#but they’re standing next to each other and it’s Tuesday so yeah

[a-stars-art-blog]

It kills me that Albert had no idea Klint was dead for all those 10 years :(((

[hairstevington]

call me when you get this

Eddie Munson x Steve Harrington

Summary: Eddie and Steve are best friends, but even the best of friends have secrets.

WC: 3K

Warnings: Story told through voicemails, mild angst, coming out to each other, secret feelings, friends to lovers, kissing, swearing, light angst very brief, references to Robin and Gareth, drunk shenangians, idiots in love, set in 1991 but it doesn't matter too much, no mention of the Upside Down stuff

A/N: I have like three other WIP's happening and zero time but this idea was given to me by the beloved @tinytalkingtina in the discord and then I couldn't get it out of my head. Ao3 link here for those interested!

Tuesday, September 24th, 1991, 12:52am

GARETH hi yes I know it’s late but HAVE YOU LISTENED TO THE ALBUM YET? I need all of your thoughts immediately. Like, all of them. Every thought. Dude, my head is spinning. Ohhh, man. Kurt is a fuckin’ legend. Woooow. Okay, I could talk about this shit for like three hours but I don’t want to run out your tape so just call me back when you get this and then talk to me about it for three hours. Can I come over a little early tomorrow? Yeah, I’m gonna come over a little early tomorrow. Maybe a lot early. Alright, catch ya then. 

Tuesday, September 24th, 1991, 3:40pm

Uhh, ha. Hey Steve. Thiiiis is Eddie, obviously. I, uh, I just realized I called you in the middle of the night last night on accident, and - uhh, sorry about that. It was just - ah, screw it. You know what I am. Byeeeeee-

Tuesday, September 24th, 1991, 7:30pm

“Hey, it’s Eddie. I proooobably won’t listen to whatever you’re about to say, but shoot your shot anyway.”

Eds, how many times do I have to tell you to change your answering machine message? What if, like, the president calls? Okay, maybe not the president. But an employer or something. Or, like, what if you give the girl of your dreams your number and she calls you and hears THAT? Food for thought. Uhh, anyway, it’s fine. I wasn’t even home when you called me. Robin was, though, and so you’ll probably hear her wrath next time you come over for movie night. Good luck with that. Oh, wait. You’re at a show tonight, right? Damn. I swear I’ll make the next one. Okay, bye, dickhead. 

Wednesday, September 25th, 1991, 1:12pm

“You have reached Steve Harrington. Figured I should say that in case whoever is calling me thinks they’re calling someone else. Anyway, I’m busy right now so I’ll call you back. Bye!”

Ha, ha. You are so funny, Harrington. You ever think about being a stand-up comedian? Jesus, and you say I���M the dramatic one. Uhh, the show last night went well, by the way. Not that you were THERE. Seriously, what kind of friend even are you? I’m hurt, Steve. I’m hurt. Anyway, see you tomorrow for movie night. I get to pick. It’s only fair, right?

Thursday, September 27th, 1991, 4pm

“Hey, it’s Eddie. I proooobably won’t listen to whatever you’re about to say, but shoot your shot anyway.”

You’re not picking the goddamn movie. No way. Last time you did that we got scarred for life. Also, um. I can’t tell if you’re joking or not about me and your shows. I didn’t realize you - uhh, you’re probably joking. Forget I said anything, and see you tonight. I’m at work right now, so I’m gonna rent some backup options just in case.

Sunday, September 30th, 1991, 2pm

“Hey, it’s Eddie. I proooobably won’t listen to whatever you’re about to say, but shoot your shot anyway.”

Dustin says you were being a total dick last night. Good. That shrimp deserves to be humbled every once in a while. Your answering machine message still sucks, by the way, and yeah I’m gonna tell you every time. 

Monday, October 1st, 1991, 3:21pm

“Hey, this is Steve.”

“And Robin!”

“And you’ve somehow managed to call us when neither of us are here.”

“We are probably together.”

“Yeah, probably.”

“Or we just don’t want to talk to you.”

“Oh, that too.”

“Either way, leave a message and we’ll get back to you later!”

“Probably.”

“Probably!”

Steve. My guy. I can’t believe you make fun of me for my bullshit message all the time and now you’ve created and advertised THAT abomination?? I’m - wow. I forgot why I even called.

Monday, October 1st, 1991, 3:23pm

“Hey, this is Steve.”

“And Robin!”

“And you’ve somehow managed to call us when neither of us are here.”

“We are probably together.”

“Yeah, probably.”

“Or we just don’t want to talk to you.”

“Oh, that too.”

“Either way, leave a message and we’ll get back to you later!”

“Probably.”

“Probably!”

Okay, I remember now. I know you said you have that date tomorrow with Heidi or Melissa or Samantha or whoever is currently obsessed with you, but I really do want you at the show if you can make it. You can bring her, if you want. Actually, it might be a good test. If she hates metal, she fails. I only want the best suitors for you, Steve Harrington. Be there or I’ll be REALLY annoying about it forever. 

Tuesday, October 2nd, 1991, 11:45pm

“Hey, it’s Eddie. I proooobably won’t listen to whatever you’re about to say, but shoot your shot anyway.”

Hey, it’s Steve. So, uh - I saw your show tonight. You’re probably not home yet, but I don’t know where you are. Cuz like, I tried to find you after your set but you disappeared. I hope everything’s okay. You sounded great, by the way. I mean, you all did. Remember me when you’re playing at the Garden? Oh also, I heard like three women talk about how badly they wanted you, so…I dunno, just figured you’d like to hear that. Hey, maybe you got with one of them and that’s why you’re not answering. In that case, hope you’re having fun? Okay, now it’s weird. Bye, Eds.

Wednesday, October 3rd, 12:54am

“Hey, this is Steve.”

“And Robin!”

“And you’ve somehow managed to call us when neither of us are here.”

“We are probably together.”

“Yeah, probably.”

“Or we just don’t want to talk to you.”

“Oh, that too.”

“Either way, leave a message and we’ll get back to you later!”

“Probably.”

“Probably!”

Steeeeeeeeeeeve. You absolute buffoon. You beautiful, oblivious man. Why’dya think I wanted you there’so badly t’night, Steve? T’wasn’t for the girls. Ha, girls. Yeah, okay. I may have had several alcoholic beverages, Steve-o, but you’re still the dumbass. Cuz you’d have to be an absolute idiot t’think I have any interest in those women. ‘Specially yours. Your women, I mean. Sandyyyyy. Ugh, she was perfect for you, Harrington. Juuuust perfect. So perfect I didn’t wanna stick around to see any more of it. I hope you two have beautiful children. Name one after me, will you? Uhhhh I think I might puke. So, I’m gonna go, but - but do you get what I’m saying? Do you - do you get it? Tell me you get it. Steve, I - Oh, hey Gareth. Do you wanna talk to Steve? Wait why are you - Dude, I’m FINE. I’m handling it! Stop! Gareth, don’t hang up the phone, I haven’t -!

Wednesday, October 3nd, 1991, 9:05am

“Hey, it’s Eddie. I proooobably won’t listen to whatever you’re about to say, but shoot your shot anyway.”

Dude, did you fucking break into our apartment last night? Robin and I came home this morning and found a broken lock and some shitty note we could barely read next to the answering machine, and - what the fuck, man? You wiped the damn thing clean. Just - call me back, okay? Jesus. 

Wednesday, October 3nd, 1991, 11:36am

“Hey, it’s Eddie. I proooobably won’t listen to whatever you’re about to say, but shoot your shot anyway.”

Eddie, come on. We really need to talk. I’m not - I’m not mad, honest to God. Call me back, as soon as you get this. Got it?

Thursday, October 4th, 1991, 3:47pm

“Hey, it’s Eddie. I proooobably won’t listen to whatever you’re about to say, but shoot your shot anyway.”

It’s movie night, but I’m assuming you won’t be here considering you’ve pulled your magic disappearing act. Thanks for that, by the way. You know you really piss me off sometimes? All the time, actually. I’m getting real tired of you constantly poking fun at me, and then you pull this breaking and entering shit and just take off? Just like that? We’ve been friends for years, Eds. You and me. But you never want to just be serious, not once in your goddamn life, and I’m over it. So, uh, thanks for that, I guess. I dunno what I did. 

Sunday, October 7th, 1991, 1:12pm

Hi! You have reached Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley’s home. Leave a message at the beep!

Huh. You know what? I kind of miss the old message you had. Yeah, yeah, I know, I’m impossible to please, yada yada yada, and now I’m doing the avoiding with humor thing again. Shit. Uhh, hi. Listen, I’m sorry I disappeared off the face of the earth for a while. Really, really fucking sorry, if you can believe it. I was just, like, mad embarrassed, and I didn’t wanna - uh, can we meet up soon? Alone? Like, without Robin even? I know that’s - like, unheard of these days, but I figure maybe you’d make an exception for me. Or maybe you won’t. Just let me know, yeah? 

Sunday, October 7th, 1991, 1:30pm

Hi! You have reached Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley’s home. Leave a message at the beep!

See, I would just hop on over to your place to talk but the thing is, I’m a total chickenshit and it’s not like I did super well the last time I showed up to your place unannounced, so…Uhh, while we’re on the subject, I’m sorry about your lock. If you haven’t replaced it yet, I will. I’ll at least pay you back. In my defense, that thing was like two seconds from falling off anyway. But still. Anyway, I know you always spend Sundays at home, soooo…hellooooo? Come on. At least pick up the phone and tell me to fuck off. I know you’re listening. At least - I hope you are, anyway. Just pick up, man. I - I really gotta talk to you. 

Sunday, October 7th, 1991, 1:37pm

Hi! You have reached Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley’s home. Leave a message at the beep!

So, quick update, I called Henderson. He confirmed you are at home, which means you are DEFINITELY listening, and either you’re trying to punish me or a part of you still finds my piece of shit ass charming somehow. Look, I know I fucked up, but - but I can explain. Shit. I mean, I’m not good with words or anything and I’m a total asshole but I - just, please. Pick up. Pick uuuuup. Come on. Now you’re just being a dick. Ha. Figures, I’m apologizing and calling you a dick in the same message. Dude. Seriously. Your tape is gonna run out of space and then what? You stop hearing from me? I’ll find other ways to annoy you, promise. This is a threat. Steve. Steeeeve. Pick up pick up pick up pick upppp -

“Will you just shut the hell up already?”

Eddie dropped the phone and heard it clack against the floor. He would have recognized that voice anywhere. 

He turned around and there he was. 

“Steve, what are you -?”

“You would just be yapping on that damn answering machine my whole drive here,” Steve said with his hands on his hips. “I don’t know why I expected any less. And, thanks to you, we had all the space in the world for you to take up, so -”

“H-how did you get in here?” Eddie stuttered. 

Steve rolled his eyes. “What? You think you’re the only one who’s not afraid of breaking and entering?”

They hadn’t seen each other in five days. Hadn’t even talked, aside from a few voicemails. And those never told the whole story. 

“I’m sorry,” Eddie began. 

“Yeah, you should be,” Steve replied, taking a step closer to Eddie in the kitchen. 

Eddie winced, his heart racing a million miles a minute. He just had to get all of the words out, while he still could. While Steve was listening. 

“I left you this really stupid voicemail,” Eddie explained. “That night, after the show. I was drunk off my ass, and - and Gareth told me I’d said shit I shouldn’t have said, and then I panicked, and the two of us went to your apartment and I - well, you know the rest.” He slumped down into the chair at the dining room table, putting his head in his hands. “Which is all just so dumb. And I didn’t wanna deal with the aftermath, so…”

“So you stopped talking to me?” Steve said, taking another step closer. “Because you thought that would be the straw that broke the camel’s back in our friendship?”

Eddie shook his head. “I dunno, I -”

“You’ve done some real weird shit over the years, Munson,” Steve continued. “Sneaking into my apartment doesn’t even make the top three.”

Eddie buried his face in his hair. No amount of boyish charm would get him out of this one. Jesus H. Christ. 

He sighed. “Okay, so I overreacted, what else is new?” 

“I heard the voicemail, dickhead.”

Eddie’s heart went from breakneck speeds to stopping entirely. 

“What?”

Steve sat down in the other seat at the table. “I heard the voicemail. It was 1am, again, so yeah I was at home.”

“I thought you would have been with Sandy,” Eddie muttered.

Steve shook his head. “Nah, Sandy was - she’s great and all, but she isn’t - she’s not -”

“So you heard the voicemail, but you weren’t home when I showed up,” Eddie noted.

“Right,” Steve said. “Because I was headed to your place.”

“What?”

Steve rolled his eyes. “I just - I didn’t understand why you never told me you were queer. Like, you know I don’t care about that. You know about Robin…”

As Steve talked, Eddie realized that Steve only heard half of what that voicemail was trying to express. So, it was time for Eddie Munson to face the music. 

“I didn’t tell you I’m gay because I knew that once I did, you’d figure out the rest of it,” Eddie blurted out.

Steve furrowed his eyebrows. “The rest of it?”

Eddie groaned. “Oh, God. See, drunk me had the right idea saying this kind of shit over an answering machine. Christ, I’m so bad at this, but I’m just gonna say it, because if I don’t I think I’ll lose my shot with you and I - I can’t deal with that. So, here we go.” He squeezed his eyes shut and powered through. “Steve, I - ha, shit. I love you, dude. I’m - I’m IN love with you. I have been since, like, forever.” He opened his eyes, but kept them fixed on their feet against the linoleum kitchen floor. “Which is, uhh, a lot, I know. But it’s the truth. So if there’s any chance -”

“Oh, my God,” Steve interrupted. His voice wasn’t angry, or scared, or anything like that. It was soft and understanding. 

“Yeah,” Eddie agreed. “Wait, what are you thinking?” He looked up to see Steve staring off into the distance before meeting his gaze. 

“I’m thinking,” Steve replied. “That I owe Robin twenty bucks.”

Eddie cocked his head to the side and felt his heart skip back into rhythm. “You do?”

Steve nodded with a slight smile. At some point, his hand had ended up on Eddie’s knee. “Yeah, I didn’t believe her. Told her no way, not possible.”

Eddie didn’t know how to feel about this reaction. It wasn’t the worst possible response, but it certainly wasn’t Oh, Eddie! How I’ve longed for you all this time! Take me now! 

A middleground, if you will. 

“Oookay,” Eddie said. “Well, I don’t really know what to say now.”

“I’m queer too, ya know,” Steve continued.

"Wait, really?" Eddie balked. "Steve Harrington, ladies man?"

Steve chuckled. "Uh, yeah. Turns out, not so much," he said. "I feel like I’m pretty open about it. Guys, girls, whatever -”

“Yeah, but we all do that,” Eddie reasoned. “Me, you, and Robin all talking about how hot everyone is on our movie nights. It doesn’t prove anything.”

“Except that it totally does,” Steve countered. “Because, like, what do we all have in common?"

Eddie thought about it, and he didn’t have any other defenses.

“O-okay, so you’re queer too,” Eddie said. “And the other thing I said?”

Steve took a deep breath and looked Eddie directly in his frightened eyes.

“Eds, obviously I love you too,” Steve admitted at last. “Come on, seriously? After all I’ve put up with? I’ve been waiting around for like five days for you to call, like some lovesick puppy, and the moment I heard your voice I drove here instead of picking up the phone like a normal person. I’ve got it so bad for you that Robin is sick of it, and honestly, I’m sick of it too, because I hate having feelings. It blows, dude. I swear to God, if you try to bolt again when things get tough -”

Eddie lunged forward and cut Steve’s words off with a kiss. Their first kiss, even if it didn’t feel that way. Eddie had cupped Steve’s cheek in the past while he teased him. Steve had curled his fingers in Eddie’s hair in the past the night Robin taught him how to braid. Eddie and Steve had all kinds of physical contact in various ways over the years, and it was as if all of that was just practice for this. 

Eddie broke away from Steve’s lips purely out of necessity, because he needed to catch his breath. “Okay, woah,” he said.

“Yeah,” Steve agreed. “Woah.”

Everything changed after that. But also, nothing changed at all.

-

Tuesday, October 16th, 1991, 4:12pm

“Hey, this is Eddie Munson’s phone. Leave a message and I’ll call ya back.”

Hi, Eds. Okay, I was wrong. This new message you have is, like, super boring. Anyway, I’ll see you at the show tonight, Rockstar. Love you. 

xx

I did have a taglist way back when but the tagging system is super annoying on tumblr, so please reblog this if you liked it and follow me or my Ao3 for other works! Masterlist is the pinned post on my page for those interested. Thanks for reading!

[numberonetacostan]

TACO HEADCANONS TUESDAY

Taco would teach Goo how to weaponize his cuteness. He pulls out the puppy dog eyes for 2 seconds and now they’re doing a full cast watch of the entirety of my little pony friendship is magic. She did it expertly in season 1, I’m sure she can pass down a few tricks to him, and Goo is Goo so they’d only be used for good. 

Taco commits to Mic’s no violence request surprisingly well post-canon. However, the reason she can do so is that she figures out other ways to get revenge on those who wrong her, and they end up being so funny/petty/absurd that Mic thinks it’s really funny and does not use her power of being the only one Taco will listen to to get Taco to stop. Trophy annoys her? She pours tea in his head. Silver silvers all over the place? His polish was somehow replaced with oil.  

Taco's formal speech reminds Toilet of Mepad's manner of speech, so he loves to listen to her talk. He asks her to tell him bedtime stories in her “fancy talk” and eventually she relents. It’s soothing for the both of them. 

Fuck man, Taco really likes standing next to Baseball. Or behind Baseball. Or just in Baseball’s general vicinity, because he’s big!! He’s the closest contestant in size to Mepad, who made her feel so very safe. So maybe sometimes she likes to hide behind Baseball or lean against him and think about Mepad!! Baseball’s not gonna call her out on it or make her move, he’s a nice guy, and he already hangs out with Nickel a lot so he’s used to having a little fella vibing around him. 

Mic tripped on the stick once. Taco was later caught setting that exact stick ablaze. No one messes with her gf and gets away unscathed. Paper is still afraid of her. 

At some point post-canon, Fan mentions the fact that some of them have plushies, and as a result quite a large order of those plushies is made. Each of the core lights gets each of the other core lights and themselves, Suitcase gets Knife and vice-versa, Mic gets a Taco, etc., etc., most importantly Taco gets a Mepad plush. And she starts carrying it around everywhere. Not just in her shell, though that’s where it stays when she needs both her hands, but in her arms. She is holding him constantly. He brings her comfort, and no one is going to begrudge or tease her for that. It’s not as though Painty doesn’t have mini-lightbulb with them more often than not, and Suitcase doesn’t carry mini-knife inside her, yeah?

[corroded-hellfire]

My Favorite Elf - Eddie Munson x Reader

Summary: When you and Nancy go to the mall to finish up your Christmas shopping, the sound of a familiar voice leads you to a jolly surprise.

Note: I wrote this for @palomahasenteredthechat’s 12 Days of Joemas with the prompt “Is that velvet?” 💚❤️

Words: 1.4k

The holiday season at Starcourt Mall can be a chaotic nightmare on nights and weekends. Crowds so dense you can hardly see any of the mannequins modeling the latest looks at the GAP. It’s for this reason that you and Nancy decide to make a mall run straight from school one Tuesday afternoon. 

With most parents still at work and middle and elementary schools still in session, the mall is the calmest you’ve seen since before Halloween. You and Nancy plan on taking full advantage of getting all those last minute gifts you’ve been meaning to buy.

“Okay, I got the shoes,” Nancy says, jostling the brown paper bag in her hand in emphasis. “You wanted to go to Walden Books next?”

“Yeah!” you say. “I saw this book there the other day and I think Eddie would really like it.”

“Why didn’t you get it for him then?”

“He was with me,” you laugh. “As busy as it was, I still think he would’ve noticed me buying something.”

The bookstore is on the second floor, so you and Nancy have to take the escalators closest to the food court. Right before you lift your foot to hover over the silver steps, you hear a familiar voice coming from behind the escalators. 

“Are you ready? Come on, we’ll go up together.”

Your brow furrows in puzzlement, and Nancy turns to look at you with the same expression mirrored on her face. Together, you walk around to see what Eddie is doing at the mall and who he’s talking to.

A Winter Wonderland greets you and Nancy as you step around the towering escalators. The centerpiece is a life-size gingerbread house decorated with every type of candy you can think of. Colorful gumdrops frame the front door, pieces of licorice act as shutters to the icing windows, and oversized swirling lollipops stand around the house like a security team. 

Fake pine trees dot the scenery, their needles covered in fake snow. In fact, fake snow permeates about every spare inch on the display. It’s all around the platform and heavily dusted over the roof of the house. 

Sitting right in the middle of it all is the man himself: Santa Claus. He’s perched atop a large red throne smack dab in the middle of the wonderland. The entire display is surrounded by a white, glittery snowflake fence. 

There’s a girl dressed as an elf in a green tulle skirt and red tights standing behind a camera facing the big man. Your eyes then come across the best sight of all.

Your hand comes up to cover your enormous grin as you take in your boyfriend in his very own elf attire. The left half of his button up shirt is red, while the right half is entirely green. The same is true of the pants, just reversed; a green left leg and a red right leg. His hair is tucked up in a bun at the base of his neck and the rest of his curls are hidden by the green Santa hat on top of his head. The hat has golden jingle bells on the top and fake points to rest on top of Eddie’s ears to give the magical illusion of elf ears. The part that tickles you the most though is the shoes. They’re green with pointed toes that curl up, with a golden jingle bell attached to the tip of each. 

“Did you know he was working here?” Nancy asks you, a few giggles escaping her. 

“No!” You laugh but find it strange to look at his hands and see no chunky silver rings. 

The only people in the line to meet Santa are a little girl with long blonde hair, half up in a pink ribbon, and her mother. It’s understandable that there's hardly a crowd here on a Tuesday afternoon. The little girl looks scared and won’t let go of her mom’s hand no matter how much she encourages her. 

Eddie walks over to the girl and crouches down to her level.

“Hi. My name is Eddie. What’s your name?”

“Christina,” she answers softly.

“It’s nice to meet you, Christina. Are you a little nervous to meet Santa?”

She nods her head.

Eddie offers her his hand. “What if we go up there together?”

Christina still looks hesitant.

“You don’t have to be afraid of him,” Eddie says with a shake of his head. “He just wants to know what you want for Christmas so us elves can get to work on it. That is…if you’re on the nice list.” Eddie tilts his head and raises his eyebrows. “You have been good this year, right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s what I thought! Now, do you want to come up and tell Santa what you want?”

Christina stares at Eddie with wide blue eyes for a few moments before she nods her head. Eddie gives her a smile and extends his hand again. This time, Christina takes it. 

You watch as Eddie leads the small girl up to Santa and tells him her name. He crouches down and stays there until Christina seems more comfortable with Santa. When she climbs on his lap, Eddie steps aside so she can share what she wants with Santa in private. 

Once a picture has been snapped, Christina hops off of Santa’s lap and Eddie gives her a candy cane before she leaves the little Christmas village with her mom.

There’s nobody else in line to meet Santa, but he’s still scheduled to be there for another two hours according to the sign. The photographer elf starts cleaning up around her area and Eddie shuffles around his small space, looking for something to do. You take the opportunity to walk closer to the magical scene, Nancy right behind you.

“And here I thought Hermey the little elf dentist was the cutest elf I’ve ever seen,” you say as you approach the fence.

Eddie looks up and you immediately see his cheeks darken, but he gives you a bright smile.

“What’re you doing here?” he asks.

“Shopping,” Nancy answers, holding up her bags as proof.

“What’re you doing here?” you ask, looking at all the festiveness around him.

“I’m just here for the candy canes.” He laughs when you pinch your eyebrows together. “Figured I’d get a holiday job and make some extra money.”

“What for?” you ask, knowing there’s nothing you want that could cost more than a few dollars. And that Wayne will probably just get a new mug. Again.

“Well,” Eddie says with a shrug. “I know your favorite band is starting a tour next month…”

“My favorite band besides Corroded Coffin,” you say, pointing an index finger at him.

“Yes, of course, that goes without saying.”

“Eddie, you didn’t have to do this,” you tell him, though your heart grows three sizes at the gesture.

“I wanted to,” he says with a bashful shrug. 

You peek behind the gingerbread house and raise your eyebrows at Eddie when you see it’s away from any possible prying eyes. He chuckles and nods his head in that direction.

“Be right back,” you tell Nancy.

“Take your time,” she teases.

Eddie helps you over the snowflake fence and you take another look at his costume. He looks even cuter in it closer up.

“Is that velvet?” you ask.

“No, thank God. Cotton. This already gets hot enough.”

“Look at my adorable elf boyfriend,” you say with a playful smirk.

His face starts to turn red as you wrap your arms around his neck. He places his hands on your waist and gives a small squeeze.

“You know,” you muse, tilting your head to the side. “You didn’t ask me.”

“Ask you what?”

“If I’ve been good this year.”

Eddie laughs and leans in to nudge his nose against yours.

“Because I already know the answer to that one. Pretty sure I contributed to it,” he says in a low voice, causing goosebumps to run down your arms.

He presses his lips over yours and holds you up against his body as he claims your mouth. Your hands slide into his hair, and it makes the green hat move, causing the little bell to jingle.

You pull away, unable to keep kissing because you’re full of giggles. Eddie sighs.

“Fine,” he whispers. “I guess we’ll just have to get naughty later then.”

[becausebuckley]

tidbit tuesday!

have another bit of the marriage of convenience au <3 thanks for the tag @tizniz! no-pressure tagging @playinginthunderstorms @kejfeblintz @unlifeira @serenelystrange @inell @smilingbuckley and @team-118!

Eddie reaches for Buck’s hand when they’re lounging on the couch. Buck slots their fingers together when they walk towards the jeep after a shift. Their hands touch and touch and touch until Buck’s memorised Eddie’s fingerprints. He’d say he knows them like the back of his own hand, but actually, he’s realised that he doesn’t know his own hands all that well. Just the other day, Eddie had raised their intertwined hands and pointed out a scrape on Buck’s knuckles that Buck himself hadn’t even noticed. Eddie had cleaned it for him, but at that point, it was already scabbed over. It’s kind of embarrassing, really, but the nice thing about holding hands is that Buck doesn’t need to know his own hands anymore. Eddie does that for him now. Similarly, when Eddie had a hangnail last week, Buck handed him nail clippers before it could even bother Eddie, and Buck’s taken to carrying hand lotion around for when the slide between their palms turns kind of scratchy.

It’s nice. He’s never really gotten to know anyone else this way, but he likes it. 

One time, after a particularly gruelling call in the middle of the night, both of them headed to the bunks to try and get some rest. They took bunks next to each other, the same ones they always pick, and curled up to face each other. At some point, Eddie had wordlessly reached his hand out to Buck. Buck had reached back, intertwining their fingers and resting them on Eddie’s pillow, close enough that Eddie’s breath fanned out over Buck’s knuckles with each exhale.

He woke up twenty minutes later on the floor, ass stinging and legs caught up in his blanket. Hen and Chim were laughing, standing over him with their phones out, clearly having recorded his fall out of the bunk. 

His hand was still in Eddie’s. Eddie never woke up. Buck shushed the other two and curled up right there on the floor, making no move at all to get up.

So, yeah. Holding hands is kind of a thing now. Enough of a thing that Buck doesn’t fumble anymore, doesn’t worry that his hands are sweaty or that he’s holding on too tightly. It’s normal. Everything is normal.

[ennard-is-near]

Some Michael Afton headcanons and crack theories and whatnot

🚨 warning, If you know me irl (You know who you are, I see you) be aware that I’m not serious hahahahaha I would never be cringe hahaha 🚨

Okay, here we go:

Kid/Teenage hcs:

He’s super quiet after The Bite of ‘83. Like won’t talk to anyone or answer most questions outside of occasional one word answers. [I’ve talked about this before]

He was 13 during the Bite of ‘83.

Wasn’t really popular or a bully or anything before the Bite of ‘83. He was just like, a regular kid whose dad was well-known. It’s like if the mayor’s son was in your class or something. Yeah he’s kind of an asshole, but so is every middle school boy.

Ppl tend to avoid him after The Bite just because if you had the choice between talking to the guy who killed his brother or not doing that, you’d probably pick the latter. People felt bad for him or whatever but it’s not like they wanted to befriend him.

Cannot drive because he just never learned (William was NOT about to teach him). He walks most places.

I know this is semi-canon but he likes drawing stuff. He’s not very creative though, so he mostly draws what he sees around him. He ends of up drawing a lot of animatronics and TV show characters.

Mowed lawns and washed cars around the neighborhood for money when he was like 11-12. William was the type of dad who didn’t give pocket change and made his kids work for their own money. Michael wasn’t great at his neighborhood jobs though so people only hired him if they had money to give away and were willing to go through and fix the spots he missed.

The rest of these are Post-Scoop:

The FNaF 3 hallucinations are like a semi-regular issue for him. He occasionally just sees shit. Doesn’t have to be phantom animatronics, though. Can be more chill (by comparison lol) and like people he knew just standing there, weird shadows (especially in reflections) and sounds and voices. [I‘ve talked about this before too, sorry]

Really scared of the dark. Lights on in every room + flashlight on him at all times scared.

The power went out in his house a couple times when it snowed and (even though it didn’t get pitch black because of light from the windows) he did not like it.

He’s also the master of batteries, they’re scattered all over the house.

His power bill is so much. Like you’d drop dead if you saw it. TV and lights and air conditioning on 24/7 drive it up. His water bill is virtually nothing, though, so that’s good.

Doesn’t have issues with money because he has access to William’s bank account somehow.

Still lives in the house he grew up in. I just feel like he does.

Sort of has an issue with animals. They do not like him and will bark at and attack him whenever given the opportunity. He’s literally a dead body and animals tend to not like those. Birds will literally swoop down and attack him sometimes. He has fought two raccoons.

Absolutely a creature of the night. Only leaves the house past midnight and is back before sunrise. This is for a couple reasons, mostly just because there’s less happening at night. He carries a flashlight around when he goes out though bc he’s so scared.

Has like one guy who he’s on good terms with. It’s some random graveyard shift worker at the local corner store. He goes to the same store like every Tuesday or whatever and it’s always the same guy working there. They don’t even say that much to each other but they’re still buddies. When Michael works at the FNaF 1 location the employee is actually kinda sad because he doesn’t come in that week and he’s really confused as to where that guy could have gone or if he finally died or something. And then Michael comes in the next week and the routine continues and the employee will never know what happened that one week the weird guy didn’t come in.

Okay that’s it. <3

[livesincerely]

[bits & bobs] there’s no escape (i can’t wait)

sneak peek at the next entry in my buddie abo series! (which can be found here if you’re interested)

this part isn’t explicit, but the actual fic absolutely will be so be warned

00000

Later, Eddie will think that he knew, somehow, before he actually knew.

He’s finishing up in the locker room, heading into a 24-hour shift, when a rush of… something sweeps over him. There’s a prickle anticipation at the nape of his neck, goosebumps sprouting all over his arms, and he glances up, perplexed, right as Buck comes bustling in.

“Hey,” Buck greets him in a low, gravelly voice.

Normally, Eddie would worry that he’d had a bad night. Today, it sends a thrill of heat sparking up his spine.

Buck tosses his duffle down on the bench, scrubbing a hand sleepily over his face, and when he steps up to his locker there’s the faintest whiff of something delicious.

Something mouthwatering.

“H-hey,” Eddie manages, blinking rapidly. “Uh, aren’t you supposed to be on leave?”

“Bobby called,” Buck explains, tugging off his t-shirt and shrugging into his uniform.

There’s a gorgeous flush to his skin, painting his face, neck, and chest a perfect, rosy pink. Eddie’s heart stutters traitorously against his ribs, and he forces his eyes away before Buck catches him staring.

“Whittler’s partner went into labor last night,” Buck continues, oblivious. “This morning? Whichever, and Ginsburg’s still in Cabo until Tuesday.”

“You gonna be okay?” Eddie asks, in what he hopes is a neutral tone.

“Yeah, I’ll be okay,” Buck assures him. “I was gonna use today to do some prep beforehand, but one last shift won’t kill me. My ruts tend to be pretty tame for the most part, but I’ve got some scent neutralizing spray in my bag just in case.”

Tame? There’s nothing tame about the way Eddie wants to plaster himself against Buck’s front and swirl his tongue around the hollow of his throat, but maybe that’s just him.

He rises to his feet, ready to make a strategic retreat. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Actually,” Buck calls after him, stopping him in his tracks, a touch sheepish. “Would you mind…?”

And he ducks his chin and tips his head to the side, exposing the long line of his neck.

“You want me to scent mark you?” Eddie asks, his voice tight.

Maybe it shouldn’t be such a surprise. Buck’s always been tactile and the two of them spend so much time together that they always smell at least a little of each other—a fact that definitely doesn’t make Eddie want to preen like a fucking peacock, thank you very much.

But a deliberate scenting, right on the cusp of Buck’s rut?

That feels different.

Feels special.

And of course, Buck chooses right now to notice Eddie’s reaction to his… everything. His brow furrows, his nostrils flaring as he takes him in.

“Yeah? Why, what’s… oh,” he realizes, his expression clearing all at once. “You… Wait, really?”

Eddie’s cheeks heat. “Shut up.”

“Did I know this already?” Buck wonders, a smug sort of delight starting to curl over his lips. But tucked away beneath it all there’s a softer, gentler sort of elation—and that, more than anything, is what lights the little wick of hope that’s been tucked away, neglected, in the depths of his heart for so long. “Because this feels like the sort of thing I should’ve been aware of.”

“Shut up,” Eddie huffs again, but there’s no feeling in it. He’s too busy fighting a smile, relief washing over him like the best kind of vertigo. “How am I supposed to hide anything from you when you’re sniffing me out like a bloodhound?”

“Actually, did you know that an Alpha’s olfactory senses can become up to 80% stronger in the three days leading up to their rut?” Buck tells him, which does nothing to disguise the fact that he’s closing in on him like a predator on its prey, his shoulders rolled back and his thumbs tucked into his belt as he swaggers towards him, the cocky, beautiful bastard.

Eddie holds his ground, lets Buck approach until they’re standing toe to toe, chest to chest.

“Yeah?” he murmurs, meeting the challenge head on. “So, what’s the verdict, then?”

Buck gives him a long once over. “That’s definitely not something I can get into with causing a workplace incident.”

“Keep looking at me like that and I’m going to cause a workplace incident,” Eddie warns.

Strong, warm hands land on either side of his waist, urging him closer.

“Promise?”

Eddie sighs: exasperation and longing intertwined.

“This is going to be a long shift,” he realizes, biting his lip. A long, frustrating shift.

“Or, a short one,” Buck counters, because he’s never found a line he’s not willing to toe.

Eddie flicks him gently on the nose.

“Stop it, he orders.

They’re standing close enough together that Eddie can see the way Buck’s pupils dilate, the way his gaze turns half-lidded and hungry.

“I’ll behave,” he promises, but it sounds more like a threat. Eddie valiantly resists a shiver.

[leroiestmortvivelareine]

On the corner - Chapter 8

Wymack meets Andrew when he's still a kid.

(TW - see intro post)

(all chapters)

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

A knock on the door distracts him. Noah smiles and holds up a bag of food. "Coach said to bring this up."

Noah has his own sandwich with him. He plonks himself down in a chair, uninvited, and bites in.

"This is so cool. We’re never allowed up here." He looks around the private office, wide-eyed.

He’s taller than Drew, as almost everyone is, but still shorter than average, with a mop of light brown hair. Just a normal, happy kid. Most of the normal ones had been avoiding Drew for a while now, but this one is too friendly to shun him. Yet.

Lunch finished, Noah stands with his nose glued to the window, enjoying the bird’s eye view of his teammates while chatting away.

"We were supposed to sit out this weekend, but Eastriver had too many injuries so we’re up. I think we can take these guys. Our team’s pretty decent."

"That tall guy’s a bit of a dick."

"Rory? He’s just too good for everyone. His dad puts him under a lot of pressure, or so he always complains. I guess that’s what makes him act like such a douche."

"Maybe he’s actually a douche."

Noah grins. After a moment Drew does too. It's been a long time since anyone his age thought he was worth smiling at.

"Are you in our year?"

"Yes," Drew snaps. As if he wants to be this short.

"Really? You don’t look thirteen."

This time Drew growls.

"You look older," Noah goes on. "Like you’ve… I dunno, seen things."

Drew doesn't know what to say to this. But Noah glances at the clock and hastily grabs the remains of his lunch.

"Gotta go. Enjoy the game."

Drew watches them play through window. Noah is easy to spot, running around like some little woodland creature, happy in the sun.

—

The next day Drew answers an advert for yard work from a retiree named Carl. It's time to relocate the vegetable rows, so it's a few hours each week for a couple of months.

"You sure you're up for this? It's a lot of work."

"Yes. I need to earn some cash."

"Oh? Why d’you need cash?"

"I’m saving up for a gun," Drew informs him, amused.

The old man nods his head. "Ok then. Start Tuesday."

—

Saturdays are now spent helping Coach record games.

Drew usually stays holed up in the office upstairs. Noah has taken to joining him for lunch, telling him the latest team gossip while Drew mostly sits in silence, listening.

Noah smiles at him. "You’re not like the others."

"Yeah. I get that a lot."

"You’re cool…"

He's just like a little half-wild woodland creature, thinks Drew, one that rests its head, timid and shy but trusting, into your hand. Drew hadn't been trusted in a very long time. Coach knew better and still wanted to trust him, which is something Drew can barely comprehend, but Noah actually trusts him. Drew knows it's only out of innocence, but he still can't get enough of it.

—

The trial is still some time away. Coach tries to avoid mention of it, but paperwork comes in steadily, advising of the dates, booking in times for depositions.

"You shouldn't have to say much about him," Coach tells Drew. "The police themselves were witnesses. The lawyer will help you go through your statement about her."

"I can’t testify against her."

"Why?"

"I told you. They have blackmail."

"Jesus. They also have zero credibility. They could have proof of who shot JFK and no one would listen."

"You don’t understand."

"So explain." Coach frowns in frustration. "You’re thirteen, what do they think they’re going to say about you that could ever justify their actions?"

But Drew doesn't answer.

By now Coach is starting to get a handle on the pattern. Basic politeness indicates the situation is normal. Manners are for the ordinary world. They stop when he leaves ordinary behind and stress becomes too high. Words get fewer and fewer, and when things are at their most severe he doesn't speak at all.

Coach suspects that's why the kid has never said a word about the lead pipe.

—

(< prev , next >)

(all chapters)

[the-sun-and-the-sea]

Odesta Week Day 2: Take Me Out Tuesday

Finnick’s spent plenty of time in District Thirteen dissociating, but at least this time it’s for a good reason. 

He has Annie in his arms again, and they’ve backed themselves against a wall and have started to slump down. He doesn’t care that they’re on the floor, just like she doesn’t care that his fingers are tangled in her long hair. They’ll deal with that stuff later. 

It’s not until after they’ve done their fair share of crying and kissing that Finnick asks, “So, what do you want to do?”

Annie’s eyes are gleaming and her smile is practically blinding, but he thinks she’s never looked better. “I want to take you out, obviously.”

“I know you just got here,” he says, and presses another quick kiss to her mouth, “but there’s not really a lot of date night options—”

That’s as far as he gets before the blade of her knife tears through his gut. 

The first thing Finnick thinks is that the blood is coming out faster than it should. He’s seen a lot of blood. He’s watched a lot of tributes bleed out on the grass or sand or snow or gravel. But his mind is cloaked in a fuzziness that he can’t shake, and for some reason, he can’t seem to focus on his own blood as it seeps into his clothes. 

Finnick’s eyes eventually focus on Annie. He wants to reach for her hand and tell her that he’ll be fine, and there’s no way she’s getting rid of him that easily. Not after they just got each other back. But Annie’s not even looking at him. Her eyes are cold and impassive, but what strikes him most is the clarity. She knows what happened, and she’s standing here like it’s just another Tuesday for her. 

Then his eyes travel down her body, where her hand is still gripping a bloodied knife. 

This is when Finnick realizes that something is very, very wrong. 

He probably should have seen it sooner, but between the blood loss and betrayal, it’s hard to accept. That can’t be Annie. 

Someone comes over to take Annie away, and Finnick slips into darkness. 

***

He tries to keep track of the voices he hears around him, but it quickly becomes impossible. They must have Finnick on morphling because his world is hazy and soft. 

“Open your eyes.”

He’s not so sure he wants to. Who’s going to be waiting to stab him this time?

“Finnick, come on.”

That’s a voice he recognizes. Finnick’s eyes peel open involuntarily. Even now, he’s not good at sitting still. “Johanna?”

“Yeah,” she says. She’s sitting on a chair by his hospital bed, looking like she’d rather be anywhere else. “They let me out of the hospital just to talk to you. Lucky me.”

“Talk to me about what?” he asks, blinking against the fluorescent lighting. 

Johanna doesn’t mince her words. “When we were in the Capitol, they messed with Annie’s mind. Turned her against you. They did it with Peeta too.”

“I don’t understand,” says Finnick. Maybe it’s that he doesn’t want to understand. 

“It’s called hijacking. Something with tracker jacker venom, I don’t know. And before you lose your mind over this, she’s already showing signs of progress. More than Peeta, anyway. Probably because she’s older.”

His head is spinning. There’s way too much going on right now and not enough morphling in the world to deal with it. In all of his nightmarish scenarios his mind ran through while Annie was in the Capitol, Finnick hadn’t ever considered this. Turning Annie against him feels impossible somehow, even though he’s sitting in a hospital bed with bandages wrapped tight against his abdomen where she stabbed him. 

“What do we do?” he asks after a second, voice hoarse. “How do we help her get better?”

“Do I look like a doctor?” Johanna asks, and Finnick gives a shrug. “Look, some of the doctors suggested writing a note. It might trigger positive memories of you without you actually being in stabbing vicinity.”

It’s a good enough idea for him, so Finnick spends the next half hour trying to procure a pen and some paper. Figuring out what to write takes a lot less time. It’s an old poem he wrote for her when she turned twenty, and they invited all of Victor’s Village to a party on her boat. Thinking of that day still makes him smile. Kai, the second oldest resident of the Village, had gotten Annie a year long supply of cat food. It’s a very practical gift for someone who has a cat, which Annie doesn’t. 

He sends the poem along with Johanna and waits and waits for some kind of response. His note is delivered back to him not even a full day later, and Finnick is fully ready to let his mind slip away when he notices shaky handwriting on the back. 

Still a better gift than the cat food.

[catamano]

11:47am - Georgia

Lunchtime. The best and worst time of day. Forty-five minutes of freedom but the halls and cafeteria are jam packed with people. I’m the last one out of bio as I make my way into the hall. I don’t feel like eating with anyone today. My mood hasn’t improved very much since this morning, especially since I was pulled aside after math class. Is everything okay, Georgia? You’ve been late a lot. I said yes and told her I’d do my best not to let it happen again. I asked her about extra credit or test corrections and she said we’d talk Tuesday.

Laughter echoes through the hall as I pass by three girls that I don’t know. They’re probably seniors. I’m the only freshman that has a locker with the seniors. I have no idea why. It’s the best spot in the school so I guess I just got lucky.

“Georgia, hey!” I look up and see Parker standing right in front of my locker. She’s dressed in a black turtleneck and denim skirt. Both mine. How many things of mine does she have? Whatever. I’m just surprised to see her not having lunch with her boyfriend. 

“Hey,” I say quietly. I’ve been pretty annoyed with her lately. She’s blown me off for three straight weekends and has yet to come to one of my games. I promise I’ll come to the next one! 

“Where were you this morning?” she asks, glancing at her phone. She’s been so absorbed in her own thing, I’m surprised she even realized I wasn’t here.

“Late,” I dryly reply. I manage to get my locker open on the first try. Nice. The lock is not great so usually it takes a few tries.

“Why?” She’s staring at me now.

“I lost track of time,” I answer. Partly a lie, but I don’t care. I unzip my front backpack pocket and grab my ID before quickly shutting my locker.

“Do you want to get lunch?” Weird question. A month ago lunch together was always implied.

“Sure.” I shrug. I guess lunch with Parker is fine. Maybe we can catch up.

We silently start walking down the hall in the direction of the cafeteria. This is so awkward. We’ve known each other for almost ten years and we’re acting like strangers. We used to tell each other everything, now I feel like we barely know each other. We haven’t been talking too much outside of school. Every time I text her and ask how she is, she sends a ton of messages, usually relating to her boyfriend. As soon as I try to talk anything related to me, she stops replying. I’m kind of sick of it.

“So,” she pauses, smiling, “do you want to see a picture my homecoming dress?” 

“You got a dress?” I ask. We were supposed to go shopping together.

“Yeah, last weekend, Michael’s sister invited me to go with her and her friends,” she tells me.

“Seriously?” I feel my eyes start to narrow. She told me she had to do something with her mom last weekend. Whatever.

“What?” Is she seriously clueless? I stop walking. I don’t feel like having lunch with her anymore.

“We were supposed to go together,” I remind her. It’s funny that she can blow me off for three weekends but still wear my clothes to school.

“Yeah, but I’m sure your mom already ordered you one, didn’t she?” When I graduated middle school, Mom ordered me a dress for the ceremony. Parker has not stopped giving me a hard time about it.

“No.”

“Oh, well, I can come with you and help pick out yours!” she offers. That’s not the same thing and she knows it.

“It’s fine,” I say, “I’ll just go with someone else.” Mom has asked me to go twice and I’ve told her no because I was waiting for Parker. After this morning, I don’t feel like shopping with Mom. Maybe I’ll ask Weiss or Sasha.

[laziestgirlintown]

Something Sweet, chapter 11

Last chapter! (Chapter 10 posted here earlier today.) Also on AO3. First chapter here.

PAGE 1-2

[Same day.] They’re sitting side by side on the sofa, the cat stretched out over both their laps, both petting her. The curator is munching on a cookie. He talks while we see glimpses of them from different angles; sock feet on the sofa table, the trace of worry still there in the baker’s eyebrows, the curator (still pale) pausing to savour the cookie after taking a bite.

“There’s actually one thing I know how to bake. Well, I know how to bake several things acceptably well, but this one turns out very good every time. My grandfather and my aunt taught me. [Frame of a memory where he’s a boy] It’s similar to several cakes but I’ve never come across one enough like it that I could say it’s the same. But the thing is, we used to make it for new year’s. I know it’s a sure thing, if I were to bring it to a party or an opening or something – but it’s the new year cake! Much as I love it, it feels strange making it any other time of year, even stranger eating it.”

PAGE 3-4

“It is just two months to new year’s,” the baker points out.

“Yeah.” The curator takes another bite and holds the cookie up. “This, for instance. I never manage to get the balance between crispy and chewy this perfect with cookies.”

“We could bake together some time if you want,” the baker says, taking a cookie too. “I could show you some of my secrets.”

The curator looks up at him. “Really? But aren’t they … secret?”

Emphasising with the cookie in his hand: “More good cookies in the world is a more important cause.”

The curator finally smiles a little. “That’s a good cause.”

“I’ve always thought so.”

The curator, settling into the sofa: “Hey, if you remember, was there a specific thing you baked that made you think, ‘Hey, this is really good, I can do this for a living’?”

The baker grins like the cat that got the cream.

PAGE 5-6

“Yes, there was.”

“What was it?”

“I’ll show you. I’ll make it next week. Do you know what day you’ll be coming in?”

“Oh, uh, probably Tuesday. Working long days Wednesday and Thursday.”

“I’ll have it then. Just message me if your plans change.”

“I will.” The curator looks at his cookie, then glances up at the baker. “Thank you.” The baker smiles. “I get why you brought it up,” the curator says quietly, and the baker’s face goes serious. “I don’t think even I could have predicted I’d react like that. I haven’t … dealt. I ran. From everything.” The baker nods, and the curator adds: “I do feel safe here.”

"I’m glad. I feel safe with you."

They look at each other, then sink back onto the couch, heads leaning together.

PAGE 7

Tuesday. Among other offerings – ”Pas de Doux,” “Gonna Scone,” “You’ll Shiver,” “Wet Walnuts” – there is the cake “Your First Time”. The curator's joyful smile when he sees it. The speech bubble "Just that one, today."

PAGE 8

One Sunday at an art gallery, talking and holding hands; one scene of both standing blissfully speechless in front of one piece.

PAGE 9

One Sunday baking in the curator's flat ("... easiest if I can show you how to do it with your own tools and your oven …"), with Earl Grey immediately approving of the baker.

PAGE 10

The baker and the curator side by side on sofas. The curator talking about getting doxxed, getting harassed, getting dumped because it was too much, feeling caught in an unending avalanche with no firm ground anywhere; fleeing town. The baker talking about getting dumped over being ace by a partner who wanted him to spend less time on baking and art.

PAGE 11-12

The curator bakes his new year's cake. The baker helps out when asked, but mostly watches.

They sit on a bench outside, eating cake, watching the new year's fireworks.

[rubyreduji]

friends don't — lc

summary: you and chan are friends, but friends don't do what you do

tags: angst, fluff, pining, college!au wc: 3.3k an: yall are gonna hate me for this one (based off “friends don’t” by maddie & tae)

“Hey Y/N, Chan just got here, he said he was looking for you,” one of your friends tells you as they pass you. You thank them as your eyes start to scan the crowd, landing on the subject matter standing near the front door.

You push through the bodies of the partygoers until you’re standing right in front of the boy who was seeking you out.

“Hey Chan.” When the boy sees you in front of him, his face lights up.

“Y/N! I was just looking for you.”

“Well here I am! Do you want a drink?” Chan nods and you lead him through the crowd into the kitchen. You pour a drink for Chan and then one for yourself.

“You look really good tonight, by the way,” Chan mentions as he takes his cup.

“Thanks,” you say, feeling your cheeks heat up. “I think some of the other guys are in the backyard, if you wanna head out that way.”

“Yeah, let’s go.” Chan takes your hand and pulls you behind him as he leads the way this time. The feel of his hand in yours burns against your skin and you can’t help but glance down at where your palms are pressed together.

Chan is your…friend. Yeah, you guys are friends.

Sometimes though, late at night when you’re staring up at your ceiling, you wonder if you’re something more. You know you wish you were something more, but there’s always that fear that Chan feels differently and you ruin a perfectly good friendship. So for right now you guys are…just friends.

In the backyard of the house is a large group of your friends standing around a firepit, various drinks of alcohol in their hands. You and Chan fall into place in the circle, standing between Seungkwan and Jihoon.

Everyone is discussing something, but you can’t totally pay attention because Chan is standing so close to you and you can smell his cologne and you want to do nothing but bury your face in his neck. The night is a bit chilly and you shuffle a bit closer to Chan to try and steal some of his warmth.

“Y/N-ah, are you going to that seminar on Tuesday with that one producer? That Bumzu guy?” Jihoon asks you. You turn a bit to face him, where he’s standing next to you.

“Yeah, probably. My professor said he’d give us extra credit if we went,” you tell the older boy. You two share a major, but most of your friends have some kind of music or performance related major, like Chan, who’s a dance major.

You and Jihoon continue to chat for a while, before Vernon jumps in as well. You’re not paying much attention to the others, but you’re still always slightly aware of Chan’s constant presence. You can feel the back of his arm press into your back, the heat of his body, as you both hold your own conversations with your friends.

A bit of time passes before you’re interrupted by the conversation that Chan is having with Seungcheol, Mingyu, and Seungkwan. They’re arguing about something, but you can’t think about a time when those four aren’t arguing.

“No, no way! You’re completely wrong,” Seungcheol says. “I’m right!”

“Yeah, yeah, when is he not,” Chan mutters to you. “Someone’s got his panties in a twist.” You snort at Chan’s remark, only to draw the attention of one of the older guys.

“What are you two laughing about over there?” Jeonghan calls.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Chan retorts. “That was a Y/N only sentence.”

“Of course it was,” Seungkwan mutters with a playful eye roll.

“What does that mean?”

“It means you two are always in your own little world,” Jeonghan says. “It’s like nobody else even exists when you two are around each other.”

“Yeah well, maybe I don’t want anyone else to exist in our world. It seems pretty good just the two of us.” Chan wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you closer, sending a chill through your spine. The other guys brush Chan off and go back to their conversation.

Even without the attention of the other guys, Chan’s arm stays around your waist. You look at him and smile softly. “Do you wanna leave soon?”

“Sure. You need a ride home?” You nod. You guys say your goodbyes to your friends before you and Chan head to his car.

Chan opens the door for you before running around to the other side of the car to get into the driver’s seat. You settle back on the leather seats of his car and kick off your shoes that have been pinching your feet all night.

You reach over and turn up the radio as Chan starts the pull away from the party. You softly hum along to the familiar tune on the radio and soon Chan joins in as well. You notice Chan’s driving slower than he normally would (he’s a chronic speeder and he’s going under the speed limit) but you don’t mind. He does this every time he’s going to drop you off home, just to get a few more minutes with you. 

“So pretty girl,” Chan reaches across the center console and grabs your hand in his, “tell me about that thing you and hyung were talking about earlier.”

“Oh yeah! So there’s this producer coming in to talk to all of the music composition students on Tuesday and we’re going to be able to ask him questions and then there’s a rumor going around that he might give some of the students an opportunity to work on some music with him,” you explain. “I’ve listened to some of his music and his work is amazing.”

You continue to ramble on about your passion for music until Chan pulls up to your apartment. You barely even realize you’re home until Chan shuts the car off.

“Let me walk you to your door,” he says and when have you ever turned him down. You two climb out of his car and you two slowly start towards your door.

This time it’s Chan who starts to ramble about this new song he’s choreographing for his dance team. He doesn’t finish up until you’re inside of your apartment and you’ve already slipped into comfier clothes and started boiling water for tea.

You glance at the time, then back to where Chan is fiddling with his keys in your doorway. It’s late, you know he should go, but you don’t want him to, and from the looks of it Chan doesn’t really want to either. “You should stay for tea. I mean it’s already steeped, the least you could do is stay and have a cup.” 

Chan doesn’t argue as he takes a seat at the counter. You pour two cups before you sit down next to Chan. You two continue to talk until late into the night. You glance over at the clock at 2:00 am and turn to Chan.

“You should just…spend the night tonight. Since it’s so late.” It wouldn’t be the first time Chan has slept over, but even then it rarely happens.

You can see Chan brighten at the idea but calm himself down so he comes off cool. “Yeah, if you’d be okay with that.”

“Of course.”

So that’s how you and Chan end up laying next to each other, shoulder to shoulder on your bed. Neither of you say anything, but you know you’re both awake. You stare up at the ceiling, too afraid to glance to the side and look at Chan.

You feel him stir a bit next to you and you can’t take it any longer. You roll to your side to look at Chan, only to find him already looking at you. “Can we…? Would you mind if I…?” You gesture a bit to his body and thankfully Chan understands because he wraps an arm around you and pulls you close to him. You settle into place, pressed up against him. It feels right. You fall asleep shortly after, safe in his arms.

It isn’t until about a week later that another situation occurs with Chan that has you wondering that maybe he wants to be more than friends as well. You’ve been out late working on a project at the library when you get a call from Chan as you’re walking into your apartment.

“Hey? What’s up, everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, of course. I just…wanted to say hi. Hear your voice.” His tone is soft and it makes butterflies erupt in your stomach. 

“Well then, hi. What have you been up to?”

“I’ve been in the studio, working on some choreography, but nothing special. I got a call from my mom earlier and that was a conversation. I love her, but she just keeps pestering me on ‘what comes next’.”

“Well, what was your response?”

“I don’t know, and I told her that. I don’t have any big plans, just things I want to happen. I want to choreograph for real, something big even. Wouldn’t that be awesome? To be able to do what I love, and have people recognize me for it. And of course you’ll be there too, getting the same kind of recognition for your music. We could be like a power duo. You make the songs, I make the dances. Maybe we could get signed by some big K-Pop label and we could be a power couple!”

You listen to Chan ramble on as you move around your apartment getting ready for bed. You smile at the idea of being in Chan’s future, and you can’t help but wonder what he means by “power couple”. You try to ignore the way it makes your cheeks and your heart warm. 

“Sorry, I’m talking when I was the one who called to hear your voice,” Chan says.

“No, no, I like hearing you talk. The future you want…it sounds nice. I wouldn’t mind living a life like that.”

“Yeah?” Chan sounds hopeful. You hope it means what you want it to.

“Yeah, of course. I want you every step of the way to where we’re going, which of course is only going to be the top.”

“That’s my girl, that’s what I like to hear.”

“What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Uhm…I had plans to meet up with someone from my studio, but I can cancel on them. It’s nothing important, and it’s not like she hasn’t canceled on me before.”

“Oh, are you sure? I don’t want you to cancel just for me, it’s nothing important. I just wanted to know if you wanted to go grocery shopping with me, but it could be another day, or I could just go by myself.”

“No, no,” Chan interjects, “I want to go with you. You know I’d take any opportunity to see you. I promise you, no plans are more important than you. So I’ll pick up tomorrow at noon, okay?”

You smile. “Sounds perfect.”

“Hi gorgeous,” Chan says as soon as you open the door. You roll your eyes but still smile at the nickname.

“You’re one hundred percent sure your friend is okay with you canceling?”

“Of course. Stop worrying that cute little head of yours, okay?” Chan shoots you his signature smile and it calms your nerves so you drop it.

You and Chan drive to your grocery store of pick and Chan grabs a cart for you. He follows behind you, pushing the cart, as you go through the aisles looking for what you need. You and Chan make idle chatter as you search for each thing on your list.

Traitorously, your mind points out how domestic this feels. It doesn't just feel domestic, it feels natural, like this should be Chan’s permanent place in your life. You don’t mention it when Chan grabs a few things for himself as well, throwing them into the cart to keep on hand at your place for him. Just like a boyfriend would.

You can’t shake the idea out of your head until you get to the cash register. The cashier looks to be a guy on the younger side and you smile at him and exchange niceties as you start to unload your groceries from the cart.

“So, are you from around here?” The cashier asks as he starts to ring you up.

“Yeah, I go to college just down the street.”

“Same, Sebong U?”

“Yeah!”

“Crazy, I’ve never seen you on campus. Trust me, I’d remember if I saw someone as pretty as you.” The guy flashes a smile at you and you blush a bit.

All of a sudden you feel Chan slide up behind you, a protective hand on your waist. “Can you ring us up? We’re in a hurry.”

The cashier flushes and nods. “Of course, sorry. Cash or card?”

You want to question Chan on his actions but you have to pay for the groceries so you turn your focus back to the task at hand. Even as your paying Chan doesn’t loosen his grip on you until you two are exiting the register.

“The check out guy was flirting with you,” Chan says as soon as you two exit the building.

“He was not. He was being friendly, it’s his job.”

“No, he was flirting with you.” Chan’s pouting. Why is he pouting?

“Does that bother you, Channie?” You joke, but he answers seriously.

“Yes. You’re my pretty, and my pretty girl only. Anyone else who wants to flirt with you has to get through me first.” He’s jealous. Chan is jealous someone was flirting with you and if he wasn’t standing four inches away from you, you’d probably celebrate. That doesn’t stop your heart from fluttering the whole way home.

“What’s going on between you and Chan?” The question takes a little off guard as Seungkwan sits down next to you in class.

“What do you mean?” You ask him nonchalantly, but deep down you have an idea of what he’s asking about.

“Don’t play that game with me Y/N. We all know you and Chan are oddly close to each other, but it’s been getting even more intense lately. Are you guys dating or what? Remember you’re not allowed to keep secrets from me.”

“Okay, I’m actually so glad you brought it up because I’ve been dying to talk to someone about it. Chan and I aren’t dating, but I like him, and I think he likes me, but I’m not completely sure. He’s been a lot more flirty and sweet to me lately and I can’t tell if he’s giving me signs or not.”

“I mean, you guys can’t be just friends, friends don’t act like that. I know Chan, and trust me, he likes you,” Seungkwan tells you.

“So do I make a move?”

“Unless you want to be in this weird dating but not dating limbo for the rest of time, then yes! Ask him out!”

“Okay, okay!”

Your stomach is giddy but your talk with Seungkwan has made you feel worlds better about your decision to finally confess your feelings to Chan and ask him out. You don’t know why you’re so nervous, all signs point to good things. He’s practically your boyfriend anyways, so it’s not like things are going to change much.

You and Chan are meeting up at a park where you’re going to tell him everything. You get to the meeting spot first but you only have to wait a couple minutes until Chan is strolling up to you.

“You know it’s not safe for a pretty girl like you to be out here all alone.”

“Well good thing you’re here to protect me,” you tell him as you reach out for his arm. He lets you take it and you two start to walk.

“You said you had something important to tell me?” You nod. “Well I have something important to tell you too, but I’ll let you go as it’s the gentlemanly thing to do.”

“How chivalrous,” you tease him, but can’t wonder if you have the same important thing to say. You chew at your lip a moment, thinking of how to start this.

“Is everything okay?” Chan stops walking to look at you directly. “Whatever it is, you can tell me, okay?”

You nod, taking a deep breath. “Chan, we can’t keep kidding ourselves anymore? I’m tired of walking on eggshells.”

“Y/N? What are you talking about?”

“You can’t tell me that this, us, isn’t nothing. I know there’s something, I just know it. I look into your eyes and I know it.” You grab his hand and hold it in yours.

“Know what?” You don’t get why he doesn’t understand what you’re saying.

“That we’re more than friends Chan! I love you, and you can lie and say you don’t love me, but I know you do!”

“Y/N…” The look on Chan’s face makes you feel ill. Your heart clenches at his tone of voice.

“No, no, Chan whatever you’re going to say you don’t mean it. You can’t tell me I’m wrong because what have all of these months been? The hand holding, the late night talks, the pet names. That can’t be nothing.” You know you sound desperate. You don’t really care.

“Y/N, I have a girlfriend.” Your ears start to ring. Your chest feels tight. You don’t think you’re breathing. “I wanted to see if I would be a good boyfriend so I-”

“What? Lead me on? How did you think that was going to go?”

“I didn’t think it would end like this! I never meant to-”

“No, no. You don’t get to do this. I-,” your voice breaks, sobs threatening to pour out from your lips. “Fuck you Lee Chan.” You barely spit the words out before tears start to stream down your face. You quickly turn and leave before Chan can see you at your lowest point.

You’re devastated, you’re heartbroken, but more than anything, you’re humiliated. Chan just used you, and all the while you were falling in love with him. You’re nothing but a fool.

You’re not prepared to see Chan when you run into him a few weeks later when you’re out with Seungkwan and Soonyoung. You’re even less prepared to see the girl standing at his side, hand enveloped in his.

You haven’t seen Chan since that day. That hasn’t stopped you from crying about him almost every day.

“Oh, hey guys,” Chan says when he notices the group. You don’t miss the way his eyes linger on you a little too long.

“Is this your little girlfriend, Channie?” Soonyoung teases.

This seems to break Chan’s gaze from you as he turns his sight back to the girl. “Yeah, this is Jaehwa. My girlfriend.”

“I still can’t help but get all excited to hear you call me that,” Chan’s girlfriend, Jaehwa, says. She then turns to the three of you. “It took him nearly three months to ask me out. Not that I didn’t know he liked me, he was always flirting in dance practice. He’s a little tease like that, you know?”

Yeah, you do know.

You feel Seungkwan silently reach under the table to grab your hand. You squeeze it tight.

Your gaze meets Chan’s and you stare at each other for a moment. You can tell he knows that he’s hurt you. You used to love the fact you two could communicate with just your eye, but now you just break his gaze, hoping he feels as much guilt as you feel shame. 

It doesn’t take long for Chan and his girlfriend to leave and you finally start to feel yourself relax, but your eyes sting like tears could burst out at any moment. 

Seeing Chan with his girlfriend upsets you, but it also angers you. You’ve spent the last three weeks pitying yourself, when really you should be furious for Chan for how he’s treated you. For what he’s done to you.

Friends don’t do that to their friends.

But then again, you don’t think you and Chan have been friends for a long time.

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[hwajin]

𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥 — !# : lyb

genre: fluff, smut, slow burn/ mutual pining

pairing: nerd!felix x popular!fem!reader

wc: 7.5k

warnings: unprotected sex/ piv/ cumming inside, otherwise the smut is hella soft <3

note: in case you want to skip forward to the smut part OR want to read only till then: smut follows under the third ── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆── !!

He’d always see her pass by his locker in the hallway, when he happened to look up from his phone for a mere second, as the little screen happened to occupy the majority of his time in school. Felix had one mutual class with her, where she sat right before him, whispers and giggles always heard from where she was seated. He knew the approximate hour in which she’d make her way to her next class after lunch break, chatting with friends and throwing her head back whenever she laughed. He also knew that on Tuesdays, her day ended after the 8th hour, and he sometimes saw her catching the bus just on time, besides running towards it every week anew because she just couldn’t seem to stop the conversations she was part of. It wasn’t like he was obsessed with her, though it might sound like it from an outside point of view. But she was endearing, and oh so lovely, with the way she moved and carried herself, so how could he possibly not find interest in her?

His friends have told him that she’s out of his league, that she’d never go for a homebody who’s most interesting weekly activity is going out for some junk food with classmates, before his ears would be covered with his headset again, eyes fixed on whatever new game he’s installed onto his PC at home. And he knew – obviously he knew – that he didn’t even stand a chance. Yet, he couldn’t help but wonder otherwise, whenever she turned around in class, facing him, looking him straight in the eyes before asking for notes or a pencil or anything else that would be of use for her. She’d shoot him a smile, one that looked so genuine and heartfelt that he couldn’t help but wonder, that maybe he did stand a chance, after all.

“Hey, Felix, right?”

Her voice caused his head to snap up, gaze laced with confusion as they’re eyes locked in a quite awkward manner. She knew his name?

“Uh- yeah.. do you need anything?”

Did he sound cold, rude maybe? He most likely did, figuring how socializing wasn’t one of his strengths – especially when it came to her. He felt his face heat up in something he’d call embarrassment, or maybe he was simply flustered, nervous. Arisu heard her let out a chuckle, not one that came off as condescending, but rather amused with a hint of curiosity, he thought. Curiosity in him, maybe? Was that possible? Or maybe he was getting ahead of himself again.

“No, I don’t need anything. Just wanted to chat a bit.”

Chat a bit. About what, he thought. He could barely hold a conversation that consisted of mere small talk, and he doubted that the two shared any common interests. And God, was he awkward, with the way he only stared at her, nothing but a hum leaving his lips, followed by the corners of his mouth grimacing into something that hopefully looked like an acceptable smile, though he wasn’t too sure. And there it was, another one of her chuckles, and again, it was everything but to make fun of him. It was sweet, sounded through the room like the chirping of birds and he knew his ears were of a bright red by now.

“I just noticed I don’t really know you besides you sitting behind me all year already, thought it’d be nice to get to know each other, no?”

Yes, it would be nice to get to know each other. But how did she possibly want the same thing? Yet her eyes sparked at Felix while she waited for his answer, or anything, really, a reaction to her words. Was she as nervous as him, maybe? Or did she simply sense what he was onto, did she know that he had a crush on her – if that what the right word for the turmoil of feelings and thoughts he had?

He’d sometimes catch himself zoning off in the middle of class, not looking anywhere in particular, yet having his gaze most often than not fixed on the back of her head. Again, not in a way anyone would get creeped out, she simply happened to sit right in his viewpoint. And in times like this he couldn’t help but notice her love for detail. How it seemed like every and each of her strands of hair was laid down to perfection, the bounce of them keeping Felix in awe. How there would be hair pins and ties and accessories adorning her, never unmatched with the rest of her outfit. Outfits that looked like she planned them purposefully, but not as if she was trying too hard, in a way they looked nothing but fitted on her. Today, he couldn’t help but notice her choice of clothes, too, subtle colors grazing her skin so softly it damn near knocked his breath out.

And then there was him, an old shirt and pants thrown over his body, not even bothered enough to get his hair done in any way. He was only going to classes after all, not seeing the need to dress up – but maybe he should learn from her. After all, he wanted to stand a chance somehow.

“Uh.. yeah, no, it’d be nice to know each other. Like- to get to know each other, I mean, yeah.”

Felix heard giggles and laughter from different parts of the classroom, friends and couples, some merely talking, others visibly flirting with each other. And it all looked so easy for them, so why did he seem to be the only one who couldn’t get a grip of himself?

But then again, she didn’t seem to mind at all. She cocked her head at him and gave him a tooth flashing smile, and he thought he’ll never see anything prettier.

It took Felix a while into the conversation to warm up around her, and he was surprised how easy it was to talk, all of a sudden, about not particular interesting things either, and yet he saw the reason, knew why he would laugh out loud and get past his initial hesitation – she was insanely charismatic, was able to carry a conversation where he long would have let it die, would have buried his head into his phone again, scrolling away aimlessly without paying much attention to his surroundings. She didn’t let that happen, though, always a new question at the tip of her tongue, ones even that Arisu never expected her to ask, to show interest in any way. She wanted to hear about his hobbies, egging him on to tell her about the recent games he’s been playing, stuff he’s been watching, music he’s been into. He though – on multiple points during the convo – that she must have been bored already, but that moment never occurred, surprisingly. It wasn’t until the professor interrupted whatever topic any student was rambling on about that she eventually took her eyes off his, not without giving him a last smile before concentrating on the lesson up front, as though there never was any conversation between the two.

And while he expected to leave the room all by himself as per usual, making his way home after long hours he simply couldn’t wait to get done with, she was there again, her steps matching his, though hers were laced with more graze and elegance, almost.

“Are you catching the same bus as me?”, her voice sounded through Felix’s ears, causing his eyes to head her direction, locking eyes with her what felt like the millionth time this morning. That was more eye contact than he’s ever shared with you before, and he wasn’t sure himself how his nerves haven’t been the end of him yet, how he was still – if only barely – holding up.

“Uh, yeah. I guess I am.”

If Felix were on her place, he thought, he’d long get the feeling that he didn’t have any interest in her whatsoever. Why did his responses happen to be so short, sounding so lifeless? He had no problems showing his emotions – laughter, cracking jokes and teasing, getting angry – with his friends, yet with her he’s felt like a robot, as if someone turned off his bodily functions with just a click. So, he forced himself to a smile, to hopefully save yet another painfully awkward try to converse, he again couldn’t tell if the smile looked rather frightening, though. Yet the corners of her lips danced upwards, and Felix thought that he must have done something right, that perhaps he was warming up to her, when she’s still not given up on him.

And maybe Felix was right. In regard to warming up to her, and whenever he thought that she might maybe, just maybe, like him back, if only half as much as he did. Because the way home was nothing but enjoyable, the normally stuffy and uncomfortably crowded bus ride bearable for Felix this time around, when he got to talk and joke around with her for the time being, when they’ve exchanged looks he thought might mean something more, and when they stood talking in front of her doorstep for that much longer. The conversation never seemed to quiet down, always something new she was curious about, always something more Felix wanted to know about her. Before, after a while and suddenly, he asked the question which answer might nest in his brain now forever from the very moment she’s told him, from the very moment the subject of your chatting turned more serious that it was before.

“I guess I just grew sick of my friends.”, she said when Felix asked her sudden change in behavior to him.

“They feel so superficial, it just gets on my nerves lately. And you’ve always given me good vibes, to be honest, I’ve always thought of maybe talking to you more.”

The smile she gave him convinced Felix that she must be honest, that she meant the words she said, that her interest in him wasn’t based on pity or some joke she and her friends thought of. Because that’s what Felix friends would say, surely, when he’d tell them about today, when he’d open up about all the things they’ve talked about and how nice she was to him. How she didn’t accept his shyness and kept on talking until he was finally comfortable, how both of them shared laughs and giggles together when talking about silly things – his friends wouldn’t believe him.

So, when Felix started to make his own way home, not after exchanging last looks before he waited for her figure to disappear behind the door to her house, he knew he simply wouldn’t tell his friends about today, about how well you’ve hit it off, how he thought he might actually stand a chance, maybe. And he knew how stupid it was, that he wasn’t 16 anymore, but up until he found himself inside the safety of his own four walls, he couldn’t possibly stop the damned grin that was glued to his face, couldn’t get the smile to disappear, even after getting ready for bed and laying down in the dark, ready for sleep to overcome his body. But her face danced before his eyes, the way she’d laugh at him when he’s told an embarrassing story, how she’d get so passionate, suddenly, about certain subjects you touched upon, or how her face distorted into one of anger when you’ve chatted about uni and homework and professors and other students. But her last words, the ones she’s told him before saying goodbye, when she admitted of having wanted to talk to him for a while – Felix wouldn’t be able to explain the feeling in words even at gunpoint. And it almost scared him, how excited he was to finally fall into deep slumber, how he wanted to wake up to a next day for the one and only purpose to hopefully spending it with you again, to be talking and chatting with you again, about anything and nothing.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

It's taken Felix and her a week, a week of waiting for each other to catch busses, a week of chatting whenever passing by in hallways, a week of exchanging smiles and laughter, before they’d call each other a friend. For Felix, there was no doubt anymore, if she wasn’t crushing on him, she surely was interested enough to keep the boy as a friend, and he loved that simple idea so much that it was hard to believe that he’d possibly react decently, in case she ever revealed to like him after all. And there was a mix of feelings about that, for Felix, because while he all but wanted to get his hopes up for nothing, he couldn’t look past your antics, your behavior in certain moments. Moments that he sometimes wished held on for longer than they did, moments that gave him that bit of hope he feared to get caught up in. It was moments of subtle touching, or eye contact that felt too intense, too deep, for it to be purely platonic. Or moments when she’d ask questions he shied away to answer, questions that seemed almost too personal to be talked about in places like busses. Questions about his past relationships, about his type – his experience. And in moments like those – how could Felix possibly not read more into it, not get caught up in a tad of bitter hope?

He was nothing but adorable. She’d never expected to have found interest in the boy as he wasn’t the usual type she was aiming for – after they’ve first talked she noticed barely anything common, and yet, surprisingly, it didn’t throw her off. Whenever she’s wasted her time on dates that ended up wanting to solely get into her pants, she’d often tell her friends to call her mid dinner, to make up and excuse, to get her out of whatever meaningless conversation she was dying to trying to save. On those dates, meet ups, one-night stands, she couldn’t bear hearing strangers talk about something she herself didn’t necessarily enjoy. Not that she considered herself a closed off person, there was always a possibly common ground in her opinion, always to option to learn about one significant others interests and likes. Yet she simply never saw the worth in it, never felt to make that step and get involved.

Before she’s got to know Felix, that is. He was oh so different, in every way imaginable, from her, her friends, her usual and typical dating circle. He was a homebody, seemingly loving his game controllers more than most things, and she envied the few friends Felix had, which was something she wasn’t particularly used to but wished herself to have. She’s had childhood friends, similar to how Felix told her about his own ones, yet she long isn’t contact with any of them anymore. Her group of friends change every other class, no consistency of people in her life whatsoever, different to him, who’s kindergarten friendships were still going strong after years and years on end. Oh, how she envied him for it. But no matter the differences between the two; there wasn’t a blink of a moment where she felt possibly bored. He was interesting, in his own, different way, and she loved hearing about his persona, who he is, what he does. She wanted to know, simply for the sake of knowing, of getting closer, of bonding. It was unusual for her, and she wondered if Felix maybe felt the same, or if he ended up bored whenever talking to her. That’s how she felt, more often than not, and yet, she thought, it wasn’t like he’d distance himself from here – which meant there must be some interest after all.

And he was nice. She was surprised about how genuine the boy was, in his words and stories he told, in the way he smiled at her. Yes, he surely was awkward, clumsy even, but in a way, she thought, it’d only make him more endearing, more… loveable. And no, she wouldn’t go as far as mentioning love that early on, yet she knew she liked him, more than she’d like a casual friend, more even than the occasional crush she’d have. She truly found interest in him, wanted to get closer to him – on more levels than one. It didn’t need much brainpower for her to notice he must reciprocate those feelings, figuring he must have locked his eyes on her as well. That’s what she knew, hoped at last. She surely – by now – knew Felix well enough, though, to not raise expectations. Even if he liked her, she doubted he’d make any move, not even subtle. She wasn’t one to carry her heart on her sleeve, and she knew herself that confessing without being sure of one’s other feelings was nothing but hell on earth – so she didn’t blame him. Instead, she’d sit in class, talking and chatting with Felix, trying to get behind his interests, preferences, be it in food or activities or simple hobbies he had. Her intentions nothing more than to find a perfect place to hang out together, one that was far off from uni and people she knew, one that he’d hopefully like – to maybe, hopefully, be able to call it something like a first date.  

“Hey, you have plans this weekend?”

The question wasn’t necessarily out of the norm, Felix thought, yet his mind seemed to stumble over with thoughts when the words left her lips, while the two made their way to class. He’s never met her outside of school, and her being the one to propose it first, to throw that idea out, just like that, as if Felix wouldn’t go crazy at the shear thought of it had his head feeling dizzy by any means. Was she aware of the effect she had on him? Or was that possibility so far off, the fact that he could even like her, because she purely saw him as a good friend after all? Or maybe it was both, maybe she knew very well what went on in his head at all times when he thought of her, but proceeded to pay no mind to it, because he was simply a classmate, nothing more to her. Felix oh so badly wanted to shove those thoughts to the back of his brain whenever they invaded him, yet he couldn’t possibly, not with how much more he grew to like her in the last couple of days, weeks now, almost, they’ve spent nearly every day together.

“Uh, no, I’m free this weekend. No plans. …why?”

He was unsure, insecure in the question he’s asked, almost as if scared. And maybe he was. Would meeting her outside of school turn him yet more awkward, would make him seem weird, more nervous? If she was to invite him over to her house – though, let’s be honest, she wouldn’t possibly do that – he’d surely everything but stay calm.

“Oh, I just thought we could meet up? Like, not in school for a change, I’m sick of seeing you only here.”, and she gave him a smile, one that Felix could only return with confused blinking. For him, seeing her in school felt secure, somewhat safe; in case the conversation went dry there was something to come back to, mutual classes, homework, professors. But Felix knew what she meant nonetheless, and he’d not turn down something that could possibly bring him closer to her.

“You said you liked the cinema, right? We could check out what movies they’re playing lately. If you… want to, that is.”, and another smile, though this time around it didn’t seem as confident, as collected as it usually did. And Felix was sure he heard her stumble over her words, hesitate, even if slightly – he sensed nervousness in her tone. Sure, emotional intelligence wasn’t his strength, and knowing what other people felt and thought was nothing but a myth to him at all times, even with friends and family, but he knew her enough by now that simply overlooking that feeling he had wasn’t quite possible. Or maybe he simply wanted to believe it, and hallucinated things that weren’t there.

“Uh, yeah…! Yeah, I do like movies, we could... yeah, we could go see one. On the weekend. If you want to.”

It was true, he liked movies. Loved them actually, especially when it came to watching them in the cinema. And while Felix remembered of telling her that fact, he was surprised that she didn’t forget. She still knew, proof that she listened, whenever he talked about things he thought didn’t sound exciting enough. And yet she knew, still, didn’t forget such a simple and vain detail about him. God, she’d drive him crazy, and she didn’t even do much, didn’t even know of it.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

The rest of the week – her and Felix made plans to meet up on Monday – felt excruciatingly long, like it’d last on for decades. Felix would wake up every day anew, wishing for it to be Saturday already, wishing to finally go and sit in that cinema with her, watch that movie with her, chat and laugh about it afterwards, maybe in a café, if she’d be up for it. And every day anew he felt like the sun simply didn’t want to set, didn’t want to end another day of waiting. Until Saturday came around, and Felix excitement suddenly left him right that day. Though, that wasn’t entirely true. Of course, he didn’t change his mind, quite surely still wanted to get to see her, to bond with her outside of the everyday, usual school talk. But it was hard for him to simply turn off his nerves, to look past the anxiety he’s felt simply thinking about sitting next to you for about two hours. Wouldn’t it be awkward? On the other hand, he’d sit behind you in class for hours as well, this really wasn’t any different. Or was it? After all, as he’d already noticed, uni was a secure place; he’d always have something to lead the conversation onto in moments of danger. But a cinema, filled with strangers, a movie playing while he sat with her in the dark – there wouldn’t be much talking in the first place, but it was the time before and after the movie that Felix feared. Which was mindless because you were friends after all. Only that he wanted to be more than that, and looking past this simple feeling wasn’t as easy as he’d like it to be.

So yes, when Felix saw her making her way towards him, with excited steps, her frame coming closer to the entrance Felix was waiting at, he knew his ears turned red that moment already. And for a good reason, too. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, better even than he was used to in school. She clearly took time to make herself look the way she did, surely made an effort on her appearance, but as ever so often, she pulled it off with a naturality that fascinated him in every way possible. And though Felix thought he too made an effort in looking nice, for once, which was so different to his character in the first place – seeing her took all that away. Looking at her now made him realize that the button up he decided to wear wasn’t ironed, had creases in it. Or that his skin probably looked too dry, as it often did, and he’s forgotten to do anything about it for tonight. Or that his lack of accessories surely made him look boring, that he’d could have thrown on a necklace at least, seeing how much jewellery was adorning her body. He felt so utterly stupid, so unprepared for something he’s had on his mind for days, and his only wish was to disappear right there and then, on the spot, before she could step any closer.

But he didn’t, obviously. He stood there while she walked up to him, hands in his pockets, swaying back and forth on his feet, looking frightened surely. Waiting for her to come closer, to smell the lack of perfume on him – he’s taken a shower beforehand, he wasn’t that careless, but he surely didn’t think of having to smell particularly nice – before she’d look him up and down with eyes of judgement. But she went in for a hug instead, after speaking a quick ‘hi’, and Felix didn’t see an ounce of discern in her face, a smile and warm eyes meeting his.

“I’m sorry, did you wait long? I have a habit of running late.”

The chuckle she left out made Felix heart flutter in the subtlest way possibly, and it was contagious, making him let out a fist of giggled laughter as well.

“No, I didn’t, I just reached too, don’t worry.”

There was a silence none of them seemed to be able to fill. Maybe the different scenery – the couples around them kissing and chatting, the nightly view of the city, the movie Felix was about to watch with her – maybe it ended up marking your moods with a certain shyness after all, flustered you. Though, he thought, with him it was clear. Of course he’d be a mess, of course he wouldn’t quite know how to keep the conversation going in case it died out – how could he, he barely managed this very thing in school. But; why was she quiet? Why did she, once again, similar to when she asked Felix out to the movies, show hints of nervousness? The way she stepped from one foot to the other, seemed to fiddle with her outfit, looking everywhere but him. Was she, perhaps, as out of it as him? Was that possible?

“You- you look really nice, by the way--“

An ice breaker. One that sounded embarrassing, but Felix managed to get it past his lips, managed to speak out his mind, for the first time not waiting for her to take the initiative. And it paid off; her face changed into one of pleasured surprise, her bright, tooth showing smile appearing against the softness of her features, and if Felix wasn’t already deep into the fascination of her, he surely was now.

She smiled, cocked her head at him. She looked like she was about to head towards the cinema without a comment, heels on the run already, before her mouth opened after all to return something

“Thanks. You don’t look bad yourself.”

And she looked mischievous, head still to the side as he held a glance in her eyes Arisu has never seen before. Yet it locked him in, in a way everything about her locked her in, at all times. Yet it made him feel different, another sort of nervous he was normally used from feeling around her. But before he could figure it out, could get behind what it was that rushed through his body, her eyes weren’t on him altogether anymore, pointed towards the cinema, urging him to get going, to finally go and see the movie, and just like that he’s lost her gaze, lost that feeling that overpowered him only mere seconds ago.  

The movie was going fine. Felix would have been worried if not, after all his only job was to sit there and concentrate on the pictures and voices that played before him on the screen. He couldn’t though. Her presence right beside him took all his attention away, off the movie, and he hated it. Because what if she wanted to talk about it later on, what if she’d ask questions about it he wouldn’t be able to answer? She’d think he’s an idiot, would lose interest in meeting him outside of school, and they’d stay classmates. Though, that was likely all in his head after all. It somewhat killed Felix to not be able to talk to her, ironically, as scared as he was of screwing up chit chatting with her. And he couldn’t explain the reason if someone asked him, wasn’t quite sure what exactly made him this giddy in his seat, in the darkness of the room. He felt tense, for whatever reason, his body stiff without an explanation.

Until suddenly, his arm fell into a shudder. It was laying on the armrest Felix shared with her, the one that separated their seats. And he could feel her sudden touch on him, could feel her warm hand creeping up against his skin. Every inch she’s touched ignited into hot goosebumps, and Felix sat up in his seat even before their fingers soon intertwined when they reached each other. He didn’t back off, wouldn’t dare to, but it felt wrong, off, to not react; so he glanced at her. From the side, looked her face up and down – and she wasn’t giving into him. Her eyes were fixated on the movie, though Felix saw her nose painted red, even in the darkness of the room. He saw the film of sweat on her forehead, one that could only mean she was as nervous as him. After all – she was trying to hold hands, wasn’t she? It’d fit, the movie reached a part that Felix would call romantic. But he couldn’t possibly find an explanation for her antics; except, that he maybe was right after all, that his friends have been teasing him only to end up in the wrong – maybe she did like him, did want to get closer to him, in more ways than just a friendly one, one that was typical for classmates.

He looked at her, she knew. She felt his eyes on her face, knew he wanted to ask what this was, if she was alright, if she needed something. And yet, she thought, there wasn’t a moment he backed off. He’s had that chance, she’s made her way to lock her fingers with his longer ones slowly, excruciatingly so, and he not once as much as flinched, even. So, she must have been right in her predictions, must have observed him correctly. But God, what came into her? She wasn’t known to lose her cool, really, has never been one to shy off from anything or anyone. So why was it all so different with him, why did her brain keep short circuiting?

She wanted to give him a look, too. Wanted to see what sort of emotion laid there in his eyes, if fear and nervousness overplayed a sort of excitement she so badly wanted to see. They couldn’t really talk, otherwise she wouldn’t have asked him, as straight forward as possible, to not make things more secretive and embarrassing as they were in situations like those; when it came to the very first moves with crushes, the first days of a new relationship, the first everything with a new person. But, both her and Felix were supposed to stay quiet – so she gave his hand a squeeze, followed by her head turning into his direction, finally enough courage in her to follow through. His side profile was nothing but breath taking, and she saw his nose painted in red, even in the darkness of the room. And how adorable it was, she couldn’t help the smile that crept up on her. It was him, this time, who’s eyes simply wouldn’t find hers, though she was much braver in her actions, much more determined to not make this painfully weird the moment the movie was over, the moment they’d walk out that cinema, regretting to not have talked about whatever the hand holding thing was. So it took her another squeeze before Felix finally, after what felt like ages of simply and only hand holding, locked his eyes with hers. And for a second, as cheesy as they both know it was, time seemed to have stopped for just a singular moment, hearts skipping just a singular before going back to normal, though fastened now.

Both, Felix and her, would later on blame it on the mood of the cinema, of how the music rang in their ears, how the colors on screen made their faces appear in a light so pretty they’ve forgotten about the movie altogether, without paying much attention to it in the first place. None of them would say they fell for each other in that moment, maybe, but then again, none of them would be able to explain what lead them to lean in, similarly, at the same time, and oh so slowly both thought they’re lips would never meet. And though it took a while, though their nerves got the best of them and set them in a trance that nothing but slowed the process, their mouths connected, eventually, in a kiss Felix has never felt like this before. No, it wasn’t movie like, necessarily. Felix was surely clumsy in his movements, definitely revealed his lack of experience, but none of them paid mind. They’d only separate from each other to catch their breath, chests heaving in a chaos of nerves, while both were too shy to keep eye contact yet wanted nothing but see the other, see how they reacted to this moment, to what happened, to the first kiss they shared.

And against the noise of the movie that was rolling its never-ending story, it felt like, Felix could make out her voice, her breath hitting his skin in hot waves while she talked.

“You- you wanna get out of here?”

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆──

Clothes were scattered on the floor, the wooden tiles hidden beneath shorts and skirts and panties. And there were sounds echoing, off the walls, one that would hopefully not wake any neighbours. And no, Felix has never, ever, done anything like this. He’d never even imagine hooking up with a girl right after kissing her for the first time, let alone when he was the one being a flushed and stuttering mess beside her, nervous to even look at her. So, what were the odds that he – sober, he might add – went for it, followed her through her apartment door, one that she rented by herself, and didn’t pull back when she kissed him, down his jaw and neck, when her hands started roaming across his body? When the first clothes fell, Felix nearly backed out. He was oh so nervous, scared to screw things up, scared to ruin it with his lack of experience. Sure, he’s had girlfriends, but only so much to say he definitely wasn’t confident in his skills. But she really didn’t seem to mind; not when she sighed softly against his lips, when his fingers danced on her skin, somewhat unsurely but with so much want that he made up for it. And definitely not with how her hips, slowly, so slowly he barely felt it, rolled against his, with the position they found themselves in, on the edge of the bed, Felix caught defeated as she nothing but straddled him, kept him in place. And he liked it, enjoyed how she didn’t mind leading whatever this would develop into.

“This okay?”

She was out of breath, clearly, and her eyes told him that she wanted this as much as him, though he found it hard to believe; after all his kisses were sloppy, breath hitching too often for his liking, and he sweated an unnormal amount. But her hands stayed at the metal of his belt, waiting for him to say the word, impatient to get both fully naked. It would be embarrassing when she’d slip the pants off him, he thought; seeing her in nothing but her underwear, matched in black which grazed her body so perfectly, caused Felix to nearly moan out at simply that – the little control he had left over his body surely disappeared at that sight. But he nodded nevertheless, sighed a small ‘yes’, in which he got a hum from her in return and his pants were gone in mere seconds. To his very own surprise he wasn’t scared, barely even nervous. The look she gave him and his body, the glance that played in her eyes when she caught the tent in his boxers, was nothing but addicting to the man, and he wanted her to look at him like this for all times coming.

Neck kisses. Another thing Felix couldn’t claim to having experienced, could never relate to when his friends desperately tried to cover hickeys, be it in school or because of parents, Felix simply never had to. Thinking about it now, his only game in the past years was never really intimate, there was never a lot of kissing or making out, as it was the case with her. he figured it was the lack of attraction and emotion to previous girls, and feeling the full thing right now – how her lips danced across the softness of his skin, skin so untouched and pure almost, that she couldn’t possibly not wanting to ruin the man. And how her hips never stopped grinding against his, subtly, though more urgent now that his pants were off, more impatient, he felt. And though Felix never thought he was the vocal kind in bed, he surely was whining and sighing away enough for him to grow embarrassed right this moment. Yes, feeling the full thing right now, with her, melting weak already without having came to the best part yet would always mark Felix in one way or another, this moment bound to be buried in his mind forever.

She was fully on top of him now. She was straddling him before already, yes, but this felt different. It felt overwhelming, as though someone cut off Felix airways, right in the middle, he thought. It was hard for him to breathe, hard for him to keep his eyes anywhere but her. She was topless now, completely, and Felix felt nothing but bad for staring – yet he couldn’t help it. Especially not when she looked like she wanted him to stare. She’s laid him down before she’s attacked his neck with more kisses, kisses that already went places which made Felix eyes roll back, places he never even imagined to feel as good as they did when in contact with fiery breath. And it all intensified when she took off his boxers, her panties, leaving them bare to the bone. Then she’s sat up, fully, looking down at him, arms reaching behind her to unclasp the restrains of her chest, and she’s looked at him so smugly, so knowingly that it took him all his willpower to not buck his hips up accidently from the sheer lust he felt. Was it embarrassing, how much he wanted her, how painfully hard he was beneath her?

She’s unclasped her bra eventually, letting it fall to the side of the bed almost comedically, just like you see it in movies, and while she giggled at her attempt to lighten the mood, Felix was nothing but a goner. And she realized, both the hungry look in his eyes as he stared at her like a premature teenage boy and the way his body tensed up, his dick twitching in his pants. And god was it adorable, how he couldn’t tear his eyes off, how his pupils widened when she – experimentally – let her hands wander around her own body, enjoying every bit of attention she was getting from him. She passed the mould of her chest, let her fingers dance around the shapes of her ribs and waist until she caressed hips and thighs, finally coming to the point where their bodies were connected. Not fully yet, not in the way they both wanted it so desperately. But it was too early for that, she wanted to make the boy struggle just slightly longer, make him a bit more of a mess than he was anyway already. So, her fingers crept up, ever so slowly, between her inner thighs, playfully squeezing and groping the flesh before her fingertips came in contact with her heat. And she watched as Felix inspected her every movement, how his face turned to one of pleasure without her touching him whatsoever. She kept going further, a bit, let her body move back, propping herself on Felix leg, to give him just that much of a better view. And her fingers deepened, disappeared inside her entirely, before she let out a sound so beautiful Felix never thought was possible. She was so addicting, so endearing in every way that he swore he’d be able to cum right on the spot, untouched. He kept watching her prop herself on top of him for what felt like hours, beautiful torture getting Felix impatient, his hands a mind of their own now as they started touching up on her. He wasn’t quite sure what he was doing, even, his hands only sort of grabbing at her body, squeezing her every curve, but she seemed to enjoy it as much as he did, didn’t tell him off even when his hands snuck up her sides, soon caressing her breasts in a clumsy way that she’d almost chuckle out loud. But the feeling was too nice, his warm hands, ones that were bigger than her own and felt so different against her chest than she was used to it from herself, got her mind clouded, so much so that she couldn’t seem to care about the noises that slipped past her tongue, sounding so in sync with his own ones. She could only imagine how loud he be the moment he’d feel her around him, and a smirk danced around her lips at the simple thought of it.

Until she decided that it was enough, until her wetness started to slowly smear the insides of her thighs and his abdomen, until he’s felt so unbearably hard beneath her that her sympathy got the best of her.

“You ready.”, moaning the words, and Felix’d almost overhear them, so focused he was on her fingers plumping in and out of her, the lewd noises her pussy made making his chest tighten up. He looked up at her, and gave her a nod, maybe too quick, to enthusiastic, but he couldn’t get himself to care; he wanted her, in every sense of the word, in every way possible. So when she propped herself up a bit, hovering above him to allow him to slip inside – he felt like he’s entered heaven, the feeling so warm around him, so tight and deep he found himself lost. And it was embarrassing, surely, as so much about him tonight. After all he knew what it felt like to fuck someone, wasn’t unfamiliar with the feeling, so the extent to which his eyes rolled back and his back arched and his whimpers grew louder was everything but put together, his figure a pathetic mess, only worsening when her hips started moving, grinding against him like she did before, with the only difference now that he’s felt her as close as never before, felt her everywhere around him. And it felt so good, so unbelievably that he both had the urge to just finally cum, especially after all the teasing and touching she’s played off for him, yet he simply and solely never wanted this feeling to end, ever. She varied between the movements of her hips, seeing how Felix reacted to certain things, where he liked to be touched, how he liked to be kissed. She had him figured out quickly so that when she lightly started bouncing against him with her hands steadied on his chest, she relished in the desperate moans and pleads he didn’t try to hide. And she loved how his hands were so constantly on her, without a break, how he somehow didn’t forget to caress her too, her skin, her boobs she noticed he had a thing for, even grazing at her clit with unsure fingers; yet he knew, and tried. And that attentiveness he showed, that subtle care and understanding was enough for her to soon join in on his sounds, sounds so lewd the neighbours surely knew now, and she felt herself so much closer to the edge, so much closer to where she wanted to end up all the way she first kissed him, seemingly hours back. And he wasn’t too far back, either, admittedly, it became a struggle for him already to hold off his orgasm, not wanting to ruin the night too early. So, when she whispered a quiet ‘I’m close’, eyes shut, her sweaty hands on his sweatier chest, bouncing always continuing; he almost let go, almost gave up and let the wave of pleasure wash him over. But he didn’t waited out this much longer, felt his dick twitching inside of her this much more desperate before suddenly her walls clenched around furiously and different than before, and he couldn’t possibly control himself, nor keep his composure. He felt himself relax, felt himself cum inside her while her eyes fell to the back of her head, thrusting one last time against him, riding out their highs until both whined out in overstimulation. Later on, both would keep that night as a fond memory, scenes of cuddles and showers and second and third and fourth rounds playing in their head, smiling and giggling when thinking back about that day.

tagging: @etherealeeknow @linoskitty @unexceptional-h @rseanne @diue @es-kay-zee @urcracksisx @jeyelleohe @yunkiwii @meloohmel @nyrasneedy @seochhj @spidercomics @chans-starlight @angelwonie @lix-ables @hyvndee

[lomlhotchner]

❛ faking it! ❜ … aaron hotchner

↠ the heart wants what it wants masterlist

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༘♡ ⋆｡˚ SUMMARY : the mission is on, act like a rich loving couple, dig some information, catch the unsub. seem easy enough right?

༘♡ ⋆｡˚ WARNINGS : high tensions 😫 mutual pining, cursing, they’re shy okay, the plot doesn’t really make sense (i tried), english isn’t my first language!

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ HANA’S NOTES : here we goooo!!!!! thank you so much for yalls patience 😭😭 this is part two to for zipper but you don’t need to read the it to understand this! i am so sorry from the bottom of my heart if this doesnt make sense lmao i dont know what i was going for. hope yall enjoy 💗

main masterlist | buy me kofi <3

“Remember the plan?”

You took a deep breath and nodded your head, “Yeah, go in there, bond with the rich, find the unsub, piss him off so that he’ll take the bait, and then lure him outside so that he can get his ass kicked.” you stated confidently.

Hotch raised his eyebrows at you, amused “When does the ass kicking happen?”

You shrugged your shoulders, a smirk playing on your lips, “Whenever I get the chance.”

He scoffed out a laugh, making you grin at the sound. You arrived at the elevator, sending the elevator operator a warm smile in greeting before stepping inside. He was an old man with grey hair, he had wrinkles and the most comforting smile on his face.

“Where are you two lovebirds headed?” he cheekily asked while looking at the both of you with a knowing look.

If only he knew.

Hotch smiled at Stan—the nametag says, “Dinner.”

Stan nodded his head and press the respected level before sending you a warm smile, "May I say you look stunning in that dress.”

You shyly laughed and lowered your head, but before you could thank him, Hotch’s deep voice cut you off, “Doesn’t she?” he spoke with the softest tone you have ever heard and when you look up at him, he was already looking down at you with the certain look in his eyes that anyone can decipher as fondness.

No, he’s just being in character. Don’t be delusional.

Hotch has been acting different with you since the undercover task began. Although the whole point of it was to make everything up and act, you can’t help but think that he was just showing a part of himself where no one has the privilege to know. In easier words, you think he wasn’t really acting.

So does that mean the almost kiss…. ?

Do you really want to go there?

You weren't sure.

You guys continue to stare at each other not noticing the operator’s grin. He has seen a handful of couples in this part of the job and he knows when he sees fools in love.

The elevator dinged, indicating you arrived at the respected floor. You guys broke from the little staring contest, your cheeks heating up. Sending Stan a smile before walking out of the elevator.

The venue was enchanting, to say the least. Bright elegant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Beautiful flower arrangements placed on the table. People in gorgeous dresses and suits and suddenly you felt underdressed compared to them. Because this isn’t actually your real lifestyle, but for them, this is just a normal Tuesday.

Hotch interrupted your thoughts by bend down so he was level with your ear, “I didn’t get the chance to say this earlier, but you look absolutely gorgeous.” he whispered before standing up to his full height.

You couldn’t even count how many times you were flustered tonight. Your body was all tingly with excitement as you looked up at him, “Thank you, honey. You don’t look too bad yourself.” you teased.

A smirk formed on his lips. You could see his Adams apple bob at how hard he swallowed and maybe it’s the lights, but you can vividly make out his rosy cheeks after your comment.

He subtly tries to hide his face in the crook of your neck, giving it a soft kiss for the extra effect. “Did you turn on your coms?” he mumbled.

Your eyes widen a little. right, you’re undercover. You move to your ear and click the device resulting in it turning on with a beep.

The audio cracks for a moment before JJ’s voice appeared, “Y/N? Hotch? Can you guys hear us?”

“Yeah, we can hear you JJ.”

“Okay, good. Any signs of the unsub?” she asked.

“No, not yet.” you answered, giving the place a once over for any suspicious acts.

“Nope.” Emily sounded through the coms. Followed by the other’s negative response of the unsub’s whereabouts.

“Alright, everyone be cautious. We know the unsub is unstable, keep an eye out for any weird behaviors.” Hotch ordered as he led you to the ballroom.

He took two champagne glasses and handed you one of them. You sent him a small as gratitude. Your hand was shaking slightly when you bought the glass to your lips.

Hotch took notice of that and rub his hand at the small of your back, “Relax.” he smiled.

You shyly nodded your head as you both moved to one of the tables. Taking a seat that Hotch has gracefully pulled out for you.

"You okay?" Hotch asked, sitting beside you.

"Yeah, kinda excited."

"Excited to catch a murderer?" he raised his eyebrows.

"That, but also this." you gestured to the ballroom you guys are in, "Everything is just so fancy, and pretty! I can't even remember the last time I actually got ready and wear a dress." you chuckled, not realizing that your hand has gravitated to the tip of Hotch's fingers, softly playing with it.

Hotch felt like he was going to melt at how adorable you are, plus the feeling of your hands on his skin? He's a goner. He has always known that you were a touchy person, having to see you hug or link your arms with the rest of the squad except him was not entirely unnoticeable. So when he gets the chance to have this pleasure, he isn’t sure what to do.

As you continued to talk about … —okay, he isn’t entirely paying attention— he has a small smile played on his lips. He just can't tear his eyes away from you. His eye move to your cheeks, your eyes, the flutter of your eyelashes. Have you always been this pretty?

"Hotch? Did you hear what I said?" you tap the inside of his palm, trying to get his attention back to whatever daydream he went.

Hotch could feel his cheeks at getting caught red handed, "Yeah, yeah, sorry just got distracted."

You almost laughed at the absurdity, "By what? Me? You play this part too good Hotch, cause I can almost believe you're in love with me." you eyes widen slightly at your word vomit, you instantly regretted what you said but Hotch surprised you by laughing along.

"Oh honey, you have no idea." he softly chuckled.

God, I hate how he can act so good.

Your eyes move to surveillance the room as a distraction and noticed something, "Okay, don't look right now but the table on our left have been staring at us for the past 5 minutes."

Hotch subtly nodded his head and glanced at the table. It was a group of men in suits staring at you guys.

You. Specifically.

Oh.

He clenched his jaw and protectively wrapped his arms around your waist. Your stomach fluttered at the sudden contact. "We should split up and dig more information. I'm going to those gentlemen, and you can scout out the ladies over there."

You cleared your throat, brushing off your bashfulness, "Yeah, that's- that's a good idea." you stood up and brush the wrinkles of your dress. "See you later, handsome." you boldly left a kiss on his cheek, softly patting his shoulder.

Hotch felt like he was in a daze as he stared at you walking away. His tongue poke his cheek, trying to fight back a smile from forming when you sneak a peek around your shoulder, send him a cheeky smile and a wink.

He composed himself before he trudged to the table, “Evening, gentleman.” he greeted, noticing how they all pretend that they weren’t staring at his date. Fake date. “How are you guys enjoying the event?”

Enjoy drooling at my date? he wanted to add.

On the other side of the room, you have to control yourself from getting overly sheepish at the compliments the girls are giving you guys.

Both of you guys.

You and Hotch. Together.

“How long have you guys been with each other?”

“You guys look so good together."

"The ring is beautiful."

"He's so fine, girl. You are so lucky,"

"Are you joking? He's lucky one. Look at her, she's gorgeous."

The compliments are making you blush, "Thank you, ladies." you smiled, glancing at Hotch absentmindedly.

They were right, he is fine.

You shook your head, remembering the real reason you are here. "So. do you guys know the host personally?"

The girl on your right, —Barbara you think, "Oh no, I just work for them. But this one," she nudged the girl beside her, "works as a personal assistant for the host's mom."

Your eyebrows rose at the new information, "Oh? The pay's probably good huh?"

She chuckled, "I don't want to say much but it is definitely better than working as an accountant. If you exclude the constant bickering between her and her son in law."

That peeked your interest, but before you can dig up more information, Barbara spoke, "Oh my god. Your husband is literally head over heels for you. He won't stop ogling you!"

All of you subconsciously turned your head at the direction she was looking at.

Your eyes meet Hotch's and low and behold, he was already looking at you. And at the sudden addition of eyes his own widened as he shy away from the attention.

The sight made you grin.

The girls giggled and moved their conversation to a different topic. But you can’t help yourself from taking a peak at Hotch again. You both made eye contact, sharing a flustered smile.

Okay. What the fuck’s that about.

Countless of thoughts running through your head. The interaction have caught Emily’s attention as you make eye contact with her. What was that? Her face wearing a shocked, questionable look, as she teasingly smirked.

You subtly shrugged your shoulders. I have no fucking clue.

If this is going on for the whole night, you dont know how much your heart can take.

reblog / tell me what you think for a smooch <3 check out my other works!

[imaginewithmgk]

a daydream away

prompt; a daydream away - all time low

link to music video

summary: y/n and colson keep having day dreams about each other

word count: 2,801

warnings: drug & alcohol, light smut

I wish you could see your face right now 'Cause you're grinning like a fool And we're sitting on your kitchen floor On a Tuesday afternoon

Y/N’s P.O.V.

“I can’t believe you said that!” I laugh at my best friend.

“He was being annoying, what did you expect?” He responds, his breaths interrupted with the laugh he tries to cover up so often. I wish he wouldn’t because it has to be my favourite sound, ever. 

“Still! You didn’t have to tell him to fuck off,” I grin.

“I wish you could see your face right now,” Colson laughs. 

“What? Why!?” I laugh with him. 

“You’re grinning like a fool,” He smirks.

“Oh, shut up,” I playfully hit his chest. Colson and I went to a late lunch and were interrupted by the usual swarm of paparazzi, the life of a modern-day rockstar I suppose. Instead of ignoring them like he usually does, and is supposed to, the mixture of alcohol and mushrooms in his system had apparently disbanded his dignity and necessity to care about his public image, hence the abrupt “Fuck off!” aimed at the group swarming our once peaceful table. Like I said, the alcohol definitely played a large role in the outburst, we’re both pretty drunk. 

“Couldn’t help it,” He shrugs and pours another drink for the both of us. I slide my back down the kitchen counter and plop on the floor, my legs feel like jelly so I figure the cold tiles will almost certainly either sober me up or at least make me feel better. He turns around with two drinks in his hand,

“What are you doing on the floor?” Colson furrows his eyebrows.

“Dunno, looked comfy I spose,” I slur. I think the coldness of the tiles or being this close to the ground made me feel drunker, is that possible? Apparently so. He smirks, still looking confused but amused at the same time, and slides down next to me. He places the drinks on the floor, one on the right side of my ankle and the other somewhere next to him. I bend my knees so they’re against my stomach and wrap my arms around them, I’m suddenly very cold. The effect of the tiles I guess. 

“Hey, what day is it?” I ask Colson and lean my head on his shoulder. I watch our shadows reflect on the various objects in his dark kitchen. 

“I think it’s a Tuesday afternoon?” 

“Oh god,” I huff. 

It doesn't matter when we get back To doing what we do 'Cause right now could last forever Just as long as I'm with you.

Y/N’s P.O.V.

“These tiles are so fucking cold,” I laugh. 

“My ass is freezing,” Colson groans as he uses his hands to push himself up and stand up somewhat straight. He rocks back and forth for a few seconds before offering me his hand, I take it and he helps me up. I stabilise myself and finish my drink quickly. He does the same.

“Movie marathon?” I offer. 

“Hell yeah!” Colson yells before quite literally scampering away to his bedroom I assume. He seems to always pick his bedroom, and house in general, to hang out in opposed to mine, but I don’t mind because his bed is comfier anyway and I feel more comfortable when he’s around. 

I do my best to navigate my way to Colson’s room without destroying any property, but the effect alcohol has on my body is tragic. I knock into a few walls but eventually make it to his room and plop my body down on his bed. I crawl into a comfortable position, my favourite position in fact, that just so happens to be on his chest with his arm wrapped around me. 

We watch a movie or two but then I am rudely interrupted by my own bladder. I was very comfortable and warm until I couldn’t last another minute without going to the bathroom.

“I’m going to pee, I’ll be right back,” I say as I watch his eyes droop with tiredness but I don’t mind. He needs a good rest. 

You're just a daydream away I wouldn't know what to say if I had you

Colson’s P.O.V.

I watch her walk into the bathroom and breathe out gently at the thought of her. I wouldn’t know what to do or say if I had her. I’ve never felt more content than I do when she’s in my arms, and I’m sad she’s gone. I hear the tap run which signals she’s washing her hands and/or face so I make my way out of the bed and walk over to the bathroom. She opens the door and almost crashes into my chest, I guess she didn’t expect me to be standing right outside the door when she opened it, which makes sense. I wouldn’t expect it either. 

“W-what are you doing?” My best friend asks me as I place both hands above her shoulders, next to her face, and gently push her against one of the walls in my bedroom. I brush a stray hair out of her face and tuck it behind her ear, leaving my hand on the side of her warm face. 

“Can I kiss you?” I mumble, staring into her entrancing eyes. She nods gently so I lean my face in slowly. Our lips mould together perfectly, like they were only made for each others. At this moment in time I know she’s my soulmate, my twin flame, everything I wanted and was meant to have in life. I grip one hand on her hip and leave the other on the side of her face, rubbing my thumb gently over her cheek. Y/N pulls away slowly and rests her forehead on mine, our warm breaths are the only thing we can concentrate on. 

“Jump,” I whisper. She does exactly what I told her to and wraps her legs around my waist. Instead of a kiss filled with passion like the previous one, this one is filled with lust. I spin us around so I can lie her on my bed and crawl on top of her. I trail kisses from her lips, down her jaw, then her neck and begin to suck on the delicate skin that litters her collarbones. 

And I'll keep you a daydream away Just watch from a safe place So I never have to lose

3rd Person’s P.O.V.

“Colson?” Y/N’s voice interrupts his daydream. Daydream, that whole kiss was a fucking daydream. He thinks to himself. The troubled boy puts his head in his hands and huffs loudly.

“Yeah?” He looks up at her with his sparkling blue eyes. The girl kneels down on the bed and places her soft hands over his rough ones. The combination creates a perfect synergy. 

“What’s wrong?” She furrows her eyebrows.

“Nothing, just had a weird daydream,” Colson tells her. 

“What was it about?” She asks as she resumes her usual position, in both of their favourite spots, with her head on his chest and his arm wrapped around her shoulder. They both feel secure. 

“I was reminiscing on a party we had recently,” He lies. He feels incredibly bad but he believes there’s no way he can ever tell her how he truly feels about her.

“Okay,” She mumbles, knowing he was lying because they hadn’t had any parties recently. She decides to respect his wishes to keep it to himself and not push the issue. She knew she would figure out what’s wrong with him sooner or later. 

“You’re just a daydream away,” He thinks to himself. 

We would go out on the weekend To escape our busy lives And we'd laugh at all the douche bag guys Chasing down their desperate wives

Y/N’s P.O.V.

“You’re way too hot to be acting like that!” I watch in awe as Colson belts out the words to an unreleased song with Dom by his side and Mod not too far away. I love nights like this, where Colson and I decide to go out and there’s an impromptu performance at The Roxy. Nights where we would randomly stumble in Travis and the two men couldn’t help but jam together in front of a large, very drunk, crowd of people. All different types of people, but mostly influencers who post little snippets on their Instagram stories for fans to obsess over for months. I’m definitely guilty of a few drunk posts here and there. 

“Did you like the song?” Colson asks me as he gives me a very sweaty hug. 

“Dude! You’re so sweaty, get away from me!” I laugh as I swat him away. He reluctantly lets go and pouts. “But yes, I did love the song,”

“You better,” He grumbles and moves away to grab a drink. 

He returns not long after with a drink for himself, and a drink for me. I’m designated driver tonight so a lemonade is the craziest drink I’ll be downing.

“Thank you my love,” I say before taking a swig of the fizzy liquid. 

“No worries,” He says before wrapping a strong arm around my shoulders. “Hey, check them out,” Col points at a man trying to get the attention of a woman who I assume to be his wife. The man tugs on her wrist as she talks to the bartender. 

“Come on, let’s go home,” I hear him plead. 

“One more drink,” She slurs. Colson and I laugh at the pair, a douchebag guy chasing down his desperate wife. I only hope that won’t be me one day. 

I would drink a little too much You'd offer me a ride And I would offer you a t-shirt And you would stay another night

Colson’s P.O.V.

I sway from side to side, the alcohol suddenly hitting me all at once. I think I’ve had a little too much. 

“Do you want to stay at mine or yours tonight?” Y/N asks as she leans her head on my chest. 

“Mine, when did you want to go?” I ask her, hoping she’d say now. I’d much rather be at home with her than here right now. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friends and I love performing but when I get past a certain point of drunkness I just want to go home with my girl. Well, I wish she was my girl. 

“Now?” She asks. 

“Sounds good to me,” I pause. “Can you stay over?”

“Yeah of course,” She smiles.

We make our way to her car, she decided to be the designated driver tonight so she’s completely sober. I love that she is responsible and controlled enough to stay sober in one of her most favourite party environments, it’s very admirable. I stumble a few times but eventually get situated in the passenger seat. I watch as the puts her seatbelt on and demands me to mine on,

“Put your seatbelt on love,” She smiles at me. I nod and put it on, not without difficulty that’s for sure. Y/N puts her car in drive, puts the handbrake down and drives off towards my house.

“Thank you for staying over,” I hiccup. 

“I stay over all the time, even when you don’t want me to. It’s practically my house now! You don’t need to thank me,” She laughs. 

“Still,” I pause and reach over to place my hand on her thigh. I swear I can see her blushing. “I appreciate it,”

“Anytime Col,” She responds. 

“And I always want you around,” I tell her. 

“Aww you’re so cute,” She puts her hand on top of mine. 

“You should move in,” I hiccup, again. 

“That’s a conversation to be had when sober,” She laughs. I love her laugh. 

“Here, drink this,” Y/N says as she hands me a bottle of water. I stumble through the kitchen and grab the bottle, pretty much inhaling it. I always forget how dehydrated smoking and drinking makes me. 

“Let’s go to bed,” I tug on her wrist and lead her to my room. 

I watch as she pulls her short dress down once again. 

“Do you want something else to sleep in?” I laugh at her. 

“Shut up,” She pouts. “But yes please,” 

I laugh at her and grab a clean t-shirt from my drawer,

“Here,” I throw it to her and watch her walk into the bathroom. 

“Col, you gave me your favourite shirt! I didn’t notice until I put it on. I can’t wear this,” Y/N pouts. 

“I’d give you anything I own if it means you’ll stay another night,” I tell her. 

“Colson,” She drags my name out as she walks over and sits next to me on my bed. “I love you,” She wraps her arms around me from the side. 

“I love you too,” I hug her back. 

You're just a daydream away I wouldn't know what to say if I had you And I'll keep you a daydream away Just watch from a safe place So I never have to lose

Y/N’s P.O.V.

I wake up snuggled up to Colson, he has his arms wrapped around me. I rub my eyes and pinch my arm to make sure I’m not daydreaming, I’ve been doing that a lot lately so I have to check sometimes. I stir before kissing his collarbone lightly. I freeze and watch in disbelief as he opens his eyes,

“I- I don’t know why I did that,” 

“It’s fine Y/N,” Colson laughs as he lets go of me. I frown at the sudden loss of contact. 

“Um I’m going to go brush my teeth,” I exclaim as I get out of the bed quickly and scurry into the bathroom. I shut the door behind me, face the mirror and put my hands on the counter. 

“What is wrong with me?” I think to myself. For the past few weeks I’ve been having non stop daydreams about Colson, from cute dates to us hooking up. It’s starting to become a problem. 

I splash my face with cold water and take a deep breath before actually brushing my teeth like I said I was going to, then head out of the bathroom. 

I open the door to see Colson still lying in the same place. I smile lightly and get back into bed with him, moving into the same position I was in. He wraps his arms around me again as I turn to face him. 

“Hi,” He says softly. 

“Hey,” I blush, and make direct eye contact with him. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” He grins. 

“I want to tell you something but you have to promise not to be weird about it,”

“Sure, what’s up?” Colson rubs my back lightly in a comforting way and I can’t help but shiver at his touch. 

“I keep having these weird daydreams about you,” I admit shyly. 

“And what do we do in them?”

“Well sometimes it’s just us hanging out like normal, sometimes it’s a bit more… intense,”

“What do you mean intense?” He furrows his eyebrows. 

“I don’t know how to explain it,” I lower my voice. “Sometimes we’re cuddling like normally do, sometimes we’re kissing, sometimes we do more than that…”

“Wow Y/N, I don’t know what to say,”

“I shouldn’t have told you, oh my god! It’s so embarrassing,” I whine.

“No it’s not. I’m not judging you at all, I’m just in shock because I’ve been having the same day dreams,” 

“Are you serious?” My eyes widen. “What are the odds?” I giggle, trying to lighten the mood. He doesn’t say anything. His eyes drift down to my lips and then up to my eyes to make direct contact.

“Can I kiss you?” I nod. Colson places two fingers under my chin and leans in to get closer to my face. I feel his breath fan my lips, before his lips connect with mine. Our lips move in sync, god I’ve waited so long for this feeling. He pushes himself up, whilst still keeping our mouths connected and hovers over me. I allow him to put one knee in between my legs and the other on the side of my body. I run my hand down the side of his stomach and he shivers which makes me smile into the kiss. 

Colson pulls away from my lips and rests his forehead on mine.

“I love you,” He says gently.

“I love you too,”

“Y/N, you awake?” I feel a finger poke my shoulder.

“Huh? What?” I open my eyes to see Colson staring at me strangely.

Was I seriously day dreaming again?

[drarrily-we-row-along]

Day 127: Fake Dating

"It's just annoying," Draco continued as he and Harry packed up for the night. "Literally every single party or brunch, I am hounded about when I'll start dating someone." He slammed his desk drawer closed, "I'm a bloody auror! I haven't got time to date anyone," he groaned. "And now I have this party tonight and I just know-"

"I'll go with you," Harry offered.

He broke off and stared at the other man. "What?"

"Yeah," Harry said with a shrug, "I'll go and be your pretend boyfriend, it would be easy to fake that we're dating since we already know everything about each other."

"But," he started, tilting his head at the other man, "Then people will think we're dating."

"I thought that was the point?"

He stared at Harry, waiting for it to click. When no click was forthcoming he said "but then people would think you're dating me."

"Am I missing something here?"

He rolled his eyes, "I don't think you quite understand what dating me entails."

"Ah, need to be pampered, darling? Wined and dined? Roses on Tuesday and dinner on Friday nights? I could bring you coffee in the morning-"

"I- What?" Draco spluttered. "No! No. Merlin, that's not what I'm saying, although, yes if we're being honest I want to be absolutely doted upon," he added.

"Obviously."

"Wait," he said, shaking his head to clear it, "You're missing the fucking point."

(Read more below the cut)

"Sorry," Harry said, smirking at him and not looking sorry at all, "What's the point?"

"The point," Draco said, poking him in the chest, "Is that dating me is not a pleasant experience."

"Oh come on," Harry teased, "You're not that bad."

"I am a fucking delight," he replied, exasperated, "I am saying that the press will make your life hell."

"Ah," he said, nodding, "I have no idea what dealing with the press is like."

"The press has been kind to you for at least the past decade because of the whole saving the world nonsense," Draco replied as he opened the door and held it open for Harry.

"Except for the lurid months after I came out and all sorts of lies were spread about me," Harry replied wryly.

He shook his head and headed toward the floos, "Even those were mostly flattering," he added with a lewd glance.

Harry laughed, "Whatever. My point," he said, poking him in the shoulder, "is that I'm not afraid of the press." He bumped his shoulder against Draco's, "Come on. What have you got to lose?"

"Fine," he huffed but his stomach was silently doing back flips while his heart did a complicated tap routine in his chest. "Meet me at the Screaming Goblin at 7:00pm sharp." He stepped toward the floo and turned, "Don't dress like a homeless person," he added before stepping into the floo.

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

Harry did not dress like a homeless person. In fact it was quite the opposite.

Harry looked fucking hot.

He was wearing tight dark-wash jeans and a lightweight jumper that hugged his body, making his strong, broad shoulders look even broader and his trim waist even narrowed. He'd done his hair, putting enough product in his curls to make them look artfully tousled and not a mess. And he'd arrived before Draco but instead of waiting, he'd gone in and bought Draco's friends a round and was sitting and yammering away at them.

As Draco approached, Harry turned his head and gave him a wide grin, "Hey, babe," he said, standing up and pulling out Draco's chair for him.

"Hi," he said weakly.

Harry pressed a kiss to his temple and a thrill shot through Draco's body as his brain went pleasantly fuzzy.

And thank Merlin for Harry because Draco hardly answered a question all night, hardly even heard a question all night because he was too busy focusing on the way it felt to have Harry's fingers trailing through the hair at the base of his skull. Harry talked and laughed with Draco's friends like they'd all been friends for ages as he sat with his arm resting on the back of Draco's chair.

When it was time to go, Harry helped Draco into his coat and bid all of the former Slytherins goodbye as he wrapped his arm through Draco's.

The bar wasn't far from Draco's but still Harry murmured, "Can I walk you?"

And Draco found himself charmed into saying yes.

Harry hummed, quiet now that all of Draco's friends were gone, but he still kept his arm looped through Draco's as they walked. When they arrived at Draco's front door Harry asked, "Everything alright?"

Draco's eyes snapped to his and he nodded, "I just can't believe how well they took to you."

He shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and grinned up at Draco from the bottom step, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Well, I can be very charming, what can I say?"

"It's a little strange-" Draco started but Harry leaned in and pressed a kiss to the corner of Draco's mouth and every word that Draco knew disappeared.

"Don't overthink it," he said with a wink. Then he turned and started off down the sidewalk calling, "See you tomorrow," over his shoulder.

Draco was half way to bed before he realized that there was no one watching when Harry kissed him on his door step.

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

They spent the next two weeks fake dating and it was the best dating experience Draco had ever had. Harry was sweet and doting, just like Draco had said he wanted and Draco enjoyed that thoroughly.

But what he hadn't expected enjoying as much as he did was being good to Harry in return. While Draco loved to be praised and brought little treats, Harry loved to be touched. He melted when Draco ran his fingers through his hair; when Draco held his hand, he got a huge dopey grin on his face that took hours to disappear; and even a casual touch, fingers trailing over the small of his back when Draco walked by, made his lips twitch up as he leaned into the touch.

Draco was quickly, and disconcertingly, becoming addicted to those smiles.

Smiles were in short supply that day, though. The case they'd worked had been tough. Harry was scowling at the folder splayed out in front of him, his jaw clenched as he filled in paperwork.

"Hey," Draco murmured as he slipped behind him and slowly rubbed Harry's shoulders.

Harry dropped his quill and leaned back into the touch, "Hey," he murmured, closing his eyes.

"Alright?" Draco asked.

He nodded, "I just hate the ones with kids."

"They're going to be alright, though," he said.

"Yeah," he agreed, "But it just brings up bad memories." He shook his head and covered Draco's hand with his own. "Want to get out of here?"

"What did you have in mind?" he asked as he combed his fingers through Harry's soft curls.

Harry tipped his head back to look up at Draco, "this is nice," he said softly. "Want to go back to mine and I'll make you dinner? Then I'll lay with my head on your lap and you can stroke my hair?" he asked wistfully and Draco's heart stuttered in his chest.

"That sounds an awful lot like dating."

"Yeah," Harry affirmed.

"But there's no one there-"

Harry pulled away, breaking Draco's contact with him, "You're right," he said, nodding as he stood up and started shoving files into his bag. "Forget it."

"Harry-"

"No, it's fine," he said, giving him a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You're right. I'm just," he shrugged helplessly. "Forget it," he repeated as he grabbed his bag and headed to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said.

"But-" Draco started before realizing it was useless because Harry was gone. He packed up his things and headed home, this was what he should have been worried about; pretending to be dating had been a terrible idea.

When he got home he flooed Pansy and told her everything. "And now I don't know what to do," he finished, imaging Harry at home all alone make dinner.

"You're such an idiot," Pansy groaned.

"Excuse me?"

She rolled her eyes. "You do know that we all knew you thought it was fake, don't you."

"What?"

"We all knew. Potter told us that first night when we met up for drinks," she said.

He frowned, "Why? Why would he say that? And why haven't you said anything?"

"Because he asked us not to. He said he was really into you, or whatever," she said flippantly, "And that he thought he could win you over by showing you how great dating him could be. He begged us to play along."

He stared at her, mouth open, "He feels the same?" he breathed.

"Yeah," she said. "Obviously."

"I've got to go," he said, abruptly ending the call so he could floo to Harry's flat.

He stumbled out of the floo and immediately called for the other man, "Harry!" he shouted, heading toward the kitchen. "Harry!"

The other man's head appeared outside of the kitchen doorway, "Draco?" he asked as though he couldn't believe his ears.

Draco took one look at him and then closed the gap between them in three steps before wrapping his arms around him and kissing him.

Harry dropped whatever he'd been holding and it shattered at their feet but Draco didn't care because he was kissing Harry Potter and that was all that mattered at the moment. He poured his heart and soul into the kiss and Harry met him with the same.

"Me too," he gasped when he pulled back.

"What?" Harry asked, looking a bit dazed and Draco could hardly blame him.

"I'm into you too," he said. "Or whatever you said to Pansy that first night."

"I told them I was in love with you," he confessed. "You still want to own that?"

He nodded and threw himself at Harry again, kissing him and wrapping his arms tight around his neck.

The next time they parted Harry asked hopefully, "So, do you want to stay for dinner?"

"How about I stay forever?" he asked, grinning wide at the other man.

He nodded, "Even better."

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

Day 126: Arranged Marriage | Day 128: Snake