#and also: LUKE THAT WAS UNNECESSARY | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

nylqnder · 7 months ago

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ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR QUINN HUGHES

pairings: quinn hughes x fem!reader, (little bit of) jack hughes x fem!reader

summary: trevor invites you to a lakehouse for the summer, attempting to set him up with his friend. however, the summer doesn't go to plan when you meet his older brother who captures your eye and flips everything upside down.

warnings: very obviously angst, sort of a love triangle, jack and quinn kind of hating each other, slow burn, reader and trevor having a sibling type relationship, one singular kiss, brief appearances from trevor & luke

word count: 11.6k

notes: wooooo mama this is the absolute longest thing i've ever written. i really hope you guys enjoy it, i'm pretty happy with this.

The scene of the lake house standing tall in front of you was something straight out of your imagination. It was picturesque, the way the large house was nestled amongst the pine trees and the glimmering water sparkling behind it. It was just the way that Trevor had described it when he invited (or rather insisted) you to come to his buddy’s lake house this summer.

“You’ll love it! It’s so nice up there,” Trevor had urged, his enthusiasm infectious. You could still hear his voice, brimming with excitement. “It’s my friend Jack’s place. You guys would get along great! And his brothers are super chill too.”

At the time, you’d felt a mix of curiosity and skepticism. It’d been about three years you’d been friends with Trevor, long enough to know that when his tone got this excited and he was this insistent, he was up to something.

“Are you trying to set me up with him?” you’d asked, narrowing your eyes suspiciously at Trevor as the two of you sat in a coffee shop a few months ago. He had been uncharacteristically fidgety, bouncing his knee up and down while stirring his iced coffee with an unnecessary amount of focus.

Trevor had grinned at you in that annoyingly charming way he did when he was caught. “Nooo, I’m just saying you guys would vibe. He’s a cool guy. Super chill.”

You rolled your eyes, folding your arms across your chest. “Uh-huh. And his brothers?”

“Also cool!” Trevor leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. “But listen, Jack’s the one I think you’d really like. Just come for like, a week or two, see what happens. No pressure. I promise you’ll have fun.”

You’d hesitated, not entirely convinced. But Trevor knew exactly how to play on your curiosity, and a month later, you found yourself packing a bag for a summer getaway at some lake house owned by Trevor’s friend, Jack. Despite your reservations, a part of you was intrigued. What if Trevor was right?

The drive to the lake house had been a blur, punctuated by Trevor’s nonstop chatter and your own uncertain silence. You weren’t opposed to meeting Jack. Trevor had sung his praises for months, claiming you two had more in common than either of you realized. As far as setups went, this wasn’t terrible — you could trust Trevor to have good judgment. But still, you were unsure and slightly uneasy about the whole situation.

When you arrive, Jack is already waiting outside, leaning against the porch rail, hands shoved into the pockets of his shorts. He’s smiling — an easy, laid-back smile that makes you smile back automatically. The sun filters through the trees, casting warm, gold light on the porch, and for a moment, everything feels serene.

Trevor wasn’t lying when he commented about Jack’s appearance. “Some people call him a pretty boy but… I mean he is pretty, but he’s a good-looking dude, y’know?” He was definitely attractive, something anyone could admit you thought, but he wasn’t totally your type.

Trevor bounds up the steps of the porch, dapping up Jack and pulling him in for a hug. You followed, stopping at the bottom of the steps, watching as Trevor whispered something into Jack's ear, Jack’s eyes catching yours as a small smile appeared on his lips.

Jack steps forward, extending a hand. “Hey, you must be y/n. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he says, his voice warm with that relaxed confidence you’d expect from someone who’s used to being the center of attention.

You shake his hand, feeling the easy smile on your face widen a little. “All good things, I hope.”

Trevor laughs, throwing an arm around Jack’s shoulder. “Mostly good things.” He winks at you, and you can’t help but roll your eyes.

Jack offers to give you a quick tour of the place, and you agree, letting him guide you inside while Trevor stays back, grumbling to himself about having to bring in your bags. The inside of the house is as beautiful as the outside, with high ceilings, wooden beams, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the lake. Despite being a new build, it has a cozy, rustic feel to it. Jack pointed out each room as you went, keeping up a steady flow of conversation that put you at ease. He was friendly and thoughtful, making sure you felt welcomed, and it struck you as genuine. You could see why Trevor thought you’d get along with him.

“And this is the back deck,” Jack said as he pushed open a sliding door, revealing a sprawling view of the lake, with a dock stretching out in front of the property. The lake is glittering and relatively calm, aside from a figure disturbing the water. You squint, watching as the swimmer glides smoothly through the lake.

“Who’s that?” you ask Jack, eyes not leaving the figure as you watch him pull himself up onto the wooden dock, pushing dark wet hair from his face.

“That’s Quinn,” Jack says, following your gaze and glancing out toward the dock. “My older brother.”

The sun seems to linger on Quinn’s form, highlighting the toned muscles in his arms as he stretches briefly, rolling his shoulders to ease out any lingering tension from his swim. Droplets of water cling to his skin, catching the sunlight and tracing down his chest in slow, winding trails emphasizing the smooth contours of his muscles as they glisten.

“Q!” Jack shouts, whistling to get his brother’s attention. Quinn’s gaze snaps to the two of you, your pulse quickening as his eyes land on you. “Come up here!”

Quinn grabs his towel from the dock, throwing it over his shoulder as he makes his way up the lawn towards you. As he climbs the steps to the deck, you feel his eyes travel over you, not in a way that feels intimidating, but with a curiosity that mirrors your own. There’s something magnetic about him, something calm and steady that draws you in as he steps up onto the deck, his mouth curving into a small, barely-there smile.

“This is Trevor’s friend, y/n. She’s joining us for the summer” Jack introduces.

As Quinn’s gaze flickers back to you, you notice there’s something about the way he looks at you — subtle, assessing. His gaze has a certain depth, a look you can’t quite decipher. It lingers just a second longer than what feels typical, enough to make your heartbeat skip, to leave you questioning the flicker of interest in his expression.

“Nice to meet you,” Quinn says, his voice low and smooth, a perfect complement to the quiet confidence he exudes. He reaches out to shake your hand, and as your fingers meet, you notice how warm his touch feels, even with the cool water droplets still lingering on his skin.

Up close, he’s even more striking. There’s a sort of ruggedness to him, outlined by the sharpness of his jaw and the intensity of his gaze. His eyes, a greenish shade of blue, hold yours with a calm intensity that makes it hard to look away.

“Nice to meet you too,” you manage, your voice coming out softer than you intended, and you feel heat rise to your cheeks. You mentally kick yourself, hoping he doesn’t notice, but the glimmer in his eyes suggests otherwise.

Jack, oblivious to the undercurrent, clapped his hands, breaking the moment. “Alright, well, there’s more to see, and if we don’t get back, Trevor’s going to start whining about being abandoned,” he joked.

You chuckle, your eyes pulling away from Quinns’ for the first time since he joined you on the porch. But as you turned to follow Jack back inside, you couldn’t help but glance back at Quinn. He was still watching you, his expression softened just slightly, and you felt a quiet thrill at the way he watched you.

The first week at the lakehouse passes in a flurry of days that blur together in laughter and lakeside relaxation. You fall into an easy routine of swimming, grilling, and long talks on the deck. Jack and Trevor keep things lively, always organizing something, whether it’s an impromptu game of cornhole, a daring cliff dive, or a spontaneous trip into town.

With Jack, the connection forms fast. He’s lighthearted, quick with a joke, and endlessly charming. He keeps you laughing and keeps the vibe lighthearted. His energy is infectious, and he keeps you roped into every activity, whether it’s cliff-jumping or getting you to help him with dinner when it’s his turn. You can tell that Trevor’s plan to get the two of you set up is working for Jack, as he lingers closer, laughs harder at your jokes, and you begin to feel his gaze linger on you just a little too long.

But it’s Quinn who holds your attention in a way you hadn’t anticipated.

Quinn is different from Jack in nearly every way. Where Jack is open and quick to draw you into his orbit, Quinn lingers on the edges, observing and listening. When he speaks, it’s with a low, steady voice that commands attention without trying. And unlike Jack’s energy, which feels like the buzz of the sun overhead, Quinn’s is deep and mysterious like the lake.

You find yourself gravitating toward him at every opportunity, captivated by the way he moves through the days with an unruffled calm. The nights at the lake house slip into an easy rhythm, with Quinn and you inevitably being the last ones awake as the both of you are night owls. Most nights, you find yourselves lingering on the porch, wrapped in the gentle hum of crickets and the low whisper of the lake. With the others upstairs, fast asleep, you and Quinn fall into intimate conversations, shared only between the two of you.

One night, you find yourselves tucked away on the porch, the air a little cooler than the other nights. You are curled up on a rocking chair, bundled up in a hoodie you’d borrowed from Jack. Quinn sat across from you, the beer he’d started during dinner going warm in his hand.

Quinn studies you, his eyes catching the faint glow of the porch light as he swirls his bottle absentmindedly. “So,” he begins, breaking the comfortable silence, “What’s California like?” He leans forward, genuinely interested, his voice carrying a warmth that makes you want to spill everything about life on the West Coast.

A soft smile creeps onto your face. “It’s… different from here,” you admit, glancing out at the lake where the moon dances on the still water. “It’s a bit fast-paced. And warm. Lots of sun, lots of people. But sometimes, it feels like everyone’s moving so quickly that you get lost in the crowd.”

Quinn nods, his eyes steady on you. “I get it. I feel the same way about Vancouver sometimes. Coming back here… it just reminds me that there's more than the noise and rush. There’s… balance out here.” He gestures out toward the lake, his voice contemplative. “Like all of this has a way of pulling you back to what matters.”

His words resonate deeply, and you find yourself nodding. “Exactly,” you murmur. “It’s like there’s space to breathe. And you notice things that usually get lost in all the… chaos.”

Quinn’s gaze lingers on you a moment longer, a small smile forming at the corner of his mouth. “I’m glad you came. It’s been… good to have you here,” he says quietly, his eyes soft. “We don’t have other people up here often.”

Your heart pounds a little faster at the sincerity in his voice, and for a second, the rest of the world disappears. There’s only Quinn and the quiet lake, and the feeling that he understands you in a way you hadn't expected anyone to. You hold his gaze, feeling the electricity between you grow, filling the silence with something you can’t quite name.

But then, as if drawn back to reality, Quinn’s eyes shift, his expression subtly changing. “And Jack,” he says, almost as an afterthought. “He… really likes you, you know? He doesn’t say it, but I can tell.”

It feels like a splash of cold water. You break eye contact, pulling your hoodie closer around you, the warmth you felt moments ago dissipating. The weight of Jack’s interest hangs heavily between you and Quinn now, an undeniable reminder of the complicated line you’re toeing.

“Right, yeah…” you reply softly, looking down, your voice tinged with a mix of guilt and frustration. You hadn’t meant for this to get complicated, yet here you are, caught between two brothers who couldn’t be more different.

An uncomfortable silence settles over you both, thick and heavy. Quinn’s eyes linger on you, as if he’s about to say something more, but he holds back. His lips press into a thin line, and you wonder if he’s feeling the same conflict, the same confusion that’s twisting knots inside you.

You force yourself to look away, swallowing hard. “I think… I should probably head to bed,” you murmur, avoiding his gaze. You stand up, offering him a small, tight-lipped smile that doesn’t quite reach your eyes. “Goodnight, Quinn.”

Quinn nods, his expression unreadable as he watches you ebb towards the door. “Goodnight, y/n,” he murmurs, his voice low and steady, though there’s a flicker of something in his gaze — disappointment, perhaps, or longing. You slip inside, leaving him on the porch, the weight of his gaze heavy on your back as you close the door.

In bed, you toss and turn, Quinn’s words and the feel of his gaze lingering with you. Your mind is a whirlwind, caught between the easy, carefree friendship that’s growing with Jack and the simmering tension you feel with Quinn. Jack is perfectly nice and, like Trevor told you, the two of you were getting along swimmingly.

But no matter how much you try, your thoughts always drift back to Quinn. There’s something undeniably different about him, something that makes it impossible to feel the same way about Jack, no matter how hard you try. Jack’s presence is light and friendly but with Quinn… it’s like there’s a hidden gravity pulling you toward him, a quiet understanding that lingers beneath the surface of every conversation. Every night on that porch, he’s become your anchor, drawing you into a world that feels more honest, more intimate.

You lie there, staring up at the ceiling, your mind replaying the way he looked at you tonight — that almost undetectable spark that you’re sure you didn’t imagine. The way he listens to you, like every word matters, as he sees past the small talk and into the parts of you you rarely share. There’s no pretending with Quinn. And even though he’d mentioned Jack, it only made you realize how much more you’re drawn to Quinn. Jack might be developing feelings for you, but it’s Quinn who fills your thoughts, who leaves you breathless in a way you can’t ignore.

You pull the covers tighter around you, willing sleep to take you, but every thought seems to lead back to Quinn, to the way he made you feel seen, understood — even in silence.

The next morning, you do your best to shake off the lingering tension from the night before, determined to keep things light and normal. Under Jack’s enthusiastic suggestion, the group decides to spend the day out on the lake, hoping the sun and water will wash away any unease. It’s a sunny day, warm with a light breeze, and the water sparkles invitingly under the sunlight, making you think that everything might just go smoothly.

The boat is anchored in a calm spot on the lake and, despite the wonderful weather, there doesn’t seem to be another boat around. Trevor and Luke sit up in the bow, arguing about which mascot would win in a fight between Mr. Clean and Tony the Tiger.

Jack is quick to pull you into the action, handing you a beer from the cooler as he grins. “Alright,” he says, his smile as wide as the lake. “Are you ready for the full lake house experience? Because to really do that, you’ve got to jump off the boat at least once today.”

You laugh, shaking your head as you crack open the can. “I’m pretty sure you’re just making up rules to mess with me.”

He shrugs, a playful glint in his eye. “Maybe, but you have to do it anyway,” he shrugs.

Trevor chimes in, chuckling from his spot. “Jack’s right, y/n. First-time lake visitors have to jump. It’s tradition!”

You chuckle, your gaze drifting up to Jack as he stands in front of you. The sun shines directly behind him, casting him in a golden halo, the bright rays spilling around his frame in a way that makes him look almost ethereal. For a moment, you can see why anyone would fall for that charm. But even with this picture-perfect moment, you feel a pang of regret that you can’t feel more for him, because, somehow, your thoughts are pulled elsewhere and on someone else.

Jack’s laughter brings you back to the moment, and he leans a little closer. “Come on, we can make it a team effort. I mean, if you’re too nervous, I can just hold your hand.” His voice is playful, but there’s a hint of sincerity in his words, a hope that you’ll let him bridge the gap he’s trying so hard to close.

Your smile is genuine, but before you can respond, you hear Quinn's low chuckle from behind you. It’s soft, barely audible over the hum of the boat’s motor, but enough to pull your focus completely away from Jack. You glance back at Quinn who’s sat on the back bench, leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, a flicker of something in his gaze as it bears down on the two of you.

Your attention is pulled back to Jack as he reaches for your hand in a gesture that feels both playful and pointed. “Come on, y/n, it’ll be an official initiation. We’ll jump together, yeah?”

Your gaze flickers between Jack’s outstretched hand and Quinn, who’s watching with an inscrutable expression, his eyes narrowed slightly as he leans back, crossing his arms. You can’t deny there’s an awkward tension here, a silent push-and-pull between the two brothers that seems to amplify whenever Quinn is nearby.

Swallowing the strange, charged feeling building between you all, you look back at Jack and nod, forcing a lighthearted smile as you stand up, pulling off the oversized t-shirt you wore as a coverup. You see Jack’s eyes scan your figure, hearing him gasp quietly. You blush, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear, taking his hand. He grins in triumph, his fingers warm against yours as he helps you stand at the edge of the boat. He holds on a little tighter than necessary, and the flicker of anticipation in his eyes doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Ready?” Jack asks, his voice softer now, his gaze lingering a bit too long as he watches your expression. There’s a hopeful vulnerability in his face, a look that makes you hesitate for a moment. You don’t want to hurt him, but there’s a part of you that wishes he’d pull back, that he’d realize you’re not as invested in this connection as he is.

You manage a nod, hoping he doesn’t notice the small sigh you let slip. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

He beams, counting down with a quiet “three… two… one!” before the two of you leap into the lake together, the cool water rushing up to meet you. When you surface, you’re greeted by Jack’s laughter as he splashes you, pulling you into a playful water fight. You laugh along, though your eyes instinctively drift toward the boat, where Quinn looks over the edge, watching you both with an unreadable expression.

Jack’s laughter fades slightly as he notices your attention elsewhere, his face falling for a fraction of a second. But he quickly masks it, pulling you back with a light splash. “Hey, stay with me here,” he says, his tone half-joking, half-pleading. And you want to, you really do, but Quinn’s gaze is magnetic, and you can’t help but feel pulled toward him, as if there’s an invisible thread between the two of you.

Eventually, Jack climbs back onto the boat, reaching out to help you up. But the moment you step back on board, the charged silence returns, thick and stifling, as Quinn hands you a towel, his fingers brushing against yours just long enough to send a spark up your arm. You catch his gaze for a brief second, and you’re struck by the quiet intensity in his eyes, a longing that mirrors your own.

Jack clears his throat, his shoulders tensing slightly as he glances between you and Quinn. He lets out a forced laugh, trying to dispel the tension. “Alright, what’s next? We could always do another round of jumps, or maybe a swim to the dock?” He says it with an almost desperate cheerfulness, trying to regain your attention, trying to keep the moment light.

Trevor and Luke, sensing the tension, start bantering about who would be the fastest swimmer, their playful arguments distracting you all for a moment, lightening the mood just enough.

────୨ৎ────

The night air was crisp as laughter and the crackling of the fire filled the space around the lake house. The lake is quiet behind you, a dark, glassy surface reflecting only starlight. You were settled in a lawn chair, leaning back, watching as Trevor dramatically recounted a story about when you nearly crashed his car.

You could feel his eyes on you, searching for a shared smile, hoping to catch your gaze even as he chuckled at Trevor’s theatrics. Every so often, he'd lean in, commenting with a low murmur meant only for you. He’d even offered you his hoodie earlier, though the night wasn’t nearly cold enough to need it. It was endearing, if not a bit overeager. Yet, despite the obvious attention from him, your focus kept drifting across the fire.

Quinn sat across the flames from you, leaning back in an Adirondack chair. His attention was barely on the story, barely laughing with the others as you had been. Every now and then you’d catch his eyes flicker your way, lingering on you just long enough to send a thrill through your chest. Your stomach tightened with a quiet anticipation each time, though as quickly as the moment arrived, it vanished. Quinn’s gaze would shift, his attention lost somewhere in the darkness beyond the flames, leaving you wondering if you’d only imagined it.

As Trevor finally wrapped up his tale with an exaggerated flourish, the group’s laughter rang out again, filling the quiet night. You shifted in your chair, stealing a glance across the fire to see Quinn looking your way again, his expression unreadable in the dancing light. The firelight cast soft shadows over his face, illuminating his quiet intensity—a contrast to Jack’s open interest. And just as quickly as his eyes met yours, he looked away, his focus deliberately elsewhere, leaving you feeling a subtle ache of frustration.

Jack nudged your arm gently, his voice breaking the spell. “Hey, want to grab a drink or something? I think I saw some ciders in the cooler on the porch.”

“Oh, yeah, sure,” you replied, a small smile curving your lips as you pushed yourself up to join him.

You could feel the weight of Quinn’s gaze on you, or maybe it was just wishful thinking. As you walked toward the porch with Jack, a pang of prickling guilt settled over you, leaving a heavy shadow with every step. Jack was wonderful — funny, kind-hearted, and clearly eager to spend time with you. And yet, there was an emptiness in each smile you returned to him, a hollowness you couldn’t ignore. You tried to shake it off, reminding yourself to appreciate his warmth and interest. But you couldn’t deny it. There was no spark, no unspoken gravity that pulled you toward him.

The two of you reached the porch, Jack handing you a cold can from the cooler, his fingers brushing yours briefly. He shot you a quick grin, the kind that seemed to hold a hundred different things he wanted to say. But the look in his eyes—the hopefulness, the eagerness—only tightened the knot in your chest.

Jack took a sip of his drink, leaning casually against the porch railing, his gaze still on you. “It’s nice here at night, isn’t it?” His tone was light, but there was an unmistakable softness to his voice, as though he wanted nothing more than to keep this moment between just the two of you.

“Yeah, it really is,” you agreed, looking out at the lake rather than meeting his eyes. “It’s peaceful.”

Jack’s voice was quieter when he spoke this time like he was mulling something over. “You know, it’s been great having you up here. I mean…I’m glad Z brought you here.” he said softly, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. There was a vulnerability there, one that made you want to reassure him, to ease the sting of your own uncertainty.

You wanted to tell him you felt the same, that you were excited, that his attention filled you with butterflies. But it didn’t. Not the way Quinn’s lingering gaze did, not in the way his silence could reach across the fire and wrap around you more tightly than any words Jack could offer.

And Jack could sense it. You could see it in the way his gaze fell just a bit, in the way he seemed to retreat into himself, trying to figure out where he’d lost you. A soft, sinking guilt bubbled up, but before you could say anything, he cleared his throat and looked at you, trying to keep the mood light.

“Should we head back?” he asked, giving you a small smile that tried to mask the disappointment behind his eyes.

You nodded, and as you followed him back toward the fire, your eyes drifted back to Quinn. Why did he have to make it so complicated? Jack was there, warm and steady, giving you his full attention, yet your heart kept tugging you toward Quinn — Quinn, who never gave you more than half-glances and unspoken hints. It was as though he knew the effect he had on you but chose to keep you guessing, leaving you in this restless, uncertain state. And every time he looked away, your chest would ache with a longing that you couldn’t shake, no matter how hard you tried.

You felt like you were making it up in your head. You felt like all of this was just concocted by your brain, a made-up situation. But then you’d think back to the nights when it was just the two of you, sitting across from one another on the porch, finding bits of commonality, causing you to talk for hours.

It was during those quiet nights, with only the soft hum of the lake and the occasional call of night birds, that the two of you would sit just a little closer, voices lowered as if sharing secrets with the stars. He’d be calm, reserved, but there’d always be a hint of a smile when you teased him about his stoic nature, a glint in his eyes when he’d challenge you back. It was in these moments that your doubts faded, that all the confusion seemed worth it.

But then the sun would rise again, and Quinn’s indifference would come back like the morning mist, blanketing any closeness you thought you’d found. The spark that seemed so real under the cover of night would dim, replaced by his guarded demeanor and quiet aloofness. It was maddening, this cycle of near-closeness followed by a cool retreat. He’d show you just enough to make you wonder, to keep you holding onto the memory of his quiet smile and that soft look in his eyes.

As you and Jack rejoined the group, you settled back into your chair, glancing across the fire toward Quinn once more. He was looking down, a hand idly fiddling with the edge of his sweater. There was something vulnerable about him in that moment, something that made you wonder if maybe—just maybe—he felt the same hesitation and uncertainty. You wanted to bridge that gap, to ask him if he ever felt the same tug, the same strange pull that made every shared glance linger in your mind.

But before you could even entertain the idea, Jack’s hand brushed your shoulder, pulling your attention back to him. He was smiling, his gaze as steady and warm as ever, making you wish you could return it with the same openness.

“Hey, you okay?” Jack asked, concern lacing his voice. You hadn’t realized the way you were chewing on your lip, or the way your brow was furrowed ever so slightly.

You nodded, giving him a soft smile that you hoped looked genuine. “Yeah, just…lost in thought, I guess.”

But as you said it, your gaze slipped across the fire once more, finding Quinn’s eyes fixed on you with that familiar, unreadable intensity. And for a fleeting second, you thought you saw a softness there, a hint of something deeper. It vanished just as quickly, but that one look was enough. It was enough to make you cast away the doubt that lingered in your mind, to dismiss the thought that this was all in your head.

The night dragged on, punctuated by laughter and more ridiculous storytelling from Trevor. Gradually, one by one, everyone began to call it a night. Luke was the first to slip away, yawning as he muttered something about wanting to have an early workout, clapping Trevor on the shoulder before heading inside. Trevor followed soon after, stretching with exaggerated laziness before flashing a grin and winking at you. “Don’t get into too much trouble out here,” he teased, earning a playful eye-roll from you.

Finally, it was just you, Jack, and Quinn. Jack was lingering, his eyes occasionally drifting to you with a look that hinted at something he wanted to say but couldn’t quite bring himself to voice. He shifted in his seat, clearing his throat as he looked at you, then glanced over at Quinn.

"Alright, I guess I’ll head in, too," Jack finally said, his tone reluctant. His gaze lingered on you for just a beat too long, as though he wanted you to ask him to stay or tell him that you would head up with him. But you didn’t, and after a quiet sigh, he nodded, gave Quinn a brief glance, then turned and headed inside, the screen door shutting softly behind him.

And then it was just the two of you.

The quiet stretched between you and Quinn, thick and tense, as the night air settled into a stillness that seemed to wrap around you both. The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the soft rustle of the trees, and it was painfully quiet, each unspoken word between you two heavy with meaning. You could feel his presence, magnetic and steady, even across the fire. Finally, after a moment that felt like an eternity, you drew a deep breath and decided to speak.

“Quinn, can we talk?” Your voice was steady, but just barely. Quinn’s eyes finally locked with yours for the first time since before everyone began to filter to bed. Quinn nodded after a couple of seconds, giving you the silence to continue.

“I don’t know what’s going on between us,” you said softly. “But… fuck, I can’t stop thinking about you, and it’s driving me crazy. I need to know if it’s all just in my head or if you feel it too. Because if there’s a reason I feel this way… I need to know.”

You trailed off, heart hammering against your ribcage as the words hung in the air between you. For a moment, he didn’t respond, his expression unreadable, his face softened by the glow of the firelight. Then, with a sigh, he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees as he stared into the flames. His silence was torture, each passing second pulling you deeper into a pit of anxiety and frustration.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low and steady, as if he’d rehearsed this response in his mind countless times. “It’s not in your head,” he admitted, his gaze flickering up to meet yours. “There’s something here, between us. I feel it too.”

The words sent a rush of relief and hope through you, a spark that reignited all those moments spent wondering and waiting for some kind of sign. A soft smile spread across your face, the edges of your doubt finally beginning to soften. But then, his expression shifted, the corners of his mouth tightening as he looked away, eyes fixed on the shadows just beyond the firelight.

“But…” His voice was barely a whisper, rough around the edges. “It can’t go anywhere. Not with Jack. He’s…he’s into you.” He looked back at you, the regret in his eyes evident, a pain mirrored in your own chest. “I can’t do that to him.”

His words were like a punch to the gut, and the warmth of the fire suddenly felt distant, fading into a cold, empty ache spreading through your chest. You hadn’t expected it to hurt this much, hadn’t realized how much you’d been hoping he’d say the opposite, that he’d fight for whatever was happening between you.

You dropped your gaze, feeling foolish, vulnerable, exposed. “So that’s it? We just… pretend this doesn’t exist?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper. “Like nothing’s been happening all this time?”

Quinn’s jaw tightened, and he looked away, his expression pained. “I don’t want to pretend. But I can’t… I won’t hurt him, not like that. He’s my brother.” He hesitated, his voice cracking slightly. “And he really cares about you.”

You swallowed hard. It felt ridiculous—being here, feeling so foolishly hopeful, only to be left with a hollow ache and a fractured connection that couldn’t ever be more. Part of you wanted to yell at him for leading you on, for those late-night conversations and stolen glances, for every unspoken word that now felt like a cruel joke.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I wish it could be different.”

The words left you hollow. Part of you wanted to fight, to tell him that what you felt couldn’t just be ignored, but another part — the part that knew him and understood his loyalty — couldn’t bring yourself to ask him to choose you over his brother. Not when you saw the conflict in his eyes, the pain that mirrored your own.

“Fine,” you whispered, barely able to meet his gaze. You stood up, the cool night air prickling your skin as you walked away from the fire, leaving him there in silence. You didn’t look back. It felt like your chest was filled with broken glass, each breath painful, as you made your way back to the house.

Inside, the stillness was almost suffocating. The others had already gone to bed, and the darkened living room felt cold and empty, mirroring the ache in your heart. You climbed the stairs to your room, shutting the door softly behind you as you sank onto the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall. A mix of anger and sadness filled you. You were mad at Quinn, for drawing you in only to push you away; mad at Jack, for being in the way even if he hadn’t meant to be; mad at Trevor, for ever convincing you to come here; and, perhaps most of all, mad at yourself, for letting your heart hope for something that could never be.

The next morning, a heavy quiet blanketed the lake house. You moved through the motions of breakfast with the others, but your thoughts felt distant, lost somewhere between the memories of last night and the weight of Quinn’s words. The morning was made slightly easier by the absence of Quinn who you were told went into the town early that morning to run errands and hit the gym. The guys bantered and talked about heading out on the boat, planning an afternoon on the lake, but you could only muster half-hearted nods and polite smiles. It was hard to focus, every small sound—the clinking of mugs, the soft scrape of a chair—only intensifying the ache you couldn’t shake.

Excusing yourself, you slipped away before anyone could ask questions, making your way down to the dock. The air was cool, a gentle breeze rippling across the lake's surface, and you sat at the edge, feet dangling above the water. You were still in your sleep outfit, not exactly pyjamas, but rather a comfy oversized hoodie and a pair of mens boxers. The familiar scent of pine and fresh earth surrounded you, but even the peaceful view couldn’t ease the storm of emotions inside.

The quiet was soon broken by the sound of footsteps approaching, and you didn’t need to look to know it was Jack. You felt him sit beside you, his presence warm and grounding. For a moment, he didn’t say anything — just let the silence settle between you both, as though he was waiting for you to be ready.

Finally, he cleared his throat, glancing sideways at you. “You okay this morning? You’ve been… quiet,” he said softly, his voice tentative, as if he were stepping carefully around broken glass. “Distant.”

You swallowed, bracing yourself as you met his gaze. His eyes were filled with genuine concern, a softness that only made this harder. “Yeah,” you murmured, looking back out at the lake. “Guess I just needed some space.”

Jack nodded, though he didn’t seem convinced. His fingers drummed nervously on the edge of the dock, and after a beat, he spoke again, his tone thoughtful, almost nostalgic.

“You know,” he began, eyes cast down at the water, “when Trevor told me he was bringing a friend this summer, he was so sure we’d hit it off. He kept going on about how you and I would be perfect for each other, that we’d get along great.” A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “I remember feeling this weird, excited energy like… maybe he was right, you know? Maybe I was going to meet someone special.”

You felt a lump forming in your throat as he continued, his voice carrying a warmth that was both comforting and deeply bittersweet.

“And when you got here…” He hesitated, his eyes meeting yours, as if to gauge your reaction. “I don’t know, it just… felt easy, from the start. Like we’d known each other forever. I started to feel like maybe Trevor had been onto something.” He gave a soft laugh, but there was no humor in it, just the weight of unspoken feelings.

“Things felt really good between us, and I thought you felt it too,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “So I started to get my hopes up—thinking maybe this was the start of something real.”

You winced, guilt gnawing at you. “Jack… I’m so sorry,” you said, your voice shaky. “I didn’t mean to lead you on, truly. I think you’re amazing. From the bottom of my heart, I just… I mean there’s gotta be some sort of spell this fucking house puts me under because I would be insane otherwise to not like you! You… you’re so perfect that any other girl would be scremaing at me, trying to claw my eyes out for not appreciating you. But… I just can’t. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Jack’s eyes softened, a mix of sadness and resignation settling in them. He looked down, his fingers still drumming but more slowly now, as if grounding himself. After a moment, he took a deep breath and let it out, his shoulders sagging slightly.

“I get it,” he murmured, though his voice had an unmistakable crack in it. “I mean… I think I get it. You can’t force something that isn’t there, right?” He gave a sad smile, one that tried to mask the hurt but didn’t quite succeed.

He stared out at the water, his expression distant, like he was trying to piece together what had gone wrong, or maybe just what he’d missed. A tense silence settled between you, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on the air around you. Jack cleared his throat, seeming to steel himself, his gaze searching your face as if looking for an answer to a question he hadn’t yet asked.

“Can I… can I just ask you one thing?” he said, voice barely above a whisper. His vulnerability in that moment was palpable, and you could feel your heart pounding, bracing yourself for what was coming.

You nodded, feeling your throat tighten.

“Do you… have feelings for Quinn?”

The words hung in the air, heavy and painful, and a part of you wished he hadn’t asked. But the look in his eyes told you he needed to know, that the uncertainty was gnawing at him just as much as the truth might.

Slowly, you nodded, a tear slipping down your cheek as you whispered, “Yes.”

A heavy silence fell between you, and Jack seemed to shrink a little, his shoulders slumping as he took it in. Jack’s gaze fixed on the lake, and for a long moment, he said nothing. You could see the effort it took for him to keep his expression neutral, to keep his emotions tightly bound. His voice was quiet when he finally spoke.

“So, you… you and Quinn. Is there… anything actually happening between you two?” He glanced at you, a flicker of something raw in his eyes — hope, maybe, or just the need to understand.

You shook your head, offering a small, bittersweet smile. “No, Jack. We’re… we’re not together. We won’t be.”

He looked at you, brow furrowed. “Why not?” he asked softly, his confusion obvious. “If you feel that way about him, why wouldn’t you try?”

You took a shaky breath, the words catching in your throat. “Because Quinn… Quinn’s too good of a brother. He’d never go for me because of you… and because of what he knows you feel.”

Jack blinked, his brow furrowing as he took in your words. “Wait—what does that mean? Because of me?” he asked, his voice laced with confusion. His gaze softened, and you could see he was fighting to keep his tone steady, like he was trying not to hope.

You sighed, feeling a bittersweet ache settle in your chest. “Quinn told me he could never be with me because he knows how you feel. He doesn’t want to hurt you, Jack.”

Jack’s jaw clenched, a flicker of frustration flashing across his face. “So… let me get this straight,” he muttered, almost incredulously. “He’s not doing anything about how he feels—because of me?”

You nodded, and Jack fell silent, staring down at his hands, which had stopped drumming and were now clenched tightly in his lap. He seemed deep in thought, his brows furrowed as he processed what you’d just told him. The lake was quiet around you, the stillness broken only by the occasional ripple of water.

For a long time, Jack didn't say anything, just stared down at the water, his brows drawn together. You could almost feel the weight of his thoughts, the way he was wrestling with everything that had just been laid out. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, raw.

“So he… he cares enough to stay away,” Jack said slowly, the words laced with a sadness that felt almost like admiration. “That's… just like him.” He took a deep breath, forcing a small, sad smile. “I wish things were different. I wish we could just rewind, go back to the start of summer and… and pretend this never happened.”

You swallowed hard, his words striking a chord deep within you. “Me too,” you whispered, eyes burning with unshed tears. “I never wanted any of this to happen, Jack. The last thing I wanted was to hurt you.”

Jack looked over at you, his expression softening, and for a moment, you saw a flicker of the easy, unburdened friendship you’d had in the beginning. “I know,” he murmured. “You’re not the kind of person who’d do this on purpose. It’s just… life, I guess. It’s complicated, ‘n messy as hell. And… maybe Trevor was right. We do get along. Just… maybe not in the way he thought we would.”

He smiled, a genuine one this time, though tinged with a sadness he couldn’t hide. “Maybe someday… I won’t feel this way,” he said quietly, his voice barely audible above the soft lapping of the lake against the dock. “But for now… I think I just need a little space. Time, maybe.”

You nodded, understanding that this was what he needed, even if it hurt to hear. “I get it, Jack. I do.”

Jack gave a nod, his gaze returning to the water, the weight of unspoken words settling over the two of you. In the next moment, he reached over and gave your hand a small squeeze—a quiet truce, an understanding. Then he stood, brushing off his shorts and glancing back at the house.

“I’ll be up at the house for a bit,” he murmured, the distance in his tone unmistakable. With that, he turned and walked back up the dock, his footsteps slow and heavy.

In the following days, there was a noticeable shift in the air; everyone felt it, though no one dared to name it. Conversations were stilted, laughter felt forced, and even the once-lively dinners had become quiet affairs, each of you treading carefully as if one wrong word might shatter the fragile peace that held you all together. Jack avoided you and Quinn as much as he could, lingering at the edge of group activities, his usual easygoing energy replaced by something more closed off, guarded.

Quinn, for his part, kept his distance too, his usual calm presence clouded by an unspoken tension. It was as if he knew that the delicate line he was walking might snap at any moment, sending everything spiraling out of control.

You couldn't ignore the heaviness that had settled over the house, a tangible sense of tension that made everything feel off-kilter. As much as you'd wanted this summer to be an escape, it had become the very opposite — a painful reminder of all the ways things could go wrong.

That evening, after everyone had gone to bed, you found yourself wide awake, thoughts racing. The decision took shape slowly, a reluctant resolve that you couldn’t shake. You needed to leave. Staying here, caught between the fractured pieces of what had been and what could never be, was too much to bear. The thought of facing both brothers day after day, watching Jack’s guarded smiles and Quinn’s restrained distance—it was too much. They deserved space, and, you realized, so did you.

With a deep breath, you grabbed your phone and booked a flight out for two days later, the earliest you could manage. You barely slept, running through potential conversations in your mind, eventually deciding you were only going to tell Trevor and slip out quietly, not wanting to cause anymore issues.

You forced yourself to push through the pain and awkwardness during the two remaining days until you would be returning back to California. As the days inched closer to your departure, the weight of unspoken words grew heavier, settling into every corner of the lake house. You caught glimpses of Jack, his face turning away when he thought no one was watching as if even looking at you and Quinn felt like reopening an unhealed wound. Quinn’s glances were no less fraught, though his were filled with a wistful restraint, as if he was already mourning the loss of something that had barely even begun.

The dinners, once filled with laughter, now passed in subdued tones, each person more focused on their plate than the conversation. You found yourself counting down the days and hours, conflicted between the need to escape the tension and the ache of leaving it all behind. In those last two days, you kept reminding yourself that soon, you’d be on a plane back to California, back to your own life — away from Jack’s pained looks and Quinn’s longing stares.

Your final day there, you packed your belongs up quickly, hoping Trevor would buy your excuse of not wanting to miss your flight as a good reason for him to take you to the airport early, and not because you couldn’t bear to spend one more hour in this suffocating oasis. Everyone else was lounging by the water, with the exception of Jack who lingered in the kitchen, opting to do the dishes rather than be around the others. He was lost in thought when he heard the patio door slide open and shut, the sound of bare feet padding against the hardwood. He turned to the entrance of the kitchen, seeing Quinn wearing his boardshorts and a slightly guarded look.

Quinn stopped at the threshold, eyes flicking briefly to Jack’s hands as he scrubbed the dishes. They were tense, knuckles white around the plate he held, and the silence between them was palpable and heavy. Jack set down the dish with a clatter, bracing himself on the edge of the sink, not looking at Quinn. Jack didn’t give Quinn time to speak. The words erupted from him, fueled by everything he’d been holding back.

“Do you even understand what you’re doing?” Jack’s voice was low and seething, barely contained. He didn’t wait for an answer, didn’t dare let Quinn get a word in. “You’re hurting her, Quinn. A perfectly nice girl, who came here not looking for this mess but got dragged into it anyway. And the worst part is, you know it. You know it, and you’re still just… sitting back like a damn martyr, thinking that by staying distant, you’re somehow making it easier for everyone. That by holding back, you’re sparing her, sparing me.”

Jack’s words cut through the quiet, sharper than the silence that had settled in the house over the past days. The vulnerability in his tone was raw, scraping against Quinn’s stoic expression. Quinn shifted uncomfortably but didn’t interrupt; he only looked at Jack, his gaze unwavering.

“And you know what? I kind of hate you for it,” Jack continued, voice unsteady. He turned his head just enough for Quinn to catch the anger, the hurt in his eyes. “I hate that you waltzed in and just took her from me without even trying. And, yeah, maybe that’s selfish. Maybe I never really had a chance, but she was still there, and I was trying. I was there, damn it!”

Quinn finally took a step forward, but Jack cut him off again, his hands clenching at the counter. “And I hate you for pretending like you’re doing the right thing by telling her nothing will happen. You act like you’re some noble saint by ‘staying away,’ but it’s a lie, Quinn. It’s a lie, and we both know it. You’re holding back because you’re scared — scared to go after what you really want, and in the end, you’re just making it worse for everyone. For her. For me.”

Jack’s voice wavered, then cracked, as he finally fell silent, chest heaving from the force of his confession. The words had cost him, as if each syllable had drawn blood. The only sound in the room was the dripping of the faucet, each drop amplifying the tension between them.

Quinn stayed quiet for a long moment, his gaze steady as he absorbed every word. He studied Jack, weighing something unspoken. “Would you hate me if I went for her, then?” His tone was gentle, almost hesitant, a softness that Jack hadn’t been prepared for.

Jack’s jaw tightened. “Yeah,” he admitted. “I probably would.” He ran a hand through his hair, a bitter laugh escaping him. “I mean I hate you right now for making her feel the way she does. But it shouldn’t matter, Quinn. Not if you two… if you actually care about each other.” Jack’s voice faltered, breaking under the weight of his own honesty. “Look, I’ll get over it. In time. But don’t waste what could be something good just because you’re trying to spare everyone. It’s pointless, and it’s selfish. You need to get to her before it’s too late.”

Quinn could feel Jack’s anger and pain, an emotion so raw and tangled it clawed at the air between them. For a second, Quinn thought of how different things could have been if he had stayed on the sidelines, if he hadn’t let himself get close to you. But as Jack’s gaze softened, an odd understanding settled between them. Jack wasn’t letting go easily, but he was letting go.

Jack’s shoulders slumped, exhausted, as he ran a hand over his face. “She’s leaving today, you know?” he said to Quinn, a look of surprise appearing on his face. “Trev told me last night she booked her flight out for this afternoon.”

Quinn’s face fell, and the guarded look faded, replaced with something dangerously close to panic. He hadn’t known—hadn’t expected that this was it. That today was the end.

“She’s leaving?” Quinn asked, Jack nodding. “Why didn’t she say anything? W-why is she leaving?”

“Because why would she stay?” Jack said. “She’s going to protect herself. She’s not gonna stay here, hoping for something that won’t happen. She’s too smart for that.”

The realization struck Quinn like a punch to the gut, leaving him breathless. Jack's words echoed in his mind, each one sharper than the last. She’s leaving. Of course, she would. She wasn’t the type to hang around hoping for some half-hearted promise or for Quinn to finally decide what he wanted. She deserved so much more than waiting for him to get his act together.

Jack's voice softened, pulling him back to the present. "Quinn, it’s not too late. She hasn’t left yet. If you really care about her, don’t let her go like this."

Quinn’s gaze faltered, a flicker of something vulnerable crossing his expression. Could he really undo the damage he’d done by staying away? Could he find the words to convince her that, despite his silence, he’d felt everything just as deeply as she had?

A heavy silence followed before Quinn found his voice. “What… what should I say to her?”

Jack shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping him. “You really think I’m giving you advice on how to get the girl I wanted?”

Quinn’s face softened in a rare, grateful smile. “Fair enough.” He hesitated, then turned, steeling himself as he left the kitchen, leaving Jack to his own fractured thoughts.

Quinn climbed the stairs two at a time, his pulse racing with every step, anticipation and fear warring within him. As he reached the top, he saw Trevor just exiting your room. Trevor paused, giving Quinn a look that held no small amount of concern.

“I don’t know what went down between you three,” Trevor said, his voice uncharacteristically serious. “But I care about her, and I don’t like seeing her like this. You going to fix whatever mess this is?”

Quinn’s chest tightened. He knew Trevor had been close to you, learning this summer just how much of a big brother figure he was to you. He couldn’t fault him for looking out for you.

“I’m going to fix it,” Quinn said, his voice quiet but firm. He met Trevor’s gaze, hoping to communicate the sincerity in his words. “I have to.”

Trevor didn’t say anything else, but he gave Quinn a long, steady look, as though weighing whether to believe him. Then he gave a nod and shifted your duffle bag, stepping aside to let Quinn pass. With a final glance at Trevor, Quinn walked to your door, his heart racing. Quinn stood outside your door for a moment, his hand hovering above the doorknob. He knew what he needed to say, but a part of him feared that the damage was already done. Bracing himself, he knocked gently before pushing the door open.

You were standing by the window, your zipped duffle bag sitting on your bed. Your back was to the door when Quinn entered, and for a moment, he almost turned around, the words caught in his throat. But then you turned, your eyes meeting his.

“Are you really going?” Quinn asked, his voice quiet and strained.

You nodded, stepping away from the window and closer to Quinn. “I think it’s best. This whole summer has just… it’s too much, Quinn. I didn’t come here expecting any of this, and now I just feel… caught. And I can’t keep feeling this way.”

Quinn swallowed, his gaze never leaving yours. He looked as though he was battling something heavy, words lingering on his lips, waiting to escape. He stepped forward, close enough that you could see the faint circles under his eyes, the fatigue that seemed to pull at his features.

“I didn’t expect any of this either,” he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. “And I get it — you’re right. I hurt you. I know that. I thought… I thought if I kept my distance, it would somehow make it easier for everyone. That maybe you'd move on from this — move on from me, and be with Jack. I thought it would hurt less.”

You held his gaze, your voice low but unwavering. “Do you have any idea what that did to me, Quinn? All summer, feeling this… this connection between us, and thinking that I had to be imagining it because you couldn’t even look at me. And you’re saying you did that on purpose? To protect me?” Your voice trembled. “That’s not protecting me. That’s running away.”

Quinn took a shaky breath, stepping closer, his expression taut with regret. “I know I messed up. I was spineless and I should have told you the truth sooner.” Quinn said, bowing his head briefly before forcing himself to look up at your hurt eyes. “I told myself that it was better this way, but all I was doing was lying to myself. Because every time I saw you… every time I heard your laugh, or watched you talk to Jack, or caught you looking at me — I couldn’t breathe.”

Quinn took one last step forward, less than a foot away from you. He raised his hand to reach you, fingertips grazing your arm gently, as if he feared you might pull away. “But I care about you, more than I thought possible. And I was afraid of that. Afraid of hurting Jack, afraid of hurting you… and afraid of wanting you this much.” He swallowed, his voice growing rough. “But I can’t let you leave without knowing how I feel. I want to be with you I — I need to be with you.”

Your breath hitched, the confession settling over you like a warm, crushing weight. This was what you’d wanted, but it also brought a whirlwind of conflicting emotions crashing down. You took a small step back, just enough to put some distance between you, needing space to gather your thoughts.

Quinn was saying everything you wanted to hear from the beginning. Laying his feelings bare, and exposing his heart in a way you hadn't expected from someone as reserved as him. It was like seeing a hidden part of him, one he’d kept carefully guarded. The vulnerability in his eyes made it clear that this was as terrifying for him as it was thrilling for you.

But in the back of your mind, Jack lingered, his hurt and disappointment woven into every stolen glance and quiet moment of the summer. The image of his face as he realized how you felt about Quinn was something you couldn’t shake. The memory clawed at you, guilt mixing with the longing Quinn’s words evoked.

“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to hear that,” you said, voice catching. “But Quinn… Jack — he tried so hard with me this summer, and I couldn’t give him what he wanted because of… well, because of you.” You hesitated, torn between the longing in Quinn’s eyes and the memory of Jack’s earnest, hopeful glances. “The last thing I wanted was to hurt him. And I feel like I’ve done enough damage by just… being here.”

Quinn’s gaze softened, his hand lingering just above your arm, hovering close as if he wasn’t ready to let you go. “I know,” he murmured. “I know it’s complicated. But I talked to Jack this morning. He told me… he told me to come up here and talk to you. To tell you how I felt. He wants you to be happy, and he knows that’s not with him. He’ll get over it.”

“Jack said that?” you whispered, barely able to believe it.

Quinn nodded, a slight smile tugging at his lips, though there was sadness in his eyes. “He might hate me for a while, and I can live with that. But he said I’d regret it if I let you go. And… he was right.”

His hand, warm and steady, traced down your arm, his fingers slipping around yours with a gentle firmness. The touch, gentle but insistent, sent a jolt through you. “I know I’ve messed up,” he murmured, voice barely a whisper. “But if you’ll let me, I’ll make it right. I want this, us… if you do too.”

You nodded, words escaping you as Quinn stepped even closer, his free hand lifting to gently cup your face. His thumb brushed against your cheek, and you could feel the slight tremor in his touch. He leaned in slowly, giving you every chance to pull away, but you didn’t.

His lips barely brushed yours, soft and tentative. Your breath mingled together briefly before your lips locked together. He lingered for a heartbeat, savoring the closeness as if he, too, couldn’t believe this was real. Then, with a surge of emotion, the kiss deepened, all the restraint and hesitation of the summer dissolving as his hand rose to cradle your cheek, holding you to him as though afraid you might disappear.

His stubble that had grown out over the last couple weeks of summer scraped along your jaw and chin, leaving a faint burn that only added to the rush of sensation.

When you pulled back, both of you breathless, he rested his forehead against yours, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I’ve wanted to do that since the day you got here,” he murmured, a hint of relief in his voice.

You giggled, staying close and feeling his heartbeat echoing against yours. The silence that followed was thick, but it was different now — no longer tense or uncertain like it had been for most of the summer. It felt as though the weight had been lifted from both of your shoulders.

But even in that moment, you knew the reality of what this would mean—for Jack, for Quinn, and for yourself. There was a part of you that still ached, remembering Jack’s quiet disappointment and knowing it would take time to heal the wounds this summer had left behind.

You swallowed hard, raising a hand to Quinns face and brushing aside his dark locks that fell over his eyes. “I still think I need to go,” you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper. “Not because I don’t want this. I do. But I think both of you need time, and maybe I do too. To let everything settle.”

Quinn nodded, understanding settling over his expression. “I get it,” he replied, taking your hand in his and giving your palm a soft kiss. “I’ll be here when you’re ready. Take all the time you need.”

Quinn let you slip from his arms, his heart squeezing as he watched you grab your bag and exit the room. As you descended the stairs with your duffle bag slung over your shoulder, you saw Jack waiting near the door. His expression softened as you approached, a bittersweet smile crossing his face.

“So, this is it?” he asked, his voice gentle but with an undercurrent of acceptance.

You nodded. “Yeah, I think it’s best. Thank you, Jack. For understanding. And… for everything.”

Jack gave a short nod, his gaze momentarily flickering towards the stairs where Quinn had stopped to watch from a distance. He returned his gaze to you and managed a small, sincere smile. “Go live your life. I wish you and Quinn all the best.”

You hugged him, both of you holding on just a second longer than necessary. When you pulled back, you could see the mix of emotions in his eyes, but there was a sense of peace there too. He’d let go, not because it didn’t hurt, but because he genuinely wanted you to be happy. You felt your heart swell, gratitude mixing with the faint sting of regret for the friendship that would never quite be the same. But Jack’s words lifted the weight off your shoulders, letting you and Quinn move forward.

With a final look, you stepped outside, Trevor waiting to drive you to the airport, his brow furrowed in confusion at the way you suddenly had pep in your step, a small smile present on your lips that had been missing for weeks. As the car pulled away, you stole one last glance at the lake house, catching a glimpse of Quinn watching you from the porch. He raised a hand in a small wave, and you returned it, a soft smile on your lips.

This summer hadn’t turned out anything like you’d expected.

#˚₊۶ৎ˙⋆ nylqnder #quinn hughes #quinn hughes x reader #quinn hughes imagine #nhl #nhl imagine #hockey #hockey imagine #jack hughes #jack hughes imagine #new jersey devils #vancouver canucks #qh43 #jh86

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h4venpha · 6 months ago

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⸺ tailored perfectly (18+)

✦ sylus x reader contents: slight nsfw, sfw(ish)worship, implied sex, literally just sylus loving on u wc: 442 notes: sorry i think i have. a thing for mirrors ? and also i wanted to write sylus eyefucking you because GOD that man can EYEFUCK. also im going to be on vacation for the next week so i (probably) wont be writing during that time! sorry for such short works, i rlly want to write longer things but i just have no good ideas </3 anyway enjoy!

“what do you think?”

the fabric of the dress hugging your body is smooth and almost silky. you watch through the body length mirror at how the dress hugs your torso and hips before falling elegantly to brush against your ankles. sylus picked the dress out of course, he even had it perfectly tailored to your measurements. you told him it was unnecessary, but he never missed any opportunity to spoil you.

the door from the bathroom swings open, sylus emerges as he buttons up his light grey dress shirt with one hand, a black tie in his other. from through the mirror, you watch as he walks over, his low eyes trailing from your exposed shoulders to the small sliver of ankle in between the dress and your heels. he tosses the black tie over his shoulder, too distracted to even finish buttoning up his dress shirt before his hands slide firmly around your hips.

“i love it.” sylus rasps as his hands drag up to your waist, voice recognizably breathier than his normal register. you watch as his dilating pupils at in every inch of your body.

“the tailor made the dress perfect, hm?” you humor, watching for his reactions knowing many, many thoughts were going through his head right now. it’s easy to tell with the way his eyes drink you up like eye candy. he makes you feel exposed, like prey in the eyes of a ravenous predator.

“you’re perfect.” sylus’s voice rumbles in your ear before he presses a kiss to your exposed shoulder. his lips trail a line up your shoulder to your nape, lips slow and hungry as he worships your skin. although his kisses were soft, there was a distinct level of restraint he was exerting.

“w-we need to go.” you interject quietly, your sweet voice rolling in the needy fog in his head.

5 minutes before they need to leave for the auction.

“i’m aware.” sylus’s jaw clenches. “luke and kieran can wait a little longer in the car, yes?” he pulls you back by the hips just enough for you to feel the hardening bulge in his dark slacks against the curve of your ass.

“you won’t get that pretty gem you’ve been talking about all weekend.” you look back as you tease him halfheartedly, knowing even if they showed up an hour late to the auction, he would outbid them all in a blink.

sylus scoffs at your taunts, unfazed. “there’s a prettier gem right here.” he pulls you away from the mirror, spinning you around before pinning you firmly against the softness of the bed. “and she’s already all mine.”

#h4venpha #sylus #love and deepspace #sylus lads #lads #love and deepspace sylus #love and deepspace smut #lads smut #sylus x mc #sylus x reader #sylus smut #sylus fanfic #✮₊ H4VENPHA COLLECTION #⟢ love and deepspace works

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skye-obsolete · 6 months ago

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Groceries For Two

ʟᴀᴅs ʙᴏʏs x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

ᯓ❅ ┆ synopsis┆ : How does it feel to buy groceries with the boys?

ᯓ❅ ┆ tags┆ : short fiction, soft, fluff & possible OOC

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𝐗𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫

Xavier would be the type to stay close to your side, quietly observing as you navigate the aisles. While you're eager to explore the entire supermarket, he's content to help push the trolley, ensuring your load is lighter. If you're lingering too long, he might find a single spot to stand in, his calm demeanor making it seem like he's part of the scenery—until you catch him dozing off while waiting. His main interest sparks when you approach the meat section, where he either gazes at the various cuts with quiet fascination or gestures for you to come and examine his finds.

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𝐙𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞

Zayne would take a methodical approach, naturally steering you toward healthier options due to his medical background. He’d scrutinize ingredient labels with a professional's precision, occasionally raising an eyebrow at your snack selections. His firm stance on avoiding "unnecessary" indulgences would spark a few debates, but any mention of carrots—a personal dislike—would make him relent with a quiet grumble. Always prepared, he'd have a detailed grocery list in hand, meticulously checking off items while attempting to keep you from straying too far from the plan.

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𝐑𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐥

Rafayel would be a lively companion, eagerly wandering the aisles while asking for directions on what to bring back to the cart. However, his independent streak means he'd also grab random items he finds interesting without bothering to consult you. When you're searching for something specific, he'd flash his irresistible charm at the staff, effortlessly persuading them to help locate the item—even if it’s tucked away in some obscure corner of the store. His energy and antics would make the trip anything but mundane.

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𝐒𝐲𝐥𝐮𝐬

Sylus would insist on pushing the trolley, especially if it’s loaded, using it as an excuse to take charge. Price tags? Irrelevant to him. Though grocery runs are a task his henchmen would typically handle, he sees the outing as an opportunity for quality time. He'd grab your favorite items without hesitation, planning ahead for when you’d inevitably crave them. Trailing behind you would be two of his men (Luke and Kieran), always at the ready. If something is out of stock, Sylus wouldn’t hesitate to dispatch them to other stores, ensuring you never need to part from his side during the trip.

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╰｡ Author's Note: Holidays are upcoming...! This week's the last for academics, and I'm quite excited to be able to spend more time either writing or mainly just gaming ahha. I do have a Christmas fiction in plan. I hope everyone would have a wonderful holidays!

╰｡ Tagging: . ݁˖ . ݁ @slitheringwaves . ݁˖ . ݁ @clairestella

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iluvpjo · 1 year ago

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IM NEWWW (may I be 👁️ or🫀?)

Bro Luke hatefucking where he has his hand around your throat and he absolutely ruins you for winning capture the flag. Like degrades you just to feel you clench around him then he’ll be all snarky and go ‘aww well aren’t you being a good whore’ or something

(Or the opposite where he’s whiny and inexperienced because he’s so used to just being the golden boy of camp. The Luke that holds a death grip on your hips because if you move to fast he’ll cum quickly. So when he wins again, you get pissed. Wait for everyone to go back to their cabins while he stays and trains. And then you corner him and he acts all mighty. That is until you kiss him and he turns to absolute putty.)

𝐻𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝐹𝓊𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌 / 𝐿𝓊𝓀𝑒 𝒞𝒶𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓃

Synopsis: Hate fucking w Luke, there isn’t much more to elaborate on 🙏

Warning(s): NSFW! MDNI, hatefucking, degrading n arguing kindaa, slapping, choking, power complex tbh, uses of the words slut n whore etc.. there’s also praise (rarely)

Pairing: Luke Castellan x fem reader (Ares is ur dad btw)

Word count: 3,320k

Note: Hehe hi 👁 anon!!!!! Also Soz I didn’t know um what kind of relationship dynamic they were supposed to have…… I hope this is ok 🙏 it was the first thing that came to my head

(Even tho u totally might’ve just meant like bf Luke but um.. this tickled my brain a lil better!! 😋)

Send me a request! Here are my request rules!

Come find me on AO3!

“Who’s there?” As you saw him turn around you saw that it was none other than Luke Castellan, he was a frenemy of sorts. “Luke.” You spat his name out like it was venomous, he smirked when he saw you there. Luke’s hand went to his side to grip at his sword, beginning to pull it out when you had the bright idea to run away. You’d seen what he did to your team members and you knew he was a skilled swordsman, the best at camp, and even if you were well trained yourself you weren’t that stupid. Luke groaned in annoyance before chasing after you, you thought it was unnecessary for him to go out of his way to chase you when he could be helping his team.

“Are you seriously chasing me Castellan??” You shouted as you ran away, turning your head over your shoulder to watch him following your movements deeper into the woods. “Glad that you can see that.” Luke snickered at you, the clambering of metal was loud as the both of you ran, alerting your own team members that there was people around. Clarisse was the first one to pop out and see who was there, her spear ready in hand when she saw the two of you running towards her. You felt thankful and dipped to the side of her so she’d be in front of you, and whilst behind her you withdrew your own sword.

“Not like you to have other people fighting your battles, what’ve you done with Y/n?” Luke chuckled to himself, giving you this semi dirty look on his face. “I’m not making her fight you, we’re both going to.” You joined Clarisse after you’d withdrawn your sword, the both of you holding your weapons in front of you. “…I can handle that.” Luke shook his head and grabbed his own sword out to swing at the both of you “Out of everyone you could’ve had following you, it had to be Luke!” Clarisse groaned and clenched her teeth in irritation “Why am I surprised?” She shook her head.

Luke swung his sword across, and the both of you jumped back to avoid getting slashed. You then ambushed him, lunging at him and using your body weight to knock him to the ground. Luke fell backwards but was quick to jump back up, only when he did he stopped fighting the two of you. A horn went off, the sound loud enough to carry through the forest, alerting the three of you that the game was over. “That’d be us. Good job distracting Luke, sis.” Clarisse pat your back and gave you a half smile before leaving and returning to your team.

“Wait— what?” Luke furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, before his confusion turned into anger. “That’s the sound of sweet victory! Ever heard it?” You taunted and let out a little chuckle, groaning in pain when Luke threw you to the ground. “Oi! Cut it out, the games over!” You shouted and rolled out of the way before he cut you with his sword, you jumped back up on your feet and looked at him with confusion “You. Me. Fight. Now.” Luke was seething with anger now. His eyes darkened as he looked down at you, it looked rather evil for someone who only lost a simple game of capture the flag. However it was something you’d see often whenever he looked at you, looking at you every time like he wants to maim your head on the wall.

“I don’t want to fight you.” You shook your head at him as you denied it “Then I’m just gonna have to destroy you.” Luke didn’t care wether or not you’d fight back but he’d be fighting you wether you liked it or not, he stepped towards you and held his sword up to swing it at your ribs. You jumped out of the way and blocked him using your sword, but doing that made it easy for him to disarm you. Your sword hit the ground a few inches away, and you got down onto the ground and rolled over so you’d be able to pick it back up and fight again. When you stood up with your sword Luke was quick to shove you backwards, and your back fell up against a tree. If you weren’t wearing any armour your back would’ve probably gotten scratched up no doubt.

“What’re you doing??” You questioned him quizzically, was he seriously gonna kill you over this? Luke held his sword up against your throat so you wouldn’t move, squinting his eyes at you to watch how your cockiness slowly turned to fear. It made him feel better, he liked it, he loved it. It made him feel like he had power over you. “A-Are you gonna kill me over this?” You asked him, tilting your head up to avoid his sharp blade “Maybe. That scare you?” Luke grinned to himself and inched his sword closer to your neck.

You closed your eyes and gulped nervously, you didn’t wanna show fear but you couldn’t lie that Luke Castellan could definitely be scary when he wanted to be. “N-No.” You lied through your teeth, the sweat on your brow giving you away “Liar.” Luke chuckled darkly. “Drop your sword to your right.” Luke instructed you, you listened and reluctantly dropped the weapon beside your feet, Luke then kicked it far away so you wouldn’t be able to attack him with anything. Luke loved this scaredy cat reaction he was getting out of you, maybe a little too much. Luke was getting hard and you thought you could even feel it, yet you weren’t entirely sure so you wouldn’t bring it up. Although your eyes glancing down towards that direction alerted Luke that you definitely knew.

“Are you-?” You began to speak “Am I what?” Luke asked you dumbly, yet the soft blush on his cheeks gave him away. “Nothing.” You replied a little meekly, averting your eyes now and trying to move your head so it’d hide your now slightly flustered face. Luke didn’t like this, he withdrew his sword and put it back into his sword holder, reaching his hand up to roughly grab at your face and turn your head back to face him. When you looked back you realised he didn’t have his sword up against you anymore and you were thankful, yet you could still feel something pressing up against you.

Luke continued to hold your face in his hand, your cheeks were squished a little and the grasp on your face honestly hurt your jaw a little. “Lukee-“ You tried to speak but your words were a little weird sounding with the grip he had on you, he reluctantly let your face go but not without a swift tap on your cheek. You gasped softly, looking down at the ground, he’d slapped you! Luke then grabbed the collar of your shirt and lifted you a little against the tree that he had you pinned to, his knuckles grazing against your neck. “Shut up. Just shut up.” Luke hissed out angrily, but again after seeing he’d put his sword away you grew cocky again.

“Yeah? Why should I shut up?” You asked him, looking down at him now after he’d lifted you and put you in a different position. “If you don’t shut up — I’m gonna make you shut up.” Luke growled out a warning, his face tinted red with fury “How’re you gonna do that?” You were a little scared to ask, dropping the cocky tone you were harbouring after he’d said that. Was he gonna seriously bash you against the tree? Luke stilled for a moment, his eyes not leaving your face, his nose scrunched up angrily as he scowled. He then closed the gap and roughly pressed his lips up against yours, using his opposite hand that wasn’t holding you to slap your face again.

You gasped in surprise from the kiss, opening just slightly wider when he’d slapped you, and Luke used this as an opportunity to slide his tongue in. You had no clue that Luke could have it in him to be doing this with you but you wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, you shut your eyes and began to meekly kiss him back. You were slow and unsteady with your movements, submissively trying to move your tongue against his but he’d practically already shoved his tongue into your mouth and was just exploring the insides of your cheeks. Luke slowly let you down as you guys were kissing, moving his now free hands to grasp roughly at your waist.

Luke pulled back reluctantly even though he didn’t want to, he was flushed and he was breathing heavily by this point. Luke looked down at you, his angry scowl turning to a bit of a half smile “That shut you up.” He snickered to himself. You stood there in disbelief of what just happened, blinking up at him dumbly as your cheeks began to darken “A-Asshole.” You muttered out loud a little bashfully before glancing away shyly. You were embarrassed that he managed to make you, an Ares kid, feel flustered like this. “I don’t think you’re in a position to be insulting me.” Luke replied, pulling your body closer to him.

You placed your hands on his chest and looked up at his face, trying to angrily scowl at him but it looked more like an angry pout, reminding him of a bratty child. “Why not?” You huffed “Because I’ll just shut you up again.” Luke rolled his eyes, you decided you’d keep speaking despite the many reasons not to “You gonna kiss me again?” You tilted your head to the side. Luke’s eye twitched before he moved one of his hands from your side up to your neck, his palm pressing against your throat and making you let out a choked out whine. “Haha, not so cocky now are you?” Luke laughed to himself.

“F-Fucker.” You tried to speak but your words were choked out, his grip on you making you feel slightly light headed but you knew you wouldn’t pass out. You were an ares kid and you also went to camp halfblood so obviously you were trained to endure stuff like this, even if it was just personal training. You knew you could hold your breath if you had to. “What was that?” Luke smirked and held tighter onto your neck, making you shut up again. You were feeling rather embarrassed being in the position you were in, feeling powerless, so you decided to get some of that power back.

Your arm was already lowered at your side, so you then moved your hand to the middle to grab Luke’s hardened front in your palm. Luke’s hand around your neck loosened for a moment as his demeanour faulted, his eyes clenched tight for a second and he sucked on his teeth as to not let out a groan. “That shut you up.” You repeated his words back to him, giggling to yourself meanly at his reaction. Luke regained his composure, furrowing his eyebrows at you angrily before saying “I’m gonna make you regret that.”

Luke stood back and let you go, his hands moving now to instead hold your hips and he roughly ground you against him. It made you let out a quiet whine, your cheeks flushed and your lips parting to let out a soft airy moan. “Fuckin’ dirty girl, aren’t you?” Luke asked you, sending a weird throb between your legs, maybe you enjoyed him saying that a little too much. “I’m not gonna answer that Castellan.” You huffed again, giving this whiny pouty look on your lips; if your father saw you he wouldn’t even think you were his child. “Good. Shut that pretty mouth of yours, I know there are better uses for it.” Luke hummed before kissing your lips again.

You could’ve pushed him away at any time but you accepted his kiss yet again, kissing him back and trying to keep up with his pace. Luke moved a hand down to grope at your ass, holding a handful of your soft plushy flesh, making you let out a quiet moan. “Careful with the noise slut, or do you want everyone to hear you?” Luke tutted, pulling away from the kiss to shake his head at you. “I can’t help it!— you’re the one making me!” You complained with a hushed voice, gritting your teeth at him. Luke looked down at you, admiring the puffy sore lips he just had captured. “Am I now?” He chuckled and wiped some sweat from off of your face.

Luke slowly placed his hands back on your hips, looking at your face for any signs of hesitation as he began to tug them down. Your hips followed his movements, allowing him to slip them past your ass. He then looped his thumbs around your underwear and pulled them down to,’ pulling them down your thighs. Luke wanted to just shove into you when he saw your pretty pussy for the first time but he resisted, a small tinge of kindness in his heart was showing. Luke dipped his hand between your legs and curiously rubbed at your sensitive bud, watching the way you jolted in surprise.

He liked the look of it, smiling to himself before doing it again with purpose this time. Your hands flew to grip on his shoulders, trying to keep quiet when his actions sped up a little. It felt overly stimulating to your sensitive clit and you found it hard not to whine out in pleasure, your hips jerked down against his hand as he was touching you. Luke smirked, tilting his head down at you to watch the way his hand toyed with your clit. Luke could feel you growing hotter however and that’s when he decided to test the waters, moving his hand back more to dip his fingers inside your slutty hole.

“L-Luke..” You moaned out his name, feeling his fingers stretching you as they pressed further inside, two of his knuckles pleasuring your insides. “Look up at me, show me your pretty face.” Luke ordered and you obeyed without a second thought, lifting your head to look up at him and showing him your blissed out face. “Aww.. aren’t you being a good whore?” He teased with this taunting voice, moving his fingers to thrust inside of you. Your hips juddered, grinding against him and his hand like a slut similar to one of those cam girls.

“N-No I’m not..” You whined and shook your head in complaint, huffing and gritting your teeth. “Yes you are, dirty girl. My dirty girl now.” Luke moved to kiss your jaw, trailing his lips down to your neck, the combined sensation as well as with the abuse to your tight hole— he quickly made you cum. You didn’t even have any time to warn him before you came undone, a pleasured sheik escaping your lips “L-Luke!! I’m cumming-“ You were too late and had already started orgasming. “That’s it. Good girl.” He coaxed you through your orgasm, his fingers helping you through it.

When you finally stopped and had to stand there taking a breather, Luke slowly withdrew his fingers and began to work at his own belt. You noticed and shyly turned around, bending over and pressing your ass against him slightly. Luke chuckled to himself about your eagerness, pulling his pants and his briefs down to let his hard leaking cock out of its restraints. Luke lined himself up with you, hoping you’d be wet and prepped enough for him, he hoped you weren’t that eager. But he wouldn’t complain if you were, he’d find it cute. “So cute, so eager and desperate for me, you’re such a whore.” You were about to complain but the feeling of his cock shoving inside of you made you shut your lips.

“Fuckkk—“ Luke bit down and clenched just jaw to muffle his low groan as he pushed inside, his cock already twitching slightly from entering you. He wasn’t even halfway when your whining began again, you felt like he was stretching you out beyond as you could go. “Is it all in yet?” You asked with a small glimmer of hope “Not even halfway in’ you can take it can’t you?” He teased. You agreed, of course you could. “Y-Yes. I can do it.” You nodded your head, steadying yourself up against the tree he had you leant on.

“Good girl.” Luke pushed in a little more, withdrawing a moan from your mouth, his cock stretching your insides as he was now halfway in. Luke decided to help you a little, thrusting his hips a bit to get you used to the feeling. You whimpered and moaned and Luke was quick to shut you up yet again, clamping a hand over your mouth to muffle your loud moans. “You know I love to hear you like this, and I’m sure the other campers would too, but I’m not much for sharing. So keep it down sweetheart.” Luke hissed into your ear as he leant down.

“Fuck..” You could feel yourself throb from what he’d just said, causing a flurry of emotions in your head. Why did you just get like that because of what he said? You shook the thought away, becoming easily distracted yet again when he suddenly pushed inside you further and filling you to the hilt. It made you let out a loud moan, thankful that Luke was muffling your voice now. “So good.. so tight.” Luke began to thrust again, his cock buried deep and making you feel overwhelmed with pleasure. “L-Luke I’m gonna cum..” You tried to mumble out, but he couldn’t hear you with the sound of skin on skin and his hand over your mouth did no favours for his ears.

You couldn’t help it, cumming on his cock and feeling your legs trembling beneath you. Luke used his free hand to wrap around your waist and stabilise you, making sure you wouldn’t tumble over. Luke groaned as he felt himself twitch due to the spasming sensation of your soft fluttery walls around him. “Fuck.. I’m gonna cum too-“ Luke thrusted a few more times before quickly pulling out and cumming on your backside. Luke stilled for a moment as he had to come down, the both of you panting heavily as you tried to catch your breaths.

“You did so well, so good for me..” Luke praised you and gently brushed your hair as he let go of your face, his other hand moving to try and wipe off his cum with something he had in his pocket. “S-Shut up.” You complained about his soft words, your face heating up upon hearing them though. “I think I’ve got all my frustrations out.” Luke commented, helping you up and helping you dress and to get cleaned. You turned back around to face him, helping him get dressed as well. You looked up at his face and bashfully glanced away before looking back at him and saying, “so.. see you tonight?” Luke grinned and answered “sure.”

#👁 anon #luke castellan smut #luke castellan x reader smut #percy jackson smut #percy jackson x reader smut #percy jackson #luke castellan x reader #luke castellan #charlie bushnell x reader smut #charlie bushnell x you #charlie bushnell x reader #charlie bushnell #Charlie bushnell smut #pjo smut #pjo tv show

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lovesickhughes · 1 month ago

Note

💌 lovebug girldad!jack <3

a/n: thank you for requesting! it's a day late, but what better than to post for mother’s day 💞 i hope you like this! (not edited!)

warnings: mentions of pregnancy!

When you found out you were pregnant, you were beyond ecstatic, it was the best gift you could have ever been given. You couldn't wait to receive ultrasound pictures of the little one growing inside you, or pick out furniture for the nursery Jack and you would soon spend endless hours in, and even though you hadn't met the little bean growing inside you- you were already obsessed.

But, Jack took you by surprise. From the moment you shared the news with him through a thoughtful and wholesome pregnancy announcement, his entire world shifted to being revolved around you.

Whether it was pampering you as your body began to adjust to the growing little one from within, or making your life as easy as possible in unnecessary ways you only scolded Jack for; he had one thing in mind and that was to love you and his child that you were carrying.

So when May came around, Jack's birthday slowly but surely approaching, you slowly began hinting at the fact and trying to see what he wanted as gifts. By this time, you were just past the sixth month mark of your journey carrying your little bean, and the effects of your pregnancy were in full force.

There were times where your head would spin, leaving you disoriented or when your cravings for food felt endless, your hunger being insatiable and what got you the most; the body aches. The added weight of your growing bean weighing stress on your body to limits you thought were non-existent.

But despite all, Jack was your rock. He was the one that grounded you, eased you— supported you in ways you only wish you could repay him for.

The Mother's Day weekend consisted of time being spent in Michigan alongside the Hughes family. Luke spending time with his college friends, Quinn beginning his summer conditioning and training, all the while Jack stayed glued to your side.

You had entered the lake house with Jack's hand never leaving the small of your back or your hip. He was hot on your tail and every chance he could take, he'd be tending to you to ensure you were at maximum comfort.

"Jack, baby, just relax for the night, 'kay? I'm all good." You assured as you ran your hand through his brown curls, pushing them away from his forehead.

Jack leaned down to place a kiss to your temple, throwing an arm across the back of the couch to rest behind your frame before shifting in his spot to become more comfortable.

"I know, I know. Just wanna make sure you're comfortable."

It was a rainy evening, which meant the night would be spent indoors watching movies with the fireplace on while the sound of the rain hitting the glass window echoed through the house.

You were spread along the length of the couch, tucked into Jack's side with a soft, fluffy blanket rested over your legs to give you the extra warmth. Jack's other hand— not around your shoulder— found its way to your bump, slipping his fingers underneath the fabric of your shirt and drew endless shapes with his fingertips along your skin.

It was his way of talking to his little girl, who didn't know it yet, but absolutely rocked his world.

When you found out the baby was going to be a girl— celebrated with a group of close friends and family— the memory of Jack screaming of joy and immediately enveloping you into his embrace would forever be etched into your mind.

The feeling of Jack's hands against your bump sent shivers through your system. It was enough to excite you while also relax you and lull you into a trance that you never wanted to leave.

The movie played lowly on the TV planted on the wall, all the while you felt your eyes begin to grow heavy, the warmth being emitted between Jack's and your bodies causing you to feel sleep creeping upon you.

Suddenly, as if a lightbulb had switched in your mind, you turned your head to look at Jack, his eyes meeting yours as you shifted against him— sitting straighter.

"What do you want for your birthday? I know you've been kinda brushing it off, but I wanna do something for you." You urged, your hand reaching to rest on his forearm of the arm that was rested against your stomach.

He shook his head, closing his eyes and sliding his hand to the side of your torso, caressing the skin. "Baby, I told you, I don't need anything. I'm perfectly content just spending the day with you."

You groan, rolling your eyes playfully, "You're such a sweetheart, but c'mon. You've been doing so much for me lately, I wanna return the favour— pay you back." You press, trying to urge your favourite brunette to hint at some of the things he'd want for his special day.

As if it were instinct, his hand reached to cup your jaw, pulling you into a sweet, warm and slow kiss, his hand pushing to interlock between the strands of your hair.

When he pulled away, he only softly smiled, eyes tired and cheeks rosy with warmth. He then looked down to your bump that separated you from being chest to chest against him, his smile growing wider as he pushed the fabric of your top away to expose the soft skin of your belly where your little bean resided.

"Y/n, you carrying my daughter— my first-born daughter— is all I could ever wish for for my birthday. You being our little bean's mother is what I want." He admitted, looking up at you through his eyelashes.

"Jack—” You tried to protest, only to be interrupted.

"I know you think I'm going overboard, but I just want things to be as easy as they can for you. I can only imagine what it's like for you, to be caring our child. You're my only birthday wish because you're gifting me with the greatest thing to ever happen to us," He said, gesturing to your stomach, his hand splaying across the expanse of your stomach.

As if on queue, the fluttering feeling you had started to notice not long ago, sparked again and you watched as your stomach moved against Jack's hand. Your little bean letting both of you know she could hear you.

Immediately, Jack's gaze lightened, his eyes widened, mouth slowly agape as he inhaled sharply at the sensation.

"Did you feel that?" Jack asked eagerly, sliding his hand across your skin to search for more areas where he could feel bean kicking.

You let out a chuckle, your own hand reaching to cup Jack's jaw, "Yes, honey, I did." You smiled sweetly.

Jack kissed you feverishly, his excitement radiating off of his bones.

"That's our little girl in there." He said softly as he pulled away from your lips. He squirmed against your body, shifting so that he was laying across the cushion of the couch to have his face opposite your stomach.

He peppered kisses against your torso as you watched him intently, so enamoured with the way he treated you and bean.

"If you can hear me, bean— you are the best thing that's ever happened to me," He whispered against your skin, his voice vibrating the surface of your skin.

You lightly tapped his head, silently shunning him, "That, and your mom are the best things."

#💌. loveletters #jack hughes #jack hughes blurb #jack hughes fluff #jack hughes imagine #jack hughes x reader #jack hughes fic #jack hughes x y/n

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targaryenluvs · 1 year ago

Text

— photograph

pairings: luke castellan x hades!daughter!reader

summary: as much as you loved luke, you were beginning to believe he’d rather keep you a secret than love you in the open.

warnings: angst babyyy, arguments, jealousy, selfishness, insecurity, manipulation, violence, fights, makeups, makeouts, tension

a/n: based on this request - you guys i’m currently reading the books bc i’ve never and i only grew up on the movies lol i will be more accurate soon i hope! i’m not the best an angst bare with me. this can also fit photograph!! hope you liked it anon!!!

your relationship with luke was amazing.

you’d never dated anyone before, but you weren’t sure how you could ever move on from him. he was nothing short of a gentleman as well as your bestfriend. he confided in you, as you did him, you held eachother and loved eachother. the only problem was that it wasn’t open. being two of the most well-known people at the camp, luke expressed his desire to you to have something to himself, you, to himself.

and at first you didn’t mind.

you loved sneaking away with him late at night, longing stares from across the room, and stolen moments whenever available. no one found out, and he wanted to keep it that way.

of course there were moments where the two of you messed up. accidentally wearing his shirt, the longer length drawing some stares but you’d brush them off, no one exactly was going to call out the daughter of hades. where your hair didn’t exactly cover all of the marks he’d left the night before, his hands were in your hair, his clothes were in your sheets.

and the two of you were always able to keep it hidden.

until you didn’t want to anymore.

you wanted to love him in the open, show everyone just how much you loved luke castellan. you’d bring it up to him when you spent time together, the idea of letting everyone know was foreign and unnecessary in his eyes, but it was all you wanted. just to be able to show how happy you are with him and so neither of you will get asked out anymore. but his kisses on your neck and trailing hands seemed to draw you away from the thought.

you kept telling yourself you were fine with it.

but a girl can only hold on so long, you were done with it, with him. it broke your heart, even thinking of not being with him anymore but you’d rather be free and sad then unknown and happy. the two of you were sat together, stargazing in the forest, your own hide out, deep in the woods, a clearing for the two of you.

he seemed so happy, with you. the whole night he chatted away with you, holding your hand, kissing you, hugging you. you loved him so much, he was your other half, your luke. you felt as if you’d implode. your heart clenched at the idea of being away from him. you knew you couldn’t live like this, “luke?” he turned your way, still smiling, “what’s up babe?” his smile dropped at the sight of your teary eyes and trembling lips, “hey, hey what’s wrong?”

you swallowed, “i— i can’t do this anymore, i can’t be a secret. i hate having your nights and being ignored in your mornings, i hate looking at all the girls fawn over you, knowing your mine. i hate not being able to tell you how i feel during the day, not being able to walk up to you and hug or kiss you. i hate it, and i hate myself for hating it. i just want to be with you.” luke’s eyes were glistening, his hand resting on your cheek, “don’t do this, please. you agreed to this, to our relationship. please don’t ask for more, isn’t this enough? am i not enough?”

he held your hand, pressing it to his chest. you could feel his heartbeat, the rhythm you listened to most nights, lulling you to sleep. you could see the gorgeous face you adored, and listened to the heavy breathing of the man you loved. your smile ignited a flicker of hope in his heart, “no, it’s not. i don’t want to be a secret. i want to be able to tell everyone how much you mean to me, i want you to tell everyone what i mean to you. to be able to talk about our future and our life, plan out the biggest of adventures and our wildest dreams. i can’t do that with someone who’d rather love me in the dark of night than the light of day.”

and with that, luke’s heart was beating faster, a tear falling down and his relationship with you in pieces. all he could do was watch you walk away, a part of him with you. he wanted to get up and chase you, tell you how much he truly loved you, but he sat and stared.

the next few weeks were miserable for both of you. sleepless nights, missing the other, no one to stare at anymore, no one to pass love notes to, no one.

luke had the attention of the entire camp, everyone but the person he wanted.

you had the love of everyone but him.

you tried your best to hide it, the pain in your chest, the tears you’d rid your body of at night, the bracelets and necklaces you hid at the bottom of your jewellery box. trying to eradicate any memory of luke castellan from your eye and life.

whereas luke found himself seeking you out. the horrible drawing youd made of him, the beaded bracelet with your nickname for him on it, the chapstick you left behind and your favourite shirt of his. it still smelled like your own perfume. his favourite photograph of the two of you, a polaroid, you kissing his cheek, with both of your matching necklaces on display.

luke seemed fine to everyone else, of course he did. why would he be any different? whereas you were less chatty, energy drained, and happiness gone. no one seemed to ask, too scared of the reply.

three months, without him.

it still hurt, seeing him. but day after day, it tended to get easier to get up. your friends were your saviours, and strength. they could infer the reason behind your sadness, but they didn’t push you. everyday became a routine, get up, get ready, eat, get through the day and relax at night. you thought you were doing better, until you saw him. happy and uncaring.

and all of a sudden you were back where you started. you were so tired of feeling unwanted, always getting frustrated when you cried, you were crying over someone who couldn’t care less.

so when one of the hermes boys approached you with a smile and a drink offering at a secret party in the woods, you were more than willing to take it. he was nice, and funny, and into you. whilst you laughed away with him, occasionally drinking and eating, luke was across the campfire from you, grip tightening on his cup. all the voices around him were muffled, he couldn’t care about their conversations when the girl he loved was right there.

it was one thing for someone to approach you but from his own cabin? it felt as if the guy was trying to piss him off, and he couldn’t stand for that. luke was trying his hardest to hold himself back, but then the guys hand was on your waist and the cup in his hand was crushed within an inch of its life.

suddenly, luke appeared out of nowhere, his eyes burning with jealousy. unable to control his emotions, he confronted the guy. “what the hell do you think you’re doing?” luke sneered as the boy, derek, looked at him confused, “what’re you talking about luke?” luke scoffed, his patience was wearing thin, and the stupid look on derek’s face looked so punchable, so that’s what he did.

the situation escalated quickly, and before you knew it, a full-blown fight broke out between luke and the derek. as chaos erupted around you, you began to realize the depth of luke's feelings. you knew him better than anyone around, you saw the pain in his eyes, hiding behind the rage. luke wasn’t overtly violent in his daily life, let alone starting a fight, all for you.

derek was holding on for sure, a few hits in but again, no one was really a match for luke. the crowd around you had grown, chanting and cheering mixed in with laughter. “luke! luke let him go.” you shouted at him, but it wasn’t really any use, you implored his cabin mates to pull him away, and after a few seconds of contemplating they agreed. derek scrambled away, running with a few friends, whether to chiron or the cabins, as long as it wasn’t near you, luke was happy.

you stormed over to luke, clutching him by his shirt, “let’s. talk.” a plethora of ‘ooh’s’ rung out as luke shrugged off all the hands holding him back.

you’d found a quiet spot to talk, and with tears streaming down your faces, you talked. for the first time in three months, you held a conversation. it obviously wasn’t breezy, yelling and shouting, shoves from you, a slap or two. “you ignore me for three months, and then you beat the shit out of a guy just because he talked to me? what the hell is wrong with you? you were completely fine after we broke up, why did you do that?”

luke took a step closer, “you thought i was fine? i was anything but, every single night, all i wanted was you. you drive me insane, do you get that? not having you, not being able to hold you, to be with you.” his hand held your waist tightly, pulling you into him.

you were looking up at him, nose to nose, heaving chests and an unbelievable amount of tension in the air. “to kiss you.” he whispered, before kissing your neck. your hand tangled itself in his curls as his hand tightened around your waist, the other holding the back of your neck. the two of you ended up pushed against a tree, roaming hands and messy kisses.

“does this mean you’ll take me back?” luke whispered, forehead against yours, “are you willing to go public?”

he smiled, “for you? anything.”

#luke castellan x fem!reader #luke castellan x you #luke castellan x reader #luke castellan #luke castellan x y/n #percy jackson x fem!reader #percy jackson x reader #pjo x reader #Spotify

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lukolathoughts · 3 months ago

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What did I say...

This will just be a short one guys and not as in-depth as usual. Last night in my blog 'A pound of flesh' I discussed the Blood moon that Jake Dunn stood in front of on Saturday 15th March 2025.

"What stood out to me initially was the bright full moon being revealed behind a rolling cloud. The moon is bright and clearly visible. The Moon card in tarot often comes up in relation to Nicola and Luke and the adjacents. “The Moon is fundamentally a card about misunderstanding. Something remains unclear, making it hard to discern fantasy from reality.” To me the card signifies illusion, and I find it fascinating that Jake is pictured standing in front of such a visible full moon. The full moon last weekend was also a blood moon. There are two other Blood Moons following on September 7th 2025 and March 3, 2026. A total lunar eclipse is often called a Blood Moon as the Full Moon turns a reddish colour during totality. “These three Blood Moon Eclipses will tell a story, a story that usually involves some sort of shedding and release. Blood Moons tend to strip away all that is unnecessary, forcing us to peel back the layers to a greater truth.” (Forever Conscious.com). How interesting that Jake is stood in front of a blood moon on Saturday 15th March. So, could it be Jake’s full eventual truth will be revealed by 3rd March 2026?

Imagine my shock this morning when I log on to X and see that Jake has been cast in a BBC3 Drama written by none other than my own cousin! I almost fell off my chair. What it feels like for a girl. This is obviously a queer based drama according to the description.

"The party can't last forever though, and when Byron (main character) is seduced by bad-boy Liam, a shocking encounter occurs that will change life forever. Calam Lynch is Max, Jake Dunn is Liam and Dickie Beau is Peter.

Jake is also going to be playing a homosexual role. He has played gay men in other roles such as Oscar in Big Boys, the music video he was featured in for You and me at Six where he played Ollie, as well as other projects.

I just cannot believe that I wrote a blog post about a Blood Moon and Jake's 'truth' being revealed and then his casting announcement drops the very next day where he plays you guessed it - a gay man - the same week of the Blood Moon. I think I may be onto something. The next Blood Moon is in September and I will be watching Jake Dunn very bloody closely.

Not only that but Dylan Brady and Douglas Greenwood rush to share their love for Jake almost instantly to Instagram. Doug includes pink hearts. Remember what I said about it being unclear who Jake's actual partner is? Nicola comes in later with her own generic post.

My mind is blown and what is still aggravating is the Jakeholes are still not listening. I am thinking this series might be a bit of a shock for some of them with it's content, so I would buckle up if I was you Jakola's. BBC3 has a lot more freedom usually in what they can show now, especially after the watershed at 9pm. It might be acting, but Jake seems to do well in these kind of roles where he can be himself and play to his strengths.

This new series is reminding me of Russell T Davies It's a Sin which was set in London in the 1980's and it deals with the Aids Pandemic. If you haven't seen it, it is absolutely wonderful and heart breaking, but extremely sexually graphic. There is even a Welsh character called Colin that you will break you heart into a million pieces over. Olly Alexander, an openly gay man in real life, plays Ritchie who eventually ends up with AIDS. This new drama What it feels like for a girl is set in the 1990's and also seems to tell the tale of wild nights out and experimentation of the era. My point here is that casting directors often cast queer representation for these types of series and roles to make the series as a authentic and representative as possible. For example, in 2024 Richard Gadd played himself in Baby Reindeer. Gadd is bisexual and he included in the series his real life storyline of a relationship with a trans woman. These are just a few examples and I am not going to harp on anymore because I have discussed Jake's sexuality now extensively. But how much more evidence do we need? Does Jake need a bloody bull horn?

Otherwise, well done Jakey boy! Lets hope you landed this job on your own merits as an actor! I am not going to even bother talking about the pap video of Luke and Anchovy. It was highly disrespectful to him and my heart hurts for him and Nicola today. She did not look herself in red carpet photographs from last night. My speculation on all this nonsense is for a later blog post when I have more information.

#lukola #luke newton #nicola coughlan #nicluke

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calliopeslyrics · 1 year ago

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firegirl

pairing: luke castellan x daughter of Hephaestus! reader

word count: 5.2k

warnings: mention/description of drowning, very little angst.

summary: in which a date by the lake goes wrong, including a lack of swim lessons and tearful confessions.

You’d heard about the stories of the god’s wrath. Hera’s jealousy, Demeter’s wrath, Aphrodite’s envy - your mother had warned you through the tales of Psyche and Io and Persephone long since you were a child wading through fire. A child born of ash and fire, that was what you were. A force of destruction, born only to create with the very hands that burn through flesh and blood.

The stories didn’t mean much at the time, ancient tales of caution now serving as bedtime stories for a little girl that refused to sleep due to constant nightmares. But you should’ve paid better attention, should’ve noticed the urgency in your mothers tone when she warned you again and again that the gods are not forgiving gods.

But maybe facing a jealous goddess’s wrath was better than any other gift your father had given you. Blessed with the knowledge of forgery and fire, you should’ve known that you’d have to stay away from large bodies of water unless you wanted to turn a pool into a hot tub.

You never really learned to swim, not in the way that counted. Sure, you knew how to hold your breath and doggy paddle from one end to another, but your expertise in swimming never extended past the basics. It was something you weren’t so keen on sharing, not when everyone knows how to swim.

When you were smaller, taking a bath meant going outside and having your mom spray you with the hose before you could turn the water to steam. Pool days meant dipping your toes and fingers in the water, and nothing else.

You can look, but don’t touch, your mom had told after one particular accident. It was your cousin’s birthday party, another pool party to relax during the sweltering days of summer. While your cousins and their friends played chicken and cannonball into the water, you stayed at the edge of the pool, watching and just wishing to feel more than a droplet of water splash onto you.

The gods must have heard your wishing because the next thing you knew, you were submerged into water. Little six year old you in six feet deep water, what could go wrong? You don’t remember much from that day, only that you screamed and splashed and cried and soon the other kids screamed and splashed around you too.

It wasn’t until later that you learned that due to an overheating issue in the pool’s pipes, the pool’s water began to heat up until it was as boiling as the hot tub. A freak accident, the pool company called it after getting bombarded with angry parents threatening to sue. You also learned more years later that your panicked state brought that pool to its near boiling temperature.

From that day forward, your mom made a strict rule - no more pool parties, no more swim lessons, and no more unnecessary contact with water. It was too dangerous, she said. And you were too young to argue, so you agreed.

It wasn't until you arrived at Camp Half Blood when you realized how much you were missing out because of that rule. The camp itinerary was filled with fun activities that had dangerous monsters sprinkled in between the activities - perfect for someone who has no idea what world they've gotten themselves into.

There was pegasus riding in the morning, then water balloon fights between cabins, some days had sword practice against some monsters in the forest, then a lunch break while the satyrs played ancient songs on their pipes. You often watched other campers jump into the lake during the hot summer days, wondering if you’d ever get to swim freely like they do.

You quickly learned the dynamic within the camp, at how quickly your life can change with a simple symbol. The day that a fiery hammer hovered over your head was the day that you realized you weren’t alone. Your absent father wasn’t a piece of shit that couldn’t afford child support but the god of fire and forgery - Hephaestus.

All the weird coincidences in your life seemed to make sense. Your constant sweating and overly warm body, your skill with handiwork despite having no experience with tools - it was in your blood to create dangerous flames, to burn and rebuild in the same breath.

The other children of Hephestus didn’t seem to mind having an addition to their cabin, welcoming you with open arms that were stained with grease and oil. They were the siblings you never had, your quirks within the outside world becoming a norm within Cabin 9.

No one seemed to mind the constant overheating from their bodies or the unfinished projects that were scattered along the floor, no one made a face at the sweat that slipped down your face from a hard day’s work of building and destroying and rebuilding again. It was like you could finally belong somewhere, maybe you could even call it a home.

Your siblings never complained about the countless forgery, the mixture of sweat and smoke clinging onto your clothes. There were more days where grease stained your hands and face, which left you in a sour mood after laundry duty, or when you wished you could skip dinner to finish this project because you’re so close to getting it to work.

Overalls and aprons became your favorite items to wear, your pockets filled with scraps of metal and loose screws that you’ve scrapped from the other cabins. You’ve learned how to

But despite the warm welcome you received from your siblings and the amazing cabin life you adapted to, you could never shake the jealousy within you when it came to lake days. You’d often spend your time watching the campers with a longing gaze, wishing you could join them in the cool water that left them squealing and laughing when they touched the water.

Luke had suggested you spend time in the lake with him for the afternoon, saying something about needing a day to yourselves. And you agreed - most days seemed to blur together after an influx of Ares children played too roughly amongst themselves. Shields and spears needed modifications, swords needed to be resharpened, even armor needed to be fixed from some mysterious stabbings that appeared along the chest plates.

So there you were, standing just a couple feet away from the lake, towel in hand as if you were ever going to get into the water. Luke wasted no time getting ready for his swim, as evident by the smears of sunscreen along his nose and cheeks that hadn’t been smoothed properly.

There was something about the lake that always had Luke acting excited. Maybe it was because he could step away from his duties, dropping the mask of confidence that he carried around the younger campers. Or maybe it was the sense of normalcy the lake brought, as if you weren’t demigods fighting for your lives everyday and just a couple of normal teenagers enjoying a hot summer day.

“Aren’t you going to get in?” Luke asked, his calm tone bringing you out of your thoughts. He gave you a questioning glance at your attire, a simple once over before raising an eyebrow at you. You were still dressed in your camp shirt and shorts, stained with grease and oil from your morning in the forgery.

You shook your head, giving Luke a sympathetic smile. “I can’t.” you said simply, brushing at the stains in your shirt as if it were the only thing stopping you from swimming. Your towel laid limp in your hold, still folded from the years of sitting in your closet, and you made a mental note to throw it out one of these days.

Luke still doesn’t know of your mother’s rule or the pool incident all those years ago - mostly because you just didn’t know how to tell him and because he never asked. There was hardly a day where you could have a day to yourselves as demigods, constantly preparing for war against monsters and gods and each other. Swimming seemed like the least of your worries when Zeus was threatening to smite down a certain demigod when his lightning bolt went missing.

“You don’t know how to swim?” Luke snorted, giving you a disbelieving look. He was the one to suggest a pool date in the first place and while you were inclined to agree because you do love seeing Luke shirtless, you soon began to wonder if you should’ve declined his offer.

You rolled out your beach towel, a burnt orange color similar to your camp shirt, and sat stubbornly in the middle. You left your sandals on the grass, enjoying the slight freedom from the You didn’t bother shrugging off your clothes despite your swim suit underneath, it’s not like you’d get it wet anyway.

You can look, but don’t touch.

“Fire and water don’t mix well, Luke.” you scowled, crossing your arms defensively. You felt your cheeks heat up with embarrassment and you knew it wouldn’t be long before your body began to heat up as well. In an attempt to distract yourself, you grabbed a small bottle of sunscreen from your bag, relishing in the coolness of the cream as you applied it to your arms and legs. “It’s basic science, you nerd.”

Luke raised his hands in mock surrender, casually tugging his Camp Half Blood shirt off and tossing it by his shoes. He was always so comfortable in his body, his sleeves usually rolled up to his shoulders to show off his biceps that were toned from years worth of training. And though you’ve been dating for a while now, you tried not to stare at his defined stomach, at how his biceps casually flexed with every movement.

Luke cleared his throat, and you quickly looked away from his body, catching his gaze instead. “Like what you see?” he asked teasingly, giving you a suggestive smirk. You playfully scoffed and rolled your eyes, turning away from Luke to hide your own smile.

It’s been two years since you first started dating Luke and yet he still tries to court and flirt with you like the first day you met. His ego was constantly inflated with your stares and small flirtatious quips, though you loved to act annoyed at how easily he revels in your attention. Lingering touches and lovesick glances was the trademark of your relationship with Luke, most dates filled with sneaking away from your camp to escape the reality of your lives.

“You wish, Castellan.” You huffed, slowly toeing your own shoes off. You didn’t mind not knowing how to swim, you never needed it growing up. Instead of swim lessons, your mom put you in welding and crafting lessons. Instead of wading through the deep end of pools, you learned how much heat you could handle from a fire before you could feel the burn.

You never complained about your lack of experience, it didn’t seem like something worth complaining about. But now, as the summer days started to grow hotter and hotter, you started to envy anyone who could splash around in the lake.

Luke shrugged, taking no mind to your tone and immediately getting into the water. He let out a satisfied groan at the temperature, wadding further and further into the water until it was up to his waist. You watched with a smile as Luke let himself get used to the water, occasionally trying to float when the sun wasn’t in his face.

“Are you sure you don't want to come in? The water is soooo nice” Luke looked up at you from his spot in the lake, his hair already sopping wet from his plunges underwater. It took all of your strength not to let your gaze wander along his chest, down further to his abs before the water obstructed your view.

You gave him a reassuring smile and nodded, casually toeing the water as if you were checking the temperature. The cold water of the lake stung at first, always clashing with the overly warmness of your body. But after keeping your feet dipped in the water. It felt nice, refreshing even, to feel the biting cold of the water against the heat of your skin.

For a second, you forgot that you were the daughter of the fire god, blessed with eternal warmth and cursed with hotheadedness. You were just another body in the water, enjoying the refreshing cold the water offered after a long day’s work of crafting. The water seemed to call to you, inviting you closer to the crystal clear deep of the lake, promising an ice cold plunge that would soothe your aching muscles.

A splash of cold water to your face brought you back to reality, and you opened your eyes to glare at the perpetrator. Instead of facing your annoying boyfriend, you found yourself face to face with a guilty looking son of Poseidon.

Percy Jackson winced at your glare, giving you an awkward wave. The water was at his shoulders, though the boy seemed to have no trouble standing along the deep end with your boyfriend. You waved back, giving the boy a small smile while he streamed out his apologies as quickly as he could.

“I meant to hit Luke, I swear!” he said, raising his hands in surrender. Another wave followed his hands movements and splashed you again, drenching your clothes in ice cold water. You wiped your hair from your face, letting out a hiss at the freezing sensation, but gave the boy a dismissive wave. “Sorry! Sorry again!”

“Percy, stop drenching my girlfriend,” Luke said with a laugh, splashing water onto the boy. The water moved around Percy smoothly, as though the waves had a mind of its own, and crashed upon another camper nearby. In retaliation, Percy swept more water towards Luke, still splashing you with droplets whenever Luke dodged and moved around to avoid the water.

Though you couldn’t join them, you enjoyed watching Luke relax on days like this - where his duties as cabin counselor didn’t weigh on him and he didn’t have to worry about accommodating another unclaimed child in his already crammed cabin. Instead, he was roughhousing with Percy, now determined to win whatever made up game they had thought of.

“I didn’t mean to!” Percy exclaimed, still waving his hands around. Stronger waves surged towards you, hitting you with more force until you were soaking wet along the edge of the lake. Luke laughed and launched at the boy, wading deeper and deeper along the lake until Percy disappeared beneath the water and reappeared somewhere else.

You don’t remember what happened next.

One moment, Luke is splashing more water onto Percy and you’re laughing at how they’re moving within the water. Then in another a giant wave rushes at you, immediately pulling you deep into the water. Your surprised gasp is muffled by the sound of moving water and before you knew it, you were engulfed by the freezing sensation all around you.

The water was cold, ice cold, stinging your entire body with the freezing temperature as you fought against the invisible force in the water. You opened your mouth to scream, to call for Luke or Percy or anyone that could help, but water filled your mouth and lungs and all you could do was panic. Above you, you could see Luke and Percy halt in their roughplaying, their bodies still as you struggled underwater.

Swim, you needed to swim.

But you didn’t know how, didn’t know anything other than to frantically kick at the water, your arms reaching out for something, someone to hold onto. The pounding in your head wouldn’t stop as you tried to push your way up, towards the surface that seemed to move further and further away from your reach.

You can look, but don’t touch, those mocking words echoed in your mind once again, taunting you. A small part of you wanted to give up, there was no point in fighting a losing battle. But as you kicked at the water, pushing yourself up,up,up against the numbing water, you wondered how much longer you could struggle before anyone would help.

Panic clawed at your chest as the roaring of the waves crashed over you again and again. Your lungs burned, your heart pounding wildly with fear at the prospect that you might not be able to make it to the surface. You could hear the muffled shouting from above, the sound of someone shouting your name though you could barely hear it.

A disgruntled sound came from your mouth, weak and sad, as your arms and legs burned in agony with every movement. The burning in your lungs only grew and the salty taste in your mouth made you want to gag as you slowed your flailing to a stop. You weren’t sure if you were crying or if your eyes were burning from the water, you couldn’t tell anymore when all you could do was let yourself sink slowly to the bottom.

All you could do was stare at the surface, watching the light slowly dim as the silhouettes above you rushed towards you. You thought of Luke, how he wanted to have a lake party with his girlfriend before the last days of summer ended. Was that his voice calling out your name, or were you starting to hallucinate? You weren’t sure anymore, not when the water numbed your entire body and the cold turned into a comforting feeling of nothingness all around you.

Maybe your mother was wrong, you thought as your eyes closed, maybe the water wasn’t so bad after all. A rushing sound of water filled your ears, or maybe that was another thing your mind was making up. Maybe you could rest for a bit, let your body relax before you’d swim back to the surface.

Rest - rest was good you decided. With the last bit of consciousness that you had, you thought of Luke one more time before everything faded to black, and your body felt like the nothingness that surrounded you.

Pressure against your chest was the first thing you felt, the thump, thump, thump of something against your chest in a rhythmic beat crushing your chest. It continued in a familiar pattern, thump, thump, thump until more pressure filled your throat and lungs - air.

You woke up with a start, sitting upright and spitting out water you didn’t know you had in your mouth. Tears streamed down your face as you coughed, air finally filling your lungs again as you took in deep, wild breaths. The lights were too bright, blinding you are you tried to take in your surroundings, searching for something familiar to ground you.

The sound of murmuring surrounded you, and you found yourself staring at concerned campers still clad in their swimwear and summer clothes. Sandy blonde hair, deep tans, some with freckles and others with almost glowing eyes - you recognized them as the children of Apollo, all watching you from their spots around your cot.

“What happened?” you rasped, glancing up at the closest person around you - a boy around Percy’s age with a grim look on his face. You recognized him from some of the games, he was more known for his healing skills than anything though he was equally as dangerous with a bow. But you couldn’t remember his name, not when the slight ringing in your ears filled your head.

The boy sighed, wiping his brow as he shooed the rest of the onlookers away. The children of Apollo murmured amongst themselves as they were ushered away, concerned glances cast your way as you watched the boy move with authority. Though he was shorter than some of his siblings, the blond carried himself as if he were wiser beyond his years.

You almost felt bad for him, seeing the same weight of responsibility that constantly hounded Luke crash upon the boy, probably more with the responsibility to heal the wounded. If he had any sense of resentment for his job, the head counselor didn’t show it, save for the tired look on his face once the final camper left your cot.

You attempted to lift yourself from your cot, barely bringing your legs over the edge before hissing in pain. Soreness shot from your thighs down to your calves, and you dug the palms of your hands into the soft mattress as you continued to move towards the edge.

As if realizing your plan, the blond rushed to the side of your cot, holding onto your shoulders in warning. Though he was younger, the child of Apollo was not weak. His grip tightened on your shoulder, as if holding you in place, and you didn't dare challenge his hold. He stared at you, blue eyes daring you to move any closer to the edge, and you felt compelled to heed the hidden warning in his gaze.

“You drowned, I don’t even think calling you lucky is the right thing to describe your situation.” he said softly, his grip never loosening. He reminded you of those doctors you see on those dramatic shows back at home, with a stern and yet disappointed look on his face that made him look older than he really was. “I don’t know how long you were out, but you didn’t have a pulse when they brought you here…” He trailed off, and you sunk into your bed at the realization that you were more than just unconscious. Gods, you almost died drowning. An embarrassed flush spread at your cheeks at the image of the younger campers watching you horribly flail around in the water. You made a mental note to look for swimming lessons from the naiads around the lake, as if they’d be more help than the only child of Poseidon in camp.

“Is Luke-”

“He’s taking a break, he’s been here since you got here.” he said, his light blue eyes gleaming with a knowing look. You let out a small sigh of relief, falling back into the soft pillows of the Apollo cabin’s cot. The pain in your arms and legs had now dulled to soreness, and you knew you’d have to take it easy for the next few days until you could return to the forgery again.

The camper didn’t say anything else as he rummaged through the cabinets and drawers of the healing station. You’re not sure how long you were out for, and a small part of you was too afraid to ask. The knowledge of the time that passed while the children of Apollo tried to bring you back to consciousness made your head feel dizzy and something like bile threatened to rise at the thought of Luke seeing you like that.

Sometime later, the familiar sound of the dinner bell rang throughout camp. Voices all flooded outside the cabin, conversations carrying into your side of the Apollo cabin as the campers made their way to the dining pavilion. You’re pretty sure you heard your name in a couple of the conversations, and you turned away from the window to avoid the wandering gazes of the curious campers walking by.

The door to the cabin opened and the setting sun’s light peered into the cabin, bringing a dramatic backlight to whoever entered. You tilted your head towards the light, eyes blinking at the golden light as you took in the silhouette of none other than your boyfriend.

Ah, Will Solace, you suddenly remembered the familiar freckles and subtle Texan accent that could only belong to one child of Apollo here. You’ve seen him run throughout camp a couple times, sometimes wandering close to

“She’s been up for some time,” Will murmured, more to Luke than you. Luke mumbled something to Will before moving past the boy, walking up to your cot, pressing his fingers against your palm before gently brushing his thumb against your cheek. You leaned into his soft touch, glancing up at him for the first time since the incident.

“Hi,” you whispered softly, looking up at Luke with a sudden shyness. Part of you wanted to hide under your covers, to pretend that you lost your memory and conveniently forgot everything that happened at the lake. But the bloodshot red in Luke’s eyes and slight frown on his lips had a pang of hurt echo throughout your chest at the realization of just how devastating Luke looked.

“Hi,” he whispered back, his voice cracking slightly. He cleared his throat, looking away slightly while he blinked his tears away, and you glanced at your hands instead. You gave him the time he needed, holding his hand with shaking fingers and squeezing it gently. “I’m sorry for….everything.”

You frowned at Luke’s words, at the sullen look in his face and guilt in his tone. He was always so quick to blame himself when things went wrong, so selfless and yet selfishly taking the blame. It was the burden he always seemed to carry as one of the eldest campers, to accept more and more responsibility until the weight broke you down.

“It’s not your fault,” you said softly. Guilt lay heavy in your words, at your own fault for scaring Luke this way. But he needed comfort, he needed you just as much as you needed him right now, and you were okay with ignoring what happened if it meant that Luke would calm down.“It was an accident, that’s all.”

Luke continued, as if he didn’t hear you, his words coming out in a jumbled stream of panicked breaths. You could practically see his train of thought, the anxious thoughts leading with what if, what if, what if, pulling him down a rabbit hole of worse and worse situations. “I should’ve known. I wasn’t thinking and next thing I knew, you were underwater-”

“Luke,” you said sternly, dropping his hand. He turned towards you, that same sad look still in his eyes, now amplified at your tone. Gods, what you would give to make it go away, to make him laugh once more and see that stupid smile you love so much. “I’m okay. I just can’t swim, it’s not a big deal.”

Luke blinked, the only indication of surprise he’d give you. You could see the internal battle within him, forcing him to choose one or the other - to scold or cry, to hold or push away.

“You didn’t have a pulse.” Luke said at last. His eyes were full of tears and when he looked at you, you saw fear, true fear in Luke’s eyes. Luke, who never hesitated to break up a brawl between campers, who wasn’t afraid to speak of his father with spite and venom in his voice. Luke, the greatest man you’ve ever known, regardless of his demigod status or parentage, was afraid. “When we got you back on land, you didn’t have a pulse.”

You opened your mouth to speak but nothing came out. There were so many things to say, comforting words mixed with a thousand apologies, but you couldn’t find the words. Today was an accident, but you were here, you were okay.

“I started CPR, but you never…” he cleared his throat and blinked at the tears despite the fact that they’ve fallen down his cheeks already. You lifted a hand to his cheeks, your thumb gently brushing away the tears and tracing down the scar that bore down his face. He was always so brave, but a small part of you wondered if you truly scared Luke for the first time in your relationship. “It wasn’t until Will got to you and started doing compressions, you finally started to regain consciousness.”

“I thought I lost you,” he admitted. You didn’t say anything, letting the words settle within you. Luke looked up at you, lips trembling and tears falling. His confident cool-guy persona was gone, the mask finally broken and revealing Luke’s vulnerable side, the one he kept so secretly hidden from everyone in his life. “I don’t...I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Luke’s shoulders slumped, as if his confession had been weighing on him the entire time. You patted your hand at the now empty space on the other side of your cot, smoothing out the blanket’s wrinkles. Luke looked up at you, as if asking for permission, and you nodded.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” you said softly, scooting towards the edge of your cot and looking up at Luke expectantly. Luke just stood by the side, watching you with caution, as if he were afraid you were going to fall unconscious once again. You tried to ignore the pang of hurt that echoed in your chest at his stillness. “You’re stuck with me, Castellan. Forever and ever.”

Gently, Luke settled into the space next to you, shifting his body ever so slightly to avoid the creaking of the cot beneath you. His strong arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer to his body until you could rest your head on his chest. You nestled into his embrace, the solid warmth of his chest offering solace in the empty room around you.

His heart beat in a soft and steady rhythm, the faint ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum of his heartbeat bringing a soothing comfort only Luke could ever bring. It was your favorite sound - the promise of his eternal devotion, the reminder that he’s just as okay as you are.

“No more lake days.” Luke murmured more to himself, his voice a soft whisper against your neck. His breath felt warm against your skin, and you shifted slightly in Luke’s hold to look at him better.

Dark, curly hair swept along his forehead, nearly covering his eyes. You brushed his hair away from his face, fingers gently playing with his curls. But it was his eyes that truly captivated you - pools of soft brown that gazed at you with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat, drawing you into their depths like a moth to a flame.

In their depths, you could see a myriad of emotions swirling - love, longing, and a hint of vulnerability hidden beneath the surface. It was as if his eyes held the secrets to his soul, bared for you and you alone to see.

As Luke looked at you now, his gaze soft and full of affection, you couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in your chest. In the soft brown of Luke’s eyes was the reflection of your own love, mirrored back to you in all its raw and unbridled beauty.

You hummed in response, stretching your arms out to wrap them around his broad shoulders. His arms flexed as he held you tightly, as if he were afraid to ever let go, and you didn’t mind. “No more lake days.”

You laid entwined in each other’s arms, the weight of today’s actions leaving your mind. Tomorrow, you’d ask Percy for swim lessons and maybe offer some food to Poseidon as an apology. You’d definitely thank Will Solace later, maybe with a handmade gift that could hold his medical instruments.

But for now, you were content laying with Luke, the gentle rise and fall of his chest lulling you to a dreamless slumber.

#percy jackson #percy jackson and the olympians #pjo series #luke castellan x reader #percy jackson x reader #charlie bushnell #pjo tv show #pjo fandom #the lightning thief #au where luke isn't evil because i wish things were better for him #luke castellan #luke castellan fluff #luke castellan imagine #luke castellan pjo #luke castellan fic #luke pjo

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tencrushesperday · 1 year ago

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Blood runs thicker than water

pairing : matt rempe x hughes!reader

warnings : angst, and some description of bruises, sort of forbidden lovers, 1k

a/n : instead of studying for my exams next week i do this, i was listening to The water is fine by Chloe Ament and felt inspired

You wanted to stay until the end of the match. You wanted to congratulate your brothers on the win. You wanted to party with the team after such a huge win against their rivals.

But the blood was pounding in your ears and you didn’t know what to do with your hands. The crowd was so loud. Jack’s last conquest and Bratt’s girlfriend were chatting next to you. Yet you were feigning interest in the game to ignore them. Even though you could barely focus your sight.

Luke had gotten into an unnecessary fight during second period and Jack was right there to back him up. Both were okay. But the other guy wasn’t.

As soon as the second intermission started you excused yourself to the restroom then texted Nicole on your way to your car saying that suddenly you weren’t feeling good.

Fortunately, you’ve driven down this road so many times you didn’t have to focus to get home because suddenly you were in your apartment. You were on autopilot the whole time doing your night routine and then you were in your bed trying to fall asleep.

Sleep wouldn’t come. Every time you closed your eyes you would see him taking hit after hit. Him struggling to get up. His bloody face.

Then you heard keys turning in the lock and the front door shutting. You got up from your bed and marched out of your room, ready to send one of your bothers home.

“Matt”, you stopped dead in your tracks right outside your bedroom door.

There he stood, in front of the entrance, cheeks bruised, lip cracked.

“I’m sorry”, he only managed to whisper it.

He wanted to say a thousand other things but everything was pointless and painful. Looking at you was painful. Nothing was more appropriate than “sorry”.

He was the one who hit first. Even though Luke asked for it. He chirped Matt’s girlfriend without even knowing it was his own sister and Matt couldn’t let it slide. He also couldn’t tell Luke the truth.

The truth being you weren’t even his girlfriend.

You were just hooking up, keeping it casual, secret.

He would have loved it, have it been any other girl.

But he was so desperately in love with you. He wanted to hold your hand and take you on dates and have you cheering on him at his game. He loved waking up next to you and the casual evenings you spent at each other’s apartments, watching a movie, cooking together and telling each other about your days. He loved when you talked about hockey and he would promise you to take you play again, like when you used to do when you were younger. He even loved the stupid reels and tiktok’s you would send him in the morning on your commute to work because then he knew that you thought about him.

However, it has never gotten out of your apartments. His promise to take you to the rink to play hockey together was never fulfilled.

That he hated.

You kept looking at him. You couldn’t sleep because you kept seeing him getting hurt. But now that he was actually in front of you and even in the dim light coming in from the street you could see the bruises.

Not breaking eye contact you get closer to him as he silently takes off his shoes. He knows the rules in your home. He has a spare key. He knows you inside and out and he still can’t call you his and that’s worse than any hit from your brother, he thinks to himself.

“You left before third period.” He wants to wrap his arms around you and feel the warmth of your body to forget the cold of the ice.

You look at him before taking his hand and leading him to the kitchen. “So did you.”

You drop his hand and reach for two glasses in your cupboard.

He watches your every movement and anticipates your every word. You’re too calm but he knows there’s a storm brewing inside of you. You always go quiet when you’re upset and feeling too much. He knows that growing up with three brothers toughened you up and that, even if you’re working on it, subconsciously you still think that showing emotion is a weakness. Still he awaits your next words and actions. You have him wrapped around your finger so tight he almost wants to laugh at his poor situation.

You turn on the tap and let the water running until it’s at the right temperature before filling up your glass.

Matt can’t wait anymore. His patience thins with every drop of water. It’s pouring out of the faucet and going down the drain.

He’s right behind you when you turn around. You wanted to ask him if he wants water but your words die in your throat. He looks even worse up close. If you weren’t holding in your breath you would have sobbed at the sight.

Despair fills his eyes when you look up at him. He crashes his lips on yours and you can taste it right there.

You’re not mad he fought Luke. You know how it is on the ice, you know how Luke can be a little shit when chirping, you know how Matt can fly off the handle in such a situation.

You taste a metallic taste in your mouth as the slit on his lip cracks open at the fierceness with which he kissed you.

It doesn’t matter who he fought, he’s hurt and that’s what upsets you.

The metallic taste mixes with the saltiness of the tear that slid down your cheek. He catches the next one with the thumb that is caressing your skin, as he cradles your face.

Your fingers run through his hair. You can’t let him go. You tug him closer. You can’t tell your bothers. Not now. Every thought in your head contradicts the previous one. His other arm is wrapped around your whole body and pulls you impossible closer. You’re caught up in such a mess, one you made yourself.

But for tonight you’ll kiss Matt even harder. You’ll take care of his bruised lip. You’ll kiss the pain away.

Leaving the mess for tomorrow morning.

#matt rempe #matt rempe x reader #hockey imagine

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dazaih · 1 month ago

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wingman - luke skywalker x reader

you can find previous chapters here

chapter eleven -> the invitation

your university roommate han solo finds a rival (and love interest) in student council president leia skywalker, but both of them are too stubborn to admit that they have feelings for each other. luckily, you and her twin brother, luke, devise a plan to get the two of them to spend more time together. challenges arise, however, when you start to develop a crush on him.

chapter warnings: luke is drunk, weed, discussions of consent

a/n: sorry this took so long i’ve been finishing finals and i’m also in the process of moving!

You were stunned into silence. Han immediately dropped Luke’s keys, having been caught even more off guard than you had. When he bent over to pick the keys up, his cigarettes tumbled out of his breast pocket and onto the floor. He looked torn between whether or not he should pick them up, his eyes wide.

“Han?” Leia exclaimed, standing from her seat. She was in her pajamas, her wet hair braided down her shoulder.

“Um,” Han said, gracelessly gathering his cigarettes as Anakin Skywalker stared daggers into him from across the room, “Right. I’m not breaking and entering.”

That was probably the worst thing he could’ve said. You sighed, and Luke rolled his eyes, pushing past Han as he stumbled inside. Padme stood immediately and pulled him into a hug, Luke squirming a little in her surprisingly strong grip. Anakin stood too, but his skeptical gaze lingered on Han as he pulled his son into a sideways hug.

“What’re you guys doing here?” Luke asked, hiccuping a little.

“We wanted to come congratulate you on your nomination,” she explained, gesturing towards the counter, “Ben made you a cake.”

Luke’s eyes lit up immediately, and he pulled away from his parents to make his way to the counter. He clumsily grabbed a cake slicer from a kitchen drawer and cut into the treat, taking a rather sizable slice and plopping it onto a plate. He moved impressively quickly for someone as drunk as he was, and he was shoving a fork full of cake into his mouth in no time. He sighed happily, meeting your gaze as he did so, and had the audacity to wink at you. You tried not to react, given the presence of his parents, and you wanted to scold him.

“That man is a fucking wizard in the kitchen,” Luke announced, his mouth full of food, “And I haven’t won the award. It’s just a nomination.”

“You’re going to win,” Anakin said then, finally taking his eyes off of your roommate. Han visibly relaxed.

“Don’t say that,” Luke replied, frowning, “I might not. There’s a guy from the East Coast who has crazy stats right now. Even if we beat them in nationals, he’s gonna give me trouble.”

“That’s why we’re celebrating now,” Padme explained softly, “Even if you don’t win, we’re still proud of you. Being nominated is a huge deal, sweetie.”

“But then everyone’s gonna be disappointed if I lose,” he mumbled, taking another bite of his cake.

“Why are you here?” Leia asked, suddenly toe to toe with Han, “You smell horrible, by the way. Like cigarettes.”

“So I’ve been told,” he grumbled, not about to test Anakin’s patience when it came to being hateful to the man’s daughter.

“I was kidnapped,” Luke explained, and Anakin’s eyes immediately fell on your roommate again. You could’ve sworn Han was starting to break a sweat.

“That’s such a horrible description of what happened,” Han griped, closing his eyes for a moment to regain his composure.

“Biggs told us that Luke was reaching the point where you’d normally intervene and drag him home,” you told Leia, trying to diffuse the tension in the room, “So Han dragged him home.”

“And it was completely unnecessary,” Luke added, chewing his cake and nodding in agreement with himself, “I was gonna leave anyway.”

“Sure you were, kid. Three different people were hangin’ off of you when I reached you, and a fourth was pouring gin into your mouth,” Han managed to say, having calmed down a little as the focus shifted to Luke’s inebriation.

“Must’ve been getting pretty wild for Biggs to intervene,” Leia mused, and you thought you saw the semblance of a smile tugging at her lips as she stared at Han.

“I didn’t even wanna be there,” Luke huffed, grabbing a gallon of milk from the fridge and a glass, “So I would’ve left at some point.”

“Yeah? After how many more drinks?” Han snorted, his usual personality seeping through as he rolled his eyes, so caught up in defending himself that he seemed to be forgetting that the Skywalker parents were in the room, “I already told you that Her Royal Highness would beat my ass if I let your shit-brained friends drag you to that Marie girl’s house, and you don’t ever stand up for yourself.”

“How would you know?” Luke asked, suddenly grinning, “Unless Leia told you. Because you’re hanging out! And you’re in love!”

“What?” Anakin snapped, glaring at your roommate again.

Han nearly fell to his knees, his mouth hanging wide open as his face turned beet red. He floundered for a moment, but could find nothing at all to say, so he just stood, dumbfounded.

“You are fucked up,” Leia sighed, though she was blushing a little, “Thanks for bringing him home.”

“No problem,” you replied, reaching for Han’s hand as you moved to lead him out the door, “Well, we don’t wanna intrude, so we’ll be leaving now. Nice meeting you both in person.”

“What?” Luke pouted, looking at you with sad blue eyes that he was certainly exaggerating in an effort to get what he wanted, “But you just got here. Stay for a little while. We can order food, and I’ll pay as a thanks for getting me home safe and sound, okay?”

“Yeah,” Anakin agreed, voice low as he continued assessing Han, “You should stay. We’ll pay.”

Your mission to get Han out of there had failed, and you had to admit that you were also a little unsure of how to interact with celebrities who also happened to be the parents of the man you were falling in love with. And said man was known to deliberately try to embarrass you by flirting with you in public. And he was drunker than you’d ever seen him. And Han was being absolutely useless in helping you make this less of an awkward situation.

“We really don’t wanna be in the way. You guys came all the way out here to spend time with your kids,” you tried again, but you knew you’d been defeated when Padme spoke.

“Nonsense,” she said sweetly, waving her hand dismissively, “We’d love to treat you to dinner. Especially after all you kids have been through this semester.”

Han’s face paled.

“They know about that?” he whispered to you, and you nodded.

“I told you. FaceTime.”

“Fuck.”

“Isn’t that good news, Leia?” Luke teased, leaning over the counter to taunt his sister. Clearly agitated, she walked around the island, angrily filled his glass with water, put the milk back in the fridge, and grabbed his wrist.

“Luke’s going to take a shower,” she said calmly to all of you, “And he’s going to drink this water. And he’s going to sober up. And he’s going to calm the fuck down and stop being a pain in the ass to everyone here.”

With that, she dragged him down the hallway. He just smiled as she did so and went willingly, giving you a flirtatious wave as he left. You could hear them bicker between themselves in the hallway as she shoved clean clothes in his hands and pushed him into the bathroom.

“Is he usually like this?” Padme asked, sounding concerned but looking thoroughly entertained.

“No,” you answered shyly, “A ton of people were buying him drinks. He’s normally not this far gone.”

“I was worried,” she admitted, relaxing a little, “I just wanted to make sure you guys weren’t regularly having to take care of him.”

“We don’t,” you replied, nervous under her gaze despite how kind she was being.

“Seems like Leia does,” Anakin mused, looking down the hallway as his daughter returned.

“You’ve spoiled him,” she said, pointing at you. Your eyes widened.

“Me?”

“Yes, you,” she teased, pouring you a glass of water, “He thinks he can get away with being annoying when you’re here because you’ll stick up for him. Like you did the other day on the couch.”

“I only said something then because Han was being annoying,” you protested, hands on your hips.

“Shut up,” Han hissed, his face still red. Padme smiled at the interaction, but Anakin’s face was impossible to read. Han was definitely sweating.

His situation didn’t improve when Leia stood in front of him again, pushing a glass of water into his hand. He stared down at her like she was from another world, his eyes wide and posture uncharacteristically tense.

“You alright?” you heard her ask him quietly. His expression softened a little, but he still remained tightly wound.

“Wasn’t expecting your celebrity parents to be here. That’s all,” he mumbled. She touched his arm lightly, likely meant to be reassuring, but you saw him blush a little.

“Don’t worry about that,” she whispered, “You don’t care what anyone else thinks anyway, right? This isn’t any different. They’re just regular people.”

“It’s not the celebrity part,” he murmured, looking away from her, “It’s that they’re your parents.”

Her eyes widened a little and her cheeks reddened.

“Well, that’s stupid,” she said quietly, staring at her feet.

How much longer would they keep up with this until they finally started dating?

Padme called your name then, and beckoned you over. She asked you a few questions about your wrist, how you were doing, and some other general small talk.

“Is she seeing him?” Anakin asked you suddenly, still watching Han like a hawk.

“Um, not yet, but they definitely like each other. He’s my roommate,” you explained, not knowing what else to say other than the truth.

“Oh,” Anakin said, “He’s the one who was in the hospital, right?”

“That’s him,” you murmured.

“Is his ear pierced?”

“Ani,” Padme interjected, placing a hand on his knee, “Don’t interrogate his poor roommate. He brought Luke home. And Leia can hold her own. See? She seems to be the one calling the shots.”

You turned to see Han still tense as Leia casually touched his arm, his wide eyes darting to yours with a look of desperation. He avoided Anakin’s stare quite deliberately, which made the older man chuckle.

“Good,” Anakin said, somewhat satisfied by Han’s anxieties, “And who’s Marie? Is that Luke’s girlfriend?”

“Ani,” Padme chided again, “I’m sorry. He’s a little protective of the kids. Marie’s the cheerleader, honey. We’ve seen her before at his games.”

You didn’t remember that Marie was a cheerleader, but you supposed that made sense. Padme knowing who she was did sting a little though.

“I don’t know who that is,” Anakin scoffed, and you felt kind of vindicated by that, “But she better not be anything like his other girlfriends.”

You wanted to ask what he meant by that, your curiosity reaching its limits, but Luke stepped back into the room before you could. His hair was damp and he wore long pajama pants, fuzzy blue socks on his feet.

“Do you feel any better?” Padme asked, motioning for him to come over while Han and Leia talked.

“I feel clean,” he replied happily, “But I still couldn’t drive a car.”

“We weren’t gonna make you drive anywhere,” you told him, and he smiled widely at your presence.

“I was worried you guys would sneak out while I was showering,” he confessed, cheeks rosy from his alcohol consumption.

“Leia has Han trapped,” you explained, pointing to the couple standing next to the island, “And your parents were asking me about him.”

“Not your parents,” Padme chimed in, rolling her eyes, “Your father.”

“Am I crazy to ask if the guy with cigarettes pouring out of his pockets has a good head on his shoulders?” he argued, slightly exasperated.

“What? I love Han,” Luke said defensively, smiling, “He’s so cool. And he doesn’t care what other people think of him. I wish I could be more like that.”

The admission made your heart clench, and you wanted to pull him into a hug and tell him that he didn’t need to change.

“Not in an asshole way,” you added nervously, “He means well. He’s just a little unconventional.”

Anakin’s eyebrow was raised, but he said nothing else about Han.

“I’m sure he’s a nice boy,” Padme told Anakin, giving you a reassuring smile, “And what about you, Luke?”

“I’m nice too,” he answered, nodding.

You giggled, hiding your smile behind your hand. Anakin rolled his eyes.

“No, honey. I’m asking if you’re seeing anyone right now.”

“Oh!” he replied, eyes darting between you and his mother, “Um. Sort of?”

“Yes,” you heard Leia yell from the kitchen, “Your turn in the hot seat, Luke.”

“Is it the cheerleader?” she asked, eyes lighting up in excitement.

“Who?”

Luke not immediately knowing who she was talking about made you feel relieved.

“Marie,” she said, “Han mentioned that you were invited to Marie’s house. Is she your girlfriend?”

“No,” Luke answered quickly, brows furrowed in bewilderment, “Absolutely not. My friends want me to date her, but I’m not going to. Ever.”

“Is she that bad?” Anakin snorted, failing to hide his amusement.

“Yes,” Leia said, walking towards the living room to join you all, Han reluctantly in tow.

“She’s a nice girl,” Luke sighed, looking conflicted, “But she’s persistent.”

“She’s obsessive,” Leia corrected, hands on her hips, “Dad, she’s one of those people.”

“I see,” Anakin replied, “Tell her to fuck off then, Luke.”

“Anakin,” Padme groaned, “Don’t be rude in front of their guests.”

“What do you mean by those people?” Luke asked, narrowing his eyes at his sister.

“People take advantage of your kindness, Luke. Dad and I talk about it all the time. You should be mean. Like me.”

Han snorted and Anakin regarded him with something other than contempt for once. You tried not to laugh.

“You’re not mean, Leia,” Luke argued, “You just don’t take shit from anyone. You’re like Han.”

“No, Han’s mean,” she said dismissively.

“Hey.”

“I’m just saying,” she replied, slapping Han on the shoulder in a way that was probably supposed to be light, but he hissed in pain anyway.

“Leia, be nice to him,” Padme chided.

“You don’t have to be nice to him, Leia,” Anakin deadpanned

“Okay!” Luke interrupted, “Can we order food or not?”

Anakin and Leia relented and finally the conversation shifted to what you all would get to eat. With the Skywalkers all arguing over their dinner options, Han had begun hiding behind you again, trying to keep himself out of Anakin’s line of sight. You had never seen him act so skittish before.

Luke convinced everyone to order Chinese food, and Han volunteered to pick it up, far too eager to flee from the house and catch his breath away from the Skywalkers for a bit. You offered to go with him (which Luke protested) in order to give the family some time to themselves. The two of you practically sprinted out the door, not fully relaxing until you had taken the elevator and fled the lobby. Finally, when your shoes hit the sidewalk, you felt like you could breathe again.

He pulled out a cigarette in record time, lighting it quickly as he began walking into the city.

“This is a fucking nightmare,” he huffed, the cigarette hanging from his lips serving to muffle his voice a little, “I can barely handle two Skywalkers. I can’t do four.”

“Padme is nice,” you replied, shrugging.

“No, she’s got Luke’s shit-eating grin. Seems nice at first but she’s up to something. That whole family is nuts.”

Neither of you bothered to acknowledge what had really rattled you about seeing them all together: that they were a complete, functional, and happy family. Han never mentioned his parents, but you knew that he’d moved out before he even turned 18 and had turned to transporting drugs as a result of having no support from his relatives. Your own parents were pretty disinterested in your life, and hearing that Luke’s parents, who were incredibly busy and working all over the country, had made time to congratulate him for a nomination made your heart ache. You were happy for him, but you just weren’t familiar with the kind of dynamics that were at play in their apartment right now.

You and Han didn’t have to say any of this out loud, because both of you already knew. He passed his cigarette to you and, uncharacteristically, you took a drag. Meeting the Skywalkers was a special occasion, you supposed.

“They cuss in front of their parents,” he said as you neared your destination, “And I think the dad is gonna kill me.”

“They seem to have a pretty relaxed relationship with them, yes,” you agreed, giggling quietly, “I think he’s just under the impression that you’re trying to seduce his daughter.”

“Why does everyone keep sayin’ that?” he groaned, pushing the door to the restaurant open and holding it for you, “It’s the other way around, actually.”

“She’s trying to seduce you?” you asked, surprised by his willingness to talk about his situation with Leia. Perhaps it was a combination of the stress and whiskey, but he seemed a little more open to discussing it at the moment.

“Yeah, I dunno,” he mumbled, sounding a bit distant, “I mean, I can’t tell. She acts like she might be interested every now and then, but she still argues with me all the time, and I’m pretty sure she’s got a thing with that guitarist.”

“Luke thinks she likes you,” you said suddenly, not wanting him to feel insecure and talk himself out of his progressing relationship, “I think so too.”

“Luke thinks that?” he asked, eyes wide. You couldn’t immediately respond, as you were giving the cashier your order number. You stood next to the counter as you waited for them to finish preparing your food.

“Han,” you sighed, crossing your arms, “The night we watched The Shining. Luke pulled me outside to tell me that he thinks Leia likes you.”

Han blinked, and you momentarily wondered if he hadn’t heard you.

“Don’t fuck with me,” he finally said, looking a little uneasy.

“I wouldn’t lie about that.”

He sighed, shifting uncomfortably as he looked at his feet.

“If that’s true,” he began quietly, “Then she’ll get over it. I’m not exactly her type, y’know. She just wants to rebel against the social pressures of being a young woman in a powerful family. That’s all it is.”

“I told you to stop making assumptions about how she feels. It’s not fair to either of you.”

“What about you and Luke, then?”

“That’s different.”

“How? ‘Cause only one of them left our house covered in hickeys, and it wasn’t Leia.”

You couldn’t tell him about your plot to get the two of them together now, especially without consulting Luke first, so you had no choice but to bite your tongue.

They finally called your order, and you and Han split the bags as you walked back out towards their apartment again.

“That’s what I thought,” he said, staring at you as you pursed your lips together to stop yourself from lashing out at him, “Get your shit together before worrying about mine, alright kid?”

His words were harsh but his tone was soft, and taking his stunt with Lando earlier into account, you knew that he just wanted you to be happy. You sighed, and you sulked a little until you got back to their apartment. Even when you opened the door, you and Han probably seemed a little out of it, both of you emotionally exhausted by the night’s activities.

Luke appeared at the door as soon as you opened it, taking the bag from your hand and urging you to sit down while he fixed you a plate. You were in no position to argue, your stomach growling.

You had never been to a family dinner before. When you and Han took your seats at the dining room table, you were reminded of this fact.

You were surprised by how smoothly things were going as they did their best to include you in all of their conversations.

“So,” Anakin began, staring at you and Han, “You guys just met this semester, right?”

“Um, yeah,” you replied awkwardly, looking to Han for help, “Han and Leia got assigned to work on a project together, and we all kind of got along pretty well, so. Yeah.”

“They bought us pizza,” Luke added, smiling, “They have a third roommate, too. He’s really nice. You guys would like him a lot.”

“He’ll have to join us next time,” Padme said offhandedly, smiling.

Next time. What was next time? Why would there be a next time? Because they approved of Han and Leia’s blossoming relationship, and assumed that you’d be around by extension? Because they thought you were all just platonic friends?

“Well, I don’t think they were planning on hanging around, or else I would’ve made them drag him along.“

“Speaking of next time,” Padme continued, as if she had read your mind, “The semester is picking up, and Luke’s soccer season will be coming to an end soon. We wanted to do something special to celebrate.”

“We don’t need to,” Luke protested weakly, blushing. He was adorable.

“Of course we do,” Anakin scoffed, adding, “We’re already planning to go to the beach when Leia finishes her term as president, but that’s not until next semester.”

“Finishing a term isn’t an accomplishment,” Leia said, joining in on trying to remain humble.

“It’s what you’ve accomplished in that term that’s impressive,” Padme said, reaching forward and smoothing down some of the flyaways framing Leia’s face, “But anyway, we were wanting to stay with some family friends at our vacation home for your winter break. Ani will be taking a break from his press, and elections will have already taken place, so it seems like a pretty good time to go.”

“That sounds nice,” you replied politely, nodding as she spoke.

“Do you wanna come?” Luke asked in between bites.

You nearly choked, and Han actually did. Swallowing, you collected yourself.

“We talked about it while you guys were gone,” Leia said quietly, not meeting your eyes, “We’ve never invited anyone from school before. So.”

“We wouldn’t want to intrude—“

“You wouldn’t be!” Luke exclaimed, smiling brightly and still more than a little tipsy, “I mean, there’s no pressure. Sorry. I just really want you to come.”

You face flushed, and Han gave you a smug look.

“Han is invited too, of course,” Anakin added, eyeing your roommate. Han’s face immediately fell.

“And your other roommate,” Padme said sweetly.

“Yes! Bring Chewie,” Luke cheered.

“Like he said, there’s no pressure. But we’d really love to have you,” Leia said, smiling at you but avoiding Han’s gaze entirely.

“You can send us the dates and we’ll double check our schedules. We can check with Chewie too,” you decided to say, kicking Han’s foot under the table when he remained silent.

“Oh, uh, yeah,” he agreed awkwardly, “We’ll check. Thanks for the invite.”

You relaxed a little when he managed to have decent manners, happy that, for now, Anakin wouldn’t jump across the table and murder him where he sat.

“Of course,” Padme smiled, “We were super excited when the kids suggested it. Like Leia said, they’ve never asked to invite any of their friends before. We’d love to have you.”

“You could meet Ben,” Luke added, smiling widely at you, “And Ahsoka. Dad, do you think Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru would—“

“Luke,” Leia cut him off, eyes wide.

“What? I bet the Organas are invited. Why is this different?”

A combative edge had reached his voice, and the atmosphere suddenly felt uncomfortably tense.

“We can talk about it later, sweetie,” Padme said, giving him a sympathetic smile. He narrowed his eyes at her.

“I’m sure we will,” he replied, tone dripping in sarcasm.

“Luke,” Anakin said lowly, fixing him with a harsh glare, “Don’t have an attitude with your mother.”

You would be more offended on Luke’s behalf if it weren’t for the way that Anakin placed his hand on his wife’s knee under the table, giving her a small, reassuring smile. It was sweet.

“Sorry,” Luke murmured, and you watched his demeanor shift completely. You tried to catch his eye throughout the remainder of dinner as everyone else resumed talking as normal, but he kept his stare fixed on his plate. He pushed a few grains of rice around solemnly, and you frowned.

“Hey,” you said, nudging his foot under the table with yours. He looked up finally, his eyes sad.

“Hi,” he replied anyway, trying to offer you a smile.

“Is it time for dessert yet?” you asked, pretending to be more excited than you were. His eyes immediately lit up.

“Yes,” he said, his voice already a little lighter than before, “You have to try this cake. Ben’s an excellent baker.”

He stood then and gestured for you to follow him to the counter. You obeyed, though you felt a little awkward to suddenly rise from the table, but no one seemed to mind all that much. He lifted the Tupperware lid and presented you with a cake that was clearly homemade, but still pristine in its appearance. He grabbed two small plates from the cabinet then, and cut you a slice. You slowly cut into it with your fork and took a small bite, only for your eyes to widen at the delightful flavor flooding your senses. The cake practically melted on your tongue, and you immediately went back in for a second bite.

“Do you like it?” he asked hopefully.

“This is divine,” you said seriously, taking another bite, “You’ll have to tell this Ben guy that he’s unnaturally good at this. Holy shit.”

That was apparently the correct response, because Luke was practically beaming at you now. Padme made eye contact with you from across the kitchen, offering you a grateful smile. You blushed and avoided her gaze.

“You have good taste,” Luke said, staring at you with something akin to fondness, “Do you wanna stay the night?”

The abruptness of his offer caught you off guard, and you blinked at him for a second before managing to respond.

“Luke, you drank a lot tonight,” you told him softly, “I’m not sure if it’s a good idea.”

“You’re sweet,” he replied, smiling at you and making you blush, “But I wasn’t trying to get in your pants. I’m just saying that it’s late, and I’ve missed you, and I’d really love to spend more time with you tonight. I’ll even sleep on the couch—“

“I’m not making you do that,” you protested, “I’m not sure if we’ll spend the night, but we can at least stay for a while after your parents leave.”

He beamed at you again. After you tried to cheer him up a little more, he seemed to be in better spirits, and he carried the cake over to the table to share with everyone else. You all continued to talk amongst yourselves for a while longer, with Anakin occasionally trying to assess Han’s character and Padme hiding her smile behind her hand.

Overall, dinner was pleasant. You still felt awkward, sitting at a table with the boy you were infatuated with and his two celebrity parents, but they really did seem to be nice people. Finally, at about one in the morning, Padme announced that they should be heading out. To your surprise, she stood to hug you.

“It’s been so great meeting you in person,” she said, her embrace much tighter than you had anticipated. Anakin looked on fondly.

“Likewise,” you replied, “Thank you guys for dinner.”

“Oh, it’s no problem,” she assured you, and, to your further bewilderment, pulled Han into a hug.

Luke didn’t bother to stop himself from laughing at the other man, and even you had to admit that it was an amusing scene. Han awkwardly returned her embrace, patting her on the back uncomfortably. Anakin looked on with that same scrutinizing gaze, trying to gauge how Han would react. To his credit, your roommate was respectful enough to at least pretend to appreciate the gesture.

The two of you stood to the side as the Skywalkers doted on their children for a moment, Padme pressing kisses to both of their heads and Anakin affectionately messing up their hair.

“We love you,” Padme told them, “And we’ll be coming back in for your big game, Luke.”

“Keep a low profile,” he sighed, suddenly looking very tired, “The last time you guys came, I had to watch my classmates try to flirt with my dad. That’s not something anyone wants to see.”

“That’s not my fault,” Anakin argued, his tone sounding so similar to his son’s that you nearly laughed, “You should just play so well that they have no reason to pay attention to me.”

Luke scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“Don’t say that, Ani,” Padme scolded lightheartedly, “You might stress him out. We love you no matter how well you play, honey.”

“I always play well,” Luke huffed, crossing his arms.

Leia and Anakin looked at each other, and their faces made you think that they were about to bring up a situation that proved the contrary. Luke caught on to that too, and he was then inspired to usher his parents towards the door. Anakin laughed at his efforts.

“I won’t embarrass you in front of your friends,” he promised, grinning as he put on his coat.

“I will,” Leia teased, raising an eyebrow at her brother before turning to you, “Luke used to buy his uniform in the smallest size possible so he could show off, and this one time, during a game in his senior year of high school—“

“Mom,” Luke pleaded, cutting her off, “She only gets like this when he’s around. Separate them and save my reputation, please.”

Padme giggled and opened the door, gently pushing her husband outside and taking his arm.

“Behave,” Anakin said as he waved them goodbye, smiling as his wife leaned into his side a little.

“And get some sleep!” she added, “We love you.”

Despite their previous banter, the twins told their parents that they loved them too, and with that, the door closed.

Han visibly relaxed, letting out a loud sigh of relief as he slumped against the wall. Luke giggled at this, and Han noticed, eyes narrowing at the younger man.

“What?” he snapped, crossing his arms.

“Nothing. Just didn’t expect you to be so intimidated by him,” he quipped, grinning.

“Funny. And I didn’t expect you to be a mama’s boy, but here we are.”

“Is that supposed to be an insult?” he countered.

Han just scoffed, apparently not in the mood to actually challenge Luke on this, and just pulled a cigarette from his pocket, shrugging his jacket back on.

“Well, thanks for feedin’ us. We’ll get out of your hair now,” he said, ready to bolt out the door. You were ready to follow him—that is, until a still tipsy Luke fixed you with a stare so pitiful that you felt overwhelmed with guilt.

“You said you’d stay,” he all but pouted, looking at you with sad eyes.

You crumbled immediately, walking towards him and leaving Han standing in the doorway.

“Are you serious? All he has to do is bat his eyelashes at you and you’ll bend to his every whim?” he exclaimed, looking betrayed.

“That’s an overly dramatic reaction,” Leia snorted, arms crossed as she leaned against the kitchen counter, “We can split a joint if you stay. Maybe Luke will fall asleep long enough to let you all escape.”

Han contemplated this idea before begrudgingly shedding his jacket once more, stuffing his cigarette back in his pocket as he did so.

“Tryin’ to bribe me, sweetheart?”

She rolled her eyes and walked into the living room, Han trailing behind her as she headed towards the balcony. Surprisingly, Luke—and, by extension, you—followed them out. Han quirked an eyebrow at him.

“I’ve never seen you smoke,” he said, and it almost sounded like a challenge. Leia already looked unimpressed, lighting the joint and taking the first hit.

“Because I get drug tested for soccer,” he replied, looking annoyed that Han had forgotten this information.

Leia passed the joint to Han, the man looking at Luke with an expression that was somewhere between smug and mocking.

“College sports take themselves too seriously. Nobody actually cares what the athletes do in their free time. They only care if you win.”

Luke stared for a moment, seemingly conflicted. He appeared to know that Han was baiting him, but at the same time, he wasn’t immune to it. Wordlessly, almost scowling, Luke snatched the joint out of Han’s hand, his expression defiant and his brow set in determination. Luke and Han were shaping up to be quite the pair. Han was a bad influence, and Luke was spiteful. You’d have to be careful about leaving the two of them alone for too long.

“I hope you’re ready to deal with the consequences of what you just did,” Leia mumbled, rolling her eyes when Luke took a hit of the joint.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Han asked, arms crossed. He made no effort to conceal his smirk at Luke’s subsequent coughing.

“Luke smokes once or twice a year. And he’s already drunk. He’ll probably fall asleep before we’re finished and you’ll have to carry him back inside.”

“I won’t fall asleep!” Luke protested through his coughing. His lungs were healthy, unlike Han’s, and he struggled to inhale the smoke. You shouldn’t have found it endearing, but you did.

“I’ll leave you out here if you do,” Han said hatefully, blowing smoke in the younger man’s face. Luke scrunched up his nose and scowled.

The four of you talked amongst yourselves for about twenty minutes before you noticed Luke falling silent, depending a little too heavily on the balcony railing to keep him upright. His lengthy day seemed to finally be catching up with him.

“Hey,” you got his attention, placing an arm on his shoulder to stabilize him a little, “Do you wanna go to bed?”

“I can stay awake,” he insisted, but his droopy eyelids and slumped shoulders indicated the opposite.

“You’ve had a long day. You should get some rest,” you assured him softly, rubbing his back. He melted into your touch.

“He’s trying to stay awake so he can spend time with you,” Leia teased, earning a snort from Han.

The idea that he was fighting sleep for the purpose of seeing you was endearing, sure, but you didn’t think there was any truth to it. You chuckled quietly to yourself, turning to face Luke as if to say, “Isn’t that ridiculous?” but you wee surprised to find him looking down, his blush visible to you even in the dim lighting on the balcony.

“Leia,” he practically pouted, brows knitted together.

“Don’t give me that. Serves you right for that shit you pulled in front of mom and dad earlier.”

She was likely referring to the comment he made about her being in love with Han.

“I was kidding. And I was drunk,” he murmured, a weak attempt to defend himself.

“Daddy dearest didn’t seem to think you were kidding,” Han huffed, staring out at the cityscape as he exhaled smoke.

“Well, it wasn’t personal. He was just on edge because Leia doesn’t talk to many men—“

“Luke,” she hissed, narrowing her eyes at him.

“What?” he replied, genuinely confused by her scowl. You giggled, and Luke leaned into your touch a bit more.

“Figured it was probably because I spilled cigarettes all over your floor within the first five seconds of meeting him,” Han grunted. He seemed a little uncomfortable with the implication that he and Leia were dating, but instead of addressing it, he simply redirected the conversation.

“Well, that probably didn’t help,” Luke agreed sleepily, nodding in earnest. Throughout the entire interaction, he had somehow managed to sneak his way into your arms, and you may as well have been holding him at this point. Your heart melted at how hard he was trying to stay awake.

“You should go to sleep, Luke,” you told him seriously, brushing his bangs from his forehead in a move that only served to make him close his eyes once more.

“Wanna see you,” he argued weakly, leaning into your touch, “Never get to see you. I can sleep later.”

You couldn’t take much more of this.

“I can stay the night,” you offered, relenting easily.

“What the fuck?” Han squawked, throwing his hands up, “I know it’s common sense at this point, but I can’t get over how you immediately agree to do whatever he wants. You need to get a backbone, sweetheart.”

Luke opened his eyes a little, blinking as he tried to feign alertness.

“You really don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he said, voice small as he blushed a little, “I don’t wanna force you to—“

“No,” you cut him off, caressing his cheek as you looked over his shoulder to glare at your roommate, “Han’s just being a dick. Don’t worry.”

“We told Chewie and Lando we’d smoke with them later,” he reminded you.

“You told them you’d smoke with them later. And it’s been hours since then.”

“Yeah, well, a pretty face isn’t gonna make me change my plans,” he snapped, passing the joint to Leia before pointedly walking inside to presumably call Chewie.

Luke watched him go through tired eyes, still blushing.

“I don’t wanna be a problem,” he told you, sounding a little sad.

“You’re never a problem. I wanna spend time with you, too,” you confessed, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead, “And Han’s just trying to make a point.”

“What’s his point, then?” Leia asked, brow raised as she took another drag.

You hesitated for a second, but with both twins staring at you curiously, you knew you wouldn’t be able to refrain from answering.

“That I’m more whipped for Luke than he is for you,” you muttered, avoiding their eyes. She snorted, but you knew she was likely blushing. Luke only giggled, the least embarrassed out of any of you.

“Aw,” he cooed, reminding you that he was high, “I’m definitely way more whipped for you, though. And Leia—“

“You’re pushing it tonight, Luke,” she warned, pointing at him with the joint in her fingers, “Take another hit of this so you’ll shut the fuck up.”

“Okay,” he agreed happily, leaning out of your grip a little to grab it before turning to you, adding, “Do you want any? Hey, you can take a hit first and then blow it into my mouth, and—“

Leia made a gagging sound behind you, and you quickly covered his mouth with your hand. You felt him smile against it.

“I already told you,” you reminded him gently, trying to ignore your own embarrassment, “We aren’t doing anything like that tonight. You’ve been drinking.”

“What? I thought you just meant fucking,” he replied, sounding genuinely surprised, “And I haven’t had anything to drink in hours. I’m sober.”

“You’ve been smoking now. You’re crossed.”

“It’s just kissing. We made out earlier—“

“Alright, I’m going inside,” Leia said. He ignored her.

“If you don’t want to do anything, that’s perfectly fine, but if it’s just because I’m inebriated—“

“It’s just because you’re inebriated,” you told him, kissing his forehead again. He looked appalled.

“But you walked me home. I crashed your plans tonight. The least I can do is—“

“Absolutely not. It’s not transactional. Ever.”

He stared at you for a second, blinking at you as you absentmindedly played with his hair. Finally, he gave you a soft smile, and he looked at you like you’d just hung the stars in the sky.

“Okay,” he agreed, surprising you by pulling you into a hug, “You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to imply that you saw it that way. I just didn’t want you to be disappointed if we didn’t do anything tonight—“

“I’m not disappointed. I’m just glad I get to see you. Let’s go to bed,” you told him, petting his hair as he hugged you. He pulled away then, smiling tiredly at you, and nodded.

“Wait. I need to clean my room first. It won’t take long,” he decided, and then he quickly ran back into the apartment. You chuckled quietly to yourself as you watched him go.

You followed, only to see Leia sitting on a bar stool and Han leaning against the counter, the two of them looking at you with an air of smugness.

“What’d Chewie say?” you asked, trying to shake their stares.

“That they started smokin’ as soon as we left. Never expected us to come back, apparently,” he grumbled, his cheeks a little pink as he recounted the conversation.

Leia hid a smile behind her hand before turning to you.

“Thanks for being decent,” she said seriously, piquing Han’s interest.

“This one? Decent?” he scoffed, planting a large hand on your head before messing up your hair. You slapped him away.

“Yes. More decent than you.”

“Can’t believe you agreed to stay the night,” he huffed, likely only pretending to be disappointed.

“You’re free to leave.”

“And leave you alone with him?” he asked, as if he really was your mother. You had to stifle a giggle.

“Yes. I’m grown, Han. And it’s Luke. And Leia is here.”

“What if you need me?” he challenged.

Han was protective, sure, but he definitely trusted Luke, at least to some extent.

“Again, I’m grown.”

Luke came trodding out of his room, looking a little disheveled.

“Leia, can you come look at it? I can’t tell if it’s clean enough,” he pleaded. He was definitely high, you realized.

“I don’t think anyone cares if your room is messy—“ she tried, but his wide eyes made her simply sigh in defeat as she walked down the hallway, “I’ll be back.”

With both twins gone, Han placed his hands on your shoulders and pulled you to the side. He looked stressed.

“What?” you asked, his demeanor making you nervous.

“We are not going on a fucking Skywalker family vacation,” he said seriously, gripping your shoulders tightly.

“It’ll probably be free.”

“We’re not going,” he repeated.

“Isn’t it kinda crazy that they want us to go though? And they’ve apparently never invited anyone from school before.”

“It’s because that kid is smitten with you,” he grunted, like it was inconvenient.

“Or it’s because Leia—“

“Don’t,” he snapped, pointing a finger in your face, “Don’t go around spewing bullshit like that. Luke’s already said enough tonight. Now her ex-military celebrity dad wants to kill me. Do you know how stressful this is for me?”

“It’s stressful for me too.”

“No,” he insisted, “They liked you. You’re a saint against the backdrop of whatever shitty partners he’s had before. I’m the guy who walked in reeking of pot and Marlboro Reds.”

“I thought you switched over to Golds?”

“I switched back,” he mumbled, and then shook his head, “That doesn’t matter—“

“I thought you were switching to Golds and only smoking three days a week.”

“Quit. You’re trying to change the subject.”

“You’ll need to stop smoking if we go on vacation with the Skywalkers—“

“We’re not doing that,” he hissed, scowling at you when he saw that you were grinning.

“Not doing what?”

You turned to see Luke standing in the kitchen again, head cocked at you as Leia approached behind him.

“Nothing. Han’s just being a dick,” you explained, smacking his finger away from your face. He glared at you.

“Han just doesn’t understand how this turned into a conversation about his smoking habits,” he sneered, folding his arms over his chest.

“Oh,” Luke hummed, seeming to think this over for a moment before replying, “Yeah, that’s pretty bad for you. Especially as much as you do it—“

“What the fuck?” he sighed. In a move that surprised you, Leia walked right up to him and slapped his shoulder. She was doing that a lot more recently.

“Come on. We can finish this joint,” she offered. He looked at her with something akin to fondness in his eyes, but he recovered quickly and plastered another frown on his face.

“Fine,” he murmured, and with that he and Leia walked back into the balcony, leaving you and Luke alone in the kitchen.

“Wanna sleep?” he asked, trying to keep his eyes open as he stared at you in his pajamas, “You can wear some of my clothes to bed, if you want. And I’ll stay in my side of the bed. It’s pretty big, so we don’t have to touch each other at all.”

You giggled, happy that he’d honored your request to stay friendly tonight. And you’d gladly wear his clothes to bed. You nodded, smiling at him as he led you into his room. He threw a shirt and a pair of pajama pants at you, and then covered his eyes with his hands. You giggled, changing quickly.

You briefly reflected on when you’d worn Leia’s pajamas the last time you were here. She’d given you an oversized, matching silk set before you had even realized that you’d needed something to sleep in. And she’d set the spare bedroom up for you.

Despite what Han said, she was a really nice girl. If they ever got over themselves, she’d be really good for him.

“Can I open my eyes now?”

You’d been so lost in thought that you had neglected to tell Luke that you were dressed. Again, you realized that he had apparently taken you very seriously when you said nothing sexual could happen between the two of you, his palms pressed probably a bit too harshly over his eyes. Cute.

“Yes,” you replied, trying not to laugh. When he removed his hands, he blinked for a moment, eyes readjusting as he stared at you in his clothes.

“You should wear my clothes more often,” he said seriously, eyes sparkling as he looked you over. You laughed and shook your head, crawling under the covers. His bedside lamp remained on, and he got into bed after you.

You took this time to take in his bedroom. It was larger than yours, but wasn’t as excessive as you’d expected. You were perhaps most surprised by the enormous shelf pressed against his wall, lined with books and knickknacks. His desk matched, a large, open textbook and several sheets of graph paper sitting on top of it. Next to them was one of those tiny Zen gardens that your high school guidance counselor used to have in her office. You smiled. It was so him.

He had a small stand in the corner that appeared to house his awards, though the bookshelf was still the most outstanding and put-together piece in the entire room. You made note of that, your eyes lingering on his array of model spaceships and Legos. A tall plant sat near the window, and a few smaller succulents were occupying random spaces in the rest of the room.

If you had to guess who this room belonged to, your money would go on a librarian or an incredibly introverted student—not one of the best collegiate athletes in the country.

“Stop judging my room,” he said, nudging you in the side.

“I’m not judging it,” you replied, smiling softly at him, “Just admiring.”

“Admiring,” he repeated, eyebrow raised.

“It’s cute!” you promised, and a faint blush decorated his cheeks.

“Whatever,” he grumbled sheepishly, eyes trailing over your frame before sighing and rolling over on his side, “You really do look good in my clothes.”

It was your turn to blush.

“Thanks for letting me borrow them,” you replied, unsure of how else to respond.

“Keep them,” he mumbled, voice muffled by his pillow, “I might lend you some more tomorrow.”

You laughed, mostly out of surprise, and relaxed further into the covers.

“Goodnight, Luke. Wake me up if you need me, okay?” you said softly, the mention of the inevitable nightmares to come left unspoken.

You knew he understood your meaning when a few seconds of silence followed.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Nothing else needed to be said. You hoped he knew how much you meant it—how much you longed to be there for him when he was forced out of slumber by whatever memories of his past were haunting him. You’d cradle him through as many nightmares as he wanted you to.

As his breathing began to slow and he surrendered to sleep, your mind wandered to Han. He had a point: if Luke, within reason, asked for something, you would ultimately oblige.

You weren’t sure what that could mean, but you hoped it was mutual.

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