#also this movie helped me get through my assignment so yeah >>>>

[tateszn]

a working woman

a/n: clark hcs w his gf whos a waitress! ill never stop pushing the messy clark agenda. i mentioned making a drive-in fic in this, should i actually make one? lmk. 739 words

all of my fics are black!reader

i feel like he’d like to just hang out at your job most days. he’d sit there and order 16 waters over a few hours lawl. if you’re working after school, he doesn’t care if he’s been around you all day, he can’t get enough of seeing you! and if you’re working during the summer, he’ll come to the diner in a heartbeat aching with the need to be around you. however, he does make sure not to distract you so much. he’d hate to be the reason you get in trouble with your manager. even though you love to see him as much as he loves seeing you, you really hope he’s not blowing anything off just to see you. he has to go through a ten question (minimum) questionnaire before he gets permission from you to stay.

“clark, are you even allowed to be here right now?” you chuckle, holding a serving tray full of sodas. “of course i am!” he said earnestly. “you’re done with all your farm chores? you don’t have anything scheduled with chloe, or pete, or lana? you didn’t tell your parents you’d help them with anything?” “this is the only place i need to be right now, i promise.” he smiles at you to show he’s serious. “okay good. you know i’d hate to be the reason you flake out on someone.”

clark deffff picks you up from work in his truck. he’s never late! he probs brings some snacks for you to have on the ride to your house too. he knows how chaotic the days could be, so he doesn’t mind if you don't feel like talking some days. he also doesn’t mind if you want to ramble on about your day either. he’ll listen to anything you have to say, especially if it’s about your coworkers. he’s so messyyyyyyyy. when he hears you say, ‘clark i have got to tell you what happened!’ hes instantly hooked. 

“...so i was going back to one of the tables i was assigned after the folks left to clean up and collect my tip, and i see clarisse -i cannot make this up clark, i swear- looking like she was about to steal my money from the table! i caught her before she laid her hand on it! mind you, she’s pushing forty trying to steal from a teenager! a whole fifteen dollars too, i can’t believe that.”  “that’s crazy that she thinks she can steal from you like that. as hard as you work too!”

your coworkers definitely tease you about him. you never hear the end of it on the days where he’s just hanging out at the high top tables, and you wouldn’t have it any other way. none of it is said with malicious intent though, it’s in the same vein as middle school girls teasing their friend for liking a boy. you could be waiting around in the kitchen waiting on someone's order and randomly catch a stray! 

“i really think your boyfriend could break the record for how many waters ordered in one visit.” one of your coworkers joke. a few others chuckle. you laugh as well. “what can i say? it’s his favorite drink and he has a small appetite.” you quip. another one of your peers speak up. “i think it’s sweet that her boyfriend wants to see her so much,” she grabs an order from the cook, “some women have husbands who don’t even want to see their wives in their own home.” “i know that's right. let my man love me and his waters in peace.” you say.

he remembers when you tell him if you don’t need to take a shift on a certain day so he can plan cute little dates for you. he would take you on a picnic, to a drive-in (should i make a drive-in fic soon?), or he would plan something to do at one of your houses. you hold all of his planned dates very dear to your heart because you think it’s very sweet how much he cares about you.

“you’re still off tomorrow right?” clark asked, standing beside your locker as you were switching out books. “yeah? what’s up?” you ask him. “i got us two tickets for a movie tomorrow night. i figured you’d like to do something since you’re off.” he explains. “oh clark,” you hug him, “you’re so good to me!”

[adagiorii]

Barbie and the Three Musketeers was my favourite Barbie movie as a kid and I only realized recently that it was probably a subconscious inspiration for Eiko LMAOO

[13eyond13]

.

[dxxdhood]

drains me slowly

pairing: wade wilson x gn!reader

summary: deadpool finally invites you, the coworker he has a massive crush on, over, which means the two of you end up doing more than just watching a movie.

tags: smut (18+), sub!wade wilson, dom!reader, pain kink, use of superpowers to fuel a pain kink, light masochism, teasing, gentle dom, hand job, scratching, body worship

wc: 3.3k

a/n: fic inspired by the new deadpool movie coming out!!! also, title is from love me dead by ludo.

No surprise that Wade wasn’t exactly anyone’s favorite– that goes for among the heroes he’s worked with and throughout his life in general. He’s – to put it in the kindest way anyone’s ever told him – fucking annoying. Oh, he’s more than aware that he’s a little too out-of-pocket, abrasive, impulsive– a nightmare to interact with, really. And those were just the recent comments made by the closest thing he has to coworkers! The shit he heard from people growing up was leagues worse. 

Look, having a rough start in life isn’t uncommon and he’s sure as hell not gonna get the tiny violin out for himself and throw his own little pity party, but he’s grown enough since his healing factor got beat out of him to acknowledge that he’s had it tough over the years.

He’s still going, though! Yeah, he may not always be the best at doing his laundry quick enough to get any clean clothes to wear, or at stopping his room from becoming cluttered with too many half-empty water bottles, but he’s still making it by, day by day.

But, well, it’s still really hard to constantly put himself out there, get assigned – or infinitely more likely, just shove himself into – whatever jobs or missions he feels like taking on when everyone treats him like Jar Jar Binks.

That was until you came along. So, obviously you’re crazy hot – he’s gotta get that out of the way first – but more than that, you were confident. Competent, too, and those rarely coincide in Wade’s experience. You mostly worked on call, joining the occasional mission, battle, or investigation because your mutant powers came in handy often, but you also still kept up with your day job. Honestly, Wade thinks the reason why you weren’t always present in fights was to stop the other mutants from being out of a job. Your ability to slowly deteriorate surrounding biological tissue, while horrifying and a pain in the ass to control – your words – was basically winning on easy mode.

But no, you were adamant about keeping your involvement with the X-Men infrequent– only joining when your presence was absolutely necessary. Apparently nonstop high stress situations aren't good for your mental health– who knew?

And he wants to pretend he became obsessed with you because of all those things, and of course they helped, but really, you had him at hello. Or well, you bothering to say hello and actually talk to him in the first place, to ask him questions about his life in moments of downtime where usually he’d be left with an unenthusiastic audience instead of a warm-hearted listener who actually laughed at his jokes.

So, of course, he has to go and fuck it up.

…

“So, glad that’s over, huh?” Wade says through a smile, the whites of his mask squeezing as his cheeks rise. “Speaking of over, you wanna come?”

“Over?” you shake your head a little, flashing your teeth as you try and comprehend him. “Right after we took on a whole crime ring?”

“Well, what a better time to unwind, am I right?”

“Oh?” you raise your eyebrows. “We’re unwinding?”

It’s small, but you swear Wade ups his talking speed, “Well, yeah, you know. Watch a movie, order in, show you my Pokemon cards, the works.”

You hum, pretending to consider it, “Depends, you got a holo Charizard?”

And now, for sure, he exhales his relief. “You insult me.”

The two of you enter his apartment not long after you’re dismissed from the mission, and Wade briefly excuses himself to change out of his suit. Making yourself at home, you take a seat on the couch and glance across his living room. His apartment is surprisingly nice. The kitchen and living room are one large, open space with a sleek, modern design. Also, you’d assume someone as chaotic as Wade would keep their house in a messier state, or hell, at least a little dusty, but the living room is spotless. Maybe he cleaned recently? What, was he planning on inviting someone over?

Snorting as you shake your head, a small click from across the hall catches your attention.

You’ve only seen Wade on the job, so naturally he’s always been wearing his red suit, but for some reason, you never stopped to picture him wearing civilian clothes. Actually, now that you’re seeing him in a sweatshirt and sweatpants – awfully warm for this weather – you’re struggling to reconcile the image of him you had in your head with the person right in front of you.

Well, at least until Wade brings up a fist to cover his mouth, illustrating his nervousness, and the tension fizzles out. Only Wade has body language that cartoonishly exaggerated.

“Nice sweats, green looks good on you.”

Wade pauses for a moment, registering your words before he giggles softly, arm falling to his side, “I’ve been thinking about changing the color of my suit. You know, hiding all the blood is great and all, but sometimes I gotta wonder – could this thing be more flattering?”

He walks over with a spring in his step before sitting by your side. Cutely, he wraps you up in the larger blanket first before settling the smaller, throw blanket over himself. You try your hardest not to show your confusion outwardly, but seeing Wade up close now has you questioning his outfit all the more.

He’s a bit tall, so the sweatpants don’t go all the way down to his ankles, but Wade’s wearing calf socks, as if he specifically were trying to avoid them being uncovered. Also, his hoodie’s easily a size or two larger, which makes it the perfect thing to wear to lounge around and watch a movie in, but also, the sleeves cover his entire hand sans his fingers. From the little you can see of them, they look puckered in scars.

But obviously Wade’s hands are scarred– he’s a mercenary. He’s handled all sorts of weapons and been in hundreds of fights over the years. You weren’t expecting his skin to be baby-smooth. 

What’s interesting to you is why he’d go through all the trouble to hide it.

Also, yeah, the most obvious pointers were that the hood of his sweatshirt is up even though you two are indoors in his own home and – how could you forget this one – his Deadpool mask is still on.

Was he just uncomfortable with sharing his identity in general or was he specifically trying to shove distance between the two of you? Whatever, if he doesn’t want to take his mask off with you, he doesn’t have to. You feel a distinct pang in your chest, but you try not to let it color how you respond to him. He’s more than in the right to only share what he feels most comfortable with.

Wade’s been fiddling with the remote while you’ve been – hopefully – subtly looking him over, and the screen finally changes from a streaming service page to the opening of the movie.

“We’re watching The Princess Bride? I didn’t take you for a romantic.”

He bats his eyes – at least, you think he does, given the mask– and speaks in a sweet voice “Why, me? Oh please, I know romance. I’m not going to invite a lovely, gorgeous, incredible person over and force them to watch Die Hard on the first–”

His back straightens out like he’s been electrocuted before he forcibly relaxes his posture to finish his thought.

“Hang-out.”

Okay, you want to go easy on him, especially because he seems so tense, but you can’t just let that one slide. You close the small distance remaining between the two of you, causing your entire side to press against his. Even through his sweatshirt, you can feel how warm he is.

“Mmm, just a hang out?” you mumble, sliding your head onto his shoulder. You’ve done this before, either for comedic effect or just in an attempt to push his buttons the same way he always tries to push yours – which, despite his best efforts, always ends up endearing him to you instead of bothering you – but never in a context like this.

He inhales sharply, and you count the seconds until he finally lets himself release it. Sometimes, you think he takes his healing factor for granted.

Turning his head to peer down at you, Wade considers you for a moment, keeping his face and body language deceptively neutral. You try your hardest to keep your eyes focused on the movie and your body loose and comfortable.

“You want this to be a date?” he says, flat.

“Why, thank you for asking, dear sir,” you copy his sweet voice from earlier before returning to your normal. “Yes, Wade, I like you.”

“I–” he starts, but the words get caught on their way out. His fingers bury themselves in the material of his sweatpants, and the movement draws your attention to them again. Shades of blotchy red and pink curve all across his skin.

Wade doesn’t say anything, which is concerning enough on its own, but following your confession, you feel like he’s more than out of his element. 

“That’s why you invited me over, right?” you try and help him out. “You feel the same, too.”

And then, feeling bold, you turn your head to face his still mask-covered head and kiss him lightly on the cheek. Instantly, you see fireworks go off inside him, because Wade hurriedly shuts the TV off and runs off to close the blinds. There’s barely enough light in the room now to make out shapes, but apparently Wade doesn’t take any issue because he peels his mask back and kisses you on the lips.

His lips are textured, and your intuition flashes quietly in the back of your mind, but for right now, you focus on how energetic he is. If his body is warm, his mouth feels like it’s on fire. He’s constantly moving, trying to experience all of you as fast as possible. 

It’s making your face heat up, how quickly he demands your complete attention and how relentless he is in grabbing it. Wade bites your bottom lip, causing you to gasp into him, and he uses the opportunity to explore across your own teeth and tongue. After a few more seconds, you break away, needing the space to breathe.

“Holy shit,” you whisper, voice rough.

“You’re telling me,” Wade coughs out. “We could’ve been doing that this whole time?”

“Well, all you had to do was ask.”

And although you can’t see him, which you know is the point, you understand something in him has shifted. He gets up from the couch, takes you by the hand, and leads you towards his room. His pace is so quick, you barely comprehend his actions until you’re both standing right in front of his bed.

“Is this okay?” he asks, quiet. You don’t think you’ve ever heard him stifle the amount of words he let loose before.

“Yes, of course it is. But Wade, we have to turn on at least a lamp or something in here.”

“We do?”

“Yeah,” you pause to give him a second to think. “I can’t see you at all like this.”

“What if – and you're just going to have to trust me on this one – you’d prefer it this way,” Wade’s voice is light, but it feels like it’s cracking at the edges.

“And why’s that?”

Not like you’d be able to see, but the anxiety radiating off of him makes him sound wide-eyed, “Huh? Oh, I– uh…”

“Look, if you’re worried about how I’m going to react to you having a bunch of scars– don’t. I don’t mind,” the sound of fabric rustling in front of you makes you think he just flinched. “I figured it out. You’re not sneaky.”

“You say that, but…”

“Wade, I don’t care. And I mean that kindly! Really, it doesn’t bother me.”

Wade starts pacing in front of you, nearly tripping on the leg of the bedpost, “Look, I appreciate the whole hero act you got going on here – really fits you good, you should totally quit your day job – but you don’t have to force yourself, I–”

“Wade, you either confront your insecurities head on or I’m not doing this with you. I told you what I think, the only person who’s going to worry about how you look here is you. We either have sex with a light on or not at all, okay?”

No one speaks for a few seconds once you finish saying your piece, and you cringe, realizing how forceful you must have come off. You’re about to speak up again to apologize when you hear a shudder-filled exhale from a few feet away.

“Jesus H. Christ,” he groans. “You’re so hot when you're putting people in their place.”

Your lips curl into a shaky smile, “Yeah, what else do you think is hot?”

And you can practically hear the gears turning in his head from here.

…

It’s actually happening. No fucking way he didn’t dream this up. But you were pretty adamant about him getting his head in the game in order for you guys to actually get down and dirty, so for you, he tries to keep his train of thought as focused as possible–  a big ask.

“Bossing anyone – everyone, especially me – around. You using your abilities–” you reach over and find Wade’s hand before running your fingers up his arm. “Shit, umm, using your abilities in general, but, umm, I really like when I’m there.”

“Oh?” you giggle. “When you get to watch, or?”

“When I get to feel.”

Your hand moves over to the nape of his neck, reaching under his hood and mask, to rub at his rough skin. Wade’s nerves light on fire as he waits for you to respond– for some reason, it never feels like your words come out fast enough.

“You got a thing for pain, Wilson?”

He chuckles, “You’d be surprised.”

“Okay, but are you sure? I can try, but it might not be all that good for you.”

“Don’t worry,” he thinks back to all those times he had a hard on while the two of you were fighting together. “It’ll be great for me.”

You hum, “Alright, then, but you tell me to stop the second you don’t like something, okay?”

“Aye, aye, captain,” he salutes, though you probably can’t see it. “And, same goes for you.”

“What a gentleman, letting me destroy him and giving me an out.”

He’s blushing something furious and he’s never been more grateful for the dark, “Anything for you.”

Those are the last words he whispers before he begins undressing. He knows you probably meant for him to strip with the light on, but he’s really not so sure he could stomach being looked at like a bug under a microscope. The attention, while electrifying, was already starting to get to him, so he lets himself stay in his comfort zone a little longer. As a treat. 

Once his sweats are off, he hesitantly peels off his mask before slipping into bed, keeping most of his body under the covers. After shutting his eyes, he clicks the lamplight on.

You’re not saying anything. That’s– a sign? A good one, a bad one, Wade doesn’t know. He’s trying so hard to keep his breathing steady, but he can feel his body start shaking all on its own.

You join him on the bed, kneeling next to him, before your warm breath falls across his cheeks as you kiss his forehead. Only then does he open his eyes, and you reward him by cupping his cheek in your hand.

“There,” you say. “Wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Wade gets the strong urge to snort, and so he does, but your eyes narrow. There’s a soft scratching at the back of his skull as you snake your hand over, and quickly you dig your nails in slightly. Wade has to bite his tongue to keep the noise in.

“I’m sorry, is that funny to you?”

“No!” he whispers sharply as you bring your hand down to scratch along the line of his neck.

“Good, seems like you’re learning.”

You kiss him, teeth clacking together at first before Wade melts into it. Your hand is still slowly exploring his body, running along the line of his shoulder and towards his upper arm. When you reach his bicep, you very obviously squeeze the muscle there, and you let out a pleased sigh as you begin groping in earnest.

He wants to turn to hide his face in the pillow, not sure how to react to all the positive attention and appreciation, but you catch him trying to turn away, and you kiss him deeper.

While one hand begins to explore his pecs and abs, your other hand scratches down his v-line, softly caressing the skin of his inner thighs before moving around to squeeze his ass.

Wade rewards you with a small whine, and you carefully trail a finger down his dick. You move in to whisper in his ear, “You’re so hot, I’m not forgiving you for hiding for so long.”

Trying to stifle the embarrassing moan that he knows will come out, he bites down on his lip hard, but you take the hand not teasing his cock to gently pry his lip away.

“From now on, I get to hear you, okay?” you say and Wade nods rapidly.

You take the moment you wrap your hand around the base of his cock, and after giving him a second to ready himself, you ask, “I’m going to use it now. Tell me if you want to stop.”

“Okay–” he responds before he feels the sweet sensation of you jerking him off coupled with your power. It’s a humming, dull feeling of pain resting in the background– almost like the sensation of being choked except it’s affecting his entire body. Wade feels like there’s a weight pinning down each of his limbs and it’s so freeing– so relaxing.

He sighs and turns his head to the side, letting out a deep moan when you up the pace of your hand and bring the other to fondle his balls.

“How is it?” you ask, sweat dripping down your brow at trying to control your ability. Sure, it’s  powerful and at times pretty horrifying, but Wade always loved how he was essentially immune. At the same rate you could destroy the flesh around you, he could heal his own right back. Just knowing that made him feel good, somehow, like he was made perfectly for you.

“It’s good– so good, I–” he nearly shouts, forgetting about the neighbors.

“Yeah, baby? What do you need?”

At hearing the pet name, he straight up whines as he tries to bury his hands in the sheets instead of his own thighs. 

“Not sure, umm, a little more–”

And he doesn’t know which god he has to thank for putting you on this planet, but he’s willing to pay them all a visit. You read him like he’s not some mess, some walking disaster nobody bothers paying attention to, and you give him what you know he needs.

From the base of his chin, you drag your hand in a deep scratch across his neck, chest, and stomach, your eyes watching the pink lines blend in with his scarred skin. It’s a flashing pain, sharp like being scalded and it feels so good mixed with the blunt feel of being under your power.

“I’m gonna–” he says, and of course, you seem to already know. He cums with a deep grunt, rutting his hips into your fist before he thrusts his head forward to kiss you again.

As soon as he comes down, he pulls away only slightly, just so he can say what he’s been wanting to say since he met you.

“Thank–”

You cut him off with another kiss, because sometimes, he really does need to shut up. 

[blueberrybirdsworld]

Plus one 5/9

Summary : When Lando Norris realizes he's the only F1 driver attending the Monaco F1 movie premiere without a girlfriend, he panics and convinces Oscar to help him find a last-minute plus one.

Author note : I get this story idea after the private projection of the F1 movie with all the drivers in Monaco (also can we imagine they weren't wearing their team kit and actually did dress up).

Genre : pure fluff

Serie masterlist

Main masterlist

The second they stepped out of the venue, Lando exhaled.

The Monaco night wrapped around them like a sigh: cool air, soft streetlight glow, the hum of a distant scooter and the faint music still drifting from the rooftop they’d just escaped. He felt his shoulders drop for the first time in hours.

Y/N walked beside him, holding her clutch under one arm as she turned to him with a smile.

“So,” she said, “any cravings?”

“Honestly?” he glanced at her. “Anything that doesn’t require a silver spoon or come with truffle foam.”

She laughed. “Italian?”

“That’s dangerously close to romantic.”

“Lucky us,” she said, eyes sparkling. “I know a place. Not far. Tiny. Looks questionable from the outside. Excellent garlic bread.”

“Sold.”

They strolled through the quiet streets, away from the glitz, through narrower lanes where vines crept over balconies and the air smelled faintly of sea and basil. Five minutes later, she pointed across the street at a little trattoria tucked between a closed bookstore and a florist.

“Here,” she said proudly. “No dress code, but lots of candles. So it still counts as a vibe.”

And it did.

It was dim and warm inside, strung with fairy lights and mismatched chairs. The smell of tomato, oregano, and melted cheese was instant comfort. They were seated near the window with a bottle of water and menus. Perfect.

He leaned forward, grinning across the table. “You know what I still can’t believe?”

Y/N looked up, eyes wide. “What?”

“That you have a crush on me.”

She groaned immediately. “Oh my God.”

“I’m serious!”

“Lando.”

“No, no, no. You said it. I’ve held back all night thinking I’d misread every signal and that you were, like, just being friendly because you’re nice and you felt bad.”

“I am nice,” she muttered, hiding behind her menu.

“And now I find out you’ve had a crush this whole time?” he leaned back dramatically. “I think I’m owed a little compensation.”

She peeked over the menu. “Compensation?”

“For emotional damage.”

“Oh my God,” she said again, half laughing, half dying. “You’re so annoying.”

“You’re blushing,” he grinned.

“I am not.”

“You are! That’s the second time tonight. I’m keeping count.”

Their food arrived: two bowls of pasta, steaming and fragrant, and a little basket of bread placed between them like a peace offering.

Lando twisted his fork into the pasta, then glanced at her curiously. “So, wait. If you had a crush on me… does that mean you actually watch the races?”

She blinked, a bit caught off guard. “I used to. A lot, actually. My dad and I would watch every Sunday. It was our thing.”

He smiled, genuinely touched. “That’s sweet.”

“Yeah,” she said. “I loved it. But once school started getting intense, I stopped keeping up. It just got… hard to make time. Assignments, work, studying. Watching practice sessions and races wasn’t exactly a priority anymore.”

Lando nodded. He knew the feeling: too much to do, too little time to breathe.

“But,” she continued, “when Oscar made it into F1, I started watching again. At first just to see how he was doing, but then I got back really into it last year. And I actually ended up going to a few races. With Lily.”

Lando froze, fork halfway to his mouth. “Wait. You were at some races?”

She laughed. “Yeah. Not many. But a few. One or two last season. One this year. Just in the paddock with Lily, not like, grandstand tickets or anything.”

He put his fork down, looking stunned. “How did I not see you?”

She shrugged, smiling. “I don’t know. You were probably busy being famous.”

“No, but, seriously, which races?”

She thought for a moment. “Silverstone last year. Zandvoort. And I came to Australia this season. So technicly I saw you win 2 times”

He stared at her, floored. “That was you?”

“What was me?”

“I remember Lily had a friend with her that day. But I didn’t even catch your name. I think I said hi and left to change helmets or something.”

Y/N grinned. “See? Missed your moment.”

He sat back, looking betrayed. “Oscar knew you. He could’ve introduced us properly.”

She tilted her head, teasing. “Well… he kind of did eventually.”

“I’m gonna have a word with him later.”

“To be fair,” she added, taking a bite of pasta, “Oscar’s so clueless with this stuff. He probably had no idea I liked you. He’s not exactly a mind reader.”

“Lily definitely told him,” Lando muttered.

Y/N laughed. “Lily absolutely told him. She for sure pressure Oscar to make this happened.”

“And now it all makes sense,” Lando said, shaking his head. “They plotted this.”

“Well,” she said softly, “it worked.”

He looked at her then, really looked at her, tucking her hair behind one ear, eyes shy but warm, cheeks a little flushed from the wine or maybe the teasing.

He smiled.

“Yeah,” he said. “It really did.”

The dinner plates had been cleared, the last sips of wine gone warm in their glasses, and outside the restaurant the streets of Monaco had grown even quieter. The kind of quiet that felt intimate, not empty. A soft hush between tall pastel buildings, with streetlights casting pools of golden light along their path.

They were walking slowly.

Neither of them had said it, but they both knew, neither of them wanted the night to end just yet.

“You cold?” Lando asked, glancing sideways.

Y/N was hugging her arms lightly to her chest. “A little.”

Without hesitation, Lando shrugged out of his jacket and gently placed it over her shoulders, his hands lingering there just a second longer than necessary.

“There,” he said, like it was the most casual thing in the world. “Can’t have you freezing. Would be a bad first date review.”

She smiled, tugging it around herself. It smelled like cologne and fresh air. “Chivalry looks good on you.”

He gave her a mock bow as they turned a corner.

“So,” he said, hands in his pockets now, “you’re staying with Lily and Oscar?”

“For the weekend, yeah. I figured I’d crash there instead of going back and forth.”

“Wait,” he said, hopeful. “Does that mean you’ll be at the race?”

She nodded. “Oscar got me an invite.”

His face lit up like he’d just won a trophy. “Good. I won’t ignore you this time.”

Y/N laughed. “I didn’t think you ignored me last time. You were just... busy being Lando Norris.”

“Well, this time,” he said, bumping her lightly with his shoulder, “if you want, you can hang out on my side of the garage.”

“Oh?”

“You know. The best side.”

She rolled her eyes, laughing. “I’ll think about it.”

He grinned. “Take your time. No pressure. But the snacks are better and my engineers are funnier.”

They kept walking, side by side, shoes clicking against the stone, shoulders brushing now and then. There was something so easy about it. So normal. And yet it felt anything but ordinary.

Y/N glanced at him, the corners of her lips tugging upward.

“I don’t know what this is,” she said quietly. “But it feels... different.”

He looked at her. “Yeah?”

She nodded. “Like...safe. Familiar. And new. I’ve never felt like this with someone. Not this fast.”

He stayed quiet, letting her speak.

“It’s like... I already know you,” she said, “but I still want to know everything else, too.”

Lando’s heart tugged at that. Because he felt the same. Like he’d just stumbled into something real without even knowing how much he’d been needing it.

When they reached Lily and Oscar’s building, she paused by the front steps, turning toward him.

He stood a little stiffer suddenly, hands half in his pockets, clearly unsure of what to do now. His eyes flicked to her, then away, then back again.

Y/N noticed. All of it.

To ease the tension, she gently reached for his hand, lacing her fingers with his. Her skin was soft. Warm.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice soft and honest. “For tonight. It was… great.”

He smiled. “Messy. But great.”

She nodded. “Exactly.”

They looked at each other then. Really looked.

And everything stilled.

The air was thick with something unspoken but loud. He was searching her face like he didn’t want to miss anything. Her eyes dropped to his lips just briefly. And that was all he needed.

He leaned in, slowly, cautiously, giving her every second to back away.

She didn’t.

His forehead gently brushed hers, breath warm between them. Then, with one last glance into her eyes for permission, he kissed her.

Soft at first. Tentative.

Then more.

His hands found her hips, pulling her a little closer, and she leaned in too, her hands resting on his chest. The kiss deepened, gentle but electric, like every word they hadn’t said was spoken between them in that moment. Like they'd been waiting all night, maybe even longer.

When they finally pulled apart, breathless and close, her forehead still rested lightly against his.

“Wow,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” he breathed, smiling. “Wow.”

Neither of them moved.

Because maybe this was where something really began.

And neither of them wanted to rush it.

Texts messages

Oscar:

where did you go

Oscar:

I swear if you left me alone with the Sky report guys again I’m gonna lose it

Oscar:

Zak is looking for you

we were supposed to do press pics

he asked me “where’s the other one”

like you’re a lost suitcase

Lando:

I left

Oscar:

no shit

where?

Lando:

taking her on a real date

Oscar:

HER???

Lando:

yes, her

Y/N

Oscar:

you what now, how ???

Lando:

uh

I confessed

she blushed

I teased

we kissed

:)

Oscar:

what do you MEAN you kissed

Lando:

I mean I kissed her

or she kissed me

I don’t really know

we were very close and then it just

happened

Oscar:

I go get a drink

and you go fall in love??

Lando:

seems like it

Oscar:

you actually did it

Lando:

I did

Oscar:

you

the most hopeless man alive

kissed the girl you’ve been panicking over all night

Lando:

I was not panicking

Oscar:

I cannot believe you actually did it

this is huge

I’m proud of you

still mad you let me suffer through Zak’s passive-aggressive “where is Lando” rant

but proud

Lando:

I was having a movie-worthy kiss in front of your building

I had bigger issues

Oscar:

you are the most annoying person I know

but I’m happy for you

you were a lost cause

Lily and I did god’s work

Lando:

oh I know you did

speaking of which…

Lando:

so she admits she had a crush

which Lily apparently knew

which means YOU knew

and still you introduced us, like, only NOW???

Oscar:

👀...

Lando:

I’ve literally cross pass her at races

you’ve literally brought her around

AND NEVER SAID ANYTHING

Oscar:

you weren’t ready

Lando:

I was very ready

Oscar:

you were not emotionaly ready

Lily's words

Lando:

I’m going to yell at you in the garage tomorrow

Oscar:

that’s fair

but worth it?

Lando:

yeah

worth it

Y/N:

LILY !!!!

HE KISS ME

lando norris KISS ME right in front of the door

Lily:

you’re home???

Y/N:

YES

just walked in

I haven't even taken off my shoes

Lily:

wait

start over

kissed where??

Y/N:

ON THE MOUTH

with his hands on my waist

like a real kiss

Lily:

YOU’RE KIDDING ??

Y/N:

I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO SAY GOODNIGHT

AND THEN HE JUST

LOOKED AT ME

AND I JUST

DIED

AND THEN HE KISSED ME

AND I DIED AGAIN

Lily:

okay wow calm down tell me everything

start from when you LEFT THE PARTY WITH HIM???

Y/N:

we went to get pasta

like actually just wandered into this tiny restaurant

he was so sweet

he gave me his jacket

we talked the whole way back

and then he walked me to the door

and he looked all nervous

so I held his hand

AND THEN HE KISSED ME

Lily:

I can’t breathe

you actually did it

Y/N:

LILY

HE SAID I COULD COME TO HIS SIDE OF THE GARAGE THIS WEEKEND

“THE BEST SIDE” HE SAID

I THINK I’M IN LOVE

Lily:

you’ve BEEN in love

I’ve known for months

Y/N:

WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME HE FELT SOMETHING TOO

Lily:

because he didn’t

until he met you tonight

and then it was VERY obvious

Oscar and I have had bets about how long it would take

Y/N:

I HATE YOU

I LOVE YOU

I’M GOING TO PASS OUT

Lily:

go to bed

sleep in

you have a boyfriend now

Y/N:

LILY

Lily:

ok fine

“maybe-boyfriend”

but that kiss sounds like a pretty strong maybe

Y/N:

I can still feel his hands on my waist

what do I do with my body???

Lily:

sleep. dream about him. will be here when you wake up

Y/N:

I actually might cry

he was so soft

and funny

and awkward

and perfect

Lily:

yeah

he’s kind of the best

especially for you

Y/N:

okay

shutting up

going to bed

but if I wake up and it was a dream I’m suing you

Lily:

you’ll wake up and he’ll probably have texted you first

Permanent taglist : @angelluv16, @httpsxnox, @anunstablefangirl, @chocolatemagazinecupcake, @mayax2o07, @freyathehuntress, @verogonewild, @lilyofthevalley-09, @esw1012, @its-me-frankie, @linneaguriii, @ezzi-ln4, @rlbmutynnek, @actuallyazriel, @sofs16, @thulior, @sltwins, @henna006, @stylesmoonlight12, @lilaissa, @sideboobrry11, @l3thal-l0lita, @lorena-mv33, @ispywlittleeye-blog, @lesliiieeeee, @sageskiesf1, @adynorris, @curlylando, @rebelliousneferut, @justcharlotte, @secret-agents-stole-my-bunnies, @emneedshelp, @lando-505, @yukimaniac, @sashisuslover, @f1norris04, @hi26loveie, @bunnisplayground, @nina481, @reallifemermaidprincess, @cars-and-frogs, @delululeclerc, @txmhxllqnd, @lydia-demarek, @destinyg237, @rhaenyrasversion, @sarascabiosa, @readz4u, @tvdtw4ever, @mynameisangeloflife, @teti-menchon0604, @suns3treading, @op814kitty, @prettyboyroseberg, @willowsnook, @ariesandwolves, @clarksgf, @knivesdoingcartwheels, @pinklemonade34, @fat-meh, @tiaajosephin, @mercrussell

Let me know if you want to be add or removed from the taglist :)

[4barbatos]

✦ high school au bf!venti drabbles

oh god i'm gonna marry him if he keeps this shit up — fluff + crack .ᐟ

✦ author’s note:

i have way too many school assignments breathing down my neck right now but the second i started thinking about bf!venti in a high school au i blacked out and smiled at my screen like a lunatic.

i wrote this on my laptop while looping so american by olivia rodrigo, with my homework sobbing violently in the background — this is girlhood.

he’s so unserious and so dramatic and so devoted it makes me want to lie face down on the floor and scream into my pillow.

i’m not even kidding, i got misty-eyed halfway through because i’m just. so in love with him.

also do we like the layout 😏 took me 40 minutes.

✦ bf!venti passes you a note in class that says “do you like me?” with three boxes: ☐ yes ☐ no ☐ i’d kiss you behind the gym you check the last one. he winks at you across the room and immediately gets yelled at for not doing the worksheet.

✦ bf!venti insists on walking you to your locker even though it’s in the opposite direction of his next class. “i’ll be late for you” he says. “detention is temporary. your smile is forever.” "venti please go to biology." "no ❤️"

✦ bf!venti sends you tiktoks during class and then stares at you until you laugh. you ignore him. he makes sad puppy faces from three desks away. you glance at your phone. it’s a tiktok captioned “me when you don’t laugh at my jokes 🥺” he mouths “i love you” while the teacher’s back is turned.

✦ bf!venti is banned from bringing his ukulele to school because he tried serenading you in the cafeteria. “you said you were having a bad day.” “you stood on the table and sang a love ballad.” “everyone clapped!!” you did cry a little, but only from secondhand embarrassment. and also love.

✦ bf!venti wears your hair tie on his wrist and brags about it. “yeah, she gave it to me. we’re basically married.” “venti shut up” you whisper. “you literally tied your soul to me. this is legally binding.” he makes it your matching thing. now you both wear each other’s colors on test days “for luck.”

✦ bf!venti doodles a tiny heart next to your name on the group project. the teacher asks if you two are dating. venti says “madly.” you say “unfortunately.” venti gasps. “i’ll remember this betrayal forever.” he still carries your backpack for you after class.

✦ bf!venti shows up to your house after school just to say hi and ends up staying for dinner. your parents love him. he calls your dad “sir bardicus.” he helps wash dishes and sings while doing it. kisses your cheek behind the fridge door like it’s a secret. “i’m courting you the old-fashioned way” he whispers. you drop a spoon.

✦ bf!venti says “i’d die for you” over the dumbest things. “do you want a fry?” “you’d share food with me??? i’d die for you.” “here’s a pencil.” “marry me.” “venti we’re gonna be late for gym.” “then carry me, beloved.” you don’t. he fake-dies on the gym floor. your teacher steps over him.

✦ bf!venti cries when you compliment him too sincerely. “venti i love your voice.” “pff obviously—wait what.” “i really mean it.” “hold on i wasn’t emotionally prepared for that.” he hides behind his locker door. you hear him whisper “she loves my voice…” like he’s going to write it in his diary.

✦ bf!venti shows up to your house with snacks and a movie after you text “bad day.” he doesn’t even knock — your parents just let him in at this point. “emergency boyfriend services have arrived.” he throws a fuzzy blanket over your head and says “we grieve, we giggle, we snack.” you end up crying into his hoodie at some point. he just rubs your back and whispers dumb little jokes until you start laughing again.

✦ bf!venti meets your friends for the first time and immediately trauma dumps and offers one of them a juice box. “so i was raised by a drunk single parent but ANYWAY do you want the apple flavor or tropical punch?” they love him instantly. “he’s insane” they say. “i know” you whisper, blushing. venti’s already braiding someone’s hair and giving relationship advice.

✦ bf!venti has zero shame about pda around your friends. wraps his arms around you from behind during lunch. kisses your cheek mid-conversation. holds your face and whispers “you are my muse” while your friend is just trying to eat a sandwich. “bro. can you not.” “no” he says, and kisses you again.

✦ bf!venti gets into fake fights with your bestie over who loves you more. “i’ve known them longer.” “i’ve kissed them on the mouth.” “i’ve held their hair back while they threw up.” “i would literally take a bullet.” “OKAY YOU GUYS—” you’re red in the face while they high five and laugh.

✦ bf!venti fake proposes to you during passing period with the entire drama club behind him singing “can’t take my eyes off you.” he’s on one knee holding a plastic ring pop. you’re frozen. your friends are recording. “say yes” they chant. “i hate all of you” you say through your blush. you eat the ring pop together after school anyway.

✦ bf!venti’s theatre friends pull you aside after rehearsal. “hey. are you serious about him?” “yeah. why?” “because he wrote you a sonnet during warmups and then cried into a prop sword when he thought you were mad at him.” “he what.” “we had to hold him like a baby.”

✦ bonus: the joint friend group dynamic your friends and his friends form a trauma bond.  at some point they start hanging out without you two.  you ask what they talk about.  “nothing. peace. silence.” they all flinch the moment they hear a g chord.

[cottonlemonade]

Wingman On Crutches

word count: 571 || avg. reading time: 2 mins.

pairing: Matsukawa x chubby!Reader (feat. Parts of Seijoh 4)

genre: fluff

warnings: some swearing

request: Menu B with strawberry milk, matcha pudding and a matcha roll. I slide right next to Mattsun || fluffy, jealous classmate crush Matsukawa, as manager

“Why is she talking to him?”, Issei huffed. Iwaizumi followed his eyes and suppressed a sigh when he saw Makki talking to you somewhere on the side of the court. You were placing towels and water bottles down in pairs so the players could easily grab them.

“Because they’re friends.”, the ace observed, bouncing a volleyball off his friend’s head to get his attention back for training, “Come on, we gotta warm up.”

“If I would have twisted my ankle like that Victorian lady over there I could sit out practice and talk to y/n.”, Issei grumbled.

“Then why don’t you ask Makki to trade you his injuries for a curry bun?”, Iwaizumi asked, sarcastically.

“You‘re not funny.“

“Good, wasn‘t trying to be. - Get your ass over there so I can toss to you, come on. Don‘t make me pair up with Shittykawa.“

In view of his friend‘s nerves being on the line, Issei obliged and reluctantly turned his back to you to face Iwaizumi.

For a minute or two they threw the ball back and forth, then your distinct laugh rang through the gym and Issei all but pulled a muscle to turn around.

You were doubled over, both arms around your supremely squishy tummy as Makki continued to say something undoubtedly dumb.

“Quick, Iwa, spike the volleyball over there.“, he urged.

“Why?“

“To stop them!?“

“From… laughing?“

“YES! First it‘s laughing, then it‘s inside jokes, then it‘s hanging out just those two, then one day he’ll accidentally brush her hand while they reach for something together and boom! They’re married!“

“You really have to stop watching TV with your sister, dude.“

Before Iwaizumi could stop him, Issei called, “Yo, Makki! Hobble over here for a sec, will ya?“

Makki gave you a quick little bow, excusing himself and used his crutches to laboriously get to his friends.

“What‘s up? Want me to count or something?“

“What did you talk about with y/n?“

“What?“

“What did you say to make her laugh? You know she is off limits, dude. I called dibs like two years ago!“

Makki blinked.

“I know. I told her about that time we went to the movies and I almost wet my pants because of a jumpscare and you weren‘t even fazed by it.“

“You- you did?“

Makki nodded, “Yeah and how you helped your little brother with his school project the other week.“

“He failed that assignment.“, Matsukawa admitted quietly.

“Not the point. I was talking you up, dude! As if I‘d ever go behind your back.“ Makki used a crutch to hit his friend’s leg.

Issei rubbed his thigh and felt his eyes starting to sting.

“Bro…“

“I know, I know. I told her, you and I wanted to go to the store after practice for curry buns but I will conveniently remember that I have to get home to help my mom with dinner so you can be alone.“

Tears were definitely threatening to fall now and Issei put a hand on his friend‘s shoulder, “I love you.“

A volleyball hit Issei‘s head for a second time that afternoon and when he turned he saw Iwaizumi‘s face twitching with impatience.

Before he got back to the drills he lowered his voice and said, “Could you casually somehow slip in how intimidated all of you feel when we shower together after training?“

Makki squinted, then sighed.

“I‘ll… see what I can do.“

a/n: someone please come and collect this man.

This request is for 🫀anon. Thank you so much for this silly request! I hope it was what you imagined and thank you also for your kind words ^^ please enjoy 🌟

[lizzieisright]

hey hurt/comfort idea:

soo what about the reader and abby being best friends for years and reader always had a crush on abby. they go to a party and abby introduces her new gf to u. she always liked her but thought reader didn’t (always a bit horny around reader, but they know eachother since childhood so abby mistakes readers flirting as being flirty like friends) so reader gets absolutely hartbroken, drinks till she passes out but abby takes care of her ofc. abbys gf is always with her tho so it just hurts even more.

she avoids abby till the next frat prty or smth (maybe it’s college!au) and then they hook up, abby can’t remember cause she’s too drunk and is back w her gf

very messy but i hope u get the idea :P

(also to make it more hurtful make abby mean while she’s drunk bc she’s going through a rough time but isn’t telling anyone)

It took me so long, I'm so sorry

Palestine: what can you do

I've changed a few things (they don't hook up) because I can't deal with cheating, and I couldn't decide on what ending I wanted so there's a poll in the end.

Tags: Modern AU, childhood friends, Angst, pining and unrequited love, of course.

_______________

Abby is a fucking God, and you come to this conclusion when you're 11 and she helps you with your stupid assignment.

When you're both 14 you start to understand that what you feel for her is not, in fact, an admiration. 

You come to this conclusion when you sit in her bedroom and she jokes about teaching you how to kiss because you're a loser and you agree - and yeah, the kiss is a mess, but now you both know that you want to kiss girls. And you want to kiss one girl in particular, but Abby is your best friend and you won’t do anything that will lead to losing her.

Being a God means Abby is out of your reach and you have to live with your stupid feelings.

You're jealous of every boy who jokes around her to get her attention.

You're jealous of every girl who dares to look at her a little too long.

Abby is popular and she starts dating and it breaks your heart every time, and you can't look at other people because all your gods look like Abby.

"Why don't you go on a date?" Abby asks once when you're 16 and you're eating pizza in your bedroom, watching another marvel movie. "I think Jen likes you."

"I don't want to." What would be the point if the only person you want to date won't ever look at you this way?

"Why? Don't you get horny like the rest of us mortals?"

The worst part of being in love with your popular best friend is that she recently lost her virginity and she can't shut up about sex because she is excited about it.

"I have my hand, Abby." You roll your eyes at her.

"But it feels better when the other person does it." Abby winks and puts her hand on your thigh. "It's better, isn't it?" She rubs your thigh and your breath hitches. She looks at you, playful, and goes a little up on your thigh, and your face burns.

"You belong in horny jail, Anderson." You laugh, but don't move her hand: if you move it she'll call you a chicken, but she is a chicken enough herself to not move it further.

And she doesn't.

You live your life peacefully, dealing with your feelings as best as you can.

Then college starts and you're too busy to think about Abby 24/7 and you feel like it gets easier. Like you can breathe around her and you almost don't feel pain when she talks about her sex life.

Almost.

You know it's easy to deal with because all those girls in her bed are temporary while you're in Abby's life forever, and not because your feelings suddenly fainted. Abby likes to sleep around, she is a flirt even with you - a lot, actually, she thinks she can get away with a lot by saying she is touch-starved and then her hands wander off somewhere they're not supposed to be, and you let her, because you'll take whatever you can.

So you go through Abby's fuckboy phase with ease, because sex talk is way better than feelings talk.

A few years pass and suddenly the feelings talk starts, and you're slowly dying inside, because Abby likes someone. Abby talks about how nervous she is around her, she is always on her phone texting her, she is always busy when you want to spend time with her.

You hate this girl with all you have, because she takes Abby away, she takes everything away - Abby is not touchy anymore, she only hugs you briefly when you see her, she is not listening to you half of the time, too caught up in her fantasies.

You hope her girl is a bitch and an asshole and toxic so you can talk Abby out of it, but then Abby tells you she is going to introduce you at the party and you cry yourself to sleep that night.

"How do I look?"

"Like you need Jesus." You say honestly because Abby in the muscle tee and a pair of cargo pants makes you ache.

"Yeah?" Abby looks at you through the mirror with that fucking smirk she knows you like. "Am I fuckable?"

"We both know you prefer to be on the other end of that word, Anderson." You roll your eyes and put your shoes on only to straighten up to Abby's face way too close. She looks you up and down.

"You're very fuckable though."

"Fuck off." You huff and open the door of her apartment, hoping she won't tease you for being flustered. "Let's go before Manny gets so drunk you'll have to carry him. Again."

You spent the night in dread of meeting Abby's girl, dreaming of seeing her red flags or something to have a real reason to hate her to Abby's face, but then Abby lights up and she excuses herself to go and meet her girl, while you try so hard to not throw up from your nerves.

The girl is gorgeous.

"This is (y/n)." Abby motions at you and you smile politely. "This is Mia."

"I'm so happy to meet you." Mia smiles and she looks kind and genuine and fuck, you can't hate her. There's no jealousy in her, no fake smiles, no tense body language. "Abby loves you so much."

You swallow hard.

"I put up with so much of her shit, she doesn't have a choice." You joke and Mia laughs.

Mia is funny and cute and you understand why Abby likes her, because it's impossible not to. Mia is a type of girl that you'd think of as a bitch because she is popular, therefore arrogant, but when you get to know her she is a total sweetheart who'd help you find a way to your class if she notices you're lost.

This is hard.

This is going to break you.

You can't cope with this. You can't cope with seeing Abby's gentle gaze on Mia, with her careful touch and constant care. So you excuse yourself and go to the bar to get drunk, as if you can drown your feelings by dragging them to the bottom of the bottle. You dance and you drink, you dance and you drink and repeat it five other times until all long islands make you feel sick and you can't walk by yourself anymore. You're an independent woman and you refuse to ask for help, but when you can't order a taxi for the fifth time because your eyes are so blurry, Mia comes to you and holds you by your elbow.

"We will take you home, okay?" She says kindly and you feel your lips tremble. We.

"Jus- can you c'll a taxi f'me?" You slur, but you feel Abby's hand on your waist as she supports you. "Don't wanna ruin your night."

"You're not ruining anything." Mia says cheerfully and orders a taxi when Abby gives her your address. "Happens to the best of us."

The drive home makes you super dizzy and Abby has to put her hand between your head and the car door because you hit it all the time. The moment the car stops and Abby goes around to help you get on your legs, you throw up on the ground and it's a miracle you don't get everyone's shoes dirty.

Abby decides to carry you to your place and you can't shut up even for a second.

"I'm s'sorry guys. Not a good first impression. I really like you, Mia. You look kind. Like a grandma. In a good way, I'm sorry." Mia giggles. "Your laugh is very cute. It's cute, right Abby?"

"Yeah." Abby agrees quietly and what you don't know is that for her your drunken rant was way cuter than her girlfriend's laugh.

"Yeah. You look great together, I'm s'happy for you Abby. Haven't seen her that nervous because of a girl in years, can you imagine, Mia? You make this asshole nervous." You're chuckling sadly, you want to cry because you don't make Abby nervous.

No, you just embarrass her in front of her girlfriend because you're so pathetically in love you can't deal with it and drink half of the bar until you forget how to walk on your own.

Abby helps you change and Mia gives you water. She makes sure there is fresh air in your room and she tucks your blanket, and you close your eyes to hide your tears because Mia is so nice. She is a dream girl and Abby is so happy and there is no space for you anymore.

Because Mia took your place in that forever equation.

On the next day you text your apologies to both Abby and Mia (she followed you on instagram and asked you how you felt) and you can't deal with this. It hurts so much because you love Abby so much and you want her to be happy but it seems like the price of it is going to be your heart.

So you start avoiding her as best as possible, and what is more sad - it's not even that hard. Abby is always with Mia, fuck, Mia even asks you to come with them to hang out, which you always find an excuse not to. Library, fever, other plans, other plans again, sorry, paper is due tomorrow, my aunt is in town (she is not). Anything to not meet with them.

You still see Abby during classes and you give each other life updates, but it's been weeks since you actually hung out and you accept the reality that yes, there's no place for you in Abby's life anymore.

You cry every fucking night.

Then Abby suddenly remembers you exist and she asks you if you want to hang out, just the two of you, because she misses you. You miss her too and you agree.

You regret it the moment she cuddles you in front of her tv. She has a girlfriend now, why is she so touchy again? Did something happen with Mia that Abby came to you?

"Is everything okay with Mia?"

"Yeah, she is great." Abby says and buries her nose in your neck.

No. You can't deal with this.

So you start avoiding Abby at all costs after this - you can't shake the feeling that this is cheating, because for you Abby's touch has never been platonic, no. And it never felt platonic either, it was always giving you hope because Abby was flirting and touching the way friends don't touch each other. Maybe one day she'd finally give you a chance, you thought, but this day never came.

It is another party a month and half later - yay, Abby and Mia have been together for two months now! - and you don't know if Abby is going to come, but you hope she doesn't. You know she knows something is up and she will want her answers if she meets you.

But you have fun. You play games, you drink, you dance, you get flirted with and you forget about your pain just to get so drunk again you can't help but go outside to find a place to cry in peace.

You miss Abby, you miss her because she is a part of you and yes, you're in love with her, but she also your best fucking friend and you hate yourself for being in love with her, because it ruins your life. It has been ruining your life since you were fourteen and actually understood what you felt, but now it was getting serious.

"(Y/n)?"

Fuck.

You wipe your tears and look at Abby who is standing right in front of you.

"Hi." You squeak and she drops on the knees to look at you.

"Did something happen? Why are you crying?"

"I'm just sad. Don't worry." You try to smile but Abby's frown makes you cry more. "I'm going home anyway, so you can enjoy the party."

"What the hell are you saying? I'm not leaving you."

She should. She should leave you and not complicate it further.

Abby calls a taxi and you chuckle in your head - If you had a nickel for every time Abby was taking your drunk ass home, you'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

You tell her as much because the meme is funny and you try to be positive.

Abby helps you out of the car and this time you don't throw up.

"You know, last time I totally embarrassed myself in front of Mia." You chuckle and make your way upstairs with Abby's arm around your waist. "She is cute, I'm so happy for you."

Abby chuckles and leads you inside your apartment, but between the two of you she is mostly sober and she has some questions, and she wants her answers. You know this too, so when you sit on your sofa you feel like all your shields are crumbling: you’re giving up on hiding this from her. If this is the end, so be it.

"You've been avoiding me." Abby says quietly, looking you in your eyes like she is just a little bit mad. 

"Yeah, I know." You admit with a chuckle. "You have a girlfriend now, it's so cool. When was the last time you liked someone like that? Back in school?"

"So you've been avoiding me on purpose." 

"I don't think you can avoid someone accidentally, Abby.” You say, not holding back your venom. “Anyway, I’m so happy for you.”

“Why are you avoiding me?” Abby moves closer to you  and you swallow your tears because there’s nowhere to run.

“Because it’s easier.” You shrug. “I just want you to be happy, okay? Does Mia make you happy?”

“Yeah.” Abby admits and you start crying again: it hurts so fucking much. 

“Good. It’s good. I’m happy for you.” You sniffle and Abby huffs, annoyed.

“Stop saying that. Stop avoiding my questions.”

Inside you all hell breaks loose.

“I love you, okay?” You finally burst. “I love you, and it hurts so fucking bad and I can’t fucking see you with her or know that you’re with her! What do you want me to do? What would you do if you were me? I can’t- I can’t-” You throw your hands desperately and bite your lip, too angry with this whole situation.

“I love you too.” Abby says, confused.

“No, no Abby, you don’t understand.” You’re quiet and angry, almost spitting every word out. “I’m in love with you. I’m not jealous as a friend, Abby. I’m jealous because I want to be in her place, okay? Fuck, I wanted to be in your every girl’s place since you started dating girls!” 

There is silence. You thought it would be terrifying - this silence - but right now you feel nothing except how dizzy your head is. You feel empty and there's no tears anymore. Abby stares at you in shock, her fists clenched, and you chuckle cynically. 

“So can I continue avoiding you now or should I suffer more?”

“Fuck, (y/n)..” Abby sighs and rubs her forehead, going over her face with her palm. “Fuck. Don't do this to me.”

“Well.” You huff, annoyed. “Not like I have a fucking choice, Anderson.”

Abby throws her head back and stares at the ceiling while you do the same, trying to keep your drunk ass stable. You feel like eternity passes before Abby speaks again, and it is strangely comforting, having your best friend here with you, in this boat of pain, and sharing it with her. 

“All these years. All these years we could have been together.” Abby sounds like she is mourning. 

You thought your heart broke when you met Mia? Forget it, it's broken now.

You sob, howl almost, and Abby is suddenly holding you in her arms, placing kisses to your hair. Her heart can't handle seeing you cry, never could - yes, she tried to move on with Mia, and it worked partially, but all her effort went to shit just now. You're the most precious girl to her and nothing can change it. Abby swallows and braces herself, suddenly making a decision in her head, all her anxiety about what is a right thing to do gone. 

“You know what? Fuck it. Fuck all that time we've missed. I'm not letting you go now.” Abby says in your ear and you sob even more violently. “Come on, baby, I'm here. Let me see your face.”

You can't believe it. You can't even process it: is it your drunken dream? Are you hallucinating? It would definitely not be the first time. But you look up at Abby and she gently wipes your tears and there’s so much love and hurt in her eyes it’s hard not to break into another sobbing fit. 

“I've been in love with you since we were seventeen.” Abby smiles at you and you shakily smile back. “I’m sorry it came to this. But I'm here now.”

“I love you.” You say feverishly and Abby's restraint breaks.

She kisses you hungrily, practically devouring you, and you're weak, so you return her kiss and press into her, soaking in her warmth and strength. Abby is solid and tender, she holds you like she cares and you cling to her for a moment.

But then you remember yourself and push Abby away, shaking your head.

“No. You're better than this. You're not going to betray Mia like this. I'm not going to let you, Abby. We're not doing this,” You motion between yourself and her. “Behind your girlfriend's back. And I'm also fucking drunk.”

Abby chuckles and kisses your forehead. 

“Come on, I'll help you get into your bed.”

Everything else after is a blur as Abby helps you change and covers you with your blanket, and you fall asleep. You can't wait for the morning to come.

****

[fandoms-x-reader]

Couch Cuddles

Word Count: 1,257

Mammon x Reader

A soft smile rested on Mammon’s lips as he looked down at you. Nights like these were ones he kept at the forefront of his mind. Memories that always made him smile no matter how many times he looked back on them. 

_______________

You were sitting in your room working diligently on the homework that had been assigned to you. There was no school tomorrow at RAD, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t work to do. You were currently in the middle of reading about the history of the Devildom when Mammon entered the room. 

You looked up from the papers in front of you as Mammon strolled up to your desk, stopping right in front of you. He looked like he was on a mission, so you let him speak first, raising an eyebrow as you waited to hear what he had to say.

“There ya’ are,” he finally said, a look of relief washing over his face. “I’ve been trying to text you for an hour now,” he added, giving you a stern look. “Oh, sorry, I had my D.D.D. on silent while I was studying,” you replied, reaching over to grab it and look at the missed messages.

Mammon wasn’t too happy with your excuse - after all, who would put their phone on silent when there was a chance of him texting you? But, he had more important things to talk to you about. 

Your eyes scanned over the messages that he had sent you. Mammon stood there awkwardly as you went through all twelve of them. Each one was a different iteration of the same question:

Do you want to have a movie night?

Mammon stood there in your room, awaiting an answer with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. A sight that you could never say no to. 

You let out a playful sigh before telling him, “I guess I could spare some time.” “Hey, don’t be like that,” he replied, his lips turning slightly downward into a frown. “You should be grateful THE Mammon invited ya’ over,” he added.

You couldn’t help the smile that formed as you stood up from your desk and stood in front of him. “I’ll go get the snacks.” Mammon now wore a satisfied smile as he went back to his room, waiting for you to return.

You went to the kitchen and grabbed his favorite snacks. You and Mammon have had quite a few movie nights already, so you knew what he liked. You also grabbed a couple drinks because these movie nights were never one movie long. After the first one, you and Mammon would find yourselves wanting to keep watching movies until you were both too tired to watch anymore. Any excuse to be in each other’s presence for longer.

The first movie night, you weren’t expecting to be there the whole night. You definitely weren’t prepared for it; and, when you told Mammon you needed to run down to the kitchen to get something to drink, you had to hear him complain the whole time about how you need to think ahead next time and come prepared.

Mammon didn’t mind the fact you wanted food or something to drink. The problem was, leaving his room meant you ran the risk of running into his brothers and them stealing you away from him. He couldn’t have that. So, now he makes sure you have everything you need for the rest of the night before starting the movies.

Your arms were full of snacks and drinks as you made your way to Mammon’s room. You were dreading trying to open the door, but when you reached his room, you noticed the door was already open. He must have known you would be struggling to carry everything. 

Mammon noticed your presence as you entered the room. He looked at your arms that were overflowing with miscellaneous items and he thought you looked adorable. He couldn’t stop the small laugh that escaped his lips, but he definitely tried to cover it up by stating, “Took ya’ long enough.”

“You’re the one who wants me to make sure I have everything I could possibly want before coming here,”  you replied as he began taking things out of your arms and setting them on the table in his room. “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, continuing to help you set things down.

Mammon’s room was the perfect setting for a movie night. He had a large projector screen on his wall along with many speakers that fully immersed his room in the sound. It was like a movie theater. Not to mention the large comfortable couch that fit both of you. 

You took your place on the couch and Mammon joined you moments later, handing you the remote. He always let you choose the first movie. Then he would come up with his choice based on the movie you chose. Usually, each night stuck to its own theme. You got to show him your favorite movies from the human world and he got to show you Devildom classics.

You scrolled through the movies until you finally found one you liked. You clicked on it and then placed the remote down. You reached for the lights and noticed the small blush on his cheeks. Every time you turned the lights off, he got flustered. Every. Single. Time. You found it endearing that after all these movie nights, he still got nervous around you.

Mammon grabbed the blanket that you always ask for and made sure it spread across the both of you. You began watching the movie, you sitting on one side of the couch while he sat on the other.

The night continued just like normal. Mammon would make comments that would make you laugh and you would ask questions about the Devildom movies, trying to understand them. Throughout the night, you had moved from sitting across the couch to sitting right next to him. His arm had found its way over your shoulders, pulling you into him. And, when that position had started to get uncomfortable, you both shifted until he was laying down on the couch and you were laying on top of him, your cheek pressed against his chest as his arms held you close to him, one of his hands stroking your hair. 

A soft smile rested on Mammon’s lips as he looked down at you. Nights like these were ones he kept at the forefront of his mind. Memories that always made him smile no matter how many times he looked back on them. 

Usually, around this time, you would suggest you should head back to your room. But, you had been studying so hard lately, and you were tired. The last thing you wanted to do was move, especially when it felt so good being in his arms.

“Mammon?” you asked softly. “Hmm?” he hummed in response, so content with running his fingers through your hair. “Can I stay here tonight?” you questioned. You felt his entire body tense at your question as his hand stopped moving through your hair. You could tell he was flustered by the question; and, if you had looked up at him you would have seen his cheeks bright red as he struggled to find words. 

Just when you thought that maybe you had gone too far, you felt his arms tighten around you as his hand went back to stroking your hair. He took in a deep breath, before replying, barely above a whisper, “Always.”

[roseareeh]

Purple Hearts | Steve Harrington x Military! Reader

Notes: Guess who's back 🕺 Back again 🕺 Noa's back 🕺 Tell a friend 🕺 For my return, I made y'all a whammy of a story. I hope you enjoy! This is inspired by the movie Purple Hearts, which is available on Netflix. Also a big, big, BIG thank you to @losingmygrasponreality because she wrote Steve's proposal, a big part of the letter and helped me with the e-mails. I love you! 🤍

Words: 18.4k

Warnings: Operation Desert Storm, Deployment, Medical Issues due to diabetes, leg injury, death, description of grief

“She's back!”, Robin yelled through her house. Unexpectedly, she saw your truck pull in the driveway. “She's back, she's back, she's back!” Quick footsteps echoed through the hallway as she hurried down the stairs. Her mother gave her a confused look, but saw what was happening by taking a peek out the window.

You, Robin's best friend since childhood, came back from deployment after 10 months. “You're back!”, she screamed while running through the door and into your arms. “Oh my god, you're back! Did you miss me? What are you doing here? Weren't you gonna be away for 2 more months?” Robin didn't let go while showering you with questions.”Yes, I'm visiting, yes.”, you giggled while hugging her back and feeling your cap slip from your head. “My parents are out of town, you wanna have a sleepover?”

Funny enough, Robin was gonna ask you something and would've requested to meet alone with you. This was perfect! “Hell yeah I wanna have a sleepover!” Robin let go of you and made you follow after to pack her bag. You talked to her mother Lisa in the meantime, telling her that your deployment went well and you were excited to be back for a few months. She was also concerned about your health, but you assured her that you weren't hurt badly.

Robin hurried downstairs with her bag slung over her shoulder. “Come on, sleepover!”, she said while grabbing your hand. That reaction never changed, ever since you two were at least four. “Alright, come on. Bye Lisa!”

Your passenger seat was basically assigned to her at this point. Even if it was empty for the past 10 months, it was still her spot. “Did you get even more ripped while you were gone?”, she shamelessly asked. You didn't notice much, but she definitely did. That torso of yours was basically a tree trunk. “Maybe. Probably.”, you replied while leaving her driveway in the truck.

All your life, you lived just down the street from Robin. That contributed to your best friend status a lot. Driving wasn't necessary, but you also didn't want to leave your truck in her driveway. After the 2-minute drive, she practically jumped out of the car to get inside. “Come on! Can we order pizza? Please let it be pizza!”

So after ordering pizza, getting a glass of wine for one of you each and sitting down on the couch, you turned to her with a questioning look.

“What is it that you wanted to ask me?”

“So, you remember that big favour you owe me?” Honestly, you forgot all about it until she mentioned it just now. “I did now. Why? You need help?” Robin sighted while thinking about what to say. “So, a friend of mine…you know him, actually. Steve Harrington.” Steve? The guy who made your life a living hell? “Your friend, Robin? Seriously?”

“He changed, I promise! Steve's a good guy.” You leaned back against the couch and crossed your arms in front of your chest. “What does that have to do with the favour?” She sighted and took a deep breath. “Can you please marry him so he can get into your medical insurance?” Robin talked so fast that you had to take a good 30 seconds to even realise what she said, and then some more to grasp what she was asking you. “Excuse me?”, you finally asked in disbelief. That was actually insane. “He was diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1 a few months ago. His insurance doesn't cover the insulin he needs to, well, live, and if you'd marry him he'd get full insurance.” Sure, that made sense technically. But you'd break so many military laws. You'd scam the state, risk your job and possibly get jail time if someone found out. “Robin, that's illegal.”, you said. “Besides, he bullied me. Steve's not a good person.” Your best friend scrambled for her words, trying her absolute best to convince you to basically save her other best friend. “He changed. Please, at least talk with him about it. We really tried everything, but…I can't watch him die.” The desperation in her voice pulled at your heartstrings. Yes, you could marry him in theory. And you'd even get extra money just for being married. Not that you had any debts to pay off, but you were saving up for a new car. “Fine. I'll talk to him.” True to God, you've never seen her this desperate for anything. Not even when she came out to you and was hoping you'd stick by.

Just as you finished up breakfast and were getting ready to go on a run, the doorbell rang. It was Robin and Steve. “Seriously? It hasn't even been 24 hours.”, you said while leaning against the doorframe before looking over at Steve. His eyes were scanning your form in your leggins and tight top with an impressed look. “I told you it's urgent.”, your best friend said while stepping inside. Steve followed after her like a puppy after its mother. The door closed back when you turned and followed after. “Robin, even if you could convince me, I couldn't marry him until like, a month from now.” Your tone was hushed while her eyes went wide. “A month?”, she asked. It made perfect sense, how was she so shocked? “Do you want to keep this on the down low or immediately have the court marshall on my ass?”

“He might not even have a month!”, she argued back. You sighted and let a hand run through your hair. “Robin, this would break so many military laws. I'm risking everything if I follow through. Besides, I can't even pretend like he's my boyfriend who I suddenly wanna marry after deployment.” Your best friend gave you a raised eyebrow, meanwhile Steve was just awkwardly standing in your living room. How did he get himself into this?

“Why? You were always a lover girl.”, she stated. Technically, that was true but your current pool of single men wasn't one for long-term relationships. “Because I fucked like, 3 guys on my deployment and my platoon sergeant.” This made it even worse for Steve. Just so…awkward.

Last time he saw you, you were a teenager with some pimples, glasses and nerdy interests. He put you down just for being yourself, and he felt so bad about it. And now? You were confident, had men lining up for you and looked beautiful. Realistically, there was no reason for you to agree. Not for your job, not for him, for nothing really.

“So, we make up a story. You cheated and felt so sorry that you married him to show your commitment.” But all you did was scoff. Was she serious? “I'm not making myself look like a cheater for some guy. Are you insane?” Maybe she was. This was Robin, after all. All of this felt surreal to you. How could you marry a guy who relentlessly bullied you? And ruin your reputation in the meantime? This kind of gossip would spread like wildfire. He was, even with his condition, just some guy.

“Please get out. Both of you.”

Your best friend tried starting a discussion again, but you dismissed her. “Leave. I'm not joking, please get out.” Eventually, they left and you laid down on your couch to reflect on what just happened.

They came back 2 days later. While you were annoyed, you let them inside. “Robin, it's still a fraud. I can lose my job and go to jail.”, you repeated. How could she not get it through her head? “I know, but please. I'm…we're begging you, he really, really, really, can't even afford to live. There's this whole thing with his parents, and-” Steve cut her off. This is the first time you heard him speak up since high school.

“Robin, it's fine. We'll figure something else out.” She tried to argue with him for a bit, but he was awfully quiet, eventually swayed and collapsed on the floor. “Steve!”, Robin yelled while running over. The thud you heard when his head hit your wooden floor was terrifying. That must hurt.

“Fucking hell Steve, where's your glucagon?!” Her yelling at him was useless, Steve was barely conscious. Your best friend went through all of his pockets until finding a small bag filled with syringes and vials. The one she pulled out was barely full…maybe barely enough to bring him back. “Take off his jacket.”, she instructed you. You didn't notice how much you were shaking until you saw your trembling hands taking off the brown coat he was wearing. Robin injected the glucagon and tries to keep him awake by talking to him; that everything is gonna be fine, he’ll be back up in no time, he’ll be okay. It took a good 20 minutes, but he came back to it.

Those 20 minutes were your personal hell. It was scary. This is what diabetes did? That's absolutely horrifying. And now, knowing that you could stop this, there was a feeling of guilt in your stomach. Well, was it guilt or did you just feel pity? Regardless, it hit you that you could fix this. Especially after seeing an almost-empty vial, that was most likely his last one his insurance covered.

Once he got up, you looked him in the eyes. His eyes were filled with fear; just as you expected. But the feeling in your stomach was back. The pity. The guilt. All of it. Steve looked like a scared little boy, nothing like King Steve who bullied you. You had to do something. You know you could.

“I'll do it.”, you said once Robin got him to sit on your couch. Steve could've fainted again on the spot, judging by the look on his face. Meanwhile, Robin looked at you with big eyes and a surprise look, before jumping up and falling into your arms. “Oh my god, thank you! I'll never be able to repay you for this, oh god! You're the best friend ever!” After a bit more praise and tight hugs, she let go breathlessly. “Alright, sit down before you pass out as well.” You turned to Steve with crossed arms. “We'll have to talk out conditions first, though. This is risky for both of us, but especially me.” He nodded quickly, still looking rather shocked. “Yes, anything you want. When do you, uhm…”

“Tomorrow, at 3. I'll make coffee, okay?”

And so it was. While you were making coffee and looking if you still had some cookies left in the cookie tin (they were all stale), the doorbell rang. Steve was awkwardly shuffling his feet while fiddling with his fingers.

“Come in.”, you greeted him with a neutral expression. Steve now took a closer look around your house before standing next to your kitchen island like he was dropped off and forgotten to be picked up. Meanwhile, you jumped onto your kitchen island and took a seat. Steve reluctantly poured himself some coffee, and then some for you.

“There's gonna be some ground rules if we do this.”, you said while crossing your legs. He quietly nodded, knowing he'd accept any condition you'd put out. Steve was desperately looking for help. There was nothing he wouldn't do at this point. “I get extra money for being married. Unless your car breaks down, or you need extra money for utilities, it's mine.” That seemed alright to him. “And I work 12 hour shifts, four days straight, then I get three days off. But I spend most of my free days at the gym for my job. You'll do the majority of the housework.” Isn't that basically an unpaid maid? Although, again, he'd do anything for proper insurance. “And most important is that you don't tell anyone. This deal stays between you, me and Robin. I'm ripping off the government, and if we get caught, I lose my job and we could both go to jail. Me for sure, you…I don't know.” Would he have to? That didn't matter; it can't happen. “We can't tell our parents, friends, nobody. It's gonna be a long game of pretending for a while, but when you get a promotion or something, you can look for new insurance. Then we'd hand in a divorce and you'd have insurance for another year. Plenty of time.” Steve very quickly caught up to how important this was. He didn't want himself or you going to jail, even if one might think he would based on your past together. But that wasn't him anymore. He became a decent guy, after all. Even if you didn't trust that whole thing yet, Robin trusted him. That should be enough for now.

“Nobody thinks we're in a relationship right now, so we'll be on their radar anyways. Might get called a shotgun wedding, but I'll smoke that out no problem.” You'd prove that you weren't pregnant easily, even if the higher ups asked. Besides, military couples get married quickly. That's not unheard of, although you never wanted to play into the stereotype. Not that you planned on getting married any time though; husbands aren't a concept in your world.

But there you were, setting down ground rules for a fraudulent marriage.

“So, I can make us an appointment at the courthouse quickly. We'll be taking pictures, so wear something reasonable. I'll throw on my uniform and call it a day.”

“My parents are gonna wanna meet you.”, he finally spoke up. Was that really his only condition? “Sure, we can do that. Although that makes our story much more unbelievable…or would a secret girlfriend be realistic?” Steve stayed quiet for a bit, head filled with thoughts. “It wouldn't be unimaginable.”, he finally said. Doesn't seem like he had the best relationship with them, and Robin saying something about the trouble with their insurance yesterday it kinda made sense.

“You don't owe them contact with you, Steve. I don't know what happened, but I can tell something isn't right.” He still didn't seem to wanna talk about it, so after some silence you kept talking. “We're gonna have to kiss in public. That's unavoidable. Cheeks and forehead are always okay with me, mouth…well, if the situation fits. Also, hand holding is kinda of a must. They'll have to believe we're head-over-heels in love, since this is a very…spontaneous wedding.” He just nodded, knowing that this would be harder than originally anticipated.

“And most importantly, Steve.” Your tone changed from serious to desperate. “I'm putting everything on the line. You'll have to lie to everyone. Friends, family, whoever you thought you can share anything with you'll have to feed lies to. I don't care if you forget to cook dinner sometimes, but this is the biggest rule. Okay?”

He nodded. “Okay.”

And so it was. A week after getting your marriage license, you were pulling up in front of Steve's house. While you decided to wear your uniform, Steve came out in a black suit with a white button-up. No complaints here, he looked like a groom. Or a makeshift groom, at least. He was carrying some paper in his hands when he sat down in the passenger seat.

“Good morning.”, he said in a rather quiet tone. This was getting to him just as much as it got to you. You were pacing around all night and day, ironing your uniform, crying your eyeballs out because the anxiety was eating you alive, just to go back to calming yourself by stuffing a pack of twinkies in your mouth. Despite feeling incredibly sick, you still got into your car and drove over.

“Mornin’”, you mumbled. “You ready?” Steve saw how your hands shaked on the steering wheel, and that you wiped them off on your pants. “Almost.”, he replied. You looked over with a raised eyebrow. “I got you something…sort of like a wedding gift.” That must've been the paper he was holding. You assumed it was just documents he needed for marrying you. But once you opened it, you found a letter inside.

Dear (Y/N),

Before we enter this stage of our lives together, I not only wanted to thank you, but show my deep remorse for our past.

I've been cruel and unfair to you, without taking any prior accountability for it or even apologising. I was a coward who picked on someone who never deserved it, and I have no excuse for it, maybe my own insecurities. I'll never expect for you to forgive me, but I need you to know that I deeply regret it. If I could turn back time and undo all of the things I did to you - I would.

And now, somehow, even after everything I put you through, you're still willing to help me. You're doing something for me that I truly don't think I deserve - something that could save my life. I don't know why you said yes to this, but please know that I am forever grateful. More than I could put into words.

You are a better person than I ever was. Then I ever will be. And I want you to know that I see that now. I see you.

Thank you, (y/n).

Not just for this, but for being the kind of person who would even consider this.

Yours, Steve.

You did your absolute best to hold back your emotions after reading through it. His words were beautiful, poetic, dripping with emotions. He got you at a loss for words and holding back tears while he remained quiet and started the car. Maybe it was rude, but you two did have an appointment at the courthouse.

Unlike the two of you, Robin was ecstatic to join the two of you. She went as far as to take her fourth-hand, barely working camcorder with her. Anything to make it look real, I guess. But walking up the stairs to the courthouse felt like a prisoner walking to his execution to you. Not because you don't want this, but because of the sheer risk. Regardless, before you knew it, you stood in front of the officiant.

“That's very kind of you, Steve.”, you finally said as he pulled out of the driveway. Robin was right when she said he changed for the better. King Steve would've told you to stop whining, but this wasn't King Steve. This was Steve Harrington; grateful, remorseful, reflective. “It's the bare minimum, really.”, he replied. Together, you drove to Robin's place to pick her up. Since she was the only one who's in on the deal, she was ought to be the witness. Nobody else knew. Not our parents, not our friends, no one.

“Sooo…”, you mumbled while standing in front of him in your living room. The ring on your finger still felt odd. “I guess we're married now.” Steve didn't know whether to laugh or not. “Sure are.”, he agreed. Both of you could hear your heart thumping in your ears. Especially you, since your stress was at an all-time high. This was really real, no way of backing out of it anymore. What do you do now? There is no guide on a fraudulent marriage.

The speech was short. After all, this was just paperwork. One and done. Still, you held his hand the entire time and looked him in the eyes. The look of love on your face was fake, and so was his. Admittedly, he looked beautiful. Unfortunately, he has always been gorgeous. But did you have to feel this way right now?

"(y/n) (y/l/n), do you take Steve as your husband?"

"I do." There was no hesitation, not even for a second. There couldn't be.

"Steve Harrington, do you take (y/n) as your wife?"

"I do."

He didn't hesitate either. Good. Good act he put on.

"By the power invested in me by the great state of Indiana, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Steve cupped your face with one hand and leaned in. Again, no hesitation. Neither did you, kissing him back like you were head-over-heels in love with him. Not that you were, but the officiant couldn't know that.

Honest to God, you don't remember much from that day. Maybe you disassociated for most of it. At least that's what it looked like on Robin's tape. But you do remember going home with him. Alone. In your now shared house.

“Are you shaking because of your blood sugar, or are you nervous?” His hands were so shaky that not even his pockets could hide it. “Nervous.”, he replied. A sigh left your mouth. “Yeah…me too…” You started pacing up-and-down the living room a bit, before stopping in front of him unintentionally. Both of you stared deeply into each other's eyes, and something snapped inside of you. Like rabid animals, you started a heavy makeout session. While tangled into each other's limbs, you two plopped onto the couch. He groaned when you took a seat on his lap and moved your hips against his crotch.

Without even loving each other, you still shared a wedding night. One that was purely intended to let off steam, but regardless something to remember.

When you woke up in your bed the next morning and saw him next to you, panic rose up. “Fuck…”, you hissed while standing up. It took you a whopping 10 seconds to grab clothes to throw on, not wanting him to see you naked. It didn't even phase him, but you'd eventually have to get him up. You still wanted to sleep in, but getting something to eat was more important right now. Eating wasn't a priority in yesterday's hassle.

Steve woke up to the smell of pancakes and bacon in the house. When he walked downstairs, he saw you eating in the kitchen while going through a load of paperwork. “Good morning.”, he said, trying to avoid your gaze. You stayed quiet and pointed at a plate standing on the counter. “Thanks.” The tension between the two of you could be cut with a knife, although it wasn't the good kind. It was clear you didn't want to talk about last night while he was trying not to make a big deal out of it. “I'm gonna get my stuff from my apartment in like an hour.”, Steve said, trying to start a conversation. But all he got was a “Mhm.” from you. With a sigh, he put his plate down and leaned against the counter.

“Last night can't be undone by not talking to me.” You looked up from the papers in front of you with a sour expression. “It's just…weird, okay? We got married and moved in together yesterday, then we had…you know…I don't know what to make of it.” While he understood what you were saying, he wished you would've told him without ignoring him. “That's alright. Won't be around you for most of day anyways, so you can have some time for yourself.” His gaze went to the paperwork in front of you. Okay, maybe not alone-time in the sense you might need. “It's your tricare application. Since you'll be added now.” The pen you were holding softly tipped against the paper. “Well, not an application. More your info.” You read over the words again and let out a groan. “Nevermind. Did it wrong…I'll go back to bed.”

The two of you didn't see each other until the late evening. He was busy moving things around, cleaning his old apartment and getting settled in with the help of his friend Eddie while you were doing…actually, he didn't know what you were up to. But you did leave at some point to get him and Eddie takeout.

“For the hard work.”, you told them with a smile. Eddie happily took the food from your hand, saying how he was near starving already and then plopped down on the couch with Steve.

This was the first challenge. Acting like a married couple, because Eddie didn't know. So you sat down with them. “How's it coming along?”, you asked them with a small smile. Steve swallowed his food quickly while coming up with an answer. “Good. Just gotta put my clothes in the bedroom.” Right. How could you forget? And how could you forget to make space for him? With so much on the line? “I cleared out the right side for you.”, you lied. “Actually, I think I forgot my socks in one drawer. I'll put them away quickly.”

While both were sitting downstairs, you did a speedrun in reorganising your entire dresser. The fact that as much as clothes could expose all your lies made the entire situation so much clearer to you, how risky it was, how you couldn't trust anyone no matter how nice Eddie seems.

Why did you do this to yourself?

20 minutes later, everything was crammed into the right side. With as many clothes as you had, it was hard to really fit everything in there. You'll have to get something else for your things in the next few days, or one for Steve.

“Honey, do you mind a trip to Williams-Sonoma this week?”, you asked your fake-husband when he came up with his best friend. Both were carrying a box each in, and Eddie took a look around. It looked all like you and none like Steve. “I may have more clothes than expected, we can get you your own dresser.” With a huff, both put the boxes down. Steve gave you a kiss on the cheek and a smile. “Sounds good. We have all week anyways, no?”

“This place needs the Harrington makeover anyways.”, Eddie joked with a small grin. The both of you chuckled at his words. “True, true. Although the collection of basketball tees already gives a certain touch.” Both Eddie and Steve laughed a bit at those words. All of the basketball merchandise was scattered around your living room, hallway and even the kitchen. “I assumed the bedroom too, no?” You tapped one of the boxes with your foot while grinning. “Just a bit. I know how much you love the decor here.” In your entire house, actually, but you couldn't say that. “How considerate.”, you giggled before giving him a small kiss on the lips. This still felt weird. Not wrong, just…odd.

“I'll let you two be. Gotta see where to put all my medals now.” That wasn't a lie, they were on the wall of your living room but since some of Steve's framed and signed basketball tees now moved in, it didn't feel like the right space for it. Maybe they could go in the hallway next to the family pictures and your portraits. Together with your new wedding pictures that will be arriving soon. “Can't wait to see it.”, Steve said.

It didn't take long for you to find the right place for all your belongings. Actually, it took such a short amount of time that you were sitting on the couch and watching Home Improvement by the time the two finished upstairs. “Getting ready for tomorrow, aren't we?”, Steve teased the second he came into the living room. Unfortunately, he was naturally funny and your chuckle was real. “Well, if we're going we might as well get some other things. This couch is like…god, it was here when I moved in.” Eddie seemed absolutely smittened by the act you two put up. What a successful day. “You've got any wives left for me at the army?”, he joked while putting on his shoes. He, too, was naturally funny. “Maybe husbands, they're quite charming and desperate.” It made both of them laugh. “I'll take anyone, honestly.”, Eddie replied. That seemed like a clear enough answer. “Sure, I'll set you up. Hope to see you again, it was nice meeting you!” Steve's friend left, leaving you two alone in your shared house.

“I hate to admit that you're funny.”, you said once he came back from the front door. “Yeah?”, Steve chuckled. “Well then, it's only fair if I entertain you.” The initial awkwardness faded as you two sat on the couch and just talked. Not as lovers, but as friend. Maybe Steve Harrington could be your friend after all. Just a friend. Despite laughing and talking for hours, he still slept on the couch.

You two went to get him his insurance at base first thing in the morning. It was a rather quick process, considering you collected all the information first. As the deal promised, he got his dependent insurance card. Steve was safe. He'll be okay. And once back in the car, he couldn't stop staring at the card in his wallet. That was quite literally his lifeline. The thing that would save him, all inside this little piece of plastic. “Thank you.”, he mumbled with a shaky voice. It was easy to hear that he was holding back tears. “You're welcome. Mind paying for some coffee before Williams-Sonoma?” It made him laugh, and after a small sniffle he nodded. “Sure. Anything. I'll even get you a cookie.”

“A cookie? Oh, you're spoiling me, Mr. Harrington.” With laughter filling the car, you two drove off to buy new furniture.

A few hundred dollars later, some coffee and a spontaneous trip to TJMaxx for some home decor and candles, you two were setting everything up. Honestly, you didn't mind the whole home makeover until Steve started feeling unwell.

“I've got it. Don't overwork yourself.” He groaned while watching you push furniture around. As much as he was impressed by your physical strength, he hated the thought of not being helpful. “Stop pouting, Harrington. See, I can manage.” You flexed your upper arms, showing off your muscles in the process. He couldn't help but stare. Where did you hide these? “Should I be ashamed that your arms are bigger than mine?” You giggled and sat down next to him. This really started feeling like a friendship, or maybe it was one already. It sure felt like one. “You can join me for my workout. Although it may be a bit advanced for you.” Now it was his turn to laugh. “Probably. I'm not exactly army-level sporty.”

Like last night, you two spend hours talking, eventually cranking open a bottle of wine and ordering pizza. So much for Steve will cook. But it didn't matter, because you were actually having a great time with him. Plus, the new couch felt so comfortable.

Faking a relationship really won't be that hard if you two are friends.

A week after getting married, you had to go back to work. So did Steve, but he admitted that being a technician at a radio station wasn't as hard as being in the army. Except you had a little side quest that day: Find Eddie the date you promised you'd set him up with. While nobody was openly into men, you knew your people. Especially your work best friend, Sean.

“Look who's back from their honeymoon.”, he said with a grin the second he laid his eyes on you. The two of you shared a hug before he asked how it was, what you did, and whatnot. When you asked him if he'd like to spend his smoke break with you, Sean agreed and went out to his car with you after telling him you'd like a word.

“So, what's going on?”, he asked while taking a cigarette from his pack.

“My husband has a friend, and I don't know if he was joking or not, but he was asking me to set him up with someone.” The smoke left Sean's mouth slowly, but he didn't seem opposed. “He? Like, a man?” You nodded slowly, trying to read his expression. He took a long drag from his cigarette again, and finally gave you a reply. “Tell me ‘bout him.”

“His name's Eddie, he's exactly your age, uhm…Steve told me he's in a band with some high school friends. Really into metal, Dungeons and Dragons, and uuh…he runs the record store in Hawkins. I think that's all I know.” In all fairness, Sean seemed more than interested. The smirk on his lips was undeniable; he saw him before. “Give him my number. I'll go from there.”

So that was that. Life went on, Sean went out with Eddie, Robin came over at least once a week while you kept on living your lie. At least you and Steve were friends at this point. He always had an open ear for you, tried his best to help in any way, cooked, cleaned, looked after you. At first he did it out of kindness and for being grateful, but after a month his feelings for you started to shift. Every “Thank you for dinner.”, and every “I got you some snacks on the way home.” made his heart skip a beat. His kisses in public were real. Putting his hand on your hips was real. Every touch, every word of affection, it all became real.

And you?

This was nothing more than a friendship to you. You swore it would never be more than a friendship, and you kept it. But no matter how bad Steve wanted to tell you, he couldn't. His life was quite literally on the line. He couldn't make it awkward or uncomfortable for you. Suffering with this in silence is the best option, until he gets over it.

Robin, Eddie and Sean were coming over for lunch that particular day. Your amazing match-making skills worked out, Sean and Eddie were boyfriends, although secret ones since his job would be on the line. Neither cared, they just seemed way too happy. Plus, they and Robin could be themselves at your place.

Steve was making Salmon Pasta while you set up the dinner table. Once done, he already handed you a glass of your favourite white wine. “You know me so well.”, you said with a grin while taking it from his hands. “I'd argue I'm fairly acquainted with your habits and favourites by now.” It honestly made you feel bad. How much did you know about him besides his favourite basketball team? He was always cooking food that you liked, buying drinks you enjoyed, watching shows you loved. Maybe he was slowly losing himself in his feeling of owing you something. “You mind if I cook tomorrow? Anything you want, it's my day off.” You may be in for a very simple pasta dish or some eloquent food with caviar and truffle. Unfortunately, you wouldn't know. Maybe Robin could help. “Can you even cook?”, he joked. “I don't mind playing housewife, but you were adamant about me doing the housework.” It honestly made you laugh. “I can cook! I'm just always tired after work.”

“Alright, Commando, whatever you say.” You playfully slapped his shoulder at the nickname. This small gesture set fireworks off inside him, while you only found it amusing.

It was a great night. You've never seen Sean this happy, and from what Steve told you neither did Eddie. Robin told you Steve's favourite meal was burgers and fries, so you went out and bought everything the next day. He was surprised to see everything spread out on the kitchen counter as you were frying, baking and cutting the ingredients. “How did you know that's my favourite?”, he asked while leaning against the doorframe. It would be embarrassing to tell him you had to ask your best friend about it. “You told me.” To him, that was the highest honour. “And there's Budweiser in the fridge. I kinda assumed what beer you'd like, honestly.” No you didn't, Robin told you. But he didn't have to know that. “Are you a psychic? I love those.” Happily, he went over to the fridge to grab a beer. This truly made you happy. After all, he did so much for you without complaining once. “Food should be done in maybe 30 minutes. You wanna shower in the meantime?”

“Your spoiling me, Commando.”, he said with a grin. The butterflies in his stomach were going absolutely insane, while you were blissfully unaware of his feelings, and just happy to take some work off of him for once.

“Hey, uhm, Steve?”, you mumbled while entering the kitchen. He was standing in front of the stove and cooking some pasta before peeking up his head. “I don't like that tone.” His words only made you sigh. “So, I was at work today and they need me to go back to Iraq…just for a month or so, though.” That confused him, you said the general rule of thumb was to stay home for about as long as you were deployed. How could they make you leave again after being home for just 3 months?

“I can't really stop you, can I?” He tried his best to joke, but there was concern and a hint of fear on your face. “It's not like I can say no.”, you mumbled. Steve turned down the stove and strained the pasta before watching you walk over to a chair standing at the kitchen counter. There was a small slouch in your form.

“Talk to me, what's going on?”, he asked while throwing the hand towel over his shoulder. A sigh left your mouth while you tried finding the right words. “It's just…I mean…you know how…” Your faux husband wasn't used to you stuttering, or even being short of words to find.

“Scary?”

“Yes, very.”, you admitted, grateful for him saying what's unspeakable to you. “Every time.” Steve went over to the fridge to grab your favourite soda while you sat there, head between your palms and thinking about what was to come. “Only one month feels…odd. Like it's a real risk. I don't know.”

“But there's always a risk, no? This one's just…shorter.” Unfortunately, Steve was right. The risk of injury or worse was always there.

“You're right. There's just this pit in my stomach…but maybe I'm just scared of getting caught.” That seemed logical to the both of you. While out in the field, there was a greater risk. Especially if you wouldn't call or write letters. “They just cranked all this up a lot, oh god.” You let your hands run over your face, followed by a deep sigh. Steve just kind of…stood there. What is he supposed to say to consult you? Realistically, there was nothing. He didn't know anything about army life, yet how to calm down someone who was awaiting deployment.

“Do you…wanna go talk to Robin? I don't, uhm…” Right, how was he supposed to react? It's not like he could relate, or be too sad you won't be home. Your marriage was fake; no loving husband, let alone kids, to come home to.

“Yeah, I guess. I'll give her a ring.” You walked away and went over to the landline attached to the wall. Meanwhile, he added an extra handful of pasta to the pot and looked for a bottle of wine in the pantry. Robin was gonna come over, so he'd rather be prepared than have Robin raid the pantry.

He left you two alone in the living room once she came over. Your crying and upset tone was clear, and he didn't want to invade such a private moment. Meanwhile, he sat in the kitchen, occasionally doing the dishes or handing Robin another bottle of red wine. She did eventually raid the pantry, with the words “She needs some chocolate.” In her defense, those always helped when one isn't feeling well.

It was Robin who got you into bed, and Steve had to drive her home since she was winedrunk. He fell asleep on the couch, alone, and worried for you.

A week later, it was time for you to leave once again. You were tying your shoelaces while Steve grabbed his keys and put on his jacket. The silence was loud as you put your bag on your back and placed your hat on your head. This wasn't only the day of deployment, but also the day you and Steve would have to put on the ultimate act and have everyone believe how in love the both of you were. You couldn't even be nervous by yourself.

“Alright, I'm ready.”, you told Steve. He simply nodded and opened the door for you. The walk to his car felt odd, not how it usually felt when you two went to Target, or decided to get three more pillows at TJMaxx. “It's gonna be fine.”, he tried to assure you, but you simply sighted and looked out of the window. Sure, everything will be fine.

The hassle near the busses was overwhelming for Steve. Crying children, couples not wanting to let go, so many kisses and goodbyes. He'll have to do the same, he can't let you down. Steve held your hand as he walked over to your bus with you. “Congratulations.”, one of your higher-ups told the two of you while passing by. Both of you gave a simple smile and “Thank you.”

Both of you shared a tight hug. Even though you didn't have any feelings for him, you needed this. It gave you comfort, reassurance, that everything was gonna be okay. It will be. You'll come home.

“Remember, you're my next of kin now.”, you reminded him once he let go. “If anything happens, call my parents and Robin.” He nodded vigorously. “And we can send e-mails, and I can call you sometimes. You won't be all alone.” You wrapped your arms around his neck, and he noticed the family standing next to the both of you. “Reach out as soon as you can, okay? Promise?” You nodded before slowlu leaning in for a kiss. This was your first longer kiss since the wedding, but Steve pulled it off well. So did you. It seemed like everyone believed it.

“Oh and.”, you started once the two of you broke the kiss. “Feel free to invite the kids over whenever. Just have them take their shoes off, I like our carpet.” It made him chuckle, knowing that this was not an act. You obsessively loved your baby blue carpet. “It'll be even cleaner when you come back. Promise.” You chuckled and leaned in for another kiss. Just like a real couple, Steve thought. And then, it was time for you to get inside the bus. Sean walked by and said goodbye to Steve as well, giving him one last pat on the shoulder before boarding the bus himself.

Just as you sat down at a window seat with Sean next to you, you hear a “One last time for the newly weds!” from outside. You watched two of your colleagues pick up Steve on their shoulders, having him sit there. God, he looked scared. You opened the upper part of the window to stick your head out and face him. “Sorry.”, you mumbled with a slight chuckle. It was rather amusing. But then, you two kissed once again, followed by cheering of your colleagues and their families.

“Alright, that's enough.”, your platoon sergeant said in a gruff tone. Steve was put down on the ground again, and he waved at you one last time until the bus disappeared around the corner.

A few days passed, he checked his e-mail account every day. Eventually, there was one from you

My sweet husband,

I hope you're holding up well and don't feel lonely at home. We haven't been living together for too long before I had to leave again, so maybe it won't be too bad for you.

For my own part, I miss you a lot. I've gotten so used to falling asleep in your arms that I now find it hard to do so by myself. Especially out here, where everything is so different, I miss the comfort and safety you give me. Living with you were the best 3 months of my life so far, although that might change once we gave kids. By the way, did we ever talk about baby names? I think Valentine and Jade are adorable.

Please make sure my plants are still alive by the time we return. I love you so much, and can't wait to fall asleep in your arms again. And, since you asked before I left: Yes, it is very hot here.

Your wife,

(y/n)

My darling wife,

of course I'll be taking care of your plants until you're back. The orchids are thriving, and always remind me of your beautiful face. Looking after them is helping me pass the time, and I'd never let you down by letting them perish.

Even though we only lived together for a short period of time before you had to leave, it's still hard. Just your presence alone has more of an impact on me than I think you know. Without you, this house isn't a home. I miss seeing you dance in the kitchen, your boots in the hallway, or how you always leave your hairbrush out in the bathroom. Robin got me a calendar to mark off the days until you're back with me, but not having you next to me makes even a minute feel like forever. I can't wait to have you back home with me.

You're right, we never talked about baby names. I think Valentine and Jade are beautiful names. Although, may I suggest Ellie for a girl? It's hard to come up with one for a boy if all I can think about is our future baby having your eyes and smile.

I love you, and I can't wait to hold you again at night.

Your husband,

Steve

He was so smooth with it. With the way this was going, there'd be no way anyone would suspect a thing. Plus, the anxiety of constantly being watched was driving you insane.

Eventually, it was time to call each other. Just to make it more believable, but it would be nice to get news from home in real-time. With a small sigh, you picked up the phone and dialed your landline number.

“Hey honey.”, you hear him chime from the other side of the line. It was odd to have him call you that. That might never change, though. “Hey babe. Can you hear me?” Knowing that both of you are watched, this would have to be as realistic as possible. Although the e-mails were perfect already. But it didn't help much with the odd feeling in Steve's stomach. “Loud and clear, commando.” You giggled at his nickname - this was an actual giggle, because you thought this one was a bit funny. “Still trying to be funny, huh?” There was a chuckle from the other end of the phone. “Always. It's one of my jobs to make you laugh, no?” He was good at this, too good. Maybe even better than you.

Steve wasn't acting anymore, though. Being away from you for so long made his heart ache, and crave just being in your presence.

“One amongst many others.”, you giggled. “How are you holding up?” A few seconds of silence were followed with a “I don't know. Not good. I miss you.” His words were the truth, but you didn't know. To you, he was acting. “I miss you too. But I'll be back before you know it.” Only 20 more days. Then this would all be over, and you'd be back home. As you looked over, you could see Sean trying to conceal his grin while holding a telephone to his ear. He was definitely calling Eddie, and it made you smile.

“Robin may or may not have a Welcome Back party planned. Well, I helped but it was her idea.” You giggled at that. “Are you spoiling my surprise?” Now he chuckled as well. “I said maybe. Plus, I know you don't like big parties. So be warned.” How did he remember? You only mentioned it once. “I'll act surprised. Can't blow your cover, no?” Both of you laughed.

Another week passed. Steve hasn't heard from you in a week, and while he was also worried, he assumed you've gotten busy. He was following the news about what was happening in Iraq, and it looked anything short of easy.

To distract himself, he invited the kids over. It was supposed to be a chill movie night with Dustin, Max and Lucas. And it was for two hours. They got their snacks, ordered pizza, argued over which movie to watch and eventually crashed on the couch to watch said movie.

But then, his phone rang. Who'd call at this hour? Oh wait, what if…

“Hold on, I gotta take this.” Steve looked down at his Nokia with furrowed brows. What was that number? It wasn’t even from the US. Reluctantly and with a pit in his stomach, he got up and walked into the other room.

“Hello?”, he asked.

“Yes, is this Steve Harrington?”, an unknown male voice on the other end of the line asked him. “Yeah.”, Steve mumbled. What was this about?

“This is Corporal Marshall. I'm calling to inform you that your wife has been wounded in combat.” He felt his blood run cold and a shiver creep up his spine at those words. All he could ask was “Is she alive?” Luckily, there was no silence on the other end. “Yes sir, she's alive. Both her legs have been broken. They flew her back to Germany to stabilise her for transport. She's in the process of being flown over to Indianapolis for surgery.” Thank God, you're alive. That's all that mattered for now. Although the fact of both your legs being broken didn't help much. “When will she be here?”, he continued. The corporal gave him exact landing times, how long surgery would take and whatnot. All that mattered is that he knew when you'd be here again.

Once hung up, he realised he'd have to tell your parents. And Robin. Oh God, they'll be so terrified and scared. But you were alive. This could've been a much worse outcome.

Right?

What they told him at the hospital wasn't good, though. “A bomb exploded near her. The rubble hit her lower body. We could find two fractures in her legs. One in her left femur, and one in her right shin bone. She also fractured her hip, and we don't know how severe it is yet. There's some burns and gashes, but those aren't our main concern. We will let you know after surgery.” The infodump overwhelmed him greatly. He'd have to repeat all of this back to you. Explain why you'd be sitting in a wheelchair for months.

“That sounds like a lot of physio and medication.”, he mumbled. The doctor simply nodded. “Both will be vital to her recovery. That is if she can ever walk again, but the first prognosis was good.” If you can walk again? He hasn't known you very long, but he knew how much you loved your independence. This would crush your entire world.

Both your parents and Robin rushed down the hospital hallway to see you. It calmed them down greatly when they didn't see him cry. Your parents thought this was a love marriage, so to them his emotions were crucial. But it didn't help Robin much. “What happened? Is she okay? Where is she?” Steve has to hug her in order for your best friend to not have a nervous breakdown. “She'll be fine. Still alive, and kicking it in surgery.” It calmed her down a bit, but Robin was an anxious person after all. “Deep breaths, come on. You'll both be fine.” She was so scared that you'd die up until this very moment that she kinda forgot how to breathe. “I'll get a coffee with her. She needs some time.”, Steve told your parents. They gave him an understanding nod, and off he went.

“I was so scared, Steve.” She was quiet until the two of them sat down, him with a coffee and her with a hot chocolate. Although those being her first words were expected. “I thought she died, but this might even be worse for her than death.” One thing Steve knew about you from the start was that you loved being independent. You also loved your job, and both these things require working legs. “There's a chance she can walk again.” It wasn't exactly a working attempt of calming her down, Robin tends to get in her head about everything. “And the chances are good. The doctor told me.” He could see Robins trembling hands while taking a sip of her hot chocolate.

“Won't she be in a wheelchair? She's gonna hate that…” For once, she wasn't hyper. Well, she wasn't calm either, but at least she wasn't physically freaking out. Alas, none of Steve's attempts to calm her worked out. There would be no way of consulting her until you woke up right in front of her eyes.

Robin watched over you like a hawk as soon as she was able to enter your room. Seeing you hooked up to this many machines, hearing the beeping of your heart and watching your vitals on the monitor, it was horrifying. It was scary. Even more to her than your parents. Eventually, your eyes fluttered open.

“Oh my god, you're alive.”, Robin choked out when she saw you wake up. Your vision was blurry, and your head was spinning as you tried to grasp what was happening. Did you die? You were in combat just a minute ago. How did you end up here? Why couldn't you feel anything from the waist down? Your mouth was so fucking dry, too.

Once you were able to see just a little bit, you saw your parents, Robin and Steve by your bedside. God, so many people. You felt claustrophobic like this. “Go.” All four shared a confused look when they heard you mumble. But you swatting sloppily in your parents and Robins direction was enough. Steve was your first of kin, he'd know the most about what happened.

Once the room was empty, you felt like you could somewhat breathe again. Although this was awkward for Steve. He'd lived with you for barely 3 months before you had to ship out again. How well could you know a person to tell them that their hip and legs were broken?

“Just be honest, Steve.”, you mumbled after seeing his face. There was someone seriously wrong with you, it would explain why you couldn't feel your legs. He took a deep breath in, trying to find the right words. “I didn't understand what really happened. There was an explosion, and some things hit you. Your…left femur is broken, and your right shin bone shattered. Your hip is fractured, and…some burns, and gashes. Anything from the waist down, really.”

“Well, that's inconvenient.”, you mumbled. How was he supposed to react to that? Of course multiple bone fractures are inconvenient. What happened to his original fear of this crushing your world? “Surgery done?” He nodded his head. “Yeah. Your bones are fixed up, and they did a skin graft. The doctors said you might need a follow-up surgery, but they're gonna check and see once you heal a bit.” A growl left your lips as you leaned back into your pillow. This will greatly impact the entire course of your life from now. Will you ever be able to walk again? Work? Run? Have a normal life?

“I don't know if it matters much, I don't understand it a lot, but they said you'll get a purple heart.” You scoffed at his statement, and Steve felt like he said something wrong. “No, no, it's not you. It's…well, a purple heart is a medal you get when you get hurt in combat. Chest candy, really.” To someone outside of the army, that sounded badass. Everyone would know how much of a badass you are just by seeing you in uniform.

But he wouldn't understand the pit in your stomach. How bad it feels that your uniform will be a constant reminder of the pain, the physical therapy, all the treatments and surgery that could go on for months, or even years. “First official army husband appearance for you then. It's a whole thing…I’ll explain later.” Your eyes wandered off to the window on your right. How much you wished to be out there again. But instead, you were hooked to multiple machines while being pumped full of morphine.

“Steve.” Your tone was hushed. “This means this whole thing will get a lot more…intense.” He just gave you a questioning look, although it didn't take him too long to figure out what you were saying. “You'll have to be the doting husband who loves his wife so much, and whatever. But I'll also need help at home for a while, so…yeah.” The two of you got along well before you deployed, but this? Having him shower you? Dress you? That's a whole other thing, and even more intimate than the single night you two spend together. “We can't let anyone know, we just can't risk it. Okay?” He simply nodded at your request. Steve didn't want this to be discovered either. Not only because he wouldn't have health insurance anymore, but also because you just couldn't lose your job over him. You made it very clear how much you loved your job, as exhausting as it can be at times.

“I won't let you down.”, he promised. “But I'll get the others back in. They'll wanna talk to you.” Robin was probably clawing at the door, waiting to see you again. “That's fine. But remember to stay, or at least talk to my doctors.”

Robin was the first to rush back to your side, asking about a million questions as to how you're feeling, if anything hurts or if she could get you any food. “Robin, please. I'll be fine. You know I'm a kickass.” The joke only worked a tiny bit at calming her down. At least you still had your sense of humor.

You had to stay in the hospital for a few days to recover from surgery. Steve made sure to bring you everything you needed and more. Besides your favourite blanket, pillows and childhood stuffed animal, he also got your favourite snacks, drinks and enough entertainment to last you a while. “At least I'll finally get around to reading.”, you commented as he gave you a brand-new copy of The Sun Dog and Letters From Hell. “Yeah, you always seemed too busy for it. I thought you'd like to catch up.” While both books were new, you bought them when they came out. There was just no time to read them. “That's very thoughtful, thank you.” You gave him a smile and put both books on your nightstand. “Also, some sprite and starbursts for you.” He was really sweet to you ever since the incident, more than a faux husband would have to be. You blamed it on him feeling like he owes you for his medical insurance, but he also grew on you since the wedding. Yes, it was for convenience, but you've also become somewhat of friends before you got deployed again. He's probably doing this for any friend who needs it…right?

“You're doing too much.”, you chuckled while taking the sweets out of his hands. He shrugged his shoulders and continued digging in the duffle bag. “I brought this cause…well, you know.” Steve placed a framed picture of the two of you onto your nightstand. After that, also one of you and your parents and one with Robin. “Oh, the Robin one is my favourite.”, you giggled in an attempt to distract. He picked up on it quickly and looked at the graduation photograph of the two of you. “She told me to bring it, apparently it's her favourite as well.” In fact, Robin gifted it to you. She didn't have the biggest fund in the world, but she always made it work. “Yeah. We look great in it, too.” As a last picture, he placed one of you and Sean. It made you smile, but also wonder how he was holding up in the desert.

“You think Eddie could tell me how he's doing?”, you asked Steve. He knitted his brows slightly, then opened and closed his mouth like a fish. Why was he doing that? Why were there no words coming out of his mouth? “Steve?”

“I…I thought…uhm…” Why was he stuttering? “I thought someone told you…” You sat up straight in your bed, despite the agonising pain that brought you, and looked him directly in his eyes. “Told me what?” This turned him into a stuttering mess, but he eventually found his words while looking down at his hands.

“Sean was there with you during the explosion. He…he didn't make it, (y/n)”

It felt like the weight of the entire world just dropped onto you. He was right by your side since you first came to base. Showed you the ropes. Took you under his wing. Now, he's gone.

Forever.

You didn't notice the tears streaming down your face until Steve handed you a tissue. There was no way you could feel anything, not even sadness. There was just emptiness. As much as you wanted to run away, but your broken legs made it impossible to. You were stuck with this grief monster. “I…I need some time to myself…”, you choked out. Steve simply nodded and left your hospital room.

Besides doctors and nurses checking in on you, you were alone for the remainder of the day. Nothing was fun, or distracted you. No books, no snacks, no favourite pillows. Nothing.

Until Steve was back, with two Happy Meals in hand. “Robin said that would comfort you.” And he was right. Every time you or Robin were going through a hard time, you got a Happy Meal. It gave you childhood nostalgia and reminded you of better times. “Thank you.”, you said while sitting up somehow. Steve was immediately by your side and helped you. He truly became a kind person. In an attempt to distract yourself, you asked “What was your favourite Happy Meal toy as a kid?” But he looked a bit confused. “I never had one before.”, he simply stated. “A toy?” You gave him a confused look while opening your box. Just as you liked it, there was fries, a cheeseburger, orange juice and sliced apples, along with a plastic bag containing a dinosaur toy. “You never had a Happy Meal?”, you asked in disbelief. Steve simply shook his head no. “My parents said it's poor people food, so I never had any.”

“Raised on truffles and caviar, huh?”, you joked while watching him open his box. The joy on his face could be described as that of a child. Somewhere deep inside of Steve, there was still a little boy who just had a wish become true. And he looked even more excited when he took out the small plastic dinosaur. “Hey, you have a triceratops! That's my favourite!” You showed him the velociraptor from your Happy Meal. “That's my favourite!”, Steve said with a chuckle. Without having to say anything, you traded your dinosaurs. And for just a few minutes, you two weren't a fraudulent couple ripping off the state while you were in hospital for severe leg injuries. You two were little kids, exchanging their toys and eating a cheeseburger. Both of your inner children healed a bit that day.

Eventually, you could go back home. Well, going might be exaggerated. You went home in a wheelchair, pushed by Steve while you had your belongings in a bag on your lap. While you were glad to go home and not stare at the sterile, white wall all day, it was still weird. “I'll carry you wherever you have to go.”, Steve promised in the car. “Seriously, whatever you need help with, I'll be there.

He was serious. When you told him you'd rather lay down and calm from the high your painkillers gave you in your own bed, he carried you upstairs like a princess. He brought you food, water, VHS, anything you asked for.

Two days later, you started feeling filthy. Admittedly, you only did basic washing with a washcloth and haven't put on a different outfit since you came back, besides your underwear. But that already put you in pain while putting them on. You needed help getting dressed.

“Steve?”, you yelled from your bedroom. It didn't take him long to run up the stairs and stand in your doorframe. “What is it?”, he asked. His worried look relaxed when he saw you with just some clothes in your hands. “I, uhm…need help putting on pants…it's kinda, well…” He gave you a soft smile. lifted you out of your wheelchair and onto your bed. It would make it much easier. “I hope this is okay…I don't want you to think I'm gawking.” You only chuckled and handed him your sweatpants. “You saw it already, I don't care. I just wanna put on some fresh clothes.”

It humoured you how Steve tried his best to look away while pulling down your old underwear and getting you into new ones. He wasn't this shy when he buried his face between your thighs on your wedding night. “It's okay to look.”, you reminded him again, but it was to no avail. He even looked a little awkward when he touched your butt while pulling up your underwear. “Are they on?” You chuckled at that question. “Very much.” Finally, he looked at you again before getting your sweatpants on. This time, he looked at what he was doing. “Thank you.”, you said once all set, done and back in your wheelchair.

This became somewhat of a routine over the next few days. Eventually, the day came where you were to be handed your new medal. Chest candy, as you called it. He's going to have to get used to the military lingo.

It felt a bit weird, for the both of you, to get you back into your army service uniform. You wore it on your wedding day, but it felt different to see you in it now. It was weird when you were in a wheelchair. He could tell that you felt the same way, based on your disdained face. “It'll be over faster than you'd think.”, he said in an attempt to make you feel better. “And we can get anything you wanna eat after.” That didn't seem to help either, though. He didn't know you enough to tell what would and wouldn't cheer you up. This definitely didn't.

You were embarrassed like this. In uniform, about to see so many higher-ups that were in combat, that came home with minimal injuries, earned medals, are heroes. And you get taken out by a building. Some rubble. How pathetic.

“I'll get you to the car, come on.” It was even more embarrassing that he had to carry you downstairs and into the car. All while in uniform. How humiliating.

While Steve was getting your wheelchair into the back of his car, you quietly sat in the passenger seat and fiddled with your fingers. Ever since coming home from the hospital, this was the first time Steve had to drive you somewhere. You missed driving, or more so using your legs to do anything.

You don't remember much from the ceremony. What you remembered was that Steve helped you on stage, how you shook someones hand and got a pin to your chest. Physically you attended, but not mentally. You didn't want this. Nobody wants a purple heart. Yet you smiled for the camera, to fake how proud you were. There was nothing to be proud of.

You mentally checked back in when Steve went through the McDonalds drive-through and placed a Happy Meal on your lap. A Muppet Baby smiled at you from a small slit in the bag. “Thank you.”, you mumbled. He had you eat it on your way back.

“I'm really exhausted.”, you sighed as Steve helped you get inside the house. He thought of a few ways to help you, but most were likely just from the distress of the whole situation. “Do you wanna take a bath?”, he asked. You thought about his suggestions for a whole, knowing it would include him stripping you naked and having to help wash you. Basically being by your side, your nude body, all the time. This felt so different than just being dressed by him. He could look away while pulling up your underwear, but not this time.

“Sure.”, you decided. It's not like he never saw you naked. There was a wedding night, after all. Or at least something like that. Steve picked you up from your wheelchair and carried you upstairs into your bathroom. The bathtub was big, giving enough space for two people, and there was a collection of bath salts standing right by it. He never got to see your bathroom until now, since he used the one downstairs. The shower was enough for him. Steve sat you down on the closed toilet while getting the bath ready for you. He carefully chose the bath salts for you, lavender for relaxation and a mix of herbs for your muscles. Just by carrying you he could feel how tense you were.

He was awkward while taking your clothes off and putting you in the warm water, but this time he couldn't look away. Unfortunately, it was hard not to stare. You were just too beautiful. But this wasn't about his feelings, this was about doing what would make you feel better, and if that was a warm bath he'd be damned if he made it uncomfortable for you. “Thank you, Steve.”, you mumbled after he set you in and you got comfortable. Letting your legs float in the water was the best thing imaginable right now. “Call me if you need anything.” But you didn't want him to leave. Why?

“Can you stay?” He stopped deaf in his tracks at your words and slowly turned back around. It was almost like in a movie. “Are…are you sure?”, he stuttered. As a reply, you patted the edge of the bathtub. You were sure. “If we had some wine now, we could almost call this a date.” Neither of you expected this to come out of your mouth, yet it did. So you just gave him a wide-eyed look, like a deer stuck in headlights. “I…I mean, I…uh…”

“You shouldn't be drinking, you know that.”, Steve reminded you. Thank God he redirected the conversation. “Maybe we can find some alcohol free ones.”, you replied with a smirk while leaning back. He just chuckled. “I think we eventually need to talk about how much wine you consume.”, Steve joked. As a reply, you slapped a few droplets of water on his leg. He gave you an offended look, but remained seated. “Okay, rude.”, he said with laughter laced in his voice. “If you're this mean before, how will you be after physio?” Even though he mentioned your inability to walk, you didn't mind in this context. It was funny. “I can take you down with my pinky, that's for sure.” Now it was his turn to laugh.

You did physio by yourself. Steve drove you, got you inside and all that, but you did everything by yourself. You couldn't be this vulnerable in front of him. In the meantime, he got groceries, cleaned the car or even bought you small gifts like a new pillow or a nice necklace. He got more creative with it every day, and he saw that it made you happy. At some point, he started making origami stars while waiting in the car and gave you one for every session you did. That's what kept you going, and that's also what made butterflies appear in your stomach.

But all that happiness shattered into pieces the day before Sean's funeral. You could barely sleep the night before and were not ready to get up that morning.

“I don't wanna go.”, you mumbled as Steve already pulled out your dress uniform. He made sure all your medals looked prim and proper on your jacket. “You know who you're doing this for.”, he reminded you. Unfortunately, he was right. You thought you could ignore this grief, but knowing Sean's parents, little sister and Eddie were expecting you, you let Steve help you out of bed. Just like with the medal ceremony, he helped you get into your dress uniform and got you into your wheelchair.

The entire ride was quiet. To be honest, you dreaded facing his grieving family. They took you in so many times when you simply couldn't stand seeing your own family and friends. He even gave you his favourite bracelet, a black and red cord bracelet his sister made him before his first deployment. Maybe he knew his fate. But right now, you had it on your wrist. To honour Sean, and to give Eddie later.

The drive to the graveyard was quiet. Being in uniform while being pushed in a wheelchair was still humiliating, but you've gotten used to it by now.

You knew the procedures of a military funeral. The speech, the gunfire, folding the flag. You'd be standing there and folding it with them if you could stand on your own. But you couldn't. You only broke your legs, but he was lying dead in a casket. For the first time, some kind of guilt overcame you. And you couldn't even give a last respect with a standing salute. Or so you thought.

“Steve, hold me up.”, you whispered to him. He was reluctant at first, but eventually put one arm around your stomach and another under your armpit to hold you upright. And that's how you saluted to Sean one last time.

Eddie stayed longer than everyone else. He put on a brave face and didn't cry the entire time, but once everyone left, he broke down. Ugly sobbs left his mouth as he kneeled by his boyfriends grave. The worst part was that nobody knew. They barely told Sean's family about their relationship, maybe his sister at best, and it didn't feel right to tell them now. Steve pushed your wheelchair towards Eddie and let you two be alone.

Quietly, you patted his back as he let all his emotions out. This wasn't the first time he cried due to his boyfriends death, and it won't be the last. Maybe this was the first time he got comfort for it. You didn't know if he told his uncle. After a while, he glanced over to you while trying his best to hide his face behind his hair. It didn't work much. You removed the bracelet from your wrist and held it out for him to take.

“He gave me this…like 2 days before it happened.”, you said. “I think he knew…and I also think he'd want you to have this.” With shaking hands, Eddie took the bracelet from you. “Are you…are you sure?”

“Eddie, I've never been surer of anything in my life. Take it from me, I got married to Steve after just a week.” It made him laugh a bit, maybe his first laugh in weeks. “Yeah. You're still crazy for that.” Without asking, not that you minded, he sat down on the ground and leaned his head against the side of your wheelchair. Steve stood fat away, yet still watched the two of you. This may be the start of a beautiful friendship, despite the unfortunate circumstances.

A week after the funeral, Robin and Steve picked you up from physio together. When Steve rolled you out, you spotted Robin with a dog by her side.

“Robin, did you get a dog?”, you asked with a surprised tone as you watched her walk up to Steve and you with a dog next to her. It was a beautiful one, a golden retriever with perfectly brushed fur and a wide grin. Or as much as dogs can grin. “Not quite. He's for you.”

“Excuse me?”

“He's a service dog. Since you don't like help from humans, we thought you'd take a dog. His name's Charlie, and he's yours now.” Robin gave you no choice and handed you the leash, basically pressing it into your hand. “Why would you get me a dog without asking? And who's we?” Steve scratched the back of his neck, clearly feeling caught. Robin, however, didn't care. “You need to accept help. And since you don't want us to, he will. He can open cabins, grab you your meds, get you a blanket. He can even alert Steve when his blood sugar is low.” You scoffed and let the leash fall out of your hands. “Then let him have it. I don't need a damn dog.” Charlie went on to grab his leash with his mouth and try to hand it back to you. It was actually a bit impressive that he knew how to do that.

“You need help. Everyone does, but right now you do. And if you keep being an ass about it, you will never get better.” Steve gave Robin a wide-eyed look at her words. He wouldn't even dream of talking to you that way. But the friendship between the two of you was different than his towards you. “You're a real bitch, Robin.”, you grumbled before taking the leash again. “Hi Charlie.” The dog jumped up on your legs and started licking your face. It made your best friend laugh, and even your faux husband had to stifle his giggles. “See Steve, that's why I hate the wheelchair.” That was basically his final straw to burst out laughing. He had a beautiful laugh when it was genuine, you didn't mind it. Admittedly, you've put him through hell in the last few weeks. Maybe some weird part of you desperately wanted to hate him. The past would never be erased; you were scared he was still King Steve in some way. But he wasn’t. That part of him was in the past and stayed there.

“Alright, alright, let's get him home. I need a nap anyways.” And so it was. Charlie enjoyed the open window in the backseat while you were actually happy about not driving for once. “I have to admit, he's cute.”, you said while watching your new dog through the rear view mirror. There was a big grin on his lips as you said that. “Knew you'd like him.”, he teased, still grinning. It made you laugh a bit. “Careful with that tone, Harrington.”

At home, Steve helped you get on the couch. Like he just knew, Charlie grabbed you a blanket and threw it down next to you. “Smart boy.”, you cooed while scratching him behind his ear. After getting cuddled in, Charlie laid down next to the sofa. “Sleep well, I'll be in the kitchen!”, Steve told you before turning the corner.

A few days later, when Steve picked you up from physio, he watched you come back out walking on crutches. Immediately, he stepped out of his car to take a closer look. “What's going on here?”, he asked with a huge grin. You had a matching one on your face. “I wanted to surprise you!” Charlie trotted along next to you as your steps got closer to him. “One legs is all good, just my left leg is still wonky.” He helped you getting inside the car, and for some odd reason, today it made your heart flutter when he helped you inside the car. “Thank you.”, you husked, not noticing the red hue on your cheeks. But Steve noticed, and replied “Any time, Commando.” with a smug smirk.

You kept going to physio. Getting your ability to walk again was your ultimate goal, after all. Every day, you told Steve how much progress you made but kept one thing secret. It was a surprise you'd reveal in a few days.

Today was the day.

“Hey Steve!”, you yelled from the living room. Since he became somewhat of a close friend, it was a given you'd have to surprise him with your newly learned skill. So you stood up, without the crutches, and waited for him to come in. “Everything okay in he-” He cut off the second he saw you walk a few steps by yourself with a wide grin on your face. “See, I can do it again.” Unfortunately, you wobbled a bit and he quickly made his way over to catch you. But that didn't falter your spirit once. “Those were seven steps! Did you see that?” Your joy could be compared to that of a child.

“When did you learn how to do that?! That was amazing!” When you looked up and saw the matching grin on his face, a funny feeling spread in your stomach. You blamed it on the excitement you felt from walking so many steps. “Physio! It's helping so much! I'll outrun you again in no time.” Even Charlie caught up on the excitement and started jumping on your leg. Steve helped you sit down on the couch before plopping down next to you. “Those weren't baby steps, those were big girl steps.”, he joked. It made you chuckle, happy to have someone to share the excitement with. “I'm taking women's steps again soon enough. Oh, and then I can put on my pretty heels again! The things I could wear.”

In that moment, it showed Steve why he fell for you. The pure joy you showed him, how much you shared, that he made you so happy. There wasn't nothing better than being one of the few people to see you this happy.

Your excitement only grew from that day. Seven steps became nine, and nine became 15. The day you climbed up the stairs to your bedroom again without any help might have been the happiest day of your life. Even though there was the slightest pain coming from your hips, that didn't matter. You gained back your independence, and it made you ecstatic.

Steve, however, grew very protective of you. Not because he wanted to keep you dependent, but because he was anxious something might happen that could make you end up in the wheelchair again.

Slowly, he grew more fearful each day you took another step, while you got more annoyed each day.

It started with understandable things, like getting things for you you'd have to bend down for. That still was very painful for you, so you were somewhat grateful even though that's what Charlie could've done. Then, he started reaching for cabins despite the fact you could reach them. That's when the anger started growing inside you. You could reach upwards, you wanted to. But you tried brushing it off, knowing he might just have to get used to you being independent again. And then, the doting started. From asking you if you need help in the bathroom, to trying to help you get dressed. He wasn't even this protective when you were incapable of walking, why did this start now? It's not like he ever told you, or gave you a good reason. Eventually, just being in the same room as Steve made you wanna throw a plate at his face.

As a pick-me-up, you decided to bake your favourite treat: Cinnamon rolls. And you'd do it all by yourself. At least you thought you would.

“Let me do it.”, Steve said while grabbing the cinnamon from the shelf. You took a sharp breath in, caused by your annoyance. Why wouldn't he let you do anything by yourself? Just one single thing. You could walk again for the most part, your doctors cleared you. Steve wouldn't even let you make cinnamon rolls by yourself. “Thanks.”, you grumbled while taking the spice from his hands.

Next step was getting a bowl. Bending down was still hard, but Charlie was already opening the cabin to grab it for you. However, Steve got in the way and grabbed it first. “There you go.” The smile on his face fucking infuriated you. That's the kind of thing he and Robin got Charlie for you. Why can't he just let him work? “He had it.”, you said while taking the bowl and setting it down. “Just…wanna help.”, he mumbled. A small nod and huff was your response.

Alright, you'd just need to measure flour now. But did Steve have to be this close the entire time? He was basically breathing down your neck. And when his hand went to grab the flour from yours, you snapped.

“Will you fucking stop!?” The scream didn't even sound like it came out of your own body. It made him flinch and look at you with a slightly scared face. “I-I'm trying to help...”, he stuttered. That just made it worse. “I don't need help! I can fucking do it by myself!” The bag of flour in your hand flew through the kitchen and exploded once it hit the wall. You don't even remember throwing it. “Leave me the fuck alone! Stop treating me like a child!” That's what infuriated you the most; that he made you feel like a little kid. “I'm not…” Steve's voice was barely above a whisper, and he looked terrified. “Yes you are, Steve! I'm not your fucking daughter, I'm a grown woman who went to war in Iraq and had both her legs broken!” At this point, your throat was burning from screaming. Maybe it was also because you held back your tears; until you didn't.

You went to war in Iraq and had both your legs broken.

Finally, your voice died down. “Fuck…” You leaned against the kitchen counter and hid your face in your hands. It was a dumb idea, he could see your entire body shake as the pent-up tears left your eyes. You haven't cried once since you were first injured. Not when you got your diagnosis, not when you watched your parents and Robin cry at your bedside, not when you came home in a wheelchair. But this? That was one too much.

Steve watched you slide down against the kitchen counter. He knew that was your kryptonite. If your knees were on or above your hip level, you couldn't get up again without aid. But he couldn't help you. You made that clear. And it hurt him so much. Steve saw you at your most vulnerable, helped you to walk again, dressed you, washed you. But that wasn't actually your most vulnerable. This was. And this time, he couldn't help you.

“Do you think I wanted this? Do you think anyone actually wants a purple heart?” Considering he never knew much about any sort of military life, that never went through his head. How much does it have to mess with your head to receive a medal for being injured? Why did he never, not even once, think about how it must be to live inside your head right now. The scars on your body were visible, but not the ones on your heart. Maybe that's why he never realised that the emotional pain must be worse than the physical one. He couldn't see it.

“I got both my legs and hip broken, and all I got was chest candy and a shitty skin graft.” Your crying turned into laughter as you laid down on the kitchen floor. It was covered in flour, which landed in your hair and on your skin. “I'm going fucking insane, Steve.”, you laughed out. “And don't even try to help me now. I will take you down, you asshole.” He couldn't do anything but slowly back out of the kitchen. Charlie laid down next to you and watched your every move, or lack thereof. Your dog was the only help you'd accept right now, and that was only because Charlie didn't know any better. Helping you was what he was trained to do, and at least he didn't keep telling you what you can and can't do.

You stayed like this for hours. Steve occasionally glanced into the kitchen, seeing if you were okay. He couldn't fully see you most of the time because Charlie kept getting on and off your chest. But if he didn't hear you breathe, he would've thought you were dead. That's how stiff you were laying on the ground. Three hours in, he was pacing around the living room while thinking of anything to help you. But there was nothing he could do. He fully believed your threat, knew that even with a funky hip you’d overpower him.

After passing by the kitchen again, he stopped at the phone attached to the wall a few feet from the door. Steve was about to grab it and dial Robin's number when he heard you talk to Charlie. “I'm deformed, Char. Have you seen my legs? They're fucking hideous.” The chuckle that left your mouth didn't even sound human. “Skin graft is gonna work, they said. Good as new. Fuckin’ bullshit.”

He hated the way you talked about yourself. Those scars showed your bravery. There was nothing more beautiful than that. How much he wished you could see your scars the way he did. But he decided against calling Robin. He'd have to deal with this by himself.

While getting his clothes for sleeping from your bedroom an hour later, he watched Charlie get your blanket and drag it out. Before he could even properly check what he was up to, he ran back in to get your pillow. Was he bringing them to you? After getting dressed, he decided to check in on you one last time.

Charlie made you a little bed on the flour-covered kitchen floor. He even grabbed Steve's blanket from the living room so you'd have something to lay on. Unbeknownst to you, your fraud husband risked sweating all night and turned up the thermostat so you wouldn't be cold. The floor you picked was probably the worst one to sleep on. He heard your service dog open a cabin, followed by the rattling of your pain killers.

Maybe he has been doing too much. You could walk again, take baths by yourself, grab things from the shelf. Steve got so caught up in wanting to show how grateful he was for you that he unintentionally became ungrateful for you being alive. Everything he helped you with for months you could do again. In all technicalities, as long as you didn't fall, you didn't need him anymore. If the bomb never went off, you would've never needed him at all. But he needed you. First for your TRICARE, and now…just you.

While you were snoring on the kitchen floor, Steve tried to sleep on the couch. But he simply could. He fell in love with you; now he had to helplessly watch you sleep on the floor and refuse any help. Every hour, he got up and went in to check on you just to see you sleep while cuddled up to Charlie. It didn't change, except the side you were sleeping on.

With any luck, Steve got two hours of sleep in before getting up and seeing what you were up to again. By now, your eyes were open and you tried to grasp onto anyone to get back up. You were also incredibly drowsy from your pain killers, like every morning.

“Can I help?”, Steve reluctantly asked. Your half-closed eyes met his, and you hummed in agreement. He picked you up, princess style, and carried you to the couch. Charlie followed after him, but neither of you knew why he followed this closely. “Thank you.”, you mumbled while trying to fight the drowsiness. “It's okay”, he husked while laying you down on the couch. It's not that you needed more sleep, but after a night on the floor you needed this.

As he got back up, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him. Charlie started barking like crazy and tried to move him to get his insulin. When was the last time he ate? “Steve, sit down.” Suddenly, you were up again and hurrying around the house. Where did this sudden energy come from? Like you instantly sobered up. As told, he plopped down on the couch and started breathing heavily. You were rushing to get his glucose meter and insulin, which he luckily all kept together in a pouch.

He didn't even have to show you what to do. You just did, like you were getting commands from your head. “How'd you know?”, he mumbled with his head rested against the wall behind the couch. You just shushed him while working on getting him his insulin.

Once all set and done, you sat down next to him. “How long until it kicks in?” Now he was the drowsy one Charlie got a blanket for. “20 minutes.” You nodded while laying down with him, arms wrapped around his torso for some warmth. It must be scary…like it was scary for you to not be able to walk anymore. “It's gonna be fine.”, you kept mumbling, although unsure if you said it to him or yourself.

This was Steve's heaven. Laying with his head on your chest, feeling your warmth, your arms being so tight around him. He'd do anything to get used to this. “What can I do?”, he mumbled in a sleepy tone. You made a questioning “Hm?” sound and looked down slightly. “To not dote over you so much.” A sigh left your mouth. You barely remembered what happened last night, for some reason. But there was a lot of screaming, crying and apparently wasted flour. “Just…let me do things by myself. Or at least ask if I need help.” Steve hummed in response. That wasn't a hard task, although that was easier said than done. “Okay.”, he mumbled. Finally, his shaky hands found your waist and held on. This time, you didn't mind in the slightest. It didn't even feel as alien-ish as the last few times did, whenever you had to pretend in public. This was a private moment, and it felt…good. Why? Why did Steve Harrington make you feel butterflies?

“Thanks for asking, Steve.”, you whispered. He remained quiet, taking his time to breathe in your scent, feel your warmth and listen to your heartbeat. It was fast right now. But it helped him calm down and feel better. Eventually, the dizziness stopped and he was able to feel like himself again.

“Better?”, you mumbled. He nodded yes, but still hung onto you. “Can we stay like this for a little longer?” After everything you put him through yesterday, some comfort is the least you could do. Besides…you didn't mind this. It felt good. Like it was meant to be. “Of course. Anything you need.”

Steve bullied you. He made high school a living hell for you. You dreaded school every morning because of him. And yet here he was, cuddled up in your arms like you were the life he held onto. Steve was also just a scared boy who went through too much, and now has to deal with a potentially deadly illness. Being him must be scary right now. And what was worse is that there were damn butterflies in your stomach. You were falling for him, and it was happening fast. Besides, he really redeemed himself. Robin was right; he changed.

Slowly, Steve fell asleep in your arms. You weren't aware that he barely slept all night because of his worries. Not until much later, at least. But right now, no amount of flour in your hair or butterflies in your stomach mattered. All that you cared about right now was to make him feel safe, and cared for. He took good care of you when you couldn't walk, even if he overdid it, so this is the least you could do.

Soft snores escaped his mouth as he slept on top of you. But his death grip didn't change. He held on for dear life.

You stayed like this for a while. In fact, it was so comfortable that you fell asleep yourself with Charlie next to the couch. But waking up with him still on top of you…it felt right. Like you are meant to be here just like this. Nobody ever made you feel like this before.

“Good morning.”, Steve mumbled when he slowly woke up. His eyes scanned the room, assessed the situation he was in and came to the conclusion that this was the best nap he's ever taken. With you as his pillow? Hardly anything can top that.

That morning changed everything about the dynamic between you two. You craved each other's warmth, the comfort, feeling near to someone. It only took 2 more days until you started sleeping in the same bed. That was when you admitted to having feelings for him, which wasn't easy but happened. It was genuinely insane to you, how a fraudulent marriage could turn into a real one.

It became crystal-clear one night.

“Can I ask you something?”, Steve started. You looked over with a half-mouth full of pizza. “Hmm?” The tone was muffled due to your mouth being full. It made him chuckle, especially when he saw a string of melted cheese coming out. Even like this, you gave him butterflies.

“What do you want from your future?”

That was honestly a tough one for you. Join the army, that was the plan for years. And what comes after? You never considered. While chewing and swallowing, you took your time to think of an answer. “I don't know.”, you finally said. “Marriage, kids…well, I didn't plan to get married like this, but you know…” Steve was a bit surprised that you didn't have a whole plan. You always seemed so ready for everything. “What about you?” At this moment, you realized you never asked him what he wanted in life.

“Marriage, but I didn't plan on it this way either.” Another chuckle left his lips. “And kids. 6 little Harringtons.” You gave him a raised eyebrow.

“I don't know if I can do that.”

You didn't mean to say it like this. In fact, you didn't want to admit your feelings ever. This was purely business. Or was it?

“What do you mean?” He sat up straight from his slouched position, like Charlie when he saw a piece of bacon. “I…I don't…uhm…” You fumbled over your words, which was a hard thing to get you to. But it was perfect for Steve.

“Do you…”, he didn't need to finish his sentence, because you interrupted him. “I do, okay? The vows were a lie back then, but they're real now. And I really, really don't care what you say now, but I know how you treat me.” It was true. That's how he shows you how he likes you. It was an open secret.

“I wasn't gonna deny it.”, he said. His tone was quiet, yet serious. How did he manage to always make your knees weak? “You…I started developing feelings a long time ago. I can't tell you when, but it was clear when you showed me your first steps.” That was so long ago. And he didn't back down once? That's true love?

“Do you think our marriage could be real?”, he finally asked. Against all his expectations, you giggled and cuddled up to him. Like an instinct, his fingers started tracing up and down your spine carefully. “I think so. Do you?” His fingers stopped their movements, they rested on your hips and held on tight. “I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't hoping for it.”

For the first time ever, a man made you feel like a schoolgirl in love. You haven't deemed it possible, but there you were. In Steve Harrington's arms, feeling safe and secure. Knowing he liked you despite your PTSD, your scars, your temper. And now, maybe even love you. How beautiful was that?

“So, what does that make us now?” It was a no-brainer to you. “We're married already, no? How about we drop the act and are…actually married. Husband and wife. I'll even take your last name.” That last sentence made him pull back a bit and look you in the eyes. There was not a hint of doubt behind them. You were 100% serious. “I'd like that. A lot, actually.”

Like an instinct, Steve pulled you in for a kiss. This one was so much different than the one you two had at the courthouse almost a year ago. Back then, it was all an act. Now, it was real, it was passionate with so much love behind it. So real that it got extremely heated and your hands traveled underneath his shirt. Your husband broke the kiss and looked at you.

“Can you…uhm…” The awkwardness was apparent. How do you ask someone Is your hip healed well enough to thrust into you like a madman? But it was actually really sweet to you. He cared so much…and you pushed him away for so many months. “I'm cleared for everything, Steve.”, you giggled. That was good enough for him, and he happily let you slide his shirt over his head.

The following morning, you woke up next to him. The last time that happened, you two were just getting tension out. Now, this was for love. Actual love. Plus, seeing his sleeping form wasn't anxiety inducing like it used to be after your makeshift-wedding night. It was so lovely. His lips were slightly parted, and small snores left his mouth while the sun hit his gorgeous face. Your hand reached out to stroke a strand of hair back, but it made his eyelids flutter. “Good morning.”, you mumbled once Steve's gaze found yours. His brown eyes looked so beautiful in the sun, even if he knitted his brows from being blinded. “Morning, sweetheart.” Fuck, was his raspy morning voice always this attractive? If it was up to you, he could take you again right now. “Can we invest in some good blinds?”, Steve mumbled while hiding his face underneath the blanket. It made you giggle and join him in the little ford he built. “This is so much more fun though, no?” While you couldn't see him well, his chuckle made you aware he was right in front of you. “It would be, if the air wouldn't get so bad.” He heard you giggle, and it was like music to his ears. “I like to think I take your breath away just fine.” That was true, Steve thought. You were about the most beautiful, intelligent and kickass wife he could've asked for. “I think I can make yours hitch, if you let me.”

And you did.

Weeks later, Steve decided to propose. For real, this time. Both of you agreed to get married in church, and you didn't ask nor expect a proposal. You two were married already. But not on Steves watch.

He planned all of it carefully, with so many details and some help from Robin. You were already wondering why he started building a gazebo in the backyard, but put it off as decor. After all, he was truly living with you now. He has every right to make himself comfortable. Plus, he got butterflies all over again when you brought him something to drink while he was working on it.

But his actual motive was to propose to you, right in that gazebo. He liked the idea of having the place he proposed to you where the two of you lived. And he can always take it with him if you move; it'll never be gone.

Steve was gloating once it was finished. He showed you all the little details he included, why he put them there and lastly the golden platter drilled in the center railing. Mrs & Mr Harrington, with the date of your church wedding. Honestly, that already felt like a proposal to you and you gave him many kisses on the spot.

Robin took you to get your nails and hair done the next day. It was one of her spontaneous ideas, and blamed it on her having a date later that day, but not wanting to do the whole cosmetics thing by herself. Steve gave the both of you money for it. You were still unsuspecting of everything. Only when Robin tried to nudge you into shades like baby pink or classic french tips instead of the blue glitter you actually wanted was when you started questioning her motives. After a long discussion, you agreed on baby pink with some rhinestones.

It continued at the hair salon. She insisted you should get your hair curled, even though you didn't really feel like it. Plus, why should you? You didn't have to go on that date with her. “I haven't seen you in curls since high school. They looked good, they'd still look great now!” Right, you thought, that seems fair enough. And they'd be out by tomorrow anyways. So you agreed on curls.

While Robin's behaviour was rather weird, you didn't question it. Robin was weird. Always has been. That's why you loved her so much. “I need a pep talk from Steve before tonight, can I come in with you?” Of course she could. Nobody gives first date pep talks better than Steve. And while Robin suspiciously walked behind you, nothing that was about to happen would have occurred to you.

There were rose petals laid out on the floor, marking a way to the backyard. Robin was grinning like an idiot, and somehow now held a camera in her hands. “What's going on?”, you asked.

“Just walk.”, she insisted. So you did, until you were met by Steve in your backyard. He looked prim and proper, in a white button-up shirt and black pants. The grin on his face was borderline idiotic, but you immediately understood what was going on.

“Steve, what the fuck?”, you said under laughter. It was due to disbelief. You told him you didn't expect him to propose again, and you truly didn't think he would. But there he was, taking your left hand in his and placing a kiss on your forehead. Steve took a deep breath in before starting to talk. “(y/n), I didn’t expect any of this- when we got married. It was just paperwork, a signature- just to save my life.” You were already getting teary eyed at that alone. To think that this is how it started was genuinely insane. “You’ve trusted me to see you in your most vulnerable state after returning from Iraq, having to learn how to stand on your own again. Dealing with pain most people would collapse under. But I got to be there every step of the way, even if you didn’t want me there at some points. It was the biggest honor of my life. And then you let me see you put yourself back together.” His gaze never left yours, seeing the pure love in his eyes and a small, teary glaze over them. You could feel how his hand was getting shaky, and so was his breath.

“I didn’t expect to fall in love with you when we first agreed on this. Honestly, I never even expected you to love me back. But here I am, standing in front of you like some big sap, asking you if we can do this for real this time. No loopholes. No pretending.” Both of you chuckled a bit, despite your ugly crying, and you could hear a small giggle from Robin who was taking pictures like a pro. Steve reached into his back pocket and got down on one knee.

“So, will you marry me again? Because this time we want to? Because we love each other- because I love you more than I thought was even possible.” At this point, you were crying like a small child. Robin captured every second of it with her camera, including your ugly crying. “Of course I'll marry you.”, you sobbed. After placing the ring on your finger, the actual ring, Steve got up to wipe your tears away and kiss you. Not for a second did he care about your running mascara or snotty nose. All he wanted was to kiss you until you couldn't breathe.

“Didn't think I could make you cry like this.”, he whispered against your lips before kissing you once again. You giggled into the kiss with a small huff. After everything that happened, this was perfect.

When the excitement and hassle calmed down and Robin drove back home, you and Steve were cuddled up on the couch. Not once have you wanted to let go of him today, so now you held onto him with a cobra-like grip. Not that he minded, he never would. “Did I tell you Robin made the cake topper already?”, he randomly asked. You looked up at him with a questioning look, wondering what he was on about. The two of you chose one weeks ago already. After a bit of pouting from you, he got up and disappeared in your bedroom, then came back with a little box in his hands. Once he sat back down next to you, and you went full cobra on him again, he showed you the contents of said box.

The two McDonalds toy dinosaurs were dressed up in wedding clothes. His velociraptor in a tuxedo, and your triceratops in a wedding dress. As funny as it looked, it also summed up your relationship; two idiots, who are absolutely in love with each other and healed each other's inner wounds.

“I like these more than the one we originally chose.”, you giggled. “Can we still return the other one?” Steve gave you a kiss on the lips with a smirk on his face.

“We can do anything you want, baby.”

“Mommy! Mommy!” Your 5-year olds legs ran as fast as they could carry her once you walked through the gate. A 6-month deployment felt like 6 years, now that you had three kids and a husband to come home to. She jumped up into your arms without thinking twice. “Hi baby.”, you giggled before showering her face in kisses. A giggle escaped her lips. While Jocelyn was in your arms, your 3-year old, Sean, wriggled out of his father's grasp to run up to you as well. At this point, you kneeled down to hug both of your kids. “I missed you guys so much.”, you told them while holding back tears. They'll come out later.

Steve was last to come up to you, with your 8-month old daughter Valerie in a baby carrier strapped to his chest. He patiently waited for his turn to kiss you, knowing that your two older kids have not stopped talking about seeing you again for weeks. With one kid on each hand, you stood back up and leaned in to kiss your husband. Finally, for the first time in 6 months.

“I missed you.”, he whispered against your lips, then kissed you again. And again. And again. “Eww!”, Jocelyn said while pulling a face. That's what made you two seperate. “To be continued.”, you whispered to Steve before leaning down to kiss Valerie on the top of her head. “You're so big, Val.”, you mumbled, a bit saddened. It wasn't fun to not see her grow up, especially when she was still a baby. Steve saw your saddened expression and immediately tried to change the mood. “How about McDonalds, yeah?”, he suggested. There was no way you'd stay sad when seeing your kids grin, and their soon-to-be smeared faces. “Happy Meal!”, Sean squealed in excitement.

Being away sucked, but seeing their faces when you returned showed you that they didn't love you any less.

[hobiebrownismygod]

Did Hobie Brown give up his mask/identity as Spider-punk? - ATSV Analysis

from @benio on TikTok ⬆️

During Miguel's speech, we see some of the spiders looking at either their past or future events, and we see Peter's wedding (past), Gwen digging herself out of her grave (future), Jess escaping rubble (unknown) and we also see Hobie looking at his canon event, which was giving up his mask and his identity as Spider-punk.

So its completely plausible that like Gwen's canon event, this is one of Hobie's upcoming canon events, where he'll end up giving up his mask later on. However, I like to think that he had given up his mask prior to ATSV for the following reason:

Hobie wasn't supposed to be in Mumbattan during ATSV

The scene in ATSV where Miles was invisibly watching Gwen talking to Jess and Lyla actually has a second deleted version. This deleted scene was similar, except instead of talking to Jess and Lyla, Gwen was talking to Miguel and various other high-level spider people.

A/N: I know this scene was deleted so it can't really be considered canon, but JUST HEAR ME OUT

While they're talking about Gwen's mistake and Spot's presence in Mumbattan, Hobie's name is mentioned (1:58).

Gwen: "He took time off"

Miguel: "Yeah because he doesn't believe in institutions, or teams. Lyla can't even find him"

Gwen: "He gave me a way to contact him"

At this part in time, prior to his introduction to ATSV, Hobie was not technically a part of the Spider Society. Nobody except for Gwen, not even Lyla, had any way to contact him.

So we've already established that people in the Spider Society usually catch anomalies or are assigned missions to do so, as being a part of the Spider Society would probably mean being willing to work as a team and contribute to the community. If you want to look more into this, @the-cat-and-the-birdie has a really cool post where they explain their views on how the Spider Society works, and I'm kind of going off on that.

If Hobie left, it would mean that he wasn't completing these missions anymore, didn't want to be a part of the community and didn't want anyone to be able to contact him about these missions or anything Spider-man related, unless it was Gwen, who he probably only gave contact information to because she's homeless and doesn't have anywhere to stay, and its been established that she stays with him sometimes.

So why did he leave?

My guess? He experienced an extremely traumatic canon event that led to him deciding to give up his mask. He was so angry at Miguel and the Spider Society for allowing this canon event to happen, that he cut off ties from the community, severed all connections with other spider-people and stayed put in his own universe, only giving Gwen his contact information.

And in this time he "took off", he began to devise his plan to wreak havoc in the Spider Society, and create his own watch. This would explain why he was so quick to help and support Miles, and why he already had watches available for both Gwen and the rest of the Spider-team to use.

The watch he gives Gwen also has the writing "Project Bootleg" written on it.

Bootleg:

the illegal manufacture, distribution, or sale of goods, especially alcohol or recordings.

Hobie already had a plan for what he was going to do. He had already created Project Bootleg to infiltrate the Spider Society himself, and Miles' interjection became Hobie's reveal.

Now to tie back to the first point I made, that Hobie wasn't supposed to be in Mumbattan during ATSV:

The rest of the Spiders were shown coming in through portals, whether it was Miguel's entrance in the beginning of the movie, Gwen's entrance to Miles' room, or even Jess's entrance in Mumbattan where the giant spider-ship came through a portal in the sky. Hobie, Gwen, Miles and Jess were even shown using a portal to get into the Spider Society after leaving Mumbattan. However...we never see Hobie enter Mumbattan through a portal.

He just appeared. But Pavitr was surprised, so there was no way that Hobie had already been in Mumbattan before, and since Jess and Lyla didn't have his location, there was no way that they could have contacted Hobie to come help Gwen fight Spot. So how did he get there?

We have a LOT of unanswered questions about Hobie. He's a complete mystery, from his backstory, to his universe, and to his place in the Spider Society. While the other members are shown as contributors to the Spider Society who all know each other, i.e. Gwen and Jess greeting the Peters in HQ while Hobie doesn't acknowledge any of them and vice versa, Hobie isn't shown having any kind of interaction with any of the Spider Society members except for Gwen and Pav. We know that he knows the other members, because Jess, Peter and Miguel know him by name, but we don't know his place in the Spider Society and we don't know what he does. This is why I think he left the Spider Society. Because if he was still a part of it, the interactions he had with the people in it would've been different. The way he acted in the HQ, his attitude, everything, would've probably been different if he actually was a part of it or even helped out in some way.

Summary, because this analysis was kind of all over the place:

I think that Hobie quit being spider-man before the events of ATSV because of a traumatic canon event. I think he lost someone or something very close to him, and because of that he cut himself off from the Spider Society. I think he blamed the idea of canon events for what happened and that he wants to help Miles save his dad and break his canon because he thinks that by doing this, he's making up for not being able to break his own canon. I think he's been planning this Project Bootleg for a while before Miles showed up and he decided Miles would be the perfect reveal for his plan and he'd use it to prove that canon events can be broken, and that what happened was wrong.

Poor guy.

A/N:

I think this HC overall would be a cool concept for fanfic writers to focus on in their stories, because I've seen a lot of stories where reader/oc was Hobie's canon event, but very few of these go into depth about what his reaction to reader/oc's death would be and how that would impact his identity as Spider-man and his involvement with the Spider Society afterwards. If you do decide to write it, tag me in it! I'd love to read your fanfictions! <3

[satellitespinner]

dogtooth ; roommate!ellabs

˗ˏˋcollab with my beautiful angel @williamssgirl ´ˎ˗

- inspired by @beforeimdeceased “chaotic roomates” series ! please go support theirs!

reminder !! do not support neil or any of his work !

wc: 2.1k | her ver

⁃ roomate!ellabs who were bsfs w u before and when you needed a place to stay they happily invited you to join them on their lease !

⁃ cooking with them is... chaotic. but some days it was good!

⁃ bumping ur hip with ellie because she sucks and she gets all blushy and flustered

⁃ abby gently grabbing ur hips to get around you

⁃ taking .5s of them ALL THE TIME!! they hate it but you love it

⁃ they have no idea how to use the ring camera you installed, one day they've locked themselves out and are begging you to let them in

⁃ "open the door it's cold out ©" "let us in.... babeeee

⁃ falling asleep while watching a movie like a literal dogpile

⁃ while beforehand yall were arguing for twenty minutes on what movie to watch because you and abby wanted to watch scream and ellie can't handle horror for the LIFE of her

⁃ (so you eventually settle on a romcom)

⁃ abby and ellie playing video games and ur sorta just sitting there staring at their hands watching them play

⁃ "did u win?" "no i died."

⁃ when you do end up playing a game with them it's usually fortnite

⁃ abby is so gentle with you and helping you through the game

⁃ "good job babe!" "show me those bike skills" "want the sniper? i know you said you like those"

⁃ however with ellie....

⁃ "BABE BABE BABE KILL HIM SHOOT HIM SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT" "FUCK HE HAS TO BE A FUCKING
BOT THERES NO WAY" "FUCK YEAH I GOT HIM TAKE THAT"

⁃ ellie putting her hands on urs on the controller when their first teaching you how to play and whenever she gets touchy <3

⁃ sitting on their laps while they play...

⁃ sleepover with them go NUTS

⁃ ellie buys SO MUCH SOUR CANDY

⁃ abby fucking HATES sour candy and you and ellie are trying to trick her into having a warhead

⁃ "no im not putting that vile shit in my mouth" "abby it's literally so sweet trust me" "no eat it it's just candy" "just try!

⁃ pouting to get ur way and she gives in (and immediately spits it out)

⁃ pouting to get ur way works with her no matter what

⁃ abby would be a personal trainer and also work somewhere in analytics

⁃ ellie would be a mechanic and livestream for a living (she acts like it's no big deal but she's gained a surprisingly large following)

⁃ reader owns a bakery that's also a flower shop and always brings in spare treats for them to have!

⁃ "guys i got doughnuts for you!"

⁃ you buy them flowers all !! the !! time !! and you assign really specific meanings to them

⁃ "so the poppy means... and the tulip with the poppy means..."

⁃ they're pretending to listen... (they are listening so intently)

⁃ them ganging up to tickle u at least once a day (you act like you despise it but in reality your devouring it)

⁃ FORCING THEM TO MAKE TIKTOKS WITH YOU

⁃ abby's texting you "Babe wdym I have to take a quiz on what aura I have." "can u just do it?"

⁃ omfg and forcing abby to get tiktok because she refused to get it for so long only for her to be on it more than you

⁃ getting into an argument with one of them is certainly something!

⁃ ur refusing to talk to ellie and ur communicating to her through abby (ellie is speaking to you directly and you are staring at abby "abby tell ellie im not speaking to her rn" and ur being DEAD serious... they're laughing their asses off

⁃ kissing abby in front of ellie to make her jealous when ur fighting

⁃ and whenever ellie and abby are fighting you straight up ignore them until they come to their senses and apologise

⁃ matching tattoos! you have a sun, abby has a moon and ellie has the stars V

⁃ uno and they both have extra cards under the table

⁃ "are you guys cheating" "OH MY GOD NO OF COURSE NOT-" "HOW COULD YOU EVEN SUGGEST THAT?!" "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" "WE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO YOU A GAMES A GAME"

⁃ ellie standing up to get water and you yell at her

⁃ abby and ellie pull pranks on eachother all the time!

⁃ and you are constantly getting caught in the middle of it

⁃ and one time you contribute and both of them are arguing on who did what prank having zero clue it was you

⁃ and ur just giggling off to the side

⁃ the two would have such bad jealousy issues

⁃ like they see u GLANCE at another girl and they're dragging you home

⁃ and then they go "we aren't even jealous people! she was practically eye fucking you. that's why we left!"

⁃ like girl she had a whole bf

⁃ imagine covering them in lipstick kissed and taking a picture...

⁃ making them do the lipstick trend

⁃ OR the nail polish eye colour trend!

⁃ u having a hard day and they're RUSHING to comfort you

⁃ girls were STRESSEDDDD like ellie's holding you while abby's rushing to get the bath filled up

⁃ "stupid fucking bathtub isn't filling up!!! hurry up!!!!!" and now they're more stressed than you fo

⁃ the nicknames.

⁃ ellie's pretty basic with it. calling you babe, baby, honey, pretty girl, etc.

⁃ but with abby she likes to be unique with it. calling you princess, darling, etc.

⁃ and u reversing the nicknames on them...

⁃ talking to abby and she's helping u w something and u go "thanks princess!" then kiss her on the cheek like nothing happened

⁃ "she's like "tf??"

⁃ but with ellie she's chasing you around the house and pinning you down till you say she's daddy

⁃ how rewardina it is for them when ther see u aet allblushy and stuff

⁃ they would feel so cocky and proud of the themselves

⁃ abby sending you playlists and ellie showing you drawings

⁃ and the gifts they would get u ! like gift giving isn't their love language but they wanna spoil you

⁃ "oo i like that shirt" abby's already ordered it. in every colour.

⁃ like you sneak a peek at a bracelet and now it's ellie's job to keep you distracted while abby runs in and buys it

⁃ sleeping w a stuffy and being so tired and giving it a kiss on the cheek and bestfriend!ellie is all like

⁃ "where's mine"

⁃ she gets jealous with the amount of plushies u sleep with
"she's the typa girl to joke "hey mamas where's my kiss" after u get home from work and ur just staring at her like
with flour all over you from a failed
recipe

⁃ "no? okay sorry babe"

⁃ goodcop!abby badcop!ellie when u do something bad!

⁃ "babe.... just tell me where u hid my keys and all will be good" "ALL RIGHT LISTEN UP WOMAN..."

⁃ then they end up finding the keys under the couch

⁃ but u lowk hid them there cause you didn't want them to leave..

⁃ abby had a snapchat hey mamas phase and ellie was there to see it

⁃ AND ellie uses it as blackmail in the go

⁃ abby: "Ellie you're so dumb how could you get the directions wrong." "wanna see a magic trick."

⁃ abby backtracks so fast in hopes it'll save her from her fate (it doesn't).

⁃ "and that's the end of my magic show! thank u and goodnight "then ellie disappears because she knows abby will beat her ass

⁃ they have pictures of you in a gallery and you don't know about it

⁃ "is this me sleeping?" "gimme my fuckin phone back-" "you ain't seen NOTHING"

⁃ you would take so many pics of urself on their phones!

⁃ like at dinner and you've managed to sneak one of their phone's under the table and are taking silly selfies

⁃ and you take videos of them snatching their phones back

⁃ the screen is all black and all you can hear is rustling and the faint sound of ellie whining "babe my storageeee" and abby's just laughing

⁃ flipping them off by accident in a photo (both me and aria are victims to this)

⁃ you mean to do 🤘 or 👍 but instead do 🖕

⁃ ellie's feigning hurt and abby's laughing so hard

⁃ abby uses "🤣" and "LOL" but then ellie uses "😭" and "LMAO"

⁃ abby is so literal with her texting

⁃ She types like this. Always uses proper grammar no matter what.

⁃ and ellie... ELLEI TWXTS LIKE THIS

⁃ "babky were is tje Irnon" "ALL CAPS NO PUNCTUSLYIK PJNCTISNTILN"

⁃ ur the only person who can translate ellie's awful texting so you'll occasionally get texts from joel saying stuff like "Kiddo do you know what she was tryna say here?"

⁃ ellie is dyslexic

⁃ and a professional yapper which is why she likes streaming so much

⁃ abby fights the urge to tell her to shut the fuck up

⁃ and sometimes after like a really hard day at work all you wanna do is relax and they just let you

⁃ sending them paragraphs about how much you love them just out of the blue

⁃ ellie's like "??? ru gonna kys"

⁃ abby leaves you on read and smothers you when she's home

⁃ abby chronically leaves people on read

⁃ ellie greets you by slapping or pinching ur ass and abby greets you by giving you a kiss on the side of your face ellie also pretends to fuck you from the back whenever you bend down to pick something up

⁃ the amount of facetimes when you didn't live with them! and the amount you get when your on some sort of work trip

⁃ falling asleep on call and them taking secret screenshots and texting eachother in fear of waking you up

⁃ facetiming you on abby's macbook

⁃ abby uses apple and ellie uses a microsoft laptop

⁃ when ur on a work trip and they're harassing you to call

⁃ "i'm in a meeting" "answer facetime"

⁃ "gimme 5" "5...4...3.2.."

⁃ nobody's home except you and you burn yourself cooking

⁃ they are be RUSHINGGG home

⁃ "guys it's fine i literally barley did anything" "YOUR GONNA DIE"

⁃ "ARE TOU OKAY?!?" "i am literally fine"

⁃ omg the day they actually pay attention to work and your at home and they don’t have a lot of time for you is the day you die

⁃ "i'm in a meeting what's up" "im dynggg.... come back......... zhellipppppp....

⁃ and then you get all bratty and needy

⁃ "come home or i'm gonna fall ill' "YOURE GONNS

⁃ FALL ILL??"

⁃ sitting in abby's lap while she's working from home

⁃ <3

⁃ she's sitting on her chair and ur straddling her with ur face in her shoulder

⁃ biting her arm randomly and she's like "ow wtf?!"

⁃ " biting her for the first time and she's like "?!" girl was alarmed... "are you going feral what is up with you"

⁃ eventually she just gets used to it at some point

⁃ zero reaction to you biting her now

⁃ they go to the gym without you and send gym selfies

⁃ abby LOVESSS to flex

⁃ she'll never admit it but this girl is trying so hard to excentuate her muscles around u

⁃ throws you over her shoulder effortlessly

⁃ annoying her and going "watcha gonna do abby? kidnap me?" and she, in fact, does.

⁃ "let me go!" and she just pats ur ass

⁃ and ellie's always wearing shirts that show her arms off

⁃ making them kiss LOOOLLL

⁃ "awh i think we need a ship name now!" "SHUT UP"

⁃ forcing them to talk to eachother by ignoring them and then they have to talk to eachother on wether or not ur pissed at them or if ur just not in the mood to talk

⁃ them fighting over everything including you

⁃ but or not official with either of them and could go flirt around if u wanted

⁃ them showing up at whatever place u have a date at or something and trolling the poor girl ur out with and then angry dragging u home

⁃ they get SO possessive

⁃ ellie listens to boygenius and you had to beg abby to listen to them and now she loves them

⁃ ellie's got 21 savage, the weeknd, drake, tyler the creator, the neighborhood, chase atlantic, etc on her playlists

⁃ her and abby have similar music tastes with distinct differences

⁃ like abby listens to tyler the creator as well, chase atlantic, HOZIER, frank sinantra, frank ocean.

⁃ all of you love phoebe, mac miller, lorde and childish gambino!

⁃ and you LOVE kali uchis. ur the lalalala to their okokok

⁃ you discovered her when she released telapatia and have been obsessed ever since

⁃ both abby and ellie had a girl in red phase...

⁃ sleeping together in abby's bed bc hers is the biggest

⁃ ur favourite mornings are ones when you can't even get up and out of bed because abby's spooning you and ellie's arm is hung loosely over ur waist

⁃ your situated in the middle with abby on ur right and ellie on ur left

⁃ waking them up with breakfast!
"abby waking up to smelling some delicious food and hugging you from behind with her eyes closed and neck shoved into ur shoulder "smells s' good baby... wanted to spoil us even more after last night huh?" in their raspy morning voice

⁃ all ur in is an oversized tee and some white bow cotton panties (it's one of abby's post workout shirts)

⁃ the only dirt abby has on ellie is the amount of foul photos she has of her sleeping

⁃ ellie drools AND snores

⁃ latching on to you for dear life

⁃ ur shoving the pillow over ur ears in hopes she'll stfu

⁃ and she NEVER does

⁃ sleeping skin to skin with them :)

⁃ "take of your clothes" "why? you wanna..?" "no i just wanna feel u... is that okay?"

⁃ abby has soft skin and ellie has a bunch of random bruises and scars

⁃ abby and ellie are genuinely head over heels for u in all seriousness

⁃ even if they don't like eachother they cope with it for you!

⁃ smooching one of them really hard and like forcing the "MMMMWAH" sound

⁃ ellie has a main insta with zero posts and a spam with 827

⁃ abby has three accounts, one for gains, her main & her stalker (for ur safety obviously)

⁃ meanwhile u just have a main which u post on all the time and a private that nobody knows about for stalking

⁃ ellie shit posts "lol" and it's a photo of a rat smoking a cigarette

⁃ and those stupid memes

⁃ (image)

⁃ sent to abby cause you made a joke about her being breedable in bed 😭

⁃ nsfw!

⁃ ANGRY MAKEUP SEX.

⁃ ellie kisses ur tummy before she eats it

⁃ and abby puts her forearm on ur lower stomach and applies pressure

⁃ abby calls u good girl

⁃ abby comforting you when ellie's going just a little bit too aggressively and manhandling you

[miryum]

"Tactical Village"

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

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

Series Masterlist

“Do you recognise any of these men?” Y/n asked a woman who was wearing a ‘Visitor’ tag. 

The woman shook her head, saying, “I was hiding in the bathroom stall so I didn’t see his face. But, I heard him. He was singing along to the track.”

“Do you remember what he was singing?”

“Oh my gosh, no, Y/n,” Jason couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “Don’t do it….” Y/n chuckled along with him. Captain Wayne had assigned a detective to Y/n whenever she interrogated a perp. There had been an… incident. 

Cass didn’t know who gave Y/n a guitar, but the woman was currently torturing a perp with her terrible playing of the instrument, accompanying the sound with loud, off-tune screaming. 

The woman shrugged. “I think it was that song ‘I Want it That Way.’ ” 

Y/n hummed. “Backstreet Boys, I’m familiar.”

“Maybe a little too familiar,” Jason muttered. He thought of all the times Y/n had agonised both the criminals and detectives on duty with their songs.

“Number one,” Y/n ignored Jason, pressing a button for the intercom. “Could you please sing the opening to ‘I Want it That Way?’”

“Really? Uh… okay,” Perp 1 said. “You are… my fire?”

Y/n glanced over to the witness who shook her head. “Number two, keep it going.”

“The one… desire.” Perp 2 squinted to Perp 1, looking for confirmation that this was actually happening. 

“Number three?” Y/n nodded along to the nonexistent beat. 

“Believe… when I say?”

“Number four!” Y/n called out, grinning widely, leaning on the desk.

“I want it that way.”

“TELL ME WHY!” Y/n sang loudly into the microphone. 

“Ain’t nothing but a heartache,” all the suspects chanted along. 

“TELL ME WHY!”

“Ain’t nothing but a mistake…”

“Now number five,” Y/n crooned to the melody.

Perp 5 raised his hand, losing himself in the music. “I never wanna hear you say,”

“WHOO!” Y/n shouted out.

“I want it that way,” everyone finished together.

“Chills! Literal chills!” Y/n shivered, giggling. 

“It was number five,” the woman said. “Number five killed my brother.” 

“Oh my gosh, I totally forgot about that,” Jason murmured. “And, Y/n, just so you know, you pressed the ‘speaker’ button. Everyone in the precinct could hear that.” 

“Ohhh… whoops?”

“Happy Tactical Village Day!” Y/n high-fived Tim on her way in the door. “Happy Tactical Village Day, Cass! Happy Tactical Village Day!”

“L/n, I'm surprised to see you so excited about departmentally mandated training exercises,” Wayne commented. 

“Why, ‘tis the most fun day of the year, my good sir! Something you wouldn't understand, because you're not programmed to feel joy.”

“Yes, but my software is due for an upgrade,” Wayne retorted.

”When you play along with the robot jokes it ruins my enjoyment of them,” Y/n pouted.

“Yes, I am aware.”

“Anyway, Tactical Village Day is awesome!” Y/n continued with her rant. “We get to field test a bunch of cool, new weapons and there's always a fun training situation. Last year's was prison break. It got uber violent. It was like being in an action movie.” Her eyes went wide with excitement.

Y/n was using a piece of her hair to slowly chisel away at a metal bar of a cell.

“Y/n?” Steph called from the other end of the cell. “Cass and I dug a tunnel. Wanna use it?”

“Go on without me,” Y/n said in a deep, gruff voice. “I’ll make due by myself.”

“It's also a good opportunity for us to bond as a unit,” Steph said, reminding them all the true reason of Tactical Village Day.

“Everybody gets into it,” Y/n exclaimed. 

Jason kicked down a door and he and Dick rushed through it, screaming as they stormed the room. 

It turned out to be a supply closet.

“Suffice to say, the sixty-sixth has never had a perfect run,” Dick chuckled and scratched his neck. 

“Yeah, but Y/n has been the finalist for coolest kill two years in a row,” Stephanie said. “Every precinct sends their footage and all the cops vote.”

“It's not that big of a deal,” Y/n waved her away. “All you win is a children's tennis trophy, so…”

“You desperately want that trophy, don't you?” Wayne asked.

“So badly.” Y/n growled. “I will stop at nothing to obtain my prize. I'll shoot all of you in the face if I have to!”

“Go team,” Damian said monotonously. 

“Okay, so,” Y/n slid into the seat next to Jason’s on the bus ride over. “I’ve figured out my fictional persona for this year’s shooty-shooty rootin-tootie.”

“How the hell do you come up with these names?” Jason muttered, mostly to himself. 

“I am… Gina Thunderhouse. Russian spy, weapons master, and total badass. I even have cool Russian accent.” she said in a bad accent. “Babushka. Moscow. Rasputin.” 

“You know ‘babushka’ means ‘grandma,’ right?”

“Whatever. At least I have a persona, Mr. I’m-not-even-trying-to-be-fun.”

“This training isn’t about fun,” Jason frowned. “It’s about honing our skills to be better officers.”

“We shoot paint at pretend bad guys!” Y/n cried. “How is that not fun?!”

“I’m gonna go talk to Dick,” Jason said, standing up. “You have fun thinking of more Russian words.”

Steph quickly filled Jason’s empty seat, grinning sharply. “Seems like you two are getting cosy!”

“Come on, Brown. Not this again!”

“You gotta admit there’s spark.” 

“How many times do I have to tell you?!” Y/n exclaimed. “He’s like a brother to me.”

“And Leia was like a sister to Luke,” Steph sang out.

“Okay, that’s not fair. Luke didn’t know! No one knew.”

Steph shrugged and let the conversation go, though a smile flitted through her lips. Soon, the sixty-sixth arrived at the building where Tactical Village Day would commence. Walking in the doors, duffel bags full of gear and weapons in hand, Y/n shouted out, “The six-six is in the house!” 

“Six-six!” The rest of the crew echoed.

“Hey! Biz!” Y/n greeted an old friend. “They upgraded you from bystander to perp! That’s great, man. Still gonna blow your brains out though.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything else,” Biz waved back.

“Jason Todd?” A voice spoke from a crowd of detectives and cops. “Is that you?”

“Rose?” Jason’s head whipped towards the voice. “It’s been so long! What’re you doing here?”

“I’m with the seventeenth now,” she explained. “We’re paired with you guys today.” Rose was a tall, slim, blonde girl whom it seemed Jason connected with very well. 

“Wha- what’s going on here?” Y/n shuffled up to them, Steph close behind. 

“Oh, Y/n, this is Rose Wilson.” Rose held out a hand and Y/n firmly shook it. “Rose, this is Y/n L/n. She’s the life of the six-six.” He placed a hand on Y/n’s lower back, pushing her slightly forward. 

“Nice to meet you,” Rose said. 

“Likewise,” Y/n pressed her lips together in a smile. 

“Well, I gotta go,” Rose hugged Jason. “I’ll see you later, though. Great seeing you.”

“You too,” Jason returned the hug. 

Once Rose had left with a wave, Y/n turned to Jason and questioned, “So… who was that?”

“That was Rose,” Jason said as if it was the most obvious thing. “We went on a couple of dates last year.” 

“You did?” Steph asked. Y/n had forgotten she was behind her. Cass joined them, silently backing up her friends.

“Yeah, I liked her, but she was stationed in Metropolis so I didn’t get to see much of her. I guess it just fizzled out.”

“Right,” Y/n gawaffed. “That's the girl you said the lame stuff about. Like ‘she's a good listener’ and shit.” Internally, she felt bad for deriding Rose- she seemed like a nice person- but she couldn’t help but take a rag at Jason.

“I'm sorry, what do you look for in a relationship?” Jason asked snarkily. 

“I don't know,” Y/n shrugged. “Real stuff. Shape of their ass. Sense of dark humour.”

“Of course.” Jason rolled his eyes and stalked away.

“Isn’t it weird that Jason dated that girl?” Y/n scoffed, hands on her hips.

Steph raised her brows, mirroring L/n’s stance. “Why do you care so much?” Her voice rose higher with each word.

“Okay, first of all, your insinuating voice is way too high,” Y/n accused. “It's weird. And second, I don't care. I'm just wondering why he would like her.”

“Whatever you say,” Steph said, voice still high-pitched and she shuddered. “Okay, yeah, I hear it now. I sound like Cat from Sam and Cat.”

“Yes, you do.” Cass agreed. “But, I agree. L/n needs to confront her feelings for Todd and woman up.”

Y/n rolled her eyes and excused herself from the conversation, claiming the need to talk to Tim.

“Oh, this is so cool!” Y/n squealed, holding a parallel gun. “You can shoot around corners. I love guns.” She sighed and said, “I'm gonna make such a good mom someday.”

Jason shook his head, lips pursing. “Not even gonna touch that.”

“Not even gonna touch that: Title of your sex tape,” Y/n muttered, then chuckled. “Come on, man. At least make me work for it.”

Soon, it was time for the sixty-sixth to run the simulation. The team was standing by the door, waiting to be let in when Y/n slid by on her knees, making a dramatic entrance. “Gina Thunderhouse had arrived.” Her voice was, once again, accented in a bad Russian tone.

“That was majestic,” Tim joked.

“Custom kneepads to help me win coolest kill,” Y/n patted her knees, showing off her kneepads. After an awkward silence, she asked, “What, don't tell me Thunderhouse is the only lady here with a signature move!”

Tim shrugged. “I was bouncing around the idea where when I'm out of ammo, I release my mag and dropkick or chuck it into someone's throat.”

“You know how people hold their guns sideways to look cool?” Dick asked. Y/n nodded and the sarge continued, “It got me thinking. What if you held your gun upside-down?” He demonstrated it, flipping his gun upside down, finger still on trigger.

Before Y/n could respond with how that was an incredibly stupid idea, a loud buzzer sounded and another precinct marched out the door, looking victorious.

“Seventeenth’s done.” Y/n muttered and Stephanie stepped closer to her. “Heads up.”

“Hey. How'd it go?” Jason greeted Rose. 

Rose smiled and replied, “it went well. We had a perfect run! And not to brag, but I think we just set a GCPD course record for time.”

“Definitely a brag,” Y/n huffed quietly. 

“A course record?” Jason’s brows shot up.  “That’s so cool.”

“Thanks.” Rose looked up at him. “I'm psyched. By the way, good luck in there.”

“Thanks,” Jason called after her as she walked away.

“All right, huddle up.” Y/n pulled Jason away by the strap of his vest and into a group huddle. “This is how it's going down.”

“What happened to your accent, Gina?” Steph asked teasingly, knowing full well what was going on.

“Forget that shit.” Y/n frowned. “We're taking this seriously. Okay, on three: Let's break that course record and be the best precinct here! One, two, three!”

The group repeated, “let’s break that course record and… uh…” They all trailed off, mumbling different things as they forgot the words. 

“Yeah, I agree, it was too many words.” Y/n grimaced. “Let’s just do it.”

“Okay, I've got the details for this simulation.” Dick sat in front of a console, radioing in to everyone’s headsets. “A group of armed men entered an embassy and took hostages.”

“Which embassy?” Y/n couldn't help but ask. She shook her head, reminding herself to stay focused. “Doesn't matter. We’ll just say, Canada. They’re too nice to say no if someone asks to take them hostage. So take out the perps, clear the civilians, rescue the hostages?”

“Affirmative,” Dick confirmed. “This is an active shooter situation. You're cleared for maximum engagement.”

“‘Maximum engagement?’” Y/n scoffed. “What is this, Jurassic Park: The Ride?” 

Dick didn’t answer, commanding, “Brown and Drake, perimeter security. Brown, make sure he doesn’t fall asleep, but also doesn’t die from caffeine overdose. He only got two and a half hours last night.”

“Got it,” Brown said, yanking Tim’s cup of coffee away from him.

“L/n and Todd, you're the assault team. I'll be in the command centre. Cain, I need you to do surveillance on the places I can’t see.”

“On it.” Cass disappeared into the vents and Dick stared after her, wondering how she didn’t end up as an assassin-for-hire.

“All right, focus up,” Y/n said into the comms. “We got eighteen minutes and forty-one seconds to break this record. No screwing around.”

“Wow, you're really not gonna do a character?” Jason asked, smirking.

“I am playing a character,” Y/n said. “A no-nonsense detective whose only goal is to set this course record. Her name is Y/n L/n. She’s a kid who grew up with an absent father and just wants to prove herself. I don't have time for her full back-story. Sarge, please, let’s start.”

“Okay, guys, and go!” Dick clicked a stopwatch and the team rushed in.

Y/n zipped around a corner, gun drawn. When she didn’t see anyone, she called, “clear!”

She and Jason repeated the actions, peeking around corners and yelling, “clear.”

Y/n turned around a corner and fired two shots at a cop labelled “PERP.”

“Nice,” Jason commented.

Y/n ignored him and said, “okay, only three perps left. We might actually do this.”

Dick’s voice came in through the comms. “L/n, Cain has intel that there’s a hostage in room 409.”

“Copy that.” Y/n inhaled and said, “I love how it always smells like fresh paint here. Reminds me of how often I moved as a child.”

“No talking,” Jason reminded her. “You'll give away our position.”

“Look out!” Y/n was staring over his shoulder. She quickly lifted her gun and fired a shot at someone. 

Jason shielded away from the noise. “That was close.” He inspected Y/n and said, “there's paint in your hair.” He reached up and smoothed the paint away. “Thanks for shooting that guy.”

“My pleasure.” Y/n followed him around the corner and stared at a door marked 409. “The hostages are in there. Intel says there's a couple of heavily-armed perps with them.”

Jason asked, “you want to wait for backup?”

Y/n shook her head. “No time. We only have a minute to win the record.” She sighed and declared, “I'm going in.” At Jason’s scandalised look, she reassured him, smiling. She gently took Jason’s gun from his hands. “Don't worry. I have a plan on how to beat them: Give up.”

“What?!”

“Trust me,” Y/n said. “Or don't.” She shrugged. “I'm doing it anyway.” Jason’s heart dropped, watching her walk cautiously into the room. She announced, hands holding her guns in the air, “GCPD! Don't shoot!” Inside the room were two perps, guarding three hostages. “I'm here to surrender,” Y/n told them. The hostages looked at her as if she was crazy. “Let the hostages go and take me instead,” she said. 

“Not happening.” One of the perps growled. “Drop your weapon!”

”Okay, okay, my fingers are off the triggers.” Y/n agreed, dangling her guns off her fingers. “I'm just gonna slowly put them down in front of me….” She started crouching down. Jason watched, aghast, from the doorway. “I’m slowly putting 'em…” Suddenly, she twisted her fingers around and pulled the triggers, shooting the two perps in the chest.

“Goddamn it!” One of the perps yelled.

“Dick, time!” Y/n shouted into her comm.

“18 minutes, 28 seconds. You broke the record!” Dick cried back.

“Yes! Nice!” Jason ran in and hugged Y/n tightly, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around. She squealed and hugged him back. 

Jason paraded her out of the room and they greeted their teammates to a chorus of cheers, applause, and claps on the back.

“Ah, there she is!” Dick called.

“The record is ours.” Y/n spread her arms.

“I still can't believe your final kill came from Dick’s move.” Tim shook his head, looking disgusted.

“You went upsy-downsies?” Dick gasped. “That's what I call it, because you hold the gun upside-down.”

Y/n sighed. “Yes, Richard, I went upsy-downsies. And none of you shall ever speak of it again.”

“But I want to speak of it,” Jason whined. “You looked really stupid.”

“Alright, let's go.” Dick grinned. “Drinks are on me.”

“Nice! Here we go, six-six!” Y/n held her hand up to Jason for a high-five, face flushed with excitement.

Jason grimaced. “Actually, Rose asked me to dinner, so maybe I can meet up with you guys afterwards?”

Y/n’s face dropped. “Oh. Sure. Yeah. Of course. Cool. Cool cool cool cool cool cool cool.” Jason nodded and left, giving goodbyes as he walked away.

“What's going on, Gina Thunderhouse?” Cass smirked, sidling up with Steph. 

Y/n muttered, “what do you think Jason sees in Rose?”

“So you do like him!” Steph accused, smiling slyly. 

“I'm just curious!” Y/n tried to defend. “I mean, she's okay-looking and a good cop….” But aren’t I okay-looking and a good cop? “Also, she set the course record, but that's nothing. I broke it, like, 20 minutes later.”

“You want to know why he went out with her and not you?” Cass asked quietly. 

“Yeah.” Y/n swallowed harshly. 

“Because she actually asked him out,” Steph finished.

Captain Wayne raised a brow, looking down at Y/n’s desk. “You won coolest kill?” He gestured to the small tennis trophy Y/n was staring at. 

“No- not by a long shot.” She chuckled dryly. “But Dick bought it for me ‘cause he felt like I should’ve won. But he’s bias, of course.”

“Of course.” Captain Wayne smiled softly. “Detective, are you alright?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Captain,” Y/n mumbled. “Can- can I ask you a question?” 

“Sure, L/n.”

Y/n looked up at Wayne. “How’d you know Clark was the one?” she whispered.

Bruce sighed and offered, “come into my office. And bring your trophy.”

Doing as she was told, Y/n followed Bruce into his office. She sat down and Bruce took the trophy from her, placing it on his desk proudly. “When I first got here, Damian told me of your predicament.” When Y/n’s mouth fell open in betrayal, Bruce held up his hand. “I would’ve figured it out either way. I used to be a detective, after all. But what he didn’t know is if Todd liked you back. However, based on months of observation, I’ve noticed, for lack of a better simile, that Todd follows you like a lost puppy. I should know; I acted the same way towards Clark before we started dating.”

“Did you ask him out?” Y/n asked.

Bruce let out a laugh. “God, no. I was too scared. But that’s not an invitation to make the same mistakes I did. I lost a lot of time with Clark because of my anxiety.”

“Duly noted, Captain. Thank you.”

“Anytime, L/n. And good job in the Tactical Village.”

“Thank you, sir.”

[letsgoletsgetit08]

home for the holidaze

summary: Seonghwa promised Yunho he wouldn't sleep with his half-brother, Hongjoong, while he is in town for an extended holiday sabbatical. He quickly realizes how idiotic of a promise it was to make.

warnings: mdni, dom!hongjoong x sub!seonghwa, recreational drug use

word count: 10,706

ao3 link: home for the holidaze

“Just whatever you do, please don't sleep with my brother.” Yunho warned Seonghwa with a serious expression. Seonghwa rolled his eyes. He remembered Hongjoong from growing up in the same neighborhood as the two of them. Though Hongjoong was closer to Seonghwa's age, he had ended up befriending Yunho instead. Hongjoong had been sent to an elite private boarding school across the country and they barely saw him except at holidays. He was shorter than his little brother (they had different moms) and Seonghwa always recalled him as being rather stuffy, uptight, very serious about doing his assigned reading over holiday breaks, where Yunho and Seonghwa were more inclined to sneak off to smoke weed at the playground.

Seonghwa was only half listening, very focused on Animal Crossing, “Yeah, I get it, no offense but I'm really not interested. He is way too uptight for me.”

Yunho sighed, seeming relieved, “Okay,” he turned towards the door, “Okay. Cool. I'm gonna go get him from the airport, then. You still down to meet up later for dinner?”

“Sure, just send me the location and a time.” Seonghwa said a little dismissively. 

“Sweet!” Yunho walked through the door, calling out over his shoulder, “Later!” 

Seonghwa had virtual trees to shake and rooms to design. It was his day off and he planned to take advantage of it fully by getting stoned and playing Animal Crossing until his eyes were the things crossing instead. Then he would probably re-watch Empire Strikes Back for the hundredth time. He had been a little reclusive lately. His breakup with Yeji was affecting him more than he'd like to admit. He knew Yunho had noticed and had tried to help. He also knew that six months should have been enough time to get over a relationship half that length. But he was really struggling with the part where he was the one rejected. Not to brag or anything, but he had always been the rejector, never the rejectee. It certainly had given him empathy to those he had broken up with in the past. This sucked. And the guilt of that realization - how he now understood how those he had broken up with had felt - also wasn't helping. He wanted to, was finally ready to break out of his funk. At least mentally. But it was like his body wasn't ready to listen yet. He would stare and stare at the dust bunnies on his floor and get so icked out by them that he felt almost angry. But he still couldn't convince his body to get up and vacuum. He was a very tidy person so it made things like that even more frustrating. A layer of dust on the coffee table was holding his attention more than the credits rolling on his movie, his phone lighting up with a notification was the only thing that shook him out of his stupor. 

Yucifer

Joongie picked that ramen restaurant we used to like downtown. See you there in 30? 

Me

Alrighty

Sweatpants had felt like a completely reasonable option for one of their favorite old haunts. That was, until he saw Hongjoong. Looking very put together for someone who just spent nearly ten hours on a plane. Dressed in slacks, an expensive looking sweater, and designer loafers. Intellectual property law was a lucrative career, evidently. What was more surprising was that he looked so stylish. Growing up, he had stuck to polo shirts and khakis with ugly dress shoes that looked like they belonged to someone forty years his senior who shopped exclusively at Walmart. Practical. Already a tiny adult by his early teenage years. 

Seonghwa felt weirdly exposed in comparison, though he was just as clothed as his companions. He ran a hand through his hair as he approached the table, trying in vain to become a little more put together before he was spotted. 

Too late. 

“Park Seonghwa!” Hongjoong called, trying to catch his eye. 

Seonghwa met his gaze sheepishly, feeling embarrassed to be under the spotlight, “Kim Hongjoong. Good to see you, man.”

Yunho scooted over in the booth so that Seonghwa could sit across from Hongjoong. 

Hongjoong’s whole demeanor was different from Seonghwa's memory. Where he had once been full of nervous, high-strung energy, he was now calm, almost intense. Cool and confident. 

It was… something.

If Hongjoong noticed that Seonghwa was currently clawing his way out of a deep depressive cycle, he didn't let on. Seonghwa felt like he was being studied, but not in a bad way. Just maybe in a way that made him nervous that he would break his promise to Yunho. 

Hongjoong was the first thing that had truly piqued his interest in half a year. And he had agreed not to sleep with him. Because he was a fool, probably. 

“When do you go back to Sydney?” The question rushed out of Seonghwa’s mouth before he could stop it, realizing it probably sounded rude. 

Hongjoong laughed, “Ready to get rid of me already?”

Seonghwa blushed, “No, no. Sorry. I realize how that sounded. I'm happy you're here. Staying with us.” His gut twisted at the last part. Hongjoong. Staying into their guest bedroom. Their rooms were jack-and-jill, connected by a shared bathroom. 

“I'll be here at least through New Years. I'm taking an extended vacation.”

Fuck. It was October 3rd. Three months.

Maybe Hongjoong was straight. Maybe it wouldn't be an issue. 

It was an issue. 

Hongjoong seemed to be hell-bent on trying to not-so-subtly flirt with Seonghwa all night. 

“Yeah, work has been hard.” Hongjoong’s foot was out of his loafer, tracing up Seonghwa’s ankle, “My days are long.” A wink that Yunho had conveniently missed. 

He was sure Hongjoong would have stopped if Seonghwa had given any indication he wasn't into it. Unfortunately, he was very into it. His breathing became hard to regulate, cheeks flushing, both things easy enough to place blame upon the alcohol they were drinking over the appropriate place for blame - Hongjoong's foot working its way further up his leg. When it reached the junction of his inner thigh, Seonghwa stood up abruptly, mumbling a mostly coherent excuse about needing the bathroom. 

Once in there, he splashed his face with cold water, trying to get it together. He took a few steadying breaths and washed his hands before heading back out, trying to keep Yunho's voice in his head, asking him to not sleep with his brother. He hadn't expected wanting to so badly when he agreed without second thought earlier. How was he supposed to know Hongjoong had grown out of his awkward stuck-up goody two shoes phase and into… whatever the fuck he was now. Hot. Domineering. Interesting. Confident but not cocky. Did he mention hot? So fucking hot. 

“Everything okay?” Hongjoong asked, eyebrow cocked, sly smile tugging at one corner of his mouth. 

“Oh, uh.” Seonghwa sat down, crossed his legs, gave Hongjoong a look he hoped conveyed that they should cool it for now, “Yeah, all good.” 

“Perfect.” Hongjoong said, “I already took care of the bill. You guys ready to head out?” 

“You didn't have to do that, Joong.” Yunho told him. 

“I know,” Hongjoong looked at Seonghwa when he spoke next, “but I wanted to.” 

Seonghwa wished he had an excuse to not ride back with the two of them, but he had taken the train there and there was no reason to not let Yunho drive him when they were all going to the same place. Hongjoong rode up front, which Seonghwa was grateful for. Though under different (read: literally any other) circumstances, he would have been happy for the man to ride in the back with him. In his lap. Fingers in his mouth, even. 

His mouth watered at the thought of it. 

It was going to be a long fucking three months. 

Once back at their apartment, Seonghwa and Yunho helped Hongjoong carry his belongings from the car into the guest bedroom, the man in question thanking them before saying he was going to go ahead and turn in for the night, citing jet lag as his excuse. 

Seonghwa didn't expect to see him again, and he also wasn't used to sharing his bathroom, so he was quite startled when he opened the unlocked door to reveal a shirtless Hongjoong brushing his teeth at the sink closest to his respective room. He was in thin light blue sleep pants, but his tattoos were the most surprising thing. His half sleeve had been hidden by his sweater earlier, but the design was bold and beautiful, just like its owner.  

Seonghwa was probably gaping at him for too long before he shook out of it, “Shit! Sorry. Not used to someone being in here. I can just-”

Hongjoong stared at him as he leaned down to spit in the sink, breaking eye contact at the very last second, taking his time finishing up before finally wiping his mouth and turning towards the guest room, his bedroom (Seonghwa would have to get used to thinking of it as that), calling a very nonchalant, “All yours,” over his shoulder as he exited. 

All of that lead up for… nothing? 

What sort of mind games was he playing? 

Hands suddenly landing on his waist startled the hell out of Seonghwa as he fixed himself an omelet the next morning, nearly causing him to flop his breakfast onto the burner.

“Smells good,” Hongjoong whispered into his ear.

Yunho was already at work. Seonghwa was closing at the bar that night so he had most of the day free. He had gotten up early after a fitful sleep, and began finally cleaning like he had been trying to force himself to do for a month now. It felt good. 

“Want one?” He tried not to let on what Hongjoong’s touch was doing to his brain. He was probably failing miserably, “I'll make a second one. I don't mind.”

“Mmh, how very domestic of you, dear.” Hongjoong all but growled in his ear. 

Jesus. The butterflies’ wings caught on fire in his abdomen. He subconsciously leaned back into Hongjoong's embrace, pliant in his hands. 

“Do you still take your coffee with half and half?” He managed to get out through shaking breaths. 

“What a good memory you have.” Hongjoong whispered, lips ghosting down his neck, not actually making contact, only teasing, making him shiver. His presence was gone as soon as it had come, leaving Seonghwa feeling almost crazy for thinking it had happened in the first place. 

He finished preparing both omelets and fixed their coffees, setting all of them on their little dining table. Hongjoong chose to sit directly across from him, making sure Seonghwa could watch him enjoy the food he had prepared. 

Hongjoong didn't make any more moves though, and after they were finished, he cleared the table before Seonghwa could protest, thanking him for breakfast, practically dismissing him. 

“I hope I won't bother you by cleaning. I go into work around 3pm so I won't be a nuisance for too long.” Seonghwa didn't know why he was telling him his plans for the day.

“No bother at all.” Hongjoong spoke to him while washing the dishes but didn't look up, “Where do you work?”

“Oh. Um. It's a bar called The Bar is Low. Near uptown. It's not really a gay bar but I guess we attract a certain clientele.” He was rambling. 

“Yes, I can imagine you attract a certain clientele.” Hongjoong said it like he was implying the customers were there for Seonghwa alone. 

“Well. Joke is on them because I'm not interested.” Seonghwa answered dryly. 

“No? You're not gay?” Hongjoong asked. 

“Ha! No, no. I'm definitely bi. I'm just not interested in dating anyone right now. Haven't been for almost six months now.”

“Bad breakup?” 

Seonghwa felt tears well up behind his eyes, which pissed him off. He thought he was done crying about it by now. He answered, hoping his voice didn't sound too thick with the looming tears, “Yeah. Not been the best year for me.” 

“Mmh. Well. You deserve to be with someone who sees your value, Seonghwa.” Hongjoong said it so casually, glancing over his shoulder as he did. 

Seonghwa picked nonexistent lint off of his t-shirt rather than make eye contact, mumbled a “Thank you,” under his breath, trying to swallow the tears down. 

Hongjoong was too damn astute, though. 

“Hey, whoa, I'm sorry,” he dried his hands in a hurry, now finished with the dishes, “Come here.” He rushed over, pulling Seonghwa in for a hug. Seonghwa began sobbing embarrassingly hard, soaking Hongjoong’s shirt, choking out apologies, “God, I'm sorry, I haven't cried about it in weeks. Fuck.”

“Shh,” Hongjoong rubbed soothing circles on his back, “Don't apologize for having feelings, honey. You're okay.” 

“Sorry.” Seonghwa repeated himself despite the instructions he had just gotten, pulling away from the hug. 

Hongjoong reached up to wipe his face dry with a gentle thumb, repeating himself, “You're okay. Hey, look at me.”

Seonghwa obeyed, finding the other's eyes to be softer than he'd seen them so far. 

“I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable. I didn't know about the breakup.” Hongjoong offered, hand still on Seonghwa’s cheek. 

“Oh,” Seonghwa swallowed, “No. Um. I don't mind.” He thought he was probably blushing profusely, using every brain cell he had left to keep his eyes locked with Hongjoong's, “I like the attention.” He admitted, so quietly he barely heard it himself. 

“Noted.” Hongjoong’s thumb traced his jawline, “You’re in control here, Hwa. I want you to know that. Just say the word. Either way. And I'll stop. Slow down. Or… I'll start in earnest. But it's up to you how this goes, darling.” 

“I'll keep that in mind.” Seonghwa managed to choke out, suddenly very aware of how close they were standing. Too bad he was still chicken shit scared, “Um. I'm gonna. Go. Uh. Clean. Sorry about your shirt.” 

Hongjoong chuckled, “Stop apologizing. I'll see you later.” He stepped back, leaving Seonghwa room to step away and head towards his room.

And he did clean. As soon as he got off to the thought of Hongjoong, fingers stuffed in his mouth and music blaring to muffle the noises. Maybe he left the bathroom door connected to his room open just a tiny crack, though. Maybe he hoped Hongjoong had caught a glimpse. 

“Need a re-make for table eleven on the fly, please!” Wooyoung’s voice broke through Seonghwa’s thoughts. He had been drying the same glass for who knows how long, lost deep in thought about a certain new roommate of his. 

“Hwa!” Wooyoung pleaded from the expo area. 

“Sorry!” Seonghwa strided over, “What’s wrong with these?” The martinis looked perfectly fine to him.

“They swear those are gin. They ordered vodka.” Wooyoung explained.

Seonghwa grabbed a cocktail straw and dipped it into one of the martinis in front of him, stoppering the end with his thumb and dropping the liquid into his mouth.

“Oh. Yeah. That’s gin. In my defense, vodka martinis should be criminal.” He said as he began shoveling ice and pouring water into two clean martini glasses to chill them before making the drinks. 

“I like vodka martinis.” Wooyoung defended himself. “Bone dry and slutty filthy dirty.”

Seonghwa scrunched his nose in disgust, “You just like olive juice. And this is why they only let people with good palates be bartenders.”

Wooyoung brushed his split-dyed hair out of his eyes, pouting, “I have a good palate! It’s just different. And you got this job because the manager said he was afraid you’d kill him if he didn’t let you bartend!” 

“And I might have! Fuck waiting tables. Bartender privilege is amazing in comparison.”

“Who was going to kill me?” A deep voice rounded the corner of the kitchen into the bar. 

“He was, Yeosang! Not me. I’d never. You’re too pretty.” Wooyoung batted his lashes at his work crush. 

Yeosang blushed, trying to contain his smile, his face turning pink to match the birthmark by his eye. He tied his neon green hair back into a half-up, purposely avoiding Wooyoung’s gaze, “You really shouldn’t flirt with your manager, Wooyo.”

Wooyoung landed a firm smack on Yeosang’s ass as he passed by, before placing the correctly made martinis on his tray and sauntering away.

They thought no one knew they had been sleeping together. They were stupid. And horrible at hiding it. 

Wooyoung reappeared a few minutes later, “So what’s got your brain on a different planet tonight?” He asked, leaning across the bar, nosy as ever. 

“Yunho’s brother is in town. For like three months” He said, not intending to elaborate, but knowing Wooyoung would pry until he got it out of him anyway. 

“The stick-in-the-mud twink attorney?” 

“The very one.” Seonghwa sighed, resuming his task of drying dishes. It was slow that night. He had mainly been doing side work, not so much actually making drinks. 

“What, is he secretly hot or something?” Wooyoung was stabbing cocktail cherries onto a sword-shaped toothpick. 

“Very astute.” Seonghwa placed the cherries down on the rail below the bar back where they belonged before resuming his task. 

Wooyoung ate the cherries on his toothpick and leaned over the bar to retrieve the jar, “Why is that a problem?”

“Because,” Seonghwa swatted Wooyoung’s hand away, “Hey! Enough with the cherries. Because Yunho specifically made me promise not to sleep with him!”

Wooyoung waited until his back was turned to snatch the jar, hiding it under the bar this time as he fished more cherries out, “So? Just do it anyway. That’s what I would do. Isn’t he just visiting? Do it and ask for forgiveness later.” He tried to put the jar back before Seonghwa noticed. 

“Did you just-?”

“No? Just what?” Wooyoung said around a mouthful of cherries.

“You’re such a little brat.” Seonghwa rolled his eyes. Really, he was quite fond of his coworker. He made it nearly impossible not to like him. 

“You love me.” Wooyoung trotted away to clear the only table they had had in over an hour. Tuesday nights were like this. Yeosang would probably cut him soon and take over bartending for the rest of the night to save on labor costs. And so he could close with Wooyoung and make out in the back. Whatever. Saturday nights always made up for a whole slow week. 

Seonghwa picked up takeout on his way home and had just sat down at the kitchen table to eat it when his phone lit up with a notification. 

Yucifer

Crashing at Mingi’s tonight. Just a head’s up. Feel free to toss my laundry on my bed if you need the dryer. 

Me

Thanks man, later.

He tucked into his food, trying to not let his mind spiral at the thought of being home alone with Hongjoong that night. A few minutes later, his phone lit up again

[Unsaved Number]

Looks like it’s just us tonight.

Me

Hongjoong?

[Unsaved Number]

The one and only

Wanna get stoned and watch a movie

Me

Kim Hongjoong does illicit substances now? Since when?

Evil Man

Shut up. And Hurry up. Shower and brush your teeth and meet me on the couch in 30

Heat coiled in Seonghwa’s gut. He hated how much he liked how bossy Hongjoong was acting.

Me

Aye, aye, captain

Evil Man

Nevermind I decided I hate you

Me

Wait, no, come back. What about “yes, sir”?

Evil Man

Much better.

Me

Yes, sir

Evil Man

Mmh, I could get used to that

Seonghwa didn’t necessarily think Wooyoung gave out the best advice. But after the year he’d had so far, he decided to throw caution to the wind. Two fingers deep inside of himself in the shower, thinking of Hongjoong’s instructions the whole time, he was more sure of his decision than ever. He had never ever broken a promise to Yunho. Sure, he felt a little bad about it, but Yunho would have to understand that he hadn’t felt so alive in months. He needed this. 

He sat staring at his collection of sex toys in his bedside table drawer for too long, wasting time, risking being late, before finally selecting his favorite butt plug, guiding it inside with practiced ease. Another risk, but screw it. 

He finally emerged from his bedroom dressed in the shortest silk sleep shorts he owned. Light silver. A matching silk babydoll shirt, trimmed with black lace, on top, hair wavy and messy after his shower. The outfit was probably too much. Yeji had had a habit of making him feel weird about his good looks, not on purpose, he was sure, but in a way that read as her being intimidated and wanting to be the “pretty” one in the relationship. But he liked feeling pretty. He wanted to be told he was pretty, but he felt silly asking for it. So he felt a little embarrassed as he walked (slightly awkwardly) out of his room into the living room. 

All of his fears were quickly erased at the look on Hongjoong’s face as he emerged. He was wearing the same light blue pants from last night, dark hair swept off of his forehead, the planes of his chest visible through his thin black t-shirt. 

“Oh, darling. Look at you. All of this for me?” Hongjoong asked, beckoning him over, patting his lap. 

Seonghwa nodded as he straddled his lap gingerly, trying his best to avoid jostling around too much or else the plug would be uncomfortable. 

“Use your words, sweetheart.” Hongjoong instructed, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear.

“Yes, sir. All for you.” Seonghwa replied, his voice low, a little raspy from his nerves. 

“Lucky me.” Hongjoong whispered, hands roaming Seonghwa’s body, thumb grazing his nipple on its way down, making Seonghwa’s breath catch in his throat, before landing on his hip, which he gave a small squeeze, “You’re exquisite, angel.” His hand continued down, landing on Seonghwa’s ass cheek, fingertips pulling him apart ever so slightly. Seonghwa squeaked out a tiny moan at the sensation, senses heightened with the object he was playing host to. 

“I got myself ready for you in the shower.” He admitted, forehead tipping down to Hongjoong’s as the man kneaded the soft flesh underneath his hand. 

“Trying to be teacher’s pet are we?” Hongjoong teased as his hand found its way under the silky fabric of Seonghwa’s shorts, fingers dipping in the soft crevice before they discovered the exposed part of the plug, “Oh. Well, look at you. A little presumptuous, no?”

“Sorry.” Heat flooded Seonghwa’s cheeks, the embarrassment suddenly almost overwhelming, tears threatening to build in his eyes. 

“No, no, no,” Hongjoong tilted his chin up with his other hand, “Uh-uh. I love it. Don’t get in your own head. I’m thrilled you picked up on my lead and even more so that you’re here, presenting yourself to me like this. It’s so hot, baby. I promise. I won’t tease so much, I’m sorry.”

“‘S okay.” Seonghwa murmured, still recovering.

“We can stop any time, promise.” Hongjoong kissed his cheek to seal the contract. 

“I don’t want to stop. I just feel a little bad because I promised Yunho I wouldn’t do this.”

“Do what? Sleep with me?” Hongjoong asked, petting Seonghwa’s hair. 

“Mhm.”

“Oh, baby. He has been talking you up to me for months now. He didn’t explicitly mention the breakup, but I figured it was something like that.” Hongjoong laughed, “He probably told you that so this would feel forbidden or something. I get the feeling you like to do the opposite of what you’re told, typically. When you’re feeling more like yourself, no? I mean does he have a habit of crashing at Mingi’s? My guess is he thinks this will help you get over your ex. He’s a schemer like that.”

Oh. OH. 

“Well. I feel stupid.”

“No, sweetheart, don’t.” Hongjoong pulled him to his chest, kissed the top of his head, “You’re not stupid, you’re a good friend. You’re just out of sorts. And that’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you, I just want to make you feel good. You deserve to feel good, Seonghwa. Will you let me?”

Seonghwa steeled himself, sitting up to look at Hongjoong, “Yes. Please. I want that so bad.”

Hongjoong smiled, his eyes beginning to turn back to their original dark, lustful state, “Good. I’m glad. Because you look good enough to eat right now and I might go crazy if I can’t have you.”

Blood rushed south at his words, suddenly nothing felt nearly as important as pleasing the man underneath him, “You can have me. Please have me.” He pleaded, hips swiveling into Hongjoong’s at the thought of it. 

“Oh, I plan on it.” Hongjoong’s hand returned to grab his ass, guiding him to grind down again, “I’m going to take you apart piece by piece and put you back together again so that the only word you can remember how to say is my name.”

Fuck. 

“Yes, please. I want that, Hongjoong.” Seonghwa all but begged, continuing to move his hips as the other guided them, their quickly hardening cocks rolling together tantalizingly. 

“Come here, then, pretty.” Hongjoong whispered, finally pulling him in for a kiss. 

Seonghwa felt his brain go fuzzy. The kiss was deliberate, measured. He wasn't going to give Seonghwa too much at once, preferring to take his time, draw it out. Seonghwa was more accustomed to heated, passionate sex. Clothes ripped off in a whirlwind. Rushing towards the finish line without taking in the scenery. 

Seonghwa tried to lean in more to deepen the kiss but Hongjoong pushed him back gently, “No, baby. Let me. You just let me take care of you. Can you be good for me?”

Seonghwa wanted him so bad, could have taken him in one go right there, easily. But he was very interested in letting him lead, “Okay, yes.” He sighed, “Yes, sir.” He corrected himself. 

“Good boy,” Hongjoong stroked his hair, “So good for me.” 

Seonghwa preened at the praise, leaning into the other's hand. 

Hongjoong reached for something on the table beside the couch, producing a small, light blue intricate weed pipe, already packed and ready to go, as well as a gold zippo, engraved with his initials, “Still wanna smoke?” 

“Sure, if you do.” Seonghwa offered. 

“I do. I want to shotgun with you.” 

“Look at you, Kim Hongjoong! Full of surprises.” Seonghwa teased him.

Hongjoong’s face turned devious, “I'm not the one who is about to be full of something, jagi.” He trailed his hand down Seonghwa's face, thumb tracing over his bottom lip before using both hands to take the first hit from the pipe. Once he freed one hand again, he reached up and pressed at the spot where Seonghwa’s jaw hinged, asking him to open up. He obliged and let his face be pulled towards Hongjoong's, lips so close they were almost touching. He took the hit, inhaling greedily like it was oxygen. 

“Your turn, love.” Hongjoong handed Seonghwa the pipe as he exhaled. 

Seonghwa took his hit and leaned in to pass it along to Hongjoong. Time passed slowly as the high began to hit and he exhaled into Hongjoon's mouth. The latter barely let him fully release the hit before he was crashing their lips together, this time with more need, fervently. Seonghwa blindly placed the pipe down on the table beside them, not caring much how it landed. Nothing else was important right now. 

He felt Hongjoong’s fingers latch into his hair, tugging it slightly as he turned his head to the side, tongue teasing the seam of his lips before finally probing inside, eliciting an embarrassingly needy whine from somewhere deep inside Seonghwa’s chest. Seonghwa's tongue sparred with Hongjoong's until the latter caught it and sucked on it, nearly sending Seonghwa into a dizzy spiral of pleasure. 

Hongjoong pulled back abruptly, “Bed. Now.” He commanded. Seonghwa got up, his thighs shaky from straddling Hongjoong for who knows how long. 

“Mine or yours?” Seonghwa asked as he grabbed Hongjoong'a hand, leading them towards their connected bedrooms.

“Yours, gorgeous. I'm not even unpacked yet.” 

“Yes, sir.” Seonghwa simpered, loving being bossed around. 

“Kneel on the bed for me, darling.” Hongjoong instructed. 

Seonghwa did as he was told, hands in his lap, ass resting on his heels. 

He watched as Hongjoong stripped in front of him, maintaining eye contact as much as was possible, leaving his crisp linen boxers for last, peeling them off slowly, releasing his fully-hard cock. It was lovely, not braggadociously large but well-proportioned, nicely formed, and flushed pretty pink. Seonghwa was apparently staring at it with stars in his eyes. 

“Like what you see?” Hongjoong asked as he stroked himself, walking towards the bed. 

“Yes, sir. Want you in my mouth. Can I? Please?” Seonghwa asked, peering up at him through his thick eyelashes. 

Hongjoong smiled, “Well, since you asked so nicely…”

He climbed up onto the bed in front of Seonghwa, kneeling but raised up so his cock was level with Seonghwa’s eager mouth. 

“You can pull my hair.” Seonghwa offered as he took Hongjoong’s length into his hand, “I like to know if I'm doing well.”

“I'll be sure you know how well you're doing, beautiful.” Hongjoong smiled as he stroked Seonghwa’s hair. 

Seonghwa licked his lips, glad the weed hadn't hit so hard to have given him dry mouth, and began licking the tender underside of Hongjoong’s tip before working it inside genuinely. 

Hongjoong moaned as Seonghwa sucked him in, hollowing out his cheeks, hitting his soft palate. He felt his hair be tugged on, “God, yes, baby. Just like that.” Hongjoong praised from above. 

Seonghwa hummed at the praise, setting a pace, bobbing his head and working his tongue in time with the strokes. He could feel Hongjoong's hips stuttering, trying not to fuck his face, getting close to his release. Suddenly, Hongjoong pulled on his hair, backing up a little, “You're going to make me cum like that, baby.” His hand caressed his cheek, “And as much as I'd like that, I really want to cum inside you.” 

“Yes. God. I want that.” Seonghwa stared up at him knowing he probably already looked fucked out with flushed cheeks and swollen lips. 

Hongjoong chuckled, “Mmh so eager. You're dangerous, little bunny.” 

Seonghwa let himself be pushed back onto the mattress, “Dangerous?”

“Very. You're going to have me tempted to keep you.” Hongjoong's hands grabbed Seonghwa’s wrists, pinned them up by his head as he leaned down to kiss him once more, caging him in, not allowing a reply. He came up for air and dismounted, following a hunch for supplies, looking towards Seonghwa as his hand landed on the drawer pull of his bedside table. Seonghwa nodded, confirming the location of the lube and condoms. Hongjoong gathered them and placed them within reach on the bed beside Seonghwa before climbing back in, kneeling between his parted legs.

Seonghwa gasped as Hongjoong dove in, kissing his neck, making his way down to his chest where he mouthed and licked at his still-covered nipples, the friction of the now-damp fabric driving him insane. His top was gathered up by practiced hands, torso bared for further exploration. Hongjoong's breath was warm as he kissed down his happy trail before coming up long enough to peel his tiny shorts off, tossing them to the side before resuming his kisses, landing everywhere except for his painfully hard, leaking cock. 

“Mmh, look at you.” Hongjoong cooed, “You're so stunning, Seonghwa.” 

“Thank you.” Seonghwa gasped, his breath catching as Hongjoong's deft fingers found his plug once again, grasping the base and teasing it in and out with tiny movements that had Seonghwa’s back arching off the bed. 

“Oh fuck, please.” Seonghwa begged, writhing on the bed at the sensation. 

“Please, what, jagiya?” Hongjoong purred, obviously knowing exactly what he wanted, “Use your words, gorgeous.” 

“Please, need you to fuck me, sir.” 

Hongjoong took his time removing the plug, leaving Seonghwa clenching around nothing, feeling extremely empty. 

“Well. Since you're begging so nice.” Hongjoong rolled on the condom like it was second nature, following it with plenty of lube. 

Hongjoong grasped Seonghwa’s length in one hand, barely applying pressure, and teased everywhere except his eagerly awaiting ring of muscle with his own cock, guided by his other hand. 

Seonghwa was sweating now, desperate in his anticipation, letting out a soft whine. 

Hongjoong smiled knowingly down at him, “Shh, darling. I know. I don't mean to be cruel, you're just so lovely, all strung out for me. But I think you've earned this.” 

Seonghwa thought he might have ascended to a different astral plane at the stretch of Hongjoong pushing inside. It was delectable. He had never felt so precious, so worshipped by anyone before. He took Hongjoong easily, adoring how perfectly full he felt once the man was buried deep inside of him. 

“Fuck, baby. You feel amazing.” Hongjoong gasped, unable to help the movement of his hips as he began fucking Seonghwa in earnest. 

“God, yes, right there, Joong.” Seonghwa gasped as Hongjoong found his prostate. “Not gonna last long like this.” 

“Can you be a good boy and cum for me when I tell you to, baby?” Hongjoong asked, voice strained from the effort. 

“Yes, sir. Please. Fuck.” Seonghwa mewled. 

Hongjoong stroked him in time with his thrusts, his hips beginning to falter as he reached the edge of his own release, “Go ahead, darling. Show me how pretty you are when I make you cum.” 

Seonghwa obeyed, panting out Hongjoong's name as he came all over his hand and his own chest. 

“Fuck, yes. That's it, baby.” Hongjoong worked him through his aftershocks, before trying to pull out. 

“No!” Seonghwa gasped, definitely overstimulated, but needing Hongjoong to follow through on his promise, “Inside! Please. I can take it.”

Hongjoong didn't reply, but his eyebrow furrowed as he accepted Seonghwa’s plea, fucking into him hard and fast before finally reaching his own orgasm, spilling into the condom with a shaky breath. He took his time pulling out, falling to the bed beside Seonghwa, gathering him to his chest and stroking his hair while praising him sweetly, “Thank you, baby. You were so good for me. Took me so well. So, so good.” Hongjoong kissed his head, squeezing him tight to make sure he knew he was cared for and appreciated. 

Seonghwa felt tears escape, warm as they traveled down his cheeks, unable to hold them back. Hongjoong didn't even bat an eye, just coddled and comforted him, “Shh, jagi, it's okay. Let it out. You're okay. I've got you.” 

“Sorry.” Seonghwa sniffled, “I don't know what's wrong with me.”

“Nothing is wrong with you.” Hongjoong tilted his head up to meet his eyes, “Hey. Nothing is wrong with you, baby. You're perfect. It's normal to react like this after sex like that. Especially if it was your first time in a while. Okay? Nothing is wrong with you, Seonghwa.” He kissed the tears off of his cheeks, “Absolutely nothing.”

Seonghwa managed to compose himself and Hongjoong started to sit up, but Seonghwa panicked, “Wait, where are you going? Please don't leave!”

Hongjoong smiled, smoothing his hair, “I'm not going anywhere, angel. I just wanted to go start us a shower. Okay? I can stay here for a little longer, too, if you want.”

“Just a few more minutes? Sorry. I'm a mess.”

“No, sweetheart. You're not. I'll stay as long as you need.” 

A few minutes passed and Seonghwa finally convinced himself to let Hongjoong start the shower, soon returning to collect him from the bed. Hongjoong held him gently as he washed his body, fingers soft as they washed his hair. Seonghwa couldn’t help but feel sad, already mourning the fact that Hongjoong would be leaving in three months. What had once felt like an eternity now felt entirely too short. 

“Joong?” He asked as the other was putting down the hairdryer. 

“What's up?” 

“I'm scared.”

“Of what, honey?” Hongjoong’s eyebrow furrowed once again. 

“I'm scared I'll grow attached.” He took a shaky breath, “I'm scared I already have.”

Hongjoong smiled, a hint of sadness behind his eyes, “It's okay, Hwa. No one ever wants to keep me around for very long. I'm sure by the time I'm leaving you'll be glad for it.” 

“Why do you say that?” Seonghwa asked, suddenly concerned.

“It's just never not been true.” Hongjoong shrugged. 

“And what if I want to keep you?” Seonghwa asked timidly. 

“Then we'll talk about it when we get there. If we get there.” Hongjoong answered simply. 

“Will you stay with me tonight?” Seonghwa asked, reaching for the man’s hand, so delicate and pretty for someone so intense. 

“Of course I will, Hwa.” Hongjoong promised, “Anything you want.” 

Hongjoong fit so perfectly nestled in Seonghwa's arms that he knew as soon as the other fell asleep, he would never be able to bear letting him go. He couldn't stand the thought of him moving back to Australia. Unless he was going in his suitcase. It wasn't like he had a whole lot going on here. Was that crazy? Move halfway across the world to be with someone whom two days ago, he had sworn he would have no interest in sleeping with? He decided to let his subconscious mind work that one out, finally meeting the sweet embrace of sleep. 

“Slut.” Something hit Seonghwa’s face. “Whore.” Again. “Harlot.” Yunho's voice. “Promise breaker.” He was throwing Cheerios at the two of them, still curled up in bed together. “Jezebel.” 

“Fuck off, Yunho.” Seonghwa grumbled, seeking asylum under his comforter. 

“No! You're the Skanky McBetrayerface!” Yunho whined, obviously joking, but still being a nuisance, just because he could. 

“Yun.” Hongjoong sighed, “I told him you were scheming. Now please, fuck off. I'm trying to give your roommate some morning dick.” 

“Ew.” Yunho's voice held genuine disgust, “Fine. But hey, Seonghwa. Don't say I didn't warn you when he drives you crazy in a few weeks!” 

“Please fuck all the way off before I let your brother penetrate me in front of you!” Seonghwa called, already beginning to straddle Hongjoong from underneath the covers. 

“Okay fine. You guys are mean.” Yunho stomped off dramatically, playing the part of youngest sibling remarkably well. 

“Um actually, can I fuck you this time?” Seonghwa asked after removing his mouth from the pulse point under Hongjoong’s jaw. 

“Oh, fuck yeah, by all means.”

Hongjoong was bouncing on his dick and Seonghwa felt amazing but the two of them kept bursting into fits of giggles as they were trying desperately to be quiet for Yunho's sake. Eventually, Seonghwa had to pull out and take him from behind so they could finish, seeing as every time they made eye contact, it devolved into laughter immediately. 

It was proving quite handy for their bedrooms to share a bathroom. 

As the weeks went on though, they pretty much only stayed in Seonghwa’s bed. Hongjoong unpacked very slowly, almost like he thought at any point he would be asked to leave. 

The comment that both he and Yunho had made about getting sick of him kept rattling around in the back of his mind, making less and less sense as he got to know the man better. 

Sure, Hongjoong liked knowing his whereabouts. He could see maybe how some people might find that to be overbearing or controlling. But in all honesty, Seonghwa liked it. He liked that someone cared enough to keep tabs on him like that. Hongjoong liked to read. A lot. He read non-fiction. Historical non-fiction. And the newspaper. He was very serious about the crosswords. He didn’t go out a whole lot. And sure, he was bad about spending his money on clothes rather than saving it. Seonghwa saw what could have been perceived as flaws, but to him, they were endearing. He was growing so incredibly fond. And the sex had only gotten better as time went on. 

Hongjoong came by the bar for the first time on Halloween. He was picking Seonghwa up after work to go to the party his old friend from boarding school, Jongho, had invited him to. They were going dressed as sexy Lincoln and sexy John Wilkes Booth. It was stupid. But it was funny to them. 

“Is that the hot brother?” Wooyoung asked as he waited at the bar for Seonghwa to prepare the drinks for his table. 

“Who?” Seonghwa asked, not knowing Hongjoong was there yet, haven’t having had time to check his phone all night due to how busy they were.

“The Booth to your Lincoln over there at the end of the bar.”

Hongjoong was there looking handsome as ever, if not a little goofy, and nervous for some reason. 

“Oh, Yeah. That is definitely him!” Seonghwa answered, sighing at how adorable he found the man. 

“Okay, yeah. I get it. He’s hot.” Wooyoung leaned in, “Is he like crazy dominant in bed? Because he looks like he would cannibalize anyone who looked at you for too long.”

“I am not dignifying that with an answer.” Seonghwa rolled his eyes, “But. Um. Yeah. It’s kind of incredibly hot.”

“Oh, I get it. Yeosang is territorial, too. I think it’s probably not something everyone is into. Yeosang apologized for being that way a lot when we first started hooking up. But I kept reassuring him that I like it. It’s hot. It’s nice to feel wanted like that.” Wooyoung was staring off into space, obviously deep in thought about Yeosang. 

“Hm. Yeah. That’s exactly it. Maybe that’s what they meant…”

“What who meant?” Wooyoung asked, curious as ever.

“Hongjoong and Yunho. They both said something to the effect of knowing that I would eventually get sick of Hongjoong. I think they were talking about him being possessive. But you’re right. I think it’s very, very attractive.” Seonghwa was actually getting a little hot and bothered just at the thought of it. 

“Okay, ew. Stop drooling. Can you please leave now? I like watching Yeosang bartend and I can’t do that if you’re here. Plus you’ve already made beaucoup tips.” He shook their oversized tip jar. It was true. It was nearly brimming over with cash and he saw plenty of bigger bills in there. 

“Slut.” He fished the cash out, “Okay byeeee!” He called after pocketing his tips and closing out his drawer, collecting Hongjoong on his way out. 

Jongho’s place was super cool, modern and expensive, looking like somewhere a Bond villain might reside, and the man himself was a little cold at first but quickly warmed up to Seonghwa the longer they spent together. Everyone loved their outfits. One man, Jongho’s friend, San, really liked Abe Lincoln, apparently. He kept touching his costume and leaning in, clearly not one to hold his alcohol well. Seonghwa didn't think he was flirting, really, mostly because he had seen him interact with plenty of others the same way that night. He figured the man was just touchy and friendly. Hongjoong spotted them talking and came over to snake his arm around Seonghwa’s waist. “Hi, baby.” Hongjoong all but sneered at San as he spoke, “Making friends?” He asked before pulling Seonghwa in for a messy kiss. Once released, Seonghwa watched as the man’s cat-like features went through a series of emotions, from confusion to understanding to acceptance, walking away with a small wave. 

“Sorry. I don’t know why I felt the need to do that.” Hongjoong said, shaking his head and stepping away from Seonghwa. 

“What? It doesn’t bother me, Joongie.” Seonghwa offered, reaching for him again.

Hongjoong took another step away, “No. I need to stop. I’m sorry.” He turned on his heel and tried to walk away, but Seonghwa caught his arm.

“Hey, whoa. Can we go somewhere and talk about this, please?”

“I know we haven’t been here long but can we go home if we’re going to talk about it?” Hongjoong asked, looking up at Seonghwa apologetically. 

“Yeah, sure, of course. Of course we can, baby.” Seonghwa reassured him. 

Hongjoong stared out the window in the backseat of the Uber the whole drive back to their apartment. He let Seonghwa hold his hand, but that was about it. Seonghwa’s mind was racing the entire way there. When they finally got back, he suggested they get showered and changed and meet in the living room afterwards. Hongjoong nodded, still refusing to make eye contact. Seonghwa showered quickly and changed clothes before heading into the kitchen to put on some water to make tea. Two cups of lavender chamomile with honey. He didn’t know if Hongjoong liked tea, but the ritual of making it helped calm his nerves anyway. By the time he carried the tea cups over to the coffee table in the living room, Hongjoong was finally emerging, face pink from being scrubbed clean, hair still wet, wearing one of Seonghwa’s sweatshirts he had evidently left in his room, looking rather small and vulnerable in it, seeing as it was big on him. 

“Come here,” Seonghwa offered, patting the couch beside him, “I made tea, does that sound good?”

Hongjoong sat down beside him on the couch, not touching him, but nodding at the offer of a hot beverage. Seonghwa handed him the mug carefully, warning that it was hot, trying to study his face, but remaining patient. 

“Thank you,” Hongjoong said after taking a sip, “This is nice. I don’t know why you’re being so kind to me.”

“Hongjoong, no offense, but what the fuck are you talking about?” Seonghwa asked, genuinely confused. 

“I…” Hongjoong finally met his eyes, looking completely distraught, “I don’t know where to start. I have some bad habits that I’m trying to break. But it’s hard. And I thought I was over them. Thought I could control them with you. Obviously I’m just as insane as I used to be.”

“First of all, you’re not insane. Second, can you elaborate? What habits?” Seonghwa dared to place a hand on the other’s knee to try to comfort him. 

Hongjoong took a deep breath, “I had a bad breakup, too. A few years ago. He cheated on me, made me think it was my fault, somehow. I stayed in it way too long trying to be ‘better’, be who he needed me to be to stay happy. But that was never going to happen. I should have known. There was no pleasing him. He swore up and down that he had stopped seeing the other guy but I knew he was lying and I ended up following him to prove myself right. I should have just fucking let it go. But then I confirmed it. After that, the harder I tried to cling on to him, the more distant he got. I wish I would have had enough self respect to just leave, but I was so stubborn. Ever since then, I have been kinda paranoid in relationships. It’s not that I can’t trust, it’s just that everything kind of feels like a threat, I guess. So I like knowing where my partner is. I like everyone else knowing they’re mine. That kind of behavior is typically a turn-off to people. That’s what I meant when I said I would scare you off. And when those feelings came up tonight after seeing you talking to San… I don’t even have any claim to you, Seonghwa. And I still couldn’t hold it together. I’m so fucking frustrated with myself.” Tears streaked down his face at the last part.

Seonghwa carefully removed the tea cup out of his hands, placed it on the coffee table, and pulled the man into his lap. It was his turn to comfort. 

“Oh, Joong. You’re okay, baby.” He stroked his hair, rubbed circles on his back, “Hey,” he leaned back slightly so he could look the other in the eye, “Look at me. No one I’ve ever been with has cared enough about me to ask my whereabouts. They parade me around because I’m a pretty object to be shown off. The possessiveness you’ve shown so far… I like it, Hongjoong. I was just talking to my co-worker about it at the bar when he saw you there, looking like you would happily murder anyone who dared to look at me for too long. Do I see how it could turn toxic? Sure, but I don’t think you’re toxic, Hongjoong. I think we both have some flaws. And I think we’re both adults who can work through them, if we want to. Personally, I want to. Have you balked at all any of the times I’ve been a hot mess after getting emotional? No. You’ve just helped me through it. And I would do the same for you, happily. As far as a ‘claim’ to me goes. Hongjoong. I want that. I know you thought you would scare me off but I knew after that first night, I want this with you. I know you have to go back to Australia and I honestly don’t know what it would look like, but I really, really want to try. I want to be yours, baby. Please. Let me.”

Hongjoong studied him for a moment like he thought he might burst out into laughter and yell ‘Sike!’ in his face or something. But of course, he didn’t. Seonghwa was dead serious. 

“You want me to claim you?” He asked, finally, eyes now dry and turning dark with desire. 

“Yes, baby. Please. Want everyone to know who I belong to.” Seonghwa felt heat stirring deep in his abdomen. 

“So I can mark you?”

“Yes. God, yes. Anywhere you want.” Seonghwa’s hands trailed down Hongjoong’s flank, desperate to touch him. 

“I’m going to make sure everyone knows who you belong to.” Hongjoong growled, pulling them both to their feet, abandoning their tea in favor of heading to Seonghwa’s bedroom. 

Hongjoong had left marks all over Seonghwa’s neck and down his thighs as he opened him up. 

“Are you clean? Can I take you raw? Please?” Seonghwa begged as Hongjoong reached for the condom. 

“I am. Are you sure?” 

“Yes. I said I wanted to be claimed. Want you to stuff me full, get me pregnant, baby. Wanna feel you leak out of me.” He was babbling, but he meant every word. 

“Christ, Hwa.” Hongjoong grunted as he applied lube before pulling Seonghwa into his lap, guiding him down carefully onto his cock, chest to chest as they made love, Seonghwa’s own dick pinned between their torsos. They caught their release simultaneously, foreheads pressed together, panting versions of each other’s names. 

They had to change the sheets after their shower. 

Later, in bed together, Seonghwa tried to confess his feelings. 

“Hongjoong?” He asked timidly from his spot on the man’s chest. 

“Hm?”

“I think I’m falling in love with you.” He said it so quietly he was afraid Hongjoong hadn’t heard.

“Baby… you’re just feeling good from the sex. Tell me again in the morning if you still feel that way, okay? I don’t want you to say something you don’t mean. You still barely know me.” 

“It doesn’t matter. I know how I feel.” He was feeling a little stubborn then, “I will tell you in the morning. Because I mean it.”

“Okay, darling. Get some sleep.” Hongjoong whispered, stroking his back in time with his breaths. 

“G’night.” Seonghwa replied, brain already foggy, half asleep.

“Goodnight, my little bunny.” Hongjoong kissed the crown of his head. 

Seonghwa woke up alone. He knew Hongjoong was gone. He could just feel it. The note on his bedside table only confirmed his fears. 

Seonghwa,

I’m sorry. You deserve better than what I can offer. I’m sure you will hate me for this, but I promise you, it’s for the best. You should be with someone who isn’t an obsessed, paranoid, possessive asshole. I hope you know I cherished every moment we spent together. You’re really something special. You will heal and move on and be glad that you didn’t tie yourself to me. Promise. Take care of yourself. 

-Hongjoong 

Seonghwa called into work that night. 

Then he called into work for the rest of the week, until Wooyoung became so concerned that he came by the apartment to make sure Seonghwa was alive. After explaining what happened, Wooyoung was uncharacteristically kind and attentive, nearly protective of him on their shifts together. It was nice. It made Seonghwa almost feel like a person again. 

November came and passed and he was completely numb to all of it. All he did was sleep, work, and play Animal Crossing. Yunho felt bad, like it was his fault somehow. Tried to make it up to him in little ways. Made sure he was fed and watered. It wasn’t until after Thanksgiving that he forced him out of the house. 

“We’re going to Mingi’s for a late Friendsgiving. Come on. Here,” Yunho tossed him a sweater and some jeans, “Boots and scarf, too, it’s going to snow. I’m not taking no for an answer. I’m serious, Hwa.” He stood in the doorway, ensuring Seonghwa actually got dressed. 

He wouldn’t admit it, but it was nice to be around people. Wooyoung and Yeosang were friends with Mingi, apparently, and although he saw them several times per week, it was nice seeing them outside of that context, curled up together on the couch, able to be openly together outside of the bar. Mingi had pulled him into a big bear hug despite them not being very close, and it almost made him cry. He was a good hugger. And it was the first physical affection he’d had in a month. He was sure he looked rough, haggard, face gaunt, dark circles under his eyes. He hadn’t even been able to call it a breakup this time, but it felt like one. Worse than one. 

But being here, with people who cared for him, and good food, sparkling wine, he began feeling some semblance of normality again. They were half an hour into a game of Catan when the doorbell rang, Mingi's black labrador retriever, Chicken, barked at the noise until Mingi opened the door to reveal Jongho and San. How they all knew each other, Seonghwa had no idea. But the two were holding hands and he realized just how silly Hongjoong had been at the party. Jongho seemed just as surprised to see him.

“Oh, hey. Nice to see you again.” He offered, shaking Seonghwa’s hand. 

“You, too.” Seonghwa answered, not really knowing if it was truthful or not.

“You look almost as bad as Hongjoong has when he facetimes with me.” Jongho chuckled. 

“Oh. You’ve talked to him?” He didn’t know why he was surprised. They were friends, afterall. 

“I’ve definitely talked to him. Well, he does most of the talking. He’s being very stupid, though. I keep telling him he was wrong for what he did and he needs to get his shit together and apologize profusely. He has a job offer here, you know. He’s just getting in his own way. I get it, he’s scared. But I still stand by him being very, very stupid.” 

“He what?” Seonghwa was confused. 

“You didn’t know?” Jongho looked at him sympathetically, “Sorry. Yeah. My company offered him a job. It was part of the reason he came to town. He declined when he fled the scene, but they haven’t stopped pursuing him. He’s like prodogiously good at his job.” 

“What the fuck.” Seonghwa felt even more betrayed than ever. 

“Yeah. Like I said. Very stupid” Jongho patted his arm, trying to be comforting, but mostly failing. 

Seonghwa snuck outside while everyone was distracted by the newcomers and made a phone call. He didn’t know if Hongjoong had him blocked or not because he hadn’t bothered to try to reach out, but he tried anyway. It rang five times before there was an answer.

“Hello?” Hongjoong’s voice sounded groggy but Seonghwa didn’t care enough to think about the time difference then. Fat snowflakes were falling on his face. He let them melt there, not bothering to wipe them away. 

“Kim Hongjoong. You fucking coward. You have until New Years before I block you. I’m so fucking mad at you. Don’t make me fly to Sydney, you son of a bitch. Come home. Take the job. That’s a threat. Come home and beg me to take you back before I change my mind on giving you another chance. I want you, you stupid idiot. Grow up. Get it together. Hurry the fuck up and get here.” 

“Seonghwa? I-”

“I said hurry the fuck up.” Seonghwa hung up the phone, feeling a little smug as he walked back inside. 

It was a beautiful white Christmas morning. Clear and cold, almost two feet of snow on the ground. Seonghwa had spent the whole day before cleaning his depression nest, feeling very confident that Hongjoong would show up any day now. Seonghwa had laid in bed for a while that morning, reading, drinking coffee, and enjoying the sight of snow falling outside the window. There was a knock at his bedroom door. He padded over in his slippers and Christmas tree patterned flannel pajama set to open it. 

Hongjoong stood in the doorway, holding a beautifully wrapped gift in his hand, snow-flecked beanie still on his head, nose pink from the cold. 

“Oh, hi. Took you long enough.” Seonghwa tried to be stern but couldn't hold back his smile. 

“You're happy to see me? You're something else, Park Seonghwa. You should be trying to throttle me right now.” Hongjoong said, a little sheepishly. 

“I should, but I'd like to hear you out first. You're too pretty to die young.” Seonghwa moved out of the doorway so he could come inside. 

“I, um. Made you something.” Hongjoong handed him the box as they sat side by side on Seonghwa’s bed, “It's not much. But I kinda learned how to crochet while I was gone.”

Seonghwa peeled the tape carefully, not wanting to waste the pretty paper. Inside was a box, which he opened to reveal a crocheted hat. It was soft and pink with floppy bunny ears on top. He loved it. 

“For my bunny.” Hongjoong said, giggling as Seonghwa tried it on. It fit perfectly. 

“Thank you, I love it, Hongjoong. But I hope you don't think this makes up for things.” 

“No, no, no. God no. Definitely not.” Hongjoong was practically tripping over his words. 

“Well. You're here. I'm all ears,” Seonghwa reached up to the bunny ears on his head, “Quite literally.” 

Hongjoong took a steadying breath, “Seonghwa. I'm so fucking sorry. I thought I knew what was best for you. For us. I panicked. I know that you said we could work through it. But I got this notion that I needed to protect you from myself. I don't think I would have been so scared had I not liked you so much. Then you said you were in love with me and I started to spiral.” He reached for Seonghwa's hands, eyes pleading as he continued, “But Seonghwa. You were right. I'm such a coward. I never ever should have run away like that. The fact that you had to be the one to call me and snap me out of it makes me sick. I honestly can't believe you'd even consider giving me another chance. But I had to try. My time here was the highlight of my year. I'm-” His hand reached up to caress Seonghwa's cheek. Seonghwa let him, and he continued, “I'm in love with you. If you'll give me another chance, I intend to prove to you every single day just how true that is. I'll call right now and accept the job. I just want to treat you right. How you deserve. And you deserve the absolute best. I can't promise you that I'll be perfect, but I will promise to always do my best. If you need time to think about it-” 

Seonghwa cut him off by kissing him. He didn't need to hear any more. He pulled back before it could get any more intense. 

“Sorry. You made me wait almost two whole months to do that.” Seonghwa scolded him, mostly joking, “I don't need time, baby. I want you right now. I'm still so mad at you, but I know you'll make it right. I'm willing to trust you, Hongjoong. Because I'm very much in love with you, too. I want to hear about your stupid history books. I want to help you with your crosswords. I want you to keep tabs on me and I want everyone to know that I belong to you. And I want you to call and accept that job, but first I want to take you right here on this bed until you forget you ever left in the first place.” 

“Get over here then.” Hongjoong instructed. 

It was just like their first time, Seonghwa underneath Hongjoong, crying out as he neared his release, back arching off the bed as Hongjoong nailed his prostate over and over. He had insisted on keeping the bunny hat on. 

“Come on, baby, go ahead. Let go for me, gorgeous.” Hongjoong instructed. 

“Hongjoong!” Seonghwa cried out as he came.

Hongjoong worked him through it, following quickly behind, “Yes, there we go. Fuck. Seonghwa-” He finished inside, Seonghwa loving the feeling of the warmth spreading uncontained deep in his abdomen.

They lay panting together on Seonghwa’s bed, Hongjoong tracing patterns on his back as they recovered. 

“What's with the bunny thing, anyway? I mean, I like it, I think it's really cute, actually, but it seems a little random.” Seonghwa inquired. 

Hongjoong sat up slightly, “You don't remember?” 

Seonghwa shook his head. 

“It was the only time you and Yunho convinced me to go to the playground with you on winter break.” He chuckled as he recalled the memory, “I took one hit and was a giggling mess. You guys made fun of me relentlessly. Then we saw a squirrel chase a bunny off, away from his acorns, chattering at it aggressively. I looked at you and said ‘I'm the squirrel.’ You nodded and said, ‘I'm the bunny.’ And then this big golden retriever had gotten loose from his leash and chased them both off and we cracked up, agreeing that that was Yunho.” 

“Oh my god, I do remember that! I can't believe I forgot!” Seonghwa sat up to kiss Hongjoong on the nose, “I also can't believe you remembered.” 

“I've thought of you as a bunny ever since then.” Hongjoong admitted.

“That's stupid.” Seonghwa squeezed him closer, “And adorable. I love you.”

“I love you, my little bunny.” 

New Years Eve was spent at Hongjoong’s new apartment, sort of a combined housewarming party. To everyone's surprise, Yunho and Mingi kissed as the clock struck twelve, far too passionately to just be friendly. 

“Are you guys-?” Hongjoong asked them when they finally came up for air. 

“Us?” Mingi asked, “Oh! Yeah. For a while now. We just weren't loud about it because of what you and Seonghwa were going through.”

“Huh.” Seonghwa and Hongjoong said in unison. 

“Well, um, congrats!” Seonghwa raised his champagne glass. 

“Cheers!” Yunho called, “To happy endings and new beginnings.”

“Cheers!” They echoed him. 

Later that night, after exploring every viable surface from which to have sex upon in Hongjoong’s new apartment, they lay in bed together, both too excited to sleep yet.

“What do you think about adopting?” Seonghwa asked as he stroked Hongjoong’s back, who was curled into his chest. 

“Like… a child?”

Seonghwa snickered at the obvious high pitched inflection his voice had taken as he asked the question, “No, silly. I was thinking a cat. Or maybe a rabbit.” 

Hongjoong kissed his chest where he could reach, “A bunny for my bunny. I think that's a great idea.” 

They adopted one the next day. Named her Squirrel because they were so funny. Funny, and very, very much in love.

[exouniverse]

Happy New Year

Pairing: yixing x gn reader

Genre: fluff, friends-to-lovers

Warnings: a little suggestive

Summary: You are getting ready to start the day and the new year, but your new boyfriend is still asleep, so you try to be as quiet as possible.

Word count: 620

A/N: This is exciting! I’ll be writing little drabbles like this one for this month, celebrating that it is my birthday month. I have it all set with all of the days assigned for the January Prompts from @creativepromptsforwriting but if anyone wants to request a member for any prompt, I’m completely open to it.

ALL JANUARY PROMPTS POSTS

Getting ready fast was almost an art for you, but you were also loud while doing so. This was a challenge now, as Yixing slept soundly on the bed, and the hotel room was dimly lit with the morning light coming through the thin curtains. You looked over at him, chuckling to yourself a bit, tiptoeing your way to the closet to get your clothes.

He had so much fun at the party last night, letting loose and enjoying himself. It was nice seeing him smile so much and dancing around with all of your friends.

Your eyes lingered on his lips, remembering the sweet New Year’s kiss you shared. You had to look all over for him as he got distracted mingling around. The minutes were ticking, and you had to still light up some sparklers and take your traditional New Year picture. It was like a scene from a rom-com movie, both of you finding each other on opposite sides of the room, smiles growing and a walk in slow motion.

The closet door squeaked as you tried closing it slowly, and you cursed under your breath. Looking back at Yixing, you noticed him shifting in his sleep and bit your lip unconsciously as if trying to stop any more sounds. It all seemed okay until you took a step back and stumbled with his bag, making you fall on the floor.

Yixing woke up at the sound and sat on the bed, his lidded eyes barely open, and his cute messy hair making you chuckle a little louder. You had tried to muffle your laugh at your clumsiness, but it was impossible.

“What happened? Who’s there?”

His voice was so raspy and deep even in his alerted state, but his sleepy face betrayed the sexiness it could have had. Your heart still skipped a beat, even though you found the entire situation quite entertaining. No matter how much your relationship changed the night before, he was still the same Yixing.

He spotted you on the floor on the other side of the room, and his eyes widened. “What happened, baby?” Yixing’s face tensed for a moment, as if he had let something slip that he was keeping a secret, but then quickly relaxed as he remembered the softness of your lips and the warmth of having you so close. “Ah, right… you’re now my baby.”

Your heart melted on the spot, witnessing his widening smile at his realization. “I’m okay, just fell on the floor.”

“What?” He moved out of bed in an almost jump and reached just in time to finish helping you get up.

“Just clumsy me…”

“No, no, are you okay? Any scratches? Does it hurt somewhere?” It’s like he didn’t even hear you through his worry. He started searching for any red spots or bruises, but all he found was the marks he left on your shoulder.

You managed to place a kiss on his cheek and made him stop. His head started turning slowly towards you from that little bruise and straight to your lips. Flashbacks to the night before occupied his mind while doing so, his face starting to be adorned with a tender yet hungry smile.

“Happy new year…” He whispered, the words almost a mumble. “I forgot to say that, didn’t I?”

A small chuckle escaped you as you held his gaze with yours. “Yeah, well… you rushed to kiss me at the last second, and then… we’re here, where our night led us.”

“I did tell you I like you, though, right?”

“Yeah, you definitely did!”

“Well,” he started, a smug grin on his lips, “today is the actual start of the new year… Happy New Year, baby.”

[roseyreveries]

Far Away - 10

Draco Malfoy x Fem!Muggle!Reader Previous Part <- click! Summary: You wake up inside the Harry Potter universe without any explanation as to why you're there. Disclaimer: All characters are being aged up for PLOT (1st years are 15, 7th years are 21) but characters may act immature and childish in the beginning at times to keep their character development. Not accurate to the books or movies. CW: hermione being aa sweetheart Directory <- click!

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ .

The castle was quieter now as I wandered the hallways, my thoughts still stuck on the encounter with Draco earlier. I had been trying to clear my head, but the sprawling corridors of Hogwarts seemed determined to lead me somewhere new.

Turning a corner near the library, I nearly bumped into someone— someone with a thick book clutched to their chest and an expression that screamed on a mission.

“Oh!” the girl exclaimed, taking a step back. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t—"

Hermione.

“Hey,” I said quickly, hoping to distract myself. “Are you doing anything right now?”

"Y/n! I'm not, I was actually going to the library to study a bit." Hermione smiled, evening out her books and hugging them to her chest.

"Great, can I join you? I need to get some stuff off my mind."

"Ugh, Malfoy got to you again didn't he?" She sighed, looking at me with sympathy.

“Not technically,” I said, shrugging. “I just ran into him earlier. He was being a complete prat— again.”

Hermione’s lips twitched, almost like she wanted to smile but wasn’t sure if she should. “That does sound like him.”

I hesitated, then added, “He was bullying this Hufflepuff kid. Calling him… well, you can guess. I couldn’t just stand there and let him get away with it.”

Hermione’s expression softened, and some of the tension in her shoulders eased. “That was brave of you,” she said quietly. “Not many people would stand up to him.”

“Yeah, well,” I muttered, glancing away. “It didn’t exactly go great.”

We found a quiet corner of the library, the late morning sunlight streaming through the high windows. Hermione spread out her books, glancing at me as if she wasn’t quite sure how to start a conversation.

“So,” Hermione began, pulling a quill from her bag. “Now that we can actually speak outside of helping each other with assignments, how are you finding Hogwarts so far?”

“It’s… a lot,” I admitted, leaning back in my chair. “Amazing, but also completely overwhelming.”

Hermione nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I felt the same way at first. It’s like stepping into another world.”

“Exactly,” I said, relaxing a little. Oh, if only she knew how spot on she was. “Everyone acts like I’m supposed to just… know things.”

Hermione’s head snapped up. “Are you Muggle-born?”

I froze, “uh— not exactly. It's complicated.”

Hermione tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “Complicated how?”

“I just…” I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. “Let’s just say I’m figuring it out as I go. It’s not exactly the smoothest transition.”

Hermione nodded slowly, her cautious demeanor softening even more. “I understand. A lot of us do. It’s not easy being new to this world.”

I felt a wave of relief. “Thanks. That… means a lot.”

For the next hour, we talked about classes, professors, and the quirks of Hogwarts life. Hermione’s cautious exterior melted away as we found common ground— mostly in their shared frustrations about Potions. I even managed to make Hermione laugh with an exaggerated impression of Snape.

“You know,” Hermione said as we packed up their things, “you’re not what I expected.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

“I mean,” Hermione said, a small smile tugging at her lips, “you’re in Slytherin, but you’re… nice.”

I smirked. “Don’t let it get out. I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”

Hermione laughed and packed up her things. That was until the door to the library creaked open, and a familiar figure strolled in.

Draco Malfoy.

My shoulders stiffened immediately, my gaze darting to him as he sauntered through the rows of tables. His platinum blond hair caught the light, and his expression was as icy as ever. He carried himself with that same arrogant confidence, his robes sweeping behind him like he owned the place.

Hermione noticed too, her posture straightening as she followed my line of sight. “Great,” she muttered under her breath. “Of course he’d come here.”

Draco hadn’t spotted us yet, but as he approached a nearby table, he froze mid-step. His sharp eyes locked onto me, and for a moment, the air felt heavy with tension.

He didn’t say anything— didn’t need to. The glare he shot me was enough to pierce through the silence. His jaw clenched, his pale skin tight over his sharp features, and his grip on the book in his hand looked almost painful.

But then, something flickered in his expression. The anger was still there, clear and cold, but there was something else, too. A hesitation. An avoidance. He quickly looked away, setting his book down on the table with more force than necessary and turning his back to us.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, my stomach twisting. I didn’t know what I had expected— another cutting remark? More venomous words? But the silent rage and his refusal to meet my eyes felt worse somehow.

“He keeps glaring at you.” Hermione stated, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Unfortunately,” I replied, her tone bitter. “He’s been… a problem.”

Hermione’s brow furrowed, and she leaned in slightly. “He’s glaring at you like you stole his broomstick. What happened?”

I hesitated, my chest tightening. “I… might have said something very personal to him.” I muttered, fiddling with the strap of my bag. “It got to him. I didn’t mean to hit a nerve, but—”

“Malfoy doesn’t like anyone hitting a nerve,” Hermione interrupted softly, her gaze flicking back to him. “He puts on a good show, but… well, you saw what happens when someone gets too close.”

I nodded, my gaze drifting back to Draco. He was sitting perfectly still, his back straight and his head tilted down toward his book, though I doubted he was actually reading. Every now and then, I caught him shifting, like he was hyper-aware of her presence.

Hermione sighed, leaning back in her chair. “He’s not going to say anything,” she whispered. “Not here, at least.”

“Good,” I replied, though my voice sounded far more uncertain than she wanted it to.

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