now. But, in his job, this sort of thing is normal.

The same could be said about the uproarious noise, men and women talking to each other about their days and lives. The music from the jazz band playing loud enough to be heard over the chatter, the clinking of ice and the mixing of beverages. Even the stomping of some tenants' feet.

Langa ignores it all in favor of getting to the front of the usual crowd, finding his reserved table. No one but him and the people of his choosing are allowed to sit here, the very best seat in the entire bar.

Tonight a new group of flapper dancers are coming into preform, after months of negotiation on both ends. Neither wants to be found out or linked back to the other, so they had to sit through many, many discussions. They finally found a day and a way for the group to sneak in without being suspected of anything, and currently, they are getting ready in the backstage area.

They should be out any minute now, which is why Langa is already sitting at his table. He crosses one leg over the other, his recently cleaned black shoes shining in the stage light. He'd slicked his hair back today to keep it out of his face, and he's wearing his favorite blue pinstriped suit, with the matching pair of pants to go with it. He'd like to make a good impression on this group in case he likes them, and would like them to partner up with his bar and business. After all, he does not yet have a regular flapper group that attends his bar even though they've been open for half a year now.

All of the best bootlegging bars have a regular dance group and jazz band. And while Langa has the latter, it's been hard to find a dance group to his liking. He's picky like that.

A moment later, and the lights flicker off. The crowd of people fall silent as the stage lights turn on one by one, revealing a small group of flapper dancers, all with their own colored dress. They're all beautiful in their own right.

But Langa can't look away from the lead dancer, who's dress is a bright red with black stripes going down from the shoulders to their stomach, where a large, intricate pattern is formed. If Langa looks closely, he could see that the pattern slightly forms a hibiscus flower. The black lines continue past this flower design, and create flaps at the bottom of the dress. Orange jewels and gold, hanging sequins decorate the black lines of the dress, and the girl’s hair- redder than her dress- is smoothed back into a bobbed, slick style that is so popular with the ladies right now. A golden band of beads is weaved into her hair, which dangles a little on her face.

She's wearing a pair of golden slippers that open on the top and close around the toes. Even these shoes have red jewels on them on the top of the area her toes would be.

She's standing at the front of the stage, one hand holding a microphone close to her lips, while the other is propped on her propped up hip. She’s smiling, a beautiful sight that Langa wants to take a picture of and hand on his wall. He would even find a way to make the picture colored so he could see her in all of her beauty. Her lips are colored with a brig red lipstick to match her dress, and her lashes are fluffed up by mascara.

“Hello everybody!” she says into the mic, her playful tone evident in her voice. She has a similar lilt as other flapper dancers, that sounds amazing in her voice. The crowd is a mixture of calls and wolfish whistles. They must think she's cute, too. “How are y'all doin’ tonight?”

There's more hooting and clapping from the crowd, cigarette smoke making a thin cloud over the audience. Langa can't stop staring at this flapper; she’s gorgeous.

“Well, that is great to hear!” she continues, flashing a bright grin at the crowd that has basically devolved into a pack of animals from her appearance alone. She seems unphased by it- probably used to this reaction. Langa isn't, though, and he wants nothing more than to punch anyone who so much as looks at her the wrong way. She shouldn't be treated like a piece of meat. “You all can call me Miss Red!” She then looks over at Langa, and does a small curtesy in his direction. He nearly passes out under her gaze. “And I'd like to thank Mister Snow over here for lettin’ us come in tonight.”

Langa nods his head in response, since he doesn't know what else to do. She merely winks at him and he nearly passes out all over again.

Then, Miss Red claps her hands together and backs up into the line of other dancers. The lights brighten to shine off of the sequins and jewels attached to their dresses, and they start their routine, first with the Charleston before moving into the foxtrot.

Langa tries to watch a few of the other dancers, but his eyes keep drifting back Miss Red’s pretty face. She does the unthinkable after a few minutes of dancing; she starts seeing a song, which the jazz band seems to know, as they play along with her voice. Her singing voice is beautiful and powerful, echoing around the clamor of clapping and howling men:

“Now look me over carefully

All dolled up from A to Z

Guess you wonder where I'm gonna go

I'm excited, I'll admit

And you don't know the half of it

I'm gonna meet the one that I love so

Hey, hey, clear the way

Looks like this is my lucky day

I'm gonna meet my sweetie now

I can't be annoyed

Am I happy, am I overjoyed

I'm gonna meet my sweetie now!”

She sings it beautifully, and Langa loves her take on the popular song “I'm Gonna Meet My Sweetie Now”. He may even like it more than the original version, with the way she sings the verses and words, and the way the jazz band is playing as an energetic version of the song.

“Hey-hey-hey, just got through

Manicure and a good shampoo

I'm gonna meet my sweetie now

Yes indeedy, just got a brand new hat

Brand new this and a brand new that

I'm gonna meet my sweetie now

When I think of how his arms come stealin'

I'm so nervous, girls, you know the feelin'

I'm just nearly wild

Come on, mother, and save your child

I'm gonna meet my sweetie now!”

The dancers switch to the scandalous shimmy, causing the hollering from the crowd to double. Their dresses flip this way and that, looping around their thighs and almost rising higher than they should as they dance with a partner, pressing so close that the men cheer. Langa feels his face heat up. He doesn't see the shimmy very often, and to see Miss Red going through the steps makes him hot. It's also banned in most places, so you don't see this style as often as say a black bottom or foxtrot.

Then, Miss Red peels from her partner- a tall, dark woman with piercing eyes- and approaches the microphone once more. She catches her breath before finishing the song:

“That's all!”

The jazz music dies down and every flapper in the group bows, before exiting the stage, even as the crowd calls, “Encore! Encore!” Well, it doesn't seem like they're getting an encore. Instead, they get blown kisses and dainty waves of goodbye.

Langa stands up, because now he has to meet these amazing women (Miss Red) and ask them to become regulars. He could pay them handsomely; he has more than enough money to spare from bootlegging. He slips to the backstage, and follows the twisting of the balls until finds the changing room. He doesn't barge in, just in case they're still changing, but does knock.

The door cracks open, revealing Miss Red’s pretty face. She still has her makeup on and hasn't changed yet, but she does have a pair of pants beneath the skirt. When she sees who it is, she offers a shy smile and courtesies for him once more.

“Mister Snow,” she says in greeting. She slips through the crack she'd made in the door to stand with him in the hall, her hands clasped behind her back politely. “What did you think of the show? Hope it was to your liking.” She winks at him, and Langa could feel himself getting hot all over again.

He clears his throat, and nods his head. “It was amazing,” he replies, keeping his dignity about himself. “And you were especially amazing.”

Miss Red chuckles at him, and he loves the sound. He's starting to love everything about her. “Well I'm glad you think so,” she says airily with another small smile. “Now, what did you need, honey dear?”

‘Honey dear’. Langa is going to lose it. If anyone else had called him that, he would have snapped at them. But it sounds so good when it's coming from Miss Red.

“I was wanting to discuss with your manager about you becoming regulars here at my bar,” he explains, and clasps his hands behind his back. She's a tad shorter than she is, but she holds herself well enough that it's as if she is the same height as him. “Where is he?”

“Right here, darling,” Miss Red answers, taking Langa by surprise. He blinks owlishly at her, shocked by her answer. Usually, a flapper group such as this would have a man in charge to arrange things. Maybe the man they’d sent to the meetings had just been a connection, so that it wouldn't trace back to them. There aren't many women who take charge of this sort of thing, if at all. She smirks at him, resting a hand on her hip. “You look shocked.”

“Well- I'll be honest, I am,” Langa replies hesitantly. “But I find it amazing that you manage your own group. Sorry to have implied you were a man at all.”

She laughs a bit louder than before, like afternoon bells chiming. She covers her mouth with one of her hands, and says, “Not to fear. I am both, after all.”

Once more surprised, Langa gawks at her, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me right,” Miss Red says nonchalantly. “I am both a man, and a woman. I can be whatever you'd want me to be.” She winks at him while saying this last part, and even though he’s saying he's a man, he feels his face heating up all over again.

“So… you go by both male and female?” Langa asks slowly, trying to unravel it in his brain.

“That is correct, darling,” Miss Red says in confirmation. “If that is too strange for you, or changes your opinion of our group, then we shall take our leave once we've received our payment.”

He’s going to enter the dressing room, but Langa reaches out and grabs her wrist before thinking. She pauses, and looks back at him with a raised eyebrow.

“No!” Langa exclaims. “I don't quite yet fully understand it, but my opinion of you and your group has not changed. You are still welcome to become the regular dance group here.”

Miss Red peers at his face, as if trying to see if he's lying. He presses his lipstick painted lips together, before smiling at him once more. That smile is driving Langa insane, just like the rest of her….

“Well then, I'll take your offer up on that,” she says eventually, and slips her hand against his, intertwining their fingers together. Langa’s face becomes so hot he's afraid it's going to melt off. “As long as the pay here is good enough for my girls. We need to make a living, after all.”

“I'll pay you double than the average fee,” Langa replies quickly, and Miss Red’s eyebrows shoot up to her hairline. He smiles, nodding eagerly. “You have my word that your girls will always be safe and taken care of here. And I always keep my word, Miss Red.”

She hums softly, and then brushes her fingertips along the curve of Langa’s cheekbones. He goes still, her touches gentle and featherlight. She leans in close, their breaths mingling. “Well, I wouldn't mind the view out in our crowd, either,” he says, and Langa swallows heavily at how deep his voice has become. This is scandalous, getting so close to a lady after just meeting her, but he can't resist, especially when she’s the one initiating it. “You do have a pretty face, Mister Snow.”

He lets out a breathy laugh, butterflies forming in his stomach. “How can you say that when you're standing in front of me, hm?” he says, deciding to flirt back. Her eyes widen, and he sees a flush of red bloom across her cheeks. Rex really is his color. And it's starting to become Langa’s favorite. “You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.”

“Oh, you're just too much!” she says with laughter, playfully pushing on his chest. He stumbles a little, taken aback by his strength. She covers her mouth once more as she laughs, the red still painting her cheeks. He has freckles, Langa realizes. They just make her appear ever more beautiful. Especially when paired with her shining, honey amber eyes.

Her laughter tapers off, all the while Langa waits patiently for her to finish, softly smiling at her. Miss Red takes notice of this, and snorts softly. “Anyways, Mister Snow, I really must get back to cleaning up. Would you like us to come back tomorrow night, same time?”

“That would be splendid,” Langa replies easily. He catches her hand again, and brings it up to press a kiss to the knuckles. She huffs out a laugh at the action, and when he looks up he’s rolling his eyes. But, that red blush is still on his cheeks, an even darker shade than before. “It was nice to meet you, Miss Red.”

She pauses, before saying, “Do call me Reki, Mister Snow. That's my real name.”

Reki. It fits her.

“Just don't go announcing it everyone you run into, you hear?” she says teasingly, and he quickly nods.

“Of course not, Reki,” he replies. He hesitates for one moment before saying, “And you may call me Langa. Same rules apply.”

Reki smiles at him brightly, taking his breath away all over again. He should ask him out on a date, so he could see her outside of the bar, too. But his jaws lock, words getting stuck in his throat before he could. If Reki was both a man and woman, wouldn't that make him gay? And while he doesn't have a problem against gay people, he's never thought himself to be gay.

“Of course, Langa,” she says, and Langa likes the way he says his name. “Goodnight, darling.”

“And goodnight to you,” he answers, and they nod to one another.

Then, Reki opens the door, a burst of squealing and laughter from the other flappers erupting outside. She giggles, before heading inside, closing the door behind himself.

Langa stares at the door for a few minutes longer, wishing that he could call Reki back and invite him to go out together at some point. Men go out together all the time. It didn't have to be a date.

But his heart is racing too fast, and the thought of asking makes his very breath falter. So instead, he heads back to the bar, ready to start the closing preparations.

[is-it-art-tho]

Summary: Tim sustains a serious injury while on a class field trip.

Dick is gonna kill me.

Oddly enough, that was the first thing on Tim’s mind as he rolled over in the snow and found the left leg of his ski pants torn and bloodied. He’d promised to return Dick’s ski gear unscathed. Absently, he wondered if he’d be able to order a new set on Amazon before Dick noticed.

But of course, he thought, staring at the actively bleeding wound in his leg, that should probably be the least of his concerns right now.

The snow around him resembled strawberry Italian ice, and it was only getting redder. He had to stop the bleeding. But with what? Tim didn’t exactly go skiing with a first aid kit on hand. Had he known how bad he was at skiing though, he might’ve prepared differently.

He decided to use his shirt, crafting a makeshift tourniquet to slow the flow before putting his coat back on. The insulated fabric felt weird against his bare skin, but at least he was still warm. He examined his work, and found that although it was still bleeding, it wasn’t gushing like it had been before. He also noticed with a pang of nausea that he could see something white deep within the wound. Snow?

No. Bone. That’s nice.

Tim forced himself to look away and breathe, suddenly grateful for the freezing air against his skin. He willed himself to calm down. Think. How could he get help?

He’d somehow skied off the slopes and down a steep cliff where he’d taken a pretty nasty spill that sent him careening into a stand of trees. He was fairly certain he was out of earshot of most people by now, and had seen too many cartoons to feel particularly comfortable screaming in a potential avalanche zone.

Walking on this leg was going to be a nightmare, but that would be his best bet. At least until he could get to a place that had decent signal. Tim felt around in the snow. His skis had broken and he had no idea where his poles had flown off to – more things he’d be hearing about from Dick – so he found a branch to help prop him up.

As soon as Tim was upright, he became painfully aware of how much blood he’d already lost. The world dipped and churned around him. His head felt like it was full of helium, floating miles above his body. He sucked in another lungful of icy air and blew it out slowly. If he passed out here he would either bleed out or freeze to death.

Either way, it wouldn’t be ideal.

He took a step with his good leg first, then his injured one. As soon as he went to move it, the leg surrendered under his weight and he collapsed, his face burning against the packed snow. Tim bit back a scream, rolling over and clutching gently yet desperately at his shredded thigh. Blotches of light flashed before his eyes as the pain wafted over him before slowly ebbing into a steady burn.

When he finally felt ready, he tried again, pushing himself to his feet. He took a step, then another. This time when his leg started to buckle, he grabbed a tree for added support. “Worst field trip ever,” he groaned.

The first field trip he’d gone on since elementary school and he ended up mortally wounded and stranded in the mountains. He imagined he’d be getting a kick out of this story one day. Assuming he lived long enough to do so.

No. He couldn’t let himself think like that. Bruce’s words rang in his ears.

The fight’s over the moment you give up hope.

Don’t give up, he thought to himself, taking another trembling step. He could barely get the foot of his bad leg above the snow, unable to lift it high enough. It dragged like dead weight beside him. A step, then a drag. A step, then a drag. The whole process was slow and painful and deeply frustrating.

Once Tim made it out of his little crash landing zone, he glanced back at the scene. A small crater of bloodied snow, a bloody trail of clumsy footprints. It wouldn’t take a detective to piece together what had happened here, though he realized that someone could just as easily assume that someone had been attacked by some sort of wild animal. And if someone wanted to track him, he imagined they wouldn’t have much problem.

Maybe that was a good thing, he thought. In case someone sent help, they’d be able to find him pretty easily.

That’s it, Tim. Positive spin.

A few more feet and he saw the thing that had done him in. A jagged stone jutting up from the snow, its tip now soaked with blood. As Tim had skidded and rolled down the cliff, this thing had cut his leg clean open. A smooth incision, so fast and so sudden that he hadn’t even realized it had happened until he saw the blood.

It wasn’t until Tim got to the base of the cliff that he acknowledged the obvious problem with his current strategy. Even on his best day, getting up this way would be a challenge. Now that he was down a leg, it would be nearly impossible. But up straight up was where the rest of the resort was – the one with all the people, heat, and perhaps a few medical supplies if he was lucky.

Tim surveyed his surroundings. He could try to go around, find another way up, but there was no guarantee that it would be any different on the other side. He turned to look down the mountain. There was a small town at the base, he remembered passing it on the bus. It was probably about five miles away. Maybe more. There was a chance he could make it. And everyone knows it’s easier to go downhill than to go up, right?

He turned his attention toward the sky. The sun was at its peak right now, which meant he only had a couple hours of daylight left. This whole thing would get a lot more complicated once nightfall rolled around and the temperatures really started to drop.

Tim weighed his options as best he could considering the blood loss and dizzying pain he was in, and decided to turn his back on the resort and head down the mountain.

*

When Tim was a kid, he’d gone through a brief yet intense wilderness phase where he’d studied everything about how to survive after being stranded in various environments. He learned about water filtration techniques, starting fires, building shelter. He learned how to send SOS signals and the early signs of dehydration, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, the works. For all intents and purposes, he had trained for this exact scenario.

In the back of his mind he knew that to be true. He knew that he knew what to do here. But now as hypothermia turned his muscles to stone, and his face burned with frostbite, he found himself struggling to dredge up even an ounce of useful information from that time.

All he could seem to remember was that it was crucial to properly extinguish flames to avoid forest fires.

Yeah. Very helpful.

The sky was now that hazy blue it turns right before the sun fully sets. Tim’s entire body was shivering as if from the inside out and his steps barely got him anywhere anymore. In fact, he wasn’t even sure he was still moving. The town seemed just as far away as it had been when he’d started, although when he turned around, the cliff seemed incredibly distant. He was more or less stranded between his two best hopes at survival. He might as well have been lost at sea.

Tim exhaled a puff of white air. He was exhausted and hurting everywhere. He needed to stop, to rest. Without thinking, he sat down with a grunt, his muscles so stiff that bending at all felt shockingly painful. He noticed then that his leg had stopped bleeding. In fact, he couldn’t feel it at all. Looking down, he realized that was only because the blood had frozen in the wound, creating a temporary seal, and that most of the exposed flesh there was probably on the brink of necrotizing. Dying. His skin and muscle tissue were dying.

He wanted to be concerned, in fact he knew without a doubt that he should be concerned – terrified, in fact – but all he could think of was how tired he was.

Everything in the world felt like it was moving in slow motion, especially him, and he couldn’t help but imagine how peaceful it would be to curl up right here and go to sleep. Just for a little while so that he could get his strength back and try again tomorrow. Barely even a second, if he thought about it.

Something deep and instinctive was pulling him down and away, beckoning him into the darkness. He’d been fighting it for the past hour or so, but now he thought it might be best to just surrender. Let the tide carry him off.

As his eyes slipped closed, Tim couldn’t help but note how weightless his body started to feel. How everything ¬– the burning cold, the ache in his bones, even the grit of the snow against his cheek – seemed to disappear, replaced by a welcome emptiness.

With a sort of distant annoyance, he could feel himself screaming at himself to get up. To open his eyes. To move, find a way to get warm. He could feel himself demanding that he refuse to give up. That he keep fighting.

You’ll die here! part of him was shouting. You’re dying!

It’s fine, he thought irritably. I’m just resting.

And with that, the distant voice faded along with the rest of the world, and Tim slid at once into a deeper sleep than he’d had in years.

                                                        ******

The first things Tim noticed was something soft pulled up under his chin and something warm against his face. If he hadn’t known any better, he thought, he would’ve sworn he could smell a fireplace.

When he chanced a peek, half expecting to find himself still in the snow, he was shocked to see that he was on a couch in a small cabin right next to – he guessed it – a fireplace. The heat lapped at his face gently, resurrecting the nose he’d assumed had fallen off somewhere on the mountainside. It was nice, but although his skin felt much warmer, he was still shivering against a kind of bone-deep cold that would take much longer to thaw.

The edges of his mind felt fuzzy in a way that was all too familiar to him.

Painkillers, he thought.

It would explain why he felt so comfortable, despite his ordeal. For all intents and purposes he should be curled up in fetal position right now.

Oh no, he thought suddenly, his heart lurching. What if this was all some near-death hallucination?

The human body has a funny way of protecting itself. He’d read countless stories of the things people saw in their final moments, as if their brains chose to indulge in a personalized escape rather than face the reality of what was happening – a way to make even the worst death more bearable, more peaceful.

Some people see their life flash before their eyes. Others step into a daydream.

Tim felt panic rising up in his chest as he pictured himself still curled up on the mountainside, slowly freezing to death. He imagined the rangers finding him there. The phone call to the manor to break the news. Alfred would probably answer, then tell Bruce who would tell the others. What this would do to them. How it would break them. For a group of people so accustomed to tragedy, they sure were awful at dealing with it.

He couldn’t believe it was ending like this. All those years on the streets, launching himself into countless deadly situations and walking away with a bloody lip and a grin. All the training, the plans he’d made for himself, his life. He was going to be somebody; he was going to help people. And just like that, it was over.

Tears streamed over the bridge of his nose and towards his ear as he stared at the fire, furious with himself. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t give up, that he’d keep fighting. He could’ve made it further down the mountain, could’ve pushed himself harder. Dick would’ve found a way. So would Bruce, Jason, even Damian would’ve worked something out.

But not Tim.

Maybe it was better this way. He’d always suspected that he was the weak link on the team, holding the rest of them back. Now they wouldn’t have to worry about him anymore.

Tim felt himself descending into self-pity and welcomed it. He didn’t deserve a happy hallucination. He was weak, cowardly.

He bunched the blanket up under his chin, still shivering, his tears now streaming in earnest.

It probably wouldn’t be long now, he thought. He had no way of knowing how much time had passed, but with the temperatures likely plummeting, he knew it couldn’t be much longer. His core temperature would drop, his breathing would slow, then finally his heart would give out.

He glanced at the cabin door, wondering if someone would soon walk through and escort him away, and his heart leapt when suddenly a light flashed through the window and filled the small room.

Tim sat up to face the door, his mind racing. This was it. For one wild second, he wondered if he could fight whoever was coming, maybe wrestle his way back to consciousness.

He just wasn’t ready to go yet.

A key turned in the door and a figure entered with a gust of icy wind, still silhouetted by the light. When finally the lights turned off, Tim blinked, struggling to focus on the person’s face.

And there, to Tim’s endless surprise, stood Dick, shaking snow out of his hair, his face red with cold. Damian came up behind him, followed by Bruce and Jason, who shut the door. Jason checked his phone then informed the others that apparently Duke, Cass, Steph, and Barbara would be there within the next few hours.

Dick nodded then grinned when he saw that Tim was awake. “The ice boy lives,” he announced jubilantly.

Tim didn’t move, barely breathed. This only served to confirm his fears. He really was hallucinating. Nothing else could explain why they would be here with more on their way. Tears rushed down his face as hiccuping sobs jerked his body.

“What’s wrong?” Bruce asked, rushing to his side. “Are you in pain? Is it your leg?” He threw aside the blanket to reveal the freshly bandaged wound. When it appeared to be all right, Bruce scanned the rest of Tim’s body, apparently searching for the problem.

“I- I’m so… sorry,” Tim sobbed. “I didn’t mean… to leave you guys… I didn’t mean to…”

Bruce’s face was creased with worry as he tried desperately to understand the broken apology. The rest of them gathered around, all varying shades of concerned and confused.

“What do you mean?” Dick asked.

“The mountain… I gave up… I gave up and now…” Tim struggled to speak, to breathe, gasping for air between words.

Jason and Dick exchanged looks, visibly shaken. Jason made a “loopy” sign with his finger.

“And now what,” Bruce asked gently.

“I’m dead.”

Bruce blinked. There was a pause in the room, even the fire seemed to fall quiet. Jason snorted, turning away so that Tim wouldn’t see him laughing. Even Dick’s worry was now tinged with some amused confusion.

“You’re…?” Bruce asked slowly.

“I’m dead…!” Tim insisted. “That’s why you’re all here. You’re not real. None of this is real.”

“He’s totally lost it,” Damian sighed hopping up onto the dinner table. Dick shushed him, but Damian just shrugged, laying back with his arms folded behind his head.

“I mean it…” Tim whispered. “I let you all down. I’m so sorry… I’m so…” Suddenly he found himself being pulled into a hug.

Bruce’s chest rumbled against Tim’s ear as he murmured, “You can never let me down.”

This only made him cry harder. It was all too perfect. There was no way any of this was real.

When they pulled apart, Bruce wiped Tim’s tears and Jason crouched beside him, grinning ruefully. “Listen, kid. Speaking as someone who’s done it before, I can assure you that this,” Jason gestured to the room, “is not what it feels like to die. Trust me.”

“I second that,” Dick added.

“Third,” Damian chimed, still laying across the table.

“Fourth,” Stephanie chirped. Apparently Dick had her on speakerphone. “They got you, Tim,” she said earnestly. “You’re alive. You made it.”

Barbara’s voice perked up from the same line, “They’re right. I haven’t died myself, but I’ve come pretty close. Trust me, it’s no cozy cabin adventure.”

“Your teachers called when they couldn’t find you,” Jason explained. “Dick and I were out here within the hour, found you, and brought you back here to thaw. That’s it.”

Tim nodded. He was starting to feel more confident, but how could he know for sure?

Jason sighed, apparently reading Tim’s mind, and reached over to his bad leg. He squeezed it, one hard pulse right along the bandage.

White hot pain ripped through Tim’s body, exploding behind his eyes. He choked out a weak groan and dropped his back onto the armrest.

“That answer your question?” Jason asked.

Oddly enough, it did, more convincingly than anything else had. Tim nodded, wiping his face, suddenly deeply embarrassed by his outburst. “I… sorry about that,” he muttered.

“Apologize one more time, Drake!” Damian threatened, still unmoving from his comfortable spot on the table.

Tim grinned, a chill running through him, and instantly found Bruce layering another blanket over him.

“Rest,” Bruce said, rising and heading into the kitchen. It was an order which Tim was happy to obey.

As he sunk back down into a comfortable position under the blankets, Dick tossed him something from across the room. Still battling the tail end of a hypothermic episode, Tim’s reflexes left much to be desired. The object slapped him across the face. When he pulled it away to look at it, he recognized Dick’s ruined ski pants, one leg bloodied and torn to shreds.

Dick crouched by Tim’s head, his eyes deadly serious yet twinkling with humor. “By the way,” he said, his voice low. “You owe me a new everything.”

[citizen-l]

03. Dinner

Despite everything being white, the food was delicious. Apparently it was tradition that every weekend, if there were no other engagements, they would all gather in one of their places, usually it was Chen and Minseok's apartment since it was away from campus. 

"Why does it have to be outside campus?" Chanyeol asked while biting into white asparagus. 

"Baek, you wanna explain?" Minseok laughed.

"Loud music," Baekhyun said quickly and took a sip of water. The music in the background was some mild trap beats, pretty chill.

"You mean loud moaning," Jongin mumbled from the side and Baekhyun choked on water, which earned Jongin an upside on the head.

"Let's not make our new guest think we're savages!" exclaimed Poe's wife, Chanyeol couldn't remember her name. 

"Well, now that you've mentioned, it'd be more awkward if we didn't explain it," Chen laughed. 

"We tend to go a little wild, Chanyeol," Poe said. "Especially after a sufficient amount of drinks."

"I need a drink for this," Baekhyun sighed and got up. 

"Have some wine," another ghost smirked. 

"Not that," Baekhyun said, going into the kitchen and grabbing a beer from the fridge. 

"It was probably our second or third gathering, and back then we had some...entertaining ideas," Chen explained. 

"We thought it'd be fun to have a BDSM themed party," Minseok said bluntly. "And someone had the brilliant idea to get me drunk."

"How were we supposed to know you could down a keg without feeling tipsy?" Chen whined. 

"Long story short, everyone ended up drunk except Minseok, and we took our theme a bit too seriously...in Baekhyun's apartment."

"Wait," Chanyeol didn't know if he wanted to laugh or be horrified. "Where was Sehun?"

Baekhyun was still in the kitchen with his back to everyone, his ears redder than his pink hair. 

"The roommate?" Chen asked. "Probably at some party. It was during Halloween, I think."

"Aren't you gonna tell him the worst part?" Baekhyun returned with his beer. "How the neighbors called the cops and we had to explain why we were dressed in harness and handcuffs?"

Chanyeol choked on the potato. 

"It was Halloween," Chen said innocently. 

"Or why someone was bound to the bed," Minseok raised a brow at Chen. 

"Role play."

"Yeah, it didn't end well, and I'm never going through that again," Baekhyun said. "You wanna have your sexcapades, you can have it in your own apartment."

"If I remember correctly," Chen started, but was soon silenced with a kick under the table by Baekhyun.

Well, that was...interesting.

“Don’t worry, we try not to go overboard after that incident,” Chen reassured Chanyeol.

“Sure,” Jongin grumbled, and everyone laughed.

“Oh, that was all your fault,” Poe said. “Jongin’s initiation was legendary.”

“Initiation?” Chanyeol was confused, they sounded like a cult.

“Yeah, Jongin wasn’t part of our original friend circle,” Minseok explained. “Some of them left after the first few parties, but we loved this, so we thought why not invite more people who’d like this.”

“And,” Chen added. “We just wanted to make more friends who are like us.”

“I was nothing like you lot,” Jongin said in the most dramatic way possible, which only proved Chen’s point.

“Well, we thought differently,” Baekhyun said. “And he was already friends with us in class so he was the perfect candidate.”

“It feels like you wanted him to join your cult,” Chanyeol said and Baekhyun’s cheeks lit up with a smile.

“That’s exactly what it was!” Jongin said exasperatedly. “They lured me in, invited me to a party telling me they wanted to get to know me more, and I thought I was this special guy who caught the eyes of his seniors.”

“Jongin, you are a special guy!” Chen lifted his glass.

“Well, turns out,” Jongin ignored the interruption. “They thought it’d be fun to have a horror themed party, for a guy who can’t even tolerate the idea of ghosts.”

“Oh man, I still remember your screams,” Medusa laughed.

“And remember how he thought Taemin was a real ghost because of his long hair and make up,” the brunette, Soyeon, wiped a tear.

“I was kinda proud of that performance,” Lucifer, Taemin, smiled. “I just wish we recorded it all.”

“Thank god, nobody thought of it,” Jongin gulped down his wine.

They went on with their banters and laughter, Chanyeol honestly felt special that they were willing to share this with him. He genuinely enjoyed being there among this eccentric group of people. None of his other friends were like this, this wasn’t the usual crowd he hung out with. His usual friends were music people, and they were usually busy mixing tapes, participating in recitals, or playing a gig at some quaint bar on weekends. He occasionally saw them at parties on campus outside of class, or at times when they had group projects. None as close enough to call them up for a weekend get together.

Or maybe Chanyeol wasn’t the type of person who got close to people.

It wasn’t a lie that he usually avoided people and large gatherings. Sehun usually took matters into his own hands to get Chanyeol out of his room and into the world. But lately, Sehun was too preoccupied with Junmyeon to have time for his best friend. And it wasn’t that Chanyeol minded, per se. It was just that, he now realized he never felt like he actually enjoyed the company of others as much as he was enjoying this dinner party.

“Alright, time for cake,” Baekhyun said.

“I’ll get them,” Chanyeol said before Baekhyun got up. The cakes were heavy after all the decorating was done. And even though Baekhyun made sure to hide his bandage under the frills of his shirt, Chanyeol hadn’t forgotten.

“I’ll help,” Chen said and came with Chanyeol to the kitchen. “You having fun?”

Chanyeol at first didn’t realize Chen was talking to him until he saw Peter Pan waiting for him to answer. “Oh yeah, not what I was expecting when I was invited, but this is really nice.”

“I’m glad,” Chen brought out small plates.

“Hey, can I ask you something?” Chanyeol waited as Chen started to cut the cakes. “Why did you guys invite me?”

“Why do you ask?” Chen laughed.

“Well, because, from what I gathered, you guys don’t invite just anyone on a whim to this party,” Chanyeol said. “This is, I think, very important to all of you. And I’m a stranger, practically.”

“The fact that you understand is reason enough to think inviting you was a great decision,” Chen said. “Yes, this is important. But we’re not a cult, despite how we might act sometimes. And we like making new friends.”

Chanyeol can understand that, but it still felt like a weak explanation.

“There is also the fact that you saved Baek, and he wouldn’t shut up about you,” Chen laughed.

Chanyeol stopped and stared. Okay?

“Half of us actually thought he was making shit up after what happened yesterday,” Chen said. “So when you showed up, we just couldn’t contain our curiosity about you, I guess.”

“What happened yesterday? You mean me showing up at Baekhyun’s place and scaring him half to death which led to everything else?” Chanyeol said while gathering the plates and forks.

“Uh, yeah, crazy chain of events,” Chen laughed after a while. “Let’s go.”

“You didn’t think it was going to be over so soon, did you?” 

Of course he did. Chanyeol didn’t think this dinner party would be anything more than a dinner party. Apparently, he was wrong.

They got on their coats and decided to walk a few blocks down to another place. Chanyeol kind of enjoyed the procession, people staring while trying to be discreet about it but failing. A group of people in white clothes, white coats, walking down the sidewalk without a care, laughing and talking as if nobody else is on the street. Chanyeol was somewhat jealous, that kinda confidence only came with being surrounded by supportive and like-minded people.

“You okay? Enjoying yourself?” Baekhyun lightly jabbed an elbow to his side.

“Yeah, you?” Chanyeol asked. “How’s your hand?”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s fine. I hope my friends didn’t scare you or anything. They can be a bit much sometimes.”

“Nah, they’re pretty amazing people. You have cool friends,” Chanyeol said and watched Baekhyun’s cheeks redden as he smiled. “Thanks for inviting me.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” Baekhyun laughed. “Wait till the night is over, I’d feel lucky if you don’t run away embarrassed.”

“Why would I be embarrassed?” 

The place they arrived at was some kind of a club. Rainbow lights hung under an open space, the bar at one end seemed too well stocked and overcrowded. Chanyeol didn’t know what this was, but he loved it. The music was upbeat, but not too loud or annoying, he appreciated good music. People danced, some sat in garden chairs around small tables. This felt like a backyard turned into a nightclub, but Chanyeol loved the relaxed vibe.

“Hey! How was the party?” The bartender asked before Soyeon practically jumped over the bar to kiss him.

“Ugh get a room,” Jongin scrunched his nose and moved over to the dance floor.

There was definitely something in his voice, Chanyeol would have to be deaf to not notice.

“They used to date,” Baekhyun whispered beside him. “Jongin and Lay, didn’t work out.”

Judging by the blissed out smile Lay the bartender was giving Soyeon, he was pretty okay with things not working out with Jongin. Jongin, evidently, was not. But he didn’t linger, laughing and pulling the Medusa, Jessi, into a spin towards the dance floor. Jessi in turn grabbed Baekhyun and before Chanyeol knew it, he was sitting with Poe and his bride at a table nursing a beer and watching people laugh and dance in all their white glory.

“So, how did you like our party?” Poe’s wife, Lisa, asked in conversation.

“Not what I expected,” Chanyeol said. “But it was very enjoyable, thank you for having me.”

“I was a bit skeptical about you, not gonna lie,” Poe asked, Chanyeol couldn’t remember his name, he wasn’t at the rehearsal earlier that day. “The last time Baekhyun brought someone, it was a bit of a disaster.”

“We don’t talk about it,” Lisa joked. “And after Baekhyun told us what happened with you last night, we were sort of too eager to know who you were. Minseok legit thought Baek made you up.”

“Yeah, he does that a lot,” Poe said. “Bit of a drama queen. So how long have you two been dating?”

Chanyeol spat out his beer, coughing ridiculously. He genuinely did not see that coming.

“Uh, we’re not, we’re not together, or dating, or anything like that,” Chanyeol said once he drank some water from the bottle Lisa gave him.

“But, you were at his place, I thought…”

“No, nothing like that,” Chanyeol said. “His roommate is my friend, Sehun, he’s dating my roommate. And...yeah.”

How to say you got kicked out of your own place because two people wanted to bang without being embarrassed? You couldn’t. Chanyeol hoped he didn’t have to elaborate further.

“Oh! So that’s why Baek said he got scared when you showed up out of the blue,” Lisa laughed. “We just thought you surprised him after your date tomorrow.”

“Nah, I wasn’t his date. I was told he would be out so I would spend the night alone in Sehun’s room. Didn’t think he’d be home.”

Poe and Lisa exchanged some worried glances but they didn’t say anything further. Chanyeol sipped his beer and tried not to be too obvious about watching two Victorian ghosts dancing with Medusa.

“You don’t dance?” Baekhyun asked as he sat down beside Chanyeol.

“Not if I can help it,” Chanyeol said.

“Alright, Darcy,” Baekhyun laughed.

“Who?”

“So what have you been doing sitting here all alone?”

It had been a while since Poe and Lisa went on to dance, asking Chanyeol to join a few times but leaving eventually when he wasn’t budging.

“Just enjoying the scene, vibing. This place is pretty cool, I like the music,” Chanyeol said.

“Yeah, Lay makes music like you, he’s older though, maybe two years your senior. He’d have joined the dinner if he didn’t have to take up an emergency shift tonight.”

“So how many are part of the cult?” Chanyeol asked jokingly, getting a giggle out of Baekhyun. Worth it.

“There’s me, Minseok, and Jongdae, I mean Chen. We’re the originals,” Baekhyun giggled again. “Then Jessi, Lisa, Taemin, Lay. We brought in Jongin, Lisa brought in her boyfriend Justin. And Lay invited Soyeon.”

“And you invited me,” Chanyeol said.

“Yeah. There were a few more, they didn’t quite vibe with us much, left after a while.”

“Justin said you brought someone else long ago,” Chanyeol said before he could stop himself. He really didn’t plan to ask, he didn’t want to overstep, especially after Lisa said they don’t talk about it. But he couldn’t help it. And judging by the stiffness of Baekhyun’s shoulders, he made a mistake. He tried to lessen the damage. “Did they leave as well?”

“Uh, yeah, we didn’t really have...he had a falling out with us. So we sort of stopped interacting.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be, he was a little bitch.”

Baekhyun didn’t say anything afterward, so Chanyeol decided to change the subject.

“So, you guys come here every week?”

“No, not really. Depends. If we decide to drink too much, we usually stay over and don’t go out. If there is something special going on, like the carnival a few weeks back, we usually go for a visit. Tonight was a special occasion, your initiation, and also, Lay missed the dinner, so Minseok wanted to bring him some food and cake.”

“My initiation,” the words finally registered. “Does that mean I’m part of the cult now?”

“It’s not a cult, don’t be dramatic,” Baekhyun laughed. “But yes, you’re part of it, which means you’ll be invited to all future dinners, unless you don’t want to be a participant, which is cool too. No pressure. But if you do decide to join, you might want to be more serious about the themes. Chen said Minseok is planning something big for the winter solstice, maybe a Greek Mythology theme. Dibs on Apollo, if that happens.”

“Okay.”

“You think we’re crazy.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy,” Chanyeol said honestly. Eccentric, yes. Not crazy, though. It was actually kinda interesting, fun too. And every one of these people that Chanyeol got to talk to seemed very intelligent so far. They had arguments about Euripides and Bernard Shaw while eating cake, and Chanyeol enjoyed it even though he couldn’t understand one bit what was going on.

“It’s a getaway,” Baekhyun asked as he watched his friends dance and laugh and make fun of each other. “This started as a sort of intervention, a gathering to talk out problems and be civil about it, have dinner, talk things out, have fun. And now it’s like we’re committed. I missed maybe two dinners since we started this last year, and both times I felt like crap afterwards. It’s become a confort.”

It reminded Chanyeol of family brunches on weekends, except there usually weren’t much comfort these days. But he understood the sentiment. And to be invited to be a part of it was a huge deal. To be invited by Baekhyun at that, who has not invited anyone except him and one other person, that person turning out to be not the friend they hoped for, Chanyeol felt some pressure about making a good impression just so Baekhyun won’t have a hard time with his friends.

“I hope you friends didn’t dislike me,” Chanyeol said.

“Oh, trust me, they liked you,” Baekhyun said. “They threatened to not let me in without you next time. It’s an empty threat, don’t worry. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

Right. Well, now, Chanyeol sort of wanted to attend dinner next week. Maybe he can bring some of his famous savory dishes.

It should alarm Chanyeol that he was thinking about cooking for a dozen people just to attend a dinner so Baekhyun didn’t look bad to his friends. It should alarm him, but he liked spending time with them, with Baekhyun. Enough to dress up again and cook food.

Either something was definitely wrong with him, or that one kiss was getting to his head.

Ask him, a voice in his head screamed at him. Ask him!

But what would Baekhyun answer? 

It was just to thank him for taking care of Baekhyun?

The kiss wasn’t that heated, if Chanyeol was being honest with himself. A chaste goodbye kiss. That tasted like strawberries.

“Chanyeol?” Baekhyun asked, and it looked like he’d been calling his name for a while now. “How much did you drink?” He laughed.

“Not much,” Chanyeol said.

“Your face looks pretty red, you sure you’re not drunk?”

“I’m sure,” Chanyeol wasn’t even tipsy. He’d just been daydreaming about a stupid kiss.

“Well, it’s pretty late. Everyone else is staying over so they’ll probably be here another hour or so. Do you want to stay?”

“Are you leaving?” Chanyeol asked and Baekhyun nodded. “You’re not staying over. Because of me?”

“No, I just like my bed,” Baekhyun said. “I can drop you off if you don’t want to stay here anymore.”

“Okay.”

Maybe Chanyeol was a tiny bit tipsy, that was the only reason he could come up with to explain why he was thinking about Baekhyun’s bed.

“Are you sure you’re sober enough to drive though?” Chanyeol asked when he could think straight again.

“Yeah, don’t worry, I just had one beer tonight, I don’t drink much. Lightweight.”

They said their goodbyes and walked over to the apartment to get the car. They were on the road when Chanyeol got a text from Sehun. 

“Stay over at my place, Baek will let you in.”

For some reason, the text made Chanyeol incredibly angry. The nerve! Sehun barely responded to any of Chanyeol’s texts or calls the whole day, and then, he had the nerve to tell Chanyeol that he couldn’t stay at his own home because… 

“Uh, not to sound rude, but would it be okay if I stayed over at your place tonight?”

“Your roommate and Sehun at it again?” Baekhyun laughed.

Chanyeol just sighed. He was getting too tired of Junmyeon and Sehun acting like teenagers. If they wanted to spend every night together, they might as well move in together and leave Chanyeol his meager place.

“Don’t worry, you can stay over.”

Chanyeol sighed again, for a different reason.

[liberolove]

Testing the Waters (pt. 1)

Summary: youve finally graduated high school and now youre moving on to college. youve decided to go to sendai university. its summer and youve become curious about checking out the dating pool in miyagi, so you download a dating app. you figure you might as well have fun before delving too deep into your studies

Part: [part one] out of ???

Pairings: nishinoya x reader / kuroo x reader / oikawa x reader / kiyoko x reader

A/N: theres tons of ships here, just me living out my hoe phase lmao please dont judge me. let me know what yall think

Genre: fluff, smut, crack

Warnings: flirting, college shinanigans

even though you decided to stay in your hometown to further your studies, you moved out as soon as you could. your parents were smothering you and you were honestly tired of it. so, you got your own apartment and started to live on your own. everything was fine and easy so far but then you realized how lonely you felt. your friends had moved away to go to other universities, and you were never really good at relationships. the anxiety of not knowing what to do with yourself until classes started was consuming you. to deal with this, you figured you might as well download a dating app. 

“Gotta check out all the hot singles in my area, I guess,” you thought.

it had been a while since your last relationship but you were sure you were ready again. or maybe you could try to find something different. maybe some hookups could be enough to help you during this weird adjustment period. 

you downloaded the app and added whatever details were needed. 

Name: l/n, y/n

Looking for: chat, relationship, hookup, anything

Bio: 

it took you about ten minutes to finally decide on what you wanted to add to your bio. finally, you typed out:

Bio: just another single college student looking for genuine human connections. Interests include watching anime, reading nerdy shit, and getting to know you 

you were never too good at coming up with bios but this should be good enough for now. time to see what kind of fish you could catch..

not even a minute after uploading a picture of yourself, a new message showed up.

Nishinoya Yuu: hey, beautiful! (;

Y/n: oh hi! how are you?

N: doing better now that I’m talking to youuuu. how about your lovely self?

Y: wow someone is really straightforward. I’m doing pretty well rn thanks. what are you up to?

N: just been bored as fuck on here and then BOOM you showed up (:

Y: lol youre silly. so hows the whole dating scene look like on here? any good ones?

N: nah it sucks honestly. But now you’re here so its a million times better!

Y: oh shush lol. does this site really work? like have you actually met someone from here?

N: uhh i actually havent met anyone yet, but ive had some nice conversations so far! ive still got high hopes

Y: have you been on here for a long time?

N: i just downloaded it like two weeks ago? idk but yeah. im hoping that maybe youll be my first??

Y: your first what? haha be more specific

N: OH sorry!! i didnt mean it like that omg. i meant like my first person to meet off of this app lol

Y: i mean if youre not busy right now, we could meet up for a coffee date or something? (cliche right?)

N: ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? like... right now rIGHT NOW?

Y: yeah (: sorry for doing this so fast. you’re just really cute and im bored haha

N: nooooo its fine i swear im just a little shocked. and WOW you think IM CUTE? you should look in the mirror because your gorgeousss *heart eyes emoji*

Y: so its settled? lets meet today at around 1 pm at XXX cafe? 

N: yeah! thats not too far from here! i CANT WAIT

Y: same here (:

as soon as you sent that last message you hopped in the shower and started getting ready. you debated whether to put on makeup or not and then eventually decided to do it. you wore that one red dress that greatly accentuated your butt and your curves. you checked the clock and it was 30 MINUTES UNTIL 1 so you finished up by brushing your hair and adding on a spritz of peach scented perfume. “Hopefully this impresses him.”

the cafe you guys agreed to meet at was only a short walk away from your apartment. you were almost at the cafe when you noticed the time again and it was already 10 MINUTES PAST 1! you were so scared that he thought you stood him up but as you got closer, you noticed a cute boy sitting by himself outside. you stared at his backside for a little, unsure if this was your mystery boy. so you messaged him on the app

Y: heeeey are you the one sitting alone outside with a tan shirt and some ripped black jeans?

your phone lit up with the answer to your question: “yes”

as you looked up again, you noticed the stranger you were staring at had stood up and was looking right into your eyes. once you locked eyes, he grinned the biggest smile you’d ever seen and he chuckled. 

“Hi there!! L/n, right? Nice to meet ya, I’m Nishinoya Yuu. Wow, you’re even more beautiful in person!! Do you want anything from the cafe? I’m buying”

You were kind of shocked by his beautiful smile and his spiky hair. It took you a while to respond as you tried to take in the wonderful sight in front of you. He was simply breath taking. You could tell he was the athletic type by the way his shirt hung onto his broad, toned shoulders. 

“Ummm... L/n? Are you okay? Do you want any coffee or sweets from the cafe?”

“OH, oh my god, I’m so sorry! I got distracted..” you said as you looked away from him, getting redder by the second. you hadn’t even noticed his compliment or the way he kept eyeing you up and down and licking his lips. “Yeah, I’d love to get a coffee, if you don’t mind. Please..”

His eyes snapped back up to yours. “Awesome, I’ll go order inside. You can just sit your pretty little self here while I do that. Don’t run away! I’ll be right back!”

now that you had some time to reflect on what the heck just happened.. you breathed a sigh of relief. You couldn’t believe that he was real and so goddamn gorgeous. His little tuft of blonde hair at the front of his head was so cute and his smile.. goddamn. the way he looked at you.. and his friendly demeanor. it was all so much to take in. you didn’t really know how to react. as soon as you had relaxed, you tensed back up as he came back and sat down with you.

“Here’s your coffee hot and ready just for you, hun”

“Thank you so much Nishinoya” you blushed a bit as your mouth pronounced his name

“Hey, just call me Noya! Or Yuu...”

“On a first name basis already?”

“Only if you want to..”

you giggled as you noticed that he was getting bright pink too. “Okay, Yuu.”

as soon as you said his first name, his eyes lit up and that bright pink hue on his face soon turned into a passionate red

“Soooo..” you said as you tried to break up the silence.. “what do you do? do you go to school?”

“Yeah! I’m going to start going to Sendai University in the fall! I’m going to be playing on the volleyball team! How about you?”

“No way.. I’m gonna go there too! I guess I’ll be seeing you around probably. And wow! Volleyball huh? That’s hot.”

when you said that last part, Noya almost spat out his coffee. you laughed at the look on his face. he was blushing so much he couldn’t keep still. you were almost afraid he would just run away from you and never come back.

He just tried to regain his composure and laughed. “You really got me there oh my god i almost choked. But yeah I can’t wait to play again.”

The rest of the afternoon you guys talked about everything from anime to your favorite season, to your least favorite horror movie. The more you two bonded over common interests, the more he let his wild side out. He became more rambunctious and fiery and this did things to you, to say the least. you checked your phone to check the time and it was already 6:45 pm. You had no clue as to when the sun had started setting, but it didn’t matter because you hadn’t felt this warm fuzzy feeling in your heart in a while. it felt so nice. you didn’t want it to end. but then noya interrupted your thought by saying, 

“Hey, (y/n)..” you two were on a first name basis already and it was just the first date. “it’s getting pretty late and I have to go home and help out my family with some stuff. I hope you don’t mind. Sorry! But we can definitely go out again if you want. i know i sure do..”

“Yes, of course! I totally get it. But first can I get your number?” you look away as you say this because this was the first time you’ve ever asked a guy for their number. 

you two exchange phone numbers and hug goodbye. you let the hug linger for a little longer than you should and plant a quick soft peck on his cheek and say,

“I can’t wait to see you again, Yuu.”

He just smiles and replies, “Me too, Y/n. I’ll see you again soon, babe.”

You freeze up and don’t know what to say as he walks away. you think to yourself, “did he really just call me babe?”

[zmediaoutlet]

in support of Black Lives Matter, @petitgateau911 donated $25, and requested weecest first time. Thank you for donating!

to get your own personalized fic, please see this post. (no longer taking prompts)

They’re just outside Wheeling, and Dad’s been gone for twenty-four days, and it’s friggin’ cold outside but it’s going to be 1999 in an hour, and Sammy’s--

“Dude, are you drunk?” Dean says.

“No,” Sam says, with affronted dignity. He puts his beer down in the snow and stands on one leg, easy balance. “See. You’re drunk.”

“Sure thing, squirt,” Dean says, laughing, and Sam grins at him in a total unexpected bloom out of nowhere, and it warms his gut just as much as the bonfire’s doing. It’s not much of a New Year’s Eve, but he’s got himself with no broken bones, and he’s got Sammy smiling, and Dad’s in the wind but they’ve got a twelve-pack and bottle of five-buck champagne waiting and a fire, out back of the trailer, and things aren’t all right with the world but, shit, Dean’s known them of a hell of a lot more wrong, so. He lifts his beer in a little toast, to Sam’s balance and to the world in general, and kicks his boots out into the snow. “You let me know if we’re up too far past your bedtime.”

Sam sticks his tongue out, kinda proving Dean’s point, but hell. He’s cheerful, which can get in short supply most days. No school to miss, with everything closed for the winter break, and Dad’s top-secret-no-sons-allowed hunt’s been keeping the boat unrocked, since Dad pretty much just calls Dean every few days to check in as proof of life, and so it’s just been them, and the woods out here, and the trailer. No job in this town, but Dad left enough cash that they’re floated for a while, and Christmas was pretty lame but Dean made a mega-batch of brownies from a box mix that turned out pretty good and Sam nearly ate his weight in ‘em, and there was enough cash left in Dean’s budget to do New Year’s right. Sammy’s even unbent enough to have some drinks, which frankly Dean’s surprised didn’t take more wheedling, but Sam shrugged and said, “It’s traditional, right?” and Dean could’ve just hugged him, but he settled for a noogie instead.

Sam’s still insisting on his sobriety. Dean can’t stop laughing, from his tree-stump that’s serving as a seat. “Shut up, watch,” Sam says, and does the whole rigamarole of the DUI stop to prove it. Walks a straight line, and stands on one foot, and recites the alphabet backwards while touching his nose. “See?”

“Sammy, how the hell do you know all that stuff?” Dean says. “You drunk-driving when I’m not around?”

He keeps holding his balance, looking up at the dark sky with his finger still on his nose. “DARE class, when we were in New Mexico,” Sam says, and finally drops the stance, shrugging. “Figured it couldn’t hurt to be good at it, just in case.”

Just in case. Dean’s little brother, ladies and gents. “You’re such a freak,” Dean says, glad, and Sam rolls his eyes but stumps over through the snow in his too-big boots, shaking his empty can. “Oh, and now you want a refill?”

“How long until we can open the champagne?” Sam says, practical, and Dean checks his watch. 47 minutes. “So, beer,” Sam says, and Dean shrugs, and gives him one.

“All right, short stuff,” Dean says, getting to his feet. He really is getting kinda tipsy--five beers to Sam’s two, that’s maybe understandable. “One thing about being a Winchester--you gotta hold your liquor.” Sam snorts, which Dean ignores. “Second thing, though, is that no matter what, you gotta be able to handle yourself. No matter what.”

“You said no matter what twice,” Sam says, helpfully, and Dean tugs his hat down over his face.

“So,” Dean says, and hops inside for their pistols, and a box of rounds. When he comes back out into the cold Sam’s resettled his hat and his face is pink and his eyes bright, and Dean does hug him then, a one-armed sling around his neck that makes Sam squawk but drags him all warm and bony up into Dean’s side, and then Dean drags them to the other side of the bonfire, where the light starts to fade as the trees encroach on the yard. The fence is kinda falling apart, but it’s steady enough to hold their empties.

Dean sets it up while Sam’s making skeptical-face. “You’re making me do training now?” Sam says, and Dean jumps back over through the deeper snow, crunching into the holes he already made. “Dude, this is lame.”

“Dude, it’s gonna be great,” Dean says, “because check it out: every can you take out, you get to take a drink!”

Sam sighs, like he’s aggravated, but he’s just being fifteen, because he’s grinning right after. Dean stands a pace behind him while he loads, professional, checking his weapon right just like Dean taught him--and he lines up, skinny shoulders square, and sights along his strong arm just like he’s supposed to. Shot--whipcrack sound that ricochets through the clearing--and-- “Yes!” Dean says, punching Sam’s shoulder, and he grabs their beers and toasts Sam, clunking the cans together, and even Sam going wait, you don’t get to drink yet! doesn’t dim Dean’s cheer.

“Okay,” Dean says, waggling his eyebrows, “my turn,” and Sam squints at him thoughtfully and then stoops and flings at handful of snow at Dean just as he’s lining up to fire, and he sputters and the shot goes wild into a tree, and he yells “Dude!”, scraping snow off his face, but Sam’s dancing backwards, laughing, saying, “Hey, you never said that was against the rules!” and oh, it is on.

Snowball fights aren’t supposed to involve gunfire, Dean’s pretty sure, but sometimes the Winchesters play on different rules than other people. All bets are off after Dean dumps a handful of snow down Sammy’s jeans when he’s aiming for his next can, and Sam’s girly-ass scream could probably be heard down at city hall. Dean makes his next shot even with Sam jumping around behind him making crazy monkey noises, and he drains his beer that time, and watches Sammy do the same. There’s a brief stand-off when Dean’s got two snowballs packed and ready, tossing them back and forth between his gloved hands, and Sam keeps watching him instead of raising his pistol to fire--solved when Sam raises--Dean throws--Sam immediately ducks and rolls forward in the snow, and fires closer--and totally misses, but Dean’s so impressed at the shitty attempt at ninjahood that he says Sam earned a drink anyway, and before long they’re laying on the ground, laughing and breathless, the cans all shot and the beer mostly gone, things pretty much perfect.

“How long,” Sam says, and Dean checks his watch.

“Eight minutes,” he says. Sam hums, sits up. He’s still got on his hat, somehow, but his nose is bright pink with cold. “Damn, kiddo. You’re gonna turn into a popsicle.”

Eyeroll, very obvious over Sam’s shoulder. “You’re the one who’s not wearing a hat,” he says, and Dean shrugs. Some things are just too dorky. When Sam’s a little older he’ll know it. “Anyway, whose fault is it that I’ve got snow in my boxers.”

“Um, yours,” Dean says, and Sam raises his eyebrows outraged and Dean says, “Hey, you started it, squirt,” and Sam says, “Only because you cheated first!” and Dean scoops a little clump of snow up and tosses it at Sam’s head, and Sam squawks and launched a full out tackle at Dean, and it’s on, yet again.

Sam’s wriggly and he’s got the bony elbows, but Dean still has five inches on him and the reach to match, and also he’s been fighting dirty way longer. He gets Sam pinned in pretty short order, an armbar over his chest and Dean grinning down into his face, and Sam puffs in irritation but then melts back into the ground--Sam’s special way of losing where somehow he tries to make it seem like it was always his idea, and he doesn’t care, anyway. “Uncle?” Dean says, and Sam says, “Whatever,” and Dean roll his eyes but sits up, straddling Sam just in case he tries anything else, and checks his watch again.

“Hey, one minute!” he says. “Got any resolutions planned?”

“Yeah,” Sam says, quiet. Different, to his usual moody Sam-ness, and Dean frowns, looks at him. His face is still all pink, nose and cheeks and what Dean can see of his ears where his hat’s not tugged down, and he doesn’t look--sad, or anything. Sam licks his lips, looks back at him like he wants to say something, but doesn’t know how to get it out.

“What?” Dean says, and Sam’s mouth twitches, and then he grabs Dean by the lapels of his leather jacket and pulls him down, and kisses him.

Dean catches himself with one hand in the snow to stop from toppling forward. He hovers there, shocked, and Sam--Sam holds on tight, presses their lips clumsily together. Like he has no idea what he’s doing, but he’s determined to do it anyway. “Sam,” Dean mumbles, brain still not quite together, and Sam huffs against his mouth and kisses him again, this weird smoochy noise that makes it really click in Dean’s head--Sam, kissing him. Sammy, kissing him. He blinks, pushes up, and Sam lets him go, back in the snow, face bright red and his mouth set like he knows he’s lost a bet but is determined not to care.

“Sammy,” Dean says. Everything’s static, two-am test pattern in his head.

Sam looks at him, then at the fire. “Midnight,” he says, and Dean glances at his watch to see that--yeah, jesus, it’s midnight, happy 1999, and Sammy fucking kissed him in the snow and that’s not--

“I just wanted to,” Sam says, quiet. Dean sits there, uncertain. “Just one thing, for me. Doesn’t have to be a big deal, Dean.”

“It doesn’t?” Dean says, and Sam gets redder somehow, his face all washed-out warm in the firelight, and Dean thinks--just one thing. For him. For all those days and days of curling up on the fold-out together and elbowing each other through Escape from LA and Sam falling asleep in the curve of Dean’s arm, that time, and Dean touching his cheek and thinking--wondering--

“Can we open the champagne?” Sam says, fake cheerful, pressing his hands down against the ground to squirm backwards, to get away, and Dean leans down and kisses him right--full contact, spreading himself over Sam’s body, a hand on Sam’s cheek and pressing Sam’s mouth open, wet touch of beery heat and Sam full-on gasps against Dean like a girl having her first time, and Dean pulls back for a second, turned upside down, inside out. Sam shudders, grabs at him, says his name.

“Sammy,” Dean says back, and then, weird and raw, “you never did this before?”

Sam stares at him, four inches away. Shakes his head, and the ends of his hair are wet with snow, clinging to his cheeks, and Dean licks his lips and tastes--beer--and tugs Sam up, and over, and when he sits down on the stump Sam collapses into his lap in total and ongoing surprise, like having started this he had absolutely no idea it could go further. “What?” he says, dumb, which is a nice change for once, for Dean to be the one who knows what’s going on, and Dean says, “Shut up, Sammy,” and tucks his hands on either side of Sam’s jaw and kisses him again, and again, soft and slow like he learned to do with the nervous chicks, and Sam just melts into his lap, grabbing at him awkward but eager. Wanting, and that’s just--Dean can’t think about that.

He gets an arm around Sam’s waist, keeps him close, and Sam squirms, his weight shifting in Dean’s lap. “Yeah?” Dean says, and his dick--jesus, his dick’s on board, has been, rocking a half-chub since Sam started wrestling with him but he’s been able to put that away--has always been able to put that away--only this time he doesn’t have to and it’s got his head spinning, his body moving on weird autopilot, since Sam wants it, Sam’s been wanting it. He grabs Sam’s ass and Sam jerks, gasping into his mouth, and Dean squeezes, instinct telling him that that’s a good thing, a good turned-on sound, and Sam shivers and his hips push back, and then cringe forward against Dean’s stomach, and then he jerks and says, “Oh,” soft, and Dean doesn’t get what that means until Sam’s hiding his face in Dean’s shoulder, shaking, and Dean realizes that Sam came in his pants, just from Dean touching him and having him in his lap, and his whole body feels like it about catches fire, right then.

Sam’s still quivering, though, and Dean’s not a dickhead. “Sammy,” he says, and tugs off a glove with his teeth to touch Sam’s bare skin--his neck, exposed to the cold, and the silky hair at the base of his skull.

“I didn’t--” Sam mumbles, clutching at Dean’s coat, and Dean doesn’t know what that means but he’s got a lot of experience reassuring his little brother, and even if this situation is--insane--world-ending maybe--well, he knows what to do here.

“Probably got jizz on my jeans, freak,” he says, super soft, and Sam pulls back and looks at him horrified, and then sees his expression and punches him in the shoulder, hard. “Ow,” Dean says, obligingly, and then touches Sam’s jaw, easy. “Hey. It’s cool.”

“Is it cool?” Sam says, echoing, and Dean bites the corner of his mouth, knowing he doesn’t really have an answer. Sam snorts, bitter. Dean doesn’t know if he was ever so bitter. “Yeah, see? I--I shouldn’t have--”

“Shut up, Sammy,” Dean says, again, and Sam looks at him, miserable. Dean shrugs. “New year. We still got that bottle of champagne. We could go inside. Whatever--whatever you want to do, man. Night’s still young.”

Sam stares at him. “Really?” he says, and Dean says, maybe more honest than he can ever remember being with anyone, “It’s all good with me,” because--it is. For once. Maybe for the first time in Dean’s whole life--everything is completely, totally, bizarrely, freakily--good. He blames it on the beer, and on how Sam starts, even if uncertainly, to smile.

[lesbian-percy-weasley]

Chapter 1: Chance Encounters

Ship: Perciver

Content warnings: none

Description: Young Percival takes pride in the fact his mother lets him forage alone but as his adventure into the woods goes on, one certain boy makes his day worse

~🌿~🌿~🌿~🌿~🌿~🌿~🌿~🌿~🌿~🌿~🌿~

Percival Weasley was a perfectly happy child by all accounts of the word. A faun of nearly 11 living on his family's small farm without a care in the world. He knew not of love beyond his mother and father and he knew not of prejudice. He was an innocent young lad and playful too. Not to the point to cause trouble his wee brothers Fredrick and George caused that enough.

At such a young age his mother already trusted him to forage alone. He held this task with pride. His older brothers William and Charles hadn’t been allowed to forage in the forest alone until they were much older than he was. There was great fun to be had foraging. Searching every nook and cranny in the forest brought young Percival great joy. When his mother had asked him to go today he got ready at once.

He put on his new linen shirt. It was still quite big but he was growing so he knew it would fit someday. His brothers always wore a belt with their shirts to make it more flattering but he didn’t see the need. It looked perfectly fine as is. He had put on his leather satchel. It was useful for carrying things like apples he picked or the lunch his mother made for him. The rest could easily go into a basket. Unlike other fae, fauns had no need for pants or shoes so they didn’t bother spending money on them. Percival then put his mustard yellow cloak on and he was ready to go on his merry way.

He walked down the stairs into the kitchen where his mother had prepared a lunch to take with him. Along with a basket and the list of things they needed. He had shoved the lunch into his bag along with the list. His mother had kissed him on the cheek and he headed out.

He stepped out of their cottage and onto the stepping stone path that led to the road. He had bid adieu to his father and older brothers who were working on their farmland. With that, he headed to the forest.

Percival had always found the forest quite peaceful. His wee brother Ronald was always scared of it since he was a baby but Percival found tranquillity in the forest. Her many trees surrounding him made him feel connected to something bigger than himself. The birds flying around, the sun shining through the leaves of various varieties of trees, The ferns and wildflowers forming a path for him. If he had it his way he would live in the forest. But there was no time for dilly-dallying he had things to get.

He opened his satchel and took out the list to see where he needed to go. On the piece of paper, his mom had written:

Ten green apples

A bundle of wild thyme

A basket full of hazelnuts

Some cornflowers for your sister she wishes to learn how to press them

Percival put it back into his satchel and then went on the hunt.

He had gathered the green apples and wild thyme for his mother before and knew easily where to find cornflowers but he was at a loss when it came to hazelnuts. He thought he might as well get the things he knew before worrying about it. He headed off to the green apple tree just right off the trail.

Climbing wasn’t a fauns forte. Their deer-like legs were made for running and jumping but not climbing. Still, Percival knew that to get the best apples you had to reach the top of the tree so forte or not he wasn’t gonna settle. His brother Charles had taught him how to use a rope to climb it so that’s what he used. He had become quite skilled in the mode of collecting. Soon enough he had all ten apples his mother had asked him to get.

Next was the thyme. He knew there was a patch not far from here. He had found his way back to the trail. When he was walking he noticed the wind picking up speed.

‘Great,’ he thought. ‘Wind spirits were just what I needed.’ out of all the things he loved about the woods he hated wind spirits. They were all a bunch of gits who would stop at nothing for a chance to mess with a lowly faun like him. He remembered the first time he went foraging. They had built up enough force to throw him into a giant oak tree. He eventually got down at the price of a broken arm but ever since then he wanted nothing to do with the lot of them

He let out a frustrated huff and put his hood up. That way they couldn’t mess with his hair more than it already was. Anyway, he had to find the thyme. In a few minutes, he had found a wild patch. He had knelt down to pick it. He didn’t very much enjoy the laborious work it was but it was better than harvesting the barely or milking the cows so he didn’t complain. Once he picked it he tied it with the string he had in his satchel. Then as he was getting up he was knocked backward by a strong gust of wind, followed by whispers of laughter.

As joyful was young Percival perceived himself to be, he could get quite flustered and fussy at times. And he was definitely susceptible to these emotions when it came to those dastardly wind spirits. It was like they took pleasure in ruining other’s days. But again, there was no time to cry about it. He still needed the hazelnuts and the cornflowers.

Percival had found a nice clearing and decided it would be a good place for lunch. He had taken off his cloak and his satchel. He grabbed his lunch his mum had packed for him. It was a piece of bread, a slice of cheese, some blueberries, and a bottle of ale. Almost everything was made on their own farm. He didn’t mind of course they didn’t have the type of money for other cheeses or ales and why would they waste it? Percival gladly ate his lunch.

He was just about done when once again a sudden gust of wind swept by him. It took the remaining blueberries and scattered them but it also blew his satchel, his basket, and his cloak into the creek behind him. Luckily the satchel wasn’t opened so none of the contents he spent the morning getting were lost but still now his cloak was wet. What good shall a wet cloak do for him?

He rushed to the creek at once to retrieve his things. As he was turning to get to it he saw a young boy already picking up his things from out of the water. He couldn’t have been much older than Percival himself was. He was wearing a shirt similar to the one Percival was wearing but his were tucked into a pair of light green breeches. He had worn a lavender purple mantle and a pair of shoes that were fashioned to look like leaves.

If there was anything Percival hated it was people helping him when he didn’t ask. It made him feel weak and helpless, two things he was not. He huffed over to the creek to get the rest of his stuff out. He didn’t want this strange boy meddling with his things. He had already grabbed the cloak but wasn’t quick enough to get the satchel and basket before Percival snatched it quite aggressively.

The boy was taken aback. He was only trying to help the young faun but he was clearly having none of it. He had a quite confused look on his face. No one had ever acted like this to him when he tried to help them before. Maybe it had something to do with the area. His friends had told him that people near the faun village always got quite mad at their tricks and were fun to mess with but he didn’t like making people angry and it was clear the boy in front of him was.

Percival wanted so badly to just go about his day and finish his foraging but the boy was still holding onto his cloak. He considered just leaving without it but he knew his parents would be mad at him. Wool wasn’t cheap after all. But the boy was just holding it, doing nothing else, saying nothing else. Just holding it as if he was teasing Percival, which only made him madder. He tried to take it out of his arms but the boy quickly pulled it away.

Percival glared at him in a way he never had glared at anybody. The boy was clearly messing with him once again. The boy had clothes and by the look of it he wasn’t poor either so what was the point if he didn’t need it? He had been pushed around by wind spirits but never had they tried to take something from him.

“Give me my cloak back.” Percival crossed his arms. He was trying to sound intimidating but his 11-year-old voice wasn’t on his side. “But why? It is still wet.” The boy replied back. “I don’t care. it’s mine, give it back.” “But you must let me dry it first. What use does a wet cloak have?” Percival was turning a visible shade redder.

“I did not ask you to dry it. I do not have the time to wait for it to dry.” He said, trying to grab his cloak again. “What is your issue? I only wanted to help.” “I DID NOT ASK FOR HELP,” Percival screamed. He had never screamed at anybody before but this boy filled with a rage unmatched by anything he had ever experienced. All he wished was to go about his day again

The other boy looked like he was about to cry. Never had anybody been this mad at him.

“Please if you just let me dry it I’ll leave you alone.” The boy pleaded. “Fine.” Percival huffed. At once the boy manipulated the wind to quickly dry the mustard yellow cloak. After the water fully left it, the boy presented it to Percival, who snatched it away and put it back on.

He started to walk away without another word but the boy continued to follow him. Frustrated and flustered, he turned around to once again confront him.

“I thought you said you were going to leave me alone,” Percival said quite bitterly. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing alone in the woods?” “It’s none of your business and besides it appears that you are alone in the woods too.” Percival started walking away again.

“Are you always this rude to people?” Percival scoffed and asked, “What is that supposed to mean?” “You have been nothing but dismissive when all I have tried to do was be helpful.” Both of the boys stopped.

“I did not ask for help. I do not need help. Especially not from a wind spirit.” “I don’t know where you come from but I’ve been taught it’s polite to offer help to people who don’t ask for it.” The boy crossed his arms at him. “Well, I don’t appreciate it. I am perfectly capable of handling things myself which is why my mum lets me forage alone.” The other boys' eyes lit up when Percival mentioned foraging.

“Oooh I have never been foraging before but I have always wished to learn how to. Do show me how.” He pleaded with Percival. “Why would I do that? So you will know all the places and take everything from them?” His family has taken years to find the best foraging spots and he wasn’t about to give them away to this random boy.

“But please I wouldn't, I just want to learn how.” “I have said no plenty of times. Does that not mean anything where you’re from.” Percival said as he continued to walk away out of the clearing, leaving the boy quite dumbfounded.

The experience left Percival with quite a lot of dread. Whoever this boy was, he wasn’t someone Percival would enjoy spending time with. He had taken up so much time with his pushy nature and friendly disposition that it was rearing close to the afternoon and Percival still hasn’t foraged the hazelnuts or the cornflowers. He remembered where his brothers had shown him the hazel tree. It was in the clearing.

He had no doubt in his mind that the boy would still be there. But he had to get the hazelnuts. He had to swallow his pride and risk the chance to once again meet the boy. Once he entered the clearing once again, he saw the boy sitting on a stump looking quite sad. But Percival had no time for it. He would take ages to harvest enough nuts to fill his basket; it was no time for distraction.

Of course, the boy noticed his return but he didn’t want to anger him more than he already had. So he just watched him. Watch him climb up the hazel tree with his rope and carefully pick the hazelnuts one by one being careful not to slip. He thought to himself how much easier it would’ve been if he had helped but he had learned how the young faun thought about help. So it was better to leave it alone.

It had taken Percival quite some time to pick the hazelnuts. When he got done he noticed the sun was setting. It wasn’t a good thing at all. His parents had warned him to stay out of the woods at night. He never knew why but it was better not to test it.

As he descended he noticed the boy was still there. There must be some reason he was still there. It seemed ridiculous for it to be because of him. So he decided to show civility and ask him if anything was wrong.

“You don’t want to be in the woods at night. Are you waiting for something?” The boy looked up at him. “My friends have seemed to forget about me and I haven’t the slightest clue how to get out.” Percival had felt a little bad about the way he behaved before. He knew his reaction was uncalled for so he thought he should make it up to the boy.

“Well, you could walk home with me. I know the way out of the woods and after that, you can just follow the road into town.” Percival said and offered his hand to help him up. “Very well then. You shall show me the way out of the woods.” The boy said with a smile. And so the two went on. Out of the clearing and onto the path.

Most of the walk was spent in silence. Percival picked cornflowers along the way. The boy was quite confused about this. “Why are you picking those? Don’t you know that they are weeds?” Percival looked up at him with equal confusion. “They’re just cornflowers. My family loves them.” The boy laughed at this. “Why don’t you get proper flowers like lavender or roses?” “We do not have money for such frivolous things. And besides just because a flower grows wild doesn’t make it less of a flower.” Percival said quite defensively. The boy shut up after that. He couldn’t understand why this faun was so sensitive to everything.

Soon enough they found themselves out of the woods and back onto the village road. Percival turned to the boy. “If you follow this road you should find yourself in the village. I need to go home now but it was nice meeting you.” He explained quite cordially. The boy thanked him and went on his way.

‘What a strange boy,’ He had thought to himself. As they walked separate ways the boy had heard someone calling a name.

“Percy! Percy!” he heard a voice call as an older faun appeared on the road and ran up to the younger one. “What took you so long? Mum’s been worried sick.” “I got caught up with wind spirits but I handled it well and good, Charlie.” They continued to talk but by that time the boy was too far away to hear anything. As he walked towards the village he said to himself, “hmm, so his name is Percy.”

[sawasmura]

I’m So Into You

So Into You ➸ Kageyama x Fem!Reader

Tags: Cute and fluffy

Summary: Feelings of enamourment, butterflies in his stomach and the inability to speak without feeling a bit on edge. The lovey dovey feels for two teens in a puppy love.

Author’s Notes: I wrote this little drabble a year ago (based on I’m So Into You by none other than Ariana Grande!) and thought I’d revise it a bit and post it! <3 I thought this plot really melds well with Kageyama’s personality and voila! There’s the story!

WC: 1359

Her heart was ready to burst. She was just so stunned by the charming young boy ahead of her.

Y/o felt her cheeks warm up and she looked down to avoid anyone from seeing her cheeks. She wasn’t sure what this feeling was but it was obvious when she was in his vicinity. Her friends sensed it, a few classmates sensed it. It was pining without a doubt.

Kageyama Tobio. 

He was the school’s pretty boy. He was boyish, handsome and charming. 

Y/o was once having a normal day until she accidentally bumped into him, dropping all of her books to the floor. She hadn’t noticed who she bumped into and was profusely apologizing; trying to pick up her books, she looked up to see who the mysterious person was she bumped into and when she laid her eyes on him she was frozen. His attractiveness radiated, his smile when he handed her the books was so warm and welcoming. Everything about it seemed so perfect and ethereal.

Y/o felt as if she couldn’t move at all. It was as if cupid shot her with his love arrow. Y/o blinked a few times to snap out of her love trance and stuttered, “I-I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going”. 

Kageyama nervously said, “It’s ok, don’t worry about it”.

It’s been a few weeks since that first encounter and Kageyama wouldn’t leave Y/o’s mind and it was driving her wild. It was as if she fell in love, she wanted to be with him and see him smile and just be the happiest he could ever be. Since she met him, Y/o would try to think of ways she could talk to him. She would steal a few glances when they both shared the same classes, though it didn’t help her get any closer to him.

What Y/o didn’t know was that Kageyama was harboring some feelings for her too. Kageyama had seen Y/o before their first encounter, he was just too shy to ask her out. She was perfect in his eyes. The entire team would always push and tease him to ask her out but he would always claim that she didn’t like him back. 

It was a warm and breezy day, Kageyama was twiddling with his thumbs because of how nervous he was. After months of thinking of her, being teased by his friends, etc. he’s finally going to confess Y/o. He’s been thinking about this for months. The bell rung and Kageyama snapped out of his daze.

He got up quickly and rushed over to Y/o’s locker. Once he made it there, he carefully took out the letter he wrote for Y/o and looked around carefully to make sure she wasn’t near and he slipped in the letter through the holes of the locker. Kageyama quickly ran off to his own locker carefully stealing glances on Y/o’s locker to see if she arrived yet.

Finally, she opened her locker and the letter fell to the ground. Kageyama burying his head into his book as he was laying against the locker. Y/o picked up the letter and opened it. She held the letter in her fragile hands and read it. A small smile formed on her face and she hid the letter in her zipper. Kageyama blushed and rushed off to his friends when Y/o received the letter. Y/o returned to her friends after visiting her locker and she told them about the letter. They all giggled about it theorizing who it may be while Y/o secretly hoped it was Kageyama.

The day passed by and Y/o headed to the benchers after school, waiting for the mysterious letter writer. After a few minutes of waiting, Y/o heard someone clear his throat behind her and she turned back. Her cheeks immediately became red and she cleared her throat, “Kageyama, were you the one who wrote the letter?” Kageyama covers his face to hide his blushy cheeks and he muttered a small “yes”.

Y/o’s smile grew even bigger, “You do?” She asks in an excited tone. “Cuz I like you too. For quite some time now,” Y/o held her hands together and was trying to keep her happiness concealed and keep it cool.

Kageyama widened his eyes and chuckled, “Well, I was wondering if you’d like to go out tomorrow night to the festival?” Kageyama flashed a charming smile which caused Y/o to blush immensely and stuttered, “Y-Yeah, totally.”

After that encounter, Y/o and Kageyama were ecstatic. Their hearts were beating out of their chest, they couldn’t put in words or express how excited they were to finally have this date.

The moment finally arrived, Y/o was 10 minutes away from being picked up to go to the festival. Y/o was waiting outside and heard a call pull up. She smiled as Kageyama got out of his car with the biggest smile ever. He walked over to her and grabbed her hands, “Hey Y/o, you look so nice,” he chuckled and led her to his car. Y/o giggled and said, “Thanks, look good too”. Kageyama opened the car door for her and she entered the car. They both arrived at the festival and Y/o was in awe.

They both got out of the car, linked arms and went off to the festival. Time passed by so fast when they were together, it felt like magic. Kageyama had won Y/o a cute frog plush and they both shared some cotton candy. It was finally night time and everyone was preparing for fireworks and holding sparklers. Kageyama’s and Y/o’s hands were intertwined, Y/o was holding a sparkler and she was laughing at something Kageyama said. They both went to the field where everyone was waiting for the fireworks. Within a few minutes, the fireworks were set.

The view was gorgeous and both of them were star-struck at the pretty colors in the sky. Y/o turned to Kageyama, “The fireworks are so-” Y/o turned her head to see Kageyama gazing at her. Kageyama was flushed when he was caught and he was a stuttered, “S-Sorry, you’re just really pretty”. Y/o blushed and giggled. She kissed him on the cheek and said, “Thanks, you’re cute, too.” Kageyama blushed and gently rested his hand on Y/o’s cheek and moved closer.

It was as if everyone around them disappeared and it was only them. Y/o began to blush at the feeling of his hand on her cheek, she gently gripped his collars and began moving closer to him until the gap between them was no longer there.

The kiss was like magic, they were both on cloud nine. The kiss was only a few seconds but it felt like an eternity for them and it was so blissful. When they separated from the kiss, Kageyama’s face was redder than a tomato; he grabbed Y/o’s hand and said, “Why are you the prettiest girl in the world?” Y/o giggled and said, “Why are you the most handsome guy in the world?” Kageyama laughed and pulled Y/o to his car. Y/o was laughing, “What was that for?” Kageyama blushed and said, “I wanted it to be just us for a bit. You know? I’ve liked you for a really long time”. Y/o was blushing and said, “Well, you know? The moment I accidentally bumped into you and dropped my books, I felt like there was something about you that drew me to you and ever since then I couldn’t get you out of my head.” Kageyama blushed more and grabbed Y/o’s hand once again. He moved closer and kissed her again, “You’re so pretty, you know? And I had so much fun with you today.” Kageyama was trying to muster up the courage for what he was gonna say and he finally just blurted it out,

“I was wondering if you want to go out again and if you want to be my girl?”

[dalamjisung]

nothing complicated ✾ jeon jungkook

word count: 5418

genre: fluff, neighbors!AU

pairing: reader x Jeon Jungkook

description: you just moved in and Jungkook really makes you feel welcome.

Moving is never easy. There is always too much to do in too little time; boxing, carrying, building, settling. Thankfully, you aren’t alone, and your best friend– now your flatmate– is there to help you. She works on organizing the kitchen as you focus on building the shelves; she changes the old lamps for new ones as you put your room together; she works on her room and you clean the bathroom– like this, you two finish the whole place in a week. It is only once you two sit down on your new couch to watch a movie that it hits you: you’re home. 

“What are you feeling like today?” Your friend asks. “The Greek place around the corner is doing delivery, if you’re into that… or we can order from that same Korean place? The one we had last week?”

You groan, frustrated with your own stupidity.

“Why didn’t we buy pans yet?” You ask, sighing. It’s been a week of delivery and you are not sure how much longer you can put up with this. “At this point, I don’t want to eat at all…”

“I know, babes,” She says. “But they arrive tomorrow, so choose something delicious today cause that’s the last delivery we’ll order for a while.”

“Hm,” You try to remember all the options. “How about that Italian place? The one a few blocks away? I think they deliver here.”

“Perfect,” She taps away on her phone, excited to make the order after another day of hard work in the apartment. Everything was spot clean now, and you feel as exhausted as she does, after having to deal with your landlord about the broken boiler. “I just want to sit outside and enjoy the cold afternoon weather as much as we can… God knows tomorrow might be radioactively hot again.”

Laughing, she orders the food and helps you bring everything to the terrace you two fought so hard to have; an outside space is a must, she said as the apartment hunting continued, arguing that her dog needed a place to feel more comfortable around the house, but you knew it was just an excuse to be able to have a cute hang out spot that is not the living room. You agreed, though, and now there you are– sitting on your wooden furniture with fairy light that don’t do much besides upping the electricity bill. You love it, though; the wind dries your recently washed hair and makes you shiver, and you smile. 

You’re home. 

Home is peaceful, you can’t help but notice. The first floor seems to be empty, as you haven’t heard a single thing ever since you moved in a week ago; and the floor above you is where two women live– they came over to introduce themselves and invite you and your friend for a bottle of wine. The house to your right, one which you can see their garden from the left end of your terrace, is where a family lives, their six-year-old daughter, Lucy, having already gotten acquainted with Koya, your house dog. 

“Wine or beer?” She shouts from the kitchen, and before you can answer, someone does it for you.

“Beer!”

Your eyes go wide, and your friend comes back running, beers in hand and mouth agape.  

“That was definitely not you,” She whispers, shocked. 

“Nope,” You chuckle, still confused. Clearing your throat, you call out a bit louder. “Hello?”

“Hello!”

“Who- Who is this?” You laugh, getting up and walking to the metal railing that offers protection on the edge of the terrace. 

“Your downstairs neighbor!” You look down, eyes on the wide outside space they have thanks to living on the ground floor, and a boy walks out of the house, next to the beaten down ping pong table they have out there. “Hi! My name is Taehyung!”

“Oh!” You look at your friend, asking with your eyes if she’s seeing the incredibly attractive boy too or are your dreaming? “Hello there! I’m Y/N, and this is my friend, Sora!”

“Hi!” She beams, a very recognizable flirting smile on her face. “Nice to meet you.”

“Very nice,” Taehyung winks and smirks. “When did you guys move?”

And just like that the afternoon wheezes by. At some point you recognize you are slightly tipsy, Sora is drunk, and Taehyung managed to get his hands on a six-pack in his kitchen. Never did you two cross the staircase to go downstairs, as much as he tried to get you two to make him company while his two flatmates are away; the distance in between your small terrace and his wide garden seems to offer you just the right amount of security to boost your confidence.

Just as Sora is laughing at yet another joke, you all hear the door slamming, and suddenly someone is loudly belting to Blackbear.

“Fuck you, and you, and you,” You snort, recognizing the song instantly. “I hate your friends and they hate me too!”

“Uh,” Taehyung laughs, a bit embarrassed. “Jungkook?”

“I’m through, I’m through, I’m through,” He continues, and you can’t help but laugh to your heart’s content. “This that hot girl bummer anthem, turn it up and throw a tantrum!”

“Ya, Jeon Jungkook!” Taehyung shouts, blushing intensely. “Watch your language, dude!”

“What?” The voice calls from inside. “I can’t hear you, hyung.”

“Watch your motherfucking language!” Taehyung shouts back, clearly frustrated. “You’re gonna make a bad impression with the new neighbors!”

“Oh, no,” You wave your hand, enjoying the show. “Please don’t stop on our account. We love a good show.”

“Neighbors?” Another voice asks, and soon you see another guy coming out. As soon as he spots you he is smiling, and you feel like you could melt with house sweet he looks. “Ah, hello girls!”

“This is Jimin,” Tae explains, rolling his eyes. “And the idiot that now is too embarrassed to come out is Jungkook.”

“Nice to meet you all,” Sora shouts so that Jungkook can hear too.

“Same here,” Jimin says, sitting down and opening a bottle. “So, where were we?”

The night ends with the four of you going to buy some more beer at the nearby convenience store. You don’t miss the curious eyes looking at you two through the window, though, shooting him a kind smile and hoping that one day you’ll be able to tell him you absolutely love Blackbear. 

                                                               ——————————

Almost a month passes before you get to finally meet Jungkook. You are on your way out to go to the gym you’ve been attending ever since moving– a boxing gym about thirty minutes away,– when you remember you forgot your keys. Going back would make you late for your training session, but there is nothing you can do and you start running back the same way you came from, until you spot him locking the door, and before you can back out, you poke his shoulder, breathing harsh and fast. 

“Excuse me,” You smile, trying your best not to startle him. “Jungkook, right?”

His eyes, still wide and so, so kind looking, focus on you and he just nods, slowly pulling his large headset down. “Yeah…”

“Oh thank god,” You mumble, and you are sure he heard you. “Stupid me forgot my keys inside and I’m already running late so could you maybe–“

“Oh!” He shouts, a little too suddenly, and you jump a bit. “Yeah, of course! Go ahead!”

He opens the door for you and you run up to your apartment, banging on the door with no avail; after a couple of minutes, you remember that Sora left for a date and wouldn’t be back for a while. You walk back down, defeated and accepting that you would be late and locked out. 

“Is everything alright?”

Your head snaps to your left, where Jungkook is leaning on the wall, waiting for you.

“Oh, yeah,” You smile. “My friend is not in, so I’m just going to have to wait when I come back…”

“Where are you going?” He squints his eyes at your tote bag, where the end of your boxing gloves are peeking out. 

“Uh… there is a boxing gym nearby I go a few times a week,” You scratch your head, suddenly embarrassed.

“The one next to the main road?” He asks, pointing to its general direction.

“You know the place?” You ask looking up at him, and that’s when you realize you two started walking together. 

“I’m going there right now,” He smiles and oh god, his smile. His teeth show and his cheeks puff in a way that reminds you of a bunny. “I train there too. I can just wait for you to be done and we come back together, this way you at least wait for your friend inside.”

“That’d be great, to be honest,” You smile, relieved. “Thank you so much, Jungkook.”

“No problem, Y/N,” He chuckles at your surprised face. “Jimin told me you guys’ names… I’m sorry, by the way, about that day.”

This was your chance. “No problem, I love Blackbear.”

His cheeks grow redder and redder, but the smile stays. “Well, I’m sorry anyways. I didn’t even go outside to say hi…”

“Ah,” You frown, pretending to be stern. “Yes, you should be very apologetic about that.”

He looks at you with a mix of suspicion and humor. “Oh, really?”

“Absolutely,” You nod. 

“How can I be forgiven?” He follows along. 

“Uhm…” You tap your finger on your finger, thinking. “Only one way.”

“Tell me,” He dramatizes. “I’d do anything.”

“Coffee,” You say, looking at him. Goddammit those eyes…

“Coffee?” He chuckles, and you shiver. 

“Coffee.”

“Alright then,” He shrugs, laughing to himself. “Coffee it is.”

The walk seems shorter today, Jungkook proving himself to be a much more enjoyable company then your usual iTunes playlist. He tells you the neighborhood gossip, joking about your landlord’s wife trying to steal Koya away since she’s obsessed with dogs. You learn that he is a Game Designer, working with your favorite company; he sings on his spare time, but you already knew that, always hearing him through your thin bathroom walls. And he apparently boxes, enjoying the strength that the physical activity gives him. 

“What about you?”

And now it’s your turn to tell him all about you; how you are pursuing your masters on Social and Cultural Psychology, a subject most people don’t pay the proper attention to, and how you’ve just started playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which is, coincidently, produced by his main competitor.

“I can’t believe this,” Jungkook groans once you compliment the game’s graphics. “This is treason!”

“I’m sorry,” You laugh. “But it’s so good!”

“Ours is better,” He says pointedly. “And I’ll prove it.”

“How?”

“You’ll see,” He says mysteriously, and you leave it at that, already arriving at the gym. 

Saying your temporary farewell, you walk into the ring, apologizing to your trainer profusely. The session is weird, today; your eyes focused on your trainer, but mind wandering to the lone boy at the punching bag. 

“Come on, Y/N, focus!” Your trainer shouts, and you are back at punching, and punching, and punching until. “Time!”

You collapse on the floor, body exhausted; however you still hear the adorable chuckle echoing in the empty gym. 

“Are you ready to go?” You turn your head to the side and see Jungkook smiling. “I can wait a bit more if you’re still finishing–“

“We’re done,” You decree, sending your trainer a pointed look. “I’m dead. You might have to carry my home.”

His nose crinkles with his wide smile. “No way, you are sweaty.”

“You’re not much better,” You deadpan. “Give me five seconds to get my jacket and we’ll go.”

“Y/N,” The trainer calls back. “I really can’t convince you?”

“No way,” You laugh, putting the jacket on even though your body feels like it’s melting. “Not my thing, Coach. But thanks for the consideration.”

“Huh?” Jungkook looks at you with inquiring eyes. 

“Can’t convince this girl to go competitive,” Coach laughs, shaking his head in disappointment. “She got here a month ago, but we all really think she has potential.”

You shake your head again. “Thank Coach, but no thanks.”

“Are you sure?” Jungkook asks, once you are walking back home. “It’s a huge opportunity!”

“Yeah, but it would also demand a lot of my time,” You shrug. “With getting my Masters and trying to find a job, I don’t think I’d have the time or energy to try and go pro.”

He nods, understanding. “I get that. Good thing you found time to just train and enjoy it, then.”

“Yeah, specially since now the company just got better,” You wink, making him blush.

You check your phone once you two are close to the building but there’s still no news from Sora. You groan, desperately wanting to shower. 

“Is she home?” Jungkook asks, already knowing the answer considering your frustrated reaction. 

“No… and I don’t think she’s coming home anytime soon,” You mumble, sighing. “I’ll just wait outside my door. The carpet seems comfortable.”

Jungkook scoffs. “No way, you’re waiting inside. You must be dying to shower… I can lend you some clothes and you can use my bathroom.”

“Oh, I don’t want to–“

“Come on, Y/N,” He jokingly elbows you. “I’m trying to be a good neighbor.”

“When you put it like that,” You roll your eyes. “I can’t say no, now, can I?”

“Never,” He opens the door and walks to his apartment. “After you, ma’am.”

It feels weird to not just walk up the stairs to your floor, but you also enjoy the excitement rushing through your veins; you’ve crossed the imaginary line of your terrace… would that be okay?

“Y/N!” Jimin shouts happily from the kitchen. “What’s up?”

“Hey Jimin,” You wave and allow yourself to be pulled by your hood to Jungkook’s room. “Got locked out after the gym and Jung–“

“She’s showering in my bathroom, no one goes in there,” Jungkook basically growls at his flatmates. “I’ll come help with dinner while she does her thing.”

“We were thinking of ordering today, actually,” Tae says from his spot on the couch. “You like pepperoni pizza, Y/N?”

“Love it,” You smile. “I’m down.”

“Perfect,” Jungkook says, still pulling you. “Now go shower, you smell.”

You give him the finger. “You smell, too, you know?”

“I’m very much aware,” He laughs. “I’ll shower in Jimin hyung’s bathroom.”

He picks up a pair of sweatpants and a shirt, shoving them towards you and leaving the room. It’s only when the door closes that you allow yourself some time to look around, noticing how similar his room is to yours; blue bedsheets and pillows, a large, two screen computer with, and you’ve guessed this before, a classic gamer chair in the corner. Some trophies stand in a shelf and you smile at a younger picture of him, wearing a black taekwondo belt and holding a medal. Making some mental reminders, you go to the bathroom, basking under the warm water softening your tired muscles. 

You wash your hair and smile, noticing how everything smells like him. Shampoo, conditioner, clothes. It takes over your sense and you close your eyes, summoning the cute smile and kind eyes. Almost like magic, and just as you raised the color of his t-shirt away from your neck and to your nose, the door opens and Jungkook looks at you.

“Ready?” You nod, pretending nothing happened while wanting to bury yourself six feet under. “Pizza’s already here– didn’t want you taking too long and risking Taehyung hyung eating all of it.”

“He wouldn’t!” You gasp, following him to the living room.

“Oh he would,” Jungkook scoffs. “Actually, he did! Many times before.”

“But I’m special,” You joke. “He wouldn’t do that to me.”

“You are 100% right,” Tae catches on. “I will always wait for you, Y/N.”

Rolling his eyes, Jungkook sits next to his flatmate and pulls you down next to him, and you have to wonder what is up with this boy and pulling you places. He gives you a slice and digs in after you start eating, always eyeing the other boys to make sure they leave you at least another slice. You all have fun, but you start to grow anxious as Jimin goes to sleep, and Taehyung follows. It’s getting late and all that Sora sent you was a wink face, and from that you had many, many interpretations to follow. 

“Okay,” Jungkook sighs, getting up. “Are you ready?”

“W-what?” You look at him, furrowing your brows. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I asked if you are ready, Y/N?” 

“Uh, I think so? Sora is not coming home, I think, but if you want to go to sleep I can wait in the hallway and–“

“What? No, you’re sleeping over,” He waves his hand as if that had been already settled. “That’s not what I’m talking about.”

“What are you talking about then?”

He moves towards the TV, clicking some buttons and opening some drawers. He comes back with a pile of game boxes. “Chose one.”

“Are these–“

“Yes,” He says and there is determination in his voice. “Now choose one and let’s do this shit.”

“Oh, I’m ready.”

The night is not long enough for the two of you. Game after game, Jungkook keeps his promise– his games are better. The graphics, the storyline, the worlds; everything. 

“This one was the best,” You gush, dropping the control with a yawn. It’s now six in the morning and you two have not taken a break since you started. “It’s my new favorite, 100%. Where can I buy it, Kook?”

The nickname comes out naturally and you two smile at it; he leans forward, grabbing the disk from his console and puts it back in the box, giving it to you without hesitation.

“This is my game,” He smiles. “They are all from my company, but this is my game. I pitched it, and it was my first project of many. I’m glad you liked it, Y/N. You can have it.”

“Wha- No!” You push it away. “You need to keep it!”

“I can just get another copy from the office,” He shrugs. “Keep this one. You can play again anytime.”

“Thank, Kook,” You whisper, truly touched with his actions. “Really, thank you for everything.”

“Nah,” He chuckles. “It’s nothing.” “Don’t say that,” You frown. 

Does he know? Doesn’t it show?How much this means to me?

                                                              ——————————

Waking up is not as graceful as it was falling asleep. You are not sure when you two lay down in the couch, but you wake up barely able to breath and feeling way too hot to be normal. You look at the man laying behind you with his heavy arm and leg tossed over you and huff, trying to move away from him, but turns out Jungkook is a cuddler.

“Just roll away,” Taehyung says, walking straight to the kitchen. “He does that in his sleep, so it’s easier to just roll away.”

The loud thud is not enough to wake your friend and you are thankful, wishing he’d sleep as much as he can, considering it’s the weekend. 

“Good morning,” You say, trying to pretend nothing’s happened.

“Nu-uh,” Taehyung smiles cheekily. “Not how I roll. What’s happening there, huh?”

“Nothing,” You roll your eyes. “We spent the whole night playing games and fell asleep. You said it yourself, he does that in his sleep.”

“Yeah, he does,” Tae shrug. “But I saw the way you two clicked… Jungkook is a really shy kid, you know? He doesn’t open up easily, not like that.”

“I’m sure he’s just trying to be nice,” You smile but it comes out forced. You really want to believe Taehyung’s words, but you literally met Jungkook less than 24 hours ago. “Have you heard Sora come back?”

“I’ll tell you if you give me her number,” Tae offers you his best boxy smile. “Your friend is… something else.”

“Believe me, I know,” You don’t even hesitate, pulling your phone out and texting him her contact. “She thinks you’re hot, by the way.”

“Wow,” His eyes are wide. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I’m helping a friend out,” You roll your eyes. “You like her, she likes you; there’s nothing complicated there. Just know that if you hurt her, I’ll murder you in your sleep.” You finish off with a bright smile.

“Well, in that case, let me help you too,” Tae chuckles. “Kookie likes you. Thought you were beautiful the first time he saw you. And Sora got home hours ago.”

“And why are you telling me this?”

“He likes you, you like him,” He repeats, walking away. “Nothing complicated there.”

Mumbling to yourself, you go to your apartment only to be face to face with your flatmate. 

“Now, now,” Sora asks, pretending to not be wearing the same clothes as the day before. “Where were you, young lady?”

“I should be the one asking that question!” You shout. “I got locked out!”

“I told you I was going out,” Sora shrugs. “Now tell me why Taehyung has my number and what happened when you slept over there?”

“Nothing happened, and because he likes you,” You yawn, going straight to your room. 

“That’s not what he said,” She taunts. “He said something about a certain Jungkook liking you?”

“How would he know?” You ask her. “We just met! Yesterday!”

“That’s all it takes and you know it,” She says pointedly. “Or did you forget about he who shall not be named?”

“That’s different,” You frown, suddenly remembering your ex. “In the end, I didn’t know him at all. I don’t want to make the same mistake… you know why.”

“I do,” She sighs. “But not everyone is him. Jungkook is definitely not him… something about Jungkook is much more innocent.”

“I know, I know,” You yawn. “He’s great, but… it’s too soon. I need time. That’s what I came here for.”

“You’ll have as much time as you need,” She promises. “Even if I have to ward Taehyung and Jimin off your case.”

You nod because you trust her. Sora has always and will always be by your side, just like you will be by hers. After you broke-up with your ex, she was the only one that stayed by you, instead of criticizing you for being an inconsiderate asshole. You left him when he needed you the most, people said, but they didn’t even know half of it. He’d always need you, is what you concluded. He was just one of those people that demand too much emotional support that they don’t even know how to give it back; and if you  kept going– if you kept supporting him on your back like it was your duty,– you’d disappear. When you left, you barely knew who you were… and that’s when Sora came into action. She pushed you beyond your limitations and reminded you of everything– how you like spicy food, and how you actually hate the smell of roses, and she reminded you of how much, just how much you love playing video games; all things your ex fought so hard to have you forget. It was the small things, and right now, as you stand proud and happy, those are the things you hang onto the most. 

                                                              ——————————

It takes about a month to finally happen. The kiss, you mean. 

For the next 30 days or so, you and Jungkook proceed to deepen a connection that had been there since day one. It is over games that he tells you about his college experience– not terrible, but not great, he says. He was too shy. Over drinks, you tell him about your ex. Friend chicken late at night is for lighter subjects, like how he met the boys and his other hyungs or how Sora and Taehyung had been ‘sneaking’ around as if no one knows. Things with him are easy, light.

Nothing complicated, Taehyung’s voice echoes in your head just as you sit down in their couch. Tonight is movie night, a tradition established since Taehyung started going upstairs every Thursday to have sex with your flatmate, and since Jimin had work until late hours, Jungkook always invited you over. As per usual, he makes the snacks while you figure the movie out, choosing one of his favorites, as always. You like to see the surprised and excited smile in his face when the title flashes by. 

“What are we watching?” He asks, handing you the Pringles he keeps just for when you’re over. 

“Iron Man,” You say and there it is. The excitement. 

To say you are paying attention to the movie is a lie– all you can do is pretend to watch and laugh at appropriate parts ad your mind wander to what it would be like to kiss Jungkook? For a while you’ve been thinking about it; dreaming about it, even. You woke scared and horny the first time it happened, but after that it became routine. From then on, things that are supposed to be normal and common, like him pushing his hair back, or him boxing in the gym, start to… inspire you. 

“What?” He asks, breaking you from your day dream. 

“Oh,” You shake your head. “Nothing.”

“That’s a lie if I ever heard one,” He snorts, scooting closer to you. “Tell me. You were staring at me pretty intensely, I’m curious.”

“It’s nothing, Kook,” You laugh and you can feel yourself getting nervous by the minute. 

“Lie,” He mumbles, face getting closer and closer. “Are you sweating? Wow, what is it that you’re so nervous about? It’s just me.”

That’s just it, you think, smiling at him. It’s you.

“Jungkook, just leave it,” You push him back and get up. “I’m tired, so I’ll go ahead and go to sleep.”

“What?” His pout almost breaks you. “No, please! I’ll stop interrogating, stay!”

“I’m sleepy,” You whine. “I wanna lay down.”

“You can use my shoulder,” He whines too. “I don’t want to watch the movie alone. I’ve seen this a thousand times already, I wanted to watch you watching it.”

“Watch me?”

“Uh, yeah,” He realizes what he said and startles himself. “I… I just wanted to know if you’d like it.”

“Oh, I love Iron Man,” You explain, watching him get up and go to his room. “I’ve seen it before.”

“Okay.”

After that awkward conversation it’s as if you two are walking on eggshells. He doesn’t joke around as you two brush your teeth, or instantly hugs you when you lay down next to him. He just stares at you.

“Okay, this is weird,” You say, a bit too loudly. “What’s up with you? You’re staring.”

“It’s nothing,” He says, almost mocking you as he acts like you did before. “Leave it.”

“If you say so,” You mumble, ignoring his stiff posture and cuddling closer to him. “Night, Kook.”

And that’s when it happens, his lips on yours, very softly, brushing almost too lightly.

“Good night, Y/N.”

                                                              ——————————

Pretending nothing happened in the morning was impossible. You didn’t even want to, anyways, but Jungkook wouldn’t even allow the thought to brew in your mind. 

He kisses you good morning, waking you up. He has coffee, something he’s been doing for a while now, always buying you coffee whenever he’d think of you, and he also makes you breakfast, eyes trained on you as you stand still in the kitchen, the surprise too much to even move. When you finally get to go home, after many kisses goodbye, you slide down the door, shouting for your friend as soon as you regain a bit of your sanity. 

“He what?”

“Kissed me,” You repeat, not really believing it. “Again, and again, and again. Last night and this morning and right now, before I came up here. And he won’t stop. And I like it. I love it, actually. I don’t know what to do.”

“What do you mean, you don’t know?” She shouts. “Don’t stop! He obviously likes you! And you obviously like him!”

“Don’t shout!” You whisper, looking at her open window. “They can hear you.” “Y/N,” She sighs, summoning all of her patience to deal with you. “This is not complicated. You’re the one making it so.”

“I know, I know,” You grumble. You are frustrated and Sora knows. “It just feels too easy… like something might go wrong any time now!”

“Maybe you two should talk,” She suggests. “I’ll text Taehyung I’m going down there and for him to send Jungkook over.”

“Don’t you dare!” You shout, leaping for her phone, but she is too quick. 

“Done,” She winks. “You’ll thank me later, babes.”

You have a minute and nothing else before he knocks on your door– it is just enough to put your hair up in a way that didn’t make you look like a crazy woman. 

“You called?” He smiles, moving forward to kiss you, but you stop him.

“Yeah, I think we need to talk,” You say, chuckling in the most awkward way possible. Looking back up at him, you see his smile falter, doubt invading his eyes. “It’s not bad!”

“Doesn’t sound like it,” He is now uncomfortable and you want to punch yourself. You could’ve led it with another phrase… “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah!” You basically shout. “Everything’s a-okay. We just need to talk about it.”

“Why?” He pouts a bit, clearly confused and you can’t help it. You grab him by the cheeks and kiss him, deep and fast. “Wha–“

“Just so that this can keep happening,” You explain, voice airless. He nods and you guide him to your room, sitting him down on your bed while you pace from one side to the other. “Okay. Great. Alright, let’s talk. Let’s do this. We’re good.”

“Are you nervous?” He asks, and you know he’s not teasing. More so he is surprised. “Y/N? Why are you nervous?”

“I like you!” You blurt out, hands wailing around and a grimace on your face. “I actually like you a lot. And I know Taehyung said you like me too, but for some reason I just can’t believe him. But then you kissed me and I start to believe him, and for some reason, something that is supposed to be easy, is super complicated.”

“There’s nothing complicated here,” Jungkook smiles. It’s different this time round, though; his smile is wide and true, and although his cheeks are red with embarrassment and his eye glisten with hope, you can feel just how nervous is. “I like you, you like me. What’s so complicated about this?”

“I don’t know,” You groan. “It feels too easy, Kook! Nothing is ever this easy!”

“Well, everything has a first,” He jokes. “This is easy, Y/N. Let it be easy. Please. I can’t handle complicated.”

“Me neither,” You bite your nails, nervously waiting for something to go wrong. After a couple of minutes, you look back at him. He tries to hold his laughter in, but it comes out anyways. “So this is it?”

“Yeah, this is it,” Jungkook shrugs, opening his arms for you, and you know just what he wants.

“Just like this?”

He nods. “Just like this.”

“Are you–“

“Goddammit woman, just come here.”

The way he kisses you once you jump into his open arms is how you hope to be kissed everyday. He falls back with you on top of him but his arms hold you steady, bringing you closer but leaving enough space so you could swing your legs to both sides of him. This is passionate, you conclude, but the word sounds too robotic to truly describe it. 

Hunger, is more like it. Need. Want.

Want. There it is. This is pure want. Pure wish, and hope, and it is happening. And you meet him halfway, allowing him to feel the want and hope you have accumulated as well.

“Is Sora coming back anytime soon?” He whispers in your ear, mouth making a scorching trail down your throat.

“Doubt it,” You breath out, moaning in sequence as he bites a particularly sensitive spot. “She’s with Tae.”

His eyes shine in a way you’ve never seen before, but it makes you smile. He is right, in the end– this is nothing complicated. 

“Good.”

--------------------------------

and here is our next member of BTS! What’d you think? Let me know! Like, share, comment, help a writer out :) it means the world when you do it ❤️ 

[thedeviltohisangel]

Ivy//1

She wrote him a letter. It didn’t have many words but it said everything. Tomorrow, he was jumping into Normandy and she wasn’t sure when she would see him again. If she ever would. She folded it nicely and sealed the envelope, pressing a kiss to it for good luck. With a careful hand, she wrote his name on the front then just looked at it for a moment. She wishes she could say the word out loud. But, long ago, her and Dick had agreed they meant too much. That the words were sacred and shouldn’t be said when they couldn’t truly act on them. But she didn’t know how she was possibly going to say goodbye to him without saying them.

masterlist is my url/writing

accepting requests for this pairing

She wrote him a letter. It didn’t have many words but it said everything. Tomorrow, he was jumping into Normandy and she wasn’t sure when she would see him again. If she ever would. She folded it nicely and sealed the envelope, pressing a kiss to it for good luck. With a careful hand, she wrote his name on the front then just looked at it for a moment. She wishes she could say the word out loud. But, long ago, her and Dick had agreed they meant too much. That the words were sacred and shouldn’t be said when they couldn’t truly act on them. But she didn’t know how she was possibly going to say goodbye to him without saying them.

“There she is! Come to say goodbye to us? Maybe a little kiss for good luck?” Charlotte chuckled at Bill as she made her way across the airstrip all of them were waiting on.

“It’s not goodbye, it’s a see you later.” She’d refused to say goodbye to any of them. Nonetheless, she planted a kiss on his cheek. Red lipstick imprint and all. “I’ll be right behind you.”

“What the hell we gonna do if we get banged up before then?” That was Perco.

“Find one of the medics making the jump.” She had watched all of them jump with envy. It looked thrilling. Like something she shouldn’t be allowed to do nevertheless enjoy. Even worse, they had told her it was inappropriate for a lady to participate. She had gritted her teeth so hard she thought they would crack.

“You’re the only female touch we’ve had in a year. Now they want us to give it up because you’d have to wear pants to jump?” Bill said it more to the universe than he did her.

“You’ve been spoiled. It’ll be good to humble you a bit,” she teased back. She looked away from the group and scanned the horizon looking for the man she had come to find.

“To the left, doll.” She hummed her confusion back. “Winters. He’s to your left.”

“Bet he gets more than a peck on the cheek, right Wild Bill?” She was never at a loss for words but whenever it came to Dick, she was rendered speechless. Her cheeks were redder than the blood that rushed to them and she had to look at her feet in the hopes they had all the answers.

“Now, Joe, you’ve made the lass blush.” George slung his arm over her shoulders. “I’ll distract them while you run,” he said with a glint to his eyes.

“I owe you a beer!” she said with a smile as she took his advice and walked briskly where they had pointed her to. There were a few green tents set up on the side where the officers were looking at maps and using compasses to pinpoint where they were going to be landing once the real thing happened. When she watched Lt. Heyliger walk out, she assumed that was where Dick would be.

“Well, Nix, it looks like-” he stopped when he looked up.

“Sorry to disappoint,” she smirked.

“Charlotte. I thought you’d be knee deep in bandages and morphine.”

“I should be. But I had to see everyone one last time before you go. Make sure they tightened their harnesses and all that.” Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest. Her mind was having trouble stringing together sentences. She wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. 

“Well, I’ll make sure to check myself before they board if that helps.” Dick was in no better shape himself. The compass was trembling in his hands. His mouth was dry and he’d lost the ability to swallow. 

“Here.” She thrust the letter at him unceremoniously. “Don’t open until the war’s over or I’m dead. Whichever comes first.” He looked at her in horror. 

“You’ll be safe. They said…” he cleared his throat, “they said the aid stations would be set up far behind the front line.” That had been the only question he asked at the briefing. Nix hadn’t teased him about it afterwards. 

“Still. For the darkest time only.” He nodded, relenting.

“Thank you.” They stared at each other a few moments longer in a futile attempt to remember every detail. Tears hovered right behind her eyes. Had he always had that many freckles? Had his eyes always been that clear? Had she always had that golden streak in her hair? Had she always looked like an angel?

“Don’t forget to look after yourself while you’re over there, okay?” She wasn’t going to ask him to be safe or be careful because she knew that wasn’t fair. There was no way he could promise her that. There was no chance she would put that on him. “I’ll look you up when I get there.” She turned to leave, not thinking she could hold back her tears for one more moment.

“I want to say it. I want to say it but I…” She turned back. His eyes were glassy too. 

“I know. Me too. But we promised.”

“I would never break a promise. Especially one I made you,” he said with a small chuckle at the end.

“Dick,” she whispered his name in desperation. Just like always, he knew what she needed before she did. She fell into his chest and her head nestled under his chin like it was meant to. That only made her heart hurt worse. “I can’t handle the thought of never seeing you again.”

“Aries himself couldn’t keep us apart.” Because Dick didn’t think he could handle this being the last time he saw her either. Charlotte wasn’t going to make him promise.

“Don’t let any of the French girls woo you away from me,” she said in an attempt to lighten the mood. He let his guard down for a moment and knocked his forehead against hers.

“Not likely.” 

“Hey, I was in the neighborhood-Oh sorry!” They jumped apart as Nix opened the flap to the tent. “Jesus go back to doing whatever you were doing! Ignore me!” He had already asked Dick to name their first born son after him. If only the man would kiss her.

“No, Nix, it’s your turn. I have to go finish inventory anyway.” She hugged the intelligence officer and stood in the opening, one last attempt at soaking it all in.

“See you over there?” Nix asked.

“Neither of you better be stupid enough that you need a nurse. But, in case you are, I’m the only one allowed to stitch you up so I can lecture you while doing it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Take care of each other.” She knew if she didn’t leave then, she never would. Like ripping off a bandage, she strolled out of the tent and fought every voice in her head that said to turn back. That told her to tell Dick how she felt. That she’d wait a lifetime for him. That the only future she could bear to think about was one with him in it. But she pushed it all down and marched back to her aid station. She watched the planes take off with the rest of them. Watched as the men she had learned to love as family went to a far away place to defend their country and the idea of freedom. And she prayed to God that if He was sending Dick Winters into hell, He would let her go too.

Charlotte got herself into a good routine. She woke up early, ate less than her share of the rations so she could give some to her favorite patients and then washed it all down with whatever it was they called coffee. Then she went around checking on supply levels, doing her best to make sure there was enough at the aid station and for all the medics on the front line. It was normally about then her name was called. There was no shortage of men being carted in. They were varied in their levels of pain but it struck her more so on how many of them wished to return to the line. Some of them seemed perfectly fine, practically begging her to recommend a medical discharge, when others were telling her to do the bare minimum so they could get back out there with the men. 

“How are the men doing out there?” She had heard whispers about the men of Easy and their capture of the German guns at Brecourt Manor but nothing more than straws.

“We were all pretty spread out in the beginning but now that we are coming together, things are looking up.” Charlotte smiled at the soldier who had been lucky enough to only be nicked by a bullet. Only required a few stitches.

“Well, Private, you’re all good to go. Hopefully we don’t meet like this again,” she said with a smile as she gathered the dirty supplies.

“Thank you, ma’am.” He hurried off quickly and she was left with relative peace and quiet.

“You know, if you want news on Lieutenant Winters, you should just ask.” She turned to see Emma, another nurse.

“No because what if it’s not good news?”

“Either way. Knowing is better than you living your life hoping God will project the answer down onto you.” Charlotte hadn’t said his name since their last night in England. Had kept her ear to the ground in case someone mentioned something but she never out right asked. Maybe Emma had a point. Maybe, if something had happened, she should get it over with and start the process of healing. Maybe the next paratrooper that she saw she would ask about Dick Winters. If she had the courage.

For his part, Dick was being just as stubborn. It was the night after Brecourt, as he made a promise to himself that he would live his life in peace if he made it through, that the letter in his breast pocket felt heavy. None of the nurses looked familiar in the town they were staying in and he hadn’t had the courage to ask if anything knew of Charlotte or had seen her. He was afraid of what the answer might be.

“What’s that? A picture of her?” He looked to see that Nix had joined him.

“Maybe. She said not to open until the war was over or if she…” he just shrugged instead of finishing the sentence.

“Did someone say that? Has no one seen her?” Nix looked around wildly like he would start the manhunt now. 

“Haven’t asked.” He tucked the letter back inside his jacket. She was stronger than whatever it was the world was going to throw at her. Of course she made it. She had to. He would know in his heart if she hadn’t.

“It’s been a long couple of days,” Nix mentioned as he watched Dick, “you should get some sleep. Carentan is next. Not going to be easy.”

“Yeah, you do the same.” They both managed a half smile. Too tired for anything more. Nix went to leave but stopped and turned back.

“Dick?” The man in question turned as a way of answering. “You’ll see her again. Things like that...it’s meant to be.” 

“You’re lucky you just caught the ricochet,” Roe muttered as he pulled the bullet from Winter’s ankle. It dropped in the metal tray in a satisfying clink.

“Nothing too bad?”

“No. You gonna be able to stay off of it for a bit?” The sound of guns going off in the distance told Dick that he couldn’t.

“Doesn’t look like it.” Roe smiled.

“Stay here while I get the sutures.” Dick looked back down at the bullet. So small but so much damage. At least not to him. Maybe luck did have something to do with it.

“I’m going to go see if the surgeon needs any help, if things pick up back here just holler.” That voice. He would know it anywhere. It was like music to his ears. Home in a faraway land. Water in the desert. A balm against the rough rhetoric of war. “Dick?” Because she would know that face anywhere. It was a light in the dark. A warm mug of coffee on a rainy morning. The smell of your favorite food as you walked down the street holding hands with someone you loved. 

If all around them was hell, they’d cut out their own slice of heaven. Right her. In an aid station in Carentan.

[merlindynasty]

oh my god guys.... we did it.

1000 followers babey!! I decided to write a fanfiction to celebrate. its going to be linked below but also pasted, and until i work out how to do that cut thing, its gonna be a pretty long post. sorry about that. You can read it on this link though!

Merlin sits on the lake for the last time.

‘I love you,’ he says, almost offhandedly, like he has done every year since the First World War, when the sounds of pain and suffering were getting too much, when he realised that Arthur wasn’t coming back. When he had realised that Kilgharrah had lied.

He said a lot of things then, too.

A lot of things have happened since then. Yet here he is.

Merlin caresses the surface of the water with one finger, watching it swirl around with his light touch. He’s noticed over the years that his longing for Arthur recedes the closer he is to the lake; a sort of numbing to the agony that never improves, even with age and distraction. Merlin welcomes it, rolling up his pant legs and swinging his legs over the side of the dock where he’s sitting. Feeling the cold water of Avalon wrap around his feet and making him feel something other than the fact that Arthur is mere metres under the ground in the Lady of the Lake’s grasp, and has always been just out of reach.

“This is the last time you’ll be seeing me, old friend,” Merlin breathes, looking down at the reflection in the water longingly. “Don’t worry about me, though. I’m sure I’ll join you soon enough.”

The water doesn’t reply.

“I’ll miss you, Arthur, like always,” Merlin continues, “But maybe I’ll find other things to miss. Ripped jeans. iPods. Who knows? This world always spins too fast for its own good.”

And so Merlin stands up, shaking the lake water off his legs, and wipes away a stray tear that’s escaped from his brimming eyes. Goodbye, Arthur. He voices the sentiment aloud, back turned to the lake at last.

“Not a chance, you idiot.”

Wild-eyed, Merlin spins, and there he is, standing at the end of the dock. Just a few feet away.

There Arthur is, standing there dripping wet with seaweed in his hair, and he looks so real and exactly how he looked all that time ago in Camelot.

Merlin just stands there for a moment, forgetting how to breathe.

“Hello, Merlin,” Arthur says with the haughtiness that he’s always possessed, and Merlin chokes on tears.

Then he runs to Arthur, almost slipping on the wet planks. He grabs onto Arthur's rusted chain mail with both hands, tackling him, and the momentum carries them both off the wooden dock and into the icy waters below.

They sink for a moment, locked in a tight embrace. Then Merlin remembers where they are and kicks up, gasping for air. He tugs Arthur up to the surface with him, and there Arthur is in his arms again.

“Hello, Merlin,” Arthur says after coughing up some lake water, smiling that stupid smug grin. Merlin sobs once more, an ugly wretched sound, and smashes their mouths together.

Arthur sighs and pulls Merlin closer into a tight embrace, and now with no one to keep them upright they start sinking.

It’s okay, though, because Merlin’s got Arthur and he’s never letting him go.

Fast forward now— to them crawling onto the beach and collapsing on the rocks. Merlin can’t take his eyes off Arthur and his blue eyes, strong shoulders, all here on land. He swallows, suddenly feeling lightheaded. Arthur laughs, a joyful, imperative sound, and Merlin feels like throwing up.

It’s like

“Hey,” Arthur says gently. “Merlin. C’mere.”

Merlin wants to tell Arthur everything he’s missed. He wants to scream and dive back into the icy lake, down to the realm where Arthur was kept from him and demand an answer to the question he’s been asking for centuries; why wait this long?

But eventually Merlin just nods and lets Arthur hold him close. He lays his head on Arthur’s chest and listens to Arthur’s heart beating, the way it had all those years ago.

“Why did you say that?” Arthur murmurs after a while.

Merlin sits up, cupping Arthur’s face in his hands. Just because he can. Just so he can feel that cool skin against his palm again. “Why did you say goodbye?”

Merlin swallows. “Is that why you came back? Because I was leaving?”

“I thought you were going to kill yourself, Merlin,” Arthur chokes. “Isn’t that what you meant?”

“I was just going to leave England, Arthur,” Merlins says gently. “I’ve never left, in fear of you coming back and being all alone, but this century I kind of gave up.”

“How long has it been?”

“Arthur, I-”

“How long has it been, Merlin?” Arthur says impatiently.

“It’s been thousands of years, Arthur,” Merlin whispers.

Arthur sighs. “I thought as much. I’ve heard you, you know. Little snippets of stories throughout the years. I’ve known that the world has been changing.”

Merlin doesn’t know what to say.

“I shouldn’t have come back,” Arthur says suddenly. “You were just about to move on, about to live out your life without me; I’ve ruined it.”

Arthur almost sounds like a child, petulant and sullen, and Merlin starts to cry. “Arthur, you coming back is… the best thing that’s ever happened. Please don’t go back there, I couldn’t bear it.”

Arthur wraps his arms around Merlin’s waist and holds him for a while. Merlin can’t stop crying, from shock and relief and exhaustion. It’s all catching up to him now, the time spent from Arthur.

“How did you survive, Merlin?” Arthur says softly. “It’s been so long.”

Merlin sniffles. “I don’t feel like talking about it at the moment. Later. Later I’ll tell you,” he promises.

It’s getting cold now; the sun is beginning to set. Merlin doesn’t feel it, but he knows that Arthur would in that chainmail of his. “Want to come home?” He asks.

Arthur smiles. “I would love to find out what small hole you’ve dug for yourself,” he teases. “Do they still have peasants, Merlin? I bet you’re one of them with those holes you have in your jeans.”

“It’s called fashion, Barbara, look it up,” Merlin retorts, feeling a light buzz in his chest at the banter that they’ve already fallen into. He stands up, brushing off his soaking jeans and offering Arthur a hand.

“What did you just call me? Barbara?” Arthur mumbles, but doesn’t get a reply. They make their way across the grass and into the city.

Merlin’s managed to get Arthur into his apartment somehow; he’s been reminded in the past ten minutes how much the world has changed since Arthur’s been gone (he refuses to ever say die, it’s too finite), but also how much it’s stayed the same.

“Look, here’s the bath, see?” Merlin says cheerfully as he peels off a dazed Arthur’s sopping wet clothing in the bathroom of his apartment.

Arthur’s doing great really. He got a little frightened of the cars, almost drawing out Excalibur before forgetting that it was still in the lake, but the tall buildings didn’t seem to phase him too much. Neither did the elevator. Merlin’s proud of him through the shocked haziness that’s been fogging up his mind.

Merlin turns off the water when it gets to an appropriate height, then helps Arthur get in. Then he peels off his own clothing and clambers into his bath without thinking about it too much, then turns red, not wanting to assume, or impose. He doesn’t have to worry, though, because Arthur crinkles his eyes up in a cute fashion and grasps Merlin’s hands in his. The warm water seeps into Merlin’s skin and into his heart.

“I love you, Merlin,” Arthur says suddenly, without warning. Merlin laughs, a happy, bubbly feeling rising up inside him like champagne, and brings their intertwined hands up to his reddening chest.

They’re sitting closer now. “You haven’t changed one bit, you know that?” Arthur asks.

“You haven’t either,” Merlin whispers, realising how close Arthur’s golden face has gotten.

Arthur ignores him in a very Arthur fashion. “Your eyes are still so dark,” he breathes with an air of arrogance, like he’s studying something on the wall. “And your hair is still so messy. Why is it always so messy?”

Merlin fights down the urge to reach up and fix it, because he’d have to let go of Arthur’s hands that are rubbing calming circles on his skin. “Is that a problem for you, Arthur?”

“No,” Arthur says seriously. “The problem is that I find it endearing.”

Merlin laughs, turning even redder with the steam rising up from the water, and Arthur leans in to kiss him.

Everything makes sense now, as Arthur untangles their hands and reaches up to wet Merlin’s hair with his fingers. It’s all coming together for the first time in centuries. He suddenly realises that he would do it all again, wait all these years one hundred times over, to kiss Arthur. He tilts his head to the side and lets Arthur kiss him until the water gets cold.

Later, when Arthur’s dressed in Merlin’s sweatpants and they’re lying in Merlin’s bed, Arthur asks a very important question.

“What do we do now?”

Merlin sighs out a long breath. “We sort things out, I suppose. There’s so much you need to learn about what you’ve missed; we can go travelling. I’ve always wanted to go travelling.”

Arthur smiles. “That sounds good. You teaching me things. That should be interesting.”

Merlin laughs, shoving him a little.

But Arthur frowns again. “What about us? We can’t just say warm fuzzy things to each other forever, you’ll get bored of me. It’s also very improper.”

“I’ll never get bored of you, Arthur,” Merlin breathes, chest tight. “I waited this long, didn’t I?”

Arthur just stares at him then, deep in thought, then pulls him into a long kiss.

When they pull back, Merlin also adds, “And it’s okay to be gay now, okay? No one cares about blokes kissing blokes. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Really?” Arthur laughs, scratching his head. “That’s weird.”

Merlin smiles, then pulls Arthur close again, suddenly not bearing to not be touching completely. Arthur rests his chin on Merlin’s hair and hugs Merlin back gently.

“I love you,” Merlin whispers into Arthur’s bare chest.

Arthur pulls Merlin closer. “I know, clotpole.”

“Hey, that’s my word.”

Then Merlin starts laughing, a strange mixture of relief and joy. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to say that.”

Arthur kisses the top of Merlin’s head. “I suppose we’ll be alright then.”

“Yeah, Arthur. We’ll be all right.”