#anyways we rode all the way back from the museum together and he was so nice and he texted me to make sure i got home alright

[aspeckof-stardust]

.

[lubdubsworld]

Falling for you( Falling from grace) Jungkook

Falling for you ( Falling from grace) Jungkook

Read Chapter 1 here

Read Chapter 2 here

Read Chapter 3 here

Rated : 18 +

Warning : . Fuck buddies? Or rather enemies that have sex. They just really hate each other but also can’t keep their hands off each other. Fair warning this has no plot. its just them being idiots .

Chapter warning : a little bit of plot just to keep things interesting yeah? 

Chapter 4

The washroom on the seventeenth floor was the unofficial gossip hub and normally I would steer clear of that place but desperate times called for desperate measures. I was pretty sure I looked like I’d been dragged backwards through a hedgerow and I had to get it fixed before I got written up . 

Willing myself not to openly flinch with every step, I tried to curb the trembling in my thighs, almost painfully sensitive to how wet and messy my lower half as. What the fuck had I been thinking. 

When I entered the restroom, I moved to the huge ornate mirror in the center and took a nice long look at myself. 

 I felt my throat seize up in shock.

Good God. 

I looked ten times worse than I felt. The hair in the back of my head was sticking up , four even gaps from where he’d gripped my hair too tight. Yelping, I pulled on the dozen hairpins holding my hair up in a messy bun, letting my hair fall around my shoulders. Panicking , I threaded my fingers through the strands, wincing when I touched my jaw. What the fuck...

I leaned closer, peering at the small abrasion near my chin. It was a bruise, shaped exactly like Jungkook’s thumb. And it was already turning into an ugly shade of puce. 

Slightly hysterical because, Hoseok was so incredibly unbending when it came to office etiquette and  I did not want to get fired, I flipped at the fancy taps, sticking my hand underneath the cold water and splashing it all over my face. 

The door opened behind me and I flinched.

“Oh, hey Areum....” Three of my colleagues walked in . I recognized two of them , Jieun and Hana . The third one looked new.

“Hey...” I croaked out, trying hard not to look like I’d just been fucked to an inch of my life in a supply closet by the boss’ son. 

Oh fuck, what the hell was I thinking? 

The girls moved to the mirror , spreading out across the long counter and pulling out their compacts and lipsticks . I kept my head down, still trying to calm my pounding heart. 

“So let me get this straight, he called you at eleven in the night yesterday and wanted to meet you ? At your apartment?” Hana was saying. 

The new girl was blushing as red as a tomato.

“Yeah...he uh... he told me he was just returning from his training. He’s a boxer.” There’s a shy sort of admiration in her voice and I felt an odd sense of foreboding. 

“Booty call.... He wanted to fuck you for sure.” Jieun said firmly. “ You’re a lucky bitch, Sana... ”

Sana.....

My fingers started trembling when I heard the familiar name. I tried to calm myself down but it was impossible . A red hot sort of rage began licking its way up my spine. It wasn’t new. I knew he fucked other people. We both did. 

but I’d never stood within two feet of one of his conquests. 

“ Yeah...but then he called me like an hour later and said he wasn’t coming around.” Her voice was tinged with disappointment and I felt a sick sort of satisfaction. 

Jungkook had cancelled because of the pic I’d sent him. 

“Maybe he thought he wanted more.... like you told me he asked you to come meet him at practice tomorrow right? To get coffee afterwards... ? Maybe he wants to do this properly....take you out on dates...get to know you....”

I couldn’t stay there a second longer. 

“Ladies...” I bowed quickly and they offered me cheerful smiles. I all but ran out of the restroom, hating the sharp sting of tears somewhere near my lashes. 

I stumbled to the back stairwell, which was mostly unused and usually deserted. Gripping the walls, I slid down to sit on the floor, drawing my knees up to bury my face in. 

There was a reason I didn’t do public sex, I thought, shaking. Despite the way I mouthed off at Jungkook, sex with him always took a toll and I had always, always made sure I had space and time to recover from it. Gripping my thighs and trying to fight the urge to whine, I fumbled with my phone. 

“Areum?”

“Can I have the day off?” I whispered, shaking a little. 

“You alright?” Hoseok’s voice sounded genuinely worried and I hummed.

“ Got my period.” I said blankly. 

“ Gotchu. I’ll fill up the form and get one of the interns to pack your stuff up. You need to get some meds or something? Need a ride home?”

I felt warmth bloom in my chest. This is why Hoseok was such a great HR manager. He genuinely cared. 

“ I don’t need a ride. Or anything else.” I said quickly, “I’ll take a cab...”

There was a slight shuffling and then, an altogether familiar and unwelcome voice in the background went.

“Who’s that?”

Oh fuck. What the hell was he doing there? 

“Areum...hang on, Jungkook’s here....he wants to talk to you...” Hoseok said quickly and before I could protest , I heard Jungkook’s low raspy exhale against my ears.

“Where are you?” He said shortly. 

I considered protesting but remembered that Hoseok was still there. 

“ The back stairwell... I... I’ll come there , I...”

“Stay right there. I’ll come get you.” 

Before I could respond, he had hung up. I stayed on the floor, staring stright at the opposite wall. I forced myself not to think, trying to take deep breaths. The truth was I was exhausted. Physically and otherwise. 

Letting my head fall back against the wall, I closed my eyes, trying not to think about what Id’ heard in the restroom. Was Jungkook interested in Sana? Meeting him at practice? Coffee? 

That just screamed dating to me. I’d always assumed that Jungkook wasn’t into dating. That he just enjoyed quick fucks because that’s all he had ever offered me. So maybe, it wasn’t because Jungkook didn’t want to date. It was because Jungkook didn’t want to date  me. 

 Which was fine. I didn’t want to date him either. I really didn’t . 

“Hey....you okay?”

I had to inhale shakily, just to bring myself to look at him. I felt my heart ache something fierce because he was kneeling in front of me, strands of hair falling into doe back eyes. Eyes that fairly glistened with genuine concern. There was no infuriating smirk or haughty smile....instead his lips were parted in genuine concern, eyebrows furrowed in worry and one hand resting on my knee , fingers just so unfamiliarly gentle. 

I stared at him for another second and smiled evenly.

“Guess I’m gonna be needing that wheelchair after all.” I quipped. 

He stared at me for a second before his face split in a wide grin, a genuine bark of laughter spilling out of him. He looked so carefree and unabashed that I bit my lips, staring at him some more. 

“Let’s get you home , yeah?”

I nodded, letting him grip my arm to help me up. 

“It’s okay. I can walk... “ I said softly and he hummed, but still kept an arm around me and I noticed that he had my handbag slung on the other shoulder.

We reached the elevator and rode down in silence .

I followed him to the basement parking and he fumbled with the smart key to his car , pointing in the direction of the multitude of cars and I watched one of the flashy red ones blink. 

“Let’s go to my place...., yeah?” He said casually and I groaned.

“Jungkook, I know this going to make your ego swell but I’m not joking when I say that I cannot physically take your dick at least for another couple of days.” 

He rolled his eyes. 

“I don’t want to fuck you, God. I’m working on a project for the Art Fest down at the Museum and I’m staying home. You can rest there....” He said casually, moving to put his seat belt on. He fixed the mirrors by prodding a few buttons and I watched the tattoos on his arm flex as he gripped the steering wheel, one arm coming around the headrest of my seat so he could turn and back out of the lot carefully. 

I frowned at the broad shoulders near my face. .

“Why would I rest there? I have a home....” I protested , watching him hold the door open for me. 

“Because I know for a fact that , it being Monday, both your sister and your mother are supposed to be coming over today to cook and clean for you because you have no life skills, “ He grinned and I glared at him, “ . They’ll probably notice the limp and I just thought I’d spare you the humiliation.” 

I didn’t respond because he was right. My mom and sister were home and it would be impossible to get any rest with them around. The fact that Jungkook somehow knew this made me feel jittery and nervous though. 

“You have a fight this weekend?” I blurted out before I could stop myself. 

He kept his eyes on the road, sparing me just one questioning glance.

“How’d you know?” He asked curiously and I bit my lips.

 I’ve been following your boxing career for a three years.

 “ Just heard someone say something at the office...” I said vaguely. 

“You aren’t invited.” He said sharply and I gripped the seats, annoyed.

“I don’t want to be there anyway.” I snapped back. 

He huffed.

“I’m serious about what I do Areum... I don’t want you interfering in that part of my life, alright? We’ve been through this before.”

I sneered at that.

“I know....isn’t that why you literally banned me from your gym. “ 

He didn’t reply and I stared at my hands. 

He had invited that girl, though, my mind supplied helpfully. 

He invited her not only to the gym, to watch him practice, but also for coffee afterwards...you know...to get to know her better....probably because she’s not the kind of girl who would spread her legs as easily as you do.....

 I stared out of the window, remembering how pretty and put together Sana had looked. The dainty walk, the perfect make up and the long hair, styled perfectly. 

I was beautiful too. Of course I was and I knew it. 

Men like Jungkook didn’t go for unattractive women even if it was for a quick lay. But, there’s beauty and then there’s actual charm? I wasn’t charming in any sense of the word. But then, did I have to be charming and attractive and perfect to go see him fight? 

Why?

What about the other people there? If literally anyone could go watch him fight, why wasn’t I allowed? 

“I want to come watch you train....” I said impulsively, my anger getting the better of me. 

Jungkook turned to give me a shocked stare. 

“What? Why?” His eyes narrowed in suspicion and I shrugged.

“No reason.” I said shortly. I could physically feel his irritation build. 

“Areum....” He began , voice holding a note of warning but I refused to back down.

“Literally anyone can visit your gym. You own the thing and you love offering discounts to everyone you meet...and yet somehow, I’m ‘ banned’. Why?” I demanded.

“Because I don’t want you there...That’s a good enough reason for me.” He snapped back and I clenched my fists harder. 

“Well, sucks for you. I’m gonna be there. On the front row. Let me see what’s so great about Jeon Jungkook in the ring that drives women wild...” I scoffed.

He stared at me for a second and then chuckled.

“Ahh..... so you just wanna watch me get wet and sweaty.... ? Understandable.”

I sneered. 

“You have been wet and sweaty on top of me enough times and trust me the novelty has long worn off.”  

He groaned.

“It genuinely feels like anytime I try to be halfway decent human being to you, you repay me by being as annoying as you can....” He said thoughtfully and I couldn’t say anything to that. 

i flinched when his hand reached out, moving to my knees and squeezing /lightly.

“What are you doing?” I frowned slapping at his fingers and he merely moved his hand higher up my thigh. I flinched when he squeezed again.  

“The only time you’re remotely bearable is when I’m touching you....So I’m gonna keep my hand here...” He gave me a smug grin, eyes practically dancing with mirth and I grimaced. 

“I’m still going to come. I want to.” I said firmly. 

He didn’t argue further.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Much to my surprise , I slept away the better part of the day, buried in Jungkook’s soft white sheets , head pillowed in the dozen fluffy throws he kept around. It was vaguely arousing that someone so intensely masculine like Jungkook preferred a comfortable , soft toned bedroom. The sheets smelled exactly like him, a fresh citrusy scent that managed to be soothing and sweet and yet somehow seductively warm as well. 

I woke up to fingers in my hair, lightly stroking. The room was dim, a little bit of light from the streets spilling in through the gaps between the curtains. 

“Areum.... It’s almost eight.... I’m gonna order us something for dinner... You wanna wake up now?” 

His voice. Fuck. 

I rolled over , groggy and disoriented. My eyes took in the splendor that was Jeon Jungkook, taking in the fact that he was only wearing grey sweatpants . I stared at the smooth expanse of his chest, feeling arousal bloom , slow and steady all over me. 

“I wanna suck you off...” I croaked out before I could fully filter my own thoughts.

Jungkook chuckled a bit at that. 

“I’m not gonna say no to that, but why don’t you take a shower and wake up fully.

I shook my head.

“ Let’s get messy first..... we can shower later...” I whined, still blinking and he groaned, slipping into the bed with me, under the covers, grabbing me by the waist and lifting me up till I was on him, my chin resting on his chest as I stared at his beautiful face. 

 What am I doing here? Where is this leading?

“I’ve never seen you like this. “ He commented mildly.

“Like what?”

“Sleepy and horny....Usually you‘re just angry and horny.” 

I shook my head. 

 “I should go.” I said hesitantly.. Jungkook didn’t respond for a few seconds, merely staring at me with a blank look on his face. Then he gave me a slight squeeze around my waist and moved out from under me. .

“I can call you a cab...” He said simply, moving to get up off the bed again. I felt something jump in my throat . It was unlike him to acquiesce so fast, and it was unlike us to just.... hang out without mutual orgasms thrown in the mix and somehow that felt like a change I wasn’t ready for. A bit of panic flashed through and I reached out blindly when he stood up, grabbing his waist and yanking him closer.

I looked up at him, scooting to the edge of the bed and kneeling till I was right in front of him. 

Eager to get things back to normal, I smiled and casually, pressed both my hands behind my back, looping my fingers together at the base of my spine. 

“Get those handcuffs.” 

Jungkook’s dick literally twitched in his pants and he swore.

“Fuck baby....” He grabbed my face roughly, crashing his lips over mine. I kissed back, almost desperate, trying to remember all the reasons why he annoyed me, why this was all we were to each other. A quick fuck, a quick lay, fuck buddies. that's what we were......

“Stay here. Stay right here...Don’t fucking move.” He pulled back and dove for his bed stand. I watched as he pulled out a silky black tie. 

I grinned when he nearly fell, scrambling up on the bed and pushing up behind me. He grabbed the hem of my blouse, yanking it up over my head before grabbing my wrists together again , tying them swiftly behind me. 

“Only you...” He whispered against the back of my neck. “ Only you can do this to me. Drive me wild with want just by fucking existing....” 

And then he was lying down near me, grabbing my waist and jostling me around till I was straddling his waist. It took me a second to orient myself I managed to steady myself, staring down at him in surprise. 

“ Seeing as you said you needed a break from my dick, how about you come sit on my face, today?” He smirked. 

I tested the give on my hands, before carefully leaning down to him

“Sure you have the lung capacity for this , Jeon?” I whispered, lips brushing his as I spoke. 

He responded by gripping my waist hard, easily lifting me up till i was straddling his shoulders. 

“I’m ready to drown in that sweet sweet honeypot, baby...” He winked and it was such a ridiculously bad joke that the laughter got wrenched out of me. 

And just like that , we were back to being us again. Or at least, that's what I convinced myself of. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR’S NOTE : TELL ME WHAT YOU GUYS THOUGHT ....I WANTED THIS TO BE JUST PORN BUT APPARTENTLY I CANT WRITE ANYTHING WITHOUT ANGST FML. 

Also requests open :) 

[thebooki3h]

Lukadamianette Au Part 2

First Here Next

We begin where we left off, with Luka and Marinette on one of the dates Luka Planned. Just because it makes sense in this, Luka and Mari arrive a week early

Because Mari is emancipated and excused herself for the first week of school before the trip during which the class is still in France bc they just ended summer and all that jazz. also I have decided that the trip has turned into a half semester exchange program even though this doesn’t make the most sense, but the French school thought the class could use a reward and tbh they just wanted to get the Akuma class out for awhile. Also this way they aren’t in Gotham for a whole semester of senior year. The trip is planned for the first half of the first semester of senior year. I know that this doesn't make a whole lot of sense but just stick with me.

They go sight seeing and basically on a week long date bc the following week begins the Wayne sponsored exchange program and when Luka has to work for Jagged. One day they go to museums, the next the go to famous parks around Gotham (which are thriving thanks to Poison Ivy), the next they see all of the famous villain spots (which are surprisingly popular tourist destinations bc for the most part they don’t get hit twice in short periods of time) which is a good cover for studying past bat battles. They take days in between to rest and use the inspiration they gained to make new songs or clothing designs. 

They share hotel room bc Mari’s parents stopped being her parents a long time ago and lost their say and bc Jagged says they are grown up enough to be responsible for their actions (which brings a blush to their cheeks every time bc “daaaaaddddd” “uncle jaggeeedddd”)

Mari also makes it her mission to visit all of the non chain coffee shops at least once while they are there bc coffee became her best friend when she was active as ladybug. She meets Tim in almost everyone because Tim also drinks coffee obsessively. Luka is more of a tea drinker because coffee interrupts his musical thought process and tea is less harsh. Marinette drinks tea when she wants to relax but coffee is the fuel of the gods. She expresses this to Tim and that's how they become acquainted bc finally someone understands his love for coffee. They exchange numbers after they run into each other for a fourth time. (Luka silently thinks that he might have to talk to Mari about her obsession of coffee again and if there is a rehab center for coffee drinkers) Tim learns that Mari is from the exchange class very quickly based off of Luka’s French accent as well as her light French accent that is mixed with a couple things he can’t quite place.

The class arrives, Lila ofc tried to pull something to leave Mari behind and she thought she was successful so she was gloating. She ofc took credit for the whole trip claiming that she was super close to the Waynes and that she helped Damian acclimate to his new school (she actually knows that Damian didn’t start living with his father until 10 bc why not). Mrs Bustier tries to check in under both her name and Lila’s name, both of which don’t work because they are A) an hour and a half early and B) all of the reservations are under the contest winners name (they have to ok their chaperones to use their name) C)Mrs Bustier told Mari to make all of the reservations under Mari’s name anyway and she totally forgot that. 

So the sit in the lobby for an hour, Lila has the whole class riled up bc Marinette isn't there and it is al her fault that they can’t get in to their rooms. Marinette shows up with Luka 15 mins before the class was supposed to show up (they had just gotten lunch at a cafe that jagged had recommended) and she is laughing and happy, which causes the class to BLOW UP in her face. She ignores them and checks everyone into their rooms. Kagami and Chloe share a suite bc they are rich in their own right and upgraded their shared room bc they are dating and signed up to be roommates. They got this okayed by Buister in writing JIC. Marinette as the contest winner also got a suite (the room she had been staying in with Luka that she just extended the booking for)

Lila and Alya obviously make a big fuss about them getting special treatment but bustier can’t do anything because Mari won’t let her. She secretly thinks Mari is a lost cause now but she tries her best to get her to see that she has to be a role model. Mari actually planned the whole trip and she did a fucking fantastic job bc its Mari and planning something is what she is great at. She has all of the bases covered including iternerary, bookings for food, emergency contact info, health info, info on Gotham, safety procedures and the whole shebang. All of which had to be approved by  Bustier and that Bustier has copies of but totally ignored.

The next day they try to pull the let’s leave an hour early to leave behind Marinette stunt. Not only does that fail because the tour can’t start until the contest winner is there, but they arrived before Wayne tower was even open to the public. Because jagged is extra he shipped Luka and Marinette motorcycles to Gotham bc they were going to be there for a couple months, they also got special permission from Wayne enterprises to park their bikes in the employee parking structures from Tim once he heard that they rode bikes as expensive as Jason’s. So she left early from the hotel with Luka(bc she knew that Bustier would leave her behind somehow) to go meet up with Tim at a new coffee place (one of his favorites). They end up riding on their respective bikes to WE together so they can hang out before the tour. Luka goes to a recording studio to meet up with Jagged, but not before a very passionate kiss goodbye, which makes Tim blush. (Tim may not seem like the biker type but he is a bat and he lives with Jason so he not only knows how to ride a motorcycle well has one, so it may not be his favorite mode of transportation but he’ll live)

So he and Marinette walk to WE about a half an hour before the class is supposed to be there in the middle of a debate on how best to brew coffee (Mari insists its French press) and low and behold they are there yelling at the receptionist. Mari gives Tim a look that says I’m so sorry you have to see this and yes I was not exaggerating walks up to the receptionist and apologizes for what she is about to do (not for the classes actions bc fuck them they can apologize for themselves she has learned to not take responsibility for others actions and she won’t let all that work go to waste). She then proceeds to yell, much louder than someone of her stature presumably should “SHUT THE FUCK UP OR I STG I WILL BREAK JOKER OUT OF ARKHAM AND LOCK HIM IN A ROOM WITH ALL OF YOU WITHOUT FLINCHING” this is shocking to everyone, especially mrs bustier who is  scandalized  that her role model student would do something like this.

Tim had a feeling that something video worthy would happen so as soon as she walked away he started recording, and he was NOT disappointed. The video gos straight to the batfam gc and Luka immediately. He powered off his phone then he proceeds to start laughing and applauding. Upon seeing the CEO’s reaction the rest of the employees start applauding as well bc damn those kids were rude. Tim then walks up to Mari talking at a speed no one but Mari, Chloe and Kagami could understand (bc the class is not fluent in English no matter what they would tell you). Mari proceeds to blush once he informs her that he sent a video to Luka (he does not tell her about the batfam gc)

Chloe and Kagami are immediate intrigued bc this is NOT what they picture when Mari said she met someone who loves coffee as much as she does. they may be hella gay for each other but damn that man is ripped. They join the convo while the class remains befuddled bc who knew Mari even swore. in the back of his mind Nino is reminded of a young blue-eyed girl who lost playground privileges for a week bc someone made fun of his glasses and proceed to punch said someone in the nose. But he shakes it of because Mari hasn’t been like that in years. 

Bustier eventually collects herself and gently, so as not to cause an Akuma (apparently she didn't get the memo), reminds Mari that they are here for a tour and she needs to get the class their passes.  So Mari leaves her friends to get acquainted and goes up to the receptionist, to whom she apologizes for her actions again, and the receptionist replies with a laugh and a “honey, you just made my week, there's no need to apologize I should be thanking you” (she does thank Mari). Mari gets a special pass bc she’s the contest winner to which Lila and Alya (then the rest of the class for the most part) proceed to throw a hissy fit over. The receptionist is so over them though and doesn’t even blink. 

Then their tour guide shows up. (its Dick and his assistant Damian). Damian proceeds to scold the class for a solid ten mins (which coincidentally leads up to their scheduled time to start the tour). Dick slides off to talk to the receptionist and his brother who isn't working and is talking to real people for once. Just for that they are his favorite out of the class. Tim unfortunately has to go to work so they talk to Dick to get acquainted until the tour has to officially start. 

Los tres amigos are the only ones who pay attention to Dick at all (he leads the tour bc he’s been there the longest but Damian throws in a comment here or there mostly related to shenanigans his family has gotten into but overall useful facts. for example these windows are reinforced because our CEO (Tim) leaned up against one, fell asleep and fell through the window to the office below.)

The rest of the class is focused on Lila who is talking a whole bunch of nonsense about the Wayne family and how she has helped them with their business. Some things actually sound kinda legit, but Mari and Co. know that it is BS. Dick tries to bet bustier involved but she makes an excuse for Lila and goes on her phone and doesn’t really pay attention. 

Eventually the class tour turns into Dick talking to Mari, Chloe and Kagami while the class vaguely follows them. Damian doesn’t really say anything because he generally doesn’t do well talking to strangers and these girls seem ok and he is still insecure (not that he would ever admit it to anyone ) about social interaction now that he has figured out how people who weren’t raised as assassins act. That is until Dick starts talking about shenanigans that his brothers get into, and Damian jumps in correcting him because  I did not try to tackle Todd, Grayson I did tackle Todd quite successful and also Alfred won’t let you into the kitchen anymore because you almost burned down the east wing of the manor not  because he is territorial over the kitchen. And Mari hadn’t really paid attention to Damian until now but OH MY KAWAMI he is hot, and how did she talk so long to notice that. 

She ends up taking a pic of Damian without him noticing (he really doesn’t notice which is a feat in itself but Dick does and he will  be teasing Damian about it later bc obviously) and she texts it to Luka bc if she is going to freak out over his hotness she wants Luka to do so too. ( he sees the pic in the middle of recording and he ends up needing a water break bc gay panic and he really is extremely handsome. Recording gets delayed even longer bc jagged cannot pass up the opportunity to tease him son and he does so mercilessly and Mari totally knew what she was doing when she sent that picture) Luka ends up demanding that she gets Damians number or he will because that man is fine.  

Mari now knows that the stuttering idolization that she had with Adrien wasn’t really healthy and Luka likes to remind her all the time that she can be smooth when she wants to be (sometimes unintentionally but she practices on Luka because she loves to see him blush). Mari then makes it her mission to compliment Damian as much as possible so that it is crystal clear and very obvious that she is flirting with him. If he even shows a little discomfort in a negative I don’t like this kind of way she will stop because she will not make someone go through what she went through with Chat Noir and unwanted advances.

Chloe, Kagami and Dick immediately notice that she is flirting with Damian. Chloe takes a video for Luka bc she knows that he would want to see this and Dick takes a video for the Batfam gc. 

Just to be clear Mari and Luka have talked about seeing other people and maybe adding a third person to their relationship as long as they talk about it. that line of communication was opened when Mari sent a pic of Damian to Luka and when Luka asked for his number that was his “go ahead” for her to flirt with Damian. Lila doesn’t understand how that works and neither do the rest of the class so that is a point of contention between the class and Mari. She would NEVER cheat on Luka, she loves him and he is the most important person to her in the world. Something that Juleka understands (she just doesn’t like Mari bc of Lila she knows how polyamory works this is why her and Luka aren't as close as they used to be)

Moving on... the batfam gc blows up for a second time that day and so when the class goes to the cafeteria Tim just has to see this for himself. Mari tries not to be obnoxious in her flirting so she compliments Damians intelligence by asking him questions that weren't included in the tour, and she asks him about his interests and is like that must have taken a lot of time to perfect you must be very dedicated. Damian isn’t used to genuine compliments especially from strangers so he is very flustered by it but he makes no indication for her to stop. 

The day winds down and the class has some free time before they have to go to dinner but the do have to leave the tower. Mari does actually get Damians number (he thinks she must be very well trained to get his number that quick bc he refuses to accept that he gave it to her because he likes her) Mari promises to ft him later bc he promised to let her meet his dog and she doesn’t want to wait until the class has dinner at the manor to see Titus.

First Here Next

Taglist

@dood-space

@toodaloo-kangaroo

Also I’m not very sure about how to go back and edit posts to link new parts so if anyone knows how to do that please comment or message me because I would love to learn!

[everybodyscupoftea]

under the mistletoe

ole miss rafe x reader

the beginning of your relationship with some misunderstandings along the way (ft. the first kiss)

yes i will continue to use the same gif of this man :)

(warnings: cursing, drinking, light editing)

Rafe texted you for the first time about a date the weekend after the Egg Bowl. You weren’t overly enthused at the prospect, he’d been a huge dick, but you couldn’t help but be intrigued by him.

Dinner and a movie.

It wasn’t even a question. It was a demand, like he knew you’d say yes so there was no point in actually asking. To be fair you did plan on saying yes, but he didn’t need to know that. So, after 30 minutes, you had to make him sweat it out, you responded.

First of all, you should ask. Demanding is not the way to get a date. Second of all, if you think I’m voluntarily stepping foot in Oxford for a boy, you’re sorely mistaken.

Rafe responded almost immediately which made you feel a bit vindicated.

You’re right. I’m sorry. Meet in Jackson?

Which you could absolutely do. The two of you made plans for the following weekend to meet at the Cultivation Food Hall, and then you wanted to check out a science museum they had there. It was the inner vet major in you. And shockingly, Rafe agreed without much of a fight.

Of course it was almost too much to ask. What more could you expect from an Oxford frat douche bag, really there was no one to blame but yourself. The science museum was maybe a little bit childish, but you thoroughly enjoyed it while Rafe made it very clear he was bored.

You weren’t entirely sure what his major was, but clearly it wasn’t very sciency. There were easy hikes which cheered him up a bit, so you were glad for that, but when the two of you got in your cars to go your separate ways, you expected that to be the end.

It wasn’t, and he texted you again.

Did you make it back okay?

And when you didn’t answer, ready to leave him on read despite the warm feeling in your chest, he texted again.

I hope you had fun, I did. Can I see you again?

You walked over to your roommate’s room and dropped onto her bed with a loud, dramatic groan. She looked up from her desk where she was reading for one of her classes with an amused look, “Something wrong?”

“Rafe texted me,” you told her. She’d heard all about the date, you called her on the drive home so she had Thai takeout waiting for you when you got there, so she understood for the most part.

“And? Leave him on read if he made you that miserable today that you had to eat your weight in Thai food.” 

“But, part of me wants to text him back. Like a big part of me. I don’t- explain to me.” 

She snorted, “You’ve always liked toxic men.” 

Your jaw dropped, but you couldn’t really argue with her there. There was nothing but the truth in her words, “Um, you didn’t have to come for me like that.”

“You needed honesty. I know you’re going to text him back, so what do you plan on saying?” 

“What should I say?”

“I don’t know. I barely met him. Have your texts been super flirty?”

“Not really.”

“Do you want them to be?”

And that you had to think about. Did you really want to pursue things with this guy when you were both about to graduate in a semester. 

“Maybe, I don’t know. I mean it might not go anywhere or get, like, super serious.”

She made a face, “But is that the guy you really want to pass the time with? Like you could definitely meet a nice boy here.” 

You scoffed, “I’ve been here for three and a half years and haven’t managed that. May as well go for a hotty toddy.” 

She sighed and gave you an amused look, “I’m a little embarrassed for you. This should be against everything you stand for.”

“It is,” you told her, slightly ashamed, “but he’s also cute.” 

“Like I said, toxic men as long as they come in a pretty package.”

So, after a few hours you texted him back.

Yeah I made it, thanks. I’d like that. Maybe we can catch that movie. But no way in hell I’m going to Oxford.

His response was a little delayed, which you didn’t expect one back that night anyway, you sent it late. But just as you were almost asleep, your phone buzzed.

Fair enough. But don’t expect me to show up in Starkville anyway

-

Some people in your major were throwing a Christmas party a week before Christmas, and you really were debating going. Most of them had significant others and you knew it would be pretty painful being one of the only singles drinking alone.

“So bring Rafe,” your roommate suggested when you were yet again laying on her bed to complain.

You sat up fast, head spinning a bit, “I can’t just ask him. We haven’t even been seeing each other that long. Like he hasn’t even kissed me or anything. No relationship definition at all.” 

She joined you on the bed and wrapped an arm around your shoulder, “Okay, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but you actually really like this guy, right?” 

“Yeah,” you sighed, “I’m such a hypocrite, but I really do.”

“Then ask him. You said the dates were getting better with each one. You’ve seen him every weekend for a month and some weeknights since you don’t have Friday classes.” 

“What if he says no,” you whispered, “I think that’s why I’m most worried. It’ll really really hurt if he says no.”

She bit her lip, thinking, “Okay, if he asked you to be his date at some event in Oxford, would you go?”

You answered without hesitation, “I would.” 

“Then ask. If he says no, I’ll go as your date and we’ll drink and have fun. But all you can assume is that he likes you as much as you like him, and he’ll say yes.” 

“You’re right,” you admitted, standing from her bed, resolved, “I’m going to ask him.” 

Hey Cameron, got a minute?

He answered quickly.

Sure, what’s up?

So you called him, and he answered on the second ring. Deep down you were very pleased about that.

“Hey,” he answered, “something wrong?”

“Not really, I just had a question for you.” 

In hindsight, maybe you should’ve done it over text so if he did reject you, it wouldn’t be where he could actually hear your response. But the reasoning you called is so that if you got a no it wouldn’t be in a text where you could reread and over analyze that night.

“Fire away,” he cut off your spiral.

You sighed, “Okay so a few people in my major that I’ve done group projects with before are throwing a Christmas party. We all get plus ones, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me.”

He hummed, “What’s the date?”

“Um, I think December 18th. If you’re going home before then, that’s totally fine. I just wanted to ask.”

“You’re willing to bring a hotty toddy to a bulldog Christmas party,” he teased, “I’m honored.”

You snorted, “Unfortunately, I am. If you want to at least, please don’t feel pressured.”

“I don’t. And I’m not going home for Christmas. I haven’t since freshman year. The reason I asked was because some of the guys in my pledge class are having a get together of our own. We did Secret Santa and it’s on the 21st so I didn’t want to miss it.”

“Oh,” you paused, “so you’ll come with me?”

“Of course,” his voice was soft, “you sound surprised.”

Your cheeks heated up, “I mean, I was kind of expecting you to say no.”

Rafe went silent, you could almost hear the gears in his head spinning as he tried to come up with a response. You were about to ask if he was okay before he responded, “You know that I like spending time with you, right?”

You tried to play your anxiety off, “I mean, I’d hope so the amount of weekends we’ve spent together so far.” 

“Good. So then why do you think I’d say no?” 

“I don’t know,” you chewed on your lip, “I guess we just haven’t really talked about what this is and I wasn’t sure where you are or how you feel.”

He hummed, “Okay, I understand. I’m sorry for not communicating better.” 

“It’s okay, I should’ve done better too.”

“Well, now that we’re on the same page. Tell me exactly when the party is and I’ll be there.” 

You hesitated, “Do you want to come the night before and stay?”

His voice was warm, when he answered, “Absolutely.”

-

“Thank god,” your roommate had said when you told her, “now I can go home early.”

Her partner was from her hometown, and they didn’t get to see each other often. She’d come to visit a few times since you and your roommate had lived together, so you had at least met her before.

“Tell her I said hey. Do you need a ride to the airport?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“I need to pick up dessert for the party anyway, so I’ll drive you to Jackson and go to Target there.”

The two of you woke up at 3 a.m. to get her to the airport by 5:30. She talked a little about her Christmas plans and then the two of you rode mostly in silence. It was kind of calming, despite being super tired.

Before she got out of the car, your roommate pulled something out of her backpack and held it out to you. You took it, frown on your face, “Is this mistletoe?” 

“It is. You said Rafe hadn’t kissed you yet, put this to use.”

You shook your head, huffing out a laugh, “I don’t know about that one.”

“He’ll be at the apartment all weekend, just hang it up in the kitchen or like in the hallway leading to your room.”

“It seems cheesy.”

“It is, but that’s what makes it fun,” she insisted.

Taking the mistletoe, you set it in the cupholder, “Fine. I’ll think about it.” 

She nodded, pleased enough, “Thank you.”

-

You didn’t hang the mistletoe up, but to be fair you got totally distracted by stress cleaning and baking the desserts for the party you decided to make from scratch instead of buying store bought.

Rafe wasn’t supposed to show up until that night, but there was a knock at your apartment door at 2:30, startling you. He was smiling sheepishly on the other side, “I know I’m early, but I didn’t see any point in waiting longer.”

Grinning, you stepped aside to let him in. He looked around, taking in the decorations you and your roommate set up the day after Thanksgiving. You pointed toward the hallway your room was down, “If you want to set your stuff down, my room is at the end of that hall.” 

“Thanks,” he answered, bending down to kiss you on the cheeks, something he’d been doing since date three.

Walking back to the kitchen you immediately picked the stress baking back up where you’d left it to answer the door. Rafe was gone for a while, using the bathroom you assumed, and when he came back, he was changed, and you couldn’t help but stare.

“What?” he asked, a weird look on his face.

“Nothing, I’ve just never seen you out of like jeans or slacks.” 

He glanced down at himself, sweatshirt with his frat letters on them and grey sweatpants, before looking up at you, “I figured since we were staying in I could get comfy.” 

“Yeah definitely,” you reassured, “I like it, just was surprised, that’s all.”

“You like it, huh?” he teased and stepped fully into the kitchen, wrapping one arm around your shoulders, “That’s noted.”

-

Rafe did dress back up for the party, which you were expecting. Jeans and a nice sweater. You smiled at him and tugged gently at the sweater, “This is cute.”

“Bought it just for the party. It’s even maroon, see?” 

“I do see. Didn’t know if it was a coincidence or not.”

“Nope, fully intentional.” 

It felt like a good time to kiss him, mistletoe or not, but before you got up the courage, he was stepping away to grab one of the desserts off the counter. You sighed internally and grabbed the other with the hand not holding your keys.

“Alright, I’m parked in the back lot, opposite direction of visitor parking.”

“Cool, after you.”

Sitting in the car, you plugged your phone into the aux. Rafe buckled up and got comfy in the passenger’s seat. You smiled at him, it felt natural for him to be invading your space the way he was. But he was giving you a bit of a complex with the whole not interested in kissing thing.

He glanced down at the cupholder and did a double take. You cursed yourself for forgetting to take the mistletoe out of your car when he asked, “Is that mistletoe.”

“Um, yep.”

“Why do you have it?”

“I meant to give it to my roommate when she flew out, but it was so early it totally slipped my mind,” you lied smoothly.

Rafe nodded, totally believing it, and you sighed. Maybe you should bring it in, hang it up when he’s in the shower or something. But deep down you knew you wouldn’t. You didn’t want Rafe to kiss you out of obligation for some stupid tradition. You wanted him to mean it.

The drive went by quickly, the boy hosting lived at an apartment complex just up the road, and you found parking easily, recognizing a few cars in the visitors' spaces meaning you weren’t the first ones to show up. 

Rafe got out and took in all the MSU merch hanging from balconies and on cars with a grimace, “Y’all have almost too much spirit.”

“We aren’t snobby enough to think it’s tacky and above us,” you responded, taking a clear shot at Ole Miss.

“Fair enough. It’s just a lot of talk for a school who’s so bad at sports.” 

Your jaw dropped, “I know an Ole Miss football fan isn’t speaking right now. Are you aboard the Lane Train?” you asked, mockingly.

Rafe rolled his eyes and shook his head, reaching down to ruffle your hair playfully, “With that record? Absolutely not.”

“And not because  he’s a piece of shit?”

“Well, that too.”

He grabbed both containers in one hand and your hand in the other, lacing your fingers together as you led the two of you to the right building. His palms were sweating a little, and you squeezed gently, “All good?”

“A bit nervous, just don’t want to look stupid in front of your friends.”

“Why would you,” you were confused, unsure how he’d reached that conclusion.

“I mean, you’re all like STEM majors, right?”

“Yeah?”

“And I am not.”

There was so much to unpack there, so you tried to go for a joke, “I mean we aren’t going to just talk about like anatomy and biology all night, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

He snorted, “Maybe a little. I just feel out of my depth.”

“I promise, it’s going to be okay. You’re really smart too, just in a different way. But we aren’t really here to show off our intelligence. It’s more to drink and eat and bitch about our professors.”

“See, that’s super specific,” he complained.

“Well, yeah, I guess. But most of us are dating out of our majors, just hop on the bandwagon like they do and you’ll win ‘em over in no time.”

By the time you’d finished reassuring him, the two of you had arrived at his door. You squeezed one last time and he smiled, seeming more at ease. Reaching up to knock, it swung open before you could, a guy named Justin grinning widely, “Welcome welcome to the annual Bitchmas Party.”

Rafe snorted and let you step in first. Justin set his drink down on the table by the door and held his hands out, I’ll take your coats and your keys please.”

Handing them over, he escorted you through the entranceway to the living room, stopping you right as the tile changed to carpet. You squinted at him, “What?”

Wordlessly, he pointed up and you saw mistletoe, your blood running cold. Rafe made a noise and bent down to kiss your cheek, close to the corner of your mouth but not quite.

“Boo,” Justin jeered, “but close enough, come on through.”

Your stomach sank. Again. And Rafe leaned down, “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. I mean, you could’ve kissed me.” Your words came out a lot sharper than you intended, but before Rafe could question you, Ashton was stepping in to ask the two of you about drinks. Rafe asked for a soda and you got spiked eggnog. May as well to sort through the mess of feelings in your stomach.

Someone spread out the food and everyone lined up to get plates before settling in the assortment of chairs all over the room. You sat on the couch and Rafe sat on the floor, leaned back next to your legs. Justin gave him a weird look and offered a chair, but Rafe declined, saying he was fine.

At some point, he wrapped an arm around your closest leg and leaned his head on your thigh, nodding along to the conversation. You brushed your hand through his hair that you’d convinced him to leave ungelled, and complained about your animal sciences professor who’d made the tests way harder than necessary and not offered bonus opportunities.

Rafe actually interrupted, “Okay wait, she put questions on information not taught in class and not readily available in your textbook?”

“Correct.”

“So how were you supposed to know you were going to be tested on it.”

“You weren’t,” Justin answered him, drily, “That was her whole point. Be prepared for anything.”

“She should’ve just given us papers on those topics.”

“Agreed,” a girl named Emily chipped in, “I would’ve so much preferred that than literally guessing on a test.”

Rafe made a face, “I mean, for my history courses we were expected to do the readings and then like additional research, but she told us the topics beforehand so we’d know what to research.”

Ashton’s girlfriend leaned forward at his words, “You’re a history major?”

“Yeah,” Rafe answered, his grip on your leg tightening.

“Me too,” she looked excited, “what do you want to do?”

He leaned forward eagerly, “I want to teach, European if possible. I haven’t decided if I want to do like Advanced Placement courses in high school or just go get a masters and be a professor. What do you want to do?”

“I want to do research so I’ll definitely be going after a PhD. But I figure at least that way, I’ll be doing something while Ash is in vet school.”

Rafe looked around, “Is everyone here going to vet school?”

Mostly everyone in your group was, so they all nodded, including you. Justin spoke up, “Buncha nerds in this bunch. We all grouped together pretty much since day one since we all had the same plans. We’ve lost a few along the way.”

“Rest in peace Jasmine and Brady,” you added, solemnly.

“Do you all want to stay here?” Rafe asked, clearly curious about everyone’s plans.

A few people around the group nodded, but some shook their heads. Rafe hummed, taking in the information before looking over his shoulder at you. You nodded, “Yeah, I like MSU’s vet school, I want to stay.”

He nodded thoughtfully, “Good to know.”

Justin gave you a weird look and you shrugged, just as confused.

-

Four cups of eggnog later, the party was winding down, and you were happily tipsy. Rafe, still sober, had an arm around your waist to keep you steady. He led you toward the door, passing under the mistletoe again without stopping and you sighed.

Glancing down at you, he made a face, “Clearly something is on your mind.”

“Clearly,” you muttered back sarcastically. He opened the passenger door for you to climb in and you asked, “You know how to get back?”

“It’s just up the road, I don’t think it’s that hard.”

You rolled your eyes, “Just a question, no need to get so offended.”

The ride back was in uncomfortable silence, so unlike the drive there that you were squirming in the passenger seat. Rafe glanced over at a red light, “Are you about to puke?”

Offended, you answered, “No, I can handle my fucking alcohol.”

“Okay,” he muttered, “no need to get defensive.”

You hated how weird it felt between the two of you, but you weren’t sure how to fix it. Unless he just magically decided you were kissable, but you didn’t foresee that happening in the near future, so instead, you pouted.

Rafe parked and turned the car off but stayed seated, so you did too, feeling uneasy. He looked over at you, “What’s up. Why have you been so weird tonight?”

“I haven’t.”

“You have. And I think it actually started yesterday when I got here. Is it just me being in your space? Like am I invading it or something? I can go home tonight if I need to.”

Maybe you weren’t in the ideal state to have this conversation, but you also figured this was probably the state you were most likely to let the honest truth slip.

“No. The problem is you aren’t taking up enough space.”

Which in hindsight didn’t make much sense, you couldn’t blame him for the confused, “What does that mean?”

“It means that you won’t kiss me and I’m not sure why.”

“I-” and for once, for once in your whole goddamn relationship (or whatever you were calling it) Rafe was speechless, “I thought you didn’t want me to.”

Then it was your turn to be shocked, “What? When did I say that?”

“On our first date, you talked about only kissing when it got serious.”

“Yes.”

“And when I brought up the Christmas party in Oxford, you didn’t ask about a plus one. Hell, you still won’t come to Oxford at all.”

“How was I supposed to know I’m supposed to invite myself to a Christmas party with the boys? And sure, I was opposed to Oxford at first, but I think we’ve been seeing each other long enough for me to actually make that trip,” you answered incredulously, startled at all the assumptions he’d jumped to.

He squinted, “You never said.”

“You never said,” you fired back, “I invited you to a party with my friends, I thought that would be hint enough that I think this is serious.”

“I need it outright said,” he mumbled.

“Clearly.”

“Hey,” he protested, “it’s not just me. In fact, you never brought it up either.”

“Okay, Cameron, to be fair, you never brought up anything about that party other than that it was Secret Santa for some guys in your pledge class. Not only do I not want to be the only girl there, I especially don’t want to be an MSU girl there with a bunch of drunk Ole Miss frat boys.” 

Rafe snorted, “Fair, that’s totally fair. So, I guess I should ask, do you want to come? There will be girlfriends and boyfriends. Secret Santa is just a small part.”

“Sure, I need to come see your apartment anyway, I should know what I’m getting into.”

He laughed loudly, “I’m not sure if I’m okay with that.”

You poked him teasingly, “Hey, you can’t take it back now, buddy.”

“I’d never.”

And with that, he got out of the car. You felt significantly better as he jogged around to grab the door for you. His arm went around your shoulders immediately, and you weren’t sure if it was an attempt to keep you standing straight or not.

“I’m not that drunk,” you told him.

He raised his eyebrows, “Okay four cups. I could smell the booze in that eggnog, it was strong.”

“Well you hurt my feelings, what else was I supposed to do besides drink?”

Rafe snorted, “Talk to me.”

“In front of everyone? At a party?”

“Bathroom.”

“So Justin could think we were hooking up in his bathroom.”

He squinted at you a few seconds, “Okay so it wasn’t the most conducive situation for a serious talk.” 

“Mhmm.” 

The two of you climbed the stairs to your third floor apartment. Rafe behind you so you wouldn’t fall and hurt yourself. He was a little offended when you muttered that you’d just take him down with you, “I could definitely catch you.” 

“Okay buddy,” you patted his shoulder. 

He made you drink four glasses of water in the kitchen and by the time the two of you were walking to the bathroom to get ready for bed, you were significantly sobered up. You tried to get to the sink first and Rafe playfully hip checked you out of the way to get his toothbrush.

“Nooo,” you complained, “my skincare routine is so much longer than yours, you can wait.”

“Guests first,” he argued, successfully keeping you away from the sink.

You gave up pushing against him to pout, “At least pass me my makeup remover.”

“Fine,” he grabbed the bottle from the sink and passed it over, “I guess you can at least start.” 

“Oh thanks for your permission,” you responded sarcastically.

The next five minutes of him washing his face and getting ready, you kept trying to nudge him out of the way, but he wasn’t budging. Finally, you dug your fingers into his side and he yelped, twisting away enough for you to get some space in front of the mirror.

Your eyes lit up, “Are you ticklish?”

“No,” he denied, just a little too fast.

“Liar.”

You reached out to him again and he grabbed your hand pulling you into his chest. So caught off guard, you didn’t register him tilting your chin up or lowering his head to kiss you. And then his lips were on yours for the first time, and you made a noise, leaning into it.

He smiled and you could feel his heart racing where your hand was pressed against his chest. In the proximity, you couldn’t help but dig your fingers into his side again. He jerked away, joking glare on his face, “Watch it, mamas. I’ll make you pay for it.”

“Promise?” you teased, finally catching him off guard enough to get mirror space.

Rafe stepped over to sit on the closed toilet lid to wait his turn again and laughed. You turned to look at him, mid-washing your face, and gave him a questioning look.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the squashed mistletoe, “Guess I don’t need this.”

“You were going to use the mistletoe to kiss me?”

“I figured if your roommate wasn’t going to use it, we could.”

“Oh I lied,” you admitted, turning back to rinse your face.

“What?” he asked while you were drying.

You nodded, “She gave it to me to get you to kiss me.”

“Oh,” he perked up, “well I guess it kinda worked. Make sure to thank her for me.”

“No, absolutely not,” you insisted, “she does not need that ego boost.”

He laughed, holding his hands up, “Fine, we’ll do it your way.”

“As we should always.”

He laughed again and hip checked you over toward the wall so he could get back closer to the sink. You couldn’t help but think to yourself that you could get used to this.

~

day 3 of @obxmermaid​‘s holiday challenge: mistletoe

[frodos-bizarre-adventure]

@gingerreggg together again at last

Heads Up- Part 22 (Joseph x Bust! Caesar)

▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪

Mark thought he was going mad.

And scarcely a few minutes earlier he thought it was the strange Joestar boy who was out of his mind-- imagine risking your life and others for the sake of a clay sculpture!

But before his very eyes he saw at once why this sculpture was so special, so precious, to its creator, who lovingly cradled it in both arms in the most gentle embrace he could muster.

The sculpture was alive.

"Mark? There's someone I'd want you to meet," Joseph said, gently holding out the bust to him. Mark recoiled in surprise as his eyes met the strange face: so dazzlingly human and full of life-- and yet made of clay, and lacking a body to boot.

"Greetings there, sir," Caesar said, awkwardly. "I believe we haven't properly met."

"You're...you're talking!" Mark exclaimed. "You're the sculpture from the art gallery!"

"Yes, yes I am," Caesar sighed. "Do you know how difficult it was for me to stay still and silent for so long?" Joseph chuckled lightly at his complaint.

"I've worried so much about you," Joseph said, wiping away a tear of relief. "Where have you been, all this time?"

"I was taken by Smokey, and he helped me get back home." Caesar answered, turning his gaze over to the scruffy little jaywalker whom Suzi was helping back to his feet.

"He stole you?!" Joseph snapped, suddenly enraged and glaring at the child. "Why, you little--"

"Jojo, no!" Caesar cried in his acquaintance's defense. "He saved me."

Joseph hesitated and softened at Caesar's words. "He saved you?"

"If he hadn't stolen me...I'd have been taken to the art auction hall. I'd be held prisoner, forever, in a museum somewhere-- and I would never see you again."

Joseph sighed.

"Gee there, mister...er, mister Jojo?" Smokey said, apologetically. "I didn't mean to steal your...er, head? Like, yeah, I do steal stuff, but I ain't no kidnapper. I just--" Smokey paused, unsure. "I just wanted to help."

"You know, I normally wouldn't condone a life of crime," Joseph said, half-scolding, "but then, if it wasn't for you, I could have lost Caesar..." He smiled, reassuring Smokey. "Thanks for everything, kid."

---

A party of four-and-a-half rode back home in Mark's delivery van, with many questions left unanswered.

"So, Jojo..." Smokey asked, "how exactly did you make Caesar, anyway?"

"He was a bit of a welcome surprise," Joseph joked. "I'd made a sculpture for my final project at art school, but the whole coming-to-life bit was an unintended side effect."

"Well, you sure did a dang great job making him," Smokey complimented. "He looks very real."

"I am real, and I am perfect just as he made me," Caesar boasted, from his position strapped in the front seat with Suzi.

Mark scratched his head. "Surely...surely this can't be right, can it? You've somehow, and against all means, created an artificial human, and you're keeping him as merely a disembodied head? What kind of existence would that be?"

"A fulfilling and happy one, mind you," Caesar snapped back, taking offense. "Why would you think I'm miserable the way I am? Sure, I'm a bit different...but I've learned to get by with a little help. And I'm very happy to be alive to begin with."

He turned his head up to look at Joseph, who was too preoccupied to return the gaze. "And I'm happiest when I get to share my unlikely life with him."

Joseph soon arrived at the house, at long last, while Mark proceeded to depart. "I've gotta return this van, you know? I might get fired for taking company property for a joyride..."

But before he could drive away, Joseph gave him one very important instruction.

"Whatever you saw is just between us, alright?"

-----

With a little strain Joseph carried Caesar into the house, and gently set him down onto the floor.

Caesar smiled with relief and ecstasy as he felt his soft clay underside touch the familiar hardwood floors. He gave a tentative hop forwards, and heard the gentle smack that once often echoed through the halls as he made his way around.

He was finally home.

Home to where he truly belonged.

In the meantime, Smokey waited uneasily in front of Joseph's door. "Say, mister Jojo, now that you've gotten your head man back... I suppose I should get going."

Joseph frowned. "And have you go back to a life of crime in the streets? No way!"

Suzi laid a reassuring hand on the kid's shoulder. "We'd be very welcome to have you stay over at my home or his, whichever one you'd like. A kid like you doesn't deserve to be out by themselves...and besides, it's the best we can give after everything you've done for Caesar."

Smokey fidgeted uneasily. "I'd...I'd never had a home, not in a long time. You...you really mean it?"

"Sure we do," Joseph added. "And I sure hope we find you a permanent place to stay and a way to get you to school. The streets out there are no place for a child."

And all the while, from his position on the floor, Caesar watched the interaction and smiled to himself.

Sometimes a found family, no less valid than more normal ones, was two artists, a juvenile delinquent, and a living sculpture.

------

That night was a strangely calm night for Joseph. He'd had little sleep the past two days having lost his beloved masterpiece and feared the worst for his whereabouts.

But now he was home, and safe, and Joseph felt oddly peaceful.

A familiar thumping noise interrupted his dreamy state, and he turned to the door to see Caesar hop his way in, slapping loudly against the floor as he went.

Joseph smiled.

"Hey there, Cae," he said. "Missed me?"

"How could I not?" Caesar replied, shyly.

"I missed you too, Cae. I know it was, like, two days, but I wouldn't trust the world with someone as special as you." Joseph bent down and gently carried Caesar into his comforting arms.

Caesar revelled in the reassuring warmth he felt. He felt so safe, so protected, that even in a world where something like him didn't belong, there was one place he was meant to be.

"You...you wouldn't mind if I spent tonight with you, would you?" Caesar asked, tentatively.

"You didn't need to ask," Joseph laughed, as he gently rested him onto the soft cushions of his bed. "You're always welcome."

Caesar didn't take up much space on the bed, but still Joseph laid down on one side, giving the bust some room for himself. Together, they lay side by side, Caesar leaning onto Joseph's shoulder, together awaiting sleep.

After a few, silent moments, Caesar spoke.

"So, Jojo...what now?"

Joseph was taken a bit aback. "What do you mean, what now?"

Caesar sighed, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling. "I mean, you've graduated, you've made a new little family, and you've reached your dreams. So...what do we do from there?"

Joseph hugged Caesar tighter, feeling the soft warm clay skin against his own. "I guess we just carry on, I suppose," he chuckled. "We can't tell what the future holds, and what really matters is now."

Caesar silently agreed. All they had was this moment in time, a precious moment of each other's loving company, as their eyes, gazing deeply into each other, slowly fluttered shut as the realm of dreams took them.

Tomorrow would sort itself out when it came.

And it was the here and now that counts.

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(Previous Chapter)

(Next Chapter)

[bokutos-eyebrows]

Reactions Pt. 3

The final part is here~

Poly Tsukkiyama x Fem reader

Word count: 1,747

Warnings: NSFW 18+

After a sleepless night, replaying the events of the phone call in his mind, Yamaguchi found himself at the grocery store. He lingered in the alcohol aisle, should I be getting drunk with them? What if it slips out that I heard everything last night? Tadashi pondered. But I also feel like if they say anything I’ll need a drink….

He sighed as he grabbed the biggest bottle of soju. Roaming the aisles, he picked up a few snacks and things. On the way to the checkout, his eyes fell on the section of fresh flowers. Should I bring a bouquet? What if they confess to me? I don’t want to be empty handed… Tadashi felt his cheeks turn pink. He picked up some sunflowers and headed to purchase his items.

Letting out a deep breath, he sent you a text.

I’m on my way :) be there in 15!

“Keiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii” you yelled, “Tadashi will be here in 15 minutes!” 

“Fuck! I’m getting nervous.” Tsukki was pacing back and forth in the living room. “Are we really going to go through with this?” 

“You being nervous is making me nervous!” You grabbed Tsukishima’s face, “But, we already decided this is what we wanted to do, so let’s see it through to the end.” 

Tsukki planted a kiss on your forehead and nodded. “You’re right. I think everything will go fine. Is the pasta ready?”

“Yep! The salad too.” The two of you finished setting the table and making sure everything was in order. 

“Wait.” Tsukki suddenly stood up straight, “Are we over dressed?” You looked at his outfit, a patterned button up and form fitting jeans, then, you looked down at your own outfit, a short sundress and cardigan. Both ensembles were a stark contrast from your usual loungewear on casual hangouts like today. You’d wanted to impress Yams so bad that neither of you thought about how out of the normal this was. 

“Shit!! We did. He’s gonna know something is up as soon as he sees us!”

“Y/n we have to change no-” Tsukishima was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. You looked at each other wide eyed. 

“C-Coming!” You headed towards the door with Tsukki tailing behind. A sigh of relief left your lips as you opened the door and realized Yamaguchi was also somewhat dressed up.

“Hah, you look like you’re about to go on a first date.” Tsukki was the first one to speak, teasing Tadashi who immediately turned bright red. 

“Ah haha y-yeah.” He stammered. You looked back to see Tsukishima also start blushing, then out of uncertainty of this weird situation you started blushing too. What the hell is this energy?? 

“A-Anyways, these are for you guys!” Yamaguchi handed you a bouquet of sunflowers. 

“Oh! These are so beautiful thank you!” After more blushing and mumbles, the three of you headed to the kitchen. Tsukki started to plate everyone’s food as Tadashi started mixing the strawberry lemonade and soju. You looked lovingly at the scene of your two favorite boys. Will everything really work out? You couldn’t help but be anxious. 

Yamaguchi sat across the table from you and Tsukishima. The three of you made small talk for a while, enjoying the food and each other’s company. Finally, Tsukki looked at you and nodded. 

“So, Tadashi,” you started, “Kei and I have something to tell you.”

“Oh?” Tadashi gulped, wondering if they knew about the end of the phone call last night. He picked up his glass and started drinking.

“Yeah. We like you, Tadashi-..” 

“PFFT” 

Tsukki’s statement was interrupted by Yamaguchi choking on his drink. You got up and patted his back as he coughed. 

“W-What do you mean like me??” He stammered as he regained his breath. 

“We both have feelings for you!” You squeezed his arm gently. “And we wanted to know if you feel the same way…” 

You and Kei explained the conversation you’d had the previous night. Tadashi’s face stayed bright red as you both confessed you’d had feelings for him for a while but didn’t realize it. He covered his face in his hands after you explained that you’d both felt like he was missing from your relationship. 

“You don’t have to give us an answer today. We realize it’s a lot to take in.” Kei murmured. 

“Yeah! And if you don’t want to there’s no pressure either.” You chimed in. 

Yamaguchi breathed out slowly. “I d-don’t really know what to say…” 

“Tadashi it’s fine-”

“No, let me talk now.” He said firmly, looking up at you and Tsukishima. “I am in love with you both too.” 

You couldn’t help but grin at this confession. Tsukki pushed up his glasses to cover his growing blush. 

“Tsukki, I’ve loved you since we were kids. You’ve always been special in my heart. And y/n… I was always attracted to you. When you started working at the museum I was excited to get to know you. And then when the three of us would spend time together I’d be thrilled watching you two interact. When you started dating I wasn’t sad...I was jealous a little...but I wanted my two loves to be happy….” Yamaguchi trailed off. 

“We can be happy together now.” You gleamed, grabbing Yams’ hand. 

“I’m sorry it took us this long..” Tsukki sighed. 

Yamaguchi shook his head. “No, I needed time to come to terms with everything I was feeling. And you two included me so much in your relationship already. I feel lucky to have you two.” He smiled, making your heart skip a beat. 

“Shall we drink then?” You poured more soju. 

“To our new relationship!” Tadashi cheered. With a little liquid courage in his system, he had to get the events of last night off his chest. “Actually, I still have something to say...” 

He fiddled with his glass. “Um so last night on the phone… I kinda heard things.” You and Kei stiffened. 

“Oh?”

“Umm, well…you guys didn’t end the call. And I kept listening, t-thinking you had forgotten to say something. But I heard everything…..” 

“S-So you heard…” you stammered, unable to finish the sentence. 

Yamaguchi nodded. “I may have um, also done things…” 

Tsukishima perked up at this statement. “You mean you jacked off to us having sex while fantasizing about you being there?” He smirked. “Wow Yamaguchi and we even went through all the trouble to confess to you, and you already knew?” 

“W-Well I didn’t know for sure, I just had an idea, but y-yeah.” 

You locked eyes with Tsukki who gave you a nod of approval. “You don’t have to fantasize anymore. You’ve got the real thing right here now.” You sat in his lap straddling him. 

“But y/n don’t you think we should punish him a little? For eavesdropping?” Tsukki teased. 

Yamaguchi went red, looking at the floor. You could feel his erection already pressing into your heat. Letting out a pleased murmur, you started grinding on him while Tsukishima kissed his neck, leaving wet bite marks. 

You felt Tadashi's hands wander up your thighs to your hips, gently guiding you up and down his hard on. Tsukishima slid his hands into Yamaguchi's shirt, pulling it up and off. You slid off of his lap onto your knees in front of him, slowly fiddling with his belt. 

Tsukki guided Yamaguchi’s hands towards his own hard length as you starting going down on the freckled boy. He moaned loudly, thoroughly enjoying the feeling of your mouth on his member. He palmed at Tsukki’s erection, whining for him to let it out so he could pleasure him. 

Tsukishima obliged, pulling out his thick length. You watched as Yamaguchi took it in his mouth. Watching Tsukki’s expressions while Yamaguchi sucked him dry was a major turn on. You started fingering yourself to the sight. 

“Let’s move this to the bedroom.”

The next few hours were a blur, a hot tangle of body parts and flesh. The three of you taking your time to make sure everyone was feeling pleasure and just the right amount of pain. 

You were on your back with your mouth full of Tadashi as Kei fucked you, rubbing circles on your clit. Your moans sent toe curling vibrations onto Yamaguchi's dick, almost making him cum right then and there. 

Tsukki grabbed Yams’ face, pulling him in for a deep kiss as the both pumped in and out of you. Over stimulated, you feel your release bubbling inside. All it takes is three more hard thrusts from Kei and you’re shaking, riding out your orgasm on him. 

He pulls out of you as you catch your breath. “Switch positions with me.” 

Tsukki lays on his back, motioning for you to sit on his face. Yamaguchi straddles Tsukishima’s hips as Tsukki fingers him in preparation. He then licks your heat, making sure to lap up every drop of your juices. 

You and Tadashi are both moaning loudly, completely controlled by Kei. You eye his cock, leaking with precum and bend over to suck on it as he lets Tsukki enter him. 

“K-Kei!!! Right there!” Yamaguchi yelled out in pleasure. Tsukki pumped into him quickly, you could feel his moans on your heat. You rode his face as he stuck out his tongue for you to use however you wanted. 

Yamaguchi leaned over to suck on your nipples and fondle you as he rode Tsukishima. His breath hitched as Tsukki fucked him harder and he couldn’t hold back any longer. You stroked his cock as he released his seed all over you and Tsukishima. 

The blonde suddenly changed pace and started sucking on your clit, licking all the most sensitive nerves. You arched your back in pleasure as Yamaguchi continued licking your sensitive buds, drawing you to another release. You let yourself cum all over Tsukishima's face before falling down on the bed.

Tsukki pulled out of Yamaguchi and the two of you took turns finishing Tsukishima off with your mouths. With one final twitch, he reached his release, covering you and Yamaguchi in it. 

The three of you layed in bed, enjoying the afterglow of your beautiful love making session. You had the biggest smile plastered on your face. 

“So was that everything you imagined it would be?” You teased, directed at neither boy in particular.

“Y-Yes, and more..” Tadashi said between tired pants.

“Hmm, I don’t know,” Tsukki said slyly, “We should do it again and again, just to make sure...” 

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

Notes: THANK UUUUUUUUU to everyone who left such nice comments and support I really had a good time writing this and I’m so glad there is other TsukkiYama fuckers out there that I could share this with! I hope you all enjoyed this!

Taglist:  @bubblebabytae @neonfoxes666 @oktamaki @aproperthottie @jelatine-lei @saturnmoon @tarotiz @chicalmeida @burntcilantro @justxtulyyy  @marie622​ @xoxo-dede​ @bear-likes-mushrooms​

[alex-ruins-everything]

Turning Pages - Chapter 6

Intrulogical bookshop au! Read the whole thing on ao3 here.

“Roman, that’s no fair! I called dibs on the car days ago!” Remus argued, chasing his brother down the hall.

“And I told you! Virgil and I are going to the mall, so I need it!” Roman replied, dodging Remus’ attempted swing when the other got too close.

“Well it’s your fault for breaking your own dumb car!”

Remus had been waiting for this day since he had somehow miraculously gotten Logan to agree to go on a date with him. Logan, the uptight nerd from the bookshop with a jawline that could cut glass and eyes Remus wanted to be waterboarded in. He had texted the number on the back of the receipt immediately upon getting it. A simple ‘hey itz Remus ;-3’ to which Logan replied with perfect grammar and punctuation. Gah, he could be in love. They had gone back and forth about their plans for the aquarium and Remus had promised to pick Logan up. Then the conversation turned to other things and Remus got to know more about Logan other than the fact that he was gorgeous. He liked astronomy (which is different from astrology apparently),  he drank his coffee black, and he had been working at the bookshop since he was sixteen. Remus had never committed to anything that long, that was insane. For every question he answered he asked one in return and Remus couldn’t remember the last time he’d held someone’s attention that long in a positive way that wasn’t Janus or Roman.

Roman, who was currently trying to sabotage their date it would seem by putting his own first. Remus had to resolve this quickly or he’d risk being late to pick Logan up.

“Roman, you know how pumped I’ve been for this. I’m taking the car,” Remus argued, watching Roman pluck the car keys off the hook and fully getting ready to pounce on his brother.

“Take your bike! You have options, I don’t!” Roman replied, holding the keys away from Remus.

“Fine! Fine. But you so owe me a big one.”

Roman cheered at winning the argument as Remus plucked the keys to his motorcycle off the hook and headed out to the garage, grabbing his jacket on the way. It might have been hot as hell outside but the aquarium could be chilly plus he never rode without his jacket. He shoved the helmet on his noggin and grabbed a spare for Logan before zooming off to the address his date had given him. It was an easy enough to find building, balconies lining the outer walls and large brass numbers over the front door. Remus parked his bike and pulled his helmet off, finding L. Berry on the doorbell system and pushing the appropriate button.

“Hello?” Logan’s voice answered after a while.

“Your noble steed awaits, Specs. You ready?”

“Ah, yes. I’ll be down in just a moment, Remus.”

Remus went to go lean against his bike, resting his helmet on the ground so it didn’t get knocked off. It really was just a moment before Logan emerged from the building’s front door causing a smile to break out on his face. The nerd walked over and Remus opened his arms for a hug to be met with a hand extended for a handshake. He laughed and went for that instead.

“We aren’t going on that...are we?” Logan asked, eyeing the bike warily.

“Ro totally hijacked the car this morning,” Remus explained. “You’ve never ridden one before?”

“No. Motorcycles are highly impractical and-” “Lemme stop you there,” Remus said, handing Logan the spare helmet. “It’s not as dangerous as you think it is. All you gotta do is hold onto me nice and tight and before you know it, we’ll be at the aquarium making kissy faces as the fishies.”

“That’s not generally how I spend my time at the aquarium...is that how you spend your time at the aquarium?” Logan questioned, taking the helmet hesitantly.

“Sometimes, yeah,” Remus laughed, sticking his own helmet on and getting onto the bike, motioning for Logan to do the same.

Once Logan was on and he felt long arms secure themselves around his waist Remus headed off to the aquarium. He looked in the mirrors every once in a while to check if Logan was okay and after about a mile of panic the other seemed to relax a little bit and almost looked like he was enjoying the ride. The only thing Remus didn’t like about this was that he didn’t get the chance to converse with Logan, but there was plenty of time for that once they got to the aquarium itself. Besides...silence was a pretty good payoff for having Logan hugging him from behind. It wasn’t a terribly far ride to the aquarium and they were there quite quickly.

“See? That wasn’t so bad was it?” Remus asked, getting off first and holding out a hand to help Logan do the same. “And now you can check that off your bucket list.” “No...it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be,” Logan admitted, accepting the hand offered to him for help. “Though I do not have a bucket list, I don’t think riding a motorcycle would be on it. I never had any desire to do that before...but it was rather exhilarating…”

“You use a whole lotta fancy words, Specs. I like it.”

Remus held out a hand for Logan’s helmet to secure it on the bike with his own. He thought he almost saw the hint of blushing on the other’s cheeks but that could have been the summer sun beating down on them. Logan didn’t have sunglasses like he did, just his regular ol’ glasses.

“I got a membership to this place so I’ll get the tickets, they’re free with it,” Remus said as they walked into the large building, the lighting inside much darker and slightly blue tinted.

“I’m a member as well, actually,” Logan replied. “I’m a member of all educational facilities in the tristate area.”

“Oh be still my beating heart...cute and a member at the aquarium? You’re really turning out to be the whole package here, Logie.”

Logan opened his mouth like perhaps he wanted to protest the new nickname or that he wasn’t any sort of package, but the duo was called up to the ticket booth before he could. Remus went ahead and asked for two tickets anyway, flashing his membership card and getting two stickers to show they had been cleared for admission. He stuck his own on his chest before sticking Logan’s on his tie and moving them off the line and towards the first set of tanks.

“So...you wore a tie to a date to an aquarium, huh?” Remus asked, starting up conversation as they looked at the colorful fish swimming around.

“Oh- yes,” Logan said, looking down at his now stickered tie. “Admittedly, I did have to research how to dress for a date and the articles I read mentioned ties. I wear them often so I thought it was the best route. Was I not supposed to wear a tie to the aquarium?”

“No, no. You can wear whatever you want, Lo. I was just curious,” Remus assured, pausing a moment. “You had a look up what to wear for a date?”

“Well, yes. I, ah...don’t go on very many. Or...any...”

“Aw…” Remus cooed, gently nudging Logan’s shoulder with his own. “Then we’ll make this a good one.”

The two of them walked around, pausing to look into the different tanks. Remus coulda sworn he almost saw a smile on the other’s face at some of his enthusiastic bouncing. Turns out Logan had a whole lot of fish facts to share and Remus eagerly listened, sharing a few of his own though they weren’t as cool as the ones Logan shared. When they got to the archway tank a shark swam right overhead of them and Re excitedly pointed it out, the pair stopping to watch the shark swim around for a while. Shockingly the aquarium wasn’t too busy on a Thursday afternoon, only a few groups of camp kids in brightly colored matching shirts. Finally they got to Remus’ favorite exhibit.

“Look!” he said, grabbing Logan’s hand and pulling him over to the octopus tanks. “God- aren’t they fuckin’ awesome…”

“You’re quite fond of octopuses, aren't you?” Logan questioned, nodding to the tattoo on display on Remus’ arm since the other had cut the sleeves off of his shirt at some point.

“I really couldn’t tell ya why...I just think they’re neat,” Remus explained, smiling when Logan pointed out his tattoo. “This octopus is actually here! He’s somewhere in this tank but y’know, camouflage and all.”

“You got a tattoo of one of the octopuses from this aquarium?” Logan asked for clarification, his eyes going from Remus to the tank in an attempt to find the creature in question.

“Yeah, Duke. When I was like twelve or somethin’ I won a raffle to name their newest octopus. I made the poor nanny drive me here like every day so I could see him.”

“That’s actually...quite nice.”

“Oh! There he is,” Remus said, pointing out a small bit of movement in the sand at the bottom of the tank. Now that they knew where to look it was easy to spot the octopus. “Did you know octopi have three hearts? Oh! And blue blood.”

“I did know that, but it’s very interesting,” Logan nodded. “They also lack bones and are quite intelligent.”

“They’re just so cool!”

They stood and watched Duke the octopus for a long time, swapping facts about cephalopods. The octopus eventually did move and Remus was able to show off the similarities between the creature in the tank and the tattoo on his arm. The resemblance was striking. Eventually they moved on, continuing to talk about they fish they passed until they ended up in the gift shop.

“I always loved the gift shop of museums,” Remus said, moving over to browse a rack of postcards. “It was almost like a reward for making it through the boring stuff.”

“You didn’t seem to find the aquarium boring,” Logan stated.

“Oh, yeah. Aquariums don’t count. I just...don’t like museums as much. They’re cool and all - especially the art museum that has all the medieval armor and weaponry - but no one will go with me because apparently I’m too loud for museum culture.”

“I quite enjoy that museum actually,” Logan said. “Perhaps we can go there together. I do have a membership.”

Remus thought he was gonna vibrate from excitement. Logan had just asked him on a second date, right? That’s what had happened? He gave an enthusiastic nod, his eyes catching on something along the wall. Ties!

“Oh! Oh, wait here,” he said, running over to the display.

Sure enough they had a few different designs. Remus immediately fell in love with a navy blue tie that had a green octopus towards the bottom. He pulled it off the rack, not bothering to check the price and moved back to show Logan.

“I’m gonna get this for you,” he said, holding the tie up.

“Wha- Remus, no. You don’t have to do that,” Logan replied. “It’s a very lovely tie, but you don’t need to buy me a gift.”

“I know I don’t need to. I want to...so I am.”

“I’m not going to be able to convince you to put that back, am I?”

“Nope.”

“Very well,” Logan nodded. “Your turn to wait here.”

Remus did as he was told, looking over the rack of postcards again. He found one with an eel on it and picked one up to give to Janus. Eels were like water snakes, right? Janus did love his snakes. Not too long after he walked off Logan came back with a small stuffed octopus in his hands.

“I’m going to buy this for you,” Logan said. “Is that- is this something you’d like?”

“Lo, I will literally cherish that for the rest of my life,” Remus grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet with excitement. “Hell, I’ll be buried with it.”

Logan’s shoulders seemed to relax a little bit at Remus’ approval. Remus moved over to the register, flashing his membership card again for that wonderful 10% off he got as a perk. Once he was done Logan got rung up, showing his own card.

“For you,” Logan said, holding out the stuffed octopus.

“And for you,” Remus replied, exchanging the tie for the toy. “Y’know...all this walking around the aquarium has me heavily craving some coffee. You game?”

“I- yes. I would also appreciate some caffeine right now,” Logan nodded.

“It’s no Remy’s place, but there’s a cafe like a block away, c’mon,” Remus said, grabbing Logan’s hand again to lead him away from the aquarium and towards the sidewalk.

The coffee shop was much busier than the aquarium but the smell of roasting beans was pretty much divine as soon as they walked in. The seats inside were all full but there were a few spare seats outside that hopefully wouldn’t be snagged before they got their orders in. The two of them continued to chat during the walk and while waiting on line. Remus placed their order, getting a black coffee for Logan and his own personal drink which he liked to call the Gamble With Death.

“Surely that cannot be good for your heart,” Logan stated after hearing Remus say eight shots of espresso.

“It hasn’t killed me yet,” Remus shrugged. “If it ever does I promise to let you know.”

“How would you let me know? You’d be dead?”

Before Remus could think up an answer for that his name was called out and he went to go grab the two cups, handing Logan his. They grabbed a table outside and Remus stuck his new octopus in the middle of the table.

“He needs a name,” he said, gesturing to the stuffed toy.

“It does?” Logan questioned, sipping his coffee.

“Of course he does!”

“You could perhaps go with a nod to H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu and name him that,” Logan suggested.

“Hm...I like that, I like that,” Remus nodded, getting an idea. “Cthuwu. Y’know, like ‘uwu’?”

“Tell me if I use this wrong but, ah...cursed.”

Remus broke into laughter at that, assuring Logan that was the right context but it was more the delivery that caught him off guard. Apparently Virgil works with Logan to get the adorable nerd up to date with modern slang. The guy had flashcards which Remus absolutely needed to see now. They stayed at that cafe table long after their coffee cups had been drained, until suddenly the sky was a mass of pinks and oranges.

“Ah, shit. I totally kept you out longer than I had promised,” Remus said, stretching in his chair.

“Oh,” Logan looked up, blinking like he had just been pulled out of their little personal bubble. “Yes. I should probably get home. I do have work tomorrow and I have my nightly routine to keep up with.”

“So...organized,” Remus grinned, standing up and tossing his empty cup into the trash bin. “Then home we go, Logie.”

Logan stood up as well, discarding his cup and following Remus back to his motorcycle. Remus was able to fill any void of silence by running his mouth. He was currently telling Logan about the first time he took Janus on the bike. He hadn’t been too fond of it. Remus handed Logan his helmet and stuck their purchases in his side bag, before long they were back off towards Logan’s apartment.

“Y’know, Lo...I had a lot of fun today,” Remus said once the engine was killed and they were parked by Logan’s front door.

“I...actually did too. You were certainly a wonderful companion for the aquarium,” Logan replied, handing back his borrowed helmet. “Thank you for not letting me die on the back of the motorcycle.”

“Nah, Specs...I would never let someone as cute and clever as you die,” Remus winked, pulling the tie out of the side bag and sticking the helmet in there with Cthuwu. “I’ll see you around, yeah? I’m almost done with that book you recommended.”

“Oh? I’m so glad you’re liking it,” Logan grinned, books seeming to be a topic he rather enjoyed talking about. “Well...I’ll start building a list of recommendations for you.”

“Absolutely cannot wait,” Remus returned the other’s smile, pausing for a moment before taking a step closer and kissing Logan on the cheek. “Bye, Specs.”

He shoved the helmet on his head and sped back home after making sure Logan made it inside alright. He looked a little dazed after that kiss on the cheek which was just so damn adorable. Remus was absolutely on cloud nine. Now he got to go home and gush about it all to Janus over the phone.

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[notatallinterestingstuff]

With Love, She.

Clang! Blaam! Boom! The echoing sounds of the utensils falling down startled her from her trance. ‘Ughhhh, he’s going to be furious again!’, she thought to herself, picking up the plates in a hurry. It was not the best of days for her. Lunch was not yet ready; the maid has not yet come and Nirav has once again spilled rice on the floor. Arun was about to come home and he would not be pleased with this work. And yet another load on her growing and immeasurable life. She cursed her father under her breath and began trotting the 3-way road again. ‘Hey, you! I am working so hard to maintain the house and you keep a petty fight for some rice? Today, it ends! You are going to clean up the mess!’, she exclaimed with suppressed anger. But then Nirav looked back at her, gave her a mischievous grin and ran out of the house in a flurry. ‘One day, that boy is going to get it from me. But what can I do? My heart doesn’t allow it.”, she told to herself. Exhausted, she returned to her usual chores with a half-hearted attitude. Cleaning the house, doing the dishes, is that my life? Don’t I have dreams? Shouldn’t I too reach failure and then work hard to rise? As she fell into the ever-growing abyss of her thoughts, her mind reached out and grabbed a memory. ‘Daddy, when will we go to the museum?’, the little girl cried at the top of her voice. Her father, in an ever-calming voice replied,’ Don’t you worry child! As long as this elephant is with you, he will ride you to the museum, with free lollipops!”, The girl was now laughing and calm with the help of the tickles from her daddy. On the rickshaw, she asked her father, “Daddy, yesterday I heard the 5th class girls cry about life in the corridor instead of studying. Humph, what cry-babies!”. The father burst out into laughter, responding with a question,” What do you thing life is sweetie?”. “Life is when Ms. Rose doesn’t give us homework and gives us ice-cream!”, she exclaimed in an innocent voice.” But what is life daddy?”, she repeated herself, her innocent and childlike mind wanting to know everything and being restless. Her father, now in a graver voice, replied,” Look at those puppies running frantically behind their mother with utmost love and hope that she will feed them. She does feed them, but without herself eating, knowing that her children come first, even more than her life. That’s life. It is the cruelest thing in the world, but when accompanied with a certain something it makes your life meaningful.’ “Ice cream?”, she answered the question diligently. “Haha-ha! No, my precious darling! Its love!”, he told her. “And remember, no matter what life gives you, remember that love always makes it what it is, and you get to decide what’s life and what’s love”. “Then I love love so much!”, she proclaimed to everyone. She continued to lick her lollipop joyously, unbeknownst to her what life was going to make her do. TTRRRRRRIINNNGGGG! The loud ringing of the doorbell startled her, causing her to cut her own finger a little on the skin. She grimaced in pain as she ran to answer the door. “Hey, sweetheart! Today was so stressful and boring! Could I get a cup of water please? And why is rice lying on the floor? Has Ritesh done this? How can he so irresponsible? Why have you not controlled him yet?”, came in the questions as Arun stormed inside the house from work. “I’ll take care of it, I’m sorry, had a lot of work today.”, she replied trying to stop the bleeding simultaneously. “Did you just cut yourself? How can you be so careless, huh? Sometimes I feel like life is so cruel, always doing this to me!”, Arun castigated her. All she could do was give back a fake smile as Arun brought the bandages. She felt a little comfort even though the wound was stinging a lot. “Let me go buy today’s dinner from outside, you take some rest.”, Arun convinced her. As soon as Arun was gone, she was back to cleaning the dishes, wiping an invisible tear off her eye. Damn you, dad! Why did you have to leave me so early? If it wasn’t for that rickshaw accident that

day, you would have been still here, with me, not lying in a hospital bed for 20 long years, she cursed under her breath. She turned off the tap, wound still stinging, and proceeded to clean the mess on the floor. She knew her life wouldn’t be same after that accident, the sounds of the crash still ringing in her ear, even after 20 long years. She had dreamt to be an IAS officer, make a difference to her nation, but that obstacle set her back at least by a lifetime. Her mother, influenced by relatives and peer pressure, got her married off to Arun Apparkumari, a GM at an MNC. He is a good man, but sometimes doesn’t feel the way that she feels. And, 2 children later, here she is, a grown independent woman by society, but a shattered yet dreaming little girl by heart. She did what she only could do about her miserable life, weep, sometimes for long times alone, as she kept on her apparent duty of daily chores. Just a few footsteps away, a door closed, listening to the unheard sorrows. The next day early morning, she boarded the bus to meet her in-laws, for whom she was the only caretaker. As she took a seat near the window, a wave of fresh air flew through her face. This was the only part she liked about the bus ride. She could see the everchanging world in its glow, nature and man working together to create a sustainable and luxurious life. Cars swept past the bus, metros riding over, people in a hurry to do something important, most importantly women rushing to work, trying to bring about a change in the society. Her thoughts were interrupted by a girl, dressed up fashionista style, on a motorbike and smoking a cigarette speeding through the roads, hurling obscenities at other drivers. That brought back a fond memory from her twenties. It was nostalgic time again. ‘Hey Sathya! Come fast! If Mom finds out about this, they’ll throw me out of the house for sure!”, she shouted in excitement as her friend Sathya came running towards her. “Its fine da! Anyways it’s our last day meeting. Who knows what will happen after you get married and sent off? Start cleaning vessels now itself! You will have practice!”, she laughed hysterically looking at a sulking face. “Come on fast! We have no time to lose!”, she shouted as they both started on a rental bike. As the wind rushed through her face, and her skin feeling the true touch of mother nature, she rode the bike as far as the road took her. It was the happiest she had been in a while. Since her father’s accident, her whole house was in chaos as her gullible mother ignored her pleas and, with the advice of the so-called relatives, fixed her marriage. The only way to spend all her pent-up anger was today. She wouldn’t do anything to miss today’s thrill. That day lived up to its name. Playing with Sathya on the beach, teasing and laughing about the men following them, fun with the waves and finally icecream on the rocks witnessing the grandest and splendor sunset. “What is life da?”, she asked her friend, repeating the question for as long as she had known Sathya relishing her ice-cream. “According to me, it would be travelling the world with my love and enjoy doing what I do. What about you? What’s your thoughts?”, Sathya replied relishing her ice-cream too, not knowing the ripples it caused. She began to wonder about her life after marriage. She was in a deep abyss now, with no way out or no one to help her. When will I get this feeling again? What will happen to me? What about my dreams? “Hello, snap out of it! You’ve gone and dropped the ice cream, now you’ve made me go crazy!”, Sathya said sarcastically. But she ignored that and asked her, “But why only roaming around the world? Why not follow your dreams and pursue your passions? Isn’t that supposed to make you happy? Sathya with a calm mind answered her question,” My dear friend. You have confused yourself with life. Life is not always cruel. When I meant the world trip, I was not going to obviously enjoy the trip. It was the person I love that I’m going to enjoy with. That’s what makes

us all happy. Life doesn’t give us obstacles; it gives us the stairs. Now whether you run on it or trod is your choice.” That sentence was stuck in my mind for a long time. “Madam! Please wake up, the stop has arrived”, said the bus conductor carrying out his duty. Back to the stairs once again, she thought as she got off the bus. Back at home, Arun was waiting. To make a difference. She reached home early. In spite of all the things that she did for her in-laws, they never quite respected her and treated her the way she should. But, she did it for her satisfaction, the way her father told her. Anyways she got to eat some ice-cream on her own! As she opened the door, out came a deafening yell. “SURPRISE!!!!”, screamed Arun, Nirav and Ritesh at the top of their voices. “Happy life celebration day, you idiot!”, Arun screamed sarcastically. “What took you so long? Do you know how much time Nirav spent baking that cake? Even with his girlfriend he doesn’t talk this much time with!”, he joked. “DAAAAAD! IM JUST 11!”, Nirav screamed blushing, a pink color slowly rising on his cheeks. “What’s all this going on?”, she asked with genuine astonishment. “I’ll tell you later, but first have this ice-cream cake. And that too your favorite! Pan masala flavor!”, Arun exclaimed. “Papa, I was busy writing the card. That’s why I gave him the wrong flavor. Don tease me!”, Ritesh shouted feeling guilty. And then, that day, she had a blast. Singing songs, going through old photos, charades with the family and a surprise visit from mom. It was the happiest she had been in days. She wiped out the pains of the last few weeks and embraced the day with full hands. “So now that the kids have gone to sleep, tell what does this life celebration day means, Mr. Party planner?” she asked Arun as they sat near the balcony. “Before I say that, I want to say thanks!”, he replied. “For what?”. “For everything. For the days you had to go to raise those 2 kids to keeping up with my atrocities and my mood swings, taking care of the relatives, and for facing everything that life gave you. It’s going to change from now”, he replied staring at the night sky. “I still don’t get it. What are you trying to thank me for now? It’s not even my birthday!”, she replied still in shock. “It’s even more special! Its Mother’s Day. See, when life doesn’t exactly give what you want, it is up to us to make sure that we squeeze the best out of it. And mothers always do it. They have to. And they always. It’s hard, people won’t get the pain, the losses and the challenges that come with it. But what they also miss is the small tiny happy moments that comes along with it”, he replied calmly to her. And that’s when it hit her. It hit her hard. What her father said. What Sathya meant. What she was missing most of her life. Life is not the true pleasure. It is love. Her love towards her family. Her love that keeps her going every single day, making her strive to just see the smile on her children’s face, to always love her husband no matter what. Its love that makes us feel alive, not life. “Nirav heard you weeping that day. And I almost felt the pain when he said it to me. So, as a family we are going to give you the greatest gift we can think of. Or at least to us accordingly. I can’t afford a necklace or something….”. “Just say it Arun”, she laughed. “Our love and support. From now no matter what you do, when you do or how you do it, its going to be your way. Let it be opening a restaurant or trying for a job or even being lazy like me, no matter what the society or any bloody person says, we will support you. Its your life, you apply the love to it, it will reward you back. That is what today’s life celebration day was. From now, you are not just a hardworking woman. For the society, you are the mother”, he said her, meaning each and every word from his heart. And that day she made a decision. It is going to be love that will lead her, not life. That day she understood what the world tried to express to her in different ways. That day, she

understood love. That day, she became her. With all the love from the multiverse, Ragav

[ghostcatsso]

Alright the butler is willing to give us a ride to jorvik city now

he told us we will not be getting ice cream, no ice cream allowed in the car :(

Here we are at the museum. Yep, that definitely looks like it shouldn’t be open rn

The curator at least hesitated before giving us this priceless historical artifact, so I’ll give him that much. Still, tho, this is very irresponsible.

He had us do some inventory for him while we were digging through all the artifacts looking for the harp. That was literally me just clicking boxes and being told what was in them. Fun

Okay, we got the harp, we promised to take good care of it and then the butler gave us a ride back home.

Lisa said she learned from Elizabeth what we need to do to learn the melody to play on the harp.

Alright, time to find somewhere high up and quiet. Lisa told me to meet her in the Firgrove mountains.

We rode along the trail together

Oh look another primeval tree

Lisa why are you galloping along here? that’s dangerous! only im allowed to be that stupid

We’re here and wow look at that view

We had to wait until daybreak but soon enough I heard music. I had to click on little musical notes as they floated by me until I had collected the whole melody. Weird way to learn a song but sure

Alright, we got the song, we got the harp, I still have the light of aideen, and Lisa’s got her healing magic. I guess it’s time to walk on water

You have to keep up with Lisa, who keeps zig zagging around for some reason, while also constantly clicking on the light of aideen button to power up the stone again. It was really fun, but also there’s no way I’m gonna do all that and also take pictures lol

You get a picture of Lisa waiting for me to start the quest and you can have this, too.

There’s a heart in the sand on the other side. Idk if it was there before. Also look at the water, you can see the roots sticking out

anyway

Lisa is shocked we managed to pull that off, and also relieved her debt to the primeval tree has been repaid. 

We raced back to the no-longer-sleeping widow

It’s very happy to have a connect to its family again. Aww, that’s sweet. Glad I could help, giant creepy tree

I got the butler to take me back to the museum

and returned the harp to it’s rightful place, somewhere much more protected than just being borrowed out to whatever gang of teenagers decides they wanna grow some magic roots

goodbye harp

I got a ride back home and found this

The gang’s all here, wow. Well, except Anne but like who needs her

Apparently Lisa was telling Linda and Alex what we’ve been up to. She said some mushy stuff about the power of friendship helping her believe in herself enough to actually do this, too. awww

[verai-marcel]

Tech Support (RDR2 Fanfic, Arthur x F!Reader, Neighbor AU, Chapter 2 of 2, 18+)

Tags & Summary are in Part 1.

AO3 Link is here, sweetheart.

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Side B - Low Honor

Word Count: 1450

You were lying in bed, scrolling mindlessly through tumblr when you heard a knock on the door. You bounded out of bed and opened the door, heedless of the fact that you were dressed in your lounge shorts and tank top.

“Whoa, hey, don’t just open the door like that, could’ve been anyone,” Arthur said once he saw what you were wearing.

“Sorry, just so bored being cooped up at home all the time, didn’t think about it,” you said sheepishly. “Anyway, what brings you here?”

“Was hopin’ you could help me set up a webcam,” he said. “My computer don’t have one.”

You blinked. “I didn’t even realize you had a computer.”

“It’s sittin’ in the closet. Haven’t really used it since I got my smartphone.”

“Ah, makes sense, then. I’ll go find my old webcam, then I’ll come over.”

***

“Oh god, this thing is old as fuck.”

“Does it still work?”

“We’ll find out.”

You tinkered with the old machine, feeling a wave of nostalgia as you poked around the old Windows 8 menu and cursed its stupidity. You got your old webcam to work with it, but realized his battery was shit, so you crawled under the desk to plug it in.

As you backed up to get out from under the desk, you bumped into something with your butt. That something started to caress you.

“Arthur…?”

“You stay right there, sweetheart,” he rumbled. His hands kneaded your ass before he pulled down your shorts. One hand reached down to slip your panties aside to stroke your folds while the other reached for your breasts beneath your tank top.

You panted as he straddled your legs and trapped you in place, his hand shoving your tank top further up your body to expose your breasts. He gave them one last squeeze before trailing his hand around to your shoulders, down your back, and finally to rest on the curve of your backside. His cock grew hard as he dry humped you, his fingers sliding along your core.

“Have to fuck you,” he growled as he removed his hands from your body. You heard the sound of unzipping and fabric moving before you felt the tip of his cock pressing into you, nudging you open.

“Always wanted to do this,” Arthur said as he sank inside of your tight heat. “You want it, don’t you?”

“Oh yes,” you hissed as he filled you up, his hips coming flush with your ass. “I always want your cock.”

“That’s right,” he said as he rocked his hips, building up a steady pace. “My pretty li’l slut, getting fucked under my desk.”

You moaned; you had the same fantasy too, being fucked like this, that damn boss & secretary porn trope coming to mind. But it was hot as hell, and Arthur, with his big hands grabbing at you, holding you down as he fucked the hell out of you, was fulfilling your fantasy oh so well.

“Love seein’ my cock disappear into yer pussy like this,” he muttered as he slowed his thrusts, taking his time to pull almost all the way out before slamming back into you.

After he had taken his sweet time enjoying the view, he pulled out of you and moved away, sitting in his chair. Patting his thigh, he grinned. “C’mere, princess. Sit on my lap.”

You got up from the ground and sashayed over to him, slowly moving your legs to either side of his. You started to slip your underwear down, but his hands stopped you.

“Turn around first,” he commanded. “And don’t take them panties off. I wanna mess’em up.”

You smiled cheekily as you turned, shaking your hips as you reached down and slid your panties to one side before slowly lowering yourself onto his cock. Sliding down his shaft, you sighed as the sweet feeling of being filled with him returned. Arthur’s hands gripped your waist and pulled you down the rest of the way. Once you were seated fully, he wrapped one arm around your chest to hold your neck, his other hand resting on your hip.

“Ride me,” he growled in your ear.

You moved slowly at first, undulating your hips as you lifted yourself so that just the tip of him was inside of you. After a few strokes of being a tease, he slapped your ass.

“Faster.”

His tone was dark, menacing, and your heart beat faster as a little thrill went through you. Quickly changing your pace, you let yourself go wild, riding his cock as you leaned your head back and moaned like a porn star, letting yourself drown in lust. Your legs wavered, your hands gripped his thighs as you rode him faster and faster.

Arthur reached down to stroke your core, driving you towards your peak. You let out a strangled cry as the wave of pleasure crashed through you, making you quiver and fall backwards onto his chest as you rode out your climax.

“Good girl,” Arthur crooned as he rubbed your belly. He made soothing sounds until you stopped shaking. “You alright there, sweetheart?”

You nodded.

“Then suck me off.”

You got up and knelt between his legs, looking up at him in just your tank top as you took him into your mouth. Wrapping your hand around his girth, you stroked and sucked him sloppily, letting yourself drool on him as you made soft moaning sounds.

“My dirty whore,” he said lovingly, his hands stroking your head like you were his favorite treasure. “You wanna drink?”

You nodded happily, his cock still in your mouth.

He placed his hands on your head and thrust upwards, thrusting a few more times before he let out a guttural moan of pleasure as he came into your mouth, murmuring your name as he watched you lick it all up.

“Damn, I love watchin’ you do that,” he sighed happily when you got up and licked your lips, smiling at him. 

“Guess we better clean up,” you said as you pointed at his laptop. “You got a call soon, right?”

***

After you and Arthur had taken a shower and gotten dressed, with you in one of Arthur’s hoodies over your tank top, you sat in Arthur’s lap as you taught him how to use the software. However, you weren’t sure how much he was paying attention to your lesson as he kept massaging your butt.

With the lesson over, he texted Eliza, and soon, he received a video call request.

“Hi Daddy!”

“Hey there, Isaac. How’re you doin’ today?”

“Good. Mommy taught me multiplication today.”

“Oh? That’s advanced stuff for your age.”

“It’s pretty easy.”

You smiled; it helped that he was a smart kid, and when you were babysitting, you often helped him with his homework and gave him extra math lessons on the side.

Then he called out your name, as if he finally noticed you.

“Yes kiddo?” you asked.

“Why’re you with daddy right now?”

“Uh, we’re friends! We like to hang out together,” you said, not knowing what Arthur had been telling him of your relationship.

“You mean like a girlfriend?”

You looked at Arthur. You felt like Isaac was too young to know these things, but 7 year olds these days sometimes knew more than you did at that age.

“Yup, she’s my girlfriend,” Arthur answered nonchalantly.

Isaac’s eyes widened. Then he smiled and laughed. “Oooooh, daddy has a girlfriend!”

You started cracking up, unable to hold in your laughter. “Haven’t you heard? Girls have cooties!”

Arthur made a disgusted face. “Ew, gross.”

Both you and Isaac laughed.

***

After talking with Isaac about his studies and making him a promise to take him to the natural history museum when the lockdown was over, you let Arthur and Isaac have some father-son time and walked out to the living room to scroll through tumblr again. After a while, Arthur came out and sat next to you.

Looking up at him, you noticed he was looking a little forlorn.

“You alright?”

He suddenly picked you up and held you tightly in his lap.

“Ar-Arthur?”

He was silent for a few moments, just holding you, burying his face in the crook of your neck. Then he finally looked up at you. “Let’s move in together.”

You were shocked silent for a few moments. He waited for you to gather your thoughts.

“Give me some time, Arthur. I need to think about it.”

He nodded and gave you a rueful smile.

You snuggled into his arms and hugged him tight. It was a lot to think about. But the thought of waking up every morning to his arms around you was very tempting.

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

End Notes: What, is low honor Arthur secretly a softie? Why yes, he’s still Arthur, after all. Hope you enjoyed this part! I’ve finally taken the time to outline where I want this series to go, and how it’ll end. Meaning, there will be two more parts after this, so Part 8 and Part 9, and then I’ll end this story. Thank you for reading!

[mss4msu]

Call Me Doctor. Chapter 17

Summary: Fresh out of graduate school, you had somehow landed a spot in the faculty of a prestigious university. The small anthropology department has too many faculty and too few offices; sharing an office does not go as you expected.

Pairing: Professor!Steve x Professor!Reader 

Words: 2004

Warnings: Language, steamy flirtations

A/N: I’m horny so (Y/N) is horny. Big wheels keep on turnin’, slow burn keep on burnin’. 

Catch Up On The Story Here

Your stomach was fluttering with giddy anxiety as you rode the bus to campus Monday morning. Last night you had stayed up later then you should have texting with Steve, despite the fact that you both knew you would see each other just a few hours later. Things had started lighthearted as you discussed how he and James did in their race, and moved into more romantic topics as the night went on. You hadn’t pegged Steve as the kind of guy to use emojis, but it seemed every other message you had either a kiss face emoji or heart eye guy coming your way. 

Your heart was pounding as you walked up the stairs and gently turned the handle of your office door. You pushed open the door and couldn’t help the huge grin that spread over your face as you walked in and saw Steve smiling back at you over the screen of his computer. 

“Good morning!” you chimed as you went over to your desk and set your bag down, taking off your jacket. 

“It is now,” Steve replied, getting up, closing the office door, walking over to you, and pulling you in for a long kiss. 

“Should we be doing this in the office?” you asked hesitantly, but not wanting him to stop. 

“I can think of a lot worse things we could be doing in this office,” Steve replied with a devilish grin. 

Your eyes widened and the tingling of lust grew in your latter half at the idea of Steve pushing the books off of your desk and pushing you onto it. You pulled him back in for a deeper kiss. You were soon interrupted by a knock at the door. Steve hastened back to his desk so as not to raise suspicion while you said, “Come in.”

“Hope I’m not intruding on anything,” James winked at you as he saw how red both your and Steve’s faces were. 

“What could you possibly be interrupting?” Steve asked.

You rolled your eyes in response to both of them.  

James smirked as he pulled up a chair at the table, “So, mom and dad, since you two have been busy at work on the actual content of the museum thing, Tony has delegated that Nat and I have to plan the opening party for it. Do you know when we should be planning it for? Can’t be that hard to open a museum, right? You’ve been working on it for long enough now it must be about ready.”

“Fuck,” Steve muttered and looked at you with apologetic eyes.

“Yes, due to all of my hard work,” you emphasized this, as Steve had done hardly anything to help aside from make rude comments about the text you had written for the displays, “it is almost done.”

“Great, so when is the opening?” 

“Erm…” you looked at Steve with a mix of panic and confusion on your face.

“Seriously, Steve did you not fucking help (Y/N) at all with this? Y’all got time to fuck around in here but not do your damn work?” James’s serious tone was quickly replaced with a chuckle.

“First of all, we have not been ‘fucking around’.” Steve said sternly.

“And second?” James asked, putting his hands under his chin in mock anticipation. 

“And second,” Steve continued, “I recognize that I am an asshole and will be helping (Y/N) get everything in order, even if it means having to stay late.”

“Yeah, I bet you’d like to stay late with her,” James raised his eyebrows at Steve.

You couldn’t help but let out a little giggle as your stomach fluttered, “James, I’m sure we can get everything up and ready in 2 weeks. I’ve already gotten most of the text finished and found images we can use. The objects have been selected already and I’ve worked with the security company to get everything installed in time.”

“Alright, we’ll Tony says the opening is next Friday anyway, so that’s great that you can agree with him,” James became much more sheepish after this reveal. 

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Steve began to fume, “Of course Tony already had a date in mind. You could have fucking led with that Buck.”

“Woah, woah, woah, I am being used by Tony to plan an event and tell you, keep that anger to yourself buddy.”

“James, we’ll get it done. If you need any help with the opening planning, let me know. I’m sure I could help brainstorm themes or whatever you need.”

“Thanks, (Y/N)! I’ll try not to stress you out with the party planning too much, but could use the creative help I’m sure. Well, I’ll leave you two lovebirds to the museum planning,” James said as he got up, “Or whatever else it is that you do in here while the door is shut,” he winked and closed the door just in time to miss being hit by the book Steve had thrown at him.

“He is obnoxious,” Steve sighed, shaking his head in exasperation.

“It’s fine, all his teasing must just mean that you really like me. I don’t think he’d try to get on your bad side if you didn’t,” you smiled at him. 

He turned red in response and cleared his throat, “What can I help with for the museum thing? I really am sorry that I haven’t contributed as much as I should have.”

You grabbed your notebook full of the final to-do’s for the museum and walked over to Steve’s desk, “Here’s what needs to be done still. I have to run off to my class, I’ll hurry back so we can tackle what’s left on the list together.”

As you began to turn away, Steve grabbed your arm and pulled you back to him, kissing you deeply before letting you go, the way his eyes hungrily watched as you grabbed your things and left the room gave you shivers of pleasure as you left.

You weren’t even sure if you had lectured about everything you had intended to and felt like you were on autopilot when you reminded everyone that their midterm papers were due to you by the end of the week. Steve had consumed your mind before, but never like this. Students came up to you after class to ask questions, but you could hardly stay focused on what they said before your brain wandered to the thought of Steve pulling you back to him before you had left for your class. You eventually just told the students wanting to talk to you to send you an email with their questions as you “had to get going”. As you half-jogged back to your office, you mind drifted to all the immodest things you wanted Steve to spend the day doing to you. You took a deep breath outside of your office, willing yourself to keep it together as you walked in. Steve was hard at work in the corner with headphones in, eyes lost to his computer screen. You put your things down at your desk and snuck up next to him, planting a kiss on his cheek which finally broke his concentration. 

“How was class?” he asked you, taking his reading glasses off and leaning back in his chair. 

“It was alright, I had more important things on my mind though,” you couldn’t help your eyes from drifting down his body. 

“Oh?” 

Your eyes snapped up from their traveling to see Steve licking his lips. 

“Yeah,” you gulped, “like this damn museum project,” you gestured to his computer. 

“I worked on it while you were gone. I would just like to reiterate how sorry I am for not helping and for being so difficult on the parts you did reach out to me for. All of the content you have here is really great, I’m just going through and making some edits to grammar and skimming down bits so they aren’t so long. I know you’re passionate about Egypt, but that section is way too much for anyone going through a museum to want to read.”

You rolled your eyes, “Says the guy who added two paragraphs to each portion of text on World War II I wrote.”

“Hey, I fully intended to go back through that and edit some out there too.”

“Mhm, I’ll believe it when I see it.”

The rest of the week proceeded in a similar way. You and Steve would sneak kisses with each other and took work breaks to flirt heavily with each other. You had to start leaving the door open, as your breaks became longer than your periods of working and you needed some accountability to keep yourself from jumping on top of him. Thursday night, you had dinner delivered to the office, as you knew staying late was the only way you would finish the last round of cutting objects from the exhibit so you would know what to present to X-Con the next day. It started out professional, as you really did need to finish your work. But as the work got finished, it turned into a makeshift date with you and Steve sitting at the table in your office, laughing over the remnants of your dinner. When the food was gone, Steve pulled you in for a kiss, which turned into multiple kisses. Tired of being at an awkward angle due to the table between you. You got up and motioned for Steve to move his chair away from the table. He obliged and you straddled his lap, taking his head in your hands and kissing him passionately. You began to lightly grind yourself on his lap, and felt something making his pants tighter.

The sound of the door creaking open made you both stop instantly. 

“Damn, (Y/N), get it,” you heard Natasha say from behind you.

Heart racing, you quickly slid off of Steve’s lap and turned around to see Nat and James standing in the doorway, both with their arms overflowing with streamers and balloons. 

You cleared your throat, “Ahem, what are you both doing here?” 

“Going through party decorations that we already have so that we know what we have to go out and buy this weekend for the opening,” James snickered.

“And why did that search bring you in here?” Steve asked, his face growing redder by the second.

“We thought custodial was in here and we need to be let into that storage area under the staircase,” Nat was attempting to keep her face professional, but let out a small giggle at the end.

“Custodial is definitely not in here,” you replied, smoothing down your hair.

“They are not, but they probably need to be after you two are done for the night,” James wheezed. 

That broke Natasha and she also started laughing, “Alright, see you two later,” she chimed, pulling James out of the room.

“Maybe we should call it a night?” you asked tentatively. 

“I think that’s for the best,” Steve replied, adjusting his pants before standing up. 

You and Steve spent Friday much less touchy and flirty, afraid that any contact between you would raise suspicion or provide James and Natasha more fuel to make fun of you both. You and Steve were just about to leave for your meeting with X-Con when you got an email from Scott Lang:

“Hey (Y/N) and Steve,

Sorry about the super late notice, but we’ve had something else come up (huge infestation of ants into this bank vault we were working on) and so we’ll have to reschedule today’s meeting. The only other time we have available before your opening is Sunday. Does that work?

~Scott”

“Shit,” you sighed, “Steve, the security team had to cancel. They said Sunday is the only time that will work for them.”

“Well, we don’t really have a choice then, do we?”

“Not really,” you sat back down at your desk and speedily typed out a response to Scott, agreeing on Sunday. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Call Me Doctor. Tag List:

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[izzy-b-hands]

Aten Pt. 3

How much longer will this fic be? Idk, but I’m having fun, so here we go again!

Went ahead and just uh...sort of created my own canon re: the tablet. Look, if the movie writers could do whatever they wanted with it, so can I lol. No rules, no right, just me doing whatever I want with canon. 

We get nsfw at the end because I couldn’t help myself lol. Definitely gonna be a part four and maybe more?? Because I’m not done with these two yet. 

My love to all who read/like/reblog!

He was bored. Horribly bored. It was silly, he knew that. After all, they’d only had two dates. To be so attached this much already was ridiculous, foolhardy.

Yet he lay on the couch in the employee lounge, doing nothing except feeling lonely and trying to get his sandals off his feet, using only his feet to kick and tug at them. 

Larry walked in, and sighed. “Important business, huh? You ever lose your hands, you’ll be set.” 

They shared a brief look, and Ahk broke.

“I miss him,” he grumbled. “And it isn’t his fault; he needs to keep up his studies, and I’m being childish and silly and stupid and-” 

“And you still miss him despite all that, and that’s okay,” Larry interrupted, lifting Ahk’s legs so he could sit on the end of the couch, letting Ahk’s legs sit on his lap. “It isn’t a bad thing. Just means you really like each other, and that’s what you wanted, right?” 

“It is,” Ahk replied. “But this is...fast. Too fast? I wouldn’t know, I’ve never had anything like this. Flings, sure, but nothing concrete. Nothing where we both wanted...” 

“More?” 

He nodded, and covered his face with his hands. “I don’t want to mess this up.” 

“You aren’t going to mess anything up,” Larry soothed. “You two have barely gotten started, so don’t go worrying about an end that you might not even have.” 

“I suppose you’d know,” Ahk said. “I mean, you’ve been in a...well.” 

“You mean my divorce? Yeah, that’s a sort of ending for a relationship. But a whole different level than where you two are. Don’t worry so much; you and...what have you been calling him? He told me, but I won’t want to get it wrong.” 

“Aten,” Ahk replied. “Because he warms me like the sun used to.” 

Larry smiled. “You really are falling hard, aren’t you?” 

“I am,” Ahk admitted softly, blushing as he pondered what Aten was up to with the group project. Was he tired, frustrated, stressed? “I’d rather learn to fly beside him though, instead of falling until I hit bottom, you know?” 

Larry nodded. “I get it. And I think you two will be just fine. Physically, at least, we know for sure you’re good together. I mean, I presume, from accidentally walking in, and-” 

“I’m so sorry about that,” Ahk said, blushing even more. “We really will start locking the door, I promise.” 

“It’s okay,” Larry laughed. “No harm done. And if you needed anyone else to have uh...proof that you two are getting along, well, I saw it. You have anything planned for tomorrow night with him? On the couch or off of it, I mean.” 

“Stop!” Ahk found himself giggling. Giggling! When had his afterlife ever held so much joy? It was wonderful. “A movie, maybe. I do want to get to know him, not just his body. I figure that might be an okay time to sit and relax, talk some.” 

“I can try and get you some movies,” Larry said. “Unless you both really want to watch the movie on whales playing in the theater here. But he likes classic older movies, I know that much, so if you want me to...” 

“You wouldn’t mind?” 

“Of course not. I’ll find some DVDs for you, make sure the player in here is up to snuff. Not sure it’s ever been used, if I’m honest,” Larry replied. “We’ll get it all set up, and you two can have a movie night for the next few nights. Sound good?” 

Ahk nodded. “Thank you, Larry. For all of this.” 

“Not a problem. I like helping you two out; you’re good, sweet kids.” 

“We’re both adults,” Ahk laughed. “We do act a bit like love-sick teenagers though, I suppose.” 

“If anyone has a right to moments like that, it’s you,” Larry said. “You deserve a chance to just relax, have fun with someone. I know you don’t really ever stop being royalty, but...some time off, maybe. Or time where you don’t have to think about it, or act like it. He knows and likes you for you, not the pharaoh he read about on your informational plaque.” 

He lifted Ahk’s legs and stood, setting them gently back on the couch. “I’ve got some other chores to look after, but I’ll try and check back in on you, okay? You good alone in here? Not gonna pine too much?” 

“No promises,” Ahk snickered, but inside his heart was heavy. How quickly he’d gotten used to Aten’s attention and presence, to something that was too new to be love, but tasted sweetly of it, and that he couldn’t get enough of. 

He was glad he hadn’t promised as the night progressed. He languished alone in the lounge, trying to think of anything other than Aten, his voice, his smile, his hands, his lips. 

Finally, he broke down and retrieved the pen and paper from his things in Larry’s locker. He hadn’t written love poetry as others his age had for their lovers, though he’d thought about it once or twice. He couldn’t match the beauty of the tablets displayed in the hall near his exhibit, bearing love poetry that took one’s breath away. 

But he had to try, or his heart would burst. And hopefully, Aten would be as kind and receptive to it as Ahk expected. 

He hid the final draft with him in his sarcophagus. He knew Larry wouldn’t judge him for it, but for now, it was for his and Aten’s eyes only.

***

He nearly fell out of his sarcophagus in his rush to leave it the next night. He was ready for it, to show Aten the poem, to have movie night with him, to sit and snuggle and talk. It was all terribly romantic, and he loved every bit of it.

But Larry was the only one that greeted him at the main desk. 

“It’s okay,” Larry reassured. “He’s just got a bad cold, and he was very worried you could somehow get sick, so he didn’t want to come in-” 

“I’ll go to him then,” Ahk interrupted. 

“Ah,” Larry mumbled. “You’d have to ch-” 

Before Larry could finish his sentence, Ahk dashed to the lounge, changing into his sweatshirt and pants at the speed of light, leaving his royal garb tossed on the couch.

He panted as he arrived back at the desk, feeling to ensure the poem was still safe in the bag of his things that he’d taken from Larry’s locker. He wasn’t sure he’d need any of it, but better safe than sorry. “I’m changed.” 

“So I see,” Larry laughed. “I told him I was sending over a surprise. He misses you too, so this will cheer him up. All he could talk about when he called me earlier, actually. He hated the idea of not making it in tonight. I doubt you can get sick though. Anyway, I called you a cab, and you’ll have to be back-” 

“I could spend the day with him,” Ahk interrupted. “There’s a...how to word it. A setting? On the tablet. Only I can change it, as the guardian of it. It leaves the magic...on? I don’t know how else to explain it, and I know it has something to do with running on the power of the moon and the sun then, but-” 

He waved a hand. “That doesn’t matter right now. What it means, is I could spend the night and day with him, and I promise to be careful and safe and-” 

“Slow down!” Larry held up his hands. “I’m not arguing! Though I am curious...you never wanted to change the setting ever before? To see what would happen if you left everyone alive all day?” I know it won’t affect everyone else now, but...” 

“I wanted to save it for emergencies,” Ahk replied. “And this is one!” 

“Okay,” Larry smiled. “Tell you what. You go change it, and I’ll get the DVDs I brought in your bag. I’m sure he’s got some way to play them. Go on, get it done!” 

He ran again, nearly sliding past the open door to his exhibit in his haste. The changing of it was easy enough. An incantation and the flip of a square on the tablet, and a moment later he could feel it was done as the tablet glowed briefly. He felt more energized, more alive. It was wonderful. 

Now, he had a boyfriend (or something close to one, since they hadn’t said that word yet) to go look after. 

He browsed the DVDs as he rode in the cab. The Clock, Funny Face, An American In Paris, The King and I...movies he knew, and had seen once or twice, but only while on display near the theaters in other museums, the times they had displays on famous films and plays. 

The selection only sort of mattered anyway, and Larry had done fine enough. Ideally, they’d be able to sit and talk while the movies played in the background, though he couldn’t fault Aten if he fell asleep. He remembered sickness like that, in a vague way, that left the body weary and weak. So long as they were together, he’d be happy. 

Aten’s apartment building was plain, but he remembered other students at other museums speaking of living in such conditions. When school was the priority, any roof (particularly a cheap one) would do. 

He used the buzzer in the front hall, and hoped Aten was still awake enough to hear it. 

“Larry?” Aten sounded utterly miserable.

“Not Larry,” Ahk replied, and smiled at the happy if tired laugh that answered him. 

“No way! Come on up...oh god, I’ll be dressed decent by the time you get up here, I promise.” 

“Decent or indecent, you’re perfect either way,” Ahk said before charging up the first two flights of stairs. By the third, he had slowed down. By the fourth, Aten’s floor, he was cursing the invention of stairs. 

He leaned against the door, trying to look like he didn’t feel horribly out of breath and exhausted from only four flights of stairs, and knocked. 

“Hey! Ah, the stairs got ya. Happens to everyone; they take getting used to,” Aten said as he ushered him in. 

“Do they punish you by not putting in an elevator? Are they unaware that the technology exists?” 

Aten laughed, then coughed hard. 

“Go sit,” Ahk instructed, setting his bag on the small table in between the kitchen and the living room (really just one room, though the table wasn’t a horrible line of demarcation.) “I’m here to take care of you.” 

“You might get-” 

“I don’t think I can get sick,” Ahk interrupted softly. “And even if I do, you can just return the favor later and take care of me.” 

“Deal,” Aten sighed as he flopped onto the couch, looking absolutely adorably cuddly in his own sweater and sweatpants. “Sorry I’m not great company tonight. I feel like shit. Do you have an ancient Egyptian cure for that?” 

“No, but Larry apparently bought you cough syrup,” he said, pulling a bottle out of the bag. He hadn’t seen Larry sneak it in, but it was certainly a sweet gesture. “That’s as close to a cure as you’ll get.” 

“You don’t know any magic cures for colds?” 

“Sorry, my love,” Ahk said as he brought the bottle and DVDs over to the coffee table by the couch, and sat by Aten. “Even we didn’t figure that out. Not with or without magic.” 

“Love?” Aten smiled.

The blush left him feeling overly warm, and he looked away. “Sorry, that’s-” 

“Really sweet, and just fine,” Aten interrupted, and grabbed his hand. “My DVD player is really out, and kind of shitty, but why don’t we throw something on and you can cuddle with me. I think that’s a cure for a cold, I read it somewhere.” 

“Did you now?” Ahk teased as he went to put a DVD on, grabbing one at random. “And where was that? What journal?” 

“Very highly respected one,” Aten replied with a grin. “Love-based medicine journal. I think you’d like it.” 

He sat at the DVD player for a moment more, and giggled. “Sounds reputable. You’ll have to read it to me sometime.” 

“To you?” 

“Sure. I can spend the days and nights here now, if I want, and I might need a bedtime story,” Ahk said as he moved back to the couch, the beginning of the movie flashing on the screen of Aten’s TV. “I mean, I said just tonight and tomorrow to Larry. But I think, even after the tablet is fixed, there’s a way for me to arrange it so the magic continuing into the day only affects me.” 

There was, and he knew it for sure, but that was his secret to hang onto for now. Larry might not go for it right away, and he wanted to give him time to warm up to it. 

“You...so there’s a way to use it so you can stay alive during the day too? You get to spend the night?” 

“If you’ll have me,” Ahk replied, wrapping an arm around him. “I don’t want to impose.” 

“No, not at all. I want you to stay,” Aten said, then sniffled. “Sorry.” 

“Don’t be sorry, you can’t help it. Relax, rest. You need it.” 

They sat for a bit then as the King and I played, Aten eventually laying so his head was in Ahk’s lap, and he could run his hands through that reddish-blonde hair, watch the light from the one small lamp hear them catch it. 

Aten sighed softly, and stretched carefully, not unlike a cat. 

“You like that?” 

He nodded. “You’re gonna put me to sleep if you keep playing with it like that though.” 

“You need the sleep,” Ahk replied. “I’ll be here when you wake up, don’t worry.” 

Aten buried his face in Ahk’s stomach and his heart leapt. It was so cute it hurt.

“This is way too early to say this, but-” 

“Why?” he interrupted. “Why is it too early?” 

Aten moved his face back, and looked up at him. “Because in other relationships, it was. I scared them off, I think. I don’t mean anything by it, like we don’t need to run to get married right now or anything, but I mean...okay, I do mean something by it, and that’s that I love you and I love that you seem to love me and I really hope we keep loving each other like this, even though I know nothing’s perfect all the time.” 

He took a breath, but Aten coughed and kept going. 

“And I know that means we might fight over stupid shit, or have days where we’re both too tired to do anything other than sit near each other, and I know that this has to be a certain way because of who you are and what you have to do, and I’m more than ready to do whatever I have to so that all works out. I’m ready to work to preserve something that feels like it’s gonna be so good, even better than it already is.” 

His breath was gone then, as he gently moved Aten up close to him and kissed him. Aten’s arms were around his neck, and he could feel how warm the sickness had made him. 

“Dizzy?” he smiled as he let Aten lay back.

“In a good way,” he replied. “I take it that meant...” 

“That I love you too, and whatever and however we make this work. If I had my way, I’d never switch the tablet back, and we’d do this right. Staying together, not having to worry about my getting back to the museum at any point.” 

His statement hung in the air for a moment as Aten’s eyes went wide. “Holy shit. That’s...for me? Really?” 

“Really,” Ahk said. “...you’re actually dizzy right now, aren’t you?” 

“Yeah,” he sighed, and closed his eyes. “But that’s just the cold or whatever this is fucking up my inner ear, not you, I promise.” 

“I know, don’t worry. Maybe I should put you to bed though. We could save the movies for another night.” 

“No, I’m good,” Aten said, his eyes still closed, and immediately yawned. “Ignore that, that’s uh...a weird cough.” 

“Sure it is,” Ahk said, and started to play with his hair again. 

By the time the movie was over, Aten was snoring softly in his lap, turned slightly on his side. He need to be in bed, properly, that much Ahk knew for sure. 

Moving him, however, was a less than easy task. He didn’t wake so much as opened and then promptly closed his eyes again as Ahk worked to sit him up, then to drag him off the couch and down the hall to the bedroom, passing the alarmingly small bathroom as they went. 

“You’re lucky you’re so cute, and I’m so strong,” Ahk teased as he attempted to drop Aten gently on his bed. 

“You are so strong,” Aten mumbled, half-muffled by the part of the comforter smashed against his face. “I love it. C’mere, I wanna feel your muscles. Lemme feel.” 

“You can do that tomorrow; you need sleep now,” Ahk said as he pondered if trying to move Aten so he was laying in the bed, not just flopped onto one side of it would be worth the trouble. He was at least on the bed, after all, and apparently comfortable enough. 

“Nah. Gotta feel ‘em, right now,” Aten rolled over, his eyes barely open as he reached his hands out for Ahk. 

“You’re too tired, it’s making you silly.” 

Aten grumbled something, and rolled back over, sighing into the comforter. 

He bit back a laugh. It was adorably pathetic, the poor thing. “Shall I help you actually get into the bed? I bet you’d be more comfortable than you are now.” 

“Eh.” 

“I’ll let you snuggle with me if you properly get in the bed.” 

Aten scrabbled forward and then up and over so he was finally at one of the pillows on the bed. “I did it.” 

“Yes, you did. I should go get you the medicine-” 

“No. Just want you,” Aten interrupted. “That’s good medicine.” 

“You and that love-based medicine journal. Dangerous reading, it seems,” Ahk joked as he lay down beside Aten. 

The way Aten immediately leaned over to kiss him, hard, then moving to lay on top of him was no joke however. It was good, the best, though he knew he needed to stop him. As much as they both might want it, what Aten really needed was rest. 

But he let it go for a few moments, finding it impossible to stop from moaning and whimpering under Aten’s kisses and touch. 

“Fuck,” he murmured after a particularly searing kiss, that left him grinding his hips as hard as he could against Aten’s. They were both hard, and he wanted desperately to get both of their clothes off, to be as close as possible. 

But that wasn’t what they should be doing, and he tried again to speak up, only for it to turn from a “I know you’re tired, why don’t we pick this up in the morning” to a “fuck, please don’t stop” as Aten moaned against his neck, bit down just so on his shoulder, whining and sighing as one of his hands moved to pull Ahk’s legs around him. 

Finally, he managed it. “Love...hang on.” 

Aten stopped immediately, eyes open wide. “I’m sorry; are you okay?” 

“I’m fine. But you aren’t. You’re sick, and you should be asleep right now. I can see you’ve got your second wind, but we can always finish this in the morning.” 

“But you’re close, aren’t you?” that was a wonderfully wicked smile that broke only to kiss him again as Aten’s hips moved against his. “So am I.” 

“This isn’t up for debate,” he tried to say, but it turned into a gasping sigh. “You...fucking hell. You really want to finish this, now?” 

Aten was wide awake now, he could tell that, those deep, dark gorgeous brown eyes looking into his in such a way he couldn’t break the connection of the gaze. 

“I want this. As much as I want all of it. To be with you all through tomorrow, to sit and talk and do whatever else we want. To keep seeing you whenever I can, to keep doing this whenever we both want to and can. As much as I want you, for you. The man behind the crown that plays with my hair and drags me into bed when I don’t feel well, that loves me.” 

The tears that fell were happy ones as he let himself rock against Aten again, kissing him softly, sweetly. They came within moments of each other, limbs intertwined, his legs pulling Aten as close as he could possibly be. 

“You...fuck, sorry, I....” he could hardly catch his breath as they calmed, hips still jerking every now and again against each other. “You need to sleep now.” 

“You’re right,” Aten sighed, and kissed him. “So do you. You get to sleep, actually sleep for once. You remember how?” 

“Funny,” Ahk smirked as he untangled himself from Aten, to try and find a towel to clean them up. But the bathroom only had room for the toilet, bath, and a medicine cabinet. “You don’t have towels?” 

“They’re in here. I don’t have anywhere else to put them, so they’re in my dresser.” 

Ahk came back into the bedroom, and frowned as he retrieved one from the third dresser drawer. “I don’t even want to know how much you pay for this little space.” 

“Man, even I don’t wanna know that. I try to forget about it until I have to pay it each month. I mean, I budget and shit so I’m never short, not yet at least, but at the same time...it’s nice pretending I don’t know that number,” Aten chuckled, and reached for the towel. 

“Let me,” Ahk swatted away his hand, moving the waistband of Aten’s sweatpants so he could clean him. “You sit there and rest.” 

“Tired of resting.” 

“You’ve been sick what, one day? And you’re sick of resting already?” he teased as he used the same towel to clean himself, enjoying the way Aten’s eyes trailed down as he slipped his sweatpants nearly off his hips. 

“Sick of being sick, sick of resting. And we should change, pants at least, or we’ll both feel gross in the morning. Fourth drawer has all my lazy clothes in it.” 

The hamper for towels was set right by the hamper for clothes, just before the door of the bedroom, and Ahk tossed the towel in before searching the drawer. 

“Oh...my darling,” he giggled as he pulled one of the few Ahkmenrah-branded items from the drawer. A pair of sweatpants bearing a tablet pattern, to be specific. “This is adorable.” 

“Hey, they said that money from the sale of those goes to maintaining your exhibit. I couldn’t not get them,” Aten replied. “And I bet you’d look cute in them.” 

He changed with a smirk while Aten watched, then tossed a pair of clean grey sweatpants over to him.

The dirty ones didn’t quite make it to the hamper, but neither of them cared. He actually felt tired, of all things, and it was all the more wonderful a feeling because it came with falling asleep beside Aten, in the dark of his tiny bedroom. 

He hadn’t even thought of tomorrow’s plans, and he didn’t want to. It might come too soon then, and before he knew it he’d have to be back at the museum. 

For now, it was just them, the dark, and the softness and warmth of the sheets and comforter, as he slept, truly slept, for the first time in thousands of years. 

[tsc-living]

Kit sat still watching Ty set up the camera in their study, letting him set up the framing for the video. Kit didn’t bother even paying attention to the viewfinder; Ty framed it perfectly every time. Ty’s jaw length black hair kept flopping into his eyes as he leant over the camera and Kit could imagine the comments already.

Look at his hair I love him so much <3

Ty-Ty is so pretty I can’t!!

Never cut your hair again Ty!! You look so cute!

Do you think Kit loves him more with longer hair or short?            Longer obvi look at his heart eyes!!                        Guys they aren’t even canon ugh #notp #theyrejustbros            Nahhh they’re legit you can’t hide love like that lmao #hater

The two boys had been making YouTube videos together for close to three years, since they were fifteen, and they had accidentally racked up quite a decent following. 97% of which seemed to believe that they were dating and had been since they were younger teens. Three percent of their audience seemed to really hate the idea, which didn’t particularly faze either of the boys. “All ready,” Ty said, stepping around the camera after turning it on and sitting next to Kit on the lounge against their fan art covered feature wall, “Do you have the questions?” He asked and Kit waved his phone in the air as if that answered the question.

“Are we agreed on the title?” Kit asked although he knew they were in agreement, he was just procrastinating. Kit had been irregularly titling their videos something exaggerated with ‘NOT clickbait’ in brackets, but it was always ironic and always clickbait.

“Yes of course.” Ty replied and Kit cracked his knuckles nervously.

“Do you want to start the video?” He asked, flashing Ty with his cutest smile. It didn’t work because Ty just shook his head and smiled charmingly back at Kit.

“I did last week’s, besides this was your idea.” Ty said and Kit sighed, took a deep breath and turned his attention to the camera.

“Ready?” He asked and he saw Ty nod in his peripheral vision so he smiled broadly at the camera and waved at it, “Hey Kittens! It’s Kit and Ty here as you know…” He trailed off cringing at himself and Ty laughed.

“Try again.” He said and Kit nodded, smiled and waved again.

“Hey Kittens! So by now you would have read the title of this video…” He said and paused, waiting for Ty to cut in like they had scripted.

“’We’re Dating [NOT Clickbait]’” He said and Kit smiled, nerves fluttering in his stomach.

“Exactly,” Kit agreed and grinned cheekily, “But you know how this works.” He added, shrugging carelessly.

“It’s always clickbait.” Ty added, but he shifted, brushing their legs together.

“Well, usually…” Kit said, taking Ty’s hand in his, “But not today… which is why today Ty and I are doing ‘The Boyfriend Tag.’” He finished, his smile genuinely shy which was unusual for him. He could see in the viewfinder that Ty was smiling at him which made Kit blush.

“We’ll give you a moment to freak out about that.” Ty mused, turning his attention to the camera and Kit glanced at his wrist as if he had a watch there.

“Time’s up!” He announced and Ty laughed, “So shall we get started?” He asked and Ty nodded, taking Kit’s phone to hold it between them.

“So there are fifteen questions! First one is ‘where did we meet?’ Kit, where did we meet?” Ty asked, knocking Kit’s knee with his own. Kit rolled his eyes affectionately.

“We haven’t actually shared that story with you guys have we?” Kit said, although he knew they hadn’t, “Ty tried to kill me.” He said sweetly. Ty sighed and shook his head.

“No! I didn’t. We were fifteen and well, you know my brother and his fiancé are police officers right? Well, I wanted to go with them all the time and help them on investigations, but I was obviously not allowed to.” Ty began and Kit smirked.

“So he decided to hide in the back of their police car and go with them anyway.” He interjected.

“Yes exactly… Julian and Emma went inside Kit’s house-“

“My father was under investigation…”

“And I saw someone moving in the basement so I thought Emma and Jules were in danger. I snuck down and well…” Ty trailed off, giving Kit a sheepish look.

“I was hiding down there like my dad had told me to and this little wannabe warrior threw me into the wall and held a knife to my throat.” Kit finished. Ty looked embarrassed, making Kit laugh. He squeezed Ty’s hand gently, “Honestly, even though this was my first time seeing Ty ever, my first thought was that he was beautiful.” He added, knowing he sounded cheesy but unable to stop himself.

“That was our first time meeting, but what was our first date?” Ty asked.

“That is the second question?” Kit clarified and after Ty’s nod Kit delved into explaining, “So our first date was two years ago and I took Ty to Echo Park, we rode the pedal boats around the lake and had a picnic.”

“It was really nice, except Kit tried to see if he could capsize us and nearly succeeded.” Ty added.

“I nearly succeeded, we stayed dry.” Kit added hurriedly.

“What was your first impression of me?” Ty read off the phone.

“I answered that already, what was your first impression of me?” Kit rallied back.

“I thought you were going to hurt my family, but then I realised you were just a kid like me. A weaker kid than me too.” Ty replied and Kit scowled at him.

“I’m not weaker than you anymore though.” He pouted and Ty raised a sceptical eyebrow.

“Next question is,” He said, ignoring Kit’s protest, “When did you meet the family?”

“You never met my dad, but you knew Tessa and Jem before I did. Before they adopted me anyway.” Kit said and Ty nodded earnestly.

“Yeah, and you met my siblings when you moved into the foster home.” Ty replied before turning his attention to the camera, “But you guys already knew that so next question is… do I have any weird obsessions? If so, what?”

“I mean, animals and Sherlock are your thing… but I wouldn’t say they’re weird obsessions.” Kit answered and Ty smiled.

“I thought you were going to say that you were my weird obsession.” He admitted and Kit laughed, shaking his head.

“No of course not, that is an expected obsession. I’m pretty great.” He teased, “Do I have any weird obsessions?”

“Yes, you’re obsessed with chewing gum and it’s a new obsession of yours.” Ty answered. Kit pushed the piece of gum in his mouth to the forefront and popped it loudly before grinning at Ty. It was true, he had started chewing gum frequently and he knew Ty didn’t understand it, but he couldn’t seem to break the already forming habit. He glanced at the phone and read the next question to Ty.

“We have been together for two years, since we were sixteen.” He answered, before Kit read the next question.

“Do we have any traditions? Uh we eat dinner with my family every Monday and we eat dinner with yours every Sunday… and we go on a date every Friday.” Ty answered.

“And I bring you flowers every Wednesday.” Kit added, which was true even though neither of them really knew why that tradition had started. Ty smiled and looked past the camera to where a bouquet of sunflowers was sitting on their windowsill.

“What was our first road trip?” Ty asked, and then he blushed brilliantly red. Kit knew he was remembering their first road trip when Kit had just gotten his licence. Helen, Ty’s older sister, and her wife had finally legally adopted all of her younger siblings except Julian and Mark who were already out of the foster system, and Kit had been adopted by Tessa and Jem, but Kit and Ty had already started dating and didn’t like being separated. This meant that they begged and whined until Helen, Aline, Tessa and Jem had agreed to let the two boys go on a road trip during the summer, although they probably would have gone anyway. They had driven from LA to New York, stopping frequently so that Ty and Kit could explore different parts of their country. They had gone to art galleries, museums, zoos and on long hikes, often camping and sometimes sleeping in a motel. Kit knew Ty was blushing. It was on this trip that they had seen each other and slept beside each other with no clothes on, although they hadn’t done anything explicit until a month after their return.

Kit remembered Ty lying on his back in their small tent, his head pillowed on his arm, his hair tangling in his eyelashes. The sleeping bag had been thrown open because they had been overheating and his bare legs were poking out, just a strip of the fabric covering his hipbones to his thighs. Kit was sitting with his legs crossed and his pillow on his lap, watching his boyfriend. He had always believed Ty was beautiful, but his unselfconscious vulnerability in that moment was breathtaking.

“What are you thinking about?” Kit had asked and Ty smiled, shaking the hair from his eyes.

“That I never saw this as being a part of my future.”

“What bit?”

“The road trip, the camping on the side of the road, having a boyfriend, or lying bare next to him. It feels surreal, like I just dreamt it into reality and when I wake up it will be gone.” Ty explained, his eyes starry like the sky outside their tent. Kit lay down next to Ty and pulled the sleeping bag over them both, resting his head on his shoulder and kissing beneath his ear in the place that made Ty shiver.  

“I’m going to be here when you wake up, and as far as I know we will still be naked in a tent half way between Los Angeles and New York.” Kit replied and Ty shifted so he could run his fingers through Kit’s hair.

“I’ve never told you I love you have I?” Ty asked and Kit shook his head, his breathing hitched. “Well I do, just in case you didn’t know that.” Kit rolled up onto his elbow and kissed Ty, long and slow, his hand resting on his flat and firm stomach.

“I love you too.”

Ty touched Kit’s cheek gently, drawing him back from the memory. “LA to New York was our first road trip, to see your cousin Jace and his wife.” He said and Kit nodded, tilting his head to kiss Ty’s fingers before the boy lowered them again.

“First time we said I love you.” Kit added and Ty smiled, his eyes soft and full of love as he looked at Kit. It was the heart eyes that their fans had so often commented on, and that they no longer needed to edit out or ignore.

“What’s the next question?” Kit asked and Ty read from the phone.

“What do we argue about the most?”

“We don’t fight all that much, usually just one off fights that don’t last-“ Kit stopped talking because of the look on Ty’s face. He looked amused and he had the superior ‘I know something you don’t’ look. “What?”

“When we first moved in together…” Ty began and Kit immediately knew what he was thinking.

“Ohhh that is a good point… we argued about who slept on which side of the bed.” Kit said with a laugh and Ty nodded, “For about two weeks we argued about who slept on the left side of the bed.”

“I won.” Ty added nonchalantly and Kit rolled his eyes before reading the next question.

“Who wears the pants in the relationship?” He read and then sighed loudly, “If Ty won the argument on who sleeps where, it’s clear he wears the pants in the relationship.” He explained. When they had first read through the questions Kit had  explained what the phrase ‘wears the pants’ means, and he had immediately said that it was him. Kit could only agree.

They finished the video shortly after, then messed around with taking thumbnails, ending up with Ty kissing Kit’s cheek and Kit giving him a side eye and covering his smile.

They settled down at the desk in the study with a pizza to edit. Kit had his legs over Ty’s lap and watched, he was capable of editing their videos, but Ty was better and he enjoyed it more than Kit did. “Are you ready?” Ty asked, the mouse hovering over the upload button. Kit’s stomach exploded in butterflies and he leant forward to kiss Ty deeply.

“Yeah it’s time.” He agreed, lips still touching. Ty clicked the mouse without looking away or breaking the contact of their lips. They kissed again, Ty’s long fingers curling in the front of Kit’s tee shirt, pulling him more fully onto his lap. Kit straddled his legs and closed his eyes tight, letting Ty distract him as they waited.

It didn’t take long. The laptop started going insane with notifications within two minutes of them pressing upload. The video was eleven minutes long.

Is this real?? WTF OMG IT IS!!

THEY DID THAT <3

I fuckn knew it

ASDGJLJSHKHALJDGLKSJDHAAJD!?!?!?!            What? Do not question me thot!

TOO CUTE I HAVE ALWAYS SHIPPED IT!!

ALL ABOARD THE KITTY SHIP KITTENS WE ARE SAILING!!!!            We have been sailing for years!                        More like three honestly, you cant say they didn’t like each other way back when.            Truer words were never spoken

I love them they are so cute I cannot handle this wtf

I knew they were gonna do something like this lmfao sneaky

$10 that this was Kit’s idea? P.s I love them so much

Kit did a 180 degree turn and they read the comments as they appeared, Ty’s arms around Kit’s middle and his chin resting on Kit’s shoulder. “That cat is out of the bag.” He murmured, the nerves slowly disappearing as the positive comments flooded in.

“I know that one.” Ty said, meaning he knew the figure of speech Kit had used. Kit grinned and leant back against his boyfriend.

“Because you’re brilliant.” He said and Ty kissed his cheek.

“I know that too.” He teased.

@skylarthebooklion your request was so cute and I had so much fun writing this omg <3 

[rosekun25]

 December 17th, 2019

Dear Tumblr diary,

I'm on my way back home from my trip. I had lots of fun.

First I went to Disneyland for a whole day. It was super busy and I was super hungry so I ate at the Jolly Holiday for Brunch. I ate the Tomato soup even though I don't like Tomato but Grandpa Walt liked it so I guess it's good enough for me. I also ate a Macaroon. It was delicious. Then I went and bought some of Sarah's ears. Sarah is the girl walking on the tight rope in the Haunted Mansion stretching room.

Sometime after that, I met Sally, We talked about how the spiders helped her do her hair in the mornings. I told her how happy I was to see her and I felt like crying but I didn't want to because everybody laughed at me for crying when I met Minnie.

Then I looked at all of the decorations. The place was super packed so I got on Jungle Cruise because the line wasn't too bad. I went to meet the Princesses I met Tiana, Snow White, and Jasmine.

I remembered to be extra nice to snow white because I called her Mary Margaret and I'm sure the spell Regina put on her made her confused so she probably didn't remember. Then I saw Jasmine and we talked about Sora for a bit and I met Tiana. I was super upset Ariel wasn't there but I talked to Tiana anyway about her dress and how we watched her movie on Thanksgiving.

Then I went to meet Sinterklaas. I was so sick of sitting in line but Pooh's corner was adorable. My favorites were the pooh and piglet snowman. I met Sinterklaas. I wanted to ask him for an Aerith figure for Christmas but he seemed busy. He signed my name on my Autograph and we took pictures.

After that, I went to a small world Holiday. I got the best spot. I was watching the parade and waiting in line. Anna and Elsa waved at me!!! It felt so great!!!

I got on its a small world and had a great time. I thought it was so beautiful and took tons of pictures!

After that, I went to meet Minnie but she was tired so I went to see Mickey instead. I met him asked about Sora and he did motion like he was waving a keyblade!!! In between all the hustle and bustle, I lost my wallet. I was kind of scared.

But since I lost my wallet I ended up looking at its a small world. Since I was there at precisely the right time I got to see the whole place lit up. It was beautiful! 

I met up with my friend Megan and her friend Kevin. My first internet friends!!!! They were super cool. I was scared I wouldn't have a place to stay since I hadn't checked in but Megan offered her hotel room. I was scared of staying with a person I didn't know but it was better than being homeless. The line for Galaxy's edge was super long. But halfway through somebody had turned in my wallet!!!

Anyway, we went on Galaxy's edge and got to be pilots! I felt a lot better after that. We talked about the haunted mansion and how cool everything was. Megan talked to her cast member friends and we got to go for Haunted mansion Holiday without waiting in line! I had so much fun!!

Megan and Kevin showed me some cool backstage stuff like where they dock the boats for Jungle Cruise, backstage of the Haunted Mansion where they park the doom buggies. They also showed me the entrance to Walt’s apartment. 

Also, Kevin was cool enough to let me use his employee discount on stuff. By the way, just in case there are any snitches here. Kevin and Megan aren't their real names. We rode Pirates of the Caribbean. Kevin wanted to go to Olga's but it was packed. So we ended up going to Jolly Holiday for Hot Cocoa. Kevin bought it for us  and then it was time to go home.

Kevin wanted to make sure we all got home safe so he walked me to my hotel and then he walked Megan to her Hotel. 

I took a shower and went straight to bed. 

The next morning I woke up and got dressed. I ate a free Hotel breakfast and rode to the bus station so I could make it to Hollywood. I caught the bus and it was delayed. But I didn't mind. I arrived at the station and stopped at a tropical fish store to talk to the owner about fishes. I pretended I had business there because the sign said no loitering. 

I went to Starbucks and used my reward on a Peppermint cake pop and some tea. I talked to some lady about Homeless youth and the barista about Kingdom Hearts. After that, I went to my hotel. 

I checked in and hung out for a little bit. I also went to the front desk and got free toiletries. I pretended my bag got lost so I could get free stuff. 

I went to Denny's and ate some lunch before heading back to the hotel. I ordered a small sirloin with french fries and broccoli and some chicken soup. The waitress practically ignored me the entire time I was there and they threw away my food while I was in the bathroom but luckily I was mostly finished. 

I told the manager to give her my change as a tip but I think he kept it for himself. 

After that, I got ready for Frozen. I had forgotten my leggings so I knew it was going to be cold. I headed to the museum of death in my very first uber pool! 

I was talking to the guy he had said he had totaled his car in an accident I told him I was glad he was okay and we talked about how my coworker had gotten into a similar accident.

We arrived at the museum of death and I got a student discount so instead of paying 17 dollars I paid 15. I was sad to see that they had retired the turtles because I had really wanted to see them. 

I spent most of my time in the mansion room. It was so fascinating. I couldn't read any of the letters because they had such messy writing. I was very fascinated with the victorian burial rituals and all of the actual artifacts. 

I also realized that we all look exactly the same underneath our clothing. 

Another room I spent a bit of time in was Heaven’s Gate Cult room. I only knew about them because of Family Guy. 

I got a cool button. 

Anyway, after I left the museum of death I went to walk to the theatre to see Frozen. It was really really cold so I stopped at the Funko museum for a minute. I took tons of pictures and had a great time! I didn't buy any souvenirs because I didn't see anything I really liked. 

Frozen was amazing. I had trouble finding my seat but eventually, I found it. I wish I could have sat closer to the middle but it is what it is. 

The theater was freezing. I wonder if they did that on purpose. 

Anyway, I met this nice older couple. The woman offered me her jacket because I was cold but I said I was okay. I was wearing a purple dress with my black jacket and my sparkly flats. I was sitting next to this other girl and her mum I think. 

I like to remember Who I sat with. Like when I saw Anastasia I sat next to a couple kids my age who had seen the movie when they were younger. I sat next to the same-sex couple and they were adorable. I sat next to this girl who gave me chocolate and I was really happy because I had wanted to eat chocolate because Anastasia Romanov ate chocolate when she went to the theatre but the Ghiradelli store was closed lol. 

Anyway back to Frozen. 

They had a little bit of Frozen 2 in the broadway musical. one of my favorite lines was when Anna and Elsa’s mom said “I’m a child of the north mountains” and Kristoff’s mom said “And now you’re a queen? Good for you!!!” 

I liked how Kristoff and Anna had a song together. I didn't like how I was told there was a “Do you wanna build a snowman reprise” but I didn't see one. My favorite was def Let it go. Her costume was so beautiful.  I liked how they made it rain confetti in the theatre. Disneyland made it snow which I thought was super cool. Sadly I didn't see any fireworks while I was at Disney.

After frozen  I went to eat at In and out and they didn't have sweet tea :( So I ate and talked to this lady about theatre and these kids about the concert they went to. I ate about two hamburgers because I knew I couldn't take home any leftovers. 

I watched the new episode of Rick and Morty and I went to sleep. The bed was super nice and comfortable. I didn't feel very good so I didn't eat that much. I wanted Waffles but I had muffins instead. I ate it and went to the greyhound station. The bus was delayed and I wish I would have known it was more delayed than usual because I would have gotten more Starbucks. 

The bus station never opened. We had to wait for the bus with no idea when it was going to show up. I was kind of upset because I also needed to use the bathroom. I eventually got to the station. The driver said my bus was getting ready to leave so I just ran into line. They had us waiting for like twenty minutes so I had some lady watch my stuff when I went to the bathroom.

I got on the bus and made it to Disneyland. I saw the Hooter’s everyone in my family used to talk about. 

I made it to Disney locked my stuff in the locker at the hotel and ran to meet Jack and Sally. I waited in line for about twenty minutes before I saw them. I was so happy to meet them. We talked about Sora and about how the spiders might be able to help Sally have curly hair like mine if they were dancing. 

Jack and Sally said that it would have been a wonderful image. We talked a little bit more and I said goodbye and they signed my book. I bought a lovely pin to commemorate our first meeting.

After that, I went and got a Macaroon at The Jolly Holiday. It was my first mobile order and I ate it because I was ever so hungry. 

Then I met the princesses. Man, I was so sick of waiting in line. I met snow white again and I met  Cinderella and We talked about the ice on the castle and how we were worried about Princess Aurora being cold. But I said Elsa’s ice powers must have made it so she would have the ice but she wouldn't be cold. 

I met Ariel, I wanted to do a short video of singing swim this way with her but she said she was saving her voice so I sang a little bit of it with her. As per usual I asked about Melody and Prince Eric and she said they were doing fine. I said my goodbyes to her and went to meet Princess Aurora. 

I had to wait in another line but I didn't mind.  I met Aurora and asked if she was cold in her castle. 

I met Tinkerbell and asked if she knew Sora. She said no but mentioned he looked familiar. I said she might have met his brother Roxas lol. We talked about Terrance and she told me about her jacket. She mentioned her sister Periwinkle and I really wanted to say “You don't have a sister.” But I didn't want to get her in trouble. 

After I met Tinkerbell I left Disneyland and went to California adventure to see if I could meet Anna and Elsa. I went to the animation studios and met Anna and Elsa after waiting in another huge line. 

I asked if they knew Sora and they said they hadn't. Which again kind of sucked because FROZEN WAS IN KINGDOM HEARTS 3. I told them I thought their outfits were beautiful I asked Elsa if she knew Jack Frost. Another no, but he sounded familiar. 

After that, I went to the Beast’s library. I had never done that before and I was so happy I got to go!!! I took a little quiz and it told me I was most like Belle.  I went to look for Anna and Elsa pins but I didn't like any of the ones they had. I went on the Little Mermaid ride because I wanted to ride it once. After that I was getting super grumpy because I was hungry so I went and ate some ramen at the lucky fortune cookie.  

The ramen was not as good as it could have been. But it was filling. I talked to a guy about where to get Hot Cocoa and he told me Ghiradelli square. I bought hot cocoa and a few chocolate squares. They wanted almost three dollars for four squares of chocolate! So I helped my self to at least four of their free samples. 

I walked around with my hot cocoa and saw most of the Christmas lights. Man, I thought they were so beautiful. I ended up getting on radiator springs racers. since the line was short. Then I went on mater’s Jingle Jam. That was fun. After that, I walked back to Disneyland. 

I wanted to Meet Minnie but she was busy so I bought a rice Krispy and when I came back she was there. I took a few photos with her and then one with Pluto. Then I rode Snow White and Alice in wonderland. After that, I rode Pirates of the Carribean. I wanted to see if I could get on Haunted Mansion Holiday again but I knew I had to leave. It kind of sucked because they announced that the fireworks had been canceled so all the normies were leaving. 

The trip was kind of sad because I didn't get to go on many of my favorite rides :( Next time I’m getting fast passes. 

I did leave a little late and I showed up as the bus was there. Luckily I caught it. But next time I’m leaving in the morning.  

Well, we just stopped at Mcdonalds and I’m sharing fries with the lady who shared funyons with me.

I’ll talk to you guys later!

-Rosemary <><

[inaheartbeat-phff]

Chapter 25

Wednesday, March 11th 2015, 12:00pm

Huis ten Bosch Palace, The Hague, The Kingdom of Netherlands

Arabella walked in a fast pace towards the dining room where her parents and sisters are waiting. Today, Arabella is leaving for London to kick start her UK and Ireland state visit. Even though the state visit is officially only 3 days long in each country respectively, Arabella will stay on in London for the week until Easter as right after that Harry will be leaving for his month long military attachment in Australia.

That Monday, as Harry leaves for Australia, Arabella is set to head back to the Netherlands and start her very busy month ahead of her. Jane had already briefed her on Arabella's agenda for April.

On the 6th of April, right after Easter Sunday, Arabella has to officiate a Greenhouse Opening. She will be bringing along her sisters for this particular engagement as it was a good exposure to the press and a good way for her three sisters to learn and experience something new.

The next day, which is the 7th of April, Arabella will be attending the Rotterdam Marathon as it is the biggest running event in Holland. She will also hand out the medals to the runners at the finish line. Especially the first hundred.

On the 8th of April, Arabella will be opening the National Museum week at Groningen Museum. She will travel by helicopter which is a 45 minute ride. Arabella always loved art and she also loved history so it is no wonder for her to open up museum week, as she had done so the past twelve years since she turned 18. She always alternate between which museums to start it off and there's always new artworks or paintings being put in the museum every year.

On the 10th of April, Arabella will view the Tulip festival around Amsterdam. She will look at the different creations of Tulips that people have done. It brings great creativity and makes Arabella proud of how her country looks like in the spring.

Arabella will have three days off, that means without engagements, Arabella still have meetings and paperwork to do and on the 13th of April, Arabella will be attending the Flower Parade at Haarlem. She will judge the floats and afterwards give the winner of the Parade and competition their rewards.

On the 13th of April, Arabella will be judging the Flower Parade and give the first, second and third place trophies to the winners. The rest of the week, she doesn’t have any public engagements but that doesn’t mean that Arabella's not working. In fact, during that seven days, Arabella will be visiting 5 different charities that she's a patron of as well as having a lot of meetings with her wedding dress designer and wedding planner.

On the 21st of April, Arabella will be handing out the medals for those who participate in the Amstel Gold Race and on the 23rd, Arabella will fly to London since she will attend the Anzac Day service with her godmother and fiancé's family on the 25th. The next day, she will meet Harry for the London Marathon and the following day, both Harry and Arabella will be heading back to the Netherlands to celebrate Koningsdag or also known as Kings day.

Kings day is a national holiday for the Kingdom of Netherlands as it is their monarch's day of birth. That day for Arabella will be filled with lunch and many activities to honour her father.

On the 29th of April, Arabella will be taking Harry to Keukenhof for the very first time, which she is excited for.

Arabella straightened up her knitted dress and her hair before nodding to the footman at the door. At that nod, the footman opened the doors to the dining room and announced her presence to her parents and sisters.

"Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Orange, Your Majesties." With that, Arabella entered the room and the footman closed the doors leaving the family of six alone.

Alexander and Maxima stood up upon their eldest daughter's entrance to the room while Amalia, Alexia and Ariane stayed in their seats. Arabella went up to her parents and gave a deep curtsy before kissing their cheeks and greet them.

"Afternoon, I hope I'm not too late." Arabella said as she took a seat on the right of her father. Alexander sits at the head of the table with Maxima on his left and Arabella on his right. Next to Arabella is Amalia and next to Maxima is Ariane with Alexia next to her. Everyone have their own designated seats with meanings behind them. Under protocol, Alexander sits at the head of the table since he is King. Arabella on his right signifies that she's his right hand, the heir to the throne. After Arabella is Amalia, the second in line to the throne. On Alexander's left is Maxima, his wife and Queen. Ariane being the youngest daughter, sits next to her mother with Alexia next to her.

Once Arabella marries Harry, during these dinners or luncheons, Harry will sit in the middle of Arabella and Amalia. However, once Arabella has a child of her own, Arabella will sit opposite of her father with her first child on her right and Harry on her left. But that wont be happening for a few years at least.

"Are you ready for the state visit?" Alexander asked his daughter as he cut up some salmon and put it in his mouth.

"I'm as ready as I always am for any state visit. It's even more nerve-wrecking since it's my future in-laws." Arabella told her father as she cut some salmon and eat herself.  

"Well, planning this state visit we knew you were going to your then-boyfriend's territory anyways." Maxima piped up. "Take this as a step forward to getting to know the British people. If the people love you, when the time comes for the ceremony, there will be people out there who will try very hard to knock you down and the comparisons will begin. These people can defend you when you cannot do them yourself."

"We have very strict press rules regarding the royal family here in the Netherlands. I made sure of that myself. But over there, it's free press. They can say whatever they want to. I just want you to make sure this is what you want. It's not too late to back out now you know. Just giving you the option." Alexander finished off.

"No, I want to do this pa. I've finally found someone who understands the importance of duty over everything else, and he loves me the way I am. I'm not letting him go that easily." Arabella said. "Thank you for the choice and concern though but I'm doing this. I'm marrying Harry."

With that, the rest of the dinner went on fine. Arabella said goodbye to her family and they in return, wished her safe travels and good luck.

Arabella was then driven to the airport using her official car for overseas. It's a black SUV that have the plate number CPAN and Arabella's coat of arms in front of the car. The car usually travels with her for state visits with the neighboring or close countries to the Netherlands. However, if Arabella was to do a state visit that's is more than 6 hours or so, she would be provided a car from the country she is visiting.

Arabella is using her own plane to fly to the UK. As the crown princess of the Netherlands and the heir to the throne, for official visits such as state visits and such that represents the country, Arabella gets her very own big plane that can fit up to 100 people. At the back of the plane, there is a big ramp and a big space to store the state car that she will be using. Her staff and members of the designated press will be provided cars and places to stay during the visit in that particular country.

All of Arabella's staff members are already inside the plane and ready to leave along with a few members of press that is tagging along. Of course, in the UK, there will already be a lot of press but those that represents the Netherlands are flying together with her.

The pilot, co-pilot and flight attendants are waiting in front of the plane as usual waiting to greet her into the plane. As Arabella got out of the car, she can hear the press and their cameras clicking at a safe distance. At the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the Arabella turned around to face the press and waved for a while before turning back to face the stairs and begin her wait up. Once she's at the top of the stairs, she turned around again, face the small crowd and waved before heading inside the plane and greet the staff of the plane.

The journey to London is about an hour long from the Hague and Arabella flight took off at 1pm that afternoon. When the plane came to a stop in London City Airport, it was around 2 in the afternoon. It takes about half an hour for everyone inside the plane to get off. First to leave the plane was members of the press. There's a certain area a few meters from the plane where other press members and their cameras are waiting but there is a certain part there designated for the Dutch press. Seeing as it is their princess, they get good seats and views to take pictures. As Arabella's staff members exit the plane one by one, the staff on the ground rolled out a red carpet efficiently and quickly as a few seconds after they did, William, Kate and Harry stepped out of their car and into the tarmac. William, Kate and Harry rode to London City Airport in one car as when Arabella's are unloaded and ready to use, Harry will be riding with her to Horse Guards.

Once Will, Kate and Harry, in that order, was ready at the bottom of the stairs of the plane, Arabella at that moment stepped into view and stepped out of the plane and onto the top of the stairs.

Knowing that this was photographed, Arabella flashed a quick smile, smoothing down her coat as it was 9 degrees out, and began her journey down the stairs. She made sure to hold the railings tightly as it was a bit slippery and Arabella doesn’t want to fall and die.

Once she reach the bottom of the stairs, she raised her arms and waved at the press before walking towards her future brother in-law. With cameras clicking very loudly, she let out a small laugh as Will bowed his head slightly at her. With a smile he greeted her.

"Your Royal Highness." William smiled as he greeted Arabella with kisses on the cheeks. Knowing that the paparazzi and press can hear everything, he made sure to be formal.

"Prince William." Arabella replied as she returned the kisses as well. She then moved down the line to Kate and smiled at her.

"Your Royal Highness." Kate dipped into a small curtsy before kissing Arabella's cheeks.

"Duchess." Arabella let out a small smile returning the kisses before leaning away. Still holding on to Kate though, Arabella looked down and said, "Not much longer now." Which Kate then replied, "Two more months to go."

With a smile, Arabella stepped back and moved down the line to the last person and the one that the press is most excited about. They don’t know what will happen in regards to this meeting but they hope that Harry will lean in for a quick kiss. But knowing the Princess, that wont happen.

"Your Royal Highness." Harry greeted Arabella cheekily while bowing his head slightly. Since he's not married to Arabella yet and only the fourth in line to the throne.

"Prince Harry." Arabella smiled when he leaned in and kissed her cheeks. He knew that she doesn’t like PDA much and especially when she's out working.

The cameras behind them continued their annoying clicking and continued to do when Arabella gestured to the cars and said "Shall we." The four royals began their trek towards their awaiting vehicles.

During the time when Arabella got out of the car and greeted her fiancé and family, Arabella's staff managed to bring down her state car efficiently and got it ready in front, waiting for her to get in and make their way to Horse Guards.

William walked next to Arabella towards their car as Harry fall behind and walked with Kate following protocol. The walk towards their awaiting vehicles didn’t take long anyways, as it was only a few meters away from where the plane was parked.

There will be a total of six police motorcycles that are escorting Arabella and Harry to Horse Guards. Sadly, Will and Kate will not be joining them for Horse Guards but will see the two soon-to-be husband and wife later on that night, during the state dinner.

Arabella's staff, were given four/five vehicles to carry everyone and their supplies to St. James Palace, where they will be situated during the state visit.

"How are you William? Everything alright with Catherine and the pregnancy?" Arabella asked Will as they walked towards Arabella's car.

"I'm well and the baby is healthy. That's all I can ask for really. And this pregnancy seem to be much easier than with George before." Will replied.

"Well that's good to hear. You're coming tonight right?"

"Wouldn’t miss it for the world."

"Might pop by later after tea with your grandparents and Charles, I want to play with George before we have to go be adults."

"Well, he keeps asking where is aunty Belle and when is she coming to visit, so I doubt he's forgetting you anytime soon."

"That's good to hear." Arabella closed their conversation as they arrived before her car. She then looked back to her fiancé and asked, "are you coming with me?"

At this, the photographers went absolutely mad and started taking pictures rapidly.

"To Horse Guards?" Harry raised his eyebrows before answering, "yes."

"Well lets go then." Arabella reached to open her car door before Finn opened it for her. As she put on foot inside the car, she told Will and Kate, "Well, I'll see you both tonight then, the Queen of England awaits me." With a flourish hand wave that could rival that of the Queen Elizabeth movie portrayals, Arabella got in her car and Finn closed the doors for her.

"I guess that's my queue. I'll see the both of you later tonight." Harry bid goodbye to his brother and sister in-law before going around the car and into the car sitting next to Arabella. Once the doors closed, Arabella turned to Harry and said, "hi." In which Harry replied before giving her a smile.

Knowing that Arabella couldn’t properly kiss him since the flashes let the photographers see inside the car, Arabella reached out and held Harry's hand before smiling and looking out the window, waving goodbye to Will and Kate.

The journey to Horse Guards only took 20 minutes. When Arabella and Harry arrived, Queen Elizabeth II was already waiting to greet them along with the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

When the car came to a stop in front of the tent that held the British Royal Family, Finn got out of the car first before opening Arabella's door. The driver of the car, which happened to be Markus, on the other side, got out of the car as well and opened Harry's door.

Arabella made sure as she got out of the car, to keep her knees tightly together and put both feet firmly on the ground before getting out of the car fully. With so many eyes on her and everything probably being televised live, she doesn’t want to flash anyone unnecessarily. She smoothed out her coat, making sure that there is no wrinkles visibly, or at least, not so obvious, before straightening up her shoulders and head and smiled. Arabella looked straight ahead, to see that Queen Elizabeth had a big smile on her face.

Harry on the other hand, had gotten out of the car, buttoned up his suit jacket before rounding the car to Arabella's side. Knowing protocol (he had been drilled this since the tour schedule was sent over and the Queen's private secretary himself came over to Harry's office to remind him of the roles he need to play, "just because she is your fiancé doesn’t mean that she isn't the heir to the Netherland's throne and on an official visit representing her father. Remember, she is the crown princess, you are not married to her yet, you are only the fourth in line to the throne." Harsh, but effective.) Harry made sure that once Arabella start walking, he will be slightly behind her. Not directly behind her, but not side by side.

Arabella started her walk towards the Queen and once she is directly in front of her, Arabella gave Elizabeth kisses on her cheeks before going down and giving her a deep curtsy. Elizabeth just smiled widely when Arabella curtsy.

"How was your journey here?" Elizabeth asked her goddaughter making a bit of small talk before the ceremony begins.

"Smooth as a baby's bum, Your Majesty." Arabella replied cheekily, knowing that if anybody were to say that infront of the Queen, they would get reprimended. However, since it was Arabella and that she put a Your Majesty after that sentence, Elizabeth had to keep her lips tightly together so she wouldn’t burst out laughing.

During this exchange, the media and photographers went crazy. They snapped as many pictures they possibly can, making sure that they have the best quality and capturing every single moment. There's also a lot of video camera's taping this whole exchange for critiques all over the world to analyze this moment. This video will be on the internet with fans of royal protocols saying that The Princess of Orange have given the Queen of England the perfect curtsy.

Arabella got up from her curtsy only to move on to Prince Philip and did the same thing to show respect that he is in fact, the husband of a monarch. While Arabella was greeting Philip with a kiss and a curtsy, Harry greeted his grandmother with kisses on the cheeks as well as a bow of his head. He then changed places with Arabella was she moved to stand next to Elizabeth and greeted Charles and Camilla who was on the right of Elizabeth.

Once all the greetings was done, the military band starts playing the Kingdom of the Netherlands national anthem and after that, the United Kingdom's national anthem.

During this time, Arabella made sure to keep herself upright, for both anthems, as to not disrespect anyone. The order of the standings inside the tent goes like this:

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Her Royal Highness The Princess of Orange are front and center with His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh next to Her Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales next to The Princess of Orange. The Princess of Orange standing to the right of Her Majesty. Their Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall standing to the right of The Princess of Orange, but a little bit to the back.

This would actually be the first time Harry would attend the Horse Guard's Parade during a state visit. Usually he wont even be involved at all and were to do his own things such as meetings and such. Even though Harry was a senior member of the British Royal Family, state visits usually only include his grandparents, father, Step-mother, brother, sister-in-law, aunts and uncles. Even those usually only involve his uncle Andrew and Aunty Sophie.

Once the military band finished playing both the Netherlands and the UK's national anthem, Elizabeth turned to Arabella and asked her if they should start reviewing the guards now, in which Arabella replied with a yes.

While Arabella went to follow Elizabeth, Harry could see how everything and everyone was looking at the two duo. He could see how the world views his granny and his fiancé. It was magical to see and be able to respect these two women that he adores so much. Of course he has seen his granny in action so many times, with Arabella as well. It just seeing the two of them work the crowds and do their duties is amazing to watch.

"They're wonderful aren't they?" Philip leaned over to talk to his grandson. "Seeing the two of them in action always melts my frozen heart."

"Granddad, I think your frozen heart have melted years ago." Harry laughed. "But yes, they are incredible together."

"You should see them later on, now out here with the press, their personas are different. It’s like they have a switch to on or off whenever they’re in public." Philip continued on. It gets incredibly boring watching Elizabeth examine the guards after so many times.

"It amazes me how they do that sometimes. It's like one minute they are all proper and the next they relax and tell really dirty jokes." Harry talked to his grandfather while still watching what's happening in front of his eyes. This is still his first time watching these things live and not in front of a tv so he knew he better pay attention.

Harry thought to himself as he paid attention to every single detail happening in front of his eyes. He knew that even though this was his first time seeing the Guards of Honour parade, he was sure it wont be his last. Through his marriage with Arabella, it was a definite that he will accompany Arabella went they go on state visits and he's sure as hell know that he will one day do this as well, representing both his wife's as well as his grandmother/father/brother.

Before he knows it, both Arabella and his grandmother arrived back at their little tent, and back beside the two men in their original positions.

"Did you enjoyed the parade?" Arabella asked Harry as they both got comfortable inside their car on the way to Buckingham Palace forty five minutes later.

"It was something different." Harry thought for a moment before continuing. "I was never invited to these kinds of stuff before and it’s something new for me to experience. It was always Will and Pa accompanying granny for foreign state visits and I was always happy to be out of the limelight for that period of time."

"Well, I hope you will grow to enjoy these things and all things royal because that's how your life will be like when you're married to me. We will someday be King and Queen of a country and we do have to represent both The Netherlands as well as The United Kingdom from now on. You'll be accompanying me to all sorts of things, from state visits to banquets." Arabella told Harry as she reached over and held his hands.

"I think with you by my side, I feel like I can do anything. It still shocks me to see you doing your royal duties." Harry said.

"I hope you enjoyed it Henry."

"It's always nice to experience new things. It's even better to experience something next to you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

6:10pm

White Drawing Room - Buckingham Palace, London

"Presenting Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Orange, Princess Arabella of The Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Heir-Apparent to the Kingdom of The Netherlands."

Arabella entered the room after being introduced wearing a caped dusty blue gown as well as her Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau sash. She is also wearing her Blue Crystal Cluster Tiara which was an engagement present from both her father and godmother. It is a tiara the public has never seen before, custom made for her.

Waiting inside the drawing room was Elizabeth, Philip, Charles, Camilla, William, Catherine and Harry. Other members of the Royal family is also attending the state banquet such as Edward and Sophie as well as Anne and her husband Timothy Lawrence, though they are already waiting inside the ballroom among everybody else.

Attending the state banquet is the Prime Minister, David Cameron and the Netherland's Foreign Minister and Ambassador, Simon Smits. There is also 150 people in attendance of tonight's state banquet. Representatives of Dutch charities in the UK, sportsmen, different people who represents the Dutch and English people.

As Arabella entered the Drawing Room, there was a videographer and a photographer on standby as this state banquet will be televised for once in British History as it was highly requested by a lot of the people.

Arabella greeted Elizabeth first with a deep curtsy and she can hear the photographer in the room clicking along his camera, not wanting to miss a single moment between Arabella and her godmother. As Arabella rise up again, she leaned in and gave Elizabeth kisses on the cheeks, before moving on to Philip who was standing next to Elizabeth.

Again, Arabella gave Philip a deep curtsy and when she stood up, she kissed both his cheeks before Philip brought up her hands and kissed the back of her palm. Arabella smiled softly at Philip before moving on to Charles and Camilla.

Since Arabella and Charles are the same rank, Arabella just softly smiled at him and greeted him softly before kissing both his cheeks. Charles in return kissed the back of her palm. Arabella greeted Camilla and kissed her cheeks before moving on to William and Catherine, who stood next to Camilla.

This time, as Arabella is a higher ranked royal than both William and Catherine, William just greeted her with kisses on the cheeks as well as a hand kiss, but Catherine gave a small curtsy, in which Arabella laughed and kissed both her cheeks.

When it came to greeting Harry, Arabella smiled at him lovingly before giving him kisses on both cheeks. The cameraman made sure to keep the camera focused on the engaged couple, waiting to see how they would greet each other.

Harry knew that Arabella liked to keep the PDA to a minimum and make sure to be professional, so when Arabella gave Harry a surprise and quick peck on the lips, he was stunned and surprised. He made sure though to keep his surprised face to a minimum and smiled softly at Arabella.

"You look gorgeous darling." Harry whispered softly to Arabella when they hugged shortly.

"Thank you, you look quite dashing as well." Arabella whispered back.

Arabella smiled softly at Harry before mentioning for him to follow her. Harry furrowed his eyebrows, not really sure what’s happening as he was never invited for these kinds of things. Ed made sure to briefly go through what's going to happen tonight but still, Harry was a little confused.

As they both made their way to Elizabeth, Arabella leaned in to Harry a little and told him that now they are going to have a photo session before moving on to another side room where the Prime minister and the Dutch Ambassador as well as a few other guests are waiting to be introduced to Arabella. Now, Harry would be presented as both a Prince of the United Kingdom as well as Arabella’s fiancé therefore, he would be presented right after Arabella to the guests before his father, step-mother, brother and sister-in-law.

Although being presented is nothing new to Harry, what was new for him was how he get to talk to these incredible people from different background before his father and brother. It really felt weird to him as of when he marries Arabella, he will take on Arabella's Royal ranking which is Heir to the throne. It is a big major leap from being the spare, fourth in line and now fifth in line to the throne.

He will be called and titled, 'HRH Prince of Orange' first and foremost before whatever dukedom his grandmother decides to give.

After meeting all these people, the Royals took their positions to go inside the Ballroom. Since Arabella is the reason why there is a state banquet in the first place and Harry is her Fiancé, he gets to enter with Queen Elizabeth while Arabella enters with Prince Philip, followed by Prince Charles and the Prime Minister's wife, Camilla with the Prime Minister, William with the Dutch Foreign Minister's wife and Kate with the Dutch Foreign Minister.

Harry rubbed his hands nervously as this is the first time he ever go inside a ballroom first accompanying his grandmother as he's usually always so far behind. He noticed that behind him, Arabella was giggling and joking with his grandfather.

"Are you nervous, Harry?" Elizabeth looked up from her position next to him.

"Just a little bit," Harry nervously laughed. "It’s the first time I'm entering next to you, Gran."

"Don't be nervous, my darling boy. Soon, you'll be hosting your very own state banquets in another country." Elizabeth lightly laughed before the fanfare started and the doors start to open.

Harry kept a small smile on his face, knowing that the entrance is being broadcasted live on BBC and SkyNews. He smiled at the guests as they made their way to the main table where they will be seated that night.

Harry will be seated on the left of Elizabeth with his father on Harry's other side, while to the right of Elizabeth will be Arabella with Philip on her other side. Next to Charles would be the Dutch Foreign Minister and his wife. On the other side of Philip would be the UK Prime Minister and next to him is Camilla and next to her will be the Prime Minister's wife. William and Kate will be seated in one of the tables on the left side of the room where a lot of the Dutch ambassadors as well as Dutch charity heads are seated.

Before dinner would commence, Elizabeth will make a small speech followed by Arabella as the guest of honor. Once the speeches are done, the national anthems will be played, The UK's national anthem followed by The Netherlands. Once those are done, dinner will commence.

"Your Royal Highness. The Duke of Edinburgh and I are delighted to welcome you to Buckingham Palace this evening. Through this State visit, we celebrate the enduring friendship which has enabled our two nations to prosper and grow, side by side, as trading partners, and as North Sea neighbors.  This visit also provides the opportunity for great happiness, and to welcome old friends to my home. Through Your Royal Highness' visits and your acts of friendship, you have formed your own personal connection with the British people. From your ongoing visits to local shelters and centers to volunteering to read at the local hospitals."

"To this day, our close relationship greatly contributes to the economic and cultural life of Britain.  The Netherlands are one of The United Kingdom’s largest European investors.  We have a thriving Dutch community, and artistic and sporting exchanges are at an all time high.  British universities are a top destination for Dutch students, and hundreds of Dutch and British scientists are teaching, researching and collaborating in both countries. Internationally we have a strong shared commitment to the transatlantic alliance, and it is no coincidence that of the last twelve Secretaries General of NATO, six have been either British or Dutch."

"Our deep bond is seen in our obligation to uphold the rule of law in the United Nations Security Council and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons based in The Hague.  It is also evident in our daily co-operation to combat cross border crime and terrorism."

"I recall the State Visit of your great-grandmother Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard in 1972, when I spoke of how our nations’ close understanding and relationship would become increasingly important as a new configuration of Europe was emerging.  As we look toward a new partnership with Europe, it is our shared values and commitment to each other, that are our greatest asset, and demonstrate that even through change, our enduring alliance remains strong, and as innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future.   As we continue to work together to ensure peace, prosperity and security, I am confident that this friendship between The United Kingdom and The Netherlands, which we greatly treasure, will continue to deepen, and to prosper."

Taking a deep breathe, Elizabeth raised up her glass of champagne and said "Ladies and Gentlemen, I invite you all to rise and drink a toast to Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Orange, and the people of The Netherlands."

Arabella smiled at her godmother before raising her glass as well. Together, they drank their drinks and set it back down on the table. Arabella then stood up and turn to her godmother and kissed her cheeks before hugging her tightly. Elizabeth let out a short chuckle knowing it was against protocol, but for the first time in during her reign, she didn’t care one bit about protocols and must haves.

Harry stood back a bit shocked knowing that Arabella is breaking protocol and that his granny let her  but he soon controlled his face before anyone saw him.

It was now Arabella's turn to do her speech, so she took a deep breathe before standing up once again.

"Your Majesty, I am delighted to be able to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom, and above all to find you in good health, as vigorous and engaged as ever. I appreciate how special this occasion is. My great grandparents came here on a State Visit. My grandparents did too. Today it is my turn. And all within your long reign.

Last year you celebrated your Sapphire Jubilee. That is deeply impressive to someone who has yet to reach their Bronze Jubilee… In recent decades, you have seen your country, Europe and the world change enormously. The world looks to you as a trusted beacon in the midst of upheaval. Your ability to keep in touch with the times is striking. You even have an adventurous streak, as you showed six years ago at the opening of the Olympic Games.

In front of millions of viewers you played the role of the most fearless Bond Girl ever – with great panache!"

"The United Kingdom has given the world so much. We owe much of our prosperity to the skill of British inventors, scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. Our culture has been enriched by the creativity of British artists, from Shakespeare to Monty Python and the Beatles. Today, global communication knows no borders, because English has become the world’s lingua franca. Many Dutch people feel a great affection for this country. The charms of the Fairest Isle extend to the other side of the Channel!"

"Your Majesty, I am most grateful that, by inviting me here, you have underlined the special bond between our Kingdoms. Now, more than ever, we must cherish that bond. You and your family are dear to us, and with you, we delight in all of life’s joyous and festive occasions, including those among the younger generations. Let me close by wishing you and your family every future happiness. I invite you to rise and join me in a toast. Your Majesty, to your health and happiness and that of His Royal Highness Prince Philip. And to the friendship between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Netherlands."

Arabella smiled before raising her glass to the Queen and Prince Phillip, everyone followed suit. They toasted to the British Royal Family before Arabella sat back down and the banquet begins.

Food begin to pour in, as servants start going to their tables bringing their meals and set them in front of the guests. Arabella made small talks Prince Phillip and the UK prime minister for a short while before talking and laughing with The Queen. They made light jokes throughout the evening.

Once dessert was served and settled in their stomachs, Arabella stood up from her seat and begin to walk down the main table towards the where most of the guests are seated with her private secretary, Jane following behind her.

Harry looked up from where he was seated when he saw Arabella leaving the table and turned to his grandmother to ask what Arabella was doing.

"She's making her rounds on the guests who came tonight." Elizabeth told her grandson smiling. "They took their time off their busy schedule to come and meet her tonight."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Arabella and Harry said their goodbyes to the Queen and everyone before retiring back to Kensington Palace.

On the ride home, Arabella turned to Harry and asked him how he felt that day.

"It was definitely an experience, Bel."

"Do you think you see yourself accompanying me to more of these pomp and stuff in the future? Going as far as having them in your honor itself?" Arabella turned to Harry looking up at him through her lashes.

"It's something that I will get used to and grow to love," Harry looked at Arabella lovingly. "It is definitely something I would do, in order to be with you until we're grey and old."

Next Chapter

[aoibaratraveler]

A Look Back At My Time In Japan Part 1!

Time for some Japan nostalgia!

I was hoping to write this much sooner than now but between settling back after our road trip, finding a job and then finding time to organize my life during my days off has been difficult!

This will be part of a three semi-detailed/summarised blog looking back at what I can remember from living in Japan three years ago; since I was too much of a fool to document it back then but then again I was having the time of my life so that can be a good enough excuse I guess, right?

Part One will be my first month in Japan where I was living in Tokyo with a friend who graciously let me stay in her apartment. Part Two (and maybe three) will be my four months living, studying, and working in Nagasaki and Part Three (or 4) will be my hitch-hiking back-packing trip around Japan in what was my final month of my six months living there!

Pre-arrival/Arrival in Japan and First Impressions:

I was excited beyond belief that I was finally going to go live and explore Japan and be away from home for the first time. I was also super nervous, the preparation to study abroad was pretty intense for someone who had never done it before and for someone who had never gone through the paperwork of visa application, passport renewal and getting all the documents together for the study abroad application itself. Once that was settled though it was just the wait to be able to go (maybe I should write a simple how-to of my experience with the study abroad application and why I think every university student should do it?).  I purchased my departure ticket to be on 29th February 2016 which I thought was pretty cool since it’s not every day you get to fly on a leap year. About six months prior to this I had met up with a close friend of mine who was about to leave for a year to participate in the JET programme and she, we’ll call her L, invited me to stay with her for the month of March in Tokyo to sightsee and hang out before my study program would start in April and of course I took her up on it!

In the days leading up to my departure, I really went all out and planned my own going away party with all my friends and had the best time with an escape game, archery tag and a poutine party. The bf, who at that time was just a friend, met up with me beforehand and helped me pick out a bunch of Canadian souvenir type things to bring with me to Japan so I could give to my homestay family. It was a fantastic day and very special so I had no idea that on the day I was set to leave that one of my other close friends, A and the bf planned to sing me a going away song at the airport (to be clear, the bf didn’t actually sing, A did and he provided the music on his laptop and speakers). This tidbit may a bit unnecessary in my nostalgic walk down memory lane but it is just part of what made those six months some of the best times in my life.

Anyway, enveloped in jitters and excitement I boarded my plane to Japan to start my journey, or as the Japanese say “tabi” (旅). I flew into Haneda airport which is quite central to Tokyo and I then found myself squeezed into a sea of evening commuters on the metro. Unfortunately, when I got off the metro and proceeded to take the escalator out of the station…I dropped my suitcase down it and one of the wheels broke which made walking around Tokyo a tad difficult. At that time I hadn’t realized that there was free wifi pretty much everywhere in Tokyo and while trying to find my friend’s apartment…I got lost for about an hour. It was pretty funny and I wasn’t too worried, to be honest, but I did feel bad to be keeping my friend waiting. I found a payphone to try and call her to tell her what was happening but I ran out of change while on the call (had a bit of leftover change with me from when I had first vacationed in Japan two years prior). After a while of walking around and trying to follow google map’s offline directions, I found a koban (a small police station) and gave the police officer the address that I was trying to find. The police officer was very kind and accommodating and pulled out a map to show me where I was and where I was trying to go (which actually wasn’t too far away…I was walking in circles). He then copied down the address on a big piece of paper with some instructions and hailed a taxi for me since he figured it was late and I should just take a taxi which I didn’t mind. I got to my friend’s place in no time at all and settled myself in.

First Two Weeks in Tokyo:

In my first few days, I took out my Japanese textbooks so I could prepare myself and brush up on things to be ready for classes at my university in Nagasaki and because I was planning to be staying with a homestay family that could speak no English…..well, being that I am pretty much the queen of procrastination, those collected dust pretty fast. Since it was a small apartment and I had a suitcase and big travel rook sack with me, L’s sister advised me to just send it to my homestay to be stored there in the meantime. The Japanese postal service is amazing and although my suitcase was pretty big and heavy they had no problems with shipping it to my homestay in Nagasaki the same day.

L’s neighborhood was quite cute and quiet and super pleasant to explore. It was pretty suburban and away from the hustle and bustle of central Tokyo which I greatly appreciated. Since L had work, I often explored on my own and was able to borrow her sister’s bike to further acquaint myself with the area. One of the days I borrowed her sister’s bike, I rode to Arakawa river which is a huge river just outside central Tokyo. I brought my textbooks along and thought I would spend a quiet afternoon just revising next to the river. I didn’t. Instead I rode the bike along the river and took everything in. There were other people there on runs, some guys practicing skateboarding and an old man playing the saxophone. When I finally got around to sitting down and opening up my textbook, a friendly old man walked up to me and with a big smile on his face asked me what I was doing there and why I was in Japan. I told him and we had a pleasant conversation at the end of which he handed me a bag of something from his garden–I think basil? And then told me to enjoy Japan. I didn’t exactly know what to do with this bag so I just gave it to L’s sister who had been doing most of the cooking in L’s place to include in whatever dish she was next going to make.

In the following days, I did all the typical touristy stuff in that I spent an entire day at one point just walking to and around central Tokyo and taking as many artsy photos as I could manage with my old phone. I explored around the Tokyo Sky Tree, perused Sunshine city—definitely made sure to check out all the Ghibli and Sailor Moon items I could find and get a spectacular view from the 59th floor (the place has 60 floors but you have to pay from the 60th and I ain’t about that life).

At the end of my first week in Japan, I made my way to an Airbnb hostel where I would be spending the next 4 days. This place was pretty interesting and my first real hostel experience. Everyone there was really friendly and I became quite close with my roomie who was the embodiment of a stereotypical German woman in that she was tall, pretty, had long blonde hair and sky blue eyes. She was in Tokyo for a mini-vacation from where she had been staying in Hokkaido and basically just wanted a change of pace. We exchanged stories, shared a few laughs and went sightseeing together. We are both fans of anime so we decided to check out Akihabara and since neither of us wanted to go to one alone, we decided to go to a maid cafe…and boy was that an experience. Firstly, it was super expensive so props to the girls who work there because they probably make a ton of money but it was also just very awkward. The maids put on a performance and called us “master” and refused to take any orders for food from us unless we put our hands up to our faces like cat paws and said “nyaa nyaa” first. Afterward, we did the very cliche anime couple thing and went to ride a pedal boat at Ueno park; it was a very silly but funny day. In the following days at the hostel, the roomie and I explored Shibuya crossing, the Hachiko statue, the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno on a rainy day and went to a Pokemon center where I purchased a little Charmander souvenir for the bf (who was then just a friend). It was definitely a very cool little pocket of my time in Tokyo. I ended off my first two weeks in Tokyo by visiting the imperial palace and exploring the royal gardens and…..go to the Ghibli Museum! The Ghibli Museum was beyond impressive and I definitely teared up a bit to be there. It was so cool, we weren’t allowed to take any photos from inside but it was like being transported to another world. On top of the museum was a life-size statue of the robot from Castle in the Sky and inside the museum were all these cute little bits from the movie and a mini theatre where you could watch original Ghibli film shorts. There was also a lovely gift shop with so many beautiful items like illustrated postcards; I purchased a lovely illustrated postcard of the Ghibli museum during the day…which I inevitably misplaced (I’m terrible, I lose everything).

Second Two Weeks:

I met up with a Japanese friend who I had met in Vancouver and we went for a day trip to explore Kawagoe also known as “Little Edo”. I say day trip but really it wasn’t until I got there that I realized that Google had lied to me when I searched best day trips from Tokyo because as lovely as Kawagoe was, it wasn’t worth a “day trip” because it was so small that it could be done in an hour or two! It was really quite funny, to be honest. It was very pretty and had loads of old-style architecture from the Edo period, hence where it got its nickname but there wasn’t all that much to do and a bit expensive to get to so after a couple of hours of walking around and trying to make our money’s worth of the train ticket to get there we decided to head to the next biggest spot to explore; Yokohama. Yokohama was definitely very fun and vibrant and the Chinatown there was great. We snacked on a bunch of samples and enjoyed the pretty night lights of the area. It was certainly a day with a lot of contrast.

The next day was great because the next day L and I headed to Taiwan! L managed to get a week off and so we thought why not explore Taipei during that time and get a little break from Tokyo. I, unfortunately, did not know the geography of the city too well and when I booked the Airbnb it ended up being too far from the centre of Taipei city and hence too far from any convenient connections to explore outside of Taipei PLUS we went right in the middle of the rainy season so it was a bit difficult to do any fun outdoorsy things. We still made the most of our time there and had a lot of fun. We ate at a few night markets and tried a lot of food, explored the area near our Airbnb, visited a cafe that was owned by a family friend of L’s and went to the National Palace Museum which housed tons of historical artifacts from China, it was pretty grand. Even though we spent the last two days of our trip sick in bed I’d still go back to Taiwan again to explore more of what the country has to offer and try more of the food!

Last Week in Tokyo + Night in Fukuoka:

I spent the majority of my last week in Tokyo just chillin’ really and preparing for my departure to Nagasaki, although I did go with L and her sister to do some lesser-known sightseeing in parts of Ginza and did the obligatory visit to the Tsukiji fish market to taste a delicious array of food. As well as some egg on a stick. Good stuff. The last bit of sightseeing that I can remember for that week was in two really interesting parts of Tokyo that not many people think to visit when they explore the city (well this was back then, it seems to have gotten a lot more popular now) known as Yanaka and Nezu.  These two neighborhoods make up what used to be Tokyo old downtown and have really kept their old-timey style. Walking through these neighborhoods felt like taking a trip back to the Show era of Japan and walking through the Yanaka cemetery felt very mysterious and cool. I gotta be honest though, as pretty as these places were, I mostly remember them because of the delicious beef korokke and taiyaki that I had there. 10/10. I’m only in part one of my nostalgia blogs but I’m telling you now that I basically ate my way through Japan.

So it was my final night before heading to Narita airport for my flight to Fukuoka and what did I decide to do? Laundry. Except L didn’t have a dryer and the weather wasn’t warm enough for my clothes to be dried fast enough to pack them up and I’m not sure what exactly happened but I think I broke the washer or something because for some reason the water didn’t drain so it wouldn’t have mattered if she had a dryer because my clothes were soaked. With only an hour to go before I had to be out of her apartment (L was asleep and I had decided to just not sleep that night since my flight was so early and I had to leave her apartment at 5 am), I wrung the clothes out as best I could, packed them in the new suitcase that I purchased in Taiwan to replace the one that I sent to Nagasaki with the wheel I had broken on my first day in Tokyo and was off. L’s place wasn’t far from the train station and I arrived 20 minutes before the first train of the day so I decided to go grab some breakfast and use the toilet at the nearby 7/11. Many convenience stores in Japan have two floors and a seating area so it’s a really nice place to just chill for a bit if you’re waiting for a train. A bit dramatic but I’ll never forget this day for the sheer amount that happened in a single morning. So I said before that I thought I’d use the toilet before heading off for the train and I guess for the first and only time in my life, I left the door unlocked…well a construction worker walked in on me on the toilet because of course. I screamed, he screamed and then he awkwardly and for some reason, slowly, closed the door while I died of humiliation. Anyway, I finally hopped on the train to Narita with tears of humiliation still in my eyes and also simultaneously laughing at myself. There weren’t many people on the train thankfully but I’m sure I was still dubbed a crazy foreigner in the minds of the people that were on the train. Oh, by the way, I may not have kept a journal at the time in a technical manner of speaking but I did have a daily journal in the form of me texting the bf every day (again, he was just a good friend at this point) and sending him long messages of what I did every day. Having him to confide in all the time definitely helped me to not go insane, especially that day and especially since Japan is ahead of Canada so he was still awake at that point. Once I arrived at the airport, I was to be greeted by the news that my suitcase was too heavy to be checked in without having to pay an extra exuberant amount, why you may ask? Because my clothes were still frigging wet. Well, partially owing to that and the fact that I accidentally purchased a heavyweight suitcase in Taipei…oops. After some reorganization of my suitcase and bag and *ahem* throwing out some things that I no longer deemed necessary to my life, I was finally able to be checked in..rather late (everyone was waiting for me, what can I say? I was a mess). Pretty sure I cried in my sleep when I finally arrived at my seat on the plane and passed out.

It was a relief to finally arrive in Fukuoka and the airport was so close to the main train station! It only took about 7 minutes to get there. I obviously got there really early in the day so I walked around Hakata station and explored the area before meeting up with the rest of the people who were part of my exchange program for the Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies at the hotel that they were to be staying at and signing in to show that I had arrived. Now I said they were staying at that hotel because of course, I wouldn’t be. But don’t worry, this was by choice, why spend the equivalent of $80 somewhere when the true shoestring traveler way is to rough it up somewhere for little to nothing? It took a bit of searching but I managed to find a family restaurant that was open 24/7 and not too far from the hotel (although sadly had no wifi), left my big ol’ suitcase outside (yay for safe Japan) and headed inside for the night where I did my best to study for the whole night, order some food every now and then and eventually pass out for a couple of hours. The next day I met back up with the exchange group, boarded the bus to Nagasaki and headed to the university to meet my homestay family who I would be staying with for the next four months! (spoiler alert: my homestay mother was about an hour or two late to pick me up and I was, in fact, the last person to be picked up at the university…so yea the first of many reasons why my homestay experience was certainly an interesting one).