#and she immediately hopped on my lap and cuddled against me (which in itself was so cute and sweet I was abt to cry)

[longleggedsocialist]

I am so fucking soft for these kids man. like sorry to their parents but they’re MY kids now 😙

[ticklishfiend]

A Little Nervous (My Hero Academia)

Lee!Kaminari / Ler!Bakusquad

A / N : these prompts were absolutely adorable, thank you guys so much for them!! this was a cute fic to write lol, a little longer than my last one but hopefully you still enjoy!! and thanks for all the prompts i've been receiving recently, i've seen them all so far and they are all so cute and i'm so excited to get to them!!

Summary : After seeing Bakugou getting tickled by Kirishima, Kaminari can't help but feel a little...jealous. His friends aren't stupid, though, and they pick up on it right away. Once he explains how he's feeling, they're more than happy to help him feel a little better :)

Word Count : 2798

REBLOGS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!! MWAH <33

. . .

This is so stupid. So fucking stupid. This should NOT be affecting him as much as it was. But, despite his internal fight against it, the feeling of ghost tickles spreading mercilessly throughout his torso as he watched Kirishima squeeze up and down at Bakugou’s sides would just not let up. He was practically squirming in his seat listening to the boy’s cackles and curses to, “JUST FUHUHUCKING STOP ALREADHEHEHE!!” It wasn’t fair! How come the guy who hates getting tickled is being attacked in just the way Denki wants it for himself.

The Bakusquad had all been chilling in Bakugou’s room together (well, more like everyone burst in there and refused to leave, though Bakugou didn’t put up too much of a fight to get them to) and were all each doing their own things. Sero had been watching an anime on his phone, Mina was teaching herself a TikTok dance off to the side, Denki was playing on his Switch, and Kirishima and Bakugou had opted to watch a movie on the blonde’s laptop. Everything was seemingly pretty calm, no one yet to cause much of a ruckus...until Bakugou wouldn’t stop calling the movie Kirishima had picked out “stupid and not fucking scary,” to which Kirishima decided the best course of action would be to tickle him until he apologized for being so mean.

Which is where they were now. Mina scolding the boys for being too loud so she couldn’t hear the music to keep up with the beat, while Sero just laughed and cheered Kirishima on from the side. Denki was practically vibrating from his spot on the floor. He had been feeling pretty, um…”touch starved” the past few days anyways, especially after seeing Midoriya get gang tickled by his own group or friends days ago, but now this?! This was too much. He couldn’t take it. He just couldn’t.

“You’re way too ticklish, Bakugou, it’s fucking hilarious,” Sero spoke snidely from his spot on the orange beanbag across from Denki, Bakugou throwing his own rage-filled fit on top of the bed from the raven-haired boy’s teasing. Sero grinned widely as he looked over towards Denki, expecting a snarky comment from the blonde as well. But...all he got was a pair of wide eyes that immediately avoided his gaze, his cheeks flushing pink as his hands seemed to grip even harder on his gaming console. Sero’s brows furrowed. “Denks, you good man?”

“You’re way too ticklish, Bakugou, it’s fucking hilarious,” Sero spoke snidely from his spot on the orange beanbag across from Denki, Bakugou throwing his own rage-filled fit on top of the bed from the raven-haired boy’s teasing. Sero grinned widely as he looked over towards Denki, expecting a snarky comment from the blonde as well. But...all he got was a pair of wide eyes that immediately avoided his gaze, his cheeks flushing pink as his hands seemed to grip even harder on his gaming console. Sero’s brows furrowed. “Denks, you good man?”

Denki froze a bit, still not looking over towards Sero as he let out a little nervous chuckle. “What, me? Good? Oh, yeah dude, I am tooootally good. A+ over here, no need to fret one little bit, ha!” Denki laughed awkwardly before just falling into an uncomfortable silence again. Everyone in the room’s attention was suddenly on the blonde, and not the angry one.

Kirishima spoke up, a little worry in his voice. “Are you feeling sick, bro? I know you short circuited during training today, is it still making you feel-”

“No! No, I promise I’m all good! It was just...uh…” Denki internally cursed at himself for not shutting up when he could. He could’ve just left it at being good! But nooo he just had to feel like he needed to explain himself!

“Just what?” Mina prompted, grabbing her phone from it’s previously propped position against Bakugou’s dresser and sitting criss-cross over beside Denki.

Denki blushed, he couldn’t help it. He felt so exposed right now, and he was worried there was no getting out of this...but...part of him hoped there really was no getting out of this.

The blonde whined, covering his flushed face with his hands after sitting his Switch down on the floor beside him. “I caaaan’t...it’s embarrassing…” Denki spoke in a low, whiny tone.

Bakugou made a scoffing sound from his place cuddled into Kirishima on the bed, Denki peering through his fingers slightly to look at him. “You think we give a shit, Dunceface? These morons and I know practically everything about you already.”

Kirishima beamed beside him. “Yeah! This is a no judgement zone, brother! Whatever goes!” Sero and Mina nodded their heads with approving smiles, looking back over towards Denki.

The boy whined one final time behind his hands before bringing his knees up to his chest, setting his hands on top of them like a prop. He peered over his knees like a child. “Well, it’s just that...when he - or when they both - or, more like when Kiri did it to Bakugou, but - or, I don’t know, I can’t say-”

Bakugou groaned loudly, cutting the boy off. “Spit it out, Sparkplug, I’m not listening to you ramble all night long!”

“But I can’t say the word!” Denki grumbled, his fingers tangling in his hair in frustration.

“Well, he said something about Kiri and Bakugou. Is this about Blasty getting tickled?” Mina asked genuinely, but it only made Denki blush even brighter and cover his face once again with a muffled whine. “Wait, is that it? Can you not say tickle?” Denki groaned even louder.

“Stooooop…” he muffled his gripe into his palms, but to say he wasn’t loving this attention despite his reactions right now would be a complete and total lie.

“Aw, you can’t, can you? Why not? Do you not like tickling?” Mina asked, leaning forward towards the boy in curiosity. Denki just shook his head slightly.

“No, that’s...that’s not it…”

“So you...like it?” Sero asked with a small smirk, leaning his head down and towards Denki to try and make eye contact with the boy whose forehead leaned against his knees. Sero’s eyes met the blonde’s, who only froze up at the smirk the raven-haired boy gave him. “Oh that’s it, huh? You like being tickled?”

“I...I mean...maybe a little,” Denki muttered in a barely audible whisper, but it was more than enough for his friends, who now all had growing smirks on their faces.

“Aw, Denki, if you wanted us to tickle you you coulda just said something, man!” Kirishima beamed before hopping off of his spot on the bed (much to Bakugou’s now cold displeasure). In a quick motion, Kirishima grabbed Denki around his waist, the blonde letting out a surprised yelp as he was lifted off the ground and thrown onto the bed haphazardly with a huffed “oof” sound.

“Blasty, grab his arms real quick!” Mina called from the floor, her and Sero both rising from their spots on the ground and walking towards the bed with a now furiously blushing Denki on it. Bakugou just rolled his eyes and, with a displeased grunt, grabbed both of Denki’s arms, holding them above his head as he laid with his back pressed against the bed.

“W-wait, you don’t have to-”

“Shut the hell up, Sparky. If we didn’t want to, we wouldn’t do it,” Bakugou grumbled, though the small smile on his face did not go unnoticed by the pinned blonde underneath him. “You wanted us to tickle you? Fine. But remember that you practically asked for this.”

“Aww, look at him! He’s getting all embarrassed!~” Mina cooed, wiggling her fingers in the air as she got comfortable on Denki’s left side, Kirishima taking his right while Sero prompted to sit himself down on his calves, effectively pinning the boy completely to the bed.

Denki couldn’t help the nervous outpour of titters that escaped from his belly, his eyes wide as the three soon-to-be ticklers all teased their fingers in the air above him, wiggling them in a teasy taunt.

“Oh gohohod-” Denki whined, squirming under them as their fingers inched closer and closer to his wiggling body. Mina lifted up his shirt just above his lower ribs, the cold air making him yip in surprise, making the others chuckle.

“We haven’t even tickled you yet!” Sero laughed, rubbing his palms over Denki’s knees and thighs, and though the action was non-tickly in itself, Denki couldn’t help but jump in anticipation at the sensation.

“Stohohop saying the wohohord!” Denki fussed through his giggles, internally begging them to just get on with it already.

“What word? Tickle? You don’t like when we talk about how ticklish you are? How you can’t handle a couple tickly tickles?~” Mina teased, finally wiggling just her two first fingers against Denki’s bare right side. This sent a jold through his already overly-sensitve body, the anticipation just making it worse.

“AH! Wahahait!!” Denki pleaded, even if he didn’t mean it one bit. He couldn’t handle waiting anymore. He needed this, and he needed it now.

“Aww, no more waiting, Kami! I wanna hear you laugh for real now!” Kirishima smiled before fluttering at his left ribs just underneath his armpit, and Kaminari let out a flurry of panicked giggles that could rival that of an overly-excited child. Mina followed suit, pinching at his sides in a gentle, but oh oh so tickly way. Sero prompted to wiggle his fingers just barely on the underside of his knees, which drove Denki up the fucking wall.

“OH GOHOHOD! OH PLEHEHEASE! IT TIHIHICKLES!” Denki cackled, throwing his head back practically onto Bakugou’s lap, who only smirked down at the hysterical boy under him.

“You’re fucking ridiculous, Pikachu. This ticklish? For real? They’ve barely done shit to you,” Bakugou got in his share of teasing, which only made Kaminari’s giggles seem to raise up an octave.

“STAHAHAP TAHAHALKING! MAHAHAKES IT SOHOHO MUCH WOHOHORSE!” Denki screamed when Sero started pinching at the tops of his knees. His laughs were sporadic, high-pitched and panicked, though very obviously excited. “SEROHOHOHO!”

“Aw, whatsa matter, Denks? Your knees a bad spot for you?” Sero asked, using one hand to squeeze his knee while the other fluttered on the underside of it. “Tell me, which is worse: the squeezing or when I use my nails?”

“I DOHOHON’T KNOHOHOW! JUST STAHAHAHAP!” Denki cackled in mirth, lying through his teeth as if he really wanted them to quit their teasy actions. They all saw right through him, luckily, and continued on their tickling rampage.

Kirishima used one hand to spider and pinch at his ribs, while the other started wiggling gently over his lower belly, teasing the boy infinitely. Mina cooed as her side squeezes made him shriek like a child, finding the ever growing blush on his cheeks to be as endearing as ever.

Bakugou decided he really wanted to get his hands in on this torture before it ended. He quickly pinned Kaminari’s hands underneath both of his knees, leaning his body over just enough to stretch his arm out and press two fingers into his lower belly, effectively moving Kirishima’s own teasing fingers out of the way. “Hey, Sparks; wanna see my favorite way to murder someone?”

“NOHOHO! BAKUGOHOHOU! DON’T DO IHIHIT!” Kaminari already knew what was coming, and this was something he knew he couldn’t stand for a second. He wasn’t going to make this out alive, and it seemed Bakugou was going to make sure of that.

“Too late. I wanna see you scream,” Bakugou smirked, and with that, vibrated his fingers into Denki’s tummy relentlessly, drawing screaming belly laughs out of the boy in milliseconds. He was in absolute stitches, writhing underneath their touch, screeching and hollering like he was literally being murdered. The squeezing on his knees made him arch his back, but that only brought his belly closer to Bakugou’s merciless fingers.

Mina moved her evil, evil acrylics up to Denki’s armpit, and that’s the moment he knew he was absolutely done for. He couldn’t take it, he could see the light and it was surrounded by wiggling fingers and teasing voices.

“Aww, look at him! He’s loving it!” Kirishima beamed, squeezing into his ribs like playing a piano without direction.

“I know, right? He looks so cute like this!” Mina cooed digging a thumb into the pit and effectively causing Denki to jolt hard underneath them, his laughs turning gutteral but still somehow panicky and excited.

“YOU GUHUHUYS SUHUHUCK! IT’S SOHOHO BAHAHAD!” Denki convulsed when he felt Bakugou use both his hands to dig small circles into his upper hips.

“Yeaaaah but you like it, don’t you?~” Sero teased, continuing his assault on one knee while leaning back to scribble over one of Denki’s socked soles, the foot wiggling around frantically but not enough to evade the ever so tickly touches of Sero’s fingers.

“PLEHEHEHEASE! OH GOHOHOHOD AHAHAHA!”

“I wanna hear him say it! Say ‘I like being tickled,’ and we’ll quit!” Mina beamed.

“I CAHAHAHAHAN’T SAHAHAY THAHAHAT! YOU DON’T UNDERSTAHAHAND!” Kaminari felt tears prickle at the corners of his eyes that were squeezed tightly shut, his body flailing uselessly under their pin.

“Sounds like you’re gonna die one hell of a death then, huh?” Bakugou chuckled, squeezing the boy’s hips mercilessly and causing him to buck like bull.

Kirishima chuckled. “He probably just doesn’t want it to end yet. Is that it, Kami? You want us to keep tickling you forever and ever and ever”

“OKAHAHAY! I LIHIHIKE IHIHIT! PLEHEHEASE! IT’S SO BAHAHAD!” Kaminari pleaded as he felt both of Sero’s hands return to his oh so sensitive knees.

“Nooo, that’s not what we want, giggle-bug! You gotta say the word too!” Mina giggled.

“Aww, giggle-bug is such a cute name. We’ve gotta start calling him that all the time,” Sero chuckled.

“NAHAHAH! DON’T DOHOHO THAHAHT! IT’S STUHUHUPID!”

“Yeah? Well so are you,” Bakugou smirked before leaning in close to Denki’s ear, his breath tickling him way more than it should have, causing him to yip and scrunch up his neck. “-giggle-bug~”

That was it. That’s what did him in officially.

“ALRIHIHIGHT! OKAHAHAY! I LIHIHIKE BEING TIHIHICKLED! PLEHEHEASE! I CAHAHAHAN’T!” Kaminari screamed, before all the hands on his body suddenly stopped their tickly torment. Bakugou backed off completely, moving himself off of Denki’s arms so the boy could bundle up into himself, while the other’s kept their hands on him comfortingly. Sero moved off of Denki’s legs, the blonde curling up into a giggle ball.

“Chrihihist…” he giggled into himself, wiping away a residual tear.

“You okay, babes?” Mina asked comfortingly, a smile laced in her voice that made Denki more relaxed than ever. He smiled up at all of them, the blush still having yet to leave his cheeks.

“Yeah...yeah I’m...thank you guys…” he let out one last giggle as all his friends (besides Bakugou, who rolled his eyes with a grin) all awed at him. Kirishima and Mina pulled him into a tight hug, Sero following before Kirishima pulled Bakugou into it with them (though he didn’t put up a fight, instead wrapping his arms around the huddle with a straight look on his face.)

“Anytime, Denks! That was so much fun, we’ve gotta do that again sometime!” Kirishima smiled brightly as they all pulled away from the hug. Kaminari was obviously still a little embarrassed, scratching at his neck sheepishly with a chuckle.

“So you guys don’t...care? That I like that?” Denki asked with insecurity laced through his voice.

“Sweetheart, with all due respect, it’s fucking adorable. If anything I’m thrilled you like it cause that just means I get to do it to you that much more,” Mina smiled, the hand on his shoulder rubbing him soothingly as he melted into the touch.

“Same here, man. It’s cute as fuck,” Sero chuckled, ruffling Denki’s hair playfully. “Alright, now...who wants to watch a movie?”

“Oh, oh, I say we watch Little Mermaid!” Kirishima raised his hand like a child in class, which only made Bakugou scoff and shove at his shoulder with a scowl.

“Uh, fuck that! If we’re watching any princess movie it’s gonna be Mulan,” Bakugou said, the others looking at him in a momentary shock that he would actually suggest any princess movie at all. He looked back at them blankly. “What? She’s a fucking badass and you all know it.”

“Mulan it is, then,” Mina smiled, hopping off the bed to grab Bakugou’s laptop. They all curled in together on Bakugou’s not-very-big dorm-sized bed, their closeness and warmth practically melting all of their bodies as they watched the movie together that night. Denki was huddled in the middle, cuddled close by Mina and Sero. He had never felt more loved and comfortable in his life, the smile on his face evident of this as he drifted off into the happiest sleep he’d had in a while.

. . .

A / N : hopefully you guys enjoyed that!! if u did pls reblog it, it helps my fics reach other ppl who might be interested in reading!! love u guys, thanks for all the support!! much love <33 xx

[amazingmaeve]

latibule

latibule is a hiding place; a place of safety and comfort

request - can i request cuddling and comforting bucky? tysm i hope you’re doing good !!

summary:

when bucky has one of his many nightmares he goes to y/n, a former shield agent, place for some comfort. they were starting to get to know each other after the blip with her being alone and bucky and his nightmares.

warnings - angst, fluff

word count -

a/n - this is my first bucky one shot so don’t go to hard on me please!

marvel masterlist // bucky barnes masterlist

As Bucky stirs on the floor he lays on, a nightmare swarms his dreams. This usually happened to him since he got out of Hydras hold. He was lucky enough to have gotten rid of the winter soldier and to be even allowed to step foot in the u.s without being arrested.

But the nightmares were just a reminder of how much damage he has done. Bucky wishes he could undo all of that, all the lives he killed. He knows what Y/N would say ‘it’s not your fault you were being brainwashed’ it helps but doesn’t stop the guilt.

Y/N was a shield agent that he interacted and became friends with after he got some memories back. She fought him when he was the winter soldier and he remembers it vaguely, but he would hate to remember all that since she means very much to him and didn’t ever want to imagine hurting her. She helped him when Steve found him and reassured him that he wasn’t himself when he was doing all the winter soldiers work.

It made his heart race.

Y/N helped him with going to Wakanda and tried to help him with any time she had if King T’Challa would allow her to come. He didn’t know why, Bucky didn’t know why she believed that he was such a good guy. It gave him some hope, something to believe in but also made his feelings for her grow even stronger.

Bucky couldn’t tell if she had feelings for him as he did her. So that’s why he never brought them up, why bring them up if it would only bring him disappointment.

Ever since the blip, she’s not worked for any organization and he’s done with fighting, done with all the fighting he’s done for 90 years. Y/N and Bucky have been hanging out since Thanos' thing ended. They had some things in common, she was trained in an organization from a very young age but was taken in after shield caught her and she began to work for them.

This time the nightmare invaded the lovely dream he was having of Y/N. It wasn’t much different though.

Bucky grunted as a punch was landed to his face and punched back and hit Y/N square in the face with his metal arm making her fall back and hold her face. Before he could even think the memory kept going as it was. He walked towards her and grabbed her arm twisting it making her wince in pain.

Before he could even think about doing anything else to her she kicked him in the balls making Bucky groan in pain but for only a second. That second was enough for Y/N to run down the streets with a gun in her hand. Bucky watched as she ran and began to go after her with a gun in his hand as well.

Y/N looked around in fear and saw nothing that could protect her and when a gun shot was fired she hid herself behind a car and took a breath knowing that he was going to find her any minute. Before she could even think about running again a metal hand wrapped around her throat pinning her to the car.

Bucky couldn’t think for himself as he tried to strangle her something he never wanted to do but luckily a shield hit the his back making him lose his grip on Y/N. He looked behind him and saw Steve but then was punched in the face by her making him let her go.

Before any of this could continue on Bucky sat up straight in a layer of sweat and breathing heavily. He looked around the room realizing that he fell asleep on the floor again with the tv running. He used his flesh hand to rub his forehead trying to get that memory out of his brain. But that wouldn’t work and before he even realized it Bucky was getting his clothes on and walking out the door.

Bucky was on the way to a place where he knows there will be comfort. Y/N. He knows that she’s probably awake still and he could use someone to talk to. She was his comfort place for him, somewhere he could feel safe and welcomed. She was a person that always made him feel warm inside and he loved that feeling.

Before Bucky even realized it he was at Y/N’s place and he raised his hand to knock on the door.

Upon hearing this knock Y/N looked behind the couch to her door and narrowed her eyes in confusion. She put down the popcorn bowl that was halfway empty and paused the television. She got up and fixed her shirt and shorts before opening the door to reveal Bucky who gave her an awkward smile and wave.

“Hey Buck what are you doing here at,” Y/N started to say and then looked at her watch. “1 am,” She looked up at him with confusion in her eyes.

“I was awake and wanted to see what you were doing,” Bucky lied, not meeting her eyes, which made her sigh.

“Another nightmare,” Y/N says sadly looking at him softly. He closes his eyes and nods, making her open the door wider for him to come in. Bucky gives her a small smile making her heart race.

It was no secret to anyone in her life that she had feelings for the man but Y/N couldn’t say anything since he was still recovering from Hydra. She didn’t want to interfere with his progress. She wanted him to be happy even if it wasn’t with her. Bucky stood in the living room awkwardly looking around starting to feel safe again.

“Want a beer,” Y/N offered, opening the fridge and grabbing herself a water.

“Uh sure,” Bucky accepted sitting down on her couch waiting for her to come back and sit next to him. She hopped on the couch next to him and handed him the bottle.

“Do you want to talk about it,” Y/N asked looking down at her lap, she knew that Bucky wouldn’t really want to talk but she was just offering a welcoming ear for him to rant or anything.

“Not really I just wanted to see you,” Bucky scratched the back of his neck and turned to face her with a soft smile dancing on the corner of his lips. She put her hand on his not knowing or caring if it was the metal one or not.

“Well you’re always welcome here,” Y/N softly replied.

“It was about the first time I met you though, well not me the-,” Bucky began to say but paused before he was about to say it. Y/N awkwardly laughed rolling her shoulders pulling her legs up to sit criss cross.

“Made an impression did I,” Y/N softly laughed, knowing what he was talking.

“Kinda,” Bucky laughed a little with her. “But I really didn’t remember that and I didn’t even know I hurt you,” He whispered.

“The thing is, that it wasn’t you who actually hurt me, Buck,” Y/N firmly says, looking him in the eyes trying to make him see the point. He puts his hand on hers giving it a squeeze making her smile at him.

“Why do you see so much good in me, when there was so much?” Bucky whispered, dropping his head so he didn’t have to look at her with guilt flooding his eyes. Y/N sighed before grabbing his chin making her look at him, and she looked at him with sympathy as there was a layer of tears in his eyes.

“Because you’re not a killer,” Y/N began to say. “I have seen many killers and I saw that with the winter soldier and he’s gone. You don’t have the look in your eyes, I don’t see it,” she says with a smile making its way to the corner of her mouth as she explains this to the man. She put her hand on his cheek and used her thumb to softly caress his cheekbone.

Before Y/N could go on Bucky leaned forward and attached his lips to hers and softly moved them. She immediately responded leaving her hand on his cheek and the other on his neck and softly kissed him back. He put his hands on her hips and moved his lips with her.

“Wow,” Y/N whispered against his lips after they parted. Bucky gave her a soft smile, then wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hug. He stayed still for a moment before he accepted it.

Bucky buried his face into the crook of her neck and listened to her breathing making him calm down as well. He was glad she didn’t run off when he kissed her, scratch that, he was over the moon. She pulled him down to lay down on the huge couch and laid her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat.

“I don’t know if I’ll have another nightmare,” Bucky whispers into her hair, making her nod.

“We don’t have to,” Y/N says looking up at him with messy hair.

“Do what?” Bucky questions narrowing his eyes.

“Cuddle,” Y/N responds with a giggle before sitting back up but was swiftly pulled back by Bucky, making her gasp and wriggle in his arms. She looked up at him with a warm smile.

“Just don’t get your hopes up,” Bucky grumbled, situating himself so she was able to rest her head upon his chest.

“C’mon I know you like it,” Y/N laughed, hitting his chest with her hand before resting her head against his heart. She liked listening to his heartbeat calming itself down and it made herself a little drowsy.

“Get some sleep doll,” Bucky whispers, kissing her forehead, caressing the back of her head, making her fall into a deep sleep.

Bucky didn’t fall asleep for some time, not wanting to get into another nightmare and hurt her. That would be the worst thing he came here to get comfort not to seek another nightmare out. But before he could even control it he was lulled back into sleep listening to Y/N’s soft breathing.

He knows she won’t cure his nightmare but she’ll help him in the aftermath and that’s all he cares about. She would be there for him no matter what.

[fnf-brain-rot]

[Whitty x Boyfriend] Chapter - 7 don’t worry about it

Whitty found it hard to rest that night.

He had been thinking about that sad look on Bee's face when he got home that night. He didn't like seeing him sad, it put him on edge. Boyfriend said he would talk it out with him, but they never did talk about what happened over dinner, or even after. The small male simply retired to his room at about ten at night.

He watched the boy sleep, out of being new to staying in one place. Boyfriend obviously wasn't sleeping peacefully, however Whitty had no idea how to fix that. It must have to do with what was bothering him earlier that day. The only thing he could think to do was Boyfriend's favorite form of comfort; physical touch. He tried his best to gently slide into bed with him, curling his large body around him protectively so he could snuggle. Boyfriend didn't wake up, though he did lean against Whitty's arm some, and his tense expression finally calmed down. Whitty smiled a little at the sight. He hadn't known Boyfriend for very long, but seeing him smile was starting to have an affect on him. He was warm, but on the inside. But not warm on the inside like mechanical wise, like.. happy? Was this happiness?

________________________________________________________________________________

Boyfriend felt like shit in the morning.

He opened his eyes, only slightly since a ray of sunshine decided it would be best to hit him directly in the face. He grumbled irritably, turning around so the light wouldn't be in his eyes, though he paused when he saw Whitty staring at him.

Fucking again.

The rapper let out a yelp and shot up in his spot, pulling the covers up on his half naked body. He immediately relaxed though, upon realizing it was Whitty, but tensed when he noticed Whitty was in his bed. "Whitty!! What the hell are you doing in my bed??" He quickly asked, and Whitty sat up beside him, not breaking eye contact. "You looked sad last night.. So I thought it would help if I gave you cuddles.." The bomb responded with a soft tone, then seemed to remember something. His expression took a more serious and angry one, and he pointed to a purple bite mark on Boyfriend's shoulder.

"You told me no one hurt you yesterday. Where did that come from?" He then asked. Boyfriend knew Whitty was naive to most things, that probably included sex and everything surrounding it. "N-No Whits, no one hurt me.. It was uh.. I wanted that.." He then explained softly, though the pang of guilt from the mere thought of Pico made him not want to continue. "Why would you want to be bitten? It looks painful." The taller made a face at the statement. He noticed Boyfriend's face begin to saturate a deep red color, though in context this doesn't seem like a particularly happy conversation.

"I can explain it to you some other time, just uh.. Let me get dressed.." Boyfriend took note of the somewhat disappointed expression on Whitty's face, but he of course nodded, not wanting to impose on his little buddy. He was starting to feel bad about this too.. Maybe he should talk to Gigi and see how she would handle it.

________________________________________________________________________________

He had called the auburn haired girl to meet up at the little local café, and brought Whitty with him this time so he wouldn't be home alone. Besides he and Girlfriend were friends now, so it wouldn't make sense to hide him from her still.

"Whitty! Bee!" Girlfriend ran over to the two as she saw them approach the building down the sidewalk. "Hi Gigi.." Whitty muttered shyly as she tackled his leg in a hug, which he greatly appreciated. She had such a warm, happy aura, it would be impossible not to feel comfortable around her. She pulled away and looked to Boyfriend, who simply gave her a weak smile. It was worse than she thought. "Come on, I reserved one of the rooms back in the building so we could be alone." She hummed, gently rubbing Boyfriend's hand with her thumb to comfort him. He nodded, then followed her, along with Whitty, into the café.

The room wasn't huge, enough for maybe a group of people. Whitty would need all the room he could get. "So, you two been alright since this weekend?" Girlfriend smiled, grabbing the menus from the center of the circular table. "Yeah, I guess.. Whitty's getting more comfortable around the house, considering every morning I wake up to him staring at me." Boyfriend shot Whitty a look, though the taller just seemed confused. "I just like to make sure you're okay.." He pouted a little, causing Gigi to giggle. "You two are so cute." She sighed happily, then remembered what Boyfriend had called her for in the first place.

"Are you doing any better since.. yesterday?" She started, cautiously of course as to not trigger any water works the blue haired male might still have pent up. "Eh.. He still hasn't texted me back. I'm gonna have to go see him sooner or later, but I feel so guilty." Boyfriend dropped his head onto the table in despair, and Whitty leaned down a bit to where his head connected with the smooth surface.

"I mean bailing after sex is kinda.. it's kinda shitty, I'll give him that." Girlfriend nodded her head, only for Bee's head to shoot up. "Aw what!"

"What, do you want me to lie?"

"A little bit yes!" Boyfriend pouted at her. It only made her laugh more. "Sweetie, you know Pico is a sensitive man. He may not show it but he notices every little thing you do, and he takes it all into consideration. He knows you're pretty stupid, and he doesn't even know Whitty yet so you can't expect him to understand why you would leave for him like that." Gigi had moved so she was on the other side of Boyfriend, gently pressing against him in a hug.

Whitty was hella confused as to what they were even talking about right now, but decided to join in the hug anyway. Anything to make his little buddy happy. "Yeah.. You're right.. I don't have the energy to confront that today though.." Bee sighed softly into her shoulder, and she gently cupped his cheek. "Well you're in luck. There's a carnival in town, and I'm taking both of you with me. To get your mind off things. I don't like it when you're mopey." Boyfriend perked a bit at the mention of "carnival", and Whitty made a sound of discomfort. "What's a carnival?" He asked the two softly, and Boyfriend gasped.

He hopped onto the bomb man's lap, squeezing his face in his hands, the excitement showing in his dark eyes. "Oh my god Whitty! you don't know what a carnival is?!" He cried out, bouncing a bit on him. "It's an event where you go to play games and win prizes and ride rides! It's absolutely amazing!" Whitty grunted a bit as Bee began to shake his head a little, and Girlfriend tugged on his pants leg. "Now now, be gentle on the big guy."

"Oh right.. ha, sorry.. I just haven't been in so long." Boyfriend let him go, and plopped back down in his seat. "I used to go all the time with my parents when we were little, but honestly, the events were always really shitty. Like.. the budget was a thousand dollars shitty." He laughed lightly in memory. That town in itself was just.. shitty. No wonder he moved.

"Well I can assure you the ones here are frankly not as bad." Girlfriend smiled, gently giving his arm a squeeze. He was glad he came to talk to her. He would talk to Whitty, but he would have to explain every little thing to him. Plus he didn't want him to worry. "Now order up boys, we have a big day ahead of us." She opened up her menu, and the other two followed suit.

______________________________________________________________________________

The event took place on the far east of the city on the beach. Of course they hadn't walked, Girlfriend simply called a chauffer. Whitty found it very, very hard to sit in that limo. He ended up having to lie on the floor, resting his head and feet parallel on the seats. He looked like a wooden plank with a crook in it. Boyfriend teased him about it for a couple minutes. The guy was unbearable sometimes.

Whitty didn't know how he felt about the carnival at first. There were a lot of people around, a lot of noises, and the sand was hard to walk on. Thank goodness most of it was on solid land. The only major part on the sand were bouncy castles and a few random booths for games he didn't recognize. "Whitty!" Boyfriend's voice cut through his thoughts, forcing him to glance down at the shorty. "Look at the giant wheel up there." He pointed to the Ferris wheel standing tall quite a bit away from them, so he couldn't see the whole thing. Just looking at it made Whitty a little queasy.

"What is that? What.. What is it for?" Whitty asked him, feeling the smaller slip their hands together, intertwining their fingers. "It's one of the rides! You get on and it takes you high up into the air. If we're lucky they'll stop it when we're at the top." Whitty didn't know how he felt about being so high up. "Is it safe?" He looked to Boyfriend with an anxious expression, and the smaller simply nodded. "Of course. It wouldn't be legal if it was unsafe." Whitty hummed in acknowledgement.

"Do you wanna try it?" Boyfriend beamed up at him, and Whitty couldn't help but laugh nervously. "Not.. at the moment.." Boyfriend nodded understandably. "We can play some carnival games while Gigi goes to get our tickets for the fireworks tonight." Boyfriend then informed, beginning to pull his big roommate down onto the boardwalk.

"Fireworks?" Whitty echoed in curiosity. Boyfriend seemed bewildered with how many things Whitty didn't know. He was pretty much born yesterday. "Yeah they're like.. They're lights that shoot up in the sky and go BOOM!" Boyfriend threw up his free hand to exaggerate the explosion. "That sounds scary.." Whitty muttered softly, and Boyfriend laughed at his timid nature. "It's pretty loud yeah, but it won't hurt you. It's like gunpowder and fire and that makes it explode.. I think.. In the air. I'll ask Gigi how it works later." Whitty flashed him an unamused look. He knew just as much as the bomb did.

They decided to try a ring toss booth first. Boyfriend handed the man two dollars for four tries. "Here, I'll do two, and you do two. Watch me." Whitty stood to the side of him, and watched as he held up a red, plastic ring. Boyfriend studied the jars in front of him for a moment, then tossed the ring. Of course, it bounced off the glass in between the jars, falling to the floor under the stand the jars were on. Boyfriend didn't give up. He paused another moment, then threw the second ring, only to have the same result. "Aw man! This game is rigged!" The blue haired male pouted, but Whitty only seemed confused.

"Tough luck bucko." The concession owner shrugged his shoulders, a devious smirk on his face. Boyfriend only glared at him. "Wait, so what's the objective?" Whitty asked softly, awkwardly moving in place of Boyfriend to give his try. "You have to get the ring around one of the bottles. If you get it on the one on top, you can get the best prize!" Boyfriend pointed at some stuffed animals hanging above them. There was a large alien plushie, and one that particularly caught Whitty's eye.

It was a little bomb with little orange feet and cute white eyes. Boyfriend recognized it as the little bomba from the Mario games. "I want that one.." Whitty pointed at it. Boyfriend couldn't help but grin and put a hand on his mouth. Whitty was so cute sometimes, it was ridiculous. Of course he would want the bomb one.

"You gotta get the ring around the jar for it." Boyfriend nudged Whitty's hip in encouragement. It wouldn't hurt to try. He really wanted that little bomb thing. With a new found determination, Whitty focused on the glass jars ahead of him. He tossed the ring, and it bounced off the glass. He whined a little, and looked down to Boyfriend, who gently patted his back. "You got one more try buddy." He hummed softly. Whitty looked back to the jars, huffing lightly under his breath.

He stared for a good thirty seconds, then tossed the ring. He whined again, louder this time as it seemed like it wouldn't hit, but he and Boyfriend gasped in unison as the plastic successfully clinked and dinged against the glass, settling around the top one. "Holy shit Whitty!!" Boyfriend cried out happily, and concession owner seemed surprised. "Well I'll be! That's a different type of luck." He stood, going over to the back of the booth and grabbing the long stick to retrieve Whitty's beloved little bomb plushie. Whitty thankfully took it from him, holding it in front of him and. His eyes stared wide into the smaller white pellets of the soft thing in front of him. "It's.. it's so soft.." The bomb man muttered, wonder in his voice.

"You two have a lovely date na'!" The owner shot a finger gun at them as they began to walk away, making Boyfriend's cheeks heat up in embarrassment. "That was... fun.." Whitty mumbled. He didn't use the word often. He could barely put into words what this emotion was other than, what was it earlier, happiness? Whitty hugged the plushie tight to his chest, a tiny smile on his face.

The two walked around for a bit, looking at all the colorful attractions around, there was even a stage down on the beach, there was a band playing music, rock music of course. It fit the atmosphere of the little fun house down by the pier though. "Oh oh!" Boyfriend suddenly popped up upon smelling a sweet smell. "The carnival has all types of food around! The most popular one is cotton candy!"

"Cotton candy?" Whitty looked down, Boyfriend squeezing his hand in confirmation. "Yeah! Come on I'll show you!" Boyfriend had Whitty sold when he said the word "food". They walked up to another concession stand, one of the little cotton candy machines. Strewn around were different colors of cotton candy on the frame of the stand. Blue, pink, yellow, red, white.

"This is cotton candy. It's made out of uh.. It's not made out of cotton, it's.. sugar or something." Boyfriend made a face  in thought. The line was short, thankfully. He and Whitty got to the front in no time. The owner of this stand was a woman, and she smiled at the two men, but seemed to focus on Boyfriend. "Hey, you're that blue haired kid that featured with Mommy must Murder!' She pointed out, and Boyfriend blushed, but tried his best to stand tall. "Yeah that's me! I try my best!" He put a hand on his chest, a confident smile on his face.

"You got quite the voice on you. I wouldn't be surprised if you became as big as some of these mainstream artists. What can I get for ya, darlin?" She gave him a warm smile. Boyfriend cleared his throat, hoping she couldn't see how flustered this was actually making him. "Well, uh.. Whitty, what color do you want?" He turned to his buddy, and Whitty stared at the options available.

"Uh.. red." Whitty hummed softly. "Alright, it'll be ready in just a moment." She grabbed a bottle sitting on a table behind her, pouring an opaque substance into the spinning device in front of her. "How big would you like it?" She asked, and Whitty thought for a moment. He tucked his plushie under his arm and held his hands apart scarily wide. Boyfriend and the woman both laughed awkwardly. "How big can twenty dollars get me?" The blue haired male asked awkwardly. "Twenty is just fine for that amount." She winked at him. Boyfriend smiled sheepishly. People were so nice..

The cotton candy was the size of the giant alien plushie they saw earlier. Whitty happily took it, and Boyfriend paid up. "Good luck on your trip to fame, little guy." She smiled, and held up a fist. He grinned back, and fist bumped her. "Thanks miss!" He walked off on Whitty's side, ducking to avoid the ridiculous amount of cotton candy on that stick.

________________________________________________________________________________

"Whitty! Bf! I've been looking for you guys!" Girlfriend's voice sounded from behind the two. The sun had set a few minutes ago, and the two guys were sitting on a bench down near the beach, watching the waves crash against the shore. They turned around, noticing she was approaching someone else. Wait.. No way.

"NENE?!!" Boyfriend shot up from the bench, damn there sprinting full speed to the girl in pink beside Girlfriend. "Wh- Bee-" She squealed as their bodies collided, and Boyfriend tackled her into the grass below. "Oh, you know each other?" Girlfriend laughed a little as Boyfriend stuffed his face into Nene's neck, squeezing her torso tightly.

"Ow! That hurt! Get off me dumbass!" Nene laughed out, gently pushing against the man. He was starting to suffocate her. They eventually got up, but Boyfriend didn't want to let her go. "I haven't seen you in fucken years how DARE  you ghost me!!" He finally let her go, putting his fists against his hips. "I never got your number! I'm sorry! Everything got super busy ever since you moved out!" She smiled and held his hand with both her own.

Whitty stared at the interaction from the bench, not knowing how to feel from the new face. And how much Boyfriend was paying attention to her. Why? Why did he feel that way? He likes Boyfriend's hugs yes, but enough to the point where he felt weird watching him hug someone else? He squeezed onto his plushie again, deciding not to move from his spot as the three interacted, Boyfriend of course being the loudest one. He was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Oh yeah! I want you to meet someone!"

Whitty's head perked back up, now seeing them begin to walk over to him. He grew a little tense, pressing his knees together. "Whitty, I know you wanna take it slow, but this is the perfect opportunity! This is Nene, a friend of mine!" He grinned at the bomb man as he sat beside him. "Nice to meet you Whitty!" She smiled and waved, and Whitty nervously looked at her. "He's very shy, it'll take him a while to open up." Boyfriend then informed her. "Oh no worries! No pressure." Nene hummed, and Girlfriend laughed at her.

"Hey bb.." Whitty then mumbled out of no where. "I think the Ferris wheel is a good option now." He told him. Boyfriend beamed happily, hopping up from his seat once more. "Hell yeah! Come on let's go!" Whitty didn't really want to get on it. He just wanted to escape this situation. Four people is a lot of people, and one of them he doesn't know well. It was pretty abrupt. Boyfriend didn't seem to notice his discomfort, which was good for Whitty. He didn't want to inconvenience him.

The small man led him to the Ferris wheel, which looked absolutely fucking massive up close. People ride this for fun?? Yeah, a fun torture method. He swallowed nervously as they stood in line, Boyfriend gently bouncing on his toes and humming cheerfully. It helped Whitty to see Boyfriend be so happy. "Woohoo!" Boyfriend threw his fists in the air and exclaimed excitedly, running onto the loading dock when it was their turn. they got booth number twenty four. "Hey Whitty, you know what's funnier than twenty four?" He asked the tall bomb as he strapped himself in his seat. Whitty had to get one of the staff to do it for him. It was confusing. "Funnier? What?" He asked him. "Twenty five." Boyfriend giggled into his hand like a little school girl, and Whitty stared at him, confused.

"What's so funny about numbers?" He mumbled in confusion. they sat there for a couple minutes, Whitty allowing Boyfriend to rant to him about, who the hell knows. He was doing a thing with his hands where he would bounce them up and down, like shaking some maracas. Whitty found that image funny. The queasy feeling in Whitty's stomach returned when he felt the booth begin to move. He held onto his plushy tight, unable to hold Boyfriend due to them being seated across from each other.

"Hey, you nervous?" Boyfriend tilted his head, and Whitty opened his eyes. He hadn't realized he closed them. No wonder he couldn't see anything. Whitty nodded, deciding to be honest. no point in lying to him. "You can come sit by me if you want." He patted the leather seat beside him. It was comfortable, funnily enough. Whitty hesitated for a moment, nervous to even stand up in the moving car, but he eventually unbuckled his belt, doing the opposite of what he saw the ride operator do earlier.

He stood up slowly, swaying a little, which made the booth sway a little. He made a nervous sound, but managed to shuffle toward the blue haired male, taking a stiff seat next to him. "Oh look at the ocean Whitty!" Boyfriend locked arms with the bomb, and that seemed to comfort him to an extent. He hesitantly looked up from the floor, through the clear glass surrounding them.

They weren't too high up yet, but man did everyone look like ants. More so than usual. He wasn't as scared as he thought he would be, though. In fact, he was intrigued. "Woah.." He muttered under his breath, watching as their view slowly ascended above the entire carnival. There was something with fire going on at the stage, and all the lights and colors popped against the darkness of the evening. The ocean stretched out wide, and Whitty watched the sunlight slowly disappear over the horizon. It was at the moment Whitty realized just how.. big the world was.

He looked down at Boyfriend, who had his face pressed against the glass beside him. "Aw man the fire dancers already started.." He pouted a little, but his smile quickly returned as he continued to look out over the sea. He then turned around to look at Whitty, noticing the look on his face.

"What's wrong?" The small rapper blinked, though Whitty couldn't answer right away. He stared at Boyfriend for another moment, the eye contact causing butterflies to explode in the taller's stomach. God he was so.. pretty. Pretty was the word right? He'd have to expand on his vocabulary.

"Thank you, Boyfriend.." Was all he said, and the man in question blushed heavily, looking away and tugging on his collar. "Aw come on Whits, you don't need to thank me.." He uttered out. Whitty enjoyed his company. A lot. He appreciated him. A lot.

He likes him. A lot.

[jonspurpleskirt]

Perks of Beholding

Summary: Jon gets distracted from paranoia by learning he can now understand animals. This somehow solves all their problems. Or: Jon turns into a Disney princess the fic.

No Warnings apply. It’s just fluff. Heavily inspired by this lovely TMA comic:  ___

It started with the Admiral. Jon was about to read the first statement his mysterious benefactor had sent when he heard a small "Jon!" from the kitchen. It had a strange, rumbling undertone to it and sounded as though a human was trying to imitate a cat.

Jon startled so hard at the unfamiliar voice that he send the papers he had in his hands flying. Instinctively grabbing the tape recorder he sprung up.

"Who's there!"

The Admiral came out of the kitchen, rubbing against the doorframe and purring. "Jon! It's time for a midday snack."

Jon blinked hard, wondering if he had lost his mind entirely, while a much louder voice was screeching in delight.

"Admiral! I can understand you!"

"Give me food Jon, I beg of you. I'm famished."

The Admiral jumped up on his lap, claws snagging on the worm hole riddled arm. It should have already been healed, but Jon continued picking on it.

"Ah..ha. Careful please. I'm damaged goods."

"My apologies. Now food and then cuddles? I crave attention."

Statement forgotten Jon spend the rest of the afternoon debating with Georgies cat about the pros and cons of feeding the Admiral without Georgies consent, sneaking snacks anyway and cuddling on the couch.

To say that Georgie was bemused when she got home was an understatement. "You can speak cat now. Are you shitting me?"

"No. It's amazing! Georgie this might be the only good thing to have happened to me in years!"

Georgie rolled his eyes, grinning. "Don't be so dramatic. So what? Are cats really planning to overthrow us lowly humans? What is he saying?"

"I'm pretty sure he wouldn't tell me if that was the case. Admiral is there anything you'd like to say to Georgie?"

The Admiral, who hadn't budged from Jons chest since after he had been fed was staring straight at him. "Tell her I love her."

Jon turned to Georgie with the most serious face she had ever seen on him. "He wants you to know that he loves you." He announced gravely. And then, after a short pause. "But he loves me more."

"I didn't say that."

"He didn't say that!"

"No, but I know."

The Admiral bit at his finger and then immediately licked the raw skin as an apology. "Unruly kitten."

"I'm not a kitten!"

"You know I'm not sure if the noises you make are cute or creepy."

~~~

His language comprehension skills didn't only focus on cat speak, Jon found out soon after. He had been brave enough to step out of Georgies flat to go for a quick walk (and buy some cat food that Georgie refused to get for the Admiral), when a voice from above cooed at him.

"So shiny!"

Jon froze at the croaky exclamation, scanning his environment and trying not to panic. There was no police nearby. Which was good. But also bad if this was going to turn out to be a robbery. There weren't any people around at all, actually. Jon had gone out at an ungodly hour as to avoid big crowds and thus being seen.

The only being he could make out was a crow perched atop a lantern, gazing down at him. Jon pointed at himself. "Are you speaking to me?"

The crow tilted its head. "It would seem so, human."

"Oh. What is it that you find so shiny?"

It considered his question for a moment, then flew down. Jon flinched when the bird landed on his shoulder, a sharp beak tapping the hair clasp Jon had used to keep his mess of a hair out of his face.

"This. I'd like to have it."

Jon itched to stroke the black feathers that caressed his cheek. A childish excitement that he hadn't felt since uni thrumming in his chest.

"You can have it. Just let me take it out first."

The crow hopped on his other shoulder, nibbling at his scarf while Jon gently untangled the clasp from his locks, careful not to jostle his new friend too much.

"There we go. Here."

"Thank you. This kindness will not be forgotten."

Jon watched the bird fly off with his possession and wished his human encounters could go so smoothly.

Word did get around fast that he was a friend of corvids and provider of shiny things. Wherever he went at least two or three crows or ravens would appear within minutes chatting him up. Most of his spare change went to them and soon he found himself buying little trinkets for them to carry off.

In the weeks that followed Jon got out more and more, keeping to parks at unreasonable hours, driven to converse with all kinds of wildlife. He hadn't touched most of the statements he had been send, too fixated on the new, harmless ability he had been granted. This had improved Georgies and his relationship immensely. She had been worried that he would obsess over who could have murdered Leitner. Him going out and talking to various animals might not have been any less strange, but at least it felt harmless enough to her that she left him to it, sometimes even tagging along.

Jon had always felt it easier to communicate with animals. And this didn't change with his new ability. Interactions were simple and their stories were interesting, with a perspective foreign enough to catch his interest. Animals viewed the world rather differently, had different priorities and had less behavioral rules that Jon could mess up.

And they weren't shy to seek out his touch once they got to know him. More often than not these days Georgie would find him with a squirrel draped around his neck, a bird pulling his hair or a cat in his arms. He had even tried to talk to some insects once, but told Georgie with a look of disappointment that they didn't have the mind for idle chatter.

Like humans not every animal was friendly or even a good conversationalist. There was a white and grey pigeon nesting close to Georgies flat, who made for dreadful smalltalk and couldn't hold a thought to save its life. And Clara the sparrow loved to spew a litany of curse words at him, because she found they sounded funny.

In the end, however, his curiousity to learn more about his abilities led him to check out more of the statements and eventually, try and contact Jude Perry. They met in a quaint little café, opting to sit outside because of Judes flamability and Jons want to have a better chance of escape should anything go wrong.

Jon didn't shake Judes hand when she first asked. But after her statement and her willingness to give him the contact of an acquaintance he felt he had to. He reached out to take her hand when a crow dived down and crashed between the two. The ball of black feathers shook itself and snapped sharply at Jons hand.

"What do you think you are doing you lanky idiot! Do you not have any instincts left in your body! What are you?! A fledgling? Shame on you! You nearly gave us a heart attack!"

"I'm sorry, but you really should fly away. Your feathers are beginning to sizzle- Ow!"

The crow had squawked at him in a rather unbecoming manner for such a lovely lady, but had heeded his warning and flown onto his shoulder, opting to snap at his ear and pull it to get him to leave the firey lady, cussing him out all the while.

"I get it, I get it! Please stop assaulting my ear."

"What."

Momentarily having forgotten his audience in order to get the furious crow out of his hair, Jon send Jude an apologetic smile.

"Sorry. Marah seems to be quite against me shaking your hand. Ow. Would you stop that I'm not doing anything!"

"You can speak with animals?" Not even Jude - I'll burn everything you love to the ground - Perry seemed to be immune to the craziness of the situation. Her grin had turned from feral to amused. The air around her had gotten colder as well.

"Ah, yes. Wasn't Gertrude also able to do so?"

Jon had finally been able to get Marah out of his hair and was cradling her against his chest, patting down her ruffled feathers and let her play with the shiny decorative coins that hung from his scarf.

"I don't think I've ever seen her doing that. But then everyone Becomes differently."

"Becomes? Ah... right sorry, no further questions. I... I guess I've always had more interest in animals then humans. Could that... I mean that could be the reason."

"Could." She echoed him, eyes fixed on the crow nestled in his arms.

A flutter of wings made both of them look up and startle at the sight of dozens of black birds perched along the roofs staring down at them.

"Did you call them?" She hissed.

"No. It's not like I can control them. I occasionally give them stuff? And they make great conversation partners. I guess they're just pretty protective of me?"

"Fledgling." Marah huffed, winding one of his long locks around her beak and tugging.

"Ow. They call me fledgling for some reason."

Jude snorted into her boiling coffee. "Yeah that checks out." Her gaze skimmed the dark wall of feathers above them. People around them had become uncomfortable as well, hurrying to get out of the area. The waiter was giving them nervous glances, too.

"If it would ease your mind I doubt they'll try to attack you if you play nice?"

"You sound awfully unsure of that."

Jon shrugged as best as he could without jostling Marah too much. "I'm still not sure how all of this works. That's why I'm looking for other avatars."

Jude shook her head and laughed. "A Watcher not Knowing something. The world never ceases to surprise me." She took out her phone, which had a cracked display, the plastic scorched where her fingers touched, but miraculously was still functioning. "Give me your number I'll forward you some of my contacts."

"Thank you!"

"Don't. You'll pay me in cute pet pictures. Once weekly."

Jon smiled, that sounded like a much better price to pay than a scorched hand. "I'll do that. Any favourites?"

"Owls." Jude said without hesitation, then blinked and scowled at him. "You'll have to get a grip on that if you don't want Mike to throw you out the window."

"I'm sorry. I really don't mean to do... whatever I'm doing."

"Watch your wording then. Don't ask questions or whatever."

Jon sighed, holding out his phone for her to copy his number. "Right."

He bought Marah her favourite pastry as a thank you for saving him and promised to get her that pretty ring she had seen. It was quite expensive, but Jon thought it was worth it.

~~~

Jon was a bundle of frayed nerves when he went to visit Mike Crew. They had written back and forth a bit over the days and no matter how much Jon tried to coax Mike into meeting him somewhere more open the Avatar of the Vast never budged.

So here he was, sans crow support, knocking on the door of a serial killer. The young man that welcomed him in was only shorter than him by maybe an inch or two. He had donned a fake smile and was asking if he wanted some tea.

Jon didn't. He had a set of questions, hungered for Mikes statement. But Judes warning stopped him from immediately going for it. Drinking bland tea he didn't want was probably the better alternative to being thrown out a window. Not that that was still a very real possibility afterwards.

"I'd love to. Thank you."

Mike seemed surprised that he had taken him up on the offer. "Huh. Well then. Come in. I only have Lavender and Peppermint, any preferences?"

Jon tried to distract himself from the very obvious scar on Mikes neck by taking in the spacious flat he had just entered. "Peppermint sounds nice."

"Peppermint it is, then."

Jon trailed after him into the kitchen, a bit lost on what the etiquette was when being a first time guest. Was he supposed to wait somewhere? Go to the couch? Was he even allowed to take a seat before being told?

At least he had gotten better at small talk. True Mike Crew wasn't an animal, but Jon had found out that being nice was actually well received by humans and avatars alike. (What a shocker.)

"You have a lovely apartment."

Mike shot him what looked like a genuine grin. "Thank you! A gift from Simon. He's taking good care of all the new Vast avatars. Tends to try and adopt them, but I quite like my autonomy and the family parties he throws are dreadful."

Jon couldn't help but pout. The terminology didn't confuse him as much anymore. Jude had deigned to explain that to him via text, with a lot of gloating and bad puns. "I wish the Eye would be so welcoming. I swear for an entity that's all about knowing it doesn't tell me shit."

"Tough. You sure you work for the Eye and not the Web? Here. Come on don't just stand there like a bean pole the couch is a perfectly good place to sit."

"Good lord I hope so. I hate spiders."

"Cheers to that."

Not asking questions was hard. Jon was an impatient man, endlessly curious. And something within him craved Mikes statement. He opted to be honest with Mike about that, telling him without turning it into a burning question and the Avatar nodded in understanding.

"Alright I'll tell you my story then. Because you were nice enough not to ask and we short people should work together."

Jon hadn't been prepared for the sad tale that had been Mikes life. It seemed that he had only been able to somewhat settle down in the last few years. Being on the run for so long, Jon could only imagine what it did to a persons mind. He was only being wanted for murder for a bit now and the stress and paranoia was already killing him.

"Huh." Mike blinked when he was done, tea gone cold in his hands. "That was actually pretty therapeutic. I'm not opposed to doing this again."

They talked idly for a while after, Mike far less aggressive in his attitude than Jude, although he did lightly threaten him once or twice and gave him a horrible case of vertigo when Jon accidently insulted his taste in books.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door and Mikes eyes narrowed. "I thought we agreed you'd come alone."

"I did." Jon defended himself, fear easily flooding back into his body.

They both stood and carefully inched towards the door. Just as Mike was about to open it, mouth already open to scold whoever had dared to interrupt him, a chorus of loud hisses, meows and a surprised shout made them freeze.

"Jon! A Hunter is here! We've got her handled. Run!"

Not thinking Jon snatched Mikes wrist and pulled him away from the entrance to the flat. The floor underneath him seemed to give way, but Mike at least hadn't fully thrown him into his domain. He dragged them both deeper into the flat. "Shit that's Tonner."

"Who?"

"The police. I ah... might be wanted for murder at the moment. I thought I've been descreet enough. But apparently not. Sorry."

He didn't like that Mikes eyes gleamed with a newfound respect after hearing that. "Oh yeah. I forgot that murder was illegal for a moment. Who did you kill?"

"I didn't." Jon scowled. "I was framed. It was Jurgen Leitner."

"Leitner?!"

"Hmhm. Turns out he was hiding below the institute the whole time. Honestly he was a rather pathetic old man."

Mike tsked. "Good riddance."

"Quite."

Mike eyed the window as the cursing from outside continued. They both flinched when there was a gunshot. Jon lurched forward, running towards the sound, only to be harshly janked back with surprising force. "What the fuck are you doing?!"

"She's shooting the cats! I need to save them!" There might have been a bit of static in his voice, fueled by the panic.

An inhuman growl came from outside and a layered voice shouting "Stay back!".

"That's a Hunter out there!"

Jon only let out a pathetic whine. His cats. He couldn't leave his cats! But the arm around his waist didn't let him go. Mike cursed behind him.

"You're crazy. And weird. You owe me for this."

"I can pay in cute animal pictures."

Mike snorted and let Jon go, leaving him to open the door. As soon as Daisy was in sight there was a loud Pop and a yelp, then she was gone. Jon knelt down in the mass of hissing fur, hands stroking over every body he could find, frantically looking for injuries on any of his babies. They came to him immediately, butting against his hands, chanting "Jon!" and started to purr up a storm.

"I think she just fired a warning shot." Mike mused, pointing towards the ceiling.

Jon heaved a huge sigh. "Oh thank god."

Mike tilted his head at the strange display before him. "Are those free of fleas?"

"Of course! They all are perfectly well behaved, clean angels."

Mike rolled his eyes. "Cool. They can come in then. I'm sure they just saved both of our lifes. Might as well reward them a bit."

And that was how Jon joined an impromptu sleepover at a supernatural serial killers flat, drowned in cats and delightfully tipsy, because Mike insisted on drinking to not dying.

The next morning greeted them with more knocking, which was nearly drowned out by the screams of the cats begging for food. Mike shot him a tired look.

"I deal with the cats. You open the door. You only presumably killed one guy. I'm sure they won't shoot you on sight."

Jon really didn't think that logic was sound, but decided against arguing with Mike, who turned out to not be a morning person at all. Some of the cats came with him as he greeted Basira, who frowned at his entourage.

"I didn't know Mike Crew was secretly a cat lady."

"Ah no, that would be me."

"Right. That sounds more believable. I just came by to let you know that you're in the clear. Elias Bouchard is the murderer. We have evidence now."

"Cool." Came the nonplussed reply from behind Jon.

Both avatars (could Jon count himself as an avatar at this point?) stared the police woman down. Jon unsure how to either continue or end the conversation and Mike probably trying to glare her to death. By the looks of it Basira had suddenly developed a very bad case of vertigo.

She stood her ground, though, clearing her throat and staring right back. "Would you know where Daisy is? She came her to investigate yesterday and I didn't hear from her since."

Mike giggled, Jon sighed and the cats purred in triumph, looking smug. This did not reassure Basira in the slightest.

"Your feral mutt was making a racket outside my flat, Officer."

"She was shooting at the cats." Jon was still upset about that, bending down to cradle one of them against his chest. The good boy immediately began licking his chin to soothe him.

Basira just about held herself back from snarling at them, keeping her cold, professional mask in place. "And where is she now?"

Jon glanced over to Mike in question. The Avatar of the Vast grinned. "Enjoying a long skydiving trip!"

"I'd like to have her back, please. We'll need her to confront Elias."

"We?"

Basira shot him a glare. "Yes." There was no room for arguement there.

Jons shoulders slumped and Mike patted his head in faux sympathy. There was a scream from outside.

"There. Done. See you around Archivist. Send pictures not Cops."

"If I survive this." Jon grumbled, the cats trailing behind him as he left with officer Hussain.

Daisy met them halfway down the stairs and nearly lunged at Jon. Basira took the whole car ride to calm her down. A task that was made even harder by Jon, who was unconsciously bristling with static, still very much furious about Daisy trying to harm his babies. No matter how many times either of the women explained that they would never and that Daisy hadn't aimed at any of them, Jon could not be calmed. This was the only reason why Basira allowed him to take a huge orange tabby into the car.

Really.

[emeraldtawny]

Ikevamp Suitors reacting to MC falling asleep witht their pets??

s….so……so soff ;w; This became longer than I thought so it’s going under a cut and on my masterlist because I quite like how these turned out griknerdht

Napoleon: He’s fallen asleep outside in the gazebo. Even Jupiter’s screech doesn’t wake him up, the eagle swooping down and perching himself gallantly next to his master. His beady eyes are trained on Napoleon but he doesn’t stir and the eagle preens its wing feathers before getting a more comfortable grip on the back of the bench. Until he wakes up, Jupiter is his loyal guard, making sure his sleep goes undisturbed.

Mozart: On a rare night that Schelm is perched outside the music room just listening to the soft piano, his head cocks when he realises that it stopped. Gliding down to the floor, he hops across the marble floor, his talons clicking loudly against the surface. But Mozart is responseless, his head laying on his arm atop the piano. With a soft hoo, Schelm jumps up onto the piano bench and puffs out his feathers before nestling comfortably next to his owner.

Leonardo: Lumiere’s golden-brown eyes have been glued on Leonardo all evening as he fiddles with the fifth new contraption this week. With a languid stretch, he leaps from the bed and makes a point of slinking through his hands, purring all the while. He grumbles but can’t find it in himself to move the cat off him, which of course gives the cat the thought to immediately settle himself between his crossed legs for a lazy catnap. With a huff, Leonardo puts his contraption down and scratches the cat’s ear, letting his own eyes drift shut to join his feline companion in sleep.

Arthur: After a nice long walk by the river, He had hoped this would be enough to tire out his little pup. Unfortunately, it only seemed to tire him out, especially considering he was up all through the night before writing up a storm. Vic makes a questioning little “awoo?”, to which Arthur just laughs at and unclips his leash before he makes his way to his couch and immediately just collapses onto. Vic sets his front paws on the couch and licks Arthur’s face, his only response being a tired grumble. Jumping up onto the couch, the pup makes himself comfortable on Arthur’s stomach, his owner’s hand subconsciously moving in his sleep to stroke the pup’s fur.

Vincent: His endeavour to find painting inspiration in the clouds turned into a lazy midday nap…a nap he is abruptly woken up from by some paws imparting all of their weight onto his stomach. As he blinks hazily, he recognises the chittering of his little raccoon. “Hello, Brush. Would you care to join me? It’s a…lovely day…to…”. Brush paws at his face as if disappointed by his owner. He still cuddles up into a ball next to Vincent, scratching at his tail before letting out a little yawn himself.

Theo: He’ll be making his way back to his room when he hears whimpering. With a rough sigh, he opens the door and is met with big puppy dog eyes from…a puppy dog. “What are you doing, King? You’re never this needy.”. With a happy wag of his tail, King paws his front paws at Theo’s leg and scampers over to the bed. With a raised eyebrow, Theo wonders if King knows he hasn’t been getting much sleep lately…no, surely not. Even so, he can’t deny he wants to lie down, and King joins him, both owner and pet falling asleep side by side join on their backs and both grumbling in their sleep. 

Dazai: The inspiration is slow today. As he stares at his empty parchment, he suddenly hears a soft coo from behind him. Before he can turn around, he feels little talons and soft feathers wiggling in his hair as his little java finch Bunta nests itself in his head as it so often does. He speaks out loud to Bunta to try clear his thoughts, but all he hears in reply is soft snoring coos. He sits up straight in his chair and closes his eyes, determined to keep his head level so as not to disrupt his feathered friend’s nap.

Isaac: He’s so lost in his work that he doesn’t notice little Harry scuttling around him. Nor does he see him crawling up the couch and crawling onto his lap, the little prickly ball quite happy as he closes his eyes. When he reemerges to reality, he hears a little squeak and he almost squeaks himself when he looks down and sees the little hedgehog in his lap. He….he can’t move him, even if he really needs to. He tries to focus on his work again and Harry’s little snoring noises keep distracting him…and making him…kinda sleepy too. Maybe just a little nap…

Jean: After a tough training session coupled with not getting enough blood, Jean enters his room and shuts the door behind him, sliding down to the floor with his back to the door. A small rawr draws his eye up, his little tiger cub padding up to him with her head cocked. He sighs and reaches out to lightly pet her head, to which she reaches up to paw his hand. She ends up tumbling into his lap and that gets him to laugh, even if it was a small exhale of breath through his nose. Cherie gives a big yawn and snuggles down further into his lap, Jean resigned to stroking her back as he stares at the ceiling, hardly aware of his eye closing and drifting off to sleep as well.

Shakespeare: It’s a lonely night tonight. And Puck seems to sense it, his nose twitching as he looks over at his owner staring down at his unfinished manuscript. With a little hop from across the table, he rests his fluffy chin atop his hand as if to say “no more work tonight”. Shakes smile at his little companion, giving him a cursory scratch to his head before resting his head on the table to better watch his rabbit. Both end up falling asleep amidst their staring contest, Puck’s head still snuggled sweetly on top of Will’s hand.

Comte: Sitting in his chair reading a book, he can’t fully focus on it with the soft scratching and rustling filling his room. WIth a chagrined smile, he sets the book down and finds his little white ferret chasing its tail around in circles excitedly. “Are you having fun there, Thyme?”. The ferret looks up and blinks before scampering up and circling around one of Comte’s legs. He reaches down to pick Thyme up, the white noodle squirming a little bit before he relaxes against his owner’s arms, his own little legs hanging languidly from his makeshift hammock. Content, Comte sits back down in his chair and letting his eyes drift shut watching Thyme’s cute little nose twitches.

Sebastian: It’s Rotte’s wool inspection day; need to make sure she’s nice and clean. So, of course, she’s rolling happily in the grass without a care. Sebas sighs as she gives a happy maaa and she rolls onto her feet and skips over. He sits down only to be almost bowled over onto his back as Rotte lies down as a sheep loaf and rests her head in his lap. He pats her head, resigning himself to clean her wool another day. All of the rushing around from the last couple of weeks catches up to him and Rotte’s warm head is his lap isn’t helping. “I’m sure MC can handle an hour or two without me…” “maa!”.

[notquitejiraiya]

Chess [29] - {ShikaTema AU}

A long one for you today. Over 5k. I did this instead of my calculus coursework so I hope it’s to everyones taste. Once again, trying to keep it light, and I hope you’re all safe and happy :)

Enjoy!

[READ/COMMENT ON Ao3]

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

“What about Chōjūrō?”

“Gaara, please,” Temari groaned, sipping yet another gin as she buried herself into the sofa. She looked over the back of it to her brother, over-stirring his second cup of tea of the evening—as he always did. “He doesn’t need Chōjūrō.”

“He can speak for himself, I think, dear sister.” Gaara turned and frowned slightly. “Do you take sugar in your coffee?”

Shikamaru, from his spot on the rug, shook his head. “And black, please, mate.”

Temari rolled her eyes. “Chōjūrō is no more qualified than me.”

“Exactly.” He stepped over to the pair and leaned down to pass Shikamaru his mug, who nodded a simple thank you. “I thought that might be a good thing.”

“I’m not sure Shikamaru wants to be talking about this at half-twelve in the morning,” she sighed. “I certainly don’t.”

Gaara plopped himself down beside her, cuddling his cup of tea close. “As I said previously, I’m sure he can speak for himself.”

The perfect speed and timing at which the two turned to look at him almost made Shikamaru feel uncomfortable. He felt like he was in a sitcom or something, and wondered if there was some way he could get the show to proceed without him having to say his next line. But suddenly he caught sight of the intent behind their eyes—it wasn’t some kind of persecution or intervention. This was just two, weird members of the same family, who knew each other so well that it was weird to be on the outside, not knowing the intent of every word they said. He didn’t know who they were talking about, but he could easily assume what he did, and thus it didn’t take long to put two and two together to get:

“He’s trying to help, Tem,” said Shikamaru. He shrugged his shoulders and blew gently across the rim of his mug. “Who’s Chōjūrō?”

Temari’s eyes rolled. “He graduated just before me—he’s friends with some of Gaara’s friends,” she told him, begrudgingly. “But Gaara’s just trying to—”

“Help, as your boyfriend rightly said.”

“You know it’s not like that Gaara.”

He’d heard her say it plenty of times—hell, even he had said the same when faced with the terminology—but this was the first time it stung as the words sunk in. Granted, she didn’t look entirely convinced by herself, and Gaara merely smiled and took a drink, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t hard to hear. He was here, at her house, sat with her brother who had just effectively just walked in on something that he would say, in his position, probably looked like a relationship. Hearing that it wasn’t, even though deep down he already knew, hit hard.

Then again, here he was sat on the floor. He could’ve taken the spot on the sofa next to her that was free when he’d pottered downstairs, but he thought against it despite the hug he wanted to encase her in. He’d seen the slightest hint of disappointment in her eyes when he’d sat down, but now he realised: he’d made his bed, and he had to lie in it.

“Like that or not,” Gaara continued, “I was only wondering. Shikamaru, what about my sister do you like?”

Shikamaru raised his eyebrows. “Um…”

“As a professional, I mean. As what she is supposed to be.”

Temari gave him a swift whack to the back of the head, and Gaara chuckled as his tea spilt into his lap. The pair of them started to giggle together, and Shikamaru started to smile along.

It was difficult, at this point, to distinguish what about Temari had made him like her in the first place. Without a doubt, he did like her—this evening had, in fact, established that quite heavily—but the line between therapist and whatever she was to him now had blurred so long ago, he could barely recall. Now, when he looked at her, he could think only of the qualities that he could only assume had made this ‘love’ feeling surface itself, and it was safe to say he didn’t really want those qualities to carry over into the next person who helped him with his mind.

“I don’t know, to be honest.”

The blonde snapped her head to look at him and frowned. “Incorrect answer, Nara.”

Shikamaru chuckled. “Well, I’m sorry, but I can’t think.”

“Think harder.”

He had to purse his lips to keep a laugh spitting out.

“She doesn’t take herself too seriously,” he started, ignoring the affronted expression that covered her face, “and she makes people feel like they’re talking to a friend not a doctor.”

Gaara rolled his eyes. “That’ll be cause she’s not a doctor.”

“I’m closer than you’ll ever be, so shut up.”

Shikamaru shook his head. “She knows her stuff,” he continued, “and she caters to everyone specifically. She saw I was more comfortable talking if it wasn’t all I was doing, so she let me play chess as we talked.” He took a sip of his coffee and cleared his throat. “But most of all she makes you feel like you’re not weird or crazy. She doesn’t make you feel broken, but she just makes you feel like you’re able, with her help, to sort everything out.”

He looked at Temari with a soft smile, and within a moment her eyes started glazing over. It hadn’t crossed his mind even once, that someone in her position might not often hear the good they do summed up like that. He knew from his own experience that as a client he was more likely to express the bad than the good in those plush little rooms. Sure, he assumed the odd little thank you was exchanged, but many people—like himself—weren’t always grateful for the help they were receiving.

Immediately he felt guilty, and wanted to return to that first day he’d met her. On her first day, after she’d told him everyone had already treated her like she was awful, he’d strolled in and done the same. Today, as he looked back at that, he felt like a completely different man. That rude little git who stepped into her office that day had been given a good seeing to, and his attitude hadn’t been trained by medication or techniques for calming—it had been righted by being treated like a person by another who believed he was good. All thanks to her.

Temari rubbed her eyes a little and took another swig of her drink as she whispered a gentle, “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. You treated me like any other person, not just some sick puppy,” he explained aloud, staring deep into her eyes. “Tem, for that, I—”

There was a click, and a shuffling of feet on the doormat, and instantly Shikamaru shut up. He stared at the siblings, who—unbeknownst to them—looked fear-stricken. Temari’s eyes didn’t move from Shikamaru’s for a second as she struggled to form words, and Gaara scrambled to his feet. 

“You guys in?” called Kankuro’s voice, raspy and harsh—or was that Shikamaru’s imagination getting the better of him?

Need to go. Right now.

Temari was still just staring as Shikamaru silently hopped up and grabbed his coat from Gaara’s loose grip.

“You guys? Gaara?”

Oh, fuck, he knows.

The sound of footsteps on the stairs was undeniable. Undeniable, and utterly horrible.

“Kankuro?” said Gaara, calmly, as he scurried over to the top of the stairs. “Weren’t you meant to be staying at Suki’s tonight?” He turned to Shikamaru and mouthed a very animated, “Hide!”

Shikamaru’s mouth fell agape. How was he supposed to hide in a room where the only furniture was in the very centre of the room? Was he supposed to worm his lanky arse into a kitchen cupboard or something?

It didn’t help that Temari was still just staring at him, fumbling for words. He frowned at her helpless eyes, and shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, as he took up the least obvious of the few terrible hiding spots available, behind the arm of the sofa furthest from the door. “I’m so sorry.”

“Shut up,” she finally got out, hissing. “He’ll hear you.”

“For fuck’s sake, Tem, my boots are downstairs. He’ll have seen them.”

She took a breath out so shaky he worried she might faint.

This was it. This was the day he died.

“Gaara, is Tem in?”

From the spot he’d picked out, Shikamaru could see Gaara trying his best to block off the top of the stairs, his face gloomy. He pushed his glasses up his nose. “She still doesn’t want to talk to you, brother. Why are you not with your girlfriend?”

Kankuro let out a huff. “Stop with the ‘brother’ thing, okay? I want to talk to her. Please.”

“Kankuro, why are you—”

He was interrupted by his older brother bursting into tears, and Shikamaru watched as Gaara fell back at the weight of his brother overwhelming his small frame. Temari turned her head to look at the pair of them, and Shikamaru saw her shoulders soften. In the instant it took her to turn and show him her saddened eyes, he mouthed a firm, ‘Go.’ She nodded, and ran to her brothers, engulfing Kankuro in a massive hug from the side.

Shikamaru quickly peered over, to see Gaara’s eyes darting from him to the stairs. “Come on,” said the redhead, “come have a cup of tea.”

“I don’t want tea,” Kankuro whined into his brothers shoulder, must like a little boy.

“Well, our sister appears to have drunk us dry of alcohol for now, so—”

Kankuro pulled away from the group hug to look at Temari, and within an instant Shikamaru was hidden behind the sofa once more. He commando crawled around the front as he heard footsteps approach, and tried his best to hold his breath.

“You don’t seem that drunk,” he heard Kankuro say through sniffs. 

“I’m not,” Temari chuckled. “We just didn’t have much left. All we have is whisky and gin. You like neither.”

“I want both.’

Wow, Shikamaru thought to himself, we’ve all been there, man.

After a moment of silence, Temari cut through with a cough and a calm, loving tone. “Why don’t you and Gaara go sit down in your room, and I’ll bring you some stuff down and we can talk about whatever’s made you upset. Ok?”

“Okay,” Shikamaru heard him say, feebly. “I love you, Tem.”

“I love you, too. Now go cuddle up in bed.” There were footsteps. “Go sit with him,” she added, presumably to Gaara, before more footsteps joined in, eventually fading into silence.

Shikamaru let out a mighty sigh and rolled over onto his back. “That was close,” he whispered.

She didn’t reply. 

“I thought you two weren’t getting along?”

“Yeah, well, he’s my brother,” she sighed, leaning over the back of the sofa and looking down at him. “He needs us.”

He nodded, smiling, and swiftly got to his feet, brushing the lint from his jeans. “I guess I better scoot.”

“Scoot doesn’t suit you.”

He chuckled quietly. “It doesn’t, does it?”

Temari looked to her feet before looking up at him with a sigh. She didn’t look upset, or downtrodden—she didn’t even look desperate like she had earlier in the night. Frankly, she just looked strange, confused, and he had no clue why.

“I’m off then,” he whispered, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket and backing slowly towards the stairs. “I’ll go quietly, don’t worry.”

She nodded and shuffled towards the bottles still littering the kitchen side. “He interrupted what you were saying.”

“What?”

“Shh, he hears almost everything down there!”

Shikamaru cleared his throat quietly, blushing slightly. “Sorry,” he whispered. “But interrupted what?”

“You were talking about what I did for you,” she mumbled, measuring out a shot of whisky. “Kankuro coming in kind of cut off what you were saying. What were you going to say to me?”

For a while he froze. Or, at least, it felt like a while. In reality it was likely no longer than ten seconds, but ten seconds of silence while the woman you love stares at you with sad, concerned eyes feels like it goes on forever—especially when there’s no answer to her question. What Shikamaru wanted to do was walk up to her, pull her into the most honest kiss, and tell her how much he cared. He wanted to tell her not to worry—he wouldn’t leave he’d just wait upstairs for her and they could talk to Kankuro eventually.

But he didn’t. Shikamaru scoffed and rubbed the back of his neck. He shook his head and muttered, “Nah, it’s nothing—I’ll tell you another time.” He raised his eyebrows. “Some other time your psychotic brother won’t hear me?”

Reluctantly, the corners of Temari’s mouth pulled up into a smile. “He’s not psychotic.”

“Your calm brother told me to hide and go…”

“True.” She chuckled, and poured the last of the gin into her half-finished glass. “I’ll call you, if you’d like.”

Shikamaru smiled warmly, and tip-toed down the stairs, leaving her alone with her gin, his unfinished coffee, and an almost full bottle of whisky. With her glass and the bottle in hand, she stepped closer to the window and stared outside into the gloomy night. All of a sudden, out from the front door he scampered, huddled in his hoodless coat and his boots in one hand.

“Oh, you utter moron…”

Her eyes followed the figure who’s flailed about in the wind as he weaved between puddles up the pathway onto the pavement. The streetlights would go out soon, and he’d be stuck walking home in the rain and the darkness. She wished she’d asked him to stay—to hide upstairs until early in the morning when he could make his escape. She didn’t want him to be alone out there, letting his socks get soggy to save her arse.

She waited to see if he’d turn and look up at her window—if he’d remember which window on this terrace of identical houses she’d be stood at, if any. She didn’t expect him to, she expected him to power through the rain or stop to throw on his boots. But, out of nowhere, he turned and started to walk backwards, a dumb smirk on his lips so clear she could see it from so far away. He raised his hand in recognition, and waited for her to return the gesture before huddling back into himself and continuing on.

“Tem?” she heard Kankuro call out. “You coming?”

Shikamaru shot back one final glance from halfway up the road and stuck up his middle finger to the sky.

“Yeah!” she shouted back, holding back a giggle. “Just coming!”

~~~

Shikamaru sighed as he hopped up the final kerb of his trek to work, exhaling a large cloud of smoke into the face of a stranger with a wave of apology as he hurried on. Desperate to avoid his gaze, he whipped his vibrating phone out of his coat pocket and read the notification:

Gaara: Chōjūrō just texted me. He said he spoke to you on the phone a moment ago?

He sighed. Of course, he would rather the message not be from Gaara, but rather his sister. After all it had been Temari he had been waiting for a call from since he’d got home the other night. Over twenty-four hours and nothing from her was weird to say the least, but he was trying his best not to worry about the situation too much. After all, Gaara was texting him, unworried by it all.

Not that that really made him feel any better about not speaking to her.

—> He did. Booked in for Wed

He immediately felt like he sounded ungrateful, and added:

—> Seems a nice bloke. Cheers for helping me find him

Gaara: My pleasure, I appreciate you accepting the offer. I’m sure he will help you. See you shortly!

Shikamaru shoved the phone into his pocket, well aware he was currently two minutes late for his shift, and chuckled at the tone of Gaara’s texts. It was like texting his mother—not frustrating, just very awkward.

He missed texting Temari, and the way that after a single text she would often get fed up and just call him cause the waiting around for replies just ‘took too long’. He was grateful for what Gaara had done for him in giving him a number to call, but there was no denying that he was disappointed.

“Shikamaru!”

His head shot up to see Chōji at the far end of the high street, waving his arms like a lunatic to attract attention. Shikamaru watched him jog—pathetically, but he wasn’t really one to judge—to meet him as he drew to a halt outside the Yamanaka Flower Shop.

“Oh, Christ, what’re you doing here?”

“My ma ordered some stuff, so I’m here to grab it.” Chōji smirked. “How goes things?”

Shikamaru shrugged, taking a long drag as he rolled his eyes. “‘Things’ go fine.”

“Come on—details, man.”

Throwing open the door, over the bell chiming loudly, Shikamaru called out, “Can’t work Wednesday morning, Ino.”

She popped up from the corner of the store. “What?”

He didn’t answer; just took one final puff and put out the butt on the threshold before shuffling in.  

Ino lunged out from behind the counter and reached to brush the ash that lingered on the wood to the floor. “If I see you do that one more time, Shikamaru,” Ino hissed, “I’m going to kill you.”

Shikamaru watched her prod the three dark spots on the wood and shook his head, before effortlessly turning back to his best friend with a shrug. “I’ve got no details to give, mate.”

“Details on what?” Ino let the door fall shut with a frown. The bell sounded again. “What’ve you done?”

Chōji perched himself on the staircase, eyes following his friend’s ascent. “Liar,” he called up, as Shikamaru disappeared upstairs.

“Details on what, Chōji?”

The pair, torturously, heard Shikamaru’s nonchalant chuckle echo down the stairs. “I’ve got nothing,” he told them. “Literally—I’ve spoken more to her brother than I have her since I last saw you.”

Chōji nearly fell from the second step as Shikamaru peered his usual emotionless eyes round the top of the staircase. “Her brother?”

He nodded, and in tandem the other two snapped their necks towards the carpenter’s across the street. He watched as Ino dashed to the window, peering around a bundle of bright white chrysanthemums, and chuckled at the pair squinting as they clearly tried to spot Kankuro. Despite her efforts, however, Ino didn’t seem to spot him and kept staring, face almost flush against the glass as she asked: “Doesn’t he want you dead?”

“The other one,” he answered, plodding down the stairs, creased up apron in hand.

“But why?”

Shikamaru scrunched up his nose a little at Chōji and shrugged. “He recommended someone else for me to see. Just exchanging numbers and stuff.”

“But you’re seeing his sister, aren’t you?”

“He obviously means a therapist, Chōji,” Ino groaned, turning back to face the two of them for a moment before facing the window once more, like a mirror. “Does my hair look stupid? My dad said that two braids looks cute, but do you not think I look about ten with them?”

Chōji didn’t seem to be listening, but stood up, out of Shikamaru’s way and sidestepped closer to Ino. “Has he told you he went to see Kurenai Sarutobi yet?”

“Mr Sarutobi’s wife?” Ino spun around, her plaits whipping Chōji in the neck. “No, you didn’t. No way—that’s where you were on Saturday?”

Shikamaru hopped off the final step, throwing his apron on, and frowned. “Chōji, man, shut it.”

The blonde followed him, a shadow on his way to the service counter. “Why did you do that?”

“It was Temari’s idea.”

“Oh, of course it was.”

He narrowed his eyes at her, backing away behind the counter. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ino shrugged, twirling one of her braids around her index finger. “It just means that you just go along with anything,” she said. “You do everything your therapist girlfriend tells you to—”

It was safe to say having this conversation was becoming more than just a little tiresome at this point. “She’s not my therapist anymore,” he groaned, eyes rolling to the back of his head. “Nor is she my girlfriend.”

Chōji chuckled from the bottom of the stairs, shuffling towards the two of them. “Oh, shut up. You still do whatever she says.”

“I don’t.”

“You do,” Ino insisted. She hopped up onto the counter, sitting crossed legged between the two men. “She’s got right into your head, Shikamaru; you’re just too tangled up inside the whole thing that you can’t see it.”

“What happened to you cheering them on?”

“I am, Chōji, but isn’t that a little far? Going to her house?”

Chōji shrugged and held out his hands, clearly at a loss. “You should’ve seen him the other night—the man was basically flying.”

“Well, do you see him ‘flying’ now? Look at him.”

She pointed to him, and Shikamaru suddenly scrutinised: her finger looming closer to his face and two pairs of eyes firmly fixed on his expression as it shifted from uncaring to agitated. He shook his head as he looked away from Ino’s condescending stare to Chōji’s dark, apologetic eyes. He shrugged a little and Shikamaru couldn’t stop letting out a bitter spit of laugher, directing his gaze back to Ino.

“Finished yet, madam?”

Ino smirked and shook her head. “Looking firmly on the ground to me, Chōji,” she said triumphantly. “He’s the same asshole as always.”

“Well,” Chōji argued, resting his elbows on the desk, “she obviously hasn’t called him yet, so—”

“So, what?” Ino nudged Shikamaru with a mischievous grin. “When did you last speak to her?”

Shikamaru checked his watch and slumped behind the desk, looking up at the looming woman as he felt around for the plastic measuring pot he’d left there last week. “After I left hers.”

The blonde’s jaw dropped, and she had to contain her giggles. “You went in?”

He looked away. “Have you moved the measuring pot again, Ino?”

“You slept with her?”

A snort came from across the desk, and Shikamaru peered over at Chōji, finally grabbing a handful of muddy plastic.

“Again, you mean,” he jeered.

Shikamaru let his forehead fall, bashing against the wood.  “Chōji! Seriously, man? Why?”

Ino’s eyes widened. “You mean this wasn’t the first…” The laugh in her voice was unbearable. “Shikamaru what is wrong with you?”

He wanted to push her right off that counter as he got to his feet. “Oh, would you just give it a rest, Ino?”

Clearly her hearing was very selective. “Have you considered she might be using you for sex?”

He rolled his eyes, stepped back, and reached into one of the two large tubs behind him to begin scooping four litres soil into a cardboard carton. “She is not using me for sex.”

“’Course not—he’s not nearly good enough at it for that,” Chōji grinned.

Shikamaru’s shoulders started to tremble as he held back laughter. “Would you just fuck off?” he scoffed.

The other man tried his best to keep a straight face cocked his head to one side. “Ino,” he tried calmly, “you seriously should’ve seen them Saturday night. They get on like a house on—”

Ino sighed and fiddled with the laces of her Chucks mindlessly. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “It’s all well and good joking about, but I just don’t want him to be dealt another shitty hand. That’s all.”

Chōji nudged, forcing her to break out into a smile once more. “Don’t say sorry to me,” he chuckled. “If you can’t be positive, how will he—” He nodded towards Shikamaru, who was wrestling with the cardboard lid. “—ever be positive, eh?”

Ino shook her head at the jet black baby hairs falling out the back of his ponytail. “I don’t want to see my boys get hurt.”

Shikamaru tutted, craning his neck to look her in the eye. “We’re not, and never have been, your boys.”

“You totally are,” she smirked.

He turned and scribbled something on top of the now full carton of soil, placing it carefully on the service counter. “She is a good person,” he said calmly. “Far better than me, than anyone—trust me.”

Chōji smiled. “We get it, man, you don’t have to prove—”

“Choj,” he gulped, twiddling his pen between his fingertips as a small smile formed on his lips. “I think I might love her.”

The bell rang, and while Ino would usually have hopped to attention, desperate to appease each and every customer, neither her or Chōji were quite able to process the words that had just fallen from their friend’s lips. Never had he said anything with such sincerity that held as much weight as that. She didn’t even budge from her unprofessional position on the desk when the customer edged closer.

“Hi, Shikamaru,” he said, smiling fondly, and immediately she recognised the voice.

A young man, surely about the same age as them, moved into her view, tapping his fingers on the wood. His hair burned red—the sort of impossibly bright box-dye red Ino had begged her mother for in her early teenage years but never received—and his eyes were perfectly lined with eyeliner, with far more talent than she herself possessed. As her eyes drifted from his upwards, she momentarily forgot about what her friend had just said.

Now that only one of his friends were staring at him like he’d committed a crime most unforgivable, Shikamaru tried to ignore the remaining look Chōji was giving him and pushed the soil carton across to Gaara. “There you go, man,” he smiled warmly, replicating what he saw as best he could. “Four litres, right?”

“Perfect, thank you very much.” Gaara watched as Shikamaru poked and prodded the cash register. “Her phone is dead, by the way. If you wondered about the radio silence.”

Shikamaru frowned at the till. “Dead?”

Gaara nodded. “They’ve gone down to see our godfather for a few nights. She left charger behind by accident.”

“Baki?” he asked, turning his head slightly, and watching for another nod to answer him. It did. “It’s cool, man. Most people get homesick when things go tits up.”

He nodded once more. “I suppose we do.”

Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck, and bit down on his lip. “Can I ask…” He paused. “Why aren’t you with them?”

“I had classes I couldn’t miss.” He chuckled, lifting the carton with a grunt. “And, besides, I wanted my soil.”

As Chōji finally registered the presence of another human being, and pleasantly said hello—the barman was recognised as soon as he spoke, and Gaara greeted him with only warmth—Shikamaru fished a five pound note from the pocket of his jeans, tucking it neatly into the till. “On the house.”

“Oh, no,” Gaara sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Shikamaru, I can’t let you—”

“Listen, you’ve been good to me when you didn’t have to even be civil,” he shrugged, dusting crumbs of dirt from his chest. “Just take the soil, man. Please?”

As he took a small step back, Gaara mouthed a solemn, “Thank you.” He turned, simply to be polite, to his left and caught sight of the name badge on Ino’s apron before her eyes, and shot her a smile. “My name is Gaara—I believed we spoke on the phone last week.”

She looked totally taken aback, but slowly formed a smile and nodded. “We did. It’s good to put an, um…a face to the voice, I guess.”

Gaara nodded, looking between the three friends fondly. “I’m sure I’ll see you soon, all of you. I’ll definitely be back—both to the pub and here,” he chuckled.

“Sure, man,” Chōji said with a wave. “See you around.”

“Yeah,” Ino managed, eyes following him, her neck twisting until she heard the door opening, the bell chiming.

Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh before letting his elbows fall to the desk.

“Shikamaru?”

He rose with a start, staring into Gaara’s bright eyes at the door. “Yeah?”

“Please don’t be disheartened,” he urged, adjusting the box in his arms. “She wants to talk to you, I’m sure, but she can’t risk texting you on Kankuro’s ph—”

Shikamaru smiled, giving him a firm nod and letting his elbows back down into his slouch. “Mate, it’s okay—don’t worry.”

Gaara nodded, and with one final expression of gratitude gracing his lips, the bell sounded, and he was gone. This, of course, meant Shikamaru was thrown back to the two wolves that stared him down from their positions either side of him.

“So…” Chōji started, clearly unable to comprehend the escalation of the morning so far.

“Yes, that was her brother,” Shikamaru said, filled with hope that would keep them silent. “Shut up.”

But they just kept staring at him, and it was difficult to decide who’s eyes were less intimidating. Though, he had to admit, something had changed in Ino’s expression in the time Gaara had been here—the concern had subsided, and something else had come to the forefront which made her look a hundred times more confused. Chōji, however, still had that terrified happiness in his face—the little smirk and mischievous tint in the rosiness of his cheeks—which told Shikamaru he hadn’t forgotten.

His was the stare to worry about. Happier, yes, but his intent was clear, and he wasn’t ready to talk about this yet; whether that was seriously or in jest. More than anything, he wished he hadn’t mentioned that terrible l-word at all.

“Chōji,” he tried, desperate to pry him away from the question that lingered in his eyes. “Don’t look at me like that—you’ve met him before.”

Ino raised her finger, and the both of them looked at her instantly. “Why didn’t he have eyebrows?”

Shikamaru scoffed, frowning as she turned to Chōji. “What?”

“I said, why didn’t he have eyebrows?” She spun towards him, turning dangling her legs off the edge of the counter, swinging them like a child. 

“Ino, really?

She frowned. “Did you not see them?”

“Are we really going to ignore what Shikamaru said before?” Chōji laughed, extending a dumbfounded arm in exasperation. “We’re complaining about a guy not having eyebrows?”

“It’s not a complaint,” she said, far too enthusiastically, “he’s actually a really pretty guy…”

Shikamaru threw his head back with a sigh with an antagonising mixture of gratitude and irritation. “Ino, please stop…”

The blonde jumped off the edge of the counter, leaping a lot further than Shikamaru expected and forcing him to back into the pots of soil behind him. “But has he shaved them off? Burned them off?” She hopped closer and pointed at her own. “Look at mine, Shikamaru. Look!”

He cleared his throat as he ducked his head further away from her. “Very nice.”

“I know,” she sneered, edging slightly closer, “but that isn’t what I mean. I shave the tails of mine off to draw them better, do you see?”

“I see.” He didn’t see.

“But he literally had nothing—not even drawn on.” She stepped back, crossed her arms, and looked from him to Chōji. “Why?”

Shikamaru skirted round to the other side of the desk, making a beeline for the other side of the room. “I don’t know, Ino. I didn’t even notice until you said so.” He grabbed the bannister at the foot of the stairs and raised his eyebrows—now painfully aware of their existence for the first time in his life. “What exactly do you want me to do about it? Text him for you?”

She nodded, almost without control.

“Yeah, I’m definitely not doing that,” he scoffed.

“What? Why offer then?”

Chōji coughed, and Shikamaru noticed he was still giving him that same shocked look. “Reckon he was joking, don’t you, Ino?”

“Obviously,” he sighed, biting his lip.

As he weaved his fingertips into his pocket, Shikamaru considered asking Chōji outside to chat but he knew that no matter what, he’d be interrupted by Ino. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, nor that she wasn’t his friend also—he did and she was. But it was his longest, firmest friend who’s eyes held such worry, and it was his word that Shikamaru felt would be most genuine. It was his opinion that he wanted to hear.

But for some reason, the embarrassment he felt for blurting it out so casually was still gripping him—controlling him—and he had nothing but an overwhelming desire to get away from the both of them. Ino would still be here for the next three hours, but she was already far too focused on the hot topic of Gaara’s facial features to be too much of an annoyance. Chōji however, had somewhere to be, and he didn’t have to stay.

“Get Chōji his order, would you?” he asked Ino, finally tearing his smokes from his pocket. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

“You just had one,” she huffed. “You’ve barely even been here ten minutes!”

“What’re you gonna do?” Shikamaru chuckled, balancing a cigarette between his lips. “Fire me?”

He didn’t listen to her grumble, only to the bell chiming as he opened and closed the door. His eyes drifted across the road to a shop empty of customers and definitely empty of Kankuro. As he sat down on the bench outside and felt the heat of his lighter flash across his chin, he wished he could ring Temari and brag about how much Gaara seemed to like him, for the simple reason he knew it would annoy her.

“Lay it on thick, why don’t you?” he could just hear her saying. Oh, he would, most definitely, but after that came the stark contrast of Kankuro. Shikamaru couldn’t quite pin what it was the man loathed so much about him, after all they knew nothing about each other barring what Temari must’ve said. He wondered what might have upset such a brutal character as Kankuro, but more than that he hoped he was alright—that Temari was, too. As he stared over at the empty shop he realised, for the first time, there was nothing he was going to be able to do to make the man like him. She liked him, that’s what mattered most, and Gaara even respected him, too.

“Two out of three ain’t bad,” he muttered to himself, slouching, but that didn’t mean he didn’t still yearn for two to become three.

[loserholland]

𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞

 𝟎𝟏𝟔 ➺  𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮

Pairing ➺  Ceo playboy!Ben Hardy x Reader

Warning ➺ nsfw towards the end of the chap, choking!kink, breeding!kink

Word Count ➺ 3,187

Summary ➺ An arranged marriage between two polar opposites.

A/N ➺ One more chapters and the series will be complete! I will be doing a thank you/q&a video once I’m done writing the series, so if you have questions please send them in! They don’t have to be Elite related questions! We’ve come to the end wow one more chapter well the epilogue and this series will be complete! Also sprinkled some game of thrones into the chapter because I’ve been obsessed and I’m on season 3 ep 2! I also apologize for the LONG delay.

Send me your thoughts, feelings, everything! It makes me day/night!

✿ 𝓟𝓮𝓻𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓣𝓪𝓰𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓽 ✿ -  @hollandfieldblurbs , @beerbottlesandchainsaws , @killerqueen-gunpowdergelatine​, @spideyyypeter

❁ 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 ❁ - @financialinstability, @magicwithaknife , @xrumkugelx , @rogertaylorsblondhair, @virtualsheepeat, @hollyissuchahoe , @yourkindabrainy-ilikeit, @fsociety00da1, @lee-519 , @2ptonpt, @sherlokiantheatrenerd , @local-radical-bandit , @calumfornicationx , @softcillian, @kittysblog14 , @peach-barnes , @prettyoddbarnes  , @spideyyypeter, @adepressedstudentslife , @wowza-bowza , @stilesneedsprotection , @anamcg317 , @indescribxbl , @heinz-doofenshmirtz-official , @loveofmylifeben , @captainxmoony , @whateverbakesyourcake , @waving-thru-a-window , @benhrdy , @beerbottlesandchainsaws , @frietjemeloen , @kirket03 , @emmieliabedelia , @sabbrriiinnaa , @justinemayi , @bummmblebeee , @wolverinesbeer , @allieburakovsky , @chocolatekisses8 @i-the-fangirl, @ksqueenie, @secretsweetscollectionblog, @luvborhap

☞  Masterlist  ☜

-

Can't say how the days will unfold, Can't change what the future may hold

Three years had gone by, during those wonderful 36 months a child was brought into the world. Before any of you question who’s child, Presely had gave birth to a beautiful baby boy names Boston. Now here stands (Y/N) holding her two year old nephew in her arms as she beside her sister who was currently going to marry Joe. (Y/N) scanned the crowd smiling as she caught Ben’s eye, the two have been taking things slow enjoying each other’s company, they weren’t in a rush to get married just yet.

But, I want you in it Every hour, every minute

It took a while for Ben to come to the realization that he wanted (Y/N) to be in his life forever. He thought that he could never fall in love again. He thought that if he fell in love again it would and slowly bring down the walls he had built up history would repeat itself. He was scared to show how vulnerable he could be. The moment she walked out of his life, it was as if time stopped an everything in his life came to a stop. 

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Everyone cheered standing to their feet as the happy newly weds walked down the aisle together. (Y/N) followed closely with her nephew in her arms, flashing a smile at Ben before continuing down the isle.

The two had just came home from dinner and a stroll in central park. They had no intentions on rushing things but to take things slow to make up for the past two years.

“I’ve missed this.. I’ve missed you.” Ben murmured causing (Y/N) to lift her head slightly looking up into those beautiful emerald eyes. The two were tangled in each other’s embrace as the moonlight brought a glow into (Y/N) room.

(Y/N) hummed leaning up to place a chaste kiss on Ben’s plump pink lips, “It was quite lonely to watch game of thrones without you asking questions every five minutes.” Ben rolled his eyes playfully and let out a dry chuckle “Well, I’d like to catch up on what has happened thank you very much.”

Ben had proposed a year after they were dating again but they had agreed to not rush the wedding.

This world can race by far too fast Hard to see while it's all flying past

Boston whined leaning forward towards Ben causing (Y/N) to pout “Boston! You want uncle Benny over me?!” Ben brought him into his arms as Boston played with his tie. Everyone patiently waited outside waiting for their turn to take a picture with the newly weds, Joe’s family stood on the steps as the rest of Presley’s family waited. 

Ben swayed Boston from side to side as (Y/N) stood beside Ben resting her head on his shoulder “Boston bud, I think you made your aunty (Y/N) very sad.” (Y/N) lifted her head from her fiance shoulder pouting at the two year old that just giggled. 

“Boston bub!” Presley called out needing Boston in the photo. Ben slowly set Boston down on his feet as he walked over towards his parents as the rest of the family watched in awe. 

Kids.

Both (Y/N) and Ben couldn’t wait to have kids that was they never touched on the subject but Ben could see the gleam in her eyes when she would play with Boston. Or when she’d spoil him with many clothes that he’d outgrow and buy any toy he touched. He knew that when they had kids, he hops they have their mother’s golden heart.

All I want to do Is come running home to you

(Y/N) walked up to the stage tapping on the mic slowly bringing the chatter down, it was time to give her maid of honor speech. She had spent many months worrying about what she had to say. Every time she sat down to write something her mind went blank, so now here she stands unsure of where to start. 

“Friends, family I’d like to thank you for helping us celebrate the newly weds Presley and Joe Mazzello. I’d also like to thank Presley for choosing me to be her maid of honor. I’d also like to thank her for many memories, I know there was a time when we lost contact and were never close but I’d like to thank you for staying up with me during those stormy night’s. Thank you for giving me a beautiful nephew whom I love and cherish so much. I wish you and Joe nothing but happiness. Also give me more nieces and nephews. Now raise your glass for Mr and Mrs. Mazzello.”

Come running home to you And all my life I promise to

"So when’s the wedding?” 

Oh the questioned she dreaded, anytime someone asked her that question she never really had a response to it. Only because her and Ben never got around to talking about the date and where it would be. 

“Maybe next year.” (Y/N) answered smiling between her aunts that stood in front of her, she knew the next question a typical question they always asked.

“Have you two thought about having kids? I know that you two will make some beautiful children.” she smiled sweetly looking over at Ben to come and rescue her. 

Though that didn’t help the situation at all, they continued to ask even more question even though Ben had asked if they could excuse us to dance. The reception slowly came to an end as everyone began to say their goodbyes, and that was (Y/N) queue to leave. 

(Y/N) walked over to Presley who held a sleeping two year old in her arms, they would be babysitting Boston for the next two and a half weeks due to Presley and Joe going on their honeymoon to Europe.

“I will see this little guy tomorrow morning, goodnight Mr and Mrs.Mazzello.”

Keep running home to you Keep running home

There was a small knock at the door causing (Y/N) to quickly walk over opening the door to see her Presley with Boston in her arms.

“Hi bubba! We’re gonna have so much fun!” (Y/N) gladly took Boston into her arms pressing many kisses to his chubby cheeks. She loved her nephew with all her heart, the more time she spent with Boston made her want kids of her own. 

(Y/N) gave Presley one last hug before slowly pulling away as she pointed her index finger at her older sister, “I expect to hear that you’re pregnant when you get back.” 

Presley laughed at her sister’s remark, “Alright alright, bye my little love I’ll see you soon be good to your aunty (Y/N)” Boston nodded twisting and turning to be let down wanting nothing more but to play with his toys.

Ben had just came home from meeting with a New York based company all he wanted to do was lay in bed with (Y/N) just to be in her embrace. He unlocked the door to her condo kicking off his shoes and tugging at his tie, his blazer was long gone leaving him with his white dress shirt. 

“(Y/N)? Love?” Ben called out as he walked into the living room to see Boston cuddled up to (Y/N). His eyes softened, it was in that moment he was ready to marry (Y/N). He was ready to start a family with her, in that moment he knew that she would be the person he’d want to come home to.

To you

Ben hadn’t told her yet, he hadn’t told her that they should start setting a date, have her look at dresses, he wanted to find the right moment. The three were having a picnic at Central Park, Boston giggled as (Y/N) blew some bubbles.

“More!” he shouted as he reached up in the air attempting to pop the bubbles before they floated away. Ben loved the way (Y/N) interacted with Boston, soon his mind began to wander about if she’d be the same way with their kids. His train of thought came to a halt as an elderly couple began to talk to (Y/N).

“Your son is beautiful.” the woman spoke causing (Y/N) to smile widely, “Thank you but he’s my nephew.” the woman quickly apologized which caused (Y//N) to reassure her that it happen’s often. When that would happen there was something inside her that made her want to have children of her own so she could say yes instead of no, or he’s my nephew.

And I could see it Right from the start

Ben sat on their shared bed waiting for (Y/N) as she went to put Boston to rest. He began to mumble what he wanted to say staring at his lap as his fingers were interlocked, he didn’t even notice (Y/N) walk in. He was so deep in thought.

“Ben?”

No answer.

“Bub?”

Still no answer.

“Benjamin Jones.”

Immediately Ben looked up to see (Y/N) standing in front of him with concern in her eyes, she slowly walked over to him wrapping her arms around his neck as he snacked his arms around her waist resting his head against her chest.

“What’s wrong bub?” her voice was soft and soothing causing Ben to relax, he pulled away to look up at her.

It was now or never.

“I-I think we should start setting a date.. for the wedding. I’ve just been thinking about it a lot and when you interact with Boston. It makes me wonder what you’d be like with our kids- that’s if you want kids! If you don’t, I understand, I do really since you’ll be the one carrying the baby and I don’t want to force you into anything you don’t want to do! I also understand if you’re not ready to get married yet, I’ll wait take all the-”

(Y/N) leaned down kissing him sweetly to stop him from blabbering even more. Slowly she pulled away with a smile, running her fingers through his blonde locks.

“You talk too much,” she started causing Ben to roll his eyes jokingly.

“-I’m ready. To start looking at venues, churches, dresses. I’m ready to marry you Benjamin Jones. Also I’d love to have kids with you, I mean my aunt’s did say we’d make beautiful kids.” Ben smiled, pulling her into another hug.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

-

Ben watched as his soon to be wife walked down the aisle, his heart fluttered as tear began to blur his vision. He allowed the tears to fall, as he remembered the first time they met. Who would’ve thought the most sweetest girl in the world could love him and give him another chance after everything he did?

Right from the start That you would be Be my light in the dark Light in the dark

(Y/N) was the one to help him love again, to show him no matter how bad things got she was there to guide him and was at his side when he felt lost. When they had called of their engagement, he felt lost without her, it was as if he was stuck in a dark pit no light to guide him to the opening.

Oh, you gave me no other choice But to love you

He was afraid to love again, he had thought this would be just an arranged marriage with no love. But overtime he began to love her, his heart and mind at war with one another scared to allow himself to love her again. 

All I want to do Is come running home to you

“(Y/N), you are the light in my life. No matter how hard and bad things get you’re there to guide me. When we had called off our first engagement I didn’t have you to guide be, to be there at my side to reassure me that everything was going to be okay. I was lucky enough that you found it somewhere in your heart to give me another chance which I will be eternally grateful for. Someone once said, home is the person or place you want to return to over and over. Your my home. All I want to do at the end of the day is come home to you. Even after a fight, it will always be you. No matter the circumstances, I want to come home to you and only you.”

Come running home to you And all my life I promise to

“Benjamin Jones, the day we met I knew I wasn’t going to like you. Though I tried because if we were going to be married though it was originally arranged I wanted it to be meaningful even if it meant our marriage would be one-sided love. Slowly after every date, every moment we spent together. I grew to love you. I was afraid to admit it, I was afraid that you wouldn’t love me the way I loved you. The first time you had told me you loved me was during our first fight. When we broke off our first engagement I didn’t know what to do without you. I held onto hope that one day, we’d find our way back to each other. Even if it took months, or years we’d find our way back to one another.I love you with all my heart Benjamin Jones.”

Keep running home to you Keep running home

“Do you Benjamin Jones, take (Y/N) (Y/L/N) to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do.”

Home to you

“Do you (Y/N) (Y/L/N), take Benjamin Jones to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do.”

Can't say how the days will unfold Can't change what the future may hold

“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride.”

But, I want you in it Every hour, every minute

Alexa had surprised them with a jet ready to take off to Bora Bora for their honeymoon. She had also packed many, many different colored lingeries with a note that read ‘Make me some grandbabies!’.

The newly weds spent most of the first few days exploring Bora Bora it a good thing (Y/N) knew some French though many of the signs included english, she thought it would be more efficient to communicate in french.

-

(Y/N) looked at herself once more before wrapping a satin robe around her body, she walked out to see Ben sat upright against the headboard looking over his laptop with his reading glasses sitting on the tip of his nose. 

“Ben?”

She spoke softly but loud enough to pull Ben’s attention away from the screen in front of him, she slowly walked over to him causing Ben to place his laptop and glasses on the nightstand beside him. (Y/N) let the robe fall to the ground, revealing a beautiful white lace piece Ben truly felt like he had gone to heaven at the beautiful sight of his wife.

“I’ve gone to heaven haven’t I?”

(Y/N) couldn’t help but giggle after her husband’s remark, she straddled Ben’s lap wrapping her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist leaning up to attach his lips to her neck.

“Not quite yet my love.”

She pulled away from to place her lips on his, slow yet passionate as their hands roamed over one another’s body. (Y/N) tugged slightly at Ben’s hair causing him to moan softly allowing their tongues to dance against one another. She began to roll her hips into his feeling his shaft harder against her inner thigh.

Ben pulled away to pepper kisses down her neck to the valley of her breast as (Y/N) worked to get it undone. Tonight she wanted to be the one in charge, there will be many other nights when Ben could be in control. But just for tonight.

“Let me be in control tonight. Just for tonight.” (Y/N) said breathlessly watching as Ben’s eyes filled with lust, “Anything for you my love.” 

(Y/N) stood up for a moment removing the lace material from her body then moved to remove Ben’s boxer’s. She took his hard shaft into her hand pumping it lightly as Ben threw his head back, she moved back to straddle him lining herself up before slowly sinking down onto his shaft.

Ben hand rest on her hips as he watched her adjust for a moment before moving her hips in a circular motion bringing a new feeling she hadn’t felt before. (Y/N) rest her hands atop Ben’s broad chest letting out a airy moan as she began to bounce up and down Ben’s eyes glued to her chest, one of his hands moved to touch them only to receive a slap.

“No, keep your hands on my waist baby. Who’s in control tonight?” (Y/N) cooed as she moved one of her hands to the side of Ben’s face.

All Ben could do was nod, causing her to stop and Ben to let out a groan.

“Words baby, use your words and maybe I’ll continue to fuck you.”

Oh those sweet words should be falling from his mouth, but the way she was speaking to him didn’t have him complaining.

“You’re in charge love.”

(Y/N) hummed in approval continuing her actions leaning forward to place a kiss on his sweet lips, she was enjoying this. Being in charge, giving Ben a taste of his own medicine. She could see it in his eyes, he enjoyed it too. Maybe this won’t turn into a one time thing.

Her hands moved to wrap around his neck squeezing it lightly as she clenched around him causing her to moan loudly as his eyes rolled back to the beautiful pleasure his wife was giving him. She could feel the knot in her stomach tighten, the pleasure and sight of Ben beneath her edged her to her climax.

“Do you enjoy me choking you baby?” (Y/N) cooed as Ben let out a throaty moan, ah I take that as a yes. 

She released the pressure from his neck and placed her hands grabbed his hands from her waist intwining their hands together, “Are you close baby?” Ben nodded trying his best to use his voice “Yes love.” (Y/N) moaned as she clenched around him.

“C’mon baby.”

Ben groaned lightly, “Let me cum love please, let me fill you up have your carry my child. Have you carrying all of my children, c’mon lovely.” (Y/N) let out a throaty scream her entire body felt like it was on fire, Ben followed closely behind her. He helped her ride out her orgasm, before she slowly rolled off of him.

They laid their for a moment, regaining their breathe before Ben spoke.

“We definitely need to do that again.” (Y/N) smiled turning to face Ben before kissing him sweetly.

“We have all the time in the world.”

Ben smiled pressing a kiss to her nose before pulling her closer to his chest, “I love you Mrs.Jones.” (Y/N) smiled pressing a small kiss to his chest.

“I love you Mr.Jones.”

[as-write-as-rain]

Once Upon A Dream (remix) - Chapter 3

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Summary: A Sleeping Beauty/Winter Soldier remix, featuring the reader as a SHIELD agent who might have powers (or just a really finely tuned intuition)

Warnings: None. If you’ve seen and enjoyed the Captain America films, you shouldn’t find anything troubling here.

The third chapter of my Fairy Tale AU for @moonbeambucky’s 5k Writing Challenge! Life seems to be keeping me pretty consistent at publishing a chapter every two weeks, despite my attempts to go faster. That bug I picked up laid me low for longer than I would have liked -- that’s an unfortunate side effect of fibromyalgia, stuff hits me harder and lasts longer than it would for regular people. I promise I am working hard and hopefully will be able to publish more frequently in the near future ❤️

Chapter 3

Less than 24 hours later, you were rendezvousing at Pentagon City mall with Steve and Natasha, and trying to come up with a plan on the fly. While they headed to the Apple Store in an attempt to decode the contents of the zip drive, you were tasked with finding a getaway car. As you scoured the parking structure for the perfect vehicle, your mind was racing with the events of the last 12 hours – Director Fury was dead, and the three of you were now on the run from the organization you’d once considered your safe haven.

I still can’t believe he’s dead, you thought, shaking your head. Your thoughts kept drifting to those final moments, watching helplessly as the doctors struggled vainly to save him. If you hadn’t seen it with your own eyes, you wouldn’t have believed it. If only I’d gotten in touch with Maria sooner, or been able to really make her understand.

Yet, even as these thoughts floated through your head, the rational part of your mind reminded you that you had contacted her with plenty of time to initiate a contingency plan. You’d definitely done everything you could.

Unfortunately, sometimes that’s still not enough.

You sighed and tried to refocus. You hadn’t even slept well, because of course you hadn’t had one of those nice dreams where you and Bucky cuddled in hammocks on the beach. No, instead you had to dream that you were wandering the dimly-lit hallways of a creepy old building, searching for someone, becoming more and more desperate to find them. You always woke up from those kinds of dreams feeling disoriented and horribly, terribly alone.

Which was definitely not helping things right now.

You finally targeted the perfect truck – a Chevy Silverado Z71 that would be able to handle whatever terrain or road conditions lay before you, all without calling attention to itself or its passengers – and were in the middle of hotwiring it when your phone beeped with a text from Nat.

Hope ur rdy 4 us, company’s here [kissy face]

You chuckled. Of course, even when she was in mortal danger, Nat always had time to send an emoji.

You hurried to finish your task, praying that whoever had been dispatched to bring the three of you in would stay busy inside the mall instead of wandering out here. At the very least, you were confident that your intuition would let you know if you were in immediate danger. Finally, the engine roared to life, and you dove into the driver’s seat.

You pulled up to the 1st floor mall exit, the squeal of the tires echoing throughout the garage, just as your friends came barreling through the door.

“Howdy, Strangers. Need a lift?”

Steve didn’t even react to your pithy greeting; instead, he opened your door, taking you by surprise for once. “Hop in the back, I’ll drive.” When you didn’t move immediately, he clarified, “I know where we’re going and how to get there; we’ll fill you in on the road.” With a nod, you clambered into the backseat, and in minutes you were on 395 headed (roughly) north.

“So…” You leaned forward between the seats and blew a bubble with the gum you’d stolen from Nat’s pocket. When it popped, you prodded, “What’s the plan?”

Nat stretched a leg up on the dashboard and smirked, her eyes on Steve. “We’re taking a little trip down memory lane.”

“What, like Brooklyn? That’s like…” You tried to calculate the distance, but quickly gave up. “…a million hour drive.”

Steve rolled his eyes at both of you, but the split-second twitch of his lips told you he wasn’t really mad about your teasing. “We couldn’t crack the zip drive, but we were able to trace where it came from: Camp Lehigh.”

At the blank look on your face, Nat took pity on you. “New Jersey.”

You sat back with a huff.

“I think I would have preferred Brooklyn.”

Steve shook his head and glanced at you in the rearview mirror. “Me too, to be honest.”

You sagged against the window, watching trees and cars speed past. At least the drive would be somewhat scenic; that’s something, right? You were just about to ask Nat to turn on the radio, hoping to find some good road trip tunes, when she spoke up again.

“I have a question for you, Rogers.” She studied him for a second before quickly adding, “Which you do not have to answer. I feel like if you don't answer it though, you're kind of answering it, you know?”

He cut off her rambling. “What?” His tone, while exasperated, didn’t sound annoyed so much as amused.

“Was that your first kiss since 1945?”

You almost swallowed your gum. “WHAT?!”

Grabbing her arm, you practically yelled in her ear, “Did you kiss Steve???” You turned to the now bright-red super soldier. “Did you kiss Nat?????”

“No! I mean, yes, technically, but – ugh! It was a diversionary tactic!!” Flustered Steve was always your favorite, and you fought to hide your grin.

“Aww come on, no need to be coy. I know you felt something,” Nat cooed flirtatiously, fluttering her eyelashes, and he looked like he might combust. You would have started cracking up if you weren’t so eager to hear more details.

Your grip on Nat’s arm tightened and you shook her a little, and you couldn’t resist adding a little teasing of your own. “All this time we’ve been wondering why he won’t go out with any of the girls we try to set him up with. Now we know, it’s because he’s been sweet on you!”

Steve squawked, turning even redder and clenching the wheel so hard you were afraid he might wrench it off. “It – it’s not like that!! We saw the Strike Team, they were searching the mall for us, and we needed to avoid them so the civilians would be safe….. And then we were about to pass Rumlow on the escalator, and then Natasha here said that public displays of affection make people uncomfortable and…” He trailed off, and the whole thing was so funny, you couldn’t hold your laughter in anymore.

Camp Lehigh was abandoned and overgrown, and definitely far from welcoming. You tried to squint your eyes and visualize a skinny pre-serum Steve running laps or striving to complete an obstacle course, using pictures and footage you’d seen in the Smithsonian exhibit to help anchor the scene. The image never quite crystallized, though; you always had trouble truly envisioning Steve as that small, scrawny figure in the photos. He’d been such a solid, powerful figure for as long as you’d known him.

Plus, from the minute you entered the camp, your senses had been on high alert, which really didn’t help your imagination either. You were overwhelmed with a really bad feeling, and knew danger was lurking somewhere nearby. You couldn’t identify the source, though, because it didn’t seem to be coming from a specific direction.

Except maybe…down? But that didn’t make any sense.

“What is it?” Nat had been in the middle of announcing that this was a dead end, when suddenly her tone changed. You turned to see Steve stalking towards a bunker, Nat trailing behind him.

“Army regulations forbid storing ammunition within five hundred yards of the barracks. This building is in the wrong place.” Thank goodness Steve knew rules and regulations like the back of his hand, or you might not even have noticed anything was out of place.

He smashed the lock with his handy shield, and the three of you entered the cold, musty building. Shivering, you brought up the rear, severely disliking the way it felt like a mausoleum.

Steve flicked a switch, and ancient fluorescent lights flickered aglow, illuminating an unassuming office space of some sort. Clunky old desks, filing cabinets, and office chairs were arrayed throughout the room; thick dust and cobwebs coated every surface, making it clear that no living being had been in here in a very long time.

And, inevitably, your feeling of impending doom increased.

Glancing around, you spied a large symbol on the wall just as Nat did, and realized that this must have been where SHIELD began, all those years ago. You supposed it made sense; Captain America began here too, and this had been their homebase of sorts. Of course when they came back from overseas, they would have chosen somewhere familiar, somewhere the seeds of SHIELD had already begun to sprout.

You followed your partners into a library or storage room of some sort, where a trio of prominently displayed photographs confirmed your hunch. You recognized all three people from the Smithsonian exhibit; but apparently Nat had never been, because her next question made you cringe.

“Who's the girl?”

You purposely avoided making eye contact with Steve, because you already knew how he must be feeling. This camp, the place where they first met and got to know each other, was already brimming with memories of her – and now her face was on the wall. Young. Vibrant. Fierce. Just the way he probably remembered her. He’d been to see her just yesterday, confronted yet again with the fact that a lifetime had passed him by in the blink of an eye; and he was left with an obsolete snapshot of a moment in time, and an ache for what could have been.

There was a long, awkward pause, and then Steve literally sidestepped the question by striding deeper into the room.

You’d just opened your mouth to whisper a quick-but-vague explanation to Nat, when he pointed to a cobwebbed bookshelf and pondered aloud, “If you're already working in a secret office...” He paused to insert his hand into the space between the bookcases, and then, with surprising ease, slid them apart, revealing a hidden alcove. “…why do you need to hide the elevator?”

A sudden spike of anxiety shot through you, and you knew that only danger waited below. But the feeling was different than the one you usually got when you were about to be physically attacked – and before you could pinpoint what was different about it, the elevator ride had ended and the doors were already opening into a cavernous basement filled with ancient computer relics.

[artificialqueens]

The Key (Cat) to my Heart (Branjie)- athena2

A/N: So, @bennitone brought this prompt/artwork to my attention, and I just had to. A woman offers her hand in marriage to anyone that can get the key from her cat’s neck, but she’s a shapeshifter and the cat is her all along.

Vanessa is fed up with marriage proposals, and Brooke is a softie who’s very good with cats.

Vanessa was the most beautiful woman in the village. People came far and wide to tell her how beautiful she was, to lay flowers at her feet, and heap marriage proposals on her. But she always refused.

Vanessa was beautiful, anyone with eyes would agree, but she was kind, too. Brooke worked at a tiny café in the village, and customers scowled and yelled at her all day long. Vanessa was always sweet to her when she came in for her morning coffee, with a splash of cream and a spoon of sugar. Sometimes she even came back in the afternoon for a sandwich, and Brooke knew to give her extra tomatoes.

But Vanessa hadn’t been in for a few days, because she couldn’t take more than two steps from her cottage door without someone rushing at her asking for a date if they were somewhat kind or demanding immediate marriage on the spot if they weren’t kind at all.

Brooke understood why Vanessa stayed inside, but she had to admit how empty it felt at the café without her smile, without her rough but warm voice telling Brooke to enjoy her day, which she would turn over in her mind enough to tune out customers berating her because their coffee was exactly what they had ordered but somehow not what they wanted.

She hoped Vanessa came back soon.

—

One day Vanessa stood in the village square and announced a game. Since everyone wanted to marry her so badly, she would put it in their hands: she would tie the key to her cottage around her kitten’s neck, and she would marry anyone that obtained the key.

The village fell into an utter frenzy. You couldn’t move through the square without bumping into someone mapping the cat’s movements and scheming ways to get the key. Men emptied their pockets buying toys to tempt the kitten, some just waving coins or jewels to attract it. They laid out food on plates to lure it into a trap, but ended up with empty plates and empty traps. They laced up their shoes and chased it for miles, but no one ever got the key, the cat turning circles around them or running up trees, key dangling just out of reach.

Brooke sat on the cobblestone street, watching a man fall into mud with a splat as the kitten tricked him and changed directions.

The kitten wandered over to Brooke. Its white fur was swirled with light brown spots, and it had brown eyes as big as tea cup saucers.

“Having fun?” Brooke asked softly. “I bet you are.” She reached out a hand, well-practiced from two cats of her own, and the kitten bent its head. Brooke stroked the fur, so soft she figured it was what clouds felt like.

She didn’t understand how everyone thought throwing a gold necklace or running after the cat would make it want them. They just had to be its friend.

The kitten rubbed its nose against Brooke’s bag, and she remembered the sandwich stored inside for her lunch.

“Are you hungry?” Brooke asked.

The kitten meowed and seemed to nod, and Brooke unwrapped the sandwich. She was pretty sure the kitten smiled and clapped its paws together eagerly.

“Hang on kitty, let me give you the half with more chicken.” She tore the crusty bread apart carefully, holding the ingredients inside. She offered it to the kitten, but it darted out both paws and grabbed the half with less chicken and more tomatoes.

“I guess you like tomatoes, huh?” Brooke asked.

But the kitten had already wandered away.

—

Weeks passed, and while some still ran into walls chasing after the cat and buying out the toy supply at the shops, many more gave up, muttering under their breath how ridiculous it all was.

The kitten strutted over to Brooke everyday when she was on her lunch break, propped up against the side of the café.

“I got a surprise for you today,” Brooke whispered. She pulled out a stuffed mouse. “You can play with it,” she explained, nudging it toward the cat.

The cat rolled around with the toy, meowing in excitement through Brooke’s lunch hour. She continued to pass it pieces of her sandwich, which the cat gobbled up.

—

“Come on, I have a friend for you to meet.” Brooke’s own cats trotted along behind her. She met Vanessa’s cat in the grassy field just past the square and crouched down among the daisies.

“Hey, kitty, these are my cats. Henry and Apollo,” Brooke explained. “Maybe you want to play with them?”

Vanessa’s cat swiped a paw at the other two, the three of them rolling around in the grass together, a tangle of paws and tails. Brooke had brought two sandwiches. She broke one into three and passed it to the cats, and ate the other herself as the cats crawled over her.

Her clothes were more cat hair than cotton at the end of the day, but it was worth it.

—-

“This coffee is too sweet! This isn’t what I wanted! How can you be so stupid?”

“Sir,” Brooke tried to stop her voice from shaking, “You-you asked for it extra sweet.”

“Well, this is too sweet!”

“I-I can make you an-another.”

“Make it. Maybe you won’t mess that one up.”

He stormed out to the streets while Brooke made another coffee, putting in less sugar. The man stomped back in a few minutes later.

“Whose cat is out there?” the man demanded of the whole café. “It chewed up my pants!”

Brooke smiled and had to smother her laughter behind the counter.

—

Brooke stretched her long legs and pulled out a book, sun bright overhead. The cat hopped into her lap and trained its head on the page.

“You can’t read, silly,” Brooke smiled.

The cat whipped around and gave Brooke a flash of pink tongue, and Brooke laughed. She turned the pages, reading aloud softly so the cat could hear.

She tipped some blueberries into her hand and let the cat’s tongue tickle her palm as she ate them.

The weight of the cat on her legs made her warmer inside than the sun did.

—

A man was chasing the cat around, which was nothing new, but then Brooke noticed his hands. More specifically, what was in them.

Brooke ran into the village square and the cat bounded toward her. Brooke scooped the kitty up and cradled it against her chest, its small body trembling.

“Wh-what do you think you’re doing?” Brooke asked the man.

“I wasn’t going to use it,” he insisted, lowering the crossbow.

“I don’t care. Get a-away from the cat.”

The man obeyed, and Brooke took a deep breath. She’d never stood up to anyone before, letting insults from customers roll off her shoulder even as she wanted to cry. But she couldn’t let someone harm Vanessa’s cat.

“You okay, kitty?”

The kitten nodded and mewed softly, its shakes easing as Brooke continued to stroke its fur. It craned its neck and gave Brooke a damp kiss on the cheek.

—

Rain had been pounding on the café roof all day, and when Brooke left for the night it was still going strong. The wind howled and the rain came down in sheets, pelting off Brooke’s rain jacket.

A tiny whimper caught her attention. She picked the cat up where it had sheltered itself under the café window.

“Vanessa must be worried about you, kitty. I can’t leave you out in this rain.”

She tucked the cat inside her jacket, its fur against her chest warming Brooke from head to toe even as the rain came down and splattered up her legs. It was a short walk to Vanessa’s cottage, in the opposite direction to Brooke’s own, but she just held her jacket closed tight and got the cat home as fast as she could.

It nodded at her as she set it down on the cobbled path that led to Vanessa’s door, flanked with flowers in bright pinks and yellows. It scurried up to the door, and Brooke spent the whole night thinking about walking past those flowers and knocking on the door herself.

—

Days passed, and Brooke found herself counting down the minutes to her lunch break at the café, knowing she’d have a blissful hour with the cat at her feet or in her lap.

She could have taken the key any time. It was right there, and in a few seconds it could be hers. But she couldn’t just take it, show up at Vanessa’s door, and demand marriage. It wasn’t right.

Besides, she had grown to like the cat. Brooke had never really had anyone to talk to, and talking to new people gave her a stomachache. Even though the cat couldn’t answer her back, it was nice just having it there to listen, to feed lunch to, to pet.

It was almost like having a friend.

—

Brooke decided to take the cat to the park one day, and settled on her stomach on the cool grass, the cat across from her.

“You’re a lucky kitty, aren’t you?” Brooke mused, burying her hand in the cat’s fur. “I bet Vanessa cuddles you at night, and kisses you…” She found herself lost in the cat’s big brown eyes. “I’d give anything to be in your place. To hug her and kiss her and…” Brooke slammed her mouth shut, but it was no use. It fell open again and the words tumbled out, and Brooke couldn’t stop her rambling.

“She’s always so nice to me when she comes in the café. I think she smells like coconut but she never gets close enough for me to be sure. I wonder if I’m right…what am I saying? She’d probably be so disappointed if I unlocked her door. I bet she’d slam it right in my face and lock it forever. Why would she want me?”

Brooke rolled onto her back and threw her hands over her face, trying to stop the blaze burning through her cheeks. She sighed and looked up at the clouds.

“Why am I saying all this to a cat?” Brooke muttered. “Well, at least you can’t tell anyone.” She froze and glanced at the cat. She didn’t think it could talk, but… “You can’t tell anyone, right? Oh, please don’t tell her, she’ll think I’m an idiot…”

She swore the kitten frowned for a second, then leaped onto her chest, fluffy paws settling against her skin. It lowered its head, the key swinging above Brooke’s nose, gold glittering in the sun.

“You…you want me to take it?”

The kitten bobbed its head up and down.

“You really think she would like me?”

The kitten nodded again, faster this time, paws pressing firmly into Brooke’s chest.

“Well, okay,” Brooke wasn’t convinced, but she reached up anyway. “Stay still, kitty, I don’t want to hurt you.” She carefully eased the key from around the kitten’s neck.

There was a flash of light, and the weight on Brooke’s chest got heavier…

Her mouth hung open as the cat vanished and suddenly Vanessa was perched on Brooke’s chest, legs on both sides of her torso. The breeze tugged gently at her wavy hair and her skin glowed in the sunlight. Her brown eyes were just as big and wide as they were in cat-form.

“V-Vanessa?”

“You did it!” Vanessa crowed. “I was starting to think I’d have to follow you around forever!”

“You…” Brooke’s words were stuck. “The whole time, it was you?”

Vanessa smiled. “Yeah. Sorry I tricked you, but I wanted to see who would respect me when I wasn’t me. I hoped it would be you all along.”

Vanessa lifted herself off Brooke and held out a hand. “What do you say we go use that key?”

Brooke nodded and stood up on shaky legs. Vanessa wrapped an arm around her waist, and Brooke let her chin rest on Vanessa’s head.

She really did smell like coconut.

[twodragonswrites]

1.10

I’m actually not entirely sure if I uploaded this one originally. But Michael has a visitor in the gardens of the Matthias house.

Enjoy <3

Michael was starting to get the hang of the whole "Being a normal human being thing" as he knew it at this point. And he was enjoying it. Friends, a supportive-if odd- family that he found himself a part of, as well as hobbies and his own unique style. Everything was falling into place for him.

This sort of contentedness was not to last, however, as there was still the matter of his birth family. They had already made one attempt on his life. More were sure to follow.

Being taken in by Oswald and severing ties had proved a good enough revenge to sate Michael's fury with them in the short term, but he knew something had to be done about them so he could continue to live as himself in the long term.

What to do about a family of trained assassins was a hard answer to get. Oswald had been planning something, but it involved wiping the Bayard family off the map completely. Michael wasn't too fond of that idea, because despite their flaws, they were still his family and he still had some love for them- Plus you can't get rid of a notable noble family and expect no consequences, even if you're king of the world.

Michael is sitting in a gazebo in the manor gardens pondering this and watching the world go by when he notices a tortoiseshell cat sitting on the railing of the fountain nearby looking at him. He stares back and cocks his head to the side. The cat does the same in turn.

The abnormality of this event is directly tied to the fact that Oswald is pretty deathly allergic to cats. So therefore they’re usually not allowed on the grounds. But Michael has a feeling that there’s something odd about this cat.  For one, there’s a red bow on their neck, for two, they’ve definitely been sitting at attention on the fountain for a while, and none of the groundskeepers have bothered to chase them out.

So there’s definitely something odd.

He stands and walks over to them, hands in pockets. The cat doesn’t move or run away, merely continues staring at him.

“Are you a spy or something sent to kill Oswald, kitty?” He asks, not expecting an answer of course, but the cat does meow back at him. He laughs a bit.

“I’m afraid I can’t cuddle you or anything. Oswald really is very allergic. If there was even a hint of cat hair on my clothes he would surely die.” The cat lays down on their stomach, letting their front paws hang off of the fountain as if to say “That’s okay”

“How’d you get in here anyway?” It’s silent for a few moments and then the cat looks up at him again, blinks a couple times and stands and starts trotting off down a path. Michael is compelled to follow, so he stands and does so.

They walk down the path for a bit, and reach the edge of the garden that’s bordered by big rose bushes in front of the tall iron fence. The cat pauses for a moment, looks up at him, meows and hops through the bush.

“Hey wait I’m not sure I can get through this,” He grunts a bit as he pushes his way past the bristles and thorns, definitely getting a tad scratched up in the process, but he reaches the other side of the bush and sees the cat waiting for him on the other side of the iron fence.

“Well now we’re just pushing my abilities as a human being.” He does momentarily attempt to squeeze through- which of course are too thinly spaced for him to do so- so he resigns himself to a climb over, which is successful. The cat meows as if to congratulate him and continues their journey along the path leading away from the Matthias house. He sighs, but continues to follow. He’s come this far after all. But he doesn’t like the idea of playing hooky, especially when there are people after his head.

The cat leads him into the city. A few of the people around whisper upon seeing him. He ignores them, continuing down the sidewalk as people part around him like water. He comes to a busy square and a building immediately draws his eye. Necroworks.

The cat is continuing towards the building, and inside even, slipping through the automatic doors. He frowns, confused, but to be honest even though this is the last thing he expected from today, it's not the strangest. When he's entered the cat is sitting on the secretary's desk, one of the secretaries is scanning the center of the bow, which Michael supposes is acting as some kind of ID card. The secretary looks up.

"Oh hello. Can I help you?" They smile, and stroke the cat's head. The cat meows at Michael again.

"Ah I was...following the cat." It feels stupid to admit but the secretary nods.

"Alright then. You're free to enter. The elevators are over there, I'm sure this one can get you where you're heading." Michael nods as the cat jumps off the counter and continues to the elevators.

At the elevators, the cat presses a small switch on the ground which flips out a panel of buttons at their height to press to call the elevator. It presses the one to go up and they wait. They wait for only a second before the elevator arrives, opening up for them to enter. They do and the cat opens up another panel similarly to how they did outside and presses the button for the top floor and scans the center of their ribbon again. The elevator goes up and once it reaches the top floor it dings and opens up to a hallway. Michael can already hear raised voices from the door at the end of it. He approaches as there's a crash and speeds his pace. He leans against the door and can hear the commotion inside quite clearly.

"-You have no idea what you've done! No- Don't touch me you- Ack!" Michael doesn't hesitate anymore. He opens the door with urgency, to see Orio suspended in some kind of blue goo. He's struggling and whatever it is seems to not only be holding him by his wrists and ankles but covered quite a bit of the ceiling and floor in a spiderweb of goo. He can see a humanoid form near Orio, looming over him. Upon his entry, Orio and the figure turn to look at him. Even without the usual accessories he has, Michael recognizes the form holding Orio.

Ubeo. One of Gharan's assistants.

Michael gasps, and Ubeo seems to recoil upon seeing him.

"Michael! What are you doing here? By yourself no less and-" There's a hiss from behind Michael and the cat leaps forwards in front of him, all puffed up and angry. Ubeo frowns.

"Following one of his pests."

Michael finally caves and picks the cat up, steeling his features in anger.

"I was following a friend. What are /you/ doing here, Ubeo?"

"Merely taking care of a blight on my life. You should go home."

"I order you to stop. And to leave this place." Michael takes a step forwards, and he feels the goo begin to wrap itself around his leg. He looks down gasping.

"I don't think you have that authority, princelet," And he's grabbed by the leg and hung upside down. The cat dropping from his arms to the floor below.

"And I think Oswald would forget about you pretty quickly if you were to just...disappear."

"No!" Orio shouts, struggling against his binds. Ubeo turns his attention to Orio again.

"What, you actually care for this creature? Him and his family are just insignificant beings. He will be outlived by those around him. Ridding them of him now is only speeding up the process." He's suddenly scratched by the tortoiseshell cat across the face.

"Argh!" He shouts, humanoid form regressing for a moment to goo before reforming, a scar remains despite him mending the wound instantly. The cat hisses once more, standing proudly on Orio's desk.

"You little-" Ubeo starts trying to catch it, probably intending to kill. However, he keeps missing. And the goo he's comprised of continues to spread, growing thinner and thinner. Michael can feel himself beginning to slip from Ubeo's grasp. Ubeo finally catches the cat, and is about to suffocate it when Orio speaks up.

"Ah my dear brother. Seems you've made a mistake." He's smirking, a hand in his pocket.

"What!" Ubeo growls savagely.

"You've spread yourself too thin." And Orio breaks from the now thinner bonds Ubeo's placed on him and slams a device into some of the thicker goo on the floor. Activating an electrical device that causes Ubeo to recoil instantly, bringing all his spread to himself again before collapsing into a puddle of himself, unconscious. Any materials suspended in him drop now to the floor, including what looks to be an already broken prototype for some sort of device.

Michael drops to the floor and his cat friend comes to check on him, he pulls himself to a sitting position and strokes the cat's back.

"Glad to see you're okay, kitty." Orio dusts himself off, and then grabs a large glass jar from beneath his desk and starts to put Ubeo inside it.

"Sorry you had to be involved in that, Michael."

"It's okay."

"It's not, but I'm glad you are. He didn't hurt you, right?"

"Emotionally? Yes, but physically I'll probably only have a few bumps and bruises." He laughs half heatedly. Orio sighs.

"Gharan's probably going to scrap him now that he's done this. It's really a shame…" Michael nods and then pauses.

"Wait, how do you know Gharan?"

"How could I not?" He smiles, capping off the jar of brother and setting it on his desk. "She made me after all."

"But aren't you human?"

"Only because of some interference from higher powers. But even then, not completely. How do you like my little spy for you there?"

"Hm?" He looks down at the cat, who's happily curled up in Michael's lap and he's absentmindedly stroking them. "A spy? Huh...that makes a lot of sense.."

"I guess they're less of a spy and more a guardian for you. I made them to watch you. After the unfortunate incident at your birthday party-"

"Wait you know about that?"

"Know about it? Everyone knows about it. And I'm the one who prevented it."

"Oh, uh...thanks. But…"

"Why? Is that what you're going to ask?"

"Uh...yeah I was going to ask that." Michael gets a feeling that the man in front of him can be pretty impatient. Especially with all the questions Michael is bombarding him with.

"Well, you make him happy. That's all."

"Who?"

"Oswald. I owe that man my life several times over. And it's pretty safe to say I feel similarly about him to you." He walks over to Michael, and extends a hand to help him up. Michael takes it, standing and keeping hold of the cat.

"Oh. So...you're kind of my older brother then." He smiles at Orio and Orio looks surprised, but then his face softens.

"If you'd like to think of me that way. Then yes, I'm your brother. You can just call me Orio." He rather gently takes the cat from Michael's grasp and goes to his desk chair, sitting with a sigh. Michael stands there kind of awkwardly, unsure what to do with his hands now.

"Anyhow. I sent one of my spies to watch over you, in case you need any help."

"But isn't Oswald allergic to cats?"

"Yes. But the difference between my spies and the common house cat is that my spies are completely hypoallergenic. You're welcome to keep them if you like. Or let them roam free. As long as they can watch you.." He smiles at Michael. "I don't want your siblings to lay a single hand on a hair of your head. Oswald's never cared for someone like you. I can see it in his eyes."

"But didn't you say-"

"Just because I felt that way about him doesn't mean he felt the same about me. You have a very special bond with him, and for the sake of the world, I want to see that bond protected. So, you're welcome here anytime you like if you need to get away just...don't follow my spy so blindly next time. Send for a car or something. Oswald would kill me."

"...Right. Um…Nice meeting you. Orio."

"You too, Michael. I'll call a car to take you home. Stay safe." And he returns to his work. Michael feels thoroughly dismissed so he leaves. Going to the elevator, and pressing the lobby button.

[coffeeaddictedauthor]

Touchy Feely

Hi! Can you write an imagine with theo where he is really needy like always wants to hold you and kiss you , cuddle with you , sleep on your chest , make you sit on his lap even there are empty seats? I mean i think its so cute. I don't know. I hope you write it. Love u 💓

Hello hunny! I would love to write this it sounds so cute and I love Theo :D I hope it’s what you had in mind and I hope ya like it <3

Also let me know if you want a part two kinda thing? 

****

“Please Lydia, I completely forgot it was due today! It’ll never happen again I promise” you pleaded with your strawberry blonde haired best friend, your puppy dog eyes popping more than they ever have before. Lydia released a short sigh, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she turned to talk to you “Oh please.” She began with a tilt of her head “You never forget your homework, even I have asked you for an assignment or two before, so what were you doing last night that was much more important?” she pressed with a devilish smirk filling her perfectly glossed lips. Your face immediately reddened, your eyes now avoiding Lydia’s “I don’t know what you mean” you lied terribly through your teeth. She opened her mouth to speak, doubt filling her face as she knew you were lying, but something stopped her; Her eyes drifted from yours to something behind you, and then you felt him. Muscular arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you flush against the body behind you as you then felt his head rest itself in-between your shoulder and neck. You didn’t have to turn to know who it was. Your faces red tint only darkened as you fell into the man’s warm embrace causing Lydia to once again smirk “Never mind.” She started in a sing songy voice “I just found my answer”. She stared at the two of you for a moment before handing you a piece of paper labeled ‘Economics Homework’ “See you in third Y/N. Bye Theo” she acknowledged, giving you a knowing look before sauntering off to go socialize with Scott and Stiles, leaving Theo and you alone. You felt a hot breath on your neck and the curve of a smile pressing into your jawline “Hey babe”. You felt a spark ignite throughout your entire body as you turned to make eye contact “Was that necessary?” you questioned with a playful tone, tilting your head into his touch. He quickly maneuvered your position, twisting your body so that your back was now placed firmly against some lockers. A smirk appeared on his lips as he seemed to fake ponder for a moment, his hand snaking around your waist “I think so, yes” he replied quite surely of himself, leaning down to capture you in a long overdue kiss. Your head began spinning upon the contact, your hands reaching up to entangle themselves in his hair. Theo and you had begun dating five months ago, but that didn’t stop him from making your knees weak and your mind go all fuzzy. He pressed his body against yours in an attempt to get as close as he could, nibbling lightly on your lower lip to send shivers throughout your entire body and as if on cue, the bell for your first period rang loud and prominent in both of your ears. It took some effort to push the boy off of you, your hands placed firmly on his chest “I gotta get to class Theo” you grumbled, not really wanting to do anything of the sorts. He scoffed at your attempt yet he pulled away, settling for his hand intertwined in yours as he began to walk you down the hall “Were not done here” he reminded in a gravely tone, stopping in front of your class to give you one last kiss. “Are we ever?” you questioned teasingly, jumping on the tips of your toes to kiss the boy goodbye.

**

Your eyes began to flutter rapidly, attempting to keep themselves open and your mind and body awake, but that sure as hell wasn’t working. Your groaned silently to yourself as you switched positions in your desk, leaning your head on your left palm and glancing up at the teacher tiredly. You had made it all throughout the school day, so why the hell could that last bell not just ring. Finally, in the longest span of thirty minutes of your life, you were set free by the dinging of the school bell. Snapping yourself awake you were the first person out of that class, running your hands through your hair the second you made it to the hallway. You began your walk to the school parking lot with a new-found pep in your step, not even noticing the boy that was now at your side “Hey Y/N” he greeted a bit nervously. You glanced over where you heard the voice, a smile now on your face “Oh hey Liam!” you greeted happily. Liam was one of your best friends, besides Lydia, he was always nice to you but when it came to video games the two of you were mortal enemy’s due to how competitive you were. He seemed to gain a smile at your perkiness “Someone’s happy” he commented with a quiet snort. You took this opportunity to loop your arm through his “Well my dear boy” you began, overexaggerating your tone “You see, the last bell has finally rung and I now have the chance to go home! Where I can put on sweatpants, make some cookies and not move for the rest of the weekend”. He laughed heartily at your reply, shaking his head as he opened the door to the parking lot for you “Sounds like you have your whole weekend planned out”. You nodded once and turned to him “I need a break from this week”. Your eyes scanned the parking lot until you found what you were looking for, Theo’s beloved truck “Anyway” you began, losing contact with the boy as you took your arm back “My couch is waiting for me and I would hate to worry it” you teasingly hummed, making your way down the school’s steps “I’ll see you Monday”. Liam repeated your goodbye, claiming he’d see you Monday and ask you all about your thrilling weekend which caused you to laugh and mosey on your way. Finally reaching Theo’s truck you made your way over to the driver’s side, your arms resting themselves on the open window, your head peering in “Well hello Raeken” you greeted, pushing yourself a bit further to give him a peck on the lips. He quickly returned your affection before placing a hand on your cheek “How was the rest of your day baby?” he asked sweetly, his thumb grazing circles on your cheek. You thought for a moment before drawing to your answer “Boring as hell” you replied, “But now it’s your chance to make it better” you reminded with a wiggle of your eyebrows. He chuckled at your response and drew you in for another kiss, this one lasting a bit longer than the first “Then hop in, a relaxing evening awaits us”. With that you didn’t waste any time from leaving the driver’s side to skipping over to the passengers, getting in and buckling up, Theo wasting no time to reverse and speed out of the crowded lot. The second he was on the road he settled the wheel with one hand, the other one resting on your upprt thigh “So, what are our plans?” he questioned you, already fully knowing what you would say. Your eyes left the passenger side window as you turned to look at him,” Nothing” you requested pleasurably with a giddy shake of your shoulders. He laughed at your childish response and squeezed your thigh “You get the blankets I’ll start the popcorn” he assigned, speeding up a bit in order to arrive to your house faster. Once the two of you arrived you waited for him to walk over to your side to open the door for you “M’lady” he mocked playfully, taking a hold of your hand and helping you out. The two of you went to work fast, Theo having the food ready before you could even drag down the first blanket from the upstairs cabinet “Someone works fast” you teased, throwing the supplies down on the couch. He shrugged his shoulders, walking over with two bowls in his hands “Didn’t want to keep my kitten waiting”. You crinkled your nose happily in response, moving over to the couch after he had sat down. You were about to sit next to him when you felt his hands firmly around your waist, guiding you to a seat on his lap. You settled in quickly, your head falling to lean on his shoulder “There’s an entire couch” you reminded, referring to his chosen seating position. He quirked one eyebrow “What’s your point?”. You laughed quietly before he closed the space with a kiss, wasting no time to prove you were his. The kiss was deepened as he leaned towards you, needing more contact. You drove that boy crazy, any moment he wasn’t touching, holding or kissing you was a waisted moment in his mind; He loved you more than he could even comprehend. “Theo” you mumbled against his lips, his fingers ceasing rubbing your back. “Hm?” he returned, peppering your face with a hundred little kisses. You tilted your head back slightly “The movie” you reminded with a quiet hum. He groaned more at himself then at you, ceasing his constant affection and settled for resting his forehead against yours “Yeah, yeah”. You giggled with adoration and affection, placing a kiss on his nose before the two of you began to settle, Theo moving to lay on his side, pulling you along with him, nestling his face into the crook of your neck. You shimmied as close to him as you could, sighing in content as his arm curled around your waist “You’re clingy” you playfully stated accusingly. You felt his smile press to the side of your face before he very quickly replied “Just keeping a hold of what’s mine”. Intertwining your legs you smiled “I love you”. He pressed a sweet kiss to the side of your face “I love you too babygirl”

[gabbygumswrites]

Of Cats and Dogs - A Dan and Phil Fanfiction

Of Cats and Dogs - Chapter 9: No Sulking Allowed

Fandom: Danisnotonfire and AmazingPhil (Phandom)

Rating: Gen

Tags: Pets, Cats, Dogs, Original Characters, Bromance

Summary: Dan gets roped into taking care of his friend's dog. And somehow Phil manages to get hold of a cat. This can only mean chaos.

AO3 Link

CHAPTER 9: No Sulking Allowed

“Phil, come on.”

“No.”

“I ordered pizza for dinner!”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Oh come on, you can’t lie on your bed and sulk all day!”

“Hm.”

Phil had his back to the door with Dan standing in it, but he could feel Dan rolling his eyes at him.

“You knew from the very beginning that we couldn’t keep him.”

Phil didn’t say anything to that.

Dan sighed. “Well, do what you want. I’ll be in the kitchen eating your pizza.” And with that, Dan was gone.

Phil turned to lie on his back and stared at the ceiling. Of course he had known that they couldn’t keep Sammy. There was his allergy, for one (which he actually managed quite well with his meds), and also the fact that Sammy clearly was already a domesticated cat. He had to belong to somebody.

But when the vet didn’t find a chip on him, Phil had hoped that Sammy might be a stray cat after all. A very groomed, friendly stray cat, but a homeless cat nonetheless.

Nothing they had tried had come to fruition, and Phil had been convinced that his only hurdle to keeping Sammy would be Dan. Phil had been sure that he would be able to talk Dan into keeping Sammy, though, because Dan was just as fond of the cat as Phil was (despite everything he always said about not trusting Sammy). Even Sammy loved Dan in his queer little way.

But of course then Kate discovered Phil’s tweet. Phil suddenly wished he had never re-posted that tweet.

Kate had emailed the address Phil had created just for the search. She had written that she had discovered the tweet via one of her students at school, and that she instantly knew that it was her cat. She had described that weirdly star-shaped white patch on Sammy’s belly that really only the owner could know of. She also wrote that she hadn’t chipped him because he was actually supposed to stay indoors, but he had somehow managed to escape the house and ran away.

We thought Pirate might have been killed outdoors, she wrote. I would love for us to arrange a meeting so we can make sure it really is my daughter’s cat.

“Pirate,” Phil said, his voice dripping with disdain. “What a stupid name for a cat.”

In truth, Phil thought the name was brilliant, but he would not admit that to his bedroom ceiling.

Phil had shown the message to Dan. He had pursed his lips, and Phil immediately saw that he was just as dismayed by the message than he himself was.

“We should call her,” Dan had said eventually. “See when she can come over to pick up her cat.”

“Do you think this is for real?” Phil had asked.

“That’s why we’re going to call her first and see if she’s for real or not.” Dan had tapped on the screen and indicated the phone number Kate had written under her name.

As Dan refused to talk to people on the phone on principal, Phil had been forced to call Kate. To his utter disappointment, she seemed genuine. She wanted to see “Pirate” to be absolutely sure that it was her cat, so they decided that she should come over on Sunday to have a proper look at him.

That was just two days away.

Phil turned to lie on his side again, hugging his knees to his chest. He stared at his dresser, hard.

Stupid Kate. Stupid Dan. Stupid Sammy.

Stupid, stupid Phil!

If Phil had just never let Sammy into the flat, Sammy would have never entered his life. He would have never stolen his bacon, or interrupted his live show, spread cat hair everywhere, cuddle up with him or become friends with Ivy.

He would never have had the chance to worm his way into Phil’s heart and leave it so broken.

In the end, it was all Phil’s own fault. He should have left Sammy wailing on his doorstep and just not give a shit.

But it was too late for that now, and Phil just wanted to feel miserable and sorry for himself for at least a little bit. There was enough time to play all adult on Sunday.

He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep. He really didn’t feel like eating dinner, or joining Dan in the lounge. All he felt like was sleeping his sadness away.

However, this was not how his body worked, and Phil lay with his eyes squeezed shut for about two minutes before he groaned and rolled on his back, his arms and legs spread across his bed.

“This is shit,” he said to the ceiling. The ceiling didn’t respond, but Phil was sure it agreed.

Suddenly, something flung itself next to Phil on the bed. He flinched and turned his head to see Sammy standing right next to him, eyeing him curiously. His tail twitched in the air.

Phil let out a sigh. Sammy knew damn well that he wasn’t allowed to hop on Phil’s bed, but Sammy didn’t seem to care, and quite frankly, Phil didn’t care right now either.

Phil turned on his side to face Sammy, throwing his arms out. “Cuddles?” he asked, even though he doubted Sammy would actually cuddle up to him.

How wrong he was.

Sammy carefully picked his way over to Phil, turned on the spot, and flung himself against the nook of Phil’s body. Sammy aligned perfectly with Phil’s curved stomach. Phil stared at the cat, wide-eyed. He wasn’t really sure what had happened that he deserved this.

When Sammy started purring, Phil lowered his right hand and let it slide through Sammy’s soft fur. Sammy’s whole body was vibrating, and Phil felt calmed by it. He thought that, maybe, Sammy had sensed that Phil was upset and came over to calm him down? He knew that it was just wishful thinking, though. Sammy was probably just in the mood for cuddles. And yet, Phil liked to believe that Sammy was also thinking of him.

Phil rested his head on his left arm, looking down at Sammy, his hand stroking his little body. The repetitive motion, the soft fur, and the purring soon expelled any other thought from Phil’s mind, until there was only Phil and Sammy. Only the same motion of his hand, the texture of orange fur, and the vibrating little body.

It was only when Dan poked his head into the room that Phil realized that he felt a lot better than before. Not happy about his circumstances, but better. Like he could accept it.

“You feeling better?” Dan asked.

“Yeah,” Phil said, his gaze wandering to Sammy, who had decided to stand up and jump down from Phil’s bed.

“Well, the pizza’s arrived, so if you feel like dinner...”

“Yes,” Phil said after his stomach gave an audible rumble. “I’ll be with you in a sec.”

Dan nodded and left. Phil sat up and looked down at Sammy. The cat was sitting next to his bed, looking up at him expectantly.

“Do you want me to come out of my room and stop sulking?” Phil asked with a chuckle.

Sammy meowed. Phil’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He didn’t feel like he was allowed to protest, so he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. Sammy got up, too, and led the way into the lounge.

*

For some reason both Sammy and Ivy thought it was very necessary to flank Phil on the sofa while he was eating. They didn’t, to both his and Dan’s surprise, beg for scraps. They actually behaved themselves for once and lay next to Phil, dozing peacefully.

Phil and Dan ate their dinner in silence, watching a new episode of Free!. Phil noticed that Dan had ordered Phil’s favourite. He felt a bit teary-eyed from all the attention he got from all of his housemates. He felt so spoilt and grateful, and the cuddles and his favourite food did manage to make him feel a lot better.

Phil still didn’t like the idea of Sammy leaving them for good, but he knew that it had been inevitable, and that Kate – and her daughter – must miss their pet terribly. He tried to think about his hamsters and how he would have felt if one had gone missing to then learn that it had been living with someone else all along. This thought helped him to see this last Saturday they would have together as something to look forward to instead of dread.

When the episode was over, Dan grabbed the remote and turned off the telly. Phil watched as he sat back on the sofa, staring at the black screen in front of him. His lips where pressed together in a thin line. Immediately, Ivy sprang up and tried to lick his face.

“Ah, no, Ivy!” Dan giggled, ruffling Ivy’s head.

“You okay?” Phil asked.

Dan took hold of Ivy and hugged her close to his chest. “I don’t like the thought of Sammy leaving, either, you know,” Dan said.

“I know,” Phil said and immediately felt like the worst friend ever. “I’m sorry.”

Dan looked over at Phil. “What for?”

“For being a pain in the ass.”

Dan chuckled. “You only realize now that you are a constant pain in my ass?”

Phil rolled his eyes and shoved at Dan’s shoulder. “Ha-ha, very funny.”

Dan shoved him back. “I mean it, you are a constant pain in the ass.”

Phil pursed his lips and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Yeah, thanks. I’m trying to be real for once.”

“Phil, leave it, really. You have emotions, that’s not something to apologize for.”

“Still. I didn’t realize that you would miss Sammy, too, and I’m sorry for that.”

Dan looked down at Sammy, who had decided to climb on Phil’s lap. “It’s really odd how fast they grow on you.”

Phil looked at Sammy, a smile spreading across his lips. “Yeah.” Phil then eyed Ivy, and his grin got wider. “We still have Ivy, though.”

Dan followed Phil’s gaze and he smiled, too. “Yes, we do. And we still got tomorrow with both of these troublemakers.”

Phil reached out to scratch that very specific spot behind Sammy’s ears. Sammy instantly began to purr. “I still can’t believe that his actual name is Pirate.”

“Me, neither,” Dan said. “It’s so much cooler than Sammy.”

“Right?”

They sat there for a while just patting their pets, when the bell rang. Phil and Dan exchanged confused looks.

“Do you expect someone?” Phil asked.

“No,” Dan said, and the bell rang a second time.

“I’ll get it.” Dan jumped off the sofa and tucked Ivy under his arm.

Phil patted Sammy’s head absentmindedly, thinking about who it could be. He didn’t expect any parcels, and it didn’t seem like Dan expected anything either. It was way too late for the postman to arrive anyway. Maybe it was someone wanting to talk about God? Phil immediately felt very grateful that Dan had volunteered to go and see who was at the door.

Phil could hear the door open, Dan’s surprised voice, then someone else’s voice. The door shut again and there was shuffling. Phil craned his neck to get a glimpse through the open door, but the tiny slit didn’t give much away.

Then Dan entered the room, still holding Ivy under his arm. He looked bemused, but not unpleasantly so.

Before Phil could ask who it had been, Sara barreled into the room right after Dan, a huge smile on her face.

“It’s Sara,” Dan said, rather redundantly.

“Hey there Phil!” she said, following Dan into the lounge. “Sorry to bother you so late, but I was just in the neighborhood.”

“That’s fine,” Dan said, putting Ivy on the floor and placing his hands on his hips. “Can I get you something?”

“Oh no, I’m fine, I won’t be long.”

Dan nodded and sat down on the sofa. Phil motioned for Sara to sit, too, but she just shook her head. “I’m just too excited to sit right now. I have great news!”

She planted herself in front of Phil and Dan, putting out her hands in a way that Phil could only describe as a power-pose and said, “I’ve found a new owner for Ivy!”

[dkarchives-blog]

Aaron’s 22nd Birthday | Mackaaron

Mack was thrilled, really. It was finally Aaron's birthday and she couldn't have been any more excited for what she had planned for him. When she first woke up, she checked on Drew and Robin's flight to make sure everything was in order. She knew they were going through drama from hell and that they could benefit from this trip. They all would, really. Mack slipped out of bed while Aaron was sound asleep, though, quickly making her way downstairs to get the small cake that she'd had made for him. She then made her way back into their room, setting the cake carefully on his nightstand before she sat at the edge of the bed and leaned over him. She brushed his hair from his face gently, not being able to help but smile as she looked down at him. "Baby," Mack murmured gently, her hand moving to his cheek carefully. "It's time to get up, babe."

Aaron never wanted anything special for his birthday. But he knew Mack would give him something and it would be great just like every year. Hearing her small whisper, Aaron smiled sleepily and slipped an arm around her to bring her back to him and sighing contently. "Hm? Five more minutes, please." He whispered gently, not opening his eyes yet.

Mack couldn't help but grin as she saw him smile, giggling as he brought her down. She moved onto her side and cuddled up to him, beginning to leave numerous kisses on his face. "But it's your birthday," Mack replied between kisses, although she slipped her arms around him to hug him tightly.

"Exactly." Aaron whispered with a small laugh as she kissed all over his face, which was now nothing out of the ordinary and hugged her tightly. "You gotta wish me a happy birthday properly." He said teasingly against her skin, sighing in content.

Mack giggled at Aaron's response, continuing to leave kisses all over his face. She was sure to give him extra kisses today because it was his birthday. Mack arched an eyebrow as she looked up at him; brushing his dark hair from his face gently. "How? By singing you Happy Birthday?" Mack asked playfully.

Aaron never complained about kisses, he just embraced them all despite how often she went into him like that. "Hm? We could...start with that, yeah." He whispered playfully, finally opening his eyes to look back at her and pulling her closer. "And then keep going."

Mack giggled at his response, honestly finding him entirely too amusing. Mack's eyes immediately locked on his when he looked at her, moving as close as possible to him as he pulled her closer. Mack couldn't help but laugh softly, pretending as if she didn't know what he was talking about. "Keep going? Where?"

"Wherever you want to go, baby." Aaron said sleepily, letting out a soft laugh as he heard her laugh, leaning in to press his forehead against hers and closing his eyes once again.

Mack couldn't help but laugh at his response, resting her forehead on his and keeping her eyes on him. She then leaned in to press a soft kiss to his lips before she pulled back to look at him intently. "I can definitely sing for you, first." She replied easily, moving to sit up. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Aaron, happy birthday to you." Mack sang easily before she leaned down and kissed him quickly once again. "Happy birthday, babyboy. I love you so much."

Aaron opened his eyes as she sat up after kissing him, biting down on his bottom lip as she began singing and sitting up against their pillows. "Hm, thank you, baby." He whispered, kissing her softly and sighed in content. "This is very nice of you."

Mack kissed him back easily, then pulling back just barely to run her fingers through his hair. She couldn't help but giggle at his words, shaking her head a little. "I haven't even done anything yet, love." Mack replied easily before kissing the tip of his nose. "And that changes right now," she replied before sitting up quickly and reaching for the cake.

Aaron shrugged gently, reaching over to rub up and down her back for a moment gently and then smiling widely as she brought out the cake. "Oh?! You made my favorite cake? Babe," he said excitedly, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

Mack giggled at his words and nodded easily, leaning over to peck his lips quickly before reaching for the knife. "Of course!" She replied eagerly before preparing to cut it. "How much do you want?"

Aaron's eyes widened as she brought up the knife, licking his lips and humming. "A lot. Let me brush my teeth though. Then cake." He said excitedly, moving to the bathroom to do everything he needed and hen walking back to the bed again.

Mack laughed softly at his words before nodding easily and sliding forward so he could easily slip out of bed. She didn't even bother cutting it and instead, handed a fork to Aaron so that he could eat as much as he wanted. "Dig in, babe." She urged easily.

Aaron let out a laugh and kissed her lips quickly as she handed him the fork and the cake. "You're not gonna eat?" He asked playfully, sitting on the bed and beginning to eat easily.

Mack nodded her head easily at his words, moving to sit next to him. "Of course I am." She replied easily. "I figured I'd use your fork, though. Saves on the silverware I have to wash," Mack replied playfully.

"You just want everything I got, admit it. Admit it." Aaron said eagerly, pecking her lips and taking some cake to offer it to her first.

Mack giggled at his words, nodding easily. "You caught me. That's been the plan all along," she replied playfully before taking the cake in her mouth and humming softly in content.

Aaron chuckled a little, taking his time to take another bite of cake and hum in pleasure. "God. How are you so good at baking and singing and everything?" He asked her playfully, leaning back against the pillows as he sat.

Mack swallowed before she laughed at his words, shaking her head a little at him. "Because I'm very bad at other things. Like sports and rapping. It balances itself out." She replied easily before leaning over to kiss his cheek quickly. She then hopped out of bed and proceeded to the closet, only to emerge moments later hiding something behind her back.

"Sports and rapping? What's that got to do with anything?" He asked with raised eyebrows, finding that too crazy. Continuing to eat, Aaron only looked up when he heard her come back in the room. "Oh, another surprise?" He asked playfully.

"I can't be good at everything, that's the point!" Mack exclaimed, laughing softly as she did so. Mack nodded her head quickly at his words, unable to hide how big her smile was. She turned around since she couldn't exactly hold the gift with one hand, placing a black box on the bed that had the numbers 22 on the outside. "Happy birthday, babe." Mack murmured gently before moving to sit behind it. Inside, Aaron would find exactly 22 gifts.

Aaron set the cake down on his nightstand as he saw the box, eyes going wide. "Mackie." He whispered, letting out a small laugh at the size of the box to begin with. He moved to kneel in bed and  lean down to kiss her softly, humming against her lips. "Are you kidding? Thank you so much. I love you." He said easily, smiling widely and opening he box to see all the gifts. "Oh. Wow. Mack, I can't even right now."

Mack grinned widely as Aaron's eyes went wide, leaning in to meet him halfway so that she could kiss him back gently. "I love you so much." Mack breathed out gently, then leaning back and laughing at Aaron's words. He was adorable. He could afford just about anything yet he was so appreciative of this. He was something else. "Open one!" Mack urged eagerly.

It wasn't how much it cost hat got to Aaron. He had always had money, even more so now, it was the thought that count though. How thoughtful she was when it came to him that got to him. "Okay." He said easily, picking number 22 from the small bags and finding a pair of Deadpool socks. He laughed loudly, sitting down next to Mack and kissing her cheek. "I'm only gonna wear these this next winter. No other pair will ever come close!" He exclaimed playfully.

Mack inched closer as he picked up one of the bags, grinning widely since she already knew what was inside. Mack's face lit up as she heard his laugh since there was no sound she loved hearing more than that. She leaned into him as he kissed his cheek before wrapping her arms around his middle tightly to hug him. She giggled at his words, nodding easily. "I think that is the one gift that I was absolutely certain you'd love."

"Please, you know me more than anyone. I'm sure I will like them all." Aaron said eagerly, kissing her head and moving to slip the socks on just to amuse her. "I never thought I would enjoy wearing red socks, but I do." He said playfully, showing them to her. "This is so cute,"

"Hopefully," Mack murmured gently, hugging him tighter as he kissed her head before pulling back to watch as he put on the socks. She was a giggling mess as he did so, shaking her head at him. "They look so good!" She exclaimed, then nodding. "Red definitely compliments you."

Aaron smirked a little, letting out a laugh. "Well, you know me, I look good with anything." He said playfully, smile widening as she giggled and leaning over to wrap his arms around her and kissing her several times. "Thank you. I can't believe you got me twenty two presents, honestly."

"This is so true!" Mack replied easily since he had a very valid point. She moved her arms around his neck to pull herself closer to him, meeting each and every kiss with ease. "You deserve the world, love. It was really the least I could do." Mack replied softly before shaking her head a little. "There's actually twenty three, but the twenty third comes later today."

Aaron nodded eagerly, leaning back in to kiss her some as he moved her into his lap and then pulled back with a raised eyebrow as she mentioned an extra present. "Oh? Babe, you're kidding right? That's insane. All I asked for was time with you. You know that." He reminded her softly, grinning a little.

Mack grinned widely as Aaron moved her into his lap, slipping her arms around his neck easily to hug him. Mack shook her head as he asked if she was joking, moving one hand to caress the side of his face gently. "I know, sweetheart. But you should have known I would give you much more than time with me. You get that every day anyways, silly."

"Hm, yes. But it never gets old." Aaron said gently, leaning into her touch and hugging her gently as he looked at her. "Thank you though. You always make me feel really special."

Mack's smile grew at his words, tightening her arms around his neck to hug herself to him as she nuzzled her head into his cheek. "That's always the goal, babe. You deserve the world and everything in it."

Aaron grinned as nuzzled her face into his cheek, she was too precious and kissed her nose gently. "I got everything I want. My life is perfect. It had been since you're in it." He whispered softly.

Mack giggled as he kissed her nose, scrunching it up playfully as he did so before looking up at him with soft eyes. "Mine too," Mack whispered sincerely before leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek gently. "Did you want to shower for the day, love?" Mack asked gently.

Aaron smiled softly as she kissed his cheek, raising an eyebrow. "Hm? We're going out? I mean, if we're in a hurry, yes, I'll shower. You something else planned? Apart from the last gift?" He asked curiously.

Mack shook her head a little. "No. Well, not yet, at least. You have all the time in the world, it's your day." Mack replied easily, brushing his hair from his face carefully. "I just wasn't sure what you wanted to do, love."

Aaron hummed in thought, nodding a little. "Okay. I could shower, and we could have lunch somewhere later so you don't end up cooking all day." He said easily, not really minding her idea. Aaron hadn't planned anything, he just figured it would be them out or just chilling at home. "Or do you wanna do something else?"

Mack nodded her head gently at his words, leaning into him to kiss him quickly. "That sounds perfect," Mack replied easily before shaking her head a little. "Nope. I'd really enjoy that." If anything, Mack knew very well that Drew, Robin, and Jack could join them. Mack then moved to stand, taking the cake with her. "I'm gonna put this back in the fridge, okay?"

Aaron grinned gently, pecking her lips and then nodding lightly. "Okay, awesome. I'll be in the shower." He said easily, moving to stand up to figure out what he would wear before moving to slip into the bathroom.

Mack kissed him back quickly, nodding easily at his words. She then changed quickly herself before proceeding to the guest bathroom so that she could get ready for the day. After that, Mack made her way downstairs. Just in time, too. She grabbed her phone and exchanged a few messages with Robin to ensure that they were on their way. Which would be perfect because they could surprise Aaron by the time he finished showering. She sent them the address with a wide smile on her lips, unable to contain her excitement.

Aaron showered easily and then slipped into his clothes for the day. He never had to impress anyone, but Aaron knew that Mack loved dressing up, so he sorta followed her lead all the time so they could match. Once he was ready, he ran down the simtairs to find Mack. "Babe?" He asked as he looked around.

By the time Aaron had finished showering, Drew and Robin had found the apartment along with Jack. They all intended on surprising Aaron in the living room, but of course, when Jacklynn heard Aaron she got far too excited. She'd never been the best at keeping secrets, anyways. What kid was? She ran from the three of them towards the stairs, her handmade birthday card that was made with all the love in the world just for Aaron in her hand. "Uncle Aaron!" She exclaimed excitedly as she ran towards him.

Aaron immediately stopped as soon as he heard a child call out to him. Not just any child. Jacklynn. The smile barely fit on his face as he saw the girl running up to him. "What, Jacklynn?! Oh my God," he said quickly, leaning down to hug her tightly and kiss the top of her head. "Kiddo! How did you get here all the way to Madrid?!" He asked excitedly.

Jacklynn giggled as she hugged Aaron tightly, then pulling back to look at him attentively as ever. "We flew in a big plane!" She exclaimed excitedly since it had been quite a big deal for her. "I made you a card! That's you," Jacklynn pointed to the outside of the card that had a drawing of what was supposed to be Aaron and her best attempt at a soccer ball. "Wow, Jack. You're really great at this surprise thing," Drew murmured sarcastically as he stepped out of the living room with a big smile on her face as he walked over to Aaron, bringing Robin along with him as he held her hand.

Aaron gasped at her words for her amusement because she was too cute. "Jack, this is so cute. Thank you so much. Is that me and a football?!" He exclaimed excitedly as he looked at the car intently, eyes softening in the process. He looked up though when he saw Drew and Robin walk in, letting out a small laugh. "Dude! What the hell are you doing here?! Are you insane? How did this happen?!" He asked excitedly, walking over to hug them tightly.

Jacklynn shook her head quickly. "It's a soccer ball, silly!" Jacklynn exclaimed with a giggle since she didn't know any better. She then looked over at her father and Robin as they stepped out of the living room before getting distracted completely by the puppies. Drew grinned widely at Aaron's words, happy that they were able to surprise him. He hugged his best friend tightly before pulling back and nodding towards Mack as she stepped out, too. "Mackie thought we should come and surprise you so here we are, the best damn birthday present anyone's ever gotten." He explained easily. "Happy birthday, man."

Aaron buckled as she corrected him, raising his eyebrows. She really was Drew's daughter, wow. Hugging Drew tightly, Aaron laughed lightly. "Seriously." He said excitedly, hugging Robin gently and then going to Mack to hug her as tightly as he could. "Thank you guys. And thank you, Mack." He said gently, kissing her lips quickly.

Mack made her way over to Aaron and hugged him back, laughing softly as she felt how hard he was hugging her. "Of course, sweetheart." Mack replied easily. She leaned up to kiss him back eagerly, then starting  explain. "I was thinking we could all go out and grab lunch?" She suggested to everyone gently.

"Yeah, that sounds real good. You guys will love Madrid. It's so pretty." Aaron said excitedly, taking on Macks hand gently. Robin who had just watched the whole thing and thought it was precious moved to get Jacklynn with them.

Mack slipped out of her heels as she entered the apartment alongside her husband, her cheeks aching from how much she had been smiling the entire night. Today had been all about Aaron and Mack had done her absolute hardest to make sure the day was as perfect as possible since he deserved nothing less than that. She turned to him once they entered and moved to him quickly, wrapping her arms around him tightly. She then peppered the side of his with numerous kisses before pulling away with a grin. "Have you had a good day?"

Aaron smiled as they stepped inside their house, raising his eyebrows as Mack got in his way. "Hm?" He asked distractedly as she kissed him several times, his hands resting on her lower back a she opened up his eyes. "I have had he best day, babe. Are you kidding? Thank you for everything." He whispered as he looked down at her intently. "You are always so good to me."

Mack kept her arms wrapped tightly around him as his hands moved to her lower back, grinning at his response since that was all she'd hoped to achieve. "There's no one who deserves it more than you," Mack whispered, looking up at him in complete adoration before leaning up to kiss him quickly. "I love you so much, Aaron." Mack murmured before kissing him once again before she finally pulled back and took his hands in hers.

"You mean apart from you though." Aaron whispered teasingly, chuckling and then kissing her gently as he did so. "Hm. I love you. More than anything. Can't believe you got my best friend out here. Seriously. You're kind of incredible." Aaron whispered, keeping his hands in hers since he wasn't sure of what she was up to.

Mack rolled her eyes playfully at his response, giving his hands a gentle squeeze as she listened intently to him. "It was the least I could do," she replied easily. That was the only downside to Madrid, Aaron and Drew were so far apart. So Mack would leap at any opportunity to bring them together. Mack turned around, dropping one of his hands to do so before beginning to lead him upstairs, not being able to help but stop and pet the puppies along the way.

"Mack, it isn't the least you could do. It's a big deal. You gotta give yourself more credit." Aaron said gently, following her up the stairs and smiling as both puppies began following them as usual. Once they were in their bedroom, Aaron took off his tennis shoes and moved to the bed, taking a seat. "You made today very special for me and im very thankful for that."

Mack listened to Aaron although she continued up the stairs, shrugging her shoulders a little as she did so. Once they entered the room, Mack changed into her pajamas before moving to the bathroom to take off her makeup and pull up her hair. She grinned at his words, nodding a little. "That's all I wanted to accomplish today, babe."

Aaron moved to change into clean pajama pants and then grabbed his Nintendo switch from his nightstand, leaning back against the pillows and headboard of their bed. "You did." He said easily, beginning to play in it as he usually did when Mack was busy with something else. "You always do. I remember my eighteenth birthday party and how I was with you. You were still a brunette." Aaron remembered with a grin.

Mack washed her face and continued to get ready for bed, although when Aaron spoke up she listened to him intently. She emerged by the time he finished speaking, not being able to help but smile. "I remember that too. Outfit and everything. Hm, that's true. My parents wouldn't let me dye my hair," Mack recalled easily as she moved to sit down on her side of the bed.

Aaron nodded a little, shifting a little to lay down asked set his head on her lap gently. "Mhm. But now you can do whatever you want to do. God, we were so little. I had almost stopped playing football, remember?" He asked her gently, his eyes still on his video game as he spoke up.

Mack's smile grew as Aaron set his head in her lap, her hands immediately moving to his hair as she began playing with it gently. She leaned back against the headboard, her eyes fixating on the screen of his Nintendo. "I do remember that," Mack replied softly. "Imagine that. How different our lives would be now."

Aaron relaxed under her touch, almost closing his eyes but not doing it because of the video game. "I would be poor and you would have to take care of me with all your money." Aaron replied playfully, looking at her intently and setting the nintendo down. "I had almost gave up on my dream back then. Seems kind of insane now."

Mack giggled at his words, shaking her head a little as she did so. She looked down at him as he put the ninetendo down, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead. "You just got a little lost on the way here, love." Mack replied softly. "I'm so proud of you, do you know that?"

Aaron nodded a little, closing his eyes as she kissed his forehead. He knew that but he was beyond happy for the fact that Mack was such a believer. She tired in him when no one else did. "I know." He said softly right before his phone went off, actually. Aaron groaned a little, sitting up to retrieve it from his jeans on the floor. "It's my mom." Aaron told her softly, a frown on his face.

Mack smiled at his response, relieved to hear that he was well aware of that much. She jumped a little as his phone went off, rest a hand on his back as he moved to grab it. The surprise was evident on Mack's face as she heard his words, having thought that his parents simply just hadn't called for whatever reason. Not that she was expecting it, she just knew they weren't always there for Aaron. They rarely were, actually. "Oh," Mack breathed out softly, unsure as to what to even say.

Aaron pressed answer and put his phone to his ear, surprised they had waited until last minute to actually call him. Seemed ridiculous to him. "Hello?" He mumbled, hearing his mothers voice from the other side wishing him a happy birthday and hen his father, it was clear he was on speaker. Aaron thanked them gently as they began to ask about how he was and when they would visit them soon. "Don't know yet. I have a busy season." He admitted softly, not really wanting to go back home especially now that it was 10 pm and they were just showing up. They made small talk for a moment until Aaron told them that he was tired and hung up, sighing a little.

Mack watched Aaron intently as he spoke, keeping her hand on his back and rubbing up and down in gently in hopes of calming him down. Mack thought Aaron had it worse than she did. Mack's parents were out of her life. Aaron's, on the other hand, were neither in nor out. She couldn't imagine the emotional toll it took on him. Mack moved closer to Aaron as he hung up, moving to kiss his cheek before she pulled back to look at him intently. "You okay?" She asked softly.

Aaron swallowed hard and nodded slowly, leaning into her a little. "Yeah. Didn't even expect them to call by now, really. I just wish they hadn't. It would be easier if they just cut me off like they said they would." He admitted with soft eyes, looking down at his lap for a moment as he did so. "They didn't even realize we were in town when we stayed with Drew."

Mack's hand moved to the back of his neck slowly, her fingers gently fumbling with the hairs on the nape of his neck in hopes of helping him calm down. Mack nodded her head a little at his words, sighing softly. "I hate that," Mack breathed out softly. "You deserve so much better than that. I just...I don't get them." Mack mumbled gently. "You know what I think sometimes?"

Aaron looked up at her as she mentioned what she thought of all of it. "What do you think?" He asked in a small whisper, not really sure what she would say since she usually kept everything about his parents to herself.

Mack brushed his hair from his face gently, a small smile coming across her lips. "I think that we met for a reason, you know? Or it's just a big coincidence that we both have pretty...bad parents. But there's good that came out of it. Because we have each other now. That's what's really important," Mack replied sincerely. "I just wish they would be a part of your life or leave you alone."

Aaron bit down on his bottom lip as Mack spoke up, sighing a little. "Babe. Of course that was it. But it still sucks. Both of us. You don't deserve shitty parents and neither do I." He said gently, taking a deep breath.

Mack rubbed up and down Aaron's back gently, nodding slowly as she did so. "I know, baby." Mack whispered. "I wish I could make it better for you. Just make the whole thing easier on you."

"Baby...you do, please. Don't ever think that you don't." Aaron whispered gently, turning his head to get a good look at her and slipping his arms around her carefully. "You make everything better, love."

Mack nodded her head gently at his words, leaning her forehead against his as he turned his head to look over at her. "Good," Mack breathed out softly. "I love you so much." Mack murmured gently.

Aaron smiled a little, cupping the side of her face gently and pecking her lips as he moved her legs to his lap gently. "I love you so so much."

Mack leaned into his hand as he rested it on her face, closing her eyes to reciprocate the brief kiss. Mack let him move her legs into his lap, sighing softly in content as she did so. She then slipped her arms around his neck to hug herself closer to him. "The possibility of seeing them makes me nervous, though. Only because I know that I won't be able to keep my mouth shut."

Aaron took in a soft breath as she spoke up, not really sure of what to say to that. He just wanted to push that all away. "Hm. I try not to think about it all honestly. Thank you for wanting to defend me it just...has been like that for all these years as it's not really gonna change now, babe." He whispered carefully.

Mack nodded her head gently at his words, exhaling slowly as she did so. She leaned into him so that she could nuzzle her face into the crook of his neck, holding him tightly and close to her all the while she did so. "Maybe it will," she whispered hopefully.

"Hm. Doubt it." Aaron said gently, not really wanting to tal about it and instead running his fingers through her hair carefully as he did so. "Let's not focus on that okay? Not worth it."

Mack nodded her name as gently at his words respecting that much and dropping it. "Okay," she replied softly before leaning into him to kiss his cheek. "Wanna watch a movie before bed?" She suggested gently, a smile coming across her lips as she did so. "Although I can't promise I'll watch it attentively."

Aaron wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lips gently, taking a deep breath a she pulled back. "You never promise to watch it. Because we put on the movie, and then we cuddle, then we start kissing. And we never stop when we kiss." Aaron said teasingly, nuzzling his nose against hers gently.

Mack leaned into him to kiss him back gently, humming softly in content against his lips. "Because I would never break a promise," Mack replied easily before giggling since he was absolutely right. She nudged her nose against his gently, closing her eyes. "You say that as though it's a bad thing."

"I know you wouldn't. You're too good." Aaron said playfully, though it was true. She was so damn good to him and everyone around them. "Me? Would I ever complain about us doing any of that? Please. If anything, I used to get worried about you thinking I just wanted that, honestly." He remembered playfully. This was Aaron's birthday, but it was also close to their dating anniversary too.

Mack grinned at Aaron's response, happy that he knew that much. She laughed softly at his admission, shaking her head a little as she did so. "Don't be silly. I enjoy it...very much." She added with a nod, trying not to end up thinking about it so she didn't become a blushing mess.

"Yeah, I meant before." Aaron explained easily, kissing her cheek and hugging her tightly as he kept her close. "Let's just watch TV. Picking movies stresses me out." He murmured playfully, not making any effort to move yet.

"Oh," Mack replied softly at his words, grinning as he kissed her cheek. She giggled at his words, nuzzling her face into his neck and leaving several kisses against his skin. "We can do whatever you want, babe." She murmured gently.

Aaron hummed a little as she kissed his neck, grinning. "Mhm. We have been together for four years. You and me. Since we kissed then night before my birthday. It's low key our four year anniversary." He whispered gently, turning his head to lean closer to her and taking a deep breath.

Mack froze as soon as he spoke up at listen to him intently, unable to help the wide smile that immediately spread across her lips. "That is true," Mack replied softly, pulling back enough to rest her forehead against his. "I can't believe it's been four years. I feel like I've known you my whole life," Mack whispered, shaking her head. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Aaron grinned gently, nodding easily. "I do too. But that just means how we have been since day one. No secrets, nothing that would hurt us. Sure, we have made some mistakes but here we are, nothing's changed." Aaron said gently. Not their relationship, at least. His eyes softened and he kissed his lips carefully. "You're everything to me."

Mack grinned widely at him as he spoke, nodding easily along with his words as he did so. "Exactly," she replied easily before closing her eyes and leaning into him to reciprocate the gentle kiss. "I love you so much, Aaron." She mumbled against his lips. It was still an overwhelming thing to Mack. To have someone that she loved this much and in turn loved her just as much. It was the most incredible feeling she'd ever experienced.

"I know you do, my love. You are so good to me." Aaron said in a soft whisper, kissing her back slowly and cupping the side of her face carefully. "I love you, just as much." He reminded her gently, his eyes focused on hers.

Mack relaxed entirely at his words. There was something about Aaron being well aware of the fact that Mack loved him is much that made her immensely happy. It let her know that she was doing her job as a wife right in the sense that she gave Aaron all the love she had. She always would. Mack smiled warmly at him as he reciprocated the three words she loved most, nodding gently before she let her eyes fall shut. She leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, pulling him even closer as she did so.

Aaron hummed softly as she kissed him again, letting her pull him closer and sighing in content while his hand tangled in her hair carefully and moved closer to her gently.

Mack, while she kept the kiss soft, tilted her head to the side to deepen it. One hand moved to the back of his neck where she fumbled with his hair gently, letting a soft hum of content emit from her lips onto his.

Mack was always soft and Aaron had always loved it. Before her, everyone expected him to be more upfront about everything. Mack usually kept close to him and was slow, it was still surreal to him that he had found someone that took care of him even when they were kissing. Tilting his head to the other side a little, he rested his hand on her waist and one of his hand son her knee gently since her legs were on his lap still.

Mack couldn't help but smile into the kiss as Aaron's head fell to the other side. There was something about being so close to Aaron that made Mack feel a million things at once. The two most important ones were happy and safe. Two things that she'd never had prior to meeting Aaron. Mack's hands moved to both sides of his face as she pulled away slightly to press gentle kisses to his face and jawline.

Aaron leaned into her touch, closing his eyes as she kissed his face and sighing in content as he pulled her even closer to him. There was nothing better than knowing that someone loved you unconditionally, the way they loved each other. "Hm. I love you so much."

Mack couldn't help but grin at his words and nodded a little. She easily moved into his lap as he pulled her closer, her legs moving to either side of his body as she straddled him. She wrapped her arms loosely around his neck as her forehead leaned against his, the smile never leaving her lips. "And I love you. So much," Mack murmured gently, opening her eyes so they could look over him. "I never thought it was possible to love someone this much."

Aaron wrapped his arms around her waist carefully and looked up at her intently as she spoke up. "I didn't know either. I didn't know love even existed until you showed up, Becks." Aaron said softly, leaning over to kiss her shoulder quickly several times and then up to her neck.

Aaron's words meant the world to her. The fact that she could give Aaron something that he'd never experienced before was perhaps her greatest honor. She closed her eyes as he kissed her shoulder and up to her neck, letting her head fall to the side to give him more space. "I can't believe it's been four years," Mack breathed out softly with a small shake of the head. "We really got to watch each other grow up."

Aaron pulled back a little to look at her better and smiled softly. "Of course, baby. Four years of being really happy." He whispered carefully, taking a deep breath and running his fingers through her hair gently. "Hm. We did. I was...so small when we met. All skin and bones, huh?"

Mack nodded her head eagerly at his words, opening her eyes to look at him intently. "Immensely happy," she replied easily, running her finger over his jawline slowly. She couldn't help but laugh at his words, shaking her head a little. "You still towered over me. You're not entirely wrong, though. Your calf muscles are like rocks now."

"I mean, I was tall. Not as built." Aaron explained playfully, leaning into her touch gently and then kissing her again. "I'm as happy as you are. So happy."

Mack nodded her head a little at his words, not being able to help but smile. A lot had changed since then. It was crazy for Mack to think what their lives were now. They were homeowners in Madrid and Aaron was playing for one of the biggest football clubs in the world. It was insane int he best way. Mack grinned at his words, nodding a little. "I'm happy as long as I'm with you," Mack replied easily before leaning in to kiss him gently.

Aaron returned the kiss eagerly, one of his hands moving to cup her neck and then kissing her softly but with everything that he had in him as usual while his other hand rested on her back to keep her close. "I am too, love. I still don't know how I got here with you."

Mack reciprocated the kiss with ease, eager to do so. Mack pressed her front to his as he rested a hand on her back, smiling into the kiss as she heard his words. "Oh? I remember it quite vividly, actually. Stolen limo and all," she replied playfully.

Aaron laughed a little into the kiss, not even bothering to pull away as he talked to her. "Hey, I had to impress you. That night was fun, even if we didn't kiss then. But it's okay. I like that we took our time." He whispered gently.

Mack giggled at Aaron's words, nodding as much as she could since neither of them had intentions of pulling away. "I do too," Mack breathed out gently. "All of that was perfect, you know?"

"Yeah. Stolen limo and everything?" Aaron reminded her playfully, knowing fairly well that it was an adventure. "You impressed me though. Going along with all of it so easily."

"Stolen limo and everything," Mack replied easily before pressing her lips to his again and sighing softly in content. "Yeah? Well, I liked you very much. I tried hard to play it cool."

"You played it so cool." Aaron admitted playfully since he hadn't been able to tell that she was really into him. Not as easily as with other girls.

Mack giggled at his words, pressing several kisses to his lips and taking advantage of their close proximity. "And look where it got me," she replied easily before pulling back just a little to look at him intently. "I have good news."

"Here with a shirtless Aaron Windsor as your husband?" Aaron asked teasingly, pulling back to see her as she did so. "Hm? Okay, I like that. What is it?"

Mack giggled once again at his response, nodding easily at his words. "With a stunning ring on my left hand," she added with a small nod. Mack's smile grew as she was ready to tell Aaron her good news, unable to contain her excitement. "I have my last therapy session this week."

"Oh yeah. Our matching rings." Aaron said excitedly, pecking her lips and then raising his eyebrows at her next words since he really had no idea until now. "Really? Mack...that's such good news. My love. What has the doctor said?"

Mack nodded her head quickly at his words, leaning in to peck his lips back eagerly. Her smile grew even more at Aaron's response and she hugged herself to him tightly, resting her forehead against his. "Thank you," Mack whispered before continuing. "Just that...she's really proud of me. That I've come a really long way since meeting me. I even talked to her about sharing my story and she thinks I'm finally ready."

"Love, I am so proud of you, okay? Nothing makes me as happy as hearing that you're feeling so well about all of this, seriously." He said gently. Aaron was beyond excited for her. That she was doing so good was definitely good for her well being. He had learned that from dating her.

Mack's features softened at Aaron's words and she nodded gently as she nodded a little. "Thank you so much," Mack whispered. For the first time in her life, Mack was proud of herself. Genuinely proud of herself. It was a truly incredible feeling. Mack hugged him tightly for a moment before pulling back a little after kissing his cheek. "Will you come with me? To the last one?"

Aaron's eyes were soft as he stared at her gently, nodding eagerly. "Of course, babe. I'll go wherever you want me to go. I know this is so important." He said carefully, pushing her hair off her shoulders and sighing in content. "I'm very happy for you and therapy. It means the world that you want to share that special moment with me, you know?"

Mack smiled, sincerely as ever, at Aaron as he spoke. She nodded gently, looking at him intently with soft eyes as he pushed her hair off of her shoulders. "Yeah," Mack replied softly with a small nod. "It'll mean a lot to me to have you there. I... I feel stronger than I've ever felt before, Aaron. Mentally and emotionally." She whispered, shaking her head a little in disbelief. She never thought she could say those words. "I've made peace with everything that's happened to me."

Aaron kissed her quickly, remaining close to her and kissing her head. "Mack...that is so important. I know so. And I'm extremely proud of you, because I know that you are proud of yourself and that is all that matters to me, okay? You being happy. You being okay." He explained softly, nodding his head eagerly and resting one of his hands on her knee since she was still wrapped around him. "You are the strongest person I have ever met, baby. Ever."

Mack reciprocated the brief kiss, keeping her eyes closed as he kissed her head before opening them up to look up at him. She had a small smile on her face as he spoke, but it was genuine as ever. She was just focusing entirely on his words. She rested her hands on his bare chest, her pointer finger lightly tracing over her name. Her smile grew at his last words and she nodded a little, looking up at him. "Thank you for saying that," she whispered. "I wouldn't be this strong if it weren't for your love. That's what it all stems from."

Aaron leaned his forehead against hers, almost giggling as she traced his tattoo and looking up at her with a small grin. "That kinda tickles cause your hands are a little cold." He explained softly, his other hand still around her waist as he spoke up and then listening to her intently, swallowing hard. "If that's the case, I am always going to be here, okay? Always."

Mack's face lit up as Aaron practically giggled, finding it adorable before she pressed her palm to the tattoo. "I'm sorry, love." Mack responded gently, keeping her voice low due to their close proximity. She nodded her head a little at his words, knowing that would be the case. "I know," Mack assured him before leaning forward to press a few kisses to his shoulder before resting her head on it as her arms snaked around his middle.

"Hm, it's fine. I mean, you're super fine so it's fine." Aaron replied playfully, letting her lean completely against him when she rested her head on his shoulder and slipping his arms around her carefully, hands moving around her back gently. "Sometimes I wonder how I survived without cuddles before I met you. Everything's so different since I met you, Mack Windsor." He whispered gently.

Mack rolled her eyes playfully at his words as a small blush came across her cheeks, tightening her hold around his middle. "Okay, Adonis." Mack replied sarcastically before turning her head towards him although she left it on his shoulder. She gazed up at him in complete adoration, smiling widely at his words. "Yeah? I'd never even had my first kiss before meeting you so imagine how I felt."

Aaron laughed a little and kissed her forehead as he felt her eyes on him, shaking his head at her and then nodding. "I do remember that. Which I can't believe cause you don't get shy with kisses. You never have. If anything, no one had ever kissed me like you do. So, like, you're just a natural or some shit." He said teasingly, playing with a strand of her hair carefully.

Mack closed her eyes for a moment as he kissed her forehead, then looking up at him once again. Mack couldn't help but giggle at his words, shaking her head a little as she lifted her head. "One, I enjoy them very much. I can't help myself most of the time," she explained gently before continuing. "And two, I had an excellent teacher."

Aaron chuckled at her words, arching an eyebrow. "I was the teacher? Okay, okay, now I get where all the knowledge comes from." He said playfully, rolling his eyes at himself and then leaning over to kiss her just then, sighing in content a she pulled back. "I get so weak when you start kissing me though so it's totally reciprocate. I assure you." He said easily, smiling.

Mack laughed gently at his words, humming softly in content as he leaned over to kiss her. Aaron's words meant the world to her because while he was experienced, the fact that Mack had such an effect on him was incredible. It made her feel as though she were his first and only. Just like he was to her. In several ways, she was. "Well, it's nice to know that we make each other strong but basically are each other's kryptonite too," Mack replied playfully.

"Hm?" Aaron asked a she stopped from leaning for another kiss, peeking an eye open. "What is kryptonite?" He asked with a raised eyebrow since he really had no idea of what she was talking about at the moment.

Mack closed her eyes as she saw him leaning in, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion when she felt nothing and instead, heard him speak up. She opened her eyes, letting a soft laugh leave her lips. "Supermans only weakness, sweetheart." Mack clarified easily before closing her eyes once more. "Do I get kisses now?"

"Oh." Aaron said with furrowed eyebrow. Well, Mack seriously knew way too much stuff that he just didn't know. He laughed a little when she closed her eyes, nodding his head eagerly. "Baby. Love you so much." He whispered as he pressed his lips to hers easily, one of his hands cupping her face gently. "You get absolutely anything you want, as usual."

Mack grinned as he spoke up although she kept her eyes closed. "I love you so much," she reciprocated, lifting her head to meet him halfway and kiss him back gently. One of her hands moved to the side of his neck while another rested on his side, smiling into the kiss at his words. "All I want is you, my love," Mack whispered.

"You're so smart. How do you even know about Superman?" Aaron asked playfully against her lips, humming in content as they kissed slowly, taking his time with everything as usual. "Mhm. And I'm right here." He whispered softly.

Mack laughed softly into the kiss as she heard his words, humming softly in content. "I used to watch the movies when I was little. The original." Mack explained softly before focusing entirely on the kiss, pulling him even closer as she did so.

Aaron nodded as much as he could as his lips moved against hers, leaning more into her as she pulled him closer and deepening the kiss as he did so. He was so lucky to have Mack by his side. And he knew that. It never got old to be with her, it never would.

Mack exhaled softly in content against his lips, letting her head fall to the side so that she could deepen the kiss as well. She tightened her legs around him to be as close to him as possible, her hands moving along his back slowly.

Aaron couldn't remember the amount of girls he had kissed and been with before Mack came along but being with her didn't compare at all. He had never been taken care of or treated the way that she treated him. His hands moved up and down her legs gently as he kissed her with everything that he had, his heart beating hard against his chest as it always did when Mack was close to him.

Mack wouldn't change a thing, honestly. She wouldn't dare hanged a single thing that had gotten her here. It had all been worth it. Aaron would always be worth it. Mack smiled into the kiss as she could feel how fast his heart was beating against his chest and moved a hand over it, running her thumb along his chest slowly. It absolutely made Mack's heart pick up in her own chest as she kissed him, trying to give him as much as she possibly could.

Four years of being together weren't enough. It would never be enough. After those years of high school, her parents, his family, the ups and down in their lives, it all had worked out for them because they had been together. Kissing her slowly, Aaron pulled her even closer and sighed in content as he pulled back only to kiss down to her neck. "You're so beautiful, you know that, right?"

Mack hummed softly in content as Aaron pulled her even closer, letting her head fall to the side to allow him more access to her neck. She grinned at his words, taking a deep breath. "Yeah?" Mack asked gently, her fingers gently fumbling with the hairs on the nape of his neck. Mack's self confidence had definitely grown, but she had yet to see herself the way Aaron saw her.

Aaron looked up at her intently, pulling back from her neck only to lock his eyes on hers as she asked that. "Of course. Look at you. I'm crazy for you." He whispered gently, kissing her chin and then her lips again softly. "The most beautiful woman I have ever seen." He whispered gently.

Mack opened her eyes to look at him intently as he pulled back, blushing immediately at his words. She leaned forward to kiss him once more after he did so, taking a deep breath before she moved to nuzzle her face into the crook of his neck. "I love you so much." Mack murmured softly. "Thank you."

Aaron grinned as she blushed and hid in his neck as usual, letting out a small soft laugh. "I know. I love you too." He whispered gently, kissing the top of her head.

Mack held onto Aaron tightly, closing her eyes as he kissed the top of her head. "Did you have a good birthday?" She asked g belt, finally pulling back to look at him intently.

"I had an amazing birthday. Can't believe you got Drew all he way here." He said excitedly, licking his lips and poking her cheek playfully. "Thank you for everything baby."

Mack grinned widely at his words, beyond relieved to hear it since he deserved nothing less. "You deserve the world," she assured him, giggling as he poked her cheek. "You're very welcome, love."

"I got it all. You're here with me." Aaron said easily, grinning at her and kissing her quickly. "You want to cuddle and watch TV until someone falls asleep?" He offered playfully.

Mack kissed him back eagerly, then nodding eagerly at his words although she didn't move. She figured when Aaron laid down he would just bring Mack with him. So she held onto him even tighter, kissing his shoulder. "There's nothing I would love more."

Aaron laughed a little as she didn't even move and proceeded to lay down carefully to bring her with him. "Hm, good. Couldn't have asked for a better birthday."

Mack fell to the side of Aaron as he laid down, moving to pull the blankets over both of their bodies before snuggling up to him entirely. "Good," Mack breathed out gently, kissing his jawline before she closed her eyes, resting her head on his shoulder. "I love you very much."

Aaron smiled as she snuggled up to him, pecking her lips and closing his eyes since he really wasn't planning on watching anything so. "I love you too, silly. Sleep, I know you want to."

Mack kissed him back quickly before laughing softly and nodding at his words. "Okay," she replied gently, making herself more comfortable as she kept her eyes closed. "Good night," Mack whispered, feeling her eyelids grow heavier and heavier with every passing second.

"Goodnight, babe." Aaron whispered with a small smile and kissed her head as he felt himself get more sleepy as well.