#Gracie said her piece

[graciedarwinnoodle]

Qfun97-!54$__&'-+

[criminalamnesia]

everyone’s asking for a part two so here is more angst bc cedar by gracie abrams is perfect for this [ also inspired by what @shotmrmiller said in their reblog :)) ]

part one here

part three (aka version 1 of the ending) here

part three (ending version 2) here

it’s odd coming home to an empty house. unnerving, even. he doesn’t like it— dislikes it even more than he did your celebrations. fuck, he’d kill for those damn streamers right now.

“love?” his voice is soft as he calls out into the dark, once lively little flat. it hasn’t felt this big since before you had moved in.

he takes a few more steps inside, toeing off his boots and letting his backpack fall to the floor. by now, you would’ve been launching yourself into his arms. where were you? you’d never missed the day he came home. ever. you would have it marked on your calendar from the day he left, exclamation points and stars decorating the date.

“love?” he calls again, his voice a little louder. he keeps moving; notices there’s no smell of freshly baked goods or a home-cooked meal.

he rounds the corner, his eyes instantly finding the little note propped up on the dining table. eyebrows furrowed, he approaches. it’s addressed to him, clearly in your handwriting.

he reads it, and he really should’ve seen all of this coming.

he doesn’t cry. doesn’t even feel sad, really. it’s not like he hadn’t loved you— he had, but sometimes you made it really damn difficult to. your constant touches and words, doting on him, talking his ear off about this and that. he’d loved it at first, then came to tolerate it, and eventually he found himself hating it.

it wasn’t fair to you. he didn’t hate you, he hated the naivety. the unconditional love. partners were supposed to show each other that kind of love, were they not? so why did he come to despise it?

perhaps it was some deep rooted self-hatred. something dark and twisted inside of him that had done too much and taken life. killed and killed and killed. watched his comrades die in a number of ways. slowly. quickly. suddenly. brutally.

it hollowed him out, but it was his job. it was his job to do what he could for the damn world— get his hands dirty so people like you would never have to worry about a damn thing.

he should’ve seen it coming. you had been acting a little odd the last time he was home, he realizes now. detached, almost. quieter. he had cherished the quiet then.

now it was weird. he didn’t know how to feel.

he placed the note back down onto the table before making his way into the kitchen. some utensils were missing. some plates and bowls. the colorful dishrags you’d hung from the stove handle. the little plant you’d stationed in front of the window above the sink.

all the pictures of the two of you remained on the fridge. he could see in the photos how he slowly became detached. but you— god, you wore that dazzling smile in every photo.

he turned around and headed towards the bedroom.

——————————————————————

there wasn’t really any defining closure. you’d left the note, sure, but he hadn’t gotten to speak his piece.

would he have begged you to stay? told you to leave?

he didn’t know. all he knew was that it wasn’t fair to you, how he acted. what he did.

he also knew that if you called, or if you showed up and said you forgot something, or hell, if he saw you on the street, he’d say something. apologize at least, because that’s the least you deserved.

but you didn’t, and after a few days, he stopped thinking about you. what you’d be telling him right now if you were there. stopped thinking about how you sang when you cooked dinner. how you would reach for his hand when the two of you were in the grocery store.

how you would throw those damn ‘welcome home!’ parties.

he fell back into who he was, and your memory became nothing but a minuscule dot on a large piece of paper.

but for you? you had been miserable when you’d shown up at your friends apartment. cried into her shoulder as you told her about the note. sobbed as you realized that he didn’t care about you, and how you’d wasted so much time on this man who didn’t give a damn.

but even still, when you stirred in the middle of the night, you expected to feel his hands around your body. expected him to press a kiss to your head as you drifted back to sleep.

you woke up and expected him to be there. you forgot that he wasn’t yours. you found yourself missing him, even though you’d starting doing that far before you actually left.

it took the man you loved days to move on. it took you months— almost a year. he put you in fucking therapy, for god’s sake, because that shit messes with someone.

loving someone so completely, so wholly, only to finally realize it’s one sided? it’s crushing. he crushed you. but you picked up the pieces, and you put yourself back together.

you move on. find someone who actually cares for you— someone who communicates and doesn’t lose interest. someone who appreciates your enthusiasm. someone who returns it.

and when the man that broke your heart several years ago tries to stop you on the street one day,

you keep walking.

[hrtsdevils]

dog-eared. | jh86

summary reader and jack broke up before he was drafted to the nhl. after years of watching from afar, jack finally sees y/n in person. past feelings are brought up to the surface.

pairing jack hughes x fem!reader

wc 2.6k

an my lovers… also another gracie fc sorry idk what to tell you! also for the sake of the plot pretend that the devils play the ducks on tuesday instead of vancouver thanks!!! loosely based off of everywhere everything by noah kahan ft gracie abrams

It had been years since you’d seen Jack. You broke up right before he started his NHL career as it seemed like your plans didn’t align. You’d be going to college in California, as USC had been your dream school your whole life. You dreamed of living somewhere where it was sunny and it was never freezing, unlike the weather in your hometown of Toronto. He dreamed of making it big in the professional league, which he was so close to achieving already.

The breakup between you two was mostly mutual. It happened in your 2005 Honda Civic, in the parking lot of a gas station after you had gone to buy soft drinks. The two of you could feel the breakup impending, and it felt as if the weather channel told you a meteor would be hitting Earth within minutes. As if the sun was about to collapse. The silence was deafening as you started your car, putting your drink in the cup holder. He followed suit.

“I..” He started before you cut him off.

“You think we need to break up?” You asked, giving him a soft smile. It wasn’t genuine, it was quite the opposite. You just didn’t want him to feel guilty, you thought it was the right thing as well.

He nodded softly, “I just think we’re on two separate paths… you know?”

“Yeah, I get it.” Your hands tensed under your thighs, as you were using them as hand warmers. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Buttons.” That had been his nickname for you since the 8th grade. You had a perfect little button nose, and it quickly caught on and everybody would use it for you as well.

The drive back to his parents’ house was in silence, as neither of you had much to say to each other. In about ten minutes, you were parked in front of his house. “You’re still going to come to my birthday party, right?” You asked. You were turning eighteen in a few weeks, June 7th.

“Yeah, I will.” He smiled sadly, “It’s not over. We’re just separating until we get brought back together.”

You huffed, “When’s that? Whenever fate decides?”

“Precisely. Call it a dog ear.. you like to read, right?”

“Yeah, I would never doggy ear my books though.” You giggled, “Bye, Jacky.”

That was the last you talked formally. He never did come to your party, texting you an excuse about how he had a training camp that day. You didn’t believe it, but you never said anything about it. It had been years, you watched him succeed from your dorm room and then to your small apartment couch. Your roommates never understood your love for the sport, but you always attributed it to being from up north.

That was a reason, but not the only one.

Every year you anticipated the Devils coming down to Anaheim to play the Ducks. That was practically the only time you watched Jack in person. You were particularly excited this year, as his little brother Luke would be playing too. You adored Luke, he was so sweet and well-mannered, especially to you. Trevor would also be there. He wouldn’t be playing as he was injured, but you’d caught him after a few games to catch up and he was your little piece of Michigan in California.

It was a Friday game, which met that the tickets were slightly higher and there were fewer of them. You finally got your good friend, Cecilia, to agree to go with you. She was familiar with your love of hockey, and she knew you went to a lot of games. She didn’t know you knew two players on the ice, and two players up in the press box. As you were buying your tickets with her, you got a text from Trevor.

trevor zegras 🐣 : hey buttons r u coming to the game? idk cause jacks playing

You hastily replied, trying to shield your phone from Cece in the most subtle way possible.

y/n buttons : yeahhhh i was jst about to buy my tickets bahaha

trevor zegras 🐣 : don’t buy them ❌❌ i have a club ticket right above the benches if u want it

y/n buttons : usually yes i’d love to but i’m bringing my friend cece

trevor zegras 🐣 : i have 2! i’ll send em to u later

y/n buttons : thanks trev i appreciate u ☺️

You put your phone down and closed your laptop. Cece was a couple feet away on hers, but looked at you when your laptop snapped shut. “Did you buy them?” She questioned, scooting closer to you. You shook your head.

“Kind of? Well, one of my friends is on the team and he’s injured, he offered us seats right behind the bench.”

Her jaw fell slightly, “You never told me you had connections!”

You smiled, “I don’t really, I usually buy my tickets. This was a first time thing, I think he might be drunk.” You tried to explain it in the least suspicious way possible. You didn’t want to seem boastful, but an explaination had to come from somewhere.

You two discussed the arrangements for a couple minutes longer. From outfits to hair to transportation, you were more excited for this game than you had been for any others. Maybe it was because it was Jack’s team, or maybe it was because someone finally seemed to share your admiration for the sport.

Who knows, it was probably the latter.

The day came quick, as it was only a day or two out from your initial conversation. The tickets usually dropped in price right before the game, but luckily you didn’t have to spend the money on it regardless. You lended Cece a Zegras jersey that he got you, while you chose to wear an unnamed 30th anniversary jersey. You still had a few hoodies with Jack’s last name on the back, from his time with USNDTP, but you wouldn’t be wearing those tonight.

You arrived shortly before warm-ups, but when you looked at your section and seat numbers you realized Trevor wasn’t lying about you being right behind the bench. He just never mentioned that it was the away bench. You watched from your seat as the boys entered from the tunnel. They weren’t facing you, but you watched to make sure they didn’t turn around at least not now.

You managed to go a little while without being seen by Luke or Jack, that was until Cecelia got extremely into the game. The Devils had a goal in the late first period, opening up the scoring. Luke was sitting on the bench about a foot to the left of Cece, and once they scored she started banging on the glass.

As he stood up to cheer, he turned around due to the banging. The first thing he did was make eye contact with you. His eyebrows raised, and he blinked as if you’d disappear when his eyes opened. He didn’t say anything as you tried to avoid his gaze, and simply turned back around.

The game continued on, and you didn’t see him say anything to Jack. Soon enough, it was intermission and you felt safer. Like eyes weren’t on you anymore, even though they never were. It went by fairly quickly as the two of you watched the silly halftime games that usually were played by young children. As soon as the Devils came back through the tunnel, Jack turned around and looked at you. He kept sneaking glances as they warmed up again before the start of the second.

The rest of the game wasn’t as fun, as the brunette kept staring at you. As if you couldn’t go to hockey games, his hockey games. As if he couldn’t help looking at you. As if he missed you.

It didn’t help that Cece kept shouting at you, telling you that the cute one kept staring at you and that he wanted you. You knew her best interest was at heart, but she had no idea the magnitude of your situation with said cute one. You entertained her teasing of you, and how she kept pointing at you everytime Jack glanced your way.

By the end of the game you were over it. You wanted to escape and go home before the off chance that you ran into Jack actually happened. It was relieving when you got into the car, but startling when your phone lit up with a single message from Jack. Cece was giggling to herself, looking up one of the cute guys she saw on Instagram. She was oblivious to the situation

jack hughes : hi why were u there

You tried to think of an excuse, but eventually you realized it wouldn’t matter if you told the truth or not.

buttons 🩷 : because i was given tix my trevor.. and i go to a lot of ducks games

jack hughes : oh no other reason?

buttons 🩷 : u think i went for u?

jack hughes : maybe a little. sorry for bothering u buttons.

buttons 🩷 : don’t be sorry. how long are you in anaheim?

jack hughes : tonight n then flying up to seattle

buttons 🩷 : where r u staying?

It was a twenty minute drive back up to your apartment, but with your speeding it was around seventeen. Cece didn’t question your urgency as you dropped her off at your shared apartment, and left immediately after. She was a little bit tipsy. As you drove to the Marriott in Anaheim, you thought about what you were doing.

Throwing away years of peace for the same boy who disrupted it all those years ago. If you started to have feelings for him again, who knows how much you life could be uprooted? Everything could be ruined. All the progress and the getting over Jack. Your Jack. You knew you were risking your own personal journey by going to see him, but at this point you didn’t care.

The hotel receptionist was reluctant to let you up, as she knew who was staying there. The skepticism on her face was present from the very moment you walked in.

“Look, I know him and I know his room number, so can you just let me go up?” You pleaded with hed. Going to a room usually wasn’t necessarily an issue, the issue here was that a sports team was staying. She might’ve thought you were a crazy stalker fan.

As she was about to answer, Jack exited the elevator and spotted you talking to the receptionist. “She’s with me.” He told her, as he walked up to the desk. “Thanks, though.” You had texted him a minute prior about the receptionist, but you didn’t expect him to rush down.

“Hi.” You breathed as you made your way toward the elevator, “How’ve you been?”

“I’ve been good.” He stopped before the elevator, “Would you rather go for a drive? I’m sharing a room with Luke.”

Your story paused in a car, so you were unsure how this would turn out. Maybe it will be different this time. “Sure.” You replied softly.

You two walked to your car in silence. You were about to get in the driver’s seat, but he insisted on driving. “You should drive slow around here, there’s a bunch of cops at night because of drunk college students.” You chuckled, “I’ll tell you when you can speed.”

You buckled up, and he started your car. It was an upgrade from your Honda, being a more recent model of a Nissan. “So, why’d you come to the game?” He asked as he pulled out of the hotel’s parking lot.

“I go to a lot of Duck’s games. Trevor plays, of course I go watch him.” You started, “He offered me club tickets, and I figured they were behind his bench. They weren’t, obviously.”

“So you didn’t go for me?” He questioned once again, “I don’t believe that, Buttons.”

You rolled your eyes, “I kind of did. I’ve been while you were playing for the last three years, but I still like hockey in general.”

“I’ll believe that.” The silence sat for a little while as he drove 25 down the city roads, the radio wasn’t even playing. “Do you think we could’ve done long distance?”

You shook your head, “No, not then at least. That’s why we broke it off. Maybe now.” You said the last part quieter, just enough so that if he wasn’t paying attention he wouldn’t have heard it.

But of course he was paying attention. You were his everything before, and possibly even now.

“Now?” He questioned, “What do you mean by that?”

“When we broke up, you said our page was dog-eared. Bookmarked. It was more like a pause until we were ready and mature, or at least that’s how I took it.”

He smiled, “I remember that. Do you think we’re ready and mature?”

You shrugged, looking at him. “Maybe, just this semester and then I’m done. I chose to graduate a semester early. I could move back east, we could be closer. Even without I think we’d be mature enough for long distance.”

The chances of this moment happening just weeks before you graduated was an alignment of the stars in itself. This could be everything you wanted, without disrupting your peace.

“If you need a place to stay, you can always stay with me and Luke.” He offered, “To get on your feet, if you come back.”

“Maybe.” You hummed. His hand was resting on the gear shift, even though it was an automatic. You made a move to lay your hand on top of his, squeezing it gently.

It was a soft step in the right direction. A step to getting the love of your life back, which is what you’d wanted since the minute you broke it off. It’s been a long three years without him, he was your best friend and you intended to make up for the lost time soon enough. You wouldn’t bring up how he never contacted you either, because it was far in the past. You were both kids at the time and you can’t hold a grudge about that.

As he re-entered the hotel parking lot, you smiled at him. Your hands were now intertwined on top of the cup holder region, and you never wanted to let go. His hand was more rugged than before, matured and weathered, but it was still a comfort you had missed. He dropped it to shift the car into park.

“So, I’ll see you soon then?” He asked, as you got ready to get out. 45 minutes had passed between getting into the car and now. You conversed about your current life and your future. Your future together.

You nodded, “Yeah, hopefully. Keep in touch, okay? No ghosting me.” You stepped out of the car and walked around to the driver's side as he got out as well.

The two of you shared a hug, but exchanged little words. You could hear the cars around you, and the sounds of the city were still alive. “Bye, Jack.” You released him from your embrace.

“Bye, Buttons.” He smiled, “I’ll text you.” He turned around and walked back to the hotel as you watched, a smile gracing your features as well.

You’d love him forever, whether you got back together or not. You believed he felt the same. You were glad that Trevor had known about the seating on the tickets, and made sure they got to you. You were also glad Luke saw and recognized you. You were excited to see him. The end was over, and the new start was just beginning.

[mayfieldss]

If only you could know - Carmen Berzatto

Content Warnings; pining, language, unrequited affection, boss x employee relationship, not beta read or spell checked, small fights and sexual innuendos. fem reader mentions and out of character Carmy because I wrote this at 2am and couldn't think straight at all. (there are so many Gracie Abrams references in here in here omg)

Summary: Carmy admires you, but he doesn't have the guts to say it, for one reason only; he doesn't think you like him like that.

Reblogs and comments are appreciated! Support your writers!

Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto is an anxious mess. He's just met a girl, and she's just ripped him open, leaving him to wonder just how he can get her attention again. Carmen Berzatto doesn't think it's real when said girl applies for a job. When she lists off her skills and hands in her resume.

Carmen Berzatto is an anxious mess, and he doesn't know why.

Carmy couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was about you that captivated him. Whether it was the way you smiled or the way you talked. Or maybe the way you'd looked at him like he was a person worth knowing. Or maybe it was the little things, like how you fiddled with your hands when nervous, and laughed at every bad joke Richie told just to make the man feel better.

Carmy didn't mean to do any of it—notice the little things. But somehow his gaze would stick to you, his brain committing to memory every frown of confusion or concentration, every small smile he could win from you. He didn't mean to do any of it, but somehow he couldn't stop.

You'd been working with him for about a week when he sat down with you for lunch, pushing around the food on his plate as he tried not to stare. You'd asked him a million questions, each one crazier than the last, but they didn't bother him. You said things in a way that made his emotions run high, and he answered everything with a small smile on his lips. You spoke to him about what others would deem insignificant in his career, and not the big achievements that overshadowed who he was as a person. Not the challenges that came with harsh memories, the pressure to be the best. You asked him how he felt about things and what he liked most. And the best part of it was that you really did want to know. You wanted to know him, and somehow that left his mind muddled and his heart racing.

By the first month, Carmy had almost lost his mind. He hid it well and didn't treat you any differently from the others, but when work was slow or he had seconds to spare, he would shift his eyes to you. The way you worked, moved fast without a single missed step when you were focused, and the awkward laughs as you stumbled or dropped something when you were not. Carmy admired you, even when he wasn't trying to. Hell, he even loved the way you cursed, betting money on your wins during your fights with Richie.

But Carmy didn't want to freak you out, and he didn't want to freak himself out either. He didn't have time for relationships in the past, and he'd never had a second to think about someone the way he thought of you. Was it weird for him to be flooded with concern when you didn't seem like yourself? Was he odd for memorizing the way you moved?

Carmy didn't like to avoid things, but he had a talent for it, especially when the things he was avoiding happened to include indescribable emotions. He knew it was a bad idea to cut you out slowly, but it was what he knew. He'd done it time and time again, separating himself from the people he cared for in order to escape. In order to keep himself safe. What He didn't take into consideration was how quickly you would notice.

Carmy didn't push you away completely of course. He still had to work with you, every single day, but he stopped seeking you out, making excuses to talk to you. When you spoke to him he began giving simplistic answers that brought conversations to an end faster than usual, and he hoped that in blocking small pieces of you out, he could get over you.

It was horrible caring for someone so deeply, he thought. It was almost like a form of torture, an endless cycle of wondering, and hoping that the person you're chasing might feel something similar. Might care just as much. But Carmy couldn't let it get that far. He couldn't bring himself to ask you, to press the subject, especially when he hadn't made any attempts himself to show you how he felt.

With each conversation he cut short, and each seat he took during family that wasn't by your side, he felt you slipping just a little. But not in the way he wanted. His feelings stayed, even with his battle to suppress them, and the only thing he seemed to be breaking was the chances of you sharing said emotions. You stopped trying to initiate interaction and kept communication professional. And suddenly the silences that shouted between you seemed so much louder than before. Everything that went unspoken became a painful reminder of everyone Carmy had lost in his past, and every day you drifted further from his grasp.

Carmy spent two weeks hoping that his feelings would go away, but it seemed to make things worse. He tried not to focus on you, and whilst he was succeeding he began to feel dejected. He missed the way you talked, how on late nights during clean up deep in conversation, you would cry over certain obsessions you had. Happy tears accompanied by laughs of course, and the awkward smile you would share as bright red embarrassment flooded your face. He missed the strands of hair that would fall from where you'd clipped it back, how they would float about your face like a frame.

He doesn't understand any of it, and he doesn't know how he's supposed to go about his days pretending that none of it matters. He doesn't want to care, he doesn't want to feel warmth creep up his neck when you meet his eyes for longer than a few seconds. He doesn't know anything, and neither do you. You don't know just how hard it is for him to avoid you, completely oblivious to the fact he would let you take up all his time.

He spares a glance at you as you leave for the night, sky dark above you as you step out into the cold, and he knows then that he would let you ruin all his days.

He thinks about that for another week, letting it sink in that he would feel more than comfortable handing you his whole life. It's been little over a year since he met you, since something clicked inside of him at the realisation that you were unlike anyone he'd ever met. That you were somehow the person that made him feel comfortable in his own skin. He didn't have to be anyone else. He didn't have to be the best chef in the world for you to care.

But still, he couldn't say it, and all he could do was watch you drift further and further from him, the tides of his fear tugging you back. It's Tina who snaps him out of it, bringing him back to earth, to the restaurant and to himself.

"Jeff, what is wrong with you?" She's stood in the doorway of his office just before closing, arms folded and a brow raised in disapproval.

Carmy doesn't understand her, and honestly he never really has, but he gets one thing, she's disappointed. "Did I do something wrong?" He turns in his chair to face her properly as he talks, curious and confused.

"I see how you look at her," Tina starts, casting her eyes out of the room for a moment as if to check no one is coming. "Why do you push her away?"

"Who exactly are we talking about here?" Carmy asks, knowing well enough where this is going. He's running out of time to come up with excuses and he doesn't think he has any left to give.

"You know who," Tina sends him a frown, "she really liked you, you know. And now," she pauses contemplating whether she should tell Carmy exactly what she knows.

Now Carmy is even more confused, and suddenly his heart is beating a little faster in his chest. Each second of silence is an aching weight on his ability to breathe, and yet Tina still fails to continue.

"And now what, Tina? What's going on?" He tries not to seem so affected by her pause, her deliberation, but it's scaring him and he needs the answer.

Tina, in the end, can see his desperation, a long sigh passing from her lips as sympathy overtakes her features. It's rare for her to show him such care, and that makes it all much worse when she gives in.

"Now she thinks you hate her."

Carmy leans forward in his chair, a hand over his mouth as it sinks in. How the avoidance he started, created a rift just like it always does. How he sent you signals that perhaps ruined your view of him altogether. He hates himself for it because he doesn't think he could ever hate you, and yet you seem to think that's all he can do.

"How long? How long has she felt like this?" carding a hand through his hair, Carmy can't find it in himself to sit still, knee bobbing up and down as his eyes flit from Tina, to the floor.

"It's been a while, Jeff." She can tell he cares and her words come softly, as if breaking the news of the loss of a loved one. In a way that's exactly what this is.

"Is she still here?" Carmy finds himself standing, waiting for the answer with very little patience.

"She's leaving now, you might be able to catch her on the way out, but no guarantees." Tina steps to the side, allowing Carmy to rush straight out the door of the office. You're not in the kitchen and by the time he makes it to the register you're nowhere to be found, but the bell atop the store door is still swinging with the weight of it's most recent ring, and he hopes it's a sign that you're right outside.

Carmen Berzatto is an anxious mess, and as he pushes himself out the door he knows why.

When he lays his eyes on you you're walking away, bag over your shoulder and jacket wrapped tight around your body. It takes him at least three seconds to call out, and when you turn it starts to sink in.

"Can we talk?" It's hard for him to say, especially after all the time he's spent trying to avoid this conversation and by the looks of it, you aren't so eager to be in this situation either. But even so, you nod, sending him a smile. It's somewhat fake and that says something in itself, that Carmy can tell the difference between that of your falsified happiness and your real joy.

It takes him a moment, and the silence between you is like a stone dropped into a lake, sinking deeper and deeper into the both of you with every second. "I'm sorry if I've been distant." he's taking it slow, hoping that perhaps a confession isn't needed just yet. But there's seems to be no change in you, and the dip of your brows makes you seem so tired.

"Did Tina put you up to this?" You sound just as exhausted as you look, and the eye contact Carmy holds with you is both soothing and stressful.

"She told me some things," he admits "but I'm here because I want to be." Carmen is fiddling nervously with his fingers, trying to act as though this isn't difficult for him to do. He's looking at you properly for the first time in months, acknowledging you and taking in everything he missed. The details he used to scan over every day are still the same, and he finds the peace in you that he always has, even now. "I don't hate you. I don't think it's possible for me to do that." He laughs with the last part, anxiety creeping through into the sound.

"Carmen, I understand it's not possible for everyone to like me, and I'm not mad at you. You're trying to be my boss, not my friend." You try for a smile again, a weak one that seems to hurt Carmy rather than send comfort through his veins.

He finds himself frowning, and the disbelief of it all consumes him entirely as he listens to you, processing your words like they are knives that slash toward his heart. "That's not...I didn't mean for—" He's an awkward stuttering mess, just like when he was a kid. He was afraid to speak his mind back then, but he can't live in his past anymore. "I don't hate you, and you've got it all wrong."

"Have I? Because it sure doesn't feel like it." You shift your bag further onto your shoulder, and Carmy can tell you're uncomfortable. He hates that he's the cause of it.

"I'm sorry, for ignoring you, distancing myself, but I don't hate you and I need you to know that." He combs a hand over his hair again, his eyes locked to yours as he remembers just how easy it was to get lost within you. How easy it still is to do so. "I don't know why I thought cutting you out would help, and it was selfish."

"Did I do something wrong?"

"What, No—" He goes to defend you, to excuse his actions in fire of stuttered words, but you cut him off, your eyebrows knitting together in a frown.

"You said cutting me out would help, Carmy. Help with what? What did I do?"

And there it was, the slip-up that was inescapable, the forced hand of Carmy's emotions and the checkmate of his story. He stands there, unsure and frozen until you scoff in disbelief. "I'm tired Carmy, I'm going home."

You go to turn around, and for a second Carmy thinks about letting you leave. Perhaps that would give him time, push back the inevitable until he can find the confidence to say it all. But Carmy isn't that stupid, and letting you leave will be the end of it all if he does.

"I'd let you ruin my fucking life."

That makes you stop like a statue in the street, paused in utter disorientation, and Carmy is scared out of his mind. But he thinks of Michael, what he would say had he seen his brother so damn terrified of something that might change him forever, the three words he always said. And suddenly Carmy has got to say everything. His hands shake and his thoughts are scaling the walls of his brain, but he manages. He pushes through.

"I'd let you ruin my whole life, and I don't know how the fuck else to describe it." The cold night air does nothing to calm his nerves, and he can feel the heat creeping up his neck, into his face. "There's something about you that just—it tears me apart and, fuck!" Carmy's hands find their way to his hair as if pulling at it in frustration will do any good. He paces. He paces as if that will help bring the words to his lips, as if that will help him take it all back. As if each step will give him a second chance to do things right. Why can't he do anything right?

"You're just so—" he can't find the word, stuck in the limbo of his own vocabulary, and finally he turns to you in defeat, hoping the sight of you will provide an answer. It does, in a way, help him form a sentence, though it's not the one he'd originally planned. "You're just so fucking real. It's like I'm surrounded by all this goddamn plastic all the time, like everything is just going so fast and I can't hold on to any of it. And I've been trying to find something real, something stable my whole life. And I guess that's why you fuck with my head."

The air around Carmy seems muted, and the fact you're left speechless with nothing to say to him is perhaps the entire reason he didn't tell you any of this in the first place. He'd caught you off guard, bombarding you with a more than unprofessional conversation, and now he's sure you'll run. You'll run from him, from the restaurant and find some new place to spend your days. Away from him, from his messed up life.

"Fuck, I'm so sorry," He's trying to cover for himself, or perhaps he's only talking to fill the deafening silence "I shouldn't have dumped that on you, that wasn't professional I just—" Carmy goes quiet. Not because he doesn't have more to say—he has plenty more apologies to let loose, and yet he's silent. He's occupied now, lips busy as they press against yours and he doesn't quite know what's happening. You'd moved forward so fast, hands on his shoulders, and mid-sentence Carmy felt himself stop breathing. Because you kissed him and after the initial shock of it all, he found himself kissing you back. You had intended it to be a short kiss, a simple peck just to keep him quiet, but before you could even think of pulling away Carmy pulled you back for more. He didn't even mean to do it, the subconscious decision to pull you closer being only a minuscule part of his concerns. The worst part is that Carmy doesn't know if he's doing any of it right. He doesn't know if he should be doing this at all—kissing a co-worker like it's his last day on earth—but he is. The feel of your hands on his shoulders, and his own on the sides of your face, is all so new, but he doesn't hate it. Not in the slightest.

When he pulls back it's awkward, and the quiet, panicked chuckle that leaves you seems so different to the stunned silence he stands in. He is still so close to you, and his hands have yet to leave the sides of your face. He's waiting for you to ask for space, to move away, but you don't.

"That wasn't professional of me at all." You speak so quietly, almost in a whisper and somehow, the sound of your voice, combined with such ridiculous words makes him smile.

"I started it, so I guess the blames on me."

You shake your head, eyes falling downward in embarrassment before you look back up at him, and Carmy hasn't seen that look on your face before. He doesn't know what it means, but by the softest upturn of your lips, and the way you press your cheek a little further into the palm of his hand, he dares to take a guess and assume that maybe, the way your eyes are scanning over him is a good thing. "I kissed you first." You mutter, letting out a small huff of breath as if you can't believe it.

"But I kissed you back." He adds "So technically, we're both part of the problem."

You laugh, and Carmy lets himself do the same, because, for the first time in a long time, he can let the weight that was bringing him down, fade away.

THE BEAR TAGLIST: empty

GENERAL TAGLIST:

[ninaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I Miss You, I’m Sorry.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 ! 𝗔𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘀𝗳

𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: mentions of death/ loss, ilnesses, crying, fluff i guess?, angst.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆:Charles has always seen you as his litte brother’s annoying best friend. What happens when you both grow up and he starts realizing things too late..

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: the plot is of based off of Gracie Abrams’. song, I miss you, I’m sorry. It may be off but use your creativity. I don’t see the song as two exes missing each other in this story. I used it bc the lyrics are definitely relevant to multiple situations. Might be a multi chap, but i’ll try to keep it short for my own sanity.

enjoy!

———————

From the innocent age of three years old, Y/n and Arthur have been attached at the hip.

Literally.

When they started first grade, they were put in two different classes. Clearly very upset with it, they forced the eldest Leclerc sibling, Lorenzo, to super glue their pants together. They walked , or tripped, into the school grounds the next day, smiling proudly at each other and their questioning teachers.

Their mothers obviously thought it was adorable and played along. Thought the bond was beautiful and a gift. That said bond never died. The little things keeping it alive.

Like how Arthur would tell Y/n how smart she was every time she helped him with a math question.

Or how Y/n would always tell Arthur that he’d be a World Champion when he’d discovered that just like his older brother, took an intrest in racing.

Arthur would help Y/n tie her shoes and Y/n would fix Arthur’s hair before he went to talk to a girl.

Y/n would stay up late in a cold and busy garage waiting for Arthur to finish doing laps around the track, being proud of his result and effort, not actually caring where he ended up.

Arthur would sit with a crying Y/n, comforting her when her anxiety got the best of her. Her choice in men not helping, but he’d never blame or judge her for it.

Arthur was always there for Y/n to lean on and Y/n the same for Arthur.

And for a while their mothers schemed, waiting for the moment they got together.

That suspicion changed completely when the pair were four teen years old. It completely vanished that one day in April when Y/n’ s mother died. Sat in the hospital with tears in her blue eyes, Y/n takes in the news of her mother’s passing due to leukemia. Arthur, almost as broken as the girl next to him, took her in his arms as they both sobbed.

Pascal, although absolutely crushed, observed the two. No eye contact, no tight grip, just two people leaning on each other for support.

When the little girl’s name got called, she looked up with big eyes. Pascal watched as the brunette girl was taken into her other son’s arms. She payed attention to the way Y/n gripped onto Charles’ sweater and neck, or the way she looked up from her head’s position on his chest to look into his eyes.

And when they were walking back through the white hallways to the car, and Arthur said “You’ll always be my best friend Y/n, I might have a girlfriend, but i’ll never leave you.” Pascal got her confirmation that the two kids weren’t in love, well at least not with each other..

Arthur had his middle school girlfriend and Y/n had.. well, a crush on Charles. The middle Leclerc.

A big crush.

The crush blossomed, just like Arthur and Y/n’s friendship, from the small things.

The way Charles would only throw Y/n with a piece of food at the dinner table and nobody else. It was probably just him making fun of the one person who wouldn’t stand up for themself, but 10 year old Y/n obviously saw it as Charles’ way of showing his affection.

Years down the line she would still smile over the way Charles would hear Y/n crying to Arthur and then ask her if she needed anything the second she came into his view.

The way Y/n’s stomach would fill with butterflies as Charles smiled at her from the podium.

He would buy her, her favorite candy when they go on trips, knowing her blood sugar gets low quickly.

They would fight about the dumbest things, but then Y/n would try to flirt with him ten seconds later.

He would stay awake at night, waiting for Arthur and Y/n to come home after going to a party, his excuse always being that he was waiting to show Arthur something, that he didn’t know that the girl would be with him, but he knew. He always did.

Despite all of it, Charles wasn’t interested. Amused and slightly more egotistical? Yeah, sure. But teenage Charles definitely thought he was too old for the girl and in all honesty too cool.

As they got older and Y/n got more confident, she started to try connecting with Charles, never succeeding, as she got the same excuse every time. “I’m too old for you.”

And maybe he was, she was 16 and he was about to turn 19. His other excuse was that he was very busy with racing. Driving in Formula 2 and trying to get to Formula 1.

Despite it, Charles owned her heart through it all, he even broke it a few times.

—

It was a beautiful day in Monaco and Arthur had invited Y/n to join the Leclerc family on the ocean, sailing across the clear waters with their boat.

Arthur brought his new girlfriend, and Y/n thought they were perfect for each other, actually being the one to set them up.

Sitting at the very edge at the front of the boat, looking at the sun setting.

Pascal watched as her middle child left the steering wheel, calling Lorenzo from the deck to take over.

She watches with intent as he takes off his hoodie and walks to the girl she would call her own and sit next to her.

The woman could see Y/n scoff at his offer, but ultimately agree to taking the piece of clothing.

“How are you?” Y/n asks him, looking at the sunset.

“Good, finally signed the contract, now I just have to follow through with it.”

“Can’t believe you’re going to be in Formula 1 next year.” you almost scoff in disbelief at it all.

“You’ve made it, Charlie.”

He looks at her with that sentence, staring deeply into her eyes. The eyes he’s looked into so many times, each time they’re just as pretty.

He turns his head again, both of them sit in silence, their presence speaking for its self.

“You miss her?” Charles asks, breaking the silence with a question that caused a chill to grow up Y/n’s spine.

“Ever day.” She simply replied.

She turned her head slightly, to be met with Charles staring at her deeply.

Y/n laid her head on his shoulder, sighing out.

“I’m too old for you, you know and with my career taking off.. it’s never going to happen, Y/n.”

“Whatever you say, Charlie. We’ll see.”

“I’m being serious.” He takes a brief pause, stuttering like he’s trying to come up with an excuse after being caught doing something wrong. “I don’t want to hurt your feelings. Arthur would kill me.”

“Hm, he would, wouldn’t he?” Y/n smiles at the thought of her best friend.

Back to Formula one though..

When he got his seat with Alpha Romeo, the whole family was ecstatic. Everyone celebrating, despite finding out the tragic news that Hervé, the boys’ dad was once again ill.

A year later Charles joined Alpha Romeo, as a rookie for the 2017 season. Nearing the Baku Grand Prix, Y/n got woken up by banging on her bedroom door. Outside the door was a frantic looking Arthur, and by the tears welling up in his eyes, Y/n knew the inevitable had came. She comforted Arthur on the way to the hospital, her heart breaking for the boy. Once he calmed down and fell asleep on her shoulder, her dad driving, her head started racing. The only thing going through her mind being if Charles was okay.

When Charles heard the brunette girls’ choked up words to his mother he quickly turned around, once again in the hospital hallway, and immediately met her gaze.

“Charlie, I’m so sorry.” she said, her arms around his neck, his face buried into her hair. For some reason the second she was near he let it all out. All of the frustration, the sadness, the anger and the utter and deep rooted pain.

They went home, the girl joining. As everyone went to bed, Y/n insisted on falling asleep to the tv playing, as she didn’t like the silence filling up her mind. Leaving her space to think about Hervé or how Charles’ arm felt around her waist.

She tried to suppress her feelings day by day. But the second he looked at her with his beautiful eyes or smiled at her she crumbled and fell for her best friends brother all over again.

And just as she was about to fall asleep and stop thinking about him, he walks down the stairs, a suit case in his hand and a tired expression on his face. It could be because of the lack of sleep or the emotional drainage today has caused.

“You really going to get on a plane right now?” she question at his sanity. “Have to.” He replies bluntly. “At four in the morning?” Y/n question once again, a little softer, feeling sympathy for the, very clearly traumatized and exhausted boy in-front of her. “I’m a bit early, couldn’t sleep.” he sighs, falling onto the couch next to her, rubbing his eyes with his right hand, the left one resting on the couch behind her.

“Are you okay?” Y/n brakes the short silence, looking intently at him.

It was silent for about two minutes. That’s what the clock on the wall said. It felt like two hours.

“I have to be. Can’t afford to be distracted.”

“Charles, your father died, you’re allowed to be sad.” the girl said, shocked at his lack of emotion.

“It’s easier for everyone if i’m not, I had a good cry. Now I have to look after Mama’n.”

The brunette girl looks at him, slightly confused why it’s his job to look after his mother when he’s not the oldest, nor the only child.

He sighs once again, looking straight forward at the clock om the wall. “Lorenzo is married and expecting and Arthur’s not only focusing on his racing and getting to F2, but he’s also falling in love, you can hear it in the way the idiot talks about her.” Charles chuckles, slightly annoyed but happy for his brothers and their success. Oh, and how it made you love him even more.

“You deserve love too, Charlie.” Y/n says, looking intently at his reaction form her view of his side profile.

He looks at her. His gaze narrowed slightly and he shook his head as Y/n placed her hand on his shoulder.

“I’m serious, you deserve that support, you deserve to feel excited about seeing someone, you deserve to be comforted and happy and to have fun. You just have to let it in..” Y/n says, hinting at Charles that she was there, waiting for him.

He looks at her again, realizing immediately that they are very much closer than they were a few seconds ago.

“Y/n..” Charles says, looking down at her lips. He was tempted, very tempted. He was confused and sad and saw Y/n as a good distraction. Or at least that’s what he told himself. Y/n tried to make eye contact, but it was impossible when all he could look at was her lips.

So she did the next thing she could think of. She leaned in. Their lips brushed together, she hesitates as Charles looked like he wanted to say something more. “Y/n.. I” Still as close as they were, Y/n’s heart beat out of her chest, so loud she was convinced Charles could hear it. This was the moment she’s been waiting for. She’s been in love with Charles for more than half her life. The thought of him finally feeling the same made her head hurt and her mouth run dry.

“I can’t.”

Two words, those two words she knew she would remember forever, she does to this day, it’s stored in the old and dusty box in the corner of her mind marked with the initials C. L on it.

The next sentence she tried to solve for years and years, that was until she watched drive to survive, and although she got some clarity, it opened the cardboard box in the back of her mind and knocked it over, all the memories spilling out of the box and filling her mind. At that moment she would’ve chosen the silence over the taunting reminder of the childhood and teenage years spent with Charles Leclerc that kept her up that whole night.

One sentence and his closed off mannerism after that, that haunted her conscience, that house and made it so much harder to get over the Monegasque.

“I promised him, I’m sorry.”

Y/n watched the Monegasque take off with tears in her eyes and more than one crack in her heart.

“He’ll come around Y/n, give it the summer.” Said her best friend from the stairs. He sighs, rubbing over his face with a hand. Once again comforting his best friend over a guy treating her like shit. Only this time, he knew she wouldn’t be okay in the morning. He knew it would take a little time for Y/n to get over this one. He knew she’d still love Charles, no matter how good or bad they were to each other.

———————

Now many years later, Y/n is once again supposed to be with the Leclerc’s on a boat. Charles’ boat to be specific. She hasn’t talked, called or seen him since he left that morning, right after completely rejecting the girl.

Charles was excited.

You could even say he’s been waiting for this moment since he saw her skiing with her friends in December three years ago. Because the truth was, he has.

Charles would be lying right out of his ass if he said he didn’t miss his brother’s bestest of friends. She and Arthur were still extremely close, despite hearing that she took off for a few months after that night in the living room.

It’s been three and a half years since that, and Charles has regretted it ever since. He gets sick to his stomach thinking about it, thinking about hurting Y/n. Because deep down he cared more for her that he would admit.

It did make him focus more on racing. He put his all into it, trying to numb the pain of losing two people at the same time. He has then since signed for Ferarri and waited for the girls call. When it didn’t come he was disappointed to say the least, but understood her view. When drive to survive came out and explained how he promised his father that he got the seat to Ferarri, he thought the girl would understand his need to focus on only that, but when his phone never rang and he never heard her voice he knew she was gone, she was done chasing him. And that hurt him more than leaving in the first place, because he knew everything he knows would bring him back to them.

Bring him back to their arguments. To their laughs, their crys, screams, emotions.

Everything would bring him back to her.

“Y/n?” Charles hesitantly said through his phone, after practically tackling Arthur to get her new number.

“Charles. H-how did you get my number?” Y/n stutters, immediately knowing who’s voice it was through the phone. I mean, how would she not. She’s spent so much of her life imagining that voice utter three little words to her. Three words that didn’t break her heart but instead healed it. But she was older now, and those fantasies weren’t forgotten, but stored very much in the back of her mind in the infamous cardboard box.

“Uh, kind of fought my brother for it.” Charles muttered shamefully.

“Oh, uhm okay. Can I ask why?”

“I miss you, Y/n.” Charles replied almost immediately. Desperate for the girl’s attention.

“Charles.. I-.” She was cut off quickly. “Why aren’t you here? You said you’d be here. Maman is going insane with all the men, she needs you here.” Charles tries to convince her.

“I don’t know, Charles. It’s been a while.” Charles sighs at the absence of his nickname. “So come and we can catch up.” he continues.

“Please.”

It’s silent for a few seconds. It felt like minutes.

“Okay.” is the only thing Y/n says before hanging up. Charles still wanted to talk to her but he figured he could do that when she gets here.

“She’s coming !” Charles yells out to his family as he walks back up to them, sitting himself down on the white couch next to Lorenzo and across from the youngest Leclerc.

Pascal was obviously very happy, Lorenzo giving them all a surprised look. But Arthur, Arthur wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

“She’s not seventeen anymore, Charles. She doesn’t have a little crush on you anymore.” Arthur immediately shuts any wrong intentions down, not liking that Y/n agreed to come because his brother, who hurt her, asked her to.

“I know Arth. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried you idiot, but you should be if you even think about making a move on her or something.”

Arthur stands up and walks away, completely unappeased with this whole thing. Lorenzo follows.

“ He’s just looking out for his bestfriend, Cherie.” His mother reasons with a angry looking Charles. “I know, i’m just offended he’d think I would hurt her again, now that i’m older and more stable.”

“You still love her?” Pascal questions.

“What?” Charles looks so confused, you could’ve sworn he just saw a flying goat. “Ma cherie, you’re a very stubborn person, but you aren’t stupid.”

Charles stares at his mother, shocked at how well the woman knew him.

“Yes I do still love her.” Charles says, looking down at his feet, deflated by the fact that he couldn’t do anything about his feelings, knowing his brother would resent him and Y/n definitely didn’t trust or care for him anymore.

“I’m sorry, Charles.” Pascal says, standing up to go get another drink, kissing her son’s forehead on her way out.

•••••••••••••••••••••

𝗢𝗞𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝟭.

this is taking lot longer that I expected..

[mamasturn]

forever yours, major gale cleven

pairing: major gale cleven x eden marie cleven (amor aeternus universe on @saturnville)

content: Eden writes her husband a letter while he's deployed.

an: @turn-thy-paige had the idea to create a mini letter-writing series for John, Gale, and Curt. they've been done for a while, but I'm finally getting around to posting Gale's. + also, I changed Judy from the amor aeternus to Eden to have cohesiveness across both pages. hope you enjoy <3

tags: to maintain your place on the taglist, you're expected to interact! @turn-thy-paige @neeville @ineedafictionalman @ihe4rtisa @lovebyceleste

To my beloved, Gale, the note read. 

Gracie saw your picture today on the dresser. She said your name. I’ve been hearing Dada all day. She cried until I let her hold the frame. She’s been running around the house with it all day. I wish you were here to hear it but at least you’ll hear it nonstop when you return. 

She looks a lot like you now. Her eyes get bluer by the day. I was hoping she’d have brown eyes like me, but, it’s okay. She still has my complexion and curly hair. A perfect blend of our love. 

We’re adjusting to you being gone. It’s still difficult, but, days aren’t as long and I can sleep through the night. Partly because I sleep in your clothes, but whatever brings comfort, right? 

Also, I have a surprise! I put pictures in the envelope.

Curiously, Gale’s fingers rummaged through the envelope. Two pictures snapped in grainy color. In the first photo, Gracie was on her mother’s hip, a dimpled smile on her face. They looked so happy, filled with joy as they stood in front of the house they’d made a home. Gale smiled. 

The second was a photo of his wife. She stood in front of the couch in their living room. On her body was a loosely fitted dress, one of her favorites. But, with her hands cupped around her midsection, he saw it. Her growing belly. The smile on her face was brighter than the sun. Another gift on the way. 

Gale bit along the corner of his lips as his eyes watered. His eyes shifted back to the letter.

Baby number two is on the way! I can’t believe I let you get me pregnant again. Anyway, doctors say I’m four months along, so there’s still some time. I’m just praying you’re home for the baby’s birth like you were for Gracie. But if anything, you’re always here in our hearts. 

I’m already thinking of names but I’ll save that for when I hear back from you. 

I love you, Gale. Gracie loves you. Baby loves you. Stay safe and make it home in one piece or I’ll kill you. 

Gale chuckled. How contradictory. 

I’ll see you soon.

Forever yours, 

Eden Marie

[nwndrlndn]

Falling Away With You

pairing : suitless!darth vader x f!reader, oc x f!reader | wc : 3.3k | 18+MINORS DNI

summary : he could only hold on for so long, and now he must let go

warnings : infidelity, public sex, cuckholding, breeding, some marking

a/n : this is a part three to to unintended and hate this and i'll love you. i think i rewrote this so many times. this is the final part, so i hope you like it <3

tags : @l3xiluve @luvvfromme @xsadbebe @projectdreamwalker @mashiromochi

“I think I’ve saved enough for us to take a trip. What do you think? We could go to the Lake Country and celebrate your first year back. Maybe we could even start to try-”

“That sounds wonderful, Gracies. We should plan it.”

Your disinterest was palpable and it left the Gras farmhouse feeling empty. It was a day of celebration when you returned suddenly last year, all in one piece, and your family was allowed to work their tea shop once more. Maybe Gracies should have questioned how fast you were to wish to get married, but he was so happy for your return. He tried and tried, in the 7 months you had now been married, to understand what changed, but he couldn't.

When he tried to get close and ask you about what happened in the year you were away, you iced him out. He couldn’t even get affection without practically begging you for it, begging you to show him love. And you would comply, but it was stiff. You weren’t the same and he had no idea how to mend what broke you. By the time he turned from the news, you were shutting the back door. 

You had gone into the backyard of the Gras' family farm, craning your neck to look across the horizon to find him. As the sun sets, you finally see the figure you seek on a nearby cliff and you know who it is. The year you spent with him has taken a part of you both and connected you, in spite of the distance. You know why he is back, he will try to be patient and wait as long as he must to see you, in the background.

Lord Vader... I wanted you to kill her." Palpatine said quietly, leaving a long pause between his sentences. Vader's grip on you tightened again, and you felt him start to shake as his jaw clenched and his hand squeezed your shoulder.

Palpatine seemed to be waiting for Vader to act, the silence broken only by Vader's soft, hoarse breathing. After a few more moments of silence, Vader spoke at last, his voice breaking with emotion.

"Yes, my lord," he said, his expression as hard as stone.

You slowly realized that you must have been the subject of that test. Vader's eyes never left yours. Your heart sank, and your breathing was shallow, dread seeping in. Instinctively, you started to back away, but Vader’s grip on your arm was tight and stopped you from moving.

Vader's eyes were fixed directly on yours now, and the only sound in the room was his quiet breathing for what felt like an eternity. You could tell that whatever happened next depended on your reaction and your own fate. Vader's cold fingers were wrapped around your arm, and now he leaned down towards you until his face was just inches from yours.

"Tell me that you love me," he said quietly, his eyes wide and empty as he stared directly into yours, his breath warm and hot on your face.

“Please... Don’t do this,” you whispered, panicked. And Vader could sense it in the Force. Your fear, any other time would have been so sweet. But now, it could almost hurt him. Palpatine watched from behind, a smile on his face. You felt Vader's fingers start to move on your shoulder now, his grip tightening on your arm. His breath was fast and heavy.

Vader paused, and his eyes darted from yours to Palpatine, then back again. Then he looked at you again, and there was a strange sort of calm in his eyes that you had never seen before.

“Please, I love you,” you pleaded, desperately focused on saving yourself. Vader's face changed immediately, as if a switch had been flipped. His eyes widened, and his face seemed to soften.

"You see?" Palpatine asked Vader, "She loves you." Vader seemed to shake himself out of the moment, and a strange smile crossed his face.

"Yes, my lord," he said quietly, turning to you with a look you had never seen before on Vader's face. The adrenaline raced through your veins, and you became aware of the fact that you were hyperventilating. For how long? Who knew. Your eyes flitted between the two Sith, unable to run but confused by the lack of action.

Vader stood up straight, his body rigid as he took his hand away from your arm and turned to face Palpatine again. But he didn't leave, and he watched you with eyes that seemed to shine with genuine feeling.

You caught Palpatine's gaze for a moment. Palpatine's face was impassive, but you could see that he was staring at you with a strange intensity, as if he were trying to bore a hole in your head. Palpatine's smile widened once more as he gestured for Vader to follow him back out of the office.

You survived, but not without a threat. Palpatine wanted you dead, and in less than a month, you were returned to Karilinus and it was as if you were never on Mustafar. Smuggled away from the life you had come to know and a body double faked your death. At first when you returned home, it was as if Vader had never existed. Or if you had just had one long nightmare. No one spoke of it so you didn’t say anything. The longer you were away from Vader, the more you loved him.

Without another word, you head inside to find some shoes and a cloak, and Gracies notices that you are dressed and on your way out. He takes his eyes off the holovid and approaches you with some curiosity. You head for the back door, leaving Gracies confused and a little worried about where you are headed. In fact, he has half a mind to follow you but he knows he wont find out the truth until you tell him.

“I have something to do. I will be back soon, Gracies”

Gracies eyes you curiously and you see a little disappointment cross his face. He nods slightly and says "okay". He was losing you, worse than before. At least when no one knew where you were, he could believe that you still loved him. Then, you leave out the front door. 

It takes ten minutes to get up the cliff but you hardly even notice. He returned for you again. That was all that mattered. He saved you, he would never hurt you, he was as much yours as you were his. As you approach Vader, you see him sitting on a rocky outcropping overlooking the farm, his face hidden by a dark cloak. As he senses you, he turns to face you, his face expressionless as always, but inside he is pleased to see you again.

“My love” You whisper, sitting next to him on the rock and his hands help you find stability, touching you like glass. Once you’ve settled in, Vader reaches over and takes your hand in his, running his finger over your skin. You feel his hand shake a little, in spite of not seeing his face, you know he missed you. He gazes out at the horizon and you gently lean against his shoulder shutting your eyes. 

He wraps his arm around you and draws you closer. He looks out over the farm and a sadness crosses his face. He says nothing and just holds you to him as the sun sets in the distance.

“I miss you.” You whisper quietly, eyes averting from the sunset to how his left hand rests against his thigh. 

Vader squeezes your hand and says "I have missed you as well". He continues to hold you close and you begin to feel him relax as he holds you.

“I have tried to move on like you told me to.”

Vader remains quiet for a moment. He runs his hand through your hair, turning his head to look at you. "You can try all you want, but it doesn't change what has happened between us."

“It doesn’t... Thats why I will always come back.”

Vader's hand moves to your face. He turns your head to look at him. He pulls down your hood and looks deep into your eyes. "Its good to see you again" he whispers. More like its good to see you haven’t changed, you are how he left you.

With a gentle hand, you reach forward to gently trace his jaw, taking in whatever form of affection you can without pushing too for, taking too much of what isn't yours anymore. His eyes shut, the touch warming him more than he’d like to admit. “Must we wait so long to see each other?”

Vader pulls you closer and kisses you passionately, the way he use to do when you were alone together. His body shakes, as if he has held inside this longing for you, but never knew when he would get to see you again. Your tongues meet in the kiss and Vader wraps his arms around you and lifts you onto his lap, your thighs resting on either side of him, the sun setting in the background. He holds you tight and the memory of the way he held you in the same situation the last time you met. 

As you stop for breath, you linger close to his face and your hands gently cradle his face. “I love you.”

Vader looks into your eyes, his mind and his emotions battling inside him. Part of him wants to run off with you, but the rest knows that would destroy everything. Still, he cannot get enough of you, of this feeling of being close to you again and he kisses you passionately as he says "I love you... I always have and I always will."

As your kisses become more feverish, Vader’s hands hurriedly undo your clothes, before he stands with you in his arms. He finds a patch of grass and lays you against it and settles between your legs, trying to be careful but in his desperation he tugs at your clothes, ripping the seams slightly as he finally manages to strip you. Vader’s hips pressing against yours, his hands groping at whatever skin he can reach. He tries to be gentle but his fingers sometimes pinch and dig into your skin, urging out gasps and whines.

His kisses can bruise and he nips at your lips, he wants to leave you with a mark or a bruise, anything to show that you are not happy with your life now, the life you had so desperately wanted. One of love, family, a home, you can only imagine at his side. 

Once he finally has you bared to him, he smiles. You had never seen him smile until he started these monthly visits.  “So beautiful.” He murmurs, kissing his way down your chest, to your abdomen. Soft kisses and nips stop once he reaches your core and he lifts your legs onto his shoulders, lifting your hips to meet his mouth. “You’re mine, aren’t you?”

For a moment, you're lost in thought about the situation you're in. Darth Vader, Imperial Enforcer and a man so willing to snap necks and torture people, is settled so peacefully between your legs. “Yes.” You finally get out. A passing cool breeze hitting your core, sending a shiver down your spine, and you pull him closer with your legs instinctively. 

He smirks and begins to tongue your folds, his hands gripping your hips tightly to steady himself as he laps at your juices. He chuckles darkly as he tastes you. "You always taste so good." He growls into your thigh before looking up at you, his eyes fierce. "This is what you need, isn't it?"

Without waiting for your response, he thrusts his tongue deeper into you and begins to suck gently as he works his lips along your sensitive flesh. His free hand travels up your stomach only to reach between your legs and tease your clit, rubbing gently as he continues to devour your core.

Vader knows that he holds all the power in this situation and he intends to use it. His tongue thrusts and rubs, his lips sucking on your most sensitive spots as he drives you to the brink of insanity. His fingers circle your clit, teasing and tormenting it as he brings you closer and closer to your release.

His eyes are piercing as they search your face for any sign of pleasure or pain, of submission or rebellion. Vader needs to know he owns you completely, body and soul. He gently parts your folds, his fingers moving from where they circled your clit before dipping inside your wet pussy. You let out a moan, nails digging into his shoulders, but his

Vader smiles, his eyes filled with lust as he watches your face contort in pleasure. “That's it, just relax.” He slowly thrusts two fingers inside you, groaning softly as he feels your tight, hot walls gripping him. His fingers pump in and out of your core rhythmically, his thumb rubbing against your clit.

He continues fingering you, pushing against your G-spot as he teases your clit with his thumb. His other hand gently cups your breast, squeezing your nipple as he watches you squirm underneath him. His lips find yours, quieting your moans with hungry kisses  his thumb brushing against your clit as he finds your sweet spot and pushes against it, his fingers curling inside you.

“Just let go.” He whispers against your lips. As you come undone, his hand covers your mouth and muffles your cries. Vader’s eyes are off of you, looking into the distance and as you come down from your high, you try to follow his gaze. Before you can see what caught his attention, his hand straightens your face to look at him. “What? Am I not pleasing you enough? Are you that bored?”

“I’m not bored, but-”

“Then you didn’t miss me enough.”

“I did-” You plead and Vader's eyes flash in satisfaction. He groans low in his throat before positioning his throbbing cock at your entrance and pushing in with a single powerful thrust. He hisses through his teeth as he buries himself deep within you, feeling your heat envelop him. His hands clutch your hips tightly, holding you in place as he begins to move. 

"You feel so good," he pants, his eyes locked on yours. His thrusts are slow and deliberate, each one pushing deeper into you as he claims what is his. He wants this to last, wants to feel you squirming and begging for more. Vader's lips curl into a wicked smile as he leans down and bites your neck, hard enough to leave a mark but not break the skin. He knows how much this turns you on, the pain mixing with pleasure as he takes you to heights of ecstasy. His hips snap against yours, the sound of skin smacking against skin echoing around them. He wants to leave no doubt in anyone's mind that this is his and his alone.

“He isn’t as good is he? He cant fill you like I can.” Vader whispers, his hands tightly grabbing at your hips with enough force to bruise. His grip lightening slightly when he feels you try to grind back on him.

“No… I need you... He isn't as good as you.” You whisper back and Vader's eyes darken further at your words, his grip tightening around you. He kisses you fiercely, his tongue delving into your mouth as he thrusts deeper. His breathing becomes ragged as he feels himself nearing his peak, but he refuses to give in until he hears you beg for it.

"Say it," he growls against your lips. "Tell me you want me to cum inside you." He pulls back slightly to look into your eyes, his gaze boring into your soul. He needs to know that you truly belong to him, that there's no part of you that still belongs to that other man.

His hips snap forward, slamming into you hard as he drives himself deeper. His free hand cups your cheek, holding you in place as he takes what is his with brutal force. He wants this to hurt, wants you to feel the pain and pleasure of being his completely.

Vader's breathing becomes erratic as he feels his climax building within him. His cock throbs inside you, demanding release. He watches as your face contorts in a mix of pleasure and pain, knowing that this is what he was meant to do.

“Come inside of me.” Your fingers dig into his face, holding eye contact with him. “Give me a child. He will never know. He will think its his and you and I will know the truth, no one else has to know.” You beg desperately, afraid to lose him in your time apart.

Vader feels the last bits of resistance crumble under your words. His hips snap forward one last time, pushing himself as deep inside you as possible. His free hand slides down your stomach, tracing the contours of your body as he feels his release building. Vader’s hand circles your clit as he continues to thrust into you, working you through your second orgasm, and letting you cry out this time. 

"Yes," he growls low in his throat. "My child." And with that, he lets go, pouring every ounce of his power into you as he comes inside you, his seed filling you up completely. He holds himself deep inside you for as long as he can, milking every last drop of his essence from his cock and into you. His body shudders violently as he comes, his powerful arms trembling with the effort. When he finally pulls out of you, he's panting heavily, his face a mask of satisfaction and relief. 

He wipes the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and looks down at you, his eyes softening slightly. Slowly, he helps you dress and tucks himself away, before he lays you out on his cape. "Rest now," he murmurs, his voice hoarse from exertion. He gently wraps his arm around you and pulls you close, nuzzling his nose into your hair. For now, he's content to just hold you and savor the moment.

Vader watches you rest, cherishing the last little bit of time he has with you before you have to go back to your own lives. The sound of a shoe scuff against the ground makes his head go up instantly and Vader's eyes widen slightly at the sight of Gracies watching them from the shadows. He tenses up for a moment before forcing himself to relax again. He gently releases you from his embrace, before he stalks over to where Gracies is hiding, his boots crunching on the gravel beneath him.

For a moment, they stand there, staring each other down. He knows that Gracies is just a jealous fool who doesn't understand the depth of their bond. But he also knows that he must be careful. This encounter has only strengthened his resolve to keep you safe from harm, both physically and emotionally.

He leans down, his face mere inches from Gracies’. "Do not interfere with what is mine," he growls menacingly. His hand clenches into a fist, force choking Gracies enough to strike fear into his head, the power within him threatening to consume him. After another moment, he lets go and Gracies tries to choke out words, but his red face and bruised windpipe show his struggle. After a moment of trying, Gracies scrambles away, making his way away from the hill. Then, with a sigh of resignation, Vader turns and walks back to you.

As he approaches you, he wraps his cape around both of you, shielding you from the world. He pulls you close, his strong arms wrapped around your waist. For now, he will focus on you and imagine all the ways he will find a way to deal with Gracies once and for all.

[sage-green-matcha]

Hi, doll!

Sorry to disturb you, but I had an idea for a request if that's okay! 💖

So, ethan landry x reader who was involved in the woodsboro massacre in 2022, and moved to nyc as anika's roommate, and ethan had an obsession with her and when they eventually get together, she stays at his and finds a gf mask, knife and costume in his closet, and she confronts him. You can choose the ending!

Sorry if I disturbed you, I love your writing 💗💗

FRIEND - ETHAN LANDRY 🫧

“And I hate the way you love me and I hate that I still care. Funny how you feel like we would ever talk again, how could you think I'd be your friend?” - Gracie Abrams 

Content includes: gf!Ethan, Betrayal, angst, Halloween party! Mentions of blood!

A/n: I was listening to this song and realized how well it matched with this request! This is a bit fast paced so I’m sorry! I didn’t want it to be too long 😭🫶

<3

<3

<3

"Anika! What are you wearing to the Halloween party?" Your voice echoed through the walkway of your dorm, Anika peeking out of the bathroom.

"A pumpkin!"

You cringed as you looked at the basic, green cheerleader outfit laid on your bed. You just sighed, slipping the tight green set over your body.

You rarely went to parties, but Chad insisted he had someone he wanted you to meet. He didn't leave you alone until you finally said yes.

And you knew he'd show up at your door with the rando if you didn't show up.

"Is it giving the girl from murder party?" You asked as Anika peeked in your door, watching you apply a bold color to your lips.

"Yeah! Just make yourself a zombie"

As soon as you got to the house everyone went their separate ways. Your lipstick rubbed on the side of your red cup, smooth liquor running down your throat.

"Y/n! Hey!" Tara slipped her arm under you, balancing herself on your body.

"Well, you're fucked" You chuckled under your breath. She just shook her head, readjusting her bandana.

"Is Sam here?" You should've known better than to ask a dumb question like that. Sam would never be caught at a house party, especially not after what happened last year.

"No, never" She poured herself a shot, pulling away from you before she waved, walking away with a smile.

You wandered around the house for a while, mostly trying to find the bathroom to fix your hair.

The air was hot and you could feel yourself start to sweat, getting slightly frustrated as you walked.

You passed through the heavily crowded hallway, your costume getting stuck on someone else's.

"Oh shit, sorry about that"

A pair of hands tugged on the green fabric of your skirt, unsticking it from a sharp piece of cardboard and tape.

"Oh shit, you're Ethan right?"

He smiled at your words, nodding his head.

"Nice costume, Guess we're matching"

"What a coincidence"

But it wasn't a coincidence. Ethan knew what you were gonna dress up as. He had known for days, since the first time you went to the costume store just hours before this. When you were slipping the costume on.

He had been stalking you for weeks. Since the semester started he got closer to Chad just to get closer to you. This was just the first step in a master plan.

"So you two finally met! And you're wearing nerd costumes, great" Chad sighed as he rubbed his temples, hitting Ethan harshly on his back.

"This isn't a nerdy costume" You rolled your eyes as Ethan nodded, smiling to himself while trying to hold in his anger.

Every time he was with Chad it was like a ticking bomb. He was so excited to kill him. To get revenge and to take you away from him. Since Chad definitely had a little something for you.

He tried his best not to show how jealous he was when Chad wrapped his arm around you, dragging you to the kitchen to take shots.

You looked back at Ethan with a small smile, his heart beating faster as he waved at you.

For the next week, it felt like all you did was talk to Ethan. You would call for hours despite only having met him once before.

Ethan was excited, the plan was going better than he could've ever imagined.

The two of you shared a lot of similar interests, sure Ethan knew a lot of them already but he was surprised to see you enjoyed other things he enjoyed as well.

Your relationship slowly started to grow, becoming more than just friends after a while.

"Okay, that's enough" Mindy cringed as Ethan squeezed your waist, his smile pressed up to your neck.

"We might die and you two are basically fucking in front of all of us"

"We never say anything about you and Ani!" You furrowed your eyebrows, Mindy continuously shaking her head.

The night ended and you and Ethan were put on cleaning duty, and since you were such a good girlfriend you decided to clean his room for him.

It was always messy, with snack wrappers and empty water bottles covering his nightstand.

You dragged the trash can Into his room, handfuls of trash into the can.

"God Eth, your rooms a mess" You mumbled under your breath, shaking off his bedsheets.

Your eyebrows furrowed as you spotted a thin black cloth peeking from under his bed.

At first, you thought it was probably just a hoodie or something, but when you pulled it out you were more than wrong.

Your fingertips were stained with fresh blood, wiping it quickly on your jeans. The more you looked underneath the bed the more you found.

You finally screamed when you found a poorly cleaned knife in a ghost face mask, dropping the items in horror.

"Really, Y/n?" He sighed at the sight in front of him, your eyes blurry with tears.

"What is that Ethan? Why do you have that?"

"You weren't supposed to find out Y/n. I'm sorry, I really am"

You were confused at his words, backing up slowly until your body made a small thud against the wall.

"Are you gonna kill me?" Your voice hitched as he went to grab the knife on the ground, his finger gently tracing the blade of the weapon.

"I would literally never hurt you, Y/n. I'm protecting you. And I have been for months now"

His tone was distorted, getting more and more defensive with each step he took towards you.

You couldn't believe this was happening to you again. And the fact that Ethan was the one behind all of it broke your heart.

"It was innocent at first. But you were just so stubborn weren't you? Had to do some more research and find out what you were gonna be for Halloween"

You gulped, knowing the only person who knew your costume was Anika.

"You were stalking me?" You weren't crying anymore, instead you were angry.

You were so tired of the ghost face shit following you everywhere you went.

You showed him your stab wounds, not knowing he was probably gonna try to stab you right there again.

"It was Innocent...Y/n, please. I love you"

Your eyebrows furrowed, a scoff escaping your lips.

"You really think I'm still gonna be with you after this? Ethan, I'm not a criminal. I'm not like you. You were probably gonna kill me next! What is wrong with you? Why are you doing this?"

He gulped, tears forming in his eyes. He needed to cry, it was the only way to make you feel pity towards him.

But he should’ve known that would’ve never worked, especially not with you.

“Are you seriously fucking crying? Ethan, you’re a killer, you killed all those innocent people!”

Your lips quivered as you tried to hold back tears. You couldn’t cry, you needed him to know you weren’t scared. You were, but you only needed him to see your anger.

“That was my dad, it was Detective Bailey”

Your mouth dropped, rubbing your eyes as Ethan sat on the bed, sad while he watched you pacing around the room.

“You’re a fucking psychopath”

“But you love me” His words came out so confidently, your eyes giving him a stern and annoyed look.

But even under all of it Ethan could see the sadness and fear in your eyes, he knew he would get you back eventually. One way or another.

[gracies-baby]

Break Up Prank

(Gracie Abrams x Reader)

——————————————————————————

"I wanna prank Gracie" Y/n says to her girlfriend's cousin, causing her to look away from her phone to the girl.

"What kinda prank? It's kinda hard to do anything right now. She's on tour" Abby replies, putting her phone down to give Y/n her full attention.

"I was thinking.. I'm gonna pretend to break up with her" Y/n looks at the girl sheepishly.

"What?! That's so mean! She's gonna cry!"

"There's another part to it. I need your help though"

"How are there two parts to a break up pranks?" Abby asks as she eyes the girl with a suspicious look.

"When she comes back, I wanna pretend to cheat on her. And who better to do that with than her cousin?" Y/n replies as she gives Abby a toothy smile.

"You're actually insane! She might break up with you for real"

"Well, this is payback for the proposal prank she did on me a few weeks ago. Who pretends to propose to their girlfriend of 4 years? Of course I said yes!" Y/n exclaims angrily, waving her arms in the air while the blonde gives her a knowing smile.

"Okay, I'm gonna help you but you can't let her kill me!" Abby tells her with a glare.

"Yes! Thank you so much! You're literally the best cousin in law" Y/n replies as she gives the girl a big hug.

"You guys aren't married though"

"Yeah, and whose fault is that?" Y/n glares at a photo of Gracie on the wall.

"So, when do you wanna start?" Abby asks, taking her friends mind away from the subject.

"Now" Y/n pulls out her phone and begins typing.

LOML❤️

We need to talk

Gracie Baby 💙

Sure is everything okay ? I love you xx

LOML❤️

I think we should break up. The feelings just aren't there anymore. I'm sorry

Gracie Baby 💙

What?? Everything was fine when I left. Can't we talk about this? I only have a few more shows and I'll be home. Please wait a few days

LOML❤️

Fine but it's not going to change anything. All I'm doing when you get home is giving you an explanation.

Gracie Baby💙

That's all I ask. I love you so much  xxx

"Oh, I feel so bad now. Why's she so sweet? I love her so much" Y/n whines as she puts her phone down, leaving her girlfriend on read.

"She's sweet because she's so head over heels in love with you, you dumbass" Abby replies before her phone starts ringing.

"Oh, that's her" she tells her friend before answering the phone, putting it on speaker.

"Hey, can you make sure Y/n's okay for me? I just feel like she might be going through something"

"Yeah, sure, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, just wanna make sure she's doing okay. Thanks, I'll see you in a few days" Gracie replies before hanging up the phone.

"You are so mean for doing this. How's she supposed to focus on these shows?" Abby glares at her friend.

"We're not actually breaking up. I wouldn't actually do that. But she should know not to mess with me. Unless I want her to, you know?" Y/n gives her friend a smirk as Abby pushes her shoulder.

"You're disgusting. You know she's my cousin right?"

—

Gracie arrives home a few days later, leaving her suitcase by the door as walks through the house.

"Y/n? I'm home!" Y/n walks out of the room, greeting her girlfriend with a frown.

"Hi"

"Hey, can we please talk about that text?" Gracie asks, reaching for the girls hand only for her to pull it away.

"There's not much to talk about. I just don't feel that way about you anymore" Y/n replies, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"How long has this been- wait.. is that a hickey? Who gave that to you?" Gracie asks, voice breaking.

"What? No.. I just burned myself on the curling iron" Y/n denies watching as tears fill her girlfriend's eyes.

"Baby, that's a fresh hickey and I know I didn't give it to you! Is there someone else?"

"Don't call me that, Gracie! I told you we're not together anymore"

"Do I know them?"

"There's no one else! You really think I would cheat on you? Even if there was, we're broken up! Who I'm with has nothing to do with you anymore" Y/n feels her heart break when she sees the look on her girlfriend's face.

"Right. Sorry. Do you want me to go? I'll stay with Abby or Audrey for a while. I'll come back later for my stuff. Uh, I love you" Gracie mumbles, walking to the door.

"I miss her! I love her so much!" Y/n exclaims to the blonde, pulling her into a hug.

"You're not actually broken up remember? She'll be back soon" Abby replies, hugging the shorter girl back.

"Sorry, I just forgot my suitcase-" Gracie's cut off when she sees the scene in front of her.

"When did you get here? Have you been here the whole time? Wait... did you give her the hickey?" Gracie asks, looking at her cousin in betrayal.

"Gracie wait!" Abby exclaims pulling away from Y/n.

"How could you do this? You know how much I love her!" Gracie yells, tears running down her face.

"I didn't do anything! You were the one that wasn't around! You really wanted her to wait for you?! You were gone for months!" Abby yells back in fake anger.

"I was doing my job! So I can afford to give her a good life-" their fighting is cut off by the shorter girl.

"Guys! Please stop! It's a prank!" Y/n yells.

"What?" Gracie questions watching as Abby bursts out laughing.

"That was payback for the proposal prank you did. Of course I don't wanna break up with you! I love you so much, you dummy!" Y/n responds pulling the brunette into a hug, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"But what about the hickey?" Gracie asks, wiping her tears and sighing in relief.

"It's just makeup. See?" Y/n responds, wiping the makeup off her neck.

"That is definitely the meanest thing you've done. Why would you help her do that? I was so fucking close to punching you!" Gracie tells her cousin with a laugh, pulling her girlfriend closer.

"You did pretend to propose to her. This probably hurt you just as much as that hurt her" Abby responds with a smirk.

"Yeah, you literally brought an entire engagement ring for a prank!" Y/n playfully glares at her girlfriend, gently punching her shoulder.

"It wasn't just for a prank" Gracie responds, watching her cousins leave the room.

"You really think I wouldn't wanna marry you? You are the best thing that has ever happened to me!" Gracie kisses her girlfriend's hand before getting on one knee and taking a small box out of her jacket pocket.

"This isn't the time or place I wanted to do this, but I guess it didn't happen in the way I wanted" Y/n giggles as her girlfriend references her own song, looking at the scene in front of her with a wide smile.

"Y/n, I love you so much. I have never loved anything the way I love you. I know my life is kinda crazy but you deal with that so well and I can't thank you enough for that. And as much as I love your last name, I was hoping you would wanna change it? Y/n Abrams has a nice ring to it" Gracie grins up at her girlfriend nervously waiting for her response.

"Of course I'm gonna marry you! I love you so much!" Gracie stands up, wrapping her fiancé in a big hug and pressing their lips together.

[sturnsssbow]

MORNINGS WITH MATT

dad!matt x mom!oc

summary: a morning with Matt and Gracie taking care of their daughter, Rory

warnings: fluff!! No use of y/n (I hate that shit)

The morning started off like normal, Matt in the shower, Gracie doing her makeup, and Rory sleeping. It’s always peaceful until Rory gets up and runs into her parents room.

“Good morning, sweetie.”

“good morning, mommy”

After the small interaction, Rory wants her hair to be nice and pretty for preschool, so Gracie put her on the counter and started on her hair.

Matt walked out of the shower to see his wife doing his daughter’s hair. He smiled to himself and walked into the closet. Matt picked out a pair of jeans and a random hoodie. After getting changed he walked back into the bathroom to see what his girls were doing.

Gracie had finished Rory’s hair. Two buns at the top of her head. But Rory decided she wanted bows on the buns, so both girls are looking through a drawer with the hair items.

“Your hair looks pretty Rory.” Matt said to his daughter.

“Thank you daddy!” Rory smiled, while still looking for 2 pink bows.

“Oh, Rory, look at these two bows. Do you want these ones?” Gracie held up two small pink bows that would fit in Rory’s hair.

Rory nodded at her mom. Gracie put the two bows right in front of the buns. Matt just watched both girls, happy to have them both in his life.

“Alright, there you go! Now let’s go get you changed.” Rory smiled at her hair, happy that she got bows.

Rory walked out of the room, headed for her own.

“I love you.” Matt said, also smiling. Matt pulled Gracie in for a kiss, and she accepted it. Once they pulled away Gracie said it back.

“I love you too. Now I gotta go get Rory changed. Can you pack her lunch?”

Matt replied, “Yeah, I can. I’ll also get her breakfast.”

“Thank you so much, Matt. We’ll be down there soon.”

Matt nodded and headed off towards the kitchen, while Gracie headed for Rorys bedroom.

In the kitchen, Matt puts a ham and cheese sandwich, — cut in fours — a cutie, juice box, gummies, and a small piece of chocolate in Rory’s lunchbox. He also gets breakfast ready for Rory, fruit loops and a glass of milk. Matt also made a cup of coffee for Gracie to drink, Matt just ate a cutie.

Rory and Gracie come down the stairs together, Rory running straight to the dining table to eat, and Gracie walking towards Matt.

“Here’s your coffee m’lady.” Matt says in a funny voice.

“Why thank you young lad.” Gracie responds, playing along with him.

“I’m not a young lad.” Matt whines.

Gracie gives Matt a look, while taking a sip of her coffee.

“Mommy can I watch tv?” Rory asks from the table.”

“Yeah, come on let’s sit down.”

Gracie, Matt, and Rory all come to sit on the couch. Matt grabs the remote puts on SpongeBob. They watch the show together, until Matt says it’s time to drop Rory off at preschool.

authors note: I love dad matt, if y’all know any good dad matt fics, pls tag me in them!! Also comment if you wanna be added to my tag list!

masterlist 🌱 tag list

[bellaireland1981]

Starting Over | 1

Summary: You come home to work to find your husband of three years in bed with your supposed best friend. It’s the wake up call you finally needed to take your two year old daughter and get the hell out of Texas. With nowhere to go you head to your big brother in San Diego. The sagger squad takes you under their wings, and shows you what having a family means. You get a fresh start... will you find your happily ever after?

Characters:  Jake “hangman” Seresin x Sister! Reader, Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Seresin! Reader (Eventually), Hangman x Phoenix (eventually) , Adorable OC Gracie!   The Dagger squad

Word Count: 9457 ( I have zero chill)

Warnings: Angst, cheating husband, emotional abuse, eventual fluff, smut in later chapters, Sweet uncle Jake, Adorable Rooster with a toddler... if I miss any please let me know.

A/N: This will be another series. I don’t own the characters or storyline for Top Gun Maverick. All OC’s are mine. I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR ANYONE TO COPY OR REPOST MY WORK TO ANY OTHER PLATFORM! DON’T STEAL! Reblogs, likes and comments ALWAYS welcomed. THANK YOU @waywardodysseys​ as always for reading over my work and helping me flush out ideas!! 

Taglist is open!

Your marriage was over. You’d come home early from work to find that your husband of three years had been cheating on you with the person you thought was your best friend. They didn’t even try to defend themselves, or cover up what they’d done. No excuses were made. Without even stopping to think, or to call anyone you’d simply walked out of the room, headed to your daughter’s room and an autopilot started shoving clothes and other necessities into a bag. While you packed your husband managed to pull his pants up long enough to come into your daughter’s room and make sure to let you know every way in which the affair was your fault, not his. He made sure to drill it home that you were inadequate and had you been enough he wouldn’t have had to step out. You paused to stare at him blankly. His words sinking in.

“Well then, I’ll make it easy for you, you piece of shit.” You said, firmly, finally finding your voice, “Consider the marriage over.You are now free to fuck whatever whore you want to. Not that being married actually meant anything to you. You won’t have to worry about being a father either, not that you were much of one anyway. Gracie and I will be just fine on our own.”

“You know I never wanted a kid anyway, Y/N.” He spat, “Only knocked you up to shut you up.”

“Thank you for making this so much easier.” You said. You hurried to grab the rest of what you thought Gracie would need. Your sweet little girl was at the sitter’s, blissfully unaware that her whole world was about to explode. At two you knew she wouldn’t remember any of this when she got bigger. You would do whatever you had to do in the divorce to ensure you got full and sole custody of your child. You wouldn’t allow her to be tainted by your soon to be ex husband.

Not even caring about any of your own belongings, nothing seeming important enough to go back into your shared bedroom, you gathered your purse and Gracie’s belongings, and slammed out of the house. After throwing everything into the trunk of your late model Toyota Camry you jumped into the driver’s side and backed out of the drive. You knew it would all hit you once the numbness wore off and that you’d probably be an emotional mess but all you prayed it wouldn’t be until you were as far from your hometown as possible.

You knew your parents would be of no help or comfort. Your dad was an asshole and your mom drank to numb the pain of being married to said asshole. Your only other family was your big brother, who was currently stationed in San Diego at Top Gun. With no other options or ideas, you knew that once you’d picked up Gracie, that’s where the two of you would head.

It was the middle of the night the next day by the time you pulled into your brother’s driveway. You hadn’t called to let him know you were coming, simply wanting to keep driving, putting as much distance between you and your hometown and broken marriage as you could. The further you got from Texas the lighter you felt, the easier you could breathe. Gracie had been  amazing on the trip, seeming to know that her momma needed to get them to a better place.

Turning off the car, you quietly unbuckled and got out, stretching your stiff muscles. Knowing your brother it was a distinct possibility he had company spending the night, and you hoped he wouldn’t be mad by the sudden appearance of his little sister and niece on his doorstep. The two of you had always been close growing up, just you against the world. It sucked when he’d left for the Academy and then flight school, but he’d made sure to always make sure you had a way to contact him and he was there whenever he could be.

You carefully got Gracie out of the car, cradling her sleeping form as you made your way up the steps to the door. Juggling her in your arms to free a hand, you knocked as loudly as you dared so as not to wake the sleeping toddler.

The front porch light flipped on and you could hear the lock click before the front door opened and your brother was in front of you, hair disheveled from sleep, eyes squinting against the light of the porch.

“Y/N?” He said, voice rough from sleep, “Tulip, what are you doin’ here? Is everything ok? Is Gracie ok?”

“Jakey…” You choked out, all of the emotions from the last 24 hours bubbling over, tears starting to spill down your cheeks.

Jake carefully pulled you and Gracie into his arms, embracing you carefully, concern etched on his face. He didn’t know what had caused his baby sister to show up on his doorstep, but he knew whatever it was, wasn’t good.

He gently pulled you into the house, closing the door quietly behind you, locking it once more and shutting off the porch light.

“Here, let me take Gracie” He said gently, “I’ll lay her in the guest room and put pillows between her and the floor. Grab a drink or whatever you need or want from the kitchen and I’ll be right back.”

You blindly walked to the kitchen pulling out a bottle of water from the fridge for yourself and one for Jake, not knowing if he’d be thirsty. You walked back to the living room and melted down onto the couch, pulling your knees up and resting your head on them, your arms wrapped around yourself. You heard Jake come back into the living room shortly after, carefully sitting down on the couch next to you and pulling you close so you were resting against his side.

“What happened, Sweetheart?” he asked, “Where’s Trent?”

“I wasn’t sure where else to go…” You whispered, “I’m sorry for just showing up on your doorstep in the middle of the night.”

“Tulip, you can show up on my doorstep anytime, day or night.” Jake said, pulling you tighter against him. “But I’m not going to lie, you’ve got me pretty worried right now.”

“I’m sorry, Jakey.” You said, tears running down your cheeks again, unable to keep them in check.

“Sweetheart, stop apologizing.” He said, gently. “Talk to me. What happened?”

“I came home from work early yesterday… “ You started, staring straight ahead at the wall. “Trent had apparently also gotten done with work early as he was already home… in bed… with Stephanie.”

“Fuck.” Jake said, “I’m so sorry, Tulip.” He wasn’t sure what else to say, if there was anything to say. He knew that you knew he’d never liked Trent. Didn’t think he was good enough for his baby sister. Not many would be considered good enough…if anyone at all. “What happened when you found him?”

“They didn’t even try to hide it or apologize or offer any fake excuses.” You said, numbly adding  “Trent said it’s my fault… I wasn’t enough to keep him happy. He said he never even wanted Gracie and that he just got me pregnant to shut me up.”

“I’m gonna fucking kill him.” Jake said coldly, “He doesn’t deserve you or Gracie. I’ll make sure he never sees either of you again. Nobody hurts my girls.”  

“I didn’t figure mom or dad would be of any help.” You whispered, all energy and fight completely drained from you. You were with your big brother and knew you were safe to fall apart. “Can Gracie and I stay with you until I get on my feet again? I can’t go back. There’s nothing left there for us.”

“You don’t even have to ask, Sweetheart.” He replied, “You both have a home with me whenever you need it, however long you need it and wherever I am. Go on up and crawl in with Gracie. Get some sleep. We will sort everything out in the morning. I can run out and get whatever we need.”

“I only grabbed stuff for Gracie.” You admitted, “I couldn’t bring myself to step foot into my bedroom with her  still in my bed. In hindsight, leaving all of my clothes was probably stupid.”

“Nope.” He replied, “Gives me all the more reason to spoil my baby sister. I’ve got tomorrow off anyway. I’ll call in some help and we’ll get it sorted.”

Jake stood up and pulled you up, leading you to the room he’d put Gracie to bed in and hugged you goodnight. He made mental notes of everything you’d need and decided he’d need to enlist some help tomorrow as he made his way back to his own room and fell back into bed. One thing he knew for certain, he’d do whatever he could to make sure nobody hurt his baby sister or sweet niece ever again.

The next morning you woke up to the smell of coffee and food wafting into the room, and the sound of your daughter giggling. You smiled, rubbing your eyes. Every opportunity Jake had over the last two years he’d spent with you and Gracie either visiting in Texas or flying you both out to see him. Gracie thought Uncle Jake hung the moon and stars and had him wrapped around her tiny pinky. You knew he’d already hatched a plan to start spoiling your daughter.

You quickly used the bathroom next to the guest room, before heading to the kitchen. Jake had Gracie sitting on the counter playing with measuring cups while he made breakfast. There was a plate of pancakes already made and he had moved onto eggs and bacon.

“Morning Tulip.” He greeted you with a bright smile, his dimples on full display. “Coffee is in the pot. There’s creamer and sugar if you want it. Breakfast is almost ready. My favorite little princess here has been keeping me company.”

“Hi Mommy!” Gracie beamed, happy and oblivious to the upheaval.

“I see that. Hi Baby Girl!” You replied, kissing her head before pulling a mug out of the cupboard and heading to the coffee pot. Jake had given you one of his old Navy shirts and a pair of cotton shorts to wear to sleep in. You had to roll the waistband over several times in order to make them fit without falling to your knees. Clothes and essentials were your top priority today.  “Thank you, Jakey.”

“Sweetheart you’ve got to stop thanking me.” He replied, “We’re family. As far as I’m concerned you and Princess Gracie are the only real family I’ve got. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you two.”

You offered him a small smile, returning your attention to making your coffee. When he’d finished making breakfast he made a plate of food and pulled Gracie from the counter to sit on his lap and eat breakfast with him, sharing his food with the toddler.

“She can sit with me, Jake.” You offered, “You cooked, you should get to enjoy your breakfast.”

“I am enjoying my breakfast.” He answered, blowing a raspberry on Gracie’s cheek and making her erupt in belly giggles. “The circumstances for y’all being here suck, but I’ve missed my two favorite girls. I’m really happy you’re here.”

“Despite everything that’s happened, I’m happy we’re too, Bubs.” You replied, offering him the first real smile since arriving. “We’ve missed you too, haven’t we Gracie Girl?”

“Wuv Unko Jakey!” Gracie exclaimed, squirming around to plan a very sticky kiss on her favorite uncle’s cheek. You laughed, getting up to grab a wet napkin so he could wipe the syrup from his face.

“Unko Jakey loves you too Princess G!” Jake replied not minding the sticky kiss from his favorite little girl.

As you finished breakfast, you cleared the table. You got Gracie occupied playing with some clean pots on the floor while you tackle the dishes and kitchen clean up. You sent Jake off to the shower, not letting him argue about who got clean up duties.

Once the kitchen was set to rights again, and all the dishes were done, you scooped up Gracie and headed to the guestroom to dig through the bag Jake had already brought in and got her changed. You dreaded putting on the dirty clothes from traveling but it was literally all you had.  

Jake, finished in the shower, and fully dressed, reclaimed Gracie from you, telling you to jump in the shower and get ready. He’d snuck your clothes to the wash last night after sending you to bed and got up to put them in the dryer earlier that morning. You had never been more grateful for being blessed with an amazing brother.

When you emerged from the bathroom, showered, hair down and clean clothes on, you almost felt like a new person.

“It’s amazing what a shower can do for someone’s spirit and mental well being.” You said, walking into the living room.  

Jake had Gracie on the couch with him watching cartoons while he’d been on his phone texting his adopted family, the Daggers, for reinforcements. He knew the two of you would need help getting furniture and supplies, getting everything set up, and supervising a very active toddler. Rooster had surprisingly been the first to reply, saying he’d be there in twenty minutes. Mav replied back saying to let him know when you need help with getting stuff set up and he’d come over. Phoenix immediately had offered babysitting duties, saying the other guys couldn’t be trusted. Coyote and Payback replied they’d be over to help assemble and move stuff and would bring pizza and beer for everyone.  

You and Gracie were his only blood family, but he had secured a spot in a bigger family that he knew would always have his back. Despite the rocky start, he hoped they knew he’d always have their back too.

“I’m glad you’re energized again, Tulip!” Jake replied, “Because we’ve got our work cut out for us today. I’ve called in help.”

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door, and two more car doors slamming. Jake jumped up to open the door.

“Thanks for coming.” Jake said, opening the door wide to allow his friends into the house.

“Of course, man.” A very tall, attractive man with a mustache replied, stepping in. He smiled at Gracie who was now peaking over the side of the couch, curious about the new people. Her green eyes that matched your and Jake’s watchful eyes.  “You must be Princess Gracie.”

“The one and only!” Jake confirms, beaming like the proud uncle he is. “Gracie, this is my friend Rooster. Can you come say hi?”

Gracie, who was normally very shy, carefully crawled down off the couch and walked over to her uncle. She peaked her head around his leg, staring up at Rooster.

He crouched down closer to your daughter’s level, giving her time to warm up to him.

“Hi, Sweetheart.” He said, gently, a warm smile on his face. “I’m Bradley, or Rooster, you pick. Can I help you and your Uncle Jake set you up a princess room?

“Hi Woosta” Gracie greeted him, a smile on her face. “Pwincess Woom Pwease.”

“You got it, sweetheart!” He promised, winking at her before standing back up.

“Rooster, this is my baby sister Y/N” Jake said making the introductions, “Tulip, this is Bradley Bradshaw, or Rooster.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Y/N” Bradley said, “I feel like we all already know you though from the amount Jake talks about you.”

“Uh oh.” You replied, cringing, “Maybe don’t believe everything he says. It’s nice to meet you too, Bradley.”

“Hey, I only ever talk about how amazingly wonderful my baby sister is.” Jake argues in mock indignation. “And how adorable and smart my little Princess G is!”

“He’s telling the truth.” A new, female voice added, stepping into the house. Followed by another man.

“Phoenix” Jake said, smiling brightly at her, “You’re a lifesaver, Darlin’”

“Hey! I made it over here first, am I just chopped liver now?” Bradley pouted, playfully. You could already see you’d like these people a lot. Something in the way your brother looked and talked to Phoenix intrigued you too. His whole demeanor changed when she’d walked in…he became lighter…almost brighter as soon as she’d stepped foot inside the house. It was making sense now too why she was the only one you’d ever heard a lot about from your brother. You made a mental note to investigate that further later.

“We all know this mission would be a disaster if you two are in charge.” Phoenix laughed, then turned towards you “I’m Natasha Trace, or Phoenix.”

“Nice to meet you, Natasha.” You replied, smiling, “I’ve actually heard a lot about you too.”  Pink creeped over Jake’s ears and cheeks when you busted him out.

“And this is Bob.” Jake said, diverting attention, “He’s Phoenix’s backseater, and generally the one that keeps the rest of us out of too much trouble.”

“Well that’s got to be a full time job, Bob.” You laughed, “Just keeping Jake out of trouble would be a lot of work.”

“They have their moments.” Bob laughed, “It’s nice to meet you, Y.N.”

Gracie tugged at Jake’s pant leg, looking up at her uncle. Jake swung her up into his arms, holding her close. Gracie leaned into whisper loudly, in his ear.

“She pwetty, Unco Jakey.” She said, peaking at Phoenix from under her very long lashes.

Jake smiled widely, turning his face to whisper back in Gracie’s ear, “She sure is, Princess G.”

Phoenix smiled at your daughter, blushing at the interaction. She didn’t quite know how to handle Jake’s response.

“Ok, so we need a game plan.” Bob said, “We’ve got a room to make over, furniture to buy, and let’s be honest, we probably need to childproof this house.”

“And Y/N needs a new wardrobe.” Jake added, “And my Princess G probably needs some clothes too.”

“Jake.” You piped up, “You're not remodeling or making over your house to accommodate us. We just need a few things. Gracie and I are fine sharing a bed.”

“Nope. I said what I said.” He replied stubbornly, “The small room next to the guest room acting as an office right now is getting moved to the garage. Princess G will get that as her princess room. You can change, add to, or take out anything from the guest room to make it your own. We need a high chair, or booster at least, I need an extra car seat for my truck, we need a stroller…preferably a jogger so my favorite girl can go running with me… what am I missing?”

“TOYS!” Bradley said looking around at the room, “Princess Gracie needs toys!”

“Yes!” Jake said, smacking his head, “We need toys.”

“Jacob!” You said, eyes wide, exasperated with your brother.

“Y/N!” He tossed back, eyes stubbornly locking on your own before softening, “Tulip, y’all have been through hell. You’re getting a fresh start here. I wasn’t there when it all went to hell. Let me do this.”

“Fine.” You relented, shoulders sagging, “You win.”

“OK! So…a plan.” Phoenix said, “How about Y/N and I take Gracie and go get clothes and all of that kinda stuff. Then we can take Gracie to my apartment to nap  while you all go get paint and furniture and that kind of stuff and start the room makeover.”

“You ok with that, Tulip?” Jake asked, making sure you were comfortable.

“Yeah, as long as you’re all ok with giving up your day off for us?” You replied, glancing at your brother’s friends.

“Absolutely” Bradley assured, his warm smile and honey gaze making warmth rush over you. “We take family pretty seriously in this squad, Y/N.”

“Rooster’s right.” Phoenix replied, stepping closer Gracie in Jake’s arms, tapping her playfully on her button nose and making her giggle, “and this cutie just inherited a whole lot of uncles and an aunt to spoil her rotten.”

Tears burned behind your eyes, suddenly overcome with emotions. The last three years of your marriage the only friend that your douchebag husband had allowed you to have was Stephanie, isolating you from everyone else. You now understood how she had made the cut. He’d even tried to drive you apart from your brother but was satisfied in just knowing he was stationed away from you so wasn’t a threat. Looking back, you should have seen the red flags, realized what his plan had been. Hindsight really was a bitch.

Phoenix sensed you were on the verge of breaking down. She turned, taking Gracie from Jake’s arms, your daughter going straight to her.

“Let’s go shopping and get you and Mommy some new princess clothes ok?” She said, “Uncle Jake will get your room all pretty for you and find you some new toys!”

“Yay! Toys!” Gracie cheered, “Mommy! We go bye bye!”

You laughed, blinking back the tears, choking down the emotions and memories.

“Ok, Baby Girl.” You said, “Let’s go bye bye.”

“Bye bye Unco Jakey, Woosta, and BOB” Gracie said, waving.

“Bye Princess G!” Jake said, blowing her a kiss. “Be good for Mommy and Nix ok”?

“Ok!” She agreed, “Wuv you!”

“Love you too!” He smiled at her, “Have fun, Tulip. No worries today, ok? We’ll work it all out.”

“Thank you.” You said, “All of you. Jakey please don’t go overboard, I love you.”

“Love you too, Tulip.” He replied, not promising to not go overboard.

“Let’s go get supplies and call in the rest of the Daggers.” Bradley suggested, “We’re gonna needs all hands on deck to get this done today.”

You opted to take your car since the car seat was already in the back. You quickly buckled Gracie in before getting into the driver’s side. Phoenix gave you directions to the nearest mall that would have the best options for clothing and stuff for Gracie. You’d hit up a Target on the way back to get the rest of the stuff you’d need.

Once at the mall, you rented one of the strollers since you’d left Gracie’s back in Texas. You were actually surprised your phone hadn’t been blowing up with calls or texts from Trent since you’d been gone almost 48 hours by this point. You knew it was only a matter of time.

“Let’s start with finding stuff for you.” Phoenix suggested. “I think you deserve a bit of a pick me up, Y/N/”

“It’s been one hell of a couple of days.” You acknowledged. “Shit, I no called no showed at work… won’t be getting a positive referral from them I suppose.”

“I’m sure we can find you something here without any reference from them.” She replied “and besides, most would be understanding under the circumstances.”

“Probably.” You agreed. “So… are you and Jake close? He’s talked briefly about the team, but really has talked about you the most.”

“We’re… complicated.” She replied, “I’ve known him since the Academy. We’ve always been competitive with one another. He pushes me to be the best pilot I can be… I’ve seen a few sides to Hangman, but I honestly can’t figure out which is the real him.”

“My brother is complicated.” You agreed, “He’s always been guarded with people…we kinda had to be growing up in our house.  He is fiercely loyal to those who make it past the outer shell. I know my brother can be… a lot. He can be cocky and sometimes comes across as arrogant. I imagine that’s more in line with the “Hangman” you guys tend to see. Inside though… Jake…. He’s the guy you saw at the house today. He’s an amazing Uncle, protector, and fun loving guy. He is the best brother I could have ever asked for. He’s the guy who would do anything for his family…for his friends. He’s the one that would disobey orders and fly off a carrier to save his friends. He’s the Jake that lit up as soon as you walked into the house today. Happy that you came, happy that you were there.”

“The more I see of Jake… outside of work… and when he drops the front of Hangman…the more I genuinely like him.” She admitted, “Your brother is beyond good looking…more good looking that he has a right to be… he’s got lots of women turning their heads for him when we’re at the Hard Deck, Y/N, women a whole lot prettier than me…I don’t think he’d ever see me like that.”

“I thought you had to have pretty decent vision to be an aviator” You asked.

“I mean, mostly, yes… glasses are allowed… why?” She replied, confused.

“I just didn’t realize they let you fly if you were clearly blind.” You shrugged, smirking at her. “Because, you, Natasha… are blind.”

She laughed, ducking her head, before looking back up, “Let’s get you outfitted with some new clothes.”

Several stores and more money than you’d spent on clothing in probably your lifetime later, you had enough clothes to get you started. Phoenix had talked you into a few cute sundresses, saying you never knew when you’d need them. You’d also gotten several pairs of jeans and shorts, tops, bras, panties, a swimsuit and shoes. With your wardrobe squared away, you’d moved onto finding a few more outfits for Gracie and sandals before leaving the mall.

You decided to stop for a quick lunch before heading to Target to get toiletries, diapers, booster seat, new car seat, stroller and toys. Jake had texted while you were out telling you not to buy a bed for Gracie because he’d already found one.

Gracie ended up passing out in the car seat while you drove to Phoenix’s apartment. Thankfully hers was on the first floor so no carrying a sleeping toddler up stairs. She unlocked her door and led you to the bedroom where you laid your daughter on the bed, placing pillows around her in case she rolled.

After getting Gracie settled the two of you sat down on the couch with glasses of iced tea. Your phone dinged with an incoming message. Assuming it was Jake you pulled your phone out, opening your message.

Trent: You’ve had your tantrum. Get your ass home.

You had to fight down the bile rising in your throat while reading the text.

“Everything ok, Y/N?” Phoenix asked, seeing all the color drain from your face.

“It’s Trent.” You admitted.

“You don’t have to respond to him until you’re ready.” She said, “Hell you can ignore his ass completely and direct all communication through lawyers.”

“I can’t afford a lawyer, Nat.” You whispered, tears springing to your eyes. “What am I going to do?”

“Hey,” She said gently, grasping your hand in comfort, “Between all of us, we’ll get it figured out. There are lots of options. In the meantime, don’t engage with him… save any and all texts and voicemails.”

“Can I tell you something I haven’t admitted to anyone else?” You asked, knowing you could trust her.

“Of course, Y/N.” She assured you, “You can talk to me about anything. Whatever it is will stay between us.”

“It’s pathetic that after everything else that happened the last three years, it was him cheating with someone I thought was my best friend that woke me up and fueled me to leave.” You said, “But in reality it should have been the times he called me worthless, told me that I was lucky he felt sorry for me and married me because nobody else would want me…. Told me I was useless as a wife and mother. Isolated me from all my friends… made me dependent upon him. Convinced me on some level that Jake left because he didn’t want to be bothered with me…that he was lucky to be away from me.”

“Fuck.” She said, blowing out a breath. “There’s a lot to unpack there… Most importantly though, he was wrong. So. Fucking. Wrong… about all of it. You cannot blame yourself for anything he did or said. I know it’s harder said than done. If nothing else, you owe it to Gracie to show her that her mom is a badass, strong woman who knows her worth. Trent.. That his name? He is a spineless worthless piece of crap who doesn’t deserve to lick the dirt from your boots…if you had any… and he sure as shit doesn't deserve to be a dad to that sweet girl in there.”

“Thank you, Nat.” You said, tears streaming down your face. It felt really good to confide in someone. You knew if you told Jake he’d probably fly his f-18 to Texas and kill Trent. You also knew though that you would have to talk to your brother at some point because you had a feeling the divorce would be ugly.  “I guess maybe I’m just meant to be single… I kinda suck at choosing the right man.”

“How about this…” She said, “When the time comes, you’re ready to get back out there and date… you let me and maybe Jake weed out the losers and help you find a good one.”

“If it were up to Jake, I’d remain single for life.” You said, chuckling. “He’s always been a little overprotective… I actually didn’t get to really date or get serious with a guy until he’d left for the Academy… hence Trent.”

“Let’s not tell him that.” Phoenix said, “One thing I do know about your brother is that he takes on guilt very easily when he shouldn’t. Blames himself for stuff that is absolutely not in his control.”

“Yeah…” You agree, he definitely did blame himself for things he had no blame in.

Your phone dinged again, several times in succession.

Trent: Grow the fuck up, Y/N. Bring the brat and your ass home.

Trent: You will regret running off. I’ll make sure you and the brat don’t see your precious brother again.

Trent: Are you fucking someone else? Did you run off to whore yourself to someone stupid enough to take you in?

Trent: ANSWER THE FUCKING TEXTS Y/N!

Having not gotten a response, your phone suddenly started ringing. Seeing it was Trent you immediately sent it to voicemail.

“Jesus” Phoenix said, “I’m going to text Jake and tell him to text or call me if they need anything. Turn your phone off, Y/N. You don’t need that stress.”

Knowing she was probably right you went ahead and turned off your phone and tucked it into your back pocket. You sighed, head falling back against the couch in utter defeat. Everything was catching up to you, and you were exhausted. Deciding to take a breather while you could, you closed your eyes, telling yourself it was just for a moment.  Your body took advantage of you letting your guard down and you drifted off to sleep.

Phoenix called Jake, getting up to move to the kitchen where she hopefully wouldn’t wake you up.

“Hey, Nix” Jake said, “You ladies have fun shopping?”

“Yeah” She replied, “Gracie and Y/N are actually sleeping right now. Gracie passed out in the car and Y/N just fell asleep on the couch… Jake, I had her turn her phone off. You might want to take her and get her added to your plan and change her number. That douchebag sent her a lot of nasty texts then started calling her. She got really pale and had a broken look in her eyes.”

“FUCK!” He yelled, “I swear, I’m gonna kill that guy, Nix. I’ve always fucking hated him but I love my sister more and didn’t want to lose her.”

“She’s scared she doesn’t have options.” She said, “I told her we’d figure it out together. I’ll start searching for lawyers and stuff while she is sleeping. We will head back that way when they wake up.”

“I won’t let anything else happen to them.” Jake promised, “Did she say if he physically hurt her or Gracie?”

“I know your sister enough just in the little time I’ve spent with her to know that had he laid a finger on Gracie Y/N would have killed him.” Phoenix said, “I don’t know if he got physical with her though. Talk to her… she’s gonna need you.”

“She’ll always have me, Nix.” He said, “My sister and Gracie have always and will always come first.”

“You’re a good guy, Jake.” Phoenix admitted. “We should be back soon. Do we need to get food or drinks or anything on the way?”

“No, Coyote and Payback are bringing pizzas and beer. I already have juice and milk for Gracie, and sodas for everyone too.” Jake said.

“OK. See you soon.” She said.

“Thanks Nix.” He said before hanging up.

Phoenix grabbed her laptop and started to look for lawyers in the area that specialize in family law.

Jake’s POV

He had to take several deep breaths after hanging up with Phoenix to get himself back in check. It really was taking everything in him not to fly back to Texas and beat the living tar out of Trent. The fact that his sister and niece needed him was the only thing keeping him there.

“Everything ok, man?” Bradley asked, see how upset Jake was. “Did something happen while the girls were shopping?”

“Phoenix said Trent started sending harassing texts and calls to Y/N.” Jake replied, “Said she was visibly shaken by them. I swear to God if I ever find out he laid a finger on my sister I will make him wish he’d never been born.”

“What’s important now is that Y/N and Gracie are here, Jake.” Bradley said, “They’ve got you… and all of us to protect them now. He can’t touch them again.”

“I never liked him. He was too smarmy. Too smooth.” Jake said, “Y/N just said I was being overprotective when I told her I didn’t think he was good for her. I should have pushed harder… tried harder to protect her.”

“Jake.” Bradley said, putting his hand on Jake’s shoulder, “Had you pushed harder you might have pushed her away completely and then she wouldn’t have had you to come to now. You can’t change or fix the past. You can be there for her now and help her get back on her feet…. Help her to feel like she’s in control again.”

“Thanks Rooster.” Jake said, sighing. He knew his friend was right. All he could do now was help his sister get her footing back. “You’re right… My sister is stubborn as hell. She’s also the strongest woman I’ve ever known. She just needs help remembering she’s a badass Seresin.”

“There ya go.” Bradley laughed, “Now, come on… let’s finish Princess G’s room. Mav and Penny are on their way with the decor. Paint should be dry with all the fans we have going, and Bob said that the rest of the reinforcements just showed up to help assemble some furniture.”

“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you all for this.” Jake said, “Seriously, this means the world to me…to my sister.”

“Hangman…we’re a family now, Man, remember?” Bradley asked, “It’s what we do.”

“Alright!” Bob said, coming back into the house, trailed by the rest of the team “Reinforcements. Operation Build a Princess room is a go!”

With Bob taking over, directing everyone, they managed to get all of the bedroom furniture assembled for Gracie, complete with the canopy bed Jake found at the local furniture store, in no time. They just finished moving it all into the room and setting it up when Mav and Penny arrived with the bedding, curtains, a few wall hangings and a princess lamp.

“Wow.” Jake said taking in everything they picked up, “You guys were thorough.”

“Amelia went through a princess stage when she was little so I’ve had practice.” Penny said, “It was nice shopping for a little girl again. It’s been awhile.”

“I was just along to carry bags and keep her company.” Mav admitted laughing, “Everything going ok? I can get you a few more days off if you need them, Jake.”

“Thanks Mav.” He replied, “I might need a couple of days to help her get the divorce going…and get her a new fucking phone number.”

“Consider it done.” Mav replied, “And let us know if there is anything we can do to help.”

“You’ve all already done so much.” Jake replied, “I’m really grateful for all of you.”

“Go get the living room cleared of the boxes and tools.” Penny said, “I’ll finish this room for Gracie.”

Your POV

After waking up on Phoenix’s couch you apologized for falling asleep. She quickly reassured you it was completely fine. Not long after, Gracie woke from her nap too. You changed her diaper before you filled a sippy cup with watered down juice, handing it to her as you put her shoes back on.

“I called Jake while you were sleeping and just let him know your phone was off and why. I didn’t share anything else with him though.” Phoenix assured you. “I told him we’d come back as soon as you and Gracie woke up.”

“Thanks, Nat.” You smiled, “I promise, as soon as I have a chance, I’ll talk to Jake. I don’t want you to have to keep secrets. It’s not fair to you. I haven’t been able to have friends for awhile and apparently the one I did have wasn’t really a friend… I could really use a friend.”

“You’ve got one.” She promised, hugging you tightly.

“Thank you” You said, hugging her back. “We should probably go make sure they’re not going completely overboard.”

“I’m gonna go ahead and guess it’s already too late for that.” She replied, laughing, “None of the guys on the squad are known for restraint… it usually takes Bob and me both to keep them in line.”

“Great.” You said, rolling your eyes. “Let’s go see your new kingdom, Princess Gracie.”

“Yay!” She replied, only understanding you were going bye bye again.

When you pulled back up at Jake’s there were considerably more cars than before. Thankfully though, they’d left the spot open next to Jake’s truck. You pulled in and turned the car off. The front door opened and Jake, Bradley and someone you’d not yet met came out.

“Princess G!” Jake said, making grabby hands towards you when you pulled her out of the car seat. There were bags piled in the backseat and in the trunk from your shopping spree.

“Unco Jakey!” Gracie squealed, reaching for Jake.

“I missed you my beautiful Princess!” He said, “Uncle Jake has a surprise for you!”

“Pwise?” She asked, eyes growing wide. Jake winked at you before carrying your daughter into the house.

“Here let us help Y/N” Bradley said, stepping towards you, smiling. His smile was starting to do things to you.

“I can get these bags, if you guys want to grab the bigger stuff in the trunk?” You said, returning his smile.

“We’re on it, Sweetheart.” He replied, walking around to the trunk and starting to pull out everything you’d gotten for Gracie.

Once inside, you took the bags to the bedroom to be sorted, while the guys stacked all of the bigger purchases in the living room.

You went to the room next to the guest room that had been designated as the princess room and peaked your head in the door.

“Mommy!” Gracie squealed, happily. “Pwincess Woom!”

“Yes, Gracie” You smiled in amazement, walking into the room. “You do have a princess room. Did you tell everyone thank you?”

‘Fank You!” She parroted, running over to hug Jake.

“You’re very welcome, Princess G.” Jake said, picking up the toddler. “What do you think, Tulip?”

“It’s amazing, Jake.” You said, once more overcome with emotion. “You did not have to do all of this.”

“Oh, we definitely did.” He assured you, “Come on, let me introduce you to the rest of the crew. “

You followed him out to the other room where there was an assembly line happening with some on setting up the food and the rest unboxing toys, the stroller, and the booster seat.

“Gracie girl! Wanna see your new toys?” Bradley asked, pulling one of the baby dolls from a box.

“Woosta!” She said, squirming until Jake put her down, running as fast as her little leg would carry her to Bradley. “Toys pwease!”

“Here you go, Sweetpea.” He said, handing her the doll. To his shock and delight, Gracie crawled into his lap and sat happily playing with her new doll. You melted at the sight of this sweet man being so good to your daughter. All of the men here had already treated her better and shown her more love than her own father had in her entire life.

To keep from breaking down in tears, for what felt like the millionth time in two days, you hurried over to help get plates and drinks ready for everyone so they could eat.

“Y/N, this is Penny” Phoenix said introducing you, “She came in clutch with the decor! Couldn’t leave that to the men. She also owns the Hard Deck, where we seem to congregate when we’re not in the skies or on missions.”

“It’s so nice to meet you.” You replied, smiling, “Thank you so much for making my daughter’s room so beautiful. It means so much to us.”

“Of course!” She replied, “I’ve got a soft spot for Jake. I’ve also done the single parent thing with a deadbeat ex. I get it. If you need anything, I am just a phone call away.”

“Thank you” You said again, taking a deep breath. “You’ve all been amazing… I can never repay the kindness.”

“That’s the beauty of family, Y/N.” Phoenix said, “Repayment isn’t expected. We take care of each other.”

“I’m starting to see that.” You replied.

“Hey Tulip,” Jake said, coming up behind you, his arm dropping over your shoulder. He dropped a kiss on top of your head, “You doing ok? Did you get everything you needed for you?”

“I’m ok, Jakey” You replied, “I think I got everything I needed.”

“Good.” He replied, “Mav said he’d help me get the next couple of days off too so we’ll tackle the other problems then ok? Try to relax and just enjoy tonight.”

“Jake.” You replied, “I feel bad enough for crashing your bachelor pad, interrupting your life… I don’t want to interfere with your career too!”

“His career is just fine,” A new, gentle voice added. “He’s earned a few days off… we normally have to force him to take some R&R anyway.”

“Y/N, this is Captain Pete Mitchell, or Maverick.” Jake said introducing you. Jake had a lot of respect for Maverick. He often talked about him when the two of you caught up. He’d become more than just a commanding officer to Jake, he was his mentor and almost a father-figure.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Sir.” You replied, “Jake has told me a lot about you. It’s nice to have a face to go with the stories.”

“No need for formality, Y/N” He laughed, “Pete or Maverick is fine. It’s nice to meet you too. Your brother is quite proud of his little sister and niece. He’s talked about the two of you as well.”

“We’re pretty damn proud of him too.” You said, smiling lovingly at your big brother.

“Mommy, I hungwy” Gracie said, tugging at your shorts. “I eat pwease.”

“Of course, Baby Girl!” you said picking her up, “Let’s get you some dinner.”

Later that night once everyone had cleared out and Gracie was bathed and sound asleep in your new room, you sat down on the couch with Jake.

“Starting over is exhausting.” You sighed, “Thank you, Jakey. I know you told me to stop thanking you, but I can’t. You are quite literally saving us. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out, Tulip.” He said, wrapping his arm around you and tucking you into his side. “It’s you and me against the world, remember?”

“We seem to have picked up a few more people since we were kids, hiding in the treehouse out back.” You replied, “You’ve found a great group, Jakey. A great family.”

“Yeah they are.” He agreed, “Getting called back to Top Gun for that mission… The Daggers forming… is probably the best thing that’s happened to me. I found a purpose finally. I don’t feel the need to always have to prove myself…I don’t always have to be Hangman, I can just be… Jake.”

“You should let them see Jake more often.” You replied, nudging him.  “I know a certain female pilot that would probably love to see the softer Jake more often.”

“Staaaahhp” He groaned, “I already have Coyote and Rooster up my ass about Phoenix. It’s… complicated, Tulip.”

“The best things in life usually are.” You pointed out.

“Anyway… “ He said, his green eyes playfully glaring at you, “First thing tomorrow we’ll go get you a new phone number and I’ll add you to my line. Actually… it’s better if we get you a whole new phone and number… then we can keep this one and keep saving texts and voicemails.”

“I don’t even want to know how many messages have come through since I turned it off.” You groaned, “Jakey, this is all becoming too much. You shouldn’t have to add me to your line or be spending so much money. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“Y/N Y/M/N Seresin.” He growled, “I am your big brother. I will always be here to catch you when you need it. I don’t give a flying fuck about money, in fact, I like getting to spoil my baby sister and niece. You and Gracie will never be a burden to me. Do you understand? You. Are. My. Family. Now, hand over the phone, Tulip. I want to see what we’re dealing with.”

“I want to be a Seresin again.” You replied quietly, you hated that you carried that asshole’s name. You’d actually never wanted to take his name, but he’d insisted. “I want Gracie to be a Seresin too.”

“Then we’ll make it happen, Sweetheart.” He smiled gently, then held his hand out, making ‘gimme’ fingers. “Phone.”

You reached into your back pocket and pulled out the phone, handing it over to him. Jake turned it on, and waited for it to power up. Not surprisingly your phone started to ding with notifications in rapid succession. You felt your stomach knot instantly.

“I don’t suppose you know any amazing lawyers that would work for next to nothing do you?” You asked, “All of my money went to the joint account… and I don’t have access to it.”

“What do you mean you don’t have access?” Jake asked,“Like…you left the debit card back in Texas?”

“Trent took care of all of the bills and said I didn’t need to have access. I gave up fighting with him about it. He gave me cash to go get groceries and stuff that Gracie needed.” You replied, ducking your head, unable to make eye contact with your brother.

“Tulip.” He said gently, tucking his hand under your chin to pull your head back up. “Baby girl, why didn’t you tell me things weren’t good? I would have gotten you out of there… long before this.”

“I don’t know.” You whispered. You knew now was probably the time to tell him everything you’d told Phoenix earlier. “I guess I felt stupid. I let myself get backed into a corner and was too helpless to get out of it.”

“You are not stupid, Y/N.” Jake said firmly, “You aren’t helpless either. Anyone can find themselves backed into a corner, Tulip. In the end, you did leave. You got yourself and Gracie out. I need to know, Y/N… I need you to be honest with me.. Did he hurt you? Did he put hands on you? On Gracie? Judging from some of these texts I’ve read, I wouldn’t put it past him. It’s taking everything in me not to fly to Texas tonight.”

“No…never physically hurt me.” You confirmed, “And I’d have killed him had he laid hands on Gracie.”

“That’s one less crime against him I guess.” Jake said, his eyes an eerie cold green. You knew his anger wasn’t directed at you, but it was slightly intimidating nonetheless. “I’m guessing the same isn’t true about emotionally hurting you…”

And there was your opening. You unloaded the three years of emotional pain and turmoil right there on your brother. You told him about everything Trent had done and said, every negative belief he’d tried to engrain in you, the feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness, hopelessness. By the time you finished, Jake’s fists were clenched so hard his knuckles were completely white. Anger rolled off of him in waves. You’d never seen Jake this upset before…this angry. You knew that vast majority of the anger was solely placed at Trent’s feet. But you knew your brother too… you knew he was now blaming himself. Which, honestly, was why you’d never told him what was happening.

“Jakey.” You said, putting your hand on his clenched fist, pulling him from his head. “I can read the thoughts rolling over in your head. I need you to hear me right now… are you listening?”

He looked up at you, his eyes finding your own. You could still see the anger, but you caught a glimpse of pure anguish in his eyes. It nearly broke you.

“I’m listening, Tulip.” He acknowledged, his voice thick with emotion.

“I need you to really hear me.” You repeated, “You. Are. Not. in any way shape or form to blame for anything that has happened in my life. NOTHING has ever been your fault Jake. You protected me and took care of me when our parents didn’t. You were my biggest cheerleader, giving me the courage to try new things. You had every right to go live your dreams, to escape what would have been a dead end life in Texas. You are not allowed to regret that. I am SO proud of you. You turned into an incredible man, Jake… DESPITE the example set for you from our father. You  rose above all that and are such a sweet and caring soul. I am responsible for the choices I made and kept making. Trent is responsible for being a horrible human being and a piece of shit husband and father. YOU were here to catch me, Jake. Do you understand me? Please… do not place the blame for any of this anywhere but on Trent and me.”

“Tulip.” Jake said, his voice rough, tears falling down his cheeks. “I hear you… But, I’m your big brother. It’s always been my responsibility to keep you safe and protect you. I feel like I failed miserably at that job. I didn’t see through a situation I should have seen through. I should have picked up on the warning signs. I can’t promise to not blame myself for not getting you out sooner. I can promise to place the blame for the situation 100 percent at that rat bastard’s feet though. YOU, my sweet baby sister are not to blame either… Do you hear me? You are a victim here. Gracie is a victim. I will promise you though, and promise on my life… I will do everything in my power to get you and Gracie free from him. And no matter where I get sent in the future, I will always make sure you’re taken care of and have a safe place to land whenever you need it.”

“I love you Jake.” You said, tears falling down your own cheeks now. “I am the luckiest girl in the world to have you as my big brother.”

“I love you too, Y/N.” Jake said, pulling you over into a tight hug. “I’m the lucky one, Tulip.”

“I didn’t have being a divorced, jobless, single mom at 26 on my BINGO card.” You remarked dryly.

“Nothing wrong with being divorced,” Jake said, “Our lives would have been better had our parents split. The rest is easy enough to fix. We find you a job you like, get you set up with a bank account and as for being a single mom… you’re young, Tulip. You will meet someone great that loves you and Gracie. I’ll be vetting them this time… sorry, not sorry.”

“I don’t think that’ll be a problem, Jakey.” You replied, “I think I’m just going to focus on being a mom to Gracie and providing a great life for her. I’m a little gun shy with relationships. Not the best track record…”

“Give it time, Sweetheart.” He cautioned, “Don’t be too quick to slam doors. One step at a time though. I’m gonna wade through these messages. You go get some sleep.”

“Don’t engage with him though Jake.” You pleaded.

“Not planning on replying to anything, Tulip.” He said, “I promise.”

“Ok. Goodnight, Jakey.” You said getting up. You turned and dropped a kiss on his head, “I love you.”

“Love you too, Sweetheart.” He smiled, “Sweet Dreams.”

After you went towards your room, Jake spent a half hour going through all the messages, forwarding them to his own phone as back up. The more he read, the angrier he became. He got up to grab a beer from the fridge to take the edge off. Since he had the next day off, he didn’t feel guilty drinking.

Sitting back down on the couch, he pulled out his own phone and called Bradley.

“Everything alright?” Bradley asked as soon as he’d answered.

“I’ve been looking at the texts and listening to messages that Y/N’s soon to be EX husband is sending her and I’m so beyond angry, I just needed to be talked down.” Jake replied, “I sent her off to bed to get some sleep.”

“I don’t know how good I’ll be at talking you down from that man,” Bradley admitted, “Just spending the little time with her today that I did, I’d be right behind you in line to beat the shit of out of him.”

“Well shit, man, we can’t both end up in jail.” Jake laughed, “I just feel like I should have picked up on this much sooner and gotten her the fuck out.”

“You know it’s not your fault, Jake.” Bradley said, “The only person to blame in the entire scenario is that piece of shit.”

“That’s what Y/N said too” Jake admitted, “But I’m her big brother and have always been her protector.”

“She’s a smart woman. You should listen to her.” Bradley replied, “She also seems to be pretty damn tough so don’t discredit that. It sucks when you can’t protect the people you love from life. I get it. But you’re here now, you can protect them now. Plus you have a whole squad ready to throw down.”

“Thanks, Rooster,” Jake said. “She is tough… sometimes too tough. I’ll definitely make sure they’re protected at all costs now.”

“Your niece is probably the cutest kid I’ve ever met.” Bradley said, “Did she love her Princess room?”

“She is so perfect.” Jake gushed, “She went right to sleep, all snuggled into the blankets.”

“You should take her to the zoo while you’re off.” Bradley suggested, “I bet she’d absolutely adore that.”

“Good idea, man.” He said, “She would love it. So would Y/N. She’s always been crazy about animals. Would take her mind off things too.”

“No doubt about that.” Bradley agreed. “You good now?”

“Yeah.” Jake said, “Thank you. I might bring the girls by the base tomorrow, show them around.”

“Sounds good.” Bradley said, “Call me if you do, I’ll make sure everyone is available and we can show them all the planes.”

“Perfect. Goodnight Rooster.” Jake said.

“Goodnight, Hangman.” Bradley replied before hanging up.

Jake quickly finished his beer then headed to bed. He wanted to get as much accomplished tomorrow as possible and now he needed to plan a zoo trip.

[fiapartridge]

quinn x oona | how they met pt. 1! 🚙🌃✨

author's note: this is like kinda how they met??? like when they first saw each other, but they haven't learned each other's names yet, you know???? anyways hope u enjoy their little universe! send in asks for this au!

Who has a party at 2:56 AM on a Tuesday in the middle of February? Stupid ass people, that’s who, and Oona was ready to blast a hole through the wall that connected her living room to the apartment beside it. Honest to God, the only thing that was stopping her from going full-on Hulk on that piece of thin fiber cement was, well, the landlord and her roommate, Grace Castellan (Gracie to everyone who knows her, and ‘that one talkative white girl’ to everyone who didn’t).

Oona met Gracie in her first year at NYU. They were in their Intro to Theatre Studies class when Gracie talked up the ear of anyone in a 10-mile radius of her, and the only person who didn’t mind and actually enjoyed Gracie’s endless tangent of how blackholes are somehow exactly like the Kardashians’ reality show, was Oona. They sat next to each other for the rest of the semester, and once they graduated college, they decided to move back to their home city of Vancouver, Canada where, coincidentally, they both were from, using this time to audition for roles and hopefully land themselves a part that will guarantee them a ticket to Hollywood, or at least a ticket back to New York (rent is hard to manage there when you’re living off of small commercial roles and hand modeling gigs).

As Oona sat on her living room couch, a snoring Gracie and her long pajama-covered (they have unicorns on them) legs were limp across Oona as she tried to push her tired limbs off and slip towards the door without making a peep. But, much to Oona’s sheer luck (she isn’t a very lucky girl), a peep was made and there Gracie was, sitting up in so much alarm you would think that an intruder just busted through the door and screamed at her to put her hands up.

“I DON’T HAVE ANYTHING! OONA HAS MONEY STORED IN HER UNDERWEAR DRAWER! PLEASE DON’T KILL US!” Gracie screamed, still half-asleep and disoriented.

Oona groaned, lightly slapping Gracie’s cheek. “No one’s here, you psycho. I’m just getting up to go somewhere.”

Gracie peeled her eyes open, brushing her messy hair with the tips of her pink-and-white-painted fingernails. “Where are you going at,” she took a moment to check the Apple watch on her wrist. “2:56 AM?”

Oona walked closer to the door, slipping on a pair of Uggs and tying her hair into a messy bun, pulling out strands to frame her face correctly. “Do you not hear that? They’re louder than your brother was at that time we went to the mall and he was screaming at you to buy him that ugly RC car.”

Gracie shivered. “I’ve gotten a lot of weird looks in my lifetime, but those 40 year old women in the toy aisle of Sears? I still get chills.”

“See? Now I’m going to go over there and make them wish they never even moved here.”

Gracie rolled her eyes. “No way. The last time you said something like that, you ended up being the one apologizing. You’re the biggest pushover I have ever met.”

Oona scoffed. “Am not! I just—”

“Want everyone to like you,” Gracie interrupted. She was right. Gracie was always right when it came to Oona, but Oona would never admit that. She was a people pleaser, but who was that hurting? If she said yes to everything and if she was nice to everyone, then no one was sad and no one got what they didn’t want. Well, except for Oona.

Sighing, she said, “I’m just gonna go talk to them. Maybe they’ll come to their senses.”

Gracie laughed, tilting her head back slightly. “Yeah, right. I saw them on the elevator last week; they’re hockey douchebags to the max.”

“They can’t be that bad.”

“They’re having a party at almost 3 AM, if you combined every player on that team, they would probably make up one brain cell, and I can smell the beer from here, but yeah, sure they’re great people.”

“Fine, fine,” Oona huffed. “But I’m still gonna talk to them. Maybe they’ll change,” she smiled, a too optimistic smile for a dire-looking situation. Because who ever heard of a hockey player changing his ways? No one, that’s who.

Opening the door, Oona walked the small five steps over to the neighboring apartment. She knocked once, twice, three times, even. Nothing. The blaring music must’ve drowned out her pounding knocks. Just as she was about to go in for a fourth, the door opened and her body quickly went with it. 

“Woah there,” a voice echoed through her ears, holding her body up as his hands softly gripped her arms. She stumbled back, landing on her two feet and managing to stay vertical despite the embarrassment rushing through her cheeks and the small little voice in her brain telling her to get the hell out of there immediately. 

The man standing in front of her was tall, taller than anyone she knew, and he had short blonde hair and the clearest green eyes she had ever seen. He had an accent that she wasn’t too familiar with. German maybe? Or possibly Swedish? 

“Um, do you live here?” she asked, tapping her nails against the metal frame of the door. And looking beyond the tall Swedish man, she could tell that it wasn’t much of a party, but a hangout. More tall men were lingering in the living room, beers in hand and potato chips spilled on every counter. On the center island in the kitchen lay an abandoned plate of celery and carrots, most likely a tribute to their strict hockey diets that apparently no one was following.

He shook his head.

“Okay,” she talked slowly. “Um, do you know who lives here?”

“Yep.”

Breathing deeply, Oona tapped her fingers a bit harsher against the doorframe, still maintaining a gentle smile on her (now) slightly red face. “Can you bring them here? I need to talk to…whoever it is.”

Nodding, he turned around, cupping his mouth with his large hands and yelling, “Huggy!” before waving him over to where they stood at the entryway.

Huggy? Oona chuckled at the nickname. Who nicknames a ferocious hockey player Huggy?

But as the shorter boy moved through, somehow, still energetic bodies and met the two at the door, Oona felt something crawl around her stomach and make the fading red of her cheeks come back in harsher hues. His hair was a chestnut color and it looked soft and smooth, like you could run your hands through it a million times and it still wouldn’t be enough. He wore a gray hoodie and black jeans, his hands in his pockets as he smiled politely at the blushing girl.

“Can I help you?”

Her mouth ran dry as she licked her lips. She tucked the thin strands of black hair behind her ear and proceeded (or tried to proceed). “It’s 3 AM and I’m trying to sleep,” Oona said, hoping he would take the hint and quiet down a bit.

He scoffed, smirking with his cute lips and his cute hair and his cute gray hoodie that looks so soft you just want to wrap your cold body in it. And it probably smells good, too. It probably smells like his scent in the mornings, woodsy yet fresh like white linen sheets and candles that would make you think he has a woman living with him, but nope. That’s just him. But Oona’s just guessing. Not to make things weird or anything. She’s totally not dreaming about what her handsome neighbor’s hoodie smells like because that would be weird—haha. Totally weird.

He leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed over themselves, and while he wasn’t as tall as the man that initially opened the door, he made Oona feel just as small. His smile was infectious, but not in a big ‘bring it in, let’s hug way,’ but in a more sultry way. Like you can feel a rollercoaster rumbling in your stomach despite him not saying a single word. 

“Are you?” he asked.

She laughed at that because there was no way that he was serious. It didn’t even sound like a question, God it sounded like…like flirting? But that wasn’t even the bizarre thing, no the bizarre thing was that somehow made Oona 10 times angrier. Why was he flirting with her? Does he think that she’ll just fall into his trap and let it all slide? Does he think that she’s just a stupid girl that he can get to do anything he says? Because that’s not Oona Hashimoto. Not in the slightest. And if he wants to play that game, then fine. 

Let’s play that game.

She stepped closer, her hand landing on his bicep as he stuttered for a moment. Like he was on high alert all of a sudden. His eyes wandered down to her hand, and then he relaxed because she was falling right into the palm of his hand, so he thought. She raised her head, staring him right in his deep green eyes. She pouted a bit, changing her whole demeanor. Because they’re playing the same game here. It’s just a matter of who will crack first.

“Please?” she asked, gazing up at him with brown doe eyes. “I won’t say a word after tonight. Just do this one thing? Please?”

He sighed, straightening up and causing her hand to fall off his bicep. “As much as I’d love to do that,” he grinned. “I don’t want to.”

Her brows furrowed, her doe eyes turning into burning rage, and lips turning from a pout to a pissed off frown. “What do you mean you ‘don’t want to?’”

He shrugged. “Exactly that. Goodnight,” he smiled before placing his hand on the door and slowly shutting it before Oona held it open, scoffing.

“No, you don’t get to be an asshole and then just shut the door on me. All I’m asking is for you to just turn down the music!” 

“Yeah, well it sounds like the person being loud is you,” he pointed. Bending down to Oona’s level, he whispered, “You’re shouting.”

“You are insufferable, you know that?”

“Yeah, you said it a couple of times. Can I go now or do you want to keep going?”

Oona crossed her arms, fury burning through her veins as she watched him smile as if he did nothing wrong. As if he was enjoying this. “Go to hell.”

“See ya there, neighbor.”

[girlylukehughes]

In Between

Luke Hughes x Reader

Word count: 4.3k

a/n: this is based on the song in between by gracie abrams!

Luke Hughes and Y/N “Birdie” L/N have hated each other since three months after they met. When Birdie joined Luke's class in fifth grade she wore pink glasses on her face and a tight braid in her brown hair. Her teeth adorned in blue braces she had gotten three weeks before, and Luke didn't notice a single thing. Well not until she ran straight into him with an open carton of chocolate milk in her hand, and it just so happened that Luke was wearing a white hoodie. After a ruined day and a ruined sweater Luke Hughes swore to hate Y/N L/N forever, what he didn't account for was her becoming best friends with his brother Jack. Jack and Birdie were attached by the hip within four months of her moving to town. Jack is the reason she has the name Birdie. The day Jack started calling her Birdie was probably the funniest day of his life and it was all thanks to Luke. Luke, Jack, and Quinn were in the midst of a prank war that had been lasting about three weeks. Luke thought it would be funny to recreate the glue and feathers prank from Home Alone, but instead of Jack walking through it Y/N did, and there and then Birdie was born.

During their freshman year if highschool Birdie and Luke got stuck as lab partners in biology, and oh boy was it a mess. Being forced to sit and work with each other the entire school year was not good for them. For the first semester every lab, experiment, and dissection ended in a heated argument between the pair. After the first semester they tried their hardest to put their hatred on the backburner for the sake of their grades, but that just lead the arguments to ensue at the Hughes house after school or during the car rides home.

When senior year came around Luke and Birdie had been successful in avoiding each other both in and outside of school. Jack and Birdie had started hanging out either at Birdie’s house or at the rink. The last time Luke saw Birdie before college was his graduation party. She had stopped by to drop off a simple present, a peace offering of sorts. She handed Luke a neatly wrapped box wishing him luck before walking out and to her car. Later that night when he was opening his gifts in the privacy of his bedroom he noticed Birdie’s was the last one left, with delicate hands he untied the silver ribbon holding the box shut to reveal a white hoodie. Even though Luke would never admit it there was a slight blush on his cheeks as the right corner of his lips quirked up into a half smile. Unfolding it a note fell out of one of the sleeves.

Dear Luke,

Consider this a peace offering so we can start this new chapter of our lives without any grudges being held and nothing to worry about from our pasts. Best wishes at umich, I've never said it but you're a superstar on the ice, continue to kill it.

From,

Birdie

Luke was stunned, but he kept that little piece of paper folded up and in a pocket in his wallet, and it's still there to this day.

When Luke was packing up his freshman dorm room to go home for the summer he stopped when he reached the picture frame that sat on the nightstand next to his bed. It was a picture from 8th grade when Birdie had tagged along for one of their family vacations, Ellen and Jim treating her like one of their own. In the picture Luke and Birdie got stuck next to each other while Jack and Quinn were on the opposite sides of them. Luke lets out a breathy chuckle as he looks at the picture. Birdie’s eyes are squinted shut behind her glasses with the biggest smile on her face as her arms are wrapped around Luke and Jack. Luke looks like this is the worst day of his life. His eyes squinted, not from a gleaming smile on his face, but from the harsh sun blaring in his face. His mouth is set in a straight line and his left arm is wrapped around Quinn while his right lays down the side of his own body. Looking at the picture he laughs at the memory, this was the year they spent on the beaches of Malibu. Birdie had never been to California before so when Ellen and Jim invited her to go along she was ecstatic, Luke on the other hand groaned and complained the entire time claiming he “can have fun” if she was there. Looking back on it he knows he was being dramatic, hell he doesn't even really hate her anymore, but he'll never admit it.

When Luke and his family arrived at the lake house that summer he was surprised that Birdie wasn't already there. When he asked Jack where she was you would have sworn Jack turned into the Cheshire Cat, a sly grin from ear to ear adorning his face. He had told Luke she'd be arriving tomorrow due to her last final being today. Luke gave him a weird look before walking up to his room and unpacking the months worth of clothes into the dresser and closet. Walking out of his room he stopped at the door right in front of his, Birdies room. The door was slightly cracked so he pushed it open to look into the room and the look of the room was just so her. The baby pink gingham comforter laid perfectly crisp across the bed, an assortment of stuffed animals she had won from the local fair they go to each summer laid neatly on the bed using the wall to rest on, the white lacy curtains that don't really do much but decorate, and next to the bed sat a vintage nightstand she had refurbished with Quinn two summers ago after they found a matching dresser and vanity at a garage sale. His eyes landed on the picture frame sitting on the nightstand, this picture wasn't one he remembered taking and he doesn't even think he's seen it before. It was another picture of the four of them, this time sophomore year of high school. Birdie had finally gotten her braces off and her white teeth were put on display once more, but this time instead of looking at the camera, she was looking at Luke. Her eyes trained on the side of his face while he stared forward at the camera, a dazzling look in her eyes and a slight blush on her cheeks. This time Luke had actually wrapped his arm around her, his hand planted on her hip. Before his brothers could catch him he placed the frame back in its spot and walked out of the room.

The next day Luke was the last one awake, as he padded down the stairs with messy hair, wearing only his plaid Michigan pajama pants he stopped when he saw a girl in his kitchen. Brown hair falling down her back until it reached the curve of her hips as she stood in front of the sink wearing a light green sundress. When she turned around Luke thought his heart was gonna beat straight out of his chest, because standing right in front of him was Birdie. Glasses no longer adorning her face and her hair no longer tightly pulled into a braid. He never realized how gorgeous the girl actually was. When her eyes met him she sent him a shy smile, trying(and failing) to keep her eyes off of his toned stomach, her cheeks heating up. “Hi Luke” she practically whispered. “Hi Birdie” he whispered back, morning voice on full display. Birdie felt her knees go weak. See while Luke hated Birdie, she always had a small crush on him. The moment between the two was broken when they heard someone clear their throat, Jack and Quinn standing at the back door watching the two with smug looks on their faces. “Boats ready for the day, Luke go get changed we have breakfast in the cooler.” Jack says and Luke just nods his head and walks back up the stairs. Tucking her hair behind her ears she continued filling the water bottles on the counter before grabbing her bag and walking out the door. Sitting on the dock she began contemplating how she was going to tell the boys she was transferring colleges. It wasn't that she hated the University of Illinois, she just didn't feel like they were her people. So when Michigan offered her a full ride scholarship and a photography internship, she couldn't pass it up, she just didn't want to step on Luke's toes. A hand in front of her face broke her out of thought. There was Luke, the sun shining around him basking him in the golden light, offering her a hand to help her up and onto the boat. Cautiously, she accepted it, blushing from her ears to her toes. A small thank you left her mouth as she disconnected their hands and walked up to the front of the boat. Placing her tote bag down on a seat she kicked her sandals off, she sat down with her back against the armrest and her knees tucked to her chest as she pulled a book out of her bag. As Quinn took off into the lake she rested her chin on her knees and looked out at the water. She loved Michigan in the summer, the way the sun bounced off the water during sunsets leaving the usually blue water an array of pinks and oranges. She loved the fact that she got to see the boys finally let the stress off their shoulders and have fun. What she loved most of all was the fact that she got to see Luke and they wouldn't argue. In seventh grade when Birdie first started going to the lake house, Jack and Quinn made the youngest two sign a contract saying they weren't allowed to fight or else they would be banned from the house the next summer. Lake house summers were the only time Birdie got a glimpse of who Luke really was behind the wall of hate he usually had built around him. She saw that he was a sweet boy that loved his brothers more than anything else, even hockey. Luke though, he never paid much attention to Birdie, blocking her out so he wouldn't start a fight. So he never noticed that by the end of that seventh grade summer, she was looking at him like he hung the stars in the sky. Jack and Quinn did though, giggling to themselves as they made a bet on when the two would finally get together.

Watching her from the back of the boat Luke sat eating a breakfast sandwich. When Jack plopped down next to him, he didn't even realize until his brother said something that made him snap his head to the side. “She's pretty isn't she?” Jack quietly said to the boy. “Yeah,” Luke whispered, “I never really realized it until this morning. She's gorgeous.” By the tone of his voice Jack knew this summer was gonna end for Luke the same was that seventh grade summer ended for Birdie, totally in love. Putting her book down as Quinn threw the anchor in the water, she pulled her sundress over her head, leaving her in a white bikini that had little yellow daisies all over it. Luke felt like there was a lump in his throat as she pulled her hair into a bun at the top of her head, small pieces falling out to frame her face. She rummaged through her bag for the sunblock before pulling it out and rubbing it into her skin. Jack and Quinn looked at each other knowing she was gonna ask someone to get her back and shoulders, they jumped into the lake leaving only Luke up on the boat to help her. She shyly walked up to him, playing with the pendant from the necklace she was wearing and quietly asked if he could help her. He choked out a yes before she turned around. When his fingers hit her skin it felt like the both of them had been electrocuted, fireworks bursting from his fingertips into her shoulder blades. It was Luke's turn to blush, he felt like he'd just gotten off a roller coaster, stomach doing backflips. When she gave him a soft thank you all he could do was nod his head as he watched her lay out on the boat seats, eyes shut lightly with a smile on her face.

That night the four of them were sat around the fire pit when Birdie finally spoke up. “I have some important news.” She rushed out. “What's up Bird, you can tell us anything.” Jack said, slightly worried. “I'm- um- I'm transferring from U of I.” Her voice is quiet, like she's awaiting judgement. “Where are you going?” The other three turn to Luke, who asked the question before he could stop his mouth. “Well, uh- UMich offered me a full ride and a photography internship with sports media, and I accepted. Being in Illinois just didn't feel right ya know? Like I didn't have any friends, I barely talked to my roomate, and watching hockey there sucked. Michigan is home and I felt like I could benefit from transferring here.” Her words rushed, finally admitting she was unhappy. “Well if you need someone to show you around when you get on campus, you have my number.” Luke said with a soft smile. Her eyes widening in shock before the said thank you and they changed the topic of conversation over to Jack and how he was doing with the devils.

Sure enough when Birdie showed up on campus she shot Luke a text asking if he knew where the library was, and the minute he opened the text he was stealing the keys to the moped and running out of the sophomore house. When he pulled up Birdie couldn't help but laugh at him, a 6 foot 2 boy sitting on a scooter was probably the funniest thing she'd seen in a while. Rolling his eyes he told her to hop on the back. He wasn't expecting her to wrap her arms around his waist, her hands resting on his toned stomach. A shiver ran up his spine and she brushed it off that he was just cold. As they drove around campus he was pointing out where everything was and the smile on Birdie's face was brighter than the sun. When they pulled up outside the library Birdie climbed off the back, “Thank you, I really appreciate this.” She said with a smile. “Anytime, I'm just a text away.” He smiled back. “Alright, well I have to get some books but I'll see you around.” And with that she walked up the steps into the library.

Two days later she felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest, she had been assigned to the hockey team's media team and it was her first day. She was worried about what Luke would think. Would she be in his way? Would he be mad? Trying to push her anxiety down she walked into Yost and headed to the media room. She was told she would get her camera and offically meet the team as they walked around the stadium giving her the tour. She luckily had her own skates, ones Jack got her for Christmas last year, so she was able to actually get on the ice today. Lacing her skates up she heard the team whizz by and onto the ice starting their warmup laps. When the coach had everyone huddle up they brought her out in the ice and Luke froze. “Alright listen up! This is Y/N, she's our new media intern. She just transferred here from Illinois so please make her feel welcome! Now introduce yourselves.” The team went around introducing themselves, some of them she could already name from following Luke on instagram and other she tried to remember as she crammed all the information into her brain. When they got to Luke, Dylan had to elbow him in the ribs so he would pay attention. “Hi Birdie.” He smiled at her and the rest of the team looked extremely confused. “Hi Luke.” She said with a grin. Luke's teammates stood silent until Ethan spoke up, “Do you two know each other?” That broke them out of their trance as Birdie answered, “Yeah we grew up together,” she softly smiled, “His brother is my best friend.” The boys all nodded taking in the information. “Why'd he call you Birdie I thought your name was Y/N?” A deep blush covered her as she covered her face with her hands while Luke let out a laugh. She looks up and scowls at him, “Tell them and I'll tell everyone what your mom found under your bed two summers ago.” Suddenly Luke stops laughing, “You wouldn't.” He scoffs. “Do not underestimate me Hughes you know full well that I will. Anyways! It's so nice to be here and I'm glad I got put with a sport I actually understand instead of one I don't.” She finishes with a smile. “Now that we are all acquainted, Y/N is going take some pictures during practice so be mindful of where you're skating, now move it!” The coach says. “Wait! You guys can call me Birdie, I haven't been called by my first name in like 10 years.” She says with a laugh. “Alright get into lines!” And with that she skated to the edge of the rink and pulled out her camera.

By the end of practice the boys were all gross and sweaty but her eyes were glued to Luke. He was talking to Ethan and had this huge smile on his face, she zoomed her camera in so she could see him clearly and snapped a picture. Little did she know they were talking about her.

When Ethan skated up to Luke he said something that made Luke blush from head to toe. “You like her don't you?” Ethan asked and that's when Luke got that big ole smile on his face. “Yeah she's great, something really changed over the summer. We had a really bad start when we were younger, I'm talking arguing constantly and I swore on everything I hated her. But then when I woke up on the second day of summer and she was standing in the kitchen at the lake house my heart just kinda stopped, and nothings been the same since.” He says with a soft smile. “Awwwww Lukey boys in loooovvveee.” Ethan says shaking the boys shoulders. “Yeah I guess I kind of am.” He whispers.

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birdsworld: a soph-house september!

tagged: lhughes06, edwards.73, dylanduke25, markestapa

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jackhughes: I don't even wanna ask about the pasta.

jackhughes: also why is ethan tapped to the ceiling?

—birdsworld: we got bored and he was willing

edwards.73: picture four is me finding birdie at a party she said she wasn't going to

—birdsworld: luke said i could drive the moped if I went

_quinnhughes: @jackhughes you'll owe me $100 at new years

—jackhughes: no it's gonna be spring break

——birdsworld: what

———_quinnhughes: none of your business

lhughes06: when did you take that last picture?

—birdsworld: my first day!

——edwards.73: oh I'm gonna tell her

———lhughes06: do it and I'm taking your key to the moped.

————edwards.73: god damn it

trevorzegras: I feel replaced

—colecaufield: me too

——_alexturcotte: me three

———birdsworld: losers

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Mid October was when Birdie got asked out on a date by some guy from the football team. This was her first date ever, considering she usually had the Hughes brothers scaring off every guy she ever looked at. So she sat there in the local diner waiting for an hour and her date never showed. While she was walking home she called Luke. “Hey Birdie what's up I thought you were on a date?” He answered no more than two seconds after she hit the dial button. “Yeah,” she sniffled, “He uh, he didn't come. He stood me up.” Her voice soft and raspy. “Did I do something wrong Luke? Am I just not enough?” She was fully sobbing at this point. “Hey hey Birdie no, you're beautiful, and you're funny, and you're smarter than anyone I've ever seen. He doesn't deserve you.” He pauses for a minute before telling her to stay out and he'll come pick her up. When he arrives in a car instead of on the moped she knows he stole Nolan's keys and lets out a small laugh. When she gets in the car Luke doesn't drive her home, he drives her to sonic, where they eat dinner and talk about how their classes have been. Unexpectedly Luke parks when they get to her dorm hall, “I'll walk you in.” He says opening her door. “Ok thank you.” A smile finally pulled on her face. Their walk to her dorm is quiet before Birdie toes the line between them, pulling Luke in for a hug. He stiffens for a minute before he wraps his arms around her and she nuzzles her head into his chest. “Thank you.” She whispers. “Anytime. Sorry if this hug is really awkward. I'm still new at this us being friends thing, but I'm glad we are Birdie.” “Me too.” With that she's pulling away from the hug and opening her door. She pauses when she steps through the threshold before turning around and placing a kiss on Luke's cheek. “Goodnight Luke” she smiles. His face is the color of a tomato but with the biggest smile, “Goodnight Birdie.” Closing her door and pressing her back up to it she holds her hand to her heart, feeling it nearly beat out of her chest. Luke sat in Nolan's car for five minutes completely frozen before he drove back and walked into the house with the biggest smile on his face, the boys put two and two together on where he went in such a rush.

Two days later is when everything changed between Luke and Birdie for good, they were having their first argument in over a year. All because Birdie was talking to a guy at a party. “God I don't get why it's such a big deal Luke! You flirt with girls all the time! Why am I not allowed to flirt with guys!” She was screaming at him in the backyard of the party not caring that it was pouring rain. “You ain't get it do you! It's different!” Luke screamed back. “How is it different Luke? Huh? Tell me!” The next thing Luke said is what changed everything. “Because I'm in love with you Birdie! God I have been since this summer!” She freezes, her face falling, “What?” She whispers, her voice wavering. “I'm in love with you.” He reaches forward putting his hands on her cheeks, wiping the few tears that fell away. “It's ok if you don't feel the same i just had to—” Luke was shut up as Birdie grabbed his face and kissed him. It was slow at first, but as soon as Luke realized what was happening he grabbed her waist and brought her impossibly close, kissing her harder. When they finally broke apart Luke rested his forehead on hers and smiled. They sat there for a minute before Birdie spoke, “Luke Hughes I've been in love with you since seventh grade summer.” Luke's eyes widened. “You're lying,” he said with a gasp “there's no way I was a dick to you for like ten years!” Birdie just giggled, “Yeah but I got to see the real you during the summers, I learned who you really were when you weren't hating me.” Like just kissed her again, no longer a hungry kiss but one filled with love and passion. “Let's get inside?” “Yeah probably a good idea.” She giggled. As they turned around they see Ethan, Mark, Mackie, and Dylan standing at the glass door clapping enthusiastically, Ethan handing Mark and Mackie $20 each

When New Years came around, Luke and Birdie were officially together. Well only at school, not on social media and not to Luke's family. They thought it would be hilarious to fuck with Jack and Quinn.

Birdie and Luke were laughing their asses off before winding down and packing. They arrived at the house together receiving weird looks from all the guys. “What?” They asked at the same time. “I thought you guys were bringing people?” Jack asked both him and Quinn confused. Turcs and Cole caught it right away giggling to each other as a result of the three beers they already drank. “Hey Jack,” Birdie said, “you owe Quinn $100.” A sly smile on her and Luke's faces. Quinn and jack gasp, “NO FUCKING WAY!” and “I TOLD YOU!” being shouted at each other. “Wait what just happened I'm so confused.” Trevor says frowning and Jamie just face palms. “They're dating you idiot!” Turcs says to him receiving an “ohhhhhh” from Trevor.

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lhughes06: sparks fly when we kiss, i love you birdie <3

Tagged: birdsworld

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In the end Birdie and Luke had been enemies, lovers, and everything in between.

navigation

[nostalgic-woodwind]

Medicine Yucky

CGs! Ragatha and Kinger and Regressors! Pomni and Gangle 🍼

Plot: One thing that everyone knows is that age regression and illness do not mix well at all.

Request by @Little_Miss_Bleeding_Heart on AO3

Pomni was in her room, curling up into a ball and holding her stomach. She was feeling under the weather and had recently lost her lunch for the third time in a row.

A gentle knock was heard at the jester’s door.

“Pomni, it’s Mama,” Ragatha said.

“Mama…” Pomni responded raspily.

Ragatha opened the door with a spoon and a bottle of anti-nausea medicine. She also had a clean trash can in case Pomni threw up again.

“Hey, sweetie,” Ragatha said. “Let’s take some medicine.”

“Medicine?” Pomni questioned.

“Yeah, so you can feel better.”

Pomni shook her head.

“No, medicine yucky,” the little jester grumbled.

“I know it doesn’t taste great, but it’s going to help your tummy,” Ragatha explained as she poured some medicine into the spoon. “Now sit up and open wide, okay?”

Ragatha moved the spoon closer to Pomni’s mouth, but the jester wasn’t having it. She scooted away from the spoon and turned over, facing the wall.

“Come on, let’s take this and you can have something to wash it down,” the ragdoll said.

“No!” the jester huffed as she whacked the spoon from Ragatha’s hand and hid under the covers.

Though irritated by the little jester’s behavior, Ragatha kept her cool and set the medicine aside.

“Pomni, we don’t whack things from other people’s hands. It’s not nice. I need you to take your medicine so you can feel better, please.”

“No!”

Ragatha sighed, not knowing what to do. Pomni was never usually cranky when she regressed. Maybe she could get some advice from another caregiver.

“Pomni, I’ll be right back,” Ragatha said as she got up.

The ragdoll then walked out of Pomni’s room and went down the hallway to Gangle’s room. Gangle was sick, too, and Kinger was taking care of her.

Gangle was lying in bed with a thermometer in her mouth. When it beeped, Kinger became startled by the sound.

“Oh, it’s just the thermometer,” Kinger said as he pulled the thermometer out of Gangle’s mouth. The temperature read 101.5 degrees.

“Papa…” Gangle sniffled as she began crying.

“I know, baby bug, I know,” Kinger empathized. “Why don’t you rest for a while?”

“No sleep…”

“Why not?”

“Blankie…”

“I know you want your blankie, but it’s in the laundry right now.”

Gangle cried once more, which pulled the chess piece’s heartstrings.

“I’m sorry, little princess. I know it’s hard, but I promise your blankie will be clean when you wake up,” Kinger said as he then grabbed Gangle’s butterfly stuffie from the foot of her bed. “Do you want to sleep with Gracie?”

Gangle looked up and nodded, wiping her tears away.

Kinger handed Gangle her butterfly stuffie named Gracie while Ragatha knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Kinger said as Ragatha opened the door.

“Hey, Kinger, can I talk with you?” Ragatha asked.

“Oh, sure. I’ll be back, Gangle.”

Kinger then walked over to the ragdoll.

“What’s up?” Kinger asked.

“I’m having trouble with Pomni,” Ragatha said. “She won’t take her medicine. Do you have any ideas on what I should do?”

“Ah, yes, I’ve had this exact problem with Gangle and Jax. I usually offer a choice of how they want to take their medicine, like a syringe or spoon. Works for them every time.”

“I never thought of it that way. I just hope it’ll work for Pomni.”

“You never know unless you try.”

Ragatha walked to the kitchen and grabbed a clean spoon, along with a plastic syringe. She then walked back to Pomni’s room.

“Hey, Pomni, can we talk?” Ragatha asked as she sat on Pomni’s bed.

Pomni groaned as she sat up in bed.

“I know the medicine can be yucky, but we all have to do things we don’t want to do because it’s good for us.”

“Like taking naps?” Pomni asked.

“Exactly. Taking medicine may taste yucky, but it’s going to help you feel better in the long run.”

Ragatha then held up the spoon and syringe.

“How about we choose how you take your medicine, hm?” Ragatha suggested. “Do you want to use the spoon or syringe?”

After a minute of deliberation, Pomni chose the syringe.

“Alright, syringe it is.”

Ragatha then filled the medicine up with the syringe and fed it to Pomni, who took the said medicine well.

“Good job, Pomni!” Ragatha praised. “I knew you could do it!”

“T’ank you, Mama,” Pomni smiled.

Ragatha got the little jester some ginger ale in a baby bottle to help ease her stomach. The rest of the day was filled with sleeping, and Ragatha was glad Pomni was going to get better due to the medicine.

[hyuckmov]

haechan — be my birthday

ex!haechan x reader, (feat. best friend jaehyun, mark and renjun being besties) 4k, angst for the most part, but then fluff, ends happy. a/n: when i said i was thinking of writing something else it was not this... but i just suddenly had the idea for it because i was thinking of birthdays i guess. oh and because i am unoriginal and running out of ideas this is inspired by a few songs too. the title is a song featured in the drama my liberation notes which i absolutely love! anyway i'm sorry if the ending is kind of bad, i wanted to flesh it out but also i wanted to leave it at that. additionally the flashbacks were HELL for my tenses so i apologise for any inconsistencies in grammar. thank you for reading my past two works, and do send me an ask if you enjoyed any of them, or this, or if you would just like to say hi! loosely includes sequences based on 21 by gracie abrams, and me and you together song by the 1975 so i recommend listening to those!

“we forgot the candles.” 

“who’s we. you’re in charge of the cake for the night!” 

“yeah but that doesn’t include candles.” 

“mark!” 

mark looked sheepishly up at renjun, who glared at him fiercely, a look that mark could see even in the dim light of the pantry. outside, the party raged on, and if mark and renjun had to hazard a guess, haechan should probably still be on the pool table, doing a dance as the crowd cheered him on. it was his birthday, so everyone gave him a free pass that meant he could do whatever he wanted. to be precise, it was his birthday week – a week which gave him a free pass to prank, to bicker, and to take the last piece of whatever food was in the fridge. 

but really, it was a lot more than a birthday week. birthdays always reminded haechan of you, and this was his first birthday without you by his side. that was enough for his friends to be gracious, to let him be as obnoxious as he wanted, if only to distract himself from the fact that he wasn’t bothering you about his gift, and you wouldn’t be there to smear cream on his cheeks. 

“renjun, what if we asked y/n to bring some candles over. i know she always keeps some birthday candles in her kitchen drawer.” 

“are you insane?” renjun hissed, and even though they were the only ones in the pantry, he looked around to make sure haechan hadn’t materialized at the sound of your name. “no way. she wouldn’t show up, and i doubt seeing her here, not as his girlfriend, would do haechan any good.” 

mark mumbles to himself about how it was just an idea. “who else do you think has candles at this hour?” 

“i could run back and check. but you’ll have to tell everyone to wait-” 

“what are you guys doing in my pantry?” 

mark and renjun both jumped at that. haechan was standing at the entrance, his brows furrowed in suspicion. slowly, he frowned and asked:

“are you two fucking?” 

“what? no! haechan what the fuck!” flustered, mark ran his hands through his hair and renjun made a gagging noise, distracted from their relief that he hadn’t noticed the party hadn’t brought out a cake yet. 

“it’s just a little suspicious, but okay i believe you.” haechan leaned against the entrance. “i was just coming to tell you guys that i’m a little tired. could you guys keep the party going? i just wanna take a break.” he smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. 

renjun looked at his friend in concern. most people believed haechan loved being at the center of attention all the time — loved being the loudest and brightest presence in the room. and he was good at that: was good at making everyone feel comfortable in the room, somehow magically easing any awkward tensions or filling the silence easily and casually. but it would be too much for anyone to take on that role at all times. you had always been there to sit with him when he wanted to be quiet, pulling him away from the party when you noticed his smiles faltering and his eyes glazing over. and now, without you by his side……

“of course.” he settles. “do you want one of us to keep you company?” 

“nah.” giving his head a shake, he bounced on his toes, ready to go. “thanks guys. you two keep making out.” 

and with that, he disappeared up to his room.  

x

leaning against his bedroom door, haechan closed his eyes and let out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding. the party should have been fun: they played his favorite songs, all his favorite games, mark was pushed into a pool…and yet it really didn’t feel the same. he hated himself a little in that moment, for letting you become such an irreplaceable part of his birthday, something he couldn’t avoid or escape from. he wondered how many birthdays he would have to go without you to finally be able to forget. 

and although he had been trying to avoid it the entire night, he thought about his 18th birthday, the day he confessed to you. 

it was a party not unlike this one. he remembered sitting next to you for most of the night, your cheeks flushed as you leaned in close to him to ask “are you having fun?” for his birthday wish, the one you insisted he couldn’t say out loud because it wouldn’t come true, he had wished that you would like him back. 

after the cake-cutting, mark had spilled punch all over your shirt, and that was everyone’s cue to go home after the party. he remembered sitting in the bath-tub, you in your camisole washing your shirt in the sink, complaining about mark and whoever had let him anywhere near the punch bowl. and he just couldn’t help himself: the warm bathroom lights framing your face, something so domestic about the way things were. this is how i want it to be for the rest of my life, he thought to himself, giddily.

“-next time we have to mark-proof our things so mark can’t get his hands on them, -” 

“y/n?” 

“-one more time i swear, haechan-?” you had turned to look at him, his serious tone taking you by surprise. 

“will you go out with me?” 

“oh.” you swallowed.  

haechan grimaced, because this was as good as a rejection, wasn’t it? stupid birthday wishes he thought. it’s all the same, whether i say it out loud or not. never wishing for anything ever again. you’re looking at him, really looking at him, as if you’ve never seen him before in your life. you hasten to say, “not in a bad way! it’s just…” 

we’re best friends. it doesn’t feel right. i don’t like you like that. 

“it’s fine.” haechan pushed himself out of the bathtub, everything felt too cramped, the bathroom suddenly too small for the both of you. you were looking at him with confusion and conflict written all over your face, so he put on his easy smile. “i was just messing.” he forced out a laugh, the hollow sound bouncing off the tiles. “it’s fine, i swear. i didn’t mean it.” 

he had no idea why, but he seemed to have made it worse. your face flared red, and you turned back to the sink, scrubbing at your shirt even though it was practically clean already. “that’s okay.” 

worst birthday ever. that’s the last thing he thought before dozing off on his bed, you having rushed home immediately. but suddenly, not even 10 minutes later, he was being woken up, the doorbell ringing frantic and loud. realizing you had forgotten your shirt in the bathroom, which he was having trouble looking at, he wrung it dry and ambled over to the door, hoping you would just take it and go. 

but the moment he opened the door, he immediately had his arms full of you. you had jumped into his arms, legs wrapping around his waist, his hands supporting you reflexively. you had pressed your forehead to his, and you were so warm. i’ve liked you for years, you idiot. he couldn’t believe his ears. it’s you, it’s always been you.

in present day, haechan shook his head to rid himself of the memory. he could still remember every moment of that night clearly: the look on your face. how it felt to hold you for the first time, in a different way than he had ever hugged you before. waking up next to you, in his shirt. it was all too much. he wished you were right there, with him, that very moment. he wished he said something when you were walking out of his life. he wished he had held on to you when you came back. 

x

“are you sure you don’t want to go over? we can still make it. they’re probably stalling because they forgot the candles or something.” 

“it’s okay.” you say, in a small voice. you’re staring up at the ceiling, your mind wandering to the gifts in the back of your closet that you had bought for haechan in the months leading up to his birthday. before you broke up with him. and before he wouldn’t take you back. 

jaehyun sighs and comes over to you, sitting down at the edge of your bed. “y/n, today means something to the both of you. are you sure you don’t want to go?” 

“he doesn’t want to see me anymore,” you insist. “i don’t want to ruin his birthday.”

because those were the exact words he had said to you when you showed up for jeno’s birthday dinner, sitting diagonally across the table from him. your heart was beating out of your chest the entire time, especially when he joined you as you leaned against the wall, asking you how have you been. 

“i’ve been…” you trailed off. admittedly, not very well without him. unsure if he wanted to talk  about the breakup, you went with “i got a promotion at work.” 

“that’s great.” he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. as if he wasn’t there with you as you were finishing up presentations to get this promotion. as if he hadn’t made you coffee in the dead of night when you had to take a call from an overseas client. 

“how about you?” 

“i can’t do this y/n.” haechan exhaled, and you felt like a child who had been caught red-handed: in that moment you knew he saw right through you. 

“can’t do what?” 

“the small talk. the pretending we don’t know each other, the pretending that i haven’t been falling asleep next to you and waking up next to you every day for the past few years.” 

you felt a pull at your heart. surely, he was willing to forgive you if this was how he felt? surely he still wanted to hold on to you? the words came out in a rush. “haechan, i’m here to say i’m sorry. i am really, really sorry. i was scared we were moving too fast, you’re the first person i’ve ever loved and put so much of myself into.” haechan closed his eyes, and you hated that. you hated that you couldn’t tell what he was thinking anymore. talking faster, you tried to get through to him. “i got scared. but these past few weeks have shown me that no matter how scared i am it is 10 times better, no, a 100 times better if i’m spending it with you. i love you haechan, -” he winced at that, and you wanted to disappear. “i love you. please say you’ll be with me again.” 

haechan took his time, and you hoped he was listening. you hoped he understood exactly how you were feeling. but a part of you saw it coming when he said no. 

“you don’t get to do that, y/n.” he opened his eyes, and you immediately wished he hadn’t because there was so much hurt inside them. “you don’t get to end things when you’re scared, and come back when you realise you need me.” 

“i know that.” you plead with him, the guilt stabbing at your chest. “i’ll never do it again, haechan. please believe me. ” 

“that’s just not good enough y/n.” he lowered his head. he was sorry too. “i just…don’t want to see you anymore.” 

you felt like you had been struck. but you knew somewhere, that you deserved some part of this. and so you gave jeno your present, hugged him goodbye, and left. and you hadn’t seen haechan since. 

today, you been unable to take your mind off him. you wish you could fall asleep, but something about it being haechan’s birthday kept you awake. after hours and hours of spiralling, you called jaehyun hoping he would help you go through things so at least you could stop feeling so helpless. 

in the first hour, jaehyun scoured his social media for you, finding photos of haechan at the party and zooming in on them as the two of you debated whether he was happy or still upset about the breakup. 

photo of him sitting poolside with another girl? “she’s dating jaemin”, jaehyun clarified quickly, before the hurt could sink in.

photo of him bent over his mug? “he looks so sad.” jaehyun insisted. “he definitely misses you.” 

“he has bad posture, we all knew that.” you scowled. 

jaehyun glared back. “do you need a photo of him bawling his eyes out?” 

“if only he didn’t look so undeniably like he was having the time of his life!” 

“that is so untrue.” jaehyun swiped to refresh his stories, and hurriedly clicked on one uploaded by jeno. haechan, doing the liam payne dance on a table, throwing a wink at the camera. the screen went dark as jaehyun threw his phone against the wall. “oh no, my phone is dead. let’s do something else.” 

“jaehyun…” you whined. “i just want to know how he’s doing.” 

“we need to disconnect from social media, y/n.” he insisted. “it’s ruining our brains.” 

eventually the verdict, made with the web version of instagram on your laptop, was that haechan was perfectly fine — and although jaehyun pulled up a blurry photo where haechan was making his way to his room as counter-evidence, you dismissed it because he might have just been on his way to the bathroom. 

“if you just go see for yourself-”

“no!” you sit up. “if you go about this logically, i broke up with him. that was my move. and despite that, i went back to him, then he rejected me. i can’t go back again. i can’t take another turn.” jaehyun looks at you sympathetically, because if you put it like that, you’re truly not allowed to go back. 

“so that’s what we’re going to do? we’re going to wait for him to come to you?” 

“but he’s not going to, that’s the thing.” jaehyun bit his lip. he didn’t want to give you false hope, because the way you put it: when you told him the whole story, it was highly possible that you and haechan had just been right for each other at the wrong time. 

you were distracted with the ceiling again. as casually as he could, he retrieved his phone, and decided to text mark. 

jaehyun: mark? u there?  mark: yea mark: bruh this party is not going well jaehyun: REALLY mark: we forgot the candles

jaehyun: oh  jaehyun: how's haechan doing mark: ngl he’s not doing too well i think mark: he misses y/n  jaehyun: what???? i thought he rejected her mark: yeah but he lowkey wishes he didn’t. actually idk or something along those lines

jaehyun: should she go to the party  mark: i have no idea. does she want to? jaehyun: she’s scared he doesn’t want her anymore mark: :(  mark: i genuinely don’t think that’s true

“who are you texting?” you look up at jaehyun, and he flushes with guilt. 

“no one. look, y/n,” he turns around to face you completely. “what if haechan regrets rejecting you, and he really misses you. would you go to the party?” 

you screwed up your face in thought. “no.” at jaehyun’s sound of protest, you repeated yourself, “no i wouldn’t. if he regrets something he has to come over and tell me. like how i went over and took back my breakup.” 

jaehyun groaned. you had a point and you were being stubborn about it. 

jaehyun: well she won’t go over. he has to come over and apologise if he wants her back

mark: really? 

several minutes pass. you’re drawing random shapes on your duvet, and jaehyun stares at his phone. and then- 

mark: asked haechan what he would do if hypothetically she was willing to make up  jaehyun: what’d he say  mark: does she really?  jaehyun: what’d you say 

mark: jaehyun this is haechan 

mark: does she really? 

x

“we need more snacks if we’re going to start a movie marathon now.” jaehyun put on his sweater, and grabbed your keys. “i’ll run to the store and get some. don’t fall asleep okay?” 

you nodded. you had finally come up with a viable solution, which was to distract yourself with as many movies it would take until you fell asleep, enough soju to knock yourself out, and a lavender scented candle. jaehyun had been surprisingly supportive, but you knew you had been difficult to comfort today and he was just glad to agree on something that wasn’t mindless guessing and guilty rants. walking to the kitchen to get out a bottle of soju, the sound of your doorbell suddenly pierced the quiet. was jaehyun back already? padding over to the door, you called out “already? also, didn’t you bring the keys-” 

the door opens, and you think you’re hallucinating, because haechan is standing there. no, he’s not just standing there, he’s moving towards you, and suddenly his arms are wrapped around your waist, and he’s buried his face in your neck. 

“haechan.” what are you supposed to do if you’re not sure if this is reality or not? you dig your fingernails into your palms and it hurts. you bite your cheek, and it stings. 

“i’m sorry.” he mumbles into your skin, and you’ve missed this: his lips moving against your neck, the low rasp of his voice when the hours drag past midnight. he pushes himself away from you, and through his bangs you can see his eyes. you haven’t seen them up close in a while. “i thought, if the feelings went away, if i could just stop thinking about you…” incoherent, stammering, and absolutely the picture of the boy you were sure you were going to love your whole life, he pressed on. “but i couldn’t. i can’t. i miss you all the time. you’re sorry for walking out on me, and i’m sorry for acting like i never knew you. i mean, it’s you-” he puts his hands on your cheeks, and his eyes shine like he has his whole world in his palms. “leave all you like. get scared, and run away. i’ll be waiting. i know you’ll come back to me. i love you.” 

you can feel yourself start to cry. “i was so sure you weren’t going to come over today.” 

“i was so sure too.” he lets out a breath. “so, so sure. i didn’t think you’d want me after what i said.” 

“oh haechan.” you hold him against you. “who wouldn’t want you?” 

x

instead of the movie marathon, the soju, and the lavender, you and haechan opened the presents you were going to give him. jaehyun had disappeared for the night: you would thank him some other day, but not now — today was for haechan and haechan alone. 

“you left your own birthday party?” 

“it’s okay, they don’t miss me.” haechan yawned a little, as he followed you in, his hand firmly in yours. neither of you wanted to let go: and so he clung to you as you went to get a glass of water, stumbling back to your bedroom, giddy at the feeling of having the other by your side again. 

crossing over to your closet, your hand still in his, you rooted around in it. “i have so many presents for you, you should open them right now.” you begin tossing them out onto the bed as haechan sat on the edge, playing with your fingers. 

“it’s not even my birthday anymore.” haechan’s head was reeling, as he realised he was sitting on your bed, in your room. he missed it too much. he hadn’t been here in months. but still, he pointed at the clock, which read 1:11 am. 

“i don’t care.” dragging out the last of the parcels, you looked at him tenderly, the both of you basking in the light of the relationship just healed. you felt like you were falling in love for the first time again, feeling inexplicably shy when he took your hand, as if he had never done so before. had he always looked at you so fondly? was his hair always this mussed up and lovely in the dim light of your room? was it too soon to kiss him? “i’ve really, really missed you haechan.”

your eyes flickering all over him were driving him insane. groaning, he swept the gifts to the side of the bed and clambered over to you in one swift motion, and before you knew it, his lips were slotted against yours. eagerly, you pushed your body against his, and once again felt his arms come up to hold you against him. the feeling of everything being new and exciting buzzed through your veins, as he ran his hands up and down your sides, your eyes closed and savoring every touch. 

coming up for air, you leaned back to look at him. his lips were swollen and his hair a mess, but the look in his eyes, his pupils dilated and his gaze unwavering, stirred something inside you. “someone’s hungry today.” 

he let out a laugh, and you felt like you wanted to press your ear against his chest to hear it vibrate against you. “i didn’t even get to have cake. stupid mark and his candles.” 

suddenly, you gasped. “haechan!” 

pulling away from you reluctantly, he blinked. “baby? what’s wrong?” 

“i haven’t said happy birthday to you.” sadly, you press your face against his, just like you had all those years ago when you told him you liked him. “happy belated birthday haechan,” you said, softly. 

he smiled, and the look lit up his whole face. it was that look that told you things were going to be okay. 

x

'you are cordially invited to haechan’s second 22nd birthday party. '

mark read out-loud off his phone to renjun the next day. renjun was nursing a terrible hangover, and moping around the kitchen trying to find the coffee machine (which mark could’ve sworn he saw chenle steal last night). mark and renjun were the only two who stayed over last night to watch haechan’s house while he left to do god-knows-what. 

“again? another birthday party? but his birthday’s over!” 

“that wasn’t a real party. i’m having a do-over.” haechan sauntered into the kitchen, hopping up onto the counter. he was really only here to pick up the toast you liked to eat for breakfast, and he wanted to get back to you immediately. 

“why?” renjun complained, giving up on the coffee and peering in the fridge. “it certainly felt like one.” 

“y/n wasn’t there.” haechan says confidently, and way too brightly for mark and renjun’s taste. “and plus, you guys forgot the candles to my birthday cake and just didn't bring it out. what’s a birthday without a cake?” 

“you were the one who left. also, ignoring that. ” renjun straightened, looking at haechan. “did you get back together with y/n?” 

haechan smiles, and it’s a dead giveaway. “yeah.”

mark let out a sigh of relief. “thank god. someone will bring the candles this time.”

[btsgotjams27]

the nanny diaries ~ jjk

summary: you're running out of time and you're desperate to find anyone to watch your son.

✨ title: the nanny diaries (drabble series) | the unexpected nanny ✨ pairing: jungkook x single mom!reader ✨ word count: 1.9K |✨ genre: fluff, humor, cute |✨ rating: g ✨ warnings: mentions of a sperm donor, reader is anxious, a sassy four-year-old ✨ a/n: here’s the first drabble for this series! i feel bad for dropping ffy!jk on you guys yesterday, so here’s fluffy jk ;)

[ DRABBLES MASTERLIST ] ✨ next - the blind date

You were running out of time. Your current nanny, Gracie, was indefinitely leaving you to go off to grad school. Stupid grad school. You were happy for her, but you were just losing one of the best nannies you've come across in a long time. And having to leave your son in the hands of another stranger was giving you anxiety.

Seven interviews later with a string of nannies, no one was jumping out at you. Gracie had given you a name of a friend she thought you'd love, but you were reluctant when you saw the name.

Jeon Jungkook.

His resume and references were impressive, but a guy as a nanny? You'd heard too many bad stories and listened to too many true crime podcasts, making you uncertain about choosing him.

"You'll love Jungkook. He's great with kids. He's currently in-between jobs as a teacher, so he asked if I had any leads. I told him I was leaving my current job and asked if he'd be interested. Give him a shot, boss, or at least a trial run with Ha Joon."

You groaned when you gave his resume another glance. Maybe you could go with the second person you interviewed, only she did have a weird thing about not cooking. Okay, scratch that. Shuffling through the other resumes, you looked at the last person you interviewed, Sun-Hee. Thinking back, you really liked her - except that she made a face when she discovered that Ha Joon was conceived through a sperm donor and not the traditional way.

"Mommy," Ha Joon stood beside you, tugging your shirt, "Did you find someone to watch me yet?"

You wanted to lie and say yes, but lying wouldn't solve your nanny problem, now would it? You peered down at the cute little face. "Not yet, baby."

"But, mommy, if you don't find someone, you'll have to take me to work with you." His tone was almost joyful.

"You would like that, wouldn't you?"

Ha Joon grinned. He loved going to work with you, but your boss would be livid if you turned your office into a daycare. So you motioned for Ha Joon to climb onto your lap as you spread out the resumes.

"Okay, Ha-Joon-ah, take a good look at these pictures. Since it's very hard for mommy to choose, why don't I let you pick who you would like to hang out with while I'm at work."

His eyes widened in delight. "I get to pick?!"

You nodded, pressing a kiss to his head. You were taking the easy way out - forcing your child to choose his caretaker. That's great parenting, right?

Ha Joon carefully peered at each piece of paper, squinting his eyes. His little index finger tapped the side of his chubby cheek, going hmm as if this was a tough decision for him. He picked the no-cooking nanny and put her back down, then he picked up the judging nanny and shook his head. At last, he came across Jungkook's resume and looked closely at his picture.

"Why does he have a ring on his lip?"

He what? You examined the photo of Jeon Jungkook. Oh god–he has a lip piercing? What kind of teacher was this guy, and Gracie vouched for him?

"Um…Sometimes people like to get certain parts of their bodies pierced, and it looks like he got his lip pierced," you said sheepishly to your son.

"Cool. Can I get my lip pierced when I get bigger?"

You let out a dry chuckle. "Of course, you can–but only if you eat all of your vegetables and clean up your room!"

Ha Joon groaned at your proposal. He mumbled okay.

"So… who's going to hang out with my little man while I'm at work?"

He peered up at you, grinning from ear to ear, pointing to the one person you feared he'd choose. "This guy."

Ha Joon made his decision, and you weren't going to deny him of his choice, even if you were reluctant to have a man watch your son. Nonetheless, you called Jungkook to see if he was available to do a trial run. He immediately agreed to come out the next day, thanking you for the opportunity.

Fridays were your days to work from home, and usually, Gracie would take Ha Joon out while you worked. But today, you asked Jungkook to come hang out with Ha Joon at home just to see if they would vibe well.

The doorbell rang at precisely 7:30AM, which took you by surprise. You weren't expecting him to be punctual. You yelled for Ha Joon to hurry because their guest had arrived. As you approach the door, you see Ha Joon hiding something behind his back. You narrowed your eyes, wondering what it could be, but alas, you didn't want to keep Jungkook waiting.

"Ready? You asked with a big smile, and Ha Joon nodded, gesturing for you to open the door. And you were greeted by a man who looked nothing like the photo. His hair had grown significantly, and because the image was only a headshot, you weren't expecting to see tattoos peeking out from under his long-sleeve charcoal gray shirt. His face was adorned with black horn-rimmed glasses and a silver lip ring.

"Hi, you must be Y/n," he held his hand for you to shake, then he crouched down to Ha Joon's level, "and I'm going to take a wild guess that you're Ha Joon?" The corner of Jungkook's lips curved into a smile when he looked at Ha Joon, and you could tell your son was already smitten by this man.

Ha Joon immediately whirled his surprise behind his back and showed it to Jungkook. "I hope you like Iron Man. He's my favorite."

"Dude–you're in luck because he's my favorite too."

Your son peered up at you, "Mommy–don't you have to work?"

You scoffed. "You want me to leave?"

"Yeah. I want to show Jungkook my room!" Ha Joon immediately ran off, not waiting for further instructions from you.

You gestured for Jungkook to set his things down, giving him the basic rundown of Ha Joon's schedule and yours and a quick tour of the apartment. "Do you have any questions?"

Jungkook's eyes wandered around the room before flitting back to yours. "I don't think so. Will you be around today in case we need anything?"

"Yeah, I'll just be in my room. My boss knows I'm doing a trial run, so you guys can interrupt me if you need anything," you smiled before taking a step towards Ha Joon's room.

Jungkook cleared his throat. "Thank you," he said, leaping forward to catch you before you ran off, making you halt in your tracks. "I know seeing a male nanny is odd, but I hope I get to earn your trust."

You beamed at him. "It looks like Ha Joon already adores you, so it'll be tough for him to let you go. Just letting you know that now."

The rest of the day, you didn't hear a single peep from Ha Joon and Jungkook, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. You kept peering out from behind your monitor to see if they needed you, but you were only met with silence.

Finally, you were fed up, taking a break from work to check up on the two. Quietly, you knocked on Ha Joon's door, opening to see what they were up to. Your hand was met with another's as Jungkook quickly pulled you down underneath a blanket fort, telling you to be quiet.

"What are we doing?" You whispered.

"If we make a peep, the gremlin will come and get us," Jungkook mumbled.

"Gremlin?"

"The gremlin hears voices--it's time to find Jungkookie and take him to jail, where he will be our slave." Ha Joon popped up, wearing his Iron Man Mask, holding up a toy sword.

Jungkook pointed to Ha Joon. "The little gremlin," he giggled.

"He really is a little gremlin sometimes," you snickered, trying to hold back your laugh before your little gremlin came knocking. You and Jungkook glanced at each other as the blanket fort was stripped away, uncovering the two of you.

"The gremlin has found you! Mommy? What are you doing here?" Ha Joon asked with a confused look on his face.

"Hi baby, I just wanted to come check up on you to see if you're okay."

"Mommy..." Ha Joon whined, "you need to go to work and make money for me. You can play with me later."

You scoffed at your little man, and Jungkook couldn't help but giggle at how direct Ha Joon was - that was one thing he loved about kids. They had no filter.

"Okay, okay. I'll go back to work," you said, standing up and walking to the door.

Ha Joon glared at you. "Bye, mommy," he said before slamming the door.

You didn't bother the two as you finished work. All you could hear were funny voices, some muffled happy screams, and crashes of Ha Joon's toys.

To be honest, you were a bit jealous of the two. Most days, when you got off of work, you were too tired to play with Ha Joon, and that's when mom guilt kicked in. Ha Joon was happy with you, at least you hoped so, but you could hear how excited he was with another man in his life. You suppose a little boy needed some kind of male role model in his life, so you hoped that Jungkook would work out well for your little family.

As you were going to leave work for the day, your boss emailed, asking you to hop on a quick call. It was close to dinner time, so you quickly ran out to let Jungkook know what was happening. He didn't mind staying longer if you needed him to, and for that, you were grateful.

You glanced at the little clock in the corner of your monitor, reading 7:30PM. The 'little' call turned into a big call because your boss had a million things to discuss with you. As you were fed up, you made an excuse that your nanny had to leave and that you needed to take care of your son, which technically wasn't a lie.

You sighed when your boss finally let you go. Quickly, you shut off your monitor and sprinted for your door to catch up with what Ha Joon and Jungkook were doing. And to your surprise, it was quiet when you walked into the living room. You assumed they were playing another game, but you found Jungkook putting the dishes away in the kitchen and Ha Joon nowhere in sight.

"Hey, um, where's Ha Joon?"

"Asleep."

Your mouth was agape when he told you this. Jungkook pushed over a plate of food he had fixed because he knew you'd be hungry after a long day at work.

"He had dinner - ate all of his vegetables, by the way, took a bath, cleaned his room, we read a book, sang a song, and now he's in bed."

What in god's name? Was Jeon Jungkook the answer to all of your prayers? No wonder Gracie said you would like him. He was like the nanny whisperer or something.

"How," you took a mouthful of rice, "How did you get him to eat his vegetables?" You asked, finally swallowing your rice.

Jungkook chuckled. "Easy. Told him that if he wanted to be big and strong like Iron Man, he'd have to eat his vegetables because all superheroes eat them."

You marveled at his simplistic answer. You wished you would've thought of that sooner. Maybe a male nanny wouldn't be so bad after all.

"So, when can you start?"

next - the blind date