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crowsnests · 3 years

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taste of certainty - part two

Fandom: The Arcana Pairing: Julian Devorak x OC Apprentice (Syran Elkas) Tags: friends to lovers; modern times au; friend group dynamic; slow burn; pining; really just Julian being Julian and Syran being Oblivious Words: 6034 Warnings: mention of anxiety, migraines, insomnia, alcohol

part 1 2 3 4 5

playlist

I know that it can take me even deeper if I let it But my limbs are trying to swim away

- trust; half-alive

II. beach fire sparks

The car ride is mostly quiet, Nadia and Pasha sit at the front, humming along to the songs Pasha puts on– clearly some sort of playlist made just for the two of them. Syran looks out the window, buildings and lights passing by. The sound of Ilya’s voice doesn’t want to leave her mind.

Syran suddenly feels watched, so she pries away from the window, noticing how Pasha is leaning over the passenger seat to look at her.

“What?” Syran asks.

Nadia glances at her from the rearview mirror.

Pasha smiles, sly. “You know what.”

Syran thinks she does, but– she’s gonna pretend like she doesn’t. Mostly because she really doesn’t want to know what.

She shrugs, “I don't.”

Most of the time, if she focuses, Syran can be a good liar. She hopes to channel her talent right now, although she knows that sometimes Pasha has the ability to see through her.

“You really really don’t?” Pasha insists, smile getting wider.

Syran narrows her eyes, “You’re mad at me for the pizza choice?”

Pasha sighs, clearly impatient to Syran’s stubbornness.

“No! You and my brother!” She groans. “You got all cosy, and Ilya was all like ohhh hello and you were like oh shit, oh my god!!” She tries to imitate the two of them by changing her pitch. Badly. “Like, come on, just date already!”

“Wh– what?” Syran is a good liar, but hearing Pasha talk so earnestly about– whatever’s between her and Ilya is– weird.

“There’s no–” Syran swallows, trying to get her tone back to normal. “What do you mean? I’ve fallen asleep near you guys before– I mean. I just didn’t expect it to happen, this time. Why would we date? We’re friends.”

Please stop, please stop. She thinks.

Pasha furrows her brow. “Friends, huh? I mean, yes. You are friends. But mayyybe you could be friends that smooch.”

Nadia reaches to put a hand on Pasha’s thigh. Pasha turns to her for a second. “What? You know I’m right.”

“Your truth doesn’t mean it’s also Syran’s truth, babe.” Nadia’s tone is gentle, but she gives Syran an understanding look from the rearview mirror– Pasha doesn’t seem to notice.

Syran feels incredibly relieved. She is grateful to Nadia for bailing her out of this conversation.

“Yeah, my truth is very different from– whatever it is you think. Ilya and I are friends and we don’t– s– smooch.” Ah, she really wishes she didn’t say that last part.

Pasha narrows her eyes one more time. “Ugh, whatever,” she huffs, turning to sit properly, facing forward. “I just think you would be really good for my brother. He needs someone as nice as you.” She mutters, clearly more serious this time.

Syran can’t help but widen her eyes at that, flattered. She tries to ignore the heat on her cheeks, though.

“W–well, thank you, but there’s nothing like that between us.” Syran is trying to convince herself more than Pasha. Nadia throws her one last look from the mirror and she knows she’s caught on more than Syran would like.

As soon as Syran gets back home, a lazy meow greets her at the door. Her cat, Persephone, bumps her head against her calf. Syran reaches down to pick her up and scratch behind her ears.

“Hello, cutie, hope you didn’t feel too lonely today,” Syran plants a kiss on top of Persephone’s head. She lazily meows as a reply, in between all the purring.

The apartment is quiet besides that. Without Ran’s excited laugh and warm presence, the atmosphere in the house feels wrong.

Once Syran’s in her room and changed into comfortable clothes, all the embarrassment catches up to her as soon as she sits on the bed. She stares at the window for a second, then the thought of Ilya makes her want to hide herself further in bed and scream into a pillow, like she’s fifteen again and her emotions are all over the place.

Well, the latter is definitely true.

Persephone lays down beside her, kneading on the duvet until she finds a comfortable spot.

Just when she’s done strangling her pillow, Syran’s phone rings with the sound of a text.

from: dumbsra - 21:03

goodmorning (.❛ ᴗ ❛.)

Syran groans. She wants to punch him. She knows exactly what he’s referencing, but she is not going to fall for it.

to: dumbsra - 21:04

It’s nine pm

from: dumbsra - 21:04

Oh, i know (.❛ ᴗ ❛.)

to: dumbsra - 21:05

good to know you can read a clock, then

from: dumbsra - 21:07

I’m just saying, you looked like you were really comfortable tonight (.❛ ᴗ ❛.) (－ω－) zzZ (¬‿¬ ) °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°( ´ ▽ ` ).｡♡(„ಡωಡ„)

Fucking idiot. What is she even supposed to reply to that? Fuck you, would be appropriate, but she knows that it will give him more ground to make dumb jokes.

Why is everyone onto her?

to: dumbsra - 21:08

we need to discuss the way you use emojis, honestly, it’s a problem

from: dumbsra - 21:09

Ignore my words all you want, you know i can read your mind (つ✧ω✧)つ :｡･:*:･ﾟ’★,｡･:*:･ﾟ’☆

to: dumbsra - 21:10

then i’m sure you know what i’m thinking right now

from: dumbsra - 21:10

that you should ask Ilya out on a date?

(☞°ヮ°)☞ ☜(°ヮ°☜)

to: dumbsra - 21:12

No, that i stole your favourite shirt once and i will do it again

Goodnight! ( ◡‿◡ )

from: dumbsra - 21:12

ヽ(°〇°)ﾉ don’t you dare

Syran puts her phone down, stopping herself from answering more. She hears it vibrate a couple times, definitely Asra complaining about being left on seen, but she doesn’t care right now.

She turns to her cat, who looks up at her, languidly, “At least you’re on my side, right, Persie?”

Persephone just yawns and goes back to napping.

Syran sighs. All she wants to do is get ready for bed and not think about Ilya’s comforting presence.

🂱

When she arrives at the park entrance, their designated meeting spot for the winter fair, there’s enough people around for Syran to not find her friends immediately. That’s until she spots a tall figure on the side of the entrance.

“Muriel!” She calls, waving towards him.

When she reaches him, breath forming little clouds of vapor, Muriel smiles down at her, “Hey, Syran.”

Muriel is wearing dark green gloves that Syran remembers getting him a few birthdays ago. “Aww, you still wear them?”

Muriel nods, “They’re warm.”

“Hello babe,” Asra pops up from beside him and beams at her, all bundled up in a puffy jacket and bright teal beanie.

“Hey handsome,” she teases back, hugging him briefly. “Where are the others?”

“Pasha and Nadia should be here soon, Ilya is– somewhere.”

Syran blinks. Ilya can be late sometimes but he lives with the two of them, so– “Didn’t he come with you guys?”

“Yeah, then he forgot his wallet in the car,” Asra rolls his eyes.

Syran laughs at the thought of Ilya scrambling to get back to the car and looking for his wallet.

Idiot.

She realises she’s said it out loud when Asra throws her a look. She tries to hide her face in her scarf.

Ugh, does he have nothing else to think about?

“Hey!” Someone exclaims from behind them just then, saving her from any comments Asra might make. “Found it!”

Except that someone is Ilya, waving at them and running, dark crimson scarf coming loose to show his neck.

For fuck’s sake, she can’t catch a break. He looks handsome as always.

“Oh– hey Syran,” he comes to a halt right in front of her, surprised, as if he hadn’t seen her before. To be fair, she’s only the second shortest of the group (first being Pasha by an inch or so, thankfully), so maybe he really didn’t see her. Then, he smiles and Syran wishes her scarf was big enough to become a cocoon for her to hide in.

She’s fine. She’s okay.

( “I don’t have a crush!” she told Ran over the phone last night, after recounting the events of the evening. “That’s ridiculous. Ilya’s been my friend for a long time. He’s just– nice, okay?”

“Of course he’s nice, wasn’t he nice before?” Ran laughed. “Feelings can evolve, you know?”

“No– no– he was.” Syran huffed. “It’s nothing, okay? I’m just– I’m just tired, all these years I’ve been fine, so I’m fine now too.”

She could almost see Ran raising her eyebrow at her, “Really?”

“Yes, really,” Syran insisted. “I know very well what a crush feels like. Whatever I feel for Ilya is– not a crush. It’s fondness, friendship. Not– anything else.”

Ran sighed, surrendering. “Whatever you say, Elkas.” )

Ilya’s eyes are so hard to look away from, but Syran finds the strength to put her hands in her pockets and stare at her boots. Pretty safe defense mechanism, if you ask her.

“So, what’s the plan?” Ilya asks the group.

“Well, I assume since you found your wallet you’re going to pay for everyone?” Asra smirks.

Ilya scoffs, “You still owe me money for that dinner we had, Asra.”

“I paid you back!”

“A mug you shoplifted isn’t exactly the same,” Ilya retorts.

“It’s a beautiful mug and It reminded me of you! Isn’t the thought that counts?”

“It literally says World’s Worst Doctor, you little shit–”

“You still use it though!”

Muriel and Syran exchange a sympathetic smile, knowing very well the bickering between the two can be neverending. This argument comes up at least once a week.

Thankfully, Nadia and Pasha join them, interrupting the discussion.

“Market time!” Pasha exclaims as she runs for the entrance, Nadia and Ilya in tow.

They enter the park, all decorated, pretty lights illuminating everyone’s stunned faces.

They’ve been here before, when they put it up, but they have changed some of the stalls since– regardless, it’s always a fun night for them. The little wooden cabins sell all sorts of things. People crowd them, looking at the different displays.

Syran drifts towards one that sells honey from a small independent company. She and Asra sample some of it, while the others spread over the displays around them. Pasha buys a scented candle, Nadia some golden handmade earrings, Asra decides to get yet another set of incense, and Muriel takes a liking to a little hand-carved wolf sculpture.

Syran finds herself by a stall that sells minerals and crystals, all neatly separated by wooden boxes. She recognises some of her favourites: lepidolite, chrysocolla, black opal, agate. The stall owner smiles at her, reassuring her that she can look at them closely.

She picks up a lepidolite rock, looking at how the light reflects on the coarse lilac surface.

“Anything interesting?” A voice comes up behind her, startles her enough for her to almost drop the crystal.

She takes a second to regain her thoughts, still recovering from the small jumpscare. Ilya curiously inspects the display, like he didn’t just give her a mild heart attack.

“These are cool! Do you collect them?” He asks, leaning closer to look at some tiger’s eye.

“More or less,” Syran nods. “I’ve always liked to, since I was a kid.”

Ilya turns to her, grin on his face. “Aww, baby Syran playing with rocks!”

She rolls her eyes but not without a smile, “They are pretty rocks!”

Ilya laughs, then nods. “Yeah, I guess they are.”

Syran stares at him for a second, both of them just standing there as she still holds the lepidolite.

It’s not a crush.

Ilya turns back to the crystals, suddenly averting her gaze. “So, uhm– they all have meanings, right?” He points at the display with his gloved hand.

“Yeah, each has its proprieties– people use them for meditation, or for healing, things like that.”

Ilya looks up at her again, brows knotted. “You believe in that stuff?”

Syran shrugs, “I mean– I like the idea that something can help you find whatever strength or energy you need. Quartz gives you clarity, agate helps with stability, amethyst with intuition– you know, they’re quite empowering.”

“Still, why rely on something external to bring you those things?” He tilts his head, like he’s genuinely trying to understand, albeit a bit skeptical. “How can a stone give you that?”

Syran can’t help but chuckle. “Guess you could think like that. But they're supposed to help you find that in yourself, to bring it out. At least in my opinion.” She looks at the display again. “Plus, why not? If it helps somebody feel better, why take that away?”

She feels Ilya’s gaze on her for a second, before he turns to look up at the rest of the display. “Mh, that’s a nice take.”

Syran side eyes him. “Ah, men of science,” She sighs.

Ilya laughs. “Don’t you have a degree in biology? And– what’s that supposed to mean?”

She shakes her head, picking up another crystal to look at it. Citrine. “Nothing, just– people in your field are often cynical of stuff like this.”

“Are you calling me closed-minded?” Ilya sounds offended, but it takes Syran one look to know that he’s joking.

“Mh– you said that, not me,” she teases.

Ilya smirks. “Okay, what does this one mean, then?” He picks out a random crystal and shows it to her with childlike gall. Syran looks at it. Moonstone.

Oh, great.

“Uh– it’s about hidden feelings? Helps to heal relationships and opening up– yeah. I mean, it’s written on the paper there.” She vaguely points at the box where the moonstones are, turning away from him. She doesn’t need to tell him everything about it.

Ilya laughs, then delicately puts the stone back. “Well, okay, okay.”

A man steps up to the display right by Ilya, trying to look at the rocks in front of him. Startled, Ilya steps closer towards Syran, apologising to the man.

She sighs, small and imperceptible, because of course he had to get even closer.

Syran moves her gaze to look at the necklaces at the back, pendants made with various crystals. There’s an aquamarine one, calming blue and really pretty.

“What is it?” Julian is so close he’s basically whispering in her ear.

“Huh?” She doesn’t dare look towards him.

“Which one are you looking at?”

“Oh, that one–” She points at it. “The light blue one.”

“What’s that?”

“Aquamarine I think– uh, it’s connected to water. Healing, moving on. Stuff like that.”

Ilya hums. “Looks nice. It suits you.”

“Uh, I do–”

Syran gets interrupted when someone pats her hard on the shoulder, startling her. Again. Ilya seems to feel the same.

“We thought we’d lost you guys!” Pasha’s voice doesn’t sound reprimanding, rather she has a wide smile on her face when they turn to her. Behind her, there’s only Muriel, piercing eyes on them.

“Where are the others?” Ilya asks.

“Nadi’s already at the skating rink with Asra,” Pasha grins. “So you better get going.”

Ilya gasps. “That’s cheating!”

He darts away towards the rink, Pasha hot on his tail, taunting him with predictions of his downfall.

Syran can’t help but laugh. She and Muriel fall behind, taking their time to reach the others.

“That’s nice to see,” Muriel says, breaking the silence.

“What is?” Syran turns her head up to look at him.

“The two of them– being on good terms.”

“Were they– not?” Syran asks, brows knotted.

“Well– ah, it’s a long story. Probably not my place to tell.” Muriel shakes his head. “Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“No, that’s okay. You don’t have to tell me.” She smiles, understanding. She can’t say she’s not surprised at the news, though. Ilya and Pasha seem to be really close, it’s hard to imagine them anything but.

Muriel smiles back, puts his hands in the pockets on his coat, shoulders rising up a little. “Yeah, I just– I wonder how it is. To have siblings.”

Right.

Muriel is an only child and he was raised by his grandma. Syran doesn’t know much about his life growing up, she’s always assumed he never wanted to talk about it.

She wonders if maybe he just never felt like anyone wanted to listen. That’s the case for her, anyway.

“It depends, I guess,” Syran says. “Everyone’s got their story.”

Muriel nods. “Yeah– do you– I mean, maybe I don’t remember but– do you have siblings?”

She thinks of her little sister back at home with her mother. Growing up without a second parent and having to mature early to help around the house, Syran never had the chance to get close to her sibling.

“I do. A younger sister, but–” Syran looks ahead as the skating rink comes into view. “We’re not like them. I rarely hear from her now. I don’t think she likes me very much. I mostly find out what she’s up to through my mother, so. Yeah.” She sighs. “Yvaine has always been a mystery to me.”

Muriel stops as they reach the edge of the skating rink. “Guess you can’t choose family,” he sighs.

“Guess not,” Syran smiles, bitterly. Then she looks up at Muriel again. “But hey, that’s okay. You got something better.”

Muriel frowns, looking at her with confusion. “Huh?”

She grins. “You got us.”

Muriel takes a second, blinks once.

Then he starts laughing. It rises slowly, his eyes crinkle up and his smile grows wide. He reaches out to ruffle Syran’s hair, affectionately. She’d complain, usually, but she can only laugh with him.

“Yeah– I do. We all got each other,” He says.

Then, Asra calls to them from inside the skating rink, leaning on the edge. “Hey, you two! Stop wasting time!”

🂱

Syran hasn’t skated in a while, but she quickly gets the hang of it again. She and Muriel seem to be the ones struggling the most, though. It takes a bit, but once she finds her pace, she starts going around the rink with more confidence, running into her friends now and then, sharing laughter, and throwing playful jabs at each other.

“You’re not that bad!” Ilya says as he comes up to her, starts skating by her side.

She shakes her head with a smile, “Please, I almost broke my spine earlier.”

“Not your most graceful moment, I’ll admit,” He teases.

“Hey, you’re supposed to support me!” She tries to playfully swat at his arm but ends up losing balance instead. Just when she thinks she’s going to fall on her face again, Ilya holds her steady. Close to him.

Too close, once again.

She can smell the musk of his perfume, she wonders if he can hear her beating heart.

It’s not a crush.

“Thank you,” She utters up at Ilya, words coming out in a puff of vapor.

“It’s okay,” Ilya smiles, still holding her. “Anytime.”

She looks away. “Hopefully not, I’d rather not risk falling again.” Syran laughs, still feeling the pain on her buttcheek from the last time she fell.

“Well, yeah.” Ilya laughs back.

Then it’s like he realises he’s still holding her, and– she remembers it, too. He slowly pulls away from her as she stands properly again. “Uh, hey, by the way–”

Asra skates up to them just then, interrupting Ilya. “You losers been still for too long, stop blocking the path!”

Syran gapes at him. “I wasn’t aware there was an ice skating police?”

Asra huffs, “There is one now! Move!” He goes to push her, but she slinks away with a laugh. He starts chasing her and Ilya yells back at them.

“Am I off the hook, then?”

Asra follows Syran, trying to get her, although he stumbles here and there. Differently from Syran, he finds his balance again quickly, laughing in glee.

It lasts only a moment, but she meets her gaze with Ilya’s across the rink. Wasn’t he saying something?

But before she can think about it Asra takes Syran for a spin, makes her twirl, holds her hand. It’s fun like this, and they properly start skating together. They enjoy their time and joke around– and sometimes still fall on their asses.

It’s great, but it starts to get a little taxing for her. “I think I’m done for now,” Syran heaves when they come to a halt in a corner of the rink, leaning onto the rail.

“What, giving up already?” Asra pouts.

“My face is going numb.” She puts her gloved hands on her cheeks, but it doesn’t help much– they’re all wet from falling on the ice.

Nadia comes up to them, perfect form and game face on her features. “Quitting so soon? You guys are hopeless.”

“Uh, excuse me?” Asra glares back. “We don’t claim to be professionals.”

“Not all of us see this as a competition, Nadi,” Syran smirks. Nadia almost looks insulted, but it’s all for show.

“Is that a challenge?”

“It really isn’t,” Syran laughs. Then, she notices Ilya coming their way. “Plus, looks like you’ve got your hands full already.”

Nadia turns just as Ilya catches up to them, breath heavy and hands on his hips. “What’s up Satrinava, ready to resign?”

“In your dreams, Devorak.” She glares. “Next one to touch the rail is out.”

Ilya squints at her. “You’re on.”

Syran smiles as they go off, skating away in the midst of the other people. Both of them look effortless, although Nadia is something else completely. She twirls and jumps, dares Ilya to do the same. He tries, but it’s not as graceful.

This is Nadia Satrinava we’re talking about, after all.

Eventually, Syran steps off the rink, finding Muriel already leaning outside by the rail, chatting to Pasha who’s still inside. They’re both acting like there’s no chaos generated by the others on the rink

“Done?” Pasha asks when Syran walks up to them, still feeling a little weird from having her feet back on normal ground.

“Yeah– it’s all fun and games until you get bruises everywhere.”

Muriel laughs, “Couldn’t agree more.”

“Aw, you guys need to believe in yourselves a little! The more you try the better you get!” Pasha’s encouraging words are sweet. “Plus, if Ilya can do it without making a complete fool of himself, so can you.”

“I don’t know, he seems to be struggling a little,” Muriel hums, nodding towards the others.

Pasha turns and Syran can see that Ilya looks definitely more tired than Nadia. There’s still resolve on his face, she can see it more clearly as they slowly approach their side of the rink.

“Go babe, show him how it’s done!” Pasha starts cheering.

A second before Nadia passes by them, she winks at Pasha and sends her a kiss, effortless and elegant. Ilya, hot on her tail, just sneers at his sister, raising up his middle finger. She gives back just as much.

“He’s gonna go down,” Pasha mutters. Then she turns to them. “Gonna do a few more rounds and see if Asra wants to do some stunts. See ya later!” She waves just before skating off.

Once again, Syran and Muriel are left alone, fondly smiling at their friends.

“This is quite the show, I have to admit,” Syran laughs. “Cheering from the sidelines.”

“Mh, I think no one is rooting for Ilya, though.” Muriel says.

Syran realises that’s kinda true. “Oops– well, hey. Maybe I’ll cheer for the both of them.”

Muriel side eyes her. “Mh. No preference at all?”

“Uh, yeah, I mean. We all know how Nadia can get, so I kinda feel bad for Ilya.” She chuckles, looking at Nadia as she expertly swings past a few surprised people, skating backwards to laugh at Ilya.

“Right,” Muriel says under his breath. Syran feels his eyes on her, so she turns back to him.

“What?”

For a second there’s a small smirk on his face, but then Muriel shrugs and turns back to the skating rink. “Nothing.”

Syran narrows her eyes, kinda weirded out.

Muriel is not the type to beat around the bush, he’ll usually say what he thinks and with as few words as possible, so it takes Syran a little by surprise.

“Not convincing.”

He huffs a laugh, ruffles Syran’s hair again. This time she pouts up at him. “Don’t worry ‘bout it.”

“You’re being weird,” Syran turns towards the rink as she adjusts her hair. “What about you, big guy? Any bets?”

“Oh, hundred percent Nadia. Pasha and I have some sort of bingo going on, though.” Muriel laughs again.

“Bingo?”

“Yeah, like everytime Nadia flips Ilya off, everytime Ilya apologises to someone for almost bumping into them, everytime Nadia winks at Pasha, stuff like that. Winner gets fifty bucks.”

“You guys are ruthless.”

Muriel smirks, “Maybe.”

“What’s the criteria for this competition anyway? It’s like they just make up rules on the spot.”

Syran says, a little confused. It just looks like a weird version of tag where insulting shouts are thrown across the rink as the other patrons turn around in shock.

“I’m not sure. I’m not even sure they know,” Muriel shrugs. “Ilya looks pretty confident, though.”

And yet, no more than a minute later, Ilya stumbles on his feet and spins around, trying really hard to stay up on his own. However, he puts a little too much energy in his step and that makes him haphazardly skate his way towards where Muriel and Syran are.

“Oh no–” Syran starts.

“Shit, fuck–” Ilya comes to a halt right in front of them, hands on the rail and torso leaning forward. His chin is just a few inches to the left of Syran’s cheek. “Uh– hey.” He says with a side glance.

“H– hey.” Syran answers. It’s okay, her heart is doing absolutely nothing right now. She’s not mad at the universe at all.

He really has a nice perfume.

Ilya slowly gets back up, smiling awkwardly at her. “Sorry ‘bout that.” Then, pushes himself off the rail, looking at his hands with eyes wide. “Oh no. Shit. Did Nadia see that?”

Muriel raises an eyebrow. “I think everybody did.”

As if on queue, cheers of victory rise from behind Ilya, making him wince. Pasha kisses Nadia and Asra claps vehemently– then, they all start skating towards them, clearly enjoying Ilya’s demise.

“You owe me a drink, Devorak. Again.” Nadia beams when she reaches the rail. Ilya just side-eyes her.

“Whatever. You got lucky.”

🂱

They end up in the big cabin by the rink that houses a cafè/pub. Warm drinks in hand and sitting by the fire, all of their frozen nerves from the ice skating start to melt.

It’s cozy and comforting, a nice relief for Syran after the cold of the ice rink. All of them are chatting and teasing Ilya for his loss. He laughs with them, but eventually they start reassuring him too, even Nadia, saying that he wasn’t that bad, after all.

Syran decides to buy him mulled wine, served in a ceramic mug with some cheesy winter phrase printed on.

“Consolation prize!” She cheers, coming back from the bar.

“Oh my, this is such a beautiful gift Syran,” Ilya says, theatrically. “I shall cherish it with all my heart, thank you.” He mock cries, playfully dabbing at nonexistent tears under his eyes.

Syran laughs under her breath as she sits back next to Asra, rolling his eyes.

The patrons around them die out and Ilya excuses himself to the bathroom. The moment he leaves, Pasha cozies up to Nadia, the two discussing the victory again. They all chat a bit, Pasha making fun of Asra’s odd faces while skating. Then, a moment of comfortable silence between all of them.

Asra’s eyes are immediately on her.

“What?” Syran wonders, feeling put on the spot.

“Nothing,” Asra smiles. It’s his coy smile that says everything and nothing. She has the urge to punch it off his smug face.

Syran decides to ignore him.

“So, Muriel, how’s the bingo going?” She asks him.

“Oh, I’m winning.”

He exchanges a glance with Asra, the two of them almost communicating telepathically.

“Ok, now I feel like there’s something here.”

“I don’t know, is there?” Pasha asks.

“Yeah, is there?” Asra adds.

“Could you stop being a gemini for half a second?”

Muriel laughs at Syran’s joke, but she keeps a serious face.

“Aw, I love you.” Asra side-hugs her, trying to diffuse the situation. “Also no, I can’t. Just like you can’t stop looking at Ilya like that.”

“I don’t–”

“Who’s looking like what?” Ilya is back from the bathroom, and he slowly sits down back in his chair, perfectly arched eyebrows raised.

“You, like an idiot on the rink! Ha!” Asra immediately changes the topic, leaving Syran hanging. She won’t forget, not this time.

Muriel sips his wine, side eyeing them. There’s another sly motherfucker.

Just as it arrived, however, the weird mood is gone, and all is back to normal. Once again Syran finds herself being grateful for her friends. No matter how tough things get, she knows they will be all there for each other.

Even though they are most definitely hiding things from her.

🂱

Syran’s Sundays mostly consist of catching up on shows, cuddling with Persephone, taking time to cook meals she loves, and doing some grocery shopping. She also takes care of her plants and, sometimes, gets a headstart on work.

Asra calls her boring, but she finds peace in it. It’s not that she doesn’t like going out, she loves a good party every now and then, but there’s a different kind of pleasure in taking care of the small things. Plus, now that she’s got the apartment to herself for the week, she can play loud music and karaoke as much as she wants.

Really, it’s a blast.

When her phone rings in the middle of the day, just as she’s moving her big potus out of the sun, she groans. Her hands are full, so she shifts the big pot in one arm and lodges her phone between her head and shoulder without checking– she expects Asra to be calling her to continue their previous text conversation. She has not let go of what he said at the Winter Market.

“For the millionth time, it’s not what you think!”

“Oh, it isn’t?” A deep chuckle resonates from the other side of the phone.

Shit.

“Oh– fuck– uh, thought you were Asra– ah, I mean– hi, Ilya.”

“Hi, Syran,” He laughs, all throathy and low. Ugh. “Am I bothering you?”

“No, not at all– just taking care of my plants– uh, give me a second.” She puts the potus on the kitchen counter, grabbing the phone before it slides down her neck.

“Okay, all set, what’s up?” She tries to act nonchalant. Well, she is nonchalant. This is just Ilya, after all. Her good friend, Ilya. Yep. Nothing to worry about.

“Well, as you know, Pasha’s birthday is coming up soon,” he starts.

“Oh, yeah, right! Damn, I almost forgot.”

Ilya laughs. “Me too, to be honest.”

Syran can’t help but chuckle too, then gasp dramatically. “Why, your own sister?”

“Shh– don’t tell her or she’ll kill me. I’ve been very busy with my research, ‘kay?” He sounds solemn, but she can tell he’s smiling.

“All right, I’ll cover for you– if you buy me a coffee,” She laughs.

A little voice in her head asks where is this confidence coming from anyway?

Then again, this is just Ilya.

“Deal,” he answers.

Ilya, who’s now just being quiet on the other side of the line. “Sooo, why are you calling me?” Syran asks, tapping her fingers on her kitchen counter.

“Oh, right, well– Okay, so. Well, I don’t know what present to get Pasha. I know it sounds lame, but I genuinely have no idea what she might want this year.”

Syran stops for a second, thinking of Pasha and what she’s like. She likes plants, but she’s got plenty of those. She likes pretty clothes and cute shoes, but those would be hard to get right. Syran finds herself coming up short of a sure answer.

“I see– have you asked Nadia?”

“I tried, but she replied with something vague, and then got competitive because she is going to get the best present anyway, or something.”

His answer makes her laugh again. Of course: Nadia is extremely kind, gentle, and helpful– except when she decides to win against everyone else.

“I assume the others weren’t much help either?”

Ilya sighs, “Well, Muriel just shrugged and pointed out that she likes flowers, Asra suggested a glow in the dark lava lamp, so– yeah, no.”

“So, I guess now it’s my turn to give advice?” Syran chuckles, padding to the other side of the kitchen, where Persephone is lounging in the sun. She scratches her fur.

“More or less,” Ilya trails off.

“Huh?”

“Well, I was– uh, I was wondering if you could come with me. To get her the present? Really I don’t know if you’ve already picked something, but. Uhh– maybe we could work on it together? Since you know her well, and all? And I’ll get you that coffee, too.” He huffs a laugh, almost nervous.

A day going around shops with Ilya? Just the two of them? That’s fine, Syran’s fine, it’s no big deal at all.

“She’s your sister, Ilya,” she can’t help but tease him a bit. “I’m sure you know her well, too.”

“Yeah, I know she’s my sister.” He scoffs, fake annoyed, “But– I mean, yeah, I kind of know what she likes– but every year is hard, and I’m not the best at presents– and you seem to be great at it, so–” He trails off.

Syran listens, trying to figure out where this is really going. If she were actually great at presents, she would know what to get Pasha in a heartbeat. But, regardless, she likes to think she’s got a good eye.

She doesn’t know whether to stop him and reassure him or let him talk. But before she can decide, Ilya continues.

“And. Uh. This year she’s throwing this big themed party, too, and it’s the first time I get to meet all her friends, n’stuff. I don’t even know what to wear–” He sounds really concerned. “Truthfully, I just want to make her happy. I feel like the last two years I didn’t do great, so. Yeah.” He sighs. “And– and, I don’t want to lose to Nadia, either.” He ends it like he’s confessing a deep, dark secret.

It makes Syran laugh, thinking him cute for worrying about his sister so much.

Then, she swats away the idea of Ilya and the word cute in the same sentence.

“I’m sure she’ll be happy whatever you get her, Ilya,” Syran smiles, hoping to reassure him. Persephone turns to expose her belly, meowing coyly. “Don’t stress yourself so much, you clearly care a lot and that’s enough to make a good present.”

“Thank you, uh. That’s. That’s nice of you to say.” He mutters, and Syran thinks she can feel him be a little relieved.

“Just saying the truth,” she wishes the smile on her face wasn’t so goddamn insistent. She and Ilya have this sort of mutual understanding, where not many words are needed to guess how the other’s feeling. Well, most of the time. Still, she lately realised how surprisingly similar they are.

And yeah, recently Syran has been feeling a different kind of pull towards Ilya, but she doesn’t need to think about that. She’ll be dead before she catches anyone thinking him cute anyway.

“So…” Ilya starts then, shaking Syran from her thoughts. “Is that a no? On the– uh, present hunting?”

“What– no, it’s a yes, I mean, yeah, no, I’ll come!” Syran replies before thinking, surprised, and a little too eager.

Fuck. She takes a deep breath.

“What I mean is: I’d be more than happy to help you pick a gift. I need to get one myself, anyway.”

“Ah, that’s great,” He exhales, clearly relieved. Then, he seems to regain his composure. “Are you free on Wednesday?”

#an writes #julianxapprentice #julianxsyran #Syran Elkas #Julian Devorak #modern au #the arcana fic #ilya devorak #asra alnazar #muriel #nadia satrinava #pasha devorak #the arcana #part 2 #ilya x apprentice #fic writing #things are gettin spicy and syran is not getting it #apologies #my daughter is dumb

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deuce-duce · 3 years

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Am I...?? (Inwardly GASPS)!! Which Part...??

Today is March 2nd 2021 and I got my puter back and went to look at what I had last written on December 16th 2020. When I opened the file, it had been changed… dates had been obscured and certain things had been reworded… So… I have decided to go back through all of my previous posts to ensure the integrity of what I am writing stays that way! During this process I will be putting together a collection of my favorite quotes and post fragments. Which I will dub Rock and Roll’s Greatest Hits, if you live near me go buy airhorns Ill tell you why, When the greatest hits album comes out. What your about to read is primarily from Dec. 16th with a few changes or should I say… restorations?? Probably a little of both to be honest. Everything is still as it happened, I just add better descriptive words and fine tune the analogies so that they are easier to digest… My English teacher always told me that was what I was good at! Along with many others… who have said the same… not only do I understand it… I’m able to explain it in a way that others understand as well. ENJOY

On the seventh of December I woke up not too sure if something had occurred that night or not… as I have mentioned before they use a numbing agent that basically masks the pain until it wears off approximately 12 hours later… When I a woke on this day I was having moments of clarity and for some reason just couldn’t keep them to myself. talking to one of the staff members of the homeless shelter I expressed my destiny that I actually had one, that was going to bring me to greatness… then out of nowhere I just blurted out there is going to be a power shift!!!! And at that very moment I couldn’t believe what it was that had just come out of my mouth. I didn’t even believe it at first because the guy at the desk was like IDK… about… that… but when I went back into my room, the look on my roommate’s face said it all!! It seems as though those who pull strings and orchestrate a lot of this… put all of their eggs into one basket. I don’t know exactly what the terms of thee bet were but I’m assuming it had/has something to do with me not being able to control my compulsivity associated with my dissociation. Unfortunately for them I made a deal with God. It was while I was on quarantine and even though I was in a basement all by myself people kept F$%^&*!> with me. This is when I prayed stating that I would not falter, for my body his temple his craft and his glory. that I need to take care of myself and my destiny, for it is in his hands and I won’t let my selfishness or imperfections stop him from fulfilling his plan. Over and over again I have cried and cried about how fundamental and powerful this is all going to be. EFFIN CRAZY!! And now that I know without anyone telling me and it literally being given to me somehow is what is freaking everybody out. How do I know or how the hell did I figure it out!! I really couldn’t tell you and the only thing that is possible is that our Creator endowed me with such responsibility. Crazy!! (this was before I considered the probability of God being a woman, A mother, A Lover)

Low and behold one of my favorite artists Mr. Kid, Maniac, Rager, Wizard, Pursuer of Happiness Cudi dropped a new album entitled Man on the MOON Three. Ill have to say it’s a wonderfully made album! The album delves deep into who Scott is… I know the Fans are going to love it.

Rewind a little bit sorry for my hiatus just needed to stay focused and well as your aware have been led here not by accident and had some things that I needed to take care of before I started writing again. Not to mention I have been dealing with a lot only to know that I am who I am for a reason Rockstar Knights off MOTM3 has a lot to say concerning who I am and what I have realized as a result to my struggle. The Song is a collab with Trippie Redd and really encapsulates so much, that its hard to describe in words.

I had a very interesting conversation with my mother the other day and came to a pretty profound thought. 1st I was telling her how I was being told that I am too….!!! Smart!! Like WTF!! REALLY!! Is that even a thing?? But I didn’t let it get to me too much as it probably is the reason I face so much adversity, No matter the community I enter into. This is how I have explained it to her and a couple other people in the community as well as the Rasta Man in the PNW. The best analogy I could present is if a plant with a fire burning so big and so hot on one side of the plant, a fire so big and hot that it probably would kill most other plants, but not this plant. This plant had sooooo much drive and will to live that instead of giving up it grew in the opposite direction of the blaze. While the roots could withstand the blazing inferno becoming one with the heat and pain Upon the journey away from the fire (society) the plant developed different characteristics colors and attributes that no other plant had. Essentially that journey completely changed that plants physiology Psychology and possible its genetic makeup altogether. Now that the plant has grown so far from the fire (Society) that its all alone. Now theres a different kind of fire where he once thought was safe. But as he grows back towards the fire to escape the new blaze (tyranny) he realizes he will never be able to be the same as the fire he grew so far away from. Now the only option the plant has with death being imminent is to grow as big and bright as quickly as possible before it is engulfed on all sides.

All this taken into account along with factoring in the two major belief structures in the world one Being Creation or Evolution (The Big BANG) this plant which has defied all odds still shines brightly displaying its colors and unique characteristics no matter how dark the room may be it still continues to bloom! Is this a Divine will and plan or are we experiencing the next step of Evolution??? My honest opinion is its both! For the mere ability to adapt and change and prevail in situations others couldn’t dream of or even have nightmares about is truly remarkable and in my eyes is an act of GOD! Just as any evolutionary step would be. The crazier part is… he has no handle!! Nothing to grab on to leaving no way for anyone to grab hold and control! AYE….

I thought this all might just be me being stubborn or simply an idiot until for some reason I opened up my meme App. Something I never open or even look at and the first thing that popped up was a picture and quote saying that many told Marilyn Monroe that she was only beautiful because of the clothes and dresses she wore. It then concluded Marilyn Monroe did a photoshoot in nothing but a burlap potato sack. The photos and the message she sent were completely opposite of that which was being said by spectators. Now!! As scrolled to the second meme I was expecting something funny!! That wasn’t the case what I saw next was the upcoming alignment of the two largest planets in the solar system Jupiter and Saturn. Not only does their alignment happen only every 20 years but the proximity of this occurrence to the earth as well as the proximity to each other hasn’t been the same for close to 800 years… What does it all mean… IDK but The Christmas Star is what their calling the alignment and if your familiar with the bible is the star that the kings, from other lands followed to bring gifts to baby JESUS! Who knows what this alignment could usher in.?

So profound thought comes to me on a daily basis now it’s so strange the way that it comes it will just be momentary thoughts that will pass through my conscience and as they go by I latch on to it delve a little deeper and experience an overwhelming amount of… IDK what to call it but it feels very powerful so much so that it brings me to tears… I don’t know exactly what the future holds but I think that is what makes this so great! I just keep my mind open Like apple IOS Systems letting everything come and go as it pleases when something goes by that strikes me, I latch on and don’t let go. Its weird how it all happens.

Steve Jobs once said that if he had never had an acid trip that he would have never of come up with the operating system for Apple and after explaining to you what I do as a spiritual and destiny seeking process I believe was his thought process as well. This in of itself is what I think they mean when they say to keep an open mind. Just so you know I didn’t come up with that little bit about the late Mr. Jobs by plan it just came to me when thinking about how to have, use and keep an open mind.

The reason I explained this to you was because this is how I Pray! After I pray I sit still with an open mind allowing multiple ideas thoughts and perspectives to pass through my brain… until like an IOS operating system, something speaks to me… when I latch on to it, focus on what it means and what it will mean… “I Get Those Goosebumps Everytime” (Goosebumps, Travis Scott, feat. Kendrick Lamar, Birds in the Trap Sing Mcknight, 2016). This is how you know! A little extra for ya, when I went to look up the info for my first Hip Hop citation it was 11:11 lol there they go again… its really a cool feeling!

Can someone tell me if that APA or MLA…?? Ya know what!! Eff IT!! None of my writing is orthodox, besides I kinda like the way I did it haha

Kid Cudi’s new video just dropped and I couldn’t be more amazed with all of the hidden messages that are in there. He is officially the man on the moon. Passion pain and demon slaying like a maniac on the pursuit of happiness. Love that DUDE!!

That’s all I got for 12-16-2020 Five More Days…

LOVE & PEACE

Songs

Heaven On Earth – Kid Cudi

Goosebumps – Travis Scott, feat. Kendrick Lamar

Dirty Heads – Sound Of Change

Just so you know the only thing I added this time other the cleaning up what I had already written was the praying part. Although I originally remember that being the purpose as to why I wrote what I did looking at it today March 2nd 2021 it wasn’t there… have a great day everyone. Ill post this on 3/3/2021

I've added parts to the story on my business cards and will leave then random places, what you do with them is up to you but I think It would be cool for those who want to stop me to have to work extra hard just like they make me!!

LOVE

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lovecomedy · 4 years

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Fanfic recommendations nobody asked for

Those are my favorite wincest fic ever, just because. They are all complete. I’ll add the summaries together with my own two cents.

Consider the Hairpin Turn by cherie_morte. 27K Words

AU of 6x22: Sam's wall has shattered and the memories in his mind have splintered. When the Sam who remembers Hell tells him to go find Jess and be happy, Sam knows he can't stay while Dean needs him. But when the Sam from Hell says that Dean is already there looking for him, Sam leaves his memories of the pit behind to find him.

What he finds is a life he doesn't remember: a house that he shares with his brother (and has for years), a law career he thought he'd left behind at Stanford, and a relationship with Dean he never dreamed he could have. Life is almost too good to be true, at least until Sam begins to hear his brother's voice calling to him, begging him to wake up.

This is my favorite fic of all times. It’s beautifuly written. The way that it narrates Sam’s trauma of Hell is what keeps me coming back for more . Honestly it should be published as a book. Don’t worry, it has very happy scenes and there’s a happy ending

Welcome to the Neighborhood by ImogenPortchester. 2K Words

Dean thinks the new neighbors are interesting, but all is not what it seems.

Super short. Super heartbreaking.

Fics by leonidaslion

I mean first off, just read everything written by leonidaslion

Sing Your Hymns Like Angels In Defeat. 32K Words.

And Lucifer Fell for a second time with the burning brilliance of a star. The Flare shone in his wake, and darkness fell upon the land ...

Dean goes blind, and I love how it describes Dean’s stuggles with it. You feel like you’re blind with him. Really, really, REALLY well written. Should probably also be a book

Fumbling in the Dark: Love Advice For the Romantically Impaired. 72K

True Love really is blind...

It’s basically a character study of every single episode of the first 5 seasons, with a wincest twist. Slow burn. Holy shit, is it a slow burn.

Just Say My Name. 3K Words

Dean turns into a complete and utter nympho. It takes Sam a while to notice the difference.

Funny, lighthearted and porny

Hush. 2K Words

Motel walls are thin...

Discovery!kink. Sam and Dean try to have quiet sex while John is in the other room. At least, Dean is trying

Sam Winchester and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. 15K Words

Sometimes, you just shouldn't get out of bed in the morning ...

Fics by fleshflutter

Dark Side of the Moon. 20K Words

Cursed!Dean is deaf and blind. Sam deals.

The incestuous courtship of the antichrist's bride. 48K Words

Sam is trying to become the Antichrist in order to save the world. He has a small army of angels and demons, he has an adoring cult, he has a work of prophecy by Jack Kerouac, and he has Dean. Things are going pretty well until he accidentally signs Dean up as his Beloved Consort, a role that requires sex with the Antichrist on an altar. And that's when things stop going pretty well. Also, the soundtrack to the Apocalypse sucks.

I don’t like crack fics, but goddamn this one is FUNNY. You can tell a lot of thought was put into this freaking masterpiece

Captured by the Game by rivkat. 54K Words

AU. Azazel has given his favorite son a task: worm his way into the confidence of a hunter. It sounds simple, but Dean Winchester just might be more than Sam can handle.

It wasn’t real by NaughtyPastryChef. 1K Words

Sam is trying to explain to Dean where he was when Dean was stuck in purgatory. It starts with "I hit a dog" and then, suddenly, inexplicably, they both know exactly where Sam was.

Wonderful explanation for that arc in season 8 nobody can stand. Plus, time travel, which I’m always a sucker for

Backseat of My Brother's 67 Chevy by NaughtyPastryChef. 1K Words

Extended scene from "Baby". Dean's feeling proud of Sam's hookup until he hears that Sam tried to give that waitress his number. Uncharacteristically, he lets Sam force him to talk about it.

Bury My Old Soul, and Dance on its Grave by dreamlittleyo. 2K Words

Dean knows how far he can push Sam.

Antichrist!Sam and Consort!Dean. Codependent winchesters. Yeah

Graveside Blues by hunenka. 3K Words

He uses his body like a blanket, like a shield.

I like how protective Sam is of Dean here, and it deals with something I don’t see a lot such as the jealousy he would have of Dean’s bond with Amara

own it by orphan_account. 6K Words

But he's never going to be able to burn the image of Sam cradling one hand around the perfect curve of Dean's face, dropping the other to the cut of Dean's hip (made for fingers and tongues to trail down, to taste), walking Dean backward until Dean is flush against the wall and Sam is flush against him. This is something that can't be denied.

John finds out. Explores the wonderful trope of both Sam and his father being possessive of Dean, and being very antagonistical to each other. Dysfunctional family yay. Also very porny

Fics by astolat

Punxsutawney. 9K Words

* astolat thinks any plot worth doing is worth doing TWICE

This is the Mistery Spot plot, but a little different. Sam AND Dean wake up to the same day over and over again. So they talk.

Kings and Queens and Jokers, Too. 4K Words

"Yeah, you boys nailed that trickster real good," Bobby said, dry as dust.

People are acting weird around the brothers. Can’t really say anything else without spoiling it. Listen just do yourself a favor and read it.

options. 500 Words

Decisions, decisions.

Short and funny. Little bit porny

Desired. 2K Words

He hadn't even known about any of this himself until Sam found it, figured it out for him. He hadn't known how it was going to be.

So, smut. They have a better time when Dean is the one who asks for it

Rockabye Sammy... by AnotherWorld3111. 1K Words

Sam can’t sleep, so Dean tries to help.

Sam keeps hallucinating Lucifer. Dean is worried and protective of him. Porny

We Know Each Other As We Always Were by mickeym. 45K Words

In 1941, while the world is at war, Sam Winchester falls in love with his brother. They're young, they're in love, and in spite of the hardships of life around them, the world is a pretty good one for them. Until Dec. 7th, 1941, when Japan launches an air attack on Pearl Harbor, sending the US to war against Japan. Dean Winchester feels he needs to join the Army; needs to help fight the good fight and help save lives. He promises he'll return, but can he keep that promise?

GAH this is so romantic! It’s an AU, but I feel like they’re very in character. It feels like a novel

For The End of My Broken Heart by Wickedtruth. 59K Words

Dad's disappeared and Sam's left to pick up the pieces of his broken brother. Post Devil's Trap AU.

Very codependent Winchesters. Also John finds out.

here at the end of all things by remy (iamremy). 40K Words

AU from Season 12 onwards. The British Men of Letters win in the USA, and slowly manage to establish their bases and authority over the whole country. They also capture Sam Winchester and keep him prisoner for eleven months, experimenting on him regularly before wiping his memories so that he has no idea what has been done to him.

Even after Dean rescues him and they begin planning to get revenge once and for all, the niggling doubt at the back of Sam's head remains -- what did they do to him? Why won't his anxiety get better? And what is it that he's missing?

Ok you got me, this is gen. But the whole fic feels like a (good) Supernatural episode, it’s so realistic and canon-like. The relationship between the brothers is just like the one we see on the show, meaning desperately codependent and wincest in every subtext.

Fics by deadlybride / zmediaoutlet

What I like about @zmediaoutlet is that she takes the time to write everyone in character. It’s always as canonical as possible and it feels real

femme. 4K Words

Rummaging around the internet, Dean finds a kink he hadn't seen before; Sam explains, and demonstrates.

I love feminization, but unfourtunately there’s only one fic that does it right, and it’s this one

gratification. 2K Words

It's not a compulsion. Dean just likes it.

breña. 1K Words

Sam and Dean wait, knowing what's coming.

The night before Sam jumps in the box

not the good things, nor the bad. 20K

Dean wavers in a grey area between being taken and giving in.

Part of it started with the kinks series, but you can read this just fine without the other parts. It deals very beautifully with Dean’s thoughts regarding his bond with Amara and his sexuality

DeMille Has Nothing On Us by HandsAcrossTheSea. 13K Words

"Hey Dean - wanna film it?"

This is part of the Those Hazy Days I Do Remember series, but you can 100% read it as a stand-alone, no problem. Sam and Dean film each other and this has that season 1 vibe, of just two brothers on the road. It’s slightly OOC, just because of how touchy-feely they are. But that’s something I sometimes wish we could have on the show, anyway

How many floors to realize by Lazy Daze. 26K Words

AU from the end of It’s A Terrible Life, in which Zachariah decides to keep stringing them along a little while longer, because damn if they aren’t somewhat entertaining, right?”

Rabid by i-am-therefore-i-fight

Beautiful!! I love @i-am-therefore-i-fight‘s take on demon!dean. It’s different to what we’re used to. This fic is very angsty but has a happy ending

Bitten by a True Believer by kermiethefrog. 3K Words

“C’mon, Sammy,” Dean says. Flashes him a wicked grin, charcoal-eyes. The way he spreads out on Sam’s mattress, bare and offering himself up like Holy fucking Communion, drums heat under Sam’s skin, and he’s never sure if it’s arousal or anger when he’s faced with the demon. “Show me a good time, big guy.”

Another demon!dean fic. I like how even as he is a demon, he is still desperate for Sam’s attention

The Time Traveler's Brother by AmyPond45. 54K Words

Dean's life is turned upside down the night his mother dies. But that's also the night a mysterious grown-up version of Dean's brother first appears in his life. While Dean grows up, "Old Sam" is often there, especially when Dean's father isn't. As Dean learns what the future holds, he begins to question everything his father has taught him about who he is and what he is supposed to become. Can Dean find a way to save his little brother from his own future?

This is based on The Time Traveler’s Wife, which is my favorite book. Don’t worry, you don’t have to have read it to understand this fic

need against need against need by dollylux. 5K Words

Jack spends his first night in the bunker with Sam and Dean. (Jack POV)

Don’t worry, Jack just watches and ponders about the Winchester’ realationship

the centre cannot hold by orphan_account. 6K Words

Sam does not remember; Dean does. All Dean can do is watch, and mourn.

But then Castiel becomes God, and the world starts to break at the edges (and maybe that isn't a bad thing.)

It kinda becomes a character study, while the brothers deal with what happened during the Soulless!Sam period

The Last Temptation by bccalling. 1K Words

When Sam tells Mary about all the things he and Dean get up to in the dark, Mary wants in, and Sam sees his opportunity to make Dean’s every fantasy come true.

Mary shows up. Porny and very sweet

Angels and Demons by OhWilloTheWisp. 9K Words

AU angels and demons are animals. Sam was not happy when his owner, Ruby, left him boarded at a kennel. He was even less happy when he discovered an angel in the same facility. But his encounter with the angel will end much differently than anyone would have guessed. He may have never expected his mate to be angel, but now that's found him he won't let anyone keep them apart.

Sam and Dean are kinda like animals here but there’s nothing sexual. It’s very sweet and romantic. Anna/Ruby in here as well

#wincest #fic rec #leonidaslion #fleshflutter #astolat #full house of wincest #bottom!dean #zmediaoutlet

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lemonietrinket · 4 years

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Cinnamon Snow ||| Seonghwa x Reader

Summary: You and your boyfriend hire out a cabin in the snowy woods for the winter holidays to spend some time relaxing away from the hustle of normal life. Genre: Fluff Warning(s): Just a chaotic reader I guess Word Count: 2576 Theme Song: Home - JBJ95 AN: The first fic of the prompts made by @songi-writes. This is a mix between 1 & 2, because I found the prompts too late in the day of the 1st Dec. so oops.

~~~

You awoke to a bright light, and a painful chill in the air. Groaning, your hands swept across the other half of the bed to find only the blankets, stone cold. Sitting up, you lazily opened your eyes as best you could, daylight gleaming between your eyelashes and causing you to whine.

“Seong… hwa? Seongie…?” you drawled, hands coming up to your rapidly cooling face. You palm met your near-icy nose and you hummed in dissatisfaction, grimacing as you prepared for the trek downstairs.

The bare pads of your feet met the wooden floorboards that may as well have been crafted out of solid snow, and you hissed at the iciness. Grumbling, you hauled the duvets over your hunched figure, before descending the stairs like a cryptid. With you head half-covered by a fringe of a quilt and your legs embroidered with the tassels of an ancient blanket, you stumbled waywardly towards the only sounds that could be heard, echoing densely from down the hallway.

When you passed the desktop (garnished with a lace cloth that really didn’t fit the rest of the cabin’s aesthetic) halfway down the corridor, your nose, frozen by the lack of heat, was filled with a sweet, heart-melting scent. The incense of Christmas.

Cinnamon.

Speeding up your gait, you waddled straight into the kitchen, barging the door open with a padded arm and giving your boyfriend the fright of his life.

“Oh! Good morning b—what in the name of...?”

“Morning!” you greeted briefly, breathing in the warmth and instantaneously forgetting your troubles. “What’re you...?”

“Baking,” Seonghwa replied, straightening his apron as he tilted himself so he could just about catch a glimpse of your face beneath the duvet, “cinnamon rolls—have you got all of the bed covers with you?”

You bowed your body in a ‘yes’.

He grimaced slightly, eyes reflecting a level of disdain that your more chaotic antics often warranted, but his lips were being toyed with by a smile, gently tugging his expression into disdainful and amused bafflement. “Well then, since you actively chose to bring them with you this time—”

“Yeah,” you interjected, “unlike last time where you threw me—!”

“I did not throw you—!”

“Bloody yote me, you did.”

“I?! No, it—! I would still argue that you didn’t even have to bring them then either but...” You scowled defiantly, not that he could really see with the hood of your duvet slouching right down and nearly to your nose, all while he continued, “...this time you can help me put them all back.”

You sighed, exaggerated and indignant, but he just chuckled.

“Fine,” you groaned, faking impudence, before leaning a bit closer to the bowl.

“Do you want to help?” Your boyfriend’s smile was wide, sunny and heart-warming—just like the rest of him—and so you lifted your duvet tentatively to see more of it. His smile only faltered when your head turned back to the soon-to-be-food and you got a bit too close to where he was mixing. “Yah, be careful!”

“Seong, I’m not going to get the mixture on the blankets, you’re too careful for that!” you giggled, nonetheless pulling the blankets closer to your body.

“Well, if you’re sure.” He handed you a spoon. “If you want to help though, you’re going to need to lose the blankets.”

“And freeze to death? No thanks.”

He shook his head with a laugh, placing the spoon back in its holder. “Well, you’d better go get dressed then. The heating will warm the house up soon enough. I’ve also got something to show you, but it’s outside so…”

A spark of curiosity began to glimmer in your chest. “Oh? What is it?”

“A surprise,” he answered, a small, satisfied smirk on his features, “that you won’t get to find out unless you get dressed.”

You were interested to say the least.

With a bit of jostling, you managed to slip the duvet further down from your head just enough so you could chastely press your lips to his jaw, before waddling away, back up the stairs. “Thank you! I love you so much!”

“You have until these go in the oven!” he called after you, cheeks starting to hurt from how widely he was beaming. He could still feel the pressure of your lips against his skin, and it set more shivers up his spine than the cold ever did.

It wasn’t long before the mix had been made, rolled and placed in the encompassed heat of the oven.

Seonghwa pressed the buttons on the timer, eyebrows furrowed, before hanging up his mitts on their hook on the back of the door.

As he opened it again, he was confronted by you, suited up in a thousand layers.

Once again, you witnessed his beautiful dark eyes widen and gorgeously curved lips part to emit a barely audible cry of surprise. It was satisfying to see the usually calm and collected man break face for a second. And it was just visually satisfying to see him anyway I mean, look at him.

He did wonder how you’d managed to sneak up so quietly, but looking at the thick fluffy festive socks you wore (over several other pairs), he didn’t find it much of a surprise.

“Aren’t you hot?” he enquired, humoured but slightly worried.

“Of course I am Seonghwa,” you tossed your head dramatically to the side, “you wouldn’t date me otherwise.”

He barely restrained himself from face-palming. “No, I mean—”

“So you don’t think I’m hot then?” you pursed your lips, trying to cover up your teasing smirk. “Ooooh, Hwa you’re in trouble...!”

His eyes widened even more as he guffawed. “That—! That’s not what I meant, you—!”

“I know, I know, relax,” you waved your gloved hand, “and no I’m not, because the heating still isn’t on.”

He frowned, puzzled, and stepped around your marshmallow-like pile of coats and into the corridor. Instantly, he was met with an iciness that the kitchen’s oven hadn’t managed to permeate.

“Oh.”

The landlord had promised that the cabin’s heating was fine and fully serviced when you decided to rent it out that winter holiday.

You caught onto Seonghwa’s distaste. “Yeah, I know, they lied. The little—”

“Do you mind—”

“No I do not.”

“—lighting a fire?”

“Oh, sure.”

You headed off, along the dingy corridor and into one of the rooms on the left.

Seonghwa suddenly became rather afraid that said-room wasn’t the living room with the hearth.

“Lighting a fire in the fireplace, I mean!” he shouted after you. He turned his back to turn off the kitchen light, and prayed that the movement he saw out of the corner of his eyes was just his imagination, and not you heading out of a room and into another.

He exhaled. Even if you had some chaotic tendencies, and caused him no end of trouble, he wouldn’t trade you for the world.

Eventually, a fire was lit, and Seonghwa had put on a few more layers.

After strapping up his coat—chic as per usual—he began to unlock the door, while you sat on the stairs, trying to do up your boots.

“Ready to go, little marshmallow?” he threw over his shoulder, not really looking at you, who currently was caught in a predicament.

And this was something in your favour, as it likely saved you no end of shame.

You, at that moment, were straining with your arms outstretched, desperately trying to reach your laces for long enough so you could tie them. You no doubt looked like an upturned beetle, trying to roll itself back onto its legs.

“Not really,” you huffed, falling back and catching a breath. You could just about reach it, but it was hard work, and it hurt a little bit.

You didn’t like the way Seonghwa’s eyes lit up at that moment.

It was that teasing glint, that mischievous glimmer.

“Aww, can my little marshmallow not quite reach her own little feet?” he cooed.

You told him to shut up, but it only made it worse.

“Awww, does she need some help from her lovely, handsome boyfriend to do her little laces?”

It was at that moment you vowed you would avenge your pride.

And you had the perfect plan.

Through his teasing, your boyfriend did still do up your boots for you, even if you turned your head as he requested a kiss as a thank you.

Instead you slipped past him and beckoned him through the front door.

“You won’t give me a thank you kiss?” he said, pouting.

“Show me this surprise and I may reconsider.”

“Meanie.”

“Love you too babe!” And you darted out of the doorway and into the cold.

With a sigh, and a laugh, he shook his head and followed after you, into the depths of the winter cold.

Seonghwa knew he probably should have been looking at the scenery around him, with its trees draped with cascades of white like wedding veils, the tiny robins flitting every now and again between the shallows and summits of the snowy drifts.

But he was instead staring at you, your own eyes entrained on the tiny snowflakes that melted in your gloved palm. Delicate and silent, their minuscule crystals faded into nothing, and you poked at the tiny dabs of water that they left behind, entranced.

This wasn’t what he wanted to show you, but if you were in awe at snowflakes, he knew you would find the next part absolutely astonishing.

“Seongie, are you staring at me again?” you asked, a mischievous tone to your voice.

“How could I not?” he responded.

You curled your lip at his answer, looking up and shaking your head. “Ew.”

“Ew?”

“Yeah, ew.”

“Me?

“Yeah, you.”

He put his hands on his hips, sending you a look that you had dubbed his Mum Stare. “Now listen here Y/N, you should remember that you are beautiful enough to distract your boyfriend from many things, and—”

“Including the path?”

“Yes, including the path, but luckily you haven’t quite distracted me from that just...” he took a glance at his surroundings for reassurance, only to find the fence he’d been following as guidance was nowhere to be found, “...yet.”

You stopped. “We’re lost aren’t we.”

He followed suite, but was laughing anxiously. “We’re not lost don’t worry! I know exactly where we are.”

“Where?”

“Well,” his eyes scoured the trees around him, desperate to pick up a sign, “we are... in a forest. Yes. I know that much.”

You arched your eyebrow. “Oh no.”

“Look, it’s fine, we’ll just retrace our steps and—”

Suddenly, you jerked up a hand and pointed over his shoulder. “Oh Seonghwa, look!”

He spun on his heel, and felt relief wash over him like the waters of a hot shower. Through a gap in the trees, not too far away, an abnormally large sheet of azure climbed up into the obscurity of the treetops. At its feet, a pool of deeper blue, and, leading down the hill to it, a path that cut a rune in the snow.

“Oh, there it is.”

“Is that the...?” Your laugh puffed a cloud of silver that dissipated as you suddenly took off into a jog. “Come on, let’s go!”

He took off after you, trying to encourage you to be careful and watch your step but it was no use, you were already bounding down the steep hill, disappearing into the frosted bracken.

As you came up to the opening of the trees, your eyes glistened.

You came to the bank of a solid lake, reflecting shields of light from the sun hidden behind the clouds. And, at its furthest point, descending from the broken plateau above, was a huge waterfall, frozen in time by winter’s hands.

“Oh, Seonghwa…!” you whispered, feeling him make the final steps to reach your side.

Gazing at the sheet of blue, even he was stunned. It was taller than he’d expected, and seemed to trap the smallest glimmers of light in its frozen surface, a jagged cloth of illuminated night sky.

You leant your body into his, resting your head against his shoulder, admiring the spectacle through clouded breath.

“It’s so beautiful...”

“I thought you might like it,” he grinned, bringing an arm around your back to pull you in closer.

“Like it?” you glanced up at him, “I love it! Thank you so much for bringing me here, I’m sorry it took me so long to get out of the house...”

“You know I don’t mind. And that I wouldn’t want you any less difficult.” He pressed a kiss to your exposed temple, before drawing the hem of your bobble hat to cover your bare skin.

You didn’t push off his fussing this time round however, and fulfilled your promise from earlier, standing on tiptoe as best you could in clunky boots and gave him a proper kiss.

“There,” you said, about to continue, but you found yourself at a loss for words. His blushed cheeks and nose, with his determined stare and delighted smile, all made him appear like a snow prince. His beauty had snatched your voice away.

“Y/N, you better not be staring at me again,” he mimicked, smirking at you.

“Oh shush! Just... go get a photo of the ice-fall, go on!” You ushered him away, closer to the lakeside.

He obeyed happily, drawing his phone from his inside pocket, and striding through the thicker snow with ease, off to get a better view.

Though he didn’t stride fast enough, and he’d taken the bait oh so nicely.

As soon as his back was turned, you scooped up a bundle of snow, as much as you could carry, and chased after him.

The only piece of warning he got was the sound of a flurry of footsteps passing through the snow.

Within seconds, you’d thrown the snow in his hood, and pulled it over his head.

He shrieked, halting in his steps with hands flying to his head to brush off as much of the cold as he could manage.

You attempted to make your escape, turning in the snow and trying to make your way back up the hill.

Only that Seonghwa was much faster than you, and somehow was able to catch you.

Snaking his hands around you waist he pulled you back, but the momentum of your run and his tug collided and knocked the two of you into the snow in a chorus of laughter.

“Nice try, little marshmallow!” he cried, scooping some snow onto your face.

“Hey!”

He chuckled, swooping in to kiss you once again, but you caught his face with your hands. He tried to wriggle free but you held him still.

“There is no escape!” you declared, smushing his cheeks.

“Even if I ask really nicely?” He mumbled through his pursed lips.

You brushed your nose against his tauntingly. “Try it!”

“Pretty please?” He bat his eyelashes, pulling the best puppy-dog eyes he could.

You didn’t even hesitate.

Both your lips may have been cold, bitten by the air, and you may have been shivering in the cradle of the snow, but his kiss set your skin on fire no less.

This winter would never be the most peaceful of them all, not when you ran rampant. However, that was the best part of every season, to him, and he wouldn’t change you for the world.

~~~

AN: I struggled to end it but here we are! The following oneshots will likely not be this long, because I don’t quite have as much time :(( but I look orward to writing them nonetheless. Thanks for reading!

Masterlist

(edited 22/01/2020)

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ma-sulevin · 4 years

Photo

WHOA it’s here. It’s not finished because there are going to be like two more chapters, but GOOD NEWS that’s more smut for you. There’s also, like, actually a little plot this time.

Pairing: James Vega/Avery Ryder Rating: E Warnings: No warnings, just smut. Check out the tags on AO3. Word Count: 5969, chapter one of three.

Read it on AO3 instead, or catch up on their story from the beginning.

---

Avery’s halfway through her third reading of an article her doctor gave her about why the new synthetic DNA that had been found mixed with most humans after the end of the Reaper War had made the most popular contraceptive implants less effective when her omnitool chimes with James’ special chime. She jumps and drops the datapad. It clatters to the floor and Jonesy opens one eye to glare at her from where he’s napping on the other chair.

The orange interface pops up when she lifts her wrist to display James’ message: I found the perfect hotel for when you visit! Dec 30-Jan 5 still good??

Oh, James. She’s going to have to tell him before January. It's a few months away, but… she's going to have to tell him.

Another message comes through as she’s considering the first. I know you’ve been sick so thought I’d cheer you up. And then: Whatdid the doctor say?

She closes her omnitool without replying. She can’t talk to him right now. She can’t. She needs to talk this out before she brings him into it, needs to weigh her options and have… she needs help. She would have talked to her mom about all this, before, would have called her up when she first felt sick and gotten a ride to the doctor and then had someone to comfort her when she wanted to cry after.

Every unsafe encounter they had plays out behind her eyelids, in vivid detail: the broken condom, the drunken fuck behind Sam’s house, the sober but ill-advised condom-free sex the rest of the weekend before he shipped out.

One of those times did it.

They’re not goddamn teenagers. This was stupid, and they should have known better. There’s not any fucking excuse for this.

Her omnitool vibrates as James calls her, and she answers out of habit before she realizes what she’s doing.

“Hey, birdie!” His voice is optimistic, almost aggressively so, and she realizes he’s probably convinced she’s dying and doesn’t want to tell him. “You home yet?”

“Yeah, I’m home,” she says, and then… shit.

She chokes on a sob as her vision starts to swim, and she claps a hand over her mouth to stop herself from making any noise that will out her reaction to James.

It doesn’t work.

“What’s wrong?” His response is immediate, his voice low and comforting, and when she doesn’t respond right away she hears him shuffling around over the audio connection. He says something she can’t hear to someone she can’t see, then a door clicks closed and he’s speaking to her again, “Talk to me, Avery. What did the doctor say?”

She clears her throat and wipes at her eyes. “I, uh. I’m pregnant.”

His response is slower this time. It gives her enough time to take a few gasping breaths and for Jonesy to drag himself away from the sun and drape himself over her lap instead, a spot of comfort for the human who took him in after the reapers left.

“What?”

“Yeah, uh… I guess I’m due at the beginning of June.”

She can hear him sighing over the connection, a long exhale that makes her eyes well with more tears. She didn’t mean for this to happen, she thought she was preventing it, even if she wasn’t being as careful as she should have been.

“Birdie,” he says, still kind of sighing, “I thought you were going to tell me something awful.”

“I wouldn’t say this is great news.”

“But you’re okay, you’re not sick.” There’s more shuffling from his end of the line, more mysterious noises she can’t put a name to since he’s on the other side of the planet. “I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’m sorry,” she says, miserable, voice on the edge of cracking again.

“It isn’t your fault—”

“It kinda is, though.” Avery’s not ready to let it go, but James doesn’t seem to be either.

“If anyone’s to blame,” he interrupts, voice a little louder to get her attention before it returns to the lower, more serious tone he’s been using, “it’s me. I wasn’t being careful, and I’m sorry.”

Avery groans and pulls Jonesy up to press her face into his fur. He chirps a little and lets her, starting to purr under her attention. “We can do this all day. I know, I know we said we’re going to try the whole long-distance boyfriend-girlfriend thing, but… this isn’t something we talked about, and I’m not asking you for anything. I don’t want you to feel, like, trapped or anything.”

“We did talk about it.” James doesn’t quite cut her off again, but it’s a near thing, and her temper starts to spark and then fades right away at his words. “You told me you wanted a family, and I said we’d make beautiful babies, and then we started making out on your sink.”

“That’s not really, that’s not really talking about it,” she protests, ignoring the warmth in her cheeks at the memory. “Not, like, ‘what if this happens this weekend,’ talking about it, it was more like ‘generally in the future we have this in common.’ Right?”

“Sure, but…” He trails off, muffles a groan, starts again. “I told you before, I’m not Alec. You don’t have to doubt me. I know this is, uh, way sooner than we thought it would be, but if you’re in this, I’m in this. All the way.”

Avery starts crying again, quietly this time. She hadn’t really had enough time to think about how James would react, but this is more than she could have hoped for. He doesn’t even sound worried or scared or any of the other emotions that have been swirling around in her mind since she found out.

He just sounds… supportive.

Here for her.

No matter what.

“If you still can, I still want you to visit in January. I found a great little house on the beach, it’s new construction obviously, but it’s in the old style. You’ll love it.”

She wipes her nose with the back of her hand. “January?”

“Yeah, birdie.” He sounds hopeful now, more relaxed, and she smiles despite herself. “It’ll be nice and hot, and I have a few days off between training. It’ll be perfect. Just the… just the three of us.”

She laughs, just a little, and James does too.

“Come on, we’re in this together, right? I miss you.”

“I miss you too.” A pause, as she considers, tries to figure out how pregnant she’ll be in January, decides it’s probably okay. “I’ll come see you.”

“Fuck yeah,” he says, and she can hear the smile in his voice, can picture it so clearly in her mind. “I can’t wait.”

And, despite the tears still threatening to come back, she can’t either.

—-

James is fucking terrified. He’d never ever tell Avery that in a million years, absolutely unwilling to freak her out or make her worry for even a second that he’s going to leave her or treat their baby like Alec treated her, but he’s terrified about the future.

Sam gets an earful about it every time he comes up with a new concern, and she calms him down or calls him an idiot, depending on what the problem is, at least once a week. With her on his side, he’s able to listen to Avery’s worries and excitement (depending on where her mood has swung) and calm her down or gas her up, whatever she needs, whatever support he can offer her from the other side of the planet.

N-school is tough, and he’s exhausted so much of the time, and he misses her with every fiber of his being. He wants to be there with her right now, he wants to be home in her apartment, but every time he casually mentions putting off N-school for a year or two, she yells at him.

She’s not going to be the reason he puts off his dreams, even if his dreams are keeping them apart.

They’re starting a family at the worst possible time, and he can’t be with her, and he’s in love with her and she doesn’t even know it yet because he’s too much of a fucking coward to tell her.

He keeps trying, wants to tell her when they’re video chatting, staying up way too late to share their secrets; he wants to tell her every time she sends him an ultrasound, every time she sends him a picture of her belly as it grows (he still thinks it’s pretty small, even though she insists she already feels big), every time she sends him a dirty picture when he’s in class, and every time she smiles at him, flushed and happy, over a late-night vid call that ended in yet another round of phone sex.

He wants to tell her, but he’s a coward, and he’s afraid of her response, and anyway, shouldn’t that kind of confession be in person?

That’s what he’s been telling himself at least, and so he’s kept his mouth shut, and he’s fucking terrified because he’s going to be a dad and he’s in love with his girlfriend and he’s standing at the shuttleport with flowers clutched in sweaty hands because he wants to give her every good thing in the world.

He’s not prepared to see her being pushed in a wheelchair by a put-upon employee, looking absolutely murderous as she slouches with her shoulders up around her ears.

She catches his eyes and her face flashes as red as her hair, but she still points him out to the man pushing her. They change course and head straight for him, the employee looking at James with something like pity before he manages to smooth his expression back out into something politely neutral.

“What the — what happened?”

He looks from Avery to the man helping her and back, completely torn, flowers forgotten in his hands as he lowers them to his side.

Avery hauls in a deep breath. “You get a little motion sick—”

“She passed out, sir,” the man says, obviously done with Avery’s bullshit if the interruption and somewhat dead expression in his eyes is any indication. “It’s company policy to assist ill passengers to either medical help or to their destinations.”

“Okay, uhh, thank you.” James stares at him for another minute before moving a little closer and offering Avery his free hand. She takes it with a mutinous expression and stands up mostly under her own power, stumbling a little before she’s fully upright. She flushes red again, this time, he thinks, in embarrassment. “Do you have — oh, thanks.”

The man hands James a duffle bag and takes the wheelchair with him as he leaves, and James stands staring at Avery for several seconds before he manages to find his words.

“You passed out?”

She shrugs and avoids his eyes. “Just a little.”

“Birdie—”

“I just get motion sick anyway and the baby makes it worse. I promise I’m okay. Hey.” She finally looks up and meets his eyes, reaches out and puts her hands on his waist. “I missed you.”

The little knot of terror and worry relaxes a little when he sees her smiling at him, a soft expression aimed at him, close enough to kiss… so he does, leaning down and pressing his lips to hers in the softest kiss he can manage as she tries to push herself closer and hold him in place with her fingers tugging at his shirt.

He forces himself back up to his full height and smiles widely at the little pout she gives him.

“C’mon, let’s go to the house. Here.” He hands her the flowers he brought with him, excitement briefly overwhelming the anxiety that’s been plaguing him. She smiles and gives the bouquet a tentative sniff before inhaling again, more deeply.

He waits for her to pass judgment — on the flowers, on him, on the trip in general — and he’s still staring at her when she opens her eyes and offers him a wide, bright smile. She looks more like her old self, the one he remembers from London, color coming back into her cheeks and something playful in her expression.

“Get moving, soldier. We have a vacation to start.”

He grins down at her and slings her duffle over his shoulder before taking her hand. She lets him pull her outside to flag down a taxi, then she snuggles up against his side and slips her hand into the back pocket of his jeans.

“I’m glad you could come.” He wraps his free arm around her shoulders and squeezes, and when she giggles, the noise is pressed against his ribs. He glances down and all he can see is one of her eyes as she peers up sideways at him.

“You’re going to be extra glad when you see what I brought.”

A taxi pulls up and the driver pops the trunk for her bag. James detangles himself from her, taking a second to enjoy the sight of her smirking at him with one hand resting on the bump that her shirt mostly hides.

“Oh? You bring something fun?”

She shrugs one shoulder and then somehow manages to look up at him from under her lashes without moving, and his heart does a funny little flip in his chest that has nothing to do with the promise written on her face and more to do with the confession he wants to make.

“A few things I think you’ll enjoy. You have to wait.”

He opens the door for her and snags a lingering kiss before she climbs in, swiping his tongue against her lower lip just to see the way it makes her eyes go dark and her lips part a bit.

Dios, she’s beautiful.

He loves her.

She climbs in the taxi with a wink, and he follows her without another word.

—-

He’s a little disappointed but not particularly surprised when she falls asleep on the way to their little rental house, her head tucked against his shoulder and her fingers tangled up in his like she never wants to let go.

She snores a little bit the whole way there, earning her several amused looks from the driver. James just keeps her hand tight in his and the warmth locked in his chest.

He can’t stop himself from smiling, though, not with her resting against him.

It almost makes him wish he hadn’t come to N-school at all.

She’s groggy when he wakes her up, rubbing at her eyes and smearing her mascara without noticing, and he ushers her into the rental without stopping to point out how close they are to the ocean, how private it is with the closely-growing foliage, or how he came out early and stocked the kitchen so they’d only have to go out in public if they want to. He just points her in the direction of the bed and takes off her shoes when she drops onto the blankets without undressing at all.

He putters around the house, looking for something to do to give her space. He puts the flowers in water, puts her bag up next to his, then eventually settles on the bed next to her with the datapad he wasn’t supposed to bring to work on reports for N-school he isn’t supposed to start until after she goes back to London.

He wonders if she’ll be willing to ask for a transfer to Brazil, or if she’ll want to stay in London where she has more friends, something of a support system for when he’s too busy or gone.

At least in London, she has Sam.

He decides he won’t ask.

At some point, she rolls over and shifts higher up the bed, opening one eye to stare at him like she’s not sure who he is or why he’s in her bed, then she blinks and a slow smile stretches across her face. She reaches out one hand for him, and he wraps his fingers around hers until she falls back asleep about ten seconds later.

It’s the cutest fucking thing he’s ever seen.

She finally wakes up after a couple hours and staggers to the bathroom without saying anything. She pops back out a minute later, all smiles, shaking out red hair that’s almost down to her elbows now.

He puts the datapad away and moves to sit up right at the edge of the mattress.

“Feel better?”

“Mhm…” She comes to stand between his knees and he lets his hands rest on her hips, easy as anything, like it hasn’t been nearly five months since he’s seen her. She stops playing with her hair and runs her fingers into his the best she can with most of it so short. “You shouldn’t’ve let me sleep so long.”

He slips his hands up under her shirt to rest against her skin. “You needed it.”

She makes a quiet little humming noise, not really agreeing or disagreeing, and leans in close like she’s going to kiss him. Their noses brush together, but she doesn’t press her lips to his, and he can’t help but tighten his grip on her.

“You know what else I need?”

He thinks he has a pretty good idea, but when he tilts his head up to kiss her, she stays just far enough away so he can’t.

“Birdie…”

She dips her head and he tilts his chin up, but she refuses to come close enough, her fingers tightening on his scalp in a way that sends shivers of pleasure down his spine.

He loves when she’s like this.

He loves it.

“I believe I was promised a nice, big, delicious —” He tries to pull her closer mid-sentence, but she resists as her grin grows, “—fruity drink, and a white-sand beach, and a chance to show off the little bikini I bought.”

She nips his lower lip instead of kissing him and slips out of his grip as he groans. He can hear her giggling to herself as she grabs her bag and disappears back into the bathroom with it, leaving him to sit on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.

He’s been waiting so long to get his hands on her and he can’t even lie to himself to say he’s annoyed with her teasing.

He loves that too.

He’s still sitting on the bed when she emerges from the bathroom once more, this time in the little bikini she’d promised, the one he’d requested be held together with strings. It’s tiny and black, and it shows off her curves, and all he can think about is tangling his fingers in all that red hair and refusing to let her out of the house all week.

He doesn’t realize he’s just staring at her with his mouth open until she starts to laugh, walking closer with an exaggerated sway in her step to stand between his knees again.

She tips his chin up with her fingers. “See something you like?”

“Uhh… can I…” His hands hover in the air on either side of her stomach, a swirl of confusing feelings washing over him. He wants to yank her into his lap, roll them over on the bed, absolutely devour her; he wants to take her to the beach, take her to his favorite restaurant, show her off to the world; he wants to hold her and tell her she’s beautiful, that he loves her, that he can’t wait to meet their baby. He wants.

She’s smiling at him still, but it’s a little softer, something in her eyes he can’t quite identify. “Go ahead.”

He’s tentative as he finally touches her, hands running over her biotic-warm skin, over scars and skin weaves and the surprisingly firm slope that leads down to her belly button. He brushes his fingertips across her skin, just the barest of touches, and she rests her hands on the small of her back as she waits for him to finish exploring this new part of her.

“Is she, um. Is she awake?” The question feels silly, he feels silly for asking it, but Avery doesn’t look like she’s laughing at him.

She just looks happy.

She puts her hand next to his as she shakes her head, then she pushes hard against the bump. “Nope. Lazy little thing.”

“Hey, growing is a hard job.” He leans forward and kisses the biggest part of the bump, then just under the string of her bikini top in something meant to be little gestures of affection but that makes her inhale sharply instead. He rests his chin there and looks up at her, unable to stop from smirking when he sees her cheeks stained pink. “Give her a break.”

He slides his hands around to rest on her back and pulls, and this time she lets him tug her all the way into his lap. She settles with her knees on either side of his hips and rests her hands on his shoulders.

“She can have a break when I get one,” Avery says, voice prim, repeating something she always says, and then she finally finally kisses him.

Oh, he’s missed this.

She kisses him like she can’t get enough, like she’d devour him if she could, hungry and desperate and everything he’s been waiting for. He opens his mouth to her and lets her lick into it as he runs his hands up her back. She’s warm and delicious and everything he wants, and he pulls at the bow holding her bikini top together without thinking about it.

She giggles and bites at his lower lip, tugging as she leans back before releasing him to pull her top off and drop it to the floor.

“Guess we can look at the beach later?” She arches her back as she speaks, and he barely hears her words as his gaze is drawn, as she intended, to her breasts and nipples that are little darker than he remembers, but still beautiful all the same.

He doesn’t bother to answer whatever she asked, choosing instead to let her figure it out by kissing down between the valley of her breasts and then over, keeping her in his lap with one hand on her back and cupping the weight of her breast with the other, squeezing, licking and sucking at the hard peak as she gasps and squirms in his grip.

The pressure of her body on his dick is getting to him, her restless little movements just making him harder, and he groans around her flesh in his mouth as she manages to hit him just right, grinding against the bulge trapped in his pants like she was always meant to do this.

“Fuck, I missed this,” she says, voice small and breathy. She digs her fingernails into his scalp and holds him close, like he’d ever willingly push her away right now. “Your tongue is amazing. I could come just from this.”

She gives her hips another strong thrust as she does, like she’s trying to prove her point, and he can’t help but peer up at her.

He’s never been one to back down from a challenge.

He braces his feet better on the floor and moves both his hands to her hips to help guide her, forcing her hips into a steady, rolling movement over his lap until he hears her shuddering little gasps each time he hits her clit just right. He keeps his mouth busy leaving little nipping kisses across her chest, giving both breasts the kind of attention he’s literally been dreaming about, letting her ramble about how good he is to her, just giving her all the attention she deserves until…

Her breath catches in her throat and then bursts out of her in a high-pitched whine, and her hips fight back against the motion of his hands, and her fingernails dig into his scalp.

She’s close, she’s so close he knows she just needs a little push, and so he groans against her chest and bites down just enough to change up the sensation, just enough to give his kisses that edge, and then she’s falling apart in his hands just like he knew she would.

A wordless cry falls from her lips and she shudders through it, holding him tight and pressing against him as hard as she can. It’s beautiful, and he can’t keep his eyes off her, off the goosebumps that flow over her skin and the red flush that reaches from her face down across her chest.

He wants to make her feel this good every single day of her life.

She pulls away after a moment, still panting, a wide grin on her face as she opens lust-darkened eyes and stares down at him.

He smirks up at her, stupidly pleased, and then she’s pushing at his shoulders so he’ll fall onto his back.

“You have five seconds to get your clothes off,” she informs him, and then she stands up to follow her own command.

It takes more than five seconds, but he’s so ready to get his pants off that he doesn’t argue, jumping up and stripping in record time as Avery simply pushes her bikini bottoms over her hips and leaves them on the floor.

She’s already scooting back on the bed to get comfortable, her eyes on his dick where he’s stroking it because he can’t help but touch it to push back the desire to sink into her biotic-hot body and forget everything else in the galaxy.

He crawls over her, and she opens up for him, bracketing his waist with her knees and parting her lips to make their first kiss deep and wet, already trying to angle her hips up to meet his even as he keeps his weight braced up and well away from her.

She makes a little frustrated noise, grabbing for his dog tags like she always does. “C’mon, Jimmy.”

He lets her pull her close enough to kiss her, a teasing little swipe of his tongue across her lower lip. She releases him with a smile, then she squeals as he leans down and bites at her nipple once more, still reddened and swollen from his earlier attention.

He kisses between her breasts, down her stomach, across her hip, pausing to nip at her inner thigh when she spreads her legs further apart for the breadth of his shoulders.

She’s grinning down at him when he looks up at her, something smug on her face as she anticipates what he’s about to do.

“I missed that tongue of yours while you’ve been here.”

“That right?” He licks over the spot he bit and watches as she bites her lower lip. “Well, it missed you too.”

She huffs out a laugh and flops back onto the pillows, but her legs stay open and her hips cant up toward his mouth, eager like always.

He gives in, like always.

The taste of her bursts bright and tart on his tongue, and he moans against her as he licks up her slit. He presses his tongue in deep when she starts to grind up against his face, then moves a little closer in on his elbows so he can start up a fast pattern over her clit just to hear her—

She swears roundly, hands landing on the back of his head like they belong there, tugging him closer like he’d try to leave.

He never wants to leave.

He holds her hips as steady as he can with his arms under her thighs, and doesn’t put effort into teasing her in favor of just giving her what she wants. She came all this way to see him, and he’s going to make sure she never forgets what he’s able to do for her, what he’s able to coax out of her body.

Her quiet groans become louder, cries of his name and little admissions that make his dick ache to be inside of her, unhappy to be pushed into the mattress for the time being.

“Fuck, you’re so good at this,” she says, voice breathy and rambling like she can’t help it, “I don’t know how I snagged you, don’t know how there aren’t girls lining up for a turn.”

His laugh is buried deep in her cunt but she hears it anyway, or she feels it, because she bites off a high-pitched moan that lets him know she’s close but not quite there before she picks back up where she left off.

“Mmm, yeah, you know it’s true just look at you, fucking hungry for it, couldn’t even wait until after we went to the beach.”

He’s not about to pull his mouth free to remind her that she’s the one who started teasing him, she’s the one who was talking about what big delicious things she needed, so he just tightens his grip on her hips and closes his eyes and focuses on the way his tongue is dancing over her clit because she’s so close and if he can just get her in the right spot…

“Fuck, right there.” She catches her breath, lets it out in a whoosh, and her thighs start to shake by his ears. “I’m gonna come, baby.”

It’s the only time she calls him baby, right as she’s about to come, and he loves to hear it, loves to coax it or force it out of her, and he just has to wait one more second she’s so close—

When she comes it’s absolutely silent, her body going taught around him, her fingers digging painfully into his scalp, her thighs tense and shaking, blocking him in from moving, her feet pressed against his sides like she can hold him there.

He keeps licking her until she catches her breath and manages to wail, the sound ripped from her almost against her will, and then she’s pushing him away because she’s too sensitive now, but he needs to be able to breathe anyway.

He sits back on his heels and wipes his face as she tries to catch her breath, legs still spread obscenely on either side of him, one arm hooked over her face so she can hide her eyes behind her elbow.

“That good, huh?”

“Fuck you,” she says, absolutely no venom in her voice.

He snickers and leans over her, bracing his weight on his elbows and knees, kissing her under her arm. She kisses him back and hooks her elbow around the back of his neck instead of holding it over her face. She licks his lips, into his mouth, moaning at the taste of herself like she always does, and he follows his instincts to sink down lower when he feels her legs come up around his hips too.

Her stomach bumps against his before he’s expecting it to, and he tries to push back up before she locks her ankles at the small of his back.

“Nuh-uh,” she says, fucked out and eloquent.

“You sure this is—” He trails off because she finally opens her eyes and looks up at him, moving her hands around to cup his jaw.

Her fingers trace his cheeks, dance over the scar that traces across his face, and his heart does that same little flop as before. “Perfectly safe. Recommended, even. I’ll tell you if something hurts, just, please, please for the love of god, fuck me.”

Well.

He can’t argue with that.

He kisses her again, then pulls away with a little smirk. “Yes, ma’am.”

She lets go of his neck and puts her hands flat on the headboard behind her, smirking right back, and he takes his cue to sit back on his heels.

He takes himself in hand and lines up, not bothering to tease anymore, slipping deep inside her with one slow, delicious thrust.

He can barely hear her whimper over his own groan at being inside of her again. It’s everything he’s been missing and somehow better than he remembered, tight and almost too hot and he never, ever wants to leave.

When he doesn’t move fast enough for her, too busy enjoying the feeling of being inside her again, she uses her leverage to push her hips hard into his, nearly knocking him off-balance

“Goddamn,” he says, forcing the word out through grit teeth. “Okay. You asked for it.”

He looks down to see her face break into a wide, dirty smile, her face flushed and hair sticking to her damp forehead.

And then he pulls out, and pushes back in, hard, and he grins at the delighted laugh that pushes from Avery’s throat.

He can do better than that.

He fucks her, hard, just like she asked, a punishing pace that has sweat dripping from his scalp and pleasure shooting up his spine faster than he’d like.

It has been a long time.

He puts his hands on her ass and lifts her hips onto his thighs, and the next thrust makes her howl and arch her back, a delighted sound that he wants her to make again, so he grits his teeth together against the mounting pleasure and keeps fucking going.

She’s going to come again.

She deserves it.

“This what you wanted, birdie?” His voice is rough, words forced out between sharp thrusts and harsh breaths, but they have the effect he wanted. She arches again, squirming against his bruising grip, face twisted in what he would think is pain if he didn’t know better. “This what you flew all the way out here for?”

Her “Yes!” is frantic, barely an answer to his question and more of a general exclamation of approval, and he smiles to himself as he shifts his grip on her so he can bring his right hand to her clit. She shrieks again when he presses his thumb against it, hips moving a little slower now so he can focus, but no less hard, and she absolutely howls with it.

She’s so close.

He is too.

“Come for me,” he says, trying to make it sound more like a demand and less like the plea it is. “Let me fucking feel you.”

She nods, fast, eyes squeezed closed and mouth open, chest heaving as she draws in ragged breaths.

He presses harder with his thumb, his orgasm threatening to overwhelm him at any moment, praying, praying, praying…

She begins to come barely a second before him, his name dripping from her lips as her cunt clenches around him, and then he can’t hold on for anything. He fucks through it, pleasure bursting through him and making his vision go white, and he curls around her to bury his face in the crook of her neck as he comes inside her.

When he comes back to himself, she’s rubbing circles on his back with one hand, the other cupping the back of his head.

“Doing okay there?”

She sounds amused, so he just groans in answer, earning the giggle he was aiming for.

“You’re gonna crush me,” she informs him, still sounding amused.

He rolls to the side but doesn’t let go of her, tugging until her back is against his front and her hair is all over his face. It’s annoying, but he can’t make himself care.

She wiggles in his grip. “I thought you were taking me to the beach.”

He squeezes her tighter, presses a kiss to the back of her neck where he thinks her amp port is. “I’m just catching my breath. Give me a minute.”

He’s asleep before he hears her response.

#james vega #mass effect #x: say you won't let go #my writing #pregnancy #oc: avery ryder

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living-on-the-virge · 4 years

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Flower Crowns and Longing

Word Count: 966 Summary: Roman creates a nice dreamspace to take Deceit to because he's hopelessly in love, and the two have a nice date. Roman is a flustered mess and isn't as good at being a smooth, charming guy as he may think, but he sure does try his best. Pairing: Roceit (Roman x Deceit) Warnings: None. Note: None. [AO3 LINK]

“I have something to show you.”

Deceit wasn’t sure how to feel when he heard Roman say that. He was never sure how to feel, because it was always impossible to know what exactly you were about to see. Was he going to show Deceit a very large dragon? A castle? A new sword? Deceit didn’t have a single clue. But he trusted Roman not to get him into trouble (Despite that probably not being the smartest idea based on some of Roman’s past creations) and so he followed Roman.

Roman had been planning this for a while. He’s run through the created space so many times to perfect every detail, but he was still anxious that it wouldn’t be good enough for Deceit. He wanted to impress the other side, wanted to show him what it was like to receive something nice.

The surprise Roman saw on Deceit’s face was an image that the prince wanted to hold onto forever. The shine in Deceit’s eyes and the twitch of a smile pulling at the corner of his lips made it clear that Roman had done good – And yet he was still anxious.

“I know it’s not much, but I thought you’d like it. We’ve been hanging out more recently and I wanted to do something nice for you. I could’ve probably added some more things, or-“

He was cut off by Deceit grabbing hold of his face and planting a kiss on his forehead before beginning to walk, spinning around and staring in awe. The landscape that Roman had created was stunning. Soft, green grass littered in yellow and red flowers, willow trees with long, drooping leaves, and the quiet, calming sound of water running down the stream that was past the trees.

“God, Roman. It’s beautiful.”

Roman, who by this point had gone bright pink, still dazed by the kiss, finally broke from said daze. “Oh! Thank you, I was worried it wouldn’t be good enough.”

“Roman, dear,” Deceit grinned, gloved hands reaching out to hold Roman’s ones. “It’s perfect, I love it. Thank you for this.”

Roman’s blush grew darker (If that was even possible) and he looked away, embarrassed. He was always good with romance and flirting, or at least that’s what he believed. But now he was starting to think that maybe it was harder to receive such compliments from someone who truly means a lot to him.

“I- Uh- This isn’t all, either,” Roman stuttered out, cursing himself internally for not being better at covering it up. “Thomas won’t be needing me much today, he’s taking a day to look after himself- So! I thought it’d be nice if we had a picnic. Maybe made some… Flower crowns? If you’d like, of course.”

“I would love to, Roman.”

The two found a nice place to sit down, hidden behind the leaves of one of the willow trees. The leaves provided them shade, as well as a feeling of privacy. Deceit gently pulled up a red flower, smiling softly at it as he twirled it around in his hand. It was beautiful (Although not nearly as beautiful as the flustered prince sat beside him, he thought) and he hummed quietly as he began using the flower, as well as some others from the area, to form a crown for said flustered prince.

Roman waved and a picnic basket appeared in front of them. He got to work unpacking some of the items, ranging from cookies (Thanks to Patton – He’d been baking a little bit more recently), grapes, berries, little sandwiches, and soda. He turned to Deceit to ask him about what he’d like to eat, only to lock eyes with the snake-like side and instantly forget his words. Deceit seemed to be able to tell and chuckled, reaching out to place the finished red crown on Roman’s head.

Deceit’s hands lingered around Roman’s face, a thumb gently stroking Roman’s cheek before tilting his chin up a little to get the prince to look at him. “You look lovely, Ro,” He smiled.

Roman was almost too flustered to notice the feeling of cool skin against his face instead of the soft material of gloves. Almost. He reached up and gently took a hold of Deceit’s hands, pulling them away from his face so they were back in his line of sight. He knew Deceit had trouble taking off his gloves in front of the other sides. He’d only ever taken them off once before when Roman was around, and Roman had been careful not to mention it. He gently kissed Dec’s scarred hands before smiling. “Thank you.”

The two sat quietly for a while, enjoying the food and the sounds of the surrounding area and the comforting feeling of trust that the two shared. Roman wasn’t sure when it happened, but eventually the two were leaning against each other, feeding each other grapes and cracking little jokes.

They soon ran out of food to share, and Deceit’s arm snaked its way around Roman’s waist, pulling him a little closer and pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

“Thank you for this. I really needed it.”

Roman just hummed quietly in response, tilting his head up to meet Deceit’s eyes. There was a moment between the two, the prince’s gaze flicking between Deceit’s eyes and lips, and Deceit’s non-scaled side slowly turning a shade of red, before the two leaned into each other, lips pressing together in a soft kiss. Roman’s fingers grabbed the front of Deceit’s clothes, pulling him in a little closer.

When they pulled apart, both where blushing darker than they thought they would, giddy smiles on their faces.

“This was fun. Maybe it could become a regular thing?” Roman suggested quietly, biting his lip.

“I’d love that.”

#my writing #/#sanders sides #-#deceit sanders #roman sanders #roceit

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crazy-loca-blog · 4 years

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Personal thoughts on… 2019 releases (Part II)

Note: As the title says, these are just personal opinions on Choices books and chapters. Of course, you may agree or disagree with them, I only use this platform to express my thoughts on what I read every week.

Welcome to the second part of this three-part post. As I said in the first post, I will include current releases and books that were released on 2018 but finished in 2019. The list is organized in alphabetical order and it doesn’t include the VIP Books (as I don’t have access to the feature) or the seasonal books (as I’ll talk about them in another post, after all of them have been fully released). You may see Part I here.

PS: I’ll do my best to upload Part III today (Dec. 31), but I can’t make any promises because I won’t be home on New Year’s eve.

Desire & Decorum, Book 3 (August 4, 2019 - December 1, 2019): This is the only wedding book that made real sense to me this year… and it’s definitely my favorite wedding book of the year. It was the perfect closure for a series that didn’t convince me that much at first, but that I learned to love over time. We had this whole new plot with Harry that was a little weak, but at the same time it was a smart move, as it helped to keep a balance and to not overcharge things with the wedding. But can we just talk about the final chapter? It was simply adorable, I loved every part of it (honestly, I haven’t heard of anyone complaining on the final chapter yet). If I have to criticize something, I’d say the writers went too far with Mr. Sinclaire. The man went through hell in the first two books, I thought they would give him a break in the third one… I was so wrong! But overall, I really liked this book, the new characters such as Harry, Briar’s mom and Hamid’s mom gave some fresh air to the story and new plots such as matchmaking Luke and Anabelle’s sister were a nice twist. I’m pretty happy with this book.

High School Story: Class Act, Book 1 (October 8, 2018 - January 14, 2019): New cast, same school. I couldn’t actually say if I like or dislike this book more than the previous series because I actually feel it’s just impossible to compare them. The writers had a very difficult work to do, as they needed to make this cast different from the HSS one within the same environment, and I’d say they succeeded. Not only you can see the problems are different, but also the way they address their relationships is different, and it’s quite evident that they are younger kids that are transitioning into their teenage years more than teens thinking about graduating and going to college. We also went from this super popular MC and being prom king/queen to a MC who embarrasses himself/herself quite often and whose friends (except for Rory) are probably amongst the most unpopular kids in school. Finally, the fact that the story focuses in one specific school area (the theatre club) was a pretty smart move to not make this story a mess. So overall, it’s not one of my favorite books, but I enjoyed reading it and I appreciate the writers’ effort to make this series different from the first one.

High School Story: Class Act, Book 2 (February 11, 2019 - May 20, 2019): This is the theatre book where theatre is not seen anywhere. I’m not sure if this is the weakest book in the series (I think I still need to realize how Book 3 will end in a few weeks), but I admit I had to review the chapters’ summary because I couldn’t even remember what the book was about. The plot was simply lame, there are no big highlights in the story, we spent like half of it in the middle of a fight between Rory and our twin because they both want to be school president (can we talk about the fact that Maria is graduating?) and we appeared on TV. Our MC simply didn’t shine or did anything truly remarkable during this book. If it weren’t for Ajay’s parents’ divorce and the role our MC played on supporting his/her friend, this book would have been easily forgotten.

High School Story: Class Act, Book 3 (October 30, 2019 - Present): Honestly, I’m not a fan of mixing both HSS gangs in Book 3. It feels weird not to be able to control a MC that I was able to manage in the past. I also understand all the hype for going to London, but did we really need as many people as we see in this book? Where are people like Natalie or Danielle? I mean, I don’t like them, but they’ve belonged to this group since day 1. Anyway… I’m guessing this is the way the writers found for us to say goodbye to this series. After six books, I think it’s the perfect time to put High School Story to rest for a while, before it becomes a mess. Even though there are some chapters left, I can already tell what my favorite thing about this book (and this series) is: the issues these kids have to face in their personal lives are serious stuff. In the past, Rory’s mom had cancer and Ajay’s parents got divorced, and now we talk about Skye coming from an abusive family and our twins trying to find their roots. That was enough. I don’t think we needed Rory and Ajay facing new problems in this book. Instead, I would have preferred to see Rory working with Maria or Ajay dealing with the fact that he became “the man of the house” after his parents’ divorce. The idea was to see them “growing” throughout the series; unfortunately, this hasn’t happened yet.

It Lives Beneath (October 10, 2018 - January 30, 2019): This is the only book in the list I haven’t read… and there is a very specific reason for it. When It Lives In The Woods was first released, I noticed that a lot of the screenshots people were posting included spiders… a lot of them. As an aracnophobic myself, I just couldn’t even begin the first chapter of that book. Then, It Lives Beneath was released and I noticed that there were some characters from the first book, so I said “mmm… maybe I do need to read the first book because it might be linked to the second one”, so I never read it. However, I have to agree with the fandom on the fact that we need more mystery and horror books in the app. Sure, I’m a sucker for romance books, but at the same time, I’m totally capable to understand that we need more diversity in terms of books. So I’m totally waiting for this series to be revisited in the future, the fans deserve it.

Mother Of The Year (August 30, 2019 - Present): This God-tier book is one of those gifts that you don’t expect to be that nice, but it ends up being a treasure. It definitely climbed up in my personal list and went straight to the Top 2 of my favorite books in the app. Nobody had much hope on this story, but we ended up meeting an adorable daughter, a mom that was a warrior, three LIs that were simply adorable, one of the best BBFs that Choices has given us and Luz Mendez, probably one of the best characters in the app. Overall, the plot and the characters (even the evil ones!) were so real and relatable that I have to admit I went through every single possible feeling while reading the book… I laughed, I cried, I screamed, and I got mad at times. And of course, my heart broke when we realized that this was a standalone book. But do I really want it to become a series? I’m not that sure. There is a part of me who wouldn’t like to see a second book because the ending was so precious that I wouldn’t like it to be ruined with a second book. On the other hand, I love the story so much that it makes me sad to realize we won’t be getting anything new from these beautiful people. However, I think the story is perfect to make a Christmas or a Halloween special, focused on the kids… maybe even a summer book! This book definitely deserves to be revisited in the future.

Nightbound (April 24, 2019 - July 31, 2019): I’m not surprised by the end of Nightbound, but I’m definitely sad. I had problems trying to understand the book at first because I’m not the type of person who’s into supernatural and magical stuff (I have to admit this also causes me some problems even when trying to understand the plots in books such as Bloodbound and The Elementalists, despite I think those are good series). I may even have to replay it to fully understand it. But there are some things that are pretty clear to me: the book is well written, the book is good, the book has awesome characters and most importantly, the book is DIFFERENT, something that this fandom has been asking for a long time now. So I was quite shocked when the writers said the book wasn’t doing as good as they thought. Does this book deserve a sequel? Absolutely! Even though I think it got a proper closure, I also think the plot has a lot of potential that could be explored. As that won’t be happening, I really hope to see some of these characters in Bloodblound 3, just as we saw Cal in Bloodbound 2.

Open Heart (February 22, 2019 - June 7, 2019): Sorry, but right now I think my opinion will be completely biased because this is my absolute favorite book in the app. There’s just nothing I don’t love about it. The balance between the romance and the professional stories is one of the bests (if not the best) in the app, the characters are well written, the medical plot is interesting and it addresses many of the current conflicts in health care… it’s just a masterpiece. On the romantic side, it doesn’t matter if you go straight to Bryce or Jackie or if you preferred the slow burn with Rafael (actually, can he be considered a “slow burn”?) or Ethan, the writers took their time for the MC to befriend them, we got to deeply know these people (except for Bryce and Jackie… I’m so waiting to know more about them!) before making a choice, and not all of the romance stories ended up with happy endings and fairy tails, so yeah… it’s my perfect book. Can’t wait for the second one!

Passport to Romance (March 20, 2019 - June 19, 2019): Probably my biggest disappointment of the year. The idea behind this story seemed nice, we could have learned about so many places, we could have laughed about so many of the troubles that people travelling on a budget face, we could have had a series instead of a standalone book. Instead, we got a MC who was always late, who seemed to be quite irresponsible with her job, who lived a life of luxury and who suddenly became BFF with people he/she had just met. Come on, they were nice people (even though at some point I just wanted to make Elliot disappear), but again… we had just met, it’s not like you can’t live without them. On top of that, I can’t even remember how many times this gang violated some rules… sure, Yvette was happy, but it might have cost you an expulsion from Europe, which is not nice if you’re a travel blogger. Let’s add up the non-sense of some situations. I know that books are supposed to be a mix between fiction and reality, but I think they went too far this time. I mean… why would the coach allow Ahmed to travel with a group of strangers instead of travelling with the rest of the team? Especially if he’s a professional athlete and he’s competing in an important championship... sorry guys, but there’s nothing I can rescue from this book.

Platinum (May 30, 2019 - September 19, 2019): This is definitely one of my favorite stories this year, and sorry… but I will never get over the fact that this is a standalone book. This book is so unique in so many ways… for the first time, we heard voices and we heard people singing… we also got Avery and Raleigh, two LIs that were gender customizable… the secondary characters were gold… the plot was so cliché but so attractive at the same time… and I could continue. Reading it every week was a real pleasure, you were actually waiting to find out what would happen the next week, and at some point, it seemed like it was the only book that people talked about. However, creating this book was expensive, and well... that just sucks. It would have been so nice to see our MC touring with her friends, taking new risks, visiting new places, and receiving the rock star treatment that she deserved. This book still has a solid fanbase (especially in Tumblr), so it’s just sad it won’t be revisited in the future.

#playchoices #choices stories you play #desire and decorum #high school story #high school story class act #it lives series #it lives beneath #mother of the year #nightbound #open heart #passport to romance #platinum #hss #hssca #ilb #moty #nb #oh #ptr

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mirkwoodshewolf · 4 years

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Christmas with the Klines; Queen x reader x oc male

*Author’s note*

Well gang here we go with the long awaited Christmas fic for my Rock Angel series (god this whole year has been crazy with this series that I started one year ago since the 8th this month. Thank you all to those who have supported this series). Now I’ve been wanting to write this specific fic since last year but after Christmas ended last year I had no motivation to write it, but in light of the last Christmas for the 2010 decade, might as well close this year off with a bang for my Rock Angel series.

I hope you all enjoy this fic and I hope you all have a happy Holidays whether Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hannukah, and I hope the new decade of 2020 brings us better happiness and good fortune.

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@psychosupernatural

@waddles03

@ixchel-9275

@platawnic

@queendeakyy

@kairosfreddie

@simonedk

@onebigfangirlworld

@naturalswifty89

@starswin

@labessieisallama

@dj-lowkey

@isabella-bby

@5sos-wdw

@bohemiansweede

@geek-and-proud

__________________________________________________________

*Dec. 22nd, 1983*

It was that time of year again. The greatest time of year, especially in England. Christmas time. Just the other day, the guys and I finished our last show before the holiday break and then after New Year’s we would be back on the road again to finish the Angel-Queen tour. It was also special because now I finally had me a good boyfriend to spend the holidays with.

Don’t get me wrong, the guys are awesome and their families have been so welcoming to me. With Christmas Eve at Freddie’s with his party and then Christmas day dinner location changes every year, like last year it was at Deacy’s and this year Roger was hosting the dinner.

But it is nice to spend it with someone around my age, and one that I can share a romantic Christmas with this time, unlike back with Adam.

This year however was gonna be different, because this year I wasn’t going to join the guys for Christmas. Jack and I talked and he said that it would be a good idea for me to meet his family, since he had met mine.

I agreed to the idea but I won’t deny that I was fucking nervous. I mean he’s told me all about his mum, step-father, cousins and their family but I was really nervous to meet them, especially his mum.

I had no idea what she’ll think of a rockstar dating her son, would she like me or automatically have an image of me based off the Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll motto?

“Yeah. Yes mom we’ll be there tomorrow morning. Yep flight’s all cleared to go and snow’s not to come till tomorrow night. Don’t worry we’re on the first flight tonight. Mom stop worrying.” Jack, who was on the phone, looked at me and made a funny face which made me softly chuckle. “Yes we can’t wait to see you too. Love you too mom, bye.” He hung up and sighed heavily. I rubbed his shoulder. “I know but sometimes she baby’s me too much.” He sighed. I giggled as I leaned against his back and wrapped my arms around his waist.

“That just means she loved you so much.” I rubbed his back for a moment of silence before I asked him “Do you think she’ll like me?” he turned towards me and he said.

“She’ll love you.”

“How do you know that?” he cupped my face into his hands and said as he leaned his forehead against mine.

“I’ve told her about you. And she’s been begging me to bring you over. Especially since it was made official by the press that the Rock Angel had herself a lover boy.” I eye rolled remembering the first tabloid that got released after Jack and I were caught kissing in Paris before the concert. “Hey,” he stroked my cheek and we both stared into each other’s eyes. “It’s gonna be okay. My whole family’s gonna love you.”

“How is it you know exactly what to say to put me at ease?”

“Just lucky I guess.” He shrugged as he grinned innocently. I smiled and as we leaned in and almost kissed each other, the phone rang. I groaned and dropped my head down onto his shoulder as I went and picked it up.

“Hello?”

‘Well about bloody time you picked up.’

“What do you want Roger?”

‘Well judging by the tone in your voice missy seems I interrupted something special. Good.’

“Just say what you called to ask me Rog.”

‘Alright, alright no need to get your knickers in a twist lovie. I wanted to ask you in Dominque’s stand about what time you’ll be coming over to help her with the Christmas dinner?’ Oh god—I knew this had to come so might as well get it out now.

“Actually Rog I—I’m not going this year.”

‘Oh okay so you’re not—WHAT!?!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT COMING!!!’ I pulled the phone away from my ear as he shouted out. I turned to Jack and I mouthed out ‘I’m so sorry.’

“Roger don’t be so—”

‘I’ll fucking be as hysterical as I want to be! Lovie you always come for Christmas dinners. Does this also mean you’ll be missing Fred’s party too. You’re thankful he’s not hosting this year cause this is just a taste had you told him you weren’t coming.’

“I know. And yes I’m not going to the Christmas eve party either.”

‘Oh lovie, (y/n), (y/n), (y/n), (y/n) lovie. My little lion cub why not?’

“Well—I’ll be in America. See Jack has invited me over for Christmas with his family. And his mum has also insisted on meeting me since we are an official couple.”

‘But can’t you at least spend the New Year with them?’

“It’s too late Rog. Jack and I bought our tickets for tonight and we’ll be in America till the New Year.”

‘But—’

“It’s settled Roger I’m sorry. Now please no begging, whining or pleading. Tell Felix he’ll expect his gift from his auntie right at Christmas, along with all my other nephews and nieces. Goodbye Roger, have a safe Christmas and don’t get hammered again like you did last year.”

I then hung up the phone before another debate could start. I sighed heavily and felt Jack now beginning to massage my shoulders.

“I swear I love that man like a father but sometimes he can be so—hysterical it’s not even funny.”

“Ohh don’t let it get to you baby. That just means he loves you so much.” He threw my words back at his face. I raised my brow at him and he just grinned back at me.

“Guess we both have got ourselves some smothers huh?”

“Can’t argue there. So—shall we get some sleep before our flight?”

“Nah we can just sleep on the flight. Now let’s see we’ve got—4 hours till we have to leave for the airport. I say we order in and then we can head out to the airport shortly after? Cause during the holidays transportation to the airports are always crazy.”

“That works for me.” I smiled and rung up the number for the Chinese restaurant that I usually get my takeout’s from. Within fifteen minutes our food finally arrived and Jack and I sat down at the couch watching some old Christmas movies as we ate our dinner.

Once we got done, I took out my bins for trash collecting, we both ran through a checklist to make sure we got everything, especially Jack. Then once the hour was up we headed on out and hailed a cabbie to the airport. When we reached the airport, of course it wasn’t easy not only dealing with long security and getting our passports checked out, but also fans were stopping us wanting me to sign their CD’s, posters, or wanting pictures.

Of course I didn’t want to seem rude but Jack and I needed to get to our flights. So I signed a few things but refused photos because we needed to get to our gate before the plane took off. Thankfully we made it just as the first class seating’s were being called up.

Jack and I handed the woman our tickets and passports and she checked us out and told us to have a safe flight to the States. Jack and I went through the tunnel and we managed to find our seats. I sighed heavily as I leaned back in my seat.

“Hey, we made it didn’t we?”

“Yes. Thankfully. I’m just so sorry you also had to deal with the threatening male fans telling you to stay away.”

“Yeah well they’re just gonna have to deal with it. Cause I don’t plan on leaving you soon.” I smiled softly and kissed him. I cuddled close to him as we waited for about 20 minutes till finally the plane was ready to take off.

After getting some snacks and a few glasses of champagne, Jack and I took out the blanket and our neck pillows and cuddled close together before finally falling asleep.

When I woke up, I groaned and stretched my legs as best I could and let out a yawn.

“Good morning.” I looked up to see Jack smiling tiredly down at me.

“Good morning.” I moaned tiredly.

“Hello beautiful.” I hummed a chuckle and I said.

“We there yet?”

“Have a look out the window.” I leaned over him and looked out to see a small little town just below us. “Baby, welcome to Lebanon, Kansas.” He packed up the blankets while I packed away the neck pillows and out pilot told us we would begin our decent into Lebanon and to get back into our seats and to fasten our seatbelts. Thankfully there wasn’t any turbulence going down (which I am always thankful for).

And within ten minutes we landed in Lebanon airport. It was a small airport compared to what I’ve seen before in the big cities but it didn’t matter cause it was just as busy as any other airport is, especially around the holidays.

After getting our passports checked out and the worker telling Jack welcome home and telling me to have a good Christmas. As we walked out and headed towards the baggage claim, there was a loud booming voice that seemed to echo throughout the chaos in the airport.

“Jack! YO JACK!” We looked up and as a few people passed by, I saw a man around Roger’s age maybe even a bit older than him waving his hand in the air. He had dark brown hair and had a dark beard starting to grow around his face.

“Ahh shit.” He muttered.

“Wait is that….”

“Yeah, My eldest cousin.” He came up to us with a wide smile and his arms extended.

“There he is. C’mere lover boy!” Jack’s cousin pulled Jack in for a noogie.

“Hey Jensen, been a long time.”

“When Jared told me you’d be staying across the pond till Christmas I almost didn’t want to believe it. Please tell me you haven’t fully given up real American football.”

“No I haven’t.” Jack groaned as he managed to get out of his cousin’s grip.

“Ehh that’s my boy!” he then turned towards me and said, “Oh hohoho. So this is the British beauty that kept you in England huh?”

“Jensen, this is (y/n). (Y/n) my older cousin Jensen.”

“Enchanté mademoiselle.” He casually flirted but of course his mispronunciation in the French tone was so bad it was funny.

“Le plaisir est tout à moi monsieur.” I told him and of course he just gaped at me which made me laugh.

“Jack I thought you said she was British.”

“I can speak several languages. Just because I’m a rockstar doesn’t mean I’m not educated or dropped out of high school to do so.”

“He didn’t mean any offense babe, right Jensen?” Jack sneered towards him as he spoke his cousin’s name.

“Yeah, right, right. I just wasn’t expected a reply in French.”

“Brian helped teach me a few languages. He said it makes the audience feel more involved when you speak in their language.”

“Boy Jared’s gonna love you. Guy has an ear for languages. So come on you two lovebirds, let’s get your bags and onto home. Aunt Kelly’s been calling me non-stop to pick you guys up on my way up here after getting some work done.” As he walked away Jack said.

“He owns a mechanic shop in Austin, Texas.”

“The one your uncle owned?”

“Yep. Jensen got it last year after his dad passed away from a heart attack.”

“Oh I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“It’s fine. Seems like he’s moved on from his grief last I saw him at the start of the summer.”

“Well are you two coming or not?” Jack rolled his eyes and took my hand and we headed on over to the baggage claim. After waiting about seven minutes for our bags to come and another nine to finally find our bags we then headed out to the parking garage and there we saw a 1967 black Chevy Impala.

“Wow, what Roger wouldn’t give to see that car.” I muttered.

“Interested in cars?” asked Jensen as he opened up the trunk and he and Jack put the heavy suitcases into the trunk.

“Well not really. I prefer bikes.”

“Oh really, what do you ride?”

“Well for my birthday earlier this year my—my friend gave me a red Honda CB750 red Nightwing.” Jensen whistled.

“Damn I’ve seen only a couple of those in my shop, mostly mountain bikes or four-wheelers. I’d give anything to see that beautiful thing.”

“Well next time you’re in London give me a buzz and I’ll introduce you.”

“It would be an honor Angel.” Wow this guy was a fan of cars and bikes much like Roger was. Oh god—another Roger Taylor. And an American one at that, just what the world needs.

“Okay well better not keep mom waiting. Let’s get going Jensen.”

“Righty-o cousin of mine. Hope in the back with your lady.”

“Are you ever gonna let me in the front seat?”

“As long as I’m alive, hell no.” Jack fussed but I took his arm and said.

“Oh come on you big baby.” I opened the door and got inside and Jack slide beside me while Jensen got in the driver’s seat and turned on the engine which purred and revved on.

“Ahh, love to hear this old girl purr. Got her as a present from my old man after I returned from the war.”

“The war? What war?” I asked.

“Didn’t lover boy tell you that I fought in Vietnam?”

“No. He did not.” I said as I turned to Jack.

“Is it really that important?”

“Uh hell yeah it is. My reputation is at stake, you think I’d just let you tell this lovely lady I just worked at my pop’s mechanic shop and now own it. Oh hell no pal!” As we pulled out of the airport I was then told of Jensen’s career in Vietnam in the Marines.

I was told he got the Medal of honor for saving his fleet from an oncoming ambush, even though it was against protocol to avert from the trail they were supposed to go on. He saved over 300 soldiers that day by diverting them away from the ambush.

After about an hour and a half on the road, we drove along a dirt path until we finally came up to a beautiful farmhouse. It kinda reminded me of Rockfield farm with a house on one side of the hill and the barn just down below.

Jensen parked his car and shut the engine off and I could see that standing on the porch was a man around Jensen’s age with short black hair and wearing probably the worst Christmas jumper I have ever seen.

“Oh god Misha I told him not to wear that damn thing.” Jensen muttered, oh so this was Jack’s stepfather. We all got out of the car and that’s when Misha came down the steps of the porch and he said.

“Well our long lost sheep has finally returned. Hey Jack.”

“Hey dad.” Jack smiled as he walked up to his stepdad and the two of them hugged each other. “So where is she?”

“She’s right here.” The two of them turned to me and Jack introduced us. “Dad, I’d like you to meet (y/n) (l/n). (Y/n) this is my dad Misha.”

“Well in literal terms I’m his stepdad but I did help raise this little nugget from the day he was born.” Misha said as he ruffled Jack’s hair. I smiled and extended my arm and said.

“Jack’s told me so much about you Mr. Collins.”

“Oh please call me Misha. And our Jack has definitely told us a lot about you.” I turned to Jack anxiously and he assured me.

“Good things babe I promise.”

“Jack?” a female voice soon called out. Then standing at the door was a fairly beautiful young woman. She had shoulder length styled brown hair with highlights at the tips, I could definitely see some of Jack’s features from her like her eyes, nose, and some of her facial features almost resembled Jack’s to a T.

“Mom.”

“You’re back!” she then raced down the steps and immediately embraced her son.

It was such a warm and touching moment, kinda reminded me of my mum whenever she and dad would return from a gig or even just from their jobs. Like Veronica, Jack’s mum beamed with a beautiful aurora that just screamed ‘motherhood’ and ‘warmly��.

“Oh my baby boy’s finally home. I just can’t believe you’re finally home. Never stay away from me that long okay I missed you too much.” She kissed her son’s cheek once more and Jack said.

“Mom please don’t embarrass me.”

“Oh stop it. I’m your mother that’s kinda my job.” She teased. It was then she turned and saw me.

Oh bugger here we go. But keep calm (y/n), remember what Veronica, Dominque and Chrissie told you. The biggest impression you must make when being introduced to your boyfriend’s family is to be approachable to the mother.

She will be the most protective so just remain calm, relaxed, be yourself and hopefully she won’t smell your fear.

“Is this her?”

“Yep. Mom, this is my girlfriend (y/n) (l/n). (Y/n), this is my mom Kelly Kline.” She then came right up to me and I took a soft but deep breath.

“Hello Mrs. Kline. It—it is an honor to finally meet the woman who raised such a gentleman.” She looked me over a few times before finally saying.

“Well I’m glad that my teachings came in handy for someone in the end. Jack told me of how you two met and frankly I never would’ve thought celebrities had to deal with that day in and day out.”

“Yeah it—always comes with the territory. Especially with women in the industry.”

“That’s just dreadful. But I am thankful my son stepped in when he did. And please (y/n), call me Kelly.” She said as she took my hands in hers, her thumbs gently stroking the back of my hands comfortingly. She walked back over to Jack and I thought I heard her say to him, “She’s a pretty one Jack.”

“Alright well why don’t we get you two settled inside, you must be exhausted from the trip.” Jensen and Misha then helped with the bags while Jack, his mum and I went inside the house.

It was a quaint little house, definitely made me think back to Rockfield farm. All along the walls were old photographs of either Kelly or Jack, Misha and Jack’s cousins.

“So is Jared here yet?” asked Jack.

“Just about, last time he got a hold up at work but he and the family left last night. So they should be here in the next hour or so.” Replied Jensen.

“I hope they don’t get into another accident. God why must people drive so crazy?” a female voice stated from the stairs. Soon coming down holding a young girl that almost looked identical to her, was a woman with long auburn hair and deep brown eyes.

“Mommy it’s the Rock angel! The Rock angel is really here!” the young girl squirmed out of her mom’s grip and she raced up to me and hugged my legs.

“Ah-ah JJ! Remember what we talked about.” Jensen warned the little girl known as JJ.

“It’s okay Jensen, I’m used to this. I’ve got little fans back home that do this to me every time I see them.” I thought back to the little Deacy ducklings, little Felix and the May siblings.

“So sorry about our daughter, she’s such a big fan of yours and has been looking forward to meeting you.” The woman said.

“It’s fine. But off stage you can call me (y/n).”

“Danneel, but most people call me Dani. I’m Jensen’s wife.” The two of us shook hands with each other.

“So how did you meet Jensen?” I asked her as I picked up little JJ and held her in my arms.

“Oh well knucklehead was in the bar one night down in my hometown of Dallas, I challenged him to a game of pool and beat him fair and square.”

“Uhh no baby I let you win because I didn’t want you to feel bad.”

“Oh you just can’t accept the fact that a girl beat you at pool even when you were playing your best.” I grinned and I turned to JJ and asked her.

“So JJ, what’s your favorite song of mine?”

“Set it all free.”

“Oh don’t get her started on that. She’ll religiously listen to that song, begs us repeatedly to play it for her in the car all day.” Jensen groaned out.

“Oh you don’t get to complain, I see you jamming out and doing the air guitar solo every time she asks you to play it.” Dani ratted him out. I chuckled and that’s when I set JJ down and I said.

“You know JJ, if you’d like I could sign my record for you.” She gasped and turned to her mum and Dani said.

“Go and get your CD from the car.” And like a shot JJ was off. I looked to her and I asked.

“What’s a CD?”

“Think a miniature version of a vinyl.” Answered Jensen.

“Ahh. So guess Miami agreed to turn my records into these CD’s then.”

“Miami?” asked Dani.

“That’s her manager’s nickname.” Jack answered. Both Jensen and Dani ahhed in understandment and that’s when JJ came in with her CD. She handed it to me and I took the time to admire it. Wow it really was a miniature version of a vinyl record. I wonder if Queen’s albums are also being turned to CD’s.

“Okay let’s see here,” Jack handed me a sharpie and I thanked him as I went to sign the CD cover.

To JJ,

Always believe in yourself and rock on lovely.

Hugs and kisses. (Y/n) the Rock Angel.

And I did my signature angel wings around my stage name as well as the halo over the G.

“There you go love.” She squealed in excitement before hugging me tightly and going off to probably admire and stare at it for hours.

“You know she’s gonna end up worshipping that right?” Jack whispered to me. I playfully swatted his arm and we both grabbed our suitcases and headed up the stairs.

Once we reached Jack’s old bedroom, I took in all of the posters he had in his room.

“Oh shit I forgot about all this.”

“Wow, seems you’re more of a fangirl than I was.” I teased him. All around he had posters of bands like Led Zeppelin and AC/DC and of course Queen, to the solo artists like Bowie and Elton.

“Please don’t tell the guys about this, please (y/n).”

“Ohh I don’t know.” I teased with a cheeky grin.

“S—seriously (y/n) don’t tell them about my room.”

“Okay, okay I promise I won’t tell them.”

“I don’t believe you.” He then pulled me onto his bed and hovered over me and proceeded to tickle my sides.

“Shit no Jack dohohohon’t!”

“Not till I know for certain you won’t tell your boys about this.”

“I swear! I swear I promise they won’t hear about it just stop tickling me!” he ceased his tickle attack and grinned victoriously down at me. “You are a twat I hope you know that.”

“Yeah, a dirty twat that you love.” I hummed.

“That I do.” He leaned down and captured my lips with his. I cupped my hand to the side of his face as our kiss became a bit deeper. Just as I felt his tongue gently peek out wanting entrance, we suddenly heard a young boy’s voice say.

“Ewww! Uncle Jack’s kissing a girl!” we separated and there I saw two young boys. One was the oldest probably around 7-8 and the other one just a couple years younger than him, between 4-6.

They both had dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes and the two of them just stood there.

“Oh bugger.” I muttered.

“Tom, Shep didn’t I tell you boys to knock before—oh wow okay uhh….So sorry bout that.” Soon an older man came walking in with the same brown hair as his son’s and he had the same colored eyes as Roger. “Welcome back Jack uhh—we’ll uhh…..get out of your hair and…..”

“It’s fine Jared. Might as well get introductions out of the way.” The two of us sat up and I adjusted my hair and that’s when the older boy pointed at me and said.

“Wait you’re the Rock Angel! Uncle Jack why didn’t you tell me you were swapping spit with the Rock Angel!?”

“Thomas!” Jared snapped. Wow this kid sure does love to speak his mind. Jack and I cleared our throats as Jack told him.

“I wasn’t swapping spit with her, it was—just a kiss.”

“Yeah French kissing. Is that really how they kiss?”

“Thomas enough. In fact where did you even hear that from?”

“Uncle Jensen.” Thomas nonchalantly stated.

“Why doesn’t that surprise me? Well there go his babysitting status. Right well why don’t you kids head back downstairs to your mom.” The boys whined but with one look from their father the two of them raced off downstairs. “Again I am so sorry about them, I’ll be sure to talk to my brother about their language and behavior, especially Thomas’.” Jared spoke as he came and stood by the bed.

“It’s fine.”

“I’m Jared by the way. Jensen’s younger brother. Jack’s—”

“Told you all about me. I’ve been getting that a lot lately. Now if I remember correctly, Jack told me you worked in the court system?” I said as the two of us shook hands with each other.

“Yes, lawyer actually.”

“Ahh so what kind of cases do you usually stick with.”

“I went to Stanford to study criminal law. I uhh—work under the Prosecution back in Austin. Work under the D.A.”

“Impressive. So have you put away any bad guys?”

“More than I can count. My first case was actually the O’Bryan case back in ‘74. The Candy man.”

“Wait I think I remember the British News talking about that, it was dreadful to hear such a thing like that could happen.”

“Yeah it—it was brutal. But thanks to my team and I we were able to put the son of a bitch away and sentence him to death. Just wish they would hurry up with the execution already.”

“That’s my cousins. One likes to brag about war stories and the other obsessed with serial killers.” Jack said to me.

“It’s not an obsession!” Jared defended.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night Jared. Anyways, why don’t we go downstairs and I can introduce you to Gen, Jared’s wife.”

“I’d love to. Maybe then we can also help with any cooking for tomorrow that your mum might have planned.” And with that the three of us headed downstairs to the living room.

Like Dani, Gen was a sweet woman. In a way she reminded me a mix between Veronica’s sweetness but also Dominque’s strength and wittiness, especially when it came to her brother in law Jensen.

I’ll admit meeting Jack’s family turned out to be less stressful than I imagined. I can’t believe I was so stressed out in meeting them, turns out some were fans like his cousin’s kids, or they didn’t believe the stereotypes for Rockstars which I was thankful for.

The next morning, it was finally Christmas Eve. I woke up to Jack gently stroking through my hair and him staring down at me lovingly.

“Good morning you.” I groaned tiredly.

“Morning.” He praised. “You ready to have a Kline Christmas?”

“Absolutely. What is the tradition of the Kline family on Christmas eve?”

“Come with me and you’ll see.” He helped me up and the two of us got dressed and headed downstairs.

We came into the kitchen and I saw the entire Kline family in the kitchen prepping for something.

“Ahh the lovebirds arouse awake.” Jensen stated.

“Good morning you two. Did you sleep okay?” asked Kelly.

“Great mom, thanks.”

“We slept wonderfully Mrs. Kline.”

“Great, now come over and help us build our gingerbread palace.” She said.

“Wait I—I thought it was just a house?” I asked.

“Yeah well since we make min gingerbread people of ourselves, a house can’t quite fit all of us so we settle for a palace.” Jack told me.

“So come on guys, help us out. Sooner we get this made, the sooner it can start settling in and we can start making gingerbread us.” Said Misha. So Jack and I walked in the kitchen and we began working on the palace.

Apparently it was Dani’s turn to design the palace this year (Jack mentioned that every year a different person makes a few designs for the potential gingerbread palaces and she picked the best one). And the design she had was beautifully done.

So Jack and I were in charge of the roofs, Gen and Jared tackled the walls, Misha and Kelly worked on the towers, and Dani and Jensen did the bridge and the kids would work on the minor decorations with the gumdrops, candy and all the other small minor stuff. Even though it’s been a long time since I made a gingerbread house back at my nana’s house, Jack helped me whenever I screwed up.

His hands would come over mine and he’d guide me in how to make the style of roof Dani had designed. Much like how I would guide his hands in how to play the piano or the bass. And whenever I did something right, I got a kiss as a reward which made all the women awe and the kids go eww.

Once the gingerbread palace was finally assembled, we then turned to make our official gingerbread men. I figured for mine, I’d give myself the red streak that I first started off with before finally getting rid of it at the beginning of this year.

I also made myself a red special guitar that Brian gave me to hold and to support my boys, I made a Q on my chest to represent Queen. Kelly then put the cookies in the oven and when they were all done, I saw that mine turned out really good.

When we got the all clear after about an hour, the kids finally came in and we helped them decorate the palace. They told us where each thing was going to go and how to arrange certain pieces of candy or gumdrops.

Finally it was time to place our gingerbread men around the palace. First Kelly and Misha placed their gingerbread men down, then Jensen and Jared, Gen and Dani, Jack, JJ, Thomas and Shep.

“(Y/n)? Aren’t you going to place your gingerbread down?” Kelly asked me.

“Yeah I just…..need to find the perfect spot.”

“Why not put it next to Jack? Lovebirds need to remain together right?” asked Jensen.

“Go on baby.” Jack assured me. I then found Jack’s gingerbread man and placed mine right next to his and we all stood and marveled at our gingerbread palace.

After the gingerbread making, we gathered around the piano singing a few Christmas carols (of course JJ and Thomas tried to get me to mostly sing solo) but I kindly declined to sing all of them solo, just a couple. Then it was time for dinner while the kids picked out between the animated Christmas movies only (tomorrow they would do the Claymation ones like Rudolph and Santa clause is coming to town).

With the turkey, ham and all other sorts of Christmas dishes was down on the table, we all gathered around the table and Kelly led us in prayer first before we finally sat down to eat. As I was digging into some of the mashed potatoes, Misha asked.

“You know (y/n), Jack’s only told us a bit about you but not the whole story about you.”

“Yeh, like your parents. What are they like? Were they okay with you spending Christmas with us instead of being home in England?” I paused eating another bite of my mashed potatoes and set my fork down gently feeling that same depressing feeling that I felt for years since I was 8 up until my first Christmas with the boys.

“Uhh mom, dad let’s not talk about—”

“No Jack. It’s okay. I can tell them.”

“Are you sure?” he asked me concerned.

“Yes.”

“What happened? Your parents didn’t approve with your dream of being a rockstar?” asked Jensen.

“You’re half right. Except it wasn’t my parents. They died when I was just 8 years old.” At that point the table went quiet.

“Oh gosh I—I’m so sorry to hear that sweetie.” Kelly said sympathetically.

“How did they die?” asked Shep.

“Shep don’t.” Gen warned her son.

“It’s okay Gen, I can answer that. It—was a car crash, during a storm. I was then put into the care of my mum’s older sister, my aunt. And her and my uncle weren’t—the nicest of people.” Goddamn it girl don’t start crying now, think of the boys. Think of your boys!

I felt Jack take my hand and squeeze it comfortingly, his thumb brushing the back of my hand.

“But—I did find a wonderful family to love me for who I am. Not just your son but my real family. My team, my manager Miami, and my lovely partners not only in the industry but in life, Queen.”

“Well, it’s nice to see that musicians care about one another even beyond work.” Said Kelly with a soft smile.

“Yeah, in more ways than one.” I muttered with a soft smile. Oh I hope the guys are still having a wonderful Christmas even without me there.

After dinner I was sitting on the couch and JJ made herself comfortable on my lap. I then saw Jack coming in wearing probably the most goofiest thing I have ever seen.

It was a headband that had a hook attached to the top of it and at the end curve of the hook, there was a bit of mistletoe attached to it.

“What is this?” I laughed.

“Tradition. Now come on, you’re stuck under the mistletoe, you know what you must do right?”

“Yeah I know what I have to do.” I then leaned down and pecked JJ’s cheek leaving Jack flabbergasted.

“That’s not what I had in mind.”

“Oh you big baby come here.” I pulled him close and gave him the kiss that he wanted. After that he sat close beside me and as Gen pulled out the animated movies she said.

“Okay we’ve got Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty, the Grinch. What shall we watch first?”

“The Grinch!” proclaimed Thomas.

“Now I want to watch Frosty!” argued Shep.

“No we started off with that last year. Let’s do the Grinch!” JJ proclaimed.

“Hang on kids, hang on. I think—in light of the fact we’ve got a new addition to our Christmas movie watching, I think we should let (y/n) choose the movie we watch first.” Stated Misha.

“I can work with that.” Jensen said.

“Yeah let’s do that.”

“Oh no I can’t do that.” I argued. “Don’t let me ruin how you guys do this.”

“There’s no harm. We always let the family additions have first pick of movies around the holidays. If you don’t believe us you can ask Gen and Dani.” Kelly said. I turned to the women and they both nodded.

“Might as well pick one out babe. My mom’s like Freddie when it comes to persistency.” He whispered the last part in my ear which made me grin.

“Okay well—I’ve never seen Charlie Brown Christmas.”

“Wait what was that?” Jensen started off. “Did I just hear you right in saying you’ve never seen any of the Charlie Brown movies?”

“There’s more of them?”

“Oh my god how could—how could you not know Charlie Brown?” Jensen proclaimed.

“Sorry Jensen. I just—was never exposed to it. Was he always a cartoon?”

“No they came from the brilliant mind that is Charles Schulz. The Peanuts gang started off as a comic book before releasing their first movie which was this Christmas special.”

“Why are they called the Peanuts gang?”

“Because that’s what Schulz called them in the comics. Don’t worry you poor misguided child, I’ll let you read the paper tomorrow and you’ll see a real Peanut’s comic.” I turned to Jack and he shook his head and mouthed out sorry to me.

“Okay so A Charlie Brown Christmas it is then.” Gen then took the VCR out of the box and placed it into the player and pressed the play button and soon the Kline Christmas movie tradition began to commence.

And I will say by the end of Charlie Brown, I actually came to love it. But poor Charlie Brown always getting bullied by his so called friends and getting the boot out of everything in life, it just—makes me wanna hug him.

By the time it grew dark outside, it was time for bed. So after getting dressed and changed into my pajamas once more, I saw that Jack had not yet taken the mistletoe hat off.

“Are you ever gonna take that thing off?” I asked as I walked up to him.

“Not until the day after tomorrow. Or at least I get 100 kisses from you.”

“Why must you be so cute?” I giggled.

“Well my granddad was a former WW2 veteran, and my grandma was a tiny cute bunny.” I giggled again and got into bed beside him to feel him wrap his arms around my waist.

“Goodnight Jack.”

“G’night my love. See you in the morning.” We then kissed each other again before finally falling asleep after a long Christmas eve day.

The next morning I woke up to a series of soft kisses. I groaned and turned to the side to see Jack staring down at my lovingly.

“Merry Christmas baby.”

“Merry Christmas love.” It was finally time. Christmas morning. I stretched myself out and rose up from the bed and Jack followed suit wrapping his arms around me and pulling me in for a kiss. I looked up to see him still wearing that milestone headband. “I still can’t believe you’re still wearing that ridiculous thing.”

“But it got a kiss out of you last night and this morning right?” I took it off of him and kissed his cheek.

“You know you don’t need mistletoe to get a kiss from me.” He grinned and just as he leaned in to kiss me, the door opened and soon kids came pouring in.

“Uncle Jack! Aunt (y/n) wake up it’s Christmas!” proclaimed Jared’s oldest son Thomas.

“Let’s go get up lazy bones!” cried Jensen’s oldest JJ.

“You can sleep when you’re dead get up! Santa came! Santa came!” cried out Shep, Jared’s youngest son. And then they raced out after shaking our bed and rattling us like we were maracas.

Then as quickly as they came, they raced out of Jack’s room and raced downstairs.

“Kids. Don’t you wish you could be that young again?” I chuckled.

“Yeah. Christmas was always such a magical time of year for me. Mom never forgave me for jumping up and down on the bed waking her up on Christmas morning.”

“Awww now that I would love to see.” He then pounced on me sending me backwards onto the bed with him hovering over me.

“Trust me, no you don’t.” he smirked down at me before cupping my cheek and leaned down and finished the kiss he was about to start before the kid ambush happened. I hummed softly as we soon separated and I said.

“C’mon you, let’s go see if Santa brought us anything.” I sat up and got out of bed but was suddenly pulled back and was sitting on Jack’s lap.

“Can’t I at least have one final kiss.” I raised my brow at him and slightly scowled him before submitting to his demands and pecked his cheek before taking his hand and the two of us headed downstairs.

It was there we saw all the kids already opening or playing with their new toys while we saw Misha, Kelly, and Gen already up and about. Misha was sipping his morning coffee while Gen and Kelly were making breakfast.

“Merry Christmas.” The both of us said.

“Merry Christmas.” They choired back.

“How did you two sleep?” asked Misha.

“We slept good dad thank you. So when’s breakfast gonna be ready?”

“It’ll be ready when it’s ready Jack.” His mother said.

“Here (y/n), why don’t you give us a hand, we sure could use the extra hand.” Said Gen. I nodded and headed over and helped them out by setting up the table and doing whatever preparations Kelly or Gen needed help with.

Once Jensen, Danneel and Jared finally woke up breakfast was just about ready so we called everyone into the kitchen to have Christmas breakfast. We all gathered around in a circle and Misha led us in grace, then after praying we all got our breakfast and proceeded to eat.

After breakfast it was the grownups time to open up their presents. I got Jack some new bass strings and managed to make a scrapbook of some of out moments together throughout this year. While he got me a new necklace with a heart shape locket, and new records.

I also got some minor gifts for the rest of Jack’s family like I got Kelly a new bracelet, Misha got some new literature books that I thought he’d be interested to put into his library, Jensen got some car fuel for his baby as well as Led Zeppelin records, Gen got the sweater she saw at the shop when we all had a girl’s shopping day to bond, Gen got a couple of bracelets and I also got Jared some records like Elton John and David Bowie as well as a new tailored suit that he could wear once he got back to work.

After opening some more presents and getting dressed Jack and I went outside along with Jared, Jensen and their wives. Jack and I hopped up along the porch railing while Jared and Gen were on the porch swing and Jensen and Dani took the two rocking chairs. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining, not quite like the white Christmases I’ve had in the past but at least it wasn’t raining.

“Beautiful day isn’t it?” asked Gen.

“Yeah. Much better than it was last year.” Agreed Dani.

“I’ll drink to that.” Jensen said as he sipped his beer.

“It’s absolutely fabulous my darlings!” At that voice I quickly turned around but the next thing I knew I cried out as I fell right into the bushes right beside the front porch.

I could hear the sound of kids laughing and a proclamation from a familiar Leicester accent.

“Now you done it Fred.”

“Just get me the bloody hell out of here!” Jack came over as well as another figure and when I saw the familiar curly hair of Brian May help my boyfriend in getting me out of the bush he apologized on Fred’s behalf.

“Sorry (y/n).” he said as he took some leaves and twigs out of my hair.

“Sure you are. But—what are you doing here?” I turned around and I saw it was the entire Queen family. Not just the guys but the wives as well as the kids. “In fact what are you all doing here?”

“What’s it look like? We came to spend Christmas with you.” Said Freddie.

“And since Christmas is about spending time with family, we figured that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to meet Jack’s family as well.” Brian said as he finished picking out the final leaf that was stuck in my hair and stroked it down.

“And the kids really missed their auntie and wanted to thank you for their gifts in person.” Said Veronica as she held little Laura in her arms. It was then the kids all came running up to me and hugged me before all saying.

“Thank you auntie (y/n).”

“I really loved the race cars you got me.” Said Michael.

“And the coloring books you got me, I even got to draw you a picture on the plane.” Said Felix.

“I wanted to wear my princess dress you got me but mummy and daddy wouldn’t let me but I’ll wear it when you come home okay?” said Laura.

“I would love to see you in it Laura. I saw it and I thought only one little girl needed to have it.” I said as I picked her up and held her in my arms.

“So this is your family (y/n)?” I heard Dani’s voice say. We all turned around and I said.

“Oh right sorry. Jensen, Jared, Danneel and Genevieve you all probably know the members of Queen; Freddie, John, Roger and Brian. And these lovely ladies are the wives of Queen. Veronica is Deacy’s lovely wife and their kids are Michael, Robert, baby Joshua, and Laura. Dominque is Roger’s lovely raven haired beauty and their son over there is Felix. And Chrissie is Brian’s wife along with their kids Jimmy and Louisa.”

“Wow so you really weren’t kidding about Queen being your family.” His wife elbowed him in the side making him groan.

“What my husband’s trying to say is that—we didn’t expect you guys to actually come.”

“Yeah, yeah we get it. Didn’t think that this lovely girl here could actually be family to one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Well it’s true. The day we met (n/n) here, she just clicked with us as an intern. And she’s only grown into a better artist and a more confident person.” Roger said as he came up and gently ruffled my hair.

“Well why don’t we all head inside? I’m sure Kelly and Misha would like to meet you both since Jack’s told them about you all.” Gen said as she stood up from the swing.

“So you’ve also told your parents about us Jack dear?” asked Freddie.

“In a way.” Jack admitted.

“All good things I hope.” Piped in Brian.

“I promise nothing bad.” Jack assured him.

“Alright well let’s get inside, I need to change this little one’s diaper and then get him down for a nap.” Veronica said as she gestured to Joshua in his little baby carrier that Deacy was holding. We all nodded and soon began filing in the house.

“Mom! Dad!”

“In the living room Jack!” Misha proclaimed. We all piled in and as soon as my family made their appearance, the eyes on both Kelly’s and Misha’s face were eyes that I have seen over a thousand times before.

They were star struck.

“Jack…..” his mom started.

“Yeah mom they uhh—they decided to come spend Christmas with us.”

“We know we should’ve given either Jack or (y/n) a head’s notice but some of us thought a surprise would be better.” Brian spoke as he looked towards Freddie and Roger who both merely looked away as if they didn’t hear anything Brian just said. “We hope we didn’t cause any inconvenience.”

“No. No not at all. In fact we’ve…..we’ve been dying to meet (y/n)’s family. Now it seems we get our wish.” Kelly said.

“So how long have you all known each other?” asked Misha.

“September marked the three year anniversary since I met the guys at my internship.” I said.

“Wow three years, god feels like it’s been longer than that.” Roger said as he wrapped an arm around me and kissed the top of my head. I smiled and leaned my head against his chest and wrapped my arm around him.

“I know it’s crazy. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. These guys—are my family.”

As the day went on, we were now gathered in the basement for more space and also to get ready for Christmas dinner. I was downstairs with the guys and I saw Jensen, Jared, Roger, and Deacy playing a game of pool, while Brian and Misha were sitting together chatting away as a football game was rolling.

“Now Jack said you were an astronomer of sorts?”

“In a way yes. I went for a physics degree specifically in the study of astrophysics at Imperial college.”

“Wow that’s amazing. You know my father studied astrophysics too. He was once even employed over at NASA before he retired.”

“Really? What did he do?”

“He was the Director of field studies.”

“Wait your father was Robert Collins. The Robert Collins.”

“Yeah. Thought he’d see me working alongside him one day but I just wasn’t as smart as he was. So I ended up with the typical 9-5 office job. I swear I never seen my father more disappointed in me than that day.”

“I know exactly how you felt Misha. When I put my studies aside to do this gig, my parents were very radical about it. My dad especially thought I was throwing my life away. That was until Madison Square Garden back in ’77 when they finally understood.”

“Yeah. I think it wasn’t until a few years ago I got my dad to finally approve of my work. Now being the CEO of the company now, helping Kelly raise Jack, he’s starting to slowly come around.” I smiled at the two men finding a commonality between the two of them.

“And Misha. Brian is currently still in the works of his research paper.” I said as I came up to them and wrapped my arms around Brian.

“Really? What’s your paper on Brian?”

“Interplanetary stardust. Specifically in how it affects Zodiacal light.”

“That’s our clever space man. Which is why he always cheats at scrabble.” I said before poking at him as I said my end statement.

He chuckled and placed his hand on the back of my head and planted a wet kiss to my cheek. Making me exclaim and wipe the leftover spit away.

“Especially compared to this one who was going to be a dentist.” Teased Deacy.

“What? Are you serious?” laughed Jensen.

“I was never a dentist.” Roger said as he looked up from the pool table just before he could make his shot.

“He’s a dentist.” Deacy teased again.

“He was a dentist.” Brian agreed.

“Either way I got bored of it and switched my major to Biology.”

“And what of the other two Queen members?” Misha asked.

“Well Fred got a degree in graphic design.” I explained remembering back to when Fred told me of him being the genius behind the Queen logo.

“And I got mine in electrical engineering.” Added Deacy.

“Wow so all of you guys managed to finish your degrees and graduate college. I always thought all rockstars just dropped out of school to pursue Rock and roll.”

“Well there are some that do. A few friends of mine from Def Leppard didn’t finish school for one reason or another.” Brian said.

“We just felt that since we were almost done with our years, well except for that one.” Roger pointed to Deacy. “Might as well finish off while we can and then focus our energies on the band.”

“At first I just did it as a side thing. I didn’t really believe this would get serious, at least until our first album went on the charts.” Said Deacy.

“Wow such confidence in your new band there Johnny D.” Jensen said as he readied up for his strike at the white ball. He took the shot and that’s when Jared spoke up.

“So question, if the band never formed at all would you guys have gone for anything regarding to your majors?” the room went silent for a bit then Brian spoke up.

“We always get the ‘what ifs’ cause at first I don’t think any of us except for Fred really believed we’d last for as long as we did. I mean already over ten years since we been together and we’re just reaching the stratosphere in music history.”

“I’d like to think I would’ve still tried to do something involved with drumming. Maybe form my own band or go solo like I did. Drumming has just always been a part of my life that I don’t think I could work a usual day to day job unless I really needed to.” Said Roger.

“There were some potentials that I did get when I graduated the highest in Electrical engineering. I’ve always just found it fascinating in taking things apart of reassembling them back together, just to see how they tick. Plus I’d be home a lot more with Veronica and the kids, but then I wouldn’t have met that clever girl there. Even with us living 20 minutes apart from each other.” I grinned at Deacy.

“So to answer their question for you Misha, they wouldn’t have it any other way.” I said as I leaned against Brian and he placed his head next to mine.

“Dinner’s ready!” we heard Veronica cry from upstairs.

“Alrighty gents, let’s go eat.” I said as I raced on up the stairs and as I cross the living room I saw not only the mini-queens but Jack’s niece and nephews all playing together.

Oh it warmed my heart to see the whole bunch of these kids immediately click together. I saw Thomas, Michael, Robert, Jimmy and Shep all playing with Thomas’ new trainset while Louisa, Laura and JJ were playing with some cabbage patch kids.

“Come on lovies, it’s time to eat.” At that split second, the kids all shot up and raced towards the kitchen.

“Ah, ah, ah, ah no running kids!” I warned them. We all gathered in the kitchen and gathered around the kitchen.

“Jack dear, would you like to lead in Grace this year?” asked his mum. Jack took my hand and he said with a smile.

“Sure mom.” We all gathered around and bowed our heads as Jack led us in prayer. “Heavenly father we thank you for this wonderful Christmas year. We like to give thanks to (y/n)’s family who had a safe travel to come and see her, may you always watch over them as well as all of us. And continue to watch us as we go on into the new year. Bless us with your love and in your son’s name we pray. Amen.”

“Amen.” We all choired out before finally going around the entire kitchen to grab all the food that was cooked thanks to the wives of each family. Once I had grabbed some mashed potatoes with gravy, turkey, ham, some rolls and mac and cheese I headed over to the living room to see Jack already at his seat on the couch.

He smiled and scooted over and I gladly sat down beside him.

“Hey baby.”

“Hello love.” I set my plate down in my lap and took a bite of my roll first. “God I hadn’t had bread in so long. It’s a shame that once I start touring again my team’s gonna force me back into shape to lose the holiday calories.”

“Well if you want my opinion, I think you look beautiful.” I awed at him but just before we could kiss each other, a throat cleared and there stood Roger with an interrogating brow raised. I glared at him and that’s when Dominque came in and nudged Roger in the ribs giving him a look of her own.

“Okay movie tradition part 2. (Y/n) shall you choose another movie for us to start with for tonight?” Kelly said.

“I wouldn’t mind.”

“Okay we’ve got Rudolph, Santa Clause is coming to town, the Little drummer boy, Year without a Santa Clause.”

“I’ve always loved watching Rudolph as a child. It—was actually my mum’s favorite.” I looked down sadly and that’s when I felt Jack rub my knee comfortingly. I nodded telling him that I was fine and that’s when Kelly put in the Rudolph the Red nosed reindeer VHS tape into the VCR.

The kids all gathered in front of the TV and of course we all told them to not get too close to it. As the movie went on and Hermie made his appearance Jensen just had to say.

“Hey look it’s Roger.” Rog turned to Jensen and said.

“What makes you say that?”

‘Well sir someday I’d like to be a—a dentist.’ We heard Hermie speak his line. At that point Roger rolled his eyes upward while Jensen just chuckled mockingly and sipped his beer. I smiled and bite my lower lip to contain my laughter but I couldn’t help the quiet snort snicker that came out of me. As the movie continued to go on, it was the scene where Rudolph meets Clarisse, which was probably my most favorite scene all because of Rudolph’s famed line.

“Not gonna lie, that’s what I felt like doing the second you told me you loved me.” Jack whispered in my ear. I looked up at him and whispered back.

“Well I’m not gonna lie either, because I felt like doing the exact same thing when we were at the festival.” He smiled and pecked my cheek which made my heart race and I felt myself blushing.

After a few more of the traditional Claymation Christmas movies, the kids were starting to get sleepy.

“Well I guess it’s time for us to get these kids to bed. Do you all know of a good hotel nearby?” asked Chrissie.

“Oh don’t be silly Chrissie. You all can stay at our homes.” Said Danneel.

“Oh no Danneel we couldn’t impose.” Said Brian.

“Really we all have plenty of room. Plus all the hotels nearby are practically filled during the Christmas season.” Said Jared.

“Luckily Jared and I built vacation houses near here so you all can decide who you want to bunk with.” Said Jensen.

“And since Jack and (y/n) are sharing a room together we’ve got two spare rooms to share.”

“Dominque and I can bunk here, if that’s alright with you Kelly.” Said Roger. I glared at him with a look telling him to ‘behave’ but he just looked at me unphased.

“No Roger dear, I can stay here. You, Dominque and Felix will stay with your American twin.”

“Yeah Rog. Why not stay with me?” Jensen said as he pulled Roger in a sideways hug. Freddie turned to me and I mouthed ‘thank you’ and he simply winked at me.

“The Deacons and the Mays can stay with us, and the kids can punk together.” Said Gen.

“Daddy can Louisa and Laura spend the night with us at our house?” asked JJ.

“I think that would be a good idea. Girls can have their own little sleepover and the boys can stay with us.” Said Danneel.

“Would you and Louisa like that Laura?” asked Deacy.

“Yeah sleepovers are fun. Plus JJ said she’d show us her Barbie dreamhouse.”

“Okay you and Louisa can spend the night with JJ. But be on your best behavior.” Said Veronica.

“You too Louisa.” Brian said to his daughter.

“I will daddy, I promise.” Said Louisa.

“Alright it’s official. Come on girls gather up your stuff and put it in the trunk. Let’s go saddle up.” Jensen told the girls and soon Laura, JJ and Louisa grabbed their toys and headed out to the car. Soon it was a hustle and bustle of getting things organized and people getting into the chosen cars so that they could go to the appropriate house for the night.

I hugged and kissed my whole family goodnight and told them I’d see them in the morning. Of course Roger stayed back and warned me.

“No funny business you two. I swear it I have Fred watching you two like a hawk.”

“Oi Taylor! Stop harassing the lovebirds and get your British ass in here before I leave you!” Jensen cried out.

“Language Jensen!” I heard Danneel hiss.

“Sorry honey. Girls never say those words, they’re reserved for grownups only.” Roger looked back at me and I said.

“Go on Rog. I promise nothing’s going to happen.”

“Yeah Roger dear. Besides even if it did, they probably might’ve already done it by now since they no longer had the hovering lion to interrupt them this time.” Said Fred as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“Not helping Fred.” I hissed lowly.

“Now go on Rog, have fun with your American twin. You both can find sexy parts of your cars together.” I snickered and at that point Roger looked up with a ‘just kill me’ look. The horn beeped and Roger turned around shouting out.

“Keep your cowboy trousers on I’m coming!” I turned to Fred and said.

“You’re really not gonna watch over us all night are you?”

“Oh don’t be so dramatic, darling. I wouldn’t dream of doing something like that. I trust Jack and he’s not a nasty brute who would cup a feel of you in your sleep.” Wow Fred always got to make things dirtier than they are. But at least he wasn’t gonna be 24/7 guard like Roger was claiming earlier.

Shortly after everyone left and we all got ready for bed, Freddie and I kissed each other goodnight and I walked right back into Jack’s room and shut the door.

“Again I am so sorry they just showed up. I literally had no idea they’d—”

“Hey. Like I said don’t worry about it. I mean yeah it sure was a surprise but I know my mom and dad didn’t mind. Besides it was better they met them now instead of in the future.” Jack assured me.

“I guess.”

“Come on now,” he stood up and took my hand and guided me back to his bed and we both sat down. “They love you (y/n). And I’m sure they couldn’t stand not spending one Christmas without you, plus it seems that Jensen and Roger were getting along quite well.”

“Fred was right about one thing. They are definitely twins when it comes to Rock and roll and cars.”

“Yeah Jensen always claimed that everything after 1979 is shit.” I smiled and said.

“Yeah Rog always speaks the truth when it comes to other artists. He will like them or hate them. If I remember correctly he didn’t like my song ‘Who I am’ because of the drum loops.”

“Wow so he can even criticize his favorite little angel?” Jack asked in mock-shock.

“Yes he does. But I’m a big girl I can take criticism from my favorite band.”

“I know you can. Because you,” as he emphasized the word you, he pulled me into his arms and even adjusted me so that I now ended up in his lap. “Are no lamb. You are a true lioness in the industry of wolves.”

“Yep, except for Queen who are my pride.” Jack and I grinned at each other before giving each other a peck before cuddling into bed. “Merry Christmas Jack.”

“Merry Christmas baby, love you.”

“Love you too.” And with that the two of us fell asleep holding each other.

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alj4890 · 4 years

Text

New Year's Eve

A Choices Fan Fiction of The Royal Romance, Red Carpet Diaries,and Perfect Match

Masterlist

@lxaah11 @alleksa16 @penguininapinktuxedo @blackcoffee85 @stopforamoment @hopefulmoonobject @krsnlove @annekebbphotography @gibbles82 @cora-nova @bella-ca @hopelessromantic1352. @sunflowergirl05 @desiree-0816 @greywitchyshots @lilyofchoices @moodyvalentinestories @emceesynonymroll @dr-nancy-house @aworldoffandoms @ab1901 @pixieferry @flyawayboo @i-bloody-love-drake-walker.

A/N I am so, so sorry for this being so incredibly long. I tried. I really did. I will be posting an epilogue to this, just because I have no self-control with these characters, LOL. I hope you enjoyed your gift @krsnlove, I had so much fun writing it.

Song

Part 1 Part 2

Part 3 The Revelation

Dec. 31st, New Year's Eve

Early morning, Thomas Hunt's suite, The Four Seasons...

"What is so important that you can't discuss it over the phone?" Thomas asked, wiping the lingering spots of shaving cream off his face.

"I need your permission to invoke your name." Addison sat down and prepared herself for the battle ahead.

Thomas looked down at her in surprise. "I beg your pardon. Why are you wanting to use my name?"

Addison twisted her purse strap around her fingers nervously. "Let's just say it would be used in helping a lonely man win the heart of the lady he has fallen for."

Thomas took a step back. "What are you going to do to Amanda?"

Addison looked up in shock. "Amanda? Who's--" her eyes widened. "It's her isn't it? The one you were staring at the other night. Wait! Did you spend yesterday with her?" Her brow furrowed in thought. "That's why you both weren't at the tea."

He couldn't think of what to say to make her stop discovering all his secrets.

"Thomas! This is wonderful!" She stood and hugged him. "It is about time you found someone you like!"

He untangled himself from her. "Yes, well, I don't want any interference in this."

Addison waived that notion away. "My plan isn't for you. It's for helping Liam."

Thomas ran a hand down his face. How had he let slip what he wasn't quite ready to share with his friends? "Do whatever you want." He held his door open for her to leave. "And try and forget this conversation."

Addison checked the time. "Right, I'm off." She paused at the door. "Don't think though that I will forget any of this. I expect to hear the entire story when I have a free moment, and I mean everything."

Thomas shut the door and pressed his forehead against it. Perfect, he thought. Just perfect.

_________________

Across town in Nadia's apartment...

"We're here!" Kai yelled out as she and Damien walked in. "Nadia!"

"I'm coming!" She came out in her white silk ball gown and mask. She twirled around and waited. "What do you think?"

"You're beautiful!" Kai exclaimed. She slowly walked around her cousin and nodded. "It's perfect."

"Yeah?" Nadia lifted her mask off. “Really?”

"I already told you it was." Damien muttered on his way to the kitchen. "Why you Park women only believe it when the other says so is a mystery."

"Well, you’re the detective." Kai teased. "Maybe that’s what attracted you to us."

He rolled his eyes and started the coffee maker. "I don't know why I got stuck with you two."

Kai walked over and kissed him. "Perhaps that explains it."

His smirk appeared. "Perhaps I need more information to go on."

"I love the two of you together," Nadia interrupted, "but I have an emergency here! How should I style my hair?"

"I thought you invited us over for breakfast." Damien complained.

"I did! Breakfast and help before Kai leaves us for the night." Nadia explained.

"I can't believe you have to work." Damien pulled Kai close and kissed her again.

"Don't worry." She looped her arms around his neck. "I'll come by after to receive the kiss I would have gotten at midnight."

"Now that that's settled," Nadia said in a huff, "can we please focus on me trying to look my best to get Maxwell's attention?"

"You already have it. In fact, I don't have to go to this at all now that you've got him." Damien smiled at the thought.

"Wrong." Kai told him. "You have to go for moral support. Plus she doesn't have him completely, yet."

"Thank you!" Nadia gestured to her cousin. "Listen to her!"

"Why do I even bother disagreeing with you two?" He leaned against the counter and sighed. "What time are we to be there?"

"Seven." Nadia told him. During his grumbling, she ran back to her bedroom to change, promising to start breakfast.

_______________

A short time later, Hana's suite, The Four Seasons...

"I'm coming!" Hana tied her robe closed and checked the peep hole.

She opened it and took the large bouquet of pink roses. "Um--"

"Special delivery." The porter told her with a smile.

"Thank you!" She called out as he left. She lowered her face into the perfect blooms and took a deep breath of their sweet smell before setting them on a table.

She plucked the card and opened it.

"Oh!" She softly squealed, reading Rashad's words.

Dearest Hana, I want to do this properly, so there is no mistaking my intentions. I am asking you if you would be my date for the masquerade ball tonight. There is no one else I would rather have in my arms when the clock strikes midnight.

-Rashad

She sat down as she reread his words a few more times.

When another knock occurred, she practically floated to answer it. "Yes?"

Rashad was leaning against the doorframe and smiled at her surprise. "I hope it isn't too soon for an answer."

"I would love to go with you." She told him. "This was such a--the flowers--and you--" she shook her head while pressing his card to her heart. "Thank you."

He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Then I will come by this evening to escort you."

_______________

Olivia's suite, The Four Seasons...

"Are you awake?" Olivia asked as she finished applying her lipstick.

"No!" Amanda said with a hint of irritation. "Why would I be? It's still dark outside."

"That's because it's cloudy." Olivia tried not to laugh at her friends hatred of being awakened so early.

"Why are all my friends morning people?" Amanda muttered while balancing the phone on her ear. "If you're calling about breakfast, please feel free to eat without me. Always feel free to if you decide to get up at this ungodly hour."

"Very well." Olivia turned to check her hair. "I was going to share some interesting news with you about who I am attending the ball with."

"It's Drake." Amanda said while yawning.

Olivia stilled. "What--how did you know?"

"We've all known for some time now." Olivia could hear Amanda rolling over in bed. "You two need to learn that you both can't disappear and reappear at the same time."

"We don't! We--"

"I'm very happy you two are finally making it official. I think I can speak for Maxwell and Liam and say, it's about time." Amanda yawned again. "May I go back to sleep or was there something else you wanted to tell me at this inhumane time of day?"

Olivia shook her head. "Go back to sleep. Next time I'll hide it better."

"I don't think there will be an opportunity for that." Amanda muttered, already closing her eyes. "According to Maxwell's prediction, we will all kiss the one tonight."

________________

In a tiny studio apartment in the East Village...

Riley stumbled out of bed and hurried to her door. "Who is it?" She asked, yawning.

"It's me!" Daniel answered.

She turned the bolt and opened her door. "What's wrong? Why are you up so early?"

"Remember the table of famous people you worked last night?" He asked.

"Yeah." She said, her tone a bit apprehensive.

"There was one there, a blonde, who does all the costumes and such."

Riley continued to look at him in confusion. "Daniel, why did you wake me up for this?"

"Hear me out." He pleaded. "Her boss is the director, Thomas Hunt. She forgot about needing a dress for the actress in his new movie and--"

"Who's the actress?" Riley asked.

"Oh, uh, I can't remember her name." Daniel stammered, realizing that Addison had not given him a name to use. "Anyway, that actress is out of the country visiting family and the blonde needs someone to use for measurements." He noticed she had not spoken and kept explaining. "She wanted to ask you last night since you're figure is similar to the movie star's."

"Yeah, sure." Riley shrugged. "I can help out, I suppose."

"Great! Get dressed." He ordered.

"What? Right now?!" She asked.

"Yes, she needs to show it to him today and she's afraid of losing her job if she doesn't have a dress ready. It's for some big romance scene or something." Daniel explained.

Riley flopped back on her futon. "Daniel!" She whined. "Do you have any idea how tired I am?"

"She's willing to pay you for your time." He told her. "Every little bit helps us get that place on the beach."

Riley sighed and sat up. "You're right. I should do this since I missed out on last night's tips." She asked him to start her coffee while she got ready.

Once he heard her shower start, he called Addison. "She's agreed. Make sure you have a name ready for who the dress is supposed to be for."

"We will." Addison promised. "Thanks so much for helping us put them together."

He grinned at her excitement. "My pleasure."

________________

An hour later, Liam's suite, The Four Season's...

Liam sat at a table loaded with different breakfast items. He half listened to his two friends as they talked plans for the new year.

"Tonight's the night." Maxwell reminded them. "I can literally feel the teetering point of our lives."

Drake rolled his eyes. "I doubt one night has the power to change what happens."

"You'd be surprised." Liam muttered behind his coffee cup.

"Why are you both so down? Is it because you don't have dates?" Maxwell asked. "None of us do, I think. Amanda might by now. The rest of after us though--"

"I have a date." Drake tried to keep the pride out of his tone.

Liam's eyes widened and he shared a loaded glance with Maxwell. "Do you want to tell us who it is, or would you rather we guess?"

Drake shook his head. "It's Olivia. We--"

"Have been spending secret time together." Maxwell finished. "We know."

"I glad you two decided to admit it to us and everyone else." Liam grinned at Drake's shock. "We wondered when you would finally trust us."

"How did you figure it out?" Drake demanded. “We were so careful!“

"It wasn't hard. There's five of us that are usually together." Maxwell reminded him.

"Hard not to notice a habitual disappearing of two of our members every other night." Liam remarked.

Drake frowned some. "Enough about that, are you two focused on someone or taking a chance?"

"A little bit of both." Maxwell thought about Nadia and smiled. "I expect big things tonight."

"You always do." Liam added. "I'm completely on my own and will not be taking anymore chances."

"Anymore? When did you take a chance?" Drake asked.

Liam lowered his eyes and shrugged. "It doesn't matter. The point is that I look forward to celebrating with my friends and to returning to Cordonia." He thought he needed a reminder of where he belonged. Alone.

His two friends exchanged a silent, worried look.

Maxwell raised his coffee cup. "Here's to another new year together."

Drake added his cup and cocked an eyebrow at Liam.

He forced a smile for their benefit and lifted his in salute. "To another new year together."

______________

Amanda's suite, a couple of hours after Olivia's call...

"I will kill him." Amanda muttered while hobbling to her door being knocked on. "I don't care if he is one of my best friends and has brought doughnuts this time. I am sick of being forced awake!"

She stepped wrong on her hurt ankle and gasped while a multitude of colorful phrases sat on the tip of her tongue, ready to be screamed out. She took a few painful breaths while blinking back tears, more determined than ever to physically harm Maxwell. Only he would dare to wake her in this manner. Again!

She jerked the door open without checking, ready to lay into him, and stared in surprise.

"Good morning." Thomas greeted. "I hope I didn't wake you."

"No, it's fine." She quickly closed her robe and tied it. "Won't you come in?"

He stepped inside and noticed her painful gait immediately. "You shouldn't be on that ankle."

"I wouldn't be if people would stop waking me up." She mumbled to herself as she sat down. “It really is not necessary to--"

Thomas knelt down, took her foot carefully in his hands, and studied her still swollen ankle. "I don't think you will be able to go to the ball tonight."

"I'll be fine." She argued. "I just won't dance. Or wear shoes." She bit her lip when his fingers slid gently against her bruising. "My gown is long enough, so no one will notice."

"I think you shouldn't force yourself to go." His dark eyes met hers. "Unless, it is because you have a date this evening."

"I don't." She quickly replied. "There isn't anyone who will be waiting for me."

Thomas seemed to relax once he heard that. He had hoped that was the case. "We could spend New Year's here." He offered.

"I suppose I should spend it in my room, though I--" Her eyes widened. "We? Thomas, I can't ask you to give up going to the ball tonight. Joelle will have a party worthy of all her guests combined. I believe with your artistic eye that you will enjoy it."

He studied her face, noticing the pink forming on her cheeks and how she was nervously biting her bottom lip. "I think I would enjoy being here more than the ball."

Her long eyelashes fell against her cheeks as she avoided his gaze. "As selfish as it sounds, I would prefer having you here with me. It isn't that I mind being alone, I--" she looked up at him. "I like being around you."

His lips curved in a soft smile. "Then I will go talk to the concierge about dinner and explain to Joelle about our absence this evening." He stood up and asked for her room key. "I don't want you getting up to let me back in."

"It isn't any trouble." She gingerly stood up and tried to hide her painful reaction. "I will have to anyway for room service." She looked down at her robe. "And of course to get dressed for the day and evening."

"You don't have to get dressed up." Thomas reached out and took her hand. "We can be--"

"It's New Year's Eve!" She exclaimed. "And if I am spending it with you then I am wearing my new gown." Her blush was nearly covering her face when she almost let it slip out that she wanted him to think she was pretty.

"Very well." He squeezed her hand. "I will still come up here once I'm done with my errands to help keep you off your feet."

She decided for once in her life to be bold and took a step forward, placing a kiss his cheek. "Thank you for trying to make this New Year's special."

He stared down at her face as he caressed her cheek. "I haven't done much except invite myself over."

She smiled at him. "I beg to differ." She stepped back and retrieved one of her key cards. "Here, once I am dressed for the day, I promise to stay for the most part on the couch."

He chuckled and walked towards her door. "Good." He turned to look at her. "I will see you soon."

_______________

A popular formal gown store along West 35th Street, in the heart of the Garment District , before opening...

"I can't believe that Thomas Hunt wanted to use my store for this, or that Jessica Clark would be browsing through my selection!" The middle aged manager explained.

Addison avoided looking directly at him. "Yes, Thomas is a stickler about clothing and wanted to make sure I had one purchased in New York."

"But to use me instead of going straight to the designer!" He said again. "This is such an honor."

Holly held up a dress to hide her muffled laughter.

Addison nodded again, at a loss for words.

Jessica walked over to try and help. "Hunt had heard that you had one of the largest selections and wanted to take advantage of that instead of being stuck with one single designer's creation."

"That's good." Addison mumbled, impressed with her quick thinking. "I mean it's good that Thomas sees that variety is the best way for me to find what he wants."

"Here they come!" Holly shouted.

Jessica handed her dress to the manager. "I will be buying this for myself once we take care of Hunt's mission."

"Really?!" He asked. "Ms. Clark, I--"

"Words fail you, blah blah blah, go set everything up!" Holly turned him around and gave a push. "Hurry!"

Addison watched him run off then went to greet Daniel and Riley.

"Riley, thank you so much for helping me with this." Addison lead her further into the store. "Thomas can be harsh when I don't have everything prepared."

Riley fought back her yawn. "No problem." She looked at the racks of beautiful dresses and posed a few questions. "So who is the actress that gets to wear one of these?"

"Taylor Carruthers." Addison promptly replied. “This will be her film debut.”

"Oh." Riley muttered. "Do I really look like her?”

"Positive!" Addison turned to her friends to back her up. "Doesn't Riley's figure look like Taylor's?"

"From the neck down she is a dead ringer." Holly replied.

"Definitely." Jessica chimed in.

"Okay. So you just need my measurements?" Riley asked.

"Um, well." Addison stalled. "Would you mind trying on a few dresses?"

Riley tried to control her irritation. She was exhausted from the extra shifts at work and of course meeting a secret king. "I can try on a few, but then I have to get some sleep before I go to work tonight."

"Of course." Holly and Jessica rushed ahead toward the changing rooms. "We have all picked a few for you to try on. Feel free to add any suggestions of what you think looks best on you." Addison explained.

Riley cast a helpless glance back at Daniel before falling into their plan.

The next hour had her trying on a veritable rainbow of gowns. She had to walk around in them, sit, and at one point dance in one. "Is this really necessary?" She asked when they had Daniel dip her.

"I know it seems weird but it is a part of the process." Holly told her, shaking her head no when Addison asked what they thought.

"Definitely weird." Riley whispered to Daniel.

"I have one more dress." Addison held up a dress that made them all stop and stare. "If this one doesn't work then we are back to square one."

Riley stepped forward and touched the light blue gown. Silver sparkles throughout the silk shimmered in the light. She held it up against her. "It's beautiful."

"It reminds me of a modern version of Cinderella’s." Addison admitted. "I love fairy tales."

"Me too." Jessica said on a sigh.

"Try it on, Riley." Holly urged.

They watched her hurry into the room.

"That's the first time she has acted excited over trying on a dress." Daniel whispered.

"I think this might be the one!" Addison bounced with excitment. "If it is, I know just the mask and shoes to go with it."

Riley stepped out and twirled. "I love this one."

The four watching her plus the manager told her how beautiful she looked in it.

"That's the one!" Addison cheered. "Thank you for helping us with this. I will make certain you are generously compensated this evening for your time."

"Thanks." Riley reluctantly changed out of the dress and handed it over. She said her goodbyes and left with Daniel.

"Phase one of Fairy Godmother duty is complete." Jessica teased.

"I can't wait for phase two!" Addison squealed.

"I prefer phase three." Holly winked at them when they looked at her in puzzlement. "The midnight kiss."

________________

Late afternoon, Amanda's suite at The Four Seasons...

"Why didn't you have a doctor look at this?" Olivia angrily asked. "I believe you might have some torn ligaments and a possible break with that type of swelling."

Thomas stood quietly beside her, nodding in agreement.

"Damn." Drake muttered again, turning away from the nearly black bruise covering the top and side of her foot. "That has to hurt like hell."

"It's fine." Amanda stubbornly persisted. "And I'm so happy I had the idea to invite you all by to spend a bit of New Year's Eve with you."

"Did your eyesight get damaged in the fall?" Olivia snapped. "Your foot is practically mangled and you sit there persisting it is fine!"

"I talked to the manager. A doctor is on his way up with a portable x-ray machine." Liam shook his head in both pity and admonishment. "Why have you downplayed this?"

Amanda folded her arms and avoided their gazes. "Because I know it is sprained. The reason it looks worse is because I stepped wrong this morning and a few times during the night."

Maxwell leaned down closer and studied her ankle. "I can't even see the bone structure on this side."

She pulled her foot back and softly cried out from the pain. "Then stop looking at it."

Drake told Maxwell to leave her alone on his way to answer her door.

After a thorough examination, it was deemed a fracture.

"I know it is difficult, but I ask that you attempt to not say, I told you so." Amanda said to the entire group. She clutched her hands together and bowed her head, as the doctor wrapped a cast around her foot and ankle. "I know I have the moniker of The Clumsy Duchess, but I wanted one time to not be reminded of it."

Thomas walked over and sat on the arm of the sofa. He wrapped his arm around her while the others watched with great interest as she leaned closer to him through the painful process.

"So," Maxwell turned to the doctor, "can she go to the party this evening?"

"She can, though I think after the pain of last night and this morning she would do better to rest." He replied.

"I agree." Liam insisted. "We will miss you there, but you should take it easy."

"But..." Maxwell began. "It's New Year's Eve. She can't spend it alone."

"She's not." Thomas announced. "I will be spending it with her here. We already decided that this morning"

Amanda blushed at the knowing smiles forming on their faces.

"This morning? Then we will leave you to enjoy your evening." Olivia said. She hugged her friend and whispered that she expected details tomorrow.

The others kissed her cheek and wished both a happy New Year on their way out.

The doctor finished the cast and handed her a prescription as he stood to leave. "Happy New Year to you both."

Once Thomas shut the door, she stood up and tried out her crutches. "It isn't too bad." She said while going over to her bedroom then turning back. "I shouldn't have too much trouble getting ready."

"You don't have to dress up." Thomas insisted. "I will enjoy this evening with you regardless of what you wear."

She sat back down with a sigh and shook her head. "I want to dress up. I know it might sound silly but I should, as much as I can, look my best this evening."

"Why?" Thomas asked.

Amanda chewed on her bottom lip before speaking. "Because I will be spending New Year's Eve with you." She lowered her eyes. "That in itself is significant."

"Why?” He persisted. “Because of my being famous--"

"No. Not that." She interrupted. "It is because of all you did yesterday." She reached out and took his hand. "You decided to not only help me back here, but then proceeded to spend what I am certain was an incredibly boring day and evening for you tending to me. You didn't have to, yet your kindness..." She trailed off when he sat down beside her.

"I wanted to." He murmured, pulling her into his arms. "I still want to." He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her cheek. His lips touched the corner of hers.

She turned to brush her lips against his. His hand slid into her hair as he deepened the kiss.

________________

Early evening, Matt Rodriguez's suite, The Four Seasons...

"Addison!" Matt tried to grab his things he needed to get ready. "Would you give me a second. I need my shaving kit and--"

"I love your scruffy look." She pushed him toward the door. "I need you to hurry before Riley and Daniel get here."

"Why do I have to leave? Why can't one of the others--" he grunted when she shoved him toward the door. "Hey!"

Once she got him out in the hall, she pulled him close for a passionate kiss. "I love you." She whispered. "But I need all of our suite to do my work. You are too handsome to not be distracting." She shut the door after another kiss.

He dropped his head and walked over to Thomas's door.

Thomas opened his door while tying his bowtie. "What is it?"

"Can I use your room to get ready?" Matt asked. "Addison needs the suite for her love project or whatever she is calling it."

Thomas stepped back. "Come in. I'm nearly done and you can have it."

"Where are you going so early? We still have an hour or so before the ball." Matt dropped his things on a table.

"I'm not going to the ball." Thomas informed him, on the way back to his bedroom.

"You're not? Why? Where are you going dressed up?" Matt called out.

Thomas stepped back out, fully dressed in his tuxedo, and smoothed his hair back. "I have other plans."

Matt waited on him to further explain. Thomas slipped some key cards in his pocket and said goodnight on his way out.

Back in Matt's suite a flurry of three women rushed about to not only get themselves ready but to be prepared to give a waitress and king a night to remember.

When the knock was heard, they tried to calm their excitement.

After a clearing of her throat, Jessica opened the door. "Riley! Please come in."

Riley stepped in and smiled at them. "Hi. Daniel said you needed to see me before the party."

"Yes." Addison motioned for her to come in. "We have a confession of sorts."

"Oh?" Riley sat down when Holly asked her to.

"The dress we had you try on was not meant for Taylor." Addison admitted. “Actually, there is no Taylor at all.”

"We also aren't in the midst of beginning a new movie." Jessica added.

"And though Thomas is cantankerous, he is not unreasonable over a missing dress or two. He would not fire Addison for not having one ready." Holly added. "He can actually be quite understanding when we mess up."

Riley's brow furrowed with confusion. "Then why did you have me come this morning?"

"We want you to come to the ball tonight. The dress is yours along with the mask and all." Addison explained.

Riley stared in shock. “That’s sweet, but I have to work. I--”

“Daniel has that all taken care of. He has a friend that owes him a huge favor and he will take over the waiter duties.” Holly explained.

Riley shook her head again. “I don’t think I should go. Liam will be there and I already refused his invitation.”

“Why did you refuse?” Jessica asked.

Riley hesitated. “I fell for him pretty hard. Then finding out he was a king...I know nothing of his world. I don’t belong. That hurt enough to not spend what I know will be a magical night with him.” She lowered her head and picked at her skirt. “I was nothing but a distraction for him.”

Addison sat down beside her and wrapped her in a warm hug. “That’s not true. We saw him. He has fallen for you too. I don’t think he once thought of you as a distraction.”

Holly nodded. “I agree. He is not the type to do anything haphazard. He likes you. I think he planned on beginning a relationship with you.”

Riley looked up at their earnest faces. She took a deep breath and relented. “I might as well have a fun time at the party if you got me out of work.”

“That’s the spirit!” Addison gave her orders to the others and hugged Riley again. “Tonight is going to be life changing.

_______________

A little after nine The Masquerade Ball, The Four Seasons Ballroom...

“Woo!” Maxwell exclaimed. “This is one more party Joelle has thrown.”

Liam nodded while sipping his drink. “Yes, it is.”

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong or am I--” Maxwell stared at the woman in white that walked by. She turned back to look at him and smiled before continuing on her way.

“Go on.” Liam said good naturedly. “I promise I am enjoying this ball.”

Maxwell smiled and chased after the woman as she disappeared in the crowd.

“Good evening.”

Liam softly groaned and turned toward the lady who spoke. His eyes swept down her light blue gown and he felt himself drawn to her. “Good evening, Ms.?”

“Riley.” She said with a smile at his surprise. “I was invited by a king, I think. Who knows with that guy.”

“Riley, you look beautiful.” He murmured. “I thought you didn’t want to come.”

“A part of me didn’t.” She admitted. “You should know that you have some guardian angels that think very highly of you.” She motioned toward the three couples that were watching them without shame.

Liam recognized them even with their masks on. He smiled and bowed to them.

“He is so perfect.” Addison sighed.

Matt cleared his throat.

She hugged him. “I’m glad we were able to give him the one he wanted.” She pulled on Matt’s arm and led him to the dance floor.

“I guess we should stop spying on Liam and Riley.” Jessica whispered.

“For the moment.” Holly decided. “I’m still determined to see them kiss at midnight.”

________________

A little after ten, at the Masquerade Ball...

“...and now I have another floor of the gallery being offered to display my latest works.” Nadia finished with a shy shrug.

“Wow.” Maxwell smiled at her. “Cute, smart, and incredibly talented.”

Damien rolled his eyes at their conversation and focused on his dessert.

“Would you like to dance?” Maxwell asked

“Yes!” She hopped up and took his hand.

Damien watched them move closer to one another when a slow song started. He pulled his phone out and snapped a picture of the pair. He sent it to Kai and added the text letting her know who it was.

“He’s cute.” she texted back. “How’s it going?”

“Great.” he responded. “They both think the other is perfect.”

______________

One hour until midnight, The Masquerade Ball...

“Do you want to dance again?” Drake asked, pulling Olivia close.

“I think I am danced out.” She replied. “Who’s that with Liam? He hasn’t left her side for hours now.”

“I don’t recognize her.” Drake looked over and noticed how Liam held her close during another waltz. His smile was one of genuine happiness. “Whoever she is, he likes her.”

Kiara interrupted their observation by asking Drake to dance.

Olivia narrowed her eyes and spoke before Drake could. “He’s with me.”

Kiara lifted an eyebrow. “Really? As in--”

“As in we are a couple now and have been for quite some time!” Olivia snapped. “If he wanted you he would have pursued you like he did me.” She motioned toward a group of men talking. “Go sniff around over there. I’m sure there is someone that will be willing to dance.”

Kiara’s face was flushed with embarrassment as she scurried away.

“Liv,” Drake choked on his laughter. “That was brutal.”

“No it wasn’t. I could have said a lot more but tempered it for the sake of being polite.” She huffed. “And you better start letting all these so called ladies know you are no longer available for slumming.”

“Being with me is slumming?” He asked, surprised she thought that way.

“Of course not!” She rolled her eyes. “You are slumming whenever you get with those women who only plan on using you.”

Drake pulled her into a passionate kiss.

“A little early, isn’t it?” She teased.

“I don’t care.” He kissed her again.

_____________

On the other side of the ballroom...

Rashad twirled Hana, smiling at her laughter when he pulled her back into his arms. “Are you having a good time?”

“I’m having the best time.” She told him. “I’ve never enjoyed a party as much as I have this one.”

“Me too.” Rashad admitted. “I know it is because of you.” He led her off the dance floor and snagged two glasses of champagne from a nearby waiter. “Hana, would you...” He swallowed a gulp of his drink and tried again. “Would you like to start seeing each other on a regular basis?”

“Do you mean dating?” She asked with a shy smile.

“Yes.” He stammered.

“I would love to.” She kissed his cheek.

____________

Fifteen minutes until midnight, Amanda’s suite...

“What did you do?” Amanda asked, tears of laughter building at his story.

“I walked out.” Thomas popped open a bottle of champagne. “I made certain to take two pillows to cover my,” he motioned down his waist, “and hailed a cab.”

He smiled at her burst of laughter. He then prepared two glasses and handed her one.

“What should we drink to?” He asked, sitting down beside her.

“I suppose the old year ending in a few minutes.” She replied. “And to what comes next.”

“I am looking forward to that.” He tapped his glass against hers.

“What plans do you have for the new year?” Amanda asked, setting her glass aside.

“I have a few.” Thomas set his arm along the back of the sofa, winding a lock of her hair around his finger. “One of which concerns you.”

“Oh?” She reached over and straightened his bowtie. “And what might that be?”

“Inviting you out to California.” He scooted closer to her. “Visiting Cordonia.”

“I would like that.” She said softly as his lips brushed hers.

“Then it’s settled.” He kissed her once more.

_______________

One minute to midnight, The Masquerade Ball...

“They’re in position!” Addison squealed.

"Why aren’t we this exciting anymore?” Ryan muttered as Holly and Jessica moved with Addison closer for a better view.

Matt shrugged while Seth folded his arms.

As the countdown began the three couples watched as Liam and Riley shared a long tender kiss.

“That has to be the most romantic thing I have ever seen.” Jessica said, sighing at Liam gently caressing Riley’s cheek.

“I agr--” Holly squeaked when Ryan yanked her into his arms for a heated kiss. He smiled down at her surprised face.

“Happy New Year.” He pressed another kiss to her lips.

Matt and Seth followed his example with their own dates.

Liam carefully removed Riley’s mask and then his own. “I know this might seem sudden, but I want you to know my intentions.”

Riley blinked. “Your intentions? What do you mean?”

“I want to court you.” He began. “With the intention of making you Cordonia’s queen.”

Riley shook her head. “Liam, you don’t know me! I have no clue where to even begin with how wrong I would be as queen. I was a fine arts major in college! I--”

“You would learn all the protocols.” He told her. “The most important role as queen would be as the beloved wife of Cordonia’s king.” He kissed her to stop her next argument. “If during our courtship you think it is too much, or I’m not what you want, then I won’t bother you again.” His blue eyes focused on her dark ones. “I can’t leave New York tomorrow evening without knowing I will have a chance to see you again.”

Riley looked around at this world he wanted her a part of. “I--” She looked back up into his handsome face and nodded. “Okay. I’ll try.”

He hugged her tight. “Thank you.” He placed a kiss on her cheek.

_______________

On the other side of the ballroom...

Maxwell thought this might be a kiss he never wanted to end. Nadia fit perfectly in his arms.

She stepped back when they paused for a breath. “Maxwell?”

“Yeah?” He tried to pull her back.

“How long are you going to be in New York?” She asked.

“As long as you want me to.” His lips crashed down on hers.

_____________

Afternoon, Liam’s suite...

“You’re staying?” Liam asked.

“Yeah, Nadia wants to show me around.” Maxwell grinned bashfully. “I might be gone a few more weeks.”

“What are your plans?” Liam asked Amanda.

“I’m going to spend another week here and then come home.” She blushed some as she continued. “Thomas plans on remaining here with me then coming to Cordonia for a visit in two weeks.”

Drake and Olivia narrowed their eyes at Liam. “Who was the lady in blue you were with last night?” Drake asked.

“Riley Brooks.” He smiled at his friends. “She has agreed to entering into a courtship with me.”

Maxwell and Amanda looked up at him in surprise. “You met someone?” he asked.

“I did.” Liam said proudly. “I think she might be the one.”

“You kissed her at midnight?” Maxwell asked. With Liam’s nod he turned to Amanda, “You kissed Thomas at midnight too, right?”

“Yes.” She said slowly “Why?”

“And I assume you two shared a tender moment.” Maxwell said to Drake and Olivia.

“I wouldn’t call it tender.” Olivia muttered.

“We did it!” Maxwell exclaimed. “We all kissed the one!”

“Isn’t it a bit too soon for some of us to think of these people as the one?” Amanda asked.

“Just you wait. By next New Year’s, you will all appreciate my awesome soothsaying skills.” Maxwell gloated.

#choices the royal romance #choices red carpet diaries #choices perfect match #happynewyear #new year's eve prompt #super long post

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