#WHY WASN'T THIS THE ANNIVERSARY PATCH...

[mymarifae]

i could not stop collecting screenshots of her beautiful cute face <3 right up until she fucking DIED

[sku11s1asher]

idk if you do poly relationships but can you do a wrio and neuvi cuddle/movie night?

neuvillette & wriothesley x nb/male reader

notes: gulp… pretend i didn’t neglect yall for months! i had a rough patch mentally, but im now starting to get into writing again so yay!! ill post an apology for you guys, make up sex or whatever you guys want idk im on my knees begging for forgiveness 😓 ily (say it back)

cw: ooc wrio + neuv (or are they just in love?)

Neuvillette and Wriothesley, two of the hardest workers in Fontaine, at least in your opinion. Every time they came home, they were beyond tired, barely undressing themselves before joining you in bed at 1 in the morning, just to wake up in a couple of hours. The cycle was as tiring for you as it was for them, you rarely got to see your lovers, and when you did all you saw was them on the verge of passing out.

It wasn’t like they didn’t try to make it up to you though. When they got an off day, which was rare, they would always show you how much they loved you in different ways: sex, cooking, cuddling, dates, etc. Today was surprisingly one of those off days, you expected to wake up by yourself with just the leftover warmth from them next to you but instead, you woke up with a pair of arms wrapped around your waist. You let out a yawn as you opened your eyes, you could see a mop of black hair lying on your chest.

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion as you tried to sit up, only to get pulled back down. “Don't move.” a deep voice mumbled. “Wrio?” you asked in a sleepy voice, one of your hands going to rest in his hair. You looked toward the window, you noticed Neuvillete staring outside, drinking a cup of tea. You felt more confused than ever, why were both of them home? It's not like you were complaining about it, you were glad, just confused. It wasn't your birthday, nor either of theirs, and it most definitely wasn't your anniversary.

“What are you guys doing at home?” you asked Neuvillete while your hand subconsciously started petting Wriothesley's hair. “Have you already forgotten? I marked it in the calendar.” Neuvillette responded in an amused tone, slightly turning to look at you. He loved the way you looked when you first woke up, eyes all droopy, hair messy, that cute confused look on your face, how your voice dropped a bit, just everything about you. “I would never forget anything you said.” you lied while flopping back on the bed, and going back to sleep.

—

When you finally woke up, it was noon, there was still someone right next to you. A groan came from you as you pushed them away, you could tell it was Wriothesley by the way his deep voice said some complaint. “It’s 12 in the afternoon, I’m getting up.” You told him as you tried to get up, only to feel a hand grab your arm. “Five more minutes, please?” He begged, gently pulling you back. But before you could respond or he could open his mouth to try to persuade you anymore, the door to the bedroom opened, prompting the both of you to look towards it.

“Both of you need to get up,” Neuvillette spoke, “shower then come to the living room. The movies are ready, I'll start the popcorn when you both decide to join me.” Once he walked out, Wriothesley sat up in bed, prompting you to fall off him. You looked up at him as he rubbed his eyes, he looked so cute, almost like an actual puppy. You decided to get off the bed, stretching as you stood up, letting out a small groan. You walked to the dressers, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and clean boxers before heading to the bathroom. Halfway through your shower, the door opened and the sink turned on, you didn't have to look to know it was Wriothesley.

When you finally got out of the bathroom, you could hear popcorn popping which made you quickly go to the living room. It looked like Wriothesley made Neuvillette his new cuddle victim, the black-haired male had his head on Neuvillette's lap while his hands were lightly touching the other male's leg. “Hello, dear,” Neuvillette greeted you, turning his head towards you with a soft smile, “I’ll go get the popcorn then we can start the movies. Take a seat.” You made your way over to the couch, letting out a soft chuckle when you saw Neuvillette gently take Wriothesley off his leg. Wriothesley scooted over on the couch, pulling you into the spot next to him.

—

A bowl of popcorn was on the table in front of you, Wriothesley was lying across both your and Neuvillettes laps, while your head was leaning on Neuvillette’s shoulder. The movie that was playing was a random comedy that you weren't really focusing on. Instead, you were focusing on how Wriothesley was playing with your hand: lacing and unlacing it, squeezing it, making shapes on it, laying it on his stomach, all types of things. You slightly moved your head, getting a small glance at Neuvillette, seeing how he was engrossed in the movie. He looked so handsome from this angle, like a true angel. His hair was up in a ponytail, he had a relaxed look on his face which came with a slight smile, no makeup on, just looking amazing.

Neuvillette looked at you, gently moving your head to kiss you, “You stare a lot.” he teased before letting you go back to your previous position and turning his attention back to the movie. He always knew when to catch you off guard, he loved seeing the slight blush on your face and how your body got slightly warmer. A small chuckle came from Wriothesley, “This movie is pretty hilarious.” he stated, which made Neuvillette hum in agreement. “You laugh at the corniest shit, Wrio.” you teased, pinching his stomach. “Yeah, I always laugh at your corny jokes.” he countered which made you pout. “Rude,” you mumbled before finally turning your attention back to the movie.

You were on the fifth movie, the popcorn long gone but neither of you felt like moving to get more. You felt yourself start to get tired, slightly moving yourself to get comfortable before letting out a soft sigh. You felt content, your boyfriends had you practically trapped in between them, their scents surrounding you, and both of their bodies were warm, it was true heaven. You felt your eyes slowly start to close, you didn't feel like focusing on the movie anymore, or anything for that matter. Wriothesley was quiet, not making any comments or a chuckle anymore, which meant he was most likely knocked out. Right before you fell asleep, you felt Neuvillette’s head slightly drop on yours and heard his breathing even out. Looks like all of you are going to sleep on the couch tonight.

[darenimoinai801]

Slow Damage: Fan Re-Translation Patch Release

For the second anniversary of Slow Damage, we’re happy to announce that we are releasing a fan translation patch.

We made this patch because we wanted the game to be understood better by people around the world, since most of the liberties taken by the English localisation cater mainly to the US audience.

Another reason for the patch is because the wording of the localisation greatly changed the perspective of the plot, the characterisation of the cast, the tone and impact of many scenes, and more… all for the worse, essentially resulting in players being misinformed, which is something we seek to rectify.

We have been working on this project for around 2 years. To avoid attracting trouble from the localisation company – at least too soon, that is – we made sure to keep this project secret until we were sure that we were finished with the patch and can finally share it online.

It is important to know that while this patch will only work with the English version of the game, we stress that this is not an endorsement of the English localisation, which was flawed enough to compel us to create this patch in the first place. Just as you downloaded this patch, we hope you are resourceful enough to find a way to play that does not further support amateurish and inaccurate translations. 

So in a sense, it would be your way of acknowledging and showing your appreciation for our hard work, as we have devoted a lot of our free time to this patch, and given the time and effort it took for Slow Damage alone, we don’t have any plans in repeating the process for any other games.

Of course, we do wish to express one more thing. We're not oblivious to the disputes regarding the English localisation, whether it’s criticism or defences. If you happen to find this patch offensive, we recommend that you merely pretend it doesn't exist. This patch wasn't made to sow discord, as we just wished to create an opportunity for people to enjoy a version of Slow Damage that is closer to the original Japanese one. 

You will find the installation guide and other relevant notes in the link to the patch below. Please read the translation notes added by the translator for more information about the game’s content. If you happen to stumble over a bug during your playthrough or have any other questions, you are free to contact us.

Lastly, we would like to inform you that the patch will receive a future update that will include some additional CGs edits which we are currently unable to do, but since the patch is playable overall, we didn’t want to withhold it any longer. Feel free to reupload the patch, but please keep the patch notes inside.

With that, thank you very much for picking up this patch, and we hope that it gives you an enjoyable experience with what will essentially be playing Slow Damage blind once more.

Note:Hello, the translator speaking here, I saw a lot of assumption flying around the translation that this is just an "edited" version of the original script and I like to make it clear that yes, this patch doesn’t retranslate every single sentence from new. First of all, because doing a completely new translation from scratch for free for a 50h+ game would take a lot of time and work, which I as an adult with a job can't provide, that being said I did retranslate a huge amount of the game especially in the later chapters (with some of the restranslation going up to 90% of the whole chapter). I read through every Japanese sentence in this game and retranslated every part where the translation, tone or context was off. The second reason why I didn’t retranslate everything from new is that I don't see a point in retranslating a sentence that was perfectly fine to begin with. We never had the intention of hiding the fact that this is not a "from 0" translation and that why it only works with the English game. So yes, a huge amount of the game text was translated from new again with only the Japanese text. Please don't let some post going around the internet, telling you that this is only "an edit of things we didn’t like" hold you back from trying the patch. Also the translation does not include any personal opinion of anyone who worked on this and is fully based on the Japanese text. Thank you!

Link

[jasina85]

It sometimes feels very weird to think about the history I have with the World of Darkness. Sometimes it feels weird to remember how I might have missed the IP entirety, if it wasn't for being bored out of my mind one summer afternoon back in highschool to go digging through a stack of DVDs I got from a gaming magazine, seeing Bloodlines in there and thinking to myself "What the hell, how bad can it be?" Yes, I used to hate vampires, and you can blame my second-hand experiences with Twilight for that. But I put the disk in and the rest you can probably guess.

Bloodlines utterly bewitched me - finally, some good fucking vampires, to paraphrase a meme. I've beaten the game (thanks in no small part to the walkthrough that came with the Unofficial Patch, I love you written walkthroughs) and I wanted more. I wanted to know more of this world, I wanted to experience more of this world, a quick search led me to one of many vtm discord servers when I discovered just how expansive this setting actually was and I was utterly hooked. I eventually got the corebook for V20 and although it'd be close to a decade before I actually read it cover-to-cover (I mostly read the clan section back then) I already knew this was going to become a special interest of mine. I wanted to get involved, I signed up for a very short lived play-by-post... and then it kinda just all stopped.

Sure, I still liked the setting, but it became more passive, like my interest went into hibernation. I still occasionally talked about it with people, I snatched all the PDFs for the 20th Anniversary corebooks when they were giving those away on drivethruRPG, but I just largely stopped engaging with the setting. I didn't feel very interested in Werewolf, Mage, Wraith or Changeling. It wouldn't change for years either.

What put VtM back on my radar was an Actual Play group I followed at the time started a WoD show. Not VtM. Just "World of Darkness*" The * is semi important, because for the first half of the show, everyone though it was a mortals/Hunter game, but then the big plot twist happened that they were actually fetches. So yeah, it ended up as Changeling the Lost, which is Chronicles of Darkness, and not World, but I was unaware of the distinction between the two at the time (and maybe it's why I seem to like the Lost more than the Dreaming). And then they did a V5 Chicago show and I was gone, hook, line and sinker. I was back in it and once again wanted more... and I wouldn't actually play VtM for many more years yet.

Funnily enough the first bit of WoD I actually played was a rather short-lived and disastrous hack of Mage the Ascension for V5 (it felt alright mechanics-wise, but the ST insisted we do a mixed Technocracy/Traditions game, when it was painfully obvious he just wanted to run Technocracy). And again, years passed and I sat on the sidelines, hoping to get my chance.

And it kinda happened when I got invited to a V5 game set in Amsterdam 3 years ago. That game still hasn't happened (and at this point probably won't), but it made me write Olivia, which ended up wildly different from her initial concept (she was originally going to be a crime novelist turned Toreador trophy embrace, if you can believe it)... and then Yonah suggested we could write a little scene for our characters together. And we did just that! And then another... and then another, and before we knew it, we wrote Harmony and Olivia a whole damn chronicle... and then we outlined another. And then Blood on the Stones happened and I got to play Celeste.

Around 2023/24 I got on a VtM reading spree, going through pretty much all V20 books (and Dark Ages 20, and some older DA books, and clanbooks) and it was around that time I also got into Werewolf. Believe it or not, with Werewolf 5 either... and it felt so off I decided to go back to W20 and see how things were back then... and once again I was hooked. I ended up reading all the 20th Anniversary cores, Wraith fascinated me and Mage and Changeling mostly baffled me.

And I suppose here I am now.

[doonalli]

Why the Dummies' Early Death's Matter (a semi-ramble session, semi-analysis)

So its 3-1B's anniversary today but unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish the post I actually wanted to post today (rest assured it's still coming though!!). So instead, I decided to revisit an idea I've had since the early stages of this blog, and talk about the deaths the Dummies can face before the Banquet, considering they are often overlooked.

This won't be as comprehensive as my usual analyses, instead it'll mostly be me just rambling about my thoughts surrounding the deaths and the details that come with, although analysing tends to be par for the course with that.

With that said, lets start with...

HAYASAKA

It was during my process of writing Hayasaka's analysis when I first thought of the idea to make a separate post about these pre-Banquet deaths, but that never came to be, so what better place to start then with him.

So let's talk about Hayasaka's early death. Failing the second obstructor causes Hayasaka to be torn apart and killed by the flying books.

Immediately the first thing that stands out is Gin's reaction to his death.

It's obvious Gin is relating Hayasaka's death here to Mishima's back in Chapter 1, and his thoughts of being helpless in general. And it makes his speech before the banquet hit all the harder.

Worst of all Sara isn't even able to support him like he did back in 2-2, unable to hug him because of the tag game Midori started. At least until it gets taken away from her and she's able to finally calm him down. Its a deeply tragic scene for Gin, one that many people would pretty much never see, but it goes to show the value of these early deaths and what good, in terms of writing, they can bring.

But its Hayasaka's death, so what about him? Well it's a bad ending for Hayasaka in every sense, not only was Gin not able to protect him, nor was he able to grow as a person and protect Gin, but he dies soon after we find out about his connection with Asunaro, in other words after we "prove" he was the villain we thought he was based on his victim video, without him ever even being given the chance to explain himself or prove himself better. When Hayasaka dies here, he doesn't really die as an ally, but more as someone on Asunaro's side. He doesn't even get to help us out in any meaningful way through him figuring out the gimmick security system, of by him showing us the backstories for Miley and Safalin, flipping the tables on giving our information to Asunaro to instead give us information ABOUT Asunaro.

In general it's the worst possible way everything could have gone for him

Next lets talk about someone who's death I touched on in their analysis.

MAI (and also Hinako?)

Obviously I don't have much more to say about Mai's death considering I talked about it in her analysis, at that point I figured I wasn't going to do this post anytime soon, unfortunately though at that point the only analyses left to do were Hinako and Midori, both of which can't die before the banquet lol.

Although speaking of Hinako, in the files she DOES have a switch like all the other dolls designating whether she died earlier in the chapter or not, I doubt it was ever planned to be used or anything, likely just done for the sake of it, but whatever the case it is pretty interesting.

It was even accidentally used as a requirement for the steam achievement "The Invincible Dummies" which made it impossible to obtain for a bit! But that was patched out quickly.

Back to Mai though, her dying to Maple 2.0 is truly tragic, because throughout the chapter Mai was by far the one who connected with Maple the most, whether it be during her first fight where she's the one who reads her letter, or during the Keiji POV section where Mai feels the most bad for her. She even sits by her corpse in the prebanquet. So, it's truly tragic Mai is stabbed by Maple because she was unable to resist Midori's commands, just like how she once couldn't when stabbed Q-taro herself, which at this point she knows was lethal but isn't able to say anything about due to Q-taro's plan with a doll. All she can leave with is an apology...

This scene in particular hits really different when you play it on a second playthrough and know what happened between Q-taro and Mai.

Next up,

RANMARU

Ranmaru is a special case, because his death scene feels very different depending on which route you are on.

Starting with the emotion route, his death occurs right before he tells Sara about what he tried to do with the Joe AI, but notably after Midori tells everyone that Ranmaru betrayed them. As Ranmaru dies he panics and scramble out an explanation, telling sara he'd never betray- before being cut off.

Here Ranmaru's feelings of worthlessness and not being enough for Sara which caused him to "betray" her in the first place end up making him look like a villain. He isn't even able to explain what he was trying to do with the Joe AI, and he dies off without any of the closure he gets from after this moment. Here Ranmaru's thoughts of worthlessness lead to his final moments just being another case of him failing to be enough for Sara.

Imagine being Ranmaru here. The last thing you are to this girl you were willing to give up your consciousness over, is a traitor, and you aren't even able to explain yourself before you die, feeling just as useless as always, maybe even more now that it seems like you only made everything worse for her.

Ranmaru dies here with basically no closure, just a sudden boom to finish him off and its honesty terrifying to think about.

and its not much better in logic route. After killing Yabusame in a not too dissimilar sudden death, his mask is off and Ranmaru's ego is through the roof. Now feeling the opposite of worthless to Sara, he sees himself as her only salvation. He makes an enemy out of everyone and overconfidently tries to make a deal with Midori using the ID card. However, if he failed earlier Midori will have different plans for him.

Immediately Ranmaru is pulled right down into reality. Midori tells him,

Reminding Ranmaru that he isn't as far above the others as he thinks he is, he is also a part of the dummies. His death playing out in a similar fashion, except with his last words being about how he has to win.

Both these deaths share the fact of Ranmaru never getting the closure he desired and never getting to be what he wanted to be for Sara. A tragedy, through and though.

Anzu Don't kill Anzu she doesn't deserve it.

Okay but actually Anzu's death is also really sad, the way her final words are always about her not wanting to die, because she's always so scared of her death is honestly heartbreaking. It's an incredibly real way for a person to face their death.

Also during the Banquet Midori has some unique dialogue with interesting implications if Anzu is dead.

This is specific to if Anzu is dead, which is interesting because it implies she could have been brought back from being destroyed by the obstructor. Something similar is said when Kurumada dies, but in that case it was more of a "hope" rather than something being told to us, as well as Kurumada being shown to be functioning after being damaged unlike Anzu who was fully dead.

Midori saying this implies there would be a way to "revive" a doll even after being destroyed or damaged, even if they cease to actually live. Something separate from just bringing them back with the AI-ciever, which would essentially reset the dummies back to whatever their original AIs knew, with no knowledge of 3-1

It reminds me a bit of Rio Ranger who similarly was also kept alive after being destroyed by being shot through the head, but then later came back during the Maple 2.0 fight, acting how he used to act, instead of how "Laizer" would act.

It's a distinct difference, one that makes it so that you can't really say the dummies are exactly replaceable, but maybe that's a conversation for another day. Back to my original point though, just like Rio, I wonder if the other dummies have "chips" or something inside them that could be salvaged from the corpse, that would get fully destroyed by a drill. It's the only way I see that dialogue making sense. That or Midori is lying lmao, wouldn't be the first time.

Got kinda ramble-y there but I did say I would just be giving my thoughts on the deaths and details, and that's what Anzu's death makes me think about.

Anyways, moving on with the discussion, lets talk about a small detail that's so miniscule I wonder why it was even included.

During the Banquet, when Anzu dies, the remaining dolls all react, which makes sense, but for Kurumada and only Kurumada he has a different line depending on if Anzu is alive or dead.

Did you notice? Its literally just 3 extra dots if Anzu was alive. Its really weird, no other doll has a different reaction like this, even Mai or Hayasaka if they are alive instead, its specifically a Kurumada thing.

I suppose it's to show he hesitated more if Anzu was alive, since he would have actually gotten to know her, and it makes sense considering they are probably the closest 2 dummies, but its weird it was shown in this small barely noticeable way. Even if you played both routes, I highly doubt someone would notice the difference naturally, the only reason I saw it was because I was looking directly at the code. Still I suppose its just one more way to show Anzu and Kurumada's bond.

Speaking of Kurumada though,

KURUMADA

Kurumada's death is very interesting, because at least in the emotion route, when all the other dummies survive, it's probably regarded as one of the best early deaths. So long as everyone else is alive, Kurumada tell Sara that he feels like listening to a song, Sara goes to Alice/Reko and they start singing, with Anzu, Hayasaka, and Kanna all joining in.

However, if the first fight with Maple was failed, Kurumada will die here, with a peaceful look on his face while listening to everyone sing.

Its probably the most heartwarming death of any of the dummies, but I think there's more to talk about it than just that.

Something that always stood out to me is what Sara thinks after realising he died.

in comparison to when he lives where he'll say,

Keep in mind, it was Kurumada himself who says,

it's a phrase that kinda has become synonymous with Kurumada at this point, and the fact that it only happens in Emotion route, just like the singing scene where causes those 2 lines of dialogue always was interesting to me. Perhaps it's not as perfect as it seems? Maybe Sara didn't fully internalise Kurumada's lesson? IDK what its implying or even if it is implying anything, but it does stand out.

Regardless the scene is highly regarded for a reason, but Kurumada has a different, much more common death.

If on the Sou route, or if any of the dummies died in the Kanna route, Kurumada will instead die right before he enters his coffin. I love how here he waits until all the other dolls are in their coffins before he dies off, its like he doesn't want them to see him die when it's not a peaceful moment, so he holds unto life until everyone is inside their coffins, and only then does his body give in, consciously or not.

well now we've talked about all the dummies, lets talk about The Deaths in General

Just as a concept I think the early deaths are such a cool idea and they are written really well. With each death we can expand a little on characters, whether we see it as the "bad endings" for everyone, or whether we get small titbits we wouldn't have before, it shows just how much effort was put into each of these dolls.

They also lend themselves so perfectly into the gameplay, which is something YTTD in general is amazing at, by using the fact its a game to its advantage YTTD does so much more than it could have otherwise, making you press the button as you watch Joe,

or by using its illusion of choice mixed with real choice to always keep you guessing in moments like the Final Attraction and the Banquet.

These "tricks" all are used to make you more invested, more guilty.

And these early deaths are just another example of that, once you find out you can really lose a doll in these minigames instead of just getting game overs, you start to care so much more about actually getting the puzzle right, because you want to save as many people as you can.

At the same time the dummies act as rewards for doing well in Minigames. Instead of just playing the games because if you don't you'll have to go to your last save, now the games have purpose, and by completing them you can get to learn more about these characters you wouldn't have otherwise.

I feel like it can be a common take that the early deaths take away from the dummies as characters, that because Anzu or Hayasaka can die so early, that their characters never get a chance to develop, and since they can be dead or alive they are written in a way that doesn't matter.

I've made it no secret what I think about Anzu or Hayasaka "not having arcs", but these early deaths don't only "not take away" from their arcs, but they actively add to them. My favourite example being the dummies convincing Kurumada to take his charger.

Here we have 1 scene expand on 3 whole character's arcs, despite them taking the place of each other, their words carry different meaning for each. Anzu shows her bond with her allies, Hayasaka shows off a less selfish side of him, and Hinako shows her affection and care for her allies albeit in her own special way.

The game was able to have 3 characters develop, with what basically amounts to the same shared lines, this is how YTTD uses these deaths to develop its characters. No matter what you'll get a version of this scene, but depending on who's alive, it evolves to fit your gameplay experience, and its done so masterfully, and it's how YTTD uses even these optional deaths to its fullest potential. The dummies matter, each and every one of them, dead or alive.

================================================================================================

Conclusion

Wow that went on long lmao. This was supposed to be quick to drop something for 3-1B's anniversary because its peak and it deserves it but it turned into a sort of part rant part analysis about why I love this aspect of the game so much. Its like last minute to the point of being overdue lmao so idk how well this will turn out but I hope you enjoyed it

YTTD is my favourite game and 3-1 may just be my favourite bit of fiction ever, so I just wanted to talk about it for its anniversary. I suppose what better way than to talk about something that's unique to it and done so well, I may have gotten a bit sidetracked though there is a LOT to talk about with this stuff, this chapter just has so much to it And yes, my next real analysis will be coming, I won't say soon because who knows how long it'll take but I am working on it. Although this was fun so maybe I'll do more "rants" or something of the sort in the future if people end up liking this Anyways again thanks again for reading this far, I hope you enjoyed my ramblings and happy (now belated) anniversary 3-1B!!!!

[psychonautswebarchive]

so what's up with the yoyo? you seem to be the only person whos archived photos beyond the wiki page. is the yoyo considered lost media in some regard?

Oh you mean this yoyo? Or the new one?

This yoyo is archived on the wayback machine as well as doublefines news page from back in 2006, I really don't trust the psychonauts wiki because they don't give sources for their images(wich is why I started the archive actually!)

But I imagine your talking about the new one!! In wich case- yeah I. I don't know!! It's weird and new and theirs not alot of info on it, it was for the crew/devs psycjonauts 2 launch party, so only they and whoever won the auction for the LA fires would have them! I wouldn't say it's lost nessarlty... just super super rare

Unfourtunatly I got busy during doublefines psycjonauts anniversary week and I haven't updated the archive w/ new stuff

I also wasn't keeping an eye on what the bids for the auctions were, more just the items themselves

<wich again if I ever miss anything you guys can request stuff, I'm sure I've missed some reproduction of pins/magnets/patches because they all look so simmilar lol

[lilisouless]

Zoya: the theater group that was supposed to come for the anniversary of the end of the Ravka war cancelled, i promised a play!

Nikolai: don't worry, i got this

---

Zoya: remind me never blindly trust an "i got this"

Nikolai: why? they are making a good job on the effects, and they will do anything for money

Alina: shhh! my big moment is comming!

Jesper with a long white wig: But my beloved Mole-

Wylan whispering: Mal-

Jesper: There has to be another way!

Wylan shirtless and with a six pack painted on his belly with a marker: There is no other way, Alina. Its your fate and dying for you its mine, as said by the cool and not at all awful tattoo of mine

Mal: I wasn't shirtless when i died

Alina: in my mind you were

Jesper: i can't do it!

Wylan: you must!

Jesper: okay! (fakes stabbing Wylan who fakes a collapse) oh Mal, Rakva will honor your braveness, and i will always remember how much i love your abs...and personality and all that shit

Alina snifs: its like they were just there

---

Zoya: so..why did she choose that role?

Nikolai: she said it she wanted a loud range of emotions

Nina with a big fake black kefta: Join me, Alina Starkov! join me to the shadow side , HAHAHAHA!

Zoya: at least practicing her evil laugther actually paid up

Jesper: Never! you just will just steal my power!

Nina stomping her foot; but why won't you give it to me?! why-won't you give it to me!

Mal: and...now "the darkling" is crying like a baby...at least they got that right

Nina: You need me! you need the shadow!

Jesper: no...this is..BONE! (fakes stabs Nina)

Nina: noooo! i am dyiiing....nooo, why didn't i bring a blade proof kefta, nooo

Nina fake coughing: Alina...please...do something for me...

Jesper fake crying while an onion slips from his fake kefta: yes?

Nina: "cough" tell...Zoya...to give that little grisha, Nina Zenik (the cutest one) all the waffles she wants (fakes a collapse)

Jesper: now its my time to die too, Tamar. Tolya, bring me my boytoy

Mal: excuse me? "man toy" please

Kuwei enter the scenario while dragging Wylan around

Tolya: is he supposed to be me or you?

Tamar: he has an undercut, so probably me-

Kuwei: Sankta Alina, we can cure you! I can cure you with my axe!

Kuwei turning around,showing a sidetail on the other side of his face: this makes me want to do some poetry

Tamar: oh, he is both of us, like the detail that the arm playing me is more muscular

Tolya: its literally not-

Jesper: no...i´ll die, my job here is done

Kuwei as Tolya : but my saint! you can't leave us!

Kuwei turning around as Tamar: Ravka is still a mess

Jesper: And thats your problem now, so long suckers! (fakes to die over Wylan´s body as Kuwei cries)

---

Inej with a fake blue kefta: i hope all of you know how lucky you are to be on my pressence

Zoya: this whole play is awful, all our portrayals are so one note and exagerated, we are not like that on real life. My eyes are too good for this sight

Inej : A triple funeral, a country with no money (flips her hair) my eyes are too good for this sight

Zoya: everyone shut up

Matthias with a cardboard crown: Oh yes, and i am the king now, i was hidden to treat my injuries completely unrelated to demonic possesion and (looks up at cue cards) improbable...i am a pearl...something , something...charming

Nikolai: who let him play me?

Kaz with a cheap red wig and a patch before the big curtain falls : and i...was ruination

Zoya: always the need to have the last word

Genya clapping: as "she" should

[hhnguyen]

10 days late but anyway; Happy 1-Year Anniversary to when I first began my beloved Sully Family series!! 💙💙

Hope everyone is having an amazing day wherever in the world you are!

So here's a little something to celebrate ;)

Jake must be dreaming.

An incredibly, vivid dream where his fingers were twitching to reach out and pinch his arm to wake up.

Because there was no other way.

Why was he looking at you?

Why were you standing in front of him? Grinning, as if decades had not passed since you left his side.

Since he failed to save his little girl.

His throat was dry. Or drying up with each second passing by. Because he was too afraid to swallow - to move.

As if the minuscular movement would wash away the image of you in front of him.

But he wasn't the one who moved next. You did.

As if that grin couldn't widen any more, eyes crinkling and nose scrunching up as your forever youthful face stared back at him.

"Hi daddy."

Jake gasped, a shuddering breath coming deep within as his knees buckled and his hands curled into the seemingly fresh, but dry patch of grass beneath him.

Everything was bright; yet warm but quiet. A soothing breeze caressing his skin every few seconds. Despite his emotions, Jake Sully felt at peace. No heavy burden draped over his shoulders for some reason.

A warm hand encased his own against the grown, smaller in size but familiar. Like an old friend.

"I'm real," Your gentle voice whispered with that continuous grin, lowering down to your own knees in front of him to catch his gaze. "I'm here, daddy."

Words would not escape him. His mouth opening and closing.

His hand reached out transfixed, hesitating mid-air not wanting this moment to disappear. But your form did not move. Patiently waiting until his fingertips grazed the warm skin of your cheek.

Before long, his much larger palm cupped the side of your face as your steady facade finally crumbled, eyes fluttering shut with a single tear trailing down your cheek at the warmth of his touch.

Jake was crying. His tears had no stop as he cradled his baby girl's face - pulling you close until your foreheads rested gently against each other in comfort.

"My beautiful baby," He croaked out overrun emotions he could hardly differentiate. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." Your smile was wavering, but genuine. "Every day."

You started to pull back slowly, but his grip remained firm, not wanting to let you go. To remain in this moment as long as possible

"It's okay." You assured him, however, as Jake opened his eyes and followed your lead by rising to his feet. "I'm not going anywhere."

Looking around with his hand never leaving yours, Jake looked around carefully. Not understanding how it seemed so familiar, yet not quite so.

"Where are we, flower?" His muscles were stiff for a different reason now, cautiousness coating his senses as he fought against the instincts to pull you closer and protect you within his embrace.

"Look closer, Dad - Take a deep breath."

Listening to you, Jake let himself take a breath and within a single blink his surroundings changed.

His breath hitched, a small sound as he stared out and then further up of their large structure around them. The natural hollows and alcoves intertwined above their heads.

Places he remembered taking, the memories getting clearer.

The Hometree.

Their Hometree.

From before they lost everything.

Jake understood then.

You squeezed his hand, form leaning against his side with a serene expression.

"We're home, daddy."

Did I shed a tear? Yes.

[illuminatedquill]

Princess Lenora and The Starboy

A Sabine Wren & Ezra Bridger Fairytale

Story Summary: A younger Sabine listens to an old fairytale told by her father, Alrich Wren.

~ the Princess ~

"Sabine, please do be careful up here. The steps are treacherous," called Alrich Wren to his daughter. The mountain path was relatively easy for the average Mandalorian, having been scouted and paved generations prior, but Alrich was not from the warrior class - and he was feeling that fact more and more with every step up the mountain.

It feels like someone poured sand into my joints, he thought grimly as he clambered over another low rock. By the Force was he thankful that Ursa was not here to witness this. She'd never let him live it down.

Sabine, all of eight years old, turned around and rolled her eyes at him. Her hair was cut short, similar to how her mother styled it, barely brushing past the nape of her neck and dyed a striking magenta color (much to her mother's disapproval). She wore a gray combat suit tailored to her scrawny frame, sans the armor plating that was custom to Mandalorian warriors. Sabine was not yet of age to receive her birthright, as was customary to all Mandalorian younglings, but it was coming soon.

"I think you should be worried more about yourself, Father," replied Sabine. "I'm doing just fine by myself."

Alrich wiped the sweat from his brow. The weather on Krownest was at its warmest for this season which, honestly, didn't mean much to anyone who lived here. It just meant that the cold was less biting than usual. "Remind me why you're here again," he said, throwing a stern look at his daughter.

Sabine shrugged. "For moral support, of course," she said with a cheerful smile.

"Uh-huh," he said dryly. "And not because you want to skip out on your studies again."

She crossed her arms - a gesture that reminded him violently of his wife. Sabine was more like her mother than either were willing to admit, which probably explained why they butted heads often. Alrich couldn't help but smile at her.

"Studies are boring," Sabine complained. "I'm going to ace it all, anyway."

Alrich sighed. It was true, of course. Sabine was a child prodigy, blessed with intelligence and aptitude towards any subject she put her mind to. The problem wasn't with her mind, her parents noted. It was with her attitude and rebellious demeanor.

In these dark times, it meant trouble.

"That's not the point of your studies, Sabine," he said. "It's a matter of discipline."

"Discipline is also boring," she countered.

This was not an argument he was going to win. Alrich shook his head and kept hiking forward until he finally caught up with his daughter. With an exasperated sigh, he fondly ruffled Sabine's hair.

"Father," she whined. "Don't mess up my hair, please."

Alrich grinned and began to put more vigor into his ruffling when he spotted something from the corner of his eye: a patch of white flowers, bursting up from the frost.

"A-ha," he said. "We've found it."

Sabine frowned and turned to follow his gaze. "Flowers? That's what we came all this way for?"

Alrich stepped forward, his footfalls crunching heavily in the snow. "Not just any flower, Sabine," he said. "Come, get a closer look."

She did and her eyes widened in recognition. "Lenora flowers," she said. "From the fairytale? These are real?"

"Of course they're real," said Alrich. "And unique to Krownest. These flowers don't grow anywhere else in the entire galaxy."

Sabine sat down to study them more closely. Her brown eyes sparkled with interest. "What makes them so special?"

Alrich sat next to her, grateful for the momentary rest. "Lenora flowers can grow in the adverse conditions of Krownest. Even during the harshest of winters, they continue to thrive. To our people, they are symbolic of unwavering loyalty and perseverance."

Sabine glanced at him. "And love?"

He nodded. "Yes. That is why they're your mother's favorite. I gift these to her every anniversary."

The look his daughter gave him turned sly. "And whenever you upset her, I gather. Because today is not your anniversary."

Alrich coughed to hide his embarrassment. "That's nonsense," he replied. "I was just feeling in the mood."

She grinned at him. "Your secret is safe with me, Father."

He patted her on the knee. "Good girl."

Alrich turned his attention back to the patch of flowers. "Do you remember the fairytale, Sabine? Princess Lenora and the Starboy?"

Sabine scrunched her face, thinking. "Vaguely. Were there star whales involved?"

Alrich smiled, pleased. It had been some time since she had last heard the fairytale. "Yes, there was. Would you like to hear the whole story again? We have time to spare before we need to head back."

His daughter gave him a knowing look. "And you want to rest your knees some more, too."

He laughed. "Ah, Sabine. Sharp as always."

She smiled at him. "Go on, then. Tell me the story."

~ a long time ago ~

As you know, Sabine, Lenora flowers are named after our distant ancestor, Princess Lenora. Legends say that she was the first leader of Clan Wren, and our family are descended directly from her line.

A long time ago, however, Princess Lenora and her people were not living on Krownest - they were fleeing a heavy conflict from another world, seeking a new home. That conflict had devastated their home world to the point that it could no longer sustain life and, fearing for the future of her clan, the Princess gathered the remaining survivors and they fled to the stars.

A few ten thousand souls were all that remained and their lives were in the young Princess' hands. She was strong, brave, and fierce - a running theme in all Clan Wren women, I've noted - but the galaxy tested her and her people to their limits.

No world would accept them. They could find no refuge anywhere. What little valuables they had taken with them were bargained away for food and water and fuel. And, with enough time passed, those began to run out.

Her people starving, homeless, and beginning to lose hope, caused the Princess to grow dispirited. One late night, after hearing the crying of her people, she called out to the stars - begging, pleading for anyone or anything to help.

And the Starboy answered.

Those born from the stars, Sabine, are special; their hearts are made from pure kyber. But they could be fickle folk, too, prone to pranks, thievery, and other mischievous acts. Dealing with them meant that one had to be careful. They were tricksters, capable of performing great feats of magick.

The Princess knew this. Making a deal with the Starboy was an act of pure desperation and could lead to disaster down the line - but her people were in need of salvation.

"I will help you, dear Princess," offered the Starboy. "I can find your people a new home. But you must offer me something in return to match the value of my talent."

"We have no valuables left to bargain with," the Princess replied. "What would you have of us?"

The Starboy thought about this for a while. He had no interest in physical possessions - but he was very lonely. There were very few of his people left; he could not recall the last time he had seen another starborne.

He realized what he desired from the Princess: companionship. Someone to stay by his side, always.

So, the Starboy made his offer. "I would ask for your friendship, in exchange for my help."

Surprised, the Princess nevertheless reached out her hand. "I accept," she said.

And henceforth, the duo journeyed together with her people amongst the stars to find a new home.

The Starboy knew that the deal struck between him and the Princess would end the moment they found a suitable planet for her people, so he sought to delay the ending as much as possible. Using his magick to keep feeding her people and fueling their ships, the Princess didn't mind - and even grew to love the Starboy, despite his antics.

The adventures they had all over the galaxy were the stuff of legend, Sabine: they saw planets made of smoke and song; met various aliens of indescribable beauty and absurdity; sailed through fields of endless ice and light. The Starboy delighted in showing the Princess and her people the endless wonders of the galaxy.

One day, they came across a pod of star whales, stuck in a vast maze of shifting star dust. With the Starboy's magick and the Princess' ingenuity, they led the lost star whales out to safety.

Grateful, they pledged to return the favor one day, should they ever ask. But, to the Starboy, they left a warning: a great Witch had arrived from the deep space beyond their galaxy and sought the Starboy for his power. Someday, they warned, the Witch would find him and destroy all he held dear in order to obtain his power.

After the star whales departed the Starboy grieved, for he knew that his time with the Princess and her people was soon nearing its end. With a heavy heart, he delayed no longer and led them to a new world - one that, in time, would be known as Krownest.

The Princess and her people were overjoyed at the sight of their new home. They thanked the Starboy for his help with celebrations of song and food. But the Starboy could not accept their gratitude, as he was too burdened with sadness at his imminent departure.

Their deal was concluded - and danger was coming. The Starboy had fallen in love with the Princess and her people. To keep them safe, he decided to leave quietly in the dead of night.

But Princess Lenora stopped him. "Do not go," she said. "Stay with us. This is your home, too."

"Our deal is finished," replied the Starboy. "I have done as requested. You have no need of me anymore. And the Witch is coming."

The Princess reached out and grasped his hand. "Then make a new deal with me. Stay with us. We will defeat this Witch together. And when we do so, you must give something to me."

"I have no personal possessions," said the Starboy, smiling. "No valuables on my person. What would you have of me?"

"Give me your heart, Starboy," replied the Princess. "And stay by my side, forevermore."

She reached out her hand. Instead, however, the Starboy gave her a hug, glad to have a companion at last.

But it was not meant to be, Sabine. For the Witch arrived the very next day and brought war with her.

Princess Lenora and her people were the finest Mandalorians the galaxy had ever seen. They fought with everything they had for three days and three nights. The surface of Krownest became battle-scarred and burned; the Witch's magick brought about an endless frost that still plagues our home to this day.

Despite the bravery of Princess Lenora and her clan, they could not win the battle. The Starboy, his heart breaking at their courage despite the overwhelming odds, concocted a final plan to trick the Witch.

On the fourth day, the Starboy offered himself up to the Witch. Eager to devour his heart and obtain the source of his power, she ripped open his chest -

Only to find it empty.

"Where is it?" she hissed at him, furious to be deprived of her prize. "Where is your heart, Starboy?"

"I have given it to another, Witch!" yelled the Starboy in response. "It will never be yours!"

The Witch howled in fury and began to reach for her magick to punish Princess Lenora and her people -

With a final effort of magick, the Starboy called to the star whales -

And they came to his side in a flash of starlight. "We have come to repay the favor," they said.

"Take this Witch back to whence she came!" said the Starboy.

"It shall be done," the star whales answered. And they surrounded the Witch, their arms reaching around her, tightening and tightening. From the ground below, the people cheered - except for Princess Lenora. She leapt into a ship and flew out to meet the Starboy, still clutched in the Witch's grasp.

"Come home with me!" she cried out. "You promised to stay with me, Starboy!"

But the Starboy looked at his beloved Princess and shook his head. "I must go and see this through, Princess. I have to make sure the Witch never comes back to hurt your people."

The star whales began to glow with a fearsome light, signaling their departure into the deep reaches beyond our galaxy. The Witch howled and struggled but could not escape their grip.

The Princess cried out one last time: "You must promise to come back. I will wait for you; do you hear me?"

The Starboy smiled at her, possibly for the last time. "I accept this deal, Princess. A part of me will always be with you, until I return."

With a final burst of dazzling light, the star whales vanished into space, leaving behind a trail of stardust. And with them, the Starboy and the Witch.

In the years to come, the Princess waited patiently for her beloved Starboy to return. His heart, given to her as per their deal, was buried on a distant mountain top to keep safe. Every night, she travelled to the spot where his heart lay and sat down, looking up at the night sky.

She watched the stars wheel endlessly above. Every now and then, one of them twinkled at her; the Princess wondered sadly if that was the Starboy, letting her know that he was still out there.

When many years had passed, and she began to lose hope, the Princess wandered up to where the Starboy's heart was buried and found a patch of beautiful flowers growing there. Upon seeing them, she made a vow: that as long as the flowers bloomed on Krownest, the love she shared with the Starboy would never die - and that one day, they would be reunited, forevermore.

~ the Princess, revisited ~

Alrich watched his daughter carefully, gauging her reaction to the story's end.

Sabine stared at the flowers, seemingly lost in thought. He chanced a glance at his chrono - the hour was growing late. They needed to head back soon.

Finally, after a few long moments, Sabine spoke. "Lenora was stupid," she remarked.

He blinked at her, shocked at her response. "What?" he asked.

Sabine stood up and wiped angrily at her legs, clearing off loose snow and dirt. "You heard me. She was stupid."

Alrich quirked an eyebrow at her. "How so?"

"She waited. Like an idiot. I wouldn't have waited."

"Ah," said Alrich, understanding dawning on him. "I see. You would have gone to find the Starboy."

Sabine reached down to the patch and plucked one of the Lenora flowers. She handed it over to Alrich, who accepted it with a nod of thanks. "Obviously. She loved him! Why wait?"

He stroked at his beard and gently placed the flower into a pouch on his belt; later, he would press it into a bookmark for Ursa. "Hmmm. You raise a fair point, Sabine."

His daughter shook her head. "I can't believe that's how the story ends."

Alrich smiled at his daughter. "That's the wonderful thing about stories, you know? When you tell it, you can decide how the story ends."

Sabine looked at him, blinking in astonishment. "Really?"

"Certainly. That's how the story was told to me. But you can change the ending, if you want." He stood up, swiping at his legs to clean them. Once finished, he beckoned to her and started walking down the mountain path leading back to home.

Sabine was quiet for the next few minutes, thinking it over. "I think I know how I want the story to end," she said as they walked.

Alrich glanced at her, curious. "Tell me, then. Tell me how your story ends."

Smiling slightly, Sabine began to speak. "One day, a wise and powerful wizard brings a map to the Princess . . ."

Epilogue (many years later)

~ the Starboy, found ~

The Noti convoy moved slowly under the bleak Peridea sky. It was a scene that Ezra Bridger had become accustomed to over the past few years but there was a significant difference to this time.

Sabine Wren, his longtime friend, had come to find him at last. After double-checking the instrument panel on the Noti hover-dome to ensure everything was working properly, he snuck another glance at Sabine just to ensure that she was actually there.

Ezra had lost count the number of times he had dreamed this exact scenario: Sabine Wren, coming to save him, like some avenging Mandalorian angel.

But it wasn't a dream this time. She was real. Her head was leaned back, eyes closed, arms crossed, boots propped up on the dome's surface - it was almost like back in the old days, lounging on the Ghost during the Rebellion.

He felt a soft smile grow on his face at the sight of her. How much he had missed her company.

Sensing his stare, Sabine popped open an eye and smiled back at him. "Thinking happy thoughts?" she asked.

"Hard not to," he replied. "They're all about you."

Her smile widened. "Ah, flattery. You're a flirt now, Ezra Bridger?"

Ezra's cheeks flushed. "Oh, well - no. Not very many people to flirt - well, talk, really with here on Peridea."

Sabine chuckled. "The Noti seem nice."

"They are," agreed Ezra. "But not exactly the most interesting species to hold a conversation with."

"Well," remarked Sabine, "it's nice to know that I'm good for something. Other than rescuing helpless Jedi."

Ezra snorted. "Oh, I've missed you."

Sabine grinned at him. "Back at you, goober."

Rolling his eyes, Ezra reached down and rummaged through his pack. After a brief moment of searching, he found what he was looking for: an old storybook.

With a grin, he plopped it on Sabine's lap. "Found this, by the way."

She let out a breath of surprise. "'Princess Lenora and the Starboy?'" she asked. "Where in the stars did you find this?"

"Thrawn had it. Long story, but I stole it from his office. Part of his weird museum of collectibles."

Sabine snorted and flipped through the pages. "It's still your favorite, right?" asked Ezra.

"Yeah," she replied softly. "Never dreamed that I'd actually meet real life star whales. Or travel to another galaxy, even."

"We've had pretty crazy lives, now that I think about it," Ezra observed.

"Yeah, no kidding," said Sabine. A pang of melancholy went through her as she read through the story; her father reading this to her, late at night, flashed vividly in her memories.

"Didn’t like the ending," said Ezra. "We never did find out if the Princess and the Starboy ever reunited."

Sabine closed the book. "They did reunite," she said. "That's how I told the story."

Ezra looked at her. "Is that so?"

She nodded. "My father told me that if you don't like the story's ending, then just change it. So that's what I did."

Ezra shook his head and smiled at her. "That's so very . . . you, Sabine."

Sabine shrugged. "Who else am I supposed to be?"

He laughed. "True. I wouldn't have it any other way."

She grinned and leaned back in her seat. "You're not getting it any other way, Ezra. I'm afraid you're stuck with me."

"Oh, good," he replied dryly. After a brief pause, he added quietly, "Thanks for finding me, Princess."

For a moment, he thought Sabine hadn't heard him. Then, just as quietly, Ezra heard her answer.

"Anything for you, Starboy."

[jaidens]

I miss your tan skin, your sweet smile, so good to me, so right

pairing [s] : miguel o’hara x reader

warning [s] : oh to have me a miguel o’hara.

a/n [s] : my requests are open | pretty short, I wrote this late at night so it's probably only a couple hundred words maybe, to be honest, I'm not sure. i apologize for how short it is.

Miguel loved you.

He showed it with small actions. He wasn't the best at showing love after losing his baby, but he did it. He would come home and give you a flower and say “It reminded me of you.” You couldn't imagine a life where you didn't love him.

Miguel tried his hardest to show his affection, but it was hard. The walls, he built up to cover himself from being hurt so horribly for the third time. He was only letting you see through his horribly patched holes in such walls. It was things like that that only made you fall harder. He was letting you through, and that's what mattered to you the most.

Miguel came home one day and was holding a small convenience store bag in his hand. He handed it to you and it was a tiny teddy bear and your favorite candy. “I just wanted to tell you I'm thankful for the shirt you bought me.” You smiled up at him and hugged him in your arms and he stood stiff.

He slowly put his arms on your back and patted them slightly. The two of you sat there for hours just hugging. Miguel craved the feeling and couldn't let you go until you told him you were hungry. “Thank you Miguel for the gift. I am completely thankful.” You told him as you watched him smile at you.

Miguel had asked you out to a small restaurant he had found. He was nervous as he waited for you outside of your house. He messes with the collar on his shirt or the sleeves. Miguel is bouncing on the balls of his feet as you open the door to him. You're dressed completely amazing and he understands why he started to love you.

He lends his arm to you and he walks you to his car. He opened the car door for you and helped you in. Miguel made sure you are completely sure about going to it. Another way he showed his affection for you, his constant questions and waiting for your answers. He needed to know if you were alright with everything before you had done it.

You smiled at him and you put your hand on his. “I’m alright Miguel. Let's go, I'm hungry.” You told him and he laughed and started driving. He mentioned how beautiful the sky looked, and you grinned at him. It was a quiet drive with a random jazz radio playing gently on the radio.

Miguel didn't know how to feel knowing that you were his girlfriend. You truly loved him and that was almost new to him. He tried harder to show his love to you, by giving you more items to keep. He loved giving you small gifts that you could keep with you. He always said, “It would remind you of me." Miguel hadn't been any but wrong as you kissed him softly against his lips. z

He sat there stunned and you pulled away before quickly apologizing. He stopped you with a peck against the lips. “No. I'm sorry I didn't know you would do that.” You smiled at him and you went back to kissing him. He wouldn't be able to tell you about the warm feeling in his stomach every time he saw you. Whenever you would look in his eyes and he would know and understand why he fell in love with you.

He worries you might believe he is weird for being so upset with himself. Miguel had forgotten your flowers and he almost cried on the way home. It was your anniversary and he knew you would hate him so much. That is until he comes home and all you do is smile at him and give him a hug. He melts in your arms and stays there for as long as he can.

Miguel loves you.

[0nlythrowharrybeaux]

Young American Finale ^**

AHHHH THE FINALE IS HERE. I had such a hard time finishing this because I think I wasn't ready for it to end, but thus it had to. I hope you guys love this part. A lot happens and of course, the happiest ending for our lovely couple and their little angel of a baby boy 👼🏻

Series Masterlist

Warnings: descriptions of abusive relationships (verbal/emotional). Descriptions of personality disorder (Borderline Personality Disorder specifically). Descriptions of pregnancy. Fingering and oral sex (fem receiving), use of sex toys, sex (p in v, unprotected), breeding kink, multiple/forced orgasms. Descriptions of labor and delivery process.

WC: 23K

A little recap....

Y/N finds out that Harry has been hanging out with and talking to his ex-girlfriend Chloe for a few weeks. He has been acting very sketchy about it. So at the Sunday roast they are hosting, she borrows his phone and decides to give Chloe a call. Harry gets suspicious and decides to follow her in and finds out she's contacted Chloe...

“Baby, can I use your phone?” Y/N asked as she came up to him and he suddenly felt concern come over him.

“Ummm why? For what?” He asked right away and immediately regretted it because it sounded suspicious. Or maybe he was just being super paranoid.

“I can’t seem to find mine and I was supposed to call G, he wanted to run through his anniversary dinner plans with his man.” She explained. “I just want to find it, I’m gonna call from mine, don’t worry.” She assured and he bit his lip and nodded.

“Ummm sure. Yeah, of course.” He replied and handed it over. She grabbed it and typed in his password but it was wrong and she glanced up to him in confusion, “Oh, sorry forgot to mention I changed it. Archie knew it and downloaded a shitload of games on it and-”

“It’s fine, Harry.” She smiled, “You don’t need to justify it to me. I trust you.” She said looking deep in his eyes, but there was something in them that made him distrust her words and he frowned a bit.

“Right.” He chuckled and he took it and typed in the password and handed it over.

“Thanks. I’m gonna go look for my phone.” She said and headed inside.

Harry felt so unsettled that Y/N had his phone. He knew Y/N had seen the text Chloe had sent him after the first time they hung out after the cycling class. But she didn’t seem upset or even bring it up again, he hadn’t meant to hide it, but if she didn’t read into it then he was just not going to bring it up. And he really did intend on just closing the door with Chloe, but she was going through a lot and well he had been looking for something to do with his time, so he figured being a friend to her wouldn’t be a bad thing. So they kept hanging out and doing stuff around town. It was completely platonic. He hadn’t given Y/N any reason not to trust him in the past, and well he just…didn’t want to relive the horrors of that relationship with Y/N. Once Chloe got through her rough patch he’d just tell her that they couldn’t be friends. That was genuinely his plan, but he had been so wrapped up in her that he hadn’t realized that just being around her was changing him, the effects were so quick that he was oblivious to them. 

He had been lost in the chatter until he realized that Y/N hadn’t brought his phone back for a while. It made him feel on edge, so much so that he quite literally chugged the beer before him and stood up abruptly, startling Skye.

“Alright, mate?” He asked and Harry nodded.

“Yeah, just gonna grab another beer. Anyone else want one?” He asked and his uncle, Julie, and Skye all said yes.

“So you’re drinking again? What happened to solidarity?” Gemma asked and he frowned a bit. He had been drinking again…he didn’t know why that hadn’t really clicked until someone mentioned it to him.

“S’only been two.” He said.

“Try 3.” Gemma said and he looked at her incredulously until he glanced down at the spot before him and saw that he had in fact polished of his 3rd beer already. 

“Those are not all mine. We’ve all been drinking.” He said and immediately Gemma and Alyssa exchanged a look of concern. 

“No mate, those are yours.” Skye confirmed and everyone laughed a bit and Harry frowned, suddenly feeling really defensive that everyone was laughing at him, “Well, fine. No more for me then. Should I still bring you lot another?” He asked and they nodded. “Coming right up. M’also gonna check on Y/N, she’s been gone too long.” He said and headed inside. 

Now he was feeling conflicted and attacked and anxious. He beelined for their current bedroom and the door was closed. And when he tried to open it he found it was locked. He exhaled, jaw taut as he swallowed down the lump in his throat as he tried to listen for any sounds and could hear her muffled speaking.

“Open the door, Y/N.” He said through the wood. It took a few moments before the door opened. It worried him that he couldn’t really decipher the look in her eyes, but all he needed to know was that it wasn’t good. “Who were you talking to?” He asked and she looked at him for a second.

“Does it matter?”

“It does. You said you were going to talk to G and if you weren’t then why did you lie about it?” He questioned her. Just then his phone started ringing and she glanced down to it. She turned the phone towards him and his expression went blank and he swore that all of the blood in his body rushed down to his feet making him feel dizzy and out of sorts.

“Do you want to answer her or should I?” Y/N asked and he didn’t say anything, “I should warn you that I think she’s still calling for me so she might get a bit rude with you.” She said calmly and when he just stood there she shook her head and sighed as she handed the phone over and started to get around him to exit the room.

“What did she say to you?” He asked and she sighed.

“It doesn’t matter, I didn’t believe half the things she accused you of, she’s clearly psychologically unwell-”

“That’s rude of you to say, she’s just going through a hard time.” He said with a frown and Y/N sighed.

“I think she’s fine. She’s just a liar, Harry.”

“Why would she lie about anything that she’s been through?!” He asked in frustration.

“Because she knows that’s how she’ll reel you back in.” Y/N said simply and Harry frowned. 

“She doesn’t affect me like that any more. It’s not like she was going to trick me into leaving you or something! I’m not an idiot!” He snapped and she frowned.

“I didn’t say you were-”

“I was just lending an ear. It was nothing bad!” His voice was raised now in defense when she hadn’t even said one accusatory thing to him.

“If it’s nothing bad why did you go out of your way to hide this from me?” She asked and his forehead creased even deeper in frustration and he sighed and it looked like he would say something but after about a minute of standing there in silence he didn’t say anything more. “OK, well I’m just going to head back outside.” She said quietly and before she could make it out he grabbed her arm.

“I know you saw the first text she sent me. You were looking through my phone. Why were you even looking through my phone?!” He questioned her as he stood in front of the door now.

“I was trying to see if Eddie had good news! After the morning we’d had I just wanted to share some good news with you. And we always look at each other’s phones! It had never been a problem before so I just assumed it was fine to look at your phone.”

“So you saw it, meaning that you’ve known about Chloe since then and you never brought it up. Why didn’t you bring it up if it bugged you? Were you trying to collect evidence against me so you can hold it over my head or leave me?” He asked and she looked at him like he was absolutely mad.

“Where is this about me leaving you even coming from?” She asked him, “I didn’t say anything because up until I saw that message I believed that you had lost track of time and somehow walked all the way to SOHO! I was confused about how I felt and when I started to doubt you I decide to trust you instead and hoped that you would do the right thing. The mature thing and take ownership of your actions and tell me yourself! And when you didn’t bring it up the next day I wanted to show you the message and ask you for clarification but you had deleted it!” She said and his eyes softened a bit.

“There was nothing for me to bring up anymore and I thought that…maybe it was just a quick run in…worst case scenario, a spontaneous and regretful hook up!” She explained and Harry looked hurt that she even thought that, “But then you kept hiding things and lying and I knew you would keep lying about it. I’m really sorry if you feel like I invaded your privacy today, but you’ve been deliberately lying to me for weeks and I’ve been going fucking crazy between deciding if I wanted to know what was going on or not! But then I realized that I couldn’t bear to hear something bad from you, so I decided to hear it from her if something was going on.” She said with tearful eyes but she wasn’t going to let a singe tear fall, “And I don’t know why you decided to lie to me, Harry. But if she still means something to you and you wanted her back in your life I would’ve tried to understand. But after all the sneaking around and now that I’ve spoken to her and have heard the way she’s talked about you and the things she’s said about you. Your supposed friend by the way, I don’t want her near you, me, or our baby, ever.” She said firmly and Harry swallowed thickly. “Can I go now?” She asked and he let her go and moved to the side.

“Are you angry at me?” He asked softly and she sighed as she stopped at the door.

“Angry doesn’t even begin to cover it.” She responded

“You have every right to be, but I swear I was just listening to her problems, it was absolutely nothing other than that and-”

“I know. We’re not done talking about this though. We should deal with this when everyone goes.” She said.

“I love you so much and I’m really sorry for all of this.” He apologized.

“Thank you for apologizing.” She said quietly and he nodded.

“Not gonna forgive me though?” He asked as he took her hands and the fact that she let him was a good sign.

“Obviously I will, but I’m still angry at you and I…don’t want to forgive you without clearing things up.” She said sincerely and he chuckled a bit, “I’m being serious.” She pouted and he nodded.

“I know, my love.” He assured, “I’m not laughing at you, s’just a nervous thing.” He said and she shook her head.

“I think I just want to understand why you…went through all these lengths for her before I can move on from this.” She explained her reasoning and he frowned.

“Baby, I can clarify how this even happened but I ummm…I don’t want to talk about why this happened.” He said to her.

“OK, but you need to so that we can clear this up.” She said and he shook his head.

“I can’t. I won’t.” He said to her with certainty and out of every emotion under the sun, the one radiating the strongest off of him was fear. He was afraid to talk about this with her.

“I get that it might be painful and hard to explain it but…whether you’re ready to hear this or not, she was in your head, Harry. She’d gotten in your head and a few more weeks of this and who knows where you’d be!” She explained anxiously.

“How can you even say that?” He asked, fully offended. “I wouldn’t betray you ever! Or just leave you!” He scoffed.

“Maybe not the you that I’ve shared all of this with, but that’s what you were doing though…” she said and he tore his hands from hers, “You were pulling away and you’ve been really weird and cold and dry…like how you were before and…well you’ve been drinking a lot more than your normal, and-”

“STOP IT!” He shouted out of nowhere and she just shut her mouth and he exhaled shakily and licked over his lips as he calmed down for a second, “I understand that I owe you an apology, but you’re not getting an explanation.” He said voice soft but his tone was decisive, his eyes locked intensely on hers. “Do you understand?” He asked and she felt patronized at his question and she shook her head.

“I can’t accept that, Harry.” Y/N responded. “In order to rebuild the trust that’s been broken we need to talk-”

“Well trust me now when I tell you that discussing Chloe and I is not something that will help anything. I won’t talk to her again. It’s all in the past and it’s not going to make a difference now so get it out of your head. Please.” He implored.

“It’ll make a difference to me. Because I need to be sure that this is not going to happen again. And I can hope all I want, but if there is something, some part of you that is still…vulnerable to her-”

“We’re done having this conversation.” He interrupted and walked around her to leave the bedroom. She followed after him as best as she could, but he was walking fast. She frowned when she saw him getting out of his house shoes and opening the door to the entryway.

“Harry, where are you going?” She asked in a panic.

“Maybe to go fuck Chloe and file for divorce while I’m at it!” He snapped sarcastically and she felt her tears start to fall.

“You’re being really shitty, Harry.” She sniffled, but he was so overwhelmed and he felt like she was pushing him and pressuring him to talk about something that he never intended to open up about with anyone.

“Well that’s what you probably think I’m going to do anyway, isn’t it?” He asked her with a scowl on his face and she shook her head.

“No, Harry! But running off is not going to resolve this issue!”

“Well I don’t want to be here right now with all these people while you accuse me of shit I haven’t even done!”

“I’m not accusing you of anything!” She sighed in frustration as he opened the front door, “Harry, if you leave right now I don’t want you to come back until you’re ready to face this.” She admonished and as she looked into his eyes she searched for any indication that he would soften up but he looked away.

“That’s not going to happen, so you can call me when you decide to just let this one go.” He said lowly and he heard a sob break through her throat before she just stormed off. In his stubbornness he decided to just leave. He groaned and wasn’t discrete in his exit, he slammed the door hard enough that the windows rattled a bit.

*********

Alyssa was coming inside to go to the bathroom when she heard the door slam and she rushed over to the exit and then looked out the window to see Harry stomping over to his car and getting in roughly. So she headed down the hall to the guest room only to hear Y/N sobbing loudly on the other side of the closed door. She bit on her lip nervously and decided to head out and grab Gemma. More than anyone else, she and Gemma had picked up on the recent changes to Harry’s attitude. It was all reminiscent of his time with his ex, Chloe. They had been the ones who were constantly appealing for him to just let the relationship go, to move on, to come back home…but Chloe was so deep in his head, almost thinking for him! She could manipulate him in ways that were so sinister. And god, she really hoped that Harry hadn’t been stupid enough to have seen her or sleep with her, but whatever this was, it was bad.

“Gem, can you come here for a minute?”

“Where the hell is Harry with our beers?” Her dad asked and she groaned.

“I’ll get ‘em…” Alyssa said and headed off to the kitchen to grab the beers while Gemma made her way inside.

“Do you need help with something?”

“Harry stormed out and Y/N is sobbing in the bedroom.” She said and Gemma frowned. “Can you check on her. I’ll be right there.” She said and Gemma hurried off. Alyssa then made an excuse to get everyone to go home or go hang out at the pub, which is what they all agreed on. Gemma then came back out and shared a look with Aly that told her that whatever this was needed their immediate attention, so she asked Skye to leave the car and she’d just get him from the pub before they went home and he agreed and so they all headed off and that left Aly and Gemma and Y/N in the house.

“Did you talk to her?” Aly asked as she served Y/N a glass of water.

“No, she said to give her a minute to calm down before she wanted to talk about it.” Gemma said and Aly nodded before heading back to her bedroom.

*********

“Hey guys.” Y/N sniffled as she let them in. Alyssa offered the water glass and she took it and drank some down before setting it down on the bedside table and then just sitting on the bed.

“Where did my brother go?” Gemma asked.

“I really don’t know…” she sighed as she rubbed at her eyes, “And I don’t…I don’t know what to do.” She confessed and the two women before her nodded, encouraging her to tell them what was going on. “Ummm, so like about three weeks ago we had a little argument over Harry saying he was feeling trapped at home. He was like bored out of his mind and was like trying to get me to do more stuff with him and he basically just wanted to have some fun together before the baby came. But like, I’m just achey and tired all the time and won’t be able to keep up, you know how he is.” She explained and they both chuckled and nodded, “But he had gone off to the gym to just get the need to be active out of his system and like…he was gone for hours.” She explained, “Later that night he was expecting a text from Eddie, but then when I went to go see the message another came in at the same time and I accidentally opened that text and it was from his ex-girlfriend, Chloe and it was…sketchy.” She said and both Gemma and Alyssa sighed in disappointment.

“So he’s been…seeing her?” Gemma asked and Y/N nodded firmly once.

“For the past three weeks.” Y/N confirmed. “Like…I wanted to bring up that text to him because they way she wrote it, it was like insinuating that they had…ummm-”

“HE DID NOT.” Gemma stated with a frown.

“I don’t think he did, but she just wanted to make it seem that way.” Y/N explained.

“I wouldn’t put it past her. She’s a fucking lunatic! Like completely mad.” Alyssa said and Y/N sighed.

“Yeah, she’s not well…” she agreed, “Well, anyway he deleted the text message before I could ask him about it. He never saved the number so I assumed that if anything had happened it was a one time thing and I decided that I could make peace with that. But there were more texts through the weeks and then he just started deleting them I assume because they suddenly stopped, but he’d always be gone and like he’s just not been himself.” She explained.

“Yeah, I called him out on the drinking earlier and he got so defensive.” Gemma said and Y/N sighed.

“Right, well I misplaced my phone and I asked him for his to call myself and he got really weird about me having his phone. And when he finally gave it over he had changed the password, which is strange because we’ve never been secretive with that, you know? And he…he said Archie had downloaded too many games on it so he decided to change it.” Gemma scoffed when Y/N shared that and she shrugged. “I really was just going to look for my phone but then that happened and I got suspicious so I…I called her to ask her if anything was going on because I’d rather hear it from someone I don’t know than him, you know?”

“What did she say?” Aly asked.

“Well she first pretended that she had no idea he was married and then confirmed that they’d been sleeping together. But she was being a bit inconsistent so I know she’s lying about that, but he’s been spending a lot of time with her. Harry was at the door and overheard I think, but when he came in he told me he was just being nice and trying to listen to her problems. Which I genuinely believe he was trying to be nice, but the woman is obsessed with him and clearly has ulterior motives! And he like started to defend her or whatever and I was just trying to tell him that like…if nothing bad was going on then he didn’t have to hide it and lie about it, you know? It’s just the ease at which he was willing to lie for her that’s really bothering me.” She explained with concern.

“Well of course he lied about it. There’s an unspoken rule that we don’t talk about her. Ever. She’s the reason he was a fucking mess! But he literally worshipped the ground she shat on and nothing could ever make him see what it was that she was doing to him.” Aly explained and Gemma snorted on a laugh and Y/N giggled as well at Aly’s chosen expression. “He knew that if any of us found out that he was seeing her again that we would interfere and give him hell for it. That’s why he lied.” Alyssa said with certainty and Gemma nodded.

“OK, so obviously this is…a lot more of a sensitive situation than I thought. Like I knew his previous relationships weren’t great, he’d shared that much, but this is…more than just bad I think? I mean, he tried to apologize but I told him that we needed to talk about what exactly happened that made him feel like he needed to lie before I could properly forgive him and move on from it. Like I don’t want to forgive him and next time he’s struggling he falls into her lap again, you know? Like clearly she knows how to get to him and he’s still susceptible to her! And that’s when he got angry. He said that I wasn’t going to get an explanation and to just take the apology and like…I don’t know, maybe I pushed him too far?” She sniffled.

“Bull!” Gemma cut in, “He needs to explain himself!”

“I agree.” Aly said and Y/N sighed.

“Well Harry doesn’t feel like he needs to. He just said he doesn’t want to revisit it and to just trust that he won’t talk to her again. But like…I saw how she got in his head and just the difference over the last few weeks, I mean, it’s not normal or healthy and that’s when he really got pissed and started to leave and I asked him where he was going and he said-” she stopped as her tears started to blur her vision again and Gemma and Aly frowned, “H-he said that m-maybe he would go and fuck Chloe or ummm…file for divorce s-since that’s what I was assuming he was doing anyway…” she cried and the girls literally gasped upon hearing this. “And I got angry and said if he walked out that I didn’t want him home until he was ready to talk about it and then he said that he wasn’t going to change his mind and he’d wait for me to call him when I’ve decided to let it go.” She started to cry again and Gemma just hugged her and glanced over at Aly with apprehension. 

“I’m really sorry.” She hummed and Y/N just sighed through her tears.

“Like I want to work through this, but I don’t know what I’m truly up against, you know? And like, I didn’t know she was his ex until I called her today and just…the things she said about him were so hurtful and like…I just can’t for the life of me understand why he would choose to interact with someone like that and then defend them like that!?” She said in frustration.

“Well, I know I’m his sister and I love him to death, but this is just the tip of the iceberg of his ugly side if Chloe is involved.” She said and Y/N pulled back and frowned, “Harry was with her for four years. I don’t know what went on in the relationship because he was so far removed from us then, but I know that it wasn’t anything good. That relationship destroyed him. He was already going through so much but that just made it worse and like…as much as he avoided us, we also started to avoid him because he was…awful and mean to everyone when we would even try to understand what was going on with them. We hadn’t spoken for almost a year when I reached out to him again.” She confessed and Y/N sighed.

“I told him he needed to see a therapist after that was over.” Aly said and Gemma nodded.

“I don’t think he ever did.” Y/N said and they sighed, “Like…he’s done a lot of the work himself and like…not that it hasn’t worked, he’s a completely different person even than the version of him I first met. But obviously he works on just what he sees he needs to work on. But like, she knows how to work him and he’s so convinced that she doesn’t affect him.”

“That’s not new…he’s always been in denial about that.” Alyssa said and Y/N wiped her tears away.

“What if he really does what he said and stays away until I change my mind about this? The baby’s coming soon and I can’t do this without him. But I also feel like, if I cave on this…it’s a mistake and I feel like he’s still vulnerable to her and that he will go back the next time something gets difficult. And if something this small had him like this I’m sure that with something bigger she’d somehow manage to turn him against me. I can’t live everyday on edge wondering when is the day that she’s completely won him over and he leaves me!” She expressed sadly with so much frustration bubbling inside of her.

“I know it’s not nearly the same thing as having Harry backing you, but we’re here for you and we’ve got your back on this.” Alyssa said kindly.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Gemma agreed as she gave her a little squeeze.

“Thank you guys. Everyone else didn’t hear the commotion right?”

“No.” Gemma assured.

“Good. The last thing I need is your mom, gran, and Julie ganging up on him when he’s already in a fragile state…” she sighed, “Thank you guys for listening. I felt like maybe I had been really unreasonable with my request to just understand what happened.”

“Not at all unreasonable, it’s just the Chloe-effect.” Alyssa said before making an icky face and Y/N giggled. “Now, I have a serious question for you, Y/N. Are you in need of a pedicure? Because I think we just need to get out of the house for the rest of the afternoon. Help you calm down a bit? Maybe Harry has an epiphany while we’re out.” Alyssa said.

“And if he doesn’t?” She asked.

“Well then at least your feet will be soft and your toenails a cute color.” Gemma said and Y/N smiled.

“Let’s do it then.” She agreed.

***********

Harry had taken a long drive to just think and ended up in Brighton, he had a lot of fond memories there. He didn’t want to talk about Chloe ever again and he could admit that he made a mistake in entertaining her again but he didn’t want to delve into it. He literally hadn’t realized how far down the rabbit hole he’d gone until everything piled up on him today. He was afraid to talk to Y/N about that part of his life because he felt that it would maybe change her view or opinion of him and taint their marriage, if they even had one anymore. Because sure, he was a grouch when he’d met her, but that was tame compared to the person he’d been when he was with Chloe. A part of that came out earlier when he’d said all those awful things to her when she was trying to stop him from leaving. And well, the moment he uttered all of those hurtful things to her he felt so ashamed of himself that he just had to go. She deserved more than a man who had so easily strayed away. She deserved more than someone who deceived her and said hurtful things to her just to get her to lay off. 

He was terrified to go back home because he was afraid to prove Chloe right…that he wasn’t capable of loving and nurturing a marriage and much less a child. But whether he and Y/N had anything anymore after this stunt he pulled one thing was certain, he needed to sever all ties with Chloe because even he could recognize that everything started going to shit the second she was back in his life. Once again, he had been seeking her validation. He had intended to just be nice to her, he wasn’t sure at what point the tables turned but they had. He had somehow started out being the one in control and suddenly he wasn’t anymore and it terrified him that he hadn’t even realized it. He needed to just let that go for good, so he dialed her number and she picked up after a few rings.

“Harry, what happened?” She asked him right away.

“Just a huge fucking fight with Y/N…I fucked up and left instead of…giving her that explanation she asked for.” He explained sadly.

“Well, I get why you’re feeling so down all the time now! Your wife’s a real fucking piece of work.” she chuckled.

“Chloe, why would you lie to her about what was going on with us?” He asked and she sighed.

“Because I can see how miserable you are with her, Harry! And I also know you’re too much of a coward to end it. But you have to admit to yourself that this was all a mistake! Because that’s what this whole thing with her is, a mistake. I know you think that you’re cut out for this kind of thing, but you’re not!”

“And why is that?” He asked with a frown.

“Because you’re so… damaged, Harry! How can you be a father when you’re like this?” She questioned. “And I mean this with all the care in my heart, H. I know you think you’re doing better but look at how easily you came back to me! You asked me out, Harry and I accepted. Obviously, deep down you’re not over me and you’re unhappy with your life choices.”

“What? I wanted to catch up and hopefully get some closure, just the one time! But then you started showing up at the gym every day and texting me and asking to see me and talk to me about your problems and your life and I…I felt for you! I just wanted to be a decent person and help you, Chloe. But I…I won’t lose myself in you again.” He stated firmly.

“And do you really think you have anything with her after doing something like this?” She asked him, “Huh? While she’s off somewhere pissed at you, I’m here on the phone with you, because I need you as much as you need me, otherwise you would’ve grown a pair and stayed with her to fix things.” She said.

“This call isn’t for me to vent about the argument I had with my wife. I’m only phoning you to tell you that we’re done. All you ever did was tear me down and make me believe that because I was hurting and not being a great person then that I wasn’t worthy of all of the good things life has to offer. If you loved me as much as you said you did, why would you do that? Why would you make me feel like I wasn’t worthy of love when I desperately needed it the most?” He questioned and she didn’t respond, “Y/N loves me despite my mistakes, which I can assure you are many, and she loved me despite my hurt. She loved me when I was a miserable and broken shell of myself. She helped bring me back and I will love her eternally and be grateful to her for that forever. And I have everything I want and everything I need with Y/N. I really do wish you the best but-”

“How dare you?” She questioned angrily, “You’re just a good for nothing piece of shit, you’d be so lucky t-” he just hung up the phone and took a deep breath before just blocking her number and it was liberating. He was relishing in his small victory when a text from his mum came in.

Upon reading it he immediately forgot all about what he was thinking and called Y/N. He sighed when her phone rang out and then he tried again and no answer. He didn’t even think twice before he ran off to his car. He needed to make sure she was OK. It was nearly a two hour drive and he had tried her again and Alyssa and then Gemma and Skye and no one was picking up. He was about to call his mum back and ask, but then he’d have to explain that he had actually left and that would open up even more issues. 

He got home in record time and the house appeared dark. He rushed inside and looked around and well, her phone was on the bedside table…maybe they had to take her to the hospital and they left in a rush. But they would’ve called him…he groaned and just as he was about to head out again he heard laughing at the door and he rushed to the entry way and saw and heard her, with Gemma and Alyssa. He sighed in relief as they opened the entry way and their smiles slowly fell when they saw him.

“Oh thank god, you’re alright.” He said and she looked at him with confusion, “Mum texted something about a panic attack.” He explained.

“Oh, that was probably from what I told them to get them to leave.” Aly cut in and he nodded.

“Right, well are you alright for now?” Gemma asked her quietly, but he still heard her.

“Yeah. Thank you for all the pampering this afternoon and for taking me to the Barbie movie.” She said with a smile to her and Aly who both hugged her tight. They didn’t fail to glare at him while they hugged her and were soon being escorted to the door. Harry just sat at the staircase as they said goodbye and soon Y/N was coming back in and slipping out of her sandals.

“I’m glad you’re alright. I was worried.” He said as he stood.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She assured and just walked past him and to the bedroom. He waited a bit before he decided to just follow after her, but as soon as he made it into the hallway he saw the last bit of the door close and then heard the lock click. He swore that it absolutely broke his heart to have her reject him this way, but he deserved it. Just seeing the disappointment in her eyes made him want to fix this. He walked up to the door and heard her shuffling around the room a bit.

“Ummm, I’m gonna go sleep up stairs then.” He informed and hesitated a bit before speaking up again, “I know I was…a total fucking asshole today. I’m so sorry, baby, I shouldn’t have reacted or left like that. I just…get defensive when it comes to this situation… And I just want you to know that I only love you.” He spoke through the door and just a second later she spoke up, her voice muffled by the door between them as well.

“And I love you too.” She responded softly before he saw the room go dark from the crack under the door. It wasn’t all that late but he’s sure that she was emotionally drained and possibly physically exhausted as well. He went up the stairs and got showered and then into bed.

Harry was so ashamed of himself and everything that came with those horrible four years of his life with Chloe. And he did want to be good enough for Y/N, but evidently there was still a small part of him that believed that he wasn’t and never would be. It’s not like all of the horrible shit he did when he was with Chloe just went away! He felt bad about it every time a memory resurfaced. And the one thing that should’ve made him feel better, but actually made him feel even more like shit was that Y/N still loved him. After everything he’d put her through today, not to mention the last few weeks of deception and even betrayal to some extent, she still made a point to tell him that she loved him. It was crazy to him…he would never withhold his love from her either, but he felt that she provided the good and all he did was hurt her and disappoint her. Even when their paths first crossed she had extended respect and kindness to him when he was awful to her. Maybe if he just explained to her why he was so worried about talking about this she would give him more time to figure out how to share this stuff about his past and how that led to what happened over the last couple weeks. As much as he wanted to avoid talking about it, fixing things with Y/N was far more important than his shame over his past. 

With that new priority at the front of his mind Harry sat up from the bed and got into his slippers, he headed to the stair case and when he reached it he stopped at the top of it when he saw Y/N was on her third step up. They both just looked at each other for a moment before she spoke up.

“Are you really gonna make me go all the way up there after the day I’ve had?” She inquired and his lips split in a small smile and he proceeded to hurry down the steps. With each step he took down his eyes flooded with his tears and as soon as she was within arm’s reach he pulled her close as he sniffled.

“I love you so much, baby.” He sighed in relief at the feeling of her being in his arms again and more than that, she hugged him back.

“I know you do. And I love you too.” She assured him and he pulled back to look at her.

“I don’t think I deserve it sometimes.” He confessed through a sniffle and she frowned.

“We all make mistakes-”

“Well I’m the only one fucking up here and you deserve more than that-”

“I’m not perfect by any means. I lied about…the hot Cheetos and the Jaffa cakes.” She said and he chuckled despite his tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Yeah, that’s actually far worse than what I lied about.” He said sarcastically and she smiled up at him. She was hopeful that he was ready to share what had happened. She just wanted to understand him. “Ummm, can we sit to talk?”

“Please.” she said and he chuckled and helped her down and to the couch just in the next room over. He flicked on the lamp they had in there to give the space a nice warm glow and she got comfortable on the couch, her back to the armrest as she brought up her legs up over his  and hugged a pillow to her body. Harry sat beside her, his hands on her legs and stroked over them softly as he collected his thoughts for a moment.

“Ummm…first off, again, I am so sorry for lying and hiding things from you. For continuing to see Chloe. For the way I’ve been acting the last few weeks, but more importantly for all of the awful things I’ve done today.” He apologized with a small frown, “I will never let myself forget what happened here, like…” he swallowed thickly, “Obviously it’s not the person I want to be.” He finished, “But in order to explain why I am so…vulnerable to Chloe’s shit…I ummm, I have to talk about my relationship with her and ummm…” He exhaled nervously and when his eyes met hers she could see the anxiety and fear and sadness in them, his hands even started trembling a bit and it absolutely broke her heart, “Baby, I mean this with my whole heart! I want to be able t-to talk about it but I can’t talk about this with you yet. And it’s not a you thing, I honestly have never talked about it properly with anyone.” He explained to her and her frown deepened upon hearing this. He’d been carrying this around all by himself for all of these years? He was certainly stronger than she had given him credit for.

“Being with her, those were the worst years of my life and I’ve learned to just accept what it was, you know? Like I can’t change the past and as much as it is what it is ummm…it still…it still hurts a lot if I think about it too much. And like… I wasn’t the best person when I was with her and like…” he sighed as he just worked up the courage to speak. He started anxiously picking at the sides of his fingers and she reached out and grabbed his hands, forcing him to look up at her, “Baby, I guess I’m afraid that if you hear how awful I was maybe you won’t feel the same about me or even look at me in the same way. I’m so ashamed about that whole part of my life and that’s why it’s hard to explain to you how this happened. But what I can tell you is that…I think a part of her is still like… she’s still in my head.” He frowned and she did as well, nodding in understanding. “And I have tried everything to just stop hearing her voice in there. Like, I’m already hard on myself but like…this is different. It’s like on a whole different level and it really makes me doubt myself. One thing she’d always tell me was that I wasn’t good enough for a family of my own. That because of my intense grief I wasn’t strong enough of a person to have…well, to have what we have together.” He said and Y/N shook her head in disbelief with a pout.

“She really said that to you?” She asked and he couldn’t bear to look at her as he nodded.

“Yeah. All the time. And I would see the way I’d treat my friends and my family and how…shitty I was and so I…believed it. I believed what she told me and I had made peace with it.” He chuckled sadly, “It was the reason why she “couldn’t be faithful” to me,” he said with air quotes, “Because I wasn’t good enough for a real committed relationship and I think that…when I do something wrong or I…hurt your feelings, like when I told you I felt trapped,” he said and she nodded, “I think ummm…it’s like a confirmation bias, you know? Like everything she said about me was right. Like I wasn’t built for this. Like I don’t…deserve it.” he explained and Y/N’s heart was breaking for him, “I hope this is enough o-of an explanation for you, but that’s all I can talk about right now without feeling like…basically like she’s won. Again.” He explained softly. Just the idea of him feeling like Chloe had won made Y/N’s blood boil in a way she had never felt before. She would equate it to the wrath of god. She couldn’t believe someone would  be so cruel on purpose.

“Look at me, H.” She said quietly, his eyes met hers again with some uncertainty. But Harry was relieved that she wasn’t looking at him with pity, like he was broken. There was just love and compassion as she looked at him, “Look at what we have together and how far you’ve come from that! She didn’t win then and she hasn’t won now. You have.” She said to him and Harry just felt the lump in his throat bob violently before he started to sob.

“And yes, what you’ve shared is enough for now and you’re enough for me. More than! Always.” She offered a soft and encouraging smile, “And I do forgive you, baby. And your family forgives you too. And look, that’s all good and well, but I think you might still be so affected by all of this because…you haven’t forgiven yourself.” She explained and his eyes softened as he choked on another sob, “What you said earlier about not forgetting about what happened, I agree that we need to sometimes remind ourselves of past instances where we went about things the wrong way. Like we can’t erase mistakes, they help us learn and do better, right? But it shouldn’t be this thing where you’re holding your mistakes over your head all the time, baby. I love you so much and so does your family, none of us are ever going to hold your shortcomings over your head. So why should you?” She asked him and he shrugged as he gasped for air. “Oh, come here, my love.” She tutted and he just surged forward and nestled into her side as best as he could. “I love you so much.” She said softly.

Sure, he had made things right with everyone else he had hurt and it was enough for a while but he had never gotten around to making things right with himself. And ultimately the forgiveness and acceptance that he needed the most to be able to heal fully was his own, but he wouldn’t be able to do that alone.

“I love you.” He hiccuped, “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. You mean everything to me. You’re my whole life. You have to know that. I’m sorry.” He whispered over and over as she just held him for several minutes until his crying calmed down enough that he could properly breathe again.

“Baby, when I say this to you it’s just a suggestion and like…I want you to seriously consider it.” She said and he hummed, “H-have you ever thought of meeting with a therapist to like…work through all of this?” She asked and he pulled back and nodded as he sniffled.

“Yeah, I’ve made so many appointments but ummm…I always flake out because I think that…that they’ll get a look at me and be like how does some scary looking guy let another person fuck him up so badly? Like why couldn’t I have just left sooner or like…seen through her shit, you know?”

“Well, first off it’s no one’s place to judge you, specially a therapist. But also, when I said Chloe is not sane, I mean that, like medically.” She said and Harry chuckled and bit through his tears and she smiled, “It really wasn’t an insult to her, like just from the ten minutes I spoke with her it was clear that she has issues of her own to resolve. I’m sure she has the capacity to be a great person, like all people do! And I’m sure that the version of her you first met and interacted with and even…fell in love with wasn’t this.” She said and he nodded.

“Yeah, not really.” He confirmed.

“I mean, maybe she has her own mental illness that she never talked to you about or something in her past that’s made her this way. But like…if it’s something serious and chronic, like a personality disorder, for example…if you’re not emotionally equipped to handle that, which most people who aren’t trained professionals aren’t, it can be extremely traumatic to have people like that in your life, H. And I will acknowledge that you’ve done a fantastic job of healing on your own and regaining your light and your nurturing and loving nature! Trust me, I see it every single day, baby, and I’m so proud of you for it.” She reassured him, “We all love how hard you love us and value us all, but I think it’s time to do that for yourself too. I mean, just in light of being parents now it’s something to…to consider.” She said and he nodded, “Like…I’ll probably need some therapy too after the fallout with my family. Like, I think about it and I feel so angry at them and I feel…betrayed by them and I want to get back at them somehow.” She explained, “But I don’t want our baby to grow up and see that unresolved anger and spite towards them. Like, obviously what they’ve done has hurt me unimaginably and who knows how long this beef’ll last with them…” she sighed, “But like, it’s OK to feel hurt, but I don’t want to walk around for years being angry and bitter at them. It’s just not healthy, you know?”

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” He said softly.

“You deserve to heal from this, baby.” She said and he nodded. They were quiet for a few seconds as she let him process all of this.

“Baby? D-do you think if I do…therapy that they’d let you stay with me until I feel comfortable doing it alone?” He asked and she smiled and nodded.

“Yeah, I think that shouldn’t be an issue.” She assured. “Though with the baby coming soon it might be a little tough.”

“We’ll just do it online for a bit then.” He said and she smiled and nodded, “Can I kiss you?” He asked and she nodded.

“Of course.” She said and he was careful and he kind of straddled her and leaned in to kiss her lips gently before pulling her into his side and getting comfortable beside her as best as they could with their limited space not he couch.

“You know, you’re the complete opposite of Chloe.” He said softly, “I think that’s why at first I hated you.”

“Hated?!” She gasped playfully and he smiled and shrugged a bit.

“If not hate, it was pretty close to it.” He confessed and she sniggered a bit.

“If I was the opposite, why would you hate me?” She questioned in some confusion.

“Because ummm…you weren’t her. Like I wasn’t in love with her anymore but I did miss the good bits.” He said softly, “I think that first day, after we had that little tiff and then you came back in and apologized? That just threw me off my orbit.” He said through a chuckle, “And I felt like a fucking child…like I didn’t know anything about human interactions. No one had been accountable for their shit and apologized to me in…fuck I couldn’t even remember. It made me angry that you felt I needed an apology because I felt like… I didn’t deserve it so I was a dick to you. Like…almost as if I needed to prove to you why I didn’t deserve your niceties or an apology. And down the line, it’s like, I wanted to see your ugly side but your reactions to my antagonizations were always the opposite of what I expected and…wanted to some extent. But that really shone a light on how badly I was being treated before and seeing you growing and flourishing and everyone liking you from the get-go…for me it was like…everything I’d ever wanted and wished for was being given to someone else. All that support and affection and friendship. Even I liked you, but I was jealous. And then you were so nice to me when I got stood up and it…gave me hope again.” He explained to her and she hummed in acknowledgment, letting him get it all out there.

“That’s when I decided to stop dwelling on what I had endured and just let something good happen to me because I really needed it. I mean, I had no idea what would come of me letting you into my life. Maybe it was just going to be another lesson and loss…” he chuckled, “But letting you in was the best decision of my life, whether it was short-lived or long-haul, I just knew that I would never be the same after you, in a good way.” He smiled and she did as well. “I love you in ways I never knew were possible, even more so now that you’re carrying our little boy, I mean…” he inhaled sharply to prevent himself from crying again but he couldn’t help it and whimpered on a sob before speaking again, “I’m sorry for taking what we have for granted.” He sniffled, “This is really the most special thing two people can do together. And it’s not lost on me that…that I have to prove myself to you now and earn back the trust that I broke. But I promise you that I will work hard every single day to show you two that I’m the person you’ll need me to be.”

“You already do, baby.” She assured him, “And we all get in our heads or make mistakes sometimes. And I want you to know that I don’t expect perfection from you. I just want you to try your best and I’ll try my best.” She said with a smile, “Saw this thing from Brené Brown once about how she and her husband check on each other when they reconvene after their days.” She said and he hummed. “They have a rule that between the both of them they need to make 100% and they have like a limit for what’s passing. So say 80%. Like if one of us had a super shitty day, we focus on taking care of that person and our family. Like maybe we get takeout instead, or do the laundry the next day…whatever it be that we need to put aside, we put it aside and prioritize caring for the partner who is struggling the most.” She explained. “And if both of our scores are less than 80 combined s’the same concept, we just do what we need to do to look after ourselves and put everything else aside.”

“I really like that.” He said and she nodded.

“Me too. And like…I feel like maybe I’m a bit too emotionally attached to your grandma because of what happened with mine, you know?” She said and he nodded, “And I mean, I’m also starting to just think a lot about delivering the baby and sometimes I feel like…what did I get myself into…” she said through a little chuckle.

“Oh, as do I.” He said and she smiled.

“Yeah…I’m terrified.” She admitted, “I also feel like maybe I might not be cut out for this sometimes and it’s not like I regret it, but sometimes I wonder if we moved into this too soon or…I don’t know, I just get in my head.” She explained and he frowned upon hearing this, “So I think, we’ve both been…struggling on our own for a while and not really communicating that to not worry the other. When in reality we’re supposed to be in this together and share the load and the worries and the joys. So I’m more than willing to just…have this last month just be us working this out together and preparing for our baby together.” She said and he smiled.

“Really?” He asked and she hummed, “And this has nothing to do with the fact that gran’s cleaned you out at gin every day last week?” He asked teasingly and she laughed.

“Well, just a bit.” She admitted and he chuckled, “But mostly because I’ve missed you the last few weeks.” She confessed, “I’ve missed you a lot.”

“I’ve missed you too. I have one condition though.”

“OK. Name it.”

“No more knitting. Please.” Harry pleaded with a small laugh.

“Fine…was planning on making you some slippers but-”

“I’m not an OAP! I don’t need knitted slippers. Also, they have no traction, so unless you want me to die tumbling down the stairs or something, no thanks.” He laughed and she giggled as well.

“Yeah, definitely not. So no knitting. I also have a condition.”

“Alright, name it and it’s done.”

“Brilliant! You’re going to tell your grandma about it just being us from here on out.” She said and he scoffed through a humorless laugh.

“Absolutely not. I can’t hurt her feelings like that…no way.”

“Well I can’t either! We’re besties!”

“We’ll draw straws.” He suggested.

“Baby, I’m pregnant. In such a delicate state, you can’t put such a stressful task on me. Besides, I already have to do the most grueling and difficult task bestowed upon a human being in just five weeks…so, I think you should take one for team Styles.” She said and he sighed loudly.

“You’re pulling that card are you?” He asked and she hummed smugly as she nodded and he chuckled, “That’s so mean.”

“I will while I can. Every. Single. Time. And you can take that to the bank.” She smirked.

“Fine…I’ll break up with my gran for you but you owe me big time for this…A favor of my choosing at the time of my choosing.”

“OK.” She agreed and he smiled and sighed happily as he relished in the feeling of her beside him once again. She literally was the best person he knew. They had fallen silent for a bit before his voice put an end to the quiet.

“My new passcode is your due date, 1707.” He said softly, “I changed it 2 weeks ago actually, before all of this because Archie really did download like 10 games and also managed to purchase like fifty pounds worth of something on one of them.” He clarified and she smiled. “And…Chloe’s first text actually has a perfectly reasonable explanation. Which is that we biked to SOHO, on those electric bikes? After we’d grabbed a coffee.” He said and she started to giggle, “Also we both happened to attend the same indoor cycling class…that’s how we saw each other again. So after an hour of that and then randomly biking to SOHO and back-”

“Pelvic floor and leg pain guaranteed…” Y/N cut in and he nodded, “God, cycling is just the worst.”

“It’s just not for everyone.” He said and she smiled.

“Just for sadomasochists.” She joked and he laughed.

“Should we go to bed?”

“Yeah, baby.” She hummed. 

He was so happy they had been able to talk before the day was out. After this experience and conversation with Y/N, Harry mentally decided that he wouldn’t be so scared to communicate with her ever again. It never really went how he imagined it would. He was a classic self-saboteur and  over-thinker, so he would picture the worst case scenarios more often than not. But Y/N always put all of her effort to listen and understand him and she was always patient and loving in her responses. She had proven it to him time and time again. She really was the best thing that had ever happened to him and he felt so lucky to be loved by her.

**********

The next day Harry had a conversation with his grandmother when he drove her back to   his mum’s house. He came clean about everything and the reason why they needed this time alone together. She was understanding, of course, but did give him a bit of a talking to though. However, she too told him that she loved him when they said goodbye. 

In lieu of her being over all day though, they decided to just ask her, his mum, and Julie over for dinner a couple times a week and that had actually been really pleasant. It gave Harry a chance to really brush up on his cooking skills, because Y/N and Julie had him spoiled back in LA.  But soon enough he’d have to look after Y/N while she recovered from the baby. And tonight they were having dinner alone, but he decided he’d make her shepherd’s pie with cheesy top. It had been a childhood favorite of his and well, he hadn’t eaten it in nearly 8 years since he had chosen to be a friend and ally to the animals. But as he smelled it coming together he decided to cancel making one with meat substitute for himself and just indulging this time with her. 

“Smells fantastic.” She hummed her compliment as she came into the kitchen slowly.

“Thank you, baby. I think you’re really gonna like this one.” He said as he continued washing the things he had used to prepare the dish. She walked behind him and lightly scratched at his back a few times before she passed him and went to the fridge. “What’re you looking for in there? Food’s about to be ready.”

“You had brought some cheese yesterday and I wanted a bit.” She said with a little smile and he chuckled.

“Sorry baby, s’in the food.” He explained and she pouted.

“Alright then…no snack for me.” She mumbled before turning back and walking back over to him. 

Harry smiled when she hugged her body around his, her cheek smushed into his back before she kissed it a few times and then smiled, being just a bit of a bother as he tried to finish cleaning up, but he didn’t mind her clinginess. 

They had been working really hard to patch up everything form before. Not just him, but her too. Sometime’s he’d find her crying over a new stretch mark or her achey boobs, or just from feeling so physically drained, or nervous about delivering the baby. He had no idea that she had been struggling on her own like this. The first few times she got embarrassed for it, but she still let him be there for her through it. And with him it was more of that fear he had about his ability to be a good father. He’d share his concern and doubts and they’d work through it together like a proper team, and just like that things were on the mend. Truly, being there at every moment, experiencing the way life was just coming into their little baby boy was tethering them to each other in ways that he never knew were possible. It was extraordinary to witness and even on the hard days they never failed to take a moment before bed to just be grateful for the life they had together.

… JULY …

Y/N’s due date was in two weeks and she and Harry had once again taken a drive to the hospital she was supposed to give birth at to really nail down the fastest route possible. She couldn’t really move so much now so they just went to the class to bounce on the yoga balls and socialize with the other people and to do the meditations and affirmations portion of it all. Harry could see the way it improved her confidence so he made a point to not miss the class. Being there he’d also started to make friends with some of the other non-birthing partners in the class. He’d even met up for lunch with a few of them once already and planned to continue nurturing those friendships. And well, he knew he could also count on Skye and Nathan to talk about these things if he ever had doubts. He loved how supportive Y/N was of him also needing to build his connections with other young and new fathers.

“I think the route we took yesterday was better.” Harry said as they pulled into their street.

“This one seemed shorter, no?”

“Technically yes, but I’ve noticed that they do construction at night and it gets backed up. So if the baby comes in the night it would be best to go the other way. We’d be taking more main streets, so the traffic lights will be in our favor.” He pointed out and she hummed.

“Good, strategic thinking, Mr. Styles.” 

“Thank you, I try.” He smiled. “I can’t wait to meet him, baby.” He said with a wide grin.

“Neither can I! I just…I want to hold his little hand. He’s been a good baby so far, not throwing any crazy ragers in here.” She said and Harry nodded through a chuckle.

“Right. Mum said I was pretty even tempered until I was a toddler. Do you know if you were?” He asked her, glancing over to her quickly.

“Not too sure.” She responded. “I’ve been thinking about my parents a lot.” She said and he reached for her hand and she offered a tight lipped smile. Harry knew this was a very difficult and painful subject for her to broach. 

“Yeah? With the baby?”

“Yeah.” She confirmed, “I wish they were happy for us. For me…” she said glancing up at him quickly and he nodded. “Ughh, I don’t even know why it bothers me anymore!” She groaned in frustration, “It’s not like they’ve been present for the last 6 years of my life.” She mumbled.

“It’s your parents, baby. Of course it’s going to bother you.” Harry reasoned. “I know you don’t want contact but maybe if you’re up for it we can send a Christmas card for the holidays you know? That way they can see you’re doing good and also see Charlie.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. I don’t want them to ever tell me I never tried, you know?”

“Exactly. I think it’s important that we do things like that. To show them that they’re still on our minds but that also, we’re doing really well. Just the right balance of considerate and petty.” He said with a little grin.

“Yeah, that’s so true.” She giggled. “I’m curious, what do you think will be your greatest strength as a dad?” She asked him and this made Harry smile as he thought about it.

“Hmmm…I don’t know…” he wondered aloud, “I haven’t thought of it.” He said honestly, “Maybe…ummm…” he said again and when she glanced over at him he was slightly frowning now. “Dunno, can’t think of anything.” He finally said lowly, as if disappointed in himself for not knowing and she was quick to scoff at his self doubt.

“Well I’ve thought about it a lot.” She said with a smile as they turned onto their street. “You’re really great when things get challenging, which I’m sure they will at some point, so I think you’d be the one who remains calm more than me. You’re also very patient, which I know will come in handy for…well the rest of our lives.” She said and he smiled, “You’re also really good at admitting your mistakes and doing what needs to be done to correct them, which is huge! I think responsibility and accountability are excellent traits to model for kids. You’re also the one with self-discipline and have far more structure than I ever will, and kids thrive on structure; you’re definitely going to be the parent that makes rules fun. You’re also very intelligent and a fast learner, and so open to change, so I think you will adjust a lot faster than I will to a baby. You can be fun and silly, which I think is one of my favorite things about you, you know when to be and when not to be.” She pointed out.

“I also think that the way you show your love is also very admirable and wholistic. Like you’re very adaptable with it based on the person’s needs. So if that means doing something for someone, carving out some time in your day for something, or just giving a cuddle when needed you’d do it. Literally, you’re so supportive, you do whatever it takes to show someone you love that you care about them.” She said, “Ughhh, you’re gonna be the best dad, H.” She said with a big smile as he parked the car in front of their garage and turned to her with a big smile as well.

“Wow, thank you. I got a little scared for a moment there…” he confessed, “Maybe I am very cut out for this.”

“Oh certainly.” She nodded.

“And you? What do you think you’d be best at?”

“I think I’m very patient as well, maybe not as much as you, but it’s up there.”

“I mean, you deal with me so I’d say you’re excellent at patience.” He said and she giggled.

“OK, well that…I also think I’m very good at empowering others and encouraging independence. So I think I’d be able to teach Charlie how to be capable and self-sufficient. I think I’m a great listener and very supportive. And I think that I’m good at communicating, so teaching Charlie right from wrong, boundaries, expectations…and of course, I think I would be able to love him wholeheartedly and unconditionally, which in the end is really the most important thing we could do for him, I think. I’ll definitely have to learn how to be a bit more firm from you, but other than that I think we’ve got mostly all the bases covered!” She said gleefully.

“I love you so fucking much.” Harry said with a loving smile.

“I love you too.” She hummed back happily and then her smile dropped a bit, “I’ve also been thinking about…like, if…” she exhaled shakily, “Like god forbid something goes…wrong-” She said and Harry’s good mood immediately melted away as he shook his head.

“Don’t even say that, Y/N…Please, Jesus…” He frowned with a disapproving shake of his head. Quite literally rejecting the idea verbally and physically.

“Like…I know it’s awful to think about but you just never know what the future holds and I just…I want you to know that if for any reason you’re faced with a difficult decision I want you to know that I fully trust you to do what you think is best.” Y/N stated as she reached for his hand and he glanced over to her, already feeling anxious at the prospect of anything going wrong. “I just…need you to promise me that you’ll trust your gut and know that I trust you too, with my life, babe. Always.” She said emphatically and he swallowed down that anxiety and nodded.

“OK. I promise.” He agreed solemnly and she offered a tight-lipped smile to him.

“I’m sorry if I’m scaring you. It’s going to be fine, everything looks great, you’ve heard the doctor say it as well. But just…just in case, you know?” 

“OK.” He said before bringing her hand up to his lips and kissing it before expelling all of the negative thoughts now with a deep exhale.

“I’ve ruined the appetite for lunch, haven’t I?” She said monotonously and Harry’s lips quirked up in the biggest grin ever, “What?” She asked at his sudden shift in mood.

“That was maybe the most British-sounding thing you’ve ever said! It’s exciting!” He chuckled and she groaned.

“Oh god, please stop me before I become one of those people with a fake accent…” she mumbled and he laughed.

“I think you might develop one over time…I mean, if this is your home now a couple things are bound to rub off.” he shrugged with a satisfied little smirk.

“I know that, but just as long as I don’t sound like an idiot…”

“Oh you will for a bit, but we’ll love you just the same.” He assured with a grin and leaned over to kiss her lips despite the little pout on them, “OK, my excellent comedic timing and humor have helped me regain appetite. C’mon, my love.” He said as he unbuckled her seatbelt before undoing his own and hurrying over to help her down from the car. 

Their afternoon was pretty quiet and now Y/N was having a nice cool bath before bed. Sure, it wasn’t LA hot, but try carrying around all of the extra weight and tell someone that 77 degrees isn’t scorching hot. Not to mention, their house wasn’t a new build so they didn’t have AC, much to Y/N’s chagrin. If there was anything she missed about LA it was that, even Julie was struggling because she preferred sleeping in the cold. So the next best thing was to just sit in a cool bubble bath for a bit so that she could be refreshed before getting into bed. She was smiling with her eyes closed and her tossed back, relaxing against her bath pillow as Harry’s shower playlist and his singing along filled the bathroom with a joyous sound. Wings’ “She’s My Baby” faded out as he switched off the water and there was a second of silence before the unmistakeable chords of Hot Chocolate’s “You Sexy Thing” came through the speakers.

“Woo!” Harry exclaimed in excitement and it made Y/N’s eyes flutter open as she laughed at his very enthusiastic reaction to the song. “I believe in miracles…where you frooo-om, you sexy thing? You sexy thing you.” He sang as he sashayed out of the shower and into her line of sight. She glanced over to him, shaking her head and fighting to hold in her laughter because he was stark naked, dancing in the bathroom as he serenaded her, “I believe in miracles since you came alo-o-ong, you sexy thing!” he sang now while pointing straight at her as he approached her; his toned body rolling smoothly as he danced his way over.

“Please be careful, you’re gonna slip!” She warned through her giggling as he came over to the tub.

“Where did you come from, baby?” He sang with a theatrical, inquisitive expression over his face as he tilted her chin up, “How did you know, I needed you? How did you know I needed you so badly? How did you know I’d give my heart-Oh shit!” He gasped, his eyes wide with fear as he slipped in his own puddle of water just as he was trying to step into the tub.

“I’m telling you to be careful!” She laughed as she shook her head and scooted up, hugging her knees to her body as much as she possibly could to let him slide into the bubble bath with her. When she felt his warmth behind her she stretched her legs again and fell back against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her as he rested his head against hers.

“Now you’re lying close to me giving it to meee-eee!” He continued singing against her as if he hadn’t almost eaten shit, “I believe in miracles…” he hummed as his hands left her bump and grabbed her thighs, “Where you from, you sexy thing?” He whispered now against the shell of her ear with a grin as his fingers inched towards her inner thighs. 

They hadn’t actually done anything physically intimate for her in maybe three months, if not very close to that. And it wasn’t for lack of need, just the mechanics of it were getting weird for Y/N. She was eager to do anything for Harry, who didn’t want to accept unless she would allow him to reciprocate. But she’d always end up convincing him one way or another to at least accept a blowie or even just a hand job because lately his pleasure was enough for her. She just had this like…mental block when it came to her pleasure right now. She couldn’t concentrate enough to come for a lot of reasons. Like one time, they had tried to have sex and he was spooning her and she was starting to get close when the baby started to kick and it just got weird for her.

She obviously knew that physically Harry’s dick and their baby were nowhere near each other, but having both of those things happen simultaneously just killed the mood for her. She felt like they weren’t alone and it just made having an orgasm hard. Like did the baby feel what was going on? Or did all the chemicals her brain released from the pleasure make the baby more active? She had no idea, so she googled it…apparently they did feel something and after learning that it just got harder and harder for her. But did she want it, yes, and badly! 

Harry was in a bit of a frisky mood himself. Over the last few weeks that they'd been spending alone, preparing for the baby, he had been experiencing these emotions he wasn't all that familiar with. He felt so possessive and protective of her right now, but in a way that made him lust after her. He knew that she didn’t feel gorgeous and radiant most of the time now, like she had at first, but to him she was the pinnacle of beauty, especially now. He loved how strong and powerful she was in every capacity. He appreciated the new things he learned her body could do and how it adapted and changed as she literally nurtured their son to life. He felt  so proud of her, but also of himself. Lately it made him all hot and bothered to know that she was carrying his baby, that he had done this with her, to her. That everyone knew this when they’d go to yoga or out on walks or to run errands together. Y/N was beautiful, anyone with the ability to see it could see that, so when anyone would steal a glance of her and then see her bump while he protectively loomed over her they’d know that she was all his and that just made him feel feral and so fucking cocky. 

He’d never given much thought to how real the theory of evolution was, but this innate and almost animalistic need to protect what was his, to show off what he’d done with her, to take care of her and their son, it was instinctual. It came from some unearthed primal part of himself that he didn’t know he had until now. And Harry loved this new side of himself and knowing that his precious and sexy little wife had a breeding kink basically had him simmering all the time. Sure, she was having a hard time orgasming as of late, but as he nipped at her earlobe while his fingers felt the slimy texture of her around as he dipped his fingertip at her opening, he knew that she wanted it badly and he was going to give that to her. He was happy to revisit some of their kinkier preferences to help her surrender to her pleasure. 

“Baby…” she whispered as he guided his slicked up finger to her clit and swirled it around it, teasing her just a bit before she wriggled a bit and he took the hint to rub over her sensitive and surely needy little bud. Harry was relishing in the satisfied exhale that had her melting against his body.

  “I know it’s been hard, but you’re going to come for me.” He mumbled lowly and she moaned, “Remember before? I’d just keep going until you couldn’t help but come for me? That’s how we’re gonna do this. Fuck, I need to taste you, my love. Need it so bad.” He groaned as his cock started to stiffen up at the idea of getting to lick and lap at all her sensitive spots until she was writhing in pleasure beneath him.

“Fuck, please H.” She sighed breathily and he smiled as he brought his left hand up to her breast. 

He was gentle as he squeezed it in his palm and rubbed his thumb over her nipple, back and forth, feeling it growing harder and harder with each rub over it.  She was already so sensitive there as her body got closer and closer to her due date. She was just so tender that his touches soon started to overstimulate her sensitive nipple until she was gasping. She could feel her clit throbbing and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to just focus on the pleasure, to not lose that spark that was flickering inside of her. 

“Rub your clit f’me.” He instructed as his other hand came to her right breast. Her nipple already peaked from the pleasure she was experiencing, but when he started teasing that one as well she started to spark up. “That’s it, baby. Feel how good it is?” She nodded as she whined out lowly at just how overwhelming it was starting to feel. Her nipples ached and her back was slightly arching into his touch and out of nowhere he pinched them between his thumbs and index fingers. She choked on a groan before he let go and she was panting in relief as her body relaxed against his, “Did it hurt?” He asked quietly.

“Yeah, but in a good way.” She responded lowly as two of her fingers swirled and brushed over her clit.

“‘In a good way?’” He teased her haughtily, repeating her own filth back to her, “Made you a wife and a mum, a nice respectable woman, but nothing’s gonna change the fact that you’re a filthy little slut for me, will it?” He teased and she whimpered as he pinched at her nipples again, “I know she’s still in there, my favorite little freak. That perfect little cum slut that took every fucking load, like a good girl.” 

“Harry-” she swallowed thickly as she felt her body starting to burn from the inside out. Wincing at the pressure being applied to her sore nipples once again.

“And look at you now, pregnant with my baby for being such a desperate and needy little thing…” he mused, “And you’re as beautiful as the day I first saw you and then some.” He smiled, “Fuck, it drives me insane knowing that I did this to you. You’re all mine, aren’t you?” He asked and she nodded, “Say it. Tell daddy, you’re his.” 

“Yes, I’m all yours, daddy.” She whimpered as her legs started to tense up as her pleasure increased.

“Yes, you are. Always gonna take such good care of you, my love.” he  promised. “I’m gonna need you to get out of your pretty, little head and let me do just that.” He purred. 

Before she knew it, he was helping her onto their bed so that she was reclining against the headboard and he kissed her sloppily before dropping down to his tummy and kissing in between her legs. His tongue was flicking at her clit over and over and over again. He was aiming to get her from sharp inhales to animalistic moans. How she had missed his mouth…she obviously hadn’t been in the mood to maintain herself as religiously as before and she knew Harry didn’t mind, but she was a bit embarrassed about it too. But feeling his mouth and tongue zealously working to get her off she threw out all the shame she felt. He really didn’t seem to care one bit.

“Please use your fingers.” She mumbled and she moaned in relief when he fit two of his long, thick digits into her entrance. He expertly massaged her walls with them, finding and stimulating her internal pleasure points before curling his fingers up and settling at her g-spot. It had been so long that she almost immediately started to lose it. She was so sensitive and eager for an orgasm. She wished she could properly see him, but the bulge of her belly was mostly in the way, she couldn’t even comfortably grab his hair or head, this caused for her legs to kick and writhe as she had no other way to express her pleasure. “Oh my god, baby! I’m so close!” She gasped and he moaned against her pussy before gently sucking at her clit until her legs were trembling and she was coming undone with a scream of his name. “Fuck Harry!” She wailed as he kept going despite her sensitivity. Her head was thrown back and she was whimpering at the overstimulation as he refused to come to a stop. Soon the torture morphed back into pleasure as she surrendered herself to the idea that Harry was set on making up for lost time right now. 

“Oh my god, don’t stop…please, don’t stop!” She whispered breathlessly as her fingers dug into the bed covers until her knuckles were white. Harry’s moans seemed to be reverberating through her entire body as his fingers plunged deep into her and fucked her sweet spot until once again, she was crying out as her orgasm crashed over her. Rolling her in beautiful currents of pleasure. His continuous movements were drawing out the delicious, ticklish feeling that was bursting from her tummy through her body. “Mmm, that’s so good.” She hummed as he started to just lap over her clit, gradually coming to a slow to ease her out of it. Her breathing was ragged as the aftershocks of her orgasm caused her legs to twitch and tingle.

“You alright there?” He asked smugly as he kissed her inner thigh.

“More than. Wow, thank you.” She giggled breathily and he smiled before pressing himself up and leaning over her to kiss her lips quickly.

“Can I reciprocate?” She mumbled against his lips.

“Fuck no.” he hummed and she chuckled.

“Baby, please…” she begged.

“We either have sex or the blowie. And I’d much rather do the things that will get the both of us off. Unless you’re done.” he mumbled against her lips.

“Not done, just don’t know if I could even come from penetration.” She explained, “So I’d rather you get to come properly than to keep trying to make me finish that way when I don’t even think I will.” She reasoned.

“Well good thing I got you a little something to help.” He said and she furrowed her eyebrows as he drew back. “Wait here.” He hummed before pecking her lips once more.

“Not a problem.” She assured him as he hurried off of the bed, “Don’t even think I could move from this position.” She said to herself. She was so over being pregnant that she wasn’t even too concerned about the birthing part, she just wanted her body back for herself. She wanted to be able to move how she wanted, to walk around without feeling like every step she took created a small scale seismic event, she wanted to stop feeling swollen and tired. She wanted to sleep on her back, even if she never really had before, but she just missed having the option! She was about fucking ready.

“OK, so I got you this.” He said coming out with a pink silicone vibrating ring. It had little bunny ears though, which she deduced were for her clit. Harry had always been the one to bring toys into their sexual life and each time she’d been blown away, so she knew this time would be no different. “S’got 5 speeds.” He said as he climbed back on the bed, kneeling before her. “You can wear it so you can control it.” He said and she nodded, reaching out for it to inspect it.

“Well, thank you.” She giggled in amusement and he chuckled.

“Course, baby.” He responded with a smile.

Shifting from their typically intense and fiery preferences when they had sex, Harry was gentle and slow paced. He’d never been one to rush into things, but right now he was doing everything he possibly could to help her relax so that she could be in a headspace where she was enjoying every bit of this instead of worrying about everything. Harry’s lips kissed up her arm, making her smirk at the tickle from his scruffy facial hair. As he trailed up her neck she let her head roll to the side to give him space to suck and smooch at her neck to his heart’s content. His hands had made their way to her breasts, gently massaging them, easing the soreness that she’d been feeling more intensely over the last weeks. She was about to have his baby, she should allow herself to spoiled by him. She sighed as he licked over her nipple before sucking gently, letting his tongue flit about. 

“Just not too hard.” She whimpered when he got lost in it and bit down on her a bit.

“Sorry, baby.” He mumbled before moving to the other, “You can start using your ring by the way.” He said and she giggled breathily before fiddling with it to get it on. In the meantime, Harry started suckling at her other nipple, making her impatient to get the fucking thing on. When it switched on she immediately got the chills as she watched the little “ears” buzzing vigorously. 

“Help me, yeah? I can’t actually see down there.” She said and he popped off of her with a chuckle and pulled back to help her position it over her clit perfectly. He smirked when she gasped as the ear vibrated the whole of her clit. She was already sensitive from the orgasms he’d given her with his mouth. Even on the low setting, it was intense and he glanced up to see her eyebrows pinched together as her clit was basically embraced by the vibrator. “I’m coming!” She mewled and he couldn’t help but laugh in delight as she started to pull it away, but he held her hand there until her legs were trembling and she was screaming, convulsing and out of control. “Baby!” She gasped.

“You can do it. Give yourself another one.” He said with wild eyes and she shook her head. Of course she wanted another one, but she was getting pummeled by these orgasms, she’d been without them for so long that they felt monumental to her. “Or should I turn it up and make you?” He asked and she moaned and just tossed her head back as she waited for it to build up again. When she felt him sinking his fingers back into her sopping entrance she knew she was done for. 

“Fuck me!” She gasped when he curled them into that spot only he seemed to have found. He was diligent as he prodded into it without pulling his fingers out too far. She exhaled shakily as she felt her orgasm building again. And he smiled before going just a bit harder, “Fuck baby, just like that! Fuck, don’t stop!” She pleaded.

“Yeah? Gonna come for me?”

“Yes! Yes…fuck you’re gonna make me come!” She panted and moments later her muscles were contracting around his fingers. Squeezing and retracting harshly as she grew sticky with her come. The wet sounds of his fingers inside of her growing louder as her orgasm started peaking. He could feel her hips following his movements until she started to come down from it. The pulsing of her inner walls becoming more and more sporadic. When she finally opened her eyes he let go of her hand and she pulled the vibrator away as she swallowed thickly to catch her breath. 

“Good?”

“So good.” She sighed with a smile as with drew his fingers from her. He glanced down to see them absolutely coated in her arousal and come. He reached down to his cock, already dribbling with precum and smeared her sticky, milky mess along his shaft.

“Fuck.” He cursed lowly. He was way too hard, he felt the ache shooting down to his swollen balls. He was back to not getting himself off, only would come when she’d do something for him, so he was overdue for his own orgasm and his excitement was evident of it. 

She couldn’t necessarily see between her legs to get a view of him stroking his cock, but she bit her lip hard and watched as his muscular arm shifted back and forth with his strokes. It was like the perfect tease. She had seen his cock so many times that she could just imagine how he was stroking it, how he’d thumb over the tip to smear his precum down and lubricate his cock for a better glide. His eyes were honed in on her pussy. She imagined it was pobably, pulsing and glistening with the evidence of her orgasms. When his eyes raked up her body he smiled. 

“Damn, look at you.” He groaned, there was a hunger in his eyes that she’d never seen before. “Look so fucking perfect.” He said and she smiled, “It just makes me…so fucking crazy that you’re pregnant with my baby.” He said and she realized what was going on. 

“Yeah?” She asked quietly and he nodded. “It gets you off that you knocked me up?” She asked, playing along and he nodded. “S’what you wanted, isn’t it?” She asked.

“Fuck yeah, thought about it so many times.” He hummed as he started stroking faster. “Thank fuck I did. You’re exquisite.” He said. “Can’t wait to do it again.” He smirked friskily and she chuckled.

“Please fuck me.” She said and he nodded. He helped her onto her side and laid behind her and helped her get a bit more comfortable. 

Y/N’s heart was pounding with excitement just from feeling his big cock smushed against her backside. He help position her hand with the vibrator back over her clit. She whimpered and struggled with keeping it there, already clutching to the bedcover to not get too carried away yet. 

Harry was taking his time, thrusting between her legs, wetting his cock with all of her slick. The squelching sounds of it all were enough to make her dizzy. She lived for the feeling of his tip catching against the dip of her entrance over and over with increasing speed until his arm wrapped around her body to pulled her flush to his body and then he just plunged inside all the way and she gasped at the sudden, but most welcomed intrusion. He moaned lowly and buried his face in the back of her neck, biting down gently as he started to thrust slow and deep. She forgot how thick he was as he split her walls apart with his methodical thrusts. She could hardly make any sounds as her body vibrated with pleasure. The bulbous head of his cock was colliding into that spot where his fingers had been and she was literally seeing stars. Harry could tell he was getting her off as her walls started to squeezing him, attempting to keep him in place.

“So. Fucking. Tight like this…” he strained out in pleasure. She was so wet and hot, and with her legs squished together her walls felt so pillowy and mushy around his cock. He swore he was losing brain cells from how incredible she felt around him. Harry was fighting every instinct in his body that was screaming for him to just pound into her mercilessly. But that very self-control was getting him off. God, he’d missed having her like this…he missed her body. He knew that she missed this too. Especially as she begged for him to go just a bit harder and when he obliged she moaned loudly and he smiled. 

“Yes H, just like that…just like that, baby.” She mewled.

“Oh, I’m so fucking close. Please baby. Please come for me.” He panted. 

Y/N was so close to coming undone. Her body was teetering over the edge, her toes curling as she clung to that sharp strike of pleasure she’d get every time Harry’s cock collided into her spot.

“Fuck…fuck, honey.” He rushed out and started grinding into her and that’s when she lost it. 

Her vision was growing blurry and her jaw was falling slack as her orgasm hit. Y/N tossed her head back against his shoulder as a wave of ecstasy just washed over her. She saw white and her ears started ringing and her legs trembling in response. Her breathing was caught as her orgasm coursed through her like fire in her veins. She pulled the vibrator away as it was starting to be too much, but it didn’t do much since Harry was now about to come.

Harry stilled deep inside of her and she could feel the intense twitches of his cock inside of her as heavy spurts of his sperm shot out of him, filling her up. She let out a scream of pleasure that she hadn’t heard before as just feeling that inside of her made her come again, a g-spot orgasm…it had her already frazzled mind fracturing. Harry started thrusting erratically as he filled her up, milking out every drop he could inside of her. His praises and curses were spurring her on further and how she wished that she could’ve watched his face as his brain melted with that orgasm. She could feel him leaking out of her with each thrust now, wetting her thighs and surely making a mess of the bed beneath them until he slowly came to a halt.

“Had so much for me, didn’t you?” She whispered breathlessly and he nodded, swallowing thickly as he caught his breath.

“If you weren’t already pregnant with my baby, you sure would be now.” He panted as he held her close and then kissed the back of her neck. “I love you. I love you. I love you. So much.” He hummed before kissing down her shoulder. His hand found hers and intertwined their fingers.

“I love you too, baby.” She smiled happily, “Thank you so much for all of the effort you put into this. I needed it.” She confessed and he chuckled.

“Course. Anything for my girl.” 

***********

The last week had been hard. Y/N swore she’d been going into labor a couple times only for her to make it through the days without anything more happening. She was physically exhausted and mentally drained, she just needed to get their baby out of her body as soon as possible. She was starting to get contractions, little ones, that really had no effect on her yet but then on the 14th, the mucus plug started to fall out. She did freak out when she first found traces of it in her underwear and after extensive googling she realized what it was and started to mentally prepare for the baby coming soon. And then on the 16th it’d been nearly the entire day of small contractions. But they weren’t necessarily getting any worse, they were bothersome, but not advancing or coming at a faster pace, but regardless she was vigilant and Harry was obsessively timing them. But when nightfall came and they remained consistent to how they had been they decided to just go to sleep. 

Y/N woke up a bit after midnight because she was having this dream where she was giving birth. And as she started to wake up she felt a growing pain and then lots of pressure in her pelvis. She was passing it off as the baby moving or maybe her contractions were getting stronger. But then her eyes opened wide when she suddenly felt her pants growing warm as she soaked them through and the bed beneath her as well. She was wide awake now upon realizing that her water had just broken.

“Shit….” She grumbled as she threw the covers off and tried to hoist herself up but was struggling. “Harry.” She said, reaching for him and patting at his arm.

“Hmmm?” He grumbled tiredly.

“You need to help me up, my water broke!” She said to him and he just grumbled.

“That’s ok. You’re ok.” He mumbled groggily and then she chuckled and reached to her bedside table to turn on her lamp.

“Baby, please wake up. It’s almost time. Our son is coming soon!” She said with more volume and that seemed to get his attention as he sat up in a panic. “Hey, hey, relax.” She said as he looked discombobulated as can be.

“You said the baby is coming. Or was it a dream?” He asked looking completely out of sorts. Hair wild and eyes heavy with sleep.

“Yeah, he’s coming. My water broke just now.” She informed and his eyes widened as he looked down at her lap.

“Oh my god. Oh my god…OK.” He said as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and got out of bed. “D’you wanna head straight there or have a quick shower so you’re nice and refreshed, or what do you want to do?” He asked her in slight panic.

“This is the first big one, I don’t think we can even be admitted yet. Let’s just have a shower and get ready to go for when they come quicker.” She suggested and he nodded.

“Yeah, OK.” Harry nodded.

“Knew I should’ve done it before bed.” She mumbled and he smiled as he hurried over to her side to help her out of bed. He was moving fast and she grabbed his hands while he reached for her body to help her and he looked to her with confusion.“Come here.” She giggled and he knelt before her and she grabbed his face gently.

“What is it?” He insisted with worry and she sighed and shook her head.

“Nothing, I just need you to please calm down or I’ll start to freak out with you.” She said and he chuckled.

“I don’t…think I can. I mean…a baby, our baby is ready t-to be born…” he chuckled nervously. “Like…he’s coming out of you!” He said with wild eyes, “I mean…oh my god, I thought about the cervix thing again…” he shook his head and she groaned.

“Don’t think about that!” She laugh nervously.

“I’m sorry.” He chuckled and she sighed as she shook her head in disapproval, before cracking a smile at him.

“I love you, but please just…I’m scared enough as it is and I’m trying my best to just think positive. Let’s just have a nice and relaxing shower, you’re gonna have to help me shave though, for visibility purposes.” She said and he nodded.

“Right, a clearer view is probably best for them, right?”

“I’d imagine so.” She giggled.

“I just want him to be here already.” He said earnestly and she smiled.

“Me too.” She hummed and then leaned forward to kiss his lips quickly. “I can do this.”

“You can.” He reassured and then she took a deep breath before letting it out slowly, “I love you.”

“I love you. Let’s do it.” She said decidedly. 

With that they hurried into the shower. She’d be in hospital for a day or so and he knew how relaxing showers were for her, so he was extra considerate of her routine. He wanted to skip some of her steps, but for her sake he stuck to them. Shaving her proved to be quite challenging, but they were laughing about it, reminiscing about that time he decided to lick at her sugar scrub only to learn it was in fact soap. And the shower was certainly helping her release all of the scary and anxious thoughts. He’d been doing perineal massages on her for the last month because she was so afraid to tear, so he did a bit of that as he helped clean her up a bit, even if it was just to reassure her. 

“Just wait here, let me get your robe.” Harry said hurrying out of the shower. He was just about to help her step out when she suddenly squeezed his hands hard, her nails dug into his wrist making him wince until he glanced up at her and saw her face twisted in pain. So he sucked it up, waited for the contraction to pass.

“Sorry, baby. Didn’t mean to hurt you.” She whispered lowly, brows still pinched and eyes squeezed shut as she calmed.

“S’alright. Is it bad?”

“I can manage, it was just sharper than I anticipated.” She said and he nodded.

“C’mon, lets get you dried.” He said.

Once he had helped her get dried up he helped her get moisturized while she got her skincare on. Then he helped her get into the clothes they had left out already and started helping her pack up her final things to take to the hospital. Y/N was lightly primping herself umm she knew she didn’t need to do it, but she was treating this like any other day. She was sticking to her routine to stay calm. Meanwhile, Harry was getting everything into the car, they had agreed not to call and wake Anne and Julie yet since her contractions were still about 20 minutes apart, so they still had some time to go.

“OK, everything’s in the car.” Harry said as he came back into the bathroom to clean himself up a bit as well. 

“Perfect, thank you baby.” She hummed. He nodded and  then reached into the drawer with his razor. “Don’t shave.” She said and he glanced up at her.

“What if it’s scratchy on the baby’s face?” He asked and she pouted a bit.

“But you look so hot like this.” She whined quietly and he chuckled and turned and grabbed her face and kissed her deeply before rubbing his nose against hers.

“Guess I’ll just have to be extra cautious with the baby.” He said and she smiled in satisfaction.

“Do you think we should try getting a bit more sleep?” She asked.

“What if you don’t wake up in time?”

“I don’t see how that would be possible.” She smiled.

“Right… alright, let me change the sheets.” He said and she nodded and went to grab clean ones while he stripped the bed. Once he had stripped them she went to put them in the washer as he redressed the bed. And then they were laying down again, Y/N on her side as Harry rubbed her back gently. 

It was nearing 5am now and Y/N kept waking up with each contraction that came, now they were less than 10 minutes apart from what she was noticing. So once again, she woke Harry and now they were on their way to the hospital. They checked in with ease and when they checked her out she was 5 centimeters dilated. She was breathing through the pain like she’d been told, but this was on another level. She kept squeezing Harry’s hand hard, they were waiting for them to come give her the epidural. She just needed the quiet and he was so respectful of it. Anne, Hillary, and Julie showed up a bit after 6am, but were not allowed in yet since they were still waiting for the epidural to kick in and when it finally did and the pain had subsided enough Harry just encouraged Y/N to get a bit more sleep while he went out and shared her progress with their family.

Harry came back in after about half an hour to find Y/N fast asleep and he kissed her forehead lightly before taking a seat beside her and sighing contently. He felt overwhelmed with hope, happiness, excitement, nerves…this was huge. Harry felt so lucky to have found her. And more lucky that she had not given up on him and melted away his cold exterior with her empathy and kindness. He felt lucky that she had fallen in love with him and chosen to share a life with him. And now here they were, waiting for her to give him the perfect gift. A lovely little boy that would complete their little family. He glanced up when a nurse came in quietly.

“Hi, just going to check on her progress.” She said quietly. Harry nodded and squeezed Y/N’s hand a bit and she stirred awake. 

“Baby, the nurse needs to check on you.” He said softly and she nodded groggily and just bent her legs up to give the woman space to see how she was doing. It was closing in 7:30am now and the nurse smiled as she reared back.

“You’re moving along quite well, quite quickly he’s an eager one. You’re at 6 centimeters.” She said with a smile.

“Oh good.” She hummed.

“Not too much pain?”

“No, this is good.” She assured the woman.

“Excellent. It tends to speed up from here, you’re getting close.” She said with a smile.

“Thank you.” Y/N smiled.

“You’re very calm, this is good energy you two are maintaining. Keep it up.” She encouraged them and with that she headed off.

“Hear that, my love?” He asked her sweetly before pressing a kiss to her warm forehead. “Almost.” Harry hummed and she smiled and nodded.

“Yeah.” She assured him, her expression falling a bit and he looked at her a bit skeptically.

“What’s the matter? Are you in more pain than you’re letting on?” He asked her. 

“I mean there’s pain but it’s very tolerable. This epidural thing is where it’s at.” She giggled and he chuckled a bit.

“I’m glad it’s working.” He said with relief. He knew this was probably the hardest thing a person ever had to do and he was more than glad that so far the experience was going well for her. As much as he wanted to meet and hold his baby boy, he wanted for her to have the best and smoothest delivery possible. 

“Are you gonna look?” She questioned with a knowing smirk.

“I don’t know yet.” He confessed with a smile and she giggled.

“As long as you don’t pass out on me.” She warned and he sniggered.

“I’ll try my best not to.” He assured her. “You’re so calm. It’s making me feel bad for being so anxious.” He explained.

“Don’t feel bad. You’re not showing it. I think if I were feeling more pain I would definitely be more anxious. But also, if I freak out I’m just gonna have a harder time doing this and it’s gonna take me longer and I just want to meet him so bad!” She confessed, “I don’t want to take longer than necessary to finally get to hold our baby.” She said and he hummed.

“Yeah, you’re right about that.” He hummed as he tucked her hair behind her ear tenderly, “I love you so much, baby. More than I ever thought I could. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I promise that I will try my best for you and for Charlie, always.” He said with conviction and she smiled.

“I know you will, H. You already do.” She hummed as she grabbed his hand and kissed it and he smiled down at her. 

Y/N wished she could have Julie, Anne, and Hillary in there with her as well. She was only allowed to have her partner in the delivery room. She also felt an underlying sadness because anyone would want their family’s support in this moment.

“H?” 

“Yes, my love?” He asked her softly.

“What do you think he’ll look like? And be like?” She asked and he started to tell her how he envisioned their little boy. It was keeping her calm and giving her so much to look forward to and to push away the slight disappointment she was feeling. Their hushed conversation was so wholesome and well, his voice always helped soothe her, but especially now.

“Baby, I don’t want to mess anything up, but something’s off.” he said and she sighed.

“I was just…thinking of my family. It’s fine, but you know, just…sucks.” She said quietly.

“I’m sorry.” He said quietly, “Maybe they’ll come around when they see the baby.” He said and she smiled.

“Yeah, maybe. My mom does love babies.” She said with a smile.

“Fuck, I can’t wait.” He said with a broad smile and she reached for his face and kissed his lips quickly. “Wanna try and rest a bit more?”

“No, I’m alright.” She said, “Maybe we can FaceTime the ladies now. Just have a nice chat with them.”

“Yeah. Let me get my phone.” He said before going over to the go bag with their things. They talked to Julie, Anne, and Hillary for quite a while. They were sweet and encouraging, wishing her the very best. Then they made a call to Alyssa and Gemma. Gemma had given her some tips. Reminding her to listen to her body through this entire process. During the conversation with Gemma, Y/N’s contractions started to get far worse towards the end, leaving her wincing and inhaling sharply.

“Best to get the nurse now, H.” Gemma said and he nodded.

“Love you, babe. You’ll be amazing, alright!” Gemma said to Y/N who nodded and then they hung up.

She was beginning to feel a bit more nervous, scared, excited, happy… there were so many emotions! But she wanted to be as calm as possible for this. She was doing a lot of meditating; when the emotions would get too big she would close her eyes, acknowledge them, take a few deep breaths and let them go, like she learned in yoga class. 

“Can you bring me some more ice while you grab the nurse??”

“Yeah, of course.” He said and hurried out.

Y/N was so proud of Harry, he was doing a remarkable job of regulating himself to ensure that he continued perpetuating the vibe that she wanted to have in the delivery room. He was such a respectful and supportive partner. She really couldn’t have asked for anyone better than him to be beside her for this. Sure, she was doing the heavy lifting, but his support was an essential part of this delivery. They were a team and relied on each other to succeed. Now more than ever.

Harry returned with the nurse and her ice chips and when she checked she was bordering on 8 centimeters. This was excellent news. The nurse informed her that she would start prepping everything and that in about 20-30 minutes she would be good to start pushing. After a few minutes they started setting everything up and Y/N was starting to get nervous, so Harry was quick to grab her earphones and put on the playlist of her happy music. Encouraging her to close her eyes and just sing along quietly as he combed his fingers through her hair, handing her the cup of ice chips when she’d ask for some as the staff did their thing. And this is how they killed some time as they waited for the time to come.

They were currently singing along to “American Girl” quietly while she was free of contractions, she had about one song in between her contractions now, so things were moving along quickly. She was in the middle of crushing through some ice chips when her head fell back as she winced. She writhed around a bit as the pain peaked. She started to feel so much pressure between her legs it was unreal.

“Baby. Baby breathe.” He coached her and she tried to exhale smoothly, but it was coming out shakily.

“Oh my god…” she hissed with a scowl on her face when the worst of it passed. “I-it feels different than before. I think this is happening right now.” She whimpered, “Ow! Fuck!” She whined as her eyes started to fill with tears and he immediately reached for the call button on the bed.

“I’ve called the nurse, OK?” He assured she nodded. Moments later the nurse hurried into the room.

“Is everything alright?” She asked them. 

“I feel a lot of pressure and I just…feel like I want to push.” She explained before wincing again.

“Alright, let’s check you out.” She said and then took another peek before sticking her gloved hand in between her legs to feel for any changes and her eyes widened. “He’s an eager little guy! I think you’re just about ready, love. I’ll go get the doctor.” She assured with a smile as she removed the gloves and rushed out of the room. 

“You hear her, he’s coming.” Harry said to her with excitement and she nodded with a smile despite the pain she felt.

Moments later another contraction hit and she squeezed her legs together to fight the urge to push. She rolled her lips together and vocalized the pain through the harsh contraction. She moaned in pain and reached for his hand. Harry grabbed it immediately and let her squeeze as she exhaled shakily. Yes, it hurt how hard she was squeezing, he had no idea she even had that much strength in her! But this was as much as he could do for her right now so he would say nothing and take it, just as she was taking this feat on right now.

“You’re so fucking strong.” He said to her with a smile and she giggled despite the pain.

“I assume I’d have to be for this.” She said softly and he nodded and kissed her forehead with a smile. Just then the doctor came in with a few other nurses.

“Y/N, hi! I hear you’re ready to have this baby.” The doctor smiled at her.

“Yes. Beyond ready.” She let out a strained chuckle that the doctor reciprocated as she got geared up. One one of the nurses started to put a little monitor on her to gauge the contractions.

“Good. I think this will be a fast one.” She smiled at her. “Dad, are you planning on skin to skin with the baby?” She asked and Harry nodded right away. “Perfect, we’ll just clean him up and let him stick around with you for a bit.” The doctor said to them and they nodded. Harry then turned to her and grabbed Y/N’s hand, he was nearly trembling with excitement. His wide smile caused her to smile back despite the contraction that assailed her just then.

“We’re gonna meet him so soon!” He said as his eyes started to tear up and she nodded. She was already getting all misty-eyed as well just from all of the emotions. They were setting her up to get ready to push. Harry leaned down a bit and kissed her lips once more a few times, “You’re going to be amazing, yeah? So fucking amazing.” He whispered against her lips, “I love you the most.”

“I love you.” She hummed, “And remember what we talked about before.” She said and he shook his head.

“Yeah, but everything’s going to be great. OK? You’ve been in good spirits this whole time, been so calm, doing your breathing and mediations. You’ve got this.” He assured her and she nodded.

“I do. I’ve got this.” She repeated.

“Alright lovely, ready when you are.” The doctor said as she perched herself at the end of the bed, down between Y/N’s legs. Y/N nodded as one of the other nurses came to her other side and gave her a reassuring smile. “When you feel the pressure and the contraction bear your hips down and push, OK? Hold it as much as you can.” The doctor instructed and Y/N nodded. Her forehead beading with sweat as it suddenly started to feel a lot warmer than before. She glanced to Harry who just smiled at her reassuringly.

“Alright, get ready, Y/N.” The nurse beside her said and she just took a deep breath before exhaling it slowly.

“Here it is and push!” The doctor instructed and she put her entire strength into it. Clutching tight to the linens with one hand and the other in Harry’s, “Excellent job. Just hold it a bit more and good.” She said and she relaxed as the contraction passed and she caught her breath. She had about a minute break before she was instructed to push again and this happened a few more times. For the most part she was quiet, her screaming was all internal and she was taking in all of Harry’s affirmations as well, letting his words settle in and encourage her to keep going.

“Alright, great job. Give it one more go…” the doctor encouraged her. With this one she couldn’t help but groan in pain as the pressure just increased even further. It definitely was painful, more than anything she’d ever felt, but she could mentally cope with it, “Okay lovely, his head is down in the canal. You’ll be crowning soon, just take your time with this bit, OK?” She said and Y/N nodded as her tears started to stream down her face.

Harry was squeezing her hand just as hard as she started to push again. He was in awe of her determination. Of how calm she was, of how gorgeous she was and how strong she was. He bit his lip nervously as she groaned once again, pushing hard to help their baby descend.

“Alright, that’s good, Y/N. Relax a bit for me, OK?” The doctor said and she nodded and just tossed her head back on the bed as she panted a few times and Harry kissed her sweaty forehead and she smiled at him with tired eyes. It had been a long process to get her to this point. “Ready to push?”

“Not yet.” She said softly.

“Alright, just let it pass, let your body do its thing.” The nurse at her side said and she nodded.

“Can I sit up a bit more? I need a bit more leverage.” She said and she nodded and adjusted the top half of the bed to get it into a position that made her feel more comfortable.

“Better?”

“Yes. Much better.” She said with a gentle smile.

“OK, here comes another.” The doctor spoke up again and she bore her hips down, getting ready for further instructions, “Alright, lets focus on getting his head through with these next couple contractions alright?”

“OK.” She sighed.

“Here we go…a nice long push.” And she did as she was told, “Oh, very good, Y/N! He’s right there.” The doctor said, “And rest.” She exhaled shakily. The pressure was increasing even more and she was most scared of this part, but the position change had definitely helped her feel more in control of her pushing. “Alright, here comes another. Use the contraction, Y/N. Lean into it.” The doctor coached and again she grunted as she gave yet another push. The nurses were praising her as she gave it her all.

“Good girl, he’s just about to come out. His head is right there.” The nurse said with a smile.

“Really?” She sniffled and the nurse nodded. 

“Yes. Do you want to feel?”

“Can I?” She asked and the nurse nodded and she felt the doctor guide her hand and she gasped as she felt the little bulge of his head at her opening. “Oh my god…” she suddenly started crying, she was so happy. It was a joy she had never felt before. It was emanating from her.

“You’re so close, darling.” The other nurse assured her and she nodded and pulled her hand away.

“Here, clean your hand on this towel.” The nurse beside her spoke softly and she did so.

“Is there blood?” Harry asked her softly and Y/N nodded at him.

“Do you want to see?” The doctor asked Harry.

“Yes, but no. If there’s blood I will faint.” He explained through a nervous chuckle and they all laughed along with him for a bit before they instructed her to push again. 

She could feel as the baby was almost pushing itself down into her canal with her next pushes and the stretch of it slightly stung despite the epidural, but she could do it. She could brave this. 

“His head will be out with this next one, alright?”

“Already?!” Harry asked excitedly. He just wanted to hold his son.

“Yeah, he’s ready to meet you two.” The doctor smiled, “He’s a tiny, little fellow.” She said to Y/N, “So one big push and the rest is the easy part, alright?”

“Ok.” She exhaled shakily as the pain started to increase as the pressure of the baby’s head at her entrance started to increase with the oncoming contraction. “OK…OK…I can do it.” She whispered to herself.

“You can. You are doing it, my love.” Harry hummed from beside her, “Gonna get to hold him soon, yeah?”

“Yeah.” She sniffled.

“A big push!” The doctor coached, “Perfect. Push!”

“Push, baby! Push.” Harry said softly and excitedly. “You’re doing it!” He chuckled as his own tears slid down his cheeks.

Y/N strained through gritted teeth as she gave it her all. The nurse at her side helped pull her leg back a bit for more leverage and the sharp pain followed by the release of pressure and the delighted smile on the doctor’s face told her she had done it. At this point her tears started to fall freely, she was just so relieved and tired and excited and over this and eager to see their baby. Her heart was thumping loudly.

“There’s his head! Good job!” The doctor informed happily and Y/N just sighed in relief.

“Alright, she’s turning him now…Oh, he’s a cute one.” The nurse beside her said with a smile, “Push when you feel the need to, we have to get his shoulders through.” She informed and Y/N nodded. She winced and gasped in pain through the next few.

“Fuck…fuck!” She mewled as they tried to fit the rest of him through.

“S’alright lovely, just keep pushing. He’s nearly out.”

“I can’t anymore.” She whined quietly as she felt like she had nothing left to give.

“You can, baby. You can, you’re right there.” Harry encouraged, “You’re so strong, my love. Done so well. You’ve got it. Just a few more pushes, for me.” He encouraged her softly. “Let’s meet our baby, angel.” He said through his tearful smile and she nodded.

“One more time, Y/N!” The doctor encouraged happily, “You’re doing great!…Excellent!” She smiled, “And last one…” Y/N strained, giving it all her might until finally she heard their son’s cry and after that she tuned everything else out. She suddenly felt overheated and lightheaded and so fucking weak as they pulled the rest of his little body from her. 

Harry started sobbing the moment he saw them bring him up and then hurry to clean him. He turned to Y/N to see her head just thrown back as she caught her breath and he kissed all over her face, over and over. He was speaking to her but she wasn’t responding, she was just mentally clearing her head from this feat she’d just managed to get through. He was thanking her and telling her how perfect he was and how she’d done so well and how much he loved her as he struggled to catch his breath. He felt his heart explode as the nurse turned to him with Charlie in her hands and she asked him to help her with Y/N’s gown.

She glanced down to see Harry pulling down her nightgown and then seconds later Charlie was being handed over to her, the nurse wearing a bright smile as she got to hold her baby for the first time. She just let out a laugh of joy and hugged him carefully to her chest. He was a tiny little guy. She pressed him against her nipple and she glanced up at Harry with wide eyes at how he just latched on without hesitation. It was amazing that he just knew what to do.

“Fuck.” Harry sniffled as he looked down with so much pride pumping through his veins. Seeing Y/N with Charlie, that was his entire world just there. He was gentle as he reached out and and touched his little fingers. “He’s perfect.” He chuckled through his tears, “So small. He’s cute.” He mused as he just watched him feeding eagerly.

“Right. So happy he doesn’t look too much like an alien.” She whispered and he chuckled and nodded in agreement.

“Like 20% alien.” He said and she giggled and nodded in agreement before looking down at him.

“Hi Charlie, I’m your mom.” She hummed as she let her fingers gently trace along his profile. “Love you so much. You’re so perfect.” She whispered with pride.

“When he’s done nursing you can take him. Here’s a chair.” The nurse said and he nodded before turning his attention back to Y/N and Charlie. 

“You’re an easy one.” The doctor said to Y/N and she glanced over to her, “Just push a little bit to get the placenta out.” She instructed, she didn’t even notice when it happened, but assumed it had when the doctor was gone from between her legs. They were in their own little world as they cleaned up the area and Y/N as well.

“Congratulations Mrs. and Mr. Styles.” The doctor said to them with a smile, “One of the nurses will be back a bit later to conduct some standard tests. Just to ensure the baby’s vitals are normal and then some quick reflect tests. Then we can worry about the paperwork for the birth certificate and to explain a bit of the process for your aftercare, alright?” She smiled and they both nodded.

“Thank you so much, doctor.” Harry said with a smile and she nodded before excusing herself. The nurses were around for a bit more before they assured her that they’d be back to check on them in a little while. They thanked them as well before focusing back on the baby. He was now just nuzzled into Y/N’s chest and he stretched just a bit which made them coo.

“Take a picture, yeah?” She asked and Harry was quick to grab his phone and snap a few pictures and a video as well.

“Look.” He hummed as he showed her, “You look perfect with him.” He whispered as he showed her the video and she smiled, “Can I send this one in the group chat?” He asked and she nodded. 

“What were his weight and height? I missed it.” She said and he smiled.

“45.4 centimeters and 2.7 kilos.” He said softly.

“I don’t know what that means.” She giggled and he chuckled.

“Fucking metric system…hold on.” He said before converting it on his phone. “17 inches and just shy of 6 pounds.” He said and she nodded. He quickly sent off the video before setting his phone down on the bed and leaning back down to kiss her forehead. She turned and puckered her lips out and he smiled and kissed his lips.

“Thank you so much for reaming calm and for all of the lovely things you said to help me. Helped a lot.” She hummed and he chuckled and shook his head.

“Thank you for our baby! I mean look at him…God.” He hummed, completely awestruck.

“Want to hold him now?” Y/N asked Harry quietly. He was a bit hesitant, but nodded nonetheless. “Get you shirt off.” she said and he was quick to pull it off and he just set it down beside her. 

He knew how to hold babies, but he still hesitated just a bit before taking him from her hands. He was so tiny and defenseless. He couldn’t help but suddenly recall everything that he’d been told by Chloe, how he didn’t deserve this, how he wasn’t cut out for this. But suddenly Charlie blinked his eyes open and just looked at him before letting out a tiny hiccup and Harry chuckled and grabbed him right away before pressing him to his chest and he sighed in relief as he felt his warm and soft skin against his chest. He couldn’t help but get all teary-eyed again as he wriggled a bit until Harry sat down in the chair they had given him. He rubbed over his back and patted it gently to help him burp out any air bubbles from his feeding. He was completely enamored to feel Charlie’s little puffs of air against his chest. They were so subtle, but he held perfectly still to ensure that he could feel them.

“Baby.” He heard Y/N and he glanced up at her with a smile and it widened when he saw her taking a photo or a video of him. “He’s falling asleep again. You’re a natural.” She smiled.

“Think so?” He whispered as he tried to glance down at Charlie and she nodded.

“Yeah.” She hummed, smiling at him with pride. “Gonna send this one in the chat as well.” She said and he nodded excitedly. 

She was smiling so wide as Harry spoke to Charlie quietly. Telling him how he would love him and protect him and support him for his whole life. Telling him how happy he was to have him in his arms. She could see his apprehension melt away second by second as their baby got comfortable over his chest. He was going to be a phenomenal dad.

“Get some rest, baby.” Harry said to her.

“OK, but come here with him. We can share.” She said and he nodded.

Once Harry had enough space to sit with her, he settled in and she leaned her head on his shoulder as she watched Charlie breathing easily, just watching his little body rise and fall felt like the most perfect miracle. There were only good thoughts and excitement for what this new chapter of life would bring for them and their little family.

“Baby, how about we leave my tattoo as one angel and it’ll be Charlie? He’s our little angel, you know?” She whispered with a smile and he nodded.

“Yeah. I love that. Can maybe add some fillers with his birth flowers? What do you think of that?” He asked.

“Yeah, we can work on it together?”

“And you can give me a matching one?” He asked, “When you’re up for it, of course.”

“Yes! Yes, yes, yes.” She whispered excitedly and he chuckled before leaning down and kissing her head and then Charlie’s very gently. 

“Oh sweetheart, we’re gonna take such good care of you.” She hummed as she reached out to his little hand and he instinctively wrapped his fingers around hers.

“Thank you, baby. Thank you so much. You’ve made me the happiest person alive. Thank you.” Harry said to her with a big smile and she kissed his bicep before leaning on him and exhaling tiredly.

They had no idea what else life would throw at them, but with so much love in their hearts, they felt more than ready to brace through life together. To do anything to look after their little family. Nothing else mattered anymore, nothing else even felt close to this. It was somehow possible to feel more than joy. More than love. It’s like a whole new part of their hearts had suddenly been unlocked. This was the best day of their lives.

“Welcome to the world, Charlie. You’re gonna love it.” Harry whispered happily.

... THE END ...

Found this today. Not sure if the tagged blog is the creator, but the account is linked in the image:)

---- TAG LIST ----

@sunshinemoonsposts @anotherdudetteinthisworld @matildasatellite @sad-avocado @ottawaoutlander @justlemmeadoreyou @sunflovverharry @cherrysulewski @daphnesutton @gurugirl @jessitpwk@permanentllyharry@here4thefanfics @slutfortigertattoo @angelbabyyy99 @freedomfireflies @behindmygreyeyes

[starblue2406]

The path behind the process: Martha

Oh Martha, the so controversial Martha. Loved by some, ignored by others and hated by me... Something like that.

If you were there two years ago or you've already seen it through the tags that mark those publications that talk about it, you know what I'm talking about, if not here I'll make it quick.

Martha has been around since even before the original comic, when I was doing mini comics (which I don't have now) where I made Damos and Arceus flirt with each other in an ironic way, because I didn't even like the ship back then and just did it because it was ridiculous and funny.

Back then, I had a bit of the basics of Mew's chosen family. I already had it in my head that it was such an unstable and fragile dynasty because they were only made up of only children, so I needed to justify Sheena's existence in my universe with something.

That's where Martha came from, a way to fill a plot hole and add some drama to the story that I wasn't taking seriously, that's all. I didn't think much of her at first, but on my second anniversary the issue of a problem I ignored came up.... From not noticing her at all, I went to disliking her, not because of her, but because they were paying attention to what was just a patch to fill a plot hole xD

So in the remakes my mistakes will be corrected and Martha will no longer be a sign of cheap drama and hollow justification.... So, the rest will be history, but I'll talk about her today anyway.

Concept:

Not only Marcus was a victim of the influence of Betty la fea,It was also Martha. In the sense that Martha is (in concept) based on Marcela, That is, in the sense that he doesn't find out about Betty and Armando's relationship until Betty herself tells him...Yeah, I thought it was a good idea because hey! It adds drama and I just wanted to make something fun and easy to read but entertaining.

Of course Marcela is more than that, but I didn't think much about it, I just wanted drama and to have my little patch of plot holes and that's it.

Character design:

Hahaha! This is when you realize that I'm serious and that I didn't take the character seriously. It's literally a copy of the version of the Goddess Hera, from the mythological songs of Pas Pascu and Rodri from their section "Destripando la historia".

And why? Well, because I really just wanted to make the most obvious joke. Although I have encountered the same design archetype several times in other products, I guess it is a somewhat generic design... Or... Maybe there is the Marthaverse xDD.

Furthermore, I finish this with the fact that her name "Martha" was a random name,It came from the famous Superman and Batman meme that their mothers had the same name, Martha xD

Or rather, a meme of Godzilla vs Kong (before the movie came out) in which many made the joke that that same scene would appear. Yeah, I had that name in my head and said, "I think that name suits her."

As a friend once told me "Marthas don't have happy endings" xDDD

Personality:

Ok, speaking a little seriously, his personality could easily I can be the typical female yaoi character from the 2000s or be something similar to Marcela herself, that is, a bad-tempered antagonist who justifies in some way why things are the way they are, but I didn't want to get into that, first of all, I am cruel but fair and I have my limits.For me, if that trope is not used correctly you just make a Stella from Helluva Bozz, that is, a witch that the author uses to justify her disaster and I am not that basic; second,I can't imagine the poor girl being a walking stereotype, much less like this, I just can't because I see her as just another victim of circumstances,like most of the characters.

So, it's funny that in the assessment I gave her, he happened to fit into the category of an ISFJ and a Hufflepuff.

I say it's a coincidence because he came out the same as Damos, so they do have something in common, it's just that the needs of the script (me) make things more complicated than they should be.

Backstory:

The whole thing about his backstory is kind of curious, in fact I think it also counts as an honorable mention rather than a latent reference figure.

It turns out that while I was drawing a part of the original comic, I just happened to be drawing Martha;At that time I was listening to biographies of random historical figures and at that moment I came across the history of Catherine I of Russia.Don't confuse her with Catherine II of Russia, the Great, here we are talking about the first Tsarina of Russia.

In short, Catherine's story is coincidentally the same story as Martha's. An ordinary peasant girl, who started out as a servant until life led her to serve the head of the Moscow government and thanks to him she met her husband, Peter I, the Great.

Even with the difficulties in their marriage (on Peter's part) they had a sufficiently stable union until the death of the Tsar, who was accompanied by his wife and was only calm with her.The curious thing comes later, after a great debate among the members of the court, they decide to crown her as Tsarina of Russia.

A simple maid foreigner ends up being the partner of a character with power and a lot of money, there are conflicts in the marriage but it still works out well and the maid ends up becoming an important figure.yes, wow, huge spoiler, but it's the best way I had to explain why I put this woman in Martha's tab and by the way to imply that I will try to redeem myself with the character.

The coincidence of stories is so coincidental that they even have the same name, Catherine's original name before being Tsarina was "Marta Samuílovna Skavrónskaya" xD

Character evolution:

I would say that her character evolution, at least what I have in mind, would be similar to Carlota of Mexico. Since compared to the other empress I mentioned before, Carlota is remembered as of today just like her husband. I'll take that into account and something else a bit unpleasant and sad but that will only stay for the original timeline without the intervention that we all already know.

Honorable mentions:

I only put that character for the same reason as in the case of Marcus xD

In this case, the character is basically in that same situation, I even made a meme that I will publish later xD

General reflections:

Martha is a somewhat problematic character and rightly so, but as I said, she was born at a time when I just wanted to laugh. and I didn't think the story would ask for more from me... Much less the people who read this thing.

But well, as you can see if I plan to redeem myself, the plan will start from his first appearance in the remakes and I will improve his situation as much as possible without having to than to lose my plans for the rest of the story.

[savage-rhi]

Weird request but could you write a prompto/Noctis drabble based on those emojis? ❤️🫴🫶💐🍝🧋💍

It had been five years since Noctis gave his life to the world.

It had been five years since the monarchy ended, and a new government had risen from the ashes.

It had been five years since the boys had been on a road trip, and it had been five years since Prompto and Noctis celebrated their anniversary—the day they became friends in high school.

Prompto quietly gazed out his apartment window, overlooking the world of Insomnia below him. His eyes admired the endless lights that kept the darkness at bay. He felt proud of himself for how far he, Gladio, and Ignis had come in the restoration effort. Patching up a broken city was no easy task, much less helping the new government find its feet.

Surrounding Prompto and the coffee table in his living room was a plate of burnt spaghetti, wilted flowers, cheap boba, and a plastic ring—its color chipping off over the years. These items were irrelevant to most, but to Prompto, each was priceless.

Prompto purposefully overcooked the spaghetti noodles, just as Noctis did the night he first came to the prince's apartment. Their ideal gaming weekend was ruined as both became sick to their stomachs. That didn't stop the teasing or the laughs that lasted into the early hours, by which point Noctis thought he would die and called Ignis. The man was so angry that he had to run to several markets to get medicine. It was also the first time Prompto met Iggy; he was confident it would be the last. After all, who would throw their lot in with a young cackling teenager who couldn't help the royal prince with food poisoning? Prompto was shocked that Ignis pulled him aside after putting Noct to bed, shook his hand, and told him to keep coming over as Noctis never had company--and, of course, Ignis gently pointed out he needed a break from the prince's shenanigans.

Prompto's eyes then stared at the wilted flowers, remembering when he made Noctis a flower crown during the spring festival—plopping it upon his head in front of a group of ladies who had been ogling him and sprinkling sylleblossom petals at his feet while skipping around. Prompto teased Noct to the point where the ladies he was trying to woo ended up laughing and leaving since it seemed Noct was "already taken." He gave Noct so much shit that night that Prompto was surprised that he never sought vengeance.

Prompto looked at the empty container of boba, remembering the nights both Noctis and himself would go to the corner market past midnight, too restless to sleep. How they tried to cram in as much studying, only to end with playing video games and sharing personal stories. Prompto wished he knew then why Noctis didn't like talking about the future because, deep down, Noct knew he wouldn't live long enough to see it through.

I was such a foolish boy--such a damned foolish kid...

Prompto let out a breath, making a fist against his knee. He forced his gaze to the plastic ring. It was one of the last gifts Noctis ever gave him, a prize he got from a cereal box.

"You need the opal one to complete the King's Knight set, right? There's no point in buying crates of Cactaur Flakes when I can give it to you. Also, happy friendiversary! Marry me while you're at it? Haha!"

Prompto sniffled, wiping away the tears that flowed down his cheeks. His heart beat so fast as he remembered those words. He picked up the plastic toy and gazed upon its cracks. It had seen better days and no doubt would be obsolete in the coming decade, but the piece of plastic was the closest thing Prompto had to hugging Noctis again as he placed it over his chest and took a deep breath.

He wished he had done it that night before the final battle, offering Noctis his hand and telling him every unspoken word. Every feeling he had placed upon that shitty cereal box ring the moment Noctis jokingly asked for his hand in marriage. Alas, it wasn't meant to be, just as Noctis wasn't meant to see the new world Prompto and the boys had built.

Prompto didn't know which truth made him sadder.

He missed him so much.

If you like my work and feel generous, feel free to donate to my ko-fi account or my cash app account!

Cash App: $JayRex1463

[runcnlove]

@doorinthepage ( Eliot ) asked: ❛ if i kissed you, i don’t think i’d be able to stop. ❜

Eliot's words startle Quentin, drawing his gaze up and away from the letter now forgotten in his hand, the one he'd focused on to busy himself with something in the wake of rejection that both made sense ( why would Eliot choose to be with him? ) and hurt deeply ( no reason other than fifty years they spent in a very loving, fulfilling relationship; they even raised a son for God's sake! nursed grandchildren! grew old together... ), to pretend that nothing happened, least of all his stupid, stupid suggestion, more than anything because at this point he could recite it with his eyes closed, the memory of writing it in the wake of Eliot's funeral clear as a day in his head ( theoretically speaking, he had means to return to the future once the Mosaic quest was finally complete, catch a questing creature, ask them to get back to his time... or, well, the time he and Eliot stepped from into Fillory fifty years ago, easy; only Q didn’t want to go back, for a number of reasons, the most important of all: he didn’t want to go back without Eliot and definitely wasn't gonna leave him behind ).

Eyes wide and lips parted, he looks at the other man and feels tears well up, brow furrowing, because that's just not fair, not fair of Eliot to break his heart the way he did and then say this, and he wants to be angry, he really does, but it's quickly overwhelmed by hope that's been brought on by fifty years worth of memories, of love, of experience that told him that as frustratingly difficult and even borderline cruel Eliot can get during the rough patches, they still can make it through and get out stronger and better and more in love than ever on the other side.

Hope that has been nearly crushed by joined forces of Eliot's rejection and Quentin's own self-esteem issues but was lit up brighter than ever by the look in hazel eyes, heartbreaking in its vulnerability.

❛ Then don’t, ❜ he finally finds his voice enough to say, then clarifies a little awkwardly, belatedly aware of the fact that the other could take his phrase to mean exactly the opposite of what he is saying, ❛ stop. ❜

He leans in as he says that but doesn't make the move the way he did on their first anniversary at the Mosaic. This time, it’s up to Eliot to do that.

❛ Don't stop. ❜

[angelswithscalywings]

An anniversary gift - free mobile version of AwSW.

It doesn't seem that long ago that I wrote the last anniversary post. Time can just fly when you're busy. Despite that, I unfortunately wasn't able to keep the anticipated release date of 2023 for the sequel to Angels with Scaly Wings.

I again could go into the reasons for why the game is taking so long due to the vastly increased scope compared to the first game, but I've already talked about that at length.

Skip the next few paragraphs if you want to go into the sequel with no prior knowledge (which I would recommend).

--Potential spoilers starting here--

Perhaps one tidbit I haven't mentioned before is that this time around, the main character will be working with a team of characters instead of mostly being on their own. What does this mean?

There will be a lot more scenes where multiple characters are present, and they will feature interactions between these characters.

Investigations are much more interesting this time around, and will typically involve at least one other character besides the player character.

The presence of one or more other characters during these scenes add a lot of complexity as they will be influenced by each character's moods and other factors.

Doing this when the game's final script will have roughly double the word count compared to the first game is adding a lot more work than we initially anticipated.

But we'll keep at it! And I think the end result will be more than worth it.

--Potential spoilers ending here--

I am definitely planning to show much more of the game throughout this year.

But to ease the wait a little bit, we have prepared something special for you.

Some years back, we created a mobile version of the game for android devices. Unfortunately, we never got the opportunity to publish it on the various mobile platforms, so we are adding the .apk file for this to Steam and itch.io.

So, anyone who has previously purchased Angels with Scaly Wings will be able to access and play this mobile version.

However, there is a downside to this. As we made this version some years ago, it is only updated to version 1.08. The latest patches, including the Japanese language overhaul and other added languages are not present here.

But we figured we should make this version available as we had no other way to release it at this point and it's just been sitting here collecting dust.

Quite some effort went into making the game work as nicely as possible on both phones and tablets, including gesture controls, and new settings to adjust text and cursor size.

On Steam, you should find the .apk file to install it on your android device in the game's install directory.

On itch.io, you should find the file available as separate download on the game's download page.

[thatwritingho]

Finger Foods Update!

Featuring @m3gahet 's Robin Greeves!

On Balcony's Ledge

Summary: There's much Robin and Olive have in common - Shitty childhoods with shitty fathers, asshole brothers, and anger issues; oral fixations and smoking habits; and also... a love of balcony ledges? One of these things is not like the others. Pairing: Robin Greeves and Olive Axworthy Rating: General Background: Another Oc x Oc piece! m3gahet has drawn Olive & Robin a few times now. I now adore them together🥺

Read on AO3 or below!

The door to the balcony flung open, and Olive knew who was there without looking. This balcony wasn't necessarily theirs — the guys would routinely come out here to pester them, after all, and St. Cecilia would join them when visiting Mordhaus — but they were the ones out here the most. With a huff of frustration, Robin wordlessly climbed up onto the ledge next to Olive, cigarette pack in hand as she crossed her legs on the stone wall. Flicking her lighter a few times, she began to curse, irritation mounting.

“Oh, come on, you goddamn stupid little shithead piece of mother fucking hot garba– oh. Thanks.”

Robin's tirade at the small plastic Bic — swiped from Skwisgaar who had swiped it from Pickles before that, the corner crusted with resin — was cut off as Olive extended her arm with Zippo in hand, flame lit and ready. Robin leaned forward with a gentle flush to light the cigarette in her mouth, the action feeling entirely too intimate for what it was, immediately calming as smoke filled her lungs.

“You're welcome. Bad day?”

“Something like that…” Robin trailed off with a sigh. She didn't want to get into it, to talk about how the anniversary of that was coming up, how it made everything so much more difficult to deal with — the stress of the job more fraying, the guys more irritating, interpersonal relationships more complicated. Instead, she merely said, “...just a rough patch. I haven't been taking my multivitamin.”

“Uh-huh,” Olive raised a brow, exhaling a cloud of smoke as dark eyes narrowed in knowing suspicion at her companion. Chewing at her gum thoughtfully, she kicked the heels of her boots against the stone wall, feet dangling over the edge in a way that Pickles always nagged her over.

Hm. Robin was normally a much better liar than that.

“Want me to run some labs on you? There's a lot of vitamin deficiencies that could be causing a dip in mood. You know, a vitamin D deficiency can caus-”

Glancing to the other woman out of the corner of her eye, a small grin curled Robin's lips as Olive rambled, only growing when the other woman somehow ended up on a tangent about Rickets in Victorian England, sucking down a second cigarette as she listened.

“-anyway,” inhaling a breath, embarrassment heated Olive’s cheeks as she wrapped up her monologue, reeling herself back in, “yeah. We can swing by the medical wing later.”

“...okay.” Robin's grin was sticking, stretching her cheeks, now, amused. It had just been a quick little white lie, but… it was nice that she cared, “Yeah, sure. Why the hell not, doctor?”

Mouth going dry at her inflection, Olive bit her lip, averting her eyes out to the horizon, “Um, yeah. Cool.”

Robin grinned smugly — another point for her.

“Yeah. Cool.”

Silence settled over the pair, long, curling tendrils of wispy white smoke billowing in the breeze as the early twinkles of starlight began to dot the purpled sky. Orange heated the horizon as the sun clung to the earth, its clutches slipping into pink as the sky rose.

“Robbi, you know you can talk about it… right?” Olive's voice was soft, barely above a whisper, as if speaking any louder may scare the other woman off.

Hell, Robin thought, she may be right.

“Yeah… yeah. I know.” Robin kept her own voice low to match, tamping out her cigarette on the stone and carelessly tossing the butt over the edge, watching it fall to depths she couldn't see.

“Need me to kick anyone's ass? Maim someone? Kill? Decapitate, perhaps? You know that's my favorite.”

Robin laughed, a bit strained and a bit listless, but still a laugh, all the same, “Not this time. I'll take a rain check, though? May come in handy.”

“Of course. What are friends for, if not for delivering severed heads on silver platters when the other has been wronged?”

The sentiment wormed into Robin's chest, inspiring complicated emotions. The air was crisp in her lungs as she closed her eyes, inhaling a deep, slow breath, a gust of wind chilling her despite her blazer.

And then, there was warm.

A hand, small and soft, gently grasping her own, snaking their fingers together. As Robin turned, lips met hers, soft and pillowy, Robin's face heating as she returned the kiss, cupping Olive's face in her hand and parting her lips to sneak her tongue into the other woman's mouth. Their lips met again and again until Robin was left with a big, genuine smile as they parted, face softly flushed, eyes hooded and playful as she chewed the gum in her mouth.

It took a moment, but the dark eyes mirrored back at her soon switched from being clouded in want to narrowed in accusation, the hot flush on Olive's cheeks only adding to the cuteness of the expression.

“Hey! That was my last piece!”

Unable to resist, Robin pinched her cheek before hopping down and sauntering off, laugh shaping her words as she turned back, hand on the door handle, “Shut up. I'll buy you another pack.”