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bonny-kookoo · 4 years

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Tiny Treasures | JJK x Reader | 💜🐾(☁️)🔞

Commission for @eyerin !! Thank you sm for that request! 💖

Want to request too? Take a look at my ko-fi then! (ko-fi.com/bonnykookoo)

Pairing: Jeon Jungkook x Hybrid!Reader

Genre: hybrid AU, non-idol!AU, Web-Designer!Jungkook, bunny hybrid!Reader, featuring Taehyung: your local scatterbrain (TM)

Warnings: absolute fluff, it’s cotton candy I swear, so soft, so sweet, oh lord, reader is shy and sweet, Jungkook is whipped, he’s so sweet with her ugh, this is now my official emotional support Koo, some mentions of past abuse/neglect, did I mention that kook is whipped, because his heart go boom boom whenever reader so much as BREATHES, strength kink (hint), your local praise and size kink say hi as well, no smut would you believe it, possibly future parts? I dont know I just love them okay

Summary: Jungkook was a hopeless romantic believing in love at first sight- and then there was you, a bunny experiencing the tiny treasures of life for the first time. Together, with him.

It's busy in Jungkooks apartment- something thats unusual, considering that technically, the young man lives alone, doesn't really fuck around, and works at home as well ever since he took on the job as a web-designer. There was no reason to cause such an amount of stress in his home- other than the simple fact of his best friend currently pacing around, steps so fast and hard that Jungkook scared his flooring would soon melt underneath the older ones shoes he didn't take off in a rush. There were bags on his couch, bags on his counter, and a backpack somewhere in his living room- all because of;

"Okay so, she's okay with eating almost everything BUT!" Taehyung holds his finger up as if he's lecturing a child in front of him- which he's not, Jungkook is a full grown adult at this point, and looks at him unimpressed with furrowed brows as his older friend lists up things he needs to keep in mind for the hybrid he's looking after for the day. "Please make sure she's hydrated, she tends to forget to drink during the day. If she does and gets a headache there's medication in the bag that I've put on the couch- you've seen it right? Should I show you again?" He stresses, and Jungkook holds his friend's shoulders for a moment.

"Can you like, breathe for a moment please?" He says, and Taehyung nods, following the instructions for a moment before Jungkook continues. "Okay great. Now that you're not hyperventilating anymore I can tell you that yes, I've seen the bag-" He says, pointing towards the couch that's littered with so many things it seems like he's giving the hybrid up for adoption today instead of just dropping her off until tomorrow. "Second of all, I've taken care of Yoongi before and he's still alive, what's so different? Just because she's a bunny- or was it hare- wait is there a difference..?" Jungkook drawls off, suddenly thinking and not quite remembering if he's ever quite asked himself the difference of these two things. Taehyung however seems offended by that.

"Jungkook, she's a BUNNY, not a hare! That's a HUGE difference!" He whines out, and Jungkook looks at him a bit sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "Oh god maybe I shouldn't go, this is a bad idea.." He says, already taking out his phone to cancel the date he has tonight, but jungkook holds the elders friend before he can make that mistake. Taehyung was a busy man, running a hybrid rehabilitation center in Seoul and Daegu- while talking to Busan's department for partnership. He really loves his job- but sometimes he gets too invested in it, just like now. He's finally got a date for himself after years of being alone; but he almost shot the poor woman down when he remembered that you, a newly rescued hybrid was staying at his home- something he never did before. Sure, he had taken over the rehabilitation of hybrids before, but he had never ever taken a case home with him. But after meeting you, seeing you, and knowing what you've been put through, his heart simply couldn't leave you at the shelter- even though he knew that it was probably the best place to be for you. But he had done what he had done now- there was no turning back with you. He couldn't leave you alone yet, so Jungkook had volunteered to look after you for the day and night, until Taehyung would pick you up the next day. The younger one had always looked after Yoongi, a cat hybrid later on adopted by Jung Hoseok, a friend of both of them; so he personally felt good about taking you in.

It was just for a day- what could go wrong?

"Come on, don't you trust me? Or is she like, super aggressive or something?" Jungkook asks, and Taehyung sighs. He hasn't told the younger one much about you, believing it was bad karma to talk about others when they weren't present. Yet this time he'd have to make an exception- because Jungkook needed to know at least some things about you and where you came from. Everything else would be unfair.

Taehyung sighed. "She's a category 3, so she's still recovering from her past home. She's just.. super shy and timid, and gets scared pretty easily so, I'm just terrified Jungkook. I know you don't want to cause any harm, but what if something happens and she just falls back? She's come so far these days, you should've seen her when I got her.." He said, and Jungkook looked at him- the eyes of the younger serious, reminding Taehyung that deep inside, he was more than just a schoolfriend. "When she got to me, she didn't even know how to use cutlery Kook. She.." But Jungkook smiled, placing a hand to his friend's shoulder in reassurance.

"I get it. I'll do my best, okay?" He says. "I promise I'll call you as soon as something's up, okay?" He says, and Taehyung nods. With a small wave he leaves the apartment to pick you up from the shelter- and Jungkook, in exchange, began to rummage through the plastic bags Taehyung had dumped onto his couch.

He was familiar with hybrids to some degree- he never really had owned one, and neither did his family. He knew that his brother owned a dog hybrid, but he had yet to bring him to family gatherings; Jungkook had never seen the puppy hybrid himself. His parents however said that she was nice, and Jungkook never really had any bad experiences with them. He sometimes visited Taehyung at work and conversed with some of the more chatty hybrids.

He was familiar with caring for them to some degree. As already stated before, he'd looked after 'grumpy-cat' Yoongi a lot back in the days when he was still in the center for rehabilitation. Jungkook knew about their different preferences in food, and their different behaviors. He, sadly, also knew about the mistreatment most of the hybrids went through before getting to the center into Taehyungs and his Staff's care- and he always hated it. The stories he sometimes heard made him sleepless during the night, made him research donation websites just to cleanse his mind for the moment.

But it only ever lasted until the next case would turn up at Taehyung's doorstep.

Quite frankly, Jungkook didn't know what he'd expected. After all, he'd never seen you in person, he simply went after Taehyungs description of you, but what was now standing at his door, was something that erased any thought he may had prior to opening it.

You were so.. delicate? Cute? He's never used the word 'cute' for a person before, because he simply thought aegyo and all of that was something girls put up for a facade of innocence. He hated that with a passion, cringing any time he saw it- yet there was, in his opinion, no other word that described you better. You were just as shy as Taehyung said, yet you forced yourself to bow a little as a greeting, taking a small step back however when Jungkook snapped out of his thoughts and opened the door fully to step aside. He threw a smile your way, hoping it could ease your nerves a little- and it seemed to work, because he saw your lips turn a bit upwards into a shy smile.

He felt as if he'd just won a ranked overwatch match against the seoul dynasty.

"Okay, I'm gonna pick you up tomorrow ASAP, okay? Are you gonna be fine here?" Taehyung asked you, and you looked over his shoulder- your bright eyes meeting Jungkooks, who was leaning against his kitchen counter, smiling boyishly while waving a little. It made you feel okay; he seemed nice enough, and after all, any friend of Taehyungs was a friend of yours. He'd taught you that. So you nodded, and Taehyung smiled, patting your head for a moment, your ears flopping to the sides before standing upright again after his hand left you. He waved goodbye and seemed a bit reluctant to leave- but you knew that Taehyung was excited for his date. He'd talked about nothing else these past days, and it made you happy to see him so giddy over something.

"So." Jungkook started, his voice fitting him, you thought. He looked fit, and comfortable to you- his oversized sweater probably big enough for you to hide in. Wait- what was that thought?! You averted your eyes immediately, ears shyly drooping backwards as you began to shuffle your fluffy socks on his wooden floor, the laminate suddenly super interesting. "Taehyung said you should have a nice healthy dinner- but I may forgot to buy groceries, so, is it okay for you to tag along?" He asked. "You can choose what you want to eat while we're at it, too." He said, and you perked up at that.

"I can?" You asked, ears slowly moving into a more confident position again, and he smiled at that achievement.

"Sure!" He exclaimed, and walked towards the door, grabbing his jacket, before he looked at you. You were staring at something- and as he followed your gaze, he saw your shoes. Simple sneakers in colors that fit your current clothes, but, was he connecting the dots correctly? He didn't want to offend you in case you were simply deep in thought, so he simply waited, slipping on his own shoes, as he watched you out of the corner of his eyes.

You really were struggling to tie your shoes.

So he simply sat down on the small step that divided his entrance from the rest of his apartment, and tapped the top of his knee. "Come here, I'll help." He said, and your eyes widened, shaking your head.

"I'll- I'll get your pants dirty.." You said worriedly, but Jungkook shook his head again.

"Don't worry about that." He said, and you hesitantly placed your shoe on his knee with just the very tip- something that made him smile a bit before he placed it down properly, tying the laces quickly.

"Sorry." You apologized, but he shook his head yet again as he tied the other.

"It's fine." He simply said, before you both got up, going outside. "Do you, uhm.." He began, nervously picking on the slight fuzz of his skin against his chin before he finished, by holding his hand out. "You know, so you don't, accidentally get lost or something. Taehyung would kill me." He laughed, and you blushed, before hesitantly taking his larger hand, holding it as he walked to the nearby grocery store with you.

Inside, it was busy as usual- but Taehyung typically didn't take you out during these hours, something about you maybe becoming overloaded by sensations and sounds. You've never been to a grocery like this before though- because while yes, it was a lot, Jungkooks hand never left yours even for a second. He calmly explained things you seemed interested in, and his entire presence calmed you down, even though you didn't really know him at all.

But your instincts were telling you that he was a good person; and until now, they had never been wrong.

"So, which one do you like?" He asked, pulling you from your thoughts as you were drifting off a little. He smiled at you, while you were looking at the shelves, pointing towards a pack of ramen. You've never tried it, but you had been interested when you saw them at Taehyungs place once or twice- however, back then you had been too shy to ask if you could maybe try it sometimes. "Hmm.. you sure about this one? It's pretty spicy sweetheart." He said, letting the petname slip as your ear flinched a bit into his direction, eyes widening a bit. Taehyung sometimes called you sweetheart as well- but somehow, in some weird way, it made you feel all tingly inside hearing it from Jungkook. "Uhm.. maybe, I can buy this one, and this chicken flavoured one- you can taste mine, and if you like it, we can switch. Okay?" He explained, and you nodded, not really listening anymore as you looked at him with an almost fascinated expression.

Taehyung had told you he had never truly taken care of a female hybrid, let alone a rehab-case such as you were. But he seemed so nice, so sweet, it was hard to imagine him not owning a hybrid- or being single. While Taehyung had never outright said that Jungkook was, you assumed so by the hints you noticed here and there. No other scent than his in his home, and you also remember Taehyung teasing the younger yesterday over the phone, saying something that at least Taehyung was getting himself some dating action.

For some weird reason, knowing that Jungkook didn't have a partner made you feel nice.

But then you remembered his words. "But- what will you eat if I eat yours?" You ask, and he shrugs.

"We'll simply switch then. I don't mind." He says, placing both packs in the shopping cart as you watched him. Your old home hadn't been too kind to you, yet you still didn't know anything else than the treatment you got back there. It was still new to you how easy going some people were, how much freedom you actually had. You've seen kids on swings last week, and a girl feeding a stray cat in an alleyway. Those were things you've never seen before.

"Okay, now the fun part." He says, and you look up at him, his head nodding towards something specific.

Icecream.

Your eyes widened seeing all the different packages and flavours, making your ears droop a bit in confusion. You were lost; what should you choose? You didn't know any of these except some flavors Taehyung had at his house. Jungkook, already connecting the dots, opens one of the doors. "Do you like fruity things? I personally like mild flavors, like vanilla." He says, picking a box of two separate containers. "How about this one?" He asks, and you nod excitedly.

"Yes please.!" You say, pretty much vibrating on the spot as Jungkook places the box into the cart, making an elderly lady next to the two of you chuckle.

"So sweet. And great manners too!" She says, before a hybrid walks up to her; his bright orange badge showing that the dog hybrid was a service worker. "Take good care of her, young man, yes?" She says, and Jungkook nods, squeezing your hand a little tighter as you both watch the lady getting escorted towards the cashiering section.

Jungkook had honestly never really thought about taking care of his own hybrid. He always worried that his friend's teasing was actually real- that he was too immature to quite take care of another living being except his own. Depp down he knew of course that he was capable of that, but insecurities sometimes still bit at his soul from the inside. He couldn't do much about that- he was a hopeless person in that department; still believing in love at first sight, and that human-hybrid relationships are nothing weird.He secretly loved romantic dramas, read shōjo mangas at the bookstore whenever he was too scared to buy them- afraid of being teased for it. He hated perfumes, enjoyed soft smells and fabrics, and even knew how to braid hair. He may looked like a typical muscle-head; with nothing filling his brain apart from protein powder and the need to work out and survive off of energy drinks and leftover cup noodles, but that wasn't really who he was. He simply liked to take care of himself, nothing more. He didn't work out for anyone but himself.

For some reason he enjoyed taking care of you like this. You were so sweet, so cute, that he couldn't help but already feel a little protective of you- that fact having only little to do with Taehyung. Maybe he simply needed a small push into the right direction to finally experience what it was like to have a hybrid, to test out what it was like to live with one.

But he didn't just want a hybrid, he noticed as he watched you carefully place the items of the shopping cart on the cash register, just like he'd asked you to do-

He wanted you.

He could feel someone staring at him. It was like it was piercing his neck, like laser dots on his skin, and it should freak him out like nothing else if it wasn't for the fact that he knew it couldn't be any other than you. He looked at the pot he was putting water in, the reflection showing your form sneakily watching him from the entrance of the kitchen. He chuckled. "Hm.." He began, dramatically sighing. "I wish there was a certain sweet bunny hybrid here to help me cook.. but I guess she's too busy.." He hummed, as he made sure the water in the pot was enough for one pack, before he turned around, your form now standing a few steps behind him. "Oh?" He said, acting surprised as you shyly smiled.

"Can I help.?" You asked, and he nodded, patting the counter to which you walked, squeaking cutely as he simply turned you around with gentle hands, lifting you up to sit between the stove on one side, and the sink on the other. You'd somehow come to the conclusion already that he was quite strong- but the short taste you got of his strength made your heart race a little. It was instinctively, really; your kind looked for partners with certain attributes, after all. They were supposed to protect you and your offspring at some point- even though that part made you look at your knees in shame, before Jungkook snapped you out of your thoughts before they could sway.

"Can you open the packages for me?" He asks, and you nod, taking them out of his hands and opening the foil carefully. You take out the still hard noodles before the flavor pack falls out, slapping on the floor as it falls down out of your hand. Jungkook however doesn't scold you- simply picks it up and gives it to you, and you look at him for a moment- watching him for any indication that he's mad. But he's not.

It's as if nothing had happened.

So you put the flavor pack and tiny oil package on top of the noodle blocks, so carefully Jungkook has to force himself not to just simply scream from how concentrated you look doing something so simple. "When the water boils, like, when it bubbles a lot, you can put these packs in, alright?" He says, and you nod, as if he's giving you instructions on how to prepare for war. He can't help himself at that moment, grinning so hard his dimples show as he reaches out to pet your head.

It's a little like Taehyung, but it feels a lot different.

With Taehyung, while you do feel safe and comfortable around him, and it feels nice, it's not at all like Jungkook. The younger one makes your heart race. He makes your pride swell, and your eyes sparkle- it's as if you've been given an award for the greatest achievement ever. You almost whine when he lets go.

So you later on put the packs into the boiling water with so much precision, immediately seeking his approval right after, to which he smiles at you. "Good job, Bunny." He says, and pets your head, absentmindedly moving the palm of his hand from the top of your head to instead cradle your cheek. Its such a soft and gentle touch that you almost go limp- closing your eyes and leaning into it. He only notices that when he looks back from the pots- now turned down a bit to a simmer as to not overcook- and his heart surely bursts in that moment.

You look so.. there's no word in Jungkooks head to properly describe the view he has, that image of you in front of him. He can't help himself- begins to trace his thumb against the soft skin, watching your ears relax and flop down. He can't imagine that someone like you could ever be done harm to; and while he doesn't know much about your past, he's sure it hadn't been pretty. It makes him want to just keep you right here, in his apartment, close to him, where he can make sure no one could ever cause you to be upset.

Both of you are abruptly pulled out of your thoughts by his phone ringing, the device so badly placed that it falls down to the floor after vibrating a few seconds. "Fuck!" He exclaims, picking it up and sighing in relief when it turns out to still be without damage. He takes on the call, and on the other side of the line, is Taehyung. He greets his younger friend, instantly asking him if you're okay- if you've eaten yet, drank anything, if you're homesick- all in one breath, it seems. Jungkook chuckles, simply placing a hand on your knee, thumb again tracing a pattern he's unsure of what its supposed to be. The warmth seeps into your skin through the fabric of your clothing. He smiles at you, and for the first time, maybe because you're feeling so.. smitten with him, you smile back. Not just a shy little lift of your lips, but a full on beaming smile, making his hand reach out to brush along your ear- internally gasping at how soft the fur is. How can something be this soft?! "Taehyung, she's fine. We're making ramen right now, she helped me cook, and afterwards we're gonna have icecream and watch a movie or something." He explains, and Taehyung claps back with something along the lines of 'but don't let her have the spicy stuff, she can't handle that-' but the younger one doesn't listen that much anymore. "Yeah yeah, listen, we're fine. Go get your girl, jesus." He laughs, and Taehyung chuckles as well, hanging up after reminding him to get you to bed at a reasonable time- as if you're a child he's taking care of.

Because that's the thing. You're not a child- and in Jungkooks eyes, you're not a pet. You're so sweet and easily interested in the simplest of things, he can't help but wonder if you had any hobbies. Did you like video games? Or drawing? Were you into books- hell, could you even read? He wanted to know so much more about you than just those tiny breadcrumbs of info he had gotten from Taehyung. He dearly hoped that maybe, maybe you would like to see him again after leaving tomorrow. He really hoped.

And as you ate, shaking your head at Jungkooks spicy ramen after tasting the broth a little from his spoon (which he did make sure to blow on as to not have you burn your tongue, bless his heart), he really did hope.

He really hoped that maybe, you felt just as happy around him as he felt around you.

It seemed that going grocery shopping, cooking, and eating icecream had taken its toll on you. Your eyes were practically falling shut every few seconds, yet you tried to stay awake as much as possible. Jungkook smiled at you, brushing some hair back before he moved your shoulder a bit. "Hey, bunny?" He asked, and you nodded, humming a noise of yes, you heard him. He chuckled. "You'll have to get up baby. I have to prepare the couch for you." Typically, it would be normal to give a guest the bed- if he was being a gentleman. But that was what he was being; because his couch was the most comfortable thing in his entire apartment for that matter. Yet maybe it was the sleep inside your bones making you drowsy, but you shook your head. "Hm?" He asks, and you suddenly move.

You shuffle around, suddenly hugging him tightly, head hidden in his chest as you rub your nose against the soft fabric of his shirt for a moment. "Don't wanna." You complain, and he swears he dies and gets ressurected all at once seven times in total at your next words. "Wanna sleep with 'koo." You drawl, and he knows he should not let you. You're not thinking clearly- but he can't deny you anything when you're like this, it seems. You've got him wrapped around your little finger, tightly, with no chance of escape.

So he gently picks you up after turning off the TV, bringing you to his bedroom, where he puts you on the bed, your tired form struggling to stay seated. He picks out a shirt of his to wear, and a pair of your shorts out of your backpack Taehyung has left for you. "Sweetheart, can you change for me?" He asks, and you simply let yourself playfully fall ontop of his mattress, making him sigh. You're going to be the death of me. "Oh really now?" He says, before he crawls over you, with the intention to tickle you a little awake- but he stops in his tracks. In fact, time seems to stop as well, as your eyes stare at him, so big and full of wonder he almost can't stop himself from looking at your lips.

But its you who shyly- and so quickly he almost doesnt catch it- pecks his lips before sneakily slipping out his grasp, taking your clothes with you into the bathroom, leaving him on the bed. He sits down, touching his lips for a second, absolutely unsure if he'd just experienced this, or if he had just had a fever dream of some sorts.

It's only when he notices you don't emerge from the bathroom, that he moves. He gently knocks at the wooden door, asking for you, but you don't answer. "I'm gonna open the door, okay?" He says, and does so seconds after, spotting you sitting on the tiled floor- now dressed in his sweater and your shorts, ready for bed. He notices however how you're hiding in the sweater- the hood covering your ears, while your hands shield your face. "Whats wrong?" He asks as he squats down in front of you, his hands gently pulling yours away from your face. You're not crying, thank god, but the look on your face speaks entire novels about how embarrassed you feel.

"M'sorry." You say, and pout, and he shakes his head.

"Don't be." He simply answers, helping you stand up after a moment. "Why do you feel bad?" He asks, and you shrug your shoulders.

"I just.." You start, but suddenly your eyes grow glossy. "I miss Taehyung-" You say, and Jungkook's heart drops for a moment. "-but I also don't wanna go home tomorrow." You finish, and Jungkook blinks twice, before he looks at you, confused. You didn't want to leave? Him? "I.. no, it's fi-"

"Say it." He demands- its not harsh, its not even loud, its almost just a whisper, tuneless words pressed out in a breath of air. "Don't keep it in- say it." He prompts you, and you swallow, not looking at him.

"I wanna stay with you." You say.

And he swears, the pain in his heart was the sweetest he'd ever felt.

The next day, after breakfast, Jungkook and you sit on his living room floor, him teaching you how to build a rubber powered plane- the one's he used to make as a kid. He'd kept a kit in his apartment back when he moved out of his family home but never got around to really use it. It was the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy the things you had missed out on in your life. He loved the way you so intensely watching his every move as he showed you how to put the pieces together. "And that's gonna fly?" You ask curiously, leaning over a bit as to get a better look at it.

"Hmhm." He says, holding it up, before giving it to you. "Here, turn this part until you can't anymore." He says, and you start twisting it for a while. "Don't worry, you can't break it." He says when you hesitate a little. He highly doubts you'll be able to snap the rubber band. "Tight?" He asks, checking, before he nods, standing up. "Lets go fly it outside!" He says, opening the glass door to the small backyard of his apartment. "And- Go!" he says, and you throw it just how he showed you minutes prior; letting it fly for a good moment before it landed.

"It flew!" You exclaimed happily, and he laughed as well, congratulating you as if you had just won a competition. He held you tightly to his body for a moment after you had jumped into his arms- and that was how you just stood there for a moment, simply existing, holding each other. For you, this was a moment of realizing that no, you're not alone. You're not useless, you're not just a pet, you're not just existing for someone's enjoyment. You had this one person at your side now, someone you could count on, someone to make you feel safe. And for him? Weirdly enough, he felt like the male lead of a romantic drama show- finally getting the happy ending he always craved in his life. He never knew what exactly he always wanted from his time here on earth. Was it success? Was it money? A big apartment, a nice home, a lot of friends? No, it was building a blanket fort with you in his living room. It was going to the grocery store with you, protecting you from big dogs that scared you, or holding you during the night. Every cheesy romantic thing he could imagine, now always featured you in his head; and it just, fit. It fit perfectly.

You fit into his life just perfectly.

It's later that day when Taehyung picks you up that he realizes that yes, he's positively in love with you. Because how can he not fall in love with those glistening eyes, hand waving goodbye for now because of course he can't just keep you like he wants to. There's paperwork involved, and your things need to be moved to his place- all of that needing to wait for social services to check his home, so that they can make sure he's really the right fit for you. It's then that he finally lets everything sink in, finally lets him think about what's going to happen, whats going to change.

And for the first time, he couldn't wait for it. He couldn't wait for things to change.

Jungkook baked you a small cake for your welcoming into his home- finally yours as well, as you hug Taehyung for the last time, the older friend waving before the door closes, Jungkooks arms instantly pulling your back into his chest. He leans his head down, kissing your shoulder, before he runs his sensitive lips over the so unbelievably soft fur of your ears. Three weeks had passed, yet to him it had felt like an entire year. Jungkook was sometimes impatient, and waiting had been pure torture for him. So now, as he was finally able to hold you again, he felt his entire stress vaporize into nothingness.

You giggled, before turning around, hugging him fully, and rubbing your face into his sweater, as if to get your scent onto him. Which was exactly your plan- after all, he was your human now, officially yours, so everyone should know that. The rumble in his chest that was his chuckle made you smile widely, grinning as you looked up at him, chin resting on his chest.

Oh may god have mercy on his soul!

He leaned downwards, finally capturing your lips with his, the first real long kiss to be shared between the two of you. Both of you melted into the sweet gesture, your ears falling down lazily as he showered you in affection; kisses to your nose, your cheeks, and your lips again. He continued until the corners of your eyes gathered tears from laughing so much.

This was how you were supposed to be. You were never supposed to cry because you were upset-

the only tears you should ever have to shed, should be tears of happiness.

(c) Bonny-Kookoo. Please do not translate, re-post or claim as your own. Thank you for reading- and please stay happy and healthy.

#bts imagine #bts #bts fanfic #bts fic #bts smut #jungkook imagine #bts jungkook #jeon jungkook #jungkook #bts reactions

969 notes · View notes

auramindedd · 4 years

Text

I Like You - SMAU*

Part 10

CorpseHusband x FemReader - Y/N

warnings: cussing

notes: uhhh,, idk where to take this series, but ima just go w the flow igs 😭 also,, i completely give up on adding the small details like the likes, comments, replies, and the times on tweets so i’m super sorry if it bothers you lmao

it’s also pretty long,, mostly writing rather than the smau, butttt i really like this one 🥺

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“When’s Rae gonna be home?” Corpse asks, playing with his hands.

“She’ll be home tonight, I just don’t know at what time. Why?”

“Uh... I- I just... I don’t know? I’m kind of nervous?”

“Corpse, Rae is your friend. But if you don’t feel comfortable, I can get a hotel room for you not too far away from here?” You suggest, 100% willing to pay for a hotel room for him if he wouldn’t feel comfortable being here with Rae here.

“I wanna stay here- with you... If that’s okay with you, of course.” There’s a slight blush on his face, it makes you smile a bit.

“Yes, I want you to stay here, too. You can take my bed, I’ll sleep on the couch.” You grab his plate, stacking his on top of yours, taking them to the sink.

“No, no. I can be on the couch tonight, I don’t sleep anyway.”

“Corpse, I’m not gonna have you sleep on that uncomfortable ass couch. Come on, we’ll figure something out. Wanna watch a movie?” He nods his head. You grab his hand, or more so his fingers, leading him to your room.

You turn the lights off, turning your fairy lights on instead. You tell Corpse to get comfortable, fluffing pillows for him, letting him lay back.

You know Corpse would be a bit anxious and nervous, not something you’d ever blame him for. You’re surprised you’re not being awkward or nervous. You’ve been trying your best to keep Corpse comfortable here, making sure he isn’t getting too nervous.

“Can we watch High School Musical? I have the stupid ass songs stuck in my head, childish me is coming...” You ask, not wanting to torture him with such a movie. Well, it’s not a bad movie, but you’d understand if anyone’d want to shoot themselves in the head while watching.

“Of course, baby.” You can’t help the butterflies that erupt in your stomach from the nickname. You sit closer to the TV, wanting Corpse to be comfortable rather than you.

Suddenly, you feel a hand around your waist. Corpse pulls you to him, letting you lay next to him. He looks at you, smiling. You smile back.

“Corpse, can I ask you a question?” He hums, indicating for you to go on. “That one time, you didn’t answer me for two days... You told me it had been because I was too ‘pretty.’ I didn’t believe you, and I still don’t. Why didn’t you answer me, like for real?” You don’t ask this in a bad way either, you’re just genuinely curious.

“I- uh... I’m going to be 100% honest, Y/N, but I don’t wanna scare you away.” He says cautiously, hesitating to go on.

“Corpse, you could never. I’m too attached already.” He chuckles, letting out a sigh.

“I like you. Like, like like you... I liked you before even seeing your face, but after, wow.” Silence. Deafening silence. But honestly, you can hear your fucking smile. You don’t think you’ve ever smiled so hard in your life. “Y/N, baby, say something, please.”

“Corpse,” You look up at him, probably scaring him with your smile. “I like you, too. Like, like like you.” He chuckles, but it’s more of a chuckle of relief. If that’s a thing?

He pulls you close to him, letting your head rest on his chest. You listen to his heartbeat, his breathing, trying to match yours with his. You slowly drift off, your eyelids getting too heavy to keep open.

———

You wake up in Corpse’s arms. He’s gently stroking your side, looking down at you with a small smile.

“Good morning,” His voice is raspier and deeper than it already is. You didn’t know that was possible.

“Good morning,” You say, yawning softly. You bury your face deeper into his chest, snuggling closer to him.

“So fucking cute.” He mumbles, softly chuckling.

After a while of just laying there in Corpse’s arms, you decide to check social media and your messages. Already, Twitter is going crazy, assuming quickly that you and Corpse are dating. It’s not anything you didn’t expect, but it’d be nice if people didn’t jump to conclusions.

You decide to tweet a good morning, feeling good about today. And sadly, very unfortunately, you decide to text back the group chat - something you’ve been dreading to do.

Corpse is there, reading the messages, but you don’t mind.

You kind of, accidentally, and very stupidly put yourself out, but it’s all good, nobody said anything besides Brooke. You all have a drunk Among Us lobby to get to.

After getting ready, Corpse getting his laptop and mic ready in another room, you join the Discord call. Corpse joins quickly after. Surprisingly, nobody says anything about you two being in the same apartment while greeting each other. You don’t doubt that someone will say something soon.

“Let’s all take a drink - to Corpse and Y/N holding hands!” Alex exclaims, clinking his glass on his mic. The rest cheer, pretending to clink their glasses as well. You sigh and laugh a bit, but nonetheless, you’re gulping down a glass of champagne.

“Alex,” You say, catching his attention.

“Yeah?”

“Fuck you!”

“Hey, hey, hey. No fucking.” Karl says, and you can hear him slap his hand to his mouth after realizing what he just said. The lobby bursts into fits of laughter, but the one you’re trying to listen for, Corpse’s. It’s silent on his end.

“Karl, how much have you had to drink?” Dream asks, slurring his words. Didn’t this game just start?

“I had like 3 beers?”

“You fucking lightweight.” You tease. “Dream, you’ve been drinking too...”

“Yeah, we might’ve pregamed an Among Us game.” He admits shamefully.

“Didn’t expect less from you two,” Rae says, adding a disappointing tone to her voice for effect. She starts the game, despite the sad protests from Karl and Dream.

Crewmate.

You pout, wanting so badly to be Imposter. You’re a good liar to say the least, and people easily fall for your sweet, innocent voice. It’s funny, pathetic even, which is why you want at least one good Imposter round.

“Whaddup, baby,” Corpse greets you in Nav. Dream follows behind him, Karl coming in shortly after.

“Hey, my beautiful alcoholics!” You greet cheerfully, earning groans from them both. Oh, how fun it’s going to be teasing them.

“At least she called us beautiful.” Karl says, walking out of Nav with Dream, leaving you and Corpse alone again. You get back to doing your task, connecting the ship with the dotted lines and whatnot.

“Am I beautiful?” You can hear the pout in his voice, it’s cute.

“Gorgeous, stunning even.” You say before walking out of Nav, smiling to yourself.

This round is pretty uneventful, along with the next few. But after about five rounds, you’re all incredibly drunk after playing some drinking games.

“No balls,” Rae dares. You’re Imposter this round, and Rae’s made you her personal hitman. She’s telling you to kill Karl, but he’s innocently doing his tasks.

“I have three actually.” You defend yourself, not making any sense at all.

“Three what?” Sykkuno comes in.

“Three balls,” Rae answers.

“Okayyy then...” Sykkuno drawls, leaving you two alone. Corpse comes along, the second Imposter. Oh, how convenient.

“Hey, Corpseee,” You greet, making it so fucking obvious.

“Oh my God!” Rae exclaims. You sigh, facepalming yourself. “Corpse kill Karl, Y/N kill Sykkuno.”

“Woah, since when did we become your hitmen?” Corpse backs his astronaut up.

“I’m not killing Syk!” You whisper-yell.

“Okay, then you kill Karl and Corpse can kill Sykkuno.” You can hear her shrugging as if it’s no big deal, but literally, Karl and Sykkuno are the sweetest people to you.

“No, I’m not doing it, Rae...” Corpse still hasn’t said anything. He’s watching you and Rae go back and forth, whisper-yelling even though anyone would be able to hear you.

“I’ll call you two out.”

“You’d never,”

“The emergency meeting button is looking real sexy right now.” Ugh, fuck the stupid smirk you can just hear in her voice.

“Fine, we’ll do it.” Corpse says. He goes and kills Sykkuno. You hesitate killing Karl, but he already watched Corpse kill Sykkuno so, unfortunately, you have to.

You and Corpse run away, leaving Rae to report the bodies.

After you and Corpse vouching for each other the whole round, nobody putting sus on you two because well, you sound so innocent and sweet even while being shitface drunk, you two win, earning groans from everyone in the lobby except from Rae.

“To be fucking fair, Rae had me and Corpse be her hitmen sooo, you can blame her if you died.” The lobby starts yelling playfully at Rae.

———

After finally finishing streaming, Corpse comes into your room, plopping down onto your bed.

“Gosh, I’m gonna have the worst fucking hangover tomorrow.” He murmurs into your pillow, hugging it close to him. You jump onto the bed, sitting next to him, playing with his hair. He doesn’t mind, or you don’t think he does.

“It was fun,” You say, smiling to yourself. You love spending time with your friends. You can’t imagine how much fun it’d be if all of you got together in real life.

“It was,” Corpse yawns, looking up at you, smiling as you keep playing with his hair. He gets up, settling himself into your bed again, pulling you into him, letting you rest your head on his chest. You wrap an arm around him, snuggling yourself closer to him.

“We should probably eat something... And get ourselves some water.” You say, knowing that tomorrow’s hangover is going to be a bitch.

“I don’t wanna let go of you.” Corpse whines. You try getting up, but he almost throws a fucking tantrum. Quickly, you get out of his arms, running out of your room, giggling like a fucking maniac.

“Y/N! Please!” He shouts softly, trying not to wake Rae. He runs after you, following you into the kitchen. You run to the other side of the counter. He goes left, you go right - vice versa.

“Corpse, we need food and water.” You say, trying to grab pans out of the cupboards while he’s trying to get you. You can’t help yourself from giggling. Rae will kill you if you two wake her up.

“I wanna hold you,” Corpse pouts. Gosh, he’s going to be the death of you.

“In a sec, I can make us something real quick.” Drunk Corpse obviously equals Clingy Corpse.

“Fine,” He sighs dramatically, sitting on a stool. You grab pans from underneath the cupboards, pulling out some bread and cheese. Grilled cheese is easiest and it’ll take the least amount of time.

As you’re plopping bread into the toaster, Corpse snakes his arms around your waist, snuggling his face into your neck. There’s the slightest stubble, making you giggle.

“Corpse, I can’t cook with you on me.”

“Yes you can, I’ll help.” So stubborn...

You take the bread out of the toaster before it gets too toasted, putting it on the buttered pan.

It was a mission to finish the food to say the least. Corpse demands you eat in your room that way he can hold you. You put on The Promised Neverland, watching the TV as Corpse watches you. But honestly, you don’t mind.

You two fall asleep in each other’s arms again. And you don’t think you’d ever be able to fall asleep without being in his arms again.

——————————————————————————

Taglist - comment or message me to be added.

Sorry for not updating, I have to go through a bunch of posts. I’ll update in the next post.

* if you’re name is in bold, i couldn’t tag you. *

@letsloveimagines @liljennyx3 @youretheonlyonewhomakesme @blackheartemojivibes @lo-manburg @walkingonchairs @strawberrydonkey @tayloryorkscurls @bluepancakemix @prettylittlealiengirl @yeetmymood @victoria-a567 @loraleiix @moonlightsimp @jades-bullshit @teenloves @greenie-of-shield @fanworrior @thefvckvp @bigdaddysatan @mirahg @rosy-feels @arossebyanyothername @kitsamii @lollipop0605 @happyyyandcrazyyy @maraudingmarauder @stickystrawberrysyrup @majasophieanna @ilovejjmaybank @starstruckllamapuppy @owl-llie @thurstyforholland @thatsouthernblondewiththeass @in-fucking-deed @a-dot-dev @rjsmochii @boiled-onionrings @neenieweenie @vvenusblue @bellomi-clarke @smiithys @londonskies @16marie @leah-0207 @officiallyunofficialperson @wineandionysus @fanficlover99

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#corpse #corpse fic #corpse husband #corpse husband fic #corpse x reader #corpse x y/n #corpse husband smau #corpse husband social media au #corpse husband imagine #corpse husband scenarios #smau #social media au #imagine #among us #cute

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chilly-me-softly · 3 years

Note

fluff alphabet for jordan (henderson)

This is my first alphabet so hope I did it right and that you like it! x

A - APRON

Jordan wasn't the best cook in the world, he kept it simple and always made the same recipes sure that the result was more than acceptable. And you loved to see him in action, from the moment he put on his apron until he got to the cooker, his expression always focused as if he were in the middle of a surgical operation. And then his eagerness to know if it was good, the smile on his face when you complimented him, him enormously pleased with himself.

B - BALL

Of course he always has a ball between his feet, many times urging you to play with him. And you're not a professional player at his level, but you certainly manage to distract him in other ways...

C - CUDDLE

After a day of practice what better thing than holding you in his arms while you tell him what happened while he was gone or anything else that comes to mind. Your voice is better than any relaxing drink, so much so that many times he has closed his eyes without even noticing.

But it's the little circles you draw on his arm, the light kisses you leave on his chin from time to time that make his night. Because no matter how much he likes being around the boys, no one pampers him like you do.

D - DINOSAUR

The little dinosaur is supposed to be for your son, but ever since it was given to you, it keeps you company when you're alone. Or even to annoy Jordan as he often complains that you spend more time hugging that soft toy than he does.

"I swear, as soon as he's born, I'll let him have it"

"If you say so" Jordan strokes your eight month old baby bump with a smile on his face, "did you hear mommy? She'll leave you her toys" he leaves a light kiss on your belly as you gasp hitting him with the dinosaur head.

"You're really mean Jordan, go away I never want to see you again" you put on a fake pout as he looks at you softly getting up to be at your height.

"How about you keep this dinosaur, and our son gets another one? You can match"

"I don't need a stuffed animal, I'm a big girl now" but you don't believe it either, him raising an eyebrow clearly amused and you hitting him with the dinosaur again.

E - EXERCISE

Even on his days off Jordan had to work out, the home gym built for the occasion. And he loves showing off for you, when you go to sit on a bench and your gaze settles on his toned, sweaty body.

"Like what you see?" he sneers, gently passing the towel over his face and then laying it on your shoulders, you rolling your eyes faking nonchalance.

"Please my lover is in better shape"

"Oh yeah?" Jordan walks over trapping your legs against the bench and starting to lie on top of you.

"No Jordan you're sticky" you try to desist but he's already on your lips. So you draw him to you by the neck, the thin layer of clothing separating you starting to get annoying.

F - FAMILY PHOTO

Jordan literally loves family photos, a big one of you just on the fireplace. He claims that every year you have to redo it because you all change so much, especially the little ones. Plus that year there is a new member of the family so it has to be redone.

You smile, arranging the ribbon around the baby's head in your arms as a three-year-old runs past your side almost tripping.

"Careful" you sigh, "Come on come over here next to us so we can take the picture and then you can go play" you don't know how he hasn't gotten dirty in some way yet. Jordan and the light shirt obsession. It's cute but totally not appropriate for a vulcano like your kid.

Finally Jordan arrives after talking to the photographer about the shots, wrapping an arm around you briefly. He places a kiss on your temple and the forehead of the little one in your arms before stopping the baby who was about to run away again.

"Just two minutes okay?" he smiles, crouching down and resting his hands on the kid's shoulders, smoothing down his jacket and adjusting his little bow tie before guiding him back to his seat.

And at the end of the week all you have to do is choose the best photo.

G - GETAWAY

Especially in summer you used to disappear to spend some time alone away from schedules, appointments, dinners to attend, families. Nothing was better than disconnecting, just you and Jordan relaxing in a secluded place or being tourists in some unknown location. You did everything you could to keep your mind off your troubles for even a couple of nights and it was always worth it.

H - HUG

All you had to do was say that word and Jordan would drop what he was doing, his arms gently around your body. Sometimes you did it just for the sake of it, but most of the time you just felt the need to be held and he was almost always there to satisfy you.

I - ILL

Sick Jordan was absolutely something. His unkempt state, his bright eyes and his drawling smile made him so cute in your eyes even though he felt like crap.

"Stop looking at me like that" he complains as he always does trying to hide his head somewhere while you smile.

"I'm not doing anything"

"You're looking at me" his voice comes muffled from under the pillow as you try to take it off, stroking his slightly damp hair. You liked taking care of him for once, even if it meant he wasn't at his best. He always seemed so strong, always available for you and that was one of the few times you could somehow return the favour.

He got annoying but you couldn't really take it out on him, could you?!

J - JORDAN

You didn't use nicknames, his name was good like that and you didn't need to change it or not use it at all. And he loved to hear his name coming from you. With hilarity when you were having fun; with sweetness in intimate moments; and yet angry, joking, alarmed, every possible nuance brought a smile to his face.

K - KEY

You were having breakfast one morning, you were enjoying your bowl of cereal while his had become un-eatable by now as he kept throwing you glances not caring about it.

He continues to twist something between the fingers of the hand he has hidden from your view when suddenly Jordan reaches across the table, sliding something towards you. A key.

"This is the house key. I wanted to... well give it to you but don't feel pressured in any way" he doesn't know exactly what he's nervous about, many times he's left you his keys to get in or when he was out of town for emergencies. But you looking at him motionless certainly doesn't help him. Has he made a mistake?

"You're giving me the key to your house?" your gaze on that object, incredulous, not touching it as if it might shock you. "Really?" you always had his keys on loan, having your own meant he trusted you enough to let you into his space even unannounced, or that you wouldn't lose it and risk someone else finding it. It was a really great gesture.

"Yeah I mean I thought you could have your own copy, and use it even when I'm here" a huge smile breaks across your face as you stand up going to sit on Jordan's lap, him scooting his chair further back to allow you to be more comfortable.

"That's...I have no words. Just thank you"

"I like the idea of coming home to find you already comfortable"

"Oh I surely will" you chuckle as you finally take that key in your hands, snapping to your feet causing a confused expression to appear on Jordan's face as you leave for the door.

"I forgot something" you walk back inside using the key and going straight to leave a kiss on his lips as he stands up immediately wrapping his arms around your body. "Are you crazy? It's so cold out there"

"I have a key now" you state with satisfaction as you cling to him.

L - LAUGH

Definitely his trademark, you can recognise it even with your eyes closed. You couldn't be more different than that, you always trying to be as quiet as possible while he was always so loud. But you couldn't help but be mesmerised by his face when he laughed, from his squinted eyes to his head thrown back.

"If I were to lose my memory, I'm sure your laugh would make me remember you" a soft smile on your face as you looked up at him slightly from below lying on his chest as he raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? Why would you lose your memory?"

"I said if, it's a scenario" you roll your eyes pouting, him quickly running his thumb over your lips to remove it.

"Why do you always have to be so tragic?"

"Ugh Jordan it was a compliment, it's not my fault you don't get it" and that laugh is always there to fill your heart.

M - MATCHDAY

Every home game Jordan is sure to have you at the stadium cheering for him. Over the years that has never changed, only skipping games when you weren't feeling well or when you were really pregnant and Jordan would be more concerned about you and your safety than the outcome of the game.

A little unspoken routine between you, him always leaving home early no matter the kick off time to review tactics and you sending him a text to wish him luck with a picture of you - and later a picture of you and the kids - wearing his jersey.

After the match regardless of the result and after he has done any interviews, here you are together sharing a short but sweet moment. You remind him how proud you are of him, the children want to go and play on the pitch.

N - NOSE

His nose brushes your neck as he snuggles up against you to rest; his nose brushes yours gently in an Eskimo kiss before he makes your lips connect; his nose brushes your skin after you have just stepped out of the shower. You often teased him by saying he looked like a tracker but you liked that little attention, the build up to what came next.

O - OLD

You always tease him by claiming he's getting old, sprawled out on the couch after spending half an hour chasing his son completely out of energy while the kid would happily take another ten thousand steps in the backyard.

"If I'm old then so are you, you know that don't you?"

"Yeah" you shrug, "but I'm still younger than you"

P - PIXEL

It's no secret that Jordan travels a lot during the year, your pixilated face seen more times than he'd like. But you don't hold it against him, besides being work it's his dream and moving around so much means he's living it to the fullest; that he's required and indispensable to the team besides being its captain of course.

You have learned to live the moments when you are together, to cheer and not waste it. And every time he stops to look at you while you're sleeping by his side or even just at any other time, he can't stop remembering how much those pixels don't really do you justice.

R - RING

It was a normal day in your life when you realised as a teenager that you had a thing for guys' hands, and if they had rings for some reason it was a bonus.

And many times you'd literally froze as you stared at Jordan's hands moving as he talked or wrote or cooked, the addition of that ring after your wedding didn't help the cause. You were brought back down to earth by his laughter because it was always surprising how one minute you were actively participating in the conversation and the next you were like in trance.

S - SAFE

You don't think you've ever told him verbally but you were lucky enough to have met him. Jordan makes you feel safe and you don't talk about the need to be defended from the bad. You know that with Jordan you can talk about whatever is on your mind without fear of being judged, you know he will always be there for you no matter what. You're immediately heartened by the reminder that he's by your side because any moment is less hard if the right person is by your side.

T - TOMORROW

It is something you often talk about, tomorrow. Everything is unpredictable, you never wanted to make long-term plans because you never know what might happen but only one thing you know for sure that you want Jordan by your side. And your idea matches his.

"You are my tomorrow and as long as I wake up with you by my side I will have a reason to smile"

U - UNIVERSE

"You are my universe"

"Stop it"

"But you are, why wouldn't I tell you" he chuckles as you hit him trying to hide your face.

You are one who is always on the move, always available for others but at the same time doesn't know how to react to compliments. You do what you do not to be praised or anything else but just because you feel like it and every time after a compliment of any kind any word would seem unnecessary, making you stand in front of that person smiling embarrassed making you feel uncomfortable. There, if you had to find a word to describe it you could say that compliments make you uncomfortable.

And Jordan knows this very well, but every now and then when you're alone he starts showering you with compliments and sweet phrases for the sake of it. But the truth is that he likes it when you blush, your cheeks turning red as you do your best not to look him in the eye or hide your face in your hands.

V - VOWS

It seemed years away, but your wedding day had arrived overwhelmingly. You couldn't wait to experience that day and those emotions to the fullest. The thing that had been most challenging for you was the vows, so many things to say without finding the right words. Everything seemed already said, obvious, not perfect and several times you had been on the verge of a nervous breakdown for that small detail.

But on your wedding day, no one around you exists anymore. There's just you and Jordan and your hearts full of love for each other, his thumb caressing the back of your hand for support. You almost forget what you've been struggling to write over those last few months, the words that come easily from your lips just by looking into his eyes.

W - WINNER

Winner takes it all. Jordan watches from afar as you joke with some of his teammates and the only thing he can think about is how that year just ended was one of the most amazing of his life so far, both professionally and in his personal life. He had achieved extraordinary goals with the team, broken records and set new ones. And then he had you who had given him a child a few months earlier and he felt like a winner.

Y - YUMMY

"Yeah that's yummy" Jordan watches his baby close his mouth around the spoon and then bring his thumb to his mouth getting messy with his own food.

"Why do you do that hm? Why?" his tone of voice only makes the child laugh as he waits for another bite clapping his hands on the high chair. Jordan quickly satisfies him seeing the same scene repeat itself, the little hands that have now become sticky and are getting everything they touch dirty like they always do at feeding time.

Z - ZOOM

His professionalism never fails to amaze you as you watch him from afar managing to handle questions in front of a computer. It will be the third interview in which he's asked the same things over and over again and you have never seen him make any gesture of tiredness or annoyance. And you are waiting for him to finally get up from that chair to wrap him in your arm and give him the right amount of pampering he needs to clear his head of everything.

#thank you anon #jordan henderson #jordan henderson blurb

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missdawnandherdusk · 4 years

Text

Together In Paris

Auror!Draco X Auror!Reader

Summary: Cliche mini-series: There was only one bed/fake dating

A/n: I have no idea where this came from but it’s beautiful and so soft and cute and ugh. I love you guys so much so let me know what you think as always!! Also this is 8k words because I have no self control at all.

“There has to be some mistake,” I gasped. “Harry, you can’t be serious!”

“I need this case in the hands of my two best Aurors, and that’s you and Malfoy,” Harry leaned against his desk, arms crossed.

Draco was very quiet and very still beside me. Where my anger was loud and biting, I could tell that his was cold and unforgiving.

“Okay, and I’m flattered, but Harry,” I dismayed. “This is a weekend in Paris for a couples retreat. What the bloody hell do you expect us to do there?”

“Act like a couple,” Harry said, as if it were obvious. And I wished that it wasn’t. “And bring in this potions smuggler,”

I huffed and stormed off, heading to my desk to gather what I needed for this god forsaken case. Stupid Harry. Stupid Malfoy. Stupid shiny shoes that were in my line of vision.

“Bloody hell, Malfoy,” I looked up, abandoning my spare anti-hex potions in their bottom drawer. “What do you want?”

“You act like I’m happy about this,” He snapped coldly. “I’d rather spend a weekend in Paris doing something enjoyable with just about anyone else.”

Fury burned in my heart as his words pierced it. I couldn’t deny that they stung a bit. Truthfully, Draco wasn’t the worst person to get stuck on a case with. Instead I was angry because Harry just assumed that I’d be okay with pretending to date someone, even for a case.

“Just what every girl wants to hear,” I snarled. “What do you want Malfoy?” I sighed, continuing to pack my bag.

“What time would you like me to pick you up tonight?” His tone was so polite that it had me reeling, abandoning my task of packing.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“The case, it starts tomorrow evening. I assume that you’d like to get there early and see what we’re dealing with? You have with cases before,” He gave in tidbit of knowledge so offhandedly that I almost missed how Draco had somehow managed to pick up on my habits.

“I... uh. Yeah,” I zipped my bag and slung it over my shoulder. “Is seven alright with you? I have a few things that I need to get in order before we head out.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven then,”

Deciding that the interaction with Draco was one of the weirder moments of my life, I prepared myself for a weekend filled with... coupling—ugh. I spent about an hour ranting to my empty flat as I packed a suitcase and garment bag, my more expensive dresses safely inside. I paused in the mirror and sighed wistfully. Coupled with Draco Malfoy. Yeah right. We weren’t even in the same spheres of influence. Our spheres didn’t even touch remotely.

Promptly at seven, my doorbell rang, and I could tell that Draco was eyeing my jeans and sweater skeptically. I seemed like a teenager standing next to his immaculate, no doubt tailored- to-him suit. Lost. Lost was a good word that fit. I seemed lost when I stood beside Draco.

“Are you ready?” He asked.

“As I’ll ever be,” I sighed, letting him in so that we could apparate together.

I should have looked over the case notes a bit more. I would have dressed better if I had known Draco and I would be staying at the Ritz. I understood Draco’s look of contempt for my wardrobe earlier.

“Are you ready?” He asked again, softly.

“Yeah, sure.” I smiled settling into a fake persona that was desperately in love with Draco Malfoy. With the smile he returned, I could tell that Draco had done the same as he wrapped his arm around my waist. I tried not to gawk at the lavish lobby as Draco checked us in and I tried to also ignore the disapproving looks I got from the staff about my wardrobe. I stuck closer to Draco after one to many nasty stares.

French fell elegantly from his lips as he spoke to the receptionist. It escaped my mind that he could speak the language—it was probably one of the leading reasons that he was placed on this case: he could thrive without a translation spell. The small French woman made a remark that seemed to upset Draco, his words becoming harsh, his lip curling in anger. The woman started to stammer her words in what I assumed was apologies as she smiled nervously at me before pressing a key into Draco’s hands. A bellhop followed behind us with our luggage.

“What was that all about?” I asked Draco when we were alone in a imperial suite—either the Ministry had given Harry way too much power over funds or this had Malfoy written all over it.

“What was what?” Draco asked, drawing the curtains.

“The receptionist,” I gave, running my fingers over a marble statue of the Venus De Milo.

“Yes? What about her?” He raised an eyebrow at me, shrugging off his blazer and undoing his cufflinks.

“You snapped at her,”

“Ah,” Draco’s lips drew into a thin smile. “Well, I could hardly stand for her to be insulting the love of my life, now could I?” Sarcasm dripped in his tone as his smile became wicked.

“Oh, you stuffy people and your stuffy rules!” I dismayed. “Jeans are comfortable! So are sweaters!” I folded my arms childishly.

“I’m not arguing there, but Y/n, come on, at the Ritz?” Draco piqued an eyebrow.

“I didn’t know it would be here! Bloody hell, I would have dressed better if I knew!” It’s what I had been wanting to scream for the past hour that it felt nice to let the words finally leave my lips.

A chuckle fell from his lips as he sat at in a plush armchair, gesturing for me to join him. I sighed and sat in the adjacent chair, pulling my legs up onto the seat with me. If Draco disapproved, he didn’t voice his opinion.

“Now, before we begin,” His voice dropped into a formal tone, and I knew he was speaking about the case. “I need to know boundaries for you. Yes, we have to be a couple, but I don’t want to do anything that will make you uncomfortable or throw you off guard. I need you sharp and focused for us to do this case successfully,”

“That was... almost sweet,” I chuckled darkly.

My tongue darted between my lips as memories that I tried hard to keep locked down came resurfacing. It was another reason for my fury about the case. Harry knew that I had just gotten out of a toxic long-term relationship and I doubted he thought twice about my approval on the matter of this case. My eyes dropped to my lap; my eyebrows drawn together.

“Y/n,” He called softly, drawing my attention from my spiraling thoughts.

“Just...” I started. “I’m fine. Hug me, kiss me, hold me close, call me whatever, I don’t care,” The words were sharper than I meant them to be as I stormed out of the room and slammed whatever door was between us.

Leaning against the same door, fighting tears and the urge to apparate back home, my eyes settled on one large, silk draped, pillow lined, king sized bed.

“No,” I gasped. “No, no, no!” I screamed. “There is no way in hell!”

“Y/n?” A soft knock was on the door behind me.

I yanked it open and met an anxious looking Draco.

“What the hell!?” I gestured wildly to the bed.

“Are you alright?” Draco neared me cautiously. “Are you sure you’re up for this case?”

“Oh, don’t patronize me!” I snapped. “I’m just fine!”

“Then what in the world are you on about?” He folded his arms defiantly.

“The bed,” I hissed.

“Yes, what about it?” Oh, I wanted to punch him.

“There’s only one.”

“Oh, she can count, the day is saved,” Draco rolled his eyes. “Yes, there’s one bed, do you think a couple would be sleeping in separate beds? We have a cover to keep,”

My face scrunched up in anger as I sighed and scrubbed my face, my resolve falling flat.

“Right, the case.” I nodded, putting on a false calm smile. “Any boundaries of yours I need to know about?”

Draco eyed me warily, and whatever he wanted to say died on his tongue as he regained composure.

“Just be polite. Formal. We’re... how did you put it? Stuffy people, not teenagers,” There was a small smile on his lips.

“Right,” I nodded and sighed. “I’m sorry I yelled at you,”

“It’s my fault, I should have warned you.” His tone was soft. “And I also should have mentioned that I fully planned on sleeping on the floor, or perhaps a couch. I’d never impose on your privacy like that.”

I thawed a little more and my smile became a bit more real. “Thank you, Draco,”

“I’ll... leave you alone. If you’d like to change, we can explore a bit, though it’s all about the same here,”

“You say that like you come to Paris for lunch,” I drawled. “Not all of us have been out of the country, Malfoy,”

“You’ve—” He backtracked. “You’ve never been to Paris?”

“No?”

“Get changed,” He ordered. “Never been to Paris,” He scoffed, closing the door behind him.

__________________________

........................

“Harry,” Draco hissed, his eyes darting away from your retreating form.

“Can it, Malfoy,” Harry pushed off his desk and rounded it. “I don’t want to hear how you don’t want the case either,”

“Forget about me.” Draco nearly roared. “Don’t you understand how bad this is going to be for Y/n? How much this is going to hurt her?”

Harry looked dumbfounded. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, you are so blind!” Draco distressed. “She just got out of a very unhealthy relationship not a month ago and you want her to pretend to be in love with someone else? Are you bloody mad?”

“It’s just one weekend,” Harry insisted.

“Oh, I pity the girl you take home,” Draco sneered. “I’ll do the case. For her sake.”

...................

Of course, Draco knew about your breakup. He worked with you for Merlin’s sake. He noticed when you were too quiet or skipped out on meals. Not that he ever meant to, but he liked his routine, and every other person in their rightful place as well. He noticed when a pattern was broken.

You were still a brilliant Auror despite it all. You smiled more. You actual made conversation with him now. He was happy for you. You seemed... free. Reanimated. He feared that this case would be the mental breakdown that everyone around you seemed to be waiting for. And Draco didn’t know if he was ready for that. He didn’t know if you were ready for that.

So, he’d be civil. He’d be a jerk if it meant sparing your feelings. He’d make this as easy as he could for you. He knew what it was like to need to break but terrified of the act itself. To hold his head high despite wanting to lash out at everyone and everything. And he had grown from it. Learned how to break in a healthy way. And how to pick himself back up.

It was about fifteen minutes before the bedroom door opened and you stepped out. Draco’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of you. Switching your jeans and sweater for an A-line black skirt that draped down your frame, paired with a white button up blouse, sheer thigh highs and a pair of heels in one hand and a Prada bag in the other.

“Is this okay?” You asked timidly. “I... I don’t really do this sort of thing,”

Your hair draped effortlessly down your shoulders, and light makeup that gave you an airbrushed look. An inviting look. Whatever made you think that you shouldn’t do this sort of thing needed to be stopped immediately because you looked wonderful.

“Draco?” You pulled him from his thoughts. He blinked a few times, recovering.

“Uh. Yes, that’s perfect,” He rushed out, your cheeks flushing pink. “Shall we?” He offered his arm.

Slipping on your heels, they clicked on the floor, a melody to the sharp sounds of his dress shoes harmonizing on the marble floors.

“So, you’ve never been to Paris?” He mused.

“No,” You looked down. “I’ve always wanted to travel but...” A sharp breath entered your glossy lips. “I guess I can now. Huh,” You smiled at the thought, holding your head high and Draco wondered if your ex-lover had prevented you from travelling. “So, this is Paris?” Your eyes flitted to the towering antique buildings, the smile remaining on your face.

“A small part of it,” Draco chuckled. “The night is coming soon, but if we have tomorrow, I’ll take you around the city,”

A laugh bubbled from your lips, a pretty sound that went with the flowers in the window boxes. The sun was setting and the streetlamps hanging their heads began to illuminate the Parisian streets. It gave the scene around them a softer look, painting you in a golden light.

“You know you don’t actually have to take me on a date,” You mused. “It’s just a case, Draco,”

“Case or not, I won’t have you in my city and not see some of it.” Draco decided.

“Your city?”

“You understand that I do have a summer home here, right?” He raised an eyebrow. “And this is where my family used to come on holiday? And that one of my best friends lives here?”

“Really?” Surprise flickered across your face. “Who?”

“Pansy,” Draco smiled. “She moved here after...”

You nodded and your eyes traced to a small café and a couple sharing a soufflé on the patio. Your eyes dropped to the sidewalk under your heels, your smile falling.

“Would you like to get some dinner?” He asked softly.

“I... no thank you,” Your voice was quiet. “I already ate.”

“Dessert then perhaps?” Draco tried. “Ever had crème brulee?”

“Can’t say that I have,”

Your hand dropped from the crook of his shoulder as you wrapped your arms around yourself. He could see you shutting down at the thought and he wasn’t sure if he should keep pushing you or let you close yourself off.

“Don’t you think you deserve one? You’ve always wanted to come here, you’re here now. Don’t let him ruin it,” Scared he had overstepped his bounds as your silence dragged on, Draco began to grow more worried with each quiet second.

“You’re right,” You finally spoke. “I’m here now. I’m free to do as I please. And I really want to try a crème brulee,” There was a childlike smile on your face.

Draco led you across the cobblestone street to the small café that you had been eyeing earlier and swiftly ordered for the both of you in French as you got lost in the sights and smells around you.

Despite the later hour, the café was far from closing down. The waiter came with the assortment of bakery sweets that he had ordered, and you gaped at them.

“I thought we were getting one crème brulee,” You protested.

“Well, I figured you’d want to try a few other things as well. I know that you enjoy sweet things,”

Draco pushed the small dishes your way and watched you nibble your way through the pastries and desserts, hoarding the ones you enjoyed and passing to him the ones you didn’t prefer. You were lost in your own little world as you marveled at the Parisian pastries, particularly enjoying macarons—as well as your crème brulee.

“Thank you,” You looked down, a soft smile on your lips. “This was... really nice.” The dishes had been long cleared from the table and it left the pair staring that the stars through the shop window.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Draco offered his arm again and led you back towards the hotel.

There was only one bathroom in the suite, so Draco allowed you to use it first. In the meantime, he stood out on the balcony of the suite, overlooking the Paris skyline. It hadn’t changed much since he was a small child. The only thing that seemed to change massively was the one looking out. Draco didn’t know how long he stood there, pondering the stars, but your small voice pulled him from those thoughts.

He turned and you were back into your normal favored attire: cotton sweats and a sweater, thick socks on your feet and your hair in a messy ponytail. A smile touched his lips, because you looked just as wonderful like this.

__________________________

The girl in the mirror looked confused, but happy all the same.

“We’re just friends,” I told her. “That’s all I need. This is a case. This is a job, and Draco’s a friend.” She smiled back at me and nodded.

“Draco?”

He was on the balcony, lost in thought I supposed. He turned all the same, a soft smile on his face.

“I... I can take the couch if you want,” I offered. “I’m shorter than you... it’ll probably be a nightmare for you to sleep on the couch,” My gaze dropped as I shifted from foot to foot.

“Don’t worry about it,” Draco smiled, closing the French doors to the balcony and drawing the curtains. “I’ve done it before, I can do it again,”

“Oh,” I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by that but brushed off the intrusive thoughts that threatened.

Since the bathroom was connected to the master bedroom, I perched on the bed, the bedside lamps on allowing me to continue my book. It was an old muggle classic that I found myself lost in. The bathroom door opened, and my eyes darted over to see Draco with damp hair in an old pair of Slytherin sweats and a V-neck. A small laugh escaped my lips at the sight.

“What?” He demanded.

“Nothing just didn’t expect to see you in Slytherin sweats, that’s all,” I closed my book, resting it on my lap.

“Oh, well.” He flushed slightly. “Goodnight,”

“Goodnight,”

He closed the door behind him, and I stared at the ornate doors for longer than I cared to admit. Sighing, I pulled out the case file and began to comb through the details. Harry wanted us to find potions smugglers who sold to high-brow cliental. From Polyjuice potion to Death Draught. The next sale was supposed to go down this weekend here at the Ritz during a couples ball. There were no names given for the criminals, but a description: male, two meters tall, brown cropped hair, and green eyes.

There was something almost familiar about the description, but I couldn’t place it. Sighing, I set down the file and turned off the lights, settling in for a long day tomorrow. The oversized pillows and expensive sheets offered me no comfort. They were too cold, to silky. I craved my quilt from home and my cotton sheets.

Giving up on the notion of sleep, I threw off the covers and went to the closet. There I found a knitted blanket that was heavenly soft to the touch. Stripping the bed of the top sheet and duvet as well as most of the pillows, I curled up with the blanket and a couple pillows and chased sleep.

“What in Merlin’s name?” The voice was confused and loud for this early in the morning. “What did the pillows ever do to you?”

I blinked out of the warmth of my dream and into the crisp morning, face to face with a disheveled sleepy Draco Malfoy.

“What?” I sat up, scrubbing my eyes.

“The bed? Hell, if I knew you were going to demolish it, I would have said take the couch,” There was a slight smile on his face.

“Didn’t feel right...” I mumbled, hugging my knees. “I’ll... I’ll clean it all up.”

“Don’t bother, we’re paying enough, housekeeping can take care of it. I’ll ask if they can switch the sheets to cotton for you,”

“Oh, no. Please don’t cause any trouble on my behalf.” I stammered quickly.

“It’s not trouble,” Draco smiled. “It’s their job, darling,”

“Doesn’t mean we have to make it harder.” I stumbled out of bed and grabbed my wand, casting a spell so that the bed remade itself. “Why are you up so early anyway? The sun is barely up.”

“Old habit,” he gave a tight smile. “Fancy some breakfast?”

“It’s too early to eat,” I grumbled. “Coffee however is necessary so lead the way, darling,” I drawled sarcastically, draping one of the hotel house coats around me to mirror Draco’s silk green one that he no doubt owned already.

Draco paused at the door.

“If you need an out. Or a break. At any time. Let me know and I’ll get you out.” His voice was careful and serious.

“I’m not going to break,” I refuted defiantly. “If that’s what you’re waiting for.” I pushed past him and out the door, down the hall and to the elevator. The ride was quiet and tense.

“I never meant to imply—”

“Just leave it.” I cut him off. “I haven’t had enough caffeine to deal with this yet.”

“I’m sorry,” Draco whispered as we exited the elevator and I wasn’t quite sure what he was apologizing for, but it thawed me out a bit.

Breakfast was tense and quiet as we ate in silence. Draco read the Daily Prophet and I continued on my book. We made polite conversation with passersby and smiled like we were in love.

And I was in love. With the China teacups and their gold leaf accents. With the rich foods served and the beautiful decor. I was in love with the lavish tablecloths and the fancy napkins. I adored the chandeliers and sconces and fresh flowers that were on every table. It was beautiful and I was in love with it.

It wasn’t fair that Draco looked at home among the beautiful things. As if he came with them. “Are you still wanting to see the city?” He asked cautiously when we were back up in the suite.

“If you’re willing to put up with me for the day,” a smile touched my lips. “I... I know I can be a handful.”

“All things considered,” he mused softly. “I think you’re doing wonderfully.”

I smiled and lingered a moment longer than necessary before heading to the master bedroom to change. Favoring for a pair of high waisted black slim pants and a cold shoulder emerald top, I decided I could have looked worse. Lacing up my boots I headed out to Draco who was laying down his collar. His eyes swept over my figure, leaving me slightly self-conscious as I braided my hair loosely.

“Here,” Draco reached into the nearest drawer and pulled out a black ribbon and passed it to me before reaching back into the drawer. “These are my mother’s, but I don’t think she’ll mind you borrowing them,”

He offered me a black velvet box and inside were nestled a pair of diamond earrings.

“Draco, I can’t—”

“You can and you will,” he smiled. “You deserve it,”

I looked at the earring and my resolves crumbled as I put them on.

“Is this your suite then?” I mused.

“Took you long enough to figure that one out,” he chuckled.

“Should have known from all the green,” I teased back.

“It’s a regal color,” Draco insisted.

“Sure thing darling,” a chuckle left my lips as we headed out the door.

“It is!” He tried again, causing me to laugh.

_________________________________

Draco had been to Paris just about as many times as he had been to London. Perhaps the city lost some of its shine over the years. Maybe after the war the Paris lights didn’t look the same to him. Perchance he had lost his childlike awe of the historical envied city.

But you... you had never been to Paris. You have never walked along the Seine. You had never seen the Eiffel Tower, never browsed the art of the Louvre. You’d never stood under the light filtered through the stain glass of the Notre Dame. Your fingers never ran over the rough stone of the Arc de Triomphe.

Now you had.

“This was a very nice not date,” You smiled, sitting beside him on a bench watching the people of Paris below you from the top of the Eiffel Tower. “I can see why you keep coming back,”

“I haven’t been since the... since I became an Auror,” Draco’s eyes were trained on the horizon.

“Well... I’m glad you came.” There was a gentle smile on your face as he caught your warm eyes. “On the case, I mean.” You recovered and looked down at your hands. “I know this probably isn’t easy for you either,”

“It could have been worse,” Draco teased lightly. “I could have been stuck with Greengrass,” His words seemed to pull you from your moping thoughts as your smile returned.

“She’s a sweet girl, I’m sure you would have been fine.” You went back to fidgeting with your hands, your eyes dropping to them, “Besides who wouldn’t want to go undercover as Draco Malfoy’s significant other,” It was a sad sort of humor.

“You?” Draco pressed softly.

You gnawed on your lip, lost in thought as your eyes became glassy with unshed tears. “We should go,” You barely whispered, standing. “We have a banquet tonight at the hotel.”

“Y/n,” Draco followed you to the elevators.

“What?” It was a bit more defensive now.

“I didn’t mean—”

“You don’t mean a lot of things, I know,” Your arms folded tightly across your chest, your head ducked down. “It’s fine, we have a case to do and a criminal to catch. You said it yourself, I need to be sharp and focused to do this successfully,” Your tone was clipped, and Draco was taken aback at your sudden change of attitude on a drop of a dime as his words came back to haunt him. “So, if you don’t mean any of it, then neither do I,”

Draco opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came. Your abrasive words sent him reeling. What had happened to the girl who was wonderstruck by the city? The girl who was amused at the street performers and the girl who smiled something carefree? Just when he thought the real you was free beside him, you caged her back again and locked him out, and he shouldn’t care, but he did. Because you were hurting. The same way that he used to.

But he had to admit that you were right, he had a case to accomplish. And if he wasn’t focused you could get hurt, he could get hurt, or the felon could slip through your fingers.

In his well tailor suit and his hair coiffed back precisely, he was ready to do everything and mean nothing. A cold mask that you mirrored as he met you in a deep navy draped silk gown, your heels in hand again. His heart didn’t mean to skip a beat.

Tucked against his side, smiling like you didn’t have a care in the world, he was quite glad that the other guests and staff didn’t expect much animation from him. It gave him time to keep an eye on you. He could schmooze with ease and little effort, and he soon learned that so could you. From the outside, you two looked perfectly smitten with another. Despite his many shortcomings, Harry was right, you two were perfect with this case.

But that’s not what held Draco’s main focus. Instead, it was the constant reminder that this meant nothing. Every gentle touch of your hand, every smile, every pet name, every laugh, every praise of him, every declaration of love, every concerned and caring word—they all meant nothing. It meant nothing to you. It was an act. A job. A case.

And he was losing focus.

Because though you had stumbled into his affluent world in jeans and a sweater, you were now at home among the wealthy wizards you now rubbed elbows with, possessing the grace and poise of someone who was brought up like he was. You knew how to use the silverware set before you. You knew proper etiquette.

“Miss Y/n,”

Amelia Bones, the former head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was sat at the banquet table along with you and Draco. You rose your head politely, nodding a hello.

“I’m surprised to see you so cozy with Mr. Malfoy, was it not a month ago you were engaged to another?” Her words seemed harmless, but Draco watched your smile become more forced as the breaths passed.

“My apologies,” Draco cut in coldly. “But I don’t see how that is any of your business,”

“Oh, forgive me dearie, I meant no offense at all,” Mrs. Bones flutter her hand.

“Of course,” You smiled widely, “And yes, you’re correct, but well, since working with Draco it deemed nearly impossible not to fall for him,” The look you gave him made him lose focus completely. “And it was an arranged marriage, my parents offered me the option at the beginning of the war, and well, I had no reason to refuse,” Your hand slipped into his. “Until I met Draco that was,”

“Oh, isn’t that just lovely,” Mrs. Bones fawned to her husband beside her. “A real fairytale ending you have yourself Y/n, I’m sure others are just dying to be in your shoes,”

“I’m sure,” Your smile became forced again, but you held your composure.

But that didn’t mean that Draco didn’t commandeer the conversation to keep the attention off of you for the remainder of the banquet. You excused yourself slightly early, though it was a polite time to leave, nonetheless. Draco bid the folks he was talking to and followed you out.

He found you on the balcony, barefoot, your hair out of the tight bun it had been in, your dress still on. The stars stretched out before you over the rooftops of Paris, the Eiffel Tower illuminated in the distance.

“I told you, I’m fine,” Your words were barely audible.

“I didn’t say anything,” Draco retorted, slipping off his blazer and tie.

“You were thinking it,”

He smiled as he came beside you, leaning against the railing.

“Maybe I was,” He sighed softly. “Regardless, you’re my partner on this case, and I dare say you’re a friend of mine. I’d like to know if you’re okay. It’s what friends do,”

A sigh escaped your lips as your eyes lifted from your hands back to the skyline blinking back tears.

“Friends,” You muttered weakly. Not that he liked the word much either, but he’d take it to keep you close.

“I... I know that we—I haven’t had much luck at this, but if... if you need someone to...” Draco trailed off, shaking his head. He knew it was a lost cause. He knew that you didn’t mean anything.

Again, you were quiet. He turned to leave, but you spoke up.

“He was supposed to be my happily ever after,” The words were soft and sad. “My prince charming come to save me.” Draco paused and turned back to you; his brows furrowed. “All this time I thought he’d save me... but I ended up saving myself, and him.” You went from facing the city to facing him, “And he refused to save himself. And made me feel terrible for saving myself... for becoming someone new... someone stronger.”

“You... seemed happier after...” Draco spoke carefully.

You nodded. “Everyone was waiting for me to break. To cry... go off the wall... and sometimes I wonder why I don’t. Why I can’t.” You turned your head to the side. “Sure, I get snappy... and the nights haunt me... but to cry? To miss someone who drained me?” A shrug fell from your shoulders. “I can’t do it...” A pause. “Maybe I am broken. I can’t even break properly.”

“No one said you had to break,” Draco took a careful step forward. “No one said you had to cry.”

“But shouldn’t I?” There were tears in your eyes now.

“No,” Draco shook his head softly. “Breaking hurts, and it seems like you already have. Now you’re just picking up the pieces where you can,”

You mulled over the thought and nodded, facing the city once more.

“They always talk about the one who got away, but they never ask her why she left, do they?” The question was gentle from your lips as Draco left you alone to think. He was sure that he wasn’t meant to hear it, but he did.

____________________________

The cotton sheets of the king-sized bed that night welcomed me. The bedding had changed drastically, from silks and down feathers to cotton and quilted blankets. They were still green and gold, but it was an improvement as I stared at the paintings on the walls and ceiling. Despite the change in sheets, sleep still eluded me. Frustrated this time, I slipped on the housecoat and quietly opened the bedroom doors.

Only to find Draco awake with the light on, reading. I almost wanted to smile at how he was draped over the couch in sweats and nothing else, looking at home among the lavish furnishings. He looked up from his book.

“Can’t sleep,” I confessed, leaning against the door jam. “Thanks for the sheets and stuff though...”

“Is there something I can do?” He asked softly, setting down his book, sitting up.

“Got any Sleeping Draught on you?” I asked hopefully.

“Afraid not,” He pursed his lips.

Moving to the adjacent chaise lounge, I curled up under the throw blanket, running the golden fringe through my fingers.

I wasn’t aware of when I had fallen asleep. I was barely aware being carried to the lavish bed and tucked in. I was aware that I had moved when I awoke to the sun shining in through the curtains.

“Good morning,” Draco greeted as I exited the bedroom, dressed for the day.

The day was a quiet affair. Breakfast mimicked yesterday and lunch mirrored dinner last night. There was no time to go out on the city today, not with the masquerade ball tonight. This was the entire reason for this weekend in Paris. To get into this ball and catch the convict. It took the two hours that it took to get ready to remind myself that this was a case, and not a fairytale ending. I didn’t get those.

Draco escorted me down to the ballroom, commenting on how beautiful I was. I let the compliment roll off my shoulders though I desperately wanted to cling to his words. Words that he didn’t mean.

It didn’t seem fair that the entire Ritz hotel was something out of a fairytale and tonight I was required to pose as the perfect princess, though I felt far from it. My only relief was that my eyes were hidden behind a mask. No one would see accidental tears. I had told Draco that I didn’t need to break, but this might just break me.

An hour slipped by of talking and schmoozing other guests before Draco led me to an adjacent standing table, offering me a haven from the prying eyes and whispers.

“Would you care to dance?” Draco offered his hand, smiling, as the next waltz began from the live quartet.

“We don’t have time to dance,” I retorted. “We’re on a case here,”

“It’s just one dance,” He rolled his eyes, his hand sliding to my waist, ready to escort me.

“You need to focus on this case Draco,” I snapped. “We need to catch this guy in case you’ve forgotten.” I didn’t mean for the words to be so harsh.

“Of course,” His hand dropped from my waist, “If you’ll excuse me,” Draco said quietly.

“Dray, wait, I didn’t mean—”

“I’d know those lips anywhere,” A familiar voice purred from behind me.

“Dean,” My breath caught in my throat as I turned, wishing I hadn’t just sent Draco off.

“And I thought he’d never leave.” Dean grinned. “I gotta say, didn’t think you’d move onto some stiff like Malfoy, and so soon. Does he know he’s a rebound?”

“Oh, fuck off,” I muttered, taking my clutch and walking away from him, scanning the crowd for Draco to no avail.

Dean grabbed my arm and spun me back, a dangerous look in his eyes. He pulled me to a quiet corner of the ballroom.

“Let go of me,” I shook him off, drawing my wand.

“Now, now, wouldn’t want to cause a scene, now would we?” His smile became predatory. “There are quite a few important Muggles in the crowd tonight,”

“You’re a bastard, you know that?” I hissed.

“Such naughty language in front of such high paying cliental.”

My eyes widened in surprise. “It’s you,” I breathed out. “You’re the seller,”

“In the flesh, sweetheart,” His green eyes held danger. “What, didn’t expect me to move onto something better? Like you went off and did anything valuable with your life after me, not that Malfoy is much of an improvement.”

I hid my surprise well: he didn’t know that I was an Auror. He didn’t know about the case. Now all I had to do was get him away from harming anyone and pray that Draco would find me to help detain Dean. But to get Dean away from these people, I was going to have to break. Hard.

A perfect masquerade to be someone that I wasn’t. Someone that Dean wanted me to be. Someone who would break my heart.

“Tell me about,” I smiled sweetly, “Maybe I’ll ditch the stiff.” My eyes scanned over Dean in false want.

“So, you realize that leaving me was a mistake,” Dean tilted his chin back.

“Since the moment I walked away,” The lie weighed heavy on my tongue. “Please De,” My hand trailed up his arm.

I could feel my heart splintering.

_______________________________

“Not to alarm you Mr. Malfoy, but it seems that your lady is being entertained by another young man,” Mrs. Bones spoke softly. “They just left out the side door,”

Draco snapped out of his self-pity party as he scanned the crowd for you, his anxiety and adrenaline spiking. You had found the convict.

“Thank you,” Draco gave curtly, untying the mask from around his head and as soon as the door closed behind him, he took off running, wand out, desperate to find you.

He heard soft voices in coming from an adjacent sitting room and cautiously hovered outside the door.

“Remember this?” The voice was low and husky, and one he didn’t recognize.

“Yes,” Your breathy voice came in response.

A thousand thoughts ran through Draco’s mind and for a moment he thought that you really had run off with someone else. That you hadn’t found the felon, but rather someone to... He didn’t want to finish the thought.

“Say it,” The first voice demanded.

“I’m s-sorry,” Your voice whimpered. “I’m sorry I ever left you. Draco... he—he’s nothing compared to you,” Fear and tears were mixed with your voice and Draco had a very good idea of who was in there with you.

Call it jealousy, or his job, Draco burst into the room, finding you pinned against the wall, hands above your head held there by a young man whose lips were pressed to your neck, making you whimper and squeeze your eyes shut. A man with green eyes and brown cropped hair. Their target. And you had found him. And he seemed to know you. Very well.

Then it clicked. The criminal was your ex-lover. Of course, it was. When Draco saw Harry again, he was going to sock him a-la-muggle.

You look absolutely terrified when Draco caught your eyes. Your mask was gone, and you looked disheveled and defeated.

“I was hoping you’d show Malfoy,” An amused smile curled on the target’s lips as he let you go. You fell to the floor, caught off balance.

“Don’t hurt him,” You pleaded, picking yourself up, and Draco didn’t know if you were talking to him or the target.

“You’re not in a place to bargain, sweetheart,” The target snapped. “Auror Malfoy. Here to turn me in I suppose?”

“After I beat the hell out of you, yeah, it’s on my list of things to do,” Draco snarled.

“What? For taking your girl from you?” The target laughed. “She was never yours.”

“She might not be mine, but she sure as hell doesn’t belong to you either,”

“I’m afraid she does,” The target grabbed your arm and jerked you in front of him, creating a shield between he and Draco with you. “And you obviously care for her, so here’s what’s going to happen.” The man drew his wand and held it to your throat. “You’re going to let me make the deal I need to, and then I’m going to take Miss Y/l/n here and leave,”

Draco glowered, his mind racing to figure out how to get you safely out of this. He could see you trembling, your eyes refusing to meet his.

“Dean, please,” You whimpered, curling yourself into his arms.

Your arms draped around the target’s—Dean’s shoulders as you whispered soft things into his ear that made Dean grin and Draco’s blood boil. How could Dean not see how uncomfortable you were? How you shied away from him? Draco’s grip on his wand tightened.

He watched as your lips pressed to Dean’s neck, your hands trailing down his ill-fitting polyester suit as you slinked your way around the felon, distracting Dean long enough that Draco was able to throw a Full Body Bind at him.

“You bitch!” Dean roared.

“You’re the bitch here,” You snarled. “How in a million years could you think that I would want you?” Seething you rounded your frozen ex, wand drawn. “I did do something with my life you asshole! I’m an Auror! And a damn good one!”

“You never had the guts,” Dean barked a laugh.

“On the contrary,” Draco grinned. “She’s the best one we’ve got,”

“You two set me up!”

“Duh,” You laughed, tucking away your wand.

Draco wanted to warn you about the dangers of the deed, but you surprised him and drew back your fist, landing it squarely on Dean’s nose.

“That’s for assaulting me!” Another to his jaw, “That’s for using me!” One more to his cheek, “And that’s for coming back into my life,”

You turned and walked away from Dean, leaving him bleeding, still petrified. Draco caught your hand before you stormed out of the room.

“I’m fine,” You shrugged him off.

“No, you’re not,” Draco refuted.

“Awe, trying to play hero, now?” Dean jeered.

You froze under Draco’s touch, squeezing your eyes shut, your jaw clenching.

“She doesn’t need a hero,” Draco let you go and faced Dean. “She picked herself back up and walked away from a lowlife like you. You were so wrong to ever assume that she needed to be saved.”

There was a knock on the door.

______________________________

I was still trembling. It had been about two hours since Dean first touched me. First shoved me against a wall and forced his lips on mine. From when I had first started to shatter.

In that time, Mrs. Bones had intervened and called backup to detain and court away Dean to Azkaban, the room had been cleaned of any trace of our battle, and Draco and I were alone in the suite, for one last night before we left.

We hadn’t spoken a word since the fight and the tension between us was tangible. Curled up in a deck chair, I desperately tried to rid my mind from Dean and the feeling of his hands on me, his lips on my skin, his whispered words. I shouldn’t be afraid. Not like this. I was an Auror. I was independent and strong.

But hell, I was breaking. Fast and hard.

Draco knocked on the balcony door, drawing my attention. I looked to him, hopeless and terrified. He offered his hand, an invitation, a call. I rose, my resolve fading as I ran into his arms, breaking down in tears. His arms wrapped around me, cradling me to his chest. I frantically grasped at his white button up, trying to ground myself.

Draco gently tugged me to the floor, still cradling me in his arms.

“I—I’m sorry,” I cried out. “I... he... I thought I...”

He shushed me softly and rubbed my back softly. “You don’t owe me an explanation.”

“I didn’t mean it,” I gasped out through tears.

“I know,” His tone was somber.

But though the night dragged relentlessly, it was not the worst night of my life. I took comfort from that. And I was not alone. There was a great deal of comfort in that, too.

My hindsight seemed unbearably clear tonight. I could see every mistake I’d made, every bit of harm I’d done, the small things and the big things. Each pain I’d caused Draco, each wound I’d given myself, stacked up into neat piles that I could not ignore or deny.

And I realized that I’d been wrong all along about wanting to be alone. It had not been Draco and I that I’d been trying to force apart, it was the two parts of myself, the one who craved a companion and the one who was independent and free. But they didn’t know how to exist together, and I should have tried harder to figure it out.

I’d done so much damage.

Draco said little; he just held me on the floor and let me ruin his shirt, staining it with saltwater. At some point a blanket was draped around my shoulders and I was too miserable to figure out where it came from.

It took longer than I thought it would for that smaller, broken part of me to cry herself out. It happened, though, and I was eventually exhausted enough to sleep. While I slept, I felt warm, protected, comforted. I didn’t feel alone.

In the morning, I saw the reason why. It was one of the reasons that had me terrified in the beginning of this entire case:

There was only one bed.

And I wasn’t alone.

Epilogue:

“I did apologize right?” I asked again sheepishly.

“And I told you, you have nothing to apologize for,” Draco smiled. “It’s what friends are for Y/n,”

I smiled at the word. Friends. It was the solution to my dilemma. The part of myself that craved a companion but satisfied the girl with dreams and freedom. It was in front of me the entire time. I wished I had realized sooner, and maybe this weekend would have been different, but friends... more than friends, whatever we were or weren’t, Draco had decided to stand by me regardless, and I was grateful.

“Y/l/n, Malfoy, how was Paris?” Harry asked offhandedly as we reported to him Monday morning.

What I wasn’t expecting however, was Draco grabbing Harry’s collar and decking him.

I covered my mouth, trying to conceal a laugh but failed miserably.

“What the hell Malfoy?” Harry sputtered, holding his bleeding nose.

“You wanna know who was dealing those illegal potions?” Malfoy snarled. “Her ex. And you sent her into this weekend blind,”

Harry’s eyes widened in shock as he stammered out apologies.

I rolled my eyes and left the office, a warm smile on my face. Draco walked beside me.

“You didn’t have to do that you know,” I muttered. “Is your hand alright?”

“I know how to throw a punch and not injure myself,” Draco rolled his eyes at me. “And I’ll take any chance I can get to punch Potter in the face,”

I laughed as we apparated to Paris for lunch.

Tags: @coffee-addicti @msmcsmutt @ravn-87 @artemismohr18@whygz @crazywritingbug @fuzzy-panda @bitemebro522@zombiesnips-blog @savingdraco@welcometomyworldwithoutrules @akari180 @slytherin-emerald@memalfoy-spidey @queenfeatherwings @fanficflaneuse @go-whovian-universe @spicyshenanigans @darling-im-not-okay-i-promise @dietkiwi @katsukink @takemetothekingdom @strangerr-things @tmnt-queen @hxneybgb @justsomerandomgur@belcvayelena @moviesbooksandfandoms @howdycharlie@xtrashmouthxtozierx @cocochanelthepupper @ninacotte@braelynn-j @jiggllyy @honeymarvel @darcypotter-blog@atomicpunkrock @thiccheerioss @lottie289 @boredashaeck@beautiful-pegasus @tceedlmao @deadlynyghtshayde@iconjuresnapeingrandmaclothes @anonymous034 @bi-andready-tocry @lunna-does-real-doodle @dragonsandbread @okaydraco@the-queen-of-hell-things @cmxreader @alienmotel @oh-itsnothing @sunflowerxsadnessw @fattycooter @angelotakunerd08@thisisahugemistake @fanficsigottaread @gweaslvy@strawberriesonsummer @gaysludge @cleopatera @ray-of-sunrise@artist-bby @shadowsingeraxolotl @peters-legos@quillsareforwriting @ghostlytoadalmondhairdo @wollymalfoy @lilpieceoftoast @paper-cats @floweryjh @sdicapriox @slothgirl22 @peachesandpinks @hufflautia @livize75 @annie-mcl @riathearora @live-like-luna @justathoughtfulangel @coconutdawn @skteaiy @wannabeskinny-thinspo @naughtygranger @queenofmankind @dragonsandbread @abundantxadorations @moony-artnstuff @myforeveryoungblog @and-then-a-girl-with-luv @1-800-luvsick @pandas-rice-field @strawberriesonsummer @jjustsomerandomgirl @mrvlfangirl3190 @in-slytherin-we-trust @emmaa-t @introvertedrae @infinity1o1 @stoleurmomsvan @echpr @sunkissed-hufflepuff @dekulover @marshmallowtraver @cereuselle @lonely-skywalker @xlosttdreamss @sleepysnapesnake @hoeforthefictional @coldlilheart @helen-paris @romance-geek @rosie-starlit-sky @californiaa-babyy @vulture-withafile @hogstupefy @littlepanda-love @eveft @iraniq

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beanie-beebo · 3 years

Text

Call for Action

Series Summary: You finally get your dream job, but it comes with a cost.

Warnings: Description of panic attack

Masterlist

Chapter 4

Over the next few days at work, Jared tailed you and Jensen like a schoolgirl. Asking you both for details of the date and how things were moving for the both of you. Not that you minded of course, at least at first. After a while though, it was a little annoying.

When he approached you on the fourth day in between sets, you couldn't hold back your annoyance.

"I just can't seem to get rid of you, can I?" You asked.

"Nope! As long as you're with Jensen, you're stuck with me." Jared said with a knowing smile.

"Awesome." You said, causing Jared to burst out laughing.

"Thought I heard your annoying voice over here." Jensen teased. "What's up guys?"

"Do you even have to ask that one?" You asked.

"You're right, I probably don't." Jensen said. "So, are we all game for hanging out in my trailer later on?"

"What for?" You asked.

"Just to hang and watch the show. Sometimes Jared and I will surprise the fans and livetweet, it's kinda fun!" Jensen said.

"Uh yeah sure." You said.

"Definitely count me in!" Jared said, elbowing Jensen.

"Dude shut up already!" Jensen said.

The exchange caused you to giggle; it wasn't hard to tell that the two of them had been close for a while. They reminded you of one of your few friends back home, Sue. She would always tease you every chance you got, and you loved her dearly. You occasionally talked with her now and again, but had grown more distant due to your deteriorating mental state. You wondered if you should try calling her up this week, just to shoot the breeze.

---------

Around 10 o'clock that evening before your late night shoot, you had made your way to Jensen's trailer. You took in the cool night air with a deep breath, feeling small jitters all over again. Somehow, you were more nervous to hang out with both guys alone, than you were with just Jensen. It could have been the fact that Jared's essence was slightly intimidating, despite how outgoing he was.

Despite how he was acting around you and Jensen, you were growing to like having him around. Even though at times he intimidated you, he was mostly like a giant moose. He was always flopping his giant legs everywhere, and he tended to be the life of the party. You guessed his nickname on the show had something to do with that, although you had no idea.

You knocked on Jensen's trailer door and waited until he opened it up. He smiled and let you right in, the light pouring in from inside. The TV filled a moderate hum throughout the decently sized space; Jared was sitting on the long L-shaped couch on his phone. He looked up when he saw you walk in and grinned genuinely.

"'Bout time you showed up!" He said.

"Sorry, had to wrap up the last scene. It's not like I have a job or anything." You said with a light smile.

Jared stuck out his tongue at you and glanced back at Jensen, who was making his way to sit on the couch.

"He really likes you, you know." He whispered.

"Oh wow Jared, I couldn't tell." You responded snarkily.

You paused for a moment and reflected on what he said. You figured he liked you, or he wouldn't have asked you on a date. But Jensen liked you, maybe even more than you knew.

"Alright fellers, let's settle down and watch some Supernatural. Huh?" Jensen asked, rubbing his hands together.

You smiled at his dorky Southern drawl and nodded, still awkwardly standing by the couch. You were unsure if you were allowed to sit on the couch, seeing it was all white and definitely not cheap.

"Here, sit." Jensen said, ushering a hand to the couch.

You quietly followed his request, sitting right next to Jared. Jensen sat down next to you, sandwiching you in between them. It made you feel pressured and slightly awkward for some reason, so you took a deep breath. You were instantly hit with both of their colognes, which was oddly comforting. Just as you were thinking of another distraction, the program began.

"You know, I don't even think I was working here yet when this episode was being made." You commented.

"Makes sense. Usually post production takes a few months." Jared said, sipping lightly on his alcoholic drink.

Even though you had practically watched at least an episode unfold already, it was all together different watching it on screen. It made you realize how truly special your job was.

Throughout the episode you watched as the two of them live tweeted certain scenes, teasing each other and poking fun at the episode in general. You followed along with both what was on the TV and your phone in amusement. It was like a live commentary, only better. The fans are what made it even more fun with their own comments. There was so much freaking out and animosity between everyone. There were even a few times when you commented with your personal twitter, just to add to the chaos.

No one knew you yet, but it was just how you had wanted it to be. Sitting in between two friends and watching everything unfold from the comfort of your own little bubble.

By the time the episode had ended, you had begun to grow tired from sitting for too long. You let out a quiet yawn and leaned further into the couch, letting it swaddle you.

Jensen looked over at you upon hearing you yawn.

"You look beat, want to take a nap?" He asked.

You looked at him like he had grown a second head. "Jensen, we have to work in a few hours."

"Doesn't mean you can't catch some shut eye before then." He said with a shrug.

You hummed. "Good point. I'll go back to my car then, so you two can finish doing what you have to."

Just as you made a move to get up Jensen caught your arm, sending tingles up to your shoulders.

"No, stay. More time to sleep instead of walking back and forth, right?" Jensen said, smiling sheepishly.

Jared looked between the two of you and made a scene of getting up from his position on the couch.

"I'll take this as my cue to leave." He said, groaning as he got up. "Have fun you two."

"Shut up." Both you and Jensen chimed.

On his way out from the front hallway, you heard Jared cackle causing you to roll your eyes playfully. You looked over to Jensen and instantly began to blush upon realizing the two of you were finally alone together. Jensen had apparently caught on as the blood rushed to the tips of his ears.

"Your choice, do you want to lay here or in my bed?" Jensen asked.

Your stomach flipped at the thought of being in his room. With a surge of confidence, you decided to take the second option. You had needed some quality rest, after all.

Jensen led you to the trailer's decently sized bedroom before heading briefly to the bathroom to change. While he was in there, you sat down on the bed and took a glance around the room.

The bedroom was mostly bare except for a few pictures staggered on the nightstand. They seemed to be of his family, all with smiling faces. You smiled; a family man, how perfect.

Not even a few moments later, Jensen emerged from the bathroom clad in pajamas. You couldn't help your lingering eyes from the bulge in his boxers; you gulped hungrily. Jensen noticed your reaction and smirked.

"Like what you see sweetheart?" He teased.

"Um." You paused, trying to recollect your thoughts. "Sorry, just tired. Guess it's time to hit the hay."

Jensen chuckled. "Sure..”

He pulled up the comforter and got underneath beside you. You blushed and looked away for a second, not used to the close contact.

“This is okay, right?” Jensen asked, not fully settling himself in just yet.

“Oh, uh.. Yeah. We’re dating, right? So.. yeah.” You stumbled.

He smiled and pecked your cheek, taking you by surprise.

“See you in a few hours, sweetheart.” He said before turning away from you.

You knew it was too soon, but you had just realized how much you had craved human contact. You just wanted to be in his arms, held until you fell asleep. But you had just met, and you didn’t want to scare him off by being too needy. You resisted the urge to ask him for the favor and turned away from him; it wasn’t long before you succumbed to a well needed rest.

-------

Your eyes slowly opened to unfamiliar surroundings, causing you to stiffen in fear. You had no idea where you were or how you had got there, and your inner system was slowly boiling into panic. You were just about to get out of whose bed you were in before you turned your head to a familiar face, Jensen. Everything slowly came back and you exhaled. Thankfully, Jensen had slept through your mini freakout and remained undisturbed. While he slept, you took a moment to observe his features.

For once Jensen had looked relaxed, cute even. His few wrinkles were smoothed out, especially around his eyes. His freckles and dark circles were more prominent since he had removed his makeup. If you had the time, you would count and kiss every one of them.

Speaking of time.. You turned over and flipped your phone rightside up, almost gasping when you saw it was close to when you had to be called onto location. Without too much consideration, you nudged Jensen probably a little too roughly until he began to wake up. He deeply inhaled and rubbed at his likely crusty eyes.

“Ugh, what time is it?” He asked, combing through his hair absently.

“Time to get up and head to set, that’s what time it is.” You said, smiling at Jensen’s adorable ‘I just woke up’ face. “Sorry I had to wake you.”

You barely held back a chuckle and made your way over to the standing mirror in his room. After fixing a few strands of hair and deciding you looked good enough, you turned around to Jensen looking at you dopily.

“What? You just gonna sit there or are you gonna get ready?” You asked, smiling widely.

“You’re beautiful.” Jensen said breathily.

“Huh?”

“I said,” Jensen paused and made his way over to you. “You’re beautiful.”

Here the two of you were again, inches apart with a magnetic force seemingly pulling you together. He looked down at your lips, you stared at his. The force was even stronger now, neither of you being able to resist it. Slowly you were closer and closer until your lips softly locked as one.

It had been a while since you had kissed anyone, so you were playing on unsure grounds. But Jensen held and guided you throughout the whole process. It was like learning to walk again, only more exciting and rewarding. He was gentle; a whisper in your ear. Your insides lit up like the fourth of july; you had missed feeling so alive.

After a few moments he broke the kiss and gazed into your (y/ec) eyes, not once looking away. Staring into his eyes, all you could see was love. You smiled warmly and pecked his lips before grabbing your phone off the nightstand.

“As much as I would love to continue more of.. this, we are needed on set in about twenty minutes.” You said, collecting your things.

Jensen seemed completely dumbstruck for a moment before visibly shaking it off. “Good point. Later?”

“Definitely.”

#Jensen Ackles #jensen x reader #Jared Padalecki #call for action #call for action series

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shoichee · 4 years

Text

Strawberry Jam

Part 2 of the Pun Fest collection!

Murasakibara x f!Reader

Word count: 3992

Synopsis: The Yōsen’s basketball team is trying to help out a poor manager’s love life.

Note: I went a little too crazy with this;; it is definitely longer than Kise’s prompt (i’m so sorry my bb)

»»—————　☼　—————««

Everything about Yōsen was grand and lofty, from their buildings, their interiors, their tuition, and even their students… quite literally.

A huge downside of attending there, though, was the location of the campus itself: Akita. The biting winds were extremely harsh and unforgiving, particularly when temperatures dropped below negative numbers as snow continued to pile up even more imposing walls than the famed “Shield of Aegis.” Luckily, as the new manager of Yōsen High’s basketball team, you often got to accompany five towering starter players, where you gladly took advantage of their heights to protect yourself from the harsh weather.

Still, if you had the choice to either confess to Murasakibara or to stand outside in an Akita blizzard for a few hours, you’d dash to the latter option with no hesitation.

You don’t even know why you fell for the purple-haired giant of all people.

Was it because his intimidating stature contradicted his laid back personality?

Was it because your heart panged for him when you witnessed, from your seat, him giving his all against his match with Seirin, only for him to leak tears of frustration at losing?

Was it because shortly after, when you joined as a manager to get a head start training for next season (as per Coach Araki’s request), Murasakibara gently ruffled your hair before he went to get his umaibo sticks?

You wanted to deny those pervasive thoughts that were taunting you recently for falling in love so easily, but you shook your head before you patted your cheeks to figuratively slap those inner gremlins away.

“Chibi-chin?” Murasakibara lazily turned his body at an angle towards your direction. “Did the snow fall on you too?”

You could feel your cheeks flush even through under your mittened palms. Himuro flashed you a concerned gaze of his own. “I-I-I… sorry! I was just trying to warm my head?... up? uh—” You paused for a bit, trying to salvage your excuse. “T-there’s always so much a beanie and an earmuff could do to keep… warm?”

“Hnn, I guess so,” he said, giving a quick once over to your figure. “You’re so red, chibi-chin. You look like strawberry jam from this yummy bun I ate just now.”

“Atsushi,” Himuro turned to him exasperatedly. “You don’t compare people to food you just ate. It’s not polite.”

“Oh well, Muro-chin.” He walked on further out of the school gates. “See you too, Chibi-chin.”

“Mura-kun, you always call me that,” you pouted. “If you call me that just because I’m shorter than you, then you might as well start calling that to everybody.”

“But you’re Chibi-chin,” he insisted. “Muro-chin is Muro-chin… Kuro-chin is Kuro-chin… Sa-chin is Sa-chin…” he continued to go off on a mumbling tangent as he chewed on his next pack of biscuit sticks, walking away to finally head for home. You and Himuro were left alone together.

“So, about Atsushi-kun… pardon for me asking but… do you—”

“H-H-Himu-kun, have the other members left home already?” you turned to him, having a premonition of where the conversation was heading to.

He blinked owlishly for a moment before he nodded. “Yeah… Coach didn’t want to risk everyone getting sick and missing out on drill days later.”

“Ah, I’m glad. Although… it’s a bit sad that our 3rd years are leaving so soon—”

“What’s this about 3rd years?” You whipped your head around to see Fukui and Okamura trekking through the soft snow in your direction.

“Fukui-san? Okamura-san? What are you two doing here?”

“Argh, studying in the library stinks,” Fukui groaned, cracking his neck. “Especially when the library’s heater broke earlier. We were all told to just go home.”

“Well, now that you two are here after you interrupted our conversation, let me ask our manager-san again,” Himuro turned to you with a genial smile, but you knew that face hid something truly unpleasant.

“Oh, manager-san,” he slowly started. The 3rd years were silently looking at each other in confusion. “Could it be that you fancy someone romantically?”

It took a few seconds for the question’s implications to heavily sink into everyone’s minds like heavy-duty boots on fresh blankets of snow.

“E-e-e-e-ehhhh??” All three of you screeched out in a dissonance of shouts of disbelief.

“W-W-what??”

“Himuro, what the hell?”

“N-N-NO GIRL WILL EVER LIKE ME AFTER ALL!...”

“I just had a feeling is all,” Himuro reassured, but if anything, it panicked you even more. “If you didn’t like anyone, then maybe it was just my imagination.”

This was it. You could easily deny everything with a “that’s ridiculous!” or “I would never!” or something of the sorts, but when you were about to rebuke Himuro for being so preposterous out of nowhere, all those words dissipated at the tip of your tongue.

“I… you…” you started, mouth leaden with meekness as 3 pairs of eyes, all shining with anticipation, were on you. “Himuro… you, uh—ugh! You’re right… I guess I do… like someone…”

“HEEEEEEEEEE…!” Okamura bursted into tears again. “Why doesn’t anyone like me?”

“Oi, captain! Just get rid of your chin!” Fukui apathetically glanced at him before patting his back with mocking consolation, and Okamura only sobbed harder in response.

“So who do you like, if you don’t mind me asking?” Himuro gently interrogated further, leaning closer to your face to gauge your expressions. You knew that sly smirk meant that you weren’t going to be able to worm yourself out of this.

Damn it, why is he being so insistent about this?

You sighed. There was no turning back now…

---------

“MURASAKIBARA???” everyone clamored around you. Chaos ensued once again when you timidly confessed your deepest secret, and as they all processed the new information in their own ways, you stared at your furred boots, praying for the snow to swallow you up whole and cleanly wipe away all traces of crimson hues from your face.

Okamura really lost it now, going into incoherent despair of never-ending questions of what Murasakibara had that he himself didn’t, while Fukui, for once, was not bullying the poor Yōsen captain but instead standing wide-eyed in shock at you. Himuro had been tilting his head with a finger to his temple, pondering about something that you knew, once again, was not going to turn out to be good news for you.

“Why don’t you confess to hi—”

“A-absolutely not!” At your outburst, Himuro furrowed his brows in utter confusion.

“Why not?”

“Himuro, are you crazy?” Fukui, barely recovering from his stupor, answered for you. “This guy has nothing but food in his brain!”

“Well… Atsushi could be like that most of the time, but—”

“Himu-kun,” you sighed. “Just forget about what I said a-alright?” Hearing them talk about how Murasakibara had nothing in his heart except for his snacks dashed your hopes in your prospective love life. “I’ll see you guys at school tomorrow.”

As you walked away from the boys, head down from either the cold or dejection (or perhaps both), they turned to each other with fierce glints in their eyes, almost reminiscent of the serious aura they gave before their Seirin match.

---------

“Okamura-san? You’re here alone?” You walked up to him before school after surveying that neither Fukui nor Himuro were in the near vicinity. “Well, I guess it’s still a bit too early for anyone to come.”

“Well, uh—” he stammered. “We all decided to individually help you in getting closer to the brat.”

“H-huh?”

“A-as captain, I must be the first one to offer advice from senior to underclass… man?”

You huffed in apprehension but you appreciated that your teammates cared enough to go out of their ways to help you in your love life. But you were afraid of what was in store for you. Very much afraid.

You really weren’t prepared for this unforeseen development.

“Um…”

“Uh, erm…” he stuttered. “R-right! I-if I had a girl who liked me, I’d hope for her to offer me a bento lunch, or maybe a love letter? Or ch-chocolates and a plushie if it was Valentine’s…”

“That… that’s cute and all Okamura-san, but…” you began, flustered. “But this is Mura-kun we’re talking about. He’d only be interested in the lunch and chocolates, but he wouldn’t think too much of a girl giving him free food.”

He instantly teared up, and from an outside perspective, he looked like he was being personally rejected by you.

“I-is that why I’m single?” he sniffed into his sleeve.

“N-no! That’s not it!” you comforted him. “Without a doubt, someone will come to love you one day! Be patient and keep pushing, Okamura-san!”

As you tried to pat his arms in consoling him, a certain looming purple-haired mop overshadowed you both.

“Chibi-chin? What are you doing?” He was munching on a bag of potato chips. “Oh?... Captain?” Both of you jumped out of your skins before leaping apart to provide distance from each other.

“Chibi-chin, I didn’t know you were close to him.”

“Th-that’s not!—” You stammered, but what were you going to say?

Sorry, the captain and I were just talking about ways to fix my love life?

Don’t worry, we’re just figuring out ways for me to get close to you?

Sorry, but he, of all people, was helping me find out a plan to confess to you?

With every excuse you tried to concoct in your mind, your cheeks burned brighter and brighter.

Murasakibara didn’t miss the way you grew timid in his presence again and how you always seem to be so hesitant whenever you spoke with him. He sighed before shoving an non-frozen ice pop to your lips before walking past you.

“Better hurry up, Chibi-chin,” he drawled. “I’ll go look for Muro-chin.” With that he trudged away.

You held the mango-flavored pop in your hands. Wasn’t this his go-to flavor?

“Sorry I wasn’t able to help much,” he moped. He scratched the back of his head while looking at his feet.

“Okamura-san, I’ll be sure to keep your suggestion in mind!”

The warning bell echoed throughout the hallways. “I guess that’s the bell. Well, see you!” You both waved to each other before you went to your respective classes. You made sure to gulp down the pop before you went to your seat.

---------

“Himu-kun! Just what are you guys planning?”

“I don’t know what you’re implying, (l/n)-san,” he feigned, glancing at you glowering at your desk next to his.

“Mura-kun totally has the wrong idea! He probably has a horrible image of me now, and I’m never gonna make eye contact with him again—”

“Just because he saw you and Okamura together? Atsushi isn’t that dumb.”

“But we never talked alone together until this morning!”

You groaned as you opted to faceplant your desk and hoped for a catastrophe to hit Akita and take you out of your misery. At the very least, you hoped that the deities would spare you and fastforward time to the end of the school day, so you can scurry home with no further incident. With your chin still on the desk, you stared at the wall clock; it was still only morning break.

“If you can’t confess to him directly,” Himuro hummed. “Why not use pickup lines? They still get the point across.”

“The only reason why they work for you is because you’re popular yourself. All the girls fawn over you.” You then propped your head against your hand, nodding towards a close group of girls whispering and peeking at your—Himuro’s—desk seatings. “See?”

“They’re always like that, though. That doesn’t mean they’re interested in me like that.” You resisted the urge to groan again.

Himuro turned his attention to the back of the classroom (the action went unnoticed by a brooding you) to see an equally sulking Murasakibara, who had been staring holes at the back of your head ever since the start of class. A silent chuckle escaped his lips and his eyes twinkled with unabashed mischievousness.

“Himu-kun?” you looked out of the corner of your eyes.

“Hmm?” He turned to you before giving a smile that meant he was up to no good. You were about to question his motives before your mind went blank after he gently tousled your hair. “Don’t sweat about this so much, (l/n)-san.”

“Ah…” That was rather out of nowhere, but you figured he was trying to cheer you up. “T-thanks.”

At that, you gave Himuro a tiny, genuine smile.

Himuro swore he sensed a drastic spike in hostility directed towards the back of his head.

---------

The gods must have really hated you, because today just felt like it was crawling by even slower than usual.

It was barely lunchtime.

There was still a shower of drifting snowflakes outside, so everyone was still cramped up indoors filled with stuffy air of artificial heat.

You didn’t mind it that much; you were going to use the time to head over to the library to check out some books for your literature class.

“Himu-kun, take care of my stuff until I get back, okay?”

“Hm? Yeah, sure.”

As soon as you stood up from your desk to leave, you noticed Murasakibara getting up from his own seat to head over towards you guys. In a panic, you made a bolt towards the door and slid it closed.

Phew. You laid back against the door for a second to regain your composure before you strolled to your destination.

---------

“Atsushi,” Himuro greeted him.

“Hnnn.” He plopped onto the empty seat directly behind Himuro.

“You’re making quite a harsh frown.”

“Che, I’m gonna crush you, Muro-chin,” he grumbled, furrowing his brows. Himuro lets out a soft chortle before reaching into his bag.

“I have no clue what you’re talking about, Atsushi,” he replied. “But would you want some snacks? I brought extra.” His hand pulled out a pack of wafer cookies. Murasakibara immediately perked up.

“I’m gonna eat lots and lots~” he drawled, before taking a handful of cookies and throwing them haphazardly into his mouth.

---------

“(l/n)-san, I hast found thou.”

“Liu-san?” You turned your attention from the book to said person behind you. You were still idly thumbing the pages.

“I hast something to talk thee about.”

When you found out a couple of weeks ago about why and how Liu started speaking like that, you honestly didn’t know whether to punch Fukui for pranking the poor 2nd year to speak old-fashioned Japanese or shake hands with said-prankster because that was a golden scheme.

“What is it?”

“Is it true that thou fancy Murasakibara?”

Okay, you’re definitely going to punch Fukui the next time you see him. No one else could’ve told Liu except him.

“H-h-huh? Not you too!” Your fingers halted on the held book.

“If thou like him, why don’t thou grant him dinner?” he inquired, tilting his head slightly.

Well, that’s not a terrible idea but…

“I would, Liu-san, but I don’t think he’ll see that as a romantic action. Food is food to him.”

“That’s a shame,” he bowed his head. “Sorry that I canst not grant thou much help. I wish thou good luck on thy endeavors.”

“Thank you, Liu-san,” you gave him a smile and a returned bow. “I’ll keep your words in mind.”

He gave a chagrined smile of his own before he left you to your own devices.

---------

Finally, the dismissal bell echoed throughout campus. You were flouncing around with newfound determination to catch a certain snitch in one of the class-3 rooms. Sure enough, an ash-blonde haired student casually strolled out of his classroom before he bumped into a bloodthirsty you.

“Gah! You?—”

“Yeah, me,” you narrowed your eyes at him. You lowered your voice into a harsh whisper. “You told Liu about this ordeal? Who else did you gossip this to?”

“Ack—no one! I swear! I just told Liu because I figured he had some solid advice! He hasn’t told anyone, I made him swear to keep quiet!” He immediately begged for forgiveness, putting his hands up together in a plea with his head bowed. You sighed.

“I guess it can’t be helped,” you muttered. “He said to take Mura-kun to dinner, but that just falls into the category of ‘food.’”

“But isn’t there a saying of ‘getting to the stomach to get to their heart?’ It definitely applies to him without a doubt.”

“So what’s your idea, Fukui-kun?” You huffed, crossing your arms. “Let’s get it over with. Everyone has been trying to give me some type of suggestion today and I figured that was your ‘plan’ from the get-go.”

“Alright, let’s walk out of the building to the gate while we talk and while the weather is still manageable.”

---------

“I’m sorry, say that again?”

“Why don’t you say some jokes or puns to get a laugh out of him?”

“I know you’re a pranking type of guy, but you can’t be serious right now.”

“What? You wanted to get close to him, right? Friends get each other to crack up.”

“Ugh.” You slapped your mittened hands against your face and leaned your head back to stare at the dreary sky, a perfect portrayal of the inevitable doom you’re going to have to face.

Gods, please don’t torture me any further like this.

---------

“Muro-chin? Is that Chibi-chin and Fuki-chin?” Murasakibara stops to stare at the pair.

“Huh, I didn’t know they were still here,” Himuro said, trailing closely behind the titan.

“He’s bothering Chibi-chin, Muro-chin,” he scowled. “I’m gonna crush him.”

“Atsushi,” Himuro hurriedly interrupted. “We’re already taking a detour to the convenience store to get your umaibo sticks… If we stay here any longer, then we’ll be forced to walk straight home instead because of the weather.”

“Hmph.” Murasakibara reluctantly turned away from you two in favor of a prospect of having boxes of snacks in his arms.

Himuro gazed at the pair before he caught up with Murasakibara.

He’ll be damned if he can’t get you and Mura to at least see heart to heart with each other.

---------

“Thanks Fukui-kun, but your suggestion sounds flimsy at best,” you sweatdropped.

“There’s also the saying of ‘don’t knock it until you try it,’ (l/n)-san,” Fukui retorted. He had a sullen look from having his idea immediately shot down. The two of you continued to walk out of the school gates in awkward silence before you gave in.

“Fine, fine, sheesh,” you sighed. “I’ll… think about it… Happy?”

“Yes!” He whooped and pumped a fist to the air.

---------

Even though the snow let up today, there was still a frigid chill in the air, especially since it was still the morning, but you willed yourself to wake up earlier to prepare to finally confess and just get it over with before Murasakibara figured something was up. You could tell that he had already been suspicious of your behavior, after all.

Your school bag was beyond bulky to carry, drawing attention from other curious onlookers as you trudged yourself (and your cumbersome bag) to Yōsen.

7 a.m. should be early enough right?

All you have to do is wait until Murasakibara shows up, do your confession, and then book it.

Easy. Very easy. So easy that even Fukui could do it. Very easy, quick, easy… easy… NOT easy, NOT EASY—

You took an exaggerated inhale to gulp in as much cold air as possible. You couldn’t back out now. Otherwise you’d look like a fool carrying around a big bundle for no reason.

You glanced at the time. 7:39? Had time passed by so quickly? Why couldn’t the deities do this yesterday?

Before you drown yourself in your pitying thoughts and what-ifs, you noticed your grapehead crush waddling near you, lazily blinking away the last remnants of sleep.

“M-Mura-kun!”

“Ohh? Chibi-chin…” He turned towards you as you rushed to him, eyeing the huge bag on your shoulder.

“I have something important to tell you!” Okay, here goes…

He continued to stare down at you, curious to see you fumbling through your bag and muttering “you got this” and “it’s okay” to yourself. He tousled your hair, causing you to still your hand and short-circuit whatever cohesive plans you had in your head for this moment.

“I-i-i-i—what are you doing?”

“Yesterday you said that your head gets cold a lot, Chibi-chin.” Well, that, but he was trying to elicit the same smile you gave to Himuro after he comforted you the same way.

“A-ah, well, it’s not as cold today!... so…”

Ah, he only made you furrow your brows more. Did he make you even more upset?

His hand was still on your head before you gently pried it off. He frowned.

You took a huge breath and exhaled, leaving a warm, puffy trail of translucent mist behind.

And he thought you looked prettier than usual like that, your hair slightly disheveled from his touch… and your scarf, earmuffs, and hat making you look fuzzy… with a veiled mist framing you like a picture…

“Mura-kun,” you breathed out, once again letting a hazy cloud escape from your lips. You approached closer, tugging on his sleeve to get his attention.

“Hnn?” He really should be paying attention, considering the fact that this was the first time in a while that he got to speak alone with you.

“H-h-here!” you took his sleeve and shoved something soft (and fuzzy too, coincidentally?) into his arms and he gazed down to see a… large, fluffy plushie? He examined the bear with a childish wonder before he noticed a small card attached to it.

His heart beating uncharacteristically fast, he gingerly opened the card:

Are you a doughnut, because I find you a-dough-able. ♡︎

A boyish smile creeped its way onto his face.

“W-w-wait, and…” you stuttered, already losing confidence. “While I think that you’re already a Mura-snacki-bara… I would still, um, take? you and me? out to eat… together?” At “you and me,” you lamely pointed at Murasakibara and yourself to make it really obvious. You’re cringing at your own ineptitude to be smooth about this.

You then embarrassingly took out a handful of coupons for different stores and fast food restaurants and waved it to his face frantically before you shoved them in his hands.

“And… and… u-u-um—I like you—I like you very much!”

Murasakibara now has the biggest shit-eating grin plastered across his face, his eyes shining with utter joy.

“Chibi-chin… you really feel that way about me?”

At his question, you hid your face behind your hands, bracing yourself for rejection.

“Oiiiiii, Chibi-chin,” he whined, bending down to gently pry your hands off your face. He stared intently at your face even as you averted your eyes.

“You’re as red as strawberry jam.”

“H-h-hey!—”

And he kissed you.

---------

“Told you that Atsushi likes her back.”

“Move, gorilla! Your butt chin is in the way!”

“Thou should'st get rid of thy sideburns too.”

“HEEEEE…! Why is everyone so mean? How are the 1st years getting more attention and popularity than me?...”

“Shut up.”

“Keep silent.”

---------

“I thought you liked Okamura, Chibi-chin.”

“Eh?”

You were walking hand in hand with Murasakibara to the nearest convenience store for his daily supplement of umaibo sticks.

“You were huddling up to him and being red the other day.” He turned away, pouting.

Oh. Ohhhhhh.

“Atsu-kun, you dummy,” you giggled. “The team found out I liked you, so they were trying to help me.”

“Ehhhh?”

“Actually, I—uh, used a combination of all their ideas when confessing to… you.” It was your turn to turn away, your index finger scratching your cheek shyly.

“Hmph, Chibi-chin~” He tugged on your arm, his voice clearly filled with relief. “I’m hungry.”

“Yes, yes, Atsu-kun.”

Maybe having nosy Yōsen team starters wasn’t so bad.

Maybe having the deities being so fickle with your days wasn’t so bad either.

And maybe the weather in Akita wasn’t so bad if you could always cuddle up to Murasakibara’s side from now on.

#murasakibara x reader #murasakibara atsushi #murasakibara atsushi x reader #knb x reader #kuroko no basket #himuro tatsuya #okamura kenichi #wei liu #fukui kensuke #yosen #knb #fluff #knb scenarios #punfest series

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op-peccatori · 5 years

Text

coup de foudre | MLQC Shaw/Ling Xiao (M)

Fandom: Mr Love: Queen’s Choice

Pairing: Fem!Reader/Shaw

Rating: 18+/Explicit/NSFW

Words: 5k

Summary: He hadn’t planned on getting sucked in, unable and unwilling to free himself. But they’ve all had their chances and now, it’s his turn.

coup de foudre (‘stroke of lightning’): a sudden unforeseen event, in particular, an instance of love at first sight

A/N: i have nothing to say. except that this was supposed to be a filthy hookup thing but I should have known better. please...don't look at me lmao

(tags under the cut)

Warnings/Tags: explicit sexual content, mild language, vaginal sex, ... minor electric play, please don’t try this at home, chapter 19/20 spoilers...ish

Rain-soaked bangs cling to a crinkling forehead, hanging over amber eyes squinting through the unforgiving downpour.

His heart pounds, tremulous and worried, within the confines of his chest–because of all the running, he tells himself repeatedly–as the heavy soles of his combat boots splash through puddles, drawing peeved looks from the people passing by.

Annoyance and concern twist and twine around his lungs as there’s no sign of that familiar face, the sparks on the tips of his fingers deadly in his urgency, and if he doesn’t find what he’s looking for right now–

The fates conspire as the thought crosses his mind, as if unwilling to draw his ire, and his path leads him to a park near Loveland University. There aren’t a lot of people nearby or in the park itself; he wanders in through the wrought iron gate, already thinking of turning back and going back to the cafe in the hope that you’ll be there–and then he catches a glimpse of the now-familiar silhouette, curled up on a bench, seemingly unbothered by the rain.

Drenched to the bone with your hair glued to your face and your clothes clinging to your skin in a way he tries really hard not to notice, you almost remind him of a lost kitten he’d come across as a child. Even the way you shiver is similar, although the way his body responds to you is very different.

You haven’t noticed him yet. Your palms are spread open in front of you, exposed to your unfocused gaze. There’s a sinking feeling in his chest as the thought of why you’re here comes to mind, so close to a man you should be staying far away from.

Shaw swallows the lump in his throat, mouth curving in that cocky way he knows will annoy you. With any hope, enough to wipe that miserable look off your face.

“There you are,” he calls, grinning at the way you jump and twist in place. Your eyes flash with immediate recognition and he’s near sickened by the elation that courses through him. You know him now, and that shouldn’t delight him half as much as it does.

It’s just because it would piss, well, quite a lot of people off.

“Oh, it’s you.” Your eyes, previously dull, spark with curiosity. “Shaw.”

“Mm.” There’s an umbrella clutched in his hand, one he’d brought along with you in mind, but it feels awkward in his grip now. He wants to open it and tug you closer, draw you into his arms and warm you up; he tosses the umbrella at you instead, trying to keep from shuffling in place as you stare at it in quiet surprise. “Y’know, I like parks as much as the next guy, but this isn’t really the kind of weather you should be out in.”

“More friendly advice?” you ask, eyes twinkling, and his mouth dries up. You sigh and open the device he so thoughtfully handed you. You don’t think you can get any wetter, but you might as well use it. “I know. I just...”

Visited Loveland Uni. Ran into Lu-Ares. You had felt so drained, so defeated, that you had, in all your wisdom, decided to stop by the park you had frequented so often with the professor by your side. It hadn’t been your intention to be caught in this rain.

“What are you doing here?” you ask instead.

He clears his throat, not wanting to answer or continue standing around here. But with your eyes fixed on him so intently, he isn’t sure if he’s even capable of moving a muscle, let alone leave.

“I was just passing by. Saw you here, lookin’ like a drowned rat, and I’m just too nice to walk away.”

“Sure you are.” You get up with some effort, hating the way your clothes stick to you, missing the way he stiffens. You raise the umbrella until it covers most of him and you, stepping closer and steering your thoughts away from the heat you feel coming off him. “Well, thank you.”

“No problem. We’re friends now, yeah?” He watches you, your small smile, and the way it twitches before it crumbles, his heart lurching as you drop your forehead onto his chest. “You okay?”

He resists the urge to curl himself around you.

“Yeah.” His hand comes up to rest on your head. He had meant for it to feel like he’s petting a cute animal, but instead, he wants to take his glove off so he can feel your hair in all his tangled glory. He ruffles it gently, and your hand comes up to fist in his shirt. “...No, not really.”

“Thought so. Think you could go mope somewhere drier?”

“I’m not moping,” you grumble, pulling away, much to his disappointment. “But yeah. Mind walking me home?”

“Sure. I don’t have anything better to do, thanks for asking,” he drawls, taking the umbrella from you and drawing closer as you begin to walk out of the park. He’s overcome, just for a moment, by the urge to grab your hand.

It’s funny, he thinks. He’d thought the rest of them pathetic for the lengths they’d go to for you, the way they seemed to orbit around you as if you were the centre of their worlds. Even now, despite having no recollection of you, they aren’t impervious to your pull.

And neither is Shaw.

All he had planned on doing was to wait and watch, derive amusement from you stumbling around like a lost little lamb, help out whenever the mood struck him. But ever since that one time he’d sat next to you on the bus, watching you study him suspiciously, the way you had fidgeted when his jean-clad thigh pressed into yours–ever since then, a certain, dark hunger had taken root in him.

It was when he ran into you here, separated from your guard dogs, that he realized it was just you and him. For now, but it was still a golden opportunity to play with you. To touch you.

He hadn’t expected to be drawn in like the rest. To want you so bad it filled him with warmth on the best of days and burned him inside out on the worst of them.

“If you had anything better to do, you wouldn’t have come looking for me in this kind of weather.”

Shaw scoffs, refusing to turn his head and expose himself to your knowing gaze.

You know better though. Not with how often he seems to find you no matter where you are in the city. It’s something he has in common with a certain someone, and the thought has you aching with something bitter.

Your current companion may be a strange one but you can’t deny the relief you feel when he’s around; he’s the only person in this strange new world who remembers you, who knows things aren’t quite right. He doesn’t seem to care much, but you’re grateful for his presence nonetheless.

It’s with that thought in mind that you come to a stop. “I...don’t want to go home.” The silence had been particularly stifling today, prompting your escape, even if it was to grey skies and raging clouds.

Shaw studies you carefully, the stubborn set of your jaw and the quick flicker of panic in your eyes. You look like you expect him to mock and dismiss you, and while the former would be all too easy, he can’t dismiss your subtle request.

And living up to expectations has never been his style.

Saying no to spending more time with you? He’s not an idiot. He’ll take his entertainment where he can get it, and things around you are never dull.

“Alright. Wanna come over to my place?”

The words are out before he could rethink them, and he prays you don’t take it in the wrong way.

“I mean, we can find something to make you feel better.” Ugh, shut up, Shaw.

Would it be so bad, though–

Yes, it would. You’re not his to take. No matter how badly his mouth waters at the very thought of getting a taste, of sinking his teeth into your skin; no matter how often dreams of you shake him awake with sparks crackling along his limbs, his pants embarrassingly tight.

You agree without much thought, and he wants to scold you for it. You trust too easily, even after everything with that Professor.

“Come on, then.” Because his body and mind slip from his control whenever you’re around, his thoughts turn to the dream he’d woken up from last night, hard and throbbing with raging lust, fingers trembling as they were forced to his cock. He had still been half-asleep as he spilt himself onto his sheets, shame eventually creeping up his spine as his mind drifted toward awareness.

You’re oblivious to the turn his mind has taken, wrapped up in your own thoughts. You have so many questions, most of which you know by now won’t get an answer. But as he leads you up the stairs in a small building, you’re caught off guard by the thrill of anticipation building in you. Your eyes linger on the broad expanse of his back, the studded leather jacket stretching over his shoulders, the way his jeans cling to the round curve of his ass.

“I’m in the mood for pizza. There’s a great place nearby, if you’re cool with it. Oh, we could watch–“ He pauses just outside the door to 3B, fingers hovering over the keypad. “Oh, uh, give me a few minutes.”

With that he taps in the password and slips into the apartment, leaving you outside, perplexed. You wait in silence, realizing quickly that he hadn’t exactly expected to bring a guest along, and hadn’t had a chance to clean up, if that’s what he’s doing.

‘Maybe he’s hiding stuff. Clues to the current situation,’ you think suspiciously, before dismissing the idea. You’ve come here to spend time with a new friend, not snoop around. For the first time in what feels like ever, you’re not going to snoop. You’re going to eat pizza and watch whatever Shaw had been about to mention. You need a goddamn break and you’re going to take it.

The door opens then, with Shaw’s head still turned away as he appears to sweep his eyes over the room once more, as if checking to make sure everything’s in place.

“Right, come on in,” he steps back to let you through, glancing around the hallway before closing the door. You slip your shoes off at the entrance, looking around curiously as you step into the room, smiling gratefully when he hands you a towel.

His jacket is hanging on a rack at the entrance, leaving him in his shirt. His bangs are slicked back and there’s a towel around his neck, the beads wrapped around his wrist clattering as he dabs one end of the towel over his skin. It all makes an enticing, domestic picture, one that has you swallowing nervously.

“Nice place,” you comment, hiding a smile as you spot what looks like a pair of boxers next to the couch, pretending not to notice when he kicks the garment behind it.

“Thanks. Um, do you maybe wanna change?” Neither of you had considered your soaked clothes, and you feel like a complete idiot.

Shaw, on the other hand, has to tear his eyes away from the sheer fabric of your shirt, the way it hints at the tempting swell of your breasts. It’d be better for you both if you spend the rest of your time together in a sweatshirt.

“...That would be really great, thank you.”

“Wait here, I’ll go, uh, find you something to wear.”

You feel awful about putting him out like this, but he’s vanished through a door before you can say anything, and you focus on drying your hair. He comes back with a bundle of clothes and an endearingly nervous expression.

“I thought it might be better if you just shower, if you want to, I mean. I mean, do whatever, I’ll just order us some food,” Shaw mumbles, handing you the clothes.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind waiting, you can go first,” you offer awkwardly, laughing weakly when he rolls his eyes and pushes you towards the bathroom.

“And that’s very gracious of you, but you’ll catch a cold if you don’t get warm soon, so go.” It’s more of a demand than anything and you can’t help the ‘yes sir’ as you shuffle towards the door. “Mushroom and cheese okay with you?”

“That’s my favourite!” you call back, closing the door behind you as you step into the bathroom. Placing the clothes on the counter, you take in the products scattered over the surface. Namely, the various types of hair products and perfumes.

Cute.

You feel oddly shy as you undress, mind swimming with scenarios involving Shaw stumbling into the bathroom somehow while you’re naked. You can almost picture the flushed cheeks he tries so hard to hide, the slight bobbing of his throat you’ve caught so often, and the way he tries to avert his eyes but fails. The thought of him pressing you into the tiled walls has you clenching, your cheeks blazing as you turn on the water.

You wonder if he’s thinking about you naked in his shower right now.

What you don’t know is how right you are, and how miserable it’s making him. Shaw has never felt the kind of shameful thrill that races through him now, as a part of him wonders what you would do if he joins you, if he sinks to his knees and licks into you like a starved, depraved creature.

You're out in ten minutes, smelling of his favourite body wash, and it takes everything in him not to bury his nose in your neck. That scent has never smelled half as good on him as it does on you. Your cheeks are still rosy from the shower, and he watches mutely as you wrap a towel around your head.

Then, with a smothered groan, he realizes you’re in his old sweatshirt and shorts, both too baggy and more adorable than he’d expected.

Fuck.

“I’m done! Thank you, Shaw,” you murmur softly, and he nods, dazed and dismayed at the thought of having to tighten his leash.

“You can put your clothes in the dryer.” He shows you to the machine, starting it for you before handing you his laptop, surprisingly you with the show of trust. “Don’t snoop around too much. You can’t blame me if you find something you don’t want to see.” With the taunt thrown, he turns on his heel and saunters off.

You browse YouTube for a bit before setting the laptop aside and curling up on the couch. It’s been a few days since you woke up in this reality, but it feels like forever. You had almost forgotten what safety felt like. And you can’t quite believe you feel that way with Shaw.

A mesh of stress and worry wound tight in your chest for so long, finally loosens a little as your limbs relax, and you nearly melt onto the cushion as you drift off, knowing you’re not alone, for once not uneasy at the thought.

He finds you dozing lightly, tiptoeing into the room, crouching down once he reaches you. The frown that had come to find a near-permanent place on your face seems to have almost faded, and his thumb comes to rub away the last traces of it from your brow.

Shaw’s eyes, lidded and intent, come to rest on your parted mouth, and yearning throbs hot in his belly. His fingers, helpless against the softness of your skin, trace the sharp bridge of your nose, your full cheeks, the plump curve of your lips. He’s so transfixed by the sight, fighting back the urge to dip his head for just a quick taste, that it takes him a moment to realize he’s being watched.

Caught, he locks eyes with you and freezes, his pulse quickening when he sees no sign of fear or distrust in them. Instead, you tilt your head the slightest bit and–his breath catches in his throat when he feels your tongue flick at the rough pad of his thumb.

Stunned, he can only watch as your mouth parts further to suck the tip in, tongue stroking it in an erotic imitation of an act he’s only ever dreamed of.

It’s when your lips curl up, amused by his stupefied expression, that he frees the digit from your mouth with a low pop and daubs the wetness from it down your chin. You don’t say a word but the look in your eyes tells him everything he needs to know; he’s shaken by the way desire seizes him then, roaring and commanding him to take, to please, to wreck.

“You’ve had a bad day,” he tells you, hoarsely and weak in the face of his burning thirst, pulling his hand back.

“I’ve had a bad month. But I thought you brought me here to make me feel better?” you ask, blinking innocently as you rise up, leaning your weight on one elbow.

His low chuckle sets your nerves alight, as does the way his eyes can’t seem to decide between staying fixed on your eyes and mouth. “With pizza and Netflix.”

“Mm. You can just say no,” you say, even though you’re already leaning in. Your lips brush the corner of his and he sucks in a sharp breath, eyes sliding shut as he feels your breath on his face, warm and beckoning.

You must know that he–

“I can’t,” he breathes and captures your mouth with his. He can’t fathom a situation where he would deny you, when you’re ready and willing to let him in. When he’s been longing for this for so long.

It’s slow, a sweet claiming, relief and destruction bound together intimately. Any thoughts of resistance are abandoned, left in the dust for the exquisite flavour of your mouth. He groans at the slow drag of your teeth over his lip, shifting onto the couch to lean over you without breaking contact, tilting his head to go deeper, take more.

Satisfaction courses through him, visceral and grasping, as you turn onto your back, hands clenching in his shirt to pull him down from his careful hovering.

You’re lost, sinking into each other with every moan, your fingers digging into his shoulders as his finally tangle in your hair. His tongue slides along yours, and you’re overwhelmed by the desire to feel every inch of him, on you, in you, firm and warm.

“Good,” you gasp out, planting swift kisses along his jaw before he groans and crushes his mouth against yours again, intent on having his fill, knowing he never will; he will never get enough. His hand, splayed across your abdomen, slides down. He can nearly feel the coiled tension in you, desperate for him to unravel it, begging for his attention.

The doorbell rings, startling and shrill.

Shaw pulls away, breathing hard, the tips of your noses brushing. You pant lightly, a moan stuck low in your throat as you feel his hard bulge pressing into your belly. His desire is an unmistakable as yours; you ache to take his cock in you, your lust for him dripping from your cunt.

His amber eyes, glossed over as he fights to control himself, clear slightly at the second ring.

“I’ll be right there,” he yells in the direction of the door, before diving in to kiss you, hard and quick, all teeth and tongue, and then he rips himself away and staggers over to the door; your soft whine rings in his ears and chipping away at his composure.

He greets the delivery man with a strained grin, his mind occupied with the temptress he left on his couch. The man eyes him weirdly as he takes the cash, taking in the state of his hair and lips, eyes flitting over his head; he averts his eyes when Shaw sheds his pleasant demeanour, his expression edged with threat. He grabs the pizza, shooting a quick thanks at the man and barely restrains himself from slamming the door shut.

The haze of desire lifts. You’re probably hungry, and he needs to think.

You have other plans.

He’s barely left the boxes on the counter and turned around before he finds himself with an armful of determined girl pressing up against him, arms wrapping around his neck as you press your mouth to his.

“Ah, baby,” it slips out and he blushes at the low, needy sound that escapes you. “D-don’t you wanna eat-?”

“I want you,” you say, demanding and fierce and he doesn’t stand a chance. “Please, Shaw.”

His hands are clutching at the backs of your thighs before his mind can catch up, hauling you up until your legs wrap around his hips. A lazy grin splits his lips at the squeal that escapes you, that then melts into a moan as he sucks your tongue into his mouth.

He presses you into the wall and drags his tongue down the length of your neck, pleased by the way you shiver. “You need to be specific.”

His teeth sink into pliant flesh and the back of your head hits the wall, hips bucking up involuntarily. “Ah, I-I–“

“You want something, baby?” His hands knead the plump flesh of your ass as he sucks a blooming mark into your skin. “You gotta ask for it.”

He lets you slip down, just a little until you can feel him against you, just as desperate but better at controlling it, and using it against you.

“I-I want you to touch me, Shaw.” The heel of his palm slips between your bodies to press between your thighs, putting enough pressure that you grind your hips into it, desperate for the friction.

“Like this?” he asks, smirking impishly when you glare at him in frustration, pulling at his hair.

“More,” you whine. He laughs and adjusts his grip so he can carry you further down the hall.

“Tch. Greedy.” You nip at his earlobe in retaliation and his hands squeeze your ass in warning, this time as a warning–one you dismiss right away.

“I want your cock too,” you whisper, so softly he would’ve missed it if your lips weren’t ghosting the shell of his ear, your cunning tongue tracing the delicate skin. “I want you to fuck me, use me–“

The rest of your words are lost in a yelp as he throws you onto the bed, slipping his T-shirt off with one hand as he reaches for your ankle with the other. His abdomen, all taut muscle, his shorts resting low on his hips–you could run your fingers all over him for hours. The skies flash through the window, angry and eager, the rain still falling mercilessly, and you think it matches the look in his face perfectly.

“Careful what you wish for, baby,” he says in a half purr, his eyes dark with ruthless promise as he drags you closer. “I won’t be so nice if you tease me.”

His thumbs hook into the waistband of your (his) shorts and tug them down, only to pause, swallowing the sudden flood of moisture in his mouth as your glistening cunt is exposed to his ravenous gaze.

“My underwear got wet earlier,” you hurry to explain, nervous and embarrassed at the way he’s staring at you, his tongue darting out to wet his mouth.

“Your underwear isn’t the only thing-” He’s cut off by his own laughter as you kick him lightly in the stomach, attempting to close your legs–that he puts a stop to at once. “Now, now. I’m not complaining.” The foxy curve of his lips meets the arch of your foot, sliding across the skin over your ankle. He crawls onto the bed as he kisses his way up your leg, the tip of his tongue dipping into the crease at the back of your knee.

You can only watch in breathless silence as he nips his way up the tender flesh of your thigh, never breaking the meeting of your eyes. He parts your legs, fingers slipping through your slick curls to spread your folds before a long digit pushes in.

“So wet. Is it all for me?”

Shaw’s gaze doesn’t waver once and you throw your head back, cunt clenching around his finger and heart racing from the hunger in his face.

A second finger slides in, rubbing at your slick walls as you moan and rock your hips up. You glance at him, teeth digging into your lip at the sight of his pupils blowing wide as he looks at his fingers coated with your arousal.

“Look at you,” he growls, pumping his fingers faster as his tongue flicks at your swelling clit and you whimper and try to jerk your hips away. “Who would’ve thought you’d be such a dirty slut, begging for my fingers.”

With his other hand, he pushes the hem of your sweatshirt up until your breasts spill free from beneath it, the cloth folded under your chin. His hot mouth tugs at a nipple, nipping and sucking as his fingers stroke you to a slow ruin.

“Shaw.” You’re half cursing, half pleading and then you’re yelling in outrage as he slips his hand away. “You ass–“ But your voice dies in your throat when you spy him tugging at the cords of his shorts, yanking them down his hips. You can’t even call him out on his own lack of underwear, distracted as you are by his cock, by the way his lips close around his fingers as he licks them clean.

He lashes flutter at the taste, the little sample of your flavour rich on his tongue, and he vows to spend more time with his face buried between your legs, to grab a proper meal. His mouth waters at the thought of you coming on his tongue.

“You sure about this?” He asks, reaching into a drawer in his bedside table and pulling out a square foil.

You lock eyes with him and it hits you. You’ve got a lot, and nothing at all on your plate, you have mysteries to chase and thing to set right, because you’re in a reality where nobody remembers you. Nobody, except for this gorgeous, infuriatingly cavalier man standing in front of you, stroking his cock slowly and waiting for your permission.

You deserve this, damn it.

“Absolutely,” you respond with a touch of finality, rising up to your knees to reach for him, sliding the sweatshirt off as you go. His knee rests on the bed as your fingers wrap around his length, covered by his own as you prime him together, drawing the first drop of arousal from his tip.

He kisses you, once, twice, and then again. Your lips slide down his throat, placing sweet, wet kisses along the flexing muscle of his shoulders. Down and down you go, dipping your tongue into his bellybutton, smiling at the way his hips jerk.

You glance up at him and open your mouth, lips forming a wide O, tongue out; he shoots a prayer up before guiding the head of his cock in.

His fingers dig into the back of your head as you swallow as much of his thick length as you can, tongue pressing flat as you move back and forth along it. His thrusts are shallow, his scent musky as your nose brushes his unruly curls.

“Pretty, pretty baby,” Shaw growls, the sweet words warped and filthy as they fall from his lips, hands tugging at your hair. “You look perfect like this, with my cock in your mouth.”

Your moan vibrates around him and he stiffens, easing you off, plucking the condom off the bed and ripping it open.

“As much as I’d love to,” he mutters, pushing you onto your back, climbing over you fluidly. “You asked to be fucked, and I intend to deliver.”

He fits himself between your legs, kneeling between them as he slides the latex on. You can’t help but clench in anticipation, watching him position himself at your entrance.

“Last chance,” he whispers, teasingly. He isn’t completely sure if he can stop, if you do choose to tell him to. You look beautiful, your hair spilt across his messy bedspread and your eyes, vulnerable and filled with desire, waiting for him.

He slides the head of his cock along your folds and a shudder runs through you.

“Fuck me,” you rasp, eyes sliding shut as he slides in. Your thoughts, your problems, your loneliness–everything numbs and fades away. All you smell is him, sharp and heady. All you feel is him, his cock sheathed in you and his lips on your cheek.

“As my lady commands,” he mutters sarcastically, with a touch of sincerity as he grinds against you, drawing a sweet moan from you. Your walls squeeze him, hot and slick and possessive, pleasure sinking into his bones, scraping him raw; he will never let you go, now that he has you. It doesn’t matter which world or which reality you find yourselves in.

‘You’re mine now,’ he thinks darkly, greedily. He, who refuses to tie himself to any side, will bind himself to you so deeply you will never escape him. He will sink his claws so deep they would never be able to rip you from his grasp.

You gasp his name and the sound travels through him with a jolt; he thrusts hard, eager to see what other sounds he can draw from your lovely mouth.

Shaw tries to be gentle. He tries really hard. He’d wanted his first time with you to be sweet and slow, gentle and lasting as long as he could physically make it. But you shred any remnants of his control with the way you twist and writhe beneath him, meeting his thrusts with urgent rolls of your hips and moaning for him, so sweetly it threatens to unravel him.

Your whispers of how good he feels, how you never want him to stop, of please please please push him until he’s pounding into you with reckless abandon, riveted by the sight of you falling apart, your head thrown back and your breasts bouncing with every snap of his hips.

He can’t help it; his hand reaches for your cunt, fingers pressing to your swollen clit. The barest whispers of static spark to life on his fingertips, just for a second–your body reacts before your mind can process it, convulsing and twisting as he rubs tight circles, a scream tearing from your throat as he pins you in place.

Your walls clench him so tightly he nearly chokes, plunging into his own ruin as his pace falters, turning wilder and unmeasured, as he comes with your wrecked visage burned into his mind. Your eyes are wet, your limbs trembling weakly.

You kiss his face sloppily as he tries to catch his breath, drawing him in until his face presses into the side of your neck. He takes a long moment to breathe you in, the scent of sex and sweat intoxicating, his mind still consumed by you as he turns you both over to hold you close to him.

Your fingers creep up his side, and a mortifying, high-pitched noise of protest escapes him when you pinch him hard. "You better not have fried my vagina," you mumble tiredly.

"Chill. You're fine." It's not the first time he's tried it, but he wisely keeps that to himself. You snort, nuzzling his chest as a satisfied sigh leaves you.

Triumph courses through him, as does fear; he’s not one to lie to himself. This will not be a one-time thing. He will have you, again and again. He will stay by your side, regardless of what others will think or do.

His heart squeezes at the thought of Gavin. What would he think of the fact that Shaw has stolen you away while he remains oblivious, with no plans of letting go?

That is, if you’re on board.

In all honesty, he can't bring himself to regret any of it. They've all had their chances and now, it’s his turn.

You press your ear to the rapid thumping of his heart, not attempting to untangle your legs from his. You hum when he kisses your hair, turning to catch his mouth in a soft kiss. A low grumble breaks the tranquil silence, and you purse your lips when he turns to you with that familiar mocking stare.

“So,” you begin nervously, trying not to squirm. “Pizza?”

#mlqc #mlqc shaw #mlqc smut #mr love queen's choice #mr love: queen's choice #mlqc fanfic

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fantasticstoryteller · 3 years

Text

New Amsterdam Chapter 54

“Hey! Kid!” Ellie warily turned. She was only slightly less wary at the identity of the person calling for her.

“Hey Wade,” she said cautiously as the costumed man bounded up towards her like an overgrown puppy.

Her first official day as a student at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters had begun with the renowned Jean Grey telling her all the reasons why Wade was dangerous; most of which Ellie had already known. He was insane—check. Sane people didn’t talk to the voices in their heads. He was violent—check. Ellie had seen that violence first hand as he severed one hand off of Juby’s father and carefully, meticulously broken every single bone in the other one before smashing everything with the heavy hilt of his gun.

But—Wade was “safe.” He was the only person that Mr. Parker had said that about. And honestly? Juby’s dad had deserved it.

“Aw, isn’t that cute? All spikes and growls like a baby hedgehog!”

And there was that. Ellie rolled her eyes at him. “What do you want?” she demanded.

He brightened. How the Hell he did that in a mask, she had no clue. “Thanks for asking! Well, first—and also last—I want Petey-Pie to love me forever and ever!”

“Ugh! I don’t need to hear about your love life!”

“You asked!”

“Why are you talking to me? Instead of, you know, sucking face with your ‘Petey-Pie’?” she asked making finger quotations around the gross name.

“Ah! You’re so cute! Yeah, just wanted to let you know that Peter’s not going to be available for a while. I’ve kidnapped him.”

Ellie stared at the man, black eyes surrounding expressive whites in his red and black suit. “Kidnapped him,” she repeated.

“Why does everybody repeat that part?” groused Wade.

Ellie stuck her hands in her pockets so as not to give into the temptation to smack him. No matter how “safe” he was, she didn’t think he’d hold back if she did anything that seemed like attacking him. “Why did you kidnap your boyfriend Wade? Wouldn’t flowers have worked better?”

“Ooo! Kinky! No, I did it to protect him. Someone with lots of money wants him dead.”

Once again Ellie stared at him, this time in shock. “Who would want to kill Mr. Parker?” she asked, confused. Sure, there were a lot of people that didn’t like the man (mostly because of his kindness towards the street kids), but she couldn't think of anyone that wanted to kill him.

“Don’t know.” Suddenly the man in front of her was very much dangerous and predator. She fought the urge to run. Predators, especially the human kind, chased the ones that ran first. The man slightly relaxed and Ellie could breathe again. “But I will find out. Just wanted to let you know that he’s not going to be available for your school thing.”

Ellie relaxed—slightly. She was always wary on the street, especially these streets. The Snipers were roaming farther and farther from their stomping grounds. “S’okay,” she said casually. “They don’t actually expect to interact with him, at least not yet. And Wolverine said you’re lucky to have a boyfriend who doesn’t even hesitate to admit when asked about your relationship.”

“Aw! Squee! Petey-Pie told Wolvie we were dating? My heart might explode into a volcano of glitter!”

“Ew,” said Ellie as she mentally pictured it. She shook her head. “Go pour some of that glitter on your boyfriend dumbass, and leave us alone.”

“Ugh! Rude! I shall take myself elsewhere.” Wade threw out a hip dramatically and sashayed away.

Ellie stared after him for just a little too long. Her arm was grabbed and she whirled—to see a uniformed officer. “Ellen Phimister?” asked the officer, kindness on her face. “We’re here to take you home.”

Home. To—that. Ellie panicked and tried to break away—but the officer’s grip was like steel. “No, no no!” cried Ellie in blind terror as she was hauled, slowly but surely, towards the car. Where she’d be taken to the station. Where she’d be held. Where she’d be turned over—

“Angel!” she screamed in panic as she tried to break free. “Angel, help me!”

The thundering wings were like a godsend as Angel dropped to the ground in front of them, wings swooping out away from her body before being tucked in neatly against her back. Angel propped her fists on her waist and looked at the scene with pursed lips. “Well, this is a conundrum.”

The officer released Ellie to grab her weapon and Ellie bolted. “What are you?” demanded the officer as she pointed the gun at Angel.

Angel shrugged. “Helpful. Friendly. Pointing out your prey has run away.”

Ellie, from her hiding spot, saw the officer glance to confirm Angel’s statement. “Ellen is a lost child whose family is looking for her,” the woman said.

Ellie bit deep into her wrist to keep from screaming. Family? They were nothing like family.

Angel snorted. “Okay. Hold up. You have a child whose reaction to being told you’re taking her home is bone deep terror, and that doesn’t throw up any warning flags at all for you?” When the officer said nothing Angel sighed. “And I thought your reputation was bad,” the older girl muttered. “Do you even have a child welfare department?”

“Of course we do!” bristled the officer.

“And they’re the ones that cleared her home, are they?” drawled Angel.

Ellie couldn't bear to hear any more. What if the officer managed to change Angel’s mind, and Angel decided that Ellie needed to go back? No, Ellie need to go. Her place. A safe place.

Her place, wedged between two buildings trapped in a constant state of renovation, may have been safe, but it wasn’t secret. Ellie didn’t know how long she’d huddled there, shivering in fear, before she heard the distinctive footsteps behind her. “Are you okay Ellie?” asked Angel, softly, gently. “Can I approach?”

“Do you mind being touched?”

Ellie remembered every time the older girl had asked, how she always moved slowly, so Ellie could avoid her if she wanted even though Ellie knew she could move much, much quicker. “You know,” she gasped in horror. She curled in on herself. She didn’t want anyone to know.

Angel quietly dropped until she was level with Ellie. “I guessed,” she said softly. “Ellie,” she said, using the name for the first time since she learned it, “it wasn’t your fault.”

Ellie gasped and choked on a sob. “You don’t know that!” she hissed viciously.

“I do.” Ellie looked up through the tears streaming down her face at Angel. The older girl looked both ancient and impossibly young at the same time. “I always know. These days.” She held out a hand, reaching for—but not touching—Ellie.

Ellie was torn. She wanted to hide, to be safe. But—but she also wanted to be comforted as a dim, almost forgotten memory insisted she had once been. A sob wrenched from her throat as she threw herself into Angel’s arms and began to cry.

“There you are,” Angel said as she hugged the child back and wrapped both of them in her wings. “Let it all out. You’ll feel better.”

Even as she cried Ellie noticed that Angel didn’t say things like, “It’s okay,” or “you’re safe now.” Angel knew better. It wasn’t okay, it had never been okay, and it was possible that Ellie wouldn't live long enough for it to be okay. And while Ellie was safe right now (she’d seen Angel heal herself almost instantly after getting shot with a bullet), Angel wouldn't be around forever. Her existence in New Amsterdam was on a timer; Ellie had seen it with her own eyes.

When Ellie got hold of herself she was mortified. Mortified that she’d broken down. Mortified that someone had witnessed her breakdown. Mortified that she’d hogged all of Angel’s attention when it was possible that there were others out there who were being hunted by Snipers. And, most of all, she was mortified that Angel was right.

She did feel better.

#Spider-Man #Deadpool #Spideypool #interlude

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tensonline · 4 years

Text

Chapter 2

WE ARE THE LOVESICK GIIIIIIIIIiiiiiIiiiiiiIIIIIIRLSSSSS

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“Wait, so let me get this straight. Do you want to date this guy? Or do you just wanna fuck him?”

“_____, please stop fucking athletes. You have a type and it’s shitty men who have two brain cells.”

“OKAY,” you yelled. “I get it! I like my men that know how to juggle balls and can juggle me! IS THAT CRIME?!”

“No! But what about some cute English major? Or a sociology one? You like sociology!” Jisoo insisted.

“First of all bitch, English majors are pretentious so how dare you,” you snapped, “Have you not seen You? Everyone knows to stay away from them. And sociology majors are only good for arguing on Twitter. They suck at sex.”

“Um fuck you? I’m a sociology major and I--” Jennie started

You interrupted her, “I do not need to know about you and Jisoo’s sex life. Please. Not all of us like romantic candlelit sex. I want someone to choke me and degrade me! I love being degraded! Have either of you been thrown around? Or tried orgasm denial?”

Jisoo scowled. “No, you freak. Some of us don’t like being rough.”

“Yeah,” Jennie sniffed. “There’s nothing wrong with vanilla sex. So what if I like to have my room smell like A Thousand Wishes and have Alina Baraz playing while I’m fucking? Also, who wants to have their orgasm be denied? Isn’t that, like, the opposite of what someone would want in sex?”

You gaped at her, “Oh my god. I’m going to ignore that last question and focus on what’s more disturbing. Are you serious, bitch? A Thousand Wishes is the scent you pick from Bath and Body Works? There are better ones.”

“Ooo, really? Which ones do you recommend?” Jennie lights up as she asks.

“Okay, you need to try---”

“Oh my god, can we focus?!” Jisoo hisses. She looks between you and her girlfriend and sighs when you both turn to her with incredulous faces.

Of course both of you thought she was crazy for interrupting the conversation.

“Look, _____” Jisoo sighs, “You don’t think this is a bad idea? You work with this guy. What if it makes things awkward?”

“It won’t,” you dismiss while waving a hand around, “He’s chill. I’m chill. We’re both grown and can handle sleeping together while staying… colleagues. Acquaintances. Whatever the hell we are.”

Jisoo and Jennie shared a look. They both knew that once you set your sights on someone, it was only a matter of time until you sunk your claws into them. Their warnings were only going to fly right over your head. Usually, your friends would admire how determined you are when you want to achieve something and wouldn’t let anyone deter you. Any other day they would admire your perseverance.

Today wasn’t that day.

You saw the look that the couple in front of you shared and immediately tensed up.

“Look, I know what you two are thinking,” you say with your brows furrowing, “He seems like just my type. But I’ll be careful. If I feel myself getting too…. too close or feeling like it’s too much I’ll stop.”

Jisoo immediately softened her face and spoke gently. “_____, I’m not trying to control you. Neither is Jennie. We both love you, you know that. You’re like our sister and daughter all in one. We just know of Xuxi’s reputation and want you to tread carefully, okay?”

You looked at her with wide eyes, “What do you mean?”

It wasn’t that they were upset over you sleeping around, far from it actually. You were a big girl who could do whatever and whoever you wanted. Hell, they often played wing woman and set you up with guys they knew you would like.

They were just worried about you. You were the baby of the group with a personality that someone could easily take advantage of. It’s not like you were the type to run at the first sign of romance, in fact, you enjoyed it.

You, whether you admitted it or not, were secretly a hopeless romantic. You were okay with having casual sex, but if it went anything farther then that..

Well.

You fall hard. You loved the idea of love no matter how much of a realist you forced yourself to be. You liked making connections and building relationships with people that made you laugh, it was a part of your charm. You gave away your heart too easily when it came to relationships, and they had been there to pick up the pieces quite a few times. You gave your all to someone and it hurt them seeing someone do wrong by you.

Your friends were only worried about you because they both knew of Huang Xuxi.

And they both knew he was exactly the type of guy who could charm you and would fall for immediately.

Jennie moved to sit by you and cuddled closer, “Look, yeah he’s a nice guy. Everyone knows that. But… he’s just a player. Sure he’s transparent with every girl he sleeps with, but that doesn’t mean he treats girls nicely. And you deserve to be treated nicely. Or I’ll kick his fucking ass and set his car on fire.”

Jennie beamed at you when she finished speaking. You felt your heart warm at the threat. She absolutely would follow through with it and knowing you had a friend who would go that far for you made you feel safe and secure.

“Me too, Jennifer. If I didn’t know you and Jisoo are practically soulmates I would say the same thing. But since you two are basically the last piece of evidence that proves love exists, I’ll settle for something else. So if any one of those girls on the cheer team give you the slightest bit of attitude I’ll slap them.”

Jisoo smiled seeing the exchange. For right now, they’ll put Huang Xuxi onto the backburner.

“Anyways, let’s go back to what we all came here for. The semester starts next week and the Theta Chi house is working with the Sigma Kappa girls to throw the first party. So obviously we need to look sexy as fuck. Especially _____ and Lisa. You both have cobwebs and dust collecting on your vaginas that I can see.”

“What the fuck” you gasped, “Ten told me the same thing! It’s literally been a month. Cmon, that’s not even that long.”

“Yeah well, for a university student it is. Especially for someone hot like you. Even more so when we take your track record into consideration. Your virginity is basically putting itself together again like the ashes of the ones that died in Infinity War,” Rosie said as she walked into the apartment with Lisa towing in right behind her.

You jumped at their entrance then scowled after her comment sunk in, “Leave me alone, Roseanne,”

Rosie glared at you for the use of her full first name as she sat down across from you.

“When was the last time you got laid?” you taunted, “We haven’t heard any hoe stories from you either!”

Rosie perked up, “Last night, actually. I went on a date with Jungkook and went back to his apartment. Mingyu says hi, by the way. Did you know they were roommates?”

“UGH,” you groaned. “Of course you get laid by one of the hottest dudes there is. And he’s nice! What the fuck! Save some for us bitch!”

Rosie laughed and looked down, her cheeks flushing a pretty pink.

Immediately everyone got quiet and stared at her.

“Rosé,” Lisa drawls out slowly, “Do you actually like this guy?”

Rosie sobered up quickly and looked around at each of you.

“Okay, look,” she says slowly, “I’m gonna be honest with you guys. I--”

“Oh my god,” you interject with a groan. You throw yourself onto the couch and cover your eyes with your arm, “Everyone is falling in love except me! I haven’t even had sex in so long! Not even oral!”

“I didn’t even finish yet!” Rosie says exasperated.

“Yes, but you’re Rosé, everyone falls in love with you on the first date. And if this guy didn’t then I’ll kill him. Because you’re pretty and perfect and deserve the world. Why wouldn’t he fall in love right away? The fuck.”

Rosie flushes but sends you a shy smile either way.

“As I was saying, I actually have been going on dates with Jungkook but didn’t say anything because I actually like this guy. I was worried he just wanted to hit it and quit it, that’s why I never mentioned it. I would’ve been so embarrassed if that happened and I gushed about how much I like him but… I think it’s going well. I hope he asks to be exclusive soon,” she finishes with a whisper. You suddenly sit up straight and smack the sofa. Your friends jump at the sudden action when you open your mouth and say “I’ll shove my foot up his ass if he doesn’t ask you to be his girlfriend, Rosie. I don’t give a fuck how hot he is, you’re way hotter and have a line of people knocking at your door.”

Lisa blinks, “Okay, _____. You are at a ten right now and need to take it to a two. Not everything needs to turn into a wannabe WWE match, but I agree. Rosie, if he doesn't ask you to be exclusive within the next month, drop him.”

“Okay,” Rosie sighs while looking down and playing with the hem of her dress, “I just haven’t liked someone like this in a while and I’m just… yeah. But enough about me! There’s nothing to get sad about! We have more important issues to focus on. Like _____ and Lisa being the reborn virgins of the group. Ironic since you two are the biggest hoes I know.”

Lisa groans, “I know. I’ve just been so stressed with the dance team and summer school. I haven’t had time to even rest and now the semester is starting? Bitch..” she shakes her head without finishing.

Jennie gets up and claps her hands, “Well, what are we waiting for? The Theta Chi party is the perfect time and place for you two to get some. It’s coming up soon and we need to start pampering now. It doesn’t even need to be for hooking up, it can be a good luck present for the semester starting. Now c'mon, get your shit” she says grabbing yours and Lisa’s arms and yanking you two up, “if we leave right now we can make it to the salon as a walk-in. I’ll pay for everything.”

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The final days leading up to a new semester were tiring. You had a short timeframe in which you had to get your financial aid sorted out, make sure you sent out the emails that needed to be sent, talked to your manager about your schedule, and mentally prepare yourself. On top of all the stress you had going on outside of work, work itself had been incredibly busy. With the upcoming start of a new school year, the store had been filled to the brim with snot nosed kids, demanding parents, and hoards of teenagers all looking for the perfect shoe. You had asked for more hours to get some extra cash, but you were starting to regret it. With the back to back scheduling and long shifts, there was no time for you to sit down and breathe.

Fortunately today, you were scheduled to do sorting in the back for the majority of your shift. Which meant you had to take inventory for an hour and sit around on your phone for the rest of it.

As you were counting how many black high tops Converses there were left and cursing the middle schoolers who never failed to sell them out early every year, you failed to notice someone walking in.

“Hey, _____. You need some help?” Jaehyun asked.

You tensed up immediately after hearing the voice and mentally cursed yourself for not washing your hair last night or doing your full makeup routine.

At least you had the decency to put on your eyebrows.

“Oh hey, Jaehyun. I didn’t know you were scheduled for today. How was your vacation?” you asked while putting on a fake smile.

Jaehyun was one of your coworkers, and also your ex-boyfriend. The funny, sweet basketball player had been working at Foot Locker way longer than you and had been the one to train you. He was the one to take you under his wing and introduce you to everyone, offered to buy you something to eat whenever you forgot to bring lunch, and the type of guy to bring everyone who was scheduled with him a drink from Starbucks.

He was everyone’s work crush, including yours.

Until he cheated on you.

“It was good,” he grinned at you, “I missed my grandparents and the rest of my family, so it was nice to see them again. But the weather here is much better than back home.”

“I’m glad you got to see them!” you said with a tone that was obvious you felt anything but glad for him.

As you were thinking about how to somehow get out of this conversation while not getting scolded by your manager for abandoning your task, Jaehyun was busy looking you up and down. The summer had definitely done you good, even if you had spent most of it at work. It hadn’t been that long since he last saw you but your skin was glowing and sun-kissed, even more than usual. There was also definitely much more ass in your jeans than from what he remembers. You already had a nice one to begin with, something he took note of whenever you climbed up the ladder to get a box of shoes too high for you in the backroom.

He remembered when you first walked into Foot Locker for an interview. It was nearly impossible not to notice you. You walked into any room and instantly commanded the attention of everyone within your vicinity. With your sun-kissed glowing skin and a gleaming smile, you had everyone watching you all the time.

The funny part was that you barely even noticed it.

Jaehyun knew of you before you had even submitted an application. Of course he knew of the pretty psychology student who nearly always got the top scores and didn’t have a stick up their ass for it. You were always willing to lend a helping hand and had the patience to explain theories and concepts for hours to someone who didn’t have a clue.

Don’t get him wrong, you were far from a pushover, and more often than not he would overhear you tell classmates the many ways you would shove a textbook up their ass if they tried to copy off you or didn’t at least try to put in an effort.

It was evident that you weren’t a pushover or afraid to ask for what you wanted. You just took a while to warm up to people and let them in close enough to see the bratty side of you.

He was lucky enough to be one of those you let in, but he had to go and fuck it all up.

Jaehyun tried again, “So, how was your summer?”

You didn’t have the time or energy for this shit. “Jaehyun,” you said sharply. “I’ve been incredibly stressed with trying to juggle my summer class, work, and social life if you’re that desperate to know. I don’t need--”

Jaehyun cut you off, “_____, I’m sorry. I just want to talk to you and explain, please.”

Conversation with Jaehyun once came as natural as breathing to you. There used to be a time where he could ask the world from you and you would do anything to give it to him. He was the person you looked forward to seeing the most, the one you wanted to see right when you woke up and before you fell asleep. And at one point he was.

You were never blind to how attractive he is. Jaehyun, with the sweet smile and tall, lean build was the kind of guy who could get people to stop and stare whenever he walked by. Hell, you had seen it happen nearly every time the both of you went walking to the food court.

After all, he was Jung Jaehyun, a university basketball player.

Which was just a kind way to say he was a fuckboy.

To make it even worse, he was a fucking frat boy. Which meant he had a reputation of sleeping his way through campus.

When he was the one to ask you out first, you had told yourself that it was just a way for him to get into your bed. After the second, third, and fourth date, you still mistook his advances as him trying to be kind to you before he hit it and quit. It was a month into the dates that he asked you to be his girlfriend. Even then, you were very cautious at the beginning of your relationship. You had dealt with your fair share of playboys like Jaehyun and weren’t afraid to bust their balls.

You actually enjoyed knocking men down a peg or two.

But Jaehyun was nothing if not persistent. He made an effort to spend as much time with you as possible and get to know you on an intimate level. The constant sleepovers at your place and late-night talks had both of you falling in love, fast and hard.

To this day, you still didn’t know why he cheated on you.

Jaehyun interrupted your thoughts, “_____?”

You shook your thoughts away, “Yeah?”

“I asked if you had any plans for the last week of summer?”

You sighed, “Look, Jaehun. I’m just exhausted thinking about the semester starting. But I’m trying to distract myself from thinking about school and worry about my social life instead. So yes, I do have plans to go out and yes, it is to the same party your frat is hosting. But I’m not going for you, so do not approach me or talk to me. Don’t even look at me. I have bigger things to worry about and I do not want to deal with the stupid questions from your stupid friends.

“Like what?”

“Like what, what?”

Jaehyun scrunched his face in confusion, “You said you had bigger things to worry about. Is everything okay? Are your brothers good?”

As much as you hated to admit it, your heart fluttered. Jaehyun knew how much you cared about your younger brothers. He loved them just as much as you and liked going with you whenever you visited home, “Well yes but---”

“That’s good,” Jaehyun lets out a breath. “Look _____, I know you don’t owe me anything. I know I fucked up real bad, but please let me just explain everything. I want you to know what happened. I valued our relationship above everything and it meant the world to me. I know it might not have looked like it but--”

You snorted. Good for him, he’s self-aware.

Jaehyun flushed at your laugh. He deserved it but tried again “_____, please---”

Every sad look he sent you was sending you over the edge. Who did he think you were? You weren’t the type to let people step all over you like regardless of what Jaehyun thought. As mildly insulted as you felt over how little he thought of you, you didn’t have the type to tear a new one into him. You had shit to do or else your manager would be pissed.

“Jaehyun, I can’t do this.”

“_____, what---”

“_____.” Jumping at the sudden mention of your name, you had failed to notice a tall figure standing only feet away from Jaehyun during the conversation between the two of you.

“Xuxi,” you breathed out.

Jaehyun frowned, “Xuxi?”

“Xuxi,” the man himself said. Xuxi was staring at you with something dark, something that made you tense up and on edge for what his next move would be. He had been sent to the back to clock in and help you out with inventory when he noticed that the door was left slightly open. Xuxi had stopped when he heard Jaehyun’s voice and the exasperated tone in your voice.

When Xuxi realized Jaehyun was the one in there with you, he felt that ugly jealous feeling crawl up his chest. He didn’t want to closely examine why it was there. You weren’t his. The two of you hadn’t been close enough for him to consider you as his, but he still didn’t like the idea of you being stuck in a room with Jaehyun.

Xuxi didn’t want to harbor any ill feelings towards Jaehyun; he was his frat brother and Xuxi never had an issue with him. He already owed Jaehyun one for getting him a job here but after finding out what went down between the two of you, he lost respect for Jaehyun.

Xuxi was self-aware that he wasn’t the most romantic guy on campus nor was he the type to go steady with someone, but he would never string a girl along or cheat on her. He respected them enough to be upfront from the beginning of what he wanted and wouldn’t harbor any ill feelings if they refused to sleep with him afterward. He tried to be gentle with everyone who ever tried to pursue something serious with him.

It wasn’t well known across campus that Jaehyun and you were a couple, which confused him at first. He didn’t know why both of you kept it under wraps. If he was dating you, he’d make sure to broadcast out to the entire city. You were one of the sweetest girls he’s ever met. You weren’t stuck up or mean to anyone. He didn’t think you were aware of it, but you and he were in the same department. While you were in the Child Studies department only for a minor, he had it for his major so he spent quite a bit of time in the building. Xuxi would often see you helping out underclassmen who were very clearly overwhelmed, sharing your notes to classmates, and talking to the professors as if they were your friends. He liked seeing you brighten up the department every time you walked in.

To add the cherry on top, you were stunning. Immediately a heat curled up in his stomach when he thought about how good you looked. God, he would’ve been blind to not see how utterly gorgeous you were. Those long, toned legs and pouty lips had him captivated since day one. As well as those big, wide doe eyes of yours that gave you an innocent look when he knew you were the complete opposite.

“Hey man, how were the new soccer recruits? I swear the only times I’ve seen you in the house were when you came back tired and hungry,” Jaehyun laughed, oblivious to the growing tension in the room.

The two of you broke eye contact as Jaehyun went to give Xuxi that stupid one-armed hug boys do. You felt your entire face flush and looked at the floor while you wallowed in the embarrassment of knowing Xuxi knew you and Jaehyun had a messy breakup.

You went back to counting shoes or at least pretending to. Frankly, you had no idea what the hell it was that you were doing before Jaehyun walked in, but you were damned sure that was the last time you opened your fat mouth like that ever again at work.

“_____, you miss me?” Xuxi said.

What.

The hell is he saying, you thought.

Bracing yourself, you turned around to face him. They had moved closer to the wall with Xuxi leaning against it like he owned the damn place.

“Um. Yes,” you blinked.

Xuxi smirked at you and walked up to you. You tensed up and subconsciously held your breath for whatever his next move would be.

“C'mon don’t be like that, baby, “Xuxi said. He walked up to you and put an arm around your shoulders, “I missed you. Thought about you every time Coach let me take a break.”

You flushed at the endearment but made no move to refuse his arm. Or correct him. You had no clue what he was playing at but a guy as hot as Xuxi was calling you baby, so you didn’t have an issue with it.

You scowled up at him, “Shut up, lying ass. I heard your Coach rarely ever gives you guys breaks. Last time I heard the admin ladies talking about how some kid’s mom was threatening to sue.”

“Well that story is true,” he said grinning down at you, “but I’d never lie to you. Not to my favorite girl.”

You felt yourself blushing again at him calling you baby and for the way he was looking down at you. With him that close to you and looking down with that smile of his, you’ve never been more aware of how handsome Xuxi is.

“Oh, and Jaehyun? I heard Manager was looking for you out on the floor. Apparently, you’ve been gone for too long,” Xuxi said, giving him a smile that Jaehyun knew was strained.

Jaehyun clenched his jaw. He didn’t like the way you got all shy around Xuxi or the way your entire demeanor caused him to do a double-take. He’s seen you like this before.

It was the way you were when you used to be in love with him.

“You should get going, Jaehyun. The manager isn’t in a really good mood today. She gave me an attitude for not having the size some kid wanted. Does she not know by now that we always sell the Converses early?” you said. You rolled your eyes and continued ranting, blissfully unaware of the tension growing between the two boys.

Jaehyun saw Xuxi’s hand almost brushing your breast and could tell you either had no clue, or used to it by now.

“Yeah Jaehyun, better hurry,” Xuxi said innocently.

“Fine. But, _____,” Jaehyun walked up to you with a determined look on his face. He grabbed your wrist and gently yanked you out from under Xuxi. “I just want to talk to you. Give me just one opportunity and you’ll never see me again, okay? You already know about the party at Theta Chi. Promise me you’ll go?”

You nod. You were staring at him with a flustered look that made his heart ache.

Jaehyun leaned down to whisper, “Go look for me there, okay? Just one last time, please.”

His lips brushed against your ear before he quickly walked away. You were left stumbling for the words to reply with when he just left.

What the hell was that?

Clearing your throat, you turned around to face Xuxi who was leaning against the wall, again. This time though he had his arms crossed and was staring at the door Jaehyun exited out of. When he heard you, he directed his blank gaze to you.

There was a brief silence that felt oddly tense to you.

What the fuck was this kid’s problem, you thought.

You raised an eyebrow at him when it was clear he was just going to stare at you with a bitchy face and that made you on edge. Especially since you didn’t put in an effort to look good today

“What?,” you snapped, “Do I have something on my face?”

He didn’t reply to you right away. He searched your face for a bit until he pushed himself off the wall and walked up to you.

One of his hands comes up to your chin and grabs it gently, forcing you to look up at him. Your breath immediately stilled at his touch. His hands were so warm and so big that you were willing to bet they were bigger than your face. You tried to distract yourself with that thought so you wouldn’t focus on how insanely gorgeous he was up close, but that didn’t settle well with him.

He squeezed you so gently that you almost didn’t feel it, but you did.

When you met his gaze, he finally spoke.

“You good?” he asked. You could feel his breath tickle your lips. You were so captivated by his own lips being that close to yours that you didn’t answer until he squeezed you again. You nodded as a reply, too dazed to actually talk.

He gave you a grin and continued, “Don’t look for Jaehyun, okay? I got you. Whatever it is you need or want, I got you for it. Not him.”

You stared up at him with a surprised and innocent look on his face that only served to make him want to wreck you.

Xuxi still had a grip on you, “Good girl. I’ll come looking for you. You don’t need to go after anyone. I’ll do it. You understand me, right? You get what I’m saying?”

You avert your gaze as the words he said made you feel things that far too inappropriate for the workplace.

It had been so long for you, evident in the sudden dampness you felt between your legs that came right after he called you a good girl.

“That’s good. Of course my girl understands, you always do so good in everything. Now I’m gonna go back out there and do my job. Remember what I said, okay?”

Xuxi lets you go but of course he doesn’t do it simply. Of course he doesn’t. Simple isn’t in this man’s vocabulary. This man just had to call you a good girl and his girl in the fucking storage room at work. He just had to drag his hand down and let it trace the hollows of your throat first before stepping back and walking away from you.

You let all the tensions you didn’t know you had out of your body as you sink into the only chair there is. You don’t think about what could happen at work that much, or at all really, but you for sure never saw Huang Xuxi making you wet while on the job.

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btw the xuxi in this is xuxi during the beginning of super m promos... u know... with the nice glowing brown skin and light brown hair.... whew...

#lucas x reader #wayv x reader #wayv x you

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rubbish78 · 3 years

Text

Heyyyyyyyyy you guys wanna read another my short ass slightly slutty (tiny bit) Ghoul/Poison fic?

(It is on aO3 but not posting the link just ask because keekjejejd I’m shy about my other stories but you could probably find this if you wanted to also I was writing nonbinary Poison)

Anyways...........here you go:

Jumping onto the kitchen counter and landing on his butt, Fun Ghoul also pulled his lover, Party Poison, in between his legs. Wrapping his arms around them, he mouthed at their neck, sucking and licking the hot salty skin. Tasted like the desert, so damn good.

Reciprocating, Poison held on to his hips and played with Ghoul’s dusty jean belt loops with their index fingers. They also grinded against Ghoul’s crotch, feeling both their half-hard erections begin to grow between their pants. An animistic moan vibrated against the skin of their throat as Ghoul began to rut against them as well.

The two Killjoys were alone for the most part, everyone was out on a run at the moment, yet they still sneaked into the back of the diner's chaotic kitchen like they had something to hide. Pretty much everyone knew about them, mostly, well not the public or definitely not BLI .

“I know ya think I’m kiddin','' Fun Ghoul abruptly whispered into Poison’s ear, referring back to their earlier conversation. Easing back against the dirty metal cupboards, he cupped Poison’s feminine face with his dirty fingerless leather-gloved hands. “But c'mon Poison, have I ever kid about gettin' ink?”

The evidence was everywhere, Ghoul was covered head to toe with various tattoos, getting to the point he hardly had any plain skin left. His cute boyish face remained untouched…for now and he would probably never get one either but he never let Poison know that just so he could continue teasing them about it since Poison was furiously against it. Nah, he just wanted to ink the left side of his neck now since it felt kind of blank compared to the right side of his neck, which had a scorpion with the wrong amount of legs. It had been his first tattoo and was too excited to even notice the legs.

Poison chuckled low, lifting a hand to card through Ghoul’s greasy ebony colored hair and gazed lovingly into his warm brown eyes.

“Trust me, I know you’re not kidding, I’m actually taking your request quite seriously.”

“So you like?” Ghoul happily beamed, caressing Poison’s face with his thumbs about to plant a kiss on their lips. “I knew you would, so I got—

“Not exactly,” Poison interrupted Ghoul, who frowned a little and dropped his hands to their shoulders. “I just think…you haven’t fully thought it through, like maybe something not so whore-ish?”

“Whore-ish?” Ghoul repeated, almost breaking into hysterical laughter, shaking his head. “Really? Okay. That’s hilarious coming from you.”

“Ah! How dare you!” Poison broke away from him, spinning around in a dramatic manner and ramming into the broken rusty oven, which hadn’t cooked a meal in this diner for years. The oven let out an alarming hissing noise and Poison let a high pitched shriek out before jumping up on the counter next to Ghoul, holding onto him like the oven was gonna explode.

Anticlimactically, the oven door just slammed opened and coughed out dust.

Poison’s grip on Ghoul relaxed and mumbled, “Thought you might have put a bomb in there as a joke or something.”

“Yeah that does sound like me,” Ghoul smirked, deviously. “Good idea for next time, huh? Maybe I’ll try it on Kobra.”

Poison snorted, rolling their eyes and pushed aside Ghoul’s long hair behind his left ear. Staring at the canvas of skin Ghoul wanted to ink before tenderly kissing it. “I can come up with way better ideas,” Poison murmured into his skin. “Let me draw some things up.”

“Wait, first I gotta hear why you think my idea is whore(ish),” Ghoul retorted, genuinely curious. Gripping Poison’s delicate chin, he turned his face to the side and licked the shell of his ear. “I mean come on, if anyone is a whore it’s you—

Letting out a let loud mock offended gasp, Poison playfully smacked Ghoul across the face as if they were one of those actors performing a fake slap onstage. Ghoul half-laughed, half-aroused tried to grab his flailing arms as they mimicked a distressed southern debutante: “Well, I have never been accused of such debauchery in my life!” Fanning their face, they dramatically sighed in Ghoul’s arms. “How will I ever get a good marriage match now with vicious rumors like that spreading around the zones?”

“Ain’t rumors if they are true, sweetheart,” Ghoul teased back in an equally horrible southern drawl. “Now why don’t you put that pretty mouth to good use?” Ghoul fumbled with a pocket on his vest before unexpectedly pulling out a tube of lipstick.

Poison stopped thrashing his body around and dropped the horrible accent. “Wow okay…. you came prepared, you weirdo.”

Ghoul cracked a small smile and shrugged, handing him the tube of lipstick.

Poison took the cap off, finding the lipstick to be the same color as their neon red hair. The lipstick had definitely been used before as it was worn down to almost a nub but most things they found in the desert were broken or used.

“You really want this?”

“Yeah because I’m a whore.”

“Okay maybe “whore-ish” wasn’t the right word,” Poison bashfully admitted, as they played with the lipstick, twisting the tube up and down. “It’s like ugh, uhhh how do I say this uhhhhh…...”

Ghoul raised an eyebrow.

“Like I don’t know, people might interpret it as you being straight.”

If Ghoul was a cartoon his eyebrow would have raised off his forehead into the air.

“I don’t know, it’s something a twenty year old drunk girl would get, y’know?”

“Okay, okay now I’m lost,” Ghoul chuckled in confusion. “So it’s gay then if I got it then?”

“Like ahhhh no!” Poison shook their head, lifting a hand to rub their eyes. Embarrassed, they looked through his fingers at Ghoul. “I mean a girl might get it because it’s aesthetically cute, but boys might get to show off how much they get laid.”

Chuckling, Ghoul took Poison’s hands in his own. “Okay I get what you’re saying...kind of.” Taking the lipstick tube from Poison, he uncapped it and began applying on Poison’s lips, who hesitantly puckered their lips. “As soon as anyone sees you standing next to me they will connect the fucking dots.” He then fished out his pair of aviator sunglasses from a vest pocket and held them up so Poison could see their own reflection of their beautiful red lips.

“But it’s not for anyone else anyways,” Ghoul continued, beaming at Poison who seemed to really like the look on themself. “It’s for me and...fuck, you look hot.”

“Shut up,” Poison blushed, face getting dangerously close to his hair color. “Fine whatever, hold still!” Moving Fun Ghoul’s hair aside, they kissed the left side of his neck and lingered there trying to leave the perfect kiss mark.

Ghoul knew the kiss mark was probably gonna get messed up by the time Show Pony got here with the needles and ink because he was planning to kiss them everywhere but he loved the novelty of the act

“You happy?” they snapped after pulling away, however; lovingly played and twirled with Ghoul’s hair.

“Always with you.”

#my fanfictions #danger days fun ghoul party poison fic

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turnupbrock · 5 years

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Alcohol and Girls don’t mix//Colby Brock x Reader

This was request by a wonderful anon: “ Can you do one of Colby and he and the reader go to a club and it's the reader first time at a club and a girl flirts with colby. you can write the rest of the story.”

I know it’s taken a while but exams can suck my ass.

It's not like girls don't flirt with Colby in front of me. It happens all the damn time. It gets really annoying because it's like, hellooo his fucking girlfriend is right here, you can literally see me standing right here! But besides the endless amount of girls that flirt with him while I am present, I could only imagine how many girls are all over him when he is with his boys or he is alone. To spare getting into a fight with another girl, I never go out clubbing with him. No matter how many times Colby will beg and plead with me, I never give in, knowing full well that me, alcohol, and obnoxious girls, will NOT mix well. That was every time Colby or my friends invited me out to the club, I always turned them down. Not wanting to embarrass Colby but loosing my temper with some girl that decided to step out of her lane while I was present.

"Come on baby pleaseee" Colby begged for like the seventh time tonight. "Baby stop it" I grumbled walking into our shared bathroom. Colby followed me like a lost puppy, "I don't want to go if you're not going." he complained again. He came behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my back against his chest, "Come on baby girl please" Colby begged again staring at me with those damn big blue eyes that I fell in love with. I caved, "ugh, fine Colby. But if some-" I was cut off by Colby pressing his soft lips to mine. I let out a content sigh and molded against his body. Colby pulled away all too soon and wound his arms around my waist, holding me against his chest. "Nothing will happen and if something does, I promise we can leave." Colby said staring at me. I agreed and we both started to get ready for the night of clubbing. If I'm being completely honest, I was kind of nervous to got the Club. Not because of the girls there but because I'm 21 and have never been to one before. I didn't know what to expect. Yeah, I've heard about how fun it was from my friends and boyfriend. But I still was alittle on edge about going. I was in the middle of pulling my mesh top over my black bra-let when I felt warm arms snake around my waist and a pair of lips trailing from my collarbone to right underneath my ear. It was like Colby memorized my sweet spot as his teeth gently scraped my neck, I moaned softly, leaning further into his chest. I felt Colby smirk against my flesh and his grip tighten on me as he continued to suck on my sweet spot. I let out another breathy moan and brought one of my arms around his neck, my fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. Colby's arm that was holding my waist trailed down and brushed against the bare skin of my thigh, that my skirt had ridden up at. His hand dipped to the inner part of my thigh, his warm hand making it's way up, "I don't want to go anymore.." Colby murmured against my neck. I gasped and leaned more into him as his hand started working me. Colby was still latched onto my neck when suddenly the sound of the apartment door opening. He huffed out a breath against my neck and kissed it once more before backing away from me, leaving me slightly panting. Colby smirked at me and leaned close to my ear, "Later baby girl". He winked before walking out of the bathroom to see Sam who just called out to him.

The club was loud, stuffy, and hot the moment that we walked in. The music could be heard from outside, the walls were basically shaking with the bass of the music. Colby's grip tightened around my waist as we walked into the club. "Don't wander off," Colby said in my ear so he didn't have to yell over the loud music. Most of our friends were here, Mike, Kevin, Ariya, Sam, Kat, Jake, Tara, Cassie, Devyn, and Xepher. Everyone else was busy or out of town. We make out way to one of the booths that were off to the side of the dance floors, that was surprisingly still available. Once we all had our drinks, the chaos started, quiet literally. "Come on, let's go dance!" Xepher cried and grabbed my hand, pulling me up with her and the other girls. I looked at Colby who was still sitting in the booth with all of the guys, "Baby? You coming?" I asked him. Colby shook his head and smiled his brilliant smile at me, "We'll be there in a minute," I was hesitant to go without him since it was my first time. Reluctantly, I followed the girls onto the dance floor. The lights were flashing and the music automatically made me want to dance. Tara grabbed my hand and pulled me to her as we all started to twist and jump to the beat of the music. Devyn moved in front of me and pressed her back into me, starting to grind. I let out a loud laugh along with all the other girls. Tara and Kat paired up and copied Devyn's movements, Xepher and Cassie doing the same thing. I was moving with Devyn, meeting each swing of her hips while laughing my ass of, "Let's go back to the booth, I'm tired and thirsty," Kat yelled over the music. I glanced over at Kat and smirked, "I bet you are," I joked. Kat's eyes widened and her mouth fell open, causing all of to laugh. "Not like that!" she exclaimed, smacking my arm gently as we made our way back to the booth.

Approaching the booth, I could see that only Jake, Colby, and Sam were the only ones there. The other guys must be getting drinks, I thought to myself. But as the girls and I got closer, I could see that there were other girls in the booth. A girl with light pink hair was sitting next to Sam, a brunette girl by Jake, and a blonde was sitting practically on Colby's lap. I looked back at Kat and Tara, seeing that their eyes were wide, they looked mad, just as I felt. Good to know that I'm not the only one. I pushed past the couple of people that were standing in front of our booth. Sam, Colby, and Jake looked so uncomfortable, it would have been comical, if some other girls weren't on flirting with our boyfriends. We all stopped at the front of our booth, crossing our arms and glaring at the girls. While Sam and Jake looked relived that we showed up, Colby looked worried, knowing that I didn't want to come because I knew that other girls would be all over him. Colby knows that I hate when other girl's are flirting with him. I stepped forward and looked at Colby, "Hey babe" I drawled out, moving my gaze back to the blonde. She shifted so she her leg was placed over Colby's, making her dress ride up a little. "Um, hi. Who the fuck are you? And why the fuck are you all over my boyfriend?" I asked her, bracing myself on the table and cocking my head to the side as I glared at her. She smiled slyly at you before looking back at Colby, "So this is the girlfriend you were talking about. She's not even that cute and I bet she's not good in bed either. I mean look at her." The girl scoffed, her breath laced with the scent of alcohol. My eyes narrowed at her and her friends since they all laughed at her poor attempted at a joke. "I think the hickeys all over her neck tell a different story, " Kat spit out, stepping up next to me, followed by Tara. The other girls still standing behind us. Colby pushed the girls' leg off of his lap and shifted away from her. The girl pouted again before glaring at me. "It doesn't look like you can do much," she pressed again, making me stiffen and clench my fists to stop from swinging on this bitch. I moved my glaze over to the other girl that were with Sam and Jake, "You guys might wanna get the fuck off of them," I warned. The girl with pink hair shook her head at me, "I think I'm okay right here with this cutie." She chirped. I saw Kat stiffen and step closer, "I'm not okay with you being all over my boyfriend," she spit out at the girl. She smirked and raised an eyebrow, "He asked me to stay." she said innocently. "Bullshit!" Jake called out, "All of us asked you to leave since all of us have girlfriends!" He continued and gently pushed the girl next to him off of him.

Xepher stepped up behind Tara, Kat, and I, "I suggest you girl leave." she warned them just as I did minuted prior. "And why should we?" the brunette next to Jake asked. I scoffed and braced myself over the table again, "Because if you don't, all three of you are going to get your asses beat," I said as sweetly as I could but there was threat underlying. I watched think pink haired girls eyes widened and she stood up. "Let's go girls. They're not even that cute." she said sourly looked from me and Kat. The other girls scoffed and stood up as well, "Fine. But I could your ass, sweetheart. Don't get ahead of yourself." The blonde stopped in front of me and looked me looked me up and down. I stiffened again, "You better walk away before you find out," I said through gritted teeth. She rolled her eyes and pushed past me. I sighed and turned back to the guys in the booth. They all looked bewildered, their eyes wide, looking at me and the girls. Colby stood up and pulled me to his chest, hugging me tight. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head, I snuggled further into his chest, " I told you this would happen." My voice muffled by his shirt. I could feel his body shaking with suppressed laughter, "but you were a bad ass," Colby said kissing my head again. I laughed with him a little, "You owe me," I said pulling back from his embrace. Colby raised his eyebrows, "Really? How?" he smirked and wrapped his arms around my waist. I leaned up and placed a kiss to his lips before moving my mouth to his ear, "Finish what you started back at the house.." I pressed a soft kiss to his neck and pulled back. Colby's eyes darkened with while he looked at me, he nodded his head vigorously before connecting our lips again, "Let's go, now."

#absolutelynobodyposts #colby imagine #colbybrock #colby brock x reader #colby brock fanfic #colby brock imagine #colbybrockoneshot

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missdawnandherdusk · 4 years

Text

My Type

(Hufflepuff!*)Reader X Draco

Fourth Year

There was a time when I was alone

Nowhere to go and no place to call home

My only friend was the man in the moon

And even sometimes he would go away, too

Summary: (Original request form @darcypottah) The events of the summer between fourth and fifth year unfold and you find yourself at Malfoy Manor more than you expected.

A/n: Okay, so I might have said that these summer ones would be shorted, but that was before I started writing it... so yeah it’s like 10k words. But every one of them is so cute and ugh, I’m in love you guys. It’s got fluff, it’s got angst, it’s got magic, what more could you want? Let me know what you think!! Also see the end note for some thoughts from me and my posting schedule!! Love y’all so much

“Malfoy?” My mother asked. “You want to go to Malfoy Manor?” She was trying very hard not to yell at me and I could tell as I bit my lip and looked down.

“Draco invited me,” I argued weakly. “He... um.”

“He what? He’s tormented you for three years Y/n. And now you want to go to the lion’s den?” Her voice was raising as the invitation in her hand fluttered about with her spastic movements.

“It’s not like that mother,” I insisted. “He’s... you wouldn’t understand,” I shook my head, wrapping my arms around myself defensively. “No one understands.”

My mother took a deep breath and set the parchment on the mantle, facing the fire, her back to me.

“Your father would understand,” She whispered softly. “He always saw the best in people...”

My eyes dropped to the floor as my stomach sank because we were thinking the same thing: it was his trust in people that had led to his death in the first war, and now my mother thought it was happening again. After what happened with... Cedric and the rumors about...she was frantic about protecting me.

“Mother, please. Draco asked me to come. He sent an invitation,”

I looked to the fancy paper marked with the Malfoy seal: an invitation to a Summer Solstice Ball at the manor. I took a deep breath.

“He’s alone, mother. You have to see that,”

It killed me that she had kept me here all summer because of the news of what occurred during the Triwizard Tournament. My thoughts often lingered to Draco as I wrote to Abby explaining why I couldn’t come over to see her, as was the usual of my summers. I didn’t write to him, explaining, and though I wanted to... I found myself staring at a blank page with too many words and not enough to say.

“Very well, you may go,” She finally sighed out. “But Abby will be your plus one,”

My heart soared as I thanked her, hugging her and taking the invitation, rushing to my room to write to Abby and to tell Draco I was coming after all.

Abby was ecstatic about the invite and teased me about liking Draco still, but again, I insisted that we were friends, and that was all. It was a friendly thing to do, invite me to the Ball, and it was friendly when I responded:

Draco,

I’ll be there, I promise. Mother’s making me bring Abby—not that I don’t want her to come as my plus one, but it is first and foremost my mother’s wishes. I can’t wait to see you.

Your Hufflepuff,

Y/n

P.S. Yes, I’ve sent the invitation back with the proper RSVP. It’s included with this letter.

It was two weeks before the party, I could wait two weeks. Right?

_______________________

“What is that?” His father demanded, coming up behind him.

Draco flinched and quickly hid your letter behind the invitation.

“Another has RSVP’d to the ball, from school,” Draco responded coolly, counting the seconds until his father responded in tense anticipation.

“I see,” His father’s eyes narrowed. “Very well. Your mother and I are going out for the evening. We shall be back in the morning.”

“Yes father,” Draco sighed.

All summer, since the Dark Lord had returned, his parents had been going to meetings non-stop, leaving him alone at the manor. In the quiet of the house, away from the house-elves, he had read through your book about three times, pouring into the pages, finding comfort in knowing that the book was all that he had to know that you were real and not a figment of his imagination.

Behind the locked door of his room, he took your letter out and smiled. Though he was bitter that you hadn’t come, or written to him all summer, it all went away when he saw the letter upon the dining table.

Taking out his own parchment, he stared at it, wanting to write you back, but having no idea what to say, or how to respond that would make sense and not make him look like he was holding onto your every word—because he wasn’t. He was just fine. And you were just a friend.

A week remained until the ball, and his parents were barely at the manor despite the fact. The house elves were cleaning religiously each day, so he spent his days outside, under a tree, reading your book.

________________________________

Abby arrived two days before the party, and after the initial excitement of seeing each other, we had time to fawn over our dresses and laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

“Is there a reason your dress is green,” Abby drawled. “To match a certain Slytherin we know?”

“No,” I refuted, growing red. “It was my mother’s. I’ve made adjustments of course, but it has nothing to do with Draco,” I defended.

“Who said I meant Draco?” Abby grinned.

I gave her a pointed look and rolled my eyes, failing to hold back a smile.

“I can’t believe you got invited to a Malfoy party,” Abby sighed wistfully as we lay awake, the stars coming out to play.

“It’s not that big a deal,” I laid on my back, staring at the swirling stars that lingered on my ceiling. “And, I did say I would come visit him over the summer,”

“You miss him,” It wasn’t a question, it was a melancholy statement.

“Somedays, yes.” I confessed, taking a breath in. “It’s harder at night... after you know...”

“What did happen between you two on that day? At the tournament? There was something that you knew, that really freaked you out. I know you Y/n, you rarely get that bad for Pomfrey to give you all three,” Abby sat up, looking over at me.

“I know, and... what Dumbledore said... about... you know... and my dad... and Cedric... It was too much that night, it still is most nights,” I sat up and hugged my knees. “And he was right there. He was as scared as I was... and he still... stayed.”

“I know I tease you about it a lot, but you know it is okay to like him, right?” Abby looked over at me, a soft look on her face.

“I know,” A smile touched my lips. “But I don’t know if either of us is ready for anything more than what we have now.”

That thought stopped me from writing to him constantly or doing something Slytherin worthy to go and see him. We needed to figure out what we needed, and right now, a friend was that.

The night of the Ball, Abby and I spent hours getting ready in my room, music playing for hype. It was great fun, preparing for the unknown with Abby. It calmed my nerves about seeing Draco for the first time in about a month.

“See, you should have gone to the Yule Ball with us,” She pointed out, setting an embellished headband in my hair, her options now much smaller that I had cut it, not that I was complaining. It was the easiest getting ready I ever had.

“Like I would have made it through that night,” I scoffed.

“What makes this one different?” The challenge caught me in my tracks, and I knew the answer deep down, but I was in denial about it: I had said yes to Draco this time.

The Malfoy Manor held up to its expectations as Abby and I arrived, greeted by a house-elf that asked for our names. After giving them and being escorted inside, our coats ushered off, I paused, taken aback by the glittering scene before me. It was like I had stepped into one of my books and it was a proper royal ball. My eyes scanned the sea of people, looking for silvery blond hair that I knew to be Draco, but I couldn’t see him in the crowd.

Abby took my arm and we headed into the throng of people, and I tried to ignore the stares that lingered on the two of us. I recognized several people from the Ministry, and professors from school, and of other places that were highbrow. Many greetings were exchanged, and I was becoming slightly overwhelmed, making my way to the outskirts of the noise.

“Miss Y/l/n,” The icy tone tipped me off that I was being called by a Malfoy.

“Mr. Malfoy,” I smiled politely, dipping in a slight bow. “May I congratulate you on your party,” My compliment was light and airy, opposed to the deep dark look Lucius Malfoy was giving me.

“Yes,” The word held disappointment and a thousand meanings. “You look so much like your mother,” His eyes all but stripped me. My hands clenched as I took a sharp breath in. “I believe she wore that before you,”

“Yes,” I responded blithely.

“It suits you as it did her, a fine Slytherin at Hogwarts,” There was a challenge in his eyes, as if he were trying to find what would make me come undone.

“She was,” I smiled, thinking of her and the comfort the thought gave.

“I heard that you are Hufflepuff, like your father then?” His eyes narrowed, disgust in his voice.

“Yes sir,”

“A shame he died in the war,” Lucius gave off hand. “Must have been difficult to grow up without a father,” There was no pity or sentiment in his voice.

I grit my teeth, pursing my lips together.

“He died for something he believed in,” I whispered. “It was the greatest example he could have set for me,” There was a fire in my eyes as I looked into a cold stare.

Lucius opened his mouth to say something, but I felt a hand at the small of my back and from my peripheral vision I could see blond hair and a cold look.

“Father, I see you’ve met Y/n, she attends Hogwarts with me,” His voice dripped acid as he took a small step in front of me.

“Yes, she is quite charming,” It was a lie. “If you’ll excuse me. And Draco, do not forget, you owe your mother a dance,”

As soon as his father was out of sight, I all but sagged in relief, turning to Draco. There was a small smile on his lips, and I greeted it with one of my own.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“You’re okay?” There was concern in his voice.

I nodded and looked back to the way Lucius had left. I took a deep breath and let his comments slide off of my shoulders. I wouldn’t let him ruin my night.

“You... um... look lovely,” Draco stammered as we stood there, quite awkwardly.

“Thank you,” my cheeks flushed a slight pink like his. “You’re rather handsome yourself.” He was in a well-tailored suit with a green tie that held the same hue as my dress.

“Thank you,” A smile caught his lips as his cheeks reddened.

“So, this is a Ball,” I mused, looking out onto the happy party goers. “It’s very warm,”

“Depends on the company you keep,” His voice got colder for the moment, no doubt his thoughts directing towards his father.

“Well, I hope I’m good company,” I baited, grinning at him.

“You’ll do,” He grinned back, offering his arm.

I took it, walking along the halls surrounding the party, all lit with hundreds of fairy lights. A few hellos and introductions were made as we walked along. Seeing Snape outside of the school halls was a bizarre experience.

“Why didn’t you write sooner?” The question was soft as Draco and I found another moment alone.

“I’m really sorry about that. My mother was being overly protective,” I muttered as we walked among the outskirts of the party. “I did want to,” I clarified.

“It’s been so dull here. My parents are always out...”

“And they just leave you here?” I was slightly appalled. “You could have written me, we could have figured something out,”

“You said your mother was being overly protective,” he pointed out. “Besides, it’s fine. It’s done now,”

“I’m sorry Draco, if I had known,”

“Well, you’re here now, aren’t you?” He gave a hesitant smile. “A few others from school are here as well, I believe Abby already found them.” He changed the subject quickly and put up a front I knew all too well.

“I’m sure she did. She has a knack for that,” My tone became somber as I found the same mask he did and donned it.

He led me to a sitting room off the main foyer where a group of students from Hogwarts chatted and lounged. Most of them I recognized from Slytherin but there were a few others from different Houses.

“Y/n!” Abby called. “I was wondering where you went, you just vanished,” she scolded in a soft voice not to raise attention.

“I’m sorry, I don’t like large crowds, you know that,” My voice dropped to a mutter, while I fidgeted with the lace on my dress.

“I guess it’s a good thing I brought her back then?” Draco smirked, joining our conversation and bringing Pansy with him.

“Oh, like you didn’t go looking for her,” Pansy baited. “Merlin, you two,” She muttered under her breath

I felt my cheeks blush as Abby handed me a glass of what I hoped was not alcoholic. A gentle sip and I knew it wasn’t. I didn’t prefer the carbonated drink however, so I held it politely with no intention of drinking more.

“Is it better in here?” Draco’s voice was low and soft, I barely heard him.

I gave a small inconspicuous nod and a smile.

“Let me know if you need a break,” he whispered and then went to talk with Crabbe and Goyle.

My face warmed up again as I leaned against the wall, talking with Abby and Pansy about the party and the people and what we had done over the summer thus far. It was great fun, and a warm atmosphere but I found myself slipping into a sort of panic, as too many questions were asked, and the noise rose. My fingers thrummed against the glass as I got more fidgety.

“Excuse me,” I whispered, setting my glass down.

“Do you need me to come with you?” Abby asked concerned.

“No, I just need some air... I’ll... yeah,” I swept out of the room without another word and found myself hopelessly lost in the large house.

“There you are,” Draco’s annoyed voice came from behind me. “Seriously, Y/n you can’t just roam around here alone.” He hissed; fear hidden in his eyes letting me know that it was dangerous to be alone tonight.

“I’m sorry,” my gaze dropped. “I...” sighing, I shrugged.

“If you don’t like crowds and lights and noise, why did you come?” He asked, his tone softer as he led me in a better direction, it still stung though.

“I don’t know,” I confessed softly. “I thought I’d give it a try... and I... I missed you.”

“You missed me?” He scoffed, rolling his eyes as if he couldn’t believe it. “Am I not allowed to miss you?” I demanded, watching disbelief flit across his face.

“I guess,” he led me down a long hall, and to a smaller foyer that had a door leading outside.

Guiding me through the door, he took my hand in the moonlight and led me with practice down a path to a small garden of roses. I took great care in walking, not trusting myself completely in the heels I wore. The lights around us began to illuminate, and fairy lights twinkled all around, lighting the rose garden and the two of us.

“Is this quiet enough?” His demeanor had changed, his voice now colored with concern again.

I nodded and sat upon a bench, taking a deep breath, toying with my dress again. He sat beside me, as the same awkwardness from the Tournament and earlier hovered over us. Like whatever walls we had between us were gone, and it was just him and I out here; not Houses or expectations or our pasts. It was nerve wracking. Instead of focusing on that, I watched the stars swirl in the night sky above us.

“Lovely view,” I commented softly.

“Too bad it’s just us out here,” He sighed.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, curiosity stretching a smile on my face as I stole a glance.

“Well, isn’t it a bit... I don’t know,” He took a sharp breath in and shrugged. “Romantic?”

I let out a soft laugh, hope fluttering in my chest, in vain of course, but it was there all the same. A blush rose to my cheeks as I focused on anything that wasn’t him.

“Maybe,” I murmured.

“Some other couple would love this,” He gestured softly, and I rolled my eyes, finally giving in and looking at him.

“And why can’t we enjoy it?” I challenged. “Shame to waste a lovely night,”

He gave me a flat look and stood.

“You can’t be serious,” Draco scoffed and faced away from me. “You’re not my type.”

A laugh bubbled through my lips as I stood.

“Really?” I dared. “And who is? Pansy maybe?” I took the few steps that laid between us, so that we were side by side again, gazing over the night sky.

He shrugged and didn’t say anything.

“I think I’ll be the one to make that call though,” I decided. “Of course, I’d never fall for you,” I scoffed at the mere thought and rolled my eyes, seeing if he would play my game.

“And what makes you think you get to make that decision? Are you going to make it for me?” His eyes found mine, his eyebrows raised.

“Of course not,” I narrowed my eyes at him, “But, you’re right, this would be nice for some girl who feels the chance that there’s some sort of romance but,” I shrugged teasingly. “I’m feeling nothing,” A smirk played at my lips.

He paused a moment, and I could see the gears working in his head. Would he play the game, or would he call me out on it? What call would he make?

“Is that right?” He was playing. Game on.

“Could be less than nothing,” I pressed further, turning from him, facing the rest of the manor and the rolling hills that were bathed in moonlight.

“Good to know,” He came up behind me, placing his hands at my waist. “What a waste of a lovely night then,”

______________________________

A million thoughts were swirling around Draco’s head. He had caught your game after a few comments that couldn’t be anything but teasing from your lips. He knew you too well. So, he’d play along.

You denied it, and so did he. What it was, however, was another matter. You didn’t seem to take his negating words to heart though and maybe he didn’t either.

If he would share this night with anyone, he would want it to be you. He didn’t feel this... different about anyone else. You mentioned Pansy, but he couldn’t imagine her out here with him like you were. There was something different about how you treated him that made him want it to be you.

With you so close to him, relaxing in his arms like you did the night you two accidentally ended up in the same bed, he felt the similar peace that you held about yourself.

“Draco,” His mother’s voice called softly from behind him. “I thought I’d find you out here,” Draco turned, and so did you, a blush creeping across your face.

“Mrs. Malfoy,” You greeted softly. “My apologies for keep Draco away. I’m afraid I’m not one for large crowds,”

You held such decorum that he was honestly impressed. The way you spoke respectfully and with dignity was a sight to behold. It was almost devious in the way that you did it.

“Think nothing of it my dear,” Oh, his mother liked you, he could tell from the use of the pet name. “But your father is looking for you,” Her eyes met his, but all he could notice was how your face dropped.

“Of course,” He answered coldly. “Come Y/n,” He urged softly, leading you inside.

You followed wordlessly, lost in thought again by the look you held on your face. He was so preoccupied with thinking about what you were thinking, he had missed what his father said to him.

“Draco,” His father scolded sharply. “You are not to be skirting around alone with her. You have a reputation and people to impress tonight. Now, bid her a goodnight and find your mother to offer her a dance,”

How could his father still sap any joy from him with a few words?

“Goodnight Draco,” Your voice was somber as your eyes didn’t leave the floor, “Excuse me,”

Before he could get a word in, you pushed past him, down the hall toward the sitting room that held the rest of his friends, leaving him alone with his father.

“Father,” Draco snapped. “That was uncalled for,” His glare matched his father’s.

“Excuse me?”

“Y/n is a friend,” Draco stressed. “And I won’t let you treat her that way,”

Following your lead, he left before his father could get a word in, knowing that there would be hell to pay for what he was doing, but he couldn’t get the image of how broken you looked out of his mind as he raced off to find you.

And he did find you. With Abby by your side, you looked as if you were about to cry. Clenching his fists and pressing back the rising anger against his father, he made his way to you quickly.

“What are you doing?” You asked hoarsely. “You need to go socialize, impress people,” It wasn’t malicious, but he still took a hit from your words.

“I’ll just... leave you guys to it,” Abby muttered, quickly making her way out of the room.

You attention turned back to him as you awaited an answer, and honestly, he did too. He had no idea why he chased after you instead of doing what he was bred to do. He should have had no problem going out into the mass of people and charming them into liking him. But their opinions didn’t matter to him. Yours did.

“Come with me,” He blurted out. “Come... out there, with me. Socialize, and...” he trailed off knowing he was crazy and stupid for asking.

“Draco, that’s... I can’t.” Your voice was hopeless. “I can’t do large crowds and people...”

“I know,” He cut you off. “But you’ll be with me, that... that always seems to help you,” It was a long shot that his observation was correct, but he was desperate on making this work at the moment.

And to his surprise, you nodded and agreed to go with him. He led you to the main room, and though you spoke softly and rarely, he could tell that people were enamored with you, wondering who you were and why you would be on his arm. You’d absentmindedly tug on his sleeve when you became overwhelmed and he’d take you to a quiet spot for a moment and let you gather yourself again before meeting someone else.

He only left you when his mother finally found him for the dance that was promised and as the night closed, he couldn’t find you again.

___________________________________

As soon as Draco let go of my arm, I felt panic slip over me as I was alone. Abby was by my side before I could blink as she grabbed my hand and led me to the coat room then outside for fresh air.

“You okay?” She asked, animate.

I nodded and pulled my cloak around myself tightly.

“Let’s get home then,” She encouraged, and we used the portkey as before and were standing outside of my front door.

Inside, I sank onto the couch, ignoring my mother’s questions as tears started to fall softly. All of my emotions came crashing down all at once and it was too much. Abby explained it all to my mother, who understood and quietly took me upstairs and helped me out of my dress and makeup, finding me soft pajamas as she brushed through my hair.

“You like this boy, don’t you?” My mother asked softly.

I nodded hopelessly, a few more tears slipping out.

“Oh sweetheart, it’s okay,” She gathered me into her arms, and I felt safe enough to come completely undone, crying into her shoulders.

“He’s so alone momma,” I whimpered.

“I know sweetheart,” She soothed, petting my hair softly. “You remind me so much of your father, he had a heart just like yours,”

“What am I supposed to do?” The question was hopeless as I fumbled for an explanation.

“For right now, you’re going to calm down and unwind,” My mother chided. “No use worrying in something that can’t be changed right now,”

I nodded at the familiar words and took a deep breath, getting my thoughts under control. Again, and again I repeated the words my mother said. There was no use in worrying about it now. It could be dealt with in the morning. Tomorrow was another day. I had done what I could with the day and that was good enough.

Abby was waiting for me, sitting on my bed, three familiar vials in her hands.

“I’m okay,” I confirmed. “I don’t think I need them,”

“You need to take them anyway, there’s no harm in it,” She chided, placing them in my hands. “This is twice now that he’s gotten you this worked up.”

“It’s not his fault,” I snapped venomously. I took a deep breath and composed myself. “It’s not him.”

“But these situations he’s getting you into,” Abby tried again. “This isn’t good for you Y/n,”

“I’m getting myself into these situations, well, the first one I had no control over, and I don’t know if I could have done that one without him, and tonight...” A sharp breath in and I sat on my bed beside her. “I knew it was a bad idea, I just thought I’d try,”

“You can’t do this to yourself, it’s self-destructive,” She stood, allowing me to curl up under the covers.

I toyed with the first vial, running through my fingers. Abby turned off the lights and got into her bed, settling down for the night.

“He needs someone,” I argued softly. “And... I think I do too,”

“And you think that it should be him?”

“Yes... I think so,” I whispered, taking the first vial, making my way through the next two and falling into a dreamless sleep.

________________________________

“Draco Lucius Malfoy!” His father roared. “How dare you speak to me like that!?”

Draco flinched, and stayed quiet, knowing that saying anything would make the outcome worse. The guests had gone and all that was left in the big empty house was him, his parents and the house-elves.

“After everything that I have done for you! I even let you invite that filthy little blood traitor! And you chose her over your family!?”

Draco clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, knowing it was going to be a painful sleepless night again. Not even his mother could stop his father when he was like this.

............

Looking in the bathroom mirror, the bruises and cuts on his face and skin started to heal already from the vial he kept under the sink for nights like these. It wouldn’t be long until he could wash away the dried blood. It didn’t matter what his father did to him, he still had to look presentable, and he always had a knack for potions.

He shed his suit as quickly as possible, finding comfort in sweats and a t-shirt, neither of which were tight fitting nor insulating. It was the middle of the summer and he was shoved into a three- piece wool suit. Whose idea was that anyway?

Pacing his room, muttering under his breath, he attempted to control his thoughts and anger but failed, letting tears fall behind locked doors. He let out a yell of despair and rage, scattering the things from his desk onto the floor, staring at the carnage.

He quickly panicked when he saw spilled ink weaving its way toward your book that had been thrown about in his fury. Rescuing the book, he smoothed the pages, repressing the dandelion on its proper page, rereading the words:

“Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he is good.”

Draco had spent the few months from when you had given him the book trying to figure out why you had underlined that. He memorized it accidently and found himself repeating it whenever he felt lost. After tonight, maybe, he thought, the reason was because that’s what you saw in him.

“She’s such a Hufflepuff,” He muttered, smiling to himself. “She’s going to get herself hurt one day,” The thought sobered his mood.

He brought the book to his bed and with the bedside lamp turned on, he began to read once more, getting lost in a world filled with hope and redemption. The thoughts of his father faded, of tonight faded, of the harsh words and expectations... they all slipped away.

Consciousness faded from his eyes as sleep welcomed him like an old friend. He found himself in a wintery forest, hopelessly lost. The chill was getting to him as he wrapped his arms around himself. Crunching through the snow, he saw a light ahead, and followed it.

“Bloody hell,” He muttered, finding a lamppost. “Maybe I’ve read it one too many times,”

“Hello?” The voice was soft and gentle, holding a familiar decorum.

He turned and saw you standing there, in a light blue long-sleeved dress with white fur accents, your hair falling about your shoulders, sweeping down to your waist—it made him miss your cropped hair, it didn’t quite look like you any longer. The frost caused your nose and cheeks to hold a red hue. You looked like you belonged in the scene around him, except for the mass of black fur in your arms.

“Well, what are you doing out in the cold?” You asked, talking to him like he was crazy, like you weren’t out in the snow as well.

“I didn’t choose to be here,” He muttered.

“Well, come on then, let’s get you warm,” You offered the mass of fur in your arms out to him and he realized that it was a thick coat.

Just as he reached for it, the dream faded into nothing.

When he woke the first bits of dawn shined through his window, and the book laid open across his chest. Rubbing his face and running a hand through his hair he sighed, setting the book on his bedside table.

“Get a grip Malfoy,” He muttered. “Fairytales aren’t real, they’re just stories... it’s stupid to believe in it,”

_____________________________

I woke in the morning, unusually early for me in the summer, and Abby was downstairs having breakfast with my mother. I paused on the stairwell—not because I almost tripped down the stairs.

“I’ve never seen her like this,” I heard Abby’s soft voice. “There’s something about him that just makes her... I can’t explain it.”

“Is she in danger?” My mother retorted. “I know the Malfoys. I know Lucius. I fear that Draco might be just like his father,”

There was a pause and I sank to the nearest stair, leaning against the railing, listening in.

“He was, for the first few years of schooling, you know it as well as I do. But when Y/n came back last year, she got a lot of attention... and I think he got jealous. She was close with Cedric last year...” Abby’s voice became somber. “I just feel like I’m missing something, something she won’t tell me,”

“She does that,” I heard the smile in my mother’s voice. “Every time I think I have her figured out, she’ll tell me something or do something that has me on my toes again. Her father was like that,”

“I think that’s a part of whatever’s going on too,” Abby noted. “Since... You-Know-Who has been rumored to be back... she’s been...”

“I know. I try so hard to keep her from it all. Which is why I don’t know if I want her to keep seeing Draco, his family was on the wrong side of the first war,”

That wasn’t new information to me, it was quite public.

“Forgive me if I’m stepping out of line, but I don’t think keeping Y/n from Draco will end well in any circumstance.” Abby muttered, chuckling darkly.

“She is stubborn that way, isn’t she?” The smile was back in my mother’s tone as I stood, deciding I had heard enough.

“Good morning sunshine,” Abby grinned obnoxiously. “Sleep long enough?”

I gave her a flat look and lumbered to the kitchen bar and sat at a stool, flopping my arms on the counter, laying my head on them. Breakfast came and past, and Abby said her goodbyes before heading home, leaving me alone by the fireplace, staring at nothing and thinking about everything.

“Why don’t you send an owl to Draco,” My mother suggested softly, setting a cup of tea near me.

I took a breath in and sighed.

“He probably hates me,” I voiced my thoughts aloud. “I left without saying goodbye... and I know he got into trouble because of me.”

“Well, if that’s the case, you can at least apologize,” There was something mischievous in my mother’s tone. “Write to him, dear,”

I sat at my desk, staring at the crumpled parchments that I had failed to write a cohesive letter on. This shouldn’t be that hard. Determined, I started again.

Draco,

I’m sorry about last night. I hope I didn’t get you into too much trouble and that you don’t hate me.

If you still want company and you’re not to upset with me

I hope you’re not upset with me,

Y/n

There, that would do wouldn’t it? Before I could second guess anything, I sent it off. Putting it out of mind, I set outside to work on my spells for next year and to read in the summer sun. The family owl, Herman, returned later that evening, as the sun was setting over the mountain range. The barn owl dropped the letter and dove off into the wheat fields to hunt.

The parchment was expensive, I could tell by the weight and grit of it. The green wax seal held a recognizable mark. Anxiety fluttered in my chest about what was inside, and part of me worried it might not be from Draco at all, but another Malfoy.

I took a breath and opened the letter.

Y/n,

Why would I be upset with you? It baffles me to know what goes on inside that head of yours.

And I can handle my father’s temper. I have for years. There’s no need to worry about that.

If you want to come to the Manor, my parents are going to be gone the next month. That is if you want to, and don’t mind the circumstance. I’ll have my mother write to yours.

I’m not mad at you, stop thinking that,

Draco

I ran my thumb delicately over the words on the page, a smile reaching my lips. He wasn’t mad at me. That was the biggest relief. His cryptic remark about his father worried me, however, but that could be worried about another day.

Fate was with me, because my mother consented to let me spend the afternoons at the Manor, as long as I was home for dinner. I sent a letter to Draco as soon as I found out and began to look forward to the next afternoon.

Draco met me outside the large front doors, looking as if he were trying not to smile. I didn’t care that a grin stretched across my face. Before I could stop myself, I jumped into his arms, hugging him. He was shocked a moment but returned the gesture. I pulled away quickly, blushing.

“Sorry,” I offered.

“No, it’s alright,” There was a suppressed teasing smile on his face. “Shall we?”

The house seemed even bigger now that it was empty, and it didn’t quite hold the same magic as it did the night of the Solstice Ball. He led me through the house and back down a familiar hallway and out to the rose garden once more. It was different during the day as the old oak trees created a canopy for us.

_________________________

Draco never actually thought that this would work and that you’d be here with him. Good things didn’t just happen to him, ever. But now he wasn’t alone, for the first time in his life. Maybe this month would be bearable.

“I... I brought the other books, if you want to read them,” Your voice was timid as sat in the same spot you did the night of the Ball, hugging your bag to your chest. “We don’t have to though, I just thought maybe,”

Your innocence made him smile, the softness of your demeanor. He never really noticed before.

You and he sat on the grass of the small garden hidden in the rose bushes to anyone onlooking, and he watched you read as he did at Hogwarts. The words fell from your lips, creating a moving picture in his head once more about the Pevensie children in Narnia.

“How much do you know about the muggle world?” The question slipped through Draco’s lips before he could stop it.

“Oh,” You closed the book, setting it in your lap. “Well, I mean, I know a bit more than most, not like my parents are muggle, but my father had a fascination for certain things, music, movies, books, stuff like that,” A shrug left your shoulders as you stretched out your legs, crossing your ankles.

Draco tried very hard not to notice that this was the first time he had seen you in shorts, ever. Your entire wardrobe changed in fact, it was void of school uniforms—sweaters and skirts—and heavily relied on shorts and cut off t-shirts with designs he didn’t understand. It almost suited you more, seeing you this carefree.

The summer sun faded, and you paused your reading, a sigh falling from your lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” The question was hopeful from your lips as you stood. He gave a small nod and saw you to the door, watching you leave.

Dinner was quiet as he ate alone, wishing that you were still there with him. The house-elves had made it, as usual and set it in the dining room, like always. It was maddening, being alone. He never grasped how deafening it was until you were gone.

All he could do was wait for tomorrow as he tossed and turned all night.

“You look awful,” The quip came with a smile and an air of concern.

“Didn’t sleep well,” He muttered, leading you to a random sitting room that held a grand piano that he watched you eye enviously. You sat up right, in the corner of the couch, taking up the least amount of space possible as you began to read once more.

Knowing he was pushing his luck with whatever this was, he had no qualm about stretching out across the couch and laying his head in your lap.

You raised an eyebrow at him, and he challenged you with a smirk, daring you to say something. You didn’t. Instead you continued to read to him, your other hand falling and resting on his chest, counting the soothing breaths he took.

He wondered if you knew that you absentmindedly rubbed his chest with your thumb as you read. Or that you were driving him absolutely mad by doing it.

___________________________

When my words began to slur together too much to understand, I gave up reading and placed the book on the end table, realizing that Draco was fast asleep in my lap. It hurt, to see him like this. There was no fear or worry in his eyes, no look of distress or a façade of power in his features. He was at peace, like the weight of the world was off of his shoulders.

Carefully, I ran my hand through his hair, combing it back and out of his face. It was soft and silky. His eyes fluttered open.

“Hey there, sleepyhead,” I teased softly. “Have a nice nap?”

He sat up instantly, groaning and rubbing his face.

“Sorry?” He offered, defeated. “I wasted the entire afternoon, didn’t I?”

“I don’t mind, though I have no idea where to start the book again,”

He gave a hopeless laugh. I pulled my feet onto the sofa and angled myself towards him. He sat, his head in his hands, elbows resting on his knees. He was a burning man again.

“I’m sorry Y/n,”

It didn’t go unnoticed when he flinched as I reached out to rub his back comfortingly. My thoughts drifted back to his cryptic remark about his father from his letter and something burned within me.

“Don’t apologize for sleeping Dray,” I soothed, moving closer to him. “I’d rather you do that than be miserable all afternoon trying to humor me,”

The clock chimed and I sighed in defeat.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Draco, please get some rest,”

I laid awake in bed that night, wondering if Draco was taking my advice and sleeping, but I knew that it was probably a long shot to hope that.

I don’t know how it happened, but three weeks slipped through my fingers. I spent every afternoon with Draco, most times reading, inside or outside: in different rooms of the house, walking along the trails of the yard, under trees.

Sometimes he would fall asleep in my lap, or we’d just lay and watch the clouds and sleep claimed us both. There were days when he’d play the piano for me and I would sit beside him, watching quietly. Each time I saw him, he looked miserable, but it would fade by the time I left, a true smile touching his lips.

I arrived one afternoon, and Draco wasn’t outside as usual to greet me. Hesitant, I let myself in, my eyes searching for him. Hearing a clatter and shouting upstairs, I rushed up, nearly tripping in my fervor.

“Draco!?” I screamed, bursting through the door that separated us.

I was startled by the scene around me. Books were strewn everywhere, and a large armoire was thrown across the room, its doors fallen unceremoniously to the floor. Shredded clothing littered the room and the bed was barely standing, all of its four posts mangled. The wallpaper was sliced into nothing. But it wasn’t what was the most heartbreaking.

Draco was curled up on the floor, his head buried in his arms, his wand clutched in one of his hands as his shoulders shook. I barely heard his muffled sobs.

Taking out my wand I began to mutter the Repairing charm but paused. Instead, I put my wand away and made my way over to Draco, sitting beside him. I stared at the mess around us and slowly laid my head on his shoulder. He didn’t acknowledge me.

__________________________________

Draco wanted nothing more for than you to go away. He didn’t want you to see this. He didn’t want anyone to see this. He was a failure and a mess of a wizard who didn’t deserve anything. So, he most certainly didn’t deserve you sitting beside him, unafraid.

“I know you’re scared,” Your voice was soft and low. “I know you’re lonely, and I know it eats at you. I know that’s why you lash out,”

You paused, and he dared to peek at you. You were looking up at the ceiling, tears caught in your eyes as your lip was caught between your teeth.

“I know he abuses you, and it’s why you flinch whenever I try to touch you,”

Draco hung his head, his hand tightening around his wand.

“And I can only imagine what your father is doing now, being away. I know it can’t be good, even though some part of me wishes it was. And I know you wish that too,”

He looked up at you, and slowly your eyes met his. Carefully your hand rose, and he wasn’t afraid. Not of you. Your fingers brushed through his hair, moving it away from his eyes.

“There,” You whispered softly, a kind smile on your lips. “Not so bad is it? Words are powerful, Draco. Speaking them, even though you’re afraid, takes some of their power.” You eyes dropped down and you took a small breath in. “And pressing on despite them makes you stronger,”

For the first time, Draco saw the sadness you held in your eyes and the weight that you carried on your shoulders. And it occurred to him, you had a lot to carry. Your father had died when you were young, and you had lived with your mother alone in a house that probably reminded you of him every moment.

You spoke with such wisdom he wondered how long it took for you to learn the same lesson before you could teach it. You never liked large crowds and you probably missed a lot of incredible things because of it. Then, you had to go and become his friend. You took a chance on him when you had every reason to walk away.

A girl who ran away and hid in books that you shared with him. A girl who ran to stories because they were better than what went on around her. A girl who showed him the same escape.

Lost in his thoughts, he hardly noticed that you slipped his wand out of his hand and stood slowly, offering your hand to him.

“Let’s fix this, yeah?”

He didn’t know if you meant the room or him, but he nodded, wanting to do both. A smile spread across your face as you helped him up.

“Here, my aunt taught me,” Tucking his wand into your back pocket, you took his hand, standing beside him looking at the wreckage.

“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.” Your eyes shined. “Find the fun and snap,” You snapped your fingers. “The job’s a game,”

All around him he watched his room piece itself back together. The ruined walls mended themselves and the armoire reassembled and returned to its rightful position. The books picked themselves off the floor and reassembled and his bed made itself.

“What kind of spell is that?” His eyes darted around as the room continued to restore itself.

“Cleaning spell,” You smiled softly, “My aunt used to watch me when I was little, showed me how to clean up after I made a mess doing accidental magic,”

“You’re strange, you know that?” Draco smiled shaking his head.

“I know,” You quipped. “But you love it,”

There was a beat between the two of you as it dawned on you what slipped through your lips. Before you could amend it, he responded.

“I do,” And it was the truth.

You looked down; a smile still stretched across your face.

“I thought I wasn’t your type?” You drawled mischievously.

“Oh, I’m never going to live that one down, am I?” He dismayed, a chuckle leaving his lips.

“As if I’d let you,” You reached up and he still didn’t flinch as you wrapped him into a hug. “Thank you for letting me in,”

His arms wrapped around you in return. You were so warm and soft, and a chill ran through him as your fingers curled in his hair.

“Thanks for taking a chance on me.”

You two spent the rest of the afternoon curled up in his window seat. You didn’t read to him, and neither of you really talked. Instead you held him in your arms, absentmindedly petting his hair and humming. You watched the view outside the window, and he watched you.

And for the moment he felt safe and didn’t feel alone. Even when you left that evening, he still didn’t feel isolated. He knew you would be back for the few days that he had left before his parents return. And though that thought was worrisome, he didn’t let it bother him.

“My parents will be back soon, but so will she,” He spoke aloud to an empty house.

__________________________

“Draco?” I called to the nearly empty house again. “Draco!?”

“Here!” He responded, coming from in front of me somewhere. “Come on!”

“Come on where!?” I asked, following the sound of his voice.

“Come on!” “Draco,” I whined.

I finally found him, he was in the kitchen, a large basket on one arm offering his other hand to you.

“What are we doing?” I complained lightly as he pulled me through the grassy backyard, down a path we’d never taken together before and into the woods.

“Will you trust me?” He bantered back, throwing me a playful questioning look.

“Sure, sure,” I rolled my eyes and dodged a tree branch. “Trust me, he says,”

Draco stopped short and caught me before I went barreling down a muddy slope and into a small lake that resided in the neck of the woods. Sunlight filtered in golden and green through the trees lighting the water and scene softly.

“You do know how to swim don’t you?” He asked softly, grinning at me.

“I can swim circles around you, Malfoy,”

“Is that a challenge?”

“Isn’t it always?” I smirked.

I don’t remember laughing so much or having that much fun in an afternoon ever. Being with Draco seemed to make everything hurt less. Between slash wars or simply just hanging onto his shoulders as he chauffeured me around the crystal water it was a shining moment.

“You know it’s okay to like him, right?” Abby’s words echoed in my mind.

All I could think in response was how could someone not?

Wrapped in a fluffy probably over-expensive towel on the lake beach, I watched Draco in the fading sun as he lounged, his eyes closed, smile reminiscent on his lips.

“It’s that time again isn’t it?” He asked softly.

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see. I’d have to go home soon, and our days were running out. A piece of me wished we had figured it out sooner. What it was, however, I didn’t know. But we would have had more time to figure it out.

Sighing I stood, casting a Drying charm and slipping his shirt over my head and my shorts back on, leaning over him.

“Well, are you gonna say goodbye?” I mused as he peeked an eye open.

“That’s my shirt,”

“Not anymore,” I grinned, and he sat up as I crouched down beside him.

The awkward energy the lingered between us changed to something a bit more nervous and potential. His eyes matched the crystal water behind us, though his hair slicked back with the water reminded me of our first few years at school, so I reached up and ruffled it out so that he looked like my Draco once more.

“I’ll see you tomorrow Dray,” Standing, a smile remained on my face as he squinted up at me before standing himself.

“Y/n,” He called as I started to ascend the small bank.

His hand caught mine and he pulled me back to him, steadying me with his hands on my waist. Raising an eyebrow, I looked up at him expectant. His hand came up and tucked a stray strand of hair out of my face, lingering on my cheek.

As he leaned down, my eyes slipped closed as I felt his lips on mine, the anxiety in my chest turning into butterflies fluttering beautifully inside me. I pressed up on my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, our lips dancing trying to find the right rhythm. His hand cradled my face softly and his other held my waist steady.

I pulled away reluctantly, nuzzling my nose to his.

“Still not your type?” I breathed out.

“Not even close,” He chuckled, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips. “Go before you get in trouble,”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I promised meeting soft blue eyes.

“You’re awfully happy,” My mother commented offhand as I walked through the door. “Have a good time this afternoon?”

I nodded, smiling to myself and headed upstairs. After dinner there was a letter sitting on my desk as Herman, our owl, preened his feathers on my sill. The recognizable green seal offered me comfort as I sat on my bed and opened the letter.

Y/n,

I’m so sorry, but my parents came home early. I hoped that we would have more time, but it looks like our time is up. I’m sorry. Please don’t be upset.

Yours,

Draco

My heart fell at the letter as tears stung my eyes. I laid back on my mass of pillows and stared at the words, wishing them not to be true. No matter how much I stared, they didn’t change. I sprang from my bed and found parchment, writing him back immediately.

Draco,

You don’t need to apologize, but I do want to see you again. This can’t be it for us, for whatever this is. Please, I don’t want to lose this, and I don’t want to lose you either. You’re too important to me.

I won’t let this be goodbye,

Y/n

I sent the letter off and stared at the setting sun.

_______________________________

Draco reread your letter again, laying on his bed, not sure of how to make this not be goodbye. He didn’t want it to be goodbye either. He didn’t want to lose you.

The sad part happened to be that as soon as school started again, he would lose you. There he had to be a Slytherin and you were a Hufflepuff. He had a mask to keep on and you... you’d fight against him because of it. The thought made his stomach churn.

Couldn’t he have just one good thing without his family—his father—getting in the way?

There was a knock on the door and his mother entered his room. He sat up quickly and threw the letter under a pillow.

“How is she taking it?” His mother asked, a knowing look in her eyes. “Don’t try to lie to me,”

Draco sighed and hung his head.

“Not well,” He answered truthfully.

His mother came and sat beside him, rubbing his back softly.

“Part of loving someone is doing whatever it takes to keep them safe,” Her voice was gentle and despondent. “It’s a hard lesson, my dear, but you must keep her safe, and keep her from your father,”

Draco nodded mutely.

Taking his mother’s words to heart, he hid you from his father. He gave no sign that anything was out of the ordinary, nor that you were here at all. It was torture, seeing your ghost wander around the house or the yard, smiling and waving at him, knowing it wasn’t his anymore.

Draco tucked your book away, in the bottom corner of his school chest under an old spell book, your letters folded inside. And as much as he’d like to tuck you away the same way, he couldn’t. You were in his dreams that seemed too real. It left him awake late in the night, craving your touch, your kiss, your laughter, for you just to smile at him one more time.

Even though it seemed impossible, September arrived.

Chapter 3

End Note: So, hi, I hope you liked it. Anyway, I know i have a few different timelines up with Draco and different Readz, and that a lot of you are invested in my Gryffindor!Reader one, and that’s amazing and more than I deserve honestly. And I will continue ro write for it, but I need time to get all of my thoughts down and fleshed out. There are a lot of things that I want to do, and will do, but to get from A to B I need to find the right path. So there isn’t a posting schedule, though I do write daily as a practice. I know you all are excited to see what happens next, and so am I on some things, but I ask your patience and to not be upset when I post something different. I am human, I do have anxiety and depression and executive dysfunction as well as a life outside of writing unfortunately, so cut your girl some slack. I love all of you and what means the most to me is seeing reblogs and comments, not just like/kudos. I have extreme anxiety and those really help me calm down and feel like I’m wanted and doing the right thing. It’s stupid sure, but it’s me and I can accept and love that part of me too. I love you guys so much.

--KGL

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