#I mean they’re fine but I’m not putting chocolate with them

[quibbs126]

Ummm, would it be possible to have a Financier x Crunchy Chip fankid?

Here you go, this guy is Choco Bread Cookie

I think first in line before this was Madeleine/Espresso, but I couldn’t think of anything so I just went ahead

So he’s supposed to be based on pain au chocolat, aka chocolate croissants. I chose it because it’s a French food (like Financier), and it has chocolate (like Crunchy Chip). I tried to incorporate that into his topknot. I didn’t call him Choco Croissant because I thought the name didn’t really fit Financier or Crunchy, so I was looking at other names for it. I was going to go with Chocolatine Cookie originally, but I thought that that name, while it fits Financier, sounds a bit too fancy for Crunchy Chip. So I just went with the transliteration of pain au chocolat, which is just chocolate bread. Chocolate bread is technically something different, but I thought it worked

Chocolate croissants:

So on to the character. So I know both Financier and Crunchy Chip are fiercely loyal to their countries, so I had trouble deciding where Choco Bread’s loyalties would lie, and eventually I just went with that he has no allegiance (granted with his design I made it more similar to the Dark Cacao Kingdom, but that’s because I know those designs better). He’s just a wandering warrior, with the principles of helping out any Cookie in need, regardless of who they are.

He has a bit of a temper when you make him mad, but generally he’s a relatively calm person. He enjoys tea

Also, he’s not short by any means, he is much taller than his father (and probably his mother, though not by nearly as much). I just think it’d be funny for Crunchy to have a kid that ends up bigger than him, making him still the shortest in the family

I haven’t figured out what he uses as a weapon, but it’s probably something with some weight to it

But yeah, this is this guy

[moonstruckme]

hi there, you did a james drabble some time ago with financially insecure reader and i'm just wondering if that's something you'd write again! maybe one where james is showering the r in gifts and they're just thinking "this is so expensive, you shouldn't be spending so much on me" and james comforts them? totally fine if you don't though, thank you anyway 💐

Thanks for requesting <3

cw: reader is financially insecure

James Potter x fem!reader ♡ 825 words

When you go to put on your shoes, yours aren’t there. In their place is a lookalike pair, but whole and squeaky clean where yours are worn and dirty. 

“Jamie?” you call. Excitement and dread mixing up in your gut until they’ve become one thing. 

“Yeah?” Your boyfriend’s head pops out of the kitchen. His eyes fall to where you’re sitting on the floor, the new pair of shoes in front of you, and his smile breaks out like a sunrise. “Oh, yeah. I got you something.” 

“They’re for me?” You hold the one shoe up in front of you like a foreign object, speechless. 

James laughs. “Well, they’re not likely to fit me. Yeah, angel, they’re yours.” 

Something guilty twists in your gut. You take a breath. “Thank you.” 

“It’s no big deal.” 

“It is. And I appreciate it, but—” 

“But?” 

“But I can’t accept these.” You set the shoes back down on the floor, looking up at him remorsefully. “It’s too much.” 

“Sweetheart,” James laughs. He leans his hip against the wall, giving you a fond look. “Don’t be silly. You needed a new pair. Your old ones are torn to shreds.” 

“They’re not that bad,” you say embarrassedly. 

“There’s a rip in the side big enough to stick your entire foot out of.” 

“I know they’re not perfect.” Your voice goes a tad sharp, and James’ smile starts to slip as he realizes he’s the only one who’s joking. “I’m going to get another pair eventually, but I just can’t afford it right now.” 

“Hey.” He lowers himself down onto his haunches next to you, voice and expression going extra gentle. “It’s okay. Now you don’t need to worry about it, because you have them, right?” 

You suck on your bottom lip, feeling your expression pinch as you shake your head at him. He doesn’t get it. How could he? James has never been in a position where he was forced to take and couldn’t afford to give. 

“I know you’re just trying to help,” you say, tempering your tone, “and I really do appreciate it, Jamie, but you give me so many gifts and I—” 

“Okay, hold on.” He sets a hand on your knee, still with that indulgent look on his face. “There haven’t been that many.” 

You give him an exasperated look. Just last week it had been chocolates from the fancy shop downtown, and before that he’d gone back for a skirt you’d passed by because it was out of your price range. You know he hasn’t forgotten. 

“But how many have I given you?” 

James blinks. “Um. You gave me that nice waffle iron for my birthday.” 

It sounds like a lame gift when he says it out loud, compared to all the things he’s gotten you since then, but you’d skimmed savings off the tops of your paychecks for three weeks to get him that. Your face is beginning to feel hot. You’re not ashamed of how much you make, but it’s frustrating to think about how your boyfriend won’t ever be able to understand the way you think about money, why you get so stressed out about it, how you’re constantly worried it will run out. 

“It just makes me uncomfortable to take so many things from you when I can’t give anything back,” you admit. “I know that’s not why you’re doing it, but it makes me feel bad.” 

James’ brows press close together. His hand smooths from your knee up your thigh, and you can see how hard he’s trying to understand. It makes you feel even worse. 

“I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” he says. “You know I don’t care if you get me things, right?” 

“I know,” you promise him. “It’s just, I care.”

He nods, a warm sort of concern in his expression. “Then what do you want to do, angel?” 

You take his hand from your leg, tracing the lines with your fingers. “Maybe we could keep gifts to birthdays and holidays?” you ask tentatively. 

“Hm. Yeah, I think I can manage that. Like Easter?” 

You smile down at his hand. Kiss one of his fingertips. “Maybe only the traditionally gift-giving holidays.” 

James sighs heavily, but it’s for show. “Fine. Hey.” He closes his fingers around yours, and you look up to find him studying you with soft, kind eyes. “You know I’m not upset, right?” 

You drop your gaze again. “I’m just sorry I’m not being more grateful. They’re really nice gifts.” 

“Thanks, sweetheart,” he leans closer, touching his lips to yours sweetly, “but I don’t need you to be grateful. I’m glad you told me how you felt. It’s only fun if you enjoy them, yeah?”

“I do enjoy them,” you say. James smiles, bringing your hand to his face and kissing your palm. 

“Good. Then keep the shoes, please? If you keep using those other ones through winter I’m afraid your feet will fall off.” 

[cosmopretty]

can you do a paige x black reader where paige and her team members give the reader complete princess treatment and if you can add a live stream scenario in 😙

Her Princess

Paige Bueckers x fem

Manager Fem

Tonight you and your girlfriend Paige were chilling with her team. I mean you were the manager so you lived with them and all so it wasn’t anything new. Finishing up your makeup in the mirror you do a twirl in the mirror before putting on a pair of white jordan 4s. Paige looks you up and down when you walk in the living room “Your so pretty” you blush and turn around to grab your purse.

KK gets up “YALL LETS GO IM TRYNA GET CRUMBL COOKIES COME ON” she yells snapping her finger. You go to open the door before KK does it holding it open for you. Ice, Paige and Jana follow behind you all since the rest of the girls were busy. You run and get into the passenger seat of the car, while Jana gets in the drivers seat. Ice shakes her head “Your the smallest person here get in back” you pout and she rolls her eyes getting in the back with KK. You look up at the tall blonde who was leaning in your opened window “Yes Paige?” you ask innocently.

“You what fine” she shakes her head and squeezes in the back with KK and Ice. The three girls in the back shoulder to shoulder “This is not okay” KK states looking up at the ceiling as if she was talking to god.

You turn your head “KK do you wanna sit in front?” you ask sweetly.

She nods her head fast and you laugh getting up from your seat and KK smiles doing a little dance before sitting in the passenger seat. You get in the back next to Paige and lay your legs on her lap. She massages your calves while Jana starts driving down to the mall.

Once you get to the mall Paige lets you drag her from store to store while you try on clothes for her. You slip on a baby blue body con dress, you turn towards Paige and she looks you up and down “You look so sexy I’m getting that for you. Does it come in extra colors?” the blonde asks standing up and towering over you.

You blush and shrug Paige unzips the dress and you slide it off your body. You stand in the mirror in your undergarments with Paige behind you. The yellow lights of the dressing room shadowing behind you both. Paige moves your curls from one side and kisses your neck.

Both of your phones ding and Paige groans and gabs it “Ice said they’re getting crumbl cookies and there leaving let’s go baby” she says.

You put your white two piece back on and grab your phone stuffing in your purse. Paige grabs the dress from the hanger and walks out opening the door for you. You go under her arm and walk to the front of the store. You smile at the worker and Paige grabs the dress in pink and black before coming to you and kissing your head “Just these three” you say going to grab your wallet before Paige pays for you.

“Paige you bought me too much” you whine hugging her arm as she holds your bags. She shrugs “I love spoiling you too much” you both laugh and walk into the car. Paige texts KK to meet them in the car.

Paige opens the passenger door and gets inside pulling you on her lap. Jana grab the bags throwing them in the trunk before coming back to the driver seat “You have to give us a haul at home” Ice says from the back.

Your brows furrow at the lack of attitude in the car “Where KK?” just as you ask said girl gets in the back slamming the door. You all turn to face her as she stays quiet crossing her arms ignoring everyone. Ice goes live on TikTok and puts it up so the live can see everyone.

“Hi guys” you wave making a kissy face to the live. Ice hold the cumbl cookies “So today we are trying these” Jana nods and pulls the phone so the live can see.

Paige points to one of the cookies “What’s that?” your turn to answer your girlfriend before KK gets up “THE CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE” Paige covers her nose and you giggle hiding your head in her neck.

KK makes a shocked face and leans back rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. The rest of you eat the cookies, you scrunch your nose “Ion like it” you give your piece to Paige who gladly eats it. You guys talk to the live some more, answering questions and all before deciding to end the live and go home.

One you get home you groan laying down on the couch “I’m so tired” you whine and Paige comes over taking your shoes off and grabbing your purse before going to your ur room. Aubrey sees KK walk in weirdly quiet “What’s wrong with you?” she asks the shorter basketball player. She ignores her and goes live “Hey yall” KK says to the live. You watch her and Aubrey talk to the live then start play fighting with each other.

Paige comes back in on her iPad doing school work. You sit next to her on the couch and lay your head in her lap. KK sits down next you both still ignoring you guys. KK reads the live comments “So boom here’s why I was mad so we’re in the mall and Paige texts me to meet them in the car like THEY LEFT ME WHAT IF SOMEONE JUST GRABBED ME LIKE OOP SNACHIES” you stare at KK and poke her “I would come help you if someone snatched you” you smile and hug her “sorry for leaving you” you mumble.

KK rolls her eyes and hugs you back and Paige pulls you away “Your a big girl KK but I’m sorry okay” the blonde says. KK ignores her and she sucks her teeth “I’m sorry okay” Paige hugs KK and the shorter girl hugs back smiling.

“So book everyone’s good again” KK says before announcing that she’s doing talent show again. You get up and go into your room and strip off your clothes before getting in the shower.

After the shower you slide on a pair of tiny pajamas shorts with a matching crop top and some fuzzy socks.

You walk back out and go to Azzi’s room flopping on her bed. Azzi laughs and jumps on with you “How was the mall?” she asks.

“Mall was good Paige got me some clothes and KK had a tantrum” Azzi laughs “I saw the live I gotta take better care of my children” you both burst out laughing before Paige walks in and crawls on your stomach laying down “I tried to do a cartwheel and it didn’t work” you laugh “poor baby” you scratch her head.

KK walks in and turns the TV on laying on the floor with Ice. You look up at Azzi as she groans knowing she would get no alone time with all of us around.

“Sorry mom” you joke and she shoves your head before getting up “Get me strawberries please” she nods at your words. Paige sits up into headboard and pulls you between her legs. She grabs your hair and parts it before putting it into two French braids. Azzi comes back with a bowl of strawberries and sits next to you. You open your mouth and she rolls her eyes putting one in your mouth. KK turns on some South Park for you all to watch. Paige finishes your hair and kisses your forehead wrapping her arms around your waist and rubbing your stomach.

After a few episodes you yawn “I’m head to sleep night guys” everyone says good night and Paige picks you up bridle style before walking you both back to your room.

You sit up on the bed and grab her waist pulling her down to kiss you. Paige moans into the kiss before pulling away.

“Sleep come on baby” you lay down and turn around as Paige turns the lights off getting under the covers with you. She puts her head in your neck and her leg over yours spooning you.

[loveinhawkins]

Steve knows that it’s Eddie from the way the RV door sticks awkwardly before it opens, which makes him smile. The guy can break in and hotwire the thing, as smooth as you like, but then apparently turns into a klutz as soon as the pressure’s gone.

Eddie doesn’t notice that he’s inside at first, seems more focused on tying a few makeshift spears together with string so they don’t fall about the place. It’s only when he looks up, does a double take and says, amused, “Sorry, didn’t realise I was interrupting something,” that Steve remembers he isn’t exactly cutting a fine figure right now.

To put it bluntly, he’s currently hunched over, sat at the little table, eating canned frosting with a teaspoon.

“What are you even…?” Eddie sits down opposite him, peers closer and sees the label on the can. “Harrington,” he says, like someone reading out orders of execution, “that’s fucking gross.”

“Hey, I found it sealed in the cupboard, it’s not expired. And it’s chocolate, man,” Steve defends.

A pause. “Can I have some?”

Steve laughs. “Sure.”

He finds another teaspoon, moves the frosting so it rests in between them. Smiles when Eddie knocks their spoons together, like they’re sharing wine instead.

They sit in comfortable silence. Steve has the sudden thought that if it wasn’t for the impending everything, he could pretend like it’s a lazy Saturday, where they’re free to do harmless, juvenile things, like just watching movies all day. Like sharing frosting out of the can.

“God, you’re so unbothered by all this, aren’t you?” Eddie says around his spoon, which makes Steve suspect that perhaps their thoughts aren’t exactly aligned at the moment. “Steve Harrington. Mister Cool.”

He says it softly, a little like Robin had—and Jesus, Steve thinks, did everyone in school have such an idea of him?

“Unbothered, meaning?”

Eddie shrugs. “Alternate dimension. Real life monsters. Uh, I dunno, the potential end of the world? Take your pick, man.”

Steve thinks for a little while, scrapes the bottom of the can repeatedly even though they’ve already eaten it all.

He doesn’t know how to say that over the years, fear has become normal, a reassuring background noise. It’s when he doesn’t feel it that he’s really, truly scared shitless.

“If it makes you feel any better,” Steve says, “I think we all just got so used to it, that—”

“Yeah, that doesn’t make me feel better,” Eddie interrupts with a huff of a laugh. “If I think about it for too long, I might actually cry for you all, Steve.”

“Nah, don’t do that,” Steve says lightly—though he thinks that a part of Eddie really means it. “It’s more like… like I’m a duck, y’know? Calm on the surface, but…” He drums on the table in demonstration. “Freaking out underneath.”

Eddie’s looking at him with a little smile Steve thinks he hasn’t quite seen before—almost like he’s charmed.

He wonders just how many smiles Eddie Munson has. Wants to have enough time to find out.

“And you’re like an upside down duck,” Steve says, matter-of-fact.

Eddie snorts—another smile, wide and bright. “Excuse me?”

“Like, you might think you’re freaking out on the surface, but underneath, when it comes down to it, you’ll be…” Steve moves his hand in a straight line, imitating a duck calmly gliding along.

Eddie shakes his head. “Think you’ve got too much faith in me.”

And sure, it’s said like it’s a joke, but Steve holds his gaze when he replies seriously, “No, I don’t think so.”

You think I’d trust Dustin with just anyone? I saw you pull him back from the edge of the lake. That’s all I need to know.

Eddie glances away almost like he can see Steve’s thoughts dancing in front of him, as if the honesty is too much to witness.

“Plus you’re, like, my guide for what’s a normal reaction to all of this shit. You’re good for us, man. Keeps us grounded.”

Eddie laughs again. “Christ, I’m the guide for what’s normal. God help us all.” He drops his spoon into the empty can with a clatter. “It’s getting late. We’d better, uh. Round up the troops.”

He stands up, shuffles out from the table.

And Steve finds himself standing, too, with the sudden fear that he’s watching a window close before him.

He reaches for Eddie’s wrist—just two fingers, barely a touch—and Eddie turns to him immediately.

“Hey, Eddie, you’re—you’re good with them, y’know? The kids.” Steve laughs quietly. “God, they’d be… scared far sooner without you. When you were messing around with Dustin, and… Jesus, it’s the most I’ve seen Max laugh in a… in a while.”

Eddie’s smile turns gentle. “Nah, man. Any fool could do that.”

“No,” Steve says.

No, don’t you get it? Only you could. We’re all… we’re better with you, happier with you. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else. Please fucking understand how important you are.

You matter.

Eddie’s eyes flicker across Steve’s face. Like he’s understood without Steve having to say a word.

“Careful there, Harrington,” he murmurs.

Steve’s suddenly aware that he still has one finger on Eddie’s wrist. “What?”

Eddie stares at him. Shrugs with one shoulder, but it’s slow. Thoughtful.

“Just thought I’d get ahead of you, in case…”

“In case?”

“I don’t know,” Eddie says, abruptly sounds a little breathless. “Could be the end of the world, right? And you’re…” He glances over at the frosting can, smirks slightly. “You’re kinda under the influence. Don’t want you saying anything you wouldn’t mean in any, uh, normal circumstances.”

Fuck normal. This is my normal.

“And what if I meant it?” Steve says.

Eddie swallows. Calm on the surface.

“If you’re sure,” Eddie says slowly, eyes never leaving Steve’s face. “Then… go ahead.”

Steve steps closer.

Kisses him.

Eddie’s mouth tastes sweet from the frosting. Steve can feel it when he laughs, can feel him shaking from where he’s leaning up against the edge of the table.

He pulls back. “You okay?”

Eddie’s smile is tremulous, like he’s one second away from crying.

“Freaking out,” he says, but he pulls Steve in for another kiss, so Steve knows he’s not referring to…

“Yeah,” Steve admits. “Yeah, me too.”

Eddie laughs breathily, and the sound is enough to finally drown out the background buzz of terror. He’s so close Steve can count every eyelash.

“You’d never know, Steve.”

“Think this—” A last kiss, pressed to the corner of Eddie’s mouth. “Think this is the most scared I’ve ever been.”

“Me too,” Eddie echoes.

And just before he pulls Steve along, just before he opens the RV door and calls for everyone, he leans in close, whispers against Steve’s lips:

“Worth it.”

[traveler-at-heart]

The Tooth Fairy

Summary: Your daughter gets a generous visit.

Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader

A/N: Sorry for the weird format, I’m on my phone. Also, fun game, drink everytime you find the word fairy in this fic 🧚

“Mom!”

Your daughhter’s scream puts you immediately on edge.

Her voice is quivering, as if she’s not sure she should be crying over what’s happening.

“What is it, sweetie?” you kneel next to her on the playground, mentally counting all her fingers and checking for injuries. You have to stay calm for her sake.

“My tooth fell off” Anya says, showing it to you. “Does this mean that I can’t eat chocolate anymore?”

“No, sweetheart, it’s fine” you pick her up and carry her to the park bench. “These are called baby teeth. They’ll fall off and then you’ll get your new ones. And those are for good.”

“Promise?”

“Well, yes. Unless you eat too much chocolate. Then you’ll get cavities”

Anya keeps looking at the tooth in her hand and then offers it to you. Closing one eye, you examine it as if it were a diamond.

“The tooth fairy is gonna be real happy with this one”

“There’s a fairy?” Anya perks up and you smile.

“Oh, yes. You have to leave it under your pillow with a small note and then they’ll pick it up. Leave you a dollar or two if they think it’s a good tooth”

“I wanna write the note, can we go home now?”

“Yes, sweetie” you carry her, relieved now that Anya seems happier.

—-

It’s not an easy task, but you persuade Anya to wait for her other mom to write the note. You’re sure Natasha wouldn’t wanna miss it.

After all, this is the same woman that almost cried when she was away on a mission and your daughter sneezed for the first time.

“I’m home” you hear the door open and close. Anya smiles, eager to tell her mom about the highlight of the day.

“Mama” she jumps to her arms, wavy red hair flying as Natasha catches her.

“Someone is very happy to see me”

“I’m happy to see you too” you say, leaning forward and giving her a quick kiss.

“Then why aren’t you jumping into my arms?”

“Mama, I’m going to meet the tooth fairy!” Anya interrupts you, pulling her tooth from the pocket of her pants.

“Your first tooth? And I missed it?”

Damn it, she’s gonna cry again. You can’t have that.

“Baby, you didn’t miss it. Anya still has to write a letter. She’s been waiting for you”

“Yeah, come on” Anya bounces on her arms, encouraging Natasha to go to the living room.

“I’ll work on dinner while you two do that, ok?” you kiss Natasha’s cheek and let her enjoy the time with Anya.

From your spot on the kitchen, you can hear Anya asking all sorts of questions about the fairy lore.

She’s a smart kid, so all Natasha does is hand her the crayons she requests. Anya falls silent, and then begins to write the letter.

“All done?” your wife says and Anya covers the sheet of paper with her tiny hands.

“This is a secret letter”

Natasha looks at you, both struggling to hold your smiles.

“Dinner’s ready” you announce, serving pasta.

Anya giggles when the spaguetti goes through the whole her tooth left.

“Baby, don’t play with your food like that” you scold. Then you turn to Natasha for support, only to find her creating a spaguetti mustache that leaves her face full of sauce. “Honestly, Natalia”

“Mama is in trouble” Anya laughs.

“She’s doing the dishes, that’s for sure” you agree.

After dinner, Natasha prepares a bath for Anya while you clean the kitchen. You both know you’re too obsessive to leave the cleaning to anyone else.

You go to the study to write a small thank you note for Anya from the tooth fairy. You even add some glitter for extra flare.

Tucking it in the back of your pocket, you walk into your daughter’s room to wish her goodnight.

“Is it under your pillow?” you check and she nods, yawning.

“I wanna wait for them”

“Oh, the fairy only shows up when you’re asleep, darling. Like Santa”

“Are they friends?” Anya says, quickly falling asleep.

“Yeah, you could say they’re practically the same person” Natasha whispers and you nudge her with your elbow. Anya is already asleep, so it doesn’t really matter if she heard that last part.

Quietly, you take the letter from under her bed and place yours instead.

“Why are your hands all shiny?” Natasha asks as you’re getting ready for bed.

“Welll, I am a fairy, baby. Haven’t you heard?” you tap the tip of her nose, leaving some glitter on it.

“I’m happy I was here for this” Natasha says against your shoulder as you cuddle.

“Me too” you say, your eyelids heavy. “Oh, crap. I forgot to leave the money under Anya’s pillow”

“That’s ok, I’ll do it”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. You’re the stealthy spy here” you smile when Natasha kisses your neck and leaves the bed. You’re so tired you fall asleep before she comes back.

—

The smell of coffee wakes you up.

Coffee and pancakes. Stretching, you get out of bed, feeling relaxed and happy.

“Hey, baby” you greet your wife, admiring her toned arm muscles accentuated by the white tank top.

“Morning, detka” she smiles, adding more pancakes to the plate next to the stove. “Breakfast is ready”

“I’m hungry for other things” you lift the edge of her tank top, scratching Natasha’s abs with your nails. She follows your lead, tilting her head and parting her lips to let your tongue explore her mouth.

“Mom, mama!” Anya says, running out of her room. You sigh against Natasha’s lips and step away. “They were here! I woke up and there was a letter with some glitter”

“That’s awesome, sweetie” you smile, pouring yourself a cup of coffee. You turn to your daughter as you take a sip.

“And look! She left me this!”

Anya waves a hundred dollar bill in front of you, making you choke on your coffee.

“Wow, that fairy won the lottery since the last time I saw her” you catch your breath.

“Is this enough to buy a pony?”

“No, darling. Go set the table, I’ll bring you some juice and pancakes, ok?”

“Can I watch tv while having breakfast?”

“Fine” Natasha answers and you wait for your daughter to be out of earshot to talk to her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Uh, baby, did you leave all that money for Anya?”

“Yes, I didn’t know how much to put and you were asleep”

“Ok, for future reference, five bucks is more than fine” you smile, placing your hands on her shoulders.

“I’m sorry” she looks defeated and you try to cheer her up.

“Don’t be, it’s fine. We’ll use the savings we have for the rest of the teeh and then send her to community college”

“Stop!” Natasha rolls her eyes.

“Come on, it’s ok” you kiss her softly. “We’ll tell her that the fairy had to pay her mortgage and is broke. I’ll even add less glitter on the next letter”

“You’re taking this glitter thing too seriously”

“Well, we have to rely on Alexei to play Santa. At least I get to have some fun with this”

—

Later that day, as your friends get together for a barbecue, Anya shows everyone the place where her tooth once was; luckily, she left the money at home.

That doesn’t stop Billy and Tommy from finding out. Pretty soon, they’re asking their mom about the tooth fairy and if there’s a special deal for twins.

“They left 100 dollars for Anya” Billy shouts and everyone falls silent.

“Oh, wow. Maybe the fairy can visit me as well” Sam smiles. You kick him under the table.

Unfortunately for Natasha, you have to explain everything when Wanda convinces the twins to go back to play.

“Don’t sweat it, Red. Everything’s so expensive nowadays, it’s only fair Anya starts saving now”

“Oh, you’re one to talk” Pepper points at Tony. “He left a blank check under Morgan’s pillow the first time she lost a tooth”

Everyone laughs at that, Tony adjusting in his seat.

“Would you like to adopt me?” Sam asks after a minute.

—

“I got the door” you whisper. Natasha is carrying Anya to her room. It was a fun afternoon of playing with friends and then doing the math on how many plushies she could get with all that money.

She’s fast asleep, and you wait by the door as Natasha tucks her in.

“You ok?” you want to double check, knowing she can be insecure about motherhood.

“I just wish I knew everything”

“Well, so do I. I wish I knew how to stay calm. Remember last week when she hurt her hand with the stove? I thought I was going to throw up and you handled it while I panicked”

“It’s nothing”

“It’s a lot, Tasha. We love you. And we need you” you kiss her softly and she smiles against your lips.

“Wanna read the letter?” you offer once you’re settled in bed. Your wife nods and you take it out of your nighstand. “Dear Miss Fairy - very formal. This is my tooth, it felll off while I was playing. Mom told me you take them and leave some money. My Mama helped me draw this. I love my moms and I want to buy them ice cream and chocolate with the money you give me. Hugs, Anya Romanoff”

“She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You both are” Natasha says as you cuddle, kissing her neck.

“We love you”

“So, what do we do next time?”

“We tell her the fairy is getting heer a car at 16 and hopefully she’ll forget about it by then” you smile, confident.

Of course, she doesn’t.

[haveateadude]

bleak horizons ii.

summary *. ⋆ ⋆·˚ christmas and hot chocolate

warnings *. ⋆ ⋆·˚ depression, family issues, and i think that's it?? it's mostly fluff??

author notes *. ⋆ ⋆·˚ why is it christmas you might be wondering... well i don't fucking know okay??😭😭wrote this when i was in another country and it was cold and it reminded me of christmas so i wrote this. anyway. this one is boring as FUCK... just saying. i'm embarrassed about posting this actually. also, i accidentally put this on chat gpt and it gave me more than 10 things i had to fix so. don't get your hopes up LMAO

hope y'all have a great day, night, morning or whatever. take care of yourselves!!!!!!! if u don't you're an asshole.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT ON MY LAST POST!!!!!!!!! i love everyone who liked it :)) even just knowing people have read it makes my heart warm. i really thought it would get cero recognition, y'all are amazing <3

(readers mental health gets addressed in the next chapter btw)

(not proofread either, sorry if there's any mistake)

pt1 — pt2 — pt3

i don't wanna talk about anything

i wanna kiss, kiss your eyes again

wanna witness your eyes looking

For Christmas, I go to Ellie's house, and I lie to my mother about having too much work. She says it's fine, which weirds me out. I never thought she would say yes. I’m excited and happy to go to Ellie’s house, anyway. This is important, I feel—meeting her family, I mean. She never speaks much about them, but I know she's adopted, and that she gets along with them. She also never met her mother. She says she had her aunt to teach her all that Joel couldn't, like what periods were, how to wash her clothes, and how to paint her nails with her left hand.

I think a part of me is afraid to go because I'm afraid I'll get attached. My mother never taught me what periods were and my father never seemed to know what empathy was. Her family sounds like a dream to me.

"We’re here," Ellie says with a smile on her face as she pulls up on the side of the road next to a white house. It’s got a green lawn, it looks nicely cared for, and a white picket fence. I take a deep breath, I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I think Ellie senses that. She puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes it, which feels comforting. "Hey, just know my dad is really fucking chill. It’s just going to be us, and my uncle's family. They’re going to love you, I promise."

"Okay," I nod because I know it and that's what I'm afraid of. I look outside the window. It’s Christmas Eve. It's already snowing. I then stare at Ellie's eyes and smile. I kiss her and when I pull apart I speak. "I don't want to go out, it's cold."

"C’mon, let’s go inside then. I don’t want you to freeze in this car."

I nod and fix my hair in the mirror before I go out. The cold makes me unable to feel my face or my hands, so when I go inside I'm a bit surprised by how warm it is. Ellie makes me hand her my coat and my stuff, and she puts mine and hers aside.

The house inside looks way better than it does outside. The lights are dim, the Christmas tree has colorful lights wrapped around it, and it smells like an apple pie is cooking. It feels like an actual home, and the chimney is decorated with socks, and next to it, on the wall, are pictures of young Ellie.

"You look cute," I tell her, speaking about the photos, as she walks towards me.

She blushes, her ears go red, "Uh, you weren't meant to see that."

"Oh, stop it," I chuckle. "You look adorable.”

"I bet you looked way more adorable than me."

"I looked like a disfigured mosquito with a big ass."

Ellie laughs as her hand goes to my hip, "First of all, if you were a disfigured mosquito—which you're not by the way—I would still like you; second of all, I love your big ass."

"Oh, so that's all you love about me?" I ask, teasingly, slightly tilting my head. "Just my ass?"

I feel Ellie's hands move downwards, nearly gripping my butt, before I hear someone clearing their throat. I'm so red I'm not even a tomato... I probably look like a fucking chili pepper or something.

I know it's Joel because Ellie has a picture of him with her on her nightstand. She looks at Joel as her hands linger on my hips for a second, then she takes them off and walks towards him.

"Joel," Ellie says, hugging him. "Hey, old man."

"Kiddo, you've grown so much."

"I look the same as last month."

"Yeah, just thought it’d make you feel better."

Ellie laughs as she pulls apart. I just stand there, awkwardly behind Ellie. Finally, Joel looks at me.

"Oh, hi," he says, now looking at me. "Ellie has talked a lot about you."

I nod, "Thanks for letting me stay, Mr. Miller."

"Just call me Joel."

"Well," Ellie interrupts. "We're going to my room, I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, I'll tell you when Tommy and Maria get here."

Ellie takes our bags, which she insists on doing alone, and leads me to her room.

Her room, it's… so her. Posters of bands cover every inch of her walls, and her desk is stained with paint.

I sit on her bed and look around as she sits next to me.

"I like your room," I tell her, feeling her knee bump against mine. She's so close to me I can feel her breath on my neck. 

"It’s messy, though." She’s looking at me, but I can't dare to look at her. 

I feel guilty for not being at home now, it gnaws at me. Is mom alone? And why do I care? Why do I feel guilt over the person who made me hurt more? She always wants to fight—there's always constant battles between us, battles she always wins. So why do I miss her and why is it hard to accept?

"What are you thinking?"

I chuckle, "It’s nothing."

"Well—alright," she lets the subject the subject slip. She kisses my cheek and then my lips and her hands roam my body. We just make out, though.

Christmas dinner goes fine. Better than I thought it would. The Millers are like a real family, they talk to me like they've known me for years, even though I feel like an intruder in their house. I don't want to be fond of them, or else I'll cling to them like they're family.

Maria and Tommy have a baby and most of the night is spent with Ellie cradling the baby and me sitting next to him. We drink hot chocolate with marshmallows. This is the happiest I've ever been at Christmas.

At night, I leave Ellie's warm embrace to go for a glass of water. I can't sleep, my mind is racing and it won't shut off.

When I go downstairs Joel is sitting at the kitchen table, I don't know what to say to him. Which is okay, because he speaks first.

"Can't sleep?" He asks.

For a moment I think he has confused me for Ellie, because why is he talking to me?

"Yeah," I say, getting my glass of water.

"I won't give the 'hurt my daughter and I'll kill you' talk if that's what you're worried about."

I try to laugh, "Thanks, I guess. You're—you're a great dad."

"Well, you're a great kid."

"Thank you," I answer because I don't know what else to say. He's indeed a great dad. He's funny and nice and caring. I've seen the way he talks to Ellie. Unlike my father he doesn't look at her daughter like he's trying to fix their relationship, therefore their conversations don't look forced; Ellie has referred to me as her girlfriend at Christmas dinner, and all Joel did was smile. It made me want to throw up, even if I felt welcomed.

"Hey—uh, I'm sorry if I approach this in the wrong way… but Ellie has told me that your mother is causing you trouble."

"Yeah," I don't know what to say, again. How do I answer this? How should I feel about this? "She's been a little difficult, but you know. It's the normal mother-daughter fight, nothing to worry about."

"Okay," he nods. "If you want you can talk to me, or Ellie—she's… she's been a little worried."

I hadn't seen that coming. Is Ellie's worried?

"I—I will talk to her. Thank you."

She doesn't want you. She's your friend, she doesn't want you. She will fall in love with you, not your brain nor your scars, and when she finds out about the way you think she'll leave.

I want to say Mr. Miller but I know he wants me to call him Joel—which makes me a little awkward. "I'm going to sleep now."

"Get the rest you need," he smiles. "Leave the cup on the table, I'll wash it."

I wake up being the little spoon.

Ellie has her arms wrapped around me like she's afraid I'll leave. As I slowly open my eyes I can also feel Ellie shifting behind me.

"Morning," she speaks in her morning voice, the vibration of her voice against my neck sends shivers down my spine—in a good way.

I smile, "Hey."

"How did you sleep?"

"More than good. Your bed is very comfortable."

"Yeah," she pulls me closer to her front, "I could stay here forever."

We don't stay there forever, though, because we open presents. It's just Joel, Ellie, and me. Surprisingly there's one for me from Joel, and Maria and Tommy.

Ellie gave me a necklace and a ring, which might seem simple to others but I had been planning on buying it for a fucking long while. It always was out of sale. And the ring had a moon on it.

"Fuck, Ellie," I say as I look at her, sitting on the floor with my legs crossed. "This is amazing, I love this."

"Yeah?" She asks. She's sitting next to me, her legs stretched out, resting her weight on one of her arms behind her. I notice she looks flushed. Her cheeks are slightly more pink than they always are.

I nod, kissing her, "Thank you, thank you, thank you..."

She chuckles after I give her one last kiss, "Time to open mine now, I guess."

I look at her as she opens what I gave her. It's small, compared to what she gave me. Is just one of the first pictures we took together framed, just after I moved in. I also gave her a white silver beaded bracelet I had made.

"I remember this day," she says, looking at the picture. "I remember I was trying to impress you all day long, you know? I just wanted to make you laugh... and well, you did."

I chuckle, "I did laugh at all your jokes, but I think that's just because I have a very shitty humor."

"I'm glad we share it."

Ellie looks at the bracelet and the framed photo with a tender smile, her eyes glistening.

"I love it," she says softly, as she puts the photo down, her voice barely above a whisper. "I love you."

Her words make my heart race, and I feel my cheeks heat up.

"I love you too," I reply, my voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside me. I think this is the happiest I've ever been; I think I'll remember this moment forever.

We spend the rest of the morning together, laughing and sharing stories. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I belong somewhere.

After breakfast, as Ellie and I sit on the couch with our fingers intertwined, Joel comes over with a cup of hot chocolate.

"Merry Christmas, you two," he says with a kind smile, handing us the mugs.

"Merry Christmas," I say.

Alright, yeah. This might be the best Christmas I've ever had.

[looseratinthegarage]

Slashers S/O getting their period. Maybe?

I haven’t done a request in so long- but I’m on my period rn and felt inspired to write this! Enjoy to anyone who still follows me after my many disappearances.

S/O getting their period

Michael

Michael notices everything. And I mean everything. You’ve been more irritable lately but he hasn’t been able to deduce why… He enters the bathroom to use it when he sees strange wrappers in the trash. His first thought is that you’ve been hiding candy from him and he’s pissed. But when he unwraps it he sees a bloody pad/tampon. He stares through the item for a moment, trying to process what the hell is happening. He then throws it on the ground and stomps down stairs. You’re sitting on the couch playing the new Zelda Tears of the Kingdom game. He then takes the controller out of your hand and throws it to the side. He lifts up your shit and sifts through your hair for an injury or any blood.

“M-Michael!? What are you doing?” You say with surprise. He then grabs your pants and takes them off, leaving you in your undergarments. He is able to see that you are wearing the same thing he found in the trash. I points and looks concerned

“I-I’m just on my period! I’m fine..” You blush heavily and reassure your boyfriend that you’re not dying.

He doesn’t know what to do. His mom taught him about this stuff when he was a boy, but he only knows the basics. He’ll at first not understand why you’re being so ‘dramatic’ about everything. But when he realizes it really does hurt, he’ll try to help you, in his own little Michael way of course.

Thomas

Thomas wakes up for the day and stretches his arms. He feels something wet in the bed next to him. He lifts his hand and sees blood. He instantly panics and looks down at you. He rips the covers off of you and sees a large red stain underneath you. He shakes you awake.

“Huh- what? Baby, is there something wrong…?” You say half asleep. He points to the stain and your stomach drops.

“Oh god I’m so sorry Thomas! I’ve been trying to use cloth for my period because we don’t have pads/tampons- oh and now I’ve stained your sheets..” You look apologetic and absolutely mortified. But as soon as he hears ‘period’ he relaxes. His mama raised him right, so he doesn’t make you feel bad about leaking on the bed.

He picks you up and takes you to the bathroom. He runs you a warm bath and puts bubbles in it. He kisses your forehead then walks back into his room. He takes off the sheets and brings them outside to be washed.

Throughout the day he checks on you, often getting yelled at Hoyt for ‘slacking off’. He brings you teas, chocolate, snacks, meals- anything you need. His hands are incredibly warm, so in the night he holds you close to him, putting his hand over your stomach, soothing the cramps.

Yautja

You and your mate were training. You were running obstacle courses, they’re mad for yautja so they’re different. Think ninja warrior stuff. While running and jumping and climbing your pad shifts in your underwear and the flood gates open. You have blood running down your leg, but you’re too focused to notice.. but your mate does. He looks concerned.

“Bleeding. Why?” He uses the least amount of English possible to convey himself.

“Huh?” You stop at one of the platforms and then feel it running down your leg. You look down and feel mortified as your period blood runs down your leg for all to see.

“O-Oh god… sorry about that..” You also notice you’ve gotten blood on the course. You cover your face in embarrassment as your mate walks up to you.

“Are you hurt?” He asks softly, putting his clawed hand on your shoulder.

“I-It’s just my period. It’s similar to the thing that happens to some yautja after the breeding season, if they haven’t gotten pregnant…” You say embarrassedly and a bit shyly.

“Very well.” He seems unphased by it, happy to know you’re not hurt and that it’s just a natural occurrence.

“Why are you hiding from me? Blood does not scare a warrior such as I.” He purrs and runs his finger down your bloody leg. He then brings it up to his mouth and licks it off with his tongue.

You blush and nod, hugging him. He gives you yautja natural remedies for your period. If you have extreme cramps or excessive bleeding he’ll use some medicine or even quick surgery to fix the problem. Don’t worry, yautja pain meds are a lifesaver. You practically feel nothing, just a little sore is all. He will take care of you the best he knows how, and don’t be afraid to give him pointers. He’ll take notes.

[onceuponapuffin]

Fanatic Intervention Part 7!!!

Beginning|| Previous || Next

It will not surprise you at all, dear Reader, to learn that Aziraphale keeps very little in his kitchen cupboards. There is no stove or oven, and the only thing in the fridge is milk (for his tea no doubt). When you start opening cupboards, you find one pack of custard creams, and a second one of chocolate digestives. Well, it will have to do. You find yourself a small plate and fill it half and half before heading back into the shop just in time to say goodbye to Anathema and Newt.

As they leave, you turn to the supernatural entities in the room.

“So,” You say, “If we’re going to the States, then we have a few problems. First, I don’t have my passport or any ID at all, so airport security is going to be fun. Second, I have no money. Third, I’m gonna need a Walmart or something because I don’t even have a toothbrush, my dudes. Fourth, these,” You indicate the cookies, “are fine for a snack, but overall they’re not gonna cut it.”

“You just leave the airport security to us,” Aziraphale replies. You make a note that he glided right past ‘my dudes,’ they’re getting used to you already. Dammit. “As for the rest of it,” Aziraphale continues, “I suppose a trip to Tesco’s is in order.”

Crowley produces a shiny black credit card from nowhere and hands it to you. “We’ll take the Bentley,” he says. He starts to stand, but you shake your head.

“Nuh-uh, you both stay here,” You say. Crowley raises his eyebrow.

“You realize we can take care of ourselves,” he says, “We’ve been doing it for a few millennia.”

“I’m not talking about that,” You say, “Look, what we’re going into is really dangerous. And I know that your pattern is to just wait to talk about things until you’re in the clear, but that’s not a good idea anymore. I mean, I get that I’m not exactly an expert, but I read just as much as you do and I’ve heard a million stories by this point in my life, and in NONE of them do people ever say ‘I’m so glad I never told them how I feel’ - you know? It’s always ‘I wish I would have’ or ‘I should have told them every day.’ So Muriel and I will go ask Maggie to take us to Tesco, and you two need to talk. Please. While it’s safe, while you have the chance, before things get dangerous and possibly deadly.”

Crowley and Aziraphale are silent. You notice that they aren’t looking at each other. Well, you’ve done your best. Now you need to trust them.

At this point, dear Reader, you are probably thinking to yourself ‘well I would snoop and spy on them while they talk! I want to watch them make out!’ But here is the thing – in this world they are real people, not characters. It’s one thing to say that you would creep on them from the other side of this fiction, but when they’re very real and looking at you in person, things are a little different. For one thing, you realize that real people deserve things like boundaries and privacy, especially for sensitive conversations.

And so, you take Muriel over to Maggie’s shop, where you explain that Mr. Fell has sent the two of you on an errand and you need to stop for dinner somewhere and have no idea where anything is. You flash her the credit card and say ‘It’s all on me,’ and she conveniently agrees with a look on her face that says something like ‘least they could do after all that shit they put us through.’

So the three of you go for dinner at the nearest Weatherspoons, where you and Maggie eat while Muriel watches in morbid fascination. Then you all take the bus to Tesco where you buy yourself a small wardrobe, and manage to coax Muriel into some light blue jeans and an argyle jumper so they look a little less like the Beacon of Gondor. You quickly find out that Muriel has an adorable fascination with fuzzy socks, novelty mugs, and coloured pencils. Of course, you enable their fascinations with a happy heart, and as an afterthought, you grab them a small pot of orange daisies from the flower section. It will give them something alive to tend to while you’re gone. Muriel appreciates the thought. All in all, it’s a long but good time.

You don’t know about the talk, and you’re worried about asking when you get back.

THAT BEING SAID

You and I, dear Reader, not actually being in that world, are allowed certain privileges.

The bookshop is silent for a long time. Both of them are thinking, digesting, processing. Feelings are hard to feel, and harder to put into words. Especially when it has been made clear, twice now in the span of a number of hours, that you absolutely need to put them into words.

It isn’t until after Crowley notices you, Muriel, and Maggie heading down the street that he stands up and begins to pace. A few more minutes pass before he speaks.

“So...uhm...are you going to go first or should I?”

“Are we...are we actually going to do this? Have this talk I mean?” Aziraphale has been shelving books to try and take the edge off. Now he puts down the book in his hands and absent-mindedly fidgets with his ring.

“Well, I mean we don’t have to,” Crowley says, aiming for non-chalance and missing ever-so-slightly, “No one can actually make us.”

“Yes, except it feels very much like everyone is trying to.”

“Trying is the key word there.”

“That’s true enough I suppose.”

The silence returns and stretches. It is anything but comfortable. The air is full of words that they have been told they should say, words that perhaps they want to say, but words that have been dammed up with fear and uncertainty for so long now that they’ve become very hard to un-stick. After a while, Aziraphale clears his throat and speaks.

“I, erm, I suppose you had better go first.”

“Me, right, okay.” Crowley clears his throat now and stops his pacing near the desk. He looks down at the scattered papers and books, the pens and photos and newspaper clippings. The assorted clutter of Aziraphale’s life. Looking away makes it easier to start. He takes a breath. “Um..right...well...we’ve known each other a long time. We’ve been on this planet a long time – you and me, I mean. I’ve always been able to rely on you, and you’ve always relied on me,” another breath, “We’re a team, yeah? A group of the two of us. And...erm...we pretend that we aren’t. Always have. Safer that way I guess.” He looks up at Aziraphale. The angel isn’t looking at him, but he nods anyway to show that he’s listening. Crowley continues. “And I mean...I’ve tried not to think about it much before but...but it would be nice, I mean, UGH” He takes off his sunglasses and rubs a hand over his eyes as though he can massage the words and make them easier to say. “I mean, I would like to spend...mmm….I would like to spend the rest not pretending anymore. Be an us. I mean,” suddenly the dam breaks, and Crowley finds the words come tumbling out, “If Gabriel and Beelzebub can do it, we can. We don’t need Heaven or Hell, they’re both toxic. We can be an us, on our side. You and me. What do you say?” He looks at Aziraphale without reservation now. His angel looks back at him, eyes wide. When he does speak, it’s with a smile and a small nod of acknowledgment rather than agreement.

“That was very well done Crowley,” he says. This isn’t an answer.

“Nnyeah, thanks. Your turn though.”

“Right, I suppose it is.” Aziraphale takes a moment to gather himself. After hearing Crowley be so open about this, he feels more resolved himself to do this properly. He faces Crowley and folds his hands to keep himself grounded. “Crowley,” he begins, “I...I wish that this conversation were happening under better circumstances. Although it’s been pointed out that ideal circumstances aren’t a promise that we can wait around for. Well, the thing is that I would like the same thing. Very much in fact. My biggest concern by far is for your safety because, well, frankly I don’t see the point in saving the world again if you’re not around to enjoy it with me. An us, as you said. You and me.” He smiles. Crowley smiles.

“Guess we’d better save the world together then. And try not to die.”

“Yes, quite.”

“Aziraphale?”

“Yes, Crowley?”

“You’re my angel. No one else.”

“And you, my wiley serpent. No one else.”

The shop bell dings.

“We’re baaaaaack!” You sing as you waltz through the door, shopping bags in hand. Muriel follows after you, carefully carrying their daisies. “Did you miss us?”

When you eventually get the courage to ask them about their talk later, you get a “ngk” from Crowley, and a “We’ve said all that needs to be said, for now.” from Aziraphale. And that, you suppose, will have to do.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🖤

Beginning|| Previous || Next

[weareapackofstrays]

A New Kind of Love: Chapter V (Final)

Genre: Non-Idol college au, fwb to lovers, angst, romance, drama

Pairing: Minho x F!Reader

Warnings: Oral Sex, Unprotected sex, Cussing. Let me know if I forgot anything! MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!

Word Count: 6,519

Summary: Now in your second year of college, you move into the basement apartment of a house full of college boys. Inevitably crossing paths with one of them, Minho quickly gets under your skin in more ways than one. Despite your differences, you can't stay away from him.

Chapter V: About Time Prev

Charlotte: I'm stuck. Does it get easier? Bob: No...Yes, it gets easier. Charlotte: Oh yeah? Look at you. Bob: Thanks...The more you know who you are and what you want, the less you let things upset you. Charlotte: Yeah...I just don't know what I'm supposed to be. You know? I tried being a writer, but I hate what I write and I tried taking pictures, but they’re so mediocre, you know? Every girl goes through a photography phase. You know, like horses? You know? Take, uh, dumb pictures of your feet. Bob: You'll figure that out. I’m not worried about you. Keep writing.

The apartment felt extra lonely tonight. You were huddled on your couch surrounded by comfort snacks and wearing cozy pajamas. It should have been a relaxing evening, but when one of your favorite movies couldn’t help distract you from the past few days, you grew restless. Eventually you turn it off and throw your face into your hands. All you could think about was your earlier exchange with Minho. His words and behavior replaying in your mind on a loop. You keep hurting him, but you don’t mean to. You punch the pillow next to you out of frustration. Why are you like this? There is a burning feeling in your chest that you can’t identify. You try to drink water to wash it away, but nothing works. Your phone buzzes beside you. Momo is calling, but you ignore it. Instead, you grab a sweater and head upstairs to talk to Minho.

You're about to knock on the door, but your hand hesitates and hovers in place. Your feet suddenly feel like sandbags. Chris happens to be walking by the entryway when he sees a figure looming at the door. He opens it to greet you. You stare up at him like a deer caught in the headlights before recovering your composure. 

“Hey, Y/n,” the oldest greets you with a warm smile.

“Hey, Chris,” you respond meekly. “I was just wondering if-”

“Do I hear Y/n?” Jisung and Felix pop their heads out from the kitchen.

Jisung runs over and pulls you into a tight hug. “Hey, neighbor! How are you?” 

“Fine, really, I’m fine.” 

Felix hugs you next and takes hold of your hands. “I swear we didn’t know you and Daniel had history, let alone, that kind of history.” His tone is apologetic. 

“Don’t worry about it.” Daniel was honestly the last thing on your mind right now. 

“I’m baking some special chocolate chip cookies. Should be ready shortly. Want one?”

“Y-yeah, I'll grab one in a moment. Just need to talk to Minho.” Jisung and Felix exchange a look that you can’t quite read. 

“Minho isn’t home right now,” Jisung says, a hint of hesitance in his voice. 

“Oh. Where is he?” 

Chris clears his throat and you turn to look at him. “He’s still at dance practice. Probably won’t be home for a while,” Chris explains. You nod your head, disappointed. The four of you fall into silence, but are thankfully interrupted by the oven timer going off. 

“My cookies!” Felix runs back into the kitchen to take them out. Jisung watches as you do everything to avoid eye contact with him and Chris, shuffling on your feet. The air in the room suddenly feels thick and it’s hard to breathe. 

“Y/n?” Jisung puts a hand on your shoulder. “You okay?” Your heart thrums loudly in your ears. The burning in your chest starts to spread across your body. 

“Sorry, I need to go. I’ll, um…bye.” You leave the boys standing stunned in the entryway. A familiar image.

Felix walks into the room with a plate full of cookies. “Y/n, here are your-” He looks around and sees you’ve left already. He snaps his finger. “Dammit, why does she keep running out on us every time I offer her baked goods?”

Chris puts an arm around Felix’s shoulder and grabs a cookie. “Maybe she doesn’t like sweets?” Chris says with a mouthful of cookie.

“Nah, I’ve seen her scarf down a bowl full of jelly beans in minutes.” All three boys quickly turn to find Seungmin sitting in the living room, completely surprised by his presence. “She probably just doesn’t like your baking.” Felix gasps. 

“How long have you been there?” Chris asks as he chokes back the dessert. 

“Long enough.”

Jisung places his hand on Felix, rubbing soothing circles on his back. “Ignore him. He’s probably still salty about last week’s pancake debacle. Your baked goods are amazing.” Felix beams at Jisung’s compliment.

“I told you, it wasn’t my fault!” Seungmin shouts from the couch.

“Keep telling yourself that, babe!” Jisung and Felix walk back into the kitchen while Seungmin stomps off upstairs to pout. Momo rubs her eyes as she passes Seungmin on her way down the stairs.

“Do I smell cookies?” she lets out a yawn. 

Chris pulls her into his side and kisses her temple. “Hey, sleepyhead. There’s some in the kitchen. You just missed, Y/n, by the way.” 

“What? She was here just now?”

“Yeah. She seemed…off. Thought you should know.” Momo pulls out her phone to check if you called her back or texted her, but doesn’t see anything. 

“I’ll try to check on her later. Thanks, Channie.” Momo gives Chris a kiss before joining the boys in the kitchen.

“Hey, Momo!” Jisung greets her cheerily. 

“Chris mentioned there were cookies?” she asks innocently. 

“Yeah!” Felix hands her the plate of goodies and she happily takes one. 

Jisung watches Momo as he considers asking some questions that have been on his mind. “Hey, Momo…Can I ask you something?” he says with hesitance in his voice. She turns her attention to the doe eyed boy. “Do you know anything about what’s going on between Y/n and Minho?”

Momo takes a bite of her cookie and chews on it for a moment. Eventually she shakes her head. “I don’t really know the details. I think we all know by now they are sleeping together, but outside of that…” Momo shrugs. “I believe they have feelings for each other whether they know it or not though.”

“Exactly! That’s what we said. So why do they constantly fight it? I love Y/n, but I think she’s really hurting our boy. I know he seems tough, but inside he’s pretty soft.”

“Y/n doesn’t like to talk about this stuff anymore. Honestly, I think she’s still hurt and doesn’t want to open herself up again. She wasn’t like this before.”

“Before what?” Felix asks curiously.

“Before Daniel cheated.”

“Right…” Felix and Jisung nod, simultaneously understanding.

“I also think her parent’s divorce was really hard on her.” Momo continues. “I’ve never asked about it. Always seemed too painful to, but maybe I should have. I can tell it affects her.” Momo knows she probably shouldn’t divulge your past without your consent, but she feels she needs to explain some of your character. Chris walks into the kitchen to pull Momo away, leaving the two boys to consider her words and what to do. 

-

Minho gets home late that night and immediately takes a shower. Practice was shit and all he wants to do is forget about it. He tries to fall asleep, but instead he spends the night tossing and turning. Minho can’t stand that the two of you have once again gotten into a disagreement.

Eventually, he looks at his phone and sees that it’s almost 4 in the morning. Groaning out of frustration, he forces himself to get up. Minho starts to pace his room, wondering if he should text you or not, but ultimately decides against it. Plus, it’s the middle of the night, he reasons. Minho lays back down in bed and passes out without realizing. He suddenly jolts awake and immediately grabs his phone. It’s already after 8am. He scrolls through his phone and reads over your limited text conversations searching for answers he knows he wont find. Giving up, he decides to go to the gym to sweat out his frustrations. After walking out of the house, he passes by your door on the way to his car. His feet stop as he considers what to do for a moment. Fuck it, he says to himself. He doesn't want to fight anymore. He's too tired. All Minho wants is to hold you until the ice encased around your heart finally melts. Why can't you just let him in? 

You awake to hurried knocks. Stumbling out of bed, you throw a sweater on and make your way to the door. “Minho?” You ask groggily, surprised to see him standing there. You look over at your stove and it reads 9:15am. “Why are you here so early?” Instead of answering he pulls you into his arms and hoists your legs around his waist. He shuts the door behind him and walks the two of you into the kitchen. “Minho, what is going on?”

He places you on the counter and kisses you deeply. All animosity between the two of you melting away. What he doesn’t say is how he couldn’t sleep, too busy being kept awake thinking of you. He couldn’t admit that he fought it as long as he could until he grew impatient and had to see you. Minho removes his lips and leans his forehead against yours. He lets out a shaky sigh before speaking. Eyes closed he says, “나는 너를 좋아해” in Korean, but you don’t understand. 

“What?” you whisper against his lips as you run your fingers through his soft hair. Instead of answering, he slots himself between your legs pushing his hardened cock into your core. You think he’s going in for a kiss, but instead he hugs you tightly to his chest and rests his face in the crook of your neck. He inhales your scent and leaves a trail of feather light kisses. Chills explode across your skin. He slowly moves his way up your neck to your jawline before hovering above your mouth. Minho finally presses his lips to yours and all questions escape your train of thought. You could ask them another time. You didn’t want to think about the answers anyways. You just wanted to feel his skin on yours. His hands move from your hips and slowly climb up your sides, gently grazing his thumbs over your hardened nipples. You push into his touch as his kiss swallows your sighs.

“Fuck me, Minho,” you beg.

“Not yet.” Minho slips his fingers beneath your panties. “Let me make you feel good,” he whispers into your ear as he circles your clit. You shiver at the way his voice tickles you. He peppers your neck with gentle kisses while his free hand rubs your thigh slowly, squeezing every so often. So many sensations it’s making you dizzy. 

“Minho…” you take hold of his wrist to push him inside of you. He starts to pump slowly, curling his fingers with each push. Your other hand grips the back of his neck.

“Does it feel good, baby?”

“Y-yes.” Your breathing picks up as his pace increases. 

“Good. I love the way you feel on my fingers. I love knowing how close you are. It’s so hot the way you look when you come apart just from my touch.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, princess. I think you might be close right now. Hmm?” Your walls start to enclose on him as your orgasm rises within you. You nod your head vigorously as moans spill out your lips.

“I’m gonna…Minho, I’m gonna come!” You pull him closer to your body, arching yourself to make sure his fingers can reach as far as they can and you start grinding against them. 

“Let go, baby. I’ve got you. Come for me, my princess.”

You scream his name as you finally release. He continues to push his fingers in and out until you finish. When he slides out of you he looks at his soaked hand and tastes you.  “Mmm,” he purrs. Your cheeks turn a deep shade of pink and you cover your face feeling shy for some reason. He pulls your hands down to meet your eyes. The two of you just smile.

Minho lifts you from the counter and carries you into your bedroom. He lays you out on the mattress and climbs over you. When his lips meet yours you get a subtle taste of yourself in his kiss and it makes your middle tighten with need again. Minho pushes his tongue in and licks against yours. It’s not hungry, but slow this time. He’s in no rush. Even as you try to take the usual approach with him, he shushes you soothingly. “Let me take my time with you.” He looks into your eyes pleading and you nod. Minho kisses the tip of your nose then goes back to your lips, intertwining your tongues together. You widen your legs to allow him to fit between you. He slowly grinds into you and you let out quiet moans into his mouth. He’s making you feel so good, so wanted. So lov-…no, you won’t say that word.

Minho pulls away briefly to take his shirt off. You trace the lines on his stomach up to his chest before taking one of his nipples into your mouth. He lets out a heavy sigh, enjoying the sensation of your tongue twirling around him. You gently bite down and he can’t help the way his eyes roll into the back of his head. You bring your lips down his chest and kiss his scar a few times before you look back up at him. He takes hold of your chin. “What baby?” He asks.

“Get on your back. I want to suck you off.” He does as you ask and lays down on your bed. You climb over him and pull off his shorts and boxers. His cock springs up and you take him into your hand. He shivers as you place gentle kisses down his shaft while massaging his perineum. 

“Suck on me, baby.” Minho instructs. You grip his base and take him into your mouth. He moans at the sensation and places a firm grip in your hair. You bob up and down his cock enjoying the way his balls tighten under your grip as you pleasure him. “Just like that, baby!” Minho starts to fuck into your mouth, making you gag with each repeated hit to the back of your throat. “You take daddy’s cock so well!” Preening at his compliment, you increase your speed. 

Needing a breather, you remove him from your mouth and kittenlick his tip. Minho growls with impatience. “Don’t tease me, princess.” You roll your eyes and continue. “Do that again and see what happens.” His tone is dark and serious, sending a flood of arousal through you. You try to ignore him.

“Wanna make you come, Min,” you say while batting your lashes. 

“Not yet. I want to be inside you first.” You squeeze your thighs together at the thought and nod. 

“Okay.”

“Sit up.” Minho peels your clothes off and throws them onto the floor, leaving you completely naked before him. He sits back on his ankles and takes a moment to admire you. You look away feeling nervous again under his gaze.

“You’re so beautiful, Y/n.” 

“Minho…” 

“You are.” The two of you stare at each other for a moment and you almost feel like crying. “Come here, baby.” Minho lays you back on the bed as he kisses down your body, inching closer to where you need him most. Pleasure rolls through you from the connection and you start to whine.

“Minho, please, I can’t take it.”

“What do you need, princess? I’ll give you anything you want.”

“I need you inside me.”

“Okay.” He takes his cock in his hand and positions himself above you. Minho slowly pushes in savoring the way your walls envelop him. You watch as his face contorts and his head leans back. You're making him feel good and it turns you on so much. 

“Minho,” you whisper. He faces you again. 

“Yes, princess?”

“Kiss me.” He leans in for a passionate kiss as he bottoms out inside of you. Minho slowly rolls his hips into you allowing for a gradual climb in pleasure. Your body gives in and you hug him close to you, erasing all space between you. Minho’s thrusts start to quicken as he feels your walls flutter around him. “I’m gonna, come, baby!” You shout. 

“Me too. Come with me.” Minho takes hold of your chin to face him. You look into his eyes as you feel yourself start to unravel beneath him, unable to help it when they flutter shut. “Don’t.” Minho begs. “Keep looking at me, princess.” You nod and force your eyes open. Watching each other’s faces shift in euphoria brings you both to the edge and you come together. Minho calls out your name and pulls you into his body. He holds you close as he continues to rock his hips into you until you’re shaking. 

“Fuck, I can’t. Minho, it’s too much.”

“Just a little longer, baby.” Minho is still hard and needs to release himself again. The overstimulation starts to shift into pleasure and you feel yourself about to come again.

“Minho!” an unfamiliar high pitched scream leaves your mouth. “I can’t. I can’t hold on much longer.” 

Minho growls as he fucks you harder. The slapping of skin growing louder as he pushes you closer to the edge. “Fuck! Y/n. I’m gonna come again.” 

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” You repeat as your orgasm hits you more intensely than the first. Minho looks down at where you're both connected and sees your release cover his pubic hair. The sight is enough for him and he comes again inside of you. His second release trickles down your body and onto the sheets. You're both sweating and panting heavily. You wrap your legs around Minho’s waist, not ready for him to pull out so he latches onto your neck while he catches his breath. 

“Y/n, I lo-”

You cut him off. “That was amazing.” He smiles and gives you a quick peck, before unwrapping your legs from his waist. He grunts as he pulls out of you and you can feel even more of his sticky come sliding down your body. He lies on his back, resting a hand on your inner thigh. 

The two of you lie in your bed basking in the afterglow. As your high deflates you start to think about how different the sex was. It wasn’t the usual hungry romp, it felt like…it felt like he made love to you. This thought shoots your heart into your throat. You sit up suddenly at the revelation, unsure of how you feel. Minho sits up on his elbows, as you look around your room for coverage. You feel completely bare and vulnerable. He watches you nervously.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I just need to shower.” You turn to leave, but his hand catches your wrist. You look back at him. 

“Get dinner with me tonight.” It wasn’t a question.

“What?”

“You know, food?”

“I don’t understand.”

“What’s there to understand? It’s just dinner.”

“I know, sorry, it’s just we don’t normally do that.”

“Come on, Y/n.” Minho chuckles. He tries to pull you in to hold you. “Get dinner with me tonight, please.” There is a hint of desperation in his tone. His eyes search yours as he silently pleads. Now he feels vulnerable. 

You remove your wrist from his grasp and stand back. “Why are you pushing this, Minho?”

He watches you throw your t-shirt over your head and scoffs. “Why are you making this such a big deal, Y/n?”

“Why are you?” You shoot him a glare. Minho crosses his arms and the two of you stare at each other. He finally gives up and rolls his eyes.

“Forget it.” He bends down and starts to get dressed. You can feel your heart race as he finishes. “When you want to stop acting like a child, come find me.”  

“You came to my apartment, Minho.” 

“Yeah, what a mistake.” He walks past you and your hand reaches out for his arm. 

“Minho, wait-“ he ignores you as he heads for your front door. You want to follow after him, but you don’t. You can’t. What is wrong with you? You curse at yourself, not understanding your feelings. He slams the door shut and you realize tears are falling down your cheeks. You angrily wipe your face as you grab a towel and head for the shower. Hopefully, the water will wash these feelings away. 

-

A few hours later you receive a text from Minho asking to meet up for coffee. The message is simple and you can’t help but feel it lacks all emotion. Nerves start to spread through you as you head out to meet with him. When you finally arrive, you find Minho in the back of the cafe looking solemn. He is staring into his coffee mug. You immediately sense something is wrong and your instinct tells you to run, but you push forward.

“Hey,” you whisper, pulling Minho from the depths of his thoughts. 

“Hey,” he says back. He gestures for you to sit so you take the seat in front of him. 

The two of you sit in silence and you can’t take it anymore so you finally ask, “Is everything okay?” Minho doesn’t answer immediately and you can feel your hands start to shake so you place them in your lap to hide them. Minho closes his eyes and exhales, before he finally faces you. He decides to cut to the chase while he still has the confidence.

“Y/n, I don’t think I can do this anymore.”

“Do what?”

“This sleeping around thing.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s just, it’s not enough for me.”

Furrowing your brows, you try to process what he’s saying. You look down at the table, unable to hold his gaze. “Is there…someone else?” You weren’t expecting that question to make your heart hurt, but it did as the words left your mouth. 

“No,” he shakes his head. “No, nothing like that.” Relief washes over you. 

“Then why?” you hear a hint of panic in your voice. 

Minho reaches across the table and takes hold of your hands in his. He gently squeezes, beckoning you to face him. “Y/n, I like you. No, actually, I think I love you.” He releases your hands and sits back. “I don’t want it to be just sex anymore. I want more than that. I want to date you.” Butterflies flutter around in your chest. You were never expecting a confession from Lee Minho. It takes you aback and you are unsure why you cannot think of a response to him. All you do is stare, wide eyed. “If you don’t feel the same…it’s fine, but it would maybe be best if we don’t see each other for a little while.”

“How long is a little while?” You ask immediately. 

Minho scratches the back of his head and thinks for a moment before answering. “I guess as long as it takes for me to get over my feelings for you.” He shrugs. While you still struggle to give him an answer, he gets up from the table. “Just let me know, Y/n.” He drops a few dollars for a tip and heads for the door before you can say anything. Within seconds, he’s gone from your sight. You consider chasing after him, but once again you find you can’t. Instead, you just sit there, frozen, staring at his empty chair and repeating his words in your head. I think I love you.

-

Feeling like he is carrying the weight of the world inside of his chest, Minho drags his feet as he makes his way back home. Finally in the safety of his room, he turns off all his lights and crawls under the covers. Maybe if he just lays still he will become one with his mattress and disappear like Johnny Depp in A Nightmare on Elm Street, albeit less bloody. Unfortunately for him, though fortunately, his friends would not be letting this happen. A few minutes after Minho had resigned to his fate, he hears footsteps enter the room.

“토끼?” It’s Chris’s voice. Minho doesn’t respond. He feels the bed dip as someone sits. A hand finds his calf and gently squeezes.

“Hyung?” Now Jisung’s voice.

“I don’t want to talk.”

Chris stands beside Minho’s bed near where he assumes his head is. He leans against the wall. “You don’t have to right now. But I do think you need to talk to her.” 

“I already did. I broke things off.” Chris and Jisung look at each other in surprise. 

“Okay…because she doesn’t like you or?” the eldest asks.

“She didn’t really say anything when I told her.”

“Oh.”

Jisung chimes in, “But she likes you too. I know she does!”

Minho sighs beneath the covers. “I’m not so sure.”

Felix appears out of thin air startling everyone. “Her heart’s been broken. She’s like a stray cat, you need to be patient with her.”

“How much more time can she possibly need? At this point, she either likes me or she doesn’t.” 

Jeongin and Seungmin suddenly crowd the doorway “What’s with the party?” Seungmin interrupts. 

“Not now, boys.” Chris says sternly, but kindly.

Minho sits up and pulls the covers from his face. “Why is everyone in my room? Can’t a guy sulk in peace?” 

“We’re not leaving until you join us downstairs for a movie night.” Chris says.

“Movie night?” Jeongin asks excitedly. 

Felix turns to the youngest and nods. “You get to pick the movie this time.”

“Wait, why does he get to pick? I'm the one that’s sad?” Minho shouts.

“Who’s sad?” Changbin now appears behind Jeongin and Seungmin pushing them further into the room. 

“Minho hyung is sad.” Seungmin says and Minho groans, throwing the covers over him again.

“What's hyung sad about?” Binnie asks innocently.

“Someone is sad?” Hyunjin appears now wrapping an arm around Binnie’s strong shoulders.

“Y/n doesn’t like Minho so he’s crying alone in his room.”

“Sure, tell everyone my business, Seungmin.” The Minho-shaped lump speaks again.

“Um, I thought I just did.” The young boy shrugs matter of factly. Minho removes the sheets from his face again to shoot a death glare at the boy, but Seungmin ignores it. 

“Who’s Y/n?” Hyunjin asks, picking some lint off his sweater.

“Jesus Christ, Hyunjin. Really?” Minho throws his arms up in frustration. 

Chris turns to Hyunjin, “Girl downstairs. You’ve met her a few times.”

“Ahhh basement girl that hyung is in love with. Okay, got it. I’m caught up now.” 

“Minho hyung is in love with Y/n?” Innie asks. A teasing smile spreads across his face.

Minho places his fingers on the bridge of nose and squeezes. “End me, please.”

Seungmin starts to say something, but Chris anticipates his move and throws him a threatening look. Seungmin retreats behind Binnie for protection while Jeongin snickers. 

Chris turns back to look at his oldest kid. “Alright, Minho, you’re getting up and coming downstairs and don’t think we won’t drag you.” He faces the rest of the boys and points. “Seungmin, Changbin. Go grab some snacks from the convenience store.” They both race for the exit pushing each other playfully fighting. Chris turns to the youngest. “Jeongin, go pick a movie.” The maknae heads out of Minho’s room with a skip in his step. Chris shouts out to him before he can get too far, “And not Detective Pikachu again.” 

They hear a whine. “Fine! Then it's You've got Mail!” Jeongin calls out from the stairwell.

Chris turns back to Felix. “Are your brownies almost ready?” 

“Should be, I’ll go check on them.”

“Jisung, go help Felix.” The boy stands with a salute and heads to leave.

“And what about me?” Hyunjin is still standing near the doorway. 

Jisung puts his hand on the tall boy's shoulder. “You just keep looking beautiful, baby.” Hyunjin smiles his famous dumpling smile and follows after Hannie. 

Chris holds out his hand to Minho and waits. Minho looks at his friend’s hand for a moment then closes his eyes in pain. “Hyung, I think I actually am in love with her.”

“I know.” 

“I didn't mean to catch feelings.”

“We never do, man.” Chris pats his friend on the back. 

“She’s so infuriating. We are total opposites and we constantly get under each other’s skin and yet-”

“And yet the moment you saw her, there was no choice.”

“Yeah…”

“Look, you’re going to get it sorted, I know you will. But tonight we’re not going to worry about that. Instead we’re going to go downstairs, cuddle puddle on the couch, and cry over Tom Hanks stalking Meg Ryan.”

“Who’s going to cry?” Minho mimes looking around. “Not me!” 

Chris rolls his eyes as he pulls his moody cat to his feet. “You cried at the end of Sleepless in Seattle.”

“The boy waited at the top of the Empire State Building all day for Annie! He was alone! Who wouldn’t cry?!”

“가자” the oldest shoves Minho out of his room and together they make their way downstairs to enjoy movie night. 

Meanwhile across campus, you sob into your red vines as the credits of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind ends. Yuqi and Momo stare at you with equally concerned looks.

“Um, are you good, babe?” Momo asks. Yuqi sits up from the couch and grabs the remote to change it to something else.

You sniffle as you shove another red vine in your mouth. “I’m fine.”

“So you’re not good.” Momo shakes her head. 

Yuqi gets on the floor and places an arm over your shoulder. “You need to allow yourself to be vulnerable again, babe. You’re allowed to love someone again.” 

“Love? You think I love Minho?”

“Is the Nile a river?”

“Yes?” 

“Then yes. If you don’t tell him how you feel you’re going to regret it.”

“But it was just sex.”

“It’s never just sex.” Momo says as she rolls her eyes. 

“It was supposed to be…”

Yuqi takes hold of your shoulders to face her. “And now you’re both madly in love with each other so what are you going to do about it? Keep pushing him away or love him back for as long as he’ll have you?”

“I’m scared.”

“News flash, we all are.”

“You and Jisung don’t seem scared.” 

“Of course I’m scared! I think I may have found the love of my life, but we’re both young, in college and I know not all relationships last after graduation. But I’m also not going to sit and dwell on the potential hurt I may have to endure in the future. I’d rather put my energy into loving him and being with him.” You place your chin on your knees and ponder her words. She wipes a few stray tears from your cheeks. “I’m going to pop some more popcorn and you’re going to put a sickeningly cheesy happy movie on because I cannot sit through this depressing shit again.” You sniffle and nod. Clicking through the options, you finally land on You’ve got Mail. 

Yuqi returns from the kitchen and sees your choice for the next movie. “Oh, I love this one!” She excitedly sits next to Momo, looping the girl’s arm with hers. Momo groans and tries to pull away.

Click.

-

It had been a week since Minho confessed his feelings for you. Unable to give him an answer, Minho takes your silence to mean one thing: Rejection. And not what it really was: Cowardice. After Minho asked for you to keep your distance from him, you took the easy way out and did your best to steer clear. Though it was a little challenging to completely avoid Minho with him living above you and all. However, after another week things start to fall back to how they were before you became friends with your neighbors and everyone was too busy focusing on finals anyway. Whenever you ran into the boys, you often asked them how Minho was, but not wanting to betray him they wouldn't say much. It’s not that the boys were mad at you, they just didn’t really know what to say anymore when they saw you. Outside of Jisung and Felix who still remained friendly, the rest were just polite.

Once finals had concluded, you could feel the levity in the air. The campus buzzed with students leaving their last class of the semester. You knew everyone would be heading home soon for the summer and bile began to rise in your throat as you realized it was now or never if you didn’t want to lose Minho for good. There was a chance the boy wouldn’t forgive you considering you hadn’t spoken in weeks, but you missed him. You missed him so much that you found yourself struggling to make it through each day . You missed feeling the warmth of his arms around you and the heaviness of his gaze on your face. You had grown accustomed to his presence and you knew you had fallen in deep. Finally coming to a decision, you put your metaphorical big girl pants on and dart back to the house. When you arrive, you run into Jisung on the porch.

“Y/n! Hey! Happy end of spring semester.” He flashes his gummy smile.

“Hi, Ji. Is Minho here?”

“Oh…no. He actually just left.”

“Left? Left for where?”

“Home.”

“Home?! Like home, home?”

“Yes?”

You look around in frustration. “How long ago did he leave?”

“Um maybe 15-20 minutes ago for the airport? Y/n, is everything okay?” 

“Ji, I have to go.” You leave Jisung in a state of confusion as you head for your car. 

“Y/n, he's just leaving for summer break?” Too late, you're already taking off for the parking lot behind the house and don’t hear Jisung calling after you. You punch in the directions to the airport and whip out of the lot like your life depends on it. 

The airport is small. Only one flight to the main city and back so luckily it doesn’t take you long to get to the gate, but you run anyway, completely ignoring the stares. 

You finally spot him in line for the flight to Philadelphia and shout his name “LEE MIN HO!” Everyone within earshot turns around and looks at you along with the boy you have fallen for. He tilts his head, eyes widening in complete shock and confusion. You run over to him, your chest rising and falling rapidly. 

Minho pulls you aside and away from the onlookers. “Y/n, what are you doing here?” He can feel his ears redden. 

“You were just going to leave without saying anything?” You say breathlessly, realizing you should probably start working out again. 

“Y/n. I’m just going home to visit my parents for the summer.” 

Right… Before you lose any courage you blurt out “I like you!”

“Oh…”

“I didn’t want to. I tried so hard not to like you, but I failed.”

Minho drops his hands from your shoulders.  “I’m sorry to have been such a nuisance?” 

“No, dummy, I’m trying to confess my feelings for you.” Minho makes an “o” face as he comprehends. “You’re doing great, princess. Keep going.” He smirks and signals for you to continue. You throw him a threatening look as he bites his lip to hold back his smile.

You clear your throat as you try to refocus. “I hurt you, Minho. I didn't mean to, but I let my fears get the better of me instead of just trusting you. I know we’re young. I know this could end in tears, but I am going to be brave and not focus on the scary things. I…I want…” Minho looks at you encouragingly as your words catch in your throat. You squeeze your eyes shut trying to swallow back your cowardice. 

“Y/n?”

Your eyes fly open and you nearly shout, “I want to date you too!” Minho stifles a giggle at your outburst. “That’s what I should have said back at the cafe. That’s what I wanted to say, but I just couldn’t.”

“It’s okay.” He pulls you into his arms.

“I’m sorry for being so foolish.”

“We were both fools.” 

You let out a sigh and wrap your arms around him. “But I have to warn you, once I hold on to someone I don’t let go, so yeah, I guess you’re basically stuck with me.”

“Sounds like a dream,” he says, patting your head. 

“Til death do us part then.” 

His eyes fly open. “Jesus, Y/n. Why does that sound like a threat?” You laugh teasingly. 

He shakes his head and places his forehead on yours. “You’re crazy.” 

“You’re normal.” 

Minho smiles and whispers into your lips, “I like you.”

“사랑해요” You finally admit to him. 

You try to pull Minho into a kiss, but he interrupts the moment. “Sorry, but did you really just run through this tiny airport to confess to me like we’re in a Nora Ephron movie or something?”

“Yes.”

“Ew, that is so lame.” You punch his arm. “Ouch!” He laughs while he holds his arm.

“I take it back.” You turn to leave, but he grabs your hand whipping you back around and into his arms again. He kisses you tenderly and you smile into his mouth as the warmth of his lips close in on you. Minho looks into your eyes seriously this time. “I love you too, princess.” He kisses the tip of your nose and you smile as tears start to pool. 

A female voice blasts over the intercom, Last call for flight to Philadelphia. Minho looks over at the attendant checking people in then looks back at you. “That’s my cue.” The two of you embrace one more time before he grabs his bag to leave. You watch as he shows his boarding pass and walks through the gate. Your heart tightens in your chest as the warmth from his touch dissipates.

“Y/n!” Minho shouts suddenly into the crowd. You stand on your tippy toes as his fellow passengers start to block your view. “You complete me!” He makes a heart above his head and laughs.

“Oh my god, shut up!” Your face heats up. 

“I love you,” he shouts one last time before disappearing into the tunnel to board his flight. Sitting on the bench, you watch as Minho’s flight eventually takes off. You do your best to stifle the tears threatening to fall. Once the plane is no bigger than an ant in the sky you decide it’s time to head home. 

-

You park your car and climb out to head inside the house. Minho sent you a text just before take off promising to message you once he landed in Philly and eventually in Seoul. Clutching your phone to your chest in anticipation, you make your way to your apartment. Jisung spots you from the window and pops out onto the back deck to call out to you. “Did you get him?”

You give him the biggest smile and nod. “Yeah, I got him.” 

“About time.” Jisung rolls his eyes affectionately before giving you a wink and disappearing back into the house. While you have no idea what's going to happen between you and Minho, for once, you are no longer afraid.

FIN.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who read my first fic/fic series. I know I have a lot of room for improvement, but I really enjoyed this. Maybe it feels out of left field, but I decided to make the ending cheesy because I had it in my head that the boys are really big rom com fans and our main character is not. Since our MC had been emotionally stunted from her parent’s divorce and previous relationship, I wanted her to make a ridiculous grand gesture because 1. she knows the boys are cheesy romantics and 2. to also finally put her trauma aside and allow herself to love Minho. Slightly going to miss them, even though Y/n was a pain in the ass at times.

MASTERLIST

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Tag List: @linocz @queenmea604 @felixs-voice-makes-me-wanna @ana-marais98 @aller-geese @stayandot8 @flowersun @jisuperboard @jisunglyricist

xx

[em-dash-press]

Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation: Writing 101

I adored grammar lessons in grade school, but I realized they were specific to the school I was in when I switched school systems.

Not everyone gets to grow up with grammar quizzes and sentence diagram tests. Don’t feel bad if you can’t tell an em dash from a hyphen! Browse this guide and you’ll refresh yourself on everything you need to know.

Note: this is for American English and assumes you already speak it as a first or second language. It won’t explain verbs, nouns, etc. Also, some parts will vary by in-house style guides with various publishers. However, you can use these refreshers to problem-solve your WIP and feel more confident about how you wield your words.

1. Punctuation Around Dialogue

American English grammar rules almost always firmly state that punctuation around dialogue goes inside quotation marks.

Examples:

Wrong: “I don’t want to go to the park”, she said.

Right: “I don’t want to go to the park,” she said.

This rule won’t apply if you’re asking about something someone said. Otherwise, punctuation always goes inside the quotation marks to end what’s being said.

Examples:

Wrong: Did the teacher say, “Do your homework?”

Right: Did the teacher say, “Do your homework”?

Also, dialogue tags always have a comma separating what’s being said from the tag itself. That’s because the tag is an integral part of the dialogue since it identifies who’s saying the spoken words.

Examples:

Wrong: “I love chocolate ice cream.” he said.

Right: “I love chocolate ice cream,” he said.

2. Adjectives vs. Adverbs

Adjectives and adverbs often get confused. They both start with “ad” and describe other words. So what do they mean?

Adjectives are descriptors that apply to nouns.

Adverbs are descriptors that often end in -ly and apply to verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. (Basically anything but nouns.)

Examples:

Adjective: He is a hairy cat. [“Hairy” describes the noun “cat.”]

Adverb: The hairy cat ran quickly across my yard. [“Quickly” describes the verb “ran.”]

Adverb: He really likes to roam. [“Really” describes the verb “likes.”]

Adverb: Even though we have a very small neighborhood. [“Very” describes the adjective “small.]

Adjectives are also considered stronger descriptors in writing because they’re more specific. Using adverbs occasionally is often fine, but publishers and editors that sift through submissions with a fine-tooth comb don’t like repeated adverb usage when a more direct description could fit the sentence.

Examples:

Adverb: I really enjoy going to the movies.

Stronger verb: I love going to the movies.

3. There, They’re, and Their

People often get these confused because the English language is very confusing. To put it bluntly:

There: a location

They’re: a contraction for “they are”

Their: the possessive pronoun form of “they”

Example:

They’re driving their car to that store over there.

4. Run-On Sentences and Fragments

Run-on sentences go on for too long. Fragments are incomplete sentences.

You’ll know both when you spot them because it isn’t how people normally talk. People pause to collect their thoughts, take a breath, and describe their thoughts in complete sentences (even with slang, the sentences still make sense).

Examples:

Run-On Sentence: She went to work and had a meeting at 11:00 before going to lunch at the restaurant across the street which had her favorite food on the dessert menu so she enjoyed it before going back to work and clocking out at 5:00. [This sentence addresses six different actions in too many phrases for a running list of commas with a conjunction at the end.]

Fragment: Every single animal. [Every animal what? There’s no context, so the sentence is incomplete. Sometimes writers use fragments as creative descriptors if they break grammar rules effectively, but you have to know how to avoid fragments to use them well.]

5. Em Dashes

Ah, the em dash. I’m so biased when it comes to this punctuation mark.

Em dashes indicate a purposeful pause, followed by essential information. They can also distinguish phrases or lists in the middle of a sentence.

Most importantly, they’re the length of an m.

You’ll know you’re using them correctly if you can replace your em dash with a pair of commas, a colon, or a semicolon.

Examples:

I love using em dashes—especially for sentences like this—so I may use them a little too often. [You could replace the em dashes with commas and it would still be correct.]

I couldn’t resist it—Em Dash Press had to be the name for my blog. [This em dash could be a semicolon.]

6. En Dashes

En dashes are the little sibling to em dashes. En dashes are two hyphens long or the length of an n. They point out the range in numbers or time, but can also stand in for “to” or “and.”

Examples:

The war lasted from 1434–1442.

I’ll be at the library from 6:30–7:30 p.m.

The final score was 32–34.

You have a ticket on the Chicago–New York flight tomorrow evening.

7. Hyphens

At this point, you’re likely wondering what’s even left for hyphens to do. The answer is quite a lot.

It’s one dash wide and joins words.

Examples:

Hello, my name is Alvina Stuart-Kelly.

I’m looking for a dog-friendly apartment.

She has a two-year-old child.

Typically, they don’t go after adverbs and don’t join words after nouns.

Examples:

Incorrect: My apartment is dog-friendly.

Incorrect: That child is two-years-old.

8. Commas (Oxford and Otherwise)

Commas are a curse and a gift for writers. Myself included. 

We often use commas that are unnecessary because in our mind, that’s where we’re pausing to breathe or collect our thoughts as we type the sentence.

Sometimes it just feels right to use too many—until it’s time to edit.

There are multiple types of commas. The first is the comma that connects a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, so, yet, nor).

Example:

He’d love to hang out, but he has to finish his homework.

A comma can also go after an introductory phrase.

Example:

When we last spoke, it was still November.

Commas also go around phrases within a sentence.

Example:

My neighbor, who is a great painter, is open for commissions.

Then there’s the Oxford comma, which goes before the coordinating conjunction at the end of a list.

Example:

We need to get paper towels, apples, and flour at the supermarket.

You can also place a comma in between two nouns that are interchangeable.

Example:

The fresh, cheesy soup is delicious.

The cheesy, fresh soup is delicious.

There should be a comma after a conjunctive adverb at the beginning of a sentence if it’s contrasting something.

Example:

I don’t like swimming in rivers. However, I’ll make an exception for you.

Introductory prepositional phrases (you can find a complete list of prepositions below) also get followed by a comma if they’re more than four words long. However, you can put them after smaller prepositional phrases too. 

Examples:

[“After the game” is the prepositional phrase below.]

Correct: After the game we should get milkshakes.

Also correct: After the game, we should get milkshakes.

Also correct: After the game ends tonight, we should get milkshakes.

When a prepositional phrase ends a sentence, you don’t need to put a comma before it because they’re typically describing a verb.

Incorrect: We should get milkshakes, after the game ends.

Correct: We should get milkshakes after the game ends. [“After the game ends” is describing the timing of the verb “get” in relation to the object “milkshakes.”]

9. Prepositions

Prepositions are words that come before a noun, verb, or pronoun to indicate details like the place, time, direction, location and relationship to an object.

There are too many prepositions to list in this post, but you can find a ton of them over on this website.

Examples:

He left ~for college~.

They were born ~in 1972~.

~From September to November,~ I’m going to be very busy.

You’ll know you’re using a preposition incorrectly when it’s essentially dangling at the end of the sentence or can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Examples:

Incorrect: Where’s the mouse at?

Correct: Where’s the mouse?

Incorrect: He leapt off of the couch.

Correct: He leapt off the couch.

Notably, some uses of prepositions are colloquial. In real-world conversations, you might say things like, “Where are you at?” and that’s absolutely fine. It’s even fine to use them like that when writing dialogue for characters who have a specific vernacular usage of them, like regional or cultural phrasing.

When neither of those are present in the written word, editors will recommend revising your sentences to reflect prepositional usage rules like the ones above.

10. Apostrophes

Apostrophes have a couple different jobs.

First, they show possession when something or someone owns something.

Examples:

That is Henry’s car.

Watch out for the tree’s loose branches.

Apostrophes also go after an “s” if the plural noun has possession of something.

Examples:

The stores’ new parking lot looks much better.

The wagons’ wheels were made of wood.

The classmates’ party just began.

When a plural noun doesn’t end in an s, it usually gets the standard apostrophe before an s.

Examples:

The sheep’s pen needs a repair.

The people’s voice matters.

The women’s shoe section is over there.

Apostrophes join words to create contractions too. Contractions join two separate words to save time, effort, or word count. They’re what most people use in everyday language because contractions are less formal in tone. (I just used one in that previous sentence!)

Examples:

It’s time to go to bed.

They’re making dinner now.

I can’t run very far.

11. Colons

We use colons to make sense of too much information. Basically, they give order to lists, phrases, or titles.

Examples:

They need to call the following guests: Isabelle, Ana, and Richard.

The Urgent Need for Answers: A Call for Solutions to Healthcare Inequities [This would be the title of an academic paper, book, or article.]

We have one thing in common: the desire to write more stories.

12. Semicolons

Don’t be afraid of semicolons; they are here to help you!

Semicolons join two related ideas or clarify lists with multiple long phrases.

Examples:

I ate dessert before dinner; life is about doing what makes you happy. [The second half of the sentence provides clarity or reasoning to the first half. The semicolon could get replaced by an em dash or “, because” if you preferred it that way.]

When I wake up, I brush my teeth with an electric toothbrush; swish a sensitive-teeth mouthwash in my mouth for 30 seconds; and wash my face while I shower. [If you replaced the semicolons with commas, the phrases would be considered too wordy. Semicolons provide more visual order for readers in this context.]

13. Exclamation Marks

Some people avoid ever using exclamation marks. Others use them all the time.

I say that the correct usage depends on the situation.

If an overly enthusiastic, excited kid were telling their friends they were going to Disney World, they might breathlessly say something like, “I just got the best news! My mom got time off of work! So we’re going to Disney World!”

However, if a more serious or laid-back person said they had a good day and wanted to describe it, they’d likely say, “My day was good! I had a great lunch and the drive home was easy.” Finishing the last sentence with an extra exclamation mark would be out of character for them.

You also wouldn’t want to use exclamation marks in formal writing settings, like academic papers or newspaper articles, because it would come across as too casual. But it’s fine if you’re writing a social media post or texting a friend.

As long as the exclamation mark indicates excitement or urgency, you’re using it correctly. Consider who’s speaking and why to figure out if their dialogue would result in more than an occasional exclamation mark.

-----

I hope this helps clarify the basics so you’re more confident about writing your next story. Grammar is complicated and ever-changing (I’m looking at you, AP Style Guide), but you can count on these basics to structure things correctly for your readers.

[romancingdaffodils]

Drunken Monologues

Certified Mind Blower

remus lupin x gender neutral!magical!reader

fluff fluff pure fluff with a tiny sprinkle of Remus being silly about his furry little problem.

Remus Lupin is the cutest cutie that ever did cute!

You fell asleep at his house, in his bed, beside him. Despite what your ‘drunken’ self may have wanted Remus just put you to sleep. Then, you wake up to the sound of his voice and to the scent of something sweet. Oh, and a splitting headache.

haii did you miss me i bet you did (lots of love lilac)

ps i think this picture is super cute because my best friend taught me how to play backgammon and i’m shit at it but it makes me happy :333 matt hitt is so cute

Remus Lupin has been and always will be unbearably pretty. So, when you woke up in his bed, it was a bit of a shock. However, that shock was soon overcome by the consequences of your previous actions. ‘Ow, my head.’ you thought, groaning once again. You were certain you hadn’t been that drunk, but maybe you were in denial. Not being that drunk should not warrant this awful headache. Suddenly, it dawned on you. You were alone in the bed. Surely Remus wasn’t the type to fuck off from his own house just because he wasn’t interested in you, right? Right? Sitting up, another sensation other than the splitting headache hit you. The smell of pancakes and the sound of Remus’s voice. Yum (for both). He’s talking, was he on the phone? You wanted to groan again, feeling like it was too much energy to move to the lounge. However, for more of Remus, you’d do anything.

“I’d say sorry Pads,” Sirius from last night, you remind yourself “But, I’m not sorry at all. They’re lovely, absolutely perfect.” he said, his voice muffled slightly by the walls. You can’t hear Sirius’s voice but you imagine he said something along the lines of ‘Honestly Moony, never expected that from you,’. As you had this thought, it set in he was talking about you. Fuck. Your face flushed and every single thing you’d said last night popped into your head. Late night slideshows of embarrassment now had enough fuel to last a life time. Padding out of the bedroom, you stood in the doorway to the lounge.

“Dunno why you’re so bothered, heard you went home with someone else anyway, Mckinnon was it? Or perhaps the bartender guy, who couldn’t leave you alone?” Remus said, chuckling down the phone. You were glad Sirius wasn’t bothered by your infatuation with his friend, seeing as he’d gone home with someone else. In front of him, two plates of pancakes were being coated in strawberries and chocolate spread. Sirius shouted so loud down the phone that you actually heard it this time.

“‘Cause it was a fucking betrayal Remus!” he whined and you couldn’t help but giggle at his remark. Immediately, the tall boys head whipped round and he flashed you a smile.

“Good bye Sirius.” he replied, hanging up instantly. “Made breakfast, how long have you been awake?” he asked, still grinning at you; you smiled back.

“Not long, thanks for breakfast. Looks good.” you said, trying desperately hard not to fumble over your words. Your cheeks were still flushed and your brain was still mush.

“You alright, love? Y’look- quite red. How’s your head?” he questioned, as though he could read your mind. The statement ‘you look quite red’ was obviously a teasing one. So, when you frowned up at him, his grin only grew. Stomach twisting, you tried desperately hard not to give him a reaction to his pet name.

“I’m fine, thanks. Plus, you’re completely and utterly awful.” you complained, still frowning up at him.

“I made you breakfast and I’m awful. You were a lot braver last night.” he teased, picking up the two plates and placing them down on the breakfast bar.

“I remember you being a lot less mean last night.” you complained, still scowling at him. Your false anger didn’t last long as you sat down and gave a big smile. “Thank you.” you added, tilting your head.

“ ‘m incredible, dunno what you’re talking about. And, you’re welcome. How’d you sleep?” he replied, sitting down next to you and stretching out his legs. He was so unbelievably pretty, even with messy hair and too big pyjamas - which consisted of a band shirt and joggers.

“Really, really well actually. You? Oh, by the way. Sorry about, you know, everything I said last night. I’m not normally like that.” you mumbled in between bites of freakishly good pancakes. Chocolate spread and strawberries were an unmatched combo (only lemon juice and sugar could beat it).

“Slept well too. Plus, quite enjoyed you telling me how, ahh what was it? Fucking gorgeous you think I am. But, seriously, no worries.” Remus teased, but his tone deepened at his last sentence.

“I feel like I forced my way into your home.” you giggled, smiling over at him sheepishly.

“I’m not complaining. Y’lovely. I know you heard me say that to Sirius, by the way. You don’t really have the whole poker face nailed, do you?”.

“No, no not really.” you mumbled, becoming flustered once again. Watching Remus, you admired his every move as he finished off the pancakes. Similarly, he couldn’t take his eyes away from you. “Let me help, like do the washing up or something.” you said, standing up as soon as you finished the food “I feel bad, you’ve been so nice.”.

“You really don’t have to, but, if you want to you can.” he stated, smiling over at you as you took the plate away. Quickly, you got to work on washing the plates. He laughed lightly as he watched you, shaking his head.

“Are you laughing at me?” you asked, feigning offence. Approaching you, Remus placed his arms on either side of you. You turned around, having finished with the washing up. His face was only a few inches away from your own.

“Would never.” he defended, looking down at you. Remus Lupin was ridiculously tall, pretty and charismatic. He dressed like a loser, but was in fact - in your eyes - quite the opposite. Right now, he was all you had ever wanted.

“Hi.” your mind was at a complete blank and the fact you had even formed a word was impressive. Your body felt like it was on fire.

“Hello, dove.” he purred, trying hard not to laugh at the look on your face. As calm as Remus presented himself, he had a dead giveaway. A tell. White knuckles. He was gripping the sink so tightly his knuckles had altered into a pale, almost translucent white.

“You didn’t kiss me yesterday.” you stated, feeling it rather appropriate for the situation. He smiled. You swallowed, hard.

“No, I didn’t. You were quite drunk. However, it would be awful of me to not kiss you today.” he murmured in response, leaning closer in. Your mind was filled with a repetitive sequence of two words. Kiss me. Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me. His teasing was criminal. He was driving you insane within the first day of knowing him and you couldn’t imagine the solace his kiss would bring.

“So awful,”. You had to bite your tongue to avoid begging him to kiss you.

Moving even closer towards you, Remus’s tight grip on the sink never once faltered. And, finally, sweet relief. He kissed you like you’d never been kissed before. Soft, sweet and somehow it held a passion that sent your brain into a wicked frenzy. When he pulls away, you pant.

It was good. Too good. Far too good.

“You’re so pretty, ‘s unfair.” he cooed, releasing the sink and running his hand through your hair. Tenderly, he tucked the majority of your unbrushed hair behind your ears. Remus didn’t really seem to mind the mess.

“Ha-ha. Haha.” you said. Yes, you spoke the sounds “Ha-ha.” Sounding somewhat like a maniac, all you could do was look up at him with pure adoration.

“Are you okay?” he asked, tilting his head. Once again, he was trying desperately hard not to laugh.

“Perfectly- Um, perfectly fine.” you confirmed, nodding your head as you spoke. Once again, the broken record spinning that was in your mind began its maniacal chant. ‘Kiss me. Kiss me. Kiss me.’ you begged, silently.

“Still not got a poker face, dove.” he observed, leaning back in. Connection. Morning breath and all. Connection. You were praying you wouldn’t collapse of the sensation of it all. Your hands shakily found their way into Remus’s hair. Carelessly, his hands moved to your waist and pulled you closer.

In books it’s common for the writer to describe the characters emotions whilst kissing; it emphasises how good the sensation truly is. However, right now, you were going against all laws of literature. All you could think, feel or live was Remus. One day was all it took for you to be whipped. Truly, taken. One day.

With your head tilted upwards and your body pressed flush against the brown haired man’s, you could’ve died. Unfortunately, he pulled away. Taking in slow deep breaths, he peered down at you. The look in his eyes was different. He had attraction and affection, sure. But, there was something else there. His expression changed, now matching the look in his eyes. It looked like he was fighting some sort of battle with himself.

And, honestly? Remus was fighting a battle. He liked you, from what he could tell anyway. He liked you a lot. However, Remus Lupin was burdened with a curse he wouldn’t dare admit to anyone bar his closest friends. His so called furry little problem actually turned out to be a rather large problem. Especially when it came to people like you.

Famously, he was promiscuous. God knows the number of people he’d been with. But, those hookups could be reduced to a number. Someone like you couldn’t be inconsequential. In fact, he was of the firm belief you were going to be quite consequential in deed. Reducing you to another quick affection fix would be doing you a great disservice, so Remus thought anyway. So here he was, in his own kitchen, desperately pleading with his own brain to let him take you out. You kissed like some sort of God and you begged like a desperate follower; his body couldn’t decide which part of you he liked the most. In turn, that was what led to the ultimate decision to ask you out. Reminding himself of James, Sirius and Pete’s never ending pep talks, the lanky man understood his lycanthropy did not make him any less worthy of what he wanted. However, trying to act on that was an unbelievably difficult task for Remus. The typical excuse of chronic pain won’t cut it in a serious relationship, when he disappears for days. And, he felt a pang of guilt already fiddling with his intestines for any pain it would bring you. Making his mind up was proving to be far more difficult than he would’ve liked.

His heart won the fight, for once. Foolishly, he had put his logic driven brain aside and let his heart do the talking. (He’d soon come to realise it wasn’t foolish at all).

“Do you wanna go out, this week sometime?” he asked, continuously taking the lead. Grateful, you smiled up at him.

“Yeah, actually. I’d really, really like that.” you affirmed, once again nodding your head like a babbling idiot.

[stellar-constellations]

(Very late) Christmas special! Yuri Briar

Yuri Briar x Fem! Reader

        Beware! This fic DOES contain SPOILERS for the manga and for the Yuri Briar x Fem! Spy! Reader series: An Alliance (part 1)!

        This can be read with or without reading my Yuri Briar x Fem! Spy! Reader series: An Alliance (part 1).

        Series information: Setting is AFTER the reader rejoined WISE (so Yuri and [Y/N] are married and [Y/N] becomes an official double-spy).

        This is NOT a replacement or part 10 for the Yuri Briar x Fem! Spy! Reader series!

        The city air smelt like hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts. The town’s street lamps were decorated with yellow christmas lights and green wreaths. Children squished their faces against the cold windows of toy stores, gazing at what they want on their Christmas lists. Candies filled with marshmallows and peppermint advertised at the local grocery store. Yuri and I strolled through the town hand-in-hand, looking for gifts for the Forger family.

        “Do you have any idea what they’d want for Christmas?” I questioned, looking into store windows for anything that caught my eye.

        “I’m not sure. Yor said that she was fine with anything.” Yuri spoke, just as lost as me. 

        “Well what about Loid and Anya?” I asked, turning my head to look at Yuri.

        “Do we have to buy them gifts?” Yuri grimaced. 

        “They’re family.” I huffed. “Don’t be mean. And don’t even think about going to the Christmas party with an attitude to Loid. I’ll whack you.” I threatened.

        “I don’t even know what we’d give Loid. He’s so… reserved?” Yuri spoke. “He doesn’t talk much about himself other than work.” 

        “I see what you mean.” I hummed. “So work is obviously an important thing in his life.”

        “His main priority should be caring for Yor…” Yuri huffed.

        “We can talk about this later. The shops will close early because it's Christmas Eve, so we have no time to be complaining about stuff like that.” I pointed out. "Loid values work, we could get him something for work. Like, maybe a new journal to write notes? He is a psychiatrist after all.” I suggested.

        At least his public cover is. I thought to myself. 

        I tried to think more deeply on what Twilight likes without accidentally revealing to Yuri that I know him more than just his sister's husband. Of course I know things about him that Yuri and Yor won't, I did basically grow up with him almost my entire life, so I consider him like a brother and my best friend. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I basically knew nothing of Twilight's interests or hobbies. He's always been so work-oriented compared to my laid-back nature. 

        My realization led me to questioning everything I knew about Twilight. Is the personality I've associated with him almost my whole life a cover personality? Am I such a bad sister and best friend that I don't even know his favorite damn color? What he likes to do in his free time? 

        While I had an internal existential crisis, Yuri dragged me out of my thoughts. 

        "Hey, there's a bookstore over there. We can go find Loid's journal there?" Yuri suggested, pointing his finger at a small bookstore.

        "Yeah, okay." I nodded, dragging Yuri into the store with me. "Along with a journal, we can get Loid a book too. I'm just unsure of what types of books he'd enjoy." 

        "We have to get him more than one gift?" Yuri sighed, obviously displeased at the idea. 

        "Just wait till we get to Anya." I hummed. "She's a child, so she should get the most presents." 

        "When I was a kid, I didn't celebrate Christmas." Yuri pointed out.

        I did. Growing up as a West spy, the Handler would put time aside and host a Christmas party at HQ. She made sure to give small gifts to all spies (most likely to avoid promotions). Since I was a kid and the youngest on the team, she made sure my gifts were a little more special than my fellow spies. I remember the first year I joined WISE, she gifted me a warm sweater with comfortable short fur inside and the exterior was soft and gray, along with a raspberry candy cane. I cried so hard that day because I was so touched she bothered getting me something despite our relationship being something of a teacher and student. Now a days, I see her more of the closest thing I have to a mother in my life, and I make sure to give her a present every year too. 

        Speaking of the Handler, I need to find a gift for her too. I might be able to sneak out later and buy something while Yuri is sleeping. I thought to myself. 

        "Maybe a book on psychology?" Yuri questioned.

        "No. I wanna get him something for him to enjoy that's not all work-related." I spoke.

        Besides, me and him already know quite a bit of psychology as it is. I thought. 

        Maybe something like mystery? No, he'd figure out the mystery too quick. Suspense? No, he'd just get mad at the character's decisions for being stupid. Romance? Nope, he seems to have little interest in the subject. Maybe something dystopian? Eh, we've faced a war together and live under oppressed governments with the possibility of war, we have our own silent dystopian going on. Maybe something involving self-help, like how not to be robotic. It'd be a good gag gift, but like I said, I want him to enjoy it. Historical? No, we know just about everything in history.

        "Ah! Science fiction!" I exclaimed loudly. 

        "Like... robots?" Yuri questioned. 

        "I dunno, maybe. I think Loid would enjoy the genre." I spoke. 

        "How so?" Yuri questioned.

        "He's smart, he is a psychiatrist after all. He'll probably like something that's mixed with reality but still have hints of fiction in it. Smart people like smart things like science! It'd be something to get his brain working and still enjoy it." I spoke.

        "Pssh, anyone can listen to a person's problems and give out solutions." Yuri huffed.

        "That's not all they do, Yuri. They also—" I paused, deciding it wasn't worth going in depth. "Ah, never mind. Let's just find something good for him to read." 

        Me and Yuri walked to the science fiction section, looking for anything that caught our eyes. Yuri didn’t exactly do much of the searching since it included being “too buddy-buddy with Loi-Loi” so I did the searching myself.

        “Oh, what about 1984? I heard that was good.” I spoke. “I remember hearing it was featured in the newspaper, it’s relatively new, published in 1948.” 

        I might steal this after Twilight finishes reading it. I thought to myself.

        “Yeah, sure.” Yuri spoke.

        “Hm… what do you think Yor would like? I was thinking of giving her a new set of earrings as my gift. What’s on your mind?” I questioned. 

        “Well… she likes apples, specifically this Whistle Candy we had as kids, the apple flavored ones.” Yuri explained. 

        “That’s a good start. We can go to the market and buy those.” I smiled. “I want to stop by a jewelry store and buy her a set of gold earrings, I noticed her jewelry was gold so I figured she’d might appreciate it.” 

        “You noticed.” Yuri spoke, tears in his eyes.

        “Why are you tearing up?” I questioned, a little confused.

        “Just… you’re so thoughtful of her too. She loves you so much as her sister-in-law so it’d make her so happy to know you paid attention to her interests.” Yuri cried, wiping his nose.

        I resisted the urge to tell him I was observing her to make sure she wasn’t an obstacle in STRIX’s mission or a hazard to Twilight’s mental health (now that I’ve spent time with her, I’m aware she’s a wonderful person, but I was on my guard when we first met, especially knowing how hard she can hit someone). 

        “Of course I care, Yuri. She’s family to me, just like Anya and Loid are.” I smiled.

        The names of his sister’s husband and daughter leaving my lips immediately dried his eyes and made him grimace. “Blegh…”

        “Wow. I should use that more against you when you’re upset if it makes you forget what you were crying about in the first place.” I smiled, a little impressed.

        “Don’t you use those two… imbeciles... against me.” Yuri threatened, a glint in his eyes.

        “Yeah, yeah.” I hummed. “Let’s find an empty notebook now. I'm thinking something blue, or blue and white." 

        Yuri nodded as we walked together, looking around to find a journal. I've seen empty journals in bookstores before, so surely this bookstore can't be an exception. I took Yuri to the front of the bookstore where there would usually be little souvenirs or many pens. I found a plain midnight blue journal and held it up to Yuri. 

        "What do you think?" I questioned.

        "Looks like a journal." Yuri spoke.

        "Helpful." I hummed sarcastically, before opening the journal.

        I felt the texture of the pages and the cover, along with the page colors, the spacing and colors of the lines, and the sturdiness of the spine before deeming it acceptable. 

        "Okay, Yuri. Let's go pay for these then we can go for Yor's presents." I spoke. 

        Yuri nodded, grabbing my hand as we walked to the cash register together. 

        "How about you pay for Loid's and Anya's gifts, and I'll pay for Yor's? Her earrings will probably be expensive." Yuri spoke.

        "I mean, I have certain earrings I'm looking for, so I can buy them." I explained.

        "No. I got them. Loid's and Anya's gifts will probably tally up to around the earrings price." Yuri explained.

        "And you wanna buy your sister's presents yourself?" I smiled.

        "Yes." Yuri admitted quickly. 

        "Well, if you really insist." I sighed, deciding it wasn't worth fighting him. 

        When we got to the cashier, I took out my wallet from my purse and handed the cashier the amount of dalc they wanted from me. The bagged the books and handed it to me, telling us "happy holidays" as we left.

        "Okay. Let's go to the jewelry store first, then the grocery store for that whistle candy you were talking about." I hummed, rearranging the fluffy red scarf wrapped around my neck.

        Yuri nodded as I grabbed his red mitten, having him follow me. During our walk, I looked around at the shop windows to see if I could find any present for Yuri. I wasn't exactly sure what to get him; he was a pretty simple guy who'd love just about everything I'd give him, but I wanted to give him something that was actually meaningful and something he could really enjoy. The problem is Yuri doesn't have many interests besides Yor and work, so I'm really limited with potential gift ideas.

        "Why are you glaring at me like that?" Yuri questioned, confused.

        "I'm cold." I lied.

        I'm glaring at you because you're a troublesome brat to make happy. I thought.

        "Even in all those layers? We'll be at the store soon enough, so don't worry." Yuri spoke.

        I nodded, thinking of what I could get him. Maybe he likes whistle candy like Yor? But that's so boring, not to mention unoriginal since we're getting Yor it. I could get him something like a candle? But that's not long lasting, and I have no idea what his favorite scents are.         

        "Yuri, I'm thinking of changing my perfume sometime soon. What do you think I should go with?" I questioned.

        "I don't know? Something floral or citrus like most perfumes? It's your perfume." Yuri hummed.

        "Yeah, but I want your input. You're my husband so I don't want to get a scent you don't like." I explained.        

        "I doubt there's a perfume that I don't like. Just don't have it too strong?" Yuri spoke.

        Sometimes I wanna punch his stupid face for being so damn hard to shop for. Seriously, how can someone simple be such a challenge to shop for? Even Twilight is easier to shop for! 

        Yuri and I walked to the store to get the whistle candy Yuri said Yor liked. During the time, I thought of what good gifts Anya would have. I wanted to spoil the kid and give her a good Christmas. I've always wanted to be a cool aunt but now that I lost my entire family I can't do that anymore.

        No, I didn't lose my entire family, only a part of it. I still have Twilight and the Handler, and Yuri and Yor and Anya. My mother is still out there too, somewhere in this world. The thought left me feeling a little better from the other sudden intrusive depressing thought I had. 

        Anya likes peanuts and stuffed toys, I know that. She likes that one spy tv show too, whatever it was called. The episodes I watched with her are a little interesting, I might watch it myself to be honest (perhaps I can learn a thing or two I'm unaware of). I briefly thought about getting her a coat or a cute dress, but then I remembered being a kid and disliked getting clothes as gifts. She does like sweets too. 

        Oh! They have dog too! I remember Twilight telling me about that, trying to train it to attack on command. Apparently the dog is a rescue from Project Apple, where he was trained along with many other dogs to become highly intelligent military animals. I wonder if the dog is huge and scary, like a German Shepard or a Pit Bull with that kind of reputation? Hey, maybe I can convince Yuri to get a dog or a cat!

        Wait, focus. We're here for gifts. 

        "Yuri, when we get the candy let's go to the toy section next." I spoke.

        "Aren't you a bit old for toys?" Yuri smirked, earning him a glare from me.

        "Shut it." I huffed. "It's for Anya, I wanna see if there's any good toys around here she might like. I always wanna get her peanuts and stuffed animals." 

        "Peanuts?" Yuri spoke, making a face. "What kid wants peanuts for Christmas?"

        "Apparently Anya." I shrugged. "Don't question it, kids are weird and have weird Christmas lists. Besides, it's better than like, I dunno, a 20 dalc dolly or something."

        "I guess that's true." Yuri hummed, grabbing a bag of candy from the shelves.

        It was the whistle candy Yuri was talking about. It's comes in a pack of eight circular candies with a hole in the middle. Yuri grabbed two apple flavored packs, holding them in his hands since we didn't grab a cart.

        "Hey, it looks like the American candy Life Savers!" I pointed out. "This whistle candy you speak of, does it actually make you whistle?" I questioned, glancing at the candies.

        "Yeah. You can whistle through them." He nodded.

        "That's cool." I smiled.

        I took a look at all the candies, grabbing a few chocolate peanut candy bars and other candies like gummy bears, Fun Dips, marshmallow Circus Peanuts, and Jolly Ranchers before my eyes spotted a familiar and bittersweet candy—M&M's.

        "Oh hey, I remember these!" I spoke, grabbing a tube. "Hey Yuri, do you know how these were invented? Or more specifically why?"

        "Wasn't it something about the war?" Yuri questioned.

        "Yeah. During the war, normal chocolate bars couldn't be transported or eaten because it'd melt in the heat, so Ostanian soldiers couldn't eat them. Forrest Mars Sr copied the idea of Rowntree's Smarties, a British-made sweet small chocolate candies covered in hardened sugar syrup, when he saw soldiers from the Spanish Civil War eating them." I explained. "I had a buddy who would eat these like no tomorrow." I chuckled, before frowning. 

        Well, I guess he did eat them like no tomorrow, cause he's not alive anymore.

        I remember infiltrating a small town and killing a couple Ostanian soldiers. Rancher was looting the bodies to see if there was anything interesting or see if there's any extra ammo that matched his gun model. While he didn't find ammo that could be shot with his gun, he did find a small brown and tan tube with the title "M&M's" on the tube. He opened it and ate one of the small candies, then he became hooked and popped them in his mouth like a pill junkie. Sometimes, I think he killed soldiers just to see if he could find some of that candy on them. 

        Yuri noticed how my smile faded and patted my shoulder, an attempt to console me. While it didn't quite work, I was happy to know he was trying, especially considering that war was where he potentially lost his parents and started his hate for the West. He doesn't talk about them, but I can naturally assume he lost them in the war considering Yor was the one who raised him. 

        "Do you have a favorite flavor?" I questioned, breaking the silence.

        His hand left my shoulder as he thought, before speaking, "Maybe cherry?"

        I nodded, making a mental note in my head for later. 

        "Well, we got the candy. Let's head to the toy section and see what's there." I smiled, keeping the M&M's in my hand along with the other candies I grabbed.

        We both walked to the toys as I tried and figured out what toys I wanted to buy for Anya. I didn't want something lame or boring, and I didn't want to give her something too generic that every other kid has. Knowing Twilight, he probably got her stuff that's popular with the other kids along with things she liked, I wanna give her something meaningful other than snacks. 

        I noticed the toy guns and thought about getting her a toy cap gun, a small toy that made a small bang to represent a bullet and came with it's own bang roll cap refill that even made a smell, before I realized that not only would they have to purchase more paper roll caps every time it ran out, but I also didn't want to influence her with violence and guns (especially after I heard about her punching Donovan Desmond's son, Damian). I thought about those toy handcuffs, before realizing how boring they were since she couldn't really do anything with that when playing alone. Maybe snap-its? Nah, I don't want her throwing it at her parents or other kids, not to mention the hassle it is to clean them up. Maybe I can code a little morse robot for her to learn morse code (by me coding, I mean Franky). 

        I decided to ditch the entire idea of spy things in general, she's too young for such things, and I don't want her to start getting suspicious of Twilight and I's second-lives, children have an insane ability of calling out bullshit and having some damn accurate hunches. Maybe if I find pajamas or a jacket of her spy show, I'll buy it. 

        I grabbed multiple different teddy bears, a blue one (Twilight), a pink one (Anya), a red and white one (Yor), a red and black one (Yuri), a white one (their dog Bond) and a grey one (me) to represent her family. You can't do much with stuffed animals, so I grabbed other toys too such as a rainbow slinky, a Candy Land board game, silly putty, dominoes, and some coloring books.

        "Does a kid really need that much toys?" Yuri questioned.

        "Yes. Yes she does." I nodded. "This is her first Christmas with us! Christmas is a day that kids are always thinking about, she deserves a good one."

        "Well, if you think so." Yuri sighed, deciding not to fight on the matter. 

        Yuri carried most of the toys while I carried most of the candy. I noticed the struggle between us and mentally scolded ourselves for not getting a basket, it sure would've made this whole process easier.

        "Why don't we get a wagon?" I questioned. "Like a toy wagon for Anya?"

        "That's stupid. What would she use that for?" Yuri questioned.

        "Don't call it stupid without hearing what I gotta say." I huffed. "It can be used to carry her toys around the house, or when she's out and about with Loid and Yor, she can sit in the wagon as they roll her around—it's cute and convenient." I explained.

        "Sure, whatever you want." Yuri waved off.

        Yuri just doesn't understand the importance of Christmas. For an energetic and cheerful kid like Anya, Christmas probably means a lot to her. I remember when I was a little kid and still had the income, I was excited for Christmas too; Yuri probably stopped caring for Christmas when Yor started raising him instead since they would need to direct their funds to something nonessential that doesn't include food or shelter, so I can see his perspective on this matter.

        Even though he doesn't quite care about Christmas, I still want to be able to buy a gift for him, I mean, I have some festive spirit this year and I'm excited to spend Christmas in a place that's not Wise HQ with people I have genuine attachment to outside of work.  

        Me and Yuri grabbed a red toy Radio Wagon, placing all of Anya's (and Yor's) candies and toys inside of it. I also grabbed a classical music and a IIse Werner vinyl record for Loid. I thought and decided that I'll come back to the store later when searching for Yuri's gifts, that way I can get Franky and The Handler a gift too. We grabbed red and white striped wrapping paper (Yuri’s choice) and white snowflake wrapping paper (my choice, along with green and blue ribbons. We also grabbed Bond some treats, I heard he was a big dog so I got him large bones and chew toys. 

        Yuri rolled the wagon to the receptionist as I followed, paying for all the gifts and gift paper. We paid and left the store, heading to the jewelry store next. I wanted to get Yor a set of earrings. I noticed she wore gold spike-like earrings (the only set I've seen her wear really), so I wanted to get her a different pair instead, a pair where me and her match together so that the gift is meaningful. Yuri rolled the wagon down the streets as I guided him to a jewelry store, opening the door for him so he can walk in with the wagon as I advanced. 

        "Do you have a set of earrings in mind?" Yuri questioned.

        "Yep. I have a perfect vision for what I want." I nodded. 

        I spent three days going to every jewelry shop to try and find the perfect set of earrings for Yor that I actually liked and that would match her taste. It took some work and searching, but I found The Set. I lead Yuri to the jewelry shop I wanted to go to called "Himmlischer Ketten." 

        "The wagon is probably going to be troublesome inside of the shop, so you just wait outside with it, okay?" I spoke.

        Yuri looked at me with a blank face, thinking, before making a pout. 

        "But I wanna see what you're buying for Yor." He whined.

        "I'll show you after I pay for it. I'll be in and out in a flash, you'll barely know I left." I smiled. 

        Yuri sighed, his pout still relevant on his face but it had decreased, "Fine. Just hurry up."

        I nodded and walked into the store, looking around to find the set of earrings again. I found the ones I was looking for and told the jeweler, grabbing my wallet from my purse and payed for the price. I also got the second set of earrings so Yor and I could match together. She handed me the two boxes of jewelry inside, handing them to me in a small bag. I walked back out to Yuri and placed the bag of jewelry inside the wagon where the rest of the gifts were.

        "How much did it cost?" Yuri questioned.

        "One hundred dalc in total." I answered.

        Yuri reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, handing me a bit over 100 dalc.

        "Whaddya doing?" I questioned as he took my hand, placing the currency in my palm.

        "I told you earlier that I'd pay for the jewelry." He spoke. 

        "Yeah, but it's my gift to Yor." I pointed out. "Besides, I got a set for myself too."

        I can very well pay for it too since I'm working two government jobs...

        "Consider it one of your Christmas presents." He reasoned. "Besides, you spent enough at the store for Anya and Loid."

        "Wow, you actually said his real name without much thought." I chuckled, causing him to glare at me.

        "Shut up. It just came out of my mouth before I could stop it." He huffed.

        "Sure, hon." I smiled. 

        "Doesn't matter, let's get home and get these presents wrapped." He spoke quickly, changing the subject as he rushed ahead of me, dragging the wagon with him. 

        He can be such a tsundere at times... I thought. Though I guess it's a little endearing in its own stupid way. 

        I followed Yuri back to our apartment, getting home and wrapping the presents in our chosen gift papers we bought. Yuri did the wrapping while I placed bows and ribbons on the boxes since it turns out, I'm terrible at wrapping presents. I wrote the names of who the presents belonged too (most belonging to Anya, but it's still fun to write the names). 

        Yuri and I conversed as we did our own assigned roles together.    

        "You sure like going out for Christmas, huh?" He commented.

        I hummed, thinking of the comment and what to say to that. 

        Perhaps I'm making up for loss time? I don't have a family I can spoil, so I should spoil this one while it lasts. I might not live long being this double-agent, whether I get backstabbed from one of my jobs (most likely the SSS), or whether I die on a mission, or even just some sickness or such, I want to die knowing I at least meant something to someone, or die someone I can be semi-proud of. It's not like there's much I can ask for in life after all I've done, or even deserve much really. Sometimes I wonder if I should even be allowed to enjoy myself with this family, even if it'll potentially be my death. 

        Oh well, I guess it's a bridge I'll cross (or jump off) when the time comes.

        "I like Christmas. I like the pretty lights, the snow, and buying presents for people I care about." I spoke, deciding to go for a simple answer.

        It's not technically a lie or anything, so I'll go with it. 

        Yuri nodded, cutting wrapping paper for one of Anya's stuffed animals to wrap with. "Well, I think it's kinda endearing. You seem very excited when you were choosing the gifts, and I could tell that you were putting much thought into it."

        I blinked, surprised at his sudden adoring words.

        "Are you tryna get something outta me? Like a hint for your gift or a kiss?" I joked teasingly, choosing to ignore how my heartbeat sped up at his words. 

        "I don't got any ulterior motives. I was just pointing out an observation of mine." He huffed, his face turning red. 

        "Well, thanks." I chuckled. "I guess I just like Christmas so much since I didn't really experience much of it as a kid." 

        That's true, even when I still had my parents, Christmas wasn't much except a few toys and candy. Buying presents for five kids a lower-class town like Luwen, it was hard to find money to spoil my siblings and I with when we had to pay for necessities like food or water. 

        "Well, you can experience it more now." Yuri smiled. "Besides, Chihuahua Girl will probably appreciate the gifts, even if she is spoiled enough just being in Yor's presence." He huffed, envious of his niece's everyday life.

        "You're weird." I sighed, placing a blue bow on one of the white snowflake-wrapped gifts. "But I guess that's kinda my fault for agreeing to marry you." I chuckled, writing Anya's name onto the present. 

        "I'm not that bad." He huffed. "I think I'm a pretty good husband."

        "Whatever floats your boat." I teased, causing him to send a pouting glare at me. "I'm just messing with you, honey." I laughed. 

        "I know that." He lied defensively. 

        "Sure." I hummed. "Let's finish this up so that we can make some desserts for tomorrow. I don't want Loid and Yor to do all the cooking."

        He nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, I'm ready to get all this done and go to bed so we can see Yor." He smiled.

        "And Loid and Anya." I added.

        "Ugh..." He groaned, his face contorting into disgust. "Yeah... those two."

        We continued finishing up wrapping the gifts until we finally finished, heading to the kitchen and preparing sweets and appetizers together. When we finished, we put them in containers and aluminum foil, calling it a night. While Yuri slept, I carefully snuck out of bed and changed clothes, sneaking out of the apartment to go get gifts for Franky and the Handler. I got the Handler red camellias and dutch chocolates with a red envelope that has a thank you card and 100 dalc. I got Franky the same thing too, except I gave him an extra 100 dalc so he could have extra money for his inventions. 

        Speaking of Franky's inventions, I decided to go to Franky's place to give him his gifts (and get a favor out of him). After spending the whole day with Yuri and trying to figure out what to get him for Christmas, I finally came up with the perfect gift idea. I walked to Franky's apartment and knocked on his door, waiting a minute or two before he opened the door. 

        Franky looked surprisingly awake for it being two in the morning. 

        "Oh? I didn't expect you to be awake." I spoke, a bit surprised.

        "I'm working on some new inventions. Did you need something?" Franky questioned.

        "Actually, I have something for you..." I spoke, handing him yellow roses. 

        "Oh? Really? Thanks!" he smiled, accepting the bouquet. "What's the occasion?"

        "Merry Christmas." I cheered. "Did you forget or something?"

        His face paled as he turned his attention to the calendar on his wall. "It's Christmas Eve already?!" he exclaimed.

        "What?! You didn't know?!" I shouted back, surprised. "How long have you been cooped up here working your ass off?!"

        "I don't know?! Maybe the 14th? Or... or like the end of November?" He spoke, his brain looked to be scrambled.

        "Sheesh man, take a break from work." I suggested (more so demanded). 

        "Yeah... Good idea..." He sighed. "Uh, you wanna come in?"

        "Yeah, I got a favor to ask anyways." I accepted as Franky opened his door wider, allowing me to slip in.

        "Just don't mind the mess." He spoke, having no embarrassment.

        It's not the first time I've seen his place like this. I've known him since the war, and we rekindled when I joined WISE, so I've seen him in this pitiful state many times. A good inventor is always has a scrambled brain (or workspace). 

        "So, what's the favor? Do you need me to get intel or something?" he questioned, sitting down on his blueprint map-scattered couch.

        "I actually need help learning something." I spoke. "You know how to weld, right?" 

        "Of course I do. I've invented all sorts of powerful and useful machines and inventions." He smiled pridefully, glad to boast. 

        "Can you teach me how to weld? I wanna make something for my husband for Christmas, and I wanna do it myself so that it's more meaningful." I explained.

        "Huh... So Twilight was lying when he said you and Briar's marriage was fake?" Franky commented.         

        "Oh..." I paused, thinking.

        Well, shit. I kinda completely forgot about that.

        "Well... we got recently engaged, however it's best not to tell Twilight. You know how he is, 'don't form attachments' and yada yada." I spoke quickly.

        "Yeah, that's Twilight there." He spoke, before smirking pridefully. "Once again, you and Twilight come to me for help, pleading for my assistance."

        "Dude, don't start it." I sighed. "I don't got time for this. I gotta get this done in at least six hours, so I need you to help me get it done as quickly and as perfect as possible." 

        "Six hours?!" he spluttered. "How do you believe that I can teach you all about welding in six hours?!"

        "Don't teach me everything! Just what I need to know to get this done!" I retorted.        

        "Fine. Fine. Let's hurry up, I wanna get back to my inventions as fast as possible." He sighed. "Do you have an idea on what you're trying to make?"

        "I got the perfect thing." I nodded.

        Franky helped me create the perfect gift I had in mind. Surprisingly, it ended with not much cuts or burns, so I feel happy about that. I only needed three band-aids for my fingers! I gave Franky an extra 200 dalc for all the trouble. In total he's received 400 dalc from me for Christmas, so I don't ever want him to complain about helping me again. I also convinced Franky to give my gifts to the Handler since I wasn't going to WISE's HQ anytime soon (and I didn't want to be stuck giving an update on what's going on with the SSS. I want to enjoy the holidays, not think about work). 

        I made it back home to Yuri and I's apartment, deciding to ditch sleep since Yuri will be awaking soon; I don't want him to know I snuck out while he was sleeping and if I sleep now then I certainly won't wake up in time for the Christmas party. I changed back into my pajamas so that it looked like I never went anywhere, and I used some light makeup to hide the evidence of no sleep under my eyes. I decided to get started on breakfast since I wouldn't be sleeping, making apple pancakes, sausage, and coffee.

        Yuri came out of our room in his pajamas and bedhead, looking a bit tired but refreshed (compared to how I currently feel). 

        "Morning." He yawned.

        "Morning, hon." I smiled, placing breakfast on the table. "How'd you sleep?"

        "Slept good, though it felt a little cold last night..." He spoke. "Must be cause of the winter weather."

        "Yeah, I thought the same thing too." I agreed, ignoring the fact he was so in tune with my body heat that he subconsciously knew I was missing during his slumber.

        "What are you doing up so early? It's unlike you to be awake in the morning." Yuri questioned, taking his seat at the dinner table. 

        "I was so excited for the Christmas party, I couldn't sleep." I lied, taking my own seat at the table. 

        Yuri and I ate our breakfast, Yuri doing the dishes afterwards since I cooked. To pass the time, we did our own things such as reading and watching TV in the living room together, waiting until it was time to get ready and leave. 

        When it was time to leave, I changed out of my pajamas and grabbed a grey coat and red scarf to protect myself against the cold. Yuri and I grabbed the sweets and appetizers we made together yesterday; pfannkuchen, bethmännchen, and bratkartoffeln. 

        Yuri and I walked to the apartment, Yuri dragging Anya's wagon filled with all the gifts while I carried all the food, my gift for Yuri inside of my purse. We made it to the apartment and I watched Yuri struggle to find a good angle to pick up the wagon and carry it up the steps (no, I didn't help him, I wanted him to suffer a little since it was so hard trying to find the perfect Christmas gift for him). When we got to the Forger's front door, Yuri knocked for us, being greeted by Twilight and Yor. 

        "Yuri! (Y/N)! Welcome back! Always good to see you!" Yor greeted, a big smile on her face.

        "Hi-ya, sis!" Yuri cheered. 

        "Thank you for coming. Come in." Twilight spoke, opening the door further, causing Yuri to glare at him once he realized Twilight was present. 

        I placed the food down on the table as Yuri placed the wagon near the Christmas tree in the living room. Anya was sitting on the ground near the TV watching her spy cartoon while the Forger's dog laid next to her. 

        "Hi, buddy." I smiled, crouching down and slowly placing my hand near his nose so he could sniff me. "You're a good boy, huh?" I spoke, petting his head as he let out a 'borf!' "Hi, Anya." I greeted, sitting down on the couch as Yuri took a seat next to me.

        "Hi, Auntie." Anya spoke, keeping her eyes on the TV screen. 

        Yuri looked disinterested in the show while I stared at it every now and then. Yor joined us on the couch and talked with us as Twilight was in the kitchen cooking, jumping into the conversation easily whenever he pleased. After an hour, all the food was done and ready, allowing us to eat Christmas dinner together and converse with each other. Twilight and Yuri talked about business together (Yuri sending him his infamous glares) while Yor and I talked with Anya about her cartoons and how school was for her. 

        We finally got to presents and watched Anya open her gifts, each one she unwrapped having a big smile on her face and her voice getting to loud enough volumes to potentially disturb other residents.

        Yuri and I gave Twilight his gifts. He seemed appreciative of them, mentioning how he'd put them to good use. Twilight gave me a book and Yuri an expensive bottle of wine (to repay him for the expensive wine Yuri bought the first time we came over). 

        I gave Yor the set of earrings I picked out, a set of golden suns, and showed her the golden moons I bought and told her the symbolism of us matching and being sisters now. It was enough to make her cry and earn one of her death hugs. I'm almost 99% positive that she would've broken my rib if Twilight didn't calmly tell her to not squeeze so hard. Yuri also gave her the apple whistle candy along with some other gifts he bought her. In return, she gave me a fruity perfume and Yuri a comfortable sweater.

        Anya was happy about all of her toys and candies, excited and hyper about it all. It was like it was her first time celebrating Christmas. Even Bond was happy, showing his joy by jumping up and down with Anya and barking (borfing). Bond seems like a surprisingly emotionally intelligent dog, though I supposed that's probably expecting considering it's Twilight (and because Twilight got him from the Project Apple situation).

        We all stayed and talked more before it was time for Yuri and I to go home, considering how late it was getting. Yuri and I walked back home, getting to our apartment before I gave him his gift.

        "I got you something. I made it myself." I spoke, reaching into my purse and handing him a small wrapped up box. 

        Yuri opened it, revealing a small square card, made out of pure silver (just like our wedding rings) and a small poem on the card 

Your eyes shine like the twinkle of mars, How I wish to claim and explore every part of you as if you were a new constellation. Your lips are like warm pillows, How I wish to forever rest my own against yours. Your voice could never compare to the delicate silk of Asia, the waves of the Pacific, or the luminous of the Aurora Borealis. How you make me lose my voice to utter sweet delicacies in your ears, so let me express it to you in another way: I love you, Yuri Briar...                                                                                    - Love, (Y/N) Briar

        "I just found a stupid poem for you..." I muttered, suddenly feeling a little flustered for how stupid and cheesy the writing sounds now. 

        "You liar." He smirked, a noticeable fondness in his eyes. "Thank you. You said you made it yourself?"

        "Yeah." I nodded. "It took some time, but I made it from scratch. I welded the silver together and welded the words... Of course words from a poem in a book." I coughed the last part out. 

        "You don't gotta be shy~" He teased.

        "Whatever..." I chuckled. "But I figured I'd get you something you can always have with you. You can put it in your wallet or pocket or something."

        "Thank you. Really." Yuri smiled, grabbing his wallet and placing it inside gently. "You really beat me this year in presents." He chuckled. "I kept tryna think for a while what I should get you, you're surprisingly difficult to shop for even though you're so expressive."

        "I'm a little eccentric." I smirked.        

        "That's an understatement." He smiled. "But, here." 

        He walked to our room and I heard him rummaging through drawers, before walking out with a large heart-shaped chocolate box, candies I enjoy, some books he noticed I've been eyeing over the months, and some fake flowers. 

        "it's definitely not anything compared to what you got me." He spoke.

        "Nonsense." I smiled. "I love all of it. I really do." 

        "Yeah, I knew how much you liked sweets and books." He reasoned. "And I figured it must be a bit annoying replacing the flower bouquets whenever they die, so I decided to get some fake flowers, to make it easier to tend to, and to show permanency in our relationship since we're married."

        "How romantic~" I teased. "Thank you, Hon."                

        "Merry Christmas, darling." He smiled. 

        "Merry Christmas, love." I hummed, kissing his cheek.

        "You know, you didn't have to get me anything. You're the best gift for me, (Y/N)!" He spoke, a light blush dusting his face. 

        "Yuri please, never say such sappy words again." I sighed. 

        I apologize sincerely for the huge delay! I had a hard time trying to figure out what I want, and I got busy indulging myself in reading about German foods and such, and I had little time to write due to work so the only time I had to write was when I was supposed to be sleeping or relaxing, but I finally got this done! Better late than never!

        I honestly do feel a little silly writing that poem since it's my first time ever writing poetry/a love note, so I do hope it wasn't too bad or cringy!

         Want more Yuri content? Check out the Yuri Briar x reader masterlist!

        My inbox is OPEN

[xxladyballadxx]

Awkward In Love

₊˚ෆ Hwoarang x (Fem) Reader ₊˚ෆ

 ₊˚ෆ Wordcount: over 700 words or something..  ₊˚ෆ Drabble  ₊˚ෆ

₊˚ෆ Summary : People find it hard to understand the definition of love and Hwoarang is one of them. Ever since he started dating this girl, he started to feel awkward around her…

Love can be awkward, for all the lovebirds around the world… ₊˚ෆ

₊˚ෆ dividers by @saradika-graphics ₊˚ෆ

There are many complications when it comes to the term ‘Love’, it can be hard knowing the meaning of it. It’s difficult for some people, especially for those who have never been in a relationship before. Love can mean many things, yes. Good and bad, all that. This came to this when Hwoarang is officially dating this girl named (Y/n) (L/n), whom he began to have feelings for a while. They were friends at first, for a very long time. All of the sudden, Hwoarang started to develop feelings for her. 

He confessed. Although it was quite awkward because he was struggling to tell (Y/n) how he felt. The stuttering and the mumbles caused him to get embarrassed in front of the girl. He didn’t take a chance to practice on it. Hwoarang thought (Y/n) would reject him. Surprisingly, (Y/n) felt the same way. She, too, had romantic feelings for Hwoarang. Not only Hwoarang was afraid to be rejected, apparently (Y/n) was too. 

Now they’re dating, Hwoarang has been taking (Y/n) on a lot of dates. He wanted to show how much she meant to him. There was this one time where he spilled a cup of coffee on the table while trying to reach for her hand. He kept apologizing and (Y/n) told him that it’s fine, she giggled which caused Hwoarang’s heart to flutter wildly. He loves her smile, her laugh. Hell, Hwoarang adores every single thing about her. 

At the funfair, Hwoarang forgot to bring the small gift from home that he was meant to give to (Y/n) at the place. She didn’t seem to be bothered by it, telling him that he can give it to her when they see each other again. After going for a few fun rides, Hwoarang made a stop at the stall and brought two ice creams with different flavors, one chocolate for him and one vanilla for her. As (Y/n) licked the top of her cone, she noticed how adorable Hwoarang looked when eating his luscious ice cream. Hwoarang turned his face around, knowing that she was looking at him with such a tender expression, leading him to get distracted in her graceful gaze as he bumped into a pole that led him to dropping his chocolate ice cream on the ground. 

(Y/n) let out a little laughter of joy, giggling as she covered her mouth. Hwoarang scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. So the girl shared her ice cream with him as they carried on adventuring around the funfair. Hwoarang appeared to be having an amazing time with her, despite his awkwardness. 

A very few months later, they officially became lovers. (Y/n) has been seeing Hwoarang at one of the tournaments, cheering him on among the crowd and watching him fight against worthy opponents. Hwoarang often gets distracted in the match whenever he locks his gaze onto her, shooting her a wink as he gets his ass kicked. 

She would see him in the changing room after the match, praising him for his efforts and peppering his face with kisses. Hwoarang shied away, his face heating up due to her giving him so much affection. He took her to a Korean restaurant to have some noodles and spicy tteokbokki. He took (Y.n) to his home afterwards, asked her if she wanted anything to drink and stuff like that. Two of them just sat down and watched a thriller together. 

While watching the movie, Hwoarang could feel her body so close towards him and he tensed up when he tried to motion his arm behind her but ended up hitting her face by accident. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry, (Y/n)!” 

She knows that he didn’t mean to do it, “It’s alright, Hwoarang, you silly man!” (Y/n) beamed, chuckling. Leaning in close towards him, her head lowered down onto his shoulder. Hwoarang puts his arm around her, “I really didn’t mean to hit you..” 

“I know, you goofball.” 

“Goddamnit, I love this woman..” 

“What was that…?”

“N-nothing..” 

Hwoarang flushed, feeling his heart bubbling by the thought of him saying that he truly loves her so damn much but couldn't say it for some reason. (Y/n) figured out what he said from that mumble of his. She launched a kiss attack on his face, wanting to make him blush, “I love you too, Hwoarang.” 

“Even when I’m so awkward?”

“Yes. Honestly I love your awkwardness, Hwoarang. Actually, I love…everything about you. Your cockiness and awkwardness is what I love most about you.” 

It warmed his heart when you professed your love for him, Hwoarang motioned his hand to cup your face as he kissed you lovingly, “I love everything about you too.” 

a/n - I'm so sorry this was short and boring to read, I was planning to make this longer fanfic but I was having an enormous writer's block :// so truly sorry on how short this is..

[erimeows]

Yeah, Right

The first time Aizawa does it, he doesn’t think about the ‘why’. After all, it seems logical enough. 

It’s All Might’s fifty-first birthday and Aizawa expects the fresh batch of new students to want to surprise the older man with something special for the day of. Only, when he gets to class that morning, he hears them all talking about how they’re too shy to so boldly approach their teacher and give him a birthday gift. While Aizawa imagines that All Might will get plenty of gifts and letters in his P.O. box, none of them will actually be from anyone he knows- random fans, even some stalkers- all people that he has no connection with.

Aizawa knows All Might well enough to know that the only people he wants anything from are going to be his students and fellow heroes- people he knows, people who care. Aizawa remembers that All Might doesn’t have a family to celebrate with and frowns as he sits at his desk listening to the children rattle on about the former number one hero.

When All Might walks in to take over the class for his heroics lesson, he looks Aizawa in the eye and offers a small smile. For whatever reason, said smile makes Aizawa’s heart skip a beat, so he doesn’t smile back. Instead, he leaves, rushing to the local grocery store even though he knows he’s supposed to be doing lesson planning. When he returns, he smuggles the little bouquet of roses and the box of chocolates into the lounge through his duffle bag. 

All Might’s locker is always stupidly left unlocked (because ‘none of my fellow hereos would meddle with my belongings’, according to the older man), so Aizawa puts the presents there with a note but no name.

‘Happy birthday, number one. Hope you have a good year.’

It’s simple and plain enough to not give away who it’s from. Perfect.

Aizawa doesn’t feel too nervous as he shuts the locker and retreats to sit at the round table. It’s lunch time now, so the sound of loud teenagers bustling down the hallway rings in Aizawa’s ears. He buries his head in his hands and groans, only to have a more pressing problem when the door is slammed open just seconds later.

He glances up to see All Might, standing in the doorway, the front of his pink button-up shirt soaked with blood. 

“All Might,” Aizawa stands up and grabs a washcloth to wet, then brings it over to All Might. He wipes the blood off of the older man and glances up at him with a scowl. “What the hell happened to you?”

“Oh, Aizawa,” All Might offers a weak smile and takes the washcloth from Aizawa’s hands so he can clean himself up. Aizawa stands there awkwardly, arms crossed over his chest, waiting for an answer. “I’m fine! Just a normal day for me, coughing up blood, though I’m starting to run out of shirts that aren’t blood-stained… Maybe I should start wearing more red.”

“You’re coughing blood up that often? And in this quantity… That isn’t normal,” Aizawa scoffs, as annoyed as ever by All Might’s alarming normalization of his declining health. “When’s the last time you’ve been to a doctor?”

“Back after we fought Shigaraki and the Paranormal Liberation Front.”

“No, I mean for a normal check up. When’s the last time you’ve been to a doctor for something other than a grievous, hero-work-related injury?”

“Oh, I haven’t been since…” All Might trails off, tossing the washcloth in the dirty laundry and thinking to himself. Meanwhile, Aizawa moves to dig through his own locker for an extra shirt that All Might can have- God knows the former number one hero is never prepared enough to keep a change of clothes handy. Aizawa finds the largest one he has, an oversized black sweater that he likes to sleep in sometimes. It’s just long enough that it’ll fit All Might’s weirdly oversized frame perfectly, so Aizawa takes the shirt out and tosses it at the older man. “Hm… I actually don’t know.”

“You need to go see one soon, then,” Aizawa nags and sits back down in a lounge chair as All Might hides behind the lockers to change shirts.

“Why do you care so much all of a sudden?”

“Ugh, never mind,” Aizawa grumbles and gets up to head towards the door. Just when he thought he was getting soft for the man, All Might had to go and get on his nerves again. “God forbid I try to make you take care of your health for the sake of your students.”

“Aizawa, wait-”

“No, it’s fine. I get the point. You’re never going to prioritize yourself and nothing anyone can say will ever make you. Keep the shirt,” Aizawa puts his hand on the door knob and turns it. Then, he opens the door and leaves, calling back to a flustered looking All Might with- “I’ll see you later.”

~

The second time Aizawa does it, he wonders why the hell he finds himself doing this shit again. The first time it was because it was All Might’s birthday and he wasn’t sure if All Might would get anything from anyone else. Now, it’s the middle of autumn, and he’s unsure about his motives. He tells himself that All Might has seemed down lately- yes, that’s all it is- and that he wants to cheer him up for the students’ sake and definitely not for his own. It’s odd because the last time he did this, he had an awkward and tense interaction with the man right after that turned him off for a while, but… It couldn’t hurt to try again.

So, he spends time hand-crocheting and knitting some sweaters and scarfs for the upcoming season and packing them into a little gift basket. All Might still has a nasty habit of leaving his locker unlocked, meaning that Aizawa can get into it easily. He sneaks into the lounge early, unusually early, knowing that he’s the least likely to get caught at this time since school doesn’t start until seven thirty. Right now, it’s six.

The only person that ever gets to U.A. before seven in the morning aside from Nezu is-

“Mic,” Aizawa blankly states, unsure of what to do. He’s standing in front of All Might’s open locker with the gift basket in one hand and his other hand on the edge of the locker door to hold it open. Mic has just walked into the staff lounge and caught him red-handed. “Uh… What’s up?”

In an awkward series of little motions, Aizawa slams the locker shut and tries to hide the ridiculously large basket behind his back.

“Um… What’cha got there?”

“Nothing that’s any of your business,” Aizawa answers, then reopens the locker, shoves the basket in there, and slams it back shut.

“C’mon, now, don’t pretend that I didn’t just catch you leaving a gift basket in All Might’s locker! No wonder you’ve been acting so funky lately… And to think I thought I was imagining things when I saw him in your favorite shirt,” Mic says, much to Aizawa’s embarrassment and horror. He hadn’t even considered the possibility of him doing this coming off like that to anyone else- and maybe loaning All Might one of his favorite shirts that he used to wear all the time wasn’t the best idea, either, especially considering that All Might now wears the damn thing at least once a week with the claim of ‘since it’s black, it doesn’t stain easy!’. “Wait, are you two a thing!?” 

“Absolutely not. He borrowed the shirt once and I let him keep it. As for the gifts… Well, I am guilty of that, but he doesn’t reciprocate said gifts nor does he know it’s me giving them,” Aizawa explains and guiltily walks away from All Might’s locker in favor of sitting down on the edge of the staff table. He sighs and shakes his head both at himself and at Mic. “So don’t tell anyone.”

“Hah! No one would believe me, even if I did want to go and betray you by blabbing about it,” Mic laughs and sits right next to Aizawa on the table top. Then, he looks over at the erasure hero with his big green eyes and a knowing smirk. “But are you seriously going to keep on with this until he retires from teaching?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, you clearly like him, and this is your weird fucked up way of expressing it-”

“Hey!” Aizawa interrupts with a blush and a glare- or, as much of a glare as he can produce these days with only one eye. The other eye socket remains empty and covered by a black eye patch, thanks to a certain Shigaraki. “Don’t talk about me like that.”

“What? It’s true! I’ve seen the way you look at him,” Mic points out. It’s horribly, embarrassingly true. Aizawa used to hate All Might and everything he stood for, and he still tries to tell himself that he does, but… Things just aren’t the way they were back then. He watches All Might a little too closely and checks in on him all the time, even if it’s not in the most overtly caring and compassionate way. He does care about All Might, and they’ve grown to respect each other. He just never thought that it’d develop into those sorts of feelings; for the former number one hero, who’s far more popular than him, far more attractive than him, and over a decade his senior. “You’ve been doing this for how long now?”

“I don’t know,” Aizawa shrugs and crosses his leg over his prosthetic. Then, he crosses his arms as well and taps his fingers against his bicep. He can’t even meet Mic’s gaze. “A few months, maybe?”

“Exactly,” Mic yells a little too loudly and throws his hands up in the air. “You’ve been doing this for months instead of just telling the guy you have a crush on him!”

“I don’t have a crush on him,” Aizawa mumbles, hating the sound of such a juvenile term being thrown at him like this.

Crush.

Yeah, right.

“Really?” Mic presses. “Really? Look at yourself right now, Eraser!”

“We can continue this conversation never,” Aizawa gets up from the table, heads to the door, and looks back at Mic, who is sitting there with a ridiculously large grin. “And remember; don’t tell anyone about what you saw today.”

“Aye aye captain!” Mic responds with a mock-salute that somehow pisses Aizawa off even more.

As the ravenette leaves, embarrassed and confused, he can’t help but think about what Mic said.

A crush. 

On All Might.

Yeah, right.

~

The third time Aizawa does it, he hears All Might start to talk.

Aizawa has had to come to terms with the fact that these stupid feelings he’s developed for All Might are, in fact, a crush- as Mic had so eloquently put it just a few months ago. Said crush has been festering for God knows how long and seems to only get worse with every season that passes. 

So, by the time winter rolls around, he’s more on edge about the whole thing than he thought he’d be when he left the first gift basket for All Might back in June. Despite never caring about his appearance before, he finds himself tying his hair up (All Might said it looked good like that once), wearing cologne (one that All Might said was his favorite in an interview a while back), and putting a little more effort into his appearance than he would have just a few years ago.

It’s the day before winter break. All of the kids are doing cute holiday celebrations, gift exchanges, dorm parties, and more. They’ve already taken their finals, so there’s not much for the teachers to do aside from sit on their asses and enjoy the festivities. Aizawa doesn’t mind it. He even finds himself in a particularly cheery mood as he leaves another gift basket in All Might’s locker, this one full of holiday candies, a new blanket, and some fancy tea and coffee blends.

After leaving the gifts and making sure that no one is around to catch him in the act this time, Aizawa quietly closes the locker and moves to sit at the staff table before anyone can walk in.

He catches a glance of himself in the mirror and sighs. His hair is tied back all pretty, he actually bothered shaving, and though he looks as tired as ever… He looks better than he used to. The things people say about ‘glowing’ when they fall in love may actually be true. With a shake of his head, he ignores that train of thought in favor of pulling out his phone and reading the news.

Slowly, more of the faculty file in; Nezu, Mic, Vlad King, Nejire- who started working for U.A. shortly after graduating- and finally, All Might. The four sit near Aizawa at the table with Mic sitting right next to him and the others sitting across from him. They chat and talk about their plans for winter break as if Aizawa isn’t even there until Aizawa hears Nejire pipe up with-

“Hey, All Might, is that a new scarf? It’s cute. Where’d you get it?”

“It’s a funny story, but someone has been leaving these gifts in my work locker for months…” All Might explains, much to Aizawa’s embarrassment. Aizawa can’t help but notice that the older man is wearing his sweater. Again. The chunky crocheted scarf around his neck is made of black and red yarn, one of the many things that Aizawa has anonymously gifted to him since the summertime. “Everything from chocolates and flowers for my birthday to this scarf and custom-made sweaters. No idea who it is.”

“Oh, well that’s a simple problem with a simple solution!” Nezu suggests. Aizawa’s heart drops as the principal suddenly crawls into his scarf and sits on his shoulder- something he frequently does for warmth and height. His beady eyes remain trained on All Might. Meanwhile, Mic won’t stop nudging Aizawa with his foot underneath the table. “Would you like me to check the security cameras for you?”

“No, that’s not necessary, Nezu,” All Might answers with a dismissive wave. It takes everything in Aizawa not to let out an obvious sigh of relief. “After all, if they’re going about it like this, they probably don’t want me to know their identity.”

“You don’t think that it’s some sort of villain, do you?” Vlad King questions.

“Not at all. UA’s security is too strict to allow any outsiders in and all of the gifts I’ve received so far have been totally harmless. I had the same train of thought at first and even had Tsukauchi run everything I received through his forensics team to test for poisons and find any trackers or cameras that might’ve been hidden, but no one found anything. It seems like they’re totally innocuous, well-meaning gifts.”

“Do you think it’s a student?” Nezu presses, clearly somewhat concerned.

Aizawa suddenly realizes just how bad of an idea this was to start off with. Maybe he should stop and get a hold of things before he gets caught and makes a fool out of himself. 

“No, they wouldn’t have access to the lounge unless they had some sort of quirk that allowed them to phase through things. I know we have a couple of those quirk users here, but I doubt that any of them would risk getting in trouble for something so dumb when they could just leave the stuff on the desk of the classroom I teach in. So, it must be another faculty member; another teacher, a janitor, cafeteria staff…” All Might continues rambling on about the many deductions he’s made. Aizawa almost calls him out for sounding so much like Midoriya, but he decides against it. “There’s so many people who work here that I haven’t bothered trying to narrow it down.”

“And that doesn’t bother you at all!? I’d be going insane!” Mic yells out, then sends a quick and knowing glance in Aizawa’s direction. Aizawa glares back at him. “What if you have a stalker or something?”

“I doubt it’s anything that severe. Either this is some sort of cruel joke or someone has a crush on me,” All Might shrugs. “I’d be surprised at the latter considering the form I’m currently in, but the gifts clearly have a lot of thought behind them and some people have weird tastes…”

At that, Mic burst out laughing, to which Aizawa quickly turns and scolds him.

“Mic!”

Mic only laughs harder. Aizawa doesn’t think his face has ever been this red, and All Might is looking between the two of them like he’s trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together. 

“What’s so funny, Yamada?” All Might asks and narrows his sky blue eyes.

“Nothing, nothing,” Mic answers, but again, only laughs even hader. He puts his head on the table and buries his face in his arms. “Sorry!”

“So you’re just going to let this continue to happen?” Vlad King interjects. 

“Basically. Either I’ll retire from teaching, they’ll come and tell me who they are and why they’re doing this, or they’ll get bored and stop. Whichever happens first. I don’t really mind either way.”

“What if it’s, like, a secret admirer?” Nejire continues. Meanwhile, Aizawa doesn’t know if he’s relieved or offended at the fact that All Might doesn’t seem to care very much about whoever it is that’s been leaving him presents in his locker. “Don’t you want to know who they are?”

“Not really. I know I don’t discuss it very often, but I do have my heart set on someone else… I just haven’t had the courage to tell them, especially since my retirement from hero work. So, it’s better that this person doesn’t reveal themselves to me; I’d hate to reject them after they’ve given me so many nice things. I want them to know I appreciate all these things they’ve gifted me, so I wear and use them as much as I can, but I also wonder if I’m giving them the wrong idea… Ah, I’ve got lesson plans to work on. I should get back to the classroom.”

With that, All Might stands up and retreats, leaving the rest of the staff to eat their lunches and chat amongst themselves- mostly about the upcoming holiday party that the hero commission is going to throw in about a week to celebrate the last year’s worth of hero work. They do it every year, but Aizawa never attends, finding that no one really cares whether or not he’s there aside from Mic. It always seems like a big publicity stunt for heroes to come and throw their money at the charities that are promoted there, for heroes to come and get interviewed by famous reporters, and for heroes to come and find more work with new teams or agencies.

Like a lot of hero society, the whole thing is about business more than it is a genuine celebration, but… if All Might is going to be there this year like he always is, Aizawa may go.

Eventually, the rest of the staff clear out, leaving Aizawa and Mic by themselves. Mic is the first to say anything.

“Eraser, aren’t you going to tell him about your feelings?”

“Has your quirk made you deaf or something? He said he’s in love with someone else! He’d just reject me, I… Should’ve never done this in the first place,” Aizawa sighs. His heart actually feels like it’s breaking from everything All Might said. “It was a stupid idea. Out of all the people I could’ve gone and caught feelings for…”

“But what if that person he talked about is you?”

“Really? Out of everyone All Might has ever met and known, you think he’s in love with me? Yeah, right,” Aizawa scoffs, looking at Mic in disbelief. “Be realistic.”

“I dunno, maybe? I mean, I could’ve sworn he was giving you ‘fuck me eyes’ while he was in here so perhaps-”

“There’s no way,” Aizawa interrupts, flustered. The idea of All Might looking at him like that… No. It’s impossible. For someone like All Might to want someone like him… “I look like a homeless person according to my students and everyone knows I haven’t been the same since everything that happened with the League of Villains and the Paranormal Liberation Front. And, just in case you forgot, I’m also more than a decade younger than him. I wouldn’t blame him for being completely repulsed by me.”

“Eraser… I’m sure if you told him, and he didn’t return the feelings, he’d be nice about it,” Mic tries to be comforting by putting a hand on Aizawa’s shoulder.

“Oh, yeah, pity kindness. That’s definitely what I want from him. As if this isn’t embarrassing enough,” Aizawa sarcastically huffs with a roll of his eyes. Mic just offers a guilty smile in return. “Honestly, Mic, you… Look, I appreciate you trying to help me here, but it’s better if I just don’t say anything, okay? He doesn’t want me back, and he never will.”

“If that’s how you really feel, I guess I can’t change your mind, but let me know if you ever want to ask him out, okay?”

“Yeah. Sure thing.”

“Okay, catch ya later!”

With that, Mic stands up and exits the room, leaving Aizawa alone yet again. The ravenette sighs and holds his head in his hands.

Asking All Might out?

Yeah, right. Because that’ll go swimmingly.

~

Aizawa doesn’t get the chance to do it a fourth time. Instead, U.A. is closed for winter break so the students can go home and spend time with their families for the holidays. While a few of them stay behind, they celebrate in their own way, leaving the teachers to attend the hero commission’s holiday party. It’s thrown at some fancy venue with a ballroom, that of which Aizawa can’t be fucked to remember the name of. Mic drives him, anyway, so it’s not like he has to know what it’s called or where it’s at. 

Once he gets there, Mic splits from him to go be the social butterfly and casually functioning alcoholic that he’s always been. He downs drink after drink, but thankfully, Nezu is nearby keeping an eye on him so Aizawa doesn’t have to (for once). Aizawa takes the opportunity to lean back against one of the less crowded walls and scan the room. 

Since the end of the conflict with the PLF, any interest in Aizawa and his involvement with the U.A. scandals has died down considerably, so he’s almost returned to the familiar comfort of no one knowing who he is again- so much so that none of the paparazzi or reporters bother trying to snap pictures or get an interview with him. Though many heroes would feel stiffed by this, Aizawa is relieved as he watches All Might, who is currently experiencing the exact opposite.

At first, All Might was happily chatting with the other heroes and dancing with a lot of them (which made Aizawa somewhat jealous, but that’s another story). Now, All Might looks uncomfortable, though he does a great job at putting on a front and answering all of the reporters’ questions as if he isn’t becoming a nervous wreck with every second that passes. Eventually, All Might directs them to Mount Lady, who is currently dancing with Kamui woods. Those vultures take the opportunity to go take as many implicating photos as they can, which gives All Might the time to make an escape and slip outside of the venue. Aizawa grabs a coffee from the bar and follows the former number one hero, who he finds sitting outside on a bench a few yards away from the front door. 

“Parties aren’t much your scene these days, are they?” Aizawa asks, standing behind the bench and slumping his shoulders.

“Heh,” All Might laughs, then shakes his head. “Not at all.”

“It seems like I can always find you out here when you feel out of place… Outside in the freezing cold, all by your lonesome, sitting on some bench.”

“Would you like to sit?” All Might offers.

“Sure,” Aizawa sits down next to All Might and sees that the blond is shivering due to the cold, even in a nice sweater and a scarf. So, Aizawa holds out his hot coffee and asks- “Want a sip?”

All Might looks at the coffee, then at Aizawa.

“You don’t mind?”

“Kids are petri dishes, and I’m around them all the time just fine,” Aizawa shrugs. “I doubt you’ll get me sick.”

All Might takes the cup.

“There’s no alcohol in this, right?”

“Right. I know you can’t really drink anymore. Plus, I’m not really stupid enough to drink at this sort of thing unlike all of our coworkers… I’d hate to slip up and let something embarrassing out to the press. I know those damn vultures would take full advantage of some poor inebriated idiot here- hell, they do it to Mic every year.”

“That’s true,” All Might laughs and leans back against the bench. It’s taken him a couple minutes, but he seems comfortable with Aizawa’s presence now. The smile on his face is beautiful underneath the pale moonlight, practically glimmering. Aizawa feels his cheeks burn red and prays that All Might doesn’t notice. Pausing, All Might drinks some of the coffee before continuing. “I remember last year when they got him to admit to that fling he had with Vlad King, those two were in hot water for a while… Thanks for the drink, by the way.”

“Sure.”

A few moments pass with the two men passing the coffee between each other, drinking, and chatting away. Aizawa can’t help but notice that All Might is acting a little differently- a little more at ease than he normally would. Aizawa isn’t sure how to place it until All Might sets the drink down on the middle of the bench and holds out one of his large hands.

“Hey, how about a dance?”

“Hm?”

“I think you’re the only one of our coworkers I haven’t danced with tonight,” All Might says offhandedly, which makes Aizawa’s face fall. Is it really just a platonic offer? Almost as if sensing his disappointment, All Might rushes to retract the invitation, panicking. “Then again, I understand if you aren’t interested! I know being in the spotlight isn’t really your thing and-”

“We can dance out here, if you want,” Aizawa interjects. The soft lull of the waltz music from inside can be heard echoing through the open windows. “I can still hear the music.”

“That actually sounds pretty nice,” All Might stands. “Mind if I lead?”

“Not at all.”

So, hand in hand, the two dance together outside of the venue, unbothered by the press or their fellow heroes who would ask questions. All Might’s hands are calloused and warm, and he smells like the cologne Aizawa bought him not that long ago.

“You know, it’s rare that you dress up like this,” All Might remarks, and it’s true. Aizawa wore a suit for the occasion at Mic’s pestering. He even shaved and tied his hair up to make himself look somewhat nice. Though, he didn’t expect All Might to notice. “I don’t think I’ve seen it since that last press conference.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” All Might smiles. “I like it.”

“Well, I like you,” Aizawa spits out before he can think better of it. He freezes, tripping over All Might’s feet. All Might wraps an arm around his back and pulls him into his chest to catch him. Embarrassment washes over Aizawa like a shower that’s way too hot. He rushes to explain the words away. “Wait, that’s not what I-”

“I like you, too,” All Might blurts out, much to his relief. On one hand, Aizawa is happy, but on the other, he doesn’t want to admit that Mic was right. “And um… Thanks for the stuff.”

At that, Aizawa blinks and pulls away, flustered.

“You knew it was me?”

“Well, no,” All Might answers, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. “But Mic’s pretty hammered in there and-”

“He told you, didn’t he?” Aizawa huffs and facepalms with a shake of his head.

“Maybe?”

“He’s awfully lucky this just so happened to work out,” Aizawa sighs and reaches forward to grab one of All Might’s hands. Much to his delight, All Might laces their fingers together and stands by his side. “But I guess since the cat’s out of the bag, we can take this inside, right?”

“Yeah… I’d like that.”

[bigasswritingmagnet]

Relatively Speaking, This Will Probably be Fine (Ch 5)

Fandom: Girl Genius Rating: T Summary: Everyone knows Agatha Sannikova can't be a Heterodyne, even if she did arrive mysteriously one night to live with Lady Teodora and Lord Saturnus. She's got those headaches, and she's not too bright - she's not even a Spark! She does get along quite well with Lord Saturnus, which is a bit odd, but she's had a very good affect on his health. Lady Teodora doesn't like the kind of, er, "life lessons" he's tried to teach her, but Agatha hasn't set anyone on fire or unleashed any terrifying monstrosities on the town.

...what do you mean, tempting fate?

<Last Chapter | Chapter One | Next Chapter > AO3 Link

It took Agatha twenty minutes to walk to and from school, and she was always on time. If Teodora began to prepare Agatha’s after school snack at three o’clock exactly, she could always have it ready just as she came through the door.

Thus she was startled when she was only halfway through warming the milk for the hot chocolate and the front door slammed.

“Agatha? You’re home earl—”

Saturnus’ door opened and slammed shut. Alarmed, Teodora turned off the stove and hurried out of the kitchen, into Saturnus’ room, and her heart shattered.

Agatha was kneeling by the bed, face pressed against the blankets as she sobbed, her whole body shaking. Saturnus had one hand on her head, stroking her hair with great effort. His eyes met Teodora’s, and she was shocked to see such pain and grief in them. Saturnus flicked his gaze between Teodora and Agatha, pleadingly.

“Agatha, darling,�� Teodora said, putting her hands on Agatha’s shoulders. “What happened?”

“Everyone is always so awful,” Agatha sobbed. “We had a group project and no one wanted to work with me and the teacher had to make them, and they complained about it right in front of me! And then they wouldn’t let me do anything because they said I’d ruin it because I’m too stupid!”

She once more dissolved into tears.

“Oh, you’re not stupid, Agatha—”

“I am! I am stupid! I’m stupid and useless and broken!”

“Oh, Agatha...” Teodora knelt down, pulled the girl into her arms and held her tightly. “They’re wrong, and you know it. You’re a very smart girl! You’re not useless, and you are certainly not broken.”

And then Saturnus and Agatha shared a look. It was commiserating, rueful and slightly weary, and Teodora tamped down the indignence that rose up at the sight of it. Indignence, and panic.

“Come on, dear,” she said, rising to her feet. “Change out of your uniform, and you and I will go work in the garden for a bit.”

Agatha hesitated, looking at her grandfather, but Saturnus tipped his head in a brief nod and flicked his fingers in a shooing motion.

Agatha allowed herself to be led out of the room, but she was quiet as she changed and joined Teodora outside.

It had taken weeks of arguing before Saturnus agreed to let her live outside the castle, but when he had finally presented the house to her, Teodora had had to admit it was a lovely place. She had not asked for a backyard or a garden, but Saturnus had provided it anyway. Half of it was taken up by the shed, which had originally been a stable for the family’s horses.

The rest was flowerbeds, filled with plants that would bloom in all seasons and times of day. Alone in such a terrible place, Teodora had wanted to be sure she could always escape to something beautiful.

Teodora gave Agatha a trowel and bucket and set her to weeding, then let her be. She wouldn’t push the girl to speak--let Agatha be alone with her thoughts, until she was ready to speak on her own.

While she clipped dead leaves from a rosebush, Teodora thought again about the look shared between Agatha and Saturnus. It had been a look that suggested more familiarity than should have been possible with a man who could barely move, let alone speak.

Teodora had allowed her to spend time with him only because she assumed he was in no position to influence her. What if he had found a way?

“I hate them,” Agatha said, abruptly.

“Who?”

“The other kids. The teachers. I hate all of them. They’re all so awful for no reason.”

“People can be cruel,” Teodora admitted. “The world can be unkind to people who are different. The important thing is not to let it make you unkind.”

“Why shouldn’t I be unkind?” Agatha demanded. She began to stab at the dirt sullenly with the trowel. “If everyone is going to be mean to me, why shouldn’t I be mean back? They started it.”

An almost familiar conversation.

“Do you want other people to feel the way you feel?”

Agatha was quiet for a moment, tugging at weeds .

“Sometimes,” she muttered.

“Not the children at school. Other people. Strangers.”

“Of course not.”

“Then you must stay kind. If you aren’t careful, you can end up like them—hurting people because it makes you feel stronger.”

Agatha considered this with an expression that made Teodora warily. Sure enough:

“So...I should only be mean to people who are mean to me first.”

Oh dear.

“Not...exactly what I meant.”

“Are you going to tell me I have to be the bigger person?” Agatha asked, her nose wrinkling. “Because I hate when people tell me that.”

“There’s nothing wrong with standing up for yourself. But you have to be careful about things like ‘being mean back’. It’s very easy to justify doing terrible things. How mean does someone have to be, and how mean do you get to be in return?”

She put her hand on Agatha’s shoulder.

“The world can be unkind,” she said again. “It does not need us to make it worse.”

“But it’s hard,” Agatha whined. “I don’t want to be nice.”

“You do,” Teodora said. “You want other people to stop being mean. It’s hard to be nice when people aren’t nice back.” She smiled sadly. “One day, things will be easier. I promise you.”

“You can’t promise that,” Agatha said.

“But I will anyway,” Teodora insisted. “The other children will grow up and realize that they were wrong to tease you, and feel sorry for what they’ve done.”

Because they will learn they were teasing their Heterodyne, and what will that do to those minions in training?

“And then you will be glad you were kind to them, because then you get to be morally superior.”

Agatha burst out laughing. Teodora smiled and stroked her cheek.

“So will you try to be kind? For me?”

“Okay,” Agatha said. “I’ll try.”

[ynbabe]

TASM!Peter x Male reader- incorrect quotes

Cause that boy was fruity as FUCK and we were ROBBED! ROBBED I SAY-

Y/n: We’ll get back into there or die trying. Peter, trying to Spidey: No one’s dying. Y/n, a civilian, just trying to help: Not with that attitude.

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Peter: Y/n likes to win. When he were 8, a little Club Scout friend of his bragged they could sell the most cookies. Peter: Damned if Y/n didn't walk the neighborhood till he got blisters on his feet, and won by 10 boxes. Y/n: Best part is, I wasn't even a Club Scout.

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Harry, after someone insulted Peter: Murder literally doesn’t hurt anyone! Peter: What are you talking about? Of course— Y/n, holding out a hand to shut Peter up: No, no, he has a point—

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Gwen: But what about Y/n? Harry: Don't worry about him. Harry: I once watched him fall down 5 flights of stairs, stand up, and keep eating his hotdog like nothing happened. Peter: Well, you were the one who pushed him.

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Harry, professional instigator: Hi could I ask how exactly does one accidentally set a lemon on fire? Y/n, professional fool: Microwave for 40 minutes. Gwen, professional ‘my boys are stupid’ boys haver: WHY WERE YOU MICROWAVING A LEMON?! Y/n: I read boiling lemons helps cover up bad smells and I wanted to cover up the scent of burnt oranges, but I didn’t own any pots… Peter, currently microwaving a grape: Did you burn an orange too? HOW?! Y/n: Microwave for 40 minutes.

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Peter: Small creatures are much more vicious because they have a smaller body to bottle up all their emotions. Harry: Ridiculous. Give me some examples. Gwen: Wasps? Y/n: Terriers? Peter: Y/n.

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Gwen, watching Peter and Harry fight: Are you sure they should be fighting? What if they get hurt? Y/n, not bothered by the chaos: It’s fine. They’re too evenly matched to hurt each other. Gwen: Then... who’s the strongest out of you three? Peter, with superhuman powers but a Y/n lover: Y/n. Harry,  doesn’t want Peter to kill him: Y/n. Y/n, delusional and gay: Me.

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Harry: Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, and wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. Peter: That's deep. Y/n: That means that ketchup is a smoothie. Peter: That's deeper. Gwen: ...You guys are idiots

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Peter: We can bake these cookies at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or 4,000 degrees for 1 minute. Gwen: No, that's not how you make cookies. Harry: FLOOR IT!! Peter: How about 4,000,000 degrees for 1 second?!? Gwen: yOU'RE GONNA BURN THE HOUSE DOWN- Peter: I'M GONNA HARNESS THE POWER OF THE FUCKING SUN TO MAKE COOKIES! Y/n: DO IT! Gwen: NO-

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Gwen: Blue M&Ms are the best. Y/n: whAT IS THIS SLANDER? Gwen: What about it? They are. Y/n: I WILL NOT ALLOW SUCH LIES ON MY CHRISTIAN MINECRAFT SERVER! Y/n: THE RED ONES ARE THE BEST! Gwen: YEAH? WELL YOUR MOM'S A HO! Peter, trying to stop them: They're all chocolate inside, the colors don't mean anything. Harry, to stop peter from stopping them: I like the yellow ones. Gwen and Y/n: SHUT THE FUCK YOUR MOUTH!

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Peter: Why do you act like we’re three year olds? Gwen, exasperated: WHY?!? Gwen points at Y/n: YOU HIJACKED A COP CAR! Gwen points at Harry: YOU NEARLY TRIED TO KILL PETER! Gwen points at Peter: AND YOU THREW YOURSELF INTO A STORM MADE OF LIVING ELECTRICITY! Gwen: AND YOU ASK ME WHY????

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Gwen, in a room with Peter, Harry, and Y/n: It’s calm in here. Gwen: It scares me…

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Harry: *is hugging Peter* Y/n: Hey! It's my turn to hug Peter! Y/n: *grabs Peter* Harry: *pulling Y/n off Peter* What do you mean, "yOuR tUrN"? We agreed now is my time slot! Y/n: No, It's my turn! Peter: *suffocating* Guys, I love you, but just because you guys tried to kill me doesn't mean you can be hugging me to apologise constantly! Y/n: But we need the moral support! Harry: And you're small! Which is cute! Y/n: If we don't hug you right now I think our guilt will kick in and our bodies will stop functioning. Peter: *close to tears* Well- I, I guess.