#i will do my best to have everything ready before printing the labels out next time tho

[zephyrine-gale]

hello! i got an email saying my charms would ship on the 29th but it still says that it's pre-shipment and has been waiting for the item since then. is this normal?

Hello! I printed all of the shipping labels on the same day to pack them in batches, but there were some delays with items that were supposed to arrive on the 1st, so I had to put packing and shipping on hold until they arrived last weekend~this monday :'> I sent out all of the remaining orders out today, so your tracking number should update in a day or so! Thank you for your patience!

[artemisbarnowl]

I had NO plan today. I knew I was going to get ink out. And I had some vague notions like

Stamped wrapping paper

Play with new (old) fabric print blocks

Cards????

Test new press!

And I more or less did all of those things. Which wasn't the best use of ink or very intentional but it was good to do some low stakes testing so next time I can be more 'productive' and work smarter.

My sister bought me some ink (and ink plate) as a belated birthday present and it's a different brand to what I've used before but this beautiful silver colour. You can (sort of) see this in bottom row pics left and middle. This has to go on black paper to be really visible, or be a solid chunk of colour, rather than fine fine detail. It also dries really quick. One thing I liked is the way it picked up the old purple stamp pad ink a little to give a sort of lavender quality in the balloon print (wrapping paper for sister). It's really subtle and will be difficult to replicate on purpose, but it's fun to see and good to keep in mind if I'm going to use an ink pad to test before inking.

My marketplace print blocks finds are BEAUTIFUL. You can see those hanging on canvas in top right, and a partial in middle pic. They probably need a softer brayer for better inking, and they need a LOT of pressure to print on thick paper (they're too fat to use in the press) but the designs are gorgeous and they're in great condition. Both of the blocks have a frame like quality, probably originally so a fabric manufactory label could be placed in there or something, and I'm thinking about what else I can place there to make them look complete. Could be a contrast colour print or even some embroidery? Would be very fun to do something simple and ugly/unserious. I also want to see if I can be selective about blocking the ink and use only part of the blocks for smaller prints like in the middle pic.

The press works great, I'm still figuring out what position to tighten the plate into so that it doesn't push around the paper when closing. This could also be helped by some cardboard registration templates to help hold lino still? I can see that I'll want another felt press mat to help with embossing or thicker paper.

I used the last of the good cotton paper I got from my lino class. Most to test one of the wood blocks and it didn't go very well, but I managed to save some for 3 cards. One got wiggled in the press and didn't work out, and the dragon one was over inked and came out a bit fat and under defined. The last one, of 2 eucalypt leaves) went perfect. I also got a couple of gift tags I'll punch holes in and use when wrapping presents.

I've got a huge sheet of thick cotton paper, and two sheets of pale green Japanese paper, both of which I'll tear to size BEFORE I do my next inking session so I've got everything ready and can have a tidy production line. I'll also pick one or two plates to print, and just do lots of prints of those instead of flitting around getting ink everywhere.

[schrijverr]

Page 88-89

[Page 88 had a horizontal image on it and two vertical ones, page 89 only has text. The upper photograph was of Steve and Robin in the Munson apartment, Robin is painting Steve’s nails very carefully, tongue poking out. Her smaller ringed hands are a big contrast to Steve’s calloused ones. Steve looks on with a fond and happy smile. Both knows he’ll have to take it off before he goes into work again, but they do it anyway.]

Getting His Nails Done

Jonathan Byers, 1991

.

[On the left below that is a photograph of Argyle, his hair is in a loose braid hanging over his shoulder and he is leaning back on his arms, smiling peacefully into the camera. His ankles are crossed in front of him and he is wearing a long skirt.]

A Pretty Boy

Jonathan Byers, 1991

.

[The photograph next to it is of Robin. She is in front of the mirror in the hallway, tying her tie. She is leaned forward, clumsy fingers making deft work of the familiar knot. Furthermore, she is dressed in a suit, the button up has a funky pattern on it and the suit jacket is a bit too big. Her sleeves are rolled up, bracelets covering her arms, rings adorning her fingers.]

A Butch Dyke Getting Ready

Jonathan Byers, 1991

.

Gender is such a strange thing. There is no one blue print that fits everyone, no system that is uphold is for the entire world. However, growing up in a society where ideas about gender are continuously reinforced, it makes that some of us can’t hide or feel constricted, while others have to work through a lot when they come to terms with themselves.

Eddie, Jonathan and Robin have all been haunted by slurs for all their lives. Eddie has always been too flamboyant, too out there, too expressive, too emotional. Jonathan was seen as too quiet and sensitive, not manly enough. Robin on the other hand was too manly, not quiet enough, never dainty and too weird and clumsy. They way they move through life seemingly gave them away to everyone, who wanted to hurl words at them that they were too young to understand when they first heard them.

Steve and me, Nancy, both fitted in better with society. We dated in high school and looked like the picture perfect American dream. For us, the people we were was a trap, a role we were molded to play. When I decided to not care, to work hard for my dream, I faced sexism and people who didn’t understand. When Steve came face to face with his sexuality, with the community he was now a part of, he had to work through years of words like poison falling from the mouth of his father and mother, his friends. Even his own.

Argyle has never identified with any of the ideas thrown at him, he has always made his own path outside of others. He always glided along, never fitting and never knowing why until he found those like him.

I can go into the experiences of the others, however, these things are private, not to be shared unless asked to. And I have witnessed no other journey as closely as these. The six of us figuring it out in the Boston rain.

For us gender has been a prison, a constant surveillance. We’re comfortable with what we do and we don’t care what label it is supposed to fit with. There is freedom in expression, there is joy in deciding to not care and not fit in.

There are still things we have to do for safety. Words we can't say, things we can't wear outside the comfort of our own home, but we don’t feel as trapped anymore and that is worth everything. To feel at home in your own skin, is the best feeling in the world.

~~

<<Prev Next>> AO3

[blahandwhatever]

Sleepiness still hasn’t let go of me. Feeling more and more healthy and clear-minded when awake, but my body won’t let me get out of bed before about 10 hours of sleep without much force. Today I did have to force myself because I finally had a project from my original, now-secondary, job due in the afternoon. It’s been slow the past couple of months, which would have been devastating a year ago, but now it’s more like a bonus if I get any work here on top of my bigger job.

Yesterday I tried to get my work done early, but, like seemingly every time I do this, it simply expanded to fill the time I had and took up more hours than necessary. Last-minute it is.

In the meantime, I try to do what else I can. I assembled my (tentative) finalist cabinet for next to my TV, a process estimated at 30 minutes that really took closer to two hours. It’s a nice piece of furniture, but I’m still not convinced it’s ideal for the space, but I’m not sure there’s anything out there right now that I would be convinced about. I’ll probably stain it a warmer color and change the knobs to help it fit in more seamlessly. Or maybe I’ll go crazy and order & assemble yet another piece. If only furniture returns were easier (the heaviness is enough of a burden - no way I’m disassembling and repacking everything on top of that) and I could experiment to my heart’s content.

I finally went and returned my cat’s unopened pool table to the neighborhood Amazon Hub, which was just as confusing and pressured a trip as my first one a couple of years ago - Google Maps still hasn’t gotten its shit together with that route, plus I had to stop by FedEx Office to print a shipping label because my printer has stopped printing right. With enough speeding through my various reroutings, I managed to get there at the very last minute.

Meanwhile, I’m upgrading my various cloud storages - all bursting at the seams - to paid versions I can afford now, probably for the best given my failures to back things up manually. Finally got all my pictures (aside from some older ones I can’t seem to locate - but they’re all from the era that’s already on my photo blog) on my new hard drive. Today I got an email from OneDrive with my ‘memories from this day’, consisting solely of views from my Naperville bedroom window on a cloudy, snow-covered day in 2016, and a picture downloaded from the web in 2014 of a bench in a foggy, flower-filled forest. It’s kind of a nice feature. I wish I could have something like that for this blog. I tend to reread my posts for each month from a year ago, maybe two as well, in one go, but it’s too much work to go through all the years, and there’s no real way to sort by a specific date.

The war in Ukraine began a year ago. I listen to Kirill Richter’s “In Memoriam” and think of this February and last. Months full of sadness.

Last night I dreamt that I went to the arboretum, in February, because I just needed to be in a place like that regardless of how it looked, and found unexpected lushness.

Today I got a message from the vet that my cat’s ashes are ready. I’ll pick them up next week.

There’s a lot more to be said, but this is enough for one post.

[cricutdesignscom]

How does a Cricut machine work?

 The machine connects to your computer or smart phone via bluetooth or with a cable if needed. You can then create your own designs or download designs. Cricut has software called 'Design Space' where you can edit and adapt designs before asking Cricut to cut them out.

You can upload your own designs too! Find out how to upload images to Cricut. in this handy video tutorial.

When your design is ready you simply load your materials, press a button and the cricut.com setup  has a small blade which moves around the material you are cutting following the lines of the design you have created or downloaded.

The material is secured via a 'sticky' mat so it doesn't move as the blade moves around allowing a perfectly clean cut.

Can I upload my own images with Cricut?

Yes, absolutely! The beauty of a Cricut is that you can create your own unique designs! However, there are also 1000's of files you can either buy as a digital download or even download for free.

The best file format for cricut design space images is an SVG because this image format is made up of lines, which will simply and easily guide your cutting blade around your material.

We've even got our own range of downloadable SVGs here on CraftWorld!

•           Cricut Maker

•           Cricut Explore Air

•           Cricut Joy

There are currently 3 different types of cricut.com setup Machines and accessories available to buy  and they each offer different features with the more expensive Cricut Maker being able to cut more materials than the cricut design space Explore Air 2 and offer more flexibility (hence the higher price). The Cricut Joy is a great option for smaller projects, especially if you have limited space.  Don't underestimate the little Cricut Joy, it does still offer some fantastic features! Watch a full video tutorial on the Cricut Joy here - Cricut Joy Tutorial. See the comparison chart below.

Create Cricut Account

•           Go to cricut.Com for setup.

•           Click on the signal in the upper bar.

•           Click "Create a Cricut identity".

•           Enter the required credentials comprised of password, email address call etc.

•           Select the United States of America.

•           terms of assessment.

•           test for the I

•           Agreed container.

•           Hit on the "Create

•           "Identity" tab" tab.

•           Verify account credentials to establish an account cricut log-in.

•           You can download Cricut program for the laptop you are using.

•           Cricut machines use

•           Cricut's layout software , to start any task. Download it by following the steps:

•           To begin, visit the cricut.Com/setup website.

•           pick out your device type, i.E., cutting device.

•           Select the product you want to purchase on the next web page.

•           evaluate the privacy policy and terms of use.

•           Mark on the I

•           Agreed field.

•           Click the download Now button.

•           The next step is to set up.

Are you aware of how to setup Cricut setup using the printer?

Most of the time, cricut is enough to cut and score, cut or score, print and personalize everything you want to do and complete the task. There are times where you may require the use of a printer at home for labels, and other kinds of label. In this scenario you must follow these steps for installing the printer.

•           To begin begin with installing Cricut Design Space through cricut.com/setup.

•           After that, you'll need to log in to Cricut. Cricut account.

•           If you've bought you Cricut equipment for the first time the next step would be required to sign-up with your brand new account. Log in to your account.

•           Select the Cricut machine you're using and click download.

•           You'll need be patient until your installation has been loaded on your system.

•           Then double-click the install.exe file to complete the installation process for software.

After the setup is completed After the setup is completed, the machine will be in the process of making artwork.

Connect your Cricut.com/setup  machine to connect to the printer.

Connect your device to the internet, and connect it to your computer using an USB cable.

[inknopewetrust]

Hey, I was wondering if i could request either javier peña or din djarin ship/x reader oneshot type thing? Mostly just (one of) them comforting reader who has really low confidence and doesn't believe they are good at anything. x x

Little Miss Perfect

Pairing: Javier Peña x Fem!Reader

Word Count:1.3k 

Warnings: language. Don’t doubt your abilities loves–you are more than capable of doing anything you set your mind to. 

A/N: thanks for the request Anon! Sorry for the long wait, these things just take a bit of time! Ah, how I missed writing for Javi. Did you know Javi was the first character that mustered up a following for me on here? Now, nearly 1000 followers later, here I am still writing for him. I felt this request would work best with him :)

“Shit!” 

It was either the loud yell or the slamming of the telephone that caught Javi’s attention, he wasn’t sure which had come first. At the desk across from him, Steve sat disengaged from your internal struggles that were beginning to bleed out into the small office you all shared and diagonal from him, you had your head being cradled by your hands in frustration. 

Javier kicked Steve’s shin from under the desk and with an audible “ow,” Steve gave Javier a look of disdain. The thumb pointed in your direction changed his demeanor from one of annoyance to one of concern. 

“You alright, L/n?” Steve set down the report he had been reading to focus his attention onto you, but you didn’t look him in the eyes to answer, just mumbled a barely heard: 

“No.” 

He didn’t push any further, but it had to have been something serious to have you react in a way that made Javier concerned. If there was anything to know about you, it was that everything you ever did–whether it be work, play, or what not, you always put in 100% effort. When the reactions to your work were less than spectacular, a depression-like slump followed because it wasn’t what you were hoping for. You strived to have your superiors and partners know that you were the best person for the job and when you failed on occasion, it stung like a sting from a hornet. 

“No... No, I’m not alright. I’m not fucking alright!” The burst came out of nowhere and startled the two men. It got even worse when you rose from the seat and practically ran out of the office with your jacket, the chair spinning rapidly in your wake. 

“What the fuck was that about!?” Steve asked Javier with an exasperated gaze, but Javier didn’t know the answer. He thought he could deduce the reaction to the problem, except he was never certain in his abilities to read your physical reactions. Neither man readied themselves to follow immediately. Though after a few minutes, it was Javier who made the effort to find you and get to the bottom of your obvious despair. 

Not in the courtyard and not in the smoking room. There was no sign of you in the file room, printing room, with the CIA guys and gals, or with Noonan. Based on Noonan’s dismissal of Javier, Javi was sure the conversation that was had between the two of you is what made you so upset. 

It wasn’t until he got down to the bottom floor and into storage that he smelt the distinct smell of camel cigarettes filled his senses and he followed it down the dimly lit aisles of boxes filled with completed files. Down the one labeled G-J, you were sat against the rack with a few burnt cigarettes on the ground. Javier’s footsteps were not quiet, so you knew he was there when he turned down the aisle. 

“Come to gloat for Carrillo? He fucked us all over.” 

“It’s not your fault we didn’t catch him alive.” Javi told you and sat down across from you. One of his legs bent up towards his body and the other stretched out just enough where it rested itself on the other side of your foot. You handed the cigarette out to him which he gladly took from you. 

“It’s always on my account. Noonan always thinks it’s my fault and I just can’t convince anyone that I’m good at this. Every time we get close to catching one of them, they die or go MIA or I don’t know... fly off to Mars.” 

“Mars? Shooting a little high there, don’t you think?” The smirk on his face was welcoming but you were still angry at that fact that everything you did was never good enough for the DEA. 

“Why don’t they get angry at you and Steve? Why is it always me?” 

“You think you’re the only person who gets chewed out around here?” You shrugged at him but the foot that had been resting beside yours tapped it harshly. You looked at Javi with a helpless face. 

“Noonan isn’t a field agent. She doesn’t understand why Carrillo made the call, but he shouldn’t have. That was your member to catch.” 

“And it’s my fault that he’s dead!?” 

“I didn’t say that.” Javier handed the cigarette back to you and you took a long, much needed drag before restarting the conversation. 

“Sorry. I don’t mean to be ridiculous about it.” 

“You’re not being ridiculous. Not many women would have the gall to even take up a field job here and let alone be good at it. Noonan’s position was handed to her... she doesn’t know what we’re dealing with out there.” 

“But it doesn’t mean that she isn’t right. Every time I got a lead something would happen to change the course. That isn’t what they look for in agents so what is keeping me here? Optics?” 

Javier shook his head and furrowed his brows. Since the moment you stepped off the plane in Colombia, you’ve been nothing but a valuable asset to their efforts in catching Escobar. Every piece of information that you provided was essential and that is why they had put you on Gustavo Gaviria’s case in the first place. If it weren’t for Carrillo, you would have had him in American handcuffs right now but operations weren’t easy when five different departments of justice are fighting the same fight. You were a brilliant co-worker, a great person, and more than capable to be here working with him and Steve. 

“Don’t say that...you are one of the best agents we have.” 

“Not everyone thinks that way, Javi.” 

“Well I do, and I know Steve does too. Plus, the CIA guys and the girls that work in the office, they know how hard you work. AND! I’ve never seen a woman kick as much ass as you do when we go out on the field. Anyone who doubts a woman who has no qualms about holding a gun to your head should be terrified in their assumption.” 

You scoffed but it was enough to draw a little smile at the corner of your mouth so Javier knew he was getting somewhere. He was cracking the façade even if some of those thoughts would return from time to time. It wasn’t often agents were praised for their good work, so he took the chance to do it for you in a moment of need. 

“Do you remember the night we had to survey the bar where there was that shootout?” You nodded in remembrance and he continued with a story that you could have predicted. 

“You were the only one to think of-” 

“I know, I know.” you shrugged off the surging compliment of a good days work but Javier shook his head and laughed. It was a laugh of sheer lack of understanding as to why you wouldn’t want to hear compliments. 

“You deserve to be recognized for your work. Noonan might not see it but we all do here. Here is where it matters and on the field and when you go home at night and see the positive impacts on the news. When this is all over and you return to the States, wherever you end up, those people are always going to remember you for the good deeds you’ve done here.” 

“You’re a good man, Javi. You know that right?” 

There was a shared, true smile between the two of you in that moment. 

“I think some people would disagree but if you say so, then I’ll think it.” 

“I’ll remember that mantra the next time I don’t think I belong here.” 

With that, Javier helped pick up the burnt nubs of cigarettes from the floor and together you returned to the office where you would help make a difference and remember that the two people who matter most to your job thought of you as essential to the process. For that, you would be forever thankful for. 

[thatslikely]

Fireball - F.W.

Fireball- Fred Weasley x fem!reader (unspecified house)

Warnings: food and allusions to sex

Word Count: 3k

A/N: did I go overboard? yes. do I want to go to an amusement park with Freddie? yes.

Just a reminder: Y/N is Your Name and Y/L/N is Your Last Name

Taglist: @amourtentiaa @probably-peeves @anchoeritic @theweasleytwinsgirl @horrorxweasley 

if you wanted to be added, send me a dm or ask!

“Sweetheart, have you got everything all packed up? I hope you didn’t accidentally pack any Canary Creams this time!” Fred jested from the room across the hall of the Burrow as you eagerly stuffed various waterproof jackets, sticky bottles of sunscreen that smelled pungently of hot summer afternoons spent loitering by the lake, and stacks of Muggle ‘cash’ into a small backpack.

“I think so. And do you really have to bring up that one time every time I’m in charge of snacks?” Zipping up the pockets of the sack, you gave it a satisfactory pat. 

“Don’t worry, I thought you still looked cute, even as a bright yellow birdie.” You were helpless to stop your eyes from rolling in your skull with a sarcastic grumble.

As Fred sauntered over to you, arms extended and ready to give you a bear hug, you extolled, “are you excited? Your first time at an amusement park!” His muscular arms tightly wrapped around yours’; so tightly, in fact, that you lifted off the ground, still wrapped his playful yet loving embrace like a familiar blanket of comfort. The shirt handsomely draped over his figure smelled like home; of the common room after the crackling fireplace ceased, the deserted aisles of a fluorescent convenient store at midnight, burnt popcorn kernels smoking from the microwave. 

“Of course I’m excited, Y/N. You’ve only blabbered about this place since the beginning of time. It better live up to the stories you’ve told!” he said cheerfully into your ear, his warm breath fanning your face, causing electric shocks of thrill to pang every one of your nerves. 

“Today’s gonna be so much fun!” Your chest fluttered as Fred gently set you down like a prized china doll, throwing the stuffed backpack over his broad shoulders.

“I hope the fun carries over into tonight, too.” Fred painted a devilishly handsome suggestive smirk on his features, barely fighting off the urge to buckle your knees with his signature wink.

“Oh shove off, Freddie!” you giggled as you friskily swatted your boyfriend’s bicep. “Let’s just focus on the park for now, we can worry about that later.”

His intoxicating lips pressed a small peck to your forehead before he asked, “You ready to go have the best day ever with your impossibly amazing, handsome, clever, boyfriend?”

“Yes, Fred,” you smiled as he unsheathed his spiky-handled wand, “yes!”

With a quick, pickle-jar-lid pop! you and Fred were instantly engrossed in the eye of a large crowd of joyous Muggle families scurrying around in circles reminiscent of the windy spirals of a cyclone. Most grinning adults had a tiny, chubby hand gripped in their palm, and most of the bubbly kids had a drippy strawberry popsicle in theirs’. 

The familiar plaza surrounding you flooded your heart with comfort and security. Wheeled food stands with bright, enthusiastic neon signs formed street-like pathways; the distant screams from speedy roller coaster riders melded with the thematic music echoing from speakers.

“We’re here!” you squealed, running over to a stand to grab a neatly labeled map of the park, despite knowing its layout like the back of your hand. Fred had been prone to getting lost before, especially in non-magical places, such as malls or airports (We have a lost boy named Fred Weasley, lost at gate thirty-six, and he’s looking for his, er- significant other, Y/N Y/L/N. He’s sixteen years old, quite tall, and has bright red hair, impossible to miss. Please come pick him up at the travel counter, thank you). You were tempted to tease him as you handed him the map, but considering the high possibility he had some sort of prank secretly stashed on his person, you wouldn’t dare risk it.

Fred uttered a “whoa,” as he took in his surroundings with enchanted, curious umber eyes, “this place is absolutely wicked.” His gaze then downturned, scanning the map, intently awaiting the vibrant, printed graphics to spring to life like pamphlets in the Wizarding World do.

“The map’s not going to start moving, if that’s what you’re waiting for, silly,” you teased, pointing to your location on the detailed unfolded brochure. 

“Pfft, I knew that.” His insincere arrogance didn’t help to conceal the slight pink tone that heated his cheeks at all. Pure-blood wizards were truly an enigma.

You ignored his unsuccessful cover-up with an expression that screamed, ‘yeah, right’, as you explained to him (a bit condescendingly) like a schoolchild, “we’re right here, at the entrance. There’s a list of the rides, bathrooms, shops, and places to eat off to the side.”

The blazing sun overhead coated your surroundings with tepid, dandelion-hued light, and the relaxed summer breeze softly ruffled your flowy strands of hair, as well as Fred’s. He quickly combed through his fiery mane with his fingers, a smirk quirking his lips at the promise of so many exciting things to do and see.

“We’re gonna start off with my favorite ride ever: The Fireball.”

Fred dropped his jaw to respond, but you wasted no time maneuvering to the beloved orange scream-producer. You hastily snatched his large hand before weaving him through the cluster of people, scuttling towards a looming bright, tiger-orange arc towering above everything in the distance: the peak of the Fireball. The Fireball was the single best roller coaster ever constructed: its seats were comfortable and secure, its extensive track was fluid and fast, and the excellently paired loops and corkscrews were enough to spark terror in even the bravest riders.

You had been savoring the thrill of the beloved flame-colored coaster for as long as your crown had finally surpassed the minimum-height indicating green line on the sign before its intimidating crimson gates so many years ago. 

Tears streamed horizontally across your face, a painful, open-mouthed smile etched onto your features. Screamed giggles echoed from your toothy mouth as you firmly gripped the bar in front of you, letting the rapid twists and turns of the coaster envelop you wholly. By the time the track had slowed and looped back to the station, your head was spinning, allowing you to barely think, let alone walk. Your hair was fluffed out like a bird’s nest but you couldn’t care less. All you knew was, you had to ride Fireball again.

No other coaster could even dream to compete with the beast of an attraction; it drew you in like a magnet, and hadn’t let you go since. Every other ride just felt inexplicably off in a way that even the most eloquent weren’t capable of articulating. And you finally got to share your favorite coaster with the person you undoubtedly love the most: Fred.

“Freddie, are you ready to go on the best roller coaster of all time? It’ll blow your mind!” you excitedly asked, pulling him towards the coaster’s spaghetti-twisted track. The look of pure bliss that exuded from your body was so, so difficult to say no to. There was something so child-like about your pupil’s vivacious glow; it reminded him of the days so long ago when his biggest stressor was whether he should pull a prank on an unsuspecting Ron or Percy next. 

But an equally childish emotion struck his heart: fear. Fred Weasley feared nothing. A furious Umbridge, maniacal Dark Wizards, and even speedy rogue Bludgers wouldn’t even make him flinch. A roller coaster however, was different. Whether it was the sketchy-looking track held together by metal bolts, the loopty-loop that he would surely fall out of, or the fact that it was made by hands, not magic, inexplicable waves of nervousness flooded his body, causing his heart to boom faster and louder in his chest and his palms to condensate with sweat.

“Hey, uh, angel, it’s actually getting pretty hot, don’t ya think? Why don’t we go have some ice cream first, my treat?” Fred nervously asked, an unshakable stutter in his words. He delved into his pocket, revealing fistfull of bills and coins, eagerly looking for an ice cream stand. “I hope you know where the ice cream is?”

“‘Course I do, Freddie. The best cones are this way, follow me.” You giddily guided the lanky ginger through twists and turns, passing a multitude of fun (and tamer) rides Fred had never seen before. At long last, the two of you reached a small, dark and light blue-striped stand with a snowman holding a cone of strawberry deliciousness hung out front. The best ice cream in the whole park.

While the prospect of romantically sharing a cone of ice cream with Fred sounded tooth-rottingly sweet, the both of you were a tad too stubborn to be willing to share a single frozen treat. He did generously give you a lick of his drippy strawberry cone, however, and you relented to his pitiful puppy-dog eyes and quivering lip, letting him have a bite of yours’.

The ice cream almost instantaneously sent Fred back to summers at the Burrow when he was still equally adorable, but a far cry from who he was now. He was short, only an inch or two taller than Ron, his grin was crooked, and the bridge of his nose was dotted with bright orange freckles. Every cherished summer afternoon was spent slashing in the creek, throwing mud pies at Percy, digging up worms in the dirt, and daring Ron to bite into a cattail to see what it tasted like (that didn’t end well).

Once the delicious cream safely resided in your stomachs, you eagerly asked if the vermillion-haired boy across from you was ready to go on the ride of his life. When he responded with an inscrutable expression, the trips of his ears pricking with nervousness, you added persuasively, “c’mon Freddie, the line’s gonna get long if we wait much longer. The park’s filling up fast.” 

“Hey! I have an idea. Instead of waiting in a boring line that’ll take forever,” -he exaggerated each syllable- “I could try to win you a prize at one of those booths over there. How does a giant teddy sound?” The grin on his face was impossible to renounce.

“Only if I get to play too. We’ll see whether you’re gonna be the one lugging around a huge stuffed bear!” 

Fred yanked you to the nearest carnival game like an eager golden retriever, which evidently was a vibrant water gun race. The object of the game was to position your water gun to hit the target perfectly, and whoever held the jet until the quota was filled won. 

Fred slapped a few bills onto the counter proudly, and the Muggle worker eyed him confusedly, before handing back a stack of greens to Fred. “It’s only five to play, sir.”

Fred took the vacant stool to the right to you, eyes glued on the prize: a large, bubble-gum pink teddy bear. Before he could even learn how to play, the bell rang, and water spewed out of the guns in front of you. Easily, you lined up the stream to the orange target before you, causing varicolored lights to flash and spiral., clashing the darkening sky above. Fred, however, wasn’t so lucky; he accidentally drenched the less-than-happy carny’s clownish uniform. The dripping employee sharply handed you the teddy before grumbling for the both of you to leave, preferably immediately.

“Ha! I won!” you boasted, rubbing the plushie in Fred’s amused face as you walked hand-in-hand past coasters and rides. He chucked before grabbing it from your hands, offering, “I’ll hold your prize for you, Miss Champion-water-gunner.”

“Okay, let’s go ride a coaster! I’m sure you know which one I wanna ride by now.” However, Fred was still nervous as ever. He’d never admit it, so naturally, he came up with every possible excuse. 

“I- erm, why don’t we go ride that spinny one over there?” 

“The carousel? That’s a toddler’s ride!”

“If I want to ride a horse-y, I will ride a horse-y!” Fred swooped you up in his arms, carrying you to the roped-off queue bridal-style while you flailed your arms, your face reddening with embarrassment.

In the blink of an eye, you found yourself seated on a jewel-embellished caramel horse, one of your hands gripped onto the golden pole lifting your pony up and down in a galloping motion. Your other hand was intertwined with Fred’s, who was perched on a mahogany horse draped in orange and green carpets and tassels beside you. Astonishment swam in his cocoa pools; his toe tapped in the stirrup to the old-fashioned circus music playing, he fiddled with the plastic emeralds of the horse’s bit, and he gave you the most innocent, heart-melting grin you’ve ever seen.

Once the bejeweled horses’ hopping halted, and the melodic recording of the march slowly faded, the sun crept below the horizon, granting the prussian blue air a chilly nip; it looked as if a Monet painting were suspended above the millions of flashing cabochon bulbs. 

“Freddie, it's getting dark. We have time for probably one more ride,” you said, not failing to note the lively glow drain from Fred’s rosy cheeks and faint saffron freckles.“What’s wrong?”

“I uhh… I didn’t want to tell you this before, but…” -he scratched the nape of his neck with furrowed brows- “I’m scared of roller coasters.” Fred cracked a nervous side-mouthed smile. “Something about it just… I feel like I’m gonna fall out!”

“Oh, Freddie, I had no idea,” you said apologetically, resting your hand on his flanneled shoulder. The coruscating glow of the kaleidoscopic lights highlighted the fearful darting of his pupils.

“I wanna ride Fireball, it looks sick, but I’m more scared than I’d care to admit.” 

“Here it’s okay, we can go on a smaller coaster if you want. Rocket’s always a classic, too,” you suggested, gesturing towards a short, blue and silver arch suffused in colorful carnival irradiance.

“No, I need to face my fear! Let’s go ride Fireball, darling. No buts!” Fred ushered you towards the Fireball, despite not having a clue about where it’s spaghetti bowl of track was grounded.

“It’s just like riding a broom! More safe, actually.” Fred lifted the chains of the queue for the both of you to mischievously slip under; you were pleasantly surprised to see the line was relatively short. 

“Oh by the way, you better not tell anyone that I, Fred Weasley, star Quidditch player and most popular student, actually can get scared, or expect a foul prank in your future.” Fred embraced you with a hug from behind, not shy of showing some more risque displays of affection to the other teenaged riders to cement the unwavering fact that you were his, and only his.

“Well someone doesn’t seem so nervous anymore,” you teased, poking his chiseled chest playfully.

“What can I say? You’re too distracting.”

You gave him a sarcastic simper as you pulled him by the collar closer and closer to the loading station which was packed with workers and thrill-seekers alike. Fred continued to stay tricksy, a permanent smug smirk upturning his lips as his hands stayed glued to your body, in one place or another.

At long last, the mechanical locking of lap bars and revving of coaster-cars stiffened the slightly cocky Weasley (his nervous form reminded you oddly enough of a breadstick). You gave him more compassionate touches of affection, combing your fingers through his messy hair and tracing small circles on his back, humming.

When the menacing silver gates opened, allowing the two of you to climb inside the fire-truck red carts, Fred looked as if he would explode at any given moment. You grabbed his large, defined hand, your thumb soothingly rubbing vertical strokes on his metacarpal. Fred’s knees were nearly level with your chest once he was securely seated; the lap bar was generous with your wiggle room, but you didn’t mind, as long as Fred felt safe.

Fred’s hand’s grip was tight on yours’; you could feel his heart pump through each of his branchy veins rapidly. He asked seconds before the train was off to slowly climb the first daunting hill, “promise me you won’t let go?”

“I’ll never let you go, promise.”

The next approximately two minutes of ride time were a fantastic blur, just as magical as anything the Wizarding World had to offer. Streaks of golden lights shone around snippets of swirling orange tracks that subjected your body to addicting G force. Your weightless figure flew up and down serpent-esque hills and valleys, you were firmly pressed into your seat, hair hanging down in a flame shape on loopty-loops, and on corkscrews you swear your insides were rearranged.

As promised, you didn’t let go of Fred, in fact the opposite. On the first steep drop, he mustered the courage to hold your intertwined fingers above his head as he emitted a bellowing scream of raw pleasure. He submitted to the following expertly engineered twists and turns, letting his lanky body swish and fly at the mercy of the ride. It felt like a fierce match of Quidditch to him, except for the fact that his eyes were scrunched closed with joy, not open and alert for Bludgers. 

Once Fireball came to an impossibly speedy ending, reality smacked you like a bus. As you got up from your seat to exit the dock, your legs wobbled and shook due to the copious amounts of adrenaline coursing through your veins. You concernedly surveyed Fred, who graciously supported you out of the station.

You peeled your awe tingling lips open to ask how he felt, and almost physically, he uttered a single, “wicked!” 

“How could I have been ever scared of that? I feel like my bones are shaking inside of me!” he managed to exuberantly smile. He swished his arms back and forth pure joy flooding through him, prickling at his every nerve.

“I’m so glad you had fun, Freddie.”

“Thanks for helping me, y’know, have fun, let loose. I feel alive in a way I never have before, it’s insane!”

“I think we may be able to squeeze in one more ride. Wanna go for round 2?”

Fred pressed a rough, passionate kiss to your unsuspecting lips, his electric taste overwhelming you, coating every inch of yourself with red-hot desire, a new and welcome sensation that would linger for weeks.

“You know it.”

[extremelyblackandwhite]

scrubs - 4.

pairing: doctor!sebastian stan x biomedical scientist!reader

warnings: angst, swearing

< previous chapter

    - So ... - Miriam rolled her chair near Y/N’s, a little smirk on her lips as she finally caught her without any trainees surrounding her and without any particular tasks. She was merely looking at the printed reports from everyone in the laboratory, double checking and adding some notes as well as writing her suggested course of treatment if necessary for any doctors who chose to took her advice. - How is he?

     - Miriam, the last thing I am going to talk to you about is my sex life. 

     - Yeah, because you never really had one but now it is interesting. Come on, is he soft or is he aiming to be the doctor version of Christian Grey?

     - He’s a nuisance, that’s what he is. - she pushed her glasses back on, returning to her paperwork but Miriam was keen on not letting that happen.

     - What’s his place like? Is it a bachelor pad?

     - Listen to me, I am tired, I am slightly hangover and sore in all the right places. Now do with that what you will and let me go back to my work. - she pushed Miriam chair with her foot, sending the office chair rolling away from her. 

The day was mostly non eventful. She dragged herself through sleep and headaches, supervising over the newbies and even running some tests herself, at least those which didn’t made her more nauseous than she already was. Turns out the whole of New York decided to have infections as of late as it seemed only her department was being swallowed with samples after samples and more samples. Luckily for her, only 5% per cent of them required her to write down a very polite email calling the upstair staff incompetent due to changing names and even genders. How hard was it to insert the numbers into a computer and print a right label? Apparently too hard. 

As she finished filling out the error filled paperwork and signing some portfolios for training biomedical scientists, the laboratory manager entered her department. He was a man in his 60s, mostly business related and if the rumours were to be believed, only became a biomedical scientist so he could eventually manage something. Y/N deeply disliked him, the moment she started training back when he held the position she held now, he only called her sweetheart and constantly made snide remarks about how the medical industry was starting to be overtaken by women. Yet again, he was still her superior and as such she had to answer to him.

    - Miss Y/L/N. - she grimaced. Great, he came her to talk to her. - Where are Dr. Stan’s sample results?

    - Which ones?

    - You know which ones. The ones which should’ve been delivered yesterday, sweetheart.

    - They were labelled wrong. If I had gone with it, the hospital would be open to all sorts of liabilities. 

    - Now, sweetheart ... - he put her hand on her shoulder. - I would love it if I didn’t get the chief of medicine complaining to me each day about his doctors getting his test requests denied by my staff. I do not care if you and Dr. Stan slept together, I don’t care who you take to bed, I do care about having people complain to me about you. 

    - My personal life has nothing to do with my professional life, sir. 

    - Those results better be delivered today.

She saw red as the man left, and looking to her right she saw the file containing the precious results. Normally she wouldn’t push cases in front of the others but this, oh this was an important. She grabbed the file and headed towards the staircase, not even bothering to wait for the lift. Y/N made a beeline towards the reception where most of the nurses were.

    - Do you know where Dr. Stan is? 

    - Looking for seconds? - Y/N ignored the harsh remark and merely took it upon herself to find the man who’d better be off dead. She made it to the locker area where most of the make shift bedrooms were. If she was correct, and she was, Dr. Stan would probably be sleeping in one of those bedrooms.

She made through them with a thunderstorm rage, walking from room to room despite the warning from the nurse. Normally she’d let healthcare staff sleep, the shifts were unforgivable and sometimes you just needed a quick nap for 30 minutes so you wouldn’t go inside. Dr. Stan, however, was no longer deserving of said nap and instead of waking him up by screaming in his hear, she merely let all the heavy files fall on top of his face. He woke up in a frenzy, looking side to side before looking at his pager. 

   - Here are your results, Doctor. - she gave him a passive aggressive smile.

   - Thanks?

   - Next time you want your results on time maybe label the samples right. I mean, why go through all the trouble of sleeping with me and then telling it to my laboratory manager so you can get your results? It’s easier to fucking know how to use a laptop.

   - What?

   - Fuck off, Sebastian. - she turned around to point her finger at him. - Why don’t you just go and page the whole team about you sleeping with me?

   - Y/N, wait up ...

   - If you need anything from the laboratory talk to Miriam. Don’t you dare ever speak to me ever again.  

She was severely disappointed in him, hurt even, and for the first time she had to hold herself together not to start crying in the hospital wings. She always thought he at least respected her as a professional but clearly he did not. Everyone was commenting about it and she could even hear some remarks thrown her way, poking fun of her attitude and even asking if she came back for more and she found it harder and harder not to break down crying. As the lift doors closed, she cleaned the tears that had start to pool up on her eyes. She munched on her lip, hand in front of her mouth as she tried to pull herself together. It’s only gossip, it’ll be okay and she’ll be damned if she let anyone bring her down. She wouldn’t be the first woman to have a night stand and definitely not the last.

She walked in the laboratory with the goal of continuing to do what made her happy and that was run some tests herself. Sure her new position was good and it gave good pay but it was mostly training graduates and do some paperwork as well as look for mistakes. Hadn’t it been for her, this hospital would’ve gotten sued a thousand times. 

    - Stop being in a fowl mood.

    - Leave me alone, Miriam. 

    - Since you’re already ready to kill, Elizabeth has been on break for 30 minutes longer.

     - Seriously? Why didn’t you do anything? 

     - You’re the supervisor of the microbiology department, I am merely your best friend. - she rolled her chair by her side. - Besides I want to go on my dinner break, please.

She rolled her eyes at this comment, getting up once again to go upstairs. It was almost a mechanical move and for the first time, the detail oriented scientist was as distracted as one could be with everything but details in her mind. Maybe had she not been distracted, she would’ve noticed the sheen in the stairs. Unluckily for her, she only noticed it once her head thumped against the stairs, almost as if her head had hit a trampoline surface. She grimaced, pushing herself on her hand to feel her ankle gave up on her whenever she tried to get up.

     - Are you okay? - Miriam checked, poking her head out the laboratory only to see her on the stairs. - Y/N, it is not the time to be dramatic or to be sleeping, I’m hungry.

    - I can’t get up. - she grumbled, sitting down to massage her ankle. Miriam jumped from the laboratory, walking up to her. - My ankle hurts and my head is pounding. 

    - Oh okay, hum ... hold yourself on me, we’ll get the nurses to check on you. You’re fine, right? You’re fine.

    - Yeah ... - she grimaced once again as she got up, arm over Miriam’s shoulder as he led her to the lift. First she sleeps with the Doctor who is intent on burying her reputation, then the whole hospital gets to know about her drunken one night stand and then she falls on the stairs. It just can’t get any worse, can it? Well, of course it can. 

    - What happened there? - Dr. Stan perked up from behind the desk where he and some nurses were looking at the files. 

    - None of your business. 

    - Y/N fell and hit her head, also her ankle hurts. - so much for none of your business. 

    - Sounds like my business. - he walked up to the two women but Y/N merely rolled her eyes. - Come on, I’ll check it.

    - I’d rather be run over by a car.

    - Great. - Miriam interrupted Y/N before she decided to walk back to the laboratory even with a painful ankle.

Great. It can get any worse. 

taglist: @rebekahdawkins​

[loving-inkpressions]

Burning Up [6/?]

Summary: When she applied to be the secretary for managing partner Rosé McCorkell, Denali hadn't expected to end up working for the biggest pain in her ass, nor did she expect anything beyond a professional relationship.

Word Count: 4.3k

A/N: A bit of heat, a sprinkle of potential drama and a spoonful of courage. It's been a while, but I do hope you enjoy the latest development between these two. (:

Prefer reading it on AO3?

If there was one thing for certain, Denali was sure that the relationship between her and Rosé had shifted from professional to an almost completely different territory.

That morning when she had arrived to find the bouquet of roses and note on her desk, she had been completely taken by surprise at the gesture. She had stood there staring at the card while hugging the beautiful red blooms to her chest for a long while, a goofy smile on her face, until Kandy had walked up to her with a knowing look on her face.

“Are you sure the two of you aren’t-”

“No Kandy, I’m pretty sure.” Denali had then passed the card to Kandy, who let out a low whistle as she read it.

“Looks like she’s in for much more than just your ass.”

Denali laughed as she took the card back.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

And it seemed like it was true. Rosé was gentler with Denali now and somehow bolder than before, the touches between them increasing even more.

The fleeting touches were just that, fleeting. Just a swipe of her fingers on the inside of Denali’s wrists, a gentle hand on her elbow when Denali had lost her balance once, touching her forearm when they were both laughing about a funny fact in one of Rosé’s cases, random tugs to her curls or tapping her on the nose.

And then there were the ones that happened behind closed doors, when there was no one else around. Those were the ones that made Denali’s breath stutter and her heart melt.

Rosé would catch her by the hand and lace their fingers together, refusing to let go when she led her to the car to drive her home. Kisses to her knuckles were a common thing now, and then there were the ones to the cheek that she would give when Denali wasn’t paying attention and the featherlight forehead kisses when they parted.

But even then, there was still no label to what was going on between the two of them. Denali wasn’t really sure what to make of it, and yet at the same time she didn’t know how to address it. It was obvious that whatever was between them was growing exponentially, and yet she still felt a little unsure. They never met outside of work, bar the lunches they’d have together and Rosé sending Denali back home.

It made her wonder if this was just an office fling, but deep inside something told her that it wasn’t.

———

It was a little after 9pm when Denali was finally done with the final draft of the quarterly report. After printing out the thick document and walking back to her desk, she dropped into her chair, feeling exhausted. Leaning back and stretching, she swivelled around and noticed that besides herself, there was no one else on her floor, everyone else already having left.

Rubbing her eyes, she packed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. Grabbing the report, still a little warm from the printer, she made her way to Rosé’s office.

The walk there was cold and the corridor empty, but Denali was used to it. After all, it wasn’t her first time staying so late.

Walking over to the door she was so familiar with, she knocked on it. After waiting a second, Denali entered the office and saw Rosé on the settee, open boxes and papers strewn all around the space with scribbled post it notes pasted on selected print outs.

Despite the late hour, Rosé still looked immaculate, her make up still close to perfect. The only things that gave away that she was stressed out was how her auburn hair was now up in a messy bun and her blazer was slung over the back of the settee, the sleeves of her white blouse pushed up to reveal the tattoos that ran up her arms.

“Hey Rosé, I have the final draft of the quarterly report ready for you.”

Rosé looked up, and smiled wearily at the blonde.

“Thank you Denali, you can put it on my desk.”

Nodding in response, Denali set it on the managing partner’s desk and noticed her empty coffee cup. Without a second thought, she quietly placed her bag at the side, grabbed the cup and left the office, returning 5 minutes later with a fresh cup of coffee. She dropped down onto the empty space next to Rosé, jolting the older woman out of her thoughts, and held the cup out to her.

“You look like you need coffee and some help.” It took Rosé a moment to register the cup of coffee before she took it from her.

“Thank you for this, angel, but you don’t have to stay.”

Denali shook her head. “No way am I leaving you to do all of this by yourself, not when you have a perfectly healthy secretary here that is more than happy to help you.” Rosé was about to argue, but Denali stopped her by pressing her finger against her lips. “I insist, and no arguing! I want to help, and nothing you say will change my mind.”

Rosé stared at the look of stubborn determination on Denali’s face, then down to the finger pressed against her lips and sighed.

She took ahold of Denali’s hand, kissing the back of it as she stroked it with her thumb.

“Fine then, I won’t argue because I know how stubborn you can get.”

Denali beamed and set about helping Rosé to sort out a box of transcripts, completely oblivious to the look of adoration that was on the other woman’s face.

The next few hours consisted of the sound of shuffling papers, notes being written and little snatches of discussion between the two of them. They were slowly able to build a solid case together, the board Rosé had in her office for such cases like this one soon filled with sticky notes and papers stuck onto it. Denali being there was the help that Rosé hadn’t thought she’d needed, with her lending a fresh pair of eyes to the case, pointing out tiny little details and inconsistencies in the court transcripts that Rosé might have otherwise missed in her quest for finding the smoking gun.

They decided to take a break to order some food while they were going through the fifth box of materials, the two of them side by side on the settee eating some Chinese takeaway that Rosé had ordered in from one of the few places that delivered at that hour.

They were pressed much closer than usual, but Denali didn’t say anything, focusing instead on her food and not on how their elbows would knock against each other every now and then, and how they were practically connected from hip to knee, flushed against each other.

They were chattering about for a bit, about how Kandy seemed to be crushing on an associate that was under Lagoona and then how Jan was now engaged to Nicky, having been proposed to not too long ago when Nicky had whisked her away to Paris and proposed to her in the middle of the Louvre.

“That is actually really romantic. Kind of cliched, but in the best possible way.” Denali commented as she finished the last bit of her stir fry. She placed the empty carton on the coffee table.

They fell into a comfortable silence, and Denali could feel the warmth that was coming from Rosé’s side, thankful that the redhead was dressed in her usual pantsuit today. She didn’t know how she’d react if the bare skin of their legs were pressed against each other since she was wearing a skirt that rode up to almost her mid thigh when she sat down.

That didn’t mean that she didn’t like being close to Rosé though.

After a moment’s hesitation, she leaned against Rosé’s side, who was sipping at her iced lemon tea.

Usually, Denali wasn’t the one who took the initiative, being more careful and shy about the way the two of them were getting along, which was why Rosé paused mid sip, surprised. She looked at Denali, who was pointedly looking away, her cheeks a dusty pink. Rosé looked down at the hand that was slowly inching towards her own and immediately hooked their pinkies together, chuckling when she saw the blush on Denali’s cheeks deepen.

The blonde looked soft and tired, and yet somehow still warm and content despite the amount of paperwork that surrounded them.

“Hey, Nali?” Denali turned to look at her. “Want a sip?” She offered the cup to Denali, straw pointed in her direction and Denali leaned forward, catching the straw between her lips and taking a sip, her cheeks hollowing just a little before she innocently looked up through her long lashes, dark eyes connecting with hazel ones.

There was a zing of electricity between them as the redhead stared, her eyes drawn to the lips wrapped around the straw then back to Denali’s large brown eyes. There were thoughts floating about in both heads, both not so different from the other, the tension between them thickening even more.

When Denali finally released the straw, Rosé cleared her throat and set the cup down on the coffee table while Denali muttered that she would clear the empty food containers. She reluctantly withdrew her hand from Rosé’s and busied herself with packing up the takeaway refuse and scurrying out of the room, leaving Rosé to stare at the straw that Denali’s lips had been on just moments before.

By the time Denali was back in Rosé’s office, it was as if nothing had happened and they continued on, though the tension was still there.

It was almost three in the morning when they were finally done. Rosé now had everything she needed to win the case. The only things left were to type everything out and to make a few calls, all of which could be done the next morning.

Rosé pinned the final note onto the board and stood back, taking one last look at everything that they had found to ensure that it was an airtight case, then turned around to find Denali asleep on the couch, curled up against the arm rest. Rosé looked fondly at her, walking over and crouching down in front of her so she was eye level, watching Denali as she slept.

She didn’t have the heart to wake her secretary, not when she looked so peaceful, but she knew it had to be done. She couldn’t leave her sleeping like that until morning. Rosé reached out a hand to lightly stroke the top of her head, chuckling when Denali wrinkled her nose cutely and shifted in her sleep.

Suppressing a yawn, Rosé shook her head and stood, checking her watch before settling next to Denali on the couch, deciding to take a quick rest of her own before she would drive them both home. Carefully, she shifted Denali so that she was now sleeping in her arms, smiling when the blonde settled in her embrace with a contented sigh.

Minutes later, the redhead too was lost in her own dreams.

———

It was hot, almost too hot.

Denali could feel the featherlight touches that were too familiar all around her, brushing against every exposed part of her body, leaving her gasping. There were low whispers in her ear, the smell of vanilla flooding her senses and then light kisses on her knuckles, the back of her hands, the middle of her palms, trailing up her arm, the point of her shoulder, collarbones, neck, her chin, her cheeks, but never her mouth.

She tried to reach out and grab hold of whatever it was, but was met with nothing but air and the sound of breathy laughs and the ache between her legs that was present more often than not at nights when she was alone in her bed, thinking of familiar arms and tattooed fingers.

Denali felt arms wrap around her waist, teasing the skin there, tracing and looping mindless patterns, puffs of air against her neck and she whimpered, clenching her thighs together in an attempt to build some friction.

Tuts could be heard and the feeling of lips on her neck, collarbones, fingers dancing down to her thighs and she felt herself slowly giving in, parting her legs just a little.

“Nali…”

She spun around, letting the hands guide her.

“Baby…”

Letting the fingers trail closer to where she yearned them to touch her-

“Denali, it’s time to wake up.”

Eyes snapping open, Denali awoke to find herself back in the office, half lying in Rosé’s arms. Swallowing hard, conscious of the ache between her legs, she pulled away from Rosé, noting the smirk on the other woman’s face.

“Did you have a good dream?” Rosé asked, reaching out to tuck an errant curl back behind Denali’s ear. “Because it sounded like you were having a good time.”

Face flushing to a bright red, Denali opened her mouth to reply, but no actual words came out. Her brain was still trying to play catch up, still caught in the feelings and sensation of her dream versus the actual person she was dreaming of before her.

Rosé watched a flustered Denali trying to formulate a reply for a while before finally letting her off the hook with a quick kiss to her cheek, effectively silencing her.

Denali looked back at Rosé with wide eyes, her cheeks still tinged pink, and the ginger smiled at her.

“Come on Nali, it’s time to go home.”

Linking their hands together, Rosé scooped up both their bags and tugged Denali out of the office, down the familiar path towards her car so that she could drive them both home.

If Denali’s fingers were just a little tighter around hers than usual, Rosé didn’t say anything.

———

“Do you think it’d be weird if I asked Rosé out?”

Kandy looked up from her phone.

“What?”

Denali twiddled her thumbs, ignoring the look of utter disbelief on Kandy’s face.

It was the day after Denali had helped Rosé out with her case and they were both at the bar after work. Denali had been a lot more self conscious around Rosé than usual after having woken up from such a heated dream and in the arms of the very person she had been dreaming of. Rosé seemed to have not really noticed, having been too busy with working on the final touches of her case. By the end of the day, Denali had managed to slip out of the office after dropping a quick text to Rosé that she was leaving early and pulled a whining Kandy out to a random bar that thankfully hadn’t been too crowded.

She needed a drink badly and a friend to help sort through the mess of her thoughts, and at that point in time, Kandy had seemed like the perfect person.

“Bitch, aren’t you both already dating?”

Denali shook her head, looking up to thank the bartender when he dropped off both their drinks. “No, we’re not. We’ve just been- I don’t even know.”

Kandy continued staring at Denali, finally putting her phone away.

“So if you two haven’t been dating, or screwing each other-“

“Not this again-“

“Then what the fuck have you two been doing?”

“I don’t know!” Denali whined and Kandy rolled her eyes as she pulled her drink to her.

“Denali, the way the two of you have been acting, it’s almost as if you’re already married or something. She gives you gifts, drives you home, brings you out to lunch, heck she even fired that stupid girl the other day- Which was well deserved by the way because that bitch had it coming- So what do you think is happening between the two of you?”

Denali was silent. Kandy had a point.

“An office fl-“

“If you say office fling, I will smack you so hard-“

“Okay, maybe not an office fling-“

“You think?”

“But I still don’t know what it is,” Kandy stared incredulously at Denali. “We never actually talked about it.” She mumbled, shifting in her seat, suddenly feeling self conscious.

This time Kandy fell silent as the two of them drank from their glasses. There was a couple of seconds of thoughtful silence from Kandy before she finally asked.

“What do you want it to be?”

Denali was stunned. That was a question she hadn’t really thought of before. She had been so caught up on what was happening, on what it could be, on all the maybes, that she hadn’t stopped to think about what she actually wanted.

What she wanted them to be.

She pursed her lips in thought. Putting aside the fact that Rosé was a strong, intelligent and successful woman, she was also sweet and attentive. Sure, she could come across as proud at times, but that wasn’t without merit. She was warm and caring, and the things she said and did to Denali, the looks she gave and the words unspoken, Denali definitely didn’t hate it.

She loved it.

Maybe that was it. Maybe it was true, what she had been avoiding. Maybe she really was in-

“Denali?”

Denali jumped in surprise, twisting around in her seat to find a familiar statuesque blonde woman.

“Kameron! It’s been a while.” She smiled brightly at Kameron.

“Too long, in my opinion,” Kameron smiled back charmingly, then gestured at the empty bar stool next to Denali. “May I?”

“Yes, of course.” Denali nodded profusely and Kameron sat next to her, ordering a gin and tonic from the passing bartender. Denali heard the sound of a throat clearing and remembered that Kandy was on her other side.

“Right, Kameron this is my friend Kandy. Kandy, this is Kameron.” Denali quickly introduced the two.

“Nice to meet you, Kandy.”

“Likewise, Miss Mi- Kameron.” Denali turned to look at Kandy, brows furrowed in confusion. She hadn’t mentioned Kameron’s surname, so why did it seem like Kandy knew what it was?

“So how have you been since I last saw you with Miss McCorkell at the gala?” Taking a sip of her drink once the bartender had dropped it off.

“Good, everything’s been good. Busy with cases, but then again, what’s new? What about you, Kameron? How’s your-” Denali paused, realising she didn’t know exactly what it was that Kameron did. Kameron caught on and chuckled in what seemed like a mixture of amusement and relief.

“I’ve been good too, busy. I realise that with what happened the last time, I never managed to get your number.”

“Oh.” Denali let out, surprised at Kameron’s forwardness.

“Can I have it? For business purposes, of course.”

Denali relaxed at that and agreed, keying her number into Kameron’s phone when she passed it over. Nodding, Kameron pocketed her phone and downed the rest of the drink before getting up.

“As short as our time was together, ladies, I have to go. Business calls.” Catching Denali’s hand, she dropped a kiss to the back of it with a smile. “I’ll be seeing you real soon, Denali.” Kameron winked at her, nodding at Kandy in farewell, then left.

Denali shook her head in amusement at Kameron’s antics and turned back to Kandy, only to find her friend staring at her with her mouth open.

“What?”

“What? What do you mean by what?! Denali, how is it that you managed to get the attention of both Rosé McCorkell and Kameron Michaels?”

Denali frowned. “Kameron? I just met her at the anniversary gala. It’s the first time I’ve seen her since then.”

Kandy narrowed her eyes, sceptical of Denali’s innocence.

“Do you even know who she is?”

“You mean Kameron?”

“Yes, I mean Kameron Michaels.”

Denali looked at her in confusion. “Why do you keep saying her name like that?”

“Oh god, you really don’t know, do you?” Kandy rolled her eyes. “What did I do to get a friend as clueless as you?”

Denali gasped and smacked Kandy’s arm. “Hey! I resent that. What’s the big deal about who she is anyways?”

“What’s the big deal- Girl, I’m not telling you shit. You can google her name later and find out yourself. Anyways, that’s not important. So what are you going to do about the situation between you and your hot boss?”

Denali groaned as she buried her face in her hands, her mind once again preoccupied with Rosé, the identity of Kameron now swept under the rug.

———

Denali stood in front of the lift doors with Rosé next to her, fidgeting with the hem of her blouse as they waited for the lift.

After her talk with Kandy, Denali had wanted to make the first move and ask Rosé out, but there was some hesitation on her part. As much as she wanted to ask her out, there was still a small seed of doubt in her. She was afraid that whatever she was feeling was one sided, and that there was a chance that this was all just a game to Rosé. Outside of work, she really didn’t know too much about her on a personal level.

When she had said as much to Kandy, the other girl had promptly smacked her up the back of her head and called her an overthinking idiot with a well meaning, “If you’re that unsure, then ask her!” tacked at the end.

“Denali?” She jolted and looked at Rosé. “Penny for your thoughts?” The redhead asked.

This was it, this was her moment. This was when she asked Rosé.

“I-” Denali looked into Rosé’s eyes, her heart skipping a beat.

“It’s nothing.”

She was a coward.

Rosé frowned, turning to face Denali as she reached out to catch Denali’s hand in hers.

“No baby, I can tell something is bothering you. The last time we didn’t talk, it ended with the both of us being miserable.” She tilted Denali’s chin up with her forefinger so that they were face to face. “Talk to me.”

Denali squirmed under Rosé’s watchful gaze, then finally blurted out.

“What does all of this mean?”

Rosé raised a brow.

“All of this?”

Denali nodded, the words she had been holding back now falling easily from her mouth. “Yes, everything. You know, the gifts, the jokes, driving me home almost all the time, the- The touches, all your gestures. I don’t want to mistake your kindness for anything other than that if that’s all it is.”

Rosé let out a laugh, the expression on her face falling into one of incredulity.

“Kindness? Is that really what you’ve been thinking? That I’ve only been doing all these things out of the goodness of my heart?”

The blonde blushed, suddenly feeling embarrassed for saying what she did. Maybe it was a mistake after all.

“I didn’t want to assume-” She stuttered, trying to turn away when she felt Rosé grip her chin between her thumb and index finger, forcing her to look her in the eye.

“Denali, let me make this clear to you to avoid any misunderstandings.”

Rosé took a step closer, the two of them now inches apart. Denali’s heart thudded loudly in her chest, her eyes unable to look away from Rosé’s.

“I. Want. You.”

Denali swallowed. “Is this your subtle way of saying you want to be my sugar mommy.” Denali joked weakly.

There was a pause before Rosé chuckled, the tension between them dissipating just a little. “Angel, if I wanted you as my sugar baby, I’d have just asked outright when I first saw you, and believe me when I say that you would have said yes.” She cupped Denali’s cheek. “Besides, I don’t want a sugar baby, and you wouldn’t make a very good one either.”

“That’s good, and thank you? I think.” Denali laughed nervously. Rosé’s eyes crinkled as she continued.

“I need someone who is so much more than just a pretty face. I need someone who’s smart and fights back. Someone who doesn’t just sit down and take it. What I would want is a partner. An equal.” Denali stared back at Rosé, speechless. She didn’t know what to say, not expecting Rosé to be so transparent with her.

Rosé stroked the blonde’s cheek with her thumb.

“And if it just so happens that I am able to spoil my partner, then I’d like to spoil my partner too.”

“What do you mean?” Denali asked, her heart racing.

“What do you think I’m saying?”

“I- I don’t know.”

Rosé shook her head, an amused smile stretching across her lips.

“Denali, you’re not stupid. You know exactly what I’m saying.”

Butterflies started fluttering in Denali’s stomach, her face warm and skin starting to tingle when Rosé cupped her face with both hands.

“But I have nothing that I can give you.” She whispered.

Rosé stepped closer to Denali.

“I don’t want anything from you,” She leaned in, their lips now just a hair's breadth away.

“I just want you.”

And the distance between the two of them disappeared as Rosé pulled Denali into a kiss.

She gasped and Rosé took advantage of that split second to slip in her tongue, the two of them tasting each other for the first time after months of dancing around each other. Denali dropped her bag and wrapped her arms around Rosé’s neck, letting herself drown in the sensation of being consumed by the other woman as she felt the hands on her face move, one moving down to her waist and holding her tight against the curves of Rosé’s body, and the other slid down to her ass, Denali squeaking when Rosé’s hand squeezed at it.

Rosé teased her for a few more seconds, before finally pulling away, taking in the dazed look on Denali’s face, both their lipsticks smudged and breathing heavier than before.

The blonde stared back at the other woman, before finally smiling, her eyes shining brightly.

“Rosé, will you go out with me?” She asked shyly, fingers playing with the loose curls at the nape of Rosé’s neck.

The redhead laughed, pulling her closer.

“Nothing would make me happier.”

And she pulled Denali in for another kiss.

[imjustwritingg]

no doubt in my mind

Happy Valentine’s Day babes! Here’s a fun and sorta fluffy one shot with our favorite couple to celebrate the day. Based loosely on the song “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele. Enjoy and let me know what you think! 

Also here: AO3 and FanFic.Net

It’s been a month of them and their new thing, and as much as things had changed between Hailey and Jay, things had also remained just the same. Their dynamic in the field hadn’t faltered once since the first night they’d gotten together. If anything, their partnership had only grown stronger. The lingering looks, the way they could communicate with one silent glance, a simple placement of a hand on a shoulder to let the other know they were there.

They were sure no one had noticed a change in their relationship. So sure up until the point the door to their Sergeant’s office opens suddenly one afternoon and he stands in the doorway with a vacant, unreadable look on his face.  

“Upton, Halstead. My office for a sec.”

The pair share a quick glance before they stand from their desks and follow after their boss into his office. He nods at the door and Jay closes it behind them. Hank sits back down behind his desk while the partners stand on the other side of him, both of their arms crossed in front of them and waiting. They watch as Hank reaches into his desk, pulls out some paper, and then leans forward and hands them to Hailey and Jay. They glance down at the sheets as soon as they have them in their hands. It’s hard to miss the words printed in bold at the top of each sheet.

Chicago Police Department: Workplace Relationship Disclosure & Declaration

Hailey and Jay lock eyes again, both inhaling a deep breath, and then Jay looks back at the man behind his desk.

“Sarge, we - “

Hank holds up a hand and Jay goes silent. He’s been in this position before, he and Hailey both have, and he’s not so sure of how this will play out given the unreadable look on their boss’ face. To say it makes him nervous would be the biggest possible understatement.

“I’m only gonna say this once,” Hank starts, looking between the couple in front of him who nod once at their boss and wait for him to continue.

“You both might just be two of the best detectives I’ve ever worked with, the leading officers on our team aside from me. The job comes first and you don’t jeopardize this unit. Do you understand?”

Jay and Hailey share another look, but nod their heads regardless. Neither quite exactly sure as to what is happening or how it could be this easy.

“That’s it?” Hailey finds herself asking the older man a second later.

Voight sighs then, looking between the two again. There’s a fleeting smile that appears at the corners of the man’s face. He looks almost nostalgic for a moment before he speaks again.

“After everything this team has been through over the last few years, after everything we’ve lost,” Hank sighs again as he looks between the two.

“Look, anything outside of Intelligence and the job, relationships or whatever you guys do on your own time. I gotta tell ya, I just don’t care anymore. Fill these out. Give ‘em to Platt for the Ivory Tower. That’s it,” he tells them.

Hailey and Jay glance at each other again, both of them breathing a silent sigh of relief. This certainly was not what they’d expected happening when this conversation started. They turn and head for the door, but just as Jay is about to pull it open he turns back around to face his boss. He just can’t help himself.

“How’d you know?”

“I’ve got eyes Jay,” is all their Sergeant says.

Jay nods once, glances at Hailey, who just offers a small smile, but doesn’t say anything, and then he looks back at Voight.

“Thank you,” Jay tells him and Hailey nods her head, a silent thanks of her own.

It’s not lost on either of the three of them the weight those two simple words carry.

Thank you for not splitting us up. Thank you for not kicking one of us or both of us out. Thank you for understanding.

Hank leans back in his chair, a smirk on his face now, as he looks at his two detectives.

“Believe me, it’s not lost on me the number of partnerships that have crossed lines in this unit. I shoulda been a matchmaker instead of a cop. And send the other two lovebirds in on your way out, will ya?”

“Copy you,” Hailey tells him, and then her and Jay turn head for the door. Jay shakes his head in near disbelief at the outcome of the conversation as they re-enter the bullpen.

“Voight wants to see you two,” Jay calls out, nodding in Adam and Kim’s direction as he stands in the aisle next to his and Hailey’s desks.

The other couple shares a similar look of concern, but head for Voight’s office, closing the door behind them. The disturbance makes Kevin stand from his desk and walk up to Jay, noticing the sheet of paper in his hand.

“What’s that about bro? Y’all good?” He asks. He glances down at the paper in Jay’s hand and catches the words “workplace relationship” before Jay puts it away inside his desk.

Jay nods quickly. “Yeah, all good.”

The officer glances between Jay and Hailey, noticing the same sheet of paper on the blonde detective’s desk before she drops it in her drawer and closes it. He looks back at Jay.

“You and Upton? Like, you and Upton?” Kevin asks, his eyes widening.

Jay looks over at Hailey, notices her flushed cheeks and her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. The two lock eyes and the look doesn’t go unnoticed by Kevin, who shakes his head in disbelief, not thinking his suspicions of the pair over the last few weeks were in fact true.

“Well, alright then,” is all Kevin says. He picks up his coffee mug from his desk and makes his way to the break room, leaving the partners to themselves.

“That was not as bad as I thought it would be. Definitely expected worse,” Jay says a moment later as he sits on the edge of Hailey’s desk.

“Yeah,” she says as she exhaled a long breath. She’s still a bit caught off guard and the words of their Sergeant are playing on a loop in her head.

“Molly’s tonight?” Jay asks her a moment later, noticing her deep in thought.

Hailey’s being just a little too quiet for his liking, considering the confrontation they’ve just experienced, and that nervousness from Voight’s office is beginning to creep up on him again. He can’t help wondering if she’s starting to second guess this new thing between them. That maybe she’s having regrets and it scares him. He can’t lose another partner. He can’t lose her. Not now.

Hailey turns her head to look up at him, grateful for the distraction and momentary cease of Kevin’s gaze and the eyes of Voight, but soon scrunches her face in realization.

“You know what today is right? That place is gonna be a mad house tonight,” she tells him.

He does in fact know what today is; it’s Valentine’s Day, their first together, and potentially their last given the look on her face and the uneasy feeling he has rising in his chest.

Jay just shrugs, trying to play it off, with a smirk peeking out over his face. “It could be fun and the others are going.”

“Never would have pegged you for the type to wanna celebrate Valentine’s Day,” she tells him.

“Well, if it makes any difference, they’re doing half price pints and they even got a food truck catering from Offset BBQ tonight.”

“What about Offset BBQ?” Kevin asks as he walks out of the break room with a fresh mug of coffee.

“Food truck at Molly’s,” Jay says before standing from Hailey’s desk to sit back down at his own.

“Ah yes, and half price drinks. You can’t pass up half price drinks at Molly’s. Can’t pass up the opportunity to see Herrmann go off the rails over it either,” Kevin tells them as he returns to his desk.

Hailey smiles at Kevin, knowing he’s right, and feeling relieved over the fact that the man doesn’t look at her differently or ask any questions about her and Jay.

She turns around in her chair to look back at her partner. “Fine, but if it gets too crowded I’m bailing.”

Jay just smiles at her and nods his head, and they go back to their jobs and the seemingly never-ending piles of paperwork they have to do. He can’t seem to shake the uneasy feeling still bubbling inside of him at the way the woman across from him remains quiet and doesn’t look up at him again for the remainder of the afternoon.

By the time their shift is over and the last of the paperwork has been done for the day, Jay and Hailey are the last ones in the bullpen. The others had left a short while earlier, even Voight had already called it a night.

“You ready, Hails?” Jay calls out to her as she returns to the bullpen from the locker room.

“Yeah, just had to grab my bag,” she tells him, a duffel slung over her shoulder.

The pair shut down their computers and put on their coats, and then head down the stairs. They don’t say a word to each other as they make their way out to the parking lot to his truck. It’s just as quiet on the short drive over to Molly’s and by the time he finds a parking spot down the street from the bar, he can’t take the silence anymore.

“We gonna talk about it?” He asks her as soon as the truck is in park. He unbuckles his seatbelt and turns his head to look at the blonde, but she just quirks an eyebrow up at him.

“The conversation with Voight,” he answers her unspoken question.

“Do we need to?” She asks a moment later.

That’s not exactly the response he was expecting and it surely doesn’t help calm the nerves he’s been feeling all day.

“I just wanna make sure we’re on the same page. We’ve been doing our thing the last month or so and it’s been really great. At least I think it’s been really great, but we haven’t talked about what exactly that thing is either.”

“So you wanna put a label on it?” She asks, trying to hold back a smirk and failing to do so.

“I just don’t wanna assume anything,” Jay tells her, a shy smile appearing on his face.

“What exactly are you assuming?” She presses.

Jay can tell she’s pushing him by the look in her eyes and he’s nervous again. He knows there hasn’t been anyone else for her since that night in the bar when he first kissed her. There hasn’t been anyone else for him either. The fact that they’ve spent every night together at either of their apartments since that first night solidifies that for him. He’s also sure that what they have, this new thing between them, isn’t just some fling between co-workers out of convenience or opportunity. There’s no doubt in his mind about that.

Jay wants to believe it’s the real deal between them, that Hailey is it for him, despite her quiet behavior and the nerves he’s been feeling all day. He takes a deep breath and then he takes the plunge to hopefully solidify what they’ve been doing and make it official.

“You being my girlfriend,” Jay tells her. His eyes are on hers and his heart is pounding so loud in his chest that he’s sure she can hear it.

“Jay,” Hailey says, her voice soft and quiet and he suddenly feels like he can’t breathe. Maybe he had been wrong.

“I already filled out that form,” she tells him a second later.

“What?”

“When you and Kev took those boxes of CI files back down to the file room,” she explains as a smirk forms on Jay’s face.

“And what exactly did you write on the form?” He asks her.

“That you’re my boyfriend,” she says with a shrug as if her answer should be obvious.

Jay raises his eyebrows at her response and she gives him a playful roll of her eyes. She unbuckles her seatbelt and leans just slightly over the console between them. She grabs his arm to pull him towards her and they meet in the middle.

“I know I’ve been acting weird since we talked to Voight, but not for the reasons you think. I like you Jay, I really like being with you, and I’m pretty sure you feel the same way, and it seems pretty clear to me what we’re doing, so yeah. I declared you as my boyfriend on that form. Is that okay with you?”

Jay grins at her just before he closes the remaining space between them and captures her lips with his own. He brings his hand up to hold the side of her face, his thumb brushing over her cheek for a moment before he slides his hand to the back of her neck. He quickly deepens the kiss, earning a moan from his partner, and then feels her hands on the front of his jacket. She pulls him as close to her as she can considering the middle console that is wedged between them now.

“I’m gonna take that as a yes,” Hailey whispers against his lips a second later.

“You can take that as a hell yes,” he tells her before kissing her again.

When they separate again, they’re grinning, both of their dimples out on display.

“Gotta say, I was a little nervous there for a second,” he admits then.

She reaches a hand up to the back of his neck, the tips of her fingers brushing through his hair, as she looks him in the eyes.

“I’m sorry about that. It wasn’t because of you or because I was rethinking us. After we talked to Voight, all I could really think about was a conversation I had with Platt actually,” she tells him a small smile.

His eyebrows raise at that. “What conversation with Platt?”

He feels her fingers slip away from the back of his head and she leans back just slightly before taking a deep breath.

“It was a while ago, back when Adam and I were doing whatever we were doing. Platt said that if he was the one that we’d have to make it work. And that if we wanted to be together, one of us would have to leave Intelligence,” she tells him. He nods slowly at her in understanding and then she continues.

“And after what Voight said, I guess I just got lost in my own thoughts and feelings. I know I wouldn’t have given up Intelligence or the job for Adam, but for you? It wouldn’t have been a very hard decision for me and I was ready to make it today in Voight’s office. And I guess it kinda just scared the crap out of me.”

He’s smiling at her now. A wide grin taking over his face as he looks at her with so much admiration and happiness and love. She had chosen him over the FBI. She would have chosen him over her career today. She’s chosen his side countless times before.

“I love you,” he whispers to her then.

He says it so easily, like it’s not the first time he’s uttering those special words to her, and the look she wears on her face after he says them makes him smile like an idiot. He doesn’t care that they’ve only been together a month. He doesn’t care that to others he may be rushing things. He knows it’s been much longer than four weeks that he’s been feeling this way, and not just for himself, but for her too.

He leans towards her again, hanging back just enough to still look her in the eyes, and he brings a hand back up to the side of her face. She’s got tears in her eyes, but they’re shining bright blue, and she smiles back at him just the same.

“I love you too,” she whispers back before closing the space between them again and kissing him hard on the mouth.

When they separate moments later with shallow breaths, they’re still grinning at one another and his hand is still holding her head just centimeters away from his.

“Really wish we didn’t have to leave this truck right now,” he tells her remembering where they are. His voice is so deep and gruff that it sends a heatwave through her almost instantly. She nods in silent agreement before giving him another quick kiss, and then leans back into her seat.

“Let’s go. The sooner we get in there, the sooner we can leave,” she says with a wink and he just smirks at her.

They exit the truck and make their way up the sidewalk side by side and shoulders brushing. When they reach the door to the bar, Jay holds the door open for her, placing his hand on her lower back over her coat and guiding her inside.  

When they enter the bar, they’re not all that surprised to see a slight crowd inside just as expected. The twinkling string lights shine bright from the ceiling, and familiar faces from the district and firehouse scatter the bar and tables.

Jay uses his height to his advantage given the crowd and quickly spots the rest of their team at the back of the place. He drops his hand from Hailey’s back and reaches for her hand hanging at her side. He gives her fingers a quick squeeze to get her attention, letting go of them when she looks up at him. He nods off in the direction of their friends and Hailey follows him to the back wall.

“Tell me one of those is for me,” Hailey says in greeting when her and Jay arrive at the table.

They’re met with hello’s and smiles from Kim, Adam, and then Kevin, who grins back at the blonde. He nods down to two pint glasses full of beer and foaming at the top.

“Of course, help yourselves,” Kevin tells the pair.

Hailey and Jay each take a glass, and then take a seat next to one another on the remaining stools at the table. The group begins making small talk and when Adam starts in about the case they just wrapped, Kevin raises a hand to stop him mid-sentence.

“Hold up, the only shoptalk I wanna hear about is those lovely little forms y’all got from Voight today,” Kevin says as he brings his glass to his lips.

Hailey and Kim both shake their heads, amused smiles on their faces, while Jay nearly chokes on his beer as he’s mid-sip and Adam throws his head back and groans.

“Man, come on,” Adam says.

“You two? I get. Lot of history there,” Kevin starts pointing between Kim and Adam.

And then he turns and looks between Hailey and Jay. “But you two. Y’all have been in sneaky stealth mode and I don’t like it. I thought we were all friends here. I mean, I had suspicions, but how long has this been going on for exactly? Inquiring minds need to know.”

Jay just shakes his head, an amused smile on his face, and Hailey laughs.

“You really wanna know about our love life?” Jay asks before he takes another sip from his glass.

Hailey’s eyes dart to Jay at the mention of the word, thinking back to their exchange from minutes before outside. She moves her free hand from her lap to his knee, not caring about PDA – it’s not as if anyone can see the gesture anyway. Jay glances over at her at the contact and she just smiles at him before turning her attention back to the group.

“Ya know, Kev has a good point. I’d like to know that as well. I mean, Kim and I assumed, but we didn’t know for sure until today,” Adam chimes in while Kim just nods in agreement with a smirk on her face.

“The three of you are relentless,” Jay says before glancing at his partner.

“Yeah, there’s nothing really to tell,” Hailey says with another casual shrug hoping they’d back off, but knowing they won’t.

“No, no, no. There’s definitely something to tell. Come on, it’s us,” Adam pushes with a boyish grin.

“Exactly,” Jay teases, pointing in the officer’s direction.

“At least tell us who made the first move because my money is totally on Hails,” Kim says.

“Well, you’d be right about that,” Hailey tells her with a grin.

“Yes! Ladies for the win!” Kim yells out and the two share a high five across the table.

Adam shakes his head in mock disappointment and Kevin runs his hand over his face before looking back at Jay.

“Bro, you didn’t make the first move? What’s the matter with you?”

“Well, she’s my partner for one,” Jay says as if it’s obvious. All he gets in return are eye rolls and a shake of heads from all of them except Hailey, who just smiles at him and squeezes his knee under the table.

“Semantics,” Adam chimes with a wave of his hand.

“Ok, so I was a chicken. Happy now?” Jay says as he takes another drink from his glass.

“In his defense, he did kiss me first. I just had to give him a little push in the right direction,” Hailey tells them, bumping her shoulder against his and smiling coyly at the memory of that night in the bar.

“Alright, so hold up. I gotta ask, am I the only one here that hasn’t slept with their partner? Is that like some Intelligence initiation thing? Because if it is, I’m pretty sure I missed that in the employee handbook,” Kevin says glancing between the two couples who break out laughing.

Jay shakes his head, a grin still on his face. “Shut up, Kev.”

“I’m just saying. I’m the only one here not getting any. And it’s Valentine’s Day. That’s just a damn shame,” Kevin says as he surveys the bar. “Ya know what, y’all enjoy the rest of your evenings. I’m gonna go and find me a lady friend of my own.”

Kevin shoots them all a wink and a bright smile, and they say a quick goodbye before he stands up and heads off into the crowd.

“I’m assuming you guys got the same speech we did from Voight then,” Adam says a moment later looking over at Hailey and Jay. The pair glance at one another briefly before nodding.

“Man, the way things have changed. Voight’s getting soft on us,” Adam tells them, bringing his drink to his lips.

Jay shakes his head, his hand moving over top Hailey’s under the table and giving her fingers a squeeze. “Not sure if that’s it exactly. I think the unit, us, is all he has left. We’ve lost a lot over the years. I think he just doesn’t want us to lose anything else.”

Adam nods and Kim smiles back at him, and he feels Hailey’s fingers tighten against his.

“I’ll drink to that,” Adam says then, raising his glass. The other three nod and raise their own drinks. They clink their glasses together and then drink, and dive in about hockey and work and swap stories about their friends – their family that are no longer with them.

After another round, Kim and Adam make their way to the bar and get distracted with talking to some of the firefighters from 51. The crowd has only grown larger and the volume of chatter around them makes Hailey turn and lean into Jay so she’s leaning over his shoulder.

“Wanna get out of here?” She asks against his ear.

He gives her a nod and the pair stand from the table. They weave their way through the crowd and say a quick goodbye to their friends, and then head for the door.

As soon as they’re outside, Hailey leans into Jay as they head for the truck. He wraps an arm around her shoulders, holding her against him as her arm snakes around his waist.

“Ya know what I just realized?” He asks her as they walk down the sidewalk.

“Who knows,” she teases. He slides his hand down her arm just enough to poke his fingers into her side, tickling her ribs, and she squirms against him.

“What did you realize?” She asks him, giving his side a squeeze.

“We’re one of those cheesy cliché couples that say I love you and make things official on Valentine’s Day,” he tells her, a smirk spreading over his face as he looks down at her. Her eyes go wide and then she laughs, knowing he’s right.

“At least neither of us will ever forget our anniversary now,” Hailey tells him a moment later with a smirk of her own as they reach the truck.

Jay smiles at her again, taking a step towards her and pressing her against the passenger side door. His hands find her waist and his lips are on hers a second later and she’s kissing him back instantly.

It still feels like a dream to her that she can be like this with him. Kissing him, touching him, loving him. Like it’s not still some new thing for them despite the familiarity and the fact that they’ve been doing their thing for a month already. Kissing her partner, her boyfriend, has become one of her favorite things.

Sure, they’ve slept together. And while those times spent in bed with one another have been nothing short of amazing, it’s these moments where he’s pressed against her with his hands holding onto her, and his lips moving over hers that she’s come to enjoy the most. Because it’s all she’s wanted since falling for her best friend. It’s these little moments that she’s wanted and thought about and it’s what causes her to smile against his lips as he kisses her once more before pulling away to look her in the eyes.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Jay whispers to her.

Hailey nods, leaning back into him, and smirks up at him. “Might just be my new favorite holiday.”

And then she kisses him again just because she can.

[bibbawrites]

Tis The Damn Season - Single Dad!Charlie x Owen

THIS IS PART 8 OF THE SINGLE DAD!CHARLIE SERIES, YOU CAN FIND THE OTHER PARTS HERE

Request: none

Word Count: 3897 words

Summary: Part 8 of Single Dad!Charlie, Owen spends Christmas and New Year with Charlie and Margaux

Warnings: swearing, sexual references, implied sexual content  pretty sure everyone knows at this point but this does include romantic chowen, remember this is fictional, if you dont like that just dont read :)

A/N: i was hesitant to write this since its literally march but @happinessinthedarkesttimes​ told me i should do it when i asked her so here it is lol  things are getting a little more steamy...  sorry for any typos im once again editing this half asleep lol  anyways hope you enjoy!

Tag List: @happinessinthedarkesttimes​​​​​​ @littlemissaddict​​​​​​ @vicesvsvirtuesfanfic​​​​​​ @headheartbellarke​​​​​​ @lovesanimals​​​​​​ @bartok-the-magnificent​​​​​​ @juliefromaustralia @multi-universe21 @rangerelik @kaitieskidmore1 @katrina765​​​​​​ @fandomxreaders​​​​​​​ @ifilwtmfc @yagorlemmalyn​

December 23rd - 9pm

“Papa!” Margaux exclaimed, running over to Owen as he exited the plane. “You’re back!” 

“I am.” Owen grinned, scooping up the four year old to give her a hug. “Isn’t it past your bed time missy?” 

“Daddy let me stay awake to see you!” Margaux told him, and Owen smiled at the mention of Charlie. 

“I’m glad. Where is Daddy?” He asked. Margaux pointed and Charlie waved from his spot on a chair. 

“Over there.” She said, and Owen grabbed his bag that he had dropped in his haste to grab Margaux before heading over to Charlie. 

“Hey handsome.” Charlie grinned. Owen blushed slightly.

“Hi.” He replied. “Missed you.”

“Missed you more. Ready to go home and have a good sleep?” Charlie questioned and Owen nodded, visibly relaxing at the mention of sleep. 

“I really am.” He agreed. Charlie smiled, taking Owen’s bag. 

“Great. Let’s get out of here.” 

-

Margaux fell asleep in the car on the way home, so once they arrived Charlie took her straight to bed. He pulled her door closed, leaving just enough of a gap to let the hallway light creep into the room, before heading down the hallway to where Owen was stood in the living room. Charlie glanced up, grinning when he noticed that Owen had fallen right into his trap.

“What are you smiling about?” Owen questioned. Charlie smiled.

“Look up.” He said, and Owen obeyed, Charlie walking closer as he did.

“Mistletoe? Really?” Owen raised an eyebrow and Charlie shrugged, a cheeky grin on his face.

“Figured it would be my only chance to kiss you.”

Owen rolled his eyes, leaning in and kissing Charlie on the cheek.

“Happy?” He asked. 

Charlie pouted, grabbing Owen’s shirt and dragging him in, connecting their lips in a forceful kiss. Owen’s back hit the wall, his hands finding a place on Charlie’s waist. Charlie bit at Owen’s lip and Owen groaned, allowing Charlie to slip his tongue into Owen’s mouth.

Owen pulled away, panting, and pressed his forehead to Charlie’s.

“Is Maggie fully asleep?” He murmured against Charlie’s lips. Charlie nodded.

“Yes.” He replied. Owen grinned.

“Good.”

And with that he grabbed Charlie’s shirt, dragging him to the bedroom.

-

December 24 - Christmas Eve

Charlie woke the next morning, still naked and tangled up in Owen’s arms. He opened his eyes to find Owen already awake, playing on his phone.

“You’re awake.” Owen said, placing his phone down. Charlie hummed in response. Owen bit his lip.

“So last night was...” He trailed off.

“Yep...” Charlie replied simply. Owen hesitated.

“I don’t usually hook up with people I’m not dating.” He admitted.

“Well at least you can’t get pregnant.” Charlie joked.

“Hmm.” Owen replied, clearly not amused by Charlie’s joke. Charlie frowned.

“O?” He spoke.

“Yeah?” Owen replied.

“Do you regret it?” Charlie asked. Owen sighed.

“I don’t know Char. Remember what I said in Hawaii? I’m just not sure if I’m ready to do... this.” He said. Charlie’s heart sunk.

“But sex is okay?” He questioned, somewhat bitterly. As much as he loved Owen he wasn’t about to enter into some friends with benefits situation.

“It was a one time thing.” Owen mumbled. 

“Oh...” Charlie’s voice was small, and for a moment he considered wriggling out of Owen’s grip.

“Please don’t shut me out like in Norman.” Owen begged. Charlie hesitated.

“I won’t. I just don’t fully understand.” He said.

“Charlie...” Owen sighed. “Look, I don’t know about you-“

“But I’m feeling 22.” Charlie interrupted. Owen bit back a smile.

“No, you dork. I’m trying to be serious here.” He said, and Charlie moved so that he could see Owen’s face.

“I’m listening.” He assured Owen. Owen took a breath.

“Look, I’m not out to anyone. I have no clue what I am, and before I met you I’d never even considered being with a guy. But I met you and everything changed. I guess technically you were my sexual awakening.” He explained. Charlie traced a pattern on Owen’s arm. 

“You don’t need to have a label, I don’t. Just love who you want to love.” He said, and Owen sighed. 

“I just need a bit more time to figure this out.” He spoke after a short pause. 

“And you can have it. But can I at least get one last kiss? And promise me we won’t stop snuggling.” Charlie put on his best puppy eyes and he could see Owen caving. 

“We could never stop snuggling.” Owen said. “And as for the kiss...”

He lent in, pressing a gentle kiss to Charlie’s lips, pulling away with a grin when Charlie tried to deepen the kiss.

“There.” Owen grinned and Charlie groaned.

“You have no idea what you’re doing to me.” He muttered. 

“Oh I have a bit of an idea.” Owen smirked, his gaze drifting downwards towards Charlie’s naked bottom half. Charlie blushed slightly, swatting at Owen’s chest.

“Shut up, you know that you can’t control morning wood.” He defended, slightly embarrassed that Owen could feel that he was hard. 

“I know.” Owen grinned cheekily. “You should probably fix that though. I’ll go wake up Maggie.”

He climbed out of Charlie’s bed, still naked from the night before, and made a big show of finding his boxers, knowing that Charlie was watching his every move. He found them and pulled them on, grabbing a pair of Charlie’s sweatpants and putting them on too before turning to look at Charlie.

“Have fun.” He winked, before leaving the room, and Charlie in it. Charlie let his head flop down onto the pillow with a sigh, and not for the first time considered the fact that Owen was literally going to be the death of him.

-

Charlie entered the kitchen a little bit later and ignored the look Owen gave him, instead heading over to Margaux and wrapping his arms around her.

“Good morning baby, happy Christmas Eve.” He greeted. Margaux grinned, her mouth full of froot loops. 

“Daddy! Santa comes tonight.” She exclaimed, and Charlie nodded, matching her excitement level. 

“He sure does, are you excited?” He asked and Margaux nodded quickly. 

“Yeah!” She squealed. Charlie ruffled her hair, turning his attention back to Owen. 

“Do you have plans today O? Mags and I are gonna go to the Mall to get a photo with Santa.” He questioned. Owen nodded. 

“I actually have some last minute shopping to do.” He said. Charlie smiled. 

“Cool, you can come with us and go off while we do our photo then.” He suggested, and Owen nodded. 

“Great.” He said. 

“Daddy?” Margaux spoke up. 

“Yeah baby?” Charlie glanced down at the four year old, who was looking at him in concern. 

“What happened to your neck? Did you bump it while playing?” She asked innocently. 

Charlie’s eyes widened, and Owen choked on his tea.

“Yeah baby, Daddy fell over.” Charlie agreed.

“Silly Daddy.” Margaux giggled. 

“Yeah, silly Daddy. Why don’t you go find your Christmas scrunchie for Daddy to put your hair up?” Charlie said, trying to distract her, and it worked. 

“Ooh okay!” Margaux grinned, climbing out of her chair and running to her room. 

“You gave me a fucking hickey?” Charlie said once he knew Margaux was out of earshot. 

“In my defence... yeah no I don’t have one.” Owen giggled. Charlie glared at him. 

“Fuck you Joyner.” He muttered.

“We already did. Last night.” Owen winked, rushing out of the room before Charlie could even register his cheeky words and process what just happened.

-

A few hours later and Charlie and Margaux were lined up ready to get their Santa photo taken. They reached the front of the line and the photographer gave them a welcome smile. 

“Okay sweetie are you ready to meet Santa?” The photographer asked and Margaux nodded. 

“Yeah.” She said. The photographer smiled. 

“Great, Dad are you gonna be in the photo?” She questioned. 

“Yeah I am.” Charlie replied. 

“Okay cool, just head on through.” She instructed, and Charlie carried Margaux in, sitting down on the allocated stool with her on his knee as they smiled for the photo. Once they had taken a few and the photographer was happy it was time to talk to the Santa. 

“Ho ho ho, what’s your name little one?” He asked and Margaux smiled. 

“Margaux.” She said confidently. 

“And what do you want for Christmas Margaux?” Santa asked. 

“A pony.” Margaux told him and Charlie grinned. 

“Oh, well you know it might be a bit hard for Santa to fit a pony in his sleigh. Is there anything else?” The Santa said, trying his best to redirect the four year old and not make any promises. 

“Yeah...” She glanced up at Charlie before looking back at Santa. “I want Papa to stay with me and Daddy all the time and not go away again.”

Charlie bit his lip as he made eye contact with the Santa, who shot him a slightly sympathetic look.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Santa told her softly and Margaux smiled. Charlie took that as their cue to leave, standing up quickly and saying one last goodbye to the Santa before leaving. He paid for the photo and collected the print outs, one for him and one to send back to Canada for his mum. 

They left the photo area and headed through the mall to where they were meeting up with Owen. 

“Daddy?” Margaux spoke up. Charlie hummed in response. 

“Yeah Mags?” He asked. 

“Will Papa have to go home?” Margaux questioned, her voice soft. Charlie sighed. 

“Probably baby. You know Papa lives in Oklahoma, he has to go back to Bindi, remember?” He told her, and Margaux pouted. 

“I wish he wouldn’t go.” She said, and Charlie nodded, spotting Owen on a bench just ahead of them. 

“Me too baby, me too.” He agreed as they reached Owen who jumped up quickly. 

“There you are! How was Santa, what did you ask him for?” He questioned. Charlie bit his lip. 

“We’ll talk about it later.” He said, and Owen frowned but dropped it nonetheless, changing the topic to a toy that he had seen, leaving Charlie to zone out and consider how exactly he was meant to explain Margaux’s words to Owen without hurting him. 

-

It wasn’t until later that evening that Owen brought the topic up again. He and Charlie were sitting in the living room, and Margaux was in her room, taking a late afternoon nap since she had been exhausted when they got home from the mall. 

“What did she ask for?” Owen asked, and Charlie bit his lip. 

“At first a pony. Luckily Santa dodged that one and said it was too big to fit in the sleigh. So he asked her what else she wanted, and she said she wanted you to stay with us and not go home.” He admitted. Owen was silent.

“Oh...” He said after a moment. Charlie nodded awkwardly. 

“Yeah.” He replied. They fell silent, before Charlie spoke again. 

“Owen, I promise I didn’t say anything to her. I’m not trying to guilt you into staying by brainwashing her.” He said, and Owen nodded. 

“I know, don’t freak out.” He replied, grabbing Charlie’s hand and giving it a light squeeze. 

“I just don’t want you to freak out.” Charlie explained. 

“I get it. She’s four Charlie, she just wants her Papa around more often.” Owen sighed, and Charlie nodded. 

“She’s not the only one.” He said. Owen shut his eyes. 

“I know. I’m thinking about it, trust me. But it’s not an easy decision to make.” He mumbled. 

“I know it’s not. Take your time. Now should we go have ourselves a nice Christmas Eve dinner?” Charlie said, deciding to change the topic as quickly as he could. 

“Sounds good. I’ll get Maggie.” Owen agreed. 

Charlie sighed as Owen left the room to go find the four year old. He wanted nothing more than for the blond boy to stay for as long as he could, but that was unrealistic.

He knew that all he could do was just enjoy his time with Owen while he could.

-

December 25 - Christmas Day

“Daddy! Papa! Wake up!”

Charlie’s eyes fluttered open as his four year old bounced on the bed, narrowly missing jumping on his and Owen’s tangled legs.

“It’s Christmas!” Margaux squealed.

“Margaux.” Owen whined. “It’s so early.”

“But Santa came.” Margaux flopped down, landing on Charlie’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her, placing a soft kiss on her messy curls.

“Merry Christmas baby.” He whispered.

“Merry Christmas Daddy. Present time?” She grinned. Charlie shook his head, glancing towards Owen, who had rolled over and was attempting to go back to sleep.

“Cuddle for a bit first. Give Papa a chance to wake up.” He told her, and Margaux nodded, snuggling closer to her father.

“Okay.”

-

Almost an hour later and Owen was finally awake and Charlie couldn’t hold Margaux off any longer.

The three of them set up in the living room, where all of Margaux’s presents were under the large fake Christmas tree.

Charlie sat leaning against Owen as Margaux opened her presents, and once she was happily playing with a new truck that she had gotten Charlie offered Owen his presents.

“This one is from Mags.” He explained, as Owen opened the present to find a drawing that Margaux had done of the three of them, framed nicely.

“It’s beautiful. You did a great job Maggie.” Owen complimented and Margaux grinned.

“Thank you!” She exclaimed. Charlie grabbed a second present.

“This one is from me.” He handed the small box to Owen who opened it, revealing a key. 

“It’s a key to this apartment. I figured even if you don’t end up moving here at least you can still come any time you want.” Charlie explained and Owen smiled. 

“Thank you Char.” He said softly, and Charlie nodded. Owen reached down, grabbing the last wrapped present and handing it to Charlie. Charlie took it and opened it to find a photo book filled with photos of himself and Margaux, Owen and Margaux, memories from set and their adventures together and more. 

“This is really sweet Owen.” Charlie smiled softly. “Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome.” Owen replied, pressing a soft kiss to the side of Charlie’s head, as Charlie rested his head on Owen’s shoulder, the both of them watching Margaux play with small smiles on their faces. 

-

The rest of their Christmas Day passed quickly and before he knew it Charlie was tucking Margaux into bed with a kiss on the head, and leaving her room to go have a shower.

Almost an hour later he reentered the kitchen where Owen had cleaned up everything from dinner and was sitting on a chair fiddling with his phone.

“Beer?” Charlie asked and Owen’s head shot up.

“Please.” He smiled and Charlie opened the fridge, grabbing two bottles of beer and handed one to Owen before sitting down across from him.

“So, first Christmas away from home, how you feeling?” Charlie questioned. Owen shrugged. 

“Honestly, pretty good. I was worried I’d be homesick but I wasn’t at all.” He said and Charlie grinned. 

“That’s really good. Cleaning up after Mags all day would have been a good distraction.” He replied and Owen groaned, making Charlie laugh. 

“I don’t know how you do this 24/7. You’re literally a superhero.” 

“Nah, just learnt to leave the messes until after she’s finished. Much easier.” 

Owen glared at him. 

“You say that now, after I spent the whole day picking shit up?” He spat, but Charlie knew he wasn’t really angry. 

“In my defence you’ve lived with her before. Rookie error from someone with experience.” Charlie retaliated and Owen flipped him off, the both of them crumbling into a fit of giggles. 

“Daddy?” Margaux’s voice came and Charlie instantly stopped laughing, his whole focus on his daughter. 

“Hey, why are you up?” He asked. 

“Bad dream.” Margaux climbed into Charlie’s lap and he wrapped his arms around her, beginning to rock her slightly like he did when she was a baby.

“Wanna talk about it?” He questioned and Margaux pouted. 

“I couldn’t find you.” She told him. Charlie placed a reassuring kiss on her head. 

“I’m here, and I’m never gonna leave you, okay?” He whispered, and Margaux nodded. 

“Yeah.” Her voice was already beginning to sound sleepy again. Charlie ran his hands through her curls, detangling a knot with his fingers. 

“You wanna stay here and cuddle Daddy until you fall asleep?” He asked, moving to rub her back, and Margaux nodded, snuggling her head into Charlie’s chest.

“Love you Daddy.” She mumbled. Charlie smiled. 

“I love you too baby. So much.” He replied. 

They sat in silence until Charlie was sure that Margaux was asleep. 

“Never get a break.” He joked quietly. Owen shook his head in awe. 

“You’re literally the perfect dad, you know that right?” He complimented, and Charlie blushed slightly. 

“I wouldn’t say perfect.” He mumbled, but Owen shook his head. 

“You are.” He said. Charlie smiled across the table at him. 

“Thanks O.” He whispered. 

“I mean it.” Owen smiled. 

“I appreciate it. It wasn’t exactly in the plan to become a parent at 18, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re young and stupid and don’t know how a condom works.” Charlie shrugged, and Owen gave him a small glare. 

“So you made one mistake, but look at what came from it.” Charlie looked down at Margaux as Owen spoke. “The best present that you ever got.” 

“Very true.” Charlie agreed. “And I’d never want to return her for the world.” 

-

New Year’s Eve

“Do you drink champagne?” Charlie asked Owen as the three of them walked through the grocery store on New Years Eve, getting the last minute snacks and drinks for their night in. Charlie pushed a trolley with Margaux in it, and Owen walked along beside them. 

“Yeah.” Owen said. Charlie smiled, stopping the trolley. 

“Great, I’ll get a bottle then. Mags, what drink do you want as your special drink?” He asked the four year old, who didn’t even hesitate. 

“Pink milk!” She grinned, pointing, and Owen grabbed the bottle from the fridge next to them.

“Okay, snacks.” Charlie said, crossing off ‘Margaux drink’ on his shopping list.

He pushed the trolley out of the aisle and through the store to the snack aisle, stopping when he reached it. 

“Okay, go wild.” He instructed, and both Margaux and Owen cheered, with the blond boy grabbing whatever Margaux asked for, putting it into the trolley along with his own snack choices. 

Charlie grinned as he watched them shop, adding a few of his own things into the mix. 

He could get used to this. 

-

Later that night Charlie, Owen and Margaux had made themselves comfortable on the couch, both Charlie and Owen having a glass of champagne while Margaux drank strawberry milk out of a plastic champagne glass. 

“How long Daddy?” Margaux asked, looking up at her dad. Charlie glanced at his phone, seeing that it was just after 11pm. He was shocked she had made it this long without crashing. 

“One more hour baby.” He told her and Margaux nodded. 

“Okay.”

She turned back to the TV which was playing a countdown of the best songs of the 2010′s, and they fell into a comfortable silence only filled with small talk and songs for about 45 minutes until Owen broke the silence. 

“Char.” He whispered, and Charlie looked up. Owen gestured to Margaux and a small smile appeared on Charlie’s face as his gaze landed on the four year old, who had curled up on the couch and fallen asleep.

“Should we put her to bed and bring out more alcohol?” Owen questioned and Charlie nodded with a grin. 

“Sounds good. I’ll put her in bed, you get the drinks?” He suggested, and Owen nodded, placing a soft kiss goodnight on Margaux’s head before heading into the kitchen.

Charlie picked the four year old up and carried her to her bed, tucking her in and kissing her before heading back out to Owen, who had already poured two glasses of champagne. Charlie sat down on the couch next to Owen, grabbing one of the glasses and holding it up.

“Cheers.” He said, and they clinked glasses before drinking. Charlie placed his glass down before looking at Owen. 

“5 minutes til midnight, you ready for 2020 to be over?” He asked. Owen shrugged. 

“Mostly. There were some good things that happened this year.” He said. 

“Yeah it wasn’t all bad.” Charlie agreed. They fell silent for a moment. 

“Hey Charlie?” Owen spoke up, his voice slightly shaky. 

“Yeah?” Charlie turned, giving Owen his full attention. 

“I made a decision, about where I want to live...” Owen started, and Charlie’s heart skipped a beat. He was pretty sure he knew what Owen’s decision would be, but he wanted to hear it just to be sure. 

“Yeah?” He prompted. Owen looked down. 

“I think I’m gonna stay in Oklahoma, I’m not ready to leave yet.” He said, and Charlie nodded, understanding. 

“I get that.” Owen looked up. 

“But I have a compromise.” He said with a small smile. Charlie raised an eyebrow. 

“Oh yeah?” 

“I’m gonna get my own place. I found one that’s really nice and affordable, and it has a study that could be turned into a bedroom for Margaux, and you could come stay with me whenever you wanted.” Owen explained, and Charlie couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Margaux having her very own room in Oklahoma to stay any time. But there was one other thing... 

“A room for Margaux?” Charlie questioned and Owen nodded. “So where would I sleep?”

“Uh, I was kinda counting on you sleeping in my room with me...” Owen trailed off hesitantly. Charlie’s stomach fluttered at the thought. 

“You’d want that?” He asked, eyes wide, and Owen nodded shyly. 

“I do. I love waking up with you Char. I love hearing your morning voice, and seeing your messy hair, and the way you kiss my face while you’re still half asleep. And I love having you in my arms, or being in your arms.” He rambled, and it took everything in Charlie not to kiss him. 

“You really like me, huh.” Charlie teased. Owen blushed, rolling his eyes. 

“I do. I figured it was obvious, you know, when we literally had sex last week.” He retorted. Charlie grinned. 

“Owen.” He said. 

“Charlie.” Owen mimicked his tone. 

“I would love that.” Charlie stated, bringing the conversation back to the original topic. 

“I’m glad. Actually, I have something else to tell you too.” Owen told him. 

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Charlie tilted his head. 

“I think I’m r-“

Owen was cut off by the countdown to midnight starting on the TV, and he stopped talking with a sigh as both boys grabbed their champagne as they counted.

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Happy New Year!”

Charlie lent in, placing a soft kiss on Owen’s cheek, not wanting to push the boundaries.

“Happy New Year Owen.” He said. Owen bit his lip, and Charlie missed the longing look in Owen’s eyes, his gaze drifting to Charlie’s lips. He swallowed, shaking his head before replying.

“Happy New Year Charlie.”

[justcourttee]

Trigger warning: After posting one too many of Lila’s lies, the ladyblog faces severe backlash and lawsuits. One of the recent is from a respected journalist that Lila lied about being friends with their kid. Alya is facing defamation and the journalists Child had recently passed away further upsetting the latter. Alya tried to explain, but Lila quickly throws her under the bus. This is not Bashing, except actions have consequences and have to live with them. Lila salt is welcome though

I hope this is kind of what you were thinking about. I did my best to keep it as accurate as I could with French Law :)

Here

Alya couldn’t believe she was here.

As she stared at the multitude of cameras, all vying for her attention, she felt the sudden need to make herself smaller. Nino’s strong hand on her back, urging her forward gave her the strength she needed to make it up the courthouse steps. Her eyes scanned the crowd looking for one person in particular but alas, they were nowhere to be seen.

Instead, she found two people she had hoped would miss this little event. Front row stood Marinette and Adrien, they’re eyes feigned with concern as she took the last step before the entrance. If only she could reach them, get them to testify on her behalf, but why would they change their minds now? It’s not like she hadn’t begged them too at the beginning of the month before everything had gone south so quickly.

As the doors were opened, the blinding light subsided as she was quickly ushered to a small room away from her adversaries that had lined the hallways, all ready to testify against her. She couldn’t believe how many there were.

“We should be safe here Miss Césaire, you didn’t talk to anybody on your way in, right? Journalists are like sharks, one small taste of blood and they’ll turn it into a frenzy.”

Alya scoffed at her attorney. She knew how journalism worked. You needed to make the story big and eye-catching otherwise nobody would bother to read it. It’s why she loved Lila so much. With her, the LadyBlog never had a dull moment.

“We have thirty minuted to prepare. Normally, they would not allow this public prosecution, but you and your friend have managed to upset a lot of people, Miss Césaire.”

Alya bit her tongue as she sunk lower in her seat. Where was her friend now? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “All rise for the honorable Judge Bethany Abadie.”

Alya stood slowly, trying not to let her stance waver as the sound of dozens of cameras sounded through the room.

“You may be seated.”

She felt a small hand lightly press down on her shoulder as her attorney tried to get her to sit, but she couldn’t. She felt frozen in place. Seeing the judge made everything feel so real and not seeing her made Alya see red.

“Miss Césaire, I suggest you sit down. Your charges today are quite serious under the eyes of French law and with the number of people attempting to sue your website, you better hope your defense team has an ace up their sleeve.”

It was like something snapped inside of her as she curled in on herself, trying her best to disappear in front of the courtroom.

“Now, let’s get started. In the case of the people of France vs. Alya Césaire, the defendant is charged with defamation of character and defamation of the deceased. How does the defendant plead?”

“Not guilty, your honor.”

Her eyes wandered over to her defense attorney who looked no better than she did when the words came out of his mouth.

“I see, you were given an option to accept the price that the collective individuals offered you in addition to taking down your blog, instead you chose to fight their lawsuits. You do realize Miss Césaire that if the jury finds you guilty on these charges, that could mean up to a year in jail in addition to €12.000 per assailant?”

Alya mustered enough strength to nod much to the judge's dismay.

“Very well then, the prosecution team may lead with their first witness.”

One by one, every scoop she had posted unfolded and crumbled before her eyes. Jagged Stone denying writing a song for her friend, denying ever having a ‘filthy feline’. Clara Nightingale denying her friend’s involvement in any of her choreography, claiming it would be child labor. And worse of all, Nadja Chamack and her claim that her friend never knew her daughter, that Alya saying her child was brash and rude and an overall unpleasant kid was defamation.

“And what proof do you have that my client isn’t telling lies about your daughter, you do know that every child is different when they’re away from their parents.”

Alya breathed a sigh of relief as her attorney laid into the reporter. Just maybe, she had a chance of walking out of here unscathed.

“Because she’s dead.”

An eerie silence fell over the courtroom as Alya’s face ashened. No. That couldn’t be true. She had seen Manon the other day. She just knew she had. She went over to Marinette’s and the girl was there, as bratty as ever. But now she couldn’t remember the last time she had been to Marinette’s.

“How long has she been dead?”

“Councilman, I object!” The judge’s hammer slammed down, echoing throughout the room.

“No, no, it’s alright. Those two monsters need to hear what they put me through.”

Nadja met Alya’s eyes, not even bothering to wipe the tears that streamed down her face as righteous anger poured into her stare.

“My daughter died five months ago, a terrible car accident. I begged my team to leave it out of the report and only told my closest friends and family. The funeral was a week later and my heart remained shattered at the thought that some reckless driver hadn’t paid attention to her crossing the crosswalk, just like I had taught her.”

Nadja took a breath, trying to level her voice as the lump in Alya’s throat grew bigger.

“Three months ago, I ran across the Ladyblog. While it had mostly turned into a gossip column for this Lila Rossi person, I used to check it all the time when it had just started out. I honestly considered Alya as the next big reporter as she was always at the scene throwing herself into danger to get the scoop. It was admirable.”

Her praises caused the girl to flinch as if she had been struck.

“But as I clicked on the newest video labeled ‘Angel or Devil?: Is Manon Chamack really as everyone believes her to be?’, my heart immediately sank. Both girls sat on-screen as Lila Rossi went on for ten whole minutes about the time she babysat Manon during my interview with Prince Ali. She said my baby was a horror show and Alya agreed saying the few times she had helped Marinette were nightmares.”

Nadja lost her composure as the final word fell out of her mouth. Her tears were ugly as she barely managed an audible ‘could I be excused?’. The judge nodded calling for a recess before allowing the defense team to call their testimonies on character, but Alya couldn’t move. Nadja’s face was burned into her mind. She waited until the courtroom was cleared before standing, trying her best to swallow the lump in her throat but to no avail.

As her feet trudged behind her attorney, she kept replaying Marinette’s words from the beginning of the month.

‘You don’t want me to be expert testimony to your character because I’ll tell them the truth. And I’d doubt you’d like that very much at all.’

She couldn’t understand where all that anger had come from, all that pain, but now she did. Alya didn’t even want to know what her attorney had up his sleeve because honestly? She felt like she didn’t deserve a defense at all.

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

“Only one testimony?”

Her attorney nodded weakly as the judge sighed, probably already having determined Alya’s fate. She knew if it was her up there looking down on someone else, she would have given the maximum punishment the court allowed.

“The defense calls to the stand Lila Rossi.”

Alya sat up straight in her seat, her blood running cold as the sly fox breezily took the stand. Her smirk was brief and directed toward the auburn-haired girl, but it dropped into fake sympathy, a single forced tear rolling down her face.

“What can you tell us about Alya Césaire?”

“Oh goodness, where do I start?” Lila brought a tissue up to her eyes, lightly dabbing at the nonexistent tears.

“She coerced me into telling all those terrible lies about the good people of Paris. Every single one of my interviews was typed up and rehearsed several times before we even shot the tape. Here’s the proof,” With a fake sob, she handed the judge several transcripts, all seemingly printed from Lila’s email.

Alya clenched her fists underneath the table. She was lying. Straight through her teeth. Alya was wondering how Lila managed to evade the charges that were on both of them, but here it was lying in front of her. Lila was going to throw her under the bus.

“She’s a monster. She ditched her own best friend because she wouldn’t lie for her on the stand. She threatened to make everyone hate me if I didn’t keep up the lies. She knew about my disease and took advantage of it.”

Alya gritted her teeth as her attorney tried his best to get the girl off the stand, but it was too late. The damage had been done. One look at the jury and Alya knew. She was done for. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

The jury took a whole thirty minutes before they returned with her verdict.

Guilty.

€48.000 to settle each lawsuit, the permanent closure of her LadyBlog, and 300 hours of community service. Lila received none of it.

“That’s not fair!”

Alya’s head whipped around to where the voice came from, her eyes landing on her former best friend.

“Young lady, I advise that you sit down and allow this court to adjourn peacefully. The verdict has been decided.”

“But Lila was just as much a part of this as Alya. In fact, if you even bothered to look at the interviews, Lila egged her on, there’s no way it was all scripted. Scrub Alya’s computer, I bet you won’t find a single email.”

“Young lady, I’ll give you one more chance, Sit down.”

Marinette opened her mouth, but she abruptly closed it when she felt a soft touch on her shoulder. Her gaze shifted down to where Alya stood, a small smile peeking through her tears.

“Thank you Marinette, I really do appreciate it, but it’s time I took responsibility. I should have never trusted her too good to be true stories in the first place. I should have never hurt my best friend in the first place.”

Marinette hesitated, but as she stared into the auburn-haired girls glassy eyes, she understood as well. With a nod, she returned to her spot between Adrien and Nino, her own eyes glazing over as she watched her former best friend escorted out by her attorney and a few cops.

Once more, Alya was blinded by the flashing lights as she was ushered to her attorney’s car. As the doors shut firmly, her attorney released a sigh before jumbling his keys around, trying to find the ignition.

“Well, it could’ve gone worse if we’re honest here.”

Alya didn’t bother to respond. She simply stared out the window, her mind racing at a thousand miles a minute. Only one thought stood prominent above the rest.

Alya couldn’t believe she was here.

[nancypullen]

Knock Knock

Anyone home?  Sorry, I sort of bailed on the ol’ blog for a few days. It’s been busy around here.   I have boxes packed and stacked in every room of the house, and we’re ready to go.  We closed on the Mt. Juliet house on Monday morning, were briefly homeless, and then closed on the Denton house Tuesday afternoon.  It’s been a whirlwind of signatures, money transfers, and even a few tears - some happy, some bittersweet.  We’re so ready for this next chapter, but this little house has meant a lot to us.  We didn’t have two dimes to rub together when we built it and had to put in sweat equity in the form of painting and the like.  It was worth it.  We celebrated lots of important family milestones within these walls, but we’re going to make many, many happy memories in the new place too.  I’m really happy with our choices, and excited about what the future holds.   Our realtor in Maryland did a final walkthrough for us before closing and sent us video and photos. The previous owners (super nice people) were in the process of loading a U-haul and there was a cleaning crew busy inside.  Everything looked spotless.  It’s ready for us!

You know I already have some plans for the landscaping. With the color scheme of the house it’s practically begging me for red geraniums in window boxes.   As for this house, I’ve walked around and said goodbye to the pink drift roses, the hydrangeas, the Jane Magnolia and the beautiful Crape Myrtle that shades the porch.  Did you notice that the new house also has a Crape Myrtle shading the porch?  It’s meant to be!  I even did a deep dive and found some old Google Earth pictures and I think that it’s a white Crape Myrtle, just like the one beside our porch. Perfect.  I’ll have a lovely spring and summer adopting some new plants and finding out what works best and where.  Since the Eastern Shore is an agricultural area, I’m excited about the soil - surely I won’t have to deal with this awful red clay and rocks anymore. The process of packing up 23 years of life in a house has been exhausting but also entertaining.  I’ve come across loads of stuff that made me laugh, and just as many items that warmed my heart.   When I was still with the school district we were required to sit on the stool for picture day.  I hated that.  I don’t enjoy having my photo taken, I don’t need a packet of pictures of myself, and I wouldn’t mind the old “Gone Fishin’ ” graphic in my designated space in the yearbook. Our school IDs were also printed from that one snap, a fact I forgot when I sat down one year and handed in a bogus form. I figured it would be a joke between me and the yearbook teacher, a good friend.  Oops.  For the remainder of the year, according to my school ID, I was Anastasia Beaverhausen.

Please note that the worst thing about that ID is not my fake name, it’s that helmet of hair I’m sporting.  What the heck?  I know those cards print dark, so hopefully it didn’t look as bad as it does here - but I think it did.  It reminds me of Lego people, or maybe Duplo?

Anyway, aside from finding another page for my book, “A History of Bad Hair”, I came across things that made me nostalgic. School mementos for the boys, maps and tickets from our travels, and this newspaper from January 21, 2009.

I really miss that America.  Maybe we can get back there, but it feels like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube....ya’ know, if toothpaste was racism and hate. All I can do is keep loving (and VOTE!). It’s a gorgeous sunny day today so I’m going to throw open some windows, keep a song in my heart, and continue to organize this move.   Forward, forward, forward.  This is my HQ for the move. These stickers have been a huge help.

Every box is labeled with contents and then gets a sticker designating which room it belongs in.  On the other end when the moving truck arrives I’ll have  signs on each door/room that match - living room, kitchen, bedroom #3, and so on.  I’m really hoping that it helps them, and I know it will help me to unpack in a more sensible way.  I don’t want every box to be like a Christmas present -”I wonder what’s in here?”   I don’t have the time or patience for that.

That’s a fraction of what’s been packed.  Every room has boxes.  The cats love it but I’m feeling very unsettled.  I’m a nester by nature and it feels like a storm has tossed my home.  I’ll just make like a bird and rebuild.  The Army brat in me loves the adventure, the old lady who has lived in this house for decades is dreading placing each twig back in the nest.  That’s all normal though.  I keep my eye on the prize and that is the fun we’re going to have living close to the world’s most adorable grandgirl as she grows up.  Family is everything and she needs more family around her.  My sister will also be about an hour away, and we’ll be able to get into all sorts of shenanigans.  I think the halfway point for us would be Chestertown and there’s all sorts of fun to be had there.  So much to look forward to! Alright then, I’ve talked myself up, down, and around and I’m invigorated!  Time to tape up another box.  Then I’m going to trot off to Target and pick up a gift from a neighbor’s baby registry, and maybe get myself something spa-like and soothing - a new face mask, a fizzy bath bomb, a pretty new nail color, we’ll see.  I’m feeling the need to treat myself but it needs to be tiny - something I won’t have to pack! More later. Stay safe, stay well, stay focused! XOXO - Nancy

[moonscriptsx]

Close to You (M)

SUMMARY: You had met him when you were seven, but you fell in love with him when you were seventeen. He had been everything you'd hoped a loved one should be; until he left. Now that you've reached your twenty-first birthday, you're thrown into a deal that your parents had made when you were just a kid — and that deal involved marrying the same man who had broken your heart so long ago.

GENRE/WARNINGS: Royalty!AU, Prince!Yuta; filled with angsty reunions, mutual (but secretive) pining, and fluffy smut.

WORDS: 24.1k.

A/N: This piece will forever hold a special place in my heart. Enjoy! xx.

In your kingdom, the princess’ twenty-first birthday marked a special day amongst the citizens. It was the day that she would be officially labeled as a woman, the day that she would be shown off to all of the available princes in hopes that she would find a probable suitor to join her on the throne the moment her parents - the king and queen - had decided to step down from their rule. It was supposed to be an exciting time; a time where she would be able to open herself up and meet the different people that were scattered within the elegant ballroom as she made her rounds to greet each and every guest-- but that didn’t seem to be the case for you.

The morning of your twenty-first birthday had been eerily too calm.

Your mother and father sat peacefully at each end of the table, the two of them eating their breakfast in silence as they awaited for your presence. You had still been groggy, your eyes wiping away the remaining sleep from them as you made your way into the dining hall. You opted to take a seat in the middle, your parents on the left and right of you at both heads of the table. You smiled tiredly at one of the servants as they placed your breakfast in front of you, a quiet ‘Happy Birthday’ falling from their lips as you placed your napkin on your lap.

You hadn’t caught wind of the knowing glances between your parents, your brain not fully awake quite yet. It was almost like the quiet before the storm -- and the damage that would come in its wake is certainly severe.

At the sound of your father clearing his throat, you sat up straight, your back resting against the chair as your head turned to look at him. At the time you hadn’t known that the smile he wore on his face was one of apology, the king folding his hands onto the white cloth of the table as he leaned forward.

“Firstly,” he had began. “Happy birthday, sweetheart. Your mother and I could not be more proud of the woman you have become and we cherish you dearly.”

Smiling at his words, you nodded, egging him to continue.

“As you know, your twenty-first birthday is a special event. The kingdom has already begun celebrating within the streets and there are already gifts upon gifts piling up for you in the foyer. The actual celebration will take place here in five days so do make sure that you have everything you need or want picked out and ready to go for the festivities, there will be a lot of guests so you must make sure that you look your best - however that is not what I wanted to discuss with you this morning.”

At that, you had watched as your father’s face turned serious, tension beginning to grow in the air as he leaned down and reached beside him to grab a scroll that was placed next to his chair. Your body stiffened as you watched him slide the parchment towards you, your gaze shooting towards your mother as she gave you a sad smile.

“Years ago, my dear friend Taro and I agreed to make a deal concerning both you and his son, Yuta.” You couldn’t help but flinch at the mention of his name, your heart clenching as the cracks came to life. “Given King Taro’s current situation, it seems as if there is no better option than to proceed with the plans.”

A look of pity had crossed your father’s features as he looked over at you.

“It pains me that we have to tell you such a thing on your birthday, sweetheart. If we could’ve held onto it for a little bit longer that would’ve been so much better… But I’m afraid that my dear friend has much more at stake than we do.”

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion at your father’s words as your fingers delicately plucked at the seal on the parchment, your body filled with nervousness as you carefully unscrolled the document. The silence within the dining hall was almost deafening and you could feel your breath catch in the back of your throat as you scanned over the words printed on the scroll.

On behalf of both the (L/N) family and the Nakamoto family, this document solidifies the forthcoming union between Princess (Y/N) and Prince Yuta. The union will therefore unite the two kingdoms indefinitely, signifying a promise of protection between them as a powerful ally is born. However, this shall remain undisclosed until the Princess’ twenty-first birthday, where their marriage will then be announced. If the necessary actions of the deal are not met then --

You had stopped reading after the first paragraph, your eyes wide with anger.

Nakamoto Yuta.

Just the thought of his name made your heart shatter into pieces, angry tears pricking the corners of your eyes as they fell helplessly onto the parchment. How long had it been since you’ve heard that name? Since you thought of him? Since he broke your heart…

Your angry tearful-filled gaze had landed on your father, your body shaking as you tried to control yourself.

“No.”

Your voice had been cold, but the stern tone didn’t make your father falter one bit, the king standing his ground as he picked a piece of food off of his plate and ate it quietly.

“It’s not up for discussion, sweetheart,” he replied coolly, his gaze meeting yours. “The deal was set fourteen years ago --”

“What?!” Your voice had risen and you pushed your chair back from the table as you stood up. “You made this deal when I was seven years old?!”

From the other side of the table, your mother sighed deeply as she stood up and moved to stand beside you, her arm reaching out to gently grab yours.

“Take it easy, honey,” she began softly, making you break out of her grasp as you backed away from her. “Please, just, listen to what your father has to say. There are important things happening this week and we sincerely need you to be present and happy.”

You had scoffed at that, your head shaking in disbelief, but you stayed silent. Your gaze fell back on your father, his cool stature never faltering.

“How could you,” you seethed, glaring at the man. “How could you basically sell me to him? Him?! Of all the people you could’ve picked, you gave me him!”

“What’s the big deal, honey?” Your mother cut in, confusion written on her face. “I thought the two of you got along great --”

“Yeah, well we don’t,” you snapped, making your father look up at you with anger.

“Don’t talk to your mother like that --”

“I can’t believe you’re giving me away like this!” You cried out. “And on my birthday!”

“King Taro has been through alot in these past few years,” Your father said, nonchalantly. “I’m afraid that my dear friend has decided that his time of reign is coming to a close, so he personally reached out to me and asked if the deal was still on the table. Now I made sure to keep your feelings in mind --”

“Did you, though?” You asked, harshly, making your mother hush you immediately. Your father continued, however, completely disregarding your remarks.

“I figured it was much better to be betrothed to someone you actually know instead of a complete stranger --” he paused, shooting you a look of disdain. “But, clearly, I was wrong.”

You had frowned at your father’s words, the look on his face making you feel small as your shoulders dropped in defeat, remorse clouding your anger as you sighed.

“I’m sorry,” you apologized, your voice soft. “I had just thought that I would be the one to pick my husband. But, I guess in our life, things like that aren’t a choice.”

Your father’s face softened as the king stood up and walked over to you, his arm wrapping around your shoulders as he pulled you in for a hug.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” you hugged him back tightly as he spoke. “You know that if it had been anyone else I would’ve managed to get you out of this… But Taro needs this, he wants this.”

Leaning down to press a soft kiss to your forehead, he rested his hand on your shoulder gently before drawing back.

“King Taro and Prince Yuta will be here tomorrow morning --”

“What?! --”

“They will be staying with us for three months so I hope that you will welcome them with open arms and treat them the way they should be treated. I also suggest that you give yourself time to get ready for their arrival, and I hope that you will be on your best behavior.”

And with that, he had given you one last kiss on your forehead before he left the room.

The first time you had met Nakamoto Yuta, you were seven years old.

You, your father, and your mother had all gathered around the front steps of the palace as the extravagant golden carriage had pulled up, the guards pulling the door open and revealing the family as they stepped out one by one. King Taro and Queen Nori were two of the most respectable and beautiful people you had ever gotten the pleasure to know; they were wise beyond their years and always had plenty of advice to give to those who needed it. Their hearts were full of nothing but love for everyone around them - an attribute that, no doubt, contributed to the success of their rule - and they always made sure to give their people as much as they could when it was requested for them to do so.

They were an honorable pair -- it was a wonder how they had managed to have a son who was the complete opposite of them.

Yuta Nakamoto had only been seven years old at the time but you knew that he was nothing but trouble the moment he had stepped out of that carriage. His lips had been curled up in disgust as he looked on towards the palace, his nose turning up in the air as he stood beside his parents.

“You call this a palace?”

His tone had been cocky, and you remember watching as his mother swatted at him, scolding the young boy to shut his mouth. That reaction alone had you curling into your own mother’s side, your face hiding behind her legs as you shied away from the family. It seemed like nothing was able to impress the boy; even as your family gave them a tour of the palace, Yuta’s dissatisfaction never faltered. He was, by far, the worst human you had ever encountered.

It seemed like each visit the fellow royal’s paid to your palace, the worse Yuta had gotten -- and the older you grew, the more you would fight back.

Snarky remarks were retaliated with sharp insults, the two of you fighting back and forth whenever one of you did something the other didn’t like. Your parents had joked that one day the two of you were going to end up falling in love -- and, god, you had wished that they hadn’t been right about that.

Never in your life did you think that you would’ve fallen in love with the bane of your existence. Never in your life did you think that the boy who tugged on your hair harshly and called you harsh names would be the one that made your heart race and your cheeks flush in embarrassment from compliments…

...Never in your life did you think that the person who you loved the most would be the one to shatter your heart into pieces.

It was almost like deja vu as you stood beside your parents on the front step of the palace, your breathing unsteady as you fought off the urge to cry. Your gaze is locked on the golden carriage as it stopped in front of the three of you, the guards walking towards it before they’re opening the door. The air is thick, the weather unusually chilly for early June, and you were thankful for your maids that had suggested you wear the jacket over your dress.

Straightening your posture, you watched as King Taro stepped out first, your eyes widening as you caught sight of the noticeably aging man.

The King had always been quite handsome; jet black hair, warm brown eyes, and a smile that seemed to rival the sun. He had been slightly pudgy, a feature he had always commented on saying ‘At least you know I’m eating happily!’. His looks had matched his charming and kind personality, but the man that stood before you today was nothing like that. Jet black hair was turned to a stark silver, his pudgy body completely gone, the King’s stature frail. The warmth in his eyes now held a sadness that almost made you tear up at the sight. The King’s smile seemed forced and you had wondered what exactly had made the man age so quickly.

He greeted your father first, the two men sharing a tight hug as they said their hello’s. Adjusting your weight from one foot to the other, your gaze shifted back to the carriage, and you really wished that you hadn’t looked that way.

Emerging from the carriage, in all of his glory, was Yuta. The fringe of his hair blew slightly with the wind, giving you a perfect view of his face, and you nearly choked back a sob as you fought to compose yourself. The last time you had seen him, his facial features were soft. The apples of his cheeks had been slightly puffy, but he had still been handsome. His nose was on the slightly longer side but it had complimented his face perfectly. Seventeen year old Yuta wasn’t quite that tall, either, but he certainly hadn’t been short.

But the man that had emerged from the carriage… You almost didn’t recognize him.

Much like his father, he had lost a considerable amount of weight. His puffed out cheeks were gone entirely, instead replaced by sharp cheekbones. In fact, he was striking himself. He’d grown taller since the last time you had seen him, his body thinned out, but you were able to catch sight of the definition of muscles underneath his shirt. You tried to look away from him, tried to ignore his presence -- but it just so happened that he looked towards you before you could take your eyes off of him.

You almost shivered - and it definitely wasn’t from the wind - the moment his eyes laid on yours, his gaze cold, and you didn’t notice that King Taro had stepped in front of you until you heard his voice, breaking your concentration away from his son.

“Hello, dear,” he greeted halfheartedly, and you had to keep the tears at bay when you heard the hurt in the man’s voice. Reaching out, you returned the King’s hug.

“Your Grace,” you replied, making the man chuckle as he pulled back.

“Oh, dear,” he patted your cheek softly. “How many times do I have to tell you - you are free to call me Sir.”

Stepping back from you, you sent him a small smile as you watched him return to your father’s side. Gazing past the King, you finally noticed the absence of the Queen, your eyebrows furrowing in confusion as you watched the carriage began to ride off to the stables. Holding your breath, you watched as Yuta greeted your mother with a rigid hug, your jaw clenching as your arms stayed frozen by your side. You could feel your heart clench painfully as the Prince stepped in front of you, butterflies forming in the pit of your stomach as his gaze settled on yours.

And then the memories flooded your mind.

All of the hugs, all of the kisses, all of the love you had felt for the man who was now standing in front of you -- it all came rushing back to you at full force.

You swallowed the lump that had formed in the back of your throat as you bowed your head towards him, your gaze falling to the ground, and you had hoped that that would suffice as a greeting but Yuta seemed to have other plans.

A bolt of electricity flowed through you as he grabbed your hand and brought it up to his face, his lips barely ghosting against the flesh of your knuckles as his gaze stayed locked on your face.

“It’s good to see you again, my love.”

My love.

Your skin felt on fire from just the simple brush of his lips against your skin as your gaze met his -- your breath caught in your throat as your heart sped up, Yuta’s grip on your hand tightening as he stared back at you...

...And then you snapped.

All of the repressed feelings you had kept in were suddenly letting loose, your lips tightly pressing together as the tears begin to fall. Turning your head away from Yuta, you hurriedly whispered to your mother that you had to use the bathroom before you excused yourself and made your way back into the palace.

The faint sound of music played softly from inside of the palace as you walked through the gardens, your gaze locked on the night sky as you stared up at the stars glistening brightly. The ball your parents were throwing had become far too much for you, the constant greetings you had to give to the guests making you feel stuffy each time you had met someone new, so you had taken the opportunity to escape when your father had gained their attention to make a speech about how happy he was that everyone had gathered together.

The palace gardens had always been your escape spot. The acres and acres of field filled with the variety of flowers filled you with a sense of peace and happiness, the colorful petals setting your mind at ease as you made yourself comfortable on the edge of the fountain. The setting was serene; the delightful smell of the plants mixed with the therapeutic sounds of the water giving you a sense of comfort.

The first time you had been granted the chance to experience the extravagant gardens, you were five years old. Your mother had told you that she wanted to show you her favorite spot in the castle and you - as a child - had thought that it was going to be somewhere within the castle walls. But the moment she had led you down the long walkway leading into the elegant entryway of the gardens, you were mesmerized by the sight before your eyes. The colorful aesthetics and refreshing smell had automatically made you feel a sense of warmth, the nature making you feel happily at home within the confinements of the gardens.

It seemed as if you were experiencing that all over again each time you had entered the gardens, the feeling never getting old as you would plop down underneath the large oak tree with a book just a few feet away from where you were sitting now. Leaning back against the bench, you breathe in your surroundings, letting yourself relish in the cool air that breezed past you.

“So this is where you escaped to.”

A deep voice startled you, your eyes snapping open as your head turned to focus on the grinning face of Yuta. He stood a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest as he gave you an amused expression. Sheepishly sending him a smile, you shrugged your shoulders and moved over on the bench, prompting him to take a seat next to you.

“It was getting a bit stuffy in there,” you admitted, making the Prince nod.

“Understandable,” he agreed. “But next time you should tell me where you’re running off to -- I got worried.”

His grin doesn’t falter as he nudged you playfully, a soft blush coating your cheeks as you bit your lip bashfully.

“Sorry,” you apologized softly, making Yuta chuckle.

“It’s alright, Princess,” he winked flirtatiously, making your blush deepen. “I found you, didn’t I?”

A comfortable silence falls between the two of you, the only audible sounds being the soft whirring of the wind and the music playing from inside. Your gaze is locked on the sky, your eyes tracing over every star as you try not to pay attention to the weight of Yuta’s gaze on you. You can see him out of your peripheral vision, the Prince’s eyes tracing over your form, and you almost jerk in surprise when you feel his hand on top of yours, your gaze breaking from the glistening stars to land on Yuta’s smiling face.

“Care to dance, my love?”

Your heart sped up at the nickname, another blush coating your cheeks, before you nodded your head and let him help you stand. His fingers slid in between the spaces of yours effortlessly, his grip on your hand gentle as he pulled you towards him. The warmth radiated off of his body as the two of you pressed together, his free hand settling on your waist while yours rested on his shoulder.

Underneath the stars in the night sky, the two of you paid no attention to your surroundings, your gazes only on one another as you danced to the beat of the music. Your cheek pressed against his as you rested your chin on his shoulder, Yuta humming quietly in your ear as he brought you closer to him. The feathery touch of his lips against your forehead had you sinking into him, and you swore that he was able to feel the rapid beat of your heart against his chest as the two of you danced.

That had been the night you had began to fall for the Prince.

My love...

Yuta’s soft whispers of the nickname filled your mind, thoughts and memories of countless nights of the love the two of you shared together plaguing your mind as you choked back a sob. They replayed over and over again like a movie on repeat as you climbed the stairs, your vision blurred from the onslaught of tears streaming down your face, your breathing ragged as the hurt enveloped you.

You had barely managed to make it to the first floor when you stumbled into the library and slammed the door shut, you body collapsing against the wood as the tears fell freely down your face. Placing your head into your hands, you let the heartache consume you. You never thought that seeing Yuta again would affect you as badly as it did but the moment you had laid eyes on him, the memories that you had stored away decided to come back without any second thought.

When your eyes met his, you were instantly reminded of the warmth his gaze had held when he had looked at you so long ago; the gaze that was filled with nothing but love. The man you had seen just minutes ago was no longer the same person he had been when you had fallen in love with him -- the warmth in his eyes had been gone and he was stone faced. But then he had kissed your hand, the simple graze of his lips leaving you wanting more as they brushed the flesh of your knuckles.

A faint knock on the door of the library has you recomposing yourself immediately, your hands hastily wiping at the tears that drizzled down your cheeks, and you push yourself up off of the floor and dust your dress off before taking a deep breath. You had barely gotten it together before the door slid open, your gaze settling on one of your mother’s maids, her lips turning upwards into an apologetic smile before she curtsied.

“Sorry to bother you, your highness,” her voice was soft as she spoke and you forced a smile as she straightened her posture. “Your mother requested for you to join her, the King, and the guests for brunch. She also requested that you wear something appropriate for the occasion.”

Fighting back the urge to roll your eyes at your mother’s requests, you nodded obediently before following the woman out of the library, not in the slightest bit ready to deal with whatever it was that was going to happen.

Cursing silently to yourself, you held the skirt of your dress up as you glided down the staircase, the silky light blue material flowing freely behind you with every step you took. Your mother had laid out the garment for you by the time you had reached your room to get changed with her demand that you present yourself as the graceful Princess that she had raised you to be making you almost gag with irritation. The dress was beautiful, though. The light blue silk felt as soft as a feather on your body, the bodice of the dress covered in subtle silver crystals while the lace sleeves were off your shoulders. A pair of plain white pumps were adorned on your feet, the heels already pinching your feet as you made your way into the dining room, four gazes landing on you as you entered the room.

You could feel the tension in your shoulders as your gaze swept over everyone in the room, your posture straight as a board as you bowed politely towards your parents and King Taro, completely brushing off Yuta. The two Kings occupied the head of the table while your mother sat on the right of your father and Yuta was smack dab in the middle of all of them. Biting the inside of your cheek, you had hoped that you would be able to sit on the other side of your father when your mother’s voice rang throughout the hall, your stomach fluttering nervously as she pointed to the seat next to the Prince himself.

“Why don’t you sit next to Yuta,” her voice was stern, and you knew not to object when your mother’s voice held the authoritative tone. “You are getting married, after all.”

Your mother’s words made King Taro chuckle, the deep rumble reverberating off of the marbled walls.

“The two of them were inseparable the last time we were here,” he said, grinning. “Wherever one was the other would always be with them.”

You had made a move to pull the chair out when you felt a hand place on top of yours, an electric shock coursing through you as your gaze landed on Yuta’s. His eyes held nothing but distance and a feeling of coldness as he stared down at you, your throat feeling as if it’s going to close up from nervousness as you stepped back from him.

“Let me help you, my love.”

Your stomach churned at the tightened tone of the nickname, hearing it the second time around most definitely did not have the same affect on you as it had the first time. Gritting your teeth, you say nothing back to him as you sit down on the chair, reaching forward to grab your utensils as Yuta pushed your chair back in towards the table.

An uncomfortable tension flowed between the two of you and you were pretty sure the three adults could feel it considering your father had cleared his throat to break the deafening silence, the King grabbing his wine glass before taking a sip.

“Taro and Yuta, it is such a pleasure and honor having you both back here. I was beginning to think that I was never going to be able to see you again.”

The silver-haired man took a bite of his food before he nodded at your father’s words, an apologetic smile crossing his lips as he looked up from his plate.

“My apologies for that, old friend,” he began. “Both Yuta and I needed some time for ourselves before we could get back into the flow of things once again.”

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion at the King’s words, but before you could say anything your father spoke up instead.

“That is completely understandable,” he nodded, agreeing with his friend. “I can’t imagine what it must have been like for the two of you.”

Glancing between the two King’s, you finally decided to speak.

“If you don’t mind me asking, Sir,” you spoke carefully, the King nodding for you to continue. “What happened?”

King Taro’s face became solemn as the dining hall became silent, your father clearing his throat as the tension started back up. You felt Yuta stiffen next to you, his knuckles turning white from gripping the fork too tight, and you feel like crawling into a hole, afraid that you had asked the wrong question.

But then Taro is giving you a smile, and even though it didn’t reach his eyes, he still looked happy about the topic.

“I’m taking it as your father and mother haven’t told you?” He shot your father a look making the other King raise his hands up in defense.

“It wasn’t my place to say anything.”

A quiet ‘ah’ left Taro then, his head nodding towards your father in understanding before he’s turning back to look at you.

“About four years ago, my darling wife, Nori, came down with a sickness. Within those four years, she had her ups and downs with it until it, unfortunately, took her from us for good.”

Your eyes widened in shock at that and you couldn’t help but feel remorse and pity for the man, your hands folding on your lap as you sat back against the chair.

The drastic appearance of both the King and Prince finally made sense -- and your heart began to ache for the two of them. Knowing that they were by the loving Queen’s side while she was sick and in her last moments, knowing that they watched her deteriorate each and every day… It was no wonder why they both looked so completely different from before. The stress and emotional strain must’ve been far too much for them to handle.

Bowing your head, you keep your focus on the linoleum floor as you spoke.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” you apologized softly, your gaze shifting towards the ground. “I had no idea --”

“It’s quite alright, dearie,” he reassured you, giving you a small smile. “Given that your father hadn’t informed you on anything I suspect that you were curious as to where she is.”

Sheepishly you nodded, making the King chuckle.

“While these past few years have been on the rough side, I have come to accept everything that has happened. My dear Nori was a one-of-a-kind woman, you know. She had the kindest eyes, the smartest brain, and a heart full of love. She was an extraordinary woman -- and she absolutely adored you.”

Taro’s finger pointed in your direction, your eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

“In fact,” he paused, taking a sip of his wine. “She was the one who brought up the deal me and your father had made so long ago. It was her wish before she passed on -- she wanted what’s best for her son, and that is you, my dear.”

The way he spoke about his wife made your heart swell, the King’s blatant admiration for woman he loved so admirable and beautiful that you had to choke back tears. What made it worse was the fact that the Queen, herself, had asked for this -- that she had adored you so much that she wanted nothing more than for her son to marry you.

“I can see why she wanted you to be her successor,” Taro continued. “The more time we spend here, the more I realize that you are so much like her. You’re going to make a great Queen one day, dear.”

A fork slammed against the elegant dish and your head snapped to look up at Yuta, his expression unreadable as he stood up from the table and bowed.

“If you’ll excuse me,” his voice was rough, almost like he was holding back tears. “I think I’m going to go get some fresh air.”

Before he could walk away, however, his father’s voice stopped him.

“Take (Y/N) with you,” he said, voice stern. “The two of you should catch up, it’s been a while.”

“Oh, no, that’s alright --”

“Nonsense,” he waved you off, gesturing for Yuta to help you up. “The two of you will be married soon, you might as well bond a little bit before everything is set in stone.”

You opted to stay silent as you stood up from the chair, brushing off Yuta’s attempt to help you up, before you bowed and made your way out of the dining hall. An uncomfortable feeling slipped between you and Yuta as the Prince had caught up to you, his pace falling in step with yours as the two of you walked out onto the balcony and towards the gardens.

You could feel Yuta’s sadness radiating off of him, the stone-faced Prince staring straight ahead as the two of you walked down the cobblestone walkway leading to the gardens.

“I’m sorry about your mother,” you said quietly, making Yuta’s head snap over to look at you, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t know all of that was happening.”

“Yeah,” he pursed his lips, tone cold. “Thanks for that.”

His standoffish persona has you backtracking, your eyes widening at his blunt tone, and you can already feel the pent up anger towards him begin to bubble within you. As the two of you passed through the entryway of the gardens, your heart sped up at the destination, your mind floating back to the last time the two of you had been here together, and you’re clenching your fists as you struggle to walk ahead of Yuta.

“Can you slow down?”

His voice was harsh, eyes narrowed into slits as he glared at you, and you can’t help but let out a humorless laugh as you mirror his glare.

“It’s not my fault if you can’t keep up,” you bit back, making Yuta scoff.

“I can keep up,” he huffed, now walking next to you. “I just don’t understand why you’re walking so damn fast --”

“Maybe I don’t want to walk next to you,” you cut him off harshly, shooting him daggers. You caught sight of something glinting in his eyes but you couldn’t pinpoint what exactly it had been.

“What’s your problem, (Y/N)?” Your name fell from his lips with venom and you had to fight back a shiver from the tone. “Is this how you treat your guests?”

Stopping in your tracks, you gave him an incredulous look, your jaw clenching as the anger began to flare up inside of you.

“My problem? You’re the one that’s been acting cold to me since you got here,” you spat harshly.

“I’ve been acting cold?” He asked, scoffing. “You’re the one that looks at me like I should be buried three feet under!”

“You should!” You seethed. “You’re lucky that I’m even talking to you!”

“You know,” he began, giving you a harsh look. “I came here thinking we could start fresh and actually be civil with one another --”

“Why would I be civil with someone who leaves without saying goodbye to the woman they supposedly love?!”

Yuta stepped back at that, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, and you laughed humorlessly at his reaction.

“Of course,” you rolled your eyes. “You have nothing to say to that.”

“My love --”

“Don’t call me that!” You snapped at him, hurt coating your words. “You don’t have the privilege of calling me that anymore!”

Stepping closer to him, you let your finger push into his chest as you glared menacingly at him.

“In case you’ve forgotten, it was you who made me like this. You are the one that walked out on me without saying a goddamn word about where you had gone or that you were even leaving in the first place! How you can leave someone after telling them you love them and spending the night with them… God, I don’t even want to be near you, Yuta.”

The anger meshed with the hurt you had kept locked up inside of you was spilling out un-apologetically and you had to fight back the stinging of tears as you closed your eyes, trying to compose yourself. Dropping your hand so that it rested by your side, you took a deep breath before focusing your watery gaze on the speechless Prince.

“Enjoy your walk, your highness.”

And with that, you spun on your heel and walked away, not sparing Yuta one last glance as you made your way back into the palace.

“Yuta we’re going to get in trouble --”

“Relax, Princess,” the Prince had chuckled, sending you a mischievous grin. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to get to know your land and its people.”

Even as Yuta’s hand enveloped yours warmly, you couldn’t help but to still feel anxious about entering town. Your parents had a strict policy when it came to coming in contact with the townspeople; the only time you had ever been allowed to acknowledge their presence was when they were invited to the castle for the annual wish granting, any other interaction was strictly prohibited. You had never understood why your parents - specifically your mother - had kept you from meeting your people; if you were going to be the future of the kingdom, why were you not allowed to meet those who inhabited said kingdom.

Clutching onto Yuta’s hand as you neared closer to the bustling town, you could already feel the apprehension forming in your stomach as a few passersby’s couldn’t help but gawk at the two of you as you subconsciously shift closer towards Yuta. Tightening his hold on your hand, his protective grip sets your mind at ease as the two of you enter the town. The hectic streets are filled with the citizens; some working in the shops lined along the streets, others buying the goods that they needed.

As you headed deeper within the heart of the village you noticed the prying eyes of the folks around you, their wide-eyed stares making your stomach churn in nervousness as you clung onto the Prince. His deep chuckle vibrated into the air as he peered down at you, a gentle smile on his face.

“It’s alright, Princess,” he murmured softly, his thumb gently stroking the back of your hand in reassurement. “They’re just not used to seeing you outside of the castle.”

Swallowing the nervous lump in your throat, you nodded at his words, believing that what he had said is true.

Your weary gaze is still locked on those around you as Yuta began to pull you towards the main street of the pavilion, your focus only breaking away from the prying eyes when the Prince had pulled you in front of him so you could glance at the event that had been going on. In the center of the square was a band, a group of people dancing happily along to the music as the crowd around them clapped along to the beat. You couldn’t help but grin at the sight, the happiness around you becoming incredibly infectious, and you found yourself beginning to clap along to the beat.

From behind you, Yuta wrapped his arms around your form, his chin resting on your shoulder as he watched you carefully, the ghost of a smile dancing across his plump lips as you stayed looking straight ahead. His eyes swept over your features as he took in every curvature of your face before the Prince averted his attention to the dancers. You hadn’t the slightest clue of Yuta’s next plans so when he had grabbed your hands and tugged you towards the front of the crowd, your eyes had widened in surprise as the Prince spun you around to face him, the two of you now standing with the other dancers.

An anxious feeling washed over you as you wearily looked around at the shocked crowd only to have Yuta’s hand gently grasp your chin before he turned you back to look at him. His gaze was gentle, lips turned upwards into a dazzling smile, and he wrapped one arm around your waist before tugging you closer to him.

“Don’t focus on them,” he told you quietly, his hand dropping from your face so that he could intertwine his fingers with yours. “Just look at me, alright? I’ve got you.”

Yuta’s warm demeanor had you trusting him within an instant, the anxiety dissipating the moment he softly kissed your hand and began dancing with you. Placing your hand on his shoulder, you let the Prince lead you as the two of you began to dance to the upbeat tempo of the music. Grinning widely at you, Yuta spun you around before settling you back in front of him, the two of you dancing in a circle along with the others.

It was a peculiar feeling, really -- never in your life had you felt as free as you had in that moment. The way you were able to let go of all your worries and doubts and just dance in the street with your best friend -- it was liberating. You couldn’t help but match the Prince’s grin, your eyes never breaking from his as he lifted you up into the air before gently placing you back down, your body spinning back to him before he’s clutching you tightly. The cheers and claps of the crowd are becoming static noise as you lose yourself in the warm gaze of Yuta’s eyes, your heart swelling with adoration for the young Prince as he stared back at you.

All too soon the music had stopped and the crowd’s cheers grew louder in volume as you snapped out of your daze, a warm blush coating your cheeks as you drew back from Yuta and faced the crowd. Bowing politely, you couldn’t wipe the smile off of your face as you peered on at the townspeople. There was a small part of you that had envied them, you envied their freedom and free will to do whatever it was they wanted without having to follow any set of rules. You envied that they were allowed to roam freely, getting to meet new people and see new places -- but most of all, you envied the genuine happiness that seemed to be radiating off of every single one of them.

The sight a little girl running towards you broke you out of your daze, your hands reaching out to catch her before she had crashed into you and fallen down. Steadying her, you watch as her mother hurriedly walked up to grab her daughter, eyes wide with what seemed like fear as she bowed in respect.

“I’m so sorry, your highness,” she apologized, her head still bowed. “I tried to stop her before --”

“It’s alright,” you reassured the woman with a smile, your gaze dropping to the face of the little girl as you crouched to reach her height.

“Hi, sweetheart,” you cooed, making the little girl grow shy as she hid behind her mother’s leg. “No need to be shy, honey. I just wanted to talk to you.”

The little girl’s eyes scanned your appearance as she decided whether or not to trust you, her eyes narrowing as she clung onto her mother’s leg.

“Are you a princess?”

You couldn’t help but laugh softly at the high pitched voice, your head nodding in affirmation to her words.

“I am,” you grinned. “Are you?”

The little girl shook her head, frowning.

“No,” she replied quietly, clutching her mother’s dress. “I could never be a princess.”

You frowned at that, a look of pity crossing your features as you caught sight of the sadness on her face. Glancing around, you saw a man selling several crowns of flowers to the crowd of onlookers, an idea popping into your head as you held up your pointer finger to little girl and murmured a soft ‘wait’ to her before you stood up and walked over to the man. You ignored the look of surprise on the man’s face as you bowed politely towards him, your head nodding towards the crowns.

“How much for a crown, sir?” You asked, making his eyes widen.

“You can have one for free, your highness --”

“Nonsense,” you laughed, waving your hand at him. “I am apart of this town so I should have to pay for one much like everyone else here.”

As you finished speaking, a hand was placed in between the two of you, two coins resting in the palm of the hand and you looked back to see the smiling face of Yuta as he handed the money to the man. Reaching for the crown with red roses, you thanked the man for the headpiece before bowing goodbye and making your way back towards the little girl. Bending down, you gestured for her to come closer.

“You, sweetheart,” you began, gently taking her hand so she could stand in front of you. “Will now and forever be known as a little princess.”

Taking the crown with both hands, you placed it gingerly on the top of her head, watching as the little girl beamed with delight.

“I’m a princess?” She asked in excitement, making you nod.

“You are most certainly a princess, sweetheart.”

You watched as she turned back towards her mother, the little girl excitedly boasting about her new title, and you couldn’t help but grin as you watched a group of other kids come up to you.

You and Yuta spent the whole day exploring the town and getting to know the people who inhabited your land, each and every one of them so very different from the last. You were incredibly humbled by it, your heart soaring at the kindness of those of whom you were responsible for governing over, and you found a new feeling of adoration for the citizens.

The sun was beginning to set as you and Yuta began walking back towards the castle, the smile never faltering from your face as you looked up at the Prince, happiness enveloping your body as you bravely reached up to press a gentle kiss to his cheek.

“Thank you,” you murmured, making Yuta look at you in shock from the action. “I had a great time.”

Letting a smile grace his lips, the Prince reached down to grab your hand, his fingers sliding in between the spaces of yours before he brought it up to his lips to press a kiss to your knuckles.

“Thank you for trusting me.”

“I’m serious, Yuta,” you said, looking up at him. “I never knew what it was like outside of those castle walls, I was beginning to feel suffocated in there. But you… You have shown me so much already. There are so many great things I’m discovering and it’s all because of you.”

The two of you had stopped walking by this point, Yuta not saying a word as he looked down at you. You could feel your heart beginning to speed up as he reached up to tuck a piece of hair behind your ear, his hand gently grasping the back of your neck as you watched him begin to lean down. A soft gasp escaped your lips the moment you felt his press to yours, your hand clutching the lapel of his jacket as he kissed you softly. It felt like a thousand butterflies had taken flight in your stomach as your lips moved slowly against his, trying to get a sense of the rhythm before he had pulled away.

Yuta is smiling dreamily, eyes hooded in a daze, and he’s resting his forehead against yours as his thumb gently stroked the curve of your jaw.

“Princess…” His voice was breathless, a slight husky tone coating it, and you looked up at him as his gaze fell back on your lips. “My Princess…”

That had been enough for you to grasp the sides of his face and bring him back down to your lips, the second kiss between the two of you ensuing as you felt yourself melt into him. That day had been a special day full of firsts -- and it had been so worth the scolding you had gotten from your mother when the two of you had arrived back at the castle.

“So you’re getting married to him?” The blonde questioned, making you huff as you rested back against your bed.

“Unfortunately,” you mumbled.

Your party was only two days away and everyone was already running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Everyone was seemingly scattered around the palace hurriedly trying to get everything in order for Friday night. You, on the other hand, had absolutely nothing to worry about. Now that you were finished with your mother’s pre-planning duties she had set out for you, you were enjoying yourself inside the confinements of your room along with your best friend and fellow Princess from right across the sea, Miyoung.

You had successfully managed to avoid Yuta for the next two days, the Prince being called upon by your father to help get the festivities ready for your birthday party at the end of the week. While they were doing that, you were obediently following your mother’s orders as to what you had to do to prepare for the party as well. One day was filled with nothing but dress fittings - something that you dreaded entirely - while another day was filled with the etiquette you had to learn in regards to greeting the guests and acting towards them now that you were of age.

The gown you had decided on was beyond gorgeous, even if it was a tad bit hard to breathe in. It was an off-the-shoulder gown in a deepened rich red color with a silver detailed pattern of flowers adorning the bodice. The bottom flowed out freely, the gown - no doubt - the epitome of a so-called ‘Princess Gown’. It hugged your body perfectly, every curve and bump accentuated by the design of the dress.

Miyoung’s eyebrow rose in question as her gaze fell on you.

“Why unfortunately?” She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “I thought you loved him?”

Sighing heavily, you looked up at the different designs carved into your ceiling, your gaze falling on the abstract fixtures as you shrugged.

“I thought so too,” you murmured. “I just… It hurts too much to be around him.”

Laying down next to you, the blonde nodded in acknowledgement as she made a small noise of agreement.

“I understand,” she reassured you. “I can’t imagine how you felt when you found out that you had to marry the same guy who broke your heart.”

Miyoung was the only one who had known about yours and Yuta’s relationship. The two of you had snuck around for all of the three months he had been here, hiding it from your parents in fear that they would disapprove of it all. Had you known that he was going to be the man you were going to marry one day… Perhaps things would’ve played out differently then they were now.

Shaking your head, you break yourself out of your thoughts as you turned towards the blonde, a smile on your face.

“Have you decided what you’re wearing on Friday?” You asked her, making her grin widely.

“I have, actually,” she hummed softly. “Do you remember that pink dress I wore to my party? The one with the silver crystals on the skirt? That one.”

“Ah, that dress is gorgeous!” You clapped excitedly making Miyoung laugh.

“Not as gorgeous as yours,” she gushed. “I can’t wait to see you in it! You’re going to be turning a lot of heads, girl.”

That made you frown, a soft sigh escaping you as you stared up at the ceiling.

“Too bad I can’t enjoy the looks,” you pouted.

Miyoung pursed her lips, her perfectly manicured nails gently tapping against your frame as she gazed at you in question.

“I think you’re taking it worse than you should, (Y/N),” she said quietly. “Did you ever think to give him a chance to explain himself? To let him tell you why he ended up leaving?”

Your frown deepened at her words, guilt filling your body as you shook your head.

“No,” you said quietly. “I’m afraid to know why.”

“What makes you so afraid?”

“I’m afraid that he’s going to tell me it wasn’t real,” you admitted. “That he never really loved me…”

Miyoung let out a quiet ‘Aww’ before enveloping you in a hug.

“You can’t think like that, (Y/N),” she reprimanded softly. “You can’t live your life in fear.”

You stayed silent as you hugged her back, the frown never leaving your lips.

Your mind drifted back to the other day with Yuta, your heart scolding you for treating him the way you did, and you can feel the guilt begin to eat at you as you sighed heavily, breaking away from your friend.

A knock at the door has the two of you jumping up, your hands fixing the bottom of your dress as the door opened. Holding your breath, your shoulders straightened into alignment as you watched the aforementioned Prince walk in, the man bowing politely towards Miyoung before turning to you.

“Your mother requested for both you and I to be in the ballroom. She said something about dance lessons for the two of us --”

“Fuck, I forgot about that,” you cursed, making Yuta raise an eyebrow at the profanity. Turning to look at Miyoung, you offered your friend a sheepish smile.

“Would you like to come watch? Or you can stay in here if you’d like --”

“Actually, I think I’m going to go practice my archery skills,” she laughed. “Jaehyun is going to be at your party and I am determined to beat him at the archery match -- especially since the kid has beaten me three years in a row now.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at your friend’s pout as she mentioned the other Prince, your head shaking in amusement as you waved goodbye to her and followed Yuta out of the room. There was an awkward silence between the two of you as you walked together, Miyoung’s voice replaying in your head as you thought about what she had said when it came to giving Yuta a chance to explain himself.

You wanted to, you really did, but the hurt that enveloped your heart was far too much to even think about, let alone letting him reopen the wounds he had caused. You would much rather suffer in silence than to face the problem head on, the fear of knowing what the true answer was being far more terrifying than asking the Prince himself.

As the pair of you made your way into the ballroom, you almost groaned in embarrassment at the sight of your mother and father dancing crazily in the middle of the floor, your hand covering your face as you watched your father dip her.

“Why are you like this?” You groaned, making your father laugh heartily, the King happily bounding over to you before taking your hand.

“Relax, sweetheart,” he grinned widely. “We’re just having a little bit of fun. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?”

From beside you, you heard Yuta chuckle, the sound shocking you as you peered over at the Prince who was grinning widely.

“I agree, Sir,” he laughed. “This one never knows how to loosen up and have fun.”

You frowned at his words.

“I know how to have fun,” you scoffed, making Yuta smirk.

“Prove it, then.”

Your father gestured for the orchestra to begin playing, a slow tempo song emitting from the instruments, and you watched as Yuta held his hand out to you, gesturing towards the dance floor. Hesitantly, you took his hand, allowing the Prince to bring you with him before he clasped his hand over yours.

As you rested your hand on Yuta’s shoulder, you bravely let your gaze meet his, and you couldn’t stop the fluttering of your heart as you watched the warmth return to his eyes. His cold stature was nowhere to be found as he pulled you close to him, his left arm wrapping around your waist comfortably whilst his right hand clung tightly to yours. The two of you began to waltz, never once breaking the eye contact.

It was a familiar setting - much like the night he had followed you out into the gardens - and the nostalgia has you clinging onto him tightly as the two of you drifted together. It’s almost like everything around you disappeared; your father, your mother, the orchestra. All that you saw was the man you loved right before your eyes.

The man you loved…

A ragged breath falls from your lips as you try to compose yourself at the feeling of love enveloping your heart, the organ beginning to reconstruct itself just from the simple touch of Yuta’s hands on yours. At that moment all of the hurt seemed to dissipate into nothing, the only remaining emotion being love as you looked up at him. And then the words were falling out of your mouth before you could even stop to think about the whole situation.

“I’m sorry,” you said softly, making Yuta’s eyebrows furrow. “For the other night.”

He stared at you for a moment before the realization sunk in, his face softening and his grip on you tightening as he tugged you flush against him.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” the soft rumble of his voice made a shiver run down your spine. “Everything you said -- you were right. It is my fault.”

“Yuta --”

“Just listen, (Y/N),” he cut you off, silencing you with a pointed look. “I didn’t want to leave you that morning. I wanted nothing more than to hold you as the sun was coming up, to see what you looked like when you basked in the beautiful morning glow of the sun. I wanted to do it all again the moment you had woken up…”

His words brought tears to your eyes and you couldn’t help but let one fall as you looked up at him with a watery gaze.

“Then why did you do it ?” Your voice broke as you spoke, a lonesome tear escaping as you sucked in a breath. “Why did you leave me?”

Opening his mouth to speak, Yuta was instantly cut off by the booming voice of his father, the Prince frowning as he looked over at the King.

“Sorry, dear,” Taro apologized, giving you a sorrowful look. “Do you mind if I stole my son away for a little while? I need to speak with him about something.”

Nodding your head, you bowed towards the King before stepping away from Yuta, your lips pressed together in a tight smile as you wiped away a lonesome tear that had managed to escape. You turned to walk away when Yuta had grabbed your wrist, pulling you back to him.

“Meet me in the gardens at midnight,” he whispered in your ear, the proximity of him making a shiver run down your spin, his hot breath fanning against your cheek as he looked at you with pleading eyes. “Please, my love…”

The desperation in his tone and eyes were enough to get you to agree, your head nodding in acknowledgement to his words, and he lets out a breath of relief before sending you a smile that looked like it could rival the sun itself. Lifting your hand to his lips, Yuta pressed a soft kiss to the flesh before gently letting it rest back at your side. His gaze stayed on you until he was by his father’s side, the Prince sending you one last smile before you were left there alone with burning cheeks and a fluttering stomach.

The last summer that Yuta and his family had stayed with you was full of nothing but adventures; the two of you explored every inch of the castle. All of the secret passageways and hidden rooms were discovered, the two of you going through every nook and cranny the palace had to offer. It was filled with smiles and laughter, days filled with laying in the courtyard and looking up at the clouds while the nights were spent in the gardens where secrets and life-long dreams were revealed. It had been a time of getting to know one another, a time when all you ever knew was the dashing brunette Prince. Yuta had made you come alive; he showed you the life that laid beyond the castle walls. He took you into town and had gotten you to open up to the people of your land, getting to know them on a more personal level as opposed to just being their Princess.

You fell in love with him that summer; the young boy that had been judgmental and cruel transformed into a charming young man, a man that had managed to capture your heart with his knee-weakening smile.

That summer was filled with secretive kisses, longing touches, and eyes glimmering of adventure. It was filled with shy glances, tender grazes of hands, and words full of love. You had felt on top of the world, like a newly crowned Queen spending the rest of her life with her King. Yuta was everything you had hoped a lover would be -- and then he left.

That night had been brisk, it was an unusually chilly summer’s night in the middle of July and you were clothed in your favorite plain black dress with a black jacket zipped over it, gold military style flowers adorning the coat as you made your way up the staircase to your room. You had just finished the duties you had been ordered to do for your mother and you were more than happy to finally be able to go up to your room and rest for the night.

The hallway windows were propped open, the chilly air whipping past you as you made your way down the corridor, your arms wrapping around your body as a way to keep warm. As you turned the corner to reach your bed quarters, you stopped short when you spotted the familiar stature of Yuta, the Prince leaning against the wall as he looked out the window. Your heart sped up at the sight of him, your stomach fluttering nervously, and you watched as he turned his head to look at you the moment he heard the soft click of your heels against the stone of the floor.

“Good evening, my love,” he cooed at you, reaching for you as you drew closer to him. Beaming brightly at the Prince, you let your arms loop around his neck as you pushed up on your toes to press a gentle kiss to his lips.

“Good evening, my Prince,” you whispered softly against his mouth, making Yuta’s arm tighten around your waist.

The soft glow of the moon illuminated the darkened corridor as the two of you stood in the comforting embrace of one another, neither of you making a move to break away. Yuta’s arms always served as a place of comfort for you, the two limbs wrapping around you and bringing you into a place that felt a lot like home. He was warm, he was gentle, and you had been quick to realize that there was no other place you’d rather be than right there in his arms.

Tilting your head up so that your gaze settled on Yuta’s, you had let a small smile grace your lips before you gently grasped the sides of his face and brought him down to you. His lips molded perfectly against yours, a small sound of contentment escaping from you, and your thumbs gently stroke the apples of his cheeks as your lips move with his. Feeling his arms tighten around you, you laugh lightly against his mouth as he tugged you closer, the Prince smirking against your lips as his hands sneakily slid down to rest on your butt. The cheeky action makes you mewl against him, your body pressing closer to his as Yuta growled lowly.

Tightening his grip on your waist, the Prince hoisted you up and spun you around until you were pressed against the bricks of the wall, his hands capturing yours and pinning them above your head. The kiss escalates as Yuta’s tongue runs along the flesh of your bottom lip, a soft moan falling from your lips as you oblige his silent request. The heat between your bodies grows as he pressed his body flush against yours, your back pinned to the wall, and you can feel your breath hitch when his hips rolled into yours.

In the soft glow of the moonlight, Yuta’s features were illuminating in a way that made him appear almost angelic, your gaze settling on him when he pulled away to let his lips trail down the length of your neck. Trying to break free out his grasp so you could touch him, you whined quietly making the Prince smirk against your flesh. One hand dropped from your wrist - but before you could react he’s grabbing it with his other hand - and he’s grasping your chin gently, his head leaving your neck so that he could look up at you.

His eyes are locked on yours, the heated gaze of warm chestnut irises seemingly igniting a fire within your lower body, and you repress a shudder as his lips grazed against yours.

“I love you,” he whispered, his breath fanning against your face. “I’m so fucking in love with you, (Y/N).”

Your eyes widened as the words fell from his lips, your own parting in surprise as you drew back slightly to look at him. Yuta’s eyes were hooded, long lashes gently grazing against your cheek, and you could feel the butterflies fluttering wildly in the pit of your stomach as a warm blush swept over your face. You scanned the Prince’s face for any sign that would give away that he was joking -- but you found none.

Your heart felt like it had swelled twice in size as you reached for him and hastily pulled him towards you, your lips smashing roughly onto his. Yuta let out a noise of shock but kissed you back nonetheless, his hands still grasping your face as your lips moved in sync.

“I love you too,” you panted against his mouth, making the Prince moan lowly.

Wrapping your arms around Yuta’s waist, you gently pushed him back towards the door of your room before blindly reaching out to grab the knob and stumbling into the darkness. Your lips moved feverishly against his as the two of you tumble onto the bed, your body on top of his, and you can’t help but moan into his mouth when you felt his hands begin to slide up your back, his fingers resting on the ties of your dress before he’s undoing them.

His name falls from your lips in a breathless sigh, your mouth parting from his as the Prince turned you over so that you were now resting against the bed. Plump lips press soft kisses against the skin on your neck, his tongue teasingly sliding along your flesh as his fingertips dance along the back of your neck.

“Are you sure about this, my love?”

His words were muffled against your skin but you still heard him, your head nodding in acknowledgement as you tugged at the dark tresses of his hair.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything else in my entire life.”

Yuta pulled away at that, his face becoming leveled with yours, and in the darkness you can make out the soft features as he smiled earnestly, his hand gently caressing your face as he leaned down to peck your lips.

“I love you.”

You beamed, pulling him back down to you so you could feel his lips on yours again.

“I love you too.”

That night, there was no rushing. It was slow, it was earnest, and it was full of nothing but love. Yuta had taken his time with you, mapping out every inch and curve of your body almost like he was saving it in his memory. The heated kisses transitioned into slow, passionate ones, and you could remember the exact feeling it had given you when you felt his plush lips trail along the length of your body. His hands had held yours the entire time, fingers tightly interlocked as he had filled you up -- and god, it had felt nothing short of incredible. He moved slow, savoring the feeling of being inside of you, and he made sure that his love was known. The whispered words against your lips only heightened the pleasure and before you had knew it, the two of you were in a tangled sweaty heap as you drifted off to sleep.

But then you had woken up to an abnormally cold morning, your body shivering as your eyes had adjusted to the light of the sun seeping through your window. You had turned over, expecting Yuta to be there, but you were met with an empty space, your heart dropping into the pit of your stomach as you all but stumbled out of bed and hastily grabbed your dressing robe.

You could remember the panic that had rushed through you as you raced down the stairs, the stinging of tears pricking your eyes as you caught side of your mother entering from the front doors. All she had to do was take one look at you to know what you were going to ask -- and that was when you wished you hadn’t gotten out of bed, when you wished the night before hadn’t happened.

“Yuta didn’t tell you he was leaving this morning, did he?”

And that had been your breaking point.

You weren’t sure when you had started crying, you weren’t sure why you had trusted him in the first place, you weren’t sure why you had agreed to meet him in the stupid gardens at midnight. How could you have been so naive to believe that he would stay true to his word? That he actually wanted to fix things? That maybe - just maybe - his love for you had been real.

But here you were, helplessly staring up at the night sky as tears streamed down your face at the memory. The cracks in your heart that had begun to seal up were now reopened, your chest clenching painfully as you laid down onto the stone bench as you let your cries fill the air.

Yuta never showed up.

Numb.

That was all you felt as you trudged into the dining hall for breakfast the next day. The clenching in your chest had ceased. Now you felt absolutely nothing as you sat at the head of the table, idly stirring the porridge that was in your bowl. Your parents - along with King Taro - were busy readying the last minute preparations for your party tomorrow leaving you to a quiet breakfast -- which you were thankful for. The silence in the dining hall was a peace that you relished in. You knew that your gloomy mood would’ve been picked up on immediately had your parents been in the room with you and you were certainly not in the right state of mind to be answering any prying questions.

As you stirred the lumpy oatmeal around in your bowl, it was almost like you had slipped into a daze as you basked in the numbness you were feeling. The sadness, the anger, the hurt -- it was all gone. Your chest felt hollow, empty, almost like the shattered pieces of your heart were now gone, instead replaced by a black hole of nothingness. You had pushed out any sign of hope you had had for the Prince, a cement wall now blocking the inner memories stored in your brain in hopes that the barrier could contain the hurt and the pain you had repressed after he had left.

But it still felt like that morning.

The morning you had learned that Yuta had left with his parents had been one that was filled with endless tears; it felt like betrayal, like the Prince himself had ripped your heart out of your chest and stomped on it repeatedly until it stopped beating. It was filled with the pain of loss, the doubt of love, and a twinge in your chest that felt like knives plunging inside of your body. You had spent that entire morning in your room, sobbing over what could’ve been or what you could’ve possibly done wrong to make him leave without saying goodbye.

And then the numbness kicked in.

It had been a struggle the first few weeks. The heaviness that you felt weighed you down and made it almost impossible to have the strength to do anything other than to lay in bed and stare up at the ceiling, wishing that it would all just go away. You could remember the worry looks that had been on your mother’s face whenever she came in to check on you, the Queen more than likely knowing that something had happened between you and the Prince. She had made her best effort to cheer you up -- but as hard as you had tried to, you just couldn’t bring yourself to smile.

That had lasted a good three months; what had seemed like an endless cycle at the time slowly letting up as time moved forward and the healing process began, but it was safe to say that you hadn’t been the same after that. Before you fell in love with Yuta, you were full of positivity, often described as a bright light that would always illuminate the room you had walked into. Your dazzling smile had captivated the majority of people you came encountered with as they watched you in awe.

But that light had faded the moment the Prince had broken your heart, the jaded feelings overtaking the positive energy you had reflected out into the world. Your dazzling grin was replaced with a forced, tight-lipped smile, one that had never seemed to reach your eyes. It became a burden to you, having to converse with the different guests that had frequently visited your palace, and you found yourself completely drained by the end of the night. Having to put on the facade that you’re happy was utterly exhausting -- but there was no way out of it.

Pushing your bowl of porridge away from you, you reach for the glass of water before taking a sip, your dry throat relishing in the liquid. Just as you had set the glass back down, you hear footsteps near the dining hall, your body on high alert as your gaze snapped to look at the entrance.

“Good morning, my love.”

Numb.

You felt nothing as Yuta neared you, your lips pressed tightly together when you felt the Prince’s lips press against your forehead, your fists clenching as you watched him take a seat next to you. You stayed silent as a bowl is placed in front of him, the Prince humming in delight as he leaned forward to shove a spoonful of porridge into his mouth, his gaze fluttering over to you before he swallowed and smiled brightly.

“Did you eat?” He asked, eyes shining brightly.

“Yes.”

You watched as Yuta’s eyes flickered towards your bowl, the Prince frowning when he noticed the significant amount of food left.

“Barely,” he remarked, his gaze returning onto you as he scanned your features.

“Are you feeling alright?”

Turning away from him, you reached for your glass of water once more.

“I’m fine.”

Your voice was cold as you brought the glass to your lips, taking another swig of water before placing it back down onto the table. Tension rose between the two of you as Yuta began to pick up on your mood, the Prince giving you a weary glance as he took another spoonful of his porridge.

“Your mother told me to tell you that we are expected in the courtyard in an hour for your archery lessons. She said she wants to make sure you make the perfect shot tomorrow at your party --”

“I got it,” you cut him off sharply, pushing your chair back and standing up from the table. “I should go get ready.”

Bowing out of respect - though he didn’t deserve it - you kept your focus on the marble flooring before bidding him goodbye and walking out, the tension never leaving your body as you left Yuta sitting there, the Prince utterly confused as he watched your retreating form disappear behind the large doors.

A shrill scream echoed around the courtyard as the woman ducked the object flying towards her, her body laying flat on the ground as she looked on in terror. Your hand was placed over your mouth as you watched the scene unfold, mindlessly tossing the bow to the ground as you rushed over to help the gardener up.

“I’m so sorry,” you apologized, helping the woman back to get back on her feet. You heard her sigh out of relief and watched as she straightened out her clothes before she bowed.

“It’s quite alright, your highness,” she dismissed, though you knew she was still on edge.

“Here,” you reached to grab the watering can out of her hands. “Let me help you as a repayment of almost taking your head off.”

The woman couldn’t help but laugh at your statement, the gardener shaking her head as she took the can back from you and patted your head.

“Don’t worry too much about it, honey,” she smiled warmly. “It was an accident, no harm done.”

You watched as she made her way towards the entrance of the gardens and once you knew that she was okay, you walked back to your spot with your head hung low, a blush of embarrassment coating your cheeks as you reached down to grab the bow on the ground. Taking a deep breath to help collect yourself, you shut your eyes as you tried to concentrate on what your father had taught you when you were little before taking your stance. You leveled your arrow with what you thought had been the target but the moment you had let go of the bow, the arrow flew over the silver ring and right into the trunk of the tree, your shoulders dropping in defeat as you groaned.

A loud laugh came from behind you as the arrow hit the tree, your eyes narrowing into a glare as you turned around and saw Yuta standing at the steps with a shit-eating grin on his face. His arms were crossed over his chest as he walked down the stairs, his head shaking in amusement as he clicked his tongue.

“You’re not very good, Princess,” he remarked, making you roll your eyes at him.

“Shut up, Yuta,” you grumbled, the Prince falling into another fit of laughter as he now stood beside you.

Disregarding him, you reached down into the bucket and grabbed another arrow before hooking it onto the bow. You took your stance once more but before you could even do anything you felt a warm hand on your waist and another on your elbow so that you wouldn’t let go of it so soon. Turning your head, you glanced at Yuta as he held your waist, his eyes locked on you as he gently turned your body sideways.

“You’re not standing correctly,” he murmured, his breath tickling your neck. You felt a rush of warmth run down your spine, your body involuntarily shivering at the sensation, but you brush it off as you stared at the Prince.

“Is there a particular way I should be standing?”

Yuta’s gaze doesn’t part from yours as he nodded, his other hand dropping from your elbow so that he can place it on the other side of your waist. Gently he shifted your body so it was angled to the right, his hand sliding down the length of your waist all-the-while never breaking eye contact from you. You can feel your breath hitch in your throat when you felt his hand trail over your thigh, your body frozen to the spot as he clutched your calf and made your feet rest shoulder-length apart. Warm heat spread throughout your body and you can only part your lips in surprise as Yuta straightened his posture, hand still on your waist, as he pressed his chest against your back. Delicate fingers trail along your arm leaving goosebumps in their wake as he positions it so that you’re standing in the correct stance.

“Bend your elbow,” he commanded softly.

You blinked as you watched his lips move, your mind still in a daze from his touch, and the Prince can only chuckle to himself before he’s snapping his fingers in front of your face. Breaking out of your faze, you fight the blush that coated your cheeks as you turned your head away from him in embarrassment, your arm raising so you can get ready to shoot.

“Woah, woah, woah!” Yuta’s hand returned to your arm before he’s grasping it gently, lowering it until it’s leveled with your face. “No wonder you’re not hitting anything -- your arm is placed wrong.”

You groaned as you lowered the bow, a pout forming on your lips as you turned to look at Yuta.

“Help me,” you whined, making the Prince laugh.

“I’m trying!” His deep chuckle sounded like music to your ears as he helped you take your stance once more.

Raising your arm, he held it at an angle before he told you to bend your elbow. Once you had done that, he’s leveling the bow with the side of your face before taking your other hand in his.

“You have to make sure the string is leveled with the corner of your eye.” His large hand felt warm over yours, his long fingers covering yours as he helped you bend the string back. “Now close one eye so you can focus on the target without anything else getting in the way. As soon as you’ve got it locked down, you can let go.”

Having Yuta pressed so close against you was a distraction in itself -- but you stood tall and followed every direction he gave you. Closing one eye, you locked your gaze on the middle of the metal ring placed in the field. Holding your breath, you clutched Yuta’s fingers as you let go of the string, the arrow flying into the air at a fast pace. You hadn’t expected the Prince’s teachings to work, you thought that you wouldn’t be successful -- but, somehow, the arrow managed to soar right through the middle of the ring and hit smack dab in the middle of the target.

Your eyes widened as you stared ahead, your lips parting in a grin, and you let out a yell of happiness as you turned to look at Yuta who was beaming with pride.

“I did it!” You cheered, making Yuta nod in acknowledgement.

“You did it, Princess!”

Your arms looped around his neck as you all but jumped on him so you could hug him tightly.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

In the midst of your happiness, you felt yourself grasp the sides of his face before pulling him down to your lips, kissing him out of excitement. Making a surprised noise against your mouth, Yuta wrapped his arms around your waist so he could steady himself from the pull you had on him, a deep chuckle reverberating into your mouth as he kissed you back. Pulling away, you were still grinning from ear to ear as Yuta gazed down at you, his arms pulling you flush against him so he could place a soft kiss on the tip of your nose.

“I’m proud of you, my love,” he said softly, making you blush and hide your face in his chest. Chuckling at your reaction, he kissed the crown of your head before letting his arms fall to his sides.

“Alright, let's see if you can do it one more time.”

The minute you stepped outside into the boiling heat you mentally cursed your mother for making you wear the heavily armored corset for practice, beads of sweat already forming on your forehead as you walked down the steps to the courtyard. Your mother and father were sat on the sidelines, the two idly talking to King Taro who was sat beside your father. You caught sight of Yuta getting ready to shoot his arrow and nearly rolled your eyes as you watched it slip past the ring and hit the target dead on, the Prince smugly waving his bow around as he boasted to the adults.

Stepping onto the grass, you set your bag down onto the ground and made your presence known, the archery teacher standing beside you as he helped you set up your things. You paid no attention to the four sitting idly on the sidelines, your body just ready to go back inside into the cool air of the palace. Quietly thanking the instructor, you slid on the archery glove before grasping your bow and picking it up off of the ground. You hadn’t expected Yuta to still be standing there as you turned around, your body almost colliding into his, and you grumble to yourself as you step around him to be parallel with the target.

“Remember what I taught you, Princess,” he whispered to you, sending you a wink before he walked off to the side.

Your lip curled in distaste as you watched him saunter over to the tree, the Prince resting underneath the leaves in the shade as he leaned against the trunk. At that moment, the smug expression on his face had stirred something inside of you, red hot anger bubbling within the pit of your stomach, and you clenched your teeth as you stared him down. Grabbing an arrow from the bucket, you clipped it onto the string before holding your stance. You could feel several pairs of eyes on you as you measured the arrow towards the ring, but little did they know you had a different target in mind. Letting a smirk grace your lips, you pulled the string back and let it go -- only you made a last minute change of target.

You watched as the arrow sunk into the bark of the tree -- right above Yuta’s head.

The Prince stood still, his eyes wide, and you feigned a look of innocence as you shrugged your shoulders.

“Sorry,” you called out, no remorse what-so-ever in your voice. “It slipped.”

The smirk doesn’t leave your face as you reached down to grab another arrow, a soft chuckle emitting from you as you lined yourself up with the target once more. You knew you were being vindictive, but the red hot anger grew more and more inside of you every time you glanced over at the Prince. Arrow after arrow it landed near Yuta, the Prince dodging them every time they had been directed his way, and you had to bite back a grin as you watched him duck for the ground as the metal point stabbed the part of the tree he had just occupied.

You watched the scowl on your mother’s face, your father’s lips turning into a deep frown as he walked over to you. Placing a hand on your shoulder, his voice was gentle as he spoke.

“Sweetheart, maybe you should take a break…”

“I’m fine, father,” you retorted, reaching down to grab another arrow. “I want to try one more time.”

“(Y/N) --”

“Just let me try the flaming arrow once and then we’ll call it a day.”

Your father looked skeptical, his lips pursing as he thought it over before he reluctantly stepped back, letting you get back to your practice. From where you stood you could hear your mother reprimanding your father for allowing you to proceed with the flaming arrow, a muffled snort of laughter escaping you at the scene unfolding before you. Biting the inside of your cheek to stop the grin forming on your face, you dipped the steel point of the arrow into the small bowl of gasoline before letting it rest on the torch.

Once the point was ignited you clipped it onto your bow and took your stance. The anger coursed through you as you inhaled sharply through your nose, your heart yelling at you to not go through with the idea your brain had come up with, your brain - on the other hand - was plagued by the anger as your mind egged you on to continue. As your gaze shifted over towards the Prince, you stared at him as every single thing he done to hurt you flashed through your mind, the sting of hurt coming to the surface as you bit back the oncoming tears that were beginning to pool behind your eyes.

Clenching the string of the bow tightly, you aimed it towards the target before letting it go. You could feel the tension of those around you as the flaming arrow soared through the air, your gaze locked on Yuta as he winced, afraid that it was going to come at him once more -- only it didn’t. The arrow soared through the center of the metal ring, which was now caught on fire, before it was securely sunken into the paper of the target.

At that moment, four collective sighs of relief echoed around the courtyard and you watched as your father stood to applaud your victory -- but you didn’t feel victorious. The pain in your chest had returned with a vengeance and it took all of what you had inside of you not to break down right then and there. Instead you set your bow down on the ground so you could start packing your things up, silently hoping that you would be left alone.

“I think that’s enough for the day,” your father called out. “Good job, you two. The ceremony tomorrow should undoubtedly be a success.”

The three adults began to head inside after your father’s speech, leaving you to collect your things by yourself. You were shoving your bow into your bag just as a shadow had cast over you, your gaze lifting to meet the angry one of Yuta’s as he glowered down at you.

“What the hell was that?” He seethed, making you feign a confused look.

“What do you mean?”

Yuta’s lips curled into a snarl as he took a step towards you.

“You know exactly what I mean,” he spat. “I had just been telling your father that I taught you everything you know about archery, that you never miss a shot because of me --”

“Oh, honey,” you smirked, straightening up as you pulled your bag over your shoulder. “Don’t be so full of yourself.”

“You made me look bad, (Y/N)!” He yelled in exasperation. “How could you have missed the damn target?!”

The smirk on your face grew as you bravely took a step towards him, your eyes flickering to his as you stared him down.

“I didn’t miss,” you retorted, giving him a once over before tightening your grip on your bag. “You were my target.”

You held your head high as you blew him a kiss goodbye before turning on your heels and walking back towards the palace, the conversation dropping immediately.

But not before you had watched his eyes flash dangerously, hinting at the realization of what your words meant.

Now, you felt victorious.

The next morning was filled with never-ending chaos.

The day of your party meant that everyone around you were running in circles trying to get everything in tip top shape before the guests arrived. The servants and butlers ran around the dining hall and ballroom areas counting each and every chair and table so that they had enough for all of the guests that were going to be arriving in only a few hours. Your mother and father had their separate fittings for their outfits for the night, leaving you to spend the majority of the day locked in your room as your helpers got you ready for the night’s festivities.

Considering that it was your twenty-first birthday party, you should’ve been more upbeat about the whole ordeal. It was a big celebration, one that brought all types of nobilities from across the world, but you couldn’t bring yourself to feel even an ounce of happiness. The whole thing felt like a burden to you, one that weighed you down and made you sluggishly move from station to station as others helped you get ready, and you were already over it.

After the archery fiasco had happened, you found yourself being tortured by the simple presence of the Prince that you were dealt to marry. When you had gotten changed out of the sweaty corset your mother had made you wear, you were forced to join them for dinner -- where you, once again, had to sit next to Yuta. To say that it had been awkward would’ve been the understatement of the century.

The tension between yourself and Yuta had escalated to an all time high, the whole dinner had been spent with the two of you giving each other noticeable glares out of the corners of your eyes as you ate in silence. Your parents had been completely oblivious to the whole thing, the three gushing over how excited they were over the fact that the announcement of your engagement will be finally become public. You had a hard time trying to stomach the idea, the anger and resentment inside of you still brewing harshly in your stomach.

And when the dinner had ended, your mother had the brilliant idea of the five of you checking out the set up for the celebration, leading you to finding out that Yuta was supposed to be the one escorting you inside. Luckily, you had managed to derail that idea --

“Honey, he’s your betrothed --”

“Wouldn’t you rather make it more special? Why not just announce it after I’ve made my rounds of greeting the guests? If you do it too early it’s going to take away from the celebration.”

“She has a point…”

As the hours passed, the announcement that the first slew of guests had arrived making everyone around you panic considering that you still hadn’t gotten your dress on yet. You were still in the process of getting your makeup finished when your mother had stormed in stating that you had only a few moments left before you were meant to be in the foyer. Rolling your eyes at her, you leaned over to the woman doing your makeup before whispering softly.

“It’s alright, don’t rush. She’s always over dramatic and stressed when it comes to things like this.”

Offering the woman a small smile, you watched as she sighed with relief before nodding her head and continuing to line your eyes lightly with the pencil. As she finished up your makeup, you felt the weight on your shoulders as you stood up to go fit into your dress. Nerves bubbled in the pit of your stomach and you almost felt like you were going to be sick as the red material was placed on your bed. The bodice of your corset felt suffocating as they tied it tightly, securing your body in its confinements, and you slowly exhaled once they had finished. Your head felt light and you were afraid that you were going to pass out as you stepped into the dress, Miyoung - who had been silently watching the whole time - zipped you up until you were all set to go.

You watched as the helpers bustled around the room to grab your shoes until you felt a hand on your arm, your gaze landing on Miyoung as she looked at you with concern.

“Are you alright?”

Her eyes swept over your face as they scanned your appearance and you wondered if she could tell how clammy you were.

“Just a bit nervous,” you admitted, making her reach out and bring you into a hug.

“I understand,” she said softly, rubbing your back. “Hey, if it makes you feel any better, you’re already ten times better than I was.”

You had to laugh at that, nodding in agreement.

When Miyoung had her celebration, the poor girl had been stuck in the bathroom for the first fifteen minutes after she had been introduced. Her nerves had gotten the best of her and she ended up head first in the toilet while you had held her hair back for her, muttering that everything was okay -- and you knew that if that happened to you tonight, she would do the same exact thing for you.

All of the ladies had taken a step back from you once you had everything on, a collective gasp echoing throughout your room, and you watched as some of them covered their mouths, eyes watery as they stared at you. Turning to look in the mirror, your own eyes widened in shock at your appearance.

The red strapless dress clung to your body in a way where everything had been accentuated, showing off your shape magnificently. The silver detailing on the bodice of the dress matched the silver, diamond encrusted crown that rested on your head. Your hair had been pulled up into an elegant bun, leaving room so that your diamond studs could be seen in your ears. You wore red gloves that reached up to your elbow, a silver bracelet placed delicately on your wrist to compliment the other jewelry, and your feet were clad in red satin pumps. Your makeup was subtle but still had variants that popped; the smokey black liner, the mascara coated lashes, and a nude lipstick.

“You look beautiful.”

Miyoung’s words broke your concentration from the mirror, a small smile gracing your lips as you took one last look before looping arms with her and heading out the door.

The walk from your room to the entrance of the ballroom wasn’t exactly ideal when it came to wearing pumps, the uncomfortable shoes pinching your feet with every step, and you almost groan in pain as you walk up the stairs to reach the French doors leading to the upper balcony of the ballroom. Your mother and father were already inside, their introductions having happened an hour before yours, and you feel the nerves grow twice in size as you stared at the elegantly carved doors, your gloved fingers playing with the silver bracelet on your wrist as you waited for your introduction.

The weight on your shoulders was heavy as you watched the guards begin to approach the door, their bodies bowing in respect before they gripped the door handles. You felt your heart begin to hammer quickly in your chest, your stomach bubbling nervously, and your mouth went dry as the nerves got the best of you. Inhaling sharply through your nose, you close your eyes as you stay still for a moment. Your mind floated to your happy place as you tried to calm yourself down, still not exhaling. Your head grew light but you didn’t care, the only that mattered was the image of an open field as you ran through it freely, a bright smile on your face. It was liberating to be able to run without a care in the world, and you had wished now more than ever that you could be there instead of attending the celebration.

The image shifted then.

As you ran, you felt arms wrap around your waist before hoisting you up in the air, a shriek of delight escaping you as you’re pulled into a muscular chest. Whipping your head around, you caught sight of familiar warm brown hues and a dazzling bright smile, plump lips edging towards you before they’re pressing against yours. The grip around your waist tightened as he kissed you and you hummed against his mouth, the two of you falling into the field as your limbs stayed attached to one another’s.

Your eyes shot open at that, your lips parting as you exhaled loudly, and you felt your mind go foggy as you looked around, expecting to see the Prince -- but he wasn’t there. Grumbling to yourself for believing that the image had been real, you turned back towards the doors just as they had opened, your hands placed obediently by your side before walking in.

“May I present to you, her royal highness, Princess (Y/N).”

The applause was deafening as you stood at the top of the stairs, your gaze looming over the hundreds of guests that were packed in the ballroom. The only familiar faces you were able to pick out were your parents who stood off to the right with King Taro, Miyoung who was in the center, and you felt your breath hitch as you caught sight of Yuta standing at the foot of the grand staircase. He was dressed in all black save for the metallic silver lining on his dress robes, his hair parted off to the side, revealing his forehead. He had a wide-eyed expression as he looked up at you, lips parting in surprise as you stared back at him.

Carefully you began to descend the stairs, your eyes locked on the Prince the entire way down, and you felt your heart slamming against your ribcage as he offered his arm out to you which you graciously took. You felt the ease wash over you as Yuta pulled you close to him, his eyes never leaving you as you finally made it to the floor. All eyes were on you but you only saw Yuta, your hand clutching his arm as he swept you along the floor to bring you over to guests so you could start making your rounds of welcoming them.

Despite the anger you had held towards the Prince, when it came to stressful moments like this… He was your rock. The familiarity of him set you at ease and you instantly felt the nerves lift as he stood by your side. The warmth that radiated off of him gave you a sense of comfort as you bowed towards the nobles who had approached you, a tight-lipped smile on your face as you greeted them politely. Yuta stood silently by your side as you conversed with them, answering any questions or comments that they had for you before moving on to the next pair.

Somewhere in the middle of making your rounds, Yuta had excused himself as he had been summoned by his father, the Prince giving you one last look to make sure that you were alright before he obediently stood next to the King. As you made your way around the ballroom, you could already feel the fatigue that hit your body as you bowed in front of another guest. Your mind was in overdrive, ready to shut down from having to do the same thing over and over again. The tight-lipped smile never faltered as you bid adieu to another guest, thanking them for coming to the celebration. Turning around, you had began to make a bee-line towards the doors of the ballroom to go get some quick air before you had bumped into someone.

“Oh! I’m so sorry --”

“Pardon me, it was my fault!”

Your eyes almost bugged out of your head as they landed on the person you had bumped into, your heart beginning to speed up as your gaze settled on the face of the handsome man in front of you. Immediately he bowed, an apologetic look on his face as he looked towards the ground.

“I’m so sorry, your highness, I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

His voice was soft, almost like the sound of chimes singing through the wind, only the tone was lower. He rested one knee on the marbled floor before gently grabbing your hand, his pillow soft lips pressing a kiss to your knuckles as he sheepishly looked up at you. You, on the other hand, were as flushed as a tomato, the heat on your cheeks making you want to hide your face as you looked down at the man.

“It -- it’s quite alright, um --”

“Oh!” Standing up from the ground, he still hadn’t dropped your hand as he showed you a beamingly bright smile that struck your heart in all of the best ways. “My name is Taeyong, your highness. Well -- Prince Taeyong, actually. But my title is only used for formalities and --”

Your giggle cut him off, your hand covering your mouth as you grinned at the Prince stumbling over his words. A sheepish grin danced across his lips and he ran his free hand through his hair, thoroughly embarrassed at his rambling.

“Well, Taeyong,” you began, grinning at him. “I believe you owe me something for bumping into me. Perhaps, a dance?”

You watched as his expression brightened at your words, the grip on your hand tightening as he nodded enthusiastically.

“It would be an honor, your highness.”

You couldn’t stop the fluttering in your stomach as he brought you to the middle of the dance floor, his warm hand resting on the curve of your hip while his other laced with yours. He pulled you in close before the two of you began to waltz to the music the orchestra was playing, your eyes locked on his as he smiled brightly at you. It was almost like the two of you were gliding effortlessly along the floor, Taeyong leading you in a flawless dance, and you had to stop yourself from swooning as he spun you around before pulling your body back towards his. His movements were fluid, every step sharp and defined, and you felt yourself getting lost in the soft gaze of his eyes.

It was almost like you had been put under a spell, completely entranced by the man you were dancing with, and it wasn’t until the sound of a throat clearing from behind you interrupted the dance before you snapped out of the daze. Turning your head, you saw Yuta, the Prince glaring angrily at the man you were dancing with before he took a step closer towards you.

“Pardon the interruption,” his voice held an edge to it and you had to bite back a laugh as he stared down Taeyong. “But the King and Queen requested her presence.”

Stepping back from you, Taeyong sent you a warm smile and lifted your hand to his lips, kissing it softly before bowing in respect.

“It was an honor dancing with you, your highness,” his velvety voice made your heart sing and you couldn’t help but send him a smile back. “Hopefully we can have one more before the night ends.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Yuta’s mumble doesn’t go unnoticed and you have no time to reply to Taeyong before the Prince grabbed your hand and dragged you towards the other end of the ballroom. You can feel the anger radiating off of him as his tight grip clutched your hand, his lips pulled into a sneer, and you fight the urge to roll your eyes at his dramatic behavior before ripping your hand out of his.

“Simmer down, boy,” you chided, making Yuta’s head snap to look over at you. “It was just a dance.”

“It wasn’t just a dance, (Y/N),” he snapped. “It was more than that and you know it.”

You had to laugh at that, your head shaking in amusement, crossing your arms over your chest before quirking an eyebrow.

“Oh really?” You asked, clearly amused. “How so?”

For a moment you saw a flash of hurt cross his features, the Prince staring you down as he moved closer to you.

“You were looking at him like --” he paused, and you watched as he swallowed, his Adam’s Apple bobbing up and down. “Nevermind.”

He had made a move to turn away from you but instead you reached up to gently grab his face, making him look back at you with a sad gaze.

“I was looking at him like what?” You asked softly, your gaze sweeping over his face as you tried to figure out what he was thinking. “Tell me, Yuta.”

Yuta stayed silent as his eyes softened, the palm of his hand reaching up to gently caress your face. Leaning into his touch you felt a sense of longing run through you, the gesture making your mind fill with the endless touches of love he used to give you. You felt your heart soar as the pad of his thumb gently stroked the edge of your jaw -- and in a flash, it was gone.

“Come on,” he said, dropping his hand from your face. “We have to get ready for the announcement.”

You stood beside your mother and father at the top of the balcony, overlooking the crowd of guests as the room grew silent. Your fingers were twisted together in a sense of nervousness as the hundred pairs of eyes stared back at you in question, your lips pressed together in a tight line as your father stepped forward. Immediately the crowd bowed, honoring the King, and you watched as your father bit back a fit of laughter as he looked on at them.

“Firstly, I would like to thank you all for coming here tonight to help us celebrate my daughter’s birthday,” he began, gesturing towards you. “As you all know, the Princess’s twenty-first birthday is a big deal. It’s almost like the coming-out party to help introduce her to possible suitors who are worthy enough to stand by her side and help rule the country.”

You straightened your posture as your mother stepped aside, allowing you to stand by your father as he began speaking again.

“Fortunately, however, she has found him already.”

This time it was your father who had stepped aside, the King gesturing for Yuta to take his place beside you before the two of you walked to the edge of the balcony. Looping your arm through his, you couldn’t help but look up at the man as he peered down at you. There was a sense of longing in his eyes, the warm brown hues focusing on you and you only, and you watched as his plump lips turned upwards into a gentle smile. Clutching onto him you all but buried yourself into his side as you tried to conceal yourself from the crowd’s view, Yuta chuckling softly when he noticed your actions.

“Relax,” he murmured. “I’m here, I’ve got you.”

Your father’s speech became static noise as you looked up at Yuta, the Prince never once breaking eye contact with you, and you let your mind wander as your gaze swept over his features. The sharp line of his jaw, the high-pointed nose, the plump lips… Had he always been this handsome? Over the course of the week had you been that blind with rage and hurt that you never got to relish in the gentle glint in his eyes, the soft brush of his hands on you, or even notice the emotion he had hidden behind the cold exterior. The realization hit you full force as the crowd began to cheer and clap as the announcement was made -- but you didn’t care.

All that mattered was the man standing beside you.

But soon you were ripped away from your husband-to-be as your friends pulled you towards them, words of excitement for your engagement falling from their lips as they hugged you out of happiness. Reluctantly pulling your gaze away from Yuta, you looked over at Miyoung who stood there with a knowing grin on her face, the blonde wrapping an arm around your shoulders as she hugged you.

“I told you so,” she said in a sing-song voice making you roll your eyes at her.

“I haven’t talked to him yet,” you frowned. “For all I know, he could be faking it.”

Miyoung scoffed, pushing you playfully.

“Oh, honey,” she laughed, shaking her head. “There’s no way anyone can fake a look like that.”

With that, she sent you a wink before catching sight of Prince Jaehyun crossing the floor. You watched as her eyes narrowed into a glare, pink lips parting, before she called out to him from across the room.

“Jung Jaehyun you still owe me a rematch!”

You couldn’t help but laugh at your friend’s antics as you watched her storm out of the ballroom, the Prince hot on her heels before they made their way outside to the archery station. Rubbing your gloved hands together you looked around the room at the guests; some were waltzing on the dance floor, others conversing off to the side. The soft music of the orchestra playing as drowned out by conversations and you suddenly felt the dryness of your lips. Picking up the skirt of your dress you headed over to the head table before grabbing your glass, lifting it to your lips and taking a sip.

“I suppose a ‘congratulations’ is in order, your highness?”

You almost spat your water out in surprise as the voice came from behind you, your eyes widening as they landed on a smirking Taeyong’s face. Picking up a napkin you hastily dabbed at your mouth before turning towards him with a shrug of your shoulders, a sheepish expression on your face.

“I suppose so,” you affirmed, making Taeyong laugh.

“He’s a lucky man,” he said, taking a step closer towards you. “Just promise me one thing, your highness.”

You felt your breath hitch as the back of Taeyong’s hand ran along your jaw, the soft touch of his fingertips barely grazing your skin as his smirk widened.

“If you ever find yourself unsatisfied by the man you marry, do not hesitate to come and find me.”

Your eyes widened at the blatant sensual undertone of his words, your cheeks growing hot underneath the touch and gaze of the Prince as a flash of hunger showed in his eyes.

“I don’t think that will be necessary, your highness.”

Yuta’s sharp tone made you flinch and you found yourself backing away from Taeyong as the two Princes looked at one another; one out of anger the other out of smugness. Wrapping a protective arm around your waist, Yuta pulled you behind him as he stepped in front of you, eyes staring dangerously down at Taeyong.

“If you’ll excuse us,” he gritted out. “We will be leaving now.”

The harsh grip on your hand has you crying out softly as you feel yourself begin to be pulled away from Taeyong and through the crowd, your eyes narrowing into a glare as you stared at the back of Yuta’s head whilst he dragged you out of the ballroom. Trying to rip your hand from his grasp, you pushed on his arm as he pulled you up the stairs before he finally let go the moment the two of you were alone in an empty corridor. Your eyes flashed angrily as you stepped back from him, the Prince mirroring your expression as the two of you glared at one another.

“How dare you pull me away like that!” You yelled, making Yuta roll his eyes. “I’m not some doll that you could just tug and pull!”

“I’m sorry for being too rough,” his voice sounded the exact opposite of his words, the tone harsh and cold. “But you need to be more careful around people like that!”

“People like what? Like Taeyong --”

“Don’t say his name,” he seethed, glaring daggers towards the ballroom. “You need to stop being so trusting with other people --”

“You act like that’s a bad thing!”

“It is!” His voice raised and you fought back a flinch as it echoed in the empty corridor. “People like that will take advantage of you --”

“Wow, that sounds familiar,” you bit back, making Yuta’s face contort with confusion.

“Excuse me?”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have been so trusting with you, either,” you spat.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”

“I don’t know, Yuta, you tell me,” your voice was harsh as you took a step closer to him. “I let my guard down for you, I let you show me things I’d never seen before, I fell in love with you! And what did you do? You left me here to rot!”

Your voice wavered as tears pricked the corners of your eyes, all of the pent up feelings and emotions that you had been holding back now coming to light as you glared menacingly at the Prince.

“You made love to me and then you left me,” your lip quivered as a tear rolled down your cheek, Yuta’s face softening at the sight. “Do you know how that made me feel? Do you know what it felt like when I woke up the next morning expecting you to be there only to find out that you had left --”

“My mother was sick!”

“That doesn’t give you the right to just leave without saying anything!” You yelled, the tears now freely flowing. “All of the promises you made that night, all of the words you said to me… They meant nothing to you, did they? When you asked me to meet you at midnight and you never showed up --”

“Wait --”

“I waited for you!” you cried, furiously wiping your tears. “I waited and waited but you never showed up!”

“I told one of the maids to tell you that I wasn’t going to be able to make it!” His claimed, exasperatedly. “She said she was going to tell you --”

“Well she didn’t,” you snapped.

The tears felt hot on your face as you let out a choked sob, your heart hammering against your chest. 

“Did you even love me at all, Yuta? Everything you had told me; all of the feelings, the secrets -- were they just a ploy to get me to fall for you just so you could break my heart?”

Yuta’s face fell at your words, a deep frown on his lips.

“You -- you think I didn’t love you?” The crack in his voice doesn’t waver your anger, your lips pressed together in a tight line as you stayed silent. “You really think that I was faking all of that?”

“What else am I supposed to think?!” You cried out, furiously wiping at your tears. “You left me, Yuta! That doesn’t exactly scream ‘I love you’ now, does it?”

“I didn’t have a choice!” His voice raised once more, the crack even more evident now, and you laughed humorlessly as you shook your head.

“You did have a choice!” You retorted. “You chose not to tell me. You chose to leave without saying goodbye. You chose to lead me on --”

“I never led you on!” You could tell that Yuta was reaching his breaking point, the Prince’s body shuddering each time he yelled. “God, I would never do that --”

“You never answered my question, either,” your voice was cold as you spoke, vision blurry from the tears. “You never loved me did you?”

Yuta’s breathing was labored as you cut him off, his face unreadable, and he watched as you took another step towards him.

“Admit it, Yuta,” you taunted. “Just tell me that I’m right and I’ll --”

Your words were swallowed by Yuta as the Prince grabbed the back of your neck and pulled you up to him, his lips crashing harshly onto yours. Your shriek was muffled as he kissed you roughly, teeth clamping down onto your bottom lip as your head finally wrapped around the fact that he was kissing you -- Yuta was kissing you.

A muffled moan escaped your lips as you looped your arms around his neck, bringing him further down towards you as you began to kiss him back. Opening your mouth, you let your tongue glide against his, mewling at the contact as your fingers pulled harshly at his dark locks. Yuta growled against your lips, his hand dropping from the back of your neck before landing on your waist as he pushed you back. Feeling your back hit the wall roughly, you dug your nails into his scalp in retaliation, teeth clamping down onto his bottom lip before you’re pulling back breathlessly.

Yuta doesn’t there, though. Instead he’s kissing down your jaw, nibbling the flesh every now and again, before he’s making his way down the length of your neck. His warm tongue runs along the expanse of your neck as you tilt your head back to give him more access.

“Don’t you dare think --” he paused, his hot breath fanning against your skin before he lifted his head from your neck so he could look you dead in the eye. “That I never loved you. I loved you more than I could ever put into words, (Y/N). Hell, I still love you.”

You could feel your heart begin to pound rapidly against your ribcage as he spoke, your eyes widening as you looked up at him in surprise.

“You -- what?”

Yuta’s gaze grew soft, the tip of his nose brushing against yours as he look at you in earnest.

“I love you,” he murmured, lips brushing against yours with every word. “I never stopped loving you -- mmf!”

His words had ignited a fire within your body.

Your lips were ruthless against his, kissing him in what would could be classified as desperation mixed with longing as you tangled your fingers in his hair. Wrapping one leg around his waist, you pulled his body closer to you until his lower half was flush against yours, your hips rolling to gain any kind of friction you could. His plump lips are soft against yours, a groan emitting from his chest as his hand slid underneath your dress to rest on your bare thigh, fingers digging into your flesh as he pulled you against him. His hips pinned yours against the wall as his tongue swirled around yours, your name falling from his lips in a breathless moan as you circled your hips against him. You can feel the heat pool between your thighs as his fingers danced along your skin, the need for him becoming more and more apparent.

You could faintly hear the music playing from the ballroom, the chatter of the guests bringing you out of your daze as you drew back from Yuta’s lips- only to have him chase right after yours. You moaned lowly as he licked inside of your mouth, his kisses becoming addictive. The noise from the ballroom faded into silence as you, once again, lost yourself in Yuta’s lips, the plush flesh feeling what you would expect heaven to seem like. You felt the air in your lungs begin to grow tight as you became light-headed, drawing back from the kiss for the second time.

“We can’t stay here,” you breathed out, making Yuta hum against your jaw, the Prince lazily drumming his fingers on the flesh of your thigh.

“Why not?” He asked, amusement in his voice. “Don’t want the others to know that their good little Princess is capable of doing such naughty things?”

His nose grazed against your neck, a smirk forming on his lips as he felt you arch into him, your body on high alert as he moved his fingers up your thigh.

“Do you not want them to see their little Princess getting fucked against the wall by the man who loves her?” You couldn’t control the moan that escaped as he bit down on your neck, a lewd suck emitting from his mouth as he enclosed his lips around your skin.

You felt his fingers prod against the hem of your panties, your lips parting as his name fell with a breathy whimper, the Prince smirking against your flesh as he ran his tongue over the newly formed bruised on your neck. Your fingers are tangled in his hair as he pushed past the confinements of your panties, his fingers gliding over your slicked core. Tightening your thigh around his waist, you push into his touch, wanting - needing - more of him.

“Yuta,” you whimpered, making the Prince raise his head from your neck and give you a look, eyebrow raised in question. “P- please.”

“Please what, Princess?” He teasingly asked, making you groan.

Reaching down you grabbed his wrist before pushing more of his hand into your panties, your teeth sinking into your bottom lip as you rolled your hips into his touch.

“Touch me.”

A low growl emitted from his chest as he surged forward, lips crashing onto yours as his fingers ran along your folds, coating the digits in your arousal before he’s pushing one inside of you. You’re mewling at the contact, your hips rolling as you craved more friction from him. Your tongue swirled around his as he curled the digit against your tight walls, a breathless moan escaping you as you rode the rhythm of his hand.

He’s slipping a second finger inside of you, the Prince lazily licking into your mouth as he pumped the digits, the tip of his middle finger brushing against a spot that has you jerking into his hand, a loud moan reverberating into his mouth as he curled them. Your hips have a mind of their own, rolling shamelessly into the rhythm, riding the digits without a care in the world. You’re breaking away from his mouth and tilting your head back, moaning into the air as he nibbled on the skin of your neck.

“Yuta,” you moaned, breathless. “Please -- please take me to my room.”

“Why?” He asked, panting against your neck. “Tell me why and we’ll go.”

Shakily you rested your hands on the sides of his face before bringing him up to look at you, your eyes wide and pleading as you fight the pleasure that his fingers are giving you.

“I want you to make love to me.”

The words were soft, almost inaudible, but by the sound of Yuta growling and ripping his fingers from you, you knew he had heard it.

The door of your room is slammed shut the moment the two of you are secured inside, desperate touches igniting your body on fire as he pressed you up against the door. Impatient fingers are sliding over the zipper of your dress before pulling it down, the Prince groaning against your neck when he caught sight of the corset underneath.

“I hate these things,” he whined breathlessly, making you giggle.

“You had a hard time undoing it last time…”

Yuta’s eyes flashed dangerously at your words, the Prince taking them as a challenge before a smirk danced across his lips.

“I’m different now, my love,” he whispered, his breath sending shivers down your spine as his fingers rested on the front of the corset. “Would I have been able to do this last time?”

The sound of fabric ripping echoed around the room, your eyes widening as you watched the now ripped corset being tossed to the ground. Desire pooled in your lower body at the sight, your bottom lip being sucked into your mouth as your gaze settled back on the Prince in front of you. He’s smirking cockily, the tips of his fingers brushing against your now bare chest, and you can’t help but to whimper, your fingers sliding under his dress robes before you’re sliding them off of his body.

“You don’t know what I’m capable of, sweetheart,” he murmured, making you smirk.

“I should be the one saying that.”

Your lips reattached to his as you pull at his vest, your tongue sliding against his as his fingers tweaked at your nipples, the pleasure striking a shiver down your spine as you tossed the material to the floor. Desperation and want is coursing through your veins as you break away from his mouth to pull his shirt over his head, your eyes widening when you catch sight of the defined muscle that had been hidden beneath the fabric. Your pupils were blown with lust as your eyes raked over his body, your tongue sweeping over your lips as Yuta let out a soft chuckle.

“Like what you see, Princess?”

His lips were pressed to your ear, teeth nibbling on the lobe, and you moaned in response, your fingers greedily running over the curves of his abdomen, relishing in the feel of the defined muscles. Feeling his hands grip your thighs, you let out a surprised squeak as you feel yourself being lifted up and spun over towards the bed, Yuta’s lips attaching to your chest as he pressed you into the soft mattress. His tongue glided over your pert nipples, taking one of the buds into his mouth before softly biting down.

Pleasure ran through you and you couldn’t help but arch into him as his tongue swept around the sensitive bud. Your nails raked down his back before settling between his shoulder blades and digging in, marking his back with scratches as you lifted your hips to roll into his. Yuta moaned against your chest, one hand sliding into your panties as he resumed what he had been doing before the two of you had gotten to your bedroom.

His fingers mercilessly curled against your tight walls, the pad of his thumb pressing against your clit making your voice grow in volume, the Prince’s name falling from your lips as your nails raked against his skin. With his free hand he tugged the material of your panties down your legs and broke away from your breasts, Yuta sliding down your body until he’s throwing your legs over his shoulders and leaning in towards your core.

Feeling the tip of his tongue pressing against your clit has you reeling against him, your hips bucking up into his face as you fight to put more pressure on the sensitive bud. Chuckling softly against you, he obeyed your silent wishes and lifted his head until he had flattened the wet muscle against the bud, sucking harshly at it until he had you writhing beneath him. He’s humming softly against your core, the sound reverberating against your body and effectively making you shudder against him as the speed of his tongue increased.

He’s sliding a third digit inside of you, your walls easily stretching for him, and he can’t help but smirk against your clit as he peered up at you through a hooded gaze.

“You taste so good, Princess.”

His breath fanned against your core as he looked up at you flirtatiously, the cheeky smile making you groan with impatience, and you’re fisting your hands in his hair before pulling him back towards your core. Chuckling softly, he gets the message and continues what he was doing before; teasing kitten licks and soft suckles against your clit have you rolling your hips into his mouth, his unoccupied hand reaching out to pin them against the bed. The three digits inside of you curl and press against your inner walls, the stretch along with the pleasure of his mouth making you see stars, and you can feel your lower half begin to tighten, an overwhelming pleasure wracking your body before your hips try to fight the pressure.

Your release hits you like waves crashing onto shore, a cry of Yuta’s name coming from your mouth as the Prince brought you to your high. His tongue still prodded against the now oversensitized bud, fingers milking your release. Your eyes are squeezed shut, nails digging into his scalp, and you’re whimpering softly when you felt him slide his fingers from you, the emptiness making you squeeze your thighs together in hopes of creating some sort of friction between them.

Yuta had other plans, however.

Prying your legs apart, he’s leaning down to press soft kisses up your body, tongue sweeping past his lips every now and again as he kissed a trail up your chest and neck before reaching your lips. You can still taste yourself on his tongue as it brushed past the seam of your lips, the lustful aura diminishing into something much more intimate as he blindly untied his pants. Reaching down to help him, you’re pushing the soft material down his legs, his briefs following in suit, and you felt your breath hitch as the tip of his length prodded against your core.

A sudden strike of fear rushed through you then, your mouth breaking apart from his, and you can feel tears pricking the corners of your eyes as you looked up at him, the Prince’s face contorting into one of concern as he reached up to cup yours.

“What’s the matter,” he murmured, warm brown hues scanning your body in case he had hurt you.

“Please don’t leave me again.”

The words escaped you before you could stop them, the sadness in your tone making a look of hurt flash across Yuta’s features and he’s shaking his head before leaning down and pressing his lips to yours once more.

While the other kisses had been heated and lustful, this one was languid and deep. You felt your heart soar as the passionate kiss deepened, Yuta’s hand traveling from your face to grab your own hand, fingers interlacing with yours as he steadied himself against you.

“I’m not leaving you,” he whispered against your lips, eyes boring into yours. “Not again. Not ever.”

With one hand still laced with yours, his other lined his length up with your core, pumping it a few times before he sheathed himself inside of you.

A sigh of relief escaped both yours and Yuta’s lips as your walls convulsed around him, your tight heat stretching to accommodate the size of his thick cock. Wrapping your legs around his hips, you lift yourself up off the bed to allow him to rest deeper inside of you, a moan of delight escaping the Prince as he now held both of your hands, pinning them above your head as his mouth continuously pressed to yours.

The rhythm started slow, thrusts shallow as he waited for you to get used to him. His lips move slowly against yours, hands tightening their hold on yours, and you can’t help but let out a soft gasp when you felt his hips push deeper.

“Yuta --”

His name comes out in a choked moan, the Prince playfully nibbling on your bottom lip as he rolled his hips into yours.

“My Princess,” he breathed out, making your body fill with heat, a whimper escaping you as he took your bottom lip between his teeth. “My beautiful Princess.”

The slow rhythm began to pick up when he felt your walls stretch further, his cock drawing out of you before quickly sliding back in. The pick up in speed has you mewling against his lips, your fingers squeezing his as your ankles locked behind his back. The soft sound of skin meeting skin echoed around the room and you had to draw back from his lips as you arched into him, your lips parting in pleasure as his hips rocked roughly into yours.

Yuta suckled bruises into the skin on your chest as his thrusts sped up, the sound of his hips slapping against yours becoming louder and louder with each movement and you’re arching into the feel of him as your nails began to rake down his back. Moan after moan falls from your lips and you almost whimper in protest as one of his hands left yours, your mouth opening to whine before a moan concealed it, Yuta’s thumb pressing against your sensitive bud before he’s rubbing it roughly.

His lips dotted kisses along the expanse of your neck, his breathing ragged as his thrusts began to grow sloppily in rhythm, his teeth sinking into your flesh as his cock brushed against the same spot his fingers had, your hips jerking against the friction as you wailed with pleasure. The tightening in your core signalled that you were close, the brink of your release building rapidly as Yuta let out a choked moan against your flesh. Your nails scraped along his back, the markings making the Prince retaliate by digging his own into your wrist, the pain mixing with the pleasure as you clenched around his cock.

Your release washed over you in a pleasureable wave, Yuta’s name falling from your lips with a soft cry, your hips rolling to meet his as you rode out your high. Your core is sensitive as Yuta’s thrusted deeply, the Prince’s voice catching in his throat as he slid out of you and pumped his length. Your eyes were hooded as fatigue took over your body, the sight of Yuta’s release spurting over your abdomen as he came with a grunt, his head thrown back as his lips parted in pleasure.

Your chest is rising and falling at a rapid pace as you fought to catch your breath, your vision blurred from the intense pleasure you had just experienced, and you can barely make out the silhouette of Yuta as he reached down to grab his shirt. The soft fabric of the shirt runs along the length of your abdomen, Yuta placing soft kisses along your hips as he cleaned you up. You could still feel your core trembling as he gently lifted you up to pull the covers back, Yuta letting you rest against the mattress before climbing next to you.

Warm, muscular arms wrapped around your form as the blankets laid over top of you, his face nestling in the crook of your neck as he pressed soft kisses to your flesh.

“I love you,” he murmured, and you turned your head to press a chaste kiss to his lips.

“I love you too.”

The warmth of the sun illuminated your skin as morning came, the birds chirping happily outside of your window as you groaned, burying your face from the bright rays. Your body was hot from the heat of the morning sun, the comforter of your bed becoming too much for you as you shoved the cloth to the floor. Now you’re completely uncovered, your skin relishing in the exposure after being smothered by hot blankets all night. A dull ache in your lower body made another groan escape from you and you’re rolling over to the other side of the bed before burying your head into the pillow.

And then you realize something…

Lifting your head, your mind wraps around the fact that you’re alone. Your heart dropped as memories of the night before replayed over in your mind, deja vu hitting you like a freight train, and you can already feel the tears prick the corners of your eyes as you sit up in bed. Your heart ached painfully as you’re slowly reaching for your dressing gown, the silk material clinging to your skin, and you had just managed to button it up before your door opened.

“Good morning, my love.”

Relief. Happiness. Love.

The tears streamed down your face as you jumped onto the Prince, a cry of relief escaping you as your hands banged against his chest, your face burying in the crook of his neck before you gave up on hitting him and looped your arms around his neck. Yuta stumbled a bit from the impact before carefully placing the tray onto the bed.

“Don’t do that to me!” You yelled, making the Prince stare down at your tearful state.

“Hey, hey, hey,” he cooed, wrapping his arms around you and hugging you tightly. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I thought you had left me again,” you cried, making Yuta frown.

Gently taking you in his arms, he let you curl up on his lap as he rocked you back and forth, his lips pressing to your forehead as he whispered sweet nothings, waiting for you to calm down before he lifted your face so he could look down at you.

“Hey,” he called softly, your tearful gaze making him frown as he caressed the sides of your face. “I’m not going to leave you, Princess.”

Your lip trembled as the tears began to slow, your head nodding in acknowledgement.

“I just went to go get us some breakfast.”

Your gaze fell on the silver tray he had been carrying in and, as if on cue, you heard your stomach grumble, the noise making Yuta chuckle as he gently set you on the mattress. Lifting the cover off of the tray, he beamed when he revealed the golden pancakes, scrambled eggs, and cup of orange juice. You felt your heart soar as you looked up at him, a small laugh escaping you as you wiped the remaining tears off of your face.

“I’m sorry,” you apologized, watching as Yuta moved to sit beside you on the bed. “I guess I just -- assumed that it happened again.”

Leaning over to press a kiss to your forehead, Yuta let his lips linger for a moment before turning towards the tray and stabbing a forkful of pancake. Lifting it to your lips he gestured for you to open your mouth before feeding you, a soft hum escaping him as he happily watched you eat.

“I suppose that’s my fault, too,” he remarked, a sheepish smile on his face. “Perhaps I should’ve waited until you were awake to go get you something to eat, given our -- my -- history.”

A frown formed on your lips as you looked up at him, your fingers idly playing with the strands of his hair as you leaned into him, resting your chin on his shoulder.

“Can I ask --” you paused, swallowing the pancake before resuming. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Yuta let out a deep sigh, remorse clouding his features, and he fed you another piece of the pancake before speaking.

“I couldn’t do it,” he admitted, guiltily looking away. “I avoided it until it was too late. My mother had just been diagnosed with the sickness and we were set to go the week after that…”

Yuta stopped talking, his eyes dropping to look at the ground as he frowned.

“I loved you so much that it hurt -- it hurt that I had to say goodbye to you. I thought that -- that maybe if I said nothing at all it would hurt less, that not seeing you the day we set off to go back home would be easier than a tearful goodbye… But it wasn’t.”

Pushing the tray away, he grasped your face gently before pulling you towards him.

“I thought about you every day I was gone, Princess. Everywhere I turned, you were there. The simple thought of you got me through everything; it got me through watching my mother succumb to her sickness, it got me through the sadness of her funeral. You have been my rock since day one -- and I’m sorry that I was not able to be the same for you.”

You shook your head, your thumbs brushing away the tears that had collected at the corners of his eyes.

“I forgive you,” you murmured.

You watched as Yuta’s shoulders shook as he cried, his grip on you tightening as you kissed his head, your lips forming into a pout as you rested your cheek against his.

“I’m sorry I shot all of those arrows at you.”

A choked back laugh escaped the Prince at that, his teary gaze filling with joy as he lifted his head to look at you, a grin playing on your lips as you giggled.

“I forgive you,” he said, repeating your words. “Besides -- you can’t get rid of me that easily, my love.”

A shriek escaped you as you felt yourself being pressed into the mattress as Yuta tackled you on the bed, his lips kissing any part of your face that he could reach, a wide, dazzling grin on his lips as he held you tightly to him.

“I was yours then --”

Kiss.

“I’m yours now --”

Kiss.

“I’m yours forever.”

And he meant it.

[pennylanefics]

Baby Girl - Finn Cole

a/n: thanks to the anon who sent this idea in :) i don’t think this is written well, but it is super sweet

•••

Finn laid next to you, cuddled up in your arms, his hand resting on your stomach. You two just found out exciting yet scary news that you were pregnant. It wasn’t planned, which is why you, mostly, were nervous. You had no idea what the future would hold, all you knew was that Finn was so happy.

“Love, are you doing okay?” Finn asks in a soft voice. He gazes up at you, rubbing his thumb against the fabric of your t-shirt.

“Yeah, just thinking.” He sits up and leans against the headboard, staring at you with curiosity.

“About what?” This is where you had to tell him you were terrified. In all of the joy and celebration over the fact that you were becoming a family, you didn’t realize all of the hardships that were to come. You weren’t that young, both of you in your mid-to-late twenties, so you were well off and prepared financially, but the idea of being a mother was scaring you.

“Everything. Will I even be a good mother? Will something happen before my due date that puts them or me at risk? Will I even make it to the second trimester without a misscarriage?”

“Hey, hey, hey,” Finn coos, pulling you into his chest and rocking gently side to side. His hand strokes your hair softly, in a comforting way.

“You need to not stress out. We’ll get through this, love. You’re going to be an amazing mother, I know it. You are always so good with my nieces and nephews, I know you’re going to be the best mum, there’s no doubt in my mind.” A small smile makes its way onto your lips and you snuggle closer to Finn.

“You think so?”

“I know so. We’re going to be great parents. I can’t wait till we have our small family.”

“Can we get a cat too?” Finn sighs dramatically and at that moment, Molly jumps up onto the bed.

“We already have Molly.”

“She’s yours, though. You got her when we weren’t together. This cat will be ours.”

“We’ll see in a couple months.”

“I’ll ask you when I’m ready to pop and you can’t say no to me,” you joke, making Finn laugh, since he knew full well that you were telling the truth; there was no way he could say no to anything when you’re about to give birth to his child.

—

You were now four months along and ready to find out the sex of the baby. You and Finn weren’t up for waiting weeks to find out with a reveal party, so you decided to just find out the old-fashioned way, while at the doctor’s appointment.

“Hi, how are you feeling?” Your doctor comes in with a smile on her face. You return the gesture and lay back on the table, Finn by your head.

“I’m feeling great.”

“Any nausea?”

“Some, but it’s only triggered by certain foods and scents, so I’ve been cautious and staying away from them.”

“That’s good. Any other pains, cramps, problems that you’ve had so far?”

“Nope. Everything’s good.”

“Great. So you know the drill, I’m gonna have you lay back and put the gel on your stomach.” You do as she says, feeling the cool gel on your warm skin.

Finn holds your hand, squeezing it gently.

“I’m so excited,” he whispers, making your doctor chuckle.

“It is a pretty exciting thing. You’re the most eager dad I’ve seen today.”

“Yeah, Finn’s very ecstatic for this appointment. He’s been up early just waiting to leave.” She moves the wand around your stomach, searching for the baby. Within a few minutes, a heartbeat rings out in the room.

Even though he’s heard it before at a couple appointments, Finn can’t help but tear up every single time. His grip tightens a bit and you look behind you, up at him. His smile is huge and his eyes are filled with adoration.

“Would you like to know the sex?” Your doctor asks.

“Yes,” both you and Finn reply at the same time. She looks back to the monitor, continuing to examine the picture before turning back to you two.

“Congratulations, it’s a girl!” Finn has to keep himself from falling to the ground upon hearing that he has a daughter. He’s always dreamed of having a daughter, and he was really hoping that your child would be one. And now his dream was coming true.

“Holy shit,” he breathes out, tears involuntarily streaming down his cheeks. “We’re having a little girl.”

“We are,” you beam, pulling him down to hug him. He holds you tightly as the doctor prints some photos and cleans you up.

“We have to go shopping,” Finn says to you as soon as you get into the car.

“What?”

“We have to go buy stuff for her.”

“Finn, we have five more months to buy things.”

“I know, but can we?” He was basically acting like a little kid wanting to go to the toy store. But seeing how he reacted to having a girl, you couldn’t say no. As soon as you agree, he puts the car in drive and begins his way to the store.

You two spend a good hour in there, Finn picking out an insane amount of onesies, bows and shoes. He even picks out a few toys for her, even though she won’t play with them until she was months old.

“Okay, I don’t think we need anymore onesies or clothes,” you say as you put everything you bought into a box labeled “baby” for her nursery that you two would be fixing up in the coming months.

“I couldn’t help myself. Everything is so cute and I’m so excited to see her in them,” he replies, falling onto the bed. Once you finish, you join him, curling up in his arms.

“It’s all pretty adorable.” Finn’s hand goes right to your belly, a habit that increased in the past month, and stares down at you.

“I’m so thankful that you’re giving me a daughter, giving us a daughter. I can’t begin to explain how much it means to me,” he whispers.

“Well, you are the one that got me pregnant, so I really have no choice.” You both laugh, but you know what he means.

“I love you, Finn. There’s no one else in the world that I want to start a family with.”

“I love you too, darling. And I already love our little girl so much.”

—

You were on the couch, relaxing for night after a day of work. Thankfully, you weren’t in too much pain, but you were exhausted, even though you only worked about four to five hours. Finn was filming in the city for the day, so you were alone until he got home.

It had been raining all day, so Finn stumbles inside, soaked to the bone.

“Hi love,” he breathes out, dropping his things to the floor. He shrugs his coat off and rubs his hands together for some warmth.

“Did you walk home or something?” You wonder, sitting up. His hair was dripping wet and his cheeks were slightly tinted pink.

“Yeah. I took the underground to the city and couldn’t hail a cab home because of the rain.”

“Why don’t you go take a shower to warm up and I’ll make you a cup of tea and some cookies.”

“That sounds lovely, thank you.” Finn disappears into your bedroom and you get up to make his drink.

About ten minutes later, Finn returns, dressed in pajamas and drying his hair with a small towel. You just finished pouring the hot water over the bag of tea in the two glasses as he comes up behind you, resting his hands on your stomach.

“I missed you both today,” he mumbles into your neck. Giggling, you turn around to give him a proper hug.

“We missed you too.”

“Has she kicked yet? I feel like I’m missing out on so much.”

Finn hated that he still had to work during this time, but you assured him that he wasn’t missing too much. She was moving around, but she has yet to kick. That is, until tonight.

You two cuddle up on the couch and once Finn finishes his tea and cookies, he lays down, resting his head in your lap. He doesn’t care much about the TV, so he faces your bump, his hands laying on it, waiting for something to happen.

Your hands were tangled in his hair, playing with it absentmindedly as you watched a movie. Suddenly, Finn sits up, eyes going wide and his jaw dropping a bit. You know exactly what he’s excited about.

“You felt that?” You smile, placing your hands on the spot you felt the kick come from.

“Yeah.” His smile is huge and his eyes are locked on your stomach. Lifting your shirt, you put his hands back on it, hoping that she would kick again.

“Come on, baby girl. Kick for us, we wanna feel it,” he whispers against your bump.

“You gotta be patient, Finn. She’ll do it again.” Soon enough, she kicks right against Finn’s hand, making his tears fall.

“Oh my gosh, this is amazing,” he blubbers. Through the past six months, Finn’s been super emotional and loving, which means he’s been crying a lot more; it doesn’t bother you, it only shows that he’s so happy and so ready for this.

He goes back to laying down, continuing to run his hands all over your bump to get her to keep moving and reacting. He even sang quietly, which she loved because she started to move around a lot more.

You could tell she was definitely going to be a daddy’s girl.

—

As the months continue to pass, Finn becomes even more affectionate, if that’s possible. He gives you massages and foot rubs whenever you want, he runs you baths almost every night to help you relax, especially at the end of your pregnancy; he tries to make you rest as much as you can, which is why you didn’t help with the nursery.

He got his brothers to help him paint and put together furniture while you laid around, per Finn’s requests, since you were “doing enough by just growing her”. They painted the room grey and green and decorated with elephants, since both of you didn’t want something too focused on pink or blue, as colors have no gender.

It was a long day for them, but once it was finished, Finn was so happy and everything was starting to feel real. You spend the rest of the night putting away her clothes in drawers and organizing diapers, bows, everything that you bought and got from your baby shower.

“I’m so ready for her to get here,” Finn whispers as he wraps his arms around your body.

“Me too. She’ll be here soon. I feel like I’m ready to pop.” He chuckles and kisses your neck, smiling when he feels small kicks and movement from your bump.

“She seems excited, too.”

“I’m still really nervous.” Finn turns you around and brings you in for a sweet kiss.

“I’m going to be right by your side the entire time. Tomorrow’s my last day of filming, and then I’m all yours. You have nothing to worry about. We’re going to a great hospital with amazing doctors, you’ll be safe and so will she.” You’ve voiced your concerns about labor to Finn a while ago, when you attended lamaze classes together; that’s when everything started to feel real and you had to come with the fact that this baby was going to have to come out.

“You think so?” Finn nods and kisses you again, then presses his lips all over your face. Once he finishes, he falls to his knees, lifting your shirt up to expose your bump.

“I do. I’m sure that you’ll push through it with ease. You’re so incredibly strong, I know you’ll do great.” His lips roam all over your stomach, his hands doing the same, following in the path of his lips.

—

“Finn?!” You scream out, trying to sit up in bed. He was working around the house, cleaning things up and doing the laundry. Within seconds, he comes running in, a panicked expression on his face.

“What? What’s wrong, love?” He is by your side, wanting to help you with whatever.

“My water finally broke.” He helps you stand and removes the sheets to wash them later, or he would have Joe do it when he comes to check on Molly.

Finn first helps you change your pants, slipping on a pair of his sweats before grabbing the hospital bag and walking down the stairs with you as slow as you need to.

He stays calm the entire time, knowing that you’d be freaking out enough for the both of you, so he wanted to stay calm for your sake. After arriving at the hospital and getting dressed in a gown, things start to settle down, and that’s when the waiting game begins. Finn texts his family to let them know that you’ve gone into labor, but don’t want any visitors at the time.

It’s a long and painful day, and as Finn promised, he is right by your side. When you need help getting through a contraction, he is there for you. When you aren’t comfortable, he tries to fix whatever you need fixed. He massages your shoulders and legs when you get a cramp, he wipes the sweat from your forehead, anything you need.

Finally, after over twenty-four hours in labor, your baby girl is finally here. You were crying non-stop, partially from the pain, partially from the emotions running through you. Finn was super supportive though. Once your body relaxed, he wipes away the dried and fresh tears with his thumb, hearing the sounds of your baby through the room.

They cleaned her up a little bit before placing her on your chest, which was covered with a cloth. Finn began to cry as well, finally seeing his daughter for the first time.

“She’s so beautiful,” he whispers, stroking her forehead. They call him over to cut the cord, then take her away to get cleaned up and measured.

“I am so damn proud of you, love,” Finn whispers against your forehead. He leaned down to hug you, his arm going around your shoulder. Yours wrap around his back, crying even more at his voice.

“You did such a great job. You’re so fucking strong and I can’t believe we have our Flora now. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Finn. I’m so glad that’s over with,” you mumble through sobs. He chuckles through his tears as well and kisses your sweaty head.

Two days go by and you and Finn are ready to leave the hospital. And things don’t get any easier once you’re at home.

As soon as you step foot in the door, you are heading right towards the shower, still feeling gross from a couple days ago. Finn takes this opportunity to show your newborn daughter around the house, being careful of Molly’s excitement.

When you are clean and dressed, you walk into the living room to find Finn sitting with Molly on the couch, with your daughter in her car seat on the coffee table.

“Hey,” you whisper, taking a seat next to him. “What did you do while I was gone?”

“I showed her around the house. Showed her our bedroom, her bedroom, the backyard, introduced Molly to her.” You look over at the dog and see that she’s staring at the newborn in wonder.

“She’s going to love her new sister.” Finn turns his attention to you and he is still so in awe of you.

“I’m so in love with you,” he murmurs, kissing your cheek and jaw line. “Thank you for giving us a beautiful little girl.”

Of course, that peace doesn’t last long. As soon as she wakes up from her nap, you change her and put her in a different onesie. To give you and Finn some rest, you place her in her crib for the night and head back to your room, turning the monitor on. You finally relax and snuggle up into your boyfriend’s arms.

Around two in the morning, Flora’s piercing scream sounds through the monitor, though Finn is fast asleep. You get up and trudge to her room across the hall. Picking her up, you realize that she’s hungry, so you take a seat in the rocking chair.

Since it was rather warm in the house, you discard your shirt fully and begin feeding her, making sure she stays latched to your breast and is getting what she needs. Your head falls against the back of the chair and your eyes close, exhaustion creeping back into you.

Finn soon realizes that you’re not beside him, yet his baby’s cries didn’t wake him. So, he gets up and goes to find you, seeing that the nursery door is cracked open, he investigates. He peeps through the crack, finding you rocking in the chair, half awake, feeding your daughter.

He quietly steps inside, trying to stay unknown, but he is given away by the floor creaking underneath his feet. Your head snaps up, but you relax once you see it’s only Finn.

“Hi,” you whisper, offering him a small smile. “Flora was hungry.”

He moves the ottoman of the rocking chair to sit next to you, stroking Flora’s hair as softly as ever. You glance at him and notice the pure love in his eyes; a look he’s only ever given you.

“I can’t get over how beautiful she is,” he whispers. His fingers dance down her head, to your arm, and landing on your thigh. “And she’s all ours.”

“I know,” you grin, staring down at her. She keeps her tiny eyes on you, a content look in them as she eats. “She’s so precious.”

You continue to feed her and Finn stays in his spot, watching you two in adoration. When she finishes, he takes her from you and begins to burp her gently. You slip your shirt back on and stay seated, resting your eyes once more. Finn spends a couple minutes with her in his arms before setting her down in her crib. She rustles for a few seconds before settling back down, full and clean and ready for sleep.

You stand and come up behind Finn, who can’t take his eyes off of her just yet.

“You know,” he begins, his voice quiet, “I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you.” Since you were still very emotional, you couldn’t help but tear up.

“Finn, stop,” you sob. He chuckles and turns around to hug you close to him.

“I mean it. I knew I was going to love Flora no matter what, but I didn’t expect it to be so…” His own tears interrupt his little speech and you two just stand there, embracing one another during this new experience.

“You two are my world. Ten years ago, I would have never guessed that I would be with someone I care for and love so much, let alone have a daughter with them. And now I have both of those.”

“I love you too, Finn.”

“Even though you made me try some of your weird ass cravings last month.” You giggle through your tears and look up at him.

“Hey. Don’t blame me, blame your daughter. She’s the one who gave them to me.”

“Meh. I’d rather blame you. You were there at the time, and look how precious she is! I can’t hate on her.”

“Oh but you can hate on me?” Finn laughs and shrugs his shoulders.

“No, I can’t. But I need to blame someone, and she’s not even a week old yet. She doesn’t even know she exists.”

“Fair. Now come on, let’s head back to bed before we wake her up.” Finn takes your hand and walks you back to your room, helping you climb into bed and bringing you into his arms once both of you are comfortable.

“(Y/N)?” FInn wonders.

“Hm?”

“What do you think Flora will be like?” You think for a moment, feeling Finn’s fingertips run up and down underneath your shirt, making you even more tired.

“I think she’ll be just like you. Caring, honest, extremely loving, insanely sweet.” A small smile tugs at his lips as he thinks about the future of you three.

“I think she’s going to look just like you,” he whispers. “She’s going to have your beautiful eyes, your hair, and your nose.”

“No, she’ll definitely have your nose. And lips,” you say, reaching up to kiss both of them.

“I can’t wait for the future,” he murmurs against your lips after pulling you back in for a longer kiss.

[maevemarethyu]

Unexpected (3/?)

(Not my GIF)

You weren’t expecting it. Neither of you were.

That didn’t mean you weren’t happy with how it ended.

Bucky Barnes x Reader Fic.

You were a whole new level of anxious as you wait outside the diner for James. Matt and Foggy were already inside and you could tell how worried they were by the looks on their faces. On the bright side, they didn’t seem murderous so you would have to thank Karen later.

Then, you see him. Well, not so much him as the crowd parting for him like the red sea to avoid him; doing nothing to hide their fear and disgust. You roll your eyes at the ridiculousness of it. It would seem that no matter how much good the man did; people would still look at him like the Winter Soldier.

It really pissed you off and did nothing to help the migraine that had taken residence in the back of your head; crying all night would do that to a person. You probably looked as bad as you felt and you feel self-conscious despite your best efforts. You weren’t here to look good. You were here to get started on your divorce and get home to Laysa. If you were feeling generous, you’d try to talk Matt down from hunting Patrick.

Speak of the devil. Your phone goes off in your pocket for the tenth time this morning, another good morning/have a great day text from your loving husband. You used to think that him finding the time to send you a text was a sweet little gesture, now it made you sick to your stomach. How could he just lie to you like this?

A warm hand on your shoulder jolts you out of your thoughts and your phone slips from you hand and onto the concrete.

“S-shit sorry. I didn’t mean-“ You wave James’ apology off with a tight laugh.

“It’s not your fault.” You mumble as you pick up the phone. By some miracle, the screen had yet to shatter. “See? No harm no foul. This phones been through a lot.”

Up close, he looked good. His blue eyes seemed brighter and the stubble on his face brought out how sharp his jawline was. Seriously how could anyone take a man like James Barnes for granted?

From the corner of your eye, you see Foggy notice you and the man you were with and his face twists into an amusing mixture of shock and worry. “Are you ready?” You ask, flashing him the papers in your hand like a child showing off a good grade and he shows you his.

“As I’ll ever be.” He radiates discomfort so you lay a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“I know this is gonna be hard but, I know this is what’s best for me. I’ve been with Patrick for nearly fifteen years, he’s basically all I’ve ever known. And yet, I know I’ll never be able to forgive him for this. Divorce isn’t for everyone; some couples manage to be happy after working through these situations. Today is just to see whether or not you think this is the right path to take.” Once your spiel is complete, a small smile graces his face before he nods his head towards the door.

“I needed that. Thank you… for all of this.”

“No need to thank me.” You shrug, plastering a smirk on your face. “We’re basically best friends by circumstance. If you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

You meant it because, even though the way you met was awful, you didn’t want to go your separate ways after today. You needed a friend to vent to too.

“Me too. I mean you too- I just... I’m here for you too” Once again, he’s stumbling over his words and, in the morning light, you can see a blush take over his cheeks. It drags a genuine laugh from the deepest part of your stomach; James Buchannan Barnes, the ex-Winter Soldier, was a shy giant. A teddy bear.

A teddy bear that reaches over you to hold open the door. “After you.”

Matt and Foggy are out of their chairs and flagging you down as soon as you step into the building. God, you loved these two.

You unconsciously grab James’ metal hand to drag him towards your friends and, much to his surprise, you don’t flinch or recoil. Claire always complained that his hand was too cold.

“James, these are my friends Matt Murdock and Franklin Nelson. Guys, this is James Barnes.” You introduce and purposefully ignore Foggy’s wide eyes. You were sure Matt’s eyes were wide as well but, they were hidden behind his dark glasses. You could see they had a hundred question but, ever the professionals, they stay quiet.

“It’s good to meet you” James greets awkwardly.

The waitress comes to take the drink orders and you’re thankful for the momentary distraction. This wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.

“I guess you’re wondering why I’ve gathered you all here today.” You start and Foggy snorts.

“We are actually.” Matt nods, whilst elbowing Foggy’s side. “Is everything okay?”

“Uh. No. Not really.” You stall, throat closing at the mere thought of explaining what happened to two of your dearest friends. The last thing you wanted to do was release the Devil of Hell’s kitchen in front of an Avenger. Your hand ball into fists subconsciously and you only notice when your hand is engulfed by James’.

“You’re bleeding.” He whispers, probably thinking it was quiet enough to go unheard by Matt and Foggy but, you knew better. A quick glance at you palms show he was right; your nails had managed to cut through the flesh of you palm.

You know you should pull away but, the warmth of his hand relaxes your tense shoulders and allows you to unclench your jaw.

With a deep breath, you turn to face your friends once more.

“Patrick is cheating on me with James’ wife. I want a divorce but, I want the papers in my hand before I confront him.”

Just as you expected, Matt’s face twists into something terrifying and a shiver runs down your spine at the sight but, to your surprise, its Foggy that starts.

“That fucking piece of shit! I always told you he wasn’t good enough for you.” He growls, pulling out his phone. It took a lot to get Franklin Nelson to the point of belligerent rage. “I’ve had those forms ready for the past six years.”

That had you choking on your water. You knew they didn’t particularly like Patrick but, having your divorce planned out since the day of your marriage?

“You what?! Who are you calling?” You ask and he waves off your question.

“Hey Marci? Can you print the file on my computer labeled When Y/N finally wises up? Thanks hon.”

Next to you, James chuckles and it’s enough to warm your face. This was not how you expected breakfast to go. You look towards an unusually quiet Matt for answers but, his eyes are on the man next to you.

“What about you?” He asks, directing the question at James. “The papers in your hand tell me you and Y/N have the same plan.”

If James is shocked by Matt’s intuitiveness despite his handicap, he doesn’t show it and you give his hand a thankful squeeze.

You interject. “Actually, he just came here for information on-“

“Yeah. I want a divorce too.” He nods, leaving you dumbstruck. “It’s what’s best for me.”

Hearing your words on his lips made your traitorous heart skip a beat and the way Matt shifts in his seat tell you he noticed. Damn him.

He hands Foggy the small stack of papers and the lawyer in him wastes no time; skimming through the pages with a pensive face. The waitress returns to take everyone’s orders and your face scrunches up when James asks for tomato juice with his omlette.

“Seriously? You drink that stuff?” You tease, a welcome reprieve from the seriousness and the man physically relaxes for the first time since you’ve sat down.

“Yeah actually. It’s good for you.” You open your mouth to retort when Matt cuts you off.

“Don’t act like you don’t eat tomatoes like apples. You literally ate enough cherry tomatoes in one sitting to send you to the hospital.” He reminds you of the time when you were in college and ended up in the ER because you’d managed to burn a hole into your stomach lining because of the amount of tomatoes you ingested. Who’d have thought you could throw off your stomach acid’s pH by eating four cartons of cherry tomatoes?

“You did what?” James grins. “And you don’t like tomato juice?”

“It’s the texture.” You defend while adding a shiver of disgust for good measure.

“This is an air-tight contract. Whoever wrote it up was good.” Foggy hums. “One of Stark’s lawyers I’m guessing. Is there any particular reason you aren’t using one of them?”

James didn’t actually have a reason. He supposes he could have used one of Tony’s multiple lawyers but, when you had asked him to come with you today, he had agreed without putting too much thought into it. Coming here with you just seemed like the right thing to do.

It was a good call too. Claire worked in the compound, and secrets never seemed to stay secret there for long. If word got out that he was talking to a lawyer, she’d track him down and he didn’t think he was strong enough to confront her. Not yet.

“Uh- Claire works with me. This was the easiest way to go about it without her finding out.” He explains, suddenly aware of your eyes on him and the fact that his hand was still wrapped around yours. Neither of you make a move to break the contact.

The answer seems to satisfy Foggy but, Matt doesn’t give anything away and you have half a mind to kick his shin under the table. He wasn’t here to intimidate Barnes. Thankfully, it was clear James wasn’t so easily discouraged.

“We could probably have yours done the day after tomorrow.” In reality, two days is extremely fast for things of this nature but, this meant that the two of you have to keep this to yourselves for two more days. You had to pretend to be loving spouses for the next thirty-six hours. It would be torture.

Foggy starts going through what the process was for filing a divorce and you’re so engrossed in it that you don’t notice Matt pull out his phone until you hear him

“Hey Siri; call Frank.” Matt orders and all the blood drains from your face. No.

“Matt please don’t-“ You beg, tightening your grip on James’ hand. “He can’t find out.”

“He has to know Y/N.” Foggy affirms in a much gentler voice and you can feel James’ eyes burning into the side of your head. Panic had gripped your voice and he wanted to know why.

“Can we please wait until after I confront him?” You plead. “I’m not six anymore. I can handle this.”

“Yeah Murdock?” A gruff voice speaks from the device and your breath catches.

You hold Matt’s blank gaze firmly, neither of you yielding until-

“Sorry; meant to call Hank. You know how Siri never gets it right.” He lies and you exhale in relief.

“Whatever.” The phone murmurs before disconnecting just in time for the waitress to set down your table’s food.

“If you don’t tell Frank, I will.” Matt warns once the waitress is out of earshot and, with a roll of your eyes, you unlink your hand from James’ to pull your plate of Belgian waffles towards you.

Your friends begin discussing how to handle both yours and James’ divorces when the latter leans in towards you.

“I’m guessing Frank is that scary friend you warned us about?” He asks, once again keeping his voice low, not realizing just how futile it was.

The answer to his question was yes and no. Frank was scary but, he wasn’t the only one. Unbeknownst to the Avenger, one of your scariest friends was sat across from him, white cane folded on his lap, discussing the legality of your situation.

Matt Murdock played the perfect civilian but, you were one of the few people who knew who he really was.

“That’s putting it lightly.” You mutter, loading your plate with enough syrup to have James’ teeth rotting by just looking at it.

“You really like your sugar, huh?” He chuckles as he watches each pocket of your waffle fill up with the golden brown delicacy and you hum.

“Need it to keep me awake. Can’t stand the taste of coffee and energy drinks just keep me exhausted with an accelerated heartbeat.” Once you’re satisfied, you hand Foggy the syrup out of habit without looking up from your plate and he takes it with a quiet thank you.

“So, how’s Laysa?” He asks and a bright smile crawls onto your face despite your full cheeks.

“She’s doing a lot better.” You say after swallowing. “It was touch and go for a while but, she’s on the way to being a normal, healthy, baby.”

“Good! Because Marci and Karen want to fawn her with gifts and attention. Even Elle admitted to wanting to see her.” Matt grins, finally dropping his glare and conversing like a normal person.

“Elle?!” You snort in disbelief, turning to James to explain why you were shocked, words catching in your throat when you catch him staring at you. There was a look on his face you couldn’t quite describe; the best you could come up with was awed. You felt heat creep up your neck at the sight of it and you quickly focus your attention back to your food.

It was a ridiculous thought. Why the hell would James Buchannan Barnes be in awe of you? You were just you.

“I’ve gotta ask.” Foggy flashes a sardonic smirk. “How are you gonna do it? I’m partial to you setting all of his shit on fire and tossing it off the GW.”

You knew he meant well but, all his words did was make your skin crawl with the realization that you were going to have to confront Patrick and it wasn’t going to be pretty. There would probably be yelling and crying. God, you hated crying.

“I’m… not sure.” You say quietly. “I’ve never had to do anything like this before. I almost want to leave his stuff at the station and text him but, I know that’s cowardly.”

“And you are anything but a coward.” Matt reminds tenderly. You sometimes forgot how well your friends knew you but, you were always grateful they did. He was right. You were not a coward.

That didn’t make this any less terrifying.

“Steve had to talk me out of leaving a letter on Claire’s desk and moving back to Romania.” James admits and the ridiculousness of it lightens the weight on your heart. You weren’t sure if it was true or if he said it to make you feel better but, you decide it doesn’t matter.

“Why don’t you guys do it together? Two birds one stone and all that.” Foggy suggests through a mouth full of hash brown. You and James share a look.

It wasn’t a bad idea. You two could be a united front against your soon to be exes and, having him there wouldn’t allow you to back out, or worse, take Patrick back. Your husband always had a way with words and you always fell for it.

“Are you-?” James begins.

“Yeah… you?” You interject.

“Yeah. I mean yes- I-“

“Okay its settled, you’ll do it together.” Matt finalizes with a slight frown. It was obvious he wasn’t fully behind it but, knew better than you fight you on it. You were stubborn. “I want a call as soon as it’s over.”

Foggy chokes on his food when he garbles Live Stream It and you can’t stop the roll of your eyes. It’s been like this since you met them while studying at Columbia. You could practically picture Foggy’s long hair and hear Matt’s shy voice. A voice you hadn’t heard since you graduated.

Even when you continued your education at a more specialized school, you hadn’t grown apart and it irked Patrick to no end. You were glad that who you hung out with was the one thing you never compromised with him.

“So…” You turn to James. “How are we going to do this?”