#anyways…….. coughs.. this somehow took me only 8 hours time??

[medicalunprofessional]

the phoenix

[scarletwidowaf]

Yelena Belova x reader “fake dating” to actual!!!!

Plssssss :) 🥲💛

Moral Of The Story

Yelena Belova x female reader, scarlewidow mentioned.

A/N: might be messy, might be cheesy, but I truly don't care because I live for this chaotic due.

warning: stupidity maybe

words: 2000ish- probably more. 

masterlist

You don't know how but somehow training with Yelena always ended up with you being pinned down on the training mat.

"Fuck" you cursed frustrated as she pinned you down for the 3d time in a row. Yelena laughed before she stood up and held out her hand for you to take.

"I let you win!" You said as she pulled you up.

"Sure you did" she joked.

"Seriously. I let you stomp on my dignity because I have a favor to ask!" you said back, a goofy grin playing on your lips as you passed her one of the water bottles.

"Now, that's gonna be interesting" she said as she sat on the floor, her back facing the wall. She gratefully took the bottle from your hand as she waited for you to talk.

"be my girlfriend" you said. The two of you were always comically stupid, so of course that you said that at the same moment she was taking a gulp from her bottle and of course she choked- and of course you laughed.

"I'm Sorry" the blonde glared at you.

"You're not" she responded in between coughing.

After a few moments, she finally stopped coughing and your laugh dyed out as well.

"You're right. I wasn't." You laughed again and she shoved you playfully.

"So, did you seriously just asked me to be your girlfriend?" She asked. Her lips forming her famous-troubled-maker cheeky grin.

"Well.. my fake girlfriend to be exact" you corrected yourself and she laughed again.

"You know you could've started with that, right?"

"And what's the fun in that?"

You smirked at her, knowing full well she found the random question amusing.

"So Why me, anyway..? - Wait, Let me guess.. kate and carol said no and you're scared of Wanda?"

"Okay first I'm not scared of Wanda, I'm scared of your sister.. there's a difference. And Second; my parents in town.. and I kinda told them I have a girlfriend.."

"Oh, now that's classic" Yelena, obviously, found the situation hilarious and you couldn't blame her since you found this dumb conversation amusing as well.

"Does it mean you'll do it?" You asked.

"Yeah why not" she responded you raised an eyebrow at her waiting for the catch. With Yelena, there's always a catch or at least a stupid comment.

"Yeah. I want to meet the poor souls who had to deal with your stupidity on a daily basis for the last 20 years..."

And here it is. You thought.

"I will punch you" you threaten her.

"Kinky" she smirked.

"Whatever stupid. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 8" you said as you got up from the spot next to her.

"Wear something nice"

_______________________________

The thing about Yelena is that you can never know what to expect. No matter how much time you spent with her, and it was a lot, she somehow still managed to surprise you.

This time was no different. but in her defense, this time the blame is definitely on you. You saw Yelena wear different kinds of outfits, from gear to fancy dresses, yet for some reason, you just didn't expect the other girl to wear a suit, and damn she looked good.

The gray suit fit her perfectly and her long blonde hair was down. She looked painfully beautiful and you couldn't help but stare- and she couldn't help but notice.

She wasn't doing better, on your defense. The blonde checked you out shamelessly before she sent you a smirk "How lucky I am" she joked and you rolled your eyes.

"Very lucky.. and so am i" Yelena smiled at you and held her hand out for you to take.

The ride was short and 15 minutes later you were standing outside the restaurant.

You could feel Yelena's gaze on you as you bit your lip nervously. "It will be alright" she assured you as she interviewed your hands together. "Thank you" you looked at her gratefully "Don't sweat it" she replayed with a soft smile.

That was the thing about Yelena, people always misguided her for someone she wasn't and it always made you mad. God, Of course, she was strong and fierce and brave and absolutely terrifying at times- but She was so much more than that. She was sweet and loyal and caring, and kinda funny (don't tell her) and absolutely beautiful- inside and out. One of your favorite things about her was her shy and sincere smile, which seemed reserved only for you.

"You ready?" She squeezed your hand. you took a small shaky breath before smiling back at her. "As ready as ill ever be"

The restaurant wasn't busy and it didn't take you long to catch your parents in a corner in the far back of the room. Both smiling wide as you walked towards them. Your mother's smile was contagious and you couldn't help but smile back. God, you missed them.

"We've missed you so much" your father said as he hugged you, your mother doing the same.

"I've missed you too" you confessed before tugging Yelena forwards them.

"I'm assuming that's the girlfriend," Your father said and you nodded. God, You were nervous and Yelena could sense it as she reached for your father's hand.

"Yelena." She introduced herself As they shook hands. Her grip firm and her smile dazzling. "I'm Y/D/N and this is my wife Y/M/N" he introduced himself as well.

"Glad to finally meet you. I heard a lot of great things about you" She said with a confident smile.

Both of you could tell the older man was impressed by the blonde and you couldn't help but smile.

"Were happy to finally meet you as well- although we can't say the same since pumpkin over here hasn't said much about you"

Yelena smirked at you as you blushed deeply. You knew she wouldn't let you forget about the nickname. Like, never. "Yeah, it's actually pretty new. It wasn't really planned neither" she explained.

Your mother, God bless her, wasn't the one to shook hands. The moment Yelena was free from your father's grip she found herself in the woman's warm embrace.

"Okay... I think we should start ordering" you said when Yelena was free again. Her cheeks were a bit flushed. The Russian Assassin wasn't used to be hugged and you couldn't help but smile.

The conversation was light, the wine was good and most importantly, your parents loved Yelena. which was understandable considering the fact she was annoyingly charming.

The Yelena that sat next to you with her hand on your lap was the best version the blonde could pull and you felt stupid for being worried in the first place. Yelena led the conversation with politeness, charm, and grace that you never knew she had in her- and your mom seemed impressed. Impressing your dad was even easier- Yelena didn't even have to try, all she had to do was show her intelligence and add some light humor.

After an hour of light and mostly general conversation, amazing food, many embarrassing stories of you on both sides, and 2 glasses of wine, your mom decided to take the conversation into her hands.

"So Yelena. Tell us about yourself."

Oh boy. Now that might be a problem.

"Well... I joined the avengers a few months ago" she explained "Not long after I met your daughter actually," she said simply.

"That's nice, and before that?" The older woman asked.

"I was a freelance.." Yelena gulped. Her hand squeezes yours

"As?" Your mom asked. You knew she didn't try to push Yelena into this corner, she wasn't this kind of person, but she definitely put the blonde on the spot.

"Well... I was involved with the black market and different criminal organizations. Jobs like getting undercover to dig information or well.. getting rid of powerful men in the criminal world.."

Your parent's eyes went wide. Your dad stared at her with wide eyes and your mom cleared her throat.

"I don't do it anymore" she continued. The blonde seemed as nervous as you felt.

"How did you ended up in this line of work? If I may ask?"

"Mom I don't think-" you started and Yelena smiled at you.

"No, It's fine babe.." she said before moving her attention back to your parents "Sometimes life gets you to places where you have to do bad things to survive."

Your dad's expression was unreadable and your mom seemed worried as she glanced at you.

"Yelena and I met when her sister recruited and pulled her out of this life. Yelena is a good person, despite everything she's been through. That's what I love the most about her." You said.

Yelena smiled softly and your parents exchanged looks.

"I'm a different person now" Yelena promised

"We believe you... but I can't help but worry for my daughter, as you can surely understand. What if the people you've been involved with. Try to get to you through Y\N"

Your father asked calmly. Both were taking it better than you expected and you couldn't blame them for being worried.

"Dad. I know it might come as shocking.. but I'm a big girl and I'm well aware of the risk of being involved with Yelena. I need you to trust me when I say that risks, some worse than the mafia, were a part of my life long before we met."

Yelena bit her lip to hold a smile and you interviewed your hands again.

"You're a doctor" your mom argued "I'm a field doctor. Of the avengers." you corrected her. "which means I'm more of capable of taking care of myself."

Your dad nodded softly to your mom before he smiled at you. "You're are.. Don't you?" He laughed. "Mu little pumpkin.." he sIgh and your mother smiled as well

"I just want you to understand that all we want for you is to be safe and happy. And even a blind man can see Yelena gives you that." He sent Yelena a soft smile. Yelena smiled back at him.

"Take care of my daughter.. she's a keeper" your father said firmly.

"She is. And trust me, I will" she promised.

_______________________________

"Well, that went well" you laughed when you got into the passenger seat. Yelena volunteered to drive which was a relief since you were exhausted.

After the two of you got into your seats the blonde sent you a small smile and took something out of her pocket.

"Is that? A bullet..?" You asked confused as you took the copper cylinder from her hand.

Yelena laughed softly.

"It is. It's the same bullet you stopped me from shooting at Natasha"  she confessed.

"I was in such a bad place back then and I blamed Natasha for it. If it weren't for you things would've been very different now" Yelena whispered

"Yeah, both of you were dead since you would've shot her, and Wanda would've probably hunted you down and kill you" you laughed and Yelena's shoulders relaxed.

"Probably" she said. "But with all seriousness... I was aiming a gun at my own sister and instead of pulling your own gun at me, you decided to shield her with your own body and dare me to shoot you as well. Who does that!?."

"You thought I was insane" you laughed.

"I thought you were stupid, putting your life at risk to save someone fucked up like us! someone like me.." She confessed and it downed on you.

No matter what happened or how many good things Yelena had done in her life, she couldn't let go of who she was trained to be. She still blamed herself for all the terrible things she did back at the red room and she constantly tried to get closure by doing the exact opposite- which was probably the reason she killed all these bad men in the first place. But then Natasha came back for her, and Yelena blamed her for leaving her behind to live with the things they did. She felt betrayed and broken, and Natasha's return only made it worse. Like she was just pitting her broken sister.

"All I know is that the Yelena I stood up to and the Natasha I saved that day were not the villains the red room tried to create." You whispered.

"You truly believed that? Even then?" Yelena was crying softly and you cupped her cheek.

"Especially then! I know you don't see it, but I'm here to remind you, you're a good person. Truly. You have a good heart- and I've seen it"

Yelena's cheeks were stained with tears, her eyes red and puffy and her famous crooked smile was plastered on her lips.

"And that's why you love me?"

She was a mess just like back then- when she was aiming a gun at her own sister as who she thought she was and who she truly is were fighting for dominance.

She was tragically beautiful and scared both then and now, yet somehow at the same time, she was more sure and confident than ever before. And I guess that what life is all about. Sometimes, things start to make sense only when everything else doesn't.

"Wasn't it obvious, stupid?" You said and stroked her cheek carefully as she melted into your touch.

Yelena smiled before kissing your hand softly, without breaking eye contact with you.

"You're the stupid one and you know it. Taking an assassin as your dinner date." She joked and you nodded and looked briefly at her lips.

"Well, stupid or not, I still manage to get a kiss at the end of it." Yelena laughed and got closer to you.

"Yeah you did" she whispered and kissed you.

And that was the thing about Yelena. She was good and kind and loyal. And a damn good kisser.

[endeenderman]

Love Bites (Male Arachne x Human Female Reader) Chapter 2.

Part 1

(Present day)

As the sun rised (y/n) rised along with it, she had to go to the bakery to get some bread as her mother was busy taking care or her ill father, his been in this state for weeks now, the doctors say there is nothing they can do as he doesn't seem to have an illness, the only thing that could possibly help him was a very rare herb that grew deep into the forest, she thought of going there as soon as possible, as she made her way back to the house she panicked once she saw the doctors horse outside her house, she quickly ran inside hoping that nothing bad has happened, the doctor was checking her father and her mother greeted her at the door.

"Is everything alright doctor?" She asked, the doctor smiled at her.

"Nothing worse but nothing better either" he explained, she sighed, she needed to try something, the herd was her only choice.

"Hey doctor, I was wondering, how about the coris herd?, couldn't that help my father?, books say it's really powerful.."she explained, the doctor looked at her with shoke.

"We don't even know if the herd exists!, also you can find it only in the deepest parts of the forest were no-one has ever been" the doctor said.

"That's not true, people have found it in order to write about it on books, I myself believe it exists and I will find it, I'll do anything for my father even if costs my life!" She said, her father looked up at her and smiled.

"Still the brave little girl that accompanied me in my travels" he said with all the power he had left, "but I don't want you risking your life for me, I lived my life and it's time for mine to end, but yours is still beginning" he added along with a cough.

"No dad!, don't say that, I want to live my life with you by my side, also I always wanted to travel and explore the woods, see what secrets it had so offer" she said whispering the last part, her father smiled.

"If that's what you want my dear, I'm afraid I can't stop you, just please be careful" he said, I took his hands into mine.

"I will dad, I promise" she said as she hugged him tight, later that day she packed her bag and started walking down the path of knowledge and death, mostly the second one.

(Y/n) had made her way into the forest, she's been walking for almost five hours now, she sighed as she closed her eyes listening to the wildlife, it was so peaceful here, she wanted to stay here forever, but she needed to go back once she had found the herd, as (y/n) was walking she soon heard what seemed to be an animals cry, the young girl ran towards the sound without a second thought, there was a poor creature that needed help!, as she got closer she soon came into view with a giant web, near the edge of the web was a dear, the poor thing was tangled up and couldn't move, her father always told her to let nature take it's cause but she couldn't let that animal suffer, as she untangled the web it soon got stuck on her but she continued anyways, once the dear was released it quickly ran away, (y/n) felt proud for herself but as soon as she tried to leave she realized she couldn't move, she was now tangled in the web, the more she struggled the worse it became, after multiple attempts she finally gave up, perhaps in a bit of time it will loosen so she stayed there waiting, unaware of the black eyes peering down at her from above the trees, as ten minutes go by the girl tries again to free herself, but with no use, as she started grinding her teeth and slightly growling she heard a tree branch break from above, she slowly lifted her head up only to see nothing, she huffed and turned her head back straight ahead only to come face to face with eight black eyes, she screamed in surprise but was silenced by the male in front of her, he seemed really familiar to her, but she didn't know why, his white hair and purple skin, the male chuckled and came closer to her face, she closed one of her eyes and turned her head to the side.

"That's the matter human?, can't look at he in the eye?, choose anyone you want I got plenty" he said, he smirked and came closer, "wait a second...this sent...I have smelled this before" he come closer and started sniffing her hair, the girl made a slight whimpering noise, "wait...could it be?" He questioned as he backed away to take a better look at her, "(y/n)?" He asked, the girl was shocked at this, how did he know her name?

"H-how do you k-know my name?" She asked, the male smiled brightly.

"It's me Ash!, remember the creature you rescued 10 years ago?, you fixed my leg remember!" He said, the girl squinted her eyes tried to get a better look at him, from the waist down he had a spider body with one of his back legs was slightly crooked and then it hit her.

"You can't be!, he was only 10 inches tall not 10 ft tall!" She said, the boy giggled.

"You aren't the same size as well (y/n), also I'm not 10 ft I'm 8" he joked, she smiled at him.

"Um...hey, would you mind getting me down from here?" She asked quietly.

"Of course!, sorry about that, I just get pretty mad when others mess with my pray" he said as he cut the web with his sharp claws and teeth something so somehow didn't notice before.

"I'm sorry I let your...prey...go but it seemed to helpless it needed help" she said.

"Exactly like I did am I right?" He asked, she nodded.

"Hey, did you ever find your way back to your nest?" She asked, he shook his head.

"Nah, I couldn't find my way, so I made my own nest, hey would you like to come and see it?" He asked, hos eyes sparkling.

"Um...I'm not sure, stories say that you should never trust a spider..."she started, Ash's face saddened, he was about to say something till she started speaking again, "just kidding!, show me the way then!" She said happily, Ash smiled and motioned her to follow her.

[rosie-moons]

Doggy Paddling || jjk

~Pairing: swimming instructor!jungkook x beginner!reader

~Genre: so much fluffy fluff

~Word Count: 2.4k

~Warnings: reader flailing around in water, shirtless jungkook (sorry not sorry), wet haired jungkook (sorry not sorry), jungkook and reader just being the cutest fluffy lovebirds, loads of softness

~Synopsis: Step 1: Drive to indoor swimming pool classes. Step 2: Enter swimming pool building. Step 3: Change into bathing suit. Step 4: Learn to swim. Easy peasy. Er, at least it was easy peasy, up until step #4. That’s when you actually climbed down into the pool and found out that your swimming instructor was possibly the hottest guy you’d ever seen in your life. Not only that, but he kept smiling at you, and it was adorable, which doesn’t make sense since someone just can’t be hot and adorable at the same time. Ugh, why must you be blessed with him for 3 months?

~A/N: Hi! This is my first fic on here, and I'm veeeery nervous... I hope you enjoy it! P.S. If you liked it, feel free to heart it, but please don't reblog!

~''~

“Mmhm, yep, you’re g-o gorgeous today,” You say with confidence, making double gun fingers at yourself in the mirror.

You’d ordered a black bikini online, in preparation of wowing everyone at the swimming lessons. It was quite simple, really, with straps over your shoulders and ties across your hip bones. The curvy blonde models on the website looked stunning in it, though. So stunning, in fact, that you pressed “add to cart” faster than you could say “add to cart”.

Your face sagged a bit when you realized you, in fact, did not look like the models in the images. Tummy not as toned with light abs, chest not as big. You sighed.

Stuffing your t-shirt, underwear, and jean shorts back into your duffel bag and setting it in the tiny locker, you took one last look at yourself in the mirror and set out on your adventure- er, if you’d call swimming lessons that.

~''~

“Y/N? Hellooo?”

You blink rapidly, snapping back to reality. You take a few seconds to realize you’re sitting on the edge of the pool with your feet dipped into the water. “Um. Sorry?”

The guy laughs, and it’s an airy, happy sound. You blush. He’s incredibly attractive, with wavy black hair, parts of it sticking to his forehead from the water. He has big, starry, eyes, almost like a doe’s. It’s hard not to get lost in them. His bunny teeth are on full display, pearly white and adorable. His whole face is adorable, in fact.

“You’ve been staring at me for, what, 15 minutes?” He teases with laughter still in his eyes. “Am I really that handsome?”

You’re about to say “yes” when he pulls you down into the pool, one arm pulled tightly across your lower back and the other scooped around your neck. You squeal. “Put me down!”

He puts you down.

Bad idea.

You just remembered that you can’t swim, and if he puts you down then you are going to drown. “ACTUALLY- *spit sputter*- DON’T PUT- *cough spit*- ME DOWN!! I CAN’T- *sputter cough* SWIM!! PICK ME UP, HANDSOME- *spit cough*- GUY!!!”

He laughs again, a sound you’re already starting to love. “Alright, alright. Your wish is my command, after all.” He takes you back into a koala position so your legs are wrapped tightly around his waist. At that you blush again. Not just from the hug part, but from you actually taking a good look at his body.

To say the simplest, it’s amazing.

He definitely goes to the gym at least 8 times a day, definitely eats only brussel sprouts, definitely has never been to the beach, or anywhere with too much sunlight (explain his fair skin then, missy), and definitely is tall.

You don’t care if that’s what’s going through your mind instead of swimming, you only care about this gorgeous man that’s smiling and is holding you in his arms. This gorgeous man that’s currently asking if you know the 4 basic stokes. Or was it sokes?

“Um…” You stutter nervously. “The 4… um… yeah, I… definitely know the… 4… stokes. Or sokes.”

He shakes his head, faking disappointment. “Pay more attention, sweetheart. You’ll never learn if you just stare at and admire me.”

“I was not-”

He chuckles. “Yeah, yeah, you totally weren’t staring at my abs. Totally.” That makes you blush harder. He seems to like that, smirking just the tiniest bit. “Anyway, I was asking if you know the 4 strokes. Freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and breaststroke.”

You shake your head. “I’ve… watched them on TV though. In the Olympics. Does that count?”

“...No,” He bites his lip for a second, thinking. Then, as though he just had a brilliant idea- his smile grows wide as the day and he nearly drops you in excitement. “LUMI!!”

An attractive girl with big hazel eyes and her hair dyed bright pink pokes her head out of the shower room. “What’s up?”

“Get over here for a second,”

She steps out, and you nearly gasp (...nearly) at how damn stunning she is. In a magenta floral printed one-piece suit, her tiny waist, wide hips, and long, long legs stand out like a dot of black in a field of white. When she walks, it looks like she’s in one of those super high end fashion shows with paparazzi all around. To be honest, you wouldn’t be surprised if paparazzi started showing up right at that very moment.

When she gets close enough, you see her nametag reads “Lumianne”. Even her name is pretty.

“Did baby boy Jungkook lose his swimming trunks again?” She teases, rolling her eyes playfully. “Do I need to call mommy?”

The guy- Jungkook-’s grip on you momentarily tightens as you watch his face flush a tomato red. “No, actually. Did you?”

“I don’t wear swimming trunks.”

“Exactly. That’s why you shouldn’t ask me.”

“But you do wear swimming trunks.”

“... JUST STOP, OKAY? JUST BECAUSE YOU JUST DYED YOUR HAIR DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE THE QUEEN OF THE WORLD.”

“Okay, okay. What do you want me to do? You know I’m supposed to be taking a hot shower right now after a day of screaming little kids kicking water in my face but you called me over so I can’t, right?. Are you gonna talk? ‘Cause if not, I’m leaving.”

“What I was going to say, before you rudely called me a baby boy, is that Y/N here has no experience in swimming-”

You kick his leg under the water.

“- and I need you to hand over the curriculum paper ‘cause I haven’t taught someone like this in a loong time.”

Lumianne rolls her eyes again. “Get them yourself. I’m going back to the showers. Bye, baby boy.”

“Wait!” Jungkook calls after her. “I can’t move ‘cause Y/N won’t let go of me!” Lumianne sighs, leaning down to pick up a few papers on a clipboard. She walks back to Jungkook, handing them over to him.

“Need anything else?”

Jungkook shakes his head, letting you squeeze him tighter as he lets go of the arm holding your shoulders. “Nope. Thanks though.”

She smiles mischievously. “I think I deserve a strawberry tart.”

Jungkook groans, swatting her away. “I bought you one this week already.”

“Only one!”

You can’t help but smile. Everyone here is so witty, attractive, and nice- you love it already. (“Only a tiny part of why I love it so much is Jungkook.” You mentally scream to your brain.)

~''~

“JUNGKOOK! NOOOO! I CANNN’T!!!!” You whine childishly, hanging on to Jungkook as though your life depended on it. He sighed for the millionth time that day.

“Y/N, the water’s only 5’6 deep. Plus, I’ll catch you if you drown. In fact, I’ll hold your back as you do it. Just please, please try to float on your back, okay?”

Only 5’6? Only 5’6?! Heck, maybe it wasn’t a lot for him, but for you…

“NO!”

Jungkook sighed again. “Listen baby, I need you to try, okay? I’ll help you, but if you keep refusing like this, you aren’t ever gonna learn to swim. Okay?” You stared at him, mouth hanging open slightly. “What?”

“Did you… just call me… b-baby?!” You nearly faint as Jungkook tilts his head slightly, adorably pouting the tiniest bit.

“So I did.”

“So I did?! That’s what you say after you call me baby?!?! Baby?!?!” You splutter, heart booming and threatening to leap out of your ribcage. You’re so stupidly in love, cheeks burning red and palms sticky with sweat, and here Jungkook is just tilting his head and acting like he did nothing.

It’s so unfair.

“So what if I called you baby?” He responds, big, starry doe eyes staring at you. Ugh. This is so stupid.

You’re about to yell again when Lumianne comes back out of the showers, pink hair wet yet still so stylish. She smirks.

“Hey lovebirds. May I take a photo?”

“NO!” You scream.

“NO!” Jungkook screams.

Lumianne takes a photo.

~''~

It’s been 1 month since you started at APC Swimming, (not Attractive People Center Swimming, but rather Amazing Performance Center Swimming. The cute red haired swimming instructor who just so happened to be Jungkook’s #1 target for his “games” named Jimin told you.) and you’re proud to say that you have mastered floating on your back, sticking your head underwater for 13 seconds, doggy paddling a very short distance, and talking to Jungkook without looking like an idiot.

Lumianne- whose hair is now a striking blue- also somehow became your best friend.

No idea how.

Anyway, you also bought a new swimsuit. It was a hot pink bikini that Lumianne insisted upon, saying that it "was made for supermodels like Gigi Hadid but you should wear it anyways since it will definitely wow Jungkook".

Yes, she knew of your crush on him, and yes, she was a Hadid superfan.

After pondering whether to wear the black swimsuit Jungkook was used to or the new pink one Lumianne liked for hours in the changing rooms, you finally decide on the pink one.

He’d love a surprise…

Right?

~''~

“Y/N! How was your- um.” Jungkook clears his throat, face burning red. He suddenly becomes very interested in a purple heart tattoo on his hand. “I… like your new… um…”

“Bikini?” You finish the sentence for him, blinking innocently.

“Erm… yes. B-bikini. It… suits you… very… um… well.” He’s still picking at the tattoo, cheeks flushed and voice stuttering.

“Thank you. Lumianne picked it out for me.” You smile sweetly, climbing down into the pool.

“Are you guys like best friends now?” He blurts out, trying oh so hard to change the subject. “I wouldn’t be surprised. You’re both annoying at times and you’re also both really… erm…”

“Un-stylish?” You suggest, trying hard not to smirk. You know what he’s talking about, and it’s not about style.

“No, um…”

“Like the color pink?”

“Not exactly, uh…”

“Then what is it?”

Jungkook’s face is a flaming crimson now, the skin where his tattoo is reddened from picking at it. He knows you know what he’s talking about. He knows you know that he was going to say that you’re both goddamn-

“You’re both attractive, although you’re way more attractive,” It comes out before he can control it, seeming like the words have a mind of their own as they stumble out of his mouth. “I-I mean…” You watch his hand flying up to cover his mouth.

"You think I'm attractive?" You question, smiling as your heart swelled with butterflies. "Well, you're also attractive.”

He smiles wide, bunny teeth showing and twinkly eyes dancing with something like shyness and joy mixed together.

“Th-thanks.”

You continue smiling at each other for a long time, and would’ve (for hours, maybe) if Lumianne hadn’t walked into the pool area holding onto the arm of an extremely tall and muscular blonde man. She smirks.

“Calvin, meet Y/N and Jungkook. Y/N’s the cute bookworm I went shopping with yesterday, and Jungkook’s that annoying guy with tattoos. Hey lovebirds. Looks like we’re in the middle of interrupting something…” She giggles. “So we’ll leave you two alone to smooch!”

Jungkook and you nearly topple over screaming a very loud “WE’RE NOT SMOOCHING” in perfect unison.

Calvin smiles mischievously. “Lumi, do you have your phone with you?”

Lumianne nods. “Yeah, why?”

“I think you should take a photo of them,” He smiles wider at the horrified look on your and Jungkook’s faces.

“Oh yeah.” Lumianne snickers. “I should totally take a photo. I already have an album in my phone of their pictures, btw. It’s called Jungkook&Y/N kissin in a tree. I should rename it though, I just learned Y/N wants to kiss JK at a fancy restaurant instead-”

“LUMIANNE!!”

The camera clicks.

“One more photo to add to my album!”

~''~

It’s your last lesson with Jungkook. 3 months passed quicker than you thought, and you’re sorry this might be the last time you see him. Lumianne seemed to notice you were a bit sad today, and she rushed off to “do something with Calvin”.

You knew what she was doing wasn’t about Calvin, but then… what?

When you entered the pool area, you were surprised to find that Jungkook wasn’t in the pool with his usual warm greeting. Instead, all you found was a note with messy handwriting reading: “hey Y/N, it’s kook :) meet me behind the APC building”. Furrowing your brow, you look around the pool. There’s no one except you.

Picking up the note, you walk out the doors.

~''~

Of everything you expected to see, none of it was Jungkook standing in front of you with wide, nervous eyes and a bouquet of flowers in his hands. “Jungkook?”

“Oh. You’re here. Um,” He looks around, although looking for something- or someone.

“Hey Y/N-pootsie,” Lumianne steps out, hair dark crimson with matching bold lipstick and eyeshadow. She smiles, looking very satisfied with herself. “I believe Mr. Jeon Jungkook has something to say to you.”

“Um,” Jungkook shoots her a look before clearing his throat. “I, um, in fact, do have… a thing… I mean, 2 things… to say… to… you…”

“Okay?” You stare at him, and it’s curious more than anything, but to him it just seems intimidating.

“Um… I… uh…” He swallows. “Ireallylikeyouandhavelikedyoufrom thefirstdaywemet and um doyouwannagoonadatewithme?”

You blink. "You... like me?"

"...Yes."

“I… I don’t know what to say to you. There’s just no way I could-”

“It’s okay!” Jungkook yells, hurt seeping into those eyes you loved watching crinkle up as he smiled. “I-I don’t want to pressure you or anything! I-”

“Jungkook.”

“Really! If you don’t feel-”

“Jungkook!”

He paused. “Yeah?”

“What I was going to say is that there’s just no way I could refuse something like this!” You say. His eyes go even wider.

“W-what?”

You kiss him.

He’s soft.

When you let go, Jungkook has the biggest dopey grin on his face. You mirror it, starting to laugh. Lumianne stands on the side with a small smile on her face, the kind of smile you give when your daughter gets married. Sort of half sad-ish half happy for her.

“Aww, you’re both so sweet. I guess it’s time for a ph-”

“NO, LUMIANNE!”

Click.

~''~

~''~

~''~

Whewwwwww! That was loads of fun to write. Welp, now that that's over, time for a new fic (or series!)

Please heart if you enjoyed, but don't reblog!

-*+ Rose +*-

[spicycreativity]

Intertwined - Chapter 4

Chapter: 4/8

Additional Notes: My AO3, WizardGlick, is 3 chapters ahead on this. Critical thinking exercise: Read the following Twin Peaks quote and consider how it related to Intertwined and to post-PoF as a whole:

WINDOM EARLE: What do you fear most in the world?

MAJOR BRIGGS: The possibility that love is not enough.

Chapter Content Warnings: Again, it's a hanahaki fic.

Excerpt: "Here's what I want you to do," Janus said, and his voice was surprisingly tender given the hard look on his face. "Cook for yourself. Don't make something you can take to the others later. Don't make something to share with me. I'm giving you a free pass to be selfish."

Yesterday, Patton supposed, could have gone worse. He had haunted the kitchen after his departure from Janus, begging the mindscape for some sort of hint. Like the answer to all their troubles was lurking in Thomas’ subconscious, just out of reach.

When morning came, he returned to Roman and Logan's rooms, was again rebuffed, and so floated back to the kitchen, made himself some coffee, and sat down at the counter. Again, he reached out with his mind for some kind of reassurance. He had to fix this. There had to be something he could do.

A 5,000 piece puzzle appeared in front of Patton. The image on the box was that of dogs playing poker, captioned A Friend in Need. The subconscious was funny sometimes, in a way that made Patton feel kind of sick and hollow. He opened the box and shook the puzzle pieces put onto the counter. It was a way to pass the time, at least.

A few hours crawled by. Patton’s hands began to shake from the caffeine, and he knew he should eat something, but… It almost didn’t seem worth the effort. He was happy to cook for his fam-ILY, but, when it was just him, what was the point? He put down another edge piece and flinched at the sudden appearance of Virgil in front of the coffee pot. Virgil had made himself scarce after yesterday’s meeting, only reappearing to turn down Patton’s offer of dinner. Patton couldn’t even blame him. How terrible, to wake up after a bad day and find your friends inconsolable and enemies at your door.

“Hi,” Patton said. Finding faux-happiness out of reach, he settled for ‘not completely miserable’ instead.

“Did you eat?” Virgil asked, pouring coffee into a purple mug decorated with this logo.

Patton saw no reason to lie, not about this. “Not yet. I got a little distracted.”

“Mm-hm,” said Virgil.

“Listen,” Patton said, already getting up to make toast. “Are you okay?”

Virgil shrugged and opened up another cabinet. “Want some orange juice?”

"Um, sure." Patton got out the bread and popped a few slices into the toaster. "Thank you."

"No prob." Virgil stood on his toes and got down two glasses, pivoted to the fridge for the orange juice.

"It's just," Patton said, "You don’t seem very upset?" It wasn't that Virgil was necessarily acting upbeat , but… Well, Patton had been expecting something more intense than Virgil's baseline levels of casualty.

"I am," Virgil said. "But I also want orange juice."

"Oh." Patton fell silent. His own feelings were so big and loud in his head they didn't really leave room for anything else. In the light of everything that had happened, Virgil's response felt cold. Patton had half a mind to tell him so, except that… Well, he had no room to talk about 'proper' emotional responses to things. If this was how Virgil wanted to navigate the situation, that was his right. "Did you talk to Roman yesterday?"

"Sorta." Virgil put the orange juice back, scooted a glass to Patton, and took a seat on the counter. "He said he wasn't ready to talk, but might be soon."

"To you?"

"Yeah." Virgil's expression was cloudy. "To me."

"That's a lot," Patton said, treading cautiously. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"

Virgil's knuckles went white around his glass, so much that Patton was worried he might break it. "Oh, there's plenty I want to say," he said darkly. "To you and to-- to him."

"Janus," Patton said, feeling it important, somehow, to say his name.

"Yeah. To Janus."

"You can," Patton said. "To me. I won't get mad."

"I just don't understand!" Virgil said, the words exploding from his chest. "What did he say to you to make you trust him? After everything he did to Roman, to you, to Thomas! What did he say?" It was almost a plea, "What did he say?"

"I already told you, kiddo," Patton said, poking at the water droplets collecting on the side of his glass, unable to remember that they were called. Logan would know. "I made a choice to trust him."

"But why ?"

"I don't know, I just-- I felt something. I don't know if I can explain it in a way you can understand. I just got it. I understood what it was all for. "

"So, what, he just gets a free pass for treating us all like crap? Just gets to talk his way out of consequences?"

"Well, no." Patton kicked the toes of his loafers against the molding under the counter. "But I don't know that it would do any good to… punish him? Be cold, be mean, yell at him. What's done is done. I'm not asking you to forgive him."

"Good, 'cause I don't."

"But I also need you to understand that I made my choice and I'm committing to it. I…" Patton smiled sadly, gazing at the countertop without really seeing it. "I gave my word, in a way."

"Fine," Virgil growled. "But if he hurts you, if he does what he did to Roman and Logan, I swear, I swear--" Patton covered his ears briefly and Virgil seemed to get the message. "Well. I'll avenge you."

"Thanks, Virgil." Patton smiled again, happier this time, and looked Virgil in the face. It really wasn't all that long ago that he had thought of Virgil as an enemy. And now look at them. "I'm proud of you, you know."

"You are?"

"Of course I am! You've been a really good friend to, to all of us. And I'm so happy--"

"Stop," Virgil said, pulling up his hood. "Stop, stop, stop."

"Aw, did I make you blush?" Patton teased.

"Yeah," Virgil said, his voice breaking on that one syllable. He cleared his throat. "Let's not-- I'm gonna--"

"Is something wrong?" Patton asked, already reaching out for a hug. Virgil couldn't see him with his face buried in his hood, so Patton stopped short and let his arms fall to his sides.

"I just, uh." Virgil took a deep breath and let it out in a huff, swept his hood back with a jerky motion. "Sometimes I don't feel like I deserve all this."

"Oh, kiddo, of course you do!" Patton said, again holding out his arms for a hug. Virgil instead held out his hand, and Patton took it in his own, determined to communicate all the love and devotion he could through that simple contact. He smiled at the matching weave of their friendship bracelets, smiled at the memory of sitting side-by-side with Virgil as they both struggled with five-strand braids.

Virgil nodded, and his breathing was still shaky and spastic when he said, "I'm gonna go-- I'm not going off to cry all by myself, if, uh, if you're worried about that. I just need… Uh. Yeah."

Patton nodded, hurriedly snatching the half-cooked toast from the toaster and imagining it smeared with Crofter’s and butter, arranged neatly on a plate. "Okay!" He said with false cheer, passing the plate to Virgil. "Come get me if you need anything! Maybe we can watch Ghost Adventures tonight."

"Sounds good," Virgil said, slightly muffled around his hand, as he was chewing at his thumbnail. "Later." He sank out.

Patton sighed and stared at their untouched orange juice glasses. Even when he was trying to fix things, he made people upset.

A drop of water slid down the side of Virgil's glass, pooled on the countertop. Patton stared at it as another followed.

What did it truly mean to deserve something, anyway? It was something Janus would probably have an opinion on. He seemed to have opinions on most things. Maybe Patton could ask him in a bit.

“Did you need me for something?

Oh, okay, or Patton could ask him now. He turned, unsmiling to Janus. It wasn’t that he wasn’t cheered by Janus’ presence, but that he had no reason to lie. Janus had made it abundantly clear that he wasn't depending on Patton for anything. “Sorry,” he said, embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to steal you.”

“No harm, no foul,” Janus said, and sighed so heavily his breath displaced a few puzzle pieces. “As you can see, I was hard at work.” Despite this claim, he wore a hard, annoyed expression and Patton remembered with a sinking feeling in his stomach that he was dealing with a liar. "Did you need help with your puzzle?" Janus asked.

Just like that, Patton's heart leapt. "You'll stay?"

Janus shrugged. "I suppose I can clear a space in my schedule."

Patton stood to get him some coffee. The pot was empty, but it was simple enough to imagine it full again. Ordinarily, he disliked the laziness of misusing Thomas' imagination, but he couldn't deny that it was convenient sometimes. He could tell he was on the brink of annoying Janus (somehow) and didn't want to risk pushing him over the edge. "Have you eaten?"

"Have you?" Janus asked, side-eyeing the remaining slices of toast sitting in the toaster. Patton had forgotten all about them.

"I guess it slipped my mind," Patton turned around and set a coffee mug on the counter in front of Janus, then rounded it to sit down again. He tried not to notice that Janus had scooted his chair away from Patton's, that he leaned on his elbow so they were even farther apart.

"Hm," said Janus, making a face. He didn't push it, and Patton was grateful for that. "Oh, and thank you."

"Of course," Patton said.

He watched Janus for a moment. He handled the puzzle pieces with difficulty, his gloves impeding his ability to pick them up. When he realized he was staring, he turned away and started fitting more edge pieces into place.

He couldn't decide if the quiet was pleasant or awkward. It was kind of nice, kind of domestic, sitting here with Janus, but he couldn't help but feel a kind of tension in the air.

Then Janus turned away and started coughing. Patton reached out to put a hand on his back, caught himself, pulled away. The deep, jagged sound made him cringe. He was no stranger to coughing fits, none of them were, brought on by Thomas' cat allergy. But this had come out of nowhere.

"You okay?" Patton asked when Janus resurfaced. Maybe he was just projecting, but he thought Janus looked a little pale on his human side.

"It's warmer today, isn't it?" Janus said, not looking at Patton.

"Huh?"

"It's not as cold. Roman seems to have gotten ahold of himself somewhat."

"Um, yeah, I guess." Patton furrowed his brow, trying to get a good look at Janus. "But Janus, are you okay?"

"Fine," said Janus. "Just inhaled some coffee, that's all."

But his hands shook as he slid a blue puzzle piece down the counter, and Patton was already halfway out of his seat before he even realized what he was doing. "You know, I think I will make breakfast."

"A little late now," Janus said. "By the way, did you really call me all the way down here just to work on a puzzle?"

"So brunch, then," Patton said. "And to be honest, no."

"Oh, do be honest," Janus said, leaning against the counter and resting his chin in his palm.

But Patton's priorities had shifted beyond philosophical debate. He had to take care of Janus now, get him comfortable, get him honest. He had to. "It's not important anymore."

"Hm," said Janus. He cleared his throat quietly, winced. "Well, now I'm not curious at all."

"It's okay," Patton said, trying for a reassuring smile. "We can talk about it later." He spun around, trying to decide what to make. Toast sounded wholly unappealing now, and he should choose something that would be easy on Janus' throat--

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing, by the way," Janus said.

"Making brunch?" Patton said with faux-innocence.

"Mm-hm. And what did you have in mind?"

"Soup."

"Patton," Janus said in a chastising tone. "I don't need you to take care of me. I need you to take care of you."

"That cough sounded like it hurt," Patton said, defeated.

Janus sat back and spread his arms out as though to show himself to Patton. "It did. It went away on its own. I'm fine."

Patton wasn't sure what to say to that. He scratched at his friendship bracelets, embarrassed. "Oh."

"Here's what I want you to do," Janus said, and his voice was surprisingly tender given the hard look on his face. "Cook for yourself. Don't make something you can take to the others later. Don't make something to share with me. I'm giving you a free pass to be selfish."

"But that's wrong!" Patton said reflexively. He regretted it as soon as the words were out of his mouth, but it wasn't like he could take them back. "Not for you," he hastened to explain. "That's your job. But me?"

"I can't very well be selfish for you," Janus said. He seemed annoyed, digging his fingers into both sides of his midriff in a way that looked decidedly painful. "Just try it. It won't be the end of the world."

And Patton wanted to. He didn't want to let Janus down, but… Where did it end? Where did it stop?

"Patton," Janus said. "I can see you catastrophizing."

"Sorry," said Patton, feeling close to tears. "Sorry, sorry, sorry. I just… I don't know who I am or what I want or if I'm even allowed to want."

"Breakfast, Patton. That's all. One little thing."

"Okay," Patton took a deep breath. Calm down. Make food. He could do that.

"There's nothing else," Janus said. "Just us, right now. Just this room. No consequences."

"Okay," Patton said. Cinnamon rolls. He wanted mini cinnamon rolls.

"Good," said Janus. "You're okay." He cleared his throat again, coughed a little behind closed lips. Patton forced himself not to notice, knowing that it would make Janus annoyed if he pointed it out or tried to help.

"I hope so," Patton muttered, half to himself, as he got his ingredients together. A phrase popped into his head and he shouted it out impulsively, "Mise en place!"

"Bless you?" Janus said, raising an eyebrow.

"No, no." Patton smiled. "Getting all your ingredients together. Mise en place."

"Ah," said Janus. He smiled too, his human eye crinkling at the corner. Patton almost sighed at the sight. Janus seemed to hold himself above human standards sometimes. He presented himself as something cold and pure, unbreakable and untouchable and utterly perfect. There was something so beautiful about seeing him step down from the pedestal. Janus seemed to notice Patton staring and turned away, surprisingly demure. "How about some music?"

A turntable appeared on the counter, spinning something inoffensive and charmingly lo-fi. "That's nice," Patton said. He didn't recognize the artist, but it didn't really matter. The music seemed to slide into the cracks of their conversation, filling out the empty spaces and projecting calm throughout the kitchen.

So Patton made cinnamon rolls and Janus worked on the puzzle while he sipped his coffee, and they both pretended not to notice the ragged coughs that Janus couldn't bury under the music no matter how hard he tried.

[amazonswin]

Saudade: Chapter 2

Pairing: Duncan/Courtney (Total drama)

Word count: 1k

A/n: Hey guys! Sorry this took me so long, but I do plan on continuing this fic! My inbox is always open for any questions or comments!

___

The coffee shop was nearly silent, aside from the low buzz of the machines. The evening crowd consisted mainly of students dying for any burst of energy caffeine could provide. Duncan wasn’t the biggest fan of coffee. He’d have a cup here and there when he had an early shift or a bad hangover, but it definitely wasn’t a daily thing. But a coffee shop was the only neutral ground he could think of, a no pressure place to talk. At least, that's what he said to finally convince Courtney to meet him.

She sat across from him staring into her cup, occasionally using a spoon to give it a quick stir. Neither were sure of how to break the tension. There was so much to be said, but no real way to say it. Duncan had waited for this moment for years. He’d planned out an apology and spent countless hours thinking of things he wished he could tell her. Though, at this moment, it all felt wrong. Duncan had gotten into plenty of trouble before, only this time a halfhearted ‘I’m sorry’ wouldn’t fix it.

“We should probably talk, otherwise I have other things to attend to..” Courtney was the one to break the silence.

“Probably..” He agreed. God, why was this more awkward than sleeping in an overcrowded cell.

“How long have you been out of jail?” Her tone sounded more lawyer than old friend. Duncan couldn’t help but laugh. He remembered many things about Courtney; the way the sunlight hit her hair, the way she scrunched up her nose when focused, how easy it was to make her laugh. But her abruptness was something he was more than happy to forget.

“It’s been years. Don’t get me wrong, I had some issues here and there but I don’t plan on going back to jail. I’m a changed man.”

“Somehow I find that hard to believe,'' Courtney teased. She really wanted to believe him, but where would she be without her doubts? Getting hurt again wasn’t something she was just going to let happen. A lot had changed since she was a 16 year old kid. “So if you're no longer a delinquent, what have you been up to?”

There was so much he wanted to tell her that he had no idea where to begin. Surely he’d stay clear of criminal offenses and failed relationships. Duncan had never been one to hide his past mistakes, but bringing those up now would definitely scare her away. He decided just to stick to the major events, short and simple.

“Well after the total drama hell and my jail sentence, I got my GED. Despite my plan to never go back to the slammer, for the first few years I got in trouble with the law.” Duncan shrugged, “What’s a man to do? That's all I knew.”

Courtney raised an eyebrow, she struggled to see the humor in a criminal record.

Duncan smirked, continuing on. How he never really thought about being an artist, the whole idea sounding lame. Then after several tattoo sessions where duncan sketched the ideas himself, the owner insisted on taking him on as an apprentice. He had even offered to pay for all the certifications. It's a great gig that he really enjoys. Plus the discounted tattoos serve some appeal. On the side he worked on fixing motorcycles. A skill he picked up in childhood, but really polished off while on parole. It came in handy when his own bike occasionally gave out on him.

“It's nothing grand, but hey I'm not complaining.”

“No, Duncan, That's great. I always knew that you could do something great, if you’d actually put your mind to it.”

“And what about you princess? You a corporate lawyer?” He joked.

“Well…yes.”

Duncan posed the question as a joke, desperately wanting some glance of her life. Though, she was rather hesitant to let him.

“After total drama made me look totally crazy, which I was completely justified for after all, I knew I was going to need to clean up my reputation. Luckily, many people liked my ambition so I was able to get recruited to this amazing academic program. I guess from there I just kept climbing. I had to.” Courtney glanced away as she continued. How she then went on to a top university, and then a top law program. She persistently assisted, and somewhat annoyed, a professor until he finally offered her an internship at his firm. After constant overstepping and taking control of her bosses' cases, they knew they had to hire her. She’d be too big of a competitor otherwise. It was clear from the beginning that she was on a fast track to making partner.

“And you have a kid?”

“Yes, I do.” Courtney coughed to clear her throat, “I’m assuming you have more tattoos then?” She looked at his tattoo covered arm, trying to shift the conversation.

“To see the rest you’d at least have to buy me a drink first” Duncan winked, “So a kid? When did that happen?”

“A while ago..”

“What are they like? A mini version of you?”

“No, not at all” She smiles, “I have a daughter, Maelie. She’s so smart, but finds it mean to be a show off about it. And she’s funny, she’ll make you laugh at anything and everything.”

He had rarely seen this side of Courtney before. She had gone on many rants, but her eyes only sparkled like this when she was truly passionate about something. There was no doubt that Maelie was the most important thing in her life. Duncan loved this side of her.

The sudden cell phone ping snapped him from his daze. Barely skimming over the message, Courtney knew she had to leave. It took barely a second for her to collect her things.

“I’m sorry, I have to go. The babysitter has to go, and I have work in the morning anyway…”

“No, it’s okay. I’ve waited 8 years to talk princess, I can wait more.” He winked, though he desperately wanted her to stay. “Hey, how old is your kid anyway?”

Courtney stayed silent before slowly exhaling.

“She’s seven.”

It took Duncan only a few seconds to realize, but by then she was gone. He quickly ran outside to try and catch her, with no luck. Courtney was gone, and he had a daughter.

[writer-k-pop]

Behind The Scenes

오늘 투위터 봤어요? Have you looked at Twitter today?

Description: Being the youngest and newest member of BTS’s filming crew, you grow close to other crew members as well as the BTS members. Specifically, BTS’s maknae, Jeon Jungkook, because somehow you always get paired to film him. After a perfectly timed photo during a filming hits the internet, rumors and words fly around excessively. And Jungkook shows his worry for you.  Warnings: Swearing, none Genre: FLUFF Word Count: 3.7k

BTS Masterlist | Masterlists

"The filming will begin once the members finish up with their makeup." Our director announces as we stand around him in an empty parking lot. "Audio team is here?" He asks and scattered hands raise in the air, "8, 9. Good. Cameras?" He moves onto the next department: mine

I raise my hand as the others on my team do the same.

"And you know who you're following?" Our director asks.

We go down the line and say the member we're filming for the day.

"V."

"Rm."

"Suga."

"Jin."

"Jimin."

"Hope."

"And our youngest," Rena pinches my cheek, "Is with Jungkook."

I bat away her hand with an eye roll. Since joining as the newest, and the youngest, the older team members have been teasing me about how cute we'd be together. Though I highly doubt it. I think they're just teasing me because I'm the newest and the youngest. Like it's my initiation ordeal. But every time we do some filming that needs each member to have a dedicated camera person with them (nearly every time), they always pair me with Jungkook.

At first it was a little awkward: he wouldn't talk to me cause I was new and I wouldn't talk to him cause I was new. It took a few filming schedules until we were able to have comfortable conversations.

"Alright, here they come." Our director announces, "Remember their safety as well as yours!"

We all give a cheer of excitement then break out to get our equipment and into our smaller groups. Each will have a camera staff, an audio staff, and another staff to direct the content.

"Wonder where Jungkook will pick." Hyunwoo wonders as he adjusts his audio equipment belt.

"I pray it's not in the old park." Yeonseok, our assigned staff, says and places his hands in a prayer pose.

"Knowing our luck, it'll be there." I joke while zipping the last extra battery in its pocket before picking up the camera.

"If it is, it's your fault." Yeonseok pokes my shoulder.

"Don't blame me!" I spit back, "Blame the one who actually chooses it."

"I could never blame Jungkook." Yeonseok shakes his head and places his hand over his heart.

"Yupp, you're definitely NOT whipped." Hyunwoo says sarcastically as we join the other staff members crowded behind the few standing cameras.

In front of the cameras, the seven members of BTS stand and wait for the cue to start their silliness for 'Run BTS.'

"Everyone quiet please!" The main director waves his hands and everyone ceases their conversations. "Camera, roll!"

"Wah, it's a really nice day." Hoseok comments, squinting up at the sun.

Jungkook and Jimin laugh at his random comment.

"Hyung, why are you so awkward today?" Taehyung giggles.

"It's not awkward." Jin comes to Hoseok's defense and throws an arm around his shoulders, "It is a nice day." He emphasizes nice and also looks up at the sun before slapping a hand over his burning eyes. "Ah, ah, ah, that hurts." This only makes the maknae line laugh harder.

"Alright, alright." Namjoon attempts to calm them down but Jungkook and Taehyung continue to giggle, "We all know why we're here, right?"

"Ah, yes." Yoongi nods slowly, "We were dropped off in this empty parking lot so we could get kidnapped." He deadpans.

From the staff, muffled chuckles can be heard and I have to press my fist to my mouth to keep the laughter in. Hoseok and Jin join the maknae line in loud laughter and Namjoon looks towards the director, his eyes pleading for help.

"Sorry, Joon-ah." Hoseok coughs out, trying to push the laughter aside. "We'll say it right. Ask the question again."

Namjoon claps his hands together and resets. "We all know why we're here, right?" He repeats his previous question.

"RUN BTS!" The other six members loudly scream towards the sky.

"Hyung, are you the MC today?" Jimin asks, gesturing towards the group's leader.

Namjoon shakes his head, "If I was, this show would be a disaster."

"No, I think you would do really well." Hoseok claps Namjoon's back in support.

"Thanks Hobi." Namjoon says and holds his hand out for a handshake. Only to be ignored. Again. "Anyway, today we're doing something different."

"We are?" Jin and Taehyung ask together with over emphasized curiousity.

"We are." Namjoon confirms. "Today, we'll each be on our own, completing missions to get a picture. Then we'll all meet up again and I think we have to line up the pictures in order. If we get the answer right, we get a prize. I think?" Namjoon finishes with an unsure ending.

"That's right." The main director nods then explains the game to the members in a shpeel that will be edited out later and replaced with written instructions on the screen. "Each member will randomly choose a location. At that location there will be four missions you have to complete. When you finish all four, you will be given a photo. After you receive the photo, you will all gather again and together will place the photos in the order that they were taken. If you succeed, each BTS member will be given a wish that they can use anytime within the next year."

"WOAH!" The members drop their mouths in awe.

"And we can ask for anything?" Jin asks.

The director nods, "As long as it pertains to this show, you can ask for anything."

"Can I ask to go home then?" Yoongi steps forward with a raised hand.

The director laughs, "You can but then you'd miss out on other prizes."

"Okay, so how do we know which location to go to?" Taehyung asks, his excitement shining through his eyes.

The director holds out a can with seven folded pieces of paper. Taehyung walks forward, grabs the can, and retreats back to his members.

"Who picks first?" He asks the group.

"Let's do rock, paper, scissors." Jin suggests, sticking a hand out.

"Not this game. I suck at this." Hoseok whines but sticks his hand out along with the rest.

"Winner gets to pick first." Jin announces.

They pick a piece of paper in this order: Hoseok, Jungkook, Namjoon, Jimin, Yoongi, Taehyung, then Jin.

"Should we reveal them one by one?" Jungkook suggests and the others nod. "Hoseok hyung first."

"Where am I going?" Hoseok teases then pops open his piece of paper. "The movie theatre?" He reads off his location with confusion.

"Ahhhhh, that would've been fun!" Taehyung whines.

"Jungkook, next." Jin gestures for the youngest to hurry up.

Jungkook opens his sheet and reads it out, "Cafe."

My fists clench in happiness that he didn't pick the outdoor location.

"Yah, that's a good one." Namjoon shakes his finger in Jungkook's direction but I can't make out if he's happy or disappointed. "I am going to the gym."

"I'm going to the park!" Jimin reads off his excitedly.

"Is it the old one we saw on our way here?" Jungkook asks the staff with bunny eyes. The director gives him a nod and Jungkook pouts. "Hyung, can we switch? Ah, I really wanted to go there!"

I narrow my eyes at the youngest and pray that the director won't let them switch places.

"No switching, Jungkook." Taehyung says and pulls the youngest away.

"Yoongi, Yoongi." Hoseok says the next member.

Yoongi slowly opens his paper but doesn't show the camera as he reads it. Then he suddenly starts screaming and jumping in happiness.

"What?" Taehyung asks.

"Where are you going, hyung?" Jimin asks, trying to take the paper away from him.

"THE DORM!" Yoongi screams happily and finally shows the cameras the piece of paper.

The other six members give sounds of disbelief and Jimin even walks towards us staff, asking if it's true.

While Yoongi happily bounces from foot to foot, Taehyung reveals his location.

"I'm going to the company." Taehyung announces before Jin swiftly opens his, the writing pointed towards the cameras and away from him.

"School?" Taehyung reads it out for him and Jin quickly flips the paper around to read it for himself.

"SCHOOL?" Jin repeats incredulously.

Yoongi bursts into laughter with Jungkook.

"Do you know how long it's been since I've been in school?!" Jin shrieks. "I have to go back?"

"Hyung, maybe they'll let you wear a school uniform." Hoseok laughs, leaning onto his shoulder.

Jin shakes Hoseok off and scoffs, "What are you talking about?"

"How long do we have?" Jimin asks the director while Hoseok and Jin giggle together about Jin's location.

"We'll give you 3 hours to finish your individual missions." The director said.

"Alright, let's go." Yoongi rushes the group, wanting to get to the dorm as quickly as possible. "Run!"

"BTS!" They all finish together.

I readjust the camera in my hands and wait for our small group to be joined with Jungkook.

"You lucky duck." Yeonseok nudges my arm.

"I prayed real hard." I smile as our team is called.

"Team Jungkook!" My director calls out.

I shuffle through the crowd behind my older male staff partners for the day.

"Yeonseok hyung!" Jungkook says happily as we make our way over, "Hyunwoo hyung!"

I peak out from behind the two and give an expecting smile for my greeting.

"(y/n)!" Jungkook snaps finger guns at me, "Woah, I got the dream team." As the car pulls up, Jungkook carries on conversation with the other two leaving me to fiddle with the camera and prepare to film. "How is Junsu hyung and the baby?"

"They're good." Yeonseok answers, "The kid is finally sleeping through the night."

"Makes him much easier to handle during the day." Hyunwoo jokes and juts a thumb at Yeonseok.

Jungkook chuckles, "I believe it."

"Yah, I'm older than you." Yeonseok scolds him and we all slid into the car: Yeonseok driving, Hyunwoo next to him and Jungkook and I in the middle seats.

"What do I have to do to there?" Jungkook asks while putting on his seatbelt and I do the same.

I shrug.

"How do you not know?" Jungkook asks me.

"Oh, I know. I'm just not allowed to tell you." I smirk.

"Oh come on, please." He drags out the 'please' but I shake my head as Hyunwoo wags a finger at him.

"No can do kiddo." Hyunwoo says, "We wanna keep our jobs."

Jungkook pouts and crosses his arms over his chest, "No fair."

I snort at his behavior, "Your a member of the world's biggest boy band and you're pouting over not being able to cheat."

Jungkook tsks, "If it were Jin hyung, you guys would've told him."

I raise my eyebrows at him, "I wouldn't. But Yeonseok might."

"Oi!" Yeonseok looks at me through the rearview mirror, "I would not."

"Sure." Jungkook and I say at the same time with the same unbelieving tone.

A few minutes later, Yeonseok parks the car in front of the cafe that we had rented out for the day.

"Hold on." I tell Jungkook as he reaches for the door.

"Why?" Jungkook looked at me like I'm crazy for not letting him out.

I roll my eyes, "Just wait until I get to the other side. I don't exactly want to film your butt." Without waiting for his response, I exit the car on my side and quickly jog around to Jungkook's side.

When I'm in my spot, Jungkook then opens his door and ducks out of the car.

"I go inside?" He throws an innocent look to Yeonseok who nods. So we walk inside with me walking backwards with the camera focused on Jungkook.

As we step inside, the cafe music fills my ears and the atmosphere turns cozy in a second.

"What's my first mission?" He asks, the desire to finish first before all of his members burns in his eyes.

Yeonseok hands Jungkook a piece of paper which he opens, reads, then shows the camera. I make sure to get a clear shot of the writing as he reads it aloud.

"Choose four drinks from the menu and make them." Jungkook says. "I have to, like am I actually supposed to get behind the counter and make them?" He points to the space behind the counter. Yeonseok, Hyunwoo, and I all nod our heads. After a few schedules with rolling cameras, I learned that I need to suppress the laughter I get from Jungkook's surprise. My amusement growing at his adorable bewilderment.

"Well, okay. Do I get to choose the drinks?" Jungkook questions and turns towards the menu. Yeonseok nods when Jungkook glances back.

"I have to make four?" Jungkook sighs, "Mmm, well, if we're going to drink them, then I should choose drinks that we'll like." He reasons. "So, for the PD hyungs I think I'll make Iced Americanos." Jungkook looks to them for approval which they give. "For camera PD, I will make a strawberry lemonade?" He raises his eyebrows looking for my response. I smile and nod, my heart skipping a few beats. "And for myself, I'm gonna make, ooh, a hot chocolate. Yeah, that sounds great."

Jungkook nods in determination. "Alright, let's do this." He walks around the counter and finds an apron and a book on how to make all the drinks on the menu.

"Of course you would give me a book." Jungkook smirks at Yeonseok while tying the apron around his waist, "Otherwise your drinks would've been terrible."

He laughs at himself and begins working on the two americanos. I move around the counter and capture Jungkook fumbling around with the espresso machine.

"Is this how it works?" He mumbles and glances up to me for help. I shrug my shoulders cause I honestly have no idea how to work that kind of machine.

Jungkook sighs staring at the espresso tamper in his hands, "I know we did an episode with this. Why can't I remember?" He looks underneath and fiddles some more before slowly but successfully attaches the tamper to the machine. "Success!" He smiles happily then the smile drops, "Now which button do I press?"

I suppress a laugh but Jungkook hears my snicker as he fills two plastic cups with ice.

"Don't you laugh at me!" He turns and pouts at me. "You're laughing."

I shake my head with a smile of innocence as I can't make a sound while recording.

Jungkook turns back to the machine and reads all the buttons until he finds what he thinks is the right one which frankly, I would've picked the same one. In about a minute, the two little cups below the tampers fill with the warm dark goodness of espresso. When the final little droplets fall into the cups, Jungkook takes each and pours them into the plastic cups. Then he pours water in till the cup is full.

As he pops the lids on and sticks straws into them, I can't help but admire him through the camera feed.

"Next up, strawberry lemonade." Jungkook sing songs turning around to find the right ingredients.

20 minutes later, Jungkook sits across from me at a table and I sip on the lovely strawberry lemonade that Jungkook made me.

"What's my next mission?" Jungkook asks, setting down his nearly half finished mug.

Yeonseok slides over a piece of paper from the next table. Jungkook picks up the paper, reads it and begins his second mission.

*The next day*

"You haven't looked at Twitter, have you?" Yeonseok ambushes me as soon as I step into the building.

I glance around, slightly nervous, "No, I woke up late and rushed here."

Yeonseok sighs deeply, "Thank goodness."

"Why?" I ask as he drags me further into the building.

"Because." Yeonseok says vaguely.

"Because?" I repeat, hanging onto the word.

"Because..." Yeonseok glances around and I do the same, finding some stares being directed at us. "There's a rumor."

"Stop being vague!" I exclaim and pull my arm away.

"Someone took a picture of us filming at the cafe yesterday." Yeonseok explains.

"Okay? What's so big about that? They do that all the time." I explain.

"Yeah, but this time, the picture was perfectly angled so Hyunwoo and I were hidden and your camera is hidden by one of the pillars inside so.." Yeonseok trails off as I pick up on where the sentence is leading.

"It looks like we were on a date." I sigh, closing my eyes. "Is it bad?"

Yeonseok tilts his head to the side, "I mean not the worst things that have been thrown around..."

"But still pretty bad." I finish for him.

"Yeah." Yeonseok confirms.

I shrug, ignoring the dull pain of wishful thinking in my chest, "It's not like we've never had to go through something like this in the past."

"Yeah but you should really stay off the internet for a day or so." Yeonseok advices as we reach our large office space.

I nod slowly, "Okay, I won't." Setting down my bags, I sit at my computer and start opening on emails for the day.

"You promise?" Hyunwoo pops his over the cubicle walls.

I smile at his concern, "I promise. Why do you care though? I can handle myself."

"We know you can." Hyunwoo responds, "But you're still the youngest and like our little sister so we gotta protect you."

"Or at least try to." Yeonseok adds on.

I chuckle, "Well, thank you. I'm assuming upstairs is denying it?" I point upwards.

"Writing the denial letter as we speak." Hyunwoo snaps his fingers.

"This way?" Jungkook's voice echos down the hall.

I scrunch my eyebrows and Hyunwoo, Yeonseok, and I all lean back in our chairs wondering why he's up here.

Within seconds, Jungkook appears in the office space, his eyes searching a bit frantically.

"(y/n)." Jungkook says my name which shocks not only me, but Yeonseok and Hyunwoo as well.

I give him a small wave and a confused smile. Jungkook smiles and quickly walks over.

"Are you okay?" He asks me.

Yeonseok and Hyunwoo snicker but lean closer to their computers. I internally roll my eyes at them.

"I'm okay. Are you okay?" I answer and return the question.

"I'm okay now." Jungkook says, now a little shy.

"Now?" I ask.

"Well, I sort of saw Twitter this morning and I was a little worried." He answers.

I'm sure the evidence of surprise is clear on my face because he spits out more explanations.

"I, I mean I know you're new and haven't really been around this industry much and I didn't know how you would take it." Jungkook stutters, "And, and I worried because you were the one in the photo with me and I know people can be really nasty. Especially when we’re involved." He finishes quietly with a scratch to the back of his neck.

I squint cause I think I see a little blush tint his cheeks.

"Thank you for the concern." I tell him with honesty and I’m a little touched. "Is that why you came up here?" I ask.

Jungkook chuckles, "Yeah."

I smile, "Well, thank you. I appreciate it."

"Great." Jungkook claps his hands and then starts to get antsy, "Well, I'm gonna head back downstairs."

"(y/n)!" Hyunwoo quickly stands up, startling both Jungkook and I, "Walk him out. He could get lost up here."

"Yeah, we don't want Jungkook getting lost up here." Yeonseok agrees.

"Hyung." Jungkook drags out the word while I give them a pleading look. "I can find my way out."

"You didn't even know how to get here." Hyunwoo argues with the older brother smart-ass tone.

Jungkook opens his mouth to respond but his voice is nonexistent. I try to choke back a laugh but it comes out anyway.

"Hey, don't you even start." Yeonseok points a finger at me, "You're so much worse."

"Am not!" I defend myself, standing and crossing my arms.

"Are too." Hyunwoo agrees.

"Am not." I say in disbelief.

"Actually, you kind of are." Jungkook comments.

I raise my arm to slap his arm but hesitate, unable to finish the move. Jungkook, on the other hand, simply sticks his tongue out at me.

"Mature." I roll my eyes and lower my arm.

"Mature enough to ask you out?" Jungkook suddenly asks with a smirk.

My entire body freezes and the air dissipates from my lungs. The air around us also stales in an instance. Even Yeonseok and Hyunwoo are stunned into silence. In my ears, my heart starts to pound and my cheeks heat up. I can't believe the words I had just heard.

"I..." Jungkook clear his throat, "I said that out loud..."

I blink to break out of my thoughts and reset myself. "I'll, uh, I'll walk you out." I smile, trying to ignore what just happened but I don't think I did it well.

Jungkook wordlessly nods and follows me out of the office space. Neither of us say a word to each other until we're way past the office space.

"I apologize for earlier." Jungkook basically whispers.

I shake my head, "No, no need to apologize. It's okay."

"I really didn't mean to say it." Jungkook continues to explain. "I was actually worried this morning and I guess it was still running through my head and then it just happened. I guess."

I suppress a smile and look down to the ground, "It was a little shocking." I admit, "But I can't say it isn't one-sided."

That stops Jungkook in his tracks. I notice a few steps ahead and stop to turn and face him. His eyes are wide in disbelief and his arms hang loosely by his sides.

He stutters out jargon then clears his throat. Jungkook looks up with hope in his eyes, "Then, (y/n), can I take you out for dinner."

A smile grows on my face and my cheeks heat up ever so slightly, "Yes, you can."

Jungkook smiles widely and begins walking next to me again. My heart flutters happily and excitement grows in the pit of my stomach. As we walk, his shoulder brushes against mine and goosebumps erupt down my arms.

Sometimes rumors stay rumors. Other times they become reality.

[official-weasley]

Meant to Be (Charlie Weasley x OC)

What happens when Bill brings home a girl and Charlie is completely awestruck by her?

WARNINGS: mentions of alcohol, curse words

CHAPTER 6

Charlie

One year later...

“Good morning.” I sang opening the door to the nursery.

“Charlie, hi!” Tina almost banged her head on the counter, getting up. “You’re early.”

“Did you sleep here again?” I frowned at her.

“No. I just dropped a bottle on the floor.” She was one of the clumsiest people I know. She reminded me so much of my friend Tonks from Hogwarts, except that her hair was black and not hot pink. “You know he can live without you for more than 5 hours.”

“I know. But I missed him and I couldn’t sleep anyway.” I looked at the clock on the wall.

Half-past five in the morning. I already came in later than usual.

“Okay. Let me take you to your son.” She chuckled and stepped away from the counter. “If he’s still sleeping and you’ll wake him up, you’ll be dealing with him, I’m warning you.”

“I know. I don’t mind.” I smiled.

I followed her through the corridor and waited for her to unlock the door.

“It definitely doesn’t sound like he’s sleeping.” I placed my hands on my ears to muffle the sound.

“He’s doing really well this week.” Tina said proudly.

“Hi, Aami. How are you, little guy?” I approached the fence slowly, my hand in front of me.

“Perhaps a few more days and we’ll be able to do a gender reveal.” I turned around at Tina’s words, sparks in my eyes.

“We can do a gender reveal cake then.” I giggled to myself.

“What?” Tina asked confused.

“It’s something Muggles do, I’m told.” I kneeled next to him, admiring his every move.

“Your dad told you that?” She laughed.

I hummed in reply, not taking my eyes off Aami.

“Isn’t he the most beautiful thing you have ever seen, Tina?” I said in a dreamy voice.

“I would say he got it after you, but it looks like he only got your stubborn personality.” She joked.

“Ha-ha.” I rolled my eyes at her. “Do you think he’ll ever fly?”

I slowly extended my arm through the fence so I could touch his beautiful crimson wing. Aami was collateral damage when Victor Krum accidentally made the Chinese Fireball step on her eggs while he was retrieving his golden egg. Aami’s egg was cracked but he somehow survived thanks to Tina.

She was the nurse who took care of eggs and helped premature hatchlings to grow strong. Then we had a team who would train them and help them fly. The mother dragon is usually supposed to do that but if the baby doesn’t hatch next to her, she doesn’t want it. That’s where our team steps in and helps them with everything, from feeding to firebreathing and flying.

Aami’s left wing was badly hurt due to the egg’s collision with the ground and was growing slower than his right one. Even though Tina was optimistic and said that he is showing progress every single day, we still didn’t know if his wing would ever fully grow. If it doesn’t, he would never be able to fly.

I don’t blame Viktor for what happened that day. I was watching him retrieving the egg and I know he didn’t do it on purpose. It happens. It was more our fault that we brought our mother Fireball to the tournament. It was a bad idea.

She was one of the most stubborn and untamed dragons but the Ministry insisted. We shouldn’t have allowed it. She was too attached to her eggs and she snapped, stomping on them in the process.

Aami’s wing might be damaged but we considered him lucky, even though his mother rejected him once we started taking care of him. At first, I was helping Tina because I felt bad for the little guy and I was really hoping that he’ll make it but he grew on me so quickly. With his fire-coughing and his playfulness and his green eyes. He was perfect.

“I don’t know, Charlie. His wing is still underdeveloped and even though it’s growing slowly it’s still not even close to where it should be for his age.” Tina’s face was creased in a sad expression.

I know she cared for him just as much as I did.

“I’ll be here every day until I’ll be able to take you flying.” I turned back to Aami and whispered to him.

“He’s lucky to have you.” Tina stepped closer to us and placed her hand on my shoulder. “You’ll make a great dad one day.”

“Thanks.” I murmured.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” I stood up and reached for the bag I brought with me. “I got you some fresh chicken blood and 10 bottles of brandy. I know it’s not much but…”

“It’ll do until the next supply crate tomorrow. Thank you, Charlie.” She took the bag from me with a smile on her face.

She took out one bottle and a bag of chicken blood, gave it to me, and exited the room to give us some alone time.

I carefully took the empty bowl away from Aami and poured the contents from the bottle and the bag into it and returned it to him. I laughed at his hungry eyes.

“Here you go. Have at it.” I sat down next to his small enclosure and hugged my legs, placing my head on my knees. I felt so calm when I was watching him eat. It was my new favorite activity. Is this how it feels like when you have children? Because if it does I won’t be able to take my eyes off them.

I stayed with him until he fell asleep. I got up and quietly exited the room and went back to the nursery reception.

“There he is. Our Fireball Mother!” Peter mocked me, leaned on the counter.

“Good morning, Peter.” I ignored his remark.

Ever since I started taking care of Aami he and the mates from my team have been teasing me. Taking care of baby dragons is something women usually do around here and they found it funny how invested I was. I didn’t care because I knew they would never understand me and I enjoyed doing it so much that the fact that they called me the Fireball Mother didn’t even bother me.

“Should we transfer you to the nursery, since you’re here every morning?” He smirked at me.

“Don’t tempt me.” I pointed my finger at him.

“Your team misses you.” He looked up at the clock above me.

10 past seven.

“Fuck, I’m late for work!” I started towards the door.

I’m never late for work!

“Relax.” Peter extended his arm to stop me. “I know you were with the little Fireball. Count it as work.” He winked at me.

“Thank you, Peter.” I said thankfully.

“If you want I can make this your part-time for the time being. I’m sure your team will be able to handle the workload without you until we move Aami to his habitat.”

Did I mention that he was the best boss ever?

“I would love to, but I can handle both, Peter. Thank you for the offer.” I smiled faintly and took a step forward.

“Look, Charlie.” He stopped me yet again. “I know we are teasing you all the time but it’s only because you’re the youngest even though you are the most talented. I know this means a lot to you and since you didn’t go home for Christmas this year I couldn’t help but notice that you are working yourself even more than you did last year.”

He wasn’t wrong but I stayed quiet.

I didn’t know what to tell him. I had my reasons why I hadn’t taken a day off or visited my family for any of the holidays for the past year.

“How about you join your team at 8 for the next few weeks and be with the little guy in the morning. Call it your time off.” He winked at me. “I don’t know what goes on in that red-haired head of yours but it can’t be healthy to work yourself so hard.”

I blinked at him. I didn’t know how to reply. I didn’t expect this from him. Peter was the oldest in the Sanctuary. He was 48 and I looked up to him more than to anyone else here but we never talked about stuff like this. He teased me that I should take time off and he joked that I was a workaholic a couple of times but I never actually thought he was worried about me.

I know they teased me all the time because I was the youngest of the group and I didn’t mind that they did. We had a great time and I loved them all. But I was taken aback by his short speech.

I was fine.

I was doing okay.

I had the job that I always wanted and now I was taking care of this little guy which brought me so much joy.

What else could I want from my life?

My daily routine starts around five in the morning. I make myself some coffee and breakfast. Hike up the hill to watch the sunrise. Go to the nursery to check up on Aami and help Tina if she needs anything.

I meet my team at seven in front of my cottage and we make a full circle around the Reserve feeding the dragons. We finish around 12 every day so we go down to the tavern for launch. Then we go check on the mother dragons and see how the eggs are progressing. Then I assign a dragon to each in my team and we go and train them until four. We meet back up at my hut and go and feed them again.

Once we are done I go home to change my clothes and I either go for a run or another hike. I shower when I come back. Get some dinner and on the weekends we all grab a beer which usually ends up with me waking with a headache because it never stops after just one pint.

It might sound boring to some but I loved my work. It was busy but I love every minute of it. It’s true that I don’t have a lot of free time or take many days off but I really don’t need it. The hikes in the morning and the evening are my alone time and I don’t need more than that. I don’t even know what I would do if I had more time off.

“You know if it’s doable I would love to spend more time with the baby Fireball.” I finally answered him after a short pause.

He only nodded and finally let me go.

“Do you happen to know where my wife is?” He asked when I was almost out the door.

“She’s probably in one of the nursery rooms.” I smiled at him and exited.

Peter and Tina were one of the few couples in our Reserve. A lot of us are single, some have partners that work other jobs and have long-distance relationships. Most of us don’t think about it a lot because we don’t have that much time or the liberty to settle down.

We don’t get many recruits and when we do it’s mostly men so every time we get a new female Dragonologist everybody flips out and either scare her away or get slapped in the face. The latter happens more often.

“Where have you been, Charlie?” Andrew asked as soon as I reached them.

“Have you been looking after your son?” Theo made a kissy face.

I will murder him, I swear.

“For a matter of fact, I was.” I stuck my tongue at him. If he can be 35 and act like a child, I can be 22 and do so too. “I made a deal with Peter to join you mates at 8 so I can spend more time with Aami.”

“But you’re our team leader.” Evan looked puzzled.

“Can’t live without Charlie, Evan?” Theo mocked him. “We have the same routine every morning, I think we can manage.” He winked at me.

“It’s only until Aami can start his training.” I assured them.

I loved being the leader of a team and it was touching how much they listened to me.

I worked with 4 men. Evan, who was 28, was the only one besides me that was under 30. As I said before Theo is 35, John is 40 and Andrew is 32. Peter joins us occasionally in case we need a helping hand but they are all very skilled and good at what they do so we rarely have any problems.

I was so nervous the day when Peter told me he picked me as a group leader. I felt neither worthy nor qualified for the position and I thought they would all hate me for being their boss since I knew they were all older than me but nobody cared.

They obeyed and respected me since day one and I admired that about the Sanctuary. Here, age doesn’t matter. Talent, ambition, and skills matter. If you show how hard-working you are and that you are willing to learn and are good at your job, you can quickly earn everyone’s respect.

I told them that I would make a plan in the evening and pin it to the door for them to look through it in the morning so that they will know what to do while I’m in the nursery. Then we went to the storage room to get our protective gear and the food and we started our day.

—

“That’s it, mates.” I took off my gloves. “We’re done for today.”

“I can’t tell you how much I will enjoy my shower.” John smelled his shirt.

“That’s what happens when you’re not looking where you’re going and you fall in dragon dung.” Theo laughed at him and the rest followed.

“Meet you down for a pint, Charlie?” Andrew asked, his hand on my shoulder.

“Sure.” I nodded and we started walking down the hill.

“Charlie!” We all turned around when we heard my name.

“What do you have for me, Ernie?” I grinned at him.

Ernie worked in our Admission Office and was usually the one who brought us mail in the morning since all the letters usually arrived at the Sanctuary Owlery. It was for the safety of the owls so the dragons wouldn’t accidentally make them their dinner.

“I couldn’t find you this morning so I hold on to your letters.” He explained.

He handed me a handful of them. I tucked them under my arm.

“Thanks, Ernie.” I waved them all goodbye and made my way to my home.

As I was walking I looked through the envelopes. I couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t wait until I was sitting in my kitchen. I couldn’t pretend that I was waiting for a letter.

Tonks’. Mum’s. Ron’s. Ginny’s. Freddie and Georgie wrote separately to me which rarely happens. Nothing from Bill…again. I sighed and unlocked my door.

I put the letters on my coffee table and went straight into the shower. I didn’t feel like a hike. I wanted to go and grab a drink and be with my friends as soon as possible. I didn’t know what would happen to me if I was alone with my thoughts.

“Charles, what took you so long!” Theo slurred when I sat down next to him.

“How long was I in the shower that he’s already drunk?” I laughed and looked at Andrew and John sitting opposite us.

“What did I miss?” Evan sat next to me and sipped on his beer.

“Charlie is here, pretty boy!” Theo sang.

I shook my head. This is going to be a long night.

“I have noticed.” Evan laughed. “How is he already that drunk?” He leaned to me.

“I think the alcohol never leaves his system.” I joked.

“Look Charlie, it’s your girlfriend.” John smirked at me and when Andrew saw who he was talking about, he covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing.

I turned around and saw April standing at the bar. I sunk in my seat.

Oh, dear Merlin let her not see me!

“Will you ever stop?” I rolled my eyes.

“Who are we talking about?” Theo leaned on my shoulder and hiccupped.

“Nobody.” I answer quickly. “They are delusional.”

“We’re talking about April.” John said and winked at me.

Theo turned around so abruptly that I thought he was going to fall off the bench.

“April! Come here, April!” He shouted toward the bar.

April looked in our direction, smiled softly at me, and waved.

“Will you keep it down!” I smacked him over the head. “If she comes here, I will strangle you, Theodore!”

“You’re the one who slept with her.” Andrew mocked.

“Twice.” John made a kissy face.

“What is the topic tonight, mates?” Peter motioned with his hand that John and Andrew should make some room for him.

“We’re teasing Charlie about sleeping with April, twice.” Evan said innocently, holding two fingers in front of my face.

He was the one who was usually quiet when the rest of my mates were making fun out of me but I know he was enjoying it just as much.

“Twice?” Peter frowned. “Didn’t you sleep with her three times?”

I slammed my hand on my forehead. “They didn’t have to know that, Peter!”

Evan, John, and Andrew all looked at me, their eyes widened and they burst out laughing.

“Charlie, mate.” Theo leaned on his hand and looked me in the eyes. “Didn’t you say she’s bad in bed? What you sleeping with her so much for?”

“Are you in love, Charles?” John made a heart with his hand and extended his arms over the table.

“Bugger off!” I rolled my eyes. “I make bad decisions when I’m drunk.”

I then turned to Theo who was still leaning on his hand but had his eyes closed now. “It’s not that she’s bad in bed it’s just…” I swallowed hard. I didn’t know how to explain it because I knew that no matter what I say they’ll laugh at me again. “…we don’t have the right chemistry. There’s no passion.”

No connection, I wanted to say bit my tongue.

“Have you looked around, Charlie?” Theo laughed. “You don’t have that much to choose from.” The hand that he was leaning on finally gave in and he slammed his head to the table.

We all burst out laughing including him.

“Thanks. I’ll rather stay single.” I patted his head, pretending to care if he got hurt.

“You’re still young, Charlie. Never forget what you want and never settle for less.” Peter lifted his glass and we all followed his lead.

Never settle for less. It’s going to be hard to find someone after what I experienced last year.

[bittersweetmelxdy]

the other end of my scarlet thread...

Words: 4,255

Summary: Every year at midnight of Christmas Night, everyone is able to see the red string of fate connecting them to their soulmate. Y/N has spent the last few years, chasing hers with no avail and is just about to give up, and simply spends her Christmas at the LFG company party, and then goes home alone. Victor has known who his soulmate is since the first year Y/N joined the company, however that was also the year he heard Y/N say in a drunken ramble (due to spiked punch) say that in a tier list of ‘who she’d date in LFG’, Victor didn’t even make the list. This year he plans not only to get on that list, but to be her only option.

Merry Christmas @chibienvychan03​, I’m your Secret Santa, I hope you enjoy it <3

Standing in the lobby of LFG, you tried to psyche yourself up to deliver the report to Victor, it would be your last report this year and you and your team had spent countless sleepless nights writing and refining the report so you could hopefully end the year on a glowing report. However, knowing Victor’s nitpicking tendencies you had literally stressed about this all night and even on the drive up to LFG, you had practiced the report with Anna, adding answers to questions you felt Victor would ask. However, the time had come, and Goldman walking up to you signaled that Victor was ready to see you.

“You look like death warmed up.” Goldman said as he got close to you.

“Gee, Goldman glad to see you too.” you replied playfully.

“I’m serious, you look even worse than the very first Christmas party you attended at LFG and you were so drunk.”

“Remind me, not to trust the communal punch bowl again.” you groaned, rubbing your forehead as if to banish the memory from you.

“Though I have to say, I didn’t think you’d have even less of a filter drunk than you did sober, it was pretty entertaining.” Goldman nudged you, as he laughed, “I mean that tier list, I didn’t even know you knew the main employees at LFG.”

“Of course, I do, I make a point to know all the people I interact with.” you said in a prideful tone.

Goldman scoffed, “Sure, you’re such a model business partner, you should give lessons.”  

“I think you’re just mad I only put you as a ‘B’ on my list.” you stuck your tongue out at him.

“I wouldn’t date you if you paid me.” Goldman threw back, at your scandalised gasp, “I think everyone was more shocked our CEO wasn’t even on your list.”

“There is no way I’d go out with a man who doesn’t even call me by my own name.” you pouted.

“Don’t you think maybe it’s just affectionate teasing?” Goldman asked.

“You’re on thin ice Goldman, keep talking and you won’t be getting away of my famous gingerbread.” you threatened, pointing a finger in his face, as you both stopped in front of Victor’s office.

Goldman grabbed the finger lightly, moving it from his face, “Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Go and give your report.”

You turned your head, noticing you had reached your destination, and quickly stepped away from Goldman. Fixing your appearance and taking a deep breath, after throwing a final glare at Goldman you raised your hand and knocked thrice on the door. After a minute you heard a deep “Come in.” and you stepped over the threshold to accept your fate.

After you finished your report, having answered ten grueling questions from Victor, and barely stuttering through the questions that despite your careful planning you somehow hadn’t prepared for. You now stood with bated breath, wondering why Victor hadn’t let you leave yet, as you shifted your weight from foot to foot as the silence grew between you. Watching Victor shuffle his papers and sign documents you kicked the floor slightly with the toe of your shoe, the slight noise alerting Victor.

“Hey, take a seat, I’ll be done in a minute and I’ll give you a lift back.” Victor gestured at the couch in the side of his office, and without waiting for your response went back to work.

Swallowing the barb dancing on the tip of your tongue, you walked over and plopped down on the couch, pulling out your phone to watch some videos whilst you waited for Victor. After a few minutes, you suddenly felt your phone being pulled slightly out of your grasp, and looking up you noticed Victor hovering over you, already dressed in his coat.

“Come on Dummy, let’s go.” Victor called and then stood back to his full height turning around to walk back to his desk to pick up his briefcase and file folder.  

You couldn’t help admiring the fine figure Victor cut in his winter get up, checking him out but quickly averting your eyes when he faced you once again. Standing up, you smoothed your outfit and then followed Victor, thanking him as he opened the door for you to exit the office. Passing through the corridors you passed Goldman, who seeing you with the CEO raised an eyebrow at you, but just as you took a deep breath to yell at him, he quickly called out.

“Remember, I don’t eat peppermint.” Goldman said patting you on the shoulder before leaving quickly before you could retort.

Shaking you head, huffing out a laugh and rolling your eyes as Victor behind you furrowed his brows casting his eyes between you and Goldman in confusion. However, he didn’t breach the subject until you were both sitting in his car and as he drove you home.

“So... what did Goldman mean?” Victor coughed once and glanced at you almost bashfully, but all this was lost on you as you kept your eyes on the scenery outside of the window.

“Oh, I bake a whole batch of gingerbread every year for my friends and stuff. And I do different flavour combinations for different people depending on their taste.

“You bake, does it taste good?” Victor said, and sadly his intended tease fell flat at your response.

“It’s good enough for people who aren’t gourmet chefs at least.” you threw back spitefully, and Victor winced slightly, deciding to change the topic instead.

“Anyway... you got any plans for Christmas?” Victor asked.

Deciding to cut him some slack, you humoured him in the change of subject, “No plans, apart from the LFG Christmas Party.”

“No... no plans with your soulmate?”

You laughed bitterly, raising your left hand to stare at your pinky finger, “I’ve spent years chasing after them and he obviously doesn’t want to find me, I think after this year, I’m just going to give up.”

Victor choked on his breath as he stopped outside your apartment building, turning to look at you with slight panic in his eyes, “What if he IS looking for you, right now?” he asked. You shrugged unbuckling your seatbelt and hopping out of his car, not answering his question you then shut the car door, turning to enter your building, missing how Victor stared at your retreating figure with determination in his eyes.

A few days passed and you found yourself navigating the supermarket at an ungodly hour of 1am so that you it was finally quiet and the only people accompanying you were tired college students and insomniacs. You picked up a basket, yawning as you walked through the automatic doors, before first navigating through the fruit and veg aisles, to pick up fresh ginger, oranges and other ingredients. You snapped a quick picture of the empty aisles, uploading it to your Moments with a yawning and sleepy emoji as the caption alongside the words, ‘Night Owl’, as you entered the dairy section. Crouching down in front of the various pots of double cream, you unlocked your phone to check the quantities you needed when you felt a cool sensation atop your head. Looking up, to your surprise, was Victor standing next to you, still dressed impeccably, a stark contrast to your very casual outfit. Grabbing the appropriate double cream containers and carefully placing them in your basket, you stood, and Victor placed a can of tea in your hands, before bending slightly and picking up your heavy basket with ease.

“You need anything else?” Victor asked softly, and you tilted your head as you once again saw the rare appearance of “soft Victor”, something that never failed to make you heartbeat race.

“Ah... um...” You stopped and collected your thoughts under Victor’s amused gaze, “No, I think I got everything. How come you’re here I thought you preached “8 hours of sleep a day”, and “if you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll continue to make stupid mistakes”.” during your quotations you deepened your voice to mimic Victor, before realising that it wasn’t the best idea to mock the prime investor of your company and you covered your mouth with your hands.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” you apologised quickly, looking in the opposite direction of Victor.

Victor sighed, switching the basket to the outside and reaching out he placed his larger hand atop your head, ruffling your tresses affectionately, “If you have time to practice impressions of me, you should instead put that energy into proofreading your report.” you looked up and stared as Victor smiled softly at you, but you chalked it up to your sleepy state, and you spent the next half hour wandering the aisles of the deserted supermarket with Victor, picking up various ingredients and supplies, and finally once you reached the checkout, as you fumbled in your purse for your wallet, Victor took the opportunity to swipe his black card and pay for your groceries.

Leaving the supermarket holding the lighter of your bags, you turned to Victor to admonish him for his act, “Victor, I could’ve paid you know!”  

“I know that, just thought I’d help you out.” Victor shrugged before raising a hand to halt your open mouth, “No, you do not need to pay me back,”

You shut your mouth, and after a couple beats of silence, you erupted in giggles as Victor watching you also began to laugh at the silliness of the whole situation. Your combined breaths swirling around you both in white whisps, as you both calmed down. Once you had both regained your composure, you extended your hand out for Victor to return the bag to you so you can go home. But to your surprise Victor shook his head silently at you and then grabbed your right hand, leading you over to his car. As you walked the short distance in the still night blanketing Loveland City, you furrowed your brow as you felt a weird tingling feeling in your left pinky and looking down there was no visible change but shaking you head you dispelled such thoughts and simply followed the CEO with full trust.

A few more days passed, and you were window shopping in the New Light Mall, looking for a dress for the LFG Christmas Party. You had planned to just recycle a dress you already owned with a different jacket and some new accessories, but to your horror you noticed it had a stain on it, and it was in a pretty noticeable spot. Taking it to the drycleaners, the workers sadly informed that due to the holiday season, they would be unable to get it back to you before the Christmas Party date, knowing it was a fruitless endeavour, you apologised to the workers but still left the dress with them so you could at least have a clean dress for the next fancy function.  

Leading you to the current predicament, aimlessly wandering through the shopping centre, window shopping and hoping something would catch your eye. After an hour of searching, you were just about ready to give up when a simple dress caught your eye. Approaching the window, you noted that although the dress seemed simple in its cut and style, the choice of slightly shimmery satin gave it an air of elegance, and even better because of the simple but fashionable cut you could easily rewear the dress and change the look with different accessories. Casting your eyes to the side of the mannequin you saw a small plaque with the pricing of the dress, and your eyes lit up seeing it was an affordable price. Entering the store, you prayed silently that the store would carry your size, and lo and behold, it did. You held the dress up against your figure, as you watched yourself in the full-view mirror, giggling lightly and swishing out the skirt to admire the cut.  

After purchasing the dress, you noted the sky had grown dark and as you left the shopping centre you decided to take a detour through Creek Ancient Street where you knew there was a light display, before heading home. Just from approaching the bridge that led into Creek Ancient Street you could see the steady stream of people and the faint glow of the Christmas lights. Skipping your way past the colourful market stalls and following the pathway of lights, you found yourself in front of a large tree in the middle of the crossroads. The silver lights twinkled in the branches and in the darkness, it looked like scattered stars and casting your eyes to the side you saw that for a small price you could purchase a small ornament which you could attach a written wish to and then you could hang it on the tree’s branches. Walking towards the stall vendor, you examined the rows upon rows of Christmas ornaments, before spotting a small, cute snowman that wore a simple santa hat and a red sparkly bow around its neck. Pointing at it you asked for the vendor to take it down for you, when the vendor’s comment made you pause.

“Miss, this snowman comes in a pair would you like to buy the other one too?” the vendor handed you the smaller snowman, and then retrieved the snowman’s counterpart, a taller snowman with a deep red scarf, black hat and thick eyebrows, and showed him to you.

Looking at how well the pair looked together, you felt awkward in splitting them up, so you were about to hand the snowman back when a large hand appeared over your shoulder and plucked the snowman out of the vendors hand, replacing it with money to cover both ornaments. Turning your head quickly, your eyes widened as the sight of Victor, who simply thanked the vendor, who smiled in thanks for the purchase, and then he spun you around and led you over to the tree.

“Victor, what are you doing here?” you questioned.

“Just passing by.” Victor coughed into his fist and averted his eyes, and you could be mistaken but in the low hazy lighting you were almost certain that the red on the tips of his ears was out of embarrassment rather than the cold.  

You squinted in skepticism at Victor’s response, with how far away you were from LFG it seemed unlikely that Victor was simply “passing by”. But shrugging you turned your eyes to the ornament and after running over the snowman with your thumb, you uncapped a pen from the jar on a table next to the tree and thought about your wish.

“You not going to wish to meet your soulmate?” Victor asked.

Noting this was the second time in the last week Victor had brought this up you queried him, “Why are you so interested in my soulmate?”

“Maybe finding your soulmate will make you better at your work.” Victor teased, poking you directly in the middle of your forehead.

“Hey!” you rubbed your forehead pouting, “What about you?”

“What about me?” Victor asked, not watching you but instead finishing to write his wish.

“Is your wish about finding your soulmate?”

Victor stopped looked at you for a few seconds, before reaching up and hanging his ornament on the tree branch before answering with a simple, “Something like that.”

You hurriedly finished your wish with hopes of the coming year to make your father proud, and whilst handing the ornament to Victor your fingers brushed his palm, and as he turned to hang your ornament next to his you felt that tingling sensation in your pinky finger once again. Thinking it was simply pin and needles you rubbed it with your other hand until the feeling faded once again.

Stepping into the rented, lavishly decorated rented hall that was the location of the LFG Christmas Party, you marveled at the decorations, snapping pictures of the decorations to quickly add to your Moments. When you felt a hand on your shoulder, and you jumped with a small yelp.

“Goldman!” you called, spinning around, and seeing the drink in his hand you looked around for a waiter.

“Don't even think about it, the waiters know not to give you any alcohol.” Goldman told you.

“Come on, one glass.” you pouted.

“Talk to me when you stop being a lightweight.” Goldman deadpanned, despite your sad puppy dog eyes, “Anyway don’t you want to spend one party sober so you can find you soulmate?”

You scoffed, “Fine, but when I don’t find him, you owe me.” you pointed at him accusatorily.

Goldman nodded and then you and him after a short conversation, you both parted and you spent the next few hours talking to various employees of LFG, and taking some fun selfies with Kiki, Willow and Anna. Finally, as midnight drew closer your social battery was running low and you made your way over a deserted balcony, and you sighed leaning your arms on the railing.

“Please tell me no-one gave you alcohol.” a deep baritone cut through your reverie, and you opened your eyes to watch as he approached you and at your shiver Victor began to take off his coat, reaching to put it around your shoulders.

“Shouldn’t you save this behaviour for your soulmate?” You teased.

“Be worried about a certain Dummy’s health isn’t something my soulmate would get mad at me about.” Victor threw back, his tone softer than usual but you felt this was due to the festive period.

You sighed, casting your eyes to the stars twinkling above, “How come you’re so calm?”

“Sorry?”

“Most people your age seem more concerned that they haven't found their soulmate.” you mused.

“My age?” Victor teased, standing next to you and placing a hand next to your elbow, so he could lean over you slightly, “Am I so old to you?”

“You know what I mean.” you rolled our eyes.

“Aren’t people YOUR age still full of hopeless fantasies about your soulmates?”

“Yeah, some of us aren’t.” you sighed, drawing a circle on the stone railing.

“Really, with an imagination like yours I’d expect you had your whole future planned out by now.”

“I did once,” you smiled, rested your hands flat against the railing and leaned backwards, “I still have the scrapbook I made with my high school friends, it may seem silly but it was really fun at the time.” you didn’t know why, but you suddenly felt you had to justify embarrassing younger self to Victor.  

Victor reached out and placed it on your head, stroking your hair gently, “It’s not silly, not at all.” his soft tone, caused a heat to prickle under your cheeks.

“Thanks Victor, you’re really sweet when you want to be.”

“I’m glad even someone like you can see my good points.”

You scoffed, “You’re a good guy Victor, anyone would be lucky to have you.”

“Even you?”

You laughed, “Yeah even m-”

The clock struck midnight, and you looked down seeing a bright scarlet thread materialise around your left pinky finger, a neat little bow adorning it. Following the thread with your eyes, to your absolute horror for the first time in your life you saw the end of the red thread, neatly tied around Victor’s finger. You felt like ice cold water had been poured down your back, and you felt faint, stumbling backwards as you realised the only one who was shocked was you.

You lifted your trembling left index finger, pointing it Victor, “Y-y-y-you knew?”

Victor realising this was going south, tried to placate you, “Listen y/n-”

“How long?”

“...”

“How long, Victor!”

“... the first year you collaborated with LFG.”  

“It must have been real fun for you, to string me along whilst you laughed behind my back.”

“No, that’s not it.” Victor took a step towards you, but you shook your head, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes, stepping back once more, you ripped his jacket from your shoulders throwing it haphazardly at Victor’s face, before fleeing the venue.

Reaching home, you threw yourself on your bed not bothering to take off any of your clothes and started sobbing into your pillow. It wasn’t that you were disappointed in WHO your soulmate was, in fact part of your tears were full of relief, knowing that the guy you were beginning to fall for was your soulmate. Now the guilty feelings that were beginning to surface, that you were betraying your soulmate could be put to rest. You rolled over onto your back, teary eyes staring at your ceiling and hugging your pillow tightly to your chest. ‘What am I going to do now?’ you wondered closing your eyes and slipping off into a dreamless sleep.

You had spent the last week, avoiding Victor at all costs. If you had a meeting at LFG, Anna subbed in for you, saw him in the corridor, you hid behind a potted plant until you were certain he had gone. you had even recruited Goldman to give you updates on Victor’s movements, and although he had no idea what was going on, bless his heart he was still helping you avoid his boss.  

You sighed, leaning against the wall of an empty hallway in LFG on New Year’s Eve with Goldman staring at you confused.

“So... why are you avoiding the boss?” Goldman asked, passing you a water bottle from the vending machine.

“Hah... I... Goldman I-”

“So, you found out?”

You whipped your head up to look at Goldman where he stood next to you taking a sip of his own water bottle, “Y-y-y-you knew?”

Goldman shook his head, “Not for definite but I had a feeling, most of the office did, there’s still an active betting pool on when the two of you are going to finally get together.”

You felt the heat prickle in your cheeks, “A-a-are you part of it?”

Goldman snorted lightly, and offered no response, which meant he was definitely in on it, “Do you like him?”

“Who? Victor?”

“No, the other CEO who’s your soulmate.” Goldman deadpanned.

“I... I do, it’s just he never-”

“For someone who runs around talking about how everyone has different love languages, you really fail to see when someone’s speaking yours.” Goldman pushed off the wall and stood in front of you, “I know I poke fun at you at lot, but I mean it when I say please don’t do that thing you do when you run away from your problems.”

“I don’t-”

“Y/N.” Goldman said sternly.

You sighed again, watching out the window at the city lights blinking as the city prepared to celebrate the new year. “I’ll think about it.” you finished the conversation there and made your way into the streets of Loveland City.  

After aimlessly walking around the streets of Loveland City, your heart twinging with sadness every time you passed a happy couple snuggled up to each other whispering softly to each other in the wintery air. In a strange coincidence you ended up back at the large Christmas tree where you had bought the ornament. As you approached the tree you noticed that the shop vendors were taking down some of the ornaments and by chance the vendor you had bought the snowman from the first time spotted you and waved you over.

“Miss!” he called smiling at you brightly.

“Hello.” catching his infectious energy you smile brightly in return, “How come the ornaments are coming down?”

“City Council wants to take down some of the ornaments, so we don’t harm the tree, but I’m glad I caught you.” he then handed the two snowman you and Victor had bought over to you.

“Um, this one isn’t mine...” you started.

“Could you pass it to the gentleman that came with you?” the vendor smiled and then ran off before you could clarify to the vendor that you and Victor weren’t like that.

‘Yet’ your mind whispered, and you shook your head vehemently as if to shake it out of your head.

Stepping into the square, you saw that the minute countdown had started for the new year and you stood stock still amidst the happy people anticipating the new year, caressing Victor’s snowman with your thumb, before the crinkling of the paper caught your eye. Your curiosity winning over your conscience, caused you to turn the paper over to see in Victor’s neat handwriting.

“Please let Y/N, love me back.” a deep baritone voice was heard above you, and you looked up in surprise to catch Victor’s soft eyes.

“Victor?” you whispered, as he approached you, his large hands reaching out to hold your cold cheeks.

“You never let me finish, before you ran off.” Victor said, “I’ve known since the first year, but you got drunk and wouldn’t even put me of your list of people you would date in the company, I’ve spent few years trying to get you to see me in the way I see you.”

“You like me too?” you said in disbelief, the multiple times that Victor was sharp with you flashing through your eyes before overlapping with all the times he was soft with you.

The countdown hit zero as Victor rested his forehead against yours, and as the cheers of the public became background noise around you as the only thing you could hear was Victor’s deep voice saying sincerely to you.

“Dummy, since the moment I met you, I’ve been waiting for you to see the light.”

[noocturnalchild]

A Ruined Movie Night

pairing : Modern!Ben Solo X Modern!Rey

Rated : Teens and up

Word count : 1K

No warnings. Just small silly writing...

This is the first piece I write for this fandom...

Hi I'm back... dunno XD

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

“Can I sit by your side, Ben?”

Rey tried to make it sound as casual as she could manage, and she regretted even asking. She could just take her seat casually by his side, like friends do, after all, didn’t she?

“I charge by the hour”

He seemed unbothered, face focused on the action scene that broke out suddenly and she took advantage of his moment of inattention to move carefully on his side of the sofa.

“Prick, move your ass.”

Ben swallowed as she sat beside him. She was wearing that sweater he liked so much. With the three buttons on the back, starting from the collar down her neck. They were so tempting, these little three buttons, like round little candies wrapped in mauve, begging to be popped.

Ben aggressively dumped a handful of kettle corn in his mouth.

“Easy, angry bear! We haven’t even made It to the first half of the movie. Think about your smaller forest raccoon friend.” She leaned to grab some popcorn from the box on his lap and he ducked, swiftly lifting the box out of her reach, hiding it behind the sofa arm.

“Raccoons are cocky thieves, they say.”

“Bullshit !” She shouted, “They are the most ado-“

“Hey! Look, you made me miss how they blow up that ship!” Ben’s scream was tainted with laugher. “Can’t you keep still for a moment? Jesus!”

“And they are cute! AND you are definitely the one ALWAYS fidgeting in your seat! If my sofa could talk, I’m sure it would fill salty complaints against your flat ass!”

“My flat what?!” Ben mumbled curses under his breath.

“I can HEAR you.”

“I know.” he smiled.

They fell into a comfortable silence again, before Ben put the popcorn box in her lap, casually not moving his hand off.

“Just a precaution, forest thief.”

She gave him a faux dirty side look, followed by a lopsided smile as they refocused on the space opera playing on the screen.

Warmth flooded Rey’s space and she relaxed, limbs limp and head empty, lids heavy with sleepy comfort. His hand and technically, half of his arm were still on her lap. Damn, the man was warmer than her central heating. She wondered if he was conscious, or if people noticed. If his other friends teased him about it, if his exes…she chastised the latter thought, and corrected her stance. She was leaning a bit too much into his shoulder, she noticed as a dull pain started to numb the nape of her neck.

Rey tried to crack her neck a number of times, wincing at the pain that didn’t seem to lessen, but to increase. She sighed in discomfort, touching the painful place to find it ice cold. Fuck her premature cervical arthrosis.

“You alright?” Ben seemed to watch her for a while now.

“Yeah, just a light neck pain, 8 hours at Plutt’s do that to you.”

“Doesn’t seem to be light, to me.”

“I told you it’s ok.”

“No, it’s not, look at your face, your wince looks like a that of middle age martyr on a burning stick!”

“History nerd. I don’t look like that.”

“A constipated raccoon then.”

“Ok, I have arthrosis.”

“What?”

“As I told you, dumbass.”

“Are you 80 or something?”

“You idiot, it has nothing to do-“

“I know, I know that wasn’t funny. Where does it hurt?” Ben paused the movie.

“The nape of my neck, mostly…”

“It worsens when it’s cold huh?”

“Yes, exactly, and today was just…”

“Yeah, let me check if we forgot one of the windows open or something.”

“Yeah fine.” She winced again at the loss of heat when he moved to check the windows.

When Ben came back, he found her literally crumpled on herself, arms wrapping around her and shivering.

“What? I leave you one second and you transform into a snail?”

“Fuck you Solo.”

“Closed the kitchen window. You’re welcome.” Ben flopped down back into the sofa beside her, making her bounce in her place.

“Slow, I’m sick.”

“It’s your neck that’s hurtin’ not your ass- You fucking finished the popcorn!” He exclaimed at the empty box lying neglectfully now at her feet and she shrugged, not sorry the slightest.

“I’d crack you neck good if it wasn’t already fucked.”

“You’re rude!”

“Let me finish the movie, you should too.”

A few minutes later …

“Feelin’ any better?” Ben paused the movie again.

What a ruined movie night, Rey thought as she shook her head, eyeing the empty second popcorn box. In the end, none of them was really focused on the events anymore.

“Nah, to be honest. I’m so done.” She sighed.

“You should try heat patches.” Ben talked seriously now, concern visible in his chocolate eyes.

“Too tired to go and try this now, just wanna zone out on that couch when the movie is over, eugh.”

She slumped further onto the cushions. her cheeks were so red, and her hair all tousled and messy and he found himself staring and starring, a bubble of tenderness swelling in his chest at the sight before him.

“Ok, we can try something else…” words fled his mouth before he could catch them.

“Liiiike?” She pinched her brows, confused.

Ben showed her his hand.

“I… don’t… understand” she said slowly. Ben sighed, a pretty blush raised to his cheeks. In the faint light coming from the Tv, he hoped it wasn’t that obvious.

“Can …can I put my hand on the nape of your neck?”

Rey was dumbstruck for a second or two, looking at him with round eyes and Ben felt so stupid, the stupidest he felt for a while, to say the truth.

“Please?”

No, now he felt like the dumbest creature in the galaxy.

What kind of earthly idiot would ask their roommate to use their hand as a heat patch? Ben wished they’ve already created that damn time machine so he could hide his shameless face in the past and disappear from history, once and for all.

But here she was, surprise flipping to impish amusement. In her eyes was a flame twinkling in the feeble light of their small living space.

“Ok” her response came against all odds, and he had to metaphorically reboot to register it.

“Ok” Rey said again, no hesitation in her voice whatsoever, eyes wide open. Was he mistaken somehow, or was that a smirk she was giving him now?

No, she must be as stupid as him, that’s the only explanation.

“Hey, Venus to Mars? Ben?”

“Oh, hello”

Idiot.

“You offered. I’m waiting” she said firmly, an exaggerated grimace as she turned slightly, offering the base of her neck to him, pointing at it impatiently.

“Of-of course”

Hesitantly, Ben reached out, but before he could take his time playing his stupid self, Rey took his hand and pressed his palm resolutely on her soring spot, instantly groaning in relief.

“Fuck Ben, that’s definitely one of your rarest good ideas” She flexed her neck again, hand always grasping his, keeping it firm against her skin, like to absorb the maximum heat.

He should have thanked heavens she kept her eyes closed; his face resembled more that of a clown now, he knew. He had to return to cool Ben, have a grip on his running thoughts. He coughed a little.

“Oh, It’s uncomfortable?” Rey opened her eyes finally, seeming to realize he was struggling with their current position. She released his hand.

“No, just…just turn around... we could just sit like we were and you can use my hand as a neck pillow as much as you want”

“ So generous when you feel like it” Rey teased and the sparkle in her eyes returned. Ben really struggled to pull himself off the searing feeling he was lost in all of a sudden as his chest expanded with unfamiliar bubbles.

“Huh, guess so” he replied vaguely, still pretty much distracted by the placement of his hand on her skin. Damn, he had to find conversation, and soon. Silence wasn’t an option now.

Fuck. Make it awkward Ben, that’s it.

Ah right, the movie. Ben reached for the remote and pressed resume.

The sound of spaceships explosions echoed in the tiny living room walls. Rey and Ben both jolted in their place. They didn’t even remember putting the movie on pause in the midst of that action, mind on other matters. They both burst into laughter when the first shock subsided and Rey leaned a little bit onto him. She was visibly feeling better now. Her muscles seemed relaxed and warm and she looked…genuinely happy. Ben wished the smile he saw then on her face to never fade away. He promised himself that it wouldn’t, as long as they were together.

“So…Ben…” Rey sweetly sang-song after some moments of silence. “Since today is the day I apparently entered in your good graces … remember that little favor I asked you about …the history exam?”

Fucks sake. Not that. Now. That was too good to be true.

“No, Rey. Happens that I don’t remember that.” Ben refrained from rolling his eyes. He actually remembered well her very specific request to get help from him, and no, not to study...but to cheat.

Rey sighed, dramatic.

“At least I tried.”

“You should rather try and study, for a change.” Ben said firmly, trying and successfully hiding his amusement behind a frown, one of his stern ones.

It was almost comical now; the number of times she tried to get him to help her cheat on an exam, begging, bribing, without results, but never backing down. Typically Rey, he thought with fondness.

“So how long are we staying like this, anyway?”

“Just a lil bit mooore. next time think twice before you offer” Rey whined.

“You little scrounger” Ben mumbled between his teeth.

“I heard you!”

“I know” and he smiled.

[shelby-love]

JAY HALSTEAD

Stalked.

Requested: yes

Prompts: none

Warnings: angsty

Authors note: Y/S1/N (your older sisters name), Y/S2/N (your younger sisters name)

"Your labs came back negative... I'll make sure to get you discharged immediately." You stand next to your patients bed, scrolling through his charts and scanning the monitor.

The man that lied on his bed looked lost and confused. He came in today saying that he was experiencing sharp pain in his stomach. He kept telling you he was in pain although there weren't any possible medical explanations for what he was feeling.

You consulted with Dr. Charles and you decided to discharge him.

"No...no, no, no, no. You have to do them again! Please..." His body jumped and his rough hand found your wrist. Your eyes opened wide as you snatched your hand away immediately. "I...I don't feel so good."

You watched him carefully. This wasn't the first time he forcefully grabbed you.

You almost reported him several different times but you decided against it because now you were getting rid of him. That man was sick in his head.

"Doris make sure to change the dressing on his shoulder then send him off after that." You hand the tablet to the nurse who does as you say and then you walk out.

"Tough one huh?" Dr. Charles leaned against the desk as you typed your password into the computer to access your doctors ID.

"Is it wierd if I say that I was afraid to treat that man?" A big tortured sigh escapes your mouth. "I didn't let that affect my professional judgement but still...it was horrible."

"I believe ya." He replied and stole a glance at the trauma room your freak patient was in. "I mean... He comes in with stomach pain, then he requests to be under your care specifically and after all of that...when you want to discharge him the first time suddenly there's blood pouring out of his shoulder by accident." You nod your head in agreement. "I can confirm something. You...you're not crazy. He's the one who's crazy."

His words left an uneasy feeling settle over you.

***

"Hey girls," You sing into your phone. It's 8 P.M. and your shift just ended. "What do you two want to eat? I can stop by Manny's and get us some food."

Your two sisters agrue about what to eat and whilst they're doing that you get into your car and buckle up. You then fix your rear-view mirror and notice something really odd. There's a blue sports car parked not to far away from your car. The car looks really exotic. So exotic it just doesn't blend with the other cars around yours.

"What the..." You watch closely. A man in a black hoodie is sitting in the car. The whole car is lit up like a soccer field at night and that freaks you out. This parking lot is for Chicago Med workers only. "Who's car is that?"

"What did you say Y/N??" Your sisters screech pulled you back into reality.

"Nothing." You reply quickly and take the phone in your hand. "I just though I saw something."

"Girl you spend way to much time with Jay and now you're starting to sound just like him." Your two manic sisters giggle. "Where is Jay anyway? He hasn't stopped by much lately."

You wonder off to sad places after what she said. "He's been busy." He hasn't been home much at all. Usually he always picks you up from work and drops you off at work too.

After they start to gush over you two you decide to hang up and go to Manny's whether they want to eat there or not.

***

"I'm home!" You voice as soon as you enter the house. You recognize your younger sisters footsteps as she marches down the stairs like a champion.

She snatches the food out of your arms and runs towards the dining room. "You're welcome by the way!"

You kick off your shoes and hang the car keys onto the key holder. When you make your way in the dining room you notice your other sister. She's stiff like a statue with eyes glued to the window. You poke her head, "What's up with you?"

"She's been looking out of the window like a hwak for God knows how long," Y/S2/N says while munching her sandwich.

"Because I've never seen that car before," She defends herself. You stand behind her and look out of the window yourself.

The blue sports car.

"Like that car is too exotic to be owned by someone from this neighbourhood." Your sister continues to blabber. "I just wanna see who the person is."

"Did you see someone come out?" You ask and sit down, slowly you start sinking in your chair.

"No I didn't, oh my God people that's why I'm looking!" She swings her arms in the air.

"Stalking." Y/S2/N coughs into her shoulder.

They giggle for a little bit but you're confused and scared. Jay always told you to be careful when you see the same car wherever you are. You could he paranoid but he always said that its better to be save than sorry.

You shake your head and dismiss the red flags.

"Pass me the food would you?"

***

You stand in front of the window. You hear your siblings making popcorn for your movie marathon in the kitchen.

You still feel uneasy.

Y/S1/N dropped the subject of the blue car but still looks out of the window herself a few times but you took her spot as a permanent watchman.

Your heartbeat spikes up drastically when you see the lights in the car turn on and reveal a masked man. You're reminded of the parking lot and your blood runs cold.

The car moves until its directly across the road.

You check if your windows are all locked.

***

"Did you close the window Y/S2/N?" Your sister asks casually. The three of you are sat and cuddled on your giant sofa.

"It's hot in Chicago for the first time ever, let the breeze in." She replied and stuffed her mouth with popcorn once again.

"More like let the burglars in," You couldn't laugh with them at the jokes they kept throwing. The odd feeling in the pit of your stomach just wouldn't go away.

"I'm cold." You announce and stand up. They don't bother to stop you from going upstairs so you slowly make your way up the stairs.

You walk slowly, almost tip toeing, with your breathing leveled and controlled and nervous sweat breaking out everywhere. Your instinct told you to run, call Jay, ask him to come, but you decided you were paranoid and walked in regardless. No sooner had you hit the light switch did a man grab you and you went tumbling down the flight of stairs.

There was a man standing in front of you. You couldn't make out his face, as he was completely unknown to you.

Unknown until he took the hood of his head. You screamed and tried to get away but he grabbed your ankle and yanked you towards him. By the time he fought you into his arms your two sisters stood in front of you with a phone and a number typed into it. Jay's number.

Your pajama top was ripped but it still somehow hung onto your torso like a loyal soldier.

"Drop the phone or she dies!" He yelled and pressed a knife to your throat. Your sisters shook with fear but after seeing you nod with tears in your eyes they did as they were told.

"Gavin please let me go," You begged but he didn't have any of it.

"No! Do not try to get into my pants now doc. You had your shot!" He yelled into your ear and pressed your back into his harder.

"Gavin please... We can talk about it..I-I can look at your charts again. Help you feel better." You wince as you feel the sharpness of the blade against your neck.

"I wanted to do so much to you..." He whispered, "After you helped me feel better I was going to please you to return the favor... But you did nothing!" He smashed your body against the pastel colored wall but didn't let you sink to the ground. "Nothing!!"

And that's when he did it. When he pressed the knife into you three times. Only the third time he did it and your sisters jumped on him did he notice what was going on. He dropped the knife to the ground and ran.

"Y/S2/N CALL JAY NOW!" The oldest sister after you screamed. She dropped to the ground with you and took her shirt off. She pressed it against your bleeding belly in hopes of calming down the stream of blood that was coming out of three different holes.

You felt dizzy. Your stomach burned and you slowly felt numb all over but you were still able to hear yours sisters sad cries. "C'mon Jay hurry up... Y/N please stay awake."

You lost count of time. You didn't know if you were just stabbed or if you were awake for hours with a bleeding belly.

Commotion builds up in the small neighbourhood. You make out the sounds. Police.

"Chicago PD where is he?" Voight asked your younger sister who managed to choke out that he ran away.

"Y/N? Y/N!!" Now you really felt numb to voices. But fortunately, the last thing you're ever going to be numb for is Jay Halstead. "Jesus Christ Y/N baby are you okay? Y/S1/N? It's okay don't worry I got you now..I got you."

Then you blacked out.

***

"Hey... Go easy." Jay had his strong arm wrapped behind your back as he fixed your pillow so you can lean against it and sit up.

Your whole stomach was bandaged, you had bruises all over your body and somehow you still managed to break a finger.

"How are you feeling?" Jay grabbed your healthy hand in his own two and kissed it countless times.

"Like I just came back from yoga class," Your soary laugh lit up the room.

"I'm happy your humor didn't go away." You can see the gloss in his eyes. He really really was afraid that he lost you.

"Jay..." You were cut of with an emotional kiss. Jay leaned towards you so quickly you didn't have time to process it. You cup his small subtle beard covered chin and return the kiss with just as much emotion.

You tried to push away the bad thoughts and memories from what happened. You wanted to forget it all and the first step forgetting is being able to laugh and joke about it.

And that's what you are going to do.

With Jay.

[ificanthaveu]

Right in Front of Me || Shawn Mendes

alternate title: The Difference Between Him and Me

Description: Shawn, your long time neighbor and friend, is home on a break. You’re not. Shawn finds out everything you never wanted him to know from the person he wished he never knew. 

A/N: surprise! i feel like i usually talk a ton about about my WIPs but this one just kind of all came at once....and bc i can’t figure out a major plot point for my other one so i had to distract myself :) anyway :) Gabe is highkey based off the fuckboy i’ve been talking to and what better fuck boy name than Gabe??? I think I nailed it ok anyway i hope you love it

Word Count: 4.4k

“Shawn Mendes, you cannot keep calling me right when I get off work,” you said through a laugh as you answered your phone precisely at 5:00. 

“I have nothing else to do, and you always answer, so I am just going to keep calling,” he explained. 

“You’re back home for the first time in forever. Everyone has been waiting for this moment. Go hang out with Brian or Nikki or Gabe or literally anyone. You have to leave your house,” you said. 

“I saw Brian yesterday,” he mumbled. 

“And have you seen anyone else?”

“No.”

“Shawn, you’re home for a few weeks. Go out. Go do something,” you said as you climbed into your car. 

“It would be easier if you were here,” he mumbled. 

You sighed as you set your phone down for a second to rest your forehead on the steering wheel and put him on speakerphone. 

“If I could, you know I would come to see you,” you said quietly. 

You heard him sigh and some shuffling before he said, “I know. I’m sorry.”

“I’ve barely been at this company for a year,” you said through a strained voice. “I moved three hours away from everything I’ve ever known for it. If I go back for anything other than my parents, I know I’ll end up not wanting to come back. Especially if I see you or Nikki.”

“She misses you,” Shawn said after a beat of silence. “I talked to her a few weeks ago. She also told me you haven’t talked in a while.”

You sighed and leaned your head back as you finally left the parking lot. 

“It’s hard,” you choked out. 

“I know. I did the same thing,” he reminded you, knowing the pain of having to leave everything and everyone you love. 

“But I am still scheduled to fly out to you in exactly one month. It’ll be here before you know it,” you said, trying to change the subject.

“I can’t wait,” he said. 

“Now, I have to go because I’m meeting up with some coworkers for dinner and drinks. But you need to go do something, Shawn,” you said sternly one last time. 

“Yeah, yeah, I will. Brian mentioned that Gabe was having a fire tonight,” Shawn said.

You swallowed hard and shook your head slightly before you said, “Then go. And have fun.”

“I will,” he said. “I’ll let you go then.”

“Ok, goodbye, I love you, please enjoy your time off,” you finished. 

“Anything for you. Love you, too,” he said before hanging up. 

As Shawn hung up, he leaned back on the chair he was sitting in in his parents’ backyard. His head rested against the back as he closed his eyes for a moment and just felt the sun hit him. 

You’d been begging him for months to take a break, and he finally did it. But now he just wanted to see you and that wasn’t an option. 

He looked down at his phone after a few minutes to see the newest text from Gabe, telling everyone to come over at 8. He reluctantly stood up and made his way inside to have dinner with his family before he went. 

But he found himself picking at his food and just thinking about all you’d done in the past year. When you moved, you cut all ties. When Shawn moved, he called everyone he was friends with whenever he had the chance. Shawn was the only one you still talked to regularly. You were thriving, and he knew that, but there was a part of him that would love to be at a bonfire and look to his side and see you there. 

So he forced himself to finish dinner, stare at the ceiling some more, and then walk over to Gabe’s house. 

In the short walk to Gabe’s house, he walked past your parents’ house to see them sitting on their porch and reading. 

“Shawn! You’re home!” your mom yelled from the front step. 

Shawn smiled at her and walked up to the porch to accept her awaiting hug before he also hugged your dad. 

“Yeah, I figured [Y/N]’s been begging me to take a break, so here I am,” he said through a smile as he leaned against the railing. 

“Pretty hypocritical for her to be telling you to take a break when she can’t do the same,” your dad said as he shook his head. 

“I know,” Shawn whispered as your mom gave a look of agreeance. “Well, I’m already late for Gabe’s, but I’ll see you guys soon.”

Shawn walked away and waved goodbye to your parents as he made his way down the street again. He cut into Gabe’s backyard from the gate on the edge of his house to see Gabe and Nikki sitting there both with drinks already in their hands. 

Nikki was the first to jump up and give Shawn a big hug as he returned it. Gabe was next as he hugged him before handing him a beer. 

“You finally took a damn break,” Nikki said through a laugh as she sat back down and Shawn joined her. 

“Yeah, about time, right?” He said. 

“I don’t get how you do it,” Gabe mumbled as he took a drink and shook his head. 

“Neither do I most times,” Shawn said as he opened the can and took a drink, feeling himself relax as it went down his throat. “I have been going so fast for so long. I think I needed this more than I thought.”

Brian sauntered in a few minutes later along with a few of their other friends as everyone caught up around the fire. Shawn caught himself a few times searching for you, but you were never there. 

“Gabe, when did you stop seeing Mari? I ran into her the other day and almost asked about you until she said some pretty horrible things about you,” Nikki said through a look of disgust. 

Gabe simply waved his hand in front of him. “That was short-lived. Not worth it,” he said simply. 

“You were pining after her for months. What happened?” Shawn asked with a shake of his head. 

Gabe’s eyebrows went up as he carefully took another drink. “I got what I wanted.”

Shawn nearly choked but covered it up by standing up to grab a water. There was a part of him that hoped Gabe had changed from his childish ways, but he was proven wrong every time he talked to him. 

“So you just pine after her until she sleeps with you, and that’s it?” Nikki said, her feelings close to how Shawn was feeling. 

“There’s more to it, Nik,” Gabe defended himself. “I said what I had to say. She said things, too. And here we are.”

“She sure had a lot to say when I saw her,” Nikki taunted as she side-eyed Shawn, and he returned the look. 

“I really don’t care,” Gabe said with a smirk as he grabbed another drink. 

The topic was quickly forgotten as someone else started complaining about their job, but Gabe somehow always brought it back to him in the worst way. 

Shawn slowly drank his water as he listened to everyone talk. It was different, but still so familiar. He was glad he was here. 

“You know who I’ve been talking to?” Gabe said. 

No one said anything as they waited for him to just say it so they could move on. 

“[Y/N],” he said simply. 

This time Shawn did choke as he coughed a few times. He could see Nikki stiffen up from beside him. 

“What?” Shawn said a little too harshly. 

“Yep,” Gabe said, completely not seeing how Shawn reacted. “I texted her a few weeks ago, and we’ve been talking for a while.”

“You’re fucking with us right?” Brian said from across Shawn. 

“Why would I lie about this?” Gabe said as he threw his hands up. “I have a string of texts from her to prove it, but I would never share those extremely private messages with you,” he said with a smirk. 

Shawn felt his head spinning as he rubbed his forehead, completely confused as to what was going on with you. 

“I don’t get it,” Shawn finally said as he looked up at Gabe. 

Gabe returned the look as Shawn shook his head. 

“Don’t get what? It’s [Y/N]. How could I not want to talk to her?”

“That I understand. What I don’t understand is why she’s talking to you,” Shawn said as he tried to calm himself down. 

“We’ve all been friends since we were babies. What’s so bad about me talking to [Y/N] again?” 

“Yes, we’ve all been friends. We get that. But the two of you were never particularly close. She cut off everyone else in this group except Shawn for the sake of starting new, so if she was going to talk to anyone, no one thought it would be you,” Nikki chimed in. 

“You’re just pissed because it’s not you,” Gabe retaliated. 

“[Y/N] needs space right now. And I’m giving it to her. When she wants to come back, we’ll be right back to normal. I can’t say that for the whole group now because of what you’re doing,” Nikki almost yelled. 

“It’s a two-way street, Nikole,” Gabe taunted as Nikki rolled her eyes. 

“I still don’t understand,” Shawn mumbled just for Nikki to hear, but Gabe still heard it. 

“Stop being so hurt about this, Mendes. It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing,” Shawn snapped. “Nothing is ever ‘just nothing’ to her.”

“Well, maybe she’s changed.”

“No, she hasn’t. She’s been through hell and back for six years. She is not going to change overnight to sell her soul to talk to you,” Shawn snapped. 

“I’m seeing her tomorrow, but thanks for being so damn supportive,” Gabe snapped back. 

Nikki gasped audibly as Shawn stood up, Gabe taking a step back as Shawn towered over him. 

“You’re seeing her?” Shawn said quietly as he looked down at him. 

Gabe folded his arms across his chest before he said, “Yeah, I’m driving down to see her tomorrow afternoon. And who knows, I might not come home until the day after.”

Brian’s hand wrapped around Shawn’s shoulder before he would do something he’d regret. Shawn shrugged him off quickly as he sat back down, and Nikki squeezed his wrist. 

Everyone got quiet as Gabe sat back down also, the silence becoming deafening as no one wanted to say anything. 

“Why are you really mad about this?” Gabe tested. 

“I just told you,” Shawn sneered. 

Gabe rolled his eyes and leaned back, resting his ankle on his opposite knee. “There’s more to it. You just don’t want to admit that you’ve been pining after her for years with no reciprocation, and it only took me a few weeks to be doing everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”

Nikki grabbed his wrist again, knowing Shawn would punch him if she didn’t.

“I’m so fucking sick of you,” Shawn said. 

“[Y/N] isn’t,” he taunted again. 

Shawn shot up and grabbed his coat he had abandoned by a cooler and threw his bottle in the garbage. 

“Running away, Mendes?” Gabe tested. 

Shawn turned around to glare at him once more. “You will always be the same piece of shit you were when you ditched Layla Peters at the middle school dance almost ten years ago. You have not changed, and you never will. [Y/N] will realize that.”

Shawn didn’t wait for the response as he stormed out of the backyard, Nikki hot on his heels. 

“Shawn, stop,” she said as she grabbed his wrist and pulled him back once he had reached the front yard. 

“I’m not staying, Nik,” he said quickly. 

“No, no, I don’t blame you,” she said back as she shook her head. “I just want to make sure you’re ok.”

Shawn let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. 

“I’m fine,” he said through a forced smile. “Just shocked.”

“Yeah, me too,” Nikki said. “You don’t really think she’s changed have you?” She asked cautiously. 

“She hasn’t,” Shawn said. “I’ve talked to her every day for the past year. She’s the same girl she’s been since day 1.”

Nikki nodded her head and looked down at her feet. 

“She’ll talk to you again soon,” Shawn said. 

“I know,” she said with a shrug. “We went from talking all the time to just texting each other happy birthday or  quick check-ins.”

“She needed the change,” Shawn reminded her. 

A beat of silence went by as Nikki just looked at him. 

“How do you not get it?” Nikki said with a slight smile. 

“Don’t get what?” Shawn said with a confused look on his face.

“She stopped talking to all of us, even me, her best friend, but she still calls you every day,” she said slowly. “Don’t you see it?”

Shawn sighed, knowing he had thought about that a time too many, but never wanted to think too far in case he was wrong. 

“Then why Gabe?” He asked as he felt his throat tighten. 

She shrugged her shoulders as she crossed her arms. “There’s gotta be something going on.”

“I’m going to find out,” Shawn said with a sure sound in his voice. 

Shawn gave Nikki a quick hug before he finally left, practically running back home. He unlocked his back door and grabbed his car keys, glancing at the clock to see it was 1:00 am. 

And he was going to go see you. 

You were up later than expected, something unusual for you typically. You were too used to going to bed before midnight every night, so the fact that it was after 2:30 am when you got home, was something so different. 

Something you weren’t used to doing. 

But you were doing a lot of that lately. 

You rested your head against your cupboard as you forced yourself to drink some water and eat some food, having not done much of that before drinking more than you planned while out with your coworkers. 

You had multiple unread texts, most of them from Brian, Gabe, or Nikki, but you ignored them like you’ve been doing for the past year. You glanced down at your phone just to remind yourself that Shawn never texted you about the bonfire. You felt a pang, but you chalked it up to the alcohol in your empty stomach. 

You forced yourself to stand up and wash your face off and take out your contacts. You looked at yourself in the mirror for a moment too long as you forced yourself not to cry. 

The harsh knock on your door snapped you out of your delusion. Your eyebrows crinkled in confusion at the knock at an odd hour, but you figured it was just a coworker with something you forgot. 

You threw your sweatshirt on and made your way to your front door. 

Your face fell at the person standing in front of you. 

“Shawn?” You said under your breath. 

Shawn didn’t respond, instead just pushed past you to pace in your front room. 

“Why are you here? What’s going on?” You asked as you rubbed your head. 

“Gabe?” was the only thing that he could get out. 

Your face fell as you looked at the floor, not being able to look him in the eyes. You were hoping he’d never find out. 

“How did you know?” You asked quietly, your eyes fixated on his feet. 

“He bragged about it to everyone all night at the bonfire you basically made me go to,” he said, his voice raising. 

“Because you need to be doing things with your friends,” you snapped back. 

“That’s not the fucking point and even if it was, you haven’t been doing a lot of that either lately,” he said. 

“Why do you care?” You said, finally looking at him. “So what, I’m seeing Gabe, a friend I’ve known forever. Who cares?” You threw your hands up as you moved further into the room. 

“Because it’s Gabe!” He yelled. “You know exactly what he does and who he is. We know that better than anyone. We have listened to his stories about fucking over girls since middle school, and suddenly you’re ‘talking’ to him?” He added air quotes and an eye roll around ‘talking.’

“This has nothing to do with you,” you said, forcing your voice to stay quieter. 

“Why didn’t you tell me? I thought you told me everything,” he said, the hurt showing in his face. “But I guess you don’t.”

“Shawn, don’t do that,” you said cautiously. 

“No, I’m doing it,” he said. “I wouldn’t be half as mad as I am right now if you would’ve just told me. I would want to hear something like that from you. Even if I didn’t like what it was. So why didn’t you tell me?” He asked again. 

You stayed quiet, knowing both of you knew the answer to that question as it loomed between you in the air. 

“Because you were embarrassed?” Shawn tested the answer out loud, the smug look on his face making you want to slap him. 

“I’m an adult, Shawn. I can do whatever the fuck I want. I’m not embarrassed that I’m hanging out with a friend tomorrow,” you snapped. 

“What happened to you?” Shawn asked. “The [Y/N] I know would never fall for his bullshit. So who the hell am I talking to right now because it certainly isn’t her.”

That one stung, knocking down your last walls of defense, as you sat down on the chair by the doorway, resting your head in your hands as you rubbed your forehead and begged yourself not to cry, not to let him win. 

Shawn knew he went too far with that one, but he didn’t move. 

“Because I’m so sick of this shit,” you finally said, the tears welling up in your eyes as Shawn’s stomach dropped. 

“I am sick of thinking that love is right around the corner for me when I’ve been waiting for years,” you yelled, the tears flowing as your voice went raspy. “I have been begging whatever God is listening to send me someone that’ll last more than one fucking date, and I still haven’t gotten that. I’ve barely gotten a guy to kiss me. So I’m done with it. I’m done waiting for true love because it’s just not fucking coming.”

“How come just a few months ago you were saying you’d wait forever for the right person?” Shawn tested. 

“I have been searching for a fairytale love since I was a kid, and I haven’t found anything remotely close to it yet. I just realized that maybe it isn’t for me,” you croaked out. 

“You don’t really believe that?” Shawn said as his voice went soft. 

You took a deep breath and tried to rub your eyes dry. 

It took everything in Shawn not to wrap his arms around you. He hadn’t done that in months. 

“In seventh grade, when I was sleeping at Nikki’s house once, I told her I was scared I’d never find love. And she told me that we were only 12 and I had a lifetime. And there were boys that would beg to be with me one day. It’s been 10 years, Shawn, and I’ve gotten none of that. And then Gabe texted me,” you confessed. 

Shawn didn’t say anything as he leaned against the wall across from you. He was out of words and questions to fire at you. 

“Nothing you can say at this point is going to convince me to not see Gabe tomorrow,” you said as you finally met his eyes. “I’m going with anything at this point, so I’m seeing him tomorrow.”

“Please, don’t,” Shawn said just above a whisper as he ran a hand through his hair. 

“Why?”

“You just said nothing will convince you otherwise. So I won’t try,” Shawn said calmly. 

Your heart dropped as you just sat there. 

“But you want me to convince you. Because you don’t want to succumb to this,” Shawn said. 

“I’m running out of options.”

“No, you’re not,” Shawn said sternly. 

It was your turn to run out words as you looked up at him, seeing his eyes fixated on the wall behind you. It was a wall of pictures. And he couldn’t stop staring at the one of you and him in Germany from over a year ago when you came to visit him. He was going to tell you he loved you that day. 

You finally turned around to see the picture he was staring at, and you sighed as you turned back around to look at him as he finally met your eyes. 

“You’re not out of options,” Shawn said again. 

“Then what are my other options?” You asked cautiously. 

Shawn tore his eyes away from you again, this time fixating on a picture of your group of friends in the second grade then his eyes traveled to a picture of you, him, and Nikki at junior prom when he flew home to surprise you. 

“You really don’t get it?” He asked. 

You didn’t say anything. 

“My whole life for the past 21 years has revolved around you. Wherever you wanted me to be or not to be, I’d be there. When you wanted to talk, I was there. When you didn’t want to talk, I was still there. To watch you tell yourself that you’re scared you’ll never find love when I’m standing right fucking here is just the worst feeling I’ve ever felt,” he confessed. 

Your heart dropped as you looked back down at his feet. 

“When I surprised you for prom,” he said as he gestured to the picture. “I thought you’d just get it. I thought I wouldn’t have to say anything.”

“And Germany…” he trailed off. “I was so close to telling you when we were ducking into an alley in the pouring rain, and you couldn’t stop laughing. I was so close to just looking at you and telling you.”

“Telling me what?” You said quietly as you looked at him. 

“That I love you,” he let out. “And not in the way I’ve been telling you for our whole lives. In the way, like I want to wake up to you every morning for the rest of my life.”

Your heart wrenched as you physically felt your chest tighten and the butterflies erupt. 

You took a moment to remember what you always planned on saying to him on late nights where you couldn’t sleep and couldn’t imagine anyone loving you as you loved him. 

“It was our sophomore year of high school. We had just turned 16,” you started. “You were playing the piano in the music room. You thought no one was there, but I was trying to find you and knew exactly where you’d be. And I just stood in the doorway and watched you play and how you put everything into it even when no one was around,” you said just above a whisper. “I’ve always wanted someone like you, but I’ve been telling myself I don’t deserve that my whole life.”

You looked up at him to see him looking down at you already. You took that chance to stand up and take a step closer. 

“I’m not going to see Gabe tomorrow,” you finally said. 

Shawn forced himself not to smile as he slowly took your hand in his. 

“Thought nothing would convince you?” he tested, his face getting closer to yours. 

“Guess you found the one thing,” you whispered. 

You took your other hand and placed it on Shawn’s cheek, slowly tracing your thumb along his cheekbone as you looked into his eyes, closer than you ever had before. 

“I love you,” you said. “And not in the way I’ve been saying for years. In the way, like I want you to stay here, with me, just us, forever.”

Shawn didn’t have to say anything else as he finally pressed his lips against yours, wrapping his arms tightly around your waist and pulling you against him. 

It didn’t last long before you were pulling away and he was enveloping you into a hug. His chin rested on top of your head as he stared at the picture on your wall again, fixating on the one of the two of you at your graduation last spring. 

It was that moment he realized he was in every picture on your wall. 

“I love you,” he whispered against the top of your head. 

You pressed a kiss to his chest as you buried your head in it again. 

“I love you, too,” you whispered back. 

“Why don’t we go to bed? We can talk more in the morning,” he said as he ran his hands up and down your back. 

You simply nodded your head as the two of you pulled away, and Shawn pressed a kiss to your forehead. 

You took his hand and dragged him to your room. He immediately pulled you into his arms, kissing you one last time before you rested your head on his chest. 

A comfortable silence filled the room as you tangled in each other’s arms.

“I guess I have to tell Gabe,” you whispered. 

“I can do it,” Shawn offered. “In fact, I would love to do it,” he said with a little too much excitement in his voice. 

You grabbed your phone from the table and clicked on your messages with him. You typed out a message as Shawn watched you. 

“That good?” 

“Perfect.”

You set your phone down again as you cuddled into Shawn and let sleep wash over you. 

Shawn couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he looked down at you as you peacefully slept. He pressed gentle kisses to your forehead before also falling asleep. 

He was home. 

— 

Hey, just realized I’ve been waiting for love my whole life and it’s actually been right in front of me the whole time. So, no, I won’t be seeing you tomorrow. 

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[haileyyanneupton]

❄ small - one chicago au ❄

Hailey Upton and Adam Ruzek have been friends for as long as they can remember. When Hailey changes schools to be with Adam in her junior year, she’s introduced to a new group of people who feel strangely like home.

pairings:  jay halstead x hailey upton adam ruzek x kim burgess kevin atwater x vanessa rojas kelly severide x stella kidd

warnings (chapter specific): mention of domestic abuse, implication of alcoholism

masterlist | series masterlist 

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❄ six ❄

Standing in the kitchen of the Ruzek's home early the next morning, Hailey was standing over a pot of oil as she cooked for the picnic she was set to go on with Jay in just a few hours. She had originally planned to make the greek dessert with her mother — after all, she had been the one to teach Hailey — but after the events of the previous afternoon and having the knowledge that her father was probably about to start drinking again once he got home, she had decided that going over to her best friend's house early was her best bet.

"Piss off, Adam," Hailey barked at her best friend, half joking as he tried to pinch one of the piping hot loukoumades.  "You're like a seagull, I swear."

"They just look so good, Hailey! I can't help myself!" 

"If your impatient ass would wait ten more minutes, they'll be ready with the nutella drizzle and everything."

"But that's so long!"

Hailey rolled her eyes, pulling the bowl away from the boy slightly to make a point. "Sometimes I forget that you possess the mental age of a toddler."

Adam only scrunched his face up cheekily before swiping yet another one of the round, golden donuts, ducking in an attempt to narrowly avoid Hailey's frustrated swat. Secretly, she didn't mind as much as she let on — after all, she had made the dessert enough times to know this would happen — though it wouldn't stop her from scolding the boy regardless. 

It was earlier than Hailey would normally be up and out of bed on a Saturday morning , but with her plans being to bring loukoumades to the picnic she was going on later that morning, she knew she was going to have to make them fresh for them to taste their best. Adam wasn't one to be up any earlier than midday either; apparently the smell had been a great motivator as he fell into the chair across on the other side of the kitchen island. With it being only 8:30am, it was no surprise to either of the teenagers when the sound of Adam's father coming home from yet another night shift echoed through the otherwise (relatively) quiet home.  

"Ooh!" Bob's voice could be heard from the front foyer as the his keys jingled against the door at being hung up. "Hailey, are you cooking?"

Hailey couldn't help but giggle slightly at the fact that he knew that it was her right away. 

"Yeah, I'm making loukoumades!"

"She's making loukoumades and won't let me have any!"

"Excuse me!? I told you I was making extras for you, but Mr Impatient over here decided he couldn't wait a few minutes and was just going to start stealing them instead!"

"I did not steal them! It's only stealing if you see me do it!"

"First of all, that's not how that works and second of all? I fucking did see you!"

"No you didn't."

"Yes, I did!"

"Nah. I couldn't see you, so you couldn't see me. That's the rules."

"Remind me how you couldn't see me? I'm right in front of you!"

"I closed my eyes."

Hailey rolled her eyes in playful annoyance as Bob finally entered her view, the man baring a small smirk as he listened to the two teenagers bicker lightly. 

The man shrugged off his Chicago Police Department jacket, draping it over the arm of the couch (something he would definitely be hearing about later from his wife) before making his way over to the kitchen island and standing beside his son. 

"What's the special occasion, Hails?" Bob asked, gesturing towards the mini mountain of donuts she had made. "Not that you need one, but — still."

Before the girl even got the chance to respond, Adam's mouth had opened and spewed out a response almost instantaneously.  

"Hailey's going on a date."

"I am not going on a date," the girl huffed, quietly flipping off Adam as she pulled her attention to the man who had originally posed the question. 

"My friend Jay asked me if I would go with him on a picnic that he's only being dragged on because his brother wanted to go on a date with his girlfriend, and he didn't want to third wheel. Their mom would only let Will go if Jay went too, so he figured that if he asked me we could enjoy some nice food as well as work on our Lit assignment."

"In other words, it's a date." Adam yet again had to duck to avoid Hailey's backhand as he grinned mischievously. 

"Shut up and call Kim or something, make more kissy faces and heart eyes at each other — I don't care."

The boy quickly pursed his lips shut as his face reddened, shooting Hailey a glare over at her. However, he didn't stay quiet for long; as soon as Hailey dumped out the last of the loukoumades that had finished frying into the bowl, the boy immediately reaching for one and subsequently earning himself a nice burn on two of his fingers. Dropping it back into the bowl, Hailey watched with a half-amused-half-concerned expression as she sighed deeply before grabbing a cup, filling it with ice from the fridge and wordlessly handing it to the boy who dipped his fingers into it. 

"I don't want to say karma, but — it's a bitch, isn't it?"

Adam only flipped Hailey off with his non-burnt middle finger as the girl glanced up at Bob with a mischievous yet exasperated smirk, the man making his way around the kitchen island to be on the same side as Hailey. While Hailey readied the syrups, she watched the man's every movement, carefully examining his facial expression as she tried to quietly read him. He had his serious face on; Hailey wasn't sure she liked it too much. 

"He give you or your mother any trouble this morning?" Bob asked the blonde haired girl gently, his eyes scanning Hailey's blue ones on the off chance that she was about to lie. 

"I left before he got home."

Bob only nodded lightly; he had expected as much. "I made sure he was sober before he went home, Hailey. He could have driven had he had a car that wasn't in the impound lot currently. He'll get it back this afternoon, but for now — he can taxi his way around."

Hailey didn't say anything, instead opting to sigh lightly to herself as she glanced down at her feet. She knew it wasn't his fault, that he was only looking out for her, but she hated that her relatively good mood had been dampened by the mention of her pathetic excuse for a father. She missed the days when she could somehow separate the times she'd climb on his back while he pretended to be whatever she wanted him to be from the man that would terrorise the whole family to the point where Hailey would hide in her closet, sobbing. Now as she got older, all she could see was a manipulative monster. 

"You need a ride, Hails?"  Bob could see the drop in Hailey's mood, guilt bubbling up inside of him as he tried to rectify the situation. "I can take you to your friend's house if you need. Or you can take the car if you want."

"No thanks —" Hailey bought her eyes up to meet Bob's once more. "They're going to swing by here and pick me up on the way."

Bob nodded with a smile, glancing between her and Adam before gesturing towards the staircase around the corner as he bid goodnight to the two teenagers. Yes, the sun had barely come up, but working a double night shift often had the ability to tire out even the greatest insomniacs. Finishing off the last touches of her loukoumades before packing them into two separate containers — one to take with her and one for the Ruzek's (cough, Adam) to devour  — Hailey headed around the other side of the kitchen island and took a seat beside her friend with a small smirk playing at her lips. She couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the fingers still dunked in a cup of ice, much to Adam's dismay to tried (and failed) to childishly kick her foot without slipping off of his own seat.

"You know, this morning has taught me a valuable lesson, Ruz."

Adam arched an eyebrow challengingly. "Is it that you're a coldhearted sadist?"

"No, but good job for using such big words!"

"I hate you."

"Fine, no loukoumades for you—"

"Wait, no! I take it back!"

"That's what I thought," Hailey smirked even more this time. "Anyway, what I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted — I've learned that if I want you up before midday, all I have to do is cook and you'll come running."

"And I learnt that all it takes to get you to cook my favourite food ever is to have you go on a date."

"It's not a date!"

"Is so!"

"Is not!"

"Uh huh!"

"Shut up before I tell Kim you like her."

In one swift movement, Adam reached into his cup of ice and pulled out a handful of the tiny ice cubes, dropping the cold blocks down the back of Hailey's shirt looking all too smug as the girl let out a disgruntled half-groan-half-squeal. Before anything else could be said, the sound of Hailey's phone buzzing indicated Jay's arrival as the girl slid off of her seat and flicked the back of Adam's head teasingly before calling out a goodbye and heading out the door. 

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Hailey wasn't exactly sure where Jay's brother had taken them, but wherever it was, she didn't care. The view was gorgeous and Natalie, Will's girlfriend, had bought along an entire picnic blanket and an assortment of sandwiches which neither Hailey or Jay could say they were mad about. 

"Oh my god, these are amazing!" Natalie grinned over at Hailey as she placed a golden greek donut into her mouth. "Did you make them?"

Hailey nodded bashfully. "Yeah, just this morning. Lucky there's any left — Adam was helping himself to his body weight in loukoumades."

Will and Jay laughed heartily, knowing exactly what Adam was like while Natalie only chuckled with a smile. 

"What's the glaze you've got over it?" 

"These ones are a pretty simple honey glaze —" Hailey gestured to the container on her left before moving to the one on her right. "And these one's are a nutella glaze. They're the only ones I know how to make. My mom knows how to make a bunch more — she’s like magic."

After the group had a bite to eat, it wasn't long before Will and Natalie left Hailey and Jay alone, the older couple giggling in a way that Hailey knew all too well as they headed down to the water's edge. Jay couldn't help but snort lightly to himself as his brother walked in the opposite direction; he seemed greatly amused by the whole situation.

"The fact he hasn't found a way to fuck this up yet is baffling, honestly," Jay started, piquing Hailey's interest. "He's a walking disaster, Hailey. I'm telling you."

"I'm sure he's not that bad. I mean, he seems like a nice guy." Hailey's defence landed upon deaf ears as Jay quickly unraveled her words.

"He's only got the best intensions, but — god — he's such an idiot." Jay sighed lightly, causing the blonde to chuckle as she reached for a sandwich.

On the few outings that Jay had taken her on, Hailey couldn't help but notice that Jay had impeccable taste in setting. Her quietly-chaotic nature paired well with his calm and secluded plans; she felt warm every time that she was near him. Though Adam was (and always would be) her best friend, she would be lying if she said she hadn't been enjoying her time with her literature partner. 

"How do you find these places, Jay?" Hailey asked, one knee tucked comfortably into her chest as she glanced over at the dark haired boy. "They're almost — I don't know — ethereal? It feels like nobody can find us for miles, but not in the 'holy shit we're going to die' way. More like the 'this moment feels infinite' way."

Jay considered her words for a moment, his face screwed up in thought as he dissected each sound and syllable in a split second.  For a second, Hailey had second guessed herself — had everything she had just said come out ineligibly? 

"Sorry. Sometimes the words in my head don't translate to my mouth and everything comes out weird and —"

"No, it made sense." Jay held a finger up to shush Hailey, the boy still in thought. "It actually made perfect sense. But, answer me this, Miss Upton — why do places like this appeal to you so much? Is it the quiet, or the stillness, or. . .?"

To Hailey, the answer was simple. 

"The escapism."

This piqued Jay's interest, the man tilting his head with curiosity. A small smile caused his lips to curl up simultaneously as he gestured for the girl to continue.

"There aren't a lot of things I can control. I can't control the people around me or what they do, and even though it's hard to accept sometimes, the only thing that makes it easier is escaping. Being somewhere where the world just — stops — for a minute or two . . .  it tricks me into thinking I have more control than I actually do, and god knows I need that sometimes."

"I never took you to be the control freak type, you know," Jay joked lightheartedly. "Perfectionist, maybe. But not controlling."

Hailey sighed a little, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. "Sometimes to keep your sanity you need to at least pretend the ground isn't crumbling around you."

Silence fell upon the two teenagers for a few seconds before Jay spoke up.

"For the record, if you ever need an escape in the form of a human being — I'm here."

"You know, I think I'd like that." Hailey smiled warmly at Jay, their eyes locked together.  "I think I'd like that a lot."

By the time Will and Natalie came back, Hailey and Jay had their respective notebooks filled with little things about each other. After weeks of getting to know the brown haired boy, Hailey was finally ready to write her poem.

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a/n: i’m really sorry this isn’t very good but i’ve been working on it for ages and the formatting was being a bitch so aaaa. hope you enjoy anyway! :/

taglist: @ruzek-halstead @lissethsrojas @sammywiths @butterflies44 @upsteadheart @shawnscheeks @puckluck28 @karihighman @thetwit @azu1ang3188 @juu-series @justanotheronechicagofan @stinaax @stayupton @fullwattpadmusictree @anna-justice @thebookworm33

[dangerscully]

The Mundane Lockdown Diaries, UK edition – part 2

EDIT, December 2021: I just found this sitting in my drafts, written at the beginning of April 2020 and never posted. I so wish I’d kept this up as a weekly thing because reading it back is quite something, especially as the UK teeters on the edge of another potential lockdown. So much has changed since last year that some of this feels alarming to read back on even after such a relatively short time, but so much of the things in these posts are still in place in some way. I posted this a week ago and had some nice replies, so figured I’d hit you guys up with a part two. Maybe this will become an “every Friday” thing, who knows (knowing me, I will forget about it in precisely 7 hours’ time)? This week’s is somehow even more mundane than last week’s... doesn’t that tempt you to read on?!

So we’re on day... 9? 10? of lockdown. Something around that number anyway. I haven’t left my flat at all since Monday. Over the weekend a switch in my brain flipped and I went from being way too calm (I was aware that I was being way too calm and, disclaimer, I was taking all necessary precautions so it wasn’t reckless calm) into total panic mode, which was very much Not Fun. Even passing my neighbours as we go to take bins out feels dangerous now. 

I’d say that maybe this total panic is an overreaction, but as of yesterday I definitely have the symptoms of the start of a chest infection. And as I’ve not left the flat at all in days (and not seen anyone other than my co-habiting boyfriend face-to-face since my supermarket trip a week ago), that is a concern as most infections would show up quicker than this. 

I don’t have the Main Symptoms – a fever or a dry cough, but my windpipe and lungs have that feeling your skin gets when you stand a little too close to a bonfire. It’s very mild at the moment, but obviously I’ll be monitoring it. 

Hopefully, it’s nothing, and I’m trying not to worry about it because really, what can I do either way other than wait it out? 

ANYWAY. 

My trips out of the flat since last Friday have just been for solo exercise. I’ve been for a few bike rides, around 8-12 miles a time so taking roughly an hour. In the centres of towns and cities the number of pedestrians is about the same as it was over the last couple of weeks – that is to say, wildly reduced compared to a normal day – but there is a huge difference in atmosphere compared to pre-lockdown. All of the businesses are shut other than supermarkets and pharmacies, pretty much. And with them, the noise is gone. It’s seriously eerie – even in a city centre the only noises are of footsteps and the wind. 

The other hugely noticeable difference is the lack of tents from street homeless people (the councils have all been told / asked to find temporary accommodation, and around here they’ve been housed in empty hotels). It was only when I was cycling home that this difference really struck me, I'd noticed that something was “off” about the normally busy high street (other than the lack of people and businesses, obviously), but it took a while for the cause to hit me. 

I’m pretty much spending my days with a cat on my lap, either playing Animal Crossing, watching TV or reading. This week has, weirdly, absolutely flown by. I thought it was Tuesday for a good while, and yet somehow it’s Friday. 

The government is still giving daily briefings, however I stopped watching them about a week ago. The first few actually gave information, but day-by-day they became less informative or relevant. I don’t think we’ve had a major policy shift this week, other than more tests being promised – although that’s hardly a policy shift as it’s been something that’s been promised all along and not delivered on.

Speaking of which, out of the “main” infected countries who are this far along the curve, the UK and the US remain the only ones still on a straight upwards trajectory on a log scale. So that’s really wonderful. Happy Friday, y’all! 

[prorevenge]

Neighbours refused to be quiet, so I played the long game and made them move out

A few years ago I got hired at a job in a big city with expensive rent. I slept on my brother's couch for a few months while I struggled to find a place, but eventually found someone in an old building who wanted to get out of their rental agreement. The apartment was pretty close to work and in a nice area, so I took it, almost too good to be true...

It didn't take long for me to realize I made a big mistake. The building was old, and the walls were made of plaster. Any sound reverberated like crazy, I could hear people cough and sneeze like they were standing in my place. What's worse, I shared one of these thin walls with my neighbours, who were absolutely fucking insane. They just would not shut up. I would hear a man and woman argue constantly, often until 2 or 3 in the morning. And by arguing I mean literally screaming and shouting and throwing things against the wall. When they weren't arguing they were always just LOUD, shouting and whining at each other like little kids constantly. Pretty much the quintessential toxic, obnoxious couple. And the shit they would argue about was so stupid! I remember hearing an argument about who's turn it was to steal shampoo from the drug store. One time the boyfriend decided to yell "THE BIBLE SAYS WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS" over and over again for some reason. Almost every day it would be something different and uniquely annoying.

The first real incident happened when I was woken up by screaming and banging against my wall at 1am. I did what I usually did (blasted Kenny G through my speakers at the wall until they shut up), but this time it didn't work. The banging got louder so I stopped the music, but then it got worse and sounded like a fight. It was hard to describe, but it sounded like the woman was getting beaten up. At this point I was more concerned than mad so I called my superintendent, who told me to call the police (not the US). The police came, the neighbours told them everything was fine, the police left, it was quiet, I went back to bed.

Literally the next night I am woken up again at 1am by my neighbours having another argument. This time I heard a BOOM, then the woman say "oh my god" in an weird voice, and then banging and what sounds like someone being strangled. The noises were freaky and way more concerning than even last time so I called the police again. The police came, the neighbours told them everything was fine again, the police left again, and it was quiet again, but this time the police called me back and basically told me I was an idiot for wasting their time. They said there was no evidence of any fight and both neighbours denied anything even happened. Even the superintendent said that no one else on the floor complained and intimated that I was starting to become a nuisance. I decided from this point forward I was going to go full Spielberg with video evidence.

The noise was bad for the next 6 months, and I would get woken up at least once a week after midnight by yelling and screaming. I made a few written complaints, a few videos as evidence, and sent them to the property manager. There was enough to serve them an eviction notice and go to the landlord/tenant board, but somehow the property manager fucked up the date for the hearing and it never actually took place. Thankfully the noise stopped anyway (for now...), so I assumed the neighbours finally got the message and would be quiet from now on. I didn't fight for another hearing because the eviction notice gave the neighbours an opportunity to be quiet, which they sort of did.

As an aside, the video evidence I gathered during this time was BEAUTIFUL. I was pleasantly surprised that my phone was very good at picking up their voices. It got to the point where I would get excited when I was woken up in the middle of the night, because I would run out into the hallway and film their door and room number as the noise blasted out and echoed down the hall. I gathered some damning, unambiguous evidence, pure gold, and it was all timestamped at around midnight or 1am. But because the hearing got cancelled I didn't get to present my evidence (at least not yet...)

For a few months, everything was reasonably ok. They were still loud as fuck during the day. and there were a few times after 11pm on weeknights where I went to their door and asked them to keep it down, but other than that things were mostly better, and I was starting to be able to relax in my place for once. Yet again it was too good to be true...

One day around 2:30 in the afternoon I start hearing this weird, high-pitched screeching coming from my neighbours place. And it doesn't stop for hours. I'm sitting on my couch trying to figure out what it is. It sounds like a giant fucking tropical bird moved in next door.

Well it turns out, after all the shit we went through a year ago with the noise complaints and eviction notice, my neighbours decided it would be a good idea to get a dog.

And of course these obnoxious assholes couldn't just get a quiet, normal, well-behaved dog. They had to get a completely untrained, 4 month old, tiny, yappy Pomeranian that was INCAPABLE of being quiet. This thing would yap and screech and bark over and over and over EVERY DAY for HOURS.

While I'm still coming to terms with how miserable my life is about to become, I get a note under my door. On it, my neighbour writes that she just got the dog as an emotional support animal for her mental health, and asks the whole hallway to please try to tolerate the noise.

Fuck that shit. I'd already been living next to and listening to these neighbours scream at each other for over a year. They were confirmed fucking morons; two insane, toxic assholes in a mutually abusive relationship. I knew with CERTAINTY that they weren't capable of taking care of this dog properly and the noise situation would go to complete shit.

And regarding the mental health, I was going through my own troubles during this time (in part due to lack of sleep) and was seeing a therapist. The last year of complaints should have made it clear to anyone that noise was a problem for me, especially getting woken up at night. Of all the things this neighbour could have chosen to help their mental health, they chose the most obnoxious thing possible. They knew getting a loud dog was going to be a problem and they did it anyway. It was time for WAR.

I realized if I wanted this noise to stop, or to be even taken seriously, I needed a mountain of evidence against my neighbours. I researched the evictions process and everything that was required. I checked the forms my superintendent would have to send out for an eviction notice. I read threads on reddit about slumlords and neighbour disputes. It became clear to me the only way to win was to be religiously disciplined both in gathering evidence and refusing to retaliate (no more Kenny G). I became a noise-complaint monk, taking a vow of disciplined log taking, and relying on mantras like "shut the fuck up... shut the fuck up...."

Once I submitted my first written complaint, things got bad. My neighbours flipped out when they realized I was complaining again. I heard stuff like "OF ALL THE APARTMENTS IN --- WE HAVE TO LIVE NEXT TO THIS FUCKING GUY?!" for a few days. Then the loud arguments in the middle of the night started all over again. And one of the neighbours got into the new habit of SLAMMING their chest of drawers against my wall at 2am.

The barking also got much worse. The emotional-support-animal letter said that the barking would get better once the dog was trained, but from what I could hear my neighbours methods of training began and ended with screaming at the dog just like they screamed at each other each day. "NO! BAD DOG!", "BE QUIET!", "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" came through my wall in new and varied combinations every day. And every time an argument started between my neighbours the dog would always join in, even in the middle of the night. The constant level of noise was insane.

For over a year, l logged every instance of yelling, shouting, and barking coming from my neighbours apartment. It didn't matter if it was after 11pm or not at this point, I was trying to demonstrate how I can't get peace at any time of day. And when I say every instance, I mean I had minute-to-minute logs of every loud noise and every word I heard from my neighbours wall. If I was woken up in the middle of the night it went in the log. If I heard the dog bark from 12pm-1pm on February 2nd it went in the log. If I heard someone yell "YOU PEED ON THE FLOOR AGAIN, FUCK!" at the dog it went in the log. Honestly it sucked and made me almost lose my fucking mind, but by the time I was done I had pages and pages of notes

Obviously written logs wouldn't be enough. I already had a decently fat stack of video evidence to demonstrate the true character of my neighbours, but I needed current evidence if there was going to be another hearing. Fuck Spielberg, now I was Coppola in the heart of darkness. I got more videos of screaming and shouting coming out of their door. I got videos of banging and barking against my shared wall. I got videos of screaming, shouting, banging, and barking all at the same time, or in any combination. I had amassed a war-chest of video evidence to be deployed at the next available hearing, but I was getting war-weary

At this point I was like 6 or 8 months into the complaints process and I could barely take it anymore. I was getting woken up like 2 nights a week and would be a zombie at work (I complained about my neighbours at work often). I was finding it harder and harder to keep myself from blasting music, or banging on their wall, or kicking their fucking door down. But I managed to stay strong, and I followed the eviction process like it was my religion. I sent in a second written complaint, then a third which resulted in an eviction notice, which gave the neighbours an opportunity to be quiet. This time they didn't give a fuck, if anything they were louder than ever before. I was looking for other places to move into when I finally get good news from the property manager: there's a hearing date!

There was light at the end of the tunnel, but once the neighbours heard about the hearing date they did everything they could to fuck me up. There were no attempts to stop the barking anymore, it was constant. The screaming matches were back in full force, and when they started yelling and screaming the dog would go nuts! It was just an insane amount of noise.

And the drawers were ridiculous! Honestly I never expected the slamming drawers to be that bad but they easily eclipsed the barking and the shouting. They would SLAM and SLAM and SLAM the drawers over and over again against my wall. And because of the plaster it would BOOM BOOM BOOM and echo through my whole place. These assholes were definitely doing it on purpose.

3 days before the hearing date I go to bed at 9:45pm. At 10pm I'm still not asleep but I'm startled by BOOM BOOM of the drawers, I log it and go back to bed. At 11:30pm I wake up to BOOM BOOM BOOM again, and I'm pissed off. It takes me half an hour but I fall asleep again. Then at 12:45am BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM there it is again! I call my superintendent, tell her what's going on, the super calls them and tells them to stop. I fall back asleep. Then at 1:30am BOOM BOOM BOOM I wake up super fucking angry, it's obvious they're doing this on purpose to piss me off before the hearing and get a reaction out of me. I call the super again, and go back to sleep again. Then at 2:45am BOOM BOOM BOOM I can't take it anymore. I scream "DO IT AGAIN!!!! DO IT AGAIN!!!" I lost it, I couldn't help myself. My discipline broke. My superintendent calls me and tells me my neighbours just said I yelled a death threat through the wall (what the fuck?) and that they're calling the police (WHAT THE FUCK?). Everything just feels fucked now, I can't sleep so I just wait until morning. No police show up and I go to work. I realized I couldn't even stay at my place anymore until this hearing was over, so I went back to my brothers couch for the next 3 days.

Finally the big day arrives. I gather my evidence: Over a year of meticulously logged noise complaints, 6 instances of video evidence (I cherry picked the gold out of 20 good ones), the previous eviction notice the neighbours received, 4 written noise complaints (including the 2 from the previous eviction notice), a letter from my co-worker about poor work performance due to lack of sleep, and even a letter from my therapist about how my neighbours' excessive noise was affecting my mental health.

I got there and met the property manager and superintendent, who were there with the owner of the property management company and a slick looking lawyer. I handed the lawyer all my evidence. I gave him a usb stick with the videos. I even handed over my big bluetooth speaker to make sure the videos were loud enough to hear (laptop speakers suck).

I look over to my neighbours and they are wide-eyed. They look scared! Finally!

We all go into the landlord/tenant board room with everybody. The adjudicator first asks if anyone wants to mediate instead of going through with the hearing. My neighbour's hand immediately shoots up. I say in front of everybody "I don't want to mediate!" but apparently it's not up to me and the lawyer takes me aside.

The lawyer tells me if it goes to mediation, the neighbours and the property management create an agreement (e.g. no more noise at x o'clock), and if that agreement is broken once it results in an immediate eviction. He explains if we go in front of the board instead it's a 50/50 chance they either get evicted or get off completely. Obviously mediation is the better way to go, I know these idiots are already incapable of keeping quiet, so I agree with the lawyer. We go out to find the neighbours and they're nowhere to be found. Turns out they opted for the free legal counsel ( I wonder why) and won't be available until the afternoon.

While waiting I explain to the property manager, owner, and lawyer what happened a few days ago with the slamming drawers all night long. When I made my complaints before no one really took them seriously, but today everyone is very interested in everything I have to say.

The afternoon comes, and I'm excluded from the mediation meeting because it's between the neighbours, the lawyer, and the owner. I can't hear what they're saying but I can hear my neighbours yelling and shouting from inside the room so I know it's not going well for them.

Everyone leaves the room and the lawyer comes up to me. He tells me the mediation failed, the neighbours refuse to change their behaviour and won't accept any terms. The lawyer says they have to go in front of the adjudicator again but by now it's almost the end of the day.

I wait another hour or two and everyone comes out. I see my neighbours leave as the lawyer comes by again and explains. Apparently, after the mediation failed, the property management owner offered my neighbours 2 months rent FREE if they agreed to move out in 2 months. The neighbours agreed, but when they all went in front of the adjudicator the neighbours changed their minds and said no! And apparently a second offer was made, which they said yes to, and then no again, all in front of the adjudicator! They ended up running out of time and the adjudicator cut the hearing short and said it would have to be resolved in a second hearing. I was disappointed, but the lawyer assured me that because of how capricious and insane my neighbours behaved in during the hearing, they would almost certainly be evicted during a second hearing. I was dismayed that it wasn't over, but hopeful the end was coming soon. I also felt vindicated, it was finally clear to everyone that my neighbours were actually insane and I wasn't just making this up.

The next two months weren't as bad as before. I continued my long steady march of logs and videos. But the noise definitely let up, especially the drawers. One day near the end of the second month I started to hear insane barking, it would not stop. It went on for hours and hours and hours. I called the superintendent to complain when they told me it was probably because the neighbours were moving out today. YES! HAHAHA! FINALLY! Apparently she couldn't tell me earlier because of privacy reasons. As they were moving out I blasted 'Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye' on loop, put in some earplugs, and took a 2 hour bath.

My apartment is quiet now and I can finally sleep. It wasn't exactly the satisfying crushing blow I wanted but my discipline paid off and now I can live in peace.

(source) story by (/u/ZapoiBoi)

[the-sunshine-dims]

amnesia rewrite! (chapter 6)

ch 1 | ch 2 | ch 3 | ch 4 | ch 5 | ch 7 | ch 8 |

original fic

words: 1692

ao3

contents and warnings: amnesia, deaged Janus, food, fluff, weeping angel mention, pranks, 

____

Patton knew individually both Virgil and Janus were very strong spirits, and he had learned over the past couple weeks that together they were.. well, chaotic, but surely

surely.

It wouldn’t be normal for them to do- well whatever they did, Patton could only guess as roman chased them, covered in a sparkly goop, and yelling a couple of nonsense phrases as well as what Patton could only make out as “undo it!” 

He really hoped it wouldn’t be normal.

Patton pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing to himself, before taking pity on both poor Roman and the flooring which was ever so slowly being fully covered with the goop as well, he loudly coughed to get their attention, having the intended effect of having them all halt in there running, “did you two do this?” He asked in his practiced and patented dad voice, already pretty certain he knew the answer but still asking anyway.

Janus immediately piped up, taking the attention from Virgil who had actually not fully stopped and had kept slowly side-stepping away from roman “No!” He told him insistently, not wanting him or Virgil to get in trouble and have the invite of movie night be rescinded, it was the first time it was calm enough and no one was too busy for one, which meant it was his first movie night, he didn’t want to miss it! still despite his very best attempt it was very very, abundently clear to Patton that he was lying, which wasn’t as big a surprise as Janus wished it would be, after all, he was a very shifty character.

the effort made Patton make sure to be soft with his tone however before he was just about to reply Virgil spoke up to talk to Janus, “dee patt’s smart enough to know we did it- and even if he didn’t would you really wanna not take credit for the awesome prank?” He asked vaguely motioning to Roman who was halfway across the room from him now.

Janus pouted- actually pouted and Patton couldn’t help but silently chuckle to himself, thankfully unnoticed by all other parties, and once he had stopped pouting he just turned around to face patton and immediately looked down to fiddle with his sleeves as he quietly went “okay.. we did, ‘m sorry” he said, focusing his attention on Patton.

“You don’t need to apologize to me, Roman’s the one who’s affected and deserves an apology.” he told him, and speaking of Roman, “Roman when you’re ready the bathroom should be free why don’t you take a shower, it doesn’t appear that the goo was made with just a snap,” Roman sighed loudly before nodding and Patton smiled at him before turning his attention once again to the two chaos bringers “now, you two clean the mess from when he was chasing after you and later you’ll have to help me with movie night preparation, sound relatively Fair?” 

Virgil, Janus, and Roman mumbled a chorus of yes’s, Romans more prominent as he was happy to get some retribution for their crimes. Patton nodded- mostly to himself, “good.” 

It would be days before he ended up admitting to the two that he actually found the prank kind of funny, because by then Roman, while still acting offended by the pure mention of it, everyone could tell that it was purely lighthearted and he was in no way mad.

It would be only hours though until he admitted it was adorable and so very sweet how much Janus had latched and pretty much imprinted onto Virgil, following him around like a little duckling, (and when Virgil was truly busy Roman was a close second, however, it didn’t seem to save him.)

_______

“..Roman why are you sparkly?” 

“I don’t wanna talk about it.” roman grumbled back.

Patton chuckled as he listened to the short-lived conversation of the two from the kitchen, Virgil and Janus had been helping him with prepping everything for the movie night but as making popcorn was the last thing they needed to do (and they and Roman had gotten banned from the kitchen because while one of them had tried to make pasta while waiting for the plain water to heat up it somehow caught on fire) so he let them go, to do what they wanted to do until everyone gathered for the movie.

After a bit he was finally done popping it so he then sifted popcorn into the two bowls, one for just melted butter and salt for Logan and Virgil and one bowl with sugar and melted butter for Roman and himself and maybe Remus if he joined them, and Janus was welcome to both as Patton hadn’t really been able to memorize his favorite yet.

He smiled as walked out, quickly setting the popcorn bowls down onto the coffee table, before happily sitting and leaning into Roman’s side, he hummed quietly to himself as he waited for Virgil to come back down before he noticed that Janus was just standing there, near the tv not really doing something, barely even moving.

He took worry-filled moment to take a breath before just going “hey dee? You wanna sit down kiddo?” And Patting the spot next to him, he didn’t want him to feel like the odd one out and feel too awkward to sit down, so he wanted to offer a clear invitation just incase, logan had said he occasionally needed that.

Janus glanced at Patton momentarily, before shaking his head insistently “no, waiting,” He explained, well it might’ve been explaining to him but it gave much more questions than answers, and honestly it was kind of scaring Patton especially as he immediately went back to staring at a specific spot, and a long while back Virgil had introduced him to what weeping angels were, so now he was scared to look away when his kiddos stared at either him or a very specific spot that didn’t ever vary for a prolonged time.

After a bit Virgil came down and sat right next to Logan, who had been silently reading a book against the armrest,

Then the moment Virgil sat down and everybody got situated- not even a second later, Janus ran full force at the couch and threw himself onto them, eliciting a variety of startled yelps and shrieks from them, and after a moment of him just happily using all of theirs legs as pillows as they remained completely stunned, Roman, Logan, and Paton just started to make noises of both bewilderment and dramatic alarm, however, the former was more of Romans doing, despite the only Part of Janus that was even touching him was his arms, extended like a stretching cat, though honestly despite the earlier prank Patton felt like if it had been anyone else and not Janus who had done that Roman would make much more fanfare about the throwing themself at them at all, Patton smiled to himself at the notion before grabbing the remote and stretching to hand it to Logan, absentmindedly starting to card his fingers through Janus’s hair.

Janus smiled contently as he got comfortable, happy with just being so close to his family. 

_______

It had been maybe two and a half movies before Patton looked around, about to tell them another movie-based pun before he realized that They all had fallen fast asleep, Roman’s head lulled to the side and leaning on him much more than patton realized, Virgil cuddling Logan closely, and Janus holding patton’s arm captive, close to his chest, Patton barely suppressed an adoring coo with just how adorable the scene was before he realized that one of them wasn’t asleep, though he wasn’t that far away from it.

He looked over to focus more on Logan, who was trying so hard to watch the movie, blinking his eyes open after they started drooping more than three times in a single minute. 

Patton smiled fondly before quietly going “lo, dear, you should go to sleep,”

Logan paused as he processed his words before he gave Patton a sheepish- and very groggy- smile, then he looked down to his lap, doing his best to avoid eye contact, and Patton realized a very important thing as Logan mumbled “‘mm don’ wanna move,” because while Virgil was very cuddly currently, Logan was equally cuddly, and he appeared very content to be so.

Patton chuckled softly as he understood, before going to shake his head lovingly, “lo-lo you don’t have to go upstairs to go to bed, you can just go to sleep in the cuddle pile with us, I was just saying if you're sleepy it’d be good to go to sleep.”

Logan made a small little “oh” sound, making it abundantly obvious even if it wasnt already that he was too tired to of even considered that, before grinning so brightly and so groggily and happily collapsing into Virgil’s chest.

And Patton couldn’t see exactly but he wouldn’t be surprised if Logan instantly fell asleep, he gave a small chuckle before doing his best to cover everybody with the blankets they had gradually grabbed and brought over to the couch to make sure no one got cold in the middle of the night.

After he was done he grabbed the remote from where Logan had put it and turned the tv off, soon continuing to card his fingers through Janus’s hair with his non-stolen hand.

And as Janus just melted even more at the contact Patton’s heart just melted once. 

It didnt take long for patton to start getting drowsy now that he didnt have something to pay attention to and soon Janus and Patton started to Have incoherent conversations, Patton didn't even know if he had partially awoken or if it was just mid-sleep mumbles, but it didn't matter because he wasn’t even forming real or coherent words either, suddenly too tired to even realize it.

And not long after he could only yawn as he tried to keep his eyes open, before just collapsing against Roman’s shoulder and being the final one to quickly doze off.