#hes very much an Actions kinda guy and shows affection through gestures rather than words

[sarioh]

there's this moment that no one talks about and that cleo and etho BOTH cut out of their episodes, which is when all the green and yellow names are gathered around spawn looting the gear after plan bubblevate. cleo picks up a pair of diamond pants and holds onto them for a while trying to decide what to do with them, before eventually offering them to etho (even though pearl, her own ally, was also in iron). its such a subtle thing and it doesn't seem that important, really—it's just some discarded armor that she didn't even need herself. but like, someone who isn't even really your ally, that you've barely spent any time at all with together over the series, deliberately offering you an invaluable gift that would be much more useful to keep within their alliance as some kind of silent nod of understanding that, despite everything, you're looking out for each other.

and despite his general lack of sentimentality, etho remembered it as well and saw the gesture for exactly what it was, which was mercy. in a world where every exchange had a very What Can You Do For Me feel to it, cleo gave him those pants for no reason at all. later on when ren was trying to get the reds to go after cleo, etho said he doesn't want to hurt cleo, because she was nice to him and gave him diamond pants. they had barely any history together and were on pretty rocky terms up until that point (between etho betting for her death and stealing her brewing stand), but that moment was enough to cement the implicit understanding between them and turned cleo from someone etho barely knew to the only person he trusted to look out for him for the rest of the series. its just so. EXPLODES

[dourpeep]

The men of Genshin as romance types:

This just kind popped up in my head after thinking about Xiao's characterization! I might add to this in the future, but for now it's just a small list of headcanons + a short blurb :>

Contains: Lots of fluff, lightly suggestive

Features: Albedo, Venti, Kaeya, Xiao, Zhongli, Childe, and Diluc

Note: you can be soft and still top btw, this is only for how they'd be romantically

Sweet:

Albedo

Albedo is also shown canonically to do little gestures like give people the sketch he did of them to see them smile, this man might seem kinda standoffish at first, but he's not cold

From his voicelines and story, we also know that Albedo is the type of person to think pretty deeply about everything around him

His brain goes 100 miles an hour with all the possibilities and scenarios he can think of

So with his s/o, the best thing that could happen is that he'll take the time to really slow down and unwind

Being a busy, busy man in pursuit of knowledge beyond anyone's comprehension, Albedo rarely gets time off (his sketches are considered research, in a way, no?)

So once he's finally at home, there will be lots of little shows of affection

Passing behind you, perhaps a light touch on your back or shoulder to let you know he's there

On a particularly rough day, he'll sit facing you with his forehead resting on your chest and just--take your hands and put them in his hair

Not really the type to pamper, but there's no doubt of his love

Probably the type of guy to like sitting close in silence

Maybe on the nights you cook, he'll come and wrap his arms around your waist, head leaning on your shoulder as he watches you work

Quietly, you lay on the couch tangled up in his arms, the soft sound of breathing and the light warmth you feel lulling you to sleep. It seems that, even though Albedo is left half asleep from a long day of research, he still continues to trace mindless little patterns on the back of your hand with his thumb. You shift, and he hums, pulling you closer.

Venti

The man’s been through so much, honestly

He's lost his closest friend, helped a rebellion usurp a tyrant, been through a war that lasted centuries, watched as another friend he'd known since birth fall to corruption (but ultimately was saved)

Point being, he's tired and just wants to have his fun

True to his nature, he likes to tease and poke at his s/o, but nothing that can't be undone (after all, a prank isn't funny if it's permanent)

Hand holding, is a must! Venti is a very affectionate person who isn't afraid to express his feelings when it comes to his s/o

Lots of smooches too! (Please smooch him back)

Speaking of hands and smooches, he's the type to bring your hand to his lips and give each your fingertips a little kiss. They've done so much for you and allow him the joy of holding them, so it's the least he can do!

His type of love is free and sweeter than the scent of cecelias, soft as the wind that kisses your skin

Really, he wants to be able to treasure you as much as he can in the time you have together

Today was a picnic date kind of day. A basket filled with fresh, ripe sunsettias and a few dishes you both worked together to make (mostly you, after what happened with Venti's apple cake) sat on top of a sturdy blanket laid on the grass. Head laid in your lap, the wandering bard strummed idly on his lyre, adding a lovely backdrop to an already perfect day.

Romantic:

Kaeya

Of course, the suave Captain doesn't stop with honeyed words

Mysterious as he is, he takes what he does in stride

If he could spend all his life entwined with you, he'd die a happy man

Kaeya is the type of partner to romance with candlelight and nighttime strolls on the beach

A little cheesy, yes, but all the more to sweep you off your feet

Flirty, he likes to take his time with his love and while he similarly treasures his s/o, it's in the way the fairytales are written

Perhaps a little cliche at times

Nevertheless, he's the type of partner to sweep you into a dance despite there being no music and dip you low (whether you both lose balance and fall is up to gravity)

He'll show his affection physically, whether through a quick kiss when you stop by the Favonious Knight's HQ, or pulling you close when you walk through a crowd on a market day

Teasing is also a big thing, if he can make you blush, his mission is accomplished

In privacy, expect his treatment to be the same--it wouldn't do any good if he leaves his dear s/o confused about how he feels

Once again, you take his hand and he sweeps you into a lively waltz, sweeping across the living room floor. Not once do his eyes leave yours. All he ever needs is the feel of you close and the rush of his heart in his chest that bubbles into something fonder when your laugh reaches his ears.

Xiao

Not the best with words, Xiao shows his love through his actions

Little gifts, helping now and then with commissions and clearing the road, he'll do it all with no expectation of thanks (should you thank him, he'll be extremely grateful for the recognition but also perhaps unsure how to react)

He doesn't tend towards physically showing affection to his s/o, so when he does, expect them to show his utter devotion

Often, Xiao questions what it is that he did to deserve such a love, but as soon as you appear in his view, it no longer matters because as long as you believe him to be worthy, why wouldn't he be?

His love is based deeply in trust. The heart is a fragile thing and to someone who's suffered so much in his lifetime, he guards it fiercely to protect himself

When he finally does allow himself the comfort of a relationship, he'll soak it up entirely

Nights spent stargazing on the top of Wangshu Inn, pinkies intertwined, or bodies held together tightly with the sweet exchange of breath

Every touch that he offers is gentle, reverent, and serves to remind him that what he's experiencing is real

He tried, really, for the thing on the plate to turn out the way that you usually make it. It's a far cry from what he remembers, but you set it down and bring your hands to his face. The sight of your beaming smile warms him deeply and he pulls you in close for a kiss.

Zhongli

Be still, my beating heart-

Just as he's full of information from the flowers of Liyue to the deepest cracks in the soil, he loves fully and unapologetically

He's lived through many eras and seen so much that it's hard to not want to express how he feels as he feels it

Deeply appreciative of whatever his s/o does and does for him

He indulges in every word, touch, feeling, and look- He's not a greedy man, but when it comes to love? There's a deep desire to feel it all

There are many ways that Zhongli expresses that love, a few being through your daily strolls through Liyue Harbor and the daily and nightly rituals the two of you have settled down into

His favorite is probably the mornings

There's something about waking up wrapped up in your lover's arms, head resting on their chest as the sun's warm beams shine through the windows that's utterly satisfying

Zhongli indulges in these little moments, favoring them over all else

Once in a while, he'll take you back to where your first date was to reminisce, perhaps even (jokingly) mention little embarrassing things either of you did

Zhongli watches as you sip at your drink and admires the way the sun compliments your eyes. You're preoccupied by the falling leaves, it seems, mentioning how they're just as brilliant gold as his. Though the feeling he feels is far from the excitement of butterflies, it has settled into a comforting sort of warmth that hopes you feel as well.

Passionate:

Childe

This man's love is wild like his personality

Loud, fun, and never quite predictable, he loves like a whirlwind and with an enthusiasm to match no other

Lots of teasing going on here, to make you blush or to mess with you, you'll never know

But it's his unapologetic fire that drew you to him to begin with

When he's not occupied with work, he'll drag you to go sight seeing

Every experience is a new experience, no matter if it's something that seems so everyday or not

His affection is in the form of tightly held hands (he doesn't want to lose you with how quickly he weaves through the crowd), well-placed winks, and kisses to steal your breath away

He also loves in a way that's fiercely protective. His job is a dangerous one and, with the way he's open with your relationship, his affection serves to protect you

But don't forget that despite his passion, he's a man who deeply treasures those close to him and, as his s/o, you'll be showered with only the best he can give you

It was only a quick break in your day, he'd assured, but it quickly became another round of seeing Liyue through his eyes. In the span of only an hour, you've already spotted an untouched patch of glaze lilies, sampled rich Li-style cuisine and fresh Yue-style cuisine, helped a young girl fetch her kite from atop a tree, and now are working your way (or rather, Childe is working your way for you) to a little area behind the busy streets to show you a pack of dogs he'd befriended. Fondly, you smile and watch as he beckons them out of hiding.

Diluc

Diluc lives for the way that his s/o brings the best out of him and, in return, he does the same back

He exudes the air of a gentleman with the way he shows his affection, but, whether intentionally or not, in an utterly enticing way

Being busy during the day with running the tavern and the winery as well as at night as the Darknight Hero (he insists you stop calling him that as well, but you don't miss the light flush of pride each time), the time he dedicates to you is left in the early morning long before you leave for the day and the evening as he settles just before he sets off

During morning time, he's often fond of running his hands over you, feeling each dip and curve, memorizing the way your hair falls and the way your lips curve when you smile

It's a quiet sort of passion

His love is expressed in the fond murmurs against your shoulder and head, sharing those moments of deep intimacy both physical and not

In the evenings, you both settle in front of the fireplace, sharing a drink or two

There's sometimes a certain look in his eye that sets your heart aflame in the dimly lit room, and sometimes he sets off a little later that night in lieu of a few more stolen moments with you

Diluc slides into your shared bed in the early hours of the morning, a bit later than usual. The shift stirs you just enough to wake up to two arms pulling you to his chest and a deep breath with his nose buried in your hair. He's no doubt exhausted. Eyes bleary, you turn until you're facing him and loosely wrap an arm around his waist. In the moments you're still half-awake, you hear a low murmur of 'love you' and you smile against his skin.

[astrologysvt]

SVT as Boyfriends - Vernon

Happy Birthday Nonie~ 🎉 You confuse me constantly and that makes me want to baby you 💛

anonymous asked: im not sure if u do these kinds of posts so feel free to ignore if u don’t but can i request vernon as a bf according to his chart? i love ur blog! 💗

this reading is more geared towards their habits in relationships and romance! i did end up talking a little about intimacy. i’m not putting any kind of nsfw warning because this is extremely pg and it’s honestly a gigantic stretch to even categorize it as that. but if that’s something you’re incredibly averse to i wanted to be sure to say it here so you can skip this reading if that’s the case~ also, i ended up using “you” generally because writing “s/o” was getting tiring. 

so his chart really strongly indicates that he’s very independent and thrives when he’s allowed to be a free spirit. 

but there’s also a part of him that is deeply committed through that cap venus.

super reliable boyfriend, and that’s also in due part to his scorpio moon. 

he would drop absolutely everything if you needed him.

he is super super protective and will absolutely throw hands if someone were to say anything negative about you. 

even with a moon trine mars that makes him slow to anger, his principals are so strong through his aqua placements, scorpio moon, and cap venus that he would absolutely not stand for it. 

this would be one of the few times he could justify resorting to anger, and while he may not attempt to hunt the offender down, you will definitely notice a dramatic change in demeanor as he rarely ever lets this side show.

and then when you take that sense of being protective and pair it with his cap influence, he really likes taking care of you. 

he’s very competent in that regard, and he shows this in practical ways like getting you lunch, giving advice, maybe offering to help with work. things like that. 

this also makes him very receptive for when you return the favor! like when woozi prepared a meal for him that one time when they were overseas, you could see how touched he was by the gesture and the thoughtfulness behind it.  

he’s also very emotionally intuitive thanks to that scorpio moon and pisces mars. 

he’s super observant and would get really really good at reading you over time.

may not express his support in so many words thanks to his moon square mercury making him pretty awkward with it -- this placement makes it hard for his aqua moon to convey how feeling/intuitive he is -- but he will certainly let you know he is there if you need him.

i also find scorpio placements don’t really put their feelings in so many words.

even with an emphasis on intellect with an aqua sun and mercury, he’s bound to not be the quickest to shower you in verbal love/appreciation and is more willing to let his actions speak for himself. 

if he’s going to say anything, it’s going to be sincere and straight to the point. 

and what’s interesting is that he’s got this scorpio moon, so i can imagine him actually being a pretty possessive boyfriend regardless of how chill he is normally.

BUT I DO WANNA MAKE IT CLEAR that that doesn’t necessarily mean he’d be a restrictive boyfriend either. 

especially with those cap/scorpio/aqua influences that would really respect someone who was their own person and didn’t apologize for that. tbh i think the last thing he’d wanna do is restrict that. 

i think well developed scorpio placements honestly just like having proof that you are committed and most certainly their s/o.

would probably say things like “that’s my ____” just to assert this fact very casually, affectionately, even playfully.

really honestly just likes knowing and being reminded that you’re his, may it be through gestures or physical proof (you wearing his clothes, promise rings, you going out of your way to do something for him, hickeys.)

his moon sextile venus makes him very romantic and affectionate. 

he feels a lot of love and is very emotionally invested in his partner in this very protective scorpio manner, and thanks to its relationship to venus he goes about expressing this love in very practical yet classy ways.

he has a tendency to randomly do the most thoughtful romantic gestures. 

he does have this free spirit that’s pretty easily distracted so it may not be the most obvious or well planned gestures. 

but it’d be things like. if he’s out and sees something that reminds him of you he’ll bring it home, may it be flowers or your favorite food. 

it’s interesting because, as out-there as he is himself, he really craves a sense of predictability in relationships.

this cap brings a sense of tradition and loves the idea of stable, long-term relationships. 

he’d bring a strong sense of reliability and practicality to relationships. 

he’s very dedicated but simultaneously very levelheaded and realistic with you. 

scorpio moon can give him a bit of a jealous streak. 

but i’ll say it again: that may not be as bad as it sounds if his emotional control is good. which IT IS thanks to his moon trine mars.

his moon trine mars means these feelings never result to actual anger or action. he’ll let you know his comfort levels, but it’s highly unlikely he’d act out negatively due to feelings of jealousy.

he may just get a little extra handsy, affectionate, or may ask for reassurance! 

tho i do think it’s interesting to note he may not normally be the most physically affectionate guy. 

he has such airy placements that he isn’t going to subconsciously reach out without noticing if that makes sense. 

if he’s reaching out himself, it’s probably very intentional and more than likely with the intention to show support or as little random “i love yous” throughout the day. 

as i said before, he’s rather awkward with putting these things into words so body language may be a huge factor in communicating with him in relationships which makes him pretty purposeful with it as well. 

this kinda loops back in to how much of a lone wolf he is sometimes -- not that he doesn’t like affection, it’s just not in his instinctual wiring as he’s pretty solitary in that brain of his. 

his well aspected moon and pisces mars, however, makes it very easy for him to accept affection and makes him pretty physical expressive.

he may need space every now again, but will probably very easily let you know when that is (may it be verbally or through body language) and is open to however cuddly you wanna be the rest of the time.

his pisces mars makes him a very sensitive and emotional boyfriend, especially in relationship to intimacy.

i think it’s important to mention because he has this very airy, independent, almost detached attitude about him on the surface. 

you really do get the sense that he’s on another planet, or that he could potentially be OVERLY practical, logical, and not easily perturbed by emotion -- but that is absolutely not the case behind closed doors. 

lol okay maybe he’s still on another planet, but he isn’t removed/indifferent. rather he’s very attentive and sincere. 

this is where he kind of loses his sense of practicality and can be pretty all-giving and obsessive. 

pisces influence on the part of mars means he takes physical relationships very seriously and sees it as a non-verbal expression of love and intention. 

he also has a very subtle, gentle, traditional way of approaching intimacy.

it’s genuinely an experience sharing that part of himself with someone, and it’d be in those moments that you would truly understand the full extent of his feelings. 

not only that, but he’s very emotionally sensitive in this regard.

allowing someone in to that degree can actually be a very daunting experience for him. 

not necessarily if it were a merely physical relationship without the romantic/intimate association, but knowing that there is is this devotion involved makes the concept of allowing someone to see and understand the depth of this side to him a really hard thing to wrap his head around.

this is heightened by that cap venus that doesn’t take to commitment lightly. 

with a pisces influence there is kind of a switch they have with regard to emotionally packed situations -- they’re either detached out of risk of those feelings becoming all-consuming, or extremely feeling and potentially open to this all-consuming aspect and to them that is an extremely vulnerable feeling especially with another person involved.

and so for him to go into those romantic situations and decide to be open and sensitive, that can be a really overwhelming thing especially with so many placements that value individuality and composure. 

ESPECIALLY with a scorpio moon which is already an incredibly intense placement to have, there’s a great deal of investment that’s kind of hard for him to face head-on and this is honestly because he can hardly fathom these depths himself. 

and then you throw in this super airy influence through his aqua and this intensity within him may fly completely under the radar until he’s forced to face it.

it IS important to note that his moon trine mars both kind of heighten the intensity of these situations, while also giving him better tools to process them. 

his scorpio moon also means that he’s really fascinated with these feelings even though they’re very daunting. 

it can be “scary” but he isn’t particularly deterred if he trusts you because of how all-in scorpio placements can be as they love the concept of delving past the point of no return. 

if he’s at that point where he’s so deeply committed, his scorpio is going to give him the confidence to take that step. 

but because this part of him is so emotionally sensitive and reactive, he may retreat every now and then. 

it is important not to interpret this as indifference/distance, often times he doesn’t know exactly who he wants to be some days and so you kinda gotta be okay with the unexpected. 

this is simply because he gets overwhelmed and needs space, otherwise it just feels like he’s staring into the sun non-stop. 

but if you learn how to read him, his energies, his body language/rhythm, you’ll understand how big and bleeding his heart is and how he expresses this, even when he’s not 100% there.

lololol all of this sounds SO DRAMATIC. 

it’s funny writing this because vernon has such an air forward chart. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if, for some WILD reason, he read this reading and thought this was a dramatic description as well. 

he really is his own person and i imagine this reading feels super left of field and honestly that’s because it IS. 

a lot of his chart is pretty hard to pin-down and generally more focused on developing the self than depending on external forces like relationships, and so it’d take a lot for him to get to this point.

you can tell even now it’s hard to imagine what he’d be like in a relationship he’s so singular, and i imagine even his members know there is a bit of a wall despite how much an open book he is.

i really think that it’d take the right person for him to place such a strong importance on emotion in order to make this reading super relevant to him. 

his aqua and cap are pretty hard to convince and are logical/intellectual enough that it’s often hard for those placements to surrender that mental control over to emotion/the intangible. 

and so I don’t imagine this is a part of his chart that he would fully be aware of until he’s in an incredibly committed relationship and these placements are tested by being forced to accommodate someone else so intimately. 

because otherwise he’s his own unit. these parts aren’t scary to him by himself, but they’re naturally very private so sharing these aspects is what switches things up. 

generally he’s a very thoughtful boyfriend! 

his weird habits are going to stay intact because of how independent he is and, if his chart is really well developed, he’d never let his individuality be compromised by a relationship. 

tho i will not lie, a scorpio moon and pisces mars may put him at risk of losing himself a bit as that scorpio moon has a tendency towards obsession, while that pisces mars can really easily get absorbed and lost in the case of love. 

but with that being said, i think his aqua and cap are so established in his chart through his work and personal values that i don’t think he is in any actual danger.   

so back to my main point. 

he has such a strong understanding of himself and his life/goals through that aqua/cap, but there is so much in his chart that is really eager to bring someone into that. 

he’s def the type of guy that makes it hard to fathom how committed he could possibly be on the surface, but once the relationship deepens, it gets clearer and clearer how romantic and devoted he is. 

and also how simple and straight forward he actually is about these things, which in a way adds to the romance and earnestness. 

[dreaming-gamer]

Magic Touch – Nero X V Chapter 3

Firefighter Nero x Massage Therapist V

The smell of oil and tires hit Nero’s nose the second he stepped into Devil May Drive, to find V’s piece of junk car suspended by a red car lift and Nero’s best friend checking its underside. Nico wore a yellow overall, the sleeves rolled up for the world to see her tattoos and oil coated her clothed fingers.

The front of the small car might be looking a bit steadier since last Nero had seen it, two days ago. Work had kept him away, but at least he was free today. And hoping for a chance meeting with a certain massage therapist.

“You can stop checking around, he ain’t here.” The mechanic stated, but she flashed Nero a grin. “So, I wanna hear all ‘bout it. Ya get another session or something?” She winked.

“Did you sniff too much gasoline?” Nero retorted. “I gave him a ride, nothing else.”

“At least ya got his number, right?” Nico teased, only for her eyes to widen as Nero hesitated just a second too long. “Yer shittin’ me! Are ya the worst person in the world when it comes to flirting or what?!” She demanded, both hands on her hips.

“Kyrie and I didn’t need flirting! This is just totally different, alright?!” Nero exclaimed, but quickly lowered his voice, stepping closer to his best friend. “Kyrie and I were friends for the longest time! I’ve met this guy twice! I tried asking his number! …but the timing was all wrong, he got out of the car without hearing me.”

“Uh huh… ya know, ya could ask yers truly and I’ll give it to ya, as a special order.” Nico said, her grin returning full force. Maybe she was taking pity on him. Nero wasn’t sure he wanted it or liked it.

“And what would that cost me?” He deadpanned.

“A favor to ask for whenever I please, no matter the cost?” Nico grinned, her eyes alight with glee. “Magic always comes with a price, dearie.”

“You quoting that show of yours again? And this isn’t even magic! Aren’t you breaking customer confidentiality if you give it to me?” Nero pointed out with a huff.

“Aww, does that mean yer worried about my job? Dante wouldn’t mind me helping his nephew, lemme tell ya!” Nico teased.

“You’re NOT telling him about this!” Nero exclaimed. Her teasing, he could put up with. If his uncle found out that Nero was starting to take fancy in someone, he would never hear the end of the Dante’s comments! Or the attempts of ‘advice’. “And if I’m going to get V’s number, damn straight I’m getting it myself! I’m not gonna sit around like some deadweight and get it handed to me!”

But the thought of asking V, well… it made his heart race again. A lot. First of all, he needed to actually meet the guy again, preferably here and hope with all his heart that V would maybe, maybe be interested enough in him to exchange numbers so Nero didn’t need to rely on chance meetings anymore. Sometimes he replayed V’s quote of poetry in his head, not that the poem meant much to him, but that voice…

He missed it.

“Pardon me.”

Oh great, Nero was even imagining it now, more vividly than he’d managed before, right behind him.

“I see we have run into each other, yet again. Good morning, Nero.”

Nero’s mind ground to a stop. There was only one pair of lips that made his name sound like more than it was.

No. Way.

He turned around to find the poet standing just a few meters behind them, a silvery cane in one hand, dressed in a black leather vest that gave off a strong gothic vibe but fit him amazingly. And the smirk on V’s face was quite amused. Either he had… heard Nero’s announcement. Or he was happy with gaining Nero’s attention, with his attire.

The tips of Nero’s ears turned red, whichever the case.

“M-morning!” He said quickly, dammit, what else was he supposed to say?! Had V heard him or not?! And if he had, was he totally fine with giving up his number?! Nero’s heart sped up, thundering in his chest while it felt like he had soaring butterflies in his stomach…!

Nico snorted, trying to hold back a laugh, making Nero turn quickly to face her, anger sparking in his eyes.

Her mirth said it all, she’d seen V come in. And not told him.

Nico just gave him a grin before seemingly taking pity on Nero, as she greeted her customer.

“Yo, yer early! Gonna take a few more hours to get this beauty completely fixed!” She announced, gesturing to the suspended car.

“Ah, my apologies. Your message specified today, so I was hoping…” V smiled politely. “I suppose I will have to return later then.”

“Come back at lunch and it’ll be greeting you with a roaring engine!” Nico grinned. Nero wondered if that car engine could roar at all, since… well, it looked way too old.  

V chuckled to her statement.

“I will look forward to that then.” He smirked as she went back to her work. Nico flashed Nero a meaningful grin, like a silent “Come on, jackass! Ya scared?!”

Nero grit his teeth, he wasn’t going to back down from that challenge! Fighting the urge to put his hands in his pockets and instead act natural, he approached V, putting a grin on his face.

“So, since the car’s gonna be a while… you wanna go grab a coffee? Brunch?” Nero offered, his heart beating fast in his chest. The pounding could almost be heard in his ears.

The second V looked at him, his lips turning into an apologetic smile, Nero knew what the answer would be. It made his heart sink, like a stone to his stomach.

“My apologies, Nero. As pleasant as your offer sounds… I have somewhere to be, right after this. I just came by… in hopes of finding the car finished early.” V replied.

Nero stumbled for a natural reply, with his previously soaring hope now crushing to the ground, within the same hour, it was hard to not seem affected.

“Yeah, no worries man, never mind that—“

“However…” V’s calm voice cut him off. “…if you would like to join me for a walk, to my destination…”

Nero’s hand, that had just been on it’s way to the back of his head, paused. His eyes widened, his tongue felt tied in his mouth. He was quick to nod.

“Excellent, shall we be off?” V suggested with a pleased smirk, taking the lead out of the oil-smelling shop. Nero kicked his brain and legs into following, feeling as if that hope he couldn’t let go of was currently on a rollercoaster. It didn’t stop the grin from appearing on his face. Nero let V take the lead, falling into step with the massage therapist.

Sunlight greeted them and despite the lack of sleeves on his clothing, V was dressed all in black leather. Wouldn’t he get really hot? Nero’s tongue seeming more willing to cooperate now, he opened his mouth to ask as he noticed another detail.

V had… sandals on.

For real? They didn’t really fit in with the rest of his look at all, they just didn’t! But V’s way of walking, as if they were the most appropriate thing in the world to wear… kind of made it work? It was rather confusing, to be honest.

V seemed to notice his staring.

“Is something the matter?” The massage therapist wondered.

Nero considered, for a moment to ask what the deal with the sandals was… but since they didn’t really know each other that well yet, he settled for another question on his mind.

“So why the cane? You need it or is it just to strengthen the goth look?” V stood out like a sore thumb compared to him, Nero was dressed in regular jeans, t-shirt and a short sleeved blue hoodie, perfect for the weather.

V graced him with a devilish smirk, that kind that made a shiver go down along Nero’s spine.

“I suppose… it is for aesthetic, rather than function. These days.”

“’These days’?” Nero asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes.” V replied, holding the cane just under the head in an easy grip. It certainly didn’t look like he needed it to walk, since there was no limp to his steps, just a bit of slouch to his back. V didn’t seem inclined to elaborate. Like he’d rather keep it a mystery, or perhaps it was something he’d rather not speak about. Nero couldn’t really tell which, but he didn’t push it.

“Looks good, anyway.” He simply said, because it was true. V wielded the cane gracefully, as if it was an extension of his tattooed arm.

V’s devilish smirk remained.

“Why, thank you. What was your errand, at Devil May Drive? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Nero felt the tips of his ears change color again. V’s tone was teasing and he wondered, again, had the massage therapist heard him or not? Proclaiming he wanted V’s number…

“I just hang out there sometimes.” He tried for, it wasn’t a completely white lie. Nero did hang around, sometimes, since Nico worked there. And meeting his uncle from time to time was cool.

And I was kinda hoping to see you again. The words were in his mind, right there, ready to be said. And he opened his mouth to let them out, but they just wouldn’t come. He struggled, swallowed to buy himself time to try again. His heart rate was picking up again, whoa Nico must be right, he was the worst when it came to flirting!

“I see.” V didn’t seem to mind Nero’s difficulties. “I’m afraid… our walk seems to be coming to an end.”

Are you kidding me?! This time, I am getting that number before you— Nero put a brake on his own thoughts, when he realized just where they were. Sure, they have started to walk down a very familiar road, but still… This street was where he lived! On both sides of the road, apartment buildings loomed over them, the sun hitting the southern windows making them glisten. He’d expected they were just going to pass through, but V meant that they were almost there?

“Why are we here, exactly?”  Nero’s mind was trying to catch up. Was V visiting someone? Or…

Did he live here, that close to Nero? His eyes fell upon a blue moving truck, parked outside the apartment building across from his. The movers stood just outside, discussing the best course of action, just before they opened shutter to the truck’s storage unit.

“I am moving to this new apartment, today.” V pointed to the moving truck with the head of his cane. “I’m afraid that’s why I’ll be too busy to…” The black-haired man paused as he noticed Nero’s wide eyes. “Is something the matter?”

“You’re moving in, acrossfromme.” Nero blurted the words out, too quickly for them to be really heard. It felt like his thoughts were tying themselves into knots.

V gave him a quizzical look.

“…pardon?”

“I live there.” Nero tapped V’s arm with his hand, then pointed it out for him, the first window on the third floor, facing the street as well as the opposite apartment building. “And you’re moving in…”

“Third floor, facing the road…” V’s eyes widened slightly, in that expression Nero had started to see as V’s attempt to hide his surprise. It took mere moments for his expression to smooth out into that devilish smirk.

“Well, we appear to be running into each other a lot recently.” V noted, sounding amused.

“I think this one is on you.” Nero said with a cocky grin. It felt like his heart was going to start breakdancing. Was this luck even real?

“It would seem that way.” V agreed, that amused glint not leaving his eyes. Nero just couldn’t believe this. He knew that an apartment across the road been empty for about a month now, the party animal that had lived there having finally moved on to someplace closer to the city center and the partying he had so adored. Either that or he had been evicted, for disturbing the neighborhood so often. But that didn’t mean that he could have imagined, in his wildest dreams, that V would be the one moving in.

Two men in blue clothes, the same color as the moving truck with caps on their heads exited the apartment building and climbed into the opened storage unit to start lifting a black leather couch between themselves. Nero could see a lot of boxes in the storage unit as well and he briefly wondered if V’s apartment would be the same size as his, with two rooms and a kitchen, or any other size. The question was on his tongue, but V beat him to it.

“Well then, I suppose I must assist.” V said, gesturing to the moving truck with his cane. “The walk might have been… short, but I enjoyed it. Thank you for the company.” V’s voice was that silken tone that sent shivers down Nero’s spine.

“Hey, no need for thanks. Seems like we’ll maybe see more of each other from now on huh?”

“It certainly seems that way…” From the way V smirked in amusement, Nero felt hope soar inside again. “Good luck with the move. I’m off work today, so just knock if you need help with something, deal?” He grinned, still not quite believing his luck.

V chuckled, that smirk on his face ever present.

“Perhaps I will. Good day to you, Nero.” V said, walking towards his new residence with that slight sway to his hips and waist. Nero tried so hard not to stare. And failed pretty miserably.

“See ya! G’day to you too!” Nero barely knew what he said as he waved and walked towards his own apartment building.

He’s moving in, on the other side of the road. It felt like Nero had wings on his feet when he climbed the stairs to his own apartment, one or sometimes two steps at a time. And V didn’t sound like he had anything against seeing each other again! The grin on Nero’s face couldn’t be wiped off by anything now! 

It wasn’t until he stepped inside his own home, kicked off his shoes and pulled off his jacket while simultaneously pulling off some steps to the sound of the electric guitar in his head, that he noticed that his phone had gotten a message. With a flick of his thumb, the message screen greeted him.

“So how did it go? Got that magical number already?” The message was short, but had plenty of emojis a la Nico, including some he barely understood. And why a devil emoji? The words were what made Nero stop in his happy dance around the kitchen though.

V’s number…

The sudden reveal of V’s new home had made him completely forget!

“Fuck!”

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

@la-vita and @thedyingmoon

[wistfulcynic]

Self-Promo Sunday: Four Christmases

Merry Christmas everyone! I wrote this fic last year for CS Secret Santa so I thought I’d share again. Enemies to friends to lovers with family moments and ice skating!  

SUMMARY: When Emma Swan first meets Killian Jones at her sister’s Christmas party, she is not impressed. Over the course of the four Christmases they spend in each other’s company, Killian does his best to change her mind. 

On Tumblr: The First | The Second | The Third | The Fourth

On AO3

-

THE FIRST: 

They say first impressions are important, and Emma had always been a believer in this. It was essential for her job; if the skips weren’t convinced that she was there for a date with them, they’d never fall into her honey trap.

Of course, in her line of work she never spent enough time with anyone for there to be a second or third impression, so the first was pretty much all you got.

Her first impression of Killian Jones, formed about two hours into Emma’s sister Mary Margaret’s annual Christmas party, was not favourable. Of course she noticed his handsome face with its bright blue eyes and very kissable lips, but at the moment of their meeting those eyes were fixed on the naked breasts of her friend Ruby as the lips descended to latch onto her nipple and suck it hard as Ruby leaned back against the bathroom sink and moaned.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” shouted Emma.

“Ems!” shrieked Ruby, pushing Killian away and yanking up her dress.

Killian turned to glare at her, clearly displeased by the interruption. “Are you fucking kidding me,” he growled. “Barging in like this…”

“‘Barging in’? To the bathroom of my own apartment?”

He regarded her more closely, interest sparking in his eyes as he took in her habitual honey-trapping outfit of tight red dress and sky-high heels, her blonde hair in loose curls tumbling down her back. (“It’s— maybe a bit much for a friendly Christmas party?” Mary Margaret had said, but Emma knew that if she were going to survive a whole night with her sister’s very friendly friends then she needed her armour very much intact.)

“Ah, you must be Swan, then,” said Killian, his blue gaze now fixed on her as though Ruby and the party and the entire rest of the world didn’t exist.

“Emma Swan, yes.” She resisted the urge to squirm under his intense regard. The accelerated heartbeat and sudden hot flush across her skin she attributed to outrage. She simply wouldn’t allow them to be due to anything else.

“And do you not knock on bathroom doors here in your apartment, Emma Swan?” he inquired mockingly.

“I did knock,” hissed Emma, unconsciously moving closer to him. “You clearly didn’t hear me.”

“Well, I was rather occupied, love,” he said with an arrogant smirk that made her blood boil.

“I am not your love!”  

“No, indeed. Although that could certainly be remedied, should you wish it… Swan.” His smirk turned lascivious as he leaned into her space, his gaze roaming her body. His tongue flicked out to wet his lower lip and Emma actually shivered, suddenly overcome by images of that tongue and those lips on her skin.

What is wrong with me?

“You’re disgusting,” she hissed.

“Bit harsh, love.”

“Coming on to me in front of your— of the—” she gestured angrily at Ruby, who had been watching the interplay between Emma and Killian with extreme interest.

“Chill, Ems, it was just a bit of fun,” she said, “I took the opportunity to get some hot pirate action, but now that you have completely killed the mood, I’ll be getting back to the party. Maybe another time, Captain.”

“Aye, love,” replied Killian, his eyes still locked with Emma’s.

Ruby shook her head and squeezed behind Emma to get to the door, forcing her to take another step closer to Killian, who favoured her with a smile she would have found charming on a man she didn’t loathe.

“Now then, Swan, care to pick up where she left off?”

“I would rather rip out my own fingernails,” she retorted, the breathiness of her voice revealing the lie of her words. Why couldn’t she breathe?

He laughed, completely unperturbed. “I’d heard you were a tough lass.”

“Woman.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Lass means girl, right? I’m not a girl.”

The smirk returned. “That you certainly are not,” he purred, his voice dark and velvety and dripping with sinful promise.

There was that shiver again. Emma ground her teeth, struggling to think over the pounding of her heart, barely aware that she was biting her lower lip and shifting on her feet, squeezing her thighs together in an attempt to quell the tingling between them. What the hell was happening? There was no way she could be physically attracted to this jerk.

Killian closed the remaining distance between them, leading with his hips, one thumb tucked under his belt. With the other hand he reached up to grasp a lock of her hair, rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger.

“So what do you say, Swan…” Maybe, she thought wildly, maybe I could… just this once… “…shall we see just how much of a woman you are?”

And the spell was broken.

Ugh, he was the worst, and now she was furious. Furious with him for ruining his gorgeous face by being such an asshole, with herself for being prepared to overlook it. How could she ever have even considered letting him touch her?

Quick as a flash, she grabbed his hand from her hair and whipped him around, twisting his arm behind his back, smiling in satisfaction at his grunt of pain.

“I would not fuck you,” she hissed in his ear, “If you were the last man on earth and the last hope for continuing the human race.” She wrenched his arm higher. “Do you understand?”

“I do,” he replied, through clenched teeth, “You needn’t press the point, Swan.”

She released him, and he immediately stumbled away from her, wincing as he reached up to massage his shoulder. He turned towards the door, twisting the knob and opening it a few inches before suddenly pausing and closing it again.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

She blinked in surprise. “What?”

He turned to look at her for the first time since she’d released his arm, his expression free of suggestion or innuendo. Instead he looked… ashamed?

“My behaviour just now, it was… uncouth. Bad form. I apologise.”

“Oh.” She had not been expecting that. “Uh, fine. Thanks. Still not gonna fuck you.”

The smirk returned, this time merely a wry twist of his mouth, an eyebrow slightly quirked. “I’d never dream of suggesting you would,” he said. “See you around, Emma Swan.”

And with a small, slightly mocking bow, he was gone.

She saw him several more times that night, watched him actually, if she was honest, as he chatted and laughed and charmed his way through her friends and acquaintances. She waited for him to slip up, to show them the nasty, leering side of himself she’d seen in the bathroom, but he never did. In fact, they all seemed to love him.

It really pissed her off.

“So who is this Killian guy anyway?” she asked Mary Margaret when they went to the kitchen together to get drinks for everyone.

“Uh, he’s a friend of David’s.” Mary Margaret was distracted, trying to remember all the drink orders.

“Yeah, but how do they know each other? They seem… kinda different.”

“They met during David’s year abroad. You remember he studied in London? Killian was there too, I think they met in a pub or something.”

“Yeah, he seems like the kind of guy to hang out in pubs,” said Emma, wrenching the cap off a bottle of beer with perhaps slightly more force than was strictly required.  

Mary Margaret gave her an odd look. “Killian is definitely a character, but David says he was miserable in London before they met. Killian helped him feel more at home, introduced him to his friends, invited him to parties and stuff. He’s really a nice guy, Emma.”

Emma snorted. Nice guys didn’t come on to strange women in bathrooms.

“David’s been trying to get him to Storybrooke for Christmas for years now, but he’s always busy. He has to leave again tomorrow, actually. Something to do with his work.”

“What does he do?” Why was she interested?

“I don’t know exactly, he works on some kind of ship. Modern piracy, or something, David said.”

Ruby had called him a pirate too.

As she helped Mary Margaret carry the drinks, Emma found her attention drawn back to Killian, who was sitting on the arm of the sofa talking to… well, everyone, it seemed. He was telling a story, illustrating it animatedly with his hands —nice hands, she noticed, damn it— obviously coming to the punch line just as she arrived because the entire room burst into laughter.

Emma gritted her teeth as she handed him a beer.

“Thank you, Swan,” he said, with a polite smile. She nodded brusquely and turned away. She did not stomp off. She didn’t.

“So you’ve met Emma then,” said David.

“Aye, though I fear I’ve made rather a poor first impression,” Killian replied.

“Yeah, that’s not hard to do. Emma can be a bit prickly. She wasn’t my biggest fan at first either.”

“She’s Mary Margaret’s sister, you say?”

“Half sister, yeah. It’s a sad story. Their dad had a fling with Emma’s mom right after Mary Margaret’s mom died. When Emma’s mom found out she was pregnant, she freaked out and ran away. Their dad tried to find her, but she’d completely disappeared. Emma was found abandoned on the side of a road when she was less than a day old, and no one ever saw her mother again. She got swallowed up by the system then, spent years in foster care before their dad finally tracked her down.”

“Bloody hell.”

“You said it.”

Killian watched as Emma distributed drinks to the rest of the guests. Although she wasn’t unfriendly, her body language was decidedly closed off and unwelcoming, a clear warning to anyone who might try to get too close. Yet she couldn’t quite hide the yearning in her eyes as she watched the easy way the others interacted. She wanted affection, he realised, longed for intimacy, she just couldn’t open herself up to it, couldn’t bring herself to let anyone in.  

Fascinating.

He wished he could tell her that he understood, that he’d also been abandoned by a parent, and that after his brother’s death followed closely by his girlfriend’s he’d closed himself off from people too. It was hard to let anyone in when your only experiences with intimacy had ended in loss and betrayal, no one understood that better than he. Unfortunately, he feared he’d destroyed any chance to connect with her before he’d even really known he wanted to.

Killian kicked himself mentally for what must be the hundredth time in the past hour for having been such a boor in the bathroom. He didn’t know what he’d been thinking.

Although no, that wasn’t quite true. The problem was that he hadn’t been thinking. At least, he hadn’t been thinking with his brain. With his body already worked up by his dalliance with Ruby and his wits dulled by alcohol he had simply not been prepared for Emma, for the sharp green eyes that had pierced clear to his soul even as her soft gold hair had begged for his fingers to sink into it and pull her mouth to his. Immediately Ruby and the party and the fact that they were in the bloody bathroom had flown right out of his head, leaving only Emma and the hitch in her breath that he could feel on his cheek, the way her eyes had darkened as she bit a bright pink hue into her lower lip completely overwhelming his common sense and all his filters.

Oh, and he was a complete arse. That hadn’t helped matters either.

If only he didn’t have to leave early the next morning, he thought in frustration. Given enough time, he might be able to salvage the situation —salvaging wrecks was his job, after all— but instead her negative opinion of him would only solidify in his absence, and she’d probably spend the rest of her life thinking he was a creepy jerk.

He had no idea why this troubled him so much. All he knew was that he’d never felt so drawn to a woman before; even beyond the sexual attraction he sensed a kindred spirit in her and he couldn’t bear the idea of her despising him. Even if they never saw each other again.

He managed to speak to her once more, as he was leaving the party. She had fetched his coat for him (at Mary Margaret’s request and clearly under protest, he couldn’t help noticing), and he allowed his fingers to brush hers, lightly, as he took it from her.

Her sharp intake of breath and the way she snatched her hand away was balm to his soul. Whatever else, she wasn’t indifferent to him.

“So, you’re leaving tomorrow,” she blurted out, as he was shrugging the coat on.

“Aye. I have to get back to work.”

“On Christmas Eve?”

“Much of my work is… time sensitive. And I’ve no family anymore, so there’s not much point in taking the time off when I’d just be spending it alone.”

He had no idea why he’d told her that.

Perhaps he just wanted her to know that he too knew what it felt like to have no one.

Understanding and a hint of sympathy flashed across her face. “You could spend it with David,” she said, in a friendlier tone. “The holidays, I mean. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

“Aye, so he keeps telling me. But I don’t wish to impose.” He hesitated a moment before adding “Perhaps next year.” He zipped up his coat and slung his satchel over his shoulder, then turned and smiled at her, offering his hand. To his surprise, she took it.

On impulse, he lifted hers to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. Her eyes widened, and she swallowed hard, licking her lips as she did, and Killian cursed the gods and the fates, and his own idiot self for ruining whatever chances he might otherwise have had with this woman.

“Happy Christmas, Emma Swan,” he said.

-

[enbystede]

I’m so terribly sorry this is late!! This time of the year is always busy, you know? I just got side-tracked. Here is my (late) gift for @dineshgilfoyle for the Silicone Valley Winter Gift Exchange! Thanks to @carrot-gallery for setting it up!

So here you go, Len! Hope you enjoy!

—–

Dinesh wanted to stay. He really, really wanted to stay. But that wasn’t what they did after they were together. Gilfoyle wasn’t really the type to want to cuddle after sex. Dinesh was, though. Sex was totally great and everything, but he missed the good old fashioned feeling of cuddling up to someone at night. It was secretly one of his favourite things, though admitting that would probably lead to a never ending cycle of teasing that he didn’t want to deal with.

“See you tomorrow.” Gilfoyle said in his never changing monotone as Dinesh got up to leave. “Uh, yeah. Bye.” He replied awkwardly, not really sure how to navigate this not-really-a-relationship-but-also-kinda-a-relationship-but-not-really. He wished he knew how to ask for what he wanted here, but he honestly had no clue on how to approach it.

XXXXX

Without any warning, Richard walked out of his room one morning with a bunch of wrapped presents. He silently handed them all a package each, then just stood there awkwardly wringing his hands. “I, uh, I know not all of you do Christmas, and we haven’t really done anything the last few years, but my parents always taught me that the holidays were more about, uh, spreading joy to, uh, the uh, the people you… care about, or, yeah. That’s what I mean, not going back on that. Things haven’t… been very joyful. Things have been really shit, actually, super shit, and I kinda missed assigning presents. So, happy holiday of your choice.”

Richard slumped down into his seat with a blush once he finished stuttering through his speech. Jared was beaming, already carefully pulling at the tape, Bighead was just ripping at it like a kid, and Gilfoyle was eyeing his with curiosity. With a glance back at Richard, he started tearing at his own paper, only to stop when Bighead let out a wild “Yes!” and jumped up to hug Richard tightly. “I’ve been looking for this for ages! How’d you know?!” “Every time you see a pop vinyl in the shops or advertised online you go: ‘Oh man, I’d love to have the sharknado pop figure’, Bighead.” “Oh, yeah. And you got me the first three movies, we’re so doing a marathon.”

Jared let out a happy little gasp, a bundle of bird documentaries and new knitting needles now sitting on his desk. “Oh, Richard, thank you! I haven’t been able to find this series in years, and you remembered what I said about my needles! This is wonderful, thank you so much.” Jared gushed enthusiastically. Richard was turning darker and darker shades of red, mumbling off the thanks and staring down at his lap.

“What the fuck.” Gilfoyle said, interrupting Jared’s continued thanks. He levelled Richard with a look of shock, his eyes slightly wider than normal. “This is a first edition of my fav- a very good book. First of all, how do you know this is a good book and how the hell did you get your hands on a first edition?” He asked, voice rather sharp. “You, uh, mentioned it once when you were drunk. Really drunk. Someone said something and you asked then if they were quoting it, they said no, and then you got pissed off at them for not even knowing what the book was.” Richard explained, only glancing towards Gilfoyle once, still mostly staring at his lap.

Dinesh remembered that night. He was the one who had accidentally quoted the book, and it led to him and Gilfoyle having sex for the first time. To him leaving after for the first time. The night that had been his downfall in terms of him falling in love with his best friend, without that night, he wouldn’t be in this situation. Getting sex regularly, while simultaneously being touch starved and in love with someone who didn’t love him back.

Shaking those thoughts away, he opened up his own present, confused by the printed out google maps page at first, but noticing the book underneath. It was a cookbook, written in Urdu, and directions to a marketplace that was open every weekend with Middle East and Asian stores. Dinesh knew the conversation that led to this present, the way he complained that 'Middle Eastern’ take out never compared to his mothers cooking, but he only knew the spices in Urdu, his mother never shared the full recipe anyway. He hadn’t thought Richard had been listening, he’d been typing away at his computer, humming slightly in a seemingly fake reply every time he paused.

Before he could get over the shock and thank the man, he was pulled out of his seat by a surprisingly strong grip. Bighead dragged himself and Gilfoyle around the table and piled them onto Richard, then took Jared’s hand and pulled him into the group too. Now they were all just standing there, hugging, and normally he would just pull away and make some joke about not being gay, but it felt so fucking nice. Dinesh wanted this, some freedom from his starvation for just a little while. To his surprise, Gilfoyle didn’t pull away either, and it was Richard who did first, his mind and body taken all the physical affectation he could handle at the moment (and if Dinesh stayed under Gilfoyle’s arm a moment or two longer, that was no one’s business).

Dinesh had forgotten that Richard was a good guy, that he’d just been twisted by this cruel and unforgiving town into what he was now. At heart, Richard was a good guy, even if he was a bit of a genius idiot. But this, putting thought and dedication into getting something each of his friends would enjoy just for the sake of it? That was the Richard that wanted a music search engine so people couldn’t claim copyright on new music by new artists. That was the real, untwisted Richard. It was a shame what this place and these people had done to him.

XXXXX

Dinesh hadn’t worked in a kitchen for several years now, but it was simple enough to recreate his mother’s actions once he knew where everything was (with only a little bit of guidance from Jared). The pre loved Urdu cookbook had handwritten suggestions and extra recipes scribbled in and Dinesh adored it. Gilfoyle walked in just as he was ready to plate up, and he smiled over at him. “You want to join me?” He invited easily, already serving up two plates. Gilfoyle stabbed a fork into a piece of food and tried it, then shrugged and sat down at the bench.

They ate in silence for a while, then Gilfoyle started up a conversation about work. Their usual back and forth banter felt slightly different, less biting more… familiar. The words were the same, but the tone was gentler. Bighead interrupted them, looking sheepish about it, grabbing a few drinks from the fridge. “Jay and I are gonna take Richie out back, try and get him to destress a bit. You’re welcome to join us, or if you’d rather not, I’ll try and keep everyone out there for a while so you can… do whatever you want.” He smiled, grabbing some extra drinks before heading for the backyard.

Dinesh and Gilfoyle both blinked, glancing towards each other as Bighead left, Dinesh feeling his cheeks heat up. “How can he be so smart and yet so stupid at the same time?” Gilfoyle pondered aloud, finishing off the last of the meal before standing to grab a drink. “Want to head out there? Winding down doesn’t sound like a half bad idea.” “Sure.” Dinesh nodded, deliberately not touching the other man as he grabbed his own drink and followed him outside.

Richard was leaning against Jared’s shoulder, Bighead on Richard’s other side gently rubbing his arm, the three of them leaning against the burnt remains of the palapa. Jared gave them a smile and a wave, and Dinesh did his best to swallow an emotional wave of want and jealously. A hand grabbed his shoulder, making him look up in confusion at Gilfoyle who didn’t respond, just quietly led him over to where the others were sitting.

They were so close. Sides touching from shoulder to knee, still just far enough apart that if they got any closer only then would it feel deliberate. It was slowly killing Dinesh, so close to having what he wanted, but still so terribly far away from it all. His only small comfort was knowing he wasn’t the only one, both Bighead and Jared staring at the man between them the same way he privately looked at Gilfoyle while Richard remained oblivious to them both. They all sat drinking together in silence, a comfortable silence where they all simply lived in the moment instead of trying to make a moment happen.

XXXXX

When it started getting too cold outside (it was December), they piled into the house. Jared started making cocoa for them all, Bighead setting up a movie while they set themselves up on different chairs. Gilfoyle placed himself on the two-seater, looking up at Dinesh for a moment before gesturing to join him. Dinesh glanced back at the other three, but they were wrapped up in themselves, so he sat.

They started off the same way they’d been in the backyard, just far away enough for it to not be weird. Then Gilfoyle shifted to put his cup down, and when he moved back, he was closer to Dinesh. His skin tingled with warmth where he was pressed against Gilfoyle, his heart pounding so loudly in his chest he was sure the others must hear it. Instead of mentioning it though, Richard just fell asleep on Bighead’s shoulder, Jared’s arms around his waist.

An explosion happened onscreen, shocking Dinesh out of his head and further into Gilfoyle. The bearded man chuckled while Dinesh sighed. “Didn’t think you could scare so easily.” Gilfoyle teased, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. Dinesh froze for a moment, but relaxed into the embrace. “I just wasn’t paying attention.” He replied, trying to let a hint of annoyance show through even though he wasn’t really. “I’m well aware of how oblivious you are.” Gilfoyle muttered, in such a way Dinesh didn’t think he was meant to hear. It could be dealt with later.

XXXXX

Dinesh moaned into Gilfoyle’s mouth, pushing his shirt off his shoulders, every part of them itching to get closer together. When they pulled apart for air, and for Gilfoyle to take his shirt off, Dinesh thought for some reason this was the perfect time to bring up that comment. “What did you mean about me being oblivious?” He asked, then instantly regretted it. Gilfoyle stopped, Dinesh’s shirt still in his hands as he stared for a few moments before dropping it with a sigh.

“It means I’ve been wanting you to stay for months, but by the time I go to ask, you’re already mostly dressed again so I don’t.” Gilfoyle said bluntly, a very light dusting of red colouring his cheeks. “Holy shit.” Dinesh whispered, blinking rapidly as he tried to process what he’d just heard. “I was just going to leave it. Friends with benefits was fine. But then you kept hugging me the other day, you made me dinner tonight, saw the way you kept looking at the other three hugging. It clicked for me, that it hadn’t clicked for you. Like I said, I was going to leave it, but you asked, so here I am.”

Dinesh kept staring for a while, before pulling Gilfoyle in and kissing him. It was different than all their other kisses so far, slow and meaningful, filled with emotions other than lust. His desire to be touched being fed steadily as Gilfoyle wrapped his arms around his waist, his own hands cupping the man’s face, his beard soft of his palms. Gilfoyle didn’t pull away like he was expecting him too, didn’t push him away, didn’t act weirded or grossed out, or any of the things that Dinesh had always thought he would do if he ever did this. He was pressing back just as eagerly, just as wanting, just as much emotion as himself.

They both smiled as they pulled apart, just enough to draw in air and not a bit further. “Okay, so maybe you might have a point about me being just the slightest bit oblivious. Only a little bit. I’m still way smarter than you.” He said, the breathiness of his voice and the grin on his face ruining the effect. Gilfoyle kissed him again, just a peck on the lips, before tugging him by his belt loops to the bed.

XXXXX

Dinesh rested his head on Gilfoyle’s shoulder, sleepy and satisfied. His satisfaction increased as warm arms wrapped around him, a large hand gently rubbing his back. “This is nice.” He mumbled into freckly skin, feeling the taller man’s chest rumble under him as he hummed. “Yeah. Wanna do it more often?” “Definitely.” “Cool.”

[rinnnyxr]

WHICH ZODIAC SIGN ARE YOU MOST COMPATIBLE WITH? Aries []You don’t like routine and like surprising people you love. []You are all right with your partner being dominant. []You don’t mind if your partner has had a lot of lovers before you, as long as they are loyal to you. []You don’t shy away from conflict. []Physical actions demonstrate love better than words. []You like it when someone knows what they want and is even a little stubborn about it. []You’d prefer things in your relationship to be spontaneous rather than routine. []You love classic romantic gestures. []You need a great deal of freedom and independence. []You are a Leo or Sagittarius. Total: 7

Taurus []You have no problem with stubborn people - you can stand your own ground. []You are a homebody and take pride in your space. []You want to get to know your partner’s family and friends well. []You are okay with people who have mood swings. []You want to move fairly slowly in your relationship. []You don’t want to have to worry about your own money. []You definitely want to have a family one day. []You like romance, but not overly mushy gestures. []You want intense loyalty, even to the point of slight possessiveness. []You are a Virgo or Capricorn. Total: 5

Gemini []You love to talk and get into long conversations. []You are intelligent and refined. []You don’t mind if your partner flirts with others as long as it’s innocent. []You find the idea of pampering your partner rewarding and fun. []You need to be with someone who is constantly active and doing exciting things. []You like to reinvent yourself - staying the same for too long is boring. []You’re more interested in experiencing the world than serious, traditional family life. []You have a wide variety of interests. []You want your partner to talk a lot in bed. []You are a Libra or Aquarius. Total: 4

Cancer []You’d like a partner who is very emotional. []You think patience is a virtue. []You demonstrate your love for others and make sure they know they are loved. []You want children and love people who are good with kids. []Romance-novel quality romance is appealing to you. []You are deep and think a lot about life. []You want to be with someone who you can share everything with, and vice versa. []You are okay with moodiness. []People have told you that you make them feel safe. []You are a Scorpio or Pisces. Total: 5

Leo []You like people who tend to be the center of attention. []You want to be in a relationship that is fun and exciting! []You’re okay with your partner choosing most of your dates. []You want someone to be protective of you. []You love classic romantic things like roses and candlelit dinners. []The people you find attractive are usually conventionally attractive, “hot” people. []You want to live an indulgent, luxurious lifestyle. []You are very careful not to hurt or offend your partner. []You don’t really care about privacy. []You are a Sagittarius or Aries. Total: 3

Virgo []You like quiet, reserved people. []Large, flowery displays of love aren’t important to you. []You’re okay with a partner who worries a lot and is a perfectionist. []If you like someone, you just want to get into it instead of dancing around the issue! []You think intellectualism is sexy. []You are not messy and organize your home well. []You would prefer a stable life to a crazy, overly adventurous one. []You are fairly conservative personally. []Commitment is a non-issue to you, it just comes naturally. []You are a Capricorn or Taurus. Total: 7

Libra []You want to be with someone who is very balanced and stable. []You hate getting into fights with your partner, even if neither of you get your way. []If your partner was very inexperienced with relationships, you wouldn’t mind. []You value politeness. []You don’t mind contradictions. []You love it when someone is outwardly charming and seductive. []You like the finer things in life. []You prefer large parties to small gatherings. []You have a clear idea of what you want out of a relationship. []You are a Aquarius or Gemini. Total: 5

Scorpio []You’re an all-or-nothing person - either the best relationship of your life, or none at all. []You find eyes the sexiest physical feature. []You want an extremely passionate, intense relationship in all aspects. []You find mysterious people particularly attractive. []You are not scared away by jealousy or even obsession. []You have never and would never cheat on your partner. []If someone is not very open about themselves until you get very close to them, that’s fine with you. []You often find yourself strangely drawn to people, and you can’t understand why! []You don’t want someone who is vanilla in bed. []You are a Pisces or Cancer. Total: 3

Sagittarius []You are optimistic and fun-loving. []Words don’t really do it for you - as long as you know your partner loves you, that’s enough. []You need someone who you can thoroughly trust. []You like adventures - rock climbing or going on a road trip appeals to you. []You want to be with someone who will be a great parent. []You like giving people compliments. []You need quite a bit of space in your relationship. []Commitment isn’t a big deal to you right now. []You are spiritual, but not necessarily religious. []You are an Aries or Leo. Total: 4

Capricorn []You can crack through a shy person’s shell easily. []You like the idea of being someone’s first and only lover. []You think marriage is important and definitely want to get married. []You aren’t afraid of commitment in any way. []You don’t really like it when someone overtly flirts with you. []You’re okay with your partner being very attached to their family and close friends. []You are a hard worker and value work a lot. []You prefer routine to spontaneity. []You want to be with someone who can give you advice. []You are a Taurus or Virgo. Total: 7

Aquarius []You want to go on creative, fun dates every time - the movies and dinner are boring! []You don’t mind if your partner is shy in the beginning. []You rarely offend people and try to be sensitive to others. []You hate public displays of affection. []You don’t want to be with your partner anywhere close to 24/7 - you both need space. []You’d love to be with someone who would write you love letters. []You aren’t a very traditional person. []You want to be friends with your partner first. []You want someone who is loyal, but not overly possessive. []You are a Gemini or Libra. Total: 8

Pisces []You are in tune with your feelings and those of others. []You find artists (of any type) particularly attractive. []You don’t mind taking your time in getting to know someone well. []You’d be willing to indulge any of your partner’s fantasies. []You prefer long-term, serious from the start relationships. []If your partner idealized you and put you on a pedestal, that wouldn’t bother you. []You want an emotionally intense, sensitive partner. []You are good at keeping track of practical details. []If your relationship has ups and downs, that’s okay with you, or even preferred. []You are a Cancer or Scorpio. Total:  3

You are a(n): Virgo & you are most compatible with: Aquarius

-

I have fake nails on right now I’m listening to Miley Cyrus I think formspring is a just a big shit talking website I like coke zero way better than diet coke I listen to my music at a really loud level I absolutely adore dunkaroos Some days are way worse than others for no apparent reason The only makeup I wear on a daily basis is eyeliner I’ve been told that I’m a good kisser I miss TV shows from my childhood, I would still watch them today if they were still on I find it annoying when people don’t say “please” and “thank you” I love corn on the cob ^But I don’t love how it sometimes gets stuck in my teeth I’ve seen the pictures of the falling man from 9/11 and they make me really sad I’d rather be dead than a quadriplegic Family guy cracks me up I stubbed my toe today and it feels like it’s on fire I find the Holocaust and other horrific events very interesting I’m not a big fan of poetry, I find a lot of it very hard to understand I never learned how to do the Hoedown Throwdown I like the show Toddlers and Tiaras I have a whole bin in my room that is full to the top with shoes I love my siblings and I’m glad I’m not an only child ^That seems kinda lonely My favorite channel on TV is Bravo ^I love all the Real Housewives My room REALLY needs to be cleaned I hate running ^My boobs we’re not made for it I’m subscribed to Cosmopolitan magazine I prefer male singers to female ones Being pregnant is one of my worst fears I hate how it’s so much easier to gain weight than lose it I don’t get on facebook near as often as I used to I think having an affair with an older man sounds exciting Whenever I see a red Solo cup I always think about getting drunk I’m pretty damn decent at beer pong There’s alcohol in the room I’m in right now I’ve smoked a cigar before ^Mmm I like the band Forever the Sickest Kids I talk a lot of shit

I listen to Lady GaGa’s music every now and then. I am late to school at least 3 times a week. I love watching The Real Housewives Of New Jersey. I’ve been in a long-distance relationship more than once. I have an iPod Nano. ^And its orange. I don’t wear slippers. I cannot stand Justin Bieber. ^I honestly wonder why he is even famous. Most of my best friends don’t live in the same state as me. I forget things easily. I think the pizza flavored Goldfish are the best. I don’t like broccoli. I have a Last.fm account. I’ve had a mole cut off to see if it was cancerous. DQ Blizzards are fucking amazing. ^My favorite is the Cotton Candy. I’ve dated someone who played the drums in a band. I’ve never dated a redhead. My toenails are currently painted neon orange. I like sunsets better than sunrises. I’m not a fan of chocolate candy bars. I like watching UFC. ^I usually watch it with my boyfriend. I think about the past way too much, more than the average person. I’m not afraid to tell it like it is. ^Some people dislike me because of it. I got into a lot of physical fights in middle school. I’ve played Spin the Bottle at lunch before. I don’t like Jay-Z. I tend to stick my tongue out a lot in pictures when I’m drunk. ^I’m pretty much a camera whore in that state. I’ve lived in four houses throughout my life. I don’t use Limewire to download music. ^I think its nothing but a piece of shit. I sometimes buy hoodies on Ebay. I read a lot during the summer. I love every book by Ellen Hopkins. I’ve lost 3 loved ones due to someone else’s drunk driving. The first person I smoked weed with was my boyfriend. I have a high pain tolerance. I’ve dated someone more than once. I like bright colored earrings and shirts. I don’t drink soda.

-

YOUR STEREOTYPICAL MASCULINE SIDE: You love hoodies. You love shorts. Dogs are better than cats.   It’s hilarious when people get hurt. Shopping is torture. Sad movies suck.   You own a car racing game. You played with hot wheels cars as a kid.   At some point in time you wanted to be a fire fighter. You owned a DS, PS2, N64, or Sega.   You used to be obsessed with power rangers. You have watched sports on TV. Gory movies are cool. You go to your dad for advice.   You own like a trillion baseball caps.   You used to collect hockey or baseball cards. Baggy sweats are cool to wear. It’s kinda weird to have sleepovers with a bunch of people. Green, black, red, blue, or silver are one of your favorite colors. You love to go crazy and not care what people think.   Sports are fun.   You talk with food in your mouth. You sleep with your socks on at night. You have fished at least once.

YOUR STEREOTYPICAL FEMININE SIDE: You love to shop. You wear eyeliner. You wear the color pink. You go to your mom to talk. You consider cheerleading a sport. You hate wearing the color black. You like going to the mall. You like getting manicures and/or pedicures.   You like wearing jewelry.   You cried watching The Notebook. Dresses are a big part of your wardrobe. Shopping is one of your favorite hobbies. You don’t like Star Wars.   You are/were in gymnastics.   It takes you around one hour to shower, get dressed, and make-up. You smile a lot more than you should.   You have more than 10 pairs of shoes. You care about what you look like.   You like wearing dresses when you can. You like wearing high heel shoes. You used to play with dolls as little kid. You like putting make-up on others. You like being the star of everything.

APPEARANCE: i am shorter than 5’5”. I have scars. I tan easily. I wish my hair was a different color. I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color. I have a tattoo. I am self-conscious about my appearance. I’ve had/have braces. I’ve been told i’m attractive by a complete stranger. I have more than two piercings. i have/had piercings in places besides my ears.

EXPERIENCES: I’ve gotten lost in my city. I’ve seen a shooting star. I’ve wished on a shooting star. I’ve seen a meteor shower. I’ve gone out in public in my pajamas. I’ve pushed all the buttons on an elevator. I’ve kicked a guy where it hurts. I’ve been to a casino. I’ve been skydiving. I’ve gone skinny-dipping. I’ve drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour. I’ve crashed a car. I’ve been skiing. I’ve been in a musical. I’ve caught a snowflake or snow on my tongue. I’ve seen the northern lights. I’ve sat on a rooftop at night. I’ve played a prank on someone. I’ve ridden in a taxi. I’ve seen the rocky horror picture show. I’ve eaten sushi. I’ve been snowboarding.

HONESTY/CRIME: I’ve done something I promised someone else I wouldn’t. I’ve done something I promised myself I wouldn’t. I’ve snuck out. I’ve lied to my parents about where I am. I’ve cheated while playing a game. I’ve ran a red light. I’ve witnessed a crime. I’ve been in a fist fight. I’ve been arrested.

DEATH AND SUICIDE: I’m afraid of dying. I hate funerals. I’ve seen someone/something dying. Someone close to me has attempted/committed suicide. I’ve written an eulogy for myself.

RANDOM: I can sing well. I’ve stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant. I open up to others easily. I watch the news. I don’t kill bugs. I sing in the shower. I am a morning person. I paid for a cell phone ring tone. I am a sports fanatic. I twirl my hair. I care about grammar. I have “?”’s in my screen name. I’ve copied more than 30 CDs in a day. I bake well. My favorite color is either white, yellow, pink, red, blue, black, purple, or orange. I would wear pijamas to school. I like Martha Stewart. I know how to use a gun. I laugh at my own jokes. I eat fast food weekly. I’ve not turned anything in and still got an A in a certain class. I can’t sleep if there is a spider/cockroach in the room. I am ticklish. I love white chocolate. I bite my nails. I’m good at remembering faces. I’m good at remembering names. I’m good at remembering dates. I honestly have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.

-

Bold what you like, Cross out what you don’t.

Your protein: pork steak lamb chops hamburgers vegan burgers chicken nuggets chicken fingers tuna shrimp salmon oyster crab lasagne ravioli chicken soup beef jerky slim jims bacon spam buffalo wings sausage ham turkey meat balls

Your dairy: milk soy milk skim milk raw egg boiled egg sunny-side eggs scrambled eggs cottage cheese cheddar cheese mozzarella cheese swiss cheese blue cheese cream cheese plain yogurt

Your vegetables and fruits: mushrooms tomatoes pickles olives carrots raw onion broccoli cauliflower green beans string beans peas black beans celery leek artichoke lima beans bell pepper asparagus spinach seaweed avocado eggplant zucchini corn cucumber squash/pumpkin/yam garlic ginger peanuts almonds sunflower seeds raisins bananas apples pears grapes oranges tangerines peach blueberries raspberries blackberries strawberries lemons pineapples coconuts apricot cherries plums cranberry kiwi watermelon melon pomegranate grapefruit lime guava mango papaya

Your starch: French fries baked potato scalopped potato mashed potato fried rice white rice bagel white bread whole grain bread French bread corn bread sourdough pancakes spaghetti macaroni & cheese oatmeal

Condiments: wasabi soy sauce cranberry sauce marmalade grape jam strawberry jam ketchup mustard relish mayonnaise whipped cream honey mustard sauce Tabasco salt ranch gravy caramel peanut butter salsa pepper honey maple syrup hummus butterscotch marshmallows icing

Junk food: cheetos sour cream and onion chips barbeque chips vinegar chips wheat thins graham crackers saltine crackers cheez-its ritz tortilla chips Lunchables Milano cookies Twinkies popcorn fruit roll ups donuts ice cream sandwiches Poptarts pretzels Girl Scout cookies Oreos Nutter Butter Fig Newtons Jell-O rice crispy treats

Cereals: Cocoa Puffs Cocoa Pebbles Fruit Loops Cinnamon Toast Crunch Frosted Flakes Raisin Bran Apple Jacks Corn Flakes Cookie Crisp Cap’n Crunch Lucky Charms Cheerios

Dessert: brownies muffins cinnamon rolls cheesecake donuts chocolate fondue pudding apple pie pumpkin bread pumpkin pie chocolate chip cookies sugar cookies gingerbread cookies biscotti fortune cookies shortbread cookies oatmeal cookies Angel food cake carrot cake cupcakes fruit cake cream puffs flan custard Meringue sorbet s’mores

Asian: ramen cup noodle sushi miso soup kimchi teriyaki eggrolls orange chicken

Fast food and restaurants: McDonald’s Carl’s Jr Taco Bell Panda Express Jack-in-the-box In-n-out Chick-Fil-A La Salsa Dairy Queen Baskin Robbin’s Pizza Hut Papa John’s Roundtable Domino’s Johnny Rocket’s Cho-cho San’s Hot Dog On A Stick Coldstone California Pizza Kitchen Red Robin Ruby Tuesdays Chili’s Wendy’s Burger King Kentucky Fried Chicken Subway Tommy’s The Cheesecake Factory Arby’s Quiznos El Pollo Loco TGIF Applebee’s Wienerschnitzel IHOP Islands White Castle Togo’s Sonic Popeyes Orange Julius Jamba Juice Coffee Bean Starbucks Del Taco Chuck E. Cheese Baja Fresh Macaroni Grill

Candy: Red Vines M&M’s Snickers Hershey’s kisses Kissables Kit-Kat Nerds Junior Mints Twizzlers Tootsie Rolls Jelly beans Swedish Fish Skittles Starburst 100 grand 3 Musketeers Airheads Almond Joy Baby Bottle Pops Baby Ruth bottle caps Butterfinger Reese’s Cup Fast Break Twix cotton candy chocolate coins Dots Hot Tamales jaw breakers Jolly Ranchers Laffy Taffy Lemonheads lifesavers Mike & Ike Milkduds Milky way Mr. Goodbar Nestle’s crunch Payday pixie sticks pop rocks Push Up pops Runts Smarties Snow Caps Sugardaddy Sweet Tarts Tic-Tacs York Peppermint Patties Warheads

Non-alcoholic drinks: Rootbeer Lemonade Orange juice Grape juice Capri Sun Coke Diet Coke Diet Pepsi Pepsi 7up Sprite Mountain Dew Hawaiian Punch Dr. Pepper Apple juice hot cocoa Kool-Aid cappuccinos frappuccinos lattes espresso energy drinks Vanilla Coke Cherry Coke Fanta Arizona Green Tea Squirt Gatorade Iced tea Green tea Chamomile tea White tea Oolong tea Jasmine tea Chai tea Snapple apple cider

Alcoholic drinks: Wine Sake Shochu Vodka Bourbon whisky Irish whisky Canadian whisky Bloody Mary Rum Absolut Brandy Scotch Cognac Tequila Gin Wine cooler Smirnoff Marc Sidecar Tonic Pina Colada Martini Alabama Slammer Daiquiri Margarita Cape Cod Flying Horse Kamikaze Screwdriver Rusty Nail Cajun Strawberry Soda Mimosa Champagne Cascade Fosters Sam Adams Budweiser Coors Harpoon Milwaukee’s Bes

[wistfulcynic]

Four Christmases: The First

So I know this is a leetle bit early, but since there are four parts to this tale I decided to post the first today so the others can fall on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and Boxing Day. So here it is, Part One of my @cssecretsanta2k18 gift for the lovely @imharryaf. An enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story with some family moments, the tiniest smidge of smut, and of course ice skating. I hope you enjoy it! 

Summary: When Emma Swan first meets Killian Jones at her sister’s Christmas party, she is not impressed. Over the course of the four Christmases they spend in each other’s company, Killian does his best to change her mind. 

Rating: T+ for language and some naughty thoughts. 

Read it on AO3 

The First: 

They say first impressions are important, and Emma had always been a believer in this. It was essential for her job; if the skips weren’t convinced that she was there for a date with them, they’d never fall into her honey trap.

Of course, in her line of work she never spent enough time with anyone for there to be a second or third impression, so the first was pretty much all you got. 

Her first impression of Killian Jones, formed about two hours into Emma’s sister Mary Margaret’s annual Christmas party, was not favourable. Of course she noticed his handsome face with its bright blue eyes and very kissable lips, but at the moment of their meeting those eyes were fixed on the naked breasts of her friend Ruby as the lips descended to latch onto her nipple and suck it hard as Ruby leaned back against the bathroom sink and moaned. 

“Are you fucking kidding me?” shouted Emma. 

“Ems!” shrieked Ruby, pushing Killian away and yanking up her dress. 

Killian turned to glare at her, clearly displeased by the interruption. “Are you fucking kidding me,” he growled. “Barging in like this…”

“‘Barging in’? To the bathroom of my own apartment?”

He regarded her more closely, interest sparking in his eyes as he took in her habitual honey-trapping outfit of tight red dress and sky-high heels, her blonde hair in loose curls tumbling down her back. (“It’s— maybe a bit much for a friendly Christmas party?” Mary Margaret had said, but Emma knew that if she were going to survive a whole night with her sister’s very friendly friends then she needed her armour very much intact.) 

“Ah, you must be Swan, then,” said Killian, his blue gaze now fixed on her as though Ruby and the party and the entire rest of the world didn’t exist. 

“Emma Swan, yes.” She resisted the urge to squirm under his intense regard. The accelerated heartbeat and sudden hot flush across her skin she attributed to outrage. She simply wouldn’t allow them to be due to anything else. 

“And do you not knock on bathroom doors here in your apartment, Emma Swan?” he inquired mockingly. 

“I did knock,” hissed Emma, unconsciously moving closer to him. “You clearly didn’t hear me.”

“Well, I was rather occupied, love,” he said with an arrogant smirk that made her blood boil. 

“I am not your love!”  

“No, indeed. Although that could certainly be remedied, should you wish it… Swan.” His smirk turned lascivious as he leaned into her space, his gaze roaming her body. His tongue flicked out to wet his lower lip and Emma actually shivered, suddenly overcome by images of that tongue and those lips on her skin. 

What is wrong with me?

“You’re disgusting,” she hissed. 

“Bit harsh, love.” 

“Coming on to me in front of your— of the—” she gestured angrily at Ruby, who had been watching the interplay between Emma and Killian with extreme interest.

“Chill, Ems, it was just a bit of fun,” she said, “I took the opportunity to get some hot pirate action, but now that you have completely killed the mood, I’ll be getting back to the party. Maybe another time, Captain.” 

“Aye, love,” replied Killian, his eyes still locked with Emma’s. 

Ruby shook her head and squeezed behind Emma to get to the door, forcing her to take another step closer to Killian, who favoured her with a smile she would have found charming on a man she didn’t loathe. 

“Now then, Swan, care to pick up where she left off?”

“I would rather rip out my own fingernails,” she retorted, the breathiness of her voice revealing the lie of her words. Why couldn’t she breathe?

 He laughed, completely unperturbed. “I’d heard you were a tough lass.”

“Woman.” 

“I beg your pardon?”

“Lass means girl, right? I’m not a girl.” 

The smirk returned. “That you certainly are not,” he purred, his voice dark and velvety and dripping with sinful promise.

There was that shiver again. Emma ground her teeth, struggling to think over the pounding of her heart, barely aware that she was biting her lower lip and shifting on her feet, squeezing her thighs together in an attempt to quell the tingling between them. What the hell was happening? There was no way she could be physically attracted to this jerk. 

Killian closed the remaining distance between them, leading with his hips, one thumb tucked under his belt. With the other hand he reached up to grasp a lock of her hair, rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger. 

“So what do you say, Swan…” Maybe, she thought wildly, maybe I could… just this once… “…shall we see just how much of a woman you are?” 

And the spell was broken.

Ugh, he was the worst, and now she was furious. Furious with him for ruining his gorgeous face by being such an asshole, with herself for being prepared to overlook it. How could she ever have even considered letting him touch her?

Quick as a flash, she grabbed his hand from her hair and whipped him around, twisting his arm behind his back, smiling in satisfaction at his grunt of pain. 

“I would not fuck you,” she hissed in his ear, “If you were the last man on earth and the last hope for continuing the human race.” She wrenched his arm higher. "Do you understand?”

“I do,” he replied, through clenched teeth, “You needn’t press the point, Swan.” 

She released him, and he immediately stumbled away from her, wincing as he reached up to massage his shoulder. He turned towards the door, twisting the knob and opening it a few inches before suddenly pausing and closing it again. 

“I’m sorry,” he said. 

She blinked in surprise. “What?”

He turned to look at her for the first time since she’d released his arm, his expression free of suggestion or innuendo. Instead he looked… ashamed?

“My behaviour just now, it was… uncouth. Bad form. I apologise.” 

“Oh.” She had not been expecting that. “Uh, fine. Thanks. Still not gonna fuck you.” 

The smirk returned, this time merely a wry twist of his mouth, an eyebrow slightly quirked. “I’d never dream of suggesting you would,” he said. “See you around, Emma Swan.” 

And with a small, slightly mocking bow, he was gone. 

She saw him several more times that night, watched him actually, if she was honest, as he chatted and laughed and charmed his way through her friends and acquaintances. She waited for him to slip up, to show them the nasty, leering side of himself she’d seen in the bathroom, but he never did. In fact, they all seemed to love him. 

It really pissed her off. 

“So who is this Killian guy anyway?” she asked Mary Margaret when they went to the kitchen together to get drinks for everyone. 

“Uh, he’s a friend of David’s.” Mary Margaret was distracted, trying to remember all the drink orders. 

“Yeah, but how do they know each other? They seem… kinda different.” 

“They met during David’s year abroad. You remember he studied in London? Killian was there too, I think they met in a pub or something.” 

“Yeah, he seems like the kind of guy to hang out in pubs,” said Emma, wrenching the cap off a bottle of beer with perhaps slightly more force than was strictly required.  

Mary Margaret gave her an odd look. “Killian is definitely a character, but David says he was miserable in London before they met. Killian helped him feel more at home, introduced him to his friends, invited him to parties and stuff. He’s really a nice guy, Emma.” 

Emma snorted. Nice guys didn’t come on to strange women in bathrooms. 

“David’s been trying to get him to Storybrooke for Christmas for years now, but he’s always busy. He has to leave again tomorrow, actually. Something to do with his work.”

“What does he do?” Why was she interested? 

“I don’t know exactly, he works on some kind of ship. Modern piracy, or something, David said.” 

Ruby had called him a pirate too. 

As she helped Mary Margaret carry the drinks, Emma found her attention drawn back to Killian, who was sitting on the arm of the sofa talking to… well, everyone, it seemed. He was telling a story, illustrating it animatedly with his hands —nice hands, she noticed, damn it— obviously coming to the punch line just as she arrived because the entire room burst into laughter. 

Emma gritted her teeth as she handed him a beer. 

“Thank you, Swan,” he said, with a polite smile. She nodded brusquely and turned away. She did not stomp off. She didn’t. 

“So you’ve met Emma then,” said David.

“Aye, though I fear I’ve made rather a poor first impression,” Killian replied. 

“Yeah, that’s not hard to do. Emma can be a bit prickly. She wasn’t my biggest fan at first either.” 

“She’s Mary Margaret’s sister, you say?”

“Half sister, yeah. It’s a sad story. Their dad had a fling with Emma’s mom right after Mary Margaret’s mom died. When Emma’s mom found out she was pregnant, she freaked out and ran away. Their dad tried to find her, but she’d completely disappeared. Emma was found abandoned on the side of a road when she was less than a day old, and no one ever saw her mother again. She got swallowed up by the system then, spent years in foster care before their dad finally tracked her down.”

“Bloody hell.”

“You said it.” 

Killian watched as Emma distributed drinks to the rest of the guests. Although she wasn’t unfriendly, her body language was decidedly closed off and unwelcoming, a clear warning to anyone who might try to get too close. Yet she couldn’t quite hide the yearning in her eyes as she watched the easy way the others interacted. She wanted affection, he realised, longed for intimacy, she just couldn’t open herself up to it, couldn’t bring herself to let anyone in.  

Fascinating. 

He wished he could tell her that he understood, that he’d also been abandoned by a parent, and that after his brother’s death followed closely by his girlfriend’s he’d closed himself off from people too. It was hard to let anyone in when your only experiences with intimacy had ended in loss and betrayal, no one understood that better than he. Unfortunately, he feared he’d destroyed any chance to connect with her before he’d even really known he wanted to. 

Killian kicked himself mentally for what must be the hundredth time in the past hour for having been such a boor in the bathroom. He didn’t know what he’d been thinking. 

Although no, that wasn’t quite true. The problem was that he hadn’t been thinking. At least, he hadn’t been thinking with his brain. With his body already worked up by his dalliance with Ruby and his wits dulled by alcohol he had simply not been prepared for Emma, for the sharp green eyes that had pierced clear to his soul even as her soft gold hair had begged for his fingers to sink into it and pull her mouth to his. Immediately Ruby and the party and the fact that they were in the bloody bathroom had flown right out of his head, leaving only Emma and the hitch in her breath that he could feel on his cheek, the way her eyes had darkened as she bit a bright pink hue into her lower lip completely overwhelming his common sense and all his filters. 

Oh, and he was a complete arse. That hadn’t helped matters either. 

If only he didn’t have to leave early the next morning, he thought in frustration. Given enough time, he might be able to salvage the situation —salvaging wrecks was his job, after all— but instead her negative opinion of him would only solidify in his absence, and she’d probably spend the rest of her life thinking he was a creepy jerk. 

He had no idea why this troubled him so much. All he knew was that he’d never felt so drawn to a woman before; even beyond the sexual attraction he sensed a kindred spirit in her and he couldn’t bear the idea of her despising him. Even if they never saw each other again. 

He managed to speak to her once more, as he was leaving the party. She had fetched his coat for him (at Mary Margaret’s request and clearly under protest, he couldn’t help noticing), and he allowed his fingers to brush hers, lightly, as he took it from her. 

Her sharp intake of breath and the way she snatched her hand away was balm to his soul. Whatever else, she wasn’t indifferent to him. 

“So, you’re leaving tomorrow,” she blurted out, as he was shrugging the coat on. 

“Aye. I have to get back to work.” 

“On Christmas Eve?” 

“Much of my work is… time sensitive. And I’ve no family anymore, so there’s not much point in taking the time off when I’d just be spending it alone.” 

He had no idea why he’d told her that. 

Perhaps he just wanted her to know that he too knew what it felt like to have no one. 

Understanding and a hint of sympathy flashed across her face. “You could spend it with David,” she said, in a friendlier tone. “The holidays, I mean. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.” 

“Aye, so he keeps telling me. But I don’t wish to impose.” He hesitated a moment before adding “Perhaps next year.” He zipped up his coat and slung his satchel over his shoulder, then turned and smiled at her, offering his hand. To his surprise, she took it. 

On impulse, he lifted hers to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. Her eyes widened, and she swallowed hard, licking her lips as she did, and Killian cursed the gods and the fates, and his own idiot self for ruining whatever chances he might otherwise have had with this woman. 

“Happy Christmas, Emma Swan,” he said.