#I JUST HAVE A FEW SHORT LINES TO GO UNTIL THE FIRST CHAPTER IS FINISHED | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

javierpena-inatacvest · 6 months

Text

Chapter 20 pt. 2- I Do

Summary: It's wedding time, baby.

Word Count: 17.4K (.....I'm so sorry)

Warnings: SMUT (18+) unprotected p in v sex, vaginal fingering, praise kink, marriage kink, big, fat, nasty, unspeakable breeding kink (holy SHIT you guys, I really went balls to the wall on this one, I fear), kind of semi-public sex (you already know these horndogs are going at it again), More getting caught (Steve is causing his own problems at this point), wedding things!!, family dynamics, mentions of death/grief, lots of emotions, alcohol/drinking, so many feelings (grab the tissues, friends), Javi being adorable with kids, Javi being so in LOVE it HURTS?!? So much joy and happiness because Javi deserves the world and more

A/N: HELLO. Part 2 is finally finished *insert Spongebob narrator voice* 4 years later 🫠 Omg y'all, thank you SO much for bearing with me as I finish this, it has been a labor of love like no other, but I am so excited to finally share our favorite couple's special day and finally GET THESE TWO MARRIED 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I would very much be lying if I said I didn't cry multiple times writing this chapter 🥺 I can't believe these two are actually getting married- words can't express how thankful I am for everyone who's wanted to stick around and read my silly little story to see these two make it to their wedding day- your support and kind words mean more to me than you will ever know 💛 Poorly beta'd bc I'm the worst, also, I've seen that sometimes people have issues reblogging things with comments that are this long (my apologies), but comments and reblogs make me wanna cry and throw up with joy, so it means a lot to me if you're able to leave a comment if it won't let you reblog with one!!!

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Never had you been so anxious to walk in a straight line.

Because truth be told, that was all you needed to do to walk down the aisle- walk in a straight line.

But when that straight line meant the walk to finally get to marry your future husband, to take his last name, to start the beginning of your forever together, not to mention kissing him in front of all your closest family and friends, you couldn’t help but feel the butterflies in your stomach swirling in anticipation as you waited for your ceremony to start.

“You okay, Hermosa?” Javi asked, his thumb gently stroking your hand that he had been holding since the moment he saw you, almost as if he was refusing to let go. You looked up at him, big brown puppy dog eyes staring down at you with a goofy grin that hadn’t left his face, the sight of his handsome, broad frame easing your racing heart enough to help you remember that when you walked down that aisle in a few short minutes, he was the only thing that mattered.

“I’m perfect.” You smiled, pressing up on your toes just enough to peck his lips quickly before someone in the wedding party needed to barrate you both again about saving your kissing until after you were finally married. “I don’t think I’ve ever had this many people staring all at me at once. Knowing my luck, I’m gonna trip and fall over this dress before I can even make it to you. Or better yet, with my dumbass decision to have David and Charlie walk me down the aisle, I’ll be lucky if they don’t push me to the ground first.”

“Well, even if you did fall, you would still be the most beautiful woman on the face of this Earth. My clumsy, grass-stained wife.” Javi snickered, giving you a little nudge as you rolled your eyes, giving him a playful shove back.

“Pendejo. You have both of our vows books, right? You promise you haven’t peeked?”

“Yup, both right here in my pocket.” Javi smiled, patting his tux by his chest. “Promise I haven’t read it. Although for my sake I probably should have, because if I can’t even make it through seeing you in your dress, then these vows are gonna make me a fuckin’ goner.”

“Bold of you to assume I had nice things to say about you in there.” You teased, raising your eyebrow as you smirked at him, making Javi shake his head as he laughed.

“Alright everyone, it’s 3:00, it’s time to get this show on the road! Make sure you’re in order like we practiced, that you take your time walking down to the music, girls, please do not throw petals at each other, and make sure you all- Javi, where are you? You’re supposed to be at the front of this line, sir.” Connie sassed, proving to you that she really was the perfect person for the task of making sure that things ran smoothly today, bossing the group around like the captain of a well organized ship.

“Sorry, I’m coming,” Javi replied sheepishly. “I love you, Osita.” Sliding the hand that was entangled with yours around your waist, Javi pulled you in for a kiss, much more obviously than he probably should have, considering the shit the two of you were about to get being literal minutes away from getting married.

“Javier! Get you A-S-S up here! Kiss her all you want once you say I do!” Connie shouted, rolling her eyes at the two of you, Javi pulling away in defense with his hands raised, trying to prove his innocence.

“Oh, I know what that one spells, Mrs. Murphy! That one spells-”

“Javi? Please?” Connie asked again, quickly trying her best to cut off your niece, Olivia, before she could finish the rest of her thought in front of everyone else, making the group giggle at her matter of factness.

“Okay, okay, I’m here!” Javi pleaded, making his way to the front of the procession, taking his place next to his dad as Connie did one more check through of everyone’s spot in line before giving the music an all clear to start playing.

As you stood at the end of the line, you peeked up to see Javi turned around staring back at you with that same stupid smile on his face, completely enamored and awestruck by you, already convincing you that you were going to turn into a puddle before you could even make it down the aisle.

But as you went to re-adjust your bouquet in your grasp, you quickly realized there were not one, but two things missing from your procession line, now about to start walking down the aisle.

Your brothers.

Despite having seen them only seconds ago, as you quickly whipped your head around, they were now nowhere to be found.

“Charlie? David? Where the fuck did you go?” You whisper shouted, frantically looking around for any sight of them.

Suddenly, you heard a rustling from one of the bushes around the corner from where you had been lined up and waiting, followed by the all too familiar voices of your brothers up to no good.

“Just finish it you dingus, I already drank the first half!”

“Why the fuck did we leave this out here? It’s fucking warm. You got the better half, that’s not fair!”

“It was warm when I drank it too, dumbwad. Just finish it, we gotta fucking go, hurry up!”

As you peered behind the bush, you saw your brothers wiping their mouth with the back of their hands as the tossed a can of Miller Lite to the ground, freezing in fear as they saw your menacing and disappointed glare staring back at them.

“What the fuck do you two think you’re doing?!”

“It was David’s idea!” Charlie responded, pointing at his brother.

“Charlie didn’t say no!” David responded back, now pointing at him. “You didn’t expect us to get through this sober, did you? You’re the one who asked us to marry you, so I don’t know what to tell ya, Cubby. Plus, we wanted to pour one out for Patrick since he’s the luckiest bastard out of all of us and doesn’t have to worry about fucking up marrying his little sister.”

“God, you two are idiots. Well that thing you agreed to do is happening as we speak so can we go do that, please?” You sighed, trying your best not to laugh at your brother’s antics, knowing that you really should have expected nothing less from the pair after you and Javi had asked them to officiate your wedding, considering neither of you had wanted anything religious, and wanted someone who knew you to be the ones to do it.

“Okay, okay!” They replied, one rushing to each side of you and hooking their arm around yours as you made your way back to your spot at the end of the processional line that had now begun to move forward.

“Where were you 3 dumbbells? The ceremony is starting!” Your dad gruffed, trying his best to restrain from slapping each of you upside the head.

“Cubby wanted a beer.” David replied, shrugging his shoulders, keeping his head facing forward, trying his best not to laugh.

“Honey, seriously?!” Your mom scolded, looking at you with disgust.

“I did not! I was trying to find these two idiots!” You groaned, eying your brothers as they shook you back and forth between them in their grasp. “I hate you both, I hope you know that.”

“We love you too, Cubby.” Charlie smirked, knowing that for as much as you said it, there wasn’t a bone in your body that could hate your brothers. For as dumb and annoying as they were, there would never be another moment you would take for granted with them, knowing all too well that life was much too short to do anything but cherish your time together, wishing you had more time to spend with the brother who couldn’t be here with you today.

Before you could respond, your thought was interrupted by the voice of the DJ through the speakers set up outside, your heart steadily beginning to pound at the reality that everything you had been waiting for was all about to become real.

“Alright, ladies and gentlemen if you could please find your seats, we’re about to get started with our ceremony! Thank you so much, folks!” As his voice echoed through the speakers, a hush began to fall over the crowd of your friends and family that had gathered here, now anxiously alongside you for the ceremony to begin.

A few seconds passed before you could hear the music beginning to play, the familiar melody of “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac ringing through the speakers- an easily unanimous pick for a song to walk down the aisle to for you and Javi, remembering the first night you had spent together in your apartment, making midnight mac n’ cheese and already falling head over heels in love with each other.

As the beat began to pick up, your heart started to race, peaking over the backs of everyone’s heads to watch all 5 of your flower girls begin to skip down the aisle, throwing petals every which way around them as they moved.

You couldn’t help but laugh as all their little personalities shone through as they made their way to the altar- Olivia Murphy, being the oldest, most definitely was taking her role the most seriously, holding her baby sister in one hand and carefully sprinkling flowers evenly in front of her. Your niece, Olivia, was second in line to live up to her role, although, being the little ham she was, threw in the occasional twirl in the middle of the aisle to get people to look at her, along with her little waves to the crowd. The rest of the girls, Brianna, Abby and Madison, well, you were just happy that they made it down the aisle, thankful that their older sisters were at least on the lookout enough to keep them from running through the rows of your guests or dumping the entire bucket of flowers on themselves (you had learned your lesson from your rehearsal dinner that Brianna needed about half as less flowers as the others).

Your face lit up watching the girls, your heart filling with joy with the “awhs” and laughter from the crowd at their theatrics as they met at the altar with an impressively semi-rehearsed curtsy, followed by promptly running out of the spotlight and over to Connie who was waiting for them.

Now that the flower girls had finished making their way down, the processional line began to shift forward once again, this time, leaving Javi and his dad to walk down together, Javi insisting that even though his mom would have been the one to walk him down if she was here, that wanted Chucho to be there in her place instead.

“Ready, Mijo?” Chucho grinned, giving Javi a little nudge. “Am I going to have to keep you from sprinting down the aisle, or do you think you can manage walking?”

As the pair began walking down to the melodic beat of the song, Javi couldn’t help but laugh at his dad’s comment, because as much as he wanted to tease him right back, he knew damn well he was so excited that he would have run to the altar if it meant he got to marry you even a minute quicker.

“Javier?” Chucho asked, looking up at his son with tears in his eyes as the pair moved down the parted pathway between the crowd of guests.

“Yeah, Pops?”

“Estoy orgulloso de ti, mijo. Tu mama y yo. (I am so proud of you, son. Me and your mother.) We are so happy that you have found your media naranja (other half). Nosotros te amamos. (We love you so much.)”

As Javi and Chucho reached the end of the aisle, Javi wrapped his arms around his dad, pulling him close as Chucho patted him on the back, pulling away to look at his son, tears now in both of their eyes, thinking about how far they had come to end up where they were in this very moment, thanking whatever greater power that had finally brought them and Lucia the peace they all desperately deserved.

Javier Pena knew he was worthy of the love and happiness that his parents had longed for. He had finally proved to himself and his parents he really was the good man that he had hoped to be.

“I love you, Pops. Thank you for everything.” Javi whispered to his dad, trying to fight back any more tears from falling down his cheeks.

“Te amo mucho, Javier. (I love you so much, Javier). Thank you for finally realizing that who you are is enough. Now, stop crying over your old man and save some tears for your wife.” Chucho laughed quietly, giving his son another pat on the back with a soft smile wrinkling his cheeks.

“Yeah, I don’t think you’re gonna have to worry about that.” Javi chuckled, shaking his head at the tearful mess he already was, giving his father one last hug before Chucho took his seat next to Connie and the flower girls at the front of the crowd.

Steve was the next to make his way to the altar, Javi laughing at his friend’s goofy strut to greet him at the end of the aisle. Steve held out his hand to shake Javi’s before quickly pulling Javi in for another hug with pats to the back much harder than his fathers.

“Listen, man. I ain’t good at this sentimental shit, but uh- I’m really fuckin’ happy for you, Javi. I know I give you shit, but you’re one of the good ones. She’s a lucky girl. And I hope you know you’re sure as hell one lucky son of a bitch. Love you, man.”

“Love you too, Murph. Believe me, I know.” Javi grinned, giving Steve a slap on his shoulder laughing to himself as his friend sat down next to his wife and the girls, never imagining himself standing at the altar, happily waiting to get married while his former partner cheered him on, surrounded by his gaggle of giggly daughters.

Feeling worlds away from Javi, your heart began to beat faster and faster, realizing that you were now only one pair away from making your trek down the aisle as your mom and dad walked down next, arm in arm.

In classic mom fashion, your mother squeezed Javi so hard as she greeted him, that you were convinced that she was going to pop an eyeball out one of his sockets, thankful that your dad was there to reel her in enough to keep from suffocating him in her hug.

“Javi. We love you so much. Thank you for making our daughter so happy. We’re so grateful she found you.”

“Thank you. I love you both, too. Believe me, I’m just as grateful that she found me. Thanks for making me feel like a part of your family.” Javi replied to your mom, catching his breath through his smile after the death grip your mom had wrapped him in before looking over at your dad, extending his hand to meet his already outstretched one.

“Jav, you’re a good man. I’m a guy of few words, but we couldn’t be happier for you both. Take care of her, okay?”

“I will. I promise.”

With a silent handshake and a nod, Javi and your dad had said all they’d needed to know that they couldn’t be more thankful for the love and support the other had brought you in the times that you had needed it most.

As your parents made their way to their seats, standing at the opposite end of the aisle with your brothers at your side, the realization really hit you- You were the last one that needed to meet Javi.

“You ready, Cubby?” Charlie asked, giving you a grin as he smiled down at you, interlocking your arm with his as David did the same on the other side.

“Yeah, I’m ready. Hey, uh- I just, I just wanted to say, I-I love you guys.”

“Gross.” David teased, scrunching his face in disgust, pretending to barf over his shoulder as you and Charlie laughed, shaking your head at your brother. “We love you too, dude.”

With one final giggle and deep breath, you took your first step into view where everyone could see you, watching the guests rise to their feet in anticipation of your arrival, awestruck stares and smiles filling the crowd as you began to walk.

Even though you had seen each other minutes ago, as you started to make your way down the aisle, smiling at Javi, the two of you couldn’t help but break into tears once again, laughing through your sobs that Javi broke before you did, trying to wipe his wet cheeks with the back of his hand while he watched you walk towards him.

And even though every pair of eyes were on you, the only eyes you needed to see were Javi’s- The sweet, soft brown eyes that you had fallen so deeply in love with from the moment you had locked eyes with them all that time ago. They were the eyes of the first person who had ever truly seen you for who you were, inside and out, and you couldn’t be more thankful that when you looked at him, you saw your forever. When you looked at Javier Pena, you knew you were home.

It almost felt as if time was standing still, that even in a crowd full of people, no one else existed besides the two of you. No one else mattered, and nothing else mattered- the only thing that mattered for you was Javi waiting for you at the end of the aisle, and you? You were going to finally be his wife.

“You two are so in love, it’s fucking sick.” David whispered in your ear, helping to ease your tears as you burst into more laughter, rolling your eyes at your brother.

“Oh shut up, asshole.”

As you, David and Charlie finally made your way to Javi, waiting for you in a mess of happy smiles and loving tears, you had to use everything in you to keep from jumping onto him like a koala and kiss him all over his stupidly handsome face, resorting to reaching out to grab his hand instead, interlocking it with yours and giving it the tightest squeeze you could.

“Hey, Mr. Peña. Long time, no see.” You whispered into Javi’s ear, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before took his other hand in yours, the two of you facing each other in front of your friends and family as David and Charlie took their place behind you, pulling out their notes that they had prepared, clearing their throats as they began to address the crowd.

“Alright everyone, I uh- I guess we’re gettin’ this show on the road.” Speaking out into the crowd, Charlie began to flip to the right page of his script that you were relieved to see he had written out, your guests beginning to silence and bringing their attention to you and Javi.

“Hi everyone, for those of you who don’t know us, we are the bride’s brothers, and we have the honor of our sister and our new brother-in-law being stupid enough to let us be in charge of marrying them today. Not to worry, 20 dollars and one course on the internet later, David and I are both legally ordained, so not to fear you two, this will all be legit, and hopefully not too embarrassing.” Charlie laughed, also eliciting giggles and eye rolls from you and Javi, as well as the crowd.

“Well, we are gathered here today, because these two idiots have fallen so head over heels for each other, it's almost sickening. We’ve had the privilege of knowing our sister for the entirety of our lives. When we found out as kids that our mom was having another baby, and that it was going to be a girl, my brothers and I were disappointed, to say the least. We didn’t want a sister to ruin the bond that we had, and honestly, for a long time while my mom was pregnant, we went through a long baby boycott, and were convinced if we protested long enough, and hard enough, she would eventually turn into a boy, and everything would be fine.” David grimaced, shrugging his shoulders at you as you nodded in agreement, having heard this story from your brothers and parents plenty of times before.

“And while at first, we weren’t really sure what to do with a sister, considering we didn’t even realize it was an option to pee sitting down until she came around,” Charlie snickered, making the crowd laugh again, aside from your mom, who was rolling her eyes so hard, they probably had made it to the back of her head, “Our sister ended up being one of the best things that could have ever happened to us.”

Breaking your eye contact with Javi, you paused to look over at your brother, a genuine smile on his face, raising his eyebrows and shrugging as if to say I’m just as surprised that I’m saying this out loud as you.

“Growing up with our sister has taught us a lot of things- Don’t challenge her to anything you don’t wanna lose at, because she’ll find a way to beat you, and thoroughly kick your ass while she does it, she’s got more brain cells that myself, Charlie, and our late brother Patrick did put together, she’s tougher than most guys I know, and she’s one of the biggest hearted people I’ve ever met.” Looking back at Javi, you could see his face beaming with joy, giving your hand a squeeze, agreeing with everything your brothers had to say, and how all of those traits had made him fall so madly in love with you.

“So, like brothers do, we never assumed that there would never be anyone good enough, let alone even cool enough for our badass sister. And also like brothers do, we let her go through her fair share of duds and gave her shit, but when this guy came around,” Charlie smiled, pointing at Javi, “we knew that he was something special.”

“Javi,” David joined in pointing, giving him a playful smirk, “Don’t think you were getting out of this so easy. When we first heard that our sister had made her way down to the middle of nowhere Texas and had started seeing you, our first reaction was instant disapproval, because if you lived in south Texas, you probably knew jackshit about hockey, and that was a no go for us.”

“But,” Charlie interjected, “After talking to our sister more on the phone, not only was she starting to turn into the happy, energetic self we hadn’t seen in so long, we also learned after talking to her that you not only had been willing to watch hockey with her, but had began to openly express your disdain for the Detroit Red Wings, which made us change our opinions on you very quickly.”

You and Javi looked at your brothers, rolling your eyes in laughter as they shrugged at you, the roar of cackles from the crowd making you grin, feeling the love from your brothers, friends and family swell in your chest, holding Javi’s hands even tighter, gazing up at him with an awestruck smile.

“No in all seriousness, Jav. We couldn’t be happier that you not only have become a part of our sister’s life, but our family’s life, too. For those of you who don’t know, we um- we, uh-,” David gulped, taking a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears welling in his eyes, “our other brother, Patrick, um, passed away last year, and it uh, it was really hard on all of us, especially our sister. Javi, man, I don’t think you’ll ever understand how thankful we are that you love our sister so unconditionally. Better yet, that you love our family of idiots so unconditionally, because truth be told, we are not an easy bunch to love. While obviously, you can’t ever replace Patrick, I just, I hope you know that we’re so glad to have you as a brother, and that Patrick really would have loved you, man. He would be so happy that you’re the one our sister gets to spend the rest of her life with.”

For what felt like the 117th time today, you found yourself in absolute tears, feeling the wetness streaming down your cheeks as you looked down at the #2 patch sewn on the bottom corner of your veil in a beautiful mixture of sadness and joy before looking up to see not a dry eye in front of you, both your brothers and Javi misty eyed and sniffling. Breaking his grasp from yours, Javi stepped towards your brothers, wrapping his arms around both of them to pull them into a long, tight hug, Charlie and David reciprocating as their arms patted his back.

“Thank you guys.” Javi whispered, choking back his tears as he pulled away to look at your brothers, all of you wiping your wet faces with your hands to try and compose yourselves to carry on with the ceremony.

“Damn, okay, well, sorry about that, folks, was not expecting that.” Charlie and David laughed, trying to shake off their unusually sappy sentiment, looking out at the crowd to see not a dry eye in the house. “Well um, well that’s enough of us yapping at you guys, why don’t we turn it over to the people you’re actually here for, and then you can cry even more because these two idiots decided to write their own vows, so good luck.”

Staring up at Javi, you could feel your heart begin to race wildly, your hands nearly trembling as you reached out towards Javi to take the little notebook where you had written down your vows, feeling a little more at ease as you saw that Javi’s hands were just as shaky as yours, the two of you overflowing with anxious anticipation.

It had been no question to either of you that you had wanted to write your own vows to one another. While it seemed to be that everyone else you knew had seemed to avoid writing their own vows because they weren’t sure what to say, or that it was too hard to think of things, you and Javi seemed to find yourselves having the opposite problem, feeling like there was too much to fit in a few short minutes, and that your vows were going to end up being the length of a college lecture.

There had been a part of you that had worried you would be nervous to read what you had to say to Javi in front of all your friends and family, but as you stood there, smiling up at his beautiful, handsome face, you couldn’t be more excited to share all of the things you had written to tell your husband just how much you loved him.

But as the two of you stood face to face, your vows in each of your hands, your stomach dropped in shock, realizing that neither of you was making the first move to start talking. Because for all the planning and preparing that you had done for everything else, the both of you had completely forgotten to pick who was going to read their vows first.

“We never picked who was gonna go first.” You whispered to Javi, your voice filling with nerves every second you stood in front of your guests, neither one of you saying anything.

“Oh fuck, you’re right. What do you wanna do? Do you wanna go? Do you want me to go?” Javi asked, his face mirroring yours in surprise, now frantically looking back and forth between you, his vows, and all of your guests.

You weren’t sure if it was the teacher in you, or the fact that you were so flustered that you couldn’t think of anything else, but before you knew it, you were tucking your vows under your arm, holding one hand out in front of you flat and the other in a fist, signifying to Javi that your best solution to your current predicament was playing rock, paper, scissors.

“Best 2 out of 3?” You shrugged, grimacing at Javi as you tried not to burst into laughter, Javi shaking his head and snickering, raising an eyebrow at you.

“You’re ridiculous, I hope you know that. Do you wanna go after ‘rock’ or say ‘shoot’, then go?” Javi asked, loud enough for your guests to catch on to what was happening, giggles and laughter coming from the crowd.

“What kind of psychopath doesn’t say ‘shoot’ first? Javier Peña, are you telling me that we need to call off this wedding right now because you don’t say ‘shoot’ before playing rock, paper, scissors? Because I will.”

Everyone around you was now in full blown hysterics, including Javi, giving you the sassiest look he could muster through his laughter, holding his hands out to mirror yours.

“So ‘for better or for worse’ doesn’t apply to rock, paper, scissors, apparently?” He teased, smirking at you with a subtle wink as he bit down on his lip.

“Not if you’re gonna play like that it won’t.”

“Pendejo.”

“You love me.”

“I really fucking do.”

Giggling as you gestured at your outstretched fist, you began to countdown from your “rock, paper, scissors, adding an extra emphasis on ‘shoot’ as you held out rock and Javi held out scissors. With another laugh, the two of you started again, this time, you with paper and Javi with rock, smirking as you crossed your arms over your chest at Javi, the rest of your guests laughing right along with you.

“Winner, winner, chicken dinner, Javier Peña. You’re stuck going second.”

“Go for it, you dork.”

As the laughter from the crowd settled, you opened your vows book, taking a deep breath as you stared up at Javi, who, despite your silliness, still had tears beginning to well in his puppy dog brown eyes before you could even say your first word. You took one last gulp of confidence, wondering how in the world you were supposed to make it through even a sentence through your speech without falling apart.

“I never used to believe in fate. People would always tell me that ‘some things are just meant to be!’ or ‘it was just fate it happened like that!’ and no matter how hard I tried to believe, fate just never made sense to me. Well, that was until about a year ago, when fate decided to bump right into me when I least expected it.” You could feel your voice already beginning to shake, huffing in a quick sniffle before continuing on.

“As fate may have it, I quite literally bumped into you when you were forced to come give a presentation to a group of rowdy 8 and 9 year olds. Thank god fate also was on my side that day- that I actually looked halfway presentable and wasn’t covered in spilled chocolate milk, glue, or the snot of whatever kid had sneezed a little too close to me that morning.” That one had the better part of the crowd letting out a laugh alongside Javi, easing your stress and tension about your speech while you carried on, reading the notes jotted in your booklet.

“When I first came to Laredo, I wasn’t really quite sure what I was looking for. After my brother died and decided I needed to be as far away from Chicago as possible, there wasn’t ever really a doubt in my mind that here was the only place I really wanted to be. I spent the better half of my middle school and high school vacations here, visiting my best friend who had moved away. To me, Laredo was always a place that brought me such peace and comfort. I’m not really sure why, but there was always something about being here for those few weeks every year that made it feel like home, even when home was halfway across the country. But what I didn’t realize, was that in my attempt to find a new home for myself, I began to learn that home wasn’t a physical location, or a place you could travel to. After meeting you, Javier Peña, I found out that home was wherever I was with you.”

Taking a shaky breath, you looked up from your vows to see sweet Javi, covering his mouth, as if he was trying to trap his tears to keep from completely breaking down at your words, his reaction only making you cry harder, trying your best to re-compose yourself before speaking again.

“I spent so long wondering if I would ever find someone who would ever make me feel the way that you do- to love me for all of my flaws, to make me feel important, and even laugh at all of my stupid jokes that probably don’t deserve to be laughed at, but you love me enough to do it anyways. Now that’s true love.” You smirked, raising your eyebrow at Javi, making the two of you snicker between your tears. “You make me feel like the only person in the world whenever I’m with you. The only person who knows me better than I know myself. You are truly one of the most thoughtful and caring people that I have ever met. And while I could list off a million adjectives to describe all of the reasons I fell in love with you- smart, brave, determined, handsome- just to name a few, out of all of those reasons, the one that made me fall for you the most was your big heart. And while I know you’ll never believe me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to get you to see the same amazing man I fall more and more in love with every single day.”

At this point, there was not a dry eye in the crowd, watching how emotional you and Javi were as you tried to choke your way through the rest of your vows.

“I will never know what I did to deserve you in my life, but promise that I will spend the rest of it letting you know how forever thankful I will always be that out of all the people in the world you could have chosen to bump into, that it was me. I am so excited that the rest of my life, all of the moments, big, small, and everything in between, will all be moments spent with you. That every moment will be spent with my best friend. I never would have thought that a little bit of fate would have become my forever, but I’ll always be so grateful that it is. I love you so much, Javier Peña. Thanks for being the reason I finally believe in fate.”

Wiping away the wetness streaming down your cheeks, you could barely even look at Javi, who was an absolute blubbering mess, laughing through your tears almost to keep you from completely melting into a puddle.

Reaching out to grab him, you took Javi’s hand in yours, squeezing it reassuringly as you took your other hand up to wipe the tears streaming down his cheeks, the both of you smiling as you looked into each other's eyes.

“And that’s why I wanted to go first. Good luck.” You chuckled, making Javi shake his head as he laughed along with you, taking another deep breath before flipping open his own vows, wondering how in the world he was ever going to make it through speaking, considering how easily he had fallen apart just listening to you.

“Jesus Christ, well I don’t know how I’m really supposed to follow that.” Javi sighed, the crowd giggling at his remark as he opened up to his first page, staring at his words for a moment before looking back up at you, his deep, chocolate, puppy dog eyes melting you just as quickly as the first time that you locked eyes with him.

“I’ve uh- I’ve never really been great speeches. When I sat down to write this, I wasn’t really sure where to start. I had no idea how I was supposed to fit all of the things that I wanted to say into all of this.” Javi huffed with a little shrug, gesturing to his notebook.

“So I um- I figured if there’s anywhere I should start, it should probably be at the beginning. My mom was an elementary school teacher, so growing up, I spent a lot of time at Alma Pierce Elementary School. I swear, I knew that place like the back of my hand. But um, after my mom got sick and passed away, I really never thought I’d ever have a reason to back. Until one day last year, I was told to pack up my stuff to go give a presentation at a local elementary school, which turned out to be none other than Alma Pierce. My mom always used to say “La vida es graciosa, no lo crees?” (Life is funny, isn’t it?), and I never quite understood why. But as I walked back into the place where I had spent so much of my life just out of chance, I swear I could hear her laughing at me, saying “Te lo dije.” (I told you so).”

You could hear everyone who had had the privilege of knowing Lucia letting out a soft laugh, thinking of all of the times they must have heard her say that all too familiar phrase throughout their time knowing her.

“I had gotten to a point in my life that I had kind of just accepted that maybe this kind of life wasn’t in the cards for me. I wasn’t gonna get married or have a family, and as much as it hurt, I had learned to be okay with it. The last thing I would have thought would have happened to me after leaving the presentation I had to give that day was that I was already head over heels in love with the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my entire life, but la vida es graciosa, no le crees?”

Giving you a little smirk, Javi could help but let a smile slowly spread between his cheeks as he looked at you, gazing up at him in complete and utter adoration, your goofy grin mirroring his.

“Never in a million years would I have thought that I would have been standing here today, getting married to you. If you would have told me that I got to marry the most beautiful, amazing, kind, and stubbornly independent woman on the face of this earth, I would have laughed in your face. I honestly still feel like I need to pinch myself to prove that this is even real. But I guess that even if this is all a dream, I don’t ever want to wake up. Being loved by you has changed me in a way that I will never be able to thank you enough for. Being loved by you has made me a better man than I ever believed that I could be. A better man than I ever thought I deserved to be. A man who has learned to love and believe in love in ways I didn’t think I was capable of. I will never be able to thank you enough for letting me into your life and loving me for who I am, and for wanting to spend the rest of it with me.”

Now, it was your turn to morph into an inconsolable mess, reaching out to grab Javi’s hand again, silently reassuring him that you were equally as grateful for the fact that Javi had let you into his life, too.

“And no matter how tough, or challenging, or funny life gets, I know it can never really be that bad, because I’ll always have you by my side through it all. I think my mamá would be so proud to know I finally understand what she was trying to say all those years about life being so funny. Because it seems like life has a funny way of giving you everything you’ve ever wanted. Te amo, Osita. Gracias por ser mi todo. (I love you, Osita. Thank you for being my everything).”

Without even thinking, you threw your arms around Javi’s shoulders wrapping him in a long, tight hug, sobbing into his jacket in a fit of happy tears, Javi hugging you right back, squeezing around your waist, gently cradling the back of your head in the warmth of your embrace.

“Well shit… Alright, well I’m not sure if you guys are allowed to do that, but after those vows, I think we can let it slide.” David joked, trying to quickly wipe his eyes, nudging Charlie to do the same to try and pull themselves together to make sure they could finish out the rest of the ceremony.

“Fuck, sorry.” Javi whispered, reluctantly pulling away from you, everyone in the crowd following your brothers’ suite, smiling as they brushed away the wetness welling in their own eyes from listening to your vows.

“Well, I’d ask if anyone needs to object before we continue, but I think it’s pretty darn clear that these two idiots love each other more than life itself, so I’m just gonna skip that part.” Charlie joked, making you and Javi smirk in agreement. “Alright Miss Olivia, it’s your time to shine, do you have the rings?” He asked, your niece’s face lighting up in excitement as she nodded her head frantically, shooting up out of her seat to dash towards the two of you, carefully holding the ring box like a newborn baby bird in her hands.

Daintily, she passed the box off to her dad before scampering over to both you and Javi, wrapping her arms around your waists to pull you close in a hug, smiling up at each of you with her toothy, goofy grin.

“I love you Auntie Bear and Uncle Javi.” Olivia beamed, giggling in pure bliss and joy before skipping back to her seat among the guests, the both of your hearts bursting at the seams with the chores of “awhhhhs” coming from the crowd for your adorable niece.

“Someone’s trying to get an extra slice of cake tonight huh, Miss Olivia?” David teased, your guests erupting with laughter at her not so innocent shrug to her Uncle’s question, knowing damn well she was just as much of a ham as you. “I trusted the six year old to carry these, can I trust you two not to drop them, or do you need to cry some more first?”

“Oh shut up, David.” You sighed, rolling your eyes at your brother as you and Javi each took the rings to give one another, carefully holding the shiny gold bands in your hands, counting down the moments until you finally got to say “I do”.

“Alright, ladies first, so I guess that means you, Cubby. You ready?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more ready for anything, you dingus, get this show on the road.”

“Alright, here goes nothin’. This is the part I actually had to practice, so God forbid I mess this one up huh? Do you,” David giggled, saying your real name instead of the nicknames you had lovingly bestowed upon you for as long as you could remember, “Take Javi to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

Carefully slipping the gold band onto Javi’s finger, you could feel your heart bursting in anticipation, biting down on your lip to try and contain your excitement, slowly pulling your hand away to let your brothers finish the second half of the exchange.

“And do you, Javier Peña, take our sister,” Charlie and David snickered again, having to say your full name for a second time, “to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

Gently grabbing your palm and gliding the glistening ring onto your finger, Javi rubbed his thumb over the pair of bands nestled together, forever making a home on your hand, his eyes welling at the sight of the sign that you would always be his.

Intertwining your fingers together and hands clasped in front of you, you and Javi were radiating with joy, anxiously staring back and forth between each other and your brothers for them to finally say those magic words you had been waiting to hear since the moment you had met all that time ago.

“Well ladies and gentleman… by the power vested in us, the internet and the state of Texas, it’s our honor to introduce to you the new Mr. and Mrs. Peña.” Charlie grinned at you, trying not to burst into laughter at the near panicked look on your faces, not having heard the next set of words you were more than dying to hear.

“Well go on, you lovebirds, kiss already!” David snickered, shrugging at the pair of you with a grin on his face.

Before he could barely finish his sentence, Javi’s hands were cupping your face, palms cradling your jaw as he brought his mouth to yours, fireworks exploding in your stomach at the electric intensity of his kiss, so soft and tender, yet so desperate and needy, like it was the first time his lips had ever met yours, and that he never, ever wanted to let them go.

Your hands shot up to grab his face too, a smile creeping across your mouth with your lips still pressed to his as Javi dipped you down, sliding his hand down the small of your back to hold you before pulling you back up, his lips still locked on yours like glue.

In that moment, it seemed like time stood still, that nothing else in the world existed besides the two of you- nothing else mattered besides the fact that you were here, kissing the man that you loved more than anything in the world.

The man that you finally got to call your husband.

Over the cheers, whistling, and hollering from your friends and family, the both of you were finally snapped back to reality as David gave you a little nudge and a look that screamed “gross, save it for the honeymoon.”

Reluctantly breaking from your kiss, you grabbed Javi’s hand in yours, holding your fists in the air and cheering in excitement right alongside your guests before heading back up the aisle, your cheeks hurting from how hard they were smiling. So lost in your excitement, you turned your head as you felt Javi stop, tugging you back to the middle of the aisle, smirking as he pulled you close to his chest, whispering in your ear.

“Not so fast, Mrs. Peña. C’mere.” Grabbing your face and wrapping his arm around your waist, Javi was kissing you again, swinging you down in another dip that had you erupting in giggles and your guests cheering even louder, Javi’s smooth moves soliciting a loud “OW OW” most definitely from Steve.

“God, I love you.” You smirked as Javi pulled you back up to stand before the two of you were nearly skipping down the rest of the aisle in bliss, racing to the back of the crowd where you had entered the ceremony, turning the corner behind the house where no one could see you, not even bothering to look over your shoulder to see who’d followed you before your lips were crashing into each others again.

This one was nowhere near as tame as the kisses you had just shared moments ago- this kiss was a tangled mess of tongues and teeth, Javi’s hands creeping dangerously close to the curve of your ass as you tugged at the lapels of his suit jacket, your mouths moving in a messy dance as you whispered muffled and muted words between your kisses.

“Fuck, my beautiful wife. God, I’m so fucking lucky. I love you so much.”

“I love you so much too, Javi, I’m so-”

“Jesus Christ, it’s been 30 seconds and y’all can’t keep your hands to yourselves? C’mon, now. Y’all gotta whole week and a half to do this without having to subject the rest of us to it, Mr. and Mrs. Peña.” Steve laughed, making the both of you gasp as he slapped Javi on the back, immediately making your cheeks flush pink in embarrassment and Javi groan in annoyance at his best man’s timely (or untimely) disruption.

“Steve, c’mon like you didn’t have your hands all over me after we got married.” Connie sighed, now smacking the back of her own husband’s head, making him wince in pain. “Congratulations, you two. We’re so happy for you.”

“Thanks, Connie.” You and Javi smiled, Javi still keeping his hand wrapped around your waist as the rest of your wedding party started making their way back up the aisle to greet you, too.

“Also having gotten married before, you’re gonna thank me later as I make you go find your brothers to sign your marriage license somewhere that has a little peace and quiet before you get none the rest of the night. Why don’t you guys head inside and I’ll cover for you for a little, okay?”

“You’re the best, Connie, thanks.” Javi grinned, pulling you away towards the house, quietly sneaking in through the front door to wait for your brothers, Javi looking both ways around the seemingly empty house before pulling you close again.

“Javi, Charlie and David are gonna be in here any minute, and they’re gonna give us just as much shit as Steve, if not more.” You giggled, gazing up into Javi’s eyes, still awestruck and giddy.

“I know. Just one more kiss, mi esposa (my wife).” Javi smirked, tilting his head down to press his lips to yours, his thumb tracing soft circles on your cheek as the rest of his fingers cradled your jaw, tilting your eyes up towards him. “Fuck, you’re finally my wife. I don’t think I’ll ever get over that.”

“Good thing we have the rest of our lives to get used to it, huh?”

People weren’t kidding when they said that your wedding would be a blur- From the moment the ceremony ended, it felt like everything was moving in fast and slow motion at the same time, being pulled in every direction to talk with family members, take pictures, and make sure that things were running smoothly. As much as you and Javi were both trying to soak in every moment of your special day together, it was safe to say the two of you were feeling a little overwhelmed by the time you had gotten to dinner, and couldn’t have been more thankful to have a moment to finally sit down.

More importantly, you were so glad that you had gotten to the point where you had a drink, some delicious food in your stomach, and the best part of the night ahead of you- dancing.

The sun was beginning to set on the horizon of the Peña ranch as dinner was coming to a close, the clanging of forks and knives against dinner plates slowly shifting to chatter and conversation that was filling the space of the white tent that had been propped up in the backyard for your reception.

You weren’t really sure what to expect when you had decided on a backyard wedding, but with the absolutely stunning work your mom, Connie, sister in law, and Javi’s aunt’s had put together for you, they had made a white tent feel like something out of a fairytale. String lights and greenery were strung across above you, long tables decorated in candles and beautiful garlands of eucalypts, sprinkled white and pink roses from Lucia’s garden, along with cute, colorful vintage cups that the women had collected or thrifted for your guests to use. Everything about your setup felt magical, and with the sun sinking and fading into dusk, the glow and twinkles of the lights illuminating your space only made it feel that much more incredible.

As the two of you sat at your head table, bellies full and hearts happy, feeling a little tipsy from the extra strong margaritas Javi’s cousin seemed to be making, you were a little worried as what looked like a more than just tipsy Steve approached you, slapping a stack of index cards in front of you.

“Listen… I’m like the perfect level of drunk to give this best man speech. Any less drunk and I’ll be too fuckin’ nervous to do it, and any more drunk I’m not gonna be able to remember what I’m supposed to say. Y’all good to keep this movin’ so you can do your first dance and then we can get this party started?”

“Jesus Christ, Murph…” Javi sighed, laughing at his friend, now sassily crossing his arms over his chest at Javi. “This speech better be good.”

“It’s good, and Connie approved, so you know I won’t say any dumb shit. Well, not if we don’t start soon and I keep drinking more.” Steve paused, letting out a low burp, rubbing his stomach and grimacing at the two of you, snorting at him.

“Take it away, Shakespeare.” You smiled, gesturing your arm out to the dance floor in front of the guests sitting at their tables, chatting away. You couldn’t help but laugh as Steve confidently made his way to the front of the crowd, Connie silently mouthing “I’m so sorry” from across the room, pointing at her husband, now ready to take the stage.

“Hey y’all,” Steve started, bellowing his voice loud enough to catch everyone’s attention, making them pause their chit chat and focus their attention on him. “I’m Steve Murphy. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Javi’s best man. Normally it’s customary for a guy like me to come up and say a few words about the bride and groom, so lucky for y’all, I’m your guy tonight. You’re welcome, Jav.”

The crowd laughed as Javi sighed, rolling his eyes at Steve and shaking in his head in fear of what was to come, sliding your hand over to rest on his thigh, giving your now husband a little squeeze of reassurance to have some faith in his friend.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Javi for a long time now. It’s been, what, 17 years now, Jav?” Steve asked, turning back to look for confirmation.

“It’s been too long.” Javi replied, shaking his head, his witty response only making your friends and family laugh more.

“Whatever, you grumpy old bastard. Anyways, I first met Javi when I found out that I would be his partner down in Colombia working for the DEA. Not gonna lie, when I first met him, while I’ve never admitted this until now, I was pretty intimidated by the guy. He was cool, smart, respected, even though his jeans were way too fuckin’ tight.” Steve teased, winking at Javi, making you snicker from the few pictures you had seen from back in the day when Javi was in Colombia, knowing exactly what Steve meant.

“I’ll spare you all the details of our time down there, but through all of our trials and tribulations, despite our differences and disagreements, the one thing I always admired about Javi is that he really cared about what he did. No matter what, he always cared about trying to do the right thing for the people he cared most about. Now, believe me, if you would have asked me all those years ago if I would have ever pictured Javi here today, gettin’ married, buildin’ a house and talkin’ about startin’ a family? Well shit, I prolly woulda told you that you were bat shit crazy. But, if there’s anyone in the world who deserves every ounce of all that domestic, lovely dovey bliss, it’s this man right here.” Steve smiled softly, pointing back to Javi who couldn’t help but let his heart fill with warmth at the sentiment from his friend, your hand rubbing up and down Javi’s leg, his grasping over yours to hold it tight.

“Javi, I know you’ll never believe me when I tell you this, but I’m real proud of ya, man. And I hope you know how goddamn lucky you are that this beautiful woman has agreed to spend the rest of her life with your grumpy ass. Speaking of which…” Steve smirked, turing back to look at you with a goofy grin, making you raise an eyebrow at whatever stupid comment was bound to come out of his mouth.

“Mrs. Peña. I never thought I’d live to see the day Javi was so in love. When he called me a few weeks after the two of you first met, and was all jazzed and excited to tell me about this beautiful girl he had started datin’ and how happy he was, I just about damn near fell down. He never said it on that phone call, but I knew that this sorry shit was absolutely head over heels in love with you.”

That comment had you giggling at Javi’s blushing face, his cheeks turning pink at Steve’s story, even though he knew damn well it was the truth.

“I couldn’t think of anyone who would be more perfect for Javi if I tried. When I first met you and saw how sickeningly cute y’all were together, God’s honest truth, my first question I asked Javi was when he was plannin’ on buyin’ a ring. Glad to see that sometimes he’ll take my advice. Sweetheart, I can’t thank you enough for being so good to my best friend right there. I hope he knows how lucky he is to have someone like you.”

Grabbing your hand, Javi interlocked his fingers with your underneath the table, softly smiling at you and gently nodding his head in agreement.

“I also need to thank you that he’s finally got someone else to worry about him instead of me. One less thing off my back. No offense, Jav. Alright, well, y’all have probably heard enough of me yappin’, and y’all are anything like me, you’re ready for more drinkin’ and dancin’. To Mr. and Mrs. Peña-” Steve paused, grabbing the nearest drink he could find and raising it up in the air, prompting the rest of your guests to do the same. “Wishin’ you two lovebirds a lifetime of happiness. I love you guys. Cheers!”

Over the applause and cheerful shouting, Steve rushed his way back over to the two of you, slotting himself in between your seats so his head poked out between yours, wrapping his arms around both your shoulders and pulling you in for a hug.

“Nice work, Murph.” Javi smiled, patting Steve on the back, laughing to himself at how genuinely thoughtful Steve’s speech had turned out to be.

“Thanks, Steve. Your speech was really great. How much did Connie have to edit out?” You snickered, looking back between him and Javi.

“... Let’s just say I left out the part about y’all horny bastards needin’ to be better about lockin’ your doors when other people are around.” Steve chuckled, shaking both of you in his grap, You and Javi’s eyes sheepishly darting to the ground in embarrassment.

“Fuck off, Murph.”

“Love you too, Jav.”

With one last pat on the back for each of you, before you could say anything else, Steve was already halfway across the tent back to the bar to congratulate himself for getting through his speech without any major slip ups or major scoldings from Connie after he returned back to his table.

“Thank God for Connie.” You grimaced, laughing at Javi whose face was buried in his palm, shaking his head at his friend, wondering why he would expect any less from him. “...He’s not wrong, though.”

“I’m triple checking that I lock all the doors later so I don’t give him any more reasons to be right…” Javi sighed, giving you a little nudge while the hand that had been holding yours suddenly let go, resting on your thigh over your dress, giving it a long squeeze, making your heart race in anticipation, his eyes locking with yours, telling you everything you needed to know.

Some way, some how, Javi was going to find a way to fuck you before the night was done.

“Javi…” You whispered, heat creeping through your cheeks, trying your best to keep from blushing as you locked eyes with him, his devilish grin and lust pooling in the dark brown of his eyes entrancing you in a way that had butterflies swirling in your core and ache rapidly beginning to grow between your legs.

“Si, Mi esposa?” (Yes, my wife?), Javi smirked back, running his hand further up your thigh and closer to your core as his other hand came up to cup your face, thumb tracing back and forth across your skin, toying just enough to tug at the corner of your lip.

While you had gotten a little bit of alone time with Javi today, the way that the both of you had been absolutely insatiable for each other after seeing each other in your wedding attire, let alone the fact that you were now actually married? You and Javi were both dying to try and find a second to yourselves without interruption, especially from Steve.

So caught up in awe of each other, you and Javi hadn’t even noticed your DJ, standing next to your table, quietly clearing his throat to try and get your attention.

“Hey, uh- Mr. and Mrs. Peña?” He interjected, loud enough to finally snap you and Javi out of the horny stare down you had entered, “Are um- are you two ready for the first dance?”

“Oh, um- yeah, y-yeah, sorry about that.” Javi grumbled, the two of you quickly trying to snap out of the thick heat of sexual tension that had been growing between you, both readjusting yourselves in your seats as you looked up sheepishly at the DJ, “Sorry, what did you say?”

“I asked if you two were ready to do your first dance? If you um, if you need some more time I can-”

“No, we’re okay, thanks.” You grimaced, trying to keep from giggling and blushing as you looked over at Javi and then back at your DJ. “You ready to dance, Mr. Peña?”

“Never been more ready, Mrs. Peña.” Javi replied, grabbing your hand as the two of you stood up, out of your seats walking to the edge of the dance floor while your DJ headed back to his booth.

“Hello everyone! We’re going to get ready to start our first dance with the newlyweds, so if you could please direct your attention to the dance floor, we’re about to get started!”

Before you could even take a step out onto the floor, the cheering and clinking of knives against glasses was erupting amongst the crowd, Javi happily taking the opportunity to grab you by the waist and pull you in for a long, deep kiss, making you giggle against his lips still pressed to yours as he dipped you down, before pulling you back against his chest.

“Show off.” You snickered, raising an eyebrow at him as he finally pulled away from your kiss, staring down at you with a goofy grin.

“Better get used to it, Mrs. Peña. I’ve got the whole rest of our lives to keep showing you off.” Javi smirked, shooting you a wink before tugging you out into the center of the dance floor, patiently waiting for your song to start as you draped one arm around his neck, Javi snaked his hand around your waist, and the pair of your other hands joined clasped at your side.

It was then that the melodic violin entrance to “At Last” by Etta James began to play, Javi smiling down softly at your agreed upon choice for your first dance song after lots of debate and discussion the past few months.

At last

My love has come along

My lonely days are over

And life is like a song

As the music began to play, you and Javi began to sway back and forth to the syrupy symphony of the song, your heart bursting and stomach filling with the same butterflies it had the first time you had met Javi all those months ago.

“I’m glad we picked this one.” Javi smiled, the two of you circling your way around the dance floor, eyes locked on each other.

“Me too. It always makes me think of making breakfast with you on the weekend and all the little moments I love with you.” You grinned back, letting go of Javi’s hand to drape both arms over his shoulder and around his neck.

“It makes me think of spilling that entire bowl of pancake batter all over Bear and then having to chase him around the house to get him in the tub.” Javi sighed, rolling his eyes as he laughed to himself, tightening his grip around your waist to pull you closer.

I found a dream that I could speak to

A dream that I can call my own

I found a thrill to press my cheek to

A thrill that I have never known

“Me too. God, who would have thought that a year ago we’d be having our first dance at our wedding talking about spilling pancake batter all over our dog.” You giggled, leaning to rest your head against Javi’s chest.

“I did.”

Looking up at Javi, you could feel your cheeks warming, staring at his big brown eyes welling with tears, trying your best to now hold back the wetness pooling under your lashes.

“Osita, I swear, from the moment I saw you smile at me, I knew that you were the only woman in the world I ever wanted. I knew you were the one I wanted my forever with. I’ll never get over the fact that I’m the luckiest man alive. I love you so fucking much.” Javi choked back, letting one of his hands slide up your face, gently cupping your cheek as he tilted his head in for a soft kiss on your lips before pulling away for another one on your forehead.

You smiled, you smiled

Oh and then the spell was cast

And here we are in Heaven

As the song began to slow, the sweet melody winding down to its close, Javi lifted up his arm to let you twirl beneath him before spinning you back into his chest and wrapping his arm around your waist to catch you as he dipped you down again, your mouths meeting in a long, tender kiss, electricity sparking between your lips and butterflies swirling in your stomach.

For you are mine

At last

“I love you too, Javier Peña.”

Over the applause of your guests, you could hear an obnoxiously loud “OW OW” from the crowd, coming from a now even more intoxicated Steve, making you and Javi laugh at his reaction, swiftly followed by Connie’s sharp jab to his ribs to get him to settle down.

“Alright ladies and gents,” The DJ spoke over the rumble of voices at the dinner tables, “Let’s have one more big round of applause for our newlyweds!”

As the crowd began to clap again, and Steve, threatened by another blow to his side, cheering at an appropriate volume, the DJ spoke again with the announcement you had been patiently waiting for since the ceremony finished.

“Alright everyone, with our first dance done, it’s time for the best part of the night, the dance floor is officially open! Let’s party!”

As the blaring intro to “Jump Around” began to blast to your speakers, your friends and family rushed to the dance floor, you let out a squeal of surprise as Javi snatched you up around your middle, lifting you up to spin you around in a fit of giggles.

“Vamos a bilar, mi esposa.” (Let’s dance, wife)

The rest of the night was the best kind of celebration that you could have asked for- the joy of being surrounded by your friends and family, dancing the night away to your favorite songs, and drinking one too many margaritas with your husband was everything you could have asked for and more on your wedding night.

It was no shock to you that your family had no problem making absolute fools of themselves out on the dance floor, happily (and drunkenly) flailing along to every single song, although your brothers’ and Steve’s enthusiastic sing-along to “Baby Got Back” was impressive, to say the least.

And while you and Javi had expected your family to act a fool, what neither of you had expected was how excited Chucho was to bust out dance moves of his own, taking everyone by surprise as he joined all your co-workers and Javi’s co-workers (who had quickly become best friends on the dance floor), to shake his way through “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls, leaving you in hysterics, and Javi in stunned embarrassment at his dad’s antics.

As the evening began to creep later and later into the hours of the night, a very sleepy Olivia approached you and Javi on the dance floor, gently tugging at your dress and his pants for attention with puppy dog eyes plastered on her face that almost gave Javi’s a run for his money.

“Auntie Bear and Uncle Javi, can I pick a song? Pleaseeeeeee?” Olivia begged, pouting her bottom lip at the two of you, absolutely melting your hearts in an instant.

“Of course, mi amor.” Javi smiled, caving immediately as he crouched down to her level, her face lighting up in delight at her uncle’s response, coming close to whisper in his ear.

If you couldn’t have already been more in love with your husband, watching him listen intently to what your niece had to say, nodding in agreement before scoping her up to rest on his hip, you were practically in a puddle now.

“Me and Miss Olivia are gonna go make a song request.”

“But Auntie Bear, you have to let me dance with Uncle Javi first, okay?” Olivia quickly added, very adamantly.

“Of course, lil Miss. Have fun, you two.” You smirked as Javi and Olivia made their way over to the DJ, watching Olivia’s face light up instantly as the DJ agreed to her request, Javi carrying Olivia out to the middle of the dance floor and setting her down on the ground as the end of the song slowly began to fade into your niece’s song choice.

With her love for the movie, you shouldn’t have been surprised at all that her pick was “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from the Lion King Soundtrack, but even though you weren’t shocked at her choice, there was nothing that going to be able to prepare you for the gut wrenching cuteness that was your now husband, dancing with your niece.

It had already gotten to the point in the night that Javi’s suit jacket and tie were long gone, 3 buttons undone and sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and the once neat curls of his dark hair now messily sweeping his forehead from your night of dancing, and if the sight of just how goddamn handsome Javi looked, on top of the fact he was now officially your husband, paired with the sight of him slow dancing to the Lion King with Olivia?

Your ovaries were just about shot to hell.

As the song played and Javi and Oliva spun around the dance floor in a fit of smiles and giggles, you couldn’t help but wish with every bone in your body that it was your daughter that Javi was dancing with, nearly falling to your knees the thought of making him a dad, on top of being your husband. And if that wasn’t enough, the two of you were finally married, and that meant half of your bargain to start trying for kids was complete- and with the other half being your house finally finishing with construction which was almost close to being done as well, you were so close to start trying for a baby of your own, you could almost taste it.

And that? That drove you crazy enough to feel like you were going to combust.

So stuck in your daydream, you didn’t even notice Olivia running up to you, now tugging at your dress again, letting out a little sleepy yawn as she tried to get your attention.

“Okay Auntie Bear, you can dance with Uncle Javi now. Thanks for letting me pick a song.” Olivia smiled as you sunk down to meet her, wrapping her in a hug.

“Of course, Olivia. Thank you for being the best flower girl today. I love you, cutie patootie. Alright, I’m gonna go dance with Uncle Javi now, okay?”

“I love you too, Auntie Bear. I think Uncle Javi misses you, he wouldn’t stop looking at you the whole time we were dancing. I think he wants to kiss you again, but that’s gross. Yuck.” Oliva grimaced, making you giggle as she stuck out her tongue before watching her scamper away back to her sisters and the Murphy girls to dance some more.

As you turned back, bracing yourself to stand back up, you were greeted with Javi’s large palm held out in front of you, pulling you up to greet his handsome grin while you looked up at him.

“I’ve been told I have permission to come dance with you now.”

“It did take some persuading, I told her I’d save an extra piece of cake for her if she let me go dance with you.” Javi chuckled, pulling you back out onto the dance floor, slowly swaying back and forth to the beat.

“Watching you two out there is dangerous.” You smirked, raising an eyebrow at Javi as he cocked his head in confusion.

“What do you mean, hermosa?”

“I mean,” You paused, standing up a little bit taller, throwing one arm over Javi’s shoulder, running your hand through the hairs at the nape of his neck to whisper in his ear, “Watching the two of you made me think about how much I wanna make you a dad. And now that we’re married and the house is almost done, we actually get to start trying soon.”

It took everything in Javi not to let out an audible moan, letting out a gulp and scrunching his eyes shut for a moment to try and maintain his composure at what you had just said to him, his grip around your waist immediately tightening and eyes darkening as he opened them, staring down at you, absolutely awestruck.

“Fuck me.” He muttered to himself, almost shaking his head in disbelief that after all of the time you had spent talking about wanting kids and nights you’ve had wishing there hadn’t been any birth control to keep you from having them were now an almost tangible reality, “Is that what you want, mi esposa? My wife wants me to give her a baby?”

Javi’s voice rasped in your ear, sending shivers down your spine, your stomach flipping in arousal at the hot breath of his words against your skin, knowing what had started as a sweet and simple moment of Javi dancing with Olivia had quickly shifted into a desperate want, no, need, for him to give you what you were asking for.

As the music slowly faded into the next song, bodies shuffling and dancing to the more upbeat tune that had followed Olivia’s choice, the both of your figures stood frozen on the dance floor in a silent exchange of racing hearts and yearning glances before Javi took your hand in his.

“Follow me.”

In an instant, Javi was tugging you across the dance floor, the two of you dodging and weaving your way through your guests with polite smiles and happy waves, doing everything you could to try and sneak away as discreetly as possible in hopes that everyone would be too preoccupied (or too drunk) to realize that you were gone.

But at this point, you really didn’t care whether anyone noticed if you were gone or not. Truth be told, the only thing you cared about was finally getting to fuck your husband.

Finally making it through the worst of the maze of people, you and Javi had made your way to the back porch, quietly peeking your heads through the door, checking to make sure the coast was clear before hastily slipping inside, gently shutting the door behind you before sneaking down the hall to Javi’s room, thanking whatever higher power had let the two of you get to his bedroom in peace.

From the moment Javi had shut the door behind him, you were all over each other in an instant, hands roaming across each other’s bodies as you stumbled until the back of your legs hit the mattress, flopping down onto the bed, Javi’s body caging yours in his frame. Your lips crashed together in a hungry clash, tongues, teeth and moans melting together between your mouths as Javi hiked up the skirt of your dress, running his hands along your thighs, squeezing the soft flesh in his firm grasp before his fingers crept towards your aching core, ghosting over the white, lacy fabric covering your cunt, already soaking with arousal.

“Fuck, you’re so wet, hermosa. My wife’s pretty little pussy all wet for me, huh?” Javi rasped, the pads of his fingers pressing more pressure over your covered clit, making you whimper in delight.

“It’s all yours, Javi. Yours forever, baby.” You moaned, your breath hitching in the back of your throat as Javi’s fingers dipped under the waistband of your underwear, collecting the slick pooling around your folds before plunging his two fingers inside your heat and thumbing at your sensitive bundle of nerves, pure bliss running through your veins at his touch.

Your response had Javi practically growling, a low groan rumbling in his chest as he looked down to see the golden and diamond bands glistening on your finger, awestruck at the beautifully blissed out mess you were already becoming as his fingers curled, prodding at the spongy spot inside you that he knew drove you wild.

“You’re so fucking perfect, Osita. My beautiful wife. Fuck- I can’t believe your mine. I love you so fucking much.” Javi groaned, his words muffled between the hot, wet kisses he kept planting on your lips, feeling your cunt beginning to clench around his digits.

“I l-love- fuck- I love you too, Javi.” You whimpered, the all too familiar tingle at the base of your spine beginning to build as Javi’s fingers pulsed in and out of your heat and thumb circled your throbbing clit, knowing with how worked up you were and how good he felt, it wouldn’t take much more before you were coming undone around his hand.

“I know you’re close, baby. Let go, hermosa. Cum for me so I can fuck my wife and show her how much I love her.”

“F-Fuckfuckfuck Javi. Don’t stop, baby, don’t s-sto-ahhhhhhhhh.”

With his thumb circling faster and harder around your sensitive bundle of nerves, and fingers plunging in and out of your weeping hole, it wasn’t long before you could feel that all too familiar tingle spreading throughout your body, your orgasm flooding through every inch of you as you came around his fingers, soaking his hand.

“That’s it, Osita. That’s my good girl. My good wife.” Javi groaned, making you whimper as he withdrew his fingers from your dripping heat, admiring the slick and shiny mess you had made around his fingers, entranced by the way your arousal had coated his wedding band as he brought his hand to his mouth, sucking his fingers clean before beginning to work at his belt. “You taste so fucking sweet, baby.”

You sat back up, looking over your heaving chest to see Javi shuffling his pants and boxers down his thighs, leaving them to pool around his ankles, revealing his cock, already so painfully hard and weeping with precum from his tip. Reaching down to run his fingers through your folds again, he collected your slick on his hand before rubbing it up and down his length, stroking himself to line up with your entrance.

“F-fuck, let me feel you baby, p-please.” You whined, reaching up to grab fistfuls of Javi’s shirt, tugging him down to kiss you and lay his body on top of yours.

“Jesus fucking Christ…” Javi moaned, slowly filling you up with his cock inch by inch until he had bottomed out against your cervix, letting you adjust to the fullness as he relished in the wet and warmth of your pussy gripping around him like a vice.

“M-move, Javi, please, baby.” The sweet sting and stretch of Javi’s length inside you already wanting to make your eyes roll to the back of your head.

Javi began to languidly thrust himself in and out of your heat, dragging his cock almost painfully slowly against your velvety walls, cursing under his breath at the feeling of his balls beginning to tighten in his stomach, knowing there was no way he was going to be able to last as long as he would have wanted to in the moment.

“Javiiiii” You whined, your arms wrapping around back, nails pressing into his shoulders as his cock hit the spot inside you that lit you ablaze. His hand snaked between your bodies, reaching down to rub your clit, still slow, taking his time with each graze of his fingertips as his pace held deep and steady. Every thrust in and out of his hips had you wrecked as he filled you so fully and intensely, moaning his name over and over while he grasped the meat of your thighs, pressing your knees against your chest to stretch you open even further.

“God you’re so beautiful. My beautiful fucking wife. Gonna be such a beautiful mom for our kids.” Javi grunted, this thrusts becoming faster and sloppier as he let the reality of his marriage and actual attempts to start trying for a family burn a hole in the forefront of his mind, igniting something even feral within him, knowing he was one step closer to finally giving you and him what you both wanted more than anything.

For Javi to get you pregnant.

The last sentence made your breath hitch in the back of your throat, whimpering at the notion that because you were finally married, there wasn’t much stopping you from tossing out your birth control tomorrow and trying to get pregnant by the end of the month.

“J-Javi-” You whined, trying to form any sort of coherent thought as your brain short circuited from the pure bliss and heart racing thoughts running through your brain.

“What, Osita?”

“I-I want you- oh shit- to fuck a baby into me, Javi. I wanna throw out the rest of my birth control- I don’t care if the house- Jesus- isn’t finished. I wanna stop taking it tomorrow. I w-want you to- fuck- fill me up and get me pregnant.”

You could practically feel the weight of Javi’s jaw dropping to the floor, eyes bulging out of his skull, and heart beating out of his chest, so shocked, he stopped himself mid thrust, just to make sure he had heard you correctly.

“Osita- baby, are you- holy fuck- baby, are you serious?”

You nodded your head frantically, grabbing the collar of his shirt to pull him in for an electric kiss before leaning back to whisper in his ear, your voice sultry and low.

“I need my husband to fuck a baby into me. Please. Fuck a baby into me, Javi.”

If Javi didn’t have his arms already braced on the bed, there’s no way in hell he wouldn’t have fallen over in pure delight at your request, his stomach now churning with the wildest mix of excitement, lust and pride, spreading up through his chest and across his face, the brown of his eyes darkening and awestruck smile widening.

“You want me to fuck a baby into you, Hermosa?” Javi asked, almost rhetorically, a devilish grin spreading between his cheeks as he began to pound into you again, not even giving you a chance to respond, knowing damn well what your answer was.

If his thrusts weren’t already frantically rushed and sloppy, they most definitely were now, Javi practically on the brink of his own high just from the thought of getting to fuck you, knowing there was a real, true chance of getting you pregnant, trying to fight with everything in him to keep from busting right then, needing to make sure that you came again before he did.

The lewd noises of your moans, wetness of Javi’s cock sliding in and out of you, and his hips snapping against yours coated the walls of the room, the both of you having no regard for anyone who may have been close enough to hear you, so caught up in the moment, that at this point, you couldn’t have cared less if anyone caught the both of you.

“Answer me, baby. Mierda- You want me to fuck a baby into you, huh? Want me to fucking fill you up and get you pregnant? Show everyone you’re mine with our baby growing inside you?” Javi grunted through gritted teeth, pounding into your g-spot with blinding force, frantically circling your clit as he felt your cunt begin to clench tighter and tighter around his cock, knowing you just needed a little bit more before he had you coming undone.

“Y-yes- fuckfuckfuck- I need you to, Javi, p-please baby, please, please, pleaaahhhhhhh-”

Just like that, you could feel yourself gushing around Javi’s cock as you came, your orgasm hitting you like a tidal wave, crashing through every inch of your body, euphoria flooding through your veins, screaming his name while he fucked you through your high, desperately chasing his own.

“I’ll give it to you baby, I- fuck me- I’ll give you everything you want. I’ll give you as many babies as you want. I’ll give you a family, I’ll give you my heart, my soul, my everything, my- oh fuck!”

Javi’s hips stuttered, forcing a low groan to rumble in his throat as he came, the hot ropes of his spend coating your walls, making sure to milk himself of every last drop inside you, still pulsing and thrusting inside you, ensuring that nothing went to waste.

Slumping his body on top of yours, your chests rose and fell in sync, trying your best to catch your breaths as you came down from your highs, your mouths meeting in a sloppy kiss to try and ground you back to reality.

“Holy fuck…” You whispered through your labored pants, laughing to yourself from the pure bliss of what had just happened, staring up at Javi with a radiant grin, brushing the sweat-dampened curls from his forehead.

Javi hissed as he carefully pulled out, leaning back enough to see the smile on your face, gently cupping your cheek as he looked down at you with a goofy grin of his own.

“Osita… Were you being- baby, were you serious about what you said?”

“Jav, I don’t think I’ve ever been more serious about anything in my entire life. Is-is that okay with you?” You asked, biting down on your lip.

“Is that okay with me?” He asked, almost mockingly, chucking to himself as he shook his head in disbelief, “We can really throw it away tomorrow?”

“Yup.”

“And you won’t bring it with you on the honeymoon?”

“Nope.” You replied, popping the “p” at the end of the word.

“And there’s- holy fuck- there’s a chance you could actually get pregnant soon?” Javi asked, his face glowing brighter and brighter with each question he asked.

“Mmmhhmmm. Well, I mean, it might not happen right away but- Ahhhh Javi!” You giggled as your husband aggressively peppered ticklish kisses across your entire face, making you squeal and squirm in delight.

“Fuck, I love you so much. Thank you.” Javi smiled, tears welling in his eyes as he looked down at you.

“Jav, baby, don’t cry! Why are you crying, you dork?”

“You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted. You married me, we’re gonna have a family, it’s just- fuck, I promise, that I wanna spend the rest of my life until the day I die showing you how thankful I am that you chose me. That you gave me all the things I stopped thinking I deserved. I love you so much, it fucking hurts, Osita. Thank you for choosing me.”

Sitting up, you threw your arms around Javi, pulling him close to you in the tightest hug you could muster, stroking the hair at the nape of his neck, feeling the weight of his body melt into yours, your bodies intertangled as one.

“Javi, you’re the only one it ever could be. Te amo más de lo que las palabras pueden expresar. (I love you more than words can say).”

“Hey! Lovebirds! Are y’all in here?”

Over the music and chatter of the party outside, you and Javi had been completely oblivious to the all too familiar southern twang of Steve’s voice behind the bedroom door, gently knocking from the outside after being sent on a mission to find where in the world the two of you had been for nearly a half hour.

“Hello? Mr. and Mrs. Peña?” Steve rapped again, getting nothing in response but silence. Steve shrugged, drunk enough to have no fear to pound on the door repeatedly until the two of you showed up, now reaching down at the doorknob and giving it a jiggle.

Steve was shocked to find that he could turn the handle, writing off the fact that they two of you would be in a room with an unlocked door after the 10 pounds of shit he had given Javi, and with his inhibitions severely lowered, he had no problem cranking the knob and pushing the bedroom door wide open.

“Hello? Earth to Javi and Mrs. Peña, are y’all in here or not because I- Oh Jesus Christ!” Steve shrieked, opening up the door to see you and Javi, your dress still hoisted up to your waist, and Javi’s bare ass completely on display, making the both of you scream just as loud in surprise at your unwanted visitor.

“Murphy! Get the fuck out!” Javi snarled, quickly scrambling to try and pull your dress back down and his pants back up.

“Jesus Fuckin’ Christ!” Steve yelled, immediately bringing his hand to his face to cover up his eyes, trying to drunkenly stumble as quickly as he could back out of the room, but, because of his intoxicated state and self-imposed lack of vision, Steve found himself colliding head first with the wall, knocking himself to the ground before crawling across the floor like a frazzled toddler, kicking the door closed behind him.

For as devastatingly embarrassed as you were by the whole debacle, you couldn’t help but cackle at the impeccable comedic timing of the whole thing, snickering to yourself as Javi finished buckling back up his pants and helping you up to stand before storming to the door, opening it to find Steve still sprawled on the floor in an a hysteric fit.

“Are you fucking serious, Murph?” Javi growled, completely unamused.

“God, I shoulda kept my bit that Connie cut in my speech. Y’all do know that doors have locks, right? Might be helpful if y’all learned how to use ‘em. Just food for thought.” Steve giggled, watching both of your faces grow beet red in embarrassment and at a loss for words.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Javi asked, pinching the arch of his nose between his fingers, shaking his head in frustration, looking down the hallway to make sure that Steve was the only presence you needed to worry about.

“I’m tryin’ to save your asses before someone else worse than me walks in on the two of you gettin’ it on. Y’all do realize you’ve been gone for almost 45 minutes right? Being the- oh shit-” Steve paused, letting out a giant burp,” ‘cuse me, being the good Best Man I am, I decided to try and find you two idiots before people started askin’ too many questions. So, you’re welcome.” Steve grunted, pushing himself up to stand, cocking his head at the both of, hands on his hips, trying to prove his point. “Also, do you two anything else besides fuc-”

“Steve! Jesus Christ, will you shut the fuck up!” Javi groaned, staring down at the floor, taking a deep breath to compose himself before he decided to kick Steve right back down to the ground again.

“...It’s really been 45 minutes?” You grimaced, looking back between Steve and Javi, shrugging at your husband that any longer, your mom would have been on a search party for you, and it would have been your whole family at Javi’s bedroom door instead of just Steve.

“Yeah, and I’m the first to come lookin’ after ya, so again, you’re welcome. Jesus, Javi, you can really last for 45 fuckin minutes? How the-”

“Murphy!”

“Sorry…”

“Fuck me….”

“Think you and your wife already took care of that one…” Steve muttered under his breath, trying not to laugh.

“I swear to God, Steve…”

“Okay, I’m done! I’m done! Swear!” Steve held up his hands in defense, taking a step back away from Javi.

“Will you please just give us a minute, Murph?” Javi sighed, running his hand through his hair, trying with every bone in his body to keep his patience with his drunken friend.

“Fine, fine, fine. 1 minute. I’m counting. Use your time wisely and appropriately, you sickos.” Steve snickered, disappearing down the hallway, only to peek his head back out around the corner. “And Jav?”

“What, Murph?”

“Your fly’s undone.”

As you and Javi sheepishly made your way back out to the backyard, you couldn't have been more relieved to see that at this point, anyone still left at your reception was far too drunk to care that you had been missing, seeing that almost all of your guests were out on the dance floor, partying away without a care in the world, or any inkling of what you and Javi had been up to.

“Longer than a minute, but beggars can’t be choosers I guess.” Steve chuckled, creeping up behind you with two drinks in hand, passing them both off to you and Javi. “Here. Figured I owe ya a drink. These are on me.”

“We paid for the bar, Murph.”

“Alright, well I guess these ones are on you, Grumpy Pants.” Steve grumbled mockingly, holding up his hands in defense, trying not to stumble over his own two feet as he made his way back to the dance floor.

“Remind me again why I picked him to be my best man?” Javi laughed, taking a sip of his drink, the both of you snickering as you watched Steve whip out some questionable dance moves to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen blaring in the background and Connie shake her head at her husband.

“Because you love him. Don’t get me wrong, he’s an idiot, but he’s a good guy.” You smiled, giving Javi a little nudge, resting your head on his shoulder as you looked out at the dance floor. “Hey-” You paused, holding up your glass and raising it to Javi’s. “Cheers.”

“Cheers to what, Osita?” Javi asked, wrapping his arm around you, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead as he brought his glass next to yours.

“Cheers to us. I love you so much, Javier Peña, it makes me sick. Sicker than all this tequila is gonna make me tomorrow after I keep drinking it the rest of the night.”

The two of you snorted, goofily clinking your glasses and taking a hefty sip of your drinks as you looked out on the dance floor, your hearts overflowing with love and joy to know that you were surrounded by all of the people in the world you cared about most, even the ones that couldn’t be physically with you, to celebrate the biggest day of your life and the start of your new forever.

“Cheers, Hermosa. I love you so goddamn much. Maybe the hangover will help distract the nerves on the flight tomorrow.” Javi smirked, taking another sip of his drink as he shook you playfully in his grasp, your faces both lighting up as you remembered that tomorrow, you be in the Bahamas for the next 10 days, where the only thing you needed to worry about was where you wanted to lay on the beach, what drink you wanted in your hand, and now, seeing how quickly Javi could get you pregnant.

“Oh shut up.” You sighed, giving Javi a little slap to the chest before taking another sip of your drink, looking up at Javi with heavy lashes, batting your eyes at him. “You just have to remind me that I have to do some unpacking before we leave tomorrow.”

“Unpacking?” Javi asked, tilting his head in confusion at you, the gears in his brain turning as you bit down on your lip, raising your eyebrow at him, waiting for him to piece together your clue. “Oh. Oh.”

Javi’s eyes went wide as he remembered what you meant, heart racing in anticipation, never imagining before today that he would have been so excited to actively throw away birth control to try and have a kid.

“Can we throw it away tonight?” Javi pleaded, his puppy dog eyes in full effect.

“I’m not sure what difference tonight and tomorrow morning is gonna make, but sure. Happy wedding present.” You giggled, pressing up onto your tiptoes to plant a long, hot kiss.

“Best fucking gift I could ask for besides the fact I finally get to call you my wife.”

As the end of the song slowly faded out, “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” began to play next in the background, your face lighting up in excitement and Javi’s eyes rolling, hearing the song that had been most likely the biggest controversy of your entire wedding planning process now bumping through the speakers, followed by the cheers and hollers of your guests.

“I told you people would want to hear this song.” You said smugly, crossing your arms over your chest, popping your hip at Javi as you sassed him, making him shake his head at your theatrics.

“It doesn’t stop it from being a stupidly annoying song.”

“A stupidly annoying song that people love. A stupidly annoying song that your wife loves.” You teased. “Whaddya say, Peña, can you stand this unbearably stupid song to go dance with me?

“I’d dance to this song with you a million times if it means I get to dance with you.”

Grabbing Javi by the hand, you tugged him out to the dance floor in a fit of giggles and smiles, jumping along and dancing to the beat song after song the rest of the night with your friends, family and husband.

You couldn't help but catch yourself stopping now and again to smile to yourself to take everything in, feeling like you needed to pinch yourself to make sure this was all really real. Just over a year ago, your life felt like it had hit an all time low. You had moved halfway across the country to try and run from your pain, desperate to find any way to bring yourself any ounce of peace in your ocean of hurt. It felt like fate had forsaken you for the worst, kicking you while you were down, and leaving destruction in its wake.

But never in a million years would you have believed that fate would have sent you with a one way ticket to Laredo, Texas, and that trip would bring so much more than just the glimmer of hope you longed for. It had brought you peace, comfort, the acceptance you weren’t sure you would have ever allowed yourself to feel. Laredo had brought you everything you never expected, and all of the things you never thought you deserved.

It brought you Javi- the man who single handedly changed your life for the better, loving you unconditionally for every part of your being and piecing back together the parts of your heart you had left broken.

It brought you the man you now got to call your husband.

Fate and life have funny ways of working together to bring you the things you need the most when you least expect them. And today, as you got to marry the love of your life and your very best friend, you knew you’d be forever thankful that fate stepped in when you needed it most.

La vida es graciosa, no lo crees? (Life is funny, isn’t it?)

@chaotic-iguana @rhoorl @whyjuliaaa @bbiophiliaa @pertinentpostmortem @angelofsmalldeath-codeine @pedrobaby @fatima-marisa @beboldbebravethings @poodlebae @kittenlittle24 @3sriracha @jungchloee @perennialdoll247 @prettyinpunk85 @partyofone3413 @harriedandharassed @pedrohoe04 @theorganasolo @endlessthxxghts @beware-my-thorns @missladym1981 @messinadresa @milly-louise @jay-zzle @the-one-with-the-grey-color @persephone-girl @bitchesuntitled @pedropascallvr @millennial-teenybopper @nastiasnow @vee-bees-blog @hopplessilse @mxtokko @its-nebuleuse @mandoisapunk @msmorningstaarr @amyispxnk @honeyedmiller @mountainsandmayhem @picketniffler @burningnerdchild @copperhalfcent @theoraekenslover @bloodyinspirationaldemon @vee-bees-blog @amyispxnk @samgirl4life @pigeonmama @pedr0swh0r3 @survivingandenduring

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oddinary4bts · 2 months

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Chasing Cars | ch 13.5 (jjk)

☆summary: when your brother goes to study on a semester abroad, your life collides with his best friend Jeon Jungkook, who's coincidentally your roommate. Will you survive the collision, or will you crumble into dust?

☆pairings: brother's best friend!Jungkook x younger sister!female reader

☆rating: 18+ (minors DNI, this chapter sort of contains mature content)

☆genre: forbidden love?au, college!au, slice of life!au, smut, angst (as usual a lot of it), fluff

☆warnings: curses, anxiety attacks, mentions of jungkook trying to unalive himself during the summer, mentions of therapy, explicit content: implied sex

☆word count: 4k

☆a/n: my baby jungkook realizing he was dumb not to tell OC about gabrielle :((( hope you guys enjoy this one!!

☆series masterpost

☆☆☆☆☆

If I lay here If I just lay here Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol

☆☆☆☆☆

Jungkook has been sitting in his car for thirty minutes, looking at the apartment where his love for you grew and died.

Though he’s been making progress with his therapist, seeing it feels like maybe he’s drowning, and he hasn’t been able to get out of the car despite the fact that he needs to go to the bathroom. He pulls at his piercings, thinking about you. Are you at home, or are you out and about? He thinks you’re probably working, as Taehyung mentioned in passing that you finish work late on Fridays, yet Jungkook isn’t able to move.

Especially not as every treacherous emotion he has for you comes back to haunt him, squeezing his heart in his chest.

He’s been doing better. He’s been trying to cut himself some slack, and to build a healthy distance between him and his family. Though it’s hard, Lisa has helped, and Jungkook will forever be thankful for her friendship.

For her being there on that July night when he almost ended things.

Jungkook sighs, running a hand through his hair. He knows he has to go in - he’d rather not stay in his car and let the engine run while being parked for any longer. Not that he can’t afford the gas - he just thinks it’s a waste and bad for the environment, so he forces himself to turn off the engine.

It takes him a few more minutes to gather the courage to go in, and he waits until he’s literally starting to sweat his ass off before finally opening the door and stepping out of the car. A warm breeze welcomes him, ruffling his hair, and he shuts the door behind him, locking the car over his shoulder as he walks towards the apartment.

He stops at the bottom of the stairs, taking a deep breath to calm down the anxiety that’s threatening to overtake him. He reminds himself that it’s just you - no matter the distance between the two of you, you’re the only person that he’s ever felt understood him like you did.

Not even Lisa gets him like you do.

Yet he doesn’t want the ache and the pain again, not when he’s barely made it out this summer. So climbing the stairs takes everything in him, as does opening the door. But then it’s like the apartment is a quiet haven, and he steps in, the cool air a stark relief from the summer heat outside. He shuts the door, cutting off the scream of a cicada in the distance, and then he’s back in the space where you fell in love, remembering every little moment he spent with you without knowing he was about to lose you.

He feels at peace. He doesn’t know why, or how, but he feels at peace for probably the first time this summer.

“Hello!”

The peace threatens to crumble, your voice echoing in Jungkook’s mind as a short silence follows. He holds on to the peace, refuses to let it go, and then you speak again.

“Do you need any help?”

He does. He needs you, again, always, yet he knows it’s over. Knows he has to prepare himself for your presence in his line of vision - you appear a few seconds later, stopping in the doorway to the kitchen.

You’re beautiful. Your hair is longer, your skin sun-kissed, and your cheeks have a slight pink dust to them that reminds him of how much he used to love teasing you, just so that he can see that blush. Your eyes widen, yet they aren’t as pained as they’d been the last time he’d seen you.

Like maybe the time apart has healed you, too.

Jungkook takes in the sight of you, lets his heart try to rise to panic in his chest. But he doesn’t listen to the panic, only breathes in and out until the wave has passed.

“Y/n,” he says, murmurs, and he hates that he wanted to call you peach, like your real name feels wrong in his mouth somehow.

“Jungkook,” you reply.

Your voice… His memory did not do it justice at all, and the pain comes crashing back, a tsunami that almost makes Jungkook stumble back. But he holds on strong, a rock against the wave.

He nods once, taking off his shoes if only so that you can’t see the pain in his eyes anymore. You don’t move, and he feels your gaze on him the whole time, so much so that, when he straightens, he can’t help but ask, “How are you?”

Your gaze widens a little more, if that’s possible. “I’m okay.” You nod once. “How are you?”

Good. Bad. Horrible. I’ve missed you. I’m so sorry.

All answers he can’t give you, so he settles on, “I’m chill.”

He needs to go. Needs to not be looking at you anymore lest he does something stupid, like run up to you and hold on to you. He’d never let you go, and the sadness that slowly invades your gaze breaks him too much, like suddenly the ending came back to your mind.

Came back to his too, and the guilt chokes his lungs, so much so that he starts walking to his room.

But then he stops, catching sight of something familiar on the kitchen table, and the pain recedes, replaced by the peace that welcomed him home.

You’re eating Buldak noodles. You, who couldn’t stand heat last semester, are eating the noodles he used to make for you. It warms his chest, reminds him that not everything ended then, and he smiles softly.

“Want something to eat?” you ask.

It hurts. Far more than it should - he doesn’t deserve your kindness. And even though he wants to, even though he wishes he could pick up the pieces of you and him, he forces himself to say, “Thanks, but I gotta unpack.”

And then he walks the rest of the way to his room, his heart rate skyrocketing in his chest - he thinks he might go into cardiac arrest. He turns the knob, pushes the door open, yet he can’t move. He’s frozen there, feeling your eyes on him, wishing he could turn around and tell you that he spent every day this summer wishing he could rewind time and save you both the heartbreak. But he’s a coward, and he can’t say it, so he finishes walking into his room and closes the door behind himself.

He leans against it as panic wins once again, and he slowly slides to the ground, trying to focus on his breathing. On the grounding techniques his therapist taught him, and a few minutes later, he’s able to dampen his panic, his anxiety, until he’s able to breathe normally again.

If that’s how this semester is going to be, he has no clue how he’ll survive.

*****

Jungkook is nervous. He doesn’t know why he suggested to hang out with Lisa while everyone is going to a party at some frat he does not care about.

Actually, he does know why. His therapist suggested that he should try talking to other people, and he hasn’t been able to approach anyone, his feelings for you still as strong as ever, so Lisa it is.

She’s sweet. She’s been there for him through hell this summer, and some part of him feels like he owes her something. So when she asked if that was a date, Jungkook said they could try this one time and see where it goes. Lisa seemed unsure - she’s started talking to Mingyu more, and though they haven’t hung out just the two of them yet, Jungkook thinks it might be coming soon.

So maybe that, more than anything, is the reason why he asked Lisa, and not someone else. Because he knows that, despite the fact that she used to have feelings for him, it’s been morphing into friendship more than anything now, so he doesn’t have to worry about it.

Still, he worries. Still, he’s nervous. Because it’s not you, and though Lisa is a good friend, he doesn’t feel like he can fully be himself when it comes to her. Not like he could be with you, and though his therapist said he shouldn’t compare, he can’t help himself.

No one is ever going to compare to you.

Jungkook breathes in and out, wipes his hands on his pants, and then Lisa is arriving, and he remembers that she’s just a friend. That he has nothing to worry about when it comes to her.

When she asks him if she can kiss him, Jungkook doesn’t find it in him to say no. She kisses him all wrong, yet it’s been months. It’s been months and he should be moving on - you clearly have been. Your absence in the apartment, in his life, is proof of it. So he kisses Lisa back, tries to tell himself that it makes his heart race in his chest like kissing you does.

He hasn’t had sex since you, and it shows. He’s messy, unpracticed, and halfway through he realizes that he wants you. He wants to be with you, wants to hold you. Lisa notices his unease, notices he can’t stay hard, and she cups his cheeks and says, “We can stop, JK.”

He could cry. He could cry as he pulls out, and says, “I’m sorry.”

She smiles gently. “It’s okay, Jungkook. Don’t apologize, I get it.”

She gets up, throws his t-shirt on and Jungkook hates the way that it looks on her - it looked a lot better on you. While she goes to the bathroom, he tries to keep his panic at bay, to remind himself that he did nothing wrong tonight.

That no matter how much he loves you, he has to at least try and move on.

But then the impossible happens. The front door opens, and before you even speak, Jungkook knows it’s you. He hates it - hates that you had to come here tonight, to witness his weakness, and he quickly puts a pair of grey sweatpants on before walking out of his room.

You’re out of breath, yet you’re as beautiful as ever. Even more so, if only because you’re here, in the apartment where you belong, so close to him he could touch you with just a few steps forward.

“Y/n?” Jungkook lets out.

You were bent over, and you straighten, trying to catch your breath. Your eyes are shining with emotion, and Jungkook breaks. He breaks again, always - he doesn’t deserve you looking at him like this right now.

“Jungkook,” you say in between two heaving breaths.

Frowning, Jungkook scans your features. He tries to understand why you’re here tonight, why you’re looking at him like maybe he hung the stars in your night sky. You’re smiling, and he looks at that too, lets it remind him of why he fell in love with you in the first place.

“Shit,” you let out. “Jungkook.”

“Yes?”

You start laughing, and Jungkook is far too confused. It’s like he stepped in an absurd movie, and he’s not in on the joke. Especially not as he knows Lisa is bound to step out of the bathroom eventually.

“She told me,” you say.

He cocks an eyebrow. “What?”

“Gabrielle told me everything.”

You’re blinking back tears, and Jungkook keeps on shattering. Because now that the truth is out you’re back, and he realizes maybe he should have listened to Gabrielle. Maybe he should have told you, if only for you not to be here tonight.

“Kook?”

It’s the heartbreak in the nickname. Jungkook’s heart stops beating in his chest, and he feels like someone’s banging on his skull, telling him how stupid he is.

“Y/n, I…” he trails off. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

He sees the moment you realize. You look down, see Lisa’s shoes, and you freeze. You fully freeze, and it looks like you’re not even breathing anymore. Lisa chooses this moment to step out of the bathroom, and it takes you a few seconds before glancing at her.

“Oh.”

There is so much pain in that word alone that Jungkook wants to die. He reckons, he should have died that night just so that he could avoid this heartbreak for you. And he hates himself so, so much for inviting Lisa over tonight. For not waiting just a little longer.

What would have happened if Lisa wasn’t here tonight?

“Hey, Y/n,” Lisa says awkwardly, her eyes darting to Jungkook. “I didn’t know you were here.”

For a moment, Jungkook wants to scream at her. To tell her that she should have just stayed in the bathroom, should have just climbed out the window. But he’s mute, unable to form a single syllable.

“I live here,” you reply.

Lisa senses the pain in your voice. She clearly does, because she looks uncomfortable as all hell, like she wants to disappear through the floor.

“I’m sorry, I…” she trails off. “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”

There’s an awkward silence - Jungkook is convinced he can hear your heart breaking, though that might just be his. Then you say, “No worries.”

You take a deep breath, and Jungkook looks at your profile. Tries to commit you to memory, because he knows you’re going to leave again. He still can’t speak - he wants to beg you to stay, but there’s a lump in his throat and water in his lungs, and all he can do is watch you.

You pat your pockets, tears pooling in your gaze. “I think I forgot my keys at the party.”

When you meet Jungkook’s gaze, he sees a mirror in your eyes. Sees himself breaking, sees you breaking, and he wants it all to stop. He wants to forget the pain, wants to be able to tell you he loves you and that he’s sorry. But he feels like words wouldn’t be enough, not right now, and he remains silent.

Not that he could speak anyway.

“How did you…” Lisa trails off, but she doesn’t finish.

You turn around then, walking back outside and shutting the door carefully behind you. Jungkook just stays there, unable to move, not when he’s breaking all over again. He wants to run after you, but all he can do is take a shuddering breath in, right as a tear rolls down his cheek.

“Shit.”

Lisa crosses the space between the two of them. “Go sit on your bed.”

Jungkook tries to breathe, but his throat constricts, and black dots flash in his vision.

“Fuck.”

“Jungkook, deep breaths,” Lisa says, and she tugs on his hand to pull him to his bed.

“I can’t…” he trails, trying to breathe, but it’s like he’s breathing pure nitrogen. “I can’t breathe.”

He sits on his bed, and Lisa stands next to him. “What colour is the light?”

He doesn’t know. He doesn’t fucking know - did he truly lose you again? He’s dumb, stupid, foolish. An asshole and everything in between.

He’s a fucking coward.

“Jungkook, what colour is the light?” Lisa says again.

“I don’t know…”

“You do,” she insists, and the firm inflection of her tone makes Jungkook look up at her. “You do, Jungkook, just tell me.”

He glances at the ceiling. “Red.”

Lisa nods encouragingly. “Now, tell me one thing you can touch.”

He frowns, though his hands drop to the cover of his bed. “My bed.”

“Yes.” She glances around. “Something you can smell?”

The frown deepens. “I can’t really smell anything, my nose is blocked.”

She offers him a small smile, and Jungkook looks at it curiously. And then he realizes he can breathe again, and oxygen rushes to his lungs.

“Holy shit,” he curses. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it,” Lisa says. “I got you.”

She sits next to him, and there’s a silence while Jungkook contemplates his throbbing heart. He wonders if you’re aching too - he hopes you don’t have anxiety attacks like he does. Though, to be fair, this is the first he’s had in a few weeks.

He takes a deep breath, and then he glances at Lisa. “What am I supposed to do?”

Though the anxiety has passed, his eyes fill with tears, and Lisa watches him carefully for a few seconds. There’s a flash of hurt in her gaze, but Jungkook thinks he might have imagined it.

“Talk to her,” she says. “Text her that you want to talk to her.”

“She saw you…” Jungkook whispers.

Lisa sighs. “She did.”

“How am I supposed to justify that?”

Lisa doesn’t reply right away, and Jungkook holds her gaze. He sees it - the hurt flashes so bright he can’t say he imagines it, and he gulps.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” he apologizes.

“Listen, Jungkook,” Lisa carefully says. “I… I’m happy I’ve been there for you in the last few months. But tonight… I think we both agree it was a mistake. And I wish I could help you still, but I think right now I also need to think about myself.” She looks away, and silver lines her gaze. “I’ve always known we weren’t going to happen. You just took me by surprise by asking to hang out tonight. But I think it’s best if I take my distance from you.”

Guilt - new guilt - crushes Jungkook, and all he can do is nod his head. And he agrees with her anyway.

He wouldn’t be able to hang out with her anymore.

“So I don’t know how you can justify that to Y/n,” she adds. “I really don’t know, but I think you guys need to talk.” She meets Jungkook’s gaze, smiling sadly. “And I really hope things go well for the two of you.”

“Liz…”

She offers him a single, small nod. “It’s okay, JK. I just want you to be happy.” She chuckles, and then she wipes at her eyes. “I’m sorry I’m telling you this now.”

“No, don’t be,” Jungkook immediately reassures her. “I…” He doesn’t finish the sentence, not really knowing what he was going to say.

“We can still be friends,” she says. “I don’t want to lose your friendship.”

Jungkook nods. “Okay. Yes, of course we can still be friends.”

Lisa smiles again before looking down at herself. “Well, I better get dressed.”

All Jungkook can do is nod again, and he watches as she picks up her clothes and then heads to the bathroom.

In the meantime, Jungkook grabs his phone and goes to the messages. He finds your conversation, clicks on it, and prepares to type a message.

But he can’t figure out what to say. He just stares at his phone, panic threatening to overcome his senses again, and then he shuts it off, tossing it to the side as Lisa walks out of the bathroom.

Even a little later, when Lisa has left to head home, Jungkook still doesn’t know what to say. So he texts his therapist, asks if they can have an appointment tomorrow, and then he puts some anime on, hoping that it’ll chase the heartbreak from his chest.

It doesn’t, and he falls asleep to the sound of Tanjiro fighting a demon, only to be woken up when Ariane and Taehyung come back home in the middle of the night.

Read chapter 13 here!

☆☆☆☆☆

:((((( i promise the angst is slowly getting resolved! even if it doesn't seem like it rn :')

#chasing cars ch 13.5 #jungkook smut #jungkook angst #jungkook fluff #jungkook x reader #jungkook x you #jungkook fic #jungkook #jjk smut #jjk angst #jjk fluff #jjk x you #jjk x reader #jjk fic #jjk #jeon jungkook #btswritersclub #chasing cars #chasing cars series

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purplecoffee13 · 4 months

Text

Mr. Sunshine - Part Four* (final part)

Summary: “You take Harry back to your dorm, things go down, and confessions are made.”

Wc: 2.5k

Tropes: grumpy!MC x sunshine!Harry

Warnings: SMUT, dirty talk, praise kink, overstimulation, gentle dom!harry

A/N: Happy Friday loves! I finished writing the last part of Mr. Sunshine today, and I wanted to share it right away! I loved writing this story line so much and I’ll definitely do check-ups on Sunshine!Harry. This chapter is shorter than the previous ones, but I almost cried while writing it. (this may also have to do with hormones, but oh well) enjoy!!!

Series Masterlist

General Masterlist

From the moment you and Harry are inside your room and the door shuts, his lips are on yours again. Your lips are tingling with how much they had missed Harry's in the short moment that you opened your front door. But now you were inside, walking backwards until Harry pushed you onto your bed, slowly climbing over you.

Your roommate had gone to her parents' house for the weekend, as it was her mom's birthday, so you had the room all to yourself tonight.

You let out the smallest fraction of a whine at the feel of Harry's fingers tracing up and down your body, feeling every last bit of you in the process. You feel the way Harry's lips cockily curls up before engulfing you into an even deeper kiss, with that sparking an even louder sound of pleasure from your mouth.

"Fuck. Such pretty sounds you make, sunshine." Harry says breathlessly in between kisses, his mouth leaving yours and latching onto your neck, kissing his way down. Your heat is on fire, at least it feels like that. Harry's touch is so familiar and it felt like it belongs on your skin.

"Harry..." you roll your eyes as he sucked on a sensitive spot on your neck, fondling your breast with his free hand. You wrap your legs around him in an attempt to bring him closer. You need him as close as he can get; you need him inside you.

"Talk to me, sunshine, what do you need?" He asks in a soft, teasing tone. You let out a whimper, your head too fuzzy to create any real sentences right now. When he senses that you aren't going to answer any time soon, he decides to taunt you some more. "I can't give you anything if you don't tell me what you need."

He lets another few seconds go by, and when still no answer fall from your lips, he starts to pull away. And just like clockwork, you break.

"No!" You yelp, propping yourself up on tour elbows. Your eyes widen at the sound of your own sudden desperation. You spot the amused glint in Harry's eyes, and sigh.

"I—... I need you."

The words leave your mouth in an irritated mumble, and it's when Harry realizes he's got you right where you've got him ever since that first project.

"C'mon sunshine, you can do better than that. Say it like you mean it." He demands, grinning from ear to ear as he leans over you again. You let yourself lay back on the mattress, and breathe. With his scent above you and in your memory, you allow yourself to let it all go. Let the pressure and the pride flow away.

"I need you, Harry. I need you so bad. Don't be mean, don't keep me empty... please?" You go against your own rationality, instead doing something that you've secretly longed your life to do, let someone else take control. Harry just stares at you, eyes nearly popping out of his sockets at your sly words. He swallows.

"Holy fuck... Of course, baby, I'll give you everything you need. Everything I have." He says, hiking up your dress and taking off your panties. Harry sits back, watching your wet cunt all spread out for him. He cannot believe you are here, lying in front of him with a hunger in your eyes that he only believed him to be capable of.

His thumb traces over your clit, slightly rubbing it. You gasp at the contact, it sending a shiver down your spine. With lazy eyes, you stare up at him, waiting for his next move. You squirm, the tender touch not being enough in the slightest. Harry laughs, tutting you as he shakes his head.

"Desperate little thing." He murmurs before sticking a finger inside your slick pussy. A strangled moan escapes your lips, your eyes falling shut at the feel of his long finger — and soon fingers, because he is quick to add another — pumping in and out of you. A string of sounds come from you as Harry keeps on digging his fingers in and out of you. He leans forward, his breath fanning against you ear.

"Is this good for you, sunshine?" He asks rhetorically, because the way you are crumbling under him is indication enough. He seems to know so too. "That's what I thought, baby. Just needed someone to take care of you, didn't you? Well, I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere."

His digits drive deeper into you, and you bit your lips to contain your moans at the combination of his fingers and his filthy words.

"Is that it, hmm? Need someone to take control? Take your mind off everything other than cumming over and over again?" Harry asks further, and you let out a strangled 'yes'. He chuckles lowly before leaning back, instead paying full attention to your pussy.

You let out somewhat of a scream when Harry's lips plant themselves onto your clit, your back arching from the sudden rush of pressure. Your orgasm is nearing, and Harry's lips will only have you riding out your high in no time.

"Oh my god... I'm going to cum—" but before you can even finish your sentence, Harry intensifies the suction on your clit, and soon you are coming all over his fingers. He makes sure to pump out your high, then softly taking his fingers out of you. You nearly come again at the sight of him sticking his own fingers into his mouth to taste your cum.

In a flash, you are reaching for his pants. You unbuckle his seatbelt and lower his pants and underpants, letting his cock spring free. You are about to return the favor he just gave you, but Harry puts your hands away.

"No foreplay for me, I just want to get inside of you." He says in a husky tone that has you melting for him. "Do you have a condom?"

Fuck.

"No." You say, your voice sounding strained as the word leaves your mouth. No! You can't believe you don't have a condom. Actually you can, because you didn't hook up with anyone in a really long time. But you couldn't not do this. You needed Harry inside of you. When he pulls away from you, you start to panic.

"No! Wait, no. Just get inside me. We can do it raw. I'm clean. I'll take the morning after pill." You start to plead, but it dies down when you see Harry grab his wallet and pull a condom out of it.

"You— you had a condom in your wallet?" You ask him hesitantly . He shakes his head.

"I have condoms in my car. I took some with me when you invited me in." He shrugs, wrapping the condom around his hard shaft. He leans over you once again, lining himself up with your slick cunt.

"You're sure about this?" He asks, the faintest hint of a smirk on his face, because at this point he is just making you suffer.

"Harry, stop teasing. I can't wait any longer, I need you so bad— ah!" You interrupt yourself with a loud moan when Harry pushes himself into you. He lets out an equal volume groan at the feel of his cock buried inside your pussy. He's been dreaming about this since forever. He never dared to dream he'd ram inside you after you begged for his cock. It strokes his ego in a way that nothing else ever had.

Harry begins pounding into you harshly, your whole body and bed moving along with his violent thrusts. You try to hold onto his arms for steadiness, but Harry has a different idea. He pulls up your dress over your head, but leaves it around your arms, forcing them to stay above your head. It restricts you from having further authority of how your body bounces around, and you are now completely at his mercy.

"This is it, huh? What you needed? Getting fucked so hard until the only thing your pretty mind can remember is my name?" Harry growls, throwing a leg over your shoulder so he can dive deeper into you. He succeeds at doing it, and his rewarded with a loud 'yes!' from you. "Just needed me to take the reins, right? So bratty for me during the day, but you just want to give all that control to me in between the sheets, don't you?"

You don't want to answer, and even if you did, you can't. Harry has been fucking you completely dumb for the past minutes and even the thought of a coherent sentence can't be processed right now. Harry laughs at the way you lay there,

"Don't try and deny it. The way you begged for my raw cock proves enough. Poor baby was nearly gonna cry at the thought of not getting my cock." Harry's thrusts become harder, having you nearly flying off the bed if it isn't for him holding you down by your hips. Your tits shake along and the sight of it is more than he can bare.

"Well you don't have to worry, sunshine. I'll give it you whatever you want. Although, I'm sure that you'll be satisfied with whatever I choose to give you. You'll just lay there and take it, won't you?"

That's what does it for you. It takes you over the edge. Your eyes fall shut as you scream out Harry's name, and even the way he keeps on hammering into you fades for a second as the high hits you. By the time you see clearly again, you notice that Harry's pace hasn't faltered, and he is even circling your clit with his thumb.

With your jaw slack, you try to protest against the overstimulation, but every sound that comes out sounds like you are in total agreement with it. And you are, but you just haven't felt this much... ever.

"You need to cum with me, baby. I have to feel it." Harry orders. You scream out at the harshness of the circles he is rubbing, but the slight pain only inches you closer to the edge you had visited only a minute ago.

"G—gonna cum again, ah fuck!" You tell him, slowly opening your eyes to find his. "Come for me, come inside me. Please, please."

Harry's pupils dilate at the way you are begging for him. It is more than he can handle. His thrusts become sloppy as he lets out a string of curse words, hot spurts of cum spurting into the condom as he groans out your name. He lets himself fall forward, steadying himself with his arms, that lean against the bed on both sides of your body.

He leans forward, planting his lips against yours. The kiss is smooth and tender, filled with the love that has been pouring out since he saw you for the first time.

"I can't believe you're mine." Harry smiles at you like a fool as you run your hand through his soft hair. You cock an eyebrow, playfully.

"I wasn't aware we had established such labels yet." You argue, and Harry shakes his head, laughing at your need to have control over everything.

"I think that the fact that I'm still inside of you counts for establishment, does it not?" Harry counters with a smirk, leaving you speechless. Your silence soon turns into a chuckle, and you shut your eyes at how ridiculous this all is. Harry joins you in your laughter.

After a while, he pulls himself out of you carefully, studying your face to see if he is not accidentally hurting you. You hiss at the loss of the feel of him anyway, and it might hurt more mentally than physically to not have him fill you up anymore. It feels strangely empty. It is as that thought crosses your mind, you realize: you are utterly fucked. Literally and figuratively.

If you miss someone whose chest is still pressed against you, it is the result of the failure of your coping mechanism, and the success of years of trying. You look at Harry, who is now lying next to you, with big eyes.

"How did you do that?" You ask, scanning over his face.

"What?"

"Make love seem so easy." You blurt out before you can even become aware of what you just said. Your cheeks turn bright red once it dawns on you, and while you are sure your eyes radiate panic, his face is as calm and secure as ever.

"Because loving you is easy, sunshine." Harry answers simply. As if it isn't a big deal. As if he hasn't just confessed that he loves you. For some reason, he can't find it in himself to worry about you running away. It wouldn't have mattered if you did, he would have still said it. He just needed you to know.

Your eyes begin to water, and your ears are ringing in the aftermath of hearing a sentence you had always feared to be untrue. These past two years you had done nothing but keep your distance, from anything and everything, to the very point where you feared you could never change your mind if you wanted to. You were too far, and the wall around you was too tall for anyone to brave, including yourself.

And now you are lying next to someone who built a door between those bricks and waltzed through it as if entering his own house. How lucky you are to have someone change the construct of your mind's constraints and tell you it didn't feel hard, or difficult, or exhausting.

"Loving you sure is easier than tutoring you, Mr. Sunshine." You stifled out a laugh as your welled up eyes let a couple of tears roll over your face. Harry's mouth creeps up into a crooked smile, alike yours. He grabs your hips and pulls you on top of him.

"Mr. Sunshine, huh? Is that the title we are establishing?" He asks, stealing your answer away by interrupting you with a kiss. You let his lips run over yours, tongues dancing around each other, already having memorized each other's favorite steps. You lean back, nodding at him.

"You have always been more sunshine than me, anyway." You shrug, your fingers tracing over his chest. Harry's eyes analyze every bit of you, before locking with yours.

"Mr and Mrs. Sunshine, I like that." He hums in approval, his hands gliding up and down your upper thighs. You smile, leaning forward and letting yourself lay on top of him, head tucked in between his neck. Harry's hand immediately digs into your hair, toying with the strands as you take a deep breath. A full one, a safe one, a whole one. Harry's head shifts so his mouth his by your ear, and he whispers:

"I'll have you know that you are the biggest light of a person I know. You're not just Mrs. Sunshine, you are the sun, okay?"

You nod into his neck. "Okay."

#harry styles #fanfic #writing #blurb #fanfiction #harry #one direction #smut #one shot #excerpt #mini series #grumpy sunshine #grumpy sunshine trope

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ladykailitha · 21 days

Text

The Hellfire Exotic Club Part 2

Hey, guys! This story is going to be a lot of fun, so buckle in we are in for a ride.

Just a little thing about this chapter that will only make sense in context. But Eddie did NOT start stripping until the previous owner retired. I tried to make that clear, but I'm not sure I did. Again, Eddie danced burlesque but did not strip until he took over as owner of the night club. Got it? Thank you!

Part 1

They didn’t have time to build up the Steve turning from the angel Samael to the demon Satan not with him having only three days to learn the dance, so his first appearance on stage was that as the envious Satan.

Steve was wearing a red corset and boy shorts with matching high-heeled pumps and black fishnet stockings.

He started the set that would be his one hour in the spotlight leaning over a stool and then as the spotlight hit his head snapped up, glaring at the audience.

The way his body slunk and shimmied across the stage so different to the bruising stomp of Asmodeus. If Asmodeus was the harsh envy of wanting whatever one else had because he thought he deserved it, then Satan was soft simpering envy of a man who had been denied everything and still wanted, still yearned.

By the time Steve had finished his set that first night, even though he didn’t remove a single article of clothing, the money that was thrown at him was as much as Asmodeus in his heyday. On his first night.

The other dancers had been gathering the thrown money all night and Steve picked up the rest from his finale. They brought it all to Eddie to be counted. Same with the tip jar at the bar. The money for the dancers was a much bigger pile than the one at the bar, but the tip jar wasn’t slouching either.

Eddie carefully doled out the bartenders and waiters tips first. Robin’s eyes going wide as she held few hundred dollars in her hands.

“I didn’t think Sundays would be very popular,” she breathed, carefully dividing it and putting it in separate places so if her purse got stolen she didn’t lose all of it.

Eddie cackled as he counted out the money for the backup dancers first. They got the same amount every night as did the other Sins on their non-starring days while the club and the main dancer got a cut, except Saturday nights when Eddie danced then the dancer’s cut would be divided six ways among the other Sins.

“I think it was people coming in and expecting the new dancer to fall on his face,” Eddie said, handing out the money to his other dancers. “And then were blown away when Stevie here simpered and slunk his way into their hearts and more importantly their pocket books.”

He took his cut and then handed the rest to Steve.

“So it might not be this big next week?” Steve asked, chewing on his lip.

Eddie laughed. “Oh, honey, you have nothing to worry about,” he said, standing up to put an arm around Steve’s shoulders. “Give them a chance to watch you dance all this week and especially with the fallen angel dance you and Lilith will do on Saturday. Once they’ve seen that, there’ll be a line outside of the club just to see you.”

“I’m with Eddie on this one,” one of the backup dancers said. She was spunky black girl called Choronzon. Well, her real name was Cheryl but you get the idea. “Asmodeus was a boring, stereotypical stripper. Pole and all. But you? Man you’re going to make everyone else envious, okay?”

Steve ducked his head and blushed. Robin bumped his shoulder with hers.

“Hell,” Gareth said with a giggle at his own stupid pun, “most of us spent that hour of you with the backup dancers just watching you. Something I assure you doesn’t usually happen, not even when we first started.”

“I can’t wait to start dancing with you,” Chrissy said earnestly. “I’ve even asked that you get the same days off as me so it’s expected we dance together.”

“What days are those?” Steve asked sharing a glance with Robin.

Eddie winced. “Yeah, I know you both wanted the same days off, but I could only manage one of the two, sorry. It’s just with the other waiters’ schedules I just couldn’t make it work. You’ll both have Tuesdays off, but Steve will have Fridays off, and Robin with have Thursdays.”

They shrugged. It was better than nothing. Hell, they were even back to back. They could make that work.

Jeff laughed, “He wants Steve to have Fridays off because he’s afraid I’ll be outshined on my own day.”

Steve’s eyebrows shot up at he looked at Eddie in shock. “You really can’t tell me you actually think I’d out lust Lust, do you?”

Eddie scratched his cheek and looked up sheepishly. “Well, not precisely, not really. But you can’t deny you have a sex appeal that can’t be matched or compared. And that’s what we don’t want. People comparing you. Because even so-called progressives still find white people more aesthetically pleasing and the more we can keep people from making that direct comparison the better.”

Steve half shrugged. “I have no problem with that, but I guess that means my dreams of dancing with him have been dashed.”

“Sorry, man,” Jeff said dramatically, “I’m a solo act. I don’t do partners. I inspire lust, I don’t fall victim to it.”

He pretended to faint in Jeff’s arms and he dipped him dramatically. They straightened up with giggles. Eddie was starting to think he might have to swap sins with Steve if his stomach churned every time Steve flirted with someone else.

Which was ridiculous. He didn’t date his dancers and he wasn’t about to start now just because his head was turned by such a pretty face. Besides, it seemed that Steve and Robin were job rovers and they no doubt would get sick of this place and move on to the next one.

“All right,” he said cracking his knuckles as he sat back down at his desk. “The cleaners will be here in a half hour, so if you don’t want to help them, I’d clear out.”

Everyone made a scramble for the doors, all except Steve. He lingered at the door after everyone had left and when Eddie spotted him, he cocked his head to the side.

“Is there something you needed, Steve?”

Steve chewed on his bottom lip and then surged forward. “It is okay that I’m doing the whole angel thing, right? I wasn’t trying to change the theme of your club. I just picked the song to stand out. I figured you had every variation of every song about devils, demons, and hell,” he rambled.

“Whoa, whoa,” Eddie said, holding up his hand, “take a deep breath there before you pass out on me.”

Steve took in a large breath and just stared at him wide eyed.

“Sit down a minute,” he continued and waved a hand at the chair in front of his desk.

Steve wavered a moment before doing as he was told.

“I’ve been managing this club for longer than I’ve owned it,” he began.

Steve blinked at him a moment in shock. “What? It wasn’t originally yours?”

Eddie shook his head. “Nope. Back when I first started here as a dancer, it was called the Kit Cat Titty Club.”

“That’s a horrible name!” Steve said, rearing his head back in disgust.

“That it was,” he agreed. “The owner started it as a proper burlesque club. A throw back to the speakeasies of the 1920s. You had waitresses in bunny suits, cigarette girls, a live jazz band in the corner playing the tunes the dancer would strip to.”

Steve raised an eyebrow, and nodded appreciatively. “Sounds like a fun way to spend your Saturday night.”

Eddie smiled at him. “Yeah it does. Too bad it got hit with the whole steampunk era. No one wanted decadence and jazz music. They wanted Victorian era saloons and public houses. Gas lit halls and lots and lots of ruffles.”

Steve winced in sympathy. He had a couple of friends who had gotten into the phase a few years back. Too many ruffles and gears and too many gears getting caught in said ruffles.

“So what happened?”

“I told him the best way to fight the wave wasn’t join to in,” Eddie said, “but to create something new and it became the Hellfire Exotic Club. Then when he retired a couple years back, he gave it to me. Said it was mine and had been for years anyway, this was only making it official. God, I miss that bastard some days.”

“Yeah, where did he retire to?” Steve asked.

“Back to Bumfuck Middle of Nowhere Indiana,” Eddie huffed. “Or better known as Hawkins.”

Steve cackled. “I’m from there and I can’t imagine anyone wanting to go back.”

“My uncle, Wayne always was more stubborn than he was smart,” Eddie said shaking his head fondly.

“You stripped for your uncle?” Steve asked, his eyes wide.

“No, no,” Eddie said trying to hold in his laughter. “Of course not! Not everyone strips here. Brian, our Greed only gets as far as his pants. Chrissy will leave her g-string on. Like if you wanted to, you wouldn’t have to strip. It’s about sensuality and titillation than bump and grind style stripping. I think that’s why Billy never really fit in here. Because if Billy was anything he was your typical stripper. I know we throw that around a lot but he was it. Here.” He dug around in his desk for a moment and pulled out a picture.

He handed it to Steve. “This is our first night as the Seven Deadly Sins. Everyone else you know, so Billy won’t be hard to pick out.”

Blond, muscled, tanned, and oiled. Typical male stripper. Nothing special. Nothing new.

“Was he someone your uncle hired?” Steve guessed handing the picture back.

“Yeah,” Eddie said, “because he looked good in spats and suspenders. But he never really fit in and maybe that’s why it blew up the way it did. Anyway the point is dancing for my uncle was hell of a lot better than working with my dad, so...” He wagged his eyebrows once.

“What did your dad do?” Steve asked.

“Stole cars.”

“Oh.”

Eddie chuckled. “It’s fine. He’s in jail now in Texas. Third strike, will be in there until I’m old and grey.”

“Shredding on your guitar,” Steve said softly, “while the next generation of Sins dance to your music.”

Eddie smiled fondly. “I like the sound of that.” He cleared his throat. “Shit, we got way off topic there. The point of my story is that this place has changed before and change if done right it’s a good thing. Besides what makes demons so interesting is that they used to be angels. People love a hero, but what they love even more than a hero is to see that hero fall. We’ve just never tapped into that potential yet,” he finished with a shrug. “So don’t you be worrying that pretty head of yours, okay? I’m good at this.”

Steve smiled and stood back up. “That does help. Thanks.” He scratched his cheek and then hummed. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I guess so,” Eddie replied softly. “Good night, Steve.”

“Night, Eddie.”

Once Steve was had left, closing the door behind him, he buried his head in hands. This was going to be hell. He could feel it.

There was just something...sparkling about Steve. Something bright and beautiful. And Eddie couldn’t believe his luck. He doesn’t know why Robin left work at the rec center where Steve taught pole dancing as exercise, or even what she did there, but he could tell they were both really worried about money right now.

But whatever the reason for their leaving, he doubly grateful they landed in his lap. She was a good waitress and Steve was a phenomenal dancer.

But unlike every other dancer who had walked through those doors and into his life, Steve also walked into his heart too. And Chrissy crushing on Robin wasn’t good, this was bad. He couldn’t be seen to have favorites.

So he would have to keep his distance.

Famous last words, he knew. Fate liked throwing curve balls at Eddie, and he really should have been more careful about making promising he couldn’t keep.

Part 3 Part 4

Tag List: SEVEN SLOTS OPEN

1-@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @zerokrox-blog

2- @gregre369 @a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @cryptid-system

3- @maya-custodios-dionach @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

4- @justforthedead89 @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @forgottenkanji

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6- @dragonmama76 @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @disrespectedgoatman

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8- @gutterflower77 @a-lovely-craziness @just-a-tiny-void @w1ll0wtr33 @beelze-the-bubkiss

9- @dreamercec @sadisticaltarts @too-much-tma-stuff

#my writing #stranger things #steddie #ladykailtiha writes #dancer au

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kelcemenow · 10 months

Text

Drive Me Crazy - Chapter 2.

Pairing Travis Kelce x Reader

Words 1661

Warnings Strong language, but not much and a wee bit of flirting.

Huge thank you to the Anon who sent this in! They had such amazing words to say about my writing which I massively appreciate and then to top it off, had an incredible request for me! I only have experience with mechanics in the UK, so I've tried my best with this one! "I just recently got interested in Travis K. X reader stories and wanted to let you know, I read all of yours as quickly as I could. They are so well done and I couldn’t help but laugh/giggle and feel through each word you typed out. You’re doing amazing and I’m so glad to have stumbled onto your page. If you have any space for a request, I’d be curious about what Trav would think about having a military (like fighter pilot) or engineer or mechanic girlfriend. I see a lot of stories with him paired with models/singers/social media individuals (which are phenomenal!) but just wondering how he would be with a more tomboy like girlfriend!"

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

The dialling tone rang loudly in your ear for a few seconds as you wedged the office phone between your head and left shoulder. You typed up a couple of notes on the computer when the other end of the line picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hi, it that Mr Kelce? It's Y/N from KC Auto repairs." You said, checking your notes.

A deep voice laughed, "Hey, yeah it's Travis. You can call me Travis."

"Oh, okay Travis. I had a look at your car and there is a problem with your combustion chamber. You see, vehicles need the right amount of air and fuel to mix and then-"

"Woah woah, you lost me at combustion." Travis said, "Just tell me, is the car a goner?"

You giggled, "No, you just need new spark plugs. It's around $250 including labour."

You could hear him sigh down the line, "Oh! That's fine then, do what you need to do."

"Okay, sure thing. I'll be finished with it by 4pm. Are you able to come and collect around then?"

There was a short silence, "I've got a crazy day. I got a couple of things to figure out first, I don't know if I'll be around."

You checked your schedule in the large leather bound diary in front of you, "Well, I'll be in the shop late working on some other cars, so if you drop by anytime before 7, I should still be here."

"Awesome, I'll stop by!"

"Great, catch you later." You placed the phone back onto the receiver and quickly jotted down in your diary details to remind yourself to replace Travis' spark plugs.

The office door opened and the noises of the shop floor grew increased for a second before they were muffled again as the door closed.

"Hey sport." You felt your Dad's hands on your shoulders, "Your headache gone yet?"

"Not really. I already got two cars to finish up, a service and now these new spark plugs for do for that GMC." You pointed your pen in the direction of Travis' car as you began to write out a worksheet.

Your Dad leant down across your shoulder, "I could do the GMC for you?"

"Dad no, Dr Martin said you had to take it easy." You covered the worksheet with your hand.

He swiped your hand away, "Oh come on, I'm fine! It's spark plugs."

You laughed until you noticed that his face had quickly changed when he caught sight of the sheet, "What's wrong?"

His once rosy cheeked complexion was now a ghostly shade of white, "Travis Kelce...you have Travis Kelce's car here?"

"Yeah, why?"

His eyes widened as he looked towards the shop floor, "His car is in my shop? The GMC, that's Travis Kelce's car?"

Your eyebrows lowered in confusion, "Yeah, he dropped it off this morning?"

"Oh man! Y/N, you gotta let me do it! The boys at the fishing lake aren't gonna believe this!"

"What is going on? Who is this guy?" Your voice was beginning to heighten in pitch.

Your Dad lifted his sweatshirt up to reveal a bright red jersey with the number 87 emblazoned on the front, "Travis Kelce is one of the greatest tight ends the Chiefs have ever seen!"

You rolled your eyes and turned back to your diary for the day.

"Which you would know if you ever watched football with me!" He poked you in the arm with his finger.

You tore off the worksheet from the pad, "If I give you this, will you stop shouting and making my headache worse?"

You Dad carefully took the paper from your hands and gently kissed the top of your head before dancing his way out of the office and onto the shop floor, Travis' GMC waiting in the corner of the garage.

______________________________________________________________

Glancing at the digital clock on the wall, you noted that it was 6.25pm. All of your colleagues had already left for the day, leaving you in the shop by yourself. You preferred working alone but your Dad's business had built up a good reputation in the city for being the best repair shop and it was always busy.

When you were younger, you had always preferred fixing your Barbie's houses to make them better as apposed to playing with the dolls themselves. As a teenager you could always be found in the workshop tinkering with tools and learning everything you could from your Dad. You started helping him in his shop during the summer and when you left school, he took you on and gave you a job. You saved every penny you could and when your Dad needed to take a step back from work, you bought into the business, running it alongside him.

You gazed up at the underside of the Ford that was lifted above you, squinting as the night drew in. The crackled radio played in the background and as you hummed along to yourself, the faint sound of footsteps seemed to blend into the music.

"Um...hello?"

You turned your head towards the direction of the deep voice, a silhouette standing in the doorway of the shop.

You squinted further, trying to make out any defining features but to no avail. "Karl, if this is you trying to scare the shit out of me, you gotta try harder than that." You shook your head and dropped your wrench down onto the floor, the sound of the metal hitting the cement loudly echoing in the vast room.

The figure stepped further forwards, his hands held up, "I'm sorry...it's Travis. I'm just here to pick up my car?"

You felt your cheeks flush red, "Travis? I am so sorry, that was really unprofessional of me."

"Hey, it's all good! Don't worry, I probably shouldn't have lingered in the doorway watching you."

Your mouth twisted to the side, "You were watching me?"

His eyes grew bigger, "Not in a creepy way. But now I've said that it wasn't in a creepy way, it sounds like it was in a creepy way."

You wiped your hands on your towel, smiling slightly as you listened to him struggle.

"I was just...impressed. Like I said earlier, I have no clue when it comes to shit like this." He looked around the room at the various tools and parts that were dotted around.

You slowly nodded your head, "Well, thanks...I guess?"

Travis scratched the back of his head and looked down at his feet, a clear indication that he was nervous. You took the opportunity to really look at him. He was wearing bright white trainers, dark wash jeans and a Louis Vuitton jacket with a white shirt underneath. He was so pristine and you were quite concerned that he wouldn't make it out of the shop without a smudge of oil on him.

"So, my car?"

You looked towards it, digging the keys from one of your many pockets, a couple of bolts coming out with them, "Uh yeah, my Dad took great pride in fixing your car. He's a big fan."

"Oh yeah? Well please, tell your Dad I said thanks!" He smiled before looking around again, "You on your own?"

You sighed, "Yeah, I got a few things to clear up on these babies and then I'll be done."

He unlocked his car and opened the door, pausing for a second before he turned back to you, "Wanna go for a drink?"

Your heart stopped for a beat or two and your chest tightened, a feeling you weren't used to. Men didn't usually ask you out, especially not at work. You didn't exactly make an effort to only be covered in grease all day and everyone knew that your Dad wouldn't be far away, meaning most potential dates kept you very much at an arms length. But here he was, an exception.

"I've still got some work to do." You looked down at your current appearance, "And I might not be down with the latest trends, but I'm pretty sure no one will let me in anywhere looking like this."

Travis smiled coyly, "So, is that a no?"

You winced at his hidden hurt, guessing he wasn't used to women turning him down, "Thanks...but no." Digging into your pocket, you retrieved his invoice, black fingerprints smudged across the paper.

As he reached to take the invoice, his large hand covered yours and you subconsciously held your breath, a fast heat rising to your face.

"No sweat, I might see you around anyway?" He jumped into his car, turning the engine on, "I'll wire you the money for the spark...things."

You nodded in acknowledgement, watching as he pulled away carefully out of the garage and into the night. You unclenched your shoulders and laughed to yourself, turning your attention back to the Ford.

______________________________________________________________

"A package? Who from?" You questioned.

Jordan shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. I didn't open it."

"We never get packages."

You became slightly distracted as Jordan tugged at the bottom hem of his hoodie and pulled it up and over his head, his shirt lifting up slightly to reveal a peek at his toned abs. He threw the garment onto the floor beside him and gazed at you.

"Y/N?"

You blinked, "Uh...I'll go and have a look now."

You furrowed your brows, making your way towards the office and shaking your head on the way, exacerbated at yourself.

On the desk was a small brown package with no indication of who it was from. You ripped open the paper and carefully pulled out the framed photograph. It was a picture of Travis midgame, the ball safely clutched in his gloved hands and speeding towards the end zone. He had signed the corner of the photograph. You turned the frame over to see some slightly messy handwriting on the back.

"For your Dad."

You smiled at his kind gesture.

"Let me know when you want to go for that drink."

______________________________________________________________

Taglist @rd14 @dandelionwrites8 @keiva1000 @fantasywritersstuff @caelipartem @anacarangel @she-lives-in-her-dreams @kkrenae @kristencochefski1125 @countrygirl120983 @charmed2000 @nouis-bum @cixrosie @delicateearthquakellama @wordsaresimple-imnot @amylouwho9 @queenisa17 @talicat713 @luvvtrent @purecinnamonextract @savaneafricaine @caelipartem @beyxgrande @caitdaniels @ezgirl1108 @vir-tual @lightsoutstyles @macey234 @s294749w @kelcemesoftly @calirindo @livinginmyfantasies @bernelflo @secretmywritingfictionlawyer @killatravtramp @there-goes-thefighter @unicornblueberry @calirindo @tjkelce87 @kristinamae093 @kmc1989 @ajbird18 @triski73 @ctn26 @kgcaputo07 @abby-splace @bobthe-turmpetman29 @cedricbitch @jmamas92 @bellstwd @killatravsworld @marchmaiden @chimchimmarie @blackstabbath6 @fanficfanatic15 @jessiemariebarnes @mmb219 @vanwritesfan-fiction

#travis kelce x reader #travis kelce imagine #kelce x reader #nfl imagine #original story #travis kelce fic #travis kelce #travis kelce fluff #nfl fluff #travis kelce smut #travis kelce angst #nfl smut #nfl angst #nfl fic #kelcemenow requests

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eepyuii · 10 months

Text

frostbite — pt. 4

pairing ; childe x gender neutral!reader

content ; childhood friends to “rivals” to lovers, slowburn-ish

cw ; brief mentions of drowning, fighting (?)

note ; i’m ngl i’m kinda proud of this chapter, i may have done the smidgenmost cooking. also i will be making a masterlist soon!!

previous | next | masterlist

liyue harbor looked its prettiest at night.

the lantern lights made the city’s colors pop out so much more. from afar, the harbor looked like it’s own galaxy of yellow stars or like a celestial being as lively as its nightlife. this isn’t even the first time you’ve thought this- zapolyarny palace also seemed infinitely more majestic when the lights turned on during the evening. it almost made you enjoy working late shifts.

almost.

unfortunately, aesthetics can’t sugarcoat the things the fatui has done and that you’ve been a witness to. the mass production of delusions, the robbery of gnoses and let’s not even get started on the things the doctor has done. even with eleven harbingers, who all have their fair share of unorthodox acts, don’t seem to rival the blasphemies your very boss has committed. blasphemies you’ve only watched, sitting neatly and keeping your mouth shut, and done nothing about. you’re only undeservingly grateful you weren’t present for the majority of his atrocities. but then again, who even were you to keep count of divine punishments you would never provide to the sinners who warranted them?

plus, now wasn’t the time to dwell on entirely so much.

if you stood lifelessly in the middle of the street for any longer, someone might get suspicious. you choose to head towards the coastal side of the harbor, merely observing the crowds walk back and forth between the street businesses. a few steps further and you reach a small street food restaurant- wanmin restaurant. the line of customers is concerningly big for such a time of day, you shiver to imagine what it’s like during lunch time.

the large, open window of the restaurant shows an older man attending to the customers with utmost friendliness and behind him, a younger blue-haired girl hurries from side to side as she rushes to ready the dishes. you see her look down and speak as if talking to someone incredibly short, so short that they’re entirely covered by the half wall of the window.

you furrow your eyebrows, confused by the sight- that is until the girl turns to you and panic invades her expression.

“guoba, wait! watch out for-“

before she finishes her sentence, you feel a faint thump against your leg. you look down to see… what in all honesty just looked like a teddy bear- except it seemed entirely alive and currently knocked over on the ground, paw wiping its little forehead as if it got hurt on the crash with your calf. next to it was also a small bag of mora, spilling over onto the sidewalk.

you hurry to gather up the coins and put them back in the bag before any slimy passerby could snatch them away while the girl steps over to help up the teddy bear.

“agh… i shouldn’t have sent you out to get groceries in such a hurry and you also need to watch where you go better!” she reprimands the creature, patting it down to smooth away any dirt.

“a-and i’m so very sorry! we’re overflowing with customers today and we were running out of oil so i thought i’d have guoba run to mr. dongsheng’s shop but i guess the pressure got him distracted…” she bows apologetically and the bear follows suit.

chuckling sheepishly, you wave the gesture off. “please, there’s no need for all that… it was just an accident after all.” you look down at the bag of mora in your hand.

“say, why don’t i go buy that oil for you? i’m not busy at the moment and you and… guoba clearly need all your attention on the food.”

her eyes light up as if the second coming of rex lapis has just occurred before her. “you’d do that? oh, that would be amazing! thank you so much…” she trails off as if waiting for you to say your name.

“y/n.”

“y/n! thank you so much, y/n. i’m xiangling, by the way!”

the shop just around the corner from the restaurant and you dutifully wait in line to be attended by mr. dongsheng. you’re almost getting lost in thought until you hear an exclamation from nearby.

“x-xingqiu wait up!” what sounded like a young boy huffed out, sprinting from nearby. you turn to see exactly a young light-blue haired boy in white clothes rushing to catch up with another boy with darker blue hair in elegant navy garbs who was already waiting for him at the bridge to the outskirts of town.

“come on, you slowpoke!” the other boy giggles and as his friend is finally beside him, he abruptly grabs his wrist and pulls him along to run once more.

the display is so genuine and lighthearted that it even makes you chuckle fondly, makes you nostalgic for a simpler time.

you buy the oil and swiftly head back to wanmin restaurant, where xiangling is practically weeping with gratitude. “oh thank you, thank you, thank you! you’re a real lifesaver, please let me repay you- a whole evening of dishes on the house with whatever guests you’d like!” she bows once more.

“don’t sweat it… but i’ll hold you to that.” you nod amusedly and make your way out to leave xiangling and guoba to their arduous cooking.

your aimless wandering through the harbor takes you to the eastern side next, to the passageway between the pool of lotuses that leads to bubu pharmacy. you lean against the railing, watching intently as the fish swim aimlessly through the calm waters- then you turn to watch the people crossing the passageway, couples, families, childhood friends all enjoying the comfortable mundaneness of life.

turning even further, you spot a small girl sitting at the top of the staircase that leads to bubu pharmacy, you’ve seen her before behind the counter of the establishment… qiqi, was it? she sits at the edge of the elevated structure, facing the piers of the harbor as she watches with droopy eyes and what seemed to be a glass of milk in her hands.

the sleepiness in her expression reminds you of how late into the night it must be, urging you to head back to your quarters and get whatever sleep you can.

on your way up the stairs of the catwalks, you pass by heyu tea house, where an opera is taking place. the singer is a young girl, adorning traditional liyuean opera garbs that flow gracefully with the elegant twists and turns of the dance she performs. not to mention her unparalleled singing accompanied by the smooth sounds of a liyuean instrument, a guqin as you recall it- her voice so mesmerizing it nearly pulls all of the attention away from the heart wrenching tale it tells.

you’d heard stories about liyuean opera and how entirely different it was from the snezhnayan iterations, but none of the descriptions truly made justice to the fantastical spectacle you stumbled upon by luck. once again, you almost forget you were supposed to head to your dorm and rest.

unfortunately, rest is not for you.

you lay in your bed, eyes wide awake and fixated at the decorated ceiling as you recall all that you saw this evening. the liveliness of the common folk, xiangling and guoba, the two boys, the young girl from the pharmacy delighting in something as simple as a glass of milk, the opera performance. it’s all so human, so natural, simple, meaningful and so entirely precious. you’d made an enjoyable evening stroll just out of watching people… be people.

and you were going to drown it all in just a few days.

well, not as much you as childe was going to. but you didn’t do anything to counter it, not a peep of disagreement, not an act of defiance, not even an idea of an alternate solution. all because of some goddamn chess piece for the tsaritsa’s stupid plan. a pang of forced guilt hits your heart- you’d be surely decapitated in the town square for saying such things about her grace, or thinking rather. but that’s not how you feel, you’d care less about not criticizing an archon if they were truly being stupid.

but that’s how childe feels.

he reveres the tsaritsa blindly more than anyone you know. you needed to speak to him, first thing tomorrow.

surely he wouldn’t mind pulling out of his ingenious, but foolishly dangerous, plan just for you?

—

they say early bird gets the worm yet here you remain, up at the ass crack of dawn with no worm to speak of. if you were slightly less exhausted at the moment, you would’ve caught onto ekaterina’s look of sheer pity towards you.

“good morning, sergeant! how may i help you?” she greets politely.

“mmh.. yes, morning…” you mumble back, pinching the bridge of your nose. “would you know where childe is right now?”

“i believe childe is currently exercising outside of the harbor. would you like to leave a message for him?”

“no no- no need, i’ll just go to him myself. where exactly outside of town is he?”

“childe usually likes to train up in the mountains behind yujing terrace, he took a few officers to train alongside him so it won’t be difficult to spot the group.” you nod and mutter a curt ‘thank you’ to her. your feet feel like they’ve got pure geo constructs tied to them but you manage to make it to the door of northland bank- though before you get to make your way out, you hear ekaterina call out to you.

“i would advise you to bring a weapon, sergeant! knowing how stubborn childe is.”

chuckling at the indirect jab toward childe that she delivers, you only materialize your polearm with the power of your vision, the only instance you’ll ever use it.

“don’t i know it.”

sometimes you wonder if childe is even human- the mere climb to the mountains behind yujing terrace was enough exercise to last you a week or so. once you settled upon the mountain top, heaving as if death were at your doorstep, you take in your surroundings to spot a small group of men in the distance, gathered in a circle that and facing away from you. a few more minutes of walking reveal that they are in fact clad in fatui uniform and the sound of grunts, thuds and the ever despair-inducing sound of the eleventh harbinger’s maniacal laughter.

you join the circle silently, eyes sharp and cold, to watch as childe effortlessly topples over a low-rank officer. a little more observation would show that this poor man wasn’t the first one to receive such treatment, as all the other men look over with sheer horror in their eyes and dirt clinging to their uniforms- all while childe’s clothes remain spotless and neat. said terrified men notice your sudden presence and scurry to salute you properly with trembling arms while you merely gesture for them to be at ease.

“so! who would like to go next?” the harbinger calls out obliviously only to be met with shameful silence. he scans the whole circle like a bloodthirsty predator, though once he finally turns around to see you there, his eyes seem to gain a different light. if they can even attain any.

“y/n! to what do we owe the pleasure to have you here?” he laughs, raising a hand to gesture to you while facing the other officers. “gentlemen, sergeant y/n of the medical division.”

the officers almost immediately salute you once more and you sigh. “please, at ease.”

“truly impeccable timing, doc! i’ve just sparred one-on-one with each one of these officers to teach them a thing or two about combat. though… i might’ve gone a little too hard, plus they might learn better through observing rather than getting shoved around one by one. so why don’t the two of us spar?”

you put up a hand to stop him. “yeah yeah, unfortunately i’m not here to rumble. i’ve got something i’d like to discuss with y-“

“aw, come on! this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these gentlemen!” childe whines.

“i really would rather not, it’s a bit of an important matter that i want to sort out-“

“it’ll be quick! just one round.”

“i didn’t sleep well last night plus-“

“then a spar is just the way to get the blood pumping!”

“can we please just talk for a few minutes and then you can go back to-“

slash.

where you expected to receive another interruption from childe was instead the sharp tip of a hydro blade right beside your head, narrowingly missing you by a hair. the officers gasp dramatically, while you practically stab childe with the incredulous glare you throw him. even worse, the asshole only smirks playfully as if it was just a playground game.

being on the other side of his blade is famously not unfamiliar to you.

you summon your polearm without thinking and swing it angrily from right to left, hoping only to get the hydro sword away from you. childe does exactly as you predict and steps back expertly to dodge your spear, bearing the widest grin. what ensues next is a tiring back and forth between the two of you- childe hits, you hit back to defend yourself, childe hits back harder. the men watch intently as if watching the most intense play of their lives. it’s probably after a good eight minutes of fighting that your arms start growing weary from how tightly you’re holding onto your weapon and your legs get even sorer than they were from how much you climbed. this is getting stupid.

you put all your focus into finding an opening in childe’s strikes to overtake him, finding it within his next attack, where he switches his grip on the twin blades so the sharp sides face outward and he brings his arms together to create momentum for a double-sided swing that covers the entire of his front. in the millisecond that his hands are next to each other, you send a wave of frigid air that freezes the entirety of his swords and bites at his fingers in a way that makes him hiss and drop the weapons on instinct.

as the icy blades collide with the ground, they shatter into a million glittering shards. childe looks down, half-shocked half-amused at the display and laughs once more. he continues to stare at the ground, any trace of his swords is entirely gone- though it’s no matter, as hydro is already swirling down his wrists as he prepares a new set.

“hah… the fun finally begi-“

before he can finish his taunt, you’re tackling him onto the ground, taking advantage of his distraction. you kneel with one knee up, the other is latched firmly beside childe’s torso, and press your polearm firmly across his arms as to restrain him. the fatui officers are practically losing their minds at this point.

“enough.” you huff out with a snarl, chest heaving up and down violently.

childe is finally, truly at a loss for words. he looks up at you as if you’re the most divine being he’s ever seen and the halo of sunlight that forms around you really doesn’t help. though, you only interpret it as him simply being so surprised that someone finally beat him. after a few seconds of remaining in the position, you take it childe has surrendered and stand up and away from him.

you dust off your clothes and utter without looking up. “leave. all of you.” the men sprint out of the scene like startled rabbits.

“now can we talk?”

taglist ; @kentply @osaemu @rain-and-a-nice-nap

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arabaka · 7 months

Text

ᰔ ̗̀➛ CHAPTER O3. BLOSSOMING.

₊˚ʚ ☁️ ₊˚ ♡ ﾟ. content warnings ⤸ sfw. reigen arataka x afab!reader. no cw but while this chapter is sfw, the story is generally not. 1.1k word count.

₊˚ʚ ☁️ ₊˚ ♡ ﾟ. author's note ⤸ chapter 3! sorry for taking so long, muse was dead but thanks to my beloveds, meg and @bulle-blackhole, i was able to break the curse and finish this! b also gave me the AMAZING idea that you'll see when you see reigen again and that honestly got me through the rest of the chapter lol.

CHAPTER ONE. | CHAPTER TWO. | TABLE OF CONTENTS.

“We should probably set some ground rules, right?” You murmur to his chest after a short while of being in his embrace.

Admittedly, Reigen hadn’t thought about that. “Yeah… Probably.” Reigen croaks, his cheeks heating up to an obvious red as he hears himself. “Sorry, I’ve just…”

The man looks away, ashamed, brown eyes looking anywhere but yours as his sheepishness shows in red hues blooming over his cheeks. Though he knows, there is no running from this, not from the very truth of the fact that…

”I’ve never been in a relationship.” His voice drops decibel by decibel with every word but the shame that drips off every word has no one to blame but himself.

The “going home” club really was a foolish decision.

You watch Reigen's throat tense with a barbed swallow, your heart beating with sympathy (but not pity) at the sight of it. He’s pensively pushing his fingers and his gaze is to the floor. The only noise bouncing off the walls is the nervous tap, tap, tap of his feet. If his words didn’t say it, his body language certainly does: the man is anxious. Reigen thought for so long that being self-made was enough for him, but as he’s confronted with his first relationship ever, he can’t help but think he’s falling short of what you need. What you deserve.

That’s when your hand comes over his, fingers curling in for a reassuring squeeze. The corners of your lips subtly curl, a tender smile appearing as you tell him, “That’s okay. Every relationship is different anyways… And I think we can both agree our situation is very different.”

We. Our.

Those two little words seem to snap him out of his stupor; after all, Reigen wouldn’t want to miss that smile of yours.

His hand shifts, his fingers moving to lace with yours. Immediately, he gulps, “S-Sorry, my hands are kinda sweaty.”

“That's okay. Some sweat never hurt anybody.” You assure him with a light laugh. “How about this…” You whisper as your other hand folds over his knuckles. “Let's revisit this tonight, in the meantime we can think about all of this and… Shower because I know I need one.”

The proposition is a relieving one, Reigen letting out a breath he didn't even know he was holding when you were done speaking. “I think that's a great idea.” He murmurs with a chuckle, eyes cast on your linked hands as he continues, “I really… Don't want to screw this up.” The man admits, unable to shake off the fear that everything will fall apart and it will be all his fault. He can fake it ‘til he makes it with everything else, everyone else in his life, but he would never do that with you.

He doesn't have to.

And when he hears you tell him that he won’t screw it up, that you won’t let him, with the sweetest smile, he believes you.

—

A few hours and many, many, Mobgle searches later, Reigen stands outside of your apartment door. He’s traded his suit for a more casual look, even tried parting his hair a different way… Until he saw his reflection in the nearby window and quickly rectified that mistake.

Just in time too because there you are, opening the door with a bigger smile on your face than the one you had this morning. “Reigen!” You chirp, extra excited to show him the bouquet of flowers you had bought for him earlier that day… Only to see the exact bouquet in his hands as well.

Pink roses line both arrangements but the real stars are the gerberas, their stark white petals standing out among the rosy leaves and bundles of baby’s breath. Both sets of flowers are the same, down to the pink cellophane wrap and white ribbon around the stems.

Both of you blink in surprise at first, stunned to silence until an escaped snort from Reigen gets you both to start laughing. “What are the odds?” You ask after a giggle, wiping your eye of the single tear that came from the belly laugh. “Let me guess…”

You don’t have to, Reigen jumps on it seamlessly, “‘You can’t go wrong with roses and gerberas!’”

“And let me guess…” You start again with a toothy grin, “He didn’t charge you for the baby’s breath either?”

“... What?”

–

You sit on the couch– yes, the same couch you two were shamelessly making out on like you were teenagers at the height of puberty less than 24-hours prior. Though this time, there isn’t any tension to cut through. No gulped swallows and nervous stirrings of the gut.

“We should say our first rule out loud at the same time.” You’re overeager, every cell in your body just itching to hammer out these details so you can kiss that stupid face of his again…

Okay, you really just want to seal the deal so you can officially call Reigen Arataka your boyfriend.

Reigen exclaims with a sweat already running from his brow, “What if yours is way more serious than mine?!”

“Aw, c’mooooon.” He’s still hesitating so you bring out the big guns… A pout and a stare that would put a kitten to shame.

Reigen’s face could not get redder. He can practically feel his heart ramming against his ribs just looking at you! “... Fine.” He clears his throat, trying to recover from the strike to the heart that was your expression. “You’re not gonna do that every time you need me to agree with you, right?” He asks after a beat, letting out a chuckle that makes the red glow on his cheeks even brighter somehow.

“I make no such promise.” You answer with a nod and a smug smile, your chin wrinkling from the silly expression. “Now, c’mon! One… Two… Three!”

“No PDA at work!”

“We shouldn’t do anything at work!”

You both let out a sigh of relief.

“Oh, good.” Reigen leans back on the couch, eyes closed briefly in contentment. “I’m glad we see eye-to-eye on this. But it’s not because I don’t want the others to know!” He’s now sat upright, needing you to see the honesty in his eyes because he would never want you to get the impression he wants to hide you for any reason.

Your hand on his knee soothes his worries, a touch he can already see himself craving. “Hey, hey, hey. Don’t get ahead of yourself. I knew what you meant but Reigen…” You smile at him tenderly, squeezing his leg as you assure him, “You don’t need to watch yourself around me, afraid you’ll make a mistake just because we’re going to be dating now.” Oh, how your cheekbones already tingle from how much the word “date” makes you giddy.

“Right, right.” Reigen returns your affectionate smile, his hand coming to hold yours. The gesture is still foreign to his bones but god, it feels perfect. “Well, I’m sure we can handle ourselves at work.”

“Totally.”

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ssinnerplazahotel · 2 months

Text

╭──────────.★..─╮

*Chapter Four*

╰─..★.──────────╯

WC:8k

Warning: 18+, age gap, smut, fluff, toxic elvis, manipulation (kinda?), drug use, it’s the 50s/60s

Pairing: elvis, black reader

Masterlist: Prologue, Ch. 1, 2, 3

You weren’t a stranger to Elvis’ mood swings, no Graceland resident was. Although he always managed to keep a consistently good attitude around you, you heard enough and saw enough to know how short his temper truly was. He wasn’t always angry, some days he was just in a glum mood and didn’t want to do anything but stay locked up in his room all day. It drove his friends and cousins crazy. Without Elvis, there was no party. They would beg at his door for hours, trying anything to get him to come out with them.

You remembered the first time you were on the receiving end of his bad attitude, although it was the first time it was far from the last. Elvis had started giving you the cold shoulder the day after Christmas, and it went on for days before you finally confronted him about it. You were going to ignore his sudden coldness towards you but it was starting to keep you up at night. You had no clue why he suddenly stopped coming by your room and calling you to his. You didn’t know why he completely ignored your existence when he passed you in the hall or ran into you in the kitchen. No matter the reason, you wanted it to stop. It was driving you insane.

He was going to be going away at the start of the following year to begin working on a few projects that the Colonel had lined up for him. The last thing you wanted was for him to be angry at you when he left.

You lingered in the kitchen later that night, hoping to stop Cynthia before she took up Elvis’ tray for the night. When she entered the kitchen you offered to prepare and deliver the tray, to which she was happy to let you.

“Oh, I almost forgot.” She reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out a small envelope. “For his headache.” She opened the envelope and shook two tiny blue pills onto the tray next to the glass of water. “Don’t be too much of a bother, okay, hon? He’s had a long day.”

You smiled politely. “I’ll be in and out.”

You climbed the stairs with an anxious feeling in your gut, you hated confrontation. You hated it even more now knowing that Elvis had a rough day. It made you think that maybe it was just a tough week for him in general, and his coldness towards you wasn’t intentional at all. There was no way to know without asking, so you put your nerves aside and knocked on his bedroom door—ready for whatever was to come.

“Come in, Cinee.” You heard him say through the door. You opened it while balancing the tray in your free hand, walking in before shutting the door behind you.

He stopped where he was when he saw you. He was on the phone, shirtless, holding it in one hand with the receiver to his ear in the other. He sighed, tilting his head and looking up. You couldn’t tell if he was annoyed with you or with whoever he was on the phone with. You stood by the door, not moving until he motioned with the phone to put the tray on the table. You did so, standing beside it with your hands clasped in front of you.

“Daddy, if you just came back before then we wouldn’t have to be bothered with all that.” He walked over to the table, shaking his head with a scoff as he balanced the phone between his shoulder and grabbed the tiny blue pills. He scarfed them down with some water before turning his back to you, not sparing you a glance as he continued pacing. “The Colonel will take care of all of that, you just have to get back before we leave. You and Dee can come stay on the ranch with the rest of us.”

You stood there as he sorted out business with his father, not budging from your spot until he finally finished his conversation.

“Daddy, I can’t keep talkin about this right now, my head’s fixin to explode,” He finally said. “Just let him handle it, he handles every-goddamn-thing else. I’m not leavin without you, so see you soon, bye.” He hung up the phone with a sigh, setting it on his bedside table before sitting on the bed. He looked at you, leaning back on his palms. He had that same bored expression on his face that he had when he saw you around the house. “What?”

“‘What?’” You repeated in disbelief. “You know what.”

“I don’t think I do.”

“You’ve been ignoring me for days.”

His eyebrows drew together slightly, but his otherwise blank face gave you no insight into what he was thinking. “I thought that’s what you wanted, honey.”

“What do you mean?” You asked in genuine confusion, fidgeting with your hands as you grew more anxious.

“The last time I asked you to come see me you never showed, I figured you was tellin me to give you some space.” He shrugged. “So that’s what I’ve been doing.”

“The other night?” You remembered. “I fell asleep waiting for everyone to settle down, I was going to apologize the next day but you completely ignored me.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“That day was a busy day for everyone, you know that.”

He shrugged, sitting up and rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. He sighed, looking off to the side without saying anything. You waited for him to say something, to tell you to leave, or to ask if you had anything else to say.

“That’s it?” You finally asked, the silence becoming unbearable as you stood there.

“Why didn’t you come to see me?”

“I fell asleep~”

“Before then.”

You fell silent for a moment, still confused about why he was upset. “You usually came to me, o-or asked for me.”

“Maybe I wanted to see if you’d come to me if I didn’t send for you. I guess I see now.”

“Well,” You started, trying not to let your frustration show but failing miserably. You didn’t know how to respond to his attitude, nor were you in the mood to deal with it. “I’m glad you made your point.”

“Don’t talk to me like that.” He chastised you suddenly.

“Then don’t play games with me.” You crossed your arms. “It’s not funny, and I don’t appreciate it.”

“You don’t appreciate it?”

“I don’t.”

“Okay.”

You bit back your next remark, giving him a moment to respond before turning to leave the room.

“Where are you going?” Elvis spoke before you could move from your spot.

You faced him again, not bothering to hide your infuriation. “What?”

“C’mere.” He motioned for you with his ring finger, holding his hand out expectantly.

You sighed as he stood and grabbed your wrist. You kept your arms crossed as he pulled you with him and sat back down on the edge of his bed. You stood between his legs, avoiding his eyes while he toyed with the sides of your skirt. “Are you mad at me?” You asked, trying to interpret his words and expression.

“Did I say I was?” He asked, looking up at you with the same expression he’s had.

“That’s the thing, Elvis,” You said, a humorless laugh leaving your lips. “You never say anything.”

“I’m not.”

“Then why are you being mean to me?”

You hated how small your voice sounded, you hated even more how quickly your anger was brought down to frustration and hurt.

Elvis shook his head, looking down and rubbing his eyes again. “Goddamnit, birdie, it’s not just you that’s got me all screwed up. Daddy’s gone off somewhere and he’s doin my damn head in about the Colonel a-and the ranch~”

“You could’ve talked to me about it.”

“I-I know, baby.” His voice was suddenly small. “I just h-had~ I g-get…I get all screwed up sometimes.”

“You aren’t mad?”

“No. A-And I guess I shouldn’ta been making assumptions about you standing me up.” He chuckled, making you smile a little despite yourself. “I should’ve known my baby birdie wouldn’t do that.” He uncrossed your arms and put them around his neck.

You reached up and pushed his hair out of his face. You looked over his face for a moment. “You look exhausted.”

“N-Nah, I j-just…” He shook his head, closing his eyes briefly before meeting yours again. “Headache.”

“Cynthia told me,” You said. “I should let you rest~”

“Stay with me~”

“I can’t~”

“Please, baby.” He stopped you, looking up at you with pleading eyes. It was the first time in the entire conversation that his expression had changed, and you didn’t quite know what to make of his sudden desperation. “Don’t leave.”

“There’s still an hour left that I’m supposed to be working,” You said, checking the clock on the wall. “They’ll wonder why I never came back down.”

“Let ‘em wonder,” He said, looking up at you with heavy eyes.

“You’re going to get me in trouble.”

“You’re already in trouble.”

Your eyebrow quirked at the threatening undertone behind his words. “What does that mean?”

“Stay here,” He said, his hand traveling up to the bow on your hip where your apron was tied. “Don’t go against me.” He pulled the string and unraveled your apron, letting it fall to your feet.

“Everything you say confuses me,” You said. “It’s like you start talking in the middle of a thought and never finish it.”

“That’s because you think so hard about everything I say.” He reached up for the top button of your blouse, batting your hands away when you started to protest. “You worry yourself out of your mind.”

“If you said what you meant, in plain English, I wouldn’t have to worry at all.” You tried to stop him again. “I can’t do this right now.”

“They won’t miss you for an hour.” He undid the final buttons of the blouse before pushing it off your shoulders, eyeing the thin chain around your neck that held the bird charm and the ring he’d given you.

You sighed in defeat as he reached behind you and unzipped your skirt, letting it fall to the ground as well. You wanted so badly to say no, not to give in—especially after the way he’d treated you. But you couldn’t resist him. “I don’t think you listen to me, E.”

“Right now, only one of us isn’t listening,” He said, pulling you with him onto the bed. “Don’t worry a-about Dawn, if she gives you trouble and I’ll talk to her.”

You kicked off your flats apprehensively, slightly comforted yet suspicious of his words. Had he spoken to Dawn behind your back?

You didn’t have more than a second to think about the question as he made you straddle him. He laid back against the pillows as he kissed you, taking you with him. Your constant and never-satisfied yearning to be close to him outweighed your frustration in that moment. You knew that if you let your emotions get in the way every time things were rocky you’d be putting yourself into a position you weren’t sure you wanted to be in. Always catering to every one of Elvis’ wants and needs in fear that he’d push you away again if you didn’t. In fear that he’d leave you like Dawn said he would.

You heard him hum once before you felt his body go limp beneath you. You pulled away to find his eyes shut, his arms still wrapped loosely around your waist. “Elvis?” You asked, tapping his cheek with your hand. His breathing had evened out and his eyes fluttered slightly in his sleep. You sat up in his lap, looking down at his sleeping figure. When you moved to stand his arms to tighten around you. You sighed and shifted onto your side.

You didn’t know what to make of the conversation, but you managed to convince yourself that things were settled between the two of you again as you lay there. You didn’t remember falling asleep, but you remembered waking up with a start the next morning.

“Oh no,” You muttered to yourself as you scrambled into a sitting position, checking the clock on the wall. 7:12.

You swore under your breath and rushed out of the empty bed to get dressed. As you reached for your blouse from the day before you noticed a silver, five-stone band around your middle finger. You froze when you saw the diamond ring, bringing it up to your face to be sure you weren’t hallucinating.

You didn’t have much time to gawk at the ring, you dressed quickly and put it in the pocket of your apron before trying to escape the room without being seen. You were careful as you slipped out, listening to be sure the hall was empty before rushing to your room. You sighed when you made it, leaning against your closed door once inside. You stood there for a moment before noticing a newly installed telephone on your bedside table. You had a feeling that it was Elvis’ doing, and your thoughts were solidified by a note scribbled in his handwriting left beside the phone.

I’ll call you. ~E.

You felt your heart sink as you picked up the scrap of paper, turning it over in your hand as if more writing would appear. You sunk onto your bed, reaching into the pocket of your pocket and retrieving the ring. You held both the ring and paper in your hands as you sat there feeling crushed. You wondered why he didn’t wake you before he left. It would likely be weeks before you saw him again, and all you could do within that time was hope that he’d keep his promise and call you.

A knock at your door startled you out of your somber thoughts, you put the ring away and went to get the door. You deflated even more when you saw Dawn, but you smiled as best you could. “Is everything alright? It’s early.”

“I was hoping to catch you before you went downstairs,” She said. “Can you talk?”

“Sure,” You said, stepping out of the room and shutting the door. “Is everything okay?” You asked again, she didn’t look as if she had any bad news but you were still anxious.

“Everything’s fine,” She reassured you. “I was thinking about your mother yesterday and how she would just go on and on about how smart you were and how well you did in school. You remember I’m sure.” You nodded your head uncomfortably, memories of your mother still made your throat tighten with emotion. “Anyway, it made me think to ask if you’ve thought about starting classes at the college.”

“Oh, uhm, I h-haven’t, no,” You stammered. “I forgot you mentioned that, it’s been so long.”

“I know, you get so swept up in the routine of things I guess,” Dawn said, nodding in agreement. “I think it’s what your mother would’ve wanted.”

“I guess.” You shrugged. “I’ll start looking into it. Thanks.”

“Of course.” Dawn smiled, sighing before turning to head back downstairs. “We’re doing the floors today, so, I would change those shoes.”

“I will,” You said, waiting for her to go before going back into your room. You quickly changed, making yourself presentable before heading downstairs for the day.

You thought about Elvis as you worked, that wasn’t new for you. However, your thoughts of him became more longing as the day went on and you realized he wouldn’t be in his room waiting for you that night.

You’d missed him terribly.

Your eyes nearly popped out of your head when you heard the telephone ring, sending you stumbling out of the shower after it. You barely stopped to grab a towel before rushing to lock your door and answer the phone.

“H-Hello?” You answered before an automated voice asked you to accept some charges, which you did in a rush as you sat down on the edge of the bed. After weeks of babysitting the phone while also managing to work and get started at school, you were finally getting a call from Elvis in Hollywood.

“That you, babydoll?” His voice said through the phone, making a smile immediately form on your face.

“Elvis?” You asked, even though you knew it was him. “A-Are you there?”

“I’m here,” He said on the other line, chuckling softly. “Were you waiting for me?”

“Every night since you left,” You admitted shamelessly as you moved to sit against your headboard. “E, a-are you sure no one’s listening to us?”

“It’s a private line, birdie,” Elvis reassured you. “It’s just you and me.”

“Well, how have you been?” You asked enthusiastically, pulling your shower cap from your head and setting it aside. “What’s Hollywood like? Are there a lot of celebrities there like in the movies?”

“I guess so, I-I don’t go out much, really.” He answered through a laugh. “How’re you? A-And things around the house.”

“Fine, nothing happens when you’re gone,” You answered. “Have you gone to any Hollywood parties? Like the ones they write about in the paper?”

“One or two maybe. Y-You know how I get when I’m working.”

“I remember you telling me,” You said, looking up at the ceiling with a ridiculous smile on your face. “Well, are they treating you alright?”

“Mhm,” He answered. “Nothing worth telling you ever happens around here. The guys never sleep, but when do they ever? Daddy’s always off somewhere with Dee and I haven’t seen the Colonel since the plane landed.”

“You aren’t lonesome are you?” You asked, twirling the phone cord around your finger.

“No, I find ways to keep busy when I’m not shootin.”

“I’m glad.”

“I didn’t call to talk about me, birdie.” You heard him shift on the other line with a sigh. “How’s my girl?”

“I’m fine when I’m not missing you,” You chuckled. “I started night classes, Dawn made me.”

“You been in class t’night?” He asked, his tone curious. “You must be tired.”

“I’ve been up since…” You lifted your head to check your watch on your bedside table. “Before eight. But I’m kind of getting used to being sleep-deprived.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, I drink coffee like an old person now too.”

“Well, congratulations, little.” He laughed softly. “Schooling’s important nowadays.”

“That’s what everyone’s saying,” You sighed. “It’s not so bad. Some girls invited me to go out with them after class.”

“You should’ve gone.”

“I couldn’t, I’ve been waiting for you to call every night for weeks.”

“I’ve b-been working every day since we got here,” Elvis said in his defense. “I would’ve called s-sooner if I was free.”

“You haven’t had a night off for two and a half weeks, Elvis?” You asked, finding it hard to believe.

“No,” He said shortly. “What, you don’t believe me?”

“I do, it’s just hard to believe that they haven’t given you any time off.”

“They haven’t.”

“But you had time to go to a party or two?”

Elvis laughed far away from the phone. You pictured him taking it away from his ear to laugh. “You’re sharp t’night, I’ll tell you.”

“Why didn’t you call?” You asked as his laughter died down. “Didn’t you think of me at all?”

“Why are you talkin crazy, baby?” He asked. “You must be gettin delirious.”

“I’m not being crazy.” You pouted. “It’s just that you didn’t wake me up to say goodbye before you left and you didn’t leave a number for me to reach you~”

“I told you I’d call you~”

“I know, so I waited for you to call,” You said. “I just hoped that you would’ve called sooner.”

“Honey, I’d call you every night if I could.” His voice rose slightly in aggravation. “What d’you want from me?”

“I just want to talk~”

“We’re talkin. If you keep carrying on I’m gonna hang up~”

“No.” You sat forward in alarm. “Don’t hang up.”

“Then quit it with all the crazy talk. These people give me enough hell around here as it is, I can’t take it from you too. The last thing I need right now is you nagging me, birdie, please.”

“I’m sorry,” You said quietly. “I miss you, that’s all.”

“I miss you too,” He muttered. “I-I’m gonna try and call sooner next time, I-I-I just been so busy, baby, b-but, it’s not because I don’t think of ya, I do.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah.”

“I believe you…I’m glad you’re doing okay.”

“I-I’m gonna send you something, f-for starting school.”

“I won’t waste my time begging you not to~”

“Good.”

“Nothing too flashy.”

“I’ll see what I can’t do.”

“You could save yourself all that trouble and just call me.”

“I might have some time next week,” He said. “I promise I’ll call if I do.”

“Okay,” You said. “It’s fine if you can’t.”

“I’ll try, mama,” He promised. “I should let you offa here, it’s gettin to be past your bedtime.”

“Don’t hang up yet,” You begged, deflating at the thought of the call ending so soon. “We haven’t talked in so long.”

“I know, honey, but you’ll be miserable in the morning if I keep you up. I’m g-gonna call sooner next time.”

“Okay.” You frowned, only slightly reassured by his empty promise. “Well…I love you, Elvis.”

“If you love me, birdie, you’ll wait for me,” He said in response. “Okay? Just wait for me, baby.”

“I will,” You promised, tears forming in your eyes. You weren’t prepared for the sudden influx of emotion as you ended the short-lived call. “B-Bye.”

“Hey now,” Elvis chastised on the other line. “Don’t let me hear you cryin, honey, be a good girl for me.”

“I’m sorry,” You said after pulling yourself together as much as you could manage. “Goodnight. Take care of yourself.”

“I will, baby. Talk to you soon.”

You waited for the line to disconnect before hanging the phone up. You sat in your bed with a distanced expression as tears filled your eyes and rushed down your face. You shook yourself out of your trance and wiped the tears from your face. You knew that Elvis wouldn’t want you to be upset so you pushed all your emotions away. It wouldn’t do you any good to get worked up.

Instead, you went on like usual that night and the next day and several days after that. Spending the mandatory three days a week tending to the house while Elvis was away and spending your free days going out at night with the girls from your classes. You had the system down, and it worried your aunt that you were drinking with the older girls. Which you of course told her you were not—but what was a drink or two now and then? You were just having fun, and you were still making decent grades. It was harmless, and it took your mind off of all the things that were troubling you.

Although Elvis promised to call soon after the first time, he ended up not calling back at all. You wanted to believe that he would call any day now but before you knew it he was coming home in a week and you hadn’t heard anything from him. The only contact you had was a Cadillac delivered to the steps of Graceland with your name on it. Elvis was known for his unbiased grand gestures, so it wasn’t a shock to see that he’d gotten you a car to get to and from school. You were grateful of course, you almost couldn’t believe that he’d done this all the way from California.

“I wonder why there aren’t any reporters,” Cynthia commented as she and Dawn stood beside you looking at the car. “The colonel wouldn’t miss an opportunity to capture Elvis’ generosity.”

“Have you seen the paper?” Dawn asked. “Compared to what’s going around right now, the last Elvis Presley story people would be interested in is this one.”

“Why’s that?” Cynthia chuckled. “Another scandal?”

“I’ll say.” You pretended not to pay attention as you looked at the ivory coupe deville Cadillac in the driveway. “Something about him reconnecting with some girl he met while he was in the service.”

“Really?” Cynthia asked. “You think it’s true?”

“Who knows nowadays,” Dawn said before speaking to you. “Move the car around and come finish helping me with the windows.”

“O-Okay.” You fished the keys out of the pocket of your apron and went to move the car. Your thoughts ran rapidly as you wondered if the story your aunt saw in the paper was true. There were so many false rumors—especially written in the paper—that you never bothered to read them when you saw them. But, for whatever reason, you felt more inclined to believe them at that time.

You were distracted when you returned to help Dawn, your expression had become distant and your thoughts wouldn’t stop racing. By the time you were leaving for your night classes, she had noticed your behavior change and she was worried.

“I’m fine. I’m probably gonna go out with Pat and Barb, so don’t wait up for me.”

“You shouldn’t drive if you’re going to be drinking~”

“I already told you that I don’t drink,” You said, stopping at the door on your way out. “I’m smart enough and old enough to take care of myself, okay?”

“Just be careful.”

“I will be.”

“Are you there?”

“Elvis?”

“Yeah.”

You scoffed in disbelief as you stumbled back and sat on your bed. “I must be dreaming,” You said sarcastically, Elvis wasn’t having it.

“Why didn’t you answer the first two times I called?” He asked harshly, because how dare you keep him waiting, right? “What were you doing?”

“Do you realize that it’s three in the morning here, you can’t just call over and over again.”

“That’s my goddamn house, I’ll do whatever the hell I want. Where were you?”

You clenched your teeth in anger at him. “I feel like I should be the one asking you that, Elvis. You’ve called me once since you’ve been gone. You’re coming home soon!”

“I lost track of time.”

“Oh, is that what they’re calling it now?” You laughed in irritation. “I haven’t heard that one.”

“W-Why do you sound like that?”

“Like that?”

“You’re talkin funny.”

You shrugged although he couldn’t see you. “If you have to know, I had a few drinks with some friends from school after class.”

“You’re drunk?” He asked in alarm. “When you start drinkin?”

“Don’t try to change the subject~”

“Tell me where you were, right fucking now,” He demanded. “And who you were with.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything.” You frowned. “What have you ever told me?”

“You’re too young to be drinking. You weren’t driving were you?”

“Kenneth drove me,” You said before you could think to either lie or refuse to tell. “H-He wasn’t drinking s-so he dropped me off.”

“Who?” He asked, his tone darkening.

“A friend…” You answered vaguely.

“He got you drunk?” You could hear the fury building behind his words.

“No~”

“Did he take advantage of you?”

“No, Elvis!” You exclaimed. “He’s a nice guy~”

“Nice guys hurt little girls too~”

“Well, he didn’t,” You snapped. “He’s…he’s taking me out tomorrow, actually.”

“Like hell he is.”

“You aren’t here to stop me.”

“I don’t give a damn—if I find out you went anywhere with him~”

“You can’t forbid me from seeing him, Elvis,” You said. “Especially considering what you did. Or what you’re doing? Which one is it, huh?”

“What do you mean?” He asked in frustration on the other line.

“Is she still there?” Your throat tightened with tears.

“I don’t know what the hell you’re talkin about.”

“There’s a pretty good shot of the two of you in the paper, I’ll save it for you.”

You heard him groan on the other line. “I don’t know what’s going on in the fucking paper~”

“I’m going out with Kenneth.”

“I swear to god you’re gonna get that man hurt.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.”

You slammed the phone down on the hook, releasing a trembling sigh as your heart hammered in your chest. It rang again, and again, and again until you finally took it off the hook.

You couldn’t eat for days following the call. Although you went through with the decision to go out with Kenneth, it didn’t make you feel any better about your situation with Elvis. Being out with Kenneth should’ve opened your eyes and made you realize what a relationship should be. Instead, you spent the time dreading, yet craving, the privacy of locked doors to which you had grown so accustomed. Even as you entertained Kenneth and drank your milkshake—combating your intense nausea that just wouldn’t go away—you thought of him.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Kenneth asked as he held your hand and walked you to your car after the date.

“I’m fine, I promise.” You smiled before thanking him for the night. You froze a little as he tilted his head to kiss you, but you leaned into it after a moment of shock. You wished him well before climbing into your car, the car that Elvis had gotten you. You started to feel overwhelmed by your endless thoughts and reminders of him. You could hardly focus on the drive back to Graceland, uneasy as you started to think of what Elvis’ reaction would be when he found out that you went out with Kenneth. If he found out you kissed him, he’d go ballistic. He may have even followed through with his threat to hurt Kenneth.

Your stomach churned, making you force back bile as you continued to drive. It was past midnight and Elvis was due back at Graceland sometime tomorrow—you were dreading seeing him. Yet at the same time, that relentless need you had to be near him still tugged at you.

Everyone was on duty the next day to prepare the house for Elvis’ arrival, but you were off that night as usual for school. After hacking up the milkshake from the night before you could barely stand up from your toilet, your legs shaking beneath you as you went to get dressed. You wore a pair of dark, plaid trousers that Barb had got you—you never wore them—and a navy short-sleeved blouse. You styled your hair and decided to do your makeup in an attempt to bring your face to life. You threw on some eyeliner and lipstick, concealing the faint circles under your eyes and adding a little blush before giving up.

“Are you faint?” Dawn asked when she came up to check on you before you left, pressing her hand against your forehead. “I haven’t seen you eat hardly anything in days.”

“I’m just a little sick,” You said, trying not to focus on the way your head was spinning. “I’ll be fine.”

“You have to eat something before you go.”

“I can’t, I’m gonna be late.” The thought of eating anything made your stomach hurt. “I’m coming straight here after class so don’t worry about me.”

You tried to get your mind off of things by listening to the radio on the way to school, but unfortunately, there was no such thing as listening to the radio in Memphis without listening to Elvis Presley. So you opted for driving there in silence, trying to force yourself to relax as you listened to the mechanic hum of the engine.

When you got to campus you parked your car in your usual parking spot, finding Kenneth there waiting for you as he often was.

“Hi.” You tried to smile as he opened your door and helped you out of the car. “You didn’t wait long did you?”

“I just got here,” Kenneth said, closing your door. “I still can’t believe your boss gave you this car.”

“Yeah, he’s…” You trailed off, forcing a short laugh. “D-Did you finish the homework for Winslow?”

“I was hoping Barb did it.” He put his arm over your shoulders as you walked. “I worked late. My boss told me if I left early again I was gonna have to come in a whole extra day to make up the time. You know last time I did that…”

You tried to listen but you couldn’t concentrate on anything other than swallowing down your nausea. You nodded along with his words and laughed when he laughed until you finally reached the door to your class.

“Go out with me after class?” Kenneth asked, stopping you before you went inside.

“I’m back to working regularly tomorrow, I have to be up early,” You said apologetically. “Maybe this weekend?”

“Sure.” He smiled, leaning down and leaving a kiss on the corner of your mouth. Your eyes widened slightly as Elvis’ words replayed in your head, making you pull away first. You didn’t think he would hurt Kenneth, but you couldn’t rule out the possibility completely. You were seeing sides of him that you’d never seen before, and that worried you. “I’ll walk you to your car tonight.”

You nodded with a tense smile before walking into your classroom. You sat down in your seat with a sigh, glad to be off of your unsteady legs. You urged time to go by slowly in your classes, savoring every minute, and even staying after to speak to two of your professors before meeting Kenneth outside.

“Y’know, Ken,” You started, holding your books to your chest as you approached your vehicle. “I had a lot of fun at the diner last night a-and I really like you.”

“I like you too.” Kenneth smiled.

Your heart hammered anxiously against your chest as you forced yourself to speak. “I don’t want to ruin anything between us, but I don’t think it’s going to work out.”

You could see the disappointment spread slowly over his features as he processed your words. “Oh?”

“I-It’s not your fault,” You said quickly. “I have a lot on my plate right now.”

“Oh, well, o-okay,” Kenneth said, forcing a smile. “I’m sorry if I did anything~”

“You didn’t,” You stressed. “We can still hang out with Barb, Pat, and the other guys.”

“For sure,” He said, you could see through the smile he was putting on. “Maybe if your plate isn’t so full in the future…”

“Yeah,” You nodded, smiling softly.

“Okay,” He chuckled. “Be careful going home. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” You said, hugging him with one arm. “Thanks, Ken.”

“No problem,” He said, hugging you back. “See you around.”

You got in your car and started the engine before driving off. It was eleven now, you knew that Elvis would be home and the guys would have likely thrown together some kind of party just for the sake of it. You could see by the multiple cars littering the driveway when you got there that you were right. For a moment you actually dreaded the mess that would be left tomorrow more than you dreaded seeing Elvis.

You pulled your car around before going inside. Music played on the record player in the crowded living room, and people lingered in multiple areas of the house. You slipped through the entrance and made your way upstairs.

You heard someone shouting your name over the music, causing you to stop halfway up the stairs. You turned to see Joel, you’d only spoken to him a few times now and then.

“Hey, Joel,” You said, facing him. “Is everything okay?”

“Elvis was lookin for you earlier,” He said. “He’s blowin off the party so you might can just go talk to him now. He told us to let you know.”

“Okay,” You nodded, forcing a smile.

“Oh.” He stopped you. “How’s the car runnin by the way?”

“Fine, it’s fine I think.”

“I’ll take a look at it for you sometime. Free of charge.” He laughed and you managed to crack a smile.

“Thanks, Joel.”

He nodded at you before going back downstairs. As if god or the universe had something against you, you reached the top of the stairs just as Elvis was leaving his room. His eyes found yours immediately, following your gaze when your eyes darted to your door—trying to judge whether or not you could make it there before him.

You could hear the warning in his tone when he said your name, but you ignored it as you rushed for the door.

You cried out when he crossed the hallway in one long stride and wrapped his arm around your waist, making him cover your mouth as he dragged you backward to his room. You felt weak as you fought against him, uselessly trying to get out of his grasp. He forced you into his room, closing the door as you stumbled forward.

“Where were you?” He asked, locking the door without taking his eyes off of you. He looked angry in a way that you’d never seen, and it scared you. “Who were you with, huh? Are you drunk?”

Your hands trembled as you shook your head wordlessly, unable to form a sentence as you stood there in shock.

“Huh?” He snapped, making you flinch away from him. He grabbed you by the shoulders and you dropped the bag that hung on your arm as he looked you up and down. “Look at you. You look like a whore.”

“Stop, Elvis,” You cried, trying to push him away. “P-Please.”

“Is this what happens when girls go to college?” His grip tightened on your shoulders. “They turn into whores?”

“You’re hurting me,” You said through your tears, struggling to get out of his grip.

“Were you with him?” He asked lowly, his face close to yours. You squeezed your eyes shut and he hummed expectantly for an answer. “Were you with that son of a bitch?”

“I was at school~”

“At school?” He snapped. “Dressed like this?”

“I swear,” You said, looking up and meeting his furious eyes. “I-I-I was at school.”

“You don’t understand,” He said, his jaw tense. “I’ll kill that motherfucker if he touches you. If he touched you~”

“You can’t say that.” You tried to pull away again and you tumbled back a few steps when he let you go. “You don’t have some kind of claim over me. Even if you did, you lost it when you did what you did.”

“This isn’t about me~”

“Oh, that’s new.” You tried to stand your ground even though you felt like falling apart. “I-I’m here waiting by the phone e-every night only for you to call me once while you were away. And the whole time you’re in Hollywood w-with some other girl. You didn’t call me because you were with her.” Your voice buckled as you spoke the truth aloud. “T-That’s why you didn’t call.”

“You gotta understand the way things work in this business.”

“The business?”

“I have to keep people entertained. Colonel says that no publicity is bad publicity so long as it keeps people interested,” He explained. “That means it’s not gonna be the last time you read a story in the paper about me and some other girl.”

“So you didn’t fly her out to Hollywood?” You asked, your breath catching as you tried to stop crying.

“I did,” He said, making another wave of emotion wash over you. “It’s just business.”

“Does she know that?” You asked.

“Yeah.” He shrugged, you weren’t convinced. “S-Some things are just a part of m-my lifestyle, and they have nothing to do with you or us.”

“That’s just not fair.” You shook your head.

“Do you love me?” He asked, he knew you did. “Do you?”

“Yes,” You said, wiping your tears with trembling hands. “You know I do~”

“Then don’t make me snap,” He said, reaching out and grabbing your wrist. You flinched away when he touched you. “Are you scared of me?”

“No,” You said, although you weren’t sure.

“Listen.” He took your face in both his hands and thumbed away your tears. “Don’t make me hurt him. Because I will and then we’ll both be in trouble. And don’t have to worry about what happens when I’m away. We live in two different worlds then.”

“I think we’ve always lived in two different worlds, we’re in two different worlds right now,” You said shakily. “I don’t give a shit who you fly out to Hollywood, Elvis. That’s not why I went out with Kenneth.”

“Don’t say his goddamn name~” He pulled away from you.

“You just can’t see past your own possessiveness,” You said, raising your voice. “I didn’t go out with him because I wanted to get back at you for what you did. I went out with him because I wanted to know what it was like to go on a normal date with a normal person. I wanted to be with someone who made me feel wanted and desired me in the same ways I desired them. I went out with Kenneth because I knew he’d make me feel all those things. I knew he’d make love to me if asked him to~”

“Is that what this is about?” Elvis asked with narrowed eyes. “I wouldn’t fuck you so you went and found somebody that would?”

“You’re so clever, aren’t you? We didn’t have sex, but you know what? We didn’t do a lot of things. We didn’t hide, or make sure we weren’t seen together. We didn’t make up discrete gestures or signals for when we saw each other between classes. We didn’t have to lie or keep a secret~”

“What the hell do you want me to do about that?” Elvis roared suddenly, the amount of anger behind his words scared you but you didn’t shut down.

“I wanted you to call me!” You shouted back. “All I wanted was for you to call me!”

“Well, d’you have a fucking time machine I can borrow?” He shouted. “I can’t do anything about that!”

“You make me feel ashamed of myself,” You cried. “You make me feel insignificant and insecure~”

“Oh, lord,” He said, throwing his hands up. “You’re out of your mind.”

“I’ve barely eaten anything in days because I’ve been dreading you coming back to Graceland.” You continued through your tears. “My nerves have been so bad, Elvis, because I went out with Kenneth when you told me not to. But when I see you in the paper with some other girl you tell me it’s business and I have no choice but to accept it. You keep me up at night wondering if I’m really that unimportant to you and you know what? I realize now that I am.”

“How can you say that? I’d do anything for you.”

“Why? So you can sneak me into your room at night whenever you’re not in Hollywood taking care of business?”

“You’re mine.” He grabbed you by the waist and pulled you against him. “I’ll do what I want with you.”

“You care more about who can’t have me than having me yourself,” You said without meeting his eyes, pressing your hands firmly against his chest in an attempt to keep some space between you. “You don’t care about me, you just want to control me.”

“What do you want me to do?” He asked, trying to meet your eyes.

“You know what I want you to do.” You looked up at him, your face still wet with tears.

“That’s not what you want,” He said, shaking his head. “Because, if I were to do anything to you right now I’d do damage.”

Your breath hitched when he stepped back with you towards the bed, sitting down on the edge before making you straddle him.

“Is that really how you want to lose your virginity?”

“Jesus, Elvis, my virginity means more to you than it does to me.”

“Because I care about you,” He said. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Then don’t hurt me.”

“I won’t.”

You shook your head, wiping the remaining tears from your face. “What’s so wrong with my outfit?”

“I don’t like seeing you in pants,” He said. “Little girls should only wear dresses.”

“Am I a little girl or am I a whore?”

“Don’t get cross. You’re my little girl.” His pointer finger traced the gold chain around your neck until he untucked it from behind your blouse, exposing the two rings and the bird charm that now hung on the thin chain. “I just wanna take care of you. I-I wish…I wish we didn’t have to carry on like this, hidin and sneakin, y’know. I want to have a proper, decent relationship, I do. B-But it’s the only way to keep you in my life, birdie, a-and…I need you in my life.”

“You don’t need me.”

“I do,” He said, his lips twitching in a suppressed smile. “I-I need you. Being away from you all these days, it's killed me, honey, really. A-And I just…the thought of you with someone else~”

“There is no one else. You don’t understand…”

“What?”

“I’m ruined.”

You casted your gaze down as more tears threatened to form in your eyes despite your best efforts.

“I want things to go back to the way they were,” He said, tracing patterns into your thighs. “I want to be close to you.”

You closed your eyes as he leaned in and kissed you. You felt the tension leave your body as you kissed him back. You’d almost forgotten how smooth his lips felt against yours.

“I don’t wanna fight, mama, please,” He whispered, his hands traveling up the sides of your shirt. “Just let me hold you.”

You wrapped your arms around his neck and he hugged your body close to his. You held onto him tightly, savoring every minute of his embrace. “God, I missed you,” You admitted in a whisper.

“I missed you,” He said, rubbing your back. He pulled away after a moment, making you hug him tighter. “We gotta get some food in you.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You gotta,” He chuckled as he pulled you off of him. “You don’t look so good. I don’t want you to faint.”

You nodded as you shifted off of his lap, suddenly aware again of how dizzy you were.

“I’ll go grab you something,” He said standing. “Hold tight for a minute.”

You sighed heavily after he was gone, trying to calm down as you sat alone in his room. You tried to tell yourself that everything was fine again, that he wasn’t mad at you anymore and things were back to normal. You tried convincing yourself that you could eat without getting sick but you weren’t sure you actually could. By the time Elvis returned with an ill-made sandwich—no doubt thrown together by himself—you’d thought it over enough to know that you couldn’t eat anything.

“I-I’ll be sick if I eat anything,” You said, fidgeting with your hands, your legs bouncing anxiously. “I’m so on edge.”

“You gotta calm down.”

“I’m trying.”

He hummed as he sat the plate and glass down on the table by the phone. “Hang on,” He said, walking to his bathroom. You heard him rummage through a few things before returning, seemingly empty handed until he stopped in front of you. You saw him turn over a small white pill in his fingers before bringing it up to his mouth and biting it. He held the other half out to you, putting it in your mouth when you parted your lips. He grabbed the water he’d carried in a minute ago and let you wash it down before washing down the other half himself.

“What is it?” You asked.

“You should eat now,” He said, making you stand. “Let’s get you out of these clothes first.”

“These clothes that you hate?” You ribbed halfheartedly as he unbuttoned your pants first, tugging your waist harshly as he got them off. He made you sit as he pulled them off your legs, kissing your bare calf after they were gone.

“These clothes that make me want to fuck you like I don’t know you.” You could sense the humor behind his words even though he hardly laughed when he said it. He helped you remove your blouse and handed you the sandwich.

You didn’t protest, instead you decided that it was best to try to eat. After a few minutes of picking at the food in silence your eyes started to feel heavy and your head swooned.

“E-Elvis, I don’t…” You paused, searching for the words you wanted to use to describe what you were feeling.

“It’s okay, it’s just the medicine.” He stood. You didn’t remember him sitting down. “It’s a good thing you finished eating.”

You looked down in alarm at the empty plate, you couldn’t remember how long you’d been feeling that way.

“You’re okay, honey.” Elvis took the plate and discarded it on the table by the door. “Lay down.”

You nodded, moving to lay against the pillows—you wondered when you took your shoes off. You felt like you wanted to panic but you physically couldn’t react. You felt the bed dip before you felt Elvis’ arm around you, kissing your shoulder and neck.

“I feel so strange.” You felt like you were spinning. “I-I’m scared.”

“You’re just gonna fall asleep,” He reassured you as he buried his face in the crook of your neck. “I’m not gonna let anything happen to ya, I promise.”

You felt comforted but still far from comfortable as he held you. You felt the edges of consciousness starting to slip away from you as you focused on the feeling of Elvis’ warm breath on your neck and the way the chill running down your spine was unending.

You closed your eyes and gave in to the feeling that you had of floating or falling away. For a short moment before you lost consciousness you felt immense warmth and happiness as Elvis murmured softly about how much he’d missed you. You wanted to hold on to that moment forever.

#elvis presley #elvis x black reader #elvis x you #elvis imagine #austin butler #black reader #elvis fluff #elvis smut #the bikeriders #elvis presely smut #austin!elvis x reader #austin elvis imagine #50s elvis #60s elvis #elvisaaronpresley

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amywritesthings · 1 year

Text

silver underground. / chapter eight.

( Read on AO3 )

Pairing: Levi Ackerman x F!Reader (Attack on Titan / Shingeki no Kyojin)

Word Count: 2.8K

Summary: Day 161 - also known as the day you messed up

Warnings: this one's a little rough sorry, violence, sparring, mentions of death, shouting, levi's going through some things, i promise this is only temporary hurt

Previous Chapter. / Next Chapter. | Masterlist.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

Don’t.

The syllable echoes in the back of your brain on this roof, down this ladder, in this bed, and you cannot shake it.

Daylight breaches the darkness surrounding you.

Although you had originally exited the castle in a cold sweat, freezing to the bone, you return to your bedroom wanting nothing more than an icy bath.

Something, anything, that will submerge you fully — to cut off your air supply, to short-circuit your brain, so you can finally stop thinking.

So you can finally stop wondering.

In those last few moments, you aren’t sure why you reached for Levi.

Chalk it up as a momentary weakness — in the haze of reality wrapped in the guise of a dream, begging him to stay with you on that rooftop felt right.

Because Levi looked at you differently in the moonlight, and you felt something.

Recognition, maybe.

Frustration, sure.

Oh, so much frustration, and not in the kind you anticipated to feel.

You want to regret it, regret any of it — you can’t.

Levi can grumble and growl all he wants, but the tell-tale signs of his body did not lie: how his pulse quickened under your fingertips; how his eyes widened like you slapped him in the face, though your touch was featherlight and desperate; how you wanted to pull him down, down, until he sat back at your side.

To be near you.

To be closer.

Whatever he was going through in silence, you felt it too.

(What the fuck is going on?)

It isn't until Levi is gone that you realize:

Your nightmare, horrific and traumatic, is something your body cannot shake. It started out in pieces just like the rest of your memories, fluttering like paper ashes through your mind.

Last night had merely been the first time the real scene played from beginning to end — as if your body questions the accident in some self-inflicted court trial, daring it to be wrong at least once.

As if it's easier to process a trail of dominoes spilling before its track properly finishes when said game may be fabricated.

But the dream isn't a dream, and the line ends directly at Captain Levi's feet.

You went back on his order.

You chose to think you could pull off the impossible.

One bad decision after another.

He should have left you to die, and yet—

You still see it playing over your vision while lying in this bed, though the image is hazy and crawling to your peripheral: your hand outstretched to the sky, hair lashing against your cheeks, and a blurry figure nose-diving between thick tree trunks.

You don’t sleep the remaining hours of the night.

Can’t, not when the only thing you wish to do is run after him.

Don’t.

Why?

Don’t forgive me.

Does he blame himself for the decision you chose?

“Hey! Are you listening to a single word I’m saying?”

A voice breaks your internalized panic.

“I swear, you’re starting to get as bad as Lev—”

“Huh?”

You blink yourself back into your body as an exasperated Hange yelps in your face. Their head drops back, chin to the sky and shoulders slouched in defeat.

(As much as you would hate to admit it, their question is not what brings you back to life.)

“Oh, there she is. Finally,” The Section Commander grumbles. “Hi. Hello. Did you not sleep or something?”

“I— No, not really,” you answer as non-descriptive as possible.

Hange squints. “Was it a bad dream? Or was Gunther snor—”

“Too cold,” you interrupt, shaking your head with a forced smile. “The room was too cold. I accidentally left the window open. Sorry, I’m listening.”

“I was just saying how I hope to have more information on the titans we wrangled last week by the time you all get back.”

“Get… back?” you ask, brows knit.

Hange nods. “Last day at camp, kiddo! Not having a spurt of memory issues now, are you?”

Placing both of their hands on their hips, they grin wide.

“If you didn’t catch some zzz’s last night, then you better catch an early shut eye tonight. Trust me when I say you probably won’t sleep much on the road.”

Right.

It's time for the mission.

Your heart leaps into your throat.

“I forgot we were leaving tomorrow,” you admit. “The days keep running into each other.”

“It’s pretty endless out here, yeah,” Hange admits. “But it’s less we and more Levi Squad — so you.”

“Wait — not you?”

“Or Moblit,” Hange adds. “Man, you really were zoned out. But no, Moblit and I will be staying behind to run a few tests on samples we were able to acquire from the two titans we captured, but we should greet you when you six come back!”

You blink twice, processing their interesting future plans.

Titan samples. Sure.

It’s not the weirdest thing Hange has said by a long shot.

Choosing not to make a big deal out of it, you hold a thumbs’ up at the plan.

“The expedition is gonna suck without you out there, Hange.”

They press a palm to their chest, face pink and all-too smug with themselves.

“Aw, please, I am very aware, but I leave annoying Levi in your good hands.”

You grin, but butterflies invade your stomach.

You can't shake the image of his eyes piercing down at you, dark hair cascading in the pale moonlight.

Weeks exploring and fighting with Levi Squad without the comfort of Hange to run back to feels scary, but the other members have made a valiant effort in inviting you back into the fold.

Petra, Eld, and Gunther have made incredible strides to get to know this version of you — the one that isn’t familiar to them, but the person who is familiar to you.

They take you at face value, and you appreciate their patience.

The only person who pretends to be reluctant is Oluo — forever attempting to be Levi’s shadow.

(Little does he know Levi isn’t reluctant, not really — not always.)

“Oi.”

Speak of the devil and he shall invite himself to your one-on-one conversation.

Captain Levi trudges over to the two of you with his arms crossed over his chest, seemingly unimpressed with the way Hange watches him with an overly-thrilled smile.

He’s tired, though that could just be his face.

You’ve learned that Levi always looks tired.

Today, however, he’s particularly exhausted; the gray under his eyes is a sullen ring larger. He still carries himself well, but there is a hint of uncertainty in the way he postures towards Hange.

“Can I borrow her?” he asks the wild-haired brunette.

“Now, why are you askin’ me?” Hange teases. “She’s a grown woman. She can go where she wants, even though you hog her attention all the time.”

The not-so-subtle dig causes your body to heat up.

“Oh, fuck off,” Levi groans, waving away their words like it’s another titan rant.

And he turns.

He walks away like you were going to follow.

Like it’s a learned obedience.

(Your feet step in time with him before you even know it.)

“Did you need me for something, Captain?”

“Levi,” he corrects once you’re out of earshot of Hange.

“Levi,” you repeat.

“We leave in the morning for the next expedition,” Levi recaps, ignoring whatever it might have been that Hange has discussed with you in the interim. “I thought you’d like a final spar before we’re on the road. It wouldn’t be smart to train while we’re in the forest, so it’s my final offer to properly kick your ass.”

A huff of relief passes against your lips.

Normal.

Everything feels normal despite the other night, and you bask in instantaneous excitement.

“Properly?” you challenge. “What, is this your way of telling me you held back the last few times? Because I fucking knew you—”

“No, dumbass,” Levi interrupts gruffly. “It’s a figure of speech.”

“Uh-huh,” you reply with a smirk, finding your spot on the circle of dirt you’ve truly familiarized yourself with since arriving at this dilapidated castle.

Your safe space.

One you just happen to share with him, only him.

It brings you peace — at least, until you spy the thatched roof of the fateful supply building over his head, and you remember.

That narrow gaze.

The flex of his muscles against your hand.

Your hand twitches at your side.

“Are you going to waste my time?”

Levi’s voice brings you back to earth.

You snap out of it, finding his dead-eyed gaze as his brow quirks.

“You alright over there, James?”

You nod after a beat passes.

“Um… yeah, sorry. I didn’t get much sleep.”

The mention of the night has him tensing. You can see it in his neck, just under the slope of his gray shirt.

You fixate on the pulse point.

“No?”

You notice the challenging hint in his voice. Like he isn’t going to step over the line completely in personal territory, but he’s asking. Toeing.

You get into a fighting stance.

“I stayed up there for a little while longer after you had left.”

I didn’t forget, asshole.

With that, Levi strikes first and throws a mean punch.

You manage to deflect at the right time. He resets, studying your face, before throwing another.

You deflect again, again, again — internalizing, memorizing his strategy by now.

He’ll be the aggressor if he doesn’t have to talk.

Fine.

He doesn’t have to talk, but you might have an ace up your sleeve.

You never told him about the first time he first knocked you on your ass in front of the whole squad. How several memories barreled straight into the forefront of your consciousness — a rush of vivid sounds and colors, of conversations and inside jokes.

Where you see him, remember him, so fully that you’re so goddamn certain you might have known this man better than you knew yourself in another life.

You haven’t won a single one of these spars yet.

Come Hell or high water, you want that to change with this final spar.

So you mind your time.

You deflect, deflect, deflect — ducking, dodging, jabbing back — until a moment presents itself.

Levi spins with a high kick, and you let him.

You cross your arms over your chest to block him — knowing damn well his foot won’t connect there. Instead his boot slams into your side, knocking you into the dirt.

A wheeze exits your throat as you crunch on all fours, nursing your torso with your arm.

“Get up.”

Levi demands above you, pushing some of the dirt with his boot as a warning.

Like, if you don’t obey, he’ll kick it right into your face.

He never does.

Empty promises, all of his threats.

(Only with you.)

“But I was just up,” you mumble in protest, the memory playing in real time over your own sightline. Although you were on your back in the Underground, you remain on all fours here, elbows digging into the earth.

Levi doesn’t realize what you’re doing, what you’re saying, so he just sneers.

“C’mon, we don’t have all day, James.”

“Give me a sec.”

“You don’t have a se—”

There.

The nonsensical bickering gives you that singular precious moment to put all of your weight into your arm as it swings to hook around his ankle.

Pulling as hard as you possibly can, you use your core and sweep his leg. Levi makes a noise of surprise as he’s airborne, only to crash beside you in a nasty thud.

You follow the memory to a tee, crawling up the captain’s body to press your arm into his windpipe, daring him to fight back. Your knees cradle his hips, trapping him beneath.

Gritting his teeth, Levi holds onto your wrist without pushing it away. His other hand settles on your waist, as if it's reflex to fit there, though you’re too busy staring at his lips.

From this proximity, you can feel tiny puffs of air exiting his mouth.

His breath smells herbal, like Bergamot.

Then you realize the origin: his morning Earl Gray tea.

After fluttering over your face in confusion, Levi's eyes connect with yours.

His lips part, voice low:

“Dirty trick—”

His breath hitches when you say it with him, in a different octave.

Melodic.

Knowing.

You pray he understands.

That he’ll be excited that you remember.

Dirty trick. Ever since that memory trickled back into your pysche, that phrase felt important. Dirty trick. Something so silly to most, but it held just as much weight as your forearm pressing into his skin.

Slowly you break into a wide grin, all-too proud — of finally revealing you've remembered something between the two of you, of finally winning.

You anticipated Levi to be shocked, maybe a little pissed.

What you don’t expect, however, is a blank slate.

Levi Ackerman stares up at you like he’s witnessing shadows, silhouettes, behind you. The whites of his eyes overtake as they widen in tandem with your stretching grin. Startled, shocked…

Recognition.

Dread.

Like you said the wrong thing.

The air thickens in the finite space between you, soaked to the brim with something unspoken.

His eyes flicker up and down your face, coming back into his own body one step at a time — before his hands harshly shove you clear from his body. You go flying into the dirt, skidding across the circle.

He sits up, gasping like the weight of you nearly crushed him.

“What the fuck?” he sputters in an agitated yelp.

You merely sit there, dumbfounded.

This?

This is not the reaction you had anticipated.

Not after last night. Not after the way he looked at you.

“What the fuck was that, James?” he asks again, harsher this time.

“I’m — I thought it was a nice surprise!”

“What?”

“That I remembered!” you clarify in a yelp. “Like how we used to spar, then you'd always say I was using dirty tricks to win against—”

“You think it’s funny to relive shit without clueing me in first?” he spits, egregiously nasty.

“It seemed like a funny—”

“What about that shit is funny to you?”

Oh.

His eyes could kill right now.

You remain on the ground, dumbfounded as he stumbles to his feet, curt in his swipes to pat off the dirt from his uniform. It’s not as graceful as he usually is when a spar is complete.

You feel like he’s punched a hole through your body.

“Levi—”

“When you remember something, I expect you to tell me, alright?” he cuts you off with a bark. “Don’t surprise me like any of this is fucking cute.”

He’s really upset, and he’s not afraid to show it.

That means it’s serious.

You swallow thickly, slowly getting up with him.

“Was that more significant than I thought?” you ask, scrambling to salvage the moment. “Saying those words. Saying dirty—”

“Don’t repeat it.”

“Levi!”

“I - said - don’t.”

Your last spar before the expedition cannot end like this.

This cannot be the note you strive towards when you’re finally out on the field.

Everything was going so well — what happened?

So you ask.

“Levi, what just happened?”

The fact that you even ask makes Levi sneer. He bends down, wiping off the leather straps surrounding his thighs with contempt.

Disgust.

“If you have to ask me,” Levi bites, “then it means you don’t really remember.”

“What?” you ask, following after him once he turns on a heel. You have yet to swipe the dirt from your body. “But I do! I do remember.”

“Then what’s it about, shithead?”

“You said it once to me when I beat you!" you quickly supply. "It's probably an inside joke when it comes to our sparring.”

“The keyword being probably. You're just talking out of your ass."

"Levi!" you protest in hurt. "I'm sorry. Okay? I am sorry."

"Don't bother, alright? And don't ever surprise me with this shit again."

Desperate, you near him as he begins to walk away. "Please, maybe if you just walk me through what I'm remembering—"

"I told you I'm not giving you handouts."

Despite yourself, you reach for him. "Levi—"

Levi turns to deflect your nearing hand, smacking it harshly away from him. "Enough, Lieutenant." His jaw clenches. "Get your shit, say your goodbyes to Hange and Moblit, and get some goddamn rest for tomorrow’s expedition. Lack of sleep can get your comrades killed. Don’t repeat past mistakes.”

Your mouth opens to refute, but you can’t say anything back.

His words aim to kill, and they deliver a knife to your gut.

Levi waits, expecting you to fight, but you cannot.

Won’t, not when his cruelty hurts.

Satisfied by your silence, he ducks his chin and stalks to the stables.

You do not follow.

authors note: ....okay this one was my bad bUT i swear i'm making it up to you in the next chapter. I had a few health issues the last couple of weeks, so I thank you for your patience for this update. I have much more of 9 written, so I hope that comes out in a timely fashion.

tag list: @lazylizzy3 @notgoodforlife @sad-darksoul

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tc-doherty · 13 days

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Book One | Chapter Twenty

Index | First Chapter | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Tag list: @bloodlessheirbyjacques @magefaery @did-i-do-this-write @marrowwife

@muddshadow @outpost51 @full-on-sam @bluberimufim

@unclear-contributions @talesfromtheunknowable @guessillcallitart @flowerprose

@ashirisu @xarrixii @the-letterbox-archives

(ask to be added)

They passed a little more time together that morning, alternating between practicing and simply talking until Felisjyta looked up and said, "It looks like that rain is blowing in. We better get inside if we don't want to get soaked to the skin."

Patrice looked up as well. A mass of dark clouds was coming towards them at a fast pace, threatening to cover the sun and bring rain. By the time she looked back down, the two knights were already well on their way to being packed up.

"How do you move so fast?"

"Practice. Here, you can carry the basket. Errys and I will take the swords."

As the first dull rumble of thunder rolled through the air, the three women hurried back to the summer palace.

They almost made it in time. Despite being only a short distance away, they were forced to keep to twisting paths and could not travel in a straight line without destroying valuable property. The storm had no such constraints. A few fat drops of water caught them going in through the door. Errys laughed.

"Just in time anyway. At this point we should still have plenty of time to get ready before they call us down for lunch. None of us can turn up like this."

Patrice looked down at her outfit, now covered with bits of grass and wet patches where the rain had hit. "No, I suppose not."

A much louder rumble of thunder covered the end of her sentence, followed by a blinding flash of lightning and more thunder. The storm had reached them in full. The hallways took on a dark and dusty quality as the storm covered all the light from the sun, leaving a few pre-lit candles as their only source of light.

Felisjyta whistled softly. "You often get big storms like this?"

"I've heard it's not uncommon in this area, but we don't see much of it in the city," Errys said. She looked down at her own dirty, rain spattered tunic and britches. "I have enough work to do on my own, I'll see you two at lunch."

"I suppose she's right. We ought to get cleaned up."

Patrice nodded. "I suppose so. Can you see well enough with this little light?"

"You offering to take me back to my room?" Felisjyta grinned. "I don't think I need it, but I wouldn't mind the company." She offered her arm and, as she had done so often lately, Patrice took it.

"I almost like it better this way," Patrice said as they moved through the dark hallways. There was no one about except them and the cat, who padded along silently behind. Dark and empty, the summer palace almost reminded of her home – the ruined castle which had once been connected to her mother's tower. It was long since given back over to nature, but in her early days there had been more of it left standing and she used to often play within the derelict building.

"It makes me feel like I'm in one of the stories Elaine told so many of," Felisjyta said. "Any moment I think we'll see an unhappy ghost." A flash of lightning came just as she finished her sentence – a very timely addition from the storm. The rain pounded against the windows.

"If the rain comes so fast, the storm should not last long, I would think."

"You'd be surprised. Oh, this is me. I'll see you at lunch, Patrice." Felisjyta let herself into her own suite.

Patrice looked down at the cat, who had quickly moved up to take the knight's place. "I suppose our only option is going back and letting Maria fuss over us."

He meowed at her.

"You seem unbothered by the storm as well," she said to him as they walked. "I suppose they teach you that, when they teach you everything else."

He purred, though whether in response or just at the sound of her voice, Patrice couldn't tell.

Maria was predictably dismayed at the state of her outfit, but resigned to it at the same time. "I don't know why you find it necessary to do all that unladylike fighting and such anyway, Lady Patrice," she grumbled. "You've had the life of a noble offered to you on a silver platter, and you insist on making it difficult for yourself anyway."

Patrice shook her head. "I suppose to you it seems a wonderfully fulfilling life, but for me I'd rather do something interesting."

Maria sighed but ceased to argue about the matter.

Although she was once again being forced into a bliaut, at least the process of getting cleaned up and ready was actually somewhat relaxing. Patrice could hear the rain hitting the windows, and for once the natural sounds were loud enough to cover up the ever present sound of human life.

Today's gown was a shade of deep maroon that played well against her skin and hair – Patrice was beginning to get a sense of such things, in spite of herself. Like the one from the previous day, it was simple. It only had some slight embellishment at the edges done in gold thread and glass beads. The jewelry Maria picked was similarly simple – gold chains, then gold bangles, and a few strands of gold cord to braid into her hair as it was plaited and tucked up.

"Everything will be inside today, on account of the rain. A dress like this should be enough."

"It's more than enough for me."

"I know, I know." Maria made shooing motions with her hands. "Now off with you. If you can find something to keep you entertained until lunch, I can start cleaning in here."

Patrice wasn't entirely sure why she needed to be out of the room for Maria to clean it, but she shrugged. "I'm sure I can find something."

What she found first was the library, with its rows upon rows upon rows of books. Dragons had their own system of writing, still Patrice knew that there were dragons who were great lovers of human books, who turned each delicate page with a single claw, or who would shapeshift only to go into town and buy more books. She did not trust herself with books, given how wildly her body temperature varied. The sight of the library, however, made her wish that she could sit down and read some of them for herself.

The second thing she found was the music room, and Lady Katerina, who sat on the windowsill watching the rain with the same intensity to which she devoted everything. The girl turned around guiltily when Patrice opened the door, but her face brightened when she saw who had arrived.

"Lady Patrice!" Katerina jumped down from the window and dipped into a quick curtsy. "Did you come to play music?"

Patrice smiled. "Lady Katerina." She inclined her head towards the younger girl. "I am unfamiliar with human instruments. I was merely looking for some form of amusement before lunch."

"I'm supposed to be practicing right now, but I hate it! I'd rather be out in the garden like you were earlier." She mimicked a few sword attacks, including the clacking sound of sword on wooden sword. “That's amazing! Just like a knight!"

A quick glance out the window showed Patrice that it did indeed look straight out in the direction of the grotto they had been in. She took a seat on a bench next to one of the larger instruments. "Do you study fighting as well?"

Katerina scowled and crossed her arms, her attitude decidedly at odds with the delicate pink bliaut she wore. She shook her head with an angry vehemence that caused a few strands of fine blonde hair to dislodge. "No! Even though I've asked, and asked, and asked. Maybe if I was a dragon, I would get to say what I want to do, and no one can stop me."

Patrice paused. In Katerina, she saw something of herself – something too wild to be constrained to court fashions and rules. But she did not know how such things worked with human families. Among dragons, things were simpler and parents rarely stood in the way of what their hatchlings wanted.

Katerina wasn't bothered by Patrice's silence. She slouched back against the window and began kicking her feet back and forth. "They say I'm not old enough, but everyone knows that if you start young you can learn much better. Or even if I can't fight, maybe I could at least learn interesting things! Emilia and Vincent get to learn whatever they want, and Joan is going to be in charge of all the judges so she gets to stay behind and study crimes and the law. Why do only I have to sit here and learn pointless stupid things like music and embroidery?"

Patrice nodded. She could certainly sympathize with that! "Have you tried doing things without asking your parents?"

The girl just gaped at her.

Patrice continued, "There are books, plenty of them, you can read about knights and battles and fighting on your own. There are many knights and squires around your own castle, have you spoken to any of them? Perhaps one would be willing to train you, even if not officially. That is what a dragon would do."

Katerina grinned suddenly. "If I don't tell them, they can't stop me!" She said, understanding instantly what Patrice implied.

Patrice wasn't sure if Katerina had never thought of it, or she simply had been unwilling to act on it without the sort of tacit approval that Patrice had just given her. "It would be hard work," she cautioned. "Being a knight would be hard work even if that's all you were to study."

"I'm not afraid of work," said Katerina. "I would rather do that than…this." She waved her hand around to indicate the entire music room. "Maybe I can join you in the garden tomorrow morning. Do you think I can?"

Patrice shrugged. "It is not my business to stop you from such a course."

Whatever reply Katerina was about to make was swallowed up by the sound of the bell. She sighed. "Lunch is ready."

"We can go together," Patrice said.

The younger girl brightened at that. "And we can sit next to each other!"

Lunch ended up being a slightly trying affair. Patrice did not mind Katarina's company or even her enthusiasm, for the most part, but that was not to say that it did not get tiring after a while. Katerina could chatter on endlessly when she had a mind to, and neither the food nor her mother's admonishments were sufficient to head her off.

To keep her occupied, Patrice found herself talking a great deal about her mother and the tower in which she had once lived, and was surprised to find that her grief was not as strong as it had been a mere three weeks ago. Somehow in all this fuss with humans and their customs, she had actually begun to heal, and she hadn't even realized it when it started happening.

This disturbed her enough that she reached almost involuntarily for the spirit stone Felisjyta had given her. By now it was worn smooth and much smaller than it had been, but it still comforted her. If this was a human tradition, and she was half human herself, surely she was neither forgetting her mother nor abandoning her grief too slowly.

It was after the meal that things became more interesting. The queen stood up, and silence fell over the table. "Due to the weather," she said, and gestured to the windows, through which could be seen the fact that the storm had not abated in its ferocity, "we have arranged for a number of indoor amusements. If you would follow us to the salon, we may begin."

One by one the nobles stood up from the table and waited for their ruler to lead the way. She, in turn, waited for her husband to stand and give her his arm before she left the dining room and began the short trip through the halls towards the salon.

The salon itself had been well decked to handle a passel of bored nobles. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth, combating the slight chill the storm had brought. A kettle hung in the fire, keeping warm a drink for those attending. The couches, lounges, and chairs which ringed the room were each supplied with a small pillow and a warm blanket, and every candle was lit. Overall, the room was bright and cheery and a good counterpart to the storm darkened countryside outside the palace walls. To Patrice it seemed a little overmuch for such a simple summer storm, but she could not deny that it also looked cozy and inviting.

"Let's get one of those couches together,” Felisjyta said.

"Yes, let's."

Felisjyta led Patrice around the outside of the room, to a comfortable looking couch near the window. Here there was no need to wait formally for the queen and king-consort to sit; the other guests were already seating themselves. Felisjyta and Patrice settled onto their chosen spot and waited for what came next.

"No need to squabble over a seat next to the fire when I have you," Felisjyta said with a chuckle.

"It's especially convenient in the winter," Patrice agreed.

"Patrice-" Felisjyta began to say. She was interrupted by the queen turning to face the room.

"Today we plan to dedicate to the arts," said the queen. This was no throne room or grand ballroom, no fine setting to give the queen the appropriate grandeur. Her conservative bliaut of brown silk was nothing compared to the elaborately bedecked gowns she had worn in New Iber, and the veil over her hair was only unembellished white lace.

Even so, Patrice would've been able to pick the queen out at a distance. There was something different in the way she held herself, some inherent self-assurance that came from being queen. Patrice realized with some surprise that the queen would still be the same in a castle or a cow field. She made the room seem grand, rather than the other way around.

The queen continued on, unaware of Patrice's intense scrutiny. "I know we have some wonderful reciters and storytellers among us this summer, along with musicians and singers. It is only fair for each person to contribute something to the day's entertainment, starting with my lord husband."

The king-consort stood and cleared his throat. The queen took her place on the couch they shared, leaving the floor to him alone. He smiled at the gathered guests. He did not have his wife's same appearance of royalty, but instead an attitude that made each of them feel as if they were close personal friends. Certainly some of the people present were, but Patrice was not, and the charisma of the royal couple fascinated her. But not half so much as the king's voice when he began to speak. It was deep and pleasant, perfect for storytelling.

Of course she had been around them before, but that was always in much more of a group setting where multiple people were interacting with each other. Those hadn't been the right kind of settings to actually examine the royal couple. For now she put her examinations aside and settled back on the couch to listen.

"Be still, and I shall recite for you the ballad of Dame Joan, from whom I am descended." He launched into the tale with little delay.

Over the afternoon, Patrice heard all manner of stories and songs, all different ways that humans had of entertaining one another. Not all of the guests had the same sort of presence as the queen or king-consort, but Patrice listened to each act politely and with honest interest.

Felisjyta told one of her ghost stories, as she seemed to love to do. Katerina was rather put out by being forced to play the harp for the guests, though she clearly had a talent of sorts for it. Errys recited a poem of great length and formality and managed to stand in the same pose for the entire thing – a feat that met with great approval from the nobles as the proper way to recite a poem of that nature.

A few more poems and shorter stories flew by after that, and suddenly everyone was staring at Patrice. She stood and moved to the front of the room with great dignity, though she didn't have the faintest idea what she was going to say. None of the stories she knew came easily to her in the human tongue. They were strange, too soft, with their bite taken out of them. They would not soar as they should, crippled by the Runerian language, and she did not particularly want to reduce them to such lows.

She stood at the front of the room thinking rapidly before coming to a solution. "I cannot tell you the stories of my people," she said, "for they will lose something in the translation to your tongue. But I will sing one of our songs for you."

The song she sang was a love song, although not the kind of love that humans seemed to prize. It was a love song dedicated to harsh mountains and deep forests, to open skies, and to freedom. It was a relief to speak a language that fit well in her mouth. The words of the song flowed from her, not like bird song or trickling water as in human music, but like lava from the belly of the earth. Dragons never lost their fangs or their fire.

Although it was a love song, for Patrice it was also a song of homesickness. And although none of the humans could've possibly understood the subject matter, when she looked at Felisjyta she seemed to see a flicker of the same longing that she felt. But perhaps she was imagining it, after all, she already knew how much Felisjyta wanted to go home.

She bowed when she was done, because it seemed appropriate, and walked back to her seat without a backwards glance. The slightly scattered applause did not bother her, though others had received more acclaim. Although she was happy to be able to sing a song she knew, doing it in front of others was a completely different matter. She was just happy to have it over with.

"It's nice to speak your own language." She gave Felisjyta a small smile, then turned to face the front of the room where Johan's father had taken his place.

Index | First Chapter | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

#writeblr #writing #tc's writing #dragon's daughter #femslash #lgbt fantasy #queer fantasy #fantasy novels #authors on tumblr

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drewharrisonwriter · 29 days

Text

One Day at a Time - Ch. 7: Life as it was

Pairings: Dave York x Female Reader

Series Summary: A man washed ashore, with no memory, and no name, finds a home and a life in the middle of nowhere.

Author's Notes: This story has been sitting in my drafts for over a year, waiting for the perfect moment to see the light of day. It wasn't until recently that I found the inspiration to finally finish the last two chapters, thanks to the incredible Keri @absurdthirst. Her story, "Washed Up," struck a chord with me—it had such a similar plot and concept to what I had in mind, and it reignited my passion to bring this piece to life. Keri's writing has been a constant source of solace and inspiration, and I'm endlessly grateful for her creativity and the way she crafts stories that speak to the soul. If you haven’t checked out her work, you absolutely should!

Warnings: Please be aware that this story contains elements of violence, explicit sexual content, and pregnancy. Additionally, there are medical inaccuracies throughout—because I don’t work in the medical field, so please take it all with a grain of salt. Enjoy the ride, and thank you for reading! 😊

Read this on AO3 | Check out my Masterlist

The drive back to the farm was long and quiet, the miles stretching out before you as you tried to process everything that had happened. The silence in the car was deafening, amplifying the thoughts that swirled in your mind.

When you finally pulled into the driveway, the sight of the familiar farmhouse brought a wave of emotions crashing over you. It had been a place of comfort, of new beginnings, but now it felt empty, as if a piece of you was missing.

Inside, the house was eerily quiet, the absence of Dave’s presence palpable. You moved through the rooms on autopilot, your mind numb from the events of the day.

Finally, you found yourself in the bathroom, staring down at the pregnancy test you had bought days ago in DC, the night you first encountered Carol. With trembling hands, you took it out of the packaging, the weight of the possible result pressing down on you.

The minutes that followed felt like hours, each second stretching out as you waited for the test to reveal your fate. When the result finally appeared, it was as if the world shifted beneath your feet.

Positive.

You stared at the small window on the test, the two lines staring back at you with a certainty that left no room for doubt. A new life, a new beginning, but under circumstances that were anything but ideal.

Tears welled up in your eyes as the reality of the situation settled in. You were carrying his child—a child that would connect you to him forever, even as he found his way back to a life that didn’t include you.

With a deep breath, you wiped away the tears and stood tall. This isn’t going to be easy and you know it, but you had faced challenges before. This was just one more test of your strength, and you were determined to see it through, no matter what.

You have to make a choice.

The days that followed your return to the farm were filled with a suffocating silence, broken only by the sounds of the animals and the rustling of the wind through the trees. The farmhouse, once a place of warmth and new beginnings, now felt like an empty shell. You threw yourself into your work and your daily tasks on the farm, trying to find solace in the familiar routines, but nothing could drown out the thoughts that haunted you.

The positive result from the pregnancy test weighed heavily on your mind. You hadn’t expected to be faced with this kind of decision, not now, not like this. The thought of bringing a child into the world, alone and uncertain of what the future held, filled you with a mixture of fear and doubt.

After a few days of wrestling with your thoughts, you decided to see the doctor. You needed to know more before making any decisions. The drive into town felt surreal, the usually short trip dragging on as your mind raced with a thousand thoughts.

In the sterile, quiet exam room, the doctor confirmed what you already suspected—you were a little over three months along. The realization hit you like a wave, the gravity of the situation finally sinking in. This wasn’t something you could ignore or push aside any longer. You had to make a decision, and soon.

Back at the farm, the emptiness of the house seemed even more pronounced as you unpacked the few things you had brought with you from the city. You found yourself standing in the doorway of the guest room—Dave’s room—staring at the bed where he had slept, the bedside table where he had kept his things.

Your eyes fell on a small stack of belongings that you had gathered to send back to him. You had promised Carol that you would mail his things, and it was time to make good on that promise. As you carefully packed his clothes and personal items into a box, your hand brushed against a small journal tucked under some papers.

You hesitated, then picked up the journal, feeling the weight of it in your hands. You knew you shouldn’t invade his privacy, but something compelled you to open it, to see what thoughts he had put down on those pages.

As you flipped through the journal, you saw that it chronicled his time on the farm. The early entries were sparse, detailing the daily tasks and routines, his therapy sessions, the long drives to and from the hospital, but as the weeks went on, the tone of the entries began to change. The writing became more introspective, more focused on the people around him—specifically, on you.

Your breath caught in your throat as you read his words. He wrote about the quiet moments you shared, the way you had taken care of him, and how you had become a constant in his life. The entries gradually shifted from simply recounting events to expressing emotions, thoughts that he hadn’t been able to share out loud.

“I think I more than care for her,” one entry read, the words etched deeply into the page. “There’s something about her—something that makes me want to stay, to build something real. But how do I tell her? How do I make her see that this isn’t just gratitude, that it’s something more?”

Tears welled up in your eyes as you continued reading. The journal was filled with his hopes and fears, his confusion about his past, and his growing feelings for you. He had been wrestling with the same emotions that you were, trying to make sense of what was happening between you two.

As you closed the journal, a profound sense of clarity washed over you. This journal was a reflection of a time that had passed—a time when there was hope for something more. But that time had come and gone. Dave had found his way back to his old life, and there was no place for you in it.

But there was something that you could keep, something that would remind you of what you had shared, even as you moved forward without him. The child you were carrying—a life born from the connection you and Dave had, a connection that was real, even if it was fleeting.

With a renewed sense of purpose, you carefully placed the journal in the box with his other belongings. You would mail everything to him, as you promised his wife, but the decision to keep the baby was yours alone.

The following day, you drove to the post office and sent the package off to the address Carol had given you. As you handed the box over, you felt a sense of closure.

Keeping the child growing in you– It was a decision that marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another—a chapter of your life that for once is not defined by loss, but by life.

Next Chapter 👉🏻

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal characters #pedropascal #pedro pascal cinematic universe #pedro pascal fan fiction #pedro pascal fan fic #pedrohub #dave york equalizer #dave york x you #dave york fanfiction #dave york smut #dave york x reader #dave york #equalizer 2 #dave york x f!reader #pedro pascal fanfic #dave york x female reader

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neutron-stars-collision · 1 year

Text

Deadlines & Commitments

Neil x F!Reader

Chapter 1 - Stratford Underground Station

Masterlist Summary: Everybody knows anything can happen on London tube. That includes meeting a handsome stranger with a strange name, who doesn't mind saving a ballerina in distress. Chapter playlist Warnings: Swearing and E-rated language (as the preview already shows). Author's Notes: So it's finally here, my opus magnum. Or so I hope. As I've hinted before, this project is the love-child of a few things - my unfading obsession with Neil, fascination with London and the love of public transport. Or something along those lines. I've no idea how long it'll be, or the exact details of what's going to happen, but I know that it's going to be fun. For both me, and them. And you, too, I hope. Chapter titles come from station names (in case you've been wondering) and I decided to go wild and attach a short, chapter-centric playlist to each of them, because why not. Enjoy and please, let me know what you think 💕 Taglist: @hollandorks, @kristevstewart, @stargirl25 (let me know if you want to be added)

The discovery that it would be a day came a mere two hours after the harsh sound of your phone alarm. Its harbinger took the form of Liam – a moderately tall, dark-haired man with an acceptable face and an ability to make you come that did not seem to get the hint.

Instead, he continuously nagged you for days after the (absolutely intended) ghosting you have implemented. While you would admit it was harsh, it was also not your fault that you had enough of him after the hook-up no 5. It was just fine, nothing spectacular and, most importantly, it was getting predictable. Solution? Ending the situationship before it could become a chore rather than a pleasure. Problem? Liam did not seem to think the same.

So, when, this morning, you finished the lukewarm coffee and picked up the phone to check the socials before leaving, only to find another string of texts with pathetic emojis, the mood has soured. It was nothing new, just more hearts, pleading eyes and invocations to your goodness, all culminating in the same way. With another proposition of date, with another love confession he could not have possibly meant. This time, you’ve had enough. You ignored the urge to smash the phone and instead broke the silence by sending him a simple message – Fuck off. With that, you let out a string of curses that probably made poor Miss Stevens next door recoil in disgust and blocked Liam. The triumphant spark did not outweigh the annoyance, however.

The second blow of the day came not that much later and could also easily be blamed on Liam. Or so it was easier to believe. There was no sense of distraction as you tied up the ribbons of your pointe shoes and started warming up. And, at first, it was all just as it was supposed to. You welcomed the opening notes of the coda enthusiastically, happy to go through the steps just as you were supposed to be. As you were taught. A turn after turn, the burning in your legs felt like a benediction. That was what you were always supposed to do.

Until it started to feel different.

One misstep was instantly noticed by Jane, who danced alongside you, perfecting the same choreography. You could hear her quiet gasp, wordlessly pointing out the mistake you would never have missed anyway. In a split second, you knew it was enough to throw you off, losing the tempo and balance, barely managing not to sprain your ankle and topple onto the parquet. Refusing to look at Jane, you slid down the wall by the barre and let out a frustrated groan. Not long after that, you decided to check out of the studio. One humiliation was quite enough.

By the time you had set onto Southwark station, intending to catch the tube back home, you were half contemplating unblocking Liam to sue him for mental damages. And the cost of reparations of your dignity. It seemed like a fair deal, considering everything. On autopilot, you descended the steps to the station, welcoming the cooling air of the metal-plated hall. While the whiteish subway tiles in most stations felt like home, the futuristic tinge of Southwark had always felt special. Even if the afternoon bustle could sour your mood and make you throw daggers at any human in your path. There was a dose of relief in the knowledge that it had already been done. You were pissed off beyond measure.

Any innocent bystander could probably see it in the angry square of your shoulders as you strode through the ticketing hall and past the gates. After all those years, there was no need to check the signs; your body knew where to go. Down the escalator, following the graphite signage leading towards the correct platform. Once you were there, you looked up at the timing screen to check the ETAs. Stanmore 2 mins. Thank fuck. Moving down the platform like god intended, you got lost in the chaotic ambience. Sometimes, especially on those difficult days, the noise was better than any music you could listen to. The babbling children, the chatting adults, and, if you were lucky, an odd bark or two in between. That, combined with the PA overhead, was enough to ground you. To take in that deeper breath.

Only that tell-tale whoosh of the approaching train could pull you back into the moment, the body yet again taking the needed steps without you ever telling it to. One step back, not crossing the yellow line. Two steps to the side, aligning with the platform edge doors, yet not standing in the way of those leaving. By the time the train arrived, you were exactly where you were supposed to be. A surveying look inside the cart told you the crowds had been avoided. Luckily. With only a handful of people occupying the space, you stepped aboard and zoned in on one of the empty seats by the window.

It was then that fate chose to intervene again.

You barely stepped in the right direction before the train started again, the sudden movement throwing you off balance and making you drop the bag hung precariously on your shoulder. You watched it fall, unzipped pouch spilling the insides onto the dirty grey floor. Another string of curses lodged in your throat as you knelt among the wreckage of personal items. Before you could reach for the notebook, another hand appeared on the edge of your vision. Long, fair-skinned fingers met yours over the moleskin cover, making you look up and follow the outline of a person. Up over the legs, clad in black jeans and over the bare forearms, revealed by the rolled-up sleeves of a dress, pinstripe shirt. Until you met the striking blue eyes of the man kneeling in front of you, having joined the fray. The stranger stared back, his piercing gaze roaming over your features, seemingly just as struck as you were.

A beat passed, and neither of you moved. You glanced up, taking note of the dirty blonde hair falling over his forehead in disarray. The announcement over the system began calling up Waterloo. It was the wake-up you both seemed in need of. He was the first to shake off the stupor, snatching the notebook to place it in your waiting palm. He shot you a friendly smile, the expression brightening his stunning features.

“Bad day?” his husky voice was another pleasant surprise, shooting through your brain like the restart to the systems you seemed to have been missing.

You looked up to find him one step ahead again. There was something mysterious in his handsome face, instantly making you forego the suspicions against strangers. This one did seem at all dangerous.

At least, you hoped he wasn’t.

A sardonic smile invited itself onto your face. For the first time since the morning, the expression was not forced.

“You could say that” picking up the bag, you accepted the belongings he had collected from the floor and hoped to convey the gratitude through a simple word “Thanks,”

“No worries. Hope that’s everything…” the stranger threw a final glance at the cart floor and got up, brushing the dust off his knees.

The nagging feeling in the back of your head did not ease off, helping you decide what the next step should be. After all, there was no reason to cut the interaction short. One glance out the window told you there was still time. The train had just left the Waterloo station, giving you at least a quarter of an hour till you had to get off.

Perhaps, that was your sign from the petty destiny to get your shit together. Strictly speaking.

“Looks like it,” dropping the remaining items into the pouch, you extended your hand in greeting, “I’m Y/N,” raising your head to find his gaze, you were welcomed with yet another bright smile.

Judging by the lines around his mouth and crinkles in the corners of his eyes, your mysterious saviour did smile a lot. The realisation only strengthened the conviction, pulling you into his orbit effortlessly.

His warm palm engulfed yours in a firm handshake. It lasted just a second too long, yet no complaints were to be raised.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Neil,” the gleam in his eyes was like the poisoned edge of a dagger, a fatal weapon to strike you down should you be reckless.

You knew for sure that face would be hard to forget. Even if you were to never see it again after today.

“You don’t look like a Neil,” catching onto the peculiarity of his name, you shot him a cheeky smile.

Finally remembering what started the ordeal, you took the seat you had been hovering over and motioned for Neil to join you. He did not hesitate.

It only made you like him more.

“Elaborate, please,” the curious tint in his voice, completed by a deadpan look, made you grin, unable to defy his charm.

Not that you were trying to, anyway.

Making a show of giving yourself time to think of an answer, perfected by the loud hum and a hand stroking your chin, you measured him critically. Still amazed by the man Transport for London put on your path. By the seemingly faultless features, harsh lines of his cheekbones and the kind eyes that still held uncertainty that you were all too familiar with.

“You know… a little more geriatric. A little less dashing,” you sent Neil a wink, watching with fascination as the pinkish blush spread over his cheeks.

That sort of reaction was always a compliment. A sign that you should keep going because it could only get better. The frustrating morning had been almost forgotten, having stood no chance against the unpredictability of the interaction.

You could see Neil process the compliment with rapidly blinking eyelids and a parted mouth. Westminster had been called before he spoke again:

“That’s a new one, but I’ll take it,” the blush had faded slightly, yet the disbelief in his pretty eyes told you he was not used to the flattery.

Which was a surprise considering the way he looked. But that, like all the other discoveries you had made within minutes, would have no application. You would likely never see him again.

“You should. I don’t hit on complete strangers every day,” you sent him a pointed look, meaning every word and hoping Neil would see that.

The amused smile he cracked along with a chuckle, were the rewards for the risks you had taken. Being that forward with a stranger could backfire terribly. You had first-hand experience of that. This time, though, no alarm bells were to be heard as you waited for Neil’s response, with your gaze fixed on his face. If only because it was hard to look away.

“Now I’m flattered,” the sparks in his blue eyes burned bright as he took a cursory look out the window and then back to face you with complete focus, “So… do you want to tell me about your day?” the lack of judgement in his gaze helped you decide before you even knew you were considering it.

Usually, confiding in random people met on the tube sounded like a bad idea. Not entirely off-brand for your poor judgements, but still. But this interaction was anything but usual. The temptation was too big to be ignored. You twisted in the plastic seat to face him properly and channelled the anger dormant beneath your skin. It was all too easy to do.

“There’s this guy… We’ve had sex a couple of times, and it was quite good, but now he wants more, and I- I’m not even sure I believe love exists, let alone feel that way about him. Trouble is he doesn’t get the hint, so…” becoming aware you unloaded the whole speech without taking a break to breathe, you took a greedy inhale and spit out the conclusion with a frustrated huff, “He’s just pissed me off” it was a lot.

You could tell Neil was slowly coming to the same conclusions from the dumbfounded look on his face as he processed your rant. He blinked, unseeingly staring at the Jubilee line plan above the opposite seats. The apology was ready on the tip of your tongue when he finally spoke again:

“Overeager?” the sympathetic wince in his face made that same affection stir in your heart.

All because he understood. He got it. And that was rare. Yet again, you contemplated unblocking Liam. This time, to send him Neil’s phone number with an annotation – This guy gets it. He can explain.

But it was hard to say whether Neil would be up for such a task.

“Mm, yeah,” you offered him a tight-lipped smile and a nod, confirming the theory.

“Sorry,” it was your turn to suffer through a double take.

With incredulity filling every inch of your soul, you stared at him in confusion:

“What for?” as the train arrived at another station, you glanced up to check you had not somehow missed your stop.

But it was fine. There was still enough time to continue what was slowly becoming the most fascinating conversation of the previous couple of months, if not years.

It was Neil’s turn to be amused. His eyes roamed over your face as his lips quirked into a smirk. The cheeky expression sent your heart tumbling through the ribcage. You knew he could be dangerous. You were right. Again.

Yet, no sense of foreboding danger could make you look away. That was for the weak. Or the smarter.

“Being a representative of the male species,” Neil shrugged as if his answer did not leave you agape with amazement, “I know almost everything is our fault, one way or another,” the slight grimace passing through his face told you he knew that was an understatement.

But it was better than nothing. Better than the load of self-entitlement and egocentrism displayed by most of the men you had ever met. It sure did set him apart.

“Guess that’s true,” nodding in agreement, you chose to forego the subtlety and reached out to pat his hand, “Thank you, though,” yet met his eyes, not trying to hide the extent of impression he had left on you “I can already tell you’re a better representant of the species than Liam,”

The fading anger at that man seemed so distant now. Like a dream that you could no longer remember, except for how it made you feel. Liam would stay blocked and hopefully never seen again, but now you could finally see yourself having a pleasant evening. That felt like a reward in itself.

“And he’s called Liam? Good god,” Neil’s dismayed tone was the one to bring you back to the present.

The smile played in the corner of his lips. The amused expression was fast becoming your favourite. Which could be problematic, but you were never the one to search your soul if that was uncalled for. Which it definitely wasn’t.

“I know” sharing an eye-roll with your companion, you chose to focus the attention on that second part of the shit day, “The other thing that happened was how I fucked up the ballet practice” almost automatically, you winced, self-consciously rolling the right ankle as if feeling the phantom pain of the twist that never came (thank god) “But it also can be blamed on him,”

Too caught up in the thoughts of vengeance you would never actually implement, you missed Neil’s surprise, reflecting through the widened eyes and an intense stare boring through your temple.

What you did not miss was a question uttered with so much disbelief that your head swivelled in its direction faster than you thought possible:

“Hold on, ballet practice?” Neil’s scrunched-up face, complete with a frown between eyebrows and mouth agape, was the reason for your giggle.

“Yup, I’m a ballerina at the Royal Ballet,” there was an unusual sense of pride in the proclamation.

Probably because it had been a long time since you got a reaction this stunned. You did not remember the last time someone looked starstruck when hearing about your occupation.

“I’ve never met one before,” his blue eyes still roamed over your face with amazement as Neil confirmed the obvious.

While attention was always pleasant and a reason you got into professional ballet in the first place, this kind of focus felt different. It made the rare blush dust your cheeks as joy surged in your veins from the sheer force of being noticed. From being seen through the best you could offer rather than the multitude of shortcomings that were all easy to find.

“Well, now you have,” you opened your arms in the ta-dah motion and added, “A second soloist, to be exact,” the hierarchical promotion was still an additional point of pride.

A result of years of practice and mental conditioning to try and improve. The culmination of hours of pep talks, pleading to your strength not to give up. To keep on trying. A proof that you were good enough. But it was also a reminder that you were not there yet. That there was still more to achieve.

“I’ve no clue what that means,” the apologetic tone in Neil’s voice was another reason for a smile.

Without thinking, you nudged his shoulder with yours and grinned upon noticing the bashful blush creeping back onto his cheeks. That alone was a reason to delve into the explanation:

“That I’ve still got a long way to go if I want to get promoted to principal dancer. Which is the dream,” hope waged war with scepticism as you chose to stare at the window opposite the seats, taking note of the passing darkness of the tunnels outside. That moment of wistfulness inspired the next thing you said, “You could come to see me if you wanted to,” it was another risk taken.

Another potential to end the conversation prematurely by misjudging the limit. Before you could find the tenacity to see the reaction, Neil’s question got rid of the doubts:

“Are you hitting on strangers again?” the smile in his voice was matched by a cheeky grin on his face.

The brightness in his eyes told you he was enjoying the conversation, that it was not just you who been silently wishing for more time. For more opportunities to continue the back-and-forth, testing the limits of what was acceptable within an unusual connection like yours. Because, surely, there were limits. Right?

“You’re not a stranger anymore, Neil,” instead of searching for the lines drawn in the metaphorical sand, you laid a careful hand on his shoulder and watched with the breath caught in your chest as he glanced at it and back at your face. The only indication that too was not a misstep was the darkening shade of pink on his cheeks and the persistent smile, motivating you to land a double strike, “I am, though. Is that bad?” innocently batting your lashes, you signed off the move with a quick stroke of fingers, tracing the collar of Neil’s shirt.

He swallowed hard, clearly reacting to your risqué move. The goosebumps rose on his skin following your touch, making your smile widen. Unwilling to stop the fascinating game just yet, your fingertips skimmed down the front of his shirt to strengthen the invisible lines in the collar and encircle the tortoiseshell button. As your fingers drifted ever so closer to the bared sliver of the chest revealed by the two buttons left undone, Neil gasped and met your searching gaze with an intense look of his own. It was easy to see the curiosity there, brewing underneath the composure. Not for the first time since you met, you wondered what else was hiding behind that steel-like grip of control. What else was there to discover?

“I’m not complaining,” answering your question with ease, Neil did not flinch away from your taxing gaze.

It was good to know. Just because.

Unable to look away, you realised that your hand was outstretched with the fingers lightly touching the collar of his shirt. The heat from his skin radiated onto your palm, making your fingers flex unconsciously. It was your turn to swallow against the sudden dryness in your throat, as yet again you found yourself arrested by his gaze. Like then, the time seemed frozen, leaving you stranded between one heartbeat and the next. You were content to stay there.

Only the familiar announcement over the PA system could wake you up. The train is now approaching St. John’s Wood. Your body jolted awake with the curse ready on your tongue:

“Shit, that’s my stop” a spiteful glance at the darkness of the tunnels outside was a reflex, born out of the annoyance for the world that did not seem to care about your happiness or the desire to stay in that Jubilee line train cart till the very end of times. The anger passed quickly, yet you knew the frustration would persevere long after you made it home. The only way to push back against it was to turn your focus back to Neil, “It’s been a pleasure. I’d say I won’t forget you, but I’m not sure I can promise that,” the exaggeration in the statement, and the knowledge that it was unlikely you would forget him, were better left unsaid.

As much as the chance meeting was everything you never dreamt of experiencing, it was just that. A pleasant outlier. The one-off happening, that would never happen again. You could feel the sharp prickle of that realisation stab at your consciousness as you checked whether all your belongings were accounted for and got up from the seat. The train was slowing in the approach at the platform, forcing you to grab onto the nearest railing.

“Try your hardest,” Neil’s response made you whip your head back up to stare at him in confusion until the meaning of his words caught up.

Then you could only grin, willing to stretch the limits one last time.

“Or?” the question was accompanied by the tip of your tongue running over your lower lip as your eyes traced Neil’s gaze.

He caught the hook. The intrigue and hunger in his stare proved the point as he glanced at your mouth, not even trying to resist the obvious trick. You were glad it worked.

One look at the world beyond told you there was no time to lose. The familiar voice called out to make sure everyone minded the gaps, and you could not help but throw one final glance at Neil. His dirty blonde strands caught the fluorescents and created a washed-out halo-like effect. The blue eyes were still fixed on you, observing and calculating. Yet again, a wayward thought begged you to stay. To say fuck it and check what could happen if you had more time. But the courage was not quite there when the train came to a stop, and the doors slid open.

Before you could take that decisive step outside, Neil replied:

“I’ll be disappointed,” the smile in his voice was an easy trigger, bringing a breathless chuckle to your lips.

You still laughed as the doors closed behind you and the train started moving away from the platform. You did not look back, letting the crowd of commuters carry you along the tunnels and towards your apartment. It was better that way.

Only once you got back home did you realise one crucial fact. One simple observation easily missed in the rush of thoughts about striking blue eyes and sharp cheekbones. It had been hours since Liam crossed your mind. And somehow, it all made sense.

#neil tenet #tenet movie #tenet 2020 #neil tenet x reader #neil x reader #neil tenet fanfic #neil tenet imagine #tenet fanfic #robert pattinson #robert pattinson x reader #robert pattinson x y/n #robert pattinson imagine #deadlines & commitments

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tiedyeflannels · 5 months

Text

Adventure of a Lifetime

Kim Taehyung x reader

Chapter 7 | Masterlist

A/N: HIIIII!!! I'm super excited that this chapter is finished because this was one of the main reasons that I started writing this series! The other reason will be in a few chapters! The tides are changing! Enjoy

“Here we go,” I said as I placed down a drink in front of Taehyung and a cookie in front of Jimin before sitting down.

“Thank you, but you didn’t have to get me anything,” Jimin said, sliding the cookie closer to himself. “It was no problem,” I smiled.

“So, what did you get me,” Taehyung asked, picking up the cup.

“A strawberry smoothie,” I said, taking a sip of my drink.

“He didn’t tell you what he wanted,” Jimin questioned with a slightly surprised expression.

I shook my head ‘no’ before confusion started to set in.

“Why,” I asked as worry started to creep in, making me look between them, “Do you not like it?”

Taehyung looked like he was going to spit out whatever sips he had taken as he began to furiously shake his head.

Jimin chuckled, “No, it’s his favorite! He gets it all the time when we visit. It’s just surprising that you guessed it.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, “You had me worried that I got him something he didn’t like. And speaking of,” I said and reached into my back pocket, pulling out the money Taehyung had given to me.

I placed it on the table, in front of him, “Here’s your money back.” Taehyung shook his head, pushing the cash back to me, “No, I said you could have it.”

“And I said that I would pay next time so…” I pushed it back to him with a stern look, “Take it.”

We stared at each other for a few moments, both too stubborn to back down until a hand slid its way into our view, sliding the cash away from us. We looked over at Jimin, who was now pocketing the money.

“Hey,” Taehyung exclaimed while I smiled.

“What? You weren’t going to take it back so I thought I would solve the problem. Plus, it’s free money!”

I laughed, “That’s something my sister would do! She never turns down money.”

“Oh yeah, Tae told me that you guys came with Jeong-Gyu to visit, how do you like it so far,” Jimin asked as he leaned back in his chair and started munching on his cookie.

I smiled as I told him about our trip so far. What I thought about when we first landed and the drive to Daegu. Our trip over to E-World and what Taehyung and I did throughout the day.

I laughed at the fact that exploring Daegu wasn’t really done until a few days ago where the boys took us to see the town and the places that they used to go to when they were younger, along with a final stop at their favorite restaurant.

“And now we’re here because Jeong-Gyu asked us if we wanted to take a trip to Busan and so far, it’s been lovely. Everything we’ve seen has been really beautiful!”

“Have you guys gone down to Gwangalli Beach yet,” Jimin asked.

Taehyung and I shook our heads.

“It’s about a 30 minute ride from the bus stop and there are shops lining the streets by the beach. You should check it out before you leave,” Jimin explained.

I happily nodded at the information, “Okay.”

“Yeah, we’ll head over,” Taehyung said as he nodded over at me.

We settled into a comfortable conversation filled with jokes and light laughter for a while.

I silently watched as I finished my drink before Taehyung turned to me, “We should start heading out, yeah?”

I nodded, “Okay, let me toss the trash before we leave.”

I stood up, grabbing any trash that the boys and I placed on the table and walked over to the closest trash can which happened to be by the front door, a few feet away from where we were sitting. Once I threw away the trash, I lightly dusted my hand on my shorts then started back to the table.

I made it back to the table as they were finishing their conversation. Taehyung patted his legs before standing up.

“Ready to go,” I asked, grabbing my bag.

He nodded and looked over at Jimin, “We’re off! I’ll see you at practice.”

“Okay, have fun,” Jimin smiled before turning his attention to me, “It was really nice meeting you!”

I smiled, “It was really nice meeting you, too, Jimin!”

We waved ‘goodbye’ one last time before heading out the door.

While we were walking to the bus stop, Taehyung turned to me, “So what did you think?”

“It was really nice, both the cafe and meeting Jimin. He’s a pretty cool guy!”

Taehyung chuckled, “Only sometimes… but overall, he’s sweet. He’s also really good at recommending places to go so…”

He grabbed my hand, pulling me along as he pointed off to the sky, “Off to Gwangalli beach!”

“How did you not go on a spending spree in there?! I wanted to buy everything and I live in this country,” Taehyung asked as we were leaving one of the shops.

It was one of the last ones we were going to visit before going to the beach since the sun was already setting.

I laughed, “As much as I wanted to buy everything that I set my eyes on, I really only wanted a couple things to take with me. Plus I don’t have a lot of hands to carry things.”

He pouted, “I could’ve helped if you wanted.”

I smiled, “That’s sweet, but I can always take a trip back here.”

“You like it here that much,” he asked.

I excitedly nodded, “Of course! How could you not?”

He chuckled, “That’s quite the compliment! And I think that you’re going to like it a whole lot more right now.”

I tilted my head in confusion at what he said as we turned the corner and the beach came into view.

I gasped at the sight and hurriedly grabbed Taehyung’s hand so we could quickly cross the road that was separating the shops from the beach. Once we were safely on the other side of the road, I pulled him down the steps and ran to the middle of the beach.

The view was insanely beautiful! Since the sun was setting, it painted the sky with soft oranges and pinks that reflected on the water while the sun sat itself in between the two towers of the bridge.

“Woah…” I whispered.

“So,” Taehyung asked and I could hear the smile in his voice.

“I’ve been to a lot of beaches in my life, but this one definitely takes the cake,” I said, still looking at the view in front of me.

I could feel tears coming on as I continued to look out at the ocean.

Taehyung quietly spoke up, “Makes you want to stay, doesn’t it?”

I looked over at him, finally ripping my gaze from the sea.

“Absolutely, but I should probably look away before I start bawling,” I said, drying my eyes from the tears.

He chuckled, “Do you want to walk around for a bit?”

I gratefully nodded, “Yeah, I probably should or else I would stay in this spot forever.”

I was about to start walking when I remembered that I wanted to take a picture, so I pulled out my phone and took a few Instagram worthy pictures before starting our walk along the beach.

We stopped occasionally so I could take pictures or have Taehyung take pictures of me, but I always made sure to take the phone back because I did not want another chasing situation like last time.

Overall, it was nice to walk along the shore while listening to waves as the sun started to dip under the water.

“So practice, huh,” I said, leaning forward a bit with my hand behind my back and making us settle into a nice conversation.

Taehyung looked over with a smile and nodded.

“Yeah, we’re preparing for a comeback, but I can’t tell you about it because it's top secret,” he said, whispering the last two words.

I smiled and nodded, “Ah, highly classified, got it.”

We laughed, “You know, practice starts next week if you want to tag along…”

I playfully scoffed, “As much as I would love that, I have nowhere to stay in Seoul and I can’t leave my sister in a different country. Plus, I’m not entirely sure the other members would like it if some rando showed up to their very top secret comeback practice.”

We walked a bit more before I noticed a pile of big rocks near the shore and started to climb them as Taehyung said, “Well, I’m sure we could work something out if you want to see Seoul.”

I smiled and nodded as I looked out onto the calm sea, “I’d like that.”

It felt calm being here. Not only being here at the beach, but also with Taehyung.

There was something about him that just made the air comfortable and throughout the time I’ve got to spend with him, I’ve learned to love being in his presence.

The waves were gently hitting against the rocks as I continued to look at the reflection of the moon on the water. We walked to the right side of the beach where you could see the beginning of the bridge and watch the cars pass by on the bridge.

A few minutes couldn’t have passed before Taehyung gently spoke up, “Hey, Y/n…”

I spun around to look at him, but as soon as I did, I felt my foot starting to slip. I tried to stop myself, but ended up landing on the sand.

“Y/n! Are you alright?!” Taehyung rushed towards me and knelt down, extending his hands.

I hurriedly shook my head.

“I’m fine! I’m okay,” I exclaimed as he gently helped me to my feet.

“Thank you,” I took a breath.

“Okay! I think we’re good,” I said before trying to walk and immediately failing as a sharp pain flashed through my ankle, making me fall to the ground again.

“Nope! Nevermind!”

“Um, ok,” Taehyung panicked before turning around and kneeling with his back to me.

“Get on.”

My eyebrows furrowed with confusion, “What? No!”

“I think you’re running out of options here! Unless, you want to hobble to the bus station,” he said, looking back at me.

I gave it some thought before plainly saying, “I’m okay with that.”

He deadpanned. “I’m not going to let you do that, so it’s either this,” he motioned to his back, “Or…”

I hurriedly got up, knowing what he was implying.

“Okay! Okay,” I laughed as I slowly draped myself on his back, loosely wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Okay, ready,” he asked, making me hum in agreement before he hooked his arms under my leg and then he stood up.

He hopped a bit, hoisting me further up his back so the balance wasn’t off which made me softly yelp before giggling. We wiggled around for a moment, trying to get comfortable for our trek to the bus station.

“You didn't want to be carried bridal style,” he asked as he started to walk in the direction of the bus stop.

I laughed, “Absolutely not! I’ve been dropped too many times to trust being carried that way anymore! Mainly by Y/s/n’s hands.”

He chuckled, “Yeah, I get it, Jimin’s dropped me too many times, too.”

We settled into a comfortable silence as the sound of the waves brushing against the shore slowly faded behind us.

We were a few blocks from the bus stop when Taehyung asked, “How are you feeling?”

I swung my legs a bit before answering, “Oh, you know, as good as someone who twisted their ankle falling off some rocks.”

I sighed, “I’m sorry you have to carry me back.”

He gently shook his head, “There’s nothing you should be sorry for. Accidents happen all the time and it’s okay to need help sometimes.”

“I know,” I said, resting the side of my head on his shoulder, looking at the passing cars, “But I’m sure this wasn’t on your list today.”

“Y/n, I really don’t mind carrying you! I wasn’t going to let you walk with a hurt ankle,” he said as we were nearing the bus stop.

There were a few people already waiting there so it was no surprise when the bus pulled up shortly after we got to the bus shelter.

The bus opened its doors as people got on and off the bus. It was our turn to get on and Taehyung gently set me down and made his way up the bus steps, turning back to me and holding out his hand for me to grab as I limped up the stairs. Scanning our bus cards, we moved to the seats in the middle of the bus and sat down.

The bus started to drive away. There weren’t a lot of people on the bus, a few people scattered across the seats. We settled into a tired silence as the low hum of the bus and whooshing of the passing cars were the only things you could hear.

I looked out at the passing vehicles before my eyelids started to feel heavy. Knowing that I wouldn’t win the fight of trying to stay awake, I let my eyes close for a bit.

“Y/n,” Taehyung whispered as he gently shook my shoulder. I opened my eyes and yawned before humming in question.

“We’re almost there.”

I nodded as I yawned again. My eyes were squinted as I watched the bus slowly come to a stop. We got up and exited through the back doors of the bus.

Once off the bus, Taehyung bent back down, signaling for me to get back on his back for the rest of the walk to the convenience store. I was too sleepy to not accept the piggyback ride, so I got on as we swiftly got back to the rhythm we had before.

As sleep was trying to take me over, I placed my chin on his shoulder and closed my eyes. I was about to fall asleep before a thought crossed my mind.

“Hey,” I softly said, eyes still closed.

“Hey,” he said back, matching my tone, “How are you feeling?”

I sleepily smiled and hummed, “Tired, but better.”

He softly chuckled, “That’s good.”

“Hey,” I softly said again.

He hummed as I tiredly continued, “Thank you. For everything, Tae.”

With that, I nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck as I started to let sleep slowly take me over, but not before he whispered, “Anything for you.”

Chapter 8

Taglist:

@maple-leaves-in-the-wind | @amaroho

#bts fic #bts x reader #bts x y/n #bangtan #bts #bts fanfic #bts x you #kim taehyung #taehyung x reader #taehyung x you #taehyung fanfic #taehyung #bts v x reader #bts v

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percyjacksonblog · 4 months

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I finished! ToA:TDP

Oh my gosh that was such a good book. It has been so long since I’ve read a book I liked that much. I read the new Percy Jackson book this past fall when it came out and loved it, but I really loved this book. So I’m basically going to do a combination of a whole book review and chapters 30-42.

So firstly I did finish the book yesterday but wanted some time to absorb everything and sort my thoughts.

I know on my last post I mentioned that chapters 20-30 were end of the second act chapters and I still stand by that after finishing these last 12. So good.

Chapters 30-42

Calypso and Leo staying at the Waystation seems right, but it also doesn’t. Like Calypso, sure, but Leo I feel like would have felt better at CHB, or heck even New Rome since other members of the 7 are there.

Red Mercedes, I don’t picture Apollo driving anything less than that. It was so perfect.

Oh poor baby Meg. I hated Nero last book but now I loathe him.

THREE PEACHES! I’ve died and gone to heaven. For the record I don’t know why I love Peaches so much but he just cracks me up. Like I would probably lose my mind if I ever heard someone just screech “PEACHES” as a battle cry. Is there any fan art of Peaches because I need to see some.

Pokémon Go! I am so old.

NO NOT THE GRIFFINS!

The stand off was so good. Not going to lie my intuition was off for this chapter. I was positive that Commodus was going to make Apollo choose who lived. It was set up perfectly for that. I would bet that in the original drafts that was going to happen but the editors were like, “this is a children’s book, you need to rewrite this so it’s more age appropriate.”

I got a little misty eyed at the funeral. I wish it had been longer, however, looking back to TLO the short funeral makes sense.

Why does Apollo hate iambic pentameter so much? I think it’s a classic.

Oh name dropping!

Georgina just outright rejecting Apollo had me floored. It was so funny.

Grover! Wow way to just pull in a major character. I love a good Grover line though so I’m hoping he’s pretty prominent in the next book.

The Whole Book

I just…wow. I complained about how there were no real stakes in the last book, but you guys told the stakes get higher and you are definitely right.

As a whole I really enjoyed this book, specifically the last ~30 chapters. I thought it got off to kind of a slow start even with getting attacked in the first few chapters but the rest of it was just phenomenal.

I think my favorite part is still breaking into and out of the Zoo. Something about that just really stuck with me. Close second was definitely Apollo’s reaction to the death of the hippogriff and the unnamed demigod. It really humanized him. So far with each different act from both books I think Apollo has slowly begun accepting his mortality as Lester more and more.

I can’t wait to see who the third emperor is. There’s so many that it could be, Augustus, Caesar, Caligula, Hadrian!

After finishing this book I can confidently say Apollo had some major self loathing going on.

It is clear that one of the central themes of the series at this point is humanity and what it means to be human. I love it.

Not sure when I’ll start reading the third book, could be as early as tonight, could be sometime next week. People as a whole seem to be enjoying my reactions to these books so I’ll continue until I feel the consensus switches.

Vaya con queso amigos!

#apollo #trials of apollo #lester papadopoulos #grover underwood #the dark prophecy #reaction

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clown-friend-gt · 4 months

Text

Octomer Chapter Five

TW: Blood, violence, implied death

It's finally finished, and only one day late! Thank you to everyone who read this far. This chapter gets a little heavier and more action-packed towards the middle, but it gets lighter towards the end again.

This isn't the end for these characters, by the way. This story is just an introduction to them, and I'll probably still write scenes between them, when the mood strikes. If you have anything you want to see, or anything you'd like clarification on, feel free to let me know.

I hope you enjoy the last part of this story

************************************************************************

Spots didn’t come back to visit me the next day. Or the next. Or even the day after that. By the end of the week, I was starting to worry I’d dreamed the whole encounter.

I’d finished getting unpacked. Now all there was to do was get caught up on my work, but I kept getting distracted. I kept looking out the window, hoping I’d see him out by the cliff each time. But I had no such luck.

At night, I’d go out and sit on the edge of the cliff like I had that first night. I’d sing “La Mer” until I got sick of it. Then I sang every other song I could think of, hoping that the sound of my voice would be enough to bring him back. In the end, I only ended up making myself hoarse.

The weekend arrived and I had nothing to do. Thankfully my phone started working again the morning after Spots left, but I couldn’t stand the thought of sitting around the house all day. No, I had to get out and do something.

There was a short dock down at the beach where my grandpa used to keep his boat tied up. In addition to the house, Grandpa had also left me the boat in his will. I figured now was as good a time as any to check it out.

I left the house around noon. It was a clear but windy day, perfect for sailing. I tied my brunette hair back in a low ponytail so it wouldn’t whip into my face. Then I went down to the beach.

Grandpa’s boat sat right where it always had, along the side of that old dock. It was a little catboat, just over fifteen feet long with only one sail. Above the waterline, it was painted a bright white. The bottom of the boat was painted blue.

The first thing I did was untie the boat. The rope latching the boat to the dock had a thin layer of dust on it; clearly it had been a few years since Grandpa had been able to take it sailing.

Then, making sure I had a firm hold of the rope, I moved to the back of the boat and began pushing it out to sea. I dug my feet into the sand and pushed. It was difficult with the sand trying to slip out from under my feet, but I got the boat moving soon enough.

Now, for the hard part. I crawled onto the side of the boat, trying not to tip it too much. There was no way I could tip this thing over by myself, but if I got it rocking too hard, it’d be hard to stand.

I waited for the rocking of the boat to subside enough to try to stand. I got one foot underneath me, then the other. It was such an odd feeling to try and balance on an uneven surface, but soon enough, I got my sea legs back.

I started by checking the lines the way my grandpa had taught me. The first few times we sailed together, he drilled me on this so many times, there was no way I could ever forget. I got everything untangled and ready to go.

Then I checked the flag at the top of the mast to see which way the wind was blowing. Grandpa told me he could just feel the direction of the wind on his face, but I never got the hang of that. I was just glad he’d kept the flag. Maybe he’d done it for my sake.

Don’t cry now, you have work to do, I told myself, swallowing the emotion before it overwhelmed me.

I used the tiller to point the bow into the wind. The water lapping against the hull kept pushing it off-kilter as I worked. Surely there was a better way to do this, but it wasn’t coming to me, so I kept having to stop to readjust as I hoisted the sail.

Finally, everything was ready. I adjusted my heading, trimmed the sail, and sat down by the tiller, preparing for the trip ahead of me. But as I drifted out into open water, I remembered something my grandpa always warned me about.

“Don’t forget your lifejacket, Sabrina!” I could almost hear him chiding me.

I rolled my eyes, but he’d always insisted, “Lifejackets save lives!”

I was always a strong swimmer, so I felt confident I could keep myself afloat if worst came to worst. But as long as I was honoring his memory, I’d honor his warnings as well.

I stood carefully and went to the cabinet where the lifejackets were stored. Inside was a blue life jacket, faded and covered in dust, along with two other things. A compass and a letter.

I hesitated for a moment. What were they doing there? My grandpa had always kept his compass with him, hung around his neck by a cord. I thought he would’ve been buried with it.

And that letter…

The boat lurched suddenly, reminding me where I was. Right now, I didn’t have time to stand around wondering what was going on. I had a boat to pilot. I scooped the items out of the cabinet and shut it tight.

I fumbled back over to the tiller. The angle of the boat was off, so I tried to fix that while putting on my lifejacket at the same time. It was a bit tricky, and probably would’ve taken less time if I’d just done one, then the other.

I kept the letter trapped underneath my foot so the wind wouldn’t steal it away. My shoes were covered in sand, but I cared more about keeping the letter safe than keeping it clean at the moment. The compass slid across the deck as I struggled with the tiller and my jacket.

Finally, I got everything sorted. I was far enough out that I could reef the mainsail for a minute. That’d keep it from blowing all over the place, giving me time to check the letter.

I picked it up and brushed the sand off as best as I could. The envelope had my name on it, written in cursive. It must’ve been from grandpa.

I tore it open, desperate to find out what he had to say after all those years. The whole letter was in his messy cursive, and the wind kept threatening to tear it from my hands, so I had some trouble making it out. It read:

“Mon ange,

If you are reading this, it means I am gone. I hope we got to speak one last time before the end, but knowing the both of us, it is doubtful. You could always be very stubborn. I suppose you got that from me.

So you’ve chosen to pick up sailing again! Wonderful! Even better, you had the good sense to listen to me and wear a life jacket. Remember this always, for the sea can be a cruel mistress.

There is so much I would like to say to you. So much has gone unsaid between us over the years, old wounds gone untouched. I want you to know that I still love you no matter what, and I am proud of you.

I do not wish to speak much on the day that drove us apart. I know that you probably have not forgiven me. But as long as you understand what I was trying to teach you, I am at peace. This world is so much bigger, and so much more dangerous than you know.

But I’ve given you everything you need to navigate this new world you may find yourself in. You have a trusty vessel, one that contains some of my happiest memories. I cherish the time we spent together here, and I hope you still can as well.

You also have my compass. May it never fail you or lead you astray. But there may come a time when it does, when all of man’s tools fail you. When that time comes, I hope you’ll remember everything I’ve taught you. That is my final gift to you.

Good fortune and good weather to you, mon ange.

Bon voyage,

Grandpa"

A drop of water hit the paper. I felt tears streaming down my face. I wiped my eyes to avoid spilling any more water on the page. Then I folded the letter up and stuck it in my breast pocket for safekeeping.

I look to the palm of my hand, where Grandpa’s compass sits. It’s old, but the needle still points dutifully north. I squeeze it once, before hanging it around my neck.

I felt ready for whatever the world might throw at me.

************************************************************************

As it turns out, I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. I steered the boat through the wind so that the wind switched from one side to the other, but I kept forgetting to move out of the way of the boom. It smacked me on the side of the head more than once before I realized I needed to duck out of its way.

Managing the sail was a struggle too. Whenever the wind picked up and I started travelling too quickly, I tried to reef the sail like Grandpa taught me. But each time it’s too little, too late.

By the time I realized I was way too far out, the sun was starting to lower in the sky. I checked my phone to see if I could pull up a map or dial 911, but it flashed with that same teal light as before, with weird symbols trailing across the screen.

I put my phone away and tried to check the compass. If I could just figure out which direction I was headed, I could make my way home. But the needle was spinning aimlessly, like it had no idea where I was either.

I was reminded of something my grandpa used to say. Whenever he was teaching me about the stars, or telling me of his adventures, he’d talk about places where “the tools of Man fail.”

A shiver ran down my spine as I realized how much trouble I was in.

Suddenly, the boat lurched wildly, like something had just rammed into it. I clung to the sides, praying the boat didn’t capsize. When the boat began to settle, I cautiously peered over the side to see what caused the disturbance.

Vaguely, I saw a figure below the surface. Human-like, but much bigger. Its arm reached towards my boat, apparently touching the keel below, causing the boat to tilt back and forth. I couldn’t make out any details, but I only knew of one mercreature in the area that size.

“Spots?!” I called out, hoping to get his attention so he’d stop messing with the boat.

The figure’s head shot up. Our eyes met.

It was not Spots.

I froze in place as its massive tail flapped beneath it and propelled itself upwards. Its head breached the water about fifty feet away. The wave that resulted from the humongous figure emerging from the water sent my boat skidding back, nearly tipping it over.

By the time I regain my balance, I’m caught in the shadow cast by the enormous mercreature. It loomed over me, peering down at me like I was an insect. Long black hair stuck to its face, dripping with water. Dark, shark-like eyes glare at me from underneath.

Water rolled off its huge, pale body in rivers. Scars crisscrossed across its torso. Around its navel its skin was gradient, slowly shifting to the mottled gray color of its lower half.

It reached towards the boat again. I wanted to scream. To abandon ship and swim away. But there was nothing I could do but watch as its hand got closer and closer.

It plucked me from the boat with two fingers. I kicked and flailed, but I couldn’t escape the creature’s grasp. My stomach plummeted as I rose rapidly into the air. It brought me higher and higher until I was face to face with it.

Where Spots would watch me with a playful curiosity, this thing stared at me with a sadistic malice. Its mouth split into a cruel grin, putting its conical teeth on full display. A low, rolling clicking sound echoed from its throat, reminding me of the creature from Predator.

That’s when I started screaming.

I screamed and screamed for what felt like a full minute, until my lungs were empty, and I was gasping for breath. In that moment, I was sure that it was going to eat me. That I’d finally found one of the monsters that my grandpa had warned me about all those years ago.

It made no move to bring me closer to its mouth like I thought it would. Instead it brought me to its eye, turning me this way and that so it could inspect me in detail. Then it starts shaking me like I’m some kind of toy.

I squealed and shrieked as it bounced me up and down, clinging to its fingers for dear life. That only made the thing grin wider. Then it tossed me up into the air. Distantly, I heard it cackling as I screamed my head off. As quickly as it started, the horrible experience is over and I’m sitting in the palm of its hand, dazed from the impact.

I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for it to stop tormenting me. Maybe if I stopped reacting, it’d get bored of me. Would it eat me then?

Suddenly, the creature stops messing with me. I heard a low growl coming from it, and I opened my eyes again to see what’s going on. It was no longer even looking at me, instead glaring at the water below. Its hand lowered slowly as its attention was drawn elsewhere.

Cautiously, I crawl over to the edge of its hand to see what it’s looking at. I can’t make out make out anything except for two huge golden eyes staring from the deep. The glowing eyes narrow as they meet with the eyes of the other mercreature.

Spots erupted from the water before the other mer. His teeth were bared and he growled furiously at his opponent.

“Spots!” I called out to him. If anyone could help me, it was him.

His eyes flicked down at me for only a moment. His expression didn’t change, and soon enough he was back to sizing up his opponent. The other mer stood almost a head taller than him, but he didn’t back down.

Without warning, the hand I was sitting in tipped, and I started freefalling. A scream escaped me, and Spots eyes darted back to me. His face fell and he lunged towards me, his hand outreached to catch me. But before he could, the monster tackled him back below the waves.

Hitting the water knocked the wind out of me. I reflexively gasped while my face was still submerged, and my lungs filled with water. Then I bobbed back up, hacking and sputtering, trying to cough up all the water. My lungs felt like they were burning.

My life jacket kept me afloat, but the waves churned vehemently, tossing me around. I desperately tried to regain my composure, but I was thoroughly discombobulated. I looked around wildly for something to cling to.

Grandpa’s boat sat a short distance away. It had capsized completely, but it was my only hope. I paddled towards it frantically. It took a while, but I made it eventually.

I clung to it like it was my only lifeline, which it basically was. With some difficulty, I scrambled on top, so I wasn’t relying on the strength of my arms to keep me anchored. Then, once I was secure enough, I looked over the edge.

Under the water, the two titans clashed. Their battle was what caused the waves to roil so intensely. Occasionally, they’d burst above the water as they fought, and I caught glimpses of the action.

Spots had his tentacles wrapped around almost every part of the other, whale-like mer. Around its tail, its torso, around one of its arms, and even its neck. Meanwhile, the whale had its mouth clamped around one of Spots arms, locking it in place. Spots clawed at its eyes with his free hand, his hooked claws digging into its face.

Each time they crash below the water again, another wave emanated from the disturbance, rocking the boat. I clung anxiously to the keel, praying that I wouldn’t be flung back into the ocean.

Finally, though, my luck ran out. One huge wave crashed into me and knocked me from the boat. I fell back under the waves again, flipping around violently as the current fought to try and keep me below. But thanks to my life jacket, I eventually surfaced.

This time though, I was much farther away from the boat. And before I could even think to start swimming in that direction, the two giants surfaced again. The whale’s face was beginning to turn blue from lack of oxygen, and its unbound arm flailed unpredictably. Then, all of a sudden, its thrashing hand crashed into the boat, smashing it to pieces.

I didn’t have time to mourn the loss. I was under a spell watching those two beasts at war. The whale’s jaw released Spots’ arm as it gasped for breath. Spots flipped immediately, turning to face it head on. He grasped the whale’s head and pushed him back underwater.

The whale thrashed and flailed, but Spots didn’t let up. The expression on his face is one of absolute hatred. He held fast and gritted his teeth with the effort he was exerting.

Then, finally, the whale let loose an awful scream. I’m certain that if it weren’t muffled by the water, it would’ve shattered my eardrums. But that’s not the worst part.

The worst part is just how painfully human the thing’s scream is.

Spots let go and let the spasming whale sink into the depths. I don’t know what he did to it, but there’s so much blood. He watched it descend, the expression on his face unchanged.

Then he looked up at me, and I started to shiver. Whether it was from the cold ocean or the horror from what I just saw, I didn’t know. My heart pounded in my chest as he swam towards me.

His face softened the moment our eyes met, but in that moment, I couldn’t find any comfort in it. He tilted his head at me and chirped. I swallowed down the bile that rose in my throat.

Then, all of a sudden, I was rising into the air. Slower, more gently than the other mer, Spots lifted me out of the water, his palm underneath me. At the same time, he lowered himself into the sea, until we were at eye level.

He chirped again, quieter this time. I was trembling so much I could hardly speak.

“Sp—Spots?”

He nudged me with his nose, and a whimper escaped me. He leaned away, a hurt look in his eye.

“I—I—” I sputtered, unable to find the right words.

I looked over the side of his hand. Floating in the bloody water are bits and pieces of Grandpa’s boat. Spots leaned and looked past me, watching the scene as well. Then, with his other hand, he reached out and gently pinched a piece of the detritus in between his claws.

He set it down in front of me. I crawled over to it and flipped it over. The name of the boat was written on the board.

“Mon Ange”

The dam broke. I started sobbing. I was cold and wet and scared and I had no idea where I was and I just lost one of the last things my grandpa gave to me. I was on my hands and knees, my body wracked with sobs.

I felt something gently press against my side. It was Spots’ thumb. He clicked softly at me.

Despite everything, I clung to him. He was all I had at the moment. I wrapped myself around his tree-trunk sized thumb and wept.

************************************************************************

Once I was all out of tears, Spots set me on his chest as he float on his back. He wasn’t headed in any direction, just letting the current carry him. His hand was laid on top of me, his thumb gently rubbing against me to keep me warm.

I stared out into space, no idea what to do. I had no idea which way home was, and it didn’t seem like Spots knew either. My phone was gone, and the compass’s needle still spun uselessly.

I could feel Spots’ heartbeat. It was slow and relaxed. His chest rose and fell with a gentle rhythm. It was like being on the world’s slowest roller coaster, or some kind of living hill.

The stars were beautiful that night. They twinkled delicately at me from above. The wind blew softly and the waves lapped at Spots’ sides gently. I might’ve even enjoyed it if I wasn’t hopelessly lost at sea.

Then it hit me. The stars. I traced them with my eyes, double, then triple-checking my observations.

I knew how to get home!

I squirmed beneath Spots’ hand. He tilted his hand up and I crawled to freedom.

“Spots!” I called. “Listen up! I know how to get home!”

He tilted his head down towards me, blinking sleepily. Then he rose slowly, and with a start I realized I was going to lose the ground I was standing on. I tried to cling to his chest but started slipping as the wet surface gradually shifted from horizontal to vertical.

Luckily, Spots had thought ahead, and kept his hand palm up beneath me as he got up. I fell down into it with a thump. Then he raised his hand in front of his face so he could see what I wanted.

I got to my feet. The surface beneath me had much more give than I anticipated, and I nearly fell over. But I’d gotten plenty of practice balancing on uneven surfaces earlier that day and managed to get used to standing in the palm of his hand pretty quickly.

“Listen!” I pointed in the direction of home. “If you take us this way, we can get back home!”

He tilted his head. I mentally kicked myself. He had no idea what I was saying.

“This way!” I kept pointing emphatically. When that didn’t work, I started making swimming motions.

“You! Swim!” I did the breaststroke with my arms.

“That! Way!” I pointed again.

He made some clicking noises. He began to lower me towards the water.

“No! No!” I shouted, shaking my head and gesturing wildly. He stopped.

“You!” I pointed at him several times for emphasis.

“Swim!” I repeated my earlier motion.

“That way!” I pointed towards home again.

He looked at me, confused, for a few seconds. Then, a little unsure, he pointed to himself, then in the direction I was pointing, flashing his lights as he did so.

“Yes! Yes!” I nodded enthusiastically, bouncing in place.

He paused, looked back at me, then nodded.

I felt myself rising again. He brought me up to the top of his head and tilted his hand, depositing me on top of his hair. I tumbled off and landed on my stomach with an “oof.”

Before I could question him, he began to sink under the water.

“Hey! What’re you—” I shouted.

He cut me off, chirping loudly. Then he started moving in the direction I’d indicated. He started slowly enough, but I still jolted forward. I clung to his hair for stability.

Then he began picking up speed. He swam faster and faster, keeping only his hair above water as he did so. My eyes watered as the wind rushed against my face. I shut my eyes tightly and waited for it to be over.

Eventually, he began to slow down again. I opened my eyes slowly as the wind died down. My stomach caught back up with me after seemingly being left behind several miles ago.

“Urghh…” I groaned, trying to keep my lunch down. I’m sure Spots wouldn’t appreciate it if I threw up in his hair.

I saw lights in the distance. Spots rose back out of the water as we approached the coast. He came to a stop several hundred feet from land and plucked me from the top of his head.

He held me in front of his face with his forefinger and thumb. He clicked questioningly, then turned me around to face the coast.

I scanned the landscape in front of me, trying to determine if I could figure out where we were. There were a few cliffs, but eventually, my eyes barely made out the shape of my grandpa’s house.

“There,” I told him, pointing as I did so. He put me back on top of his head and made his way towards the cliff.

He moved slower, like he was walking across the ocean floor instead of propelling himself through open water. I sat on top, holding onto his hair to keep my balance. The coast got closer and closer, until finally, we were there.

He pinched me gently in his fingers again and lowered me down to the cliff. He set me down on top. I turned to face him once my feet were on firm ground.

He brought his other hand in front of me. It was curled up into a fist. He unfurled it, and sitting on his palm was the board from my grandpa’s sailboat that he recovered.

“You kept it!” I exclaimed.

He smiled at the praise. Then he carefully took the piece in between two fingers and handed it to me.

We stood there in silence for a moment as I waited to see what Spots would do next. He kept looking away whenever I tried to make eye contact. Then he rubbed the back of his neck, almost as if he was feeling self-conscious.

He raised his hand and waved awkwardly before starting to sink underwater. Shocked, I set the board down and ran to stop him.

“Wait!” I called after him.

He looked up at me, halfway submerged.

“Come here!” I told him, laughing in disbelief.

He rose again, until he was back to where was before.

“Closer,” I said, indicating him forward with my hands.

He leaned in close, but still stopped short.

“Come on,” I urged, spreading my arms out for a hug.

Finally, he figured out what I was asking for, and grinned. He crashed into me, nuzzling up against me and chirping happily.

When he had settled down some, I kissed him on the bridge of his nose.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For everything.”

************************************************************************

Life settled down after that. I fell into a routine. Grandpa’s house became my house, in my mind.

I ended up hanging the piece of his boat on the wall. It sucked that I didn’t have the whole boat, but this was the best I could do. Hopefully, Grandpa would be okay with that.

Sometimes I wonder what he would think of my life now. If he saw Spots and I together. Would he be angry? Scared for my life? Or could he learn to accept it, if he got to know Spots? If he came to realize that Spots was nothing like the monsters he’d seen in his time?

I guess I’ll never know.

I’m pulled from my thoughts when my laptop begins to act up. I pause the episode I was watching, not bothering to try and figure out what’s wrong. I’m used to the weird lights and esoteric symbols that plague the technology around me when he comes around.

There’s a tapping at the window. I look up to see a large finger pressed against the glass, leaving a huge fingerprint I’ll have to wipe off later. The finger retreats, and I see its owner leaning over the cliff to be able to reach the house.

Spots grins when he sees me look his way.

I set my laptop aside and went outside to see him. It’s late at night, which is when he usually comes to visit.

“There you are!” I greet him, and he chirps a greeting of his own.

It’s been a week or so since he’s been by. I’ve gotten used to the fact that he can’t visit me every day like when we were kids. He has his own life now, and I have mine.

I sit in the chair I’ve set up near the edge of the cliff. He folds his arms in front of me and lays his head on top. He stares intently, waiting for me to speak up.

I smile. “Let me tell you what I’ve been up to.”

#g/t community #g/t #g/t writing #giant/tiny #g/t story #g/t fluff #g/t angst #mermaid #merman #oc spots #oc sabrina #for the person who said the last chapter was “so sweet”#im sorry #Story-Octomer

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