#Lightly based off my fiancée and I

[angeltheghoul]

Since I mentioned Zephyr in my last post here’s a kind of hurt/comfort fall/winter headcannon for them:

Zephyrs joints get especially bad in the colder months (I know this since mine do as well) and they tend to push themselves a bit to far to keep up with others resulting in a lot of flares but their pack is very good hells even great at knowing when their limits have been reached and they’ll make them take a break whether they like it or not. Ifrit is the one to grab them from their chair and help them into the hot bath he’d drawn ealier plus he’ll make sure their warm and comfortable in the pile, Omega checks on them makes sure all their meds are taken correctly and nothing interacts plus he’ll scan to see if anything needs just a little quintessence to help sooth it. Pebble and Ivy absolutely make them tea or just help ground them in reality when the pain gets too bad just letting them sob into their shoulders, Alpha makes sure they’re actually eating and drinking water as they rest and Delta is the one who always grabs them to make sure their doing their stretches to keep their muscles good even if they can’t get out of bed. Just Zephyrs pack being kind to their disabled pack mate :)

Add on: Terzo is absolutely livid when Zephyr pushes themself too far and he makes it known in the kindness but most dramatic way possible.

[slvt4buffw0men1111]

Cum-ing (home) to You

SugarMommyWife!Abby x SugarBaby!Reader

18+

SMUT

CW: Semi-public sex, deep throating, voyeurism, mommy kink.

You were lying on the couch reading a book in your’s and Abby's penthouse apartment. A pink sheer robe draped over body, occasionally taking in the view of the city lights outside of the floor to ceiling windows. You met Abby on a sugar dating app but the relationship quickly turned romantic, and now here you are her girlfriend of 3 years and fiancée of 6 months. You heard the sound of the large door shut and heavy footsteps. 

“Baby you home?”, she yelled through the foyer. 

“I'm in here.”, you said back. 

She rounded the corner in her sexy navy work suit and black briefcase in her hand.

  

“You're finally home”, you purred and got up from your spot on the couch walking towards her to give her a hug. She wrapped her arms around your waist and your arms around her neck, standing on your tipping to give her a quick kiss.  

“I've been thinking of you all day”, she said into the kiss, her hands traveling down your back to cup your ass. You moaned at the feeling of her large rough hands digging into your skin. 

“What about me?”, you asked. 

“Thinking of your you perfect body, your perfect face, your perfect pussy...”, she told you backing you into the couch. You laid down on the couch Abby climbing on top of you. 

“What else?” 

“Fuck baby, thinking about the sounds you make for me, when I'm so deep in your pussy.”, she kissed down your neck. You let out a whimper when you felt her teeth bite down into the side of your neck.

 

“The sounds you pussy makes...”, she snaked her hand under you robe to find you were wearing nothing but a pair of lace panties. Her hand traveled up your torso to your breast. She groped and squeezed your nipples while still attacking your neck, leaving pink bruises. Your body felt so hot and your mind was already going dumb, only the thought of Abby was left. You grind your hips into hers, feeling a bulge on your clit. Of course she is packing.  

“I need you mommy”, you whined. Now grinding harder into her bulge your hands in her hair lightly scratching her scalp. She kissed back up your neck now leaving soft wet kisses on your jaw to your lips. She kissed you hard, your tongues clashing against each other. She bit down lightly on your lip causing you moan into her mouth.  

“Beg for me.” 

“Please mommy I need you so bad.”, you whined.

 

“Need me where? Be a big girl and use your words.”, she completely stopped touching you waiting for you to obey her.

 

“I need your cock mommy” 

“Yea, where do you need it princess.”, she teased you further. You swore she got off on teasing you more than she did touching you. 

“In my mouth n’ my pussy, anywhere please I need you mommy.” 

“Get on your knees.”, she commanded. You slid of the couch getting onto your knees, kneeled between Abby's thighs. Her bulge right in reach. She untied your robe and watched it fall to ground, your perfect tits on display for her.  

“Take my cock out baby.” you wasted to time unzipping her pants and sliding her boxers down just enough for her cock to spring out. Not only was she packing but it was the biggest one, the you always struggled to take. It was long and incredibly girthy, but it was your favorite color, so that always inclined you to try your best.  

“Go ahead baby, make mommy feel good.”, you nodded and took the large strap into your hand sticking your tongue out to kitten lick the tip, you then licked a long stripe from the base all the up from to the tip. You spit on the tip before taking your hand to jerk her off. She bucked her hips into your hands, loving the way your hands looked so small in contrast to her cock.  

“Come on baby”, she said borderline whimpering. She put her hand on the back of head to push your head down onto her strap. You bobbed your head up and down trying your best to take all of it into your mouth. You gags filled the room and saliva dripped down your chin onto the floor.  

“Touch yourself for mommy”, you didn't have to be asked twice as you brought your hand down to your pussy rubbing yourself over your panties. You moan on her dick and Abby started to buck her hips up, forcing you to take more. Her strap was hitting the back of your throat. Rubbing your pussy to the same pace of her fucking your mouth. Your moans got louder it was getting harder to breath but you didn’t want to stop when she was looking at you like the most delicious thing in the world. You got more and more wet as she fucked your mouth, dripping to the inside of your thighs. You could tell Abby was gonna come soon, the way the she was fucking into your mouth grinded her cunt amazingly. You rubbed your pussy faster, moaning deeper. Abby then came with loud grunt and moan, her pace faltering.  

“Fuck baby~”, she moaned. You took the strap out her mouth a long string of saliva connecting you two together. She rubbed your head while catching her breath. She then stood up and began to take of her clothes. You watched as she unbuttoned her shirt putting her glorious abs and happy trail on the display. You mouthwatering more than it was before. She removed her pants and boxer to see you her arousal sticking to her thighs.  

“Come n’ ride me princess.”, she sat down spreading her legs for you. You climbed on top of her straddling her thighs, she hooked her fingers under the waistband of your panties and slid them off you. She brought her finger down to slit and rubbed your pussy.  

“This wet all for me?”, she teases. You whimpered at the feeling of her finger on your clit.

 

“Open”, she lightly slapped your cheek. You opened your mouth for her and she stuck the two fingers that were just on your pussy into your mouth. She watched as you sucked her fingers moaning at the taste of yourself, making direct eye contact with her. She pulled out her fingers and jerked off her strap before lifting you up and slowly sitting you down onto her cock. You moaned at the stretch her cock was doing to your pussy.  

“Uh~ it hurts mommy.” 

“Shh baby you can take it.”, she said into your ear. Her hand started to rub slow circles on your clit. You moaned in pleasure as you sunk further onto her strap. She finally all the way in you, you caught your breath and adjusted to size of her before you started to slowly lift yourself up and down her cock. You were at it for about 2 minutes until your legs started getting tired Abby watch in amusement as you struggled to ride her.  

“You need mommy to fuck you baby”, she said.

 

“Yes please”, she adjusted herself before she grabbed onto your hips and started fucking into you. Her hips moving at a fast pace. You couldn’t help but scream in pleasure. You head hung back and your tits bouncing in her face.  

“Oh my god ~fuck mommy~” 

“You love the way mommy fucks your pussy huh?” 

“God yes mommy I love your cock so much”, you whined eyes rolling to the back of your head. 

“Go on and touch yourself baby.”, she said still pounding into you. You brought your shaky hand down to your clit and started rubbing yourself in fast circles. You felt your stomach tense up and you pussy tighten on Abby's strap.

 

“You gonna come for me baby, go ahead and cum”. With her words you screamed out, your hips stuttering as you came hard on her strap. She wasted to time for you to come down from your high. She stood up with you in her arms, your legs wrapped around your waist, strap still buried deep your pussy. You didn’t know where you were going until you felt your back hit against a cold surface. She had you pressed up against the window.

 

“Wait what if people se-” she cut you off with her fucking into you again. Still sensitive from your previous orgasm your eyes clench shut and your finger digging into her back. You could only whine and whimper the pleasure too much to handle. Abby's hands on your ass as she pounded up into your wet pussy. Her grunts in your ears only made you even more wet. Your back sliding up and the window of her pace. She started to bite you neck which only made you scratch her back harder, drawing little increments of blood.  

“Love your pussy so much baby, love you”, she grunted. Her pace somehow got harder and faster. Your head now hitting against the window. You felt your next orgasm coming in stronger.  

“M’gonna cum mommy, please can I come?”, you asked moaning out to her. 

“Wait for mommy”, she said. She down and started to rub your clit once more. You could tell she was about to come as well ,her head now facing up, neck on full display. You took that as an opportunity, you kissed and bit sucked onto her neck breaking her.

 

“Fuck I'm cumming, cum with me baby!”, you finally released. Your orgasm hitting hard, creaming onto Abby's cock. You both came at the same time Abby grunting as her hips slowed down trying to milk the most out her orgasm. You both came down from your highs. Abby grabbed the back of your neck with one hand and brought your face in to kiss her. She kissed hard with love and sexual aggression.

“Love you so much”, you said into the kiss. She carried you back to the couch and slowly pulled you off her strap and laid you down on the couch.  

“You, ok?”, she asked as you still were trying to catch your breath. You simply nodded you throat too sore to speak. She removed her strap and set it on the coffee table so she made sure to clean it later. She walked to the kitchen to grab you some water and grabbed a blanket before she laid down next to you and cuddled up to you, wrapping her arms around you. 

“I love you too baby”, she said kissing your forehead.  

[heavyhitterheaux]

Flowers

Based off the song by Miley Cyrus

AN: the wait is finally over!

Synopsis: You have been in a committed relationship with Jack for over a year, but since the two of you have released this information to the world, your jealous ex can't help but to wonder if you can find it in your heart to give him a second chance

Pairing: Jack Harlow x Reader, Former Joe Burrow x Reader

Please Do Not Repost My Content Anywhere

It was becoming light outside when you were awakened by Jack placing several kisses all over your face and a smile couldn't help but to break out as you opened your eyes to look at him.

“Good morning my beautiful fiancée.” You heard him say and listened to his morning voice that you loved so much.

“Good morning my love.”

“What do you have planned for today?” He asked as he proceeded to lay on his back as you moved so that your head was on his chest as he started to draw small circles along your back.

“I have a fitting with Margot Robbie and that’s about it. I might go out with Briana, Emma, and Naomi later if I'm feeling up to it. What about you?” You asked as you reached up to kiss the corner of his mouth.

“Probably just go to the studio, I shouldn’t be gone long. I have some things I want to work on.”

His answer immediately led to you rolling your eyes and you stifled a laugh as Jack looked at you curiously.

“What? What was that for?"

“Now you know good and well that when you say you’ll be at the studio and won’t be gone long that it really means 3 am and for me not to wait up for you.”

“Babe! I promise it won’t be 3 am this time! I was in the zone and didn’t want to mess that up.”

“I get it, I get it. But if this happens tonight, please tell me and not have me worrying about you. Last time you almost gave me a heart attack thinking that something was wrong.”

“I’m sorry and I promise to. I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again. I… know how your trust issues are. I’ve never given you a reason not to trust me and I don’t want to start now.”

“I love you.” You told him as you pinched his cheek making him smile.

“I love you too.” Jack swiftly answered as he leaned down to place a kiss on your forehead.

“I’m about to go get ready, you want to join me?”

“As tempting as that sounds, you know for a fact that you won’t make it to the studio any time soon. And you getting back at 3 am will probably be 5 am."

“I-... good point.”

“I’ll probably just go back to sleep, the fitting isn’t until later anyway.”

"Oh, I wore you out last night?" He asked while wiggling his eyebrows.

"Don't start."

"What? I was just asking!"

"Bye, Jackman and go get ready." You replied while laughing and lightly pushed him so he could get up.

Jack simply nodded as he moved from behind you and got up to make his way into the bathroom.

"Don't worry, you'll get this work later." You heard him yell from the bathroom and you immediately rolled your eyes as you let out a small laugh.

You had grabbed your phone off of the nightstand and you were completely caught off guard from one of your notifications from instagram.

1 New Message

Joeyb_9: Y/N, can we meet up and talk? I miss you

You felt your anxiety as well as your heart rate increase as you read the message. There was no way in the world that you were going to reopen a wound that you had healed from.

After the intense break up from your superstar NFL boyfriend, Joe Burrow, you swore that you would never put yourself in such a vulnerable position again.

The cheating, the lying, him sneaking behind your back was a thing of the past and you didn't plan on going back.

So, he had another thing coming if he thought that you were ever going to give him the time of day.

One thing that he always did every week was buy you a bouquet of your favorite flowers no matter if you were with him or not. You soon came to the conclusion that you could buy yourself your own flowers and didn't need a man to do that after seeing how he acted towards you.

Especially one that stopped buying them for you after the first year of your relationship and only bought you them with an expensive piece of jewelry because he had cheated again and would do anything in order for you to take him back.

"Baby, it won't happen again, I promise."

So you did give him another chance and once again he blew it. You should have learned your lesson the first time, but Joe being a sweet talker reeled you back in.

You blocked his number, blocked him on social media, and made sure that he gave you back your key to your condo.

A condo that he had bought but at this rate, you deserved to keep it.

You were content with being the rich auntie who got to travel the world and would bring back expensive gifts for everyone while dressing celebrities in your latest designs.

That was until you were asked to style your now fiancé Jack Harlow for The Grammys in 2022. The first time the two of you met, it was as if there was no one else in the room since your eyes never left each other.

You had heard of him and was quite a big fan, so obviously you were excited. Being Joe Burrow's girlfriend did have its perks. Once he got to the NFL and he knew how you wanted to be a designer, you would style him for events and that moved to his teammates, their significant others, and then onto other celebrities.

Jack had heard of you since you had styled Drake for an event before and he had highly recommended you. He took him up on his suggestion and soon found himself the woman that he wanted to marry.

It was hard to break into this industry and the one thing you could thank Joe for was helping you do it. You wanted to not be seen just as his girlfriend and known for your work so your relationship was kept low key. This made it easier for when you did break off things with him not having people follow your every move.

Except, Joe did follow your every move waiting for the right opportunity to present itself so that he could work his magic and his charm on you in the hopes of winning you back.

However, you weren't falling for this shit again because you had moved on and found someone ten times better.

You recalled the last time he had cheated and presented you with a bouquet of your favorite flowers which you immediately grabbed and put it in the trash can as he watched the scene unfold in front of him and told him that you didn’t need a man for shit including buying you flowers. That was the last time you had talked to him and it was over two years ago.

From that point on, you bought your favorite flowers for yourself and once Jack caught on to this, he quickly took over once he had heard your reasoning behind it.

You remember him telling you that you deserved to get as many flowers as you want from someone who loves and appreciates you and you remember your breath hitching in your throat. That was the first time that he told you that he loved you and has kept his word ever since.

What you didn't plan on was becoming Jack's girlfriend and now fiancée and Joe getting the sudden realization that he wanted you back.

All because you and Jack had gone public with your relationship not even 72 hours ago and you had a feeling that he saw it. The two of you had kept it quiet for the entire time that you had been dating, but once he put that huge ass ring on your finger, you wanted to share it with the world.

You had only blocked him from your personal account and not the one for your fashion line so of course that came with you muttering "Fuck" under your breath and shaking your head.

Jack had come out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist and had heard you so he was immediately concerned.

"Baby? You okay?"

"Um… "

"What's wrong?"

Not wanting to hide anything from Jack, you quickly shoved your phone into his hand showing him the message and his eyebrows furrowed and he looked confused.

"Why is Joe Burrow sending you messages on instagram?"

"Remember that ex who cheated on me multiple times but still expected me to take him back?"

"Don't tell me…." Jack said as he looked back up at you.

"That's him."

"And it's his fucking loss. You're mine now so he can go throw footballs and fuck off somewhere."

Jack handed you back your phone and you immediately blocked him, not even bothering to respond. He should have known better, you finally had someone who respected and cared for you and you for damn sure wasn't going to go back to him.

"He better get the message loud and clear too. No one told him to treat you like shit. Why did you never mention that it was him?"

"I'd rather not dwell on him treating me like that when I have someone that is a million times better in front of me." You said being completely honest and Jack simply smiled at you before leaning down to kiss you.

"This is forever and I don't give a fuck who doesn't like it or who doesn't agree. You're mine and I'm yours. Besides, can he fight?"

"I-... Jack he is a little taller than you and the most he could probably do is try to throw a dumbbell to hit you."

"Oh, so I have a chance to take him?"

"Well….. um…. you're my future husband and I'm going to stick beside you."

"In other words, no and you'll still love me even if he kicks my ass?"

"Correct, babe. But… he can't fight either."

"Woooooooow, zero confidence in me." Jack responded while shaking his head at you while you were trying not to laugh.

"Did I tell you that I love you and that I'll bring you food later at the studio?" You replied while batting your eyelashes at him.

"Don't try and butter me up now."

"Well I'll tell you again. I love you, baby. Now go get dressed."

"I might have to skip the studio and add an extra gym day instead. How much can he bench press?"

Before going to the fitting with Margot, you cleaned up around your shared house with Jack in the hopes of getting what had happened this morning out of your head. He had the absolute nerve to think that you would even give him the time of day.

You quickly sent a message to your three best friends Briana, Emma, and Naomi telling them you wanted to meet for a late lunch after the fitting and if they were free.

All three of them quickly said yes and you couldn't wait to tell them what Joe had pulled. Next thing you know Ja'Marr was about to be in your DM's and you would simply tell him to fuck off since he knew what Joe was doing behind your back, but would simply smile in your face and act like nothing was happening. He got cut off right along with him when you finally decided to do it.

There all four of you were sharing a plate of fried calamari and you had just finished telling them what had happened earlier that morning.

"Ew, are you serious? He has got some fucking nerve." Emma said before taking a sip of her drink and looking at you in disbelief.

"Same thing I said."

"Did you tell Jack?"

"Of course I did. The last thing I ever want to do is keep something from him." You replied while dipping your piece of calamari in the sauce that it came with.

"Well maybe you should hear him out." The entire table had gone silent as all of you looked over at Briana in disbelief.

"Uh? Come again?" Naomi was the first person to break the silence.

"Just hear what he has to say." She replied while shrugging and you simply rolled your eyes.

"So she's supposed to listen to the person who cheated on her multiple times and still did it after she forgave him?" Emma asked while not believing what she was hearing.

"Maybe he's changed."

"I highly doubt it and why would I even entertain this when I have an amazing fiancé who treats me like I'm supposed to be treated? Bri, since you want to hear him out so bad you go and give him a chance."

"I was just saying that maybe you should keep your options open."

"Girl, what the hell is wrong with you today? Where is the Briana that wanted to fight Joe every time this happened and would beg me to leave him?" You asked as you looked at her confused.

"I just think it couldn't hurt."

"Well if I ever decide to do it, I'm bringing Jack with me."

"Okay moving on. So, do we have a wedding date? Venue? Flowers? Maid of honor?" Naomi asked as she batted her eyelashes and was grilling you left and right while all you could do was laugh.

"We literally just got engaged this week!" You answered while smiling at her.

"And is that supposed to mean something?! We all knew from the first time you two met that this would be forever. I'm just so happy for you and Jack is the entire package. I love the way he loves you. You deserve this after how that asshole treated you. But just let Jack know if he steps a toe out of line, I'll cut his dick off." Emma said while still looking over the menu trying to decide what she was going to get for her dessert later.

"He means so much to me and I'm happy that I have him. I literally can go to him for anything and it seems that he always knows what to say in order to make me feel better. I love that man with my whole heart."

"Not you making me want to get married." Naomi said while laughing and you simply eyed her.

"I can always put in a word for you for Urban." You responded and you could immediately tell her cheeks were heating up.

"Just make sure at the wedding, we get paired together."

"Say less."

—

Joe let out a sigh and Ja’Marr immediately looked over at him and asked what was wrong.

"She blocked me again.”

“Are we….. surprised? I mean look how you acted towards her.” He quickly answered and Joe instantly had a look of annoyance on his face.

“This time will be different. I just need her to forgive me one more time.”

“Now… you cannot be serious. You cheated on her how many times? And not even including the times you didn’t tell her about.”

“I just wasn’t thinking straight, but now I am.”

“Now that she’s about to be a whole married woman, suddenly you grew up and matured? You literally haven’t mentioned anything about her until I sent you that pic on instagram with the two of them.”

“He doesn’t deserve her.”

Ja’Marr immediately rolled his eyes.

“Oh, and you do? When you treated her like absolute shit. You my boy so obviously I didn’t tell her in the hopes that you would get your shit together, but that clearly didn’t work out. Like Y/N would have done anything for you.”

“I just need to talk to her in person, I’m sure that I can change her mind.”

“Delusional much?”

“Will you just back me up on this?!”

“Back you up on what? Stupidity?” Ja’Marr answered, but Joe was clearly on a mission and would not let this go easily. You were his girl through and through and he was about to do anything he can in order to be able to get you back.

“You’ll see, she’s going to take me back.”

All Ja’Marr did was roll his eyes in response.

“Hmm, good luck with that. But don’t call me crying when she tells you no.”

“I won’t have to because she’s not going to.”

From that point on, it was the middle of the summer so since training camp hadn’t started yet, Joe was making you his full-time mission. He knew that because of you now being engaged to Jack, more than likely you were spending the majority of your time in Louisville so that is where he decided to go first.

He figured that if he could find you anywhere that it would be at your boutique.

Once he walked in, he immediately saw Emma who he knew was one of your best friends and she immediately sent a death glare in his direction and her eyes wouldn’t leave his. The last thing she wanted to do was make a scene, but she just couldn’t help herself and blurted it out.

“What the actual fuck are you doing here? She’s not here and doesn’t want to see you and you need to leave before I call security.”

“Relax Emma, I come in peace.” Joe answered with his hands up in defense, but she wasn’t having it.

“And you will leave here in pieces if you don’t get the fuck on somewhere. She doesn’t want you anymore. She’s finally happy and I for damn sure am not going to let you mess anything up for her.”

“I just can’t come by to say hi?”

“Don’t ask stupid questions. You might have everyone else fooled, but not me because I know how you truly are out of the spotlight. Stay away from her or I will not hesitate to tell Jack and he isn’t going to be happy.”

“I see I’ve caught you at a bad time, but I’ll be back to talk to my girl.”

“Burrow, go fuck yourself.”

When Joe had finally left the boutique, Emma immediately called you.

“Hey boo!”

“Babe! Don’t come back to the boutique for the rest of the day. Go bother Jack or something.”

“What the? What’s wrong?”

“Joe was here looking for you and I kicked him out. He needs to get a fucking grip because ain’t no way in hell you’re about to take him back. I had to mention that I was going to tell Jack in order for him to leave.”

“I….”

“Just… go spend time with Jack. I got this covered, go wedding plan or something.”

Once you had gotten off the phone, you were visibly upset and needed to get your mind off of things. You were going to take her advice and go home and try to spend time with Jack because at this point, you didn’t know what to do.

You had thrown the different fabrics in the backseat of your car before going to sit in the front and dialed Jack’s number. You sped out of the parking lot in the direction of your shared house not believing that he had the absolute nerve to do this.

It didn’t even ring two times, before you heard his voice.

“Yes, my future wife? What’s up, baby?”

“Can you… can you come home?” You quietly asked and you already knew that Jack was not going to let this go without knowing what was wrong with you.

“Of course, baby. Did something happen? I can hear it in your voice. I know when something is wrong with you.”

“Umm…..”

“Don’t start that, tell me.”

“Joe showed up at the boutique looking for me and Emma called and told me.”

“He WHAT?” Jack’s voice instantly got louder and stopped what he was doing.

“I… don’t want you to get upset.”

“How can I not be? What the hell is his problem? You don’t respond to his DM and now he comes here looking for you? He needs to stay the fuck away. Nah, now he got me pissed off.”

“Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I’m not, but protecting you is my main priority.”

“Can you just come home? I don't even want to think about this anymore.”

“Give me fifteen minutes.”

As promised, within fifteen minutes you heard the front door open indicating that Jack was now home. You were simply sitting on the couch wrapped in a blanket burrito as you flipped through Disney Plus in order to find something to watch. Jack walked over to you and leaned down to kiss your forehead as you popped your arms out from underneath the blanket to hug him.

“You pick the movie and I'll order food. What do you have a taste for?”

“Hmm Italian please.”

“Coming right up.”

“I'm sorry to take you away from what you were doing, I should have just waited until you got home.” You quietly said as you thought about it.

“No, work can wait. If my baby needs me, she needs me and I'm going to make sure she's okay.” He told you as he stroked your face and you simply nodded.

“What do you think he even wants?” He asked as he placed his phone on the coffee table and sat next to you.

“To talk to me to get me to forgive him. It's always the same thing every time. He thinks that an expensive piece of jewelry and flowers are all that he needs to change my mind. At one point in time that might have worked, but not now.”

A week or so had passed without incident, but you were in for a surprise while you were at your boutique finishing up some sketches when you got a bouquet of flowers delivered.

You smiled at first thinking that they were from Jack and quickly went to facetime him without bothering to read the note attached to them.

“Hey pretty girl.” Jack said and he looked to be eating with Urban beside him.

“Hey handsome. Thank you for my flowers, they're so pretty.” You exclaimed as you switched the camera to show him.

Jack instantly got quiet and stopped chewing as he stared at them and let out a sigh. He instantly looked pissed off. You were confused and looked at him dumbfounded.

“I didn't send you those.”

“Wait, what? But they're my favorite. How….” You trailed off as you grabbed the note that was in the bouquet and looked at it in utter disgust as you saw Joe’s handwriting staring back at you. Without finishing the note, you promptly grabbed the bouquet and walked over to the trash can, throwing it in there before responding to Jack.

“Why doesn't he understand that I’m never going to give him another chance and that he is just simply wasting his time?” You quietly said and Jack had yet to say anything. From the moment you realized that he didn't send them, he instantly knew who did.

“I don't know, but this is really starting to piss me off.”

"I think that I just need to have a conversation with him. Even though I know that the last thing you want is for me to be around him, but it's the best idea I have."

"I was thinking restraining order, but okay."

"I don't even want to think about this anymore. We have other things to worry about, like what we're wearing to Michael's party."

yourinstagramname added to their story

The two of you showed up to the party together and were mingling with the other guests when you had told Jack that you were going to get another drink. He simply nodded at you and continued to talk to Druski. You made your way inside and refilled your glass when you felt a presence behind you. You silently cursed to yourself once you had gotten a whiff of the familiar cologne that you never wanted to smell again for as long as you lived because of the person that you knew it was attached to.

That wasn't your fiancé, but your ex-boyfriend who you did not know would be in attendance. If you would have known that he was going to be here, you would have stayed cuddled up under Jack at your hotel and not even bother to show up.

“I knew we'd cross paths sooner or later.” You heard Joe say before you turned around to look at him.

“And you can keep walking because I have absolutely nothing to say to you.”

“Come on Y/N, don't be like that. I just want to talk. Just give me one more chance. I should have been the one to put that ring on your finger, not him.”

"You blew the multiple chances that I gave you so what makes you think you deserve another one? Do you think I'm really stupid enough to take you back after all that?” You asked as you looked at him in disbelief.

"I love you, doesn't that mean anything?!"

"No and no you're not. Not when I'm in love with my fiancé and you're in love with the idea of me. Someone you can have on your arm for everyone to see, but treat me like shit from behind the scenes. Face it, you blew it and whatever this was at one time is officially over and never happening again.”

Joe didn't get to respond to you because he saw Jack approaching from behind and promptly wrapped his arms around you before turning your face to kiss you.

“Everything okay over here?” Jack asked as he made eye contact with Joe before looking him up and down.

Joe hadn't been sure if you had told Jack all that had gone down between the two of you, but clearly because of the look on his face, it was obvious.

“Yep, just fine. Got my drink and I was just about to come and find you.” You answered as you smiled at him.

“Teyana was looking for you. She's out by the pool.” He told you as he nudged you in that direction.

You just prayed that this didn't end in a fight between the two of them.

“Well that's my cue to make my way out there.” Was all you said before leaving your ex in the presence of your fiancé.

Once you were out of earshot, Jack turned to Joe and didn't hold back on how he felt about him contacting you when the only thing you wanted was for him to leave you alone.

“I just want you to listen to me and listen to me good. There's literally no need for you to say anything or respond when I'm finished. You fucked up and you lost your chance or should I say chances with her. Y/N is now going to be my wife and the last thing she needs is her ex-boyfriend lurking in the shadows because he has a sudden realization of wanting that old thing back all because you're jealous because now she's happy and with someone who isn't you. While you two were together, you broke her trust and if you honestly think that she was going to give you another chance is wild. So take this as a warning to stay away from her and we won't have any problems. The place of her soon to be husband is spoken for, okay Joe? Good talk.”

It was quiet for a few seconds and as Jack turned to walk away from him, he heard his voice.

“I like you, Jack. I really do, but sooner or later she'll realize the mistake she's making.”

“Only mistake she made when it came to you was staying with you for so long. Don't worry, I'll send you wedding pictures.”

Jack hadn't bothered to bring up what happened between him and Joe for the rest of the party, but you were itching to know. You didn't see him for the rest of it, however you did see Ja’Marr and it looked like he was trying to make his way over to you, but he noticed the death glare that you were giving him and decided against it.

You and Jack had now just gotten back to your hotel room and had gotten settled for the night when you brought it up. He was scrolling on his phone, but could feel you looking at him.

“Yes, baby?”

“What did you say to him? Because I know you don't like confrontation, but I know you were pissed about the entire thing.”

“I just let him know to leave you alone, that's all.” Jack answered as he shrugged and you weren't entirely convinced.

“You threatened him, didn't you?”

“Threat is a very strong word, baby. I make promises. He shouldn't be a problem anymore, but if he is, you need to tell me. I'm the only man that is buying you flowers.”

___

About another three weeks had passed and you were currently at your boutique, but also wedding planning when you got small breaks in between clients. You had gotten some wedding magazines and let Jack know that you wanted his opinion so the two of you could move forward with the process.

Of course he had told you that he would be at the studio majority of the day and simply asked Briana to drop them off for you so you didn't have to leave the boutique.

“Bri, can you drop something off to Jack for me? He already knows that you're coming to meet him.” You asked her over the phone and that's when the wheels in her head started turning.

“Yeah, sure what is it?”

“Just a few wedding magazines and he was going to tell me any ideas he had later when we both got home.”

“Not a problem, I'll be there in 20.”

Once Briana got to the studio, Jack was already on facetime with you and the woman at the front let her know where she could find Jack. She made her way down the long hallway and stuck her head in to peek inside the room to see Jack and quickly called out to him.

“Hey Jack, I brought the magazines for you.”

“Oh hey, Briana. Thanks for bringing them. I hope it didn't put you out of your way at all.” He told her as he took the magazines from her hands.

“Not at all, I didn't mind. I had gotten off work early anyway so that's why Y/N asked me.” She told him and he simply nodded, but he was confused at the fact that she was still standing there.

“Uh, Briana? Did you need something else?”

“You know, I was honestly hoping that Y/N would give Joe another chance when she first told me about him sending her a DM.” Briana said and Jack immediately turned up his nose.

“Excuse me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I meant so that we could be together and everyone would get their happily ever after.”

“Wait, what? Briana I don't like you like that and I never have and never will. I'm marrying Y/N who is your best friend so I'm going to need for you to stop embarrassing yourself.”

Little did she know that you were hearing this conversation in its entirety.

“What does she have that I don't?”

“I… I am not doing this with you. So you can see yourself out.” Jack told her as he turned away from her, but she quickly tugged on his arm to turn him back around and attempted to kiss him, but he dodged her.

“You have three seconds to get out of my sight. I don't know what the hell is wrong with you but you can now consider yourself uninvited to the wedding.”

“Jack, she doesn't have to know.”

Just then she heard your voice come through Jack’s phone.

“Too late, because I already do.”

“Oh, um….”

"You and Joe deserve each other with how the two of you act."

As you were listening to the entire exchange on the other end, you were honestly in disbelief. Your best friend who had been your friend for years just tried to get Jack to cheat on you. And now thinking about it, everything now made sense. She started acting weird ever since the two of you got engaged all because you see how she now wanted Jack for herself.

You didn't say another word as you hung up the phone and tried to process everything that had just happened as you sat in your boutique. You only had one client left for the day and then you would be able to go home and think about how you couldn't see what she was trying to do all along.

The phone vibrated in your hand and you looked down to see that Jack was calling you back and you quickly answered.

“I…”

“I know.” He quietly said because you were obviously extremely upset.

“How could she do that to me? My so-called best friend.” You asked him as tears pricked the corners of your eyes.

“Like you said, she and Joe deserve each other. I'm just happy you were on the phone and heard the entire thing. Of course I would have told you anyway, but still.”

“Babe….”

“Yes?”

“I want to elope.”

One week later the two of you were in the Maldives as you were admiring your huge wedding ring gracing your finger.

“You act like it's about to disappear.” Jack teased as he peered over at you.

“Shut up, it's pretty!”

“But you're prettier.”

“Hmm, tell me something I don't know.” You responded and all Jack did was look at you in disbelief.

“Hmm, not the response I was looking for. I thought that I was going to get a thank you.”

“Fine. Thank you, husband.” You told him as you reached up to kiss him before he smiled at you.

“That's more like it.”

“You know I had a thought…” You started to say before stopping mid sentence.

“And what's that thought, baby?”

“When I left him, I thought no one would be able to love me better than he could but you came along and proved me wrong.”

“And you'll never have to question how I feel about you or how important you are to me.”

“And even though I can buy myself flowers, I love them more when they come from you.”

I can buy myself flowers

Write my name in the sand

Talk to myself for hours

Say things you don't understand

I can take myself dancing

And I can hold my own hand

Yeah, I can love me better than you can

[miryum]

"Bodega Perps"

Summary: Detective!Jason Todd x detective!Reader based on Jake and Amy’s relationship

Series Warnings: Swearing, descriptions of violence (but nothing descriptive), guns and other police stuff

Series Masterlist

Jason kept glancing over at his fiancée. She really was a beautiful fiancée. A very smart fiancée and one who wasn’t giving in to Jason's stares. She was his fiancée. Most nights, he just spent his minutes looking at her, thanking the stars that she had said yes. He was going to marry the love of his life. Damian interrupted his lovesick thoughts with a swift kick to his chair. “Romeo,” he said. “Sergeant said to get your head out of your ass and keep working.”

“When did he say that?” Jason scoffed, turning to look at Damian.

“He didn’t. But I noticed.” In response, Jason sighed and went to complain to Dick about Damian.

“Hey,” Cass knocked on Y/n’s desk. The detective’s head whipped over and she shoved her body in front of her computer. “Someone robbed a bodega on 4th Street. It's the fifth one this week. Anyway, Wayne wants us to interview some of the bodega owners and figure out where to assign additional officers.” She nodded towards Y/n’s computer. “I put a map up on the server–”

“No!” Y/n interrupted with an exclamation, slamming her laptop shut. “Just email it to me, please. Bye!”

Cass shot Y/n a hard look. “Why'd you close your laptop?” she asked. “What’re you hiding?”

“Nurthing,” Y/n said after a moment, pressing her chin to her chest and looking up at Cass awkwardly.

“You're hiding something,” Cass observed.

“Just because I said ‘nurthing?’” Y/n asked, scoffing.

“Yes.” She pushed Y/n’s rolling chair to the side and opened the computer to reveal a screen of wedding dress options. “Aww, you're looking at wedding dresses? That one's dope.” Cass pointed to one.

“That's not what I was doing,” Y/n deflected. “My computer must've gone to this site on its own.” The lie could’ve been spotted by a kindergartener. 

“How is that possible?” Cass crossed her arms.

Y/n stuck her tongue out at her friend. “It's broken. I'll fix it.” She shoved her computer into the trash can. “There, it's fixed.”

“You're weird.”

“I know.”

Y/n had her thumbs hooked in her police vest as she and Cass walked down the streets of Gotham. “So I can spare four uniformed officers to do hourly pass-bys of the bodegas south of fourth.” Her eyes caught on a storefront and her words trailed off slightly, “and I'll coordinate with the, um… hourly pass-bys of the…”

“What was that?” Cass asked, looking around.

“That was me talking about hourly pass-bys.”

“Oh, yeah, I heard about the hourly pass-bys,” the female detective said in an enthusiastic, lively voice before her tone dropped back down to her normal octave. “Twice. There was a subtle side look, L/n.” She stopped walking and punched her friend on the shoulder lightly.

“There was no subtle side look!” Y/n exclaimed.

“You're right, 'cause it wasn't subtle,” Cass agreed. She squinted back at the stores they had passed. “It was an unsubtle side look at… that dress in the shop. Why are you being such a nutjob about looking for a wedding dress?” She huffed, looking back at Y/n.

“Because being a female detective is difficult!” Y/n sighed. “You of all people know this. We have to work twice as hard to gain respect and looking at girly dresses isn't going to help. Plus, it's an important job, and I need to make it a priority.”

“Dude, I get that, but if you want a beautiful wedding dress, you deserve to find one. Now Jason is your priority as you are so very clearly his.” She huffed and mirrored Y/n’s stance with her thumbs hooked in her pockets. “Look, there are no cops around. Nobody's gonna see you. Why don't we just take our break now, try one on? Okay?”

Y/n looked almost sheepish as she quietly agreed, “okay.”

“Okay?” Cass said a bit louder, catching Y/n’s stare.

“Okay.” There was now a smile on her face.

“Okay?!” Cass’ voice rose to a shout and both women could feel the excitement rising.

“Okay. Hell yeah!” she cheered. 

Cheering her on, Cass hurried her to the dress boutique, but they found a sign taped to the door. “They are closed. We will come back later.”

“Yerp,” Y/n clicked her tongue.

Cass stuck out like a sore thumb in the wedding dress store. In a world of white and rose pink and cream, fairy lights, pillows, and glasses of champagne, Cass was quite literally the leather jacket and pants of it. Meanwhile, Y/n stood on a little pedestal with mirrors on three sides. She was wearing the first wedding dress she had ever tried on and there was a little scrunch between her brows. It was a loose column dress with an awkward sash diagonally across the chest. “So what do you think?” Cass asked bluntly, taking a gulp of champagne.

“Mm, I don't love the sash,” Y/n confessed, turning slightly to analyse herself. “But it's fine. I'm just gonna get it.” She shrugged, lips in a tight line.

“What?” Cass almost choked on her drink. “That's the first one you tried on! I once saw you look at twenty-four different plushies of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh and not buy any of them due to incorrect tail placement and the emotion in his eyes.”

“That’s different!” Y/n argued. “Eeyore is a complicated character and eyes are the window to the soul! I just don't want to take up any more time,” she added, twisting around again to scrutinise herself.

“Your break's not even a quarter done,” Cass pointed out, taking a sip of her champagne.

The detective bargained, “I'll stay another ten minutes.”

“You'll stay until I dismiss you,” Cass corrected her sharply. “Teresa, music,” she demanded from the attendant who was all too happy to comply. Twirling a finger in the hair, she ordered, “now spin.”

Y/n was mid spin when Cass’ walkie-talkie crackled to life. “All units: attempted 1030-Charlie. Bodega on Smith. Perp is heading east on Riviera.”

“That's us!” Cass realised, grasping at her walkie and jumping to her feet. We're on Riviera. Oh, crap.”

A figure ran past the window, a bag clutched in the man’s hand. “That was him!” Y/n gasped and instinctively, she shoved the door open and began pursuing him. “Hey! NYPD, stop!” Her dress was flying out behind her like a white flowing cape. “Hey! Stop.” Passerbys either watched with rapt attention or just kept walking – it was simply another day in Gotham. The man turned into an alley and tripped over a couch before stumbling past it. Not breaking stride, Y/n jumped over the couch. She was able to gain on the perp, tackling him to the ground. Y/n ripped the sash off the dress and bound his hands with it, wrapping it securely around his wrists. The man grunted and tried to struggle, but eventually gave up. “Stay down!”

Cass slowed her run and let out a low whistle. “Damn, L/n,” she complimented.

“Maybe I do like the sash,” Y/n admitted with a grin.

Y/n and Cass marched into the precinct, Y/n still in the wedding gown and the sash still firmly coiled around the perp’s hands. She looked a little dishevelled with her hair coming out of its updo, but there was still an audible thud from Jason dropping his files on the floor. 

The detective shoved the perp into the holding cell and Tim commented, “oh, is that the wedding dress from the Erica Somerlend 2017 winter collection?”

“No way, the bodice is totally different.” Steph shook her head.

“Why do you two know so much about wedding dresses?” Cass asked, a judging look on her face, though that was hardly different from her usual expression.

Steph looked offended and pressed a hand to her chest. “We can have taste, thank you very much.”

“Alright, that's enough,” Y/n waved a hand in the air. “Can we just get back to police work and stop talking about wedding dresses?” she begged.

“You know what? No.” Cass put her foot down metaphorically. “We're gonna talk about them because while wearing a wedding dress, you leapt over a couch, sprinted down an alley, and subdued the crap out of a perp like you were fucking Wonder Woman or Batman.” Her voice rose slightly as she tried to get her friend to see just how badass she was.

A slow smile overtook the newly engaged woman’s face. “It was pretty cool, wasn't it?”

“Y/n, you are an amazing cop and you have proven that a billion bajillion times over. You can't let other people's opinions get in the way of what you want, especially because other people suck,” Cass said bluntly, but it was just what Y/n needed to hear.

Y/n twisted her hips so the dress twirled a bit out around her and Jason, from across the bullpen, made a choking sound. “Well, if I'm being honest,” Y/n hummed. “I would like a prettier dress.”

“There you go!” Cass praised loudly, hands thrown up in the air.

As Y/n went on to describe her dream dress and Cass kept hyping her up, Jason slowly saddled up behind his fiancée. His hands went to her hips, still clad in a wedding gown she hated, and his lips went to her ear. Y/n was so used to it by now, but Steph groaned something about workplace indecency. “Isn’t it bad luck for a groom to see his bride like this before the wedding?” His voice was low and husky and as much as Y/n wanted to make a joke or laugh it off, she felt her knees weaken.

“This won’t be my dress, Jay.” She turned to look at him, raising a brow. “Don’t worry. Your superstition won’t be broken.”

“Good,” Jason managed out before clasping his lips to hers.

[letsgoletsgetit08]

fix off pt. 1

summary: Mingi turns to every coping mechanism besides a healthy one in the aftermath of Jongho's death, two years later.

warnings: MDNI!!, 18+, su*c*de attempt, implied/referenced su*c*de, major character death, overdose, recreational drug use, religious imagery & symbolism, catholicism, barebacking, strangers to lovers, bittersweet ending, angst, hurt/comfort

pairing: priest!soft dom!Jeong Yunho x hot fucking mess!Song Mingi

author's note: HEY! Read the tags! This fic has some very heavy content! Please DO NOT READ this if mentions/discussion of suicide/attemps or character deat (RIP Jongho, so glad you're alive IRL, king) are in any way triggering to you! Also, know that myself and Ateez would be very sad if any Atiny or anyone else took their own life. Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! !! !!! That said, this work is based on/influenced by/referencing - sometimes lightly, sometimes very directly because Phoebe Waller-Bridge is more of a genius than me - the show Fleabag. This show is personally very important to me, it both healed me in some ways and also hurt me very deeply. If you have seen the show, you know how this ends. Again, read the tags. Phoebe, if you happen to read this for whatever reason, I just hope you're flattered because of imitation and all that.

OKAY! Disclaimers disclaimed, please let me know if I missed anything. And with that, please enjoy. This one is kind of my baby. I hesitated to even post it here because I'm a little scared of how it will be received but you never know until you try, right? Comments, likes, & re-blogs are always welcome, but please be civil.

word count: 23,480

ao3 link: fix off

fix off

It's hard not to spiral. 

Chest constricting, breath becoming shallow. 

Mingi tossed the bar rag onto the counter and dismissed himself to the bathroom. 

Cold water splashed on his face. 

Not cold enough. Need some ice. 

He thought he had seen Jongho. Which was impossible. 

His friend had died nearly two years ago now. 

He died two years ago.

Mingi composed himself enough to go back and sling espresso martinis to faceless patrons. Turning on his disarming charm enough to make decent tips. 

Coping.

Back home, laying in bed, Mingi got off while watching the news. Contemplated texting his ex. 

He was a little offended that she hadn't come back yet. 

She always came back.  

It was one of the only constants in his life, repeating the cycle of breaking up with Yuji when she became too overbearing, trying to be too serious. 

“It feels like you only want to be with me for the sex.” She had accused him of it a thousand times if she had done it once. 

“My friends really like you, too.” Mingi half-heartedly defended himself. She'll hate to hear that. 

“Do you like me, Mingi? Because I'm trying. I want to take care of you.” 

“I'm not a child.” Mingi pouted. 

“You're the only person who believes that.” Yuji turned to go, taking his lack of response to her question for what it was, “I'm not coming back, Mingi. Not again.” 

She'll be back. 

She wasn't. 

The next time he'd seen her, six months later, she had actually looked happy, something he honestly couldn't say during the times they had been together. Ring on her finger, hand around the bicep of a man Mingi vaguely recognized. 

Mingi saw her. Caught her eye. 

She's going to walk over. 

She walked over and introduced her fiancé, “This is jfodwjjfow.” 

He wouldn't remember the man’s name anyway, why bother to hear it when it was said the first time. 

“So good to meet you, Jeff.” Definitely not his name. “Wish I could stay but I really have to be going.”

He barely noticed the confused expression on her face as he dashed away.

Two Years Ago

"You know that guy who comes in on Tuesday nights and sits at the end of the bar?” Jongho asked, looking up at Mingi with a devious grin. 

"Tall guy who drinks red wine and looks like he wants to eat you?” Mingi teased him.

"Shut up, no way! He's probably looking at you. Everyone looks at you.” Jongho meant it as a compliment. 

"Well they should look at you because I will just chew them up and spit them out.” 

"Why else would God give you such big teeth?” Jongho skirted out of the way before Mingi could smack his ass with the bar towel. 

"Do I have big teeth?!” Mingi was hurt. 

"No!” Jongho stayed a few feet away, out of the line of fire, “No! I'm sorry, your teeth are fine!” 

"I'm hideous!” Mingi whined. 

“Hush, Mingi. You're perfect.” Jongho sighed, “Nevermind about that guy, anyway. I have my hands full with you already.”

“You love it.” Mingi shot him an innocent smile. 

“Of course I do.” Jongho poked his cheek, “Who else will?”

A Tuesday. Probably. 

“Mingi, promise me you won't be late tonight.” Seonghwa’s voice was stern, pleading over the phone. 

Mingi had taken the call while riding Soobin's dick. Or maybe it was Seungmin. He couldn't remember. He'd just been calling him “baby” since he came over. 

He was Hongjoong’s accountant. 

“I won't.” He would. “Promise.” He shouldn't. 

It was Seonghwa’s debut as Marius Pontmercy in an off-broadway production of Les Misérables. A big deal. He would finally be catching his big break.

“Okay, good because I really want everyone there.” Mingi faltered at the implication of the word. Like they were complete without Jongho. “It's very important to me. And I don't want to be embarrassed by you walking in late, I'm not even sure they will let you-”

“Yes, I know, Hwa.” He panted, Baby's hips bucking underneath him, “I'll be there.”

He’s noisy. Loves nipples.

“What are you doing? You sound out of breath?” Seonghwa’s voice was verging towards hysterical. 

“Just out for a run!” Baby let out a moan that Mingi knew carried through the phone. 

“Ew, Mingi! That is disgusting-”

“Fuck, yes, Soobin!” Mingi couldn't help but cry out, ending the call as the man nailed his prostate. 

Soobin filled the condom inside him, Mingi followed quickly behind, collapsing to his chest. 

“It's Seungmin, asshole.” The man pushed Mingi off of him and cleaned himself up, gathered his things to leave, shirt on inside out.

He’s probably going to realize he’s actually straight now.

Mingi got off to the memory of the scene again, later, in the shower. 

He was only twenty minutes late to Seonghwa's debut that night. Tears streaming down his face at the performance. His friend was beautiful. The musical was one of his favorites. 

I’m a total sap.

He wished Jongho were there to see it. 

Seonghwa let himself be hugged backstage after the show, a rare treat, even letting Mingi linger for a beat before pushing him off, accepting the flowers he held out to him. 

My bouquet looks pathetic next to the others. He’ll hate it.   

“Didn't want it to go to your head too much.” Mingi quipped, joking about his bouquet. 

“Thankfully, no one else had your same mindset.” Seonghwa was probably joking but his words stung. He studied Mingi’s face, not seeming to know how to help in the moment, instead, turning his attention to the rest of their friends, Hongjoong sidling up to his side as Mingi stepped away. “Let’s get everyone in for a picture.” 

Everyone. 

The word was repeated all night, at dinner afterwards, at the bar after that. Ringing in Mingi’s ears. 

Mingi coped in one of the only ways he knew how. 

Drink after drink, not knowing what was what, just that it had alcohol.

Everyone will be mad at me by the end of the night.

He had gotten too loud and apparently said something to upset Seonghwa. Not hard to do. Hongjoong scolded him, staying composed as he asked him to leave. 

Yeosang sweet Yeosang ended up under his arm, guiding him to the curb outside of the bar, waiting on the Uber. 

“What's wrong with me, Sangie?” Mingi slurred, ignoring how Yeosang’s body tensed when his head fell to the other's shoulder.

He's going to say nothing is wrong with me. They always do. 

“Nothing is wrong with you, Mingi.” His voice was sweet, deep, soothing. 

“Everyone hates me.” Mingi whined. 

“No one hates you, Ming.” Yeosang wrapped an arm around his shoulders, “You just feel your feelings out loud. And you have a lot of them. Wooyoung is similar, but he has a San to regulate him.” 

“I don't have anyone.” Mingi sobbed. 

“You do, Mingi. You just push us away. And I get it. No one can take Jongho's place. He was that for you, wasn't he?” Yeosang asked gently. 

Mingi didn't answer but sat up, looking at Yeosang. 

He is so pretty.  

Mingi leaned in for a kiss. 

Yeosang stopped him with a hand, “No, baby. You're drunk. You don't actually want to do this.”

What the hell did Yeosang know?  

He was right. Of course. 

“Sorry.” Mingi mumbled. 

The Uber pulled up and Yeosang helped him inside, instructing him to drink some water when he got home. 

He should have asked for Yeosang to help him. He would have done it. 

I should ask.

He should ask.

But he always pushed them away. 

Mingi hated riding in cars. He gripped the seat for dear life the entire drive. 

There was no one to make sure he didn't drown in a pool of his own vomit. The thought hit him somewhere on the ride home. 

He wouldn't drown in a pool of his own vomit.

He hadn't yet. 

I need a grilled cheese and a cigarette. 

Two Years Ago

The Tuesday man was leaning across the bar as far as it would allow, flirting with Jongho. Mingi felt pride swell in his chest. They were cute. He was sweet, making Jongho blush, calling him pretty.

Bastard.

He hated sharing Jonho. Yes, the seven of them were friends, but he and Jongho were close outside of that. If he were asked to trade the six others for Jongho, he would. Easy. No one got him like Jongho did. Mingi felt a little like he had raised the man, with him being a little over a year younger than himself. He knew it had to be hard being the youngest in a friend group. He wanted to make sure Jongho had someone. They were roommates in college. It stuck. Had worked at the same bar together ever since. 

In a lot of ways, though, Jongho had taken care of Mingi, too. Through heartbreaks and the general ups and downs of life. 

He loved him more than anything.

Naturally, he was a little possessive of his friend. But he also wanted him to be happy. 

He pushed down the acidic, curdling sensation in his chest. Let him be happy.  

Mingi would be there for him when he inevitably let him down.  

A Thursday? Maybe??

Wooyoung had talked him into hot yoga. 

“It will be good for you, I promise!” Wooyoung sing-songed as they walked into the studio. 

San probably loves the fact that he’s into yoga.

The studio was sweltering, they weren’t misadvertising, that’s for sure.

“I feel like I’m going to die.” Mingi complained. 

“Shut up and take your shoes off.” Wooyoung instructed. 

Not the first time he’s said that line.

“Buy me dinner first.” 

“You need therapy.” Wooyoung rolled his eyes. 

Tried that, didn’t work. 

His therapist said that he was projecting his grief for Jongho onto what really was daddy issues. Or something like that. He really hadn’t paid too close attention. He had fucked his therapist after a few sessions though. 

After sweating buckets and nearly pulling a muscle to keep from slipping and busting his face open, he thanked Wooyoung for inviting him and made him promise to never do it again. 

On the way out of the studio, a bus was unloading. 

Tuesday guy.  

Mingi locked eyes with him as he hopped off the bus. Time stood still.

The man nodded and Mingi darted in the other direction, Wooyoung chasing after him. 

He finally caught up, “Hey, what the fuck!”

“Sorry!” Mingi clawed his fingernails into his palms, “Forgot I liked the smoothie place on 7th better than the one on 9th.” 

A lie.

“Well damn, you could have just said something!” Wooyoung scolded him, mostly playfully but still seeming perturbed at Mingi’s odd behavior. 

Two Years Ago

Jongho was off that night. Tuesday guy sat in his same spot. 

Mingi tested him. 

Tuesday failed.

Took Mingi to his apartment after work.

Fucked Mingi senseless into his mattress. 

Fucking Tuesday. 

He never learned his real name. 

But he would never have called him by it anyway. 

Mingi’s dad had cheated on his mom. 

Any given day of the week, honestly, does it really matter?

The bar was dead that night and Mingi didn’t bother to fight to close with his new coworker. Let himself be cut early so that he could go home. 

He texted the group chat on his walk home. 

Me

Got cut early. Anyone wanna meet up?

He waited for replies. None came in. No one had even read the message.

Fine then. 

He walked aimlessly around the city, finally landing on a park bench, staring out over the lake. He didn’t know what to do with himself. 

The sun was setting and he watched it paint the sky pastel. 

He dialed Jongho’s number. 

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person. 

Again.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Interrupted.

“Anyone sitting here?” A feminine voice, light German accent. He looked up. 

She had stick-straight dyed red hair to her shoulders, microbangs, piercings, and was more tattoo than skin. 

“No, sorry. Just um.” He looked down at the phone in his hands, “On the phone.” 

“Why are you apologizing?” She raised a sharp eyebrow at him. He spotted a tongue ring when her mouth was open. 

“I don’t know. Sorry.” He blinked at her. Clocking that he had just done it again. 

She studied him, “Hm. You’re sweet, aren’t you?”

He shrugged.

“Pretty lips. I like you. If I take you to my place, you can’t murder me, okay?”

She looks more like she would be the one to murder me.

“Okay.” He agreed. 

Looks like I have plans tonight after all.

“Oh, you’re going to be fun.” She smiled, standing up and offering her hand to help him up. He followed her like a lost puppy to her apartment. 

The Germans are known for their open-mindedness in the bedroom. I should have remembered that.

He was tied to her bed from all four corners, wrists and ankles secured. Cock leaking pathetically onto his stomach. She walked around the bed, strutting in her elaborate black lace lingerie, pulled the blindfold down over his eyes. 

They had discussed it briefly on their way over. Limits, safe word (tiramisu), and the light system. 

Green light. Green light. Green light.

He felt the bed shift as she crawled between his legs, fingers dancing over his skin as she teased him everywhere except where he wanted it. 

“So desperate already for me, aren’t you, Mingki?” Her accent added an extra percussive affect to his name. 

“Yes, goddess.” He breathed. 

With no warning, she began licking his cock from base to tip, guiding it into her mouth without even touching it with her hands. The tip of it hitting the back of her throat immediately. 

I'm way too well hung for someone to be able to do that so easily.

She worked him expertly, slow at first, then picking up her pace until she estimated he was close to his peak, a faint pop as she pulled off of his dick. He squirmed, searching for any sort of touch, wanting to cum so badly. He heard her chuckle, “Oh, no, mein liebchen, it won't be that easy.” 

He whined and pouted, cut short as she positioned herself above him, rolling a condom on and applying lube before lining herself up and taking him in one go. 

I'm way too well hung for someone to be able to do THAT so easily.

She sat still, cockwarming him until he couldn't take it, sweat breaking out on his forehead, hips bucking, which earned him nothing besides sitting up so that only his tip was inside of her. He couldn't reach, no matter how hard he tried, to enter her any further. Eventually, she lowered herself ever so slightly, once he stilled his movements, proving he could be patient. She bounced up and down, tiny movements, only taking the first few inches of his length. Normally, he would be slamming his hips at breakneck speed by this point but he felt more turned on than ever before as he was brought to the edge again, only for her to pull off at the last second. 

She was straddling his face seconds later, “Me first, then we'll revisit you. If you can manage to get me off.” 

“Yes, godd-hmmmpph” she cut him off by placing her wet cunt on his face. The lube was strawberry flavored and he ate devotedly, like it was the last supper.

I'm not even religious!

He focused hard, listening for little moans and the involuntary twitch of her hips to guide him in knowing what she liked. It was so much harder to gauge with a blindfold on, but just as his jaw was aching so bad he thought he might have to give up, cock throbbing and leaking precum into the condom, she finally came, crying out at her release. 

“What a good pet.” She panted, moving back down to his cock again, taking him in one go and grinding her hips evilly, swiveling them but not letting him fuck into her still. “You can't cum until I come on your pretty cock, understood?”

“Yes, goddess, please let me make you come.” He begged, surprising himself.

She fell forward bracing her hands on his chest as she fucked herself on his dick. He almost lost it as he finally felt her clench around him, moaning at her second release, then surprising him by removing the blindfold. 

“Eyes on mine and beg me for it.” She demanded. 

“Please let me cum, goddess, please I'll do anything, please, please, goddess, I-” she stroked him with her pussy, as he begged until she was satisfied, tears streaming down his face.

“Okay, since you asked so nicely.” She stilled her hips, “Go ahead and use me, you filthy boy. So desperate.” 

He cried out as he tried to get a better range of motion to fuck her. She didn't help at all, but he was already on a razor wire, and soon he was cumming hard. She dismounted as soon as she felt his orgasm start, ruining it. He whimpered pathetically, not feeling satisfied, not enough cum leaving his body. 

She chuckled, “What's wrong, my little pet? You wanted to cum. I let you cum.”

He couldn’t answer, genuinely crying now. 

“Color, Mingi?” She asked, seeming concerned.

“Green!” He sobbed. 

“Good.” And she removed the condom, his dick still hard. She stroked up the underside with one steady finger until his hips were bucking pathetically again, then she gripped him genuinely, working him to a real release this time. The sound that escaped his chest was something he was sure had never left his body before, thick ribbons of cum hitting his stomach and chest, covering her hand. 

“Thank you! Fuck, thank you.” He cried as she worked him through it. 

She made sure he got proper aftercare when they were done. He stood in her doorway, staring at his shoes, voice barely above a whisper, “Can I… um. See you again?”

She smiled sympathetically, “No, so sorry, darling. I only ever do this once with someone.” She tapped his cheek, “Best of luck out there. I really did have a good time.” 

“Okay.” He sighed, “Thank you again.” And he turned to leave, feeling emptier than ever as he walked home. 

Two Years Ago

Jongho was a mess when he got to work that day, dark circles under his eyes. Mingi clocked it immediately, dragging him to the walk-in cooler to talk. 

“What's wrong?” He asked, trying not to panic, certain he was found out. 

Jongho never cried. It ripped Mingi’s heart in half. “He fucking-” Jongho choked on a sob, “I don’t know what I did wrong! I-” He buried his face into Mingi’s chest, “He told me he cheated on me and then-” A huge sniffle, struggling to catch his breath, “He said he couldn’t live with the guilt and he broke up with me! I don’t know what’s wrong with me-” Another wave of sobs racked his body.

“Shh, come on. You can’t work like this. Let’s get you home.” Mingi pulled him to his side, guilt spilling down his spine like ice water. 

Back at their apartment, Mingi spent all night taking care of Jongho, wrapping him in a blanket on the couch and letting him talk things through. Three bottles of wine between the two of them. He had no clue why Tuesday hadn’t told Jongho the full truth. He was too scared to do it himself. Instead, he let the gravity of his sin guide his actions, coddling his friend to try to make up for it. 

They ended the night curled up in Mingi’s bed together, Jongho still crying softly as he drifted off to sleep. 

The next morning, the bed beside Mingi was cold. 

He had thirty missed calls on his phone. None of them were from Jongho. 

He panicked, calling the last person who had called him back. 

“Mingi, thank god.” San’s voice was thick, clearly he had been crying.

“What happened?” Mingi’s voice was strained, anxiety eating him alive.

“Mingi… It’s Jongho.” San took a shuddering breath, “He’s- he’s gone.”

“What do you mean, ‘gone’? There’s no way. He was upset but I’m sure he just turned his phone off and he’ll be back here any time with a pack of cig-” Mingi refused to believe what he had just been told.

“No, Mingi.” San cut him off, “They found him. His car, it was-”

“No! You’re wrong!” Mingi was in denial, verging on hysterics, “They’re wrong, they need to check again! He’ll be back any minute!”

“Mingi…” San sobbed. He heard him mutter something about not being able to do this as the phone was passed to someone else. 

“Mingi. I need you to take some deep breaths and calm down.” Hongjoong’s voice was surprisingly gentle over the phone, but commanding enough to make Mingi stop sputtering nonsense that he knew, deep down, was all untrue. 

“I’m sorry.” Mingi felt tears begin to streak down his face, “I’m sorry. I’m listening.”

“Hwa is ordering you an Uber. We should all be together right now. You need to get dressed and be downstairs in ten minutes, okay?” Hongjoong’s voice only wavered slightly.

“Okay.” Mingi hung up the phone. 

Once he was at Hongjoong and Seonghwa’s apartment with the others, they filled him in on everything they knew, which truthfully, was very little.

Jongho indeed had alcohol in his system, according to the coroner, but having known him, he had a pretty high tolerance. It wasn’t certain he had been too drunk to drive. He had left no note, but the way the crash had happened, it almost looked intentional. 

There was no way of knowing now, of course. 

Mingi filled them in on why Jongho had been upset. Not the full story. He didn’t think he could ever admit that to anyone. Even with the added context, the friends all silently agreed that it had been an accident. The alternative was far too painful. 

The pit in Mingi’s stomach begged to differ. The doubt that lingered would never leave him. Not even for a moment. 

Seonghwa’s Bachelor Party

Mingi felt especially proud of himself, walking up to Seonghwa’s apartment - his fiance would be staying at a hotel that night - knowing what surprise he had planned for the night. 

He’s going to do backflips. 

The stripper he had hired was around Hongjoong’s height, pretty dark brown hair, wide, soulful eyes. Mingi had picked him out himself, wanting the surprise to be absolutely perfect. 

When he stepped inside the apartment, his stomach dropped.

I really shouldn’t have muted the group chat. 

He was under dressed in slacks and a sweater. Everyone else was in suits. More than just their close friend group was there, too. A memory niggled at the back of his mind, vaguely remembering reading a text saying Seonghwa’s more conservative cousins would be in town from Korea. They were staying for a few months before the wedding, through the holidays, since the wedding was on New Years Eve, treating the trip like a long vacation. 

Mingi tried to turn around to back out, wanting to call the booking agency immediately to cancel the stripper, but Wooyoung spotted him, looking relieved to have an excuse to leave the conversation he was having with a particularly dull looking family member, making his way to Mingi in just a few strides, pulling him into the living room. 

“Thank fuck!” Wooyoung whispered into his ear, “That guy was talking about the stock markets and I thought I was going to die.” 

“Where’s your boyfriend?” Mingi couldn’t help but laugh at the situation.

“He got got, too!” Wooyoung jutted his chin out, gesturing towards the kitchen, where San was sequestered by three cousins, eyes pleading as he met Wooyoung’s gaze. 

Mingi cackled as he saw San mouth “Help!” 

A punch on his arm from Wooyoung startled him, “Why are you underdressed?”

“I muted the group chat! You guys talk so much.”

“Well some of it is important, dumbass!” Wooyoung scolded him, “You better not be planning anything stupid tonight.”

“What!” Mingi tried to look surprised, “I would never! I’m just here for Seonghwa.”

“Yes?” Seonghwa had heard his name and was headed towards them, “Mingi, why are you underdressed?”

“I’m sorry! I can’t read, you know that.” Mingi whined, trying to sound innocent. 

“Just, please, please don’t do anything stupid tonight. It’s already tense with my family here, I had to bribe them to even come to the wedding by promising we would get married by a Catholic priest. Neither of us wanted that, but no offense, I didn’t want my wedding to just have you guys and all of Hongjoong’s family.”

“We’ll be good, Hwa. Promise.” Wooyoung offered.

“It’s not you I’m worried about. I need the princess to survive the night without making it all about himself.” Seonghwa snipped, then his face fell, looking a little remorseful, “Sorry, that was harsh, I-”

“No, no.” Mingi pretended it hadn’t hurt him to hear, “You’re right. I promise I’ll be good, tonight is all about you and making your weird, boring cousins happy.” 

As it turned out, keeping his weird, boring cousins happy was a tall order. They didn’t want to play drinking games - they barely wanted to drink, they didn’t understand Mingi’s sense of humor, and when they weren’t talking his ear off, they seemed to be treating him practically as wait staff, asking for more of the snacks from the kitchen, or another beer, or what his beliefs on the afterlife were. The latter of which he dodged, making a lame excuse of needing to pee. 

Mingi had snuck off to the bathroom attached to the primary bedroom, searching through Hongjoong’s side of the cabinets, hoping that the man still had a bit of a fun side. Exclaiming in excitement when he found a little bag of weed gummies buried carelessly under other over-the-counter meds and random, clearly forgotten about toiletries. 

He figured they were probably old, so he popped two in his mouth before even reading what the label said. 25mg/piece. 

Fuck. Well. Too late now. 

He spotted an old bottle of Xanax, giving it a shake to see it was almost completely full. He pocketed it as well.

You never know. 

When he emerged, he was rudely reminded of what he had been so worried about when he had arrived. 

Yeosang was answering the door, letting a man dressed in a black, sparkly, see-through shirt, red, glittery, heart-shaped pasties covering his nipples clearly visible underneath, and loose black pants, the outline of his bulge making itself known as well. Yeosang, innocent and clueless as ever, let the man inside before Mingi could get over there to stop him.

The weed began to hit Mingi and he couldn’t make his feet move as the man turned on the bluetooth speaker in his hand and a loud, harsh techno beat took over the room, every single voice going quiet to stare. 

“Who’s the beautiful blushing groom?” The man surveyed the room noisily. 

Seonghwa’s cousins were stunned silent, but Yeosang still hadn’t caught on, pointing to Seonghwa, “That’s him!” 

The Hongjoong look-alike stripper ripped his shirt off as he approached Seonghwa, and only then did Mingi’s brain catch up to his feet, jogging over to stop the man. 

“I’m so sorry!” Mingi tried to cut him off, “There’s been a mistake, I messed up-” He let out a giggle, his weed-fuzzed brain finding the situation hilarious despite himself. 

“Is this your idea of a joke, Mingi?” Seonghwa looked mad, hurt, and very disappointed. 

The stripper was not tuned in to the conversation and had started trying to dance for Seonghwa. 

“No! I’m sorry! It’s not a joke, I didn’t read the group text and I was going to cancel-” Mingi touched the stripper’s shoulder, trying to pull him off, “Hey, can you please stop that, you need to go, I’ll pay-”

“HEY!” The stripper yelled, “No touching! That’s literally the first rule you agreed to when you booked me!”

“Mingi, get the fuck out of here.” Seonghwa scolded him. 

“Hwa, I’m so sorry! I’m going, I promise-” Mingi pleaded, hands coming up to try to show his innocence, but hit the stripper’s ass on their way up. 

“What the FUCK did I just say?!” The stripper wheeled on him, punching him straight in the right eye socket. 

San was there in an instant, putting the stripper in a hold and froggy walking him out the door, Mingi following dejectedly behind, trying to keep the tears from spilling out as the cold air hit his face again. 

“San, please, I’m sorry, he has to know it was an honest mistake.”

“Honestly, Mingi. Not right now. Just.” He huffed a long breath out of his nose, “Just save it. Okay? It’s not me you need to apologize to.” 

He turned his back on Mingi, heading back inside the house. 

The stripper glared up at him from his spot on the curb, holding his hand out for payment. 

“Are you insane? No one carries cash.” Mingi spat at him.

“Then Venmo me, dickhead.” Not-Hongjoong instructed him. 

“No! Fuck off. You ruined my night.” Mingi turned around, trying to start walking home, but was stopped when the stripper jumped on him from behind, struggling to put him in a headlock due to their height difference. It was enough to get Mingi to turn around, though, which earned him a knee to his crotch and a sickening crack of his jaw, followed by his left eye. Mingi doubled over and took off running the best he could given his current state, lip bleeding onto his sweater, ignoring the shouts from the angry stripper behind him, hating how high he was as he staggered home in the cold, the world around him not feeling real. 

Back at his apartment, he drew himself a bath, placing the bottle of Xanax and his phone on the edge of the bathtub before climbing in. 

His head still felt wrong from the weed. Off-kilter. Anxious. Like melting cotton candy. 

He lined up the pills on the lip of the bathtub, counted them. 

He read the label that time. 

He took three. 

Dialed Jongho’s number from memory on his phone. 

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Again.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

His brain went pleasantly fuzzy.

Head falling to the back of the tub a little clumsily. 

He took three more. 

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

He took three more. 

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

Hey, it’s Jongho! Leave a message. Or just text me like a normal person.

The words started to lose all meaning as his vision blurred and he sank further into the water.

His fingers dialed the only other number he had memorized.

“Mingi?” Hongjoong’s voice was sleepy, clearly worried.

“Everyone hates me.” Mingi sighed, slipping down further into the tub, water feeling like molasses on his skin. Everything felt warm. Sticky. Cottony. 

“Why aren’t you out with Seonghwa for his party, what’s wrong?” Hongjoong asked him, voice urgent. 

“I think I fucked up, Joongie.”  Mingi’s voice was slow, distant, tinny, metallic and childish sounding in his own ears, tongue too thick for his mouth. 

“Mingi, baby, tell me what you did.” He heard Hongjoong get up from bed, “Where are you?”

“‘M home. I love you guys.” Mingi sighed, his vision going spotty.

“No, Mingi, stay with me!” Hongjoong pleaded. 

But Mingi’s phone fell into the bathtub with a subdued splash as his vision went dark. 

H e y ,  i t ’ s  J o n g h o !  L e a v e  a  m e s s a g e .  O r  j u s t  t e x t  m e  l i k e  a  n o r m a l    p   e   r    s    o    n   .

Beep. Beep. Beep. 

Mingi blinked his eyes open slowly, head splitting as his pupils adjusted to the bright lights. 

The unmistakable smell of disinfected hospital hit his nose. He was equal parts relieved that he was alive and annoyed that he was so incompetent he couldn’t even kill himself properly. 

His muscles screamed as he turned to the left, finding an open-mouthed, haggard looking Hongjoong asleep on the rigid hospital chair next to him. 

Tears streamed down his face silently as he felt himself drift back asleep.

“I swear, he didn't seem that bad when he left!” Wooyoung's voice was hushed, urgent as he defended himself. 

Mingi didn't open his eyes yet, not wanting to give himself away, now very intrigued in the conversation.

“I guess the stripper must have beat him up when I kicked him out. I should have driven him home.” San's voice quivered at the end of the sentence. 

“Yes, someone should have stayed with him.” Hongjoong sounded incredibly exhausted and a little mad. 

“It's easy to see now, but I mean was he acting that abnormal leading up? I don't understand what set him off.” Yeosang sounded genuinely worried.

“You guys realize the anniversary of Jongho’s funeral was the day before yesterday, right?” Hongjoong asked reproachfully. 

The silence was deafening. 

“I knew it was soon…” San trailed off, clearly ashamed. 

“I know we were all friends with him. And I'm not saying whatever friendships all of us had with Jongho weren't important or as meaningful or anything like that. I would never minimize that.” Hongjoong took a deep breath, “But it was different for Mingi. I think we all know that, deep down. And I don't think any of us have acknowledged it. We've been pretty hard on him.”

“Who exactly is ‘we’?” Wooyoung asked, his tone biting, “From my point of view, we've been pretty normal with him. The only person he's fought with is your fiancé.”

There was a pregnant pause before Hongjoong spoke again, “I- I know. Seonghwa knows, too. He doesn't mean to be hard on him… I promise he's trying. You guys have no clue how hard he's beating himself up over this. He hasn't eaten since he heard. I'm really worried.”

“He has to know Mingi won't blame him for anything-” Yeosang started. 

“He needs to grow the fuck up and get here and be supportive.” Wooyoung huffed, his tone erring on petulant.

“Baby…” San tried to calm him down. 

“Sorry.” Wooyoung mumbled.

“He'll come by when he's ready.” Hongjoong said simply. 

“Well try to give me warning because I really don't want to see him right now.” Wooyoung spat. 

Mingi tried to stir to bring attention to the fact that he was awake, not wanting the conversation they were having to turn into a fight. 

“Wooyoung-” Hongjoong said at the same time San tried to soothe him, “Jagi-”

“Guys.” Yeosang made eye contact with Mingi as he sat up in bed. 

“Mingi!” Wooyoung nearly tripped over his feet to get to his bedside, San and Yeosang following behind, Hongjoong giving him a little more space. 

“Youngie.” Mingi croaked, his throat incredibly parched, mouth tasting too much like mouth for his comfort.

“We're so sorry, honey.” San’s face contorted, holding back tears.

“We didn't know how bad it was.” Yeosang offered. 

Hongjoong poured him a cup of water, which he took gladly, taking a sip before speaking again, “I'm so sorry. I'm so fucking stupid.” He felt tears build in his eyes again, looking over to Hongjoong, “I'm sorry you had to find me like that.”

“Mingi, no. I'm just glad I found you.” Hongjoong laid a hand on his shoulder, never being one to be very comfortable with physical affection. 

“I'm so sorry.” It seemed to be the only phrase Mingi could remember how to say. 

Luckily for him, the nurse came in then to check on him, taking his vitals and informing him that he had been accepted to an inpatient behavioral health hospital and that transport was being set up as they spoke. 

“You're sending me to the psych ward?” His stomach dropped. 

“Yes sir, we're required by law to have you admitted after a suicide attempted. You're considered very high risk right now.” She spoke as if she had delivered the same line a thousand times already that day. 

“I just failed to commit suicide and I feel like dog shit!” The effort from raising his voice made him dizzy, “There’s no amount of money you could pay me to convince me to try that shit again right now.”

His friends didn't seem to know what to say

“You will just have to take that up with your psychiatrist at the hospital. I'm sorry. If you don't go willingly, the doctor will have to put you on a 72 hour hold.” 

Mingi closed his eyes, seething, “Fucking… fine.” 

“Okay, good. I'll let the doctor know.” She walked out of the room and no one moved until she was out of ear shot. 

Wooyoung cocked an eyebrow at him, “You're really gonna-”

“Hell no. You guys have to help me get out of here. I'll stay with one of you, I promise, I just can't… please. Don't make me.” Mingi all but begged, feeling small and vulnerable like a child. 

Everyone turned to Hongjoong, the de-facto leader, often thought of by his friends as the dad of the group.

He looked between the men before finding Mingi’s eyes, sighing when he saw how desperate his friend looked, “San, trade clothes with him and go distract the nurse.” He never stopped looking at Mingi while he spoke, “We're getting him the hell out of here.”

Five minutes later, Hongjoong, Yeosang, and Wooyoung surrounded Mingi from four sides, trying to obscure him from the view of anyone who might try to stop them, though it was essentially futile, considering how Mingi towered over them, giggling to themselves as they heard the nurses gasp and squeal. San had evidently just taken off his paper scrubs shirt as a distraction. They made it into the elevator and all the way downstairs undetected, within only a few hundred feet of the front door when they heard San’s out of breath voice from the stairwell yelling, “Run!” 

They obeyed, taking off towards the parking lot, hopping into San's 4-Runner as he unlocked it to signal its location, though he himself was still a hundred or so yards behind, bare feet slapping on the pavement (Mingi had squeezed his feet into San's shoes) as the guards slowed their pace behind him, clearly accepting their defeat, out-paced easily by the athletic man. 

Mingi felt like death as he wheezed, exhausted from the effort in the middle back seat of San's car, wedged securely between Hongjoong and Yeosang, San hopping into the driver's seat. He felt like death, yes, but he also felt more alive than he had in a long time, being the first one to crack and start laughing in the car after a moment of unsure silence. Wooyoung followed second, his high pitched wild laughter making everyone else submit to a giggle fit as well. San rolled down the windows and stuck his head out as he drove out of the parking lot, hair blowing in the chill winter air, yelling, “Nice try, bitches!” as they made their escape. 

Two and a Half Years Ago

Mingi and Jongho had managed to sneak away from Seonghwa and Hongjoong’s engagement party, finding themselves in Hongjoong’s den, laying on the floor, rather cross-faded, skin still damp after coming inside from the balmy spring air that had enveloped them on the back porch. 

"I can’t believe they’re finally going to get married.” Mingi sighed staring up at the ceiling.

"San and Wooyoung must be thrilled. I bet San is scheming already.” Jongho chuckled. 

Mingi scoffed, “I think San has had a ring in his closet for a year at this point.”

"You’re probably right.” 

Mingi turned his head to look at his friend, studying his profile, the shape of which he had memorized years ago, “First those two, then Wooyoung and San. You think everyone will expect us to get married next?”

Jongho met his gaze, “Mingi, no offense, but I will only marry you at fifty if we’re both still single.”

"Promise?” Mingi was mostly joking. 

Jongho rolled his eyes, “Someday, someone will take care of us like we do each other.” He turned his head back away, “But just in case… yes. Promise.”

"Hell yeah.” Mingi pumped his arm in victory. 

"You left Yeosang out of all of that, by the way. What’s he going to do?” 

"I assumed he would move in with Youngie and San at some point.” Mingi deadpanned.

Jongho chuckled, “I’m honestly surprised they haven’t all moved in together yet.”

Footsteps had them craning their head to the back of the room.

Seonghwa’s arms were folded, “Did you guys plan on being antisocial all night?”

Mingi and Jongho shrugged, sitting up, Jongho helping Mingi to his feet. 

Seonghwa sighed dramatically, “Please come back and join us. Act normal for once.”

“Yes, mom!” Jongho mocked.  

They had to swallow their giggles as Seonghwa marched them back to the kitchen and living room, where everyone else was gathered.

The Present, October 15th

Mingi woke up, slightly disoriented, in Wooyoung and San’s guest bedroom, far too early in the morning. His face was throbbing, bruises and swelling finally going down, but still aching and tender nonetheless. He looked on the bedside table for painkillers before remembering that he hadn’t been left with any from the hospital, considering how he had chosen to depart. That, and he assumed, a cold pit in his stomach, Wooyoung wouldn’t allow him access to any meds without supervision. Really, Mingi felt zero desire to ever try to hurt himself again, but he understood that his friends were just doing their due diligence to protect him. 

Embarrassment and shame coursed over him.  

I'm a fucking mess.

He looked for his phone, finally finding it plugged in on the desk on the opposite side of the room. 

He scrolled through and replied to messages from Hongjoong and Yeosang, telling him he was feeling fine and thanking them again for their help. 

He knew it was too early for Wooyoung to get up, so he scrolled absentmindedly through his phone for a while before the pain from the wounds on his face, his split lip and bruised jaw and eye sockets, were too much to continue ignoring. He looked around in the room for any of his belongings, not finding anything except what he had worn of San’s home from the hospital. 

The dresser in the corner of the room stared at him and he walked over to take a peak. Some of Wooyoung and San’s off-season clothes were in there, shorts and swim trunks mostly. But in one drawer alone, was one of Jongho’s old hoodies. Faded dark green and perfectly worn. Mingi remembered it because he had borrowed it on more than one occasion after work, on their walk home, always having been one to forget a jacket. Jongho acted like he was put out to lend it to him, but Mingi knew as well as he had, he didn’t mind a bit. Now that he thought about it, it was totally possible that Jongho had always worn it just for his sake. The man ran very hot, constantly complaining about it, even in winter. 

Mingi brought the sweater up to his face, hoping it would still smell faintly of him, but knowing deep down it wouldn’t. He slipped it on, zipping it up, putting the hood on, and heading into the kitchen to try to find some coffee. After a few minutes of searching (much to his guilt, realizing that they had locked up their knives), Mingi found the necessary supplies to make coffee, rustling through the pantry for something to eat as it brewed. 

“You’re up early.” Wooyoung’s raspy morning voice startled him.

“Ah!” Mingi whipped around, “Sorry, yeah. My face fucking hurts.”

“I’ll get you something.” Wooyoung gave a small smile, “Sorry, you understand why I couldn’t just leave you some-”

“Nah, I know.” Mingi waved him off, “I would do the same thing. Don’t worry.”

Wooyoung nodded, “Okay, good. I’m glad. I’ll go grab it.”

Mingi poured two cups of coffee as Wooyoung returned, handing him a steaming mug in exchange for two ibuprofen tablets. 

“Thanks, man.” Mingi tossed them back, swallowing them dry, knowing the coffee was still too hot to sip on, “And thanks for letting me stay. I don’t want to put you guys out-”

Wooyoung placed his mug down on the kitchen island, his typically sharp, vulpine features turning soft, crossing over to hug Mingi out of the blue, “No way, Mingi. I’m just so glad you’re okay.” He pulled back, “I’m so mad at you, too. But it’s far outweighed by how glad I am that you’re here.”

“I’m glad I’m here, too.” Mingi confessed.

“Good.” Wooyoung blinked back tears, swallowing, “I couldn’t do another funeral, Mingi.”

“I know.” Mingi’s face flushed red, embarrassed at the idea of causing his friends so much grief, “I know. I’m sorry.”

“No more apologizing.” Wooyoung commanded, “You should keep it, by the way.” He nodded at the hoodie Mingi had donned.

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to take-”

“Mingi, I’m sure. He would have wanted you to have it. It just makes me fucking sad every time I see it. I want to remember him in different ways other than just being sad he’s gone. Please take it.” Wooyoung’s eyes were soft as they peered into Mingi’s soul. 

Mingi held his gaze for a moment, before finally nodding, “Okay. Yeah. Thank you, Wooyoung.”

“Of course, Ming.” Wooyoung sipped his coffee before turning around to retrieve a skillet from the cabinet under the island, “Let me make you some pancakes.” He stood up and cut Mingi off before he could protest, “No. I’m rephrasing that. I’m making us pancakes. And you’re going to eat them with me.”

“That sounds great, Youngie. Thank you.” 

Mingi watched as the younger began to gather ingredients, pouring them into a mixing bowl and starting to combine them. Something kept clawing at the back of his mind though. He didn’t know how to breach the subject so he just asked, “Have you um… heard from Hwa?”

Wooyoung stirred a little aggressively and Mingi nearly laughed at how his jaw clenched at the mention of their friend’s name, “No. Although to be fair, I think Hongjoong made it clear he shouldn’t talk to me right now. I’ll ask San when he wakes up, but I highly doubt it.”

“Ah.” Mingi couldn’t think of anything else to say. He understood why it might be hard for Seonghwa to see him at that very moment, but he wished he knew exactly why his friend didn’t want to see or speak to him. Was it because he was mad at Mingi? For the party, or for trying to kill himself? Or was he mad at himself? Or was it all just too much for him to face? Maybe a combination?

Wooyoung poured the pancake batter into the skillet, “I can hear you overthinking. This is partially why I’m so mad at him. He’s leaving you wondering why he won’t reach out.” He waited for the edges of the pancakes to bubble before flipping them, “You know, for someone who gave you so much grief for making things about yourself, he sure does have a nasty habit of doing it himself, doesn’t he?”

Mingi snorted, laughing at how true the statement was, “I’ve always said he and I were too similar in all the wrong ways.” 

Wooyoung couldn’t help but break a grin as he plated the first batch of pancakes, handing it to Mingi, “You might actually be right about that.”

Wooyoung joined him at the table a few minutes later, and it didn’t take long for them to defrost a bit as the man realized he didn’t have to handle Mingi with kid gloves. San joined them a bit later, and there for around an hour, everything felt almost normal. Like they were in college again, scarfing down breakfast at someone’s apartment after a night at the bars. It was so nice that Mingi found himself just staring, watching Wooyoung and San interact together. The two of them had become symbiotic practically immediately, nearly a decade ago at that point. He realized possibly for the first time ever, seeing how so painfully domestic and intimate the two of them were, that he wanted that with someone. 

He hadn’t noticed the tear slip down his cheek until San looked at him, concern falling over his delicate feline features, “What’s wrong, Song?”

Mingi laughed at the intentionally bad rhyme, “Nothing. You guys are just cute. I’ve missed you a lot. I’ve missed this.” 

Wooyoung kissed San on the cheek, “Hear that? He thinks we’re cute.”

Mingi crinkled his nose in fake disgust, “Okay less so now.”

San chuckled, “We missed you, too, Mingi.”

“We’ll make more of an effort. All of us. Promise. We all need each other and it’s time we stopped isolating.” Wooyoung looked at him a little pointedly.

“I agree.” He nodded, knowing that Wooyoung was also holding him culpable for that last part.

“Good.” Wooyoung smiled, before standing up to start clearing the table. Mingi and San helped, San explaining that he had taken the day off of work to hang out with Mingi. 

“Oh, um, I mean. You don’t have t-” Mingi started, feeling once again like a child.

“Yes. We do.” San said, a little stern, but there was no resentment in his voice. 

Mingi nodded, “Okay. Thank you. I’ll be glad to have your company.” 

San didn’t press or try to make him talk all day, which Mingi was grateful for. They watched movies and played video games for most of the day before Mingi felt like he needed a nap. They ate together like a family once again that night.

The next couple of weeks went on like that until they started to trust him again, leaving him alone during the day while they both returned to work. Mingi wondered absentmindedly if he still had a job. His boss hadn’t even called, but maybe his friends took care of it. He wondered if he even cared. Really, he didn’t know why he had even stayed after Jongho’s accident. He could bartend anywhere. If he really wanted to continue doing so was the real question. After graduating with an anthropology degree and no desire at the time to continue his education, he had just continued to do what had gotten him through college. No reason not to, he was handsome and very good at his job. Made great money. But weirdly enough, nearly dying had him taking the first look at his future that he had bothered to take in years. 

Maybe I should go back to school.

He had always liked the idea of teaching at a university level. 

Seven Years Ago

"Fuck, yes, baby. Just like that!” Mingi looked up in awe as the girl he’d had eyes on all semester from his Literature class was riding his dick, letting out pretty moans. He didn’t even care if they were fake, she felt incredible. 

Click-BANG!

The dorm door flew open, a completely distraught, clearly sleep deprived and hungover (possibly still drunk) Jongho barged in, only blinking as the girl covered herself and yelped, diving beneath Mingi’s navy comforter, laying herself flat to his chest. 

“Mingi, I fucked up. I thought my history test was next week, you’ve gotta help me.” Jongho begged him. 

“Right now?!” Mingi whined, hips still rocking under the girl whose pussy he was deliciously buried deep inside of. 

“Please?” Jongho begged him, “I’ll pay for your laundry for a month, hell, I’ll do your laundry for a month, man, but please help! You’re the only one who knows anything about history.”

Mingi’s pace picked up at the compliment, hearing the girl moan as he plunged deeper, “Okay, fine, I’ll meet you at the library in twenty, and you better get coffee for both of us.”

“Thank you so much, I owe you!” Jongho packed his backpack, moving at a tortoise’s pace in Mingi’s eyes, who was barely restraining himself from moving like a hare. 

“Jongho, get the fuck out of here!” He half-yelled, half-panted, grabbing the girl’s hips and beginning to slam her onto his cock, moaning as she moved her hips to match his movement. 

Jongho sped up, haphazardly tossing his history textbook into his backpack and darting out of the room, saluting Mingi as he turned his back and closed the door. 

"God, yes, Mingi!” The girl cried out while he rubbed her clit with his thumb, head falling back as she clenched around him. He followed moments later, spilling into the condom with a broken sigh. 

In his post-nut clarity, Mingi made a surprisingly good history tutor.

Jongho had gotten a nearly perfect score on his test.   

October 29th

Mingi was being given a chance to prove himself. He loved Wooyoung and San but he missed his apartment. He missed being alone, oddly enough feeling more alone around the couple than he did when he was by himself. 

It didn’t help that he had decided to swear off sex for the time being. He wanted to be sharp. Clear headed. 

He had decided to apply for graduate school. 

There was no reason he wouldn’t get in, truthfully, but it had been a while since undergrad and he would need to get letters of recommendation from his old professors, plus take the GRE, and write an essay for his application. All of it was due in March the following year, in order for him to start at the fall semester, but he wanted to get a head start, scared to leave anything to the last minute. 

He was being given a chance to prove himself by going out with his friends for Halloween. Promising to not take off, not do any drugs, and limit himself to a few drinks. Agree to go home with Wooyoung and San at the end of the night. 

He could do it. He felt it in his bones as he tied up his shaggy, grown out hair for his Geto costume. He could be good. 

I can be good. 

Wooyoung and San were getting ready and changing into their Gryffindor and Hufflepuff costumes in their bedroom, so the knock on their door in the living room confused Mingi. 

“I’ll get it!” He called towards his friends’ bedroom.

He opened the door to Seonghwa, dressed as Rey Skywalker. 

Mingi offered a small smile upon seeing the look of poorly disguised worry on Seonghwa’s face, “Hey, Hwa.” He moved out of the doorway, “Wanna come in?”

Seonghwa cleared his throat, stepping through the doorway, “Thanks.”

“Wooyoung and San are still getting ready but I can go get-”

“No!” Seonghwa cut him off, voice tense, “Sorry. No, thank you. I wanted to speak with you, actually. If you’re okay with that.”

Mingi led them over to the kitchen table, knowing it to be more out of earshot to his friends’ bedroom than the couch in the living room. 

Seonghwa sat down across from him, folding his hands in his lap, almost like he was trying to take up as little space as possible. 

Mingi waited for him to start. Maybe he was a little petty, but he really wanted Seonghwa to be the one to start. He felt that he was justified in being a little annoyed that it had taken the man two weeks to speak with him. 

“Mingi…” Seonghwa’s voice trembled immediately, “I owe you an apology.” 

“Hwa, you don’t have to, I understand-”

“No.” Seonghwa’s eyes snapped up to meet Mingi’s, “You don’t understand.”

Mingi leaned back into the chair, placing his clasped hands onto the table, “Okay. I’m listening.” 

“The night that Jongho…” Seonghwa swallowed, “No one knows this besides Hongjoong. But.” He breathed deep through his nose, “I had a missed call, Mingi.”

Mingi blinked as the realization hit. “You-”

“My phone was on silent. I had been on the phone with family all day, frustrated about wedding stuff. You know my parents don’t approve. It’s not an excuse… It’s been eating me alive. It’s a big reason we have postponed the wedding for so long. I’m seeing a therapist for it now but I think I was taking some of my anger at myself out on you, Mingi. Because you were with him that night. You’re a heavy sleeper and you’d been drinking. We all know that. Jongho certainly knew that. It’s not your fault you didn’t wake up when he left. I see that now. But I was deflecting my frustration with myself onto you and blaming it all on that.”

“Hwa…” Mingi wanted to tell him it’s okay. The guilt of his own secret making itself known by trying to steal the air from his lungs, stomach twisting. 

“No, please.” Seonghwa blinked back tears, “Let me finish.”

Mingi nodded, so Seonghwa continued, “When I got the call from Hongjoong. Well, Mingi, it hit me that I shouldn’t have let it get this far. I almost lost you, too. After yelling at you and kicking you out of my house.” A tear escaped his eye, making slow work through the makeup on his cheek, “I almost lost you, Mingi.” He sniffed, reaching for a paper towel to dab his eyes, “I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself. I’m so fucking glad that Hongjoong answered his phone. I should have been understanding. It never should have gotten that bad for you, Mingi, I’m so sorry.” His words started to rush out then, “I knew I should have been there at the hospital. I shouldn’t have stayed away, but honestly, Mingi, every time I thought about trying to talk to you, trying to face this, I nearly had a panic attack. Hongjoong was patient, of course, but he told me we weren’t going out tonight unless I talked to you. He was right. I’m so sorry it took this long.” He buried his head in his hands, “I understand if you can’t forgive me right away, Mingi. But I want you to know that I’m going to do better. I’m going to be there for you. I never want you to feel like you can’t come to me, or any of us. But please, please, Mingi, don’t let it get that bad again, I don’t know what I-”

“Hwa.” Mingi stood up, walking around the table, “Come here.” He opened his arms.

Seonghwa blinked at him from his chair until Mingi nodded, then his friend stood and let himself be hugged. “I’m so sorry.” Seonghwa mumbled into Mingi’s chest.

“I’m sorry, too. I never should have scared you guys like that.” Mingi admitted. 

“I’m just glad you’re here.” 

“Me, too.” Mingi squeezed him tighter, “And I forgive you, Hwa. If there’s one thing I’ve learned recently, it’s that we all process grief differently.” He released Seonghwa, moving back to his chair. 

Seonghwa sat back down, “You sound like my therapist now.” A smile worked its way up the corner of his mouth.

“Well,” Mingi laughed, “I don’t have the right degree for that. But I have decided to apply for grad school.”

“Mingi!” Seonghwa’s face lit up with pride, “That’s amazing, honey. I’m so proud of you!”

“Thanks, Hwa. I love you, you know?”

Seonghwa smiled, “I love you, too, Mingi. I promise I’ll do a better job of showing it.” 

“I’ll take it. Any extra love you have sitting around.” Mingi joked.

“Deal.”

“And then I’ll double it and give it back.” 

Seonghwa laughed, “I know you will. You try to hide it, Mingi, but I know you’re a loverboy. Soft. Hopeless romantic.”

Mingi’s head tipped back with his chuckle, acknowledging how right his friend was, “Just don’t tell anyone, okay? I have an image to protect.”

Seonghwa stuck out his pinky, “Your secret is safe with me. Pinky swear.”

“Pinky swear.” Mingi let his finger wrap around Seonghwa’s, sealing the deal. 

Hongjoong, dressed as Kylo Ren, called a few minutes later, having been waiting in the lobby of the apartment building for them. The four of them went downstairs to meet him, walking towards the subway station without being asked. Mingi was sure that they normally would have called an Uber, but they finally seemed to be acknowledging his aversion to riding in a car. 

They met Yeosang, dressed as a vampire, at the bar. 

Mingi did well for a while, but after a few hours out around so many people, noticing things he normally would have acted impulsively on - people discreetly exchanging small baggies of white powder, someone making eyes at him from across the bar, a woman trying to grind on him on the dance floor - added a sharp edge to the situation that he wasn’t accustomed to. He felt his heart rate begin to pick up, pounding in his ears, which had also started to ring. 

His instinct was to dart off out the front door alone, but he remembered his promises to ask for help if he needed it. He searched the room, finally spotting Yeosang leaving the bathrooms. 

He rushed over, grabbing his friend by the arm, “Sangie.” His grip was too tight, he knew.

His vision started darkening around the outer edges. Unable to take a full deep breath. 

“Mingi?” Yeosang studied him, seeing his chest heave, eyes looking like they were having trouble focusing, “Come on, let’s get you outside.”

Mingi’s brain couldn’t make sense of his words, “Am I in trouble again?” His voice sounded small.

“No, honey, you just need some air, I think.” Yeosang looked at him more seriously, trying to ensure his words got through, “Mingi-ssi. You’re not in trouble. You need fresh air. I’ve got you, come on.”

Mingi let himself be led outside, gulping the cold air down like water as fast as he could get it inside his lungs. 

“Just breathe through your nose, Mingi, you’re okay.” Yeosang instructed as he helped Mingi sit against the wall of the building.

Sobs racked his body unexpectedly, “I’m not trying to make everything about me, I swear!” Mingi looked at Yeosang, eyes pleading, desperate for his friend to understand.

“Mingi, no. No one thinks that. No one should have ever made you feel like that.” He grabbed one of Mingi’s hands, crouching in front of him, “You just got overwhelmed. It’s okay, really. I promise.” 

Wooyoung and San had noticed their absence, evidently, as Mingi could hear their voices, tight with worry, coming towards them.

“Oh, thank God.” San said, sitting down beside Mingi, “Hey, you’re okay, Mingi.”

“He got overwhelmed, I think he may have been having a panic attack. But he came and found me.” Yeosang explained. 

Wooyoung took Mingi’s other side, pulling his other large hand into his lap, “Good job finding Yeosang, honey.” Wooyoung squeezed his hand, “You did exactly the right thing.” 

Mingi still wasn’t back to reality, but his brain had started to clear somewhat, “No one is mad at me?”

San put an arm around his shoulder, pulling him over so his head fell to his broad shoulder, “No, Mingi, I promise. No one is mad. You did the right thing. Let’s get you home, yeah?”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to make you guys leave early-”

He heard more footsteps approaching, “Of course we’re sure.” Hongjoong’s voice, “Come on. We’re all going to Wooyoung and San’s.”

“We’ll get takeout.” Seonghwa added.

“We can watch Avatar: The Last Airbender. I know you’ve been wanting us to watch it.” Wooyoung offered. 

Mingi finally sat up, tears tracking down his cheeks, “Okay, yeah. That sounds good.” 

Who knew letting your friends help you would be so nice. 

Back at Wooyoung and San’s place, they piled together on the couch and the floor in front, pizza slices in hand as they watched Aang and the gang fight the Fire Nation. Mingi was wedged between Seonghwa and Hongjoong and he let his head fall to Seonghwa’s shoulder as he started to get sleepy. 

He awoke a few hours later to find that everyone had stayed. He was in Seonghwa’s lap, everyone else snuggled together with blankets and pillows on the carpet or curled into armchairs. It felt like a sleepover they might have had in college. His heart ached with love for his friends. Jongho would have scoffed and acted opposed to it, but Mingi smiled as he pictured the man begrudgingly staying, probably ending up cuddling close with one of them on the floor. 

For once, the thought of his friend didn’t send him spiraling. 

He had agreed to stay another week at Wooyoung and San’s on their way back last night. He knew it was the right call. He laid his head back into Seonghwa’s lap and fell back asleep once more. 

Three Years Ago

The roof of the bar was crowded, but Mingi and Jongho had managed to carve a spot on the railing for it. 

“I’m confused why we’re drinking for this particular occasion!” Jongho had to practically shout over the music and voices.

“We’re celebrating for my mom!” Mingi said it like it was an explanation. It wasn’t.

“For her getting cheated on?” Jongho was still lost. 

“For my dad finally signing the divorce papers!” 

“Ohhh!” Jongho nodded, “Okay then why aren’t you drinking with your mom about it?”

“Because she’s not ready to celebrate it, but I am!” Mingi held his cup up, expecting Jongho to clink theirs together. 

Jongho shook his head, finally doing what was expected of him, “To cheaters! May they learn their lesson and never do it again!” 

“Cheers, I guess.” Mingi laughed, confused by what exactly his friend meant. “What’s worse, the cheater or the person they're cheating on with?”

Jongho considered, “The cheater. But it really depends on how close the other person is to the situation.”

“So you don’t think cheaters should be punished for cheating? Just learn their lesson and never do it again?”

“Their conscience will be punishment enough, I’m sure. Plus, I mean, I don’t think anyone is born a cheater. Or a mistress. Criminal. Everyone has things in their past that can explain their behavior, I think. It doesn’t mean they should never live a good life just because they do something bad.” 

Mingi thought about what had just been said, unable to come up with anything to rebut with. “I think you’re one of the most empathetic people out there, Choi Jongho. Good work keeping it so well hidden. I fear if anyone knew, they would just take advantage of it.”

Jongho chuckled, “Shut up.” He took a sip of his drink, “But thank you. Don’t tell anyone.” 

~part two~

[moonsgemini]

seeking arrangements - i

summary: Lola's sister is getting married and the best man happens to be her cheating ex. In a desperate attempt to impress her family and show her ex she’s moved on with a hot date Lola turns to the advice of coworker pointing her towards the direction of a male escort. Rafe Cameron was the perfect man to take to any event for just $8,000. Her family won’t suspect a thing and when the wedding’s over they’ll never see each other again. Right?

warnings: escort!rafe x oc, mentions of a cheating ex, escort talk ??, fluff I think

wc: 4.1k

an: I love the movie the wedding date so I wanted to write a series based off of the idea, I hope you all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it (:

series masterlist

Lola opened the door to her apartment shedding her rain coat and hanging it on her coat rack. The last of the May rain was really getting the best of her this year. She loved living in the city because it was walkable but she didn’t love it when it rained because she got soaked on her commute home. Her cat, Sailor, jumped down from the window sill of the living room and came to greet her rubbing her head against her legs purring lightly.

“Hi sweet girl, did you have a good day today?” Lola asked the black fluffy cat as she bent down and picked her up. Cradling her like a baby and kissing her face. Lola got lucky with a cuddly easy going cat. She felt like Sailor was her closest and most trusted friend.

She set Sailor down and walked over to her room with a content sigh. After changing into some comfy clothes and washing her makeup off she laid on her big grey couch. Her plans for the rest of the evening were to lay on her couch and get Chinese takeout, catch up on emails and watch her favorite show. Her favorite activities. After putting on friends as a little background noise she pulled her laptop out of her bag to check her emails. That’s when her memory of her morning at the office came back to her, her face flushed as she looked at the drafted email in front of her.

Rafe,

Hi my name is Lola and I’m in need of a date to a wedding. It’d be more than a date actually, I need a fake boyfriend in about two weeks for 5 days. It’ll be June 12th-17th in the Hamptons. My sister is getting married in the hamptons and my family is kind of nuts and obsessed with me getting a boyfriend. My ex boyfriend is also the best man in the wedding, and if it was like a regular break up it’d be fine but he cheated on me for over a year of our relationship so I want to show that I’ve moved on. I may seem desperate but I kind of am. Did I mention that I heard of you through a work friend whose cousin has a friend who hired you for some event. So if you’re interested please email me back and if you’re not then please forget I ever emailed you.

xx Lola

“oh God,” she muttered as she read it over. Did she sound desperate? maybe.

Eight months ago Lola’s sister Penny had called her squealing with excitement. She barely let Lola say hello before she was spilling the news about how her boyfriend, now fiancée, Harry had proposed to her. How he did it in the most romantic way while they were on vacation in Italy. It was hard for Lola to feel excited for her sister but she still put on an amazing act like always. All her life Penny had outshined and beat Lola in everything. She was the younger shining star that their mother put on a pedestal, little sister never did anything wrong. Penny won first place in science fairs, always got the boy, never had to try hard to get her dream job. It all seemed to come easy to her.

Three years ago Lola moved after graduating from college because she got an amazing job at a publishing office. She even got cute apartment and she felt like she was finally coming into her own. Penny came to the city when her and Harry were just friends to see him, of course seeing her sister wasn't her main priority. But she figured she’d kill two birds with one stone and invited Lola to dinner with them, where then Harry invited his best friend Thomas. They immediately hit it off and soon after he was her everything. She thought she’d be the first to get married, until two years into the relationship she found out the scum bag had been cheating on her for a year of the relationship. Lola was surprising him at work with lunch when this girl from his office crawled out from under his desk.

Ever since Penny had given her the news of the engagement she had face-timed or called Lola almost every week for the first few months whether it was about what flowers should be the center pieces or how many tiers should the cake be. Along with breaking the news that Thomas was going to be the best man, Penny just mentioned it in passing like it was no big deal. As if her sister's cheating ex wasn't going to be an important part of the wedding.

It was mentally exhausting but Lola couldn’t complain. It was her sister she had to help her and be there, she had to be a good big sister. Every time during those calls Penny would find a way to weasel in the question, “so do you have a date yet?” Lola hated that question. It was like Penny knew her sister couldn’t find a date. Every time Lola would say the same thing, “Not yet Pen.” Then she’d say, “I think Thomas is still bringing that girl from soho.” Almost as if she was trying to chip away at Lola’s finally mended heart. The last time Penny called about and asked that god forsaken question Lola blurted out a lie. “Actually yeah I-I’ve been seeing a guy for a few months but uh I didn’t want to invite him until I was sure about him.”

The lie came out almost too easy and she immediately regretted it. Where was she going to find a date. Especially someone who would want to spend 5 days with her crazy family. She had rested her head on her desk with a loud thud after she hung up the phone, catching the attention of Fiona.

“You good over there?” She asked peaking over at her coworker.

Lola lifted her head facing her, “I’m royally screwed.” She explained the situation to Fiona about the imaginary date she was taking.

“Who the hell am I going to find in a week,” Lola groaned tugging at her hair.

Fiona hummed in thought, “Okay you’re probably going to say no, but I may have a solution.”

Fiona explained how her cousin’s friend hired a male escort to go with her to a work party. The woman had been tired of going to work parties alone for the last few years and took matters into her own hands. The cousin’s friend had found him after he did a small anonymous segment in a magazine about male escorts. She knew the magazine’s editor and found the guy. Lola thought Fiona was crazy if she thought she would do that and immediately shut the idea down. But after some contemplation she timidly asked how she could get in contact with the guy, which led to the typing up of the email. She didn’t send it because she wasn’t sure if this would be a smart idea.

Lola read the drafted email over and over again, hovering the mouse over send. What could go wrong? A lot actually. Her whole family could find out and she’d be the laughing stock of the century. After that thought she definitely wasn’t going to send it. Maybe she could just go alone and tell her sister that her and mystery man broke up. As she was about to delete it Sailor jumped onto her lap and her fingers slipped and pressed down on send.

“Sailor! Fuck,” she gasped as she sat up, the cat getting off of her and standing on the ledge of the couch.

I guess there’s no turning back now, she thought to herself. She was honestly hoping he wouldn’t reply, but for some reason the rejection would make her feel worse.

-

Saturday’s were Lola’s favorite because she would go to her favorite deli and get a bagel, then head over to the farmers market. She had spent the whole night before refreshing her email with a glass of wine in hand waiting for Rafe’s reply

She was headed back home her shoulders carrying reusable bags filled with produce. Her favorite part of the day was over, but she couldn’t help but be anxious to get home and check her email. She hadn’t let herself check before she left the apartment or while she was at the market. It was 2pm now he has to have replied by now.

She made her way into her apartment unloaded the bags onto her kitchen counters before almost running to the living room where her laptop sat on the couch. Lola took a deep breath before opening her email, closing her eyes as her new messages loaded.

“Sailor this is your fault if he rejects me,” she muttered as the cat stared at her from the window sill. She looked back at her screen and the email with the subject title Hamptons Wedding staring at her. He had replied, her heart rate instantly picking up. She didn’t even know if this guy was good looking now that she thought about it. What if he ended up being some murderer? Before her racing mind took over she opened the email.

Lola,

It sounds like you’re in a sticky situation, so I’d like to help you out. Hopefully we can discuss all the details and the prices in person to get to know each other better. If you’re free this afternoon we can meet at Lucy’s in Manhattan at 6pm. Let me know if that works for you.

- Rafe

“Holy shit,” she gasped. Lola looked at the corner of her laptop at the time, 2:48pm.

Rafe,

That sounds great, I’ll see you then!

xx Lola

She quickly scrambled to her bathroom after sending her reply. It was her hair wash day and with about two and a half hours left to get ready she needed to start now.

As she was getting ready her mind was racing. What if he was ugly? But he did this for a living so she was sure that he had to be good looking. Hopefully not too out of her league or else how would her family believe her. How would Thomas believe her. What if Rafe thought she wasn’t pretty. Lola felt like she was getting ready for a blind date with the way she meticulously did her hair and winged her eyeliner. She had to keep reminding herself that this was just a business transaction, she didn’t need to impress him. Well maybe she did because he could totally reject her and turn down the idea.

When she was finally ready it was 5:21pm. She stared at herself in the mirror hoping her black dress and knitted cropped button up and boots looked good. She gave herself a small smile in the mirror and grabbed her bag. Kissing Sailor goodbye she headed out the door. The bar wasn’t too far from her apartment just a short 15 minute walk. She wore her headphones and listened to Taylor Swift trying to keep her mind elsewhere. Lola arrived to the bar and found a booth towards the back, she sat on the side facing the door so she could watch for her mystery man.

“Can you I get you anything to drink?” The waitress asked.

“Oh uh can I get a cosmo please,” Lola smiled politely. The waitress nodded and headed over to the bar.

Lola fidgeted with the rings on her fingers, eyes glued to the door. The door opened and a man walked through, probably just slightly taller than her with dark hair. Maybe this was him she thought as she sat up straighter, but he walked over to the other side of the bar greeting some other men who were already sat there. Her posture deflated a bit, maybe she was somehow being stood up. The waitress brought over her cosmo and she thanked her quietly. Taking a couple gulps to ease her nerves, almost finishing the whole drink.

The door to the bar opened once again and a tall man walked in. He was extremely handsome, chiseled features and dirty blonde hair. He was wearing a green button up and black jeans a silver chain around his neck. He stood at the front looking around until his eyes met Lola’s. He grinned and walked over to her. She couldn’t believe that this was Rafe, she felt like he was definitely out of her league.

“Hi, are you Lola?” Rafe asked even though he knew it was her. Her nervous demeanor and doe eyes definitely gave her away. His clients tended to have a certain anxious look to them, but she seemed different. She was also a lot younger than his usual clients, she seemed like she was his age but he was used to taking women in their 30s out. Rafe immediately thought she was pretty and he wondered how she couldn't find a real date to take.

“Hi yeah that’s uh me,” She smiled as she shook his outstretched hand. He sat down across from her and she really got a good look at him. He wasn’t just handsome he was hot. His eyes were blue and he had a bit of scruff as well as a bit of a mustache. His hair was parted down the middle his dirty blonde hair framing his face.

“So let’s talk business?” He asked breaking her out of her trance.

“Oh yeah, so I’ve never done anything like this ever. I just I really don’t want to go alone to this thing.”

He nodded, “Yeah that’s understandable, especially since you said your ex is the best man.” Rafe had been to a few weddings as a hired date but never one where his date was in the wedding party.

She raised her eyebrows and sighed, “Yeah just the icing on top of the cake. We were together for two years and I found him cheating on me with his coworker. I think he felt so guilty that he told me how he had been cheating on me for a year of our relationship because he felt like the spark had gone,” she laughed bitterly, “But the douche bag felt like faking it for a year with me would hurt less than a break up. I shouldn’t have dumped all of that on you.” She laughed cheek’s getting hot as she realized she’d told her tragic love story to some stranger.

“It’s fine, kind of what I’m here for. I’m sorry he treated you like that. No one deserves that. I'm also here to make sure he sees what he missed out on,” He smiled sincerely.

The waitress walked over, “Hi can I get you anything to drink?”

“Oh yeah can I just get a tequila soda,” he looked over at Lola’s empty glass, “and another one of whatever she’s having.”

“I’ll be right back with that,” she smiled.

“Before I give you a price or anything like that I just want to know a breakdown of the whole thing. I know you said five days in the Hamptons,” Rafe said folding his arms over the table. Lola couldn’t help but stare at his arms, it had been a while since she had been on a date so she couldn’t help but stare at the greek god in front of her.

Lola nodded, “Right, it’s five days and we’d be staying at my parents Hampton’s house. My dad’s a doctor and my mom is an interior designer, my mom is a bit of a nut,” she chuckled, “But uh there will be a cocktail party, rehearsal dinner, bachelorette and bachelor party, a couple of family barbecues, there’s this tradition where we all play baseball. Just a lot of events leading up to the actual wedding.”

Rafe was really fascinated by Lola, he could tell she was an anxious person. He could also tell she didn’t know exactly how beautiful she was and he had a feeling that may have something to do with her family.

“Sounds like pretty standard wedding stuff, I usually am just the date to the actual wedding but it all sounds fun,” he shrugged.

She shook her head, “You won’t be saying that after you have to hear my sister whine about every little thing and my mom hits on you after her sixth glass of wine.”

“I can handle drunk moms, I promise. For the five days it’d be $8,000. If you wanted to do any intimate stuff then that costs extra,” He couldn’t help the small smirk that formed on his lips. He knew that she was going to refuse the intimate stuff because she didn’t seem like the type but he kind of liked seeing her squirm.

“Oh no I’m good, I just don’t I won’t,” she stuttered with a flushed face, “I won’t need the extra.” Lola was a pretty good saver so the money wasn’t a problem for her, and as much as she hated to say it she was a bit of a trust fund kid.

He chuckled, “Okay, so you pay the day that we leave. We can get our story together now so that if any questions come up like how we met we can answer them.”

“Alright, so uh what’s our story?”

Rafe pursed his lips thinking for a second, “Uh we met here. You came in after work for a drink, I came up to you flirted and the rest is history. Our first date was at Romano’s and we’ve been together for six months?”

Lola nodded her head taking a sip of her new cosmo the waitress had just brought over, “What if they ask me about you? Like who you are what your job is?"

“I’m a real estate developer my company is Cameron Development. I have two sisters and I’m from North Carolina,” He took a sip of his drink. He didn’t know what he was giving her real details about his life but he felt like he could trust her. She had a warm aura to her that was pulling him in.

“How old you are? College? Favorite foods? Are you allergic to anything?” She asked nervously trying to get as much information as possible.

“Sweetheart they’re not gonna ask that much I promise,” he chuckled, “but I'm 25, I didn’t go to college my dad passed on the company to me. My favorite food is any pasta, I’m not allergic to anything. I also need to know some things about you, to make it fair.”

She sighed, “Right. Well I’m really boring. I'm 24 I grew up in New Jersey, I went to Syracuse and majored in english. I work at a publishing company and I have a cat named Sailor. I hate mushrooms and I’m allergic to bees.”

“Tell me more about your family,” He leaned back in his seat and she swore everything he did was just too attractive.

“So my sister, Penny, she’s the one getting married. She’s my younger and only sister. She’s always kinda been the golden child, her fiancée Harry is a nice guy despite who his friends are. My mom is nuts she prefers wine over water. My dad is the only one in my family who really sees me, he’s a great guy,” She smiled lightly, “Uh my cousin Tabitha is crazy but like the good kind, she’s always a good time I love her. Everyone else like my aunts and uncles are all kind of kooky.”

Rafe smirked, “Kooky eh? I think I can handle that. All seems like standard wedding guests.”

Lola started fidgeting with her rings, “I-I really can’t thank you enough for this. I’ve never done anything like this before. I just really hope we can convince people.”

“Lola you don’t have anything to worry about okay? I promise we’ll be convincing, I’m a professional remember. It’s my job to make you feel good about yourself and talk you up to your family,” He gave her a crooked smile, “Now I just need to hear more about this dick ex boyfriend.”

She pushed away the warm feeling in her stomach that rose when he said he was going to make her feel good, “Oh god. So uh he works in finance and he thinks he’s some big hot shot. When we broke up he immediately got with the girl he had been cheating on me with, I think he's actually taking her. He’s self obsessed and arrogant but I was too blind in love to see it. Someone had finally paid attention to me and I ate it up.”

“So definitely a grade A douche bag, we’ll make him jealous Lola.” Rafe reassured.

She nodded giving him a tight lipped smile. There had been a question itching at her to ask him, “so how did you start doing this?”

He laughed, “I’ve been waiting for you to ask, everyone always does. I uh kind of needed money and this girl from my hometown paid me two hundred bucks to take her to a Christmas party because she didn’t want to go alone. It sort of spiraled from there, but this isn’t my only job.”

“What else do you do?” She tilted her head curiously. He really didn’t need her to be doing cute things like that.

“That’s top secret, I don’t want to give out too much of myself for business reasons,” That was sort of a white lie because Rafe had in-fact told her what else he did but she didn’t need to know that Cameron Development was real.

“That’s understandable.”

After talking a bit more to get all their ducks in a row they left the bar, Rafe paying for their drinks despite Lola’s refusal. She was beginning to feel confident that they’d be able to pull this off. It was almost 10pm now as they walked side by side.

“How far do you live?” He asked looking over at her.

“It’s a fifteen minute walk,” She said looking up at him. Now that they were walking side by side she could really see their height difference. He was so much taller and broader than her, she felt light headed just thinking about it. Thomas had only been slightly taller than her.

“Let me walk you, it’s late.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive sweetheart, I can’t let you walk home alone.” He smiled.

The walk was filled with small talk about Lola’s job and her cat. Rafe barely spoke about himself but she knew it was to keep himself as anonymous as possible. They reached her apartment a lot quicker than she’d liked. Not that she would actually admit that.

“This is me.”

“Alright well you have my number so text me any other details I need to know, I’ll be here to pick you up in about a week. I know you have some doubts and anxiousness about this whole situation so if you need some reassurance don’t be afraid to reach out to me, but I promise this will all be fine.” He smiled hoping to ease her nerves.

“Thank you Rafe, really. You have no idea how much this means to me.” She smiled.

“Just doing my job sweetheart.”

“I’ll see you in a weeks then, goodnight Rafe.” She said before walking up to her apartment with butterflies in her stomach at the pet name he had used.

“Night Lola,” He waved before walking off in the direction of his apartment.

Lola wasn’t really regretting accidentally sending that email anymore. She only slightly regretted it because she didn’t expect him to be so handsome and charming, she would easily get sucked in to something that wasn’t going to be real. But she’d do anything to not face her family and ex alone.

As Rafe walked home he couldn’t help but think about Lola. His clients were usually older women these days, he also didn’t take on as many as he used to. Lately taking random women out to Christmas parties, fourth of July barbecues, and weddings didn’t feel as good as it did when he was 20. When he got Lola’s email he felt himself drawn to her, she seemed sweet and truly hurting about something. She didn’t sound desperate in the way other women did, she sounded hopeful. Rafe knew he would be royally screwed if he didn’t get his head in the game.

[hazelcephalopod]

Alright so. I’ve had the experience of When Calls the Heart (Hallmark) bc my mom is watching it. Here’s my thoughts so far.

1- Idk if this show has a historical consultant. But if so whosever it’s is seems to have a policy of “show up when I want and say what I want”.

2- the most based take this show has had in 12? seasons is “Pinkerton’s suck”.

3- Every time something interesting almost happens it is over in moments.

4- a woman had chicken pox (it’s roughly 1912) and looked stunning the whole time.

5- truly. Plz. Let these people act! I’m falling asleep.

6- shout out to the first couple episodes of season 1 where things are actually happening, people get to act, and it feels like a better consultant is on set.

7- Did I mention that the historical accuracy is not very good? It’s not, but admittedly most of it is just ok the cusp of “that’s too early or skirting the edge or too early”. No wonder peoples view of the past is so skewed. That said it has started to get better, I can only assume whoever their consultant is care more about this or the upcoming era.

8- this series is based on a Christian book series. I find it very funny that despite this they have struggled to keep a pastor.

9- the cast history is hilarious. Here are the reasons—

A) the love interest character (a mounty) from the books, his actor wanted to leave so they just killed him and had no idea what to do with the main characters romance plot. So they just gave her two love interests and a baby. She has somehow convinced herself that she wants the lightly shady salon owner -btw I was so excited for him to be shadier but no, not really- and not the new mounty she’s clearly in love with. Also the new Mounties niece-daughter (adoption) has been shipping them since they met and adopted Mc as her new mom by force. Including only inviting her uncle/dad and MC to her adoption hearing.

b) remember that California college scandle a few years ago? The mom actress from that was one of the best actors and characters on the show. Bc of it they cut her out and removed her scenes abruptly and just did a voice over that she left. Oh this also meant the child actor playing her adopted son had to be cut. Poor kid. Also her character had like 3-5 love interests Thru the show.

c) the intermittent villain -whose villainy is frankly, deeply boring- is bacially main cast. He keep becoming good only to be a villain again. He’s sorta the bad boy more old pathetic wet man with high blood pressure faced with mortality. Possibly most interesting character on the show. I think he used to be in soap operas. For the first few seasons whenever I saw him I thought he was a different person. He was previous female characters (above) love interest and rival.

d) the sheriff used to be a mounty. He’s also the town judge -no training for that besides mounty, and also hates lawyers- and almost mayor. He hates all new things. He owned a cafe with the kicked off character (above) and was also her love interest, and also of course the above guys rival -they have sorta become friends since then. his actor used to play a major villain in at least one soap opera. (Aside I’ve decided rn to start shipping the old men)

10- the MC best friend had to leave -as she was the one written off due to the actress personal scandal- so they had to make the quirky mild problem character her new best friend. New best friend used to be MC dead husbands fiancé before they broke up bc it was not ever happening. She is the only character who speaks with a North Atlantic accent Bc she was a NY actress before moving back to the Canadian rockies(? Wherever they are), the actress kills it tbh -she was also the one who looked immaculate despite having chicken pox as an adult.

12. The costuming is spotty. Beginning? Excellent. Middle? Looks like it came from the macys catalogue of the current year. Recently? Slightly better depending on character. Tbh for a bit I thought maybe the actors were supplying their own costumes, so it really boiled down to how much each actor cared and how good at cosplay they were.

[ryqoshay]

How to Handle a Nico - Warmth in Autumn

Primary Pairing: NicoMaki Words: 552 Rating: G Time Frame: Early adulthood, Nico owns an idol production company and Maki is working through her residency Prompt: Warmth

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Summary: The couple returns home after their last picnic of the year

Author's Note: Bonus second entry for the 28th

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“Ahh, that was fun.” Nico said, standing up after removing her shoes. “Thank you, Maki-chan.” She stepped up to the floor so she could more easily peck a kiss on her fiancée’s cheek.

“I should be thanking you.” Maki replied. “Nico-chan did all the prep work for our picnic, finding the spot, and making our food, and everything.”

“Hee, and it was a good lunch wasn’t it.”

“Of course. Nico-chan made it.”

Nico preened. “And no tomato monsters either.”

Maki chuckled at the reminder of Nico’s nightmare earlier in the week. “I’m just grateful we finally had an entire day to spend together.”

Nico hummed a happy affirmation. “Anyway, I’m going to go start making dinner. Feel free to go check emails or whatever else you need to do after ignoring the hospital for so many hours.”

“Uh uh.” Maki shook her head.

“Mm?”

“I’m going to watch Nico-chan make dinner.” Maki stated decisively. “My day with Nico-chan isn’t over yet.”

Nico felt a smile tug at her lips and warmth gathered in her chest.

“Papa and Miyuki both told everyone I had today off, so nobody should be contacting me for anything other than an emergency.”

Nico couldn’t help laughing lightly. It was adorable how seriously Maki took the couple’s time together. And while Nico felt the same way, she couldn’t help being amused by her fiancée’s overly serious tone.

“Alright.” Nico allowed a slight teasing tone in her voice. “I suppose I can let Maki-chan keep me company while I cook.”

Maki pursed her lips. “You know, I could just hit Reply All and tell everyone I’m free now.”

Nico laughed louder now. “Alright, alright, come keep Nico company.” She grabbed Maki’s hand and guided her into the kitchen.

“So, what are we having tonight?” Maki asked as she took a seat at the kitchen table.

“An autumn favorite in the Yazawa household, eggplant and green pepper miso stir fry.” Nico began gathering the ingredients on the counter. “A nice, quick and easy dish to warm up with after a chilly walk home.”

“Sounds good. Nico-chan hasn’t made an eggplant dish in a while.”

“’Cause I keeps focusing on tomatoes for my obsessed fiancée.”

“So much so that I apparently turn into a monster in your dreams if I don’t get them.”

“Exactly. And don’t worry, I picked up some cherry tomatoes that you can have as a side dish if you want.”

“Sounds good.”

“Now, where did I put the tsuyu soup base…” Nico opened one of the cupboards. “No… hrm. Ah, there it is.”

For her part, Maki contented herself watching the show. Although she could not prove it, she firmly believed Nico did not normally cook with such flourish when on her own. However, when observed, especially by Maki, Nico practically danced around the kitchen. And Maki could watch such a display forever.

Then, Nico started humming. And Maki immediately recognized the song. It was an old favorite from their time as school idols, and quite seasonally appropriate too.

“Dancing stars on me!” Maki couldn’t help chiming in when the part came.

“Te o nobshitara” Nico returned.

“Itsuka”

“Tsukamesou da yo”

And with that, the couple continued their impromptu a capella duet, filling their apartment with warmth and love to combat the cooler weather and changing seasons.

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Author's Note Continued: Snow halation or Silent tonight might be a bit more seasonally appropriate since I'm posting this in December, but I wrote it back in October, so Dsom it is.

Also, yet another entry that is a pre/sequel or references an entry from a prior Promptober. I was on a roll this year.

That said, soft, fluffy NicoMaki remains one of my favorite things to write. It's like a teddy bear in writing form.

Prior Prompts Used: Dream Time Duet Picnic Nightmare Chill

[yzeltia]

10) finding their partner’s sex toy/toys and making them play with it in front of them

Bonus points if it's Nyx finding the toys and wanting to see how they work.

As you wish my dear new friend. Title: The Nuhn Maker Rating: M for Lewd Featuring: @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon Characters: U'rahn Nuhn

“Rahn. What is this?”

U'rahn stretched, letting out a little grunt as he stirred awake. Lazily he looked over to Nyx as they held out a silicon gourd shaped tool that had a bar that came up with a soft stretchy ring at the end. He blushed lightly, then took it from them.

“Ah. Uhm…it's a tool. A special tool for Nuhns,” he said sheepishly.

“How does it function?” Nyx asked, neutral gaze shifting from U'rahn back to the device.

U’rahn squirmed a bit, rubbing the back of his head as he sat up in his bed. “Well, uh. It's supposed to help Nuhn’s…do their job. Not all Nuhn are made equally…or perform as such. Uh, you've got some that don't really want the job but the huntresses don't like the other Tia options so he needs some help. And then you've got Nuhns that have to entertain a lot of huntresses in a short amount of time. Then you've got Nuhn like me where they're kinda too big so they gotta be sorta restricted to help keep everything upright,” he babbled.

Nyx stared a moment, silence building between before they said, “That was vague and only described what it was for. Poorly. How does it function?”

U'rahn rubbed the back of his head, face red, giving away his embarrassment. “Well. The ring goes around the base of your little Nuhn, then the bulby part goes up inside you so that it'll hit your spot,” he tried explaining before looking up at his fiancé’s ever neutral face. “Ah. Yeah Yeah. I know I'm being annoying about it. It might be easier to show you…”

“Understood. Shall I sit with you?” Nyx asked, “I can assist if needed.”

U'rahn nodded, turning to bunch up pillows behind him before offering the space to Nyx. Once his fiancée was settled, he leaned back into her and opened his legs, pulling the ring of the apparatus over his slowly chubbing up erection, being careful not to pinch his hood in the process . The device secured around the base of his cock, he folded his ears back and gently started to stroke himself, letting out a small moan as Nyx moved to hold him around the chest. Nyx’s breath in his ear, he writhed and sank into them, lifting his hips into his fist as his strong heels dug into the bed.

Well aroused, it took little for him to start overflowing with excitement, pre drooling out of his hood until he drew it back to expose the tip of his rigid length. Though large, he somehow seemed larger. The base of the instrument seemed to squeeze on him, preventing it from losing mass. 

Once his palm was slick, he reached down to lubricate the bulb with it before wincing as he started to push the end up into his hole. A flurry of moans escaped him, voice cracking even as he slowly worked it past his ring. His unattended length, twitching freely and drooling with pre, was quickly seized by Nyx behind him. 

A purr escaped him as he lifted into their touch, heels now straining into the mattress under them as he curled his toes. His breathing became erratic, struggling to catch a breath as excitement pulsed through him from both ends. Muscles aching, he was forced to relax and let the device meet its destination. With little warning after, he arched his back again, letting several thick ropes of cum jet out and up onto his chest and neck before noisily plapping against his stomach.

“Nyx, s-stop,” he pleaded, instantly released by his love.

Despite his orgasm, his length showed no sign of losing mass, trapped in the ring around the base. He seemed to twitch a bit, cum continuing to be forced out to drool out into his belly. Sleepily he nuzzled his head into Nyx’s neck. “Th-that's how it worrrks,” he sighed, relaxing a bit as he lazily pawed about the side of his bed with his foot to find some discarded clothing to clean off with.

“It is an interesting device,” Nyx said, staring down at U'rahn's body for a moment before taking hold of him again.

The rest of the night, U'rahn's moans and whines could be heard throughout the Forgotten Springs. The next day, he was suspiciously dehydrated and worn out.

[iggydabirdkid]

All done!! This is the last drawing for my short little Pride Month series I did! And I saved this one for last for a reason.

The Heroes Rise Trilogy was the first text based set of games I ever played. And as such it still holds a special place in my heart. I loved the story, the characters, the conflict, and the ending. I’ve always wanted to draw something for this game, and I finally had a good reason to.

So! Here’s a nice little something I wrote up for my MC Morgan Davies and her fiancée wife, Jenny Yu.

+++++

I Do

You have butterflies in your stomach as soon as you open your eyes. Today’s the big day. There’s a fluttering inside your chest and you can’t help but laugh out loud both nervous and excited and you feel the body in the bed next to you let out a groan, stir, and pull the covers over their head. You grin and do the same, shuffling closer to your Fiancée who has her eyes squeezed shut. You reach an arm out and gently lay a hand against her face as you smooth your thumb over her cheek. You watch as her features relax and she smiles before finally her eyes open to regard you with warmth.

“Good morning,” you whisper, moving in close to rest your forehead against hers. You feel her breath against your face before she tilts her head to capture your lips in a soft kiss. Lazy and slow, warm under sheets that neither of you quite want to leave.

“Morning,” she breaths as you pull apart, taking your hand in one of her own, “Today’s the day.” She smiles but it doesn’t seem to fit her face.

“Having second thoughts, Jenny?” you joke because you know she’s not. You know she’s just as nervous as you, possibly more.

“Of course not.” Then she grins, “If I don’t marry you then who else would!” You give a mock gasp and slap her lightly on the shoulder which rewards you with a loud and bright laugh and you finally pull the covers down. You lay there in each other’s arms with the early morning light casting a warm glow and with her hair splayed around her head the way it is you think she looks like an angel.

“I can’t believe how lucky I am,” the words leaving you in a quiet breath unwilling to break the serene atmosphere that has descended upon you both.

“Ditto.” You snort a laugh and pull her in close, placing a kiss to her forehead before you hug her tight to your chest. As you rest your chin atop her head you let out a sigh.

“I guess we should get up. Big day ahead of us.” You dig your fingers into her arms as you squeeze her tightly one more time before letting go and sitting up, “So much to do.” You yawn and rub the sleep from your eyes as the rustling of sheets besides you quietens and is replaced by the sound of the bed creaking.

“We have to get ready then there’s the Pre-ceremony photos…”

“Then we have to travel to Gran’s estate,” you mention as you too get out of bed.

“In separate cars.”

“In separate cars,” you point to Jenny even thought she has her back towards you, “Technically as soon as we leave this room we’re not supposed to see each other again until the ceremony,” you mention as you pull up your messages through your MeChip. You scroll quickly through the news of the day and jump when arms wrap around you from behind.

“I don’t think I can spend that long apart,” Jenny mumbles from behind you, unusually open with her emotions. You rest your hands over hers.

“But after that, Jenny Yu…” you turn in her grip to face her and smile with all the love you can muster, “We will have the rest of our lives to spend together.”

-----

You’re nervous. Your palms are sweaty and you’re thankful you had the forethought to choose a sleeveless dress. Pops of blue energy are going off around you and you have to keep smoothing out the skirt of your dress as your powers continue to lift sections into the air. You stand in the foyer and wait for your turn and you’re so nervous but you’re so excited and you know Jenny is already at the altar as you heard her arrive earlier. There are whispers and murmurs beyond the door and your heart flutters in your chest at the thought of the crowd.

You and Jenny have been through so much together. Since you first rose to fame, your identity being revealed, the aftermath that followed. The Hero Project. Having to choose sides and how could they ever think you would choose to go against her? And what came after that? Well… A lot of it was a blur. There had been so much going on, so much to take in and consider and you were mostly powerless at the time, racing against the clock to fight those with influence far greater than yours… Then she had almost died, and you had been terrified and honestly you still were. Some nights you wake up crying and she holds you and whispers sweet words in your ear until you fall asleep wrapped safely in the comfort of her arms. You do the same for her when her nightmares have her crying out in the dark though those nights were fewer and further between now. You were healing together, growing stronger, growing closer.

And today was the day that all those promises all those sweet kisses and tender moments would be solidified and officiated and you couldn’t wait.

Your thoughts are running at mach speed and you don’t realize you’re hovering until you hear the sound of your mom’s laughter as she places her hands on your shoulders.

“Be still my love,” she smiles as she gently pushes you back to the ground. You stumble a little as your feet make contact with the carpet but luckily your dad is there to steady you at the elbow, “It’s almost time.” She frames your face with her hands and you place yours over hers, “Are you ready?” she asks you and you grin through all your nerves.

“I’ve never been more prepared for anything in my life,” you reply as your heart leaps into your throat. She leans forwards and touches her nose to yours briefly before pulling away.

“I’ll see you three out there,” she smiles before turning and leaving through the doors before you. You get a brief glimpse of people gathered, heroes and friends alike and then the doors swing shut and they are gone. You take a deep breath and look to the side your dad is not when a hand lays itself lightly on your arm. Your smile wobbles as you look down at your Gran holding the rings on a white satin pillow.

“You look lovely dear,” she beams up at you as she squeezes your arm.

“Thanks Gran. I’m so nervous,” you laugh and it’s a little strained and the blue sparks of energy are going off again.

“Anyone would be!” she says, “Getting married is a big thing. I was nervous when I got married to your Grandpa, and you should have seen your father on his wedding day!” You look at your dad who’s face has turned a slight shade darker.

“Mom!” His laugh is embarrassed but he’s smiling all the same and your Gran chuckles before pulling ahead of you, “I reckon it’s about my time to head down the aisle.” She turns and looks back at you, “Chin up dear! This is a momentous day!” And then she too is gone. You close your eyes and blow air past puffed up cheeks as you will your heart to settle into something resembling a normal rhythm. It’s difficult but you succeed enough then when your eyes open the blue is gone and your feet are still firmly planted on the ground.

“You ready pumpkin?” Your dad says and you turn your head to look at him and give a simple nod. His lips stretch wide and you see his eyes shine as he beams down at you, “I’m so proud of you sweetheart,” he breathes as he hooks his arm through yours, “You’ve grown up into a fine young woman and I couldn’t be any happier for you and Jenny.” Emotions well in your chest and you have to raise your head to keep your tears from ruining your makeup.

“You’re going to make me cry,” you laugh breathlessly and you blink the tears away. His laugh is a deep rumble that goes a long way to settling your nerves.

“Then let’s get going. I think she’s waited long enough.” You take one more breath before you nod and then you too are stepping through the doors.

Almost everyone turns to watch as you walk down the aisle and you squeeze your dad’s arm tightly as small blue sparks dance around your head. As your steps take you closer to the altar you spy your love and you know your skirt is floating again but you don’t care and when she turns around to face you you beam at her. She grins back and you can see her eyes water as you’re led up the last few steps. You turn your head and your dad kisses you on the cheek, squeezes your hand one more time and then steps back to join your mom in the front row. Your Gran gives you a reassuring smile before you turn and face Jenny and you don’t bother to dampen the pops of blue anymore. You don’t think anyone minds anyways and soon the officiant starts.

“My name is Rebellion, and I have the privilege of performing this ceremony today,” the large space falls quiet and all eyes fall on you, “On behalf of Morgan and Jenny, welcome and thank you for being here. For those of you who aren’t aware, a couple of years ago Morgan saved my life and opened my eyes and I have worked hard every day to become the idol she claimed I could be.” Rebellion nods at you and you smile back, “By your presence here today you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and you give your support in their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives. This afternoon we are here to celebrate love. This is the union of two individuals in heart, body, mind, and spirit. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, honestly, and deliberately. And it is into this union that Morgan and Jenny come now to be joined. Now Morgan and Jenny, please join hands and face each other.”

You turn to Jenny once more and take her hands, shaking as you do and her palms are clammy as you intertwine your fingers.

“Morgan Davies, do you take Jenny Yu to be your wife?”

“I do.” Your heart is pounding and you don’t think you’ve ever been this happy.

“Jenny Yu, do you take Morgan Davies to be your wife?

“I do.” Her hands tighten around yours momentarily.

“Morgan, will you now read the vows you have prepared?” You clear your throat and you need no notes, you have your vows imprinted on your brain and you are ready as you look into the warmth of Jenny’s brown eyes.

“Jenny, you have been my best friend, mentor, playmate, confidant, and my greatest challenge. But most importantly, you are the love of my life and you make me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible,” you stumble on your words as your throat becomes stoppered by held back tears, “You have made me a better person, as our love for one another is reflected in the way I live my life. So I am truly blessed to be a part of your life, which as of today becomes our life together.” Your tears are running now and you do nothing to stop them, “From this moment, I take you as my best friend for life. I pledge to honour, encourage, and support you through our walk together. When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you, so that through our union we can accomplish more than we could alone. I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life. With every beat of my heart, I will love you.”

There’s sniffing in the crowd and behind you and even Jenny wipes at her face as Rebellion looks to her.

“Jenny, will you now please read the vows you have prepared?” It takes a few moments as Jenny clears her throat and quickly wipes her fingers over her cheeks before she grabs your hand and starts her vows.

“Morgan. I see these vows not as promises but as privileges: I get to laugh with you and cry with you; care for you and share with you. I get to run with you and walk with you; build with you and live with you. I get to have you be the person I spend the rest of my life with. I get to be there for you and support you. I don’t have to honour and cherish you – I get to.” You smile at her through your tears and your grip tightens on her, “If you grow weak, I’ll be there to fight your battle for you. I’ll help you with your responsibilities and make your problems my own in order to spread the weight a bit more evenly. If you have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, I’ll be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you. Today is the beginning of the rest of our lives. I choose to spend today, and all of my tomorrows, with you.”

You are almost blinded by blue and from the corner of your eye you see your Gran step forwards with the rings, which Rebellion takes gently from her and turns back to you.

“Morgan. Take this ring and place it on Jenny ‘s finger. Repeat after me: Jenny, I give you this ring as a symbol of the promise I made to you today.”

You reach out and grab the ring, such a small and delicate thing and you slide it carefully onto Jenny’s finger before you look up into her face, “Jenny,” you croak, your voice cracking, “I give you this ring as a symbol of the promise I made to you today.”

“Now Jenny. Please take this ring and place it on Morgan‘s finger. Repeat after me: Morgan, I give you this ring as a symbol of the promise I made to you today.”

Jenny grabs the ring without taking her eyes from you and she lifts your hand as she slides the band of silver and gold onto your finger, “Morgan,” her voice breaks upon speaking your name and you smile at her, “I give you this ring as a symbol of the promise I made to you today.”

“Having pledged your love and promise to one another today in front of all of your friends and family and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you wife and wife.” Your smile is wide as you look at your new wife, “You may now kiss the bride.”

Neither of you need any further encouragement.

Jenny telegraphs her moves clearly and you grin as she wraps her arms around your neck and jumps. You hook your arms under her legs and lift up to you and then your lips meet and everything else around you is drowned out by the feeling of your love.

[yum-this-is-tea]

Even women in powerful positions suffer under patriarchy. Sex-based oppression doesn’t go away just because you are privileged in other sectors, I wish liberals understood this.

I recently had a conversation with a friend where she was saying that women can have more power than men because they can have sexual power over men. According to her, women can hold sexual influence above men’s heads to make the men do what they want. I did help her to understand that men can easily not play along with that. They can abuse women, historically and statistically have done so, and often get away with it. The need for sexual persuasion rather shows women’s lack of power because they have to resort to that to prevent further violence from men. It’s not real power. Catering to oppressors even if it’s “your choice,” isn’t power. At the end of the day it’s still based on catering to men’s sexuality, their aggression, and their tendencies towards violence if they don’t get what they want. Even with all of Nancy’s privilege she was still abused because of her sex, and no amount of monetary status, government status, or “influence over men” would have prevented this. The patriarchy needs to be pulled out from the roots.

I wish I could show this to my friend without making it feel like I’m throwing the debate back in her face, especially since it did seem like she left off agreeing with me. I guess I’ll just try mentioning it in passing and lightly say, “men suck,” just to see how it lands with her. I’ve at least already convinced her that blaming men generally is fine because we wouldn’t ask black people to police their language around their oppressors so why should women constantly have to police their language. Wish me luck!

[frxncaise]

Perhaps, she ought to promised something more realistic and less difficult. Alas, she would still try to keep her word for his sake. There would be plenty of other times to embarrass him.

Upon seeing his face light up in a lovesick manner, Angélique raised her hands to cover her mouth to stifle the sound of giggles. How childish of her to do, though what else was to be expected from someone who has yet to make their official debut. How entertaining it was to watch his typically charming and suave nature crumble into a flustered, flushing version of himself. The way he stumbled over his words and eventually trailed off was enough to clue her in. Admittedly, she could be a little naive and oblivious. However, based on her previous talks with Raoul, a secret engagement would not be a surprise to her. “ It is my pleasure to meet your fiancée. ” The final word was silently mouthed so not even an eavesdropper could hear. She lightly jabbed him with her elbow before adding: “ I shan't tell a soul, not even my diary. ”

“ So, I have heard. ” Ange turned her attention to the rising star. “ He is practically a brother to me. ” Such an admission was true and not meant to embellish her friend in the eyes of his beloved. “ It is a shame that it has taken as so long to finally meet. ” Her hand slipped into the others before she gave it a gentle shake. “ Oh, has he? I do hope that I live up to your expectations. ” She said with a scrunch of her face. “ You need not to fret, all he has painted a beautiful portrait of you. ”

Truthfully, she could break her promise and Raoul would not fault her for it. She was a good and dear friend, and he was forever grateful for her company.

Once Christine was in his view, the blond man’s world became focused on the Opera Singer. He handed her the flowers with a bright smile. “ They are from me … ” there was a pause as he knew he was forgetting something. His cheek blushed realizing he had been so blinded he forgot to introduce his friend. “ And also Angélique. ” He felt like he lost all his manners. The vicomte stepped to the side as he allowed the two women to properly greet each other, “ Christine this is Angélique Leclair my dear friend, Angélique this is Christine Daae my… my… ” He was unsure of if he could include Ange in on their secret engagement. At least Ange was aware that the Viscount and the Opera singer are in love.

“ Raoul and I were childhood best friends. ” The Swede said cutting in on Raoul’s awkwardness. She dared not to mention the engagement in her dressing room. Not when she knew someone could be listening. “ He is very dear to me. ” She looked at Raoul with adoration. “ Raoul has told me many kind things about you. ” She offered her hand to the other girl, giving her a kind smile. “ I hope he has told you good things about me. I am very excited to meet you. ”

[lovejosephquinn]

SFW Alphabet. My opinions and head canons based on pure fluffy boyfriend Joey. Honestly, we love to see it. 🥰

A is for Affection: Affection is number one for Joe. He will show it personally and through materials. As much as he loves to give affection through time and himself, you'll always find you're receiving silly little gifts that maybe he's found in passing because they reminded him of you. One thing he tends to do is keep your flowers replenished at all times, stating that the brightness and beauty of them makes him think of you. B is for Best Friend: As well as your lover, Joe will be your number one bestie. Sharing in your rants and playing the bitchy part with you if you're venting about someone in your day that irritated or pissed you off. He loves to share in every thing that you do, whether it's joining you in your friendship group or you his, or just plainly sitting down, staying silent and listening to you.

C is for Cuddles: Big spoon. His total favourite. Joe loves nothing more than to have his arms wrapped around you, closing the space between your bodies and having one leg wedged between yours so he almost feels at one with you. His face will probably be pressed into your hair as well as you feel little kisses on the back of your head or giggles coming from behind you when you say something silly when you're half asleep, cosy and content. Sometimes if he's feeling needy, he'll use you as a pillow and have you cradle him like a baby.

D is for Domestic: You love it when Joe cooks for you. He's always conjuring up new ideas for meals and will do anything to make you a good hearty meal, getting you both to try new things, different cuisines and fine dine together in your own home. Joe can be quite the messy person to love with so you do tidy up after him often, but he soon makes up for it when he's giving you the puppy dog look and offering you the sweet treats he's baked in order to be forgiven.

E is for Ending: As much as nobody wants a sad ending to a relationship, if it were to be on the cards, it'd be a very adult conversation. There'd be none of the over text rubbish, it'd be a case of either talking it out or letting you down lightly, more for your benefit than his; after all if he's telling you the truth at least you may be able to get over it quicker.

F is for Fiancé: Joe's quite a slow burn in a relationship, a taking every day as it comes kind of person. But when he knows, he knows. In the back of his mind beknown to you, he's got a plan on how he'd propose, it'd be the most romantic thing in his own head but it'd take a while for him to sit, brainstorm and fully plan it without you knowing. He knows he wants to be with you for the rest of his life (he tells you every god damn day). It already shows the commitment.

G is for Gentle: Joe is a gentle soul unlike no other. On a bad day? He'll do everything he can to make you smile and laugh, even if it's him that's in the dog house. His soothing touches, like playing with your hair or tickling your arm or back, giving you massages after a long hard day just to make you feel better. It's the little surprises of you getting in and him running you a candle lit bath, a glass of wine settled on the corner and him running to show you what he'd done.

H is for Hugs: One of your most favourite things about him. No matter how he's doing it, Joe gives the most sensational hugs. His arms wrapped around you so tightly, little tight squeezes of plain reassurance every now and then, swaying from side to side if stood, his hand caressing your back by rubbing his fingers up and down your spine, giving you little forehead kisses and whispering sweet things in the most gentle tone which sends electricity flooding through you.

I is for I Love You: He would most likely be the first to say he loves you and every time he does is always like the first time. The butterflies can get too much not just from the purity of the words, but the meaning in his voice when he says them, always in direct contact, staring right at you, his brown eyes piercing through into your soul. When this man loves, he'll love hard and you'll know about it.

J is for Jealousy: You'll know when he's jealous, arms will folded, chest puffed out in a manly state trying to put an act on that he's not. When you ask him if he is, you'll get the bluntest reply of no. It's pretty much the only time he's quiet with you and you'll receive one word answers until he's over it. He's not too bothered about you having guy friends, but anymore than a simple hug and he's watching them like a hawk and believe you me, if he's up for the challenge (not that there is one) but he will make it known that you're his.

K is for Kisses: From the soft to the down right passionate, you can't get enough of Joe's kisses. He's not one for full public displays of affection but when you're alone, you'll receive kisses left right and centre. His lips feel undeniably fantastic when they're on yours. If you're busy doing something he'll interrupt you by tapping on your shoulder and puckering out his lips just so he can give you one. You'll always receive those cute forehead kisses whilst you cuddle, sometimes little ones on the tip of your nose and always in a morning when he's in a rush, a sloppy one planted right onto your cheek; running back for the occasional smooch before he's really got to go.

L is for Little Ones: There's no denying his whole demeanour changes when he's around children. His paternal instinct is insufferably adorable and he'll do anything to make a child smile, pulling silly faces at babies or seeing him pick them up to give them a hug. You get broody like crazy when you see interaction between him and children because he's just such a good father figure, you're always in talks of the future and having a family together and you know he'll be ultimately besotted by his own little one, spoiling them no end and making you fall in love with him further by the way he shows full devotion towards them.

M is for Morning: At first, he won't want to get up, he'll be snuggling up to you, burying his head into your neck and groaning at the sun light seeping through the curtains. By the time he's up and awake and if there's time, you'll have breakfast on the table by the time you've forced yourself out of bed. He's more of a morning person than you which infuriates you since he's most chaotic at that time of day, yet there's something about waking up to this man each morning and him giving you reason to start your day the right way.

N is for Night: Nights in are the best. He'll always have a make shift bed on the sofa on the go, plenty of pillows and blankets to be getting on with. The good snacks are in and home made cocktails are set upon the coffee table in front of you, he's either forcing you to watch his favourite movie for the hundredth million time or he's letting you handle the remote on the rare occasion. You'll always fall asleep on him and he won't mind, but you'll wake up to him looking down at you in full admiration, little giggles when he's telling you that you're snoring or making weird noises making you slightly embarrassed. When you're too tired, he'll carry you to bed in full princess mode before tucking you in as tight as a burrito as he likes to describe it; as small as it may be, he'll always wish you sweet dreams.

O is for Open: Joe is a private person through and through. He'll tell you little things first and will build up the more his trust and confidence in you builds. Knowing him it won't take long, especially after he's had a few drinks, more of his deep dark secrets are spilled during those moments and most of the time they're not really that dark, just things he wouldn't necessarily tell other people in passing.

P is for Patience: It takes a lot to piss Joe off. He'll take everything in his stride and be as patient as he can for so long. If he blows up on you, well then you know it's bad. But hopefully nothing would ever go that bad for him to kick off in that way. He's not really someone who tends to start an argument, but if he's got a point to make, he'll certainly finish it. You know that if he's in the wrong, he won't be stubborn about it and will apologise but will expect the same from you in return. Q is for Quizzes: It always surprises you that Joe remembers every tiny little detail that you tell him. He'll always say oh that one time you or I remember when you said. His memory as an actor serves him extremely well and it just shows that his listening skills are top tier because you'll never feel like he doesn't know you, in fact he probably will know you better eventually than you know yourself.

R is for Romance: When he wants to be, he can be overly romantic. Flowers and chocolates and wine type of boyfriend. Paying you compliments at every given chance, holding doors for you, taking you out, spending all his free time with you. No matter the occasion, he'll always have a reason to spoil you in that department.

S is for Security: He's extremely protective given the circumstance, always has been, always will be. If you're feeling anxious about something, he'll do everything in his power to make it better for you, even if he can't control the situation. Given that touch is for sure his love language, little squeezes of reassurance when he's holding your hand, soothing your back or just urging you on to do the best you can, you're definitely appreciative of the protection he aims to give you.

T is for Try: Joe's version of trying is always successful and he will go to extreme lengths to always try his best just for you. Efforts are given no matter what like on special occasions: birthdays, christmas, anniversaries etc. He'll give 110% in what he does for you only to make you happy, of course he expects the same in return but his number one priority is to see you happy and if trying does that, he will make it happen.

U is for Ugly: Bad habits? The word ugly? Joe? It doesn't exist to me. You must be kidding.

V is for Vanity: He always wants to look good for you and truth be told the man would like good wearing a bin liner. He cares about what he wears out in public and always likes to look good to make himself feel good. You love his sometimes questionable fashion sense, but when the man cleans up, he does it well and it makes your heart do back flips every single time you see it. Your favourite time is to see him in his lounging around clothes. It's the best version of Joe, his comfortable side not many people see and it makes him look extra soft.

W is for Whole: Would Joe feel incomplete without you? Hell yes. He likes to have you by his side at every attempt he can. He's always been one to rely on the people he loves and trusts and you are no exception to that handful of people. He loves the reassurance, he loves to know you're there for him and he loves to be loved. Giving is everything to Joe but he'll always be a needy little baby and require your time, presence and acceptance in everything he does.

X is for Xtra: I head canon that Joe would be the most fantastic photographer for you, getting you at all angles to get the perfect selfie of you. Sending a few of the shots secretly to himself so that he can just admire them when he's not with you, changing his lock screen weekly is a personal challenge he's set himself so that he's always got a new picture of you to look at. He never swipes off his camera roll because it's full of you and it makes his bad days better.

Y is for Yuck: Joe hates fussy eaters, disloyalty and deceitful people. And will not entertain a girlfriend that doesn't like physical affection. There I said it.

Z is for Zzz: No matter what, you'll always go to sleep cuddling. But when Joe finds turned away or in general moved away in your own sleeping habit, he'll be finding a way to touch you in one way or another. It's like you're his comfort blanket. He'll describe you as his own personal radiator in bed and it helps him sleep because you're always bringing him warmth. You'll know when he's back fast on though from the little humming sounds he makes when he starts to dream, you can't help but smile, hopefully he's dreaming all about you, that's usually the case.

[sgt-morgan]

The Test 🍼

Summary: Part 3 of the Robbin Trilogy uh oh… cardinal rule of premarital sex is wrap it before you tap it, but Robin and Matt seemed to have fucked that up.

Warnings: alludes to the adult tango, Robin cusses like a sailor, Childbirth, Labor, babies. AFAB and female identifying reader. Mentions of Jen Walter’s. No angst.

A/N: based on my bestie’s labor journey, yes we really did do some of these things, and yes, labor lasts forever.

Pt.1 Guessing Game

Pt.2 Robbin Bites Back

DD Masterlist

You couldn’t fucking believe it. You’d been with Matt for a good solid seven months. Seven months of joyful bliss with your devil man, your law work, and all your new friends (normal and vigilante). You had attended a wedding, (Marci made a lovely, if not very over the top bride. She was also surprisingly a great law partner.) you’d met your friends families (Moonknight has a very lovely kind of fiancé and a beautiful baby girl.), and you had even won a case or two. You’d really settled into your life in Hell’s Kitchen with Matt and things were really looking up. Until the vomiting started.

“Jesus Christ,” you groaned as Matt muttered something about blasphemy where he lay in your bed. You came back from the bathroom for what felt like the twelfth time this morning after puking your guts out. “If I puke one more time, I’m going to put myself out of my misery a la Dramamine OD.” Matt chuckled and opened the covers— and his arms — to receive your exhausted, wrung out, body.

“Baby, Stay home today.” Matt grumbles, placing a soft kiss to your neck, nuzzling in further.

“No way Devil boy, I got that deposition to look over for Jen Walters, and I need to find an expert witness for Kar-“ Matt covers your mouth lightly with his hand.

“You can’t do any of that while puking your guts out, and I can tell you’re about to do it again. Go see a doctor, then we can figure out work.” He released you just as you feel your stomach flop uneasily once more.

“Damn you and your uncanny ability to hear my stomach churning.” You grumbled getting up to go puke your guts out just as Matt suspected. “Fine, I’ll go see Claire, but you have to look over that thing for Jen. I’m being serious Murdock, and don’t make the excuse that I didn’t copy it over to Braille because I’m gonna text Karen about it!” You shouted in between bouts of vomit, listening as Matt got ready for work.

“I love how chill you are about working with my ex… Girlfriend?” You laughed through your vomit at the question in his tone.

“Oh Fuck you Matty, of course I’m chill. Batman can sleep with Catwoman and leave, but there will always be a Robin.” You puked again and rethought that metaphor. “Okay that Metaphor doesn’t really work because Batman and Robin aren’t fucking, but the idea stands.” Matt chuckles and comes into the Bathroom, now fully dressed for work. He kisses your forehead with a smile and hands you a cup of mouth wash. Once he chaperones you back to bed, he leaves. You settle into your nice, soft, silky sheets, about to let little sheep whisk you off to dream land when you realize something that was about to be very important in your relationships state of affairs. Your period is two weeks late.

“Fuck me ROUGHLY with a chainsaw, you gotta be KIDDING!” You whisper yell staring at the test with two little blue lines that is threatening to rock your world.

“Well, congrats I guess. I’ll set you up an appointment with the OBGYN.” Claire pats your shoulder and leaves the apartment, gently closing the door behind her. She leaves you with more questions than answers, but she can feel that you need the space to metabolize the very big pill you’re swallowing. That pill? You’re gonna be a mom. You’re gonna be a mom SOON. Not two weeks soon, but the ship has sailed, the die is cast, the nine month timer is ticking, and your good catholic boyfriend has yet to put a ring on your finger, and this baby is about to be born by way of Westeros (if you couldn’t tell by that I meant a bastard. It’s funny, laugh.). You hadn’t read the Batman comic for this, but you’re feeling like the joker had a good philosophical point when he decided that laughing at the void was his only option. So you visited Maggie.

You and your boyfriends mother, who was also shockingly a nun, got along like a house on fire. When at first your faithful boyfriend told you his mother was a nun you were very nervous, and super confused as to how that shit was supposed to fucking work. Then you met the woman, and my god did everything you knew about Matt Murdock make total sense. They were so similar. The way they wrinkled their nose when they smiled at you sarcastically. The way they always oriented in the direction of whoever was speaking as if projecting with their bodies that in this moment, your words were important because they came from you. The way they would silently say a prayer at random moments when they saw- or in Matt’s case heard or sensed- something they were thankful for; a cup of fresh coffee, kids resolving a fight without intervention, your laughter, the rain stopping right as they left a building. It was nice to see some of the clay that molded the man that you loved so dearly, to know where he was fired and glazed, and to be able to tangibly appreciate his very existence as if a work in a series of fine art. You loved it, you wondered if your children would be molded of this same clay, what they would pick up of your own.

“Hello, Robbin!” Maggie greeted cheerfully as she supervised playtime for all the kids running around the playground of the school. She loves her son’s girlfriend and her silly Batman nickname. She’s like a breath of fresh air, makes him take everything just a little less seriously. She’s exactly what he needed.

“Hey sister Mags! Uh so can I ask for some advice?” You plop next to Maggie on the bench and fiddle with your fingers nervously, which for Maggie, is an automatic red flag. In the time that she’s known her Son’s girlfriend, she had never been one to fidget nervously. She was always a commanding force of chaotic will. She thinks it’s what Matt likes best about her, so seeing this normally very confident woman fidget… she knew it was time to keep an open mind and an open ear.

“Of course, what’s my son done now?” Maggie chuckles, grabbing your hand and forcing you to stop picking at your fingertips gently.

“He’s knocked me up is what he’s done.” You mutter under your breath and Maggie freezes. “Now he’s stuck with me forever, and he’s gonna be mad, and he’s gonna freak out, and I’m gonna have to be a single lawyer mother that takes her baby to court.” You flop your head in your hands and start sniffling back tears and Maggie is almost too stunned to speak… almost.

“Well,” she starts cautiously, “ being stuck with you forever is Matt’s goal so I wouldn’t worry about that.” Your head snaps up, and Maggie smiles at you reassuringly, tucking your hair behind your ear. “Yeah, you heard that correct, forever was his goal so deep breaths there.” You chuckle and swipe a tear away. “Now, the baby, he’s gonna be thrilled… eventually. He’ll probably try something stupid, but he will come around. If he doesn’t? Well, there are four or five heroes, vigilantes, several lawyers, and one nun of course, that would kick his ass if he said he would leave you. That’s not gonna be a problem though. He’s gonna be thrilled. Don’t worry about it dear, you’re gonna be great parents.” You hug Maggie on a sob and let her hold you for a couple minutes. It’s nice, having a motherly figure who cares about you again.

“God, I’m really having a baby. I’m such an emotional little goddamn bitch now- Oop sorry sister.” You gasp. Maggie laughs and shakes her head.

“Don’t worry about it Robin, it’s fine. Better get back to the bat cave though, I bet you left the test sitting out on the counter.” As always Maggie was right.

Meanwhile back at the apartment…

“FOGGY!” Foggy was not accustomed to Matt shouting, not at that pitch at least. Foggy had heard him shouting in distress, in pain, in anger, but not this near giddy shout that he was giving off now. It shocked him so much he actually dropped the coffee he was pouring for Karen in the sink. Karen flinched as well, not being used to this suddenly excited and yet frantic shout. “Foggy! Come quick!” He heard Matt scrambling out of the bathroom and hitting the door frame in his haste. He met him halfway across the room with Karen not far behind. They needed to hear what this was about right away.

“What Matt! What!” Suddenly a stick was thrust in his hands and he looked a it befuddled. “What is this?”

“A pregnancy test! What does it say!” Matt frantically shouted smacking his friend excitedly on the shoulder over and over. Karen gasped? and foggy flinched flinging the test.

“Ew your girlfriend peed on this!” What Foggy didn’t realize, was in his childish disgust he flung the test right out the open window above the dumpsters.

“FOGGY YOU FUCKING IDIOT!” Karen shouted lunging at the test futilely as it flew out the window.

“SHIT!” Foggy yelled following her

“GODDAMNIT!” Matt cussed and the group all gasped again and Matt even smacked a hand over his gaping mouth in horror. Foggy stared open mouthed at the open window, and then at Matt. Karen nearly falls from the force of the gasp that just came out of her mouth. They stand in silence, all staring at each other for a good couple of seconds and then the room dissolved into madness.

“MATT WAS THAT BLASP-“

“IM SO SORRY! I HEARD PREGNANCY TEST AND I FRE-“

“HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE THE LORD IS WITH THEE-“

The three of them stood in a circle gaping and shouting and gesturing in horror, before they all froze at the hysterical laughter from the woman they hadn’t realized during their slapstick venture had come through the door. There you stood as they all continued to stare slack jawed at you. You were laughing so hard you were nearly gagging. The force of your laughter caused you to collapse in a chair and you were clutching at your side, your face was cherry red and you had tears streaming down your face. “Foggy just- and Karen’s face- and Matt said-“ the next several sentences were stilted by laughter and cut off at the joint, but the partners of Nelson, Murdock, and Page understood that you had seen everything. “Oh god, oh god, I can’t breathe, I’m actually having an asthma attack.” You were coughing through your laughter, and the friends were now genuinely concerned. Matt got your inhaler from your bedside, vaulting the couch and flipping over the chair. Once you had calmed down, and used your rescue inhaler, the group stared at you with cartoonish eagerness- except Matt who was staring vaguely at your fridge and had his hands out at both sides as if he was finishing a vigorous Jazz routine- waiting for you to tell them the results of your test.

“So?” Foggy asked gesturing at you wildly.

“So what?” You gulped, now having your breathing under control.

“STOP BEING COY, ARE YOU PREGNANT WOMAN!?” Karen burst forth then slapped her hands over her mouth. “Sorry.”

“Oh, yeah.” You nodded casually, sipping from someone’s abandoned glass of water.

“WHAT!?” Three identical shouts came from them all at once and you nodded, still very casual, legs crossed waiting for them to figure out their next move.

“WELP! WE GOTTA GO!-“

“OH LOOK AT THE TIME! MARCI SHOULD BE-“ Foggy and Karen hastened excuses and lunged for the exit, grabbing coats and brief cases before slamming the door in a hurry. You could hear them talking in hushed panic whispers all the way down the hall. Matt however, was still frozen in shock. The house was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was almost physically painful to have your home, normally filled with so much laughter, become so tensely silent.

“So, I was thinking we move to my place? I got an extra bedroom. But honestly, I love your apartment, I practically live here. Maybe we look for a new place altogether!” Matt slowly creeped closer to you while you rambled. His head cocked hands spread and visibly trembling as he walks towards you like you were wounded and frightened animal about to bite. “Then we could always-“ Matt reached you and dropped to his knees, putting his head directly over your stomach and clutching his fists into the fabric of your sweater. You whimpered, stock still, not even daring to put your hands on his body. You sat in total silence for a couple seconds, until Matt started shaking. You felt his hands grip you tighter and his face nuzzle into your stomach. His tears were starting to seep through your clothes.

“I’m gonna be a dad! I can hear her! We’re gonna have a baby!” He whispered, and you beamed, starting to get teary eyes yourself. The previous tension wooshed out of the room, you relaxed.

“Her, huh?” Your watery chuckle making him hold you tighter.

“Yeah! Her!” He laughs joyfully, “A little girl, who is exactly like you. It’s gotta be. They say that girls are a reflection of their father’s sins, and I can’t wait for her to be just as difficult, and stubborn, and kind, and beautiful, and as crazy as you. You’re my favorite thing, of course I want more of you.” He grins, still crying. Vacant eyes roaming over where he senses your face to be, he puts a hand on your cheek.

“Well Murdock, you’re stuck with me.” You give a watery chuckle, and he beams.

“Good, my plan is working.” He placed a kiss on your head and you laugh.

“Oh?” You smile, wrapping your arms around his neck, snuffling away the rest of your tears and rubbing your noses together.

“Yeah, of course, I’ve got a ring in my trunk right now. I was gonna give it to you in two weeks, but why wait when you’re already giving me everything.” You gasp, and Matt stands, going to his trunk and pulling out a little black box. He opens it to reveal a dainty silver band that looked like flowers. The ring was beautiful, and you’re sure he picked it by touch alone so he could fell all of the intricate details. “So, what do you say?”

“Oh my God Matthew, of course!” You giggled, and another wave of tears hit as you kisses him with all the passion you were capable of. You were enjoying your moment of bliss, until you were interrupted by a tell-tale thump against your front door.

“Oh yeah, Karen and Foggy were eavesdropping.” He grinned and you both chuckled. “You can come back in now!” Matt called, and your door burst open revealing a very excited Karen and Foggy were waiting.

“Oh my god, this is the best day of my life.” Foggy was misty eyed, and you couldn’t help but laugh.

“Oh my god man, are you crying?” You laugh a bit as everyone begins to trade hugs and congratulations.

“Yeah! My best friends are getting married and having a baby! Why wouldn’t I cry?” He tried to snuffle back his tears and you hugged him fondly.

“Oh Foggward, you’re gonna be such a good Godfather.” You sigh, and the news of him being the godfather made him promptly burst into tears.

Matt was a saint. He attended your every need. You never had to worry about your craving foods being easily accessible, the fridge at your house and at the office was fully stocked. House hunting? Handled. There was a cute brownstone near the office and the parish that he snapped up right away. It had plenty of room for more kiddos, and it had a window in the attic so he could sneak out on his Devil adventures without a hitch. Body issues? Not with Matt you don’t. The bigger you got, the more feral he seemed to get. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands off you, you were like a precious jewel, and he wouldn’t let you forget. (And if you had to guess, it was most likely some sort of breeding kink, but who were you to judge.) As the months rolled on, you got bigger, your mood swings got more intense, and the sass you were slinging the entire time was unmatched, but he handled it like a champ.

“Matthew Michael Murdock? Tell your little parasite to calm down with the morning sickness, or I swear to god I’ll puke in your shoes.”

“Mathew? Our Xenomorph is dancing on my bladder. I’m gonna need you to start doing some of the parenting here, tell her it’s my bladder not Prom.”

“Listen buddy, I know you Murdock’s got the Devil in you or whatever, but if this child keeps moving while I try to sleep? I’m gonna call an exorcist.”

Even with all of that, Matt always shrugged it off with a smile, and whatever solution he could. The baby was already a daddy’s girl, and when Matt found out you really were having a little girl? He became even more obsessed. He constantly talked to your bump, touching your stomach anytime he was near you and relishing in the way your two steady heart beats thudded strongly against his hand. His voice was like some kind of magic spell, whenever he talked to you or your bump, whatever ailment your daughter was causing suddenly subsided. When the baby started kicking? He was glued to your hip. The first time she did it, you were laying on the couch, reading over some court case. Matt was pacing the room, practicing his opening statement for the next day, until your shocked gasp cut him off.

“Baby?” Matt called out, startled and suddenly terrified.

“Matty! Come quick!” You waved him over even though he couldn’t see, and he rushed to you, afraid something was seriously wrong. Then you grabbed his hand and placed it on your stomach and-

“Oh! Oh wait!” Matt was suddenly an eager child, giddy and vibrating under his skin like he was just given the gift he was excited for for Christmas.

“It feels so weird, but there she is!” You giggled, I’ve felt her a couple times, but it’s never been strong enough for you to feel it, or I don’t know? Super senses and all maybe you could? Doesn’t matter. That’s out baby Matt!” You grinned with tears brining in your eyes, and Matt beamed, pressing a kiss to your belly, and then your lips lovingly. Yeah, he was gonna be a great dad.

You weren’t prepared to become the most protected woman in the city, but when the other vigilantes of New York caught wind of your pregnancy, you constantly were being tailed by one superhero or another. You asked Moonknight’s baby mama? Fiancé? You weren’t sure, but they were a thing. Anyway, you asked her if this was normal, but of course, she was also a vigilante, so naturally she didn’t need as much supervision in the eyes of her peers. No matter where you went, at whatever time, there was always one hero handy to make sure nothing was too strenuous for you. Frank Castle ‘running into you’ at a grocery store and helping you carry home your groceries (you had made up since the taser incident, and had since become great friends)? Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man dropping down to walk you home from work (you now lovingly referred to Peter as your eldest child, Matt resented this a bit, but you found it hilarious)? None of these were off limits, and they had all happened on multiple occasions. Hell, even Deadpool had made an appearance a time or two, bringing you snacks or a good joke. You always had an escort, you always had a kind ear, and you always had someone to carry heavy things. While that was great and all, if you didn’t get some alone time? Real, actual, alone time? You were gonna wipe the city of its hero population.

“Mathew!” You shouted when you got home, and Matt winced. He could feel you slowly getting annoyed for days now, and he knew what it was about. He hadn’t asked all of your friends to look out for you like this, they all just sort of… did it, and while it for sure made him feel better, that didn’t mean he couldn’t see how annoying it could be.

“Yes love of my life, mother of my child, Angel on earth?” He beamed and he could tell you rolled your eyes.

“Cut the shit Devil Boy, if I don’t get some alone time here soon? I’m gonna crack.” You sighed, flopping into your couch with a sigh.

“Ok.” Matt shrugged, standing and grabbing his coat from the rack and toeing on his shoes.

“What?” He could sense your adorable pout and shrug, and he shook his head with a laugh. “That’s it? You’re just gonna… go?”

“Yeah, I’ll go to the office, finish up my case work, and head back home with dinner in a couple hours. That ok?” You gave a tiny delighted gasp, and Matt could smell the salt of your tears. Had he misjudged?

“You’re so good to me.” You blubbered a bit, and Matt chuckled. Ah, Hormones. “Thank you, I love you so much, and I love our friends so much, but I really wanna be alone for a minute. I don’t know, it’s all so overwhelming, and I love you so so much, don’t get me wrong, it’s just-“

“Baby, you don’t have to explain. You’re not even alone in your own body right now. Of course you’re overwhelmed, of course you’re feeling overcrowded. You don’t have to explain to me. I know you love me, I know you love having me around, but if you need a moment to yourself. That’s fine.” He sighed, rubbing your back gently.

“You’re my favorite person.” You mumbled, kissing his cheek affectionately. “I Love you more than anything.” You place one on the opposite cheek, “You’re the other half of my soul.” You kiss him on the mouth, “Now leave me alone.” You mumbled still pressing up against his lips, and Matt laughs, grabbing his cane and heading out for an hour or two.

When he returns, there is gentle music coming from the baby’s room. You had been working on the room a lot lately, from what he’s heard from Frank, it’s called nesting, and it was your minds way of preparing your brain for another human to enter your space. He loved listening to you work in there. You always were mumbling to yourself while you painted, or folded tiny clothes, or cleaned. The furniture had all been put together, a baby gift from Frank, Wade, and Peter, who broke into your house one afternoon, built it all, and left a Polaroid of them putting it all together on your fridge. It was a sweet (if not slightly creepy,) gesture that you were both very grateful for. In fact, the whole room had been littered with little gifts and sweet gestures from your friends. Toys, photos, diapers, clothes, they all have a little something, and it made you both smile thinking about how loved your baby already was before they were even born. Matt began to search for you, and when he found you, you were sitting in the rocking chair in the nursery, fast asleep, and clutching to a stuffed elephant. He smiled, you were so adorable, he woke you, made sure you ate, and then tucked you into bed. You were gonna be a great mom, he just knew it.

Months dragged on, your baby grew bigger, and as was always the case with you and your wonderful Devil man, nothing, not even the birth of your child, could go as planned.

You were at home when your water broke, blearily trying to make yourself some tea to calm your spasming muscles that you believed to be Brackston Hicks. Instead, you were now standing in wet socks, tired, scared, and in pain. So, naturally, the first thing you did was call Matt, but your heart sank to your stomach when you heard his phone announcing the caller ID from the bedroom. Well, Shit. He was still out patrolling, he never has his normal phone when he’s patrolling. So, you called his emergency cell, and to your horror, a random woman picked up and told you she found it abandoned on the sidewalk. Double shit. Your next call is Claire. Claire is easily the most collected person you know, and should be able to help you with all the baby stuff too.

“Hello?” She answered blearily, and you could hear the busy rush of the hospital in the background, must be a busy night.

“Claire!” You sigh, relieved, and Claire’s voice takes on a greater modicum of interest.

“Robin? Is DD ok?” She asked with urgency, and that’s when the water works start.

“I don’t know! My water broke and he lost both his phones!” You cried again, and you could almost hear the frustration pouring out of her ears like steam.

“Ok! Stay calm Robin, I’m gonna call Luke and Frank. They’ll get started on finding Matt. You call Foggy and Karen to come get you, and I’ll meet you at Metro General.

You nodded and sighed as your muscles gave you a slight reprieve. “Ok, ffffffuck, shit. Ok. Yeah, I can manage that.”

“Ok, good. See you soon.” She hung up, and suddenly, you were scared all over again. So before you could break down once more, you called Karen.

“Robin? Is everything ok? Is Matt ok?” The water works started again and you felt like an idiot.

“I-“ you hiccuped and groaned as another contraction started. “I don’t know! He lost his phone! I’m in Labor! I’m terrified!” You cried.

“Oh shit, Tell Robin I’m going out now. I’ll find Red and bring him home. The spider kid will get to her before you will. I’ll shoot him a text ok Kar? Tell Robbi-“ you’re shocked to Hear Frank Castle’s voice followed by the sound of a kiss, but you’re too distracted by the pain to do much about that hot goss anyway.

“Frank, we’re on speaker.” You hear your friend huff.

“Ah, well. Robin, I’ll go get Red ok? We’ll get this fi-“ an explosion then proceeds to rock the city.

“SHIT!” Frank curses, you cry harder and Karen gasps. “Ok, well, found him. I’ll- I’ll call the Moonknight guy and Luke.” Then you hear the sound of Frank’s boots pounding on Karen’s hardwood.

“Ok Robin, I’m on my way. Don’t freak out. Matt may not have even been there yet, but the good news is regardless of what happened we know exactly where he’s gonna be, and Frank, Deadpool, Luke, and Moonknight will find him. I’ll call Foggy and we will come get you ok? Open the door for Peter when he gets there. You got this.” Then silence filled the line again.

You then proceeded to pace around your house. You took a shower, you packed a bag, you grabbed baby’s first outfit. You were doing ok. Around when you were trying to pack Matt’s clothing, Peter got there and you almost collapsed with relief as you heard him pound up the stairs.

“Robin!” Peter heaved as you opened the door. He looked like he sprinted here. It had literally been thirty minutes. “Oh, hey!” He saw you start to cry again.

“My god labor made me a little bitch.” You whimper, letting the superpowered teen comfort you, then you sniffled, and amended your thought. “Actually? Fuck that. I’m in labor, and my husband is probably flipping around an explosion, I’m not crying ENOUGH!” Peter continued shushing your tears and rocking you back and forth slowly, stunned.

“It’s ok Robin, I got you. Foggy and Karen will be here any minute. Let’s get you down stairs ok?” He went into your room , grabbed your hospital bag, then helped you waddle slowly down the stairs. You had to sit on the landing when another contraction hit, but you finally made it out the door just as Foggy and Karen pulled up.

“Hey! Robin! It’s all good!” Karen and Marci rushed to your side, Foggy sat in the car, anxiously flexing his hands on the wheel. “Ok Pete! We got her, you can go help look for Matt now.” You heard Karen whisper as Marci ushered you to the car.

“Ok, Foggy, let’s go.” Marci said, slipping into the front seat while Karen volunteered to sit in the back with you.

“God!” You whined as another contraction hit.

“I’m so pissed!” You yelled. “I told him I’d be fine, to go out, it was just Braxton Hicks, I couldn’t POSSIBLY be going into Labor! It’s too goddamn early!” You groaned and squeezed your eyes shut, squeezing Karen’s hand so hard, she thought you’d break her whole arm. “Then, he looks at me, he looks and says ‘No Robbin! It’s fine! Better safe than sorry!’ Then I, like an absolute fucking moron, told him to go! It couldn’t possibly be that bad! If it is labor, I’ll just call! Then he looses his fucking phone! This blind, back flipping, latex wearing, moron, has never once lost his goddamn phone! THEN on the ONE and ONLY NIGHT I NEED TO CALL, HE FUCKING LOOSES IT!” You let out a shout, and Foggy can’t help but giggle, and Marci and Karen look halfway there themselves. “Oh yeah! Laugh! Laugh at my misery! It’s fucking hilarious! I can’t find my blind vigilante husband, I’m in premature labor, and some fucking moron just bombed New York! Real hysterical!” They sober up pretty quickly after that.

When you arrived at Metro General, Claire was waiting with a wheelchair and your OBGYN. “Oh thank fuck.” You mutter, flopping into the chair, “please, proceed to the room and pump me full of drugs doc, I’m miserable here.” Your OB laughs, and pats your shoulder.

“You got it mama. Where’s dad?” She asks kindly, and you start to tear up again.

“We-“ you gasp a sob, “We don’t know!” Claire and the OB give each other an ‘oh shit’ look and nod.

“That’s ok! I’m sure he’s fine, things are hectic, but I’m sure he’s just caught up in traffic, lots of crazy stuff going on tonight.” Your doctor and Claire proceed to roll you into the elevator, and Karen follows close behind. “I’m assuming Ms. Page is coming in with you?” You mid, and Karen bids foggy goodbye, telling him to call Maggie and Frank to see if anybody has any idea about what was going on.

Labor takes forever. In the movies, it’s like a twenty minute gig. It’s all rush rush rush and then boom. Baby. But it’s just not like that in real life. Instead, you get to the hospital, your OB and a bunch of nurses hook you up to monitors, then they leave you the fuck alone. Sure, they come and check on you or whatever, but unless you’re dying, it takes a while, and other people got other shit going on in this hospital too. You end up sort of being glad you told Matt to go help. You’re just in labor, right now it’s all contractions, and napping, and ice cubes.

Claire and Karen are with you the most, and Marci keeps a running update on what’s going on with the bomb, and with Matt and the vigilante crew. Eventually they do anything and everything they can to distract you from your husbands absence. Foggy stops in every once in a while, and they all sneak videos of you too. There’s one where you’re on your laptop and Marci is on hers, you’re comparing notes for a custody battle you’re working on, and it’s the coolest shit Foggy has ever seen. You’re both sitting cross legged on your hospital bed, laptops sitting on your hospital bed tray. Marci is in yoga pants and Grippy socks she stole off a nurse, glasses perched on the end of her nose. You’re in a hospital gown, two blankets and a little Devil squishmallow (I’m talking about Dante btw.) sit in your lap.

“So, in cross-“ you take a deep breath and hold it, hissing out slowly through your mouth. Marci reached both hands across your screens and you hold on to her arms and groan a bit, then it passes. “Whoo, that sucked! In cross, you need to emphasize mom’s addiction problems, and her lack of treatment. Make them realize that while she may have money, and she may be the mother, her life style and unwillingness to get treatment for her alcoholism or take a simple drug test, makes her an unfit guardian.” This video becomes Foggy’s favorite talking point. He loves showing it to your clients to demonstrate just how committed you are to your practice.

You keep working as long as you can, when that gets too much, you end up playing a card game with all of them, and Karen takes an amazing selfie of you with an oxygen mask and a handful of ‘Cards Against Humanity’ cards. There’s also an amazing video of Foggy judging a particularly good hand. “For my next trick I will pull a blank out of my blank.” Foggy reads, and you instantly start cackling and slap down two cards. There’s a moment of deliberation, and then Foggy reads them out. “For my next trick, I will pull- hah!- Meatloaf the food, out of Meatloaf the man!” You all laugh and foggy picks up the next set. “For my next trick! I will be pulling an erection that lasts longer than four hours out of your mother!” You all laugh again, but when Foggy picks up the next set of Cards, he laughs so hard, he makes Marci read them.

“Oh my God!” Marci cackles, then reads the cards. “For my next trick, I will be pulling a Fetus out of My Vagina!” Everyone dissolves into uproarious laughter.

“No fucking way it says that!” Karen laughs and shows the cards to the camera.

“Well that wins.” Foggy groans, and you cheer.

“Haha! Even when in immense pain I still fucking win!” You say taking the black card and kissing it triumphantly.

It takes about two hours for Matt to arrive, and you’re only at four centimeters. You’re loudly complaining about it to Karen during a contraction when he does finally get there. “God Kar!” You snarl as another contraction hits you, thankfully, the pain has been dulled a lot by your epidural, but you’re still in pain. Your leaning on her standing up, Arms around her shoulders, head bowed as you try and rock back and fourth to settle the terrible cramped feeling in your vagina. “I swear to baby Jesus and the grown one too, if Mathew Michael Murdock misses the birth of our first child, he’s gonna be meeting the Lord a lot sooner than expected.” Pretty soon you hear a scuffle with nurses, and a bunch of people worrying about safety some man who looks injured. That’s when Matt rushes in, scratches all over his face, bruised ribs, and a cut over his eyebrow that screams ‘I was just in a burning building!’

“Baby!” He sighs in relief, throwing his cane to the chair in the corner and running to relieve Karen of your weight. “Oh baby! I’m so sorry it took so long! You were so brave!” You nearly collapse into a puddle of tears when Matt finally uses one hand to tangle in your hair and press you to his chest, while the other runs up and down the length of your spine. “We got everyone out, and everyone who can wait in the waiting room is waiting on your okay.”

“Oh thank god!” You cry in relief, pressing a kiss to Matt’s chest.

“No problem honey, you’re gonna have another contraction.” He sighs, clutching you tighter and sitting on the edge of the bed. You lean into him and he kisses over every available piece of skin he can get to.

Matt details for you how he heard a suspicious group talking about some kind of Blaze of Glory and followed them to the building that was eventually blown up. Supposedly, some sort of rival gang had learned of a cover business that their competitors were using, and they had just intended to burn it down, and hadn’t taken into account that there would be barrels of gasoline in the place, causing a mass explosion. Thankfully that building was empty at the time, but the two neighboring apartment buildings weren’t. He got blown back by the explosion, but he was relatively ok. He then details how he and the rest of your group of super friends pulled people out of the two burning buildings, and described for the police that this was not in fact an intentional binning of a city block, but an idiotic arson attempt. He also described in vivid detail how he panicked and sprinted across the city, almost taking out a little old lady and a stray cat in his haste to make it to you.

“Well shit, I never thought I’d be grateful for arsonists, but it not being a domestic terrorist is really comforting.” You mumbled as Matt lay with you between his legs. “I mean, it super sucks that organized crime in this dumb fucking city is so bad, but it could indeed be worse.” He huffed a laugh and discerned Claire’s annoyed eye roll from across the room.

Your labor ultimately lasted for about ten hours, six at home, four in hospital. The whole time it was going you were your snarky, unabashed self. Matt arriving seemed to be what pushed your labor into high gear, and it only took an additional two hours once he arrived for you to give birth. You were a non stop stream of expletives and gauge threats the whole time, and Matt was ever so happy to laugh at your bitching, and dish it right back.

“This sucks, should have known your kid would have a big ass head.” You grumbled at one point, kissing Matt’s hand as he brought you more ice cubes.

“Nah, the head is normal sized, it’s the horns that are giving you so much trouble.” You cackled and crunched the ice he spooned into your mouth. There was a nurse that looked almost terrified momentarily until she realized you were joking, and honestly you couldn’t blame her, New York had seen a lot of shit lately, Rosemary’s baby wouldn’t be too off base.

Matt at some point groans as you lean into his bruised ribs while you ride out another contraction. “Damn Murdock, what are you groaning about, it’s just some bruised ribs, I’m pushing a watermelon out of my vagina. Suck it up!” You lean away hastily, and check his ribs gently when the contraction ends though, and he just laughs.

“Sure honey, I’ll just keep my internal bleeding to a minimum.” He chuckles, kissing your hair, and pushing your hands away, not letting you fuss over him and insisting he was fine. You made Claire check him over anyway, turns out he had also ruptured some stitches. The other nurses were very concerned, but Claire brushed it off saying he was in a car wreck or something.

“Matthew Michael Murdock, your penis is allowed nowhere near my body ever again.” You groaned as you finally got to eight centimeters. Meaning it was time to push.

“Sure babe, we will revisit that sentiment in two months. You’re doing great.” He gently strokes your hair and grasps your hand as he listens to you give birth to your perfect baby girl.

Jacquline Marie Murdock, named in honor Matt’s late Father, was born at 5 am, was five pounds eight ounces, and had a full head of vibrant red hair. The nurse handed her to you and Matt beamed, but he seemed to be hiding something.

“What is it Matty?” You fret, pushing hair from his brow with gentle fingers as the nurse cleaned you up.

“Well, it’s just-“ he sighed and ran a gentle hand over her features, “will you describe her to me?” Your heart shattered. The nurses standing near by ushered the others back a bit so you’d have privacy, and you were so grateful.

“Of course Matt, I’d love to. She’s got your nose, and my chin, but if I had to choose who she looks most like, I’d pick you. No denying she’s all Murdock bub. She’s small, scrappy little thing, just like her mommy. She’s got these perfect lips that now at the top just like mine, and she’s got ten fingers and toes, her eyes are brown, just like yours, but the best part is her hair. It’s your favorite color, it’s bright read and curly, she’s perfect.” You sniffle, and look up at your husband in adoration, drying the tears that were now freely falling from his eyes. (If we’re honest, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.) “Do you want to hold her?”

“Oh!” Matt’s eyes lit up, filled with awestruck wonder. “Can I?” You huffed a watery chuckle and helped him get situated with her in his arms.

“Of course honey, she’s yours. You helped make her.” When you said that, Matt looked as if you had offered him the moon on a string. She was the most perfect thing Matt had ever held, and you were so in love with the way he held his daughter, the look on his face that betrayed his every emotion, and it was filled entirely with love and wonder.

When you were finally resting, and the baby was getting checked over by the doctors,

Matt made his way back to the waiting room. The picture Marci took to show you showed a room filled with a strange assortment of heroes and civilians that honestly frightened the nurses until Claire calmed them down. Karen was snoozing in Franks lap, covered by his long trench coat. He had a hand in her hair, and a hoodie pulled up over his head to hide the giant bruises on his face. Pater was sat on the floor, back pressing into Maggie’s legs as he snoozed against the bemused nun. Foggy had his hands crossed on his chest like an old man, legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. Luke and Jessica were sitting back to back, as Claire stitched a nasty cut above Jess’s eye. Steven, no longer in the Moonknight suit, had tossed up a peace sign and you could see his lovely wife waiving from his phone screen. Deadpool, wearing a red sweatshirt, jeans, and a surgical mask with his logo on it was laying in Peter’s lap flipping off the camera. Marci was smiling in the foreground of the selfie, and there was an actually traumatized nurse in the background who looked like she either wanted to call the cops, or make a run for it.

When Matt arrived, that hysterical tableaux was broken up immediately by grumbles, cut off snores, and squeals if excitement. “A healthy baby girl!” He beamed and the room erupted in excitement. When it died down, people said they’re goodbyes, and promised to come by tomorrow to meet the baby. Only Maggie, The godparents (Karen and Foggy), and their significant others (Marci and Frank) remained to meet the baby before they too headed home to catch some sleep. Matt lead them all to your hospital room where they were greeted by the sight of you snuggling a perfect baby girl. Your friends cooed over how perfect she was, and you all exchanged hugs and kisses and congratulations.

Karen was first to hold the baby, and Frank grinned as he looked down at the baby over her shoulder.

“Damn Red, you make some adorable ass kids.” He chuckled, smacking Matt on the back as he held your hand.

Next was Foggy, you and every woman in the room eagerly filmed Matt handing over the little girl to his best friend. After she was safely nuzzled in his arms, Matt threw an arm around Foggy and they both grinned. “Man, can you even believe these two Avocados turned out okay?” Foggy chuckled.

“I know man, we made it. We got some other strange things going on, but we made it.” Matt laughed smithing a hand over his daughter’s hair. The picture of him and Foggy was displayed proudly on Foggy’s desk.

Finally, Maggie held the baby, and she and Matt both cried. There were words there that they didn’t dare utter out loud, but when it came to the Murdock family. Other worldly senses could always say a lot more than words could. This moment was big for them, and when he finally whispered the baby’s name to Maggie, it felt like some sort of healing presence filled the room, and you could swear that Matt looked as if his whole world finally clicked into place when his mother told him how proud his dad would have been.

When the room had finally settled, and everyone had left to go get some sleep, you and Matt were left to your own devices. Your baby rested on Matt’s chest as you lay side by side in your hospital bed. He had one hand in her back, and another around your waist, and he focused on both of his girls steady, relaxed heart beats while you stared at her perfect face and stroked her chubby cheeks with gentle fingers. Then you stretched up to kiss Matt’s cheek with a grin, and lips still pressed to his head, you grinned and mumbled;

“Holy Parenthood Batman, we had a baby!”

[hotchs-bitch]

The Morning After

Summary: When you and your fiancé wake up after a night of drinking, you have to figure out exactly what happened last night.

Or, loosely based off of the Pineapple Incident episode of HIMYM (although I’ve been told that it’s like that one New Girl episode and it’s also giving Phil and Claire. These are all good things in my book.)

Pairing: Hotch x blank slate Fem!Reader (no use of y/n)

Word Count: 6.2k

Warnings: Alcohol, description of hangover (very accurate if I may say so, because I wrote it while hungover), cursing, allusions to smut, a bit of fighting and arguing, mentions of case-related violence (homicide)

A/N: Honey, I’m home! (If home is writing about hotch) (it is) Lovingly beta’d by the long suffering @laurensprentiss, of whom I am trying to drag by the ear out of her sloppy dog boy era, and @spacecowboyhotch. Gorgeous moodboard by @honeybrowne. Anyways, find it on ao3 here, or under the cut!

Happy reading <3

You wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window, and Aaron snoring next to you; just like any other day.

Except it’s not  just like any other day, because your head is pounding and you don’t remember how you got home from the bar last night and holy shit, has Aaron always snored so loudly?

You give him a weak shove with one hand, but it does the trick and makes him fall silent. He might be waking up or maybe still half-asleep, but at least he’s being quiet.

And then he starts to talk.

“Morning, sweetie,” he mumbles, rolling over and pressing a kiss to your temple. He says something else, something you don’t hear, because he’s making your entire head vibrate with his stupid mouth and it hurts so badly that all you can do is slap his chest lightly and turn your head away. 

He pulls away, takes the hint and settles a hand on your thigh under the blankets. That’s Aaron; he’s always got to be touching you, feeling you, knowing that you’re there and you’re okay. A hazard of the job, and of how much he loves you.

When he clears his throat, you wonder if maybe he doesn’t actually love you and if he’s just being loud because he’s an asshole. “I said, I’ll go make breakfast.”

Okay, so maybe he does love you. 

“Mmph.” The noise comes from somewhere deep in your chest, vague and agreeable enough that he stands up without shifting the bed much. Thank god.

The slow, steady drag of slightly uneven footfalls disappears down the hallway, and you hear the distant ‘clang’ of a saucepan followed by the sound of Aaron cursing. Serves him right for being so damn loud, in your opinion.

You’re starting to sweat now, overheated from head to toe, so you push down the blankets to find yourself wearing a bra and a pair of Aaron’s boxers. They’re warm and soft- using them as pajama shorts isn’t new territory by any means- but there’s a stain on them that smells suspiciously like alcohol.

Eyes squinted at the soaked-fabric splotch on your hip, you rub a finger against it and bring the finger to your nose. When the smell of pure bourbon hits your nose, you gag aloud. Alcohol is the last thing you want to be thinking of right now, with the way your head and stomach are spinning in opposite directions.

Why the hell are you wearing Aaron’s booze-soaked boxers? And if you’re wearing his underwear…. What is he wearing?

Your answer comes a minute later when Aaron reappears in the doorway, holding a tray. He’s got dried blood on his knuckles that you hardly notice, because breakfast smells so good. There’s water, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and a bottle of Advil in the tray, and you settle a hand on your stomach as it turns. 

“Smells good,” you croak, and Aaron sets it down by the foot of the bed. He turns to grab a pair of pajama shorts, and gives you a minute to take him in. 

When you do, you pause. “Baby?”

“Mmhm?” Aaron asks, slipping black fabric from under his shirt to down his hips before stepping into the sleepwear. He’s obviously not doing much better than you if he hasn’t noticed yet, but you still clue him in.

“Is that…. My thong?”

Aaron turns his head downward to observe the black lace fabric pooled by his ankles on the bedroom floor, then brings a hand up to rub at his temple. “Where are my…?”

“Here.” You snap your waistband to bring his attention to the boxers, wince when the elastic snap hits your ears and stomach at the same time. You pull back the waistband a little, revealing a circular bruise on your hip.

“What’s… Why are…?”

“I don’t know,” you groan, letting your head fall back against the pillow. “God, what happened last night?”

“I came to pick you up,” he replies, sinking back into bed next to you. He grabs a water and passes you a glass as well, and you swallow it back with pills that are way too big for your poor, sore throat. “I think… I stayed for a drink?”

“You think so?” You grumble sarcastically, pointing out the bourbon spot on his boxers. “Just one?”

Aaron pinches the bridge of his nose and wraps an arm around you, letting you rest your head on his soft, solid chest. “Maybe a few, I guess. How are you feeling?”

Your groan into his chest must be enough of an answer, because he just sighs. You feel him shift as he sets the breakfast tray on the nightstand, then pulls you back in close. “Tight,” you complain, and he loosens his grip.

Large fingers come up to stroke your hair, brushing strands away from your face. “Go back to sleep, hon,” he whispers. “We can figure out last night later, when you feel better.”

When we both feel better, you want to say, but you can’t. Your mouth is semi paralyzed with exhaustion, and it’s all you can do to hum into his shirt before falling fast asleep in your boyfriend’s arms, one big hand stroking up and down your back long after you’ve gone back to snoozing.

———

When Aaron wakes up, he finds you faced with a bigger worry than what happened last night.

“We woke up in bed together, Aaron. Almost naked. Oh my god, what if we had sex?” You fret, louder than before now that your headache has started to dissipate, and he shoots you an unimpressed look.

“We’re engaged. It tends to happen,” is his dry response, and you slap his shoulder as he sits up.

“We’re out of condoms, you idiot!”

Two large hands reach out, envelop your own. “Hey,” he murmurs, and you meet his eyes despite the throbbing of your head, “You’re on birth control. We should just figure out what happened last night. You went to the bar…” he trails off, ready for you to step in and pick up the story.

“Right.” You take a deep breath, settling back down. “I went to the bar to meet up with the girls. They were, uh, teasing me. Saying that I’m an old married lady since we’ve gotten engaged.”

And then you fill Aaron in.

—————

“Drink, drink, drink!” You aren’t sure who’s chanting now; you’re three shots in and everything is getting blurry.

“One more!” Emily pushes a shot glass towards you. “You’re never going to come out with us anymore, after the wedding.”

“Not true!” You protest, but you shoot the shot anyway. It tasted sweet, vaguely of cherries, and you’re definitely more lightheaded than you were a moment ago. “You guys are my friends, I’m not just gonna, gonna ditch you!”

It’s hard to hear Penelope’s ’tsk’ over the bar music, but she manages to project it. “You and boss man are going to cozy up and lock yourselves away and we’ll never see you again.”

“Just have a good time while you can,” JJ urges, “Before you’re stuck at home because you’re too tired, or your baby is sick, or something.”

“I don’t even have a baby!” Your pushback is useless, and just results in three more shots being placed in front of you. “I don’t know why,” you say before taking a shot, “You guys think I’ll just be boring.” Another shot. “My best years are ahead of me!” Another shot. “I can party like-“

———

“And that’s all I remember,” you admit with a wince.

“And then I came to pick you up, after Emily called me,” Aaron says. He holds you a little closer, kisses your forehead. “That was about an hour after you went out.”

And then Aaron fills you in.

———

“Well, how is she?” Aaron asks Emily. 

She responds by pointing to you across the bar, just in time for the two to see JJ stop you from climbing up to stand on the table. “That’s how she is.”

Aaron shakes his head, fiddles with his car keys while he watches you. “She’s been so stressed with trying to plan the wedding; she really needed tonight,” he confesses to Emily, who waves it away like nothing.

“She’s having a great time. She was first out onto the dance floor, kickstarted everybody dancing.” 

It’s an impressive brag, Aaron thinks as he looks at the sea of bodies on the dance floor. “She did? After how many drinks?”

Emily laughs at that, in a way that says she’s personally responsible for the answer. “Seven,” she admits, and Aaron cracks a smile.

“Well, we should get going,” he finally says, holding his car keys in one hand as he makes a start towards you. 

“You aren’t going to stay for a drink?” Emily asks, and Aaron shakes his head. “Come on! If she needs to lighten up, so do you.”

She has a point; that’s the only thing that gets Aaron to hesitate. “One drink.”

“One drink,” Emily promises. “And then you can go right home and go to sleep.”

“One drink,” Aaron agrees, following her to the bar. He orders himself a rye and coke; not his usual drinking method of slow-sipping straight liquor by any means, but he is here to relax.

“Aaron! Honeybear, baby!” He hears your slurred voice through the crowd, and winces as Prentiss starts snickering. “Did you come to dance?”

Emily throws her head back into a full-bodied laugh, cackles for a couple of minutes before she settles back down with a hand wiping away tears of laughter. “Yeah, honeybear. Are you going to dance?”

Aaron gives you a smile, turns back to the bar, and orders without skipping a beat, “Also, a double of bourbon and two shots of tequila. Thank you.”

Thankfully the liquor is set down first, and he winces at the tequila shots before drinking them both. He grabs his rye and coke to nurse, leaving the bourbon on the nearest table.

“Honeybear!” He looks to the side, just in time to feel you run straight into his chest. “Wanna dance?”

The drinks have gone to his head sooner than they should have, but he blames it on the club-like atmosphere and grabs your hand.

He’s careful not to let Prentiss hear when he pulls you close and says straight into your ear, “Let’s dance, sweet pea.”

When you let out a peal of laughter, he pulls back to hand his half-empty drink to Prentiss, who trades him for another glass of… well, something. He tips it towards her in gratitude, throws the contents of the glass back, and sets it down. 

“Ready?” You ask, tugging him out onto the dance floor with both hands.

“Ready,” Aaron confirms. He raises one arm up, spins you to the beat of the music, and pulls you in for a long kiss as the music surrounds you.

After a few minutes of dancing and more drinks for both of you, you start to complain about your feet. “Maybe it’s time to go home,” Aaron suggests, stumbling a little too much for his taste as he leads you off the dance floor and towards Emily.

Shoot. He really didn’t want to have to call a cab tonight.

“No, I want- Aaron!” You cry out as he stumbles into the table from earlier, knocks over the forgotten bourbon with a glass ‘thud’. 

You both watch in horror as the liquid seeps into the side of Aaron’s khaki pants. It darkens the fabric, and he swipes at it uselessly, only to end up with the liquor sticky on his fingers as well as his thigh. 

“You can’t wear those,” you protest, grabbing his hand. “It’s okay, honeybear, we’ll find you something else!”

“No, no,” Aaron insists, swinging your hand up in the air. He wonders briefly, drunkenly, why he even did that, but he’s back to his train of thought in no time. “We should, uh, we can just go home.”

“Home?” You ask, frowning at him. “You aren’t having fun?”

Drunk or not, Aaron thinks you’ve got no idea what kind of power you hold over him. Especially when you’re looking at him like that, like he’s single handedly taking away your only source of happiness.

“Of course I am, sweet pea.” He leans in to kiss you, ready to prove it.

Unfortunately you surge forward to kiss him too, accidentally bumping him into a large well-muscled man in a black shirt.

Great.

“You got a problem?” The man asks, accusatory, and Aaron clears his throat.

“No, no problem. Just an accident,” he tries to explain, but his new friend isn’t having any of it.

He crosses his arms, looks Aaron up and down like he’s sizing him up for a long minute. “I’ll tell you what,” he bargains, “If I can get her number, we won’t have no problem.”

Aaron sees you open your mouth out of the corner of his eye- probably to agree, just to get this man away- but he’s quick to speak first. “Absolutely not.”

“I’m sorry?” The man turns toward him, arms uncrossing. “I don’t think that’s up to you.”

“She’s my fiancée. You aren’t getting her number,” Aaron says as menacingly as possible, taking a single step towards the man. Did he stumble forward?

Apparently yes, he did. He catches himself against the man’s forearm and straightens up in a hurry, says, “We can work this out-” before a meaty fist connects with the side of his face and everything goes black.

———

“He hit me,” Aaron frowns, and you kiss the pursed expression off his lips. “He can’t do that; I’m an agent.” His gaze catches his bloody knuckles, and his eyes widen with the implication of where the blood came from.

As a loving fiancée, it’s your duty to distract him. “You’re my hero,” you say dreamily, and he makes a face like he’s trying not to roll his eyes.

“Anyways,” he continues, “I don’t know what happened afterwards.” One hand comes up, rubs absently at the bruise forming on his cheekbone.

“That’s okay,” you promise. “You know what? I bet Emily would know what happened, if we asked.”

“Yeah, she’d know that you call me honeybear,” he grumbles, and you can’t fight the giggles that overtake you.

“What? It’s cute!” Your protests fall on deaf ears, even when you cover his face in kisses.

“Sure.” Aaron is stoic, unmoved. “Are you going to phone Prentiss?”

“Uh huh. Are you gonna let me eat while I do?” You motion to the breakfast tray that he set down on his nightstand before you fell back asleep earlier. “I think bacon would really help my memory.”

Aaron passes you the tray, stealing a piece of bacon for himself as he does so. “Doesn’t help,” he declares around a mouthful, and you shush him as your phone begins to ring on speaker.

“You’ve got Prentiss.”

“Emily, hi,” you say, turning down the volume on the phone with a belated wince. “It’s me. And Aaron is here, too.”

Aaron hums in acknowledgement around his mouthful of toast, but doesn’t say anything else.

“Hey, sweet pea. And hi, honeybear!” Emily greets you both, and you cover your face as though you can hide from the words. “Are you looking for your earrings? You left them in my car.”

“No. I mean, I guess. I didn’t realize-” When her words sink in, you pause. “I was in your car? Pen drove me to the bar.”

“I drove you after the bar. You know, after Aaron got in that fight?”

And then Emily fills you both in.

———

“We can work this out-” Emily hears, and she looks up just in time to see her boss get clocked in the face by some massive guy who was definitely trying to dance with you before your fiancé showed up.

To his credit, Hotch shakes his head, rights himself, and swings back. His fist connects with the other man’s nose in a sickening crunch, and they both recoil; Hotch shaking his hand, and the other man clutching his nose.

As Emily watches, a bouncer comes up to the three of you. He says something, grabs both men by the back of the shirt collar, and pushes them in the general direction of the door. Message received. 

You follow behind them, stumbling blindly until Aaron takes your hand in his and starts to lead you out with all the care in the world.

Hotch probably drove here, but Emily knows he’s in no condition to drive. That, and the fact that you’re totally going to owe her for this, is the reason she throws a few bills on the table in front of JJ and rushes out of the bar behind you.

When she catches up, she grabs your free hand in greeting. You stop walking immediately, causing Aaron to walk into you with an ‘oof’. “I can drive you home,” she urges. “It’ll be safer than walking and cheaper than a cab. C’mon.”

“Yeah. Yeah, okay.” You’re still stumbling a bit so she offers an arm that you grip with both hands, dropping Aaron’s hand completely.

“Hey,” he complains with a sickly sweet grin on his face, reaching the hand back towards you. Emily thinks that if any unsubs were to see that smile, this guy would never get a murder confession again. “Sweet pea, c’mere.”

Oh, great. The sappy nicknames go together. That’s cute, even if it seems otherwise when Emily has to hide a gag.

She releases you, lets you stumble back into Aaron’s waiting arms as you all round the corner towards the parking lot. You and Aaron are whispering to each other, giggling- Aaron Hotchner is actually giggling, and if she were a worse person she’d be recording it- until she unlocks the car and opens the back door on the passenger side.

“Everyone in.” To her relief, there’s no drunken argument about not wanting to go home; you both slide into the backseat and cuddle up immediately. 

It’s sickening.

“Em, d’you know where to go?” You ask, already in the process of texting her an address with shaky fingers.

“I’ve got it.” She shuts the door for you and gets in the car, starting to drive with one eye on the rearview mirror and the other on the location you’ve sent her. “Did you have fun?”

“Mhm. Aaron, baby, did I tell you what she said?” She hears you ask, followed by a low grunt from Hotch that must mean ‘no’. “She thinks I’m gonna be boring after we get married.”

“Not boring.” There’s a kissing sound, and Emily looks back again to see Aaron pressing kisses all over your neck, exposed shoulder, anywhere he can reach. “Just all mine.”

Emily has never wished to be deaf, but there’s a first time for everything. Still, it’s kind of sweet to see SSA Hotchner, the big scary boss who used to dislike her, cuddling his girlfriend and drunkenly calling her sappy names.

It’s certainly nothing she ever expected to bear witness to, that’s for sure.

She decides to leave the two of you to your own devices for the rest of the drive, until she brings the car to halt a few minutes later. “We’re here. Are you sure this is the right address?”

You clamber to the window, pressing your face against it like a kid in a candy shop. “Yep!”

“This isn’t a house. This is a strip mall,” Emily points out. It’s sort of a sketchy one, too, judging by the amount of graffiti on the dumpster out front.

“Mhm. Aaron wanted to go mini golfing.” Aaron opens the door and helps you out of the car, and Emily watches with concern and mild amusement as you tap the roof of the car twice. “Okay, go! Thanks!”

She rolls down her window as the door shuts, just in time for Aaron to lean in to speak to her. There’s alcohol on his breath, and she wonders if he somehow had a few drinks that she didn’t notice.

“Thank you, for the ride.” He’s pronouncing each word slowly, careful to enunciate, like he’s trying to seem sober. “We’ll be fine. We can call a cab later. Thank you for the ride, Emily.”

“No problem, Aaron.” So sue her for using his first name; he never lets anyone except you use it, but he’s drunk enough to be calling her Emily and repeating sentences. “Be careful. And just give me a call if you need a ride,” she insists.

Aaron waves her off with one hand, the other one already finding its way around your waist as he leads you to the door of the strip mall.

———

“So I left,” Emily finishes. “You didn’t end up calling me, but you texted me the word ‘safe’ a bunch of times, so I figured it was okay.”

“We went mini golfing,” you clarify, then turn to Aaron. “You wanted to go mini golfing?”

He’s too occupied with his injured hand to pay much attention to you. “I punched him,” he says, a frown on his face. Your poor fiancé; he’s got all the power of an FBI unit chief, and twice as much empathy for anyone who isn’t a killer.

“You defended yourself. And me,” you remind him, taking his hand and kissing it gingerly. “Thank you.”

Emily clears her throat, a reminder that she’s still on the phone. “No offense, but I had to listen to you two last night, and I’m still trying to recover. Enough with the cute, please. I’m going to be sick.”

“Sorry, sorry,” you apologize, squeezing Aaron’s hand as you talk. “Thanks for updating us, Em. I’ll grab those earrings on Monday.”

“Sounds good. Rest up today, okay? Sergio, get down from there!” Emily shouts. You hear the sound of something smashing in the background- a vase falling, from the sound of it-, and the line goes dead.

Aaron moves the breakfast tray off the bed, and you notice that the two of you have cleared off the plates while Emily was speaking. “Well, I guess that’s it,” he says.

“We’re going on a field trip,” you correct. “Come on. We swapped underwear and I’m bruised, you’re not curious about that?”

While he sighs at you, you take the opportunity to stand properly for the first time today. You’re woozier than you thought, and you steady yourself against the bed, shaking your head like that will get rid of the hangover still rolling around in your skull.

“Are you sure about this?” Aaron asks. “Maybe you should just rest.”

“No,” you insist, turning away as you pull off his boxers and start to get dressed. “It’ll be fun. It’s like we’re investigators.”

“We put someone in jail for six counts of homicide on Tuesday. We are investigators,” Aaron says, but he gets up and starts to change clothes nonetheless. “Do you even know where this place is?”

“Well, no.” You grab your purse and phone and start towards the front door with your fiancé on your heels. “But you heard Emily. I texted it to her.”

Your long-suffering partner follows you out to your car without further complaint, and the drive to the strip mall is made in comfortable silence.

It’s not far away, but it’s in a noticeably different area of town. The parking lot is full, so you drive into the parking lot of the chapel next door.

Aaron steps out of the car first. “Not a great neighbourhood,” he says like he’s profiling a scene, motioning to the graffiti on the dumpster.

You shrug a shoulder and get out, leading him inside the strip mall. There’s a legal office, a dry cleaners, and a mini golf place down the main stretch, so you beeline to the mini golf doors and walk up to the desk with your fiancé in tow.

“Hi, how can I help you?” The girl behind the counter can’t be much older than mid-20’s, you think. She’s got red hair in a long braid, and fair skin with a smattering of freckles covering both cheeks. You notice a green name tag pinned to her shirt, reading ‘Brooke’ in neat cursive.

“Hi. Uh, who was working here last night?” You ask, and she tilts her head slightly. 

“I was.” When she looks up at you, her eyes widen in recognition. “Oh! You two were here!”

Aaron places a hand on the small of your back, then clears his throat. “We were here, yes. We were just wondering, uh, what happened. We’re sort of… missing a piece of last night, and hoping you can fill in the blanks.”

“Do you mean after your fight?” She asks, looking between the two of you.

You frown back at her. You and Aaron fought? That can’t be right. “What do you mean, our fight?”

And then Brooke fills you both in.

———

“Two for Hotchner, please. Or Aaron. Aaron Hotchner.”

Brooke looks up to see an older man standing over her, holding out a credit card. He’s got his arm around a woman- you, she later finds out- who isn’t tearing her eyes off of him, and Brooke guesses that they’re together.

“Yeah, sure thing. It’s going to be $9.50,” she says, and he hands over the credit card. The smell of alcohol is rolling off of both of you. It’s nothing unusual for this time of night in this part of town, so she runs the card and hands it back without comment.

“He’s Aaron,” you say to her, placing your left hand on the man’s chest. She notes the ring on your ring finger, and then the stain on his thigh once he steps back. You’re his fiancée, then, and it’s been a long night already. “Aaron Hotchner.”

“Okay. Well, you two can start right there,” she points over to the first hole and hands over two clubs and balls. “Just shout if you need anything. Uh, and be careful.”

The two of you stumble away, and Brooke watches you start to play for a moment before she grabs her phone. You’re the only people there, and though drunk, you seem relatively harmless, so she sits down behind the counter and starts shopping online.

She doesn’t look up for a while, until she hears the undeniable thud of a golf ball against skin, and “Sorry, sweet pea!”

When she does glance up, you’ve got your pants pulled down a couple of inches, exposing the waistband of a black thong and a patch of skin that you rub a hand over gingerly. “Y’all okay, Mr. Hotchner?” She calls out, and after the man gives her a thumbs up she turns her attention back to her phone.

There’s a good sale on shoes, especially one pair of heels she’s been eyeing, and she’d be adding them to her cart right now if you hadn’t distracted her by saying, “She called you Mr. Hotchner.”

“She did. Because that’s me,” Mr. Hotchner- Aaron?- explains, turning away from you to putt the ball.

“But she didn’t call me Mrs. Hotchner. Why can’t I be Mrs. Hotchner yet?”

“Well, you will be. After we get married.” He sinks the shot and grabs the ball, and you don’t move a muscle.

“You’re the one who keeps pushing back the wedding!” You raise your voice and drop your club, and it clatters to the turf.

Brooke has seen this about a hundred times in the two years she’s worked here. A little too much alcohol, some underlying tension, and the smallest thing can send people into a tailspin. She sets her phone down completely, trying to be subtle about watching the two of you over the counter.

Aaron, meanwhile, shakes his head like this is an argument he’s had a million times. “How do you expect me to pick a date when we get called out of town all the time?” He sounds a bit more frustrated now, his voice carrying easily up to the counter.

“David got married three times. Ask him how he managed, since you trust him so much more,” you snap.

“I talked to him about how to propose. Are you almost done holding that against me?” Aaron sets down his club next to yours. “If you want to set a date, go ahead. But it’s going to be a huge waste of money when we have to work that day.”

Usually, Brooke thinks, at least one person is drunkenly crying by now. That’s why she isn’t surprised when you speak next, and your voice is thick.

“Do you even want to get married?”

“What?” Aaron freezes completely. “How can you- of course I do. You know that.”

“You don’t want to pick a date, and the girls all think I’m going to be so old and boring, and we’re going to be engaged until we die,” you say, and Brooke watches as the man takes both of your hands in his own.

“You know what’s not old? Or boring?” He’s lowering his voice, and it’s a strain to hear. 

Brooke misses his next words, but whatever he says perks you right up.

“Really?” You practically shout, throwing your arms around your fiancés neck. “Let’s do it!”

“Okay, okay. Come on.” Aaron pulls back and grabs your hand, stumbling towards the counter.

Brooke quickly pretends to busy herself with the register, hoping she wasn’t caught eavesdropping, until Aaron taps the counter with one large hand. “Hi. Can I help you?”

“Yes. My fiancée and I-” you cut Aaron off with a squeal of excitement, and he shushes you with a smile- “Need to get married. Right away. Is there a... a place where we could do that?”

There’s a legal office in the strip mall, but they’re definitely closed by now, so she shakes her head. “Nowhere that’s open,” she says apologetically. 

“You don’t get it. If we don’t get married, we’re not gonna get married,” you insist, and Brooke doesn’t really have a response for that.

“She means it’s a special circumstance. We go on a lot of business trips,” Aaron explains. “We need to have a wedding. Tonight.”

“Legally, I don’t think that’s happening tonight,” Brooke says apologetically. As soon as she finishes speaking, an idea pops into her head. It’s got to be the stupidest idea she’s ever had, but you both seem like nice people. Albeit, nice people who had a few too many, but still. “What if you did a fake wedding instead?”

“A fake wedding! Yeah. Yeah, we can do that. Right, honeybear?” You ask, and Brooke watches Aaron for his reaction.

She bites back the sting of jealousy when Aaron says, “Of course we can, sweet pea,” and kisses you. Boys her age would never agree to something like this.

“Okay, y’all!” She claps once, then grabs two plastic water bottles. She takes the caps off both, grabs the little plastic rings from around the neck of the bottles. “Here are your rings. Just… go ahead, I guess.”

“Uh huh. Okay.” You take both rings from her and hand one to Aaron while he moves to stand across from you, holding both of your hands while swaying slightly on his feet. “Um… I’m nervous now,” you confess, and Aaron chuckles.

“Want me to go first?” He offers, and you nod. “Okay. Um…” he looks over at Brooke, squinting at her nametag. “Can we have a minute? This is going to be embarrassing,” he admits, and Brooke just laughs at that. 

“Of course. I’ll be cleaning up the course, you two can take your time and shout if you need anything. And, uh, congrats,” she says, walking over to where your clubs were abandoned.

She keeps a safe distance, out of earshot but with an eye on you both, as she tidies the course and puts things back where they’re supposed to be and you say what she can only assume are sickeningly sweet drunk wedding vows. At one point she gets on the floor to grab a ball out of the windmill, and when she turns around, you’re both gone.

———

“That’s all I saw,” Brooke says. “I wasn’t even sure if y’all got home safe, but you left these behind.”

After a moment of searching under the register, she pulls out two plastic rings. You take them from her, clutching them both tight in one hand.

“Um, thank you. For everything,” you say softly, and she smiles and nods and waves politely while you go back outside.

You walk back to the car and drive in silence for a few minutes before Aaron speaks. “So, a wedding date,” he prompts, and you shake your head with a smile.

“I can’t believe we did that. But if we’ve got the vows out of the way, maybe we can just get it legalized and skip the whole wedding hassle,” you suggest, playing with the plastic ring that you’ve slipped onto a finger.

“Or, I’ve got another idea,” your fiancé says. “We don’t have to, of course, but it might be a nice alternative.”

And then Aaron fills you in.

———

“A toast!” Emily says, clinking her spoon to her champagne glass. “To SSA’s Honeybear and Sweet Pea Hotchner, with whom I am never drinking again. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” The BAU team and their dates all echo her from their various spots around Rossi’s garden. There are only a few snickers at the nickname, thank god, or you’d be holding your new husband back from demoting your friend.

“This was a good idea,” you commend him, tipping your champagne glasses together before taking a sip. 

“Hey, hey, not too much of that.” Aaron gently pulls your champagne glass away. “Are you looking to repeat the other night with the honeymoon, this time?”

You let out a giggle, and turn to kiss him. One hand settles against the side of Aaron’s face, carefully avoiding the bruise shining on his cheekbone that has steadily shown up in the last day and a half. “Depends. Do you want to go to Europe, or somewhere tropical? I don’t care, as long as we’re gone for a month.”

“Don’t,” Aaron warns, but it’s through a snorted laugh. You both look up when hands land on your shoulder, only to see Dave standing between you.

“So,” he asks, “Are you kids having fun?”

Aaron nods and sips his champagne, leaving you to answer aloud.

“We are. Thank you for officiating, and helping us with this on such short notice.” You wave a hand around to the garden, which has tables and chairs and even a tent set up, and is strung with fairy lights throughout. 

“Short notice?” Dave snickers and grabs himself a glass of wine from the bottle next to you. “We’ve had bets on when you’d do this for months. All of this has been ready in the garage since you got engaged.”

At both of your surprised expressions, he just chuckles. “You’re a part of the BAU! You’re never going to have more than a day’s notice for anything; how were you supposed to plan a wedding?” He walks away, still laughing under his breath as he goes to talk to Derek and Savannah.

“Zero privacy,” Aaron mutters to himself, one of his hands finding yours under the table. “We work with animals.”

“They’re not that bad,” you chastise, squeezing his hand in your own as you look out at your friends, all of them either gathered in small conversations or on the dance floor. “We’re lucky to have them.”

“We’d be lucky to have private nicknames. Or less bets placed on our relationship,” he counters, but you can see the way his gaze softens when he looks at Penelope and Spencer playing with JJ’s sons.

“Don’t be like that. I’ll make it up to you later,” you coax, turning again to kiss Aaron’s cheek, and then his jaw. “You know, JJ said that I’m never going to come out because I’ll be too tired, or I’ll have a sick baby, or something.”

Aaron watches as you take another sip of champagne. “So?” He asks, his voice going slightly deeper.

“So, there isn’t even a baby yet. But if you can be nice for a couple more hours, I’ll let you try to change that,” you tease, and Aaron’s hand tightens on yours. “What do you say, honeybear? Gonna give me a reason to stay home from girl’s night in a year?”

Aaron actually lets out a little groan at that, bringing your hand up to kiss the back of it. In lieu of a wedding band because of the short notice, you’ve got a plastic bottle ring wrapping around your finger next to the engagement ring you’ve had on for months. “Sweet pea, I’ll give you a reason to never leave the house again,” he promises, low and husky.

You sigh dramatically at that. “I can’t believe the girls were right. I’m going to be an old, married woman. All boarded up, no time for my friends.”

“More time for me, then,” Aaron murmurs. You giggle, turning your attention back to watching your friends interact. This is one of the best nights of your life, and you would have never had it if you hadn’t had too much to drink and then spent a day unraveling the mysteries of the night before.

You never end up finding out why you swapped underwear.

—————

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[raleighcarrera]

anTiquity thursday

thanks for tagging me miss jade @zigtheeortega !! sorry it’s not a twc wip but i already posted my last abandoned mason fic KJFDGHJKFDHG

anyway this is great because i actually was working on a follow-up fic in my colt x mc kings & queens series but i lost interest in it. so here’s the first 2,000 words

tagging​ @pixeljazzy​ in case u would also like to dredge up any old wips

(g.uns / s.hooting tw btw)

***

“Here,” Colt said, passing the empty beer bottle in his hand over to Jamie, inclining his head across the back lot, “Bring that over there.”

Jamie eyed the low wall with trepidation. “Not while she’s shooting like that,” he said fairly.

Colt rolled his eyes at him, taking the bottle back. “I’ll do it,” he sighed, pushing to his feet with a groan. “Go get me a new one.”

Ellie didn’t hear him as he made the short trek across to where she was standing, legs planted hip-width apart. Silently, he watched her for a moment, her dainty hands curled confidently around the gun she was firing, one shot after another after another. The bullets pinged off the wall, the last shot that rang out only grazing the beer bottle she was aiming at – lightly enough to rattle it, so that the bottle fell over on its own and shattered against the cement.

Ellie huffed in annoyance, lowering her arm. Spent shell casings tumbled to the floor. “Fuck,” she said, miserably.

Colt leaned into her field of vision, then, neatly depositing his empty beer bottle where the old one had been. “C’mon, reload,” he urged, miming with his hands in case Ellie couldn’t hear him over the ear plugs she had in, “You’ve got this.”

She did, and he moved back around to stand behind her, arms sliding around hers until Colt’s fingers gripped Ellie’s on the gun, her back pressed snugly against his chest. As her shoulders tilted, the light caught the diamond on her left ring finger just right, her engagement ring sparkling in the sun.

Nine carats, just like she’d asked for. He didn’t know why he’d ever bothered arguing about it in the first place.

“You’re aiming too high,” Colt murmured into her ear, gently lowering her arms a few inches. “And you have to hold steady, or it’ll go wide. Lock your elbows.”

She did. His index finger tapped hers, encouraging Ellie to pull the trigger.

Bang. The shot was a dead hit; the Corona bottle shattered to pieces, tumbling backwards over the wall.

He smiled as Ellie turned around with a scowl of annoyance. “You’re such a show-off,” she said, thumbing the safety back on and handing the gun over to him.

Colt shrugged, his obnoxious grin widening. “What?” he asked, “You looked good. You almost had it.”

“Don’t patronize me, I’ll knee you in the dick,” Ellie mumbled, bouncing up onto her toes for a kiss. Colt obliged her with a laugh, catching her chin in his free hand.

With Jamie gone, they were alone in the back lot – the people working on putting the pool in weren’t around today, so there was no one to stare as she slipped her manicured hands into the back pockets of his jeans.

His eyes lingered on the low neckline of Ellie’s tank top when she pulled away. Colt let his hand drop to her shoulder, then pressed his thumb into the dip at the base of her throat, dancing his fingers down over her collarbone.

“I want to bite this,” he said lowly. “Are you done yet?”

Ellie hummed interestedly. “Yes,” she answered, “But – I need you to come with me tonight.”

Colt felt his brows knit together as he tried to envision the paper calendar in their shared office and what might’ve been written on it. If there was work or a meeting on Ellie’s mind, it had completely slipped his. “Tonight?”

Ellie stared back at him, unimpressed. “To the florist.”

Right. Sometimes he sort of forgot that, in addition to everything else on his plate, he was partially helping plan the wedding of the century, at least in Ellie’s mind.

“I knew that,” he insisted, smiling charmingly at his fiancée. “Because we obviously have a lot to talk to her –”

“Him,” Ellie corrected, though she looked amused.

“—him about,” Colt finished, without missing a beat. “On account of how you really want that… roses… arch, for the ceremony.”

Ellie paused for a too-long moment, but he didn’t waver, even if he was sweating on the inside. Finally, she said, “I guess you do listen, sometimes.”

“Baby, I hang on your every word,” Colt declared, emboldened by his victory, letting his arm curl around her shoulders. “How could you even think I’d forget about the florist?”

Jamie came back with his beer just as Ellie opened her mouth – presumably to tell him to shut up – the look on his face unsure as he handed it over. “There’s someone here to see you.”

Colt traded him the gun for it, shrugging carelessly. “Do they have an appointment?”

Jamie’s eyes darted back and forth between them, as though he was about to deliver a piece of unpleasant news. “It’s Logan.”

He felt Ellie still beside him. Colt sighed, then handed the full beer bottle back to Jamie and took the gun from his hands.

“Relax,” he said, as Ellie shot him a look, tucking it into the waistband of his jeans, “I’m not going to use it.”

“Did he say what he wanted?” Ellie asked Jamie, ignoring him. Colt folded his arms across his chest, gritting his teeth.

Probably, he had some fucking problem he wanted their help with. Probably, it would involve monopolizing all of Ellie’s time. Probably, he was going to give her those pathetic, sad, wobbly wide eyes until she agreed to do whatever he wanted, and he’d be stuck standing to the side, watching –

Her hand found his back pocket again. Ellie patted his ass twice, and Colt sighed, letting the anger deflate from his shoulders like a popped balloon.

It was kind of annoying, how effortlessly she could read him. But he knew Ellie was probably right and he was probably wrong. Probably, everything was going to be nothing like it had been the last time the three of them were together.

Hopefully, whatever Logan wanted wouldn’t take very long at all.

“When’s Raven supposed to be back?” he asked abruptly, squinting up at the sun.

Jamie winced. “Not for another two hours. You guys want back up?”

“No,” Ellie snorted, “Logan’s harmless. This is just… bizarre. We’ll handle it.”

If she was rattled by the thought of seeing him, Colt couldn’t tell. Ellie’s face was smooth and free from emotion as the two of them walked inside, placid like she always was whenever they had a role to play. If he didn’t know any better, Colt might think they were out at a party or taking a meeting in a club, instead of at the shop – the one place where neither of them usually bothered with pretense.

Part of him had expected Jamie to be wrong, somehow. Just the name Logan felt like a ghost’s, and Colt had figured it was impossible for him to be back now, or at all, when it had been so long. But sure enough, as they emerged onto the shop floor, there he was, as broad-shouldered and dimply as ever, boyish face at odds with the frame of a man as old as they were.

His eyes looked even older, like the years since Ellie’s high school graduation had been harder on him than the two of them. Jesus – it had been almost a decade, after all. Seeing him standing there made Colt feel all the years at once, and they felt like a lifetime.

“Hey,” he said, apropos of nothing. Logan nodded at him, then looked over at Ellie. “Cool space.”

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Colt asked.

Ellie smacked his stomach with the back of her hand. “It’s good to see you,” she said, more politely. “I… God, it’s been so long. How are you? How’ve you been?”

Colt bit his tongue. Did she have to sound so interested?

Logan lifted his arm and ran his hand through his hair. The stilted way he half stepped forward and then stopped made Colt wonder if he’d wanted to hug Ellie and thought better of it at the last moment. “Good, I guess. I’ve been in Detroit, mostly, but – I mean, you guys could probably guess that I need your help.”

Of course. Privately, Colt thought he had some nerve showing up and asking for a favor, and half a mind to tell him so. They had managed just fine on their own. They hadn’t called in any IOUs from any of his old friends, even though he’d wanted to, sometimes, when things were particularly hard and everything felt so unfair.

“We’re listening,” Colt said, doing his best to sound bored.

“Well, I – shit, did you guys get married?” Logan was bug-eyed, staring at the giant engagement ring on Ellie’s hand.

“Not yet,” she answered, before Colt could snap at him, his razor-thin patience bending precariously. Of course Logan had managed to push all the right buttons. There were few things Ellie loved more than showing off. She held out her hand obligingly and Logan stepped forward, dipping his head for a better look.

“Wow,” Logan laughed. Colt closed his eyes to stop them from rolling back into his skull. He searched his brain for a list of reasons not to throw a punch and came up empty, bar the irritating thought of swollen knuckles and Ellie’s disapproving frown. He supposed those were deterring enough.

“We do actually have shit to do today,” he said, “If you don’t mind.”

Logan blinked, pulling back abruptly. “Right.” He cleared his throat. “Well, there’s no easy way to say this. I need to steal a car.”

Neither of them moved, and he knew Ellie was wondering the same thing he was. Where was the catch?

As the silence stretched on between them, Logan winced. “From a museum,” he continued slowly. “Under police surveillance.”

Beside him, Ellie tensed almost imperceptibly. Colt hoped he was wrong about why. Still, he asked, “The NHRA?”

“That’s the one,” Logan said cheerfully. “You guys probably heard about the –”

“Exhibit on loan from the National Museum in France, yeah,” Ellie interjected. “What do you want with it?”

Logan’s eyes darted to the floor. He shifted his feet awkwardly. “I’m in debt,” he admitted, “I owe a guy. And in two days they’re gonna move the car he wants off the main floor and into storage until the guys from Europe come and pick everything back up. So my window’s closing. And – look, I really want to do this without anyone getting hurt.”

He looked meaningfully at Ellie, who glanced away. Colt bit back a sudden, violent urge to insist that Logan never look at her that way, or try to make her feel fucking guilty about something she had nothing to do with.

Logan stared evenly back as Colt glared at him. He seemed unsurprised that they all knew what no one was saying.

But Delaney kept tabs on every single cop in the city, so of course he knew that Ellie’s father was working the museum. Even if he hadn’t already known, it was no surprise. Detective Wheeler seemed to show up on every case that might have something to do with cars or the daughter he’d so desperately tried to control. Over the last few years, they’d gotten pretty good at navigating around him.

Ellie’s fingers dug into his side just as Colt opened his mouth to tell Logan to fuck off and die. He cut her a look out of the corner of his eye. “What’s in it for us?” she asked levelly.

Logan’s eyebrows lifted. He looked at Ellie in surprise. “Seriously? You guys don’t think you owe me one?”

Colt shot Ellie another look, doing his best to convey that he was at the very precipice of his boiling point. Did they fucking think they owed him one? He had to be kidding.

Please, Colt begged with his eyebrows, Let me punch him. Just a little bit.

Ellie rolled her eyes. “I don’t see how.”

Colt exhaled, folding his arms across his chest.