#he would sit sideways with his legs crossed and over one of the arm rests

[snoopyracing]

champagne coast // ln4

pairing: lando norris X reader

word count: 19k

warnings: cursing and alcohol use

includes: friends to lovers, summer!lando, clueless reader and lando, pining, fluff, and a little angst

summary: when lando and you spend summer break together you don't expect italy to eventually hold such a special place in your heart... or lando and you go on vacation and everyone keeps thinking you're a couple.

playlist for the fic: spotify | apple music

masterlist

─── ༺❀༻ ───

It was the Monday before the Belgium Grand Prix when Lando asked – what are you doing for summer break?

The sun had started to set over the coast, its golden reflection rippling across the water and onto the balcony of Lando’s Monaco apartment. The same balcony that the two of you currently resided on, choosing to share the wicker couch instead of one of you sitting in one of the empty chairs.

You were sat sideways on the couch with your legs crossed, your view consisting more of Lando than the picturesque sunset over the sea. A cheap bottle of pink moscato, which was your favorite, was sitting on the table where Lando had his feet propped up.

He’d always complain about how sweet it was, but then drink more of it than you. In all reality, he’d actually grown to love it because of you, but he’d never tell you that. He’d only been able to find it at one place in Monaco, so when he knew you were coming to visit he always made sure to have a couple bottles on hand and maybe a bottle for himself when he was missing you.

Your eyes met his as you processed his question. This right now was your summer vacation. He surely knew that, right? “Summer break? I don’t have a summer break like you do, Lando.” It was true, you had barely managed to get this week off from work to be able to go to Belgium, let alone have a month off. “I figured me being here for a couple days then going to Belgium would be my vacation.”

A disapproving sigh escapes past his lips as he speaks. “That is not a vacation.”

“Well it sure as hell beats being stuck at an office in London.”

He downed the remainder of the wine in his glass and fully turned his body towards you. His arm resting across the back of the couch, his fingers nearly touching you. “I think you should come with me on vacation.”

You stifle a groan by taking a drink of your wine. “Lando, you know I don’t do Ibiza. It's not my kind of place, especially this time of year.” It was a beautiful place no doubt, but the big party scene was not your favorite. And the couple times you had gone with Lando and your shared friend group it was so chaotic and you had a hangover that lasted for what seemed like a week. So no– Ibiza and you weren’t the best of friends.

“Who said anything about Ibiza?” He’s got a smirk toying at the corners of his lips, you can tell by the way his upper lip twitches slightly. Not that you stare at his lips that much to be able to notice that kind of thing.

“Lando Norris not going to Ibiza during his summer break? Should I alert the press? Did you hit your head? Are you running a fever?” You lean forward to check his temperature, but he playfully swatted away your hand with a giggle before you could get close enough. “Have you broken the news to Fewt-”

That smirk had fully developed across his face as he cut you off. “Who said anything about Max?”

Now you really thought that he’d bumped his head or was slightly tipsy already. You cocked an eyebrow at him in question. “Where are you going then? Especially without Max?”

Lando leaned back, the wicker creaking beneath him, but his eyes were still trained on you. Golden hour had made them even more blue, resembling the crystal blue water that was just a short walk away. “I’m going wherever you want to go.”

“Lando.”

“Y/N.” He’s the one to cock an eyebrow now.

“I can’t go with you.”

His smirk had turned into a pout and he knew how to work those big blue eyes, especially on you. “Why not? Wherever you want to go– we will go. Not many people get that opportunity Y/N.”

You go to take another drink and realize your glass is empty, but before you can reach for the bottle Lando’s already got it in his hands, reaching over slightly to pour you another glass. “Who all is going then if Max isn’t going?”

He sets the bottle back down on the table, hesitating for a moment before speaking. You two are close, probably the closest friend he has compared to Max, but he worries that you won’t be up for what he’s about to suggest. “It would just be me and you.”

You feel your cheeks get hot at his proposal, but you shake it off, blaming it on the wine.

As much as the idea of Lando and you going on a trip together sounds amazing, you just don’t think you can make it work. You live a normal life and being able to just go on lavish trips at the drop of a hat is not something you get to experience, no matter how much Lando wants you to or you would like to.

“I would love to Lan, but I don't think I could get the time off again.” Your finger nervously circles the rim of the wine glass as you contemplate even bringing your other reason up. Mainly because you know what his answer will be, but against your better judgment you take another swig of the wine as liquid courage before telling him the embarrassing truth. “I also just can’t afford it.”

And without skipping a beat he blurts out. “I’ll pay.” You’re immediately shaking your head no, but before you can verbally deny his offer he’s speaking again “Seriously Y/N. I will pay. It’s not a big deal.”

Except him paying your way for this trip is a big deal. Just how it’s a big deal everytime you come and visit him in Monaco and he insists that you don’t spend a dime while you’re here. It’s bad enough that you stay at his place, let alone have him pay for your dinner every night. Or how he is always offering to fly you out to races on your free weekends. Or insisting that the random gifts he gives you don’t cost that much, like you can’t read the designer labels on the boxes or labels.

It makes you feel bad that you can’t offer the same back to him. The constant worry that he might think you are using him for his money makes your stomach hurt because it’s the last thing you’d ever do. He’s one of the most giving and kindest people you know and to be able to call him your best friend is something you treasure. And you truly hope he knows how much you appreciate everything he does for you, but how could he not when you tell him every chance you get.

“Lando, really I cannot let you pay for me to go on vacation. It’s one thing to let me crash at your apartment and for you to get me passes to races, which I appreciate more than you will ever know. But I draw the line at a whole vacation. I don’t want to seem like a freeloader who is using you, that’s honestly the la-”

“Oh my god will you just let me spoil you!” Lando had enough of your endless rambling. Your need to always try and decline his gifts or offerings until he convinces you that you are worthy of them drives him crazy. To Lando there isn’t a person on Earth who deserves everything and more than you. And the fact that he can afford to give you anything you’d ever want tickles him pink. Hell if it was possible, he’d buy you the whole damn universe, even if you hadn’t asked for it.

“I hate that you think– that I would think you’re using me. Never in a million years would I think that. You mean a lot to me Y/N, truly. You’re one the most important people in my life and you deserve everything and more that I give you. If I thought you were using me, I would not be asking you to go on vacation with me, believe me. I love having you around and with us not seeing each other like we used to, I figured a trip with just the two of us would be nice.”

He pauses for a moment as he scoots a little closer to you on the couch, your legs touching as the glow from the sun envelopes around you two. “Now please don’t try and worm your way out of this trip. I’ve missed you so much and if you don’t end up going I think you’re just gonna have to move in with me.”

You roll your eyes at his dramatics, but try not to let his heartfelt words get to your head. “How would I even get the time off work again? Tell them ‘Oh my famous F1 driver best friend wants to take me on a trip. Can I please have some more time off?’ I don’t think that would work.”

“Well I think it would work. Especially if you add in that I’m super hot.”

The giggles that come from you lets you know that you’ve drank your fair share of wine for the evening. “Oh I don’t think they would ever tell me no If I added that in.”

“If they do say no then just quit and I’ll get you a job somehow with McLaren or Quadrant or something. I just really want to go on this trip with you.”

You aren’t sure if it's the wine in your system or the fact that you want nothing more right now than to spend a week with Lando in some beautiful country, without a care in the world. But you ignore every responsible and logical part of you and tell him what he wants to hear.

“Alright. So where are we going then?”

His eyes light up and the smile that spreads across his face is comparable to that first win smile. “That’s all up to you baby.”

Both of your hearts skip a beat at the term of endearment that came from him. His because he can’t believe he let it slip and yours because you can’t believe he called you that so easily. But you both ignore it and you focus on the one place you’d had on your mind since he mentioned taking a trip.

“Italy?” You suggest with a hopeful smile on your face.

He fills up his glass with the last of the fruit juice like wine and holds it up towards you, your glasses clinking together in a toast. “Italy it is then.”

─── ༺❀༻ ───

Six days later an email notification pops up on your phone as you’re sitting in McLaren’s hospitality, talking with Lando’s Mom. You glance at who it’s from, not wanting to be rude and get on your phone mid conversation, but when you see your boss’s contact you can’t help but open it. “I’m sorry, it’s from work.” Cisca waved you off, the conversation had only consisted of why they couldn’t stock better snacks in hospitality, and she knew if work was emailing you on a Sunday it had to be important.

You had emailed them Monday night requesting the time off and when they hadn’t responded by Friday you figured they were denying it. Or firing you for requesting more time off while currently being on a vacation. So to be getting this email on a Sunday had you worried, but as your eyes scanned the email you couldn’t hold back the excitement. By some higher power unbestowed to you, they had granted you the time off.

“Never seen someone so excited over an email from work.” Cisca teased.

“Yeah. Honestly thought I was getting fired, but they approved my time off for the Italy trip Lando and I are taking.” You leaned back in the chair, relief finally washing over you.

“Just the two of you?” Cisca had her suspicions about her son’s feelings towards you and your feelings towards him. She’d secretly hoped the two of you would end up together the first time she met you years ago. She honestly thought you were his girlfriend that day and was surprised when he introduced you as his friend. Then she thought maybe he was hiding your relationship because she had never known her son to bring around a female friend like he had you.

You had attended family dinners, a couple holidays, races, and so many other things that just didn’t seem normal to bring a friend to. They had become so accustomed to you being around that when he finally said that he was bringing home his girlfriend for everyone to meet and you didn’t walk through the door— everyone was a little shell shocked. The relationship didn’t last long and she had her theories as to why. To Cisca there was just no way the two of you didn’t have feelings for eachother, she could see it plain as day, and it drove her crazy that the two of you didn’t see it.

“Yeah. At first I thought he was asking me to go to Ibiza again with everyone and you know me, it’s not my thing. But then he said we could go anywhere I wanted and that it was just me and him, so I chose Italy.” You gathered your things, eager to tell Lando the good news before race time. “You raised a good man, Cisca. I couldn’t ask for a better person in my life than him.”

There’s a smile on her face as she watches you talk about Lando, how your smile never falters and how that twinkle in your eye seems to get brighter the more you talk about him. “Thank you honey. You had better go tell him, hadn’t you?”

“I’ll be back!”

Thankfully Lando’s not that hard to find, he’s in the garage looking over some data on the monitors with Will when you spot him. You stand back out of the way, waiting until he’s done, but as soon as he turns to walk away you’re racing towards him. Your arms flinging around him from behind and you can feel him tense under you, but when he hears your laughter his muscles relax.

“What’s got you in such a good mood?” Lando asks as he turns around to face you, his hands lingering on your hips.

“Hmmm. It may have something to do with work approving my time off.”

That same smile from the other night finds its way onto his face and he’s pulling you into his arms, the two of you swaying back and forth as he nuzzles his head into your neck. “I knew they would approve it, it was meant to be.” His voice tickles your neck as he speaks causing a giggle to escape past your lips.

“Can’t believe we get to spend a week together in Italy.” You state as he releases you from his grip.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

You furrow your eyebrows at him, still not sure that he wouldn’t rather be going to Ibiza with his friends.”You’re sure you’re not gonna miss Ibiza?”

His fingers toy with the hem of your shirt as he speaks– his blue eyes boring into yours. “I’d miss you more if I went.” And there isn’t a single ounce of doubt in his words. If he ended up going to Ibiza without you, he’d be at a club wondering what you were doing. Eventually downing one too many shots to try and numb that annoying ache in his chest that forms when you aren’t around. The one that even with you around this week, he had felt occasionally at the idea of you not being able to go to Italy.

The idea of him spending his summer break back in England had crossed his mind a couple times, especially if that meant he got to spend time with you. Luckily though fate was on his side today and he wouldn’t have to deal with that ache for the foreseeable future.

You can feel the slight blush on your cheeks as you process what Lando had said to you and you pray he doesn’t notice it. Just him simply saying he’d miss you if he went to Ibiza should not have you blushing, but here recently it seemed like that was all he could do was make you blush.

A familiar Australian accent hits your ears and around the corner comes Oscar, his hand clamping down on Lando’s shoulder as he comes up behind him. “Y/N. Haven’t seen you in awhile.” His bunny teeth showing as he flashes you a smile.

Your mouth barely opens to speak before Lando’s speaking for you. “I know. She’s been too busy working back in London to come see her favorite person.”

“I’m really such a horrible friend. I’m so sorry Oscar, I really should make more time to see you. In fact, how’s Australia this time of year? I think I might come visit you.” The playful smirk on your face and Oscar’s laugh does nothing to tell Lando that you’re just joking and like a little kid he’s got his arms crossed across his chest with a slight pout on his face.

“Um. I think I’m your favorite person Y/N. Plus you can’t even go to Australia because we are going to Italy.”

Oscar and you can’t help but laugh at Lando’s dramatics, but Oscar wants to tease Lando even further. He knows how his older teammate feels about you, even if Lando won’t give the idea any time of day when Oscar brings it up. Lando had confided in Oscar about his idea to take you on a trip, but Oscar didn’t think he’d actually go through with it. “Italy? Who’s all going? Maybe Lily and I could tag along?”

Lando’s eyes widen at Oscar’s suggestion, mainly because he knows you’d jump at any opportunity to spend time with Lily and this trip was meant to be just for the two of you. “It’s just gonna be me and Y/N…” He trials off, trying to figure out how to nicely tell Oscar that he can’t come.

“There's a month between Singapore and Austin. We should all plan something for then.” You chime in. As much as you would love to spend time with Oscar and Lily, you really want to have this trip just be Lando and you.

Lando’s surprised at you turning down Oscar’s suggestion, but smiles and nods towards Oscar, agreeing with your idea. “Yeah that sounds like a good idea.” Oscar states, a small smirk on his face as he eyes the two of you, fully knowing that you’ll come back from Italy together. And if you don’t Oscar thinks he may have to knock some sense into his teammate.

The driver’s parade was set to start soon, so you tell Oscar you’ll see him around and give Lando a hug, knowing you won’t see him again until after the race. “I’ll see you later, yeah? Be safe and good luck.”

Lando’s grip on you lingers, not wanting to fully let you go just yet, but when they get the final warning that it’s time to go he reluctantly frees you. A small frown on his face as he heads towards the track and you go back to hospitality.

The two McLaren drivers stood side by side on the flatbed of the moving truck, smiles on their faces as they waved at the fans in the grandstands. “Never seen two friends like you and Y/N go on a trip together– alone.” Oscar’s voice is low, there’s an interview going on to his left, but he’s loud enough that Lando can hear him.

Lando keeps looking straight forward as he speaks. “Don’t know what you mean by that.”

“I think you fully know what I mean.”

Max, who was on the other side of Lando, had been eavesdropping the whole time, and couldn’t help but put his two cents in. “If you’re talking about what I think you’re talking about. I just want to say, do us all a favor and finally tell her how you feel.”

Lando shook his head at the two drivers. You two were just very close best friends, there wasn’t anything he needed to admit to you. It was just a trip that two best friends were going on and there was nothing more to it– right?

─── ༺❀༻ ───

A week and a half later your plane touches down in Naples and even though the flight from London is only around three hours you want nothing more than to just get to the hotel and relax.

The Uber ride from the airport to the hotel thankfully doesn’t take long and you have no issue with sitting down in the lobby of the hotel with all the luggage while Lando checks you two in. You do notice that it’s taking quite a long time for Lando to check in and as you glance up from your phone towards the reception desk you see him talking with the worker and showing her something on his phone. Then with a sigh and a shake of his head he turns on his heel back towards you.

“Everything alright?” You ask.

He slips his phone back into his pocket and grabs his suitcase. “I booked us a two bedroom suite and they told me that all they have available is a one bedroom. Even though I showed them the booking on my phone, someone is already in it. So, I’ll just take the couch and you can have the bed.”

This place was fancy, and Lando had undoubtedly paid a pretty penny for the two nights that you were staying here. You would have thought they would have comped the room or something for their mistake. But by the displeased look on his face it didn’t seem they offered him anything but a sorry for the inconvenience.

Even with the hotel screwing up the room, the one you end up with is amazing and as you enter the room your jaw drops slightly at it. You set your bags down and explore the room further, taking in all the beautiful artwork on the walls and the natural light streaming in through the floor to ceiling windows. You enter a door to your left and it’s the bedroom, which is even better than the main room, mainly because of the huge balcony that overlooks the sea.

There’s a gentle breeze in the air as you lean against the railing, taking in the view and the hustle and bustle from the surrounding area.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Lando’s voice makes you jump, you were so lost in your own little world you didn’t even hear him come out onto the balcony. You nod your head in agreement as he slots himself beside you, mimicking your actions of leaning on the railing. “And it’s not even the best part of our trip.”

“You know you didn’t have to get such a nice room, we are only in Naples for two days.” As much as you try not to feel guilty about him paying for all of this, you do.

“And what did I say a couple weeks ago?”

A groan emits from you as you remember his words to you in Monaco. “You said to let you spoil me.”

“Exactly. I just want you to enjoy yourself and stop worrying about how much everything costs. We are here to relax and have fun, which means figuring out what we want to do tonight.”

You ponder your endless options and all you really want to do is sit on this balcony and enjoy the view, but your stomach growling tells you maybe dinner would be a good idea first. “We are in Italy– how about getting some pizza and then just come back here and relax?” Lando agrees and while you’re freshening up he looks up good pizza places within walking distance.

You two are just about ready to leave when there's a knock on the door, followed by room service!

A confused look is shared between you two, but when Lando looks through the peephole there stands a worker with a room service cart. He opens the door and is greeted with a smile from the employee.

“From the hotel as an apology about the room.” The employee hands Lando an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne nestled in it. “Have a nice rest of your stay.”

Lando looks back at you with an amused look on his face as the guy quickly leaves, the wheels of the cart squeaking as he hurries down the hall. “Well, we have something to drink on the balcony later.” Lando states as he sets the bucket down on the coffee table.

“Champagne and pizza? No thanks.” You see there’s a card attached to the bottle and as you open the envelope and read the words written, your cheeks turn scarlet.

“What does it say?” Lando questions, moving to stand behind you so he can read it too. His eyes scan the letter and he soon finds himself in the same state as you. He clears his throat as he steps back, suddenly feeling too close to you at the moment.

to the happy couple,

we are so deeply sorry about the mix up with rooms and we hope you can accept our apologies. we’ve sent a bottle of the finest champagne that you can get in naples and have comped any room service you may order during your stay. as always if you need anything please don’t hesitate to call the front desk and once again we sincerely apologize for our mistake. we hope you enjoy your stay here and the city of naples.

The letter isn’t spoken about, actually what you two were addressed as isn’t spoken about, but you both agree that their actions were nice. The walk to the pizza place is quiet, the both of you occasionally pointing out things that you think are interesting or pretty, but both of your minds are preoccupied with being mistaken for a couple. Anyone else would have laughed it off, but clearly not the two of you.

By the time you’re back at the hotel and sat on the balcony with the pizza and champagne your conversation had returned to normal. You teasing Lando about not even drinking the glass he had poured for himself and him complaining about you insisting that you get a pizza that has peppers on it.

“You know what would make this evening even better?” The pizza is long gone and the two of you are sat admiring the painting in the sky left behind from the sun.

“Some pink moscato?” There’s a grin on his face as he says it. If there’s one thing he knows you love, it’s a glass of pink moscato on a balcony with a view.

You try to hide the smile on your face as you glance over at him, but he’s caught you. “You know me too well Norris.”

“Should’ve told that employee that we wanted a ten dollar bottle of wine instead of that champagne.” Lando jokes.

“Thought you didn’t like it? That it was too sweet?”

He shuffles slightly in his seat, fully knowing that you’d caught on to his facade. “I may have grown to love it.” He admits quietly.

You’d known for a while, but hearing him say it was much more satisfying. “Yeah. Kinda figured it out last year when you started drinking more of it than me.”

Nighttime draws near and once you start yawning, so does Lando, and after the fourth round of yawning Lando states that it’s time for bed. The subject the two of you hadn’t discussed any further than what was said in the lobby earlier. The guilt started to eat at you as you brushed your teeth, he’d invited you and is paying for everything and he doesn’t even get to sleep in a bed? What kind of friend were you?

Lando was making the couch up as you walked out of the bathroom and for this being a luxury hotel that couch looked stiff and seemed to be more for show than actual comfort. He already had a bad back and it looked like sleeping on that couch was going to have him trying to find a chiropractor tomorrow instead of sightseeing. “Lan. You take the bed and I’ll sleep on the couch.”

He doesn’t even look back at you, still occupied with trying to make the couch somewhat comfortable. “No. I’ll be fine. You take the bed.”

“Lando.”

“Y/N.”

“Lando, look at me.” You knew he wasn’t going to budge with the whole couch thing, so you thought of the next best thing. The two of you sharing the bed. It was plenty big and truly it shouldn’t be that big of a deal if you two shared it. You were grown adults and bestfriends, no one should have to sleep on the couch.

His focus tears away from the couch and over to you, who’s already in bed and under the covers. “Look at how big this bed is.” Your body extends over to the other side trying to show him just how big the bed is. “Just sleep in the bed with me, there is plenty of room.”

Your offer takes him by surprise and he stills for a moment, he’d love nothing more than to climb into that bed right now, but a part of his brain is telling him not to. And he’s about ready to tell you no once again until he makes eye contact with you. Those damn eyes of yours could be used in interrogation rooms across the world, one look into them and he’s crumbling like a poorly built sandcastle. The gentle pat on the empty side of the bed is what flattens the sandcastle and he’s mumbling out an okay before sliding under the sheets next to you.

The two of you don’t know what to do for a moment, both still and flat on your backs under the sheets, like if you moved an inch the gremlin under the bed was going to get you. But eventually Lando turns on his side, mumbling out a goodnight as he pulls the comforter closer to him. You take his actions as a sign for you to roll over too and you figured that falling asleep wouldn’t be an issue after all the yawning earlier, but you were wrong. You tried counting sheep, tried laying on your back, tried anything you could think of to fall asleep and nothing worked. It wasn’t like there was a major time difference between here and London, it was literally only an hour, so unfortunately jet lag could not be to blame.

Lando hadn’t moved the whole time and you figured he fell asleep as soon as he turned over, but you were bored and going a little crazy because even though you were tired, you couldn’t fall asleep. “Lando.” You whispered, but got no response. “Lando. Are you awake?” You whisper a little louder this time, but still no response. So with a defeated sigh you roll back over and shut your eyes, praying that this time you can go to sleep. But within a matter of seconds you feel the bed shift and Lando’s voice echoing through the room.

“I’m awake.”

You roll back over— the two of you now facing each other. “Why didn’t you answer me a minute ago?”

“I was trying to go to sleep myself.”

“Oh sorry. I’ll go out to the other room and watch some TV or something.” You barely move an inch before Lando’s got his fingers wrapped around your forearm, gently pulling you back towards him.

“No, don't leave.”

You can feel your heartbeat quickening as you realize just how close the two of you are. The glow from the moon cascades through the balcony doors allowing you to make out the moles on his face and those pretty long eyelashes of his that make his already breathtaking eyes seem even more beautiful. Sometimes you think he has stars in his eyes from the way that they sparkle. And as the two of you lay here right now, you realize the only reason that the moonlight is flooding into the room is because she’s looking for her lost stars that have found a home in Lando’s eyes.

“You got any ideas on how to fall asleep? I’ve tried just about everything in the book.” For some reason you're whispering and you wonder if it’s from how close you are to Lando’s face or how suddenly nervous you are to be this close to Lando.

He’s silent for a moment, the logical and sane part of him screaming at him to not even suggest what he’s been thinking about ever since climbing under these sheets. The mere idea of it being the thing that had prevented him from being fast asleep by now. But he’s got you at literal fingertips length and he thinks there may not be another opportunity like this again. So– he acts with his heart and not his brain.

“Come here.” He’s moved onto his back with his arm outstretched towards you.

“Huh?” You know exactly what he’s insinuating, but you can’t actually believe that he is.

“You wanted an idea on how to fall asleep and this is my idea. I’ll get you to fall asleep in no time.

“You think us cuddling is gonna get me to fall asleep?” You definitely hadn’t wondered what it would be like to be wrapped up in Lando’s arms before. How it would feel to have his fingertips trance mindless patterns across your skin or have your head on his chest. He was your best friend, which meant those thoughts had never crossed your mind– right?

He shrugs, trying to hide the nervousness in his demeanor, the mere thought of you denying him right now was enough to have him on the next flight back to Monaco in the morning. He should have never put himself in this situation, but god as soon as he climbed into this bed all he wanted to do was have you wrapped up in his arms.

It had consumed his brain, and then consumed it even more because why was he having this desire to have such a tender moment with his best friend? Though his brain stops spiraling when he feels the bed shift and you’re suddenly tucking yourself into his side, arm slung over his torso, and your head laying on his chest. The same chest that his heart is about ready to beat out of and he prays you can’t hear how hard it’s working.

But as you both get settled and Lando’s heartbeat finally mellows out he realizes just how right this feels, like the two of you were matching puzzle pieces. Any other girl he had cuddled with before now seemed to feel wrong because as far as he was concerned, nothing felt better than this. It felt natural and easy and he found himself drawing absent minded patterns on your side where your shirt had bunched up.

He’d spend the rest of his life here in this moment with you if he could. And when he hears your slight snores something short circuits in his brain and he’s pressing a kiss to the top of your head mumbling out goodnight before he’s out like a light too. The moonlight blanketing over the two of you, who right now look more like lovers than best friends.

─── ༺❀༻ ───

The next morning you’re already up and ready for the day by the time Lando wakes up and he tries to hide the disappointment of not waking up next to you, already missing the feeling of having you so close. A feeling though nice, he knew it was one that he probably shouldn’t be feeling. He asks you if you slept well while he’s getting ready and you tell him yes, not going into very much detail, for your own sake and his.

The day is full of sightseeing and lots of walking, which is something that Lando likes to complain about. You visit Pompeii and a handful of other places for you and Lando to nerd out about and truly be tourists. You eat amazing food that Lando says his trainer will hate him for, but he justifies it with the excuse of being on vacation. Hundreds of pictures were taken, your phones already begging for more storage and it was only the first day of the trip. Lando even went as far as bringing an actual camera, stating that lando.jpg would be revived soon.

But in between the sightseeing, eating, and everything else– both of your brains immediately go back to the sleeping arrangements from last night. You both can’t stop thinking about it, but no one brings it up, almost like it’s something you should be ashamed of. No one wants to admit how right it felt to be in eachothers arms last night or how both of you probably had the best sleep of your lives.

You didn’t want to admit that when you woke up this morning to Lando spooning you, your stomach was doing flips over the realization that you had moved in the middle of the night and he had found his way back to you. So many thoughts and emotions running through your brains, yet you both think it’s better to just act like it's not a big deal.

Night falls once again and Lando crawls into bed next to you. You’re both absolutely spent after the eventful day you’ve had and Lando worries that you won’t need him to fall asleep, but his worries soon dissipate because you’re tucking yourself into his side as soon as he’s gotten himself comfortable. You’re like a moth to a flame– the consequences of these actions never even enter your mind as slowly feel yourself drifting off to sleep.

And when morning comes you don’t run away when you feel Lando’s arms around you, even with the butterflies making an appearance again. You enjoy your moment alone, the sun shining in through the windows, the sound of the city already alive, and the way Lando looks as he sleeps. It's truly a beautiful morning.

He wakes up not too long after you and there’s a funny feeling in his chest when he realizes that he’s gotten to wake up with you still in his arms. That you were the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes. It all just feels so natural and right, that once again no words are spoken about this very non-platonic thing that is happening between you two.

─── ༺❀༻ ───

“We’ve got a little bit a drive ahead of us today.” Lando states as he comes out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel. Water droplets are scattered across his tan skin, his damp curls falling slightly onto his forehead. You’re trying not to stare, but good lord how could anyone not.

“It’s only like an hour.” You're still sitting in bed, propped up against the headboard as you now watch him rummage through his suitcase.

He holds up a shirt and shorts, silently asking for your opinion. You give him a nod of approval and he heads back to the bathroom to get dressed, but he leaves the door slightly cracked so he can still talk to you. “Yeah it was an hour. I’ve canceled the driver and made some new plans for today.”

“New plans?” You raise your voice slightly so he can hear you.

“It’s a surprise.” He peeks his head around the slightly open door— a mischievous smile painted across his face, before disappearing behind it once more. “So you had better start getting ready.” He commands as the door fully opens, revealing a fully dressed Lando.

A few short moments later a domestic scene plays out in the bathroom mirror. The double sinks both occupied, various hair products, makeup, and other random items are scattered across the counter. You’re watching Lando through the mirror as he tries to wrangle the mop of curls on his head, but everytime you look away he’s watching you brush your teeth or do your skincare. And the occasional times your eyes do meet in the mirror you’re both like little kids, eyes immediately darting away with smiles on your faces and little giggles echoing through the bathroom.

“You gonna tell me what the surprise is?” Patience had never been your strong suit and thus knowing about surprises was like a form of torture to you.

“If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it?” He’s still screwing with his hair, but he’s looking at you through the mirror.

“Oh come on, just tell me. Pretty pretty please?” You’ve come up behind him, your chin resting on his shoulder as you flash your best puppy dog eyes at him through the mirror. And for a split second Lando almost cracks– those puppy dog eyes working on him better than you would have ever thought.

“The faster we pack everything up, the faster you get the surprise.” He’s shocked his words come out smoothly, his brain still foggy from your pretty eyes and close contact.

Ten minutes later you’re walking out of the elevator and into the hotel lobby, where Lando tells you to wait while he goes outside for a moment. You assume the surprise is outside and so you try to peek and see what’s out there, but he’s coming back in before you can get a good look.

“Alright let’s go.”

You don’t see anything that you would consider surprise worthy as you walk out the doors, but then Lando leads you towards the cars parked outside the hotel and stops in front of a vintage yellow Ferrari. Your eyes dart back and forth between Lando and the car, unsure if he was just stopping to admire it or if you were going to be riding in it. He answers your unasked question by opening the passenger side door, motioning for you to get in.

“Is this the surprise? Where did you even get this car from?” Your eyes widening over the car itself and the fact that he’d gone through the trouble of even finding the car.

“It’s part of the surprise-” He’s got a smirk on his face as he speaks “and I have my connections.” He motions once again for you to get into the car and this time you don’t oblige. The leather seat soft under your legs as you sit down, the car was surely close to 60 years old, yet still looked brand new.

Lando puts the luggage in the trunk while you're examining all of the car’s little quirks and details while you wait.

“Ok, you ready?” Lando asks as he gets in the driver's seat.

“Gonna tell me the other part of the surprise?”

He sighs, he wanted you to figure it out on your own, but you were so persistent sometimes. “You know how you’ve always talked about wanting to drive along the coast of Italy?” You nod, a smile already forming on your face as you realize what he’s planned for you. “Well, instead of just taking the straight shot over, we’re gonna take the long way all along the Amalfi coast. And I figured it was only fitting that we do it in a Ferrari, considering we are in Italy after all.”

You can’t wipe the smile off your face as you stare at Lando from the passenger seat. Sometimes you wondered if he was even listening to you when you spoke, but then he pulls stuff like this and you know that he’s always listening– remembering things that you care about or like. “God, I don’t deserve you.”

Thankfully the car is still parked because you’re pulling Lando into a bone crushing hug, your cheek smushed up against the side of his head, a giggle emitting from him as he tries to hug you back.

“When you told me your work approved the time off, I knew for sure that this was one thing that I wanted to make happen. That same night I was online trying to find a car to rent for the day, but then I saw this one for sale…” His words trail off and your jaw drops at the realization, but in all reality you know it’s a very Lando thing to do.

“And now we’re sitting in your newest baby?”

He’s got a sheepish look on his face as he speaks. “As soon as I saw it I knew it was the perfect car for this. Plus it’s the ultimate vacation souvenir!”

“You’re crazy.” He actually couldn’t be more perfect.

“Yeah, but you love me.” He teases as he starts the engine.

“Unfortunately.”

─── ༺❀༻ ───

The long winding road along the coast provided scenery that was beyond your wildest dreams. It was serene and picturesque– like something straight out of a movie. The bright blue water on one side of the road and the white stone mountains on the other. The various tunnels that somehow had even more breathtaking views on the other side of them. The handful of towns that you had to drive through, each of them more charming than the last, you only wished you had enough time to stay a week in all of them.

As simple as this was, you would have been more than content with this trip if you went home tomorrow, not that you wanted to, it was just that sometimes the simple things in life meant more than anything lavish to you. You weren’t hard to please, all you needed was Lando singing along to some song on the radio, beautiful scenery, and the wind blowing in your hair for you to be the happiest girl in the world right now.

The whole trip your attention was divided between the coastal beauty and the beauty in the driver's seat. You couldn’t help but glance over ever so often at Lando, especially when you’d hear him start to sing along to a song. He just looked so ethereal sitting next to you, one hand on the steering wheel– the other resting between you two.

There was a moment where you felt the sudden urge to reach out and intertwine your fingers with his, a moment of insanity you’d thought. It surely had nothing to do with how sunkissed he looked from only being in the sun one day, or how the wind had made his curls the perfect amount of messy, or how you’d catch him looking over at you with a smile on his face.

If only you knew that Lando had been fighting the urge to reach out and grab your hand too. He’d never seen you so ecstatic over something as simple as going for a drive, but he’d drive this car till he ran out of road or gas, whichever came first, just to see that smile of yours. The way your eyes sparkled in the sunlight and how you giggled at his singing was just an added bonus, but all of them made his chest feel funny. He’d been around the world more times than he could count, seen so many breathtaking places, but right now none of those places compared to the beauty that was sitting next to him in this car.

You’re in your own little world so much that you don’t even realize you’ve made it to your destination until Lando’s putting the car in park in front of a very luxurious looking villa. “We’ve arrived.” Lando states in a sing-song voice.

“Is this when you tell me Max and everyone else are actually coming too?” You question, flabbergasted over the size of the house. And you can tell what he’s thinking just by his facial expression. “Lando this place is huge just for the two of us.”

He rolls his eyes before getting out of the car to get luggage. “It’s actually a lot smaller than you think.”

When you step foot into the two story villa it immediately has that Mediterranean coast charm with intricate tile floors, artwork that adorns the walls, and windows with the most gorgeous views– needles to say you’re in love.

Then you take in just how big the place is with it’s one too many bedrooms and bathrooms and various other rooms that you probably won’t even use. Lando’s words echo in your head as you explore the house some more, and there’s nothing small about this place at all. “You’re such a liar Lan.” Your words are playful as you walk through one of the many french doors in the house that leads out to the back.

“Lie? I would nev-”

“Oh my god!” He’s cut off by you realizing that the backyard of this villa is nothing shy of paradise. A massive pergola covered part of the back of the house with vibrant bougainvillea lining the top and hanging down the sides. Various other flowers and plants are scattered strategically around the area. Under the pergola there's an outdoor kitchen and a large glass dining table, clearly meant to host a group of people, not two. Further out there’s a pool with sunbeds lined down one side of it– a poolside bar on the other.

All of these things are great, but the real show stopper is the view that this place has. From the front of the house you can’t really tell just how close you are to the water, but from out back it’s a completely different view. There’s a separate sitting area slightly further out from the pool. It’s got a little pergola of its own with couches and chairs and one of those fancy rock fire pits and that is where you get the best view.

It’s like something out of a nature documentary– it’s so perfect that it almost seems fake. The sea is so close that you can hear the waves crashing against the rocks and it’s just endless bright blue water for days. You thought the view in Naples was pretty, but this was breathtaking.

“Knew you’d love this place.” Lando states as he comes up beside you, acting like he hadn’t been lingering behind you the whole time, admiring the view (you) from afar.

It was true though, Lando knew as soon as he saw this place online that it was the one. It didn’t matter that he paid an astronomical amount for it or that the house was way too big for just the two of you. All it took was for him to see the view to know you’d be the happiest girl in the world here.

He could picture you two sitting out here in the evening, watching the sun set over the coast, undoubtedly with a bottle of pink moscato. You’d end up drinking one too many glasses and your cheeks would get red and you’d get the giggles.

As Lando stood here– eyes never leaving the beautiful scene in front of him. He can’t help but feel that funny feeling in his chest over how radiant and happy you look. And he thinks that if this house was for sale he’d buy it in a heartbeat, if that meant he got to see you like this all the time.

A smile finds its way onto your face as you glance over at the guy you call your best friend. “You weren’t lying when you said you were gonna spoil me, huh?” You gently nudge him with your elbow, your smile growing even bigger at his response.

“Only the best for my favorite person.” His smile is equally as big as you lean your head on his shoulder and in that moment he thinks that maybe the reserve driver could just finish out the season and he could just stay here with you.

That night as you both head to your rooms there’s an obvious tension in the air. You’re both slowly making your ascent up the stairs and lingering in the hall, trying to milk every last second until you inevitably have to go into your separate rooms.

After so long though, you’re the first to cave as your hand reaches for the doorknob. Your door creaks open and you’re mumbling out goodnight lan, i’ll see you in the morning before entering the room. Although you don’t close the door behind you and Lando takes that as an invitation to linger in your doorway. He doesn’t need to speak for you to know he’s there, you can feel his presence, and subconsciously you’ve left that door open for him.

“Goodnight Y/N.” You’ve got your back turned to him as you're digging through your suitcase for pajamas, but you can hear the slight grin he has on his face as he speaks.

The sight of Lando as you turn around has butterflies erupting in your stomach and it makes you feel weird to be feeling those things about your best friend. He’s leaned up against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest and that grin that you’d sensed him having was still on his face as he looked at you. Your eyes scanned over him, focusing on little details like his hair still being wind tousled and how the tops of his cheeks were slightly burnt from the car ride today.

And for someone who claimed to not need a ton of sleep– he looked so sleepy as the two of you locked eyes. Those big blue eyes slowly blinking and drooping ever so slightly as his head now too rested against the door frame. He still donned the hoodie that you teased him about putting on earlier after his claims of it being chilly once the sun set, only adding to the sleepy look he had going on right now.

Someone had never looked so cozy and you wanted nothing more than to be wrapped up in his arms, but that wasn’t going to happen tonight. You will tell him goodnight again and he’ll close the door behind him before shuffling over to his room. Your mind will be preoccupied with him as you get ready for bed, the image of him in your doorway forever burned into your mind as you brush your teeth. As you crawl into bed you won’t think about how cold the sheets feel or how you want to be cuddled up to your best friend. You won’t think about how it’s been two hours that you’ve laid here and sleep has yet to greet you. And you certainly won’t think about how you’d be fast asleep right now if Lando was beside you.

But unfortunately you do think about all those things and you’ve exhausted every resource to try and distract you from it. It was different at the hotel when there was only one bed, but now with multiple bedrooms to choose from there was no reason for the two of you to sleep in the same bed. Lines were already blurring between you two without either of you knowing it and if you chose to go seek solace with Lando then those lines would blur even more.

But you didn’t know that your actions would eventually have consequences and seconds later you’re throwing the covers off of you with only one destination in mind– Lando’s room. The journey though, is short lived because as soon as you open your door you’re met with a wide eyed Lando, his fist frozen in the air like he was getting ready to knock on your door.

The frozen fist moves to rubbing the back of his neck as he speaks to you. “Sorry, was coming to see if you were still awake.”

“I was coming to see if you were up too.” He’s still got that hoodie on from earlier, but you noticed he’d changed out his shorts for boxers. His hair was even more messy and you’d wondered if he had even fallen asleep yet. “Couldn’t sleep either?”

Lando shrugs. “Not really– kept tossing and turning.” He acts like the reason he can’t go to sleep isn’t right in front of him as he rests his head on the familiar door frame.

“Yeah I can tell by your hair.” You tease. He just gives you a half assed smile and when he doesn’t tease you back that’s when you realize just how tired he is. “You want to watch some TV or something? ”

He shakes his head no. The only thing he wants to do is go to sleep, but how can he when you’re not next to him? It was embarrassing to admit that only after two nights of sharing the same bed that he couldn’t sleep on his own, but here he was. His big bed felt too empty and he realized that even if he slept in a twin sized bed it would still feel empty without you next to him.

Not to mention he’d found comfort in you being his personal heater at night. It was no secret that Lando ran cold, often seen sporting a jacket during race weekends while his teammate was in shorts. So with his personal heater gone, he’d resorted to wearing a hoodie to bed, which didn’t come close to holding a candle to you.

When he finally worked up the courage to get up and go to your room he was pleasantly surprised to find you up too and facing the same problem as him. A little sliver of him hoping that it was the exact same problem and that you couldn’t sleep without him.

For a split second you caught his eyes looking past you and towards your bed. He couldn’t have made it any more obvious, but if was actually hinting at what you thought he was hinting at, then you weren’t going to pass up on the opportunity. It wasn’t a coincidence that he had come to your door and that you both had trouble sleeping in separate beds. So, you act on impulse and tell him come on just sleep in here tonight and like a little kid who’s gotten scared of the thunder at night he’s crawling into your bed in an instant.

It’s like you two are magnets– immediately finding your way to each other under the sheets and it doesn’t take long for the both of you to finally fall asleep. And some time in the middle of the night Lando had shed his hoodie, no longer needing it with you pressed against him. When you two wake in the morning with the sun streaming through the windows and sleepy smiles plastered on your faces, there’s an unspoken agreement that even with the plethora of beds in this house, you two would be sleeping in the same one every night.

─── ༺❀༻ ───

Lando and you were best friends, nothing more. Nevermind the sharing a bed every night or the longing glances or the sometimes suggestive thoughts you had about him. So maybe your friendship wasn’t practical or normal, but there was nothing romantic going on between you two. It was something you had drilled into your head for some time now. You’d try to ignore the way your heart would speed up when you’d catch him looking at you or the way he always has to have physical contact with you. And any other crazy thoughts that you’d speculated about had always been pushed aside rather quickly. He was your best friend after all and once again nothing more.

Though over the course of the week you’d found yourself having a hard time in pushing aside those non platonic thoughts about Lando. There were instances you two had found yourselves in that you just couldn’t ignore.

─── ༺❀༻ ───

“What’s the plan for today?” You ask as the two of you are sitting outside the cutest little restaurant, enjoying brunch.

Lando finishes the last little bit of his eggs before answering you. “Well nothing that involves you getting behind a motor vehicle with the way you’ve been downing those bellinis.” You roll your eyes at his dramatics. Yes, you’d had your fair share of bellinis, but they were so damn good and there really wasn’t that much alcohol in them for it to be an issue. “How about we just see where the day takes us?”

“Well I already had the idea of renting jet skis in my head, but I guess we’ll do what you suggested.” You joke.

Now Lando’s the one to roll his eyes at you as he flags down the waiter for the check. He doesn’t even look at it when it’s brought over, he just hands his card over like it’s nothing. It’s something that you still aren’t used to him doing even after knowing him for so long and you’re sure he’s gotten ripped off more times than he could imagine.

He quickly signs for it once the waiter comes back and with his card back in his wallet you’re free to go. Except when you stand up all those bellinis hit you and you’re a little unsteady on your feet, something that Lando clocks immediately. You aren’t drunk, just buzzed, but Lando isn’t going to let you live this down. “You wanted to rent jet skis huh?” He teases as he wraps an arm around your waist to steady you.

“Think we still could to be honest.” You’re confident in your ability to walk on your own, but Lando insists on keeping his hold on you.

“Well I don’t want to waste a day at the hospital, so let’s just look around at the shops.”

You’d passed them on your way to brunch and Lando had promised you’d come back to them. They were cute little stores, each one specializing in certain things. You took your time in each one, feeling the silky material of some of the dresses, admiring the leather detailing on the handbags, and gawking at the dazzling jewelry in the displays. Everything was quite luxurious and your eyes couldn’t help but linger on a certain bag and bracelet, but the price tags were all you had to see to know they weren’t coming home with you.

Lando had been watching you the whole time, fully prepared to be your bag boy and was ready to pull out his wallet whenever he’d see you pick something up. But much to his disappointment, all you did was look and after going through all the stores you left empty handed. “You didn’t see anything you wanted?” Lando asks as you continue down the street.

You simply shrug your shoulders at him. “Nothing that I couldn’t live without.” He doesn’t press the matter anymore, fully knowing that he’d be coming back sometime this week to get you that bag and bracelet that you kept circling back to.

The streets are charming and bright. It’s a place that you can’t help but feel alive in, especially as the summer sun beats down on you, but the light breeze coming in off the sea makes it bearable. Your buzz was long gone, but Lando still insisted that you link your arm with his as you stroll down the streets– just in case. You don’t oblige to his request, enjoying the feeling of holding onto his solid bicep as the sound of him slightly humming the song that was playing at brunch fills your ears.

A sense of peacefulness washes over you and it’s at this moment that you don’t feel like you’re on the arm of the famous Formula 1 driver Lando Norris. He doesn’t have a million cameras on him or people flocking to him for an autograph. It’s just you and your best friend Lando– the boy who was gagging when you teased the idea of ordering fish at dinner last night or who you laid in bed with this morning, watching dumb Tiktoks until you were both in tears laughing. It was nice for once, to just have Lando.

You’re just about ready to circle back to the villa when you hear a woman shouting in Italian from down the street. You’re not anywhere near fluent, but you recognize some basic words and what you’ve heard has you pulling Lando towards the voice.

Fior! Bei Fiori!

At the end of the street there stood the lady, who had a cart of the most vibrant fresh flowers. When she spotted the two of you approaching, a smile painted itself across her face. “I think your pretty girl deserves some flowers, don’t you?”

The corners of your mouth turn upwards and a smile is painted across your face. You can feel your cheeks getting warm at her statement, at the implication that you were Lando’s, but it’s his response that makes them comparable to the roses found on the cart.

Lando feels his chest get tight over the lady assuming the two of you were together. It’s nothing new, for people to assume that he’s with a girl just because he’s seen with one. Though for some reason when someone says it about you, it gets a reaction out of him. He’s grinning as he looks at you and then back to the sweet old lady. “You’re right, my pretty girl does deserve some flowers.”

The butterflies that erupted in your stomach at his words were embarrassing and not the appropriate reaction to be having over your best friend, but his comment wasn’t very platonic either. You’re blushing and grinning, probably very easily comparable to a school girl at the moment. He’s got a smug look on his face as he hands you of course the biggest bouquet the lady had. It’s truly a beautiful bouquet and it smells divine, it had anything you could have gotten at the shops beaten by a mile.

As you head back towards the villa you can’t wipe the smile off your face and you can’t stop thinking about my pretty girl. The words shamelessly repeating over and over again in your head. “So you think I’m pretty huh?” You tease.

Now Lando’s the one to blush and he hopes you just think it’s just from the heat and sun as you look at him. “Of course I do. I’d have to be blind to not think so.” He’s sincere with his words, he truly thinks you’re one of the most breathtaking women he’s ever met– intellectually and physically.

You lean your head on his arm, the same one you’ve still wrapped yourself around. “You sure know how to swoon 'em.”

“You’re my best friend. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

And for the first time, for both of you, it feels weird and almost stings to hear the word best friend said out loud. Because deep down you know you’re way more than that.

─── ༺❀༻ ───

Although you weren’t that much of a party girl you didn’t mind going out every once in a while. So when Lando suggested going out to one of the bars tonight it didn’t seem like a bad idea. You’d done your fair share of relaxing and to you that meant a night out deserved to be had.

With a final spritz of your perfume you’re ready to go and as you looked in the mirror one last time you couldn’t help but think damn, I look good. You found Lando waiting for you in the foyer, his head lifting up from his phone at the sound of your heels clicking down the stairs. “Might want to close your mouth before you attract flies Lan.” He hadn’t even realized he was in that much of a trance until you said something, he could feel his cheeks getting warm at getting caught.

You hook your arm with his as he leads you out the front door. “Sorry, you just look unreal tonight.”

“Well you don’t look too bad yourself.” He’d chosen his tried and true white button up, leaving the first few buttons undone, which revealed even more of his gorgeous tanned skin. How someone could make something as simple as a white button up shirt look so good was beyond you, but it was clearly something he was skilled at.

The bar you end up at is relatively small and you realize it must be the most popular one with how packed it is. It’s on the coast and there’s a gorgeous outdoor area that you are immediately drawn to, mainly because there’s slightly less people out here. It’s still a good time though and the people are somehow even more rowdy out here and you wonder if it’s the fresh air.

You’ve danced, drank, laughed, talked, everything you could think of on a night out. It's been nice, especially doing it all with Lando, who somehow through the course of the night has undone more buttons on his shirt and you think he might as well just undo them all. It’s clearly getting late from how the crowd is slowly starting to thin out, but you two are still having a ball, and you figure you’ll stay till they kick you out.

Lando’s gone inside to get you both another drink, which he easily could have gotten from the bartender out here, but he claimed that the guy didn’t know what he was doing. While you wait you venture off to a far corner of the patio that’s somewhat empty. There’s a couple people sitting in chairs sharing a cigarette, but other than that you’re alone. Even in the dark the view is amazing and as you lean on the railing a nice breeze comes in off the water. It’s relaxing and nice, especially when you’re that sticky kind of sweaty and a little more drunk than you realize.

“Absolutely beautiful.” You jump at the unfamiliar, yet familiar voice. It had been a minute since you’d heard another British accent besides Lando’s. When you turn around to put a face to the voice you aren’t expecting to see such a gorgeous man standing there. He’s really the whole package– stunning blue eyes, pretty smile, fluffy light brown hair, nice facial hair.

“Uh- yeah it is.” You assumed he was talking about the view.

“Can I join you?”

He’s cute and you wouldn’t mind some company, so you tell him yes.

“Where’d your boyfriend run off to?” He asks as he nurses his Corona.

“He’s not my boyfriend, but I’m not wrong in assuming you know who he is, right?” This guy is in his twenties and British, if he didn’t know who Lando was then he had to be living under a rock.

He takes a swig of his beer before responding. “I know who he is.”

You scoff, there was a big possibility that he was using you to get to meet Lando, it was something you’d dealt with many times before. Guys showing interest in you only in hopes of becoming Lando’s friend or even worse girls who would befriend you only to try and get with Lando. You weren’t some step on the ladder that led to Lando, you were your own person with feelings and a life, who deserved to have people like you for you, not who you knew.

Maybe it’s the alcohol or maybe it’s the fact that you’re done being led on by people, but either way you confront the guy about it. “Are you using me to get to him?”

You hear him laugh a little and it lights a fire in you, but his words extinguish it before it gets out of control. “I was brave enough to come over here and willingly flirt with you before I even knew if he was your boyfriend or not. If I was trying to use you to get to him, I don’t think that would be a good plan. Which now that I know you’re not his girlfriend, kinda makes me think he’s an idiot. How could he have a girl like you in his life and not be madly in love with you?”

Your brain is fuzzy as you’re trying to process what he’s said. “Sorry wait- you were flirting with me?”

He’s got a cheeky grin on his face and he lets out a chuckle at your cluelessness. “When I said ‘absolutely beautiful’ I wasn’t talking about the view.”

“Oh.” You’d thought it was kind of weird for him to just randomly say that about the view, but for it to be aimed towards you was the last thing you had thought of. “Well, flirt all you want then.”

Not only did this place have one bartender that was incompetent, it seemed like all of them were. Lando had waited for what seemed like ages for a beer and a vodka cranberry. It wasn’t even that busy at the bar for it to be taking so long and at one point he contemplated just going behind the bar and doing it himself. By the time he finally got them he was surprised you hadn’t come looking for him, but when he made his way out onto the patio he saw exactly why you hadn’t.

Over in the corner Lando sees you doubled over laughing with some guy as he watches from afar. His grip on the glasses gets tighter as he sees you place your hand on the guy's arm. The tightness in his chest increases the longer he stands here and watches. It bothers him more than he cares to admit– to see you with some random guy. To hear that laugh of yours and him not being the source of it is driving him crazy. But what really sends him over the edge is when the guy tucks a stray strand of hair behind your ear and without a second thought he’s storming over there.

Lando tries to play it cool as he approaches and he’s glad he’s got these drinks to use as an excuse. Your mid conversation when Lando interrupts, but he doesn’t care one bit. “Here’s your drink.” He says as he pushes the slightly watered down glass towards you.

“Oh thanks Lan.” You flash him a smile, but his face is emotionless and the fun light hearted atmosphere has suddenly turned awkward. For some reason you feel like you’ve been caught doing something you shouldn’t have. “Um, Lando this is-” You remember at that moment that you hadn’t even asked the guy his name, which to you makes this even more awkward.

“Harry.”

“Right. Lando, this is Harry.” You motion between the two men. “Harry, this is Lando.”

Harry extends a hand out to Lando and they very awkwardly shake hands. “Nice to meet you mate.”

Lando only nods his head at him before turning his focus back to you. “I think we should get going, they are gonna close soon.”

You think he’s joking, considering he’d waited all that time to get these drinks, and now he suddenly wants to leave. “I just got my drink, can we at least stay until I finish it?” It also feels rude to just abruptly leave in the middle of the conversation that you were enjoying with Harry. But Lando doesn’t know how to hide his emotions very well and by the look on his face you know he’s being serious.

“Well you can stay, but I’m leaving.” He knows he shouldn’t leave you alone with some guy you just met, but god he doesn’t think he can stand here and watch you flirt with him anymore than he already has. So, without hearing your response he starts making his way towards the exit.

A regretful look washes across your face as you look at Harry. “That was so rude of him, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s up with him, he never acts like that.” You take a big swig of your drink, fully knowing dealing with Lando is gonna be a pain. “It was really nice talking to you, but I better go hunt him down.”

He shrugs, clearly not as upset over this whole situation as Lando or you are. “No biggie, I’m sure we’ll see each other around. It’s a small place.” You bid him goodbye, but you don’t get very far before he’s hollering. “Can I at least get your Instagram?” Which has you coming back and quickly exchanging usernames before you're off again to find Lando.

You run into him in the bar and it looks like he was coming back out towards the patio. A look of relief washes over him when he sees you and he’s leading you away from the loud music and out the front exit before either of you can say anything. Only once the bass of the music is a faint sound in the distance does Lando speak up. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you alone with that guy. I was coming back in when you found me.”

“I appreciate you looking out for me, but you were kinda rude to him for no reason.”

Guess you were diving in head first with this.

Lando stops walking and turns to face you, a confused look on his face. “I wasn’t being rude.”

“Yes you were. We were having a conversation and you just butted in and demanded we leave. Not to mention you wouldn’t even speak to him. He was nice, you would have liked him if you gave him the time of day.”

“You barely know the guy, you talked to him for what ten-fifteen minutes? I just didn’t have a good feeling about him.”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes at his dumb excuse. He shook the guy's hand and didn’t get a good feeling about him? Bullshit. “Well if you didn’t have a good feeling about him then why’d you leave me with him?” He’d started to walk again, but stopped dead in his tracks at your words, spinning on his heel to face you once again.

“I already told you I regretted leaving you. I just had to get out of there for a second.”

“Why?” You were being adamant, your arms crossed across your chest as you waited for his answer.

He knew exactly why, but he couldn’t tell you that, he hadn’t even fully accepted it himself. “I don’t know Y/N.”

You’re getting frustrated with him and these damn heels that you chose to wear are not making your mood any better. “There’s a reason for everything, Lando. How would you like it if I acted like you did tonight with a girl you were talking to? You’d be livid.”

He completely ignores your accusation and turns the conversation in another direction. It had been itching at him to know if you were just being nice or if you were actually interested in the guy, so he plucked up the courage to ask. “So you were flirting with him?”

The look on your face is one of pure confusion, but your tone is nothing but shitty. “I’m not sure how you jumped to that conclusion from what I said or why it’s really any of your concern, but yeah it was just some harmless flirting. I’m sorry for having a little fun!” You were thankful that it was late enough for the street to be relatively empty, the last thing that needed to happen was pictures or a video getting out of you two arguing. You were sure there were already rumors about you two being on vacation together, you could only imagine how this would be misconstrued.

Hearing that his best friend was potentially interested in someone else had his head spinning and he could no longer blame his reactions on the alcohol. He couldn’t lie to himself anymore, ignore the way his heart raced when he looked at you. Or how he loved hearing that old lady call you his girl the other day.

It had been building up– festering almost this whole week and maybe subconsciously he wanted to go on this trip with you to see if there was some truth to what everyone had teased him about. He just didn’t think it would actually be true. Or that at two in the morning on a dimly lit street in Italy, during an argument, he would finally accept that he was in love with you.

But even with him realizing he’s in love with you, that doesn’t stop him from being an absolute idiot. “He was probably just using you to get to me.” Lando immediately regrets what he said as soon as it comes out of his mouth. He knows that's a sore subject for you and the look of hurt on your face makes his stomach churn.

“Now you’re just being mean.” You’re sure it’s a mixture of things that are contributing to the salty tears welling up in your eyes at the moment, but it’s Lando’s comment that actually makes them fall. You’re storming off before he can say anything, wishing you would have just stayed at the bar with Harry.

Lando knows he’s an idiot, but he also knows he’s the one who lit the match, which means he’s gotta be the one to put it out. “Y/N come on. I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have said that.” He catches up with you rather quickly, your heels slowing you down.

“Just leave me be Lando.”

“Y/N. Stop walking for just a minute.” He’s grabbing at your arm, trying to halt your movement.

You stop and face him and for what it’s worth he does look sorry, but that doesn’t change how you feel. “What? You want to poke fun at me some more?”

“No I-”

“You know I was just having a little harmless fun with that guy, like you said I talked to him for what? Fifteen minutes? Nothing was going to come out of it. But is it really that far-fetched of an idea for a guy to actually be interested in me just for me? Am I that undesirable and unlovable for it to seem like a reality? Or was he like everyone else who’s used me and threw me away as soon as they got their five minutes of the almighty Lando Norris experience?”

The tears that slide down your cheeks are a mixture of anger and embarrassment and maybe you were being a little dramatic. Perhaps the multiple drinks you’d consumed weren’t helping either, but when the person you care about the most says something like that, something you’d confided in him about, it hurts.

Lando feels his heart break to hear you talk about yourself like that. All he wants to do is to scream out that you’re not undesirable or unlovable. He’s wanted you and loved you for some time now, the moment it started he’s not sure, but he knows it didn’t happen overnight. It’s always been there– he was just too blind to see it.

He’s not entirely sure on how to make this right, he knows he was an ass, but he also knows he can’t take back what’s been said. The worst part is that he knows exactly how you feel and somehow he still thought that was a good thing to throw in your face– all because he was jealous. He could deal with people trying to use him, he’d developed a sixth sense for them and never let it get too far, but you were too kind. Your big heart and trusting of others had gotten you burned one too many times and it hurt Lando even more to know that all that had happened because of him.

“I should have never said that to you. I know first hand how it feels to have people use me and the only reason you’ve had to deal with that is because of me. I’m so fucking sorry.”

Your sniffles fill the night air as you try to calm yourself down. While people used you to get to Lando, at least they didn’t want to be your friend to leech off your fame. Use you for your money and generosity, expecting paddock passes and some lavish lifestyle. People saw Lando as an object rather than a person more times than not. While your feelings were valid and Lando was still an ass for saying that, you realized to be in his shoes was worse. So, you wipe away your tears and accept his apology indirectly. “Think we’ve only got each other at this point.”

His voice is soft as he approaches you, his hand reaching up to brush a stray piece of hair out of your face. “Don’t think I need anyone else but you.”

The tender moment has you turning to putty in his hands– the argument pushed to the back of your mind. His hand moves to cup your face and his tumb brushes gently across your cheek. You feel like time has frozen in this moment and for a split second you swear he looks at your lips, like he’s going to kiss you. The fact that this is your best friend is no concern to you at the moment. Then the moment between you two is ruined just as fast as it began, the sound of a very loud and drunk group of people leaving the bar up the street brings you both back to reality.

You back away from each other slowly, like you weren’t sure exactly what had just almost happened. You’d already resorted to blaming it on both of your emotions still running wild and the alcohol still coursing through your veins. The group of people are getting closer, their obnoxious singing getting louder as each second passes. They might not even know who Lando is, but you aren’t in the mood to wait around and find out, the last thing you want to deal with right now is drunk fans. “We’ve had too much to drink, my head and feet hurt. Let’s go home.” You grumble as you begin the trek home once again, your feet aching more and more with each step.

Lando stops for a moment and kicks off his shoes, he couldn’t let you walk in pain the whole way home. Especially after the pain he had caused moments ago. “Here put these on, your feet are killing you.” He hands you the white sneakers before squatting down in front of you to help you get your heels off.

Your feet already thank you as you slip on the oversized shoes that clomp on the stone street. And like a magnet you find yourself wrapping your arm around his as you walk down the street. You’re sure you two are a sight–you in shoes that are way too big and Lando only in socks as he holds your heels for you.

“You know you’re still an ass.” You tell him as you lean your head on his shoulder.

“I know.”

“You know you aren’t unloveable.” He hopes you know he’s being sincere, your words still replaying in his mind as you walk.

“I know.”

By the time you make it back to the villa you’re both exhausted. The alcohol, the argument, that moment between you two, the walk home– you were sure tomorrow morning would be a rough one. There aren’t many words spoken as you get ready for bed and as you slide under the covers next to Lando you can’t shake something from your mind from tonight, and it wasn’t the argument.

It was the fact that during the whole time you were chatting with Harry, you couldn’t help but compare him to Lando. There wasn’t the same sparkle in his eye like Lando, his smile wasn’t the same, his laugh. It seemed like everything that you noticed about this guy came second best to Lando. Sure you were having fun and he was nice, but not once had the thought of Lando slipped your mind. And even right now, with Lando next to you, you’re still somehow thinking about him.

It didn’t take long for Lando to fall asleep and you were on the verge of it when your phone went off on the nightstand. Usually, you would just ignore it, but something in you told you to see what it was.

harryinsta is now following you

You then see that he had sent you a DM and you’re expecting it to be about meeting up some time, which you were going to politely decline, but it’s quite the opposite.

harryintsa: i must have been mistaken earlier. lando's not an idiot.

yourinsta: huh?

harryinsta: he’s in love with you lol

Your heart nearly beats out of your chest as you read the message over and over again. Lando wasn’t in love with you, was he? Sure you’d heard it from just about everyone in your life that you two were in love with each other, but you always thought it was silly. You guys were just best friends is what you would always say, but to hear it come from a literal stranger was different.

You couldn’t lie that you hadn’t recently had your moments of perhaps thinking that he did, though you’d always talk yourself out of the idea. Although, if he was in love with you that may explain his behavior tonight. Or maybe it was just the alcohol like you’d originally thought. Then the tender moment you two shared entered your mind and suddenly the gears in your head are working overtime.

You locked your phone and sat it back down on the nightstand. Just from a simple DM you’d gone from being dead tired to now being wide awake– staring at the ceiling. You’re not sure how much time had passed as you laid there over analyzing every interaction with Lando. You were struggling enough trying to figure out the things you had recently felt about Lando, let alone the possibility that he was in love with you. All you knew for sure was that things weren’t the same between you two, you’d felt a shift when you were with him in Monaco before the Belgium GP. It had only amplified during this trip and you had a feeling that by the end of it things would be different.

─── ༺❀༻ ───

Two days later you’re sunbathing on a comfy lounger on the beach, while Lando’s out in the water doing god knows what. You’d given up on watching him a while ago, deciding instead to be productive and try to catch up to Lando’s tan level. Which, after laying here for some time now, it seemed impossible. That boy could be in the sun for a day and have a glowing tan– you not so much.

Moments later you think a cloud has passed in front of the sun, but when you feel cool water droplets on your hot skin you peek open one eye to find a wet and grinning Lando standing over you. “Hi.”

“Hi.” You greet him back as you sit up, your smile matching his. “Did you have fun out there?”

“I had a lot of fun and the water felt amazing. You should have got in.”

“I will later.” You notice he’s got one of his hands behind his back like he’s hiding something. “Lan, what have you got?” He tries to play dumb for a moment, trying to wind you up, but he eventually caves and pulls a plastic pail from behind his back. “Please don’t tell me you stole that from a kid.” Your half joking and half being serious, because where the hell did he get that from?

“I did not steal it from a kid– I borrowed it.” The smile on his face never falls as he continues to speak. “They had a bunch of them. I don't think they’ll miss it. Plus I needed something to put your present in.”

You cock an eyebrow at him, curiosity written all over your face. “My present?”

He’s smiling so hard as he sits down at the end of the lounger that you think this must be the best present in the world. Seconds later the pail is turned upside down and out falls the prettiest seashells. Your heart swells when you realize all that time he had spent out in the water he was looking for shells– for you. There’s a light pink one that catches your eye and Lando notices when you reach for it.

“Knew you’d like that one.”

Of course he knew that, sometimes you think he knows you better than you know yourself. “Can’t believe you spent all that time finding them.”

He shrugs like it’s an everyday thing. “I knew it would make you happy, which meant I enjoyed doing it. Really only took me so long because I wanted them all to be perfect for you.”

The sun beating down on you feels cold with how hard you’re blushing. “You’re my favorite person, you know that?”

Lando starts to get shy when you get sappy, like he hadn’t just said the sweetest thing a second ago. He’s smiling, but focuses on carefully putting the shells back into the pail. “You’re my favorite person too.”

A while later you decide to open up the umbrella between the two loungers. You had chosen to give up on the tanning lifestyle and instead dive into a new book. While Lando was fast asleep on the lounger next to you, apparently all that hunting for shells had worn him out.

You’d noticed out of the corner of your eye awhile ago that a little boy kept glancing over in your direction, specifically at Lando. You knew he had to have been a fan or he was the kid Lando stole the pail from. The nervous glances back and forth tell you that thankfully he’s a fan and you think it’s the cutest thing. You’re in the middle of considering waking Lando up so the boy could come over when you hear a groan that is undoubtedly Lando awaking from his slumber.

“What are you looking at?” He asks as he rubs his eyes.

You nod your head in the direction of the boy who’s just seen that Lando is awake and is practically bouncing with glee. “Think you may have a fan.”

A big grin spreads across Lando’s face as he sees the little boy. Lando loved meeting all his fans, but meeting the kids was his favorite. He thinks a big part of the reason he always makes sure to find time for the younger fans was because he was that kid once. Before he was ever F1 driver Lando Norris, he was just a kid who finally got the chance to meet their idol and he knows that picture or an autograph means the world to them

Lando motions for the boy to come over and he’s instantly tugging on his Mom’s shirt to get her to come with him. She gives you guys a questioning look and when Lando motions again they both come over.

The little boy’s Italian accent is the cutest thing ever as he greets you two and you can tell just how much it means to him to be talking to Lando.

“What’s your name?” Lando asks as he signs a beach towel of all things.

“Luca and I’m seven!”

“Seven is a great age. You know I started karting when I was seven!”

Luca’s eyes get as wide as saucers as he glances back at his Mom, who is already shutting down any talk of Luca karting. “I told you possibly next year. You’re still my little baby. I don't want you getting hurt!”

Lando gives the Mom an apologetic look. “How about a picture?” Which easily takes Luca’s attention away from karting, as he’s already at Lando’s side with a big smile on his face before his Mom has her phone out.

They take a couple pictures and high fives are exchanged throughout their interaction. The whole thing is very sweet and you can’t help but look on in adoration, fully knowing that Lando would make a great Father one day.

You see that Luca keeps looking over at you and then back to Lando, but you don’t pay that much mind to it. You figured he was just nervous or something, but what comes out of his mouth next takes you by surprise.

“Your girlfriend is very pretty.”

You feel your heart skip a beat and you glance over at Lando to see what his reaction is. You prepare yourself for the worst, but in true Lando fashion he’s all smiles. In fact he’s sporting that full face smile of his and it makes you feel funny.

“Thank you buddy, I think so too.” He looks over at you with nothing but love in his eyes and you’re immediately looking away like some shy school girl.

Thankfully, the Mom comes to your aid and quickly changes the subject. “Ok Luca, you’ve bothered them enough. We should get back to our spot. Thank them for their time.”

His cute little voice mutters out grazie as he gives you a small wave goodbye.

“It was very nice to meet you, Luca.” Lando bids him farewell and you both wave back at the little boy.

As soon as they’re gone you’re immediately shoving your face back into your book, you don’t even want to talk about what had just happened. It was nothing really to be so worked up over, it was just a little kid who saw two people together and assumed they were together. It happens all the time. But it is a big deal when you find yourself liking being referred to as Lando’s girlfriend. It doesn’t help when neither of you deny it and correct the person. Lando likes to play into it and you love it too much to say anything.

Ever since getting that DM the other night your mind had been in a whirlwind over how Lando felt about you and how you felt about him. Hell you can’t even look at him right now, you’re so in your head that you’ve been staring at the same page for the last five minutes. You just wished the book you were reading could tell you how to come to terms with the fact that you’re in love with your best friend.

It was something you’d realized the other night while you were awake overthinking everything. Those feelings had always been there, but you had just pushed them aside, ignoring every little butterfly or rapid heartbeat. When they actually turned into romantic feelings you have no clue because as far as you knew, you and Lando had always been like this.

You two just dove in head first into the co-dependent friendship that was more like a relationship lifestyle. All those times you’d gone to his parents house for family dinners and holidays, both of you attached at the hip. How he wanted to ask you to move to Monaco with him and then almost didn’t even move because he said he’d miss you too much. The group vacations that always ended up with you two going off and doing your own thing. The texts from him every Wednesday before a race asking if he needed to get you a paddock pass and a flight. This trip in particular– sleeping in the same bed when you don’t have to, the cuddling, the getting mistaken for a couple three times so far, the fact that it was just you two alone on the trip.

It was all there the whole time and you wondered how you could have been so blind to not realize it sooner. You were in love with him. You loved his pretty eyes and curls and the way his real laugh only seemed to come out around you. You loved his big heart and his caring nature and sometimes you thought he was too nice to be a Formula 1 driver.

You loved everything about him and truth be told it made your stomach hurt from how much you loved him. You wanted to actually be his and be able to kiss those pink lips that you sometimes found yourself staring at. When people said you were his girlfriend you wanted it to actually be true and not have it be Lando just playing along. You were so down bad that you prayed that Harry was right and that Lando was actually in love with you too.

While you were freaking out, so was Lando. When you immediately went back to reading your book and not speaking a word, he figured he had weirded you out by basically implying that you were his girlfriend. He just figured it was easier to go along with what the kid thought than explain that you weren’t his girlfriend, but god does he wish you were. He didn’t know what to say to try and test the waters because he knew whatever he would say would come out awkward and he didn’t want to make things worse. So, once again it’s not talked about and you two pretend that it didn’t happen when you finally speak again.

─── ༺❀༻ ───

It’s the last day of the trip and you’re dreading going back to reality and away from this little slice of heaven. The only thing you have to look forward to is the supposed fancy dinner that Lando had planned for tonight, which was what you were currently getting ready for. Music plays through your phone and you softly sing along as you do your makeup. When you look up after digging in your makeup bag you spot Lando in the mirror, leaning against the door frame behind you. Your eyes lower and you see that he’s holding two gift bags.

"Those better be for your Mom.” You state as you put the finishing touches on your makeup.

“I think we both know they aren’t.” He sees you roll your eyes in the mirror and it only makes him want to spoil you more. “It’s our last day, I think you deserve a parting gift.”

You turn to face him as he makes his way over to you. “I haven’t gotten you a single thing this whole time. It makes me feel bad.”

Lando only shakes his head at you. “You being here with me is the best gift you could have ever gotten me. I truly don’t need anything else.” He hands you the bags. “Now open them please.”

A small smile finds its way onto your face as you take the bags from him. You decide to open the bigger bag first and once you pull out the tissue paper you know exactly what it is. It’s still in its dust bag, but you see the branding and your jaw is dropping before you even see the actual thing. “You did not get me this bag Lando!” You exclaim as you remove the dust bag and see that it’s the same bag you were eyeing at the store the other day.

He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Saw you eyeing it and knew I had to get it for you and before you say anything else open the other present.”

You set the handbag down and grab the smaller gift trying to figure out what else he could have possibly gotten you. When you open it and see the bracelet you were also looking at the other day you’re at a loss for words. “Lando Norris!” You could slap him, hug him, kiss him, and yell at him all at once. He’d dropped probably close to six grand on these two gifts and your head is spinning at the thought of it.

“Don’t even say anything about the price. I know you’re thinking it, but I wouldn’t have bought you them if I couldn’t afford it. I wanted you to have them, you deserve nice things.” You deserved a lot more than a handbag and a bracelet, but what he thought you deserved money couldn’t buy.

You know there's no use in fighting him on it, but you still feel bad that he just spends all this money on you. He takes the bracelet from the box and fastens it around your wrist, the diamonds glittering in the light as you move it around. It’s truly stunning and the handbag will go great with your outfit tonight. As soon as you two make eye contact again you’re pulling him into a bone crushing hug and you two stay like that for probably longer than necessary. “Thank you a million times Lan. I love them both so much.”

It’s time to leave for dinner shortly after that and when you arrive at the restaurant the host guides you back to a secluded corner. It’s a very romantic ambiance and you can’t help but feel like you’re on a date, which wouldn’t be a horrible thing. Moments later a waiter comes over with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. “It’s on the house– for the special couple.”

There it is again and it seems like with each time it happens it makes your heart race even more. Lando shifts in his seat and you focus on the rising bubbles in the glasses as the waiter pours the champagne. Lando tells him thank you and your attention moves to the menu.

“What are you thinking about getting?” You ask, ignoring the obvious.

“Probably the steak.” He grabs the flute of champagne and takes a drink. “What was that? The fourth time now?”

You know exactly what he’s talking about, but you’re surprised he’s decided to talk about it. “Yeah it was.” You set the menu down and grab the other flute. “Think I’ll get the steak too.”

Dinner actually turns out to be an amazing time. The food is decadent and Lando and you have good conversations that don’t revolve around you two being mistaken for a couple or being in love with each other. When the waiter brings the bill you’re quite sad because that just means this trip is that much closer to being over.

You take your time heading back to the villa, trying to savor every last moment you’ve got here. The sun was low in the sky by the time you get back and you tell Lando just how you want to spend your final evening in Italy. You hurry and change into comfier clothes and take off all your makeup before heading to the spot with the best view out back. Lando makes his way out there not too long after you, but he’s got one more surprise for you.

“Don’t think the evening or this trip would be complete without this now would it?” He pulls a bottle of pink moscato from behind his back along with two wine glasses.

He knew you too well, but it was something you loved dearly about him. “You’re a man after my heart Norris.”

He hands you a glass as he sits down next to you, the sun just beginning to set on the horizon. “I try.”

There’s a comfortable silence between you two for a while and the only sound to be heard is from the waves below. It feels like paradise sitting here with this amazing view and the guy you love next to you. It’s probably boring to the majority of people, but this was everything you could ask for and more and the perfect way to end this amazing trip. You lean in closer to Lando, your head resting on his shoulder as he wraps his arm around you. A content sigh escapes past your lips as his thumb starts to draw mindless circles on your arm.

“Thank you again for everything. This trip was amazing and I’m glad we got to go together– just you and me.”

“I’m glad too. It was probably the best summer break trip I’ve had. Don’t think Ibiza will be seeing me for a while.”

You’re not even looking at him, but you can sense the smile on his face and you can’t help but laugh at his lie. “Yeah, and I don’t like pink moscato.”

“Alright so Ibiza will inevitably see me, but not as much as Italy.” He pauses for a moment, glancing down at you still resting on his shoulder, his heart swelling just by looking at you. “I think this may be our place now, just for the two of us.” His voice is soft when he says it, like he’s not sure if he wanted to say it outloud.

You lift your head up and are met with his piercing blue eyes staring back at you. He looked radiant as golden hour cascades over him and it’s like you’re in a trance as you look at him. You take in every last bit of him, all the little details about him that you’ve memorized over the years. The slight stubble on his face from not shaving for a couple days, the little moles, his long and somehow always curled eyelashes, those pink lips of his. He’s everything you could have ever dreamed of and more. You’ve had him at fingertip length for so long now and all you want to do is reach out for him, take what you want and never let go.

Lando feels his breath catch in his throat as you two make eye contact. You’d never looked more beautiful than in this moment and he doesn’t know how much longer he can take without you actually being his. You were the love of his life, his best friend, and everything he’s ever wanted. It may have taken him a long time to realize it, but he’s never felt like this about anyone before. You know each other like the back of your hands and it only makes sense that you’d be the one for him.

And it’s in this moment that it clicks for you two that it’s now or never. You’re never going to have a perfect moment like this again. It feels right, like the universe wants this moment to happen and if you let it go to waste you may never get the chance again. Lando takes his free hand and gently cups your face, his thumb ever so softly rubbing across your cheek. You’re practically putty in his hands and you feel like your heart is gonna beat out of your chest. You want to scream out to him that you love him, that you want to be his, but you can barely get your brain to communicate with your mouth.

“Lan-”

That’s all you can get out before Lando’s leaning in and his lips are on yours. He tastes like the sugary sweet wine and his lips are soft as they move in sync with yours. Kissing him is even better than you’d imagined and as your hand reaches up to his neck you deepen the kiss. It feels like you two had kissed a thousand times before and as he pulls away you’re already left wanting more.

Your foreheads rest against each other, both of you breathless and a little light headed from that singular kiss. When you both actually internalize what’s just happened you’re both grinning, that then turns into laughing and it’s like music to both of your ears to hear each other laugh.

“I think that was a long time coming.” You state as you finally lean back onto the couch.

Lando reaches out for your hand, intertwining his with yours. “When did you realize?”

“That night when we got into that argument, which looking back now, you were totally jealous.”

“I was not jealous!” He tries to be serious, but the knowing look on your face has him cracking. “Ok I was jealous.”

“When did you realize?” You question.

“That same night. I couldn’t understand why you flirting with that guy bothered me so much. Well I guess now we know.”

“Yeah cause you’re in loooveee with me.” You’re laughing as you speak, but he shuts you up with another kiss and leaves you pouting when he pulls away.

“Only kissed you twice and you’re already pouting when I pull away? I think you’re in loooveee with me.”

You lean back in, capturing his lips in yet another kiss and you’re like teenagers who’ve gotten into their first relationship.

Lando sighs when you stop kissing him, he can’t believe he could have had this sooner if he would have just opened his eyes. “You think you could get another week off from work?”

You’d do anything to get another week in a paradise with him, but you know it’s not possible. “Hmm, why don’t you just spend a week in London with me?”

“Well you haven’t even told them that you now have a famous F1 driver boyfriend. Who if they didn’t know already is very needy and needs to see his girlfriend.” He teases.

“Well you forgot to add that you’re my hot and famous F1 driver boyfriend.” You counter back.

You’re both grinning like fools at each other and as you curl up into his side and take in the last sunset you’ll see in the place that now holds such a special place in both of your hearts, you’re glad you let him convince you to come on this trip.

As the sun finally sets over the water you actually say those three little words.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

[bpmiranda]

hi oh my god i’m so obsessed with your stories. can you write some teacher x student stuff? maybe there’s a training sesh or something involved? content completely up to you :)

Professor (Logan Howlett) nsfw

A/N: age gap, professor!logan, 18+ mutant f!reader, prettygirl!reader, suggestive content, mentions of masturbation

Logan hated subbing for Storm. Not because he didn’t get along with the students or because he couldn’t do the tasks assigned to him. There was a girl in one of Storm’s classes that drove him crazy. Her outfits weren’t necessarily provocative, but she wore them with the intention of accentuating her curves, the build of her thighs, that damned belly ring exposed just underneath the hem of her shirts. Logan would daydream for hours on end about that belly button piercing, his tongue and teeth tugging on it as he fingered her.

She was a student, however, he had to keep reminding himself she was still a student, and it wouldn’t be right.

It didn’t help how pretty she was either. Her shiny hair, flicking around with every movement of hers, her smile knocking the wind out of his lungs when she laughed at one of his lame jokes. Her eyes so wide and innocent, so naive to his hungry gaze eating her up as she sat in the front row. Logan often jerked off at night to the thought of bending her over the teacher’s desk, holding her against him as he kissed her and plowed roughly into her. Her little whines and moans of his name falling sweetly off of those pretty lips.

“Fuck,” Logan groaned as he came in his hand at the thought of her.

Seeing her at breakfast the next morning only made him harder. “Hi Professor!” She beamed sweetly at him, unaware of the mess she caused this morning in his bedroom.

“Not today, sweetheart,” He smirked. “Just Logan today.”

“Well then, good morning, Logan.” She said in a sultry tone and it got him going. “If you’re not subbing today, what’re you up to?” She asked, resting her chin on her palm as she leaned on the kitchen island to await his response.

Logan had been around long enough to pick up on the signs of a woman flirting and this was it. “I’ll probably just get that old bike in the shop.” He said, grabbing an apple from the fruit basket in between them.

“Can I watch?” She asked, sitting up excitedly with her arms stretched out in front of her so her arms gently squished her breasts together.

Fuck, Logan thought to himself as he nodded.

Her legs were crossed one over the other as she sat sideways on the motorcycle while she talked to him. Logan was working on the engine, trying to ignore her leg as it bounced lightly by his head. There was an anklet adorning her leg, the pendant was the initial of her name on the thin chain with a tiny diamond. Her legs were bare and long, the thigh-length skirt bunched up slightly from how she was sitting. Logan couldn’t stand it anymore and he grabbed her calf, a small gasp left her lips, but she smiled at him. “Professor?” She asked.

“Stop, please.” Logan sighed, her skin was so soft and his hand move up to her knee as he used her to get up to his feet. “You’ve gotta stop. I can’t take it.”

“Stop what?” She asked, feigning innocence though she knew what she was doing.

Logan took his hand off her knee and stood over her while he shook his head. “You’re a student.”

“Since when do you play by the rules?” She asked teasingly as she uncrossed her legs and stood up. Her hands smoothed over his chest, her eyes looking up at him in a pleading manner. Logan shuddered as she touched his shoulders and biceps, exposed by his tank top, and he found himself holding onto her hips. “C’mon, it’ll be so fun.” She stood on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his neck. Logan bent down to her height as she moved her lips up to his jaw.

“Sweetheart, I can’t.” He groaned, aware that anyone could walk in on them. “Not here, not now.” He added, pushing her away though he kept her at arm’s length.

“But Logan,” She purred. “We’re here now.”

It was all too easy to sit him down on his bike so she could straddle him. Logan was weak the moment her thighs settled on his lap, his hands immediately caressing them under her skirt as she kissed on his neck and his jaw. Her manicured fingernails scratched lightly at the back of his neck, her hips rolled slowly into him, soft moans vibrated against his skin. “Baby, please,” Logan groaned, holding her down on his lap to push his erection against her. “I can’t.”

“Then let me.” She murmured, reaching between them and undoing his belt buckle. “Let’s just call this an extracurricular activity.”

[baka-bakeneko]

Take a Break - Wade Wilson

tags: video games, mini contests, sex repulsion, Sex Repulsed Wade Wilson, teasing, a litttle dry humping, serious discussion abt sex repulsion, domestic shit, cutesy PDA, consolation

wc: 2.2k

synopsis: Wade has to say something. [part three of marathon s-e-x; part one / part two]

a/n: I originally wrote this as like a third marathon piece but one of my favorite artists (fuzzyaya on twitter) reminded me that Wade Wilson doesn't have a super high sex drive, so I ran with that instead.

You reared on Wade's lap, moving the controller up to shield his view of the television. His arms around you squeezed at your sides, shifting you out of the way while his teeth sank in your shoulder.

"Move your ass so I can beat it," Wade growled against you, pulling you back down.

You wiggled on him, distracting him with a flick of your hips. He tightened his hold on you, leaning you into him.

"Winner gets the good pillow," you taunted, leaning into Wade's view.

Wade made a noise of amusement, leaning you sideways out of view before manuevering his controller cord around you.

"Who said I have more than one? Looks like you're sleeping on my chest, kitten."

You pressed your knees into Wade's thighs, pulling yourself upright in his lap again. "You make it sound like a bad thing."

Leaning back, you pecked Wade's temple then sat up on your knees to block his view as the two hyper-colored cars entered the last lap.

"Loser buys coffee in the morning," you offered, using your nitro button at the last curve.

"I'd shake on it, but I'm about to win this--shit!" Wade boasted, ready to breeze past you with his final nitro boost, but you crossed over the finish line and the race was called.

Your character rounded the lap in cartoon cheers and confetti, the winner's title displayed on your half of the screen. Wade's character drove, head in hands defeat, displaying a full 2nd place placard.

"Nice try, baby," you comforted, sitting down on Wade's lap and dropping your controller to the living room accent table. "Make mine's an extra large iced coffee, okay?"

Wade hid a roll of his eyes, dropping his controller next to him and scooping your legs and back into his arms. "You think I reward cheaters? Nice try, yourself."

He shifted onto his knees on the couch, then stood up. You curled your arms around his neck, pointing your toes with Wade carrying you to bed.

"Cheater? You dare to mock my champion title?" You asked, dropping down onto the mattress, your hand folded to your chest in feigned offense.

Wade growled, crawling over you and meeting your lips. You held his face, your fingers tracing over the intricate burns along his ears. Your legs spread, you invited him to steady his weight over yours.

He sighed into your mouth, his face and body relaxing as his arms curled around your waist. He rolled his hips, nestling his bulge behind his briefs at the crest of your mound behind your panties.

You pulled back with a whimper, resting your forehead against his with a huff. Wade shared your breath, his chest meeting yours with a deep stretch of his back.

"I dare," Wade punctuated with a quick peck. "But I'll buy you a coffee as a consolation prize."

You scrunched your nose, puckering your lips for another kiss.

"Make sure it says 'Number One' on it," you teased, rolling your hips to rub against Wade's bulge.

He smirked, baring his top teeth with a playful sneer. "I would, but I'm a sore loser."

You feigned a pout, running your fingers down to Wade's neck. Pulling yourself up, you kissed his cheek then jaw. Wade hummed, tilted his jaw in the direction of your affection.

"Can I...say something?" Wade asked, planting his hands to your hips and putting distance between your bodies.

"Of course, baby," You said, lying back on the bed. Your fingers circled at the nape of his neck, your other hand dragging down his shoulder before finally squeezing his bicep.

Admiring him.

Wade's browline raised, his eyes softening while he stared down at you. He blushed, swallowing hard as his gaze raked down your body clothed in his sweatshirt. His chest rose and fell hard, acknowledging the hi-cut panties you were adorned in.

"I..." Wade began, bringing his eyes back up to meet yours. "don't want to have sex tonight."

Your fingers never stopped curling at the nape of Wade's neck, your other hand running down his side. "Okay, baby. That's okay."

The skin between Wade's brows scrunched, smiling in slight disbelief. He quirked, taking in your demeanor. "You sure?"

The knit of your brows couldn't be helped; tilting your head slightly at Wade, you cupped his jaw and brought him closer to you until your lips grazed his chin.

"I understand if you don't want to, Wade," you reassured, lifting to kiss his cheek, then the corner of his lips. "I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable."

Wade immediately collapsed against your body, nuzzling and squeezing you close as he tucked his chin over your shoulder. You smiled, wrapping your arms around his slim shoulders and holding him tight against your chest.

"But I'm taking the pillow tonight." You teased.

Wade glanced up at you, squishing his cheek harder against your shoulder. "I'll be your little spoon."

You smiled, kissing Wade's forehead as your fingers traced down his tattered back. His skin a decorated mosaic of scars and welps, his body telling a story all on its own.

You shut your eyes for a long moment, relishing the feeling of Wade's steady weight over yours. "Can I ask you something back?"

Wade stifled a yawn, tucking his chin and shutting his eyes. "Shoot, hot stuff."

You disguised a gulp, your palm petting over your boyfriend's shoulder blade. "Has...anyone made you feel bad for saying 'no'?"

At that, you felt Wade stiffen over you. His body, once malleable and warm was now jagged and cutting. His chin moved over your chest, monitoring your shallow breaths since asking.

Still, he answered: "Uh, yeah. A few."

Your breath stopped, wondering how twisty the question must've felt in Wade's gut. You angled yourself up on your elbow, staring down at Wade positioned on your chest.

In that instant, you wanted to throw your body over his like he did you to shield whatever horrific thoughts you simmered out of him.

"I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

Wade scoffed, effectively shutting down your apology and relaxing against you. "Like that kart racing bullshit? I'm still not over that by the way."

You tried to meet Wade's eyes, your hand finding the back of his head to get him to look at you. "Wade--"

He shut his eyes to hide from your prodding glare, sure that you would see through him. "Don't think I forgot the blue shell. You almost had me forgetting."

Then he was up and off of you, making his way off the foot of the bed and towards the bathroom. You sat up, your body chasing after his.

"Wade, please." You reached for his hand to pull him back into you, console the feelings he harbored.

He threw his hands up in feigned defeat, walking into the restroom. "Just remembered I can't share my bed with a cheater, sorry."

You sat on the edge, dangling a foot to the floor while you waited to hear Wade's movements. You stared at the comforter dangling over the edge of the bed, patiently biding your time until he returned.

Minutes passed without a sound which prompted you to stand. You tiptoed in the direction of the bathroom then leaned against the doorway when you found Wade sitting on the toilet seat., head in hands.

"Baby," you began, launching yourself away from the doorway. "I'm sorry."

You stopped before Wade, who was unmoving. No sniffles echoed from behind his hands, just silence. You swallowed and sat on the decorative toilet rug before his legs, reaching a tentative hand out to pet his knee.

He flinched slightly, but never receded from you. You pet carefully, stringently, at his kneecap then this calf. More time passed in silence between you two until he inhaled deeply and sat up.

"Do you like a man that's repulsed by sex sometimes?" Wade asked geniuinely, his eyes finally meeting yours.

They bore into you, searching inches of your mind to find an answer suitable for his question. The corners of your mouth lifted, tempted to beam a soft smile at him but refrained.

You tenderly rested your chin against his thigh, keeping his inquistive gaze met.

"I like you, Wade," you answered honestly. "And if that's how you feel sometimes, then that's how you feel. I respect it."

Wade scoffed, flashing a hint of his signature smirk before his face fell and he looked away. You saw his eyes glisten something fresh, the tempt of tears.

"You know, when I said I'd like to keep you for a whole year, I was probably exaggerating." He looked down to his clasped hands in his lap.

Wade tempted his tongue out to wet his dry lips, the very lips that kissed you so tenderly. "I want to keep you, but when it comes to sex...I-I-"

"You don't have to keep it up everyday," you said, raising your hand to rest between his open palms. "I'm not asking you to. I'd never ask you to. And I"m not going anywhere unless you ask me to leave."

Wade's bottom tried to quiver, but he sucked it in and looked at you. "I'm not kicking you out for shit. You'll be begging to leave me at the end of this."

Your heart singed at the utterance. Your hand squeezed at his, resting your cheek on his thigh. "What end?"

Wade opened his mouth to speak but clammed up the further he stared. He exhaled a shaky breath, dropping his eyes to your hand in both of his.

"I don't want you to think I'm sick of you. Or disgusted." Wade started, glancing at you. "I just..."

"Don't feel like it sometimes," you finished, nodding along to his sentiment. "I understand, babe. I do. And it's nothing to do with you."

"Don't think you wiggling on me, cheating at that game wasn't doing it for me. It does wonders for the spank bank." He reached up to tap his temple. "But that'll only be when I'm away from you."

Silence crept in again before Wade's breath shoved it away. He stood, pulling you to your feet and tenderly melded his lips to yours.

"I'm sorry, for bringing that--"

"Shush shush," Wade enunciated, folding his index finger to your lips before playfully squishing them down. "I'll race you to bed. Winner gets the pillow."

You flashed your teeth from behind his finger. "Game on."

Darting out of Wade's grasp, you breezed out of the bathroom and hopped onto the bed. Wade was close behind you, his hands ghosting out at your waist to pull you back before his body careened onto the bed directly after yours.

The two of you ended up a tangle of limbs, clawing to the head of the bed, ready to tag Wade's singular pillow in triumph.

"Wade, don't play with me right now."

"I'm playing nice, baby!"

The closer you got to the pillow, Wade would grab your hips and drag you back, causing your hoodie to ride up to your chest. Wade lunged out for the pillow, only stopped by your hands gripping agressively at his ass and yanking him back.

The two of you play-fought in a continuous wave until you called a truce to catch your breath. In the middle of the bed, you and Wade both stared at the ceiling, panting like a pair of dogs.

You glanced over at Wade, over the vast grey sea of bedsheets and started laughing. He grinned at the lilting noises that escaped you and joined in.

He reached for you first, pulling you towards him to bask in your laughter. His hand curved at your hairline then down to your jaw, admiring all big and small about you at once.

He swallowed hard, his laughter dying out the more he was drawn in by your glow, the blush from playing brightening your cheeks. Too soon.

You still tittered, meeting Wade's milky gaze and mapping the beautiful imperfect of his face while your hand drifted up and grabbed onto the pillow.

With a smile, you brought the thin pillow down on Wade's head, cackling all over again as he broke. His nose scrunched with a scoff.

"You cheated, again!" Wade jeered, pulling you in for a deep kiss that shot to your toes.

Your body froze, humming and tittering behind the work of his lips before his tongue slipped into your mouth. The moan that escaped you was unmannered, your hands bracing his waist to keep him a chaste distance from you.

When he pulled away, you tossed the pillow back up and grinned. "I didn't cheat the first time."

"That's debatable, okay? I bet if there was an instant replay, it would've shown I was in the lead."

You stuck your tongue out playfully, pinching at his side. "You wish."

The two of you remained in the center of the bed, going back and forth on your consecutive wins until Wade stifled a yawn.

You sat up, reaching for the comforter to bubble over the two of you. "When you wake up, don't forget my coffee, okay?"

Wade exhaled in acknowledgement, his eyes shutting to feign sleep. "Huh?"

[golden1u5t]

mistakes | s.r x fem!reader

ꨄ requested: anonymous

ꨄ genre: angst + fluff

ꨄ summary: you and spencer break up because he chose to believe someone else over you.

you phone had rang a million times, eventually you turned it off because you were tired of seeing the same name pop up each time: spencer. you couldn't imagine why he'd kept calling you over and over if he was the one who broke up with you because he thought you had cheated on him.

when everything had happened, you tried to explain to him that you didn't cheat and you were at home the entire day and the picture he saw was a picture from years ago. you don't know who sent the picture to him but it was a picture someone you used to know took of you at a party kissing some guy, it was old and way before spencer.

you hadn't gotten out of bed in a few days, only to shower and brush your teeth. your friends, really only one because the rest of your friends were spencer's friends and they absolutely hated you at the moment, came over to make sure you were okay.

a knock on your door pulled you away from your bed, you figured it was just your friend but when you opened the door it most definitely wasn't. spencer stood at the door with a bouquet of your favorite flowers, he was drenched

from the rain pouring.

you were upset with him and hurt but you weren't about to let him stand out there and get sick. "what is wrong with you? get in here before you get sick!"

"why are you here?" you crossed your arms over your chest and glanced over his entire frame. spencer held the flowers out for you to grab, you hesitatingly took them from him and brought them up to your nose.

you knew why he was here, to apologize and try to get you back. quiet frankly, you would problaby go back to him just because he'd only broken up with you a few days ago and because spencer is honestly the best man you've ever met and been with.

"you were at home, like you said. i should've believed you, i'm sorry. just- can we talk about this- us?" he pushed his hair out of his face. you stared at him for a few minutes before nodding your head.

what's the worst that could happen?

"i'm sure you still have some clothes here and because i'm not a horrible person, you can go shower and stay here until the storm passes." you mumbled and moved past him.

when spencer got out of the shower, he found you sitting in the living room scrolling through your phone. you looked up when you felt the couch dip beside you. you shifted on the couch until your body was sideways on it, you drew your legs up to your chest and stared expectingly at him.

"better get to talking before you're walking home in the rain."

spencer had to suppress the smile threatening to show, he liked that you were still just as snappy as before. he cleared his throat and started to tap his hand against his pants.

"i'm so unbelievably sorry. I should have believed you when you told me that the picture was old, I shouldn't have believed an unknown number before you." he looked down to his hands before looking back up, you hummed in agreement and continued to stare at him.

"i'm sorry that I ruined everything we had, it was a huge mistake and i realize that now. i've hardly slept since everything happened. you were the only person that stayed with me despite my job being the way it is."

"because i love you, that's why I dealt with it. when you came to me with those accusations, i wish you could've felt what I felt. ive never felt a heartbreak like that before." you wrapped your arms around your legs. it was silent for a few minutes, just you and him staring at each other, thought's racing in your minds.

"would you ever consi-"

"yes," you didn't even let him get the question out because you already knew what he would say. yes, you would consider getting back together with him and really there would be no thinking about it. "in a heart beat. i would get back with you because I love you and- and even though you hurt me, i still understand why you did it."

spencer opened his mouth to say something but you held up your hand because you weren't done. "i know that i'm your first real relationship and your vulnerable when it comes to me, you'll believe anything that's believable. you've seen what's happened with other's relationships because of your job so it's only reasonable that deep down you would be scared that i would cheat or find someone better, if that's even possible."

"you should become a profiler with your ability to read people." he couldn't help but crack a small joke but he knew that you were right, everything you said was true and there was no denying it. you let your legs down and nudged his thigh.

"i was thinking about it, really. i mean, id get to be with you every second of the day. didn't you say your boss was looking to fill a spot?" you reasoning was absolutely horrible but it made spencer laugh, a sound you'd missed hearing.

you moved closer to him and wrapped your arms around him. the second your skin touched his, he pulled you into him and held you so tight you almost couldn't breath.

"god, i missed you so much. i'll never to that again." he breathed, you nodded the best you could.

“you better not, i won't forgive you as easily if you do."

[tonberry-yoda]

hii, loved ur zuko x reader post, it made the zuko simp out of me rise ✨️

I was wondering if u could write a zuko x fire bender! reader where they re together in the gaang and talk with the rest about how they would train together on the ship back when zuko was obsessed w catching aang and reader making fun of him along with sokka and toph,

thank you <3

OMG HI!! i am so glad you were here for that zuko writing and here for a request!! seriously, rewatching Avatar made my inner simp come out bruh (also, i love your pfp so much monster high was my CHILDHOOD lmfaoo). thank you so much for the request! this was super fun to write and i am so happy i got to write it for you <3 have a wonderful rest of your day and please stay hydrated <333

The Past - Zuko

Pairing - Zuko x reader

Warnings - none!

Word Count - 663

“Remember when you were bald?” You said through a cough, giving Zuko a sideways glance with a little smirk on your face.

“Oh come on!” Zuko exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. “What the heck did I ever do to you, y/n? Stop making fun of my bald self.” He crossed his arms and pouted and you just giggled to yourself as Toph and Sokka were holding back laughter.

“You have to admit it’s a little funny, Zuko.”

“It’s not!”

You walked over to Zuko and put your arm around him. “Okay, okay, it’s not that funny.”

“Thank you!” Zuko turned away from you still pouting and the campfire you were around with the others went silent.

Until you spoke up, of course.

“Remember when all you wanted to do was capture the Avatar.” Everyone started laughing and Zuko’s face went as red as a tomato. It definitely didn't help that Aang, you know, the literal Avatar, was sitting right there.

Sure, Zuko was happy that the gaang took him in, but it was definitely a little embarrassing that he had once made it his whole life and every waking moment to capture him.

“I have to capture the Avatar and restore my honor.” You said in a mocking dramatic voice.

Sokka and Toph were completely out of breath laughing while Aang and Katara were trying not to laugh in respect of Zuko.

“Okay, y/n.” Zuko turned to you, his face flushing a dark crimson. “I'm serious. Stop.”

“Zuko,” you walked over to him and tucked his long hair behind his ear. “You know I'm just playing. Sure, capturing the Avatar was definitely number one on your list, but you were still just a kid.” You rubbed his arm and Zuko smiled at you.

Zuko didn't know if he could live without you or his uncle. You were both there for him through thick and thin since he was banished from the fire nation. Heck, you even decided to go back to the fire nation with him after that awful crisis in Ba Sing Se. No matter what, you were always there for him.

“Remember when we would train on the boat?” You smiled.

Everyone turned to the both of you, intrigued.

You just smiled and hugged Zuko’s arm. “You’ve always had the potential to be a great fire bender. Who cares if your sister was some prodigy since she was born? You've always put in the work, making you that much better.”

“Stop,” Zuko said with a bright red face, hugging you to him. “If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be as good as I am.”

“Oh, come on, Zuko! I'm not that good.”

“YES YOU ARE!” You laughed at Zuko’s sudden outburst.

“Yeah, y/n!” Aang butt in, beaming at you. “You’re not only one of the best fire benders I’ve ever met, but also the nicest. No offense Zuko.”

“None taken.”

“You guys are a riot.” You said with a joking eye roll, standing up to stretch your legs.

Zuko stood up with you and wrapped his arm around you, looking at the full moon.

“You know,” Aang said, standing up and walking over to the two of you. “If it wasn't for the both of you hating my guts for that period of time, I honestly don't think that I would have any firebending teacher.”

You and Zuko smiled at Aang, pulling him in for a little group hug. Aang smiled and ran back to the rest of the group and you turned to Zuko and pulled him into his own hug, kissing the crook of his neck. “I'm so proud of you.” You whispered and looked at his bright yellow eyes with small tears of your own.

“I'm proud of you too.” He leaned down to you and gave you a small, but loving kiss on the lips before the two of you cuddled in each other’s arms, watching the clouds cover the moon.

~~~~~

atla masterlist --- pinned post

@tonberry-yoda

[nickybloodhead]

Kinktober day 9: Stripping

James had lost a bet against you and was now questioning all of his life decisions.

You looked at him with a mischievous smile as you waited for him to start, he looked everywhere as if he expected someone to come to his rescue out of nowhere, but no one would come, so he had no way out.

"Can't we, you know, renegotiate the terms of the bet, honey?" he asked with a smile, you just scoffed and shook your head.

"Nope, sorry baby, but you lost so...why don't you start taking your clothes off for me?" You smile and wink at him, resting your chin on your hand and looking him up and down lasciviously, eating him with your eyes.

The sudden role reversal had him disoriented, he couldn't help blushing and feeling shy as if he were a virgin. He pursed his lips and hesitantly unbuckled his belt, but a disapproving sound from you made him stop.

"No, no baby, up and down and uh, make sure you give me a show, yeah?" you smiled flirtatiously at him and leaned back on the couch. He averted his gaze embarrassed and a little horny but obeyed, he started to unbutton his shirt slowly, his eyes back on you.

You smiled sideways and watched as his shirt slid down his broad shoulders, he looked so shy and small with that look of embarrassment and red cheeks, neither of you had ever done this before, but bossing him around and making him this nervous was turning you on. You watched as his hands slowly moved down to the edge of his tank top, he tugged it up and pulled it off in one swift movement, his fingers running over his chest and abdomen tentatively as he looked up at you through his eyelashes.

"Is this show enough for you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at you and crossing his arms in a vague attempt to look tough, it didn't work.

"Uhm, I don't know, you still have your pants on" You moved dangerously close to him, circling him and getting a glimpse of his naked torso from every angle, your hand caressed his back, which sent a shiver down his spine "Maybe if you make good on what I win on the bet, just maybe, it'll give you some relief here" You looked down at his growing erection, straining against the fabric of his tight jeans, you squeezed his bulge momentarily, James gasp completely turned on.

He unbuttons his pants, hooks his fingers in the belt loops and pulls them all the way down. You nod in approval and gesture for him to sit next to you, again, he obediently does as you ask.

"Wow, who knew the mighty Hetfield could be so accommodating" you tease him, his boxers still on so you run the tip of your finger along the contour of his cock. He lifts his hips in search of attention, no words from him, just pleading looks; you grab the hem of his underwear and pull it down to the middle of his thighs. He almost trembles with anticipation until you finally wrap your hand around his girth, he moans at the relief of being touched and seeing him this desperate makes you lose it.

You quickly manage to remove your pants and panties, then take his hand and guide it between your legs, as you begin to masturbate him you hump against his fingers, using it to grind your clit, James is mesmerized and just lets himself be handled at your pleasure.

His dick is contracting in your hand and you know he's close if his increasingly loud moans are any indication, so you lean over and put your lips around the tip, which is enough to make him cum and fill your mouth, you hear how it's a panting disaster, so you swallow every last drop just for the pleasure of it.

When you are sure there will be no more cum you stand up and look at him, he has a mess of emotions painted on his face, but the one that stands out the most is surprise.

"Wipe that expression off your face, I haven't cum yet so go ahead, make me drip, baby."

Did I make a bit of submissive James ?.... You can bet your panties I did, uh huh, I love to make this big man nervous.

[bowieandqueen11]

The Strawhats Celebrating Your Birthday Would Include…

Request: hello 🤍

my birthday is Sunday the 18 and if you’re taking requests still was wondering if you would write about how the Strawhats would celebrate your birthday!!

My lovely happy happy happy birthday!! I hope you had a really lovely day, and I'm sending you all good wishes and my biggest hug! :)

I'm getting back into the swing of writing after surgery, so please bear with me!

This is 5k, so quite a long one!

Warning: a little strong language, descriptions of light making out and mentions of being drunk/drinking alcohol!

(I do not own One Piece or its characters, all rights go to creators. Gif credits go to @icythot-bakubitch, @calim3ro, @zorobae, @adhdthomasthorne, @goodsirs and @icythot-bakubitch.)

☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°

Luffy

I mean, I love Luffy so much but it's hard enough to lug this man off you when it's not your birthday, but when it is?? You better be prepared to grow a fifth limb with the name Monkey D. Luffy.

You're trying to unwind with Nami on the sun loungers after your look out shift? Luffy appears on your lap like the crack of a reddening storm, raging clouds held in his eyes as he grasped his hands around your neck and bent you down. Without a second thought for Nami's grossed out grimace, Luffy's nuzzling his nose against your own in a fervent sweetness, his whole body aching and twisting against your knees as he sweeps little puppy licks up and down your face.

You need to talk to Sanji about what ingredients he'd like you to pick up on the next island the Going Merry is docking at? Because you legit tried to run away from Luffy's clinginess for a while, you and Sanji give each other nervous side glances as his cup of tea starts rippling on the counter. All that floods your ears is the sound of pounding sandals growing like thunder claps across the boards, before you're flung sideways with the intensity of Luffy's leaping jump onto you. What he didn't expect, however, was for Sanji to be baking a cake for you. Cue the bowl full of batter he was stirring disappearing in a splotch up in the air, only for it to land with a resounding splatter across the top of Sanji's blonde hair.

You try and take a moment to train with Zoro? Before the swordsman can even hand you one of his weights, a look of pure terror widens your eyes as two snake-like appendages come slithering around your waist. As the fingers spread comfortably across your bellybutton, latching together so you're caught in a powerful vice, you're flung backwards and into Luffy's grinning face.

Be prepared for at least a full hour of Luffy keeping you in his lap. His words become more and more jumbled as his lips drag across your neck, small swipes of his tongue over your skin making your breath hitch. From time to time you manage to make out breathless fragments of 'so sweet for me' as Luffy's fingernails dig almost painfully into the meat of your hips, followed by a devastating whine as he bucks his hips up against the curve of your bottom. Of a panted 'you're the best thing I've ever tasted' before Luffy bit down carefully onto your shoulder blade, teeth latching into your skin.

I mean, of course Luffy asked poor Sanji to prepare a huge feast in your honour! Before any of the rest of the crew can join, though, Luffy's has haphazardly balanced the plates along his arms, dragging you across the boat to join him for a make-shift picnic on the figurehead. He tries his best not to stuff all of the delicious meats, pastries and fruits into his face, he really really does. The two of you manage to find a compromise: Luffy will sit cross legged in front of you, feeding you the pastry he wants to scoff down himself in a birthday act of self restraint. Although his fingers nearly claw into your mouth with how excited he is, the best part of your compromise is how he's allowed to taste the crumbs my kissing them off your lips!

But bless his heart, he's so giddy to celebrate your birthday that his rubber body is vibrating so hard his head is almost slamming against the floor. You have to make him slow down, because he wants to run around everywhere on some grand adventure with you. The crew eventually give up trying to follow and head back to the ship, because Luffy is dragging you off to cuddle among the fields pocketed with fire-snapped wildflowers: crawling the two of you into the dark recesses of coves on a hunt for hidden treasure, and nearly getting the two of you stuck up the boughs of a prickly tree because he was trying to pick some exotic fruit as a present for you. The whole time, the tight grip he has on your hand is only loosened right before he gives your fingers an excited squeeze, (or when he realises he's running so fast his feet are nearly wheeling off the ground, his elongated arm and your poor panting body so far in the distance you look like little dots against the rolling hills.)

Before the two of you board back onto the Going Merry again, Luffy grabs both of your hands and stops you on the dock. There was an unfamiliar intensity in his eyes: something so aglow in his grin, in the study of his lambent eyes as they darted over your own that almost made you feel... embarrassed. Nervous.

Before you can make eye contact with your Captain again, the scratchy brush of something being placed on your head distracts you. With a lopsided smile, Luffy's hand pats the straw hat firmly down so it crests just above your eyes, before his fingers run down the string.

'Look! It fits you perfectly!'

He nips his thumb and pointer finger against your chin, leaning his lanky body down towards the warmth radiating off your body. You flush, believing your boyfriend is about to kiss you again, but this dopy ass lovestruck idiot is so overwhelmed and so so sleepy, that with a content sigh he falls on top of you. Before you can register your ass hitting the salt-stained wood of the docks, Luffy's cheek is pressed up against the side of your own, his mouth fluttering over yours as he snores soundly; as you try to shove him off, his arms wind at least ten times around your waist and effectively pins you to him like glue.

Big thanks to Zoro for being the only one on the crew brave enough to venture out and see why your flickering shadows were rolling about the pier: why there was so much mewling echoing out over the railings of the boat from down below. With a tired sigh, he just threw your boyfriend over his shoulder and tucked him into his hammock for the night.

Zoro

Roronoa Zoro, ahh the man who full on owns my ass. Let's be real though, since this man is so forgetful he would be such a teasing asshole on your birthday.

First off, this man definitely sleeps in. He's too busy hugging on to you: his calves are heavy as he slides them in between your own, a snort huffing out of his nostrils as he buries his face into the back of your neck like his salvation lay deep within the warmth of your skin. The tight security of his strong arm finally unwraps from around your waist when he gets up to train without another word: without any acknowledgement, any hint that the man knew how special today was.

But god, of course he knew - he knew everything about you: every detail, every idiosyncrasy, every quirk and giveaway and bad habit. And if he didn't love them all - if his constant observation, constant silent adoration of you didn't prick his sorry heart with a thousand deep lashes of longing.

Cue your confused frown as you finally got up to go look for your boyfriend training on the deck, only for him to be nowhere in sight. Wandering around the Going Merry, the annoyed grunt of your boyfriend's increasingly amplifying voice finally reaches your ears as you pass the kitchens.

Turns out, as Zoro asks for you to accompany him on look out duty in the Crow's Nest that night, that he had spent most of his day obnoxiously doing his best to threaten work with Sanji to create you the perfect birthday cake. The look of surprise that dawns like crested sunlight across your face as you notice the mountain of blankets spread out into a real makeshift nest, as well as the plates of desserts and charmingly wonky lantern lights strung along the wooden circle makes having worked with the waiter... slightly more bearable.

Before you can say anything, Zoro's pulled a bunch of dirt-strewn tiger lilies from behind his back with a bashful scratch of his rubescent neck. As you sniff their fiery sweetness, Zoro stumbles to explain how he’d actually asked for Luffy’s help to pick them; the problem is, the two of them are absolutely hopeless. They’d spent a full three hours trudging through the same field, only for Zoro to seethe once he realised they’d passed the same hollowed out tree trunk for the third time in fifteen minutes.

With the two of them hopelessly lost, it was by sheer dumb luck that Luffy finally managed to spot the flowers sprouting at the bubbling edge of a cragged little brook dotted between the tree line. The only thing was, as he leaped for enthusiastically to pull out the roots, his sandal got stuck between small pebbles and a heap of sticky mud residue lying underneath the water, and with all the tugging Zoro had to do to try and get them out the poor swordsman ended up soaked from head to toe.

At least he was better off than Luffy: the Captain had gone flying backwards over Zoro’s head with an increasingly frustrated tug against his hips, and ended up with his legs dangling comically out of a nearby tree he has been flung so far.

It was all worth it though, if solely for the wick of desperation that’s lit in the quivering pit of Zoro’s stomach as you lean on your tippy toes to kiss his cheek. For the warm glow of lingering affection that alights behind his hazel eyes as he offers you his hand, and the two of you fall into an entangled heap on the blankets.

Now that there’s no one around to annoy him with their antics and quipped comments, the former bounty hunter can finally release the wild beast of desire that’s been clawing against his stomach all day. Your birthday is the only day the usually stoic and reserved swordsman will allow you to hear him mewl against the shell of his ear as you scrape your fingernails down the tight, shaking muscles of his back. The tightness of your thighs as they quake around his waist: the hot pant of his breath as he tries to restrain himself from tearing you apart right there and then, the surprisingly sweet flutter of his kisses as he pins you underneath the contracting muscles of your abdomen are the best present you could ever wish for.

For a second, he pulls back, using his elbows to stop himself from collapsing completely on top of you. He swallows thickly, obviously embarrassed by the way his eyes suddenly are intrigued in scanning the holes and perforations drilled into the Crow’s Nest by the sea’s brackish breeze. It’s only when he starts muttering incoherently to himself, sliding his stumbling hand into his trouser pocket that you finally manage to catch bits of what he’s trying to convey.

He unfurls your hand from where it’s clawed into the mossy strands of hair above the nape of his neck, thrusting something into your palm.

Bless his heart, it’s a little gold sword earring, dangly and almost perfectly melded to reflect his own three.

’I thought you might like something… if there’s ever a day I’m not there to protect you’, he hides himself in the curve of your neck, pretending rolls of steam aren’t burning your hand as you cup the back of his head.

’I always knew you were a big softie deep down’, you tease, pressing a lingering kiss against the side of his forehead.

The love is there. The love is there. Even if it gets stuck in his throat, in his pride, it's there. In the way he lifts his head to bore his eyes into yours. In the slight curl of his lip: the almost imperceptible brush of his nose tip against yours.

’If you tell curly brows, I’ll toss you off the boat myself.’

Sanji

Since you and Sanji have known each forever: since you were two terrified children, trying to run away from the cruel wrath of his father in the Germa Kingdom, his main goal on your birthday is to make you feel as safe, as protected, as adored as you’ve made him feel his whole life. Even though you’re spending the next character of your adventurous life together as Strawhat Pirates on the Going Merry, he wants to bring a little bit of your former home - of the Baratie - back to you.

As soon as the sun hits the chef’s tired eyes, he’s nearly tripping over his own shoes as he runs across the boat and comes crashing into your quarters of the boat. On any other day he may have been embarrassed to come in unannounced or uninvited, but as Sanji jumps onto your duvet like a puppy with a firecracker under its tail, he can’t find it in himself to worry about anything else except kissing you absolutely, head over heels silly. For a moment as your tired eyes blink languidly awake, you're wondering why you're finding it a little harder to breath than usual. First, you register the feel of something heavy and smooth clench against your torso; Sanji's muscled thighs tremble in anticipation as he straddles you. Secondly, you wonder why you can't move your face side-to-side; Sanji's trying to collect his butterfly swarm of a heart by collecting his warm, calloused fingers by the side of your cheeks, spreading them delicately against the skin. Finally, you manage to make out the almost luminescent, closed eye and open-mouthed grin of your boyfriend as he leant forward and encased your body.

Once you finally manage to physically shove Sanji's needy lips off your face, he starts the day by settling into the easy, familiar routine the two of you fell into once you started at the Baratie. He sneaks you away; steals you, almost greedily, insatiably for himself from the rest of the world.

Because to Sanji, you are his entire world. He had spent so long living behind the colossal shadow of his father: curled up, deferential, strangled. It had been so stifling there, so dank and saturating that he had almost become friends with the loneliness. But you - you, god, by all the seas he swore he would never meet another person as ephemeral as you. You had brought the sunlight back into his eyes, making his whole body awaken and burn with such a want anytime you were near that, despite his overly gallant nature, it almost scared him.

He's prepared a platter of your favourite breakfast foods by the back of the deck: trays full of delicious smelling dishes, strewn gold, sea-shell, freckled honey rose petals flittering among the silverware.

He spends the whole morning trying to feed you each bite, dipping his spoon into the fresh cream sponge he had spent all night baking, and humming as he the edge of the metal against your bottom lip. Finding it far too fun not to tease him, you make sure to grab onto his tensing hand and hold the spoon in place as he tries to pull away. With direct eye contact, you drag the flat edge of your tongue up the back of the spoon, making sure to wet his thumb with the inside of your warm mouth along the way.

His crossed legs squirmed against your own, swallowing thickly as he did his best to straighten his spine and look presentable: not like someone who was finding it harder and harder to hide just how easily you had managed to make him become undone.

It doesn't work though, and you have to drop the plate resting on your knee to the floor with a crunching crack as Sanji begins to pass out on top of you. With a frantic slap across his forehead, you just about manage to stop your boyfriend from toppling face first into the depths of the ocean.

Once he finally comes back round, his head resting securely on your lap, he utters out a thousand apologies as he pulls out your real present. He unfolds a hand-written letter that, honestly, is almost comical; there are so many bullet points laid out on the parchment detailing in exquisite, minute, sometimes quite raunchy detail all the adoration and reverence pouring out of his heart and soul for you, that it almost rolls fully to the bow of the ship.

He makes Captain stop at a nearby island, so the two of you can spend the afternoon at peace together: running barefoot, chasing each other through the champagne waves as a lavender hued sunset bows above your heads, napping on each other's shoulders under the leaves of a coconut tree, and making out on the sand until it swipes over your heads and soaks the two of you. The two of you sneak towards the borders of the nearby village when you begin to hear a swirling brush of stringed music sway out across the little island. Holding out his hand with a bashful smile, Sanji pulls you against his chest until there's almost no space left to breathe, that mad fool so deliriously in love. Under the silky velvet of the waning moonlight, the two of you can barely make each other’s eyes, falling into a fit of euphoric, infantile giggles that almost give you away. The kind glow of the varnished barn lanterns that hang over the ring-wood of dusty buildings brushes over you and Sanji's blushing cheeks as the prince presses the jut of his chin into your forehead. With a content smile, he closes his eyes and pulls your shared hand over till it’s resting against his heart, continuing to sway the two of you back and forth.

The two of you spend the rest of the early morning snuggled up in the kitchen, (even if Sanji has to bar the door with a broom, and throw apples at the handle from time to time to stop Luffy's smooshed face from shoving through the crack and asking if you guys had any snacks left over your birthday breakfast.)

Just you sitting tranquilly on the perch of Sanji's knee, a shared blanket wrapped lazily around both your shoulders. One of his arms is wrapped around your side, stroking and tickling your bellybutton just so he can feel the vibrations of your back as you laugh against him. The other is cupped around some warm tea, refusing to let you exert yourself at all on your birthday; between languid kisses that neither of you want to pull apart from, Sanji dissipates the line of saliva arched between your lips by giving you sips of jasmine tea.

The two of you just cuddle and talk about everything and nothing as soulmates do... well, until Zoro gets fed up of having to wait for his sake and straight up kicks the door off its hinges.

Nami

You can absolutely tell that Nami is up to something. You just know it.

Although she's trying to act as elusive and nonchalant as ever, that sneaky little smirk she throws at you over the breakfast table is definitely what I'd call a massive giveaway. Without breaking eye contact, your girlfriend will pretend to be intently concentrating on peeling her orange, all the while she's busy making you choke on your food by running her foot up your leg and resting it teasingly on your lap. She presses her toes against the inner seam of your thigh as he finally places a slice in her mouth with an ostentatious pop of her thumb as she pulls it away from her lips, Sanji nearly comes running to give you the heimlich.

All Nami does is wink at you as she chews.

Even though the cat burglar abhors the idea of being anything less than stingy with her money after the trauma she's suffered since Cocoyashi's ambush by Arlong, you're the only person she's ever willing to loosen the purse strings for. She surprises you with an expensive gift: a looping necklace dotted with fine jewels and glittering beads that seemed to both melt and burn ablaze against the horizon with each glint of the light.

You wanted to cry. Not only had Nami spent her valuable berry on a gift for you, she had also remembered, taking note in the back of her mind that you had complimented the piece of jewellery during one of your dalliances out to the markets of Turtledove Isle a couple of months ago. Swiping off the idea of ever owning it as being a fanciful dream once you looked at the price tag, Nami had observed your wistful frown and had purchased it there and then, before you had even fully turned your back.

Bless her heart, she had even managed to find a little tangerine charm and had woven it through the flaxen silver.

When Nami asks to place it around your neck, it takes almost all of your self restraint not to leap up like a firework and pounce on your girlfriend there and then. Her shoes slide around your back, holding you in place as she straddles herself behind your back. Her knees knock familiarly against your arms as she places her chin against your shoulder blade and fixes the necklace so it settles between your breasts, her delicate fingers making your heart race with each tender scratch. With a firm finger pressed under your chin, she tilts you back to meet her lips with an earnest gaze.

God, do you have the cat burglar wrapped around your pinkie finger.

With just one soft groan brushing against her open mouth, she's pinning you to the floor and holding your wrists captive above your head. She lunges, famished and desperate clawing for an ounce of control despite the whirlwind you've released in her heart. Shoving your legs apart, she's quick to fill the space by crawling her hands up the inside of your legs until her stomach hits your groin. She grins deviously, but you don’t have any time to question it before her plump lips are open against the skin of your neck - soft and warm enough to make you whimper, but sucking enough to leave you breathless. She continues pressing those licking, trailing kisses up the tendons of your neck until she’s sure she’s unwound you into a flustered, whining mess.

The sweet cries leaving your parted lips can be heard in each corner of the crevice of the ship. So much so, that Sanji has to desperately hold onto Luffy's arms and drag him back into the kitchen, because the sweetly naive Captain was worried that someone was injured up on deck.

Before her big surprise, though, she thinks the two of you deserve some well deserved rest and a day off for being the only two non-idiots (affectionate) on the Strawhats crew. Cue the two of you sipping lemonade and lying sunbathing underneath her tangerine tree, holding hands and having an impromptu thumb fight.

Despite her competitiveness, your girlfriend's feeling pretty generous because its your birthday and lets you win. And of course the winner deserves a prize...

Thank goodness Sanji managed to block the kitchen door with his body to stop Luffy from pulling the hinges straight off with his fingers, that's all I'm saying.

Because she'd like a little privacy to properly celebrate your special day, she treats you to a candle lit dinner she had disembarked from the ship earlier to set up on Yukino Island. With the help of some elderly villagers more than happy to watch (and gush over) young love blooming, Nami managed to cover your eyes and lead you to the edge of the wild thickets. With nothing but the peachy wisp of the fireflies dancing and glowing between your intertwined fingers, and the lavender breaking through the boughs of the verdant trees to disturb you, everything seemed so perfect. Just you, the love of your life, and a bottle of blood orange cider shared between you to end the perfect night.

The two of you cuddle up under the stars after, before finally relenting and heading back to the ship. Thus you found yourself tied to Nami's hip, one of her arms resting around your neck and tucking you into the side of her ribs. You lay back against the warm plushness of the moonlit sand, unable to help yourself from grinning as Nami lifted your hand and swept it up in a swift and precise line, carving out your share of the stars.

'You see those ones? That's called Lynx. It was always my favourite when I was a kid. So faint, so far away, and yet so beautiful when someone's finally lucky enough to catch its glow. That's how I used to feel, when I first met you.'

She glances almost painfully shyly to the side of your cheek, before finally swallowing her courage again and meeting your eye. The two of you can't help the flustered giggles that burst out of your throats as Nami begins to smile, digging her face into the socket of your shoulder and just... breathes easily, for the first time since she was a child.

She was so thankful for you, and gosh - if she wasn't ready to spend every birthday, and every day between and after proving it.

Usopp

My main man Usopp is straight up throwing you a massive party, are you kidding me??

He's such a sweet boy, oml. He wakes you up by his bright little smile peering into your face like a curious robin, quite honestly nearly making you jump a mile in the dim light of your cabin. Once you come round and realise some stranger hasn't just materialised to ogle you from the side of your bed, your heart soars when you comprehend that the sun hasn't even risen yet and Usopp is already fully dressed and right by your side. Your boyfriend can barely keep still: his knees almost sounding like a foghorn with how quickly they were bouncing on the floor, trying his best not to jump up but stay kneeling by your side. With a pile of maple smelling pancakes steaming by your legs, and a little clasped box you'd soon find filled with a smoothed stone 'pearl' inside, Usopp was the perfect picture of restrained, nervous longing.

He also presents you with a hand-made card, a slightly wonky outline of the two of you holding hands, surrounded by winged hearts and flying arrows on the front. As he carefully places it into your hands, he tries his best to tell you how much he loves you, but bless his heart, he's so shy and stuttering that all that comes out of his blubbering mouth is a long string of confused 'uh' sounds.

When you lean forward and shyly kiss the side of his mouth, trying to let him know that you reciprocate all the adoration he's trying to form into an actual sentence, his eyes roll so far back in his head that you grab onto his biceps to stop him from falling onto his face on the floor.

While the two of you are quickly trying to run through your chores today for the very *ahem ahem* surprise party Usopp definitely didn't blurt out to you was happening as soon as he had the chance, the sharpshooter takes every opportunity to try and distract you. He can't help it, the soft peals of your laughter makes his heart feel so light he feels like he's floating among the clouds. Cue your boyfriend jumping up onto the railings and swinging back and forth like a bat as he tells you about the time he was nearly eaten by a giant seal; he nearly kicks Sanji off the side of the Going Merry during one incredibly vigorous, almost manic jumping impression of a mammoth, snapping oyster monster that the brave Captain Usopp had to defeat to find you the pearl he knew would be the only present that could measure up to a rare treasure like you.

When the crew leads you out into the middle of a nearby island's square, despite how you'd been practising your shocked face your hands covered your mouth in genuine surprise; peppered flowers woven through vines wind around the marble arches of the gothic buildings, the warm splash from the spray of the siren fountain flutters across the rustled curls of the crawling banners running across its arches. The energetic hum of the crowd pulses through the swinging band as Usopp latches onto the bottom of your fingers and pulls you into the thrum.

Most of the night is spent with your forehead pressed firmly against Usopp, the two of you trying not to choke up bubbles as you share two striped straws and race each other to finish a cocktail bowl. The only problem is, Usopp can't help but brag about you every time he goes up to the bar to fetch you another drink, but then the silly man gets so worried that someone's going to come steal you away that he makes a beeline straight back for you, like a stinger's stuck in his bottom.

Your boyfriend has a tight, clammy grip on your hand all night - except when he's throwing shapes on the dance floor, of course. With some unfound confidence, he tries to twirl you around and dip you down into his arms, but manages to send the two of you flying straight into the side of the fountain oops.

Slightly tipsy, very giggly, and so, so completely, blissfully, ecstatically in love, the two of you come tripping back onto the ship trying to shush each other between snorts. Stripping off the various memorabilia Usopp managed to collect during the night: funky sunglasses, a string of fairy lights dangling off his shoulders, and a captain's hat, lay strewn in a haphazard trail back to Usopp's hammock.

Sanji managed to pull the short straw; tip-toeing over to the guy's quarters, he peeks through the door with an incredibly nervous furrow of his eyebrows to try and see what the two of you were up to. With a sigh, he thanked the seas to find Usopp cuddled up to you like a clingy koala bear, a lingering smile brightening his face despite the honk mimimi snores that were rising out of his chest.

[izvmimi]

a/n: part of cursed!reader series of drabbles. sfw.

"y'know, it'd be nice to be loved like that," you muse as you follow nanami into the subway station. it's almost 3am, and both of you have sobered up a bit, knowing that satoru and his partner are probably stumbling into one of their apartments' drunk in their own right. you think for a moment that perhaps you should have actually explicitly made sure they made their own way safe, but you're pretty sure even piss drunk gojo can protect him and your friend.

nanami looks tired as usual, but he has a content smile on his face. you wonder if he heard you speak as you sit by him.

"oi, are you even listening to me?"

nanami turns his attention to you, a gentle flush of red on his sharp cheekbones letting you know that he probably is a little more drunk than you expected. it must be nice - you're often careful because you're a chatty drunk, and waking up after blacking out with multiple senses stolen from you is probably not ideal.

"always," he says. you raise an eyebrow. the train doors close and you start moving.

it's a strange answer from him but you allow it.

you sigh, stretching your legs out in front of you. there's just a singular man in the front part of your subway car, and he looks nonthreatening so you lose interest quickly. not much is there to look at, and when you look back at your friend, kento is peering at you through his glasses.

"what part of it do you like?" he asks. he chuckles, and you feel like you're being teased.

"i didn't say i liked it."

"you literally just said 'it would be nice.'"

heat rushes to your cheeks, but then you bite your lip and decide to own it.

"you know what, yes! i'm tired of being single. why would i want to be going halfsies on a tiny apartment with a sourpuss like you when a man should be appreciating my charm and treating me like a queen?"

it's nanami's turn to raise an eyebrow.

"do you think you deserve better?" he asks. you make a show of gasping in shock.

"why i never-"

nanami laughs louder this time and crosses his arms over his chest leaning back into the plastic covered seat. any time he laughs this much you're filled with an odd feeling, dread because he's probably making fun of you, or confusion... perhaps jealousy? you don't think you're that funny, but he doesn't seem to find anyone else as amusing. you hate that.

his hand rests on the top of your head suddenly and you kick him gently in the ankle.

"i deserve it," you remind him. you try to keep your eye contact fierce, making sure he doesn't patronize you; he lets his hand drop back to his side but continues to give you a pretend bemused look.

"perhaps."

breathing out through your nose, you decide you'll get him where it hurts.

"are you gonna pretend you're not bitter that your love life sucks?" you ask. he peers again at you sideways, then grins.

"i try not to think about it too much," he replies, promptly.

his ankles cross, and you consider kicking him again but the second time might actually hurt and you don't actually intend to hurt him. you purse your lips to the side and avert your attention instead. the shadows in the subway station start to hypnotize you the longer you focus on them, then you realize you are kind of sleepy. one of you has to stay awake to make it home safely, so you decide to return to antagonism.

"are you still pining over women who are inaccessible?"

nanami's eyes have closed shut by now but they open again.

"whatever do you mean?" he hasn't turned to look at you yet, and you're looking for the tick in his jaw that suggests annoyance but there's nothing yet.

"i told you to stop falling for lesbians, remember?" you tease him.

nanami gives you a look that lasts a bit too long, and for a moment you wonder if you've actually wounded him. you breathe in sharply and you're preparing to say the words, "sorry" but then he interrupts you quickly with the following,

"are you a lesbian?"

the question catches you off guard in the slight inebriation of hours after karaoke, where trot and enka play on loop and the taste of overpriced sushi swallowed not on your dime still ghosts on your tongue.

you would ask, "what's that supposed to mean?" but it's clear. kento's leaned into you and the train is slowing to a stop. you think your heart might slow to a stop too. he must be joking with you.

"i think you're too drunk, you're not making any sense." you finally say through your teeth, but the fact that you're suddenly flustered is apparent in the waver in your voice. kento snorts but it's soft and accommodating, not petulant.

the overhead PA tells you to unboard and kento moves first, getting to his feet but looks back at you and catches you as you stumble on heels too high for just karaoke and meeting with your closest friends.

your hand is in his and he lets go once you're steady.

you thank him but he can't steady your heart too.

[eggluverz]

NOT A WEIRDO STALKER.

PART 5. a stalker or irresistible? [the end]

PAIRING. blade x f!reader

SUMMARY. modern au. you’re minding your own business as a research assistant and college student just trying to vibe. blade is a new team member who is somehow convinced you are trying to stalk him after all your chance encounters together. so maybe he’s a little obsessed with himself, but you find it cute anyway.

NOTE. final part!! a very short and sweet smau and it was a fun little way to explore this very chaotic story with blade :3 hehe i really enjoyed this whirlwind of a mini series and thank u all for reading!! i miss blade already t.t so def expect some more for him soon xx sof

“Have you decided what to watch yet?” 

A deep voice that sounded almost hoarse from having just woken up made you lift your head from your phone. Your new teammate and friend sat beside you on the sofa, a safe enough distance away so that you couldn’t accidentally make contact with him without meaning to. Even though Blade was sitting, his presence still took up the whole room. With his long dark hair and piercing red eyes, he was someone you couldn’t miss. 

There was no doubt in your mind he could fend off whatever was at your door. Even if it was the biggest of stray cats. 

You nodded. “I’ll go with what Dan Heng suggested! Great British Bake Off.”

Blade folded his arms over his chest. A look of annoyance crossed his face as he huffed. His eyes were narrowed and his lips were downturned, almost looking like a pout. “Why Dan Heng?” 

You tilted your head sideways. “Because he was the only one who answered the poll…” 

“I answered.”

“With a show that wasn’t an option to begin with!” you laughed, lightly nudging his arm with your elbow. “That basically doesn’t count as a vote.” 

“Wow.” He rolled his eyes but his stance softened at the brief contact. Blade unfolded his arms with a sigh, leaning back on your sofa and putting his right arm across the head rest. “Very politician of you.”

You crinkled your nose. “Fine, we can watch The 100 another time. When it’s not five in the morning and pitch black and scary.” 

“So there’ll be another time?” he mused. 

You felt your cheeks heat up as he looked at you, his stare unwavering. Was that too presumptuous of you?

Blade basked in your silence. He was in his element. With his arms outstretched and his legs wide, he manspread on your couch, his knee softly pressing against your thigh. It was warm on your bare skin, even through his sweatpants. You never liked manspreading. You always thought it was rather rude. But why did it look so attractive when Blade did it? 

“There doesn’t have to be another if you don’t want,” you said with a huff, unsure if he was teasing you or if the prospect of movie nights was really something he wasn’t very keen on. You hoped it was the former. 

“Let’s see how tonight goes first.” Blade looked mischievous, a challenging smirk on his face as he gestured you closer. You moved so that you were leaning back on his arm. “Not that there’s anything you could do that would make me not want more.” 

“Oh really?” you said, amused. “From claiming I’m a weirdo stalker to finding me that irresistible?” You paused. “Why were you so sure I was one anyway?”

“A stalker or irresistible?” 

“You know what I meant,” you laughed, pleased he didn’t shoot down your flirting like you thought he would. 

He shrugged, tapping his foot against the floor. “Well, I just started noticing you around everywhere the past few months when I’ve never even seen you before. In the same classes as me, same apartment, same lab…” 

“That does tend to happen when we’re both in the same major living in the same complex,” you said matter-of-factly. “The lab though— I’ve been in that since my second year. You just joined now. So you were the stalker in that scenario!”

Blade rolled his eyes. “Then you get my number and ask me to dinner…” 

“I told you already! I saved everyone’s number not just yours!” You were exasperated, cheeks puffing up as you defended yourself. “And the dinner thing really was just me trying to show my gratitude—”

He held his hand up, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips. “I’m only joking now. You don’t need to explain yourself. I get you weren’t secretly obsessed with me.”

You were more amused that he ever thought that instead of genuinely offended, but it still felt nice to have that cleared up. “Good.”

“Maybe now I wish you were though,” Blade whispered under his breath, surprising you. But you didn’t let your momentary shock allow Blade to take control of the entire situation. You wanted to contribute to it as well. 

You threw his earlier words back at him, eyes crinkling into a smile. “We’ll have to see how tonight goes first.” 

He nodded, pleased with your response. “We got a lot riding on tonight then, huh?” 

“It seems so.”

“Then let’s make it count.” 

taglist: @kissingkzuha @kaedear @yevene @vernith @yelshin @ceylestia @karma-gisa @elijahcrevan :) <3

[lady-lostmind]

Fuck

Love is: Just a four-letter word.

a @steddielovemonth prompt Thank you @oh-stars for betaing this!

WC: 1658 | Rating: E

ao3 link or under the cut.

Eddie stares as Steve bends over to tie his shoes, jeans pulling tight against his ass. 

“Fuck.” 

Steve glances over at him as he straightens up brow furrowing. “You okay?”

Eddie clears his throat and looks away, nodding. “Yeah, uh. I’m good.” 

Steve narrows his eyes and pushes past him. “Okay, weirdo.” 

–

Eddie leans against the counter at Family Video, eyes trailing after Steve as he puts videos back on the shelf. Robin comes around the corner and piles up a stack of movies in Steve’s arms before hurrying off again to finish working through her rewind stack. Steve rolls his eyes and tries to put the movies on his cart but the top of the stack slides sideways and hit the floor. Steve sighs, hands on hips and bends down to pick them up–

“Fuck.”

Steve’s eyes flick over to him as he sets the tapes on his cart. “What happened?”

Eddie’s brows shoot up, disappearing under his bangs. “What?”

Steve crosses his arms over his chest. “It sounded like you hurt yourself or something.” 

Eddie shakes his head. “Oh no–uh. I’m fine.”

–

Eddie is lounging in a pool chair next to Robin, sunglasses on, eyes forward.

It’s not his fault that forward happens to be where Steve sits, rubbing sunscreen on his freckle covered back and arms. Moving slowly to his hairy, broad chest and– 

“Fuck.” 

Robin elbows him, making him jump. “Idiot.” 

Eddie rubs his arm and kicks at her. “What was that for?”

Robin scoffs and rolls her eyes. 

Eddie looks back to Steve and catches him looking at him, a smirk plastered on his face. 

–

Eddie shifts awkwardly, trying his best to pay attention to whatever Dustin is rambling on about but it’s hard when Steve is over in the driveway playing one on one with Lucas in his stupid little jock shorts, getting all sweaty and pulling the hem of his shirt up to wipe off his brow–

“Fuck.”

Dustin shoves his shoulder. “Are you even listening to me?” 

Eddie locks eyes with Steve whose cheeks flush red before he turns back to the game.

–

Steve leans in close to Eddie, reaching past him to grab a beer from the fridge, his free hand landing on Eddie’s shoulder as he pulls back, giving it a little squeeze. Eddie freezes, the smell of Steve’s cologne washing over him and clouding his thoughts. He watches as Steve walks out of the room, the sway of his hips pulling Eddie’s attention–

“Fuck.”

He swears he hears Steve chuckle from the hall. 

–

Eddie’s eyes flick across the room as he hears Robin’s loud snort, and watches her swat Steve on the arm and shake her head. Both of their eyes flash over to Eddie, and Robin’s laughter picks up while Steve’s eyes go wide and dart away. Eddie’s brow furrows and he pushes off the wall, ignoring Mike and Dustin’s protests and complaints of him ignoring them. Because, well. Obviously. 

Eddie crosses his arms and leans next to Steve whose cheeks are bright red. “Were you guys just talking about me?” 

Robin opens her mouth, but Steve quickly covers it with his hand and shakes his head. “Of course not. Why would you think that?” 

Robin rolls her eyes and pulls herself out of Steve’s grasp, grumbling about wanting to dance and tugging Steve along behind her. 

Steve shrugs and looks over his shoulder at Eddie, shooting him a little wink before he disappears around the corner.

“Fuck.”

–

Eddie sits on the couch, legs sprawled out, a big bowl of popcorn in his lap. He grabs a handful, shoving it in his mouth as Steve and Robin make their way in with the rest of the snacks. Robin makes her way to her and Steve’s usual spot on the loveseat, curling up in the corner and ripping open a bag of Twizzlers. The couch dips next to him and Eddie’s eyes flash over to Steve in shock as he tries to get comfortable, scoffing as he pushes at Eddie’s legs. 

“Could you give me some room, Eds?” 

Eddie just stares at him with wide eyes, mouth still full of popcorn.

Steve rolls his eyes and picks up Eddie’s legs, scooting himself under them before letting them drop again, his hand landing on Eddie’s thigh. 

Eddie sucks in a breath, shooting popcorn into the back of his throat and making him cough. 

“Fu–ck.” 

Steve looks at him with concern, hand squeezing his leg. “You okay?”

Meanwhile Robin rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

–

Steve passes Eddie the half smoked joint as he lets out a cloud of smoke smiling when he catches Eddie’s heavy eyes trailing over him. Steve waggles his eyebrows, making Eddie’s face flush and his eyes flick away, a nervous laugh bubbling out of his chest. 

Steve shifts on the couch, grabbing the joint back from Eddie and taking a long drag. He leans in, bringing their mouths close together, lips almost brushing. Eddie’s mouth pops open in surprise, laughter going silent as Steve blows the smoke he’s been holding into his mouth, a little smile pulling at his mouth as he leans back and swipes his thumb over Eddie’s bottom lip before getting up and asking if Eddie wants something to drink. Eddie nods numbly, eyes following Steve as he leaves the room. 

“Fuck.”

–

Eddie sits, legs spread wide, leaning back on the back legs of his lawn chair as he chuckles at something Robin mumbles to him when there’s suddenly a hot weight plopping into his lap, the chair jerking back down to the ground. Eddie’s hands instinctively grab onto the intrusion to steady himself. It just happens to be Steve’s waist that he grabs. Eddie’s eyes flick up to his face, mouth hanging open. 

“Uh– Hi.” Eddie’s face flashes bright red as he takes in Steve’s cocky grin. 

Steve drapes an arm around Eddie’s shoulder, making himself comfortable. “Hi!”

Robin grumbles and gets up, heads inside, leaving them alone. 

Eddie huffs out a laugh. “Uh– Something wrong with your chair over there, Harrington?” 

Steve shrugs and shakes his head. “No. It’s fine.” Steve’s eyes flash menacingly before he leans in close, dropping his voice to a whisper. “Just a little harder to do this all the way over there.” 

Eddie’s brows scrunch together. “Do wh–”

Steve presses their lips together, bringing a hand up to cup the back of Eddie’s head. Steve licks lighty along Eddie’s bottom lip before pulling back with a sly grin and patting Eddie’s cheek before hopping off his lap and following Robin inside. 

Eddie stares after him, dumbfounded, and brings his hand up to rub his fingers along his lips.

“Fuck.” 

–

Eddie pulls open the door to his trailer with a grumble, his hair is a mess and he’s only in a pair of old sweats because it’s fucking early. Who the hell–

Steve pushes him inside, slamming the door behind him and crowding Eddie against the wall. Eddie’s heart slams into his throat. His eyes go wide as he takes in Steve’s annoyed stance in front of him. Hands on his hips and all. Eddie must be in trouble. 

“Are you ever going to take the hint and make a move, Munson?” Steve shifts, crossing his arms over his chest. 

Eddie’s brain whirls, trying to catch up. “Oh, uh–”

Steve sighs and runs a hand through his hair, looking hurt now. A little embarrassed. “I guess I… misread things. I’m uh– sorry, Eds. I’ll leave you alone.” 

Eddie shakes his head, brain finally getting on the same wavelength and realizing he’s blowing this. 

“Steve, wait! No! I–” He reaches out and grabs Steve’s wrist before he walks back through the door. “I thought you were just…fucking with me, honestly. I didn’t know–”

Steve’s face drops and then he chuckles, shaking his head. “Let me make myself very clear then, Eds. I like you.” Steve moves in close, bringing a hand up to trail his finger along Eddie’s jaw. “I’d really like to kiss you now. If that’s okay.” 

Eddie sucks in a sharp breath, eyes dipping down to stare at Steve’s plush lips, and watches as his tongue peeks out to swipe along his bottom lip, leaving it wet and shiny. 

“Fuck.” 

–

Eddie tugs Steve onto his lap, groaning when he grinds his hips down, pressing perfectly against his throbbing dick. He grips Steve’s hips and pushes down, pulling him forward and back to encourage the movement. To keep feeling the way his tip rubs against the zipper of jeans. Just shy of painful. 

Steve pulls back from the kiss and Eddie whines, catching a glint in Steve’s eye as he slides off his lap and onto his knees between Eddie’s legs. 

Eddie’s eyes go wide, his breath catching as Steve reaches up to undo his belt buckle. He just stares in awe, wondering how he managed to get so fucking lucky as Steve gets him out of his pants, licks his lips, and leans forward taking him into his mouth and–

“FUCK.” 

–

Eddie thrusts forward, sinking further into Steve. Searing hot surrounding him as he savors each inch, drawing it out as long as possible until– 

Steve wiggles beneath him. “Please, Eds.”

Eddie lets out a low moan, trying desperately to not lose control over Steve’s needy pleas. 

“Fuck.” 

He pulls back and slams back in, a wide smile spreading across his face when it pulls a shuddering moan from Steve’s throat. 

–

Steve smiles sweetly at Eddie, reaching out and tucking a piece of his hair behind his ear. They’re almost nose to nose, limbs tangled together under the covers. Steve’s eyes look at him, full of adoration and–

“I love you, Eds.” 

Eddie takes a deep breath, cupping Steve’s face in his hand and leaning in to kiss him softly on the lips. “Fuck.” 

He pulls back to look in his eyes again, rubbing his thumb along Steve’s jaw. “Me too, baby.”

[farfaras]

Steddie week. Day 5: Established relationship. 1.3k words. Ao3 link.

@steddie-week

~

“Oh no! There’s no seats left! What will I ever do?” Eddie exclaims, like this was an actual problem. Going so far as to put his hand over his forehead, pretending to almost faint.

Steve is sitting on one end of the couch, Robin on the other side with Nancy in the middle. Argyle and Jonathan are sharing the loveseat next to them. They’re having a movie night at Steve’s. Surprisingly, over the course of the summer this group’s becoming closer than ever.

“Oh well, I guess there’s no other option.” Eddie shrugs.

Eddie approaches the couch, Steve opens his arms expecting Eddie to fall on his lap. That’s the only course of action that Steve sees possible. Then again, Steve doesn’t actually know what goes on Eddie’s mind all the time. He can imagine, guess or predict but at the end of the day Eddie keeps surprising him.

Instead of plopping himself on his boyfriend’s lap, Eddie goes and sits atop Nancy. What? Steve knows his face is full of confusion, he hears Robin snort. Well, excuse him for thinking his boyfriend would use this opportunity to cuddle him. That was the most logical explanation!

Eddie sits sideways and puts his arms around Nancy’s neck. Nancy doesn’t even look taken aback, she rests one hand on his leg while the other surrounds his waist. Steve sends them an incredulous look.

“Hey, Wheeler.” Eddie smiles at her. “How are you?”

“Hey yourself. I’m very good. How about you?” Nancy asks, nonchalantly.

“Better now, thanks for asking.” Is Eddie trying to bat his eyelashes?

Steve feels ignored, they’re doing this on purpose. When did they agree to this? “What the fuck?” Steve asks.

“What’s wrong, Steve?” Nancy shoots him an innocent look.

“What are you doing?”

“Well there were no other seats, so this seemed like the logical thing to do.” Eddie explains while knocking his and Nancy’s heads together.

Nancy nods. Her hand starts to move up, almost reaching Eddie’s thigh. Steve follows the movement with his eyes, frowning. “I don’t care how much progress we’ve made in our friendship, Nance. You move that hand any further and it all goes out the window.” Steve warns. They all know he’s joking, but Steve has to find a way for this to stop. He wants Eddie with him, and he doesn’t care how clingy that sounds.

Nancy makes a tsk sound, she turns to Eddie. “Are you sure you want him as your boyfriend? He seems kinda possessive.”

“Wha-! I’m right here!” Steve protests. He even crosses his arms in annoyance.

Eddie sighs. What the fuck is going on. “Is one of the things I have to live with.” He even shakes his head.

Nancy pouts. “Hmm. I wouldn’t be like that.” She nudges Eddie’s jaw with her nose. Steve doesn’t know how much longer he can put up with this. He swears he’s patient. This little game they’re playing should be over soon.

“Aw, if I could pick a lady, you know it’d be you.” Eddie uses his pointer finger to boop her nose. Nancy scrunches it and giggles. For fuck’s sake, Nancy Wheeler doesn’t giggle!

“That’s it, give him back!” Steve demands.

“Dingus, let them have their moment. You’re interrupting a precious thing.” Robin betrays him. Whatever, he’s used to that.

“He’s not your property, you know, Steve.” Nancy calmly says, as if she needs to explain it to him.

“Yeah. Dude’s his own person.” Argyle adds. Damn, Steve kinda forgot he was here.

Everyone is acting as if this was a normal occurrence. Steve wonders when they had the time to decide to mess with him.

“Why is this happening?” Steve asks, almost defeated. If this is how the night’s gonna go, he might as well know why he isn’t getting affection from his boyfriend.

“Well, Steve. Have you considered the possibility that we’re in love?” Nancy almost, almost breaks character right there. Her lips twitch but she manages to keep her face from smiling.

Steve gives them a blank stare. “You’re a lesbian.”

Eddie gasps and puts his hand on his chest.

“And you’re gay.” He directs to Eddie. It’s Nancy’s turn to gasp.

“I guess this isn’t gonna work.” Eddie simply shrugs. Nancy lets him go.

He stands up and settles on Steve’s lap, immediately kissing his cheek. Steve moves his hands to Eddie’s waist subconsciously.

“Hey, babe.” Eddie rests his head on the crook of Steve’s neck.

“You guys are ridiculous.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have introduced them to each other, Stevie.” Robin tells him and gives him a disapproving head shake.

“I didn’t!”

“I knew they would be a handful together.” Robin continues, ignoring him.

“Yeah, you should’ve thought about that.” Jonathan speaks for the first time in minutes, just to pile on to Steve’s distress.

“So today is gaslighting Steve day, huh.” His friends want him to suffer.

“Just play the movie.” Eddie suggests while playing with Steve’s hair. Damn it, Eddie knows it’s hard for him to stay mad when he does that.

So they watch the movie.

~

After everyone goes home, it’s just Eddie and Steve cleaning up. Steve is washing the dishes when Eddie hugs him from behind. He gives him a kiss on his cheek, then he tries to go for a kiss on the lips but Steve avoids it.

“What?” Eddie questions. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” Steve disregards the question.

“Then why won’t you kiss me?” Eddie pouts, he searches for his gaze to give him his best puppy dog eyes.

“I’m washing the dishes.” Steve is aware that he’s acting like he’s angry or upset with Eddie right now. He’s not, he just figured he would get back at Eddie for earlier. He can be a little petty, sue him.

“Are you mad at me?” Eddie lets him go to rest against the counter, looking to catch Steve’s gaze.

“I don’t know. Did you do something to make me mad?” Steve’s used that phrase before, maybe it elicits a Pavlovian response in Eddie because he suddenly straightens.

Eddie seems to think it over, then he sags with what looks like relief. “Is this about the Nancy thing?”

“You tell me.”

“Baby.” Eddie drags the word, almost whining. “We were just messing around.”

Steve just nods, not giving anything away. “Sure.” He starts drying the dishes.

“You weren’t actually jealous, were you.” Eddie grabs his arm, starts shaking it. Complaining like a little kid.

“Careful, I still have to dry these.”

“Ugh. Do I have to make it up to you?” Eddie lets him go, stomps with his feet.

“Do you?” Steve finally looks at him. “I don’t know, maybe I’ll just get even.”

Eddie gulps. “Huh?”

“You heard me.”

“Please forgive me, I need attention to survive, just like Tinker Bell.” Eddie pleads.

“I don’t know…” Steve plays it up.

“What do I have to do?” They’re being dramatic, Steve knows Eddie doesn’t think this is serious. But Eddie’s known to like the theatrics.

“Maybe you need to come up with that yourself.” Steve offers. He finishes drying the dishes. He leaves them there, he’ll put them away later.

Eddie humms. He crowds Steve against the counter. “I have something in mind.” He smiles, mischievous.

Steve arches an eyebrow. “Do you?”

“Follow me.” Eddie takes his hand and leads them to the bedroom.

~

They’re cuddled up, on the bed. Satisfied and content. Sleep is almost taking over.

Before they fall asleep, Steve asks something that has him genuinely curious.

“Would you really pick Nancy, if you weren’t gay?”

Eddie groans and rolls his eyes. “Oh my god, don’t make this a thing.”

“I’m not! It’s just a question!” Steve isn’t sure what he expected, but it wasn’t any pushback.

“Go to sleep, Steve.” Eddie closes his eyes, ready to fall asleep.

“I’m just curious.” Steve tries again. Really! It’s just curiosity. Pff it’s not like he was actually jealous. That’s ridiculous.

“You’re gay too, you can answer your own question.”

“That’s different. We already tried dating once, and being repressed homosexuals wasn’t the only reason we wouldn’t work.” Steve explains.

Eddie places a kiss on his forehead. “Goodnight, baby.”

“Eddie!” He whisper-yells. Doesn’t get him an answer. He narrows his eyes at his boyfriend. “I’m watching you two.”

[my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction]

How (Part 1)

[Part 2]

Nathan Bateman X F!Reader  Rating: 18+ pals  Masterlist | ao3 | want to be tagged?

Summary: After the events of the film, it’s decided that it’s best for everyone if Nathan has a babysitter. 

Warnings: swearing, typos, fragment sentences, soft!Nathan, mental illness, PTSD, overuse of italics, panic attacks, brief illusion to suicide. There’s no smut in this, but there will be in part 2.

A/N:  What is this? What is this? Self indulgent. That’s what it is. This was meant to be a short under 1000 words instead of this monstrosity that is now two parts. All I can say is this really got away from me.

Word Count: 5431

Taglist: @pleasurebuttonwrites @raven-rk @campingwiththecharmings @alexxavicry @mystinky-butt @cocodiem

_____________________________________________

If there was one thing you wouldn’t have believed prior was that Nathan Bateman: founder of Bluebook, recluse, and self-aggrandising arsehole, was a cuddler. And a pretty needy one at that.

You had noticed it well before the two of you had started a less than professional side to your relationship. 

Small things: his arm brushing against yours if you sat or stood next to each other, he would touch your hand (usually holding it for a second longer than necessary) if you passed him something, pats on the back and nudges with his shoulder in the kitchen as he said ‘good morning’. 

He wasn’t that much of an arsehole either. Annoying? Certainly. God complex? For sure. But you were surprised at how considerate he was. What did you want for dinner? What were your plans for the day? Would you have time to check something over? – even though it was technically part of your job to help him. 

You had started a small experiment of your own. Arguing internally that it was out of nothing more than professional interest. A hand on his shoulder when you spoke his name, resting your knee against his at the dining table, little things. But boy did they have a big reaction. 

A shudder, a slight softening of his eyes, a lean into your touch. And that was it, wasn’t it? Nathan Bateman was touch starved. End of story. 

And you couldn’t help but push it. 

You had laid your legs on him on the settee while he was watching television and you were pretending to read a book. Your calves resting on the middle of his thighs. 

You had expected him to tell you to ‘fuck off’. Expected him to push your legs away. And, in all honesty, you kind of wanted that. Wanted to piss him off. He’d been bordering on the very fine line of Acceptable Annoying Nathan and Genuine Bastard all day.

The cherry on top being the tiny sideways looks he gave you while purposefully turning the television sound up every few minutes as you did your very best to ignore him. 

But he didn’t do any of that. Didn’t even say anything, just froze and, for a second, a pang of fear dripped like warming ice down your spine. 

You’d gone too far, you should-

He placed his hand on your shin, the warmth of his fingers seeping through your trousers. It was a light, but reassuring touch. Grounding almost. After a minute he began to trace small circles with his thumb, after another, he turned the television down to a more reasonable level. 

Neither of you commented on it. 

A few evenings later you threw your arm over the back of the settee when you heard him come into the room. Quickly relaxing back into your best impression of carefree before he came into your line of sight. 

Again, you expected him to act a certain way. A sarcastic comment, purposefully sitting somewhere else and glaring. But instead he flopped down next to you, on the edge of a little too close, his arms loosely crossed and lent his head back, brushing his shortly cropped hair against your lower arm as he closed his eyes. 

Neither of you commented on it. 

The next day he got drunk. Not a completely unusual occurrence, but in the whole time you’d been staying with him he normally drank with you, or, at least, around you. 

This time he simply appeared in the living room, obviously more than a little tipsy but seemingly not as intoxicated as he was pretending to be.

You were reading, curled up at the far end of the settee.

He sat down, sighing loudly, and nursing a beer. And you thought you’d play along, at least for a bit. See where this goes. 

You watched him subtly for a while, as he tried not to obviously watch you.

He sighed again, wiggling the bottle along the edge of the arm rest. 

“What is it Nathan?” You didn’t look up from your book. 

“Bored.”

“Hmm.” You nodded your head noncommittally and turned a page for emphasis. 

There was a pause. You could see him staring out of the edge of your peripheral vision. 

“You’re not even reading that.” 

You looked up at him slowly. “I am.” 

“What’s the last word you read?”

“The.” You said without missing a beat. 

Nathan scoffed and took another swig of beer. He was quiet for a moment, running his thumb along the rim of the bottle, betraying, briefly, his lucidity. 

You went back to reading.

“Is it good?” It was like he had waited for you to stop looking at him. 

“Hmm?” Your tone was a little sterner this time as you raised your eyes from the page. 

“The book.” He gestured with his hand that wasn’t holding the beer. “Is it good?” 

You shrugged. “It’s okay.” 

“What is it?”

You held the cover up to him, keeping two fingers on your page. 

“I can’t see.”

“Where are your glasses?”

“Kitchen.”

“Go get them then.” 

He scoffed again, pretending to be offended but the hint of a smile pulling at his lips gave him away. “You want me to walk all the way back there, just to get my glasses, so that I can see what you’re reading?” 

“Yes.”

“You’re unreasonable.”

“Good.”

“And illogical.” 

You resisted the urge to make a Star Trek reference. “Great.”

“And mean.” He dragged the last word out a little childishly. 

You grinned wickedly, glancing back up at him and emphasising your dictation. “Perfect.”

Nathan sighed, leaning back in the armchair in defeat. For a moment you thought he might have fallen asleep and were in half a mind to take the bottle out of his hand before he dropped it and made a mess on the carpet. 

However he sat up and stood, placing the beer on the coffee table. 

You almost let your mouth hang open in surprise as you were sure he was going to actually go and get his glasses, or the far more likely, go off to sulk.

But he walked the short distance closer and flopped down next to you, jostling you as much as he could in the process.

He squinted, an over the top movement, and leaned unnecessarily close to your book, laying his chest on your bent legs in the process, putting one warm hand on your thigh. He made a show of muttering the book’s title as he read it, as if it was some great new revelation. 

After a few seconds of him not moving, you gave him a gentle nudge with your knee. He didn’t move.

“Are you going to get off me Nathan?” 

He looked up at you, trying his best at an innocent expression. His fingers twitched over your thigh. 

“You are crushing my feet.”

He smiled, relaxing purposefully so that his chin was now also resting on your leg. 

“Look,” you were trying your best not to smile back, his stupid expression infectious. “I don’t know what weird foot fetish stuff you’re into,” you swatted at him with your book while pushing him a little more forcefully with your knees, “but you can keep that to yourself and get off.” 

He pouted, but sat up. For a moment you thought you saw a flash of something else beneath his expression, disappointment perhaps, rejection. 

There was a pause, not entirely uncomfortable but niggling – a hangnail you couldn’t stop catching. 

You shifted, sitting up yourself and putting your feet on the floor. “Here.” You gestured to your lap. 

Nathan frowned at you. 

Oh maybe this wasn’t a good idea. 

You pushed down your uncertainty and patted your thigh, “lay down.” Your voice didn’t sound like your own, an authoritative layer deepening the words. 

And to your surprise he did. Moving quickly and partially curling up on himself, Nathan Bateman laid down, resting his head sideways on your lap, facing outwards. 

He sighed, contented this time, some of the tension in his shoulders easing as he relaxed into you. Your heart, on the other hand, seemed to have a different idea as it beat furiously in your chest. So fast and hard you were surprised it wasn’t echoing in your legs and shaking Nathan’s head. 

“You should read to me.” He said quietly, his eyes closed. 

“I’m sorry?” 

“Your book,” he gestured with his hand without opening his eyes. “Read it to me.” 

You let out a small surprised breath before you found your words. “What’s the magic word?” 

“Engage.” 

You tutted, breathing heavily through your nose, but you opened your book back up and found where you had last stopped. 

You rested your elbow on Nathan’s shoulder, digging it down a little too enthusiastically at first until he gave a small grunt of complaint, before you eased up and started to read out loud. 

With the book in front of your eyes, you didn’t see that Nathan had opened his and was smiling. Watching you with his full attention in the television’s reflection. 

.

The next morning you were perched on one of the kitchen chairs, eating breakfast. The cereal in question, not even pretending to be healthy with the amount of sugar it contained, had been one of the many food items you had requested on your submission forms. 

You chewed it slowly and stared out of the windows, lost in your own thoughts as you watched the city skyline.

“You think I have a foot fetish?” 

Somehow you managed to not jump out of your skin, or spit out your cereal at Nathan’s sudden appearance. 

He was uncomfortably good at being deathly quiet when he wanted too, so very opposed to his normal loud footsteps.

You swallowed your mouth food and turned to him. “I knew you weren’t drunk.”

“I watched the tapes.”

You smile and pop another spoonful into your mouth. “No you didn’t.” 

He paused. An unreadable expression on his face for a moment as you slowly chewed.

You broke first. “I do,” you shifted the spoon around the bowl, giving yourself a break from looking at him for a moment before returning to meeting his gaze. “You’re always walking around here barefoot.”

“Surely that means you have the fetish. Not me.”

“What?”

“You’re the one noticing my feet.”

You clenched and unclenched your jaw, trying to fight the little smile that wanted to spread itself across your face. 

A good reply wouldn’t come. Telling him to ‘fuck off’ wasn’t creative enough, saying ‘your feet repulse me’ (which had been your knee jerk reaction) seemed strangely… mean? Too much time had passed now anyway, so you stared at him for a second longer, blinked poineatly, and then turned away from him and back to the window. 

Nathan fidgeted for a moment, his hands on his hips, before he moved to the stove. 

His back now to you, but directly in your line of sight. 

You stared at him for a moment, leaning your chin on the heel of your hand. It was nice to watch him as he moved, opening a cupboard and taking out a frying pan. Nice to watch him without the scrutiny of his own eyes on you. He had a grace about him that was hard to place. 

You admired his back muscles through his just on the edge of being too tight t-shirt. Heat began to pinch at your cheeks. Had he always been so-

“Youwanteggs?” 

You nearly did jump out of your chair this time, your heart pounding in your chest in a bid to escape. 

Despite him being the only thing you were actually focused on, his muffled words made little to no sense.

“Erm.”

He turned to look at you over his shoulder, his eyebrows raised. The movement sort of reminded you of an old fashioned pin up girl. Wait... No, don’t think about Nathan as a pin up girl. Heat was burning your skin now. 

“Do. You. Want. Eggs?” Nathan repeated, and, finally you shook your head. 

“It’s better than that rubbish you're eating.” He gestured with a spatula to your cereal.

 “I’ll have you know,” you swallowed and shifted in your seat, settling back into the normal rhythm of your conversations. “That this has at least 200% of my daily sugar requirements.” 

Nathan snorts and goes back to making his own breakfast. 

.

The next morning Nathan is in the kitchen before you, sweaty from exercise, and cooking. 

You take an extra moment to admire him, no, not admire, that’s the wrong word, that would imply- No. You shake your head and sigh as you walk to the cupboard, still in your pyjamas. 

You barely have got the words, “good morning,” out of your mouth before Nathan gestures to the table without looking at you.

“Sit.” 

You scowl at him. “Heel.” 

He glances up at you this time, a dark look in his eyes. “Please.” He wrinkles his nose a little as he says it. 

You let the silence rest a beat too long between the both of you before you roll your eyes and take your regular seat at the empty table. 

Nathan turns back to the task in front of him. The hiss of the pan and scrap of the spatula the only sounds punctuating the quiet. 

“How long am I meant to sit here?” 

He doesn’t look at you. “Good things come to those who wait.” 

“Starvation?” 

That earns you a small glare and you grin. 

A minute later Nathan walks over and sets a plate of pancakes and a jug of syrup in front of you. 

You stare dumbfounded at them and then at Nathan. “What’s this?”

“Breakfast.”

“You made it?” 

He pulls a face. “I know rationalism says we can’t trust our senses, but you literally just saw-”

“You know what I fucking mean.” You laugh, and take the cutlery out of his hand when he offers it. “Thank you.”

Nathan gives you a small smile before walking back to the counter to grab a plate of his own. “It’s better for you than that cereal.” 

The pancakes taste heavenly. “What have you got against my cereal?” You say through a full mouth. 

He sits opposite you, pancakes on his own plate. But doesn’t answer.

You both eat in silence for a moment. 

“These are really good,” you wait until he looks up before adding, “thank you again.” 

He shrugs, but you can see him puff his chest out ever so slightly. 

“Before I got here, I thought you’d have some cooking robot or something.” You said, your voice light and jokey, but Nathan tenses. 

It’s a subtle thing, easy to miss. 

“Yeah.” He nods once. There’s no humour in his voice.  

. 

You were lucky number 6, even though head office called you number five. The sixth person put on ‘Babysitting Duty’ or, on paper, Temporary Executive Director of Functionality.

Something had happened just under eighteen months ago. Some big scandal to do with the office contest that had been so successfully swept under the rug that not even the press had caught wind of it. (Or, more likely, anyone that had, had been bribed or blackmailed into silence. Bluebook's pockets were deep, and its reach was wide.) 

The lack of information didn’t stop the workplace rumours though, the two that had prevailed at the top were, 

A. whoever had won the competition (because all records on this mystery person had seemingly been wiped, though there was still a reference to a big payout settlement) had been a crazed super fan and had gone all Katy Bates on Nathan. 

Or B. Nathan had turned into Norman Bates from being a recluse for too long and had tried to wear the competition winner’s skin. (You had tried to point out that B was mixing two horror franchises together here, but it seemed the amusement at Katy and Norman sharing the same surname was too much for the analogy to change.) 

Either way, it was common knowledge that Nathan had nearly died. The only thing that saved him was the biometric heart monitor that was linked to an alarm system. 

He had spent months in hospital. 

Rumours changed on who was telling, but it seemed the board members, acting CEO and possibly Nathan himself had come to an agreement. Nathan was too valuable for something like this (whatever it was) to happen again. 

He would not return to his house in the middle of nowhere. And he needed a babysitter. 

Within a week the top fourteen floors of the Newfoundland Quay in London had been purchased, gutted, and refitted to Nathan’s specification. He could be as reclusive as he wanted at the top of the skyscraper, as long as emergency services could get there in five minutes or less. 

Finding the new Temporary Executive Director of Functionality was a lot more complicated. 

An email had gone out to every Bluebook employee, from the head of marketing to junior coders. 

Everyone was being accessed to see if they might have the ‘niche required skills’ for the job. (Though how it was being done was not made clear.)  Most people didn’t even need to think twice about it  because 99% of staff would not get through to the next stage. 

You had half read the email and then forgotten about it. Too stressed and wrapped up in your low paid job as a Junior Content Editor, that you hated but couldn’t afford to leave without another position.

Your manager, Michael, a fake charming man with a shrill voice and no people skills whatsoever, had called you into a meeting two months after the email was sent out.

You had been expecting his usual beratement of your ‘lack of skills’, your stomach twisting itself into knots, but had been surprised at the two smartly dressed people waiting for you with him in his office.

In one panicked moment you were sure you were going to get fired. 

“Ah, there you are.” Michael smiled and held out a hand. “One of the best members of my team.”

You nearly died from shock.

“She’s a real asset,” he continued before the smartly dressed woman held up her hand, silencing him instantly. 

“Thank you, we’ll have the space now.” She glared at him until he left the room. You didn’t watch Michael go, but you didn’t hide your small smile either.

Once the door was closed they both explained that you were one of 89 people in the whole company that had been whittled down to the preliminary short list for Temporary Executive Director of Functionality.

After signing an NDA they explained further. 

The deal was, for four weeks the Temporary Executive Director of Functionality would ‘assist’ Nathan. Live in his home and every week he would give a ‘brief rundown of what he had been working on’ and that was it.

For an eye watering amount of pay. Enough that you could comfortably live for the next five years with no job.

Nathan would then judge who, if anyone, he was happy to invite back and then they would become The Permanent Executive Director of Functionality (or, more likely Directors as Bluebook made it clear this position would most likely turn into a job share if the right individuals were found.) 

Nathan was allowed a one week ‘break’ between the four-week shifts, when he was ‘permitted’ to be on his own. 

You weren’t given any information on what the ‘incident’ had been. And had four whole days of interviews, personality tests, recorded behaviours, questionnaires, a physical, and another NDA to sign. It was gruelling, but it beat your normal 9-5. 

On the fifth day, just before lunch, you were told you were one of the twelve that had been chosen. 

(Much to Michael’s obvious displeasure.)

The third NDA gave you pause when you read the paragraph about: ‘a guarantee that the Temporary Executive Director of Functionality’s personal rooms and bathrooms would, under no circumstances, be recorded or monitored’. 

You were given the dates of your month, which went out of the window when Temporary Executive Director of Functionality Number 2 only lasted eight days. Number 2 became Number 0 and you were ‘promoted’ from 6 to 5.

Three weeks beforehand you were given an intensive coding course, apparently this was a stipulation Nathan had insisted upon – just in case he wanted to talk about it. He had never mentioned it to you in the whole time you’d been there. But you were thankful for the training nonetheless. 

One day before you started you were given your ‘biometric keycard’, a small chip that was inserted just under your right collar bone. You couldn’t even feel it afterwards, though you tried to.

You had expected to meet him before you started, a video call, an email. But the first time you made his acquaintance was the first time you met him in person.

.

“How often do you exercise?” 

You had gotten used to Nathan’s out of the blue, and sometimes less than tactful, questions by now. 

“Never.” That was a lie, but you knew it would annoy him. 

“It’s good for you.” He said, sitting down next to you. His knee brushing yours. 

You paused, that wasn’t the response you’d been expecting. 

“You know I’m trying to work here?” 

“You’re playing spider solitaire.”

“Important work.” You raised an eyebrow at him. 

Nathan’s response was yet again not something you hadn’t been expecting. He leaned towards you, looking at your laptop screen and carefully rested the side of his head against your shoulder. 

“You can move the 6 to there.” He pointed, touching your screen in the process. 

A flush of heat ran up your neck and you swatted his hand away. “I know.” You hadn’t.

He smiled and stayed resting against you, his breathing slowing ever so slightly. 

You stared at the screen for a moment, but the feeling of him against you was the only thing you could pay any attention to. 

“You can move the queen too.” 

“Nathan-”

“Do you play poker?” 

You sighed overly dramatically and moved a four. “No.”

“Strip poker?” 

You gave him a look and didn’t answer as he stared up at you with faux innocence.

“I could teach you?” He said when you glanced away. 

“I’m not playing strip poker with you Nathan.”

“Normal poker then.” 

You turned to look at him fully and Nathan sat up a little reluctantly. 

“Are you that bored that you want to teach me poker?”

He just smiled. 

“I thought you were meant to be solving the great riddles of the universe?” 

“I knew you didn’t pay attention during the weekly updates.” He gave you the most self-satisfied expression and you barely resisted the urge to kick him. 

“Last week’s update was two minutes, in which you just said, and I quote: ‘I’m doing stuff.’”

He shrugged. “It’s important stuff.”

“Are you playing spider solitaire?”

He laughed at that and looked down at the side hem of his trousers. He picked at the material slightly. 

You swallowed. “You can teach me poker.” 

He grinned broadly as he looked back to you, his eyes lighting up. 

“But I’m not playing with real money.”

“That’s fine, we can-”

“I’m not playing strip poker either.” 

He pouted a little, but you could tell it was for show. “What’s on the line if I win?”

“When you win, you mean.” You shook your head at him and shut down your laptop. “Self-satisfaction of a job well done.” 

He snorted. 

“Well what do I get if I win?” You retorted.

“You’re very confident for a first-time player.” 

You gently shoved him in the shoulder with the heel of your hand. “I thought people played for chips or something?” 

“Yeah, we’ll do a few practice hands and then we’ll both have the same number of chips and play a few hands.  Whoever gets all the chips wins."

“All right.” 

“So, what do I get if I win?”

You closed your laptop. “What do you want?”

“A kiss.”

It didn’t faze you; it was textbook Nathan, just trying to get under your skin. You gave him a world-weary look, but were very thankful he couldn’t feel how your heart skipped a beat. 

“I’m not kissing you Nathan.”

.

He was, astoundingly, quite a good teacher. Calm, explained things well and was happy to go over something more than once. He even gave you a ‘cheat sheet’, a hastily written order of winning hands in poker that he placed next to you.

You had been a little surprised when he had pulled out the pack of cards and a bag of sunflower seeds. 

“Don’t have any poker chips,” he shrugged. “Just don’t eat the stand ins.” He said as he sat down opposite you and scooted his chair further under the kitchen table. 

“I thought you’d have a whole gambling room.” You teased.

He shrugged again but didn’t look up from shuffling the cards. 

Again, it was like you had stepped over some invisible line.

However he began to relax again the more you played. 

To no one’s shock, you lost. 

He gave you a shit eating smirk as he slowwwly reached into the middle of the table and pulled all of the sunflower seeds towards him. He let out a self-satisfied and overly dramatic sigh before leaning back in his chair and putting his hands behind his head. 

“And to the victor,” he paused, puffing his chest out. “The spoils.”

“You left some behind.”

He gave the table a glance. “What?” 

“This.” You stuck your middle finger up at him. 

Nathan snorted out a laugh and then waved towards him. “Give it then.”

You snapped your hand back before he had a chance to grab it. 

“Don’t feel bad, I’m just better at reading people.” He said.

“Better at counting cards more like.”

Nathan pretended to be offended for a second. “Now, I believe,” he stood up slowly, “I was promised a kiss.” 

You gave him the most deadpan expression you could muster. “You were not.”

He mocked thinking for a second. “No… I think I was.”

“You think wrong.”

“No, I made notes, and I think you’ll find you said, and I quote: ‘yes Nathan, of course I will kiss you when you win.’” 

You couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out at the absolutely atrocious impression of your voice.

“So,” he stopped next to you, leaning one hand on the table. “Do I get my prize?”

Slowly, you stood, making a little more of a show of it than necessary before turning towards him, looking him in the eyes and trying to hide your smile. “I’m not kissing you Nathan.”

He took a small step forward, your chests nearly touching. 

“Why not?” He whispered, his voice soft. 

A shiver ran down your spine and you swallowed, the sound of it upsettingly loud in the quiet. 

The little smile on his lips grew. 

“I don’t know where you’ve been.” You meant it to come out jokey, light-hearted, but instead you sounded wrecked, you sounded breathless. 

“Here…” He slowly reached out, tracing his fingers up your forearm. 

Your heartbeat was too loud, your mouth too dry. 

“Always here.” He leaned a fraction closer and you stepped back without thinking, you couldn’t do this, you shouldn’t do this, it was just another Nathan game to wind you up and you’d never hear the end of it and- 

You bumped into the chair you’d just been sitting on, stumbling for a second before finding your balance, your right hand out in front of you. 

When you first started to fall Nathan reached out instinctively to help, but he froze. All emotion left his face in an instant as he looked down at your hand, hovering in front of his chest, just below his heart. 

The smile quickly disappeared from your lips. “Nathan?”

He staggered back. One had reached out behind him like he was expecting something, while his other clutched at his chest. 

He stared at the floor, his eyes glassy and wide with panic that did not reflect on the rest of his features. 

It was like he wasn’t there, watching some far-off scene play behind his eyes. 

“Nathan?” You took a cautious step towards him, this hadn’t happened before, this wasn’t in any brief or meeting or seven-hundred-page manual you’d been given. 

He didn’t hear you as he lurched backwards until he collided with one of the large floor to ceiling windows and sank down to the floor. 

He was sweating heavily, his whole body shaking, his breathing fast and uneven through his nose. 

For a moment you just stared dumbfounded, fear threading itself into your soul, before you found yourself slowly moving forward. Afraid any sudden movement would be too much. 

“Nathan.” You whispered, trying to make your voice sound soothing. 

He didn’t respond. 

You crouched down next to him, leaving plenty of space. “Nathan,” you said again, keeping your tone calm. “You’re okay. You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here. You’re safe. Everything’s okay.” You repeated the words on a loop.

Suddenly he met your gaze. 

“Nathan, okay,” it was impossible to hide your relief. “Can you breathe with me, yeah?” You took in a deep, slow breath. “Can you try to copy me?” And let it out. In and out. In and out. 

He nodded, the shaking hiding most of the movement and tried his best to match your rhythm. 

“Okay, great, you’re doing great.” 

He was still shaking, still sweating, his breathing still too fast and too shallow. 

“Can you name five blue things in this room?” 

He stared wide eyed and panicked at you.

“Can you find five blue things, you don’t have to say them out loud, just find them.”

His line of sight darted around the room. The quick movement accompanied with the uneven breathing made it look like he was having a seizure. 

You continued to breathe in and out deeply, making the breaths as loud as possible. 

“The painting.” He muttered between gasps of oxygen. 

“Yes, yes, excellent.” You nodded enthusiastically.

“The... the book.” He pointed with his right hand, his left still held close to his chest. 

“Fantastic. You’re doing great.”

He searched the room, his breathing was evening out ever so slightly. “Your ring.” He touched your left hand lightly, it was a ghost of contact but still it seemed to steady him. 

“Yes, yes, my ring.” Without thinking you took hold of his hand in yours, his skin was freezing and clammy. For one horrid second a spike of fear jolted through your nerves, afraid touching him was the wrong thing to do, but his shoulders quickly relaxed as he squeezed your hand. 

“Is... is it an engagement ring?” He asked, his voice was quiet but his breathing was much closer to normal. The shaking hadn’t stopped though.

“It’s my grandmother’s engagement ring.” You smiled at him, trying to sound reassuring. Carefully you ran your thumb along the back of his hand. “I’m not engaged.” You added, unsure why you had the second it came out of your mouth. 

Nathan nodded, still looking at your hand. 

“What else?” You gently pressed. “What else is blue?” 

“The sky.” 

“It’s dark Nathan.”

He smiled weakly. He looked tired, more tired than you’d ever seen anyone. Weighted, like his bones were too heavy and collapsing into themselves. 

He breathed in deeply, the shaking had almost stopped. 

Carefully, oh so carefully, you raised your right hand to the side of his face; giving him as much time as possible to turn away. 

Nathan lent into your touch and closed his eyes as he took in a stuttered breath. His beard was softer than you imagined. 

“Are you okay?” It was a stupid question, but you had to ask. 

He nodded.

“Do you need anything? Water?”

He shook his head.

“Okay.” 

You bit your lip, worrying the skin between your teeth. “Can I,” you swallowed down your apprehension, “can I hold you?”

Nathan opened his eyes, looking at you once before staring back at the ground. He nodded once. 

Without letting go of his hand you manoeuvred yourself from in front of him to next to, your back against the cool glass. You wrapped your free arm around his shoulders and gently coaxed his body against yours, laying him down until he was wrapped in your embrace.

You stayed like that for a long time.

[zaebeecee]

To Sever a Loveless Bond

•• RadioDust Soulmate AU ••

Part 15/?

First chapter | Previous chapter | Next chapter

Read on AO3

•••

Can y’all believe this started as a one-shot that I legitimately was never gonna touch again? And now we’re here. Writing is wild.

CW: abrupt emotional withdrawal, kidnapping, needles

•••

“You were magnificent, my dear.”

Angel was still humming as he slowly twirled across the carpet, listening to Alastor shut his bedroom door and cross the room. Alastor took hold of one of Angel’s hands mid-rotation, and he lifted their arms together, spinning the spider in slightly quicker circles as though they had been dancing this whole time. Angel started giggling as dizziness overtook him, and he stumbled; Alastor caught him with that damned smile still on his face, and Angel leaned against his chest while the room spun around him.

Performances—real performances, not the bullshit he put on for Valentino—had always given Angel a better and more satisfying high than any drug he had ever shot or tasted. It had been so long since he had just gotten to sing. His clothes were still on, he didn’t have to dance for anyone, he didn’t have to suck anyone’s dick or worry about collecting tips, he just… sang.

When Alastor first asked if Angel would be on his program, Angel hadn’t taken him very seriously. He’d been flattered, yes, and he’d meant it when he said he wanted to, but he hadn’t expected it. So, when Alastor had tracked him down late morning and asked if he wanted to be on his program that same night, Angel had been astounded.

But, of course, he had said yes.

Angel was pretty sure it was something he would remember for the rest of his existence: the way Alastor looked as he delivered his improvised monologue, his voice when he read out his much-adored hate mail and when he dramatized one of the darkest horror short stories Angel had ever heard, the sheer power that surrounded him when he grew passionate and the radio chorus became so loud Angel could barely hear anything else…

It was beautiful. It might have been the most beautiful thing he had ever witnessed, and he would probably never see anything to match it ever again.

And Alastor had let him sing. He had given Angel his microphone, he’d told him to pick whatever he wanted, and as Angel sang… the way Alastor had watched him as he listened made Angel wonder what sort of warm nostalgia the Radio Demon was feeling. It was like he was performing for Alastor and Alastor alone, and somehow, that was more satisfying than any other audience Angel could have.

Angel wasn’t even sure why he had come to Alastor’s room. When they left the tower, Angel felt giddy, and he’d barely realized what his destination even was by the time Alastor’s shadow opened the door and let him in first. And Alastor… he had simply allowed it.

Sometimes it feels like he wants me to be here.

And now, he was leaning on Alastor’s chest and unable to stop giggling, and Alastor was still just allowing it. He hadn’t even flinched when Angel touched him this time, simply placing his hands on Angel’s shoulders to keep him upright.

“In a good mood, sha?” Alastor asked, his voice laced with amusement.

“It was fun,” Angel said honestly, managing to straighten himself up again.

Alastor’s smile looked like he wanted it to be there. “That’s always the idea.” His hands trailed down Angel’s arms to his wrists, and he encircled them with his fingers, pulling him gently across the room. Alastor backed up to his favorite chair, then sat, tugging Angel until he was sitting sideways in his lap, legs kicked over one arm.

Angel blinked, but didn’t complain, winding his higher set of arms around Alastor’s shoulders and leaning the side of his own head against the high back of the chair. Alastor’s own arms came around the small of Angel’s back to touch the curve of his waist and across his lap to hold his outer thigh. Angel smiled when Alastor then, perhaps sneakily (in his own mind), pressed his head into Angel’s chest fluff.

“I always loved radio shows when I was a kid,” Angel said.

“Is that so?”

“Mmm,” Angel agreed, as Alastor trailed his fingers from Angel’s hip to his knee and back up. “Mystery House, Empire Builders, House of Myths, The Capitol Theatre Family Show…”

“Uncle Don?” Alastor guessed.

“Nah, I was too old for it. Or I said I was,” Angel amended with a soft laugh. “I did pretend I had any clue what The Goldbergs was about, though.”

“Ah, Gertrude Berg,” Alastor said fondly. “Quite the woman. From your neck of the woods, as they say.”

“Yeah, y’don’t say,” Angel said sarcastically. “The Jewish actress with the Harlem accent, from New York? Never heard’a such a thing.”

Alastor chuckled. “Well, I don’t hold her being from New York against her. She was a fine performer anyway.” He laughed harder when Angel smacked the back of his head, but that laugh turned into a murmuring grumble when Angel began petting his hair. When the spider pressed his fingers down through to his scalp, rubbing little circles and giving him tiny scritches, Alastor felt like he was actually melting against him.

“Yeah, ain’t so tough now, are you?” Angel smirked.

Alastor muttered something completely unintelligible into his fluff; Angel picked out the words ‘kill’, ‘intestines’, and ‘sauté’, and figured he had the gist of the threat.

“Yeah, I know you will, Smiles.”

Minutes passed, and even once Angel stilled his hand and Alastor returned to his senses, neither of them spoke for a long time. Angel wasn’t sure that he wanted to, because everything felt so untouchable but so fragile, he was positive the smallest breath would shatter it forever.

But he needed to. Because this wasn’t permanent. It couldn’t be. It wasn’t allowed to be.

“Tomorrow.”

That was all Angel said, but it was all he needed to say. Alastor’s body tensed for the briefest moment, but he didn’t move away, simply turned his head to speak without his face buried in Angel’s fluff. “I received a message from Rosie,” he said. “She found the ritual and is ready to perform it at our earliest convenience.”

Something about how he said that seemed a little odd, but Angel didn’t feel like asking. “She got good timin’, don’t she?”

“That she does.”

Angel kept his head against the tall chair back, watching the shadows change in the gentle flickering of that strange green light always coming from Alastor’s fireplace. “D’you think it hurts?”

Alastor thought for a moment. “I would imagine it does,” he said finally. “Hell seems particularly determined to ensure that everything here is as inconvenient as possible.”

Angel nodded, taking a few strands of Alastor’s hair between his thumb and forefinger, twirling it back and forth. “…you’re a lot softer than you look.” Almost immediately, Alastor snapped his jaw in the air, catching nothing but filling the air with the sharp click of his teeth. Angel rolled his eyes as Alastor snickered maniacally. “I ain’t sayin’ you ain’t all pointy, too. And don’t worry, nobody’s gonna know your secret.”

“You’re softer than you look as well, sha.”

Angel blinked. “I thought I do look soft.”

“Oh, yes. You do.”

After taking a second to process, Angel’s face heated up. “Cheesy fucker,” he grumbled.

Despite the threat of teeth, Alastor didn’t make him stop, and Angel couldn’t imagine what that might mean. Despite himself, he couldn’t stop thinking back to Husk’s words, the previous night.

“If he’s decided that you belong to him, he’ll keep it that way, no matter what it might do to you… He isn’t going to care if it brings you pain, or worse, just that he gets what he wants.”

“I don’t believe you.”

But that was the problem: he did believe Husk. He didn’t want to believe him, but he did, and the reason he didn’t want to believe him was because if it was true, Alastor didn’t want to keep him.

He wasn’t… invested, as Husk had said.

If it wasn’t true, Angel could believe there was no scenario where Alastor wouldn’t sever their bond. But if it was true, if there was a way that Alastor would say fuck everything and keep him no matter what Vox or Valentino or Charlie or destiny said about it, that meant Angel had theoretically had the chance to be kept… and hadn’t gotten it.

Angel wasn’t sure what he could have done differently. Maybe there wasn’t anything.

“You seem to be worrying, sha,” Alastor said into the silence.

“…I dunno,” Angel answered at length.

“You don’t know?”

Instead of addressing the question, Angel changed the subject. “What does that mean?”

Alastor hesitated, the abrupt shift probably forcing him to revisit the last few sentences in order to determine what Angel was talking about. “What does what mean?”

“That thing you always call me. Don’t never hear you use it on anyone else.”

“Oh… sha?” Angel nodded. “A form of Creole slang, I suppose. Short for the French mon cher.” Alastor made a thoughtful noise. “…not sure I ever have called anyone else that.”

There were so many ways he could take that. “…it’s pretty,” Angel said after a moment. “I like it.”

Alastor seemed surprised. “…I’m glad to hear that.”

It was late. Angel knew that. Alastor’s program went as long as he wanted it to, and it had been the middle of the night when they had first descended from the radio tower. He didn’t want to be tired, and Angel almost hurt his throat in an effort to suppress a yawn.

Alastor chuckled. “Sleepy, Stardust?”

“No,” Angel protested through a second yawn.

“Mmhm. I see.”

Alastor shifted his arms around Angel’s body and then stood, lifting the spider bridal style. Angel squeaked, tightening his arms around Alastor’s shoulders. “Hey hey hey whatcha doin’?” he asked quickly.

“Oh, nothing, my dear,” Alastor said innocently, carrying Angel around the chair and over towards the more bedroom-like section of his suite. He stopped next to his bed and leaned over, laying Angel on top of the bedspread. “Get comfortable and stay here.” It was said gently and a little flippantly, but Angel knew an order when he heard one.

“Okay,” Angel said, the agreement out of his mouth before he even registered the thought that he should probably be protesting the idea of being ordered around by someone who didn’t even have his contract. Alastor nodded in approval and went to his desk; Angel took a moment to wonder at what ‘get comfortable’ could mean, then shrugged to himself and started stripping off most of his clothes. Once he was in nothing but his little shorts and his long socks, he pulled the blankets up over himself and sank down until he was just barely peeking over the top of the comforter.

Alastor was standing at his desk, his back to Angel, bent over and writing something. He folded it, sealed it with an actual wax seal, and picked it up to hold it out towards the wall. His shadow flitted over with that wide grin, and then a tentacle made of shadow shot out from the shadow’s chest, wrapped around the letter, and then shot back, the letter vanishing into the darkness. With a giggle, Alastor’s shadow shivered and then vanished upwards into the ceiling.

“There,” Alastor said to himself as he watched the last bit of shadow disappear. He then came to the other side of the bed, stripping off his coat, then kicking off his shoes and sitting on the edge of the bed. He turned his head enough to look at Angel over his shoulder, and Angel blinked at him, not emerging from his little blanket cave. Alastor’s smile did that thing where it went a little lopsided, and almost immediately, he looked away.

“Y’want me to stay here tonight?” Angel guessed.

“…if you would like to.”

“You gonna sit like that all night or you gonna lie down?”

Alastor huffed quietly, like a laugh that didn’t come to fruition, before he pulled back the blankets on the other side and slipped underneath them like he had never been in a bed in his life. He, very slowly, sank against his pillows, looking up at the ceiling.

Angel snickered. “You do know how to relax, like… at all, doncha?”

Alastor’s ears flicked back. “No.” He didn’t move.

“Oh, fine,” Angel laughed. “…you feelin’ no-touchy?”

Alastor did seem to relax a bit. “…no.”

Angel nodded, then reached out, pulling Alastor into a more comfortable position on his back. He then pulled himself in close, tucking up underneath Alastor’s arm and resting his head on the Radio Demon’s chest.

“Ah.” Alastor’s hand hovered for a moment, then he lowered it, allowing it to rest on Angel’s shoulder. When Angel let his contentment be known with a soft whirr, Alastor relaxed further. “I still find sleep to be an utter waste of time.”

“No wonder you’re nuts. Sleepin’ is good for you, Smiles.”

“Do not speak to me about health.”

Angel squinted up at him, and Alastor just smiled as always, one eyebrow raising. “Uh-huh.” Angel moved to rest his head again, but was stopped when Alastor caught his chin with his other hand, pulling Angel’s gaze back upwards. “…Alastor?”

Alastor didn’t answer, just looking at him for a long moment. In the end, he didn’t speak at all, simply pulling Angel up enough to kiss him. Angel jumped a little, but relaxed into it almost immediately, one hand curling on Alastor’s sternum and one arm draping across his waist.

It was a briefer kiss than Angel would have liked, normally, but this one felt somehow… heavier. When they parted, Alastor let his head fall back onto the pillow, so Angel allowed his own head to rest on Alastor’s shoulder again.

What aren’t you sayin’ to me?

Angel still didn’t want to sleep. All he wanted to do was lie in Alastor’s bed forever, listening to the odd and comforting rhythm of his heartbeat. Angel began to count them—five, ten, fifteen—and before he even noticed his eyes were closed, it was morning.

•••

Alastor was… very much his former usual self the next day, and Angel wasn’t really sure how to interpret it. He was up and dressed before Angel was awake, and without words, Angel could feel that Alastor had reconstructed that bubble of personal space around himself that would not be infringed upon. Before, Angel would have pushed that boundary, but now… he couldn’t. It finally felt dangerous to do so.

Alastor confessed he didn’t know how long the ritual would take, advising that they should probably leave as soon as possible so they didn’t take up all of Rosie’s day. Angel hated the idea, but he didn’t have a reason to protest, and Alastor informed him that he would wait in the lobby and didn’t look at Angel as he left.

It was over, then. Angel had known this was coming, and really, he couldn’t understand why he felt so upset. It had only been a month, after all, and Alastor was the absolute last word in unattainability. With the mark gone, Alastor would return to how things had always been, and he was clearly simply starting the process of separation now instead of prolonging the inevitable. Angel should have been grateful for that, because once the mark was gone, he would go back to normal, too. He wouldn’t care. He’d be free.

Up in his room, Angel quickly applied coverup to the areas around his eyes, the red rings around them already threatening to tell anyone who looked at him that he was about to cry. But he wasn’t. He wasn’t going to cry.

“You’re not going to cry,” Angel sternly told his reflection. His vision blurred, a single tear welling up in his left eye, and he punched the center of his mirror so hard that cracks spread across the entire surface.

He cleaned his hand, bandaged it haphazardly, and added fingerless gloves to his outfit.

When Angel finally descended into the lobby, Alastor was… pacing. From the stairs, Angel could see Husk watching the Radio Demon like he was afraid the guy was about to pounce on the next person he saw, but Alastor wasn’t even paying attention to him. Angel approached carefully, raising an eyebrow. “Feelin’ caged, there, Smiles?”

Alastor turned his head with a dramatic neck crack, the rest of his body following at length. “Not at all, my good man!” he said, much too loudly to be casual, and Angel forced himself to not react to the return to one of Alastor’s more detached forms of address. “Are you ready to go?”

Angel shrugged. “Yep.”

He wasn’t sure if he had expected to travel through the shadows the same as they had when Angel first visited Cannibal Town, but that didn’t happen. Instead, they walked, and Angel wondered if it was because Alastor actually wanted to take the time, or if they were only walking because traveling by shadows would necessitate Angel touching him. He didn’t ask, and they didn’t say much of anything at all as they headed through the streets towards the Gluttony District.

Cannibal Town was just as lovely as it had seemed the first time. Angel followed Alastor into Rosie’s shop, and Angel was surprised to see the place was empty.

Did she close for this?

“Rosie, dear!” Alastor called.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Rosie called from another room. When she emerged, she was hatless, clothed in a much more simple dress than usual and clearly in the middle of prepping the ritual. “Hi, Alastor. Hello, Angie, darling,” she said, taking two of Angel’s hands in both of hers and kissing his cheek.

Despite himself, Angel giggled a little. “Hi, Rosie.”

“You two ready?” she asked, looking between both of them.

Angel didn’t know what to say, but naturally, Alastor answered for both of them. “Of course.”

Rosie just nodded, releasing just one of Angel’s hands and leading him into the back. Angel heard Alastor follow at something of a delay, but he didn’t look back, instead keeping his eyes on where they were going.

You gotta fuckin’ let go, dummy. It’s done, and you knew it would be.

This shit ain’t for you and you know it.

The room Rosie took him to was dark, no windows inside and the only light coming from some candles and the fireplace at the back of the room. A wide, thin table was set with a blue-gray cloth and a collection of items Angel couldn’t identify from just a quick glance.

“Here, darling, you stand right here,” Rosie said gently, settling Angel in front of the table. “Alastor, you there, and face each other,” she added, pointing beside him as she went to the other side of the display.

Angel turned just as Alastor settled and did as well, both of them standing in silence as Rosie prepared. He was glad he didn’t have to think of something to say. Alastor wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“Now, Alastor, I’m gonna have to touch you, and you’re gonna have to live with that,” Rosie said.

“Hm,” Alastor said. “Fine.”

“Don’t make it sound like you’re being magnanimous,” Rosie mumbled, looking over a scroll she had carefully opened on the table. She carried over a small stone bowl and a little vial with some red liquid in it. “Alright, now…”

Rosie tapped two fingers into the bowl, and withdrew them, fingertips now coated in a black powder. She reached up and drew something on Angel’s brow, and then placed a single drop of the red liquid up by where his hairline technically was. It felt odd as it trickled down the center of his forehead, coming to a stop where his third eye rested.

Rosie turned and, presumably, did the same to Alastor. When she pulled away, however, Angel saw the black markings on his brow vanish and the drop of liquid dry clear. Rosie didn’t comment, so he assumed this was what was supposed to happen.

“Clasp hands, please. Right to right and left to left, left on top. Your top set of hands, Angel.”

Angel took a moment to process those instructions, but before he could finish, Alastor reached out and took his left hand in his own, then reached beneath their joined hands with his right hand to take Angel’s own. Angel looked down at the ‘x’ made by their arms and waited.

Rosie returned with a thin, long thread, as fine as gossamer and bright red. She began winding it around their hands, following a very particular sort of pattern that Angel couldn’t understand but knew had to be a seal of some sort. She applied a couple of drops of that liquid to the center of the thread, then she stepped away to the other side of the table.

Angel thought he felt Alastor’s grip tighten on his hands.

“This thread represents the nexus of two sinners, a simulacrum of soul to soul, now no mere effigy but a covenant made manifest,” Rosie read aloud. “Into this thread we place connection that lies between the spirit of Alastor, the Radio Demon, and…” She hesitated.

Angel cleared his throat, somehow knowing all too well what the hesitation was for. “Anthony,” he murmured.

“…Anthony, Angel Dust. Through this union of hands and the blood of the soil of Gluttony, their connection becomes physical, and by severing the thread, so too shall the soul bond be severed.”

Rosie came back around, holding a pair of silver shears in her hand.

“Anthony,” she said gently. Angel twitched a little. “Do you relinquish your bond with Alastor, and in so doing, reject the soul mark that exists between the two of you?”

“I…” Angel let his head hang slightly, staring at their joined hands. Alastor felt warm. His own hands were always so cold. His vision blurred, and he bit back the feeling through sheer force of will. “…I do.”

“Alastor,” Rosie said. “Do you relinquish your bond with Anthony, and in so doing, reject the soul mark that exists between the two of you—?” She cut her own words off with a soft noise.

Alastor didn’t answer. Angel realized that, since taking his hands, Alastor hadn’t moved at all. Alastor made a soft noise that sounded like the beginning of a word, but wasn’t, and Angel finally raised his eyes to look at him.

Alastor looked so much the same as he had that day in the kitchen, when their bond had stirred, just without the utter shock he had worn that night. His ears were flat, his smile was shaken, and he looked… confused. Angel almost asked what was wrong, but before he could, Alastor spoke.

“No.”

Before that single word could even sink in as an actual word, Angel’s hands were empty, the thread hanging loosely around them before slipping to the floor. Alastor was gone.

“…oh,” Rosie said into the silence. “…shit.”

Angel stared at the space where Alastor had been. “…what the fuck?”

“You got me,” Rosie said. “But if I had to guess… I’d say it looks like he changed his mind.”

Angel snapped his head to look at her. “So he just left?!”

Rosie shrugged at him. “Sweetheart, you just spent, what, a straight month with him? You know better than most anyone that he’d rather eat his own organs straight out of his torso than face up to a human emotion.”

Angel shook his head slowly, disbelievingly. “But he… he said… he didn’t want…” Angel couldn’t even find words to make an actual sentence. “…what the fuck?!”

“Why d’you think I never had a moment I wanted to marry him?” Rosie asked, crossing back to the table and beginning to pack everything up. “I’m astounded you haven’t tried to kill him yet.”

Angel raised his hands, then let them fall again, smacking his own thighs. He glanced down, where he could see the mark still resting untouched on his knee. “What do I do now?”

“I don’t know,” Rosie said honestly, giving him a sympathetic smile. “That’s up to the two of you. I doubt Alastor’s given this any thought, either. But I bet you’ve gotten pretty good at making him open up.”

“I…” Angel wrapped his arms around himself. “I don’t know. I guess. …this was the last day I had before the Vees said they’d get involved.”

“Then I’d suggest cornering him somewhere and making him talk tonight,” Rosie said. “…I’ll keep everything, just in case, but I don’t know if you’ll ever end up using it now.”

Angel groaned. “He is a pain in the ass who could have pulled this shit days ago.”

Rosie’s smile was almost too fond. “Yeah,” she said. “I absolutely know what he sees in you.” As Angel blushed and floundered for a response, Rosie came over and touched his cheek. “It’s gonna be okay, darling. Why don’t you take a walk back to the hotel? He probably went back there, and he can’t avoid you forever. He won’t let himself.”

Angel nodded slowly. “…okay,” he said. “I ain’t got no idea what I’m gonna say to him, though.”

“You’ll figure it out.”

Angel said goodbye to Rosie as he left the shop, shielding his eyes from the brightness of the midday sun after being in that dark ritual room for so long. He began walking, his mind immediately wandering back to Alastor and what the fuck he was thinking.

Maybe he wasn’t thinking. This didn’t seem to be in line with Alastor’s logic or desires, even after the past weeks they had spent together. Alastor had insisted, over and over, that it was only the bond doing this to him, so… why?

If it was just the bond… why would Alastor choose to let it rule him?

Or was it what Husk said? Had Alastor decided Angel belonged to him? Was that why he had left? Husk said he didn’t care what happened to those he kept, so long as he kept them, so… maybe Alastor just didn’t care what the Vees did.

But that was stupid. Alastor hated the Vees. Refusing to break the bond wasn’t sticking anything to Vox and his cronies, because they were prepared for that. Now, getting Angel out of his contract with Val? That would piss them off, but also, why would Alastor wanna go through that level of bullshit?

Angel’s mind was spinning in circles when he heard a sharp noise nearby. He looked up and realized that the street he was on looked… abandoned. The sound registered fully the next moment—someone had just whistled sharply—and he turned his head slowly to look.

But it wasn’t Valentino. It wasn’t even a lower-tier member of VoxTek. It was just an imp, leaning up against a brick wall, looking at him with an impassive expression. He was tall, and half of his face was scarred, which kind of made him… prettier.

“Uh…” Angel raised an eyebrow. “Whaddya want, buddy?”

The imp frowned at him. “Nothing.”

That didn’t sound right. Angel turned to face him, hands on his hips. “Look, I ain’t in the mood for this. You wanna fuck or somethin’, look somewhere else. You wanna fight, that I can do.”

Weirdly, the imp smirked at that. “Uh-huh.” He tilted his head to the side a bit, not even disguising that he was looking at the soul mark on Angel’s leg. “…god dammit, you two are so fucking stupid.”

Angel narrowed his eyes. “What did y—!!” His vision went black as a bag went over his head, a sensation he’d felt too many times in his existence, and almost instantly he felt a horrific stabbing pain in the back of his shoulder that made him scream. He was abruptly aware of other people as he was grabbed and they dragged him to the ground, despite his struggles.

“Ow!! Fuck, he kicks…!” a woman with a thick accent said.

“All six, we have to use all six, don’t let go of him!” That was the tall imp.

“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m so sorry I’m so sorry,” another man was muttering neurotically as Angel felt himself get stabbed again.

“Stop fucking apologizing and tie him up!”

“Don’t yell at me, sir, it isn’t helping!!”

Everything was growing weirdly fuzzy. Angel felt four more stabs, each one at the join where one of his shoulders met his body, and he couldn’t move his arms anymore. He couldn’t feel his arms, and he was barely able to figure out that his hands were being tied behind his back.

Someone much taller than an imp hauled him off the ground, but Angel couldn’t move. He could barely even think. He was pretty sure he was put in the back of a truck or a van or something, and those (three? Four?) strangers kept yelling at each other, but Angel couldn’t process it.

He couldn’t think about anything, really, except the new echo of the word ‘no’ deep in his mind as he fell into unconsciousness.

•••

welp

[ihavethedreamies]

Sweet or Spicy (2) | Jongho

Choi Jongho - ATEEZ

Rating: Suggestive (15+)

Word Count: ~1.1k

Pairing: Jongho x AFAB!Reader

Genre: Reader-Insert, Best Friends-to-Lovers, Part 2/Intermediary Chapter

Warnings: She/Her Pronouns used, Swearing, Kissing

This is Part 2, the sequel of Love or Hate. You don't necessarily need to read the first part for this to be enjoyed. This is just an intro, you will get to make a choice at the end…

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I am cross-posting this on Archive. Please reblog! If you know anyone that would like this or future fics but they aren't on here my name and icon are exactly the same on the other site. Happy reading!

Jongho and you got up to your apartment and you shuffled inside awkwardly, even though it was your home. He let his bag rest by the door; he took his shoes off as you went to the bedroom to put your own stuff down. Closing the door, you heaved a heavy exhale and while you wanted to sit in the middle of the floor and have an existential crisis, you wanted more to go spend time with Jongho. So much happened suddenly with you both confessing, and you felt somewhat hungover. You changed out of your jeans and when you grabbed a pair of sweatpants, you thought about what he said earlier. Instead, you grabbed a pair of shorts, donned those, and went to your closet. Switching out the sweatshirt you were currently in for one of his he had there, you looked in the mirror that was built into the door of your closet. I love how big my sweatshirts look on you. I love watching your cute little ass in your little shorts when you're at home. Your face visibly flushed, and you stepped away from the mirror, patting your cheeks as you went back out to the living room. You halted when you saw him on the couch. It seemed he had been wearing a t-shirt under his leather jacket, a short sleeved one. While you had seen his forearms before, it was rare and so you practically ogled the little bit of skin. He was relaxed back on the couch, sitting there like he owned it, the room, and your apartment. Like usual. His pants were, as you stated earlier, deliciously tight. You wanted to sit yourself on his lap and ride his strong thigh till you came all over it. Shaking your head to clear it, you shuffled closer and felt very shy for some reason. Not only was the sweatshirt big on you and you were in shorts, but the hem of the top also went past your shorts, making it look like you had no pants on. He gave you a warm smile and you shot him a shy one in return.

"You want to build that desk?"

"Not really." You admitted and his smile grew then turned into a smirk.

"Come here, pretty." He held his arm open, and you shuffled over to him. When you went to sit down next to him, he instead pulled you down onto him. Jongho rested back against the couch, settling you sideways over his lap. Resting your head on his shoulder, you two sat there quietly, just reveling in the contact.

"Jongho?"

"Yes?" His arm wrapped around your back, hand on your hip to hold you in place and you fiddled with the strings of his hoodie you had on. When you didn't say anything, he bounced his leg, the force making you bounce as well. This movement readjusted you, so you were facing him more. He was so handsome and the fire behind his eyes warmed through you.

"C-can you kiss me again?" You whispered softly and he chuckled. You 'eep'-ed as he shifted you further, causing you to straddle him. Wanting nothing more than to rub your covered pussy over his thigh, you held back. He kept going though, turning so his back was to the armrest and this gave you the room to kneel between his legs. His leg was bent at your side between you and the back cushion, his other foot planted on the floor. He was so confident, and it was so freaking hot. Leaning forward somewhat shyly, your hands rested on his chest and ended up bumping his leg against your back, pressing you into him. You were surrounded by Jongho, his scent, his warmth, his strength. His lips met yours again and you sighed in delight, his hands came to hold yours on his chest. This kiss was less hungry, and he let you take the lead more as you leaned against him. Pulling back, you kissed his cheek, and this made him huff out a laugh. You shifted and kissed the other side of his face above his jaw and then laid one on his neck.

"(Y/N)." He sighed your name out and he leaned back more, letting you lay on him more. Splaying your hands over his chest you groaned at the muscle you felt under there. He was just delicious. Your head swam with the thought of what he looked and felt like under that black t-shirt. Laying another kiss near his chin you moved back to his lips, and he smiled. Propping yourself up on your knees more, you hovered over him, tilting your head down and deepening the kiss. His powerful arms wrapped around you and held you closer. Your arms wrapped around his neck, and he helped you to straddle him again. When you sat down fully you felt the impressive bulge in his pants.

"Fuck." You gasped and he looked at you smugly.

"Is this moving too fast for you?" He asked and you looked at him, shaking your head.

"Dear lord, no. Do you know how long I've wanted this?"

"Hm, no. Tell me." He was growing cockier by the second and you were more than willing to stroke his ego.

"Remember almost a year ago when Wooyoung wrapped around my legs, and you hauled him off and put him in his place?"

"That long huh?" His hands moved from the small of your back to your ass, pulling you close to grind up into you.

"Fuck." You swore again. Luckily, he was in jeans, or he could feel you most likely leaking through not only your panties but your shorts as well.

"I've wanted you since you fell asleep on my shoulder when we watched Black Widow in your dorm."

"T-that long? We had only known each other for a few months."

"I know."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Well…honestly, then I just wanted to flip you over and fuck you into the mattress." He admitted and your core clenched.

"Now, I love you, and I'm not sure if I want to make love to you or rail you into next week." Jongho buried his face into your neck, beginning to lay soft kisses there and your heartrate spiked. What did you want? Well…both, but what sounded better right then?

"Oh, uh…I don't know which one…" He pulled you down to grind on his hard-on again.

"Whichever one I'm fine with. But choose soon, I can't hold back any longer." You felt his lips move over your thudding pulse point.

"Okay…"

...

'Make love to me.' (Sweet)

'Rail me.' (Spicy)

-> Series Hub <-

Master-Master List

ATEEZ Master List

[deancasbigbang]

Title: Someone Who Doesn’t Want To Be Saved

Author: RedCraneFalling

Artist: Callion

Rating: Explicit

Pairings: Castiel/ Dean Winchester, minor Andrea Howl/ Sam Winchester

Length: 49000

Warnings: Temporary Major Character Death, Child Abuse, Implied/ Referenced Underage Prostitution, Canon Typical Violence, Homophobia/ Parental Homophobia, One use of the F slur

Tags: Childhood Friends to Lovers, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, John Winchester’s A+ Parenting, Wing Fic, Grace-Soul Bonds, Loss of Virginity, AU - Canon Divergence, Parental Guardian Gabriel, !Kid Sam

Posting Date: October 2, 2023

Summary: A child shall be born of twice-tainted blood, the eldest of two and the two soldiers’ son. A saint’s soul emerges, yet a hunter is made. Born martyr from love, built killer by pain. On his hundredth season, the lock he will break, as Mother kills Child for her Father’s sake.  All God’s angels shall perish by creatures of ol’ ‘less a Seraph gone wayward does hopelessly fall Fledgling angel, Castiel gets in an accident shortly before his seventh birthday, and quite literally falls out of the sky and into Dean’s lap. The two quickly become close, but both of their families are hiding dark secrets. Dean’s in the form of an absent father who seems to drain all happiness from his two children whenever he’s around, and Castiel’s in the form of a prophecy which unites the two boys, but may ultimately tear them apart.

Excerpt: Dean starts climbing and Castiel waits for him to be about halfway up before he flaps his wings twice and jumps to the branch. “Hey no fair!” Dean calls after him, “I forgot you could fly. Flying is cheating.” “You didn’t specify no flying when you made the rules,” Castiel calls back laughing from his perch on the branch.  Castiel watches Dean climb the rest of the way up, his muscles stretching and coiling under the skin of his arms. He’s strong and lithe, graceful and sure of his movements in a way that Castiel can only imitate in flight. On the ground, the calculated angular movements of an Angel make him look robotic in comparison. He is unnatural where Dean is at home, as a true son of the Earth. And God took clay from Earth’s four corners and gave it the breath of life. Man is better than angel. Created for more than just the divine. Their perfect imperfections leave room for beauty. When Dean gets up to the branch he’s huffing with exertion. There’s sweat on his brow where his hair sticks to his forehead, and his cheeks are bright red around his freckles. The flush brings out the green in his eyes.  “Cheater,” Dean accuses when he sees Castiel’s cocky grin. He reaches out and gives Castiel a light shove.  Castiel moves exaggeratedly with the shove, and falls sideways off the tree branch.  “Cas!” Dean yells in alarm before he realizes that Castiel is simply floating in the air slightly under the branch with one leg still hooked over it. “Gonna give me a heart attack,.” Dean grumbles.  Castiel laughs and uses his wings to right himself so he’s sitting on the branch again. He straddles it, facing Dean.  “Would you like to race back down?” he says with a cheeky grin.  “No,” Dean pouts, crossing his arms “You’d probably just jump, Mister I-Can-Survive-a-Tornado.” Castiel laughs boisterously, and it seems his laugh is contagious because Dean starts laughing as well. They both smile, looking at each other. The sun dapples Dean’s skin with patches of light through the leaves.  Castiel walks with the brothers back to the nearby motel they’re staying at. Dean is in an uncharacteristically carefree mood, skipping and chattering on like the first time Castiel met him. When they reach the motel, Dean’s face falls as he looks at a big black car parked outside their room. He picks up Sam and turns towards Cas frowning.  “You gotta go home now, Cas, but we can watch Scooby Doo another day, okay?” he says. Castiel is confused but agrees and flies away.  The next time he sees the Winchester brothers, Dean has a black eye. He won’t tell Castiel where it’s from.

DCBB 2023 Posting Schedule

[cosmic-ships]

{ Curbside Support }

Ship: Adam Sackler x Kaden

Words: 1,212

cw: None really.

Summary: Shitty night turned into something unforgettably sweet.

Hey, if you aren't a self shipper please dni, nothin' against ya. I have anxiety lol

Just their luck. It was supposed to be a fun time out, it was rare that they actively decide that they're going to actually celebrate their birthday so it figures that when they do actually go through with it it all turns sideways, there's a reason why they say they're cursed all the time.

It was a warm spring evening in May, and many partygoers walked down the street, either looking for their next bar to party at or drunkenly stumbling around to find the nearest bar and grill to stuff their faces full of grease to sate their drunken state. Kaden however was sitting on the curb just outside of a small pub. They sat next to a small parking meter and sighed heavily, their cheeks stained with tears.

It was their birthday and it was complete shit. The night started out fine, got food, got drinks, sang karaoke and went back out to the bar area. Then their dumb ex showed up and ruined everything. At least tonight Kaden found out that a few of their friends aren't really as much of friends as they thought they were. Kaden and their ex had a minor tat in front of everyone and it was embarrassing.

Kaden's so-called friends kept bugging Kaden to let him hang out with them because he was "just being nice" yeah, until he got drunk and got handsy with every person who had female genitalia-

Kaden was so upset and so frustrated that they ditched their own birthday party to come out to a curb and cry. What a great birthday.

Kaden leaned over towards the parking meter, their eyes closed as their head pressed against the cool metal. They let out a loud sigh, their hands coming up to wipe away their tears. They were trying their best to ground themselves. They could sense someone else near them and cracked an eye open to see a man sitting next to them. They opened their eyes fully to better look at him. He was a handsome individual, no doubt out for a smoke break.

The man looked over, his eyes were dark and almost seemed black in the street lights, and his hair was short and a little shaggy looking. His eyes raked over Kaden's face before Kaden went back to minding their own business, their eyes closing and arms coming to cross over their chest.

"You're ugly when you cry." The man said

Kaden opened their eyes, green orbs quickly shooting over to him. "Excuse me?"

"You cry ugly."

"Wow. Nice, douchebag." Kaden glared but within a second Kaden let out a small little laugh as they shook their head, eyes once again closing.

"Ah, see that's much better. You have a pretty smile."

Kaden gave a small snort, who was this dude? "Yeah, okay- Is this how you pick up people? Emotionally distraught disasters at the side of the curb?"

"No-" He paused for a moment "They're usually emotionally distraught in a bar"

Kaden's eyes opened and they looked at him only to see him perk up, giving Kaden a little lop-sided smirk, he was kidding and Kaden let out another small laugh.

"So why are you emotionally distraught on the curbside?"

"My friends are more interested in banging my ex than hanging with me" Kaden sat up straight, their legs outstretching in front of them.

"Ouch."

"Double ouch, it's also my birthday." Kaden sighed heavily.

"Oh, happy birthday!" He smiled.

"Drop the happy part.." Kaden hummed.

"Oh well then…birthday to you"

Kaden gave him a weird look but their lips were tugged into a small smile "You're weird.."

"Says the one crying on a curb~" He teased. "I'm Adam"

"Touche… I'm Kaden."

"So are you planning on sobbing on the curb for the rest of the night? Want to go back in?"

"Pass. I'd rather not see my friends being all--- ugh"

"I could go with you?"

"I don't want to start useless drama"

"Who said anything about drama? We'll keep to ourselves. It's your birthday and it would reeeeallly hit 'em if you walked in unphased." He gently nudged Kaden playfully with his elbow. "and with a very handsome gentleman too no less." He grinned which earned an eye roll from Kaden.

Kaden thought about it for a moment and nodded. Adam helped them to their feet and Kaden swallowed hard, they were a little nervous to go back in but then they felt Adam's arm sling around their shoulders.

"This okay?" Adam asked softly, pulling Kaden into him a little which again Kaden nodded.

For the remainder of the evening, despite their original party group being in the same spot as they were in, Kaden was actually starting to enjoy themselves. After their time at the bar was finished Adam suggested getting food, they walked together, talking about everything they could think of and joked around with each other It was weird how quick they seemed to click with one another. Adam even went as far as to go to the convenience store and come out with a candle smushed into a hostess cupcake.

"Happy Birthday, kid make a wish" He grinned.

"Seriously?" Kaden raised a brow, they were highly amused and dare they say even a little smitten by the sweet gesture.

Kaden shook their head in amusement, they closed their eyes for a moment before blowing out the candle, their eyes opening and gaze flicking up to his.

"What did you wish for?" He smiled.

"If I told you it wouldn't come true now would it?"

"I guess not but I'm nosey~"

"Fine. I wished for your number." Kaden laughed softly a hint of playfulness in their voice.

Adam grinned nearly ear to ear as he rocked back on his heels "Uh, wish granted!" he held out his hand. "Phone please"

Kaden blinked in surprise. "Adam, I was kidding."

"you don't want it?"

"Er…"

"yeah yeah exactly, give me your phone you weirdo" He grinned.

Adam took Kaden's phone, a small smirk tugged to his lips as he looked at the background. "spoooky"

"What?"

"your background." He showed Kaden their own background. "spooky, you like weird dark woods or something?"

"the photo brings me comfort. I'm what you call a nyctophile."

"A nycto what now?" He raised a brow.

"I take extreme comfort in the dark, especially pitch black"

"weeeiiirrdddd~" He teased, his voice was light and playful. "Nah, it's cool. Here you go" He handed their phone back to them.

"I listed myself in there for you."

Kaden looked through their contacts until their eyes landed on 'Curbside Support Guy' to which Kaden snorted. "Oh my god, really!?"

"Really." Adam smiled. "So- Rating your birthday from one to ten."

"Hm.. Well, before everything went tits up it was about an eightish…then it went to like…minus ten then to an eight" Kaden giggled.

"And what about right now?" he asked, his brow raising quizically.

"Oh, ten for sure."

"Oh, I'm more fun than yours friiiiennddss~"

"Shut up.." Kaden laughed softly. "but you did help turn my birthday around so thank you."

Who would have thought such a disaster of an evening could have turned around into one that Kaden was never going to forget for the rest of their lives.

tag list: @ama-ships || @heatobrienswife || @dragonsmooch || @kylars-princess || @mahitosoulmate || @deathnot-e

(Lemme know if you want to be added to my tag list!)

Also this is out of order. Its this fic first > Getting together(WIP) > uncertain > Just friends(WIP) > making up(WIP) then whatever the fuck else I wanna write lmao