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abundanceofnots · 3 years

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Ficlet idea: Now that Mickey’s using kevs gym he’s been giving guys tips from his prison workouts. Ian is NOT happy about the level of attention he gets when he stops by one day

(You can read this fic here, or on AO3.)

So, the KevFit membership was still a thing. Cool.

And, okay, listen. It wasn’t that Ian minded Mickey going to the gym. Of course, he didn’t. It was just the way this whole thing came to be that Ian wouldn’t call ideal.

Mickey liked to say Ian body-shamed him into working out, and frankly, Ian could see why he would.

They gave each other shit all the time. Laughed about hairy toes, prodded at each other’s saggy parts. And when they were both in the right headspace, it was just that—provoking banter. But Mickey, being the sensitive creature that he was, sometimes took it too close to heart.

And yeah, maybe Ian nagged him a few too many times about staying healthy after the lockdown started when Mickey’s only method of balancing out his liquid beer diet was riding Ian’s dick. But by then, it felt like they’d been occupying the same 1x1 bedroom for years, so it wasn’t exactly Ian’s fault.

If Mickey decided to go about it this way, great. Seriously. It only meant that Ian didn’t need to worry about getting his knuckles bruised anytime soon. And while he secretly mourned the loss of Mickey’s soft belly, he wasn’t going to complain. Not when Mickey looked the way he did now.

The thought was on Ian’s mind again that morning while he brushed his teeth over the bathroom sink, using the time on his hands to watch his husband in the mirror as he showered.

The curtain was only partially closed, just enough so that Mickey wasn’t splashing water around the tub while still leaving space for Ian to see him.

And boy, did he see him.

His broad shoulders. His arms stretching as he ran his hands through his wet hair. The dimples on his back. The marks Ian left on his ass when they fucked earlier.

When Mickey turned off the shower and stepped out of the tub, Ian found himself drawn to the little water droplets sliding over the Ian Galager tattoo and down his pecs, his abs, the V shape of his hips, and into his pubes.

Ian only realized he entirely forgot to move the toothbrush in his mouth when one corner of Mickey’s mouth curled into a teasing smirk.

“The fuck are you looking at?” Mickey asked, sounding smug as hell as he reached for his towel.

“Definitely not your ugly mug.”

Coming out all muffled, Ian’s words lost some of their intended edges. He angled himself back to the sink and spat.

“You have the tits of a 12-year-old girl,” he added quickly like there was a five-second rule for when you could still save your diss. He looked up just in time to see Mickey scrunch his face in mild outrage.

“Fuck off, these are C cups at least.”

“Like you're such an expert on those.”

Ian let out a low yelp as Mickey unexpectedly smacked his back, right around where his Monica tattoo was.

“Well, they're not your mom's tits, that's for sure,” Mickey noted through a sneer.

He then went back to drying himself, and Ian allowed himself to openly gawk at his slightly misty reflection again.

Several mechanical strokes of his toothbrush later, the thought came back, clouding his mind with an ugly feeling.

The intuitive thing would be to push it back and pretend like everything was okay, but they were married now and told each other shit, right? He had to say something.

“Going to the gym again today?” Ian asked eventually, trying to come off as noncommittal as he could with his mouth full and his eyes trained on the drain.

Obviously, he didn’t mind getting horny over his buff husband. No, the actual reason Ian was so bothered about all this was that other people now had free reigns to get horny over him as well.

You see, since Mickey started paying Kev’s gym his regular visits, he’d managed to attract a flock of followers. Fucking fans.

That, at least, was what Ian called them. Mickey, of course, didn’t see it like that. For him, they were paying customers.

“It’s easy money, man. And the crowd’s gettin’ bigger and bigger every week.” Mickey looked pleased as he wrapped the towel around his hips. “Anyway, it’s not like I have to do much. Most of the time, I just do my thing, and the bunch of ‘em stare at my ass.”

Ian bent forward and spat.

“So basically, they pay to jerk off your ego,” he pointed out, slumping his shoulders to show how totally unimpressed he was by that notion.

“’Xactly. And maybe something else, too.”

Mickey’s cackle followed him out into the hallway as he left Ian alone in the bathroom.

---

It was clearly a joke. A nasty joke that was supposed to leave a sting, but there was absolutely no need for Ian to worry. And he kept telling himself that all day—right until the moment he entered the badly-lit backroom of the Alibi and found himself in the company of a pack of Northsiders in designer label gym clothes.

Before he could spot Mickey anywhere among them, some blond guy in what seemed like an uncomfortably too tight a tank top came to his side.

„Looks like we have a newcomer in our midst.” The guy clicked his tongue, giving Ian an blatant once-over. “You here for the Mickeffect?”

„The what?“

„The Mickeffect. That’s what we call this class. Unofficially, of course, because the class is sorta kinda unofficial, too.” At that, he sniggered, which Ian immediately found annoying. “3pm, every Tuesday and Thursday. You from the Facebook group?”

Ian resisted the urge to scoff. “Uh, no.”

“Just lucky coincidence, then? Well, since you’re already here, I think you’re gonna enjoy yourself. The dude who leads this class is ex-con, so he knows all the right ways to abuse the body if you know what I mean.”

Clenching his fists inside the pockets of his sweatpants, Ian smiled politely and nodded. He wasn’t going to give this blond douchebag the satisfaction and punch him in the face. Not yet, at least.

“Hot as hell, too. And man, that ass. Simply de-licious. The whole thing actually only went off after I posted a video of him doing squats. Got 50k views in a day, a whole article on PinkNews a week later. The title was The Ex-con Hunk Who Makes Chicagoans Sweat Like Crazy – And Then Tells Them Off. Funny.”

The guy shrugged in this wannabe innocent you know how it is way. Ian was relieved to realize he really, really didn’t.

“We get new people all the time, but the return rate is terrible,” Blond Douchebag continued, amazingly. “Most of the boys come for Mickey but then leave with someone else. Maybe you’ll get lucky here, too.”

“I’m married,“ Ian retorted, hoping it would be enough to make him stop talking.

But Blond Douchebag didn’t even blink. “Yeah, so are some of the guys here. And he is, too, but I don’t think he’s the typa guy who would be deterred by that.“

Careful there, pal, Ian thought. Or you might find your pretty face landing very unprettily on a beer keg.

“Oh, hey!“

The familiar voice came out of nowhere, prematurely ending Ian’s plans to show this complete dickwad the practical meaning of the word concussion.

His head snapped to his right where Mickey was now standing, his eyes carefully roaming over Ian. There was a softness in them for a moment before his whole face morphed into a smirk.

„Came to learn something from the expert?” he teased.

Ian clenched his jaw. “Something like that.”

As Mickey moved past them, Blond Douchebag gave Ian a sly wink.

---

Ian wasn’t sure what kind of problems the snooty Northsiders could possibly be dealing with in their private lives, but this whole thing seemed to have almost therapeutical effects on them.

Mickey called them Ansel Elgort (not a compliment) or White Kanye West (also not a compliment) while he listened to their crap, and they giggled like teenage girls. He yelled at them for being pussies, and they were only a touch away from popping a boner. It made zero fucking sense.

And Mickey, well. The dickhead was so clearly giving them an upgraded version to his usual performance. Biting his bottom lip all the time. Flexing his muscles a little too hard. Grabbing everyone’s attention by letting out these exaggerated grunts.

Ian officially reached his bullshit limit when Mickey finished off a set of pull-ups and promptly took his shirt off to wipe his face. The way everything around him seemed to come to a stop for a hot minute had Ian’s eyes rolling.

It was totally ridiculous. Were these guys really so desperate?

Getting a better grip on the skipping rope he was using, Ian caught Mickey watching him, his brows arched, the dare behind them so plain and obvious.

And yeah, okay, asshole. Two could play this game.

“You know what,” Ian started out loud so everyone could hear him. He let the rope fall to his feet and instead tugged his own shirt off. “We did things a little differently in the army.”

His grin widened when he heard one of the guys audibly gulp.

---

“Fifty!”

“One hundred!”

“Fuck off, you can’t do one hundred push-ups in one go.”

“With one hand behind my back.”

Maybe kneeling on the feet of two wheezing guys doing sit-ups wasn’t the best time to have a whispered shouting match with your husband, but honestly, Ian couldn’t give two shits. Mickey was seriously pissing him off—and like hell was he going to let him win. Even if it was just this one petty argument.

“You need stamina when you’re the top. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to do all the fucking work while the bottom just lies there.”

“Oh, oh, please! Tell us more about your workouts in the army. Was this before or after you tried to run away from there by stealing a damn helicopter?”

They were suddenly aware that their periphery vision got surprisingly still. Almost in tandem, they looked down at the alarmed expressions of their trainees.

“Did I fuckin’ tell you to stop, Asthma Boy?” Mickey grumbled at his guy. “Gimme three more sets of twenty!”

---

Blond Douchebag must have taken a genuine liking to him because he later offered to cover Ian as he pounded into the punching bag. And while he technically did hold onto the punching bag, his eyes were always on Mickey.

“Wonder who Ian is,” he mused as he observed Mickey’s topless form. “Think it’s the husband? Probably doesn’t even realize what a hot piece of ass he’s got at home.”

Too easy. It would be entirely too easy to pretend Ian’s hand slipped and he hit him by mistake, and he wasn’t going to stoop that low. He wasn’t.

Taking in a deep breath, Ian started punching harder.

He wasn’t.

“Everything okay here?”

Mickey had his shirt tucked under the elastic band of his pants, and from the corner of his eyes, Ian couldn’t help but notice the light sheen of sweat that covered his face and upper body. He wasn’t the only one.

“Oh, more than okay,” Blond Douchebag practically purred.

Punch. Punch. Punch.

“Whoa, Ian, hey.” Mickey sounded worried. “Take it easy, man.”

And fucking finally, that seemed to have done the job. Because Blond Douchebag wasn’t looking at Mickey anymore, he was looking back at Ian, and his bravado was long gone. Now, there was childlike fear in his stance, and Ian almost pitied him.

“Oh shit. You’re Ian,” he managed before the next punch landed right into his face, knocking him down on the floor.

Panting, Ian stood over him as he clutched his bleeding nose.

“Yes, I’m Ian,” he snarled at him. “And his ass is all mine.”

Someone gripped his arm then.

“Okay, the show’s over, Muhammad Ali. Better get out of here,” Mickey muttered as he pushed Ian across the gym, past all the Northside wimps who seemed too tired to do anything other than being in shock. “Come on. Ian, come the fuck on!”

From the Alibi, they ran. Sprinted along the streets and over honking cars, zig-zagged through commuters, and flipped off those who wolf-whistled at their half-naked bodies. They ran until they ended up in a dirty alley with no one else in sight, their sides on fire, and broke into a fit of laughter.

Ian only realized Mickey brought his shirt when he used it to slap his chest.

“Jealous fucker.”

“Shut the fuck up. Wasn’t jealous.”

But Mickey was still wearing that suggestive whatcha gonna do now smirk, and his lips were shiny from being licked over just a second ago, and so the next thing Ian knew, he was pushing him against a wall and kissing him thoroughly.

His hands went to Mickey’s ass, lifting him up just slightly as his fingers dug in, and Ian pulled back to let out a moan.

“Mm, I fuckin’ love your ass.”

Mickey groaned. “Jesus Christ, please don’t tell me all of this was because of my ass.”

Leaning down again, Ian murmured into his mouth: “Isn’t it always?”

#sorry anon this took FOREVER #hope it makes you laugh at least #they're being dumb and competitive and in love #just how we like 'em #shameless fanfiction #gallavich fic #gallavich #writing prompt #my fics

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mrsalwayswrite · 3 years

Text

Say You’ll Stay - Chapter 9

Fury/Band of Brothers Crossover Fic

There are a million excuses I could give as to why its taken me so long to update. So I will simply say- writer’s block. Here we are though!

Tag List: @happyveday @alwaysindecemberfeels @saritanotserena

Series Masterlist

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He did not know what to do. He knew what he wanted to do. He knew what he should do. But when those two options were at odds, that left him in the quandary of what to actually do.

Either way, Anna was in trouble and did not even know it yet.

"Fuck." He muttered to himself.

"Something to add, Sergeant Collier?"

Don looked over to meet the stern, blue eyes of Captain Winters. "No, sir."

The redheaded captain stared at the tank commander for a moment before continuing speaking to the other officers in HQ. "This town here is a key point for supplies for the Germans. There is a railroad next to the town that intelligence says is crucial to them. Once we get control of the town, we'll secure it until 1st Battalion can relieve us." Winters said, pointing at a spot on the map laid across the table.

Don glanced back out the window, watching Captain Evans walk away from the HQ building. It had been three days since they arrived in Haguenau, and Captain Evans planned on leaving in two more.

The dark-haired intelligence officer began speaking next. "Our sources say it's only infantry there. It seems most of the tanks have been recalled back to Germany. Either way, we expect resistance but as to how much, we aren't sure."

"That's why we are sending the Armored Division with you. Sergeant Collier will lead the four tanks in assistance." Winters said. "They will follow behind. At this point we've been asked to minimize damage to property but I will not trade it for lives. Understand?"

A chorus of "yes, sir" answered him.

"Excellent. Fox Company will lead the assault with some of Dog Company in reserve. Have your men ready, you leave at oh-six hundred tomorrow. Any questions?"

Don tried to focus on the rest of the discussion. He was leading his platoon for fuck's sake into another fight, but his thoughts kept drifting to Captain Evans leaving and what that meant.

Anna would be leaving too.

She had been sent to stay with Captain Evans, to be a medic and translator. She was never supposed to come to Haguenau. Don was never supposed to give a fuck about her. Their brief encounters back at that field hospital were supposed to be the extent of their interactions. Yet here he was. Worried for her safety. He and his crew were leaving tomorrow for the next fight. Captain Evans would leave the next day to start pushing into Germany.

His mind whirled with questions. Who would protect Anna? Who would make sure she ate and slept? Who would make sure she was looking out for herself just as much as her patients?

Don barely heard the dismissal from Captain Winters. The shuffling of feet and low cadence of voices heading towards the door thrust him back into reality from his dark thoughts. Without a word or acknowledging the paratroopers he would be working with, he headed out of the Battalion HQ and walked towards his lodgings. His mind raced with more questions than answers.

He knew what he wanted to do.

He knew what he should do.

Both options made him clench his jaw and want to punch a hole in a wall.

He trudged back to the house, throwing open the door, uncaring of the way it slammed into the wall. Stepping towards the common room, he saw Davis, Binkowski, Grady and a few others playing cards on a short table. A few others lounged around in the sunny room.

"What's the news, Wardaddy?" Binkowski asked, keeping his eyes on the cards in his hand.

"Leaving tomorrow. Oh-six hundred. Make sure your men got their shit together."

"You alright, Don?"

He had not even heard Boyd come around the corner from the kitchen. His sharp gaze landed on his gunner, who was watching him warily. "Yeah, fucking fine." He snapped; his frustration was a writhing mess of snakes in his gut.

Christ, he needed some peace and quiet and a cigarette. Don stormed through the common room to head up the stairs, uncaring of the confused looks around him. In his haste to leave, he accidently bumped a flimsy chair someone must have left out. It just caught him at the right angle and dug into his side, nothing painful but just enough to infuriate him even more. He had not even realized how angry he was until the chair caught him, but it was the catalyst that released the pent-up frustration.

With a snarl, he grabbed the back of the chair and threw it against the wall. The sounds of wood snapping and breaking filled the now silent room. Without a word, without stopping, because if one person said something to him, he would beat the fucking shit out of them, he stalked up the stairs to his shared room.

After throwing the door open, he kicked it shut. The solid boom of the door slammed back only made him want to do it again and again. Instead he moved to drop onto the bed, sitting on the edge and quickly lit a cigarette. He took a long drag, the smoke immediately bringing some relief to him.

He was surprised Norman was not in the bedroom. When he left for the meeting, Norman had been curled up in the bed sleeping still. At first, he thought Norman slept so much because he was sick. Now he was beginning to wonder if the kid absorbed sleep like a desert soaking up a rainstorm; the rarity of it making it harder to ignore and easier to overindulge.

It could not have been even two minutes later when the bedroom door slowly opened. Don dropped his head in one of his hands, the other still holding the cigarette.

"Wanna explain what that was?"

"Not now, Boyd." Don hissed, not looking up.

The gunner rocked back on his heels, the floorboards creaking under the motion. "A'right. Well, I'm just gonna be right here when you ready to talk."

He chuckled darkly. Five minutes. He could not even get five fucking minutes alone. He tried to ignore Boyd as he stared out the window.

"Where's Norman?" He finally asked after taking another hit of his cigarette.

"Gordo took 'im to the aid station to see Anna."

"She's not coming here?"

"Dunno."

"Fuck." Don whispered, rubbing a hand over his face. He suddenly felt like he should be in his sixties or seventies, not just recently turned thirty. His mind played over the past three days since they arrived in Haguenau. Besides that first day of their arrival, Anna had been over every day. He knew it was mostly to check in on Norman and make sure his cold did not worsen but she usually ended up staying for some time or if someone could convince or threaten her enough, she would also catch up on some sleep. During that time he had become so used to seeing her around, it felt strange to question if she was coming back or not. In his mind, she was a part of his crew, and he was positive he was not the only one to feel that way.

He needed her safe.

That was what everything seemed to come back to for him. He cared about her safety, like he would any of his crew. Except he knew, he wanted to be the one to keep her safe. To keep her gentle smile on him. To be the one she turned to. He felt like a moth drawn to her flame.

He knew what he needed to do. He doubted she was going to like it. Hell, if they got caught he wondered if he would lose his rank by going behind the backs of his superiors. He had to do something though. He had to keep her safe. Well, as safe as anyone could be while at war.

He knew the truth though- he wanted her close….to him.

With a groan, he stuck the cigarette between his lips then pushed against his knees to stand up.

"Where you goin'?"

"Stay here."

Boyd stood up, blocking the door. "What's goin' on, Don?"

He debated just pushing Boyd out of the way before shaking his head. "Captain Evans leaves in two days."

"Uh huh. Anna mentioned somethin' about the wounded finally being moved to a field hospital today. Probably why she ain't here."

"We leave tomorrow." Don flatly stated.

Boyd's eyebrows drew together. "I feel like I'm missin' somethin'."

"Anna is supposed to go with Evans. That was why she was sent."

He could see the light bulb go off in Boyd's mind when what Don said finally clicked. His eyes widened, a myriad of emotions flickered across his face ranging from horror to frustration and what could be despair.

"What…." Boyd stopped, looking off to the side and taking a deep breath before turning back to his commander. "What we gonna do?"

"I'll take care of it."

"Don…."

"Stay here, Boyd. Start gettin' ready to leave tomorrow. I won't be gone long." This time he did gently push Boyd out of the way and with a long look, he stalked out of the room, down the stairs and outside.

He made his way to the aid station, only having to jump behind a building once to avoid a mortar. This was his first time coming to the aid station in Haguenau, having had no reason prior to come. He was pleased it was in better shape than most of the other buildings and further back from the river and Nazis.

Soon as he stepped through, he was hit with the smell of sanitation, coffee, and dried blood.

"Where's the nurse?" He growled at a pair of medics who stared at him like he was the grim reaper come to take their souls. One pointed towards the back. Don stormed in that direction, boots pounding on the wood floor.

He arrived at what most likely had been someone's study or library prior to the war but had been converted to the aid station. His gaze zeroed in on her folding up some blankets while she chatted with a medic. He stalked towards her. She only turned her head to look up at him as he was within five feet of her.

"Don?" The sweet smile on her face immediately faded away as she took in the serious expression he wore.

"We need to talk." He stated, moving to stand beside her.

"Of course, let me…"

"No. Now." He grabbed her upper arm and started to pull her from the room. The other medic started to say something but snapped his mouth shut at the icy glare Don sent him.

"What's going on?"

He ignored her question, looking down at her once they were in the hallway. "Where can we speak in private?"

"Upstairs."

Once she seemed to sense his urgency, he allowed her to lead him up the stairs and into a room that seemed to be used by the medics to store their personal effects. Two cots were pushed against opposite walls, both empty thankfully. Soon as he shut the door behind them, he rounded on her.

"You need to hide."

"Ex....excuse me?" She stuttered, sapphire eyes peering up at him, wide and unblinking.

"Captain Evans plans on leaving the day after tomorrow."

"We heard. One of the lieutenants stopped by after the wounded were taken to inform us. Why does…"

He cut her off. "My crew and I are being sent out. We leave tomorrow. I don't know how soon we'll be back. So, you need to hide until Captain Evans leaves."

"I don't.… I don't understand, Don."

"Fuck!" He moved closer to her, grabbing both of her upper arms, his hands wrapping completely around them. "Listen. I can't protect you if you are in some other goddamn country. You can't leave with the Captain, alright? You stay here. You stay low and you'll get left behind. When we come back, I'll take care of you."

"But…. I mean, I'll be fine. The men are….um…. It’ll work out. I'm more worried about you and the others. You are going into a fight!"

"Fuck them and fuck the fight!" He shouted, moving away before he shook her, trying to make her understand. How could she not see what he was trying to do? "I don't trust those bastards to keep their hands off you! And you shouldn't either! Who's going to look out for you? Huh? Who's going to make sure they don't lay a fucking finger on you?! Cause I can promise you, it won't fucking be them!"

He stood in front of her, chest heaving from the anger rolling through him like a tsunami wave. Only now, after his words spewed out like vitriol did he witness the effect. The tears that welled in her eyes, how one of her hands covered her mouth, the other wrapped around her torso almost in a self-hug.

"Anna…" Resentment towards himself flooded through his veins. Slowly he tried to reach out to her, to place a hand on her shoulder with an apology dancing on the tip of his tongue, but froze when she flinched.

And that hurt worse than being pierced with a bullet.

He made no further move towards her, afraid of her reaction. Frustrated at everything but mostly himself in the moment, he ran his hands through his hair.

Her gaze had dropped to the floorboards, hunched into herself. Finally after several seconds, she whispered. "What do you want from me, Don?"

What did he want from her? Hell, if he was still trying to come to terms with that answer himself. In the moment, he chose to honestly answer.

"I want you safe."

His equally soft reply made her head jerk up, eyes meeting his. "Why?"

"You're a part of my crew...and I swore to make sure they survive this war. I can't do that if you're in another company."

"Is that the only reason?"

Did she know how loaded that question was? How this growing tension between the two of them grated on him? Not because he disliked it. No. Because he wanted her closer. But this was war, and no one was guaranteed tomorrow. So he answered with something that tasted like a half-truth. "The only one that matters right now."

She sniffled, wiping away the moisture from her eyes with her dainty fingers.

As if approaching an injured animal, he carefully shifted closer to her. Seeing the tears in her eyes broke what resolve he meagerly held. He hated that he made her cry, made her flinch. It tore at his soul. Something his mind demanded he fix, for both of them.

Hesitantly, he reached forward and clasped her hands in his. She inhaled sharply, but only tightened her grip on his hands. The air between them felt charged with something unnamed but powerful. The way their gazes locked, hands holding each other, as if they had been put under a spell neither wished to escape.

"I need you safe, darling…." He murmured, the words flowing out of him without his conscious approval. Only after did they hang in the air, waiting to stoke the fire between them or shatter everything like glass.

"Darling?" The corners of her lips turned up in a barely-there smile.

He huffed a short laugh. "That alright?"

"Yes." She answered with a blush growing on her cheeks.

And damn if that sight didn't stir something within him. Following his instincts, he gently tugged her closer, pulling her into a warm embrace, beyond pleased when she practically melted against him. His arms went around her back while her arms wrapped around his waist. Her cheek laid against the middle of his chest and he wondered if she could hear it pounding within him. Not for the first time was he reminded how small and vulnerable she seemed, tucked against his body now. He knew and witnessed how strong she truly was though. Faced with blood and death and distraught, she still persevered.

She sighed after some time, neither attempting to end the embrace. "I'll try to hide but I don't know where I could. All the medics know I'm here. Arthur and the others will be expecting me to join them especially after losing…" Her voice trailed off.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "We'll figure it out. I promise."

"I trust you." They continued to stand there, finding solace in one another but also a silent understanding between them. Of affections that were too dangerous to say aloud but still lingered in the air. A few seconds later, her whisper disturbed the peace. "I'm so tired of this war."

"Me too."

A knock on the door broke their moment but when Anna tried to step away from Don, he only held her tighter, unwilling to give her up but also wanting to protect her. He watched the door open to reveal a medic, who although his face seemed calm, there was an undercurrent of tension in the way he clenched his jaw and the shifting of his eyes as he immediately took in the scene before him.

"Chérie? Everythin' alright? Spina said he 'eard yellin'."

Only when she turned to face the medic did Don let her go. "Yes. I'm sorry, Gene. It's nothing.... just a misunderstanding."

"Mmm." The medic glanced back down the hallway then stepped inside the room, closing the door behind him. "Someone wanna tell me what's goin' on?"

Don immediately recognized the name Gene. She had referenced him multiple times when she had been over taking care of Norman. By the way she spoke about him, Don picked up that she trusted him and they were friendly. Perhaps he had an ally here after all.

"Are you able to hide her?" He asked bluntly, knowing his time was running short to figure out a plan.

Gene's eyebrows scrunched together. "What?"

"Don, no... it’s fine," she answered at the same time, placing a hand on his arm, "I'll figure out something."

"Nah, chérie." Gene looked back over to Don, expression reserved but determined. "What do ya mean?"

Don quickly explained the situation, impressed by the medic with the thick accent and how he absorbed the information thrown at him without too many questions.

Gene nodded once at the end, gaze downward as he ran his tongue over his teeth. Finally, he looked up at the two. "I know somewhere. They got some extra room. Lemme talk to their Sergeant first."

Anna's gaze bounced between the two men, clearly unable to believe what she was hearing. "We can't do this. We'll get…. I don't want to cause more problems or get people in trouble. What happens when your Captain finds out?"

Gene shrugged. "Winters is a good man. He might not like it but he'll understand." He paused, tapping a finger on his crossed arms. "I'll go now. Anna, stay here, get ya things gathered. We'll bring ya over tonight."

She stared at both of them again before Don could visibly see her acceptance when her shoulders sagged. With a roll of her eyes, she gave the medic a cheeky salute. "Yes, sir."

"Fille effrontée." He grinned.

She blew him an air kiss that made him shake his head, a small grin on his lips. The two men nodded at each other once more before the medic slipped back out.

Once alone again, she turned back around, placing her hands on his chest, peering up at him earnestly. "Be safe, please...tell the others for me too."

"I will."

This time he leaned down as she rose up on her toes to press a kiss to his jawline. His hands tightened on her waist, where they had landed. Instead of immediately pulling back after she fell back onto her flat feet, he lingered. Hovering over her, he cupped her cheek, guiding her head. She was completely pliant under his touch, allowing him to tilt her face until their noses almost touched. He was spellbound, staring down at her. Her gentle breaths sliding across his mouth tantalizingly. It was the soft adoration and trust in her sapphire eyes that pulled in his chest and stole the breath from his lungs. She was too good, too pure for someone like him. Yet he could not draw away from her, captured in her tender affections, left breathless by her kindness. Turning his face just slightly, he could feel the corner of her mouth against his, her warm breath hitting his cheek.

"I should go." He whispered, without moving away.

Her hands slid up to the nape of his neck, causing him to suppress a low groan as her chest pressed against his. "Don, please come back." Her words pierced his heart.

"I will, I promise." This time he brushed his lips over hers. It was just a moment, the faintest of touches but the spark it ignited in him felt like an inferno awakening.

Abruptly he pulled back, turned on his heels and walked out. If he stayed any longer, she would be in his arms, his mouth devouring hers, her back pressed against the nearest wall. He had half a mind to turn back and do that just now. But he kept walking. Why she held any affections for him left him boggled. She deserved better than him. He wanted her though. Christ above, he wanted her. It was becoming a truth he could not ignore.

And that barely-there kiss only proved it.

*****

Anna followed behind Gene as they headed to a different building, supposedly where she would stay hidden. She worried all of this would blow up in their faces eventually, that the men would get in trouble because of her, that she would be sent away to a company she did not know. Would the army count this as desertion? Fears and concerns tormented her mind, but it was too late now. Her feet were already planted firmly on the path. Physically and metaphorically.

Gene had told her that she would stay with the paratrooper platoon until after Captains Evans and his company left. The Cajun medic had already started a rumor along with Spina, who seemed to be enjoying all this espionage a little too much, that she had been sent to assist a family living just outside of Haguenau where the wife was in labor with her first child. It would explain why she was only gone for a short time and as to why her sudden disappearance. Plus, Gene reasoned it sounded like something she would do. She could not blame him there. It would be.

So now, they walked in the late hours of the night, moonlight highlighting the ground beneath their feet. The ill-fitting ODs, the coat from a dead soldier and her medic satchel were the only things she owned. All of her other possessions and clothing had blown up when the medic truck was hit during the surprise attack. She desperately tried not to think about that fact. She was alive and with no injuries. Twenty-two men lost their lives that day. Her few belongings were minimal compared to that.

She still missed her book though.

Gene did not even knock when they reached the damaged house. Quietly, he opened the door and shifted so she could walk in first. The wooden floorboards creaked beneath her feet, making her freeze for a moment. Only after a word of encouragement from Gene did she continue. As she stepped in, she could hear the murmuring of voices suddenly fall silent. Knowing Gene was at her side and he trusted these men, she took a deep breath before taking another step forward.

She rounded the corner from the entryway and towards what must have been a common room before the war. There were three men, two sitting on beat-up looking couches and one standing. The moonlight shining through the window cast everything in deep shadows. Somehow it felt appropriate for all that these men had been through. How they were still waiting for the sun to shine on them again, to beat back the shadows and nightmares and remind them to hope and dream of the future without war hovering over them like a furie.

It was as she met the gaze of the one standing, staring at her, that she could feel tears well up in her eyes. He looked so world-weary, as if he had not slept in years and all peace had abandoned him. His eyes once so bright with laughter and life were now dull. His once expressive face was now weathered and closed-off. Only his red hair looked the same. It broke her heart.

"Donnie…." She softly said.

The corners of his lips lifted up at the nickname she bestowed upon him so long ago. "Hi, Anna."

Without warning or a care for his reaction, she flew across the room. She threw her arms around him, the top of her head just at his chin. A few tears spilled as he seemed to hesitate at her action, as if he had forgotten what a hug was, as if he no longer understood how to be comforted. Then slowly his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer to his chest.

"I'm so sorry, Donnie." She mumbled against him, fighting a losing battle against the tears flooding her eyes. "Muck and Penkala…. they were the best of men. I'm so sorry. And for the others too."

He stiffened at the names of his deceased best friends. She could feel the shudder that ran through him, the soft sob he forced back. "Not…. not your fault." He finally whispered, a faint quiver in his voice.

She pulled back to meet his eyes, uncaring of the tear tracks staining her cheeks. Carefully she moved her hands to cup his face between them, forcing his gaze to stay on hers. "If you need to talk, I'll listen. Or just cry. Or hold your hand. I'll do it, without any questions."

"Sure."

"I'm serious."

"I know. You sound like you've been hanging out with Doc Roe too much." He teased, forcing back the pain in his voice. A slight squeeze of her hand let her know he appreciated her words.

She giggled, sliding out of his embrace to glance at Gene, who had moved to sit next to another redhead on one of the couches. "He does start to rub off on you, can't decide if he's a good influence or a bad one."

Gene scowled at her, making her giggle more.

"Who's the dame? Easy taking female paratroopers now?" The other redhead asked, his Philly accent unmistakable.

"Nah, this is Anna Cooper, a nurse. She's gonna stay with ya fellas for a couple days." Gene said casually.

The redhead's eyebrows were furrowed as his gaze darted from Gene to Anna and back. "Why?"

"I just missed Donnie here so much." She smiled up at the man, who just gave her an awkward smile, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Uh huh. So, what's the real fucking reason?" The third man asked, twirling a cigarette between his fingers.

"Joe, nothing you need to worry about right now." Malarkey answered.

Anna wondered if Gene expected the whole platoon to know of her existence there and why or only Donnie and himself. That was probably something she should have asked before their arrival but her mind was too caught up in its tornado of fears.

"How do you two know each other?" The other redhead asked, now eyeing her like she was a rare specimen.

Roe sighed, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his thighs. "She was in Albourne with us medics when we were training before the jump into Normandy."

"Donnie here also took me on a date." Anna blurted out, a smile on her lips.

"What?" The one Malarkey had called 'Joe' stared with his jaw dropped. "A'ight, now I gotta hear this."

Malarkey rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he looked down at her. "Not sure I'd call that a date, Anna."

"Mmm...it's a date when you kiss the girl after, right?"

For a beat there was shocked silence before the two on the couches started laughing, Roe just shook his head and muttered something to himself.

"Holy shit, Anna…" Malarkey rubbed a hand over his face. If there had been more light, his face most likely would have matched the color of his hair. "I thought we agreed never to mention it ever again?"

"It wasn't that bad, Donnie."

"Yes, it was. That damn shovel almost broke my nose. You had to walk me to the aid station instead of me walking you home."

"I mean.... when you say it like that." Anna teased.

"Shit, I really need to hear this now."

"Babe, no." Malarkey pointed his finger at the other redhead then moved it to the other man. "Joe, not a word."

The one, Joe, shrugged, a smirk on his face. "How come I don't remember this?"

"Cause you was in London chasin' skirts and gettin' in fights that weekend." Gene stated evenly. "It's late, I need to head back to the aid station. Malarkey, where is Anna stayin'?"

"Right. This way." Malarkey led the way with Anna and Gene following up a set of stairs and down the hallway to a bedroom. "Supposed to be for officers I guess but since we don't have any…. the door locks too."

"Thank you, Donnie." She smiled up at the man, someone she had thought she would never see again. It was funny how fate had brought Easy Company back into her life. Moving further into the room, she was pleased to find a single bed pressed against the wall and a desk across from it. Otherwise the room was completely bare of any other furniture or decorations.

"Ya ok here, chérie?" Gene leaned against the desk, arms crossed over his chest.

"Yes."

"Good, good. One question then." Gene paused, an intensity in his eyes that startled her. "What's ya relationship with that Sergeant?"

In the middle of slipping the coat off, she froze, having not been expecting that question. Her mind raced with trying to find an adequate answer. Although it felt futile. How could she describe her relationship with Sergeant Don Collier? Not that there was a relationship, per se, even if memories of their last encounter sprung forth in her mind's eye. Even though they had not known each other long, he was someone she found herself trusting wholeheartedly and feeling safe around. The loyalty of his men inspired her. The brutality of war was evident in the way he carried himself, the shifting of his eyes and the perpetual frown on his face when he was thinking. Yet he still cared. He still went out of his way to take care of a nurse who meant nothing to him. How when he was close by, her heart beat a little faster and butterflies danced in her belly. On more than one occasion, as she laid down waiting for sleep to find her, she wondered what his kiss would feel like.

Finally, she settled with a glossed over version, hoping Gene would be satisfied with just that. "Um....we don't…. he’s just looking out for me. Him and his crew kind of took me in."

"Mmm….and when I walked into him holdin' ya in his arms, lookin' ready to kiss ya?"

"It's....it's not like that."

Malarkey spoke up, leaning against the doorframe. "Who’s this Sergeant?"

"In charge of the armored division." Gene answered, dark eyes staring at her as if to sift the secrets out of her words and wide eyes.

"Don's just looking out for me…. him and his crew, they've, well, they've protected me several times already from…. others." She finished lamely, wrapping her arms around herself, trying to push the memories away.

He must have sensed her discomfort. "Alright, chérie, just be careful."

She nodded. She appreciated his concern but felt it was misplaced.

"Don, huh? Do you call him Donnie too?" Malarkey broke the following silence.

She rolled her eyes but smiled at the slight change of subject. "No, only you get that nickname."

"Lucky me. So, is he a redhead too? You have a thing for the name Don?"

She covered her face as her cheeks warmed.

"Ya two can discuss this tomorrow." Gene pushed off the desk. "I'll come get ya the day after tomorrow. If ya need anythin', send someone to get me."

She dropped the coat at the end of the bed and moved to give him a quick hug. "Thank you, Cajun angel."

He rolled his eyes while Malarkey snickered in the back but returned the embrace.

Next, she walked over to Malarkey and gave him another quick hug. "Thank you too. For doing this for me."

"I'm in the room across, if you need me. Bathroom is two doors down."

The two paratroopers then left, closing the door behind them. Taking a deep breath, she surveyed around her as she stood there in the small room under the moonlight shining through the window. The future was always unknown but especially now, she felt tossed about on the waves of uncertainties. She hoped this plan was not completely foolhardy, but she would admit, she felt safer with Gene and Malarkey looking out for her while Don and Boyd were gone. She would never admit how she had cried while hiding away from everyone when she realized she was no longer alone, that she would not be sent with Captain Evans and his company. There were good men looking out for her.

She crawled into bed, slipping under the scratchy covers. All the while, her mind sent a fervent prayer that the crew of Fury would be safe. That they would return to her uninjured. That Don would be okay.

#Fury movie #fury fanfic #fury 2014 #band of brothers #Band of Brothers fandom #band of brothers fanfic #Don Collier #Don Wardaddy Collier #Don Wardaddy collier x OFC #don collier x OFC #boyd swan #boyd bible swan #eugene roe #babe heffron #joe liebgott #donald malarkey #mzwrites

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morning-might-arrive · 3 years

Text

Here’s the continuation of my last post. Thank you so much to everyone who liked and reblogged! This is becoming a lot longer than I thought, so there will be another part soon. Feedback is appreciated!

A series of misunderstandings involving a limousine and Spectra’s blog lead Jackson to the realization that he has way more friends than he thought.

Wednesday

Jackson sighed as he silenced his blaring alarm clock. 7:00 am. As he walked to the bathroom to get ready, he was suddenly struck by a memory.

“It’s nothing personal, normie. You just look like such a freak.” Manny told him as he shoved him off of the lunch table. Jackson looked towards the other mansters, but they said nothing. So they all agreed. Even Clawd.

He cringed. He’d had to eat lunch in a bathroom stall that day. He looked at his reflection, desperately wishing he could change it. He sighed and got dressed. He had to leave early since he now had no car and his parents weren't home. He plugged his headphones into his phone. Holt had gotten them into this situation, only fitting that he deal with it.

Holt Hyde cursed under his breath as he walked to school. Although the weather was warming, mornings in March were still frigid. He sighed in relief as he approached Monster High.

“Heya there, sweetpea,” Operetta drawled in greeting as Holt waltzed through the front doors of the school.

“What’s good, Oppy?” Holt responded, his usual loud and energetic self even at the early hour.

“Just peachy keen like always, hun. Say, you seen the Ghostly Gossip lately?” She asked.

“Nah, we usually stay away from that garbage ever since that story about us and Frankie. Humiliated the poor ghoul and almost tanked our relationship. It really ain’t cool what they're doin’.” He replied nonchalantly.

“Oh. Okay. Well sugar, you know you can tell me anythang you wanna, right?” She continued.

“Uh, yeah, sure. Thanks Oppy.” That was kinda weird for the rough and tumble ghoul to say, but honestly Holt was just glad their botched attempt at dating didn’t mess up their friendship. Oppy was a cool ghoul.

“What’s the word, cool cats?” Came a new voice.

“Johnny!”

“Johnny.”

Johnny spirit sauntered casually down the main corridor of Monster High, and students jumped out of his way as if he had the plague. He put his arm around Operetta’s shoulder. “Hey, babe.”

Holt snorted. “I’ll never get why everyone lets you float around like you own the place.”

Johnny shrugged. “Guess they don’t have a choice. Besides, I never see you doing anything about it,” he replied with a bit of challenge in his tone. Holt rolled his eyes.

“You know you don’t scare us, Spirit. Anyway, it seems like Oppy’s got you on a leash without our help.”

Johnny bristled at that “Y’know Hyde, I’m gettin’ real sick of-”

“Why don’t we scamper on down to the catacombs and finish that new song we been workin on, sugarpie?” Operetta cut in. She really didn’t want to deal with a fistfight this early.

The couple walked away and Holt made toward the auditorium. He found the symphony on stage setting up and dashed up to join them, plugging his guitar into its amp. Jennifire was nearby greasing the corks on her clarinet. He huffed and sat down next to her.

“Another run in with the phantom pianist?” She asked, not even looking up.

“That guy is such a jerk!”

She chuckled and shook her head. “You boys are so easily provoked; I may never understand it. My brothers were just the same. He has done not to insight your anger.”

Holt really hated to admit it, but she was right. Johnny really didn't scare Holt, and he knew a little better than to try that tough guy act on Jackson. Plus, it was kinda funny seeing guys like Heath and Manny faint when he walked past them.

“Your emotions run like wildfire, I am very impressed you came to terms so easily with your end.” She continued.

Wait. What. “My what now?”

“Of course, it must be so hard for you to talk about. I am sorry.” A tear fell from her eye and promptly turned to smoke upon hitting her face.

“Jen, are you okay?” Holt asked, facing her.

She smiled. “Yes, I will be okay. So kind of you to think of me.”

“Okay, Okay, enough chit chat. Places people!” The director yelled as he approached the stage. Well. That was weird. Holt took his place in the stool beside the amp and looked up as the director began counting them off.

After an awkward hour of rehearsal, they were dismissed to second period. Holt emerged out into the crowd of students in the hall. Jennifire was nowhere to be found, so he made his way toward the art room. His Spotify playlist suddenly changed to a song by Pierce the Veil. He pulled out his phone to skip it and saw he had a message from Jackson. He scoffed. If D-low had told him what was wrong, would he be asking? JJ could be so oblivious. Maybe it was just a normie thing.

He took his usual seat in front of his canvas and continued his painting for this week.

“Psst, Holt.” he heard a whisper. He turned and met the shiny magenta eyes of retired popstar Catty Noir. “We’re turning up at Cleo’s place on Saturday, you in?”

“Yeah totally- oh, nevermind. We can’t make it, we kinda got a...thing that day.”

“Oh,” she said, looking kind of taken aback. “It’s that soon?”

“What was that?”

“ I said I’ll see you soon!” she hastily corrected herself as she got up and turned in her painting, promptly leaving the art room. Man, everyone's acting off today. He touched up his work and quickly followed suit.

He basically had the rest of the period to himself, so he decided to riff on his guitar for a little bit. He couldn’t do it in the building anymore ever since that one time Headmistress Bloodgood caught him, so he moved to the front steps and set his bag beside him.

“Hey Holt!”

Holt turned towards the front of the school. “Frankie Fine-Stein! Where have you been hiding?” Her skin glowed a light mint green and her eyes sparked in the sun. Just as bootiful as ever. She sat on the step beside him.

“I was actually just in the library. I found this book about the original Jekyll and Hyde. It was way harsh; It said that Edward Hyde trampled a child in the streets of London, is that true?”

“Nuh-uh! Those stuffy normie’s didn’t like that grandpa’s were different so they dragged their reputation through the dirt!” Holt declared passionately. “Some of the people they charged him with killing didn’t even exist in the first place! Then they made Dr. Jekyll out to be a complete basket case and threw them both in jail! That is until they got bailed out by our great-great-grandma, Lucy.”

“Oh, man. I didn’t know any of that!” Frankie replied. She actually knew all about it, she had heard the exact same thing from Jackson before. They were both incredibly salty about the smear campaign launched against their great-great-grandparents that made their family flee to America in the first place, and you could hardly bring it up around them without a passionate rant. Frankie felt a little bad about bringing up something she knew was a sore subjet for them, but she had to make sure Spectra and the other ghouls didn’t get caught. It was for their own good, right?

Her phone buzzed in her lap and she glanced down. “Spectra got something, meet us back in the library.” Clawdeen. Frankie jumped up. “Sorry, Holt, I really gotta go.”

Holt watched her go in curiosity. He checked the time and quickly jumped up himself and dashed back inside the building. The only way to not be late now was to go through Section C, the so-called “vampires only” hallway. It really irked them when other monster’s used it, but he didn’t really care when it was either that or detention. As he made his way through he felt someone glaring at him, and met eyes with a large group of the former prep-school vampires. He braced himself, but instead of giving him grief like they usually did, they just let him pass. They were acting weird, but so was everyone else. Oh well, he didn’t really have time to think about it now.

Holt’s third period was Chemistry 2 with Mr. Hack. No thanks. Science was never his strong suit. Plus, there was seriously something off about this particular teacher. He just took a little too much pleasure in the cutting open of living things for Holt’s liking. He pulled out his phone.

“Keep an eye out. Today’s been weird, Bro.” He typed the message out and then disconnected his phone from his headphones. The world went dark.

Jackson blinked a few times. What was that ringing sound? “Oh, shOOT!” He bolted through the closest door- which just happened to be the right one- and took his seat as the bell finished ringing.

Mr. Hack passed out a hefty amount of worksheets to the class. “Okay class: no whispering, no talking, no looking around, no coughing or sneezing, no you can’t use the bathroom, and if I catch you on your cell phone the whole class gets detention. You have until the end of the class to complete the worksheets or it's a 0 for today.”

Everyone groaned. Good old Mr. Hack. Charming and likeable. Jackson tried to ignore the stares and whispers in his direction as he did his work. He knows he’s different, don’t they ever get tired of reminding him? Were they all paying more attention to him than usual, or was it just his imagination? He blazed through his work in about 20 minutes, it was just some simple thermodynamics equations. He looked up and noticed that Mr. Hack was asleep. Typical. Half the class were on their phones and the other half were talking amongst themselves. He pulled his phone out and saw Holt’s message.

Huh. Maybe it wasn’t just his imagination then, everyone was acting a little odd. Granted, every day at Monster High was pretty weird. Last week they had lost their school crest in a rollerblading contest and the school nearly toppled over, so maybe he could just ignore whatever this was.

The bell finally rang for lunch. He set his work on Mr. Hack’s desk as he jolted awake and practically ran from the room. He shot Clair a text

“Okay, transportation is set and decorations bought. Am I forgetting anything?”

“Measurements, goofy.” She responded almost instantly.

“Oh, right. I can get a tape measure from the woodshop teacher and get them during lunch.”

“Have you told the other monsters about Saturday?”

“No. I just don’t know how they’ll react, y’know?”

“Aren’t they always telling you about how you don’t belong? So why would they care?”

“Yeah you’re probably right. It’s just a difficult situation.”

“Yeah, I hear you. Let me know how it goes.”

Looking down at his phone, he didn’t notice Draculara until he bumped her as he passed.

“So sorry!” He exclaimed.

“It’s alright.” She reassured him as she walked away. She made her way to the library where her friends were already gathered around in a circle. Spectra floated in the center.

“What’s this all about?” Draculara asked.

“While Frankie had Holt distracted, Spectra looked in his locker.”

“Well what did she find?” Cleo demanded.

“Just this. It appears to be a receipt for some kind of car rental.”

Clawd glanced at his phone. “Heath says Jackson is in the boys locker room right now taking measurements of himself and writing them down.” He told the group.

“Then what Spectra said is true.” Fraknie finally admitted. The room fell into extended silence.

“Well we can at least show Jackson he means something to us.” Draculara spoke up.

“Yeah,” Frankie agreed, “we can do something nice for him and Holt.”

“What are we going to do? Hijack the gym and throw a huge party during lunch?” Cleo asked sardonically.

“You’re on a roll Cleo! It’ll be closed tomorrow, but we can do it Friday!” Clawdeen agreed.

Cleo smiled. Very well then. Friday would be a day for the monster history books.

#jackson jekyll #holt hyde #frankie #draculara #clawdeen #spectra vondergeist #operetta #johnny spirit #monster high #mh

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obeyme-kaidii-writes · 3 years

Text

Date

Mammon x poly gn!MC x Levi

Words - 2988

Content warnings - pure, unadulterated fluff. Just enjoy teasing and cuddling the boys. Maybe a little adult humor? (no smut)

Prompt/Inspiration - AO3 request, a date to the aquarium

Summary - You go on a date to the Devildom Aquarium with Mammon and Levi, your two favorite demons.

AO3

Mammon was reclining on your bed, watching you get ready, albeit somewhat impatiently. He hadn’t expected you to take this long just deciding what to wear. Yet here was, 30 minutes later, still waiting for you.

“Ya know, if you keep this up Levi and I are just gonna leave without ya.”

“Pffft. Please. Like you’d even be going there if it wasn’t for me,” you flashed Mammon a cheeky smile as you finally decided on what you were wearing, “Come help me get dressed?”

As expected, Mammon blushed to the tips of his ears. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen you naked before, but he still got a little flustered sometimes when you’d ask him things so directly when he wasn’t prepared for it. Like now, when you just casually asked him to undress you.

But who was he to say no to you?

“I find it funny how shy you get sometimes,” you teased, as you watched Mammon while he removed your shirt, careful not to touch your skin.

“Shaddup.”

“It’s so cute.”

“I said,” Mammon replied as he placed his hand on the back of your neck, pulling you forward, before kissing you, “Shut up.”

All you could do was smile at him in return. He was so fun to tease. And so predictable too. You had been with him long enough to know now what buttons to press to get him to react a certain way...like kissing you.

“Don’t forget my pants.”

Mammon’s hands hesitated now, hovering over your waist band, unsure where to touch. If this had been any other day, he wouldn’t be having this trouble. He’d remove your pants, toss you in bed, and love you until you couldn’t think straight. But you were supposed to be going on a date today. And he was supposed to be behaving himself. And here you were teasing him like he must have unlimited reservoirs of self control.

“It’s ok, I’ll get them. Hand me my shirt?” you said with a laugh as you pointed towards the top you had picked out a moment ago, showing him some mercy.

“Uh yeah,” Mammon was thankful for the distraction and excuse to move away. Anything to get his mind off those less than gentlemanly thoughts he was having right about now.

Right as you tugged your shirt on, but before you even had a chance to pick up your new pants, your door opened and Levi walked in.

“Are you ready yet? We are going to be late at this rate.”

He was too busy looking at his DDD to notice the fact you were half dressed. And since you had so much fun teasing Mammon, you decided teasing Levi would only be fair. Don’t want the Avatar of Envy getting jealous, after all.

And so you walked up to Levi, careful not to move too quickly and spook him, and stood directly in front of him, right behind his DDD. And waited. It didn’t take long for Levi to start blushing, and even though he tried to keep his eyes glued to the screen of his DDD, you knew he had seen you.

“Wh wh what are you doing? Shouldn’t you be getting dressed?”

“I thought I could get a hug from my favorite otaku,” you teased.

“Oh...umm...ok…”

You chuckled lightly before wrapping your arms around his neck and hugging him close. Cautiously, Levi wrapped his own arms around your waist, before pulling you to him, and burying his face into your shoulder.

“You’re awful. You know that?”

You laughed again and pressed a kiss to Levi’s neck before letting him go, “But you like it don’t you?”

“....that’s besides the point…”

“Oi! Are we gonna finish gettin’ ready anytime soon? Or y’all just gonna stand there and make out?”

“Hey!! That’s not what was happening! And you know it!” Levi snapped, face still flushed with embarrassment.

“You boys ready? Or are you just going to stand around all day?”

Mammon and Levi both turned to look at you, only to find you standing by your door now, fully dressed, ready to go. Smirking at them, like you hadn’t just riled them both up on purpose. And they both had only one thought on their minds - you were a handful.

————

Today’s date to the Aquarium had been planned by you, specifically with Levi in mind. You knew Mammon would like it too, though. Because the lights would be dim, he wouldn’t need to worry about people watching him as he stole secret kisses, or when you would pat him on the ass, as you were wont to do.

When you arrived, your own excitement had started to take over. This was your first trip to a Devildom aquarium after all, and you couldn’t wait to see the unique sea life that would be on display here.

Once you had entered your first exhibit - one that appeared to house several demonic-varieties of freshwater type fish - you gently took hold of Levi’s hand and laced your fingers together. He jumped a little at the sudden contact, but you simply smiled at him before leaning over to whisper, “It's dark, no one can see.”

He took a quick look around to confirm that yes, it was in fact dark and no, there wasn’t anyone else around that could be watching. He then relaxed and gave you a soft smile in return, squeezing your hand.

Mammon slipped an arm around your waist and gave you a quick kiss to the temple, making sure you hadn’t forgotten he was there as well. And of course you hadn’t, so you gave him a smile too, one just for him, before proceeding with your visit.

After about an hour wandering around, you finally found yourselves in front of the main exhibit for the season - jellyfish. These, of course, weren’t ordinary jellyfish either. They were species unique to the Devildom. A wide range of sizes and shapes and colors could be seen in each different tank, and it was honestly mesmerizing.

“Hey, I’m gonna take a uhh, break. I’ll be right back,” Mammon whispered in your ear, before kissing your cheek and hurrying to the closest restroom.

Now alone with Levi, you snuggled closer to him as you continued walking around. One particular aquarium caught his eye, and he paused so that he could get a better look. As you stood beside him, you noticed something familiar about the jellyfish.

“Hey, these look just like the ones in your room.”

“Yeah. They are actually.”

You smiled at Levi, waiting for him to continue.

“It’s actually a deep sea kind. They are really uncommon. And it’s hard to find a lot of them because they tend to be on their own most of the time.”

“Is that why you like them? Because you can relate to them?” you asked, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

“Huh I guess so. I never thought about it much, to be honest. But it makes sense.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re not on your own.”

“...yeah,” he replied, slightly embarrassed but mostly very happy.

Before he met you, Levi had honestly given up at ever having a real relationship with an actual 3D, real life, flesh and blood sort of person. It wasn’t that he didn’t have any suitors - a lot of demons would have happily married him for his status and power alone. But whenever he went on dates, things always went horribly wrong. He’d either embarrass himself, or anger his partner, or simply be too nervous to do much of anything at all.

But you were different. You took your time getting to know him, taking an interest in the things he enjoyed, and letting him just be himself. He could actually relax around you. Of course he still got flustered, it wasn’t like he was suddenly going to be Mr. Extrovert, exuding confidence all the time. But he didn’t need to be, not with you. You were patient and supportive on those occasions when he just couldn’t quite get his brain to work right. And even though you liked to tease him, you never did it in public, and you always showered him with plenty of affection and love so there was never any room to doubt your intentions.

When you had asked him if he would be interested in a relationship with you, he was honestly confused. He knew you were already seeing Mammon. And as far as he was aware, humans were primarily monogamous these days, so he had already given up all hope of ever getting a chance to win your heart. He just couldn’t compete with all the fun you seemed to have with his brother.

But then one day there you were, holding his hand, eagerly awaiting his response, wanting him to be a part of your life too.

He had thought at first things might be awkward between him and Mammon, but nothing could be further from the truth. If anything, they were closer than before, as they had added you to the shared interests they could bond over. What better way to spend their time than planning a surprise for you?

Levi took another quick glance around the exhibit hall before leaning over and stealing a small kiss from your lips. Once you realized what was happening you were quick to pull him closer with your free hand, deepening the kiss. When he finally pulled away, even the dim blue lights of the aquarium couldn’t hide the blush on his face, which only made you smile.

“Let’s go find Mammon,” you said.

“Fine.” Levi rolled his eyes inwardly, having briefly forgotten that his brother was also with them. He couldn’t wait until the next date, when he’d get you all to himself.

Upon exiting the exhibit hall, you immediately spotted Mammon near the gift shop. It seemed he had gotten a little distracted. You couldn’t let this opportunity pass you up, so you gave Levi a mischievous grin, raising your finger up to your lips signaling for him to be quiet, while you snuck up behind Mammon.

You didn’t know it, but Mammon had already seen you. And when he noticed you trying to sneak towards him, he subtly changed his position giving you a better shot at his back. Fortunately the new position also concealed his face from you, so you couldn’t see the dopey grin he now wore. When you finally reached him, you slipped your arms around his waist from behind, pulling him into a hug and snuggling into his back.

“You saw me didn’t you?”

“Yeah,” Mammon replied with a laugh, “You're not as sneaky as ya thought.”

“So what are you looking at?”

“Thought about surprising ya with something,” he said, gently rubbing your arms that were still wrapped around his middle.

“Ooo why don’t we all do that? I’ll pick out something for you guys too.” You turned to look at Levi who was now standing besides you, checking to see if he was on board with the whole idea.

“Alright, but I’m only getting something for you,” Levi replied.

“Yeah, same.”

“Fair enough,” you laughed, giving Mammon one final squeeze before making your way deeper into the shop to pick out something special for both your boys.

It wasn’t long before a plushie display had caught your eye and you had moved to get a closer look. A light blue jellyfish plush, with neon blue highlights and detailing immediately struck you as the perfect gift for Levi. With that decided, all that was left was to find something for Mammon.

As you dug through the pile, you eventually found what could only be described as a tsundere shark plushie, that you thought was absolutely adorable. Well, at least it looked adorable to you. It still appeared “cool” enough that no one would pay much attention to it if they were to see it in his room. But also still cute enough that you just wanted to hug it. Just like Mammon, you thought.

Having picked out your gifts, you hurried to the checkout to pay. Mammon and Levi were already waiting for you at the entrance, both looking rather awkward with their gift bags in their hands. You couldn’t help but smile at the sight, and when they finally looked up and saw you approaching, they smiled back at you in a way that made your heart flutter. How had you gotten so lucky?

————

Once back at the House of Lamentation, the three of you headed for Mammon’s room to unwind. And to exchange gifts, of course. Both Levi and Mammon had blushed when they saw what you had picked out for them, before thanking you with hugs and quick pecks on the cheek.

Mammon gave you his gift first - it was a coloring book he thought you’d enjoy. He always caught you doodling on your notes in class, and he remembered how you told him art helped you relax. His thoughtfulness touched you, and you wrapped him up in a tight hug.

“Thank you. I love you,” you whispered in his ear.

“I love ya too,” he replied, his voice slightly muffled by your shoulder, but still just loud enough for you to hear.

Next was Levi, who was, not surprisingly, feeling anxious after seeing how happy Mammon’s gift had made you. You gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before opening his gift - a DVD.

“It’s umm...one of those ambient sound movies. You know, the kind you just play to listen to the music and nature sounds...I know it’s kind of weird but…”

You didn’t give Levi a chance to finish that sentence before you leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, “Thank you Levi, it’s perfect.”

He blushed again, but still smiled at you in return, relieved that you seemed genuinely happy with your gift.

“Why don’t we go ahead and watch it now? It would be a good thing to have on in the background while we relax and do our own thing, right?”

“A’ight. I’ll put it on,” Mammon said, standing up from the sofa to set up his entertainment system. Levi got up to dim the lights as well, and soon the three of you were cuddled together on the couch. Mammon browsing Akuzon on his DDD while you rested your head on his shoulder; Levi laying his head in your lap while he worked on his dailies for one of the mobile games he played.

As you played with Levi’s hair you felt your eyelids growing heavier and heavier. Today had been such a great day and you were absolutely exhausted by now. Between the warmth of Mammon’s body pressed against yours and the soothing sounds of the DVD Levi had picked out for you, it wasn’t long before you had drifted off to sleep.

————

When you finally woke up, you were surprised to find that you were no longer on the sofa, but rather in Mammon’s bed. Levi was on one side of you holding one of your hands to his chest. And Mammon was somewhat behind you, his arm wrapped around your middle as he cuddled close, spooning you.

“You awake?” he whispered, feeling you stir.

“Yeah,” you replied, turning your head a bit to better see him.

The DVD from earlier was still playing in the background, and the light from the screen illuminated his face with a soft glow. You couldn’t help but think how handsome he looked, and your thoughts must have shown on your face because he soon was capturing your lips in a gentle kiss.

As Mammon finally pulled away, he was smiling at you warmly. He loved waking up next to you like this. It was the one place he really felt like he belonged. It had become home for him.

When you had first mentioned to him the idea of including Levi in your relationship, he was more than a little jealous. Who was he kidding? He was a lot jealous. And hurt too. Was he just not enough for you?

But you reassured him over and over again until he adjusted to the idea. It wasn’t like you had a finite amount of love to give, you explained. And he’d still be able to have plenty of private time with you, you promised.

And you were right. He still got to take you places often, and when he was busy he knew you were safe and cared for with Levi. In his daily life, he actually didn’t feel like things had changed all that much either, since the two of you already hung out with Levi often anyways. Only difference now was Levi would curl up next to your side instead of sitting awkwardly on the other end of the sofa while Mammon played with your hair.

Now, he honestly couldn’t imagine his life working any other way. Everything just seemed to...fit. Like things were supposed to be this way the whole time, and you were the missing piece that pulled them together. Having you here had allowed him to get closer to his brother and repair several centuries worth of hard feelings that had existed between them. And he could never thank you enough for that. You were undoubtedly the best thing to ever happen to him.

As Mammon gazed at you, he could see that you were struggling to keep your eyes open again. He pressed another kiss to your lips before telling you, “Go back to sleep.”

So you rolled further on your side, allowing Mammon to better hold you from behind and to leave gentle kisses on your neck, before he too drifted off to sleep. The last thing you remember thinking as you let sleep claim you once more was just how unbelievably loved you were to be surrounded by these two amazing demons.

#gn!mc #poly mc #obey me #obey me shall we date #obey me mammon #obey me levi #mammon x mc x levi #levi x poly mc #mammon x poly mc #obey me fluff #levi fluff #mammon fluff #obey me fanfic #levi fanfic #mammon fanfic

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jamiemackenziefraser · 3 years

Text

The Set Up

Summary: College students and best friends Claire and Jamie are secretly dating. While back at home for a break, they go on a getaway to a lakehouse with their friends. Shenanigans ensue when Geillis and the others become determined to set Claire up with Frank. Unable to dissuade her without giving away her secret, Claire is forced to play along... much to Jamie’s dismay.

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I couldn’t help but stare at Jamie as we all piled out of Dougal’s van. It had been a long trip to the Mackenzie lakehouse (especially interminable for me since I had been squashed between Angus and Rupert in the back), and Jamie was stretching his long limbs in the open space of the driveway. His shirt rode up as he lifted his arms, revealing a delicious strip of smooth skin at his belly and giving me a tease of his remarkable abs. His red curls gleamed in the sunlight, framing his face in a soft halo of bronze. I wanted nothing more than to jump over Rupert and throw myself into my boyfriend’s arms and kiss the living daylights out of him.

But the problem was that he wasn’t just my boyfriend. He was a secret boyfriend.

Our relationship had progressed from best friends to much more than friends after we had gone away to university together. While we were free to flaunt our love on campus, things were much more complicated back home. Jamie’s parents put enormous pressure on him not to date and to focus on his studies, and would be even more appalled to learn he was with a Sassenach. To make matters worse, Jamie’s father, Brian, had major beef with my Uncle Lamb. All of this was the perfect storm to make telling our families nearly impossible for the moment. So, we had decided to keep our relationship a secret while back at home-- even to our childhood friends (who we knew wouldn’t be able to keep their gabs shut).

After all, how hard could it be to hide things for a little while?

I broke myself out of my longing for Jamie and walked to the back of the van to retrieve my duffle. I dove fearlessly into the precariously packed trunk, filled to the brim with supplies (and booze) for the weekend. I was working to extricate my bag from under a layer of other junk when a familiar, solid body pressed behind me and reached around me to pluck my bag from the mess.

“Here, lass,” Jamie’s voice rumbled in his chest, and I could feel it against my back. I couldn’t help the tiny gasp that fell from my lips.

“Thanks,” I murmured demurely, taking the offered bag from his hand.

Before I could turn toward the cabin where the rest of our friends were crowding the door-- which Dougal was seemingly struggling to unlock-- Jamie’s arm wrapped around my waist and kept me pressed to his front.

He leaned down, and his lips brushed against the shell of my ear as he whispered, “ye look verra bonny wi’ yer wee tank top and shorts.”

I turned myself in his grip so I was facing him, suddenly thankful for the protection of the car hiding us from view.

I gave him a playful smirk, and as I freed myself from his arms, I said playfully, “thank you, friend James. But if you keep that up, everyone will end up getting an eyeful.” I gave him a wink, and then turned my back to him to walk up to the front door, knowing full well that his gaze was fixed on my ass.

“Damn door,” Dougal was cursing as I approached.

Angus was wrestling the key away from him, taking his turn to try his hand at unlocking the house.

“Dougal, I swear, if we hafta drive all the way back because ye cannae even get into yer own cabin...” Geillis was starting in on her boyfriend.

“Can I try?” I asked an unsuccessful Angus, who was cursing up a storm in Gaelic which I assumed were rather unkind sentiments aimed at the doorknob.

I had just tried and failed when Jamie reached us.

“Alright, lad, yer the last one who hasna tried this damnable thing,” Dougal grumbled.

Jamie obliged, but found no success either. I set my duffle down in dismay. It seemed a bad omen for the trip that it hadn’t even begun and we had already been defeated by a faulty lock.

At that moment, Frank walked around from the side of the house, running a hand through his short, dark hair.

“The mechanism must be jammed,” he said, his accent crisp and prim as ever, “but there’s a window unlocked in the back. Shall we check it out?”

My friends all exchanged a look, and we nodded simultaneously, at a loss for anything else to try.

We walked around the back of the cabin and looked up at the window. It was small, and well off the ground. I found myself swallowing in dismay.

Dougal-- ever the unelected (and often unwanted) leader of the group-- was quick to take charge.

“Alright, this is a two man job. Jamie, yer the tallest, so ye’re on bottom of course. Anyone fancy gettin’ hoisted through a window?”

We all looked at each other in silence, exchanging wide-eyed looks of “not me.”

Jamie was not having it though. He stepped toward the window and turned to fix his blue gaze directly on me.

“Alright, lass, ye’re the smallest. Ready to take a wee trip through the windae?”

I rolled my eyes but stepped forward obligingly. I knew exactly why Jamie had called me out, and it wasn’t because of my petite frame. The man was eager for any excuse to put his hands on me.

He tilted his head down and gave me a little smirk.

“Hold on, Sassenach.”

With that, big hands were around my waist and lifting me off my feet. I let out a little squeal of surprise as I was suddenly hoisted into the air as if I weighed nothing.

I quickly got with the program, though, and reached up for the window. I fumbled with the bottom, trying to push it upward so I could climb in.

I felt myself moving and thought for a second that I was falling, but Jamie was just settling me to sit on his shoulder. I breathed a sigh of relief and used my new secure position to leverage the window open.

“In ye go, lass,” came Jamie’s voice from below me.

His hands went from my waist down to my hips, and suddenly he was shoving me up and toward the window.

I caught the ledge and pushed myself through, all but diving into the opening.

But instead of sailing through, I landed on my stomach with an “oof” and found myself caught halfway through the window.

There were various chuckles as Jamie obligingly placed both hands on my butt and pushed. I tumbled through the window and landed on the floor with a thud that made all the breath leave my lungs. I lay on the floor stunned for a second, fighting to regain my breath.

“Ye alright, lass?” Dougal called.

I groaned and sat up. I hauled myself up and poked my head through the window.

“Just fine,” I grumbled, “I’m going to open the door.”

I crossed the room to the front door, listening to the stomping feet outside running around the cabin. I unlocked it and whipped open the door. I made a grandiose gesture with my arm to welcome them to the house, and they all applauded. Taking my role as doorman seriously, I held it open as each of my friends-- Dougal and Gellis, Angus and Rupert, Frank, and finally Jamie-- came through. Jamie, on his way in, gave me an owlish blink that passed for a wink, and I had to stifle a laugh.

I was interrupted out of my thoughts by a shout from Angus.

“Oi! Dougal. Ye call this a lakehouse? I thought yer family was rich?”

The cabin indeed was sparse… to say the least. The main room, which functioned both as a kitchen and living room, was covered in a fine layer of dust. The two couches seemed cozy though, and the kitchen was equipped, other than the fact that the sink was missing a faucet and one of the kitchen chairs had a leg broken off. The hardwood floors were mostly intact. Off to the side was a single hallway that led to the bathroom and the three bedrooms.

It would do.

Everyone began to separate-- making to explore and claim bedrooms.

It was quickly divided that Geillis and I would bunk together, Dougal and Frank, and finally, Jamie would be stuck with Rupert and Angus. I gave him a little smirk and then a sympathetic pout as he followed behind the two boys to set their stuff in the shared room.

Geillis grabbed my hand, and dragged me into ours.

As soon as we had gotten settled in, Geillis plopped herself down on the bed we’d be sharing and then rolled onto her back so she was looking up at me from her upside-down position.

“Soooo, Claire, darling…” she said in a sing-songy coo.

I rolled my eyes. “What Geillis?”

“Who are ye gonna hook up wi’ this trip?”

I started to laugh, but it turned into a choke, and I gasped for air in disbelief. I felt my cheeks flushing.

“What the hell do you mean?” I stuttered out as I willed my cheeks to calm down.

“Ye’re the only single girl on this trip wi’ loads of guys, duh,” Geillis rolled her eyes, and then rolled herself over to her stomach and propped her chin on her crossed arms in front of her.

“Listen, my beautiful prudish friend. Dougal and I have been talkin’...”

“Do you speculate on my love life often?” I asked in a poor attempt to deflect. I was starting to feel some discomfort pricking at the back of my spine. Did she somehow know about me and Jamie?

“We’ve been thinkin’,” she started again, looking at me with raised eyebrows that dared me to interrupt, “you and Frank would make a verra fine pair.”

Several emotions rushed through me at the same time. First was relief that she didn’t actually know about me and Jamie and our secret was safe. The second was disgust. The thought of Frank and I together almost made me want to laugh in her face. Finally, my brain added just a bit of panic to the mix, because I would have to tell her “no” without arousing any suspicion.

“I don’t think so…” I chuckled dubiously. I shook my head as an involuntary blush warmed my cheeks.

Geillis sat straight up, bouncing on her knees on the bed, and tugged on my arm with both hands.

“Claaaaire,” she whined.

“I’m just not into him, Geil.”

She fixed me with cold green eyes. “That lad is fiiine,” she purred, “and he looks at ye like ye’re the bloody queen herself. He’s always carried a torch for ye. Why will ye no’ give him a try?”

“I just-” I started to protest, but Geillis cut me off.

“Give me one good reason why ye dinna want tae be wi’ Frank, and I’ll leave ye alone. But… If ye keep givin’ me these weak-ass excuses, I’m settin’ ye up.”

Panic rushed through my veins. I wished I could press pause on the whole situation and go talk with Jamie. My mind was racing, trying to come up with any excuse other than the truth. But my traitorous brain couldn’t come up with a single thing.

I opened my mouth, and then closed it again, looking at my friend helplessly.

With Jamie’s pleas to keep this a secret for a little while longer ringing in my mind, I made a split-second decision.

“Fine. Set us up.”

***

Apparently Geillis version of “setting us up” was forcing me into situations where I was alone with Frank as much as possible.

“Oh bloody feckin’ hell!” Geillis exclaimed, looking in her bag, “I must have left my chapstick all the way out in the car. Claire, darling,” she turned to me where I was sitting at the kitchen table, “will ye go get it for me?”

“Sure!” I said, standing up and reaching for the offered keys.

“Oh, but it’s saaae dark out there. A wee lass like yerself shouldnae go alone. Frank, would ye be a dear and see Claire safe?”

Frank gave a smile, also standing from his spot on the couch. “Of course,” he said, flashing his most handsome smile toward me.

I was aware that some (perhaps even many) women in our town were head-over-heels for him, finding him dashing. But as he offered an arm, the only thing I felt was annoyance.

The whole group was observing this, and a few childish “ooohs” emanated from where Rupert and Angus sat by the fireplace. I rolled my eyes.

Jamie suddenly appeared from the next room, drawn by the small ruckus.

“What’s-” he started to ask what was going on.

Geillis, looking incredibly proud of her match-making work, announced, “Oh, Claire and Frank were jus’ goin’ out together tae grab somethin’ from the car for me.”

Jamie— processing the scene before him as well as Geillis’ words— suddenly tensed, and his eyes flashed. Jamie had a very good poker face, and I doubted anyone noticed but me, but I knew him well enough to know jealous anger when I saw it. His blue eyes held a look of contempt aimed at the dark-haired Englishmen who was still holding out his arm toward me.

“I’d be happy to go get it fer ye instead, Geil,” Jamie tried.

It was a valiant effort to save me, I thought. But he severely underestimated the power of Geillis’ match-making efforts.

“Nae, nae, Claire and Frank would be happy tae do it. But thanks, lad. Off ye go now, ye two.”

I gave Jamie a covert look of helpless dismay and watched as he slumped in defeat. I felt a similar reluctance as I took Frank’s offered arm and we walked together outside.

The door shut behind us, and the safety of Jamie’s presence-- and everyone else’s-- slipped away.

“So,” Frank said, “it seems Geillis has it on her mind that we’d make a good couple.”

I laughed. “Seems that way.”

A nervous bubble was forming in my stomach.

“As does everyone else…” he said. It seemed he was trying to lead me toward something.

I didn’t know what to say, so I just stayed silent, lips pressed firmly together.

Frank seemed to take that as shyness, because he stepped closer to me as we walked down the driveway, and then grew even bolder.

“I have to say, I’m inclined to agree with them,” he purred.

His words rang in my ears as panic gripped me. My throat felt dry and scratchy, and I had no idea how to answer him. Why hadn’t I fought Geillis harder on this?

Frank suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

“You’re beautiful, Claire,” he announced. He said it was such finality, it was as if he expected me to throw myself at him in gratitude for the compliment. As if him saying it somehow sealed the deal that I should feel something for him.

I mustered a “thanks,” and then quickly scurried toward the van.

I unlocked it and threw myself into the passenger's seat before Frank could say anything else to me. I rooted around in the glove compartment until I found Geillis’ chapstick, cursing both it and her under my breath. I wished that I could just run inside to Jamie, grab his hand, and drag him outside with me.

But that wasn’t in the cards for us just now. So, accepting my fate, I hopped out of the van to face Frank again.

He was waiting patiently for me next to the van. Apparently he was taking his job of protecting me from all the late-evening attackers (ha!) because he was looking around as if he was really surveying the area for dangers to protect me from.

He offered his arm, and I reluctantly took it again.

Frank was a good guy. He was my friend. I didn’t want to be terribly mean to him. Even more, I didn’t want to endure another grilling session from Geillis about why I didn’t like him. I would just have to play along for the weekend. Suck it up, Beauchamp.

Frank was blessedly quiet on our way back in, and before I knew it, we were once again inside the cabin and in the protection of the presence of others.

Little did I know that the “others” would actually provide very little protection, and would more be terrible influences and orchestrators of putting me in situations I didn’t want to be in.

I wished I could talk to Jamie and explain what the hell was going on, but there wasn’t really an opportunity in the small cabin to get him alone without raising suspicion.

For the thousandth time this trip, I wished that I could throw myself at Jamie and feel his arms wrapped around me, hugging me close. I imagined what would happen if I got up at that very moment, walked around the room, and sat down on Jamie’s lap. My mind fantasized about how Jamie would pull me close and kiss me in front of everyone, and then allow me to snuggle into him and lay my head on his shoulder as the guys told their stories.

But that wasn’t the way things were just yet.

The group had just had dinner and was settling down in front of the fireplace on the couches. Anticipating all the alcohol we were about to drink, we’d whipped up a bucketload of spaghetti on the rickety stove and wolfed it down. Then, the drinks were broken out, and the festivities moved to the living room.

I was sitting next to Geillis nursing a beer and wondering to myself why anyone ever drank the foul stuff. I cursed myself for letting Rupert and Angus be in charge of the booze selection.

All of a sudden, Geillis, in her typical dramatic fashion, shot to her feet.

“Oh Frank,” she called across the room to the dark-haired man who was leaning against the wall, “come take my spot. Next to Claire.”

Geillis shot me a smirk over her shoulder, and I had to restrain myself to keep from rolling my eyes. I turned instead to watch Frank heading toward us, and in the process, caught sight of Jamie sitting across the room, his nose buried in his beer and eyes lowered. But I noticed the clench in his jaw, and my heart ached in sympathy.

I was brought from my musings when Frank plopped down on the couch next to me, the impact causing a slight tremor in the cushions that sent me sliding toward the middle-- closer to Frank, damn it.

Frank turned toward me and was just about to open his mouth when I was saved from a private conversation by Rupert.

“Claire,” he bellowed, “who dae ye think would win in a fight— Dougal or a black bear?”

“Oh definitely Dougal. He’s got enough rage to take down something 3 times his size.”

All the boys let out guffaws, smacking Dougal’s shoulder in congratulations at the praise.

As the conversation went on, I found my head had a pleasant buzz, and I remembered why beer wasn’t so bad. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying it too. The room had a warmth in it-- a bright, cozy atmosphere that made everyone a little more boisterous.

Frank, for his part, was especially melted by the cozy feel. He had been moving closer and closer to me as the conversations progressed so his thigh now touched mine and his side was barely pressed against me. Just as Angus was telling a dirty joke, Frank took the opportunity to raise his arm and drape it over my shoulder.

I started to stiffen, but forced myself to calm down. This was innocent, I could handle this.

But someone else couldn’t quite handle it.

I saw the exact moment when Jamie looked up to catch sight of us. A shadow fell across his features and they instantly hardened into a stony expression. But his eyes-- God his eyes-- they flashed an intense blue as they narrowed, and I could see every bit of tension in his muscles. He was coiled so tightly I thought he must surely either burst or fly across the room. But he was using every ounce of self control he possessed not to rush over, pull Frank from me, and beat him to a pulp.

For not the first time that night, I felt a little bad for Frank. The poor sop thought he had a real shot with a single woman. He had no idea the truth. Guilt made my stomach churn. I wasn’t exactly leading him on-- I made no mention that I returned his affections nor signaled that I enjoyed his touch in any way— but Frank had persisted.

So, Frank’s arm rested around my shoulders, and Jamie sulked across the room, his eyes never leaving us once.

Nearly an hour later, we were all well and truly sloshed. For me, that meant wanting desperately to jump Jamie’s bones. It must have been the same for Geillis and Dougal, because they disappeared into the back bedroom Dougal and Frank would be sharing. For Frank, he grew more bold, and had himself pressed fully against me. He kept trying to spark up conversation with me, but everything about him seemed to dull, and I mostly ignored him. Poor drunk Jamie was so fixated on me and Frank that he hardly said a word. He just glowered from his spot in the shadows across the room. Finally, for Angus and Rupert, their drunkenness was simply an intensification of their usual uninhibited personalities.

So, naturally, some fireworks were broken out.

“Do ye ken wha’ would happen if we sent it up the chimney?!” Angus bellowed.

“Woaahh,” I staggered to my feet-- blissfully removing myself from Frank’s arm-- and stumbled over to where Angus and Rupert were already knelt by a big box of fireworks that they produced from God-knows-where.

“I ha’ a lighter!” Rupert announced proudly as he produced said lighter from his pocket.

“You are going to burn the whole house down!” I exclaimed. I snatched the lighter from his fingers and walked into the kitchen to set it on the table.

When I returned, Jamie was staring at me unabashedly, and his beautiful blue eyes were pleading with me not to return to Frank’s side.

His wish was granted as Angus pulled out a couple sparklers with a wide grin and an opened-mouth laugh of glee. Before I could react, he was sprinting for the kitchen and grabbing the lighter. Rupert was on his heels, and the two boys smashed into each other as they reached the table. Angus snagged the lighter, and they both ran around to the other side of the island, sparklers in hand.

I found I didn’t have the willpower to stop them and could only pray that they didn’t burn the cabin down as they lit the sparklers. I watched in both fascination and dread as the little fireworks shot into sparks of light. Angus and Rupert waved them around triumphantly in the kitchen, faced awed.

I instinctively turned back toward the living room with the desire to see Jamie’s reaction, but to my surprise, I found him stalking into the kitchen, his usually soft blue eyes hard with anger and authority.

“Outside. Now,” he bellowed at the two fools. His voice held all the authority of a drill sergeant, and even more menacing was his posture. His back was ramrod straight, and his arm lifted to point straight at the door.

Jamie’s order sent Angus and Rupert scurrying for the door. I watched with a bit of disbelief as the very drunken men (boys, really) fell over themselves to shove their way outside, the sparklers still popping in their hands. Frank rose, too, muttering something about making sure they didn’t kill themselves.

The moment the door closed behind the three of them, hands were wrapping around my waist and pulling me into the protection of an alcove near the back door, and a hard body pressed me against the wall.

Before I had any time to process my sudden change of location, Jamie’s lips were attacking mine. He kissed with all the desperation and ferocity of a man who was starving. His arms tightening around my waist and pulling me flush against his body, he held me close and ravished my mouth. I felt him pouring out all the possessive energy that I knew had been building the entire night. I returned his kiss with equal desperation, my drunken brain responding on instinct, and I wrapped my arms around him.

“Ye’re mine,” he all but growled against my lips.

I managed a breathy, “yours,” just before his fingers wrapped themselves into my hair and tugged me into another deep kiss.

Finally, he pulled back, and we were both panting for breath, chests heaving in the slightest. I took a moment to study his face. His lips were puffy and his face lit with a fine dusting of red high on his cheekbones. But as my gaze swept further upward, I saw that his eyes blazed with possessive jealousy. That hard look made me sober instantly.

“Jamie, I’m sorry, they--” I started.

He seemed to deflate a bit, the muscles of his shoulders relaxing for the first time nearly this whole evening. He reached out a hand and softly cupped my cheek, and then let his fingers explore backward so they were carding through my curls. I melted into his soft touch.

“I dinna fash, I ken it’s no’ yer fault,” he said, instantly assuaging my fears.

I drew closer to him like a moon drawn into orbit. Pressing myself to him, I let my head thump against his shoulder in exasperation.

“Geillis has it in her head that Frank and I would make a great couple. I couldn’t tell her no without exposing us…”

“I ken, they’ve all been shovin’ the two of ye together all night,'' he growled, “and I could see ye pleadin’ wi’ me to rescue ye. God, Claire, I wish to God I couldha rushed over and torn his arm from his body jes’ for touchin’ ye.”

I tried to cut Jamie off, but he wasn’t done.

“Christ, Sassenach. I could kill him for this.”

Before I could start a reply— I had no idea what I might have said: defended Frank or tried to reassure Jamie— a warm mouth was capturing mine again. With a little whisper of a gasp, Jamie detached from my lips and started trailing his mouth down my jaw and to my neck.

He began to suck on the skin there, and my hands flew up to bury my fingers in his curls in response. I held him against me as he nipped and sucked and worried his teeth into the sensitive skin.

“He means nothing to me, Jamie--” my words were punctuated by a gasp, “I just have to play along-- for a little— until I can tell Geillis it didn’t work out.” His talented lips traveling up and down my neck made it nearly impossible for me to get the words out.

Jamie rose up, his eyes glimmering with the now familiar deep shade of blue that indicated jealousy, and towered above me.

“Aye. Play along. Jes’ dinna forget that ye’re mine.”

I shook my head and fixed him with earnest eyes.

“Never,” I breathed.

He gave me a smile that made my stomach flutter and my fears about his reaction dissolve completely.

Reaching down to tug me closer again, he joined our lips once more, and I finally had the opportunity to simply revel in his nearness, as I had been dreaming of doing this entire day.

Just as I lifted my hands to tangle in his curls and pull him closer, the sound of the door opening sent us flying apart.

Since I was trapped against the wall, after Jamie jumped backward, he quickly turned away from me and grabbed at something on the kitchen table in an attempt at nonchalance. I surveyed the alcove I was in and discovered a scrub brush hanging on a hook on the wall. Holding it up, I emerged to see the three men standing in the living room, paying zero attention to the kitchen. I abandoned my hastily-discovered, but now unnecessary, excuse by the sink and headed back toward them.

“So, did you boys have a nice time safely enjoying your fireworks?” I inquired.

“Aye!” Rupert bellowed, and I let out a laugh-- mostly releasing nervous energy at how close Jamie and I had gotten to being discovered.

As I walked back over, I noticed Frank’s dark eyes watching me intently. I could tell he had words on the tip of his tongue.

I must have returned his gaze for a second too long because suddenly the words were coming.

“It’s awfully pleasant out there. You can see so many stars. Care to join me, Claire?”

It took every ounce of self control for me not to turn behind me and shoot a helpless look at Jamie. But I could feel his eyes on me by the prickle in my spine. His weren’t the only pair fixed on me, though, as Frank was staring at me, waiting for me to respond to his invitation.

“Frank, that’s very kind, but I really am tired and think maybe I should--”

“It’s only 10 pm, ye granny!” Angus interjected, “ye cannae go tae bed this early!”

I stifled a groan of frustration. This weekend was making me understand the definition of “stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

I forced myself to give a smile to Frank. “Oh, alright then. But not for too long. I wouldn’t want to fall asleep on the porch.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’d carry you inside--”

Frank’s flirtation was cut off by a loud bang from the kitchen. All heads swiveled in that direction to find Jamie standing at the sink (his expression nothing short of smug).

“Oh, sorry, dropped a pot,” he said, voice sounding not at all apologetic.

He gave me a tiny reassuring nod which soothed the knot in my stomach and gave me the courage to turn back to Frank.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Somehow, I felt that I was walking to my own execution.

* Fortunately— and I truly thanked God profusely— Frank was not so drunk that he tried to kiss me. We just sat side-by-side on the edge of the porch and looked out at the sky. There was enough distance between us to help me feel comfortable (although I caught him trying to scooch closer a few times). Mostly, Frank rambled on about the constellations, naming them and giving some random fact about their discovery or uniqueness. I had been lying earlier when I had said I was tired, but after listening to Frank drone on (I pitied the girl who would someday actually go on a real date with him), I really began to actually want to doze.

My head jerked once as I nodded off and then caught myself, and when I looked up, I found Frank staring at me in the moonlight.

“Maybe you should go to bed…” Frank politely gave me the out, and I couldn’t have been more grateful.

“I think I should,” I agreed, and before he could say another word, I stood up and brushed my hands down my pants.

I bid him a hasty, “Goodnight, Frank,” and then fled inside.

In the living room, Rupert and Angus were passed out on the couches— Rupert with one leg thrown over the top of the arm, and Angus fully upside down, with his head off the edge— and both snoring profusely. Jamie was sitting in a chair by the hearth, giving a glum look to the neck of his half-drunk beer bottle. When I entered, his gaze shot up toward me. I knew Frank would be on my heels, so I couldn’t linger to comfort him. I just gave him a calming smile, blew him a discreet kiss, and then said, “Goodnight, Jamie,” just as the door opened again.

“Goodnight, Sassenach,” came his reply as I fled toward the door of my room.

Geillis was still with Dougal (I pitied Frank if he was careless enough to head into his and Dougal’s shared room) so I splayed myself out on the bed and luxuriated in the feeling of being horizontal. It had been a long day, and I was more than ready to fall into the embrace of unconsciousness. I managed to get myself up to brush my teeth, take ibuprofen, and drink some water before I fell back into bed.

As I started to drift off, thoughts of Jamie circled mercilessly in my head. I sighed, rolled over to my other side, and fluffed the pillow under my cheek. I hated this whole situation. Still, the way he had kissed me-- God, maybe jealousy was kind of hot. That brought a smile to my face, and as I closed my eyes again, I relived Jamie slamming me into the wall and kissing me over and over in my head.

*** The next morning brought a broken stove. Thankfully, Dougal was able to produce a camping stove from somewhere in the basement, and we all gathered on the porch to watch as he made pancakes. Geillis managed to shove Frank at me and get him to sit next to me on the porch swing, but other than his thwarted attempt at taking my hand, the morning was rather uneventful.

That day, we were planning to head to Loch A’an for a day of swimming. It would be a bit of hiking to the lake, and a cold swim once we got there, but Dougal and Jamie knew of a secluded beach that promised some fun without too many tourists.

Standing above my suitcase to get ready, I sighed to myself as I pulled out my swimming suit. The little black bikini had been chosen for Jamie’s discreet enjoyment. (I had secretly imagined how his eyes would bug out and how he’d have to hold his tongue when I first undressed at the lakeshore.) But now, with Frank’s attentions, I regretted bringing such a risque choice.

I changed quickly, and just as I was about to put on my shirt, Geillis entered the room.

When I had managed to fit my head through the collar and tug it down, I noticed Geillis looking at me with a smirk.

“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Ye have a hickey, Claire.”

I let out a gasp, and slapped a hand over the sore spot on my neck. I walked over to the mirror and looked to find I indeed had a hickey just at the edge of my collar.

Damn it, Jamie!

“Things go well wi’ Frank last night, then?” Geillis prodded.

“Uhh--” I stuttered helplessly.

I couldn't very well deny it, because there were no other options as to who would have given it to me.

“I--” I started again.

Geillis was looking at me with those big “spill the gossip” green eyes.

“I have to go!” I burst out.

I frantically snagged my bag and fled the room, then ran outside to join the safety of others.

On the drive, Dougal’s van bumping viciously on the gravel roads, the boys burst out into Gaelic song. Frank and I-- momentarily united by our Sassenach nature-- could only laugh along at their rowdy renditions. I smiled to myself when Jamie’s voice rose above the rest. He was adorably off key but he more than made up for it with his enthusiasm and unabashed volume.

It was a thankfully short drive, and the songs switched to English halfway through which allowed me to participate. Before I knew it, Dougal was pulling into the lot. We all piled out with nearly the same eagerness as we had after the 4 hour drive to get to the cabin.

As soon as we were out, I hastily slathered sunscreen over my poor pasty skin. Jamie always told me that I had ‘verra fine skin, like pearl,’ but I was cursing it since no one else had stopped to put any on themselves and were just about to leave me behind. Jamie, bless his heart, lingered back while the others started up the trail.

I finished as quickly as I could and ran to catch up. As I reached Jamie, he gently grasped my elbow and pulled me close to him (with a careful eye ahead to be sure no one was looking back).

“I wish I could help ye wi’ that sunscreen, a nighean,” he said in a low voice right next to my ear. A shiver went down my spine in response, but I didn’t trust my lips with words.

We quickened our pace to catch up with the others, and soon we had made it to the back of the group.

I took in the surroundings with awe. The cliffs, green with the summer, loomed around us. Their tips were jagged and rocky, and I felt myself itching to climb to the top of one to take in the view. It was a perfect summer day. Blessedly, it wasn’t raining, and the sun glimmered off of the water in the distance. It had been unseasonably warm that summer, almost unnaturally so, which was the only reason we were daring to swim in the usually chilly lake.

I was so entranced by the scenery that about halfway into our hike, my foot slipped off a rock on the edge of the path. My ankle rolled, and I let out a yelp as I started to skid down the slight embankment.

Quick as a flash, Jamie had grabbed my arm and hauled me up. I fell against him, still completely off balance, and found myself pressed to his chest for a second before I gained awareness and pulled back.

“Are ye alright, Sassenach?” Jamie asked. I noticed his eyes were shining with worry.

The rest of the group had halted and turned back, and Geillis was making her way toward me from the front of the group.

“I’m fine, I think. I rolled my ankle a little though.”

I tested my weight on it and winced as a small jolt of pain traveled up my leg.

“Do ye need me tae take ye back?” Jamie asked in a low voice.

“I’m alright, it’s just a little tender. I can keep going. Maybe just can you--”

“Frank!” Geillis’ sing-songy call interrupted my question, “why dinna ye help Claire? Her puir ankle is painin’ her, I’m sure she could use an arm tae hold onto.”

Frank split apart from the group and materialized at my side.

“Allow me,” He said as he managed to shoulder his way between me and Jamie.

I stood mutely, and he walked around to my bad side and started to lift my right arm over his shoulder.

“Oh, that’s really not necessary, I can walk,” I chuckled nervously as his hand snaked its way around my waist.

“Perhaps just until the soreness wears off,” Frank said dismissively.

He took a step forward, and pressed to him as I was, I went with him. I accepted my fate with the burning of embarrassment flaring in my cheeks.

Truth be told, it was helpful to relieve the pressure on my ankle. Frank actually made a decent crutch, and we quickly found our rhythm. Worse than the pain in my ankle would have been, though, was the sight of Jamie walking next to me but just out of reach. His shoulders were slumped, and he was trying desperately not to look at us.

God, I wished it was his arms around me.

I clenched my teeth and allowed Frank to help me forward. The ground soon turned into an incline, and I looked up from my feet to see that we were nearing the secluded beach of the lake. It was a rocky shoreline, with big boulders sticking up out of the water all over the place, but it still looked very inviting. A child-like glee rushed through me at the thought of playing around the boulders and in the water.

Soon, we were all on the beach, and Frank was letting me go to set down his things. The boys ripped off their shirts, and Angus and Rupert went flying into the water with loud whoops of glee. I set down my bag and then straightened to find two pairs of eyes on me-- Frank and Jamie.

Jamie had already stripped off his shirt, and I took a fleeting glance up and down his body to appreciate him. Frank stood further from the water, by the bushes, but I could tell he was just as eager as my boyfriend to watch me strip down to my swimming suit.

A wave of frustration swept over me, and I felt very bold as I met Frank’s gaze and gave him a chastising stare in return. Realizing he had been discovered watching, Frank averted his eyes, and made to take off his own shirt.

Might as well get this over with, Beauchamp.

I stripped off my shirt and shimmied down my shorts all in one quick motion, and then threw the clothes into my bag.

Jamie’s reaction was comically similar to what I had imagined.

His eyes did indeed go wide, as his gaze very markedly raked up and down my body. A grin started to form on his lips, but then he suddenly remembered our location, and horror flashed in his eyes as he looked toward Frank and the others. I thought Jamie had half a mind to run over and throw his shirt over me to cover me up (the thought of which made me laugh), but he was left frozen and rooted in place.

I began walking toward the water, hoping perhaps I could get there before Frank finished rummaging through his bag. But no such luck. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him catch sight of me, but I had no desire to take in his reaction.

Damn it, I am not on display for you to ogle!

I waded quickly into the water, gasping at its chilly temperature and then hastily sinking down in the shallows to hide myself from any unwanted view.

Soon, all of my frustration over male objectification was swept from my mind as Geillis appeared and tried to dunk my head under water.

We swam and clambered on rocks and boulders for what felt like hours. I floated in the water and allowed the sun to warm me, occasionally turning over to dive under and enjoy the feeling of being submerged in the cold water.

After a while, I grew tired, and I swam my way over to a cluster of particularly large rocks. I pulled myself up onto one and stretched out on its warm surface. Peaking around to make sure that Frank hadn’t snuck up on me without my notice (I had been carefully avoiding him ever since getting in the water), I noticed that the rocks blocked me from view of the entire group, and I allowed myself to relax. The surface of the rock was smooth, as if made for lounging, and I soaked up as much of its warmth as I could.

I nearly screamed as a hand closed around my ankle and jerked me out of my peaceful daze.

I clamped my mouth shut as I caught sight of a grinning Jamie, his curls wet and dripping around his face, his upper body resting casually on my rock.

“Sorry tae startle ye, mo ghraidh. It’s jes’ that ye looked sae bonny and peaceful, I couldna help myself.”

The hand moved from my ankle to caress up the outside of my calf and squeeze. Even just a subtle touch like that had me sitting up and reaching for him.

“Get up here, bloody Scot,” I whispered.

We both took a quick glance around to ensure no one else had wandered into our secluded spot, and then the next moment, Jamie was hauling himself up next to me and gathering me into his arms.

The kiss was nothing like the one the night before. Jamie took his time, lips soft and giving as he patiently pressed them to mine. His hand reached up to cup my neck (God his hand was so big) and his thumb massaged it gently. The kiss was a slow burn, but the fire nonetheless scorching for it. I felt him smile against me as I smoothed my hands greedily over the bare skin of his back.

“I’ve missed ye,” he murmured against my lips.

“We’ve been together all day,” I teased, knowing completely what he meant. I had been feeling the same way. Being so close to him yet forbidden to touch him or even pay attention to him was maddening.

“Aye, but ye and Frank have been together all day, too,” Jamie’s voice absolutely dripped with jealousy, and his burr came out strong with Frank’s name, turning it into a derisive “Frrrrrank.”

“I don’t want to talk about him, I just want to enjoy being with you,” I pleaded as I fused our lips together again.

I hated that every moment had to be stolen in secret. Even now, I would have given anything to spend time simply laughing and joking with him, wrestling him in the water. But beggars couldn’t be choosers, and I was pretty darn grateful for his kisses.

But Jamie must have somehow read my thoughts, because he was pulling back and taking my hand. His eyes held a gleam of mischief.

“Will ye swim a bit wi’ me, Sassenach?” he asked.

When I nodded, he splashed into the water, and then dragged my hand down so I followed him.

I had adjusted to being on the warmth of the rock, so the moment my body submerged under the freezing water, it was a shock to my system. I cursed under my breath and began to shiver.

Jamie laughed at me, his eyes crinkling delightfully at the corners.

“Cold, lass?” he asked in a teasing tone.

“Of course I’m cold,” I chattered, “aren’t you?”

“Nae. Ye ken Scots dinna get cold, Sassenach. Come ‘ere and let me warm ye up.”

Jamie’s hands found my hips, and he pulled me through the water until I was pressed flush against his bare chest. I smiled and wrapped my arms around my neck and my legs around his waist.

He floated around for a while with me clinging to him like a koala bear, keeping his arms tightly around my shivering form as he waded further backward.

“I kent ye were naturally cold, but ye really are freezin’, puir wee thing. Ye’re shaking’ so hard ye’re makin’ my teeth rattle,” Jamie commented.

I nodded pathetically against his chest.

“Would be quite a shame if I were tae--”

All of a sudden, Jamie was dipping me backward into the water, making to throw me from him and submerge me.

But I clung to him with all my might and let out a whisper-screech, and he was forced to straighten back up, laughing. I scrambled further up his body, climbing him like a tree in an effort to stay out of the water.

“Alright, if ye’ll no’ leave me, I’ll jes hafta go wi’ ye.”

With an evil grin, Jamie bent his knees, and we both plunged under.

I pushed on his chest, breaking free of his arms and swimming backwards away from him.

“Traitor,” I hissed, “you’re supposed to be my personal heater.”

“And yer supposed tae be my girlfriend, no’ my baby koala,” he shot back.

“I’ll show you baby koala,” I laughed as I lunged toward him.

I grabbed the top of his head and made it shove it downward under the water, but I had underestimated Jamie’s strength, and he simply didn’t budge as I attempted to pull his face down.

I froze, looking at Jamie and the mischievous gleam that had returned to his eyes. I had just enough time to mutter a “crap,” before he was on me.

I had to suppress a squeal as, instead of grabbing for my head as I had expected, Jamie dove under, grabbed my ankle, and tugged me sharply downward. I gasped in air just before my mouth went under the surface. I kicked wildly in the murky water around me, hoping to catch Jamie in the rib as payback, but my feet made no satisfying connections.

My head popped back out of the water, and I saw Jamie bobbing a meter away.

He started swimming, and I pursued him all the way to where the lake grew slightly shallower and we could both touch the bottom.

Once I reached him, I shoved at him playfully, and he indulgently pretended that I was actually propelling him backward.

“Alright-- alright,” he said between laughs as I continued to push at his chest, “truce.”

I paused and eyed him warily.

“Seal it with a kiss?”

“Always,” he said as he leaned in eagerly with lips puckered invitingly.

Just before he reached me, I cupped my hands and sent a spray of water right up into his face.

Jamie sputtered at the splash, and then looked up at me, mouth agape in betrayal.

“Ye’ll pay fer that, little lassie,” he growled.

He was just about to lunge toward me when a shout of “Claire? Jamie?” came from a short distance away. We both froze and looked at each other.

“Over here!” Jamie yelled.

“Och, thank Christ. We thought ye may have drowned,” came Rupert’s answering call.

“Nae. Jes’ got distracted swimmin’ after a fish and found Claire. Come on, lass.”

I leaned in to give Jamie one last gratuitous, self indulgent kiss, and then we swam back to the group.

We had a picnic on the beach, all inhaling our sandwiches and crisps as if we hadn’t eaten in days. Then, we spent the rest of the afternoon lounging around and taking in the beautiful sight. After we had enough of lazing about, we decided to call it a day and head back. As we finished packing up, Frank appeared at my side and offered to help me on the walk back. I insisted that my ankle was much improved and declined politely, and I watched as his face fell in disappointment. From behind him, I noticed Jamie’s light up.

I walked back (by myself, thank you very much) at a brisk pace, eager to remain at the front of the group and away from Frank.

Geillis kept looking at me and gesturing toward Frank, but I just ignored her.

I was pretty worn out from a long day of playing in the water. I was drooping in fatigue in that way one does after their strength has been sapped by the cold. When we all squished together into the van, I found myself sitting next to Jamie in the back. As Dougal began the long drive back, the rumble of the van underneath me began to lull me to sleep.

I craned my head back to rest it on the seatback and frowned, knowing there would certainly be a crick in my neck by the end of the drive.

As I began to drift off, I felt a big, familiar hand gently tilt my head and guide it onto his shoulder. I smiled sleepily and nuzzled my face into Jamie’s shirt.

Best part of the trip so far.

***

Dinner was leftover spaghetti and salads because we had been too cheap to buy anything else. I still wolfed it down, and didn’t even mind the taste of the accompanying beer. We played a drinking game after dinner— Angus insisting that beer and tequila were a dessert. It was something with cards, but I was so confused by the rules and so bad at it that I was drunk within only a few rounds and had no hope of ever actually learning the game. Frank was drunk too, and he was fully pressed against my side, an arm slung casually around my waist.

I stiffened, trying to send the message that it was an unwelcome touch, but either he didn’t notice or didn’t care, because his arm remained.

Geillis shot me a million-watt smile, and said, “they’re so cute together, are they no’, Dougal?”

Dougal only made a Scottish noise in his throat before picking up his beer.

I couldn’t bear to look toward Jamie to see either his rage or his despair.

I ducked out of the game politely, saying that I was well beyond my drink limit, and then tore myself from Frank’s grip and scurried off to the bathroom.

I shuddered to myself as I looked in the mirror.

One more day, Beauchamp. Tomorrow you go home. You can do this.

I ran my fingers through my wild curls and then stepped out of the bathroom.

I was just passing the final door in the hallway and about to reenter the living room when a hand shot out and tugged me by the wrist into the dark room. I stumbled straight into Jamie’s solid chest.

“Sorry, I didna mean to scare ye, but seein’ him touchin’ ye like that drives me mad.”

His arms looped possessively around my waist, and I melted against him.

“It drives me mad, too,” I said as I was fitted perfectly into Jamie’s embrace.

He drew back and hooked a finger under my chin to tilt my face upward. He leaned down and attached his mouth to mine, kissing me like he never wanted to do anything else. His lips pressed insistently, withdrawing for a moment only to dive back in again with renewed fervor. Our kisses made soft snicking sounds in the dark room as he pressed and released.

“Jamie--” I forced out between kisses, “I-- they’re going to-- mhmmm-- notice we’re gone.”

He pulled back reluctantly, and my lips tingled with the absence of his touch.

“I suppose ye’re right. Go on then,” he said sadly with a tilt of the head.

He placed a solid (but surprising soundless) smack on my bum as I leaned in for one last quick kiss and then left the room.

The rest of the night’s entertainment went by in a flash. Frank was all over me. It was like a game of cat and mouse-- I’d evade him for a moment only to be cornered the next. I finally ended up on the floor next to Geillis, desperately linking my arm to hers in the vain hope that it might discourage Frank.

We were all seated on the floor in a circle and looking expectantly at each other in the hopes that someone might suggest something else.

A suggestion did come, but not a welcome one.

“How about we play spin the bottle?” Geillis giggled with raised brows.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Thankfully, Rupert piped up.

“Tha’s no faiiir,” he whined, “the only lasses here are ye and Claire. I dinna want tae end up kissin’ this numpty,” he jerked a beefy thumb in the direction of Angus, who was staring drunkenly down at his hand as if it was the most bizarre thing he’d ever seen.

“He has a point, Geil,” Jamie declared in support, “I dinna think we have quite the numbers tonight. It’s late, perhaps we should go tae bed.”

Geillis nodded in acquiescence.

All at the same time, we staggered to our feet, using any available object for support.

“Before we part ways, I hafta suggest a wee room trade,” Geillis said suddenly.

Everyone froze at that. We were all tired and beyond desperate for a soft bed. I noticed everyone’s eyes widening in dismay. Rupert looked ready to stomp his feet like a toddler having a tantrum.

Geillis shot him a look. “Dinna get yer panties in a twist, I didna mean you. I would like to spend the night wi’ Dougal, so how about I go tae his room and Frank goes tae Claire’s room so they can have a wee bit o’ alone time?”

Horror flooded my veins and I suddenly went still as a statue. My brain provided a very unhelpful mantra of no, no, no but produced no coherent response, or better yet, rejection to offer Geillis.

My eyes flicked helplessly to Jamie, and I found him seething with rage. His hands were clenched at his sides in tight fists of barely controlled anger.

“Alright by me,” Frank piped up from beside me.

All of a sudden, all of Jamie’s jealous fury exploded.

“That’s it!” He bellowed, and launched himself across the room.

He shoved Frank away from me so hard that the poor man went staggering backward until he plopped down on the couch. Jamie whirled to face me and grabbed me forcefully around the waist and jerked me against him.

“Claire is my girlfriend, alright? We’re dating! My heart and soul belongs to her, and I canna bear tae see this go on fer another second. She’s mine.”

The room was absolutely silent and dead still as everyone stared at me and Jamie. His declaration hung in the room for the longest moment, and the tension was so thick I thought I would have been able to feel it if I waved my hand through the air. Jamie still had me pressed against him tightly, and was looking around with narrowed eyes as if daring anyone to try to take me from him.

Finally, the silence was broken by the sound of Geillis beginning to laugh.

“Took ye long enough.”

Now it was mine and Jamie’s turn to be steamrolled by shock.

“What do you mean, ‘took you long enough’?” I asked slowly, finding my tongue to be thick and heavy in my mouth.

“I’ve been tryin’ tae get him tae do that all weekend!” she exclaimed. She had the audacity to sound exasperated.

I just stared at my friend blankly. She rolled her eyes.

“That’s what the whole “Frank thing” was about. I needed a way to force ye to fess up.”

I was still so taken aback that I couldn’t seem to find my voice. But Jamie did.

“Ye kent? About us?” He asked incredulously.

“Aye, of course I did! Ye two arena exactly discreet. Ye cannae keep yer hands tae yourselves, fer Christ’s sake! Any moment when ye think no one’s lookin’, ye’re all over each other. Plus, ye always disappear at the same time. And ye didna think we’d catch on?”

Angus chose that moment to speak up. “For the record, I didna ken a thing.”

“Shut yer mouth, ye big oaf,” Geillis hissed, “this isna about you.”

She crossed her arms and looked at us accusingly. Her sharp, squinted eyes demanded answers.

I sighed. Jamie shifted a little next to me and resettled his arm around my waist-- more comfortable and supportive and less possessive now that it had been made clear that I was off the market.

“Claire and I have been seeing each other ever since we went off to University of Edinburgh,” Jamie began to explain.

Dougal clapped his hands in triumph and elbowed Geillis. “I told ye it’d been that long.”

Jamie leveled him with a look. “Do ye wanna hear the story or no’?”

Everyone fell silent, and I picked up the narrative.

“I’m sorry we didn’t say anything sooner. You know Jamie’s parents wouldn’t approve, and neither would my Uncle, so we decided to keep things a secret while at home until we could break the news to them.”

Everyone nodded understandingly. Relief made all the tension flow from my muscles, and I leaned heavily against Jamie. Our friends just stood there staring at us for a long moment, as if sizing us up as a couple. I felt like a mannequin on display, and held Jamie a little more tightly.

“Were you terribly surprised to figure out we were together?” I found myself asking to break the silence

“Och, no, the lad’s been head over heels for ye since ye were bairns,” Dougal said with a dismissive wave.

I looked up at Jamie with a smile. “What? Is that true?”

The dusting of red making its way up his neck to his cheeks was all the answer I needed.

“Aye. I kent I was gonna marry ye the first time I laid eyes on ye the first day of primary school. It jes’ took a little while fer adult us tae catch up.”

My own cheeks burned at his words and I went up on tip-toes to place a sweet, chaste kiss on Jamie’s lips.

Hollers came from Angus and Rupert, ever the childish ones, and I pressed my smile onto Jamie’s.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. Frank hadn’t said a peep the entire time Jamie and I were explaining ourselves. With a furrowed brow, I turned behind me to where Jamie had pushed Frank onto the couch.

As I did, I was greeted by the sight of him completely passed out and slumbering peacefully on the couch.

“I guess he’ll get filled in sooner or later,” Jamie chuckled.

We turned back to the others. I felt a lightness in my chest at the transparency and was relieved that I had the freedom to spend time with Jamie as much as I pleased again.

“Well, I guess we really will have tae change rooms now,” Geillis announced, “I’ll sleep wi’ Dougal, Jamie’ll go wi’ Claire, and Frank--- weel, I guess Frank’ll sleep out here tonight.”

Jamie’s hand slipped up under my shirt to rest on my bare skin. I felt him tap his fingers against my side in eager anticipation of being together again. I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

“Sounds like a plan, goodnight everyone,” I said.

I had barely finished bidding everyone goodnight when Jamie began dragging me down the hall toward my room.

Good night indeed.

***

The next morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we took our time packing and cleaning up. Someone must have brought Frank up to speed, because now it was his turn to mope. Jamie, on the other hand, was all smiles. He clung to me like a starfish all morning, finding any excuse to touch me. He was more than happy to flaunt our relationship in front of Frank now that he had the opportunity. As I did the dishes (and Jamie was supposed to be sweeping), he came up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and began to trail kisses down the side of my neck. I turned and playfully smacked a sud-covered hand on his cheek, leaving him half a soap beard. A small wrestling match occurred as Jamie tried to reach around me to grab some soap for his revenge, but it was soon broken up by a “dinna go wild now, ye two” from Dougal.

Later, as I started toward the car, ready to load my bag, Jamie caught up to me and snagged it from my hand.

“May I take this for ye, milady?” he asked cordially, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

“I am capable of carryin’ a little duffle.”

“I ken that fine, my strong wee lass. Only I love ye verra much and wish to serve ye.”

“Well, if you put it like that…”

I handed him the duffle and smacked him on the bum as he started toward the door. He let out a whoop of surprise and jumped. Nothing was more satisfying.

Watching the whole exchange in the corner was Frank, his dark eyes hard with jealousy.

As Jamie disappeared outside with my bag, I felt compelled to approach the Englishman.

“Listen, I’m sorry if you felt I led you on. I really tried not to give you any signs I was interested, Geillis just kept shoving us together. I hope there’s no hard feelings that I’m with Jamie.”

I extended a hand to him and gave him my best apologetic smile. He looked from my hand up to my face, then back to my hand. Ignoring the proffered appendage, he shouldered past me and muttered “slut” under his breath. Then, he had disappeared from the room.

I stood rooted to the spot. Completely floored by his attitude, I couldn’t seem to bring myself to move.

Jamie returned to find me in that position, staring off at the hallway down which Frank had disappeared.

“Sassenach? What’s wrong?” He asked.

He moved closer and slid an arm around me as if sensing I needed support.

“Frank just showed me his true colors I guess,” I quietly said, still taken aback.

Jamie was instantly moving into my line of vision. “He didna try tae touch ye again, did he? I swear I’ll--”

I cut him off before he could go listing threats. “I tried to apologize to him and say no hard feelings...” I said quietly. I fixed my gaze on Jamie and furrowed my brows, “and he called me a slut.”

Jamie stiffened. I could see the rage flicker over his face before he composed it. He looked me in the eye for a moment, gauging whether I was okay. Finding me satisfactorily composed, he straightened up.

“I’ll kill him,” he said decidedly.

He began to stride with single minded purpose toward the bedrooms, his fists clenched at his sides, but I snapped out of my daze and caught his wrist to pull him back.

“It doesn’t matter, Jamie,” I said, “really, it doesn't. I couldn’t care less what Frank thinks. He was all over me all weekend without permission. I’m with you, darling. Let’s just forget about him. He can sulk all he wants on the way back, and then we never have to see him again.”

I tugged on Jamie's arm pleadingly and prayed that he’d see reason and abandon his task of pummeling Frank into oblivion in defense of my honor. After a long moment, he gave me a stiff nod. I relaxed, and Jamie followed suit, the angry set of his shoulders softening.

“No man should speak tae ye that way, but if ye ask me tae leave it be, I will,” he said softly.

He stooped down to kiss me lightly on the forehead.

When he pulled back, I caught his hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Come on, let’s finish loading up. Maybe this time I’ll take your bag for you.”

If Jamie had been clingy before, he was insufferable the entire ride back. We ended up on the bench seat in the middle together, and he didn’t stop touching me the entire ride home. I knew he checked the rearview mirror to gauge Frank’s reaction behind us, but the man doggedly stared out the window, completely silent the entire time, refusing to look at us. The ride was much quieter as a whole-- everyone was tuckered out from the last few days. I separated myself from Jamie so that I could shift to the side, and then I laid my head down on his lap.

Ever so gently, his fingers began carding through my hair. He started up a delightful rhythm-- a press of fingertips into my scalp, a swirl, and then a gentle pull as he tugged carefully through my curls. Every once in a while, he would change it up, and take his whole hand to brush the lot of it away from my face. His touch was so tender and relaxing that I began to drift off.

I had nearly fallen asleep when I felt lips pressing to my temple.

“I love ye, Sassenach,” he whispered.

I tilted my head so I could smile sleepily up at him. “I love you, too.”

His hands cupped my cheeks, both thumbs stroking over them, and I opened my eyes wider.

He was looking down at me with a complicated look on his face-- a mix of love, affection, and something far more serious.

“What is it?” I asked, placing a hand over his where it cradled my face.

He gave me a smile. “Let’s tell my parents and your uncle when we get back, aye?”

I broke into a beam and nodded against his lap.

“Yes. Let’s tell them. I’ve had enough of this keeping secrets business to last a lifetime.”

***

THE END. But not really! Here’s the sequel The Deal

#there you have it folks #my first attempt in the romcom genre!#maybe it ended up being a bit more like a rom-dram but I still had fun #I'd love to hear your thoughts!!!#outlander fanfiction #outlander fanfic #outlander fluff #Outlander #claire x jamie #Claire/Jamie #romcom

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gh0stiegirlie · 4 years

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synopsis: all it took was one glance at the hotheaded boy at the U.A. exam, and you were smitten. for deku, it was a single act of kindness that instigated his immediate attraction to uraraka. several months into school, best friends y/n and deku are left heartbroken when. uraraka and bakugou start a relationship. when you and deku find yourselves confiding in each other, a question arises; is this love, or loneliness? are you two better just as friends?

length: 3.5k words

pt. 2 ->

a/n: that moment when you start a new bakugou series in the middle of another bakugou series 🤡 I hope you enjoy the result of procrastinating on my other story and writing a little too much.

It all started the day of U.A.’s practical exam.

You were pushing your fingers down on every tender joint you could pop, loosening your body as much as possible for the physically strenuous activity ahead. When you bent over into the downward dog position, through your legs disheveled blond hair caught your eye. His hair was so spiky if you pricked your finger on a strand, it would draw blood. You stretched out your back before crawling your arms up your body until you were standing, then turned to examine the boy.

It looked like someone had glued a golden porcupine on his head, a hairstyle that on the majority would look hideous. But the way his bouncing spikes threatened to poke anyone who came too close as he stomped around, made it suit him. When you lowered your eyes to the rest of his body, that was when you discovered this pomeranian boy was not only super hot, but super fit. His tight black tank top hugged his upper body, and his shoulders and biceps alone were so bulky it looked like the straps may snap. Along with that, the flimsy top did nothing to hide his abs from the imagination. He had developed muscles in places you never knew muscles existed.

As you were not-so-subtly checking this guy out while pretending to stretch, another contender approached the boy. She was stereotypically hot, with full features and an unattainable sinched waist. A flare of jealousy hit you like a wave of heat, and you nearly used your quirk to warn the girl to back the fuck off. This feeling immediately dissipated when he aimed his hand at the girl and dismissed her... with a fucking explosion. Within seconds, she was in a dazed heap on the other side of the warm-up room with some minor burns. The whole room fell silent, turning to the boy with petrified expressions. He nonchalantly shoved his hand in his pocket, leaned on one leg, and clenched his jaw. Although his posture was shit and his pants were sagging, you could tell he wasn’t a fool.

“Now, if any of you other extra’s feel like messing with me,” his vermillion scanned the crowd for someone attentive and vulnerable, and they eventually fixed on you with a smirk, “don’t.”

He made your knees weak with one word.

That’s when you started falling.

When you discovered you were in the same class as Bakugou, you were ecstatic. Back then, your crush was a minuscule weed in your garden. It sat among the fully grown flowers of your aspirations, completely harmless.

You’re now halfway through your first semester at U.A., and your crush on Bakugou has fully blossomed. Whether it’s grown into the weed or a rose, you’re unsure. All you know is your love weed is now the size of a goddamn oak tree, and for it to grow to this extent, it has pushed the rest of your garden out of the way.

You spend half of your Math class stealing subtle glances at Bakugou, watching him repeat the teachers' lessons to himself in hushed mumbles as he writes down every word in his notebook. He has a habit of vehemently taking notes to the point of dulling out his pencil, groaning when he has to shove it into his pencil sharpener (he used to use the schools, but he grew too irritated of leaving his seat every few minutes), only for his poor pencil to require another sharpening moments later. Following Math is English, and during this class you enjoy gazing out the windows to daydream. Your English classroom was built with large oblong windows that stretch from the floor to the ceiling to reveal the grand U.A. courtyard below and you tend to use it to study the upperclassmen. You watch the class of 2-A enjoy their lunch hour as they walk, eat, and hold hands around campus. Sometimes you imagine them as you and Bakugou. You think about holding his hand while dancing around the cherry trees, eating lunch with him and his ‘Bakusquad’ and much, much more.

Love is a strong word, and you’re hesitant to label your feelings accordingly. But damn, are your feelings strong for this boy.

Deku can say the same about Uraraka. He literally fell for her on the way to the practical exam. And even though she caught him, he’s continued falling ever since.

Everytime Uraraka spars during training, Deku gives her his undivided attention. Not because he’s a perv or anything-- he just admires her so much. Her quirk requires her resourceful and thoughtful, so she always has a brilliant plan up her sleeve. His favorite part about her battles is the way she smiles when she knows she’s won. It’s never a smile of egotistical pride; It’s a smile that displays she’s satisfied with herself. That she acknowledges she’s victorious, not because “she’s the best”, but because she worked for it. He can never hold back from beaming himself. When someone that cute smiles, how can you resist?

But, there is a difference between you two. Deku holds the advantage of being friends with Uraraka; You simply adore Bakugou from a distance, while everyone else hates him from that distance.

Until one day, Aizawa mentions the first-semester partner project. You already know Izuku is going to choose Uraraka, and you know Iiada wouldn't be caught dead partnering with you (even though the class calls you the 'golden girl', you're still a bit too 'rebellious' for his taste.) From the way Kaminarai and Kirishima smirk at eachother, you're pleased to see they're going to pair up, because this leaves Bakugou with no partner. A spot you would love to fill.

After class you don't rush to make it to Bakugou, knowing no one else wants to be his partner after what happened between him and Kirishima (Lots of Bakugou yelling how “shitty hair is an idiot!” and using textbooks as a weapon to smack Kirishima’s head). But you wouldn't mind. You would be happy just to be his idiot.

You're snapped out of your daydreams when Uraraka spontaneously approaches Bakugou. You smirk and lean against your desk, expecting a hilarious interaction that starts with a heated “GET AWAY FROM ME WEIRD GIRL!!” and ends with a very large explosion. I mean, at the sports festival, not only could he not connect her name with her face, he had absolutely no fucking clue who she was! But instead of blowing her away in a fit of rage, as he did with that girl so many months ago, they talk.

You and Deku never discussed your feelings for those two with each other, but you acknowledged them. You being his closest friend, it’s clear as fucking day that Deku is head over heels for Uraraka. And being your best friend, it’s obvious to Deku that you want to smash faces with the class hothead.

So, naturally, as the two of you watch this interaction unfold, there’s a mutual feeling of disgust. An unspoken what the fuck?! is exchanged between your eyes, until Deku’s lip quivers and he quickly looks away while you glare daggers into Uraraka’s stupidly hot body. After a few infuriating minutes, it’s grossly clear their conversation isn’t concluding anytime soon. You’re repulsed as you ask Deku to be your partner, to which he responds with a meek head nod. You sigh and hug the poor boy. Surprisingly Deku doesn’t start crying blood when you, a girl, touches him. Instead, he nuzzles his head deep into your neck, as by now he’s comfortable with your friendship.

"Hey, do you wanna go out for ice cream?" you ask when you pull away. You nudge him with your elbow. "I'll pay!"

Izuku blinks away his tears as he agrees, desperately trying to block the waterworks from leaking.

"Cmon, Zuzu." you coo, exiting the classroom. Before you and Izuku head to the dining hall, you shoot a quick glare at Uraraka, who is purposely shoving her tits out in Bakugou's face as she laughs at whatever he just said. At least you know he's better than to fall for that... Hopefully.

"One Yukimi Daifuku and one chocolate Sofuto Kurimu, please," you ask the cafe cashier. She mumbles the amount you owe, and you shuffle your hand around the change in your pocket before handing her a few dollars.

When you bring Izuku his icecream, he lifts his head off the table. He plays around with his food for a while before sloppily shoving a scoop in his mouth. You moan when you take your first bite.

"I swear, this ice cream is top tier!" you boom in enthusiasm. "Like, seriously, who allowed cafeteria food to be this good?!"

A short chuckle escapes Izuku's frowning lips. "That's U.A. for ya. The food somehow gets better every day."

"I know, right!" You use your spoon to point at Izuku's Yukimi Daifuku. "I feel like they handpicked that rice in your Yukimi from U.A.'s personal rice fields." you joke, which finally breaks Izuku's drab demeanor. He lets out a genuine laugh.

"I don't think U.A. has it's own rice fields." he rationalizes. The knot in his stomach loosens every time you make him laugh, allowing his appetite to grow. He takes a few eager bites of his Yukimi Daifuku. You playfully punch Izuku's shoulder.

"Really? This place is so fucking big I wouldn't be surprised if it had its own strip club or someth-MFF!" Izuku cuts you off by slapping a hand over your mouth. He pulls it back to his and signs "shh".

"Y-Y/n! Be quiet!" he warns, his face dark red from stifling his laughter.

"What?! You don't want to think about All Might gettin--" you stop here, because Izuku has buried his face in his hands in order to ignore you. You laugh. "Okay, okay Deku. I'll stop." You ruffle his hair platonically.

"Thanks. I was afraid I was going to throw up my Yukimi if you kept going." he expresses, to which you laugh again. There's a fleeting pause as the two of you take a moment to appreciate each other's presence. Maybe all you really need is each other.

Maybe, as long as you're just friends, everything will be okay.

"Thanks, Y/n. I needed this." Izuku smiles, and you can't help but smile with him.

One week later, the project is due and the weird partnership between Uraraka and Bakugou remains unmentioned between the three of you and Iiada. You’ve wanted to discuss it with her, but Izuku keeps holding you back. So the four of you engage in breakfast per usual; laughing, talking, and stuffing your faces. By this time, you assume Uraraka has forgotten about her little stunt. But it remains at the forefront of your mind, because what the fuck?!

Deku believes it to be a momentary lapse in judgment, but you know girls better than that. She had been plotting that move for a while. Uraraka probably spent weeks building up her self-esteem enough to talk to him, and then another few days encouraging herself to actually do it.

So, when Uraraka skips over to Bakugou that day, you’re not surprised. But, what she does next shocks you.

Uraraka kisses Baugous cheek.

You wait expectantly for Bakugou to send her flying out a window. Instead, he smirks and wraps his burly arm around her thin waist. Her waist is so thin, his arm fits around it like a bracelet. How can you even compete with that?!

And then, they walk out of the classroom. Just like that. Like a fucking couple.

That’s when the world crumbles around you.

Friday nights are always the days you and Bakugou attend the gym at the same time. Normally, his presence is a positive motivation to work harder, knowing he can look over at you at any moment.

Tonight, you bury your eyes into the back of his head and pretend he's the punching bag. You restrain yourself from using your quirk to explode his brain (you actually can’t do that, but still), as if he even has one. If he’s dating Uraraka, he must not. You understand she’s cute or whatever, but they’re so fucking different.

Apparently, this past hour you were hitting the punching bag vigorously enough in precisely the right places for it to tear. Sand pours onto your feet, and that's when you decide to call it night.

You manage bottle most of your emotions until you’re alone in your room. That’s when you shut off your lights, put on your sad vibes playlist, shelter yourself in fleece blankets and let the tears flow. Your shaking shoulders churn your stomach, and it feels like you’re vomiting out your emotions. Your heart stings with every beat, and every sob irritates your raw throat. You're not just another teenage girl crying over a stupid boy. You've grown up putting all your energy into improving your quirk, always two steps ahead of the rest of your class’ mentality. When you first saw Bakugou, you saw someone whos grown up always giving everything his all. You saw someone like you, and you fixated on something that wasn't just being a hero.

At this point you've been fighting for Bakugou for so long, he's grown beyond a dumb crush. Now that you've lost this battle, you realize how alone you feel. He’s a motivation. Not only do you train hard to improve your quirk, but you train hard to surprise Bakugou with your strength. You don't just study for good marks, but to impress Bakugou.

Your goal to be a hero has always occupied your whole heart, but Bakugou managed to slip in there somewhere.

And you can feel the hollowness of his gaping hole.

Eventually, you compose yourself enough to grab some Suppa-Mucho Premium Ponzu, a jar of Nutella (with a spoon to eat it out of, of course), and a cup of hot chocolate from the kitchen.

On the way back to your room, you hear sobs emitting from a nearby hall. As you follow the twists and turns of the dorm, the cry grows familiar. You soon find yourself standing outside Izuku Midoriyas' room. You quickly (but carefully) run to the kitchen to microwave another cup of hot chocolate before knocking on his bedroom door.

“Duh-Don’t come in!” his voice is nasally, but he lowers it an octave to sound like his usually preppy self. Although hero-training teaches you students how to put on an emotional mask, you’re able to tell when your best friend is faking.

“It’s me, Izuku.”

“Come in,” his raspy reply is barely above a whisper.

You jiggle the door handle open with your elbow and find Izuku wrapped in a blanket of feelings, like you were earlier. He wipes the tears off his cheeks and rubs his eyes, burying his head deep into the blanket to hide his sadness. Though his loud, shaky breaths give away the fact he was crying. Like you couldn’t hear him from across the dorms.

“Hey. It’s okay, Zuzu.” You’re standing behind the door, presenting snacks and two drinks with a somber smile. “I’m here.”

Izuku lifts his head when he smells the steaming hot cocoa. He grabs the drink that has whip cream with tiny marshmallows and flakes of caramel sprinkled on top, just the way he likes it. You set down the snacks on a nearby coffee table, then drink your hot chocolate beside him. When a sip leaves a small white mustache above his upper lip, you can’t help but giggle. He does the same.

You don’t ask why he was crying, and he doesn’t ask why you were walking around with comfort food late at night. Instead, you enjoy each other’s company. The events of earlier today have made you realize that things will always be the way they’ve been since the start of this year. That you’ll only ever have each other.

And maybe that’s why what happens next… Happens.

You are wrapped up in a blanket next to Izuku watching Whisper of the Heart and munching on a bowl of chips. Like some sort of cliche, the two of you reach for a chip at the same time. Izuku immediately pulls away, an incoherent apology spilling from his lips. You ignore it, overwhelmed with a sudden bubble of emotion. It was only extreme for a brief moment, but the remnants of the feeling linger. The electricity he transferred to you keeps your fingers twitching as you grab a snack. So now you’re pondering over the feeling while nibbling on a chip;

How come, when Izukus hand brushed against yours, you felt something?

Everytime you’re near Bakugou, your heart palpitates. Not only out of fear-- because the man is fucking terrifying --but of recognition of his power. Out of admiration of his intimidating, yet confident personality.

When you touched Izuku’s hand, your heart fluttered. A cocoon of butterflies erupted in your chest and tried to lift you off his bed-- but why?

Was it because now that Bakugous out of the way, your true scandalous feelings for your best friend are no long eclipsed? Or is it because now that Bakugou is out of the way your brain needs a new hot boy with biceps to focus on?

Izuku questions the same thing himself. If you took a second to look, the light of the TV would reveal the blush on his cheeks. His hands tremble in his lap as he hopelessly attempts to cover the growing boner in his pants, a side effect of thinking about you in this new romantic light.

All this time, has he been love with you, not Uraraka? Or has her sudden abandonment left a vacancy that needs filling, so he’s turning to his best friend?

You move the bowl and scoot next to Deku. Your body heats up as his tenses.

“Hey, do you wanna share a blanket?” You ask, forcing yourself to sound as casual as possible. Even though trying to flirt with your best friend is way out of your comfort zone.

“Uh--sure!” Deku squeaks as he wraps his blanket around your shoulders and you throw your fleece over your laps. You arrange yourself so the side of your thighs press up against Deku’s, and rest your head on his shoulder

He sweats nervously, and smells of bergamot and… Fresh laundry. It’s pleasant, though not as hypnotizing as Bakugous sweet caramel. Bakugous scent leaves you hungry for him, while Deku makes you feel… Comforted. Like receiving a warm hug from a friend. A completely non-romantic friend. A platonic friend. What the fuck are you doing?!

You repeat the words “platonic” and “friend” in your mind to remind yourself what Deku is to you. But the longer your bodies touch, the anstier you grow to touch more. Just to see what it feels like.

Yes, Zuzu has been your friend forever-- Doesn’t that the experience of dating him even better? Doesn’t that make you want to steal his first kiss, so he’ll forever hold you in his heart? Doesn’t that make feeling his body shudder from pleasure under yours even hotter?

You bite your lips at these thoughts, unaware Izuku is imagining the same. His face is practically the color of a strawberry-- his green hair really bringing the image all together.

You turn to one another in unison, searching for the answer in each other’s eyes; Is this love? Or is this emptiness? You and Deku silently struggle to figure out an explanation, though it doesn’t matter.

Because you kiss anyway.

As soon as you make contact, those sparks that frazzled you earlier return. When you push your mouth harder against his, they dazzle you.

Izukus lips are thin, but creamy. He’s the kind of guy who carries chapstick with him everywhere, and apparently his favorite flavor is vanilla, because when you run your tongue along his lip it tastes like ice cream. He whimpers at the feeling, and you take advantage of how sensitive he is. When you bite his lip he moans into your mouth and pulls you closer.

Kissing Midoriya is as gratifying as it is dissatisfying. Kissing someone so desperate-- so needy, for you, is empowering. It fills your Bakugou-sized hole with pleasure. But, his kiss is also cold and lifeless. The only emotion that fuels it is rejection. Behind this kiss, and behind your lips, is loneliness. You’re both anxious and uncertain, so you’re kissing what’s comfortable. And you keep kissing to replace these problematic feelings with something exciting.

Soon, your kisses become hollow. The sparkes evaporate. Izukus lips aren’t as delicious as they seemed when you first started, and the way you nibble on his lip begins to sting.

You slow to a mutual halt, deciding to bask in eachothers warmth through cuddles instead of kisses. Even though Izuku’s body is alive with the heat of your kiss, he feels cold.

You return to the movie, but the kiss leaves another question lingering in the air.

You’re best friends.

What does this mean?

Something has shifted between you two, and you can’t tell if its for the better or the worst.

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atlafan · 4 years

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Take it Slow - Part Ninety

a/n: okay this is my first shot at a harry:y/n fic, and it will be multiple parts. y/n had a bad experience with an ex over a year ago, and finally accepts her coworker and good friend Niall’s invitation to go on a blind date with his friend Harry.

Warnings: FLUFF!

Masterpost (all previous parts can be found in the masterpost)

You were shaking with excitement. Your Nannie was flying up from Florida today, and you’d be getting your nails done with her after work and heading to dinner. You weren’t sure what Saturday would hold, you’d probably cook a bunch with her so everything was good to go for the Jewish New Year on Sunday. You couldn’t wait to make the brisket with her.

“How come you don’t just take a half day?” Niall asks.

“I need to save my vacation time. I took so much this summer, and I wanna save it back up for when the holidays roll back around. I have Monday off anyways.”

“You must be so excited to have alone time with her.”

“I’m ecstatic! Harry just gets it, you know? He’s so good to me. He’s even leaving work early to pick her up at the airport. He’s really my partner.” You swoon.

“You have no idea.” Niall says under his breath.

“What?”

“Nothin’, I just said that’s great.” He smiles. “So, what are yeh doin’ tonight?”

“Well, Harry’s gonna stay home with Buster, and she and I are gonna get our nails done and then go out for dinner.”

“Nice! That’ll be fun.”

Harry leaves work around 3PM to go pick up Nannie. He pays to park the car and waits inside at the terminal. He sees the baggage claim number for her flight is number three, so he makes his way over there. He was wearing an open short-sleeve button up with a white tank top underneath. The tank top was tucked into a pair of tan slacks. He looked like he had just come from Florida himself.

“Harry!” He’d know her high pitched voice anywhere now.

He turns around and smiles at the short, white haired woman walking towards him. She gives him a hug and kiss and stands at baggage with him.

“Normally I wouldn’t even check a bag for such a short trip, but with all my medication I just didn’t want to risk them throwing anything out.”

“I get it, no big deal.” He smiles. “What’s your bag look like.”

“Trust me, you’ll know it when you see it.”

A multicolored bag with butterflies all over it comes out and she nudges him. He chuckles to himself and grabs it.

“Thanks so much for coming in. I’ll give you the money for the parking.”

“You’re welcome, and no need.” He lets his arm out and she hooks hers through it to help her walk across the street to the parking lot.

“Don’t make me yell at you again.” She says as she gets into his car.

“Don’t make me yell back.” He says as he starts the car. She shakes her head and laughs.

“So…what exactly does she think is happening this weekend?”

“She thinks you’re comin’ to celebrate the New Year, and that you’d be stayin’ with us so she wouldn’t have to share her time with you like she usually does.” She nods. “You’re getting your nails done with her tonight and goin’ to dinner.”

“Right, and that’s when I’ll mention what I’d like to do tomorrow.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m very excited about all this.” She puts her hand on his shoulder and gives it a squeeze.

“Me too.”

“And what will you do tonight while we’re gone?”

“I’ll be callin’ her dad to let him know what my intentions are. I know I don’t need to, but I just feel like it’s the respectful thing to do.”

“Do you plan to do the same with my daughter?”

“No offense, but I don’t think she’d be able to keep it a secret.” He laughs.

“You know what? You’re right.” She laughs too. “If her father raises his voice to you, you let me know. I have no problem giving him my two cents.”

“You don’t have a problem giving anyone your two cents.”

“Damn straight.”

“Are yeh hungry at all? I can whip somethin’ up for you when we get in.”

“I ate on the plane, honey, thank you though. I’m excited to meet Buster!”

“He’s excited to meet you too. He’ll be home waitin’ for us.”

Harry gets your Nannie inside, and shows her the guest room before showing her the rest of the apartment. He helps her up and down the stairs of the loft, and takes her out to the balcony. Buster couldn’t get enough of her. He sits with her on the sofa while Harry gets her some iced tea to sip on.

“He’s such a love-bug.”

“Isn’t he? We got really lucky, he’s a chill dog.” He sits down next to her.

“That’s such an interesting outfit you’re wearing. You look like one of the grandpas from Miami.” She laughs. “But I mean that in the nicest way.”

“Thanks.” He laughs too. “I wear a lot of…interesting things.”

“So I’ve seen. Y/N sends me a lot of pictures. I like that you’re so expressive. I think it complements Y/N because she wears plainer clothes.”

“Yeah, she’s really into solids, not a lot of patterns.”

“Think she was scarred for life after some of the hand me downs from Bridget. Too eighties.” She scoffs. “She would always fight with her mum when they’d go clothes shopping, but she never fought with me. If she told me she didn’t like something we’d move on and find something else. Why force a kid to wear something, you know?”

“My thoughts exactly.”

You get home as fast as you can. Your two favorite, plus your baby boy were all waiting for you. You key into your apartment, and drop your things at the door. You see Harry and your Nannie chatting on the sofa.

“Nannie!” She turns around and stands up. You race over to her and hug her.

You both start jumping up and down with excitement, making Harry laugh. Buster starts yipping from all the excitement.

“Are you having fun with your Nannie?” You pat his head. “Thank you so much for picking her up.” You give Harry a quick peck. “Are you ready to get our nails done? We need to get there soon.”

“More than ready, just let me pee.” You watch her walk down the hallway. “How is she? She’s good?”

“Yeah, she’s great. She snoozed for a bit this afternoon, tired from the flight.” He smiles. “Had a nice chat with her.”

“Listen, if I give you the list of what we need for tomorrow, could you go to the market tonight? The brisket takes like all day to make and-“

“Say no more, just text it to me.”

“Thank you so much. All of this means so much to me.”

Nannie comes back from the bathroom and out the door you go. Harry gets to the market and buys everything on the list, and puts it all away when he gets in. He sighs and takes his phone out. It was now or never. Your dad picks up on the second ring.

“Hi Mr. Y/L/N.”

“Harry, good to hear from you. How’s the studio?”

“Oh, it’s great! Gettin’ lots of business. Looks like we’ll be plenty busy through the fall.”

“That’s great, so what’s up? Is Y/N alright?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. She’s out gettin’ her nails done actually.” There’s an awkward pause. “I have some plans for us tomorrow that I’d like you to know about…are you busy this evening?” Harry decided last minute this was something he needed to do in person.

“Um…I can make myself available. I’m an Elks member, why don’t I meet you at the lodge in town. Something tells me we’ll need a beer involved if this is what I think it’s for.” Harry chuckles softly to himself.

“Sounds good to me. I’ll see you soon.” He hangs up the phone and looks at Buster. “I need to go see Grandpa for a bit, will you be alright until mummy and Nannie get back?” Buster yips at him. “S’what I thought.”

Harry texts Niall that he’ll need him as an alibi, and Niall happily agrees. He grabs his keys and heads towards the Elks lodge.

You and your Nannie were just getting your feet into the water for your pedicures.

“That’s a really nice orange you’ve picked out.” She says.

“Thanks, thought it would be nice for fall, you know? I see you went with your classic red.” You giggle. “Did you have anything in mind for dinner tonight? I’ll take you anywhere you wanna go.”

“How about we go for some seafood. We could go to the No Name if you felt like driving out that way.”

“Yeah! God, I haven’t been there in years.”

“We can park at the Long Shoreman’s Union building. I’ll just need to go inside and give your Papa’s name.”

“Alright.” You smile at her.

“So, how’s school going?”

“Really good. I had a class over the summer that I finished a couple of weeks ago, and another just started at the beginning of this week. It’ll end in November, and then another will start right after. A lot of the classes are eight weeks. At this rate I’ll easily finish next summer.”

“That’s wonderful honey! I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Nannie.”

“Harry told me about all the work you’ve done for him for the studio. Do you think you’ll ever consult with other businesses and tell them how to market their things?”

“I don’t know…I think that would involve a lot of traveling, and I’m not into that. I really like my job, so I’m not looking to make any major changes at the moment. I think if I ever changed careers I’d wanna teach at a collegiate level. Mold the younger minds, show them how to do what I do.”

“I could see that for you actually. I think you’d be a great teacher. But to be fair, I think you could do anything you set your mind to.” She laughs.

“I will say, I did enjoy building Harry’s website. It was fun to work on a project with him.”

“That’s what he said. He really is such a lovely man. You know he parked his car at the airport and waited for me inside?”

“Really?! He never does that. I’m so glad he did that.”

“Carried my luggage out too. I wanted to pay him for the parking, but he wouldn’t let me. It’s funny, no one ever dares fight with me about that sort of thing, but he does. I like it.”

“We’ve fought a few times about him always paying for stuff. He’s a real stickler for it.”

“He’s a proper gentleman, nothing wrong with that. What colors do you think you’ll get your nails?”

“I’m not sure, honestly. I was thinking maybe dark red? I think that would be another fun fall color.”

“Just one color?”

“Yeah, I don’t think I feel like an accent nail this time.” You look at the colors you currently have. “This is nice, but I wanna change it up.”

“Well you know I love red, so I support you on that.” You both laugh.

Harry walks into the Elks lodge and your dad is already sitting at the bar. He waves him over, and they shake hands. Harry sits down on the stool next to him.

“What’s your drink, Harry?” Your dad asks. “Feel like a beer or something a little stronger?”

“Whatever you’re havin’ is fine with me, sir.”

Your dad orders two scotches on the rocks, and Harry’s a bit surprised but he rolls with it. They clink glasses and both take a small sip.

“So…get on with it.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I know what this is all about, so go ahead, ask me what you wanted to ask me.”

“Well…I’m not necessarily askin’ yeh anything. I’m more so just telling you what my plans are.”

“Alright, so tell me what your plans are.”

“I’m askin’ Y/N to marry me tomorrow night…and even though I don’t need your permission, your blessing would mean a lot to me.”

“Do you have her grandmother’s? I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed, but my opinion really doesn’t mean much to her.” She rolls her eyes. “But her grandmother’s…my mother in law means everything to her.”

“I have it…she’s actually helpin’ me with it.” Your dad gives Harry a funny look. “I flew her in. She’s getting’ her nails done with her now, actually.” He rubs the back of his neck.

“You flew Nannie in?”

“Yeah.” Your dad laughs and nods, taking another sip of his drink.

“That’s very impressive. You know, before I asked Lynn to marry me, I invited her uncle out for a drink. Her father wasn’t really in her life.”

“Right…Y/N’s Papa wasn’t biologically related, she was Lynn’s stepfather?”

“Technically, but he didn’t have a hand in raising Lynn. He didn’t come into our lives until a year before Bridget was born.” Harry nods. “So Lynn’s uncle was the next best thing at the time, they were close anyways.” He smiles. “I basically asked him what the family thought of me, all the sort of stuff. Wanted to make sure everyone else liked me before becoming part of a family you know?”

“Understandable.”

“Well, if her Nannie approves of you, you don’t need much more reassurance than that.” He sighs. “But it does mean a lot to me that you wanted to do this in person. You’ve only been together a year…”

“I’m aware.” He smiles and takes a sip of his drink.

“And within all that time, you think you know her well enough that you want to spend the rest of your life with her? Because I swear to god if I ever get a phone call saying that you’re leaving her I will kill you, or her brother would kill you. Actually, I think we’d plan to urder you together if you ever did anything to hurt her.”

“Sir, I promise you, I have nothing but the best intentions with Y/N. I don’t wanna be without her, ever. I love her very much, and I wanna be her husband. I want her to be my wife.”

“And you’re positive she wants to be your wife? She wants all the same things you do? Just because you two got a dog together-“

“She does, I can assure you we’ve talked about all this.”

“Does she have any idea this is happening tomorrow?”

“Nope.”

“Why does she think her grandmother is here then?”

“Sunday is the Jewish New Year, isn’t it?” Harry grins.

“So you told her you flew her in so her grandmother could be here for the holidays?” Harry nods yes. “Damn, that’s pretty good. She loves surprising other people, this is really gonna get her.” He smiles.

“So…wait, are you sayin’-“

“You have my blessing, Harry.”

Harry stands up and pulls your dad in for a hug, he hugs him back and pats his back.

“Alright, that’s enough of that.” Harry laughs and sits back down.

“Sorry, just, thank you so much.”

“Does your mother know about all this?”

“Oh sure. She said she was cool with it months ago. I bought the ring over the summer. Would you like to see a picture?”

“No, I’d rather wait for Y/N to send me a picture when it’s on her finger.” He finishes his drink. “Up for another? I can’t believe my baby girl is going to get married. Erica’s gonna pissed.” He laughs. “Took her fiancé ten years to pop the question you know?”

“Guess everyone does everything in their own time. That’ll be a fun wedding, his family is huge.”

“They haven’t even set a date yet. You two will probably get married before they do.”

You and Nannie head to the seafood place after your nails are all set. She wouldn’t let you pay, but you insisted she let you pay for dinner. She said you could make that decision when the check came.

“Mm, I haven’t had a decent cup of chowder in forever.” She says.

“There’s plenty of seafood where you live, I find that hard to believe.” You giggle.

“There’s just something about clam chowder from New England. So…what were you thinking tomorrow looked like?”

“Well, I sent Harry shopping. I figured we’d cook all day so Sunday we’d have an easier time setting up for everyone. Plus, it’s better to make the brisket the day before, you taught me that.”

“Very true. That’ll be nice, you know I love when we get to cook together. I was thinking for dinner though we could go to Castle Island.” You almost choke on your water. “We could watch the sunset at the beach, and then walk over to Sully’s, wouldn’t that be fun? We could walk over to the park, sit on the swings, and then go back for ice cream just like we used to.”

“Nannie…I would love to do that. I went with Harry and Niall at the beginning of the summer and I’ll be honest, I got a little emotional.”

“It’s hard not to when there’s so many good memories. We’ll be an extra vanilla ice cream for Papa, it’ll be like he’s with us the whole time.”

“That sounds nice. The weather is supposed to be really warm and clear tomorrow, so I think a sunset beach walk is perfect.”

Harry gets back from drinking with your dad before you get back with your Nannie. He brushes his teeth to get the liquor off his breath, and chews some gum. He lets Niall know he’s back as well. He takes Buster out quick, and settles in on the sofa.

You and your Nannie come in, and sit with him on the sofa.

“Have a nice time out, girls?”

“It was great, like my nails?” You stick them in his face.

“They’re beautiful.”

“What about mine?” Your Nannie copies you.

“Absolutely lovely.”

Your Nannie goes to change into a nightgown and robe, and you go put a t-shirt and shorts on.

“Now, it’s Friday night, so I need to watch Beach Hunt Bargain Hunt on the Home Network.” She says to you.

“Of course, Nannie.”

You switch the Hulu Live, and put her show on for her. Harry changes into some pj’s as well, grabs his glasses and book, and comes back to the couch.

“Oh, here’s Mrs. Asshole, it’s a vacation home, you can paint!” He looks up from his book in shock at your grandmother’s language.

“Right?! These people give me a fucking headache.”

“And here’s her husband, Mr. Asshole, who she’s clearly only with for the money, ready to walk away from a perfectly good place because her lazy ass can’t be bother to paint.”

“You both realize this show is completely staged right?” You both whip your heads in Harry’s direction. “They’ve already picked out and paid for the home they want. The the other houses they look at don’t matter. That’s why they come up with stupid excuses not to buy them.”

“Harry, honey, shut the fuck up.” Your Nannie says with a big smile. “Go back to your book.”

He opens his mouth to speak again, but decides against it. You can’t help but giggle. He was right, but half the fun of the show was just going with it.

Around 10PM you all call it a night. Harry says goodnight to your grandmother and heads into the bedroom.

“Night precious girl.”

“Night Nannie.” You both hug and kiss, and you go into the bathroom to do your routine. You snuggle up to Harry.

“So, what are your plans for tomorrow?” He asks as you lay on his chest.

“We’re going to cook for most of the day, and then she asked if I’d take her to Castle Island. Do you wanna come?”

“Oh, that sounds great! But I actually have an engagement shoot tomorrow evening.”

“Will you be gone during the day too? Thought maybe you’d like to cook with us, see how it’s all done.”

“Definitely free in the morning.”

“Good.” You snuggle in closer. “I know I don’t like to share her, but I like the idea of the three of us spending time together.”

“Me too, angel.”

“She likes you a lot Harry. She went on and on about this evening.”

“Aw, well I like her a lot too. I can see where you get a lot of your personality from.”

“She’s been a really good role model, for sure.”

“She told me a lot of your Papa this afternoon…”

“She did?”

“Yeah, she really drove home how you were just his little baby. Brought tears to my eyes.”

“He was the best, plane and simple.”

The next morning, you get up early knowing your grandmother was an early riser. You get some coffee started, and make oatmeal for the three of you.

“Morning, Nannie.” You say sitting down at the island.

“Morning darling girl. Is one of these for me?”

“Yup, oatmeal and I made your coffee how you like it…black with two Splenda.”

“Thank you, honey.” She sits down next to you at the island.

Harry comes in shortly after, only in a pair of boxers, rubbing his eyes.

“Um…Harry?” He hums his response as he grabs the coffee you made him. “A bit under-dressed for company don’t you think?”

He looks down at himself and then to your grandmother who was trying not to laugh.

“I’m so sorry, I forgot, and-“

“So, like, go put some clothes on, dude.” You say laughing, and he turns to go. “Sorry about that, Nannie. He’s always really groggy on the weekends.”

“It’s alright, it’s your home after all. Plus, he’s not bad to look at.” You gasp playfully at her and nudge her shoulder. Harry comes back in with a t-shirt and sweatpants on.

“Oatmeal’s on the counter for you. Put grapes in how you like.”

“Thanks.” He smiles and sits next to your grandmother. She squints as his tattooed left arm. “Yes?”

“Is that a naked woman? How did I not notice this before?” She points to the mermaid on his arm.

“Yeah, she’s naked.” He shrugs and takes a bite of his oatmeal.

“Why?”

“Why not?” He smirks at her. “I have a lot of weird ones, try not to question it, Nan.” He takes another bite. “Some of my bigger ones I’ve had to use to over up other ones. Like these two on my forearms covered up two quotes that I just didn’t like anymore. And then I used to have another quote here.” He points to one of his hips. “So the ferns cover that up. Plus, I just liked how symmetrical it looked with the birds.”

“I think I like the butterfly the best, I love butterflies.” They smile at each other. “Y/N, what’s your favorite tattoo of Harry’s.”

“The sunflower near the mermaid.” He flexes his arm to show your grandmother. “He got it months ago for me…when I got my nose pierced.”

“Oh! That’s stunning. It’s amazing how they can get so much detail in such a small area.”

“You know that rose ring I wear as a necklace?” She nods. “So, I wear Harry’s favorite flower, and now he wears mine.”

“But you also got him that ring.”

“Yup.” You giggle. “Not everyone can see the tattoo so easily.”

You all finish breakfast, and your Nannie cleans up the dishes. You tell her you just need to shower and then you can get to cooking. Harry follows you into the bathroom.

“You’re nuts if-“

He cups your cheeks in his hands and kisses you. You don’t fight him on it, it felt good to have his lips on yours.

“Don’t worry, I’m not lookin’ for any funny business.” He gives your bum a pat and turns the water on for the shower. “I also need a shower.”

“You’re always looking for funny business.”

“I’m choosin’ to be respectful of our guest.” He steps into the water and so do you. “Embarrassing enough that she got an eye-full this mornin’.”

“Oh, it was fine, she didn’t care.”

You both get out of the shower when you’re done and get dressed. For now you throw your hair up in a bun, and put some sweats on. Harry does the same.

“I’m gonna take Buster out while you both get set up.” He kisses you on the cheek while you go into the kitchen with your grandmother.

“I like that he calls me Nan, that was cute.

“Wasn’t it?”

You preheat the oven and pull out everything you need for the brisket. Nannie gets a pot of water started for the carrots and potatoes. They would need to be partially boiled before going in the oven with the meat. You both get to peeling. Harry comes back with Buster.

“What can I help with?”

“Chop these up after we’ve peeled them.” You say to him and he nods.

A little while later after going through the recipe, you get the brisket in the oven.

“How long does it cook for?”

“That’s getting slow cooked for six hours. Then you drain all of the juices into a pitcher and put it in the fridge overnight. You can get all of the fat out easier that way. And you also cut up all the meat. Then tomorrow you put it all back together and bake it for like an hour to heat it back up. It’s so good. Cuts like butter.” You take out two pans and put a new pit of water onto the stove. “Gotta make the kugels now. Fair warning, the place will smell like meat.”

“I don’t mind, bet it’ll smell really good. So, this is your recipe, Nan?”

“It’s actually my brother’s.” She laughs. “But I made it more often than he did. When I moved to Florida he started making it more often again. I think he makes it the best, but I’d never tell him that.”

“I can’t wait to see him tomorrow. Everyone’s excited to see you.”

“Well, they better be. I came all this way for a reason, didn’t I?”

Harry was getting more nervous by the second. Every hour that passed was another hour closer to the big moment. He would need to head out soon. Luckily, everything he needed was at the studio, including the clothes he’d be wearing.

“All that’s startin’ to smell really good.” He says when he comes out to the living room dressed in some jeans and a t-shirt. “I gotta get goin’, long drive to the shoot.”

“Alright, babe.” You stand up to give him a kiss goodbye. “Have a good time. Will you be late?”

“Probably, don’t wait for me to eat or anything.”

“We’ll be eating at Sully’s.” You say. “I could bring you back something if you want.”

“That’s alright sweetheart, just enjoy the time there.” He kisses you again, and he waves off to your grandmother and gives her a nod. You go to sit with her.

“Brisket should be done soon. Let’s go check on it. I wanna get it cut up and all that before we head out.”

“Good idea.”

You both get everything situated once it’s done. It smells even better than you remember. You refrain from taste testing it. You’d rather just save it for tomorrow.

“That’s good honey, well done.”

You get it all in the fridge.

“I’m gonna go wash up. I might wear a dress, it’s so nice out.”

“That’s a great idea, wear your hair down too, you have such pretty hair.”

You smile at her and go into the bedroom to change. Buster follows you in. You pull out a white dress with buttons down the front. It had thick spaghetti straps, and flowed to just past your knees. You figured she’d approve. You also loved it because it had sunflowers on it. You didn’t really care ofr floral prints, but you liked how large the flowers were and how they were scattered around. You put a little makeup on, and fix your hair so it’s down and wavy. You put on some cute sandals and meet her back out to the living room. She had put on some white slacks and a sweater. You knew it was a little chillier for her.

“Wanna bring Buster too?” She asks.

“Sure! I think he’ll enjoy that.”

You get to the beach around 4PM, well before sunset. You both sit across the street on one of the benches, and watch as people walk and run by. Families with strollers, kids still playing outside. It was a really nice evening.

“It’s funny, not a lot has changed has it?” She asks.

“Not really, but that’s what I like about it. I can come here and it feels like I’ve stepped into a simpler time. Like if I were on the beach itself, I could look back here and see Papa sitting at this bench.”

“He’s with us for sure, baby.” She squeezes your hand.

After an hour or so of walking along the peer, you drive over to Sully’s. You get your chicken nuggets, and your Nannie treats herself to a hot dog, not something she ever really eats, but it was what your Papa really liked to eat. You give Buster some water, and you both stand up to start walking towards the park.

“Not a lot of people here this evening…weird, it’s so nice out.”

“Yeah, that is weird.” Your Nannie looks over to the bathroom. “Honey, I just need to go pee quick. That large water went right through me.” She laughs. “Why don’t you head down to the playground and wait for me there.”

“Okay.” You shrug.

“Can I take Buster with me?”

“You want to take Buster into the bathroom with you?”

“Are you questioning your Nannie?” You look at her for a second and down to Buster. You shrug again and hand her the leash. “Be there in just a second, go on.” She smiles and walks towards the bathrooms.

You notice less and less people around as you walk towards the playground. It was a beautiful sunset, where was everyone? There weren’t even any kids around. When you get closer you notice twinkling lights strung up all around the jungle gyms and other things to play on. You had never seen it look so pretty. You start to hear music, You’ve Made Me So Very Happy by Blood, Sweat & Tears was playing. You look behind you and don’t see your grandmother anywhere, nor do you hear Buster.

“Oh my god.” You say to yourself. You walk a little fast towards the playground and you stop short when you see Harry standing there with a big smile on his face.

He was wearing your favorite pair of green slacks and white, silk shirt with the first few buttons undone. His curls were looking nice and bouncy, and he had his hands behind his back. You walk a little closer to him, but stand a few feet away from him.

“Hi.” He says.

“Hi, Harry.”

“Are you surprised?”

“I literally have no idea what’s going on right now…is that our song playing? And what’s with all the lights? And…there’s no one here, how did you-“

“Turns out you can rent this spot out for functions. It’s like I said earlier, I had an engagement shoot to go to.” Your mouth falls open. “Y/N.” He steps closer to you and takes one of your hands in his. His palms were sweaty, and his nerves were shot to hell, but it this was happening now. “I never imagined my life looking the way it does now.” You were hazing up at him. It was like you were the only two people in the world. “I’ve loved every moment with you over the last year, even the less than favorable ones. I feel like we’ve really grown together in so many ways. I feel like…” He takes a deep breath and you give his hand a squeeze. “I feel like we were made for each other, you’re my soulmate, you’re my light, you’re my…everything.” You bite your inner cheek to keep from losing it. “I’ve known what I’ve wanted with you for a while, and I have a pretty good feeling that you want it with me too.” His eyes grow glossy. “I wanted this to happen here because I know how special this playground is for you. I wanted your Nan here…and…I wanted your Papa here too.” Tears start to fall down your cheeks. “I at least wanted it to feel like he was here with you, baby.” He wipes his own tears away and you nod. “There have been a lot of things I’ve been unsure about in my life. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, done a lot of really shitty things. But the one things I’m absolutely certain about is you, Y/N. Everyday with you is an adventure, and I want that adventure forever.” He gets down on one knee, your hand still in his. His other hand was in a fist behind his back. He brings it out front, and reveals the ring, holding it up when with his thumb and forefinger. You gasp when you see it, it was stunning, not that it mattered. You’d wear a piece of string around your finger if it was from Harry. “I love you so much, Y/N. Can we have this adventure forever? Will you marry me?”

THE END

MY EVERYTHING – A TAKE IT SLOW SEQUEL – WILL BE COMING TO YOUR DASH SOON!

a/n: I just want to take a moment to thank you all for the support over the last few months. I started writing this story at the end of January, and I think I tripled my follower count because of it. So many of you kept me motivated to keep going, and I am so grateful. I can’t wait to start writing the sequel so we can see what happens for these two next.

#take it slow #harry styles fic #harry styles imagine #harry styles x reader #harry styles y/n #harry styles x y/n #harry styles fluff #harry styles fluff fic #harry styles smut #harry styles smut fic #come hang out in my inbox!#im really soft so I want to hear all the opinions on the story as a whole

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oforamuse · 4 years

Text

sun in my eyes

it’s moments like this, when they’re alone and mickey’s walls slowly, slowly start to come down, when he smiles at one of ian’s jokes, when he opens up about something unexpected, something personal, when he passes him a cigarette to put between his lips that’s still wet from being between his, that makes it all worth it.

or, a missing moment during ian and mickey's summer together in season 2 inspired by davenzi’s first kiss // read and comment on ao3

It’s hot. It’s really fucking hot.

Ian’s exhausted and feels gross. Sticky. He barely slept at all last night - a bedroom with three sweaty boys and no working AC unit to relieve them sucks at the best of times, let alone during a hot summer night. He’d spent most of it sitting at the window with a cigarette, hoping to entice some sort of breeze their way.

It didn’t work.

Summers in Chicago are brutal. The heat, the humidity, the constant sweat dripping down the back of your shirt.

It’s unbearable.

Ian presses his forehead against the cool glass of the Kash and Grab’s drink fridge, a crate of mismatched beers resting on his hip as he takes a moment to breathe whilst restocking.

He’s there for a moment, possibly longer - in this heat he can’t tell, time moves by so fucking slowly - when Mickey slumps against the door next to him.

‘You good?’ Mickey says, his back pressed against the glass. He smells of smoke, sweat and the cheap brand of detergent the Milkoviches use, when they use it, all balled into one.

‘Hot.’ Ian groans, twisting his head away from the glass and pulling himself upwards, leaving behind a smeared sheen of sweat where his forehead had just been.

Mickey eyes him, ‘Fuckin’ gross, man.’

‘Fuck off, it’s too fucking hot.’ Ian wipes a hand across his moist forehead, already missing the cool relief from the glass of the fridge door.

He watches as Mickey pushes himself off the door and twists, pulling it open and grabbing a chilled beer from the back. He presses it against his forehead, just as Ian had done with the door, Mickey’s eyes are closed for that brief second of can against skin contact and Ian allows himself that moment to look, unbeknownst to the other man. Mickey’s got a shine on his forehead that follows down his neck, he’d been unloading boxes from a delivery just before - clearly it took it out of him. He’s wearing a threadbare tank top which sticks to his torso in a couple of places, the left side of his ribcage, his upper chest, and it’s all he can do to chew the inside of his mouth to stop him from doing something stupid like moaning out loud.

Mickey’s eyes open and he averts his gaze quickly - getting caught staring isn’t worth the shit talking afterwards. It’s easier this way, he’s learnt now, stealing his gazes secretly and in small doses.

Mickey twists the bottle cap off deftly and chugs half of it down in a single fluid motion.

‘You gonna pay for that?’ Ian asks, forcing himself to look away from the way Mickey’s throat moves as the liquid goes down. He steps past him and leans his back against the store’s counter, crossing his arms over his chest, steadying himself. ‘I’m the one who’s gonna have to make up for that.’

Mickey shrugs, and moves the bottle from his lips and burps loudly, then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

‘Wanna get out of here?’ He asks, ignoring Ian’s question with a grin - which is pretty much what he expected, really, because Mickey likes to take his liberties where he can - especially when it comes to taking free shit from work.

Ian pulls a face at the suggestion - it catches him off guard slightly so it’s a quick reaction, but it doesn’t completely throw him off balance. He’s used to being caught off guard by Mickey these days. He shrugs and sighs, ‘We’ve got like an hour until we close up- it’ll be my ass gettin’ shit if Linda finds out we bounced.’

‘I can’t spend another minute in this shithole, I’m sweatin’ my balls off man.’

Ian scoffs, toes the line, flirts maybe, ‘Your balls seemed pretty okay an hour ago.’

An hour ago when he’d been down on his knees giving Mickey head in the back of the store’s cooler. It was too hot to fuck fuck, they soon quickly realised after a miserable attempt - two sweaty, overheated bodies are worse than one and decidedly they settled on mutual blowjobs.

Mickey swipes at his lip, ‘Whatever- there must be some sort of fuckin’ human rights violation makin’ us work in this.’

‘You want a working AC? You pay for it. Linda sure as hell won’t.’

‘Can’t be fuckin’ legal.’ Mickey grumbles, throwing the empty beer bottle in the trash with an exaggerated toss. ‘Fuckin’ criminal.’

Ian rolls his eyes and gets back to restocking shit in the fridges - there’s only a few more crates to get through anyway - then he can get back home and more importantly, the above ground pool with his name on.

It only takes another ten more minutes of sluggish working, the sweat dripping down his back doubling, for Ian to consider Mickey’s offer. Hardly anyone has stopped by the store today - they had a small barbecue rush when they first opened up, but as the day got warmer, customers coming by to pick up beer, ice or snacks dried up.

Neither one of them had bothered to unlock the door after they’d gone out back, Ian realises now and no one’s knocked in the last hour, so it’s not like there are people lining up outside wanting to spend a dollar or two. Linda’s busy with the new kid, so he knows she hasn’t been watching the cameras recently…

He drops his empty crate next to where Mickey’s situated himself at the counter - apparently given up on his jobs for the day a while ago.

‘Alright, where do you wanna go?’

Mickey looks up from where he’s been flicking through a magazine, his left eyebrow quirked upwards.

‘Changed your fuckin’ tune.’

‘Let’s just get out of here.’

They gather their shit quickly and Ian shuts everything official down, dumping the cash from the day into the safe underneath the till. He’ll double count it tomorrow. Linda won’t know.

Once they step out onto the humid street, with the store’s lights switched off, deliveries shoved to the side for tomorrow and the door locked behind them, Ian turns to Mickey.

‘Dugouts?’ He suggests, tipping his head in the direction they’d take - it’s become their usual spot this summer, they’ve spent a couple nights fucking against the chain link fence, sharing beers, cigarettes and laughs.

Mickey looks at him for a moment, considering, then says,

‘Nah man.’ shaking his head and chucking a thumb over his shoulder, ‘This way.’

He follows Mickey’s lead up the steps into the station and they jump over the turnstiles to the L, ducking onto the first train that pulls onto the platform. It’s the middle of the work day still so it’s pretty empty and somehow, by some miracle, they managed to snag a carriage with a working AC.

They don’t speak for most of the ride, Ian periodically looking up at Mickey at every stop until eventually he gets distracted from keeping track. They finally pull into a station about 20 minutes later and Mickey grunts out a gruff ‘Gallagher.’ and he has to pull himself up and out of the doors before they close.

Mickey leads them half a mile or so down a few blocks and Ian can feel the sun burning down on the exposed skin at the nape of his neck - he’ll regret his lack of sunblock later when he’s dealing with Fiona’s disapproving glare at the pinked skin, he knows it.

‘What are we doing walkin’ so far in this heat?’ Ian says, though lets it trail off as Mickey stops abruptly, pausing on the sidewalk.

They’ve stopped in front of a tall, locked metal gate with a PRIVATE PROPERTY sign hooked over the top - there’s a giant padlock on the front but a couple bars have been bent out of shape, presumably to bypass without a key. Ian looks up at it, craning his head slightly to get a good look behind. It seems like it opens into a dim shady alleyway between two buildings, even in the yellow haze of summer it gives him the creeps.

Ian’s about to ask why they fuck he brought him here when he’s stopped by Mickey pulling himself up and over the fence, the muscles working in his arms as he goes. It’s a bit clumsy and when he drops down into the alley on the other side, he loses his balance slightly but recovers quickly in his cool but cocky Mickey like fashion.

He smirks at Ian, a challenge burning in his eyes and even more so in his tone when he says, ‘You comin’?’

It’s on.

Ian drops his cigarette to the ground wordlessly and reaches up to grip the top. He hooks his foot onto one of the metal bars that’s slightly curved inwards and launches himself over the top. He drops down next to Mickey with an edge more grace than Mickey did - it’s the ROTC training in him, he quirks his eyebrow.

‘Yeah, yeah okay, tough guy -’

The nickname’s said mockingly, it’s a new one for him - appearing only recently after Mickey had got back from juvie - and something warm in his stomach, something not from the heat of the sun, bubbles at the idea that he cares enough, perhaps, to give him a nickname.

They walk down the alleyway, which to Ian’s surprise, opens up to a green, sparsely albeit, field lined with bare boned trees and trash. There’s a building in the middle of it, but from the outside Ian can tell it’s been a while since it saw round the clock action. There’s broken windows, peeling paint and graffiti tags smattering the outside walls. It’s the type of place Frank and his homeless friends probably come to get drunk- or teenagers to fuck, perhaps.

It’s probably what they’re here for, honestly.

‘Where the fuck are we?’ Ian asks as they walk closer, the building looking more and more worn as they approach. They share a cigarette, passing it slowly between them with clammy fingers.

‘Used to come here with my cousins, good place to smoke.’ Mickey says with an exhale, then drops the butt to the ground and snuffs it out with his heel, ‘Not this shit though.’

Ian pulls a face cause it seems like a pretty far place to come to smoke, but he doesn’t press the issue - fuck knows the Milkovich reasoning for things, and instead asks,

‘You got the weed?’

Mickey gives him a, of course I’ve got the fuckin weed, raised eyebrow.

He stops them at a basement level window - it’s covered up by a broken door - seemingly haphazardly placed there by whoever was here last. Mickey moves it out of the way, shoving it against the outer wall and creates just enough space for an averaged sized person to slip through the window and inside.

‘Hope you’ve got your shots.’ is all Mickey says before he drops down and slides through the low window. There’s a bit of shuffling, then he hears Mickey calls, ‘Gallagher.’

I hope the free clinic covered the shots for this shit, is what Ian thinks as he follows Mickey down into the building, landing with soft knees once he drops through.

Despite the high summer sun outside, it’s dark inside - almost too dark, and Ian fumbles for his lighter in his back pocket as Mickey leads them through the dark passages of what he assumes is the old building’s basement.

‘Too dark for ya?’

Ian kicks the back of Mickey’s knee and he buckles, losing his footing for a moment and placing his hand on the wall to steady himself.

‘Fuck you.’ Mickey says, there’s a little bite to it but he’s laughing, a light, chesty chuckle.

‘Too dark for ya?’ Ian imitates, waving the lit lighter in front of Mickey’s face, teasingly almost.

‘Fuck off.’ Mickey tosses back, exasperated almost, but fondly enough that it doesn’t sting.

It’s playful and easy, really, to exist in the thrumming energy they’ve grown between them. It’s easy to be around each other like this, when the weather is too hot to focus on anything except making dumb jokes, fucking and sharing a beer.

Like friends, friends and so much more.

He follows Mickey through the derelict rooms and hallways, up broken stairs into higher levels out of the basement. It’s lighter now, the sun comes through cracked windows and Ian gets to have a good look around. It’s dusty and there’s broken shit everywhere, but it’s pretty much been shelled out of anything that might’ve been left behind of worth - this is the Southside after all.

‘Fuckin’ long way to go just for a place to smoke, Mick.’ Ian says, voicing the thought he had earlier as he tucks the lighter back into his jeans now that he doesn’t need it.

Mickey slows as if they’re about to reach their destination and tips his head towards an open door on the other side of the hall, ‘Won’t be sayin’ that for long.’

They walk through the opening into-

A swimming pool?

The room is huge, with high ceilings, peeling walls and unfilled space, and in the middle there is a large rectangular swimming pool.

It’s empty, absolutely bone dry and clearly hasn’t been used in a long time.

‘Hottest day of the year and we are at a pool with no water.’ Ian comments as they walk around the edge - where you’d go to dump your stuff before jumping in, past the metal ladder. His voice echoes in the empty space, ‘Makes sense.’

Mickey flips him off, ‘Guess I’ll smoke this joint by myself then.’

‘This was a fucking great idea.’

They sit on the side of the pool, their legs dangling over the edge, nothing but warm air where the cool water should be.

It’s not as hot, thankfully, there’s even some sort of breeze whistling through and it cools the sweat dripping down the back of his neck. He leans back on his hands as Mickey rolls a blunt on his bent knee and checks the place out properly.

The pool walls are tiled blue - or at least they used to be, once, when this place was pristine and in regular use - but now there’s a few chipped away, leaving the walls a smattering of blue and white, it’s mismatched and worn.

Three lane dividers still hang from the shallow end to the deep, it’s hard to imagine that this place was used once, that people would come here regularly to exercise, swimming back and forth down each lane.

They talk about nonsensical things whilst they smoke, his stomach is warm and happy.

‘How’d you find this place?’ Ian asks after he exhales, placing the blunt into Mickey’s expectant fingers. He shifts on his ass, twisting to get a good look at the place.

It’s pretty fucking cool, he’s got to admit. There’s something about abandoned places, especially something as big as an empty swimming pool that fascinates him. Mickey was right, it was definitely worth the way to go just to smoke.

Mickey doesn’t answer for a moment and Ian watches out of the corner of his eye as he smokes.

Inhale, hold, exhale, inhale, hold, exhale.

Then, almost just as Ian forgot the question he asked, Mickey speaks.

‘Dad pissed me off one day. I left and I just walked.’ He sniffs, holding out the blunt for Ian to take. He’s not looking at him though, his eyes are glazed slightly and Ian doesn’t know if that’s the weed or…well, something else. ‘I kept walkin’ and I found this place.’

‘You walked the entire way over here?’

They must be at least an hour’s walk or so from Canaryville, it was a good 20 mins on the L - not the easiest walk you want to do by yourself.

‘Yeah.’

‘You come here a lot?’

‘Every now an’ then.’ Mickey says keeping his gaze fixed ahead of him, his voice is stiff, detached almost, and Ian finally, finally understands what he’s saying.

This isn’t where he comes to smoke weed with his cousins.

This is where he comes to escape. To hide.

This is where he brought Ian when he felt the need to get away, do you wanna get out of here?

Even if it was just from the stuffy, too hot store they both work at.

It’s moments like this, when they’re alone and Mickey’s walls slowly, slowly start to come down, when he smiles at one of Ian’s jokes, when he opens up about something unexpected, something personal, when he passes him a cigarette to put between his lips that’s still wet from being between his, that makes it all worth it.

Makes all the longing, all the kiss me and i’ll cut your fucking tongue out, all the brash, insistent arms length distance between the two of them worth it.

He knows deep down, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, one day it’ll be worth it.

Mickey’s vulnerable in that moment, guard down and beautifully open.

They’re in this weird, weed, emotion, heat heavy haze. The tension is thick and Ian feels the urge to press in closer, despite the temperature, to touch, to comfort, to get them both off, perhaps, but the moment breaks when Mickey pushes himself off the pool’s side and drops down to the tiled floor, right into where the water should be.

Ian quickly takes one last toke before stubbing the joint out, holding the weed in his lungs, his throat, and only exhaling as he drops down to meet Mickey on the pool floor.

Mickey elbows Ian in the ribs, kicking things off and they spend a few minutes chasing each other up and down the empty pool, swinging off the hanging lane dividers like kids. It’s sloped from the deep end to the shallow, so it’s more work than it looks and Mickey ends up doubled over in the deep end, catching his breath.

‘Too fuckin’ hot for that.’

‘You started it.’ Ian points out, a smug grin plastered on his face because he knows he’s faster than Mickey, could outrun him too and that’s more likely the reason Mickey wants to stop.

‘Whatever.’

‘We’re actually underwater right now.’ Ian says, feeling a little high, it’s dumb but he’s enjoying himself. The after effects of the weed buzzing warmly through his veins and perhaps there’s something more, perhaps it’s the effects of them.

He feels light, lighter than he has done in a while.

‘Shut the fuck up.’ Mickey rolls his eyes, his tone is playful though and he smirks, bringing the blunt back up to his lips. He’s amused - and just knowing that he’s the source of Mickey’s amusement, he can make Mickey laugh, gives him the push to keep going.

‘No- we are , look-’ Ian says with a chuckle, he points up towards the peeling sign above their heads that says WATER LEVEL on the tiled wall. He does this dumb movement with his arms, like he’s swimming or something, it’s goofy, but Ian doesn’t care, ‘That means we can’t breathe right now.’

‘Yeah okay- that weed got to your head.’ Mickey says, pushing himself up off the wall. ‘No more for you.’

‘Bet I can hold my breath longer than you.’

‘The fuck are you talkin’ about, man.’

‘Bet I can hold my breath longer than you can.’ It’s flirty, Ian knows it, Mickey knows it.

Ian knows he’s toeing the line of what’s acceptable and what’s not. It’s a dangerous game to play, one wrong move could send Mickey running. He’s feeling lucky.

There’s something in Mickey’s eyes and Ian wonders if the weed is getting to him too.

Or if it’s something else.

‘Yeah, yeah, okay.’

Ian pushes.

‘Let’s see then’

‘You kiddin’ me.’

‘What? Afraid you’ll lose?’ Ian smirks, he knows the way to get Mickey to play along is to test the waters of how far his ego will go.

‘Fuck off.’

They take an exaggerated deep breath at the exact same time, their cheeks inflated like they’re in some Nickelodeon cartoon.

Mickey breaks after a handful of seconds - can’t be more than 7 maximum, and Ian barks out a laugh.

‘Ha!’ He claps his hands together, ‘I told you.’

‘Fuckin’ rematch.’

‘Yeah, yeah, okay.’ Ian mocks, echoing Mickey’s earlier words. He picks up on it too, if the curved corner of his mouth is anything to go by.

They take a deep breath together again, and Mickey’s eyes are teasing, almost.

He looks so fucking good in this light, even with the shitty beard he’s trying to grow. The bright, summer evening sun beams through a broken window on the ceiling, casting a warm glow on Mickey’s face. It’s fucking ethereal.

It occurs to Ian, Mickey all playful and soft edged in the humidity and heat, at ease, that he could kiss him right now.

Wants to kiss him right now.

Wants to kiss him right now more than fucking anything.

He could step forward, press his lips to Mickey’s and deal with the consequences later. Take what he so desperately wants.

Give Mickey what he knows he wants.

Wants but will never let himself have.

Maybe. One day.

He doesn’t though. Instead, the thought catches him so off guard, distracted by the what ifs and what could possibly be, that the breath he’s been holding falls out of his mouth in a dramatic, breathy, ‘Fuck.’

Mickey holds his for a split second longer then lets out a triumphant noise, fist pumping the air for good measure when he exhales.

‘Beat you, bitch.’

The utter cocky glee on Mickey’s face makes him feel like he can fly or some shit - right out the building and into the sky. Then suddenly they’re laughing, full out body wracking laughing, it’s the weed, it’s them and they’re moving closer and closer - this is the way it goes with them, heat be damned. They’ll quickly move on to shirts off, pants down, Mickey bent forward-

There’s the bark of a dog.

They freeze. Mickey even has his hands on his belt, ready-

‘Hey! You two!’ A voice bellows and it echoes, bouncing off of the walls, cringing into their skin. Their heads snap up towards the intruder and they’re greeted by a red faced security guard and his massive dog on a leash.

It’s a fucking angry looking dog.

They book it, only stopping for a millisecond for Mickey to scoop up the rest of their stash, then they’re off, running as quickly as they can, dodging their way through the building’s twisted hallways and empty rooms.

They laugh the entire time, stumbling into each other as they scramble through the window and out onto the field.

The dog’s bark can still be heard behind them so they don’t stop, their feet pounding the dry, yellowed grass, their breath falling out in heavy and exhausted puffs.

‘Fuckin’ asshole!’ Mickey shouts over his shoulder, his voice carrying in the muggy air, picking up his speed now they’re in view of the fence.

His voice, the warm sun, the blood pumping through his veins.

It feels like bliss.

Let’s keep going, Ian thinks as he matches his speed with Mickey’s, let’s just keep fucking running.

He could run by Mickey’s side for the rest of his life.

#gallavich fic #gallavich #ian x mickey #ian gallagher #mickey milkovich #shameless #shameless fic #davenzi #my 4 boys <3

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nachohypno · 4 years

Text

Nate and Dave Ch. 13

Didn’t take long for us to leave the shopping street. We did take a few pictures together, mostly for storing. Dave is pretty photogenic and looks great in all of them (He even wanted to take his tank top off for a few! But I assumed that would attract unwanted stares. Silly old Dave...)

We left our bags at the back seat and drove off towards Dave’s house. Something I always liked about living in a town: Everything is close, and yet, a car never seems a bad idea. Maybe my ass is just lazy, but I enjoy relaxing next to Dave as my werewolf boyfriend just drives us safely towards our destination.

“I forgot to ask… Are your parents home?” I like Mr. and Ms. Walker! I really do! But there’s so many things you can do when a couple of werewolves with heightened senses are in the house with you. I have a feeling that they can hear every single sound in the house.

And that’s not really fun. I don’t think it’s intentional though, but it’s pretty hard to have a heart-to-heart moment when you think everyone is listening to you.

“Nuh-uh.” Dave mumbled, as he parked outside his garage. “Pop’s working during the evening, comes back by the time we’d be out of school, so we have quite a few hours before our private time is over. Mom’s out with some of her friends I guess, she doesn’t like spending much time ‘locked away’.”

“So, you really want to have a pool day? We’re a month or so away from Winter, big guy.” Not intending to sound like a party pooper. The day was nice and you can survive without a jacket, but I don’t think I’ll be going into the pool. Catching a cold isn’t something I look forward to.

“I’m always up for some swimmin’, but get what ya mean, bruh.” He turned off the engine and looked at me. “You can relax by the pool, and if things get really cold we can just go to my room and warm ya up!”

We entered the house. I couldn’t hear a single sound inside, which was a comforting thing.

“Lose the clothes! Lose the clothes! Lose the clothes!” Dave started chanting, as he stripped in front of me as fast as he could, soon standing naked in the middle of the living room.

I always liked how easily he loses his clothes at every chance he gets. Maybe he likes having his built body at full display for others to admire? I mean, who wouldn’t admire him?

The meaty pecs are not too big, but not exactly small either. His 6-pack abs are perfectly aligned and seem ready to take a few punches, breaking your hand in the process.

His cock was hard, of course. His cock was always hard when he’s naked, like an automatic thing.

He seems like a 15 years old with those levels of horniness, and yet he makes such a great job holding himself back instead of suggesting to have sex everyday. I don’t know if he jerks off though, maybe he’s just happy to see me.

“I… prefer to stay clothed?” Such a party pooper, I know, but I’d rather not worry my mom with getting sick because I want to seem cool for my boyfriend. I’ll get naked in the bedroom, but the pool seems out of the question right now.

Dave frowned. “Still worrying about gettin’ cold? Wait here and strip, I’ll get ya a solution, bruh.” He raced upstairs, our bags in hand. I loved how the locket dangled in between his pecs, such a cool detail.

I did as told though, not because he told me to but because I was curious. And a little part of me didn’t want to be lame. That train is gone now, though, right?

I waited for my puppy boy, as I started feeling the cold getting to me. It wasn’t bad, but not exactly the most pleasant thing in the world. I stayed in my boxers, because I wasn’t looking forward to the air invading my ass.

A minute later or so, the jock dashed down the stairs with his varsity jacket on one arm, and a pair of towels on the other. He was already wearing his speedo, but it failed to hide anything due to his hard on.

“Uhm… Could you go soft like… down there?” I asked, trying to sound as nice as possible. Perks of having a werewolf soulmate, apparently everything you say sounds always as nice as possible, Dave is just happy to comply with everything that I may want or need.

Including controlling his body functions, like how his dick just got soft all of a sudden and the speedo looked a bit less revealing. Still, it fitted him quite well.

“Not gonna swim, right?” Dave asked, giving me a finger gun. I shook my head, before laying a towel on the ground and just laying down. “A’ight, watch these moves then, bruh!”

He jumped in the pool with a cannonball, making a big splash, before giving me a thumbs up and smiling. I clapped a lot, to show him some enthusiasm before he sank back down and started doing laps. I rolled my eyes, and started scrolling through my phone.

--------

Dave pulled himself out of the pool after finishing another set of laps, and started drying himself off like a dog: Shaking it off.

I covered myself with his jacket, and I heard him chuckle. “Water’s so nice today, bruh. You should give it a try!”

“Are you really not cold? It’s okay if you are… We can do something else instead.” I knew he wasn’t but I was worried about him.

“Chill out, my body’s as warm as a lighted chimney.” He finished drying himself off with a towel and sat beside me on the stone floor. “Us werewolves can take some really cold temperatures, especially while wearing our fur, babe.”

Huh, that awakened my curiosity!

“So… everyone in your family is a werewolf?” I asked, reaching out for my phone. I had to write this down or otherwise I would forget about it! I had made a special text file for my research on Dave’s… wolfiness.

As soon as I get some juicy new information, I write it down to satisfy my inner nerd. Never thought I would be so invested in investigating a supernatural creature, but yet again, I never thought I’d have a werewolf as my soulmate!

“Uh… not quite?. Like, I think there’s a fifty percent chance if one of the two is a normal person, but we don’t really care about that. It’s not like it’s a super important thing to have a werewolf son.” He tried to explain, putting on his sunglasses again and sitting beside me. “It is pretty important for my pops but between you and me, he’s just kinda racist.”

My fingers tapped the screen as I heard everything Dave had to say. I mean, not the part about his dad, but the werewolves’ children having a fifty percent chance to inherit lycanthropy.

“But,” He resumed his explanation. “Most of my family is a werewolf, maybe there’s just one or two not werewolves out there? There are a lot of Walkers, that’s for sure. Not sayin’ we mate like bunnies but… I do have a lot o’ cousins.”

“Any siblings?” I asked, but he shook his head in denial.

“Nope. I’m an only son, bruh. I always thought it was because I’m an alpha, and dad says I got the jackpot with that rank. Heheh.” A smug look on his face, he flexed his arms while pointing to himself with his head high. The guy was trying to seem narcissistic or he was really proud of himself.

He looked cute anyway. The speedo was holding his now-soft cock perfectly, and you could see his shape through it. Muscles in all the right places… the guy looked like a really little hulk. Just… human-like, and not green.

I took my eyes off him for a few seconds to finish writing this line at my notepad. ‘Werewolves seem to mate and reproduce themselves quite frequently, but it varies on a subject vasis.’

“Hey nerd, drop the phone.” Dave said, in a commanding tone. I definitely wasn’t expecting it, but I looked at him again and he seemed a bit annoyed. Maybe because I wasn’t giving him much attention? He wasn’t flexing anymore, then he started walking closer.

I tapped my way to the ‘Save’ button before leaving my phone next to me. “Uh… sure thing? What’s with the attitude?”

The puppy boy didn’t stop to answer, but instead got next to me and grabbed my hips in a swift move. Supernatural speed or reflexes, whatever you want to call it, I loved it. “Just enjoy it, babe…” He mumbled, before leaning in for a kiss. I closed my eyes as I kissed him back, and could feel my body being lifted from the nice towel on the grass.

His warm skin against my naked chest, only protected by his varsity jacket. A few seconds afterward, the varsity jacket was off. The locket necklace was cold, but I didn’t mind. I just enjoyed the moment, just like he said.

Dave was walking, but the kiss distracted me. My mistake was closing my eyes, because I didn’t see his prank coming.

“One… two…” He started to swing me towards the pool. I opened my eyes as soon as he started counting, but I only managed to say a surprised “Dave-!” before he interrupted me.

“Three!” SPLASH. I fell in the water. The cold water, but my body was quickly getting used to it. I stayed underwater for a few more seconds to fully embrace the cold temperature, I knew that I would shiver a bit less if I did that.

I had my eyes closed once again, because I never got used to my eyes touching water, but I did feel the water movement as Dave jumped right after me.

I swam back to the surface. I’m not a good swimmer, but this area of the pool wasn’t that deep so I could touch the bottom with my feet and keep myself up with small jumps.

“Hey, hey. I got’cha now…” Dave mumbled, catching me in his arms and keeping me from jumping. I hugged him as tightly as I could. His body was still warm, so it felt really good. Like some kind of underwater stove.

“T-Thanks, big guy…” I managed to say. I would have loved to avoid seeming a weakling, but even with Dave’s hot body, I still felt myself getting colder the longer I was in the pool.

Pulling me closer, he leaned in for a good make out session which I really appreciated. I wrapped my legs around his waist and we stayed like that for a good while.

...Until the coldness was too much for me, that is. There’s a little line between ‘being a party-pooper’ and ‘my body can’t hold this temperature anymore’. The wind wasn’t making it any easier, making me feel colder at every part that stood out of the water.

“D-D-Dave… Let’s head... back in, okay?” I managed to say, holding him close. The jock nodded, and swam over to the edge of the pool, making sure to keep me as close as possible.

Once we were out, I reached out for the towel I was laying on a while before. Dave was shaking the water off him like a puppy boy would do, so he was okay in that part. Then, I noticed him getting zoned out again as the fur on his body started to grow.

‘Oh, geez, I love this part!’ I thought, noticing a tail appearing behind him and his muscles growing with the yellow-ish/brown fur on his skin.

His human head morphed into a humanoid wolf one, two little fangs sticking out of his dog snout with a little black spot appearing where his nose was. His hands grew paw pads and claws, before finishing the transformation with a howl after going out of his self-induced trance.

I kept drying myself with the towel, hoping to get warmer with that, but then the puppy boy tackled me. I managed to grab my phone from the ground as he said “Don’t ya worry, my love. Gonna take good care of you…” before picking me up and dashing inside. He was already warm before, but his fur was really comfortable and helping out with the cold.

A few minutes later, the big guy entered his room with me on his arms. I felt like those couples on tv, being carried by my big and strong boyfriend towards his bed. Dave gently left me on top of it and then laid down next to me. A tight hug afterwards, I could feel the coldness fading away as a very comfortable warm invaded my body.

-------

Dave’s POV

Nate fell asleep in my arms. His shivering stopped, and he was warm again.

I sighed, such a dumb move I’ve made. But hey, gettin’ to werewolf form to warm him up was pretty smart, right?

Reluctantly, I pulled away from him and tried to get up from my bed. Any other day I would love to do this, he’s my soulmate! Weeks after noticing him, I still couldn’t believe it. I’m supposed to make him happy and safe, fuck.

I grabbed the bedsheets and made sure Nate was well-covered in them. ‘Only the best for my boyfriend’ I thought. I shivered the bit at the thought of having a ‘boyfriend’, but that’s what he is. A guy. THE guy, the one I love the most in the world.

Magic can be quite funny, huh. How a soulmate can turn my whole world upside down. I would be beatin’ the heck outta this guy if he ever implied that we’re meant to each other. And now I fell in love with a guy. Karma’s a bitch, some say.

The sight of Nate being so comfortable in his sleep, not shivering anymore, just happily dozed off, it pushed all the buttons for me. He had to be happy, I had to make sure of that. I want to be a good soulmate for the guy I love.

Looked down at my hands, I noticed I was still in werewolf form. Mom hates when we go werewolf while we’re at the house, because the fur gets all over the floor sometimes. She’s not home though, so I can do whatever I want.

Nate’s phone was firmly held by his owner. He had all that investigation thing in there, so I guess that’s why. I knew he wanted to know more about me and my lycanthropy, and I was honored to help him! He wanted to try and understand me more? He’s the best!

I rubbed my hairy wolf head, what to do now? Should I wait for him to wake up?

I mean, I’d love to spend time just cuddling with him, but I kinda feel guilty for pulling him into the pool like that. Gonna start listening to him if I want to stop fucking up.

Nate’s really nice to me, and never tells me I fuck up, but there’s always that little possibility I actually fuck up our dates quite often and he just never tells me, and I love him too much to hurt him in any way.

That’s also why I’ve been trying to control my strength, too! Our first days together, I almost crushed the guy down with my weight, but after some practice I managed to keep myself at bay to make sure he’s comfortable with me around!

I clenched my fist and threw a punch to the air. A little unfamiliar ‘cling cling’ sounded as I did so, the locket. Watching it filled me with joy and a warm feeling. It’s like I carry a little reminder that I’m Nate’s soulmate.

A puppy boy, always ready to please my owner in any way possible.

My own words, the ones I wrote on the little note inside the locket, resonated through my mind. “My heart, body and mind belongs to my lovely soulmate Nate Hall.” Followed by my signature. It was cheesy, and maybe a try hard-ish thing for my taste, but it was the truth. Nate was my owner and I was his puppy boy.

I held the metal thing tightly in my hand, before letting it go and turning around, heading out of my room. Empty house, still plenty of time to have fun.

I had to walk in tiptoes, because my heavy footsteps may wake up my boyfriend. I could just change back into human form, but I felt stronger and faster while in werewolf form. Any excuse I have to use it will be great.

Out on the corridor, I looked for the attic trapdoor’s handle on the ceiling. The attic is a pretty dirty and dark place, we just use it as storage. So, I assumed mom and pops would store their family treasures or memories. Boxes filled with old books, photo albums, letters and other trash.

Somewhere in those boxes had to be my old copy of the ‘Being a werewolf: How to keep the secret safe and live among the human society.’ book. (Sounds lame, but I ain’t making that up!).

So, time for a good search. I can’t search it by smell, because I would only smell dust and humidity.

My claws made it a bit more harder to search through the boxes without breaking stuff, but I managed to search through quite a few of them pretty quickly. No luck so far.

A box next to a small window had a little ‘Old stuff from Dave’ tag on it. Mom liked to organize stuff, I don’t know why I didn't look for this one to begin with.

I opened the top of the box and began searching through full notebooks filled with gibberish writing from when I didn’t know how to read or write. I was quite the slow learner, according to a few old teachers. Then, there it was.

A brown book, with a wolf doing a thumbs up to me, with silver letters that read ‘Being a werewolf: How to keep the secret safe and live among the human society.’ And a little seal of quality on the bottom of it that said ‘Approved by the supernatural council’. This would make a perfect gift for my nerdy boyfriend.

I decided to look a bit more around that box and other ones, just in case I found more stuff for him, but I’ve been up in the attic for quite some time, apparently.

“Uh… Dave?” A dazed Nate asked, still in my room. I could hear him perfectly, great part of the heightened hearing.

“Comin’ up!” I answered, trying to sound loud enough for him to hear me. Searching for treasures would have to wait, my soulmate needed me.

I left the attic and closed the trapdoor, before running into my room. Another rule, my mom doesn’t like us running in the house because we could break the furniture, but pops always gives me a free pass on that one.

“Need anythin’? I’m so sorry for pushing you in down there, bro…” I tried to apologize, but Nate didn’t seem mad at all. Nor disappointed, he just seemed… comfortable. “If you want me to do something to make it up for you, just say it and I’ll do it. Anything. Oh, wait, got you this book for your investigation...”

I sometimes think I can exaggerate when around Nate, but there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him. And that’s not poetry, I mean it quite literally.

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

I gave him the book and Nate examined it carefully. “Being a werewolf… Is there actually a whole guidebook about being a werewolf?” He asked, before leaving it on my night table. I nodded, wondering if he liked it or not.

“Thanks so much! And about before, don’t worry about it.” Nate said, breaking the few seconds of silence. “I mean, I’m not dead so… it was just a fun prank!” Huh, I thought he would actually be mad at me after that. “Hey, c’mere.”

I did as told, while he reached out for my wolf head. I started giving light kicks to the floor as he scratched the back of my ear. There’s no way I can describe the pleasure this gives me. It’s just… the best thing in the world, next to him.

“‘sides, you also brought me up here and warmed me up. I can’t be mad at you for being such a good puppy boy! Who’s a good puppy boy? Huh? Who’s a good puppy boy?”

An urge to answer overwhelmed me. “I am!” I said. “I am a good puppy boy! Woof!”

“Yes, you are! You’re the best puppy boy ever, aren’t you?” He continued, now scratching my neck. My kicks came out a bit stronger now, as the pleasure went up. My cock was already rock hard, this was amazing!

“Yeah! I am your puppy boy, bruh! Woof, woof!” My urge to bark wasn’t a new thing, either. It was like my animal instinct and my human mind were at a bit of a struggle right now. I didn’t care though, Nate’s happiness was the thing that mattered the most to me right now.

“Come up on the bed, we’re gonna have some puppy fun, right puppy boy?”

I nodded excitedly, before climbing my bed. I loved how small Nate looked when on my bed. Probably because I’m way bigger than him, and the bed was actually made to fit my werewolf form on it.

“Also… could you just… zone out for a bit? You know, like we’ve practiced, puppy boy.”

No time to think, though. Had to obey.

If Nate was the center of my world before, then he just became the center of my universe as my mind emptied from every thought that didn’t involve obeying him.

Nate was my soulmate, my owner, the most important person in my life without a doubt. And I was just a simple puppy boy jock.

“My heart, body and mind belongs to my lovely soulmate Nate Hall.” Those words resonated again in my mind, this time stronger, as Nate pulled his wet underwear off. “Take off your speedo, puppy boy.” He ordered.

I was smiling, and my tongue was lolling out. I obeyed his order without a single doubt in my mind. Pure bliss by just obeying my soulmate was a great thing. Nate moved me like a ragdoll, having one of my hands wrapped around his cock and the other around mine. “Now, start jerking us off.”

It was an honor for me. My owner wanted me to jerk him off! I couldn’t disappoint him!

I did my best, trying to control my strength well enough so he could enjoy it without pain. I replicated my own moves on my cock, pleasuring myself as well. Nate was just laying there, eyes closed and arms behind his back. He moaned from time to time.

While we already went through the ‘fucking’ stage, I never knew if Nate enjoyed it as much as I did. We never did it again, so it’s hard to know.

But hey, any moment with my soulmate is an amazing one!

I kept stroking him for quite a while, not minding anything but focusing on bringing him pleasure. My own pleasure was another thing, but he included it in his order so I had to pleasure myself too!

Then, he pushed my hand off and grabbed me by the locket. “That’s enough for now, let’s just cuddle together, all right?”

My answer was a bit of panting, as I did as he suggested and wrapped him in my arms. I hoped my fur warmed him a lot more, after the shitty move I pulled before.

“I love you, puppy boy. You’re the best and only puppy boy in the world for me...” A little yawn as he laid on my pecs.

I smiled, feeling myself blush a bit but it would have been not distinguishable at all due to the fur in my face. This was one of the few times that I had to fight against the influence of being ‘zoned out’, not for a bad reason, but because I wanted to answer him.

“I… love you… too, my love…” I managed to say, quite happy but still a bit unemotional. Eh, did my best there, and Nate seemed happier, since he hugged me tighter.

“Let’s just nap for a while… Okay?” I don’t know if that was an order, but I almost immediately dozed off.

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#nate and dave #mind control #werewolf #brainwashing #brainwash #straight to gay #gay hypnosis #hypnotized

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