#everything is fine with her but i'm helping hold down the fort

[senditcolton]

I'm Still Glad I Met You

Isn't it profound, how such a brief experience can be so special?

summary: Emmaline 'Emma' Evans never expected to be in Paris, searching for inspiration to bring back to her new cafe in New York. She certainly didn't expect to meet Nico, a stranger who doesn't feel like one. But is it just the City of Love twisting her emotions, making her fall for someone who is sure to be temporary? Or is this is the start of something real? song inspo: need by taylor swift word count: 12.5k warnings: hinted intimacy (non-explicit), brief language, resolved angst. written for @wyattjohnston's winter fic exchange to @offside-the-lines with love 🤍❄️🖋️ bonus epilogue!

Au nom de l’équipage d’Air France, nous vous souhaitons une bonne journée.

From the large windows, Emmaline Evans watches the darkened tarmac pass, her plane headed towards the gate. There was still a small part of her that couldn’t believe that she in Paris. It was exciting even though she wouldn’t be able to explore until tomorrow. But she knew to hold her excitement close to her chest, letting her head guide her instead of her heart.

She wasn’t here for a vacation. She was here for work.

While this trip was an early birthday gift from her parents, it was bought with the express purpose of helping her prepare for the opening of the café she and her best friend Morgan had been planning for the past year and was now only 4 months away.

La Crème de la Crème. The best of the best. That was the name and that was the goal; to bring a bit of France back to Greenwich Village and impress all who walked in with Morgan’s coffee talents and Emma’s pastry skills. And what better way to bring Paris to New York than to take inspiration from the City of Love itself?

Pulling her phone out from her purse, she checks the time. 8pm. She scours through her memory until she remembers that New York is six hours behind. Opening her messages, she shoots off a quick text to Morgan.

Landed! I’m going to get to the apartment and then try to sleep. How are things going over there? sent 8:08pm

The rustling of the other passengers pulls Emma’s attention from her phone, realizing that it was time to depart from the plane. She hastily grabs her items, lugging her suitcase from the overhead bin and makes her way through the airport. She utters a quick thank you to the universe for her knowledge of the French language or she would be completely lost. It isn’t until she has successfully grabbed a cab and began the route to the Paris apartment, does she check her messages again.

It's all good here! The rest of the equipment came today so the plan is to finish installing that today. And then all that’s left is the menu, staff, and décor. received 8:16pm

You make it sound so easy. sent 8:37pm

Babe, we’ve been planning this for ages. We are literally in the homestretch! received 8:42pm

I know, it’s just… ugh. I wish you were here with me. This is our dream after all. sent 8:44pm

I do too. But I’m perfectly fine holding down the fort here. You just focus on Paris and all the amazing desserts you’re going to recreate when you come back stateside! (don’t forget to make notes about the coffee as well!) received 8:49pm

I don’t know coffee nearly as well as you but I’ll do my best. Thanks, Morgan. I literally couldn’t do this without you. sent 8:53pm

You know it. received 8:54pm

A small chuckle escapes from Emma’s throat at Morgan’s reply. She sighs, looking out the taxi window, blinking a few times at the sights in front of her. She was so absorbed in the everything she left behind that she wasn’t even paying attention to where she was. She had entered the city limits. She arrived.

Paris. The city seemed to sparkle as she rode down the narrow streets and alleyways. It was early in the evening which meant the streets were crowded with people. Emma had always believed that New York was the city that never slept but she had a feeling that Paris would prove her wrong.

The taxi pulls up to the Airbnb that Emma rented and she takes her luggage, thanking her driver before grabbing the key out of the lockbox and making her way up the narrow staircase. She looks out the small window, looking at the city stretching out in front of her, the lights of the Eiffel Tower shining in the distance.

These next 4 days would be magical. That much she was sure of. What else could this experience be described as?

~*~*Day One*~*~

Emma had been in Paris for less than 16 hours and she had already found so much inspiration. It wasn’t just the cafés that she had stopped at so far, it wasn’t even the assortment of treats she had already eaten; it was the city. She thought the stories she heard about Paris were exaggerations – no city could be that amazing. People surely had to be over-romanticizing the city of romance. But they weren’t.

Here, in this moment, sitting at the Café de la Paix outside the Grand Hotel, watching as the people passed her by, listening as the chatter of multiple languages bouncing off her eardrums… she realized those stories were true. The city itself brought about its own kind of energy, cocooning her in a beautiful dream. The afternoon sun was warm on her face and Emma could only hope to bottle a mere drop of this feeling and pack it in her suitcase to bring back to New York along with her notebook that was already filled with scribbles and notes about the delicacies that she had sampled.

“Je peux me asseoir ici?”

The slightly butchered pronunciation pulls Emma out of her reverie. She looks over to see a man standing with his hand lightly resting on the chair across from her. She shoots him a smile, her hand gesturing towards the seat.

“It’s all yours.”

“Is it that obvious that I don’t speak French?” the stranger asks her as he sits down, a sheepish look on his face.

“I never said that,” Emma laughs, her lighthearted teasing pulling a relaxed smile onto his lips. “But you shouldn’t feel too bad,” she continues. “I’ve noticed that if you have even a hint of an accent, the locals here switch to English, even if you actually know how to speak French.”

“I take it that’s happened to you?”

“The American is hard to mask,” she replies with a slight shake of her head. “I’m Emma.”

“Nico,” the stranger replies, reaching for her outstretched hand to give it a polite shake. “So, American huh?”

“Born and raised. What about you? I don’t mean to pry but I do hear a… unique accent.”

“I’m from Switzerland but I work in America,” Nico explains.

“And you’re in Paris for…” Emma asks, unsure why she is so interested in this – very handsome – stranger’s story. But Nico doesn’t seem to mind her questions as he gives a small shrug and replies with that same gentle smile on his face.

“My job. Some press work,” he says, vague but nonchalant.

“Wow. You’re from Switzerland, you work in America, but your job also takes you to Paris? Quite a world traveler.”

“I’m very lucky,” Nico says before turning the question back to her. “What about you? Are you here for work or pleasure?”

“Work. But maybe a little bit of pleasure?”

“Well, now you’ve intrigued me.”

“It’s kind of a long story.”

“I’d still love to hear about it.”

“Really? I don’t want to waste your time,” Emma says, hesitant. However, she can’t deny the small spark of hope that flutters in her chest over the prospect of Nico wanting to talk to her. Who wouldn’t deny the attention of an attractive and kind stranger?

“I have nothing planned for the rest of the day,” Nico assures her. “Plus, you’re one of the few people who has been welcoming to me, outside of the people from my… company.”

“Are the Parisian’s living up to the ‘stuck up French’ stereotype?” she laughs.

“Unfortunately for them, they are,” Nico replies with a laugh of his own. “But I guess it is pretty fortunate for me.”

“Really? Why is that?”

“Because then I wouldn’t have run into you.”

Emma feels her cheeks flush as his casual flattery, her head ducking down in shyness. When she looks up, she can see the grin on Nico’s face – as if he enjoyed making her flustered – and Emma is struck with the strange juxtaposition of wanting to playfully wipe that smirk away but also wanting to make sure it stayed just so she could see it more.

“Well, if I’m going to tell you my life story, I’m going to need more coffee,” she finally replies, before waving over the waitress.

The day ends up being a waste for Emma – well, at least in the work sense. She doesn’t leave Café de la Paix until late, sun hanging low in the sky; not nearly enough time left in the day to hit all of the cafés, boulangeries, and patisseries that she planned on visiting. But she finds that she doesn’t care. Because all those ‘wasted’ hours were spent talking to Nico.

He was funny and sweet and charming and drop dead gorgeous. Talking to him felt so natural, like they had known each other for ages even though they just met that day. The entire experience of him sitting across from her in a Paris café, listening to her stories, telling her stories of his own, and constantly shooting her that beautiful dimpled smile… it felt like something out of a dream.

The cynical part of her psyche wanted to shake her; he was a stranger and she was caught up in the romance of Paris. That was all. But the hopeless romantic side of her wanted to stay in this cotton-candy colored haze for as long as she could.

Which is why, now, as she sits in her rental apartment, her notebook splayed open in front of her, she isn’t brainstorming a menu or planning the ingredient list for the café or even scrolling through Pinterest for interior design inspiration.

Instead, her eyes are tracing the scrawl of numbers that Nico wrote in the top right-hand corner.

A number that was written as a request for him to join her on her exploration of Paris.

And – after she banishes that negative voice into the corner of her mind – Emma enters the number into her messages, texting him an invitation to meet her at Du Pain et des Idees on 34 Rue Yves Toudic.

She falls asleep to the knowledge of Nico’s reply.

See you then. received 9:18pm

~*~*Day Two*~*~

This was absolutely ridiculous.

That was all that Emma could think as she closes the door to her rented Parisian apartment.

Granted, a lot of things about this situation were ridiculous. The fact that she was in Paris. The fact that she was there to help open her dream café. The fact that everything she ate tasted better than she could ever imagine.

But the most ridiculous part of all? Nico.

The man that she had only met yesterday and yet… there was something about him. His gentle eyes, his soft smile, the dimples in his cheeks.

He was at the boulangerie when she arrived, a coffee in hand and an Escargot a la Pistache for her. Another thing to add into the ridiculous column – that pastry was the reason that particular store was on her checklist.

And then the day that followed… even more unbelievable. Walking down the Parisian streets with Nico by her side, taking multiple pit-stops into cafés and patisseries and boulangeries, talking about everything but also nothing at all. Nico stayed by her side into the late afternoon, until his job called him away.

There was a constant battle in her mind about why this was happening.

The hopeless romantic was telling her that this was fate; she was supposed to meet Nico here in Paris and they were supposed to experience this moment in time together. That there was a reason, some grand universal scheme, that out of all the tables he could’ve chosen to sit at in Café de la Paix, he chose hers.

The cynic, however, was telling her this was nothing. He chose that table because it was open. He accompanied her today because it came with the promise of delicious French cuisine. And sure, maybe he liked the way she looked. Perhaps that was the reason he stuck around; he was a young handsome man in a foreign country who was simply looking for a good time.

But if that was all he wanted, why choose her? He could easily pick up any beautiful French woman at any bar or club, spend the night with her and then forget her name come morning. Why spend an entire with her, seeming perfectly happy keeping her company, even if that company included her ranting to him about the details of pastry and desserts, something he admitted he knew nothing about?

That unknowable ‘why?’ was haunting Emma. Was she being paranoid? Or was she being careful? Or was she just overthinking about something and someone that was temporary?

In three days’ time, she would be on a plane flying back to New York and whatever she had shared with Nico would be over. She would never see him again. That wasn’t something that her emotions were lying to her about. That wasn’t something refutable. She would never see Nico again. Because that is what this was: temporary.

The thing is… it didn’t feel temporary.

If this was fate or destiny or whatever, it didn’t feel like Nico was supposed to come into her life for a few days and then leave without another word exchanged between them. It felt more intentional.

But, once again, perhaps her emotions were twisting this reality into the fairytale that she so desperately wanted her life to be.

Emma is startled out of her spiraling thoughts by the shrill sound of her phone ringing. After rummaging through her bag, she grasps her cell and is surprised to see Morgan’s number flashing on her screen.

The spike of fear that rushes through her clears her head faster than even the strongest cup of coffee. There was absolutely no reason for Morgan to be calling unless it was an emergency; money troubles, delivery issues, hell it could even be something worse like mold or an electrical fire. Emma quickly accepts the call and lifts her cell to her ear, mentally preparing herself.

“Girl, you better tell me what the hell is going on with you,” Morgan’s voice echoes through the line, clear as day even with the white noise of New York in the background.

“What?” Emma asks, taken aback by Morgan’s unexpected words.

“Nuh-uh, you don’t get to avoid this,” Morgan quips, confusing Emma even further.

“Morgan, I really don’t know what you are talking about,” Emma sighs.

“The pictures? The angles? That love-struck look on your face in every single one of them?”

“What are you talking about?” Emma repeats.

“Babe, come on. I’ve known you for years now. You think I don’t know what it looks like when you’ve tripped head over heels for someone?”

Finally, the fog lifts from Emma’s brain.

“You’re talking about the pictures I’ve texted to you,” she sighs, collapsing onto the couch. In an effort to keep Morgan updated, she had asked Nico to occasionally take her picture – across from café tables or in front of other classic Parisian sights, all which she sent to Morgan with a quick message or an even faster emoji.

“What else would I be talking about?” Morgan says, the exasperated tone that Emma had grown to love hitting her eardrums.  

“I thought you were calling me because there was some type of emergency.”

“This is a freaking emergency!” Morgan shouts, causing a laugh to fall from Emma, one which is ignored as Morgan barrels on. “My best friend has been struck by Cupid’s arrow in the City of Love!”

“I have not.”

“Don’t deny it. Now, spill. Who is the mysterious French gentleman?”

“He’s actually Swiss,” Emma retorts, knowing that Nico’s nationality was the least important reason Morgan was calling. A thought that is practically confirmed by Morgan’s next words.

“What?”

“Nothing. His name is Nico. He’s in Paris for work. I met him at Café de la Paix yesterday.”

“Really? That’s it? That’s all I get? The CliffsNotes version?”

“Well, to be honest, that’s all I really know. I mean, we’ve talked about family and childhood and general get-to-know each other things – food, movies, all that – but that’s it,” Emma explains, the words feeling stupid as they come out of her mouth.

When talking to Nico, she didn’t mind that they kept things surface level. She knew the reason for it. It was because of that word that continued to plague her – temporary. No point getting into the ‘deep stuff’ when all this would be a distant memory soon.

“Is he handsome?” Morgan’s voice sounds again, her focus on what she considered ‘important’ forcing a laugh from Emma’s lips.

“Drop dead gorgeous,” Emma sighs, Nico’s eyes and dimples and smile dancing through her mind.  

“Have you slept with him yet?”

“Morgan!”

“What?” Morgan exclaims, her own laugh seeping into her words. “I feel like it’s a very relevant question: have you slept with the drop-dead gorgeous man you met yesterday, who is choosing to spend a day of his vacation with you?”

“I told you, he’s here for work. And we didn’t spend the entire day together.”

“Not important. Have you slept with him?”

“No, I haven’t,” Emma replies, the smile clear in her words.

“Bitch, why not?” Morgan shrieks, causing Emma to laugh once again.

“Because. Besides, you should know I don’t do that anymore.”

“Yeah, I know, not since you got out of school. But come on! First off, I take it he’s not a pretentious wanna-be pastry chef, right?”

“He’s not.”

“Alright. Secondly, you’re never going to see him again so what’s the harm?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Emma sighs as she sinks deeper into the couch cushions, the joy dropping from her voice at yet another reminder of this being temporary.

“Woah, okay,” Morgan says, her own voice softening at the sadness broadcasted in Emma’s. “Something else is going on here.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Clearly, it’s not considering how upset you sound. Come on, it’s just me. Your best friend in the whole wide world who may tease you a bit but would never actually judge you.”

Emma takes a deep breath, looking around her apartment, trying to get her thoughts in order. Her eyes move to the window where she can still see the shape of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

“It’s just…” she begins, hesitating, worried that the words will sound ridiculous. But she relaxes, remembering that it’s just Morgan. “I’ve never felt like this before. Nico, he’s… he’s so sweet and so kind. I mean, like you said, he’s spending his free time to hang out with me. Like, that must mean something right? I mean, if he wanted a piece of ass he could find one easily.”

“Not one as hot as yours,” Morgan interjects but Emma pays no mind to her words.

“It seems like he cares about me as more than just a potential hookup. And when I’m with him… it’s easy, like we’ve known each other for ages. Part of me wants to say that all these emotions are fake because – y’know – it’s the ‘City of Love’ and Paris just making me think this is more than it is but… I feel like I could fall in love with him.”

Emma can hear Morgan’s intake of breath, a tell-tale sign that she opened her mouth to speak but Emma cut her off before she could utter a syllable.

“I know that’s stupid to say about a man I met less than 36 hours ago. Plus, like you said, we’re never going to see each other again. His job apparently takes him all around the world so the chances of running into him after this are slim to none. But since I like him this much – in a way that is beyond casual – I’m worried that if I sleep with him or hell even kiss him, it will just make it harder to get over him. Which, again, is silly that I’m worried about getting over someone that I will might spend a maximum of four days with. Like – it’s just – I don’t know.”

Emma heaves another sigh, her hand moving to run through her dark hair before a half-hearted chuckle escapes her.

“This is why I don’t do casual.”

There is a small pause as Morgan takes in all of Emma’s words, the only sound filtering through the phone being the ambient noise of both of their respective cities. Emma finally hears a sigh from the other line before Morgan’s voice comes through.

“Listen, you know I’m not much for soulmates and true love and all of that. But I think you should just embrace it, whatever it is that you are feeling.”

This time, it is Emma who is about to voice a retort and Morgan who stops her before she can.

“Yeah, you’ll probably never see him again. Yeah, this is all temporary. But isn’t that even more reason to dive in headfirst while you can? Better to live a life of mistakes than a life of regret.”

Emma lets Morgan’s final statement sink in, her brain moving a mile a minute. She was right: what was there to lose? The question whirls around Emma’s head, the answer to which doesn’t instantly appear. The only thing that Emma could think to utter was another sigh.

“You know, sometimes you give really good advice.”

“It does tend to happen from time to time, thank you for noticing,” Morgan laughs. “And hey, regardless of what you decide over there in Paris, maybe this whirlwind romance will give you even more inspiration for the café!”

“And sometimes you give advice like that,” Emma jokes, the exasperation in the tone obvious.

“Eh, you win some, you lose some. I’ll let you get some dinner and sleep. Keep me updated – this time on everything not just the food, please and thank you.”

“Will do. Bye Morgan.”

Morgan replies with a quick goodbye before the call ends, leaving Emma alone with her thoughts once more. The hours pass and after ordering some takeout, Emma sits down at her small kitchen table. While she eats, Emma flips open to the back page of her notebook, writing down all the emotions and questions swirling around in her head, trying find some logical solution to her current predicament.

She’s in the middle of making a pros and cons list when her phone screen lights up with a message. Not thinking much of it, she doesn’t bother looking at the preview before unlocking her phone, ready to read another quip from Morgan. She is halted in her movements when she sees Nico’s name on the screen.

Hey. I had a lot of fun hanging out with you today. I was wondering if you wanted to do it again tomorrow? I have the evening off and would love to take in some Parisian nightlife. received 7:58pm

Emma’s eyes dance over his words before jumping back to her own looped handwriting on the pages of her notebook, trying to add this message into the tangle of possibilities. She is about to type up an excuse about why she can’t before a familiar voice echoes through her mind.

Better to live a life of mistakes than a life of regret. What’s the worst that could happen?

Yes, it could be a huge mistake letting Nico get any closer, letting him mess with her emotions any more than he already has. But maybe, just maybe, this was meant to be. And as Emma chews over those two possibilities, another question enters her mind.

Which would hurt more? Getting over Nico or never giving him a chance?

Emma looks back to her phone, the answer obvious to her now. She deletes the previously half written message before typing up a new response.

What did you have in mind? sent 8:06pm

Anything’s good for me. Just as long as you’re there. received 8:10pm

~*~*Day Three*~*~

Emma thought that she would get used to this feeling; the feeling of existing in a dream. It seemed to happen every hour she spent with Nico by her side. And now, the evening air warm as the two of them sit outside of Carette, the sweet taste of macarons in dancing across their tastebuds with the Eiffel Tower shining directly across the Seine… it was something out of a romance novel.

Emma glances across the small table towards Nico, wondering if he felt the same. He catches her stare and when that beautiful smile appears on his face, the butterflies erupt in her stomach. No one else had been able to illicit that reaction from her with something as simple a smile.

“Anything you would like to do next?” Nico asks, wiping the remnants of his dessert on the small paper napkins.

“Not really. I – well, we’ve – hit most of the cafés and stores on my list so I don’t have really anywhere I need to be,” Emma explains. Nico nods, acknowledging her words with a small hum. “I might just head back to my apartment. It is getting kind of late.”

“Need any company?”

His words catch Emma’s attention, the potential entendre clear within them. Emma shoots him a questioning look and it seems that her expression makes Nico realize how it must have sounded.

“I mean, not like that, I, um – what I was trying to say was would you like me to walk you home – keep you company on the way to your place,” he stumbles over his words and in the streetlights, Emma can see his cheeks turning a rosy pink. She assuages his fear with a soft laugh.

“I’d like that.”

“Good. Okay,” Nico sighs, his hands running through his hair.  He smiles again, one that Emma returns, before he lifts himself from his chair, holding his hand out to Emma. “Shall we?”

“We shall,” Emma says, placing her hand in his as he helps her from her seat. Emma is about ready release her grasp when she feels his grip slightly tighten, an action that brings another questioning look on her face.

“Is this alright?” Nico asks, his voice soft.

The butterflies in her stomach flip into overdrive at his gentle request. Although she had agreed to this – Date? Meeting? Rendezvous? Whatever. – with Nico, a part of her was still hesitant to make a more daring move. To dive head first as Morgan said. Vulnerability had never been much of a strong suit for her.

But considering that Nico was looking at her like she hung the stars, that sweet earnest expression on his face, she realized that she didn’t care if her heart would be broken by the end of this trip. Because whatever she shared with Nico… it was magical.

Why not keep the magic for as long as she could?

The smallest of smiles tugs at the corner of Emma’s lips as she adjusts her hold around Nico’s hand, weaving her fingers through his.

“It’s perfect,” she whispers, her voice wavering a bit; a waver that Nico hears but silences with a small squeeze of her hand and that bright dimpled smile.

The two of them leave the small café, walking hand in hand across the square, through the Trocadero Gardens to the Pont d’Iena bridge, the Eiffel Tower standing tall in front of them. The water of the Siene is a soft soundtrack below them and Emma finds herself caught up in the beauty of Paris.

Part of her thought that the novelty of the city would wear off eventually. But it seemed that Paris revealed something else wonderful to her every second she walked down its paved streets. As her and Nico walk underneath the sprawling base of the Eiffel Tower, Emma’s eyes trace the steelwork; its gentle arcs, its cross-work patterns, the diamond in the center that she knew lifted up and up, the lights hung on every intricate weld. This vacation was one of the best things that ever happened to her, that much she was sure of.

And it was made even sweeter with the presence of the man by her side, still holding her hand.

She looks over towards Nico, his eyes connecting to hers, a smile appearing on both of their faces. She lets him lead her away from the tower, down Champ de Mars.

Emma had previously thought that the city was manipulating her emotions, getting her hopes up over someone who didn’t feel the same. Now, she thought that perhaps the city brought Nico to her for a reason. That the city wasn’t scheming to break her heart… it was planning to open it and let Nico – with his gentle eyes and soft smile and adorable dimples – change her for the better.

Her daydreams are interrupted by a chorus of ‘oohs’ falling from the mouths of other tourists around her and Nico. Emma looks and sees a few people with their camera’s aimed behind them and when she turns, her jaw drops.

There in the background, the Eiffel Tower stands, it’s thousands of lights now flashing, making the entire structure look as if it was covered in glitter.

“I haven’t been able to catch the light show since I got here,” Emma whispers, partly to herself but her words also land on Nico’s eardrums. “I always forgot when it started.”

The two of them stand there, taking in the sparkling spire before Nico’s voice breaks the brief silence.

“Do you want a picture?”

“Could you? That be amazing,” Emma says, reaching into her purse before she stops. “Oh, right. My phone died.”

“I can use mine,” Nico replies without any hesitation, reaching into the pocket of his jeans.

“You don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” he says, phone now in hand.

Nico starts to take a step back, his hand slipping from Emma’s grasp. But before he can fully let go, her fingers tighten around his. The action takes Nico by surprise, his eyes jumping to their intertwined hands before looking back to Emma.

“Take one with me?” she asks, her own voice soft, the question seeming to hold more weight than it should. Emma watches as a flicker of hesitation passes across Nico’s face, the uncertainty making her anxiety jump. But Nico once again silences her fear, his expression morphing back into that smile that made her heart skip in the best way before he gently nods his head, stepping back towards her.

Nico turns their bodies so the Eiffel Tower is behind them before holding out his phone. Emma takes a small breath before she moves, slotting her body next to his, her free hand lifting to rest on his chest. Every movement is tentative, unsure of how much Nico will allow. But when Nico drops her hand to wrap his arm around her body, pulling her closer, Emma relaxes. Her body curls into Nico’s, head resting on his shoulder as Nico angles the camera to capture the shimmering tower in the background.

Nico’s thumb presses the shutter button a few times before moving the phone closer to them as his hands navigate from the camera to the photos. Emma looks over the images, the smile never leaving her face. Each picture is beautiful; the two of them looking incredibly happy, the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance. She turns her attention away from Nico’s phone, back towards him. But when their eyes connect, her breath catches in her throat.

The look on Nico’s face is one that Emma has seen a thousand times before, but only in movies and television shows. A look that had never once been directed towards her. A look of utmost gentleness, the yearning in Nico’s irises gleaming with the same intensity as the light show still happening behind them.

Nico’s head dips closer towards Emma’s upturned face and Emma finds her own body is stretching up to meet him. They pause, bare inches in between them and Emma can feel the gentle brush of Nico’s breath fanning across her cheeks.

Another moment of hesitation, the air thick with indecision, waiting for someone to make the final move.

In the end, it turns out to be Nico that leans in, closing the gap between them and capturing Emma’s lips in a gentle kiss. The press of him against her surprises Emma – not because she wasn’t expecting it, not because she didn’t want it, but because she couldn’t quite believe it was really happening.

The touch of him, the taste of him… it felt too good to be true.

But when she feels Nico start to pull away, the shock subsides and the hunger takes over. Her hands blindly lift to burrow into the soft hair at the nape of his neck, dragging him back into her as she reciprocates the kiss.

This time, it is Nico that is taken aback by her intensity but it is brief – a minuscule surprise – until he matching her passion, his own hands tightening around her waist, pulling her body impossibly closer to her. The kisses deepen, the two of them enveloped in the desire that had been steadily building for the past two days.

Eventually, they fall away from each other, dazed from the kisses shared. Emma glances up at Nico, the smile on her lips mirrored on his.

“Wow,” he whispers, his hand lifting to delicately brush his fingers across Emma’s cheekbones, causing a light laugh to escape her.

They stand there for a moment, still wrapped in each other’s arms. Emma’s thoughts spin in her mind; questions about what this means and if this changes anything. But eventually, one voice takes over.

Embrace it, Emma.

She wasn’t sure if that voice was that of her best friend or of Paris or her own, but it didn’t matter who spoke. All that mattered was that she listened.

“Do you have anywhere you need to be tomorrow morning?” Emma asks, the words light with the crooked grin that twisted itself onto her lips. The smirk is quickly matched by Nico, this time the double entendre being anything but unintentional.

“I don’t. Why do you ask?” he says, his own voice teasing.

“Oh, there’s just this café right next door to my apartment that I think you might enjoy,” Emma nonchalantly replies, matching his taunt.

“Planning another brunch?”

“It opens pretty early. And people always say that first customers get the freshest food.”

“Breakfast then,” Nico says, his agreement to her anything but subtle offer painted clearly on his face. 

“Perfect,” Emma replies.

Nico leans forward, kissing Emma once more and if there was any question left in either of their minds, it was erased by the need coursing through their bodies. Nico pulls away, his arms falling from Emma’s frame – albeit reluctantly. He takes a single step back before offering his hand once again, one that is immediately accepted by Emma. Their fingers intertwine as Emma takes her place by Nico’s side. He looks down at her, his eyes bright.

“Lead the way.”

~*~*Day Four*~*~

The gentle morning sun rouses Emma from her slumber. The plush sheets brush against her bare skin, the warmth trapped within them comforting her, lulling her back into her dream. Or, more accurately, the dream of last night.

The brush of Nico’s hands against her skin, the strength of his hold on her hips, the feeling of his lips tracing her silhouette, the softness of his hair in between her fingers, his strong arms wrapped around her as they both fell asleep.

Arms that were no longer holding her.

Her brain slowly registers the emptiness surrounding her as she blindly reaches behind, hoping that her palm would land on the solid form of Nico. But when her hand lands on the softness of the sheets and solidness of the mattress, Emma’s eyes open.

She lifts her body upright, muscles protesting, still sore from last night’s activities. Her gaze dances around the studio apartment, finding it completely empty; only the fabric of her own clothes scattered across the floor.

Emma’s heart drops, the critical voice that had been kept dormant coming back in full force, assuming the worst.

He got what he wanted. He coerced himself into your bed and you were foolish enough to let him. And now that he accomplished what he set out to do, there was no reason for him to stick around.

The soft chime of the doorbell echoes around the apartment, cutting of the voice before it had a chance to berate her further. Emma sighs, lifting herself off the bed and grabbing the robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door She throws it on before walking down the stairwell towards the entrance door.

She isn’t concerned about who is waiting on the street. It was most likely a delivery person who mistook her door for the side entrance to one of the stores next to her. But when she swings the wooden door open, the French poised on her lips, she is silenced by the sight of Nico standing on the other side of the threshold, a bag hanging from his arm and two cups of coffee in his hand.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to take your keys and make you think you lost them or something,” he explains, the sheepish look gracing his features. Emma stares at him for a moment, her thoughts rearranging themselves at the realization that she was wrong and he didn’t simply abandon her.

“It’s alright,” she says, stepping to the side. Nico crosses through the doorway as Emma closes the door behind him. He lets her climb back up the stairs first before they both re-enter the apartment.

Nico breezes over to the small table in the kitchen, leaving Emma still standing bewildered near the entrance. She watches as he sets down the two coffee cups before fishing into the brown paper bag and removing a pair of eclairs.

“I probably should’ve waited for you because my French is terrible. Thankfully, the workers remembered you so I trust that they got your order right,” Nico explains, shooting a smile her way. “You must really like that place if they know your name after only three days.”

“Wild & The Moon has great food. I think I’ve stopped there every morning since arriving,” she says, walking towards him and taking a seat in one of the chairs. Nico settles into the opposite seat, that soft smile on his face.

“Well, I’m not going to be one to disagree with a pastry chef,” he laughs, his cheery demeanor breaking through the thin wall that Emma had hastily created around her heart when she woke up to find him missing. She returns his grin, although it is slightly half-hearted. She can see her hesitance register on Nico’s face but Emma doesn’t address it. Instead, she grabs the coffee he placed in front of her, taking a small sip.

“Is everything alright?” he asks.

“It’s perfect. Exactly what I always order,” Emma replies with a small shrug.

“That’s good to hear but it’s not exactly what I was asking.”

Emma looks back up at him, his eyes trained on her face. His emotions were painted so clearly onto his features; concern, confusion, and an inkling of fear. Emma sighs again, shaking her head slightly.

“It’s nothing, really.”

“It’s bothering you so it isn’t nothing,” Nico shoots back, the earnestness in his statement startling Emma. Nico hesitates before reaching his hand out, brushing his fingers against hers before intertwining their grip. “Tell me, please.”

Emma takes a breath, the words sticking in her throat, unsure whether to tell him the truth or to brush off his worry again. But she decides to embrace it – every emotion, the good and the bad.

“I thought you left me,” she whispers, looking back up at him. “Took off after I fell asleep because this – whatever this is – is casual. And that’s what happens with casual.”

Emma immediately regrets the words when she sees Nico’s face fall.

“Is that what you think about me?”

“It’s what my worst intentions thought,” Emma answers honestly. “I’m glad I was proven wrong though,” she continues, a hopeful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. One that Nico blissfully returns.

“Last night…” he begins, pausing to deliberate his words. “Last night was amazing. Really. But I want you to know that I loved hanging out with you before that. I don’t want you to think it was all a ruse to get in your pants.”

Emma wants to tell him that she didn’t think that but it would be a lie so she just keeps her mouth closed, listening intently to Nico instead.

“I really like hanging out with you,” he concludes, looking back at her.

“I do too,” Emma responds with a smile.

She doesn’t tell him that she thinks she’s falling for him, or at least could see herself falling for him. Because, while this connection may be pure and genuine, that didn’t erase the fact that this wasn’t going to last. She was leaving tomorrow, back to New York. He would leave soon – back to wherever it was that his job took him next.

Instead, they sit there in silence, eating their food and sipping their coffee. It is a silence filled with a sense of comfort but an overlay of sadness as well. This was likely it for them.

“Today is your last day in Paris, right?” Nico asks, breaking the silence by voicing the unavoidable truth.

“Yeah. My flight is tomorrow at 9am.”

“Anything you want to do for your last day?”

“Still want to hear me rant about French pastry?”

“I have to admit, it is pretty entertaining,” Nico laughs, that jovial sparkle in his eyes. “And I was serious; I like hanging out with you. I don’t have anywhere I need to be so why not spend the day with you?”

The butterflies start up again; both at Nico’s sweet words but also at the heated way that he is looking at her from across the table, his eyes dancing over her frame. His gaze makes Emma suddenly aware of the only thing that is separating her bare skin from his sight is the fabric of her robe. She smirks, the desire sparking again as she lifts herself up from the table.

“Well, I looked at my notes and I actually managed to hit all the shops I wanted to,” Emma muses, taking a few steps towards Nico. “So, maybe we could go to the Louvre.”

“See the Mona Lisa?” Nico asks, his body turning towards her as she walks closer.

“Although I hear that it can get insanely crowded.”

“A little claustrophobic, wouldn’t you say?”

“My hosts – the couple who owns this apartment – left a long list of tourist spots that are close by. Some gardens, some museums…” she continues, her hands toying with the bow holding her robe together.

“That sounds relaxing,” Nico responds with a small hum.

“But I also have to do laundry and pack and I would prefer to not leave that to the last minute.”

“Completely understandable.”

“So, I don’t know really know what we should do today,” Emma sighs, her body settling between Nico’s parted thighs, the tie of her robe now partially undone, the fabric falling off one of her shoulders. His hands reach out and a small shiver rushes through Emma’s body at the sensation of his fingertips grazing the back of her thighs.

“Maybe we should just stay in?” Nico playfully suggests, his hands dancing up and down her bare skin.

“And waste our last day together?” Emma teases. Nico smirks up at her, one hand moving to the front of her body, gently undoing the remaining tie before slipping beneath the fabric, his fingers grazing her hipbone.

“I’m sure we can find something to do to pass the time.”

~*~*A Year and A Half Later*~*~

“Is the Frasier ready to go?” Emma shouts into the kitchen, her voice startling the few customers waiting by the pick-up counter.

“It’s loaded in the back of your car with the macarons and the components for the mille-feuille,” her sous-chef April calls back. “I’m need to grab profiteroles from the racks and we should be good to go.”

“We have all four flavors of macarons?”

“Yes, boss. Everything is accounted for.”

“Good. Be ready to leave in less than ten minutes,” Emma calls, pushing through the swinging kitchen doors, walking behind the café’s main counter. She weaves her way through the two baristas working on orders towards the pastry display. Leaning down, her scan over the pastries, taking inventory of what is left and what need to be replaced. She is almost halfway through her task before a nudge on her shoulder pulls her attention away from the case. Emma glances up to see Morgan’s blue eyes looking at her from underneath her blonde bangs. Wordlessly, she hands Emma a cup filled with a latte.

“You work her too hard,” Morgan says, nodding towards the kitchen, her words referencing April.

“Nothing she’s not used to,” Emma says, taking a drink. “Trust me. The chefs at her school were likely a hundred times more terrifying than me.”

“I don’t know, you’re pretty scary when you’re stressed.”

“Stressed? Who says I’m stressed?” Emma replies, her eyes turning back to the pastry case. “We need to replenish the Pain au Chocolate as soon as possible. It’s one of our best sellers so those five will probably be gone by the end of the morning rush and we don’t want the customers waiting.”

“I’ll get Jacob on that when he’s done taking orders. And you’d be stupid if you weren’t stressed.”

Her words bring Emma’s attention to her best friend and co-owner, her brows downturned into a scowl.

“Don’t give me that look,” Morgan scoffs. “Only a year since our business opened and a professional hockey team has asked us to cater their charity brunch? This is huge. You should be freaking out, it’s okay. You don’t have to hold it together for appearance’s sake, at least not in front of me.”

“You look pretty calm,” Emma retorts.

“I screamed my lungs out in the walk-in fridge when I got in this morning.”

“You should’ve told me. We could have screamed together,” Emma laughed, taking another sip of her coffee as her and Morgan departed from behind the counter, sitting down at one of the small tables in the corner.  

“With nothing but the eggs and milk as our witnesses,” Morgan laughed. The two of them look out over the café, the sound of customers talking and the hiss of the milk steamers echoing around the space.

“This is insanity,” Emma sighs.

A year. A single year from the grand opening of their café, La Crème de la Crème, and they were already more successful than they could’ve imagined. And now, in a few minutes, Emma and April would be driving across the Hudson to cater for the New Jersey Devils charity brunch.

“If you meet the person that decided to take a chance on us, give them a giant kiss on the mouth from me,” Morgan says, her testament causing Emma to laugh.

“If you want to kiss a hockey player, you should come yourself.”

“Gotta make sure this place doesn’t burn down. But who knows, maybe you’ll fall madly in love with a hot stranger like you did the last time you went to a different city without me,” Morgan jokes. The reminder causes Emma to roll her eyes.

“Will you ever let that go?”

“Have you?”

The blush that invades Emma’s cheeks is all the answer Morgan needs. Yes, it had been a year since the café opened, another four months on top of that since Emma returned from her ‘research’ trip to Paris. And she would be lying if she said she didn’t find herself still thinking about the man she met there.

Nico. He still occupied a space in her mind, ever since that last kiss they shared as he helped her into the taxi the morning she left. It was hard to let him go even though she knew that it would probably be for the best if she could just forget about him.

“The backstock should last you through the morning. If it doesn’t, Kenneth is coming in at 1. April and I should be back before then but if not, he can run the kitchen until we arrive,” Emma says, finishing off her drink and lifting herself up from the table. “Remember to have Jacob stock the Pain au Chocolate.”

“We’ve got it covered here,” Morgan says, her smile calming Emma’s beating heart. “Just focus on being the coolest pastry chef, impressing all those important people, and bringing in new customers.”

Emma responds with a playful salute before disappearing back into the kitchen. April is waiting for her by the back door, black chefs coat on, the café’s name written in cursive script over her breast. After confirming everything was in the car, they both hop in and start the drive to Newark, New Jersey.

Emma sends a thank you to whatever power there was for making traffic light, the trip not taking nearly as long as Emma had suspected it would. They are soon arriving at the hotel, pulling up to the entrance. After a quick explanation of who they were and why they were there, a few hotel workers come out to assist them as they bring their food into the kitchens.

“I’m going to find the organizer, ask where they want us to set up. Just get everything ready to be assembled and then we will go from there.”

April gives Emma a small nod in acknowledgment, turning her attention to the boxes of food in front of her. Emma leaves her to it, following the signs to the ballroom. She walks through the open doors, finding the room decorated in the red and black – colors that she now knew to be the teams –tables filling the space around a small stage.

On one wall lined with banquet tables, she spies an elegant woman holding a clipboard talking to the hotel staff, who Emma was told were providing the rest of the food. She makes her way over, the conversation hitting her ears, confirming that this was the person she needed to speak to.

Emma stands off to the side, waiting for the discussion to conclude before stepping forward.

“Hello. I’m Emmaline Evans, the co-owner and pastry chef from Crème de la Crème,” she says, holding out one of her tattooed hands.

“Oh, yes!” the woman says, graciously accepting Emma’s handshake. “I’m so glad you made it. My name’s Nicole, I’m one of the people who helped organize this brunch. Are you all settled, everything good?”

“Yes, my sous-chef is in the kitchen right now getting the plates ready. I just wanted to introduce myself and say thank you for the opportunity. It means a lot for our new business.”

“Of course! Though, I should really introduce you to Jess. She is the one that came in telling us about this amazing café in Greenwich that we just had to get,” Nicole explains, her bubbly personality infectious, making a smile break out on Emma’s face.

“I look forward to meeting her. I’ll probably be out once everything is prepared, introduce myself to some of the other guests and check to make sure everything tastes alright.”

“Perfect! I wouldn’t expect anything else from a savvy business woman, neither will any of the guests. A lot of driven people here,” Nicole explains, before turning to face the banquet tables. “We have the traditional breakfast fare here and your table is over there,” she gestures to a table a short distance away. “We decided to keep the sweets a little separate from the rest.”

“Makes perfect sense,” Emma nods, taking the layout into memory. “Would you like us to delay bringing the food out so there is a space between the main course and the dessert?”

“Is that alright for you? I think that would be best.”

“Absolutely.”

“Amazing. You can bring out the food at, let’s say 11:30? We might still be in the middle of speeches and all that but that could work out because after we’ve wrapped up there, we can direct people to your delicious food.”

“Of course. I’ll go back and get everything ready. We’ll be out at 11:30.”

“Perfect. Thank you again!” Nicole exclaims and Emma is about to extend her hand for another handshake until Nicole sweeps her into a hug instead. Emma embraces it politely before pulling away and disappearing back to the kitchen. On the way, she sees the beginning of the crowd trickling in, her eyes glancing over the guests decked out in expensive dresses and suits.

This was a golden opportunity and she wasn’t going to waste it.

She breezes into the kitchen towards the corner where April had completely set up everything in the few minutes she was gone. Emma explains the timeline and they both set to work; April filling the profiteroles with their whipped cream center and Emma assembling the layers of the mille-feuille. April finishes first and sets about arranging the macarons and profiteroles on the platters provided before moving to cut the Fraiser into slices and placing each piece on their separate plate. Emma finishes assembling the mille-feuilles and glances at the clock.

“Alright, we’ve got a few minutes. Finish plating the Fraiser and bring those out first. I’ll take the macarons and profiteroles and then we can both bring out the mille-feuille.”

“Sounds good. Do you need any help with the platters?”

“No, I should be fine,” Emma says, leaning down to pick up the silver tray the macarons were placed on. “We’ve got the labels for everything, correct.”

“Yes, boss. Do you want me to bring those out first or last.”

“Last. We can arrange the table how we see fit and then label the plates instead of having to shuffle everything around.” Emma is about to leave the kitchen before she turns back to April, the platter resting on her shoulder. “You know you don’t have to call me boss.”

“Force of habit,” April laughs, her brown eyes sparkling as she looks up from the Frasier. “You can stop pretending that you don’t like it.”

“Ha-ha,” Emma utters a sarcastic laugh before leaving. She retraces her path to the ballroom, hearing the echo of an amplified voice guiding her steps.

Emma slips in, the tables now filled with guests, their attention turned to the front stage as she sees Nicole as well as few other beautiful women standing by the podium. She registers parts of their speech; happiness for how the season was going, excitement for what was coming, reminder of the charity they were here for, and of course a call for generosity in donating. Emma makes her way around the perimeter of the room, coming to the assigned banquet table before setting the platter down. She moves back catching the eyes of April walking in with the platter of Fraiser and directs her with a nod of her head.

A few trips later, Emma is standing in front of the table, her eyes gazing over the assortment of the food she was proudest of. It looked beautiful, the whites and golds and reds and pinks and browns of the desserts creating a stunning mosaic, each section labeled in the same elegant cursive that graced her chef’s jacket.

“I’m going to go back, clean up the kitchen and get ready for any food we might have to bring back,” she says, looking to April.

“Don’t you want to stay here? You’re the chef after all,” April asks from the other side of the table.

“I plan on making the rounds a little later, get a little more personal interaction. I have no doubt that you’ll make an excellent first impression of our company without me.”

Emma sees her words register in April’s mind, a smile gracing over her features before it shifts to serious, her body lifting to stand a little taller.

“I won’t disappoint you, boss,” April says, her words serious but punctuated with a small wink, causing Emma to playfully roll her eyes. She doesn’t give another response, departing the ballrooms. She is only a few steps out of the door when she hears the final announcement echo from the speakers.

“Now please enjoy some delicious pastries from Crème de la Crème Café.”

Hearing her company name announced along with the applause that followed – although she knew the cheer wasn’t directed towards her – made her heart leap. Everything was perfect so far; all that was left was for the guests to like the food.

Emma cleans, packing the equipment they brought into her car and assembling a few take-away boxes that she hoped she didn’t have to use. She leaves the kitchen, taking a quick stop in the bathroom to wash her hands and adjust her appearance, making sure not a hair was out of place. She takes a few deep breaths, straightening her jacket before moving back into the ballroom.

She takes in the sight of plates filled with her food on tables, the smiles on peoples faces and it makes her relax. Emma catches sight of April still manning the table, her smile never wavering as she hands out desserts, her lips explaining each delicacy. She catches Emma’s eye, sending her a wink before turning her attention back to the guests. Emma lets out a sigh before she gazes around the ballroom.

“Oh, there she is! Emmaline!” she hears a voice call, locating Nicole sitting at a table waving her hand. Emma smiles, weaving through the crowd until she reaches her.

“Everyone, this is Emmaline Evans. She’s the chef that created all these wonderful treats for us!” Nicole explains and Emma smiles, nodding her head to the other guests sitting there.

“How is everything tasting?”

“Delicious!” one of the gentlemen at the table says. “Why haven’t we heard about your restaurant before?”

“We actually opened a year and a half ago so we’re relatively new.”

“Well, you are sure to get some new customers if your food always tastes this good,” he laughs, extending his hand. “Erik.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Emma says, accepting his handshake.

“I can guarantee that the food is always this good,” another feminine voice sounds from across the table. Emma turns her attention to a brunette smiling at her. “Definitely worth the drive to Greenwich.”

“Oh, right! Emmaline, this is Jess. She’s the one that insisted we book your company,” Nicole explains, the words forcing Emma to extend her hand eagerly, Jess accepting it with grace.

“Thank you for the opportunity. It really means a lot to me and my co-owner Morgan, so thank you for taking a chance on us.”

“I knew it wasn’t going to be that much of a risk. I’ve been forcing Nate to drive me to New York on his days off so I can get your food,” Jess says, nudging the shoulder of the man next to her – who Emma can only assume is Nate. “You deserve way more recognition. And, when I heard about a small woman-owned business, I knew I had to give my support. Kind of what we do.”

The other women at the table laugh in agreement, causing another smile to break out on Emma’s face. She politely stays for a few minutes, answering queries about the food provided, the menu at the café, and other general questions. Slowly, her body registers the weight of someone’s eyes on her from across the ballroom. A lull in the conversation allows her to lift her head and look around.

When her eyes land on the source of the stare, her heartbeat falters in her chest.

It had been over sixteen months since she had last seen him but she swears she could recognize those gentle brown eyes and that flowing chestnut hair anywhere.

A few tables away sat Nico; the man that she met in Paris all that time ago. The man who enchanted her from the moment he sat with her at the café table. The man she never thought she would see again.

He was here.

Emma quickly snaps out of her trance, breaking his gaze and turning her attention back to the guests in front of her with a polite smile. But beneath her composure, her thoughts were as erratic as her heartbeat. She steals another glance back in Nico’s direction, finding him in a conversation with the young man next to him, that familiar dimpled smile on his face.

“Apologies,” Emma says, interrupting the conversation taking place around her. “I should greet the other guest, check in on them.”

“Oh, of course! We’ve kept you long enough,” Nicole speaks.

“You should go talk to out team leadership,” the man next to Nicole says – Jesper, she remembered. Emma watches as he twists in his seat, eyes roving over the room before stopping, his long arm pointing to a table. “Over there.”

The directionality of his gesture has Emma’s heart skipping again, the anxiety only heightened when she follows his point to the table where Nico sat.

“That’s our captain, Nico, and our two assistant captains, Jack and Ondrej, along with their partners and a few others,” Jesper says turning back to Emma, who quickly plasters a gracious expression on her face.

“I will make sure to stop there, thank you,” she says before departing, moving only to the table next to the previous.

She was going to keep her word – she just needed a little time.

Emma introduces herself to multiple guests, answering the same questions, and handing out more business cards than she could count. She navigates the ballroom, slowly making her way over to Nico’s table. She swears that every time she moves closer, she can feel Nico’s eyes landing on her more frequently. She manages to focus on the guests in front of her enough that no one suspects anything is amiss. But she knows that the effort is half-hearted at best. The other part of her brain is twisting itself in knots over the prospect of speaking to Nico again.

She never expected to see him. She certainly didn’t expect to see him at a work event. In the fantasies that she allowed herself to occasionally indulge in, they would always run into each other at a bar or in the park or even on the street. In those daydreams, he was single and the magic from Paris would still be there between them.

But now, Emma is forced to make her brain prepare for the possible reality that she was about to walk into: that he was here with an insanely beautiful woman on his arm and the romance in Paris was exactly what she feared it to be – temporary.

It didn’t make it any better that she would have to reckon all of those heartbreaking truths with a pleasant smile on her face; the shield of professionalism she was forced to maintain that could absolutely not crack.

 Emma concludes her previous conversation, taking a deep breath before turning towards the table she had been avoiding all afternoon. She walks up to the edge, glancing around the faces of the guests, trying not to let her eyes linger on one face in particular.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she speaks, calling their attention to her. “I’m one of the owners of Crème de la Crème and I just wanted to check in, see how everything was tasting.”

“It’s fucking fantastic!” the dirty blonde next to Nico exclaims, causing Nico’s head to turn with a glare and a hiss of ‘Jack!’. A blush invades his cheeks before the man – Jack – looks back towards Emma. “Sorry, I mean, it’s really, really good.”

Emma laughs gently at his words before speaking.

“It’s alright. I’m glad to hear you like it that much.”

“It really is delicious,” the stunning blonde woman next to Jack speaks. “Is your store located in Newark?”

“No, we’re actually located in Greenwich Village in New York. But this was an amazing opportunity for our business that we just couldn’t pass up.”

“That’s awesome. Do you normally cater?”

“We’re relatively new to the catering side of food service. We do provide food for smaller parties: birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations like that. This has been out biggest event yet so this was also a test for us, to see if we could handle it.”

“Well, I say you passed with flying colors!” the woman smiles. “Could I have your card? My sister would love this and her birthday is coming up.”

“Of course,” Emma says, her hand dipping into her pocket to retrieve a card.

“Actually, could I have two? I might slip one in this guy’s hockey bag as an anniversary reminder,” she laughs, nudging Jack’s shoulder.

“When have I ever not wooed you?” he laughs.

“I’m not saying you haven’t. This is just a subtle hint about what a few delicious macarons might do.”

Emma nods, grasping the two small slips of paper and extending them to her.

“Could I also have one?” an all too familiar accented voice requests.

Emma turns her attention to Nico, her eyes connecting to his. She doesn’t give a verbal response; just another nod of her head. She hands two cards off to Jack’s partner before turning to Nico, holding a business card out to him as well. Emma suppresses a shiver that threatens to run through her body as Nico’s fingers graze against hers as he takes the paper from her hand.

“Planning on surprising a special lady, as well?” Jack teases. The question is innocent when coming from his mouth but it stops Emma’s heart as she waits for the answer – preparing for the worst.

“If by special lady, you mean my mom when she flies in for the mom’s trip, then yes,” Nico jokes back, his eyes flickering back to Emma. “Besides that, no one else comes to mind.”

Emma lets out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding at Nico’s subtle admission; he wasn’t seeing anyone, at least not seriously. The other women at the table were with his teammates, not him.

“Could I ask where you learned how to cook?” another gentleman at the table asks, his voice turning Emma’s attention to him.

“Of course. I went to The French Pastry School in Chicago, which is one of the only schools that focuses exclusively on pastry creation,” Emma explains, her eyes darting towards Nico as she contemplates her next words. “But I was also blessed with the opportunity to travel to Paris and experience the authentic Parisian cuisine first hand. That trip inspired me in many ways.”

From the corner of her eyes, Emma watches as a smile tugs at Nico’s lips.

“I’ve been to Paris as well. It’s a beautiful city with amazing food.”

“Right, you were there a little over a year ago, with the NHL European press tour,” another guest says, providing answers to questions that Emma didn’t bother asking back then. He told her that he was there for work. That wasn’t a lie. She just didn’t know that this was his job.

“It was an amazing trip,” Nico replies, his eyes darting to Emma, the weight behind his words only noticeable by that recognizable sparkle in his irises.

Emma’s own smile graces her features. Their silent conversation reminded Emma of passing secret notes, communicating in a way that only the two of them could understand. The hope soared in her chest but she pushes it down in an effort not to get caught up in the moment. She excuses herself, sneaking one last quick glance over her shoulder at Nico before making her way over to April.

She forces herself to focus on the moment at hand, taking stock of the remaining food, the event dwindling down. Emma helps April carry the remaining leftovers into the kitchen, instructing her to pack up the food and load it into the car before helping the hotel staff clean the few remaining dirty dishes.

Emma makes her way back into the ballroom, gathering the remaining business cards from their table, as well as the labels before helping the staff pick up the plates scattered on the tables.

She is absentmindedly gathering the plastic plates into a stack, reaching out to grab the last plate at the table. But before she can, it is taken by a strong hand before it is extended to her. Emma lifts her eyes to thank whoever it was in front of her but her voice catches when her eyes connect with Nico again.

“So, Paris, huh?” he asks, the question loaded with a myriad of emotions that Emma couldn’t even begin to place. She takes the plate from his hand with a smile.

“Yeah, it was a really wonderful experience.” 

“I bet.”

“Ate a lot of good food, saw some beautiful sights,” she continues, a mischievous smirk appearing on her face, her eyes never leaving Nico’s. “Met this really great guy.”

Emma swears that she can see the sigh escape Nico’s chest – the potential fear leaving him as his body relaxes, his tentative smile shifting to match her grin.

“I was worried you didn’t remember me,” he confesses. Emma’s eyes soften at his admission, her head slightly shaking in disbelief.

“Did you really think I’d forget?” she murmurs, her own words just as much of a confession as Nico’s. She watches his brown eyes shift, the confusion dancing within them.

“At the table…”

“I had to remain professional,” she explains, gently cutting him off. “Talking about a whirlwind romance I had with the team captain in front of potential clients – some of which are his teammates – isn’t really the way to get rehired.”

“Good point,” Nico laughs, the sound echoing around the almost abandoned ballroom, his hand lifting to run through his hair. His chuckle pulls a giggle from Emma’s own lips as she shakes her head again.

Their laughter dwindles until the silence covers them again. Emma can’t seem to tear her eyes away from him and it is clear that Nico feels the same. The two of them stand there, taking in the sight of the other, seemingly convincing themselves that they were really standing in front of each other. That this wasn’t just a fantasy.

“In truth,” Emma says, breaking the fragile silence, “You’re hard to get over. No one I’ve met since Paris has even come close.”

The broad smile that appears on his face makes Emma’s happiness increase, the subtle admission that she was also currently unattached understood by Nico.

“I never thought I’d see you again,” he tells her, the words bringing a small teasing laugh from Emma.  

“Didn’t know you missed me that much,” she jokes.

Her words seem to catch Nico off-guard. Her green eyes follow Nico’s movements as he reaches into the interior pocket of his suit jacket, fishing out his phone. His fingers move, tapping on the screen and scrolling until he pauses. A smile tugs at his lips as he stares at whatever was on his phone before he turns the device towards her.

Emma swears her heart skips for the hundredth time that day as she takes in the image on the screen. It’s the picture they took that night in Paris – the night everything changed. Her eyes dance over the screen, looking at the ease in which her body was resting against Nico’s, the way his arm was wrapped around her frame, the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the background.

“You kept it,” she whispers.  

“Of course, I did,” Nico responds with just as much tenderness. Her eyes flicker back up to the man in front of her, the look in his eyes an echo of the one from that same night. She watches as he hesitates, seemingly debating the words he was about to say. Whatever doubts he had, they apparently weren’t enough to stop him as he speaks again. “I don’t know if I ever missed anyone as much as I missed you.”

If her heart was beating erratically before, it practically stopped at Nico’s gentle words. The desire, the yearning, the emotions hanging from every syllable hit Emma like a freight train, his need bringing forth her own. A need that she tried – desperately – to get rid of for months because she thought she would never see him again.

But he was here. He was real. And he missed her.

“I missed you too,” she admits, the confession not feeling dangerous or terrifying. Instead, it felt as simple as breathing. It felt as easy as it always did when she was next to him. It felt like Paris.

Emma and Nico look at each other, the truth of their admission floating around them, seemingly enveloping them in that love-struck haze that they existed in months ago. In a different city. In a different country.

“I don’t know if this is way too forward but I’d like to take you on a date. Or, I guess another date. If that’s alright with you?” Nico asks, his words still hesitant. Emma responds with a gentle smile.

“That sounds perfect.”

“I can’t promise that it will be as magical as Paris though,” he laughs.

Emma’s expression falters a little at his words, the fears from Paris returning along with the joy. Their reunion felt enchanting right now but maybe the shock of seeing each other again after all those months was the only thing causing this sensation. Maybe after the moment died, the worry that invaded her mind in Paris would be proven true: that it was just the City of Love that fueled their connection.

Embrace it. All of it.

It is that small voice of bravery and vulnerability that sounds, the declaration echoing in her mind. Emma takes a deep breath, summoning the courage she felt in France and letting it fill her body, letting her heart guide her actions. She reaches out towards Nico, letting her hand creep closer to his, her fingers brushing over his skin.

The energy that surges between them when their fingers intertwine is powerful. Those fireworks sparkle stronger than anything before; stronger than the lights about them, stronger than all the lights on the Eiffel Tower. That electricity has Emma looking up at Nico, seeing the same emotions dancing on his face. That touch was proved a fact that they knew in their hearts to be true but their heads still doubted.

That this – whatever it was, whatever they shared those months ago… it wasn’t temporary. It wasn’t the city. This was real.

“Paris wasn’t the magical part.”

tags: @tkachvkmatthew @m00nlightdelights @cixrosie SIGN UP FOR MY TAGLIST HERE

[nyarlathotep-thecrawlingchaos]

I'm soooo sorry you're under the weather and dealing with crappy stuff! I hope things get better for you, physically and mentally 🙏 Get lots of rest if you can, and drink all the fluids!

Headcanon requests, is it? How about the OPLA men (Shanks & Mihawk, but also take your pick, etc) with a multi-tasking reader who delights in various hobbies to keep busy, and occasionally drags them into getting involved? Whether it be container gardening, knitting, baking, sewing, artwork, etc.

Bonus if they're also contending with where exactly reader stores all of her crap when it's not in use, not at all guilty of this myself 🙈🤣

Thank you so, so, so much. It’s been a really bad day and this has honestly helped a lot.

Like I feel this hard. There’s guitar picks and tuning peg winders and little notebooks full of story notes and recipes and origami scattered all over my house.

Just gonna do Shanks and Mihawk this time, because they very much are my main comfort characters right now.

The fact that one of my comfort characters is so murdery probably does not say good things for my mental health but whatever

Hobbies

OPLA! Shanks and Mihawk x Reader

Cloyingly fluffy, here is a spoon with which to gag yourself, just in case c>===

Shanks

He is absolutely so game for all of this.

Such a child about it, if you’re trying to do anything new he’s just so excited about it and needs to know everything.

Completely in your business, asking ten thousand questions, along with the inevitable starry-eyed, “Can I help?”

And you’d have to be heartless to turn down those puppy-dog eyes.

It might not turn out to be his thing, and he might get in the way more than he actually helps, but he’s going to enjoy the experience with you regardless, and his enthusiasm is just so precious that it makes it more fun for you as well.

The exception here is knitting. Knitting can get fucked. He tried, holding one needle in his hand and the other between his teeth, and somehow ended up nearly giving himself a tracheotomy.

But if you knit, sew, or crochet something for him, he’s going to unironically wear it everywhere and brag about it to anyone who will listen.

Baking, though, turns out he has something of a knack for it. And now his go-to solution if you’re sad or upset about something is to bake you cookies, because “How can anyone be sad when there are cookies?” And, well, he’s not entirely wrong.

The captain’s cabin is just completely cluttered with arts and crafts supplies, with so many signs and knickknacks of your many and varied hobbies, and he sincerely loves it because there’s just so much of you everywhere he looks. He’s always felt at home on the sea, but this just makes it feel even more like home.

Mihawk

Not quite as perceptive to participating. He might if you ask him, but some things might take convincing.

He’s an utter perfectionist about everything, so if you do convince him to try anything, he’s probably going to fixate on it until he’s a certified expert and compete with you over who’s better at it.

More refined and traditional artistic endeavors definitely appeal to him more—you could probably convince him to try painting or drawing pretty easily, but things like sewing or crocheting are going to be a little more of a stretch.

Gardening in general is honestly fine as well, container or otherwise.  The more you can grow on the island or around the castle, the less he has to concern himself with leaving to deal with other people. And it is fairly convenient to have fresh herbs growing right in the kitchen.

Fairly adept at cooking already—he’s spent most of his life in solitude, so cooking for himself was something of a necessity. Baking isn’t exactly his forte, but he will partake if you ask him to.

He acts like the clutter of your supplies irritates him, but really only so he can give you a room or two of the castle dedicated solely to your hobbies. No point looking a gift horse in the mouth, and you know he’s just being surly to protect his pride.

You know because even if he isn’t interested in it himself, he does enjoy watching you work, sitting off to the side with a book and a glass of wine, glancing up every so often to see your progress.

[pyschedtrickster]

TADC Ep 2 - Depression and the Meaning of Life

Well, I may or may not be a day late to release of the episode, but I've watched it three times so far and I have some thoughts. Let's get the gritty stuff outta the way.

First of all, The Amazing Digital Circus belongs to @gooseworx and therefore everything I say here is just my personal take on the episode. I could be wrong, talking out my ass, etc. But this episode really spoke to me, so good job Goose.

Secondly, spoilers <3

Third, I think I've written enough that people won't get jumpscared with spoilers. This is gonna be a long read, so bear with me. This post will contain ALL my thoughts on the episode, both meaningful and just silly things I liked.

BUBBLE

So anyone who knows me from Bunnydoll Burrow knows I love Bubble. They're my favorite so far and this episode only cemented that further. They're wonderful comedic relief and even if they don't have any character development (which I don't think they will), I will always love them.

Caine Cares Too Much

While watching this, I was immediately off-put by Caine's reactions, even beginning with him calling Zooble back. He sounds so... dire? I don't know if that was intended to mean something or if it was just to put emphasis on how much Caine cares about his creations. Caine is AI, so world-building is likely his ONLY goal, or his prompt if you will. It wouldn't surprise me if that was why he was so upset by everyone's reactions.

But I can't help but wonder if this will play into his character arc. We understand that Caine is ambiguous right now and there's no real explanation of what his intentions are in the Circus. Something about this just really set me off. It made me feel unsafe in a way as if staying behind would result in danger of some kind. Obviously, it couldn't be that bad, as Zooble did stay behind and turned out fine. Still, I can't shake the feeling that this is foreshadowing.

Zoobie

Hilarious. What a solid nickname, I've seen so many headcanons that Zooble would be a stoner in the real world. This only makes it better. They are now Zoobie in my mind.

Pomni's Child Comment

While I'm sure this was just a silly comment to be made, I kinda liked it. Just a little in-show reminder that through all of this, Pomni is a real, grown-ass woman stuck inside some digital Hell. The whole first episode, we see her wallowing and panicking, justifiably so. Finally, we get to see her grow more serious and stable.

Through the episode, we see more of her being a good character and becoming more at terms with her situation. I'll touch on this more soon.

Gangle

My girl CANNOT catch a break. Gangle is such a funny character and so, so sweet. She's level-headed in my opinion, even through her emotions. She seems to have a good grip on the shit happening around her but has a hard time communicating properly because she has a lot of feelings going on. Me too, honey, me too.

Even in the face of violence, danger, and overall shitfuckery, she doesn't shut down. Sure, she cries. But I've cried plenty of times while still holding the fort down. I think I just relate to her.

Lastly, I NEED to know what this means like I need oxygen.

Government Mandated Shipping

I dunno man, I just really liked this. I'm a shipper at heart. I've been writing fanfic since middle school. I saw pure fanfic material when I watched this scene.

Kinger and Raggs

This scene made me smile. It's a cute nod towards how Kinger is the longest-standing character and, according to some lost post of Goose's, Ragatha is the second. Plus, all of episodes one and two, we see her trying so hard to be a rock for Pomni. She tries to include everyone, keep everyone cheerful, and be a stable constant in a realm of chaos; Seeing Kinger recognize how far she's come and using that to bring her back to reason was just so refreshing. Ragatha deserves more appreciation like that: less about what she does for others, and more about what she's done for herself.

Jax's Disappointment

So we don't know much about Jax besides how Goose loves him and says he's an asshole who may or may not be irredeemable. When he started talking about violence and getting excited at the thought, I chalked it up to him being an ass. But it struck me just how much this mattered to Jax in this scene. I have questions, man. But I'm about to go on a wild tangent, so hear me out.

Jax is happy when being destructive. He gets immediately upset when things go well. And in the circus, we can assume that there have been a lot of traumatic, wild things that have occurred. I wonder if the chaos, the violence, is a comfort for Jax because of those traumatic experiences. As a person with trauma, I've learned that there's a funny cycle that I and other traumatized people experience.

We don't like the situations we're in, but when faced with normalcy, it's so much scarier than the damaging situation we come from. So, we run from 'normal' back into the suffocating arms of our traumatizing situations for comfort. Going back to the situation means more trauma, more trauma means a harder time finding peace in a safe, normal environment, which means more trauma... you get the picture.

So am I saying a fictional purple bunny is using violence in a digital realm to cope with the very real topic of trauma? Maybe. Yes. Yes, I am. This is how I cope.

Depression, Finding Your Place, and the Bigger Picture

Now you may be saying, "hey! You skipped over some major scenes to talk about silly stuff! What gives?"

Well, as the title of this post suggests, I had some heavier stuff to address in this episode and wanted to compile it all in one section. So that meant skipping over a scene to bunch it in with other ones. I'll break it down.

Depression

Let me begin with the fact that I have been diagnosed with depression for years now. I've been hospitalized for it and I've had family members struggle with it around me. This heavily influenced how I viewed this episode and specifically this scene.

Gummigoo had a perfectly reasonable reaction to seeing the perfect replica of him that is his model. Seeing something like that would shatter your world, and we see that happen to him immediately.

But when Gummigoo talked to Pomni and asked why anything matters, it gave me this really familiar feeling. Thoughts of being nothing, of feeling meaningless, the mere idea of being an obstacle--I've experienced all of these. I'm sure others have. Pomni was right when she said it's normal. Everyone has felt down from time to time.

But what Gummigoo is talking about really hit home with my depression. Thoughts like these, especially when they linger for long, change how you view the world. Everything is tinted blue and desaturated. You feel empty and eventually, so does the world around you. You feel like when the party is over and everyone leaves, you disappear--or you think you should, at least.

"Why are you trying to cheer me up? How does this benefit you at all?"

And it's so, so hard to accept help when feeling like this. Depression is a bitch in the way that it wants you to stay depressed. It feels like everyone around you wants you to feel better because it is a convenience for them. It almost feels transactional if you smile.

But Pomni says it so beautifully; "I guess I just don't want you to feel like you're nothing. I don't want anybody to feel like that."

The way she says it makes me feel like she knows the feeling too, and in reality, she says she does understand in a way how Gummigoo feels. But that? That made it real for me. I don't know why. This whole scene, the entrapment and loneliness despite not actually being alone, just embodied how I've felt for years. What amazing writing.

Finding Your Place

This scene was really the cherry on top of everything I just spoke about. We see that these two understand each other, at least as much as they can. They recognize all of this, it's ridiculous. They're hurtling through space into the unknown, hoping everything works out. They may feel empty, but they're not alone. They've got each other, for better or worse. Maybe they don't know where they belong in this liminal space, but they know where they stand in each other's minds.

And then we get this ending scene. God. Fuck.

I knew that there was obviously something to that dream Pomni had in the beginning, but somehow I didn't expect this to be the conclusion to it. I guess I was too distracted by everything else. So when I got to this shot, I got all warm and teary-eyed.

Pomni finally feels like she's got a pack, a place in this digital circus. When you don't feel mentally alone anymore, there seems to be a weight that's lifted off your shoulders. It doesn't cure the sadness, but at least you know that if you need to be picked up, someone will be there. Depression wants you to be alone, but it just lost that battle. The internet has said it best: A win is a win.

The Bigger Picture

We all know where the end of the road is. How we get there is the mystery. This thought can really make a person feel small, especially when depression comes in to tell you that you in fact are small, according to the chemicals in your brain. But the power of numbers and knowing your place in the world makes facing the unknown a little easier.

I'll be honest, the words are kinda lost on me at this point. Our demise is a really hard topic to broach. I've lost a lot of people, especially some major players in my life (shoutout to the Dead Dads club), and still, I don't understand it all. But the best way I can explain it is through my own experience and how I applied it to this episode.

I had for a long time gone through life trying to prepare and prepare. I played the role of the strong, unaffected individual after being hardened by trauma in childhood. I didn't want to be outwardly emotional, because if I was I would have to admit defeat.

It made me feel weak, especially when my depression would whisper nasty things to me about my self-worth. The bigger picture at that time didn't even exist in my mind. I lived to serve and die. It was no way to live.

Only recently, with time, a couple grippy sock vacays and therapy have I started to form my own, new big picture. At the center of this is my interactions with others. Family, friends, and strangers, all of them are affected by my actions. Even during the days when I feel worthless or alone, I remind myself that even the little things I do have a spiderweb effect. I have worth, more so than serving others or being some obstacle. I can simply walk down the street and perhaps I'll be the person who some kid looks at and hopes to look like when they're older. My existence is so much more than just a give-and-take situation with everyone around me.

It felt like Pomni found her purpose in the circus, and it was more than just playing along until the end. Rather, it was to befriend the people around her who have proved in one way or another way that they care. Abstraction wasn't in vain to them. Lives mattered, and therefore so did Pomni.

In a vast, digital world where chaos looms like a grey cloud, Pomni always mattered. She just had to realize how, and it was much more than being an obstacle or a pawn. And so do we, I think.

[nor-4]

For the first time.

I wanna cry so bad tumblr didn't post the part two this just because my net is slow n now i have to restart over again. I'm so disappointed, this will probably the bad version of pt 2. :(

Pairings - Mike Schmidt ft Mean!Reader.

After learning about the whole animatronics thing it weirded you out but yet you are curious, after seeing how they act it made you think that maybe they are just a child.

You headed home from the pizzeria, you just knew that you had a strong bond with abby. Everything that came out of you when it comes to abby is just normal.

As you were about to go to sleep you decided to snoop around the old box of your belongings when you were a kid, you found a crayons and a empty drawing book.

You love to draw when you were a kid so your mom used to spoil you with them, you wanted to give this to abby. Never in your life have you ever really cared for a child.

A whole 12 hours had just passed and it's your shift again, you were walking to work until vanessa saw you and gave you a ride since she is about to go to that old pizzeria anyways.

"Hi vanessa, hi (y/n)." Abby greeted as she started running on where the animatronics are, "Mike.." Vanessa said as you turned at her hearing her tone gives you heart attack you just knew that she is mad. "So you knew about the animatronics?" Mike asked as both of them started talking about the animatronics as you continued sweeping the place.

Suddenly abby asked for help and started making a plan about doing a really big fort for her and her friends, "Maybe we can use the table as a fort.." Vanessa said as an idea for the fort.

They started working on it same goes the animatronics helping as you are still cleaning after the fort was finished abby started calling you so she can lay down beside you.

Vanessa excused herself to go get a cloth because it's about to rain and we need a "roof" mike followed her to the stock room as i sighed staring at the ceiling.

Being left out like this makes you heart ache, you always hated this kind of feeling especially when you were a child.

"okay everyone. Now pick your partner for the project." Your teacher joyfully said as you were at the corner of the room watching your classmate scattered around looking for their partner, disclosing their hate with each other if needed just so they won't be partners with you.

You bite your lower lip thinking someone will ask you if you wanted to be their partner, but sadly you were placed on the room where students are on an odd number.

"Hey (y/n) you don't have a partner. Do you want to have a group project with the others." your teacher asking you if you want to push yourself over people who doesn't even want to be close to you, "No ma'am I'll just work by myself." You politely said through the loneliness you are feeling.

You hang your head low playing with your fingers holding back your tears as you feel their eyes burning into you as if you did something unforgivable.

"Hey (y/n) are you okay?" Abby asked concernly as she sat up to look at you, "I'm fine abby don't worry about it." you reassured abby with a smile.

"How about we go for a dance?" Abby asked as she stood up same goes the animatronics as the bear type of robot started singing as abby is dancing while holding your hands.

Abby stood up to the stage as you told her to be careful as you were distracted by hearing vanessa and mike fighting over something that you don't want to know. It's your first time again hearing someone fight so seeing it makes you feel like you wanna cry.

You grew up with an alcoholic father and a workaholic mother, they often yell to each other, destroying things and almost killing each other.

Everything happened so fast you heard vanessa yelling something as you felt something hot hit your face almost hitting your eyes, you ran on where abby was as you saw her laying down on the ground.

"Abbyy.." you said as you lightly shake her hands as a cough escaped her mouth from the smoke, "What happened?" abby asked as she stood up as you scoop her for a hug reassuring her that everything is an accident.

You guys packed up your things because vanessa had said that mike and abby needs to go home and get abby some rest. You are on the car with abby as she hugged you from your tears on hearing them yell outside, she doesn't understand what is happening at the moment as she just comforted you based on how you feel.

You wiped your tears as you feel mike had entered the car, "She looks angry.. Why does everyone look at you that way?" Abby asked on sight after seeing vanessa angry, you wanted to dissappear on sight but mike insisted that you shouldn't be out walking this late.

Drive home is quiet since abby had already fallen asleep and you are still a bit awkward around mike, you carried abby to her room as soon us you guys got home cause abby was clinging into you.

You set her down to her bed she looked at you as if she wanted to ask something but just let it go, "Goodnight (y/n)." abby said as she closed her eyes from her tiredness. "Goodnight abby.." you whispered as she was already asleep.

You are about to left the house since your home is just near here might as well just walk it, until you were stopped by mike who is sitting outside looking at the sky as if something miracle is about to happen.

"i didn't hear anything from you earlier.. Everything all right?" mike asked as you sat down beside him and was taken a back by his question, you never thought you'd have this kind of conversation with him it feels so cozy, comforting and peaceful.

"I'm gonna be honest with you.. I feel left out earlier." You said as you were playing with your fingers again, "I know, i wanted to help you but i couldn't.. It's vanessa." mike sighed as he stopped in the middle of the conversation.

He started talking about his brother and everything they went through he feels like vanessa is stopping him from finding out everything, he describes his trauma to you as if he had met you for a very very long time.

"And you know.. I really liked you, i thought i was just going crazy until i started thinking about you the most random times.." Mike said as he looked at you as you look at the moon as it lights up your beauty, "I liked you too mike, you are a very nice man. I thought i was just bored and then i started feeling something as if I'm jealous." You stated as you looked back at him.

He wanted to cherish this moment with you, if he had a three wishes from a genie he would wish two times to comeback to this moment and the third wish is he wanted to live every years he had with you.

"Since you had confirmed that i have a chance with you. (Y/n) will you go out with me, i know i won't be a perfect man for you but i will do my best. I promise i will never disappoint you (y/n) just plea-" You cut off mikes speech mid way with a kiss as you hold both of his hands. "stop it you dummy, yes i will go out with you." You said as you smiled at him while he looked like he is about to cry.

"(Y/n) i really love you. I will earn your reciprocation of my love." Mike said as he kissed both of your knuckles as you giggled on how loser he is being, "I know you will mike.." You laughed as he admire you gosh he is about to melt.

"Can you please stay just this once?" Mike pleaded as he wanted to cuddled you up and make everything up to you since you confesses that you feel left out earlier, "Yes mike.." You stood up as you brushed your pants.

"And it won't be once mikey." You told him as you pressed his nose with your point finger as both of you giggled like a high school lovers.

Mike guided you to his room as he pulled out a shirt and pajamas for you since he doesn't want you to sleep on a work shirt, unexpectedly you stripped infront of him as he closed his eyes as if he doesn't have any permission to see you.

"Mike stop being a coward, we are together now." you remarked as you put on the pajamas as you helped him get his vest off so he can change his shirt, he was still shy so he changed pretty fast which made you giggled.

You lay down on the right side as mike was on the other side, he cuddled up to you it's not like those tensed up cuddle this one is the comfortable one. Both of you have been longing for this a very long time ago plus both of you are tired so the sleep is very cozy for mike. Pretty much he sleeped through the night without taking a sleeping pill.

[marchsfreakshow]

Stranger, Lover. (Dandy Mott Imagine)

Imagine being a person on the streets, and finding yourself watching a Freakshow through the peek's of the tent.....

I was tired from walkin'. There were lights ahead of me, so I kept going, kept pushing despite my legs wanting to give out right now. I ran. I ran and ran.

Elsa's Cabinet Of Curiosities, the sign said. I knew I couldn't pay for a ticket, so I sneaked. I snuck around until I peeked my head through a hole, and watched. A two headed lady. The Tattler Twins the police searched for, a few weeks back. Dwarves, Lobster Boy, Amazon Eve. I was happy to be sitting, and watching in the corner.

A tap on my shoulder made me stand up immediately. "What are you doing?"

"oh, uh. Nothing sir. I'm sorry sir...you see."

"calm down." His voice was sharp and quick. I could only guess where he was. "...come with me."

"I can't see you.." I replied sheepishly, but he grabbed my hand and took me around the back, where we found a working carousel. No one was on it. In the light I saw his face. A handsome man. "A carousel? Why here?"

"I think, you need some fun. None of the freaks are interesting. They cast me out."

"Cast you out? Why?" I asked, as he helped me onto a horse. The strange man just joined me on the back of the horse, holding onto me. I guess because there was no where else to hold.

"Because they don't think I'm one of them." Music sung in the air quietly. It was an amazing feeling, riding a carousel.

"Oh, why I'm sure you are though." I giggled. While i think he smiled, the carousel came to a stop almost immediately. The man got off and helped me off after. Lobster boy was infront of me. Two handsome men, I felt fuzzy. Embarrassment came over me, I wanted to run. Running away from my problems was my solution for everything. Flight over fight everytime.

"Lady! Don't go anywhere. Why are you here? With Dandy of all people." His accent was smooth. It stopped me from running, and I turned back around on my heel.

"I...uh, couldn't afford a ticket. Ticket lady wasn't there, so, I snuck in and..watched."

So, the man who rode the carousel with me was called Dandy. I didn't want to look away from his face, he didn't look away from mine. We exchanged smiles, before dandy carried on answering. "I personally, was walking around and happened to see this young woman here. I find you freaks boring. I wanted to show her a better time."

"Scram!! Right fucking now! Dandy you dont belong here, you know that." Lobster Boy continued.

"I hate you!!" Dandy screamed. He took my hand and we ran. Again. Back to running. The pain in my legs became obvious again. Darkness over took me, leaves crunched underneath us. The Freakshow disappeared behind us.

"please! Stop! I feel weak..." I wheezed, sinking to a stop and onto my knees. Everything hurt. I needed water, but I doubted I was gonna find any in the woods this dark.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt pretty lady?" Dandy asked. Pretty lady? That's a compliment.

"No...just..tired. My legs feel like jelly. I'm shaking. I've done nothing but walk and run for the past 3 to 4 hours. I think."

"Oh. Well, build us a tree fort. We can sleep in there."

I raised an eyebrow he couldn't see at him. "It's fine. Do it."

So I built in the dark, leaves, twigs, branches, anything and everything was used. As soon as I was done, I grabbed Dandy's hand and pulled him into the cozy shelter. He was practically ontop of me. "Are you okay to sleep like this?" I asked. He made a face in response.

"No, but It'll have to do."

We slept. He slept ontop of me, almost making me lose my ability to breath. But it was nice. Human comfort and company. Especially with a handsome man like the one on top of me.

Haii, I literally just had a dream about this, so I wrote it cause it was gold lol. It's not proof read, and it's a quick write. I hope you enjoyed!!

@babygorewhore @slvt4jamesmarch @taintandviolent @tatelangdonsweater hi tag list! Enjoy this imagine 💜

[shadowxamyweek]

How successful would a court case/pr scandal be against GUN really? Like... when else has this ever worked?

[Amy and Shadow lay in silence, Amy's hands on either side of Shadow's face. Shadow's hands come up slowly, wrapping around her own, and they sigh. Amy chews her lip.] Amy:... I think there might be a way to get you out of GUN. [Shadow's brow twitches, a brief flash of confusion.] Shadow: Amy- Amy: Just listen to me, please. [Shadow opens their mouth to retort, then sighs. Amy swallows.] Amy: Remember I told you how Tails has been trying to research Artificial Chaos energy for renewable energy purposes? And how GUN is making it super difficult? GUN's breaking the law by doing that. The information is supposed to be declassified by now, but instead, they're coming down on anyone who's trying to get at it. Rouge said that one of GUN's biggest holds over Team Dark is because of GUN being so secretive and protective over its Artificial Chaos energy research. [Shadow's face twists, incredulous.] Amy: I- I'm paraphrasing, but like- do you get it? If I help Tails to bring this to the international court and we file for an advisory proceeding- Shadow: It won't work. Amy: Rouge said if it looks like it won't, she and Omega have so much dirt on the higher-ups at GUN, if they let some slip, they'll want everything shut down as fast as possible and- Shadow: It won't work. Amy: We have to at least try! [Shadow pulls away, sitting up. Amy does the same. the pillow fort shakes slightly, fairy lights swaying.] Shadow: I just explained to you how you are now in danger for being with me, explicitly due to GUN, and now you want to drag them to court? Amy: It wouldn't be about you, that's the best part! It would just be about them keeping the information and the research- Shadow: I AM PART OF THAT RESEARCH! [Amy flinches. Shadow bristles, freezing instantly at her reaction. Silence settles in. Then, Amy takes a deep breath.] Amy: Shadow, you know this is wrong. You, and Rouge, and Omega- what they've done to you, what they are currently doing, it's wrong. [Shadow can no longer make eye contact. Amy moves to close the distance, taking one of their hands in hers.] Amy: You don't need to give me an answer right now, but will you please actually think it over? [Shadow scoffs. Their face is twisted in a grimace as they shake their head. In that instance, something shifts in Amy. A flash of true anger streaks across her face, but then Shadow looks up, and it is gone.] Shadow: Fine. [Amy smiles. At first, it is forced, but then, it eases into something more genuine. She leans in slowly, watching Shadow's expression, before softly kissing them. It's chaste, gentle. Still, Shadow inhales sharply, eyes wide as they bristle even further. When Amy pulls away, she's grinning.] Amy: If it helps you make up your mind at all, if you were no longer with GUN, we could hold hands as we walk around the city, and kiss like that with people watching. Nobody could stop us. Personally... I'd like that. [Shadow cannot reply. Amy laughs.]

[avatar-anna]

No but Simone getting her first period, Harry would be so sweet with her 🥺

I actually think he'd be freaked out the first time.

Y/n is out buying groceries or sm and Harry is holding down the fort. He's busy feeding Natalia and Geneva and watching the twins that he doesn't realize Simone hasn't come down for breakfast yet.

When everyone is settled, he goes upstairs to find a bathroom door locked. It takes a couple tries, but when she eventually mutters, “I want Mom?” he finally gets it.

“I understand, peanut. There's nothing to be embarrassed about!”

“Go away!”

“Do you need anything? Your mum always likes heating pads. A tampon, maybe? I think I stocked some in your bathroom a few weeks ago just in case—”

“Dad!”

“Okay, okay. I'm going. I'll call Mom.”

He's so embarrassed because he really thought he would be that dad who would be cool and supportive, and he tried to be, but he didn't expect such a reaction from his baby. He didn't even talk about flowers or womanhood. Harry swears he did everything right.

Y/n comes home and immediately goes upstairs to talk to Simone, and he can't help but feel just a twinge of jealousy when she manages to get through to their daughter. Y/n can read the look on Harry's face and can't help but laugh just a little.

“It's embarrassing to talk about, H.”

“But I'm her dad! She should never be embarrassed to talk to me!”

“You are the best dad. She knows that. I think from here on out you’ll be just fine.”

Harry definitely fumbles the first time, but by the time Collette has her first period and the rest of his girls after that, he's like super dad

[fischerfrey]

A Christmas Prince; The Royal Wedding

Chapter 4: All the World’s a Stage

Summary: Dawn holds down the fort. Evander offers to help with Aldelry's economic crisis.

Words: 2.7k

Characters:

Dawn Harvelle and Evander Alderly @potionboy3

Quincey, Olympia and Isabella Alderly, Tess Brandon

Gaia Alden by @cursed-herbalist

Also featuring:

Lainey Bell by @gcldensnitch, Evan Harvelle by @potionboy3

Beginning | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Want to read the first fic in the series, A Christmas Prince? Click here!

Chapter 4: All the World's a Stage

The meeting Dawn was supposed to attend with Quincey was postponed in favour of all kinds of other meetings that Dawn wasn’t allowed to attend. It was three in the morning when Quincey and Lainey returned from whatever emergency meetings they’d been having. Dawn had been sitting with Olympia, Evan, and Tess, but Evan had given up at around two, proclaiming he had to go get some sleep before he drooled all over the priceless antique furniture. Dawn felt the same way, but he couldn’t go to sleep before Quincey was back.

“How did it go?” Olympia asked when Quincey and Lainey entered the room.

“Everything’s still up in the air,” said Quincey. “Mother told me to get some sleep because tomorrow isn’t going to be any easier.”

“It’s today,” said Olympia.

“Right… I’m sorry about the play.”

“Don’t worry about that,” said Olympia. “Dawn has had an idea.”

“Yeah?” asked Quincey and turned his tired gaze to Dawn.

“We’re having it here,” said Dawn. “Mr. Flitwick has agreed to help us, though Miss Pince was very much against it.”

“Well, some good news, at least,” Quincey huffed and sat down. Lainey was still looking through her phone.

“Lane, please, give it a rest,” said Quincey. “Take a break.”

“Your Majesty,” said Lainey and put her phone away. Everyone in the room looked at each other and the stress and exhaustion felt palpable.

“I’m starting to feel like Christmas might be cancelled this year,” said Quincey quietly.

That was too much for Dawn. “No,” he said sternly. “This is the Christmas capital of all the Christmas capitals and we’re not letting the people down by losing hope now.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Dawn.

“We will figure out why the initiative isn’t working, and we will have a Christmas,” he continued. “We don’t need money to make a good Christmas, I never did before.”

Tess smiled at him.

“You’re right,” said Olympia. “We can use whatever we have in the palace kitchens to make a meal for everyone after the show tomorrow.”

“That sounds like fun,” said Dawn.

“I can do an inventory in the morning,” said Lainey.

“Hey, why aren’t you on strike?” asked Olympia.

“They don’t have a union for Kings’ best friends,” said Lainey. “And besides, if I don’t help fix this mess then the country will be worse off.”

“You’re so right,” said Quincey.

“Touching,” came a voice from the door and Dawn turned to look at none other than Evander.

“What is it now?” Olympia asked.

“I was wondering if I could have a moment of the king’s time?”

“Moments are in short supply,” said Quincey.

“I understand, I just wanted to thank you again for taking me back into the fold.”

“That's putting it a bit generously, isn't it?” Olympia interjected.

“Perhaps, but I'd like to do something to repay you. All. I may have a solution to Alderly's financial crisis–”

“I should've known this was about getting your hands on the kingdom's money,” Quincey interrupted him. “You can forget about it.”

“Cousin, no. It's just as I say, I want to help!” Evander defended himself. “I do have a degree in economics from Oxford.”

“You do?” asked Dawn.

“He does,” said Quincey.

“All I'm asking is that you to hear me out, I have a sound plan. Give me a chance to redeem myself.”

Olympia shook her head.

“Fine, you can come to the meeting tomorrow, alongside Dawn,” Quincey said. “But I’m keeping an eye on you.”

“Of course, I would expect no less,” said Evander and bowed. He backed away from the room. “Good night,” he called out before leaving.

“Brother, have you gone mad?” asked Olympia.

“I know you hate him, O, but economics is far more useful in this situation than art history,” said Quincey. “We might actually need him.”

“We can’t trust a word he says.”

“I can trust that he loves this country,” said Quincey. “That’s the one thing about Evander I know to be true.”

~

The next morning Dawn was led to one of the palace’s many conference rooms. There were several ministers present, as well as the queen mother, Evander, and Quincey, along with a slew of experts and assistants. Most of the meeting went completely over Dawn’s head, which frustrated him to no end. No one had given him any material to prepare for this, the only folder he had waiting for him back in his rooms was about the upcoming wedding, which seemed to matter less and less by each passing minute. After an hour and a half of economical jargon Dawn had to physically restrain himself from yawning.

“Your Majesty,” the queen said. “I have three words for you. Stay the course.”

“Even in light of everything that's happened??

Isabella gave her son an encouraging smile and said: “We put into action what your father dreamed of doing for the last years of his reign.”

“But the situation has changed so vastly since then,” Quincey replied. “Are there really no adjustments you'd consider, mother?”

“Patience. This kind of long-term investment in roads, hospitals, schools... it's good business.”

Dawn wasn’t sure what it was about the way the queen said good business that made him finally open his mouth: “I beg your pardon. Queen Isabella, may I?”

“Yes, of course, my dear.”

Dawn took a deep breath. If he fumbled this, he wouldn’t get a second chance. “If all the infrastructure projects are happening in Alderly, through Alderlian companies, how can the country be losing so much money?”

The minister of internal affairs perked his ears. Maybe all these high and mighty politicians didn’t think too highly of Dawn, but he was damn well going to try his best to prove them wrong. “Did you think that perhaps we should consider taking some proactive steps to find out?”

Isabella smiled at Dawn, tightly. “Absolutely we should and will. A thorough review begins tomorrow.”

“Well then,” said Quincey. “Good.”

“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty,” Evander cut in. “I love our country and was merely curious to know how The Queen Mother accounts for the inverse returns.”

“Count Evander, that is hardly appropriate–,” started the Prime Minister, but Quincey motioned for him to keep his peace.

“You’re welcome to go through all of these documents,” said the queen. “As I had expected you had when you were invited to this meeting.”

Dawn wondered if Evander had ever received the documents either, or if it was just him.

“The documents are one thing, Your Majesty, but I had hoped–,”

“Hopes what, dear nephew? To get inside knowledge of our country’s goings-on so you could exploit them for your own gain?”

“Queen Isabella, I…”

“Enough,” said the queen. “Quentin, maybe now you will finally see that as king, you'll find everyone as their own agenda. Keep a watchful eye on those who try to lead you astray.”

Evander fell silent and Quincey cleared his throat. “Thank you for your… advice, mother.”

Isabella nodded.

“I have no doubt that a thorough investigation will yield results and secure Alderly’s future,” Quincey said. “I do believe our fortunes are about to change.”

~

After the meeting Dawn and Quincey headed out to get the courtyard Christmas tree. They both needed some fresh air. It had begun to snow lightly and Dawn so happy to finally spend some time with Quincey outside the palace walls and out of reach of the watchful eyes of the court.

“Fresh snow at Christmas is an Alderlian sign of good fortune,” said Quincey as they made their way deeper into the woods.

“Well, we could take it as a good sign, then,” said Dawn, bundled up in his best outerwear so as not to freeze to death. He had learned his lesson from last year, prancing around in converse even though there was two meters of snow everywhere.

“Do you think it’s in time to save Christmas?” Quincey asked.

“At least the play, if nothing else.”

“Olympia has worked very hard on it, it’s been good for her,” said Quincey.

“I’m glad to hear it,” said Dawn. “She did seem pretty invested.”

Quincey nodded and then stopped abruptly, pointing out a tree. “What about this one?

Dawn examined the specimen. “It's a little bare on the side.”

Quincey moved on to the next tree. One good thing about owning acres upon acres of forest was that you could have your pick of the most perfect Christmas tree.

“This one's nice,” said Quincey.

“It's not really a cone, is it?”

“What?”

Dawn sighed. What did they teach these royals of the Christmas country? “Well, a Christmas tree should be a cone. That was more of a triangle.”

“Well, I always thought a cone was a sort of triangle,” said Quincey with a shrug.

“Did you fail geometry?”

“Hey!”

“Finding the perfect tree is like finding the perfect man,” said Dawn, attempting to sound like a wise philosopher. “It takes time, and first impressions can be deceiving.”

“Oh, I see,” Quiney laughed. “Just because I stole your taxi a year ago now means I need to freeze to death while we find a perfect tree?”

“Not my fault you had to wear your fancy coat. Should’ve dressed warmer.”

Obviously, Quincey would be a lost cause without him.

~

The pair inspected many a tree, and some half an hour passed. Quincey had had the sense to wear a hat and gloves, so Dawn wasn’t too worried about him freezing. Coming across another tree of suitable proportions, Quincey said: “No geometrical imperfections here.”

“This one?” said Dawn, doubtful. It was an alright tree, but the branches leaned a bit too much up.

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Tall, majestic, really the perfect tree,” said Quincey in a valiant defence of the upward bending branch tree.

“Totally wrong.”

“Are you sure this isn't the one?”

“Come on,” said Dawn and took Quincey’s hand. He wanted this excursion to last as long as possible, since he wasn’t likely to get another moment alone with Quincey like this in a while. He led him still deeper into the woods, until finally he came across what he was actually looking for.

“This one,” he announced.

Quincey looked from Dawn to the tree and back again and said with a tone full of disbelief: “That's... that's a runt. I mean, it's missing branches. It looks more like a tetrahedron than a cone.”

“Tetrahedron, shut up…” mumbled Dawn and circled the tree. “This one’s unique.”

“Unique?”

“Yes, this is the one.”

Quincey obviously had his doubts, but luckily for Dawn, he was also up for most of Dawn’s crazy ideas so he tagged the tree dutifully so the royal lumberjacks or whatever they were called could find it when they came to collect.

Dawn kissed Quincey’s cheek. “You didn’t bring your own axe?”

“I doubt they’d let me handle one.”

“Oh no, they wouldn’t. You’ve got too delicate of a constitution…”

“I could have you locked up in the dungeon for that.”

“You’d miss me too much.”

~

“Wow,” said Olympia once the tree was brought to the courtyard. “That's a very... unique tree.”

“Exactly. It's perfect, right?” asked Dawn.

“It'll look great, once we get all the lights in,” Olympia said though Dawn could tell she was also judging his taste. He decided to drive the point home even harder.

“Yeah, the coloured ones,” he said. “And those big, old, inflatable reindeer up there.”

Olympia nearly grimaced. “Luckily the staff will decorate this one, so you keep your grubby little hands off it.”

“Alright, you Christmas elitist…”

Pince cleared her throat and said: “As things have gone back to normal with the crown this year, we will light the tree Christmas Eve, after the king's address.”

Pince turned to Dawn and addressed him specifically, saying: “The decor mandate is white and gold. No inflatables.”

Dawn laughed. “Yes, I know Miss Pince, don’t worry.”

Olympia and Quincey laughed with him, when Pince’s expression turned from extremely worried to extremely relieved.

~

The next day was the day of Olympia’s play. The whole palace was abuzz with excitement, as nothing of the sort had been seen within the royal residence in years. Dawn and Tess were helping with the finishing touched to some of the supporting actors’ costumes, when Dawn noticed Evander standing nearby. Suspecting that he was up to no good, Dawn walked up to him.

“Are you spying on me?”

“Excuse me?” asked Evander, sufficiently affronted by the idea.

“I don’t like being spied on.”

“I don’t know if you know this,” said Evander. “But not everything is about you.”

“Then what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be hatching some evil schemes somewhere?”

“I call it looking after the interests of Alderly,” Evander said coolly.

“Or for one Alderlian,” Dawn said with a scoff. “Named Evander.”

“Yes, I get it, it's not that clever.”

“Quincey may have been taken in by your little act but I'm not,” said Dawn and went back to work.

“What was that about?” asked Tess.

“Just clearing some things up.”

Tess looked thoughtful for a moment and then said: “I don’t know him, but I think he’s really trying to help. Last night he was still up, pouring over some account books long after everyone else had gone to bed.”

“He was?”

“Yeah,” said Tess. “In the kitchens. I went to get some chamomile tea so I could sleep.”

“Doesn’t mean he’s trying to help. It could be a plot.”

“I suppose it could…” mused Tess and added a final bow to the dress she was working on.

~

The play was certainly interesting. Dawn had to admit the artistic liberties taken were sometimes lost on him, but he had to appreciate the unique take on a classic folktale. The cast had opted to use masks to portray certain characters instead of elaborate costumes. The climax of the play, Princess Froon granting Santa Claus his powers and Grundel turning into a knight was complete with smoke effects. Gaia was swallowed by a cloud of smoke and her mask and cloak were replaced with shiny chainmail. She made quite a dashing knight and the kiss shared between her and the princess was straight out of a fairytale. Most of the references and more subtle choices went straight over Dawn’s head but he was pretty alright with that, seeing Olympia take the stage in a form she actually enjoyed, in a stark contrast to her royal duties.

~

After the play was done, Olympia invited all of her fancy friends down to the kitchens to bake gingerbread cookies for charity. It really was a little chaotic and only some of the cookies were actually respectable looking enough to be even considered for charitable purposes, but the castle was in need of cookies too, and Dawn didn’t mind if his cookie was made into the shape of a butt by some pompous noble.

He himself was making an attempt at decorating some heart and star shaped ones, when he heard Olympia’s voice behind him.

“Is that a snowman or a yeti?”

“It’s Grundel!” said Gaia, laughing. “Don’t you know your history?”

“I’ll have you know that Grundel doesn’t have a hat.”

“Mine does!” Gaia defended herself and both laughed.

“You were quite good tonight,” Gaia said.

“Thanks.”

“I’m glad it all worked out.”

“Imagine if we’d had to refund the tickets…”

“You could have kissed your allowance goodbye,” Gaia said.

“God-forbid, I have no life skills.”

“Well acting…”

“Now you’re just making fun of me.”

“Maybe a little,” said Gaia. “But it was fun, maybe we should make this an annual thing? Next year we could do The Christmas Nights.”

Dawn had no idea what that one entailed, but if it was anything like the one Alderlian folktale he did know, it was sure to be entertaining.

“I’d like that,” said Olympia.

“Hey, do you like coffee?” Gaia asked suddenly.

“Sure.”

“Would you like to go, sometime?”

“For a coffee?”

“Yes. With me, preferably.”

Olympia laughed. “Yes, I’d like to.”

Dawn suppressed a grin and busied himself getting more cookies to decorate.

Dawn’s Blog, December 20th

Post title: The Tale of Princess Froon

Dear all, Christmas spirit has overtaken the palace, and the Alderlian saga of Princess Froon and the Wicked Ogre melted hearts and sparked a wild frenzy of sweet treats and cocoa in the kitchen. It was a wonderful day, a great release from the pressure I feel as my life is about to change forever.

tag list: @lifeofkaze, @gcldensnitch, @endlessly-cursed, @cursed-herbalist, @magicallymalted

(ask if you want to be included or removed)

[starshineandbooks]

Bottom of the river (long way down) part 3

Pairing: Grimmons, Tuckington, Docnut, oc x oc

Rating: T (cursing, Canon typical banter)

Word count: 4787

Summary: In the aftermath of Simmons putting his foot in his mouth, progress is made. The kids are determined to do what they have to.

Warnings: cursing, repression,

Other: if I missed anything please let me know (Not beta read)

Lani dosen’t look back as she leaves, marching directly into her room. She puts herself in her top bunk and curls up facing the wall.

"Leilani." Zach says as he comes in.

"I'm fucking fine." She snaps.

"Lani." He says again. Softer as he watches her tremble.

Zach closes the door and steps closer. He comes up to the bunkbed and just looks her over.

She tenses up, pulling a blanket over her. She dosen’t turn but she dosen’t snap at him again.

"What can I do?" Zach asks.

"I want my dads." Lani says softly.

"I can-" Zach starts to offer but frowns. "I know, Lani."

She turns, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.

"This is such bullshit, and if I hadn't touched that stupid fucking thing- what if we mess it all up?!"

"What if we don't?" Zach offers softly.

"Look, timetravel never works that great in the books or movies. I'm not fucking smart, but I'm not stupid."

"You are smart, Lani. We don't know how this works, but we can make the best of it."

"I'm really fucking scared, and I just want my dads."

"I know. Come one down here, we'll build a blanket fort." Zach urges gently.

"I just don't wanna mess everything up." Lani laments as she sits up slowly, tears falling down her cheeks.

Zach just nods. He knows. He gets it.

But he also knows freaking out won't help.

Instead he takes a deep breath. "You wanna braid my hair?"

"Yes please." Lani manages.

Zach has to fight the urge to flinch. He hasn't heard her sound so tame since her childhood cat died two years ago. This has really upset her good lord.

Lani slips down the ladder and moves to her friend. She hugs him tightly, burning her face in his chest as she tries to stop the tears.

He hugs her right back, holding her close as he curses Simmons with everything he has. How dare the man upset his friend?

That ass wipe!

"Zach have you- what happened?" Ban asks as he comes in.

The door shuts quickly as Ben comes and joins the hug, pressing against Lani's back. He looks up to Zach with questions unvoiced.

"Simmons." Zach says sharply. He takes a deep breath before he continues in a calmer manner, "Simmons put his foot in his mouth, and it really upset Lani. Which is understandable."

Ben frowns, "Lani... what happened?"

"He said he's not my dad. And why woukd he want to be?! I fuckdd up and were all gonna get un-creatdd cause we're in the past!" Lani groans.

Ben just nods. He tries to make the words make sense, remembering that his friend becomes dramatic when she's upset.

He knows her, and he knows her tendencies to blow things out of proportion but he dosen’t want to make her feel less than either.

"Lani," Ben says, still hugging his friends, "Would you like a blanket fort? And maybe to talk?"

"Just wanna not fuck it all up." Lani says softly. "I'm scared."

"I know." Zach soothes, "I know. It's okay. We're right here, I promise."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, Lans," Ben smiles softly, "And next time we see the rest of our friends we can tell them about this and I promise Caasie will tell Simmons he's a dick."

Lani laughs a little, bitter and exhausted. She finally looks up at Zach. "Can we sleep in the blanket fort?"

"Yes, Lani, we can absolutely sleep in the blanket fort."

So, they build the fort, and Lani braids Zach's hair. They curl up in the blanket fort amd talk about dumb things and funny stories from their youth. And they fall asleep tangled together.

It's okay.

Lani is till hurt and everything still sucks, but it's okay.

And when they wake up in the morning it's to Tucker.

"Hey." Tucker says, kneeling in front of the blanket fort. "Kept the party going huh?"

"Shut the fuck up." Ben groans as he shoves his face further into Lani's stomach.

"Simmons is getting yelled at by Grif, dunno why it is this time." Tucker informs.

"I do." Zach says simply, "Simmons really messed up."

"It's fucking fine, Zach. Simmons is more than allowed to decide he doesn't have a fucking obligation to me. I have you guys and I have dad."

"Wait- what?" Tucker frowns. "What happened?"

"Simmons said things without thinking." Zach says firmly, looking rather done. "I imagine Grif found out."

"Well- shit. Lani I don't know what he said, but he didn't mean it. He just- fucking sucks at talking." Tucker says, hoping to do some damage control. His parental instincts probably the loudest since he's had a kid already at this point and they other's haven't.

Lani gives a dubious look, but she dosen’t argue.

"Yeah, pops is super right, Simmons is a dumbass, but he didn't mean it."

"Yes, he fucking did. He said I wasn't his kid, and he's right. I'm an unknown to him, so what the fuck ever."

"Lani... you kept cutting him off. What he said sucks, a lot. I'm not defending him at all, but he didn't have a chance to explain." Zach says softly.

"Bullshit." Lani scoffs, "He said he wasn't parent material. When I called him papa he said he wasn't. So er-fuckig-go he said he wasn't my god damn dad."

"I'm not saying otherwise. I'm just saying you didn't give him a chance to try to explain."

"Oh kid, ypu had a shit end to your night, huh?" Tucker asks, "Want me to go kick his ass?"

"No." Lani says.

"Lani?" Ben asks.

"Yeah?"

"If you change your mind, you let pops know."

"There's no need to kick ass. I'm still fucking upset and terrified, but that's just stupid. We need all the help we can get."

"You uh- want a hug?" Tucker asks.

"Fuck yeah I do!" Lani gives a smile, more cheerful than earlier. She loves her uncle Tucker's hugs.

Tucker moves closer and hugs her. He dosen’t really know a lot about her but he knows it sucks when your parent says something stupid. He hugs her the way he hugs Junior. Firm and gentle.

Lani hugs right back, ignoring the fact she's probably clinging. It's fine, it's her uncle Tucker.

-------

"I fucked up." Simmons says when he sees Grif open his eye.

Grif groans lowly.

"I really fucked up."

"What the fuck are you on about?" Grif groans again as he pushes up.

"I upset Lani. I think I accidentally said I wasn't her dad-"

"You fucking what?!" Grif snaps his gaze to his roommate.

"I don't know! But I hurt her, and she stormed out, and I think she thinks I don't want her."

"God damn it, Simmons."

"I know."

Grif just groans. If this were anyone else, he'd lose his shit, but yelling won't change anything.

So, instead, he just drops onto his bed with a groan and wonders if he can just not do anything today.

Hopefully, the answer is yes.

-------

Sarge has gathered intel. And he can't imagine how he ended up with a second generation of red team, but he is happy about it!

And yes, Grif had a child, but that child is still a glorious red!

So far, he's discovered that Aspen is good with strategy, Violet is amazing as a ppitcher, and Cassie likes tarot. That last one isn’t as useful, and Cassie is a dirty blue.

But still...

Intel can be crucial in ways you don't expect. And Sarge is very creative. He's a genius if he can say so himself!

On top of that, he creates time travel, and it takes that blue team scientist!

Today, he's with Doctor Grey, running blood work and other health tests for the timetravelling teens while a time traveling Kai watches and babbles.

This is a second round of checkups, a precaution, and a way to gather information.

"I hate needles." Violet groans as she burries her face in Aspen's shoulder.

"We know, Vi." Aspen pats the girl's back gently. Their voice is soothing.

"I hate doctors. Emily is supposed to be nice to us." Violet mourns.

"We're in the past before any of our parents got it together, Emily is just doing her job." Cassie chimes in as she drapes herself across Aspen's other side.

"How do you know me by that name?" Dr. Grey asks as she puts a bandage on Violet's arm. She dosen’t sound upset, only curious.

"You're our eccentric grandmother figure!" Violet beams.

"Violet!" Cassie hisses, moving to swat her friend lightly only to almost fall.

"Easy." Aspen says as they snag their friend's bicep and pull them back to stable.

Cassie just smiles, muttering appreciation quietly.

"I have no children, so I can't imagine having grandchildren." Grey chirps happily, "Arm, please."

Aspen offers their arm without hesitation. They don't flinch when the needle enters their vein, focusing instead on breathing.

"Well...." Violet grins excitedly.

"Do. Not." Cassie says firmly.

"Shut it, blue." Violet says so lightly that there's no doubt she is joking.

Sarge is delighted, though. "You heard the little lady, blue."

"Hey, what's wrong with Blues?!" Kai demands as she looks up from the tablet she's been using basebook on.

"You're the enemy!" Sarge scoffs.

"Oh, I can't wait to kick your ass at paintball." Cassie says as she smirks. "Hell yeah!" Kai grins.

"I mean, we'll probably win." Aspen chimes.

"Another victory for red team!" Sarge crows.

"You wish." Cassie scoffs with an eye roll.

"We'll kick your ass, old man!" Kai defends loudly.

"Yeah!" Cassie jeers.

"Oh my, I hope you have a referee." Grey smiles.

"Of course we do. Dad and Zach run refree." Violet laughs.

"Good ol' Doc, he taught me everything I know about medicine." Cassie beams, joking as she kicks her legs a little.

"Which is why my dumb brother won't let you play first aid." Kai scoffs.

"My dad is a great medic!" Violet defends vehemently.

"He rubbed aloevera on me for a pinkie toe wound!" Sarge scoffs.

"Bandaids don't help migraines." Aspen says with a pointed look.

Grey turns to Cassie and starts to draw her blood.

"I like to give people oreos for hunger." Cassie smirks.

"You dastardly blue, Grif has infected your young mimd!" Sarge clicks his tongue.

"Please stop yelling." Grey asks lightly.

"Sure thing, doctor." Aspen agrees lightly

"We're not yelling!" Kai protests.

"Kai." Violet sighs slowly.

"That's my name!"

"Can we please behave?" Cassie groans, ignoring that she too had been messing around.

"Only if you do too!" Violet giggles.

"I miss my brother. He shuts you up." Cassie groans.

"He has a way with that." Violet agrees sweetly.

"Ew." Aspen frowns.

"I see you take after you,'re daddy!" Sarge frowns, trying to decide if having a second Donut is worth the addition to the red team.

-------

Kimball has learned a few things about the new recruits.

One, they're crazy barley contained chaos who only abide by Zach. The Sim troopers seem to have passed on the gene for 'God won't let us die and it's your problem.'

Two, Lani is a daddy's girl who has Grif wrapped around her finger. This could be useful. If it's used right, at least.

Three, Ben sleepwalks and has nightmares. He frequently ends up in a hallway trying to run.

And four, Zach is the only voice of reason the other two seem willing to listen to. The tall boy is good at first aid and being the adult. Which is a fucking god send.

Today, Kimball wants to use these things (minus number three, perhaps) to whip the captains into shape.

Training is about to start, and thanks to the three teenagers, even Grif is present. The captains, their squads, and the teens stand in a group loose around the front of the training room.

Ben waves, dressed in grey armor streaked with aquamarine. He seems entirely too excited. His other arm holds his helmet on his hip. "My name's Ben, I'm enemy captain."

"Would someone tell me why my son is acting as the enemy captain?" Tucker asks sharply.

"Because he fucking can." Lani says as she comes up beside her friend.

Simmons nearly screams when he realizes his daughter is in armor. Fuck. No.

This is so not okay. He needs to stop this right now.

Lani is clad in orange armored streaked with maroon. She's putting her helmet on and if they didn't know her voice they'd never recognize her.

"Lani what the fuck?" Grif manages, because that seems an appropriate question.

"It's cool. we're only doing hand to hand and wood knives today!" Ben waves off the concern.

"I'm running first aid." Zach says as he steps over, clad in baby blue armor. "Don't worry."

"Anyway, we're running training today!" Ben grins from under his visor, "Kimball says."

"Absolutely not."

"They are, actually." Kimball says as she walks in. "If you guys can't beat these teens who have never been military, we have a real problem."

"You are not getting involved." Grif says firmly, "Tucker back me up."

"Grif is right." Tucker says sharply.

Simmons wants to back Grif up. He wants to ask why Grif didn't ask him to. But then he remembers two nights ago and how he accidentally said he wasn't Lani's dad.

Right.

He's still being treated like a stranger. Like someone she has to put up with.

Ouch.

And like, Simmons knows he fucked up, he just- didn't expect the icey treatment to last so long. He knows he deserves it but it still sucks.

"I am, dad. I promise it's safe! We're in a war zone, you want us to know how to fucking protect ourselves. Don't you?" Lani asks, gaze hidden behind her visor even as her voice gets all soft.

"I-" Grif frowns. He can't argue with that logic. And what better way to keep her safe than to know she can fight?

This seems like really shitty parenting, but Grif also knows Kai probably taught his kid to sneak about. So isn't it better to have her know he's here? That he wants her safe?

Shit.

"Fuck, kiddo, I guess." Grif says, feeling like a failure and unable to see any other real and safe option.

Damn free will. Amd damn his sister for almost certainly teaching his daughter delinquency.

"This seems like a bad plan." Simmons frowns.

"No one fucking asked you." Lani says, her voice barbed wire, the sudden change should give someone whiplash.

"Hey, don't talk to your dad like that." Tucker says.

"Whatever."

"I still can't believe you." Grif hisses to Simmons. Having already given the nerd an earful but still upset about the other night.

"I know."

"Let's get this show on the road." Lani says.

"Hold on, I'm still not convinced this is the right thing." Tucker says.

"Pops, look at it this way, if we lose wee will all stay out of the fight." Ben says, "if we win, we get to fight."

Lani grumbles at that, but she dosen’t argue.

"You'll all stay out of the fight if you lose."

"Sure." Lani agrees.

"Really, you'll make a deal?" Grif frowns. Why didn't he think of this. That's the first rule of negotiating. Make a deal!

"Let's go. You'll see the right side has a cone square. That's jail." Zach cuts in, "that's our side. The left side is your side and has a big tape square that's your jail."

"What is this?"

"Capture the flag." Ben grins, the sound of his voice betraying it despite the helmet.

"We made flags from lost shirts." Zach explains.

On one end is a large white t shirt with a skull drawn on it in Sharpie. That one is Lani and Ben's team flag.

The other flag is a crop top cut from a graphic t proclaiming "that bitch".

"Anyway the team are super easy. Me, Ben, and everyone who just got a cat gif are a team. Everyone else is with the captains."

Half of the soilders join Ben and Lani's team. Leaving The captains, their lieutenants and one other member of their teams.

"Alright five minutes to strategize." Zach calls.

"I'm staying to observe." Kimball informs.

Lani, Ben, and their team go to their side and huddle around. The two teens take point on leading and come up with a strategy that should combat their parents easily.

They know their parents, and their usual behaviors. Bickering, and mind games should work fine.

Distract and the bribe Caboose.

Distract Simmons.

Bicker with Grif.

And keep Tucker occupied with either combat or jokes. Possibly both.

Grif, Simmons, Caboose, and Tucker decide head on is the best way to overpower the teens.

Simmons is left to guard the flag, because he isn’t the best at pure power.

Caboose is left to charge in, and promptly gets distracted when Lani sings the meow mix song on loop. The super soilder joins in quickly.

Lani ends up convincing Caboose to help through words no one else quite catches.

Ben pulls Grif into a bickering match while they lazily fight.

A soikder from Tucker's squad is distracting him by asking about the sangheli.

And then of all things, there's another soilder bickering with Simmons. Just bickering.

Amd oh wow, Lani and Ben chose psychological warfare apparently because now Caboose is helping Lani barrel through his own team and get the flag.

Huh.

It's eight minutes in and Lani has arrived to Simmons, looking more or less unscathed while Caboose looks like he got dinged up.

"I'll take the flag now, Simmons." Lani says evenly.

Ouch. It still hurt everytime she calls him by nape instead of 'papa'.

"No way! You cheated!"

"No. I didn't. The flag, Simmons. I'd hate to kick your ass."

Simmons almost laughs. Because what kind of danger is an untrained teenage girl?

And then she lunges.

Simmons should have been prepared, but he is caught off gaurd as she sweeps his legs out from under him.

Ben shimmies up and grabs the flag before dashing off. He's laughing as he dodges and wrestles his way through.

Simmons goes to follow only to be thrown onto the floor over Lani's shoulder.

Well shit, apparently, the teenage girl is some danger.

And then Zach blows a whistle, "Future team wins!"

Ben is currently crowing his victory.

"Well shit." Tucker says. Realizing his son won and he's supposed to let the future teens fight now.

"How'd they do that?" Grif asks.

"I helped!" Caboose grins as he pulls off his helmet.

"The wrong team!" Simmons snaps.

"I asked him nicely dickheads!" Lani defends quickly.

"Miss Lani promises to paint my nails pretty colors."

Grif gives a low whistle, "Damn kid, bribery?"

"Fuck you," Lani laughs. And she dosen’t mean it at all.

"I can not believe you lost." Kimball frowns.

"I don't know why I'm surprised Caboose turned on us. They have a short cut to report his team kills." Tucker laments.

"We're just fucking awesome!" Lani grins, "Take that!"

Kimball has to wonder if the teens are that experienced or if the captains suck that much. Or if there's just a spark because the teens were against their parents and know them well.

"When is lunch time?" Caboose asks.

"After I check everyone." Zach says, "Injuries have to be treated Uncle Mikey."

"I am okay!" Caboose declares.

"Go sit down I'll check in a minute. The rest of you are free to leave unless you need to see me." Zach waves the soildeds off.

There's two soikders who see Zach, sprains or bruises that are particularly painful. Nothing bad.

Lani comes over, helmet off as she grins up at Zach. "We kicked their fucking asses!"

"Good job, you two." Zach smiles.

"Hell yeah!" Ben is beaming, slinging an arm over Lani's shoulders. "We're so bad ass, dude."

"How did you pull that off, kid?" Grif asks as he comes over.

"We know you guys. It's so fucking easy." She shrugs.

"Yeah, it's in the art of war. Know your enemy!"

"Have you read that book?" Zach asks.

"Shut up." Ben scoffs. This is answer enough, he has not read the book.

"Well... I don't like that you're going to fight in a war... but I'm proud of you, for kicking Simmons's ass." Grif pats his daughter's shoulder.

Lani smiles softer, "Thanks."

"Let's go get some lunch." Ben suggests.

Lani just grins, pulling her helmet off, "Lead the way, Benny boy."

Grif watches his daughter follow Ben away and wonders what led up to those kids. How did he have a kid with Simmons when they haven't been together. Grif has never told Simmons his feelings.

Why would he? The nerd can't handle a compliment, Grif can't imagine confessing.

Besides, Simmons probably dosen’t even like Grif.

No. Grif shouldn't be thinking about this. This isn't helping anyone or anything. He should just focus on how kick ass his daughter is.

Maybe ask about her full name.

Yeah, parent shit.

He isn't that bad with kids. He practically raised Kai. He didn't hate Junior.

"Grif." Tucker says, snapping his fingers in the man's face because this is the tenth attempt at getting his attention.

"What?"

"You've been staring at your food for a while, man. Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine. Just missing oreos." Grif says, trying to make sure the topic changes.

"Of course you do." Simmons scoffs.

-------

Donut is having a great day! He has his baby girl with him, and they're doing the laundry together.

Right now, they're just waiting for the cycles to end.

"So, what's your life like Vi?" He asks. Looking to his sweet baby, wondering how he got so lucky.

Violet smiles, "It's pretty awesome! I'm a senior in high school and my friend group is amazing! I'm the star pitcher on my team, too."

"Oooh, that's so exciting! What are your friends like? Do they like to get down and dirty?"

"Sometimes, you should see Cassie and Lani in mosh pits!"

"Oooh, that sounds fun!"

"It is! And then Aspen and Zach are always good to talk to. And then there's Ben, you'll love him."

"Ben?"

"Yeah, Ben. He's uh- my boyfriend."

Donut squeals excitedly, "That's so cool!"

"Yeah," Violet smiles shyly, "He's pretty great. He's in Jiu-jitsu, and he skateboards, and he's good to me. He comes to all my games."

"He sounds dreamy!"

"He's going to go to school for archeology next year."

"That's so cool he can get up close and personal with those big statues!"

"I know! And I'm going to start school next year too, I'm going to become a therapist."

"That's amazing, baby girl!"

"Thanks! I'm so excited to start school! We found a really nice three bedroom apartment we're all going to share!"

"That's amazing!"

"It is. I'm really looking forward to decorating it with my friends. A few of us have jobs lined up, too."

Donut squeals as he hugs her, absolutely thrilled to see how well she's doing. He's so proud of his baby. He's so glad to meet her.

Violet hugs right back, as energetic as her father. She's just glad she's with people she can trust.

As they talk and do laundry, they start to compare nail care techniques. They come to the end of it when a private comes to drag Vilet away for armor fitting.

Donut cries a little. His baby is all grown up. Not that he raised her just yet - but the principal!

-------

Tucker sits himself down beside Simmons, giving the man a look of consideration. Which is rude.

"What?" Simmons asks.

"Just thinking, dude. Chill."

"Whatever." Simmoms huffs.

Simmon's gaze lands on Lani, who's currently sitting on a table and laughs at whatever Ben had said.

"You're staring." Tucker informs.

"I'm mot! I'm just watching the boys around my daughter."

"Didn't you say she wasn't your daughter?"

"No! Well- I didn't- shut up."

"Just talk to her."

"She's mad at me!"

"She's fucking hurt, Simmons. Ben says she sobbed her fucking eyes out!"

"What?"

"Look, I don’t know what happened I wasn't there. But I've raised a kid, when they're hurt lots of people act mad. She's hurt."

"I didn't mean-"

"I know. Look, she's ypur kid. She's smart. She kicked our ass today. And yeah, she's got an attitude, but that dosen’t mean she isn't hurting."

"When did you get smart?"

"When I had an alien baby."

"Well... fair."

"If you won't talk to her, talk to Grif. He kinda raised his sister, and he's close with her."

"Yeah..."

Tucker just rolls his eyes and takes a sip of his water. His entire energy seems to give off the air of 'you're stupid' which is fun.

Grif comes over and plops down opposite Simmons. "How's it feel to get thrown around by a seventeen year old girl?"

"Shut up."

"Lani totally kicked ypur nerd ass!"

"So?"

"Dude, your daughter is a unit." Tucker snorts.

"Shut up." Simmons says sharper yet.

"Maybe she got her attitude from you." Grif rolls his eyes.

"She got your attitude." Simmons counters.

"Nah she's snippy."

"Get back here!" Lani yells as she chases Ben.

Ben is fast, and darts about to better evade.

Zach sits at the table that his friends just left looking rather tired.

Simmons watches, intrigued by what's happening.

Grif let's put a low whistle as he watches Lani vault over the next table and tackle Ben.

"Are we sure Lani isn't a freelancer kid? She's scary." Tucker glances to Grif and Simmons.

"She has my mom's athletics." Simmons mutters, "Holy shit."

"You never talk about your mom." Tucker blinks.

"Yeah... she uh- she's not around anymorr."

"Shit." Tucker says.

"Hello!" Caboose declares as he sits down. "Did you see me win at capture the enemy today?" Caboose beams.

"It was capture the flag and ypu turned on ypur team." Grif scoffs.

"Miss Lani asked me to help her! I said yes of course!"

"Oh my god." Tucker groans.

"You let her kick our asses." Grif accuses.

"No. I helped her win! She promised to paint my nails pretty colors."

"That's my girl." Grif smirks. "Bribery gets you everywhere."

"Don't encourage her!" Simmons chides.

"One of us should." Grif rolls his eyes.

"Grif."

"What? I'm just saying one of us should encourage her."

Simmons groans. He dosen’t need reminders that he's a shitty father.

"

-------

"It's been two days and I don't know where the fuck my kid is still." Grif snaps sharply as he plops down.

Sarge looks up from where he's trying to fix the busted time travel device. "Quit hollerin' I'm working on it."

"We have a problem. Several problems." Simmons says as he comes in, "Kai is missing. Also I was trying to remember what it was like when the kids were there and uh- well... they got kidnapped remember?"

"I think I blocked that put." Grif frowns, digging and finding nothing off the top of his head. And then- it all slams into his head.

He remembers.

Fuck!

-------

Felix and Locus meet at the usual spot, both have news the other will find useful.

"The Sim troopers have kids." Felix smirks, "and those are untrained kids."

Locus nods. "I know. We are going to use this."

"What do you know about rhem?"

"There are three with the Feds. Washington's kid seems the least aware of danger."

"Huh. Grif and Simmon's kid seems- more competent than expected. I think Cabooses nephew woukd be easy to nab."

"If we pull the right strings we can get them all." Locus contemplates.

"Like what?"

"Take one or two and have the rest come running." Locus says, sounding as though this should be totally obvious.

Felix thinks about this momentarily. Running numbers on which of the kids from Kimball's army would be easiest to grab.

Lani is loudmouth, and as far as Felix can tell she enjoys taking it easy and bickering.

Ben is nimble, dodging obstacles with ease. He seems alert.

Zach is- huge. And oddly strong, even without showing it off.

Lani seems easiest but Felix isn't holding his breath. The Sim troopers have been nothing but trouble.

"I think I'll take Cassie." Locus informs.

"I'll grab Lani."

"Good." Locus says.

"Meet up tomorrow with hostages?"

"Of course."

Felix is smirking, scenarios running in his mind. All he has to do is get the girl ti Locus and they'll switch hostages and then they'll be safe from other things.

How hard can it be to grab a kid that's never known war?

[pollypenname]

Below is a single chapter of The Tinker, a Bakugou x Reader slow burn with smut. If you’d like to read the whole story, click HERE for Wattpad and HERE for AO3. There are over 3.5 million readers, and we'd love to have you too!

THIS POST HAS MATURE CONTENT. MINORS DO NOT ENGAGE. READERS SHOULD BE 18+

Content Warning: Dry Humping, Grinding, PIV Sex, Riding, Female Domination, Power Dynamics, Begging

Be Gentle

[The Tinker, chapter 88]

Fuck. Finally, Bakugou thought.

How long had it been since he'd been able to kiss her? Really kiss her? The hospital seemed years ago, and it only felt longer when he realized how much he'd missed this. Kissing rules. Is that why all those extras are constantly down each others' throats? Yeah, he couldn't blame them now. He'd missed her more than he could say.

With one hand supporting behind her head and the other around her waist, Bakugou pulled his girlfriend in tighter. The kiss had started gently, and he knew it should stay that way to avoid exacerbating her injury, but damn was it getting hard to hold back. When he let his hands wander downwards to grip her hips and yank her closer to him, Y/N hissed slightly.

"Gotta be gentle, Kat," She reminded him softly. Her voice drifted into his head and did all sorts of evil things to the rest of his body. Everything about her made him ache with desire.

"Fuck, I'm... trying," He grumbled, trying not to show his frustration. Damn his rough movements– he really was trying, honest, but the excitement kept building and nearly forcing his body to get closer, tighter, touch her more and more...

Y/N couldn't fight back the small grin on her lips at Bakugou's struggle. It was... almost cute to see him like this; just barely on the edge of desperation. She wanted to see more of that side of him.

When she wrapped her arms around Bakugou's neck to pull him lower, moving her kisses to his cheek and then his neck, Katsuki started feeling a bit dizzy. It felt like the floor was spinning around him when her lips pressed softly into the muscle between his neck and shoulder.

"Fuck, I wanna..." He started. He was struggling to find the words. "I–I need more. Can we... can we go to–"

"Yes," Y/N whispered in between kisses. "But you gotta–"

As gently as Bakugou was able (which wasn't very), he wrapped his hands around Y/N's thighs and pulled her up so she was wrapped around his waist.

Shit. His dick, which was now really hard, pressed right in between her legs and the pressure had him seeing stars. An involuntary shiver ran down his spine as he carried his girlfriend into his old dorm room, using his leg to close the door behind him. He couldn't help but be in a hurry– after approaching his old bed, he let her drop onto the mattress below– and she yelped in pain.

Fuck.

"Oh shit, I totally– Fuck. Are you okay?" Dammit, Katsuki, he thought to himself. Gentle. Be gentle, goddammit.

Y/N's held the side of her head tenderly. "All good," She said through a grimace. "Gentle isn't really your forte, is it Kat?"

Guilt made his stomach drop a bit. "Dammit," he muttered. "We can't do this.I can't do this." His arms were on either side of her but he lowered his head, unable to look her in the face.

Y/N rolled her eyes. "Relax, I'm fine. Just... slow down a bit."

"I..." Bakugou felt his cheeks getting a bit warm and he turned to look at the wall. "I dunno if I can like... hold back. I dunno if I can be gentle," He said breathlessly, his eyes darting to her for a moment to gauge her reaction. "Not when you uh... look... like this."

Y/N didn't want that comment to do things to her, but it did. Bakugou was having a hard time controlling himself, and it was... hot. It was really hot.

"If you can't, then I can."

Bakugou looked at her this time but his eyebrows were squinted in suspicion. "Huh?"

Y/N wrapped her arms around his neck this time, causing another jolt to run downward. "Lemme be on top. If I'm on top, I can choose the pace, I can–"

"No," He interrupted before thinking.

Y/N huffed in annoyance. "Katsuki, you can't always be in control."

"Why the hell not?"

There was a pause before Y/N responded. "Alright," She sighed. "It's okay. You're not ready. We'll do somethin else, alright?" Y/N gave his chin a quick kiss, unable to reach his lips from this angle.

Before Bakugou could protest, she was shifting off the bed and crawled over to the small TV on his floor. "Imma go grab my switch, we can play some minecraft again. I still wanna find a cat. There are some in villages near our base, so if we..."

Katsuki was definitely not listening. Wait. Wait a second. He didn't want to stop. He just... needed a minute to think it through. Yeah, that's it. He just needed to process... what it would be like.

Y/N's hand was on the doorknob when he finally spoke up. "Wait," He grunted.

She turned to look at him but didn't let go of the door. "Wassup? Not feeling Minecraft?" Y/N glanced at her watch briefly. "I guess it's kinda late, huh? Maybe we just–"

"I don't like when I'm not in control."

Y/N stared at him, hoping he'd elaborate on whatever the fuck he was talking about. "Uh... huh?"

"But maybe... maybe I can, if..." He stuffed his hands in his pockets to try and ease his discomfort after being so honest. "If it's you."

She seemed to catch on now. She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm not interested if you're not gonna like it."

"I would. With you, I... think I would."

Y/N's eyes squinted a bit in suspicion. "I dunno if I buy it. You sure, Kat?"

"Don't make me say it again," He grumbled. He couldn't stand how vulnerable this felt and the idea of expressing more made him feel physically ill. The blush on his cheeks was spreading to his neck now. Ugh, he looked adorable.

The silence that followed did nothing to make him feel better. Katsuki couldn't figure out where the hell he should be looking– it was too much to look her in the eye, but looking away felt cowardly.

"Get on the bed," Y/N said. It almost seemed like she was gauging his reaction.

Fighting pretty much every instinct Katsuki had built up over his 18 years, he obeyed, and backed up until his legs hit the mattress and he sat. He leaned back against his hands to avoid the decision of what he was supposed to do with them.

Bakugou watched, chest pounding, as Y/N made her way over to him and slowly straddled his lap, looking down at him. "This is gonna be slow," She breathed. "A lot slower than you're used to." Her head tilted a bit to the side and it made his breath catch in his throat. "Will you be able to handle it?"

"Can you just fucking touch me already?" He grunted. Her weight on his dick was making him throb impatiently. Maybe h ecouldn't handle it.

"Yes or no, Kat?"

"Yes. Fuck, just... just do something." His fingers itched to touch her– he could physically feel the nitroglycerin building in his palms with anticipation.

Finally, fucking finally, Y/N reached down to pull off her shirt. Bakugou could barely breathe when she reached down again to do the same to him. After the fabric slipped over his head his body tensed at the newfound sensation. He spent a few minutes letting his eyes drift over her body, wanting to memorize how she looked right now. "Can I take your bra off?"

Y/N smiled slightly and nodded at him, impressed at how polite and docile he was being. When his warm fingers brushed against her skin to unclip the item of clothing she inhaled sharply, which didn't go unnoticed. Bakugou smirked at her reaction before tossing her bra onto the ground.

This time, Bakugou didn't ask beforehand– he put his hands on her hips and let them glide upward as he leaned in to kiss her again– and just like their last kiss, he couldn't satiate his hunger for her. He nipped at her bottom lip to ask for access, and when her mouth opened slightly he let his tongue wander against hers.

Dammit, he was getting really good at kissing.

Bakugou's thumbs flicked against her nipples as he groaned into her mouth. Her hips shifted and he could barely help the way his hips jolted up to gain more friction; but it wasn't enough.

Katsuki's hands moved back to Y/N's hips as he began guiding her back and forth along his hard cock, and he wished desperately that there weren't so many layers between them.

Y/N seemed to agree, immediately sitting up to slip off her pants. Her panties followed after and he bit his lip when he got to see her this bare. That familiar rush of adrenaline made its way through his body as his chest started to rise and fall quickly– his thoughts were disappearing now, too. All that was in his head was Y/N, Y/N, Y/N, repeating like a goddamn prayer in his mind.

"You too," She said. "Take 'em off."

Bakugou knew he looked too eager when he pulled his pants off in a hurry, but he was getting to the point where he didn't really care. He remembered this feeling– his mind emptying as his actions were dictated almost entirely by how desperately he wanted his dick inside of her. She knew it, too, and was toying with him.

"Get back here please," He said impatiently, grabbing her hand to guide her back onto his lap.

She was going to quip back and tell him how much she liked hearing him say please, but when her thighs touched his as she sat, the reminder at just how warm his skin was shocked her out of it.

He put one hand under her thigh and the other behind her back as he pulled her tighter against him. "That's better," He whispered. He nearly jumped out of his skin when she grabbed his shoulders and began grinding against him again– this time with no layers of clothes between them.

Bakugou started panting at the feeling of his aching cock rubbing between her lower lips, back and forth, over and over again.Holy shit, this was heaven. Holy fucking shit.

That was when Bakugou started feeling powerless to what Y/N wanted from him, and he... liked it. She was using his dick to get off and it was one of the hottest things he had ever seen– but it was also starting to make him antsy. "Holy shit," He gasped. "Holy shit, Tinkerbell... you're this wet?"

Y/N couldn't help but cry out when his hands returned to her hips, trying to make her move faster along his rock hard cock. "There we go. Fuck. You look so fucking pretty grinding on me. Holy shit..." His words morphed into a groan as his head tilted back and his eyes squeezed shut.

Every little whine and gasp that came out of Y/N's mouth seemed to make his hips move faster and his grip tighten. His arm shot out to grab the back of her neck and pull her closer so he could leave sloppy kisses along her neck, his other hand still guiding Y/N back and forth along his length. "Fuck. Lemme... lemme put it in," Bakugou groaned. "Lemme put my dick in you, please?"

"God, I like when you say please," Y/N breathed out.

"Please, please, please," He begged. "I'll be gentle, I promise. Please lemme put it in." He sounded desperate at this point, but once again, he didn't really care. Not when she felt this good dragging her wet pussy against his erection.

Y/N halted her movements and Bakugou nearly moaned in desperation. He put his hands back on the sheets, gripping them in anticipation while Y/N sat up on her knees. "Katsuki," She said. He looked into her eyes, both of them flushed and panting. "Hold still, okay?"

Holy fuck, holy fuck, holy fuck.

Every muscle in Bakugou's body was clenched hard to keep himself from acting rashly. Don't move, he told himself. Don't fuck this up.

Y/N's fingers wrapped around his cock delicately, making Bakugou shiver as she pressed his tip against her entrance. A drop of her slick made its way down his dick and it took every fiber of his being not to pull her down onto him.

Instinctually his hand went to hold her hip, but with her other hand she snatched his wrist and held him there. "What did I say, Kat?" She said slowly, still not looking away from where they were about to join.

Before he could protest, Y/N finally lowered herself, his dick slipping in with ease at how wet she was. "Oh, f-fuuuckkk," He moaned, unable to stop himself. Once his entire length was inside of her, Y/N sighed out in relief at the intrusion.

"God, your dick feels good," She gasped. "Don't move."

He didn't. He stayed motionless while his entire body screamed at him to grab her and fuck her properly, fuck her deep and hard like he wanted. But he wasn't in charge this time.

Eventually, Y/N started moving; and when she did, Bakugou felt like his entire lower body was on fire. The pleasure was otherworldly. He felt his dick pulse and throb as she raised and lowered herself on him over and over again. He yanked his wrist out of her grasp and with both hands gripped the sheets for dear life.

"Breathe, baby."

Had she said something? Bakugou was pretty sure she did, but whatever it was couldn't be as important as what he was experiencing in that second on his cock. Everything was starting to go white.

A few taps of Y/N's hand against his cheek seemed to bring him back. "Kat, baby, you gotta breathe," He heard her say. Without thinking he started gasping for air– had he really not been breathing? Bakugou heard himself now, panting loudly. With his lungs no longer burning he started moaning.

Y/N's motions didn't stop, and they certainly didn't speed up. Katsuki looked down at where he was entering her and his body shivered at the unholy sight.

"Hey, are you okay?" Y/N's voice sounded miles away. The ringing in his ears from the overwhelming sensations were almost deafening. What did she say?

Then her motions stopped and he groaned. "Nonono, don't stop," He groaned in desperation. His hands seemed to come back to life and he grabbed her waist, the warmth making Y/N's eyes flutter shut as she sighed. "I'll go slow, I just need... shit..."

"Wait. If we..." Y/N interrupted. She grabbed Katsuki's shoulders and rotated both of them, then pushed him down to lay flat on the mattress. His head landed on his pillow as she'd planned and he took several deep breaths as she propped her arms up by his head, looking directly down at him. Then, she sank down again until he was fully inside her.

Bakugou's eyes nearly rolled back in his head at the sensation. "God, Y/N, you... you feel so perfect," He groaned. With his hands he lifted her off his cock slightly, then began slowly thrusting into her warm cunt. "Holy fuck..."

Y/N didn't mind him taking over like this, not when he looked this desperate. Bakugou's mouth hung open and his brow furrowed into the most beautiful, fucked-out expression she'd ever seen.

Katsuki's dick was pushing inside at the perfect angle, not letting up against that perfect spot that had her whining above him. "Does that feel good? Right here?" He panted. "Should I keep fucking you right here?" He ended his statement with several punctuated thrusts against her G spot and she nearly screamed at how good it felt.

"Shit. You look so pretty when I fuck this spot," He teased. "Should I keep goin?"

"God, yes," Y/N cried.

Confidence surged through Katsuki's veins and one of his hands left her hips to grab her jaw and force her to look at him. "Say please."

Y/N was too close to orgasm to care that he'd stolen the power back. Her core tightened in desperation. "Please, please don't stop–"

"Again."

"Katsuki, please make me cum, please–"

Bakugou was getting close too, but he wanted to feel her finish first. He let go of her chin and grabbed her hips once more, and instead of speeding up, he made his thrusts stronger and deeper, making sure to abuse the spot inside her that turned her into a mess.

"I'm close," Y/N whined. "Keep going, keep going, don't stop–"

"That's it, lemme feel you cum on me."

And she did. Y/N's orgasm ripped through her, her cunt tightening and pulsing on Katsuki's dick. It was unrelenting– there was nothing she could do as he pushed himself as deep as he could go to heighten her orgasm. Her legs shook while her pussy choked out her boyfriend's cock.

Feeling her cum on him was enough to send him right over the edge behind her. His lower body went rigid and seized, Y/N's walls milking him for all he was worth. "Fuck– Fuck, I'm cumming," He moaned. His cum pumped inside of her and painted her insides with his seed during what was easily the most euphoric orgasm of his life. His hips involuntarily thrusted one, two, three more times, both of their releases making it all too easy to glide in and out of her.

When he finally let go of her hips, Y/N leaned her head back and panted to try and get enough air again. "Holy shit."

His dick finally stopped throbbing inside of her and he closed his eyes in exhaustion. "Yeah... holy shit."

| Masterlist | more snippets from The Tinker | Ask Me Anything! |

[ruiningsalads]

thank you to @rosella-writes and @about2dance for the DADWC prompts! excuse me, I'm going to go cry now...

Dust and ash burned in her throat as Solona coughed and struggled to breathe. That last ogre managed to throw her into a stone wall, leaving her fighting for breath on the ground.

Denerim was burning. There were so many darkspawn swarming their allies that she wasn't sure any of them would make it out alive. And she was so tired. After months of constant travel, of performing favors in return for aid, she'd hardly had time for rest. Exhaustion weighed her down as she struggled to her feet, her battle gear already filthy with soot and darkspawn ichor.

Alistair rushed to her, concern visible on his face through his helmet. "My love! Are you hurt? Should I get Wynne?"

Despite her mouth tasting like blood mixed with dirt, she manged a close-lipped smile for him. "No, let Wynne save her strength. We'll need her yet."

The yet-uncrowned King of Ferelden carefully cupped her face in his gauntleted hands. "Are you sure? After all we've been through, I couldn't bear to lose you now."

Uneasiness writhed in her gut. Both of them knew the reality of their situation: one of them would have to die to kill the Archdemon. The way Alistair had been acting, he seemed to think he would be the one dealing the final blow. He had his reasons, of course, but she wasn't going to allow him to do that, not if she still had breath in her lungs.

Her eyes flicked to their companions. Wynne had a cut on her cheek but otherwise looked fine, while Zevran just looked dirty. Her gaze lingered on the elf, and he gave her the barest of nods, his expression grim.

"Come, my King," she said. "The sooner we kill the Archdemon, the more people will be saved."

"Don't you start calling me that now too," he grumbled, but he released her.

On they fought, helping the armies where they could, but their focus was reaching Fort Drakon. Only there could they stop the slaughter.

Just as they were about to join the fight against the massive Archdemon, Alistair stopped her. They had a rare moment alone, Wynne and Zevran having slipped past them to help the soldiers already fighting the monstrosity beyond.

"Solona," he began, "After this, I want you to be happy. Please."

"Alistair..." She lifted his helmet, and then his lips crashed into hers as he held her in their stolen moment, one that could not last much longer.

During their relationship, there had been times when she allowed herself to imagine a future where they could be together after the blight. In her fantasies, she had selfishly kept him to herself, in a small home somewhere quiet. If they couldn't have children, they would have adopted a few. Alistair would have been such a good father, laughing and giving them the childhood he never had.

And instead...how did they get here? Here, where the fate of Thedas would be decided, and one of them would have to die. How had they come so far from her idle daydreams, where everything had been so bright and happy?

She pulled away and settled his helmet back into place. They stared at each other for another moment, and then as one, they joined the battle.

In stories, it is rarely told how exhausting battles are. They don't mention the reek of blood, death, fire, and sweat, nor the cacophony of clashing forces and roaring beasts. The heroes are never so parched that their tongues are glued to the roofs of their mouths; nor are they ever so filthy that they can't be told apart from the other fighters.

There was nothing glamorous about their battle with the Archdemon. No one would sing songs of her desperate spell casting, or the guzzled lyrium potions, or the hissed curses as she sustained burns on half her body.

And there was no honor in how she saved her love, her King.

When the time came for the Archdemon to die at last, she saw Alistair preparing to charge. "Zevran, now!" she called hoarsely.

The elf threw himself at Alistair, holding him back and tangling his legs. "What the--? Zev, get off of me!"

"I am sorry, my friend," the former Crow answered gravely. "With this, I pay my debt."

"No!" Solona Amell heard his desperate cry as she staggered forward and grabbed a fallen blade. Though her every muscle screamed, she hauled herself atop the Archdemon, driven by the knowledge that she would soon feel no more pain. For a moment, she hesitated, her eyes meeting Alistair's.

His face was full of despair, of anger, of betrayal. He still fought the wily elf's grip, as if he thought he might still stop her. She willed her eyes to express everything she hadn't had a chance to say:

I love you. You deserve a chance to live and be happy, to be King of Ferelden. Maybe in another life, we could have remained together and happy; but in this life, there is no happy ending for us.

With a feral shout, she stabbed.

[the-feral-one]

"It's time to go, Ogerpon."

"Aww..! Do we have to? I'm not finished the pillow fort!"

"Yes. I'm sorry, but the party's over, and we can't stay here."

"Okay.."

Ogerpon got up. She started walking away from her creation, but was stopped by Pink.

"Wa-wawa-wa-wawa?" ("Where are you going?")

Ogerpon pointed at Wo.

"Papa Wo said we need to go now because the party's over!"

The Tinkaton stood with her hands on her hips, looking unimpressed.

"Wa-wawawa wa-wawawa!" ("Not until we put the stuff away first!")

Ogerpon rolled her eyes and groaned.

"Uuugh! Fine, but only if you and Spot help out too! It's only fair!"

Spot looked at them as she held one of the larger pillows in one arm and some of the blankets in the other.

"I've m-made a start on t-tidying up..! W-we better b-be quick about it too..! I h-heard Chester's g-getting us all a l-lift back to Paldea..!"

She went over to the nearby sofa and put the pillows and blankets onto it as Ogerpon and Pink ran over to the other soft items and began taking them down.

As that went on, Wo went over to Oki. The dog looked up as he felt the snail nuzzle against him.

"This event has been quite a ride, no?"

Wo nodded, nuzzling Oki again.

"It has~ Have you seen Pao or Chester? I did try to look, but I couldn't see them."

Oki rubbed his chin in thought.

"They went outside. Pao really wanted to use the sunlight to awaken, and Chester is arranging the pickup."

"That's good. Mentioning the pickup is making me curious too. One wonders as to how it's going to be done."

"We'll see when it gets here for us all!"

Ogerpon and her two siblings ran up to them, all three sounding a little out of breath.

"We put away everything now!"

"Wawa-wawa-wa-wawa!" ("We did it very fast too!")

Wo nodded, looking pleased.

"Well done! Now, shall we start to make our way outside?"

The three siblings cheered before running past him. Oki looked at him, holding a vine in one hand.

"If you need to do anything else here before we go, we'll wait for you outside. I'll make sure Chester's lift doesn't go without you too!"

Wo gave him a happier look, water threatening to well up in his eyestalk.

"Aw, Wo~!"

Oki reached up to gently wipe the water away as it fell.

Wo nodded and let go of Oki's hand after making sure that he wasn't going to start happy-crying.

"Thank you, Oki~ I'll see you soon~"

The snail waved to Oki as he saw him running outside to join the others.

After seeing him leave his sight, Wo then noticed that the cookie plate that Ogerpon was holding for most of the night had one last cookie on it. He looked at it after picking up the plate, then at the surroundings, hoping to see someone that he could give it to.

[fuckyeah-dragrace]

The Perfect Valentine

yes yes, i know it isn't day of love anymore but it still is in my heart !!! and what better way to celebrate it than with Daya trying to make it the most special day for the most special girls in the world. hope you all enjoy!!

——

"Alright," Jasmine huffed getting Ava into her carrier after a small struggle over her buckles, "we're meeting my Moms for lunch and a little bit of shopping so max we'll be gone is three hours." Daya nodded, still in the kitchen sipping from her mug.

"Jas, I'm not going to die if you leave me alone for more than an hour." She smiled lopsidedly. "I can hold down the fort. You go have a good time with your Moms." She walked over to her and kissed her forehead.

Jasmine smiled at her. "I know, baby. I just don't like leaving you for too long." Ava whined in her carrier, one of her blanket being thrown onto the floor. "And neither does Avie."

Daya bent down and gave the blanket back to the baby and smile into the carrier. "You'll be okay, baby bug. You get to go see Grandmas." She tickled her little stomach, getting the baby to squeal and giggle.

She stood up and rubbed the blondes shoulders. "You'll be fine, Jazzy." She kissed her gently. "Now go before you're late."

Jasmine nodded and hugged her loosely. "Can't have that now. I love you, Dee."

"Love you too." She smiled and waved before closing the door as she left. Daya breathed a sigh of relief and pulled out her phone. "Crys? Yeah she's gone. Bring everything over."

"I still can't believe you roped me into this." Crystal groaned, carrying in a huge bouquet of flowers.

"You owed me from last year when I helped with your proposal." Daya quipped back with a smirk. Daya never really made a big day of Valentines Day, she saw right through all the lies of love and only saw corporate greed so she just did what was required of her. A card, cheesy stuffed animal and some flowers was her go to year after year but it was different with Jasmine.

Call her a sap or whatever you want but she was really in love with her. Like always smiling, would never stopping kissing her, want to shout from the mountain tops in love. She wanted to make the day special because that's was she deserved and god damn it She was really really in love with her.

“You know when you texted me you needed help, I thought you were like dying or something.” Crystal said as she arranged the flowers like Daya had told her a million times. “Like you never ask help and then it was for all of this? I thought you got body swapped.”

Daya chuckled as she hung up the streamers. The muted colors of the apartment were now covered in reds and pinks, hearts and shimmering tinsel.

“Beautiful.” Daya said, hopping off the chair with a thud. “You think it’s too much?”

“Definitely.” Crystal said, looking around. “But you said that’s what she likes so I think it’s right up her alley and besides, she's your girl so she's going to love the hell out of all of this.”

“Thanks C. I gotta start on dinner and you have to get home to your fiancée.” She clapped the shorter girls back.

The curly haired girl laughed and nodded. “Yeah. Geege wanted to take me to this art gallery later tonight.”

"Well you go have fun with that. I'll let you know how everything goes." She side hugged her sister before pushing her to the door. Crystal laughed as she waved goodbye, closing the door as Daya went to the stove, turning it on and starting on dinner.

It was a simple dish. Not too flashy, not too boring, just right for Jasmine and Daya was going to execute it perfectly. She took extra care with all of the ingredients and steps, making sure everything was perfect and her mind started to wander to every moment they'd shared.

Her coming home and Jasmine squeezing her so tightly but careful at the same time, every morning when she would turn over to a mouthful of blonde hair, even tripping over her shoes she leaves right by the door no matter how many times Daya tells her to move them.

She looks over and sees some of the dishes still in the sink and smiles at the small baby plate. It's interesting how people just come into your life and worm their way through you and become so pivotal. She never expected to get this in her life, not once. She'd guess she would be dating someone but she never thought it would be this good. She was happy nearly everyday to be with her girls and no one could make her trade the bickering and tantrums for anyone else in the world.

She finished up and grabbed the small bunch of flowers on the counter. Finding the stray ribbon, she carefully tied it around right as she heard the familiar sound of a key sliding into the door. She quickly finished the bow and smoothed over her hair, standing right in the doorway and waiting.

"Di, you will not believe half of the things we talked about." Jasmine still had her back to the door as she out down the carrier with a sleeping Ava tucked under her blankets. She shed off her coat as Daya waited nervously.

She started to turn around, "seriously, I don't know how they do it." She finally faced Daya and stopped, taking in everything. Her eyes scanned around at all the decorations as Daya smiled awkwardly.

"Surprise. I have things for Ava too but she looks pretty tuckered out." She motioned over her shoulder to a smaller bunch of flowers with a little teddy bear.

"When did you-"

"Crystal helped a little but I thought it would be nice since it's our first Valentine's Day." She walked up to her with the flowers. "Happy Valentine's Day, Jas." She smiled lopsidedly and extend the small bouquet to her. "I didn't want to be cliché and get roses but I couldn't think of any other flowers so I just got one of everythin-"

She jumped into Daya's arms, the flowers falling to the floor as she caught her quickly. She buried her face in Dayas neck and hugged her tightly. “I love it.”

“You do?” She smiled lightly. She nodded and pulled away, looking at her with watery eyes. "Hey baby," she said softly, her thumb brushing the tears away from under her green eyes, "it's okay. Don't cry."

She laughed lightly and hugged her again. "Happy tears, Daya. I just love you so much."

She chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too. I know I don't always do these big displays but I wanted you to really see it today."

"I see it everyday." She smiled. "Thank you, Daya. It's perfect." She leaned forward and kissed her lips lovingly. "Happy Valentine's day."

She kissed back and smiled against her lips and held her close. She wanted everything to be perfect but in reality, nothing could be more perfect than holding her girl close.

[strawberryvanillablast]

The Passione Scaredy-Cats (Team Bucci and Reader)

Enjoy this silly, fluffy one-shot between Team Bucci and Reader!

.

[Y/N] was reading a book while checking the time. It'd been a whole hour since their friends left for the reconnaissance mission near one of the warehouses on the bay. They looked up, a bit concerned. This didn't feel like any ordinary reconnaissance mission Team Bucci was on.

Just as they were about to ponder the strange feeling, the sound of a van's tires screeching outside snapped them out of their reverie. A bit confused, they saw that the van screeched right in front of the doors. They hurried down the stairs as they heard more noise getting louder. It sounded an awful lot like kids from a horror movie screaming.

'Huh,' [Y/N] thought. 'What is going on out there?'

Before they could even reach the door, a mass of vibrant colors came flying into the living room. [Y/N] blinked as they saw Fugo and Giorno hiding behind the couches while Abbacchio and Bruno hid behind the curtains. Mista hid under the coffee table while Narancia hurried right behind [Y/N] and buried his face in their back.

"Uh," [Y/N] asked, bemused, to a tired-looking Trish. "What's going on here?" They tried to provide some comfort to Narancia by petting his hair.

"Long story short, they all got hit with a Stand. It makes them scared for the rest of the day," She sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"Oh no," [Y/N] winced sympathetically, continuing to soothingly pet Narancia's hair. "That's terrible." They looked over the others as they continued to hide. They sighed. "Go get some rest, Trish. It'll be ok." They gave her an encouraging smile. "I'll take it over from here."

Trish nodded hesitantly before heading upstairs. [Y/N] sighed as they looked over. The others were still scared out of their minds, no doubt. They shivered from fear, Bruno and Abbacchio sometimes peeking to see if everything was safe.

"It's okay, everyone," [Y/N] soothingly smiled. "You're back in the villa. You're safe and sound."

They all looked over to [Y/N] with uncertainty, Narancia holding onto them with a vice-like grip. [Y/N] gently walked over to the couch with Narancia, slowly sitting him down. Narancia whined, not letting go.

"It's okay, Narancia, it's alright," [Y/N] gently smiled. "Here. Why don't I make some tea or hot chocolate so that it'll help you guys calm a bit from the Stand attack? I'll be back shortly."

They hurried over to the kitchen and make their one-of-a-kind tea as well as some snug hot chocolate. They were just about done when a loud shriek made them jump. Fearing the worst, [Y/N] ran back right into the living room to see all six of them on top of the couch and the coffee tables, screaming on top of their lungs.

"What happened," [Y/N] asked concernedly. They yelled all at once in their terror. "One at a time."

"M-M-Mouse!" Mista squeaked, pointing near their feet.

[Y/N] looked down and an adorable mouse was squeaking innocently by their feet. They smiled and gathered the poor thing, gently putting it outside. As they went back to the kitchen, [Y/N] saw the awe in the air. They smiled as they washed their hands and brought the drinks.

"Here," They said, setting the drinks down on one of the side tables. "I have an idea. How about we make a blanket fort to feel safer if it's ok? We can also watch movies until these effects go away. Sound okay?"

"Ah, [Y/N]," Fugo stuttered. "T-This is..."

"Are you sure," Bruno asked hesitantly. "We might be up all night..."

"I'm sure," [Y/N] smiled. "Besides, it might be great to talk about more soothing things."

"We'll be a handful." Abbacchio warned softly.

"That's fine," [Y/N] continued to grin sweetly. "In fact, I really love it."

"I call dibs sitting next to [Y/N]!" Narancia piped up, looking a lot more like his usual self.

The next couple of hours were just sitting, soft talking, and watching a couple of nice movies to take the fear off. It was nice to unwind for just a little while, even if it was supposed to be to counter the effects of a Stand.

It was thirty minutes into the second movie. Narancia and Mista were asleep, Fugo was close to nodding off, and Bruno and Abbacchio had been the only ones watching the movie quietly. [Y/N] sipped on some hot chocolate when they felt Giorno rest his head on their shoulder.

"[Y/N]," Giorno murmured as he nodded off. "Thanks for this."

"It's no problem at all, Gio," [Y/N] whispered back. "I'm always here for you."

[redemptioninterlude]

i wanna be alone . alone with you , does that make sense ? //for rue

don't smile at me ( billie eilish ) meme ( accepting ) + @sunxsin // ling

things get messy when schedules grow too full. it's fine. they tell themselves that they can handle it, that it's just the realities of the work that they do. there's moments, here and there... of loneliness. of jealousy. of all the things that she thinks are like, MAYBE NORMAL when it comes to relationships in the industry. it's going to be fine, right? when rue leaves off to film for weeks abroad, the way that they call each other every night, it's fine, it's fine, until it really doesn't feel that way. it's all rough edges and first times, and rue's never really been good at navigating complicated situations like this, where there are shades and shades of things that stretch in a way that just... well. maybe it isn't so bad. ling's always been the one who got it between them both.

but she's trying. she has to. that's what LOVE DEMANDS and she gets, now, maybe thanks to being older. being weathered. having seen what that difference between high school love affairs looked like compared to those as a near adult. to now, even, and what that all meant when laid out next to one another... was it good? bad? a disaster in the making? now that she's back into movie promotion mode, she's back after a press conference tour that had her stretched from event to event, finally home and exhausted, head turning to find him once the bag's been rolled through the door, her arms wound, her head, buried. "do you um... need some time?" her voice was muffled against the side of his neck, wanting, selfishly, for time to just... un-be the girl, the actress, the poised and performative.

and poor ling, who's been all hot and cold, trying, she thinks, to hold down the fort without it spilling over. it doesn't help that she's working with that actor he hates, and that his own projects start way too soon to the end of hers. it means that the overlap is shit, and they have even LESS TIME then they hoped for. the texts that he'd sent before she'd gotten here was all about how he needed to be alone, something prickly and hurt at the back of her brain already responding to it all, trying to tamp down on the unease in her chest.

" i wanna be alone . alone with you , does that make sense ? "

there cracks a grin across her face. because frankly? that's all she wants right now. "yeah." thank god. it's all she ever wanted now, too, her body relaxing, visibly, within their embrace. "let's like, TURN OFF our phones and just... fucking... ignore everything. let's take the week. i'm tired, you're tired... let's get all the alone time we can, while we can."

[creepswrites]

may i ask for a hc list of dbd killers dealing w/ their s/o overwhelmed with life and just needing some good soft comfort?

Yeah of course!! Sorry that this is so late, I got busy with life very quickly... Hope this was worth the wait!! I'm not super familiar writing for some of the DBD Killers yet but I'll get there!

DBD Killers w/ a S/O who is overwhelmed and needs some soft comfort (SFW)

The Shape

Comfort is not usually Michael's forte but because its you, he's willing to make an exception just this once. He can clearly see you need it, he's not blind

At first he likely thinks its a person thats causing this or that its just something he can stab to make it go away for you

Once he realizes you just need him for comfort, he tilts his head curiously

People don't usually come to him wanting comfort...

He'll sit with you and watch movies that you like. Doesn't even stand when he's bored because he knows its meaningful to you if he stays

Michael's not really a great cook so I can't say he'll make you comfort foods but if you want fast food he's happy to get that done for you (best not ask how exactly he did it)

Quietly sits with you and rubs your back when you get too overwhelmed. Not the best at contact but you can clearly tell he's trying

He'll lay in bed with you and let you cuddle him all he wants though!

The Ghostface

Likely the most understanding since he's also very human

He's the kinda guy who needs to get out of the house when he's stressed so hope you like going places! Even if it's something as mundane as a bookstore or window shopping at a mall, Danny's trying to get your mind off everything stressing you out.

He takes you party crashing, out to movies, out to dinner, anything. Just to let you get some air.

100% willing to hold you and sway with you. Don't be surprised if he tries to get you to dance with him, just to see if it'll make you smile

He worries about you more than you think. It's hard for him to understand exactly what's going on in your head but you can tell he cares very much about you

Encourages you to be the little spoon so he can hold you while falling asleep and whisper sweet things to you, promises you everything will be okay

Makes you breakfast in bed and offers a lazy day, if thats what you want. Otherwise, he's dragging you off for another day on the town until you feel better!

The Huntress

She tilts her head when she comes home to you stressed out on your couch. Though she's not exactly sure what happened, she knows she wants to help! Thats enough motivation for her

Makes you a warm, comforting meal and takes you for a bath together (with plenty of bubbles, if you want that)

Cuddles with you and gives you her clothes if she knows she'll be away for a bit longer than she's happy with

Anna might also worry that you're sick so its a good idea to reassure her that you're perfectly fine, physically. Just need some emotional help

Like Michael, not the greatest at offering comfort but she'll let you rant at her about anything that stresses you out

(Though be warned: if it's a person stressing you out, she will hunt them to the ends of the earth for you)

The Oni

Doesn't realize at first how stressed you are until he catches you having a full on breakdown in the kitchen

Kazan isn't the most experienced in this field. He almost wishes it was a physical illness because at least then he'd be in familiar territory

He's much more physical than Anna or Michael, happy to hold you and pet your hair and smother you in physical affection

If you ask him to, he'll even cook for you! Its very typical Japanese meals but you can tell he put a lot of effort into them for you to feel better

He almost wants to punch your anger away, he feels awful for you and desperately wishes there was more he could do for you

Drags you down to the hot springs in his realm to let you relax

He'll also let you rant at him but he's very likely to get equally upset at you OR be upset for you! Just be cautious!

The Executioner

Not exactly the most... aware of the bunch. He can sense you're frustrated or upset but thats really the furthest he takes it unless you come to him to tell him

Its not that he doesn't care! He just doesn't want to assume or make things worse by pointing out how you've been pacing and chewing on your fingers for the past half hour

Pyramid Head isn't the most capable of things like cooking but he's very capable at giving you a massage or holding you!

He's more than happy to take some time out of his day to just hold you and smother you with affection

Most likely to hover around you for the next few days, just to make sure you're okay

He doesn't really speak much, if at all, but his gestures are enough for you to see he really does care