#and i hope my son will know that he will never be alone (single dad verse ft unitcd)

[forthewinn]

@unitcd || “I do the bare minimum, but I don’t do less than that.”

"I'm kind of hoping you're doing a little bit more than the bare minimum." He paused for a moment, trying to figure out if Ricky was being serious or not. "I know that right now it seems hard and almost impossible, but you gotta try at least a little bit."

[soraphic]

this isn't proofread at allllllll i rlly couldn't be fucked i'm sorry. (babydaddy)plug!connie (with abt a paragraph of eren🙈),smut,dirty talk,connie has a breeding kink,unprotected sex,creampie.. that's it?

𝐫𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 — 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢 (𝐮𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝)

you were being practically folded in half atop the crisp,white sheets of an uncomfortably sanitised hotel room as your phone rang.

a loud groan was let out from the man above you,but he allowed you a slither of space to pick up the facetime as you argued - "what if something's happened?"

you had entrusted your son with his daddy for the long weekend as your new,although not inherently a stranger,boyfriend pampered you with a trip from philly to new york.

he had coerced you into a sex-filled getaway with the notion that,as a 'single mother',you deserved some time off and that your son would adore some quality time with his dad.

you agreed on the promise that your baby would be out of all that 'gang shit',to which connie swore on his life he would keep.

that now left you and your son in different states and a slightly uneasy feeling in your stomach for the majority of the day. however,as if connie telepathically knew when his presence would be most annoying,he decided to call you just as things were progressing with you and your new beau.

you picked up the facetime,watching connie's face light up the screen with a shit eating grin. "hey,mami."

he had the dark hood of his custom all-black clothing pulled over his head,the slight peak of a ski mask able to be seen framing his face,highlighting the small cross decorating his cheekbone,as well as your name in cursive bending just above his eyebrow.

immediately conscious of the lack of the noise on his end of the line,you asked,"where's my son at,connie?"

"relax,ma,he sleepin' right next to me." he shuffled the camera to display your baby's sleeping figure,lips pursed and long lashes touching the fat of his cheeks as he slept. so serious,just like his daddy.

the phone was then brought back to connie,his jawline sharp as he pushed his tongue into his cheek,reaching over to adjust your son's blankets with the end of a pacifier hanging out of his mouth,phone resting against his chest.

after sorting your son,he looked back toward you,readjusting in his seat against the cream-coloured couch to take in the sight of you.

your hair was strewn out all over the pillows,your dark lip liner smeared down your chin and a content expression on your face having seen your child. although he had the joys of being blissfully unaware,seeing connie beside your own state through the facetime had you slightly reconsidering. you looked nothing like how you usually did after a fuck with connie,your makeup and lashes usually cried off with smears of drool down your chin simply from the delicious feeling of him pounding you. you shook off the thought almost as quickly as it came,not allowing yourself to indulge in it until you were at least back home.

"you been feedin' my baby?" the way you said it held a warning to it,but it never really worked with connie.

"you think 'ion know how to look after my son? he been eatin' good,ma,none of that formula shit."

you hesitated to praise him,not wanting to irritate your boyfriend further with any ex-to-ex pet names.

there was a few moments of content silence,but it was short-lived as it always is with connie,"so you not out with all your lil' girlfriends tonight?"

you had almost forgotten you had told him it was a 'girls vaca' to blow off some steam,mikasa and sasha covering for you while cosied up in their own homes.

eren scoffed beside you,dropping his head to laugh into his chest. you slapped his arm,demanding him to be quiet with your eyes alone,hoping to god connie hadn't heard the deep grumble of a painfully obviously male laugh.

"yo,you got someone else in there wit' you?"

the immediate reaction probably should've been to deny,deny,deny,but instead your instinct was to clap back at him just as hard.

"'n what if i did? we not dating,connie,you just the dick that impregnated me."

"no puedo creer," he mutters with a hand to his forehead,"who the fuck is it?"

"why do you care?" you knew you were being defensive,but who was he to stop you seeing other people?

"estupida,you on some fuckin' bae-cation with this mámon?"

"leave him alone,connie!"

"oh,so he there 'n he not gon' speak?coño."

you began to formulate an argument to fire back at him,as well as eren opening his mouth to speak,but the 3 of you were cut off by the shrieking sounds of a baby crying as your shouting had awoken your son.

connie was quick to place his phone down,carefully taking your son into his arms. he then leaned down to pick you up,bouncing your son on his hip as he pointed toward the camera,"look,you want your mami? say hi to mami,chico."

your son almost immediately settled,nuzzling into his daddy as connie pressed his lips to the swell of your son's cheek,giving a few kisses before moving to place one against his forehead.

you stopped your cooing at the screen to snap at connie once your son with settled. "look at you,now you done woke him up!"

he didn't reply,just continued to rock your son,now hyper aware of the fact that there was some guy balls deep in his baby mom listening in on your conversation.

"so you not gon' answer me now?"

"watchu want me to say?"

you were almost speechless. it wasn't like connie to ever avoid an argument like this,usually by this point having severely lost his shit. did he not care anymore?

you huffed,shifting around in the bed uncomfortably,pursing your lips,"'kay,i'll call you tomorrow morning before my drive."

your bags made an awful screech across the hard wood floors of connie's home,one the two of you previously shared. it had been up to you to design the interior,and not a day went by that you didn't severely regret your choice of flooring.

you quickly rid yourself of your scarf and jacket,hanging them neatly beside an array of both yours and connie's coats. even after moving all your important shit out,there was still bits and pieces of you filling connie's home,one that he still considered to be just as much yours as it was his. you were left in the knitted two piece you travelled in,paired with the chestnut uggs connie had gotten you last year,a fact about most of your outfits eren wasn't privy to. the beige tracksuit was one connie had always appreciated you in,which maybe contributed to your decision on the outfit this morning,although you'd never admit to it. it really did look good on you,but whether you mostly believed that because of his words and inability to keep his wandering hands off you you weren't exactly sure.

you practically skipped into the sitting room,having missed your two favourite boys for 3 days. the cheesy grin you were wearing grew ten fold when you were greeted with the sight of your son cuddled up on the couch in your baby daddy's arms,both almost completely immersed in connie's phone.

his eyes flickered up to meet yours for just a second,before breaking the contact and staring back at the screen. you couldn't help but frown slightly,almost dragging your feet over to him as you bend down to pick up your son,his eyes growing when he recognised your face. connie almost felt smug when he noticed your long nails curling around your son's chubby torso,ones he had paid for with his initial tattooed into your ring finger.

"you gon' stay silent the whole time,connie?"

his gaze snapped up to your face,feeling almost caught out by the cat-like grin spread across your face as you cuddled into your son.

"nah,jus' thinkin'." he shrugged.

"about?"

"-how good you gon' look wit' another one of my babies in you."

he leaned back with one arm spread across the headrest of the couch,a shit eating grin plastered across his face as he eyed you watching him,jaw dropped and spluttering for words.

"that's! no,connie.. i told you,that's not gon' happen again."

"what's not gon' happen? you lettin' me fuck you or gettin' you pregnant?" his grin only grew,head cocked at you with narrowed eyes,taking deep pleasure in catching every bit of your reaction.

"enough,connie!"

"gon' put another baby in you,yeah?"

you shook your head desperately,hot tears wetting your fresh lashes and cascading down your red cheeks. "no,,no—" he clamped a hand down over your mouth to stop your wailing,shushing you as he leaned down to press his lips to the back of his knuckles. the fog clouding your brain and the bruising snap of his hips had you convinced you could feel his plump lips brushing against your own as he spoke.

"shh,ma,you gon' wake him up."

your heavy-lidded eyes drifted to the sleeping figure of your son,wrapped up next to the two of you in the portable bassinet you insisted connie bought to transport your son between houses when the two of you split for the third - or fourth - time. shallow breaths were leaving his full,parted lips. you couldn't help but feel shame bubble inside you at the feeling of your wetness spread embarrassingly over connie's thighs while he drilled you.

you opted to close your eyes,leaning your head back with connie's hand muffling your cries. the bastard laughed at you,leaning back to readjust the angle at which he ploughed you,now using the hand against your jaw as leverage to his thrusts.

"you wan' a lil' girl this time,ma?"

you whined in response,pushing against his hips in a feeble attempt to get him to let up on your abused pussy.

"she gon' look jus' like you.. dios mio.. all pretty n' shit.."

he started to pant,pushing his thumb against your lips. you opened your mouth to him,too fucked out to deny him any longer. he pushed the digit flat against your tongue,allowing your lips to close around him while he tipped his head back,letting a loud groan out into the room.

you hummed around his thumb,pulling him toward you with a tight hand around the bone of his hip,tits almost smacking you in the face with the force of their bouncing as he sped up.

he brought his unoccupied hand from your waist to rub at your overstimulated clit,pouting his lips at the pure horror that wash over your face,"one more so i can fill you up n' i'm done,baby."

you felt your next climax crash through you almost immediately after he came in contact with your sore nub,too overstimulated to hold out against his teasing. he spilled inside you soon after,fucking his cum into you as he kissed at the fat of your cheek,doting on you after such aggressive sex.

his eyes moved to the side of his head to quietly check on your son,still soundly sleeping,while you fought against passing out and staying the night.

though,you eventually woke up to connie's aggravating snoring right in your ear and a heavy,tattooed arm slung over your waist.

soraphic 2k23 — please do not copy, repost or translate any of my works on other platforms: i do not tolerate them at all.

[wasteddmoondust]

teacher || james potter

pairing: james potter x reader 863 words, preschool teacher au, james is a single dad (not for long...?), kindergarten teacher!reader, gender neutral reader, harry is her student so you know how it goes a/n: sorry this took months i have been in the slumpiest slump ever. hope you enjoy :,) I'm not too sure about how preschools fair in other countries but this is mostly based on my own experiences!

"Mr Potter! Lovely to see you today."

James walks into your classroom, and it's humourous to see you seated in a chair and table meant for six-year-olds.

He smiles at you and waves. Unfortunately, you're swooning on the inside.

Yes, it's unprofessional to have a crush on a parent, let alone the parent of one of your beloved students. Very unprofessional, actually. But you can't help but be enamoured by his looks. He looks exactly like his son, Harry. Messy hair and gold-rimmed glasses.

Or maybe he's just one of the only few parents who are the same age as you. And it doesn't help when you know he's a single father and always strikes a conversation with you whenever he has the chance to. In your head, maybe it wouldn't hurt to make a move.

"Of course, I'm happy to be here today, though it's the last time," he says as he sits down in an identical tiny chair.

You know you have to push these thoughts aside, because this was the last parent-teacher meeting for your kindergarteners who will be graduating in a few weeks. No matter your feelings, your job was to tell parents how their child has faired so far in their education.

You take a deep breath and fix your hair. "Okay, let's get started."

You adore Harry, a joy to have in your class. He is very friendly and communicates very well with his peers and teachers. He actively participates in class. He is developing well in the different aspects. You explain everything in layman's terms so he can understand, and he nods along, listening.

"Needless to say, Harry's definitely ready for primary school. If you'd like, it would be great if you continued his learning at home as well, before he officially starts school." you finish, nodding at James. You unconsciously bite the inside of your cheek, knowing that it won't be long until you'll never see this man again.

"That's great," he says, looking up from Harry's portfolio from over the year. "Harry really appreciates you as a teacher, you know? He always loves coming to school."

You smile at that, it warms your heart. "I'm glad to hear that. I'll definitely miss him when he graduates."

There's an awkward silence between the both of you, not particularly knowing what to say. You both nod and look down. You know it's the end.

"Well..." you start. "If you don't have any more questions, that will be it. Thank you so much for joining us on this journey, Mr Potter."

"I do have- um- a question?" he says abruptly. He suddenly seems more fidgety and nervous, gripping the binder of Harry's portfolio.

"Um..." he scratches his head. You look at him expectantly. "I appreciate you as Harry's teacher, of course. He always says that you're very nice and pretty... I also think you're very nice and pretty..."

You nod along, trying to keep your cool by controlling your facial expressions.

He continues, his shoulders slowly rising in a shrug. "So if you'd let me, we can meet outside of school for once," he spits it out quickly like he's ripping a band-aid off.

Blinking slowly, you process what just happened. "Did you just ask me out?" you ask, eyes wide.

His eyes dart to the side and then back at you. "Yes," he says.

"Mr Potter-" you start.

"Please, you can call me James-"

"Your son is my student."

"He won't be by next week."

"It will be very unprofessional of me-"

"I don't hear a no, though..."

And you're both in silence again. You sigh and bring a hand to your face, resting your chin on your palm as you look away from him. You try to think of your next move.

Aside from all of the consequences that may occur, this is a golden opportunity. Your teacher life always gets so hectic and you barely have time to go out and meet people. If you miss this chance you may never get to have one like it again.

You bite your lip and accept whatever fate may come.

You speak in a hushed voice, willing that no one hears this conversation. "Fine, yes. I'll give you a chance. But if anything goes wrong, my priority is my job and yours is Harry. Got it?"

James let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. He looks up at you with sparkling eyes. "Yes, okay. I will-"

He's cut off by a knock at your door. Your colleague opens it and her head pokes into your classroom. "Hi, sorry to interrupt, but the next parent is waiting outside," she says. You nod at her and she leaves. You stand up, and James does too.

"Well, this is... unofficially goodbye, Mr Potter. It really has been a pleasure teaching Harry," you say, stretching your hand out for a shake. He takes it, and his hand is warm.

You mutter quickly to him, "My contact is in the binder."

He grins at you, childlike, and you watch him leave your classroom with a wave. You wave back, smiling.

You sincerely hope you won't regret this decision.

a/n: RRRAAHHH i really hope to make this a mini series of some kind because i have the softest spot for kids and i start being a real teacher in a month! asks are open if you have any thoughts <3 thanks for reading!

[gyeomsweetgyeom]

[7:21 am]

(cw: f!reader, a child, "shit")

Haechan shuffled back into the room tiredly. His hair was a mess, his pajama pants were rolled up to his knee on one side and normal on the other, he was missing a sock, and he could hardly see clearly due to him still stuck in the awake but so close to being asleep state. The baby on his hip, on the other hand, was very much the opposite. His eyes were wide, a happy smile on his face as he caught sight of you on the bed, leaning forward with his arms outstretched for your attention.

Haechan set him on the bed gently and watched his son quickly crawl over the sheets to be in your embrace. "Good morning sunshine! Did you sleep well?" You asked with a soft and tired smile, pushing your son's hair from his eyes.

Despite his lack of speech he smiled widely, pulling his pacifier from his mouth to place a wet kiss on your chin. You laughed brightly and cupped his cheeks, "I love you too sunshine," and then you placed a kiss on his chubby cheek. You kept him in your hold while you turned the tv on to some cartoons at a low volume in case Haechan still wanted to sleep.

He laid there for a while, hoping sleep would soon find him again, but it didn't. He sighed loudly, rolling to face his little family and pulling you into his hold while his eyes focused on the cartoon dogs on the screen. He placed an arm around your shoulder and the other arm on his son's belly, patting it gently. Without looking at his dad, his son quickly pushed the hand away from him and pulled your arm over him.

"What makes you so special?" Haechan whined.

You scoffed with a laugh, "I birthed him, hello!"

"But I'm his dad."

"And I'm his mom, he's just my baby mama's boy," you cooed as you wrapped your arms around your baby and hugged him lovingly.

Haechan knew he was a jealous person. He was jealous when you were both only dating, he hated to see when other people would make you laugh or talk to you for extended periods of time. Not because he was insecure in your relationship, no. He was jealous that your attention wasn't on him. His jealously had thankfully lessened after getting married. Two calm and blissful years of love and enjoying one another, until the baby came along. Haechan would never admit he was jealous of his son, his own flesh and blood, but... he was.

Haechan pouted, "You're both so mean to me! My son and my wife, that's a pair. And me? I'm all alone, ostracized in my own home with the people I love."

You laughed, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek, "You know we love you."

His pout stayed on his face, "another."

You smiled placing a series of kisses on his cheek, "better?"

He smiled triumphantly, leaning forward to place a single kiss on your mouth. It was innocent, sweet, and lasted all of 3 seconds before he heard a whine and a small hand hit his cheek.

He pulled away with wide eyes, looking at the scarily identical pout on his son's face. He tested the waters again, placing a chaste kiss on your mouth again only to then see his son turn and climb up until his head was right beside your so he could block his dad.

"I can't even believe this right now, I have to be having a nightmare." Haechan stated, shocked.

He leaned in for another kiss and was stopped with a baby sized shove to his cheek and a whine. He tried to go over his son's head and again another whine and a tiny hand stopped him. You scolded him, "You're antagonizing him, stop." You pulled your son to your chest pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

Haechan maintained eye contact with his son and gasped at the sneaky smile shot his way, "You little shit!"

You shot your arm out and hit his shoulder, "don't use those words around my baby."

Haechan continued to stare at his son, "Sometimes I question if this kid is even mine, but he acts just like me. I guess it's settled."

You scoffed loudly, "I birthed your clone, who is identical to you in every way: possessive, loud, looks, and personality and you questioned if he was yours?"

"You forgot that we're both obsessed with you," Haechan added.

You rolled your eyes, smiling softly when your son's hold on your shirty tightened, "That was the possessive part."

+BONUS

yourusername

Liked by leehaechan, suh.johnny, nayuta, and 131 others

yourusername good morning from sunshine!☀️💛

moon_taeil Good Morning Sunshine🫶

leehaechan my SONshine🤩🥰

marklee so we’re going to act like you didn’t call me and complain about him 10 minutes ago?

yourusername TEN minutes????!

ddoyoung he called me for at LEAST 15 to tell me his “SONshine” was stealing his wife

yourusername Lee Donghyuck.

leehaechan thanks a lot guys marklee ddoyoung

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Hi there! Was wondering there any fics out that that are canon aus but Derek and Stile have like a normal dating relationship. Like one or both realizes, “hey there’s something here and I like you”. Like we’re talking romantic dates, typical dating milestones, etc. but like there still werewolf/Beacon Hills hijinks are going on in the background while they’re just trying to get to know one another better. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hi @maeyourskiesbeblue! I think so.

Noticing by orphan_account

(1/1 I 2,203 I Teen)

After the whole thing with the pool and the kanima and the part where Stiles had kept Derek alive, Derek had some time to consider a few things. There had been a…thing between him and Stiles for weeks now, ever since the kanima had killed that mechanic. Derek had been moody for days afterwards and it took Stiles a week or more, even with heavy hints from Erica, to realize that it had been because the stupid thing had hurt Stiles. Derek had been worried about Stiles.

distractions by triggeringthehealing (froggydarren)

(1/1 I 2,748 I General)

There are hunters in town. Young, ill-advised, easy targets for the pack. Still, Stiles knows that walking right into the motel they’re staying at is a recipe for disaster. Since it’s precisely what Derek seems to want to do, Stiles needs a distraction.

just my type by sterekhale

(1/1 I 8,880 I Explicit)

After another failed date, Stiles' friend sets him up with her co-worker, who she swears is "his type".

Yoda Said It Best by OKDeanna, thePurebloodPrat

(21/21 I 99,128 I Explicit)

Derek Hale knows he has a problem. Contrary to what some might believe, he isn’t stupid. He knows the Jeep has meaning to him, real meaning. The kind of meaning that he doesn’t want to think about, let alone stop and have to analyze. Except… his son keeps pushing him about it, prodding at him, and then before Derek knows it, Stiles is back in Beacon Hills, driving the one thing in the world Derek wishes he never had to set eyes on again. If Derek isn’t careful, he could open himself up to a fall, and that would affect more than just his son but also his own traitorous heart. Because with Stiles back, Derek finally has hope again, and its making him want the things he knows better than to ever crave: a home, a future, a life—love.

One-Sentence Premise: To find the happiness they both crave, a lonely stressed-out single dad and a disillusioned FBI agent must confront their shared past and accept the feelings that have always existed between them.

[leclerc-s]

paint the town red - part eleven

YOU AND ME WE'D BE A BIG CONVERSATION

series masterlist

SUMMER BREAK 2024

tony stark i expect every single one of you at the lake house for the next few weeks.

bianca stark-potts i can't. sorry dad. tony stark you can't? what do you mean you can't? you don't have work for the next few weeks. bianca stark-potts i have plans

tony stark WITH FUCKING WHO?

bianca stark-potts with my boyfriend

may parker oh how exciting! where are you going?

bianca stark-potts i'm not saying because my dad will literally track me down.

pepper potts have fun

james rhodes use protection!

harley keener and that is the sound of tony fainting. peter parker and that other sound was tony's unholy screeching.

biancastark_potts and charles_leclerc have posted new stories

amore mio (my love)

something about her looking at the view but i'm looking at her

liked by harryosborn, charles_leclerc, katebishop and others

biancastark_potts ¿qué horas son, mi corazón?

comments have been restricted by user

katebishop someone tell the winch to be gone!

samwilson WHO IS HE STARK-POTTS?

peterbparker listen, i'm not saying the old man is spiraling but the old man is spiraling

↳ biancastark_potts oh i know he is, harley is sending me a hour by hour update on him. happy is also complaining.

lilymhe it's 5:39 pm in new york!

↳ biancastark-potts thank you corazón!

yelenabelova i love knowing something stark doesn't.

tonystark WHERE ARE YOU?!

↳ biancastark_potts here, there, everywhere.

↳ tonystark THAT'S NOT AN ANSWER!

steverogers bianca, why is your father trying to track you down at the tower?

↳ biancastark_potts i'm on vacation and he wants to know where i am.

↳ tonystark SHE'S WITH A BOY STEVEN! A BOY!

↳ steverogers she's a fully grown woman anthony. not everyone is harry.

america_chavez the wicked witch of the west is here? someone tell him to fuck off

wandamaximoff having fun?

↳ biancastark_potts yeah

↳ wandamaximoff good. if someone breaks into his apartment, it wasn't us.

↳ biancastark_potts he says it's all good. it's finally clean.

joaquintorres nice apartment, it's not yours.

↳ biancastark_potts shut your trap torres.

↳ joaquintorres TELL ME WHO IT IS!!!

do you have time to talk soon?

i'm out of the country and if i was in the country, the answer would still be no.

we have nothing to talk about.

don't be like that b, i still love you.

this is exhausting. we are never ever getting back together. like ever.

did you just fucking reply with taylor swift lyrics?

i did.

and i have a boyfriend so please leave me alone.

biancastark_potts and charles_leclerc have posted new stories

told him the last one only gave me flowers on anniversaries and he said, "that is not acceptable. you should be given flowers all the time, for no reason."

🎾🎾

kate bishop where's my monegasque man to sweep me off my feet and buy me flowers for no reason??

yelena belova that is gross. who needs love? kate bishop we get it, you're allergic to love. yelena belova i just do not see the point in it. all i need is my dog and i am happy.

maria hill i have to say it, this one is so much better than the last one.

wanda maximoff have you told him about harry?

bianca stark-potts i did, we talked about. it in hungary, when he found out about him.

america chavez she's in looove. she's literally playing paddle with him

natasha romanoff who are you and what have you done to the bianca we all know? you hate sports

bianca stark-potts i don't like tennis or baseball. they're boring sports. i can enjoy soccer or football. but i hate participating in sports. bianca stark-potts he also told me, "i have to train somehow" and i knew andrea would be on my ass if this man didn't do some training

hope van dyne he bought you flowers? for no reason?

bianca stark-potts yup. he disappeared for like 20 minutes and when he came back he was holding a bouquet of tulips in his hand.

kate bishop again where's my monegasque man??

bianca stark-potts he has a brother?? kate bishop he doesn't seem like my type.

pepper potts i'm glad you're happy bianca.

bianca stark-potts thanks mom!!

bianca stark-potts by the way, he says hello!

bianca stark-potts and he said that if nat and wanda break into his apartment to knock, his brother is staying over because his apartment got flooded.

natasha romanoff but where's the fun in that?

bianca stark-potts "i'd rather not explain to my mum that my brother died of a heart attack because black widow and the scarlet witch broke into my apartment because i'm dating you" - silly vroom man

wanda maximoff we'll set off the home alarm on purpose as a warning.

bianca stark-potts "that works! thank you! and if my brother gets scared please send a picture of his face. i need new blackmail material." - silly vroom man

america chavez typical sibling move.

yelena belova HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?! YOU DON'T HAVE SIBLINGS?

america chavez I HAVE TO SHARE A FLOOR WITH ELI, KATE, AND THE OTHERS WHEN THEY'RE OVER! I LIVE A FLOOR BELOW PETER AND HARLEY! I KNOW THE WAY THAT SHIT WORKS!

george russell you dragged her into a paddle game??

charles leclerc i didn't drag her george.

alex albon he has to train somehow george. can't you see he's too busy wooing a stark-potts?

lando norris WHAT THE FUCK DOES HE NEED TO TRAIN FOR? HE'S LITERALLY 100 POINTS AHEAD OF US ALL?

carlos sainz wrong. he's 73 points ahead of me.

max verstappen is this what you guys felt with me last year?

pierre gasly 100% yuki tsnuoda absolutely oscar piastri totally. daniel ricciardo yes. max verstappen you only drove like 6 races?? daniel ricciardo i wanted to be included maxie!

pierre gasly he's in looove!!

charles leclerc shut up?

oscar piastri he bought her flowers. i saw the instagram story.

lando norris STAND UP CHARLES!!

george russell and i thought alex was the biggest simp. turns out it was charles.

logan sargeant oh come on, this guy had the worst year of his career last year, let him have this.

charles leclerc thank you logan!

max verstappen then tell him to stop flirting with me??

yuki tsunoda that is like asking me to stop loving food. it is impossible. carlos sainz no one will ever love anything as much as yuki loves food

tony stark hey, how y'all doin?

bianca stark-potts get off my dad's phone samuel.

tony stark WHO THE FUCK IS HE??

carlos sainz oh boy can't wait until they find out. tony stark TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW SAINZ!!

isaiah atkins oh my god, when will my nightmare end??

peter parker NEVER BITCH!!

charles leclerc you should've never taken the job then?

isaiah atkins yeah, you would like that wouldn't you? charles leclerc oh fuck you.

harley keener your girlfriend does that enough for you.

tony stark LECLERC HAS A GIRLFRIEND??

peter parker SINCE WHEN DOES LORD PERCEVAL HAVE A GIRLFRIEND??

harley keener have neither of you seen his stories?? he's been with a girl all break??

tony stark bianca come home! the children (america, mj, kate and me) miss you!

bianca stark-potts i literally hate you so much samuel.

sebastian vettel i can't wait until this exact text bites all of you in the ass

ollie bearman you're included seb. we ALL know.

tony stark know what?? what am i missing? arthur leclerc ignore him. he's in summer break mode still. ollie bearman your brother is literally a better liar than you.

NETHERLANDS 2024

scuderiaferrari posted new stories

WE'RE BACK PEOPLE!! I GOT CONTROL OF THE ACCOUNT AGAIN!! EVERYONE SAY HALLELUJAH!!

SPOTTED: lightning mcqueen with mater

SPOTTED: spongebob and patrick, i'll let you decide who's who.

enjoy this picture of tony because he pissed me off.

series taglist: @burningcupcakefire @spilled-coffee-cup @evans-dejong @elliegrey2803 @bingewatche @arkhammaid @sunflower-golden-vol6 @lorarri @ironspdy @mypage-myfandoms @be-your-coffee-pot @celesteblack08 @vellicora @enchantedthoughts @stopeatread @hobiismyhopeu @lilsiz @alessioayla @niniluvsainz @au-ghosttype @six-call @embrosegraves @justtprachisblog @bionic-donut @nichmeddar @landonorizzz @unluckyyoshi @jamie-selwyn @cool-ultra-nerd @kami10471633 @int3rnetgf @fernandoswarcrimes @skynel09 @arieltwvdtohamflash @brekkers-whore @camdensreg @mycenterfold @dear-fifi @chiliwhore @nothaqks @nataliambc @jensonsonlybutton @octopussesarecool @vroomvroommuppett @ragioniera @iamapersonwholikesunicorns @sargeantdumbass @namgification @mgmoore @moonyzsworld @loloekie

strikethrough means i couldn't tag you

click here to be added to the paint the town red taglist

¡leclerc-s speaks! this one's a little short, but i swear the next one will be longer. it lowkey sucks too but oh well, the next one will be better, also this serves as a reminder that yelena is canonically aroace!!!!

¡disclaimer! this is in no way making assumptions about the people involved in this story, this is all fake. it is a fanfiction please don't take any of what is said seriously. this is all for entertainment purposes and as a creative outlet for me. enjoy!

[bookishdreamer28]

Toji never thought there would come a day he would find love. His life was too dark for someone to stay with him and his heart too heavy for someone to hold.

But then there was you. He worships the ground you walk on. Every time he thinks back to the day he first saw you, he feels so incredibly happy and blessed to know that you stayed with him and let him show you just how much he loved you. Before you, nothing made him excited, nothing made him want to fight for something or someone. But you came and changed everything.

"Toji I played the movie you were talking about for a whole month now and you're not even paying attention to it" you jokingly said and laid you head on his shoulder, looking up at him.

"Who gives a shit about the movie when you're right here?" He murmured and leaned down to graze his lips with yours, before capturing them into a heated kiss.

-

Every moment with you meant a lot to him. Every kiss, every hug, every touch, ignited things in him that made his heart burning and yearning for more. There was never enough when he was with you.

His priority after years of loneliness, was finally you. His life was dangerous and the fear of losing you grew more and more each day. But one thing for sure, is that he will protect you with his life. He will never let anyone touch a single strand of your hair.

"Sweetheart, I need you to stay here. In our home. I know you're capable of defending yourself and fight, but this can be too much" his hands were cupping your sweet face, worrying eyes staring back at yours.

"Toji, you can't always go to these missions all alone. Knowing that I can't do anything but wait here is killing me. I want to make sure that you're ok" you touched your forehead with his and closed your eyes at the warmth you felt radiating from his broad body.

"I know baby, I know. But what matters to me is you. I can't lose you" he said, voice filled with emotions.

You moved back a little and looked at him.

"You won't. I'll always be by your side" and you kissed him passionately.

-

He had found happiness when you became a huge part of his life, and now the happiness was doubled.

That's what he thought as he kept staring at the small and pure form in his arms. His son. His eyes left Megumi and fell on your sleepy figure. His eyes suddenly stinked with tears. His son suddenly cooed and slowly opened his eyes, and Toji swore that he was feeling lightheaded. He couldn't believe that he was dad. A dad. Never in his life thought that he would find someone let alone have a kid with them. But here he was.

"Hey little guy" Toji whispered and his hand rubbed softly his son's head.

"Toji" He heard you saying and he immediately was on his feet. He carefully made his way to you, worry written on his face.

"Hey gorgeous, how are you feeling? Do you need anything?" You softly smiled and your eyes were instantly glued on your son.

"My beautiful boy" you reached out your arms, until Toji placed Megumi in them. Once your son felt your arms engulfing him in the warmest hug ever, he instantly melted in them.

Toji was frozen. The sight of you holding your baby boy, was an image that it will be printed on his mind forever. He slowly sat next you, and leaned down to give you a soft and loving kiss on your forehead.

Hope you enjoyed this one with Toji 🙌

"You did absolutely great baby girl. Than you for the beautiful gift" you looked up at him with teary eyes and smiled.

"I love you" you whispered.

"I love you" he said back and brought your body closer to his, admiring both you and your son, with a fondly smile on his face.

He had finally found happiness.

Hope you enjoyed this one with Toji 🙌

I hope you're having an amazing time and always make sure to take care of yourselves 💕

[lynzishell]

The Present 💚 Copperdale

Prev // Next

Transcript under the cut:

Julian:  Have you read it yet? Phoenix: No. I don’t know if I can. I’ve just been staring at it for the last hour. Julian: Do you want me to read it? Phoenix: Um. Yeah. Would you?

Julian:

Dear Phoenix,

I’ve written this letter dozens of times over the years. I only hope I can find the courage to give it to you one day. You likely don’t want anything to do with me, and I understand that, but I want you to know how sorry I am. Sorry for abandoning you and your mom, for not being there for you as you grew up, or when she passed, for everything.

The truth is, I wasn’t capable of being the father you needed back then, and that wasn’t your fault, nor was it what you deserved.

I’ve debated many times over the years about whether reaching out to you would do more harm than good. I have a bad habit of taking from people, of sucking them dry, and leaving them worse off than when I found them. So, I thought maybe it’s best that I stay gone, leave you to live your life.

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably wondering what’s changed. Why am I reaching out to you now?  Well, eight years ago, everything changed. Eight years ago, I had another son. His mother died due to complications during childbirth, and suddenly there I was, barely a year sober with a newborn baby in my arms and nowhere to go. The only person I had left to turn to was my sponsor. Luckily, his family had a ranch in Chestnut Ridge, and said we could live there as long as I took care of the house and the property and the animals. A lot of work for a single father with a baby. Those first few years were the hardest of my life, but we got through it.

I’m nine years sober now, and Danny will be starting fourth grade in the fall.

He’s been asking a lot of questions lately about family.

I haven’t told him about you yet. I wanted to reach out to you first. If you’re interested in meeting him or speaking to him, I’m sure he’d be thrilled. But, if not, if you prefer to be left alone, then I’ll respect that.

For what it’s worth, I’m not just reaching out for him. Every single day I look at him and I’m reminded of you. I see all the things I missed out on. All the things I was never there for. And it eats me up. I know that’s my doing. It’s mine to live with. But, on the off chance you’re willing to speak to me, I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere this time.

Sincerely, Joseph Vega

Phoenix: … Julian: What do you think? Phoenix: I don’t know. I hate not knowing what the right answer is. Julian: I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer. Phoenix: Doesn’t feel that way.

Julian: Look, all I know is, for the first time the choice is yours. Your whole life, other people have been making it for you. Whether it was your dad by leaving, or your mom by not allowing him to come back. But now, if you want to know him, you can. If not, you don’t have to. But for once, you get to make that choice for yourself. It’s not about deciding what’s right, it’s about deciding what you want.

Phoenix: I don’t want to know him. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have a father, and that’s okay. I’ve made my peace with that. I’m not even angry with him anymore. He’s not worth the energy to be angry. I think it’s great that he’s doing well, and that he has a second chance to be a father. But he’s not mine, and he never will be. Dawn might hate me for it, but there’s no place for him in my life.

Julian: Okay, then we can toss this letter in the fire and never speak of it ag— Phoenix: But… Julian: But? Phoenix: The kid. Danny. I need to know he’s okay. And I need him to know that, if he’s ever not okay, I’m here, I’m his brother and if he ever needs help, he can come to me. I want him to know he’s not alone.

Julian: So, you want to call him? Phoenix: No, I want to see him. In person. Julian: You’re gonna go all the way to Chestnut Ridge? Phoenix: Yeah. Yeah, I am. Will you come with me? Julian: Of course.

[reallyromealone]

Ok ok can you PLS do a part 2 of that ‘resilient’ Eddie fic I NEED to know what happens😭 (If your requests are open) -🥮

Title: resilient

Chapter: 2

Fandom: stranger things

Pairing: Eddie Munson x male reader

Warnings: mentions of rape, angst, omegaverse, mpreg, reader goes through it, breakdowns

Notes: this took way longer than expected

🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑

"uncle Steve!" (Sons name) giggled as he was lifted by the older alpha "you ready to hang out today!" Steve said to his god son who nodded "yeah!" The boy said as (name) handed Steve a cute backpack "you be good alright ducky?" (Name) squished his sons face playfully and kissed his forehead "I will!"

(name) was thankful for his dad, Hopp doing anything he could to help his grandkid and used the daycare that came with being the police chief for their kid till he gets to kindergarten.

Though Hopp would have liked if his kid and grandkid moved back with him, (name) would be able to save better.

"(Name) I know you want to be independent but think about saving money, that money can be used for anything (sons name) needs or wants" hopp reasoned with his son and (name) fidgeted with the mug "you really want me back don't you?" He asked quietly, the older man nodding at his pup and (name)s eyes watered "I just want my pup to be safe!" He said and Hopp felt his heart ache at his son and set the mugs down and held him close as (name) sobbed "don't worry (cute childhood nickname) I got you"

"We moving?" (Sons name) asked curiously as he sat in his grandpa's lap, hop letting the little guy take some of his fries, (name) letting his dad buy them dinner "I need some help so you guys will be moving with me, you think you can help me squirt?"

"Yeah!"

Eddie was a mess.

His... His sweet (name)...

"Holy shit dude, are you alright?!" Dustin wanted to gag at the smell of alcohol as Eddie sat on the floor, eyes tear stained "he was raped, he was raped and I just fucking treated him like shit" Eddie said emotionless as he stared off "he was pregnant with my kid, did you know that? No fucking doubt he's mine... He's literally me"

Dustin halted as Eddie let his head fall onto his knees, holding back a sob.

"I need to go to Hawkins..."

(Name) was banned from helping move their belongings, assigned to keeping his pup company and ordering lunch "papa get chicken chunk" (sons name) whispered and (name) smiled "sure baby" he added it to the order along with pizza, wings and drinks (and garlic bread for Robin). (Sons name) was excited to have a bigger room just for him, (name)s childhood room turned into the pups bedroom with a cool (cartoon/game) bedspread from his grandpa and (name) got the guest room, all his trinkets I'm there. "Chicken chunks? Aren't you already my little chicken chunk, half pint?" Hopp teased as the pup stuck his tongue out playfully at his grandpa, the adults smiling at this interaction.

Dinner, bath and bedtime were all it took as (name) sat alone in his bed staring up at his ceiling as the sound of the clock in the kitchen ticked.

Here he was.

Back Home, in his childhood home with his dad and pup.

Sitting up be walked to a small shoe box he brought in himself, opening it to reveal trinkets, photos and letters, picking up a photo of everyone together and happy as teens.

He glared at nancys annoying face, he saw her a few times around Hawkins when she visited family but never interacted with her and she didn't interact with him, she ruined his life and he kind of hoped she would drop dead.

(Name) didn't grocery shop with his son, he didn't need the boy hearing how people talk about him being a single parent, the snide comments and rude remarks as he tried to make himself invisible under the florescents as his sneakers tapped against the older linoleum.

"Did you hear? Eddie "the freak" Munson is back"

"Yeah, he's like super rich, maybe I can get a sugar daddy"

"But spending time with the freak? Is it worth it?"

(Name) froze as he looked at the nutritional values of two cereals, throat closing up at this information he heard.

Eddie was back?

Why?

He tried not to think about the letters, the emails and messages or the letter he had gotten in the mail a few days after the last email he sent from Eddie's lawyer's, threatening legal action if he doesn't stop trying to contact Eddie with the threat of a restraining order, he took that as Eddie's answer to the concept of meeting his son.

Snapped from his thoughts and continued his shopping, trying not to let anxiety flood him.

He was probably visiting his uncle, the uncle who despised (name) with every fiber of his being-- even publically shaming him for his "whorish behavior" when he saw (name) not long after the breakup, solemnly believing that the fetus inside of (name) was the product of his "cheating" thus till the rape investigation came to light and Eddie had long been gone from town everyone thought he was a cheating slut.

Yeah (name) totally toootally moved on from that, the Alpha who treated him like one of his own turning and Screaming at him to the point of (name) nearly drooping.

Totally...

He wonders if the band came with, thinking of how many people he has to avoid... He wonders if Dustin was with him.

His little sisters friend-- well once friend, Jane burning all communication with Dustin after the young beta made his bed.

He should call her sometime... The girl currently at university with his step brother Will, will was crushed that his best friends did that to (name) and just cut ties with the whole group-- save for Steve and Robin.

"(--me)" "(--ame)!"

"(NAME!)" (name) snapped to look around, when did he get home? The Omega was putting away groceries as his dad looked concerned "I take it you heard?"

"I- yeah... I did..." (Name) said meekly as he fiddled with a container of coffee "do you... Do you think you could pick up (sons name)? I need to start dinner" their code for "I really need time to process and don't have the capacity for anything else right now" and the older alpha pat his sons back "I got you bite size" he said as he went to go get his grandkid "you know no matter what, I got your back right? You can depend on your dad"

"Thanks dad..." (Name) said with a soft, sad smile before he was alone in the house to think.

"Maybe I should go on that blind date Robin was talking about"

[forthewinn]

@unitcd continued from here

"Ricky." Winn spoke softly, letting out a breath. He knew that this conversation was going to come eventually. That Ricky was going to want to know more about his mother, not that Winn could blame him. There were a lot of questions Winn had about his own mother that he wished he could get answered. And he also knew that whatever he said, it wasn't going to make any of Ricky's insecurities and worries go away. "Your mom leaving had nothing to do with you, and everything to do with her. She left right after you were born, you did nothing wrong. She didn't want to be a mother, she wanted to move forward in her career. But I couldn't let her give you up, I couldn't give you up."

[jesse-cromeans-sugarbaby]

Ok but like Rusty nail x milf reader 😍 if you can and you are comfortable with if you aren't please ignore ❤️ HAVEANICEDAYYYYY🫂

Of course darling! I hope it is to your liking!

Rusty nail x milf!reader

Warnings: metions of murder, breeding kink, cream pie, dry humping, oral

If there’s anything I missed lemme know.

Sfw

He definitely loves your kid..HE'S THE DAD THAT STEPPED UP. He shows your son/daughter his truck. Their inside the truck and rusty is showing them around it letting them mess with the horn. He picks them up for school when he’s not on the road.

He loves caring for your kid. He'll fight another kid if they’re bullying your son/daughter. Like he will definitely fight someone’s dad if he has to. He takes the father role very seriously. They are his own now, he doesn’t care if they aren’t his blood. They are his, no ifs ands or buts.

“If I find out your kid is hurting my son/daughter again it’ll be your ass that’ll have to deal with me”

When he is on the road he loves calling and FaceTiming. It makes him happy to see your son/daughter get so excited to hear or see him. Your kid definitely steals the phone just to talk to him. You have to fight them just to get the phone back.

“Give the phone back to momma now okay?”

I believe he has come home covered in blood once..that was difficult to explain to your son/daughter. His excuse is that he bump into paint. Yeahhhh you didn’t believe but at least your kid did.

You eventful find out that he murders people, but it doesn’t change how much you love him…at first you were concerned ya know considering he could get hurt. You will patch up any wound or scrap he has. It never ceases to amaze him. The way you care about him like no one ever has.

He basks in it, he act more hurt than he actually is. Just so he gets pampered.

He loves his lil family!

NSFW…

Alright here’s where things get a lil messy. He 100% has a breeding kink. You’ll be laying in bed. He just got out of a shower and your kid is tucked into bed. He’s immediately on you. You will not be getting out of bed tonight. He’ll be putting you in every position you will be knocked up by the end of the week.

“That’s it sugar…let daddy fill you up”

He loves seeing you filled with him. He really wants to see you pregnant. Covers your mouth so that you don’t wake up your son/daughter.

“Now keep that pretty mouth closed don’t want you waking up the little one”

Now if you do end up pregnant he will not leave you alone. Basically wants you to not lift a finger. He loves seeing your body grow…(loves your breasts). While your son/daughter is at school, he has you ride him on the couch. His eyes hardly leave your growing stomach. He is gentler when you're pregnant, he’s scared you’ll break.

Lots of dry humping, he's busy so are you . So that just means he’s gotta be quick..doesn’t mean you’re forgotten though he lives for making you come. He loves your pretty noises and how you look when you come.

“That’s it baby…let it out”

Your son/daughter has definitely accidentally walked in on you. That led to you having to tell your son/daughter that you two were just “hugging”.

“Yeah that’s what parents do…uh they hug”

Rusty is very possessive if he sees any of the other dads eyeing you or trying to flirt they may or may not end up dead. He doesn’t care if they have a family…that just means they deserve death more.

He leaves marks on you..EVERYWHERE. There is not a single place that hasn’t been marked by him. You’ll be getting weird looks from the other moms meanwhile rusty is just standing beside you smug…the little shit.

“Their just jealous cause there husbands would rather watch fucking football than fuck them”

He got slapped to the back of the head for saying that. He's just being honest! Some of the other moms have ogled rusty and it pisses you off. That’s when you show off his beautiful marks.

“Aw sugar was someone jealous. Don’t worry baby my Heart is yours”

He is a munch. When you two get alone time you will be a mess. Tears streaming down your cheek you hair a askew. You’ve lost count of how many times you’ve come. You’re body is shaking and you try to pull him off you and he just growls and slaps your thigh.

“Come on momma one more time”

Yeah he lied it wasn’t the last time. He loves how you taste.

He wears a hat that say I <3 milfs

[goth-mami-writer]

🩶As Close as Strangers🩶

~{Pt. 2 by request}

🩶@leonw4nter @torisvr 🩶

~(Au) Leon Kennedy × f!Reader drabble

~{Find part one here}

(This one's kinda long 👉👈 srry)

《Leon stared at you now, hoping for what you might offer as some sort of explanation as to why he'd been left out of your son's life if he was indeed the father.

Did you think he'd say he was uninterested in the responsibility? There had to be something- something outlandish for you to omit such a truth for so many years that were crucial.

Years that Leon would never get back as a father.

“What- you thought I'd call you a liar? Or tell you that I had other plans?”

He asked from across the room after you returned from turning on the boy's nightlight, and you sat back on the couch with your heart heavy.

The reasoning for your lie was simple. It wasn't that you believed Leon didn't have the morals to uphold his part of the responsibility. It was the opposite. Leon would've been a wonderful father. But he would've put that hard work to the side to help you raise a child, and the guilt would've consumed you.

If it were anyone else, you would've been on the phone the moment you read the test. But it wasn't just anyone. The child you carried then belonged to Agent Leon S. Kennedy.

“I had just watched you shake hands with the governor in DC. You knew that night that you had a pretty big chance of moving up. We all did. Especially me.” You said beginning to explain,

“I couldn't…I could never ask you to take a step back from that. That's your career, Leon-”

“That's my son.” He said, cutting you off to point upstairs, having heard enough.

He somewhat understood that you wanted him to have the career he had always been chasing. But even if he worked hand in hand with the president himself, he wouldn't have put a child on the back burner. Or a wonderful girl to raise that child all alone.

He put his locked fingers behind his head tensely when he stood from his seat and he paced the floor now with the thought of what was next. You felt your heart racing with the fear of him leaving and never looking back.

He rested his hands on his hips and asked with the first hint of curiosity that came into his mind regarding the son he didn't know,

“What'd you name him?”

You were quiet for a moment before telling him your son's first name. It wasn't the first name that you thought might cause him to look at you funny.

It was the middle name.

“Ethan..”

You took a deep breath a finally said, pulling your robe tighter nervously,

“Ethan Scott….”

Leon's whole body turned to face you but you only stared at the ground. You had named him somewhat after his father. Only because he couldn't have his father's last name. Leon scoffed, holding back a laugh when he said quietly,

“I didn't think you'd remember my middle name.”

You shrugged, shaking your head just the same and said,

“Full of surprises, yanno.”

He opened the door, unwilling to overstay his welcome after noticing the rain had finally let up but you noticed his hesitation. He couldn't move any further without asking one last thing that had tormented him even as he drunkenly stumbled here in the dark.

“So-” He stuttered with only one foot outside,

“He doesn't…have any dad in his life at all?”

You were slow to answer only because you knew that he was easing carefully around what he really wanted to ask. You crossed your arms, leaning on the side of the foyer wall when you tried to determine what he really meant,

“Are you trying to ask if I'm still single?”

Leon winced away from the truth and looked away, giving you your confirmation that it's exactly what he meant. You turned only for a second and he heard as you disappeared to find something from a shelf or maybe a drawer since he could only listen.

You returned with a small book that Leon recognized as a photo album when you came into the light again. He saw your phone number jotted on the back of one of the many photos and listened as you began quietly.

“These are some of his baby pictures. We'll be in your city next week. Just call me if….you wanna see him.” You mentioned offering the small booklet of photos to him.

Leon held it tight in his grip and half smiled, thanking you in silence for giving him something to hold onto. He told you he'd call when he could before leaving off the porch and you closed the door quickly so not even the night air could see you fall apart so fast.

You didn't know what felt worse. Being without him, alone and in silence. Or having lost him a second time.

~Washington, DC.

~That next week

You were chaperoning Ethan’s class field trip that afternoon with several other parents. You rode a charter bus through the city on the way to the White House but all you could think of was the last time you were in this city. Five years ago.

It wasn't the sight seeing or the work that'd brought you to the capital.

It was just the thought of Leon and where he was.

He had called you the night before, almost to your surprise, but he asked where in town you'd be. When you answered, he took a minute to think before asking several more questions - trying to pinpoint exactly where you'd be and at what time. But he never confirmed where he'd be himself. Which made you curious.

The charter bus stopped on the street curb outside the north entrance, and you helped Ethan away from his seat, straightening his uniform before he got off the bus excitedly.

The class was counted out on the paved walkway before being ushered inside, and you stayed close to Ethan in his line of classmates but remained to the side holding your sweater as you walked aloof with the tour.

You walked down the infamous Cross Hall, feeling the renowned red carpet under your black pumps but your eyes wandered. You saw many faces of federal agents and USSS lining the hall now as the students walked behind the tour guide. Some wore suits and some wore tactical vests that supported a weapon across their chest.

One pair of eyes hidden against the wall followed Ethan from the moment he arrived, remaining silent and watchful as the small boy piled in with his class. Those eyes found you now as well, and covertly, they began to move closer.

You felt people huddling in behind you to listen in, and you tried to stay out of their way. But suddenly, when you began backing away, you felt the collision of a tactical vest meeting you from behind.

You turned to see Leon standing there behind you now and he asked with a whisper and a careful smile,

“Is he having fun?”

You went wide-eyed seeing him here. He had an earpiece in, and his federal badge was clipped to his vest. He looked so different now, unlike the other night, but you liked it. It looked right for him.

“Since when are you a part of on-site here?” You asked, trying not to smile too wide, but you were thrilled that he was here. Usually, on the premises, security wasn't a part of his job, so you had to know what he was doing.

“It's just for today-” He said, omitting the small truth of why he'd opted to be stationed here, strangely for only one day. He shook his head and clarified more truthful,

“...I wanted to see him.”

You smiled a little more in love now, and you looked to Ethan in his assigned group at the front. He would never know how close he was to his own father, but you could only watch in awe as Leon knew that too as he looked ahead as well.

The students were led out to the gardens on the south lawn next, and you waited behind in the long Colonnade Hall, watching his class through the many paned windows. You heard someone enter the deserted hall behind you and saw that Leon had found you again.

He still wore his earpiece and tactical attire, but he'd moved his large gun to his back now as he approached the window beside you quietly. You felt like strangers again, unsure of what to say, and you tensed your hands together stiffly.

You knew you wanted to ask him if he's willing to at least meet his son anytime soon. The distance between them now wasn't easy to watch, but maybe it was karma after all the hurt you caused him in keeping this secret.

“I've been thinking about a few things.” He said in a mutter, some of his pushed back hair falling onto his brow now as he turned to you.

You asked what was on his mind as you turned now as well. The words were just there behind his lips, you watched them trying to make their escape from his throat but he faltered, unsure of how to even begin to explain the many trains of thought he had at one time.

“Leon-” You said trying to steady his inner turmoil,

“This is up to you. I don't want you to change your life because I lied, and it's the right thing to do now.”

“No-” He said in reply, still struggling with so many things at once to tell you and the only way he could get his point across was closing the gap between you with a heavy, fated step,

“I know what I want.”

His hands moved up to your face with a desperate quickness when he pulled your lips to his own. He kissed you needfully like it was as an instinct that told him to do so. You melted into his touch and felt freed at long last by the kiss that haunted you since the last time you saw him in this city.

You pulled away with a heavy breath, having clutched onto his vest to keep him close without realizing it. Your eyes fluttered open, realizing you were still standing right in front of the large windows as your heart raced. Leon held you by your shoulders now, just as breathless and lost as you when you spoke finally,

“This isn't the best place to do this.”

“I've thought about you for five years. I can't help it.” He replied with his head resting against yours as he held you, going slowly as he explained what he had thought of in the days since finding you again.

“I don't know how we'll make it work. But I don't want Ethan to go without his dad anymore. And I don't want us to go without being together.”

He swallowed heavily, finally having the fire in his throat to say what had been holding onto for years. He knew it then, and he knew it the night he thought of you, stumbling drunk in the dark and the rain.

“I love you. And I should've told you before you left. Things might've been different.”

You could only smile, closing your eyes again to lean against him. You shook your head, hating yourself now after seeing how easy this actually was, and you mentioned sweetly before kissing him again,

“Looks like we got another mission together after all then, huh? We'll get it in a pinch.”

He smiled against your mouth, in love to hear that you both were working together both for each other and for Ethan.

~~

You walked your son back to his bus on the White House lot leading to the curbside. You felt him turn around to get one last look and then said in his tiny, curious voice,

“There's people on the roof, mommy, look!”

You turned, noticing his fixation with the federal agents on the roof in tactical vests, toting their AK’s on surveillance from above. You mentioned that they were there to make sure everyone was safe and not breaking the rules.

When you noticed another silhouette take shape on the rooftop, you smiled widely to see that it was Leon staring out to the lawn from over the edge, undoubtedly making sure that Ethan got back on the bus.

You crouched down onto your son's level and pointed upwards to the rooftop, making Leon's heart race from afar. He'd kill to know what you were saying as you pointed straight at him.

“You see that one there?” You asked softly.

“Yeah.” Ethan nodded.

“I know him. His name's Leon. Leon Scott.”

Ethan's eyes widened, saying excitedly that they both had the same middle name, and you smiled brightly seeing the joy it brought him. You looked back to Leon, who still stood in awe that even from a distance, himself and Ethan were face to face now.

You told Ethan to wave up to the roof, and he did so adorably with his little arm reaching up to swing back and forth. He put his arm down, noticing that Leon didn't wave back, and he asked you almost sadly,

“Can he see me?”

“He can see you, baby.” You assured him, looking in the distance as Leon stood motionless. He felt the lump in his throat wad up tightly seeing his son waving at him for the first time. He cried all night looking at his baby pictures, and this felt so much worse.

Leon raised his hand up after clearing his tight throat and gave Ethan a minute, nonchalant salute by the temple and winked lovingly, even though he knew the boy wouldn't see it.

You watched as Ethan smiled widely, looking back to see if you noticed. You told him to come along so they wouldn't miss head count and he walked alongside you, holding your hand as he bounced down the walkway, still turning around to see Leon on the roof every step of the way.

“Tell Leon he's cool and that we have the same middle name.” Ethan said in his small voice before jumping up onto the bus, and you laughed loudly, promising his sweet little spirit that you would tell Leon everything.》

[wheneverfeasible]

There are so many Byler posts going around rn and I have always been a Byler truther since…gosh, maybe the second or third episode? I don’t remember when it was exactly but it was while Will was gone and Karen told Mike that she knew he was upset about Will being missing and basically said “I know Will is important to you and you feel so much about him. You are my son and I hope you know that you will always be my son and I will love you no matter what” because like…why did that part need to be said after talking about his feelings for Will. MMMM OKAY.

Anyways. I love Byler. I hope it IS endgame. However, that does not make me stop feeling sorry for Eleven. All the gifs where Mike looks like it physically pains him to say he still loves her, where he minutely brushes past her to acknowledge Will, where he stares at Will with that open expression and says words about caring for him easily when he stutters and is awkward saying the same things to El…

I support Byler and want it to be a thing. But my heart also aches for El who was, let’s face it, kind of a rebound for Mike. She loves him because he was the first one who showed her genuine kindness who didn’t (yet) betray her, the first one she met when she was lost and alone and scared, and the first one who made her feel like a girl instead of a science experiment. Of course she would love him, at least to some degree, never mind if it was healthy or not.

I want Byler to be a thing and there’s no guilt for Mike choosing Will, his true love, instead. But sometimes you need to think about the collateral damage along the way.

Honestly, I want Eleven to end the series single, figuring herself out, and maybe reuniting with Kali and having a grand adventure (with dad approval from Hopper because they both still need each other) and maybe Kali and her gang even come to hang in Hawkins for a while but just…I want Eleven to have her own happy ending, but I do still feel a pang of hurt for her with every Byler post where it’s shown how much more Mike loves Will over her.

Eleven is more than just a plot device to further the Byler love plot and I hope she gets the sort of ending she deserves.

*edit to add for clarity: All that being said, I’ll still be completely happy with Mike and Eleven remaining together, as long as Mike does better for her. S4 Mike wasn’t the greatest in my opinion and both El and Will deserved so much better than how he treated them. Whichever one Mike ends up with, if he ends up with either of them, the other person deserves their own happily ever after.

[look-at-the-soul]

Ain’t she sweet

Tommy Shelby x reader

Master list

✨I had this idea for a while going around my mind, and even though I’m still in jail time, it was the perfect time to finally write this down. Actually this idea was meant to happen in The Photoshoot, but you know me… if I don’t use something in a story, I will make it fit into another one ☺️😉

Dear Val @notyour-valentine congratulations on your 1K celebration followers!!!!! I’m so happy you reached that goal and I’m still keeping some of your stories on my to-read list. 💖

🌙🌘I chose this incredible theme A forever memory

“How was school, Charlie?” You tried to make small talk with Tommy’s son, he had been very quiet, looking out the window. His attitude was screaming he rather walk back home than be with you inside the car.

After a loud sigh he answered; “Good.” You could even bet he was rolling his eyes at you so you decided to stop bothering him.

The trip back home was long and quiet, he got upset because you went to pick him up instead of his aunt Pol like she usually did. Tommy had asked you as a favor because his aunt wasn’t available that day, neither was Ada, so Charlie didn’t really have much choice there.

His cold attitude towards you wasn’t something new, ever since he found out his mother was killed because he accidentally heard his uncles Arthur and John talking about it. He refused to talk to anyone for days, and when he finally did, Charlie asked lots of questions no one could really answer, even Polly couldn’t reach to the boy. And then, he deliberately started to ignore you, he constantly interrupted while you were talking to Tommy, stormed into his room or office without knocking first -and almost caught the two of you making out twice-, he even told Polly once he wished it was you the one that got shot instead of his mum. You didn’t even know Tommy back then.

Tommy practically gave up on him, too busy with the family business and well the general danger surrounding him, he eventually got tired of explaining Charlie it wasn’t your fault his mother was killed. You even gave up to the little hope of the kid changing his mind about you, since in his mind, you were the enemy.

You tried several times to get close to him, and every single time, Charlie rejected any way of affection that came from you, any present was left unopened, when you tried to congratulate him, he turned his back at you… and the list could keep going.

But you wanted to keep trying for Tommy, and deep down, you adored Charlie, he was an incredible kid, you understood growing up without his mother wasn’t something easy, you actually wanted Tommy to be closer to his son, wanted them to have a relationship based on love and trust yet, you understood Tommy’s reasons to be strict, he even struggled himself for his late wife’s death. And he also suffered for being in the middle, between your love and his son’s.

You saw Frances opening the door as the car reached Arrow’s House entrance.

“I’m going out to play with my cars.” Charlie announced, probably to Frances and rushed past you.

Ruffling his hair, you gently suggested: “How about we have lunch first, then homework and later we can play outside?”

You never noticed Tommy coming out from his office just as Charlie yelled at you:

“You don’t get to tell me what to do! You’re not my mum!” He ran off upstairs, not even stopped to say hello to his dad.

A heavy silence filled the room as you felt the pain caused by his words like a hot, sharp knife, slicing through your heart.

“Charles Shelby, come back in this moment!” Tommy barked as the boy reached the last step to then disappear in the hall of the second floor. He tried to go after his son, but you stopped him.

“Leave it, please.” When you saw Tommy’s angry expression you pleaded again. “I don’t want you to start a war.” Frances discretely had left you alone. “Besides, he is right… I am not his mother.” You added in a low voice, your head down as you walked to the kitchen.

Tommy stayed there in the middle, between his fiancé in the kitchen and his son upstairs. Torn between comforting one or grounding the other.

Something shattering in the kitchen made him choose the first one.

The glass pan you used that morning to bake a cake was on the floor broken and mixed with the smashed cake. Frances saw it slipping from your hands.

Hands shaking, you were frozen in spot. Unable to keep holding the tears as you heard Charlie’s words over and over in your mind. No matter how hard you tried, he would never accept you. Picking up a piece of cake, Tommy rushed next to you as you were about to cut your hand.

“I got it love.” He moved you with a gently voice. But he felt your body shaking. “It’s alright, hey, listen to me.”

As he pulled you into his embrace, you started to shake your head against his chest.

“No, it’s not.” He heard the way your voice broke down and shot Frances a quick glance to leave the two of you alone.

He wasn’t usually very fond of showing his emotions or affective, but he also was aware how much Charlie’s contempt affected you. That’s why he decided to keep his arms around you, hands running up and down your back while he felt your sobs subsiding.

Tommy took his handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away the tears from your face.

“He’s going to have to get used to you once we get married.”

Taking a deep breath, your fingers touched nervously the engagement ring he gave you about a month ago, right before Charlie found out about what happened with Grace.

“Tommy… I think it’s best if we put our engagement on hold.” You decided to distract yourself smoothing the neck of his shirt, you couldn’t look him in the eyes, not with all the battles you were fighting at the moment.

“That’s nonsense Y/N.” His body tensed immediately and then he lifted your chin with his finger. “You can’t let a child control your life like that.”

“I’m not going to be in the middle between you and your son, I grew up without my father and-”

“Don’t do this to me, fuck this Y/N. Why are you taking the easy way out?”

“This is far from easy for me Tommy, I’m trying to avoid that one day he makes you choose between me and him.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

You took a step back, trying to put some distance between the two of you.

“That’s what happened with my father and he didn’t choose me… I can’t go through that again.”

You didn’t want to wait anymore to listen what he had to say, so you walked out of Arrow House.

Tommy’s hands were closed in a tight fist, the vein in his temple visible. Each footstep he took, echoed on the floor as he returned to his office.

“Frances! Get someone to clean this up and tell my son he’s grounded!” He closed the door with a loud bang only to open it again seconds later. “Indefinitely.” He added with a cigarette hanging from his mouth.

***

As Tommy skipped lunch, and he pretty much was about to skip dinner as well, Frances decided to prepare him some tea. She had known Y/N since Mr. Shelby started dating her and she could recognize all the good things she had brought into his life.

“What am I doing wrong, Frances?” He asked the maid while his eyes were fixed on the papers in front of him.

Smoothing her apron, Frances looked at him, lines of worry across his forehead, tensed shoulders, rubbing his index finger against the thumb, the lost look in his eyes, she could read him like the palm of her hand.

“If I’m too strict, he’s going to run away, if I’m too soft he’s going to end up like Finn, there’s no in between.”

“Talk to him, Mr. Shelby, Charlie is a smart child he will understand.”

Leaning back on his chair, Tommy took the remains of the almost consumed cigarette to take a long puff.

“Will he?” With a groan he moved his arm to reach the cup of tea. “I’m scared one day he will look at me and ask why did his mum die instead of me.”

Frances felt her heart crushing inside her chest.

“He loves you Mr. Shelby and not long ago he was happy around Y/N. Give him some time, I found him crying earlier.”

How did his happiness could cause such sadness to his own kid?

“Soon we’ll be celebrating your nuptials and all of this will be forgotten.” She had so many things to do, and she knew that once Mr. Shelby stayed quiet, his mind started to overthink everything so she decided to excuse herself and left her boss alone.

Leaving his tea unfinished, Tommy walked upstairs to Charlie’s room, the lighted lamp and his breathing gave away his son wasn’t sleeping, he was just pretending to be asleep.

Sitting by the end of the bed, Tommy tucked his son in, just like when he was a little boy.

“When your mum was taken away from us, I swore I would never get married again.” His voice was soft, almost soothing. “And it’s actually a funneh story the way I met Y/N, the only time I’ve been late to a meeting in my life, was because of her.”

Tommy chuckled at the memory and leaned his palm over his thigh to rest his body forwards. He knew Charlie was awake because he saw him by the corner of his eye blinking, but he kept talking as if he was asleep.

“I was in a hurry, distracted, talking to myself like I always do. She was walking backwards you know, just coming out from the store carrying boxes of cupcakes and I swear I didn’t see her right away as I was taking my right on the corner… the cupcakes ended up flying everywhere and landed on the floor. I thought she would be so mad, but instead she looked at me with the biggest and kindest smile and after asking if I was alright, she offered me the only intact cupcake that wasn’t ruined.” She smelled like vanilla and frosting, too sweet and delicate he remembered. “And in that very moment I knew she had something that no one else had.” Licking his lips, he could still taste her there. “She was the sweetest little thing a grumpy man like me needed.”

He was now softer thanks to her, she constantly stormed inside his office or the betting shop with fresh baked cookies or cake to share and bright everyone’s day. “And I don’t tell her much this, but she makes me want to be better man, and she’s constantly pushing me to be a better father to you.”

A glimpse of sadness clouded his blue eyes. “You can’t even imagine how much your words have hurt her, because if there’s someone asking me about you, worried every time you get sick, staying up late to check on you or if you need anything, that’s Y/N.”

Tommy swallowed hard, thinking how grateful he actually felt for you.

“You’re right, she’s not your mother, she will never be, but apart from your aunts… Y/N is the closest to a mother you will ever have.”

The bed creaked when Tommy got up to walk out of his son’s room, wearing his heart on his sleeve, craving for you in that moment.

———

The following day, he knew you wouldn’t be home to have lunch that day like you usually did. You actually made him change that from his schedule, to spend more time with Charlie every day and he couldn’t lie to himself, he had loved making that little adjustment to be with you and his son instead of eating alone in his office.

“Mr. Shelby! I tried to reach you in your office all morning.” Frances appeared with a worried expression. Tommy saw by the corner of his eye Charlie in the middle of the stairs.

“What is it Frances?”

“It’s Y/N, she was run over by a delivery truck outside her business this morning.”

Tommy didn’t wait to hear the rest, he rushed back to his car to go to the hospital.

Trying to adjust yourself, you groaned from the pain.

“Do you want something?” Tommy’s voice asked you taking your hand.

“How many elephants were?”

Tommy chuckled at your humor. “One milk truck in reverse was all you needed to get knocked out.”

“Mmm, it felt like a stampede.” You finally opened your eyes to meet his. Tommy was all over you, kissing your face, moving away your hair.

“Doctor says you can leave today, but you will need someone looking after you.”

“Did you had to pull out your gun to make him say that?”

“It wasn’t necessary, says you’re strong as an oak.” He winked at you. “I’m taking you home, Y/N… and I don’t want to hear a single complain about it.”

You closed your eyes for a moment, too tired to keep them open. “Wasn’t going to.”

“So, you’re really in a lot of pain.” You saw the corner of his lips moving upwards.

“I didn’t see the truck.” You admitted.

Tommy made a funny face. “Maybe you need glasses.”

Too tired to argue his sarcasm, you slapped his arm. “The truck driver was moving in reverse.”

After sleeping all the way to his house, he carried you upstairs in his arms as if you weighted nothing, straight into his bedroom, under the gossipy eyes of the maids.

You thanked Tommy for arraigning the pillows for you and the soup he announced Frances was making.

“I’ll be in my office doing some phone calls, but if you need anything you know where the bell is.” Tommy leaned down to kiss you softly on your forehead, but before he could break apart, you pulled him to your lips, tasting the smell of tobacco in him. “Don’t start something you won’t be able to carry out, Y/N.”

“Give me a couple of days and you’ll see.”

You felt like you needed at least ten painkillers to make you feel better, but you already had too many, looking around, there was just a dim light coming through the curtains so it was probably night by now and Tommy still hadn’t returned. Tilting your head to the side, you found the door open barely by a few inches and a spying eye looking through.

“You can come in Charlie.” As the little boy opened the door you realized he had been crying. “What’s the matter?”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t want you to get hurt Y/N.” He stormed in and started crying inconsolable on your side.

“Take a deep breath Charlie… of course you didn’t, it’s not your fault.”

But he had a confession to make. “It is, I wished you went away or disappeared.”

“Well… I’m glad your wish failed, you have nothing to worry about.” Your fingers moved away the fringe from his face, he was starting to look so much like Tommy now.

“Dad said I made you cry... sorry.” He looked down.

“Don’t worry, we all say things we don’t want to say.”

“But I was so scared of something bad happening to you.”

Patting the empty spot on the bed, you smiled at him. “Just a little push, that’s all, you don’t have to worry now.”

As Charlie cuddled close to your body, you helped him climb under the covers.

“I like you Y/N, I just miss my Mum.”

You had to blink a couple of times to make sure you listened him correctly. “I’m sure she’s watching over you, Charlie. You know, your Dad works really hard to keep you safe, you’re his priority always.” You could feel him relaxing against you. “And I’m not here to take your Mum’s place, I’m here to make you and your Dad happy.”

You chuckled as Charlie yawned. Stroking his head, you felt his arm over your stomach, as if he was hugging you.

“When I feel better how about we bake something? A chocolate cake? Your favorite.”

“Can’t… I’m grounded until I’m twelve.”

Smiling, you couldn’t tell him his Dad would never do that.

“Maybe… I can help you reduce it to nine?”

“Deal.” He had completed melted in your arms, his eyelids closed now. “Y/N?”

“Yes?”

“Is it true you and Dad are getting married?”

He must have heard someone in the house talking about it.

“Would you like that?” You saw the boy nodding eagerly to your question. “In that case, I can talk to your father about that too tomorrow. Have sweet dreams Charlie.”

Perhaps it was the heavy pain medication you were in, or the fact that Charlie went back to being the sweet kid he was in the beginning to you, but that night was a good one, despite the little incident with the truck. You could even see the moon shining up in the sky through the curtains.

Unbuttoning his vest, Tommy walked into the room the two of you shared when you stayed for the night, he was taken aback by the sight in front of him; Charlie sleeping in his bed, not only stealing his side of the bed, but his woman as well.

The image filled his heart, this was all he was hoping for, to have you in his life, his heart, his house, his bed. He wanted everything. The whole scene was something he would keep like a forever memory.

But also in Charlie’s life. He knew he had chosen the right woman to raise his son with, he just hoped Charlie could eventually see it too.

And judging by the heartwarming scene in front of him, it looked just like that.

Well, ain’t she sweet. He thought to himself with the hint of a smile decorating his lips as he climbed in the tight space free.

***

A/N: since I’m in jail time, I won’t be able to reply to your comments 💕 but you know I treasure each of them. If you decide to share and spread the word, I will be forever grateful ♥️ thank you for reading!!!

The usual tags will be from my side blog.

[ihavemanyhusbands]

The song "I think I need someone older" keeps playing in my head when I think of either Hannibal or Duncan 🫠

The brain rot is getting worse im afraid 💀older fictional men just are ughh it's like crack

Perhaps a Hannibal or Duncan x reader with age gap and some angst but then fluff??? 🙏🏻

Thinking along the lines of they're out together. Doing some basic life stuff and some guy around readers age is like "oh you out with your dad?" But I think tho it would piss them off they would handle it differently. Could see Duncan breaking his nose

Hope your having a wonderful day ♡

~ 🔮

I changed a small detail but i hope you like it hehe

I hope you are too ❤️

(Cw: mild violence)

———

Duncan saw the guy pestering you as soon as he emerged from another aisle. You were tense, clearly trying to keep your distance as you picked some produce.

“Come on, what’s the big idea? I’m just giving you a compliment,” the creep was saying.

“Like I said, not interested,” you said, tone firm.

“Don’t be such a bi—”

At that moment, Duncan approached, staring him down.

“What’s going on here?” He asked, standing close to you.

“What’s it to you, old man? You her dad or something?” The creep scoffed, looking him up and down. “Why don’t you leave us alone and then we can properly meet when I’m your son in law?”

Duncan took a step forward, furious, fists balled at his sides. But before he could even swing, you turned towards the creep and kneed him hard in the groin.

He let out a pained yowl, bending forward as his hands flew to his crotch. “You fucking bitch!”

“That’s twice you’ve called me that. You’re lucky that’s all I did,” you said, rolling your eyes. “Come on, honey. Someone else can take care of the trash.”

Duncan had a surprised and amused look on his face, but he slid his arm over your shoulders as he guided you away.

“I taught you well,” he said proudly.

You smiled, tilting your chin up. “Of course, you know I can take care of myself, too.”

“I never doubted it for a single second.”

——-

[heyidkyay]

And I'm petrified of being alone, now |

Part Eighteen

Matty Healy x reader

Summary: She’s just trying to get by, really. What with being a single parent to her four year old son whilst simultaneously trying to kick start a successful career as a radio presenter. She’s got everything she’s ever wanted though, friends close by, a mum who’s merely a phone call away, and of course her baby boy. What else is there to wish for? But then, it’s not long before her relatively normal life gets upended and turned on its head, and she’s suddenly forced to deal with situations she’s never even thought to imagine.

What happens when one mention of a certain controversial singer on her show sends a flood of unexpected challenges her way? 

Authors Note: Hey!! Finally here with another part! This one took a while to write but it's here now. Hoping you enjoy it:)

> Last update: look back here if you'd like!

Masterlist

He’d been pacing on the phone for quite a while now.

Back and forth up the long and narrow pavement sat outside of the small cafe we’d chosen just off the highstreet. His feet skimmed the curb every few steps, I noted, his brow furrowed and lips pursed too whenever he rattled something back to whoever it was on the other end.

“Eggy, mama?”

I blinked at the sudden voice, tearing my eyes away from the window and Matty, and back over to where my food-happy toddler sat in the adjoining highchair.

With a fond smile, I shook my head at his proffered bit of hard boiled egg. 

See, Matty had fancied a couple of soldiers when we’d first walked in, forgetting all about his earlier promises of bacon, and Teddy had unsurprisingly followed his lead. Looking down at his plate now, I was pleasantly pleased to find that he’d eaten the majority of it.

“I’m okay, Teds. Thank you though.” I told him, wiping a few breadcrumbs from his cheek with a napkin before tickling the underneath of his chin, “You’re such a sweet boy, you know?”

He bared his teeth at me in a giant grin, “Very much, ta.”

Chuckling lightly at his silly reply, I shook my head once more, “Back at it with the ta, are we?”

Teddy replied with only a stern nod and a wrinkle of his mouth, then dug back into his breakfast again, content to just watch Matty and the few cars that passed by the window.

It was a strange concept for me to wrap my head around- the whole Teddy and Matty thing, I mean. 

Teddy had always been an affectionate kid, a bit shy with newcomers and strangers at times, but his heart was huge and he had a lot of love to go around. Still, with that being said, the dynamic he’d struck up with the curly headed singer was unlike anything I’d ever witnessed from him before. 

With Adi, Teddy was always perfectly content to find new extremes and test them. Pushing boundaries and buttons simply because Ads was the biggest pushover known to man- at least when it came to him. 

Each moment Adi spent with Teddy she always ended up looking spent by the time she was about to head home, almost like he’d gone and dragged her through a circus tent full of performers and animals alike. 

Then there was Finn. Finn had been a constant presence in Teddy’s life since the day he was born, he was my best friend and was always there to lend a helping hand whenever I needed it. The two of them were close in their own way, Teds felt comfortable with Finn, he didn’t question his authority or throw a fit when the man put his foot down, but whenever I was around the pair of them together Teddy made it quite clear that Finn was the third wheel amongst the lot of us. 

Which was funny in its own way, I supposed, because I knew how Teddy looked at me. I was his mum, sure, but I was also his dad, too. Merely in the sense that Teds had never looked to anyone else to fill that role for him, I was what he had been given and I was all that he needed.

Yes, there had been the odd question or two when Teddy had finally started to understand films and tv shows, and again when he had started nursery school and seen all of the other kids with their mums and dads. But he had taken my honest answers on the chin and shrugged off any other prompts I’d had for him afterwards, as though he was perfectly untroubled by it all and the fact that he only had a single parent.

Then again, a few of the kids in his class faced similar problems.

Oliviette had only ever really known her dad, since her mum had sadly passed when she’d been too little to remember. Tury’s father worked in the military, or something of the sort, and was divorced from their other father. He went away for long stretches at a time and had only ever come to pick them up once in all the time that we’d been in attendance.

Zara was another young mum like me, we’d bonded over that fact a couple weeks into the school year when a few of the other parents had wondered over the whereabouts of our partners and then turned up their noses at us when they’d received their answer. 

Which led me straight back on over to my anxieties about Teddy, and how he might come to soon view Matty. As well as the question on whether Matty could even handle being seen in that sort of light, or if he’d run swiftly for the hills with his tail tucked between his legs.

These worries had started up quite quickly after seeing those articles we’d faced earlier in the week, which had only added fuel to the fire for me. Some of the headlines still haunted me and my waking thoughts, in truth. They flashed through my mind on a giant billboard sort of screen, visible for all to see.

JUNKIE ROCKSTAR TURNED FAMILY MAN!

A NEW LINE DRAWN FOR HEALY?

THE 1975 SINGER AND HIS HIDDEN FAMILY..

It was both a startling and terrifying experience to suddenly start considering the opinions and views of the entire world around you, which now appeared to be watching us under a microscope, reading into each and every move not just Matty and I made, but Teddy now too.

It was ultimately why I had run and hidden when it had all come out, choosing to avoid the whole situation at hand rather than face it head on and be met with a plethora of questions I hadn’t yet thought about.

But then Matty just had to have gone and sent me that fucking demo.

I’d been all but putty in his hands after that really. 

And the very thought of not just the previous night, but this morning too, had me flushing in the middle of the cafe Matty had taken us out to. ‘My treat,’ He’d said, and it had all felt so natural. Him being in my bed, in my shower, in my house, around my kid.

I heaved a heavy sigh before picking up my mug of tea, wrinkling my nose in distaste when I found it had gone cold. It made me wonder just how long I had been lost in thought.

That question was answered for me though when Matty came strolling back over, the crease in his brow there and then gone when he took to his seat once more and caught eyes with Teddy. He flashed the boy a bright smile, “Enjoyin’ that, monster?”

Grimly, Teddy opened his mouth up wide to show Matty just how much he had enjoyed his breakfast and laughed when Matty mimicked the expression, the man leaning in close enough that Teddy could only laugh giddily.

“Made a big enough mess of it.” I commented with a soft smile. 

Even with all my fretting I still couldn’t get over the way Matty treated my son and how Teddy responded to him in turn. It was incredibly surreal.

When I’d first gotten pregnant and decided to go it alone all those years ago, I thought that had been it for me. That there was no way any person, let alone anyone in Matty’s position, would just come along and be able to deal with the fact that I had a child. This whole other being that would always fall above everything else.

But here that somebody was.

Sat with my toddler, looking at him almost the exact same way I did. With such adoration and emotion. 

The sight made my heart both lurch and crumble all at once.

I pulled myself out of my head once more with that thought and tuned back in to find our waitress making her way over again. She was a sturdy looking woman, not much older than my mum if I had to guess, and had taken more than liking to the messy toddler she’d been shafted with early this morning, “Anything else I can get for you, lovelies?”

I opened my mouth to tell her that we were fine, seeing as though Teddy was all but finished, just chewing on a few pieces of buttered bread, and my sandwich was merely straggling bits of crust now. 

“Would be great if you could get us another round of drinks to go?” Matty piped up before I could answer her, circling a finger between the two of us. “Cheers.”

The waitress dipped her head at him and flashed a warm smile my way, “One tea and a strong flat white coming your way then.”

I was surprised that she’d recalled our order so easily, since I’d noted earlier that there were a few other patrons she’d been serving, and so I thanked her gratefully with another smile before she walked away, arms laden with a few of our used plates. 

“You didn’t have to,” I said to Matty shortly after, then dipped my chin down towards my remaining cup, “But thank you anyway, this had gone cold.”

Matty rolled his eyes, a gesture he was rather prone to using whenever he thought I was being unnecessary, but then shuffled over to settle more comfortably in the seat opposite me, leaving his phone to rest on the table between us.

“Sorry I was long, but after management, Jamie rang.” He confessed to me, and that scowl of his appeared for a split second or two before disappearing completely when he glanced back over at Teds, who was now playing with his food rather than eating it. 

It was almost automatic the way Matty moved to steal the backpack hanging off the arm of the chair perched beside him, pulling out a few of the baby wipes I usually kept there before beginning to clean up Teddy’s face and hands. 

I could only stare on in utter bewilderment, watching it all play out even whilst Matty continued to speak to me, clearly none the wiser to the way my brain had just short circuited at his actions.

“Anyway, they’re on it- or so they’ve said. But I know this whole thing is just a charade to them, yeah? Management, I mean. Not J. ‘Cause he’s already said that he’s trying to keep them from going too extreme with the whole clean up, claiming that they appeared to be warming up to the idea of me becomin’ this ‘changed man’ or some shite.” Matty scoffed with a roll of his eyes at the very thought, then pulled a face for Teddy who admonished him for his use of a ‘bad word’, and cleared away some of the mess that had been created whilst he’d been gone.

I swallowed thickly at the sight, thankful for the moment of reverie I was gifted when our waitress shuffled back on over, two to-go cups in hand as well as the bill.

“Ah, are we all clean then?” She cooed down at Teddy, moving to grab the last of what remained at our table to take back to the kitchen with her. 

Her expression brightened when Teddy not only shot her a mischievous grin, but also wiggled his fingers up to show her just how clean they were. Matty snorted.

The woman peered between the two of us afterwards, plates tucked into the crook of her elbow whilst both of our previous mugs sat cradled in the other. “You’re a lucky pair, he’s absolutely golden.”

My pulse spiked at her words, or rather what she’d interpreted our little excursion as, but before I could think to offer an explanation, or anything rather, she was already shuffling away again. Teddy batting a hand at her back in goodbye.

My gaze slowly drifted away from her retreating form and over to where Matty was now slouched, but he didn’t seem to have noticed her words, or perhaps he just didn’t care. Still, I blinked slowly at him, “Did you hear that? Did you hear what she just said?”

He pulled his eyes away from a now babbling Teddy and shrugged slowly, “Yeah?”

Yeah??

Sorry, come again? 

Had I actually heard him right?

I almost choked on the force of my next inhale. “That’s it? Just- yeah?”

Matty stared back at me, expression almost blank- calculating, in truth. As though he was trying to determine which of his next words had the ability to set me off even further. I sort of hated that.

“What do you want me to say?” He asked me slowly, elbows moving up onto the table’s top and pressing against it to lean in closer to me. 

His eyes never left my own, and it was then that I noticed the sturdy wall behind them that I thought had crumbled between us so long ago. He was wary now, building it back up again in hopes that I wouldn’t wound him- anymore than you already had, my mind unhelpfully supplied.

I licked at my lower lip, mostly in thought but also because my throat had suddenly gone dry at the very reminder.

It had been necessary, I told myself. Space and time, that was all that we had needed, and look at us now!

Look at us…

“I just,” I murmured, swallowing thickly whilst still staring into those hardened eyes which remained locked on mine, “It doesn’t bother you at all?”

That steely look softened when he snorted and the bricks in that wall of his began to chisel away at themselves once more. 

Matty slumped and I watched on as his gaze flickered back over to my son, who was now much more interested in the straps of his highchair rather than either of us. 

“Why would it?” 

Matty’s words were as gentle as his tone and his smile was just as sweet, and all I could think about in that moment was the abating panic I felt and the sudden need I had for him.

Shouldn’t it? I wanted to press, it would bother a hundred other men. What makes you so different?

He glanced back at me then with a languid turn of his head, “Guess it just makes me feel worth something, even if it’s a mistake on her part.”

Matty must’ve seen the way my face fell so quickly at his words because he chuckled lowly and then gifted me a small but pivotal smile. He reached out to toy with the hand I’d been resting on the table, fingertips trailing over whitened knuckles. 

“I’m just being honest, alright? He’s a good kid, anyone can see that. I mean she did, din’t she? And then, there’s you, Squeaks.” He dragged that last bit out, flipping my hand over so that he could trace the lines of my palm with the tips of his fingers. “You’re something else.”

I frowned slightly at his words, a little puzzled. Matty only laughed at the face I must’ve made before he finally took my hand wholly in his, thumb brushing over my ever rising pulse.

“If she reckons I could land someone like you long enough to have one of these little ones running round, well… Just makes me picture it, 'is all.”

I could feel the contents of my stomach whirl at his given answer and tightened my hold on Matty’s hand by a fraction, needing the certainty that he was in fact real. That what he had said was very much real too.

“Squeaks?” Matty pressed after a short while. I figured I must've been quiet too long for him to prompt an actual reaction from me. Either that, or he’d gotten bored of my gaping gob far too quickly.

I attempted to swallow around the hardened lump in my throat, but it was difficult. “Yeah, just-” I struggled to fathom the mere idea that he had thought about me in any scenario at all beyond the past six months we had shared. “You’ve actually thought about that?”

Matty rolled his eyes at me, and although his smile was warm, it held a fragment of uncertainty to it that told me all I needed to know.

“I’m getting old, darlin’. Normal to think about that kind of shit, ain’t it?”

That was a very Matty thing to say and my rapid pulse slowed a tad because of it, giving my poor pounding heart a break.

“Yeah, but with me, Matty.” I felt the need to stress, because it was only yesterday that everything had come to a head between us. It made me question how long he’d been holding off on me- had he been waiting, is that what this was? Had he been trying to get over whatever he felt for me? If so, what had changed his mind, or forced his hand?

He simply chuckled and shrugged, like it was no big deal.

“Yeah with you, Mouse.” Matty confirmed, squeezing my hand once more before letting go completely and swiftly getting up out of his seat to unclip Teddy from his highchair. “Wanna go pay with me then, little man?” He asked Teds and it was only when Teddy had been swept up into Matty’s awaiting arms and Matty had looked over at me to tell me he was going up to the till that I realised he had used my kid to escape the current conversation at hand.

I shook my head in disbelief and tried to steel myself into something a little more put together once he had left, instead of choosing the imminent breakdown my mind was rooting for. I couldn’t lose my shit with all these people around to bear witness. Because I could do that later, couldn’t I? In the comfort of my own home. Right now I just needed to…

Fuck, I could not actually believe that Matty had pictured a future with me. A. fucking. future. 

One that was ours.

The same stupid man that had told me time and time again that he would get headaches simply from thinking of the next few days to come, that he hadn't seen much of a life for himself the older he’d gotten. Even with all the money and the fame. 

My stomach was swarming again, just like it had done when I’d heard the demo for the first time.

I wondered, briefly, whether those butterflies of mine were instead moths merely looking for any source of warmth they could find, and if Matty could really be exactly that. My little bit of warmth.

“You coming then, Squeaks?”

I glanced up again to find Matty now grinning down at me, Teddy still bouncing happily on his hip and the spiderman backpack thrown halfheartedly over his right shoulder. 

I gaped for a split second at the picture they painted and then nodded, smiling up at this maddening man with all the warmth I could possibly muster. Hoping that somehow, someday, that little dream of his came true.

“Yeah, I’m coming.”

–

It had probably been one of the most content mornings Matty had had in a long time.

He knew that for a fact, but still felt stunted by it all the same.

It had been years since he’d woken up without the immediate dread, or the itching need for a fix that even now sometimes still jilted him awake. And the night previous? Well, he’d gone to bed thinking of tomorrow, hadn't he? 

Stupidly, he wondered what his mum might make of that. If she’d be surprised, wary even. Or maybe just happy for him.

He’d been gifted some precious time and some precious people and he did not want to waste a single second of it. Although that could have hardly been avoided, what with the way management were constantly up his arse, hounding him incessantly about everything under the fucking sun.

The three of them had set off for food not long after he’d had a lapful of sleepy mouse first thing, they’d danced around one another whilst getting dressed, Matty watching as she brushed her hair and then catching her eye when he had attempted to wrangle an overenthusiastic toddler into his coat and boots. 

Matty had walked hand in hand with Teddy all the way to his car, letting the kid jump his way down the few short steps from the house and up into the car seat he’d borrowed from Adam a week or so after Christmas. Mouse had snorted at his shitty parking job, then granted them a full blown crackle when she’d torn a parking ticket from his front window screen only to have found a real unfortunate note from an unhappy neighbour beneath it.

Apparently Matty had to work on his spontaneity if he didn’t want to end up falling out with the bloke who lived two doors down from her. Even as he winced, he reckoned the guy was still a fucking nobhead.

He’d driven down a couple of backroads, letting the radio play and rolling his eyes fondly whenever Squeaks deigned it necessary to comment on his driving- “It needs work, Matty. I mean, you almost took out three of those bollards!” “Ah, a bus! Bus, Matty! Bus!” “Are you actually aiming to kill us, or do you just reckon you're the next 007?”

Matty had managed to get them all there in one piece, like he knew he would, and led the two of them all the way to this odd-spot cafe he’d found a couple months prior.

It was a simple dive, tucked quietly away amongst the noise of London, and was almost always chock-full of white haired pensioners or folk who didn’t much care to note who he was.

They’d sat down, Matty taking his first chance to ask for one of them highchairs he typically saw little kids sat in at restaurants, and then they’d ordered; Mouse getting what she deemed was her morning usual, whilst Teddy had mimicked his own request.

It had been cute, Matty had to admit. Especially when Squeaks had shot her son a dubious look, stating that he hadn’t tried it before, what with her being too scared she’d plague him with salmonella or something of the sort from how shoddy her attention was with the passing of time. Matty promised to teach her.

The little tyke seemed to have enjoyed it though, all but ravishing the yolks from their casing and munching on the sliced bread til it had either disappeared or simply gone soggy.

The only interruption they had faced was the unexpected call from his management team, and then Jamie’s which had followed not a minute after.

It had been a right nightmare. 

In fact, the whole of last week had been a total disaster. His team had been on his case the minute those articles had all been released, Twitter threads spiralling out of control and fans losing their minds over whether or not it was all fake or not.

And Matty, Matty had tried and failed not to let it get the best of him, but with that and the loss of Squeaks and Teddy, who had retreated almost entirely from his life. It had left him with a wound big enough for him to question everything. 

Matty shook his head then, a shit attempt at ridding himself free from his neverending train of thought, and looked up with a soft smile when Mouse wandered back into the living room and handed him a brew.

He’d never been overly gone on tea, to be honest- coffee worked wonders and with hours like his, it was now a necessity. But hers? He could never say no to, which was rapidly becoming a habit now. So much so, in fact, that he’d noticed himself wanting one at the oddest times of the day; down at the studio, in a meeting, the middle of the night…

Yeah that last one had been fucking strange. Half three in the morning and he’d been up puttering around his kitchen unable to sleep once the idea had taken root in his head and settled. Hadn’t been half as good as this though, Matty sighed thoughtfully as he sipped away. 

“So…”

His eyes immediately flickered back up to meet her, sitting all pretty on the end of the couch, an arms width away. “So.” Matty mimicked, raising his eyebrows then smirking at the way she shuffled in her seat and tried to hide her growing smile.

“We should talk.”

That smirk of his slipped right off.

He coughed slightly to clear his throat, but mostly to buy himself some more time, and then decided to get it on over with, pushing his brew onto the coffee table so that he could better face her. “Right, okay.”

She was chewing on her lip, a habit she seemed to have had ever since he’d first known her, but one which continued to drive him half mad. Even more so now that he knew what it fucking felt like to have her under him.

His tongue swiped his bottom lip instinctively at the reminder of it.

“You said it too,” Mouse reminded him, sounding almost accusatory. 

He had, but even so, it was still fucking awkward to just talk about shit. Couldn’t they skip to the good bit? Where he slowly took her apart piece by piece on the sofa she’d have to pass by day in and day out. A constant reminder of him even when he wasn't there.

“Matty.”

Matty blinked out of his daze at the call of his name and his eyes shot upwards to find her looking back at him with a furrowed brow.

“We don’t have to talk right this second, but I’d prefer if we did.” She told him with a slight shrug, eyes flickering away from him and across the room almost nervously. “‘Cause, at least I’d know where we stand, you know?”

Pursing his lips slightly, Matty tilted his head at her, “What’s that meant to mean?”

She shrugged again, sheepish almost, which wasn’t much like her. “Just, you’ve grown on me, Matty. I wouldn’t want to fuck up our.. friendship  over something like this.”

Matty knew what she was getting at there and it did hurt a little bit to think that she reckoned he’d fuck up what they’d built, what she’d given him, for a quick shag or whatever it was she’d filled her head with. 

But still, he gave her an impish grin once he’d shuffled his way a little closer, throwing an arm over the back of the settee. “Awh you finally admitting that we’re friends, Squeaks?” He teased and laughed when her foot flew out to toe his side.

“Bit more than that since yesterday.” Mouse murmured, giving him a snide smile before she released a heavy breath and settled her own mug down alongside his own on the tabletop. “But yes, we’re fucking friends, Matthew.”

Matty’s nose wrinkled but he didn’t comment on the use of his full name, instead stretching his fingers out to toy with the leg she had pressed against the back of the sofa. He lifted his eyes to watch her, saw how her own gaze rested on his hand and her knee.

“Good. Only took you, what? Six months.” He ragged but the smile he wore was pleased, dopey even. Stupid enough that he knew if one of his mates turned up and caught sight of it they’d probably rinse him to bits, claim he looked a right tit. But Matty couldn’t bring himself to care. Not then.

She rolled her eyes, but he noted how she was smiling now too.

“I’ve always thought you were fit, you know?”

A laugh escaped her then, brash and unforgiving. Matty would’ve been wounded had he not known her as well as he did. So instead he simply chose to flick her knee in harmless rebuke. “Don’t be a twat. You said you wanted to talk and I am. You’re fucking fit, Squeaks. Don’t let nobody tell you otherwise.”

She merely shook her head at him, the smallest smile limning that pretty mouth of hers.

“I’m being serious.” Matty tapped her knee twice with his fingertip, wanting her attention, “I wouldn’t lie to you, you know that.”

He recalled one of their earlier conversations and hoped that she somehow remembered, ‘I was raised by liars, can't stand lies.’ 

She licked at the corner of her mouth, eyes trained on him as though she was searching for something in his expression, but ultimately nodded when she didn’t appear to find it. 

“Anyway,” Matty smirked, leaning his head against his shoulder and continuing to hold her eyes, “Yeah, so I walked in expecting the usual. Some yappy older bird, who reckoned she was above me and all my fucking shit. Or maybe even someone who’d break and fall back on what they’d said once they were stood facing me. But nah, just you.”

“Just me.” She chuckled in that easy lilt of hers that he’d always found so soothing. In truth, he could actually recall asking her question after question in those first few weeks after they’d met just wanting to hear her talk.

Matty dragged out a hum, “You don’t even know. As soon as you walked out I was on you like a hawk, I swear. Just watching as you walked over, could hardly take my eyes off your legs.”

She snorted, “My legs?”

With a grin, Matty caught her ankle with his free hand and dragged her leg into his lap. “Fucking killer.” He told her honestly, letting himself have this moment to trail his fingertips up and over her thigh. “Then you looked at me with those eyes,” Matty’s own shot up to find them once more and shook his head slightly, “Made me dizzy having your full focus. Never seen a pair so intense, like they’d been struck by lighting or something.”

She rolled those pretty eyes of hers then and Matty pinched her leg, “I’m being serious, Squeaks. One of my favourite things about you.”

Thankfully she glanced back over at him then, her cheeks a tad bit pink but her smile bright. “I like yours too, you sap.” Matty's expression must’ve given way to how he felt about that because she was all too quick to add, “Don’t get cocky about it.”

He chuckled, liking the fact she knew him too well, and finally let his hand rest on her upper leg, though his thumb continued to rub gentle circles into the curve just above her knee. “I obviously felt something, Squeaks. Why the fuck else would I show up outside your studio only days later?”

“‘Cause you’re a stalker?” She teased but had relaxed further into the settee, stretching her other leg out to join the one he held. 

Matty ran his fingers up the underside of her foot in retaliation to that comment, “Brave.”

She snickered, “Thought you were just ‘in the area’?” 

Matty bit back a grin at her use of his earlier words, remembering how he’d been brimming with nerves whilst waiting outside for someone to show.

“I was,” He sniffed, and was pleased when she simply laughed. “But the truth? I couldn’t stop fucking thinking about you.”

Her cheeks hollowed themselves out as she tried to dampen the growing grin that threatened to overwhelm her face. It broke his heart a bit to know she struggled believing him, that no one else had ever gone far enough to drill the fact that she was fucking beautiful into that thick head of hers, but Matty was nothing if not stubborn and he’d strive to always tell her just how gorgeous he thought she was.

“What was it with that girl then?” She mentioned and Matty immediately frowned, confused as to what she was even going on about. “Your ex.”

Matty felt himself blink, mind reeling as he tried to remember what the hell she was referencing, but then it hit him. “Oh, ohh!” Then he chuckled, unable to help it really, and couldn’t seem to prevent the way it then dissolved into a slightly uncontrollable fit of laughter.

She levelled him with a hearty scowl and went to remove her legs from his lap, obviously none too pleased about being laughed at, but Matty stopped her just before she could.

“No, no, Squeaks. Babe, you’ve got it all wrong.” He attempted to console even with his still amused smile, leaning in closer now, his hands settled on her calves. “That was just for the press! Management team reckoned it would be good to rebuild my image, and I wasn't long out of rehab. She and I always looked good together but fought like fucking cat and-”

He stopped short and she snorted, “Mouse?”

Matty squinted his eyes mockingly, “Yes, dickhead. But no, it was all fake. Was only with her fifteen minutes before she swanned off to a photoshoot or something. Harldy even fucking remember it.” He paused then, “Hang on, is that- Is that why you went all quiet on me back then? That time before I ran into you at that bar?”

The way she evaded his gaze told him all he needed to know and then he was laughing again.

“Shut up, you absolute prick.” She huffed after a minute or so, having grown fed up with being his main source of amusement, and swatted him with her foot in hopes it would get him to follow the order. 

God, he’d never seen her look so embarrassed. 

“It’s not funny. You never mentioned it either, so what was I supposed to think!”

“Uh, not that?” He suggested, still chuckling away but actively trying to get it under control, sort of. “I’m sorry!” He laughed again when she kicked him, “Honest! But the thought didn’t even cross my mind. And we were hardly even mates then!”

She looked chastised, “We were mates!”

He levelled her with a look.

She held out for a bit before she finally huffed, “Fine, it was rocky but even so.”

Matty snorted, “No, you know what? I sort of like this side of you.” He teased, wrapping his hands around both her ankles and tugging. “Suits you.”

She sent him a well deserving glare, which was fair, before she dug her heel into his upper thigh, far too close to his dick for his liking, and sat herself back up again. “You’re such a twat.”

“So I've been told.” He sang, though he then rubbed at his tender leg with a wry grimace, “Shit, remind me not to actually piss you off.”

Squeaks shot him a grin and relaxed back into their earlier position. 

Her phone went off then and Matty watched on as she manoeuvred herself awkwardly around on the sofa to grab it from her back pocket without getting up. He raised a brow at her triumphant grin but she just looked down at the notification she’d gotten.

“Everything alright?”

She hummed, typing something off before looking back up at him and tucking the phone away again. “Just Finn, says he’s back home tomorrow and wants to see us.”

Right… the infamous Finn Matty had yet to actually meet.

“Where’s he been?” He asked, toying with the cuff of her jean leg.

“New York!” And the smile that she’d answered with told Matty a thousand things, “He had an auction up there or something, then ended up staying a few extra days to meet with this elusive client.”

“Shady.” He commented with a humoured smile, one he hoped would conceal his insecurities around the whole situation. 

He’d heard a lot about Mouse’s best mate, and these worries weren’t just down to the fact that he’d yet to meet the bloke, but also because Finn seemed to be such a big figure in not just hers, but Teddy’s lives. He’d been away a lot in recent months and Matty wondered over whether his presence would throw a spanner into the works once he was finally let back into the fold. 

“Very much so,” Mouse laughed, none the wiser to the chaos consuming his mind, “But I’m excited to see him, it’ll be good.”

Matty merely hummed.

She must’ve sensed some apprehension in it because she turned to tilt her head at him, playing with her fingers now. “Would-” She paused and Matty looked up to wait her out, she inhaled after a moment and then let the breath go, “Would you want to meet him? Or is that, I dunno, too fast?”

His forehead pinched and he shook his head. “No, not too fast.” He deemed, though he could’ve just lied and put off meeting the bloke for as long as he possibly could.

“I mean, we don’t have to put it in writing or anything.” Squeaks was quick to reply, “He’ll be around for a few weeks now, so we can just, I don’t know, work something out soon. Like meet at a cafe, a bar, the studio… here?”

She seemed to be spiralling a bit and although it was cute, Matty felt the need to save her, “Love, it’s fine. Whatever makes you comfortable. You’ve met the guys, and they love you, so-” He put his brave face on, “So I’m sure Finn will love me too. Yeah?”

He was met with a rapid nod, one that should’ve quelled his fears but only seemed to heighten them instead.

“So we’re doing this then?”

Matty blinked and lifted his chin to find her watching him again, that soft smile of hers back in its rightful place, looking pleased with how it had all turned out.

“What, meeting your mate?” He questioned her, having figured that much had been obvious, but then she was rolling her eyes at him again. 

“No, I meant- me and you.”

Oh.

Oh, he was grinning properly now. Like a massive twat, yeah, but how could he not? When she sat there looking all lovely and asking him if they could be something. 

“Me and you sounds good.” Matty murmured around the strength of his smile, fingertips diving beneath the hem of her jeans to tap the jut of her ankle bone.

He would've been embarrassed about it but he reckoned his grin was mimicked on her face and was all the more glad for it. Because he’d seen her smile and he’d seen laugh, but this grin. It was something else.

It wasn’t a difficult decision, his next move. Because before Matty could even contemplate it, he was all but throwing himself up the other end of the settee to cradle her head between his arms and catch her mouth with his.

She kissed him back with almost as much excitement, the pair of them smiling and laughing giddily at the stupidity and utter prospect of it all.

“Got you trapped now.” Matty breathed into the space between them not long after, eyes boring into her own. He hadn't been lying earlier when he’d claimed that they were one of his favourite things about her.

She barked out a laugh, hands falling away from where they’d been holding his neck to cover her face. “Was that a mouse joke?” She asked him through the gaps in her fingers, shaking her head at him.

Matty hadn’t really thought too much about his words, but thinking back he couldn’t stop himself from laughing too, bowing his shoulders to chuckle into the crook of her neck. “Fuck, I guess so.”

Her arms wrapped themselves around him again and so he nipped at the edge of her jaw, grinning like a fucking idiot.