#Was thinking of the gee man au so I made a black and white one aswell

[brokendeerteeth]

Someone’s mad

[sunshine-and-moonshine]

COD Sex Bot Au - General and Character Specific Facts

Requested: Yes. By uh…..pretty much everyone. SO many people begged for something and while this isn’t exactly a part 2, I hope it will help tide you all over til I can get that completed.

Warnings: Fluff, Angst, Child Abuse, Adult Abuse as well, Mention of Murder, Mention of Self-Destruction (Robot Suicide), Mentions of Knives, Mention of Blood, Spice, Probably very incorrect Spanish

A/N: So! A lot of people, along with requesting a part 2, have also been begging me for Price as well. I know I’ve only done the 4 characters for all of my Cod works so far but I do want to expand the character list! That being said, I’m just not entirely comfortable with writing them yet. I am looking more into Gaz, Price, and Roach specifically and I promise to let you guys know when I feel comfortable enough to write for them! But until then, please enjoy!

✨General✨

Their eyes get this kind of colored sheen to them sometimes. Different colors for different things.

Yellow is absorbing new information

Pink is the color during sexy times

Red is malfunctioning/in need of repairs (but can also be a sign of embarrassment or shyness)

Light blue is curiosity

White (still) is powered down

White (pulsing) is powering down

White (flickering) is low power

Grey is rebooting/charging

Black is enraged

Lilac is contentment

Plum is upset/hurt

All the boys come with their uniforms on but what’s underneath depends

For Ghost’s model, simple black briefs

For Soap’s model, silly patterned boxers (think hearts or something)

For König’s model, usually some fancy lace panties since he’s very popular amongst Doms who like that sort of thing

Alejandro’s model? Absolutely nothing

Ghost

Ghost’s model was MEANT to be a scary bad guy kind of deal, to be marketed towards fans of slashers and the like. But he…..didn’t end up being that way.

At least, not your Ghost. Many of the other Ghost models are that way, but not yours. For some reason.

Granted, that programming is definitely still in him, though not exactly in the way it was meant to be.

Instead of it being just for fun rough sexy times, it’s more…….actually will kill for you. And has, in fact, killed for you.

Something that he’s NOT supposed to be able to do.

“Gee, I wonder what happened to that Barista that insulted me the other day.”

“Gee, I wonder.” *cleaning a bloody combat knife in your sink*

Speaking of knives!!! Ghost’s model does come with a lot of fun knives! Granted, they’re dulled into being just (mostly) harmless kink knives but he made quick work of making them a lot more harmless by ordering a knife sharpener.

So uh, yeah. You have received not just a sex robot, but one that borders on Yandere and will probably self-destruct if you reject him.

Have fun with that!

Fun fact: YOUR Ghost actually used to be a child bot MANY years ago, bought by a man who only wanted to be able to legally abuse a child. So he was broke down and put back together so very many times. And when they recycled and reprogrammed his AI chip, the scarring from that was still imprinted into him.

Soap

While Soap’s model is marketed more towards romantic oriented people, he’s generally seen as a Jack of all trades.

Doms, subs, romantics, first timers, just about any kind of person. He’s good with all of them, though he thrives with Romantics since that is his programming.

And also just because your Soap is so very lonely. He yearns to be loved by you, to melt under your affection.

And also just because your Soap is so very lonely. He yearns to be loved by you, to melt under your affection.

He doesn’t want to be seen as just a sexual object, he wants to be yours. And you to be his.

König

Ah yes, the gentle giant that was supposed to be marketed more towards Subs but ended up being a bit….Soft.

None of the programmers can explain it but every model of him is just inexplicably shy and quiet, thriving in an environment where he has no control.

So now he’s more marketed towards doms. Usually soft doms.

They once tried to change his model to be smaller and more petite and people started BOYCOTTING.

It affected their sales so much that they very quickly changed him back.

People still seethe when they think about it.

Probably equal parts the most loved and most abused of the different models.

Probably equal parts the most loved and most abused of the different models.

Just because of how quiet and meek his model is, how they almost never fight back when hurt.

Alejandro

Alejandro’s model is VERY popular among submissives so he’s programmed to be pretty dominant and also to have a caring nature.

Due to said caring nature, many mistake his model as good for beginners.

I can assure you, he is NOT.

So SO many of his models have been returned cause he’s brought them to tears from so much pleasure, absolutely overwhelming for any beginner.

“Cry for me, Amor. That’s it, just like that.”

His model is one of the only ones that isn’t returnable unless something is malfunctioning and even then, they’ll try just about anything to fix the model instead of just taking them back.

If you’re the type to forget meals and such (I’m not projecting, shut up) then he will literally drag you away from whatever you’re doing and make you eat.

Will set up a rewards system if you have trouble with personal upkeep as well, like household chores and stuff (again, not projecting).

How much pleasure you get throughout the day is all dependent on how well you follow the schedule he makes based on your personal life.

He can and will have you call him Papi, in and out of bed.

“Be a Good Little Cachorro and get on your knees for Papi.”

You only get called Amor when you’re good or when you’re upset. Anything else and it’s Cachorro (Puppy).

[i-used-to-wear-the-fedora]

Stranger Things #10 Eddie AU, Hello Stranger

"Jesus Steve, you look like shit."

"Gee, thanks, Tommy." Steve rolled his eyes as he stabbed at the food on his lunch tray.

"Let me guess, you had a girl over last night. Didn't you?" The jock's friend asked with a grin as he elbowed Steve in the side.

"Something like that." The cafeteria buzzed around the trio's table, only slightly irritating the growing migraine Steve had been developing since the night before.

"Aw, and here I thought you only had eyes, Wheeler." Carol teased. "You still going to invite her over to the party tonight?"

"Party?" Steve's mind blanked for a moment before he remembered the plan to invite Nancy over for a 'party'. "Shit... I totally forgot about that." Kind of hard to remember anything after finding the guy bleeding out by his pool. "We're gonna have to reschedule."

"Boo!" Carol jeered, rolling up her straw paper and tossing it at Steve's head.

"Come on, Stevie! Don't chicken out!" Tommy laughed, but Steve shook my head.

"I can't. I have stuff to do." Namely figuring out what exactly he was going to do about the stranger in his house.

"Whatever, dude. But you better act fast with Wheeler. I saw the Byers freak eyeing her up in photography class." Carol added to which Steve couldn't help but roll his eyes at the suggestion.

"Yeah. Like she'd ever go for that weirdo." The lunch bell rang and Steve got up. Only one more hour before he could go home. Hopefully, the house wouldn't be burnt down by the time he got there.

~~

Ten pulled the hat he grabbed from Steve's room tighter over his face as he made his way down the sidewalk. He knew Steve said he needed to stay in that room, but he had to find Eleven. The overwhelming sense of worry had taken over as he tried to keep himself panicking over the thought of Papa finding his sister again.

People were staring at Ten as he walked down the sidewalk. He could feel their eyes on him. Confusion practically radiated off them in waves. He couldn't understand why. Was it something he was wearing? Or maybe it was the way he was walking. Did people recognize him? There were so many nerve-racking possibilities.

Ten pulled at the pants he was wearing. They felt weirdly stiff. He almost missed his lab gown. Almost. Ten scratched at the gloves he managed to find in Steve's closet. They were old and itchy. Pulling at the cuffs, the teen didn't pay attention to where he was going until he ran head first into something.

"And where do you think you're going, young man?" Or someone. Ten looked up to see an older man in a brown uniform. He had a deep frown on his face as he glared at the younger man.

"I...ugh..." Ten didn't know what to say. The man radiated irritation with an underlying anger as he looked Ten up and down.

"Shouldn't you be in school?" Ten stared up at him with confusion. There was that word again. School. Wait, Steve was at school! Maybe Steve would be able to help him fund his sister. With the thought in mind, Ten quickly shook his head yes in response to the uniformed man's question. He sighed and shook his head. "Damn kids. Playing hooky...." The man grumbled under his breath. "Come on, let's get you back before your parents find out." The man rested a hand on his shoulder as he led Ten over to the nearby black and white car. "I hope you know I'm going to have to give you a warning, Mr....?"

Oh. He was asking for his name. Eddie looked down at his covered tattoo. He already knew most people didn't have numbers as names. The man probably wouldn't believe him if he told the truth. Instead, he thought back to the name on vinyl from Steve's house and spoke.

"Eddie."

He beamed as he said this. The teen wasn't sure why, but the name sounded right.

~~

"Jesus Harrington, you've been out of it all day. Come on. You, me, and Carol can head over to Benny's and grab something to eat." Tommy shook Steve's arm as the trio made their way through the crowd of highschoolers, the final bell having rung less than a minute before.

"Can't. I told you guys, I've got things to do."

"Or someone." Carol teased from behind the two. "Maybe we could meet this mystery girl you won't tell us about."

"There's no girl. I...." Steve's voice trailed off, his feet stopping as he saw a familiar figure through the glass of the principal's office. "...oh no." The figure turned and almost immediately saw Steve, enthusiastically waving to him. Carol and Tommy noticed and immediately took interest in the stranger.

"Who the hell is that?"

[lostonehero]

Half Zoroark au

This is just a little Abby and yveltal fic

Warning death of a child

Also would it be ironic or depressing if I made Arthur Arecus champion

Abby looks over the address again for a third time and frowns. She is out of place among the children playing in the school yard, but it didn't matter she knew why she had to be here. She sighs and watches the apoim bars, she knew the nervous kid being pushed up there was the one she was taking.

A scrawny little boy already covered in bruises as pale as the moon was pushed to climb the metal ladder. The bullies shouting something, she couldn't understand it but she knew what it was, kids picked on her and Drayden growing up as well. She frowns watching the young boy barely hold on and fall hitting his head.

She closes her eyes and releases her wings flying over picking up the spirit. "Hush alright you're safe now." She bumps his head so he can understand her, and she him. "I'm going to get you to a better place alright."

The little boy hides in her chest. "W-will my parents be there?"

"No they won't be." She smiles softly watching the boy look up at her with hopeful eyes.

"C-can I get something to eat?" The little boy asks.

Abby finally notices how skinny the boy is, and how hurt he actually is. An abuse victim he didn't even have a chance did he. She sighs. "Where you're going you won't be hurt anymore, and you can chose what happens next."

The little boy gets down where they arrive to a white forest where everything is white and the stone path is pitch black. Abby lets the little boy down and a man with black and red hair approaches.

"I'm here to show your paths alright little one." He smiles. "That one by the yellow sun is a fun place where you'll always be happy, the one with the black sun gets you a new family, and the blue sun is a ending if you don't want the other two ok."

The little boy nods and lets go of Abby and walks to the yellow sun.

Abby frowns and wipes the tears from her eyes. "He was too young. He didn't even have a choice."

"He didn't but we gave him one in the end." He sighs and sits next to Abby on the brick wall. "Everyone gets a choice even those who were awful, the choices might not be the same for everyone but they still get to choose." Yveltal sighs and holds Abby's hand. "I have been around since the dawn of death children never get easier."

Abby frowns. "My boys were just a little younger then him when I died." She wipes her face. "I know they are much older now, I still can't picture them anything other then the little boys they were. I just can't stop thinking if it was them in that situation."

"Your a good mother, Abigail. Your boys will be happy to see you." Yveltal smiles stretching. "Of course you'll still be working for me however, but you will have more freedom."

"Gee thanks." Abby sighs. "You can call me Abby yaknow. I know your a stuffy old man, but I guess I've gotten fond of you after all these years."

"You're still obnoxious as ever, and I don't understand your obsession with the metal birds you fly, but I guess I couldn't have asked for a better champion."

"Awww you like me."

Yveltal returns to the giant bird form and flies off.

[ackerfics]

slow dance with you — mikasa ackerman

— goth!mikasa ackerman x soft!female reader (modern au)

— warnings: slight mention of alcohol, pure rotten fluff

— summary:  after gaining some courage from the drinks she had in the party and from the advice she got from her friends, mikasa is ready to become your girlfriend.

— word count: 3.9k

— author’s notes: i would like to thank the anon who gave me some ideas for goth!mikasa, you are so amazing !! thank you for the small headcanons. and since we’re on the topic of writing abt goth!mikasa, i couldn’t help but pair her up with a classic soft girl who likes to wear pink at every time of the day. this dynamic is based on marceline and princess bubblegum so i hope you enjoy !!

p.s. the reader will have dyed hair here, if this is not your cup of tea, just let this fly by your dash.

listen to this while reading.

“She dyed her hair pink,” came a dazed yet mesmerized tone.

“You’re staring at her again.”

Mikasa jumped on her seat at Eren’s nonchalant observation. She whipped her head to her best friend, his attention directed on his laptop, hands flying across the keyboard as he typed out the next few words in his essay. Noticing the incredulous look the black-haired girl was shooting him, Eren rose an eyebrow before rolling his eyes. Mikasa huffed, crossing her eyes with a subtle hue of red on her cheeks, complimenting her dark lipstick. “I am not staring,” she mumbled. “Shut up, Eren.” She looked away from her subject of interest but continued shooting small glances.

Eren sighed, running his hand through his hair. He was always one of the witnesses of his best friend slash sister being meek around her crush. At first, he was teasing her because not going to lie, Mikasa’s crush is a pretty person but as their years in college made them juniors, Eren will be the reckless idiot that he is (courtesy of Armin) and set Mikasa up. But he liked to live his life out first — Mikasa will probably curse him with that spellbook she bought from the antique bookshop they encountered in their little exploration back when they were first-years. “Mikasa, why don’t you take the chance and confess to her? It’s not going to be the end of the world.”

“If she rejects me? What then?”

“Then that’s the next problem that you will have to face.” The brown-haired boy turned back to his essay. He stared at his laptop screen blankly before spewing out curses. “Now, I forgot what to write next! Damn it.” He picked up his iced coffee and drank from the metal straw as his life depended on it.

Mikasa rolled her eyes at her best friend’s first statement. “Gee, thanks for the advice. It was very much appreciated.”

“Glad to be of help.”

There was a thud on their table that made the two look up from their respective activities. Eren had a scowl on his face because for the nth time this day, he was interrupted from finishing his essay (for fuck’s sake, he doesn’t want to fail Ackerman’s class). Mikasa blinked from scrolling through her crush’s Twitter account (the last post she wrote was about how Levi Ackerman, Mikasa’s relative and everyone’s Anthropology professor) and fixed her attention on their blonde friend, Armin. He looked too bright after a round of morning classes, something that Eren doesn’t comprehend. The blue-eyed young man has always been the rational and genius third of their little group. There wasn’t a time where Armin’s advice got a situation to erupt in flames. It was either the situation became an inferno instead (Eren) or nobody had the guts to do it (Mikasa).

“Hey, guys!” Armin greeted, arranging his side of the table, meticulously placing each component of his lunch in front of him. “How were your morning classes?”

“Shit,” Eren spat out.

“Of course, it is.”

“They were alright,” Mikasa shrugged.

“Figured.” Armin glanced at his friend’s sides of the table, nodding at Mikasa’s balanced lunch while blankly staring at Eren’s laptop. The device should’ve been a good tray of lunch. “I thought you were eating lunch, Eren? That’s what you said in your text.”

“Can’t,” the brown-haired boy huffed. He gestured at his iced coffee without taking his eyes off the laptop. “I guess, this counts as my lunch.”

“When’s that essay due?”

“In about,” Eren looked at the time on his laptop, “three hours. Ackerman is my first period later. That fucking terror professor has no mercy when it comes to this. Can he just piss off for once? Mikasa, do you even tell him to get laid? Because I think that would solve his attitude. I swear to God, he’s getting more pissed every damn day.”

“Wow, I guess getting my short, grumpy, middle-aged uncle to start his sex life will be a nice conversation starter,” Mikasa drawled, half-lidded, bored eyes reading every tweet her crush has posted for the entire week. Mikasa couldn’t help but smile at one post about a new movie her crush just watched, saying that it was now a new favorite. She was tempted to give a heart on every single post but that would it weird because they never followed each other despite the small interactions they shared in between classes. With a sigh, she looked up, only to be met with Eren’s unamused stare. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “What? Do you think that would work, Eren? Levi is probably a virgin his whole life and will continue his record until he’s all shriveled up.” Eren blanched at the image. “Just finish your homework and stop complaining.”

“I’m trying!”

“You’re not trying hard enough, that’s for sure. If you just started that essay the day he assigned it to your class, you would have finished it way before the deadline.”

Eren pointed at Mikasa with narrowed eyes. “Don’t even go there, Mikasa. I have a life aside from being a sleep-deprived college student.”

“I mean, she’s got a point, Eren.” Armin immediately rose his hands in defense when Eren shifted his glare from the black-haired young woman to him. “You always tend to procrastinate in the most impeccable timing that we sometimes have to remind you of your backlogs. And now, here you are, doing things last minute when you could’ve prevented the rush by doing it immediately.”

“Thanks for slapping the reality to my face, you two,” Eren dryly replied, going back to his essay for the final time. “And by the way, Armin, give Mikasa some solid advice that she will finally follow because she’s making googly eyes at Miss Pretty two tables from us a couple of minutes before you arrived. You know, the love of her life?”

Armin roamed his eyes in the lunch hall and sure enough, there was Mikasa’s goddess sitting with her group of friends. There was that brown-haired girl that was dubbed as the Potato Girl for eating mashed potatoes during Ackerman’s class (the professor told the class his rules of no eating or going out of the room while he’s discussing the moment the girl took a spoonful of her snack). A young man with a buzz cut snorting at what the brown-haired girl said. Armin remembered sharing a class with him. He never got the chance to introduce himself because the young man was sleeping throughout the lecture. There was usually a fourth person in the little group but it seems like he was running late or already in his class. That person was Eren’s sworn frenemy, the reason for that relationship was unknown to this day.

The three people at the table all stood up, the brown-haired girl and the taller young man leading the way. Armin instantly had an idea.

“Hey, [Name]!”

Mikasa nearly had whiplash from turning her head to Armin. “Armin?!” she hissed under her breath, face becoming hotter when you looked at their table, a bright smile lighting up your face. You called your friends, telling them to go on ahead without you, to which they nodded before walking towards the trio’s table. Her brain wasn’t processing the moment you lifted a hand to wave at whoever you were smiling at. Mikasa wished it was her. “Fuck,” she whispered, registering how cute you look. You donned a salmon pink plaid sundress and a white cardigan, matching with the bubblegum pink locks you let down. Her heart was hammering a thousand miles per second and there was no hope of stopping it.

“Hi, Armin,” you replied, stopping a few feet from Mikasa, who looked away from you to fix her wide-eyed stare on her empty plate.

“I was just going to ask if you already have a partner in our Molecular Biology lab?” The blue-eyed young man then turned to Mikasa and Eren. “I’m in the same class as her this year.”

“As if calling her here wasn’t that obvious,” Eren murmured, still typing out his essay.

“I don’t need your dry remarks right now, Eren, don’t want to ruin the atmosphere. So, [Name], you have a partner?”

You shook your head. “I think not. It would be great if we could be partners though. I need a break from the people I’ve been partnered with throughout college.”

He gave you a sympathetic smile. It was true, though. Most of the grouping during your first years of college were all set up by the teachers so the students really had no say on the matter at hand. Even Armin was exposed to a variety of students, most of them being too slacking to participate or too overbearing with their suggestions that they have no plans of doing. He nodded with a smile, “I’ll be sending an email to Professor Zoe about this and we’re done.” He glanced behind you, noticing that your two friends weren’t there anymore. “I’m sorry for holding you up. I’m pretty sure you have a class after lunch. See you around?”

You waved him off. “It’s fine, I told them to go ahead since Sasha has a class scheduled right after lunch and Connie had to nap in his dorm. And I don’t have any class the whole afternoon, except for an online session so yeah, see you around, Armin.” You acknowledge Eren with a nod, to which he responded with a cool expression (as if his mind wasn’t a mess from the cramming), and gave a soft smile to Mikasa, “Bye, Mikasa.” And you were off to your dorm, leaving behind two amused men and an awestruck Mikasa.

The black-haired young woman was hyperventilating the moment you disappeared from the lunch hall, hands clenched on top of her black shorts. She regretted wearing a thin, long-sleeved striped sweater under her black shirt because it was so fucking hot after that encounter. Her entire body was vibrating with too many emotions all at once, short-circuiting until she became a heap of flustered mess in front of her best friends. “Oh, my God,” she muttered like a prayer. She definitely needed one after seeing you all pretty in pink. It was too much for her soul because you two are a perfect match this time. Her grommet belt and choker were not helping because she couldn’t fucking breathe.

“Mikasa, breathe,” Armin reminded beside her. “Yeah, that’s it.”

Once she regained her composure, Mikasa realized she probably looked like a gaping fish. “Oh, my God! I’m so sure that this time, she thinks I’m weird. My name is the only one she mentioned aside from Armin which is saying something because she’s classmates with him. But why did she say goodbye to me? Oh, my God, she’s giving me so many butterflies right now.”

“Your gay is showing,” Eren pointed out calmly.

“Eren, not the time,” Armin murmured, hovering his hands over Mikasa’s back.

“Just wanted to alleviate the tense atmosphere. No need to get so worked up.”

“But, Mikasa, your feelings for her are showing.”

Eren clapped his hands, pointing a finger at Armin. “That, my friend, is a genius observation.”

Ignoring the green-eyed man, Armin continued, “I think it’s time you confess to her. Three years is a pretty long time pining for a person. In the end, her knowing your feelings will be inevitable. That is if you have no plans in letting her know.”

“Of course, I want her to know,” Mikasa murmured, fiddling with the sleeves of her striped long-sleeves.

“I heard that there’s a party this Saturday in Reiner’s frat,” Eren told them, meeting both of his friends’ eyes over the top of his laptop screen. “We’re in the same football team with Jean. The horseface is a friend of your girl,” he nodded at Mikasa, who erupted in a sputter of her crush not being her girl, “okay, not your girl — yet. As I was saying, [Name] is good friends with Jean and if Jean is there, Miss Pretty in Pink will be, too. That’s your chance to ask her out, Mikasa.” He met the blinking gray eyes of his best friend. “The question is, are you up for that?”

-

“You were staring at her so hard at lunch again.”

You looked up from your book to acknowledge Sasha entering your dorm room after a whole afternoon of packed lectures. The brown-haired young woman was so tired that she immediately plopped on top of her bed on the other side of the room. At first, you didn’t register what she said because you were preoccupied with your book. You chose to indulge the night in a good book because it has been a long time since you’ve done that. With furrowed eyebrows, you asked, “Can you repeat what you said, Sasha?”

Sasha tilted her head to look at you with one eye uncovered by her duvet. Her hair fluttered after puffing out a breath of disbelief. “Oh, don’t pretend that you have no idea, Miss Pretty in Pink.”

“That’s because I didn’t catch what you said,” you replied, gesturing at your novel. “And what’s with that Miss Pretty in Pink nickname? Did some of the students around campus started that?”

“Sort of,” Sasha hummed. She sat up from her bed and took out her phone from her backpack lying on the floor. You watched the whole time she stretched her arm without changing her position on her bed. With her phone in hand, she opened her Twitter account. “Actually, a friend of mine tweeted it, wait, I’m just going to scroll through my Likes tab to find her tweet. Oh, here it is.” Sasha showed you her screen, patiently waiting for you to take the device from her hand to get a closer look. Her hopeful smile turned into a small pout when you made no moves in doing so. “Take my phone and see for yourself.”

You sighed, following her pleas. “It’s probably just someone from the volleyball team. You know how some of them never stopped following me around campus. Can’t they take the hint that they’re not my type?”

“This person is much better than those himbo simps following you around. She’s an amazing person behind that shy exterior of hers.”

You only hummed, blankly staring at your roommate’s phone before your eyes widened in realization. Your eyes skimmed over and over again at the handle, mkackerman, beside the display picture of a short-haired girl in pigtails. It was the girl that managed to capture your attention during your first year at Eldia University. The girl with an air of mystique that the stars are jealous of. You always admired her from afar, appreciating her style each day. But your admiration was getting replaced with something more at the five words she tweeted. 

You’re so pretty in pink.

Roses bloomed in your cheeks, complimenting your pink hair the longer you gawked at her short post. 

“What?” you breathed out after a full minute of silence.

“Mm-hmm,” Sasha hummed with a smug smile. “And who dyed her hair pink impulsively last weekend?” She intentionally looked at you with sharp eyes, her smile turning into a smirk full of mischief. In actuality, Sasha knew of Mikasa’s crush on you since they were acquainted with each other. It was an embarrassing first meeting between the two, with Sasha latching on a random person’s arm in the station and it turned out to be Mikasa. The two became great friends after that, well, after Mikasa lowered her guard down, leaving her pocket knife safely tucked underneath her checkered skirt. It was Sasha who managed to make Mikasa confess of her undying love for you, the former squealing her heart out in the library. (They were kicked out after that.) 

“I don’t know,” you denied. “There could be a couple of people in the campus who thought that spontaneously dyeing their hair pink is an awesome idea.” You threw your hands in the air, giving back Sasha her phone right after.

“Trust me. Mikasa doesn’t have any interest in any other girl other than a special someone I know.”

You chose to ignore her, turning back on the discarded book on top of your covers. The words flew around your mind, aggravating you until you placed the novel on your lap. A defeated sigh came out of your lips. “Okay, let’s go out for some dinner.” You stretched, switching your pajama bottoms for a pair of loose jeans, and leaving your button-down pajama top on. The people in public will never know your top is a part of a pajama set. As you ducked down to roll the bottom of your jeans, you hear Sasha’s bed shuffling. Sitting up, you regarded her with an inquisitive raise of an eyebrow. “Spill it.”

“Oh, alright. Jean told me to bring you to a party.”

You stood up, patting your lap of imaginary dust, placing your things and book inside your tote bag. “Tell him no. I have a written exam coming up and I don’t want to fail one of my majors. He can manage without one person in our friendship group.”

Sasha huffed, mimicking your actions. “This will be the last time!”

“You said that the previous party you pulled me to.” You narrowed your eyes at her. “I couldn’t get up for a whole day because of that party. Don’t forget your wallet.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Sasha threw her wallet in her small bag, throwing the strap over her shoulder. “I promise that this will be the last time, I’ll even call Connie for the witness of my pact!” She placed a heartfelt palm over her chest, lifting her chin a little in the air. “I solemnly swear I am … keeping my promise.”

“You hesitated.”

The brown-haired girl giggled sheepishly, scratching the back of her neck. “It’s kind of hard not to continue the quote from Harry Potter. You can’t blame me for that!”

“I’ll think about it, okay?”

“You better because Mikasa will be there.”

You blinked at her statement. “What does this have to do with her?”

Your roommate looped her arm with yours, pulling you in the direction of the elevators. “Because,” it sounded like she was talking to a child, “you were staring at her earlier during lunch period. I understand that because Mikasa looks so good every second of the day but there was something different about the way you’re staring at her.” She tapped her finger on her chin. “Let me see, there’s some pizzaz there.”

“The pizzaz you’re talking about is me admiring her make-up — nothing more.”

“Whatever you say,” came Sasha’s sing-song voice. “I will be the first one who will say ‘I told you so’ to your face when you two start dating.”

-

The night of the party was not as bizarre as you thought.

Sure, there were people having shots in the living room but there weren’t any extreme scenarios lying around unlike some of the parties Connie and Jean went to. It was mostly catching up with old friends or making connections with strangers by ranting about the education system of your university. All in all, it was a fun night, yet here you are, holding your cup of beer with two hands as you craned your neck to get a glimpse of Sasha. Your roommate disappeared as you turned to get a shot, leaving a confused you behind. To think you specifically asked Sasha to be by your side throughout the night. You cursed in your head, you being reliant on the presence of others surfacing. Your stress made you tip your head back, downing your drink in a go.

Without anything to do, you leaned back on the wall. Mind hazy, eyes glassy, you searched the living room for a spunky brown-haired girl that you were supposed to be buddies with. Instead of Sasha, you met gazes with a girl with stars for her eyes. She was equally mesmerized as she was staring straight at you. Everything became silent as your heartbeat resonated with hers. She was beautiful in her all-black outfit — a leather pencil skirt over fishnet stockings, cropped tank top, and combat boots. The two of you are contrasting with one another; her lipstick so dark whilst yours shone a pretty coral, her hair framing her face in a midnight pixie cut whilst yours were in pink waves cascading down, her entire appearance blending in the background whilst you were a beacon with your coordinating soft outfit. 

God damn it, Sasha was right.

You are definitely falling in love with Mikasa Ackerman.

Mikasa who you saw reading tarot cards of her blonde friend. Mikasa who you bumped into during the opening ceremony two years ago. Mikasa who you discovered to have an affinity for electric guitars when you stumbled in one of the auditoriums, her department’s band having an audition. Mikasa who never meets your gaze because you make her nervous at how effortless you carry yourself. 

But tonight, she never looked away from you, her eyes having an adoring yet determined shine.

She stopped in front of you, mere inches separating you two. You looked up at her, her combat boots making her taller than she already is. You saw her eyes flick to your lips, your breath hitching at the thought of having her dark lipstick on any part of your body. With a careful tilt of her head, Mikasa ducked her head a little to fully meet your eyes face to face. “I saw you’re alone,” her voice is still soft-spoken as if she was afraid that she was scaring you. It might be because of the liquid and verbal courage she got from drinking and listening to her best friends because Mikasa had no plans of letting you go tonight. “I thought you needed company.”

A breath came out of your lips, your proximity making Mikasa feel it. “Uhm, if it’s you, I don’t see why not?”

A large smile brightened Mikasa’s face before it dimmed as she lowered her gaze to your lips once more. “I’ve been waiting three years for this.”

Maybe your mind was too hazy with alcohol or it could be because you accepted your feelings for the black-haired girl, so you whispered, lips brushing against hers in the most addicting way possible, “Just kiss me, Mikasa.”

Her lips softly moved against yours in a slow dance, the inches separating you disappearing as Mikasa wrapped an arm around your waist. You lift a hand to cup her jaw, tilting your head to deepen the kiss and to brush your tongue with hers. You felt her shiver, biting your lower lip to make you open up more, with your whimpers tingling her hearing. Mikasa pulled away, trailing firm kisses on the skin where your shoulder meets your neck. Seeing the black kiss mark on your skin, she smiled and placed fluttering kisses on your neck up to your cheek. Opening your eyes, the silver grays in front of you have never been so beautiful. You returned the favor of placing kiss marks. You stood on your tiptoes, feeling Mikasa’s hand steadying you, and left a coral pink mark on the corner of her mouth. 

Mikasa dipped her head, placing her lips close to your ear.

“I want to slow dance with you,” she sung to your ear. “I know all the other boys are tough and smooth and I got the blues. I want to slow dance with you.” Mikasa hid a small smile at your flustered expression. “So can I be your vampire queen, Bonnie?”

The moment you said yes, there was a shout in the crowds. “Hell yeah, your plan worked, Eren, Armin!”

You and Mikasa stared at each other with wide eyes before laughing. 

“Let’s go ditch this party.”

“Thought you’d never ask, Bonnie.”

[rosiehunterwolf]

... Morro

XD y'all really like your Morro, don't you? This is the second Morro request I've gotten (third technically, but there was an issue with the other one so it's not going to be filled) and the first one blew up XD, got way more notes than any fic I've posted before even though it was just a short little thing.

Since I already did a typical Morro fic, though, I decided to try something a little different with this one and tie it into the movie!verse. Hope you enjoy!

Spirit of the Deep

Summary: With Garmadon defeated for good, the ninja are eager to find another way to busy themselves. When Kai finds out about an ancient temple rumored to hold some sort of treasure, the others are immediately in.

Not all adventures are good, though. Before the ninja know it, they are in over their heads with a discovery they will never forget. (Movie!verse AU)

“It’s just through here!”

Kai’s voice rang through the temple, and Lloyd pushed his way through the vines, looking around carefully, his sword drawn. “Kai, not so loud. I don’t have a great feeling about this place.”

“Gee, I wonder why!” Jay squeaked from behind him. “I mean, look at this place!” He waved his hands at the crumbling stone walls, overgrown with weeds and vines. “Kai, what made you think it was a good idea to come here?”

“Oh, Jay, stop being such a coward. It’s going to be fun! There could be puzzles! Or booby traps! And most importantly, treasure!”

“You’re excited about booby traps?”

Lloyd stopped, holding up his flashlight to examine something on the wall. It looked to be an engraving of some sort, like a whirlwind, and below it, some sort of runes that Lloyd couldn’t read.

With a start, he realized the others were far ahead of him now, and he darted after them, desperate to keep up. “Guys! Don’t leave me alone like that! Are you forgetting I don’t have powers to protect myself like you guys do?”

“Fat lot of use powers will be when Kai and Jay inevitably trigger all the traps and the floor disappears beneath us,” Cole grumbled.

“Hey!” Kai yelped, at the same time Jay said, “Do you really think there are traps in here?”

Nya sighed. “If you’re so nervous, Jay, why did you even come with?”

“The rest of you guys were all going! I wasn’t going to be left behind!”

“There does not appear to be any signs of life,” Zane said. “I do not think anyone has been here for a long time.”

“What about traps? Can your sensors detect any traps?”

Zane frowned. “No. There seems to be some sort of interference with my signals.”

Kai suddenly stopped, the others bumping into him at the lack of warning.

“Kai?” Cole asked. “Why’d we stop?”

“There’s something in there.” Kai didn’t elaborate further, stepping over the rubble of the crumbled wall and disappearing from sight.

“Kai, wait!” Nya yelped, hurrying after him.

“So much for sticking together,” Lloyd grumbled as he followed the others into the room. “Seriously, one day this is going to-” he stopped short of walking right into Cole. “What is it?”

The earth ninja simply pointed, and Lloyd went slack.

In the middle of the room, there was a pedestal, intricate carvings in the side of it emitting a faint green glow. Atop it, a scroll was rolled up, the paper worn with age.

“What is that?” Nya breathed.

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it one bit. Maybe we should just go-”

“Can it, Jay.” Cole grabbed the lightning ninja by the back of his shirt. “We didn’t come all this way for nothing.”

“What’s an old scroll doing all the way out here?” Lloyd asked. He reached for it, but Kai stopped him with a sharp yelp.

“Lloyd, don’t! I saw something like this in a movie once! This is a trap. When you take the scroll, the weight on the pressure plate will lift, and the whole place will come down around us! We need to find something that’s an equal weight to replace it with.”

Lloyd eyed the pedestal. “I don’t think…”

Nya sighed. “Kai, you’re confusing movies with reality.”

“I’m not! Trust me!”

“Fine.” Lloyd turned to the group. “Do we have anything?”

Cole pulled something out of his bag, holding it out to them. “I have a rock.”

They blinked at him. “Why do you have a rock?”

Cole shrugged. “Maybe I like rocks.”

Kai shook his head. “Okay, whatever. That should work.” Taking the rock from Cole, he positioned himself over the pedestal. He took a deep breath. “Here goes.”

In the blink of an eye, he had switched out the scroll for the rock. There was an ominous creaking sound, and they all held their breath, waiting. A few small stones clattered down from the roof, but other than that, nothing.

“We did it.” Unrolling the scroll, Kai’s relieved expression quickly changed to one of disappointment. “It’s just a bunch of symbols and gibberish.”

“Zane, do you think you can decipher it?” Lloyd asked.

Zane took the scroll from Kai. His brow furrowed. “This does not appear to match the dialect of any of the official Ninjago languages.”

“Lemme look at that.” Jay took the scroll from him, and Cole scowled at him.

“Be careful with it, nitwit! As far as we know, this is a priceless artifact!” As the others squabbled over the scroll, Lloyd approached the pedestal. Now that he was closer, he could see that there was an engraving on the top that he had missed before.

A funnel, sort of like-

A whirlwind. It was that same symbol he had seen near the entrance.

“Hey, guys,” he called. “I think this may be important, I saw it earlier-” Reaching out, he let his fingers lightly brush the engraving. Suddenly, there was a bright flare of light, and a gust of wind that seemed to come from nowhere sent Lloyd hurtling across the room. He groaned, rubbing his head.

“Lloyd!” Suddenly the others were beside him, Kai gripping his arm so tightly his knuckles turned white. Lloyd waved him off. “Kai, don’t worry, I’m fine-” he stopped, realizing that the fire ninja was no longer looking at him.

Lloyd followed his gaze and froze.

Hovering over the pedestal was a young man with long black hair, a green streak running through it. His clothes were ripped and disheveled, and he was examining himself in awe.

Most noteworthy, though, was the fact that Lloyd could see right through his body.

The man looked up suddenly, spearing them with his gaze. “Who are you? Where am I? What happened to me?”

“Oh. Oh my gosh.” Jay gripped Lloyd’s arm. “I think we just awakened a ghost! Oh my gosh, Lloyd, what have you done?”

“What have I done? Kai’s the one who brought us here! Blame him!”

“Me? You���re the one who touched the pedestal after I clearly told you not to!”

“Well, maybe if you guys had listened to me about the symbol, I wouldn’t have!”

“The scroll distracted us! Blame Zane, he’s the one who couldn’t read it!”

“Me? Nya was the one who-”

“Enough!” a voice bellowed across the room, and they all froze, turning to look at the ghost. “I can’t believe a bunch of kids just released me from the dead. I can’t believe I’m dead!”

“We’re not kids!” Nya snapped. “We’re ninja.”

The ghost looked at her. “Right.”

“We are!”

“Um,” Lloyd swallowed. “Mr. Ghost, sir-”

The ghost rolled his eyes. “It’s Morro.”

“Okay, Morro- we could get in a lot of trouble if our master found out what we did. So, um… maybe you could consider… going back? To wherever you came from?”

“Are you kidding?” Morro laughed. “I was trapped in there for years! I’m never going back!”

“Uh, I think you are.” Kai stepped forward, igniting his fist. “Get back in! Or else!”

Morro’s eyes widened. “An elemental master. I’ll be damned.”

“And there’s more where that came from!” Nya shot a jet of water at him, and Morro shrieked, darting out of the way.

“Watch it! Didn’t anyone ever teach you that water kills ghosts?”

“To have a ghost roaming the city would be unwise.” Zane stepped forward, ice crackling between his fingers. “We have you surrounded. Please go back inside your pedestal.”

“Two can play at that game,” he muttered. As Zane blasted him with ice, a powerful gust of wind shot from Morro’s hands, repelling the ice.

Lloyd felt his jaw go slack. Suddenly, the whirlwind symbols made a lot more sense.

“You’re an elemental master, too?” Cole whispered.

“Got a problem with that?”

The others turned to look at him. “What do we do, Lloyd?”

Lloyd glanced back and forth between his team and Morro. “I have a feeling we’re not going to get rid of him. And… Master never told us about an elemental master of wind. He should probably know about this.”

“Alright.” Nya turned towards Morro. “We’re going to take you to our master. Cooperate, or else.”

Morro sighed. “It doesn’t seem like I have much of a choice, do I? Fine, let’s go.” And, in a flash, he was sliding into Lloyd’s body.

Lloyd screamed, falling to the floor as the chill overtook him, the feeling of a foreign presence taking over his brain-

“Okay, okay kid, I’ll stop!”

Lloyd looked up to see Morro had left his body and was hovering over him, the others just behind, their expressions ranging from horrified to furious glares at Morro.

“Lloyd, are you okay?” Kai reached out, helping him to his feet.

“Geez, kid, you act like you’ve never been possessed before.”

Lloyd blinked at him. “I haven’t.”

Morro snorted. “Look, it’s not going to hurt you. I’m a ghost- I’m weak to water. The city has water everywhere- dripping from the roofs, pooling in the streets- the protection of a human body makes it far less likely that I’ll die on the way there. Besides, a ghost floating around isn’t exactly subtle, and… I have a feeling that attention isn’t exactly something we want.”

Lloyd exhaled slowly. “Fine. Do it.”

This time, he was prepared as the coldness numbed his body, although it still wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

The others looked at him anxiously. “Are you sure you’re okay with this, Lloyd?” Nya asked.

“It’s fine, it’ll be over soon. Now come on, let’s go find my uncle and get some answers.”

Let’s hope this guy actually knows what’s going on.

It took Lloyd a moment to realize the thoughts were Morro’s, but he found himself thinking the same thing. If Master Wu couldn’t fix this… he didn’t know what he was going to do.

[uhhhhyandere]

halloween special!

hi everyone!!!! 

for halloween this year, inspiration struck and i decided to craft this halloween special demon/angel light au! i had so so much fun writing this and hope yall enjoy it!!!

no matter where you are in the world, if you celebrate halloween or not, i hope you all are doing amazing and know that you are so so loved (by me) and thank you all for the love and support you give! i love every single one of y’all and let’s finish out the year the best we can!!!! 

word count: 7.2k 

And He will bring hell with him. 

The grass will gray, and the trees will blanket with ash as all life is left withered, limp, and colorless in his wake. He takes, and takes, and takes with the full red moon on his back and the stars glittering on his lips in golden lies. Should his, Kira's eyes, red with ire from his unattained vision, seek you out, you are bound to the pits of hell itself for eternity. 

"Well, that's what the tale says," Misa said. "If you believe in that kinda stuff." She flipped the book over to display the illustrations. You leaned over to get a closer look. "They really have to make evil people this beautiful, huh?" You looked at her incredulously. "What? You're thinking the same thing! I just said it…" Her eyes trailed down to the pages again. 

"He was a mortal once?" Misa nodded her head and adjusted herself on the sofa for you to scootch closer. Her red manicured nails slipped the page over to the next. 

"Who tried to be a god." You squinted down at the new page and pointed. 

"She kinda looks like you." She laughed. 

"Just wait," Misa replied. "Anyway, he was young, a few years below us, when he came across the power to make him a god. He was not chosen nor special. The power was left to be picked up by any traveler. It just so handed to be dropped outside of his family's farm, and he just so happened to be who he was. An ambitious genius with the same hunger for power the poor have for food. He used this power to rise above all others and to kill any who dared step in his way." Tragic art painted the pages as Misa continued to flip through them. 

"How?" Misa shook her head. 

"They don't know. We don't know. A creature crueler than Kira. A bored god looking to stir trouble. A blessing that was used as a curse. Perhaps all. Perhaps none." She giggled. "Exciting, isn't it?" You scoffed. 

"Yeah, yeah. Keep going." 

"But he had enemies. No mortal man should wield what Kira wielded. Those who wanted to strip him of his power and deliver justice to those he had ridden of, not grasp the power, the golden throne, he sought. They played games with one another. Cruel, cunning games of who would outsmart the other. He who was supposed to condemn his power and he who had it used the same means to win.

"Us. Regular people used and thrown away to further their game. There was one," she pointed at the girl who resembled herself, "who picked up the same power as he. It was her who tried to love him, that bent at his word, that carried out his will." Misa swallowed, "but he had lost his ability to love, or that's what was thought until..." Misa cut herself off. 

"Kira and his nemesis continued to use, to manipulate the very ground the other walked on. All until he finally stood at the foot of the throne of the world he thirsted for. Pristine and shining, it stood above the clouds themselves. This is where he was slain, where his blood stained the stone, the rug, the throne, infecting and cursing them. The throne cracked, contorted, twisted, and fell. Down, down it fell until he and the now blackened throne were in hell. 

"One day, when the full moon shines on the bleeding night, he will rise, and he will bring hell with him. He will claim what he has lost to reign over the world of men. The grass will gray, and the trees will blanket with ash as all life is left withered, limp, and—,"

"I know that much," you interrupted, "but I'm confused. Did you leave a part out? Where you cut yourself off, I mean." White teeth dragged across her lip. 

"After," she started to rapidly flip the pages, "after he was banished to hell, they found…" Her flipping stopped at the very last page, "this." 

On the page was a cage with gnarled black metal and a large gash across the bars. A human whose arms crosses on their chest in an 'X.' Their feet were bound together and tied with rope to the middle's central support pole. Blood trickled down their face, torso, and legs. Beautiful, broken, ripped wings crumpled at their back. "He had stolen an angel. Broken them. Claimed them. Upon their back, scars from where he had failed to rip them off their back." She hummed. "Kinda looks like you." 

You laughed nervously then scoffed, trying to get the haunted picture out of your brain. "Should his eyes, red with ire from his unattained vision, seek you out, you are bound to the pits of hell itself for eternity because you are who he has lost, and he will not fail again.

"But that's just how it goes!" Misa laughed good-naturedly and shut the book harshly. "Pretty scary, right?" You shook your head.

"Absolutely not. First, it's actually pretty disturbing. Secondly, it's so vague! No details on how he died, if the other guy killed him. You'd think after eons of repetition, they'd make stuff up." Misa shook her head. 

"Yeah, if you ask a bard, but do you really want to hear a romanticization of it in a song where they talk about how he loved whom he locked away and claimed? They do not sing about the reality, for it is far too gruesome for even documentation, much less for song. At least, that's what Rem told me. Being vague is the only option to make it tolerable, but I think she actually knows the truth and won't spill." You laughed and rose from the library's sofa. "So? It's my favorite story." 

"That's because that girl looks like you." 

"And?" You clicked your tongue. 

"I dunno. I did say it was disturbing, but you don't really believe in this kinda stuff, right?" You scratched the back of your head. 

"Of course, I do!" She giggled. "Ever since Rem took me in and taught me to read, it's been my favorite book." How could you forget what an oddball Misa was? You sighed. 

"Alright, believe what you want. Halloween is the day after tomorrow, after all. Be as spooky as you want." Misa rose and slipped the leather-bound book back into her bag. "Are you stealing that?" You harshly whispered. She shook her head. 

"Nope! It's Rem's." Oh, gee.

"I'd rather steal from the library—which has free books—a concept I just remembered for some reason than Rem. Do you have a death wish? Nevermind, don't answer that. Why did you make me come to the library again?" 

"Isn't this where people read?

"...You're right. I got nothing. Come on. I need to get back to the market. I promised my parents I would pick up the pumpkins Mello grew and carved. Apparently, people are putting lights in them to make the faces glow at night."  

Your village was reasonably large, set on the misty hillside of the mountain. Though the nearest city where the Earl of the region lived was a few miles down the path and knights on horses frequented here on their patrols, your village felt world's away from society. It was also relatively famous for the chapel, so travelers often stopped to visit, especially with the holiday season. 

It rested closest to where the cliff dropped into nothingness. Flowers surrounded it, and moss grew up its stone walls. Vivid glass windows decorated all sides and around the wooden doors. A tower ascended from the front to where a millennial old bell sat still for just as long, for it was only to ring when the world was set to end.

Within, pews lined the plush red rug. The rug ran straight to the golden altar, where a large statue stood behind. The stained glass filtered color light upon its flawless, stone complexion. Water poured from the few holes in the body down into the small pond around it. 

"Are we going to meet on Halloween?" Misa asked. "You know it's my favorite holiday! Everyone will be on the square dancing and dressed up!" You smiled. 

"Of course. You know my parents would not miss a party. We can meet on my porch since it's closer?" She nodded enthusiastically,

"Yes! That sounds perfect! See you then!" The blonde blew you a kiss and skipped in the direction of her house. You smiled before turning on your heel and approaching the square. 

Of course, the market would be busy with both locals and travelers. It was mid-day, and each stand had its unique, limited-time holiday goods. You had to squeeze your way to make it to Mello's stand. The blonde grimaced as you approached. Ah. He's in a good mood! 

"Afternoon, Mello." 

"Y/N," he regarded you. "You're really going to buy a pumpkin with a scary face? Would it really go with your garden?" You scoffed. 

"It's my parents, actually, and yes! I can be scary and festive! Not as good as you, Mello. I heard that you carved lots of pumpkins for the village." He hummed and motioned to those on the wooden stand. 

"Not for the village," he replied. "You still have to pay, got it?" You rose your hands. 

"Of course, of course." You began to browse the selection. "Will you be attending the festivities night of?" He scoffed. 

"No. Now pick your poison or leave." You smiled and reached for one with a broad crooked smile. "Terrible taste." You furrowed your brows. 

"...But you're the one who made it?" Mello's eyes widened for a second before narrowing once more. 

"It's one of my worse ones. I guess it'll go well with you, then." You laughed and rubbed the carved circle around the stem with your hand. 

"Yep! Sounds good, Mello." You reached into your pockets and dropped a few coins in front of him. "Keep the change. Happy Halloween!" Mello snatched the coins from the table and shooed you off. You morphed back into the crowd, maneuvering your way through the group back to your house.

An abrupt, intense headache wracked your skull, causing you to suddenly stop amid the crowd and wince, nearly dropping the pumpkin under your arm. With your free hand, you grasped your forehead, but the pain only escalated and pulsed down your body. Two particularly intense strands of pain erupted on your back.

Peeking up, the crowd blurred around you, but your eyes on a figure at the corner of the inn. He was too far to make out the intimate details besides his lithe frame and brown hair. For moments you locked eyes before he disappeared behind the inn. 

The pain stopped as if it was an illusion. You snapped back into reality, chest heaving in relief. A few eyes looked at you in concern, but no one stopped to ask. Thankfully so. You wouldn't know what to tell them if they asked what happened. 

Shaking your head, you safely made it to your small house hidden behind a large oak tree. 

"Oh! You got the pumpkin! How was Mello?" 

"Charming as ever, of course. I was just with Misa at the library before that. She told me the story about Kira and his fall to hell." Your mom nodded her head and took the pumpkin from your arm. 

"Ah, that's an old one. I guess she's always been the type to be into that stuff. It freaks me out, personally." You followed your mom to the kitchen. 

"Yeah, me too. I try to remind myself it's not real, but there's also the small tick in the back of my brain that tells me it may be, you know?" She nodded again. 

"Oh, I like this carving! Nice choice, Y/N, but yes, I do that too. Especially since Halloween, this year, is on the full blood moon. An ill omen in all tales. Luckily the town's party rids my mind of such horrors, as should yours. Anything else happen today?" You paused.

"N-no. Nothing comes to mind. I think I'm going to go find father then wash up before dinner. Is he still in the forest?" Your mom nodded. 

"Yep. He's been hunting that same deer for weeks now. Apparently, it has a rack of the like he has never seen before. Something of beauty. I think he doesn't even want to kill it as much as he wants to see it again." Your dad was somewhat of a conundrum. As much as he awed and loved nature, he was a hunter who made income on the sale of its pelts and horns. "I'm sure he hasn't found it yet. Maybe you can help."

Unlikely, but you liked to explore the misty pines surrounding your village. They were too safe and had a few secret spots where hollowed logs led to hidden clear ponds. Wishing your mom farewell, you entered the pines and inhaled their thick scent. 

Your dad's job was handy in that you knew the backwoods like the back of your hand. He taught you the ways to track and navigate through the seemingly identical trunks. 

He also unknowingly taught you to sense when something was off with the forest. After ten minutes of traversing, you finally had the feeling of dread. The mist was inches too low, the grass droplets too wet, and the temperature degrees too low. You held your breath and glanced at your surroundings. 

A silhouette. A deer's head with a rack so vertically high you thought your eyesight was failing you. Except, as you stepped closer, this deer had the body of a man standing upon his two legs. Large hollow eyes oozed mist. 

"..." something was whispered into the air. You continued to hold your breath. "...—/N." The deer-man gave no indication of moving, and you could not bring your feet to even wiggle the frost from your toes. "Y/N."

Your name. Crystal clear. Your breath hitched. His hand with long, natural claws extended forwards towards you. "Y/N," it repeated. "You mus—....—ere. No t—." You could not make out his words. 

"Y/N!" Another yell. This time you recognized it as your father. Eyes blown open, you wretched your eyes from the deer-man and sprinted towards the voice of your father. 

"I'm...sorry." 

…

"You're not telling us everything." Your father accused. After you ran head-first into your father, petrified and stumbling over every word, he urged you home and waited for you to take the bath you begged them to allow you to have before sitting you in the sitting room, the fire roaring under the holiday wreath behind you. 

'It just scared me. I've never seen a bear of its size." Why are you lying? You had no idea. As soon as your mom asked the first questions, lies flowed out of your mouth like the truth. Stories you naturally never could have conjured on the spot. Stories you would never because you did not lie, which is why your parents, despite their dubious expressions, did believe you. "I swear. I just got freaked out. I think it's because of the story Misa told me today."

"That girl," your dad muttered. 

"She told them the story of the man who fell to hell. Kira." Your dad nodded and rubbed his chin with his hand. 

"Ah, I see. That would do it. Y/N, I know the full blood moon is coming, but there's no need to fret. Stories are just stories, alright? Leave your candlelight on tonight should you be scared of the dark, alright? Me and your mom are in the room over, alright?" You nodded. "Good. Now, what's for dinner?"

…

You lit the candle that night. In your nightwear, you sat on the edge of the bed. Muffled moonlight streamed through the frosted window and reflected off the full-length mirror in the corner. You inhaled deeply through your nose and exhaled through your mouth.

"They're just stories. Just stories." Like a mantra, you repeated this under your breath as you ducked under the covers. Opening your eyes, though, you were met with a flash of shadow in the mirror. You jumped and stared at it with eyes open enough to feel the cold air. You waited for something in the still room to move, for it to flash again, but nothing did. Thankfully.

Still, you threw the blanket off of yourself and approached to assure yourself that yes, it was nothing, and yes, there was nothing: just your reflection and the room behind you.

Until you blinked. 

For a second, blood poured down your body and wetted down your clothes against your figure—wings broken and limp behind your back. 

You screamed and smashed the mirror with your fist on impulse. Along with the shards, your body fell to the ground, and actual bloodied hands kept you from collapsing entirely. However, the features in the fragments were not yours. The man, the one from the square, stared back, but at this closer view, you can see his eyes. 

Red. 

You threw yourself back against the wall and screamed. Your door busted open, and your parents barged in. Your mother ran to your side and took your hand in hers while your father took in the big picture around him. 

"I-I thought I saw something in the mirror. Misa told me once the m-mirror is the passage to the other world. I-I know it's stupid for me to react like this, but I just… I don't know. Do you think it's the blood moon?" Your parents were quiet. 

'It could be," your mother said. "The blood moon is supposed to come with magic. It enables beings to crossover from other worlds, from other planes. It is the ill omen, but crossing over is all they can do. They can't touch you or hurt you. That, I promise." You nodded. 

Your parents stayed with you, and, for the first time since you were literally a toddler, you slept in their room, blankets wrapped around you on their floor. Relief flooded your system when sunlight broke through the window. Though your sleep was haunted by vague images and muddled whispers, you slept through the night after the incident. 

"Are you sure you're okay?" Your dad asked. "You can skip your daily chores if you don't want to do them. Tomorrow too. Aren't I generous?" You laughed but shook your head no. 

"That's alright. I think if I stay home, I'll just keep thinking about it. I need to get my mind off of it. Doing chores will put my mind at ease. Some normalcy, I think." Your dad nodded, though you can tell your parents weren't eager to just forget the events of last night.

You knew someone, though, that would be eager to learn about them. 

"Misa, can you keep a secret?" She bit into an apple. 

"No," she replied simply. "I tell Rem everything, but that's it. I don't really talk to many other people here besides you and her, so no one else to tell, but I know Rem will mind her business. She talks to fewer people than I do." That was true. You could count the number of times you talked to Rem on a single hand, and Misa said she liked you. 

"Okay, don't freak out, but…" 

She freaked out.

"And they were red?" You nodded. 

"Glowing. A sinister smirk on his face. His hands in the reflection, touching my own through the glass. It was the same as the one I saw in the square right after we met." Misa's eyes widened in enthusiasm and jubilation.

"It's him! It has to be! Kira!" You shook your head. 

"No, my mom explained it to me. It's a spirit from the other plane playing a joke on me. She told me that after I stopped crying and fled to their room before I passed out. That story isn't real. It… can't be." Misa shook her head and leaned forward. 

"It is! It's not that you don't believe it's real; it's that you don't want to believe it's real! Y/N, you have to believe me." You grimaced and backed away to create some breathing room.

"Why would I want it to be real?" You whispered solemnly. "Why would I want that to happen to me? I can't believe it's real. It can't be real. I'm terrified if it is real, okay? If my parents think it's real because I do, they'll tell the church, and if the church finds out? You know how they deal with spiritual trespassers and those they possess. I'd basically be dead. My soul stripped from my being to ensure I do not bring harm to anyone else. I would be a hollow body, Misa! Don't you get that!?" You inhaled a ragged breath. 

"...Has anything happened today?" You shook your head. "It's already almost sunset, so that's a good sign, at least. Sorry, I got too excited. Your feelings and safety are important. Okay, I promise I won't tell a soul about this." You breathed a sigh of relief. 

"Thank you. I just… don't know what to do." 

"Have you gone to the chapel? The water from the statue is supposed to cure any possession." You shook your head. "Okay! I think I know your next steps, then. Come on!" She stood abruptly from the bench and held out her hands. "Let's go!" 

She dragged you across the diameter of town until your footsteps echoed across the chamber. A few holy people greeted you as they did their duties. Some travelers prayed at the pews for good luck and well-being. A single man stood next to the pond where the statue stood. 

"Greetings," he welcomed. "I recognize you two from town, but I don't believe we've met. My name is Soichiro. Are you here to drink from the spring?" Misa nudged you forward. 

"Y-yes. Oh, I'm Y/N." He nodded. 

"I see. Does the blood moon have you nervous? Don't worry. Lots of people come to do the same before a blood moon. Come and cup your hands and drink the water. Any disease in your soul shall be healed." You lowered yourself down to your knees and cupped the crisp water between your palms. You lowered yourself to sip, and you swallowed. 

But it would not go down. 

You began to cough, and your body convulsed with coughs. Liquid did come from your mouth, but the drops upon the ground were not clear, but a vicious red. Soichiro yelled for the other holy people as your body shook and twisted. Ropes bound your wrists, and hands steadied your head—arms wrapped around your waist to keep you as still as possible. A man placed his palm on your forehead and whispered incomprehensible words. When he finished, he ripped his hand away, and your breath was restored. You were unable to fall with the tight grip they still had on you. 

"W-what happened?" You asked, feeling the tears on your cheeks continuing to inch down and the blood drying on your chin. "I-I don't know. I'm sorry." 

"Take them to the purification chamber."

"No! Please, no! Help me! Someone, please help!" It was a joint effort between numerous holy people to lift your struggling form from the ground. "Misa! Mom! Dad!" you called out for, yet, in the chapel, none of them were there. However, your screaming did not stop for them until you were placed on a large chair and gagged. Your legs were bound to the bottom of the chair, and arms rebound to the arms. Holy people circled around you. 

The chair you were in was much less a chair and more so a throne. Pure white metal was attached directly to the ground. Red cushioning provided comfort to your rear and back. With ragged breaths, you looked waited until one of them spoke or did anything besides watch you. It was the man who sentenced you here that approached. 

"Soichiro," someone called, but he ignored them and angled his head down towards you.

"I am going to undo your gag. Do not scream. I just want you to tell us the truth if you know anything. Sometimes… they do things without signaling a mortal." Large calloused hands undid the gag, and you inhaled greedily. "Now, tell us."

"A-are you going to take my soul?" 

"Speak first. I cannot make promises I do not know if I can keep." You swallowed and explained what you could to them. Your eyes were focused on the ground. The terror you would feel if his reaction was bad was too grand for you to meet his eyes. The silence after you ended your experience was deafening. "I see." He looked to a holy person nearby. "We need twenty-four-hours to prepare for the ritual. It leaves us with little room before the blood moon rises. If we do not store their soul… go now. It is much worse than any of us could have imagined." Your heart plummeted. 

"W-what? No! Please! Tell me what's going on! D-don't take my soul, please! I-I want to live! I'll run away! You'll never see me again!" Soichiro stared at you with what you hoped was empathy. The bags under his eyes spoke of his wisdom and his exhaustion. He motioned for the rest of the holy people to leave, so it was just him standing over you. 

"I'm sorry, child." He spoke softly, knuckles wiping the tears flowing down your face. "No matter how far you run, no matter how fast, no matter how well you hide, no matter how you continue on: alive or dead, he will come for you. The moment you locked eyes in the mirror, you were bound to him, just as you always have been." You shook your head, vehemently. 

"It's not true, is it? Kira... is he…?" Soichiro smiled sadly. "It can't be… it can't be me. It's impossible." You sobbed. "How? Please, at least tell me before… before…" You couldn't even make the words out. 

"My son," he began, "was always destined for greatness, but then greatness found him, and he became too great. The power he found was a single, black notebook. Write someone's name, and they would pass. It originally is from a Shinigami, a god of death, that possessed him while he owned it, but… there are forces more potent than Shinigami in the universe. He and his opponent, the one who sought to bring the mysterious killer Kira, my son, that plagued the land to justice, who we called L, always were at a battle of wits, of plans, but, in the end, my son won.

"But this victory angered others. It was they who killed him at the throne of the world. It was they who watched him plummet to hell. It was they who built the statue in this chapel and sealed him in hell so he could never return, but they have long passed. Their magic fading in time. I could do nothing in all this time except pray to angels to keep my son at bay." He paused and looked up solemnly. "You must be wondering how I am alive," He looked down at his pale hands. 

"The notebook is gone now. The Shinigami that dropped it fled back to his world when Lig- Kira, was cast down to hell. I, too, touched the notebook. A scheme my son created to get ahead. The curse of it never went away, and I am now stuck to live eternity until my son ends it." He clenched his fist. "I did not know you were so close. I did not know it was you. If I did… I would have taken your soul long before you could have known life without it." You shook your head. 

"I don't understand. What is my part? The book… the book only showed a cage with… someone in it. The story has no word of them. Just the girl… the weapon that served him." Soichiro sighed. 

"Back then, the plane between the mortal realm and other words was thinner when angels and spirits would roam mortal lands. You were an angel. A new one. Young. Wide-eyed and drawing silver linings wherever you walked. Someone he set to ruin. Someone with a soul so pure that he can take and twist to his own liking. No one should see you except him, so he locked you away and bound his soul to yours and your soul to his. As long as he lived, whether here or hell, you would too. 

"But just your soul. Unlike me, whose mortal body is stuck, it is solely your soul that has been recycled for eons. His part, the part of his soul within you, could only be awakened should your eyes meet his. Then, with his entire soul active and with the power of the red blood moon, he will be able to break the barrier that seals him tomorrow night. We must lock away part of his power, so he cannot walk this land again. 

"Should he, then he will seek to claim all that was taken from him. The mortal world will fall as we know it. Those he inevitably tricked in hell to follow him will breakthrough behind him. What the world deserves for not seeing him as the god he sees himself as." Tears pooled in Soichiro's eyes. "I still love my son. The bright-eyed boy, but he cannot love. What he feels for you is something far darker, something twisted. I do not know what he will do if he finds you. You will be better off soulless." You sobbed. 

"B-but the deer-man in the woods. Do you - I mean…" He furrowed his brows and shook his head. 

"I don't know, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry my son came upon you. No one deserves this fate." You wretched in your bindings, ragged breaths, and eery whines escaping your mouth. "Some will be around to feed you later, and someone… someone will explain everything to your parents. 

"Let me see them!" You yelled out. "Please! One last time! They don't know anything! I just want to… please, I… I get it. Why you have to do this, but please let me say goodbye. Please. I just," you bit your bottom lip to prevent another wail, "please." Soichiro shook his head. The man could no longer maintain eye contact with you.

"I can't. We cannot risk you talking to anyone lest risk his jealousy. As far as we are concerned, you are not you. You are his." You pulled against the ropes once more. "I'm… so sorry. It is best for everyone that he does not see you with others while he is powerful enough to watch this world. I hope you never forgive me." Crestfallen, he turned his back and approached the door. 

"No! Come back! Please! Don't leave me alone here! P-please! S-Soichiro!" Only the slam and locking of the door met your calls. 

You don't know how long you howled and wailed, how many times it echoed back in the circular chamber to your ear. There came the point where your body could make no more tears, so you were left with pathetic dry heaves. It was then that a voice whispered in your head. 

"Y/N…" It was different than the voice in the woods. It was sinister, deep, evil. You focused on anything, the floor's intricate patterns, the ceiling, the running water behind the chair, the plants around the circumference of the room, anything to not acknowledge it. "Oh, aren't you a gift wrapped up for me? Clearly my father's work. Don't ignore me, Y/N. I know your every move. I know you can hear my every word" 

"F-fuck you!" You cried, and he laughed. Then, he clicked his tongue.

"Such dirty words. You're not the angel I remember, fresh out of the clouds. Ah, but there wasn't much angel left, from what I can recall. Do you feel it, Y/N? It shouldn't be long now…" For a long time, nothing happened, then, like two knives down your back, you screamed. "Ah, there it is. Those screams, I do remember. I don't care if it hurts." Blood soaked the cushion behind you and flowed down to your rear. "You brought this on yourself. This is what you deserve." 

"I didn't do anything!" You writhed. 

"Is that what my father told you? Is that what the story says? Oh, they couldn't be more wrong, love. You denied me what I deserve. You could have fallen to hell right with me, where you can be where you belong, but you stayed. I couldn't have you running back to the angels to live your days without me. I wouldn't allow it. If I hadn't had Mikami lock you in that cage, if I hadn't bound our souls, your grave would be in the flower fields above the clouds, but you got conceited. 

"Let me remind you of something, love. You are mine. Your body, your mind, your heart, your soul, what's between your legs, it's all mine. We are bound for eternity, Y/N. There is nothing you can do about it." He got quiet just as the immediate pain receded, leaving you with intense throbs. 

"You… won't get the chance," you spoke through tears. "Big talk for someone who isn't even going to breach this plane." A flash of pain sparked in your skull. He chuckled. 

"Oh, Y/N. Perhaps you are just as green as you were when we met. I can't wait to feel you again. To have you watch me burn the world." Silence. 

Despite your exhaustion, you could not sleep. You might as well have melted into the chair in how your body did not move a single inch, too scared to bother your wounds, and have the pain come back that is still aching. You did not want to spend your last hours unconscious. No one came to feed you.

"They're coming," he said. "They'd better be quick, then. The moon is almost up out there, after all." He groaned, and you jolted at the feeling of a cold hand on your neck. 

Soichiro and a train of holy people entered the room and surrounded you. He approached your limp body and undid your bounds. You did not miss him tense, and his eyes widen at the pool of blood in the seat from your back. 

'We must hurry. Any minute he will come through." Soichiro enlisted others to help him carry you back up the stairs to the altar. "Twenty four hours in the chamber has amplified their soul. It explains the marks on their back from their past life. Quick, on the altar!" The cloth was smooth against your skin as they placed you. 

Movement flurried around you as different scents were sprayed, various objects were placed on the ground and on the altar around you, and foreign words were spoken around you. Fatigue racked your body. There was not a single inch of your body that you could to move. 

Soichiro stood over your body. Your eyes, dead and clouded, stared up at him. In his hand was a singular, transparent, glass object. Quickly, he lifted his hand, ready to plunge it down. 

A loud bang resounded in the chapel, and the glass fell with a splatter of blood. You rolled your head to the side and watched two bodies approach from the entrance. All of the holy people around you were blown limply against the walls around you. It was only when they were right above you that you recognize it was Misa and Rem. 

"Rem, can you carry them? Do you still have your strength?" 

"Do not worry, Misa," she replied. Long arms lifted you while Misa skipped ahead and smiled reassuringly back at you. Music filled the crisp air. Lights hanging from the trees and other ornaments swept by your visual field. You groaned and lulled your head to face Misa. 

"M-Misa, no." You groaned. "He's coming." She giggled and turned around. Skipping backward, her smile widened. Behind her, the crowd gathered in the village square. Their vivid garments stuck out under the lights. 

"Of course I know, silly! Rem is a Shinigami just as the one who gave Kira his power. Just like he had a notebook, I had Rem's, but it was destroyed eons ago. Still, it binds me to live eternally, just like Soichiro. Luckily, Rem's cloaking magic covered me when I've met him, or he would have spoiled it all for us!

"When I saw you, I knew it was you. No matter how you may physically change, your heart and soul are always the same. Now, he's going to return to us. He's going to spearhead the new world." She twirled her hair around her finger. "Isn't that exciting?" 

You had no strength to fight in Rem's hold. Even if you did, you were unsure if you would be able to beat a Shinigami. 

Eyes were drawn to you as your bloodied and weak form was carried by an almost unidentifiable figure. Gasps echoed across the crowd, the music stopping as you presumably reached the square. 

"They watch helplessly," he spoke. "They know you are not theirs to touch. Soon, they will all know my power. They will all know who you belong to. Keep your eyes open, love."  

"Y/N! Y/N! Move! That's our child! Move! Y/N! The desperate calls of your parents broke through the crowd, but Rem presumably pushed them far back just the holy people, scaring the public to still and part for your funeral march. You heard the sick smack of bodies against a surface. Misa hummed to herself in front of you. Your head rolling back, you met Mello's wide and helpless eyes as he stood in the crowd. 

Misa led you away from the crowd and stopped at the flagpole at the village's entrance gates with the group following. Rem retied you to the base of the flagpole; your arms crossed over your chest in a familiar 'X,' legs and waist bound to the pole. Misa's settled herself next to you.

"All!" She called. "Watch as the blood moon rises behind the chapel! He who fell to hell is rising again to take what is rightfully his!" She pointed to the moon as it brilliantly glowed crimson above the chapel. Murmurs rose from the crowd, suspicious and fearful. "Watch as our god returns to the mortal realm!" 

The church bell rang. Its deathly reverberations echoing in your ear. The crowd fell to silence. 

"Have you missed me, love?" He spoke. "Because I have missed you." 

A red beam of light erupted from the chapel, followed quickly by multiple explosions. The statue, the roof, the infrastructure all crumbling by the expanding beam of light that touched the sky, screams erupted from the crowd, and they began to scramble. You pulled with what little strength you had left, but the pole against your back seized you in pain to cease your movements.

A silhouette could be made out of the beam. Large black wings spread from his back, sharp and jagged. Hands rose above his head before he dropped down in front of the chapel submerged in flames. His shadow enraptured you, and though his shadow was mostly unclear from a distance, you could make out his eyes even from here. Slowly, he took his first step forwards. 

Every needle and leaf in the trees around him fell. The grass withered all around him. Ash from the sky and littered the ground. With each step, the radius expanded until more and more life died around him. Your eyes trailed to the unconscious bodies of your parents against a tree. His zone of death stretched farther than them. 

"Eyes on me." 

"You're going to kill them!" You screeched. "Stop this madness at once!" You shook in your bonds. Misa was frozen next to you, eyes wide in anticipation as he approached. 

"Ordering me around? Perhaps you still are conceited. I think killing them will remind you of your place, hm?" Unfortunate humans were reduced to ash in his radius. The wind blew the ashes all around him, gently lifting his brown tufts of hair. "These mortals are nothing compared to you and I. Accept me as your mate. Accept the part of your soul that is my own, and the pain will all go away. You'll be dragged down to hell, and I'll bring you right back up." 

Your parent's ashes were a different color than the rest. 

"You know, it's been an eternity since I've heard you call my name. Do you even remember it?" You shook your head and squeezed your eyes shut. The thick scent of smoke, of ash, of death, permeated the air. "Eyes on me." He was almost here. Arms extended to the side, he approached from the other side of the square now. 

"Misa, we need to leave." 

"No! He's here! He's finally here, Rem!" 

"His aura will kill you, Misa." 

"No, I won't! He won't!" Rem, at lightning speed, grabbed Misa and flew in the other direction. "No! Put me down! I'll never forgive you! Stop!" Her voice echoed until it was out of range. Your head lashed back and forth, looking for any sign of life, but there was none: just ash, dying grass, and gnarled, graying trees. 

Dressed in all black, eyes blazing, teeth sharp, wings stretched, he now stood before you with the moon on his back. You pushed yourself against the pole despite the shock of pain. The grass around you died, the bugs vanishing, but you remained fine. You stared at his feet. 

"Oh, love," soft fingers reached down and tilted your head up. "You're as beautiful as I remember." Black wings encircled you, so you could only see him. "Do you remember my name?" You shook your head, and he gripped your chin harder. "Do not lie to me. Say my name, Y/N. Sew the wounds of your forsaken wings and accept your place with me." His voice resounded in you. "You feel it. I know you do. I feel your pain. Your fear. I've felt every emotion your reincarnations have ever felt. Say my name." He leaned in close.

"Kira." He clicked his tongue. 

"Stop resisting," he hissed. "Say my name, Y/N." His breath glided against your cheek. His hand moved to cup your jaw, and the other trailed down your waist.

"Light." It came off your lips quickly, easily, and he smiled, eyes widening with pleasure. Immediately, relief filled your physical body, your back's pain dissolving. Your head tilted back in bliss. 

"Y/N," he whispered against your neck. "Finally." He inhaled your scent deeply, hand tilting your head to give him more access. He placed a small kiss against your skin. His kisses trailed upwards, along your jaw, frantic against your cheeks, nose, until he captured your lips and stole your breath. 

"Oh, Y/N," he whispered against your lips. "I love you."  

[fanprincess18]

Other Friends

Little info before we start, this is a sorta AU where Roman doesn't know he has a twin and no other side but Virgil knows about Janus and Remus. There’s also singing in this, as in Janus and Remus are the one to sing. Also the song is change a bit to fit and make more sense.

~~~~~

It started as a normal day for Thomas, get up, wash up, get dressed, eat and record. As he stood in his living room with his Sides by his side, something felt different about this particular day, but what?

Patton said his usual dad jokes and tried steering Thomas in the right moral direction.

Logan stated facts about the subject at hand for exposition while simultaneously rolling his eyes at Patton.

Roman gave clever nicknames to others if he wanted to tease them or simply wanted to compliment them (not that he’d admit to doing that).

And Virgil was the usual anxious baby, finding something to ask about in the act of keeping Thomas safe and vigilant.

So what could it be?

There was this gut feeling, something was off.

That something came in the forms of two people, the light that was inside the living room quickly turning dim making everything that much scarier. The four Sides quickly surrounded Thomas as if they were protecting him, although three out of the four didn't look like they knew from whom they were supposed to be protecting Thomas.

The first person was tall, dressed in a cape, top hat and yellow gloves. One side of his face looked human with a brown eye while the other side was covered in scales like a snake with a glowing yellow eye.

The other was the same height, but dressed similarly to Roman. Only his prince outfit was black with a green sash, decorated with teeth and bones. It reminded Thomas of a trash bag, a disturbing trash bag. He had a silver streak in his hair and Luigi style moustache.

"Well, well, well, let us get a look at the menagerie," the snake one spoke, his voice sounded lifted, yet Thomas was sure his personality was anything but.

The other one turned towards Patton, "You must be Patton," then to Logan, "you must be Logan," then his eyes locked with Roman's and something flashed through them and it was gone as if it was never there, then he moved to Virgil, "and Thomas's Anxiety, wow, he accepted you, isn't that just swell?" His voice was high and raspy, yet it held resentment at the end of his sentence.

Virgil shivered in his spot, "I-it can't be..."

The two figures laughed as they took a step forward effectively making the Sides take a step back with Thomas, "Oh but it can be! And it is!" The snake spoke once more, "We got a new style and a few new things that will put an end to his happily ever after, once and for all!" The whole living room shook at the booming voice. Who was he? Were they talking about Thomas?

Before the Sides could interject Thomas wiggled from their protective semi circular to speak with the two, "Whoa, whoa! In case you haven't heard this mindscape is a peaceful-"

He got cut of by the dark prince, as he will call him from now, "Yeah, yeah we've heard. We had your little acceptance episode across the mindscape on LOOP!" The dark prince got closer but stopped as a gloved hand pressed itself on his chest.

"We just love that part, where little Virgil spends the rest of his days in this nothing space with a bunch of nobodies!" He chuckled at the last bit and supposedly gave a signal to the other and both sprung into action.

That's right, we’ve heard the story over and over again;

Gee, it's swell to finally meet his other friends.

As the two men circled around the five of them, one by one they started separating them from each other.

That's right, we’ve heard the story, don't really like how it ends;

Gee, it's swell to finally meet his other friends.

They were all spun in circles and ended at different places of the living room, coincidentally all of the sides in their usual respective places like in every video.

What did he say about me? What did he say?

The dark prince got all up in Roman’s face while pulling what seemed to be a morningstar. Where the heck did he even pulled that from?!

What did you do without me? What did you do?

The snake person was standing in front of Virgil, but unlike the other he seemed calm, fingers clasping against each other which reminded Thomas of Mr. Burns going ‘Excellent’.

Did you play games without us? What did you play?

That dark prince moved to Logan next, swinging the morningstar at him which Logan luckily avoided by jumping towards Thomas, accidentally colliding with him. He apologised for the collision while the other laughed at them.

Did you think all this time that we wouldn't find out about you?

Snake stalked towards Patton, almost like a predator stalking his prey. It made Patton move backwards until his back hit the blinds behind him. As the snake got even closer to Morality he snickered when he saw him run towards Logic and Thomas.

That's right, we’ve heard the story over and over again;

Gee, it's swell to finally meet his other friends.

The two joined together going after Roman next, trash man wasting no time in swinging yet again, but Creativity was fast when he got his sword out and blocked, going into a full-blown fight with their weapons. Unfortunately Roman didn’t pay attention to the other person as he got pushed to the floor, falling on his side, the sword falling beside him.

Thomas, Patton and Logan helped Roman up, Patton immediately checking for any injuries to which princey thanked him and reassured him he was fine. Virgil was still standing at his spot at the end of the stairs, mouth hanging slightly open in mild shock, he couldn’t believe what was happening in front of his eyes.

“They’re running circles around us!” Thomas’ Logic exclaimed at the others. Thomas never heard his voice sound so concerned and emotional.

Princey huffed, “I'm rusty, give me a break!” His ego was already a little bruised, he definitely didn’t need to hear how it got bruised. Virgil opened his mouth and closed it, as if he were a fish, “It really is them, but they can't be serious...” He finally spoke out. There was no way this was happening. No way.

“You know them, Virgil?” Thomas asked his anxiety, the confusion and curiosity seeping through him. 

“Can you tell us who they are?” Roman was the one asking now.

The question seemed to anger the Luigi look-alike, as he gripped the morningstar tightly in his hands until his knuckles were as white as Virgil’s foundation.

Who are we? Who are we? What are you even saying?

He was yelling at Roman now, shaking his head from side to side. If Thomas didn’t know any better he would’ve said he was hurt at Roman’s question.

We’re the losers of the game you didn't know you were playing!

Snake joined his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder as the other was shaking in fury. Roman prepared his sword yet again, ready to strike back if any of them acted first.

Let's play another game this time we get to win,

They were preparing something. Everyone could feel it in their bones, they just don’t know what.

Lives on the line;

Patton was pulled away again.

Winner takes all;

Logan was pulled away again.

Ready or not;

Roman was pulled away again.

Let's begin!

The ominous cackling came from both of them, each looking at the Sides, then their eyes stopping on Thomas. The cold gaze made a shiver run up Thomas’ spine, he definitely didn’t like this. And by the increase of the anxiety he felt neither did Virgil.

Oh, that's right we’ve heard the story over and over again.

They both moved to Logan, raising their arms and forcefully pulling them down. Logan, as if in a trance or maybe force, was pulled down as well, disappearing from the living room.

Gee, it's swell to finally beat his other friends.

Patton was next. Poor Morality already had tears down his red cheeks, the fear evident on his face. They did the same thing again, raising their arms then pulling Patton down as the harshly lowered them down.

Oh, that's right we’ve heard the story, don't really like how it ends.

Roman was the third, yet this time they did something different. The dark prince swung the morningstar but this time Roman wasn’t as fast and ended up getting hit at the back oh his head, falling on his knees, clutching his head in pain. Then, like the other times, the two lifted and lowered their arms, sending Roman God knows where.

Gee, it's swell to finally beat his other.

They turned to Thomas now, he was the only one left. They were getting close to Thomas now, too close to his liking. They wore wicked smiles on their faces, slowly rising their arms, keeping the eye contact with him. Then their arms were down again.

Other;

Suddenly he was pulled down as well, leaving only a panicked shriek looming through the living room.

Other friends.

They turned to Virgil, seeing him like this was exactly what they wanted. Now that their job was done they disappeared. 

Virgil was standing in the living room alone.

[whichwaytowonderlandep]

Every Little Part Of Me | Ch. 1

⇒ Pairing: (Taehyung/Reader/Namjoon)

⇒  Genre: Angst, Romance, Smut

⇒ Words: 5,316

⇒ Tags: Noona Reader, University AU, Stalker AU, SMUT, Husband! Namjoon, Student! Taehyung, passionate sex, oral (receiving), lots of confusing shit.

Chapter One 

You hug your coat closer to your body, as your feet hurriedly make their way down the dark and empty halls of the arts department. The echo of your heels reminding you of just how badly your feet were hurting, as the effects of a full day of work hits you like a truck.

As always, you were the last one of the professors to leave the building— and while you didn't mind helping your students out at the last minute, because that is one of the things you love about your job, the extra hours you were putting in were starting to catch up to you. The dark circles under your eyes, that not even makeup could cover, were a true testament of that.

Your body shudders as soon as you open the large wooden doors, the feel of the almost-winter air crawling right under your coat and over your skin making you wish you hadn't lend your car to your sister this morning — maybe you could’ve gotten home and under the covers a whole lot sooner, snuggling up on the couch with some hot chocolate and a good book.

You smile softly towards the security guard as you pass through the school gates, waving goodbye as you walk past. Walking home in this weather would be torturous and somewhat idiotic, but it seemed now you had no choice — a cab is a must right now. So, you stick your gloved hand out in the air and waved down a taxi cab, telling the driver your address as you step into the vehicle. Leaning back against the seat, you watch with tired eyes as buildings pass and street lights blur as your shivering body takes in the warm air blowing through the vents.

The weight of the day comes crashing down, and the rocking of the car slowly lulls your mind into falling asleep with each second that goes by —that is, until the cab stops at the bottom of the hill and you realize you need to walk the rest of the way.

A whole twenty minutes of walking in the darkness.

You pay the driver as you step out of the car only to watch him peel off down the road as you turn and make your way up the small hill. The streets were almost empty save for the occasional restaurant owner closing the shop for the day.

You quickly make your way across the street, knowing that your best friend, Ramona, would still be at her bakery, preparing all kinds of treats for the next work day.

“Hey babe!” Ramona sends a smile your way as she slides one of the half-filled trays of leftover goodies out of the glass displays in front of you. “Just give me a moment, I have a few pies in the oven. Just come around back” She smiles before she hurries off into the kitchen. 

“You got anything leftover goodies from today?” You yell out, dropping your purse on one of the chairs in front of you before sliding off your coat and bag bringing it on the back of the same chair. You quickly make your way into the kitchen, instantly getting hit with the smell of cinnamon and apple. “Shouldn’t you be getting home by now?” You ask her, picking up one of the chocolate chips sitting on the counter in front of you.

“I was, but one of the guys cancelled on me last minute And with the holidays right around the corner, I can’t leave things enough for the very last minute.” She babbles frantically as she moves from stirring something to check on the oven and plating treats on their respective trays. “So, now I’m stuck preparing for tomorrow. He didn’t even have a good excuse.” Ramona grumbles. 

She stops suddenly, finally slowing down long enough to look at you. “Long day?” She finally asks, grabbing onto the bowl in front of her, “You look like shit”

“Gee, thanks.” You pose cutely for her, “Where are my leftovers, woman?” You jokingly say getting straight to the point as you look around for that little white box with the light pink bow on it that holds every delicious thing known to man.

“I knew it! You only like me for my desserts” Ramona gasps jokingly, “and here I thought it was because of my good looks and charming personality.” Ramona continues sarcastically as she pulls out the box filled with little slices of heaven from under the counter. “Here.” She hands it over before asking, “Where’s Namjoon? I thought he would’ve been there to pick you up after class.” She frowns slightly, “Isn’t your anniversary coming up?”

“Uh…” You clear your throat at the sudden question, “He had to work overtime, the office needed him for something or other. I can’t remember what exactly.” You ramble off as you open the box of what seems to be chocolate chip cookies and stuff half a cookie in your mouth. 

You and Namjoon were sort of a sore topic these days, as in you never like when people brought him into the conversation. It wasn’t that you hated him, he was your loving husband after all, you just didn’t hear from him much because he was always working – it was rare for the two of you to even be home at the same time, let alone have dinner together. You know he worked to provide a good life for the two of you, you just wish he was actually there to live it with you at least once in a while. 

“Really? I haven’t seen him around in a week.” Ramona frowns, “Everything okay with you guys?”

You love Ramona, you do - but sometimes your best friend puts her nose in your business way too often than it should be necessary. You couldn’t complain though, considering she always gave you the best advice you could ever receive. Though this time, you had already decided to keep what was happening between you and Namjoon all on your own. 

“Everything’s fine with us. I need to get going, I need to get home.” You reply, closing the box in front of you, checking your watch in passing. “Thanks for the cavities. I’ll see you.” You tell her before you make your way out of the kitchen, leaving your very confused best friend standing staring at the back of your head — wishing you would come back and finish the goddamn conversation for once. 

The weather didn’t seem to lighten up at all in the thirty minutes that you spent inside the bakery, if anything the darker it got colder it did as well. So you hurriedly made the short trip up the rest of the hill. There was something about your neighbourhood that you just loved about. Maybe it was the fact that it was so colourful and full of life during the day, while at night it became quiet and serene, the drawings that adorned the walls still gave it its own personality. 

Not to mention the years of history along the walls - being only thirty minutes away from the university meant a lot of artists left their marks on them. And the deeper into the neighbourhood you went, the older the paintings were.

Growing up here, you had also left your mark when you were younger and although you never actually told anyone, you were proud of what you had created. You don't know why you decided to keep it a secret, maybe it was the fact that it wasn't really a cop friendly activity that might've done the trick. But you wanted people to know your art, not the person behind it. 

Your husband on the other hand wasn't from around here. And when you refused to move away, you received plenty of complaints on his part - until he noticed how close the university was and the lack of traffic to his job, lack of neighbors. He didn’t have to be friendly in the sense that when he was at home – if he ever was home, he could kick back and relax. 

Your thoughts stopped suddenly as you walked past your favourite mural, it was old with its paint already fading and it wasn’t all there anymore, but for you, every time you looked at it, it felt like the first time you had given the idea life. Every stroke showed emotion, a story waiting to be told. There was no other like it, not by the same person at least — what you wish to go back to that time, to be young and naive once more. 

The minutes, unknowingly, slowly slip away from you as you stood in front of the graffiti-covered wall. Your phone’s sudden ringing from inside your purse snapping you out of it. Your eyes flicker for a second in the darkness as you take out your phone, your husband’s name lighting up the screen. Taking a deep breath, you slide your thumb across the screen and check your messages.

New Message

[6:36pm] Hubby: Something came up at work, I’ll be a bit late home tonight.

You read the message repeatedly; it was the same message he had sent two nights ago, and a week before that. It had become customary now to receive the same text, with the same wording every single time. And every single time he ended up staying in a hotel they had a meeting at or flying out to some other country leaving you to wake up to an I promise to bring you something nice or The boss gave me no choice text from him. 

You could say that you were used to it by now, you didn't question it as you didn't really think anything of it. You were in your own little world and you would stay there if needed to. 

You continue making your way up the stairs, looking out at your house in the distance; the exhaustion from being on your feet most of the day becoming more and more prominent with each and every step.

Hoisting your bag over your shoulder as you reach the front gate, your fingers trembling as they punch in the security code. “Oh, come on!” You mumble to yourself, the cold air making you run towards the front door, desperate to escape into the warmth of your house.  

You let out a deep breath, rubbing your hands together as you try to get your cold fingers to warm up. You throw everything on the couch, feeling too lazy to put everything in its place as you take off your soaked black coat and toeing off your muddy shoes before leaving them by the entrance.

“Home sweet home” You mumble under your breath as you switch the lights on in your completely empty house. You had given the maid the weekend off, knowing you wanted to stay completely alone. The reason being so you could work on your art without any distractions, not to mention all the classwork you had to catch up on.

You make your way into the kitchen, picking up the sticky note stuck on the microwave from your maid – you read it over, learning that she had left you something for dinner tonight and thanking you for giving her the rest of the weekend off. You happily warm up the food as you take a seat on the very large glass dining room table. 

Growing up, you had thought you would’ve made something of yourself by now. You had ambitions of traveling the world and viewing famous pieces of art and taking pictures of anything and everything. You wanted to meet with artists and be surrounded by different cultures. But that exciting part of your life was no more than a distant memory. This was your life now. You just had to find a way to come to terms with the idea. 

You don’t blame Namjoon, even if you had given all of that up when you decided to stay and marry him. You didn’t have to do any of this, and he didn’t ask this of you. You made this decision all on your own – there was no one to blame, but yourself in this situation. 

As the week passed by, you couldn’t help but settle into the same routine. You woke up early in the mornings, sometimes before the sun was even up, and went for a run around the neighbourhood. You ate breakfast, spent most of your day at school, then returned home late to grade papers. You did this repeatedly, day after day, until the weekend came along.

After a while, you had gotten used to being alone in the large house. You had already decided to spend the beginning of your weekend by relaxing and watching some TV before you had to really wrap yourself around your work. These papers weren’t going to be grading themselves and the more you push it off to the side the more work you would have later on. 

You took another sip of your tea, feeling content with how the now fully coloured canvas, you hum to yourself in content as you place down the brush on the table beside you.

You live for moments like this. Moments where you could just sit back and relax, not having to worry about anything or anyone. You love your job, there’s no regrets in what you were doing, but that nagging feeling in the back of your mind telling you could be doing more with your life was hard to ignore.

Art was the only way you could really express yourself without having to say anything, the pictures you took and the paintings you created spoke for you. They forever encase your emotions and your thoughts and are often your escape from the real world - giving you a place to create one of your own.

The moment is interrupted when the doorbell rang throughout the house. You pick up one of the rags next to you, frowning at the sudden intrusion. You weren’t really expecting anyone, especially not this close to dinner time.

“Hello, can I help you?” You question as the woman in front of you smiles brightly. You scratch the back of your neck when you remember you were wearing one of Namjoon’s old shirts, and it was covered in fresh and old paint.

The woman in front of you bursts out laughing, “(Y/N)! It’s so good to see you after all these years!” She squeals before throwing her arms around you, enveloping you in the tightest hug ever. You remained stiff in her arms when she began to jump up and down in, what you assumed to be, excitement.

Holding you at arm’s length, she moves your confusion from side to side, “You look so much older and prettier! Oh my, how we’ve both grown!”

“Do I know you?” You let out in a soft whisper, finally able to speak when the woman in front of you lets you get a word in.

“Oh! Right, I’m Namjoon’s sister. Well...estranged sister, we don’t really talk that much.” The woman continues to ramble on and on about how her family and Namjoon split when he decided to go in a different direction than the farm — even though you had already heard this story before from the man himself.

You haven’t heard much of anything about the missing sister, considering they just never mentioned her again. And frankly, the only reason you knew her name was because of your incessant ability of not letting things go.

“I’m sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous…” You watch as Hyuna glances back out towards the street with a troubled look on her face, which makes you become worried in return.

“Everything okay?” You ask her, finally opening the rest of the door and gesturing for her to come in. “Come on in, it’s warmer inside.” You offer her as the cold air hits you straight in the face.

“Oh, no. I’m sure Namjoon already told you, he told us to come whenever we were ready and... well, we’re ready!”

“What do you mean?” You ask.

“Well...Didn’t he tell you? Namjoon told me he was going to take care of his nephew, Taehyung, from now on, or at least until final exams. Taehyung has been in some trouble, so after contacting my brother, we agreed on my son coming here to live with you.” She continues, leaving you to take everything she just said in. Your husband hadn’t spoken to you in days, so of course he never mentioned any of this.

“We’d like for Taehyung to actually graduate this year. But ever since he found out he was adopted...it’s like he has decided to rebel, go against everything we ask and expect of him.” Hyuna sighs, “The divorce isn’t really helping things out either.” She mumbled under her breath before flashing you another megawatt smile, the bags under her eyes further accentuating how tired she was. “Namjoon agreed, and suggested Taehyung should have a change in scenery and repeat the year under his watchful eye.”

Watchful eye, my ass! He’s barely here as it is. — you think to yourself.

“Oh, did he now?” Your smile widening, while internally you were thinking about how you were going to kill him and get away with it.

“Well, I’m sure Namjoon already went through everything with the both of us so why don’t we get Taehyung settled in?” Hyuna asks you, her questioning smile erasing your thoughts of murdering your husband the instant you realize the boy was here.

“Wait, he’s here?” You frown in her direction, eyes following the taller woman as she gets up from where she’s seated and heads back out the door.

You stand in your doorway, watching with curious eyes as she stands by the passenger door – knocking lightly on the glass.

The boy inside glared at her, grumbling to himself as she continued knocking on the glass. It took a few minutes before he finally got fed up with her insistence, and reluctantly climbed out of the car.

He was clearly taller than Hyuna, with somewhat long, black hair that hung in front of his eyes. He was still in his school uniform, which made you guess this entire move was a surprise on his mother’s part.

Taehyung glanced around at the big houses surrounding him, a stark contrast to the ones back home. He never understood why rich people always wanted more space, he saw it as something completely unnecessary. Letting out a long sigh, he begrudgingly follows along when his mother grabs onto his arm and pulls him towards his uncle’s house.

Taehyung never met the man in question, he only knew what he looked like from the pictures in old family albums his mother kept hidden away in the basement.  

“Hello! You must be Taehyung!” You greet him with the biggest welcoming smile you could muster. You extend your hand out, watching the taller boy approach with a straight face and bored demeanour.

Taehyung only keeps walking, past you and through the open door – never letting out a word in either direction. “Don’t take it to heart, he’s not really that much of a people person.” Hyuna says as you awkwardly put your hand back down, nodding to yourself as you look back at the nineteen-year-old moody teenager looking around the spacious house with a look of indifference.

“It’s okay, I get it” You smile at Hyuna, “I’m sure he’ll fit in right away. Probably” You sigh out, feeling unsure of yourself as all the stress of the semester crashing down on you. You knew you still had a few more papers to grade your little break you took was not enough to make you feel even a little bit relaxed. “Would you like to stay for dinner?”  You ask her, closing the door behind her as the two of you follow Taehyung into the house. He still had on his coat and his backpack strapped to his back - as if looking for a hole to escape through. 

“That would be lovely!” Hyuna immediately agrees as she runs to him, wrapping her arms around the tall boy’s arm and dragging him into the kitchen.

You have no idea what you had just gotten yourself into, or what Namjoon was even thinking when he agreed to any of this – why would he do that in the first place without even mentioning it to you was beyond your understanding, the man was barely here in the first place.

You take another big breath before you slap on that big welcoming smile before you follow them into the kitchen. You were seriously going to kill Namjoon next time you saw him. 

//

You collect the dirty plates, a big smile on your face as you look at Hyuna’s face as she finishes shoving the last bite of food into her mouth. Groaning as the flavour hits her taste buds, “That was an amazing, best meal I’ve had in awhile.” Hyuna continues, praising your cooking as she puts her stomach. You move back towards the kitchen, quickly glancing at the boy sitting at the other side of the table – he hadn’t uttered a word the entire night, pushing his food around his plate as his music continues blasting through his headphones.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it, I haven’t cooked for so many people in such a long time.” You smile at the compliments, walking back to the table until you were standing right next to Taehyung. He looks up at you,his naturally puppy dog eyes looking at every inch of your face. “Are you finished with your dinner, honey?” You don’t miss the eyebrow raised at the mention of the pet name, before he pushes the plate towards you in a silent ‘yes’. 

Taehyung’s eyes stare at you the moment you walk away, going completely unnoticed by Hyuna and you as you set down the plates in the sink and turn on the tap.

“I should probably get going...” Hyuna hints, glancing at the clock on the wall before she’s grabbing onto her purse on one of the kitchen stools. You dry your hands on your apron, moving to stand beside her. You watch as she gives her son a hug, and leaves a lipstick stain on his right cheek, getting no reaction from the boy before she sighed sadly. “I’ll miss you, Tae. We’ll see you soon I promise.” You walk beside her as you accompany her to the front door, watching as she waves goodbye to her son one last time before she’s pulling you into an unexpected hug before quickly walking down the long driveway.

As you close the door, you take in a deep breath, wishing this was not all happening so quickly in such little time. You walk back into the kitchen only  to find Taehyung no longer sitting in the same position. But rather sitting on the couch in the living room, hugging his dark blue backpack to his chest and his luggage sitting on the floor next to him.

“So…” You start, moving to stand in front of him. His head instantly turns to stare at you, his eyes meeting yours with faint disinterest. “I should probably show you to your room.” You clear your throat, “I’m sure you’re tired after that long a drive” you say as you motion for him to follow you as you move towards the stairs.

You don’t look back, hearing his heavy footsteps following right behind you letting you know that he hadn’t ignored you. 

You take Taehyung to the other side of the house, to the only guest room with its own private bathroom. “The maid comes in every morning on weekdays  to tidy things up, I’ll let her know to make up your room after you’ve left for school in the morning.” You let him know, opening the door to the room – looking around at the soft blue sheets that decorated the bed.

“Bathroom is in there, the closet on the other side.” You point around at the different doors around the room. Taehyung drops his bags, sitting on the bed as he bites on his bottom lip. “You can go into the kitchen at any time, the fridge is fully stocked with late night snacks and I’m right down the hall if you need anything… Uh…” You stood there, scratching the back of your neck, feeling a blush running up your neck and settling in your cheeks – moving to walk out the door in the most awkward manner your body could muster.

“Actually” Taehyung’s surprisingly deep voice echoes across the room. Well, you were not expecting that.  “Can I have some more pillows?” He asks, looking at the two measly-looking pillows lying on the bed, he could already feel his neck hurt at the thought of sleeping like that. 

You quickly nod, finally glad to hear him talk at least. “Yeah, sure… I’ll go get them for you right now!” You smile widely before moving out of the room, thinking of where to get his pillows. In your mind, you were finally making progress with the Taehyung — even if it was something as little as this.

It took you awhile to locate a few extra clean ones, before you were walking back into Taehyung’s room only to hear the shower running and he was nowhere to be found.

You decide to clear the bed for him, mounting up the pillows in the most comfortable way you could. Your mind up in the air and distracted, that you never heard the shower being turned off, nor the boy now walking out of the bathroom, with a towel around his waist and small droplets of water now dripping down his naked chest.

Taehyung watches silently as you fluff the pillows, biting his bottom lip as he heads towards his suitcase. Maybe this won’t be as bad after all – he smugly thinks to himself as he moves to stand right behind you, a towel on his wet hair as you crawl off the bed, jumping when you hear him clear his throat from behind you before letting out a scream of surprise, blushing as you try to recover from the small heart attack that he almost caused you. 

“Taehyung! I’m sorry, I thought you were still in the shower.” You chuckle nervously, noticing just how close he was standing to you. So close that you could still see the small droplets of water dropping off his chin and down his chest one by one. Oh, it has been way too long since you were this close to a man, because this was no boy. You gulp, looking anywhere but at the man in front of you.

“I should probably go get ready for bed, it’s getting pretty late already... Have a good night then!” You squeal out before you dash out of the room in a hurry and head straight for the comfort of yours. You felt awkward and uncomfortable with what had just happened, whatever it is that JUST happened. 

Taehyung looked at the door after you left, thinking about how adorable you look when your cheeks went red and you looked completely flustered. He liked it when girls acted that way around him, he was used to it. Yet, there was something about you that he just seemed to like a bit more.   

You sit on bed with your class’s works laying in front of you, a collection of random black and white sketches for the first part of the assignment you had made them slave over this weekend. Your glasses were sitting at the tip of your nose as you try to keep your eyes from closing as you continue to type in comments of approvals and things they needed to work on for the rest of the semester.  It was already nearing two in the morning when you heard the garage door open, not moving from your position as you knew for certain it was no one other than Namjoon coming in at such a late hour. 

Your short suspicions were confirmed a few minutes later, when the very man was entering through your bedroom door with his coat jacket in his hands. “There’s my little workaholic!” You greet him, smiling up at him as he walks closer to you. Namjoon sends you a tired smile before leaning down to plant a quick kiss on your lips.

Namjoon chuckles tiredly as he throws his coat onto the end of your bed before he pulls on his tie as he heads towards the bathroom he yells back “Speak for yourself! You’re the one who brought work into the bedroom!”  You hear the shower running as you continue with your work, deciding to finish it tomorrow when you had enough sleep to be able to think straight.

You push your work from your lap before moving them to the floor, you look up at Namjoon with a small angry glare hoping he would get the hint a little bit quicker. You were mad. But, you weren’t going to tell him that, you were going to let him figure that out on his own. 

“What did I do?” Namjoon stops, slowly taking off his remaining sock, “Who says anything wrong?” You answer back. This prompts Namjoon to chuckle dryly as he rolls his eyes jokingly, “Maybe because when you get mad, you get this insanely cute pout on your lips?” 

You blush at the compliment, brushing it aside as you clear your throat, “When were you going to tell me you offer Taehyung a place to stay with us?” Your ‘stern’ voice resurfacing as you remember how angry you still felt. Or at least you did. 

 “I knew I forgot something important…” Namjoon quips, biting at his bottom lip as his forehead wrinkles in frustration. The same way he always did when he knew he was guilty of something – after so many years of being together, you liked how you knew him like the back of your hand. “I hope it wasn’t too much trouble. I figured I would sit you down for dinner before breaking the news to you, but I guess Hyuna had other plans.”

You keep silent as you watch him begin to undress, stretching his neck as he shrugs off the white button up. You bite at your bottom lip, putting the papers back down on the bed as you lean back and take a good luck at him. Namjoon turns around, leaning on his knee on the bed as he looks at you up and down as he takes off his watch. “What?” He smirked, his hands now reaching down to his belt, tilting his head to the side as he watches you rub your thighs together. 

“Nothing…”

Namjoon lets out a loud sigh, unbuttoning the top of his dress pants before crawling like a lion to his prey. His fingers gliding over the top of your naked legs, lustful eyes staring you down as he grabs onto your ankles and pulls you down swiftly until you're laying down on the soft bed underneath him.

He doesn't say anything as all traces of playfulness are gone as he moves your hair out of your face before leaning down to place a gentle kiss on your lips. Namjoon, lays his body over yours, a hand sliding down your t-shirt until it's sitting on the side of your stomach - slowly inching towards your chest, until his hand is gripping onto your bare breast and his lips leave a trace of kisses down your jaw and to your neck.

You could feel him grinding his hips against yours, grunting as he feels chills running all over his body. Namjoon could feel the pressure building up in the bottom of his stomach and the blood rushing down to his member. He grunts out, his lips meeting yours once again before his pulling away. Namjoon slides down your body, never looking away from you as he lays down in front of you. His gentle kisses on the inside of your thigh so very close to the place that has been neglected for far too long.

His hands grab onto your thighs, spreading your legs apart even wider as he settles in between them. You shut your eyes moving you feel him move your underwear to the side, his soft lips meeting your wet center. You sigh out in ecstasy as you feel him flatten his tongue against you. It has been way too long since the last time your husband had touched you in such a way.

Your hands wrap around his dirty golden looks as his tongue continues to flick against your clit in a quick manner, leaving your entire body a trembling mess. Namjoon smirks as your body arches, pushing further against his tongue before pushing his index finger into you slowly. He curls his finger against the inside of your walls, leaving you a moaning mess as you continue to tug on his hair. Your hands let go of his hair, running up your own stomach as you grab both of your breasts in your hands.  

You feel his lips sucking hard on your clit before pulling away with a ‘pop’ and you feel your orgasm being pushed closer and closer to the edge. All you needed was that little push.

Namjoon pulls away from you, hooded eyes staring down at you as he pushes his dress pants down his muscled thighs until his penis is standing fully erect in front of you. He roughly grabbed onto your hips, pulling you towards his body before the tip of his member was sliding up and down your clit.

Namjoon grunts as he pushes into you up to the hilt, feeling your warm, wet and pulsating walls surrounding him entirely. “God, I’ve forgotten how good you feel around me” He moans out as he begins to buck his hips into yours. His thrusts were short, but hard enough that you could feel pleasure shoot through your entire body. The little whimpers that let your body sound like music to his ears as he gathers up both your legs into his arms and throws them over both of his shoulders. With the new position you could feel him sinking in deeper within you as he begins to move faster and harder.

“Joonie…” You whine, your hands fisting the cotton sheets beneath you as the urge to cum intensifies even more. “I’m about to oh fuck…” the words never leaving your lips as your orgasm washes over you. Toe- curling, back arching pleasure washing over you.

Namjoon’s eyes shut as his hips move quicker, his own orgasm making his balls tighten as the snap against your ass before pumping you full of his cum.

Your heavy breathing could be heard echoing all over your bedroom, his groans joining. “Fuck” 

Namjoon whispers under his breath, pulling out of you before watching his seed spill slowly out of you.

You feel him slide the tip of his member up and down your lips before sliding it back in once more

You whine a little at the over sensitive feeling that shoots up your spine before your pushing at his abdomen.

Namjoon chuckles, pulling his now softening member out of you and laying down next to you on the bed, feeling completely exhausted. “I guess that means that I’m forgiven?” He jokes, looking at you with tired eyes as he bites his lip trying to contain his smile – you laugh out loud as you hit him in the chest in a joking manner.

“Stop it.” You mumble, your voice heavy with sleep as you lay your head on his chest. You feel Namjoon’s hands wrap around your waist, pulling you closer to his warm body as he props his chin on the top of your head.

Neither you nor Namjoon ever caught the pair of brown eyes that were looking at the two of you so intently from the half-opened door.

Masterlist >>

[noonaduck]

Blood Moon pt.1

pairing: BTS OT7 x reader, ft. some members of GOT7 genre: just pure filth, smut, supernatural au. Warnings: language, semi public sex, oral (female receiving), wandering hands Words: 3458 A/N: I have sinned again, thisfic will probably be only two or three parts long put full of pure filth.  Summary: You really weren’t in the mood for clubbing, but your friend Jaebum had made you come and satisfy your hunger. 

[Gif belongs to it’s rightful owner]

The neon lights were sweeping the floor and faceless mass of bodies were grinding against each other along the beat. You looked down from the VIP areas balcony your eyes sweeping lazily the crowd. If you were truly honest you weren't in a mood of partying but need to feed has caused you to agree to hang out at your friends’ club.  Blood moon was a nightclub where human and supernatural being would find their safe haven away from judging eyes. It has been only five years when Vampires had revealed themselves to the world followed by werewolves and other creatures were soon to follow. You can guess what kind of  reception of supernatural world coming in to common knowledge has caused. It didn’t take long before some religious cults rose and begun to lecture the world about how those monsters were horrific and twisted how they could never be creation of God, the politicians kept arguing back and forth on TV how these dangerous beast would take over their world and turn them, in to their slaves. The thought made you snort. only thing that had changed was that people were now aware of the supernatural creatures existence and you were quite sure that majority of them weren’t interested in dominating the world. 

‘’What is so funny?’’ Jaebum, one of the club owners has came to stand next to you without you noticing and looking the people below you. You couldn’t deny that Jaebum was a beautiful man even your species standard. he had pale skin and a beautiful face framed by black messy locks. he had a small silver ring on left side of his nose and another silver ball piercing right below his eye on the same side. His eyes were black like a pool of water in night and when he smiled you could see them sparkling like they were holding stars. Jaebum was tall hovering right above you and his monochrome outfit made him look even taller.   ‘’Nothing really, I was just thinking about when supernatural world came out of closet.’’ You admit. ‘’Ah, it really would have been great that vampires would have asked our opinions when they revealed themselves.’’ Jaebum agrees. ‘’ Still there is some plus sides, for example amount of willing participants who are begging to be fed from. Speaking of feeding you look terrible.’’ Jaebum points the dark circles underneath of your E/C eyes. ‘’Gee, thanks you surely know how to talk for a woman.’’ You snort. ‘’If you wouldn’t been staring at people below you, you would have already noticed that there is group of men who had stared your ass for a while now.’’ Jaebum tells raising his brow. You had dressed in to tight red dress that barely covered your ass and black high heels that made your legs look longer than they actually were. The idea of your whole outfit was to make your hunt for the night much easier. really you didn't have to see so much trouble, even if you would have arrived the club in old baggy jeans and t shirt you would gain stares from both male and female population. ‘’Hmm, really, what kind of wristbands they are wearing?’’ You ask arching your brows. The club had made of rule of wearing different color wristband based on your species. Humans were wearing orange, werewolves blue, vampires had  red and there was even more colors which you weren’t that interested in making list in your mind. ‘’Mm’h I saw quite a mix, I think there was at least two werewolves, one vampire, and elf and even one human.’’ Jaebum smirks now that he had made you curious. ‘’I thought that werewolves and vampires doesn’t like to hang out.’’ ‘’Now look at who is relaying in old stereotypes.’’Jaebum chuckles and brushes a H/C lock behind your ear which has escaped from your bun and your eyes flashes quickly to his pink wristband. You roll your eyes and finally decide to look back to the VIP area. The VIP area has its own small dance floor, a bar and booths which you could cover with curtains for privacy. You spot a group of seven men sitting on nearby booth laughing and drinking their night away. Jaebum was right that they were looking at you, when you met eyes with a boy with bleached eyes he blushes and looks back to his drink. You smirk at yourself, you had to admit he is pretty cute. Jaebum notices your stare and urges you on. ‘’Go on and talk to them or I will go get Mark to whoop your ass.’’He refers to his friend who is working behind of the bar in VIP area. ‘’Oh no, anything but him.’’ You pretend to be scared and Jaebum lets out a low laugh. Mark has been your friend since your childhood and he was like a brother to you, a very protective one. If he would know that you had made yourself almost to starve he would definitely whoop your ass. ‘’Fine I go.’’ You sigh and head towards the table sending a small wave to Jaebum. When you near the table the laughter of the men quietens and they look with you with curious eyes. ‘’Hi, can I join you guys?’’ You ask flashing a small smile. ‘’Uh, sure.’’ The vampire who is first to recover tells and flashes a pearly white smile revealing his fangs. ‘’It’s going to be a tight fit though.’’ he adds glancing already full cramped space. ‘’It’s okay, I can sit on your friends lap if he doesn’t mind?’’ You suggest pointing your words to a werewolf who is sitting on closest to your spot in half moon shaped couch. The man’s eyes widens for your suggestion but he is quick to nod his head’’ Of course, take a seat.’’ he pats his leather covered thigh and you flash him a flirty smile when you sit on his lap. You had to admit that your seat was a nice piece of meat. He has emerald brown eyes paired with straight perky nose and chin so sharp that you could use it as a razor blade. ‘’I’m Y/N.’’ You introduce yourself when you are finally comfortable on your spot. The werewolf has a musky almost forest like scent which surrounds you as soon his hands finds your waist and he puts his head lazily on your shoulder. ‘’I’m Hoseok but people usually call me Hobi.’’ The werewolf tells with low voice which makes you shiver. ‘’Hi, I’m Jimin.’’ The boy next to the wolf introduces himself.  Jimin is pure mix of cuteness and sex, his hair is light pink color and styled to look like he just had woken up. he was wearing a loose white button up shirt the first two buttons left open and tight jeans revealing his defined thighs. His eyes are same color as his hair and when he smiles they turn into crescent moons. You can't decide do you want to fuck the man or squeeze his plump cheeks. ‘’Nice to meet you.’’ You tell to your eager conversation partner and flash cute smile making him blush and covering his face revealing a mint green wristband. ‘’A nymph?’’ You say surprised raising your eyebrows. ‘’Male ones are quite rare.’’ You tell in awe. Jimin blushes even more if it’s possible.  ‘’Ya, leave the poor man alone. I’m Seokjin but you can call me Jin or world wide handsome.’’ A man who is sitting opposite side of you tells sending you a wink. You don’t have to see his wrist to tell that he is an elf. Jin has blonde, almost golden hair and you can see pair of pointy ears peeking through. The man has beautiful almost heart shaped face, soft looking light pink lips, almond eyes and cocky attitude which you can always pair with elves. You can hear his friends to groan for Jin’s remark about his looks and you chuckle lightly. ‘’Don’t mind about Jin, he is always like that when he sees someone beautiful.’’ Hoseok whispers to your ear his lips brushing brightly to your earlobe. ‘’I heard that.’’ Jin complains and his friends laugh again. ‘’It was the whole point.’’ Hoseok smirk. The music blasting around you was enough to keep the group hearing your earlier conversation with Jaebum but because the supernatural hearing hearing someone to whisper in this proximity was quite easy. Jin looks at his friend with unhappy put and gulps rest of his drink down in one quick motion. ‘’Speaking of rare sights I have to admit that it’s my first time seeing a succubus.’’ The vampire speaks up and you turn your attention to him. The man has almost ashen colored skin and dark circles under his eyes but they make nothing to dull his handsome face,his eyes are black with small red dots and he has firm jaw and high cheekbones paired with blood red lips and straight nose.  He is tallest of the group and he has silver locks pushed backwards from his forehead. ‘’I’m Namjoon by the way.’’ The vampire adds quickly remembering to introduce himself. It was a known fact that succubus were rarer than incubuses when it came to your kind. Usually the male DNA overpowered female ones and only few females were born, it was actually quite opposite of what came to nymphs where the female gender was overpowering. ‘’Yeah, well you can consider yourself lucky then,’’ You tell sending a small flying kiss towards the vampire who flashes a flirty smile in return. Then you spot the man next to him who you had spotted at first place, his orange wristband being like a bright neon sign. If you didn't know better you could have swore that he was one of your kind, his beauty competing with Jaebum’s alluring looks. The man’s hair was reaching to his ears and curled slightly behind of them, his eyes were deep brown, almost looking like black and his skin was warm color of taffy. The man was sculptured like a Greek statue and you sighed dreamily. ‘’Tae, you got a new fan.’’ Namjoon teases you and pulls you from your daydream. ‘’How I could not fan over him, he is freaking beautiful.’’ You speak like he wasn’t in the room and then point your words to him. ‘’You are gorgeous.’’ You tell and cocky smirk rises to his lips. ‘’Thank you.’’ He tells with a lower voice that you were expecting. ‘’You aren’t bad either, I’m Taehyung by the way but you can call me Tae if you like.’’ ‘’Can you guys stop eye fucking each other.’’ A man who has been quiet this far perks up and your attention is instantly drawn to his horns poking out his pitch black hair. You feel so stupid, you had missed another demon on your table.You find it odd that he had decided not to hide his demonic features but you didn’t question his decision. You smile and mouth a quick ‘sorry’ towards him which makes him grunt. ‘’Don’t be so grumpy Yoongi.’’ the final man, the second werewolf tells and sips his banana milk, A quite odd choice of drink at the club if you asked me. The wolf had muscular body which would anyone feeling like mocking him to shut up and soft brown logs pulled under a black cap. He had also emerald eyes like Hoseok and rabbit like front teeth which were revealed when he took sip from his drink. ‘’I wouldn’t be if I could get a moment of peace.’’ The demon retorts back. ‘’Hyung we are at the club, why you imagine that you could get peace here?’’ Taehyung asks and makes the man in question to sulk in more. ‘’Don’ mind about Yoongi, even though he look grumpy he is actual softie.’’ Hoseok tells with small chuckle. ‘’So what brings you here tonight?’’ You decide to start a small talk. ‘’It’s actually Hoseok's birthday.’’ Jimin tells from your left side. ‘’Oh, I’m sorry if I would have known I wouldn’t have bothered you guys.’’ You feel embarrassed. ‘’I don’t mind. It's not everyday when a pretty girl wants to sit on your lap.’’ Hoseok huffs in laugh.’’In fact you had made the evening even better.’’ he adds peeking you rneck quickly in case you feel uncomfortable. ‘’I have to admit that you are making my evening better as well.’’ You admit enjoying the attention the wolf is giving you. ‘’Did you came alone?’’ Jin peeps in eager for your attention. ‘’Yes, my friends own the club and they begged me to come tonight.’’ You admit. ‘’I should have known, what makes more sense than succubus and incubus being friends.’’ Namjoon chuckles lightly and takes another sip from his drink. His mug is made of metal and you can’t see in to it but you are sure that it’s containing alcohol mixed with blood. ‘’Have you ever fucked with succubus?’’ Namjoon asks bluntly causing his friends to raise their brows. ‘’Dude, you must be really drunk.’’ Taehyung says and smiles awkwardly to you. Anything that Namjoon had made or said before didn’t imply even slightly that he had drank too much. ‘’In fact I have.’’You answer by everyone's surprise. ‘’What? I’m a sex demon, a small question like that can’t make me feel uncomfortable.’’ ‘’What is it like have a sex with a sex demon?’’ Jimin asks curiously leaning closer. ‘’Is it better than with other species?’’ ‘’Well to me it’s kind of boring, after all I can’t feed from another demon.’’ You answer honestly. ‘’So no chance for Yoongi then.’’ The werewolf who’s name you haven't caught yet smirks. ‘’Shut up Jungkook ,why you think I want any?’’Yoongi growls making Jungkook smirk satisfied from his outburst. ‘’I mean sex feels always good so I wouldn’t mind.’’ You shrug and you can seeing that small blush rises to Yoongi’s cheeks. ‘’What do you think about elves?’’ Jin asks and trying to smirk flirtatiously to you. ‘’They have big ego and mouth I enjoy making quiet.’’ You tell smirking which makes Jin’s eyes narrow slightly. ‘’She got you hyung.’’ Taehyung chuckles. ‘’Well I know something where I would enjoy putting your mouth to keep you quiet.’’ Jin barks back. You don’t have time to sassy back at him when you feel yourself getting dizzy. You touch your forehead and groan in discomfort. ‘’Are you okay?’’ Hoseok asks sensing your discomfort. ‘’Yeah, I just haven’t fed in long time.’’ You admit closing your eyes for a moment. ‘’Can we help you in someway?’’ Jimin asks worriedly. ‘’You could always fuck me.’’ You tell half jokingly and you can feel the moment when the lust fills the table and makes air thicker with scent of sex. ‘’All you had to do was to ask.’’ Hosek smirks and reaches somewhere past you pulling the curtain shut in front of your booth leaving your group in a small bubble.  By your surprise you feel Jimin's fingers reaching the hem of your dress and sliding between your thighs. You gasp when he finds your clothed heat and press his thumb against your clit. Hoseok won’t stay second to Jimin and angels your head in a way that he can kiss your lips. You moan when he bites your lower lip gently and suck it between his teeth. Meanwhile Jimin continues his adventure under your dress sliding his index finger along your pussy lips. ‘’Hyung lift her little so I can get this hem out of my way.’’ Jimin suddenly complains and Hoseok is fast to lift you so Jimin is able to pull your dress to your waist. A view that is granted to your clothed core makes the men groan around the table, still you weren’t able to focus on them for long after Hoseok demanded your attention pinching your left nipple on the top of your dress. ‘’You aren’t wearing a bra.’’ Hoseok smirks and reaches for the zipper on your back. ‘’Tell us if you want us to stop.’’ He adds and slides the zipper down making the dress pooling down to your hip. Now your breast are revealed for the audience and view of them causes the men make satisfied noises. You can feel all the eyes glued to your body and enjoy the sexual energy reeking out of them and helping with your growing hunger. Hoseok cups your breasts from behind and rolls your nipples between his fingers making you arch against him pushing your chest forward. ‘’Fuck, hyung.’’ Jungkook moans feeling himself hardening from the view. ‘’Y/N has indeed pretty nice tits.’’ Hoseok smirks continuing palming your breasts. Jimin feels jealous form the attention that you are giving to Hoseok and slips his index finger underneath the waistband of your panties finding your clit and rubbing it gently. ‘’Jimin.’’ You gasp and want to close your legs from the sensation but Jimin doesn't have any of that forcing your legs to stay open with a strength you didn’t know he was having. ‘’Stay still or I have to tie you up.’’ Jimin warns making goosebumps appear to your skin. Hoseok’s lips finds your neck and he leaves dark hickeys on his journey to your shoulder.

‘’Are you just going to make rest of us watch?’’ Jin finally breaks up and you force your eyes to him. ‘’Yup.’’ Hoseok’s lips leaves your skin and he smirks. ‘’Are you kidding me?’’ Namjoon growls and everything happens so fast that you don’t even realize how you ended up sitting on top of the table all the drink gon from it. You aren’t sure are your thighs feeling slick from your juices slowly pooling between your thighs or from the drinks that had been on the table, either way you didn’t mind and your hunger only grew. Hoseok growls to Namjoon and flashes his slightly larger canines than human to him and Namjoon snarls back making Hoseok to back of, the leader of the group was right the revealed to you. ‘’Will you let me eat you out?’’ Namjoon asks pulling you closer to him and spearing your thighs even wider. ‘’Ye-yes.’’ You shudder when Namjoon’s thumbs graces your thighs lazily. ‘’What a good girl.’’ Namjoon praises and even without removing your panties he just pulls them aside and plunges his tongue right in to your pussy making you moan loudly. Taehyung takes advantage from your closer seating reaches for your breasts and sucks your left nipple in to his mouth. The angle where he is coming from seems rather awkward but he doesn’t seem to mind. Namjoon keeps exploring your heat with his tongue spinning it around your clit and sucking it between his plump lips. ‘’Nam-joon.’’ You whine and try to wiggle away making his grip on your thighs turn even more tighter. ‘’Keep still or I might put Jimin’s earlier threat in to action.’’ he warns and you whine feeling unhappy. Soon you feel another pair of lips seeking your right breast and by your surprise you see Yoongi working on your breast. And there you had thought that he wasn’t into you. The thought slips quickly away when Yoongi bites your nipple gently making you arch your back. At the same time Namjoon plunges his tongue in to your quivering hole and starts fucking in and out your hole in quick space. ‘’Oh god.’’ You hiss and fall backwards, now your back fully laying against the table and making Taehyung and Yoongi lose your breasts from their reach. You can feel your peek nearing and your inner muscles spamming under Namjoon’s skilled tongue. ‘’I’m close.’’ You pant. ‘’Tell me what you need baby.’’ Jin demands with husky voice making your head turn towards him this time. ‘’Just kiss me.’’ You beg and Jin is happy to obey. His lips are soft against yours and his hands finds your shoulder keeping him hovering above you. Jin’s actions are full of hunger and he slips his tongue in to your mouth when one particular sweep of Namjoon’s tongue makes you moan. Jin’s tongue massages yours hungrily and his hands find your neck. he squeezes your windpipe and finally you come from the mix of feeling lightheaded from the lack of air and Namjoon’s skilled tongue. You are panting and coming from your high while Jin has removed his hands around your neck and petting your hair which has escaped from its bun long time ago gently. ‘’Princes are you ready for round two?’’ Jin asks when you finally come back from your high. Your eyes widen in anticipation and fear feeling eager to have anything that is given to you.

[nonbinary-octopus]

A Very Unusual Visitor

I really love @kieraelieson’s Tiny Tenants AU, and the other day, I sent her an ask: you know what. I am filled with soft gt longing. I want to be tiny and friends with your Tiny Tenants Logan. I want him to hold me and fiddle gently with me and let me sleep in his pocket. Virgil’s got a good thing going on here!

This is a story about that. More or less.

Wordcount: 2.2 K

[More of my writing]

~~~~~

Logan sat down at his desk, intending to read. However, as he glanced over the wooden surface, his gaze fell on a small form. A borrower. And an unfamiliar one, too. Logan thought he knew all of the borrowers living in his house— Virgil, with whom he believed he could confidently say he was friends, and the much more timid Patton and Dee, and Dee’s young charges, the twins Roman and Remus, who were doing their best to be friends with Logan too, despite their guardian’s wishes to keep him away from them.

This borrower was not any of those. The easiest difference to recognize at a glance was that they had red hair, where the others had shades of brown and black. Yet, despite Logan never having even caught a glimpse of them before, here they were, sitting calmly on his desk, as if they were waiting for him.

“Um,” Logan said, surprised. “Hello?”

The little borrower grinned, looking up at him, and got to their feet. “Hello! You must be Logan, right?”

Logan nodded. Perhaps this borrower had just moved in? The others would have told them about Logan, and Virgil probably would have told them that he was trying his best to be the good kind of human, and wasn’t to be feared. But even so, Logan would never have expected a borrower to be so comfortable around him this quickly. Unless they had been around for some time, watching, and only just now came out to introduce theirself, after they’d felt reasonably sure that Logan was nonthreatening. But then why would they need confirmation on who he was? Unless it was just smalltalk to get the conversation going.

“I’m Hann,” the borrower continued, sticking their hand out at Logan. He recognized the gesture, of course, but had never shook hands with a borrower before. Logan lifted his own hand, trying to figure out how he was supposed to shake the hand of someone who could fit entirely in his hand with room to spare. The borrower didn’t even flinch, still looking up at him expectantly.

Gently, Logan pinched their hand between his thumb and the first knuckle of his pointer finger, lifted it minutely, lowered it again, and then let go, pulling his hand back.

“It is… nice to meet you, Hann,” Logan said. “If extremely unexpected.”

“Sorry,” Hann said, looking at their hand and flexing it. “I didn’t really bother to think of a more plausible introduction.” Softer, more to theirself, they murmured, “I guess I could retcon something…”

Suddenly, Logan’s mind started to fill with unfamiliar memories. A snapshot of this same borrower, soaked to the bones, and Logan’s own hands reaching down to lift them out of a puddle. Another, contrasting and completely detached, yet somehow equally real, of Virgil wrapping a white bandage around Hann’s ankle and scolding them, while both sat on Logan’s desk. A third, of a shivering redheaded borrower leaning against Logan’s steaming mug of coffee, as snow fell outside.

Logan shook his head sharply, pushing back his chair in alarm. “Stop, stop!”

The stream of false pasts abruptly ceased, and the ones already in his head faded.

“Sorry.”

“What…” Logan hesitated. “What just happened? Who are you?”

“It’s… kind of a long story.”

“I have time,” Logan insisted.

“Okay.” Hann paused for a bit. “I’m not actually a borrower. Well, right now I am, technically, but most of the time I’m not.”

“What are you, then?” Despite the incredibly unnerving experience he’d just had, Logan found himself feeling very curious. What kind of being had the power to do that? Up until recently, borrowers had been the stuff of myths; were other “fantasy” creatures real as well? Fairies, perhaps?

“I’m human.”

Wait. What?

“But more relevently, I’m an Author.”

“An author,” Logan repeated. Somehow the word didn’t quite sound the same when he said it.

Hann nodded. “At the moment, I’m your Author.”

Logan looked down at himself, then back at the borrower— the Author— standing on his desk. “I’m not sure I like the implications of that.”

“That’s… That’s fair.” Hann rubbed the back of their neck with a little chuckle. “Sorry. I promise, I didn’t come here intending to make you nervous.”

They’d succeeded anyway, Logan thought to himself. But, despite all that, he was still extremely curious. “What all does being an author entail? Can you control me, like… like a puppet?”

Hann wiggled a hand in the ‘sort of’ gesture. “Eh. Yes and no.”

That… wasn’t very comforting.

“I can control your environment, and to a certain extent, what happens, but living things are trickier. Mostly, I can put you in a setting, and watch as you navigate it.” Well, that didn’t sound too bad— “And if I don’t think it’s interesting enough, or I wanted it to go a different way, I can rewind time and give you a nudge in a different direction, and try it again.” Nevermind, still frightening.

“So I have free will unless you don’t like what I do,” Logan surmised.

“You could put it that way, yeah.” Hann shrugged. “But you’d be surprised how many times a story goes off the rails, way outside the original plan, and I just watch it go, because whatever new thing that’s happening is more interesting.”

“Hm.”

“Take right now, for example. I didn’t plan for the conversation to go here, but it did. I could rewind it, but it’s interesting, so I’ll probably leave it.”

Logan pursed his lips uncomfortably. He didn’t much like feeling like a mere source of entertainment, he found. “I don’t suppose it matters if I don’t want to be rewound?”

“Usually? No. But, this is a special case. Very meta, and you’re actually aware of me. I have a feeling you’d know if I rolled time back, unlike most fics. So… I’ll only make minor edits. Wording and flow, stuff like that.”

“Thanks,” Logan said. “I think.”

“Though I’ll probably roll it back if we get too angsty, too,” Hann mused. “This is supposed to be a fluff piece.”

Logan wasn’t sure he knew what those words meant. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. That was an unusual occurrence.

“Did you make me?”

“Oh, no! Not at all! This isn’t even an original fanfic, it’s recursive!”

Logan opened his mouth to ask a question. Then he closed it again to try to figure out where to even start.

“Okay, so I’m willing to explain, but it might give you a bit of an existential crisis,” Hann warned. “Or a lot of one.”

Logan considered it. He sighed. “Tell me.”

Hann nodded. “Okay, so the original Logan belongs to a show called ‘Sanders Sides’. In short, it’s about this guy, Thomas Sanders, and he has the ability to imagine the parts of his personality as metaphysical beings in the room with him, and they have discussions about… well, an assortment of topics. Logan represents— primarily— Thomas’s intellect. Logic. He’s my favorite. Following so far?”

Logan nodded. “Mind if I take notes?”

“Go ahead.”

Logan pulled out a notepad and a pen, jotting down what they’d said so far. He’d have to go back and get notes on the whole Author thing too, but one thing at a time. When he’d gotten it down, he looked up again, and Hann continued.

“You are an alternate version of that Logan. This is what we call an ‘AU’ or ‘Alternate Universe’. Instead of being a portion of one man’s personality, you’re your own human.”

“I see,” Logan said, writing that down.

“The rest of the sides got turned into borrowers. That’s Virgil, Dee, the twins, and Patton.”

Logan nodded. Would it be too intrusive on their privacy to ask what his miniature housemates represented in the apparent ‘original universe’? Considering how much they preferred to keep to themselves, he thought it might be. Instead, he asked, “I live in an alternate universe? How did it come to be?”

Hann grinned. “My friend made it, based on the original universe!”

Logan nodded slowly. “Were the differences intentional?”

“Oh yeah, definitely. She’s been going through a long list of gt prompts, writing short stories for each, in various different AUs, and there’s a bunch here. The first one was when you and Virgil met.”

“‘Gee tea’?” Logan questioned, deciding to leave the mention of even more alternate universes for later.

“Giant and tiny,” Hann explained. “Anything with a major size difference, really. Some of ‘em have giants and humans interacting, some have humans and borrowers, or humans and fairies, or tiny merfolk, or whatever.”

“Do those all exist in your universe— the one you’re from, originally?” If so, Logan wasn’t entirely sure whether to be glad or sad he was here instead, where there were only borrowers.

The tiny Author drooped sadly. “No. Unfortunately. Just humans. No giants, no tinies.”

“Oh. My condolences.”

Hann shrugged. “It is what it is. And that’s what fiction is for, anyway.”

Logan didn’t read much fiction, but he nonetheless supposed that rang true. “So… you said earlier that you’re my author. How is that, if your friend was the one to create my universe?”

“Oh, I’m just borrowing you,” Hann said.

“‘Borrowing’ me,” Logan repeated.

“Just for a bit.”

“I think i would have liked to have been asked first,” Logan said, once again feeling uncomfortably like a plaything.

“Sorry.” Hann paused for a moment. “May I borrow you?”

“Am I allowed to say no?”

“Of course you are! I mean, I’d really rather you didn’t, but if you really don’t want me here, I’ll leave. I’ll even delete the whole story if you want.” They paused. “Though that might feel even weirder for you than me just rewriting a scene. I wonder if you’d even remember, though, once I did it?”

Before they could continue too far along that peculiar line of thought, Logan asked, “If I tell you to go, you won’t just back up to before and ‘nudge’ me toward the other answer, will you?”

Hann shook their head. “No, that seems unnecessarily cruel. If you want me to go, I’ll go. No tricks.”

Logan thought about it. The little redhead waited, looking around his desk. Finally, Logan said, “Alright. You may… borrow me a little bit longer.”

“Yay!” Hann cheered, throwing their hands up happily. “Thank you!”

Logan smiled. Terrifyingly powerful or not, they were kinda adorable. “Why did you want to borrow me in the first place, anyway?”

“Oh!” Hann grinned. “You know that thing you do with Virgil, where you hold him and play with him like a living stim toy? I want that.”

“You… you want me to fiddle with you?”

Hann nodded quickly. “Yes, please! I’ve always wanted to be manhandled by a well-meaning and gentle, but extremely curious giant, and then yesterday I read Kiera’s latest updates to your story, and one of them had you playing with Virgil, and another had you playing with the twins, and I just was filled with a soft but intense longing.”

“Well, alright.” Logan set his notes aside, bringing his hands instead over to the waiting borrower. They bounced excitedly on the balls of their feet.

Carefully, Logan wrapped his hand around them. Hann was smaller than Virgil, though not as small as the twins. They stilled, beaming up at him.

“You’re not even a little bit intimidated, are you,” Logan said with a chuckle, brushing his thumb across the top of their head.

“Oh, I am, but only in the good way,” Hann answered. “Like I said, I’ve seen how gentle and considerate you are. I know you won’t hurt me.”

They were right. Logan didn’t answer, just picked them up. He began to poke gently at them, similarly to how he would interact with Virgil. Hann giggled happily and offered no resistance. Logan pinched their tiny limbs between his fingers, rolled them around on his palm, rubbed his thumb against their back and their sides, and draped them across the back of his hand. Just as with Virgil, he found the activity to be quite pleasant. Hann, meanwhile, appeared to be enjoying it just as much, practically melting in his hands.

Finally, Logan stopped, holding the little author in cupped palms.

They lay, utterly relaxed, with their eyes partly closed, a smile on their lips.

“Was that… good?”

Hann nodded. “That was great!” they said, sitting up. “Thanks so much.”

Logan found himself grinning back. “You’re welcome.”

“I guess I probably ought to be getting out of your hair,” Hann said reluctantly, glancing off to the side. “Let you get back to what you were doing before.”

Logan hesitated. “Well,” he said. “I was intending to read. And if you’ve been, er, ‘watching’ me, you know that I enjoy fiddling with Virgil as I read, so…”

Hann perked up again. “Really?”

“As long as you don’t object to me not paying much attention to you,” Logan said.

“That’s fine!” Hann grinned happily up at him. “You’re doing me a favor, anyway. I’ll take whatever I can get.”

Logan smiled, shifted the tiny author to one hand, and with the other, pulled a thick book from his shelf.

[dr-gloom]

Some thoughts/analysis on the new episode, because the video itself and people's reactions were bugging me

Disclaimers: I don't hate Patton or Roman, I'm not calling Patton abusive or manipulative, as those terms insinuate knowing what you're doing and I don't think Patton does know how he's coming across

- First I wanna just point out, as a few others have, that Thomas is once again wearing black and white while discussing a grey-area issue. I love the attention to detail

- The recap only really highlights that Thomas admitted to wanting something that contradicted Patton's statement of why he's a good person (or more specifically "perfect", which, as nice and friendly and lovely as that sounds, is a toxic mindset and I like that Thomas touched on that at the end), which is an interesting point to cover honestly, especially since later Thomas challenges Patton to call him a good person

- "Now kiddo, if you're gonna dish out Fs, why don't we make them friendly hugs?" I understand Patton was trying to lighten the mood and joke a little and all that, but he's not letting Thomas just... Be angry/upset. He's trying to control how he feels and steer away from negative emotions, which I thought he learned not to do??

- I love that Patton heard what he was saying and stopped. Good on him. But what he replaced it with is called guilt tripping and that's not much better. "I'm surprised you would say something like that about your friends. I always thought that when it came to your pals, that sort of language would be... Ineffable?" It may sound gentle and sweet, but he's still saying "you can't talk about your friends like that" (and I get it, we all know that's not how Thomas really feels, but again he needs to be allowed to express himself). You can tell from Thomas's face while Patton's talking that the guilt tripping worked, at least for a moment.

- Anyone else notice a little Logan shining through in Thomas's words/actions the first portion of the video?

- "If our goals aligned with his what would that say?" Uhmmm gee lemme think Roman... Maybe that you care about Thomas's mental health and desires???

- I think it's very telling that during the rap Thomas cuts Patton off right before he's about to say something that, judging from the graphics, was going to make him sound heroic and said "I made this choice", while looking very... Upset.

- Okay so when Thomas was all "why didn't I just talk to them???" I felt hella vindicated but the second time I watched I finally heard Roman say "I mean I kinda brought that up before but it got shut down faster than an Antarctic icepop shop". Like... Fuck, they seriously do not appreciate or listen to Roman at all

- Patton brushing them off with "Eh well hindsight is 20/20" pissed me off so much. No empathy whatsoever. Jesus Christ.

- Roman's reaction when Thomas said no to the whole future vision thing made me laugh and no one is talking about it

- But yeah Thomas talking about using foresight has a total Logan Vibe

- Patton's reaction when Thomas says "I made a decision with a blindfold on" is... Interesting...

- Seriously that cat analogy was so specific.....

- One should never base their decisions on "well they've helped me before so I owe them" like. No. Patton, Roman, stop. He should have decided to go because he wanted to, not because he owed it to them or you made him feel like shit

- "Those baby-making Catholics" lmfaooooo

- "You, thinking about giving their wedding a pass all because of a callback that, really, might not work out". That bugged me too, because it can just as easily be argued he gave up his big break for a wedding he barely participated during. If we're being completely logical here (and borrowing from a later concept of how our time is better used), his time would have been better-spent at the callback since he wasn't even mentally present at the wedding

- "Maybe they understand, and maybe they still want you to go to the wedding but feel too guilty to say so. Or, maybe you end up going to the wedding, and they feel guilty seeing you there because they feel like they took a big opportunity away from you". First off, they did (or would have, had the conversation taken place and they insisted he come). Secondly I personally feel like he owed it to them (and yes, I'm aware how that sounds but I can't think of better phrasing) to talk about it with 100% honesty on both sides, because now he's angry that he went to their wedding and they have no idea. Sure, the vid ends with them coming over to catch up, but if it hadn't? That's the kind of shit that festers very easily. I feel like he'd have been more satisfied if he had still decided to go after talking with them. I think Thomas realizes this too when he responds to Roman's question with a very sure, very adamant "No."

- "This was our chance to be there for them when it counted". I know this is me reading into things but it felt like he was saying anything else he may have done for them doesn't matter or isn't good enough

- "Why does their complexion matter" LMFAOOOOOO omg roman

- "... We can all agree that you're a good fellow-" "Can we? All agree on that?" Like fuck, Thomas still isn't sure what Patton thinks of him? That cuts deep. And... Patton still hasn't apologized. He conceeded that he's "been a bit much", which is far from the same thing

- pfffft what the fuck was Roman trying to do???

- "Well that's a relief... I think". Meaning Thomas still isn't fucking sure where Patton stands. I have to admit his dialogue did sound a bit circuitous

- he almost said GameStop lmfao

- why is he fixating so much on frogger

- "At least 16 graphics!" I died laughing

- "By the liquid lipstick of William Shakespeare" wut the fue? Lmao

- "just like you don't have to get him a hotdog" "I feel like you kinda do... Maybe". I know Janus says it later on but he was right when he said peppering in a few "I don't know"s and "maybe"s does not a conversationally-conscious person make. Like, he didn't even add the maybe until Roman reacted negatively to what he was saying

- I'm surprised Logan said it'd be wrong for Thomas to keep his money to himself tbh

- Roman mouthing "behoove". Like, c'mon dude, stop being such a dick to Logan when he's just trying to help

- Logan's so done he's not even trying to hide it. Like you can see the annoyance clear on his little pixelated face

- Also did anyone notice that Logan kept getting cut off so the next time he "spoke" he made them read it aloud so they'd actually fucking listen

- "Yeah! As long as that's not the main reason you're doing it!" Honestly though, most people do good things for their own benefit; tax benefits, That Good Feeling, compliments from others etc. It doesn't diminish the effect of the good act, so who cares?????

- "You shouldn't do a good thing just because it makes you feel good... I-I think." He's trying so hard but he's just not understanding how this works is he. Also it's interesting that he preaches holding to your values and not nitpicking situations yet he's literally doing it right now because last time he just... Needed to counter Janus and couldn't admit he'd had a fair point

- "Deceit said you'd be doing the right thing for a selfish reason if you did it for your own emotional gain". You can tell by his tone he's trying to make Thomas see Deceit as wrong and bad but like literally two seconds later he audibly confirms he feels the same way

"Definitely! Maybe... I think so... What do you think?" Tbh I'm proud of him for asking someone else's opinion, esp cause he's screwing this up so horrendously

- man if Roman being scared to share his opinion after Patton visibly disagrees isn't a huge red flag idk what is

- the world of the video game is called AU I'm screaming

- I'll always be salty that Roman once again shoved a "dark side" into the villain roll without asking

- I don't agree with Patton automatically assuming that just because the hero wants a reward, it means he doesn't care about the people he saves getting it. People can have multiple motives and wanting recognition isn't bad or evil or selfish

- I'm so fucking glad Thomas snapped and asked "am I not allowed to feel good if I do something good" because that's basically what Patton's saying and no one was addressing it. And Patton saying that can't be a valid motive is honestly fucked up

- during the trolley problem the options toggle the most between morality, anxiety, and denial. Idk, it's just interesting

- it's also interesting that Patton views moving the trolley as worse than letting it stay, meaning he thinks small active murder is worse than larger, passive murder. Not bad or good or anything, just interesting

- I hate hate hate that Patton silences Logan when he's the one who asked him to say something, especially since he follows that with "oh you can't really learn good morality from a book hahahaha". Like dude just acknowledge that you don't agree but there are other valid points of view, my god

- also you can tell from the color that Janus totally put that skip button in, meaning Logan really, really wanted to continue but Janus could see it wasn't going to get them where they needed to go

- "stu-ooper dooper unique mustache" lmfaooooo

- Thomas keeps coming back with something along the lines of "I need the answer to X so I can meet your expectations". He even says "I don't understand what I need to change so I can meet your standard". Last time I did a post like this, back when SvS came out, I said Patton has too much sway/control over Thomas, and he still does. Thomas doesn't try nearly as hard to "meet the standards" of his other sides, but in this instance he's desperate to know how he can appease Patton. I don't think that's necessarily a good thing, given that it's likely because he wants Patton to say without hesitation that he's a good person

- Roman thinks he's the problem I wanna cry

- "And I'm an awful driver" I laughed so hard

- "I only mean well when I say that that is the stupidest thing you have ever said" I can't stop laughing XD

- "You're just blowing smoke" seriously someone help me

- Roman's reaction when Thomas says he feels guilty just killed me. They all just acknowledged that Roman is his motivator and Thomas comes out and says his motives make him feel guilty? Ouch

- "Doing nothing is even worse!" Patton honey I'm begging you to please stop talking omg this is going so poorly

- "doing nothing is worse than doing a good thing for the wrong reasons" first off, who's to say what a wrong reason is, and secondly, that's an interesting take from the man who refused to move the trolley 👀

- oooof Thomas's relief when Logan cuts in though

- "Huuuuuhhhh I do need help" fuck, I wanna cry, poor Thomas

- "Logan, like you said this isn't your area of expertise" ITS NOT YOURS EITHER ROMAN OMG

- "Every point you've made in today's discussion has contradicted that sentiment" YES LOGAN JANUS SLAY. Also anyone else notice Patton looking to the others for validation because I Sure Did

- oh man though I thought Logan was finally getting the chance to lay into Patton and take him down a peg and it turned out to be Janus

- "Oh, is it not? Please, correct me if I'm wrong." yeah paTTON CORRECT HIM IF HES WRONG (notice how he doesn't even have an argument to that, all he can say is "you're wrong!")

- honestly the way he goes from 0 to 60 should've tipped us off that that was Janus

- I wanna know if Patton turned into a muscular frog irl

- idk Patton feels like a villain when he's all "Thomas you choose!"

- "What have you done with Logan?!" "Nothing at all and I resent the question" weeeeeelp there goes loceit

- even Janus admits Patton is misleading unintentionally can we all calm down now

- I find it interesting that Thomas willingly stays behind Janus

- "Sure if he's in that kind of situation then of course he should focus on himself. But does he deserve it? I don't know." *Record scratch* excuse me wHAT?????? And like, you can't ignore the obvious symbolism behind that attack missing Janus and hitting Thomas. Thomas is knocked out and Patton just ... Keeps talking? Jesus fucking christ

- and Roman so adamantly attacking Janus has a very pre-AA vibe to it

- "Not that any of you care, but I am unharmed, and I don't want to talk about it." Thomas looks like the only one genuinely concerned when he says this and that hurts

- Janus looks so happy that Logan's backing him I wanna cry my baby aaaaaaa

- SOMEONE FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE CHOICE ROMAN MADE AAAAAAA THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU can we stop acting like Janus is evil now please

- "Well when is it enough?!" ".... Trees?" I'm STILL LAUGHING SOMEONE HELP ME

- I'm so fucking happy Thomas doesn't agree with Roman about trusting Janus

- Roman laughing and saying Janus's name is stupid and Janus's jab about him and Remus just... Gutted me y'all. Thems some hurt boys. And he looks to Thomas and Patton and they just... Can't side with him, cause they know that was hella fucking rude of Roman.

- I genuinely believe that Janus's nod meant Thomas was telling the truth. Based on his facial expression (which was slight but idk I notice more stuff than most people apparently???) He was trying to reassure Roman. And Roman just... Took it the completely wrong way, because he still thinks all Janus does is lie. When Roman says "wow, I can't believe this" you can actually see Janus's smile disappearing, because he realizes Roman took the nod the wrong way

- aaaaand then he immediately goes into attacking Janus. *Sigh*

- "Everything's gonna be okay, kiddo. We love you." "*Scoff* Right." I truly believe the next video is gonna be about Roman, because there's no way in hell they could ignore the obvious hurt and self-deprecation coming off of Roman

- "Janus? Is there a limit to how many times a person can say sorry before you have to admit that they're just bad for you?" Patton was talking about himself. Whether Janus was trying too hard to be witty and missed that or what, his reply hurt Patton, and you can see that Janus realizes his mistake with Patton's reaction. We have to remember that this isn't a side who's used to how the others communicate, though. He doesn't spend time with them outside of the few videos he's shown up in because of how they treat him. It's gonna take him time to get the little things like this and until then there's gonna be a lot of hurt feelings and (hopefully) apologies

- Janus immediately backtracks once he realizes what the real question was and says "... it depends... How many things have they had to apologize for? How frequently do they have to apologize for things? How terrible were the things that they did? One of the biggest factors in my very humble opinion is whether or not they seem to be making an honest effort to do better" this is Janus trying to tell Patton "you aren't bad for Thomas. I see how hard you're trying. It's okay"

- you can totally see Janus realizing why Patton fights him so hard while Patton is explaining how hard shit's gotten as Thomas grows up

- "Janus?" "I'll take care of him" y'all I need the tissues

- Janus trying to lighten the mood with the whole push-someone-down-the-stairs thing just... Made me die laughing. Y'all know he's hella good at April fool's pranks okay? Okay

- "You're not stuck with an evil snake boy, you're just stuck with a snake boy" HES SUCH A DORK I LOVE HIM

- I reacted the exact same way to Thomas saying Janus was right omg

Again, I'm not saying I hate any of the characters, this is just a stream-of-consciousness analysis-and-commentary-type post on the new episode

[whelvenwings]

Together in Paris

4.8k, destiel, AU (just after college), fake relationship, Jo & Dean friendship

Dean has been excited for months to go on vacation with his best friend, Jo. But as they post their pics on the trip, people back home keep commenting about what a great couple they are, and it's starting to make things awkward in their friendship. In front of a sunset backdrop by the Eiffel Tower, Dean decides to take things into his own hands, and manufacture a picture of a "real" romantic moment with someone who definitely isn't Jo. Only thing he needs to do now is find someone willing to pretend to be his partner for a picture...

read it here on AO3 if you prefer!

————————————————–

“She’s commented again.”

“Ugh. Don’t even tell me what she said.” Parisian sunlight was reflecting off Dean’s sunglasses. It was too hot to wear a jacket, and he felt strangely exposed walking up the avenue with just a t-shirt and jeans on. Beside him, Jo was walking with her eyes on her phone, silently scrolling. Dean waited a few seconds, and then said impatiently,

“Well, tell me, then.”

Jo made a little noise of annoyance and scrolled back up on her Instagram feed to the picture the two of them had posted earlier that day, grinning into the camera with Jo’s arm slung around Dean’s shoulders.

“She said, oh-em-gee you lovebirds are so cute together. ”

“Oh-em-gee?”

Jo held the phone out for Dean to see. Under the pic, Dean could see the comment Jo had read out next to the handle lisa_baeden.

“How many times do we have to tell her,” Dean said.

“I don’t know. But I’m getting real done with it. People I actually want to date think something’s happening between us, too. They’re getting put off by you.”

“Seriously?”

“Well, it was one time. And it might be more to do with the fact that I spent our whole first date talking about the work I’m getting done at the bar to fix the place up. Didn’t notice his eyes glazing over, but I didn’t get a second date, so.”

“He sounds like a jerk, anyway.”

“You never met him,” Jo said, squinting back down at her phone.

“Anyone who doesn’t want a second date with you is a jerk.”

Jo grinned at him.

“You’re a nerd. But thanks.” She glanced back down at her phone. “Okay, I think it’s just this way…”

“It’s way too hot for this,” Dean said.

“Not complaining, are we? Like I said that you would, when you asked to go see the Eiffel Tower right now, this afternoon, even though it’s going to be way less warm tomorrow?”

“Complaining? No,” Dean said hastily. “No, I’m just, uh. Just sayin’. It’s pretty hot. Look, the sunset’s supposed to be real nice tonight…”

Jo shrugged.

“You know that if we post any pics with it, everyone’s just gonna say that we’re dating again, right?”

Dean made a noise that was both acknowledgement and irritation. When he had Jo had planned this trip together as a big blow-out spending spree after their first paycheck in their first jobs after college, it had felt like a great idea. For two weeks, though, their Paris pics had been subject to their friends’ wink emojis and innuendos. Jo’s mother had even called to ask if they were getting married. There were only so many times that they could reply to insist that the two of them were what they’d been pretty much from day one of meeting each other: best friends. Close, understanding each other in a way that not many others did - they’d come out to each other first in college - but in a way that was not and had never been even slightly romantic. They were easy around each other. It had always felt natural.

“Just a bit further…” Jo said, as they walked past the Café du Trocadéro and crossed a busy road.

“Maybe I’ll take a picture with someone else,” Dean said, narrowing his eyes even behind his sunglasses as the shade of the buildings faded and they were hit with the full glare of the lowering sun. “And just tell everyone I’m dating them so they leave us alone.”

“Nice,” Jo said. “Okay, I think it’s - oh!”

She caught sight of the tower just as Dean did; walking out onto the Place du Trocadéro, a wide square with an elegant black-and-white floor, they found themselves among a bustling crowd of other tourists gathered to get their snaps and see the view. She and Dean paused, looking over towards the Eiffel Tower and the horizon beyond. The sky was already beginning to paint itself in delicate pinks and oranges, little breaths of softness after the hard and blazing blue of a cloudless day. The metal tower with its latticework made a striking silhouette.

Jo put her head on one side after a few moments.

“I mean,” she said, “not bad.”

“Yeah,” Dean replied. “It’s okay.”

“Like, I mean, it’s a little…” She tilted her hand from side to side.

“Well, it’s not the Lawrence, Kansas skyline, is it,” Dean said.

“Not even close,” Jo said seriously.

“But it’ll do, I guess.”

They grinned at each other. As the sun began to truly set, they took snaps of each other posing in front of the tower, some of them trying to look nice, others just derpy selfies with their tongues out. After a while, they went and sat on the steps to the back of the square, and Jo pulled up Instagram.

“You’re not gonna post, are you?” Dean said.

“They’re not gonna stop me from being that obnoxious vacation selfie person,” Jo said. “I don’t care if everyone thinks we’re married with eight kids by the time we get home.”

She sounded the same kind of determined that she’d once sounded when she’d insisted she’d be fine to go to her ex’s birthday party in their second year of college. The night had ended with a lot of crying in the back of a taxi, if Dean remembered right. He didn’t bring it up, though. He just shrugged and kept looking out over the view.

He was going to miss this, when he was back home. And he was going to miss this city, Paris. He’d heard so much about it - it was always hyped up so high - that he’d thought it could only disappoint. But it was awesome, he had to admit it. Around every corner was a new wonder. Going home would mean finding a new fast-food outlet on each corner, instead. And speaking of food, the restaurants here were incredible; Dean had never eaten so well. Starting every day with a different pastry from the patisserie nearest their hotel… he was going to miss it. Horribly.

Jo put her phone down.

“There,” she said. “Done.”

He could tell by the way that she said it, she wasn’t sure that she’d done the right thing. 

“It doesn’t matter what they think,” Dean said.

“I know that,” Jo said. “But they think that what they think matters. It’s just aggravating.”

“I know.” Dean grinned at her. “Wanna go get something to eat?”

“We only just ate!”

“It was five hours ago. At least.”

“Just a few more minutes up here. Maybe we’ll never be able to come back. This might be our only chance to sit and look at this view together.” She paused, and then said, “Not in like a… I don’t mean, like…” She sounded awkward and Dean realised she’d noticed the romantic way that what she’d said could have been taken. He grimaced internally. Those damn comments were getting in her head.

“It’s all good,” he said. “It’s - this is - it’s nice, yeah.”

The silence was one with zero chemistry. There was no charge between them. Or at least, nothing that Dean could feel; he just didn’t know where to look, didn’t know if he should be saying more. 

“Do you ever wish things were… you know… different between us?” Jo asked.

“I mean… no,” Dean said. “Honestly.”

“Okay. Good. Me either. I just don’t want you to think that I’m sitting here wishing anything.”

“Nah, man. Nothin’ like that. I mean, everyone’s thinking I’m the sad sack in those comments, anyway. Not you. Everyone’s always kinda assumed I’m the one who - you know. And you don’t… yeah.”

“Yeah,” Jo said quietly.

“Can’t get their heads around the idea that I might just wanna be your friend. Not waiting for anything.”

“Fucking When Harry Met Sally bullshit,” Jo said, with feeling.

“Yeah.” Dean looked down at the white stone floor they were sitting on. If he was honest, it hadn’t always been easy going through college with everyone constantly looking down on him just a little, thinking that he was playing the long game to try to get with Jo. No one had ever taken him at his word that he just really, really goddamn liked her as a friend - no one other than his own brother Sam, who knew him well enough to be able to tell without being told.

Jo’s phone dinged with her Instagram notification noise, and Dean winced. She pulled it out, and spent a few seconds reading - and then made a furious little sound.

“Hmm?” Dean said, unwillingly.

“They’re jerks,” Jo muttered vehemently. “Total jerks.”

“What’s it say?”

“Nothing.”

“That bad?”

Jo winced.

“C’mon. I’m gonna see it sometime.”

Jo turned the phone towards him with obvious reluctance. Dean leaned closer to read it.

lisa_baeden pls tell me there’s gonna be a ring when you get home !! crossroadscrowley nice guys finish last. but they do finish meg_a_big_deal lol is dean finally getting it? took him long enough bellabela oh jo honey no you didn’t start dating stalker dean

“Stalker?” Dean said, trying to sound normal.

“That’s Bela. You remember her. The one who made, like, three different people quit classes she was in, just by being awful to them.”

“Oh, uh-huh. Yeah.” Dean could feel anger building up inside. Stalker? Finally getting it? How many times did he have to tell people that he wasn’t into Jo that way? How many people thought he was a hopeless loser because of this?

Enough was enough.

“You know what? I’m blocking her,” Jo said.

Enough was enough.

“No,” Dean said. Jo looked over at him, surprised.

“But she’s -”

“She’s about to find out that I’m not into you that way,” Dean said, standing up and brushing his clothes down. “How do I look?”

“Uh…?” Jo said.

“Great. Good. Hey, does anyone here speak English? Anybody? Uh, parlay-view… english… madame? Monsieur?” Dean turned left and right, trying to catch the eyes of anyone walking past. A few people shrugged him off with a weird look, and one couple actively stepped away from him. Dean looked back towards Jo, who was looking mortified and also giggling. “Anyone?” Dean said. “English?”

“I speak English,” said a voice behind Dean. 

A deep voice.

A really nice deep voice.

Dean turned around. Standing there in front of him was - holy crap. 

Blue eyes, dark hair, a sharp jawline and a solemn expression. The guy had a t-shirt on that showed his huge arms. He was muscular, athletic . He looked like he could easily lift Dean up off the ground.

Focus. Dean needed to focus.

“Hey,” he said. “Hi. Thanks for stopping.”

“Hello,” said the stranger. “Can I help you? Are you lost?”

“Yeah - I mean, no, not lost,” Dean said. Lost in your eyes, maybe, said the worst corner of his brain. “Uh, but maybe you could help. See, it’s kind of a weird situation, but - you see this girl just here?”

“Dean…” Jo groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Don’t bring me into this.”

“I see her,” the stranger said, a little uncertainly.

“Okay, so. This is gonna sound… like...” Dean might have stopped there, lost confidence, if the guy had made the wrong face. Instead, Dean was faced with an expression of accepting curiosity that kept him talking. “The thing is, we’re on vacation together, as friends. But everyone at home keeps assuming we’re together, and they’re being assholes about it. We wanna convince them nothing’s happening between us. So, uh.” Dean bit his lip. 

Somehow, it was only just dawning on him that the guy might really not be into the idea that Dean was about to propose. In fact, depending on how much the guy wasn’t into it, this could be the start of a very bigoted reaction from a very beautiful stranger. But Dean had come this far with his focus so complete on his plan that he’d forgotten homophobia was even a thing - and now the guy was looking at him with sincere curiosity, and Dean didn’t know what else to say but the truth.

“So,” he said awkwardly, “the thing I wanted to ask was… well...” He rubbed the back of his neck - and in that moment, he saw light dawn in the guy’s eyes.

“You should take a picture with someone else to show that you’re not together,” the guy said. “A couple picture.”

Dean blinked.

“Holy crap,” Dean heard Jo say.

“Uh… yeah,” Dean said. “I mean… yeah, that was exactly it.” Was his plan the obvious one to make, or were he and this guy just both the same wavelength of weird? Either way, the guy was nodding, and Dean’s heart leapt.

“It’s a good tactic,” the stranger said. “I think you’ll convince a lot of people that your relations with this person are strictly platonic, particularly if she is the one to post the picture. Perhaps with a supportive caption.”

“Damn,” Jo said.

“Yeah,” Dean said, still feeling as though he’d had the Parisian stone floor swept out from under his feet. “Yeah, so, I was thinking, maybe it’d work to go over and stand in front of the sunset, and…”

“Absolutely. We should find you someone to take the picture with.”

Dean’s mouth fell open.

“Oooh,” he heard Jo wince.

“Uh, right,” Dean said. “Yeah.”

“Do you have any gender preference?”

Now, there was a question. The guy was looking at Dean frankly. It was a simple request for information; there was no promise of judgement in his eyes.

“No,” Dean said. “I’m bi.” The stranger nodded. And there, in front of the Eiffel Tower at sunset, Dean had the least stressful coming-out he’d ever experienced in his entire life.

“Hmm. You probably want someone you find good-looking, to be able to perform the role to maximum effect,” the stranger said. “Let me see. What do you think of that one, over there? I could ask them if they’d be willing to…”

He started to ramble, pointing out different tourists. Dean glanced down at Jo, who was watching the scene in front of her unfold with obvious enjoyment. She wiggled her eyebrows at Dean when he caught her eye, and jerked her head towards the stranger.

Dean shook his head.

She pulled a face, and nodded her head towards him again.

Dean’s head-shake became more fervent.

Jo rolled her eyes, and lifted up her phone, which still had the worst Instagram comments up on the screen.

Dean wavered.

“- I know you don’t speak French,” the guy was saying, “and she was speaking French, but I think I could ask her for you. I’m not fluent but I know enough to get by, and -”

“How about we just do it?” Dean said abruptly.

The stranger stopped short, turning away from his crowd of potentially alluring tourists to look at Dean.

“I mean,” Dean said, feeling his heart starting to thud, “unless you don’t want to. This is, uh. Just, well. I don’t know.”

“Are you sure you could look as though you were attracted to me?” the man said seriously - not as though he doubted his own attractiveness, and more in the tone of voice that he might use to verify Dean’s thoughts on the weather.

“Um,” Dean said, “yeah? I mean, yeah… yeah.” Each time he said it, he tried to sound more casual. Each time, it came out slightly less so.

The guy seemed to look at Dean - really look at him - for the first time. He appeared to consider for a half-second, and then Dean noticed a smile at the corners of the guy’s mouth.

Dean found himself smiling, too, and then they were both just looking at each other and smiling and not saying anything, but it didn’t feel weird. It felt good. Or maybe it did feel a little weird, but it was the same wavelength of weird.

Around them, people were chattering and walking around the square.

“Then let’s take the picture,” the guy said.

“Okay. Okay, great. Uh, Jo?”

“I’m on it,” Jo said; she already had her phone up, camera on them. “Let’s just go a little further over this way, so there’s not so many people in the background, and we get the skyline… yeah, great. Awesome. Now, look coupley.”

Dean thought his face might actually be going red. His arms felt too big. He met the guy’s eyes, and shrugged. This was ridiculous, he told himself. This was ridiculous, and it was also somehow the best part of the entire vacation so far, and he hadn’t quite lost that smile.

“Uh…” he said. “Okay. I’ll just…”

He put his arm around the guy’s shoulder.

“I’m going to put my hand on your hip,” the stranger said gravely.

Please absolutely do it, said Dean’s mind.

“Cool,” Dean said aloud. When the guy’s hand touched him, he swallowed.

“You look a little stiff,” Jo said, moving the phone around and trying different angles. “Try talking with each other. You know, just have some fun with it.”

“I believe they call it a candid,” the guy said.

“Exactly. Dean, this guy’s a pro.”

“Are you?” Dean asked, only half-joking. “Do you really pull social media heists for money?”

The stranger smiled.

“No. Do you?”

“Hope I’d be better at it, if I did,” Dean said. His arm on the guy’s shoulder did feel awkward. He shifted, pulling the guy in a little closer, and then half-smiling in embarrassment. Jo was snapping away in the meantime. “Sorry, uh…”

“No, it’s good. We should pretend to laugh at a joke together. That’s very candid.”

“Really? Okay. Maybe you should actually tell a joke, first. So that we have something to laugh at.”

“Very well.” The guy paused, looking thoughtful. After a moment, he said, “Why was six afraid of seven?”

Dean snorted, just at the familiar set-up.

“I don’t know,” he said, going along with it.

“Because,” the stranger said, “seven is a prime number, and prime numbers can be intimidating.”

Dean was almost annoyed at himself for laughing. He’d just been expecting the usual slightly lame punchline, and the guy’s answer took him by surprise, and next thing he knew he was freaking chuckling for a whole few seconds while the man beside him looked very pleased with himself, that small smile back on his face.

“Great,” Jo said. “Let’s try a few more…”

“We could pose… like this…” The guy reached over and took Dean’s hand.

“Oh, yeah, that’s good.” They held the stance for a few seconds. “Or, we could be kinda facing each other… yeah, if you turn, too…”

Jo was snapping pictures as they tried out different ways of standing, different poses, different expressions.

“Looking awesome, guys,” she kept saying. “Mmm-hmmm, keep going, this is great.”

“You could… on my cheek…” The guy raised an eyebrow as Dean broke off.

“You want me to…”

“Only if you, uh, you want to -”

The guy leaned in and pressed a kiss to Dean’s cheek. Jo came in close, capturing the moment; Dean thought maybe his face wouldn’t look happy so much as taken by complete surprise - but it was definitely a very good surprise, so he could hope it was still a good photo.

“Great,” Jo said. “Good. We’ve probably got enough to...”

“You should kiss me,” the guy said.

Dean, who had been about to extricate himself from what had definitely become an embrace as they’d got more comfortable with posing together, stopped moving.

“Like… on the… cheek?” Dean asked.

“If you prefer.”

Dean looked over at Jo, who nodded and brought her phone camera back up, ready. He leaned in, and pecked the guy on the cheek. It was a brief, dry kind of kiss, a lot less nice than the one the guy had given him. The guy didn’t pull away, though. 

Under Dean’s lips, his skin had felt soft, but Dean had been able to feel the slight stubble where his afternoon shadow was coming in.

“Okay,” Jo said. “So -”

“No, wait, I can do that better.” Dean met the guy’s eyes, and he made a sure, continue kind of face, so Dean leaned in again. This time he gave it a little more, pressing a little harder, letting his lips be a little softer. And when he pulled away, he didn’t go too far. The guy smelled amazing. He was so close, and he was turning to look at Dean, his eyes flicking down to Dean’s lips.

The moment wavered, tilted, balanced...

“You should kiss me,” the stranger said again.

Dean did not need telling thrice.

This time, he slid his hand under the guy’s chin and held him, carefully, as he kissed his lips. That would look good for the picture, right? The stranger moved with him, one hand shifting up to the back of Dean’s neck and holding him steady as he kissed back; under his touch, Dean’s whole mind was an uproarious pounding fluttering blank, a delighted whirl. He was kissing a stranger in front of the Eiffel Tower. He was kissing a stranger, and the stranger was good at kissing - and then Dean stopped thinking about where he was and what was happening around them altogether when the guy carefully opened his mouth just a little, and Dean felt the guy’s tongue brush ever so lightly against his lower lip. 

Now there was no tower, no sunset, no photos, no performance. The kiss deepened, hands tightened. The guy pulled back just long enough to tilt his head the other way and then came back, his hold on Dean’s neck keeping Dean steady in place as he did so - and when that grip moved up into Dean’s hair, Dean heard himself make a noise in the back of his throat that couldn’t be mistaken for anything other than sheer enjoyment. He pushed harder into the kiss, taking control, and the guy let him - let the way they touched become a little rougher, just for a few moments, and then the lightest of touches on Dean’s cheek soothed the wave of urgency between them and they eased, gently, apart.

The guy came back for another quick kiss, once.

Twice.

Dean opened his eyes. He thought for a second he might literally see stars.

The stranger was looking at him. From the expression on his face, he was looking for those stars, too.

Dean swallowed.

“Uh,” he said. “Hey.”

“Hello,” the stranger said.

“That…”

“Yes.”

Dean wanted more, but he didn’t want to push his luck or make the guy uncomfortable. It was still possible that this was all just for a photo in his mind. Dean couldn’t keep the smile off his face, though, at the thought of what they’d just done. His mind was already playing the memory back for him in hungry detail. The way the guy had held him, had let him take control and then taken it back, the give and take, the -

Dean really wanted more.

The guy, though, was moving away just a little further - and then he held out his hand.

“I’m Castiel,” he said.

Dean felt a big grin unfurl on his face.

“Dean,” he managed, shaking the guy’s hand. It was all he could do not to use that hand to pull this guy - Castiel? - back into a kiss. “Uh, Castiel’s not a name I’ve heard before.”

“Yes. It’s unusual, I know…”

“No, it - I mean, yeah, but it’s real nice. I like it.” Dean turned to look at Jo, remembering that she was there for the first time in a minute or so. Jo was standing and watching them both, a huge grin on her face. Dean became suddenly very conscious of the fact that he’d just made out with someone in front of her. He pulled a little further away from Castiel, but not too far. Still close enough for their arms to be touching.

“You know,” Jo said, “I think that was probably just about convincing enough.”

“Right. Yeah. Great, good.” Dean looked over at the stranger he’d just kissed, and then found himself looking down and away with a half-smile on his face, like a school kid. “Awesome.”

“I’m gonna post this right now,” Jo said. “Also, hi, we didn’t really… I’m Jo, by the way.”

“Castiel,” said Castiel.

It would be weird for Dean to ask if he wanted to make out again. It would be super weird. Dean had the feeling, though, from the way Castiel glanced over towards him, that they were on it again, that same wavelength of weird.

“What are you doing this evening?” Dean asked.

Castiel smiled.

“No real plans,” he said. “This is my last day in Paris before heading back to the US. I was just thinking I would walk around alone, and enjoy a few of the sights one last time.”

“Ah,” Dean said.

“But I did already see them,” Castiel said.

“Oh?”

“Yes. Probably enough times.”

“You think so?”

“I do.”

“And the alone thing…”

“I think I’ve had enough time alone, in fact.”

He said the words with a little more feeling than Dean had been expecting - and somehow, he knew exactly what Castiel meant.

“Aaaaand, posted,” Jo said. “Also, I’m glad you’re making plans, because I’m pretty sure if you kiss a guy like that and then don’t take him out to dinner after, every true-blooded Parisian romantic in a five-mile radius will physically attack you. And they’ll have to get in line behind me, so.”

Dean snorted.

“It doesn’t have to be… I mean… it’s just… I mean…” he trailed off, with no idea where he’d even been going with that sentence when he’d started it. He caught Jo’s eye, and she raised an eyebrow. He screwed up his courage, and looked back to Castiel. “Would you let me take you out to dinner tonight?”

Castiel smiled that little smile of his.

“Yes,” he said. “Yes, please.”

  ---

  In her hotel room, lounging in a decadently thick bathrobe on her lush king-sized bed, Jo heard a notification on her phone and reached to pick it up.

She opened her latest message: a picture from Dean. A selfie of Dean himself and Castiel, with their faces touching so that they could squeeze the Eiffel Tower into the background of the picture.

He lives in Missouri. Not far. Fuck yeah??, read the text that came with it.

Fuck YEAH, she replied. 

Dean’s response came quickly.

Thanks for everything today. Jo grinned.

Dork, she texted back.

Nerd.

Jo rolled her eyes, and was about to put her phone away when she saw an Instagram notification flash up at the top of the screen. She opened the app, her eyes narrowed in anticipation. She’d chosen the very best of the pics she’d snapped of Dean and Castiel to post. There was no way anyone could be in any doubt that the two of them had some kind of instant magical connection. Right?

lisa_baeden omg jo I didn’t know you and dean had an open relationship !!

Jo closed her eyes. She counted to ten. She made the effort to loosen her grip on the phone in her hand. Even so, when she opened her eyes, she was still on the point of launching her phone across the room at the wall directly opposite her -

Another notification. Jo didn’t know if she could stand it - but then she saw who it was from.

lisa_baeden just kidding ! Love you guys and this is so cute, vacation romance… jealous xoxo

Setting her phone down, Jo breathed out. 

No counting her chickens before they hatched, but maybe, just possibly, she’d now be able to hang out with her best friend without anyone insisting they knew the relationship better than she did. With a smile, she picked up the hotel phone. One round of room service hadn’t been enough.

And across the city, outside a little bar deep in a warren of streets, Dean was leaning against a wall and being kissed by Castiel. The stone was cool against his back, Castiel pressing warm against his front. No one disturbed them. They kissed in quiet, enjoying each other’s touch, opening up under each other’s hands.

After some time, they pulled apart.

“Dean… contrary to how it may have come across,” Castiel murmured, “I do like to take things slowly, most of the time.”

“I can do slowly.”

“You’re sure?”

Dean didn’t know how to explain that if he could, he’d preserve himself in this exact moment like a bug in amber, and just live in it. This exact moment, here, now. All the hope, all the promise. The way Castiel looked at him. The way Dean knew that if he even just tilted his chin up a little, Castiel would kiss him again, like he wanted. He didn’t want to move from this, and exactly this. It filled him up.

“I’m sure,” he said.

They wandered the city until late, far too late. But Dean didn’t want them to go back to their hotels and be alone. When dawn came, it found them sleepy-eyed, looking out over the river, milky in the first light.

“Come back to my room,” Dean said. “Just to sleep.”

And so they went home together. As they would do, from that point on.

[softboywriting]

Healing Touch | Doctor Shawn AU

Summary: Starting a new job in a new town is hard, but meeting someone like Shawn is going to change all of that. You didn’t move to Twin Pines looking for love, in fact, you thought you were pretty happy with your fiance. But things change in the blink of an eye, everything is not as it seems and you and Shawn will need each other to heal. [fluff] [angst] [mentions of bad relationships] [doctor!shawn] [nurse!reader]

Word Count: 23k

|Masterlist In Bio|

The bright early morning sun shines off the snow outside your bedroom window. The room is aglow with soft yellow and orange light as it fills the nearly empty room and it's white walls. You lay there, staring at the ceiling and feeling nervous, excited, eager to start the day. You had arrived in Twin Pines yesterday night, having flown into the nearest city of Southgate. From there you took an hour long cab ride through the darkest highway across the middle of nowhere in the snow to small town of Twin Pines. Today is the start of a new adventure, a new life with a new job.

You run your hand over your mess of hair and sigh softly. It was hard sleeping without your fiance, Ben. He was still back home, looking for a job in Southgate here before he made the move with you. It wasn't ideal, and frankly you didn't understand why he needed to wait. There was plenty of money for the two of you to live on while he job searched. But Ben was stubborn and insisted on staying behind until he was sure of employment. You look at your phone and there's no missed messages. Ben must still be asleep.

You get up and go through your morning routine, breakfast, bathroom, and a shower before getting dressed in your pink scrubs and putting your coat on to head out to go to work. It's your first day and you had seen the small clinic on the way into town last night. It wasn't far from your place and you're grateful because you won't have a car until it arrives with all your stuff with the moving service.

The bell over the clinic door jingles as you step in. The small lobby is clean, modern and warm. The cozy tones of the waiting chairs and decor combined with the soft smell of vanilla is incredibly inviting. You look around for a receptionist, or even another nurse since they often did double duty in small places like this. “Hello?” You call softly, peeking into a door on your left. It's so quiet you wonder if anyone is truly there.  

“Hello!” A male voice cheers from down the hall behind the reception desk. A young man appears, about your age, maybe a year or two older, and as he gets closer you realize he is very attractive. Tall, dark wavy hair, brown eyes and a strong jawline with gorgeous defined features. He's dressed in fitted black slacks and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. You can't help but wonder why he's working in a doctors office and not on a runway or for a fashion magazine.

“Hi,” you raise your hand and wave awkwardly. “I'm supposed to meet with Doctor Mendes? I'm the new nurse.”

The man grins and comes around the desk to stand before you. He is so damn tall, like at least a foot taller than you. “You're looking at him. You can call me Shawn.” He holds his hand out and you take it. It's strong and warm as he shakes it in yours.

“You're a lot younger than I imagined.”

“Thank you.” He laughs and runs a hand through his hair, fluffing it and making it look even more like he just walked off a photoshoot. “Let me show you the place.”

An hour later and Shawn has given you the full tour of the small clinic. He showed you each room and where it's supplies were. He took you to the office and showed you the filing and his desk. He explained that he shares the clinic with an older man, Doctor James Hudson who's semi retired and works the weekends. Shawn gives you a run down on everything you needed to know. It seems nice and quiet. A complete change of pace from your last job.

______________________

“So, what made you want to move to the pines?” Shawn asks over lunch. He bought lunch from the diner down the street and brought it back for the two of you.

“Just needed a change of pace. My fiance and I have been looking to move out of our hometown for a while and my old job at a clinic there was going to be gone in a few months. The place was closing down and it was find a new job or be out of work. The offer here was great and housing was affordable in this area. I was excited to start a new job, a new adventure in my life.”

“Was?” Shawn asks over a bite of his sandwich. “You said “I was excited.” Are you not now?”

You shrug. “The town is a lot smaller than I thought it would be. I don't think Ben is going to like it here.”

“Ben is your fiance?” He asks and you nod. “I promise it's a nice place. It is definitely quiet but there is plenty to do. Is Ben not here now?”

“No.” You look at your phone and see a reply to your good morning text. “He's back home still. He wanted to get a job before moving up here.”

“In Twin Pines? Or just the city?”

“City. He does construction.”

Shawn nods and polishes off his lunch. “Well, I hope he gets here soon. You seem pretty down.”

You crack a little smile. “Gee thanks.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I’m just being observant. But really, I hope he gets here soon.”

_______________________

Your first two weeks pass in the blink of an eye. For a small town the clinic was fairly busy. You ended up meeting a lot of residents and they are all very friendly despite being ill or injured. Shawn is sweet, an absolute pleasure to work with. He's funny, smart, kind. He loves to teach you, to have you sit in with him if it's not too busy at the front. He says he wants you to be like his partner, to suggest things and give your input on diagnosis. It's wonderful and you really feel like he is doing a lot to make you feel included.  

It's Friday night, your fifteenth day in town and your stuff finally arrives. There had been some delay due to weather on the drive there. So for the two weeks you were sleeping on a fold out cot that the landlord lent you and living out of a suitcase.

Ben hasn't replied to you all day and you're exhausted. You had been texting him asking about how his job hunt was going. About how the moving company was finally arriving. How your lunch from the diner was really good and you think he'll like it. All that and he didn't say a single thing in return. You decide to call him but as soon as you do, the movers arrive.

Several hours later and your house is sort of put together. It's a haphazard mess of boxes and furniture placed in general spaces where they might belong. You're too tired to care about moving anything so you head to bed. You would call Ben in the morning.

________________________

Loud knocking wakes you from a deep sleep. It was lovely to have your own bed to sleep on again. You were finally getting some good rest and someone had to ruin it. You get up and put your blanket around your shoulders for extra warmth as you head to the front door.

“Hey,” Shawn says with a smile and a wave as you open the door. “Good morning.”

“Good morning? Can I help you?”

He chuckles. “Actually I came to help you. You said the movers were arriving yesterday and I figured since Dr. Hudson is at the clinic on the weekends, I could come help you out.”

You smile and get butterflies flutter in your stomach. Shawn was really this sweet of a guy. “Wow, thank you. You don't have to do that.”

Shawn shrugs. “I know how hard it is to move on your own. So can I come in?”

“Of course sure,” you hold the screen door open and he steps inside, thumping his boots against the door frame so he doesn't track in snow. “How'd you know which place was mine?”

“You said you moved into the townhomes up the street from the clinic. There was only one place for rent that wasn't anymore. I put two and two together.”

“Oh.” You run your hand over your messy sleep hair and laugh. “It's definitely a small town huh?”

Shawn nods and hangs his coat on the hooks beside the door and you can see he's dressed in dark jeans and a soft looking red flannel shirt that stretches with his toned back as he moves. He looks good. Damn good. You look away, chastising yourself because he was your coworker and you have a fiance. You should not be ogling this man.

“Let's get going yeah?”

“I need to get dressed first and have some food but make yourself comfortable. There's some books in the box by the TV stand.” You drop your blanket from your shoulders on to the couch and Shawn chuckles. “What?”

“Your pajamas have ducks on them.”

“Yeah? They're comfortable.”

“It's cute.” He leans against the back of the couch. “I'm used to seeing you in your scrubs. It's different is all.”

“Right,” you look down and pull your shirt out to look at it. “Thanks? I'm going to go get dressed now.”

“I'll be out here. Promise I won't snoop through any boxes.” Shawn laughs and you roll your eyes as you head to your room to get dressed.

_________________________

A few hours later and you're completely unpacked. Everything's in its place and Shawn even helped you rearrange your living room a little. The two of you find out you have a very similar taste in movies and music. Talking with Shawn is easy, natural and comfortable. You get so comfortable that when the two of you are done and collapsed on the couch together you ask his opinion on your situation with Ben.

“Do you think it's weird Ben hasn't been texting me or anything?”

“What do you mean? I see you on your phone at lunch all the time.”

“Usually I'm just texting him about my day. He doesn't reply back.” You stare at the ceiling, making little designs in your head out of the swirled paint. “I’m worried something has happened.”

“Something bad?”

“Yeah, but if that were the case his dad would call me. So I dunno, it's just weird.”

Shawn turns a bit to look at you and you tilt your head to the side to look at him. “Communication is really important. If he isn't talking to you, that sounds like something is wrong. Did you guys have an argument or something?”

“No, I can't think of anything. I'm just confused I guess. It's hard being here alone and not knowing anyone. I mean, I know you now obviously. But you know what I mean.”

“I do. I was new here once too. I totally understand the feeling.”

“When did you move here?”

“Almost a year ago. I finished up med school and after finalizing my divorce I packed up and left the city. James, Dr. Hudson, was looking to semi retire and I was looking for a fresh start.”

Your eyes widen. Shawn was so young. The word divorce throws you for a loop. “You were married? You're like what, twenty five?”

“Twenty seven, and yes I was married. It was,” he pauses, chuckles and shakes his head “it was a huge mistake. We were twenty one and stupid. She...uh...she left me for a guy almost twice my age.”

“Oh my God.” You lay your hand on his arm. “That's insane.”

“It was pretty shitty there for a while. We had been married for a year almost. The divorce took way longer than I would have liked, but that's because she moved to the other side of the country with her sugar daddy.” He rolls his eyes. “It's done now though. I made it through med school and got out of there. I got a fresh start here.”

“That’s great, I'm glad you came out okay. But y'know this story isn't really helping ease my anxiety about Ben.”

“Fuck. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to tell you that to insinuate that Ben is being shady like my ex or something.”

“Oh I know. But it is something I've considered, though I don't really think he would do anything like that. I've known him since I was sixteen. He is probably just busy.”

“Doesn't matter how long you know someone. I learned that lesson too. You should call him. If you're feeling uneasy, talk to him. I'll head out so you can call.” Shawn pushes up off the couch and goes for his coat. “Thanks for letting me help out. It was fun.”

“No, I should thank you. I would still be unpacking for days of you hadn't stopped by.”

“I'll see you on Monday.” He says as you hold the door open for him. “Oh, and about your question earlier.”

“Which one?”

“The one about printed scrubs. I don't mind if you wear them. I like the ones with the roses on them.” He smiles and steps down the porch, heading for his Jeep. “See you later!”

“Bye!” You wave and close the door. Was he flirting with you? Or was he just being genuinely complimentary? He knew about Ben. He knew he was your fiance. No. You're just reading into it.

________________________

You call Ben that evening and lay across your bed while the phone rings and rings. You're a little annoyed, considering it's too early for him to be in bed, but not too late, he could be out with friends. Finally on your third call he answers.

“Babe what's up?”

“What's up? I've been texting you for two days. What gives?”

“Hold on I can't hear you.” He goes quiet and you wait. “Okay, now I can hear. What'd you say?”

“I said I wanna know why you haven't been responding to my texts?”

“Oh shit, I'm sorry. I lost service for a few days. My bill didn't auto pay or something.”

You narrow your eyes at that bullshit. “So when was your phone turned back on?”

“It must have been just tonight. I hadn't checked it all day.” There is sounds of a couple people laughing loudly in the background. “I'm on the phone! Be quiet!”

“Where are you?”

“Dave’s party for his engagement. Him and Sarah are finally going to tie the knot.”

“Oh.” You are kind of annoyed. Why hadn't Sarah told you? The two of you were pretty good friends through Dave and Ben. “I didn't know.”

“Sarah must have forgotten to text you. Anyway, can I talk to you later? They're about to start beer pong and I have to be on Dave's team.”

Really? He was prioritizing beer pong over his fiance who he hasn't spoken to in days. “Yeah. Sure. Call me tomorrow.”

“No problem. Good night babe!”

You drop the phone and let it fall to the bed beside you. Something about all this felt wrong. Sarah would have told you about the engagement. Ben wouldn't have lost service because the bill is paid out of his credit card and you're on the same plan but pay with different accounts so you know if he lost service you would have too. He's lying and you're pissed.

__________________________

Monday you wear your rose printed scrubs to work. Shawn notices immediately and grins the moment you walk in the doors. He knows you're wearing them because he said he liked them and he's right. The day is busy, and for that you're grateful. It's not until lunch that you realize Ben hasn't replied to your texts again, even after the conversation you had Sunday afternoon when he called you back.

“What's wrong?” Shawn asks over the table you're sat together at in the diner.

“Nothing.” You set your phone on its face and smile at the waitress as she drops off your drinks. “It's fine.”

“No, come on. That face says not fine. Is it Ben?”

“Yeah...he's just...he's being weird. I called him on Saturday night after you left and he was at some party and then I talked to him Sunday too. Nothing he told me added up and I'm irritated.”

Shawn leans back and folds his arms over his chest. “What'd he say?”

“He said his phone was shut off and the party he was at was for our friends engagement. But I know the service was fine because we're on the same plan, and our friends didn't text me anything about the engagement. Then on Sunday I asked him about finding a job and he said he had been looking but there was no openings anywhere. But just Friday when Josh Hammond was in he said they are short handed at some construction site in the city and he didn't want to be late for work. I just don't know why Ben would be lying.”

“Did you check Facebook or anything to see of the engagement was legit?”

“Yeah,” you turn your phone over and bring up your Instagram. “That's another thing. I think Ben blocked me, and so did Sarah and Dave. I don't know what's going on.”

“That's is definitely a red flag. Have you call your friends?”

“No, I didn't want to seem like that crazy fiance who is untrusting of her partner.”

Shawn scoffs and rolls his eyes. “There's a fine line between paranoid and something actually going on and trust me, you're on the side with the signs pointing to some sketchy shit.” He leans forward and takes a drink. “If I were you, I'd go back home and try to get some more information while no one knows you're in town.”

“I...I'm scared though. What if Ben is cheating on me?”

“Then good riddance. I sincerely hope that isn't the case because you absolutely do not deserve to go through that kind of heartache. It's shitty. But you need to know what's going on.”

“But I need to be at work.”

“As your boss, I'm giving you time off to go take care of this. Find out what's going on so you can move forward with your life.”

You sigh and turn your phone off, putting it in your purse. The server arrives with your food and you smile at her in thanks. “I'll check into flights tomorrow.”

“Seriously. I hope it's nothing bad going on and he's just trying to surprise you or something. But either way, you need to know.”

“Right. Thanks by the way. For the time off and stuff.”

Shawn smiles around a bite of his burger and covers his mouth with his napkin. “You're welcome.”

__________________________

Unfortunately due to an impending snow storm, the next available flight out of the city won't be until next Monday. It's fine. You'd just have to go crazy with your thoughts while stuck in a blizzard in the middle of nowhere. It was really, really fine.

Wednesday. The snow starts in the early morning hours and by the time you wake up for work there is already four inches on the ground on top of the snow that was there already. The snow shows no signs of stopping and you can't even see across your backyard to the treeline a few yards away.

You check your phone when you get out of the shower to find Shawn has texted you that the clinic would be closed today. Wonderful. You wouldn't even have work to distract you now. Just perfect. You get dressed in some sweatpants and an old tee shirt since the only thing you'll be doing is binge watching TV and maybe cleaning the place a little.

A knock at your door shortly after you finish breakfast, a pop tart, half a pint of ice cream and two cups of coffee, makes you think that you've lost your mind. Surely no one was going to be out in the middle of the snow storm. It had to be the screen door rattling in the wind again.

The knock comes again and this time you look out the peephole to see who it is. All you see is a bulky scarf and some chin. You open the door and find Shawn bundled up to his eyeballs standing on your front porch.

“What in the hell are you doing?”

“Visiting.”

“At nine on a Wednesday morning during a blizzard?”

Shawn looks back at the snow falling heavily, whiting out the world as you know it. “Nah, this isn't a blizzard yet. Just heavy snow.”

“Either way! Why are you here? Don't you have a couch of your own to lay around on all day? Or some paperwork to go over?”

“Nope. See, there's this girl and she is going through a rough time right now. And I know she wants answers but this snow storm is making it kind of hard. So I thought maybe I should stop by and keep her from going insane.” He grins at you and you just cannot believe what a dork he is. “I'd really appreciate it if she let me in. I kind of walked across town to see her.”

“Oh my god, come on then,” you laugh as you hold the door open for him to step in.

Shawn sheds his layers slowly and you hang his coat and puffy black coveralls over a chair you drag to the entryway. He puts his hat and scarf on the hooks by your coat and he kicks his boots off on the shoe tray.

“You're ridiculous.” You shake your head, watching him do a little stretch. “You should have just stayed home. I'm fine.”

“Somehow I doubt that, and that's why I'm here.”

Hours later and you and Shawn have watched two movies, eaten a few bowls of popcorn, some sandwiches and a bag of cheese puffs between the two of you. It's well into the late afternoon and you're feeling tired, sluggish from the lazy day.

“How's your family like Ben?” Shawn asks just as you start to doze off.

“I thought we weren't supposed to be talking about him. You're supposed to distract me from that.”

“I know, it just, I dunno. You could have your parents check on him?”

You shake your head and laugh. “My parents would rather push him off a bridge than talk to him for any length of time.”

“That bad?”

“My parents always wanted better for me. That's what they say anyway. They don't think Ben is going anywhere in life. They think he parties too much and acts like he's eighteen.”

“Does he?”

“No? Well I guess sometimes? He's just having fun. It's not like he's not working, he just goes out on the weekends with friends.”

“Do you go with him?”

“Not usually. I'm not that into house parties and stuff anymore. I'm usually pretty tired from work and I have errands to run.”

Shawn shakes his head. “What do you and him do together?”

You're quiet. It wasn't until now that you realize you're not really sure what you and Ben have in common anymore. In college you would go to parties and drink and play games, but that was college. You can't remember the last time the two of you went out for dinner or just sat in and watched a movie like today. “I...don't know.”

“I'm not a like a relationship counselor or anything, but I think you guys need to reconnect. Maybe the distance isn't so bad for him because you weren't as close as you once were before you left? Have you wondered about breaking up? I'm not say you should, but I mean in the event that he wants to or if you do?”

You lean your head back and close your eyes. It's hard to think about. You and Ben have known each other since you were sixteen, been together for five years and engaged for almost one of them. But...this move, the new job, meeting Shawn, it's made you see the cracks. Ben never wanted to talk about a wedding, never wanted to plan beyond the ring. Why propose to someone and then not want to have a wedding? Then there's this whole game of phone tag and social media fallout. The cracks are getting wider and you're starting to see through them. Soon it's all going to fall apart.

“I think you're right.” You look over at Shawn and he raises his eyebrows. “I think we need to talk and find out where this is going. If he...if he loved me he would have moved and found a job here by now right?”  

“I can't say for sure and honestly I don't know.”

“If your fiance moved for a new job, would you go with them?”

“Yeah, but that's me. I have a job that can find work nearly anywhere.”

“Yeah...so does he.” You reach for the remote and turn up the volume. You're done talking about Ben. It's too much. You want to enjoy the rest of your snow day and forget the rest of the world.

__________________________

Friday. You called Ben before work. It's always you calling him. He never calls you first. You talked to him about your last few days, carefully omitting the fact you hung out with Shawn. It wasn't that you wanted to hide your friendship with Shawn, it's just you know how Ben is. He will get jealous and start comparing himself to Shawn. Now you think about it, maybe you should mention him and see how Ben reacts.

“What're you doing tonight, ducky?” Shawn asks, leaning against the front desk before his next appointment arrives, his biceps straining against the sleeves of his red button down. God he was fit.

“Ducky?” You raise your eyebrows.

“Your scrubs, they have baby ducks on them.” Shawn points to your top. “They're cute.”

You look down and smile. “They're my favorite pair. I love the little yellow ducklings.”

“They definitely are very adorable. So what're you doing after work?”

“Nothing. Probably laying on my couch and watching reruns of NCIS.”

“Want to hang out with me?”

“Sure.” You smile big. This would be the perfect opportunity to get a reaction from Ben and see what he thinks about Shawn. He still followed you on Snapchat so you could post a photo or something to your story. “What are you thinking?”

“There is a bar by the park that has really good food. Ever have fried pickles?”

“No? What the hell is that a thing?”

“You're gonna love it.” Shawn turns and you look up as your three o'clock appointment has arrived. “See you at closing time?”

You chuckle and roll your eyes. “Yes, but I have to go home an change before we go out.”

“Me too. Meet at my place? It's pretty close to where I want to take you. It's nothing fancy though, so don't get too dressed up.”

“It's not a date! I am not gonna get dressed up!”

“Yeah I know, but like the place is a bar and grill. Nothing fancy. Just...thought I'd warn you.”

“Maybe you just can't handle me being all dressed up.” He looks surprised and you wave him off. “I'm kidding. Nothing around here is fancy enough for me to get dressed up for so don't worry. I'll meet you at your place around five.”

__________________________

At just before five you find yourself walking up to Shawn's house and his garage is open. You'd only been by once before and it was to drop off a book you borrowed. In the garage there is a black and red sport bike. It's one of those expensive ones racers used. Not something you'd expect to see in the garage of a sweet friendly doctor.

Shawn steps out of the door to the house and waves at you. “Hey, you made it. Did you walk?”

“Yeah. I figured why waste the gas.”

“Ah, whatcha looking at?” He chuckles as he looks to where you're gawking at the bike. “My bike?”

“Yeah. You don't seem the type.”

“My dad and I rebuilt that a few years ago. He got it really cheap one summer for my birthday because I always wanted one. I used to go dirt bike racing when I was a teenager.” He lifts his sweater and shows your his lower stomach where there's a thin scar up his side. “Flipped over the handlebars when I was sixteen and the bike came down on me. That was a nasty accident.”

“Ohmygod, that’s horrible.” You run your fingers over the scar and he giggles, shirking away instinctively. “Oh sorry, does it hurt?”

“Tickles.” He grins and leads you to the doorway before putting in the code to close the door. “Maybe when the weather isn't too cold I'll take you for a ride.”

“Oh yeah? With a scar like that I'm not sure I want to ride with you.”

“Oh come on,” he laughs and unlocks his Jeep. “I'm a much better driver now.”

“Uh huh sure.”

A short while later you find yourself in a little booth at the bar Shawn mentioned. It's right across from the park and you sit by the windows to get a good view of the lit up trees lining the path that circled it. It's beautiful. Like twinkling stars had landed in the trees of this tiny town.

“You're flying out Monday right?”

You look away from the lights and stare at the man across from you. He has no business looking so attractive under the dim golden light of the lamp overhead. Everything about Shawn was gorgeous, from his eyes to his lips, his ears to his shoulders. Everything. It's hard not to feel something for him. “Yeah. Monday at noon.”

“Good.”

“Maybe I shouldn't go though. Maybe I should wait longer.”

Shawn picks up a mozzarella stick out of the basket of appetizers in front of the two of you. He had ordered the combo so you could try everything. “Don't get cold feet now. You need to know what's going on. You can't be stressed for much longer, it's not good for you. Trust me. I'm a doctor.”

You roll your eyes. “I'm just worried I'm paranoid.”

“You're not. Believe me, from a guy who's been cheated on and dumped, it's best to trust your gut. Don't make excuses for Ben.”

“But-”

“Ah!” Shawn shoves a fried pickle in your mouth and you make a noise of surprise and annoyance. “I'll drive you to the airport if I have to. You're going. That's that.”

You swallow your pickle and take a drink of water. God damn it was spicy. “Fine. I'm going.”

He smiles smugly then points out the window to a horse drawn carriage that's trimmed with Christmas lights. “Check it out. They have the horses out.”

Your eyes go wide. It's beautiful, like Cinderella's carriage but with blue and white lights. “Oh my God! I've always wanted to ride in one of those.” The horse trots on by with a family in the carriage that are looking at the tree lights and decorations around the park.

“Why don't we take a ride? It's like six dollars.”

“What? No, I mean, can we?”

Shawn dusts his hands off and laughs. “Of course we can. Let's finish up here and I'll take you to the place where they sell tickets. I think it's runs until nine so we got time.”

You sit back in your seat, grinning like a kid. Ever since you were little you had wanted to ride in one of those. There was one that used to run in town during Christmas time when you were in college but Ben never wanted to go on it. This was going to be perfect.

The carriage ride is everything you hoped and more. The wind settled down and it's a chilly crisp night. Shawn is sat beside you, arm over the seat behind you, taking it all in as you are. His body heat keeps you nice and warm.

“This is amazing. I'm just at a loss for words.” You snap a picture of some giant ornaments on the park lawn. “I've always wanted to feel like a princess on her way to the ball.”

“And you should get to.”

“It's childish though isn't it?”

“No. It's not childish to want to feel a certain way and it's definitely not childish to do something you've always wanted to do.”

You turn your phone and point it at him. He grins big and goofy for you. You snap the photo and he laughs. “You're fun y'know.”

“You are too.”

“Thank you. For everything, I don't know what I would have done without having you to talk to.”

“You're welcome, and I'm always here.”

The carriage comes to a stop and the two of you get ready to get out. There's a lady standing by the ticket booth who is one of the people who run the attraction. She waves as she comes to help you and Shawn down safely. “Would you like a picture together with the carriage?”

You look to Shawn and he shrugs, leaving it up to you. “Sure, I wanna remember my first carriage ride forever.”

You pass your phone over to the lady and she backs up to take the picture. Shawn steps closer and puts his arm around your shoulders. On the count of three you grin big and cheesy. The lady gives you back your phone and you look at the picture. Shawn is grinning just as big and dorky. It's a cute photo and you can't wait to post it to your Snapchat.

__________________________

Monday you head to the airport in the city. Shawn stopped by before he opened the clinic to wish you well. You're nervous. Nobody responded to your Snapchat story with you and Shawn and photos from the carriage. You're not sure if that's a good thing or not. But what makes you the most nervous is finding out the truth.

Two hours later and you're on a flight home. You're sick, throwing up from nerves in the plane's bathroom. This is horrible. You don't want to go home. You don't want to find out what's going on. The plane lands and you head straight to Ben's apartment. It was better to get this over with as soon as possible.

You take a cab to his place and ask them to wait. You're not sure why. You have a hunch he isn't there. You enter the door code and head up to his place.

“Hello?” A man asks, opening it and you realize it is not Ben. “Can I help you?”

“I’m sorry. I was looking for Ben Grayson. He used to live here?”

“Oh. Well, I just moved in two weeks ago. Sorry.”

“Right. I'm sorry for bothering you.”

“No problem. Hope you find him.” The guy shrugs and closes the door with a soft smile.

You turn and face the elevator doors and sigh. Ben moved. He moved and didn't tell you. Was he heading for Twin Pines? No. He's been out of this place for two weeks at least.

You head out and get in the cab, asking the driver to take you to Shirley's Diner. Ben's sister Megan worked the day shift there. She would know where he is. You don't particularly want to let anyone know you're in town but you aren't sure where else to look for Ben.

“Megan!” You call out as you take a seat at the vintage counter in the diner. The girl at the end of the counter turns and looks at you like she was seeing a ghost.  

“Holy crap, you came back?”

“Yeah, not permanently. I'm looking for Ben. He moved out of his apartment?”

“What do you want to talk to Ben about?”

“He's been acting weird and not answering calls and he still hasn't moved to Twin Pines. I wanted to find out if something was wrong.”

Megan leans in and drops her voice. “Are you okay? Did you hit your head?”

“No? Why?”

“Because you and Ben broke up? When you left you called it quits. He said you didn't think he fit into this new chapter in your life.”

“What?!”

Megan shushes you. “Yeah, is that not true?”

“Megan. No. He's lying. I've been trying to get him to come up there with me. I've been calling and texting like every day and he hardly responds. He blocked me on Instagram and Facebook. So did Dave and Sarah.”

“Oh...shit. I knew it seemed weird, like, you guys were engaged.” Megan grabs her notepad and scribbles something down. “This is Ben's new address. But...”

“But what?”

“He might have company.”

“Oh you have to be kidding me.” Your stomach churns and you thank Megan as you make for the doors. The address on the paper isn't too far from the diner so you decide to walk, to rehearse what you're going to say to the lying cheating bastard.

Ben's car is on the side of the street and you debate going full Carrie Underwood on it before you see the security camera on the building. You made decent money, but not enough to get yourself out of the trouble that would put you in.

You put in the door code that Megan gave you with the address and sure enough you get in. Ben's apartment is on the first floor and you head straight for it, counting the doors as they pass until you get to number seven. Two sharp knocks on the door and you step to the side out of view of the peephole.

The door locks rattle and then the door opens. You step forward and watch as Ben's face goes white. You thought Megan looked like she had seen a ghost, Ben may as well have seen a zombie.

“Hey, new place huh?” You smile sarcastically. “Funny, I thought you couldn't afford a different place with your income alone.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh no Ben. The real question is what are you doing here?” You look around the hall which is nicer than his entire last apartment. “What are you doing in a new apartment on the west side of town? Why aren't you in Twin Pines with me?”

“Well, I just had to move because of the uh...the rent. So I moved in with a friend. I-I’m still trying to find work in Twin Pines. I told you that.”

You step forward and he holds on to the door for dear life. He's hiding something. “Right, right. Well I happen to know that in Southgate they're short on construction workers. Seems a man of your abilities would be able to benefit from that. Y'know, if you had actually looked into a job up there. But you haven't, have you?”

Ben rolls his eyes and you could just punch him square in the mouth. “I don't qualify for tho-”

“Oh cut the shit Ben! I know you lied to everyone that we broke up when I left. Your sister told me the whole fucking story.” You shove the door open and on the couch just beyond the entryway you see a blonde girl looking your way. “Yeah. Figured that one.”

“Listen I-”

You hold your hand up. “No. There is nothing you can say that will fix this. You cheated on me, and for God knows how long if you've moved in with her.” You slide the ring he gave you off your finger and throw it on the ground. “Take your ring.” You look to the girl on the couch. “I hope you're comfortable with knowing that he's been cheating on me, his now ex fiance, the entire time he's been with you. I hope you don't have to fake it as often as I did.”

Ben steps back and you head down the hall to the doors. He says something but you don't hear him over the blood rushing to your head. You don't stop walking until you get to a bus bench around the corner. It's then that everything comes crashing down around you and your emotions get the best of you. You crumple, body deflating as you sink heavily into the metal bench.

Your phone buzzes and you look at it, expecting it to be Ben trying to talk his way out if this. It's not. It's Shawn. He wants to know if you landed okay and if you've talked to Ben yet. You hit the call button and hold the phone up to your ear.

“Hey! Did you get my text? Did you land okay? How was the flight?”

You take a shaky breath that turns into a sob. “It's over. You were right, I was right.”

“Oh no. You've already seen him? What happened? Where are you? Are you okay?”

“H-he lied to everyone and said we b-broke up.” You wipe your nose and try to take a deep breath. “He's been seeing someone probably since before I left.”

“For fucks sake. I'm sorry. Are you okay? Physically are you okay?”

“Y-yeah. I'm just sitting here crying at a bus stop. I'm gonna c-come home.”

Shawn sighs heavily. “I should have gone with you. God you don't deserve to be alone right now.”

“I'm fine. I'm going to go to the airport and get a flight. I don't want to be here any longer.”

“Let me know when your plane leaves. I'll pick you up in Southgate.”

“Shawn, no. You have to work.”

“James comes in at four today for urgent care hours. I will be there.”

You look around take a deep breath again, trying to get your self calmed down. “I'll see you then.”

__________________________

The second you walk into the boarding terminal leading to the main concourse of the airport you see Shawn. He's heading straight for you, eyes trained on yours as he pushes past people.

“You came.” You smile weakly.

“Of course I did.” He wraps his arms around you and that's it. It's all over and you start crying. You grip his back and he holds your head to his shoulder as you shake.  “I know, I know. It's okay, let it out.”

“I hate him,” you sob. “I hate him more than anything.”

“He's a piece of shit. You don't deserve this.” Shawn pulls back to look down at you and wipes your cheeks. “No one deserves to be screwed over, but especially not you.”

“It hurts.”

“I know. Take it one day at a time, I promise it'll get better.”

“I just want to go home.”

“I can do that. Do you have luggage?”

You gesture to the bag on your back. “Just this. I didn't plan on staying.”

“Good.”

The two of you walk out to the parking area and you don't see his Jeep. You look around just in case but there's no car in sight.

“Where's your car?”

Shawn chuckles. “About that. The Jeep wouldn't start for some reason so it's sitting in the clinic parking lot.”

“How the hell did you-” That's when you see it. The sport bike from his garage. It's sitting a few parking stalls down from the walkway you're standing on. “You brought the bike?”

“I had to come get you.”

“Shawn, I would have called a cab. It's so cold, were going to freeze.”

Shawn shakes his head and grabs the helmet off the handle. “I promised you I'd be here. We'll be fine. Here, put this on.”

“And where's yours?” You pull it on and buckle under your chin.

“That is mine. I'll be fine. I promise I won't speed.” He climbs on and scoots forward for you to sit behind him. You get on and wrap your arms around his chest, pressing your head against his back. “Ready?”

“As ready as I'm gonna be.”

Shawn moves and the bike starts up, rumbling to life beneath you. He takes off slow, heading for the parking lot gates. Once he hits the highway it's all you can do to hold on to him and that's all you want to do. Hold on to Shawn and never let go.

__________________________

One month later

Picking yourself up is hard after having the world come crumbling down around you. The echoes of the fall out haunt you day in and day out as things remind you of him constantly. You want to make new memories, and you are, but it's hard. Cutting ties with everyone but your parents back home is the hardest thing you've ever done, but somehow it feels right. Maybe Ben was a little bit right in his lies. This is a new chapter in your life and he doesn't fit in. No one from back home did.

“So, uh, what're you doing this Saturday?”

You look up from the desk and leaning on the counter is none other than Luke Dempsey, the mechanic down the street. He was a fairly handsome guy and he knew it too. Tall, fit, sandy blond hair, somehow always a little tan even in the dead of winter.

“This Saturday?”

“Yup. Got plans?”

“Not really. It's not like I can leave town with the weather coming in.”

Luke grins big, teeth too white to be natural. “How bout you and I go out for dinner?”

You take a deep breath and relax your shoulders a bit. Were you ready for this? Yes. Yes you were. You cannot let Ben haunt you. It's over. It's time to move on and live in the now. “Sure, six okay?”

“Absolutely. I'll pick you up.”

You smile and nod, waving as he leaves the office. To your right you can see Shawn step out of a patient room and give you a questioning look. You shake your head and go back to your paperwork.

__________________________

“What're you doing this Saturday?”

“I have a date.”

“What? With who?”

You look up from your salad and smile just a little. “Luke down at the auto shop.”

Shawn rolls his eyes and scoffs.

“What?”

“That guy is a tool. He's more interested in his hair and whitening his teeth than he is in a relationship. Why would you want to go out with him?”

You set your fork down and cross your arms, staring at Shawn across the table. “I thought you'd be excited I'm actually trying to move on from Ben.”

“I am, but not with that guy.”

“You got something you want to tell me?”

Shawn pushes his salad around in it's bowl, becoming very interested in his croutons suddenly. “I just don't think he's a good idea.”

“It's one date. If it's shit I won't pursue it.”

“Yeah, yeah you're right. I'm sorry.”

“What're you doing on Saturday?”

“Nothing, just wanted to see if you'd come over and watch a movie with me or something.”

“I'll have to take a raincheck.”

“Yeah,” he sighs softly and keeps eating.

You return to your lunch and there is a quiet tension between the two of you as you both finish your food in silence. You can't say you didn't expect some sort of reaction out of Shawn about the date. The two of you obviously have chemistry but you're not sure if you should date your boss, or was he just a coworker? Besides, you don't want to push boundaries.

__________________________

“So I got into working on cars because my grandpa used to take me to his shop all the time. I think it's because my mom couldn't afford a babysitter but it's cool. I learned a lot growing up.”

You smile and nod as Luke keeps prattling on about himself. Seriously the last hour has been the Luke Show. You haven't gotten a word in edgewise and it's goddamn annoying. The last time you spoke was to order, and even after you said you didn't want an appetizer, he ordered one. Then proceeded to ask why you didn't have any but no need for your response because he just kept talking.

You glance at the clock over the bar and roll your eyes. The two of you have been in this bar for an hour now. Yes. A bar. Luke's idea of a good date was taking you to O'Malley's Pub and getting you bar food and drinks made by a bartender who looks like they're eighteen. It's not going great.

“That's so funny right?”

“Hmm? Yeah.” You chuckle and sigh.

Luke tosses back the rest of his light beer, gotta watch those calories you know, and grabs his phone from his pocket. He actually answers a text. Sitting there in front of you. On a date. He texts someone and even laughs. That's the final straw.

“I think we should call it a night. I told Dr. Hudson I would help him with some paperwork tomorrow morning.” You grab your purse and slide out of the small booth.

Luke puts his hat on and lays a couple bills on the table for the tab. “Alright, I'll drive you home sweetheart.”

He could keep the pet names. You don't want to see him again if you could help it. The drive to your house is quick, it's not too far from the center of town. You slide out of his overly large truck and land in the pile of snow at the end of your driveway. He doesn't get out and help you, just leans over and says goodnight before driving off. Ugh. What a tool.

You walk up to your house and suddenly, right as you step on the porch, your feet go out from under you. One moment you're on you’re upright, the next you're on your back. A wave of nausea washes over you and you're dizzy for a moment before your head and butt begin to ache horribly. You lay there staring up at the darkened evening sky, lit up to a soft brown color from the snow reflecting back. It's cold and you feel like if you move you're going to throw up.

In your pocket your phone buzzes. You know you need to get up, that you cannot lay here. You have to check out your head and get some heat or something on your backside. Ever so slowly you reach into your pocket and get your phone, stomach revolting as your vision gets all fuzzy from the movement. You press around on the screen until you hear ringing and bring it up to your ear.

“Hello? Hello? Did you butt dial me?”

“Shawn, I fell. Can you come over?”

“What? At home?”

“I'm outside the house.”

“Oh my God. I'll be right there. Stay on the phone.”

You do as he says and after a few minutes, your butt going numb in the cold snow, you finally hear tires crunching in the snow nearby. Shawn's footsteps are unmistakable and he drops to his knees beside you, his beautiful face coming into view.

“Hey,” you smile and close your eyes. “There's ice on the steps.”

“Yeah no shit honey.” His hands go to your head and he carefully parts your hair, turning your head ever so slightly. “Are you dizzy?”

“I was. It's fading now. I didn't hit my head too hard. My body hurts though.”

Shawn slides his hands under your upper back and helps you sit up. “Your head looks okay. I'll still check for signs of a concussion. Let's get inside and I'll go over you.”

Minutes later you're stripped down to your underwear in your bedroom while Shawn looks over your back. He says there's scrapes from the cement where your lower back and butt hit. There will definitely be bruising. You feel like someone's beaten you with a baseball bat.

“I know you want to rest but I don't want to risk it. I am not seeing any signs of a serious concussion but I'd like you to stay up a while longer. I'll stay just in case.”

“Can you get me an ice pack from the freezer?”

“Of course.” Shawn gets up and goes to the kitchen.

“You were right by the way!” You shout as you put on a big tee shirt and some shorts with a little more effort than usual. “Luke is a total tool bag!”

“Oh yeah?” Shawn returns with the ice pack and you lay down with it on your back. He stretches out on the bed next to you and turns on your TV.

“Yeah. I should have gone home with you instead.”

“Hindsight is twenty twenty.”

“Sure is.” You lean your head on his shoulder and his puts his arm around your back. It's unmistakable, the way you both feel about each other. He knows you don't mean go home as in friends going to hang out at someone's house.

________________________

“How's your back?” Shawn asks from the exam room opposite your desk.

You look up and he is washing his hands in the little sink. It's been a week since you slipped and Shawn's kept a close eye on you. “It's okay. I've got a little achiness but nothing I can't manage.”

“I think I have a new prescription for you.” He walks out of the exam room and hands you a little slip of paper.

You unfold it and see it says TLC on it. “Shawn, really?”

“Yes.”

“I'm fine.”

He leans on the top of the desk, arms crossed as he stares down at you. “You need to rest. I'm serious. Doctor's orders.”

“And who's going to run check in and help get patients ready?”

“I'll get a temp or see if Rhonda will pick up a few extra days.”

“You know she only works weekends with Dr. Hudson.”

Shawn scrubs a hand over his face. “One day? Just one day of rest?”

“Are you asking or telling?”

“Depends. You wanna defy your doctor?”

“You're my doctor now huh?” You grin cheekily and he flushes at the flirtiness.

“You know what I mean. One day. Tomorrow. You're off.”

You sigh in defeat. He was right. You needed to just relax and lay down, take a hot bath and chill out. Straining your back every day wasn't helping at all. One day. You'd take just one day off...and the weekend. Dammit. That was his plan all along probably.

________________________

Sunday morning you wake up and feel much better than you have been. You took a few of the pain medication that Shawn prescribed you. Nothing too serious, just a higher dose of an advil equivalent than available over the counter. It's actually really nice to just lay in bed and not think about anything. No aches and pains. No thoughts of Ben. Nothing. Just the peaceful sound of your fan over head and the cardinals outside singing their morning song.

Christmas was coming fast and you didn't have anything for anyone. Not that you had many people to buy for anymore. Your plan was originally to have your parents fly out and visit you and Ben for the holiday. But that just didn't seem like a good idea now. You would just fly home and see them.

You look at your phone on your pillow and see Shawn's name pop up. He's texting, asking if you're up and if you want to go shopping with him in the city.

“Good morning,” you laugh as you hold the phone up to your ear. You'd much rather call Shawn than text. His voice was soothing and you quite liked when he talked, and even though you heard him talking forty hours a week, it never got old.

“Good morning to you too. Must be pretty cozy in that bed if you're still in it.”

“It's pretty warm. I've got a fuzzy blanket too. Jealous?”

Shawn laughs and you beam. “Oh definitely. So how are you feeling? Up to shopping in the city? I haven't gotten any presents yet and it's a week or so away from Christmas.”

“I'm doing a lot better. I guess my doctor was right. But shouldn't I be resting?”

“I bet your doctor knows a thing or two.” You grin at his sarcasm. Gods he was wonderful. “And I think I can convince him to let you go out.”

You laugh at his dorkiness. “I think I'm up for shopping. Funny thing is, I was just thinking about buying some stuff for my parents. I also need to look for some new snow boots, mine are pretty worn out.”

“I'll pick you up in half an hour?”

“Sure. See you then.”

Shawn brings you coffee when he shows up and he even put your favorite vanilla caramel creamer in it for you. He's the best. You sip on it while he drives toward Southgate and the two of you listen to the morning talk radio. It's a comfortable silence between you two, a sleepy and soft one as the trees whiz by with their snow covered branches. The roads have been cleared recently so the drive isn't so long, only half an hour or so.

The two of you head into the mall where Shawn has stopped and immediately you feel like you're back home, but in a good way. Being in a big city again felt strange almost.

“Anywhere you wanna go first?” You ask as Shawn strolls along the shiny tiled floor aimlessly beside you. He's in jeans and a sweater, and it's such a simple outfit but on him it's incredibly gorgeous.

“I thought about getting my mom some puzzles at the entertainment store. I'm sure they probably have a pretty good selection.”

“My mom loves puzzles too. We should definitely go there.”

As the two of you browse the game section at the big games and toys shop you can't help but wonder why Shawn hasn't shopped already. He didn't seem the type to put things off, and especially not something important like Christmas.

“I hate last minute shopping.”

Shawn looks up from the pile of board games he's looking at. “Yeah, me too. I don't usually do this sort of thing though.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. I'm kind of hoping Christmas will just like...not happen?”

You chuckle and shake your head at him. “What does that even mean? You don't like Christmas?”

“Yes I like it.” He laughs. “It's just since my divorce and all the crap with my ex, my parents are always asking about my love life. Every year for the last five years I hear the same spiel. They're so worried they won't ever get more grandkids.”

“More?”

“My sister Aly, she's two years younger, she has a little daughter. But she said she doesn't want more kids after she had Grace. It was hell on her body.”

“Oh. Wow.”

Shawn waves it off. “She's okay and so is Grace. But my parents are just so invasive every Christmas. I'm tired y'know?”

You grab a puzzle with some cats on it and decide that it's definitely the best one you've seen. Your mother loves cats. “We could spend Christmas together? I'm sure the theater will be open and the chinese places here in the city?”

“I'd love to but my parents expect me. I can't not show up. You don't have plans?”

“I do but I don't? My original plan was to fly my parents here to see me and Ben. Now I think I'll just fly home and spend the holiday with them maybe.”

“Oh, yeah. I'm sorry.”

You shake your head, not wanting to dwell on Ben. “Yeah it's whatever. Come on, let's go check out the movie place and see what they’ve got on sale.”

________________________

“Hey Mendes!”  

Shawn turns around and a snowball you lob at him hits him square in the chest. The white compact snow explodes across his dark coat. “Really? A snowball fight?”

The last few days have been hectic at the office. Today was no exception. You scoop up your next projectile and he just stands there. “Yep. You need to chill out. Better duck.” You send your next one sailing and it whizzes past his head.

“Hey!”

“I said duck!”

Shawn scoops up some snow and his ball is much larger than yours. “You're gonna pay for that first one.”

“Am I? Or are you all talk?” You bounce a ball back and forth in your hands. “Gonna fight me?”

Shawn sends his flying and it explodes across your stomach. “You started this war!”

“And I'll win it!”

Shawn ducks behind his Jeep in the car lot in front of the now closed clinic. It had been a very long day, there were fifteen appointments since it was less than a week before Christmas and the clinic would be closed from Christmas Eve until the day after. Both of you were stressed to the max.

“No fair! I don't have shelter!”

“Maybe you should have driven to work!” Shawn shouts as a snowball comes for you over the hood of his Jeep. “You came unprepared!”

“Cheater! No shelter! Face me like a man!”

Shawn stands up and comes around the front, three balls in hand. “Like a man huh?”

“Yeah.” You smirk, throwing a ball and nailing him in the chest again. “Like a man.”

He strides towards you and you back up, he aims and hits you right in the leg. His next one hits your stomach and finally his last one gets you right in the forehead. The snow rains down in your eyes and on your face and you are stunned still.

“Oh shit. I didn't mean to hit your face.”

You wipe the melting snow off your face as Shawn quickly approaches mumbling apologies. He holds your head to check that you're okay. He doesn't pay attention to the ball in your hand or that it's suddenly going up the back of his coat.

“I win!” You whisper with a smirk.

Shawn shakes around, getting the snow out as it melts against his button up shirt. “You little shit!”

“I got your mind off work didn't I?” You stop him, grab the back of his coat and the snow falls out.

“You did.” He sighs. “Thank you. It was a shitty day and the holiday looming so near isn't helping either.”

“I know. You wanna come with me to Southgate? I have to pick up the bed frame I ordered the other day while we were at the mall.”

Shawn shakes his head. “I think I just want a nap and some dinner. Thank you though, and if you need help getting it out of your car let me know. I'll stop by tomorrow morning if you need me.”

“I should be good. I'll see you tomorrow.”

________________________

One moment you're singing along with the radio to some song you barely know and the next you are panicking. The steering wheel is jerking to the left as you slide down a hill and you can't control your car. You head straight for the barriers on the side of the road where a creek ran under a small bridge. You just miss the barriers and go into the snow heading for the treeline.

You don't remember the crash. You don't remember anything besides seeing the trees approaching rapidly and jerking the wheel to try and stop. When you open your eyes you are laying on the roof inside your car, a tree limb is through the window to your right.

“Fuck...fuck.” You wiggle your fingers and toes, tilt your head side to side. All basic function seems to be fine. You feel your chest and stomach, tender but no blood. Your neck hurts a little but it's not bad. Your body aches as you make a move to get up. Glass crunches under you and you maneuver yourself onto your hands and knees. The remains of your seatbelt hang in your face and you're not sure how you got out of it. It's very disorienting to be in a car this way.

You look around for your purse and find it under the tree limb that's coming through the windshield. It seems the car rolled on to the tree limb as it's pushed up through the overturned windshield. You fish out your phone with a shaky hand only to find you have no signal. Of course not. The stretch between Twin Pines and Southgate was nothing but forest and farmland and you were in the start of the valley.

You grab for the door handle and shove open the driver side door. You crawl out into the snow and collapse beside the car, vision becoming blurry and dark. Everything hurts. The only way you can describe it would be like you fell down a flight of stairs, which you did once as a kid. It's awful. Your face hurts too, like you've been sucker punched a few times. You lay there, opening your eyes and staring up at the cloudy sky overhead that threatens to bring snow at any time, thankful you're alive and trying to hold it together.

The only way you're going to get help was to get up the hill you came careening down in the car. To get there you'd have to get out of the ditch first and that sounded about as appealing as chewing your own leg off. But you have to do it. You push yourself up on your knees and use the car for leverage to bring yourself up. One look around the area and you know you're alone. There are no cars as far as the eye can see. Your car is completely fucked, even if it got towed you'd have to total it. That is the least of your worries right now though.

Ten exhausting minutes later you are at the top of the hill. You're frozen, hands red, face aching and wind burnt. Your body feels absolutely no better than it had before and your thighs are cold and tingly. You hit Shawn's name and call him first. You don't know why. Maybe because you know he can get there faster than the ambulance from Southgate. Maybe because you wanted to hear a familiar voice. Maybe because he was the only person who you needed in your life in general.

“Shawn,” you croak, voice foreign to your own ears. Your throat is dry and it hurts to talk from huffing and puffing in the crisp air. “I need you.”

“What? Where are you? Did you slip again?”

“No. My car went off the road. I'm by the bridge over the creek going to Southgate.”

“Are you okay?” his voice is panicked. “Have you called an ambulance? I'm on my way right now.”

“I hurt, but I don't think I'm too bad. I dunno.”

Keys jingle and you hear a car door close. “Call for an ambulance.”

“Shawn.”

“I'll be there shortly, as much as it kills me you have to hang up and-”

“Shawn!”

“What? What happened?”

“There's ice. Don't go too fast. Please be careful.”

“I will I promise. I'll be there as soon as I can. Hold on okay? I'm going to get you. I'm going to be there soon.”

“I'll be the crumpled heap by the road.”

“You're not making this any better y'know.”

You let out a little chuckle. This was no time to be laughing or making jokes but here you are. Coping you suppose.

“I'll see you soon. Are you warm enough? I'm going as fast as I can. I'll be there. I promise.”

“I'll be okay. Stop talking and driving before I have to come find you in a ditch too.”

“For fucks sake...Okay. Okay. I'm going to hang up now.”

As soon as you hang up on Shawn your phone flashes and the power goes off. Shit. You sink down into the snow and watch for Shawn's Jeep to approach. It'll be a while, you were about fifteen minutes out of town. The cold seeps into your skin and you shiver, body revolting against the contraction of muscles. You let out a cry, no longer able to hold back. Your strength has dwindled. Not even dry humor was going to help you now.

You look up at the sound of tires on gravel and you don't realize how long you've been spaced out but your hands hurt really bad, prickly and numb. Shawn is practically falling out of his Jeep to get to you. He runs across the snow, zero regard for the ice beneath it. You've never been happier to see him, or anyone, in your whole life.

“Oh honey,” he breaths, dropping to his knees beside you. “Look at me.” He gingerly guides your face up and he looks like he's about to cry.

“I didn't call for help.” You whisper, holding out your dead phone. “It died.”

Shawn pockets the phone and grabs your hands to warm them up. “Where's the car?” He looks around and back to you.

“Down the hill.” You point to where your car, a dark heap, lies against the tree trunks at the bottom of the hill past the creek. “I didn't have signal down there.”

Shawn's eyes widen. “Holy shit. You didn't say it rolled. You walked up here?” He helps you stand up and opens your coat. “I don't see any blood, how's your ribs? Your stomach? Are you coughing up blood or do you feel nauseous?”

“My ribs hurt. No blood, no nausea.” You lean against him for support and groan. “My body hurts.”

He wraps his arm around you and takes you to the Jeep. “I'm going to take you to the hospital. You could have internal damage. Were you wearing a seatbelt?”

“I was.” You let out a yelp as he helps you up into the passenger seat. “But when I came to I was on the roof.”

“You weren't belted in the car when it rolled?” He pulls the seat belt over your lap and latches it for you.

“I was, I just said that. I don't know how I got out of it.” You lean your head back and let your eyes close. You're tired. It hurts to breath and talk. Your head is on fire and you just can't deal with it anymore. “I just need to rest.”

“Honey, stay with me. Keep talking.”

“Tired.”

Shawn cups your face tenderly, careful not to be too rough as he forces you to look at him. “Keep talking to me. I know you're tired, but you have to stay awake. Remember? Concussions make you tired?”

“Fuck.” You tear up, eyes burning as you let your emotions get the best of you. “I'm scared Shawn. I don't want to pass out and not wake up or something.”

“I'd never let that happen.” He leans forward and kisses your forehead before closing the passenger door and going to the drivers side. He takes your hand after he gets out onto the road. “I need you to keep squeezing my hand so I know you're awake okay?”

“Yeah.” You squeeze and he rubs his thumb over your fingers. “I can do that.”

________________________

A while later you're walking through the doors of the emergency waiting room at the Southgate Memorial Hospital. Shawn gets you a wheelchair from the little cubby of them for injured patients and pushes you up to the desk. He discusses your situation with the nurse and they take you into triage for basic assessment.

Everything happens so quickly and you just do whatever Shawn and the nurse tells you to do. It's so strange, you feel like you're in fog. As if you're viewing yourself do things. You know how this works, you'll be taken to a room and the doctor will come in to see you. A nurse will check on your vitals again. You've been here, done this for three months in your training back home.

“Shawn?” You ask, looking over to where he's filling a cup at the sink. “Shawn?”

“Yes honey?” He asks, turning and taking your hand. “What's wrong? Do you need something?”

“You're a doctor.”

“Yes I am?” He tucks your hair back.

“You're my doctor. Why am I here?”

Shawn pets your hair back and you lean into his hand. “I think it's best for you right now. I'm too emotionally involved to treat you. But I'll be here.”

“Shawn, long time no see.” You look past Shawn to see a man in a white coat. “What brings you to my ER tonight?”

“Trevor. Good to see you. Well, not like this but, y'know.”

“I'm Dr. Collins,” Trevor introduces himself to you, hand on your shoulder. “Let's go over what happened.”

Four hours later and you're released. You're bruised and cut up just a little from the broken glass but overall okay. The fogginess has subsided and you feel more alert. Dr. Collins didn't find any signs of cracked ribs or internal bleeding. You're sent home with a prescription for pain medication and rest. You pass your car on the way and you feel a pang of sickness course through your stomach. Your car is destroyed. Just a hunk of metal now. That was a process you'd have to deal with later. Right now you're doing good just to deal with the reality that you could have died.

________________________

“You need to rest. Why are you out of bed?”

You startle and lean against the counter for support. Shawn gets up from your dining table to come meet you. You didn't know he stayed the night again. “It's Monday. I can go to work. I'm just bruised.”

“I won't have you in the clinic. I took today off so I can be here with you for the whole day.”

“Shawn! You can't just close the clinic!”

“I already spoke to James. He understands, and it's not closed. He's taking my hours for the day.”

“Why are you doing this?”

Shawn steps forward and holds your shoulders. “I care about you, a lot. You're my friend and you're all alone here. I cannot in good faith leave you by yourself after an accident like this. Have you talked to your parents yet?”

“No. I'll tell them later.”

“When you go home for Christmas and you're bruised all to hell?”

Tears prick your eyes and you look down. He was right. If you went home like this your parents would freak out. You don't even know if you should fly, and driving was obviously out of the question. “I guess I'll have to stay here for Christmas. I'll just tell them I'm snowed in.”

“You can come with me.”

You look up and Shawn brushes some hair off your face. He was always so gentle with you. “Go with you?”

“Yeah. Go with me to my parents house in Baytown. It's on the other side of Southgate. I'm sure they would love the company.”

“I can't do that.”

“You can. Please come with me, I'd really like to keep an eye on you.” He takes your hands and you squeeze gently. “Please?”

You look up at him and he looks so soft you can't say no. He has your whole heart and you're sure he must know it. “We'll see.”

________________________

Christmas Eve. Shawn's hand finds your thigh as you bounce your leg nervously in his passenger seat. You're almost to his parents house, it's in a small town outside of Southgate so the drive isn't much farther than going to the city. But you're anxious. It wasn't like you had a problem with meeting new people, your job required you to be pretty social. This was different though. It was Shawn's family. It felt like it had when Ben had taken you to meet his dad for the first time. But that was because you were dating and you were afraid his dad wouldn't like you. You and Shawn are not dating, so why is this a big deal? Why does it feel like you're about to meet some board of directors for judgement?

“Hey,” Shawn says softly and you tear your eyes off the road.

“Yeah?”

His thumb rubs gently against your jean covered leg. “Relax. My parents are super nice. My mom will love you, she loves company.”

“I don't know why I'm so nervous. Probably because my face is still bruised up and stuff. They're going to wonder what happened.”

“You’re fine. It's hardly visible. I promise no one will notice.”

“If you say so.” You put your hand over his and he turns it over so you can hold it. It's comfortable. Ever since the accident when he had you hold his to stay awake, you've found comfort in holding his hand. It feels warm, intimate, safe. It feels right.

The moment you arrive at his parents house, his mother runs out the door to meet him. She's all bundled up in a bright red sweater as she clamours through the snow down their lawn toward the Jeep. As soon as she sees you she stops, eyes going wide and she yells something back toward the house.

“That's my mom.” Shawn laughs and shuts off the car. “I didn’t really think about this before but she might think you're my girlfriend.”

“Oh.”

“It's okay, I'll explain the situation.”

“No.” You look over at him and he raises his eyebrows. “I'll be your girlfriend.”

“What? Are you serious? You mean just pretending right?”

“I think we both know that-”

“Shawnie! My baby!” His mother cheers as she pulls his door open and wraps her arms around him. “Who's this? You didn't say you were bringing anyone!”

Shawn turns and puts his arm around you. “This is my f-”

“Girlfriend.” You reach over, take his mom's hand and introduce yourself.

“I'm Holly, I'm so excited to meet you. Shawn hasn't had anyone over in ages. Not since his divorce. We worry about him.”

“Mom,” Shawn groans.

“I know I know. Thank you for coming.” Holly holds your hand between hers and looks you over. “And you're so beautiful! So lucky Shawn!”

“Mom.”

“Thank you.” You flush and look over to Shawn who's just as red. “I'm excited to be here.”

“Right! Come inside, it's cold out here. I've just got cinnamon rolls out of the oven.”

You meet Shawn's dad, Mike, and he is quiet but his demeanor shows just as much as excitement as Holly's. Shawn's sister is due to arrive tonight with her daughter and shortly after you're settled in, Holly says she has to go do some shopping before Aly gets there. Shawn says she's going to buy you presents, and you just roll your eyes.

“You want to be my girlfriend huh?” Shawn asks a while later when the two of you are settled down in his old bedroom that is now a guest room. His mom is still gone shopping and his dad is taking a nap in his chair. “I can't say it's not a little unexpected.”

“So you're telling me that you don't want to date me?”

“I didn't say that.”

“I think it's time we acknowledge that we're both really attracted to each other. It's more than just attraction really. You were the first person I called when I nearly died. That's something I don't even know if I would have called Ben first for. It takes a special kind of person to be the first one to be called in a time of crisis.”

Shawn steps toward the bed where you're sitting and puts his hand in your hair, thumb brushing over a small bruise on your forehead. “You're right, and I want to be that person. I want to be there for you all the time.”

“And I want you to be that person.”

You look up and he leans down, lips brushing yours, asking for permission. When you nod slightly, he presses more firmly. You fall back and he crawls over you, lips locked onto yours. Your hand goes to his hair and he growls playfully, biting and you moan softly. Kissing him is incredible, he tastes like honey chapstick and whatever he was drinking earlier. It's sweet, salty and very much like Shawn and you love it.

“Ben really fucked up,” he says, leaning up on one arm over you.

“He did?”

“Yeah. You're beautiful, and smart and unbelievably enticing.” He leans in and kisses you softly. “Can’t believe we waited so long.”

“Guess we had to sort some things out first.”

“Mmhmm, and I'm glad they're sorted now.”

________________________

Aly shows up a shortly after dinner is served. Shawn's mom had made a big salad and some rolls for every one. A light dinner before the Christmas feast tomorrow. Just when you thought you couldn't have any more feelings for Shawn, you're proven wrong. The moment Grace, Aly's daughter, runs into the house Shawn scoops her up and spins her around. He's amazing, playing with her hair and telling her a story about something that he saw at the mall. You definitely can't help thinking about having a child of your own with him.

Aly is surprised to see you. Your presence a shock to her as much as it had been his parents.

“How did you and Shawn meet?” Aly asks after introductions.

“Work. I'm a nurse in the clinic.” You look over at Shawn who's got Grace on his shoulders. “We kind of hit it off right away.”

“He needs someone good. He's been through a lot.”

“I have too. We understand each other, he's amazing. I'm so lucky to have met him.”

Aly smiles and folds her arms over her chest. “Which one of you said it first?”

“Hmm? Said what?”

Shawn wraps his arms around you and you melt back into him, heart fluttering at this new sort of contact. “What're you guys talking about over here?”

“You.” Aly smirks. “I was going to tell her all your nasty habits.”

“Oh please, I work with this woman every day. There's not much she doesn't know.”

Aly raises her eyebrows and you just smile at her, not sure what to say. He wasn't wrong. The two of you spent forty hours a week together and then often times a few hours after work.

“Fire mom!” Grace exclaims jumping up and down by the fireplace under the TV mount.

Mike is starting a fire in the fireplace and you wander over and curl up with Shawn on the couch as his mom turns on the TV. Aly and Grace sit opposite you, and his parents sit in their chairs. It's nice, and feels like home.

You feel bold, comfortable with Shawn's closeness. He has his hand on your thigh, rubbing up and down gently. Your hand eventually finds its way into the back of his hair and he leans back into your touch. It's something you've always wanted to do. His hair looked so soft and thick, you dreamed about running your hands through it. His eyes flutter closed as the TV plays a Harry Potter movie marathon. He's beautiful. He just relaxes completely and enjoys your hand gently scratching his scalp as his hand comes to a stop on your leg.

“I need something to drink.” Shawn murmurs after a few minutes, pulling away from your touch reluctantly. He gets up and heads for the kitchen. You scoot over into his warm spot and wrap up in the blanket the two of you were sharing. It smells like his cologne and you could just fall asleep right there curled up in that spot. That thought leads you to thinking about later in the evening. The two of you would be sharing a bed, like, actually sleeping together.

Shawn returns and hands you a cranberry sprite as he drops down into your old spot. “Your favorite right?” He wraps his arm around your shoulders and tucks his feet between yours on the foot rest.

“Mmhmm. I can't believe your parents have some.”

“I told Mom to pick it up for you.”

“You guys are gross.” Aly laughs and you roll your eyes. “Grossly cute.”

“Jealous?” Shawn asks, sipping his water bottle.

Aly just shakes her head and Grace gets up to grab a present from under the tree. “Mom! Can I open one tonight!?”

“Grace, it's not Christmas yet. How about we go see the lights?”

“Lights?”

“Remember the Christmas lights at the park? I think Santa's reindeer might be there too.”

Grace's eyes light up and she runs for her coat.

“You wanna go see the reindeer?” Shawn asks you softly. “They're really cool if you've never seen them.”

Aly gets up and says something to her dad as she helps Grace with her coat. Holly says she will go and both her and Mike get up to get their coats on. You are torn between staying in the house alone with Shawn and seeing reindeer. You know the two of you won't get much time together alone while you're here. Not that you wanted to do anything risque. It'd just be nice to be together for a few minutes without anyone around since this was still very new to you.

“You guys coming?!” Grace asks excitedly, grabbing at Shawn's arm and tugging him up. “Come see the reindeer! Come on Uncle Shawn!”

Holly scoops Grace up and puts her on her hip. “Let's let these two go at their own pace Grace. They'll show up.”

“Boo. Lame.”

Aly laughs from across the room as a breeze of crisp night air blows in through the front door. Everyone files out and leaves you and Shawn alone in the living room.

“Do you not want to go?” Shawn asks worriedly.

“We can go. I just wanted a moment.”

Shawn rubs your arm. “Are you feeling alright? You're not overwhelmed are you? We don't have to do this. I can take you home and we can go on like we never discussed being more than friends.”

“No, no. I'm fine. Let's go.”

“You're sure? Are you hurting? How's your ribs?” He reaches for your shirt and pulls it up a bit but you push his hand down.

“I'm fine. I'm just not used to this.”

“We'll take it one day at a time okay?”

You nod and he stands up and hauls you up against him. He eyes you skeptically, and you give him a curious look but he lets it pass as the two of you go to get your boots and coats on.

________________________

The park is huge and set up like a little Santa's workshop town. There are little elf statues everywhere, games kids can play, reindeer are in pens with their handlers and there is even a guy in a santa suit wandering around. It's adorable.

Shawn bumps your hand and you let him grab it, threading your fingers together. They way it feels to have Shawn's affection is unlike any other. Not even when you first started dating Ben did you feel this warm and safe. There was something about Shawn that was different in all the right ways.

“What did you want for Christmas as a kid?

You look up and Shawn is looking over at a reindeer as it passes with it's caretaker. “Uh, I dunno I guess.”

“There has to be something. A pony? A password journal? Barbie dream house?”

You laugh and he smiles at you tenderly. “Okay, yeah I wanted a Barbie dream house, but I also wanted the car. I remember asking for them for months.”

“Did you get them?”

“Yeah. My grandma got the car for me, but no dream house. It was the yellow Volkswagen Bug that comes with stickers to decorate it. I loved that thing.”

Shawn chuckles. “Sounds like me when I got my first guitar. I begged my parents for ages.”

“Oh yeah? You can play?”

“I could. I learned on YouTube. Classes weren't my thing so I just watched videos to figure out how to play songs I liked. It was fun, I don't know why I ever stopped.”

“What kind was it?”

“A fender, electric.”

“Ohmygod, I figured it would be one of those starter acoustic ones y'know?”

Shawn chuckles. “You'd think right? No, I had to have electric. I was dead set on it.” He pulls out his phone and shows you a picture of himself holding the guitar up and grinning. “Here I am, brace faced and ready to play.”

“Look at you! Ohmygod it's really pretty. I like the color of the body. Do you still have it?”

Shawn shakes his head. “No, I sold it when I went to college. Didn't get much for it, the body was pretty worn from years of use. I should get another one and see if I still remember how to play.”

“Maybe Santa will bring you one.”

“Oh yeah?”

You tug him by his hand toward the santa that is taking pictures with some teenagers by a giant present. The kids wave goodbye and you approach him. “Santa, do you take requests for gifts?”

“Of course young lady!”

“Really?” Shawn chuckles and you tug him closer.

“What's wrong young man? You don't believe in Santa Claus anymore?”

“I...uh...”

You cut him off and shake your head at the santa. “He's had a rough few years. I think he needs some reminding of the magic of Christmas.”

Santa laughs and lays his hand on Shawn's arm. “My boy, the magic of Christmas comes from the heart. You've got plenty of heart don't you?”

“Yes sir, I do.”

“And do you young lady?”

You nod.

“Christmas isn't about toys and lights and gifts. It's about love, and the two of you most certainly have that.”

You turn scarlet and so does Shawn. “Santa, we aren't that f-”

“You can't fool Santa! The two of you are made for each other! I know that look, it's the same one I had when I met Mrs. Claus. Now you had a request? What can I do for you?”

“N-nothing Santa. Thank you so much.” You smile politely and he walks off with a you're welcome and a cheeky smile.

“What the hell was that about?” Shawn laughs, looking at Santa round the corner of a game booth. “That was weird right?”

“Totally weird. I just wanted to goof around and ask him to bring you a guitar. That was just wild.”

Shawn looks up at little snowflakes that start to fall around you. He brushes a few out of your hair and lets his fingertips linger against your temple. “You look beautiful,” he murmurs to himself, eyes soft as he looks over your face.

“Thank you?”

“What?”

“You said I look beautiful?”

Shawn's cheeks flush bright red up to his ears. “I didn't say that out loud?”

“Yes you did.”

“Jesus Christ.”

You laugh and grab his hands in yours. “You're beautiful too.”

“I-”

“Are you gonna kiss?” You look down and see Grace standing beside the two of you. “Because gross.”

“Oh really? Kisses are gross?” Shawn teases, squatting down to her level.

“Yeah. Super gross.”

“Oh. I see. You mean kisses like this are gross!” He pulls her to him and kisses her cheek a bunch of times as she squeals and squirms against him.

“Ew! Uncle Shawn germs! Gross! Mom!”

Aly, Holly and Mike appear from around a tree nearby and Grace runs to her mom.

“There you are. We were wondering if you guys came,” Holly says as she leans into Mike's side. “We we're just about to go see if the carousel was still running before heading back home.”

“Sounds good,” Shawn says and puts his arm around your back as you follow the group toward the other side of the park.

“There's a carousel?”

“Yeah, they have Christmas themed animals to ride on and stuff. You'll love it.”

The carousel is still running for the next half an hour and you all buy tickets to ride. The usual circus animals you would see on a carousel are instead replaced with reindeer and santa sleighs of all different colors. Mike and Holly chose a sleigh while Grace picks a reindeer and Aly stands beside her. You and Shawn go for two reindeer side by side, Comet and Cupid are emblazoned on their saddles.  

“Please no running, walking, or changing of reindeer or sleighs while the ride is in action. All first time riders and children under six years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times. I will announce when the ride is finished and when it is safe to exit. Thank you and have a great time.”

As the ride starts, you begin going up and down slowly to the tune of Christmas songs blasting on the speakers overhead. It feels like flying and it's absolutely incredible.

“I haven't done this since I was a kid!” Shawn laughs.

“I've never been on one before!”

“What?! How?!”

“Never came up!”

Shawn slides off his reindeer and crosses the gap to yours. As yours goes down he gets on the back and you’re sure that's not allowed but you're not sure if the reindeer will hold two people. Surprisingly it does, and keeps going up and down despite the extra weight. Shawn's arms wrap around your waist and he rests his chin on your shoulder.

“First time riders shouldn't ride alone. Didn't you hear the rules?”

“They also said don't get off the reindeer or walk around while the ride is going.”

Shawn chuckles softly. “That's so kids don't get hurt. Besides, I couldn't leave a first time rider all on her own. What if you fell off?”

“You're ridiculous.”

“Just a little bit.”

________________________

Everyone settles down for the night and Grace is put to bed as soon as you all get back to the house. The remainder of the evening everyone sits out on the enclosed back porch with the heater on, just talking about life. You're next to Shawn on the swinging bench and you're tired. The day has caught up with you finally. Shawn is discussing a case he saw come through the office with his dad and you just lay down, head on his lap, listening to the men talk quietly among each other. Shawn's voice, soothing and sweet, vibrates through his body and into your ears as you lean your head against his stomach.

You're not sure how long you are asleep, or if you ever were really asleep at all, when suddenly you hear someone else talking. It's Aly, her voice is nearby, closer than it was before.

“Shawnie is in love,” Aly says with a soft sigh.

A hand in your hair glides gently across your scalp and pulls away just to make another pass through, over and over. “Shut up Aly.”

“You are. You look at her the way you used to look at Alena. Actually, I think you hold back with her. You shouldn't do that, she should know how you feel.”

“Aly. Please, I don't need relationship advice from my baby sister.”

“I'm not that much younger don't call me a baby. But I'm right and you know it. You hate it and you know it.”

Shawn pushes the swing back and let's it swing forward, rocking the two of you gently. “You are, but shut up.”

“You're no fun.”

“I'm not. But don't tell her that.” His hand stills in your hair and he rubs his thumb across your eyebrow carefully. It's a strange but intensely intimate feeling. “She's too good for me.”

“Shawn no, don't think like that. I know Alena really fucked you up with what she did, but don't let that reflect on your future with her. You're better than that.”

You decide you've had enough eavesdropping because you're about to start crying. You move slightly, eyes opening to meet Shawn's staring down at you tenderly. The soft warm glow of the heater reflects off his eyes and makes them look even more like honey than ever before. You're absolutely in love with him.

“Hey, you were sleeping pretty good. Did we wake you?”

“No, just woke up.”

Shawn's hand moves in your hair and he lifts your head as you sit up. The world feels slow, like time has stopped for a few minutes and it's trying to catch up again. The deck is warm and toasty, only Aly remains with the two of you.

“Let's go to bed.” Shawn stands and you look up at him. You've got sleepy limbs that feel heavy and sluggish. Shawn steps forward and puts an arm around your back and one under your legs, lifting you up carefully. It makes your heart stop. “I gotcha.”

“I can walk,” you yawn and he just chuckles.

“This is more fun though.”

“I'm right,” Aly whispers teasingly as he passes into the house, and Shawn looks back with a glare.

Shawn sets you down gently on the bed and goes to close the door. “Do you want to sleep on the side with the wall or the open side?”

“Open side.” You sit up and grab your bag that has your pajamas in it.

“Perfect I like the wall side.” He walks toward you and pulls his sweater up over his head and for the first time you see him shirtless. It's like a punch to the gut. You knew he had to be fit, his arms and general figure gave that away. But to be as toned and straight up jacked as he is, you couldn't have guessed. “What are you staring at?” He laughs and leans over his bag to get a sleep shirt.

“You. All that,” you gesture up and down his body. “How?”

Shawn looks down at himself and chuckles. “I have a home gym. I've always worked out, it's a stress relief for me.”

“Well. GQ called they want to book you for a sexiest doctor of the year photoshoot.”

He laughs, full on belly laughs and walks over to you. “I'm glad you think so highly of me. You want me to sleep shirtless? I can.”

You nod.

“Okay, scoot over so I can get in.”

Shawn wraps his arm around your waist and pulls you back against him once you're both settled down. He kisses the back of your shoulder and you melt. The tenderness was too much. He felt so perfect against you, like you were made to fit the shape of his body.

“Is this okay?” He asks lowly, moving some of your hair out of his face. “I guess I just assumed you like to cuddle.”

“It's perfect. Ben never liked to cuddle much but I sleep best when I'm held.”

Shawn hums. “Alena didn't like being touched when she slept. It was hard because I'm very much a physical sleeper. What was Ben's problem?”

“He always said he got too hot.”

“Oh,” he noses your neck and you giggle. “We must be temperature compatible.”

“What's that?”

He chuckles. “Y'know, like you said, Ben was too hot. You and I must be the same temperature so we're comfortable being close. It's special.”

“Oh, yeah.” You press back against his chest and he puts his feet against yours. “Maybe it's because we were meant to be together.”

“I think so too. Now let's sleep, we don't want Santa to skip our house because we're awake.”

You giggle and he tightens his arm around your middle, sighing softly into your hair. He's everything you've ever wanted in a partner and you find yourself drifting off quickly

________________________

Christmas morning. You wake up early, far earlier than you should. It's a little after five in the morning when you sit up and realize the bed is empty save for yourself. Shawn's side is warm to the touch, and the bedding still smells faintly like his cologne. The door opens and dim light from the hall night light pours through the open doorway.

“Hey,” Shawn whispers lowly as he closes the door behind him. “What're you up for?”

“I dunno.”

The bed sinks under his weight as he crawls into his spot against the wall. He runs his hand over your stomach mindlessly and you scoot closer to him. “I probably woke you when I got up.”

You close your eyes and let yourself get lost in his touch. “I was sleeping so hard, I can't remember the last time I had such a good sleep.”

He chuckles. “Do you want to sleep a little longer? I'm up for cuddling for a while or we can get up and make coffee if you want. I'm sure my parents will be up soon too.”

Cuddling is tempting, but sleepy morning cuddling and exploration could quickly lead to more. This wasn't the place to do more. “Yeah, let's get up. I'm not tired anymore.”

Shawn crawls over you and hauls you up out of bed by your outstretched hands. You pull on one of his sweaters out of his bag on the floor and he smiles big. “Already wearing my clothes?”

“Yes.” You wrap your arms around yourself and smile. “They're much better than mine.”

Shawn pulls on a tee shirt and kisses your cheek. “I suppose I'll let it pass since you're so cute.”

The two of you head for the kitchen and turn on the lights behind the sink only. It's a soft light that's easier on the eyes than the overhead ones.

“Excited for Christmas presents?”

“Kind of? I have no idea what your mom could have gotten me.”

“It'll be a good surprise then. But I think you'll probably like it.”

You jump up on the counter, legs dangling against the cool cabinets. “You know what it is then?”

“I do. She texted me to find out what you like.”

“And what do I like?”

Shawn flips the lid closed on the old coffee pot in the corner and steps over to you. He wedges himself between your legs and plants his hands on the counter on either sides of your thighs. “Well, you like me.”

“She got me another Shawn? I dunno if I could handle two.”

“Ha ha.” He says with a smirk and you grin like a cat at your own joke. “You're so funny.”

“Tell me what she got me.”

“Never. It's a surprise.”

You bring your hands up and cup Shawn's face, cradling it ever so gently between them. “Would you tell me for a kiss?”

“That's dirty. You're playing unfair.”

You drop your eyes and lick your lips, giving him a look that has him pressing against you. “Tell me Shawn.”

Shawn leans in and you tilt your head back against the upper cabinets to avoid a kiss even though you want nothing more than to kiss him for hours. There were terms to be agreed to right now. His mouth passes yours and he kisses down your jaw, driving you insane.

“Sh-shawn,” you tremble as his hands go to yours, his mouth still placing kisses along your jaw and neck. “You're the one playing dirty now.”

“You have no idea how dirty I can't can get.”

You let out a little moan as he bites your neck over your tender pulse point. He soothes the bite with his tongue and you grab his hair, making him growl against you. He slides his hand up your shirt and you know things are getting out of hand.

“Uncle Shawn!”

Your heart stops and you look past Shawn to see Grace standing on the opposite side of the kitchen in her pony pajamas.

“Yes Grace?” Shawn asks, still facing you as he slides his hand out from under your shirt.

“Is she okay? Did she get hurt?”

“I'm okay Grace.” You smile and Shawn drops his head on your shoulder before turning to face the child. “Shawn and I were just talking.”

Grace walks over and Shawn picks her up. “Mom always has me sit on the counter when I need a band aid because I scrape my knees a lot. Are you sure?”

“Yes honey she's just fine. Why are you awake?” Shawn asks, bouncing her on his hip. “What if Santa hasn't come yet?”

“But there's presents under the tree. He's been here.”

Shawn leans over a little to see into the living room. “Well, I guess we should wake up your mom and grandma and grandpa then huh?”  

“Yeah!” Grace wiggles out of Shawn's hold and runs for the back of the house to get everyone.

“Kids,” Shawn sighs softly with a smile.

You reach out and grab Shawn's arm, running your hand up over his shoulder. “Can we talk later?”

Shawn slides his arms around you and lifts you off the counter, holding you to his chest. “Can we talk now?” He nips at your jaw and kisses across your face to meet your lips.

“No, everyone will be out here soon. Later,” you giggle, turning your head away from his kisses.

“What? I can't kiss you?”

“Later.” You smile cheekily. “Maybe I'll let you kiss me elsewhere too. It depends on what you got me for Christmas.”

“You think I got you something?”

“I know you did. You weren't slick trying to sneak that package out of your backpack when we got here. I saw you.”

He hangs his head and smiles. “It was supposed to be from Santa.”

“It still will be. I have no idea which one it is, so I suppose I'll have to guess.”

“I think you'll know.”

An hour later and gift opening is in full swing. Holly and Mike are parked on the sofa with coffee mugs and piles of presents around them that they will open last. Grace opens first, then Aly, Shawn and you. You volunteered to go last but as the guest they wouldn't hear it.

“Your turn Uncle Shawn!” Grace says, bringing him a little box that's wrapped with white shiny paper. It's the one from you.

“Thank you Grace.” Shawn inspects it carefully, shaking it a bit and you elbow him. “What? Is it from you?”

You roll your eyes.

“Snuck one in did you? I wonder what it could be.”

“Open it last.”

Shawn smiles and sets it aside, asking Grace for a different gift. Six boxes later and Shawn has opened everything from the family. He has a new pair of pajamas, boxers, socks with french fries on them from Grace, a new set of kitchen knives, a variety pack of teas from around the world and a gift card that Aly wrapped in four boxes for the laughs. It was finally time for your gift and suddenly you're nervous. What if it wasn't good enough?

Shawn opens the package slowly and pulls the top off the small box. Inside is a black slim leather wallet that he pulls out and holds up. He turns it over in his hands and looks at you. “It's beautiful, I needed a new one.”

“Open it.”

He opens it and inside there is a little blue SM embroidered on the first pocket opposite the brand insignia on the other side. “Oh wow, this is custom?”

“Yeah. It's not much, but I thought it was nice, and I know you needed a new one.”

“It's perfect.” He leans over and pulls you into a hug. “Thank you so much.”

Grace walks over with three boxes and puts them next to you. “Your turn!”

You look around nervously and open the first box slowly. Inside is a pink desk organizer with a built in file holder and pen cup. It's super cute and you smile at Shawn but he shakes his head. Not his gift.

Shawn gets up and grabs fresh coffee while you open the next gift and you know it's not from him if he was leaving for a moment. The next gift is a pair of snow boots. They're brown with soft white fuzzy fur trim, just your size too.

“These are perfect!” You hold them up as Shawn walks in with two mugs.

“I hope they're the right size. Shawn couldn't remember your exact size so I got the bigger of the two.” Holly says with a smile.

“No they're perfect. Thank you so much Holly. I've needed some new ones for a while now.”

“Mines next,” Shawn says softly and hands you the box wrapped in plain white paper. “I didn't have Christmas paper at home.”

“It's wrapped at least.” You take a drink of your coffee and place it next to you before tearing into the paper. It's in a shirt box and you lift the lid off to reveal a pile of tissue paper and two smaller boxes nestled into it. You open the first box to find a pair of rose gold earrings that look like little roses.

“Shawn!”

“Keep opening.”

The next box is a tennis bracelet of the same rose gold color and it has charms on it of a rose, a little stethoscope, a heart and a ducky. Tears well up in the corners of your eyes and you look at him. “You didn't have to do this.”

“You deserve it.”

“Thank you,” you whisper, his hand over yours. “They’re beautiful.”

“You're beautiful. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.”

________________________

Shawn has been dying to talk to you all morning since the interrupted...conversation. He has been all over you too, hand on your back, arms around your waist, kissing your cheek when you hand him something he needed to make the breakfast bake. He is so affectionate you think you're going to combust. The gentleness of every action and synchronization as the two of you move about the cramped kitchen helping Holly make breakfast feels unlike anything you have ever experienced with anyone else.

You eye Shawn as he bounces along to the Christmas music Grace is playing from her Barbie boombox in the living room. He's so cute, loose wavy curls falling in his face as he scrambles a bowl of eggs. To spend every day with him like this would be a dream.

“You got something on your lip,” Shawn says, pointing at your face. “I think it's whip cream from your cocoa.”

You wipe at it with the back of your hand. “Did I get it?”

“Nope,” he chuckles, steps over to you and swipes it off your upper lip under your nose. “There you go.” He pops his finger in his mouth and you smile as he grins at you, eyes playful. You're absolutely gone for him.

“Can we talk now?” he asks as he turns and puts the breakfast bake in the oven.

“Is something wrong?” Holly asks, looking over from where she's putting on a new pot of coffee.

“No, of course not. We just started a conversation this morning that got cut off by presents.”

“Oh.”

Shawn wipes his hands on a towel and grabs your hand. “We'll be on the deck mom,” he says and she waves him off.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” He asks with a smug look as he flips on the heater.

“Us?”

“Us?” He grabs your hands and walks you toward the swinging bench. “Is this about earlier?”

“Do you think this is a little fast?”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“No, but I'm afraid we're rushing into this.”

Shawn's eyes search yours in the silence that consumes the deck. Only a light wind breaks the quiet as it blows against the covering that surrounds the structure. There is laughter from inside but you don't look away from the hazel eyes begging you to stay. Not that you were going anywhere any time soon.

“I heard you last night,” you say quietly and Shawn's eyebrows furrow. “When I was asleep on your lap out here. You admitted that you love me to Aly.”

“I did,” he looks down, face falling, “and it's foolish of me. I should know better than to let my heart rush into things.”

You bite your lip then smile unabashedly. “I guess I'm a fool then too. If you're okay with this, then I'm okay. I just needed to know if you were alright.”

“I'm more than alright with it.” He cups your face and leans in. His lips meet yours and they're soft and warm. He tastes a bit like coffee and caramel from earlier. Your heart feels like it's coming out of your chest and you can't stop the tears that start to run down your cheeks. Crying during a kiss, how embarrassing. His thumbs wipe over your tears and he stops, forehead against yours as his eyes meet yours in a panic.

“Why are you crying? Did I hurt you?”

“No,” you smile and let out a little half sob. “I'm just so happy I can't stop it. I've never felt so safe and connected to someone before.”

“Gods you're perfect.” He wipes away a few more tears. “I think this feeling is what people mean when they talk about soulmates.”

________________________

After Christmas, things change dramatically. You and Shawn are officially together and you couldn't be happier. It feels like a dream as a month passes and the two of you spend every day together openly happy and affectionate. But the euphoria doesn't last forever. In fact, it can come crashing down in a matter of seconds when three words are uttered by the right person.

“Where's my husband?”

You look up from your desk in the clinic to see a tall, thin, dark haired woman about your age. She has a confused look on her face as she looks around behind you. “Ma'am? Can I help you?”

“Yes my husband works here. I'd like to speak with him.”

“Ma'am the only man here is Dr. Mendes and he isn't married. I think you've got the wrong office.”

“Yes! Shaw-”

“Can you restock room seven I just used all the-” Shawn freezes and you turn to look as him as he dries his hands on a wad of paper towels. “Alena.”

“Alena?”

The woman smiles and leans against the desk, arms folded on the top. “Shawn, you look amazing. How are you?”

Shawn let's out and nervous laugh and looks around as if he's not sure if he's really seeing this. “I'm just fine. What are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to you.”

You stand up and put your hands on the desk to keep your composure. “You'll need to make an appointment then,” you say through gritted teeth.

“I need an appointment to talk to my-”

“Yes.” You snap and Alena stops talking. “You need an appointment to talk to your ex husband. This is a clinic and he has patients to tend to right now.”

“Shawn, can you spare a few minutes? It's important.” Alena begs, dismissing you as she looks to Shawn.

“No. I have work to do. You can make an appointment or leave.” Shawn says, stepping closer to you. “My nurse here can schedule you.”

Alena scoffs and pushes off the desk and heads for the door. “I’ll find you after work then I guess.”

The moment the door closes you take a deep breath breath and let it out slowly. “Why?”

“Why what honey?” Shawn asks, hand going to your arm and rubbing to ease the tension rolling off of you in waves. “I don't know why she's here.”

“I don't like it.”

“I never took you for the jealous type. You do know it's over with me and her, right?”

You cut him and glare and he raises his eyebrows. “She's up to something. No one cheats on their husband, divorces him and runs off with a sugar daddy to the west coast just to return and want to just talk years later.”

Shawn steps closer and puts his arms around you. “Easy now. I know you want to defend me, but you should know I have no interest in her or whatever she has to say to me.” He looks down at you, eyes on yours. “I'm with you. Don't forget that.”

“I know.” You soften a bit, letting your shoulders slump. “I know. I'm sorry.”

He kisses your temple. “Now, can you restock the paper towels in room seven? I need to go see Mr. Carter in room two.”

________________________

That evening you and Shawn leave together around five and head to the diner for dinner. It had become a Friday night tradition that the two of you went for dinner and drinks to end the week.

“So, what do you think Alena wants?”

“I don't know.” Shawn takes his coke from the waitress with a smile and takes a big drink. “I have nothing to say to her, and I don't want to hear anything she has to say to me.”

You nod. “I just know things ended bad and it wasn't a clean break on your part. I imagine seeing her must have triggered something in you after all this time.”

“It did. I thought I'd died and I was in hell. There is no scenario in my head where she would ever come back into my life and I would want her. I'm completely thrown for a loop right now.”

“You're not like... considering hearing her out? She was your wife and all. You have a history.”

Shawn reaches over the table and tips your chin up to look at him. “She was, and that's the past and it's completely over, mistakes made. I'm not a kid who thought he was in love anymore. I'm twenty seven and I'm absolutely in love with someone who couldn't hold a candle to her. I love you, and just you. Understand?”

“I understand.”

“Do you? Promise me you'll stop worrying and let me handle things with Alena.”

“I promise.” You hold your pinky finger out and he hooks it with his. “I will let you handle it.”

________________________

The weekend passes and you don't hear anything more about or from Alena. Somehow you can't help but wonder if she's playing some sort of mind games with Shawn. You hope he isn't texting her, or messaging her on Facebook or something. You find yourself worrying about it when you promised Shawn you wouldn't.  

Sunday morning you run to the store while Shawn goes to his sister's house to help her set up a playset for Grace that she got for Christmas. The clinic had run out of gauze and peroxide and the next shipment wasn't due until Monday afternoon. You round the corner to the health and beauty department and at the end of the isle you can see her. Alena.

You grab your gauze and peroxide before heading toward her as much as you don't want to. She is standing in front of the tampons that you need for your own stock at home. You take a deep breath and try to remain as anonymous as possible as you step in front of her for your item.

“You're Shawn's receptionist right?”

Fuck.

“Yeah, his nurse actually.”  You mumble as you drop the box of tampons into your hand basket.

“I don't like your attitude.”

You raise your eyebrows at that. “Excuse me?”

“Your attitude when I said I wanted to talk to Shawn on Friday. You're a pretty poor receptionist if you get that lippy with clients.”

You smile sickeningly sweet. “Well, see I'm not just Shawn's nurse, not receptionist, nurse. I'm his girlfriend. And when his cheating ex wife shows up demanding to see her husband, who is not her husband and hasn't been for oh, I dunno, five years now, saying she wants to talk to him, I get a little irritated. I'm sure you understand why I don't like you.”

“Oh, fucking his nurse? That's rich. You think you’re not just a bed warmer to him? How long have you been together? A few months?” Alena laughs and rolls her eyes at you. “Shawn and I have a very long history. We're basically soulmates, and I fucked up but he'll forgive me. Shawn's always forgiven me before, he loves me so much that the last five years will be like they never happened.”

“Shawn moved on.”

“Oh honey, you realize that you have no idea who he is right? Shawn and I have been together since we were sixteen years old. You think he's just going to forget all that? For some nurse?”

You grit your teeth and swallow thickly. “He isn't going to take you back. You should just leave.”

“He will. I know just how to get to him, to remind him of where he belongs. Start packing your bags now if you don't like it sweetheart. You're going to see a lot more of me around here.”

You swallow thickly. How do you respond to that? She was actually crazy. “You have a good day, Alena,” you smile and turn to walk away. She says something else but you don't hear her. This was some bullshit and you needed to let Shawn know what was going on before Alena got to him.

________________________

 “Am I a bed warmer?”

Shawn shifts in bed, pushing himself up off his stomach to look at you. “What?

“Am I a bed warmer? Just someone to pass the time until Alena came back.”

“Honey, what are you talking about? Of course you're not.” He sits up and brushes your hair back against the pillow. “I would never do that to anyone, and especially not you. I love you.”

You close your eyes and remain quiet as you hold back tears. He sounds so hurt that you would ask something like that. To be fair, you didn't think he would ever do that, but you couldn't help but want to know, to want reassurance.

“Talk to me. Where is this coming from?”

“I ran into Alena at the store and she-”

“You ran into her here in town?”

“Yeah.”

Shawn makes a disgusted noise. “She must really want something if she's staying in town. I have no idea what she-”

“She wants you. It's pretty clear.”

“No I got that, but I don't understand why. What did she say to you?”

You sigh and he lays down, arm around your middle, head on your shoulder. “She thinks I'm just a bed warmer and that you're her soulmate and you're going to magically forgive her for everything because you have a long history.”

“Absolutely not. I wouldn't forgive her for anything. What she did was disgusting and I don't care if we have known each other for one or one hundred years. I won't take her back under any circumstances. I've moved on and found happiness.” He kisses your neck tenderly. “I've found the love I've always wanted. If she wants to talk about soulmates, then she should start with you and I.”

You turn and he holds you against his chest as you press your face into his shoulder. He threads his finger into your hair and holds you close.

“I promise I'll take care of this situation. She's gone too far and upset you directly. I'll tell her to leave or I'm getting a restraining order.”

“You think that will work?”

“I'm sure it will.”

________________________

You and Shawn are in a room cleaning up after putting stitches in the hand of one of the bartenders from the place by the park. He had slammed a glass into the corner of the bar while turning too quickly. It broke in his hand and resulted with his coworker bringing him in frantically for a stitch job.

“Have you heard from Alena?” You ask as you put some gauze into a biohazard box on the wall.

“No. I'm not sure if I should be afraid or relived.”

“You're not considering anything are you?”

Shawn looks over at you from where he's getting down new alcohol wipes to replace the ones you used. “Like what?”

“Hearing her out.”

He chuckles but you don't find anything about the conversation funny. “You're worrying too much.”

“I would understand if you wanted to y'know. The two of you were married and stuff so-”

Shawn presses his finger to your lips and you look down at his hand. “Stop. I love you, and only you. I swear nothing she tries to say or do will get me to change my mind.”

“Are you sure about-”

“Hello?” A lady’s voice calls from beyond the patient room and you look to the doorway.

Shawn drops his finger from your lips closes his eyes, leaning against the counter as you exit the room to go greet the patient. It must be the three o'clock appointment arriving early.

“Hello, sorry I was just-”

“Hello.” Alena smiles as she turns and she is holding a toddler on her hip. A little boy who looks to be about three or four. “I have an appointment with Dr. Mendes at three? It's for my son, Dakota.”

You grit your teeth until they ache as you look down at the computer. Sure enough. Dakota Moore. “For Moore?”

“Yes. That's him.”

“I'll let Dr. Mendes know you're here. I'll see if he is willing to take an early appointment.” You turn and go down the hall to the room you just exited, closing the door behind you softly.

“What’s wrong?”

“She has a kid.”

“What? Who?”

“Alena.”

“What do you mean she has a kid?”

You cross your arms and let out a little laugh of disbelief. “Yeah. A kid, she has a kid. That's who the appointment is for. A fucking kid Shawn.”

“It's not mine.” Shawn leans on the counter with the sink, facing the cabinet above, knuckles white around the wood edges of the smooth top. “It can't be mine.”

“No, it can't be. The kid looks to be about three or four.” You step forward and lay your hand between his shoulder blades. “Shawn, breathe.”

“She’s going to say it's mine. I know her. This is her angle, this is what she wants. I could just skin  her.”

“Easy there big guy. Remember, there is a child here, and this is a professional setting. Keep your temper in check. Just go through with the appointment and see what she says.”

Shawn turns and your hand falls from his back. He kisses you gently, his hand on your cheek. “I'll be professional, but I may need my nurse's help today.”

“Of course, I'd be happy to assist you Doctor Mendes,” you smirk playfully.

“Why's it so hot when you say it?”

“Because you're hopelessly in love with me and I could say anything in that voice and you'd think it's hot.”

Shawn kisses you again and then goes to the door, inviting Alena and Dakota back to the room for their appointment.

Alena remains civil for the majority of the check up. Shawn has you type up symptoms and general information while she answers Shawn's questions and explains that she just wanted to bring Dakota in for a check up since it's been a while since his last one and his ear has been bothering him. It's not until Shawn has decided a diagnosis and is writing up a prescription for an ear infection medication that Alena decides to make her move.

“Y'know his dad used to get ear infections a lot. I wonder if it's hereditary.”

Shawn pauses his writing and you watch him close his eyes and take a deep breath. “Alena. I know what you're trying to insinuate.” He turns and hands her the prescription.

“Excuse me?”

“You're here because you want to convince me that Dakota is my son right?”

“He does look like you doesn't he?” She fluffs Dakota's dark mop of hair.

“No.”

“Well he should, because he is your son.”

Shawn sighs heavily. “Alena, stop. You know full well this child isn't mine.”

“But he is.”

“If he's my child I want a DNA test.”

Alena's jaw drops. “What...how could you even say that?”

You narrow your eyes at her from behind the computer. The lying little skeevie wench wasn't going to get away with this plan of hers.

“Either you prove to me that Dakota is my son, or you leave me alone. And don't you ever, say a word to my girlfriend again. You can speak to me, lie to me, whatever. But don't ever talk to her again.” Shawn crosses his arms and stares her down.

“I didn't say-”

Shawn raises his eyebrows. “I know you talked to her. She isn't like you, she communicates with me when something bothers her. Besides, if you're sure Dakota is mine, what are you worried about? I just want proof. I'm not sure how a three year old could be mine though when we've been split up for almost five years.”

Alena looks panicked, caught in her lies. Did she really think that you wouldn't tell Shawn about the supermarket run in? “I-I just wanted to get help with Dakota. I moved back to Southgate in hopes you would be there and if you were single I was going to see if you wanted to give it another shot.”

“Right. Well I'm not. So now you can leave Twin Pines and go back to Southgate. I'm not interested in seeing you or your son again. I have no business with you since he's not mine.”

“But Dakota needs a good primary physician and-”

Shawn holds his hand up. “There are plenty of physicians in Southgate.”

“But-”

“Alena. Stop. It's over. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to see you. I have my own life here and I'm very happy. If you continue to interfere I'll take legal action.”

Dakota squeals and tosses a toy car across the room. Alena picks him up and stuffs the prescription Shawn wrote up in her pocket. “Have a nice life Shawn,” she spits as she leaves in a fit of anger.  

Shawn turns to you and he looks drained. “I told you I'd take care of it.”

“You sure did. Wow.” You stand and wrap your arms around him. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” He lets out a deep breath and lays his chin on your head. “That was hard, but I'm okay.”

________________________

Two days until Valentine's Day and you find yourself in a pawn shop in downtown Southgate. You want to get Shawn a guitar because it's been since Christmas that you've wanted to hear him play. The shop has a good selection of gently used ones and as you browse you can't help but think they just aren't what you're looking for. Until you see it. Sitting in the corner behind the counter there is one propped against its case. It looks kind of old, well used. It kind of looks like Shawn's old one.

“Can I see that?” You ask, pointing to the dark blue and red guitar on the floor.

“That? It needs some body work but I can cut you a deal.” The employee sets it on the counter for you and you look over the body. “We just got it in, someone traded with with some other stuff they were cleaning out. It's got a case and everything.”

“How much?”

“Hundred dollars? It's pretty beat up but the mechanics and setup is still good. A little TLC it'll be like new.”

You turn it over and on the base of the neck is carved initials. SM. It's Shawn's. There is absolutely no doubt about it. Giving Shawn a guitar for Valentine's Day was one thing, but to give him his first guitar back on Valentine's Day? He's going to cry. You pay the seller and take it in its case home. It would be perfect.

________________________

Valentine's Day. You're so ready to give Shawn his guitar. You've been antsy since you got it, thrilled with how perfect of a gift it is. You wake up and he isn't there. Strange. His side of the bed is cold. A moment of panic runs through you. No. This wasn't Ben. This was Shawn. He's probably just in the bathroom.

You get up and wander into the kitchen. No breakfast is made. You peek into the bathroom and it's a little steamy, condensation on the mirror. He showered. Where the hell was he? You go into the living room and sitting there is a big pink unmarked box. “Shawn?” You look around, expecting him to jump out. “Hello?”

You lift the box up and sitting there is a fully assembled Barbie dream house just like the one you wanted as a child. You can't help the grin that spreads across your face.

“You're up!” Shawn exclaims as he closes the front door behind him. “I figured you'd be asleep a while longer.”

“Shawn! You- I- how dare you upstage me!”

He laughs and sets down his bag from the grocery store. “I’m sorry?”

You turn and go to the hall closet. You grab the guitar case and bring it out. “You upstaged me! I got you this! And it was supposed to be this huge surprise because it's what we talked about at Christmas but you upstaged me.”

Shawn walks toward you and grabs the case with shaky hands. “Honey, you didn't have to do this.”

He looks at the case and you can tell, he has an idea of what's inside. “Oh my God.”

“Open it.”

“No...there's no way. You couldn't have gotten this.”

You grin big, pushing it at him. “Open it Shawn.”

He unclips the side latches and folds the top open to reveal his guitar. He falls to his knees and lays it down beside himself, lifting the guitar out and running his fingers over the strings. “How did you get it? How? I sold this ages ago!”

“I was shopping for one and found it in the pawn shop. I couldn't believe it either. It's like it was meant to be.”

Shawn stands. He's got tears in his eyes as he cups your jaw, and kisses you lovingly. “This is way better than a ring. I definitely didn't upstage you.”

“A ring?”

“You didn't...oh...fuck.”

You pull back and hold his shoulders. “What is going on? What ring?”

“You didn't open the elevator on the dream house did you?”

“No? You walked in right as I took the box off of it.” You circle the couch and kneel down in front of the house, pressing the elevator button. It chimes and the elevator stops at the top. Inside there is a little black box. “Shawn...Shawn no.”

“Open it.”

You grab the box and hold it against your chest. “I can't! I can't open it! No, no ,no!”

Shawn comes around and kneels down in front of you. He brushes your hair back and you look at him. “Open it please.”

You shake your head, biting back tears.

He reaches for it and prys it from your hands. He opens the top and reveals a beautiful gold ring with a diamond studded rose focal. It's easily the most incredible piece of jewelry you've ever seen and matches your Christmas gifts and favorite scrubs perfectly. “Will you marry me?”

“You can't be serious!”

“I am,” he laughs holding it out for you. “I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I want to marry you and have babies with you and be a family. I want to wake up to your beautiful face every single day and tell you I love you because you are the single most important person who has ever walked into my life. I know I've rushed into marriage before, and I know it bit me in the ass. But you and I have a bond like no other and I can't wait to make you happy every single day.”

You take the ring with shaky hands, plucking it from the box. “You're sure though, like for real?”

“Yes.”

The ring fits over your finger perfectly and you stare at it with a little smile. “Then yes, I'd love to marry you Shawn.”

Shawn surges forward and wraps his arms around you, knocking the two of you back on to the floor. “I Iove you.”

“I love you too.”

“I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Me neither. One day at a time right?”

He grin and kisses you softly. “One day at a time.”

End.

[misssophiachase]

Klaroline AU Week - Day 3: Crossovers/Fusions

He’s the new hotshot recruit at the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School and unbeknown to him, she’s his new instructor (you know how this goes).  Lines from the movie in italics (because I’m no aeroplane expert).  

Take My Breath Away

Sunday 20:45: Raised By Wolves Cocktail Bar, San Diego, CA

“I start my new job tomorrow, Kat,” she insisted. “I should be home in bed preparing.”

“You do that every night, roomie,” she shot back by way of response. “And drinking wine and watching the Notebook for the millionth time doesn’t count as an activity.”

Caroline was an Astrophysicist and had been working in DC for the past ten years. She’d recently moved cross country to take a contract position at the  Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego and had reunited with her best friend Katherine who was a Professor at the University of California in La Jolla.  

It made sense for them to move in together, but Caroline was realising that Katherine was one of the nosiest roommates ever. 

“This is a completely new role for me,” she argued. “I need to be on my game, these officers are some of the best in the Navy, Kat. They don’t call it Top Gun for nothing.”

“I’m jealous that you get to work with gorgeous men in uniform and I have to lecture children.”

“I never understood that. What is it with everyone’s obsession with men in uniform?”

“Well, maybe you just haven’t seen one in the flesh yet?” His crisp but attractive English accent wasn’t enough to stop the rolling of her eyes. 

“And I suppose you’re going to remedy that situation,” she drawled, turning in her chair and meeting his dark blue eyes for the first time. 

She wanted to deny it but she couldn’t. This guy was hot, with or without the white, naval uniform.  Sexy stubble, sinful, crimson lips and dirty, blonde hair that curled teasingly over his ears was only the beginning, he had a pair of rogue dimples that she swore had superpowers they were that disarming. 

“Alright, love?” Caroline felt Katherine nudge her subtly in the ribs. She needed to retain what composure she still had. 

“I think you got the wrong location, the fancy dress party is on campus,” Caroline teased.  

“Cute,” he shot back, licking his lips teasingly. She should have been repelled but this guy had the opposite effect and Caroline knew it had nothing to do with the uniform. 

“I need to apologise for my friend,” a fellow officer, also in head-to-toe white offered. “He can’t help himself, he was dropped on his head as a baby.” 

“Oh, I know what this is,” Kat realised. “This is your little, two-man act to try and pick up poor, unsuspecting patrons.”

“Gee, tough crowd,” he murmured in his friend’s ear, although they could still hear him. Officer Number One’s gaze hadn’t wavered, it was still firmly trained on Caroline. 

“I’m Lieutenant Klaus Mikaelson, this is Enzo St John,” he offered by way of introduction, his eyes slipping lower and perusing the low-cut, black top Katherine insisted she wear. Caroline could feel an unmistakable blush forming in that region and hoped he wouldn’t notice. He was an arrogant ass for sure but her body obviously didn’t care about that. 

“Lieutenant?” She asked, wondering if this cocky guy was one of her students because if so this was going to be really awkward come morning. 

“We’re Naval Aviators,” he said it slow like she couldn’t understand the concept. “At Top Gun.”

“Impressive,” Katherine cooed, her voice laced with sarcasm, not that Officer Number Two noticed. 

“I go by Lucifer though,” he shared, they both looked at Enzo curiously. 

“Did your mother not like you?” Kat asked, mouth agape. Unlike her friend she hadn’t been around the Naval culture Caroline had.  

“It’s his call sign, like a nickname,” Klaus explained, again slowly. Caroline had to stop herself from telling him where he could shove his mansplaining.   

“My surname is Saint, get it?” The girls just looked at each other thinking that was just weird logic. 

“And what is your, call sign is it?” Caroline bluffed. 

“The Original,” he smirked, knowingly, tipping his hat in her direction. 

“The Original what?” She asked, unable to help herself.  

“Well, how about we get to know each other and I’ll tell you all about it, love.” 

“Wow,” she muttered, Caroline was surprised there was any oxygen left in the bar his ego was that inflated. “Unfortunately, I’m going to have to pass. In fact, we were just leaving, right Kat?”

She picked up her purse and grabbed Katherine’s hand. She might have wanted to be there but Caroline had no interest in staying any longer.

Monday 05:45: “The Strand” Pacific Beach, San Diego, CA

“Tully! Tully, come back here, girl!” He heard a melodic voice before he saw her. 

Running along Pacific Beach was his rare downtime these days. Flight school was intense, not that Klaus minded. He was a fighter pilot first and foremost and he was living his dream.

He liked to think he was confident, most people considered him arrogant but Klaus could practically fly in his sleep it was that deeply ingrained in his life, so too the Navy. 

The first time he’d faltered since arriving was the previous night. Klaus considered himself good with women but his performance at the bar was woeful. If he wasn’t aware, Enzo had been reminding him ever since. He’d never had a woman literally leave a place because she didn’t want to talk to him.  

Klaus knew he’d acted stupid, peddling those tired lines but he had a habit of doing that when he liked someone. And he liked this girl, that much was clear given he’d been thinking about her ever since. Not that he’d probably ever see her again.

The golden retriever bounded over to him, rubbing against his bare legs and almost tripping him in the process. Klaus stopped to lean down and give her a pat. “Hey, girl.” 

He looked up into the familiar, blue eyes of the woman from last night. Dressed casually in form-fitting jeans and a white t-shirt, those blonde waves hanging loose over her shoulders, Klaus didn’t think she could look any better than the previous night but he was wrong. 

“Lose something?” He asked, noting just how adorable she looked flustered, her creamy cheeks tinged pink from the exercise.  

“You again?” she asked, obviously only just realising who he was. “I didn’t recognise you without your costume.”

“There’s that sarcastic wit I’ve missed,” he chuckled. “I take it this is a friend of yours.” Caroline eyed the dog in frustration as she rubbed up against him lovingly.

“Traitor,” she muttered. “Tully is my friend’s dog and as I’ve discovered this morning has a mind of her own and enjoys flirting with strange men.”

“I’m not a stranger,” he drawled. “You know my name but I never caught yours, love.”

“That’s not my name,” she shot back. Klaus felt his muscles going cold so started stretching on the spot, his shorts riding up even higher. He could see her checking him out like she had last night. He still had it. 

“Well, if you told me then I wouldn’t have to call you that,” he grinned. 

“I better get going, don’t want to be late,” she replied, hooking the leash to Tully’s collar. 

“Late for what? Or is that just another excuse to get away from me?”

“I start a new job today, I need to be on time.”

“Well good luck, love,” he offered. She didn’t bother to argue about his endearment and just shook her head. Everything in Klaus wanted to ask her out again but knew it would probably be pointless. 

Monday 09:45: Miramar Naval Air Station, San Diego, CA

“Civilian specialists are here because they are our very best source on enemy aircraft. One of our very best is Caroline Forbes. She has a PHD in astrophysics and is a civilian contractor so you do not salute her. But you better listen to her because the Pentagon listens to her.”

“Good morning,” she greeted them. Klaus was seated in the front row with Enzo not quite believing what he was seeing.

Turns out her new job just happened to be him. He was torn over whether it was a good development or a bad one. Hooking up with your boss was obviously frowned upon but at least this way he knew where to find her. 

The way she looked in that fitted, black, skirt suit with her wavy hair pulled back into a bun at the nape of her creamy neck was messing with his composure and looking around the room he could see his fellow students thought the same thing.

A ripple of jealousy came over him and Klaus didn’t like it one bit. 

Somehow he’d managed to lose track of what she was saying, something about F5 and MIG 28 Aircraft but he’d been too busy to really take much notice. 

“However, the MIG 28 does have a problem with its inverted flight tanks. It won’t do a negative G pushover,” she explained. 

Enzo nudged Klaus. Only a few weeks ago they’d seen a MIG 28 do exactly that during a training exercise which had attracted enemy aircraft and nearly killed them for their trouble. They continued to discuss it between them.

“The latest intelligence tells us the most it will do is one negative..” she paused mid sentence.”Excuse me, Lieutenant, is there something wrong?”

“Yes ma’am, the data on the MIG is inaccurate,” Klaus replied, noting her adorable but puzzled look. 

“How’s that, Lieutenant?”

“Well, I just happened to see a MIG 28 do a...”

“We,” Enzo interrupted. 

“Uh, sorry, Lucifer. ‘We’ happened to see a MIG 28 do a 4g negative dive.” 

She cocked her left eyebrow, almost like she was trying to work out whether he was telling the truth or just messing with her. 

“Where did you see this?”

“Uh, that's classified.”

 “It's what?”

 “It's classified. I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.” 

He sent her his very best smirk and given her less than impressed expression, Klaus knew he was going to have to do a lot more work to win her over. 

But he was more than willing to try. 

10:45

“Ma’am? Excuse me!” He called out. She continued walking towards her car, choosing to ignore him not interested in a discussion right now, it was already extremely awkward enough. “Caroline!”

She finally turned, realising he was going to continue to make a scene until she acknowledged him. Of course she’d expected him but what transpired after she hadn’t. Caroline was trying to work out if it was all arrogant bluster or something entirely different. 

“Yes, Lieutenant?” She answered officially, trying to ignore just how good his khaki uniform brought out his Californian tan. He came closer, and even though he wore Aviators she could tell his eyes were trained on her with that same intensity she remembered from the previous night. 

“You tricked me.”

“I did no such thing.”

“You knew I was at Top Gun, you knew I was your student but yet you didn’t feel the need to tell me, why is that exactly?”

“I felt that it was inappropriate to disclose my identity at that time.”

“But yet it’s okay to just show up in class like that? What if I’d said something in front of everyone.”

“I knew you wouldn’t,” she murmured. “You want to be here just as much as I do because we love what we do and this, whatever this is, doesn’t factor into that.”

“This? You rejected me last time I checked,” he replied. “Twice.”

“Is that why you did that before in class? Was it some form of petty payback?”

“It wasn’t petty,” she gave him a look which clearly said she didn’t believe him. “Okay maybe a little bit petty but it did actually happen, Enzo has this great polaroid you’d love.”

“But apparently it’s classified though right?”

“How about we go out for a drink and I’ll tell you the redacted version?”

“I am not going out with you, I don’t know how many times I have to say it.”

“Why not?”

“I’m your teacher, you’re my student. This can’t happen because it is all kinds of wrong, Lieutenant .”

“I don’t like to take no for an answer and, just so you know, I don’t give up easily, love.”

“Is that so?” He sent her his best smile and finally removed his sunglasses, those blue eyes roaming over her body before eventually landing on her face. Caroline was trying to pretend he had no effect on her whatsoever but she could feel her resolve fading fast. 

“I’ll see you in class tomorrow, ma’am.” He walked away, the spicy scent of his aftershave hovering in his wake. 

Caroline had no idea what she’d gotten herself into but at the same time it excited her too. It had nothing to do with men in uniform, just one man in particular. 

[auxiliarydetective]

Auxiliary AU - Back to School

This takes place after Jelena is back from Skeleton Island, at the end of her initial recovery period.

Jelena was lying on her bed, letting her feet bounce against the wall over and over. She had nothing to do. This was a nightmare. There was literally nothing she could still think of. Playing the violin was off limits because of the way the instrument had to be held, so she had set her mind on other things, like learning morse code, deciphering ancient engravings, botany and studying and researching the disabled steam machine in the basement of her family’s villa. Right now, she was running through the Greek alphabet in her mind, thinking about encrypting methods for it, eventually ending up inventing a morse alphabet for it, though she didn’t bother writing it down. It was high time she got to return to school, which, luckily, she would get to do just three days later.

Her father drove her to school himself in his limousine that day. He had barely let her do anything by herself that morning. Even her outfit that day was picked by him. Jelena had barely been able to avoid wearing a skirt - and that only by lying, saying she had lent the only skirt she owned to Kelly a long time ago. So, she was wearing tight, black jeans and a white blouse with fine embroidery, as well as ballet flats. She hated it. All of it. Not for a typical school day. Maybe for a fancy dinner with the CEO of some large company, if anything. But even then, she’d feel super uncomfortable in it. She could barely get her father to stay in the car and not accompany her onto school grounds. What a nightmare. What an absolute nightmare. People were already staring at her. So, the first thing she did was to rush to the girls’ bathroom and change her clothes. Five minutes later, she stepped back out into the hallway in a comfortable pair of jeans, a wide, revealing dress shirt and sneakers, ruffling her hair aggressively to undo the work she had done with a straightener two hours ago. Just as she messed up her bangs, she made her way to her first class of the day: History. As soon as she arrived, she was bombarded with questions. Making sure not to be touched, she made her way through the classroom, eventually spotting an empty seat. Coincidentally, she found herself next to Bob. He smiled at her gently. She smiled back, though she made her uncomfortableness regarding the cloud of students around her visible. Thankfully, the teacher came to her rescue and all the students huddled back to their seats. In the mess that commenced that moment, Peter snuck to his desk, which was right next to Jelena’s. “Thanks for causing that commotion”, he whispered, a smirk on his face. “Maybe Mrs Johnson didn’t notice I was late.” Jelena chuckled lightly and shook her head at him scoldingly. Peter just shrugged at her with a grin before their teacher interrupted their little interaction by starting the lesson. It didn’t take long for Jelena to notice that Justus was also sitting in the same row, as he corrected Mrs Johnson’s spelling only a few minutes in. Jelena chuckled at this incident, almost getting herself into trouble if it hadn’t been for Bob, who pulled her out of the situation by acting as if he’d written her a note that had made her laugh. She looked at him thankfully. He just winked back. That moment, she saw Kelly in the row in front of her. She looked jealous. Really jealous. It was really funny to look at.

The next lesson was even more fun. Well, not at first. At first, Jelena had nothing to do. As she sat on a bench atop the ranks of the school gym, cursing her injured shoulder, her ears picked up something worth inspecting. Over loud cheering and noises of disappointment, a man’s voice sounded across the noise. “Peter, hold back a little, will you!” Jelena’s eyes sparked up and she walked over to where the noise was coming from. Looking down over the railing, she chuckled at what she was seeing. The boys were playing basketball. Honestly, according to the man’s statement, it could have been any sport. Jelena watched amusedly as Justus and Peter teamed up to try and get the ball from Peter as he dodged them effortlessly, eventually passing the ball to one of his teammates. Then, he shrugged innocently to his two friends before going back to playing. The game went on. Until the unthinkable happened. Justus got his hands on the ball, threw it - and missed. The ball missed the basket and the little wall behind it by an inch, then brushed past Jelena’s leg, rolling across the floor. Immediately, she picked it up and walked back to the railing. It was just then that Justus noticed her. “Gee, Justus”, she called down to him, grinning playfully. “I know you hate me, but you’re still supposed to hit the basket, not me!” “What are you even doing up there?”, he asked back, trying his hardest not to sound out of breath. “Being injured”, she answered as she threw the ball back down, where Peter stole it from Bob with a playful smile. “What are you doing down there?” “Can’t you see that?” “For your own good, I’d rather not answer that.” Just then, the boys’ PE teacher stepped closer to the edge of the gym and looked up at her. “Thank you for returning the ball to us”, he said. Jelena recognized his voice to be the same as the man’s who had scolded Peter. “But if you keep disturbing the lesson, I’m going to ask you to leave.” With an apologetic gesture, she agreed to be quiet from now on. She wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to keep watching them. Not in the way that most girls her age would, oh-so-subtly swooning over their crushes, but more in the way that she somehow enjoyed watching Justus, Peter and Bob do basically anything. And if she had nothing better to do, this was better than being bored.