#and then so calm at the sag awards

[elvisabutler]

i'm on my knees and i can't wait to taste your rain

summary: austin is such a good boy for his mama. the best of boys especially at the oscars. rating: m. word count: 1943 ( blurbs, i said. blurbs. ) warnings: mommy kink. oral ( f ). dom/sub dynamic. anxiety attacks being alluded to as well as general anxiety. public play. vibrating cockring. orgasm control. the oscars? author's note: so. welcome to day three of kinktober: mommy kink with austin. if i haven't made it very clear, i love writing sub austin so much. you could give me a million prompts of it and i'd enjoy writing this man being a good boy. absolute puppy of a man, y'all. also treat me nice fans, peep me dropping sub austin in another closet/bathroom. i'm really enjoying kinktober, y'all. if you knew the things i had up my sleeves. also gif credit to @karamelcoveredolicity who blessed us all with this.

Austin is a good boy, a good man, a good puppy. He's polite to a fault, hardworking and one of the kindest souls you have every had the pleasure of knowing. Austin is gorgeous but seems to enjoy pretending he isn't, he seems to enjoy pretending that if acting doesn't pan out he could model. It'd be annoying on anyone but Austin.

But Austin is also one of the more anxious people you've met. He stays too much in his own head and can't always get himself out of it. You realize this when he's so nervous for an interview that he's shaking and no matter what trick or technique he tried he couldn't calm himself. The only thing that had worked was your hands on his shoulders telling he'd be okay over and over until you had heard him say "I heard you, mama" softly. The phrase sends such a shock to your system that you drop your hands so quickly you'd have thought Austin's skin was on fire. Austin's eyes widen and he opens his mouth to say something- anything- to explain himself before he's dragged to the proper backstage. You weren't his mama, you had done something like that other people, but to Austin? No, that hadn't crossed your mind. You weren't sure if you could do it. You stay in the dressing room until Austin comes back in. His lower lip is essentially completely in his mouth has he gnaws on it. You frown realizing just how far he's back in his head looking at you.

"Tell mama what's wrong, baby boy." You whisper as you stand up and take his hands in your own.

The relief on his face at your words and the way he sags against your body tell you that you made the right choice with your words that night. You learned just how much he needed a mama like you, someone to help him, someone to be there for him when others wouldn't be or wouldn't do. It made you wonder why you ever thought you couldn't do this with him. As he said that night and so many other nights in your lap.

"I think you might have been made just for me. Just to be my mama and to live your own life."

He only ever has said it in your lap, you never press about it otherwise.

Oscar season was going to be rough no matter what, you both knew this. It's why you had made sure that your schedule- as packed as it normally was at the beginning of the year was clear. It was an adjustment, telling your job that yes, you needed this time blocked off and if anyone needed your help you'd be available to talk but not for extensive amounts of time. You didn't usually attach conditions to your relationship with Austin, either as his mama or as his girlfriend but you had asked him to after award season was done to respect the fact that you were going to basically be living at the office. He had agreed with a bit of a pouty lip, but he was an adult, he could handle it.

It's the night of the ceremony and you specifically had told Austin that while it was the most important night of his life, he also needed to be in the moment enough to enjoy it. The two of you had come up with the idea of the vibrating cockring. By now- months from that interview you had learned that controlling when Austin could orgasm- controlling how hard his cock could be- was the best way to ensure he stayed focused and in the moment with you. You know you're not famous enough to be next to him in the cast pictures, you're not famous at all really but you still try and stay close, the remote for his cock ring in the pocket of your dress. It's in one of the photos on the red carpet that you see his hand shaking behind Priscilla's back and you turn up the vibration setting one level.

You can hear his intake of breath from a distance and you see his hand has stopped shaking before you realize that he's walking over to you with eyes that have had their pupils overtake most of the iris. His hand moves to grab your arm in an attempt to pull you close enough for him to whisper in your ear.

"Mama, I can't- you can't do that when I'm by Priscilla, she thought something was wrong." He practically hisses. There's no malice in his tone just worry that he exposed himself.

You smile for the cameras that are taking both of your pictures before leaning in to his ear and turning the vibration up one more level. "I'm your mama, baby boy, I can do it when I want. You were shaking. You needed it."

He opens his mouth to deny it before you raise your eyebrows and tilt your head just so, a sign that he knows means you will accept no arguments from him. Instead he shuts his mouth and moves to kiss you, something he knows the camera will enjoy. Austin Butler, man of the hour, the one who's likely to be the only one to take on Brendan Fraser for the best actor prize, kissing his lawyer girlfriend. He grabs your face as he's done a million times, both hands cupping your cheeks and you for once mirror him in front of the cameras, your own hands moving to cup his cheeks. He nuzzles into them and you can't help the soft smile that crosses your lips as you kiss him when you feel it.

"Color, baby boy?" You ask as you pull away.

"Green." A beat, and a murmur. "Need you though, mama. Need to taste your pussy when we go in. Please?"

You chuckle softly as you pull away. "Be good and we'll see."

Being good was a challenge, it shouldn't have been but you decided to up the ante to make sure Austin didn't start to panic about what was going to be happening tonight. What might not happen tonight. By the time you and him are at the end of the red carpet Austin's practically vibrating as if the cockring is making his whole body vibrate with it. His arm is around you and his mouth is by your ear the second you're away from the constant flashes of cameras.

"Please mama, please, I've been good. You're being mean but I'm such a good boy. Such a great boy for you." The words come out in what sounds like Elvis's southern drawl, half slurred and you find that it does something for you. Enough of something that you find yourself dragging him to the nearest room with a lock and forcing him in there. The second the door is locked you're bunching up your dress. The joys of buying your own and wearing it, you didn't have to worry about a designer getting mad you wrecked it.

"On your knees, Austin." You say as you shimmy out of your underwear.

He doesn't even hesitate his knees hitting the floor with a thump that has you wincing before you feel his tongue against your slit, causing a surprised "oh" to leave your mouth. He blows a puff of cold air against the warm line he had just left before humming and diving in. He eats you out like a man starved, his tongue flicking at your clit before dipping into your cunt a pale imitation of his dick or his fingers but the sensation of something slipping in and out of your cunt as quick as his tongue does has you gripping at the table behind you. He pulls away when he realizes your hands aren't in his hair.

"Hair, mama."

Two words before he's back against your core, focusing his attention on sucking at your clit, his faint 5 o'clock shadow scraping at cunt and the insides of your thighs. You let your hands move down to his hair, pulling it and earning a groan as well as a shiver from him. You know you have to be quiet, you two can't get caught, not tonight of all nights so you bite your lips even as you feel Austin's fingers join his tongue, curling just so to have your hips bucking against his face his nose putting pressure on your clit. You two are going to get caught but maybe it's worth it. Maybe it's worth it to make your baby boy happy, to give him the reward he deserved for being so good on the red carpet. To give him an incentive to be good throughout the ceremony.

"Such a good boy for your mama, Austin. The best boy a mama can ask for, god, baby, right there, fuck-" You whimper your thighs clenching around his head as you feel yourself right on the edge of coming. Austin smiles against you and nips at your clit and you clench even tighter as your toes curl and you lean back, your head hitting the wall behind you and your back arching before you come back down in a flash. Austin doesn't stop licking, almost as if he's trying to clean up the mess he made of you before he pulls back, his mouth covered in your juices.

"Best boy?" His eyes are a little lidded, but not enough that you're concerned for his well being. This is what he needed, this should settle him enough for most of the ceremony.

Your hand moves to the lapel of his jacket and you use the grip to pull him up to a standing position as best as you can. "The absolute best boy. A boy who's earned not having the cock ring on. Because mama knows her best boy can hold off on coming without it. Can't he?"

He nods slowly as he watches your hand sneak into his pants and with an ease he marvels at, manage to get the ring off without too much trouble. He sees your underwear on the floor and grabs them as you put the cock ring in your clutch. You eye the underwear until he says something.

"Can I keep them for a good luck charm tonight?" He asks, his face contorting into what you'd like to say is the best impression of a puppy dog that you've ever seen before. It makes your heart hurt and feel so full of love that you can't help but kiss Austin before you answer, tasting yourself on his lips.

"You can. Going to keep being a good boy tonight?" It's a question you don't need to ask but you figure checking in won't hurt as you straighten out your dress.

"With your panties in my pocket? Why wouldn't I be, mama?" He looks in the mirror and fixes his hair before turning to you. "Back out to that?"

"Back out to that, baby boy." You nod, taking his hand and squeezing it. "You're gonna win. Trust me when Mama says that."

He does and when he's thanking his mama in his speech everyone thinks he's just talking about Lori. And you know he is, but you also know his eyes don't ever leave yours when he says I couldn't have done this without my mama and you know it wasn't just her he was talking about. He might be the best boy in all of world to you, but to him, you might just be the best mama in all of the world.

[604to647]

WIP Wednesday (so/too many things 🫣)

Thank you for the tag @mermaidgirl30 😘

A productive week of writing! Writing Birthday Bunny for P's birthday really got me back into the groove of writing for our Safest with You couple 🥰

Ch. 15 - The BBQ is written but needs a good, scrub down edit 😂:

Clawing down your partially exposed body, clamouring to find the inside tie that separate him from your soft body, Din pauses only to pull you away from the car so he can unlock the door; as soon as it opens, he walks you backwards and helps you up onto the seat, scooting you back so your legs dangle out the door. 

“There,” Din says huskily, as he finds the little knot on the right inside seam of your dress and pulls so it unfurls, “you aren’t out in the open anymore.”  He spreads apart the fabric of your dress so you’re presented to him in your pretty pink mesh and ruffles lingerie set; he sucks in his breath. 

“Just for you, daddy,” you coo.  You knew Din wouldn’t be expecting something so flirty and naughty under the dress you had picked for what was supposed to be a casual and wholesome family event.

Ch. 16 - The Matchup is about 80% done as well:

The roar of the crowd is deafening.  Despite this being an unsanctioned match, the spectators have showed up in droves, drawn in by Din’s celebrated fight history, the underlying family rivalry, or both.

When Din and the contingent from Mando’s make their ring entrance, the noise level somehow crescendos; you hold Bea and Lala’s hands and catch Paz’s eye with your own, shining bright with pride as you cheer loud.  Somehow Din discerns your voice over the crowd and as he passes your row, looking calm and formidable, he finds you and his eyes soften just long enough to throw you a wink before settling back into a steely glare.  Jimmy on the other hand follows behind Greef, all pumping fists and testosterone fueled howls.  He hypes up the crowd even more, reaching in to fist bump you and the girls, and accepts a hair tousle from Paz’s long reaching arm.

The last part of Mi Galleta will be posted on Friday! I can't believe I finished a series 😭 I already started to miss our scowly bouncer and his Cookie, so I decided I would try my hand at @undercoverpena's April Showers Challenge for them - the opening lines are written (plus moodboard made):

“Keep your eyes open, Cookie.”

Your eyes snap open at Pero’s command, followed by a slower opening of your plush mouth into an oh shape before you let out a whimper.

He’s working you open so deftly with just two of his fingers, it’s a wonder you’re not crying out obscenities and pleading to come.  But you have to stay quiet; you are, after all, at Pero’s place of work.

Finally, because I don't know what's good for me, I've had a little Bridgerton AU idea for a while, even before P showed up at the SAG Awards in Regency Prada™️. The basic premise is that Reader is a family friend of the Bridgertons, but missed her season (Daphne's) as she was travelling abroad with her father, now forced to return in order to finally enter the marriage mart two years later after her friend. Our Pboi is either Pero or Frankie, and he's Spanish nobility that's visiting London; being a good friend of Colin Bridgerton's who the latter met during his recent travels, Pero/Frankie is begrudgingly dragged to this season's events by his friend.

The thing is this/here's the thing: I want to make it childhood best friends to lovers, but I also want the SAG pictures to be my main visual inspo.

No pressure tags and anyone else who likes to do these (I do!🥰) please do! @nerdieforpedro @alltheotps

[strangerquinns]

I need a load of angsts rn. Can I request a broken promise kind of plot? Like, Y/N has this big event coming up and Dylan promises he’ll be there to support her. But then when the event came, Y/N got nervous and needed to see a familiar face in the crowd, but Dylan wasn’t there. Dylan, on the other hand, was- Idk maybe having an after party of his upcoming movie (you decide). When he realized what day it was, he immediately drove through the venue and realized the event was over. Y/N was so mad and started ranting that she’s always supporting him through everything but for the first time she needs his support, he didn’t show up. You decide if she’ll forgive him or not.

Bestie, make it really hurtful. I need to feel some pain. Like real pain.

Dylan O'Brien x Reader

You'd been anticipating this event for months, nervous to have the attention on you for once

but with Dylan at your side, it'll all be ok, right?

angst

"And don't forget about tonight! Your tux is going to be here by the time you get home," You spoke as you filled your tumbler with coffee.

"I won't," Dylan spoke, walking up beside you, his hands gently grabbing each side of your waist before bending down to kiss right below your ear. "I'll be done with reshoots at around 3, and then I'll meet you there?"

"Yes. I'll be with my manager most of the day and will be getting ready at the hotel." You slowly turned around to face him, arms wrapping around his shoulders as you smiled up at him. "I'm nervous. Not really a fan of public speaking, let alone talking about myself."

"Baby, this project is finally finished has been doing so well, I'm so proud of you." Dylan spoke proudly, "I know you're gonna kill this speech. You deserve all the rewards for how hard you work."

You ducked your head down slightly from feeling slightly bashful as your boyfriend praised you. But Dylan reached down to lightly touch the end of your chin to tilt your head back up before his lips pressed down against yours. Feeling his lips against yours calmed some of the nerves you'd been feeling all day.

And that moment in the morning continued to reply in your mind as you looked around the room looking for his face. You stood on the side of the stage with butterflies so wild in your stomach that you thought you were going to throw up. When six rolled around and you didn't see a sign of Dylan, you chalked it up to him running late. Sometimes shoots can be unpredictable with end time.

But as each text message and phone call went unanswered, your stomach began to twist more and more.

Hearing your name along with a loud eruption of applause snapped your focus back to what was happening in front of you. A large nervous smile plastered across your face as you walked the few steps up before you were standing in front of the podium, your award sitting right at the front.

"T-Thank you," You smiled, looking out over the tables filled with unfamiliar faces, unable to find the one that you knew would calm you. Center you and have you feeling like you were able to get through this.

But instead, you were left alone. And you felt it. You powered through the speech, only stumbling a few times, before stepping back.

The rest of the evening continued on uneventfully, keeping the mask on since you were at a work event. But when Dylan didn't even show and you watched the workers break down the event - that's when the tears showed. That's when your heart finally broke and you felt lost.

You sat in the lobby of the hotel where the event was being held and it wasn't long till you watched Dylan run through the double doors with a panicked look on his face. He was wearing the tux that you'd picked out for him, but the bow tie was sloppily put on and he'd missed a button in the middle.

Dylan panted heavily as his eyes wildly looks around, but sagged in disappointment when he saw the event room door open and it was completely empty.

"I was wondering when...or even if...you were going to show up." You spoke, slowly walking up towards him.

Seeing you took Dylan's breath away. Not only with how beautiful you looked but the fury and pain that filled your eyes as you glared at him.

To say that you were pissed would be an understatement, and Dylan knew that he'd ultimately fucked up.

"Y/N...baby," Dylan started, but you rose up your hand to stop him.

"I am going to give you a few seconds to defend yourself, cause I swear to fucking god if no one was dying to cause you to miss this, I am going to lose my mind."

Dylan sagged and ran a hand over his face, before looking back towards you with heavy regret. "Shooting went late, and everyone went out for food after...I-I thought I would have enough time...but I lost track."

You let out a breathy humorless laugh, "Wow...so I wasn't a priority to you is what you're saying?"

"No...No, of course, you are!" Dylan spoke quickly moving towards you, but a pained look crossed his handsome face as you stepped away from him.

"The one time...that I needed you, you could care less about it." You spoke, voice calm and even. The fierce look in your eyes makes his stomach twist. "I looked out into that crowd to see the one person I knew actually loved me. That I could look too when I became too nervous."

Tears started to well in your eyes causing your make-up to smear slightly. Dylan fought back the need to take you into his arms, hating to see you in pain.

But he was the cause.

"And then you never showed. After all the times that I have been there for you. Supporting you, and you couldn't take one fucking night to be there for me."

Dylan looked down in shame feeling his own tears.

"Just tell me why...why, Dylan? Do you not love me? Cause that's what this feels like right now."

His eyes shot up quickly, "I do love you. I love you so, so much. I...I don't have a reason for why this happened except that I'm a fucking idiot. I am so sorry,"

You sniffled and reached up to wipe away the tears that were on your cheeks, before letting out a deep and heavy breath. "I need time to think." Dylan felt his heart sink into his stomach. "I'm going to stay here at the hotel. I got a room. I think it would be wise if you just went home."

"Please..." Dylan stepped towards you, not caring if you pushed him away. He felt like you were slipping through his fingers, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. "...we can talk about this. I-I...I don't...I know it doesn't matter what I want, but I don't want us to take time. I want you at home with me, where you belong."

"I don't feel like I belong in your life right now, Dylan." You cried out, voice cracking slightly. "Just go home."

You stepped out of his arms and moved quickly across the lobby towards the elevators. He stood there with his heart feeling like it was going to pound out of his chest.

But Dylan knew there was no one else to blame but himself.

[heyharoldsboo]

the tide is REALLY turning on twitter. Many more people are realizing that the girls have changed their stories and all confirmed that they're not victims. And this thing with Desiree blew up in her face bc now even MORE people are realizing that it's some other dude she's talking about, not Percy. Again - way more people have started to realize that we have not heard from even one alleged victim, even though there's apparently huge amounts of victims of his out there in the world somewhere. You see tons of tweets being like 'okay but if this other guy did it, why not go after THAT guy??? Why is Percy being dragged into it?" Engagement with 'cancel percy' hashtags is also way way down, and the 'percy hynes white' search on twitter shows way more people posting normal photos and supportive tweets.

Keeping calm does make a difference, everyone. Let's keep populating his main tag with our favorite pictures. It's working here too. It will work in twitter. Maybe we'll even see him at SAG Awards.

Also my beloveds, I hope that seeing this come from another person also helps you see what I have been saying so far.

[starryeyes2000]

That Night In The Cave: Chapter 27

Read on AO3 or FFN

Rating: Teen

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, First Love, Romance

Pairings: Pike & Tilly; Una x OMC; Saru x OFC

Word Count: 2.5k

Chapter Summary: Pike tends to his crew. Una to the rescue.

Excerpt: Cave

As Pike slowly became conscious, he felt the warmth of the nearby fire and counted one, two, three, and … yes, four, distinct voices conversing. That’s everyone. He sent a silent thank you out into the unknowable. Their conversation was casual, punctuated here and there with teasing and laughter. He heard movement, but it didn’t sound frantic or rushed. All are safe and well, he concluded. A vague memory surfaced of unresponsive arms and hands bound together. He flexed his hands and fingers, stretched his arms and legs. Nothing felt abnormal. Gingerly he sat up and leaned against the wall. A coughing fit left him sagging against that wall and inhaling deeply, trying to draw in a full breath.

Pike opened his eyes. He saw only charcoal grey. So the blindness wasn’t a nightmare. He carefully felt around his body, exploring the immediate environment.

“Captain?”

Soprano voice, calm and bright, slight Australian accent. Bonnie.

Continue Reading on AO3 or FFN

Story Masterlist | OC Masterlist | Author Masterlist

Story Summary:

Discovery’s crew is curious about Christopher Pike's background, especially his early missions shrouded in secrecy and his atypical medical skills. After all why would a starship captain be honored with the prestigious Carrington Award bestowed by the Federation Council for a lifetime’s excellence in medicine?

Tilly has a serious and secret (so she believes) crush on Discovery’s temporary commander, Christopher Pike. Saru’s Vahar'ai has triggered his species version of puberty with Pike serving as a stand-in father figure. Pike has a second and secret mission on Discovery in addition to sorting out the mystery of the seven signals. Restless while Enterprise is docked for repairs, Una takes a vacation.

This is hurt/comfort story of dangers, heroics, rescues, awkward situations, getting to know your crewmates, friendship, dating, romance, and the trajectory of first love for a young girl as she finds her place in her chosen profession. As well as the stranded in a cave during a storm trope. Pike whump. And a shirtless Pike stripped to his underwear.

Characters: Pike, Tilly, Saru, Michael, Reno, Detmer, Pollard, Stamets, Na’an, and the rest of the Discovery crew, Una Chin-Riley, and original supporting characters.

Taglist: @arrthurpendragon @ocappreciation @ocappreciationtag @themaradaniels

[softly-potter]

Little Love | Chapter 9: The After

Summary: When Wanda ends up pregnant a few weeks before their wedding, having an impending family shocks them both.

Pairing: Bucky X Wanda

Word Count: 14,401

Warning: none

A/N: The final chapter! Thank you for reading :) keep up with all my fics on tik tok, softlypotter_ | Find the rest of the chapters here; Chapter 1: Two Lines | Chapter 2: All In | Chapter 3: Talking Bodies | Chapter 4: A Visit Before the Bells | Chapter 5: An Exchange of Air | Chapter 6: Week 20 | Chapter 7: The Best Team | Chapter 8: Terrible Timing

-

Chapter 9: The After

Being in active labor was something completely indescribable. Wanda could hear Bruce speaking to her, feeling someone move her legs and arms, a slight pinch on the skin between her elbows. She knew what she needed to do, but she couldn’t seem to do it, couldn’t make her muscles obey her.

“She needs to push now, Barnes.”

“She knows,” Bucky snapped, and Wanda heard the screech of metal against the floor. His face came into view as he sat down on a metal chair beside her, lacing his hands with hers.

“The baby could be hurt if she doesn’t start soon.”

“Make sure she’s not hurt,'' Bucky demanded, turning slightly. “Do you hear me? Her.”

There was pressure on her skin and she shifted, trying to turn her head and arm so she could remove the pressure.

But Bucky grabbed her chin forcly, turning her to look at him. “Don’t. You need that, honey. Just look at me. The baby is coming quickly and we need you to push.”

How was he so calm? He looked stoic, in complete, solid control.

Wanda blinked rapidly, looking at the doctors running around her, speaking about her as if she couldn't hear them. “I can't do this.”

“Yes, you can,” he tried to reassure her, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. “You can do this.”

“I-I can--'' She was cut off by a spike of pain, squeezing her jaw tight enough to crack teeth. This was too fast, she wasn’t prepared. She didn’t have anytime to get ready, they were so ill prepared.

“You're one of the strongest people I know,” Buck whispered, giving her one of his award winning smiles. “I’m so proud of you.”

“She needs to push now,” someone said, and Bucky's jaw flexed, but his eyes stayed on hers.

Gritting her teeth, Wanda pushed through another contraction, an unfamiliar pain striding up her spine. She felt disorientated, almost not believing she was capable of bringing this child into the world. Her resolve quickly hardened when she opened her eyes, because Bucky was looking at her so intently. She could almost feel his strength surge into her through their interlocked hands.

“That's it, sweetheart. Breathe in, keep going,” Bucky whispered, his voice the only source of comfort.

She pushed again, her head straining, chest heaving as she squeezed his hand. And for a split moment, there was nothing but blaring silence. Then a cry cut the air.

Bucky sagged against her in relief, cupping both her hands. “Thank God,” he mumbled, thumb brushing over the back of her hand. “Thank fucking god.”

Through her exhaustion, Wanda smiled.

-

When she awakened, she blinked quickly, the light too bright, streaming over her face. She looked around, relaxing a bit when she saw Bucky leaning against the door, his back to her as he talked to someone she couldn’t see.

“Where's the baby?” Wanda asksed, shifting.

They didn’t hear her, confining their conversation, and she strained to sit up, leaning on her side.

“James, where is the baby?” she demanded.

Bucky whirled around at the sound of his given name. He was by her side in a second, hands lacing together as he smiled. “They’re cleaning her up,” he answered, eyes shining. “Don’t worry. Banner is handling the whole thing. She’s in good hands.”

She. They had a little girl.

“Sorry for the wait, she just needed some cleaning.” Bruce approached the bed, holding a plush bundle in his arms. He said something else but Wanda was no longer listening, her entire focus on the baby carefully placed in her arms. Small and pink, already sound asleep, their daughter was absolute perfection.

Bucky moved his flesh hand lightly atop her head, his fingers dipping to her neck, and Wanda looked up at him. His face was soft, open, a new love showing in his eyes.

“A girl,” he hummed, searching Wanda's face before turning to the bundle in her arms. “We have a little girl.”

A thought wormed its way onto wanda and she blurted, “Your sister. What was her name?”

Bucky was still staring as he answered with, “Becca.”

Wanda glanced down again, raising a hand to run a finger down her baby's cheek. “Your name is Beck, little love,” she whispered, surprised at how soft she was.

Bucky turned to her, beaming, before pulling her to him gently, kissing her mouth and Wanda sighed with relief.

“We’re going to be okay, right?” Wanda asked tiredly.

Bucky nodded, easing next to her on the bed and cradled Beck's head gently, the base of her head fitting easily into his palm. “We’re going to be just fine,” he whispered, eyes bouncing between hers and Beck’s. “Me, you, and our little love.”

[digitaltariq]

Arthur the King Overview | A Stable however Typically Tacky True Story Journey

Abstract - Arthur the King is a healthful, tear-jerking journey movie that showcases the unbreakable bond between a racer and his furry companion. - Do not be fooled by the tacky trailer; whereas it actually depends on melodramatic 'canine film' tropes, it is not as tacky because it may very well be. - Whereas not groundbreaking, the film gives a feel-good expertise good for households and followers of canine companions on the large display screen. In our latest interview with Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg, he dubbed his new undertaking Arthur the King a "massive, four-quadrant film." There may be actually a case to be made for mentioned declare, and do not be shocked if Arthur the King makes a minimum of an satisfactory revenue on the field workplace. In spite of everything, the earlier Wahlberg collaboration with director Simon Cellan Jones, aka The Household Plan, shattered Apple TV+ streaming data. The 2 truly teamed up for Arthur the King first, a completely completely different type of film however with that very same family-like really feel to it. It is now being launched in theaters. It is fairly secure, kid-friendly content material on that word, and never very boundary-pushing materials — particularly compared to early Wahlberg hits like Boogie Nights and I Coronary heart Huckabees. Wahlberg has confronted controversy over time, particularly after final 12 months's SAG Awards when his previous resurfaced, so it appears becoming that (with Father Stu) a trio of crowd-pleasers would possibly assist ease him again into the highlight. Effectively performed, publicists, nicely performed.

Formulaic Heroism — However Typically That is OK

Arthur the King    3/5 Launch DateMarch 15, 2024 DirectorSimon Cellan Jones StudioLions Gate Movies, Tucker Tooley Leisure Execs Ukai offers an indredible canine efficiency as Arthur. A stable tear-jerker with nice athleticism and journey scenes. Cons Sometimes is decreased to the cheesiest melodramatic tropes. somebody like Mikael Lindnord (performed by Wahlberg) on the large display screen. "That is my final likelihood to win," he tells his spouse (Nathalie Emmanuel) within the first act, as he gears up for one final likelihood at an adventure-racing world championship. The opening sequence exhibits him failing, with trash-talking teammate Leo (Simu Liu) blaming the cussed Mikael for his or her loss. A lot to Mikael's chagrin, he should strategy Leo to assist with the next 12 months's subsequent try on the coveted trophy. Simu Liu, recent off his Barbie flip as one of many Kens alongside Ryan Gosling, does not precisely up his performing sport with this position, however followers of his attractiveness will certainly take pleasure in seeing him in motion right here. And on that word, the attractive Nathalie Emmanuel (Sport of Thrones) can also be a part of the staff, providing a reliably stable flip as an aspiring athlete motivated by her ailing father. As soon as the ragtag staff is assembled, they head to Ecuador to prepared for the large race — and by "massive," we imply "200 miles" massive. For these not acquainted, journey racing is a mixture of operating, mountaineering, biking, ziplining, and extra. And on that word, maybe probably the most gripping scene is a terrifying zipline ordeal the place the rig malfunctions whereas a few racers (Mikael included) are suspended 500 toes within the air. There might be gasps and shrieks inside your movie show; it is fairly cool seeing the calm and picked up Mikael assist rescue his teammate throughout this tense sequence. If solely Arthur the King contained extra of those thrills — however that is the place the loving canine enters the image to save lots of the day, in additional methods than one...

Do not Be Afraid to Shed a Tear in Arthur the King

The lovable Ukai performs the canine Arthur right here, and he is a marvel on-screen alongside Wahlberg and firm because the staff races to the end line; that is actually top-of-the-line performances from a canine in latest historical past. Certain, there are a couple of overtly tacky moments with the canine that may simply make the typical cinephile cringe, however for probably the most half, it is endearing to see a brave furry pal on the large display screen. No, this is not a talking-dog film, thank goodness. However the movie's promotional trailer, in the event you've seen it, does not precisely do the tip consequence justice — between the upbeat Macklemore observe and the tacky strains that the trailer clips, you would possibly watch the promo materials and go, "Oof, one in all these motion pictures?" However happily it does not lean into mentioned cheesiness an excessive amount of, and you will in all probability find yourself shedding a tear or two through the climactic third act. The precise race is simply the tip of the iceberg, as Mikael then pushes to save lots of his ailing new furry pal, who has clearly been via the ringer earlier than stumbling upon the journey racing squad. It is heartwarming stuff seeing Mikael sleep exterior on the road with Arthur, since they quickly be taught that the road is the one place the canine feels secure enjoyable.

Associated The Greatest Canine Films of All Time Selecting our favourite canines can be too arduous, so we ranked the most effective canine motion pictures as a substitute. These moments of Mikael considering arduous about Arthur's well-being might remind one in all Clint Eastwood's movie Invictus, the place Matt Damon's rugby participant stays up at night time considering arduous about one thing — at first, we predict it is his upcoming rugby match, however as a substitute, he is enthusiastic about Nelson Mandela's unbelievable journey throughout a rustic that when betrayed him. Equally, Wahlberg's Mikael not cares a lot about profitable his journey race, however moderately guaranteeing his new furry pal stays alive and wholesome. Certain, the opposite subplots involving different staff members are forgettable, and sure sad-dog close-ups would possibly make you eye-roll, however total, Arthur the King is a must-see for athletic diehards and, after all, canine lovers in all places. From Lionsgate, Arthur the King hit theaters March fifteenth, 2024. You may meet the canine who performs Arthur within the video beneath: Read the full article

[tea-with-evan-and-me]

Hi admin, you've made some really good points about the girlfriend sightings. It's quite a coincidence that out of all the times they have been spotted together, pictures weren't allowed to take or were impossible to take for some reason. Maybe the spotting in the club can be true, but it's quite strange that a famous actor who gained only more popularity for being in one of Netflixs biggest shows, wasn't spotted by anyone else who was in that club. He was however spotted in Lake Tahoe and was wearing a cap hoodie because he didn't wanted to be recognized. And we know he has friends in Lake Tahoe and was there for his friends wedding. Btw, Evan doesn't like a lot of noise and prefers calmness and small house party's than big crowded places. Evan is known for being very nice to his fans so if someone would've come and ask for a picture, I doubt he would say no. Did he stop people when they were filming him at that wedding? No, but he didn't want to take the attention away from the bride and groom and that's why he asked his friends to delete the videos. I remember seeing a video of him and his brother in a bookstore. He looked right at the person that was filming him. He felt a bit uncomfortable, but didn't say anything about it and just continued shopping. He was also spotted when he went shopping with his dad and there was visual proof. But for some reason no one can take a pic of him being with a girl, despite the many spottings they have witnessed. Burbank is also a very popular place to go to. Then all of a sudden, someone miraculously found the Tumblr blog, when this girl doesn't have a name or a face. Only a person that is close to Evan can know who she is. The spotting of them together are always posted by someone anonymously leaving many gaps. Then you read on Twitter the part where he visits her work place and immediately came after his one and only famous ex left. And the way alleged girlfriend reacted in that one screenshot looks very childish to me. A mature person would just ignore the asks and wouldn't even respond. Don't you think it's a strange how some people brag about finding her tumblr as if they know her? But yet they won't say more or post anything about it? Not even small details. And then saying they have her real tumblr but won't share it because of mean messages she receives like they know her personally. He could be seeing someone, but the whole thing about him beeing spotted with this specific girl and the whole blog thing sounds very fishy. Other social media platforms are very quiet on this case which isn't usual. I think someone is craving for attention. I hope he decides to stay single and works on his self-esteem. He's been through enough. He needs to settle with someone age appropriate and one who isn't craving for attention. If he decides to bring someone to the SAG awards, i hope it's his parents. They're his biggest support system. And let's hope he wins the SAG for his amazing performance. 🙏

big YES! anon.

rooting for ev at the SAG awards!

[ramp-it-up]

Definitely Not

Pairing: Daveed Diggs x Reader

Warnings: MINORS DNI, 18 + Cursing, Angst, Jealousy, Smut, Graphic Depictions of Sex, Semi-public sex, oral sex (f receiving), established relationship.

Word Count: About 3K

Summary: Daveed tries to set you straight on set. Let’s see if it works.

A/N: This fic is an ask from a Nonnie who is Definitely Not Miranda in response to the pictures enclosed. So @einfachniemand, I’m not going to say: Here, my dear. 

Very little editing, all errors my own. (The dress pic is not intended to convey skin tone or body type, just the dress).

It was the night of the SAG awards, which happened to fall right on the last night of your first three-week visit to set to see Daveed. You hated the distance and he knew that, so he arranged for you to see each other whenever possible. 

You’d spent the first 10 days in quarantine with him, and that was fun, but these last 10 had been mostly sitting back and watching him work.  Normally, you wouldn’t have minded it, but his work on this show had him in several sex scenes where he was intimate with another actress.

She was perfectly sweet, and nice, and very much in a relationship, but every time you watched a scene with them together, you got this twisting turning sensation in your belly. 

Could it be jealousy, or something else?

You’d taken to avoiding set on those days, insisting you had work to do, and you stayed in the condo that production provided Daveed. 

It didn’t help that you had gone from non-stop sex every day for 10 days, to long says of filming and occasional sex this last half of the trip. 

But there was no need to worry. It was normal. D was exhausted and he was working.  And your relationship was not just physical. 

Was it?

All of this had your neurotic, anxiety riddled mind working.  You began to think that maybe this was the test of your relationship. That maybe you and Daveed weren’t right for each other. That maybe this wasn’t even love.

Daveed knew you like the back of his hand.  He knew what you were thinking, he could tell by your avoidance of his sex scenes and by the way you were in your head lately.

But tonight was special.  When Daveed told you to bring a fancy dress, you thought it was for sexy time purposes, especially when he specified the short strapless belted Versace gold disco dress dress that you’d tried on when he was fitted for this suit, and that he’d surprised you with on Valentine’s Day.

It was almost destroyed that night, but it was flung across the room before Daveed had a chance to ruin it.

The fact that he was going to present at the SAG awards on the Night Car set not to mention that he was also nominated was a cause for celebration.

It had been a while since you two were able to go out on the town and you were a little nervous as you got ready alone in the condy while Daveed finished filming before the awards.

Your phone dinged with an instagram notification. Daveed’s co-star had posted them together, dressed for the awards.  Her black dress complimented his suit nicely and they looked like a lovely couple.

Instead of throwing your phone across the room, you closed instagram and deleted it. You weren’t going to stress, and you weren’t going to let this harsh your mood.

At least that’s what you told yourself in the mirror before you left the condo.

But on the way to the set in the studio car, you were tripping. 

Hard.

Were you a massive fool?

You had to pull yourself together. By the time you arrived, you looked the part of the excited and dutiful partner.  Acting at it’s finest.

-------

Daveed was laughing with her when you got to set.  He looked so delectable, that you just stood and stared at him from the side of the soundstage, feeling your throat gone dry and all the moisture traveling between your legs.  

That beard.  Damn, it had been a few days since you felt it between your legs.  

The suit was even more magnificent with the fuller beard and the confidence of a man who was doing well and in his element.  

The colors and patterns of the Versace jacket complimented the warm brown of his skin and the sequined effect of his balck shirt matched the mirror ball gold and silver dress you wore. 

You knew that the shirt clung to every sculpted muscle under that jacket, that’s why you’d dropped to your knees so readily that night after the fitting.

Even though you knew it was just work, the fact that she had her hands on what was yours made you heated. You almost couldn’t contain yourself.

Your eyes went to his hand, where he clutched a whiskey glass with two fingers of amber liquid. You wondered if it was real, or a prop.  You didn’t care, you just wished you were that glass, despite the emotions and hormones that swirled inside you.

When your eyes went back to his face, he was looking at you, jaw clenching. The one tell that you affected him. He appraised you from toe to head for a few seconds, then he went back to his conversation.

A new vexation filled you at his intentional indifference to you. Standing upright, you readied for battle.

-----

Damn, thought Daveed when he first saw you.  He wanted to know who you were but then he remembered that you were his.  

The thought made his cock stir and grow even more as he took in your whilte sandals and your legs that went allll the way up to the hem of your dress that was just a bit shorter than he’d like it to be in public. They continued up your gold and silver ensconced curves to the bustier of the strapless dress that you were not-quite-indecently almost falling out of. 

Damn, he needed to bury his face in your tits as he fingered you into submission. 

He gaze journeyed up your collarbone (he noticed that the marks he’d put there last week had faded) up your neck (those were gone too) to your adorable chin and big eyes.

The way that you looked at him, like a bunny trapped in a snare, made him want to take you down right there. 

But he had to wait.

Daveed kept calm by ignoring you.  He couldn’t lose his cool right here and if he went to greet you, he would drag you to the bathroom and stuff his cock in one of your holes. And he still had a job to do.

Not only was Daveed presenting, he was nominated.  But already felt like a winner because the real prize was you.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw you raise your chin in that way you had when you were angry, ready to cuss him out or fight. Or both.

He didn’t have to look to know that your eyes were flashing and that your fingers were probably trembling with emotion right now.  

Daveed took a sip of his liquor as he continued his conversation and smiled.  She thought he was smiling at her, but in reality, he was smiling at you.  He had something for you.

He noted that you walked over and sat down on the chair with his name emblazoned upon it.  As you crossed your legs to show off what you were working with, he knew exactly what you were doing.

Staking your claim.

What you didn’t realize was that he was always and forever yours.

It began with what he thought was a burning hatred for you but was really an all consuming passion.

And it started when he first laid eyes on you.

The tension was zapping across the room between you two, and the reckoning to come was inevitable the entire night.

----

“We’ll catch up with you later, we’re going to hop on a call home. Want to talk to the fam.”

Everyone bought the story and moved to the other soundstage, where a watch party was set up.  Soon, you and D were alone on set.

“I hate you. Daniele.”

Daveed smiled that electric smile of his, looked down and shook his head. You used his middle name to piss him off. He wasn’t going to take the bait.

“You don’t mean that.”  He moved to within one foot of you, but he didn’t touch you.

“Fuck. You.”

“Why do you hate me now?” He had a good idea, but he wanted to hear you say it.

“Because you’re fucking with her.  Or making her believe it can happen. I saw how she looks at you. And you at her.” He moved even closer.

You wanted to move away from him, but you didn’t dare concede any ground to him.

He grabbed your hand and pulled it toward him.

“Do you feel this?” Your hand was now grasping his rock hard erection.  “This isn’t for her, it’s all for you.”

You laughed in his face, challenging him with your eyes.

Daveed knew exactly what the real problem was. 

He kissed down your neck and slid his hands down your torso to your waist, grasped it, and then hoisted you up on the bar, forcing himself between your legs. 

His hands went to your knees and traveled up your moisturized thighs to the apex, finding nothing but the carefully manicured triangle there.

He looked at it for what seemed a long time and licked his lips.  When he looked up, his eyes made you clench your thighs together.

“Can I?” 

Fuck, you thought. You couldn’t deny it.  This is what you wanted. You nodded quickly and licked your parched lips.

Daveed loved the feel, the taste, and the smell of you.  He ran the pads of his thumb there, teasing the very tip of your clit, playing you almost like an instrument.

“This dress with no panties. Why did you choose violence Baby Girl?”

He twisted his wrist and was now three fingers and two knuckles deep inside you. The sloshing sound of your wetness was music to his ears.

“Damn, Daveed…” your breathless whisper and physical reaction told him everything he needed to know.

He slammed his fingers inside you and rubbed his palm against your cunt. He curled his fingers to hear you moan again, and then buried his head in between your tits to lick up your ribcage.

Your moan made him leak, and he pulled himself away from the delectable valley of your breasts to slide his hands down your body as he sank to his knees before you. 

You leaned back on the bar and watched as he got down on his knees for you. 

“Do you still think that there is anyone else above you?”  

He grasped your foot, took off your sandal and kissed your instep, trailing his lips up your ankle to your calf.

He kept eye contact as you leaned back on your hands and watched as he licked a fat wet stripe up your thigh to the hem of your dress, and then paused to look at you.

Your anger was gone and now you were begging.

“Please…” 

The reach of his long fingers nearing your pussy had you weak.  He slowly rolled the hem up your dress up as he got closer and closer to the promised land. You dropped your head back and looked at the ceiling.

“Watch me, Baby Girl.”  

His sweet tone made you snap your head back up, knowing that if you didn’t obey, he would make you pay. That was the only intelligent thought you had, as your mind was blank to anything else but what Daveed was doing to you.

He smiled down at your glistening pussy, and in one swift move, his mouth is on you and he lovingly licked your clit.  He alternated between this and placing stripes with his tongue between your folds, causing you squirm in his clutches on the bartop.

“Hmmmmm. So delicious.”  He looked up at you and grins mischievously.

You shuddered, biting your lip to keep from screaming. He held you fast in his grip as you started convulsing and almost hyperventilating at the pleasure he gave you as his rough tongue swiped over your clit again and again.

“Da-Da-Daveed.”

Daveed looked up, wiped his mouth on his sleeve and smiled that gorgeous smile at you.

“What did you call me?” His eye contact was unwavering, not allowing you to escape.

Your eyes got wide and you shut your mouth fast. Daveed just chuckled, in the mood to be soft.

“Nevermind. We’ll save that for another day.”

He kissed you, allowing you to sample yourself on his tongue. You incoherently grabbed for his belt, unbuckling the impediment to what was so important to you at this moment. 

Daveed pulled away and undid his belt, unbuttons his pants and they drop to the floor.

You reached for and only got to hold and squeeze the large, heavy cock in your hand briefly before he pulled away again, lifting you off the bar and turning you around to lean against it.

He answered your whine with a shushing sound.

“Shhhh. As much as I love to see you wrap that mouth around my dick.  I need inside you. Now.”

Daveed could hardly stand it. He’d wanted you for hours, since you walked into the room, days, since he last had energy to have you. He was finally going to have his heart’s desire.

He lifted your ass cheek and lined up at your dripping lips.  He couldn’t look away as he watched you take all of him, the hiss that escapes his lips causing you to clench around him.

“Fuck. Such a good girl, taking me like this.”

Your mind was like a whirlwind as he thrusted inside you slowly, building up to a constant, merciless rhythm.  His pelvis crashed into yours over and over, hands on your hips, surely leaving bruises at his ruthless grip.

“Gotdamn Daveed, no one else has ever made me feel this way,” you whispered, your voice not much more than the breaths you were trying to catch.

This information made Daveed pause and fall out of rhythm, and you heard his breath catch in his throat. His hips faltered after he heard what you had to say.

“Shit!”  

The exclamation betrayed his emotion and you remembered how much he loved your words of praise.

The fact that he’d wanted you for so long and couldn’t have you and now you are really his blew his mind.  Hearing that he could make you feel like none other made him weak. 

“Tell me more.”

He sped up again, growing hot at the image of himself sinking deep inside you.

“No one else can make me feel as good as you do.”

“Fuck!”  He moved feverishly, his release imminent.

“It’s not just that your dick is big and hits that spot that no one else has ever found...” 

“Shit!” 

Daveed reached around to your clit and worked it furiously with his fingers again, because he was going to come any second and he needed you to meet him there.

“It’s that you know m-m-mmmmmm.” You could hardly speak it’s so good.

“You know my bodyyyy… my body so fucking well Daveed.”  

He grabbed your hand with his right one and brought it behind your back as his left worked,  pinning your torso to the bar. You went up on your toes in your heels, calves tightening along with the rest of your body.

You arched your spine as your explosion started to arrive. Daveed thrust once more, deep inside you, making contact with that special spot and it was game over for both of you.

You cum, hard, and prayed that you don’t mess up his suit. Or your dress.

Daveed leaned on your back, panting, and you released your hand from between you and grabbed his curls, bending back to kiss him, as he softened inside you. He moaned in his throat, a sign that he was still sensitive.

He looked you in your eyes.

“I love you.”

You smile at him. “I love you too.”

He pecked your lips again and groaned as he slipped out of you, and moved to pull up his pants as you straightened your dress. 

He went to the bathroom at stage right and is back out within five minutes, having washed his hands and fixed his hair.

He took you in his arms and gave you his serious look.  Your stomach turned flips, as if you were in trouble.  The thing is, you knew you weren’t. It was just the opposite.

“Let me go over this one more time…” you moved to speak and his look darkened. You shut your mouth quickly.

“Work. Is work. That’s all. I’m a professional. Just like you.”  

He stared you down.

“You know a sex scene ain’t sexy. Plus I have that wig and make up on, there are hot lights, makeup. The closest thing to a turn off there is.”

“Stop being jealous just because I like my co-workers. You should be glad I like her, because remember the last co-star that I couldn’t stand?”  

He looked at you with a glint in his eye.

You were mad.

“Yeah, you ended up boning her brains out because of the sexual tension.”

“Exactly. And I turned her out.  She stalked me all the way up here to Vancouver.”

You were heated.

“Fuck you, Daveed! You sent me a ticket and ordered me to come, don’t try…”

Daveed silenced you with a kiss. 

“Can you not be crazy for 10 minutes?” 

You caught your breath as you glared at him. You stared each other down, the tension building again.

You pulled away from him.

“10 minutes is all you get. Because that was DEFINITELY NOT the right thing to say to me!!”

You turned on your heel and walked out of the soundstage ahead of him.

Daveed straightened his suit and smiled as he followed you out.

It was going to be a long night. 

And he was looking forward to it.

--------

Let me know if you like it by liking, commenting, and reblogging!

Tags: @braidedchallah  @einfachniemand @sillyteecup  @ohsoverykeri @theselilwonders @theatrenerd86 @sebastianabucknettastan @imatyoursurrvicesurr @riiyy @lonelydance   @biafbunny @summerofsnowflakes @honeysucklechocolatedrippin ​ @wreakhavoconmacroissantdiggs @janthonystan @elocinnicole @anh1020

[ncitygirls]

one - haechan x gn reader

fluff, cw: a dramatic mention of possible death

there’s something haechan finds so cute about the pitch of your whining. how your pout moves around every word, your knee bouncing against his and haechan is hooked on your every word. his brows knit as you explain the cause of your distress, your growing anxieties with the choreo, the dryness of your throat. he is listening, taking mental notes, thinking of quick and attainable resolutions. haechan wants the best of the best for you. but he just can’t help but be mesmerised by you. the shine of your pout, the glitter dusting your wide, round, pleading eyes. the colour of your nails as you softly press them into his palm. the hush tone you use as his staff wander by, his members only a few meters away.

his members who once believed it a difficult feat, holding their maknae’s attention for so long. they can’t help but feel a little scorned as you hold it so effortlessly. taeyong especially. “it’s like he’s doing this to mock us.”

“what,” doyoung asks off handedly, “dating?”

“no! paying attention for longer than three seconds.”

“come on, hyung,” mark starts, smiling softly as you laugh, haechan looking extremely proud of himself. “he’s in love.”

“we can hear you!” haechan calls, holding onto your collapsed form, embarrassed by their loud assessment. even with the backstage noise and antics, nct in its entirety have always had an issue with being quiet. “you’re making y/n shy.”

“shut up- you’re not! it’s fine!” you rush, ignoring their laughter at your expense.

“sorry, y/n.” they sing in unison, mark’s just a few decibels louder than the rest. “we just think he’s cute when he’s with you.”

“so i’m not when i’m not?” haechan asks defensively, tongue wedged in his cheek. he calms almost immediately, your finger prodding the warm skin of the same cheek. he looks down at you expectantly. “what?”

“you’re always cute,” you assure him, grinning as he rolls his eyes, a blush painting his skin.

his shoulders sag as he huffs, “you have to say that.”

“doesn’t make it untrue.”

“right,” he hums, running his thumb over your cheek. “whatever you say.”

“what are you-” you begin just before your name is called. “one sec!- what are you doing later?”

his head tilts side to side as he helps you stand, pretending to recall his nonexistent plans. plans he kept that way for your filling pleasure.

“whatever you’re doing,” his smirk fades as you shake your head, “hey! that was cute!”

“of course it was, ‘cos like i said-” your name is called again from the hallway outside 127’s dressing room. you note the lack of urgency and continue. “you’re always cute.”

“only for you, baby.”

“yeah, i wish.” you tuck his hair behind his ear and rest your hand on his cheek. he really is cute, you think, eyes gleaming at the sight of his smiling face. “i should go, i’ll text you okay?”

when he nods, you start to take your leave but can’t. his hands have a vice grip on your thighs, holding you in place.

“what?”

he just pouts - or more specifically - puckers his lips expectantly. he takes actual offence when you scoff, fingers slapping his lips as you try to leave again.

“hyuck, i have to go-”

“kiss!”

for every little thing you love about haechan, there is an equal, more annoying thing you dislike. like his insistence you kiss everytime you part. which, isn’t really an issue when you aren’t surrounded by his staff and eight older brothers. “i swear to god, hyuck-”

“okay, look at it like this,” he starts, eyes wide and frantic. “you go on stage have a great performance,” you nod, unsure of his point. “and then i go on and a light falls on my head and boom.”

“boom?”

“boom,” he repeats, hands leaving your thighs to imitate an explosion while his own thighs tighten around your calves. “this could be your last chance to kiss the love of your life.”

he knows he’s won. especially as your glare softens. not for affection at his reasoning, but fatigue. you wonder how often he gets his way for this reason alone.“fine,” you sigh, glare returning as he smirks up at you. “one.”

it never is just one though. not with haechan.

when you press a fleeting kiss to his awaiting lips, you feel his fingers on your neck, his hold gentle but firm. his thumb draws a line up your jaw, his lips just closing around yours before you move away. “one more,” he breathes, tongue sweeping over his lip.

“everyone’s here,” you whine a little too breathlessly.

“no they aren’t,” he almost lies. “it’s just us.” and in that moment it truly is. there’s a loud buzzing in your ear when you’re with him. a white noise that cancels out every other sound in the room. it reduces everything else to dust, besides you and him. haechan almost lied, but you know too well, that in his head, any time he’s with you, it’s just you and him. “one more.”

so you give him one more. and yes, of course he drags it out, his tongue sliding into your mouth with enough haste to remind you of your pending departure, but enough want to make you delay it. haechan’s lips suck on your tongue so softly, earning a whine so breathy only he hears it, his grip on your neck tightening at the sound. the last straw is when he pulls you down, your body landing gently in his lap.

“we can see you!” sounds from across the room, johnny’s scandalised voice breaking the moment. and just like that you’re back stage at an awards’ show again. just like that, you’re making out with your boyfriend in front of his eight friends and countless staff. just like that, you’re leaving.

“later-”

“one-” knowing your boyfriend too well, you give him a final peck as you get up, burning under his friend’s playful judgement. he wants to try again, but the look on your face has haechan knowing better than to push his luck. “bye baby.”

“bye!” you chirp loud enough for them all to hear, waving in their general direction without looking toward any of them and darting out the room.

“you guys ruin everything.” haechan huffs, glaring at them all. “you know it’s free to mind your business?”

“y/n had to leave anyway,” johnny gently reminds him. “and we need to teach you how to count.”

[lucysometimeswrites]

Kiss the Girl

hello again! thanks for the love on Awards Season :) this one is based on the beginning of lockdown where the boys were living together. had the idea and the title will make sense in part 2 (if you want it). enjoy!

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Never in a million years would I have thought I’d live to see a pandemic, much less quarantine with four boys, one of them who just happens to be my boyfriend. Tom and I had been dating for about six months when the global pandemic was declared, and in the heat of the moment, he suggested I come live with him and his brother and mates, as he called them. I immediately refused, of course, because I didn’t wanna impose in any way or make things awkward for them, but he insisted that everything would be okay and that he would not be able to stand the fact that I was out there living alone while this big thing was happening. I don’t know how, but he was very convincing so here I am. In the UK. In London. Living with my boyfriend and three other boys. Still asking myself how or why.

Don’t get me wrong! It hasn’t been horrible by any means. Sure, it took a bit of getting used to and some uncomfortable silences to get over with his housemates, but other than that it has been quite a beautiful experience. I’ve been able to bond with Tuwaine, Harrison and Harry in different ways, and Tom and I have never been happier. 

Until yesterday.

It’s no surprise lockdown drives all of us a little bit insane sometimes, what with trying to keep our jobs and not being able to go anywhere but the same amount of square feet; it’s hard! It’s also very hard to keep our cool with the people we literally see every day and prevent ourself from projecting our stress onto them, which exactly what happened yesterday with that dear boyfriend of mine. 

Tom had been very busy with some scripts he’d been learning and working on his project with Harry and simultaneously trying to keep his fans happy. Many terrible things had been going on that just piled up on him and his stress level went from 0 to 100 real quick. He was also trying to keep me happy. While he was here living with people he’s known his whole life and his family a 20 minute drive away, he was aware that I am his relatively new girlfriend, an outsider, who was miles away from her family and was living with boys and struggling with online work. I didn’t realize this right away, though. How his shoulders sagged a bit each morning, or how his smile didn’t reach his eyes. His laugh was less present around the house, and he started disappearing into his office more and more until the only times I saw him were sometimes during breakfast and when going to bed. I didn’t notice, and neither did the boys, which I felt really guilty about. 

It clicked at the worst time. I kept wondering why I felt things were weird between him and I, my mind going to the worst of places, of course. I started thinking if he wanted me there at all, how I told him it was not a good idea, or that maybe he now realized that he doesn’t really like me and wanted to break up. Ridiculous, he would say, but he wasn’t there to actually say it or prove me wrong. So, I decided to be upfront and ask him. Communication and all that I said in my head, and headed to his office. 

Yesterday . . .

“Tom?” I softly knocked on the door. I heard a faint “Come in”, so I opened the door and saw him sitting at the desk. Brows furrowed, pursed lips, his back hunched a little as he was looking at something closely in his laptop. His eyes never moving from the screen.

“Hey-”

“What do you need?” he said. Wow, blunt. 

“Uh, I wasss wondering if we could talk?” I answered, absently playing with my fingers out of nervousness. Why am I nervous? It’s Tom.

“Does it have to be now?” 

“I was sort of hoping that, yeah” his eyes finally leaving the screen and looking at me, still standing by the door.

“Okay, but I have to get back to work so if you could make it quick, that would be great” How do I make my insecurity “quick”?!

I struggled to find the words before asking him, “Are things okay between us?” my voice becoming small and my eyes finding my feet very interesting while I waited for a response. Which never came. 

I looked up to find him entranced by his laptop once again. It looked as if he hadn’t heard my question, and that upset me.

“Tom” I called his attention sternly, with a bit of a glare.

“What” he said absently.

“I’m trying to talk about something serious here” 

He sighed, clearly annoyed, rubbing his face and turning to me once more, “What is it?”

Trying to be calm, but my voice becoming a little harsher, “I was asking you if things are okay between us”, which didn’t come out as much of a question anymore.

“Of course they are, why do you ask” Wow, he can’t even pretend to be interested?

“Because I feel like I haven’t seen you and that you’re acting weird. I mean you spend most of the day cooped up in here and you don’t hang out with any of us anymore”, I explained.

“Because I have important work to do, Y/N” his face still held seriousness, like his mind was plagued with problems.

“Well can’t you do it later? I don’t know, take a break and have a snack with us?” I suggested, with hope that we’d get to have a laugh and get over the tension. 

“No, I can’t” he answered shortly. I stood up and made my way behind his chair, my hands going to rub his shoulders trying to convince him, “Oh come onnnn, maybe you’ll work even better after! We haven’t seen you in ages and I miss you” I pouted, even though he couldn’t see me.

Now, as if a bomb had exploded out of nowhere, he abruptly stood up and threw my hands off his body, “I said no Y/N! I told you I’m working on important stuff and that I can’t take ‘a little break’” he yelled, mocking me in the last part, “I’m trying my best to keep my job and work with Harry while keeping all of you safe and providing for you, so no, I don’t have time for a break and if you could just go away it would make me the happiest man a live right now” he finished strongly. He huffed and puffed just like the big bad wolf, pointing to the door while I stood there dumbfounded

Ouch. 

I gaped at him with a mix of shock, anger and sadness. Feeling my emotions coming through, I thought like hell he’s gonna see me cry, so I just took a few steps back while making my way to the door and leaving the room quickly, not looking back. As I made my way to our room, I crossed the living room where Harrison, Harry and Tuwaine all quietly looked at me, with pity in their eyes and clearly having heard the argument. I stopped in the middle, looking at each of them but promptly continuing my way to the bedroom, where I closed the door and leaned against it for support. With a few tears slipping down my eyes, I grabbed a towel and locked myself in the bathroom. After turning the shower on, I took off my clothes and got in, letting the warm water fall on me in a comforting matter while I let myself cry freely, thinking once more why am I spending lockdown here with them...with him?

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aaaaa part 2? yes? no? 

[pink-flame]

Wrap me up

This fic is dedicated to @blush-and-books who wrote fanfic about my fanfic and made my life infinitely better for it. I hope you enjoy this indulgent Juke sickfic. 😊

Sorry that I keep giving you the flu, Julie. It’s in the name of the fluff which we all desperately need right now. And always. Definitely always need the fluff. 

Enjoy! 💜

Julie was absolutely miserable.

She was home sick which on its own shouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world. She was never one of those kids who went for the perfect attendance award, her mom always ranting about how some parents were willing to let their precious children infect the entire school in pursuit of a useless paper certificate. There were generally a few days every school year where Julie caught some cold and got to spend the day propped up on the couch watching trashy daytime tv and chugging hot tea. Overall, even with the slight discomfort of a stuffy nose and a headache it usually evened out to be a relatively enjoyable experience.

The problem was that she didn’t have a cold. She had this new strain of flu that was going around that was twice as contagious and notably more intense than the normal one, leaving Julie feeling a lot more than slightly inconvenienced by her illness.

She was exhausted.

She was sore.

She was burning up and freezing at the same time.

She was...absolutely miserable.

She was also more or less on her own.

Her dad had of course wanted to nurse Julie as hands on as possible but Julie had insisted that he try to keep his distance. It was her abuela’s birthday that weekend and it was a big tradition that the whole family would go visit her. She was in her 90s and living in an assisted living facility. She didn’t get many visitors and she looked forward to them coming for weeks ahead of time. That family togetherness meant a lot to her especially after losing Julie’s mom.

So it was sad enough that Julie wouldn’t be able to attend but if her dad or tia caught her flu there would be no birthday visit at all. Carlos wasn’t exactly offering to come in and tend to Julie but she wouldn’t have let him even if he was. So despite her dad and her aunt protesting she had eventually convinced them to check on her from a healthy distance away and leave her meals and tea in the doorway to her room. Julie did her best to act as though she wasn’t feeling too bad when one of them popped in just to keep them feeling comfortable with the arrangement. As soon they left for the hour or so drive to her abuela’s facility, promising to call and check in frequently, Julie had sagged more fully against her pillows letting her true feelings about the situation wash over her fully for the first time.

Her head was pounding, she was shivering, her throat burned and every breath she took rattled in her chest. There was more than that though. She wasn’t with her family going to visit her abuela and she wouldn’t be...she wouldn’t be performing at the music program showcase the next night. It was meant to be her first solo performance, well at least the first officially sanctioned one, since she had lost her mom.

Yes, she had come so far and yes the boys had given her the confidence to perform in places she never would have believed six months ago. But this was different. This was supposed to be her opportunity to prove to everyone at school that she was back to her old self, that she could stand on that stage alone and rock it. This was supposed to be her opportunity to prove it to herself.

Instead here she was sick. Alone.

Miserable.

Julie suddenly felt a familiar burning sensation pricking at her eyes as tears welled up, threatening to fall. She tried to blink them back, frustration rising up at the thought that she would not only be miserably ill but also cry over it. Unfortunately, being incredibly frustrated was just as likely to make her cry as being sad was so she now had no chance of avoiding a full on emotional outburst.

She pressed the side of her face against her pillow and squeezed her eyes shut harshly, as though if she buried her head far enough into its fluffy surface she could convince herself that the tears weren’t falling, and her head wasn’t throbbing and…

“Jules?”

Julie blinked her eyes open sluggishly, waiting until her vision cleared enough to let her see who was standing over her bed. Not that she needed to see him to know that. She would recognize that voice anywhere at this point.

Luke.

He stood beside her bed staring down at her, his forehead creased with worry as he shifted from foot to foot with anxious energy.

“Julie are you ok? I had this weird tugging feeling and then I just thought I should come see how you were doing. Are you...are you crying?”

Julie fully intended to open her mouth and say yes, to say she was fine, that her eyes were just watering because her sinuses were backed up but actually she was feeling much better.

Instead when she opened her mouth all that escaped was a sob.

She raised one hand quickly to slap it over her mouth as though she could somehow take back the sound that had just escaped before Luke registered it. That was of course wishful thinking.

Luke’s expression immediately descended into panic, his hands flapping uselessly around her bundled up form as though searching for the spot he could touch to fix whatever was wrong with her.

“Hey, Julie...Julie...Jules, what’s wrong?”

His face was so worried and sweet and concerned and it only made Julie cry harder.

“Don’t cry,” He begged, before seemingly coming to a decision.

Even though he was only a step away from her bed he poofed out of existence and reappeared lying horizontally next to her, his hands instantly reaching out to stroke down the sides of her face, chasing the tears that tracked down its surface.

“Don’t cry,” He repeated, his voice softer and less alarmed as her breathing calmed under his touch. “Don’t cry, Jules.”

Her tears started to slow and finally dried up entirely as though his words had been a command and not a desperate plea. She thought for not the first time in the last few weeks how grateful she was that the boys were tangible to her now. It would probably never stop feeling like magic to her when Reggie bumped his shoulder against hers conspiratorially or Alex leaned down to rest his chin on the top of her head. But when Luke’s hand brushed against hers when he handed her his lyrics journal or he pulled her into a warm hug, just because?  

That would probably never stop feeling like a miracle.

Her tears were gone but Luke’s hands were still resting gently on her cheeks, his fingers dancing softly up and down her skin soothingly, finding the perfect rhythm, just like he always did.

“Hey.”

He broke her from her thoughts with a single word before continuing quietly as though afraid to startle her back into tears.

“You ok?”

She nodded then thought better of it, exhaled a shaky breath and shook her head.

“I was supposed to perform at the showcase tomorrow and now I can’t and I feel awful but I have to be alone so I don’t get anyone sick.”

One of Luke’s hands slid down to rest on the top of her arm, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the skin he found there as an affectionate smile tugged at his lips.

“You can’t get me sick,” He reminded her. “And you’re not alone.”

Even through her raging headache and her lingering emotions she couldn’t help but mirror his small smile with one of her own.

“Cause we’ve always got each other?”

His smile grew into a certified grin, the kind that had quickly become something she looked forward to and did her best to bring out of him as often as humanly possible, even if she didn’t want him to know that. It’s power was definitely not diminished from this close.

“Exactly,” He answered, biting his lip as he jerked his head in a quick nod.

She thought his eyes might have dropped to her lips for a moment but it was so quick she thought she also might have imagined it. Given the fact that she knew she looked like an absolute mess at the moment the odds were pretty good that she had. She definitely hadn’t intended to summon him when she was in that state but she didn’t exactly have a handle on how she was doing it in the first place so she hadn’t had much choice. She didn’t regret it though. Not during their show at the Orpheum and not even now, dripping nose and frizzy hair and all.

“Why didn’t you tell me...uh, us...you were feeling this bad?” Luke asked, his face sinking back into a frown.  

It was true the boys had come to visit her as soon as she came home from school feeling feverish and had slunk directly to her room instead of heading out to the studio for band practice. They had hovered around her, expressing concern in their well meaning but chaotic way before she had assured them that it was a cold and she would be back to rehearsing in no time. They had popped in a few times since, Luke especially, to offer a distraction or company. She had always sent them away in the name of rest even though the truth was she just didn’t want them to see her like this.

With Luke’s soft gaze trained on her now though...she was having a hard time remembering why she had spent so much effort keeping him away.

She didn’t say any of that out loud, choosing to simply shrug and lift her eyes up slightly to meet his.

Luckily he seemed ready to let it go, letting her lack of answer pass as he shifted a few inches closer to her until she knew she would be able to feel his breath on her face if he had still needed to breathe at all.

“What can I do?” He asked, the hand still on her cheek rising up to trace a tingling line from her temple to her jaw.

Julie let her eyes drift shut so she could take in the sensation of his calloused fingertips dragging gently against her skin even more intensely.

“This is a good start,” She muttered, smirking a little as she heard his answering chuckle rumble out.

Unfortunately she didn’t have long to enjoy such an amazing moment as a particularly intense throb of pain exploded across her forehead and behind her eyes. She managed not to groan but her discomfort must have shown on her face because Luke withdrew both of his hands from where they touched her.

“Where does it hurt?” He asked, his tone more serious than she was used to hearing it.

Julie forced her eyes open though even the dull light of the lamp next to her bed suddenly seemed a little unbearable.

“Kind of...everywhere,” She admitted, her voice catching with a slight croak. “But mostly my head.”

“Stay here,” Luke instructed firmly as though she had any plans to be anywhere but her bed for the foreseeable future.

Before Julie could point that out though he had already poofed out of the room. When he returned a few minutes later he took the long way, the boys having not managed to master poofing any objects with them other than their instruments and their clothes. Thank God, for that second part. Although...she would be lying if she said those barely shirts Luke had a habit of wearing didn’t make her curious to see the few parts of his upper body they left to her imagination.

Julie realized too late that Luke had said something to her and quickly stammered out a response, hoping it was the right one.

“Nothing!”

He raised an eyebrow as he set a box of crackers and two tylenol down on her bedside table.

“I asked if you wanted a warm washcloth for your head,” He said, the hint of a laugh behind his words.

“Oh,” She could feel herself blushing and thanked whoever was listening that she could at least blame the flush of her cheeks on her fever. “No thank you.”

She sat up sluggishly and Luke handed her the pills and a glass of water and she took them gratefully, swallowing the pills with a little difficulty due to her swollen throat.

“You should try to eat something too,” Luke insisted, nudging the box of crackers towards her. “I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to take pain medicine on an empty stomach.”

Julie forced down a couple of crackers even though she hadn’t been hungry all day. Luke sat down on the edge of her bed.

“You’re pretty good at this,” She told Luke as she slouched down a little further, the energy required to sit up quickly draining out of her.

His eyes darted away for a moment before returning to meet hers again.

“I’m just trying stuff my mom used to do for me.”

Julie knew that just because Luke had finally gotten some closure with his parents didn’t mean that it wasn’t still hard for him to linger on his thoughts of them. Especially his mom. She also knew that if the last few months had taught her anything it was that sometimes doing the hard thing was the right thing in the long run. Thinking of people you had loved and lost was hard at first but it could become a source of happiness if you let it. She had that with the memory of her mom and she wanted the same for him, even if they were dealing with different kinds of ghosts.

Julie reached out and pulled Luke’s hand into her somewhat clammy one, giving it a gentle squeeze and pointedly ignoring the questioning look he sent her in response.

“What else did she do?” She asked.

Luke hesitated for a moment but then a soft smile appeared on his face and Julie felt a surge of warmth that cut straight through the ache in her chest.

“She would wrap me up in a blanket like a burrito,” He told her, an excited tone edging into his voice. “And let me watch all my favorite movies.”

Julie turned Luke’s hand over and traced gentle patterns across his palm with the tips of her fingers.

“That sounds really nice.”

He seemed distracted by her actions but he managed to stutter out a reply.

“Yeah...uh, yeah, it was.”

“Anything else?” She asked, her fingers not ceasing their circular route around his palm.

“Um…” Luke dragged his eyes away from what she was doing as he ducked his head bashfully. “She would tell me stories sometimes.”

Julie finally stopped her motions, folding her hand softly over his.

“That’s so cute.”

“I mean, I was a little kid,” Luke shrugged, but he didn’t seem to entirely hate her using the word cute to describe something even distantly connected to him.

Maybe it was the fever or the exhaustion or the gratitude to not be alone but Julie was having a hard time mustering up any of the awkwardness or self-doubt or nerves that would normally plague her if she was this close to Luke. She wanted to be close to him and she felt too rotten to deny herself.

An involuntary shiver ran through her and as much as she would have liked to blame it on the proximity of a certain dead guitarist, she was pretty sure this one was due to this damn flu.

“Are you cold?” Luke asked, that familiar, concerned frown settling back onto his face.

Julie nodded.

“A little.”

Luke jumped up from his spot on the edge of her bed and rushed over to the chair sitting against the wall, grabbing the fuzzy blanket she always kept folded over the back of it. He was back at her bed in an instant, pulling down her comforter and letting a rush of cool air wash over her.

Julie stared at him in confusion, another shiver travelling through her body.

“What are you doing?”

Luke stretched out his arms, her blanket extending until he was just peeking over it, only his eyes and floppy hair visible.

“Blanket burrito,” He explained excitedly. “Is that ok?”

Julie couldn’t help but smile a little at his enthusiasm and she nodded.

He was instantly leaning forward to wrap the blanket tightly around her, pulling it all the way up to her chin and tucking it under her all along the edges of her body until she felt like a toasty...well, burrito. When he was satisfied with his work, Luke pulled her comforter back up, patting it with satisfaction before sinking back onto the bed next to her.

“Better?”

Julie nodded.

“Better.”

In the end the blanket burrito wasn’t the only sick day tip they borrowed from his mother. Luke fetched her laptop and managed to follow her instructions clunkily to pull up Netflix. They watched Thirteen Going on Thirty because it’s one of her favorites, and because it’s full of 80s references which Luke gets too.

“Isn’t it a little creepy that she’s really 13?” He asked at one point.

“Only if you think about it too hard,” Julie rolled her eyes. “Besides they’re obviously soulmates. They were always meant to end up together somehow.”

“Hmmm…” Luke hummed, seeming to seriously consider her words even as a comedic scene played out on the screen. “You believe in stuff like that?”

“Soulmates?” Julie hesitated for a moment, hoping that her face wasn’t giving away just how much she had invested in this question. “Yeah, I guess I do. What about you?”

Luke’s answer didn’t come right away and when it did it was spoken in an impossibly soft voice.

“Yeah, I guess I do too.”

After that they don’t talk until the movie is finished, but he does make a point to reach out and rub comfortingly at her shoulder whenever a ragged breath or cough escapes her.

When the movie is over Julie started to lose what little energy she had, slumping further and further down involuntarily until she finds herself completely horizontal again. She fought to keep her eyes open but it was a losing battle.

“You should go to sleep,” Luke told her, affection clear in his tone. “I’ll keep you company.”

Julie nodded and he stretched out behind her as she rolled onto her side, the blanket burrito hindering her for a moment before she managed to wriggle free. She hesitated for a few seconds then reached back and pulled one of his arms forward to drape over her waist. She knew she was really pushing the limits now of their friendship, of the tightrope they had been walking ever since “interesting little relationship” and “no regrets” and the heady realization that they could touch each other. She just couldn’t quite bring herself to care about the implications in the moment.

Luke’s hand flexed awkwardly on her side before he seemed to reach a similar conclusion, sliding it around to settle against her stomach, tugging her more firmly against him. She could feel his head nudging at her hair and was filled with a sudden rush of concern.

“My hair’s in your face.”

“It’s fine,” He mumbled, his voice closer to her ear than she was prepared for.

“No really, you’re going to smother yourself,” Julie insisted. “We don’t have to cuddle. You don’t have to stay at all if you don’t want to. You’ve already…”

“Jules,” He cut off her nervous rambling, using his arm to guide her gently onto her other side until she was facing him.

He hadn’t moved back at all and their faces were now so close that their noses were almost brushing. Her first thought was that it was a good thing that she couldn’t get him sick because this position would definitely have done it. Her second thought was that she was this close to Luke and how delightfully overwhelming that experience was.

“Better?” He breathed through a chuckle.

Julie managed a nod.

“Better.”

Luke’s arm remained firmly wrapped around her waist, his fingers starting to trace random shapes along her back.

“Go to sleep, Julie,” He instructed, and once again her body seemed to take his words as an order.

An order she didn’t have the strength to disobey, not that she was trying very hard.

Her eyes slid closed.

This moment was so close to perfect (as perfect as anything could be when she felt this sick) it felt selfish to push her luck for more. But Julie wasn’t the type to settle and Luke wasn’t the type to deny her what she asked (anything, Julie, you know that). So she spoke up, eyes still firmly shut.

“Tell me a story.”

There was a pause before his answer came, his voice embarrassed but something else lingering in his tone that she was too afraid to call love and too smart to call anything else.

“I don’t remember any,” He admitted.

“Make one up,” She suggested, one of her hands finding its way to his arm, running her nails gently from his elbow to his wrist and back again.

This time it was his turn to shiver and if she felt a rush of satisfaction at that she did her best to keep the evidence of it off of her face. She was pretty sure he knew anyway.

“Once upon a time,” He started finally, his voice soft and amused. “There was a princess with a gift for music. She was a wicked beauty but she was lonely. She lived in a tower without anyone to sing with. Then one day the princess found this cd and three princes who also happened to be ghosts showed up…”

Julie let his voice lull her into a sleep more restful than any she had experienced in the past week. She kept up her motions tracing gently along his arm until finally as she drifted off her hand sagged down to wrap around his hip. The last thing she was aware of before losing consciousness completely was his warm fingers stroking her spine, the music in his fingers present even when his guitar was out of reach.

She was exhausted.

She was sore.

She was burning up and freezing at the same time.

But she wasn’t alone.

And she was definitely, definitely not miserable.

[captain-josslett]

Broken Melody - Part Twenty Nine

Masterlist

Summary: Grammy Award winning Emma Danvers is the first to say she has a pretty good life. But what happens when it implodes around her and it looks like things will never be the same again?

Words: 8k+ (Opps... Sorry! Not Sorry...)

Warnings: Fluff, Angst, PTSD

Pairings: Emma Danvers x Lena Luthor,

This Part: Emma tries to cope with her PTSD... By pushing it away and pretending she is okay. But finally she gets to spend some time with her sisters.

I am so, so sorry this took so long. This is literally version four as I jumped too far ahead and needed to come back to an earlier time! 😅 Hope the part is okay as it took forever!

Thank you for reading and let me know if you wanna be tagged or any general feedback will be greatly appreciated. Please! I like knowing your thoughts.

Taglist: @finleyfray, @life-is-hella-unfair, @natasha-danvers, @supergirl-writingz, @camslightstories, @thinking1bee, @aznblossom, @crispykidcookiebasketball

A Week Later

Lena cracks an eye open. Confusion fills her mind as she glances at the illuminated clock.

2:35am

She frowns as she reads the time, knowing it was way too early for her body clock to wake her up.

So why is she awake?

A choked gasp makes her eyes shoot open. She quickly twists around to look at the outline of a clearly distressed Emma.

“Love?” Lena whispers softly and she sleepily reaches out for Emma’s shoulder. But the blonde keeps thrashing and gasping out. “Hope, turn the lights on to the lowest setting.”

Lena squints her eyes at the sudden faint glow in the room and her heart sinks as she focuses on her girlfriend.

“Oh Em.” She says brokenly as she watches Emma claw at her throat, her eyes clenched shut and her mouth open in a silent scream.

‘Don’t wake her up.’ Lena remembers the advice Doctor Harris had told her over the phone after Emma had experienced a severe PTSD episode a few nights ago.

She snaps her hand back from Emma’s shoulder, not wanting to wake her up in the middle of the nightmare.

‘She’s more likely to forget the dream if you let her sleep through it.’ Lena repeats to herself and sluggishly sits up against the headboard, praying that the Doctor’s advice was true.

But Lena’s shoulders sag as she continues to study Emma’s closed eyes darting back and forth. Her body clenching and head jerking from side to side.

All she wants to do is wake Emma up, hold her close and whisper loving words in her ear.

Instead Lena stays vigilantly watching over her girlfriend, until finally, Emma seems to settle back down. Her stomach slowly begins to rhythmically rise and fall with each breath. Her face and body relaxes, erasing any hint of the trauma she had been experiencing.

The raven haired beauty tiredly slides back down the bed and glances at the clock.

3:17am

Sighing softly Lena settles on her side and stares worriedly at Emma. No matter how much she has prepared herself and read all the information on PTSD, seeing it first hand always unnerves her. Seeing the woman she loves experience her trauma over and over again hits the very depths of Lena’s heart.

“Hope, turn off the lights please.” Lena whispers to the AI and the room fades back into darkness.

Against her better judgment Lena cautiously reaches out and places her hand gently on Emma’s arm. Just needing to make some contact and feel Emma’s soft skin to help calm herself. Slowly her eyes grow heavy and finally she drifts back to sleep.

The next time Lena is woken up when she feels her arm getting flung towards her.

Snapping her eyes open Lena squints at the outline of Emma sitting up. The room is brighter than it was the last time she was awake and Lena glances at the clock.

5:55am

Lena looks back at Emma and realises she must have bolted up in her sleep. Slowly Lena sits up and analyses her girlfriend as she rubs her eyes.

Firstly noticing Emma’s shoulders are heaving as she gasps for breath. Secondly her body shakes as she rocks to relieve the tension. Thirdly the gleam of sweat coating her skin and hair. Lastly how she clenches at her chest where her heart is.

“Emma? Are you awake?” Lena asks softly and the blonde nods. “Are you okay?”

Emma nods and runs a shaking hand through her damp hair.

‘She’s lying.’ Lena thinks sadly.

“Dreams again?” She asks as she places a kiss on Emma’s bare shoulder, immediately  pulling back when she feels Emma jump at the contact. She can’t help but feel a sting at the reaction. Swallowing her hurt down, Lena instead focuses on Emma. “Hope, decrease the dimmer on the windows please.”

The room slowly starts to brighten with the pre light of the dawn.

“Emma?” Lena carefully moves closer to the blonde’s side so she can see her face. Dazed, unfocused eyes stare at the wall opposite their bed. “Love? Can you hear me?”

Emma sluggishly nods, her eyes still fixed on the wall. The tremors in her body have reduced to an odd sporadic jolt.

Lena bites the inside of her lip as she debates her next step. “As it’s almost time to get up, how about we get ready together and go out for breakfast?” Lena asks and watches as Emma blinks and considers it.

After a few minutes she nods but lowers her eyes to her lap.

“Do you want me to shower first?”

Emma shakes her head and apprehensively takes Lena’s hand. Pulling the raven haired beauty with her as she climbs out of bed.

The couple enter the en-suite and Lena gets the shower to Emma’s preferred temperature while Emma uses the toilet. When the blonde is finished Lena swaps with her and she watches Emma’s stagnant movements. Eventually the blonde lifts her head up towards the spray and stays there. Allowing the spray to caress down her face and hair.

When Lena is finished she cautiously approaches the shower door.

“Em?” Lena says gently, Emma lowers her head and looks at her with mournful eyes. “Can I join you?”

Emma nods and despite the area of the shower being the size of a small room, she takes a step to the side to give Lena some space under the spray.

Lena notices this and frowns at the blonde’s movement. Like she was trying to avoid her.

But as their routine, Lena takes Emma’s shampoo bottle and squeezes some solution into her hands to wash Emma’s hair.

She reaches up and as her hand connects with Emma’s head the blonde jumps away, slamming her back into the wall and stares at Lena with wide, fearful eyes.

Lena’s mouth drops open at Emma’s reaction and silently kicks herself for forgetting about how her girlfriend could respond to touch in this state. She again immediately stomps down the flashes of hurt within her. She has no right to feel it.

“Love? I’m sorry. You're safe, it’s only you and I.” Lena tries to keep her voice as steady and as calm as she can muster.

She watches Emma slowly coming back to the present and finally lifting her hands to communicate but doesn't make eye contact with her.

“Can I do it myself?”

“Of course!” Lena says as she grabs the shampoo bottle and holds it out for Emma to take.

Unsure what to do, Lena starts to exit the shower to give Emma some space. But Emma’s hand stops her as she grasps her arm.

The raven haired beauty turns back towards her girlfriend.

“Please don’t leave. I need you here, I just need time for these thoughts to go away.”

Lena swallows and nods. Stepping under the spray to wet her hair and wash herself. Wanting to still support Emma, even if it was a simple thing as being with her.

-- -- --

Emma takes a deliberate, steadying breath as she tries to focus on getting ready in the huge walk in wardrobe. Her pounding head isn’t helping with matters. Or that the room is spinning.

Emma sighs heavily and pushes through. Grabbing her favorite blue skinny jeans, a black tank top and a slim, black suit jacket.

She debates about what shoes to wear before settling on white converses, but as she bends to pick them up, the floor seemingly comes up to greet her.

“Emma?!” Lena’s worried voice calls from the bedroom after Emma faceplants the floor. Feeling a bit dazed, the blonde quickly sits up and grabs a shoe, making it look like she’d sat down heavily to put them on and not toppled over.

She gives Lena a weak smile as she appears hastily in the archway.

“What happened? Are you okay?” Lena fires off while striding over and kneeling down on the floor in front of Emma.

The blonde nods and places the white converses on her feet.

“Emma.” The hint of disappointment in Lena’s voice sends a jolt of anxiety within Emma’s stomach. “Please don’t lie to me.”

Emma pretends to be occupied with tying her shoe laces up and doesn’t focus on the raven haired beauty. When that task was completed and Lena hadn’t moved, Emma sighs again.

“I’m fine, just feeling a bit weak.” Emma feels bad for not telling the whole truth but she doesn’t want to worry Lena anymore then she already has.

“Okay.” Lena responds hesitantly. “Do you still want to go out for breakfast? We can order and have it here instead? Maybe even-”

Emma raises her hand, halting Lena immediately. Slowly Emma finally lifts her eyes to concerned green ones.

“I would like to go out and have breakfast with you. I want to do more normal things with you again.” Emma slowly reaches out and runs a finger softly down Lena’s jaw.

“And we will.” Lena says passionately, taking Emma’s hand and kissing it. She then holds it firmly in her hand, wanting Emma to hear her. “But if you aren’t up for it then that’s alright as well.”

Emma nods her understanding and smiles timidly at her love. Pushing through her anxiety, Emma takes a deep breath and stands. The room sways but she manages to stay upright.

She bends a little and offers a hand to help Lena to get up off the floor. Knowing how her insanely high heels can cause an issue.

“Thank you.” Lena smiles warmly at Emma, who smiles back and heads into the living area. “So, are you ready to go?” Lena asks while straightening out her dress and Emma turns to confirm she was. Her mouth drops open as she finally takes in the beautiful emerald dress Lena has selected. She admires the slit down Lena’s chest that shows just enough to still be classy. Her raven hair was pulled back into a tight, high ponytail and her make up was flawless.

“What?” Lena queries as she grabs her bag, noticing the look of adoration on her girlfriend’s face.

“You look stunning, as always.” Emma signs, causing Lena’s cheeks to blush from the compliment and an adorable smile graces her lips. “Come on.” Emma holds out her hand for Lena to take, admiring the way her legs look in her impossibly high heels as the raven haired beauty walks towards her.

Lena chuckles as their fingers entwine and she lets Emma lead her through the apartment and out into the elevator.

While the elevator descends Emma taps her right temple and her face morphs into another. Lena lifts her hand and changes her face as well.

This was due to a recent incident where on one of the couple's first outings, a disguised Emma, was photographed having a coffee with the CEO.

Naturally the press lapped it up as a cheating scandal and her fans responded with a wave of hate towards Lena. This immediately made Emma break her silence on social media to quickly extinguish the rumours. Stating her complete and utter faith in Lena and though she was touched by how her fans wanted to defend her, she didn’t appreciate the abuse aimed towards her girlfriend. This made the hate instantly stop and was replaced with a wave of love, support and best wishes.

Lucy had been livid.

More with herself that she didn’t think of giving Lena a face modifier as well. That of course the press was going to pick up on Lena spending time with another woman when she should be with Emma.

Thankfully there have been no new incidences as everyone is more vigilant and aware. Kara and Alex haven’t been given their modifiers yet, mainly due to the fact they haven’t met Emma out in public yet. Or even in private at one of their apartments.

A familiar pang hits Emma as she thinks about her sisters. They had been in contact, but not as much as they had before the incident. And honestly, Emma misses them terribly. But doesn’t want to push them into doing something they don’t want or feel ready to do.

The elevator doors slide open, revealing the underground garage. The couple walk hand in hand to a sleek, black Luthor car Lena insisted on designing and creating for Emma. Making sure to include the latest technology for bullet proof windows and steel. Alex had joked that Lena had basically constructed a car-like tank for Emma and all it was missing was the gun. With a raised eyebrow Lena pressed a button and two guns were revealed in the headlights. Causing Emma to excitedly sign that she was the next James Bond.

However, Lena’s main intent was to keep Emma safe but also so the car cannot be traced back to the singer like the yellow bug can. Which Emma mournfully stares at while she plugs in her seatbelt.

“Where too Miss?” Emma signs before starting the engine.

“To the stars.” Lena says in a husky tone and slowly leans over, kissing Emma softly. A chuckle escapes Emma’s nose at Lena understanding the Titanic reference and she beams at her when she pulls back. “You choose love.”

Nodding Emma starts the electric car, missing the roar of the bug’s gas engine. Pouting she takes one more look at one of the loves of her life.

Lena watches her girlfriend in bemusement and places a gentle hand on Emma’s shoulder. “It won’t be forever.”

Emma hides her flinch at the sudden contact and sharply nods, she is grateful to Lena for finding the time to design this new beast of a car for her. But she misses the bug. She can’t help it.

Lena watches Emma sadly, knowing how much Emma loves her car. The CEO grabs her phone and plugs it into the system to play some songs, not wanting to listen to the radio. Mainly to protect Emma from hearing her songs. The blonde insists she’s okay when they come on but Lena notices the pain and longing in her eyes.

The car immediately begins playing the Shakira song Lena had been listening to and the music blares out just as Emma reaches down to disengage the handbrake.  Her hand instead shoots up to her head.

Lena frowns at the movement and lowers the volume of the music. “Emma?”

The blonde head drops forward heavily onto the steering wheel, her hair falls around her, hiding her face from Lena.

“Love?” Lena unbuckles her seatbelt and moves as close as she can to her girlfriend. Her heart clenches at the pained gasps coming from Emma’s mouth. “Emma, what’s wrong?” Lena gently reaches out and tucks a few strands of hair behind Emma’s ear so she can see her face. The blonde’s eyes are screwed shut and her mouth is open as she clenches her teeth. Worry fills Lena when she notes how pale Emma looks.

But before Lena can say anymore Emma suddenly sits back, the pain gone from her face.

“I think you need to drive.” Emma signs, not meeting Lena’s concerned stare.

“Okay.” Lena pulls the door handle but pauses and looks back at Emma. “Do you need to go back upstairs?”

Emma shakes her head and opens the driver door, stumbling slightly as she gets out.

Everything is way too loud and bright around her, the sudden blare of the speakers caused her head to feel like it was about to explode.

Straightening up Emma moves around the front of the car while Lena walks around the back. Emma plants a smile on her face, which seems to, somewhat, convince her worried girlfriend that she was okay.

Back in the car Emma turns the speakers down further and her leg naturally starts tapping along to the beat of the music.

“Seatbelt.” Lena reminds her and does her own. Emma complies and settles into the seat. Lena looks back at Emma and frowns in concern. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Emma nods and smiles. “I’m fine.” Although her lips were starting to ache from the amount of convincing smiles she was trying to do.

Against her better judgement Lena nods and disengages the handbrake. She drives the car out of the garage and into the bright, sunlit street.

Shakira keeps playing as Lena drives on autopilot. Her mind whirls with the continued efforts she’s put in place to get rid of Emma’s headaches and find the cause.

‘It’s simple. You failed her.’ A voice whispers cruelly in the back of her mind. Reminding her that the serum hadn’t achieved its full purpose.

Lena tightly grips the steering wheel as she clenches her jaw. She jumps slightly when Emma gently places her hand on top of her right thigh and squeezes it gently.

Lena glances over at the blonde but Emma is gazing out at the window beside her, watching the world go by. Lena takes a slow, deep breath and focuses on driving. Blinking when she realises the route she has taken was the opposite way to Noonan’s. Going with it, Lena keeps driving the car towards the waterfront.

The couple remain in peaceful silence and soon they pull into a space by a beach hut cafe Emma is very fond of.

“Here we are!” Lena announces happily and Emma looks concerned for a moment.

“Won’t this delay you?”

Lena laughs after Emma finishes signing. “I am the CEO love.”  She places a gentle kiss on Emma’s lips, grateful the blonde would worry about her.

They exit the car, linking hands as they walk in-sync down to the path by the beach.

Emma takes a deep breath, smelling the salt in the air that lightly calms the knotted ball of anxiety in her stomach. Her headache was now nothing more than a little throb. In Emma’s opinion it was nothing to worry anyone about.

As they approach the cafe Emma is relieved to see only a couple of the tables were occupied. Stepping ahead of Lena, Emma opens the door for her.

“Thank you.” Lena steps through and heads for a table by the window away from the few already in the cafe. Emma follows and sits opposite her.

“Good morning!” Their favourite waitress approaches them and it pains Emma to not reveal it’s her. “Here are your menus! Can I get you anything to drink while you decide?”

“Black coffee and for my girlfriend, an orange juice with no pulp?” Lena asks Emma who nods in agreement.

“Alrighty!” The waitress notes down their drink order and quickly heads back to the bar area. Emma watches the bubbly waitress go before glancing down at the menu.

“Why are you even looking?” Lena asks, her eyebrows slightly knitting together and a smile starts spreading across her face.

“What do you mean?” Emma signs confused with Lena’s question.

“We both know that you’ll be ordering the fruit pancakes with extra chocolate and honey.” Lena raises an eyebrow in challenge.

“Maybe I don’t want that today.” Emma signs and becomes determined to try and find something else.

Lena chuckles and shakes her head as she watches Emma weigh up the options. The cute Danvers crinkle making an appearance. “If you think any harder they’ll be able to cook eggs on your forehead.”

Emma whips her head up, her eyes and mouth wide open. “Rude!” Emma signs and dramatically clasps a hand to her chest.

Lena laughs but before she can respond the waitress is at their table placing the drinks in front of them. “Y’all ready to order?”

“I am.” Lena says cheekily and tilts her head at Emma. “Love? Are you ready?”

Emma nods and motions for Lena to go first.

“Can I have the vegetable white omelette please?”

Emma rolls her eyes. ‘Predictable.’ A sudden sharp kick hits her shin, making Emma jump and pout at her girlfriend as she rubs the sore spot.

“Any toast with that?”

“Sure, why not.”

Emma pretends to faint against the chair at Lena’s response.

“And what about you sugar?” The waitress asks kindly.

Emma opens her eyes and smiles back at the waitress, proudly pointing at a section of the menu.

“Pancakes with smokey bacon and honey?”

Lena snorts loudly as Emma confirms and finishes the order.

“Alrighty! It shouldn’t be long of a wait!”

Emma smiles her thanks and turns back to Lena, her eyes narrowing as she signs. “What were you snorting at?”

“Still pancakes love.”

“But not the same pancakes.” Emma signs stubbornly.

“You got me there.” Lena says dramatically and chuckles as she lifts the mug to her lips.

Emma hesitates for a moment but finally reaches her hand across the table and Lena naturally takes it, entwining their fingers together.

Emma breathes through the slight anxiety still buzzing through her system. Focusing on pushing it away so it does not ruin the time she has with her girlfriend.

She softly squeezes Lena’s hand three times and Lena copies the action immediately.

They keep their hands linked and the corner of Emma’s lips pull up in a genuine smile as she gazes at her girlfriend.

Until Lena’s phone buzzes and Emma goes to pull her hand back but Lena holds on, instead placing her mug on the table and using her other hand to get her phone out of her bag.

Seeing Lena’s resourcefulness Emma silently chuckles and turns her head to watch the waves gently lapping at the shore. Mesmerised by the different colours forming as the wave rises before breaking onto the beach.

Lena quickly finishes her text to Sam, explaining she will be a bit later into L-Corp then planned. As she starts to place her phone back into her bag Lena looks over at Emma. She pauses, admiring the expression of peace and wonder on Emma’s modified face. Although she wishes she could see the expression on Emma’s actual face.

Silently Lena opens her camera app and instead of taking a full picture of Emma, she lowers her phone and angles it down to take a picture of their joined hands, with the bottom of Emma’s blonde hair and her many string bracelets showing.

The sound of the shutter makes Emma turn her head back to Lena.

“Just capturing memories.” Lena explains with a small smile.

“Here you are!” The waitress makes the pair jump back and allow her to place the food in front of them. “Enjoy!”

The food is delicious and the pair eat in comfortable silence. Emma pretends she doesn’t see Lena reaching over with her fork and takes a section of her pancake and bacon. Instead keeping her eyes focused on the waves and enjoying being with the love of her life.

-- -- --

After they finish the couple pay and head back to the car. Lena gets the keys out of her bag and pauses when Emma holds out her hand.

“Are you well enough to drive?” Lena asks with a raised eyebrow. Emma nods, motioning with her fingers for the keys. Lena hesitates for a split second, knowing Emma was still in pain but she didn’t look as pale as before. Finally she places the keys in Emma’s hand and the blonde narrows her eyes at her.

“I’m fine.” Emma huffs and makes her way to the driver's side, not liking the look of concern Lena was giving her. She quickly gets into the car and waits for Lena to follow.

Lena glides into her seat and turns to look at her girlfriend. “I know you're not fine Em.” Lena admits softly. “And I am allowed to worry about you.”

Emma turns her head to focus on the raven haired beauty and Lena cups Emma’s face with her hand.

“You mean the absolute world to me.” Lena says passionately, causing Emma’s heart to warm. “I love you so much.”

Emma places her hand on top of Lena’s and squeezes four times. “I love you too.”

They kiss and when Lena begrudgingly pulls away, Emma starts the car and they are soon arriving at L-Corp.

“Thanks for breakfast.” Lena grins at Emma, but the smile fades with how down Emma looks at their parting. “Aww don’t be sad love. I’ll see you later.”

Emma nods but sighs heavily as she watches Lena get out of the car and head towards the entrance. Lena turns when she's at the door and waves at her. Emma waves back and waits for her girlfriend to enter the building before pulling away from the curb.

As she’s nearing their apartment Emma’s phone rings, making her jump in surprise and pain from the shrill tone.

Alex’s name flashes on the screen of the car, making Emma frown.

‘How can I answer?’ Emma wonders but presses the green answer button anyway.

“Hey, sorry I know you can’t answer and I can see you are driving but-” Alex says quickly and pauses. “Sam wants to take me out for dinner tonight. Like a date. A date date. An actual date! And I have no idea what to wear and I am freaking out and I don’t know what you have planned but I could really use your help.”

Emma blinks, of course she will help, but how can she tell Alex that?

“Erm… how about you clap once for yes and twice for no?” Alex suggests. “When you can safely do that I mean. Don’t you dare take your hands off the wheel!”

Emma rolls her eyes at Alex’s motherly tone. When she gets to a red light Emma claps once, very loudly.

“Great! I’ll see you in a bit!” Alex hangs up and Emma smiles brightly at the thought of spending some quality time with her sister. She quickly looks around to figure out the quickest way to Alex’s apartment and cheekily switches lanes, waving her thanks as she is allowed through.

She parks in the underground garage and quickly heads for the elevator. When she steps out onto Alex’s floor her sister is already waiting by the door.

“Thank Rao!” Alex exclaims, holding her arms out to her as Emma quickly disengages the face modifier and strides over, flinging herself into the hug.

Emma takes a deep breath and her eyes naturally close as Alex wraps her arms around her. But all too quickly Alex steps away from her and drags her into the apartment.

The very messy apartment.

The very messy apartment that Emma cannot see the floor due to the amount of clothes everywhere.

‘I didn’t know Alex had this many clothes!’ Emma thinks as she looks around, which of course Alex’s notices.

“Yes I know it's a mess but, I’m really freaking out! More than I've ever freaked out before and I’m soooo sorry for teasing you about Lena because if you felt like this I-” Alex waves her right hand around her head and Emma voicelessly chuckles. Causing Alex to frown and narrow her eyes. “Are you laughing at me?”

Emma pushes her lips forward, raises an eyebrow and nods.

“You’re laughing at me?” Alex says in mock outrage as she pokes Emma’s side. Emma bats her hand away and silently laughs. “You dare laugh at me?!”

Alex suddenly pounces and tickles her sister who falls on the clothes covered sofa. They laugh and Emma tries to find Alex’s weak spots but the director has the upper hand.

“Alex?!” Kara’s concerned voice calls out by the window and rushes into the apartment. Kara halts when she sees both of her sister’s heads pop up behind the sofa and both red in the face from laughing. “Were you robbed?!” Kara gawks at the mess in the apartment. “Wait, were you tickling her?” Kara focuses on the now standing Alex as Emma flops back on the sofa to regain her breathing.

“Yea and well, she was rude.” Alex explains lamely.

“O-kay.” Kara folds her arms in front of her chest. “You pressed your watch. What's the emergency?”

“I’m sorry! I panicked!”

Emma silently giggles at Alex’s tone. Finding she can breathe again Emma gets up and makes her way over to her other sister and wraps an arm around Kara’s waist. She feels the blonde flinch slightly but the superhero turns her body fully towards Emma and hugs her tight. Maybe a bit too tight but Emma isn’t complaining.

“So, what's going on?” Kara asks when she pulls away from Emma.

“Sam has asked me to go on a date tonight.” Alex nervously announces as she fiddles with her hands.

“NO WAY!” Kara screams and jumps around excitedly, clapping her hands. “I mean we knew this was coming but yay! Finally!” Kara turns to Emma for her input.

“Yes I wondered how long until it would happen. Of course it would be Sam to have the balls to do it.”

“Look who's talking!” Alex fires back and Emma sticks her tongue out, which Alex immediately does back.

Kara laughs at her sisters’ behaviour. “So I’m guessing you need help finding something to wear?” Kara glances around the apartment again. “Just a pure suspicion.”

“Yea.” Alex gives Kara a nervous smile.

“Show us the options you have so far?” Emma signs and makes space on the sofa for Kara and herself to sit on. Kara disengages her super suit and flops onto it.

“Er… Okay.” Alex looks disortatiedly around her, trying to figure out what to show first.

“Alex.” Kara grabs her attention and sees Emma waving at her.

“Do you know where you are going?”

“Yes, the Italian place on the corner of Church street.”

“Masaniello?” Kara asks and Alex nods and points at her.

“That’s the one!”

“Nice! I approve.” Emma sits up and crosses her legs on the cushion. “It's a family run restaurant, the owner is a real sweetheart. Wear something you’ll be  comfortable in but shows you made an effort.”

“I agree!” Kara nods and Alex zips over to the bed.

Kara feels a tap on her shoulder and turns to look at Emma, giving her a small, closed smile.

“Bet you a hundred dollars she’ll put on her leather jacket.”

Kara snorts and whispers back. “I will not take that bet because we both know she will!”

“What are you two whispering about?” Alex shouts from the bed.

“Nothing!” Kara yells back. She jumps when Emma places her head on Kara’s shoulder but instinctively wraps her arm around the other blonde.

‘Rao, what do I say to her?’ Kara blinks and feels frustrated at how her brain can’t come up with a simple thing to say to the other blonde.

“Erm-”

“How's this?” Alex interrupts Kara as she stands in front of them, causing both blondes to look up.

Alex is wearing navy skinny, ankle suit trousers with brown leather slip on shoes, a white t-shirt and her black leather jacket.

Emma pulls away from Kara and they smile knowingly at each other before turning back to Alex and evaluating her outfit.

“What?” Alex asks, noticing the smile they shared.

“Oh, nothing.” Kara answers vaguely while  Emma tilts her head, pushing her lips out to the side and squints her eyes slightly in thought.

“No seriously, what was that?” Alex frowns at them.

“Emma said that you’d choose your leather jacket.”

“And what's wrong with my jacket?” Alex asks, narrowing her eyes in a threatening manner.

“Nothing?” Kara responds hesitantly, hoping Emma would back her up. But the other blonde is too busy going through Alex’s clothes to help.

“You can’t answer a question with a question!” Alex huffs and places her hands on her hips.

“Why can’t I?”

While the two sisters start squabbling, Emma gathers together a few options for Alex to try. She first grabs three shirts, a white one, a teal one and a light blue one.

“Cause you aren’t giving me a proper answer!” Alex yells frustratedly, her nerves about the date making her more sensitive than normal.

“Maybe I don’t want to give you one?” Kara yells back, not actually understanding why they are yelling at each other.

Emma interrupts them by coming behind Alex and pulling her leather jacket off.

“Hey!” Alex whines and Emma hands the jacket to Kara who flings it across the room.  Emma grabs the three shirts and puts the teal shirt in front of Alex and evaluates it. She looks at Kara who makes a face that she wasn’t sure of it. The blue shirt gets a nod and the white shirt gets a thumbs up.

“Sometimes simple is better.” Kara comments and gets up to find a jacket. “Should I get the jacket to go with the trousers or another colour?”

The sisters spend the rest of the day trying many different combinations. Different colour trousers, shirts and jackets. Even trying out a few dresses before coming back to the trouser route. They debate about adding a tie but in the end decide it’s too much.

Kara does Alex’s hair while Emma does her make up, giving her a more natural look but in a way that accentuates her features.

Alex just stands there and allows it. Voicing her opinion when she feels it necessary and trying not to squirm too much when her make up is being done. Ultimately Alex feels immensely grateful that her sisters care enough to take time out of their day to do this.

“Alex?” Kara holds her hand out and brings the redhead over to the mirror. Emma follows and stands behind Alex, smiling brightly. “Well?”

Alex looks at her reflection and her smile grows as wide as Emma’s. They changed the skinny trousers and shoes to black and after much debate they settled on the crisp white shirt with a navy suit jacket.

“It’s perfect.”

Kara’s head suddenly whips to the window. “I gotta go.” Her suit starts materialising around her as she hugs Alex tight. “I really hope tonight goes well, let me know?”

Alex steps back and nods. Her stomach feels like it’s completely full of whizzing butterflies. She walks with Kara to the window and watches Supergirl take off and disappear. Not realising that Kara had avoided saying goodbye to Emma.

The redhead turns around and sees Emma busy clearing up.

“Oh! Peanut! Don’t worry about that!”

Emma pauses and looks at Alex. She raises an eyebrow.

“Where will Ruby be?”

“At a friend’s.” Alex gulps, already knowing what Emma is getting at.

“And if you come back here? You gonna do it amongst your clothes?”

Alex’s face goes as bright as her hair and Emma voicelessly laughs before continuing her task. Alex takes her jacket off and helps her.

“Do… Do you think Sam expects that?” Alex asks quietly as they work together, her vulnerability seeping into her voice.

Emma pauses and looks at her eldest sister. The nerves swirling within her dark eyes.

“I’m sure Sam would love to be with you. But if you aren’t ready I imagine she’d honour that. Do what feels right for you.”

Alex nods and takes a deep breath. The pain from Kelly walking away still lingers under the surface, but Alex has decided to move on.

Once the apartment looks more normal Emma fiddles with her hands, waiting for Alex to close her closet door and turn around.

When she does Emma smiles and takes a deep breath. “Do you want me to go?”

Normally Alex wouldn’t hesitate to say no.

But a part of her paused.

Emma sees this and swallows. The sting of Kara leaving without saying goodbye increases. “It’s okay.” She smiles brightly, trying to hide her hurt. “I hope you have a really good time and just be yourself-”

“Em.” Alex cuts Emma off. “I want you to stay. Maybe we can play some COD?”

Emma rolls her eyes at the use of the shortened title and playfully shoves her shoulder into Alex.

“Hey! Careful! I don’t want to iron this.” Alex whines but shoves Emma’s shoulder as she passes. Not noticing Emma falter behind her as she walks to the sofa. “So the WWII one? Or something more modern?”

Alex frowns when Emma doesn’t respond.

“Em?”

She turns and her frown deepens at the unfocused look in Emma’s eyes.

“Emma?”

The blonde blinks and shakes her head while she continues to walk over to her sister.

“You okay?” Alex asks as she starts the console up.

Emma nods and plops down on the sofa. Shaking away the glowing red eyes in her mind.

Alex sits beside her and the apartment is filled with the sounds of war and Alex’s orders.

“Sniper in the church tower!”

“Cover me!”

“Take that you Nazi bastard!”

“Grenade!”

“Heal me dammit!”

Emma can’t help but silently laugh at Alex’s competitive nature and when a cut scene plays she leans over and affectionately kisses her cheek. Alex turns and smiles sadly at her.

“I’ve missed you.” Alex says quietly, her eyes glistening vulnerably.

Feeling touched, Emma places the controller on her lap and signs. “I’m always here.”

“I know but-”

A knock on the door interrupts Alex and her eyes go wide at the time. Emma jumps up and races to the door, giving Alex a thumbs up before opening it. Revealing a just as nervous looking Sam in a navy, figure hugging dress.

“Emma!” Sam yells happily and pulls the blonde into a hug. “It’s so good to see you!” Sam pulls away and Emma steps back to let her into the apartment. “Oh, am I interrupting sister time?” Sam’s head whips back and forth between the two sisters. “Alex why didn’t you tell me and we could have done a different day?”

Emma quickly shakes her hands back and forth. Desperately wanting to correct the brunette.

“No, no, no.” Alex says for her and runs a hand through her hair. “Emma and Kara kindly helped me choose my outfit and Emma stayed over to-”

Alex watches Emma lift her hand and clamp her mouth with wide eyes. “Shut up!” Emma quickly lowers her hand when Sam turns to look at her. Giving the brunette a beaming smile.

“Well, thank you for helping Alex with her outfit.” Sam says as her eyes roam over Alex’s body. “I definitely approve.”

Alex gets lost in Sam’s hungry gaze, her own taking in the Sam’ curves until she catches Emma sticking her finger in her mouth and silently gagging.

“Hey!” Alex grabs a pillow and throws it at Emma, who catches it easily and voicelessly chuckles. She throws it back on the sofa and signs to Alex.

“I should go.” She opens her arms as an invite for a hug. Alex springs into her arms and the sisters embrace. Emma turns and hugs Sam too, as she pulls away though Emma points at her eyes with two fingers and then points threateningly at Sam. “I’m watching you.”

Sam gulps and nods as she sees the rare protective fire in Emma’s eyes.

Emma keeps the act up until the last moment when she approaches the door. Her face breaks out into a huge smile and she blows a kiss at the couple. “Have fun!” Emma signs as opens the door and leaves.

“Damn she can be scary when she wants to be.” Sam’s muffled voice admits.

“Where do you think she gets it from?” Alex cheekily answers back.

But Emma doesn’t hear Sam’s response as she makes her way to the elevator and heads for home.

-- -- --

When Emma enters the apartment she’s surprised to see no lights on. She had messaged Lena she was leaving Alex’s when she got in the car over half an hour ago. However, Lena hasn’t read it yet.

Emma: Got home safe. Are you on your way? ❤️

The blonde heads to the fridge and debates what to make. Her stomach grumbles and she decides on making stir fry. Emma gets the ingredients she needs to start cooking dinner and sets up a pan to boil some water. While doing her tasks Emma looks at her emails on her tablet and spots a message from Robyn Rose.

Hi Em! Your songs are causing a bloody storm here! Management is going mental for them! However they just want a bit of tweaking done on a few of them. “Some added umph”… Their words not mine! Would be easier if you came over… Think that can happen?! 🤪

Knowing your mate, Lucy, I won’t see you for another five years or something!

Anyway, have a listen to what we’ve done so far and see if you can add whatever shit the twits want added!

Emma shakes her head at her friend’s email and responds:

Very insightful Robyn… Thanks. I’ll have a listen and get back to you.

The blonde downloads the audio files and presses play. She smiles happily at hearing her songs coming to life and finally hearing a voice sing out the lyrics that have been whirling around her head for weeks.

Emma gets so lost in thought as she starts cutting up the vegetables and analyses the sound she doesn’t hear Lena enter the apartment.

“Em-ma! I’m home!” Lena calls out and immediately kicks off her high heeled shoes. Moaning as she places her feet on the floor and stretches them out. When she hears no sound of Emma running to her, Lena looks up. “Love?”

She sees the blonde working on dinner in the kitchen and then notices the sound of Robyn Rose’s voice over the speakers, singing a song she’s never heard before. Shrugging Lena makes her way over to the blonde.

“Love?” Lena calls again and places a hand on Emma’s shoulder.

Emma jumps violently and hisses as she deeply slices her left index finger.

“Emma!” Lena shouts in alarm and rushes to get a paper towel to stem the bleeding. She quickly wraps the towel around Emma’s finger and squeezes tight. “I’m so sorry! Are you okay?”

Emma nods but pouts with tears filling her eyes.

“I’m so, so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you like that.” Lena keeps rambling and pulls the blonde over to a stool. “Keep the pressure on it while I get the first aid kit.”

As Lena let's go Emma expects to feel pain.

But there is none.

‘Please don’t say I need to go to the hospital.’ Emma begs to Rao as she tightly squeezes her finger.

Lena places the kit on the island and prepares herself. “Okay, take the towel off.”

Emma does so, but very, very slowly due to hating the sight of blood. Especially her own.

But as the towel falls away Lena frowns. “Huh, it must not have been as deep as I thought.” She turns Emma’s hand around, checking for any other injuries that could have caused the extent of blood.

Emma hisses again as Lena places an alcohol wipe over the shallow cut.

“Sorry.” Lena apologises again and Emma places a kiss on her cheek. Signalling to her she is okay.

Emma then watches as Lena lovingly dries the finger and wraps it in a plaster, a soft smile spreading on Emma’s lips. “Good job you didn’t harm your right index finger.”

Emma tilts her head at her and Lena leans into Emma’s ear.

“I’ve grown rather fond of that one, especially with your middle finger.”

Emma’s brain short circuits at Lena’s husky tone and Lena chuckles at the response.

“Anyway, stay seated and I will finish dinner. Thankfully you didn’t get blood on the food!”

Emma nods and gives Lena a small smile before grabbing her headphones and opening her MacBook Pro up to work on Robyn and her music. Wanting to try out a few ideas that had come to her.

Seeing this Lena continues cutting up the vegetables to add to the hot wok, grateful that Emma chose to make a quick meal.

“Hope, please continue the podcast I was listening to.” Voices fill the apartment on the importance of archaeology and what it can do to contribute to modern science. Lena is currently enjoying the most recent episode with guest speaker, Diana Prince.

“What I love most about my job is seeing the wonder on children’s faces. How they manage to understand the value and importance of an item that dates back thousands of years ago”

“Not all kids though?” The host interrupts Diana with a laugh.

“You’d be surprised! Especially when swords are involved.” Diana’s warm laugh makes Lena smile slightly. “In the Louvre we have one expedition exhibiting a viking warrior and nine time out of ten a comment will be made about how cool his armour is. But actually the warrior is a woman and a princess. Most adults would raise an eyebrow when I explain this, but mostly all the children would nod and understand that of course there were viking warriors who were women!”

“No! They were housewives who bore their babies and cooked the meat!” The hosts teases Diana’s statement using a caveman like tone, making Lena roll her eyes. “But in all honesty that is very true. My son loves going to museums and learning about history. He can stand and take all this information in and come out with some really insightful stuff.”

“The insights and wisdom of a child should never be taken for granted.” Diana hums in agreement.

The episode continues but soon dinner is ready. Turning back to Emma, Lena waves her hand to get the blonde’s attention. Hazel green eyes instantly snap up to her and Emma takes the headphones off.

“Dinner’s ready.”

Emma nods with a bright smile and jumps off the stool to grab the cutlery and drinks to place on the table.

Her head turns towards the speaker as she listens to Diana discuss modern science.

‘Wow her voice is gorgeous!’ Emma thinks as she picks up the warm tones of the archaeologist's voice.

Lena seems to notice Emma’s interest and feels a twinge of jealousy as she raises a sculpted eyebrow at her girlfriend. “Hope, stop the podcast.”

Emma tilts her head and lifts her hands to sign. “You didn’t need to stop that if you were enjoying it.”

“It’s fine. Anyway, I want my full focus to be on you.” Lena smiles sweetly as she places their bowls of food on the table.

“Uh oh! I know that look!” Emma widens her eyes in mock panic.

“What look?”

“You got jealous over a voice?”

“I did not!”

“Did too.” Emma grabs her fork and starts eating, remembering how hungry she is.

“I did not!” Lena pushes and Emma shrugs her shoulders while grinning victoriously. Lena shakes her head and lets out a heavy outtake of breath through her nose. “Anyway, I had an interesting day trying to keep Sam calm.” Lena smirks and Emma slaps the table happily. Dropping her fork into her bowl to communicate.

“You should have seen Alex’s apartment! It was covered in clothes and she was so panicked!”

“So was Sam! She must have tried on her whole wardrobe and kept coming into my office to get my opinion!”

“She looked stunning in that dress though! And they matched!” Emma pulls out her phone and shows Lena a picture of Alex in her outfit. The raven haired beauty laughs when she sees it.

“Wow they do match! And she does look nervous!”

Emma nods and lowers her phone, placing it back in her pocket.

“Also Sam’s dress was one of the first options she showed me.” Lena laughs and shakes her head at the montage of Sam trying on hundreds of outfits to find the right one. “It needed to be perfect!” Lena copies Sam’s voice and laughs with Emma. “How was it with your sisters?”

Emma pauses the fork full of food heading to her mouth and lowers it. Lena narrows her eyes slightly at the sadness in hazel green eyes.

Emma takes a deep breath before signing. “It was good, but there was a hint of tension in the air. Kara kept flinching whenever I touched her, she didn’t even say goodbye and Alex was holding back.” The blonde’s shoulders sag and she looks away from her girlfriend. “I know they are working through their own struggles, I just miss them so much and I just want things to be how they were.”

“Oh love.” Lena takes Emma’s hand and squeezes it reassuringly. “These things take time and I know they will get better.”

“Promise?"

Lena holds up her pinky finger, causing Emma to beam at her. They link pinky fingers and shake.

“I promise.”

(Part Thirty)

[iliveiloveiwrite]

Champion

Request: omg i saw that u opened requests again and i’m in love w ur writing 🥺 so can i request a fluffy cedric diggory imagine where he wins the triwizard tournament and finally ends up confessing that he loves you bc he thought he was gonna die? tysm!! (i can’t handle his death so this is my way of coping).

A/N: Same nonnie, same. My first Cedric request!! I loved writing it and I can only hope I got his characterisation right! There’s a ton of fluff but a little bit of angst as well because I had to, sorry! I hope you enjoy and I hope I’ve done your request justice! Enjoy reading, love to you all!

Warnings: some swearing, some angst, some fluff!

Word count: 2.5k

“Cedric, are you sure you want to enter? You know what this competition holds.”

“I have to try, (Y/N). Others from Hogwarts are entering; it probably won’t even be my name they pull from the Goblet.”

You nod, his words reassuring you slightly. However, the worry and panic still eat away at your gut as he places the piece of parchment with his name written in his best handwriting into the Goblet.

--------------------------------

Cedric keeps an arm around your shoulder at the choosing ceremony. Your legs bounces to the rhythm of your heart; nerves beginning to get the better of you.

“Calm down, you’re jostling the table.” Cedric whispers into your ear.

You calm the bouncing of your leg, replying, “I can’t help it if I’m nervous.”

“It’ll be okay. Whatever happens, it’ll be okay.”

You flash him a small smile, pretending that his words have reassured you but as you watch the flame of the Goblet of Fire flicker, dread pools low in your gut.

The little pieces of parchment are spat out of the Goblet one by one. Each name announced by Dumbledore as the newly appointed champions make their way to a side room to await further instruction.

Victor Krum; champion for Durmstrang.

Fleur Delacour; champion for Beauxbatons.

Dumbledore’s hand snatches the final piece of parchment spat out from the Goblet of Fire.

His voice rings loud and clear through the Great Hall, “The Hogwarts’ champion: Mr. Cedric Diggory.”

Cheers ring out from the Hogwarts’ student body, but you can’t bring yourself to do so. You force a smile across your face as Cedric hand squeezes your shoulder before he heads to the front of the hall to take his piece of parchment from Dumbledore. You watch him walk through a side door

It’s as if the rug has been pulled out from under you; leaving you gasping for breath and grabbing for help.

You lose focus; you don’t hear the Goblet of Fire give one more name, and you don’t hear Harry Potter’s name read out to the questioning mutters of the crowd.

You simply watch the door upon which Cedric had walked through as if your gaze was powerful enough to bring him back.

----------------------------------------------

You wait for him in the common room.

He’s greeted with cheers and shouts of congratulations, but he only has eyes for you. You’re already watching him as his eyes find yours.

Cedric takes a seat next you; he doesn’t speak immediately, already knowing that you’re finding what you want to say to him.

“I’m scared for you.” You whisper, eyes focused on the fire.

He pulls you into his side, dropping a kiss to the top of your head. “I know you are.”

“What’s going to happen?”

“I’m going to win.”

You drop your head into your hands, “Cedric, I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you…”

“Nothing will.”

“You sound so sure of it.”

“I can’t promise everything will be okay because this is a dangerous competition, but what I do know is that with you by my side helping me, not a lot can go wrong.”

You slump back into the couch, “Cedric Diggory, I did not expect our friendship to make me prematurely grey.”

He laughs, “So you’ll help me then? With preparing for the trials?”

“I’ll always help you.”

His arm is back around your shoulder; you lean into his side. A friendship that had been so precious to you for two years now but had always teetered on the edge of something more. As you both lose yourself in your thoughts, you both wonder what the outcome of this tournament could be.

-----------------------------------------------

“Cedric Diggory! Are you making it your life’s mission to give me high blood pressure? If so, you’re doing a fine job of it.”

Cedric looks at you wide-eyed. You’re stood at the bottom of his hospital bed with your hands on your hips, ready to duel the entire Ministry of Magic if it meant it would get him out of this shitshow of a tournament.

“(Y/N), it’s okay,” He reassures, “I’m okay. Look – everything’s working just fine.” He stands from the bed to pull you into a hug. You hide your face in his chest, listening to the solid thump of his heart.

“Cedric, half of your face is burnt. From a dragon, might I add.”

“But Madame Pomfrey has already healed it because she’s a miracle worker.”

“You scared me half to death. They wouldn’t let me in until everyone had caught their egg.”

His arms tighten around you, “It’s okay. I can do this.”

“I know you can, I have every faith in you, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be scared for you. If anything was to happen to you, I don’t know what I’d do.” Repeating your words from the common room conversation a month ago has this all settling into place for you; if anything were to happen to him you would never be able to tell him how you feel.

“Nothing is going to happen to me… well, nothing major at least.”

You sigh through your nose, “Cedric, you really are doing an awful job at reassuring me.”

He laughs, “How should I do it instead?”

You bite your lip, “Just keep hugging me. I know you’re still in one piece that way.”

Cedric’s hand rubs calming circles into your back, “I can do that.”

--------------------------------------------

You don’t remember anything before breaking the surface. You don’t remember anything until Cedric is helping you swim towards the stands where warm towels and blankets are waiting for you both.

Your teeth chatter as you ask, “What happened?”

Cedric is wrapping blanket after blanket around your shoulders, ignoring the fact that his lips are turning blue. “(Y/N), are you okay? Are you warming up? I should have known they’d use you when I couldn’t find you this morning. What do you remember before leaving the lake?”

You grab his hand, “Cedric, calm down. Take a blanket, you’re panicking me. I’m warming up just fine. The last thing I remember was being asked to go see Professor Sprout in the Headmaster’s office to discuss becoming a prefect.”

He slumps down next to you on stand; finally accepting a blanket, wrapping it around his shoulders.

Teeth still chattering, your eyes narrow at the teachers watching the scene, “I better get Prefect for this, Professor Sprout.” You call.

The only indication she gives that she’s heard you is a loud chuckle. Your eyes narrow even further, but they’re directed at Cedric, “Why was I down there?”

“It was part of the mermaid’s riddle. They took something I cared about so I would bring it back.”

You shiver, “Oh?”

Cedric nods, not ready to have this conversation yet so instead focuses on your shivering, “Are you okay? Are you sure you’re warm enough?” He shuffles closer to you; sharing his blanket with you.

“I’m fine, Ced. I just don’t think I’ll be going swimming for a while.”

Despite it all, Cedric laughs. You follow; gasping for air in no time because what else is there to do when you’ve been involved in a competition that holds possible to risk to life?

You are both still laughing as Dumbledore’s voice announces the winner. “For his unique use of the Bubble Head Charm, we award First Place to Cedric Diggory!”

Fellow Hufflepuff’s begin to chant Cedric’s name; all trying to pat his shoulder. You sober up; eyes wide as you turn to look at Cedric.

You throw your arms around him, “Cedric! First place! You’re doing so well, I’m so proud of you.”

His arms wrap around you, whispering in your ear, “Thank you, (Y/N). I think you might be my good luck charm.”

“Oh hush. It’s all you and you know that.”

Cedric opens his mouth to say something but quickly closes it. He knew what he wanted to say but wanted a better setting. He wanted to confess; wanted to tell you how he felt about you, but he decides against it at the last moment.

I’ll tell her if I win, he thinks.

----------------------------------

Cedric’s eyes seek yours before he enters the maze; knowing that your face would calm his heartrate in no time and help him think logically before completing the final task.

He finds your face in no time and already feels his heart calm down. You’re sat at the end of the row; ready to run to him should anything go wrong. His love for you surges through his body and he suddenly wishes he had told you he was in love with you before all of this.

-------------------------------------

Time drags as each champion makes their way into the maze. Worry had settled in your gut like a lead balloon as Cedric was the first to enter. He caught your eyes before he entered, flashing you a small smile that had your heart racing. As you waited for him to return, you found yourself regretting the fact that you had never told him how you felt before the tournament even started.

You’ve bitten your nails down to the bed in worry. Your gaze does not leave the very entrance to the maze that Cedric had walked through just over an hour ago.

Nothing happens; then everything happens at once.

Two bodies land in the arena. Neither moving.

Dumbledore begins to shout for Madame Pomphrey as he races to the bodies. You finally recognise the Hufflepuff yellow of his jersey.

Your heart falls to the floor. You don’t recognise your own voice as you scream his name over and over again. Trying to get through the crowd forming; elbowing your way to him.

You are caught by Professor Sprout who holds you to her; whispering that he’s alive but he needs to be healed.

He’s alive.

He’s alive. He’s alive. He’s alive.

You sag in her arms; the fight leaving you in a single second. You let Professor Sprout lead you away from the arena. The words continue to circle in your mind; he’s alive, he’s breathing, he’s still here.

------------------------------------

It feels like days before you can enter the hospital wing, but it’s only hours. You refuse to leave the area; sitting outside the hospital wing, back straight against the wall, keeping your eyes on the door.

Cedric’s mother and father both leave the hospital wing and catch sight of you slumped against the wall.

You open your mouth to say something, but Cedric’s father beats you too it.

“He’s awake, and he’s asking for you.” His father says.

You sit up straighter, “Would you mind if I go see him?”

He nods, “That’s fine. Would you keep him company as we go find something to eat?”

You stand up, brushing yourself down in an effort to look presentable, “Of course. Thank you for letting me see him.”

Cedric’s mother smiles at you, “It’s no problem, dear. We’ll be back soon.”

They walk away, hand in hand, needing the physical support of their partner right now. You watch them for a single instant, then you push your way into the hospital wing.

You stare at Harry Potter for a moment; arm bandaged, asleep. You had heard his screams before they gave him a sleeping potion. Mrs. Weasley smiles at you as you pass their bed, pointing to the bed where Cedric lays. You reply with what you hope is a grateful smile before turning to Cedric’s bed.

His grey eyes take you in as you approach the bed; the crumpled clothes, the puffy cheeks and red eyes. He knows instantly that you’ve stayed outside the hospital wing for him and that you’ve cried for him.

Him whispering your name is all it takes for you to begin crying again.

“Sweetheart, no. I’m okay, I need you to look at me.” His first thought is to reassure you; to stop you crying. The pet name falling from his lips without a second thought.

You do; you take in the bandages covering his body as well as what looks to be fresh scar on his left arm. There are shadows under his eyes that no amount of sleep could cure, but he’s smiling at you. Despite it all, he’s smiling at you.

You sob. “Cedric, I was petrified.”

He reaches for your hand; you’re by his side immediately, wrapping it in your own. “I’m here, (Y/N). Did Professor Sprout explain what happened?”

You nod; your tears beginning to dry, “There was nothing, and then there you both were.” You close your eyes, reliving the moment of seeing him lying in the arena, lifeless, “And you weren’t moving. It was like I was in a nightmare and I couldn’t wake up.”

He frowns; despising himself for the pain he had put you through. “In the graveyard… when I was facing him with Harry, would you like to know what my only thought was?”

“What?”

“You.”

“Me?”

Cedric nods, “If I was going to die, I wanted my last thought to be of you.”

The tears start anew, “Cedric…”

“I can’t keep it hidden anymore, not after that. I love you. I’ve loved you since Second Year and you dropped ink all over my notes and in guilt, you made sure your notes were copied neatly so I could have a copy. I would have said something sooner, but I was worried that it would ruin our friendship. I’m not worried anymore.”

You sniffle, wiping your nose with the sleeve of your shirt. The last thing you cared about right now was your appearance, “Cedric, I love you too.”

“You do?”

You nod, “I do. I have since that very same day. When you entered the maze, I had this overwhelming sense of regret that I didn’t tell you sooner, but I’m happy that it’s out there now.”

He smiles at you, “When I’m out of here, I’m taking you on a date.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, we’re going to do this properly. I want to do this properly.”

You nod, “Okay. A date sounds good, but only after you’re entirely healed.”

He nods, agreeing with you, settling his head further into the pillow, closing his eyes. You go to pull your hand away, but his eyes fly open, hand gripping yours tighter.

“Where are you going?”

“I was going to let you get some peace and sleep.”

“Stay with me?”

“Your parents will be back soon.”

“I know, but I want you to stay with me. I don’t want to let you out of my sight just yet.”

You relax at his words, “Of course. I’ll duel anyone if they try to make me leave.” Then the realisation hits, delayed after the drama of the night, “Cedric, you won. You won the tournament. You’re the Triwizard Champion!”

He nods, grinning, “And you’re in love with him.”

------------------------------------

The formal ceremony takes place once Cedric is released from hospital. He’s handed the cup in front of the whole school and Hufflepuff cheer the loudest upon the announcement of Triwizard Champion.

He accepts the win graciously; offering to share the money with Harry, but Harry declines. Cedric won it fair and square; Harry was just happy that Cedric had his back in the graveyard.

As grateful as he is to be named Triwizard Champion, he’s won something better.

You.

*****

General (HP) taglist: @the-hufflefluffwriter @obsessedwithrandomthings @kalimagik @summer-writes @lupins-sweater @slytherinprincess03 @mischiefsemimanaged @soleil-amaryllis @masterofthedarkness @bforbroadway @chaotic-fae-queen @peachesandpinks @nebulablakemurphy @siriusly-addicted-to-writing @firewhisky-kisses @deafgirltingz @kylosleftbuttcheek @heloisedaphnebrightmore @harrypotter289 @sprvpti

[anonthenullifier]

I have a quote prompt, actually it’s from the first issue of the 1985 Vision and the Scarlet Witch Comic. “The Scarlet Witch is never helpless”

I love this quote! My mind went through so many options that were all really different. Hopefully you enjoy the one I settled on!

——

The cave smells of sulphur and the air is swamp-like, her hair bunching into curls with each additional minute in the humidity. “Hey, Vizh,” Wanda keeps her voice low, as calm as possible, hoping the only attention she rouses is Vision’s and not the transdimensional lava demon clomping back and forth across the cavern. Neither of them stir so she tries again, a touch louder, “Vision.” Under normal circumstances she would reach out not only to his mind but also send a tendril of scarlet to dance along his jaw, except said demon has apparently been studying them, devising vices to limit the use of their powers. Without the freedom of her hands, she finds it hard to channel her powers with enough finesse to only alert Vision, leaving her able only to feel the outermost furling of his thoughts. This is not enough for her to determine that Vision is okay, especially in his current state, his body suspended so that it is leaning forward, arms uncomfortably hoisted behind him to eliminate the chance he can turn his head and sear away the chains with the Mindstone. It reminds her of the nightmare that was aerial battle yoga with Natasha. Wanda tries to nudge his mind while defaulting to conversation in the hope he’ll respond. “I don’t know about you, but my arms are tired.”

Without even opening his eyes, he provides an autopiloted insight to her discomfort, “That would be due to the gravitational field of this planet being almost three times that of Earth.” Two seconds is all it takes before his mind seems to catch up to his surroundings, voice trembling with realization as he raises his head to look at her, “Wanda...when did you get captured?”

Time is meaningless down here, mainly because she can’t access her handheld device to determine how long it’s truly been. “Maybe half an hour ago?” This shouldn't be the point of conversation, however, her own capture not accidental by any means, but she can’t risk alerting their captor to that. “How are you holding up?”

“Rather uncomfortably, as you can no doubt observe.” If his response were a wine, she’d be puckering. At least his spirits are still intact enough to be sardonic. “Are you unharmed?”

His swing from sarcasm to unfettered anxiety dictates she give more than a nonchalant I’m fine. Unlike him, she is in a pretty basic prisoner-in-an-evil-lair position—ankles shackled to the stone wall and shoulders screaming at being suspended by the metal glove encasing both her hands. Even if she’s been here a couple hours less than him, all blood has already drained from her hands and forearms causing pins and needles to colonize under her skin. “Other than my arms, I’m not hurt.” Relief sags his body as much as the restraints allow, maybe a millimeter, but it’s enough, along with his shaky breath out, to convey his ever present concern for her over himself. It’s why she redirects to the real concern here: him. “I assume your powers aren’t working?” The chains attached to Vision’s wrists and ankles jangle morosely as he demonstrates phasing for her. The second his body flickers it is consumed by an electrical shock that sizzles along the edges of the vibranium. She finds herself wincing just so someone acknowledges how agonizing it looks. “You could have just said yes.”

The resounding clink of metal this time is due to his attempt at a shrug, “I felt it pertinent to test the efficacy of the power destabilizer in case it had malfunctioned.”

“Looked like you were trying to win the pitiful award.”

His breathy, contained snort very briefly eradicates the twinge she’s developed in her lower back. “I presume you are either a fellow victim or,” hope enters his question with a little vocal uptick, “here to enact a daring rescue?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Good...good,” they lapse into a moment of silence, “and that plan is?”

The plan was for her to get captured, as it’s the only known way into the deepest cavern and then either wait for the others to find a way to infiltrate (not even Strange’s portals capable of getting in) or she has to identify a weakness from within. It’s not a great plan but it’s what they have to work with since she refused to go another minute not knowing if Vision was okay. “Um, still finalizing it.”

“Ah, well, looking forward to it then.” If anyone else was down here with him they would likely have overlooked the subtle undercurrent of sass, assuming he was just being anticipatory, but she knows every rise and fall of his voice, every carefully planned cadence and right now he is being an ass. A very handsome ass, but an ass nonetheless.

“But now that I’m here, it’s kind of nice,” it’s not, it’s hot, it’s muggy, it’s dripping with molten rock and peppered with vents puffing up noxious gases, “like one of those spas with the hot stone massage.”

Vision does his best to examine the hellscape, neck only able to crane so far due to the angle of his suspension and the increased gravity, not even his attempts at lowering his density are successful in alleviating either impediment, “I would temper your excitement. The attendant,” he nods towards the demon who is currently pacing in front of an iridescent oval, “informed me they are fresh out of those little cucumber slices for your eyes.”

Without thinking, Wanda allows a single syllable laugh to escape her lips, an action that causes the horned, amorphous head of their captor to turn towards her, its eyes burning like two embers hanging on for life at the end of a campfire. Wanda quickly puts on a pathetic whimper, giving her chains a few good rattles and a pitiful, “Please let us go” and then waits until the demon has returned its attention to guarding the prismatic holding container before responding. “I’m knocking a star off their rating then.”

“That seems fair.”

Having confirmed Vision is relatively fine, Wanda lets them lapse back into silence, a recommendation from Carol to not be overly loquacious in case it stirred suspiciousness towards their still forming grand rescue plan, which is usually fine, one thing she loves about Vision is how easy it is to feel comfortable in silence, the gentle thrum of his mind a soothing, harmonious white noise. Except currently she can’t get deep enough into his thoughts to find reprieve. All she can experience is the echo of evenly spaced though labored breathing, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, and the clenching of his teeth anytime he attempts to shift his density to counteract the angle of his imprisonment. Wanda tries to tamp down the rising worry of what failure would mean, instead directing all of her own attention to feeling out the options for escape.

First she has to figure out her powers. Not only are her hands bound together in the metal glove, her fingers have been forced into fists with no room to expand. It’s uncomfortable and aggravating but also a grave misunderstanding of her abilities because sometimes finesse isn’t necessary. As controlled as she can manage, Wanda collects her powers into one concentrated ball centering in her chest, holding it steady in case she needs to utilize what Vision has lovingly deemed her supernova. No matter how impressive, however, it’s a dangerous maneuver, one she can’t risk in unstable environments, like a potentially active alien volcano. Which is why she needs to channel the man next to her and be patient. Assess everything. This would be easier if her arms didn’t feel like they were about to fall off.

“Um Wanda…”

Her Yeah? shrivels into terrified nothingness the second she raises her eyes, the lumbering form of their captor oozing over towards Vision. Behind it the shining oval and prismatic container are blindingly bright. That’s never a good sign. Neither is the way it reaches a coal colored hand towards Vision. “Don’t touch him.” There’s a snort, dismissive and loud and like a million steam engines erupting all at once If Wanda had her hands free, she’d use them to cover her ears, the world around her muffled now, even her own breaths sounding distant and unconnected from her.

The demon doesn’t listen to her, a solitary finger delicately (as delicately as a monstrous entity can) touching the Mindstone. The stone lights up in response. Based on the shock spreading across Vision’s face and rippling through his body, he is not in control of it. She has made the stone betray him before, and still lives with that guilt, still remembers the way he described it to her, the suffocating realization that he lacked control over such an integral aspect of himself. She’ll be damned to allow anyone else to make him feel it again.

“Stop!” Horrified, she watches the demon ignore her, beckoning the Mindstone energy forward in a docile beam, inching it along with malicious encouragement even as Vision thrashes against his restraints. Clearly the time for planning is over. “I said stop!”

The demon's head swings towards her and she almost screams, the crackling skin of their captor close enough for her to gaze into the smoldering eyes studying her. She imagines standing in the middle of a raging forest fire would be more comforting than the depths of hell in its pupils. “Accept your fate, little witch.” The words spoken are not the ones she hears, its voice akin to the shattering of an entire hutch of china during a tornado, a tinkling of shards as they get whisked away in the howling wind, and yet she understands it, likely some form of mental translation Dr. Strange told them existed in other beings. It’s awe-inspiring while also being a complete ass.

Wanda meets its eyes and glares. “Only if you accept your fate.”

It laughs, wings expanding out across the entire cavern, shaking as if it has heard a joke for the first time in eons. “You,” it bends low, the heat of its body drawing droplets of sweat along her forehead, “are helpless here.”

“You are going to regret that.” For a man who only seconds ago was fighting for his life, Vision’s gleeful taunt enlivens in her the last bit of strength she needs.

Wanda siphons his confidence into herself, unlocking the core of her power as she sets up her daring rescue at last. “You made two mistakes today.” The transdimensional demon lacks hair and any sort of eyebrows, but that doesn’t stop the distinct feeling of it raising them in disbelief. “First,” Wanda leans forward as much as the chains allow, “you kidnapped and tortured the love of my life. And second,” scarlet begins seeping through her body, crackling along her skin as she speaks, “you assumed I was helpless,” the plan was to cause as little harm as possible, the terrain unstable, the power of this demon unknown, but that’s too soft a punishment for a being that doubts her might, that thinks it can control her, that tried to take from her and think she wouldn’t fight back. Wanda makes sure the demon is looking directly at her when she invokes its fate . “The Scarlet Witch is never helpless.”

As the last word falls from her lips, she allows her powers to erupt.

Oiled hands knead up and down Wanda’s arm, applying the perfect amount of pressure to alleviate the last of her aches. There’s a lovely waft of chamomile each time she breathes in and a soothing melody of some nondescript instrumental track. Even more peaceful is the ebb and flow of Vision’s thoughts, her powers greedily deep in his mind. It’s why she’s able to smile in anticipation of his next comment.

“I agree with you.”

Wanda stays face down, far too relaxed to even think about moving, “Obviously,” a little snort comes from her left, guiding her lips up higher into victory, “what specifically?”

“I just finished the report,” only Vision would consider mission reports a comfort read, “Dr. Strange is still perturbed with your methods.”

In her mind there was no inkling of doubt their de facto mission leader was seething, mostly due to the forty minute lecture she received on excessive use of powers, but rarely does he allow it to seep into ink for everyone to read. “I think he’s jealous.”

What she expects is an airy laugh and then a gentle rebuttal, instead she is delivered a treat, “I do believe that is part of it.” Wanda apologizes to the masseuse as she props herself up to look over at Vision, tickled at the unadulterated relaxation before her. He’s engulfed in a snowy white robe while reclined in a chair, a hot towel wrapped around his head with two little cucumber slices on his eyes that look like lifeboats in the waves of the clay mask slathered on his face. When he talks it forms little cracks in the mask, “You achieved a feat he could not, anyone would experience at least a speck of jealousy.”

“Even you?”

“If I had been in his position?” the cracks splinter in six different branches as he contemplates. “Yes, even me. But,” gingerly he reaches up and lifts a cucumber, allowing her to see the swirling gear of his iris, “given I was not in his position, I, instead, am able to appreciate how very fortunate I am to be loved by such a stunningly powerful woman.” A flirty little wink is sent her way before the cucumber drops back into place.

Wanda grins, cheeks rising high enough to hurt a little, as she settles back into the massage table. After all these years that little boyish grin and wink of his urges her heart to beat a hair faster. Maybe she lied in the cavern, overstated the level of helplessness she can experience, because no matter the circumstance, she will always be helplessly in love with Vision. A fact that doesn’t weaken her, can never tame her, one instead that challenges her to understand and harness her powers even more because the universe will never stop trying to take from her, will relentlessly pursue her happiness. This she won’t stand for anymore. Whatever comes next, no matter how intimidating or powerful, she will be ready to yet again prove that the Scarlet Witch is not so easily crossed.

[dirtykpopsnaps]

Babysitting for an Idol — Kim Seungmin

Warnings: None

Contains: single dad!Seungmin. college student, babysitter!Y/N. Two very cute little girls (Yeona and Cho-Hee)

Requested: no

Words: 2, 065

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I look in the mirror, tugging lightly on the hem of my t-shirt and making sure I look okay. I mean, sure, it’s just a babysitting job, but I still want to look somewhat nice. Although, how nice can you look in a t-shirt and jeans? Sighing softly, I turn around to grab my bag and necessities before leaving my little apartment. I lock the door behind me and head out to my car in the parking lot behind the apartment complex.

To be honest, I did not expect to spend my Friday night babysitting. I mean, I already work at a little daycare nearby to try and get some money for college, but Friday is usually a day for myself. I guess it’s kinda my fault for putting my information on the daycare’s bulletin board when I first started working there.

When I’m in the car, I pull out my phone and check the address again. It’s in a more secluded part of town, but I don’t think much of it and start heading towards the address. Honestly, I don’t know this family yet. A dad of one of the kids in my room said his friend needed a babysitter. I had babysat for him a few times, so he recommended me. When he told me, I just nodded and took the job. Truthfully, I probably should have tried to meet this dad first and actually see his kids, but I didn’t think that far ahead. Now, I’m really regretting that decision. I feel nervous and slightly worried. Like, what if I’m kidnapped?!

Swallowing thickly, I take a deep breath and just focus on driving right now. The drive isn’t too long and, before I know it, I’m pulling into the address listed. I take the keys out of the ignition and take another deep breath, grabbing my bag out of the backseat. I try to calm myself down, taking one breath after another as I head up to the door of the house. When I’m at the door, I knock lightly and wait.

As soon as I knock, I hear someone hurrying around inside. “Yeona, just go play with your toys,” someone pleads.

“But, I wanna see who’s at the door,” a little voice whines.

“They’ll be in there soon. You can see them then, okay? Go play.” The little voice huffs, but it sounds like they walk off. Moments later, the door is opened and I’m slightly surprised by the person standing before me.

When I was given this job, I expected the ‘friend’ to be about the same age as the dad who gave me the job. So, about mid-to-late 30’s. The person standing before me is probably a good 10 years younger than that. He can’t be older than 26 and on he has a little girl no older than one on his hip. When he sees me, he sighs in relief. “Hi, you must be Y/N,” he says, inviting me inside. I smile softly, nodding my head.

“Yes, that’s me. And you’re Mr. Kim,” I say. He nods his head once. The little girl on his hip coos softly and he smiles at her.

“This is my youngest, Cho-Hee, and my oldest, Yeona, is playing in the living room,” he says, inclining his head towards another room. Peeking inside, I can just see the back of a little girl with a fluffy ponytail. My attention is pulled back to Mr. Kim when he starts talking again. “I’m so sorry for the short notice. I’ve been looking for someone everywhere, but I needed to be a little...discrete,” he says, biting his lip. I knit my eyebrows together in confusion.

“Discrete?” I question.

“Oh...so you weren’t told. I...I’m an idol. I don’t have a wife, yet I have two daughters. My fan base doesn’t really...know...about them,” he says a little awkwardly. I make a silent ‘ah’ with my mouth in recognition.

“Your secret is safe with me,” I hum sweetly.

Sighing in relief again, Mr. Kim’s shoulders sag slightly. “I’m really sorry I can’t stay longer and introduce you. I need to head over to the award show and start getting ready, I’m already late,” he says, biting his lip again and looking at the clock. I nod softly and hold out my arms for Cho-Hee. Mr. Kim hands her over calmly. “Okay. Their schedules are on the counter in the kitchen. Cho-Hee should be in bed by the time the award show starts, but if Yeona wants to watch, don’t let her stay up later than 9,” he tells me, hurrying around and grabbing a coat from the closet. He hurries into the living room and has a short conversation with Yeona before he kisses her head. He kisses Cho-Hee’s head before waving to me and heading out the door.

As soon as the door closes, I head into the kitchen and see the schedules on the counter. Heading over, I read over the little notes on the paper. ‘Dinner should be around 6:30. Food is prepared and in the fridge. Make sure Yeona eats all her vegetables’. Checking the clock, I notice that it’s only about 5:30. I walk back into the living room and Yeona stops playing, looking up at me. “Hi,” she smiles sweetly, waving at me with a Barbie in her hand. I set Cho-Hee on the floor and she immediately crawls over and picks up a Barbie, trying to play with her sister. Yeona picks up another Barbie and plays with her little sister. I sit down next to Cho-Hee, making sure that nothing bad happens.

For the most part, we just play up until dinner. Yeona hands me a Barbie and we all start playing together. Yeona has a very active imagination and Cho-Hee is doing her own thing with the Barbies. These girls are absolutely adorable and I actually have a pretty nice time playing with them. Around 6:15, I get up again and pick up Cho-Hee. I get the food out of the fridge and heat it up, then put it on plates. “Yeona, come eat!” I call, putting Cho-Hee in her highchair. I set Cho-Hee’s food down and Yeona sits in her seat. Calmly, I set the food in front of her, too.

Dinner is a mostly quiet activity. Yeona asks me some questions, but she eats very well. As her dad instructed me, I make sure that she finishes her vegetables. After dinner, I give them both a bath. They’re both splashing around and playing with toys happily. When they’re done, I wrap them in towels and put them in pajamas. Cho-Hee’s eyes are starting to droop, so I walk into the nursery and set her in her crib. I tuck her in and turn on the baby monitor near her bed to keep an eye on her. By the time I’m done in the nursery, Yeona has dressed herself in pajamas. She walks up to me as I leave the nursery. “Can we watch the show?” She asks, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Immediately, I remember that her dad mentioned an award show.

Calmly, I lead her downstairs and into the living room again. I turn on the TV and search through the channels, trying to find the award show. “There it is!” Yeona squeals, pointing at the screen. I click on the channel and the show comes up a second later. The show started about half an hour ago, but it doesn’t look as though many awards have been give out yet.

“Do you know what your dad is nominated for?” I question. Yeona nods her head happily and mentions three different categories that they’re nominated for.

Towards the end of her explanation, the name of a category flashes on the screen. Yeona gasps. “Look! We almost missed one of his categories!” She says.

“Good thing we turned it on, then,” I giggle. Yeona smiles widely and watches the TV intently. I cross my fingers as the announcers stand at the podium. They have an envelope in front of them and open it calmly.

“And the winner is...Stray Kids!” They cheer excitedly.

As soon as Yeona hears this, she jumps out of her seat and starts dancing happily. I giggle at her, trying to get her to sit down again. “Yeona!” I giggle, “if you don’t sit down, you’ll miss it!” Yeona immediately sits down and starts watching again, sitting quietly. She listens as the leader, Chan, makes a speech and some of the other members say a couple words here and there. While the group is talking, Yeona’s attention is fixed completely on her father. She’s smiling widely and it’s clear how happy she is right now.

For a while, we continue watching the awards show. For their next nomination, Stray Kids win again and Yeona jumps up again. She dances for a few seconds, then sits back down and keeps watching. Around 8:50, I pick her up off the couch. “Okay, sweetheart, time to brush our teeth and get ready for bed,” I tell her. Yeona whines for a second, but I walk her up to the bathroom and finally she gives in. She brushes her teeth and, when she’s done, we walk into her room and I tuck her in. “Okay, sweetie. Sweet dreams and goodnight,” I tell her, kissing her head lightly. She smiles up at me and turns on her side, pulling the blankets up to her chin.

After I put Yeona to bed, I sit down in the living room and watch a little TV. Every hour or so, I go up and check on Yeona and Cho-Hee. Both girls are sleeping happily and I nod my head, shutting the door quietly. Around 12 PM, I hear the front door unlock and it opens up. I turn my head towards the noise and get up when I see that it’s Mr. Kim. He smiles happily at me, then looks up the stairs. “How were they?” He asks softly.

“Very good, sir. Cho-Hee fell asleep almost immediately after her bath and Yeona stayed up a little to watch the award show, but I did get her in bed by 9,” I say sweetly. Mr. Kim scrunches his nose up at the word ‘sir’.

“Please never call me ‘sir’ or ‘Mr. Kim’, you’re only a couple years younger than me,” he laughs lightly. I smile widely at him, nodding my head

“Noted,” I giggle, “but...what should I call you?”

“Just Seungmin works,” he shrugs lightly.

Calmly, I pick my bag up off the floor and shoulder it. Seungmin walks off and comes back a few moments later with $60. “If it’s not enough, I can give you more next time,” he shrugs lightly. I stare at him in shock, my jaw nearly on the ground.

“Oh, my gosh! That’s too much!” I say in shock. He laughs lightly, shaking his head.

“No, no, I insist,” he chuckles, pushing the money into my hands. Biting my lip, I push the money into my back pocket.

“Thank you,” I smile softly. He nods his head happily and smiles back.

“And, you seem to have done very good. Do you mind if I maybe hire you again? Although, I will have to ask Yeona tomorrow about how she liked tonight,” he says, chuckling. I giggle lightly.

“I think she had a nice time. They both seem to have had fun. And, of course. You can always hire me,” I reassure him. He nods his head once and I adjust my bag on my shoulder. “Alright. I’ll see you next time, Mr.–Seungmin,” I say, correcting myself and giggling again. He chuckles lightly and nods.

“See you next time, Y/N,” he smiles.

Calmly, I head out to my car and put everything down. Once I’m ready, I put the keys in the ignition and back out of the driveway. As I back out, I see Seungmin at the door waving and I wave back at him, then focus on driving again. When I get out to the street, I turn and start heading back to my apartment. I really do hope that he hires me again. Both of the girls were very sweet and Seungmin isn’t too hard on the eyes, either. Laughing to myself, I focus back on driving. Hopefully, he will hire me again soon.