#but i decided against it n his design's cute. he has white tummy n i put his white markings underneath his tabby stripes n it's v cute

[puppypaw-wc]

chesspaw's great to me because his name makes it sound like he used to be a kittypet or smth n was named chess then but it's actually just that his original name from the allegiances generator was fritillarypaw, n fritillary's a name for a flower called the chess flower, so i renamed him chesspaw-

i'm pretty sure it was meant to be as in the fritillary butterfly cuz it's red n he's a red classic tabby but none of the other names for it sounded nice n i'm attached to him being named chesspaw now-

[psychovigilantewrites]

Chapter 9 - 5 Things

Pairing: Jason Todd/Reader

Genre: Smut/Action

Word count: 7,211

Ao3 

Masterlist

A/N: Wow, two chapters in one week! Don't expect this to keep this going lol! This chapter has major trigger warnings for: non-consensual acts, anxiety/panic attacks, mentions/implications of r*pe, violence, drug/sedative use. 

Amazing mood board by: @brokenblossoms36 

Your head was spinning.

Your eyes were watery, your heart palpitating. You struggled to open your eyes, but all you saw was a blur of blinding light. You saw a shadow, a movement, but it was still unclear as the light was piercing your eyes. You tried to shield them with your hand, but found that you couldn’t move it.

You were seemingly tied to a chair.

How did you get there?

Your throat felt dry. A wave of nausea came over you and you gagged, but nothing came out. You blinked away the tears and squinted at the figure now looming in front of you, blocking the light.

It was all coming back to you now.

You were walking from the Academy to the nearest metro station, heading to the public library in Old Gotham- since your usual one burned down. You had noticed a hooded man following you from behind as you turned into a secluded street.

You remember slightly panicking, because despite your training and reflexes, he was much much faster than you were. The next thing you knew, you woke up right where you were.

Your vision cleared as the cloud in your mind disappeared.

Red Hood was looking down at you, arms crossed. This close and vulnerable, he seemed taller than you remembered.

You also remembered that you weren’t Robin at the time. You were a spoiled girl adopted by the billionaire Bruce Wayne.

“W-where am I?” you squeaked, “Wh-who are you?”

Red Hood simply stared.

You tried on the ropes that he tied you with. It was tight, well knotted. You wouldn’t be able to get out of those without assistance.

“P-please,” you quivered your bottom lip, “Please don’t hurt me.”

Silence.

No windows. You couldn’t see a door either. The bright light almost completely blinded you to the dark room you were in.

“My dad is Bruce Wayne,” you pressed on, “He’ll give you whatever you want, just please don’t hurt me.”

You started sobbing, going hysterical in panic.

Then, Red Hood started chuckling. “You’re not a bad actor,” he said.

“I- I- I don’t know what you’re t-t-talking about,” you stuttered in breaths, “Please, just let me go. I won’t tell anyone, I p-pr-omise.”

“Quit the act, baby girl, you’re boring me,” he turned around and walked away from you.

Despite your commitment to acting, you couldn’t help but notice his well sculpted ass that was on your eye level as he strutted away.

“W-wha?” you continued, “Please, mister, I don’t know anything. Please let me go.”

Red Hood leaned against a metal table you only just noticed, “I prefer you snarky and bitchy. This isn’t fun. Quit the act before I make you.”

He was calm, as he always was.

You did suspect that he knew your identities, but you couldn’t risk it.

“You’ve got the wrong girl,” you wailed, “I’m not who you think I am! Please, sir, you have to believe me!”

“You know, I never asked,” he began, “How’s Nightwing?”

“N-nightwing?” you gave a watery hiccup.

“Yes, Nightwing, your older brother, Dick Grayson, ex-Robin, Boy Wonder, et cetera et cetera,” he waved his hand, “What else must I tell you to get you to stop? Bruce Wayne is Batman? How about Barbara Gordon is Oracle? Ring any bells?”

You couldn’t help the shock that appeared on your face. If he knew about Barbara, he was more than just a crazy conspiracy theorist. You decided to drop the act.

You gave one last sniffle and looked at him coldly, relaxing against the cool metal chair that you noticed were bolted to the cement floor.

“There she is,” he walked nearer to you again, noting your immediate change of expression when you conceded.

“He will find me, you know,” you told him.

“I disabled the GPS tracker on your phone. Also the one in your pendant,” he nodded at the jewel around your neck that you wore every day. Bruce had gifted it to you on the first year anniversary of your adoption. It was a silver robin with a small diamond glittering on its breast.

You didn’t even know there was a tracker on it. You mentally cursed Bruce for disguising it in a form of sentiment.

“So what do you want, Red?” you demanded. Surprisingly, you were calm. You didn’t feel any fear. Something told you that he wouldn’t hurt you.

“Nothing in particular,” he shrugged, “Maybe I just wanted you all to myself.”

You scoffed.

“What?” he bent down to meet you in the eye. You could see your own reflection on the white lenses of his mask. “Can’t I just want you? I haven’t seen you in so long. Didn’t you miss me?”

You glared at him. The fucker was mocking you. He was right about you missing him, but still.

“Because I missed you, baby girl.”

Even with the voice scrambler, you noticed his voice had dropped an octave. You gulped, and for some reason, butterflies filled your tummy.

He straightened up, “You look so cute in your uniform. The skirt. Which sexist pig designed it that short and made underage girls wear them?”

He squatted down in front of you and tilted his head. “Pink? Adorable.”

You grit your teeth. You could practically hear him grin. You tried to close your thighs but your legs were tied to the chair, forcing them slightly apart.

“Don’t tell me you kidnapped me just to tie me up and take a peek at my panties, Red,” you scowled.

“I’ve done crazier things, baby girl,” he stood up, “What’s wrong with a little talk?”

“So. Talk,” you hissed.

He reached out an arm towards your face. You forced yourself not to wince and maintained eye contact. He caressed your cheek with his gloved hand, his thumb trailing down to press against your lips.

You bit it.

“Fuck!” he recoiled, and then chuckled, “Should have expected that. I do love your feisty side anyway.”

“You don’t know me, Red. Just because you know my identity, it doesn’t mean shit,” you spat.

“I know you’re not who you pretend to be,” he gripped you by the hair and forced you to face him. The slightly rough pull made your breath hitch. “I know you try to hide it from everyone. You're not the good girl people think you are.”

“The same could be said for every other angsty teen. Try better,” you retorted.

He released your hair and chuckled again, “I really did miss you.‘’

“I’ve been busy, you see. Things to do, people to kill, the usual,” he went on, “Did you see what I left for everyone?‘’

“You mean Black Mask? Sorry to break it to you, but it wasn't much of a surprise. It was either you or him eventually,” you rolled your eyes.

“You really are a bitch, aren’t you?” he hummed.

“That's what you get for tying me to a chair,” you snapped.

“You people ought to be more grateful towards me,” he stated.

“Grateful? Really?” you condescended.

“Black Mask was a gift,” he claimed, “Now you have one crime lord less in the streets.”

“Yet here I am tied to a chair,” you sassed.

“Get over it, even the Bat’s done worse than this,” he chided.

“So what makes you so different from Black Mask? You think you're better than him?” you stated. You would be lying if you said that you hadn't tried to answer that question yourself. That you didn't lie awake at night justifying his actions.

“My, oh, my. Don't tell me you still haven't figured it out?” he mocked you, “I don't do this for any profit. In fact, I'm just like one of you.”

“You are not one of us,” you growled, “We don't kill. We're not barbaric like you are.”

“Which is why you won't ever get anywhere!” he argued, “That's what the Bat always failed to get. You can't stop crime. But you can control it. Thats what I'm doing. And I take the necessary steps to achieve it. The Bat is a coward.”

“You're wrong,” you defended, “He doesn't kill not because he's a coward. It's so much more than that. A person like you would never understand.”

“A person like me, huh?” he suddenly said quietly, the direction of his gaze fell towards the side, as if he was reminiscing. The change of tone surprised you. It made you think that maybe he wasn't always bad.

But it didn't matter who he used to be. What matters is who he is now.

“I'll make you see eventually, you'll understand soon enough,” he squatted down in front of you again, “but for now, let's talk about us.”

“Us?” you raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, baby girl, us. Don't you feel like there's something between us? I feel like there's a spark,” he adopted his tone of mocking again.

“Fuck off,” you snarled.

“I'd be lying if I said I don't think of you as I lie in bed, touching myself. You'd be lying if you said the same right?” he put his gloved hands on your bare thighs. You could feel his heat beneath the leather.

You'd be lying if you said that didn't excite you just a little bit.

“You're too full of yourself,” you responded, “And I happen to have a boyfriend. You're the only pervert here.”

You obviously lied about the boyfriend part. You wanted to seem like you had other things better to do than think of him.

Which, for some reason, seemed even more pathetic.

“Boyfriend?” he laughed, “So what? I bet that doesn't stop you from thinking of me.”

His hands slid up your thighs slowly, bunching up your skirt in the process.

“What are you doing?” your voice went high, “Stop that.”

“When was the last time you told a bad guy to stop and he actually did?” he asked.

He had a point.

Still, you didn't like the way that he didn't disgust you. You didn't like the way that he made you want him to go further up.

And further up he went.

Until he paused at the crease of your thighs, and then suddenly pressed a thumb on top of your clit. A jolt of pleasure shot through you.

“Stop it,” you repeated.

He ignored you again, this time pulling aside your panties and ran his middle finger up in between your lips. The middle finger you’ve thought about countless of times.

With the same thick finger, he pushed inside you slowly, all the way to his knuckles. You felt yourself automatically squeezing around him. You bit your lip.

He started sliding it out, and then back in again. It felt so different, having someone else's finger inside you.

Having his finger inside you.

Then, he curled his finger, hitting a spot inside you that you've never touched before, eliciting a soft moan from you.

Your eyes widen when you realised what you just did, and you turned your head away, blushing.

With that, he took his finger out, and then stood up. His crotch was at your eye level, and you could see his hard on straining against his pants. You didn't realise that your mouth watered at it.

“If only you wore skirts as part of your uniform, we could do that again whenever we meet,” he taunted you.

He didn't comment on your moan, nor the wetness that was left on his finger. Instead, he took off his glove and walked towards the table. His back was towards you now, and you couldn't tell what he was doing. You heard a rustle of plastic. He came back with a piece of black cloth from it and walked behind you.

Suddenly, you saw darkness. You began to struggle as he tied the blindfold, but his grip was too strong.

“What the fuck are you doing?!” you yelled.

“Relax, I'm blindfolding you so I can take off this stupid helmet,” you heard him say, and then you heard a heavy thump on the floor next to you.

“You motivate me, you know?” you heard him breathe in your ear, causing the hairs on the back of your neck to stand. He masked his voice similar to the way Batman did- it was raspy and gravelly. That close, you could smell him. He smelled like sweat, and leather, and gunpowder.

“You make me want to kill more and more,” he nipped your earlobe, “I killed someone for you, you know that? Did I get a thanks? Of course not.”

“What the hell are you on about?” you snarled.

“Fuck, you drive me insane,” he continued, ignoring your question. He used a hand to grip your hair and pull your head to the side, exposing your neck so he could lick a strip on your pulse. He then started sucking on your skin. “I’ve always wanted to mark you like this.”

You felt hot. You were panting, and the worst part was that you could feel yourself dampening your underwear more than before.

His other hand ripped your shirt open, buttons popping all over the floor. He pushed your bra upwards and grabbed a fist full of your right breast, squeezing hard.

“Mmm,” he moaned, “Finally, I get to feel them. You usually wear too much armor.”

You felt dizzy, hazy, blurry. You were utterly consumed by his heat. You tried so hard not to get turned on, but your body betrayed you.

“Tell me, why do you wear lip gloss while on patrol?” he continued sucking on another spot while he started rolling your nipples in between his fingers, “It makes me wonder how your lips would look like around me.”

You whimpered, and cursed internally. Who knew dirty talk would be your downfall.

“I knew you'd like this,” he chuckled at your reaction, “But I feel like you need a reminder of how scary I can actually be.”

You didn't need one. You knew how terrifying Red Hood was. You felt that fear the first time you met him, and again when he pointed the gun at you in that alley behind the bank. It seemed so long ago.

But that fear had long turned into curiosity. You weren't afraid anymore.

“Black Mask couldn't beg,” he rasped, “Because he was suffocating. I wonder what I should do to you.”

His hand went from your tits to around your neck. And then, and then, you felt it. The panic you felt the first time he got his hand around your neck.

You started thrashing about, anything to prevent him from getting a proper grip on you. But unfortunately, you were tied down.

And he was standing behind you, strong hands around your neck.

“Remember this, baby girl?” he started squeezing, “Doesn't this feel nostalgic?”

He was pressing on your carotid arteries, making you even dizzier than you already were, but you could still gasp for breath.

“I still have a syringe of what I gave Black Mask to paralyse him, I wonder what I should do to you?” he then suddenly released you, making you cough and gag, tears streaming down your face.

“I wouldn't want to ruin that pretty face,” you heard his voice move in front of you, “Maybe I should just keep you here to myself and use you. This job gets stressful. You'd be my own personal fuck toy. I'd ruin your cunt over and over again. You want that?”

Your mind began to race. Would he actually do that? No. No, even if he did, it didn't matter. Because Batman will-

“And then you will know how Batman really is,” he stressed, “You'll cling on to the hope that he's out there looking for you. That he won't give up on you. Batman would be the only thing keeping you sane.”

Yes, yes he was right. Bruce would find you.

“But you know what he’ll do instead?” he continued, voice shaking in evident anger, “He will just forget about you. Even after you're dead and he catches me, all he’ll do is lock me up behind bars. And then he’ll replace you with another child soldier to brainwash.”

No. Bruce wouldn't do that. He loved you. He wouldn't give up. He wouldn't move on.

Would he?

Panic started to rise again, you felt yourself hyperventilating for the first time. What was wrong with you? You couldn't break down just after being kidnapped. Why would you feel this sense of impending doom?

No, it's just Red Hood getting to you. You were just giving him what he wants.

“That's more like the reaction I was looking for,” you heard him growl. You flinched when you felt his hand on your cheek. He was wiping away at your tears, and he was surprisingly gentle.

“There, there,” he sighed, “I’m not going to do that to you. I don't hurt innocents. Though you're far from it.”

You tried to calm yourself down. He was just looking for a reaction?

“I just want you to see Bruce for who he really is, baby girl,” he explained, still caressing your cheek. You found yourself leaning into his warmth, “And I want you to see me for who I really am, and what I've been doing for Gotham.”

Before you could even think of responding, you felt something spray on your face, and then everything faded to black.

***

The first thing you noticed was an annoying beeping sound.

And hushed whispers.

You opened your eyes, blinking away the grogginess. You were on a bed that wasn’t your own, in a room that was unfamiliar.

A hospital room. Private, high end. You tried to prop yourself up, suddenly-

“No, no, lie back down, honey,” an aging woman pushed you gently back into the pillows, where you laid back reclined. “I’ll go get the doctor and your father for you.”

Shortly after, in came Bruce, who rushed to you immediately.

“How are you feeling? Are you okay? What happened?” he bombarded you with questions and more than just his usual serious look on his face.

“I-”

“Mr. Wayne, please,” said a man in a white coat behind him, “She needs to recover first.”

“Yes, yes, of course. I’m sorry,” Bruce stepped back and cleared his throat.

You were taken aback. You’ve never seen Bruce this way before.

The doctor flashed his penlight in both your eyes, and told you to follow it. He then performed a thorax auscultation on you.

“Hello, Miss Wayne. I’m Dr. Kevins. I’m going to have to check several things to make sure you’re doing well. Is that okay?”

You nodded.

“Do you feel dizzy?” he asked you, “Does your head hurt?”

“I feel a bit nauseated actually,” you croaked, “And thirsty.”

“We’ll get you some water just a sec,” he smiled kindly. He looked like he was around his late forties, with greying hair and sunken eyes. “The nausea is probably caused by the sedative he used on you. It’ll go away in an hour or so. But most importantly, do you feel any pain anywhere else?”

“No,” you shook your head, “My neck is a bit sore, but that’s it.”

The doctor pursed his lips, and then looked at Bruce, “Excuse me, Mr. Wayne, but would you please step outside for a moment?”

“Why?” he protested.

“It’s okay, doctor,” you voiced, “I know what you’re going to ask me. No, my genitalia does not hurt. He didn’t do anything to me.”

“Okay then,” he sighed a breath of relief, “We did a physical on you while you were unconscious. It doesn’t look like anything’s wrong, except for a little dehydration. We just wanted to make sure.”

“Cool,” you shrugged, “Can someone tell me what happened?”

“We found you unconscious outside our emergency room on the floor,” the doctor responded, “We checked the security footage and saw a man in a red helmet walk in and left you there. He is a wanted criminal. The police are right outside to ask you a few questions. If you’re not ready for that, I’ll make them wait.”

“I’m fine, you can call them in,” you told him.

The doctor left to get the cops, and you and Bruce shared a long eye contact, silently communicating. I’ll tell you everything later, you tried to convey.

He gave you a stiff nod.

“Mr. Wayne, Miss Wayne,” Gordon himself came in through the door, “How are you feeling?”

“Like I’m hungover, Commissioner,” you smiled.

“I’m going to ignore that, since you’re underaged,” he chuckled, “Can I ask you a few questions?”

“Shoot.”

He took out a pen and a small notebook from his trench coat.

“What was the last thing you remember before you blacked out?” he began.

“I was walking to the metro station,” you explained, “It was around two in the afternoon. I noticed someone following me, but didn’t think much of it. I remember turning into a secluded area, and then I heard him running towards me. Before I could turn around, I just… Went black. It happened so fast.”

“And this man, what did he look like?”

“He was big. Maybe around Bruce’s size, but I can’t be sure. I couldn’t see his face. He was wearing a baseball cap and had a hoodie on,” you struggled to remember any other details about the man behind the mask.

“What happened next?”

“I woke up in a dark room, with this really bright light shining at me. I couldn’t see any windows, or doors. I was tied to a chair,” you pretended to tremble, “I was so scared.”

“I know, Miss Wayne,” Gordon comforted you, “I’m sorry for doing this, but I absolutely have to ask you to recall everything, before you forget. It’s essential to catch the man responsible for this.”

“I know,” you wiped away a single tear, “It’s okay. I saw a man in a red helmet. But not like a motorcycle helmet. It covered his whole face. And it had white eyes. It looked weird.”

“Did he have a red bat symbol on his chest?” Gordon pressed.

“Uhm,” you bit your lip, “I think so. I can’t- I can’t be too sure. It was dark, and the light blinded me.”

“That’s okay, you’re doing real good Miss Wayne,” Gordon smiled.

You held back a smile at how well Gordon treated you. If only he knew you were the same girl who witnessed Black Mask’s peeled face.

“I- I’m not sure what he wanted,” you stuttered, “He t-touched me. But not there!”

You had to reveal it. There was no hiding it from Bruce this time, thanks to the probable hickies on your neck.

“He… I think he didn’t know who I was,” you invented your lie, “But when I told him I was Bruce Wayne’s daughter, he immediately stopped whatever he was doing. Maybe he didn’t want to mess with Bruce, since he’s… rich and all.”

“There’s no doubt your father is rich, Miss Wayne, but I don’t think something like that would stop him,” Gordon huffed, his forehead scrunched up in a frown deeper than before, “This is interesting. Why would he be scared of you, Mr. Wayne?”

“Maybe he thinks I’m Batman,” Bruce simply shrugged.

You coughed out loud in shock.

“Well, he wouldn’t be the first person out there,” Gordon smirked, “No offense, Bruce, but you’re hardly the crime fighting type.”

“None taken, Jim,” Bruce grinned, “I can’t afford to get my face injured. It’s what gets investors after all.”

“What happened after that?” Gordon rolled his eyes at Bruce and turned back to you. “Did you hear any sounds? Maybe water, or vehicles? Was there anyone else there?”

“Th- that’s all I remember,” you scratched your head, “Next thing I knew, I was here.”

“Okay,” Gordon closed his notepad, “Thank you, Miss Wayne. I’m sorry that something like this happened to you. This one’s a bit tricky but I promise we’ll catch him.”

“I don’t doubt it, Commissioner,” you have him a big grin.

He paused for a moment, suddenly staring at you with an intense look in your eyes, as if he was searching for something.

“What’s wrong?” your smile faltered.

“No- nothing,” he shook his head, “You just- remind me of someone.”

“Your beautiful daughter perhaps?” you suggested.

“Y- yeah,” he nodded slowly, “Yeah, that’s it. You and Barbara both have the same smile.”

“What a compliment,” you giggled.

“You get well soon, Miss Wayne,” he nodded at you and at Bruce, “Mr. Wayne.”

“Commissioner,” Bruce nodded back.

Gordon left.

“That was close,” you breathed a sigh of relief.

Bruce pulled the sofa nearer to your bed.

“Are you really okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” you said, “Just tired.”

“I’ll let you rest. We’ll talk when we get back,” Bruce got up to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“To deal with the press,” he fixed his hair and tie at the glass window, reflecting his handsome face, “Bruce Wayne’s daughter missing for 24 hours and then found on the emergency room floor? The media is going crazy.”

“I bet,” you took a deep breath and closed your eyes, drifting to sleep once more.

You thought you felt a pair of lips press themselves on your forehead.

*** “So. What really happened?” Bruce asked once you settled down in the manor.

You finally got discharged from the hospital after another day they kept you under observation. The both of you were now in the dining room, finishing up a light dinner.

You put down your cutlery and took a deep breath.

“How he got me was the truth, and I woke up in a dark room with a bright light shining in my eyes. First I acted like a civilian, crying and begging. I told him that my father was Bruce Wayne and that he would give him anything for my release,” you began your story, “But he told me to drop the act. I didn't. I acted dumb. And then he asked me how Nightwing was. How Dick Grayson, my older brother was. He told me he knew you were Batman. But what really hit the jackpot, was the fact that he knew Barbara was Oracle.”

Bruce leaned forward in his chair, elbows resting on the table, his chin on top of his knuckles.

“So I decided to drop it,” you continued, “I figured if he knew that, he was more than just… One of those crazy conspiracy theorists. Anyway, I asked him what he wanted and he… He was just playing around.”

“Playing around?”

“Yeah, like he wasn't being serious about it. Like he kidnapped me just to mock me. He told me that… He missed me,” you avoided eye contact with Bruce, “He also said something about how we should appreciate what he does for Gotham. That he was technically one of us.”

“Hmm.”

“Yeah, exactly my thought,” you agreed, “He has this delusion that he's doing good, more good than we are. He mentioned Black Mask, and how he was a gift. Because now there's one less crime lord in the streets. I told him that he's not like us. We don't kill. And then- and then he got a bit emotional.”

“How so?”

“Well, the whole time he was relatively calm. But when we got to the topic of you,” you hesitated, “He seemed frustrated. He said it's the one thing you will never get. He said that you can't stop crime, and you can only control it. And that's what he was doing.”

“He thinks he is controlling crime?”

“Yes,” you nodded.

“And what about… All that,” Bruce gestured to his own neck instead of yours.

You thought of how he touched you, how he had his hands underneath your panties and put his finger inside you. You decided to leave that out.

“He came up behind me and blindfolded me,” you started blushing, “He took off his helmet and-”

“He took off his helmet?” Bruce looked at you, the creases in between his eyebrows deepening, his shoulders suddenly tense.

“Yes, but I couldn't see anything,” you told him, “I was blindfolded.”

You noticed how Bruce relaxed his shoulders- very slightly.

“He said I motivated him,” you continued, “He masked his voice- like how you always do. I didn't recognise it.”

“Go on.”

“He said he killed for me,” you frowned, now remembering that odd statement he made, “I don't know what he meant by that. He never clarified. And then- he started to- do this.”

You waved at your neck, still avoiding eye contact.

“And then he started choking me,” you quickly went on, “He said he was considering keeping me there and… Tormenting me. And that the only thing that would keep me sane is the thought of you coming for me. But then he said that you wouldn't. That you would just… Replace me.”

You glanced at Bruce now, who was just silent, absorbing in everything you were saying. There was on odd expression in his eyes. Was it sadness?

“The last thing he said to me was that he wanted me to see you for who you really are, and see him for who he really is and what he's doing for Gotham.”

You waited for a response.

Finally, Bruce said “I see.”

Very anticlimactic.

“What do you see?” you prompted.

“It's even clearer now that he targeted you to get to me. He's trying to turn you against me,” Bruce spoke.

“I think I got that already,” you rolled your eyes, “But why? And what's this about replacing me?”

He remained silent, staring into space.

“Bruce,” you began, “We’ve been through this. You need to tell me things.”

“There's nothing to tell.”

“There's obviously something to tell,” you argued, “I just got kidnapped by him! Isn't it time for you to tell me who he is?”

“I don't know who he is,” he insisted.

“That's a big fat lie and you know it,” you accused.

“I'm lying for your own good!” he started to raise his voice.

“My own- my own good?” you scoffed, and then stood up, “Haven't you been paying attention, Bruce? I. Got. Kidnapped. By. Him. Obviously keeping me in the dark is not helping.”

“Back down,” Bruce rose from his seat as well to tower over you, “Now.”

“Don't you care about me Bruce?!” you yelled

“Of course I care! Which is why-”

“Don't give me that bullshit!” you fumed, “You keep on telling me to trust you-”

“I said back down, Robin-”

“But trust goes both wa-”

“BACK DOWN, JASON!”

You gaped at him, not believing your ears. You've always been insecure. You always thought that Bruce either adopted you out of guilt, or worse.

As a replacement.

It was the first time he ever mistakenly called you him.

The ghost of Jason Todd had caught up to you.

“I mean- I meant-” Bruce tried to correct himself, horrified at what he had just said.

You turned and left.

***

He was tired.

Jason was tired.

The rain made his bones ache.

The past few weeks had taken a toll on him. He went out almost every single night to do his job- be it kill a few people, extract information, deal with Moehler’s international contacts, and also deal with the people under him who has broken rules or planned to start a coup. They thought he didn't know. He’ll deal with them later.

He had gotten back from his money collecting run, taking the profits from the people beneath him. Through whispers and some interrogating, he found out about some insignificant rebels. He really wasn’t in the mood to deal with those now.

He took a shower, and laid naked in bed, splayed on his back.

He probably should put on some clothes. It was getting cold.

Though, he was used to it.

There were so many times when he was a kid living in the streets that he had to deal with the cold without much insulation. Even when he had a roof over his head, it wasn’t like his parents paid for a heater.

Parents.

The reason why he became Robin was because his parents were bad. The reason why he died was because his biological mother betrayed him. And the reason why he was who he is now-

No. Bruce was never a father to him. He refused to admit it.

Bruce was just looking for a soldier to brainwash.

A soldier like you. He had brainwashed you pretty well. Jason wondered what words of encouragement Bruce had given to you, that he probably gave Jason as well, all those years ago.

When Jason saw you start to panic, he knew. He knew that you knew deep down, Jason was right. Which meant that Bruce probably had not changed since Jason died.

Did Bruce ever tell you “good job”? Did Bruce ever fuss over your injuries? Did Bruce ever gave you affection?

He doubted it.

After all, Jason knew Bruce. The only thing Bruce cared about was his past.

Justice.

Or so Bruce liked to call his own insecurities, an excuse to not move on from the traumatic childhood he faced.

Bruce was the fucked up one here, not Jason.

Jason was perfectly sane.

Not that he cared about how Bruce raised you. Not that he cared that you were probably facing the same problems he did, all those years ago. After all, Jason was just using you to get to him. He knew what he was doing was obvious, but it didn’t matter.

It only took one trigger- and you would spiral. As long as you had any doubt about Bruce, Jason’s plan would work.

“Fuck,” he said out loud. The rain outside was hitting hard like pellets on his metal roof.

Jason was tired.

He closed his eyes, and remembered how you looked when he started touching you. How your breath hitched, how your voice went high, how you let out the tiniest moan.

Jason smirked to himself.

You were probably craving him all those weeks you didn’t meet- it was part of his plan after all. And the moment he gave you all the attention you wanted, you got wet.

Withdraw, and then attack.

It was an excellent strategy. To get you to miss him so much that you welcomed his touch.

And welcome him you did.

Jason wasn’t blind. He saw how you looked at his hard on straining against his pants.

Remembering those scenes again made blood shoot to his cock. He remembered finally being able to feel your tits.

Fuck.

He reached down and fisted his cock- now hard and leaking. He gave himself a few light strokes, remembering how much he wanted to fuck you right then and there.

The glove.

He opened his eyes and walked towards his backpack, his erection slapping his lower belly with every step, and took out the ziplock he had put his glove in. He took it out, and collapsed on the bed again.

He was wearing the glove when he fingered you.

He took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the glove.

The smell of leather was overpowering, but faintly, he smelled you. He kept it in a ziplock bag for a reason.

It was equivalent to panty sniffing, and Jason thought about how absolutely pathetic he was being- but he couldn’t bring himself to care.

Because you always drove him insane anyway.

His cock was leaking on his stomach, and he stroked himself to the faint sweet tangy smell of your juices on his glove. Maybe he should have taken a taste instead.

Would that have driven you wild as much as it would him?

God, and your tits. It was so soft, so supple, and it was spilling in his hand. He just wanted to see it bounce. Why must you wear so much armor?

Jason was sweating now despite the cold, the sound of rain outside drowning his pants and moans.

He wouldn’t call it backfire, but Jason’s plan to not see you for so long also affected him more than he thought it would.

He stroked himself faster, and squeezed himself tighter, imagining your mouth drooling over the head of his cock.

Fuck. He told you your lip gloss made him think of that, didn’t he? And what did you do? You fucking whimpered.

“Fuck,” Jason groaned. He loved how much you liked it when he talked dirty to you. He loved how you tightened around his finger.

Pleasure and heat built up and spread, making his toes curl. Finally, he came all over his fist, spilling onto his abdomen.

He huffed.

After cleaning up, he decided to text you. It was about time anyway.

Hey, Princess. I'm sorry I haven't texted you in so long. Life just got in the way, and I was facing some personal issues. I hope you're not mad. Anyway, I read about what happened in the papers. Putting the fact that you didn't tell me you were THE Wayne kid aside, are you okay? he sent the text.

He was hoping to prey on your kindness and understanding.

And he saw you typing back almost immediately.

Hey, Jason. Don't worry, I'm not mad. I completely understand. I've had times like that too. And I'm okay, a bit shaken up, but still okay. Also, you didn't tell me your last name so why would I tell you yours? you replied with a winky face at the end.

Touché. Would you be up to meeting me at Robinson Park tomorrow? I'll get you ice cream. It’s the least I could do, he asked.

That would be great! I’ll see you around three? you texted back.

It’s a date, doll, Jason sent with another winky face.

He knew that one text would make you giddy with excitement.

*** Jason was self-conscious in public.

Whenever he walked in the daylight without his helmet on, he felt like everyone was staring at him, judging him. His scars, his scowl, his crooked nose that had been broken and reset again so many times.

So he usually kept his head down, and his calloused hands in his pockets, avoiding the glares he knew deep down was just part of his imagination.

Until he saw you waiting at the park bench wearing a white sundress, the slight breeze blowing your hair, the sunlight shining on your skin.

He straightened up, confidence returning, and even before you saw him, he smiled.

It wasn’t like you made him happy, it wasn’t like he was looking forward to seeing you. Nor was it because you made him feel like the Jason Todd who never died.

No, he was just getting into character in advance.

A character to fool you, manipulate you, corrupt you.

“So, do you come here often?” he said when he crept up to you, making you jump.

“You scared me!” you laughed, slapping him on the arm lightly. And then, your smile faded ever so slightly, and a slight crease between your brows formed, “Not many people can sneak up on me like that.”

“My friends always did say I was light on my feet,” he shrugged, sitting down on the bench next to you, “Could be useful in the force, actually.”

“Definitely,” you grinned.

He noticed the bruises he left on your neck were absent- probably hidden by layers of makeup. He was slightly disappointed. His hickies on your skin would have looked amazing as a contrast to the low cut sundress you were wearing.

“So how are you?” he asked, “Wayne?”

You rolled your eyes, “Like I said, you didn’t offer me your last name, too. Plus, my picture’s everywhere.”

“I don’t really keep up with the news, sweetheart,” Jason replied, “Why would I care about other people’s adopted daughters?”

“I guess that’s true,” you conceded, “You’re one in a million, then. Everyone’s obsessed with that kind of information these days.”

“So enlighten me then,” Jason said, “How did Bruce Wayne come to adopt you?”

“Well,” you started, “My parents have always been trying to get close to him. They invited him for those fancy galas and charity dinners. I remember always seeing him around. When they died, and I was left with nothing and no one, he decided to adopt me.”

“Any particular reason he chose to adopt you?” Jason prompted.

You bit your lip. And then, Jason noticed that your eyes started tearing up.

“Oh, no,” Jason responded, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. We don’t have to talk about it.”

What was up with you?

“No, no,” you sniffed, wiping away your tears with the back of your hand, “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m so stupid. I’ve just… been wondering about that too.”

Finally, Jason thought. He thought you would never have figured out you were always meant to be his replacement. He wondered what happened between you and Bruce. He had no doubt that the kidnapping triggered it.

Just as he planned.

“Hey, look at me,” he took your chin in his hand and tilted your head to face him.

Fuck.

It was the wrong move. Because seeing you teary eyed, red nosed, lower lip trembling, so close to him. So vulnerable.

It made his cock twitch.

“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” Jason tried to pull himself together, “Or if you just want a shoulder to cry on, I’ll gladly offer you mine.”

With his thumb, he wiped away a tear that fell on your cheeks. He could see how your long lashes clumped together in the wetness, how your skin was slightly flushed.

He wanted to kiss you and tell you everything was going to be okay.

The thought shocked Jason. So much so that he jolted away from you.

“I- I’m sorry,” Jason sputtered, “I probably crossed a line, or something.”

He looked away, not wanting you to see the panic that was rising. No, no, not here. Not now.

“It’s okay,” he heard your voice, but it seemed so far away, “Jason?”

He tried to calm his breathing. He fisted the material of his jeans and took deep breaths. 5 things that he could see.

The green grass. The blue sky. Someone’s red frisbee flying. Little yellow flowers. Kids running around.

4 things that he could touch.

His denim. The wooden bench. The gravel beneath his feet. Your warm hands.

3 things that he could hear.

A dog barking. The bells from the ice cream man. Your voice calling him out, getting nearer.

2 things he could smell.

His own cologne. And your shampoo.

1 thing he could taste.

He turned to face you and crashed his lips against yours, surprising you. But Jason felt you relax against him, and kissed him back.

Your lip gloss was strawberry flavoured.

Jason broke the kiss, and blushed at you, “I’m sorry. I never know how to act when I’m with you.”

He saw you take the bait. Your wide, curious eyes fluttered downwards in embarrassment.

“That’s okay,” you tucked your hair behind your ear, “I feel the same way.”

“I promised you ice cream didn’t I?” he stood up, and offered you his hand, “Shall we?”

[straykidsuniversal]

The Phoenix and The Fallen Star⭐️

Pairing: Seo Changbin x Lee Felix

Genre: Angst x Fluff

Warning: Swearing

A/N: Shoutout to my friend for the inspiration and guidance ⭐️

Summary: Lee Felix (20) is a student studying at Yonsei Law School. He is a very intelligent and independent student who works mornings during the week to pay off his massive amount of debt at a local dance studio teaching kids aged 5-10 years old how to dance. After an unexpected death of not only a co-worker he’s been working with for years, but also a close companion of his; he decides that he has to keep their memories alive so, he does something quite unconventional for a law student and gets a tattoo in his best friend’s honor. Seo Changbin (22) works at the most popular tattoo parlor in Seoul, Korea. (Seoul Ink Tattoo Studio) Changbin has one of the biggest names in the industry; everyone wants this talented tattoo artist to tat them up. His name gets thrown around like the L o v e word. Everybody knows his name, except for Lee Felix. Will the two cross paths? Keep reading to find out.

As Felix walks down the narrow streets of Seoul in a bit of a haze; he somehow manages to focus on an older man who is puffing a cigarette outside the gas station. Felix is the most anxious he’s ever been in his life. He’s getting his first tattoo today. What would his family think of their son who is studying law? Is he now rebelling against the system? Will he ever get a job in the work force? Felix snaps out of these negative thoughts and decides to walk over to this man. “E-excuse me sir” he stumbles over his words. “Would you happen to have an extra cigarette and a light?” He’s never even taking a sip of beer in his life and now all of a sudden he’s giving into the nicotine. The man doesn’t say more than one word. “Yeah.” He pulls out the box of Marlboro and hands the shaky boy a cigarette. Felix thanks him and places the cigarette between his quivering lips. The generous man lights it up for him and he’s on his way; he has somewhere to be after all. He inhales the strong smoke and starts coughing like crazy and watches as all the smoke leaves his mouth and into the crisp air. Felix comes across every store you could ever imagine before finally making it to his destination. Felix reads the sign in bright neon lights and big bold letters SEOUL INK TATTOO STUDIO. #1 TATTOO STUDIO IN SEOUL.

Felix puts out his first cigarette and takes a deep breath before opening the door and entering this foreign place. This is all for you. He thinks to himself as he looks around at all the pictures and tattoo designs on the wall. The blond haired boy listens in on the heavy guitar based music which sounded so unfamiliar from his classical pieces he’d listen to while studying. He notices the people around him aren’t dressed in a white button down shirt and a pastel pink cardigan like himself. They are drowning in black clothes from head to toe. Just when he thought his heart couldn’t beat through his chest any faster it could. Just when he thought his sweaty palms couldn’t get any sweater they did just that. Felix gulped as his eyes landed on the handsome man working behind the counter and his eyes went into full focus. One of the first things Felix noticed about the dark haired tattoo artist was his smile that sparkled like sunrays on fresh powdered snow to every single customer he spoke with. His eyes were like a magnetic force. Felix wanted to follow his chestnut brown eyes wherever they wandered. His soft and lush raven like hair went along with his whole e boy look. He had an eyebrow piercing, a lip piercing, and his ears pierced with diamond studs. His tattoo collection was pretty impressive as well. He had a whole sleeve complete and who knows what else.

“Next in line please” the tattoo artist calls to Felix who seems to be in his own dream world. “Hello” he waves his hands in front of his face. Felix snaps out of his thoughts and makes eye contact with the man realizing he’s first in line now. “O-oh sorry” he stumbles across his words and bites down on his knuckles. “How can I help you today? Are you looking to get a tattoo?” He says in an excitable tone assuming he’s a newbie to the tattoo world. There he goes again flashing that charming smile; perhaps his heart melted right there. “Yes, actually I have an idea for a tattoo that I want.. to put on my body.” Felix scrunches his nose as he cringes at his choice of words. “May I have a look?” Changbin asks politely as he looks at the cutie before him. He looks into Felix’s pure Bambi like eyes and his blond locks that fall near his eyes. He also notices his bright appearance in choice of clothing and the dark piercings in his ear. He tries not to giggle at the boy attempting to be darker than he truly is. “Ah yeah sure.” Felix pulls up a picture of two stars and shows it to the professional. “It’s Peter Pan inspired. Second star to the right.” He smiles and waits for the raven haired guy’s response. “Easy enough I can take you back right away. I’m Changbin by the way.” Changbin starts leading him to the back. “You can sit right here. Is this your first time getting inked?” Changbin points to the seat. Felix takes a seat in the chair and shyly responds, “yes, this will be my first tattoo ever.” He looks closely at all of changbin’s dope tattoos. “You have quite the collection.” Felix smiles up at the older who is busy sketching out the stars with a pencil and paper. “Tattoos are like a gateway drug to me once I got this one it was never enough and now here I am covered in tattoos.” Changbin giggles as he points to his first tattoo that’s only partially showing. It strikes interest in felix and he stirs up another question for the artist. “May I ask what it is and what exactly it means to you?” Changbin puts down the sketch briefly and rolls up his sleeve revealing a Phoenix. “This was my first ever tat. I’m really into Greek Mythology and I love the Phoenix and what it symbolizes. It was at a time in my life when I had a rebirth. I wanted to start again. I didn’t have the easiest upbringing. My mom had me at seventeen and prioritized the party life and drugs over me and my dad you know how that story goes.” Changbin looks down to the ground. Changbin has never opened up so much to a stranger in his life. What has gotten into him? Felix listens intently to everything Changbin says and admires his monumental tattoo along with his muscular biceps. “Wow, I love that. I’m so glad you turned something negative into something positive.” Felix shakes his head.

Changbin shrugs his shoulders, “I guess so. So what’s the Peter Pan Star inspired tattoo about?” He asks curiously as he finishes up the sketch. Felix freezes as he flashes back to the recent traumatic event. “The one star is for my grandmother who passed away a few years ago and the..” Felix pauses for a moment since it’s still a very touchy subject for him. “The second star is for a good friend of mine who recently passed away.” Felix’s voice breaks as he spills the words out. “Oh my gosh.. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to trigger you.” Changbin unconsciously places his hand on his arm to comfort him. “It’s alright. It’s not your fault. He was my best friend.” Felix can still hear his cries when he found out the news. “His name was Taemin. He had a seizure in his sleep and ah it killed him unexpectedly.” Changbin can see the pain in Felix’s eyes and caresses his arm. “Wow, this world can be so damn cruel! I’m so sorry for your loss. I know I’m just some random tattoo artist, but I’m here for you if you ever want to talk about it. What’s your name?” Changbin grabs some purple,blue, and yellow to add some color to the stars that mean the world to the Bambi eyed boy. “Thank you that really means a lot to me. So, overall the stars to me symbolize my siruis. They are the brightest stars in my night sky and they give me guidance when I feel alone and lost. Sorry I forgot to mention that my name is Felix” Felix smiles as he gets the words out. “Would you like to see what I’ve come up with?” Changbin sticks his tongue out slightly due to concentrating on final touches to the the beautiful sparkly purple, blue, and yellow stars he’s sketched out. Felix admires how cute the dark boy looks when he’s deep in thought and concentration. “I’d love to!” Felix claps his hands excitedly and tries to peek at the paper with the sketch on it not being able to contain his curiosity. Seo Changbin turns the paper around revealing his hard work to Felix. “What do ya think?” Changbin raises an eyebrow. Felix’s eyes water as soon as he sees what he imagined for himself come to life. “I-it’s absolutely beautiful. I love it. That’s exactly what I want.” Felix shakes his head and places his hand over his heart. “Really? I’m so glad that you love it.” Changbin feels euphoria overcoming him seeing how touched Felix was. “The next question is where would you like this tattoo? It could go on your hand, wrist, arm,leg wherever you desire.” Changbin brings the words to life by touching his hand gently; sliding his hand down his wrist onto his arm.

Felix feels butterflies in his tummy. What does this mean? He hasn’t felt butterflies in his stomach since Taemin. Does he really have a crush on some random tattoo artist he just met today? What’s not to like though? He’s one of the most handsome men he’s ever seen besides Taemin. He’s super sweet too for someone’s who attire could point to other darker directions. “Well, I was thinking in a place that’s kind of hidden.” He bites his lip nervously. “I’m a dance teacher I work with little kids.” Felix doesn’t want to reveal he’s a law student that might change changbin’s perspective of him completely. “Why not? What’s so bad about stars? You should show them off.” Changbin giggles. “But, if you really want to hide them.. I’d say your thigh or back.” Felix thinks for a moment. Yeah what’s so bad about a little tattoo for my grandmom and best friend. “Fuck it dude. L-let’s just do this. I want it on my left forearm.” Changbin is a bit shocked and his eyes widen. “Yes! I’m so excited to do this. You also must have done some research because your forearm is one of the least sensitive spots to get a tattoo, but it may still be a bit painful.” Changbin preps the area with things he will need and hands off his sketch for someone to put it onto a stencil transfer. He cleans the needles and rubs rubbing alcohol onto Felix’s forearm. “Are you nervous?” Changbin asks as he looks up to Felix. “Just a little bit.” Felix says only a little when in reality he’s actually extremely nervous. “You’ll be alright” Changbin takes the stencil transfer and places it in the middle of his left forearm. “Is this good? Where exactly do you want it?” Felix looks at the placement and approves, “that’s perfect.” He smiles as it sets in that it’s actually happening. He can’t believe he’s rebelling against his parents beliefs. Changbin places some soap on his arm. “This will help it to stick better to your skin and it will allow the image to appear a bit darker, so when I’m ready to actually come in with the tattoo gun I can trace it with ease.” Changbin explains thoroughly to the younger as he presses the stencil down. Felix listens in on every word, but can’t help to get distracted by how attractive he is. “Yeah? Okay.” Felix says with no emotion. “Are you sure you want to do this? You can still say no it’s not to late yet.” Changbin looks at Felix who seems uncertain. “Oh hell no. I want to do this.” Felix sounds determined this time around. Changbin grins as he pulls off the stencil transfer and places an ointment over the temporary like tattoo. He then gets his tattoo gun ready along with the ink and turns on the tattoo gun. “I’m now going to trace along these lines.” He gets closer to his skin. “Okay. I’m ready.” Felix closes his eyes and relaxes as he focuses on his breathing.”

Felix feels like he just closed his eyes when he hears the tattoo gun go silent and Changbin’s raspy voice. “It’s all done. It looks fantastic dude..You did great.” Changbin wipes off any remaining ink that wasn’t suppose to be there and smiles at Felix. Felix slowly opens up his eyes and looks down at the permanent ink on his forehead. It’s a masterpiece. Felix’s eyes become glossy at the sight. “Thank you thank you soooo much!! I love it.” Felix gets up and hugs Changbin carefully not to touch his tattoo. “You’re so welcome. It was my pleasure.” Changbin pats his back. “It has to be one of my favorite tattoos I’ve ever done.” Changbin tried not to get emotional himself. “Would you mind if I take a picture?” Changbin pulls out his phone. “I want to remember this one.”

“Of course, but ah first..” Felix bites his lip as he grows some confidence and takes Changbin’s phone and puts his phone number in. “Text me it.” Felix winks handing his phone back to Changbin. Changbin is a bit stocked by how bold his customer just was and tries not to reveal how flattered he is. “Ah sure no problem.” Changbin opens the camera and snaps a couple photos of Felix’s new tattoo. “Please, come back to me if you want more tattoos. It would be my honor to work with you again.” Changbin rings him up and Felix goes on about his day with a new crush and a brand new tattoo.

10:33 PM

Changbin got done his shift at 10:30 and hops in his car and curses to himself realizing he forgot to text Felix the pictures of his new tattoo from earlier. He searches for Felix’s name in his phone and texts him.

Changbin: Hey ✋ sorry I forgot to text you here’s that photo you wanted. *inserts photo of Felix’s stars tattoo* btw, I heard tonight is a full moon 🌕 you wanna come see it with me?

Felix notices his phone light up in his peripheral vision and groans into his massive law textbook. He opens the message and reads it knowing it’s changbin. He falls out of his chair and his classical music stops playing. Changbin wants to go out with me.. is this a date? No way. What do I say? Felix’s mind races. Changbin waits patiently and uses his steering wheel as his own custom made drum.

Felix: Thanks I really do love it. I think it would only be appropriate to see my Sirius in the night sky tonight along with the queen herself the full moon. 😁❤️ Pick me up at 0325 Daehangno Street. What are you wearing tonight? I have no clue what to wear.

Felix sends the text message and does a happy dance. Changbin receives the message and can’t wipe the smile off his face. Changbinnie puts the address into google maps.

Changbin: I’m only 15-20 minutes away from your apartment I’m leaving now. This is the outfit I’m wearing.

15-20 minutes?! Felix starts panicking and looking through his roommates clothes for an edgier look like Changbin’s. He somehow manages to find something and snaps a selfie.

Felix: okay I’m ready and waiting outside. 😌 my look for tonight 🖤

Changbin just about crashes the car when he sees Felix’s very attractive selfie and places his phone back down as he spots the edgy blond outside waiting for him. Felix looks in the car to make sure it’s Binnie before getting inside.

“You look quite ah” Felix tries to think of a word. “You look quite ravishing tonight.” Felix facepalms once again at his word choice. “Thanks that’s really sweet. I didn’t know you were a man who could pull off both a pastel pink cardigan cutesy look and a sexy dark look.” Changbin can’t hide his blush this time around and giggles. Felix immediately feels his ears burn up and his face turn a bright pink. “T-thank you for that compliment. I’m very unpredictable.” Felix notices the lion tattoo on Changbin’s hand. “Are you a Leo?” Felix asks out of no where. “Yeah how the hell did you know that? Are you a psychic or some shit?” Changbin glances over at him surprised. “Your tattoo.. it’s a lion which are Leos spirit animal.” Felix giggles at Changbin being clueless. “Oh yeah. I forgot I had that for a second. I also have the sun Leo’s ruling planet on my ankle. What’s your sign?” Changbin glances at him before pulling into an open field. “I’m a Virgo one with the bears. This is a really pretty spot.” Felix looks around him and hops out of the car before Changbin even has time to turn off the engine.

Felix immediately finds the perfect spot and lays down in the grass and looks up to the beautiful night sky. The stars looked like a mess in an art class; someone accidentally spilled a bottle of sparkles and glitter all over the table; except this beautiful mess was in the night sky. Nothing was one hundred percent perfect about the stars alignment, but that’s what made it so damn surreal. The moon was shimmering off in the distance letting everybody know that she’s still the starring role. Changbin looks up at the sky and takes in all it’s breathtaking features, but he gets completely lost in how stunning Felix looks in the moonlight. He lays down next to him. “Clearly, you know I’m a bad ass tattoo artist and I know that you teach dance to little kiddos. What is that like?” Changbin turns his body so he’s facing Felix. “I love dance and I love kids so putting those two things together is the best of both worlds. The kids are always so excited to learn something new and I’m always excited to teach them. It’s also where I met Taemin. He was one of the best dancers I had ever known in my life.” Felix glances over and notices changbin looking closely at him.

“I bet he was. I wish I could have met him. He sounds like he was a great guy. You gotta show me some of your moves sometime. I’d love to see your skills brought to life.” Felix looks back up to the stars. “Yeah, he really was one of a kind. The really crazy thing about all of this is that you remind me of him so much.” Changbin looks down at Felix’s shaking hand and holds it caressing it with his thumb. “Maybe it was destiny that we met. Every thing happens for a reason Lix and I strongly believe in my core that we met for a reason. I never ever talk about my past especially growing up parentless, but with you I felt so free.” Changbin squeezes Felix’s hand. “Yeah, I think you are right. I believe in destiny and I believe you’ve come to me at a point in my life I needed someone like you the most.” Felix caresses Changbin’s cheek having no clue on earth what in the hell has gotten into him. This boy does something to his heart and he can’t hold back anymore. He’s held back on so much in his life. It’s time for him to make a move. Changbin locks eyes with Felix in this moment. Felix finds himself briefly glancing down at Binnie’s kissable lips. Changbin wants this kiss just as bad. “How crazy would I be if I said I feel I’m destined to kiss you right now?” Felix inches himself closer to Changbin. “Just a little bit” Changbin plays with Felix’s fingers and leans in to Felix’s touch as he caresses his cheek. Felix takes this moment to go for what he wants and he leans in slowly and kisses Changbin’s lips gently like a delicate flower. The instant moment their lips touched they both envisioned fireworks going off like the Fourth of July. Sparks were flying. It was very magical to say the least. Felix pulled away remaining only a few inches from his face and leaned into Changbin’s cute nose and gave him an eskimo kiss before flopping down shyly into his chest. Changbin contently wrapped his arms around Felix and kissed his head.

“For the first time ever, I felt something when someone kissed me. You’re a special one Felix.” Changbin whispered softly as he played with Felix’s hair. “Only you and Taemin.” He replied and then covered his mouth realizing what he said. “No..no it’s cool I figured there was a romantic connection there. I’m honored that I can be on his level.” Changbin rubs his back. Felix looks at the time and realizes he has to wake up early tomorrow so he can study for an important test coming up. “Look, I really hate to cut this short, but I really have to get some sleep I have dance lessons early tomorrow morning.” Felix quickly sits up. “Ah okay it’s not a problem at all.” They arrive back outside of Felix’s apartment complex and they say their goodbyes and Changbin grabs Felix’s hand before he leaves. “Promise me that you will let me take you out on another date?” Changbin looks into his eyes sincerely. “I promise. I had so much fun.” Felix kisses his cheek before running off inside. “Goodnight Changbin.” Changbin mumbles, “Night” before taking off and heading home.

The next morning Felix dreads the sound of his alarm clock. “Shut up.. I know” he whines as he rolls out of bed and puts on his yellow hoodie and ripped blue jeans along with his vans and his glasses. He takes the fake earrings out and grabs his backpack with all his books to study and heads to the local coffee shop. Changbin gets up and goes about his daily routine and drives to the coffee shop to wake him up for his long shift at work. He spots Felix in the coffee shop and his eyes light up as he enters with confidence. “Oh hey! I didn’t know you like coffee and whatca reading there hmm?” changbin raises an eyebrow at Felix’s studious appearance. “Yeah yeah coffee is great” Felix slams his law book closed and stretches across the cover of the book letting out a big fake yawn. “Oh you know just a book about canines.” Changbin looks very confused at Felix’s odd behavior and notices the glasses and no piercings. “Nice earrings they suit you.” Changbin pinches Felix’s earlobe and walks up to order his coffee.

God damnit Lee Felix just tell him the truth. Do you really think he will care? Changbin walks back over and sits down. “I’m a law student at Yonsei Law School. I didn’t tell you because I thought you would lose interest in me because I’m some nerd and not this cool dude.” He spills it all out and looks down avoiding eye contact. “Felix, never and I repeat never ever change who you are for someone else. Stay true to who you are. I don’t give a shit that you are an intelligent individual who wants to have a successful career and that you are going to one of the top schools in Seoul. I think that’s awesome and I’m proud of you. You need to have more pride in who you are. You might be a nerd, but you’re a cool one. This doesn’t change the way I see you. I like you for you.” Changbin places his finger on Felix’s heart.

Felix shakes his head and wipes his tears. All his life his family never allowed him to truly express himself or show his true emotions. “T-thank you so much.” Felix hugged Changbin so tight in that coffee shop and for once in his life he didn’t give a shit who was looking or who the hell was judging him. This was who he was and no one would change him for a damn thing. This was Felix’s rebirth. It was the rise of the Phoenix and The rise of the Fallen Star.

[feminarrie]

ice and tanqueray - two

warning(s): this series contains smut (18+)

[ masterlist ] / [ story tag ] / [ niall tag ]

The First (Non) Date

Y/N should really learn to pay attention in her lectures, but she’s got a nasty habit of scrolling through social media when the material is dry. Her disinterest has yet to get her in trouble despite the quiet giggles and obvious lack of eye contact. Yet, that her streak of good luck seems to end when she receives a text message from Niall. It pops up on her phone screen while she’s reading trash article about the latest celebrity scandal. And for a moment, she thinks about ignoring it until she gets out of class. But, the lecture is just so boring and surely Niall’s message is even slightly more riveting.

And it is.

Would like you to accompany me to Louis’ benefit, if you’re free. Free food, booze, and a chance to step away from school for a bit.

A gasp heaves itself from her lungs which she quickly tries to conceal with a hand over her mouth and stretching an arm up behind her. The fake yawn does little to convince her professor, a stern looking older man that has a fluffy eyebrow raised at Y/N. If he has any choice words to say to her, he does not voice them. He simply makes it a point to keep eye contact with her for an uncomfortably long time before turning back to the presentation. She takes the moment to reread the message. 

He couldn’t have possibly meant to send it to her her. There’s no way that he would want her to join him at something as public as a benefit and fundraiser hosted by Louis Tomlinson. But, when her eyes pick apart each syllable trying to find any indication that he picked the wrong contact, she can’t think of anyone else he would send it to. 

Y/N isn’t an expert on Niall. He is far more complex than one would guess. But, she’s pretty sure she has scheduled enough “play dates” with his friends and colleagues to know he doesn’t know someone still in university. 

Except for her. (But, are they friends? Does this mean they’re friends?) 

She leaves the text message until there’s a collective rustling of papers and a formal dismissal of the class session. Y/N is quick to pack up her own belongings, shoving it into her large bag before booking it out of the classroom. Partially because she needs to find Robin—her roommate and voice of reason—and mostly because she can see the annoyance in her professor’s eyes as he began walking toward her. She hardly has the time or emotional capacity to deal with a firm talking to for a small disruption. Not when she’s scrambling to figure out what she should say back to Niall’s proposal. 

Y/N picks Robin out fairly easily. The thick, tangled auburn bun atop her head stands out amongst the rest. She mumbles quiet apologies as she walks against the grain of people before reaching a hand out to touch Robin’s small wrist. The redhead is a petite little thing, only standing at five feet (and third-quarters, she’ll have you know). Freckles for her ivory skin and green eyes light up when she sees Y/N. 

“Hello, little bird!” Robin nearly sings, allowing Y/N to intertwine their fingers. 

(They’ve come to call each other “little bird” since moving in with one another. For no reason other than Robin’s namesake. Their home had been affectionately named The Nest shortly after). 

“We’ve got a situation,” Y/N leads off, a nervous smile playing at her lips and tongue pressed between her teeth. 

Robin nearly rolls her eyes into the back of her head when Y/N details what has happened. They’re walking toward a coffee shop at the other end of campus, hands still intertwined as they walk. 

“I thought it was something bad, Y/N.” She giggles, the noise cutting through the sound of the wind. “You’re going to say yes, right?” 

“That’s just it! I don’t know if I should,” Y/N says, uncurling her fingers from Robin’s to open the cafe door. “Isn’t that inappropriate?”

Robin thanks her before stepping inside with yet another roll of her eyes. “It’s only inappropriate if you make it inappropriate.” She says, glancing back at Y/N. 

Her messy updo bobs with each step, Y/N notices. It brings a soft smile to her lips and provides a second of distraction. She’s bordering on the line of anxious as she walks with Robin into the mostly empty cafe. Robin senses it, too. She reaches her hand out to graze Y/N’s arm as they come to stand in line. 

“You deserve a night out, little bird. You’ve worked yourself too hard this semester.” Robin says, her voice holding an equal amount of stern and love for Y/N. 

And she’s not wrong. Y/N knows it, too. She’s positive Niall is well aware of it, too, considering his empathy when she was ill. But, the thought of saying yes still fills her tummy with nervous rumblings. Even as she types out the word, thumb hovering over the send button. 

“Let your hair down. It’s just one night.” Robin says, eyes glancing down at Y/N’s phone screen. 

And Y/N knows she right, so she hurriedly presses the send button before shoving the phone into her friend’s hands. She sighs and mumbles something about being afraid to look when he answers. 

“He’s already asked you, Y/N. What else could he possibly say?” 

It’s not so much what he says that has Y/N reeling as she steps outside of her apartment building. It more has to do with the way Niall is leaning so nonchalantly against a black Range Rover that she can very nearly see her reflection in. A perfectly knotted tie sits atop a crisp white shirt and beneath the blazer of a surely overpriced tuxedo. 

The sight reminds her of the first night they met, but her face doesn’t pinch up in annoyance when he smiles at her. Not even when he pushes himself from the car door, hands still shoved in his pockets. He looks the picture of ease and Y/N envies him slightly. Her bones are still rattling with nervousness. It brings on an external shiver that she tries to pass of as the result of the night air. 

“You look beautiful,” Niall says easily, pulling his hand from his pocket to open the door as she nears the curb.

It would all be really cliche if this was actually a date, she thinks. Plucked right out of a movie.

“Thank you,” she says, careful to pinch the slit of her dress together as she climbs into the passenger seat.

The high slit of the black dress is tasteful enough for an event like the Tomlinson Foundation Benefit, but exposes enough of her leg to make her feel slightly uncomfortable under Niall’s quick gaze. Not because she can feel the way his eyes are trailing up the soft skin of her legs–which he does for just a moment before he catches himself–but because she has never felt this exposed in front of him. 

Niall grins back at her before letting the door shut and wandering over to his own side. He’s pulling out of his parking spot before Y/N has clicked her seatbelt in. Something she would chatsie anyone else for, but she doesn’t feel all that unsafe in the car with Niall. Quite frankly, he makes her feel timid and calm at the same time. Both wash over her in waves while she just tries to stay afloat. She would prefer if she could just float lazily at the surface, in control and unattached, but his presence hardly allows for that. 

“I’m glad you decided to come with me tonight, Y/N.” Niall says with a momentary glance that lands on her profile. “S’gonna be a good night. Louis’ events always are.”

Y/N doesn’t doubt it, either. She might have done a little bit of research on Louis and his benefit after she had agreed to attend. Short phrases entered into a search engine quickly loaded picture results for the event. The one they are attending is only the third annual one, but there appeared to be no shortage of A-list celebrities and well-known footballers. Another quick search turned up results for the purpose of the event and solidified Y/N’s reason for going.

(Louis had developed the benefit to raise money for various charities that helped children and families in need. Some were sports related, others to help children battling childhood cancer. Regardless of the way it which it benefitted kids, Louis tried to support it).

“I’m glad I did, too.” Y/N admits, adjusting the clutch in her lap to sit more comfortably between her thighs.

Niall didn’t tell her that they would essentially be sitting in front of all of the attendees. They were sat across from Louis and to the left of some football players that played for Doncaster. I mean, she doesn’t really mind it all that much when she is wandering through the crowd to get to the bar, but she minds it more when they’re sat for dinner and long speeches. 

So, when everyone is given permission to mingle and have fun, Y/N does. Niall had long since excused himself to speak with a few old friends and potential new clients. Y/N is alright once she finds a nice tennis player that doesn’t intimidate her like the rest of the attendees. He’s only sipping at a glass of champagne while Y/N rambles on about how she even came to be at the event because she thinks it is painfully obvious that she does not fit in with the crowd.

But Alexander, the tennis player, reassures her that she doesn’t need to fit in. Even tells her that he came to talk to her because of it. It makes her already alcohol-induced flush heat up even further beneath her makeup. She can feel the heat blossom lower on her cheeks and tries to ignore her increasing heart rate. Because Y/N tries hard to remain independent, in control. Cute boys with strawberry blonde hair that are likely harmlessly flirting with her doesn’t exactly scream independent and control. 

But, when she catches a glimpse of Niall across the room, she’s reminded that tonight isn’t about being either one of those things. He invited her out to relax and not worry about her upcoming assignments or when the rent is due. (Or how she’s going to scrounge up enough money to pay for designer shoes that aren’t even for her). She does her best to compartmentalize them in some corner of her mind where she can ignore them for a few hours. At least to the extent where she can have a little bit of fun and not worry about wasting her time with some boy.

Niall’s stay on her even as she turns her attention to the boy across from her. He hardly recognizes him, but the pang of jealousy still leaves a lasting sting. He doesn’t try to convince himself that it’s something else because he knows damn well that it’s not. Though, he hadn’t thought he liked her quite as much as to be jealous of someone flirting with her. But, he is and Louis is quick to pick up on it.

“You’ve been watchin’ her all night, mate.” Louis laughs, nudging him with his elbow.

Louis takes a long swig of his beer, eyes watching Niall finally drag his watchful gaze from Y/N. His image is slightly clouded by the caramel covered glass, but he can still see the way Niall attempts to smooth out his features. Wiggling his jaw, slightly sore from being clenched just slightly. Pulling his shoulders from his ears and letting a sigh fall from his lips.

“S’obvious, isn’t it?” Niall chuckles, the sound dry in his ears. 

He knows he’s essentially fucked. That he is the one who fucked himself over by hiring her. 

“Well…” Louis leads, leaning against the mahogany wood of the bar. “Don’t know why you didn’t just ask her out on a date if you were goin’ to stare at her all night anyway.”

“She’s my assistant,” he stresses the last word to remind himself. 

“Hardly looks like that’s all she is to you,” Louis laughs and it’s times like this that Niall wishes he wasn’t so cheeky. “Why’d ya hire her if you fancied her this much?”

Niall stays silent because he doesn’t want to admit he hadn’t thought it through. Simply thought that it would be a great way to bring them closer. He hoped it would make her see that he isn’t all that bad. Not nearly as arrogant as the day they had met. At least not all the time. 

“Does she even know ya like her?” Louis persists, a smirk now playing at his lips. He takes Niall’s extended silence as a no. “School age stuff, innit? You’ve got to at least tell her.”

Niall knows that Louis is egging him on, but he knows that is with good intentions. Louis knows him well enough to know that his friend hardly ever gets jealous over some girl. He thinks it is safe to assume that Y/N is more than that. Significantly more than that based off the way Niall’s eyes wander back over to her during the lull in their conversation.

She’s laughing at something the strawberry blonde boy has said and a delicate hand comes to brush his arm. Louis watches a frown settle on Niall’s features. He’s pouting, really. But, Louis doesn’t want to overstep his bounds tonight. 

“Could tell her on that business trip you’ve got comin’ up,” Louis suggests, “You did say you were bringing her along, yeah?” 

The trip to Barcelona had completely slipped his mind despite his correspondence with another agent there. He had intended to invite Y/N along, but his intentions had been purely business. With a multiplicity of potential new clients to meet and a few sporting events to attend, he knew he would need help. 

But, perhaps Louis’ suggestion isn’t all that ludicrous. Maybe the sun, food, and time together will suddenly make a relationship blossom organically. Or maybe and more likely, Niall needs to buck up and tell Y/N he likes her.

[artisticestheticreads]

Lovin’ You

A/N: Okay, so today is T’Challa Thursday but I had awful writer’s block while writing the new chapter of Beauty and the Panther. I decided to clean to see if I can come up with something as I listened to Lovin’ You by Minnie Riperton when I got the idea for this one-shot. I hope you enjoy a little cute T’Challa fluff.

Warning: Just cute fluff and some cussing of course.

Song Recommendation: Loving’ You by Minnie Riperton

 It was an Autumn Day in Wakanda when you were home, cleaning the place you shared with your loving king. He hated when you even moved a tad but even though you were seven months pregnant, you hated sitting still. You finished up mopping in the kitchen as you hummed music. You finally sat on the couch with tired feet as you rubbed your round belly. “Mmmm, hello my little princess”; the baby girl kicked and you giggled. “Ah, I can not wait until you get here. Your baba and I are already so obsessed with you as it is. Your grandmother Ramonda keeps giving us advice. Shuri keeps talking to you about science and what not and your uncle keeps talking about colonizers.” You giggled as she rubbed against your tummy. 

  “But baba and I will teach you everything you need to know.” You looked to the door and forced yourself up off the couch. As you made your way around, you had on a pair of overalls and a nude tank that matched your skin. You peeked out your front door to see he was still away. You turned back to see the old guitar that you have had since middle school. You place it in your right hand as the left rubbed your tummy. “Princess, will you like a song? One kick for no and two for yes”; two kicks it was. 

  You sat in the chair that made your back face the chair and got comfortable. You began strumming and tuning the red wooden instrumental to find the perfect key. You only strummed and hummed for a while until you found the lyrics due to your “mommy brain.”

“Lovin' you is easy ‘cause you're beautiful Makin' love with you is all I wanna do Lovin' you is more than just a dream come true And everything that I do is out of lovin' you”

   T’Challa was on his way inside but stopped. He held his ear to the door to listen closely.

“La la la la la, la la la la la La la la la la, la la la la la Do do do do do, ooh”

  He hummed the words along with you but not attempting the whistle tone. He loved when you did that part. He slowly slid in and quietly shutting the door, standing there and watching you. He remembered when you used to sing this song all the time in the lab alone. After your first date, he looked for this song and learned every word just for you. He remembers when he played this song in the dining area on your two year anniversary, that night he proposed to you. 

   The song played as you walked down the aisle and as your first song. He remembered how you looked down the aisle. You wore a soft white, beaded ball gown with a sweetheart neckline. Your veil followed behind like a train and your short twist was in a low bun. He cried a few tears as he watched you with your father’s hand in yours. You smiled as you two looked at one another and when you reached him, he took our hand and kissed your cheek. “ Ubonakala umhle, kumkanikazi. (You look beautiful, my queen.)”

“Enkosi, kumkani. (Thank you, my king)”. 

“No one else can make me feel The colors that you bring Stay with me while we grow old And we will live each day in springtime”

   “Don’t tell daddy I said this but he has a nice singing voice.” He smiled to himself. He slipped his shoes off and made his way over to you with his panther-like senses.

“Cause lovin' you has made my life so beautiful And every day of my life is filled with lovin' you Lovin' you, I see your soul come shinin' through And every time that we, ooh, I'm more in love with you.”

   All of a sudden, your whistle tone became a scream when you felt hands on your shoulders. You turned with the guitar ready to attack when you saw T’Challa. “Fucking fuck, my king. You scared me AND the baby. She was about slide right on out.” He chuckled and said, “I’m sorry, my love.” He helped you over to sit on the couch and rubbed your feet. “How long were you here?” He still massaged your feet as you lied back. “During the first verse.” You two laughed and he kissed your cheek before placing his on hand on the baby. “Princess, will you like mommy to continue singing. One kick for no and two for yes.” She kicked and you smiled. 

“Lovin' you is easy cause you're beautiful Makin' love with you is all I wanna do Lovin' you is more than just a dream come true And everything that I do is out of lovin' you”

Then he joined in.

La la la la la, la la la la la La la la la la, la la la la la Do do do do do, ooh

      But left you the whistling tone when he pointed. You giggled as you sang and he couldn’t help to think that loving you was easy; how every day of his life was filled loving you and your princess.

~

*𝒯𝒜𝒢𝒢𝐸𝒟 𝐿𝒪𝒱𝐸𝒮*

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[jawllines]

pLEASE WRITE A BLURB ABOUT HARRY, EVIE, AND Y/N HUGS AND KISSES TO YOU SWEETHEART I LOVE YOU MWA

:D

Harry had never been so in love with anything before.

What could it be? Was it a book that he’d fallen for, with old weathered pages yellowed by ages and annotated paragraphs scrawled in his pen about how a certain sentence makes him feels? Or could it be a favorite tee shirt that he has worn to tatters but refuses to throw away, comforted by its holed fabric and frayed edges? What about a certain song that’s melody never gets old no matter how many times he repeats it, with guitars strumming a soothing hum that lulls him contented with the world around him and all within it?

It was none of those, actually.

It was a cat.

A beautiful, black and white little creature that crawled onto his shoulder and nestled against his neck and napped there for hours while he was slumped against the couch watching Pretty Woman when he had originally met her. Had spent his whole time cooing over the tiny thing, rubbing between her ears, pouting his mouth because when he puts his hand against her tummy and all of it is covered. At the end of the night, he and Evie (the cat) would retire to his room where she would curl between his knees and sleep through the night, maybe nip at his toes if he moved them too much.

Maybe that’s when his mum decided that he would get the little beauty after his tour. Surprising him with a message of Evie with a little bow tied around her neck, and a small card that read, “Can I come live with you?” And Harry’s whole heart expanded to the size of implosion in his chest, as he immediately responded with yes, yes, fucking yes he would take the sweet little kitten (he omitted the fucking though).

Once he to London, he did a various assortment of things. He took Evie with him to the Pet Store and let her climb around in the cart while he picked out items to make her living with him more pleasurable for the both of them. Harry buys her a bed even though he’s sure she’s sleeping with him, toys on toys (from little mice to the biggest cat tree he thinks he’s ever seen and decided she needed right then), treats that help her teeth, treats the promote hair growth, treats that are just yummy in general, a water and food bowl designed specifically so that her whiskers don’t get irritated brushing against the edges of the bowl, and a brush that he hopes she might like. Maybe he spends way too much, but anytime he would pick something up just to look at it, she would peer up at him with those big eyes, slowly raise her paw from the baby seat to bat at it and he would nod in response and set it in the cart.

He took her to a vet too, just to make sure everything was okay and that she was in tip-top shape.

This is where he meets Y/N.

Y/N is something out of his dreams, he thinks. She works at the vet’s office as a secretary but her duties extend far beyond that of just checking people in; since they’re short staffed, sometimes she’ll aid the vet in all the ways that she’s able to, whether it be to calm a puppy down or to hold a cat still. She always wore a various color of a cardigan, a white shirt, and light-washed jeans (he only notes this because it’s a weird choice of outfit when working with animals, sometimes she has fur all over her and sometimes it looks like she worked in some pristine business office, there was never an in between), smile wide in her greetings to him (“Good morning, Mr. Styles! To what do we oh the pleasure of seeing you and Miss Evie today?”), and remembered Evie by name, and always managed to have a cat treat ready to go as soon as they walked up to the desk to check in.

Evie is awful finicky about who she likes. She loves him and his mum, but other people she is pretty skittish around, however upon first meeting with Y/N, she wiggle wormed her way out of Harry’s arms (he brings her in a basket of soft blankets and cloth opposed to a cage, he feels those are restricting), and crawled over the counter to Y/N. Immediately butted at her with her head and Y/N let her muck around while she checked them in, scratching between Evie’s ears, “Hi miss thing,” she had murmured, Harry hears it clearly as he thinks about it, “You’re awful cuddly, yeah? You must make your Daddy feel very loved.”

She does, Harry had almost responded, but for the first time in a long time he was all choked up.

Soon he gets a little better with talking to Y/N though, he gets Evie checkups regularly and they offer surfaces like brushing Evie’s teeth and small spa like things he likes to treat her to. The more often he sees Y/N the easier it is for him to have a conversation and that just makes him feel all new kinds of soft for the girl. She was funny and smart and kind -- she was really, really kind, and that made his heart full, especially when he saw her with Evie.

It’d taken about a month for him to get her number and he did it in the slyest way he could. After watching Y/N check somebody else and their cat in, he had felt sort of hopelessly jealous when she smiled at them and scratched the kitten beneath its chin with the pad of her finger, (it was so small, Harry could hold it in his palm), he’d strolled up with purpose. Asked her if she had any pets to which she pouted and shook her head, “My apartment doesn’t allow them, sadly, and it’s all I can afford right now to stay there.” She runs her thumb over Evie’s left ear, “But Miss. Evie here makes me feel better with her presence, though I do miss her an awful lot when I don’t see her.”

“If you want, I can send you pictures of her to tied you over for each visit?”

He’d planted the seed right then in there, biting the inside of his cheek hard, wondering if she would water it.

When a big grin lit up her face and she slid out her phone, Harry knew he’d done well.

Harry’s pretty sure he’s got a major crush on her but doesn’t know what to do about it. Sends her an outrageous amount of pictures of Evie (he tried being frugal at first but Y/N kept responding so happily to them and saying keep them coming so Harry kept them coming), and in return, she sends pictures of the animals that come into the vet’s office. They chatter about their days, Harry sends terrible jokes, Y/N laughs at them like they might be the funniest thing she’s ever heard, and when he sees her at the office it feels like they have this secret between one another. He really likes that.

So that’s why he has her number at least, and that’s why -- instead of calling the vet at 2AM -- Y/N gets a panicked call. His heart twists and guilt drips deep into his bones when he hears a scratchy, croaky, “Hello?” Because he’d definitely just woken her up, but he was cradling Evie in his lap with tears threatening his eyes.

“Y/N?” He begins, “I’m sorry -- I’m so sorry to wake you up, but my -- Evie. . .we were just playing and she started breathing really heavy and weird, and she’s been sneezing for the past few days and sniffling and now she’s asleep in my lap but she’s still breathing so loud. I don’t know what’s wrong.”

There was a shuffling on the other end and he half expects Y/N to tell him to fuck off and grow up before the dial rings dead, but instead he has a very careful voice saying, “Okay, s’okay Harry just calm down,” she responds, a small sniffle on the other end and he wonders for a moment if he’s just woken her up when she’s trying to sleep a cold off, “Are you in town? Come by my place and I’ll have a look at her, yeah? I think I know what’s going on, but just to make sure.”

Harry had never shoved his shoes on quicker, lying Evie in her basket of cloth (he warms one in the dryer to lay over her since it’s so cold outside), lies her in the passenger seat and just about guns it to the address Y/N had sent him. Absently does he wonder if she lives alone and if he’s about to find out whether or not his crush was in vain if some big, husky bloke walks out of her bedroom and asks where she’s gone but he tries to shake away the thought. Not only does it drop a small, sad pit in his stomach but there was much bigger problems at hand, one of which being he had to use every ounce of self-restraint not to pet Evie right now who sits up straight in the basket and is looking around the car with one of the pieces of cloth draped over her head.

He pulls up to a set of cute little brick flats, only one of which with the outdoor light flickered on and Y/N expressed that’s hers. Collected Evie in the basket and walked to the door, feeling jittery, nervous, and silly for calling her so late. However, his worries of annoying her or pissing her off or ruining any chances he might of had with her because he’s such a panicky person when it comes to this animal -- all diminish when she opens the door, clad in soft pajama shorts and a thin t-shirt, slippers nestled on her feet, “Come in, come in,” she urges them, stepping out of the way so Harry could duck into her home as it had just started sleeting the moment they’d arrived.

The bite of the cold against his nose eases up immensely as he steps into the sheer warmth of her flat, not only from the furnace, but from the appearance as well. It’s well lived in and home-y, paintings, and pictures lining the walls, string lights hung around the tops and a lamp clicked on a warm glow in the corner. Y/N leads them to the coffee table, where she’s set two mugs down and two couch pillows on the ground in front of them, “Set her by the table for me,” she knees down so she’s level with the basket, and its only then does Harry notice she has things strewn out on the couch. “Hi Evie,” she hums, reaching out to pet between her ears and Evie leans up into the touch, “Don’t you know s’mean to scare your Daddy?” She reaches for a stethoscope, plugging her ears and taking the end to Evie’s chest all while Harry stares on with widened eyes. He supposes she must be going to school for this, or maybe she’s just picked up a lot from working at the clinic. He’s not all too sure, but what he is sure of is that watching her so gentle with the kitten makes his heart bloat up in his chest.

It only takes her a few seconds before she’s nodding, turning to Harry with a soft smile, “She’s all good,” she tells him and Harry feels his shoulders sag in relief, “Poor little thing has a bit of a cold, but otherwise everything is fine. I’ve got a treat for her that should make her feel better -- Dr. Anthony lets me take home some packages of these ‘cos lots of my friends have animals.” Next, she reaches for the bag, taking two of the treats out and holding them out on her fingertips for Evie to take.

It’s safe to say, Harry feels like an absolute idiot for throwing a cold out of proportion, “I’m sorry about this,” he tells her sheepishly, after gnawing hard on his lip for a moment, “I woke you up and barged in all  because of a little cold?”

Y/N waves her hand at him, shaking her head, “S’fine, really. It’s always scary when they’re so small. When I had a cat, all he had to do was look a little weird and I was calling a 24-hour emergency vet number”

He laughs,  a smile painted on his mouth, and though he didn’t much want to leave he decides it wouldn’t be fair to keep her up any longer than he already had,“Well, thank you so much for this. I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Nonsense, Harry,” she stops him as he reaches out for Evie’s basket,  “It’s late, freezing and sleeting out there, you guys are spending the night. Too dangerous for a drive,” then she reaches around the basket, grabbing the mug, “I made you tea, yeah? Figured you would want something warm after a panic like that.”

Harry tries not to sound too giddy, because the thought of drinking warm tea with Y/N, sat here on her flat’s living room floor with Evie poking around curiously, talking to one another -- well, it fulfills all the weirdly sweet, innocent daydreams he’d been having when he thought of her, “Are you sure?” He asks her, and when she nods, grinning at him, he begins to slip out of his coat, “Thank you, Y/N, don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this.”

“Repay me?” She shakes her head again, “Don’t worry about it. Getting to spend time with you and Evie is repayment enough.”

Harry didn’t think it was possible for his heart to grow any more than it had when he’d first met Evie and she’d slept against his throat.

Y/N is doing a damn good job of proving him wrong though.