#i need to do more with boat boys i always forget how badly i love them until i remember

[crabbunch]

*boats ur boys*

Etho is sitting on the edge of the cobblestone platform, staring out into the deep dark. Impulse and Bdubs are up on the surface, collecting sand. Joel leans against the wall, and watches Etho, and savours what might be the last moments he will be able to share with his soulbound.

Alone, at least.

Etho is a strange, quiet guy, and Joel thinks that he would probably be okay to let the silence hover around them for as long as he could continue the guise of being quiet as to not wake up a warden. Joel knows that they are high enough to be perfectly safe, but he lets Etho have the stillness of the moment anyways.

For a little bit, anyways. After about half an hour, his fingers start to itch, and his faces twitches. He'd love to bite something, but he'll have to settle with talking.

"Etho," Joel says loudly.

Etho jumps a little, and turns around to face Joel, eyes wide. "Yeah?"

"We've been soulbound for ages now," Joel starts, walking over to sit next to him. "And I hardly know anything about you."

Etho blinks. "I mean, really? I can't think of anything you don't know."

"Your face," Joel replies immediately. "I don't know what it looks like. Take off the mask."

"My face?" Etho's voice cracks. "Joel, I think there's been a misunderstanding-"

"I'm not flirting," Joel backpedals. "I mean, I was flirting a little I guess, but mostly actually I was just curious to see what you look like underneath the mask, you know?"

"I'm not wearing a mask," Etho says.

"...Etho, I can see the mask on your face," Joel argues, squinting at the blue fabric.

"I'm not wearing a mask!" Etho insists. "That's just- my face just looks like that!"

"Sure, sure," Joel says. "That's- that's fine. We're only soulbound, we're only- look, Etho, I know you like jokes, but I seriously want a straight answer from you right now! If you're uncomfortable with showing me, that's fine, just- tell me, you know?"

"I-" Etho blinks, and blinks, and blinks. "Joel, I am being serious."

Etho pats his pockets, and pulls a potato out of his pocket. He takes an exaggerated bite of it for Joel's sake, and Joel-

"What," Joel says. "Wait. You mean to tell me- you just have a section of skin that's blue in exactly the shape of a mask."

"Yeah," Etho says. "Do you wanna feel it?"

Joel leans over and gently presses a finger to Etho's cheek. He rubs it back and forth- it feels exactly like normal skin.

"Wow," Joel breathes. "Wow. Okay. Uh, thank you?"

Etho's eyes crinkle happily. "Sure thing. I'm really not as private as most people think."

"And you don't say anything about it?" Joel says indignantly, leaning closer to Etho. He presses his shoulder into Etho's side and leans his head against his shoulder.

Etho gives him a strange look. "No?"

"Right, right, forgot that you were you," Joel laughs. "...who else knows?"

"Bdubs," says Etho. Joel's stomach twists uncomfortably. "Cleo, Beef, Doc. Pause, I think? That's probably it."

"Right," says Joel. "Uh, we should probably get going. People to kill, stuff to burn, you know?"

"Are you going to miss this?" Etho asks instead of replying. He looks away from the general direction of Joel back towards the ancient city.

"Are you?" Joel shoots back. He doesn't think he could stand to admit that it will feel like loosing a limb when he and Etho unravel from each other and go back to living their solitary lives if Etho doesn't feel the same way.

"I'm not sure," Etho says thoughtfully. "I guess I'll find out once we die."

"Right," says Joel.

He stares out into the darkness and tries to see whatever it is Etho sees in it- he doesn't quite get it, probably, but he comes a little close. The empty-quiet-longing tug in his gut helps.

Did you love me, Joel does not ask. Did you love this like you love your quiet places and your jokes and Bdubs, or was the rush of everything I felt too much? He does not ask, because he cannot bear to hear any answer.

"You're right, we should get going," Etho stands up with a chuckle. He rubs the back of his head and offers Joel a hand to help him stand up.

"We better find Impulse and Bdubs before they get themselves killed," Joel agrees. "Idiots. They'd walk right off a cliff without realizing it if we weren't there for them."

"Oh, you know Bdubs," Etho says in the same tone of voice he mocked Joel with after he got them both killed. "He's fragile."

"Y-yeah," Joel stutters, and they walk out of the caves into the bright noonday sun, and Joel does not think about the ways Etho loves at all.

[essentiallykpopandbl]

I don't normally talk at lengths about kpop related things, especially on Tumblr, because I feel there are enough other fans in the world adding to the conversation. Yet, I am going to break that for a moment because I finally got around to watching RM's mv for Wild Flower that came out a few days ago. Do you know when you watch something and the meaning comes across loud and clear and it hits you and you just sit a little stunned but also a little sad. And you know you will never see that thing the same way again? Well that happened this morning. I have had Wild Flower on repeat since it came out but due to my lack of fluency in korean, all I could go off of was a few words I picked up, the vibe, feeling, and emotion of the song. I had a feeling RM was singing about his struggles with his life in BTS. But oh boy did was I so unprepared.

"When everything I believed in grew distant.

When all this fame turned into shackles.

Please take my desire away from me.

No matter what it takes.

Oh let me be myself"

That part almost broke me. I can't imagine what it is like to be in his position. Leader of arguably the best known K-pop group. Often the voice of an entire industry due to the position his group is in. The pressure to be what his members, company, industry, and country needs him to be. He is RM of BTS. And I know he has talked about this before but he is also Kim Namjoon. A boy who fell in love with music with no idea what he will become. And I am worried it is what he has become that will one day break him. But it's his second verse that made me want to write this.

"Where's my end finally gonna be?

Everything's so exhausting from A to Z

When's this wretched mask finally gonna come off?

Yeah, me no hero, me no villian

I'm barely anything

Idling repeats, memories turning vicious

Lying in a field, I set my sights on the skies

Now, I can't remember what I wanted so badly

I trusted I was happy, now a mere memory

Yeah I been going, no matter what's in front

No matter what it may be

Memories of holding onto dawn's edge and spitting things out

Society's all for the loudest voice

And here I am, still speaking silence

It's an aside, a boat in full bloom

To face all the prejudice and misunderstandings

I dont care much for being tossed into the air

Grounded on my own two feet

Amongst the flowers without names

I can't go to the stars again, I cant

Underfoot I just go

To a destination without a purpose

Not even knowing my own sadness

Even making friends with the shadows

I be gone"

You can feel his heart as he is rapping this verse. The sadness and fear he has at losing himself. I think as fans, we often forget what some people give up when they reach that level of fame. But on the flip side, no one truly knows what it means to be RM of BTS. Even the other members, RM's biggest support system, dont know that feeling. They know what it means to be a member of BTS, but to be the voice that RM is always expected to be? They don't know that. But when RM talks.... is it his voice? Or is it the collective voice of the other members and the industry he is representing? Does he answer based on what he thinks is expected of him? And if so, does that cause him to have even less of a voice? At what point does the need to speak for others suffocate someone.

I find it interesting that he brought up the shadows, because SUGA also raps about the shadows often. How they grow and can overtake everything when the light on them becomes too strong. I find it terrifying the thought of it being easier to be swallowed, or friends, with those shadows then to keep looking at the light. But when the light is blinding and the stars are scary, maybe the darkness is comforting.

While the song is sad it is also hopeful. When he talks about burning fireworks to flowerworks, it feels very reminiscent of the Phoenix. Something that rises from the ashes and comes back more beautiful. I think RM is battling those demons and what is threatening to burn him down but I believe what comes out of it is that much better. And I hope that is what we are seeing through this song. That RM is finding a way to be Kim Namjoon. That the world has not taken everything from him in their expectations of who he is. That somewhere, Kim Namjoon is finding his own voice. And that voice will be just as loud and beautiful as RM's is. Because I have a feeling Kim Namjoon has very interesting things to say.

[astonmartinii]

lemonade and star-crossed lovers, p1 (JJ Maybank)

Warnings: none yet, swearing? all core characters are aged up to 18, Rafe is 21. 

JJ Maybank x kook!reader (super super slow burn) (this will hopefully be a series) 

WC: 4.0k 

Growing up, Y/N always heard jokes about how the eldest daughter was just the mum in a different font. She never used to believe it, but that was when she had present and dedicated parents. Now, it just seemed that with every addition to the Miller family, the less interested Kevin and Julie Miller became. 

So here Y/N was, practically a mother to her three younger siblings. 

Dylan is only a year younger than Y/N but is no less of a hassle, especially when his useless friends decide to crash at their place. But considering they had the most hectic house of Dylan’s friendship group, the Miller household was usually the last option. 

Then there’s Anderson, he’s in his rebellious phase currently, getting to that point where he’s figured out that acting out could maybe get the attention of his parents. Though Y/N wasn’t sure how well his plans were working out. 

Peach is the youngest and practically attached to Y/N’s hip. To an untrained eye, Y/N often looked like a teen mum as she took Peach with her to the grocery shopping. In fact, Y/N was sure that if the kooks in Figure Eight didn’t know her family, they’d sneer at her with the same ignorance that clouded their entire lives. 

Y/N woke up glad - it’s the last day of school. Summer break looms. The idea of boneyard keggers and hot (but equally clueless) tourons, excited the girl. But she knew her summer reality would be looking after Peach, bailing Anderson out of jail and swatting away the affections of Dylan’s stupid friends. 

—————————————

Dylan is already awake when Y/N comes knocking, taking extra close care to his hair. 

“Oh, you’re up,” Y/N said, moving to ruffle his hair and grab the empty plate on his bedside cabinet. 

“Jesus, fuck Y/N, was that really necessary?” 

“Hey maybe if you spent more time on assignments than your hair you wouldn’t have to take so many summer classes - oh yeah, mum might not remember, but I do, and you will be going.” 

“But it’s summer, surely it’s a violation to my human rights to go to school.”

“I’m sure you’ll survive, and maybe when you finally pass this year, you’ll thank me. Breakfast in 10.” 

Dylan just flips his sister off, going back to admiring himself in the mirror. 

Y/N next goes to Peach’s room to find her awake and rummaging through her draws. 

“Hey, princess, what are you thinking for the last day? Third grade finished already, you’ll be my age soon, wheeling me into the retirement home.” 

Peach erupts into giggles, pulling out a little pink summer dress and grabbing her pink sandals to complete the ensemble. 

“All pink, we love. Breakfast in 10, alright, don’t want you to be late for the last day.” 

Anderson’s room is last, Y/N doesn’t bother knocking on her parent’s door. Kevin is probably already down on Judy - his beloved boat. The room is typical of a 14 year old boy, it stunk, his weed paraphernalia was badly hidden and there was a lump of pillows under the cover instead of a boy. 

Shrugging, Y/N picked up the dirty mugs in his room and moved downstairs. She’d been awake nearly an hour now but was still unsure of what to make for breakfast. Opening the fridge gave her the only possible answer, leftover pizza from the previous night and maybe a porridge pot, though considering there were only two siblings to account for, it would do. 

Dylan and Peach joined her in the kitchen shortly after, each taking a slice or two of pizza. 

“No Anderson and pizza for breakfast? Watch out, we'll be calling CPS as soon as we’re outside.“ 

“You don’t know where the bug is? Why does that boy insist on giving me early onset cardiac issues?” 

“Don’t take it too to heart, I’m sure he’ll turn up by the second period.” 

“Okay, go to school now. Dylan, are you okay to drop Peach off, I’ll pick her up.” 

Dylan nods and ushers the youngest out of the door and to his car. Y/N lets out a sigh when she sees them leave the driveway and makes her way to the back door. Through the sliding door she can see her dad, Kevin on Judy instructing John B, the kid who worked on the boat, what to do. Y/N puts two slices of pizza on a plate and grabs an apple and ventures out to the dock. 

“Morning Y/N.” 

“Morning, John B, can I interest you in an apple? It’s all we have I’m afraid.” 

“No worries, any breakfast is breakfast when you’re a pogue.”

“Oh John B, you know I don’t believe in all that sub-par class warfare bullshit.” 

“Of course you don’t, but that’s very easy to say when you’re on the other side.” 

“Touche.” 

Y/N doesn’t say anymore, but moves to give her dad his breakfast. She liked John B and hoped he didn’t see her like the other kooks. Sure Rafe Cameron frequented her house, but she’s nothing like him. 

“Thanks, squirt.” 

Despite the nickname, Kevin was absent as ever, not moving to look at her. 

“You’re children are off to school, don’t worry.” 

Silence. 

“Oh thank you Y/N, I really don’t know what we’d do without you! You’re such a gem, you’re really unappreciated and we don’t deserve you! Thanks dad, I really needed to hear that. Are you coming later?”

“Where?” Kevin grunted, with pizza in his mouth. 

“My graduation? Did you forget that was today?” 

The awkward silence was enough of an answer for Y/N. 

“Sorry squirt, I promised to go to the mainland to pick something up for your mother.” 

With that, Y/N stormed off Judy, towards the house and into her room. When she sat down on her bed she could think about what just happened. She knew her parents didn’t care about her, but missing their first child’s graduation for a small errand to the mainland? 

Now that the house was quiet again, she could get ready - she was graduating today and as valedictorian she wants to look her best. Julie, her mum, is in Washington on some mysterious job venture, Y/N wasn’t told until she came down in the morning a few days ago and saw Julie with her suitcases. She guessed that one positive of her parents’ absenteeism is her ability to steal Julie’s expensive jewelry to wear. 

Y/N looked in the mirror, she did clean up nice when she wanted to. Her lengthy hair is in a half-up, half-down style, with minimal makeup and a red knee-length dress. The dress hugged her figure and complemented her graduation gown perfectly. Too bad none of her family would be there to see it. She knew deep down that Peach and Dylan would’ve attended if possible, and Anderson would maybe even make an appearance, especially if there was food involved. 

Y/N put her matching red heels on and grabbed her cap from her closet. After one final look in the mirror and putting her printed speech into her bag, the young girl made her way down the stairs. 

To her surprise, none other than John B sat in her kitchen drinking a glass of water. 

“You clean up nice kook,” said John B, a smug smirk on his face. 

“Thank you, John. Don’t you have graduation today?” 

 “Eh, yeah. I’m just going for the food though, school isn’t really my thing…” John B looked closer at her cap. “I’m practically the opposite to you Miss Valedictorian”. 

“Hmm, well at least someone in this house noticed, thank you John B. I’m going now, I didn’t notice your van out front, you need a lift to yours?” 

“Is that really on your way, wouldn’t want Miss Valedictorian to be late to her own event, you got a speech ready?” 

“I do as a matter of fact, but I want to be just on time, minimise the time people have to ask about the whereabouts of my parents. So, do you want a lift or not?” 

“Sure thing, Miss Valedictorian.” 

Y/N doesn’t acknowledge the nickname, but secretly loved it, it was a joke, but at least someone was appreciating her achievements. Peach would, she knows, but she’s not really at the point of understanding what it means and the others really are wildcards.

She led John B out to her small car, a baby blue Beetle. The boy smiled at her choice in car, 

“I’m sure that a kook like you could afford better than this.”

“Don’t insult Shelby in her presence, weren’t you ever taught manners? Now get it and give me directions.” 

The drive was fun, not that John B would tell Y/N that. He enjoyed her music choice, Mac Miller blasting from her speakers and the windows were fully rolled down, damned be her hair. 

Y/N neared the chateau and came to a stop. There were a few people sitting on the porch, looking over in confusion. 

“Yo, what’s with the kook-mobile, John B?” The blonde yelled from his seat on the beaten-up couch. 

When John B only turned to Y/N to say thank you, the interest peaked on the porch. The little gang of pogues moved towards the car. 

“John B, I didn’t realise your job came with a taxi service, why did I have to drop you off this morning?” The blonde, once again. 

“Lay off JJ, this is Y/N Miller, she’s the daughter of Kevin, the guy whose boat I work on. She’s on her way to her graduation and offered me a lift.” 

“Since when are kook graduations on the Cut?” The other boy interjected. 

Y/N decided to speak up, “if I knew an act of kindness would cause so much strife, I’ll just let you walk home next time. Now, I do have somewhere to be, so it was nice to see you, John B. I'm sure I’ll see you again this week.” 

“Bye Miss Valedictorian, good luck with your speech,” John B said, getting out of Shelby. 

“You’re the valedictorian?” Kiara finally spoke, face shocked. 

“Yeah, surprising what happens when you show up for school right?” Y/N snapped, angrier than she intended. 

“Oh yeah, sorry. I guess I thought that maybe Sarah would get it, especially if Ward has anything to do with it.” Kiara grimaced, she didn’t mean to offend the Miller girl. 

“You can’t buy the valedictorian title, well I’m sure you could, but not to flex, but my grades were miles better. If we’re being really ironic though, Ward technically does pay for the valedictorian,” Y/N said with a smile, not meaning to brandish her academic success in their faces. 

A chorus of “huhs?” from the pogues surrounding her car told Y/N that they weren’t catching her drift. 

“I’m Ward Cameron’s assistant. Sorry, I didn’t make that very clear.” 

“You have a job, but you’re a kook?” the blonde, JJ, said. 

“Yes, blondie, some of us do have to look out for ourselves, didn’t your parents tell you not to judge a book by its cover. I’ll see you around. Bye John B.” 

Y/N backed out of the road, heading back to Figure Eight, with her graduation starting in 10 minutes, she had massively overstayed her welcome at John B’s. If she weren’t so busy, Y/N always thought she’d like to be friends with John B and his crew, they had an unmistakable family bond that Y/N craved. She loves her siblings but they are still grappling with the idea of give and take, mainly fixating on the taking aspect. 

Y/N pulled up to school, and took out her phone, dropping a text to Anderson pleading with him to at least make it to two classes today. Even with her phone safely away in her bag, Y/N couldn’t quite bring herself to get out of the car. Happy families surrounded her everywhere she looked, she couldn’t handle the stares when she walks in alone. Well, it’s now or never she says to herself. 

Walking isn’t as bad as she suspects, Mr Morgan, her English teacher, meets her at the door and takes her to her seat, explaining the mechanisms of the ceremony and when she’ll make her speech.  

The hall, however, is the reminder that Y/N was dreading. The two seats she had booked for her parents sat empty, standing out like a sore thumb in the packed hall. She made her way to the student section with her head down. However, before Y/N could sit she was apprehended by an excitable Sarah Cameron. 

“Y/N! Hi! I heard you’re valedictorian, well done! I don’t know how you managed, with all the work and your siblings, you really are amazing.” 

“Thanks, Sarah.” 

The words sting, despite their pure intentions. She’s a kook, she shouldn’t have to work, and she should have parents who care for her and her siblings, but some things just aren’t meant to be, clearly. Y/N sat in her assigned seat and willed the ceremony to go fast, though she wasn’t looking too forward to her speech. The diversion to the chateau meant that Y/N had no time to look over it again. 

The ceremony started and the hall quietened down. Principal Stoney started her opening speech, basking in the spotlight when the hall door bursts open and interrupts. In the doorway stands Anderson. His hair is disheveled and the clothes are torn, probably from the nightly activities with the skateboard he held in his hand. The boy scanned the hall, eyes falling on the empty seats with the name Miller and then Y/N herself. He gives her a small wave and pushes past the Figure Eights families to the seats. 

Principal Stoney just restarts, a slight bewildered look on her face. 

When it was time for her speech, Y/N didn’t even feel real, like she floated to the stage and was possessed. Her speech went well from what she could gather, Mr Morgan gave her a thumbs up and Anderson hollered, much to the dismay of the families around him. But he was even worse when she received her diploma. 

As families spilled onto the field for fancy food and photo opportunities, Y/N wrangled Anderson to the side before he could raid the food stalls. 

“Anderson, what the fuck? First you didn't come home last night and then crash my graduation?” 

“Hey, I’m sorry about last night, me and the boys got carried away skating and I crashed on Oscar’s couch. I’m sorry, I should’ve called. And as for now, you think I’m going to let my smart-ass VALEDICTORIAN sister graduate without anyone being here to holler? You’re dead wrong.” 

The sentiment fills Y/N’s heart with joy and tears threaten to spill. Anderson’s never been good with feelings, it was nice to know that he did care. 

“Mum and dad can go fuck themselves, if they don’t see how great you are then they’re blind.” 

“Thanks, bug. It means a lot. Now don’t eat too much, people are probably already annoyed that you’re here.” 

Anderson shrugs, he couldn’t care less what they thought, he was here to eat and show off his sister. 

“Congratulations Y/N!” 

The voice of Y/N’s boss, Ward Cameron, was easily identifiable. Y/N puts on her confident face and turns to see the whole Cameron brigade, minus Wheezie. 

“Thank you, Mr Cameron.”

“You know, I just don’t know how you get it done, working for us and dealing with your siblings…” Rose says, the last part fading out as she watches Anderson walk back to his sister with his arms piled high with fancy horderves. 

“It’s tough, yeah, but what wouldn’t you do for your family?” 

“Of course, of course, sorry for any implications, where is the old man, I know Julie is off on business, but Kevin has to be proud, I didn’t see him in the hall?” Ward’s voice feigned sincerity, but the Miller siblings saw right through it. Before Anderson could respond, Y/N replied. 

“Dad is also doing business on the mainland, at the last minute. He’s devastated, really,” it's not convincing, even to her. Y/N can tell she hasn’t convinced the Camerons either. Sarah gives her a sad look, Rose attempts to mirror her step-daughter but fails, Ward looks slightly smug, like he’s trying to hide it but Rafe doesn’t even try to hide it like his dad, a massive smirk on his face. 

“What are your plans for the summer Miller?” Y/N is surprised when it’s Rafe who asks the question. 

“Well, I’ll be working for your dad, if he’ll have me, I still have my volleyball coaching in the tourist season and there’s never a dull moment with these around,” Y/N puts her arm around Anderson. 

Looking for a quick exit, she looks at her watch. 

“Oh, if we go now, you can still catch your last two periods. Kids, am I right?” She gestures at Rose and Ward, “we’ll be off now, I’ll see you next week?” 

The Camerons nod as Y/N pulls Anderson away and towards the car park. But before they can fully escape, they’re stopped by Mr Morgan. 

“You think you can leave without a photo and a proper goodbye, I didn’t think you were that kind of girl, Miller.” 

“Of course not, Mr Morgan, here,” she hands Anderson her phone, “take a picture please.” 

Anderson does so, taking about 50 at once. 

“Okay, okay, let's get one of you two, you can’t not have a proper graduation picture, especially not when you’re valedictorian.” 

Mr Morgan takes the phone and smiles at the siblings. When the impromptu photoshoot ends, Y/N is glad, despite it pushing back her escape. 

“Y/N, on a serious note, you are always welcome in my classroom, you’ve been a pleasure, and don’t tell anyone, but you were my favourite. And you, I hope you’ll be just as good next year sir,” he says turning to Anderson, “although considering you’re here and not in class doesn’t bode well.” 

“Thank you, sir, really. But you are completely right, and that’s why we’re bouncing now, so he can get two at least two periods.” 

Mr Morgan smiles at the two when they start to run to the car. He’s always felt sad for the eldest Miller, and her parents absence did not go unnoticed. 

------------------------------------------------

“I’ll see you later, I know you guys will probably crash a kegger, but at least come home before you go?” 

“Yeah, yeah, okay, who knows maybe I’ll see you there?” 

Anderson laughs and gets out of the car, he knows his sister won’t especially when Peach will be home. Y/N watches him go into the building and stays a couple minutes to make sure he doesn’t sneak back out when he thinks she’s gone. 

But Y/N barely gets time to breathe, as she’s down to the elementary school to pick up Peach. The girl in all pink is waiting with a gaggle of friends and shrieks when she sees the blue car. 

“Y/N! Y/N! I got the “most improved” in drama!” 

Y/N opens the door and picks up Peach, spinning her round and congratulating her. 

“Well done, bubs. This calls for a celebration, it’s the first day of summer and the boys won’t be out for another couple of hours - what do you want to do?”

Peach doesn’t even need a second to think. 

“Lemonade stand!” 

Huh? Y/N was prepared for an answer closer to maybe a princess party or surfing lessons, but a lemonade stand? 

“Are you sure?” 

“You said we could do whatever I want!” 

“Okay, okay, let’s go then we’ve got a lot to do.” 

Satisfied with getting her way, Peach got in the car and demanded that the next stop was the craft store. 

-------------------------------

The next 90 minutes were gruelling. Peach spared no expense, Y/N was lucky that she still had the credit card Julie gave her. But she knew it would all be worth it. And it was. 

Peach chose a spot right in the middle of the beach and the stall was already making a profit. Y/N knew kooks just couldn’t resist the temptation to look good and what was better than giving a generous tip to a child’s lemonade stand? 

But with a successful kook-trap came the kook assholes. Namely Rafe, Topper and Kelce. 

“Three lemonades please. Apricot, right?” Rafe said with a smirk. 

“You know it’s Peach asshole.” 

“That’s a bad word, Y/N,” Peach mumbled, clearly upset about being called apricot of all things.

“Yeah that’s a bad word, Miller, you should listen to Apricot a little more.” 

“Maybe, you should listen to your college professors, oh wait, you dropped out, my bad, must be a bit of an open wound judging by the look on your face. I bet daddy wasn’t impressed.” 

“Excuse me, you bitch, how dare you talk to me like that.” 

“Run along, lap dog, we don’t need your money.” 

Rafe goes to say something but Topper and Kelce hold him back. 

“Bro, don’t get it shit with your pops over a fucking lemonade,” Topper warned. 

With a final “fuck off”, Rafe Cameron stalked away to his car, his gang of cowards following, but not without Topper placing a crisp $20 bill in the tip jar. Peach mumbled and thank you and Y/N just nodded to Topper, too tired to say anything more. 

And if her afternoon couldn’t get any worse, the prickly blonde from this morning strolled over to the stand. 

“I’ll have four lemonades please.” 

Peach gasped and accepted his money right away, getting to work on the drinks. 

“I’ve seen many a kook-trap in my time, Miller, but not many operated by Kooks themselves. Impressive ingenuity.” 

“Thanks - JJ, was it? Peach here won “most improved” in her drama class and this is what she wanted to do in celebration” 

“Cute, Miller, didn’t take you as a softy earlier.” 

Peach announces that she’s finished with the pogue’s drinks, he puts another $5 in the tip jar and grabs the drinks. 

“Miller, there’s a kegger at the boneyard tonight, wanna come? I’m sure at least one of your brothers will crash.” 

“Sorry JJ, someone’s gotta look after the little one, maybe another time, if you can stand being around a kook for that long.” 

“I think I can make an exception, especially if they look like you Miller,” he winks, “boneyard tonight, if you change your mind.” 

Y/N blushed, but she knew she couldn’t, she couldn’t leave a nine year old at home, even if Kevin was there, there was no guarantee that Peach would be fed and given adequate attention. 

“He’s pretty, you should go.” 

“Peach, honey, you know I can’t, I can’t leave you at home.” 

“But I could go to Jenny’s, she’s having a sleepover tonight, I forgot to ask earlier, I got too excited about the lemonade stand.” 

“Okay, you can go to Jenny’s, but promise not too much candy?”

“Only if you promise to go with him tonight.” 

Peach was proving to be just as mischievous as her brothers. 

“Okay fine.” 

“Go tell him then.”

“Huh?” 

“I won’t believe you unless you go tell him now that you'll be there!”

 Y/N groans, but gets up to follow the blonde. As she nears, she shouts, 

“Hey JJ! I’ll be there tonight, at the boneyard, I’ll be there.” 

“Didn’t take too long for you to change your mind then, am I just that irresistible?” 

“No? What? Of course not! It’s just Peach - she’s a master manipulator, and she’s only nine!”

“Sure, Miller, if that’s what you want me to believe, I’ll see you later, sweetheart.”

Y/N turned, she should cringe, but she finds herself blushing as she walks back to Peach. 

“Don’t say anything, missy, you’ve done enough, let’s pack up and get you ready for Jenny’s. You young ones are such troublemakers, damn.”  

A/N: I am not American, so I hope that the graduation stuff makes sense, from someone who has no real clue what happens there lol  

[pepper-up-potion]

Starry nights (Remus Lupin x fem!reader)

Summary: Remus has a crush on reader but never directly admits it so reader grows impatient and fesses up before him.

Warnings: the mention of the word penis (not in a sexual way it’s a joke more specifically the penis game where u say the word lowered and lowered in a public place), nothing else, it’s just fluff

Word count: 1783 words

A/n: Once again a fic inspired by my relationship 🙈. I feel like Remus is one of those people that thinks you’re already dating and forgets to make it official (much like my bf) so I wrote a fic about that. Hope you like it :)

(Y/n) is scribbling away trying to finish her astronomy paper about Jupiter’s moons before the end of her free period. She’s gone up to the library where she expects no distractions and absolute silence.

This wish is met until she arrives at her concluding paragraph. Laughs erupt from the front entrance of the library and she suspects that is all the work she is going to get done before class. Three boys sit down in front of her while she finishes her sentence. She finally looks up at Sirius, James and Remus who have just started playing the penis game.

“Penis” James whispers.

“Penis” says Sirius with a normal register. The few students close by turn their heads and look in disapproval. To this the boys start howling with laughter.

Remus fills his lungs and gets ready to scream but she cuts him off.

“Shhhh. You’ll get us kicked out.” She whispers with her eyes narrowed.

Remus looks at her apologetically as he releases the air from his lungs. “Sorry” he mumbles, cheeks red.

“We’re bored y/n come hang out with us.” Says James with a whiny voice.

“Don’t you have work to do?” She whispers sharply. Maybe if Madam Pince sees her whispering she’ll only kick out the boys and let her stay and finish her paper.

“Ughh who caressss” groans Sirius.

“We were thinking of playing a short game of quidditch. Do you wanna come with us?” Remus whispers.

“It sounds fun but I really want to finish this paper before my next class.” His face falls when she declines but he quickly covers it with an acknowledging nod.

“nerd.” Coughs Sirius.

She sticks her tongue out at him making them chuckle.

They quickly realize she isn’t going to budge and before she knows it, they were gone. Grateful for the peace and quiet she focuses back to her paper and writes down another sentence. As she ponders on what to write next she looks up and notices a small bit of folded parchment that had not been there before the boys came to visit.

Looking around to make sure it couldn’t be someone else's, she reaches out and unfolds the paper. Maybe she will recognize one of the boys’ writing and give it back to them.

Meet me at the boathouse at 10:00 tonight. -Mooney

Her stomach fills with butterflies and a deep blush tints her cheeks. It’s been a month now they’ve been going on what feels like dates. It’s always just the two of them, the activity always more romantic than the last. Remus walks her back to her common room every time and there’s the occasional hand hold during these night excursions. Neither of them have addressed how they feel about each other. It’s like a secret they’re both trying to keep from each other. A belief that it’s better left unsaid. Sometimes she wonders what would happen if she told him how she felt.

~

Remus is standing at the edge of the harbor looking out at the still water.

“Should I have brought a bathing suit? Or maybe a life jacket? How good are you with boats?” She jokes with a quizzical brow.

Remus does a fast 180 and smiles wide as soon as he sees her face.

“Do you trust me (y/n)?” He asks, smirking.

I trust you more than anyone. I’ve never felt safer than when I’m with you. It’s what she wants to say. She looks in his soft eyes. It’s like he knows the answer already. She settles with a small nod instead.

He grabs her hand and guides her to one of the small boats. He steps in first, offering his hand to help her next. With the flick of his wand the boat moves forward.

“Where are we going?” She asks, already a few guesses in mind.

“You’ll see.” He smirks.

It’s mid-October and she can already feel the cold wind stinging her cheeks as the boat moves away from the castle and into the darkness. They mostly ride in silence. There’s the occasional question and anecdote about their day but they don’t really feel it’s necessary to fill the silence.

“Were here” he says after a while.

“What do you mean we're here? There’s nothing here but water!” She says in somewhat of a panic.

“No love, look behind you.” The surname makes her stomach knot on itself and she feels her cheeks turn that familiar pink. She still can’t believe how easily he can get her all flustered.

She turns at the same time as the boat docks onto an island.

“This is bowtruckle island.” Remus says as he climbs out of the boat and gives her a hand out. “I come here when I need some time away from the boys. This is the only place they don’t know I go to. I call it my safe haven.”

She laughs but after looking at the small island, she sort of understands what he means. “There’s something sort of serene about this place. I can see why you like it.”

“Exactly.” He looks at her in absolute admiration. He knew she would see it too, it’s like she understands him perfectly, she feels what he feels.

For a moment they both stand awkwardly on the shore before Remus pulls out a pack. He walks towards the large tree that almost takes up the whole surface of the island. He pulls a blanket and two small pillows from the pack and lays them out on the ground. He looks up at (y/n) and points to one of the pillows.

“I thought we could look at the stars together.” He suggests.

She smiles and nods in agreement. She never knew Remus could be such a romantic until they started these “dates”.

Their conversations flow smoothly as they talk about the stars and classes and funny memories, getting more and more familiar with one another. They eventually fall into a comfortable silence. The rhythmic sound of the water swishing onto the shore helps her drift away into her thoughts. She wishes she could stay there forever. She feels at her best when she’s with Remus. She thinks maybe she should tell him that. Maybe she should tell him everything she’s ever thought about him. How badly she wants to kiss him. How much she wishes they could be a couple and walk around the school hand in hand to rub in everyone’s face that they are together. How she’s had a crush on him ever since he smiled and shook her hand when they first met in second year.

Her thoughts are interrupted by a sudden warm feeling around her hand. Remus had intertwined his fingers with hers. She turns her head towards him and they lock eyes. There’s a hopeful glint in his eyes. He turns his body a bit to face her and leans forward. She closes her eyes in anticipation for their first kiss when a strong gust of wind swoops their way. It sends a strong shiver down her spine and immediately kills the moment as she curls into herself and unintentionally moves away from Remus.

“Cold?” He whispers. It’s soft but there’s a light growl indicating he’s bummed. He sits up and grabs another blanket from his bag and unfolds it.

“This should hel-“

“What is this Remus?” It comes off much harsher than she had anticipated but she hardly had time to think before she spat out the words. She thinks maybe it would have been better to say any of the things she had been thinking before he went in for a kiss but she’s quite flustered. She’s fallen for Remus years ago and her feelings grow stronger every time they see each other. She just wants more clarity on what is going on between them and she’s growing impatient about it.

“What?” A panicked look crosses his face. “It’s a blanket...?” He tries.

“No Remus, I mean this.” She sits up and gestures to her surroundings. He furrows his brows in confusion. “Well, you’ve been planning these elaborate and romantic nights where we hold hands and do couple things and I have so much fun every time and I feel like we get along really well and I really like you, like I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else because you’re so kind and caring and thoughtful and funny and you smell good and you have nice hair and you’re the only person I want to take home to meet my parents and then kiss in my room afterwards.” She rambles out in one breath. Remus chuckles with a look of pure delight on his face as (y/n) pants completely out of breath, cheeks tomato red from the blunt confession.

“Do I have to wait until I meet your parents to kiss you?” He asks. She can’t tell if he’s joking or not.

“Please don’t.”

He cups her cheek before leaning forwards and softly placing his lips to hers. It starts slow and tentative but quickly develops into a desperate kiss as they make up for years of lustful temptations. Remus places a hand behind her head and one on her waist and guides her down onto the blanket as she hums softly in encouragement.

“Woooooo!”

“Finally!”

“Yeah Mooney!”

The cheers echo on the lake as Remus and (y/n) jump apart in surprise. They spot another boat on the water with three boys in it. Remus shakes his head as Sirius jumps up in excitement which sways the boat so far that Peter falls in the water. Peter pulls on the boat until it capsizes and soon there are three heads bobbing in the water.

“Merlin, I can’t with those three.” Remus shakes his head but his adoring smile says otherwise. “This is your final chance to back out. I can’t even take you to my quiet place without them interrupting.” He points his thumb towards the three who are now bickering on how to turn the boat over.

She places her finger on her chin pretending to think about it. “Hmmm, I think the benefits out weigh the consequences” She concludes.

“I was hoping you’d say that.” he says as he fills the space between stopping before their lips meet and quickly jerking back. “Just to be clear, I like you too.” He blurts with a panicked face and hands out to stop her from leaning forward.

“I’m happy we got that cleared up.” She smiles wide. “Now get back here.” She whispers as she wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him in for another kiss, the sound of the boys yelling fading out as the kiss deepens.

[imaginesfora3]

Doorstep [Sakuma Sakuya/Reader] [NSFW]

(Also posted here on Ao3! Please enjoy my ramblings)

You’re surprised to see Sakuya on your doorstep.

Your boyfriend had been quite busy lately, juggling a part-time job as well as spending all his nights rehearsing with his troupe. If he had the energy left he’d text you a goodnight and an apology, to which you always responded that you understood perfectly well why you couldn’t see him. It left you feeling a little empty inside that it had been so long since you’d even gotten to lay eyes on him in person but there was nothing to be done about that, there was no way you were going to say that over text and make him feel bad for things outside of his control. You had been wary about not triggering any potential abandonment issues since you knew of his past, not wanting him to think you’ll up and leave him if he doesn’t bend to your will.

You were proud of him for finding a place for himself in the world, and you wanted him to retain that happiness while also having a little safe haven with you.

You were in college yourself so it’s not as though you weren’t busy, you had paper upon paper to finish, and the time you had left was good to recover what was left of your sanity. Would Sakuya being there make you feel better? Absolutely! But again, you didn’t want to push that pressure on him when he was already busy. Sakuya deserved someone who wasn’t selfish, he deserved someone who would only encourage him to keep living his life to the fullest and who would support him, stand by him, no matter what. You wanted to be that person because you loved him that much, Sakuya had been the only man to ever make you feel like you were walking on clouds, you couldn’t diminish how important he was in your life.

That’s why you just don’t get how this phone call went so sour when you were doing nothing but speaking the truth.

“Do you miss me?”

“Sakuya…” Ooh, that was a direct hit, it hurt to hear the way his voice cracked when he asked that. He couldn’t possibly imagine how badly you missed him, how much you just wanted to see him again, but for some reason those words won’t come out. You don’t want to pour your heart out to him over the phone, again worried that you would just be guilting the poor boy. You just don’t realize how unwanted you’re truly making him feel.

“You don’t miss me?”

“Of course I miss you! It’s just… It’s just okay that you’re busy, is all. We’ll see each other again. Got the rest of our lives, yeah?”

It didn’t sit right with Sakuya.

It’s not like he wanted someone to obsessively control or demand his time but to have you acting as though you didn’t care… It made his heart feel heavy in his chest. The odd amount of indifference made him feel on edge, like you weren’t being honest with him, but about what? Did you really not want to continue this relationship but you didn’t know how to break up with him? Sakuya just didn’t get it. He didn’t know how to confide his thoughts in his friends without seeming like a fool, this was his first real relationship after all and he wasn’t quite in the mood to hear that there were other fish in the sea.

“Sorry, I’m really tired tonight… I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to rehearse?”

“I was going to come over for a bit before we started, is that… not okay?” Sakuya is gnawing on his bottom lip nervously, his heart sinking further, wondering what you might say next. The few seconds of silence that followed after made his heart ache, made him want to sob into his pillow, but he bit back those overwhelming emotions since he didn’t want to attract Masumi’s attention.

“It’s okay, Sakuya! I look forward to it! So just get some rest and I’ll see you then, okay?”

You’re cursing yourself after hanging up, wondering why you couldn’t just say what you wanted to. You wanted to say that you loved him, that you missed his cute face, that you couldn’t wait to shower him with kisses. You wanted to tell him he’d be lucky if he ever left your house again because you were willing to take him hostage for a day or two if it meant getting him all to yourself. So selfish of you to think like that, you couldn’t help but scold yourself over it, laying down and hoping these weird feelings disappear once you finally see your boyfriend again.

They don’t.

Sakuya doesn’t greet you with his normal cheery smile or a hug and you don’t move in, sensing his odd mood immediately. You invited him in and watched as he went right to sitting down on the couch, hesitantly closing the door; you might’ve contemplated for at least a solid two seconds about running out so you didn’t have to deal with the heavy conversation that was sure to follow.

“You don’t have to hide things from me.” Sakuya said with a pout on his face, the little frown he gives after looking out of place. “I want you to… trust in me. If you don’t care about me the same way…”

“I do trust you it’s just…” Sakuya is frozen, face growing pale as he realized you completely ignored his second statement. Did that mean…?

“You don’t have to walk on eggshells around me! We love each other, right? So, if we love each other, we can make it through anything!” He must’ve been reading the more romantic plays lately to spout out such an ideal without blinking an eye but it was so endearingly him, to the point where you couldn’t stop yourself from holding Sakuya’s face in your hands. Tears were beginning to gather in the corner of his eyes, likely from frustration, and you began to realize that all you had done to ‘protect’ Sakuya had only put up a wall between you.

“I do. I do love you, very much. You know that, right?”

“I don’t know how you feel!” Sakuya cried out, “You won’t tell me!”

Another direct shot but probably a well-deserved one. You hated seeing the pain you were putting him through, wondering if maybe breaking up would be the best. You clearly weren’t adept at relationships either if you managed to let things get this bad, to the point your boyfriend was in tears in front of you

“I remember the first time I ever saw you on stage… It was before the company became an actual company again. And you weren’t very good…” You swiped away a stray tear with your thumb as Sakuya nodded, “But I was invested ‘cause I thought you were so damn cute. I’m really glad that you got a chance to really act and that you’ve grown as much as you have. Getting to see you up on stage with the others makes me so happy because I know how happy you are up there.”

“…I’m happy with you, too.” His voice is soft, almost too quiet for you to hear but you’ve leaned in close at this point, your body naturally drawn towards him. “I like being able to see you in the crowd when I’m on stage. I know if I look at you too long I’ll forget my lines but just that glance is enough to make me feel confident! I want you to feel that way about me.”

“I do feel that way about you… Ugh.” You leaned forward, forehead resting against his as his big, puppy dog eyes looked into yours. “It’s not you doing anything wrong, Saku, it’s me. I just don’t want to bring you down…”

“I’m stronger than you give me credit for, you know?” Sakuya is pouting again, “I know you met me when I first joined the company but so much has changed since then. We’ve both changed since then. I just want us to grow together and not apart; I promise that I can help! Or at least support you!”

“I’m sorry I’ve been so stupid, Sakuya. Can you forgive me?”

“I love you.” Sakuya sounded breathless, the look in his eyes changing within seconds; it was something a little different now, a look you hadn’t known your boyfriend was capable of making before you first had sex.

His lips pressed hard against yours, practically knocking you back on the couch with the intensity. You heard him mumble out some type of apology but you’re too lost in his touch to care, your entire body screaming that the emotional stress had to be worked out somehow. That whole kidnapping plan might become a reality if he kept this up, how were you ever supposed to give him up after this? You needed him here to heal your heart and you had to make sure all the damage that had been done closed up on him as well, arms wrapping around his neck to keep him plastered against you.

“Bedroom?”

“Right here, please.”

Still so polite even while having a raging hard-on after a fight, the tears completely dried from his eyes now as he gave you a look of pure lust. The mood had switched so quickly once the air had been cleared and you were grateful for that, grateful for a chance to get rid of these sad feelings and replace them with a sensation that would make you both feel better. You’re both desperately stripping clothes but you’re faster, getting the jump on him as he’s just taken his pants off. You’re thankful he wore boxers for easy access because you can’t wait another moment for him to be inside you, straddling his lap while his hands rose to touch your hips.

“You’re so beautiful.” Sakuya smiled up at you, looking as if he was meeting a Goddess for the very first time. “I love you.”

“I love you even more.”

You both let out a gasp as he slid inside you, his head thrown back, revealing his throat to you in an act of submission. You’re pleased that he’s making your job easier for you as you leaned in to pepper all the kisses you could over it, giggling as he bucked his hips up in desperate need for friction. It had been so long since you had touched yourself let alone had sex, there was no doubt that Sakuya was in the same boat. You remembered the wide-eyed look he gave you after you asked if he even masturbated since he had to share a room, basking in the way your heart fluttered at how cute a totally red-faced Sakuya looked.

He was still noisy, just how you liked him, moaning at each movement and kiss you gave him. His head was only full of thoughts of you, just like they had been the past week. But these ones were more positive, full of happier memories, full of a hope for the future of your relationship. He could feel how much you loved him each time he thrust into you, your lips brushing against his ear as you whispered sweet nothings into them. He had been afraid that he’d mess up the first time you ever had sex and you had promised to keep him calm, giving him quiet encouragement while taking the lead. He discovered that, while he did want to make you feel good, he liked it better when you took the lead and allowed him to follow. He liked hearing your voice directly in his ear, he liked hearing you whimper his name and tell him how perfect he was at making you feel good.

“Aah- I don’t think I can last much longer…!” Sakuya is starting to sweat but is still making noble attempts to keep a steady rhythm, his arms wrapping around your middle to bring you close to him. “Can we come together? I want to-”

“Mmm, yeah we can, I’m really close…” You reached down to touch yourself to help you along but Sakuya beat you to it, looking up at you with half-lidded eyes and another smile; you couldn’t resist him any longer, leaning in to lock lips with him again as you both come. You feel the desperate twitching of his hips, the way his fingers are digging into the soft flesh of your hips but never enough to so much as leave a mark. He was always gentle with you even within the throes of passion and you truly loved that your body was such a naturally kind, caring soul.

“I love you.”

Again, those three little words are exchanged.

Again, you return them, meaning them now more than ever.

You’re no longer surprised to see Sakuya on your doorstep because you’ve come to one simple realization.

You are his home.

[beelspillowpet]

Hi I'm a lesbian and I need reassurance that if I came out to beel or asmo or really anyone, that they'd love and support me :(

You’re valid and beautiful and amazing regardless of what anyone else says or thinks. Anyone who doesn’t love or support you for who you are and who you love can f*ck right off. They don’t deserve YOU. not the other way around!! With that being said...

Fem!MC is a Lesbian!

Lucifer

I mean... that’s great. Doesn’t really know why you’re telling him this; he shouldn’t be concerned with who you shack up with. Except- uh... there aren’t really a lot of females in this house, are there?

Starts to be a bit more mindful of you. Being in a house of men, his first thought is you aren’t quite happy with that. He stops that pretty quickly, realizing that if you were so comfortable stating your sexuality in the first place, you’d also tell him you hate living there with him and his brothers.

Still... he doesn’t really associate with many demons at all. Male or female or otherwise. He’d be the type to heavily judge any woman you may bring back to the HoL. Did you know that MC does this? Did you know she likes her pancakes like that?

If they don’t pass his test of approval he’s quick to tell you that. He probably says it in front of the failed specimen as well. He’s far from unsupportive- in fact he probably cares a bit too much. Like a dad offering to help you find the perfect match- he just needs to step back and let you handle this yourself.

Mammon

Aw fuck yeah. Girls, he likes girls too.

He kind of.... well it’s not that he doesn’t care? He just sort of takes that information and rolls with it. Like yeah you like girls too? Yeah? I know some models you might like.

Aside from that, he does try to play wingman if and when you do bring another girl around him. Provided Lucifer even lets you out of his sight long enough to meet one.

He’s the chillest person ever about it. I mean, who the hell is he to tell you anything at all about anything regarding yourself? Ya’ like girls? You think girls are fuckin’ pretty? He agrees. Just hopes you aren’t uncomfortable living in the HoL because well... duh. No chicks here.

Leviathan

Oh- lesbian?

Have you guys ever seen how pretty girls are because holy shit fuck gosh fuck fuck jeez damn it shit fuck dang oh dangit please help me

Yes he memorized that stupid meme by heart. He’s pretty... awkward about it, in all seriousness. Doesn’t know what to do with this new information but uh... you did tell him first, right? Right???

Either way, now he’s excited to tell you about all the cute lesbian characters he’s found through manga and anime. Did you know that Ymir from AOT/SNK is a lesbian? Isn’t she cool? Oh- what about Tohru from that dragon maid anime!? We should watch those together- if- if you’re not grossed out by a yucky otaku like me that is...!!

Satan

Why are you telling him this? What brought this on?

Did you really think he’d be the type to like... judge? Were you expecting him to throw a fit because you’re a woman who... likes women? Uhm???

Oh, no you just wanted to trust him with that information because you hadn’t come out yet? Well your secret is safe with him. Not that it really does much for anyone, right? Regardless, he’s in your corner for any and all situations needed. Have to come up with a lie to fool Lucifer so you can go hang out with some pretty demon girl? He’s got your back.

If it’s for validation, well... refer to point 2. If he were to ever think less of you for who you are, then shame on him. But honestly? He’s glad you’re comfortable enough to tell him this. Deep down, it truly means a lot to him. Even if he doesn’t always act like it.

Asmodeus

Girls :)

You and he are in the same boat, darling... if it’s validation you seek, you’ve come to the right person!

No more are the naked cuddles or talk of sexual things with you. Unless you still want to do that? He has no qualms with stopping, though. Whatever makes you comfortable, darling!!!!

You always seemed a lot more interested in girls when you two talked about dating or sexual liaisons before, baby. That’s alright, let’s just keep it casual, baby! <3

Beelzebub

Oh cool. You like girls? Well that’s okay :) He still thinks you’re pretty great. I mean, who is he to think any different of you? You’ll still hang out with him right? You’ll still go to the gym, and do favors for him right? And eating! Don’t forget the eating!!

There aren’t a lot of things he should really be careful of, on the surface anyway. He doesn’t really play hangman with you either. Or is it wingman? Oh, now he wants some wings...

Anyway!! Ahem. You’re his best buddy and he would happily support you. Need help coming out to someone else? He’s there for emotional support. He’ll hold your hand and walk you through everything as best as he can. Admittedly not always the best with it, but it’s the thought that counts.

And if someone ever dares give you grief for your sexuality...? Hungry boy becomes angry boy real quick. He’s not much for talking in this department. Would probably beat the dogshit out of anyone who talks badly about you. Protects you first, then goes out with you for snacks to cheer you up. Looooots of hugs and other platonic acts of affection. If you’re comfortable with it anyways. He just wants you to be as happy and comfortable as the rest of his brothers are around you.

Belphegor

Another guy who sort of doesn’t understand why you’re telling him. But at the same time he fully gets it, too. Like, it’s so hard coming out to other people about this, right? It must be.

Your secret (if it is one) is safe with him. He doesn’t go telling your business to the world because... duh. It’s a fuckin’ secret, yeah?

If and when you do tell someone else, he’s the one there. Silently judging them. If anything goes wrong he handles it accordingly. Probably violently if he’s in the right mood for it.

The best remedy for any and all pain is a good ass nap. So he’s taking you back home to his room, or the attic, and you’re both curling up under 4 thick blankets, and you’re taking a nice nap after a good cry. He’s got your back through thick and thin, and he refuses to let anyone give you shit on it. Will literally fight god x2 just so you can have peace of mind.

[its-deputy-caleb]

Micah Bell - Partners in Crime and in Love Pt.2

hell yeahhhh the part 2 i’ve been dying to write. this is more angsty than i thought i’d be but there’s fluff and a smut scene (with a fem reader) so a warning that this contains adult content.

part one is here otherwise this makes no sense

side note: i don’t know how to write anything remotely sexual so i’m sorry it’s bad and poorly written ima just 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♂️

—————————————————————————

The shock of what had happened at the bank still hadn’t settled with you the next morning after Charles had returned. Apart of you kept thinking that Micah would stroll through the front gates of Shady Belle or come up behind you and wrap his arms around your waist with a coffee in hand like he does every morning. But that didn’t happen. He was really gone, what’s worse is you didn’t know how bad gone was. Was Micah stuck on some ship? Did he get captured by the Pinkertons? Or was he dead? Charles said he never actually saw them make it to the ship, only parted with them at the docks.

Fuck. The unknown was the worst part. His death you could handle (that’s a lie you’ll keep telling yourself) but not knowing whether he was okay was tormenting.

The gang, or what was left of them was in shambles ever since the bank. When Charles returned and delivered the news that young Lenny didn’t make it, everyone was left feeling heavy with despair and grief. Despite his rather sour relationship with Micah, you had a soft spot for him and more often than not took him under your wing to show him the ropes robbing coaches and being an experienced outlaw. Needless to say the gang won’t be what it was without him, but you did your best to not let it unsettle you too much.

That night while sitting by the campfire, your mind drifts to the night of the Mayor’s party. Originally, you were due to go with Micah as the latest young couple of the oiling industry and were looking to ingratiate yourselves with potential new investors. That all went out the door when Micah got himself into a bar fight over the last bottle of whiskey and there was no way Dutch was going to allow him to the party looking like some scruffy outlaw. You were both slightly upset that you didn’t get to go so instead you put on Dutch’s gramophone (he won’t miss it for one night) and slow danced together on the balcony.

His hand was placed gently on the small of your back, his other holding yours out to the side as you swayed together to the music. It was a pitiful attempt at dancing, lacking any of the real technique or proper movements but it was perfect for a couple o outlaws like yourselves. Your head was resting on his chest, taking in a deep breath and letting yourself completely relax into his embrace. It was one of the few times that you could forget about being an outlaw, about being on the run. That soft peaceful moment with your head tucked under Micah’s chin is the closest thing you’ll ever get to a redemption, and to you, that was all you could want…

You stayed by the campfire for the remaining hours of the night, replaying over and over the scene at the bank, thinking of everything that you could have done right. That night you let the guilt claw at your mind until the sun emerged from the horizon and Miss Grimshaw started ordering everyone to begin packing up the camp.

“Chin up now! I don’t need anyone slacking while we’re short of hands, help pack up the last of the boxes.”

Nodding defeatedly at Susan’s demand, you made your way over to the last remaining stack of crates carrying ammunition. Any other day you probably would have argued with her if only to cause some mischief but today you simply did not have it in you. Your body was exhausted and struggled to carry the weight of the crate until Charles came over and took the other side.

“Thank you, Charles.”

In return, Charles gave you an affirming nod, the two of you working together to help move the remaining supplies. When the final box was moved and secured, he placed a comforting hand was placed on your shoulder.

“They’re going to be fine, if they survived Blackwater then this surely won’t. Besides they have Dutch leading em the whole way.”

Charles has always been a friend to you, been there for you during the worst of it and certainly didn’t judge you for who you were. It was the same for him and the two of you would often go out hunting to get away and relax from the stress of the gang.

“He’ll be fine…”

Charles didn’t need to name him to know you were primarily concerned about one more so than the rest and while Charles certainly did not like Micah, he was a friend of yours no matter what.

~

If Micah thought the bank job couldn’t have gone any worse he’d be called a fool because boy was he wrong. Most definitely wrong.

The boat fucking sunk.

Of all the things that could have happened, something ended up catching fire and in the chaos of it all ended up on some island beach with Dutch and Bill, god knows where Arthur is in all of this. There was sand scratching his already burnt skin and the heat was sweltering, it wasn’t even midday yet and he’d already made the choice that he hated this Island.

After three days on the Island, his opinion had not changed one bit. If anything he’d say he hated it even more. The amount of wildlife was unbearable, with the disgusting insects that were everywhere and the vines which were snakes hidden in plain sight. Not to mention he’d already been in too many shootouts to count, Javier was shot and captured and Dutch was slowly slipping into insanity while running around caves and ruins running errands for people that he didn’t know.

For once, Micah was glad to take guard duty. Sure the heat was enough to give him a headache and he had to listen to Morgan cough up half his lungs each night but it was better than getting involved in some civil war between rich businessmen and the locals. All he wants is to leave this Island and be back with you.

In the dead quiet of the night, Micah is leaning against a stone pillar keeping guard. His eyes wander to the moonlight that bounces off the water and how it reminds him of your new revolver. Sure most revolvers were same bright colour but yours was black with white engravings. He had it made especially for you as a gift and when he saw your face light up with joy, it made paying for the damn thing worth every cent.

God he misses you, he hates to admit it but he so desperately wants to see you. He thinks about finally seeing you again, how you’ll probably break his nose for taking so long but he’d expect nothing less from an outlaw like you. The thought makes him chuckle to himself softly at how much he’s head over heels for you.

The next few days are a haze, he doesn’t even know who he’s fighting but there’s no time to stop and think about it as bullets whizz past him in every direction from his place on the beach. There’s a ship and a canon that leaves the building rattling with each fire of the canon ball and there’s boats of guards that chase them up the beach.

Miraculously everyone survives and Micah doesn’t stop to look at the damage left on the beach. The thought of being back with you makes the shootout worth it and he can’t wait to put that shitty Island behind him.

~

When you finally see Micah stroll into the new camp, you’re already half way over to him before he’s even off his horse. The whole way you’re rambling, borderline yelling as you practically lecture him for leaving.

“How could you be so irresponsible, running off like that! I don’t believe it! Micah do you know how fucking worried I wa-“

Micah cuts you short by wrapping your arm under you and pulls you into a long kiss. He lets out a sigh against your lips at how badly he’s missed it, how badly he’s missed you. You mirror his desperation and wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him in closer by his hair as you’re terrified to let him go.

Neither of you care that the gang is watching you two, all that matters is he’s back and you can finally stop worrying.

“Don’t you dare run off like that again…”

There’s no venom in your lecture this time and he smiles against your lips, kissing you again.

“I missed you too, sweetheart.”

Later, when things had calmed down and everyone was waiting for Bill and Arthur to return, you snuck away with Micah to ‘scout for a potential lead’. Dutch had protested but you simply stated that there was mouth’s to feed and money to be made which seemed to do the job with only the slight warning of not causing too much trouble.

That of course would all have to wait as you made your way into the Hotel in Annesburg, slinging your coat over the door handle before making your way over to Micah who sat on the edge of the bed. You seated yourself onto his lap and brought him in for another kiss, this one much more passionate but no less gentle. His hands came up to roam over your back, finally getting to feel you after so long. He took off your gun belt and brought you closer, desperately trying to untuck your shirt from your pants as he tried to undress you without letting you go.

“S’alright Micah, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”

You chuckle at he impatient gruff he throws at you and kiss his cheek adoringly. Micah will admit to hating how sappy and loved you made him feel but deep down you both know he loves every second of it.

You stand up, moving away from him slightly to undress properly and you notice how Micah doesn’t take his eyes off you. It makes removing his own shirt rather clumsy, getting stuck on the buttons but he can’t get over how lucky he that you like him.

When all you’re both finally undressed all the way, Micah lays back down on the middle of the bed with you straddled on top of him. Usually he’s adamant on being in charge but tonight he’s happy to let you call the shots.

After what feels like hours of gentle teasing and light kisses, you finally line yourself up as he slides into you. A soft moan bubbles from your lips when Micah’s hip thrusts up reflexively, causing a wave of pleasure to wash over you.

Eventually as you both find a rhythm your gentle and soft touches become more heated and demanding. Micah’s hands are grabbing your hips in the best kind of way, meeting your thrusts half way. A cocky smirk is on his face as he makes more moans and whimpers leave you.

At one point you lean down and use his hair to pull him into a bruising kiss, full of teeth and tongue. The change of angle has you moaning much louder into his mouth as his cock hits that spot that makes your stomach flare with pleasure, brining you closer to the edge. You can tell he’s not too far behind you from the way his thrusts falter slightly and are much more irregular. Not to mention the moans of his own that now accompany his groans.

“Mm Fuck Micah… Don’t you ever leave like that again.”

Micah chuckles at your attempt to lecture him again, but he can hear the serious undertone, how worried you were over him.

“Wouldn’t dream of it sweetheart…”

One, two, three more thrusts later and you’re pushed over the edge. Your face is pressed into his neck as you moan his name, biting into his neck which is sure to leave a mark at such an intense orgasm. You tightening around him is enough to send him over as a soft pretty moan leaves him. It was so quiet you almost didn’t hear it over your own panting breath, but you did and its only reserved for you.

Once you’ve both cleaned up, you’re looking down at him with a sheet wrapped over the two of you. You’re gently brushing his hair from your face and you can’t help but smile. His soft blue eyes glow in the golden candle light, his cheeks have a slight stain of pink from the sunburn that hasn’t quite healed yet and you think he looks absolutely perfect in that moment.

“Whatcha staring at sweetheart?”

Your smile grows at the lost puppy look he has on his face and you can’t help but trace the scar that runs from his chin to his lip with your thumb.

“You… I’m staring at you dummy, because I love you.”

Micah’s eyes widen before he flips you so you’re the one underneath him, his forearms on either side of your face. He leans down and gives you a tender kiss, humming in agreement.

“Love you too.”

Micah kisses his way down your lips to your collarbone where he rests his head on your chest. Your hand comes to gently play with his hair again, something you can’t get enough of, until you both begin to fall asleep. You drift off with a small smile on your face, contempt and at peace for the first time in a long time knowing that if the two of you could survive that horrid bank job then you could survive anything else that was thrown your way.

[calehenituseappreciation]

i hc wilbur made tommy president because he planned to go and press the button while tommy spoke and kill him along with himself

wilbur wanted end all his unfinished symphonies and as the person who raised tommy- he raised him like he raised l'manberg. he doesnt care for fundy- not since he denounced him- so he wanted to end him :)

i need a fic where tommy is the one who goes to stop wilbur and wilbur fucking stabs him before pressing the button saying "it was never meant to be" tommy loses both first and last lives to that phrase

tommys last words are it was always meant to be fucking wilbur survives the explosion and has no one to kill him and now he has to live with the consqunces tommy becomes toast- short for ghost tommy i refuse to write so many letters each time- and immeditly looks for his older brothers and he finds wilbur first :) wilbur is exiled for his crimes and also out of fear- they tried to rehabilate him! they really did but then he freaked out over seeing toast... in a bad way.... and he and toast burned georges house on toast suggest (maybe we should burn something! that always helps me calm down!) this is after wilbur is trusted enough to be not... in a prison... after phil convinced them he needs help and toast tries his best ok- (WHO LEFT WILBUR WITH TOAST!) (I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME! I WAS ONLY LEAVING FOR FIVE MINUTES! AND RANBOO WAS THERE TOO!) and toast tries to go with but everyone is like "yeah no" and toast is like "whhhhyyy i just wanna stay with wilby!" and everytime anyone tries to tell tommy about the wrongs that have happened to him he screams and clutches his head in pain and everytime he comes back he doesnt remember the convo toast,,, is the most BABY toast calls everyone cutesy nicknames unironcially he calls eret rere toast, chriping happily: TECHIE!!!! tubbo: TOMMY STAY AWAY FROM HIM! toast, in a very lost and confused voice: why? techno, freaking out: tommy? toast: hi!!!!!!! im toast!!!!!! :D techno: lowkey ab to cry toast: NOOOOOOOO DUN CRI! toast: there there techie... i know what will help! tubbo, sighing: arson? toast: ARSON! phil comes just in time to find tommys dead body and l'manberg gone hes not around for the withers neither hes there just to see the crater and wilbur in chains with blood on his hands trying to off himself phil will forever blame himself for not making it in time :> dream: taking wilbur away in boat toast, floating behind the boat: o^o dream do you have any games on your phone .///^///. looks at exileinnit hmmm spins roulette wheel who should i hurt... i picked d all of the above they dont let toast go with him but because he is baby and you can't tell him what to do tubbo: sighs finally now that the exiles done toast can you- tubbo: looks up tubbo: GOADDAMN IT

toast is promptly kidnapped back to l'manberg the next day toast keeps going back tho and no one understands why- he literally killed him! why does he keep wanting to go back! (toasts unfinished buisness keeping him tied was helping wilbur and l'manberg- he loved wilbur even at his worst)

toast vibes around everyone but he stays with wilbur- where ever wilbur goes is where he builds his home

its shitty but its an 'ome Toast, teary eyed: Dad? Why does everyone hate Wilby? Why can't I be with him... Phil, with no idea what to do: niki bakes cakes with niki whenever hes in l'manberg he keeps accidently setting her bakery on fire but hes sMOL AND GIGGLES A LOT AND HE HAS FLOUR ON HE GODDAMN SELF toast is a part of mexican l'manberg i dont make the rules mexican dream: AYYYYYYYYY HOMIE toast, giggling: 'OMIE!!!!!

Toast is wholesome while everyone is literally willing to murder Wilbur while also trying to stop him from khs toast is just a very happy lovely child and cries whenever anyone is mean to 'his big brother wilby!' and so they all constantly glare daggers over toasts shoulder wherenever he cant see em meanwhile Phil is just dying inside because Tommy is a ghost by Wilbur's hands and Wilbur keeps trying to commit suicide and oh god what is he supposed to do- he simply avoids this struggle by avoiding them toast, waddling up to philza: papa do you have any games on your phone? all im saying is that tommy called phil papa before changing to dad or fathercraft phil,in the tired parent voice: tommy please sit down- just for five minutes- at least for 5 minutes toast: sits down and then proceeds to struggle to continue to sit but he must because dad told him to toast is just ADHD incarnate wilbur, trying to end himself: im gonna escape my consequences toast: HI!!!!! :D wilbur: FUCK ITS MY CONSEQUENCES toast,,,, is so baby Wilbur is just not allowed to have anything remotely sharp i like how theres so much angst and im just hyper focusing on ba yby dream uses toast the same way he uses ghostbur! :D toast doesnt realize of course even after wilbur tells him dream is bad but he keeps forgetting!!! Everyone: da baby Dream: how can I profit from this oh dream is manipulating wilbur btw wilbur: suffering toast: i made you a card toast trusts eret wholeheartedly and this hurts eret because she knows if toast remembered he probably wouldnt- they wanted redemption but not like this- not because of death Toast: you look cool Toast: you are friend now Eret: sobs I don't deserve this Toast: what did I do wrong Toast: how can I help friend!!!!! Eret: sobbing more toast looks at everyone says "ah! friend shaped!" if ur wondering wheres the angst toast is the angst- toast is just tommy without any bad memories and hes so different they thought he was happy before they thought he was fine tommy was hurt too but since he internalized it no one cared toast sees wilbur being sad and goes! i know what will help! n-not arson tho people dont like arson when you do it.... BUT ITS OKAY! I BROUGHT A FRIEND! shows friend, the sheep and wilbur just fucking sobs Toast is wholesome chaotic in a perfect mix- toast is tommy but without the 'asshole on purpose as a self defense mechanism" someone mentioned something about Tommy masking insecurities once Toast doesn't remember. and he's fine with that he doesn't have any insecurities toast hurts because in retrospect toast, meeting bad: WOAAAAAAH! YOU LOOK SO FUCKING COOL! bad: LANGUAGE! toast, cringing back, looking at the ground: ..sorry :( bad: ...you can swear toast: :D bad: once toast hasnt sworn since "hes saving it for special occasions" sometimes he accidently swears and immedtly gasps and looks at bad and bad just sighs and is like "its okay it was an accident" bad never would have thought itd take letting tommy swear for him to stop huh... its almost like... hes a child.... and the negetive reienforcement.... was doing more harm then good.... toast: exists in an amount of happiness no one has ever seen him in before everyone: pain how much pain was tommy in before? they thought tommy was happy- was... was he not happy? he's so unabashedly joyful and energetic looking back they can see how forced every laugh felt, every smile- He's not afraid to just talk to people, make new friends he became so much more cautious after Eret, had it really effected him that badly? He's open. He never lies about how he's feeling, never brushes anything away how much was Tommy hiding, how much pain, how much fear- It's chilling. bone chilling. There's no way to fix what's been lost. No way to apologize to who Tommy used to be, to try and make it better. None of them every bothered to see him as anything more than a nuisance, an annoying child or cannon fodder and they'll regret it for the rest of their lives everyone: having a mental crisis toast: GUYYYYSS!! I MADE ANOTHER FRIEND!!!

"Wilby?" Wilbur heard Tommys voice say in an innocent tone.

Was he hearing things? Tommy's dead. He killed him himself.

"Wilby why are you in prison?" The image of his little brother asked, "Did you commit arson without me?" it asked in a pout.

"TOMMY!" Tubbo yelled running into the cell where Wilbur was kept, going through the bars with ease, "Tommy get away from him!"

"But 'ubbo!!!! Wilby is 'ere!!!!" Tommy (?) said with a smile Wilbur hadn't seen since Tommy was a child.

"Tommy, I understand you don't remember anything right now but you need to come back over here!" Tubbo demanded and Tommy flinched

Wilbur was struck with the sudden realization that this isn't just his mind- no no it can't be- but Tubbo acknowledged him he has to- Wilbur reached his locked hands towards Tommy only for him to pass through him. What? No no it was just his imagination that makes sense.

"Oh sorry Wil! I'm kinda dead! I don't remember how i died... but i think im a ghostie!" Tommy said plainly, floating off the floor. Wilbur looked at him in confusion. Whats happening?

the first time toast sees the crater toast srceams in intense amount of pain- its so loud you can hear it all over the smp- and just dissapears for a few days before reappearing with no memories of what happened toast saying things tommy thought but never said- he calls eret "big brother" and eret fucking d i e s toast cals all the l'manbergians older siblings He's far too honest for anyone to handle tommy was always honest too but he learned from experince that honesty only lead to hurt Tommy was like an enderchest, you could never see beyond the exterior, everything inside was exclusive to him and him alone Toast is like when someone dies and all their fuckin items explode onto the ground. you just see everything and most of it was  pain and everyone feels bad because they thought he was the only one uneffected that nothing had ever put a damper on his happiness and energetic smile- at what point had that smile became fake? also for angst reasons the last memory toast has is before the elections toast has uwu boy vibes but more chaotic toast goes to dream smp from logstedshire purely for sam nook toast starts making his hotel since he sees nobody has a home (including dream LMAO) (and he wants to make a safe place since everyone keeps saying something about war) and wants to make one and asks sam for help since apparently hes good at building and sam lets him pay after he finishs the hotel and sam nook is there since day one because i dont think i could handle a world without sam nook toast: biting everyone tubbo: wHY DO YOU DO THAT?????? toast: once techie bit all the cupcakes and then said it was his cuz he bit it so im biting everyone to show their mine!!!!! tubbo: i- tubbo: i am both flattered and disgusted everyone, remembering how tommy used to bite everyone upon meeting and then everyone would get mad at him and yell at him until he stopped biting people on meeting: sadly whips and nae naes hes a BABY toast deserves the fucking world also i havent talked ab it but there is wilbur and fundy angst here fundy confronts wilbur also not that fundy is angry about not not not getting murdered by his father but also why does he consider tommy his unfinished sympohny and not him? he raised fundy too- maybe he just only ever loved tommy (based off his insecurity of how close wilbur and tommy are based off wilbur raising tommy and wilbur only being there for fundy by the time he was older and also using hybrid age go nyoom for this dream manipulates toast during wilburs exile along with wilbur and toast realizes both of them were being used by him and fucking screams lourder than he ever has before and dissapears for a week and then shows up at technos house (he got lost and he didnt know why he was at logsted shire- he doesnt remember the place) on the day of the excution and tries to help technoblade but keeps forgetting that everyone is trying to kill techno the butcher army is hesitant when "hey why are you all attacking big brother Techy-" "HE SPAWNED WITHERS IN L'MANBERG!" "he did?" toast asked tilting his head in confusion "YES! HE DID! AFTER YOU DIED! NOW WHERE IS HE TOAST! WE NEED TO CAPTURE HIM!" whenever tubbo talks ab how theyre planning on excuting techno or how there was no trial toast has flashbacks to tubbos excution but hes never able to hold on to the memories just leaving him feeling bad toast sees anything traumatic and just makes the blue screen noise toast has to reboot every time anything truamatic happens and when he does he doesnt remember what happens after

toast hurts on a "THE FUCKING IMPLICATIONS OF THIS" level just.. everyone trying to make up for not noticing tommys hurt and trying to be good to toast when its already too late... far too late glatt is also here because whenever ytoast dissapears after something trauamtic he bounces back to the land of the dead for the bit and sometimes he drags glatt out to the land of the living with him only works bc toast has unfinished buisness so he can freely go between and just stays in the land of the lving until he can finish his unfiinshed buisness ghostbur and toast wouldve been good friends if they ever met anyone yells at toast and he immeditly starts sobbing

basically when everything is calm and peaceful and everyone is happy together after dream is in prison and toast is like "oh... this is what ive always wanted"

"toast?" tubbo asked, confused toast smiled softly, "i think its time for me to go" "what?" wilbur asked his pitch unusually high due to the fear lacing his voice "i think... i think this was my unfinished buisness... this is the last thing i wanted when i was alive, the reason i stayed... i think its finally my time to go now" toast said smiling tearfully "no! you vcan't go! we just got you back!"

basically when everything is finally ok, when things finally calm down toast fades back to the void/afterlife thing

[collecting-stories]

Heaven, We’re Already Here - t. 05 - JJ Maybank

Summary: Things are progressing between y/n and JJ. 

A/N: We’re halfway to the end...can you even believe it?

You Are Ok Masterlist | Outer Banks Masterlist

✞ My soul isn’t yours to save anymore ✞

The bet had become a thing of contention between JJ and John B since the night of the kegger. It was fairly obvious that JJ wanted out and the only reason he was still hanging on was because he had convinced himself that he desperately needed the cash. 

But the more he spent time with you the harder it was becoming to justify to himself that cash was worth the level of humiliation he would be subjecting you to if you knew that this was all just one massive joke on you. From the moment he saw you in the church JJ knew that this was no game or bet, no matter what he tried to tell himself when you weren’t around. And after spending the day in Chapel Hill with you he was more convinced than ever that he needed to end things before they got out of hand.  

“Here.” JJ practically slammed the money on the table, pushing it across to Sarah.

“What’s this?”

“I forfeit.” He replied. “Take your 200 back.” 

“I thought you needed the money,” John B said, tone mocking the way JJ had grumbled about needing cash three weeks ago. 

“Yeah and now I don’t.” He snapped.  

Kiara looked away, grabbing the empty glasses off the table and taking them back to the counter. The only nice thing about him doing this in the Wreck was that she could walk away from the table when it got uncomfortable. Kiara hadn’t been shy in telling JJ that he should call off the bet, “if you really need 200, I’ll front you.” But she was less inclined to put herself in the middle of the altercation with him, John B, and Sarah. 

She knew that he regretted making the bet in the first place and she had felt guilty hanging out with you, knowing that it was all just a joke behind your back that JJ and his friends could laugh at. But he was making good on his promise to cut off the head of the beast, giving Sarah her money back and ending the bet before anyone really got hurt. It could fade into obscurity, just be something no one even remembered anymore. 

“You were almost to the finish line,” John B teased, feeling shockingly okay with a bet he’d first made when he was drunk and barely coherent enough to walk. “I mean, unless you don’t think she’ll let you get that far-”

“Shut up.” JJ snapped. “I said I was done, so I’m done.”

“Why?” Sarah pried.  

“I thought it would be funny but it’s not. She’s a real person, I’m not gonna fuck with her just so you guys can laugh.” JJ replied. He’d been feeling guilty about the bet since that first day he saw you in the church. The way you looked at him, a mirrored image of his own restlessness, depression, and emptiness. He didn’t deserve you on a good day, when he was completely devoted to you with no ulterior motive at the back of his head.  

He couldn’t do this to you, make you the butt of the joke to every pogue who heard about the bet and was enough of an asshole to find it funny. On his second time around the thought, he knew he really couldn’t do that to anyone. But John B thought it was funny and he and Sarah had used JJ’s lack of funds and general ‘go-with-the-flow’ attitude as a means to an end. 

“You’d do it if she was some kook.” Sarah commented, counting the 20’s he’d handed over. 

“Well she’s not.” JJ snapped, “look, I’m giving you the fucking money back, bet’s off.”

“Dude-“

“He said it was over John B, just quit being a dick.” Kiara piped up. She hadn’t been there when the bet was made but she had heard about it after the fact and been pissed. She was only relieved now that JJ seemed ready to put the bet to rest.  

“She might like you now but it won’t last.” Sarah said when JJ started to walk away, “I mean, you guys have nothing in common JJ, do you really think she fits in at keggers or sitting around getting high all day?”

JJ stood there, jaw tense, clenching his fists so hard that his nails dug into his palms, face turning red. The anger was just insecurity because, yeah, he agreed with Sarah. He knew he didn’t have a lot to offer you but hearing her say it knocked him down a peg and had him seeing red. 

“Just go,” Kiara urged, grabbing JJ’s arm and pushing at him, trying to get him to turn around and leave, “go.” She would yell at them for him, a much better defender of his character than he was. 

The door slammed behind him, the spring on the old wooden screen creaking in protest when JJ threw it shut as he left, already brushing tears out of his eyes as he walked, cutting through the woods back to the cut. It was stupid to get so upset about something Sarah said but he couldn’t help it. He’d been worked up as it was over calling off the bet and Sarah had only made him feel worse. 

Despite that, or maybe because of it, JJ took the path through the woods that led to the church. Taking a walk to cool down worked for everyone in the world but him, the further through the woods he walked the angrier he got. At himself, at Sarah and John B, at everything that made him take that stupid bet in the first place. The only thing keeping his anger in check was the thought of you. Sitting in the church practicing the piano or hanging laundry outside. Anywhere he could stay just out of sight of your parents, relishing in your attention.  

JJ came up on the church, not thinking to look inside before he entered. All he was thinking about was seeing you, forgetting entirely that you were not the only one who lived on the property. He stopped at the end of the aisle, still a little worked up, and caught off guard by the sight of your dad at the altar, rehearsing his sermon for Sunday. He tried to back up but failed, his clumsiness catching your dad’s attention.  

“Can I help you?” He called out when JJ bumped into one of the pews, the sound of his boot colliding with the wood reverberating in the nave. 

“Sorry,” JJ spoke up, “sorry I-“

“You came to church a few Sundays ago?” Your dad said, recognizing JJ’s face when he stepped off the altar and walked down the aisle. The blond, he realized, was the boy he’d noticed watching you. Though his wife told him he was being crazy, he was certain that he’d seen the boy in the yard once after that. 

“Ah, yeah...” JJ nodded, sniffling a little to clear the congestion from crying, “wrong turn on the way to the smoke shop I guess.” He was sure his face was still red, eyes still bloodshot, and the last thing he wanted to do was get cornered into some weird testimonial moment with your dad. He just wanted to see you, to remind himself that what Sarah said was bullshit, that you liked him, that this was more than a bet.  

“Is there something I can help you with now?” Everyone always said how welcoming and charismatic your dad was. The church wouldn’t have half the congregation it did now if it wasn’t for your dad’s ability to reel people in with smiles and an easy-going personality. 

That ease was not present as he stood there sizing up JJ. The kid gave him a bad feeling and he was absolutely certain he’d seen flashes of him around the yard before. The teenage population on the island was not a group your father was a fan of and JJ seemed the perfect embodiment of all the things wrong with that group. He looked unkempt, a little worse for the wear, and he smelled like pot. 

Before JJ could say anymore, the doors to the church opened and you walked in, eyes wide at finding your boyfriend there, “uh, mom said to call you for lunch?” You said. 

For his part, the second the door opened, JJ’s attention had snapped that way, and there you were. Exactly who he had been looking for and he felt like he could breath, like things would be alright because you were right there and he shouldn’t be so conspicuous but he couldn’t take his eyes off you. Like a magnet.  

“Of course,” he seemed to recover his bad mood relatively quick though he glared at the back of JJ’s head when he realized the boy was staring at you. “Go ahead back to the house and tell your mom I’ll be in.” 

You kept your eyes on your dad, not daring to look at JJ, “should I ask her to set an extra space?” Your dad had always been a fan of inviting church members in for dinner or lunch when they stopped by with something, you weren’t sure if it was compensation for a dwindling household or if he just liked to seem approachable but you used it against him now. If you had looked at him, you’d have noticed the slow smirk on JJ’s face as he stood there. 

If your dad said no it reflected badly on him. He always guilted you about not being helpful enough or considerate enough. “If...” he trailed off, clearing his throat to get JJ’s attention as he waited for a name. 

“JJ...JJ Maybank.” 

The frown increased in size; he’d heard the last name before. He’d hired a Maybank to do work on the roofing a few years back and remembered the man being nothing but a mean drunk. “If JJ wants to stay, we would love to have him.”

“I’ve got no where to be,” JJ replied, grinning at your dad. 

Lunch had already been finished when you went to call your dad, needing only to be plated, something you were thankful for because the awkward and uncomfortable silence that settled between JJ and your dad was unbearable. There was no way you could’ve survived waiting through lunch prep with the two of them.  

You weren’t even entirely sure what JJ was doing there. He hadn’t mentioned seeing you, he was supposed to be spending the day with his friends, as he’d already told you the night before when he snuck over because “couldn’t stay away”. He’d invited you on the boat but both your parents were home all day so there was little chance that you could go anywhere without drawing attention to yourself. Weekends were easier, your brothers and sisters who had stayed close came over with their kids and if you left no one missed you. But during the week it was just the three of you, an odd adjustment after so many years with so many kids.  

You sat at the table across from JJ, doing your absolute best not to look at him, knowing he was staring at you just to piss off your dad, who had already mentioned your upcoming engagement twice. Your mom let your dad lead the conversation like she always did and didn’t object to his over excessive mention of Timothy.  

“Do you go to the high school then?” She was doing her best to be polite, not completely certain your dad’s paranoia was based on fact. (“Just because you say you saw him in the yard doesn’t mean you saw him in the yard.”)

“Ah, yeah...” JJ nodded, “sometimes.” He took another bite of the sandwich, “hey, this is really good, you’re a really good cook.”

While The Wreck technically counted as homemade because it was Kiara’s dad who made it, JJ hadn’t eaten a real, home cooked meal, in a long time. His mom, when she had been around in his childhood, was not making lunches or any meals for him that she couldn’t microwave.  

“Oh, Ace made it.” Your mom said, beaming at you, “she’s a natural in the kitchen.” 

“You’ve been-“ JJ stopped himself short of saying you’d been holding out on him, coughing and then continuing on, “it’s good.”

“Thank you,” you chanced a glance up and then quickly back down at your plate. 

Lunch was excruciating and when it was finally over, JJ leaving and your dad watching him walk back into the woods, you told your parents you weren’t feeling well and went to lay down. You were flushed all over from lunch, sitting there across from JJ with your parents in the room. It was like knowing a secret you knew you weren’t supposed to. 

Tapping sounded on your window and you opened it, JJ standing there outside, “you’re gonna get me trouble,” you whispered. “My dad is convinced he’s seen you around our yard.”

“That’s cause he has.” JJ replied, kissing you once he was inside the room. 

“I know that.” You whispered, “what are you doing?”

“I’m reading your love letter from Timmy,” he shrugged, sitting down at your desk and pulling the letter out of the envelope. 

“It’s not a love letter,” you huffed. When you got close enough to try and take the letter away JJ spun in the chair, grabbing you around the waist and pulling you into his lap. 

“Let’s see, oh, coming to visit?” JJ said, poking your sides as he read the letter, leaving kisses along your shoulder. “So you get to go on a date?”

“Well, chaperoned.” You replied. “My dad wants to go somewhere ‘outer banks’ style, whatever he thinks that is, to show off to Timothy and his parents.” 

“Go to the Wreck.” JJ said. 

“I’m not going to Kie’s, I’m not gonna embarrass myself.” 

“Trust me,” JJ insisted, kissing you, “go to the Wreck.” 

You ran your fingers through his hair, brushing it back out of his face and kissing him. Your hands moved down so you could hold his face, leaning your forehead against his.  

“Are you okay?” JJ asked, his hands sliding up under your shirt, his warm skin against yours.  

“I don’t want to do this.” You admitted, “I don’t wanna have dinner with Timmy.”  

“Hey,” JJ pulled his face away, tilting so he could look you in the eye, “That shit doesn’t mean anything.”  

“It does in the long run,” you replied. When you had gotten Timothy’s letter that morning you’d been more than upset, knowing he was coming to North Carolina felt like the last nail in the coffin before your dad was sending you off to Tennessee.  

“Do you like him?” He asked, matter of fact.

“No, no.” You shook your head. There was no way you had any feelings toward Timothy other than mild annoyance. He wasn’t bad but he wasn’t for you. And maybe he would’ve been if this was all there was but you had JJ and there was an entire other space out there. “I wish we could just…stay like this.”

“Me too.” JJ replied.  

You pulled away from him suddenly, remembering the way he’d looked when you had walked into the church and found him there with your father. “I forgot, you were upset earlier-”

“It’s fine, it was just a dumb fight with John B.” He insisted, “I’m over it.”

“Are you sure? You can tell me anything.” You promised. You had been secret keeper and confidant for your siblings plenty of times over the years and while their conflicts had never really been worthy the secrecy, you had still been good at the task.  

“I’m fine, I promise,” he repeated, “I was just upset and I wanted to see you.”

“Well you’re seeing me now,” you teased, holding his face again so you could kiss him, “though I think you should consider leaving before anyone comes to check on me.”

-

The Wreck was totally not where you wanted to be going on a chaperoned first date with a guy who looked almost more sheltered than you felt on a regular basis. He had khakis and a polo tucked in, spikey blond hair and you were trying so hard not to be mean in your head. This was the guy your parents thought would make a great addition to their family. This was your future husband?

Any concerns or reservations you had about Timothy went out the window as you walked into the Wreck ahead of him and realized that JJ and Pope were sitting at the counter. JJ turned in his stool as you came in, propping his chin on his hand and smiling at you. 

“Hey,” Kiara had donned jeans and a t-shirt for the occasion, “six?” 

“Actually, these two will have their own table.” Your mom piped up and you looked at Kiara, attempting to convey the absolute horror of the early evening dinner.  

“Of course,” she said, grabbing menus. You could hear your father behind you, mentioning JJ’s presence in the restaurant. Whether Kiara heard it or JJ had just requested that this be the most difficult first date to get through, the table she sat you at was facing the counter. Your parents sat two tables over with Timothy’s parents while you sat down in perfect view of JJ and Pope.  

“So, what’s good here?” Timothy asked, his voice an octave higher than he looked like it would be.

You scanned the menu as if you ate there all the time and then looked at Kiara, hoping she could offer more of an answer then you could.  

“The grits are good, we do them with sausage and shrimp.” Kiara replied.  

“That’s fine.” You handed off your menu, not bothering to consider another option. Even though Kiara knew that this was all something you had to do, you felt a sense of guilt, sitting there with Timothy while JJ was sitting at the counter.  

It was palpable, you felt like you could taste it in your mouth as you spoke, felt the guilt dripping off you. Timothy wasn’t the worst, probably, and, probably, in someone else’s life he would make them happy but you weren’t sure there was any reality that would allow you to walk away from what you had with JJ and resign yourself to this life. To your mom’s life, or your sisters’ lives.  

“I’ve been looking into getting my pilot’s license, I’ll be done seminary soon-” Timothy started to say after Kiara walked off.  

“Oh, I didn’t realize you were interested in becoming a pilot.” You replied, glancing over his shoulder at JJ who was turned around in his stool, his back against the counter, watching you. If your dad wasn’t facing the opposite direction you were certain he’d be having a fit right now.  

“...the plane license would take another year at least but it’s something I can easily pursue after the marriage and it would allow us the opportunity to be missionaries-”

“Missionaries?” You paled, focusing your attention back on Timothy and away from JJ.  

“Timmy’s older brother is ministering in Zambia and they’ve always talked about Timmy joining him,” his mom cut in.  

“Missionaries in Zambia...all the time?” You asked. Your father had already launched into a separate conversation about the importance of ministry work and you felt close to absolute collapse. When Kiara came back to the table to make sure the food was okay you practically clung to her, “bathroom?”

“Through the kitchen,” Kiara lied, noting the look of distress. “Our regular bathroom is being fixed.”  

“Thanks.” You bolted. Through the restaurant and the kitchen, right out the back door and you might’ve run all the way home but somehow JJ was right there, grabbing you as you collided with him. “I can’t do this...I can’t, I can’t....I can’t be a missionary! I can’t live in Zambia and have like thirteen kids and name them all something stupid and have poufy fucking hair!”  

“Whoa, hey, babe,” JJ urged, pulling you into a hug, rubbing your back soothingly, “it’s gonna be okay.”  

“What if it’s not?” You could keep pretending like you didn’t have to think about it but the truth was, you couldn’t run from your parents’ expectations and plans forever. “I can’t do this.”

“You don’t have to do anything,” JJ promised, kissing the side of your head as he stood there holding you, “I love you. And I don’t give a shit about Timmy, or your parents, or whatever...we’ll figure this out.”

“This was a bad idea, having lunch here.”

“Hey, I don’t think so. I got to hear you curse for the first time.” He joked. “We’ll be okay, just head back inside alright?”

“Okay,” you pulled away, fixing your hair and taking a deep breath, trying to right yourself. It was just dinner. It wasn’t Zambia yet. It wasn’t even the wedding. Just dinner and JJ was right there. “Oh, JJ?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you too.” You said before hurrying back inside, leaving him standing behind the Wreck with a sad smile on his face.  

-

“Scarlett does it every year with some of the kooks, like a raffle.” Sarah explained, recounting Scarlett’s ’Touron Game’ for JJ and John B, “500 to whoever gets the most tourons...they have like a scoring system. Kind of awful, I guess, but...I mean it’s not like they don’t know it’s just sex.”

“500?” JJ asked, “I could use that.”

“What are you gonna do, pimp yourself out?” John B joked.

“I’ll give you 200,” Sarah replied immediately, cutting her boyfriend off. She was looking across the parking lot of the convenience store.  

“What’s the catch?” JJ asked, following Sarah’s line of sight to the old minivan, a girl their age standing with her mom at the trunk.  

“That’s the weird pastor’s daughter, right?” Sarah asked, already knowing the answer, “get her to sleep with you. I’ll even give you the 200 dollars up front.”

“Yeah okay. It’s a deal.”  

-

Taglist: @heavenlymama @vindictive-hearts @alexa-playafricabytoto @dontjinx-it @randomficsandshit @niamhobrien @strangerthanfanfiction713 @tovvaa @freckled-and-daydreaming @harleylynn @bibliophilewednesday @dpaccione @bolaurel @poguestyleskye @beautyandthebleh @under-a-canyon-moon @stevie-buck @bijleegiregi @vitaminekabc @minigranger @teamnick @just-smile-darling @obxsummer @damonsalvawhore27 @isqbella @tomzfrog @fangirlvoice @phantompogues @98starkeys @ilovejjmaybank @lemur46 @khiaraaa-in-spacee @babygal-babygal @niya-savage @divvrx @princess-of-the-fandoms @thecaptainsgingersnap @jenjie @yourprincess-maybe @outrbanks @mendesmaybank @thehomeiknow @minnie-bby @katiaw2 @2kayla64 

[myhockeyworld87]

Not So Dangerous Liaison - Sidney Crosby - Part 21

Word Count: 3,579

POV: Reader’s (sorry if I messed anyone up)

Warngings: Language, Smut, NSFW 

Notes: So it’s been a hot minute for this story. Sorry about that guys, but when we were last with these two they were in Spain and just had a very hot massage session. So let’s see what happened after that. As always love your feedback and Happy Reading!

Not So Dangerous Liaison Masterlist

Your two weeks in Europe were simply amazing, and while you dreaded leaving; you still looked forward to going back to Cole Harbour with Sidney as his day with the cup was coming up. Sid had timed the trip pretty well so that you had a week to get everything organized. Since he actually got two days with the cup, Sid wanted the first day to be more public and the second to just be about friends and family. The town of Cole Harbour planned a big parade in the morning. Sid again insisted that you ride with him as he showed off the legendary trophy, though you felt awkward being there as everyone cheered him on.

 You were definitely more in your element, as the afternoon had all of you headed off to the children's hospital. Seeing Sid with these kids just melted your heart. He took time with each of them, talking to them and signing whatever Penguins gear they had. You knew that he was good with kids; it was evident in the hockey program that he ran every year and how he handled all of them that came up to him when you were, well, literally anywhere. But this, this was different. He was gentle, kind, and caring with each one, and at one point you literally found yourself walking out of the room as there were just too many emotions swirling in your brain, not only about your boyfriend but everything going on in each room you went to.

 It was Trina that came out to check on you. "Everything ok dear?"

 You coughed discreetly, hoping to cover up the swell of emotions that seemed to want to burst out. "Yeah." Her arm came around your shoulders and she squeezed you close to her. "I don't know how he does it," you found yourself saying. "Some of these kids are so bad and yet…" A tear slid down your cheek at the thought of what these parents were going through but how they put on a brave face and found some bit of happiness in your boyfriend being there with their child.

 "I know, sweetheart," Trina said enveloping you in a hug now. "It's hard, but just look at the joy on their little faces." She turned so that you could see back into the room where Sid was playing a video game with a child undergoing chemotherapy. The smile on Sid's face was just as bright as the little boy's and you knew right then why bringing the cup here was so important to him. It was an opportunity to share the joy that he felt winning the cup or even stepping out on the ice, with each of the kids he saw, and god if he wasn't good at doing just that. If it was possible you fell in love with him even more.

 You brushed the tear away and gave over to the infectious happiness that was taking place in the room, now more determined to help Sid spread the joy around the hospital. By the time you left your heart was overflowing with love for the man by your side and you couldn't keep it contained as you jumped into the passenger's seat beside him and planted your lips on his. "What's that for?" Sid asked when you finally broke apart.

 "Nothing…everything…I don't know…for just being you." You shrugged as he started the car, then added. "Mostly because I love you."

 "Well, I wouldn't complain if you decided to do that again." Leaning over you, let your lips mold to his, this time letting the kiss get a little heated before he pulled back. "If we keep this up, we'll never get to the next stop." Sid was right, it would've been easy to just get carried away with him and end up heading home instead of to the party boat that was planned. Tons of people lined the dock as you headed down to the boat. All of them trying to grab Sid's attention for a pic or get him to stop so that they could touch the cup. Ever patient, Sidney stopped for each photo as you made your way onto the same boat, you'd taken on your official first date. The party took up the rest of the afternoon and some of the evening. Sid made a few stops that weren't scheduled, to random places like the grocery store he always uses and the coffee shop that always has his order ready and waiting. It was a very long day, and you were glad when you finally walked through the door of the lake house that night; Sid carrying the cup inside behind you.

 He set the cup on the kitchen counter where it looked extremely out of place. "Is that where you're keeping it for the night?"

 He shrugged. "I don't know. I hadn't really given it much thought, but seems as good a place as any."

 "Well, where did you keep it the first time you won."

 Sid turned a delightful shade of red you hadn't seen. He'd been embarrassed on numerous occasions, but never like this. "In bed with me," he finally choked out.

 It took everything in your power not to burst out laughing, though it was kind of cute to think of your boyfriend sleeping with this prized trophy. "Well, I can sleep in the guest room tonight, if you two want to be alone." He snatched you around the waist and pulled you into him.

 "Not a chance. You're definitely better and softer to hold onto in the middle of the night." He accentuated his words by dropping kisses to your forehead, then your nose, and finally your lips, while his hands grabbed hold of your ass. "God, it's been a long day, but I like that I'm ending it here with you." You couldn't help the smile that graced your face, for there wasn't anyplace else in the world you wanted to be than by his side.

 "Come on, let's go to bed." You wiggled out of his arms then headed towards the staircase as Sid trailed behind. "Aren't you forgetting something?" He looked at you a bit quizzical, then you nodded to the Stanley Cup. "It wouldn't be the first time it slept in the room with us." Referring to the night the Penguins had won the beloved trophy. He quickly trotted back over, then hoisted the cup upstairs where he placed it over in the corner of the room.

 "If I remember right, that was the first night I kissed you."

 "Hmm," you tapped your finger on your chin as if contemplating whether or not he was correct, which he was of course. "Was it? I can't remember," you teased.

 "Oh really?" Sid asked as he grabbed you around the waist like he did that night and so many nights after. "Maybe I should refresh your memory." His lips dropped to yours, all of the playfulness of moments ago now replaced with a heated passion as his tongue swept in and mingled with yours. It was just like that first night, only this time you didn't let your mind stop you from wanting more of Sid, as you gave yourself over to him. He slowly backed you up until your knees hit the back of the bed. It was then that you felt him sliding your clothes off, piece by piece until you were standing there nude in front of him. "God, you're beautiful." He breathed in, the words so reverent it felt like a prayer. "I remember how badly I wanted you that night, but I'd promised you that we would sleep and nothing more. I'm not making that promise now."

 His lips were back on yours then, as he devoured you with his mouth. Your hands roamed his body, this time ridding him of the clothing that was the barrier between the two of you. When you finally freed him from his boxer briefs the two of you tumbled down onto the bed. Your limbs tangled with each other, and though you'd been with each other hundreds of times since that night of your first kiss; it was as if all the pent-up frustration from that first night finally came bubbling up to the surface. Sid's hands seemed to be everywhere at once, roaming down your back to your ass where your hips flexed into his, on your breasts tweaking your nipples, and slipping between your folds to find you dripping wet with desire for him. "I need you," you moaned out as his digits curled inside you.

 He settled between your legs, cock in hand as he guided himself into you; a sigh leaving both of you as he entered. Your lips found his as your bodies moved as one. Every thrust of his hips into you was met by a flex of yours. Your hands threaded together pressing into the mattress as his body hovered over yours. "I love you," Sid panted out.

 "I love you too," you echoed as your souls meshed together into one, before you crested and reached that high your body was so craving. It was a few short thrusts and Sid followed you into that blissful state of euphoria. The two of you laid there trying to catch your breath, yet your hearts still beat in sync with one another. Your hands skated up and down his back before he twisted you both to your side. Eyes growing heavy, you let them drift shut as Sid nuzzled you into his side.

 "I don't think I've ever been happier than I am right now."

 "Really?" Your eyes popped back open in disbelief. "What about when you won that?" you said motioning to where the Stanley Cup was sitting off in the corner of the bedroom.

 "Mmm, don't get me wrong that was great, but sharing this with you is better." His arms tighten around you a little more. "And I know we celebrated the win that night, but not like this."

 You pulled back a bit so that you could look him in the eyes. "So…it's sex that makes tonight better," you teased knowing that it wasn't that but enjoying chirping Sid all the same.

 "You know it's not that." His hands now tickling your sides and making you squirm.

 "I know," you laughed trying to catch your breath, yet again.

 When you finally calmed down, Sid looked at you with all seriousness. "I never thought, that I'd get to share this with anyone, but then…well I'd like to say I found you, but that really wasn't the case was it. You'd been there all along. I just finally opened my eyes." His words made you melt and you could feel your eyes getting a bit misty. "And now everything in my life is just better. Especially getting to share this with you." It was Sid's turn to motion his head toward the multi-tiered trophy that already has his name engraved on it twice. He sighed and you felt it more than heard it.

 "I feel like there's a but coming."

 "No buts," he chuckled. "More like an I wish or I hope…" Well this was interesting and you propped your head up on your hand so that you could pay attention even more. His one hand never left your hip, drawing lazy circles there as he searched for the right words. "It's not easy to win that thing, but I hope we can do it again. Not because I want to see my name on it or anything, but well…" God you wish he would just spit it out because you really didn't know what he was talking about at the moment. "I want that moment with you…you know on the ice, legs wrapped around me, while you kiss me senseless type thing." He said as much before, just maybe not in those exact words and you had to giggle a bit at the image he conjured up because the world would be shocked to see the ever-reserved Sidney Crosby in that position.

 "You could kiss me senseless now if you wanted."

 "Mmm, and I will but there's more." More? You were already shocked by the public display of affection running through his mind; you couldn't imagine there being more. "So, like today when we were in the hospital, it made me think of something." It was pitch black in the bedroom, yet somehow you could see the blush staining his cheeks, and even though you wanted to tease him, you didn't for you could tell this was important. "I was posing for pictures with all these kids and then I looked over at you and well…it made me realize how much I want pictures with our kids and the cup." It was the word 'our' that stuck in your head the most. Kids weren't really something that you thought about often. Oh sure, you wanted them. You just weren't sure when and you hadn't really thought about them with Sidney, at least not yet; your relationship still just seemed so new. Your face must have given away where your thoughts were headed for the next thing you knew he was saying, "It's not like I want them tomorrow or anything." A sigh escaped your lips as you released the breath you didn't know you'd been holding. "Honestly, I didn't know it was something I even wanted until today. That's not what I meant…Shit…this is coming out wrong." He rolled onto his back, shifting his hands behind his head.

 You missed the warmth of his hands on you, and you found your hand immediately going to chest. "I think I know what you mean," and even though you hadn't thought it through fully in your head; you kind of got where he was coming from. You'd felt it today too, as you'd watch him with every child.

 "You do?"

 His right hand quickly moved to your bare back and you knew then, that his shift in position had been him distancing himself in case he'd said too much. "Yeah," you answered looking him directly in the eye in the dim light. "When I saw you in the hospital today it hit me, how great you are with those kids, and then I started thinking how great you'd be with your own….and wow Sid…you're going to make the best dad."

 "I've always wanted kids, but I just thought it couldn't happen until after hockey was over, ya know? But then I met you…and now well…I just can see it all." Somehow you could too and it was both frightening and thrilling at the same time. "I want to put our kid in the cup and teach him…" you coughed discreetly. "Or her," he added quickly. "To skate and take them to the rink or dance class or I don't know. I just know that it's possible now because I have you. I know what we have is still new (Y/N), and it's like we've hit the gas and never looked back, but I can see this future with you and it's something I really want."

 The look on his face was hesitant as he laid there waiting for you to say something. Part of you wanted to torture him and make him wait longer, but then the other part won over and you found yourself saying, "I want that too, Sid. I want our kid in the cup, and long walks around the lake, and you trying to teach our child how to shoot a slap shot into the net. I want it all." The smile on his face told you exactly how happy he was. He grabbed your hips, practically throwing you on top of him. "I thought you said you didn't want them by tomorrow?" You teased as you could feel his erection growing.

 "Practice, baby. You know you can never practice too much." And that's exactly what the two of you did the rest of the night.

 Thankfully, the celebration the next day wasn't until later in the afternoon, though caters were there early to get things set up. Sid introduced you to all of his family that were there, and they were ecstatic to see that Sidney had found happiness. During the course of the day, you were torn from each other's side, but you'd always feel his eyes on you no matter where you were. You'd exchange a knowing smile with him from across the room and the next thing you knew he was at your side; his hand on the small of your back or his arms completely wrapping around you. There were tons of pictures taken with the cup and more drinks flowing out of it that it could've been a water fountain at times. In all, it was a day filled with love, joy, and laughter as you all celebrated Sid's accomplishments.  

 Two days later, Sid started training for the upcoming season, not that he had ever really taken a full break. He was always in the gym working out or when you were in Cole Harbour, he'd spend time at the rink. Though his official training was much more intense. He'd be gone most of the morning and afternoon, which wasn't so bad as it left you time to do your work. Nights usually consisted of the two of you making dinner, except for when he had to do some endorsement work. Of course, he asked you to come with, and you did a few times. However, this particular night you chose not to. You heard him come into the house, as he yelled out a "Babe, I'm home," when he entered. You answered him, telling him that you were upstairs. "What are you doing?"

 "Packing." As if it wasn't obvious, considering that you had your suitcase out and were folding clothes.

 "Why?"

 "Because I have to fly back to Pittsburgh."

 "Since when?" You could tell by the tone of his voice he wasn't happy.

 "There's a problem with the transition house and they need me there to make some decisions." An inspection had gone wrong and they needed your authorization for some sort of technical things that needed to be done.

 "Well, I'll pack and go back with you."

 "Absolutely not," you weren't exactly yelling but you did raise your voice some. "You just started training and you're not interrupting that to go with me."

 He frowned, as you walked into the closet and grabbed the rest of your things. "Why are you taking all your stuff? How long are you going to be gone?"

 You knew he wouldn't like this next part but it still had to be said. "I think I'm just going to stay there."

 "That's almost a month early." His voice pitched up an octave.

 "It's not that bad, more like three weeks." This time he went into the closet and started to take his clothes off the hanger. "Sid, stop."

 "(Y/N), I told you before that if you went back, I was too."

 "And I told you, that you were staying here. This is where your trainer is, besides you're barely here and you have other commitments that you have to keep, that require you to stay here. It just doesn't make sense for you to fly back yet." You took the clothes out his hands and hung them back up, only to have him take them back out. "Seriously," you huffed out. "This is ridiculous."

 "Is it?"

 "Yes."

 "I'll stay here," he told you and you finally thought you were getting through to him. "If you fly back when you're done."

 "This could take a week and you know how some of the guys start coming back early, so I should be back there when they do. If I flew back here it would only be for a few days." It truly didn't make sense.

 "Well, I'll fly back with you then."

 "You'll literally be in the middle of training then." You wrapped your arms around his waist, hoping to compel him to see your side of this. "I don't want to be the reason you're not ready to play this year. It's just a couple weeks hun."

 His head dropped down to yours, and damn if he didn't give you those sad puppy dog eyes. "I don't want to be without for that long."

 "We can talk every day and facetime too."

 "It's not the same."

 "I know," you had to acknowledge that it wouldn't be the same as being there every night and being held in his arms, but three weeks wouldn't be bad. "But we can handle it."

 "What time does your flight leave?" It seemed as though he was finally conceding that you'd be going.

 "Tomorrow at eleven in the morning."

 "I'll have to move some things around, but I'm taking you to the airport."

 "I already have it figured out that Taylor will take me." He pushed you away then, clearly upset.

 "Jesus, can I not even take my girlfriend to the damn airport?"

 "I just didn't want you to miss anything."

 "You have it all planned out, don't you? Well, thanks for at least telling me." With that, he walked out of the bedroom and you heard him stomp down the stairs.

 "Sid," you called out, right as the door slammed shut. This was not going as planned.  

[fandom-imagination-ss]

Imagine: Being Life long friends with Sam and meeting Bucky unexceptionally when your in the middle of a life crisis

Being Sam Wilson best friend, and his family and your being family friends made your life fun growing up. It was like having a brother- but a brother you could send away too his home when you wanted too be more “girly” and play with his sister Sarah. Growing up with Sam it was a adventure he always got you in trouble. But it made life Fun.

You were one of the billions of people who Blimped. However when you returned. You were stunned too learn your husband Not only remarried but was married too the opposite sex of what you are. And that was a Curve ball you weren’t expecting. You and his new Partner fought for a week over who was the home wrecker. He stated you were since you were whipped from existence, while you said He was. Since you married your dum dum of a husband first. In the end your husband said he wasn’t going back too you.

Honestly you were relieved- you were having issues before you disappeared and you simply said that you wanted your stuff and you would leave... that’s when he informed you that he sold your stuff within a Week of dissapearing and giving your Favorite panda bear teddy bear too the neighbor who had a girl who was now five years old. You were MORE upset about the Teddybear then the marriage, or your stuff being Gone. Mr. P (your trusted companion thru out your life) has been their for you Thur heartbreak, the ups and the down. And you ere heartbroken that he gave up hope so quickly. But Mr. P being gone was the last straw.

luckily the neighbor understood and felt pity that you returned too Nothing and your husband left you for a man. And that you didn’t have a Job anymore. And basically had the cloths on your back and the few pieces of shirts you took from your husband. So they gave you back Mr. P.. who was missing a eye now and smelt of someone else. It didn’t smell like you and it made your return home too your parents depressing.

Sam was gone, he was blimped. Your friend Sarah was left with two little kids as you helped out. But when you got the divorce papers seeing your no good of a husband was claiming abandonment and wanting everything. You snapped. And you went too Europe for the summer.

Traveling, the food, the culture. Yu were Never alone in bed. It was a well needed mental break, No responsibility, No husband, No drama, just a break from reality. Then you returned home too see Sam was back. Captain America was Gone, and your life came crashing back. Fun was over. Time too restart your entire life.. and try too move on with your life.

Sam returned home as you and him had a few beers after work. Talking about life, the Avengers, Europe. (Most stories were glazed over. Mainly because you didn’t want too talk about the string of lovers you left behind in Europe that wasn’t you. You weren’t the sort of person too kiss or tell. Plus Sam was struggling he wasn’t mentioning it out loud but the lost of Tony Stark, and Now Steve he’s close friend in Washington it took a toll on your friend.

you use too ask about the Winter soldier The hot mysteries Killer who just Dissapeared and then was helping the avengers with the battle of basically life. Sam said he was a ass and that he wans’t much. You disagreed saying the mystery man was Hot. Which only made him question your values.

Sneaking over too the Wilson family was a common thing, you always walk right in, and they do vise versa. Today you got in early with a box of donuts from your mom shop you got up at 4 am too bake them as you got inside exhusted from your short shift it was almost eight am. As you got in seeing the boys were playing with a Captain America shield you walked over seeing someone sleeping on the sofa. Stepping over looking at it, ‘Holly crap that looks so real.”

“it is! Uncle Sam brought it over.”

“Shut up!” The youngest handed it too you as you held it. It was lighter then you imagined as you three played with it until you heard a deep voice. “Hey”

The three of you turned seeing the man awake he had a smile on his face as he waved at the three of you as you gasped, “Scatter!” The boys bolted as you put the shield down as you spoke, “Sorry-..” putting the shield down you spoke up, “I’m Y/N... ugh... sorry i walked in on the boys playing with it and- i couldn’t help myself.” He chuckled weakly shifting up as he said No worry as Sam walked into the kitchen.

“Hey Y/N” he reached over kissing your cheek it was a common greeting you both had. Since you were seven. You smield saying hey as he spoke, “what’s going on here? Your face is all red?”

Laughing weakly you shook your head, “Nothing! Nothing hey where is Sarah?”

“Not here- she went too the boat i think.”

You groaned hearing that. You were just at the docks at her boat looking for her- she wasn’t there. “No i was just there-“

“Sorry- oh so you meet?”

Shaking your head, “no- i mean i gave my name. He didn’t give his.”

Sam spoke, “good lets keep it that way.” You rolled your eyes, ‘your a prue gent Sam.” He rolled his eyes as the man chuckled as he spoke ‘I’m Bucky.”

Smiling at him Sam spoke, ‘hey- so.. Don’t mention the shield okay.”

he nudged his head at the shield that was leaning against the wall as you shook your head, “didn’t see a thing.. it’s not the real one is it?”

“yea- long story.”

you gasped gripping his arm, “Will I meet one of the Avengers? If I the Avengers are involved I’m going home too change out of my floured covered shirt.”

“No- No this is just Steve stuff.”

you meet Steve and even commented too Sam (when Steve went home) that if you weren’t married you would drool over Steve But at last.. you were married and couldn’t. But he was Fun too look at.

You nodded your head, “okay. Just- dont break it! With playing with it.”

Bucky grinned hearing that, you soon left as Bucky spoke, “So who’s that?”

“Family friend, she’s the kids godmother. And she’s like a sister so No flirting with her!’

“she’s not your special friend?” Bucky grinned seeing how he kissed her when he arrived as Sam spoke “gross No1 she’s like a sister she’s my best friend growing up she’s sensitive leave her alone.”

Later that day you arrived too Sarah’s Boat seeing Sam and Bucky were fixing it up for Her. As you walked over too the boat staying on the docks. Staring up at the two. they were having a drink as Bucky noticed you instantly wearing a plaid oversized shirt, some jean shorts that were covered in flour a grey -T shirt under the open plaid shirt and a grey hat. You wore sneaks as he smiled brightly, “hey Y/N.”

Smiling up at him saying Hey as Sam turned seeing you, “Yo Y/N what’s up?”

“where is your sister?! I haven’t seen her all day! It’s a small town!”

Sam rolled his eyes, “if you just carried a Phone you could joint the 21st century and Text her.”

Rolling your eyes at that. You stopped carrying your phone once you return from Europe mainly because you were getting Way too many text’s from the one night stands and everyone you wanted too talk too- you saw all day. You knew you should carry it for security and safety reasons. Plus playing music while you are alone in the morning working at the bakery would be nice. But you just keep forgetting. “I shouldn’t have too! She’s always other three places!”

Sam didn’t have the energy too fight but Bucky asked why you needed her so badly. As you spoke, “oh- Me and Sarah had planned something for tonight and I needed help with something nothing major I’ll keep looking for her-“

“Y/N!”

you all turned seeing Strewart dash over too you saying he had the fireworks . Which made you smile brightly, “seriously? “

“why you need fireworks?” Sam called out as you waved him off saying he would see later. You and Strew dashed off. Bucky couldn’t help but grin seeing you so gleeful.

“Hey- Stop looking at her-‘ Sam spat as Bucky chuckled softly saying okay.

It took you all day too find Sarah and too Get the “ritual” all set in motion. The Only thing your no good for husband had was your wedding dress. Mainly keep it because it was so exprience and he let he’s new Love wear it for a drag show. (The top was stained with makeup and it was in desperate need of some TLC ) but you got it.

Sarah suggested you just get ride of it. Which was such a marauded response. Get Ride of it? You couldn’t bar the thought of it being worn by anyone else. And the fact your husbands lover wore it. And ruined it. Made you decided too burn it. Too fully start anew.

your mom wasn’t thrilled with that idea. But Sarah was soon convinced espically seeing that the ball gown dress took majority of your closest.

it was her sons idea too attach it too a firecracker and fling it up into the air. And set it off. Which was a perfect idea.. which wasn’t very realistic So instead you figured. Fireworks by the water, and a huge Fire on the beach burning your dress and burning everything you had left of your former life.

Sam didn’t care one way or another that you did all this. He never personally liked your husband. By the time the fireworks were done, the parents went home and Sara’s kids went home which meant she went home. So Sam, Bucky and yu were sitting around the fire having drinks as you watched your dress burn.

“Y/N?” Bucky asked as you looked up too see him As he’s eyes brow frowned looking a t you, “you alright?”

nodding your head weakly you took a big gulp of beer as Sam spoke, “Hey maybe you should slow down.”

Shaking your head as you spoke, “I’m being reborn. Tonight Sammy.. No more stupid husband. i am officially Miss Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N again! I dont feel guilty anymore.”

“what you have too feel guilty for?” Sam said as you shook your head, “it wasn’t working before i dissapeared. Honestly we fought all the time. He was so controlling and demanding. LIke remember when i said that Winter soilder dude was incredibly Hot?” Sam chuckled as Bucky was stunned as he spoke “yea i remember you mentioning it.”

“that Jack ass- got so jealous. And of Steve! He kicked me out one night just because I had lunch with him and you.- that guy was a jackass and who gives up on their love after a week?” taking another drink you looke d at Bucky you were Far passed just a little tipsy. You didn’t care how drunk you got. Sam was here. And you were safe. “Would you give up on me. If we were in love? After a week?”

Bucky took a drink of his beer debuting on his answer mainly because he was worried he was overstepping on something between you and Sam. “No” he finally said as he spoke, “No i wouldn’t..” you nodded your head as you reached over patting his shoulder, “that’s because your a true gentleman!” He chuckled as Sam spoke, “okay.. your clearly drunk if your calling him a gentlemen.”

you laughed as you spoke, “i may be drunk Sir! But i can tell a gentlemen when i see one-“ you got up as you stumbled as Bucky swooped up fast catching you as you grabbed his arms. Feeling the hard metal arm as you chuckled weakly. “Hey you got a metal arm like that incredibly hot guy.” He chuckled as he went too talk but you patted his face, “you know- I told Sam the guy probably didn’t have enough hugs growing up.. you know your suppose too get ten hugs a day? Doctors prove it helps-“ you stumbled again as Bucky spoke, ‘I’m sure that’s it.” You chuckled as Sam got up, “Okay Y/N time too go home.”

“okay.... hey your getting blurry-“ and with that you passed out. Bucky grabbed you before you fell down as Sam sighed, “she’s having a hard time adjusting— I’ll carry her-“

“I got her.. lead the way.”

Sam didn’t argue he iddn’t really want too carry you all the way home.he could do it. But Bucky wouldn’t stugggle as much. Plus he was slightly tipsy and wasn’t sure he could carry you- without dropping you.

Sam let you all into your house. As Bucky carried you too your room. As Sam followed seeing how Odd how careful Bucky was with you. When you settled into your bed you mumbled something as Bucky covered you up As he smiled too himself before turning and leaving with Sam.

Sam watched as they left.

“So she doesn’t knwo about me huh?”

“No- thought i can’t wait too tell her tomorrow” Sam stated as Bucky grinned weakly. He couldn’t wait too see you tomorrow

[harrysbbby]

Don’t Forget Where You Belong - JJ Maybank x Reader - Part Four

A/N: once again this is another longggg part! and I've only just finished ep 1 ahhh! So I think I might try to condense the storyline a little because otherwise I’ll never finish this series, and also focus more off Y/N and JJ. If you have any suggestions please let me know! Hope you all enjoy xx also let me know if you want to be tagged.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Somehow you ended up in the marsh despite it being closed and John B getting a very clear, direct warning about going into it again. He had tried to convince you all it was a bad idea after Sherriff Peterkin offered to help him, but JJ’s uppity “Kooks always win” speech somehow morphed into ‘steal scuba gear from the Cameron’s boat and dive down to the Grady-White wreck.

“This is empty,” you stated, looking across at the group, letting your arm holding the tank fall limp in defeat.

“You took empty tanks?” Kie asked John B accusingly, as he plopped down next to her.

“I-“ he started to defend himself but you cut him off looking at the last tank’s gauge,

“Okay, this one's a quarter full. It’s enough for one of us.”

“Love it when a plan comes together,” Pope said sarcastically. You shot him a look and he raised his hands in defence as you went back to inspecting the tank to make sure it was ready.

“Does anybody know how to dive?” Kie asked. You all remanded silent. She huffed, “Anybody?”

“It's kind of a Kook sport,” JJ retorted looking between you and Kie. She just shook her head and he turned to you. You stopped tinkering with the tanks when you noticed his prolonged stare.

“Don’t look at me, David hates the water,” you said, David being your unnecessarily rich stepdad who gave you by association Kook status.

“That’s ironic,” JJ said dryly.

“What isn’t about that man,” you said giving him a sly smile. He snorted as he laughed. The whole gang knew about your Pogue mothers rise to Kook-dom. She had married David, the rich, yet very poorly dressed boats salesman. Yes, the Figure Eight’s most successful marina salesman was afraid of water. Go figure, everything about him was a contradiction.

“I... read about it,” Pope sighed, getting the coversation back on track.

“Great, Pope read about it, so someone's gonna die,” Kie said defensively.

“Have a bit of faith, Kie,” you joked. She just rolled her eyes at you as JJ piped up,

“Look, y-you put the thing in your mouth and breathe. How hard could it be?”

“That’s not how it works JJ,” you said rubbing a hand over your face in mild frustration, moving to stand next to him ad beside Pope’s seat.

“If you come up too fast, nitrogen gets into your blood,” Pope explained to him, looking to you for confirmation, to which you nodded, “and you get the bends.”

“The bends, like bend over…” JJ said bending himself over the steering bench, sticking his ass directly into you. You rolled your eyes as you giggle, leaning over to put a hand on his shoulder.

“The bends kill you,” you informed him, slapping his shoulder twice. Your body retreated, as he turned to look at you. He stood up straight and rolled his shoulders back.

“Right,” he said sheepishly, nodded as if he knew that. You laughed and you shoved him playfully.

“I can-- I can dive,” John B piped up.

“You can dive. I'm cool with that,” JJ agreed with no hesitiation.

“Since when can you dive?” Kie asked him.

“Since today, apparently,” you said looking at him conveying the seriousness of this all. If he did this wrong he could get himself killed. John B looked directly at you and nodded, understanding exactly what you were trying to get across to him.

“I'll do it. It's fine,” he affirmed, standing up to put the tank on his back.

“Let me do some calculations real quick,” Pope said. As he was trying to work out the amount of time John B had for the amount of air, you felt breath tickle the back of your ear.

“Do the bends really kill you?” JJ asked quietly. You let a breath of air puff out your nose as you turned to him.

“Yeah, JJ,” You said resting your arm on his bicep. You could feel his muscle flex under your touch. “It’s the term for decompression sickness.”

“Hmm,” he hummed, pulling an impressed face. He lazily rested his arm across your shoulders pulling you in closer, “Learn something new everyday.”

You rolled your eyes at him as you turned back to listen to Pope.

“Which means you need to make your safety stop at about... ten feet,” he said. You looked between Pope and John B. You knew John B was smart and intuitive but you didn’t trust him to actually stop at ten feet without prompting. You played with the hem of your singlet top as a idea popped into you head.

With one swift movement you shrugged JJ’s arm off your shoulder and removed your top over your head. You stepped onto the side of the boat and dove into the water

“Uh, what was that all about?” Pope asked unsure why you had jumped into the water so suddenly.

“I don’t know, but I liked it,” JJ said stunned. He was enchanted with every movement you ever made. The way you forcefully but at the same time with care moved his arm back to his side. The way your hair flowed in the air as you flicked it back after taking your shirt off. And they way you floated through the air as you gracefully dove into the water. “A lot.”

Kie watched JJ intetly. Watching how his eyes stayed trained on where you had last hit the water. And the way they lit up as you reemerged.

“I tied my T-shirt to the anchor chain about ten feet down,” you explained as you climbed back into the boat, grabbing JJ’s had for assistance. “It's where you need to do your safety stop.”

Once you were on your feet JJ hastily moved his hands away from you, quickly turning to John B.

“Uh, so...” he said awkwardly, refusing to look in your direction, “when you're down there, you look for the cargo hold. You stick this thing inside and twist and pull, okay?” he moved past you to explain to John B what to do. You heart dropped as you moved towards your bag to get your towel to dry off a bit. He could not have wanted to get away from you quicker, you thought.

“Stick in, twist, pull,” John B nodded.

“Keep an eye on this,” Pope said, pointing to the gauge on the tank, “You need to make sure you have enough air to decompress.”

“Okay, how much do I need?” he asked.

“Unclear.” Pope said, “Breathe as little as possible.”

“Zen. Think Zen, you know?” JJ said, imitating breathing through a mask.

“Yeah. Got it,” John B confirmed.

“You guys better get a move on!” You called to them from the other side of the boat where you sat drying your hair, “if we get caught in the marsh we’re screwed.”

“Copy that,” John B saluted at you. Kie stepped forward to stand infront of him. She leant forward and planted a kiss on his cheek (again). You raised your eyebrows at her actions and crossed your arms over your chest as you continued to watch them interact.

“Diver down?” he said to her.

“Diver down,” Kie replied. John B moved to the side of the boat before slipping into the water. They watched as John B submerged into the water, before she turned around to face you, your arms still crossed over your chest, a smug look on your face.

“What?” she asked accusingly. Taking a seat on the other end of the boat and mimicking your actions of crossing her arms over her chest.

JJ sat down beside you, a look of amusement on his face as he watched you two talk.

“You know what,” you said looking her straight in the eyes. She had kissed John B on the check, again! “You don’t wanna start something you can’t finish,” you warned her.

She went to retort but a siren interrupted interrupted.

“Shit,” Pope cursed as you all turned to see Shoupe and aother cop coming towards you in police boat.

“That’s the police,” JJ said, stress laced in his tone, “yep, that’s the police.”

“Thanks for the confirmation J.” you said sarcastically.

“Just act frickin' normal,” Kie said, adjusting her shoulders.

Shoupe’s boat arrived next to yours. JJ stood from next to you to tie their boat off onto yours. Shoupe climbed aboard after you very badly faked innocence about the marsh being closed. As he inspected the boat you could feel your heart race. It had been a few minutes now and you knew John B would start to be running out of air soon. JJ had resumed his sport next to you after tying of the boat. He sensed your stress, seeing your leg bob up and down nervously. He reached his hand across and rested it on your thigh. You looked to him and he offered you a small smile which you returned. You found comfort in his touch.

“Let us know if you see anything on your way out,” Shoupe said exiting the boat.

“Will do, sir,” you answered as JJ moved to untie their boat. You all waited until they were a far way away, before rushing to the side of the boat, looking over into the water. John B was nowhere to be seen.

“He's definitely out of air,” Pope said, not reassuringly. But as if on cue, John B’s head emerged from the water. He ripped off the mask and took a deep breath of air.

“There is he,” JJ stated elatedly.

“Thank God,” You chorused. The four of you laughed as you helped an out of breath John B back onto the boat.

“Did you find anything?” JJ asked him.

“Did I find anything?” John B echoed, smiling boyishly as he threw the duffle toward him.

“That’s my boy,” JJ congratulated.

“Are you okay?” You asked him.

“Yeah, but I ran out of air.”

“You scared the shit out of me,” Kie scolded.

“Yeah, the cops were up here, but, uh... took care of 'em,” Pope informed him. Something moving in the distance caught your eye. You brows furrowed as you strained your eyes to get a better look.

“Yeah, you kinda missed the show, brother,” Jj said to John B, pulling him to his feet and helping him get the tank off. Your eyes finally adjusted in the sun and you could see a white boat with two large men on it coming towards you.

“Hey, guys? Guys, bogey, two o'clock.”

“What?” JJ asked, as your four friends turned to see what you were looking at.

“Do you recognize that boat?” Pope asked.

“I’ve never seen it.” Kie said, “What are they doing here? The marsh is closed.”

“Let's not stick around and find out,” JJ said.

“Get the bowline,” John B instructed him. He instantly moved to grab it and start yanking in onto the boat.

“Should we wait on 'em?” Pope asked. Something about this felt fishy: it felt determined and calculated so you were glad when John B ordered,

“No, we're not.”

“Are you joking? JJ, hurry up,” Kie urged him to move faster as the boat approached and John B started the engine.

“Guys, don't wait for me,” JJ order, pulling on the rope as fas as he could. “Go.”

You moved to help JJ pull the rope up faster and John B started to turn the boat around.

“I don't like this,” you commented, wiping your wet hands on your legs as John B manoeuvred the boat.

“Maybe they're fishing,” Pope suggested but it reached deaf ears. That was not what they were here for.

“Let’s go,” Kie urged John B to go faster.

“I'm going. Act natural,” he said as he turned down one of the channels.

They’re following us,” Kie confirmed as the boat took the same path we did.

“This can’t be good.”

“Dude you gotta go faster,” JJ said putting a hand on your lower back to talk around you at John B.

“I’m going!” He strained, pushing the boat to maximum speed.

An ear-piercing shot rang through the air. You felt JJ grab the back of your neck ad pull you dow with him.

“Holy shit!” Kie screamed.

JJ kept his arm above your head as he used his other arm to tug at John B

“Get down,” He told him. John B lowerd slightly but had to keep his head up to navigate quickly though the terrain. You could feel your heart beating and your breath quicken.

Another shot rang out and JJ pushed you down further, practically laying on top of you, acting as a shield. Kie and Pope were crouched on the other side of the boat.

“We’re gonna die!” Pope yelled, covering his head.

A third shot narrowly missed John B as he swung around a corner. There had to be something to help, because you weren’t getting out of this alive otherwise. Your eyes searched the boat, desperately trying to find something to inspire a plan. Your eyes landed on a large piece of netting. Kie could see you looking at it and had the same idea.

“Shit! Pope, move!” she ordered as she stepped over his boady. You escaped from under JJ’s grasp as you reached for it with her. Another shot was fired.

“Y/N, get down!” you heard JJ’s deparate voice call for you, but you and Kie had already grabbed the netting and tugged it over John B and chucked it into the water. It landed on the surface and floated there for a few seconds until the two mans’ boat drove over it. Their engine spluttered as their boat came to a halt. Kie held out her fist for you and you laughed as you bumped it.

The rest of the group let out a few whoops as you retreated back to where JJ was still half laying on the ground. You slumped next to him and exhaled a deep breath. He stood you up and warpped his arms around your waist, lifting you into the air.

“Booyah,” he cheered as you giggled.

“That was insane!” Kie laughed as she caught her breath.

You eventually made it back to John B’s. All of you clamoured off the boat and onto the pontoon as he dropped the duffel bag from the Grady-White in front of you.

“What do you think it is?” Kie asked allowed as John B sifted through the bag.

“Gotta be money, right?” John B questioned.

“That or a couple of keys with street value to the low- to mid-mils!” JJ said excitedly. John B responded with a little ooooh!

“Can we please just open the bag?” Pope blurted out loudly. The four of you looked at him shocked.

“Wow Pope,” John B said, slowly moving back to ruffle through the bag.

“That was a rare outburst of emotion,” you stated to him. JJ snickered at your comment.

“You guys are literally killing me with anticipation.”

“Jeez,” JJ amused.

“We almost died over this,” Pope retorted as John B plucked a cannister from the bag. You looked at it quizzically as John B pried it open to reveal… a compass?

“Oh, wow. Yup,” Pope said sarcastically, “That's about right Good job, everybody. We found a compass,”

You kept your eyes trained on John B. He was staring at the compass intently. Like he knew something you all didn’t. The group had also noticed how long John B had been staring at it for.

“It’s not like it’s worth anything,” JJ said defeated, urging John B to put down the seemingly worthless find.

“JJ,” you said in a warning tone. You put your hand out to get him to stop. He immediately stopped joking as he read your serious expression. “What is it John B?”

“This was my father's,” he said, sadness and elation evident in his voice.

Tag list

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[stargazer-sims]

Journal Entry #9 (part one)

Victor

You guys, I’m so happy right now! I don’t even know where to start!

First off, I’m still on Sulani. Yuri said it was okay for me to keep my original flight and stay as long as I’d planned to. At first I didn’t want to, because I missed him so badly and because I was still shaken up from what happened with the boat, but then I started thinking about all the cool stuff I hadn’t seen and done yet.

I’m going home today. My flight is just before noon, and I’ll be sleeping in my own bed tonight. I can hardly wait to see Yuri, but I’m glad I decided to stay here for the full fourteen days after all. It's been awesome, and I'm never going to forget this experience, especially the new friends I've made here. Alana, Mitchell and Kalani have all been great, and I hope we'll be able to see each other again in the future.

But, I'll tell you more about the rest of my trip later, because I have news.

The other reason why I'm so happy is because I've got something wonderful to look forward to when I get home. You'll never guess what it is!

Yuri told me that my mom is coming to visit us! Apparently, she invited herself, which is a totally Mom thing to do, and it sounds like Yuri's fine with it, so I'm excited. I haven't seen my mom in person since I moved to Mt. Komorebi nearly eighteen months ago, and I miss her like crazy. We video chat a lot, and we call and text, but it's not the same. The first thing I'm going to do when I see her is give her the most epic hug of all time.

It's going to be so much fun, showing her all around Mt. Komorebi, and introducing her to our friends, and it goes without saying that we'll spend lots of time on the mountain. Mom loves snowboarding almost as much as I do. I've been dying to try the climbing course the mountain recreation organization offers, too. I'm scared to ask Yuri to do that with me, in case he gets hurt, but I'll bet Mom will go for it. She's adventurous like me, and she’s got the strength and the stamina to climb, if anyone I know does. I think we'll probably go to the hot spring, and there'll likely be a festival for Harvestfest, and... ahh! Honestly, I'm just super thrilled to have the two people I love most in the whole world with me at the same time.

Oh! Also, this might not be as interesting to you, but I'm looking forward to cooking for my mom and showing her how much I've improved. I know how to do my own laundry now as well. Yuri said he wasn't going to do it for me because it's an important adult skill that everyone needs to have, and he taught me to do it. When I lived in Willow Creek, I usually just took my laundry to Mom's house, even though I was living in my own flat. But, it's like I've been growing up a lot during this past year and a half, and I think Mom's going to be really proud of me.

This is my mom, by the way. Her name’s Grace. Dr. Victoria Grace Nelson, but she’s always gone by Grace. She said I would’ve been named Victoria, after her, if I’d been born a girl, but obviously I'm a boy and so I ended up being Victor instead. Anyway, my mom is just Mom to me. She's smart and pretty and amazing at sports, and I love her so much.

Okay... I know you want to hear more about my trip. There'll be lots of time when my mom is visiting for me to tell you all about her, so let me get back to Sulani for a minute.

Just like he promised, Mitchell introduced me to his friend Kalani, and Kalani's older brother Kai, who also happens to be Mitchell's housemate.

Kai is twenty-six, only a year older than me, but he acts a lot older than that. He's so serious, and doesn't seem like he'd be very fun to hang out with.

Kalani, on the other hand, definitely knows how to enjoy himself, and we hit it off right away. Kalani is twenty-two, and he's still kind of in that stage of life where its hard to decide whether you'd rather be an adult or stay a kid forever. He's great, though. He's hilarious and he loves to laugh and joke, and he knows everything about the island.

Mitchell and Kalani have been showing me around and making sure I don't get lost or hurt. The day after my misadventure with the outrigger, Mitchell suggested that we should do something on land and not too strenuous, so he and Kalani and I went to pick fruit. How cool is that? You've got to love a place where you can find free food just conveniently hanging from a tree or a plant.

The day after that, Mitchell and I went snorkelling together, and although I was nervous at first, it didn't take me long to relax and get into it. I've never seen so many exotic fish in my entire life, and the plants and coral are like something from an alien world. It's stunning, and I'm slightly envious that Mitchell gets to see this stuff every day. While we were in the water, Mitchell stayed close to me and made sure I was okay. Every time we surfaced, he asked me if I was all right, and I appreciated that. It's too bad he's an only child. He'd have made a great big brother for somebody.

Later that day, he took me on his boat, which is bigger than that ridiculous outrigger thing I tried to learn to sail on. I wore a life jacket, which I assumed was Mitchell's because it was too big for me. He tightened the straps as much as he could, though, and he said it'd be fine as long as it was secure enough not to float off me if I were in the water. To test it, he tried to pull it off, and we were both satisfied when he couldn't.

Mitchell's a great sailor, and he handled his boat like he's been doing it practically his whole life. For all I know, maybe he has. We sailed around the island to an area where no one lives, where there's this actual, honest-to-Watcher volcano. Mitchell said it's inactive, but it was kind of smoking at the top, so I don't know.

The water was all green and weird at the foot of the volcano, and Mitchell told me it was like that because of a certain kind of algae that thrives in the environmental conditions created by the volcano. We couldn't sail too close to it, but I wasn't all that disappointed. I was fine with viewing it from a distance.

Another day, when Mitchell was too busy to go with us, Kalani and I went hiking in this kind of jungle-y area with cliffs that drop straight down to the sea. It’s beautiful there, but it’s also kind of terrifying. In hindsight, I’m not sure why i found it scary, though. Hheights don’t usually bother me, and if there’d been snow on it, I’d drop straight over something like that on my snowboard.

Hidden at the base of one of the cliffs, there was this tiny waterfall. Kalani told me it’s one of his favourite spots, and he likes to come here when he’s got something important to think about. I can see why. It’s secluded and peaceful, and certainly nobody would bother him here.

He told me that it’s also a spot for couples, that people like to bring their significant others here for special moments together. I could totally appreciate that as well. I imagined kissing Yuri under the waterfall in the late afternoon sun, and then watching the sunset while cuddling on the beach, wrapped together in a blanket. Maybe some day we’ll get to do that, I thought.

I asked Kalani if there was anyone he wanted to bring here. He looked kind of embarrassed, but he said yes. The problem, he confessed, was that he didn’t think his family would approve of his choice. I empathized with that.

Yuri’s parents aren’t my biggest fans. In fact, I’m pretty sure Yuri’s dad actually despises me. Mr. Okamoto says I’m a ‘corrupting influence’, yet somehow he’s cool with Yuri hanging out with Seiji and Taka. Don’t get me wrong; I like Takahiro and Seiji, and we have a lot of fun together, but Seiji is kind of an idiot. He’s a serial lover, reckless and a little insensitive at times, and I think if anyone’s the real corrupting influence, it’s him. I mean, you wouldn’t catch me drinking till I passed out, or participating in a contest to see who could have the most one night stands in a month, or crushing beer cans on my head. I have class. Well, sort of. As much as a guy can have, growing up on the run-down side of Willow Creek and being raised by a single mom who lets you eat mac and cheese straight from the pot it was cooked in.

But, I'm getting off-topic. Too hyper to focus, I guess.

Yesterday was my last full day here, and I finally got to have a proper look at the shipwreck. Mitchell said he'd come and get me around eleven o'clock, so I hung around my campsite in the morning, reading and playing on my phone a bit and relaxing in the sun.

Around ten-fifteen, I decided that I probably had time for a swim before Mitchell showed up. I'd just stepped into the water when I heard a big splash off to my right.

I looked that way in time to see Mitchell's blond hair breaking the surface. He shook the wet hair off his face the moment his entire head was above water, and then started swimming toward my campsite. As soon as he spotted me, he raised a hand and gave me a quick wave.

"Hey, Victor!" he called out. "I'm a bit early. Hope you don't mind."

"It's cool," I said, as I waded in to meet him. "Did you come here on your boat?"

"Yeah," he said, and gestured vaguely in the direction he'd come from. "It's over there, anchored just around that point. The water's too shallow to bring it all the way in here."

"I'll take your word for that," I said.

"Are you ready to go exploring?"

"Yeah! But, where's Kalani? I thought he was coming with us, too."

"He is," Mitchell said. "He had something to do this morning, but he said he’s going to meet us there."

Kalani never seemed to be around when Mitchell and I did anything that involved water, and I kind of wanted to ask Mitchell about it. Yuri would probably tell me to err on the side of discretion though, which is his polite way of saying I should mind my own business, so I kept my curiosity to myself. I guessed maybe Kalani can't swim or that he's nervous on boats. I can absolutely appreciate boat-related anxiety.

"Are we going to sail there?" I asked.

Mitchell smiled. "So, you feel the pull of the sea after all."

"Actually," I said. "I'd be fine if I never, ever felt the pull of the sea again. I was just wondering, since you came on your boat."

"I prefer my boat, but we can go overland to Admiral's Wreckage. It's a bit of a hike, but the sights are worth it." He held up a small bag which, up to that point, I hadn't even noticed he was carrying. "Dry clothes," he said, and then because I must've looked confused, "Waterproof bag. I'll just change quickly. You should put on something dry too, and then we can get going."

"Okay," I agreed.

He was right. It was quite a hike, but the scenery was worth it.

Kalani was indeed waiting there for us when we arrived. When he saw Mitchell, he kind of flung himself at him and hugged him with what looked like enough strength to squeeze the air out of most people. I know with one hundred percent certainty that I’d injure Yuri if I tried to do something like that to him, but it seemed Mitchell was able to hold up to Kalani's dangerous affection. No one can say Kalani lacks enthusiasm.

"Easy, Kalani," Mitchell said. "Remember what I keep telling you."

"Sorry!" Kalani exclaimed. "But, I missed you."

"You saw me two hours ago."

"That's practically forever!"

Mitchell looked amused. "You have absolutely no sense of time, do you, my wild creature? Come on, now. Either relax or let go."

Kalani must've decided he wasn't quite ready to let go, and he relaxed so thoroughly that I could see all the tension going out of his arms and back. He looked as if he wanted to melt against Mitchell's chest and shoulder. For his part, Mitchell was laughing and trying to hold Kalani up.

"This would be better if we were in the water," Kalani said.

"Later," Mitchell told him.

“Promise?”

“I promise. Now, I need you to behave like a grown up for a while, okay? Think you can do that?”

The whole exchange was a bit awkward to watch, but at the same time, I was pleased for them because they were so cute together and clearly had something unique and special going on.

I guess now I know who Kalani wants to go to that waterfall with.

Kalani pouted a little, but he let Mitchell go, and stood back. He evidently hadn't noticed me standing there before, but when he did, he give me a little grin and greeted me with, "Hello, Victor. Guess what? It's haunted shipwreck time!"

"Can't wait!” I said, and meant it.

We didn't see any ghosts, but the shipwreck was impressive. Kalani said we'd have to come back at night if we wanted to go ghost hunting, and he sounded so serious that I wasn't sure if I should believe him or not. Then, he told me a story about a ghost mermaid, which I knew he had to be making up.

"Mermaids aren't real," I said. "They're just legends, right?"

"Of course they're real," said Kalani. "Mermen, too."

Mitchell made a noise, sucking air between his teeth like you'd do if you got a sudden minor injury like a paper cut or like burning your finger or lip on hot food. He didn't say anything, though.

I stared at Kalani for a second, attempting to judge whether or not he was joking. Concluding that it was a joke, I played along. "You mean, there are guy mermaids?"

"Mermen," Kalani repeated. "There have to be mermen and mermaids, Victor. How else would you get baby mer-people?"

I laughed so hard, I actually snorted. "You are the literal best, Kalani."

He flashed a big, goofy grin. "I know. Mitchell says that about me, too."

I glanced at Mitchell, whose face was as red as the pomegranates we'd picked earlier in the week. He mumbled, "Did I say that?"

Kalani hopped over to him and caught him by the hand. "Come on, Mitchell! We have to show Victor the shipwreck garden next."

The 'shipwreck garden' turned out to be a lush, green spot not too far from the remains of the old ship. It was colourful and vibrant and smelled exactly how I imagined a tropical garden should smell. There were a dozen different kinds of flowers and plants, all shaded by tall, thin palm trees. It was breathtaking.

After that, we trekked all around the area of the shipwreck. I took lots of pictures. Mitchell was quiet, but Kalani kept us entertained with a running commentary on everything, as well as telling me about some of his favourite island legends. The one I liked best was a story about how mer-people had learned to read. According to Kalani, that one is an important tale in island folklore.

All too soon, it was time to leave. I asked Mitchell and Kalani if they'd like to come back to my campsite for something to eat, and they both agreed, although Kalani said he had to go home first and would join us later. I asked him how he was getting home, since I hadn't seen a boat anywhere nearby, and there didn't seem to be any other way to go except by the path Mitchell and I had used to get here.

"I'm going to swim," Kalani said.

So much for my theory about him being afraid of water.

I didn't miss the pointed look Mitchell shot his way. Mitchell looked almost annoyed for a second, but then his face softened and he reached out to stroke Kalani's arm.

"Please be careful,” he said.

From his expression, I suspected Mitchell had wanted to say something completely different, but thought better of it in front of me. I couldn't help questioning what it was that'd changed the mood so abruptly, and I wondered if I'd ever find out.

[megalony]

There’s my girl

This is my first Peter Dawson imagine from the movie Dunkirk which I am in love with. I hope you will all enjoy it, feedback is always appreciated.

Taglist: @lunaticspoem @butlegendsneverdie @langdonzvoid @jennyggggrrr @rogmeddows @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6 @rogertaylors-lipgloss @sj-thefan @omgitsearly @luckytrashgooprebel @scarsout @deaky-with-a-c @killer-queen-ofrhye @bluutac @vousmemanqueez @jonesyaddiction @ambi-and-sunflowers @milanosaurus @httpfandxms @saint-hardy @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls @mrsalwayswritex @rogerina-owns-me @peterquillzsblog @im-an-adult-ish @crazylittlethingg @allauraleigh

Masterlist

Summary: (Y/n) goes to Dunkirk with Peter on his father’s boat to save the soldiers but when a fight breaks out, she ends up falling overboard.

Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We're going to war."

Those words seemed to spin round in (Y/n)'s head like a needle scratching on a record causing the same lyric to revolve through the air on repeat and (Y/n) couldn't seem to turn it off. Those words just hit her differently for some reason and she couldn't forget them or ignore them.

She knew it was where they were going, of course she did. She knew the moment she got on the boat with her boyfriend Peter, his father and their mutual friend George that war was their destination. They were going right into the heart of the war to save those that were lost and stranded, they were saving those that had no other way to get back home where they belonged. But it didn't feel or seem like they were going into war until now. It felt like they were taking a daring trip out on the water that could envelope them at any second if the tides turned.

But the moment the soldier scrambled over the side of the boat and collapsed in a puddled heap on the floor, it dawned on them all that this was it. They had reached the outskirts of the war and it was only going to get worse from here.

(Y/n) didn't think before she moved towards the man who was dripping water like he was melting on the spot. When his head snapped to look up at her and their eyes locked, there was too much terror and unspoken horror in his eyes for (Y/n) to even begin to comprehend so she decided not to. Her movements were slow and cautious when she reached out for him to try and help him to sit down rather than kneel on the floor like this and the moment he was sat down she moved to grab a blanket. The blanket was made of a rough scratchy material but it would soak up the excess water and keep him a bit more insulated.

Once the blanket was wrapped around his shoulders and pulled tightly around his back, (Y/n) stood up properly and took a few steps back until she was standing next to Peter, not wanting to overwhelm the man.

George came over to him and handed him a steaming cup of tea which he cradled so delicately in his hands like they had given him a bar of gold to protect, but he didn't move to drink any. He was shell-shocked, huddled up in a corner of the boat wanting to watch the waves roll by so he felt safe and no one dared move him if he felt safe where he was.

(Y/n)'s eyes danced over to Peter stood at her side when he quietly slipped his fingers into the groves between her own and gently pulled on her hand, tugging her off the deck and down into the cabin where there was a small kitchen in the corner.

"He needs some space." Peter knew crowding round the poor man when he was in such a state wouldn't be the best idea. Mr Dawson was making sure they were sailing in the right direction, George was keeping an eye out for any other survivors and drifting soldiers they could pick up. It was best to let the soldier have a moment to compose himself out of the way of prying eyes.

Peter leaned his back against the counter as (Y/n) rested her head on his shoulder, smiling when she felt his lips pressing to the top of her head. But they could both feel the nerves radiating off of one another, things were about to change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Y/n) locked eyes with Peter as she folded one arm over her chest and started to bite her thumb out of nervous habit.

The man looked like he was about to have a heart attack or let his rage loose whilst still being afraid of their destination. It felt almost cruel to make him go back to the place he had escaped from, but what else could they do? They were here for a reason and one man simply wasn't going to make much of a difference when there were still hundreds upon thousands of men waiting at Dunkirk for a way home.

They had come here to try and they couldn't turn around and go home without being able to say they had tried.

"I'm not going back. Turn it around." There was a laughable smile on his face as he felt like they were playing a joke on him or just messing with him to see how he would react. He had barely made it out of Dunkirk alive, there was no way he could go back and risk his life again, he just wanted to go home.

"We have to go, it's our duty." Mr Dawson was solemn even though his face was grave because he did understand even if he didn't agree.

"What? You're a pleasure boat, not the navy! You're made for weekend sailing not going into war!"

George leaned his weight back onto his hands that were braced on the side of the boat as Peter dragged his nails through his hair, his eyes still focusing on (Y/n) stood beside him, still biting her thumb out of habit. They all had their own opinions but it didn't feel right to voice them. They knew this wasn't a navy boat and they didn't look or seem like a rescue team but if the boys at Dunkirk were as desperate as they seemed, it wouldn't matter what kind of boat they got on as long as it came and found them.

"Alright son, take it easy-"

"No, no turn it around now. We're not going we have to go home!"

The shell-shocked man tried his best to lunge forward and get inside over to the wheel but Mr Dawson was stood in his way and both George and Peter tried to pull him back. They didn't want to hurt him or pin him down or contain him but they couldn't have him trying to turn the boat around when their destination was Dunkirk and they had a job to do.

The man clearly felt like he was under attack because he became very defensive whilst still trying to move and get to the controls. He flung his right arm out at his side and knocked George backwards onto the floor with a huff which caused Peter to stop for a split second to check on George. Leaving the soldier a few seconds to try and get past Mr Dawson once he knocked Peter off of him with another violent shove.

"Now come on son, we can't leave men behind, someone has to rescue them." Mr Dawson managed to push the man out of the cabin and away from the wheel he was desperate to turn but his words didn't have the desired effect.

"I'm not going back."

"Calm down, it's okay, you'll be home by morning and so will everyone else if we go and help them." (Y/n)'s words caused the man to falter for a moment but he spared her one glance before something overtook him, whether it was a memory or a fear, no one was sure but it unsettled him. He didn't want to go back into the face of torture, he wanted to go home into the face of safety.

When it looked like he was about to throw a punch (Y/n)'s way, Peter quickly placed himself in front of her before he lurched over to grab the man's wrist, trying to twist his arm out of the way but it only made the soldier struggle move.

Peter kept a tight hold over the man's wrist and arm and tried to hold his arm as still as possible behind him so he couldn't hit any of them or fight them but it wasn't enough. The soldier managed to knock Peter down to his knees and rip his arm free from the younger boy but Peter's ocean blue eyes watched in fright as the soldier moved much too quickly and unevenly.

No words left Peter's mouth but a look of horror overtook his face as he watched everything happen it what felt like slow motion.

(Y/n) gasped when the man's arm fired into her chest and stomach even if it was unclear whether he meant to hit her or not, just as the boat tackled a rather uneven, large wave that sent everyone's steps stumbling. The rocking of the boat and the man's force pushed (Y/n) back but she didn't realise how close to the side she was until her back forcefully hit the side of the boat. But she had no time to focus on the sudden pain in her back when the boat seemed to capsize to the left and with the side of the boat being so small, (Y/n) found herself falling overboard.

She tightened her arms to her chest, unable to stop herself from screaming as her eyes could only see the red of Peter's jumper before the icy water suddenly surrounded her. For a second or two it was as if (Y/n) didn't know where she was and she couldn't feel the water until her eyes opened and the salt was suddenly scratching at her eyes. When her eyes came into focus despite the salt and the odd sensation of peering through water, (Y/n) could see the side and bottom of the boat through the magenta blue water that was swaying awfully around her.

As soon as (Y/n) noticed the boat slowly becoming misshapen and distant and she realised she was sinking, she suddenly felt how cold the water was. It was as if she had fallen into a bucket of ice and her thick woollen jumper and warm winter leggings were doing nothing to prevent her from the cold that was seeping into her bones.

She couldn't move. The water's icy tentacles had wrapped around her and seeped into her bones until she couldn't move them anymore no mater how badly her mind screamed to move and save herself.

"(Y/n)!" The name tore from Peter's lips before he had a chance to stop himself but screaming her name did nothing to stop her from falling into the water. The thought of detaining the shell-shocked man in front of him vanished from Peter's mind completely as he scrambled to his feet and roughly pushed the man out of the way so he could lean over to see if (Y/n) was floating or sinking into the depths of the ocean.

Peter collapsed down on his knees and leaned over the side, feeling the edge of the boat cutting rather uncomfortably into his lower chest and stomach but he paid no mind to it as all of his concentration was focused on the water.

"She's not coming up." The fear in Peter's voice overwhelmed the urgency he was feeling when he could see (Y/n)'s body under the water but she wasn't becoming any clearer meaning she wasn't rising to the surface yet.

"Peter no!" Both Mr Dawson and George hurriedly grabbed one of Peter's arms each to stop him from diving down into the water himself after her. They couldn't let him dive straight in like that because it was dangerous and the water this far out had a very unkind temperature. But the way that Peter looked up at his father was not an expression that Mr Dawson had ever witnessed before in his younger son.

"She isn't coming up to the surface-" Peter writhed in his father's grip. It was his fault (Y/n) was here, he allowed her to step onto the boat and stay just like he did with George. He let them both on the boat and didn't tell them to leave, it was his fault she was in the water.

"Just give her a few seconds, Peter."

The hesitation in Peter's eyes was clear before he tore his gaze away and looked back down at the water he submerged his hands into. He wasn't going to dive right in but he needed his arms in the water to reach out for her when she did start to come up to the surface so there was something for her to reach for and hold on to.

(Y/n) couldn't decide whether she was starting to float or sink when the image of the boat above her was moving but it wasn't clear if it was becoming distant or just distorted. But the moment her burning lungs in-took a flood of water, it seemed to kick-start everything else and her paralysed body slowly became unstuck. If she weren't in the water (Y/n) was sure she would have been crying in fear, she was fine going in a boat and being on the ocean but being in the ocean was something else entirely.

She wasn't the best swimmer out there and the thought of drowning always scared (Y/n). To breathe in water until she went unconscious and drowned was a terrifying thought and if she didn't blackout she would be awake for several minutes until the water killed her and dragged her down to the depths of the ocean like she was a shipwreck destined for the sea bed.

When a sudden flash of red submerged into the otherwise deep blue water (Y/n) knew it had to be Peter's jumper and she tried her best to reach her arms up to the sky in order to reach for him and her legs kicked out to give her a push up in the right direction.

She felt Peter's familiar hand glide against her own but she wasn't high enough to grasp it properly and the water made it much harder to try and grip his hand that was like a lifeline held out to her. With another kick of her feet, (Y/n) tried to move through the water that just laughed and enveloped around her before she thrust her hand up and felt for Peter's hand.

The moment Peter felt (Y/n)'s hand in his own he deadlocked his fingers around her hand, digging his nails into her skin for added grip when it felt like he was going to lose her. As soon as their hands were secured together, he leaned further into the water until it was smothering his chest and reaching his neck and chin so he could grab (Y/n)'s elbow with his other hand in order to hoist her up to the surface.

It felt and looked like a miracle when Peter leaned up and (Y/n) suddenly broke through the water, with her hair folded back on her head and clinging to her shoulders and a burst of water spluttering from her pale lips that were almost turning blue. Peter's lips curved into a relieved smile that was full of nervous tension when (Y/n) was finally above the water and within his sights again.

There's my girl.

Peter pulled (Y/n) up a bit more before he let go of her hand so he could wrap his arms around her waist to help pull her back up onto the boat again. (Y/n) dug her fingers into Peter's shoulders, reassuring herself he wasn't going to drop her back into the water or let her slip through his fingers as she moved her feet to press them against the side of the boat so she could get up a bit easier.

When her foot slid from the edge of the boat and her frame slipped down, Peter's name escaped (Y/n)'s lips in a choked whimper and she forced her head into Peter's neck as his arms tightened around her to assure her he wasn't letting the water take her again.

Peter could feel her teeth chattering against his neck and her frozen skin was making him shiver and feel the cold but he paid no mind to it.

"I've got you, I won't let go I promise." He whispered the words against the shell of (Y/n)'s ear so no one else would hear. He could feel the panic in her shivering body but he wasn't letting her fall again. He straightened up so he was no longer leaning over the side of the boat and pulled (Y/n) up and over to him.

Mr Dawson and George reached out to hold onto (Y/n) for added precaution so she didn't slip back into the water, a mixture of worry and relief in their eyes when they watched her collapse onto her knees on the floor in much the same way the soldier had done a few hours previous.

The moment (Y/n) felt her knees firmly on the floor she felt tears of relief falling from her eyes before she started to shake. Her hands stayed firmly on Peter's shoulders who was kneeling in front of her and his arms tightened around her when she pushed her face into his chest wanting comfort and to stop herself from choking on the water she had inhaled. Peter tilted his head down so he could press his lips to her hair, breathing in her scent that was now tainted by the saltwater smothering her and he moved one hand to hold the back of her head, keeping her firmly encased to his chest.

"I-is she alright?"

"Does she look alright?" Peter didn't mean to snap and when he looked over at the solider he was curled up in the corner with such sadness in his eyes that made Peter feel guilty.

(Y/n) lifted her head enough to look up at Peter but she couldn't say anything or tell him she was alright because she still felt like there was water in her lungs that she needed to cough up. She knew she was okay and she would be perfectly fine in a little while when the shaking subsided and her breathing felt more natural, she had a lucky escape from the water, all things considered.

A small, tight-lipped smile pulled at (Y/n)'s lips when she felt George draping a blanket around her and Peter who was also shaking but she couldn't tell whether it was because of the water or because she was shaking so violently in his arms.

"She'll be fine in a little while, just like you, son. Peter, take her down to warm up and get a drink."

"Come on, love."

Pushing himself to his feet, Peter kept his arms around (Y/n) and carefully helped her to her feet, noticing the way she was still shaking and looked like she wasn't going to be walking very well or far. (Y/n) kept her arms around Peter just in case her knees gave way beneath her and when they passed the soldier, she gave him a small nod and a smile to let him know she knew he didn't hurt her or mean to hurt her. (Y/n) couldn't have the solider worrying he'd hurt her when it wasn't his fault, he was in shock and they had unintentionally made it worse for him.

The moment (Y/n) felt the small soft bed beneath her in the little cabin room, she felt like she was going to pass out. The shaking in her system seemed to double for a few seconds when she sat down before gradually tapering off until it was starting to become subtle.

Moving her head, (Y/n) leaned her cheek on Peter's shoulder when he wrapped his arms around her and gently pulled her into his chest whilst keeping the blanket tight around her to try and fight the cold out of her system.

(Y/n) took a moment to scan her eyes around the tiny room that on any other occasion would have made her feel claustrophobic but right now simply made her feel warmer and more connected to Peter. Being mindful of the pile of life jackets on the other end of the bed, (Y/n) slowly curled her legs up and rested them on the bed before she laid down and rested her head and shoulders on Peter's lap. She was cautious and slow in case Peter didn't want her to lay over him but his arm instantly laid over her shoulder and his hand held hers whilst his other hand near her head started slowly carding through her hair that was dripping water.

"You're alright, love." Peter spoke quietly before he leaned over her so he could kiss her cheek and tuck his face into her neck. He was thankful they'd gotten her out in time and that she seemed to be okay, he didn't know what he would do if he didn't get her out in time.

[conaionaru]

Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye Oneshot

Such a lovely bride

Even covered in dirt and messy hair, she was breathtaking. Grinning at him from her spot under him, soft chuckles leaving her lips. "You didn't have to trip me."

"Why? I like seeing you like this." He teased back and kissed her cute little nose, snorting when she crunched it up. She threw him off and looked up at the hill that they tumbled down.

She wanted to be chased, and as the nice guy he was, he agreed. It wasn't his fault they fell down the hill, really. He tripped on a root, and if he should fall, so shall she. Sigurd would do anything to spoil Korra rotten. He was a prince, a son of Ragnar Lothbrok. All those riches and fame would finally be for something good.

"You are staring again." She teased with raised eyebrows.

"I made you another song." Sigurd pulled his oud out, but she dragged him over to the sand and the lake. Pulling off her shoes, Korra ran into the water, not caring if her skirts got wet.

Watching her twirl in the cool water was like watching a Nymph or a faerie. Sigurd could watch her for hours if it didn't look so creepy. Ever since he first saw her, he felt a pull towards Korra.

At fifteen, she stumbled into him from behind, dressed in her brother's clothes, carrying a basket of fish. Instead of apologizing as other girls would have, she called him rude and stuck her tongue out. He could still hear his brother's laughing at his starstruck expression and his stupid smile whenever he thought of her. But it was all worth it when he brought her flowers, and she giggled for the first time.

It was like the loveliest melody, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't create one as lovely as hers. So Sigurd vowed to hear it every day from now on. And no matter what Ubbe said about fading love, Sigurd was sure he would marry that girl. No matter how wild and untamed she might be.

"Well? Aren't you going to play for me?" She asked, looking at him over her shoulder with her cute grin that was a mix between teasing and challenging. So he picked up his oud and played the song that he wrote just for her. It took him a fortnight to make it perfect, and the smile that she flashed him was worth it. But the kiss on his lips when she crawled out of the water was even better.

Laying side by side and watching the clouds pass by as they held hands was bliss. The peacefulness was a nice change to the usual chaos of his family. "That one looks like a goat."

"No, it doesn't."

"Yes, it does. It has the same beard like you." Sigurd looked at her strangely while she cackled at her own joke. Rolling over, he hovered over her and tickled her side till she trashed under him and begged for mercy.

"Stoooop. Siguuuurd! Stop it! I command you!"

He chuckled and looked into her blue eyes with a silly smile. "Who are you to command a son of Ragnar Lothbrok, huh?"

She rolled her eyes and brushed his shaggy hair behind his ear. "Korra, the fisherman's daughter. I have been called the most beautiful woman out there. I think it a lie, but he insisted."

"Pesty, isn't he?" He leaned closer till their lips brushed against each other, blue eyes meeting green.

"It's lovable, really." They locked lips in a sweet kiss and laid back down, this time Korra rested on his chest in silence. Sleepily drifting off till the sun went down and they had to return home.

Returning to the Great hall to dine with his family was like a punishment after the moments he spent with Korra. Ivar parading Margrethe around like a won prize was laughable. Especially after the thing, the slave confessed to him.

"It makes me so happy you are with a woman," Aslaug told her youngest and then turned to her other children.  "The rest of you should already be married. Ubbe, you should have children."

"I probably already have." They all chuckled, but Aslaug wasn't amused by them.

"Just because you are the sons of a king does not mean you can be irresponsible. It's important to find a woman and settle down."

He couldn't help but scoff, glaring at his mother. "I thought I had found a woman. But you forbid me from asking for her hand."

"You don't have to love the woman. As a king's son, you can have as many women as you like... But you need one to breed with."

"Why bind some other woman to me when I already have one that could give me children if I just asked her."

Aslaug shook her head and waved him off. "Korra is not wife material."

"Why not?"

"Because she is crazy." Ivar laughed.

Sigurd's gaze snapped over at him. "Shut your mouth, Boneless!"

"She runs around dressed as a man and talks to herself. She is always dirty and has no manners, brother. I am just saying that she is not good for you."

"What do you know of women, Ivar, huh? If it weren't for Ubbe, you would have never seen one naked. Besides the mother, of course. No other woman would ever love you. And she doesn't even love you; she pities you. We all do. Sometimes we wish she just left you to the wolves."

"Sigurd, that is enough! I know your feelings for this girl. But she does not befit a prince. If you really care for her, I will find her a good match that fits her more. A nice boy who will treat her nicely."

"Kora doesn't want to marry anyone! Especially not a stranger that you chose for her! She would throw herself off a cliff before marrying him!"

"That's a shame then. She would've made such a lovely bride."

"What a shame she's fucked in the head," Ivar said, and the next moment, Sigurd threw himself on top of him, and a fight broke out.

He met Korra at the hour of the wolf. Her standing there with her hair messy from sleep, covered with a shawl for extra warmth. He pulled his fur cloak around her shoulders and flattened down her hair. "What happened to your face?"

"I fought with Ivar."

"So, the usual. What was it this time? Did he wreck your hairbrush? Mess with your oud?" She teased and danced closer to him, but it did nothing to lift his mood.

He sighed and took her hands in his, looking at her with soft eyes. "It was about you. Mother is pushing us into marriage, and when I suggested you, he said some things."

Korra smiled at him and nodded, tears gathering in her eyes. "He called me crazy, didn't he?"

Sigurd tried to lie to her, but he just couldn't when she looked so heartbroken. "Don't lie, Sigurd. Everyone says so. And maybe he is right. I mean, I am sure your mother doesn't approve either."

"It doesn't matter what mother or any of them think! We can run away and marry in secret. We could get a little cottage far away from all the eyes and responsibilities, with little goats and a lake nearby."

Korra shook her head and smiled at him sadly. "You know that would never work. Father was right; it wouldn't last."

"It won't if you just give up, Korra! Just say yes, and I will take you away from here! I will make you the happiest bride in all of Norway. Just say, yes!"

"No." With a tearful smile, she dropped his hand and walked away, trying her hardest not to look back and fall into his arms. She wanted to tell him yes so badly. But he was a Ragnarsson and a prince. It wasn't right to keep him all to herself and abandon all the glory that awaited him in the future.

After the proposal, she accepted Aslaug's suitor and let their mothers plan her wedding to a man she never met before. Her heart longed for her sweet Sigurd and his songs and kisses and hugs. He grew angry and fought with his brothers more than before.

No matter how many times he tried to seek her out and talk to her, she avoided him like the plague and concentrated on her upcoming wedding. After both Ragnar and Aslaug died and Ubbe married Margrethe, she though Sigurd would focus on getting revenge on the Saxons.

But he was always so fiercely loyal to her. So when she saw him standing there on her wedding day, it broke her heart once more. It was like a cruel riddle - who was more hurt? Her with her unhappy marriage or him all alone and angry.

Her new husband wasn't ugly or cruel. He was sweet and kind, patient above all else. But he wasn't the one she wanted.

"I swear." He said confidently, smiling down at her encouragingly to repeat the words.

"I swear." She echoed with a shake of her head, letting her new husband kiss her. Her eyes subtly drifted to Sigurd's retreating frame in the distance. Tears trailed down her cheeks, but she told him that they were from happiness.

She was a married woman now, her husband, a respectable merchant. Rich but not too much and gentle. Korra expected to forget about everything and live a happy life with many kids. A year into her marriage and Ubbe returned to Kattegat with his brother Sigurd. When she saw him get off the boat, her heart leaped, and she fought back a smile. Her husband, of course, ignored it, too focused on his work to notice her.

In the night, the hour of the wolf especially, she found Sigurd in their usual spot. He looked at her with sad eyes and tried to leave her alone. But something in her screamed out for her to stop him, so she did. "Why did you two come home alone? What happened to your brothers?"

"We fought."

"So, the usual." She smiled shyly as he laughed and nodded. The awkwardness all gone, as if they never split apart.

"This one was more serious. Nearly got an axe to the chest."

"What?" Korra shrieked out and pulled his tunic back to see the damage. True to his word, a thin scar on his chest was a bit above his heart. She stared at him awestruck, worried for his life. How close she was to losing him. Even though he was no longer hers.

"I am fine. I swear." She teared up and pulled back, cradling her hands close to her heart, still feeling his warmth by her. "How are you?"

"Married life is a bliss. He is very nice and kind. Patient and everything your mother promised he would be. We never hunger or fight... I should be happy and content..."

"But?"

"But... I am so lonely."  She sobbed out and looked back at him to see the same expression on his face. "They were all right, Sigurd. I am no wife material. I am so void and empty while he tries so hard. He wants children, and all I can do is nod along with like some broken little pathetic creature."

He strode over to her and pulled her into his arms, whispering into her ear how much he loved her and how perfect she was. For the first time in a year, she felt happy. Despite the tears and guilt she felt, she finally felt whole and content. Maybe it was wrong of her to do this; she was a worried woman now. Had a reputation to protect and a man to be true to. And yet she kissed him and liked it. She fell for Sigurd when she was just a child, and never would she stop loving him. She fell, and so did he.

[nalgenewhore]

Too Late To Turn Back Now - Eleven

masterlist - ao3 - last chapter - epilogue

+*+*+*+*+*+*

The sun was still brightly shining outside and Lorcan half-wondered how it could when he was broken and hurting, his world crumbling around him. 

He drove the boat back on autopilot, hardly paying attention as he travelled across the blue waves, the ocean spray making his hair damp and his suit too, but he didn’t care. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a rumpled blanket sitting on the bench.

The sight of it was enough to make his heart break in half – again – as he shut off the boat and dropped onto the cushion beside it, picking it up and holding it to his chest. He had meant what he said. He would always find her. Always. 

But that wasn’t she wanted and no matter how badly it hurt him, he would respect her wishes. She deserved to be free, whether that was with him or not. She deserved happiness, even if he wasn't the one to give it to her. 

Throat tight, he sat there, unable to stop feeling like he was drowning. It hurt to breathe, the memory of them a sharp knife in his side that grated against his ribs with every panicked breath.

Slowly, he folded the heavy blanket and stuffed it into the cabinet, latching the door shut. Lorcan loosened his tie and dumped his suit jacket on the bench before he moved back to the driver’s seat and started the boat again, numb as he drove home.

He docked the boat an undetermined amount of time later. Guests were milling and buzzing about, gossiping as he parked the boat and stalked up the jetty, ignoring everyone and everything.

He saw Aelin first and when he shook his head, her face fell and she wrapped her arms around him. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too,” he whispered, his words strangled. “I’m gonna go… do something.”

Aelin stepped back and nodded, “Ok. I’ll be here if you need me.”

With a slight nod, Lorcan was off, not meeting anyone’s curious stares as he strode through the house and slammed the bedroom door behind him. It had been forty-five minutes since Elide left and he had never missed anyone the way he missed her.

Someone had moved the dress and the letters off the bed and he practically tore his clothes from his body, throwing himself down on the mattress and wrapping his arms around a pillow. It smelled like her honey-suckle shampoo and Lorcan gritted his teeth as he flung it to the other side of the room.

Deciding he couldn’t stand to be surrounded by her presence, even after she’d gone, Lorcan busied himself by cleaning the room, methodically cleaning the space. Even if he could never forget her, he could rid his home of her.

As he worked, he tried not to think about how his heart was going across the world and he’d never see it again.

 +*+*+*+*+*+*

Elide sat down in her seat and clipped her seatbelt on, ready to leave. She’d been the first on, meaning everyone had seen how she’d left Lorcan like that. 

Her seatmate sat down and glanced at her quizzically, wondering why she hadn’t stayed.

If she were being honest, she didn’t know either. Well, she did know. Lorcan wouldn’t have been happy with her forever and she didn’t deserve him. He was good and kind and he cared about others. Elide did not and hadn’t for a while.

It was almost humorous, she supposed. Two people, who had been hurt from a very young age, their lives nearly identical, but while one had used that as fuel to be selflessly loving to the people that mattered the most to him, the other held on to the feeling of cold detachment, never trusting anyone ever again.

Elide tried to be happy. She had missed Terrasen all these years. There had been too many times to count when she had wanted to pack up her life and ship it back over to her home, but without the financial stability she had now, Vernon would have sought her out and reeled her back in with his vicious words. And honestly, she hadn’t wanted to go back. Every time she thought about doing so, a voice at her shoulder would tell her to stay and so she did. 

In need of distraction, she searched into her pocket, looking for what, she didn’t know. She felt something smooth and cool, pulling it out to find the piece of sea glass she’d found that night. It was black, and she’d chosen it because it looked like Lorcan’s eyes. She pulled out her phone next, fumbling as the screen lit up to a picture of her and Lorcan, walking together on the sidewalk. She was holding onto his elbow and hand, wearing his fleece and looking up at him with an adoring look. He was returning the gaze fondly, his posture relaxed for once. 

“You two look beautiful together,” the older woman sitting next to her said. “It’s probably none of my business, but I hope that you two know that, if you love each other, things should come easy. Before you tell me to mind my own self, just ask yourself: how does it feel to be away from him?” 

Like she was being torn apart. 

Without really thinking, Elide unlocked her phone and tapped out his number, knowing he wouldn’t pick up and still hoping he would. She got his voice mail and just hearing him talk had her wanting to cry again.

Her heart was in her throat as she waited for the beep and it took a few tries for her to speak. “Hi. It’s me. I just- I’m on the plane and I want to cry. I miss you. I don’t know why I’m here, I shouldn’t be here.” Elide swallowed back her tears, looking up as if it would stop them from forming in her eyes. “I thought I was going home but I’m not ‘cause you’re my home. Wherever you are, that’s where I should be. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t-“ she breathed in sharply, feeling like someone had punched her in the chest, knocking the air from her lungs. “I need to get off this plane.”

Quickly, she shot up, hastily grabbing her bag as the flight attendant pulled the door shut. Elide sped around passengers that were still putting their carry-ons, apologies spilling from her lips. “Miss-“

“I need to get off the plane.”

The flight attendant sighed, “Miss, I’m going to have to ask you to take your seat. The plane will be leaving soon.”

“No, you- you don’t understand! I need to get off this plane, I can’t leave—”

“Ma’am. I’m sorry, but I cannot let you off this plane. Now, if you would just—”

“Please. Please, I am begging you, just let me off the plane. I have to get off this plane.” Elide felt her eyes sting with tears and the woman pursed her lips, glancing between the cockpit, the door, and Elide. She tried again, her voice cracking. “Please.”

“Let her off the plane!” Elide turned at the voice, seeing her seatmate standing up, her fist waving in the air. “Come on, just let her off the plane! Have a heart, miss." 

Slowly, the other passengers took up her cry, pleading with the flight attendant. Elide bit her lip to stop from outright crying then and there. “Please. I love him.” 

 +*+*+*+*+*+*

No one had seen Lorcan since he’d returned and the boys had had enough.

They’d found out that the door was locked and he wouldn’t open it – that they knew, so they did what any reasonable people would do. 

They scaled the side of the house up to the balcony.

Crashing through the French doors, they found Lorcan in the shower. “Ayy, Lorcan!” 

He looked over his shoulder and shouted, “Do you fucking mind? Get the fuck out!”

Rowan and Connall nodded and turned, but Fenrys and Vaughan were unperturbed. “We don’t want you to be lonely! Are you sure you’re—”

“If you do not get the fuck out right now, I will kill you. I will literally murder you dead and chop up your bodies with the ax and feed you to the fucking orcas! Get out!”

Both wearing shit-eating grins, they left. He had a lump in his throat and no matter how many times he coughed or swallowed, it didn’t go away.

A few minutes later, Lorcan stalked out of the bathroom, his hair piled up in a messy bun to keep from getting wet. One of the boys, probably Connall, had put new sheets on the bed and they were all piled in it, looking up at him with excited expressions. “Dude. They have Space Jam.”

Lorcan rolled his eyes and huffed a laugh at the sight of all four of them in a bed that was far too small for hulking men. He got dressed, wearing a pair of sweats and a hoodie, the hood flipped over his head, and shoved Vaughan to the side so he could be in the middle, between his cousin and Rowan.

Rowan opened his arms and Lorcan let his best friend hug him close, Rowan’s chin resting on top of Lorcan’s head. Lorcan leaned the side of his head above Rowan’s heart, slinging an arm across his waist. Someone pulled him up into a seated position - Vaughan, who gently took his hair down and began to braid it as Fenrys used the remote control to choose Space Jam.

As the opening credits began, his eyes welled up and he did nothing to stop the tears from spilling down his cheeks. “I love her.”

Rowan sat up and let Lorcan lean on him. He kissed the top of Lorcan’s head, rubbing his back, “I know, L.”

“It wasn’t… just what happened. We were more than that,” he whispered, closing his eyes and still the tears slipped past his thick lashes. He had to believe that they were more than that.

 +*+*+*+*+*+*

The girls had been sent away, out of the house, their protests gone unheard over their mother’s commands.

Odette roped in Nehemia and Aelin to help her in making food, not that either of them needed much convincing. In times like these, it was hard for the two women to sit still, the very being in their bones urging them to help in whichever capacity.

Nehemia and Odette spent the late morning making food, while Aelin was in charge of whatever boozy drinks she could make, having been banned from the kitchen ages ago. She sipped from a glass, the drink burning the back of her throat and calling tears to her eyes, “Whoo, that’s got some kickback, dang! It’ll do.”

Wiping her hands on a kitchen towel, Nehemia wandered over, a scrutinizing look on her ethereal face. “Are you sure?” Aelin just rolled her eyes and took Nehemia’s towel, giving her her own glass. She looked at it warily and sipped, coughing and nodding, her voice strained, “Yeah, this’ll do, gods-damn, Aelin.”

Odette laughed from where she was stirring a large pot of wohanpi, a bison stew Lorcan had always claimed had healing powers. All anyone knew about it was he made it once a year in a huge batch and froze containers of it. A lucky few would receive a portion when ill or fighting a raging hangover. Aelin, being his best friend, always had a guaranteed portion as well as Nehemia. The boys could fend for themselves. “Which of you is up to go wrangle the boys?” They had all watched as Rowan, Vaughan, Fenrys, and Connall scaled up to the balcony.

Aelin rose her hand, holding up a finger as she drained her glass, “I’ll do it.”

They nodded and waved her down the hall and off she went.

Having the decency to knock before entering, Aelin waited until someone called ‘come in’ to walk in, smiling widely at the sight she saw.

All of them, piled onto the bed and cuddling while watching what they considered to be the peak of cinematic history. It was cute and she thought about teasing them, just a tad, until she saw the tear tracks on Lorcan’s face and the redness of his eyes behind those round glasses of his. “I got booze and bison stew!”

“Did you make the stew,” Lorcan muttered, snuggled in between Vaughan and Rowan. Fenrys, probably having decided that he wasn’t being given his due attention, was sprawled on top of them and somehow managed to make it look comfortable. “If so, I don’t want it.”

“Hahaha, you’re so funny! Did you come up with that all by yourself? No, of course I didn’t – Mama Salvaterre did that and Mia made bread, I think. Or was it cookies, I can’t quite remember, but she was baking. C’mon! Get out of bed,” she whined, stamping her feet on the floor like a petulant child until they all slowly climbed out, wearing an unintentional uniform of hoodies and sweats. Aelin being Aelin, commented as they filed out, somber and silent. “Wow, matching, how cute.”

Lorcan snapped his teeth at her and flipped her off as he sat down heavily at the island bar, smiling slightly when Nehemia pushed a filled bowl and spoon towards him.

The rest of the boys served themselves and were silent as they ate, shoveling the food into their mouths and down their throats. Nehemia half wondered how they hadn’t choked yet.

When their bellies were full, Aelin gave them glasses and the pitcher of her concoction, sending them out onto the porch. They all protested, of course, and said they would clean up like the good mama’s boys they all were (though they were loath to admit it) but Odette would have none of it.

It was a good thing that the sink was situated so that one could look out over the yard and therefore patio while they washed up. Aelin had suds up to her elbows as she half cleaned, half spied on the boys, little snippets of their conversation floating through an open window.

Lorcan was talking about Elide and how he didn’t want his brothers to hate her. They were all quick to assure him they didn’t, but Aelin knew better. There would be a grudge held for a while.

Eventually, Fenrys and Vaughan got antsy and went off to box on the grass. Aneha and Sadirah watched from the garden, egging them on, the little troublemakers. Rowan and Connall finally went down to break it up before either of them took it too far, as they were prone to do, but just ended up getting drawn in.

 +*+*+*+*+*+*

Lorcan was watching his brothers fight but wasn’t processing a thing. He stood up and walked down to the yard, passing everyone to sit by the jetty, watching the sun set. Lorcan dug out his phone from his pocket, not exactly sure what for.

The screen was lit up with one missed call and he opened his phone to see who it was. He choked, nearly sending the drink in his hand flying when he saw that it was from Elide and she’d left a voicemail.

Hands shaking, he put his drink down and pressed on his voicemail, hardly breathing as it rang and the automated voice recited: “You have one new message. To hear your messages, press one-“

Lorcan pressed one and leaned his elbow on his knee, biting his thumbnail as her voice filled his ear. “Hi. It’s me.” She sounded like she was crying. “I just- I’m on the plane and I want to cry. I miss you. I don’t know why I’m here, I shouldn’t be here. I thought I was going home but I’m not ‘cause you’re my home. Wherever you are, that’s where I should be. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t-“ she breathed in sharply, interrupting herself, “I need to get off this plane.”

His eyes widened and his knee stopped bouncing as he heard a rustling sound and Elide murmuring quick apologies to the people she pushed past. There came a second voice that sounded like it was further away. “Miss—”

“I need to get off the plane.”

Lorcan swallowed hard, almost thinking this was a dream. The flight attendant spoke again, sounding slightly exasperated, “Miss, I’m going to have to ask you to take your seat. The plane will be leaving soon.”

“Let her off the plane,” he breathed, standing up and pacing back and forth. He ran his hand through his damp hair, his heart slamming against his ribs.

“No, you- you don’t understand! I need to get off this plane, I can’t leave—”

The message ended and he froze, “No, no, no, fuck!”

He hung up before the automated message could play and almost threw his phone into the ocean. He didn’t know what to do and so he hastily typed out Elide’s number, messing up more than a few times and hitting the wrong number.

When he finally got the right number, his call was sent straight to voicemail and Lorcan swore again, unaware that the play boxing had stopped and they were all watching him with confusion on their faces. “Princess, please, just tell me if you got off the plane, ok? I need you to call me back and tell me if you got off the plane—”

“I got off the plane.”

He froze, his phone falling to the grass beneath his feet. Lorcan didn’t dare turn around, afraid it would just be a figment of his imagination and she'd slip through his fingers again. When Vaughan nodded once, just barely a dip of his chin, Lorcan’s breath escaped him in a rushed exhale and he turned, not making any other move towards her as the same water taxi drove off, leaving Elide and her bag on the dock. “You got off the plane?”

Elide nodded, biting her bottom lip as tears streamed down her face, “I got off the plane.”

He rasped a laugh, the sound watery and tearful as he took one step towards her and Elide flew towards him, her arms stretched out and reaching for him.

Lorcan rocked back a step as she launched herself into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist. Her hands slid into his hair and his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her body closer and closer still. He could feel Elide’s tears drip onto the skin of his neck and her body shook as she cried. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I left. Of course I love you. I love you.”

Pulling back, Elide tracked her eyes over his face, crying anew at the tears on his cheeks, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Lorcan moved a hand to cup her jaw and kissed away her tears which only made her cry harder.

“I love you,” he murmured, stroking his thumb over her cheek. “I love you.” Elide laughed, the sound choked, and hugged him tighter, looking down at him from her elevated position as he hoisted her up higher and banded his arms under her thighs. “Did you mean it?” he asked, his eyes searching hers. “What you said in the voicemail.”

Elide smiled, almost shyly, through the tears that fell steadily and nodded. “Every word. I don’t want to leave you again. I’m home with you. Wherever you are, I’m there.” 

He didn’t want to waste anymore time and closed the gap between them, kissing her softly, uncertainly. After a second, he drew back, looking up at her as she kissed him again, sure of herself as her hands moved to cup his face. “I love you.”

“Say it again,” he whispered, chasing the feeling of those words against his lips. “Tell me again. Until I am tired of it.”

“I love you,” she said, pulling away. Her nose was tucked against his, their lips still brushing together as she said it. She kissed his cheek, “I love you.” Another kiss pressed to his other cheek, “I love you.” Elide kissed his brow, “I love you.” She kissed the tip of his nose, “I love you.” And then, finally, her lips pressed against his, soft and sure as her words, “I love you.” Her lips moved against his, her hands slipping back into his hair, “Are you tired of it yet?” 

“No.” 

“When will you tire of it?”

“Never.”

 +*+*+*+*+*+*

Twilight was upon them and Lorcan guided Elide through the dew-kissed grass, her hand fitting flawlessly, like the final piece of a puzzle, in his.

After dinner, a slightly strained ordeal on the boys’ parts until Odette cut them a glare that had them near pissing themselves when it then passed smoothly, Elide and Lorcan had slipped off silently, having only eyes for each other as they strolled peacefully, their joined hands swinging between them.

Rowan and Fenrys had scowled after the retreating figures, an indignant fury directed towards the petite woman. Odette had seen this and pulled them to the side, chastising them for not recognizing their friend’s happiness over their own pigheaded, male need to hold grudges on behalf of a man who wanted not their anger.

In the present, Elide tugged on Lorcan’s hand until he turned back, gazing at her as she was bathed in the bright moon’s silver light. “I want to dance,” she whispered, delighted as he swept her into a sweet dance, slow and even over the glowing grass.

They danced under the twinkling stars and full moon, to the music only they knew - something that played only in their heads. 

When her feet grew sore and her eyes drooped, Lorcan scooped her up and held her close to him, pressing his lips to her forehead as she made a happy noise in the back of her throat and hummed sleepily. She toyed with his necklace, sliding her fingers up and down the chain.

Elide was out by the time he closed the door to their room and put her down, smiling as she clung to his hoodie and whined, her brow wrinkling.

She settled once he laid down beside her and let her move however she wanted, not satisfied until she was straddling his waist and snuggled against his chest.

Elide sat upright suddenly, her hands braced against his chest. Lorcan sat up, cupping her cheek, “What is it?”

“Kiss me.”

He did so with no hesitation, kissing her slowly, thoroughly. She sighed and melted into it, moaning when he licked into her mouth and their tongues tangled together.

Chests rising and falling erratically, Lorcan pulled away, only slightly, his lips brushing against hers as he asked, “What was that for?” She didn’t open her eyes, her fingers lingering on his cheeks. 

“Is this a dream? If I open my eyes, will you be gone?”

He smiled and waited until her eyes slowly cracked open for him to say, “You are my dream.”

+*+*+*+*+*+*

an: i told y’all it would be fine 

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