#aj cook fluff

[thedelusionalbitchgianna]

"Girls without boyfriends how's life?"

[cloudy-em]

Bad Cop - Badass!Confident!reader x Soft!Shy!Spencer Reid

gender neutral reader!!

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When Y/N first walked into the BAU, they had a chilled confidence surrounding them that made me nearly cower at my desk. Hotch had told the team we were getting a new member, but I expected some bright-eyed newly recruited agent to walk through our doors. Y/N held themself with such grace and confidence. They made eye contact with me, and I looked away immediately, flipping through a file on my desk and pretending to read it slowly. The next thing I knew, Y/N was in front of me, introducing themself before practically strutting away. They showed no signs of overexcitement or nervousness that every newcomer in the BAU holds. It was mildly intimidating that Y/N lacked that. 

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It’s been 6 months, 13 days, and 44 minutes since Y/N first joined our team. They’ve been more helpful than I initially expected. They hold their PhD in human behavior studies and had previously worked in the Crimes Against Children Unit for 3 years before being sent up to the BAU. Y/N is very intelligent and always plays the “bad cop” role (incredibly effectively, might I add) whenever we have to interview suspects. They show no fear in the field, either, and they have not lost the confident energy surrounding their presence. I wish I could hang out with Y/N more often. I talk to them enough to do my job, but whenever drinks with the team or a game night comes up, I find myself stuttering out a lame excuse. It’s just that Y/N is cool and I don’t want to embarrass myself. I find my thoughts drifting to them often, even in the SUV as we’re on our way to an unsub’s warehouse, where he’s keeping a 15 year old girl prisoner. The SUV slows to a stop, hidden from view of the warehouse by tree cover and distance. We pile out of the cars, reviewing what we discussed at the local police station. 

“Remember, he wants as much time with her as he can get, which is why he’s turned his warehouse into a maze. He doesn’t think he can outsmart us; he just needs to delay us so he can finish his ritual. We move quickly in pairs. Clear the rooms, but don’t spend long getting distracted or held up by his puzzles. Our goal is to get to Mariah as quickly as possible,” Hotch states, the team and additional police officers nod. 

“Prentiss, Morgan take the south entrance and move around the perimeter. Reid, L/N take the south entrance and move towards the center,” Hotch’s voice trails off as he continues giving assignments for the warehouse maze, but all I can focus on is the fact that Y/N and I are going to be partners for this. I can hold my own, sure, but Y/N? They could probably take out 10 people by themself! I don’t want them to see me as incapable, because I’m not. I’ve passed all of my tests, written and physical. But by comparison, I’m a mouse and Y/N is a falcon. 

I’m brought back into reality by Y/N. “You ready?” they ask genuinely. I’ve never had the pleasure of being partnered with Y/N, but I’ve heard Emily say they take partner work very seriously. They’re committed. I nod at them for fear my voice would crack due to how dry my throat is. They nod back before turning around and calling a “let’s go” over their shoulder. The team jogs towards our respective entrances, Morgan and Prentiss in front of Y/N and I. We arrive at our destination, the south entrance, and Morgan tries the rusted metal door. Emily and Y/N both have their firearms raised, ready to enter and clear when Derek opens the door. He nods at them and they nod back. They clear and Derek and I enter before splitting up to join our partners. 

“You guys go left, that will lead you around the perimeter and those rooms. L/N and I are gonna go right so we can work our way towards the center,” I say, my eidetic memory not failing me as I recall the warehouse map from earlier. The other three nod before we begin to move. Y/N and I are quiet as we walk down the concrete corridor, guns raised and clearing each room as we move. 

Y/N pauses and I glance at them, questioning the sudden stop. “I hear something,” they whisper to me. Sure enough, there’s a sound ahead. Y/N points down the corridor and we walk towards the sound, picking up our pace as the sound grows in volume. I whisper into my mic where we are, letting the rest of the team know we’re onto something. Before it can even register, Y/N runs to the end of the hall with their guns raised, bursting into the room.

“FBI, drop your weapon!” I hear them announce firmly, as I enter the room with my firearm at the ready as well, I see our unsub kneeled in front of Mariah. She’s chained to the wall and the unsub has a knife in his hand. 

“Did you not hear me, dumbass, I said drop it!” They shout this time. The male laughs and he brings the knife closer to Mariah slowly, like he’s teasing the idea of whether he should hurt her or not. Y/N doesn’t hesitate. 

They launch themself across the room and onto the unsub, gun sliding across the room, and their sudden weight forcing his body to the floor. They twist his arm, causing him to drop the knife. “I don’t give third chances,” Y/N says. “On your stomach!” they order. He doesn’t listen. Y/N forces him onto his stomach, cuffing him and patting him down. As they move to press on his shoulders and biceps, ensuring he has nothing hidden there, he moves his head down to bite their finger. 

“Motherfucker!” Y/N yells, reactively punching him. “Where’s the key for Mariah’s restraints, huh?” they ask. He’s silent. “Tell me or I’ll hit you again!” he sighs and mutters that the key is around his neck. They pull it off of him throwing it across the room for me to catch (I did!) and I approach Mariah, trying to be as gentle as I can with her as I unlock the cuffs from around her wrists. She thanks me, throwing herself onto me in a hug. I pat her back, helping her stand up so we can walk her out of the building to her family and the waiting EMTs. 

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“Successful op, huh Reid?” I hear Y/N approach as I’m standing by the ambulance, waiting for the EMTs to finish checking on Mariah. I’m a bit surprised. “Oh, um, yeah, except for you I guess.” Y/N raises an eyebrow in question. “He bit you, that’s gotta hurt, right?” I ask. Y/N shrugs. 

“Not really. It bled, sure, but it’s okay,” they tell me. I suddenly feel myself worried over their well-being. I place my hand between their shoulder blades, a silent request for them to follow me to the SUV. 

“Sit, please,” I mutter, grabbing one of the first aid kits we keep in the glovebox. Y/N smiles at me, and I try to keep my blush as bay when I smile back. I use hand sanitizer to clean my own hands before rubbing some into Y/N’s hands. “We’ll wash them and reapply the bandage when we’re back at the station, but this is okay for now,” I tell them and they nod in response. I place a bandage and antibacterial ointment on the wound, wrapping their finger snugly. 

“Oh, thank you, Doctor! You’ve saved me!” Y/N says, laughing at their own antics. I smile back, ready to remind them for the nth time that I’m not a medical doctor, but I think better of it and opt with a simple, “you’re welcome”. I turn to walk away, to check in with the rest of the team before I hear Y/N call to me. 

“Wait! Doctor Reid!” I turn to face them again, wondering if something else is wrong. Instead of wearing a concerned facial expression, Y/N wears a smirk. “You gonna kiss it better?”

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thank you for reading! next up in order for my writing:

lip gallagher x fem!reader fake relationship

emily prentiss x fem!reader smut

chef luca x fem!reader smut

feel free to send me any messages with requests or if you'd like to join my taglists!!

[veeluvss]

it’s not your fault

jj x fem!reader

tobias hankel storyline

fluff

>1k words

i picked JJ up from the bau, already having a faint idea on how hard the case was. she'd been so quiet the last few days, when we called at night, she hardly spoke to me, just stared off into space.

i stood by the car, waiting for her to come out and she did, accompanied by emily. she looked tired, exhausted. my baby. i sighed and stood up from the car, grabbing her go bag from her hand.

"hey y/n," emily smiled.

"hi," i replied.

"come to pick up the princess," she smirked, nudging jj, trying to get her to smile. she did crack a small one.

"i think she needs it, hm?" i hummed, holding out my hand. she practically collapsed into my arms, clinging to me.

"tough?" i asked emily.

"dogs. her and spencer went in on their own, they split up and she saw some awful things. we aren't sure what," emily explained, causing jj to hide in my neck.

"let's just get you home love," i said gently, rubbing her back. she nodded and went to get in the car. we waved goodbye to the team and headed off.

when we got home, she still hadn't said a word, too spooked. it broke me. i don't know how she did her job, so bravely, everyday facing dangers like no one else. i was in the fbi but not in the field. yeah, i had a gun and a badge but it wasn't my job to catch the fuckers. i praised her everyday for what she did for america, saving so many people from dangerous men and women. sometimes, i wanted to take her away from the pain. seeing my sweet, innocent girl so haunted broke me.

"love," i said gently, leaning over and unclipping her seatbelt.

she looked at me, in a haze. "we're home." she nodded and climbed out the car. we walked through the door and instantly, she headed up to the bedroom.

"do you want a bath?" i asked, running my fingers through her hair. she nodded and headed to the bathroom, still not saying a word. i began running the bath as she sat on the toilet seat. i lit some candles, put on some calming music and got us both towels, slippers and robes for afterwards. i put a bath bomb in to make it pink and lush as well as bubbles before i addressed my poor girl.

i crouched down in front of her and moved some hair from her face.

"you ready to get in?"

"it's my fault spencer was taken," she whispered simply. emily had sent me a message about how the team were upset with her and a run down of what had happened to spencer.

"it's not baby girl," i told her, taking her shaking hands in mine.

"if i'd stopped him from leaving me," she choked before a few more tears fell from her eyes.

"if you stopped him from leaving you then you could have been in the exact same position as spencer. this isn't your fault, anyone blaming you is hurt. spencer almost died and the whole team were scared, did morgan apologise?" she nodded softly.

"then he knows you're not to blame darling. they all do. spencer especially."

"he hugged me."

"he wouldn't hug you if he blamed you."

she sighed and nodded before beginning to take of her clothes. i followed suit, taking off mine. i climbed in first, holding my hand out for her and she took it. she sat herself between my open legs and sighed heavily. i wrapped my arms around her, pulling her back into my front and she soaked up the love. i kissed her shoulder and told her how much i loved her.

"you're going to be okay sweetheart. you're so, so strong." i added at the end and she nodded, already beginning to feel better.

[reidselle]



season one jj stole my heart and hasn’t been back since.

[cevansbrat0007]

How would aj and Andy feel if his friends call his mom a milf ( gp!reader) aj is in his teens

Summary: You're a wife, a mother, and apparently...a MILF.

Warnings: Fluff, Female Objectification, Mentions of Violence, Cursing, Minors DNI

A/N: This drabble is part of my Growing Pains Series. All mistakes are my own. Likes, Comments, and Reblogs are appreciated. ___

"Dude! It was just a joke, bro!" The young man sputters as his friend, A.J. Barber, unceremoniously thrusts his gym bag and water bottle into his arms. "I wasn't being serious."

A.J. simply shakes his head as he brushes by his buddy, Max, to open the door before gesturing for him to step outside.

"DUDE!"

"That was my mom, man. My MOM!" The younger Barber huffs, pointing an accusatory finger at Max. "And I don't know how old she is because I'm afraid to ask. I saw my Dad do it one time and it did not go well, okay? But she's not - she's so not a...a..."

A.J. trails off, visibly shuddering as he's unable to finish his sentence. Out of nowhere comes another voice, this one belonging to the Barber family patriarch.

"What's all this commotion about, gentlemen? I can hear you from the kitchen." Andy strides into the foyer, wiping his wet hands on a navy blue dishtowel.

"Nothing." His son grumbles, blowing out a breath as he tries to resist the urge to thrust his friend out the door and slam it shut in his pencil-mustached face. "Max was just leaving."

Andy raises a concerned brow. "Before dinner? But we're making tacos in the wok tonight. Well, your mother is. I'll just be there to supervise."

And by "supervise", he meant hang out in the middle of the kitchen while you cooked so that he could occasionally accost with you kisses. While he thought of it as his own version of moral support, you maintained that he just liked getting in your "fucking way".

Your words, not his.

"He's not hungry." A.J. grunts at the same time as his pal utters the words "I could eat".

"Uh huh." The older man casts them both a suspicious look before crossing his arms over his rather impressive chest. Even in his fifties, Andrew Barber was still easy on the eyes. The budding silver-fox still managed to attract female attention wherever he went, whether he wanted it or not.

But he never paid it any mind, because he was also a happily married man who wore his wedding ring with pride

"Mrs. Barber is a phenomenal cook. My mom can't cook worth shi- I mean crap." Max laughs nervously, his hand going to rub the back of his neck. "She - my mom. Her food is not great, like at all. But, uh, maybe we could eat by the pool like we did last time."

"He's really gotta go, Dad."

"It's okay A.J. - I can stay. Mom's cool with it." Max calmly pats A.J. on his shoulder, trying to ignore the fire burning behind his hazel eyes.

"I mean...I suppose we could do that." Andy responds, a hint of skepticism in his tone. "I wonder if Y/N feels like making her homemade salsa too. I probably oughta ask..." His short, trimmed nails absently go to scratch at his bearded chin that now sported flecks of gray.

For the life of him, he couldn't seem to figure out why his son was turning such a spectacular shade of red. Or what now had him typing so furiously on his phone.

"She definitely should." Max tosses his bag back at Junior as a grin spreads across his smug face. "And you know, they say that a little sunshine does a body good."

"That it does." Andy agrees, noting of the sudden tenseness in his son's shoulders.

"And I know it's true, because the last time I saw Mrs. Barber outside she looked amazing."

Now that stops Andy quick, even as A.J. makes what sounds like a distinct choking noise in the back of throat. But the young man - Max - keeps talking, seemingly unaware of the danger he's just placed himself in.

"I was just telling A.J. here that your wife is definitely a MILF, sir. We talk about it all the time at school. And you can totally tell she works out or whatever, because she doesn't even look like how most Moms look. "

Suddenly, Andy's twitching eye mirrors his son's own.

"Hey, how old is Mrs. Barber now? Like 40?"

Andy clears his throat before casting a withering glare in the direction of his son's friend. "A word to the wise, young man - never ask a woman her age. Especially not if you want to live long enough to see your way through puberty."

A.J. nods along before returning his attention back to his phone.

"Even I don't know how old my wife is, mostly because I'm not stupid enough to ask."

"But then how do you -" Max interrupts, clearly confused by the direction of this conversation.

"If I think I need to know, then I guess. And when I guess, I err on the side of caution. Because I'm smart, and I've come to understand the meaning of the phrase happy wife, happy life."

"Oh."

"However, even without knowing just how many times Mrs. Barber has made the journey around the sun, she's still out of your age bracket. And therefore out of your league." Andy places a hand on Max's bicep, squeezing just hard enough to make the younger man gulp.

"And I would appreciate it if you didn't disrespect my wife and the mother of my son like that ever again. Do we have an understanding, Maximilian Robert Greenwell?"

"Ye-yeah. I mean yes, sir!" He quickly amends when he notices the way the elder Barber's nostrils flare. "Sorry about that. And, um, my bad, A.J."

"I took the liberty of texting your mom. She'll be here any minute." Andy's namesake interjects. "I suggest you wait for her on the front porch."

Without offering up another word, he opens the door and points toward the street. Taking the hint, his friend gathers his things once again and traipses outside. "Guess, I'll just see you at school -" He tries, only to be cut off when the door slams in his face with a satisfying thud.

"You alright, son?"

"Yep." He huffs before flipping the lock.

"You sure?"

"When he wasn't going on and on about Mom, he also threw in how KitCat and Rory were kinda hot, especially for a couple of nerds. But I shut that down fast. But then he just had to go and call Mom a MILF..."

"I understand. I've seen a lot of men do and say plenty of stupid things because of your mother, but Max..."

The two men share a look of quiet understanding. It lasts a full beat before they finally speak again.

"Max is dead to me, father."

"Good man." A.J. smiles when his father affectionately claps him on the shoulder. "We've got to watch out for the women in this house."

"We do. Plus, they'd eat a guy like Max for breakfast. I mean the level of violence I've been subjected to alone - I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, including him."

"Mhm." Andy wraps a muscled arm around the younger Barber, pulling him close to drop a brief kiss on top of his head. "Believe me when I tell you that your Mom's silverware throwing ability has seriously improved over the years. Shit is scarily accurate now."

A.J. simply nods, choosing to take his father at his word. "Well, now that that's over, is it almost time for dinner? Protecting the women in this house can really take a lot out of you."

The elder man sniffs the air, his nose detecting the delicious aroma of fresh herbs simmering in hot oil.

"I think it is. Smells like your mother's cooking now, which means I need to get in my spot." Andy bestows one last kiss against his boy's temple before playfully pushing him to the side. "Besides, I don't think I've given her a reason to fuss at me yet today. Gotta keep the spark alive somehow, kid."

Throwing his son one last wink, A.J. then watches as his father jogs off in the direction of the kitchen bellowing "here I come, baby girl".

With a sigh, the youngest member of Barber brood turns and begins climbing the stairs, laughing when he hears his lovely mother's annoyed shouts coming from the other side of the house.

His parents were crazy about each other, that much he knew. But the older he got, the more he was beginning to realize that there was a little more to it. They were actually still in love with one another.

And that was cool. Sometimes, it even made him the envy of his friends whose folks were either divorced or barely tolerated each other. He was cool with that too.

Just don't ever call his pretty Mama a MILF. Because that shit right there...that wasn't cool no matter how you spun it.

END

[speedybeta]

Beta squad masterlist —

˚୧Headcannons ౨

Being the 6th member of Beta part 1

Being the 6th member of Beta squad Part 2

↓ Members↓

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

⋆ Niko ominolia ⋆

Jealousy ⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

Summary: While being paired up with a member from AMP'S great British cook off, he flirts trying to get your number. This causes one of your best friends to get jealous.

We're just friends

Summary: Niko has a girlfriend. And it isn't you

⋆ Sharky ⋆

NSFW alphabet ⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

Summary: NSFW alphabet of Sharky

Can I have a hug? ⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

Summary: after a long day of filming, Sharky drives you home since you didn't have a license. You were exhausted and felt yourself become drowsy from the urge to sleep. Due to your tired state, you ask Sharky for a hug. You aren't much of a hugger and everyone knew that. He of course said yes while you two cuddle to sleep.

Friend zoned ⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

Summary: You have feelings for someone who doesn't like you the same way.

Childhood Friends to lovers

Summary: you and Sharky are obviously in love but are both scared and don't want to ruin the friendship bond between you two.

⋆ Chunkz ⋆

Did I take it too far? ⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

Summary: You were a close friend to everyone on the beta squad but a certain member despised you

⋆ Kingkennytv ⋆

Break up confessions ⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

Summary: Kenny has been distancing himself from your relationship. A argument between you two revolves in him confessing why he's been distant.

⋆ AJ shabeel ⋆

⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

Other people

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

⋆ Agent00⋆

NSFW alphabet ⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

The box ⋘ 60% ⋙

Summary: While collaborating with AMP, a certain member takes interest in you and leads to a spark between you two mm

⋆Yungfilly ⋆

⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

⋆Harrypinaro ⋆

⋘ 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡... ⋙

・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

I write smut, fluff, and agnst. I mainly focus on fluff and agnst and will only write smut if asked. I don't really write for any other YouTubers but If you want me to write for someone ask cause I'll write for anyone

[communicationthroughlyrics]

Master List

18+, Men and Minors DNI- Do not repost works without permission!

WLW, Celebrity Fan-fiction. Heavy use of song lyrics for themes and storylines, and I don't like to write short fics. This is my first fanfic blog in a long time- I appreciate reading everyones comments on my work! Focused on Scarlett Johannson and her characters, Elizabeth Olsen, AJ Cook, Blake Lively, etc.

Bonus points to those who can guess all the lyrics being used :]

Current Series: I Like Your Blood On My Teeth Just A Little Too Much (ScarJo)

ONGOING

You’re a former military, career oriented security executive who has made quite the living for yourself- but it has always been lacking. Your non-committal attitude has led you down a playgirl lifestyle, never really settling. What happens when your new boss throws you a curveball, and as a result? You end up hopelessly involved with a Hollywood starlet. (Warnings: Smut, Strong Language, Violence, Stalking, Death Threats, Implied Abuse/Sexual Abuse, Flashbacks to War/PTSD)

*More warnings will be added as I write*

Ch. 1 - Are You at One, or do You Lie?

Ch. 2 - We’re Hiding Like a Shadow in the Dark

Ch. 3 - All This Money and This Pain Got Me Heartless

Ch. 4 - Fuck Around and Damn Near Die in it

Ch. 5 - You Pulled Me Under Just to Save Yourself

Ch. 6 - You Blame Me for Everything You Hate

Ch. 7 - Fall Down Before Me, I Want You on Your Knees 

Ch. 8 - The Weight That’s Crushing can be Relieved

Ch. 9 - I Have a Growing Fear and You’re Not Helping Me

Ch. 10 -  I Pulled Off Your Wings, Then I Laughed

Ch. 11 - Army Green Was No Safe Bet

Ch. 12 - Whisper on a Scream, Doesn't Change a Thing

Ch. 13 - Digging Up the Dirt, You Get to Meet All Sorts

Ch. 14 - I Just Want You to Know Who I Am

Ch. 15 - The Only Thing You Brought Is Psychological Warfare

Ch. 16 - You're Gonna Get What's Coming to You

View the Story Board for this pic HERE

______________________________________________________________

One Shots, Drabbles and Stuff

S.J. - You Hold Your Hands in the Air, Screaming My Name

S.J. - So Fucked Up, From the Way That You Touch - Pt. 1. Pt. 2.

E.O. - Our Fire When We're Together, Mixed With Paranoid Manners

N.R. - I Got a Secret, So I'ma Drop ‘Em to the Floor (Christmas Fic)

W.M. - Easy to Love (FLUFF)

J. J. - It's Time to Let Her Know What You Need - Pt. 1 Pt.2

[pasteloctoz]

The Honey to My Hive

Hey guys!

AJ really wanted some Honey and Guy angst so here it is ^^

Summary: Shifter!Honey needs to tell Guy that they’re a shifter and a part of the Shaw Pack, but they don't know how he'll react. They might have waited a bit too long.

A/n: Sorry for this taking so long 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

Warnings: A lot of crying, Implied fight, suspected cheating (no actual cheating), angst, and FLUFF (I'm not writing a Guy fic without fluff)

Taglist for this fic: @lemonzestxo @annahhopee @deviantaj

//////////

You check the time. Seven o’clock. Time to get up.

Surprisingly your boyfriend was up early today (not really), and he wasn’t even a morning person. You get ready for the day, shaking your head a bit once you see how messy the counter of the bathroom was. The night before you and Guy had gone out for a date night. He was scrambling at the last minute to get his eyeliner right. As you tidied up the counter, you turned the shower on.

“I don’t have work today,” you thought to yourself, “So, I’m going to have to explain why I’m leaving early today. Again…”

These pack meetings were getting out of hand. Your work hours were already so abnormal because you worked at your pack’s business, Shaw Security. Now, it seemed like even on the weekends you didn’t have time to spend with your boyfriend. It was always, “I made plans with friends!” or “Work called me in again.” along with the occasional, “I’m just gonna go run some errands.”

He didn’t mind the extra time to do his own thing, but he would rather spend that time with you. Sometimes, you’d have to go to work right after a meeting too. When you got home later that day, you were too tired to do anything. You’d make dinner and then get to bed. Why did pack meetings always have to be on the weekends?

You brought this up to your pack Alpha, David, “I’m not changing the meeting time.”

“What? Why not?” You asked- You were adamant about not having to tell Guy about what you were.

With a low voice, he spoke “There are other people in the pack that work normal jobs. I’m not inconveniencing half the pack just because you’re having trouble.”

“David! I can’t just tell him I-” He cut you off before you could finish.

“I’m not saying you have to tell your partner. I know how hard that can be. It just… seems like the only option.” You were silent. You didn’t know what to say. He was right, you didn’t know whether or not you hated that. “This is your choice. I’m not moving the meeting time or dates.”

As you stepped out of the shower and slipped into your clothes you wondered whether or not you should tell him today. You watched your misty reflection in the mirror, you questioned whether it would be a mistake or not. How would he react? What would he say? You didn’t realize it but you had become distant. Guy was constantly wondering what was going on with you. He knew you’d never do it, but the thought crossed his mind.

“Are they cheating?”

//////////

You walk out into the living room and see your lover. Guilt filled your senses. You needed to tell him. You were going to tell him, but when? He was sprawled out on the couch, controller not too far from him. Looking at the TV, you saw a “game over” screen from whatever game he had been obsessed with recently. You made a cup of coffee and began to make breakfast.

About half an hour later you shook him awake to give him breakfast, “Mooorniiiing Honeeeeey~,” he cooed.

“Guy, it’s too early for that.”

“Can’t I just greet my lover in the morning? What's so wrong with that?” He grinned widely, noticing your mind was somewhere else. He didn’t say anything. Guy felt that he could just cheer you up like usual.

“Guy…” you whined into a sigh, "Just- eat your breakfast." He went to grab the plate from your hand but you didn’t realize how tight your grip was on the plate. “Sorry-” you let go of the plate, nervous.

“Is something wrong, Honey?” he asked finally while taking a bite of the sausage you had cooked for him. It was the perfect opportunity to make a pervy joke- but he wouldn’t. Something was bothering you. He could tell.

"I'm fine-"

“Don’t give me that, I know you’re not.” You were surprised. He was persistent but never pointed out that you were upset. Maybe it was because you hadn’t spent much time together recently. Maybe it was easier because he was growing distant, too.

You sighed, giving in to his question. “I got called into work again today.”

“What!?” you almost flinched at his response, though you knew he wasn’t angry at you, “They’re still not staffed enough?”

“Yeah…" you were too nervous. You missed the opportunity."

"Can't you just tell them you're not going?" He asked, desperate to spend time with you.

"No… they said they'd… fire me," you quickly tried to come up with a lie.

"Then quit."

//////////

He heard the keys jingle in the door of the apartment, indicating you were home. The last conversation you two had left a sour taste in both of your mouths. You loved Guy but you couldn't just 'quit' the pack. There was no plausible way you had made it through that fight without letting it slip what you were. Somehow, you still managed.

He rolled over in bed, trying to ignore your footsteps. You hesitated at the door, then stepped back to the living room. You couldn't tell whether or not you two were on talking terms since you'd never seen him like this. He had never actually been upset with you- and shown it. The truth was, you were both nervous to talk to each other. The two of you were under the impression that the other was angry at them.

Guy was now under the impression you might be cheating on him. He hadn't asked directly but everything about the situation told him otherwise. You were constantly out of the house on weekends and got super defensive when he asked you to skip. But maybe- just maybe, there was a chance. A chance it had all been a misunderstanding. The chance that you’d actually have an explanation this time- one that made sense.

You sat down on the couch and stared at the paper you carried everywhere with you. Almost as a reminder that you needed to tell Guy your secret. It was the papers you had signed in order to be able to tell Guy what you were. The department had left you with your own copy to remind you of the conditions, which you had reminded yourself of almost 300 times now. It had been weeks since you got these papers, and even longer since you had spoken to David.

His words rang through your head, "It just… seems like the only option.”

That's when the dam broke. You didn't know how, or even why exactly it happened. You just started crying. Your vision blurred and the salty shame rolled down your cheeks. You didn't expect things to go this way- and you definitely didn't want it to play out the way it had. What would you say now? How would you tell him? He wanted a plausible explanation, not some fantasy shit claiming "I'm a werewolf." He was hurt, too. How the hell would telling him something like that make anything better?

You thought about how it would go down so much- you took too much time thinking about it and never actually took the liberty to tell him. You imagined it would be on a day you both had off. The two of you would have just gotten home from a date night and he'd be cracking up about something random that happened while you were out together. This was one of the rare times he'd be able to see you with your walls down. A time when you weren't so defensive to his pervy jokes and were secretly admiring how excitedly he was talking to you. Though, it wasn't really a secret- he could read how your gaze glued to him fondly.

"How'd I get so lucky?" You'd think to yourself before sitting down on the couch.

The two of you would talk and crack up a bit more before you finally tried to get serious. As you attempted to tell him, he'd be unable to keep his smile from showing through his "very serious" face. Finally, you'd tell him and he'd just laugh- not in a dick way. In a way that says he doesn't understand what you mean. A smile would crack through your expression, and you'd say, "I'm serious!" And proceed to show him. Everything would be right in the world after that. It would be peaceful and perfect. It would be a comfortable kind of quiet.

Not like now. Not like the quiet it was now. All that could be heard in the apartment you two shared was your light sobs. Guy was still awake in his bed- the walls were so thin, he could hear the muffled sound of your sadness. Eventually, he pulled himself out of bed to make sure he was right about the sound. Sure enough, you were sitting on the couch, crying into your palms.

As soon as you hear the creaking of the door, you scramble to wipe the tears off your face. You look over to see your lover standing in the doorway to your room. There's a long moment of awkward silence. A few times, one of you would start saying something and then stop mid-sentence. Neither of you could figure out what to say. Usually, when there was silence over the room, Guy would be the one to break it- but not like this. He couldn't just make a joke and everything would be fine again.

"I'm sorry," you decided to speak up, "... I- I need to tell you something."

His heart skipped a beat. What were you going to say? Were his suspicions correct? Hopefully, you'd have an explanation that wasn't what he feared. "Okay…" He sat down on the couch, facing you. There was still a large distance between you two, and his presence was a little less than comforting.

How would you tell him? What would you say? It was now or never… "I… I'm- My work hasn't been understaffed."

His heart sank, but he felt the need to hear you out before storming off, "... but?" His tone was hopeful.

"But… I'm still technically going to work- it's complicated," you sigh frustrated, this was getting nowhere. You could feel his impatience, the feeling was mutual. "How do I say this- I'm a werewolf- but not like the ones from the movies, which I hate by the way-"

"What?" I said in a breathy voice, almost like he was holding back a laugh.

"I'm… a wolf shifter?"

"I know what you said-" his heart was pounding- and all that was the result was a utterly terrible excuse, “but… what?”

You held back tears and your voice broke as you spoke, "I- I can show you."

He was surprised, and he almost believed you for a second. He wasn't going to give in so easily, but he was willing to hear you out a little bit more. “Okay then. Show me.”

You stood up and made your way right in front of the small TV in the living room. It was an odd feeling- like a thousand eyes were on you when really there were just two. You took a deep breath and closed your eyes, envisioning a happier scene. Your mind drifted to the last retreat you were able to attend with your pack. The nice, breezy hillsides and the mountains in the distance. The random tree every so often approaches just for you to dodge it. You could almost feel the cold air against your fur as you raced your friends and family to the other end of the fields. Everything faded away and you were just there- in the moment.

When you opened your eyes, you were only slightly shorter now. The first thing you saw was Guy’s surprised eyes. Immediately, you got cold feet and shifted back. Holding back tears, you spoke, "I- I should go-"

You make your way around the coffee table, but before you can leave, you feel Guy's familiar arms hug you from behind. There's a long moment of silence, but this time, more comfortable. You felt your emotions overwhelm and flow down your face. He held you close. He wasn’t sure why this was connected to your work, but he knew you’d explain that in due time. He had so many questions and honestly, a part of him still didn’t want to believe it. Though, that wasn’t what you needed right now- you needed someone to hold you and tell you it would all be okay.

You turn around in his arms and hold him close, repeating a small, peeping apology. By now, you had stained his shirt in tears and snot. Though, your lover continued to hold you. Today has been an exhausting day. It felt nice to touch each other again.

Once you had calmed down, you two were now cuddling on the chaise of the couch. He finally felt it was okay to ask his question, "So, whats been going on with work? Assuming it has something to do with you being a werewolf-"

"Shifter- I'm a wolf shifter."

"Okay, wolf shifter," He laughed, "Answer my question." He held you tightly, happily breathing in that smell he loved so much- the reason he stole your D.A.M.N. hoodies so much. (Which, by the way, always freaked you out. What if he went out in public????)

"Shifters associate with… packs," you pause, ready for him to make a joke related to packs. You weren't sure what, but when you looked up at him, he was just listening intently. You continued, "We help eachother out. So, we have pack meetings every few weeks. Just so happens to be on saturdays."

You thought about telling him that vampires and magic exist- and that there were even more shifters than just wolf shifters. That probably would've been an overload of information. Guy's soft voice broke through your thoughts, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I thought-" you swallowed the knot in your throat. "I thought you'd leave me." Tears filled your eyes, and you hid your face in his already stained chest.

"Hey, hey…" His voice was filled with love and affection, "I haven't left you. I won't leave you. You're the best thing that has happened to me honey."

"Promise?" Your small, wavering voice asked.

"Promise. You're the Honey to my hive."

//////////

Bonus:

Guy: Hey, Honey- random question.

Honey: Alright.

Guy: Do you have like- a pack Alpha? *Snickering at himself, not expecting an actual answer*

Honey: Yeah.

Guy: Wait- Really??? What??? Who?

Honey: You know my boss, David?

Guy: Wait- Shaw? Like- My sibling's, Fiancè, David Shaw????

Honey: Mhm

Guy: Like- The guy I always thought acted exactly like you, David Shaw????

Honey: Wuh- ...................uh yea, I guess...

Guy: I'm going to have a serious talk with [Redacted]-

Honey: I'm sure you will...

[navstuffs]

Everything he wanted

Pairings: Steve Rogers x GN!Reader, Steve Rogers x Peggy Carter

Warnings: post Infinity war, ANGST, fluff with angst ending, doesn't end well for reader, sorta songfic, some usage of y/n

Summary: Steve finally gets everything he wanted.

Author's note: ready for some pain? the idea of this fanfic got loosely tied to the song "Everything I wanted", by Billie Eilish.

"I had a dream

I got everything I wanted"

It was Steve's idea to celebrate your birthday dinner at your new house. It was going to be the first party since you two moved in. Now that Captain America was retired, thank you very much, he had a lot of free time on his hands. And he discovered his passion for cooking. He had been preparing your favorite meal that night, one that he passed the whole month before testing to make it tastier - Sam and Bucky were his test subjects.

Before retiring, Steve didn't have almost any time for old hobbies or even finding new ones. He was surrounded by death and danger, brought back from the past to a time he didn't know anyone, even himself sometimes. It was a miracle he found you in the middle of that mess and gave love a new chance. Steve was creating a new chapter for both of you, free of stress and risks.

He knew how much you had suffered with all deaths, especially Natasha and Tony. You were tempted on inviting Bucky, Sam, and Sarah to your birthday but you didn't want to bother since they had a busy lifestyle. Steve let his hand go to his pocket, holding the small box as a reminder of what he was going to do tonight. The doorbell rang breaking his thoughts.

"Finally! Coming!" Steve yelled, walking to the front door. He had told Bucky to be there a little earlier but Bucky was too late for his comfort.

When Steve opened the door, he was suddenly attacked by two pairs of small hands, half-hugging, half-trying to take him down.

"Get him, boys!" Bucky Barnes cheered, a smug grin on his face. Cass Wilson and AJ Wilson attacked Steve since Bucky had the most important item of that night on his hands. It had been weeks since Steve gave him the biggest task of the night: picking up your birthday cake.

"Oh come on, Barnes, making my nephews do your dirty work?!" Sam Wilson exclaimed behind Bucky, a playful tone in his voice.

Steve smiled, grabbing the kids by their hips and lifting them up with no difficulty. AJ and Cass didn't seem to mind, giggling even louder, their legs shaking.

"Okay, boys, we are going to have a lot of time for this later!" Sarah Wilson commented when she got closer to them and Steve put the kids down, with protest coming from them "(Y/N) will be here in less than thirty minutes and we still have to put the decorations up!"

"You are late, Bucky." Steve simply stated before pulling his friend into a half hug. Bucky was careful enough to keep your cake out of damage.

"Sorry? Cake store was a busy. The boys wanted to test their hug on (Y/N) later and I am carrying the cake, so the boys decided on you." Bucky winked at the kids. He walked into the house, carrying the cake cautiously to the kitchen, followed closely by AJ and Cass.

Steve turned his attention to Sam and Sarah, both carrying bags. He promptly took the bags out of Sarah's hands, apologizing.

"It is alright. How is dinner going? Too hard? Want me to take a look?" Sarah gave him a fast hug.

"I have been using Bucky and Sam as my lab rats so, we all know I need your opinion" Sarah smiled, satisfied, following her kids and Bucky's path.

"Uuuuh, I have found the wine, Steve!" Steve heard Bucky exclaim happily from the kitchen.

It was just him and Sam now. Sam was carrying the bags that had the rest of your gifts. He looked exhausted but happy to be there.

"Are you alright, Sam?"

"Yeah. Excited for the night off!"

Steve couldn't help but feel bad for Sam. And happy. Since he had retired, Sam assumed the Captain America mantle and shield. He knew since the beginning Sam was the correct choice and everything he would see on the TV, or hear on the radio just confirmed his choice. Steve trusted Sam Wilson with his legacy.

One of the reasons Steve could sleep easy at night. The other being you, of course.

Steve and Sam walked inside the house, organizing the gifts on top of Steve's center table.

"Thank you for being here, Sam. I can't imagine what you pulled through to be here."

"I am sure you can" Sam laughed. Truly, Sam needed a night off. Away from all responsibilities, have some fun with his friends, get a bit drunk "(Y/N) is my friend too, by the way. Anyway, how is retirement? Putting on your comfortable slippers and reading the journal the whole morning, feet up? Then napping? End of the day: complaining about the news, going to sleep at 9 pm?"

Steve shook his head, laughing. They could hear Sarah and Bucky talking in the kitchen.

"You forgot sleeping during the news and complaining about them at the same time" Steve joked making Sam burst a loud laugh.

"Something more happening tonight that I should know?" Steve jerked his head back to Sam and simply blinked. "Come on, Steve. You told me if you were going to do it, you would do it when time was right."

"You will see when the time gets there," Steve responded mysteriously, walking back to the kitchen. Sarah was having a glass of wine with Bucky, watching the kids play in the backyard.

"Steve, the food is delicious! My brother and Bucky served for something, I guess."

"Hey, I brought the cake! Which, by the way, it is (Y/N)'s favorite bakery and flavor."

"Thanks, Bucky. And thank you, Sarah."

Twenty minutes passed until your arrival. Steve kept pacing back and forth impatiently, keeping his eyes on his phone for your messages. Everything was ready, and everyone had their birthday hats on, AJ and Cass with blowouts. The kids, Bucky and Sam filled up some balloons for decoration and put up a simple happy birthday sign. It wasn't exactly a surprise birthday party, but it was more than you knew.

"I see (Y/N)'s car!" Cass exclaimed from the window and everyone assumed their position near the front door, with Bucky turning off the lights.

"Surprise!" Everyone screamed when you opened the door. For a second, you froze, looking at them stunned. AJ and Cass ran in your direction, hugging your sides tightly.

"What, how?" You barely hugged the boys back, still looking shocked at your friends there.

"Surprise! Happy birthday!" Bucky responded, pulling you into a tight hug.

Next was Sam. You were trying really hard to not cry while Sam hugged you, wishing you a happy birthday. You felt some tears drop while you hugged Sarah. It had been a couple of rough last years for you - especially after Natasha's death. After Steve and you retired and moved in together, it took a while until things got okay and you could lead your life normally. You wanted them at your party, but Sam and Bucky were busy with their superhero lifestyle and Sarah was occupied with her life and her kidd, so you didn't call to bother them about it. Steve was the one that called and invited them to surprise you.

"Hey, we are here, okay? Wouldn't miss this for anything in the world!" Sarah murmured, hugging you and kissing your cheek. She cleaned your tears and you felt a strong hug on both your sides. AJ and Cass again. You kneeled down to their level.

"There is cake, there are tons of gifts from us as well!" Cass told you, excited. You finally hugged them properly.

"I am sure they will be my favorite gifts!"

You got up and turned to Steve and felt his arms close around you. You lost your parents before joining the Avengers, and being alone for so long it was hard to bond with anyone. With time passing, your relationship with Steve changed from respectful to friendship to love. You had gone through so much together, it was hard seeing yourself without each other.

After Thanos, for a moment, you thought Steve was going to leave you. But he didn't.

After so many losses, it was nice knowing Steve chose you.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Steve. I love you." You whispered, your voice cracking down.

Steve didn't answer, placing a single kiss on the top of your head. He couldn't wait to ask your hand in marriage later that night.

"Not what you'd think

And if I'm being honest

It might've been a nightmare"

-x-

"I had a dream

I got everything I wanted

But when I wake up, I see

You with me"

Steve wakes up, feeling disoriented at first. He doesn't really know where he is. He gasps for some air and tries to get up but he is stopped by a pair of hands placed on his chest.

"Steve?" A woman's worried voice he knows very well. Peggy. "Are you okay? Did you have a nightmare?"

Steve doesn't answer, letting himself be dragged back to the bed. Peggy is holding his face, scanning his expressions. She looks worried - like it had happened before.

"I had a dream."

"What kind? Bad? Good?"

"I don't know."

Peggy doesn't answer, holding Steve in her arms, wanting to make sure he will calm down. Since he came back from the future, Steve's nights had been rough. She knows it had to be something from the time he passed in the future. Steve didn't share everything that happened yet but Peggy was patient, she could wait. She wasn't going to pressure him, she was just happy with his return.

"We will be alright, Steve. We are together now, we will be okay" Peggy whispers against his hair, still holding him closely.

Steve doesn't say anything. He remembers now he has come back for her because that is what he wanted, right? Since the beginning. Steve made the conscious choice of not telling anyone, not even you since Steve knew he would break your heart no matter what. Leaving without saying anything was the best choice.

Steve's dreams had started a little after he came back. He would have glimpses of the life he could have had with you - a child, a dog, getting old together. And it hurt. More than he admitted to himself.

Steve had made a choice and he needed to live with it now.

"If I knew it all then, would I do it again?

Would I do it again?"

Taglist: @peaches1958

STEVE ROGERS MASTERLIST | TAGLIST

[aries-writings]

ayo mf, can i request something from your prompt list with sunghoon, the plot being number 10 and from the dialogue, the numbers 1 & 10~ fanks miss ching😻😻

drunk-dazed | p. sunghoon

plot prompt #10: and i try to refrain, but you’re stuck in my brain.

dialogue prompts #1 + #10: “i just wanna feel your lips against my skin.” + “could we pretend that we’re in love?”

pairing: sunghoon x fem!reader

genres: angst, fluff, second chance love

word count: 2.7k

warnings: alcohol use, light swearing, light violence, some blood, emo sunghoon, a heated makeout but nothing too bad, and i think thats it??

a/n: this is a repost from my main blog! if you’ve read this or seen it before, i had this posted on @dandelion-aj before revising and reposting it here!

see the full list of prompts here

It was a kind of routine at this point. An endless cycle Sunghoon had fallen into. It always started at home in his apartment. He’d be sitting on the couch watching a random show he’d found. Or in his bed trying to catch up on some much-needed sleep. Or in the kitchen attempting to cook. All things he had done plenty of times before. The only difference is that now you weren’t there with him.

You and Sunghoon had broken up nearly 10 months ago, but it felt like far longer than that to him.

The apartment the two of you shared was so much quieter after you left. The hallways that used to echo with your laugh were now filled with a deafening silence that served only as a reminder of your absence.

He’d tell himself it was fine. That everything was okay. After all, it was a mutual breakup. But the more Sunghoon thought about it, the more he’d second guess the decision.

And that would lead to phase two of this dreadful cycle: missing you.

Sunghoon missed you to no end. He realized that now. What exactly he missed about you, he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Maybe it was the way your hand felt in his. Or the sound of your raspy morning voice. Or the way his name rolled off your tongue. Or, maybe, he just missed you.

Right now, in this very moment, Sunghoon missed you, and that confused him. How can he miss someone that’s standing right in front of him?

“Hey,” you shouted. The sound of your voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He shook his head as he was now suddenly hyper-aware of his surroundings. The flashing lights. The booming music. The blur of people dancing around him. The cold cup in his hand. “Are you okay?”

Sunghoon sighed. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Phase three of that damn cycle: drinking away any memory of you. He’d knock back shot after shot in hopes that he’ll forget who you are. But instead, he forgets who he is, and all he can think about is you. Funny how that works. No matter how hard he tried to force you out of his mind, you’d always come right back.

Everything he saw reminded him of you. He’d hear your voice in all the white noise. He’d see you in every face around him. As a matter of fact, he was 97% sure it wasn’t even you that he was talking to.

“You sure?” You quirked an eyebrow up. “You don’t look too good.”

“I’m okay.” He looked up at you, or some girl who looked a lot like you at least.

Alcohol has its downsides. Like how it filled him with this indescribable ache for you. But it also has its upsides, because god knows he wouldn’t have done this if he were sober.

Without a second’s hesitation, Sunghoon pulled your doppelgänger in and latched his lips to hers, dropping the half-full cup to the floor. His eyes fluttered shut as he let himself fully believe it was your lips he was tasting. His mouth began to move feverishly against yours, devouring every inch he could reach.

He pulled away and his eyes met yours as he caught his breath. He couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol, but for a fleeting moment, that ache was relieved. His hand gripped the back of your neck and pulled you in for another kiss.

His fingers tangled into your hair and tugged your head back, giving him better access to your lips. The kiss escalated with every passing second. The way your tongues danced. The way you were gripping each other’s clothes for dear life. It eased that burning in his chest.

That is until he felt a hand land on his shoulder. Before Sunghoon could comprehend what was happening, he was pushed back as a hard fist slammed into his face. The force of the punch sent him back into a group of people. People that were far too intrigued by the sudden violence to care about being shoved.

Sunghoon’s hand flew up to his nose as soon as he felt the blood begin to flow. He looked up to see a muscular man with his arm slung over a girl’s shoulder. The same girl who looked exactly like you seconds ago.

“You stay the fuck away from her! You hear me?!” the man screamed as he shoved Sunghoon once more.

He tried to catch himself, but lost his balance and stumbled to the ground. He glanced between the couple standing before him. It didn’t take long for him to put two and two together. “I’m sorry.” he muttered.

All eyes were on him. He could see a few people recording the scene and others whispering. Ah yes, phase four: getting too caught up thinking about you that he makes a fool of himself in public.

Sunghoon stood up, looking down at his bloodied palm then back at the couple. “I just- I thought you were- Fuck, I’m sorry.”

He snaked his way through the dense crowd, somehow managing to find the door. Slamming his body weight into it, he felt the cold night air hit his skin, almost tumbling onto the frigid concrete in the process. He threw himself to the ground beside the door and pulled out his phone as he wiped away the remaining blood from his nose.

Alas, the final stage of our cycle: wallowing in self-pity as Sunghoon tries to find a way home.

He scrolled through his contacts in hopes of finding someone who’d be willing to pick him up and give him a ride.

Jungwon.

Jake.

Heeseung.

Jay.

Ni-ki.

Sunoo.

Y/n.

He froze at the sight of your name. ‘Why do I even have your number still?’ he thought. His thumb hovered over your name for a second. 'No, she won’t answer anyway.’ He stared at the call button for a moment, and the next thing he heard was the calling tone of his phone.

His eyes widened, and he rushed to hit the 'end call’ button. His arm dropped down to his side and his head fell back against the shaking wall of the club. He sighed and let his heavy eyelids close. He would have fallen asleep like that if it weren’t for his phone vibrating in his hand. He opened his eyes just enough to read the name on the screen.

Y/n.

He had to read the name a few times, and even then he didn’t believe what he was seeing. He knew it wasn’t in his best interest, but he answered. He put the phone to his ear and waited.

“Sunghoon?”

He shivered at the sound of your voice. God, he hadn’t heard it in so long.

“Y/n?” His voice came out a lot shakier and weaker than he had intended.

“Did you call?”

“Uhh, yeah. Yeah, I did.” He looked down at his lap, nervously fiddling with the hem of his shirt. “On accident,” he added. “It was an accident. I meant to call Sunoo. My bad. Sorry for bothering you.”

“No no. It’s fine.” There was an awkward silence for a moment before you spoke again. “Okay, well, if you meant to call Sunoo, I’ll let you go now.”

'No.’ a voice pleaded from the back of his mind. 'Don’t hang up. I missed you. I missed your voice.’

“Wait!” Sunghoon called out, earning a few looks from people walking by. “Wait. I, uh,” He let out a shameful sigh. “I need a ride.”

“A ride?”

“Yeah. I don’t want to call the guys because they said if I ever got drunk again, they won’t be the ones to come get me. That if I ever put myself in this situation I need to find a way out-”

“Wait you’re drunk?!” you interrupted.

Sunghoon gulped. He must sound like an idiot. “Yeah.”

“Text me the address. I’m on my way.”

“Hey,” you whispered as you nudged the sleeping man’s shoulder. “Sunghoon.”

“Mmmm.” Sunghoon groaned.

You playfully rolled your eyes and stood. “Fine then. Guess I’ll just leave you here if you’re enjoying your nap that much-”

Before you could turn away, you felt Sunghoon grab your wrist. You looked at your arm, then back up to him. His eyes were still shut and his head was still pressed to the wall when he spoke in a hoarse voice. “Don’t go.” He opened his eyes, his bloodshot gaze catching yours. “You came.”

“You asked me to.” you responded.

“Yeah, but…” he trailed off. “I didn’t think you’d actually come.”

“Do you know what could happen to a handsome man like you at this time of night?” You pointed at the vibrating club. “Especially at a place like this?”

Sunghoon smirked. “You think I’m handsome?”

You rolled your eyes again. “Shut up and get in the car.”

“You’re not gonna help me?”

“Sunghoon, I can assure you I do not have the strength to carry a drunk, five-foot-ten man right now.”

“Come on, the car is like 7 feet away.”

“That’s far too many feet.”

“Pleeeease.” he pouted.

You huffed and wrapped his arm around your shoulders. You placed your arm around his waist and attempted to hoist him up, but to no avail.

“You know, this is going to require a little effort on your end, too.” you remarked.

“Oh, right, sorry. Okay, on three. One, two, three.”

With your joint effort, you managed to get Sunghoon off the ground. It took him some time to catch his balance, almost pulling you both back down a few times.

“Are you okay?” you asked.

Sunghoon put up a thumbs up in response while he wobbled on his feet.

“Okay, let’s get you to the car.”

It was a bit of a struggle, but you successfully got Sunghoon buckled into the passenger seat. “You better not puke in my car.” You walked over to the driver’s seat and started the car. “How did you end up here anyway.”

Sunghoon stared out the window at the club. “That’s a good question.”

'You. I’m here because of you.’

It was a mostly quiet drive to Sunghoon’s apartment complex. The only sounds heard were the hum of the car’s engine and the soft music playing through the speakers. It seemed like just a few minutes passed by the time you were parked in front of Sunghoon’s apartment building.

You shut off the car and turned to Sunghoon. “Are you going to be okay walking up there by yourself?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Are you asking because you want to come with me?”

“Well, I didn’t know if you wanted me to go with you.”

'I always want you with me.’

“I mean I wouldn’t be opposed to a little company.”

Your lips pulled into a weak smile. You climbed out of the car and met Sunghoon at the door of the apartment lobby. You both walked in hand in hand and he directed you to the elevator.

“Can’t remember the last time I was in this elevator” You thought out loud.

Sunghoon hit the button for floor number three and shoved his hands in his pockets. “This place did used to be your home”

The second Sunghoon got the door to his apartment open, he made a beeline for the couch and threw his body onto it.

You stood awkwardly at the door. “Well, if that’s all you need, I’ll get going now.”

'Don’t let her leave. Who knows when you’ll be able to see her after this. Don’t let her leave.’

“Y/n.”

You were just about to step out into the hallway when he called your name. You looked back at him and you swear you’ve never seen a man look so desperate.

“Stay.” His voice was shaky, almost inaudible. “Even if it’s just for a few minutes. I know I’ve already asked a lot of you but- Just- Please stay.”

“Okay.” You closed the door and made your way back to the couch, taking a seat next to Sunghoon.

You took in his appearance. Not what he was wearing, but his face. His eyes looked sunken in, his nose was swollen, and his cheeks had hollowed in a bit. You had never seen him like this. “Sunghoon, what’s wrong?”

Sunghoon was a bit taken aback by your question. “What?”

“You look terrible.” You hadn’t realized the harshness of your words until you noticed Sunghoon visibly wince.

He rolled his eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

“No, I mean, you look like you’ve been through something.”

“I’m fine.”

'Now, we both know that’s a fucking lie.’

You shook your head. “No, I know you’re not. Look, I know things got kinda weird between us, but I still care about you.”

'Just say it. Tell her.’

“I miss you.” Sunghoon whispered.

You froze, absolutely certain that your ears were playing tricks on you. “What?”

“I miss you.” he repeated. He looked up to meet your gaze. His eyes were brimming with tears. Damn, why did alcohol make him so emotional? “I miss you so much.”

You tilted your head. “No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do. You have no idea.” With every word, it got harder to keep the tears in. “I miss the songs you’d hum every morning while you made breakfast. I miss your bedhead. I miss the way you’d squint when you were reading something. I miss you, y/n.”

You heard the desperation in his voice, but you told yourself it was just the alcohol. His words now weren’t lining up with what he had said then. “Do you remember why we broke up?”

Sunghoon scoffed, but it sounded more like a sob. “How could I forget? You said you 'lost feelings.’ That you had 'fallen out of love with me.’”

“We both said we had fallen out of love.” you corrected.

“I know, but things are different now.” He placed a hand on your cheek and pressed his forehead to yours. Your lips were mere centimeters apart, and you could feel his shallow breath on your face. “Please, y/n.”

“Sunghoon…” It hurt you to see him like this. “It must be the alcohol talking. You’re not thinking straight. We both said it ourselves. We’re not in love anymore.”

“Then let’s pretend. I don’t care how long it lasts. I just- I need you.” His voice was shaking. “Even if it’s just for tonight, could we pretend that we’re in love?”

You leaned into his palm. You hadn’t been this close to him in so long. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t miss this. Sunghoon’s touch had this warmth to it that you were never quite able to feel in anyone else. It was one of the many reasons you had fallen in love with him in the first place.

You were so deeply in love with him throughout the two years you had been together. That made things harder when you noticed that you two had grown distant. For some indescribable reason, the two of you had slowly begun to grow apart. And during this time, any small thing could spark an argument.

After two months, it just didn’t feel like a relationship anymore. Neither of you knew what you wanted and it seemed like there was always a wall between you, and it didn’t take long to decide that it’d be best for you to go your separate ways.

It’s just like that saying. If you love something, let it go. If it doesn’t come back, you never had it…

“I know what I want now.” Sunghoon stated, sure of himself this time.

“And what is that, Sunghoon?”

“Right now, I just want you here with me.” he answered. “I just want to hold you. I just want to feel your lips against my skin. I just want you.”

… If it comes back…

You place your hand over his and looked deep into his pleading eyes. “I want you too.”

… love it forever.

[writerwrites]

It’s Meant to Feel That Way | Part IV

Pairing: Andy Barber x Reader

Summary: Two strangers in a grocery store are brought together by a little boy determined to make them a family.

Word Count: 5k

Warnings: SMUT 18+ Only, Minors DNI, Fluff, Defending Jacob non-canon ending, brief mention of grief/child loss, brief mention of absentee parent, gentle vanilla sex, slight praise kink and overstimulation kink if you squint.

A/N: *THIS IS NOW A MINI-SERIES* As I write each chapter and slowly slip back into the world of fic writing, each part is based on feedback from the reblogs, so let me know what you think. Be gentle please. Also, don’t translate or post my work on other sites. | Playlist | Dividers by @firefly-graphics | gif credit

Series Masterlist  .  Complete Masterlist

“Daddy!” You watched Andy Barber’s perfect bearded face break into a massive toothy smile for the chubby cheeked face on your phone screen. “When are you coming to ge’ me? I miss you!” AJ practically screamed every word into the phone or maybe it just sounded loud because his face kept scooting closer to the screen like he was trying to give you both kisses between words.

“Soon, Bubba.” He’d offered up while you said, “Go play with Abuelito y Abuelita, okay?”

“Tita is cooking nom-penadas!”

Empanadas, you mouthed. You could practically hear Andy’s stomach growl as he licked his lips. “We’ll be there for dinner.”

With a squealed yay the FaceTime call was promptly disconnected and you sighed, “So much for picking up something to eat as a thank you for them watching him. That woman loves cooking.”

“Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” You playfully smacked his arm and kept giving him your turn by turn directions, but when you looked over at him you were immediately concerned to find his brow furrowed, “What is it?”

Shaking his head and clearing his throat, “Mind if we take a little detour? It’s not anything bad, promise.”

“Not at all. My mom’s empanadas take at least two hours to make anyways.” You reached over and squeezed his thigh and he reached down and took it, bringing it to his smiling lips.

Without giving him any more directions, Andy had made it to your parents’ neighborhood, passing their street near the front of the neighborhood to the newer additions a few streets back. Then he pulled into a beautiful home with navy shutters and a matching door that reminded you of his suit. He watched you leaning against the window as you looked up at the house, then drew your gaze across the long covered porch. “Looks like something out of a magazine doesn’t it?”

“But in a good way, really.” You thought aloud before looking out over the yard not finding a for sale sign before you realized what you were doing, but he saw you do it and smiled even wider. “Sorry, I love this neighborhood. My parents live a few streets up. These weren’t being built when I was looking for a place and AJ and I probably couldn’t afford it.”

“Yeah? How many streets away?” Andy’s eyebrows knit together in sincere curiosity and surprise as he turned the car off. You listed them off by name, following him out of the car and pointing in the fastest direction to get there from this house. Watching him slip a key into the front door your mouth fell open, “It’s my place, though I really haven’t done anything with it since I bought it.”

Stepping into Andy’s house your mouth immediately fell open, “It’s like a T.A.R.D.I.S… um, bigger on the inside.” Andy chuckled and kicked off his shoes, so you did the same, before you let him lead you around. Everything was open and you could see the potential in a house like this. There was a notable lack of personalization, even boxes in the corner of the living room. “Did you just move here?”

He followed your gaze to the boxes and came closer, wrapping his arms around your waist and placing his chin atop your head. “No, Sweetheart, I’ve been here quite some time.” When Andy hesitated to explain, you nuzzled more closely into him, hoping it would be a comfort and the soft hum that escaped him made you hopeful it was. “I just couldn’t bring myself to pull out the pictures of Jacob.”

You couldn’t be sure how long you stood there with your hands covering Andy’s, your thumbs brushing over his to reassure him that there was no timetable for grief. The empty mantle over the fireplace staring back, an echo of what this place could be. When he gave the top of your head a kiss you whispered, “Ready to give me the full tour?”

Andy unraveled his arms from your middle, but still took your hand, leading you first to the places you could see. Across from the living room and foyer was an empty area that could be a library, playroom, or open spaced office. You could see the dining room empty behind it and it all looped back around to the kitchen and living room you’d just been in. He led you around slowly, letting you oh and ah at all the little details of the house and for the first time the place felt warm to him. “I want you to see the back before we go upstairs.”

With a nod, the lawyer pushed open massive sliding doors that made the back patio connect to the kitchen as if it were one big space. The warm breeze caused the hem of your dress to rustle up while you stepped out on the hardly furnished space. The entire backyard was massive. “There’s so much potential back here. It’s even already fenced in. How do you not have a dog?”

“Until recently, believe it or not, I was working too much to think about it. I wouldn’t mind a dog though or using the grill again.” He nodded to the large piece of equipment under a tarp. It went unsaid, but you could feel the wheels turning in Andy’s head, the relief at having a reason to think about the future. You hadn’t realized you’d been so focused on the day-to-day until Andy came into your life.

“Well then I’m looking forward to a night of dinner with some Barber barbecue.” With another kiss to the top of your head, Andy led you back inside and you noticed two doors by the stairs. “Where do these go, your lair where you recharge every night?” With a poke to his side, you let go, helping him close the sliding doors to the backyard.  “Y’know because you’re too amazing to be human, I assume you have to charge every night.”

Andy watched your hopeful smile and found himself smiling too before he burst into an unpracticed laugh. That sound melted your heart and pulled the laughter out of you too. Instinctively, you turned into him, squeezing him into a hug. “I’ve been sad and cynical for so long that I wasn’t sure I knew how to accept kindness in my life anymore.”

“You can feel more than one emotion at once, contradictory things, and still be kind hearted. Andy, you deserve love. I’ve only ever given you what you’ve given me.” He held you for a moment longer, tilting his head down to kiss you softly. “So, is it your charging station?”

Shaking his head he pointed to one door, “That’s a half bath, the other goes to the basement which is mostly just unused space. There’s a plethora of boxes down there, but there’s two rooms and a bathroom. One’s my home office.”

“Ah! So, a lair.” You chuckled and he tugged you up the beautiful staircase, your eyes on the bare wall in desperate need of pictures before you looked at all the doors. “Sheesh, how big is this place?”

Pointing at the doors one by one, Andy explained, “Bedroom, bedroom, bathroom, linen closet, and these double doors go to the master.”

Letting go of his hand, you walked backward toward the master and Andy watched you with dark eyes. You pushed the doors open behind you and then spun around giggling only to gasp both in surprise at the beauty of the space and at how quickly Andy had snuck up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist once more. This seemed to be the only part of the house he’d actually done something with.

“All this blue, you fit in perfectly, don’t you think?” Andy’s lips brushed the shell of your ear and you wiggled in his arms. The buzz of the lawyer’s touch in the bathroom, his agreement that you both deserved better, even the way he’d edged you into a frustrated sleep last night- all of it now sat at the forefront of your mind. His hands brushed down your hips to the hem of your dress, slipping under to squeeze your thighs. “You like this?”

A moan passed your lips as his large hands continued to move higher, turning toward the warmth of your inner thighs. “Andy,” you whimpered his name, reaching back and combing your fingers through his hair. “Do you mean when you… t-touch me?”

“No, Sweetheart. I know you like it when I touch you.” Andy’s voice was deep, vibrating against your back as his fingers brushed across your panties, applying the lightest touch to your clit over the fabric. You were immediately aware of how wound up he’d kept you for almost twenty four hours.

“Do you mean the bedroom? It’s gorgeous.” Each word came out breathy, your eyes fluttering closed as his thumbs slipped under the lace at your hips, back until he had handfuls of your ass. The only reason your whimpers didn’t fill the spacious bedroom was because of how loud he groaned.

“No, Sweetheart. Not just the bedroom but the house.” With a slow tug your carefully chosen panties were falling to his floor, his lips to your neck, but nodding and a sigh of approval didn’t satisfy him. At least, that’s how you took it when his hands left your skin all too soon. “I know how special your place is. It’’s a home with memories and love. I felt it the moment you invited me in.” Andy carefully brushed your hair over your shoulder, placing a kiss to the nape of your neck. “You’re a great mother and AJ’s so lucky to have your unconditional love and support.” Unzipping your dress, Andy’s knuckles moved down your spine, his lips kissing their wake, stopping at the clasp of your bra and taking that off too. “I want to give you both the world, spoil you, spend time with you, be a part of that happiness.”

After all your clothes had fallen to his floor, Andy wrapped his arms back around you, thumbs brushing your curves as he walked you toward the bed but stopped half-way. Putting together a coherent sentence felt impossible, but you managed a breathy, “Andy, what are you say?”

“We’re definitely going to be late for dinner.” Looking over your shoulder at him, you both laughed in amused agreement.

“AJ might miss us, be a little mad if we’re late, but I promise he’ll forgive us if we show up with ice cream.”

“Sweetheart, I want to be late to every dinner for the rest of our lives. So I guess we better stock up on ice cream for Bubba.” Andy cupped your jaw and brushed his thumb across your chin, turning your face toward a full length mirror you hadn’t noticed. For a moment your eyes stayed on him, still in his navy suit and you could picture him in his morning routine getting ready only for a sleepy AJ to run through the double doors to latch onto his leg. You were distracted by how easy it was to see this house transformed into a home, to see the three of you here. As if he could hear your thoughts and whispered in your ear to get you out of your head, “Look at you, Sweetheart. I want to worship every inch of you; body, mind, and soul.” Andy emphasized each word with a kiss to a new place they’d never touched, like he was determined to bless each inch of you. “I can’t do that in one hour or one day, not in one month or one year.”

With a shiver you coaxed him on as you watched his broad hands and soft lips mapping your form through the reflection in the mirror. “It’s only been a day since we agreed to figure out the rest. Does this mean you have a plan? Going to use your fancy lawyer skills to convince me I should go along with whatever you’re hinting at?”

Andy laughed, burying his face in the curve of your neck. His beard tickled your skin and you started to laugh too. Seconds later you were gasping because his grip around you tightened and he scooped you up and closed the distance to the bed. Gently placing you on the pillowy sheets, he stared down at you with a ravenous gaze through his long lashes but the soft turn up in his pouted lips held something more than lustful desire, it was the same way he looked at you the night before in your own bed. The night he chose you and AJ. Propping yourself up on your elbows you watched him undress, waiting for your answer. “I think I’ve been figuring out what I wanted every day since I lost Jacob. It wasn’t until AJ found me and you let me into your life that it stopped being a dream. You asked me to stay, Sweetheart, but I’m asking for more.”

Biting your lip, your eyes raked down his body, muscles and a dark trail of hair from his belly button south to his… Your eyes snapped up to his, “More?”

“Come live here. The three of us could have more space, you can make this place a home we can grow into… and you already said it’s closer to your parents.” Andy could feel his heart racing as he’d asked and his fingers combed through his beard and hair as he waited for the pain of rejection. Still a nervousness never seemed to really settle into his bones when he was around you. Then, there you were laying on the bed watching him one moment and reaching out for him in the next. Bending down for a moment to grab a condom out of his discarded pants he climbed onto the bed with you. Hovering over your body as you opened your legs wider and he settled between them. “Need to hear you say it, Sweetheart. I really do.”

“I want it all, Mr. Barber. I want it all with you.” As your hands gently stroked his cheek, down his neck and back up through his soft brown locks, Andy slipped on the condom. “I can see it too, y’know. Making this place a happy home for you and AJ. The walks to my parents for dinner.” He was hard and you were soaking wet. While you whispered confessions of your hopes for this new relationship, he started to stroke the tip of his cock through your folds, pausing only to tease your center with a gentle push to your opening or the tap of his swollen head to your needy clit. “Andy, please.” With a tug, you pulled his mouth to yours. “I want to give you everything you dreamed of.”

Andy’s eyes stung and he hadn’t realized he was on the verge of tears until he pushed slowly into you and closed his eyes only to feel your hand on his cheek, brushing the moisture away. For a moment, when his bright blue eyes opened and met yours, he expected to see pity or concern. Instead, he watched you bite into your bottom lip as you tangled your legs around his, lifting your hips off the bed to meet his languid thrusts. Savoring the little whimpers you trapped behind those soft pink lips, a perfect call and response to his own moans in the early cadence of your coupling.

Your eyes never left his face, your hand still on his cheek, gently stroking his bearded jaw before moving to the back of his neck when you pulled his mouth to yours. He could have been drunk on the moans that poured from them. His muscles  were tight as he focused on being gentle with you and savoring this precious moment. You were just as desperate, practically begging for him to move faster and push deeper because this moment had been at the forefront of your mind since he edged you to sleep the night before. Instead, you basked in the way this man was once again surprising you with his tender care. There was simply no part of you that could fathom walking away from this man.

When your lips parted, swollen and millimeters apart, Andy whispered against them, a simple confession that sent the room spinning. “Sweetheart, I am so in love with you. I didn’t fall in love with you quickly or slowly… I don’t think I fell at all. I think I smacked right into it.” You could feel his smile against your mouth, the puffs of laughter tangled with breathlessness mingled with the words and kisses.

Running your hands down his chest and then wrapping your arms around him, you craned your neck to kiss his collarbone and jaw until you made it back to his lips. You knew exactly what he meant, “Like the world was spinning and we hadn’t noticed it had been normal being just a little off axis until we met and it was set right.” The tip of your tongue darted across your bottom lip and Andy’s tongue met it, sending a shiver down your body. He came alive against you, fingers laced together and pinned to the bed. Legs tangled and feet pressed to the mattress for purchase. Hips met skin to skin, warm and desperate to make the swollen bundle of nerves between them build into an unrelenting release. “I love you, too, Andy.” Those words called out, over and over, as you took every inch of him, your muscles tight and moments from snapping.

Desperate for more, dinner long forgotten, Andy let go of your hands to grip your hips and control the pace, slowing down your needy rutting. Placing a gentle kiss to his chin, you pushed on his shoulders and the warm muscles of his chest. Andy rolled to his back, bringing you with him, never slipping out of your tight heat. The action sent goosebumps across your skin as you whimpered and nearly came. His blue eyes raked over your form, a vision above him, and his hands wandered so desperate to touch every inch of you. “You’re so beautiful, Sweetheart.”

Heat from the sudden compliment painted its way from your cheeks to your neck and then your chest. He watched your nipples pebble and selfishly brought his mouth to them. You rocked your hips, squeezing around his thick shaft as you stayed fully seated. Andy sucked hard, releasing you from his mouth with a pop before moving to the other. The bedroom echoed with your pleas as his broad hands firmly grabbed your ass and coaxed you on. Unintentionally scratching your nails down his stomach you gave into the pleasure of being completely full of this man. Andy stilled inside you as your body quaked around him, admiring the way you clung to his arms while your head fell back and you screamed his name. He let out a strained groan as he felt you soak him, dripping down his cock and onto the bed, his blue eyes never closing as he memorized every detail of you in pure bliss.

As your body tingled, alert and sensitive from the best orgasm of your life, Andy scooted back toward the headboard to sit a bit more upright. His lips pressed to the crook of your neck as you gasped and whimpered with every little movement of him inside you that caused a little aftershock of your tired muscles milking him. With one arm wrapped lovingly around you, thumb brushing back and forth across your shoulder blade; the other reached between you, two fingers pressed to your clit. It felt like too much and not enough. Dizzy, your lips parted in near protest before he gave you praise, “You did so good. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of seeing how happy I make you.”

Maybe it was the rasp of conviction in his voice or the way he was holding you, but you could feel that praise wash over you like warm honey. Despite how tired you thought you were, your body immediately reacted, straining as it begged for more. Resting your tired head on his shoulder, Andy stroked your clit as he rocked your body to meet his deep thrusts, quickening his pace as you gasped. The headboard rocked against the wall, his arm holding you more tightly as his thighs spread to give him more control, sinking you impossibly lower down his length. With his fingers moving faster you had no control over your body, tingling and tight as he hit that spot over and over. “Andy, I’m-”

“I know, sweetheart. Don’t hold back.” His lips pressed to your hair and you felt him swell and throb, his hand going still as he pinned you down on his length and choked out your name. It was that pulse of him finding his release that made you collapse again with your second. Affectionately pulling you with him as he leaned against the headboard, Andy peppered your hair, forehead, jaw, and shoulder in breathy kisses while you both came down. You could feel your juices on his fingers as they left your sensitive bud and he rubbed your leg and hip, leaving a sticky trail. His other hand gently massaged its way up and down your back. Though you’d cuddled the night before, this was a thousand times more comforting and you nuzzled into him. “No sleeping, my love. We’ve got ice cream to get.”

You sighed, beaming at the soft way this put together lawyer with his big heart and corded muscles could make you melt with little pet names. Eventually, you managed to come back to reality, pulse finding that giddy rhythm that it normally stayed at around Andy. “We probably shouldn’t walk into a grocery store looking like this.” With a hum of agreement and a few more minutes of his soothing strokes to your back and thigh, he carried you to the large master bathroom. “No more funny business.” His laugh echoed through the marbled space, but he made no promises that he knew he couldn’t keep.

Had it not been for the promised ice cream, the pair of you would have walked over to your parents’ house. It was a perfect summer day and the sun was just beginning to set when you pushed open the screen door, the front already open. “Ma, dondé estas?” You doubted she could hear you. Music was on, meaning she was in the kitchen. The television buzzed under that, meaning that your father was probably passed out on his recliner. The squeal of delight and incoming scampering feet meant that AJ wasn’t sitting at the dinner table just yet. Those outstretched arms and confused ramblings of excitement, however, veered straight into Andy’s arms. “Oh, not even a hello kiss?”

Andy laughed as you watched your son’s small hands clap onto either side of his beard, before the little guy bonked his forehead on his nose to give him a hello peck to his chin- the closest thing he could reach. “Hey Bubba! We missed you so much. Did you have some nom-penadas yet?”

Your mother rushed over moments later and Andy immediately beamed at how you’d done the same so many times, chasing after AJ in an apron. “Perfect! I was just about to put down plates.”

“Great, I would love to help.” The woman waved him off, but he insisted. “It’s what I do every night. Right, Bubba? We help your Mah every dinner?”

“You may win me over easily, Avocado, but Tito? I don’t know.” Reaching over she squeezed Andy’s hand before tickling AJ’s sides. Normally this would get him to fall back in laughter and, with a little more tickling, turn around to ask to be held by his tickler. Instead, he clung to Andy, laughing and screaming so loud that despite his big smile you could see the grimace that his ears were ringing. When she conceded, your mother lovingly sighed and waved everyone further into the house. “I see how happy you make these two. It’s hard to not love you already.”

“Avocado?” He chuckled, “Andy’s fine.”

With a palm covering your face, you explained that abogado was ‘lawyer’ in Spanish and that AJ had asked what an avocado was. Your father had taken to calling him ‘the lawyer’ or ‘the avocado’ in AJ’s case. Andy took it in stride, an amused smile on his face as he and his toddler shadow moved around the table talking about what the little one had been up to with his grandparents. Your mother watched the two of them with a smile cracking every time AJ called him Daddy. It was a relief to walk into this with everything on the table. You never hid how you met him from your parents and you regularly brought him up, just like AJ did.

After slipping the ice cream into the freezer, you left the three behind to pester your dad. Sure enough, he was asleep and you woke him up by slowly combing your fingers through his salt and pepper hair. When he squinted through one eye to see who it was, you reached over and passed him his glasses. “You be nice. This one’s different.”

“Ay, when am I ever not nice?” He pretended to take a bite out of the finger you were pointing at him before getting out of his chair.

AJ was back on Andy’s hip, the pair of them leaning against the archway between the living room and dining room smiling. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Sir.”

“Tito’s just fine, Avocado.” Your head fell back and you shook your head in exasperation when they shook hands, your father covering Andy’s with a second, patting it reassuringly. “Has this one made you empanadas yet?”

“She hasn’t.” His blue gaze fell on you with a look that could only be read as a question of whether or not you’d been holding out your best dishes. “But I have loved every meal she’s made. I’ll make it up to her though. I’m pretty good on a grill and I like making breakfast.”

Your father looked between the two of you, that knowing smile still on his lips as everyone took a seat. “Breakfast happens to be this guy’s favorite meal of the day.”

AJ sat across from Andy, between your parents, and started the meal by copying your mother who always held out her hands and made everyone say one thing they were happy about. Everyone clasped hands and your eyes moved down to Andy’s large fingers laced through yours where his thumb was absently brushing yours while he listened intently to your mother explaining the tradition and how AJ always started. Knowing AJ, you expected him to list off all the breakfast foods he loved, but he surprised you. “Ice cream with Daddy!”

The table erupted with laughter at how observant the little guy had been despite his shrieking and climbing when you and Andy had walked in the door. Your father went next, “I’m glad to meet the person making these two so happy.”

Your mother followed, her eyes a little glassy, “For the lessons that came in waiting because you learned what the right fruit would be.”

Andy squeezed your hand, chuckling at the reference to avocados. Momentarily choked up, you nodded to let him go first. “I’m glad that AJ decided I was worthy of being part of a family that was already complete without me, but somehow we just fit.” Letting go of your hand, Andy reached over and stroked your cheek before tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

You squeezed his thigh and looked up at him. “I’m thankful to know a once in a lifetime love like this is worth figuring out the details.”

Though you couldn’t be sure how long you and Andy stared at each other nor how teary eyed your parents had become as they held AJ’s small hands while the three of them watched you, it was that little guy who finally had enough. “Tito, I’m ready for my nom-penadas.”

The room echoed with laughter once more and everyone looked to your father who held up his glass, “To new beginnings.”

You and your mother raised yours, then Andy followed suit, but AJ held up his empanada that was already missing a toddler-sized bite. “Salud!” The biggest new beginning would be the move and a tiny part of you worried they might not be so quick to have congratulated this budding romance if they knew you were taking that step. But as the night progressed and that topic was ever so gently brought up in a way that Andy seemed so good at, they were relieved to know you and AJ were going to be closer- even if your house wasn’t that far. All the more surprising was that they offered to help by planning days to come over and pack and insisting on taking AJ over the weekend so that you could move without him running around.

When AJ was fast asleep in Andy’s arms after the three of you said goodnight to your parents it was obvious that even your father had been won over. Game nights and favorite drinks and snacks had been mentioned, as had plans for regular dinners together. He kissed your temple and slipped toward the car so you could have a word with them alone while he buckled AJ into the carseat in your car. Wasting no time your mother threw her arms around you and gave you the tightest hug. Your father was a little less emotional, squeezing your arms as he smiled before he pulled you in. Sometimes, words weren’t needed and that was okay, you knew that after all these years they hated that you’d only had AJ. In their protectiveness even they couldn’t picture what someone else fitting into their routine looked like. Now that they met Andy, they were relieved to know that expectations and worries couldn’t compare to the man their grandson had chosen to love and quickly understood why their daughter fell in love with him too.

A/N: I realized as I was editing that those of you that are new here might not have been aware that all of my readers are Latina because I am and I write fic I want to read BUT I hope that didn’t ruin this story for you all. What would you like in Part V? The move? The Barber-cue? A time jump to a proposal? More hoe hours?

Thank you for being so patient! I was worried I wasn’t doing this chapter justice and then got very stressed about it- on top of my return to my Monday-Friday job. Your support has meant the world to me.

Tags are open, just send an ask.

Taglist: @tom-hlover​  @marvelouslytrekking​ @https-cali​ @saiyanprincessswanie​  @velvetcardiganbucky​  @caplanbuckybarnes​  @traumschiffe​ @dumb-ass-writer @meetmeatyourworst​ @exhaustedfangirl​  @patzammit​  @drabblewithfrannybarnes​  @astridmargrethe​  @deepintothenature  @maroonsunrise83​  @firefly-in-darkness​  @charmingprincess @sebsgirl71479​  

[ao3feed-sambucky]

Damn Poppa You A Rare Breed (No Comparing)

read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/48508417

by EdwardAllenPoe

EXCERPT FROM THIS WORK:

"After that, Sam dismissed them, so they hurried outside. "They probably already forgot, those punks," Sam muttered to himself.

"Don't worry Sam," Bucky started. "I already forgot too."

"Fuck you!" Sam exclaimed, tossing a wet hand towel at Bucky as the other laughed.

•••

"Since when? And what kind of song is this?" Bucky asked, trying to stave off a grin.

Sam huffed a breath then laughed. "It's Doja Cat, Buck."

""Buddy you ain't shit, need a laxative"? Is this whole song about fecal matter?" He shook his head.

Sam's mouth hung open. "Did you just say 'fecal matter'? How old are you? 100?"

"109." Bucky corrected.

"Shut the hell up.""

 Or;

 Sam Wilson loves cooking and listening to his favorite artis, Doja Cat, and Bucky Barnes thinks his boyfriend is a huge dork.

Words: 987, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: James "Bucky" Barnes, Sam Wilson (Marvel), AJ Wilson, Cass Wilson

Relationships: James "Bucky" Barnes/Sam Wilson, James "Bucky" Barnes & Sam Wilson, James "Bucky" Barnes & AJ Wilson & Cass Wilson, AJ Wilson & Cass Wilson & Sam Wilson

Additional Tags: Domestic Fluff, Cooking, Uncle Bucky Barnes, Uncle Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes Feels, Retired Bucky Barnes, Captain America Sam Wilson, Inspired by Music, Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Established Relationship, Bucky Barnes Loves Sam Wilson, Sam Wilson Loves Bucky Barnes

read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/48508417

[freedomseeker91]

Mornings With You, Priceless....

Chapter: One-Shot In The More Than Good Enough Universe

Title: Mornings With You, Priceless

Summary: Beca loves some me time in the early mornings, but not as much as she loves her girls.

Rating: F for Fluff

Warning: None

Early morning feeds usually meant Beca was too awake to bother going back to sleep, something her former self would’ve hated, but she now found she rather enjoyed it because for those few hours, everything was silent and the world was hers. It gave her those precious moments to relax and set herself up for the day.

She would feed AJ, put her back down in her crib and then sneak downstairs to put on a pot of coffee while Chloe caught the last few hours before the alarm. Beca would whip up some pancake batter, throw some bacon in the air fryer cooking on a low heat, and put together two granola and yoghurt bowls with some fresh strawberry compote she’d made during the week.

One of the things Chloe had always loved about Beca was the fact nobody was aware of just how good a cook she was. Chloe could hold her own in a kitchen but Beca was definitely the more creative. She could whip up a recipe the same way she could write a melody. There was something about cooking that just made sense to her in the same way music did. It was like making a mashup, it all came down to finding the perfect blend.

As she finished prepping for breakfast, she grabbed a fresh cup of coffee from the pot and made her way outside to watch the sun rise from the backyard. The slight chill from the night before was still in the air so she tightened up her robe and wrapped her hands around the steaming mug of coffee before settling on of the chairs on the porch.

Inhaling the scent of the warm beverage she took that first glorious mouthful and relished in the rich aroma as she felt it seep through her veins. Beca loved her family dearly, but the loner part of Beca that carried her through high school still existed within her deep down, and every now again she needed to indulge that side of herself.

Just shut herself off from everyone and everything and spend time in a bubble with her own thoughts. While Beca had become much more sociable since meeting Chloe, she still needed time to get away and recharge. Thankfully, Chloe understood this and respected it. She never questioned Beca’s desire to be alone from time to time because she knew that her wife’s need to spend time in her own company, was much the same as Chloe’s need to go for a long run.

Whenever Chloe had a challenging day, she liked to run it out of her system, sweat the small stuff out of her body so the negative energy didn’t build up. Beca on the other hand liked to escape to her recording studio or the park and people watch. It gave her time to slow down her often times racing mind and make sense of her thoughts.

While Chloe was an open book and could articulate every thought and feeling, Beca always needed time to process them so that when she was ready, she could communicate herself clearly. And when she was ready, Chloe was always her first port of call. Because while most people had always been frustrated by Beca’s need for alone time, Chloe had always been patient, and this patience had been what allowed Beca to feel more secure in opening up and allowing people into her space.

So Beca took these quiet moments to recharge and regroup, because when she was ready to step back into the world, it allowed her to be 1,000 percent present for Chloe and for AJ. No running, no hiding, just a little quiet time every now and again so that she could step up and be the wife and mother her family deserved.

After 30 minutes had passed, the last drops of her coffee now cold, Beca heard footsteps shuffling towards the back door before Chloe appeared out on the porch, her wavy hair beautifully sleep tousled, her eyes adjusting to the morning light as she cradled a baby monitor in one hand and a coffee in the other. She grinned when her eyes met her wife’s gaze as she shuffled over towards her in her slipper covered feet, perching herself down on the seat beside her.

“Something smells good in the kitchen,” Chloe mumbled, her voice still thick with a sleepy undertone as she set the monitor down on the side table next to her and made herself comfortable.

Beca smiled at her as Chloe lopped her arm through hers and snuggled up close beside here, Beca resting her hand on Chloe’s lap.

“I thought we’d have pancakes and bacon for breakfast,” Beca replied, “I also made granola bowls,” she slipped in before Chloe could ponder the hearty breakfast. The redhead liked balance and the mention of granola seemed to sate her.

“With your homemade compote?” Chloe queried, and Beca giggled.

“Of course.”

Chloe hummed contently at this as she rested her head on Beca’s shoulder.

“You’re such a good provider,” she sighed and Beca grinned.

“It was in my vows. Can’t go breaking them now.”

Chloe smiled at the mention of their vows, the words they had spoken and the promises they had made. Chloe kept them close to her heart and even had the pages Beca had written her vows on pressed onto expensive paper to add to a memory book she had begun compiling back in college when their relationship became serious. A book that had grown in size and volumes over the years and milestones.

Everything from letters, to concert tickets, polaroid’s, even a map that ticked off every place they had been together across the globe. She’d even gone out and purchased a new one so they could start checking boxes once AJ was old enough to travel.

Chloe wasn’t a hoarder per say, but when it came to sentimental things, she couldn’t be parted with them. It had been a long running joke with Beca that if the house ever caught fire, Chloe would save all her memory books before Beca.

Beca’s memory keepsakes were somewhat less traditional, but so wholly here that Chloe had a lock box in the wardrobe next to her memory box to store them. Because Beca’s memories weren’t objects per say, they were melodies, lyrics, playlists. Every single mash up, every single demo, every single song that Beca had put together or created over the years stored on countless flash drives.

From rough cuts she had recorded on her phone to the polished final tracks and every thing in between. Beca had saved every single one of them from they day she and Chloe had met, right up to the present day and each and every one of them told a story from their relationship. From friends to lovers, wives to mothers.

Every memory, every moment had a soundtrack and every single one of those melodies made Chloe’s heart sing. None more so than the sweet lullabies Beca had created for their daughter that soothed her off to sleep.

Noting the time on her phone, Beca sat up, grabbing her cup tight as Chloe groaned at her peaceful bubble suddenly being burst, and Beca simply chuckled under her breath.

“There’s a peacefully sleeping baby that is due to wake up soon so I would strongly suggest showering and getting ready if you want snuggle time with AJ before work,” Beca remarked and this seemed to be the motivation Chloe needed to get a start on her day.

Snuggle time was a must. Chloe had missed the much coveted part of her morning routine once during her first week back at work and it had put her in such a bad mood Beca had made a mental note never to allow her to miss it again.

Hopping up out of her seat and grabbing the baby monitor, Chloe popped it under her arm and extended her free hand out towards her wife and gently pulled Beca up, lacing their fingers together as they made their way back inside the house.

Once inside their master bedroom, Beca quickly shed her clothes and made her way into the ensuite, still, turning on the shower and allowing it to run for a moment to heat up. Chloe meanwhile hung back to keep an ear out for the baby monitor, the pair swapping positions once Beca was out of the shower.

By the time Chloe had emerged, Beca was stood in front of the mirror towelling off, careful of her still healing incision. As Chloe began to dress, she watched her and noticed the way Beca’s eyes kept focusing in on her raised scar. Chloe slid up behind the shorter woman, her towel now discarded as she stood in just her bra and panty set and wrapped her arms around Beca from behind, nestling her face in the crook of her wife’s neck and pressing soft kisses to the skin there.

She could tell the insecurities that were floating through her wife’s mind without having to hear her physically speak. Beca had always believed that Chloe was out of her league, a picture of perfection that should be on a pedestal somewhere. But while Chloe adored the fact that her wife was so attracted to her, she hated that Beca had never been able to view herself as being on the same level.

Because to Chloe, Beca was just as perfect, if not more so in every single way, and watching her body grow and change while she was pregnant, how she had given birth to knew life, that just made Chloe fall even deeper in love with Beca and appreciate her body that much more. Glancing in the mirror at their reflections, Chloe found her hands gravitating towards Beca’s scar, coming to rest just above it in a light gentle hold.

“You know what I love about this scar,” Chloe murmured, her lips now just below Beca’s ear as the brunette leaned back into her, ”that it was our baby’s home.”

Chloe pressed a kiss to Beca’s earlobe and then nuzzled her nose against a soft pale cheek.

“The place where you kept her safe, nurtured her, helped her grow. Even through all the crazy complications, this, right here,” Chloe said, hands delicately caressing Beca’s abdomen, “is the reason we have our family. Our precious little girl.”

Beca sniffled at this, hands coming to rest atop her wife’s as the words sunk in.

“You stepped up when my body couldn’t, even though it was hard on you, you did it. You pushed through for our family.”

At that Beca turned around, arms coming to wrap around Chloe’s shoulders as she gazed into her eyes.

“And I would do it again in heartbeat,” Beca replied, her voice so soft and sincere.

When they had found out that Chloe couldn’t conceive, and that it would be difficult for Beca, the brunette pushed ahead with it anyways, determined to giver her wife the baby she had always wanted, the family they bought wanted.

It had been tough, really tough, multiple miscarriages and challenging IVF treatment had taken a toll on Beca’s body. But she never gave up, because somewhere deep down she knew she could do it. Even when Chloe had suggested they stopped treatments and looked into adoption, Beca still believed there was a chance. It wasn’t that she was against adoption or surrogacy, nothing of the sort.

It was just that she had seen how much it had affected Chloe being around their friends during various stages of pregnancy, how much she wanted that experience, even if it wasn’t her own body. And that had been enough to motivate Beca to keep trying until they had absolutely exhausted that avenue. And then, just as they were contemplating looking into other options, along came their little miracle.

AJ was their little beacon of light at the end of a very long dark tunnel and just seeing the tears in Chloe’s eyes, the smile on her face the moment she held their daughter for the first time, had made it all worth it for Beca. Complications be damned. Seeing how emotional Chloe currently was suddenly brough to the forefront a thought that had been niggling at the back of Beca’s mind.

“Don’t think I have noticed you being a little snippy with people lately,” Beca said, watching as Chloe tensed up because she knew Beca was right. The brunette dipped her head down to catch Chloe’s gaze which was suddenly focused elsewhere.

“Hey talk to me, what’s up? It’s not like you to get short with people. I’m the grumpy one remember?” Beca joked.

It had recently come to Beca’s attention that Chloe’s protective streak that she had asserted against her own mother and Sheila, seemed to have extended to their wider network, Chloe getting a little snappy with Amy and Stacie’s exuberant joking about had tested both Beca and AJ’s tired nature. With Beca, it was purely exhaustion, with AJ it was just the usual unsettled baby routine. Chloe for her part wasn’t appreciative either way.

Sucking in a deep breath, the redhead just nodded her head to acknowledge Beca was right, she had been a little testier lately. At first, she had put it down to being a new mom and dealing with sleep deprivation. But a conversation with her astute mother had pointed her in the right direction.

“I guess I’m just still dealing with everything that happened around the birth, it was just, a lot,” Chloe explained and Beca nodded in understanding, though she didn’t respond, wanting to give Chloe the space to speak up and feel heard.

“When they told me that the birth was high risk and they were taking you in for an emergency c-section, I literally felt my chest cave in. I just kept thinking about what would happen if I lost you and AJ. They gave me these scrubs to change into but there was nothing I could do to fix it,” Chloe cried, tears free falling down her cheeks.

“I’ve never felt so helpless in my whole life and I remember just praying that everything would be okay.”

Beca reached up her hands and cupped Chloe’s face, her thumbs stroking away her tears.

“But it is okay. AJ and I are both fine. We’re here and we’re both happy and healthy,” Beca replied, stoking Chloe’s cheek. The redhead nodded, though her crooked brow gave away her still conflicting emotions.

“I know, I know, I just, I guess I’m just overcompensating now for what I couldn’t do then. When I see you guys getting uncomfortable or upset it’s like my mind goes back to that time and I get this overwhelming urge to step in make everything okay again. I guess my protective streak was a little more aggressive than intended.”

Beca snorted out a laugh.

“A little? Babe Stacie asked if she needed to wear a suit of armour next time she stopped by,” Beca said, giggling to lighten the mood so her wife didn’t mistake her joke as criticism and eventually, Chloe cracked a smile.

“I guess I have been a little crazier than usual. I promise I’ll try tone it down.”

Beca leaned in and pressed a kiss to her wife’s lips, wiping away the remains of her tears before grasping her wife by both hands, intertwining their fingers and squeezing them tight.

“I love how protective you are of our family, but what happened was outside of both of our control, there was nothing either one of us could’ve done. But just so you know, you weren’t helpless. Having you there holding my hand, telling me everything would be okay, that’s what kept me calm and got me through. Me & AJ. If it weren’t for you, I would’ve been a mess. You were the anchor that kept me from feeling adrift.”

Chloe listened to every word back said intently, and by the time she was done, Chloe could actually feel her body relaxing as the knot that had been sitting in her chest since AJ’s birth finally began to unravel. She needed to hear those words more than she thought. Knowing that she had been able to comfort Beca and to offer her that support she needed to stay calm and present under life threatening circumstances, it eased the worries that had clouded Chloe’s mind.

She had been so focused on what she couldn’t do physically that she forgot about what she had offered Beca mentally and emotionally. Love, strength, encouragement, hope. She had been able to give Beca the things that nobody else could. For the first time in a while Chloe felt like she could breathe again.

Seeing Chloe physically relax Beca cupped her face in the palm of her hands and gazed lovingly back at her.

“I know you think you need to step up and be the protector, but we’re a team remember? Even Momma Bear needs to offload sometimes. I know you think because I’m healing that you’re easing the burden by holding this all in but I want you to talk to me. Seeing you hurting hurts me. So can you please promise not to keep this stuff bottled up anymore?” Beca asked and Chloe nodded.

“I will, I promise,” she replied, tugging her wife into her arms and hugging every last drop of comfort and support out of her, and Beca happily gave it all to her.

When Chloe was ready, Beca relinquished her hold on her and gazed up and down her wife’s body.

“Now go put some clothes on. You’re making me feel things I’m not able to do anything about right now and there’s a little girl waiting for her morning snuggles,” Beca said as she moved past her wife and smacked her playfully on the butt, Chloe blushing and giggling like a lovestruck teenager.

Quickly changing into her clothes and applying a thin layer of makeup to give her that natural look, Chloe bounced toward the door heading for her daughters’ nursery and just before she exited, she turned back and leaned against the doorframe, eyeing up her still half naked wife.

“Oh, by the way, when the doctor gives you the all clear for extracurricular activities, I plan on ravaging every single inch of that body,” Chloe said, voice thick with want as she pointed up and down her wife’s body, eyes full of lust as she bit down on her bottom lip. Beca grinned back at her mischievously and watched on as Chloe practically skipped down the hall.

From her place at the foot of the bed she could see Chloe enter AJ’s nursery on the monitor sitting on the bedside table, and her heart literally fluttered in her chest as she watched the redhead gently lift AJ from her crib and cradle her against her chest, talking away to her about all her sweet dreams before softly singing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to her as she swayed around the room with her.

Beca loved her little moments of me time, her few hours to collect herself and just sit with her own company. But more and more she found that she would happily give up all of her me time, to spend it all with her wife and daughter. The two people her heart literally beat for. Me time was great, but quality time with her two girls in the mornings, priceless.

[daisy-thetoxic]

Master List

Smut ♤- Fluff ♡- Sad ◇- NSFW ♧ - Headconons ☆

Prompt list

......................

Celebrity

Angelina Jolie

Elizabeth Olsen

Florence Pugh

Hailee Steinfeld

Scarlett Johanson

Lana Parrilla

Light down low part. 1

Bailey Sarian

Tom Elise

Tom Holland

Zendaya

Alexia Demi

Taylor Swift

Selena Gomez

Lana Parrilla *including Regina Mills*

AJ Cook

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Evans

Salma Heyak

DC

Kara danvers

Don’t

wRoNg

Alex danvers

Lena Luthur

Sara Lance

Ava

Felicity Smoak

Oliver Queen

Thea Queen

Berry Allen

Caitlin Snow

Criminal Minds

Jennifer Jareau

Older

Dollhouse

Gansta

Emily Prentiss

Derek Morgon

Aaron Hotch

Penelope Garcia

Elle Greenway

Kate Callahan

Tara Luise

Supernatural

Sam Winchester

Dean Winchester

Teen Wolf

Melissa McCall

Alison Argent

Stiles Stelinski

Lydia Martin

Derek Hale

Wyonna Earp

Wynonna Earp

Waverly Earp

Nichole Haught

Rosita

Marvel

Wanda Maximoff

Natasha Romanoff

Kate Bishop

Yelena Belova

Ajack

Fluff hc

Thena

Dynasty

Fallon

Monica

Crystal

Cicilia

Lucifer

Lucifer Morningstar

Chloe Decker

Mazikeen

Elle Lopez

Brooklyn 99

Rosa

Gina

Amy

Game of Thrones

Daenerys Targaryen

Sansa Stark

Arya Stark

Robb Stark

Khal Drogo

All dragons (platonic dragon rider)

Cercie Lannister

Miss Peregrine Home for Particular Children

Alma Peregrine

Little bird

How to train your dragon

Astrid

Heather

Hiccup

All dragons (platonic)

House of Dragons

Alicent Hightower

Our little dragon (Rhaelicent x Oc)

Rhaenyra Targaryen

Daemon Targaryen

Harwin Strong

Euphoria

Rue Bennet

Lexie Howard

Maddy Perez

Fezco

Shadow and Bone

Alina Starkov

Ineg

Darkling

Jesper

........................

You can ask for other character of I did not add them. I will do poly relationships, yandre, or cheater ships.

[khaleesiofalicante]

Ummmm, no thoughts, head empty, just MAVIDD and MAVID and then MAVID😍

I think you broke us for real. Okay I really don't have time to go on a full analysis (I'm drowning in university work, can you tell?) but for reasons I can not explain I found the time to read this chapter about 5 times and I have thoughts. They are very over the place so you will have to be patient. Here we go:

I need a scene where Alec gives the ring back to David explaining why he took it from David in the first place and David reassuring him that he always loved and will love Max, that there is nothing he wants more than Max's love and he would never not want to be loved by Max (I know its not happening but a girl can dream)

The kids finally seeing their parents being happy. Oh god please tell me there is a scene where AJ will tell Max thank you for making him smile again or telling David so that's what you're like when you're happy, the kids and especially AJ seeing how in love and happy their parents are together, ohh I'm melting from all the cuteness and the fluff

Probably not gonna like the answer to that one, but where is Jaden? I mean, what is his relationship with David and Arthur?

The "I just want my husband back" scene I've been dying to read Dani I'm scared where is it? Please tell me it will be fluffy and not angsty

Does David enjoy cooking again?? PLEASE TELL ME HE DOES. Because you mentioned in an earlier chapter that he stooped enjoying it after a while, and I hope he does now

Max and David going on car rides (eventually) please tell me they will have that

So, David was relating to the pool. He was feeling like neither were alive or doing anything, like they were both just existing. And then Max came and gave life to the pool, he used it and made it useful, the same way he gave life and happiness when he became a part of David's life again wow the parallels are going to kill me

Okay, I had this thought since LBAF, and there's no way it's true . Just think. Other Max in LBAF told Mallory that his story with David wasn't a rom-com but a love story. And I thought, "What if Other Max has visited the IALS universe?" And then comes David, who writes about a blue time travelling warlock, and my theory keeps getting stronger! (Yes, I'm being ridiculous, I'm aware)

Just think how long this ask would be if I had time😅 I hope you're doing well and having a great week. Song rec that will cheer you up in case you're having an okay moment: Belle, belle by Naïka 🌷🌷

Do you want me to punch your uni work in the face? I don't know how it's scientifically possible but I will give it a shot.

A lot of the questions you have (kind of) get answered in the epilogue. So, I'm gonna wait till then. Come yell at me if they are not addressed hehe.

David does enjoy cooking again. I think Harry was a big reason for that. As Max once pointed out, Arthur and Lance grew up with David's cooking, so they don't find it super special. They love it. But it's an every day thing for them. I think seeing Harry love David's food so much and just eat anything he makes made David cook more (mostly because he also wanted Harry to not starve). It's why we see him cooking a lot since Arthur moved to the new school!

I looooooved the pool analysis so much! Very spot on. And thank you for the other max angst! Always appreciated.

I looooove her music so thank you so much for the rec. The epilogue is David's pov and I'm gonna listen to sooo many french songs to prepare for it hehe x

[brainrattlers]

Play It Cool - Tyson Jost (34/n)

Pairing: Tyson Jost x OFC (AJ)

Word Count: 6274 (I went a little overboard)

Warnings: Language. There’s adult naughtiness, so if you’re under 18, get outta here. It’s not graphic but still... get out. Holiday fluff too.

Need to start from the beginning? Check out Chapter 1 at https://at.tumblr.com/brainrattlers/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-1n/p7no8u1hzuza

Just need to catch up on last chapter? Chapter 33 is at https://at.tumblr.com/brainrattlers/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-33n/roh2we9w75t3

Author’s Notes: I am reposting this because I'm getting the feeling my tags aren't working right. Testing something out. :)

Happy Holidays, readers! I’m hoping you’re having a festive season full of friends, family, food, and fun. Things got away from me, and then the weather that hit last week threw a wrench in the works for a LOT of people, myself included. Ended up having to rewrite things, and then I got stuck. That’s the hard part about writing sometimes... you have to come up with the ideas! I hope I did this justice, especially since I took a couple extra days.

Anyway, Tyson’s on the road, AJ’s in Minneapolis packing, and there’s a storm heading toward Buffalo. Tyson wants to bring AJ home for Christmas, but there are a lot of “what ifs” looming.

After a few hours of packing, AJ’s stomach alerted her to it being well past lunch time. 

As if on autopilot, she grabbed her keys, and headed to the garage to retrieve her Soul and hit the road. Truth be told, she missed her car after driving Tyson’s so much the past few weeks. Hitting 94, she headed to St. Paul, craving Cossetta. Traffic was rough on Seventh, reminding her of the fact the Wild were playing that night, just two blocks down the road. Opting to take her dinner with her, she headed back to the apartment wanting to get as far from the Xcel Energy Center as she could.

It wasn’t that she was mad at the team, or the arena… There was still frustration with the management and coaching staff there, getting under her skin. She didn’t know why it was still bothering her when clearly Tyson was carving out a new home in Buffalo, now on the third line consistently. AJ really did need to learn to get better, not bitter. Minnesota was just a stepping stone onto bigger and better things, for the both of them.

Sitting on the sofa next to Maple, AJ looked at the clock on her phone. Tyson was in Arizona, and likely would be at practice, but it didn’t stop her from sending a quick photo and message.

AJ: Maple was a good messenger. I miss you too! We’re just chilling on the sofa at the moment, having some late lunch. <;1 attachment>

Putting on some music in the background, AJ got back to work. Tyson’s musical influences were creeping into her Spotify mixes, realizing that a few of his playlist songs were showing up in her Chill and Electronic pre-made playlists. Some of those very songs graced the speakers in this very apartment while cooking dinner together, low-key afternoons that Tyson read while AJ crocheted, and some intense late nights spent connecting on multiple levels. 

Just like packing up life in Denver, memories came rushing back, even though their time there was short. While working on packing but really more reminiscing, the music was interrupted with a notification of a text message. Grabbing her phone, AJ smiled, but then frowned reading the words that popped up on the screen.

Tyson: I’m so glad Maple was able to relay the message. I told him to write it down because I’m pretty sure he would have forgotten otherwise. Skate went well. Change in plans though - don’t think Mom is going to make it to Minny to help. How’s it going? 

AJ looked around and sighed, knowing an extra set of hands would be a huge help. In her heart though, she knew though this was the least she could do right now considering she still didn’t have steady work in Buffalo and Tyson was footing the bill on things. Granted, he IS the one with a $2M contract currently. But with Laura not there to help, it was definitely concerning AJ whether she could pull this off as the movers would be there soon, and how it would affect Christmas plans that she was working with her on to surprise Tyson.

Either way though, AJ was going to have to make this work.

AJ: I’ve got a ways to go in that case, but doing what I can. Maple’s just sitting on the sofa though not helping. Everything okay?

Tyson: I don’t know if you’ve been paying attention to the weather but they’re starting to say that Buffalo is going to get hit hard with snow, but don’t know how much yet. Can I call you when we get back to the hotel? It’s a lot to text.

AJ: Of course. Love you, talk soon.

Tyson: You’re the best, love.

Shortly after, Tyson facetimed AJ better explaining the situation. He was worried about her traveling too - if she left too late, she might get stranded traveling back to Buffalo. Taking a minute to film the apartment situation, she told him it would be close to getting it done before the movers arrived, and making sure she left early enough without Laura’s help.

The silver lining in this situation is that literally she just needed to pack up and clean a bit - and AJ was staying at the apartment so it wasn’t like she needed to drive back and forth to a hotel each day. Late nights, early mornings, it didn’t matter other than the last night. Once boxes were packed, she could grab the most important ones and stash them in her car and hit the road.

The two closed out the call pretty quick, knowing the time crunch.

AJ ended up chatting a bit with Laura that evening too, confirming the news from Tyson about not coming in. The two were trying to figure out what this would mean for the Christmas surprise the two were plotting and scheming to make happen - unfortunately it was a “hurry up and wait” situation not knowing what the weather truly would bring. The two promised to keep in touch to figure out if plans were changing. Both were optimistically hopeful, but knew the reality might not be that picture-perfect.

Tyson was still worried, constantly checking for weather updates. It didn’t seem to show during the game in Arizona though, with him scoring an empty-net goal to help the Sabres beat the Coyotes 5-2. Directly after the game, the team traveled to Vegas.

AJ: Not staying at the Wynn Encore, I’m assuming?

Tyson: Ha ha ha babe. You’re lucky you’re beautiful, smart, kind, and laugh at my jokes.

Working until nearly 2am and the exhaustion hit, AJ gave up on packing for the night. While the mattress felt familiar, the lack of all the extra pillows (there were two left behind from the initial round of packing) and the lack of Tyson left it feeling empty and cold. Soon enough though she’d be back in Buffalo with him, curled up in their giant hotel room bed. And hopefully shortly after that, they’d be moving into a more permanent residence.

After a few hours of sleep, AJ found herself up again, working on putting everything into organized boxes, labeled with what room the box would belong in, or at least if it was Tyson’s stuff, or her own. A few hours later was a good morning text from Tyson, saying the forecast was about the same at that point, but he was still nervous. AJ showed off the progress she’d made, clearing out two rooms already, leaving just a couple left. 

AJ also vowed to herself she would have to get rid of some of her stuff at some point, especially if moving around was going to be a fairly consistent thing. She certainly hoped it wouldn’t be that way - while Buffalo may not have been her first choice, she’d rather stay there at least a few more years before being potentially sent somewhere else. 

Not wanting to interrupt her more than he had to, Tyson recorded a short video and sent it to AJ while she continued on the mission. He sent it from the dressing room before the game started. It pinged her phone as she was stopping for a bit to get some dinner.

Opening the clip, AJ saw her man smiling, definitely taking his time to choose his words.

“Hey Eggo, you are such a trooper putting up with everything, me being me, moving, moving again. I’ve never once heard you really complain. And you doing what you’re doing right now? It made me realize that if the situation were slightly different, I wish you were here in Vegas because I’d take you to the place with Elvis and I swear I’d marry you right now. In the meantime, all I can do is promise I will make it up to you. You’re everything to me, AJ… I love you so much.”

His eyes were glassy, and AJ caught him at one point smiling, laughing, and wiping his eye. Tyson was becoming more and more open showing his feelings to her. She watched the video a couple more times, watching how the smile on his face got bigger when he talked about getting married. 

For AJ, marriage wasn’t a necessity, she knew they were committed to each other. And to be fair, she wasn’t opposed to it either. But for Tyson and his old soul, there was something special, something extremely intimate and romantic about getting to say the vows, and signing on the lines of the license, even if the minister was an Elvis impersonator.

AJ: I can’t wait to see you in a couple days. Feels empty without you here. Got another room finished, only have the kitchen and the guest room/office left. If I were there, I’d gladly take you up on the offer to become Mrs. Jost officially. Your mom would kill us both for that though, pretty sure she wants to be at the wedding lol

With the game on in the background, AJ packed as much as she could, trying to not get sucked into the game too much. Close game though, with a 3-2 win over the Golden Knights. Quiet night from Tyson, but not from lack of trying. 

Tyson: Getting ready to fly back. Weather is looking worse for Friday. Hearing that they’re contemplating postponing the game. Should know more soon. If you can leave sometime tomorrow, I think that’d be for the best.

Looking around the room, AJ could probably pull it off although the boxes wouldn’t be as organized as originally intended. That could easily be dealt with later. With the news though, she called it a night, and got up early the next morning to finish tackling the remainder.

With a handful of boxes in her own car, and the VIB buckled in the front seat (Maple IS a very important bear!), AJ was on her way back to Buffalo. On her way to Indiana, a phone call was made between Laura and herself, unfortunately calling off the Christmas surprise, which was not only Laura coming out to visit Tyson in Buffalo, but also getting Kacey and the grandparents out there as well - AJ and Laura were going to pay for the tickets to surprise Tyson. Unfortunately this left AJ with NO gifts purchased for Tyson, causing her great anxiety. She tried to tell herself it would be okay if it were late, especially considering the fact she’s now on her way back to Buffalo, where it sounded like the weather was going to be awful, no doubt.

Stopping in Indiana for the night, she checked into her hotel, and checked in with Tyson.

“Game is postponed Friday, for sure. So I talked to Mom though, and… since it’s an extra day, what do you think about heading to Edmonton for a quick Christmas trip? I can get tickets to fly out directly after practice on Thursday morning.”

As tired as she was, AJ still fought to keep the really frustrated heavy sigh from being heard over the phone. She really understood, he hadn’t seen his family all together since their trip over the summer. BUT - He didn’t know that her Christmas surprise was now canceled, and that she didn’t have a backup. Tyson didn’t see all the boxes in the living room ready for the movers to pick everything up. Tyson wasn’t the one driving through crappy weather heading back to Buffalo.

What he did know, however, is that when AJ gets quiet, something is amiss. The lack of response was a dead giveaway.

“Hey, is everything okay?”

The frustrated sigh couldn’t be held back, nor was the exhaustion fueled feelings.

“No. No I’m not. I’m just…” AJ trailed off, fearing what might come out of her mouth with her filter seemingly broken.

Tyson stayed quiet, letting her figure out her words to let him know what she’s feeling.

Another sigh happened, but he knew this was the one that always came when she was nervous to say what she was about to say.

“I… I’m just tired, Tys. Physically and emotionally. I was expecting some help with getting the old place sorted, and I know that isn’t anyone’s fault that the weather kept your mom from coming down. But I’m tired from that, I’m tired from driving all day in awful weather. On top of that (sigh) I had this big grand plan for a surprise for you for Christmas, but it completely fell through and I don’t even have a gift for you now. You’re a hard man to shop for, you know that?” AJ was chuckling to keep from crying at this point.

Yep. AJ was truly exhausted.

“Aww babe, I’m… I’m really sorry this is happening, if I had the power to change the weather, you know I would,” Tyson thought for a moment and calmly responded, “Would it be better if we just skipped going home?” 

“That’s not fair to you. My gift to you was getting your family all to Buffalo for the holiday, but… this is still a way for you to see them all. I mean worst case, you can always go without me.”

That last bit stung. Tyson was sure that she didn’t mean it to hurt, but it did.

“It didn’t occur to me what all you’ve been up to the past few days especially without the help you were expecting. I forgot what kind of mess I left the apartment in. You are a fucking ROCKSTAR for putting up with all this and taking care of everything. That right there is more than enough of a Christmas present. But if I had my say, wherever you are for Christmas, I want to be there too. I’m not leaving you alone in a new city, in shitty weather, especially on Christmas.”

AJ was quiet, taking it all in. The silence hung, but Tyson wasn’t about to step in and say anything else until she did, and he was willing to wait however long it was. She was still processing everything in her sleep-deprived mind. Something finally clicked and she realized she was doing the thing again - overreacting and going worst case scenario without considering that it might not be that bad. And Tyson wasn’t going to hold it against her either, realizing he kind of sprung this on her last second as well.

“How about I get some sleep, and I do my best to get back tomorrow in decent time. I want to be with you for Christmas too. I just can’t promise I’m going to be the best company for a day or two as I recharge my batteries.”

Tyson chuckled and sighed, “One step at a time, and that first one is getting you back here. Text me before you leave in the morning, and check in when you can? We’ll figure it out from there, sound good?”

AJ agreed to the plan. She wasn’t sure what the next few days would hold, but was going to roll with it the best she could. And Tyson was going to make sure it was as easy on her as possible, realizing how much she deserved some time off.

After what felt like a few hours of sleep, Maple and AJ were on the road again, driving along Lake Erie heading toward New York, seeing the sights she had seen weeks prior driving the Grand Cherokee up. A few texts were shared before Tyson was on his way to practice, figuring he’d be getting home shortly before she would be. The estimates were right, as AJ texted one more time as she was getting parked.

AJ: Get the luggage cart and help me unload… Maple is cranky and needs a nap. *Maple is me.

With the Soul unloaded, and the handful of bins and large bear brought inside, all AJ could do was hug Tyson, grab a quick kiss, and crawl into bed for a couple of hours. But not wanting her to sleep all afternoon and then not be able to that night, Tyson woke her up before dinner. While he really wanted to take her out for a nice dinner, he also knew that she wasn’t going to feel like getting dressed up. 

Instead he opted to order in some Chinese from a place one of his teammates recommended. As AJ came out of the bedroom, she was greeted by a smiling Tyson who put the Christmas lights on again, and set the table buffet style, complete with an order of General Tso’s for her, Beef and Broccoli for him, veggie fried rice, some egg rolls and an order of crab rangoon to share. Full plates in hand, the two found themselves on the sofa. Eating in silence, they watched an episode of Yellowstone. The second episode found them curled up with each other under a large thick fleece blanket, with AJ fading fast. 

Clicking the off button on the TV, Tyson urged AJ to take out her contacts and come to bed. It didn’t take much to twist her arm.

Letting AJ sleep in, Tyson quietly slipped out in the morning after already packing his suitcase. Little did she know, but he also set an alarm on her phone for 8:30 so she could get up in time to get breakfast downstairs, and get packed. Little did he know, she was planning on getting up at 8 to get breakfast downstairs, get packed, and still try to find a gift before leaving for the airport when Tyson was back from practice.

Thankfully, inspiration struck while she was eating breakfast in the hotel lobby. Throwing on a hoodie and grabbing her keys, AJ made a quick stop at a place she knew that would sell what she was looking for. After spending a few minutes, she picked out which one she hoped he would like. And getting back to the hotel, she quickly packed her bag, stashing the purchased item between a layer of clothing - wrapping would have to be done when they arrived. With a bit of extra time before Tyson’s inevitable return, a visit to the gym happened, followed by a shower to relax herself before popping the Dramamine she’d need to survive flying and not being a nauseated mess.

The door lock clicked, alerting AJ to the arrival of Tyson. Seeing her backpack next to his suitcase, he knew she was coming with… which was good because he had already bought her ticket.

Opting to get a ride to the airport, rather than leaving one of their vehicles there, the two arrived with plenty of time before their flight. This was a smart move, everyone was freaking out with the storm coming in the next day and trying to get to their holiday destinations. AJ fell asleep on Tyson’s shoulder at the gate waiting for boarding, the motion sickness meds clearly doing their thing. When it was time to get on the plane, it took a bit of work, but he did get her awake and coherent enough to get seated. She was back out as soon as her seatbelt clicked. Tyson’s hands would be safe from the death grip of AJ’s at least this part of the trip

The flights to Edmonton were Buffalo to Chicago to Calgary to Edmonton, with that little extra bit of going through customs. With the time zone changes, the two were greeted by Laura at the airport just in time for a late dinner. 

At home, Kacey and a couple cousins were already waiting, decorating the tree. Tyson insisted AJ have a seat on the sofa as he took their bags upstairs to his room. AJ took in the environment, remembering a few of the cousins from their trip up earlier in the year. Laura let AJ know there was pizza in the kitchen, if they were hungry. Tyson appeared again, and grabbed some ornaments to help finish the tree, excited for his favorite holiday with his family. With the tree finished, and a few pieces of pizza devoured, it was actually Tyson who threw in the towel first, admitting he was pretty tired with it feeling two hours later AND a day of travel. AJ was in agreement though, wishing everyone a good night as they headed upstairs.

This time around, it wasn’t Tyson trying to be sneaky and start something, he was legitimately tired. And if he were this tired, he knew that AJ was probably twice as. The two took turns in the bathroom, and cleared the bed of their bags while getting changed into pajamas. And just like last time, it was a tight fit with the two of them in the full-sized (much smaller) bed. But unlike last time, AJ felt a lot more at home and fell asleep quickly in Tyson’s arms.

The next morning, the Jost clan had breakfast, and talked about plans for the coming days. It’d be a short trip, considering Tyson had to be back in time to travel to Columbus for the game on the 27th. Updates from Buffalo though were starting to come in, and while it wasn’t bad yet, the forecast was grim. It was very up in the air what plans were, but as of right now, they had a red-eye to get back early on the 26th. But in the meantime, the plan was to have dinner at the Grandparents Jost’s home on Christmas Eve, and then everyone back at Laura’s for Christmas day. 

Tyson thought it’d be fun to go into the city and test out how much AJ’d been practicing skating. Truth be told, she was getting a little better, able to stop, and take corners awkwardly. (Don’t tell Tyson but she actually got some lessons from a couple of the guys back in Minnesota.) He was so proud that she didn’t even fall down once, although she still looked like a baby deer at times. After skating, they decided to hit up a mall to wander around to kill time. The crowds of people were ridiculous doing their last minute shopping. This did make for some good people watching though. Dinner was catching up with some old family friends of the Josts.

Suddenly, AJ’s phone buzzed in her pocket. Checking her watch, a rather unexpected text was in her inbox.

Tyson:  Hey baby girl, what are you doing after dinner? (winking emoji)

AJ looked over at him, quirking her eyebrow up. She knew what he was doing. 

A few minutes later, Tyson felt the vibration of his watch against his wrist.

AJ: Sleeping? (evil imp emoji)

The texts were spaced out so it wasn’t obvious they were texting each other back and forth, and were doing their best to not be rude to the others they were dining with.

Tyson: I was thinking maybe something that might put us on Santa’s naughty list.

AJ: Is that so? Someone hoping to get lucky in his childhood bedroom?

Tyson leaned back in the booth, putting his arm around AJ, whispering in her ear.

“I want to do all the things that make you scream… but you have to stay quiet or else everyone in the house will know, baby girl.” He smiled as he rejoined the conversation.

A shiver ran down AJ’s spine and her breath stuttered a bit at his words hitting her squarely where he hoped they would. In retaliation, Tyson found AJ’s hand very high up on his thigh under the table, just enough to tease but not actually cause any friction.

The car ride home was thick with tension because they didn’t want to seem any out of the ordinary, that Tyson had been riling up AJ all evening.

Once home though, AJ apologized and went to bed early, citing that she thought a migraine was coming on. Tyson, being the gentleman he is, told everyone he was going to go check on her and excused himself as well. As the two were safely in Tyson’s room, AJ pinned him down in bed, seeing just how far she could get with him before he started getting too loud. It took a lot of effort to not give loud audio cues as to how she was doing. She ended up kissing him deeply, as he moaned and whimpered into her mouth.

Don’t think for a minute though that Tyson let her get fully away with it either. Clearly with the strength advantage, he turned the tables and was working the spot just above her collarbones and riling her up. The major difference though was that as quiet as AJ had been, what he was doing with his fingers that night drove her over the edge, and his other hand had to be put over her mouth to keep her from letting the rest of the house know what they were up to, especially considering she was “worried about having a migraine.”

Getting up from the bed, Tyson grabbed a small, shiny packet from his bag, and stopped to think a minute.

“Babe, get up.”

AJ was still in a heightened state of bliss and ignored the request.

“Seriously, I need you to get up a second.”

Looking toward Tyson at the foot of the bed, he motioned for her to get up. Once she was, he pulled the bed slightly away from the wall, knowing that what he was wanting to do might cause the headboard to rattle against the wall. That would be a dead giveaway.

Content with the distance the headboard was from the wall, a smirk graced Tyson’s lips.

“Now, where were we?” Tyson watched AJ crawl back into bed. “I think we were right about here…” 

Tyson moved slow, knowing that AJ would be able to stay quiet only momentarily as the movements were exaggerated, creating a tease. He reminded her with a finger to his lips to stay quiet. When the whines, moans and whimpers from her were beginning to increase in volume, he moved with more intent, swallowing the noises coming from her mouth with his own. She had to grip into the pillows behind her in fear of getting caught from the noises that would come from Tyson as she would have raked her nails down his back.

The feeling of her fighting it, holding back underneath him was too much, leaving his body shuddering as he let go. Tyson reached between their bodies, using his fingers the best he could at the awkward angle to get her there too. Trying to stay quiet, she scrunched her eyes shut tight, and tried to keep the noise to a higher-pitched hum as she rode it out.

Collapsing against her, Tyson rested his head against AJ’s chest, listening to her heartbeat slow. AJ snaked an arm around him, lightly playing with the hair on the back of his head, feeling him calm as well. After a few minutes, an exhausted sigh escaped Tyson, realizing he needed to get cleaned up. Throwing on a pair of shorts, he first made a stop to the bathroom, and then snuck off to the kitchen to grab some water for the two of them. It had to look odd coming downstairs shirtless to the remaining family members still hanging out in the living room.

“Just grabbing some water so AJ can take her migraine meds.”

Tyson didn’t realize just how sweaty he was, so… yeah. It was probably pretty obvious.

“Mmhmm, g’night Tyson.” Kacey just grinned.

Back in his room, locking the door, AJ was curled up in bed wearing Tyson’s shirt. It was a sight he never grew tired of. After sharing the glass of water, Tyson played the big spoon. The little spoon could feel the big spoon around her giggling. Twisting around, she needed to find out what was going on. The grin on Tyson’s face was huge.

“That was the first time I’ve ever done that in this room. Glad it was with you.”

“Really Tys? You’ve never before in here? I mean I don’t want to hear about your sex life before me, because I just don’t, but… seriously?”

“Hockey always came first, and I wasn’t the babe magnet I am now. What can I say?”

AJ rolled her eyes and smiled. “Well I’m glad I was the first in that case.” 

The two kissed a few moments, until AJ resituated herself as the little spoon. The two drifted off quickly in the warmth of the blankets and each other.

Christmas Eve morning, Tyson came back from his shower wearing a horrible (or awesome) sweater covered in little gifts in various colors. AJ had never seen it before, but it screamed Tyson. Dressed and good to go, the family went to Grandma Emily and Grandpa Jim’s to spend the day playing games and getting caught up on the adventures Tyson and AJ had been up to since they last talked. 

AJ’s phone had been incessantly buzzing and had been ignoring it. But it finally got to a point where she had to check what was going on. A number of friends and family were wanting to make sure she was okay… because Buffalo had been hit hard with the weather. Extreme winds and snow caused massive power outages across the city. Tyson was getting similar updates, and he was never more happy than he was right then that she came with him to Edmonton. The news and video clips just kept getting worse and worse.

“So, what happens if you can’t get back to Buffalo?” AJ was legitimately concerned as the Sabres were set to play the Blue Jackets on Tuesday in Columbus. “I’m seeing that the Bills couldn’t get back to town after playing in Chicago. The airport is shut down.”

“I need to keep in contact with the staff, but hopefully we’ll be able to head back on the 26th as planned.”

Surprise plot twist, the airport closed down due to said power outages and snow drifts, slated to reopen on TUESDAY, which was too late for the whole team to fly to Ohio. The storm had now postponed not just the Friday night game, but Tuesday now too. The next game would now be Thursday versus Detroit IN Buffalo.

AJ was doing her best to stay unconcerned about the weather, but she was failing. Not knowing if he’d get in trouble for not making it back in time potentially worried her. Tyson made it out that it wasn’t going to be a big deal though.

To keep her mind occupied elsewhere, the family played some card games and ate all sorts of food all day. Tales were told, baby photos were shared (much to Tyson and Kacey’s chagrin). AJ and Kacey became the champions of four-player cribbage. Grandpa Jim and AJ talked music. Tyson watched, loving how well AJ blended into his family.

As it grew late, the family split up and went back to Laura’s home for the night. And just like the previous year, matching pajamas were worn by all in attendance. Laura even pulled AJ aside before everyone went to bed.

“Last year I told you that you were an honorary Jost. I’m so happy that you’ll be a real one soon enough, that I’m gaining an extra daughter.” Laura hugged AJ tightly. “Merry Christmas, AJ.”

“Merry Christmas, Lau… you know what? No. Merry Christmas, Mom.” AJ hugged Laura just as tight. It didn’t feel weird saying it either.

Tyson caught the whole exchange from the doorway of the kitchen, and the feelings he had further made it obvious that AJ was the one for him. She didn’t take him away from his family, she added to his family. AJ was everything he could ever want. He made sure to express those feelings to AJ as they curled up for the night, wearing matching fleece pajamas and all.

Unlike last year, Tyson was NOT the first one to wake up, in fact, it was Kacey. She wandered the house to see who was awake. As she wandered the hall, Tyson woke up, which set off a chain reaction of AJ then waking up. The kids all went to the kitchen, getting some caffeinated beverages going. Laura was the last to join in, the sounds of the kitchen waking her up. Shortly after, the grandparents arrived, a box of gifts in tow.

AJ felt awkward this year not having gifts for everyone as she did the year before - there was so much happening between the move to Buffalo and having to get back to Minny to pack up the old place - that she just didn’t have a chance to really go shopping. Thankfully though, Tyson had her back and had picked out gifts for everyone, putting both of their names on the “from” line on the tags. 

Realizing she still had the one gift left in her bag, AJ had to pull a Tyson and throw it in a gift bag, and brought it out to the living room.

Tyson of course played Santa, handing out the stockings and gifts to everyone. This year, after last year’s overspending, Tyson did better and did NOT go overboard on gifts, especially since they’d have to pack whatever they received to come back on the plane with them. Tyson was still under the impression that AJ hadn’t had a chance to get him a present, so he was surprised to find the extra gift bag in front of him.

“Well open it, goof.” AJ pushed the bag toward Tyson.

Reaching inside, he found a new leather wallet with a crisp $1 bill in it.

“When did you find this? And… why… a dollar?”

AJ smiled, “ Remember when you were at practice on Thursday? I snuck out early. Also it’s bad luck to give someone a new wallet that’s empty… is that another AJ’s family thing like the pickle ornament?” 

Tyson laughed and nodded, and then pushed a bag to AJ, which held a new Sabres hoodie for her.

Everyone showed off their gifts, thanking each other for everything. While the men cleaned up the living room, the women of the family all went to the kitchen to get dinner ready. As they did so, snow was falling outside, causing a white Christmas for sure. 

This reminded AJ to check in again with what the situation was in Buffalo - and the situation was worse. Originally they were to leave early on the 26th, but then the airport said it was closed until the 27th, and now it was showing that it would open on the 28th at 11am. This was really causing some travel issues. AJ was trying to check flights to other nearby airports and maybe rent a vehicle and drive back, or fly elsewhere and finally get a flight back in on Wednesday once the airport in Buffalo opened again.

And of course, Tyson was just going with the flow. Concerned, yes, but it was all out of his hands. Instead, he saw the silver lining.

With not being able to fly out the 26th now, he had a plan that involved getting bundled up in whatever warm clothes he still had around his mom’s house, and finding some for AJ as well. This actually was easier for her than him - She had a new thick Sabres hoodie, and had packed some warm pants. Tyson ended up stealing another hoodie in her bag, an old Reverse Retro Avalanche hoodie. (Hey, a hoodie is a hoodie, even if it has a logo from two teams ago. Plus… the Avs were her team still, except when they played the Sabres.) After rummaging around in the garage, Tyson emerged with a couple saucer sleds.

“You ready to do this?” 

It was easy to see how excited Tyson was, that childlike silliness back in full force. Grabbing AJ’s hand, he led her (and the rest of the family that was with them) up the street to a park with giant hills, perfect for sledding.

“I think I’m going to be better at this than ice skating, that’s for sure!” AJ laughed as Tyson handed her one of the plastic discs.

At the top of the hill, both situated themselves, leaving Kacey to push AJ, and Laura pushing Tyson, until they started sliding on their own. AJ started picking up speed and started spinning slightly, with Tyson close behind. The shrieks and laughs that were had came to a quick halt when Tyson crashed into AJ, leaving them both laying in the snow at the bottom of the hill.

The giggles started up again between the two. Tyson leaned over to check on AJ, brushing snow and hair out of her smiling face. 

“Love you Eggo.” Tyson gave her a quick kiss, knowing the teasing from Kacey would start any minute.

AJ sat up, feeling her arms and legs to make sure she really was okay. Getting up, she challenged Tyson.

“Last one to the top of the hill has to cook dinner when we get back to Buffalo.” 

With a wink, AJ started running, trudging through the snow.

“HEY NO FAIR you have a head start!” 

Tyson was no match for AJ, especially when he playfully bumped into her and she lost her balance, falling into a drift. Again he checked on her and she pulled him down into it with her. They both finally got up laughing, and held hands (and sleds) getting back to the top of the hill.

Dinner would just have to be a team effort once they got back home.

Chapter 35 can be found at https://at.tumblr.com/brainrattlers/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-35n/v1c63xdvng6q