#aurora you're the one (you're my morning sun).fic

[femininomen0n]

today's @djatsappreciationweek prompt was "favorite couple," so of course i had to write a little something for karen and graham. read now on ao3!

[ghuleh-recs]

Happy B @p1nkcanoe !! I threw together a list of my favorite p1nk fics in honor of the official ghoul den housewife’s birthday! Below you'll find a mix of polyghouls, papas, and plenty of Swiss—a little something for everyone. Not only is she a fantastic writer, but she also consistently shares amazing gifs, clips, and some truly iconic shitghosting. We are beyond lucky to have her here ♡

Wouldn’t it be a looovely present if you read a few of these and left some sweet comments?

recs under the cut.

swiss shaves copia's face for him - copia x swiss (gen)

copiasjuicebox asked: thoughts you say? Sometimes Swiss likes to sit on Copia’s lap and shave his face for him as delicately as possible

it's not uncommon for the multi-ghoul to sneak into the papal wing just as the sun has begun to descend over the lake, enter his papa's bedroom, and find him in the bathroom scrubbing at the blur of black and white and gray paint on his weathered features. copia used to wave him away. he used to shrug off swiss' kind hands, refusing to accept the little bit of help in fear of being seen as the old man he feels like on the outside. now, when swiss slips into the bathroom and closes the door softly behind him, copia moves wordlessly to the upholstered chair in the corner of the massive room and sits, waits for the ghoul to take over.

the fiction of speed - aurora x mountain

every year mountain raises a different species of butterfly to liven up his greenhouse. this year, he decides to raise ulysses swallowtails, vibrant blue and black butterflies, and becomes perplexed when one of his pupae fails to emerge with the rest of the flutter. as it turns out, it wasn't just any ordinary butterfly, but a friend.

Aurora becomes a friend. He looks for it in the tangle of leaves, stems, and vines every morning and offers out his hand for her to perch upon. It’ll fan out its wings for him, show off its colors, and he appreciates its beauty, its fragility, and its trust in him.  A beast and a butterfly; an unlikely pair. 

good JFK - phantom x swiss

jimothybarnes on tumblr asked: Swiss gives someone of your choice good jfk (maybe on the tour bus? in front of everyone? after a show?)

Swiss will not keep his hands to himself. He’s got something on his mind for sure. He’d stared at Phantom throughout the entirely of the night’s ritual from his platform, had glued his hands to Phantom’s waist and the small of his back during bows, and had practically dragged the ghoul to the dressing room afterwards to smother him with his lips and grope at sweaty skin until the door opened and the rest of their pack had filed in. And now, sitting on the bus, he still won’t stop staring at him like he wants to eat him alive. 

once twice melody - dewdrop x rain

A kiss is placed right under his ear and Rain presses his cheek into Dew's hair. Dew smiles at the slight vibrations against his back; Rain is purring. The odd feeling twisting in his gut returns and he allows himself to bask in it before craning his neck to catch the other's lips in a chaste kiss. "Rain, have you ever floated?" Dark brows knit together. His lips ghost over the fire ghoul's nose and lips as he speaks. "You mean like floating at the surface of the water?" "No, I mean like floating. It's an old manipulation trick. Makes you feel like you're flying, sort of." Rain shakes his head in small, minuscule movements as to not break the contact between them. "Then no. I've never floated. Can you show me?" Dew nods.

dreamy bruises - secondo x mountain

secondo calls upon his most massive ghoul for a favor: give him everything he's got and more.

Secondo’s room is warm both in atmosphere and in temperature, lit by the grand stone hearth that crackles and burns bright, and Mountain is already covered in a thin layer of sweat. He’s nervous, has been since the tiny sibling knocked on the door to the den and requested that Mountain meet his Papa in his bedroom. “ ASAP ,” she’d said before turning on her heels and escaping back into the abbey. He’d thought he’d been in trouble, perhaps finally getting punishment for the marble bust he’d accidentally walked into months ago. What he didn’t expect was to find his Papa strewn out on his bed clad only in an evergreen colored robe and a glass of red wine in his hand, beckoning him inside and asking him to lock the door behind him. “I have a special request…” he’d said in that gorgeous, husky voice. Everything after that had been a blur.

hold your camera high and click (series) - swiss x everyone

swiss has a polaroid camera and he loves to photograph his packmates.

There’s a wooden box in Swiss’ nightstand where he keeps his filthy photograph collection. Next to it is an empty space where he keeps the Polaroid camera, but an hour ago it was moved to his desk where it sits now, hooked up to an outlet so it can charge. The light on the side blinks orange–raised from the dead. It’s been a while since he’s broken the thing out. A thin film of dust had gathered over the top since he photographed Sunny only a year ago and the multi-ghoul had been more than excited to brush it off. 

the moon doesn't mind - copia x cumulus (x phantom)

phantom can't sleep. a glance out his window exposes a night of intimate fun between his papa and cumulus that can't be ignored.

He stands there for a while, watching and taking in the beauty of the dead of night, and he’s about to retreat back to the warmth of his bed when a shuffle of movement catches his eye from the papal wing. It’s difficult to tell exactly what it is he’s seeing through his Papa’s bedroom window. He glances back at his clock, 2:31 am, a peculiar hour for his papa to be awake. A quick glance further down the wing confirms that his office is dark. Strange. What in the world is Copia up to so late?

𖤐 you know the drill--bookmark, read, and leave kudos/comments!

[everyhowlmarksthedead]

lunares.

JAVIER PEÑA ; NARCOS ┃ USEFUL LINKS.

❝ request by @catcher11: Hello, Aurora! I hope you're having a wonderful evening (or day). I heard about the request, and I was hoping to get no.11 from the fluff prompt (the one about dancing) with Javier Peña. I just love the idea of reader and Javier being both playfull and sensual with one another and Javier being delighfully surprised by reader's dancing skills since she didn't seemed like the dancing type. As a native spanish speaker, I LOVED the dialogue on the Disaster fic and it meant a lot to me. Anyways, sorry for all the rambling. Thank you so much for everything!!!

❝ prompt: “where did you learn to dance?”

❝ words: about 1.1k. (including the translations)

❝ a / n: don’t forget to comment and reblog if you liked it, i’d really appreciate it!

Definitely, this is a blind date. You can't believe that Connie has played dirty with you, pushing you to one of Steve's friends' arms. Another DEA agent with a look of asshole that makes you wrinkle your nose in disgust. You have had to do your best to not roll your eyes when he has taken off his aviator sunglasses with an air of cockiness and a smirk that has pretended you to fall for him. You have forced a smile for commitment while shaking his hand for mere education.

Drinking your cocktail through a baby blue straw, you watch from the table your friend dancing with her husband, as Javier is sitting by your side smoking a cig and —probably— looking for a victim, after understanding you're out of his league. Poor of the girl who ends the night with him, hearing empty promises that will disappear in the morning when he dispatches her from his house. You can't help but look at him sideways, observing him lick and bite his top lip almost touching that stupid and old-fashioned mustache above his mouth. And it's too late to pretend you don't have your eyes on him when Javier catches you staring at his gestures.

“¿No bailas?”

(You don't dance?)

“No con tipos como tú”.

(Not with men like you).

He chuckles bowing his head as he shakes it slightly, placing an arm over the backrest of your chair, leaning closer to you, and invading your personal space not giving a shit if that bothers you or not.

“Así que… no sabes bailar”.

(So you don't know how to dance).

“Sí que sé”.

(Yeah, I do know how to).

“¿Sí? ¿Cómo o dónde aprendiste a bailar?”

(Yeah? How or where did you learn to dance?)

Squinting at him in silence, you quickly know what he is trying. Challenging you. You're too sober for this, drinking your cocktail in one gulp under his surprised eyes to stand up and offer him a hand. Of course you're going to show him how good you dance and make him, therefore, eat his words. Javier holds it delighted with a triumphant smile curving his lips, provoking you a strong desire of changing your mind or erasing it from his mouth with a good punch.

As a song ends and another a little more sensual starts, you face him in the middle of the dance floor. Without any shame, he grabs your other and pulls you straight to his body. A defiant look coming from you causes him to raise both eyebrows, feeling his fingers touring your sides to lead on your hips. You swing them slowly at the rhythm of the latin melody throughout the speakers. Your feet moving in sync make it so much easier, seeming greatly surprised that you know what you are doing.

It's not cumbia, bachata, rumba o jive —it's a mix of all of them. Passion and sensuality wrapping you as the song continues and becomes a little more intense, more lustful. Your bodies are too close. Practically, there's no distance between the two of you when he urges you to turn around, sticking his chest to your back as his arms surround your neck and your waist. You can feel his breathing against the skin of your neck, dizzying you and drying your throat. You haven't noticed how pleasantly Javier smells, and that's a problem for you. You've fallen into his trap and it seems it's too late to escape.

Lacing his fingers with yours, he makes you spin twice before pulling you closer again, face to face. A hand on your lower —lower, lower— back and the other on your left cheek. A leg between yours, encouraging you to dance your hips against his, slightly raising the gems of your white dress. Your fingertips land on the back of his neck and his scalp respectively, closing your eyes as he sinks his nose in the sweet spot under your ear.

The heat is evolving your whole anatomy, but it disappears when the song ends.

Breathless and eager you put distance between your bodies, faking a proud smile after showing him that you can dance. But he has the same gesture on his face that you're fighting to hide. That silent gaze that strips you to bend you over the bar, ready to make love to you. There are big differences between one act and the other. When you want a night-stand, you don't repeat. You make it fast to satiate your animal instincts. You want pleasure and that's all. And this is not the case right now, right here. You want to stay tangled in the sheets —yours or his—. You want to kiss every single part of his body. You want to worship him. You desire him. Just like he feels about you.

“Having fun?”

Steve's voice brings you two back to reality, to the dance floor, forcing you to break eye-contact. But neither of you are prepared to answer. Were you? Connie puckers her lips. Her plan has worked. You don't know it, Javier either; but she knew you would fit like two pieces of a puzzle. You have more similarities than you think, common things, strong-willed that can complement each other to perfection.

Because of the lack of response, Steve nods with his head deciding is time to leave for them and give you some intimacy. And you don't want to recognize it, but you're really grateful for them disappearing for a damn time.

You have spent all the night awake, losing the track of time after giving you more pleasure than your body can handle. Covered in sweat and suffocating heat, you're lying naked by the other's side, trying to recover your breaths as the sun starts to wake up and shine on the horizon of Colombia.

“Pareces muy concentrada”. He whispers caressing your hair with so much tenderness that spreads some shivers down your backbone.

(You look pretty concentrated).

“Te estoy contando los lunares”. You mumble using your fingertips to roam his neck.

(I'm counting your moles).

“Avísame cuando acabes”.

(Lemme know when you're done).

“¿Para qué o qué, ah?” You can't help but chuckle, lying down on your flexed arms and your head tilted towards him.

(For what?)

“Para buscar un lápiz y pintarme algunos más, así te entretienes otros cinco minutos y no te vas”.

(To find a pencil and draw some of them, so you're entertained for another five minutes, and you stay here).

He's a Casanova, that's for sure, making you laugh while shaking your head.

“Este es mi favorito”. You confess, touching the small one under his jawline.

(This is my favorite).

Leaning down, you kiss it. You trap him between your lips, pressing it with the tip of your tongue. Javier can't hold his reaction growling pleased as his arms embrace you again more closer, tangling his legs with yours. Seems like he's ready for another round of idolizing your body and making you a little more addicted to him.

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NARCOS: @trulysuccubus @purrrrfect @diogodxlot @danniburgh @velia27 @catcher11 @pedritobalmando @mys2425 @tanyaherondale @kalimont83 @scullys-alienpussy @acourtofsnakes @pascalesque @encounterthepast @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @gemini0410 @nikkixostan @lozaa94 @arveeee @thoughtfulpandelwasteland @cjbtw @goldielocks2004 @aurelie-celine @spideysimpossiblegirl @agirllovespancakes @kingpascals @im-an-adult-ish @hoam-2

[vi-writes-stuff]

All I've Ever Known (Ethan x f!MC)

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Audrey Lee)

Word Count: 3.5k

Rating: 18+ (NSFW content)

Premise: A spontaneous date night leaves Audrey questioning the future of their relationship. Set between Book 2 and 3.

Author's Note: It's been a year since I joined Choices, so I thought I'd try my hand at posting a fic. Title from Hadestown. Big thanks to @queencarb and @imaneditorthankyouverymuch for betareading!

I was alone so long

I didn't even know that I was lonely

Out in the cold so long

I didn't even know that I was cold

Turned my collar to the wind

This is how it's always been

All I've ever known is how to hold my own

__________________________________

Doctor Audrey Lee was not used to the sluggishness that once again occupied most of her days. It was not the caffeine-fueled crash she experienced after a long 16 hour shift, nor was it the unpredictable episodes of insomnia that occasionally plagued her.

Leland Bloom had opened up Edenbrook for a few weeks, before shutting it down to finish the major renovations.

As the sun hit her eyes, she felt the warm body pressed against her back tighten its grasp around her waist. For a brief moment, she relished in the warmth surrounding her. She even allowed herself to believe that she could get used to the feeling of waking up in Ethan's arms.

‘If there even is a future for us…’ Doubt whispers into her ear, poisoning the comfort she found in his embrace.

In the weeks before Edenbrook’s inevitable closing, Audrey, like many of her fellow residents, was looking for somewhere to finish her residency. She had been considering a position back home in New York. When she brought it up with Ethan, he acknowledged her response, but there was no following discussion about what that would have meant for their relationship.

Pushing the thoughts away, she settled back into his embrace. She let herself relax as the muffled sounds of the city below filled the quiet space of the bedroom.

The peace lasted all of five minutes before she began feeling restless again. Uneasiness washed over her as the image of her ripping Bloom's billion dollar check flashed in her mind. In the moment, watching the little shreds of paper sprinkling across the expensive hardwood floor of his mansion had been satisfying. Despite that, she couldn't help but wonder if it was the right move.

If she had accepted the check and handed it to Naveen, Leland would have been convinced that she was on his side. In reality, Audrey trusted him as far as she could throw the old man. Her preference was that he landed into the depths of the icy Atlantic Ocean.

Ripping the check was the right move, but it left her in the dark when it came to Leland's intentions.

Sighing to herself, she turned around in Ethan's arms and buried her face into his neck. She felt the reverberations of his pleased hum. There was no use in overthinking things now. They would deal with the repercussions soon enough.

Pressing a gentle kiss against Ethan's neck, she smiled as his eyes fluttered open.

"Good morning," she whispered.

"It is when I wake up beside you," he mumbled back, his voice heavy with sleep.

"Careful, that sounds awfully sentimental. Wouldn't want my favourite grumpy old man going soft."

Opening his eyes, he sent Audrey a half-hearted glare. The sight of Ethan Ramsey bathed in soft sunlight and his hair mussed up by her hands made her melt.

God, she could look into his eyes forever.

"I contain multitudes," he replied. "Speaking of which, this sentimental and grumpy old man wants to ask if you had plans today."

"No plans." A smirk curled across Audrey's lips as she swept some loose hairs from his face. "But if you had plans that involve us spending more time together in bed, I wouldn’t object."

"You're insatiable."

"Are you complaining?"

He grinned at her. "Not at all."

Leaning in to kiss her, Audrey's hands slid up from his shoulders into his hair. Giving the strands a short and sharp tug, Ethan groaned and bit her lower lip. Leaving a trail of kisses down the column of her neck, he lightly nibbled the skin, eliciting a soft moan from her.

He pulled the sheets away from her body and continued his path downwards. Audrey bit back another moan. Almost immediately, Ethan stopped around her navel and lifted his gaze to look into her eyes.

"I want to hear you, Rookie. Don't hold back."

As a warm hand cupped one of her breasts, his tongue lathered the other bringing her nipples to stiff peaks. This time, Audrey let the moan escape her mouth as she felt herself growing wetter. Lifting his head to lavish her other breast, he shot her a coy smile.

"Much better," he panted. Pinning her wrists against the mattress with a single hand, he slowly made his way down her body as his other hand caressed her soft skin. Swiping a finger across her folds, he groaned. "God, you're so wet for me."

The lust that filled his eyes as his face rested by the apex of her thighs made her shiver.

"Ethan, please," she whined.

When his tongue finally met her soaking cunt, Audrey let out a shaky gasp and an incoherent mumble that sounded vaguely like his name. Her hands threaded into his hair again as he let go of her wrists. Using a hand, Ethan lifted a leg over his shoulder, allowing his tongue to delve deeper. As he sucked her clit, Audrey felt herself tense up as an orgasm rippled through her body.

Once Audrey's breathing slowed, Ethan gently lowered her leg. Through her hazy vision, she noticed his lips and beard glistened in the morning light.

"Please," Audrey begged. "I need you inside of me."

"Gladly."

Pressing a deep kiss against her, she tasted herself on his lips and confirmed her earlier observation. Thankfully, his boxers had been removed last night and he hadn't bothered with putting them back on. The wetness of her first orgasm allowed the blunt head of his cock to easily slip into her throbbing cunt. Gripping onto his shoulders, Audrey panted as Ethan set a steady rhythm, his cock rubbing against her already sensitive clit. As his pace quickened, his thrusts became rougher and he bottomed out causing Audrey to gasp.

She trembled as another wave of pleasure coursed through her body. Ethan followed moments later and groaned into Audrey's neck, the reverberations of the sound causing a delicious tingle across her skin. The couple lounged in bed a little longer as they caught their breaths. Pressing a gentle kiss across her temple, Ethan cupped her face with his hands.

"I wanted to say something before we got sidetracked..." His gaze was impossibly soft as his thumb swept across her swollen bottom lip. "I'd like to take you out on a date. A proper one."

Audrey couldn't help the smile that blossomed across her face. "Really?"

He nodded. "I want the world to know the gorgeous woman beside me is taken. So, what do you say?"

"Yes," she answered. "I'd love to go on a date with you."

__________________________________

Several hours later, Audrey was back in the apartment she shared with her friends. Ethan had dropped her off in the early afternoon with a promise to pick her up at six for their date.

She was looking through her closet, searching for a particular dress she had in mind. Ethan had been tight-lipped about his plans. He had only stated it would be a black-tie event.

"Ah ha! Finally found you." She pulled the shimmering gold dress from her closet. Looking into the mirror in her room, she held the dress up to her body and smiled.

With an hour until six, Audrey jumped into the shower to freshen up. Once she finished styling her hair and applying some make-up, she slipped into the dress. Arranging the slit over her leg, she slipped into a matching pair of heels, a black shawl and grabbed the purse holding her phone.

She entered the living room to see her friends sitting on the couch arguing about what movie to watch. Sienna came from the kitchen carrying a plate of her homemade cookies and smiled at the sight of her friend dressed up.

"Audrey, you look amazing! Isn't that the dress you wore when we did our Boston bucket list?"

She grinned at the memory of what was supposed to be their last hurrah in the city. "It is, but I thought it'd be nice to wear it again for my date tonight."

"Ramsey asked you out on a date? Tonight?" Jackie asked from her spot on the couch.

Various groans filled the room as Audrey nodded.

"Finally!" Jackie exclaimed. "Everyone, pay up. You each owe me a twenty. "

Bryce sighed, pulling out his wallet from his pocket. "God damn it, Lee. Why couldn't he have waited just one more week before he asked you out?"

"Quit complaining," Aurora said, tossing a kernel of popcorn from the bowl in her lap at Bryce's head. "At least you were close, my guess was way off."

Rafael shook his head as Elijah and Aurora both handed a twenty dollar bill over to Jackie. "How did you get it down to the day?"

Jackie smiled. "I'm a psychic, obviously."

"Hold up... Just how long has this bet about Ethan and I been going on?"

"Since everyone saw you kiss at The Hopeful Hearts Gala," Elijah replied.

"And thanks to you, I'm a hundred dollars richer." Jackie pocketed the small wad of cash and leaned back against the couch.

“Thank you, Sienna,” Audrey sighed as she wrapped the black shawl around her shoulders. “My only true friend for having the decency to not partake in this bet.”

Sienna smiled sheepishly as she placed her plate of cookies on the coffee table. Before sitting down on the couch, she pulled a folded twenty dollar bill from her pocket and handed it over to Jackie.

“I’m sorry, Audrey. Raf was the only one who didn’t bet,” Sienna said. “ Dr. Ramsey and I had an interesting talk on the car ride to…” Sienna’s voice wavered slightly and she trailed off before falling silent.

On the car ride to interrogate Travis Perry about the mystery substance he had released in the hospital.

Audrey immediately crossed the room to hug Sienna. It had been months since the incident had happened, but her best friend was still grieving the loss of Danny. Sienna wrapped her arms around Audrey before she pulled back and hastily rubbed at her eyes.

“I’m okay,” Sienna reassured. “Go and enjoy your date.”

Audrey squeezed her friend’s hand in her own before she let go. “Sienna is forgiven,” Audrey declared to the others. “Thank you, Raf. My true ride-or-die.”

Rafael, who was seated beside Bryce, spoke up. “I didn’t want to make any assumptions about your personal life.”

With the most dramatic stare she could muster, she glared and pointed at the others. “The rest of you. Thin ice.”

Several knocks at the door cut off any reply that followed. Opening the door, she found Ethan standing in the doorway, dressed in his suit. His eyes lit up as he looked up at Audrey.

“You look radiant,” Ethan said.

Audrey felt herself grin. “You’re looking pretty good yourself,” she replied.

“Ready?”

“Definitely.”

“Yo, Lee!” Bryce called from the couch before she could step forward. “Just a heads up, I’m crashing on your bed tonight once movie night runs late since you won’t be using yours.”

“OKAY! We are leaving before I strangle Bryce,” Audrey announced, taking the arm Ethan offered.

Bryce laughed as she shut the door behind them. “Anyone wanna bet if she’s coming home tonight?”

__________________________________

Twenty minutes later, the pair were seated inside an elegant Italian restaurant by the waterfront. Looking out the window, Audrey watched the bright lights of the city refract against the dark surface of the water.

“I’m a city girl, but I don’t think I could live anywhere that isn’t close to the water.”

Ethan raised a brow. “Why is that?”

Audrey glanced at the gentle waves before she turned to face him. “I find it calming. It reminds me that the world is big. Bigger than any problem I might be facing. Whenever I felt stressed, I would take the subway to Manhattan and just sit in Battery Park for hours to watch the boats in the harbour or watch the people pass by.”

“I believe you called it ‘people-watching’?”

Audrey was surprised. “You still remember that conversation at Derry Roasters?”

He nodded. “I do,” he said. He reached across the table and instinctively, she placed a hand in his palm. “You said I was lost. You didn’t even know about Naveen’s condition at the time, but somehow you knew something wasn’t right.”

Unable to resist teasing him, Audrey smirked. “If I remember correctly, you said I was only half-right.”

“I stand by that assessment.” His thumb traced the ridge of her knuckles. “What baffled me was how this infuriatingly stubborn intern with the potential to be an excellent doctor kept on surprising me.”

“Speaking of surprises…” she said. “Why a date? Why now?”

The thoughts about the uncertainty of their relationship that morning came crawling to the forefront of her mind again, but she held them back. The night had only begun and as much as their undefined status worried her, she was determined to start the night on the right foot. If there truly was no future for them, she at least wanted to enjoy the time they spent together.

“Well…”

His response was cut off as a waiter came to stop at their table. “Good evening. Can I start you two off with something to drink?”

“We’re catching a show after, would you like a drink?”

“We are? I guess I’ll just have some water.”

“Two waters, please,” Ethan ordered.

The waiter nodded and laid two menus on the table. “I’ll be back in a moment to take your orders then.”

“A show?” Audrey asked. “I thought we were just getting dinner.”

The genuine enthusiasm on Audrey’s face made Ethan grin. “I promised you a proper date. That entails dinner and a show. And if you’re not too tired, perhaps a walk along the esplanade?”

“I could be persuaded. What’s the show we’re seeing?”

He shrugged. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

Audrey pouted before an idea struck her. Slowly taking the black shawl off her shoulders which revealed the plunging neckline of the dress, she traced a finger down her neck to her collarbone. “Are you sure there’s no way I could convince you to tell me?” As her finger passed her collarbone, she slowed as she began to trail her finger down the exposed skin.

She felt him squeeze the hand that was still wrapped in his. “You are trying to kill me,” he replied as his gaze followed the path she traced. Gently, he lifted the hand in his and pressed a kiss to it. “As tempting as that offer is, I do believe you will appreciate the surprise.”

Sighing, she dropped the hand he wasn’t holding into her lap. “You win this time, Ramsey.”

__________________________________

As they got closer, Audrey could see the bright white marquee of the Opera House in the distance: L’Orfeo.

“The darkness of night,” Ethan translates for her. “It’s also the Italian and Spanish form of the name Orpheus.”

“As in Orpheus and Eurydice?” Audrey asked, immediately delighted.

“The very same.”

“When I had my Roman Mythology phase as a kid, I used to check out the same big book filled with various myths for months on end.” She had spent countless hours admiring the detailed illustrations and committing the words that filled the pages to her memory, carefully tracing every swooping letter with a finger. “It actually starts somewhat similarly to the first show we saw together.”

“Then tonight, I’ll rely on your expertise.” Entering the theatre, the pair made their way to his private box. They were seated for ten minutes before the house lights around them slowly dimmed and the curtain opened. On the stage, a woman dressed in red held a lyre.

“That’s the Spirit of Music. She’s saying through the power of music, she can calm any troubled heart. She introduces Orpheus of Thrace, who has the same ability as well. He’s the son of Apollo, the god of sunlight and music, and the muse Calliope, ” Audrey whispered to Ethan, their hands interlaced. As the opera progressed, Audrey explained the events of the story unfolding before them. The marriage of Orpheus and Eurydice and the tragic death of the young bride by snake bite that shortly followed. Orpheus, driven by his grief, embarking on a treacherous journey to the Underworld to bring back his lost love.

“Moved by his singing, Prosperina asks her husband, Pluto, to let Eurydice return to the living world with Orpheus. He agrees upon the condition that Orpheus has to lead Eurydice out of the Underworld, but he cannot look back to see if she is following. Orpheus begins the journey, confident that he will be reunited with Eurydice the moment they leave the Underworld, but…”

Audrey swallowed past the lump that suddenly formed in her throat.

“But then doubt comes in. He thinks Pluto is envious of his love. Maybe Pluto is tricking him.” As a sudden noise sounds from off-stage, the actor playing Orpheus turned around to face his Eurydice. His face morphed from happiness to regret in a flash as Eurydice smiled back at him sadly. “Orpheus sees Eurydice. She was behind him the whole time. She begins to fade away and Orpheus is forced out of the Underworld alone.

“This final act deviates from the myth. Apollo comes from the heavens and tells him not to fall victim to his anger and grief. He invites Orpheus to join him. Eurydice won’t be there, but beauty like hers can be found in the stars. Orpheus accepts.”

As the chorus gathered on the stage for the finale, Audrey looked away. Staring into the dark sea of audience members, she took a moment to collect her thoughts.

Building up her courage, she turned to the man beside her, but before she could say a word Ethan’s hand slipped out of her grasp. Audrey jumped slightly in her seat as the audience around them started clapping for the performance.

By the time the house lights turned on, she had lost her nerve.

__________________________________

Although autumn was right around the corner, the weather had been lovely for the past week. Despite the lack of chilly weather, Audrey held the black shawl tightly around herself as she and Ethan walked along the Charles River Esplanade.

Her eyes were drawn to the shining lights of a boat further in the distance. Audrey didn’t even notice that her steps had slowed to a stop as Ethan paused to look at her.

“Are you all right?” he asked. “You haven’t said a word since we left the theatre.”

Shaking herself out of a trance, Audrey nodded and laughed, but even she could hear that it was far too hollow sounding. “I’m fine. I must be more tired than I thought.”

“I can drive you back to your apartment, but that doesn’t explain why you’ve been staring at the river for so long.”

She sighed, a wry grin twisting her lips. “I shouldn’t have told you what my tell was.”

Stepping in front of her, Ethan tilted her chin so that he could look into her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“I-it’s just…” Audrey had to close her eyes for a moment. One breath in, one breath out. The same blue eyes she had seen that morning— the ones she thought she could spend an eternity staring into—suddenly felt like a tsunami that threatened to swallow her. “Ethan, what are we doing?”

The moment she saw Ethan’s eyebrows furrow and the hurt look cross his face, Audrey groaned internally. Barely a second in and she had already stuck her foot in her own mouth. “I phrased that horribly,” she said. Placing a hand by his clenched jaw, her thumb grazed his cheek until she felt the tension he held there ease. “What I meant was, what are we? These last few weeks have been amazing. I can’t describe the happiness I feel when I wake up in your arms, but I also love those moments we just spend together whether we’re making dinner or just having a quiet night in. I don’t think I need to explain how much I enjoy the physical aspects of our relationship…”

She swallowed a shaky breath. “But if that’s all this relationship is-”

“You know it isn’t.” he immediately replied, placing his warm hand on top of hers.

Audrey shook her head. “Do I?”

“I meant every word I said. I don’t want to hide and I’m done pretending.”

“When I was considering a residency in New York, you didn’t say a word.”

“I didn’t want to influence you. I wanted you to make the best decision for your career.”

“And what would we have done? A long-distance whatever-we-are? You're Ethan Ramsey. You’re a world renowned diagnostician for Christ’s sake. You wouldn’t have any trouble finding another position in Boston,” she huffed.

Looking into her eyes, he said, “It’s simple. I would have gone with you.”

She froze. She was certain she had misheard him. “What?”

“As much as I despise idolatry among physicians,” he said. “I wouldn’t be above using my reputation to get a position in the same city.”

“But your whole life is here in Boston.”

“But you wouldn’t have been here.” Ethan cupped her face in his hands, pressing a gentle kiss against her temple and then to a tear-stained cheek. “I need you, Audrey. I know I’m not the most articulate when it comes to my emotions, but know that you’re important to me.”

The sincerity of his voice caused the tears she had been holding back to fall. Wrapped in his embrace, she let the last of her doubts drift away from the recesses of her heart.

__________________________________

All I've ever known is how to hold my own

But now I wanna hold you, too.

__________________________________

Author's Note: Originally this fic was called "Good as Gold" (also based on song lyrics) and was gonna have more smut content, but I might write that and make it a sequel to this instead. 😏

[headshxtina]

Brave - Koishi Sugawara

Genre: Fluff, au

Warnings: Language! And that’s all hehe

Song of the day:

Hope you enjoy! I just wrote this out if nowhere since I’ve been in love with him so much,, forgive me for the cliché-ish plot djjdjd this is my first tumblr fic i’ve only written one-shots before all my fics are on wattpad 🥺

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“Dealing with the kids is pretty hard, right?”

Sugawara asked, eyebrow slightly lifted as you were oblivious to his appearance again because of being too concentrated on the lists of teams Karasuno were about to have practice matches with in two weeks.

“Oh? Y- yeah...”

The boy leaned down to the notes, nonchalantly humming, but it seemed like he was focused on your expression more than the tough lists that could match the math revise papers you get.

“Are you tired of replacing Yachi? She’d be absent for pretty long. maybe for MONTHS...” Sugawara left out a soft sigh, being his considerate self as usual, or at least that what was you thought.

He was also known for being the gentle parental figure and the sweet, gentle setter of the team. He was training very hard with the team, even though he wasn’t usually the main setter.

But he seemed to not mind. He appreciated how his appearance helped his fellows practice more consistently and more focused, not to mention his calmness and skillful way of thinking during the matches. You liked that about him, but the recent thoughts about him have been... different from the past ones. Like an evolution. Like how his smile was like an efflorescent kind of spring, how the gentle color of his eyes was like clouds passing the clear afternoon skies, and his comforting smile that sometimes you couldn’t face, and how his iries sometimes were labyrinthe whenever he turned to yo-

“Hey? HEY...?”

Your thoughts stopped in a halt.

“HUH? HUH? WHAT THE FUC-“

“You accidentally kicked your coffee...”

“Oh my GOD... I’m so sorry, I- OH SHIT!”

His shirt was filled with the smell of cappuccino.

“FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! I’M SO SORRY SUGA! DO- DO YOU-“

The latter lifted your frown up by caressing the corners of your lips and gently pulled them up, ended it with a soft cheeks pinch.

“Hey... I have extra shirts. I’m okay, you know how third years always know how to prepare.”

“Oh. Okay. I’m still so sorry though.”

“Remember to not kick your sprite next time.” He mocked you and went to grab an another shirt. “Do you need me to buy you an another coff-“

“NAH. NAH. ME GOOD AS FUCK. UH...”

“Okay then! Don’t worry about me. Poor you... so focused on work.”

His footsteps echoed around the practice room, as the team weren’t there yet. Suga went early because he said he “wanted fresh air and some time to talk to the new manager”, which is you.

The sun rays soared the clear sky, replacing the early aurora. It was somewhat idyllic, it reminded you of the halcyon ages, the early mornings when you and your ex-boyfriend would walk into the convenient stores on the way to school, how he would share his coffee with you. Cappuccino. Always cappuccino.

But that was before your break-up last year. Your heart has promised itself to create a barrier from any emotions from being hurt deep down from his getaway. but somehow, it has lost its composure.

Just because of some other boy.

═ ∘◦❦◦∘ ═

“Yes Daichi!”

Sugawara fist-bumped Daichi when they got an another point for the red team.

They were having a practice set, as always.

“Aye! Y/n, are you tired?”

Your thoughts stopped wandering when you felt a gentle hand on your shoulder.

“Oh! Asahi! How’s the match going?”

“Oh! Yamaguchi asked me to let him replace me for a while. Homeboy’s doing good. Like look at him. Awww...”

“Proud dad you are, Asahi.”

You two left out a small chuckle as he could feel something going on instantly with his left and nimble instinct. And a compassionate soul.

“Y/n, you like Koushi-boy, right?”

Asahi saying that left a huff out of your lips.

“What? Who said that?”

“Nah, just feels like it. Sorry if i’m wrong. But man, the way you’ve been looking at him these past months since Yachi left means something.”

Your tongue was mixed in dirt and cut dry. Somehow, your saliva was nowhere to be found in the back of your throat.

“Uh... Yeah. Sugawara. I l-“

“SEE? HOMEBOY I WAS RIGHT BITCH! OKAY SO WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YO-“

“SHHH BITCH!”

Your warning reminded Asahi that it was the practice room you guys were standing in, not in the supermarket.

“Okay. But uh...”

“Hm?” He asked as soon as the words left your lips again, like a reflex.

“Dude doesn’t even look at me. No chance. Still painful since my last break-up. No way. I don’t even think of-“

“So,” Asahi stopped you in a gentle manner and leaned in. “I know it hurts, but feelings can’t be stopped. We are human. Being hurt and showing how you feel isn’t bad at all... It’s called being brave. And after it, you can be even stronger. You have to take over your fears. You have me here advising and sharing everything with you. Don’t think of covering it up. It’s better if you just tell Koushi. And, to be honest, you are too focused on your papers you rarely observe how he looks at you.”

You punched Asahi in the stomach, which made he chuckle a little bit. “Ow!”

“Anyways... Yamaguchi’s going in again. You should get out there.”

“Okay.”

The way Asahi smiled at you told you to DO something. Do a thing you’d never thought of doing again.

═ ∘◦❦◦∘ ═

The night at the Karasuno rest house was a mess and rowdy as always, filled with the laughs of Tanaka, Nishinoya and Hinata in the halls, and the shouts from Daichi and Ukai telling them to shut up.

It was eerie as the clock hit twelve. Kageyama and Hinata weren’t practicing as always, they fell off asleep after the practice that day, since they had to do about ten laps of running around the school for having a fight and then forgetting about it again.

You were closing your eyes, but it stung. You couldn’t bare to sleep with your heart beating so fast in the middle of the quiet and calm night air.

Your head was full of Sugawara. No, you couldn’t push the heavy brick blocking your emotions out of your heart. It would be forgotten, as many other emotions.

But no. It had been there for months.

Refusing to continue that annoying phrase, you slipped into your slippers and walked out the hallways, out into the staircase in front of the house.

Everyone must’ve been asleep by then. Even Asahi, whom was in the same class as you and understood you the most. There was no one to talk to.

Your lips left out a sigh and as you were just about to close your eyes to meet with the sounds of the night wind, a figure passed by you in silence, a little observant as you realized it was a silhouette of someone.

“Y/n? Aren’t you supposed to be in your bed right now, idiot?”

It was no other than Suga.

“Should be you more, turd. It’s literally midnight, why the fuck are you still here?”

“Can’t sleep.” He replied. “Just thoughts...”

“Too many thoughts are up in my head, couldn’t sleep either.”

You earned nothing but a look down to the ground between both of you. The boy said nothing, as he diverted his pupils to the sky. Immediately, the sight of his face being illuminated by the carressing moonlight holding his face so firmly and softly made your heart fly out of your chest again. Something inside you was urging you to say just three words. Just. Three.

But the past memories triggered them away. You could not get yourself hurt again.

The voice of Asahi stuck inside your head.

“I know it hurts, but feelings can’t be stopped. We are human. Being hurt and showing how you feel isn’t bad at all... It’s called being brave.”

You opened your lips in a short second, which was noticed by Suga.

“You were about to say?”

“KOUSHI SUGAWARA! I-“

Your heart was competing with speed of your tongue. Competing with the tears about to fall right down your face. But just three words was the easiest thing you could say that time. No way back.

Your tears could drop at the moment. Your tongue could be cut at that moment. Your trust in love could be crushed again.

“I LIKE YOU!”

He stood there, looking at you, a little bit observant and calm.

“I like you. Ever since Yachi left for the business trip. I just... don’t believe after that stupid break-up, I could ever let my emotions happen again. I...” You choked on the tears beginning to fall from your lids. “I could be he- heartbroken- again- I’m so- sorry-“

Your hiccups were the sound of pain to him. He immediately walked in nearer to you when your tears started to fall. They kept on wetting your cheeks. They dropped. Fell. Wet the road. They were salty upon your lips and your soft hiccups.

“I’M SUCH AN IDIOT! I’M EMBARRASSING US TWO! I’M A FAILURE... I’m so sorry Suga...”

“Why? Why would you ever be one? Why would you be a failure? You just did the bravest thing." His voice was soft and was faded between your hiccups. You couldn't quite hear or see the caring look on his eyes when he touched your fingers and hesitated for a little before caressing them and molding them inbetween his.

You kept on crying loudly and sobbing. You didn't care about anything anymore. You knew it was a failure saying those words. And the feelings you've kept for so long. If Asahi broke the brick wall of Datekou, then you'd just broken the walls keeping your emotions flow out again.

Noticing you didn't reply, Koushi just quietly planted a soft kiss on your temple, and he kept on kissing when he turned to you and you nodded, he kissed all the way down to your cheeks, feelings your tears touching his lips, but he kept on kissing and stopped at your neck.

"Don't wanna do the licky licky thing over here-"

That left out a soft chuckle from you, which made him a little happy.

"Now... All you have to know is that you're the bravest you've ever been. You're always so brave..."

Before he could notice, your sobs quickly turned into lazy snores as your head bumped down onto his shoulders. The boy realized you had fell asleep and smiled, and there was a beautiful flower blooming inside of his heart as well. His love for you these past months have been opened up by you, not him. He felt like a wimp for not saying it first, but he finally felt happy you'd broken out of your tight shell.

So his hands went to caress your hair between pulling his fingers down your lucious locks. They were soft, opposite to the way his heart was beating for you.

“Sleep tight, sugar. I love you so much.” He whispered.

Asahi and Kiyoko were no other than the ones who brought you two up to your bunks, chuckling at each other, knowing everything by the way you two both fell asleep on each other on the staircase, Suga's hand still holding yours. Firmly. Like he wouldn't ever want to let it go.

═ ∘◦❦◦∘ ═

As the alarm clock rang through the eerie silence, you heard everyone groaning in tiredness as Tanaka shouted against Daichi that he wanted a little more sleep and quickly snored again against the soft blanket.

Everyone got ready with huffs and complains under their sleepy breaths, Hinata fixed his funny-looking disheveled hair while shouting at Kageyama for stealing his snacks.

When Karasuno got into the practice room, hyper and ready for an another day of practice, you immediately noticed that familiar silhoutte passing by and stopping right in front of you.

"So, here's a thing, Y/n."

His lips figured in about a few seconds.

"I also... like you back. I love everything about you."

"Hm."

You flashed a smile at him, your eyes still puffy from last night. He just went in and gently kissed the corner of your eye. "Don't cry because of me again, that was.... heartbreaking to see."

"Who would, idiot."

"Who ELSE would." He mocked you as you shyly looked down.

"So, be my girlfriend? As in girlfriend, not girl-friend... uh... like friend as a girl hsjssjshshdh- Alright, be my girlfriend?"

"Gladly, Koushi."

In a sudden, he caught everyone's attention intentionally when he called everyone to get ready and immediately turned to you, got a nod, and crashed his lips onto yours.

A sweet apple smell from his hair passed by your nose, your lips were perfectly molded together, and his soft breath made you feel even better, ecstasy was filling your body, your hands keeping on playing with his soft grey locks.

"OKAY SUGAWHATTHEFUCK?"

Nishinoya and Tanaka's squeals could be heard from afar as Tsukki smiled softly. "Well, Yamaguchi, looks like our setter has fallen in love."

The whole room was filled with squeals and excitement, especially Hinata continuously pulling Kageyama's shirt in surprise, and the latter couldn't care less but gasp and felt so happy for both of you and didn't give a single fuck about Hinata's stupid actions.

"Uh hum." Coach Ukai could be heard from a distance. "Well, looks like our setter has been having a little... makeout sessi-"

"OH SHIT SORRY COACH-" Both of you turned around and realized the whole team has surrounded you guys, including Coach Ukai and Takeda sensei.

"Okay! Suga has a lovey dovey girlfriend, but that doesn't mean we don't continue to practice, remember? You two do that lovey dovey shit at home, not here-"

"YES COACH! I FEEL SO MUCH MORE ENERGETIC AFTER SPEAKING UP MY THOUGHTS! LET ME DO A FUCKING TWO-ATTACK-"

Everyone laughed at Suga's excitement. In the corner of the room, you saw a smile upon Asahi's lips, his eyes gentle and his grin wide as he raised a thumbs up.

"Good job." The tall boy chuckled as he walked towards you.

"All bets on you, Asahi." You smiled back at him. "Thank you. For everything."

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