#it's never yes without asking chris beforehand or without making sure he's okay with the idea

[innerxsanctum]

Old married couple behavior.

[midnight4krisis]

I Want This - Part Three

Predebut era, Trainee!Reader

Han Jisung/ Older Reader (ft. Bang Chan)

Warnings: The cringey texts make a comeback, mayhaps there’s no actual smut yet but ...(don’t kill me)

A/N: I’m sorry it took me longer to update, but I really didn’t want to rush this. I hope I don’t disappoint 💕 and I was a little upset when I started this, so I had to tone down the angst for Jisung heh

Count: 2k+

Part One Part Two Part Three Part 3.5(smut)

Jisung sneaked into his shared bedroom, eyes checking each member as he tip-toed towards the bed. To his luck, Hyunjin, Jeongin, and Seungmin were fast asleep. He didn’t have to explain himself to anyone, which meant he could go right to sleep, but he couldn’t.

He couldn’t shake everything that had happened. No matter how tightly he held the covers, he still felt shivers from the memory of your fingertips around his skin, something he never imagined would happen outside the walls of his imagination, and he curses the universe for not dragging it out just a little longer. At least long enough for him to know what to make of it.

Long enough for him to not have to question everything. To be confident for once in his decisions, but of course he can’t be, especially not with the way he was dragged by his bandmate earlier, like an immature kid. The young man he always looked up to, the one who had everything he lacked, even you.

But you were his now, right? This must have meant something, you must have felt it too.

Jisung bent the pillow over his ears in an attempt to shut his own thoughts. He tried his best not to let this night take him back to that same place. The dark place he fought so hard to escape throughout his training years.

…

“Jisung! You have 2 minutes before I push you off of the bed.” Seungmin threw the third pillow at Jisung’s exhausted body, earning nothing but loud whines from him.

“Just 10 more minutes!” he groaned.

“You’ve been saying that for the past hour, Jisung. get up already.” Hyunjin joined, sitting on the edge of Jisung’s bed.

“Honestly, how late did you sleep last night?” Seungmin asked, crossing his arms. Jisung blinked at him as if the boy had triggered the events to shoot through his mind, prompting him to leave his bed fast enough to avoid answering their questions.

Confusion filled the two boys as they watched Jisung spring towards his wardrobe, grabbing some clothes and a small towel.

“What? I’m taking a shower.” he shot as he looked back at their expressions before leaving.

Seungmin shook his head and looked at Hyunjin, who giggled at the boy’s strange attitude. “Go on then.” He signaled towards the door.

Jisung stepped out, and rushed to the bathroom, unaware of anyone that crossed his path, aiming towards the door like a haven that awaited him hid behind it.

Cold showers were a bold move in this weather, but Jisung needed the energy earned from surviving one. And so, he steps in the shower, shutting his eyes and bending his back as shivers traveled down his body with the contact of the freezing water, hoping that they carried all his worries and insecurities with them.

..

He sighs at his reflection in the bathroom mirror as he wrapped the white towel around his waist, pulling his dark wet strands back to shut his thoughts once again.

He grabbed his phone from the counter desperately, looking for anything to distract himself. He didn’t need another reminder of his inadequacy, and his reflection wasn’t doing him any good.

And what a better distraction than a surprise text from none other than you.

• Y: “Are your squirrel cheeks up yet? 👀”

He snickers at the screen and swipes to reply.

• J: “I don’t know? But I am. 🤠” • Y: “Ha! I had a feeling you’d sleep in a little longer, good thing I was wrong” • J: “Oh? Why? You missed me already? 😏” • Y: “Pshh as if” • J: “Then why are you checking up on my cheeks ha?” • Y: “I just wanted to see if you slept well..”

Oh? He spread his lips the widest they can get, and looked down to realize he was still standing on the cold tiled floor.

Stepping out of the bathroom, his eyes were glued to his phone’s screen as he typed on his way back to his room, the cold air hitting the skin barely covered by his towel.

• J: “Seungmin and Hyunjin disturbed my beauty sleep 😔✊🏻"

“Put something on you idiot, you’re gonna get sick!” Seungmin yelled at him when he entered the room, but your replies served as greater importance to him at that moment.

• Y: “Oh poor you 🙄” • J: “Did you?” • Y: “I passed out the second you left” • J: “Ahh sorry for keeping you up”

“Jisung!” Jisung was still standing by the door, receiving light punches on the shoulder from a frustrated Seungmin.

“What, what?!” Jisung finally replied, eyes alternating between the screen and his bandmate.

• Y: “Nah, I wasn’t gonna sleep till Chris woke up anyway..”

“Who the hell are you texting half naked?” Seungmin scoffed and tried to peek at Jisung’s screen.

“No one.” Jisung pulled his phone on instinct.

Seungmin rolled his eyes. “Aren’t you cold?”

“No.” “You’re shivering.” “I’m f-fine-“ Jisung tried to protest, and Seungmin laughed at the sight of the shaking boy in denial.

His phone vibrated again, and he read from the corner of his eye.

• Y: “Jisung?”

“Honestly, what’s up with you today?”

• Y: “Sungieee”

Sungie?! “I don’t know Seungmin, how about you let me change then?”

Seungmin squinted his eyes before twisting the doorknob slowly, still focused on Jisung.

“Wait a second,” Jisung finally reverted his concentration to his bandmate, he was snuggling a laptop with the other arm, a seemingly black box stuck between the device and his chest. “This isn’t your room.”

“No shit?” Seungmin said.

It wasn’t evident to him just how distressed the other appeared, his eyes buffed, and face tinted a slight red. “Is there something wrong? What were you doing here on your own?”

The younger’s eyes shot open. “I was just,” he stammered, avoiding Jisung’s gaze. “Just practicing. Your room was the only quiet one.”

“With your laptop?” Jisung’s eyes sneaked farther at the unknown item, but it only made Seungmin hug his belongings tighter, stumbling back in the process.

“Yes? Why does it matt-Just get dressed already” Seungmin blurted, swinging the door shut.

Jisung frowned at the closed door for a second before jumping on the nearest bed, similarly undressed.

• J: “Sorry, Seungmin was pestering me, again.” • Y: “It’s ok, I’m just too bored heh You guys are always tormenting each other, It’s entertaining.” • J: “Even when it’s me?!” • Y: “Especially when it’s you.” • J: “You love seeing me suffer, don’t you?” • Y: “More than you could imagine ;)”

What the hell did that mean? And why was he blushing? It’s probably just the cold, he really should get dressed. He reached beside him for his prepared clothes, only to remember they were still over the bathroom hanger.

Dammit. That was his last pair of boxers. His terrible habit of abandoning his laundry sure did bite back.

• J: “Sungie is out of here.” • Y: “Hehe what are you doing? • J: “just got out of the shower.”

Shit! He immediately regretted sharing that information without prior thought, and hustled to delete it, but to his luck, you had already read it.

• Y: “Oh? 🤭” • J: “Yeeh ... you?” • Y: “You’d be surprised.” • J: “Surprise me.”

He threw his phone on the mattress and fiddled with his hair. He was never good at this, flirting, coming up with clever responses on the spot. Everything he did or said was carefully thought out beforehand, even if it seemed natural, because he knew he couldn’t trust himself. He’d just mess it up.

His phone buzzed again, and he had to think of something quick. Shifting glances around the room, his eyes landed on the closet mirrored door, on his bare reflection, and a wild thought crossed his mind.

.....

“Could you stop texting him for one second?” Chan scoffed up at you. You were on his lap yet completely dismissing his presence. “He’s literally in the other room, just tell him to get out.”

A passing Seungmin snickered at his request. “Good luck with that.”

Chan had invited, or rather sneaked you over to the boys’ dorm. It was a lot messier now that the rest of the members had moved in. Some were scattered around the house setting up their belongings, while others were in the kitchen attempting to make lunch. That left you and Chan alone in the living room, which was much to your relief because you weren’t ready for their doubtful stares.

You didn’t plan on your best friend becoming your seat when you had first come in. You had run to hug him in his seat, a bit surprised when he pulled you on top of him, but you didn’t question it. You were always that close anyway.

So it’s okay if his head laid a little closer to your breasts, or that his hands touched slightly higher up your thigh, right under your shorts. You shouldn’t worry about his annoyance with your interest in his bandmate.

“He doesn’t know I’m here, Chris.” “And why won’t you tell him?” Chan said. You looked at your thighs pressing on his, then shrugged. “Just teasing him.” Or hoping he doesn’t catch you like this.

“Oh please,” he snatched your phone, Ignoring your whines as he clicked on the camera and snapped a picture, clearly showcasing your position. “Now that should do.”

“No wait! Chris, don’t send that.” “Well, too late” he smirked and handed it back to you.

Your eyes shot open, but Chan’s remained unbothered. Why would he do this?

• J: “You’re here?!” • J: “And you’re with” • J: “Oh hi..” • J: “Nice chair” • J: “Was he reading the whole thing?”

“Great” you mumbled at the influx of messages from Jisung and glared at Chan.

“What?” He giggled like nothing happened.

• Y: “No Sungie, he didn’t.” • J: “Aha” • Y: “I promise. He just wanted some attention hehe” • J: “Na-ah keep it on me.” • Y: “hmm you’re gonna have to do more than that. 👀”

“I’m going to murder you.” You snapped at Chan and pulled the pillow behind you to tackle him with it, shifting so that you’re now on top of him. His muffled whines and laughs were loud enough to reach the kitchen, and an annoyed Minho rushed in.

“What’s going- oh seriously.” He huffed at the two of you. “Get a room.”

“We had one before you came in.” Chan said from underneath you, and you landed one more hit at his shoulder at that. “Ouch!”

Minho laughed and exchanged playful looks with Chan as you ignored their presence. The goofiest smile spread across your face when you checked Jisung’s chat again, still on top of your best friend.

• J: “oh yeah?” • J: “will this do?”

He sent you a picture of his adorable pout with his wet hair dropping over his eyes, and his cheeks puffed out. You giggled, thinking of running to that room just so can pinch those cheeks.

• Y: “Uwu maybe...”

“Aww, who’s your girl gushing over?” Minho teased and your gaze shot up in defense. “Whose girl? I’m not gushing.” Chan nudged you with his knee, making you aware of your current position. His wink sent you off instantly, face flushed from embarrassment. Your eyes darted to Minho who couldn’t stop laughing.

“Shutup” you mumbled. To make it worse, your phone buzzed again, and this time what you received made you gasp.

• J: “How about this?”

You blinked in shock, tingles attacked your stomach as you stared at a shirtless Jisung loosely clutching a towel around his waist. Granted, he wasn’t the most bulked up, but he was captivating nonetheless. You bit your lip to stop your foolish grin. “U-um can I use the bathroom, I need to fix my h-hair.” You spoke, hiding your flustered face in your hands.

Chan chuckled “ye-“ “Ok!” You ran to the bathroom, not daring to turn your back as they exploded from laughter behind you.

Too rushed to even close the door behind you, you stopped at the bathroom mirror, smiling to yourself uncontrollably. This was truly unexpected, you never knew Han Jisung would be this bold, and you loved it.

Looking at it again, you couldn’t shake the thought of your hands running down his soft tanned skin. You wondered if his body tasted as sweet as his lips. If he’d rut against your hand glazing his abdominal, unwrapping his tow-

You jumped at the sudden feeling of hands grabbing your waist. “Like what you see?”

[bat-lings]

Hey, you mentioned in an earlier ask any Damian that Tim was also low-key sexist and tbh I'd love examples cause I feel like this has never been brought up and it's interesting??? Anyway, thanks Ur stuffs super interesting and insightful!

Thanks for your interest & nice words!

Let’s be clear tho Anon (I assume it’s the same Anon both times?), you are 200% entitled to disagree with me. Yes I am unapologetic about my opinions and write looong paragraphs of questionable pertinence to give arguments but like. The goal is to explain “why I think what I think,” never to tell you “why you should think what I think”. You’re very much welcome for the Damian post btw

Now I think Tim, precisely, shows internalized sexism. Doesn’t change the end result all that much though.

Random sequences

Let’s get the most straightforward stuff out of the way.

[Robin (1991) #1 || Robin (1993) #43 & #179 || Detective Comics (1937) #687]

Dunno about you but the first two are particularly cringey for me. That and the agenda section.

Okay to be fair: He does attempt to defend Lynx (first example) beforehand, throwing the on-point “she doesn’t have to go with you if she doesn’t want to” line. All is good for five seconds and then he goes “maybe she likes that treatment”.

We may have different sensibilities but the mere fact that that went through his head for even a second is the perfect illustration of what’s internalized sexism imo. Conscious thought & action level: A+ behavior (being able to identify a visibly wrong situation and taking action against it). Unconscious level: blatant sexism (”maybe she likes it” aka a less visible/more subtle manifestation of bigotry).

He has a… pretty specific way to regard women’s agenda. And is overall patronizing to straight-out disrespectful.

Tim’s treatment of Steph is a well-known fact but this is a call-out post so have a non-exhaustive bunch of examples:

[Robin (1993) #4, 41, 35, 44 || Batgirl (2009) #8]

On we go and see how there’s absolutely no ill-intent on Tim’s part in the next examples, yet I have a big problem with how he’s considering the ladies’ agency:

[Robin (1993) #182 || Red Robin #10]

Notice how it’s all about him whether the lady obeys him or not. His failure to impose the necessary authority or his failure to give the right directions. The girls’ choice/independence just doesn’t factor in. It’s a cop and a vigilante we’re talking about, not some civilians caught in the crossfire.

((btw it’s disputable but his apology in RR#10 is too little too late as far as I’m concerned. Tim gets a pass since Nicieza has him referring to his dumbass traitor!Steph arc but he doesn’t deserve any additional credit either. Okay no I’m being mean, he gets kudos for making a step in the right direction with Steph. Tiny kudos. It’s a tiny step.))

[Red Robin #5]

Tam? Okay. She’s the civilian who got embarked into this crazy story, she is in need of saving. But Prudence? Maybe don’t automatically assume that the assassin needs you to pat her on the back to even consider pursuing her own wishes, Timmy.

Tim can be arrogant to everyone yeah (more on that later), but I don’t remember him negating a man’s agenda like that.

[Robin (1993) #25]

Yeah the kid who will feel betrayed when Bruce tells his identity to Steph just elected to tell her name to Connor whom they both don’t know well yet. While talking in her place rather than letting her answer for herself (something he’s done on several occasions). Then he attempts to decide for her whether she has a right to participate, again. On that note: thank you Connor for putting Tim in his place, that sure doesn’t happen often.

[Robin (1993) #6 & #28]

Uh, yes you can. Give the adult woman who’s been handling Gotham’s streets since before you were born some credit, Tim?

As for Helena, the scene in itself is… well, not okay exactly. He’s basically dismissing her wish to handle a personal matter alone, which could imply he doesn’t think the other adult woman who’s been handling Gotham’s streets since before he was born can handle the case.

I’m just putting it with his constant attempts to keep Steph from participating, often to cases that concerned her directly, and how he tends to take it personally when she doesn’t obey… but he casually brushes off Helena when she’s saying she’ll handle a personal case alone. Double standard? Maybe I got too specific a reading but. I don’t remember that sort of thing happening between Tim and male characters– do call me out if I’m remembering wrong though.

And then there’s the “another vigilante” remark.

Anyway yes Tim can be arrogant towards both men and women. Much like Damian being antagonizing to everyone didn’t negate the possibility of him being sexist, Tim being generally arrogant doesn’t negate that possibility for him either.

Plus the only male characters I’ve seen him be that patronizing with are Chris Kent in World’s Finest #3, and Damian. The ten-year-old who’s regularly antagonizing him and does deserve to be put in his place. Oh yeah, and maybe Dodge, another brat. So yeah I do think there’s a slight difference between Tim’s treatment of men and women, if only in frequency. (and in intensity tbh.)

Yes, he’s been consistently disregardful to his girlfriends.

Anon, you say very rightfully that we shouldn’t automatically assume it’s due to them being girls. Please believe it’s not a conclusion I’ve come to automatically though:

A) While I realize that Tim only having canon girlfriends is due to heteronormativity & homophobia rather than a conscious writing intent to highlight any character trait, assuming that he wouldn’t have behaved better with boyfriends is pure speculation– aaand I am totally speculating he’d behave better if only because he’s never that patronizing or that dismissive of his peers’ agency (examples above) when they’re men. that’s part of why I ship tim/kon more easily than tim/steph.

B) Like with everything I brought up on this post I’m not considering his behavior with his romantic partners separately. It’s a character fault that could take its roots in several things, but Tim’s global characterization makes me think the root is sexism.

C) I understand why you’re thinking there’s no reason to conclude his disrespect is due to them being women; in the same vein I think there’s no reason to conclude it’s not. It’s kind of a stalemate and both conclusions are valid.

Skipping Tim’s habit to break up by letter or by phone, ‘cause that’s not cool and obviously disrespectful but even I think it’s more due to cowardice/inadequacy than sexism.

I don’t think I need to speak about Steph again. Let’s go with Ari. Who Tim casually cheated on by kissing Steph on several occasions.

Being a cheat is, in itself, a distinct character flaw that doesn’t always takes its root in sexism. Plus it’s something I have my reasons to assume Tim has grown out of.

It’s his reaction when he learns about Ariana “"cheating”“ on him (she went ice-skating with another dude once in the 87 times Tim stood her up) that ticks me off. Btw and unlike Tim who didn’t seem to feel all that guilty, Ariana did try to tell him about it but he fell asleep during her confession.

[Robin (1993) #15 & #17]

Two things bother me here, a lot more than the cheating in itself: the possessiveness and the hypocrisy. You really don’t have a right to go all “My Ariana” and to chew her out for the grand treachery that is ice-skating when you’ve been casually kissing Steph, Timbo. What those panels prove is that there’s a double standard in Tim’s head. Which one exactly is up to your interpretation and that’s probably where we’ll end up disagreeing. I read it as the “proper girls don’t get close to several boys at one time, but boys who get close to several girls are either ladies men or boys being boys” double-standard, hence Tim’s blatant lack of self-awareness here.

Btw and the thing that solidified my opinion here: Tim, as a rule, tends to be pretty self-aware, at least retrospectively. He puts himself into question and has no problem admitting when his judgment was clouded. I dunno take YJ #55 or Robin #119 for example (I even selected examples that both have Tim recognizing he wronged a girl!)

So if he’s generally self-aware, but doesn’t see anything wrong with his own behavior in the specific situation where he’s cheating on his girl then chewing her out? I explain it with the above double-standard. He internalized a mindset that keeps him from realizing how hypocrite he’s being in this situation. Also he doesn’t confront Ari immediately, he had time to think about it, it wasn’t a spur of the moment thing. That should’ve been enough to allow him to step back and evaluate himself but he just. Didn’t.

Bonus: Jack has been hinted to be sexist, and contrary to Tim it’s safe to assume that was totally intentional.

[Batman (1940) #441 || Robin (1993) #122]

Only two occurrences in decades of canon arguably don’t make for solid basis but they still allow me to build a coherence since our parents do influence us without us realizing. And given how much Tim loved his dad (he said himself how much he got from Jack), it sure isn’t an element that could plead against him being sexist.

.

There’s a bunch of other sequences that I low key read as sexist, but that I’m more mitigated about or in which I gave Tim a pass for various reasons so I didn’t include them here.

All in all when I take a solid look at Tim’s global behavior, I see sexism. While it may not be a “solid canon fact” since it surely wasn’t intentional on the writers’ part, I really don’t think it’s an unreasonable thing to infer from his very canon behavior. And tbh writer intent doesn’t excuse much. Factually speaking that portrayal has been there since Tim’s early days,he’s been consistently dismissive & disrespectful of his female peers and/or of their wishes and agency. It’s part of him & his history.

It’s not incoherent with his character either– Tim has always been intended to represent a normal boy/teen (dude was legit marketed around the fact that he’s relatable). It’s not baffling or coming out of nowhere that a random teen just so happened to have internalized sexism. It’s pretty damn common, even. It’s not like Tim being sexist was a brutal turnaround that contradicted what makes the core of his character to the point of making him unrecognizable (*cough* Talia’s current characterization *cough*).

Hope this explains that.

Thanks for the asks!

[eleonorebirk]

Marvel Bingo 2019: Book AU

Failed Fusion

(Failed is a series of Gay Shifter Secret agent parody novels by Chris P. Rolls. Shifters, humans able to shift into an animal exist in secret. It doesn’t seem to be hereditary, two humans can have a child that can shift. They generally shift the first time as teenagers.)

Fury stood in his office and carefully looked over his desk. Something was wrong here. He wasn’t sure what but something had been changed in the time he’d been in meetings. His office had been locked, so no one should have been in here. And who would be brazen enough to break into the office of one of the highest officials of the Shifter Force?

His remaining good eye widened when it occurred to him just who would not draw attention and be brazen enough. He pulled open the middle drawer, then opened the small hidden compartment at the back.

There was a brisk knock at the door, then Coulson came in without waiting for him to react. “Sir, the Avengers...”

The compartment was empty.

“They’re gone.”

Fury bit back a curse.

The Avengers were a new team he had been tasked to create. It seemed that it had finally occurred to The Power That Be that there were problems and situations the regular agents were not equipped to handle, either because it required unorthodox methods or because the situation did not yet officially concern shifters of the Shifter Force. Fury could hardly tell them that such a team existed already, founded and led by Trevor Trevorian, one of his fellow Triplets. The three of them were not actually related, never mind triplets. They had first shifted around the same time, however, and escaped persecution by humans, then been unofficially trained together with twelve others to become Problem Solvers. Ten of them had not survived the training. Two had turned on their trainers and killed them, only to be killed in turn by him, Trevorian and Vlastimil. They had decided to continue as Problem Solvers, Vlastimil among the Dark Shifters, he in the Shifter Force and Trevorian in the in-between with his team that technically belonged to the Shifter Force but did not officially exist and which no one in the Shifter Force, apart from him as Trevorian’s contact, knew about.

He had very carefully considered who to recruit for the Avengers. Considering the special rules – or rather the absence of them – for the task force envisioned, he’d needed members who would not be corrupted by the Shifter Force or the Dark Shifters, who would, if necessary, follow their conscience and disobey the Shifter Force.

Just not now and not yet, not without cause.

Natasha Romanov and Clint Barton had both been recruited from among the Dark Shifters and had been working for the Shifter Force under his command for a few years now. Bruce Banner who had not been born with the all genes necessary to shift but had become the victim of a scientist who had found out about shifters and had tried to artificially create more shifters. Tony Stark, technically one of the Dark Shifters, as his parents had managed to keep his ability a secret from the Shifter Force until he had used it to escape from terrorists who had taken him hostage. Steve Rogers, a legendary Shifter Force agent who had been frozen for decades due to an accident. Fury was pretty certain it was because of him that they were gone. They had found out about rumours and hints that James Barnes, one of his team mates, had somehow survived as well, though he was being controlled through unknown means by HYDRA, a terrorist organisation. Fury had passed on copies of what they had found to Trevorian and had asked him to look into the rumours and, if possible, free Barnes. The Avengers had not been supposed to get involved, not least because Rogers would obviously be compromised where Barnes was concerned.

“Any hints where they’ve gone?” he asked Coulson.

“They’ve bought tickets to Frankfurt, Germany. The plane has departed ten minutes ago.”

Fury was tempted to ask him why he knew about it now but not in time to stop them but refrained. He could guess. Instead he just sighed and reached for his phone. Trevorian could deal with them.

~*~

Tony reached over to still Steve’s nervously drumming fingers. “That’s not making the landing or disembarking go any quicker,” he pointed out calmly. His grip tightened. “And if you don’t stop drawing attention you’re flying as cargo on all flights in the foreseeable future,” he hissed under his breath.

Steve forced himself to relax. He knew that Tony was right. And that he was lucky Tony was the one who call him on it. He doubted Natasha would have been as nice about it.

Tony nodded in satisfaction. He could understand Steve, of course, but he was stressed enough about the flight. He, like most shifters with an avian form, did not overly like travelling by plane. He glanced across the aisle to Clint who had the same problem but was covering it even better, managing to appear relaxed to any casual observer. “Almost there,” he assured Steve quietly.

It still felt like hours until they had landed and made their way off the plane. Natasha still had contacts among the Dark Shifters in a number of countries in Eastern Europe. Their next destination would depend on what she could shake loose. They turned towards the exit of the airport, planning to catch a taxi, when a young man stopped them and asked in heavily accented English: “Are you the agents I’m supposed to pick up and take to hotel?” He flashed them identification from the Shifter Force.

Steve stopped short. “Excuse me?” He sniffed covertly. The man was a shifter, a rabbit or a similar prey species.

The man shrugged. “I just told to pick up agents.” He now looked nervous. “I not miss them?”

Some poor Three sent out to do the jobs other agents felt were beneath them, it seemed. Coulson, it appeared, had not only managed to buy them time but also arrange someplace for them to stay. They carefully exchanged glances and Natasha finally shrugged. Even if he had not been sent by Coulson, they were five of them, they would be easily able to take a Three.

They were drove into the city, where he then drove into the underground parking of some hotel they hadn’t been able to quite catch the name of. They tried to assure him that he could just drop them off in front of the hotel but he insisted on taking them to their rooms.

Steve was getting agitated again. They didn’t have time for that! They needed to start looking for more recent hints where they were keeping Bucky! He hated doing this and wasting the rooms Coulson had arranged for them but they also didn’t need someone from the Shifter Force figuring out where they were and the Three would surely catch their name when they signed in. He nodded to Clint to knock him out.

One moment Clint was moving to do so, the next he was lying on the ground, winded from the force of the throw over the shoulder. It took Natasha just a moment to react and attack him, only to find him able to match her and finally wrestle her to the ground.

“Okay, would you stop that?” he demanded in suddenly much better English. “Seriously, I’ve already had to waste enough time on you that I could have spent going after HYDRA and whatever way they have of controlling shifters!”

Steve instinctively took a step forward to help his teammates, not yet fully registering his words.

“Don’t even think about it.” Another man, younger than the first and with tussled light brown, almost blond hair, stepped out from behind the door to the staircase, a gun aimed at them. “Louis, everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. Our visit to Budapest was more of a challenge. This was hardly enough to let me work off the frustration at our delayed mission.” He glared at them. “We’ll go up now so your boss can yell at you and we can finally get going and kick HYDRA ass.”

They weren’t sure if they could trust them but for now, obeying was their best bet, not least because they were armed and they’d had to hide their weapons in their luggage. They really did go up into the hotel and then to one of the rooms there. Someone was already waiting there, a man around Fury’s age who pretty much screamed danger. He regarded them critically, making them all more or less consciously straighten at the all too obvious judgement in his gaze.

He pulled a phone out of his pocket and pressed something they couldn’t see. “They’re here,” he said, then turned it around so they could see the screen. It was a video call with Fury. He glared at them. “We will be discussing this when you’re back in the US. For now, you will listen to Trevorian and follow his direction.”

“Yes sir,” Natasha and Clint said, head lowered in deference, uncomfortable at the anger aimed at them from a trusted superior.

“Sir, -“ Steve began.

“You have hindered their mission to stop HYDRA and their ability to control shifters enough,” Fury interrupted harshly. “Trevorian.”

“We’ll deal with them,” the man, Trevorian, said calmly. He ended the call, then went over to the room telephone and dialled the number of another room. “Ms Noir, you can join us now.”

“Fury didn’t intend to disregard the situation,” Natasha stated.

The Three who’d driven them here, Louis something, rolled his eyes. “No, really?” he muttered.

Trevorian shot him a quelling look but didn’t reprehend him. “He did not,” he confirmed. “Louis, Cosmo, your new flight leaves in two hours.” Something in his eyes seemed to soften just a little when he looked at Cosmo. “Herman has asked that you come and see him beforehand.”

“We can help,” Steve offered. He couldn’t keep the desperation out of his voice, the desperation he’d felt since they’d learned that HYDRA had Bucky.

“No thanks,” Louis said dryly.

A blackbird flew in through the window. It landed on the ground and shifted into - a woman? Hadn’t the backbird’s feathers been black? And how was she wearing clothes instantly after shifting? Tony seemed most interested in the last point, looking the clothes over as best as he could from a distance.

“What are you looking at?” He? She? snapped, then stopped. “Oh my God, you’re Tony Stark.”

“Who is he supposed to be?” Clint demanded, startled. Obviously not an agent, not like the other three.

“She is our best chance of finding where HYDRA is hiding Barnes and the other shifters they’re controlling,” Trevorian said.

She briefly smiled at him in thanks, then turned to Louis. “So, Fluffy, I’ve managed to find where they kept him at least until yesterday. The base is definitely not empty but I haven’t been able to verify that he’s still there. I’ve sent you the details already. Flight’s booked and checked in, boarding pass in your inbox already.”

“Thanks, Merle,” Cosmo said.

“We can help,” Tony repeated Steve’s words far more calmly. “I can go over the data with her and Natasha and Clint can accompany them as back-up, just in case.”

Steve turned to stare at him when he made no mention of him going with them.

Tony gentle took the bag out of Steve’s hand. “You’re compromised, Steve,” he said softly but emphatically, then continued, so softly only he could hear it with how close they were standing: “I know how important Barnes is but you’re not thinking clearly. You heard them, we already hindered their mission to save him and stop HYDRA by disobeying orders and coming here.” To tell the truth, he was as well, considering what HYDRA had made Barnes do.

“He’s like my brother.”

“I know. But can you swear that you won’t lose your head and ignore the plan to get to him? Can you swear you won’t compromise the mission?”

Steve’s shoulders dropped. Tony was right. He couldn’t swear it.

Tony nodded, eyes full of compassion. He gently squeezed Steve’s wrist, then turned to Trevorian. “Steve and Bruce will stay here until we fly back.” The ‘so you can keep an eye on him to be sure he doesn’t follow’ was pretty clearly implied.

Trevorian inclined his head. “Very well.”

~*~

Steve hated waiting. He hated it at the best of time but knowing his best friend, his brother in all but blood, was in trouble and being unable to do anything about it was the hardest he’d gone through. Bruce and Tony were trying to keep him distracted. In between discussions with Merle and Herman he could not follow, at least. Well, he was being unfair. Even when he was having two different discussions with them at the same time, Tony tended to make sure to stay near Steve, letting their shoulders or arms brush from time to time. Unfortunately it made the wait only a little less unbearable.

Finally, three days later, Trevorian returned from wherever he’d been in the meantime. “They’re on their way back.”

Steve was instantly out of his seat. “Did they -? Is Bucky okay?”

“They were successful in taking out the HYDRA cell and freeing _all _their prisoners,” Trevorian replied. He waited a moment, taking in Steve’s reaction to the implied criticism. “The shifter force has taken over the care of most of the prisoners but Agents Romanova and Agent Barton have assumed custody of James Barnes. They will arrive tomorrow.”

Steve sank back down in his seat. “Oh. Oh, thank God.” A day. Just one day more and he’d get to see Bucky. He felt Tony step closer to him and rest a supportive hand on his shoulder, making him smile. His team, his family was great.

~*~

It was still some time until sunrise but Tony found himself unable to sleep. He helped himself to a cup of coffee, then went up to the roof terrace of the hotel they were staying in. Perhaps it was the raven in him but when he felt uncertain or stressed, he liked to be up high and in the open.

He would come face to face with Barnes later today. He would meet the man who had killed his parents. Under the control of HYDRA but it had still been his hands. Tony had had months to come to terms with the knowledge and he understood that it had not been his fault, that he was a victim as well.

“You should talk to Louis, when they get back,” Herman had told him. “He can relate.”

“What do you mean?”

“A wolf shifter killed his partner, a pika. Lost control and tore him to shreds in front of Louis. He only later learned that the wolf had been given an experimental drug that forced a shifter’s human side asleep, that made them forget they’re human.”

“Fuck.”

Herman had just nodded. Really, what else could he say? Loosing a partner was bad enough as it was but like that? “So he gets having contradictory feelings about someone.”

Who knows, Tony might actually seek him out later.

He startled slightly when Steve dropped down to sit beside him. He cleared his throat. “Can’t sleep?”

“I could ask you the same,” Steve said quietly. “Are you okay? With seeing him later, I mean.”

Tony shrugged. “I know it’s not his fault. I don’t blame him.”

“If you don’t want to see him...”

“I’ll be fine, Cap,” Tony interrupted him. “I’m not going to attack him.”

“I didn’t think you would,” Steve quickly assured him, sounding more confident in Tony’s control than he himself felt. “I don’t want you to get hurt. So, you know, if you’d rather avoid him, I can take him to the US with Nat and you and Bruce can spend some more time with Merle and Herman.”

Tony was about to reject the offer, then paused. “Let’s see how we’re all doing when he gets here. I’ll decide then.”

“Sounds good.” Steve shifted so that their shoulders were pressed together.

Side by side, they watched the sun rise.

~*~

Tony’s worry that he might be too emotionally compromised to differentiate between the one actual murderer and the one who had been used as a weapon proved unfounded when they brought him to the room serving as their headquarters since the team refused to take them to their base. Even if he, as an ex-weapons developer, hadn’t been well able distinguishing between the weapon and the one aiming and pulling the trigger, one look at the jumpy, worn out shadow of a man was enough. Seriously, if he didn’t know that his animal form was a Labrador, a good fit to Steve’s German Shepherd, he’d swear he were some kind of prey species. Louis, a rabbit, was far calmer in this room filled with carnivores.

Louis dropped a bag on the table. “Samples and whatever information we could get our hands on before we released the virus Merle gave us in their system. Hopefully it’s enough for Herman to come up with an antidote.”

“We were lucky most of their prisoners were kept sedated because they were not intended to go on a mission any time soon,” Cosmo added. “The others we had to take down. They will be kept sedated until they can be sure whatever they used is out of their system.”

Tony nudged Steve’s side when he noticed that he was staring at Barnes’ empty sleeve in horror.

“Bucky,” Steve exclaimed, then stopped again, at a loss of what to say.

The others gathered off to the side, giving them at least some semblance of privacy.

“A representative of the Shifter Force will land this afternoon at 3,” Trevorian said. “If Barnes is ready for a transatlantic flight, you will all leave tomorrow morning.” He looked to Herman, Louis and Cosmo, waiting to hear their opinion on Barnes’ state.

“Yes, at least either shifted and lightly sedated or on a private plane,” Herman said. “He’s in control of himself again but taking him on a long-distance flight in a cabin full of people is risky.”

Cosmo nodded in agreement. “Whatever they gave him doesn’t seem to have affected his grasp on his instincts right now but we don’t know how his control will hold up if he’s tired or startled.”

Tony shrugged. “We’re not trying to avoid detection from the Shifter Force now. I can have a jet brought here or charter one.”

“You sure, Stark?” Clint asked.

“Stark?” Bucky repeated. “Tony Stark?” When he received a restrained nod in response, he paled. “You shouldn’t.” He struggled to put his thoughts into words. “You shouldn’t spend money on me. I... I killed –“

“I know,” Tony interrupted. He was grateful that he was not trying to keep it a secret but he didn’t want to hear it out loud. “They told me when they found out. I know.” He paused. “The offer’s still open. I can arrange a private jet to take us back to the US.”

“Or you can travel while shifted,” Natasha said. “Steve could go into the shipping crate with you.”

Tony’s lips twitched. “I did threaten to have him travel back as cargo.”

“There’s time to decide until the representative arrives,” Steve pointed out.

“Until then, Costas and I could take a look at his shoulder, see if whatever solution we come up with for Costas could work for Barnes as well,” Herman said.

“If Barnes agrees,” Trevorian said.

Costas, another agent of Failed who had until now stayed away from the Shifter Force agents, turned out to be a tall Latino with long black locks and a beard – and an empty sleeve where his right arm should be. He just shrugged when he noticed Steve and Bucky stare at the empty sleeve. “I’m working on a prostheses that would work even in the field.”

“Were you also a prisoner of HYDRA?” Bucky asked.

“Oh no, I wasn’t. It was an accident. I – ah –“ Costas cleared his throat, looking rather embarrassed. “I lost control over my instincts once while shifting.”

“He’s a white shark,” Louis explained, reading in their faces that they didn’t quite understand what Costas meant.

“Dude, you bit off your own arm?” Clint demanded. He unconsciously rubbed his own right arm. As a sniper and an avian shifter, the idea of losing an arm seemed like a nightmare.

“My shark was curious,” Costas replied. He turned to Bucky. “We haven’t been able to come up with a prostheses yet that will either shift with you or at least return when you shift back into your human form but we’re making progress. I can show you the version we’re currently working on.”

~*~

Steve slowly relaxed. As team leader, he should probably listen more closely as Trevorian debriefed Bauer, Baldwin, Clint and Natasha but he kept getting distracted watching Bucky. Then again, he was sure Nat and Clint would tell him what he needed to know later. For now, it was a relief to see Bucky look less and less jumpy the longer he and Costas talked. It would take time and a lot of therapy but he felt reasonably certain now that Bucky would recover.

He went over to the table where Merle had set up her computer and where she and Tony were working on something. “Have you decided?” he asked Tony quietly.

Tony stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out what he was talking about, before he remembered their conversation early this morning. He smiled. “I’m flying back with you all.” Over Steve’s shoulder, he saw the door to the hotel room open. He grimaced. “On second thought, perhaps I’ll stay a bit longer while you fly back with Fury.”

“Fury?” Steve turned around, then winced, suddenly understanding Tony’s reaction. Damn, Fury looked pissed. “Sir.” He’d been expecting Fury to send Coulson or Maria, not come himself. Hadn’t he said that they would discuss it after their return? Steve had been hoping to have some more time before that confrontation. His ears were still ringing from the conversation with Trevorian after his agents had left, accompanied by Nat and Clint. He had been very frank in his opinion about how he was obviously compromised, how he should have stayed out of it instead of risking both his team and Bucky’s chances of being rescued by running off half-cocked, with no clear plan and no back-up.

The worst part, of course, was that he could not even disagree. Still, he really could do without having the same conversation with Fury now.

Fury just glowers at him, then slowly looks around the room to glare at the rest of his agents, making them all drop their gaze. Tony holds out the longest, defiantly raising his chin until he, too, is forced to look away.

“This can’t really come as a surprise now, can it?” Louis interrupts. He gestures to them. “I’ve known them for only a few days and I can tell that they aren’t the type of agents to stick to procedures and follow orders they don’t agree with.” He pauses and considers Fury, head tilted to the side. “But you knew that. You must have, considering your background. You must have realized that, sooner or later, they would break away from the Shifter Force. So I suspect that was your attention all along.”

Fury turned to look at Trevorian but he only grinned, seeming very satisfied with his agent’s analysis. That grin sent shivers down Steve’s back. He’d known, of course, that Trevorian must be a Class One shifter, otherwise he wouldn’t be leading this organisation, but they hadn’t known what kind of shifter he was. But this grin... Yes, Steve was pretty certain that he was a coyote.

Finally Fury sighed. “Correct, Agent Bauer. They were intended to become independent, yes, but not yet.”

Steve and his team exchanged startled looks. They had not been aware of that plan.

“It was, however, our intention to prepare them better beforehand, especially Captain Rogers.” Fury’s glare made Steve flinch. “He might be willing to bend or break the rule when it suits him but he needs to learn to consider the consequences and to pick the most suitable approach, not the quickest. The general procedures taught to agents are not enough, they need to also consider more unorthodox approaches. Agent Romanov and Agent Barton might be familiar with the Dark Shifter community but they lack the experience of channelling it into the structure of the Shifter Force.” They success was partially due to Coulson’s lead, since he, like Bauer, like Trevorian and Fury himself, was able to judge which was the necessary approach without appearing to have gone rogue and risking serious retribution from the higher ups in the Shifter Force. And Fury was not willing to have Coulson join them when they went independent.

“You intended for us to meet them and work with them at some point,” Tony realized.

“Yes,” Fury confirmed. “We were waiting for a suitable mission that would require both teams to solve, a mission that would allow us to partner Rogers and Bauer, have him show Rogers the ropes.”

A quickly stifled growl made them all turn. Cosmo looked mortified by his loss of control.

Louis slowly started grinning. “Don’t worry, mein Büffelchen (my little buffalo), I’m sure he meant only in the field.”

Trevorian cut him a cup, one eyebrow raised. “It was only supposed to be in the field in his case as well,” he pointed out dryly.

Louis waved him off. “Still doesn’t mean I’m interested in exchanging my Amiboy, not even for Captain America.”

Tony crossed his arms. “Good, because we’re not interested in such a switch either.”

Steve blushed when he realized what kind of partner they were talking about but the matching embarrassed look on his and Cosmo’s face just made their teams laugh.

Why did he think his team was great again?

 Background information on Failed      

Shifter Force: the agency in charge of “official” shifters. They are all registered and have a chip implanted, where information on their animal form in saved. They’re all supposed to take care not to reveal their existence to normal humans. They are classified based on their animal form. 

Class 1: carnivores, the highest class and the most privileged group 

Class 2: omnivores and insectivores, middle class, not all the privileges of Ones but still well-respected 

Class 3: herbivores, the lowest class; not taken seriously by the other classes and underprivileged 

Dark Shifters (“DS”): Shifters who decided not to follow the law or who decided for some other reason not to reveal themselves to the Shifter Force 

Duo- and multishifters: Shifters who have more than one animal form; considered a myth by most of the general shifter population

 Canon Failed characters:

Trevor Trevorian, coyote, head of Failed

Louis Bauer, desert cottontail (rabbit)/wallaby

Cosmo Baldwin, eagle/alligator/maned wolf/buffalo/skunk, Louis’ partner and boyfriend, light brown, almost blond hair, tall

Costas, chameleon/shark, bit off his own right arm by accident while partially shifted, Latino, beard, long black locks

Jamie, grey squirrel/cougar, can’t control his form when aroused, black, very buff, short black hair

Herman, human, tall, slender, short brown hair, tattooed arms

Merle Noir, born Merlin Albert Bishop, blackbird, trans, hacker

[truthofherdreams]

is this clickbait? (#3)

also on ao3 + read the first instalment

MUKBANG | Q&A WITH LARA JEAN

Peter Kavinsky 2 • 5.6M views • 3 days ago

 “Okay, you need to explain the food because even I am confused and I’ve been dating you for a few months.”

He’s never seen so many pastries in his life, which says something when you know he’s dating a professional baker. He’s come to see more cookie than vegetables in her fridges, and she always walks around with a layer of flour on her skin but. Still. That is a lot of pastries on the table.

“So basically,” Lara Jean replies as she walks around the table from where she’s switched the camera on. She waves as it as she sits down, before she goes on, “I always try my recipes a couple of times to perfect them, and then I often have to redo it on camera when I’m filming a video. Which leaves us with a lot of food.”

“An understatement,” Peter chimes in with a critical look at the numerous plates of cookies, muffins and half-cut cakes.

“I usually give them to local shelters or charities, things like that, so the food doesn’t go to waste. Because we obviously can’t eat everything on our own. But you wanted to do this video, so I kept this week’s pastries for it.”

“It’s Wednesday,” he points out. “You baked all of this in three days.”

Lara Jean shrugs, unapologetic. “I’m a perfectionist.”

Peter can only smile at that because, yes, she is. It’s one of the things he loves best about her, how passionate she is about what she does and what she believes in. It makes her such a talented baker and Youtuber.

“Anyway. Mukbang!” He grins at her and she smiles back, before he focuses back on the camera. “So we asked you to send some questions in for us, and we’re going to answer them while having a feast so. Enjoy! We sure will!”

Lara Jean laughs a little, hand hovering over the plates and fingers waving, before she settles on a macadamia cookie. “Okay, shoot first.”

He’s faster than she is, shoving half a vanilla muffin in his mouth like the heathen he is, before he takes his phone out to ready the first question from his notes.

“One of the most requested is about how we met and started dating. Care to explain?”

She nods and puts her cookie down. Although they will never gives the real explanation to the audience – no way in hell – they settled on a cover story early on. It would have come up at some point anyway, so better have all the details picked, just in case.

“Chris introduces us during a Vidcon party, actually,” Lara Jean starts with the truth. The lie comes next. “We exchanged numbers and started texting and that was it, really. We wanted to see where things would lead us so we took a leap of faith.”

“Which, we know it doesn’t sound terribly romantic,” Peter adds, making her grin. “And believe me, LJ is all about the romance. But it worked for us, and it’s the most important part.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she agrees.

Peter loses himself in her soft eyes for a moment there, forgetting about the world around him, the pastries, the camera rolling. It still takes him by surprise sometimes, how lucky he is to have her in his life.

He’s pretty sure he would have fallen in love with her eventually, fake relationship or not. He couldn’t stop thinking about her after that one party, and it’s only because her manager contacted his first that he didn’t ask Chris for her number. He’d been debating sending her a DM on Instagram for days when his manager called him. It was meant to be, really.

“Okay, next question,” she says, shaking her head a little to focus back on the task at her. She’s got her questions written down on a notebook, because she’s a fucking dork. “Well, questions. How does it feel to have such a public relationship and also how do we deal with everyone in the squad involved in our relationship?”

“Lucas uses us for clickbait more than I do,” Peter comments sagely, to which LJ almost chokes on a mouthful of cookie. He smirks a little at the face she pulls, like she’s trying very hard not to burst into laughter in front of the camera. Once he’s certain she’s fine, he turns back to the camera. “I’m probably going to burst a couple of bubbles here, but we don’t actually film each other all day every day. First because that would be waaaaay too much footage to go through, and also because our lives are not that interesting all the time. What is a few minutes in the vlog is only about an hour or two of filming per day, really.”

“And also,” LJ adds, now breathing properly again, “we’re all really good at boundaries. Everything you see in our videos, everyone has agreed to share beforehand. So it’s not as if anyone in the squad is over-nosy or anything.”

“Yeah, basically,” Peter agrees. “As for how public our relationship is… Same, to be honest? We decided very early on what we didn’t want to put in the vlogs and what was just for us. Our couple is so much more that what we’re showing you guys. Thankfully.”

“So stop asking for a kiss, it’s not happening.”

“Really?” Peter asks, teasing.

He leans forward before she can even notice what happens or stop him, planting a loud kiss on her cheek. She complains a little and pushes him away, and she does the thing where she lets her hair fall in front of her face to hide how embarrassed she is. The cutest shit ever.

“Pete,” she whines a little. He bites down his lip with a goofy smile that will, no doubt, result in a few comments. He’s fine with it.

And truth is, he’s careful about how touchy-feely he is with Lara Jean in their videos. He knows how important her privacy is to her, and that she doesn’t want to blast their relationship to the world, isn’t comfortable with millions of people witnessing their PDA. Not when they still haven’t been further than heavy petting, not when she still isn’t ready for the next step. And it’s fine, really. Peter would rather she takes her time and be ready than to coax her into something just because he’s horny. He would hate himself so much if that were to happen.

So he hides his smile with another mouthful of muffin and waits for the next question that arrives only a few seconds later.

“Next one is from one SimonSays,” Lara Jean announces. Then, with a little wave to the camera, “Hi Simon!”

Peter gives a two-finger salute to their fellow Youtuber and friend. “Sup, dude?”

“Simon asks if we have any collabs scheduled any time soon, especially ones that involve flying to New York and stuff,” she smiles.

“When are the Streamys again?” he asks, just to be an asshole.

She slaps his shoulder with the back of her hand, just to show he’s indeed being an asshole. Which really isn’t right, especially when it comes to Simon – fellow Youtuber, second nerdiest Hufflepuff he knows and all around amazing dude with an amazing channel and amazing boyfriend. Simon didn’t do anything to deserve Peter’s peacocky attitude.

“We don’t count being in each other’s videos as collabs since it basically happens every week,” Peter explains, since people often ask about it. “But Ronny has some projects with the girls, as far as I know.”

“She does,” Lara Jean agrees. “Also Dimples and I are in talks about a little something regarding being a woman of colour on the internet. And yeah, Simon is welcomed to LA any time. Heard that, Simon?”

“Bram still owes us a basketball match.”

“He destroyed you last time,” LJ reminds him, so simple and innocent about it that he can only make an offended face at her.

She grabs a cookie with both hands and takes a nibble, looking so fucking cute that he can’t stay fake-mad at her for more than a few seconds. A power she thankfully doesn’t know she masters to perfection, otherwise he would be in so much more trouble.

“Anyway,” he says slowly. “Next. Who said ‘I love you’ first?”

He was afraid the question was too personal at first, but the way LJ seems to melt on the spot has him reconsider. He can see in her eyes that she’s thinking about it too, the memory still fresh in both their minds despite it being a few months old now. A perfect moment under the stars, right after New Year’s Eve – the novelty of their relationship had them both giddy all through their stay in the cabin, until he’d taken her to admire the sky at night, one big fluffy blanket around their shoulders and mugs of steaming hot cocoa in hands. It’d seemed like the perfect moment, and it was.

“He did,” Lara Jean admits, soft and loving.

“That’s right,” he echoes, preening a little for the camera, pointing to himself with one finger. “Ya boy is proud of his feelings for his lady.”

And then she says, “We stan the destruction of toxic masculinity,” and he bursts into laughter for two full minutes. They’ll have to cut that, so he might as well kiss her too while he’s at it and get rid of all the footage in editing.

“Will Lara Jean ever move in the vlog house?” she reads, then immediately shakes her head. And keeps shaking it. For a whole thirty seconds. Just in case it wasn’t clear enough.

Any other dude would take that as rejection or a punch to his ego. Not Peter. Because he knows the vlog house is a whole fucking lot – more like some frat house that anything else, where they can do the craziest shit without a care in the world. And Lara Jean, she doesn’t entirely belongs in that kind of a place. She needs peace and quiet. A comfy armchair where to read. Silence.

It’s too early for any talks of moving in together but. He’s thought about it. Of course he has, he’s thought about a whole lot of things since he admitted to himself that she’s The One, capital letters and all.

So when – when, not if – they move in together, it will be at Lara Jean’s house. Or perhaps they can leave it to Kitty and find a place of their own instead. It doesn’t matter much to him. But it will be a place of their own, somewhere just for the two of them. And it will be perfect.

“To be fair, our kitchen is shit,” he comments.

LJ almost looks relieved at his words. “You have an electric oven. That’s barbaric.”

“Speaking of which,” he adds and grabs his phone once more to read the next question, “Has Peter ever tried to cook Korean food for you?”

She laughs so loudly she chokes on a cookie and sputters a little, then laughs and laughs and laughs.

Yes, he decides with a grin of his own, it’ll be perfect.

 ItsNeverBro 3 days ago

WAIT LJ IS FRIENDS WITH DIMPLES SHAH??? HOW IS THAT BRAND NEW INFORMATION TO ME?????

View 8 replies v

 CovinskyIsLove 3 days ago

LA’s hottest vlog squad! This place has everything! Adorable relationships! Unexpected collabs! Female solidarity! Men in tune with their feelings! Lots of cookies!

View 15 replies v

 SimonSays ✓ 2 days ago

Seriously? Right in front of my salad? (How about you come to NY instead, huh?)

View 27 replies v

 PizzaParty 1 day ago

we stan one unproblematic youtube couple. diza who? jerika who? i don’t know them

View 14 replies v

[ugly-crying-over-bucky-barnes]

Write Me a Lullaby Part 8

Summary: Delilah has been writing to her Penpal for almost six years. She doesn't know his real name and she doesn't know what he does for a living. When she's set to meet him, she's surprised to find out she's been falling in love with Sebastian Stan

Chapter Summary: The couple makes up after their fight and continue figuring out their relationship together

Warnings: Arguments, injury

          Rocket lay on Sebastian’s bed as I furiously tried to pack all my things away. I didn’t stop when I heard the apartment door open. I had changed like I was going back to Michigan. I put my warm socks on, a sweater, and leggings. I was convinced I was going back to where I’d come from.

           “Delilah…”

           “I don’t even want to hear it, Sebastian.” I shook my head and refused to look at him.

           “Please, just look at me.” He walked up to my side and reached to touch my cheek.  

           I flinched away from him and dropped a few of my clothes. “I said don’t touch me.” I snapped and looked at him.

           He looked devastated and it made my chest tighten. “I’m sorry. Please, just don’t leave. We can talk through this.”

           “Why? Why should I give you another chance?” I demanded. “How can you prove to me that you’re not like every other guy I’ve dated?”

           “Look, I know that this situation right now is still new and maybe we rushed into it. But I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that we work through this. I know you, Delilah, and you know me.”

           “I thought I knew you…”    

           “You know me.” Sebastian walked up to me. “You know the real me. Please just sit and talk to me.” He held out a hand to me.

           I hesitated but realized I would be dumb to walk out without at least listening to his side. I took his hand and let him lead me to sit down on the bed.

           Rocket was quick to snuggle up with us.

           “I was an asshole last night,” Sebastian said. “I shouldn’t have just assumed you would go to the party with me and I shouldn’t have acted like a child when you said you didn’t want to go. It was my fault for not telling you about it beforehand. When you said you wanted to go home, I should’ve gone with you.”

           “You don’t have to just bail on plans because of me. I was fine with you going. I just didn’t think you were going to…” I sighed and rubbed my eyes.

           “Honestly, I don’t know why I drank so much. I just…I wanted you to be there and I felt like an idiot for just sending you home.” He explained and took both of my hands in his. “Please, let me make it up to you. Whatever you want to do, we’ll do it.” He promised.

           “I don’t need you to spoil me, Sebastian. I just need you, to be honest.” I answered a looked into his eyes. He was genuine, I could tell for sure. I was pretty good at reading people and I knew a lot of liars in my past relationships. But Sebastian was different. He had already proved that to me.

           “I will be. I promise I will be upfront about everything.” He gently kissed the top of my hand.

           I smiled slightly. “You’re so hard to be mad at.” I protested.

           He chuckled and gave me a little wink. “Well, I want you to be happy, not angry with me.”

           I sighed and moved over to snuggle up to him.

           “I love you.” He said softly and kissed my forehead.

           “I love you too,” I replied. And I knew I meant it.

           “Let me take you out to dinner tonight.”

           “Okay.” I smiled and nodded.

           “Somewhere nice, I know you said you don’t need me to spoil you but I want to.”

           I sighed and shook my head. “You’re too much.” I sighed. “I just want to be with you, we don’t have to go anywhere special.”

           He ran a hand through my hair. “Alright, where should we go then?”

           “How about that Thai place? The food there is great.” I suggested.

           “Sure.” He smiled and kissed my cheek.

===============

           The restaurant was small but crowded because of how popular it was. Sebastian and I snagged a spot by the window at a small table. We leaned over the table, almost touching foreheads, as we talked over the loud chatter in the room.

           Sebastian held my hands over the table as we waited for our food.  “Alright, if you could pick anywhere to go right now, where would you go?” He asked.

           “Anywhere?”

           “Anywhere in the world.”

           “Well…I’d go right here,” I smirked. “Because you’re here, silly.”

           He laughed softly and shook his head. I felt the ends of his hair tickle my forehead. “Okay, wherever you go, I’ll be with you.” He corrected.

           “That sounds better…hm…” I bit my lip as I thought.

           “Anywhere in the world…”

           I giggled. “Okay, okay, don’t laugh, but I would go to Disney World.”

           “Disney World? Really?” He raised an eyebrow at me. “Anywhere in the world and you’d go there?”

           “I’ve never been! Plus I’ve traveled to a lot of cool places before. But I’ve never been anywhere like Disney.”

           He tsked and leaned back in his chair to look at me. “I thought you’d be more adventurous.”

           “Don’t give me that look, I am adventurous.” I couldn’t stop smiling. “Fine, where would you go?”

           “Probably somewhere really far away and super exciting.” He shrugged and smirked.

           “You have no idea, you’re just trying to sound cooler.” I accused.

           “Well, I’m pretty cool.”

           “You think you’re cool.”

           “Some people think I’m cool.”

           I giggled and leaned closer to him. “I think you’re cool sometimes,” I said and kissed the top of his hands.

           “Well, that’s a relief.” He smiled and I couldn’t break his gaze. I felt the worries of that morning just slip away. This was the man I fell in love with.  

===========

           Sebastian had started to film for Infinity War. He said he wouldn’t have to travel anywhere far in the next few weeks so it was pretty typical.

           He worked long hours though so I did everything I could to make his life a little easier when he was home. Most days, he was exhausted, bruised, and sporting a good headache.

           I usually made him dinner. He was on his Marvel hero ‘diet’. I made sure he wasn’t too banged up from filming and ran him a hot shower before bed.

           I wasn’t complaining at all. I had work to do during the day, normally we met up for lunch, and then at the end of the day, I took care of my boyfriend. I felt like I was doing everything a girlfriend would do.

           I started to worry one night when Sebastian came home with a nasty bruise on his shoulder. He said he hit the safety mat a little too hard during a fight scene.

           He could hardly lift his arm above shoulder height. So I had to do a little extra work and wash his hair when he showered.

           It wasn’t my first time seeing Sebastian naked, and I was certain it wouldn’t be my last if I were lucky of course.

           He groaned as he leaned back against me. “Am I getting too old for this?”

           “For doing a lot of your own stunts? Yes, but you won’t listen to me if I say so.” I replied and nudged his leg with my knee. “You’re too tall, kneel down.”

           Sebastian carefully lowered himself so I could wash his hair. He grumbled from the pressure on his knees. “I’m not that old though…”

           “But you’re not twenty.” I pointed out. “We don’t heal as fast.” I reminded him and gently massaged the shampoo into his hair. “You need to be careful.”

           “I am careful.” He sighed. “Or I try to be at least.”

           “Mhm, well, promise me you’ll know your limits?” I asked and held out a hand to help him up so he could rinse the shampoo out.

           “I promise.” He answered.

           I made sure all the lather was washed out and wrapped my arms around his waist. “You’re not really Bucky Barnes, you can’t fall off a building and just get back up.”      

           “I am Bucky Barnes.” He grumbled but smiled slightly.

           “You’re a brat.”

           “But I’m your brat.” He grinned and leaned down to kiss me gently.

===========

           The next morning, I was going to go visit the set to get lunch with Sebastian. I was wandering around a little bit because he hadn’t texted me back when I asked where he wanted to meet.

           My chest tightened in fear when two EMTs ran by me. My mind instantly went to Sebastian and I followed them.

           There were people crowded around the set and I tried to move through. “Is Sebastian here? Is he okay?” I asked. “I’m his girlfriend.

           “Delilah!” Chris Evans waved me over.

           I had met the actor a few times when I visited Sebastian. We got drinks together once too. I liked the man, mostly because of how nice he was and how he and Sebastian were like brothers.

           I ran across the road, which had been blocked off for the scene. My heart pounded when I saw a figure on the ground. Sebastian was just in regular clothing for the scene, not his typical Winter Soldier armor.

           “Alright, back off.” One of the EMTs waved everyone away.

           “Sebastian…” I dropped my bag, as I got closer. “What happened?”

           “I’m fine…” He brushed off the ambulance worker.

           “Dude, you hit your arm, we all heard a snap.” Anthony was knelt down next to him.

           “What?” I gasped and got down to help him sit up with Anthony’s help.

           “It didn’t break, you probably just heard something else,” Sebastian said stubbornly. He inhaled sharply as the EMT moved his arm slightly.

           “We’re getting it x-rayed,” I said without even giving him the opportunity to complain.

           “Del, I don’t need it x-rayed.” Sebastian protested.

           “Can you move your fingers?” The worker asked as he held Sebastian’s wrist stable.

           “Uh…” Sebastian winced as he tried. “No.”

           “Alright, hang on a minute. We’re going to get a sling so you don’t move it too much.”

           I sat on my feet so Sebastian could rest back on my knees. I gently stroked his hair, which was growing longer for Bucky.

           “Don’t tell me you told me so.” Sebastian looked up at me.  

           “I won’t,” I promised and leaned down to kiss his forehead. “But I did.”

           Anthony snorted. “She did tell you to take it easy.” He agreed.

           “I could do it, I just fell the wrong way.” Sebastian sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. “It’s not broken.”

=============

           It was broken.

           Sebastian was in a full cast up to his shoulder and he was unhappy. They could shift around filming though so he could heal. But it didn’t matter; he was frustrated after the first day of having the cast.

           The morning after he broke it, Sebastian was in the kitchen trying to make himself coffee.

           I woke up to the sound of him swearing. I walked out with Rocket trailing after me. “Sebs?”

           He sighed and looked up at me. “Hey, sorry, did I wake you up?” He asked.

           “No, is everything okay?” I asked softly.

           Sebastian flapped his arm, which was still in the sling. I bit my lip to keep from laughing. I knew it would only damage his self-esteem more. But he looked like a giant bird. I snorted slightly and he groaned.

           “Stop…”

           “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I walked up to him and rubbed his shoulders gently. “What can I do to make you feel better?”

           “Put my arm back together and take this stupid thing off,” Sebastian said grumpily.

           “You know if I could, I would.” I murmured.  “C’mon, can I give you a back rub or we can watch a movie…” I suggested hoping to get his mind off of his arm.

           “Mmf,” Sebastian mumbled and buried his face in the crook of my neck.

           “We could take Rocket out for a walk…”

           “God no, I don’t want people seeing me like this.”

           “Want me to decorate your cast? I can draw on it, make it cute.” I smiled.      

           Sebastian sighed. “Alright, fine.” He gave in.

           While we ate breakfast, I sat on his left side and started to draw out my plan from a reference picture on my phone. After a bit, Sebastian glanced over.

           “Almost done?” He asked.

           “Yep…okay, you can look now.” I held up my phone camera so he could see how it looked.

           He just laughed softly. “That’s awesome.” He said.

           “Think so?” I smiled proudly.

           “It makes it so much better.” Sebastian leaned over to kiss me softly.

           Later on, I took a picture of Sebastian he could post it on Instagram. I leaned over his shoulder as he wrote the description.

           My perfect girlfriend made me into the Winter Soldier for real. I feel better about having this.

           The picture was of him doing his best Winter Soldier pose with his best Winter Soldier face as he showed off my artwork. I had done my best to draw the lines and the red star to make it look like Bucky’s arm. Since the cast was on the same arm, I figured it was fitting. Sebastian agreed and decided he was less miserable about the break.

[lowdenfordays]

Settle Down With Me, Part One

Y’alright folks? Long time no see, how’re you getting on? Excited for Christmas (if you celebrate it)? 

So I received a request to write an imagine based on the song ‘Kiss Me’ by Ed Sheeran, and was hit by a wave of inspiration, so wrote this. It’s going to be a mini series, with probably four parts (if you saw my earlier post that said three, I changed my mind). So thanks to the anon for the request, and I hope you all like it!

Part Two

You stopped, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. The sounds rang harsh and hollow, and an eternity of silence seemed to follow it.

“Come in!” came a familiar voice from the other side, muffled but cheerful.

You opened the door to a conference room with a large table in the middle, stretching across the room, and a hive of people sat around it, with only a few empty seats scattered about. Some were chatting in hushed voices, some looked up at you as you entered, others scribbled absentmindedly on their notepads. You searched for your godfather’s face amidst the crowd, and quickly located him at the head of the table. Emma was sat to his right, and she smiled warmly at you as you met her eyes. She wasn’t technically your godmother, but you knew it wasn’t Chris who remembered to buy you a birthday card every year. You hurried towards them as Chris beckoned you over. You went to him first, acutely aware of all the eyes fixed on you. When you reached him you stood awkwardly, unsure how to greet him. You would usually go in for a hug, but this was a professional setting. You didn’t know if you were allowed to tell people that the director of the project they were all here for, one of the most renowned and talented film directors of your time, was your godfather, and he’d got you a job on the film – or even if you wanted people to know.

But he took the decision out of your hands when he stood and wrapped you in a big hug, like he had been doing since you could remember.

“Don’t be nervous,” he whispered, “Today is just about getting to know each other and setting out our vision for the film. It’ll be really casual.”

You nodded, a little shaky, before moving into Emma’s open embrace. She didn’t say anything, but held onto your hands as she pulled away and gave them a squeeze, rendering words redundant. You gave a small smile, then left to take your seat further down the table.

The producers sat closest to Chris on the one side of the table, and actors on the other, with the various departmental directors filling in further down. In your best attempt at a purposeful walk, you made you way down the room, trying not to stare at the famous faces along the way. Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Harry bloody Styles…

You found two empty seats together and sat in the further one, hoping no one would sit next to you. The last few people filtered in and you sighed in relief as the seat remained empty.

Chris broke the relative silence by standing and announcing, “Well, we’re still waiting for Jack but I think we’d best get started without him.”

Nods of approval and the shuffling of papers signified general agreement, but just as Chris made to start the meeting, the door burst open.

 In the doorway stood a tall, slightly dishevelled-looking blonde. He wore a dark grey, woollen jacket, unbuttoned to reveal a navy-blue sweater, with a dark green tartan scarf hung loosely around his neck. He was undoubtedly stylish, but far more striking was his face. Despite his angular features, he looked soft and boyish. His hair was already fairly long, but you could see that it would go curly if it grew a little longer. He smiled sheepishly through light panting, exposing deep dimples in each cheek, and his vibrant blues eyes darted around the room. He was easily the most handsome man you had ever seen, even against the wealth of good looks that sat around that very table.

You swallowed a gasp.

“Mornin’ all, how ye daein? Sorry I’m late, the traffic this morn’ was summin’ fierce.”

Good God, he’s Scottish.

The smile in his voice rang around the room and vibrated in your chest.

This is not good. This is very not good.

“Not to worry, Jack, we’re only just starting,” Chris replied and indicated for him to sit.

You watched, fixated, as he scanned the room for a seat. He caught your gaze and grinned, prompting you to snatch your eyes away and fight the blush that threatened to creep up your neck, with questionable success. You kept your eyes trained on the pad of paper on the table in front of you, but listened as he walked around the table and sat down in the empty seat next to you. You risked a glance at him, only to find he was already looking at you. The curiosity painted on his features morphed into a smirk, and he winked at you.

Bollocks.

 You spent the meeting doing your best to concentrate on what Chris was saying, ignore the man beside you, and supress the groans of frustration that rumbled in your throat at his every movement. The vaguely sweaty musk carried across the inches between you, which was hopelessly distracting. Why does he smell so good? He fidgeted often, scratching his arm or chin, shifting in his seat, crossing and uncrossing his legs, and every time he did your mind wandered to him and his perfectly chiselled face. In the end, you had to focus so hard on concentrating that you basically wrote down every word of Chris’ brief. You had never been more relieved than when a break was announced and you could get up and get some refreshments.

 You pushed your chair out to head towards a table laid out at the back, and as you stood you saw that his scarf had fallen off the back of his chair. You picked it up, and as you straightened found yourself face to face with the blonde bombshell that you had been trying so hard not to fall in love-at-first-sight with.

“Um, this is yours, I think,” you mumbled, extending it towards him in an attempt to put something between you. He really was standing very close.

“Oh thanks very much. I should really be more careful with it,” he chuckled, “It’s new.”

“It’s very nice,” you said, trying to be polite and friendly.

“Ye know what it’s made of?”

“Boyfriend material?”

As soon as the words left your lips you were horrified. It was a just instinct, as was the heavily sarcastic tone it came dripped in, but he was sure to think you were being far too forward.

“Nay,” he said, inclining his head and fully laughing now, “Cashmere, I thought it was fancy.”

You bit your lip to hide your embarrassment. “Sorry, I guess I’ve heard that line one too many times.”

 You made your way to the refreshments table together, in silence, and each made yourself a cup of tea. You felt him watching as you poured in the milk, and had to force your hand not to shake. You didn’t know why, but he made you far more nervous than the whole experience did.

“Ye make a good brew,” he said over your shoulder, “Ye cannae trust someone who can’ make a good brew.”

You smiled, “Thanks. I’d usually make it in a teapot, but needs must.”

“Oh, she’s classy.”

You inclined your head a little smugly, but internally gasped. Where had that sudden burst of confidence come from? Your voice was steady and you somehow managed to appear sophisticated and nonchalant. In an attempt to quit while you were ahead, you shuffled to a relatively quiet corner and cradled your drink, but were surprised to see that he had followed you over.

“I’m Jack, by the way.”

“Y/N”, you replied and took his outstretched hand.

With a knowing look he asked, “Is this yer first time workin’ on a film?”

You nodded, “How did you guess?” with a mix of sarcasm and curiosity.

“Ye wrote down Chris’ every word. I get it though, got massive respect for the guy but he’s a wee bit intimidating. I feel like I have te learn everything I can from ‘im.”

Little he knew, you couldn’t be further from intimidated by Chris, and it was his own charisma that had you furiously scribbling. For some reason, however, you felt disinclined to tell him about your relationship with Chris, and only nodded.

“So what’s yer role on the film then?”

“I’m a sort of assisting assistant director, I guess. I’m pretty sure my official title is ‘General Dogsbody’. You can call me GD for short.”

That made him laugh richly, causing a warm, joyful tingling to rush over your body in a way that you had never experienced before.

“It’s a foot in the industry though, once ye’ve go’ that, as long as ye work hard, ye’re set.”

“Well, that’s the idea anyway.”

“How’d ye manage te get the job?”

Internally cursing, you opened and closed your mouth like a goldfish, trying to come up with a way to sidestep the question without outright lying.

“Umm…”

Thankfully, you were saved by a dark, curly-haired man whom you recognised as one of the actors, rushing up to Jack and crushing him in a hug.

“Jack, mate, how’ve you been?”

You stood awkwardly as they caught up briefly, clearly friends beforehand. But after a moment Jack looked over to you and smiled, “Aneurin, this is Y/N, she’s a GD. Oh sorry, an AD.”

You giggled, and marvelled that you had known his man for an hour but already had an inside joke with him.

“Okay everyone, that’s great. I think we can call it a day.”

You sighed in relief, all but dead on your feet. You’d just finished a busy day, filming on the beach in the morning with Fionn, Harry and Ni, then doing some spitfire stuff with Jack in the afternoon. You technically didn’t need to be there for the afternoon, but you liked seeing Jack in his uniform. Anyway, you were there to learn, so that’s what you were doing whenever you had the chance. It was still very early days in the shoot but you were already knackered. This film-making business was hard work. Chris had given you the role of organising the lads, to keep them in check and on schedule, as well as being a runner on set. He’d even consulted you on a shot once or twice, but you reckoned that was probably just to make you feel a bit important.

“How’re you doing petal?” Chris cooed, pulling the monitor off from round his neck and wrapping an arm around your shoulders in a sideways embrace.

“I’m good, just tired. These early mornings are killer. How about you though? Your job is much harder than mine!”

He smiled, “I’m doing what I love, it’s never a chore.”

As Jack was clambering out of the spitfire, you noticed out of the corner of your eye that he was watching your exchange with some curiosity. When he caught your eye, he shot you a quizzical look, one eyebrow raised and brow furrowed. You looked away, ashamed that you still hadn’t told him that Chris was your godfather, and focused on the ground as Chris placed an affectionate kiss on your head.

You scuttled off to your hotel room faster than usual to avoid Jack’s inevitable questions.

 That evening, after you’d had a warm shower and some food, you were sat cross-legged on your bed, enjoying some well-earned me time. Much to your displeasure, however, it was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Y/N!” Harry sing-songed through the door; of course it was Harry.

You unfolded your limbs and got up to open the door.

“What do you want?” you huffed.

“Don’t be mardy, come hang out. We’re all in Glynn-Carney’s room.”

“I’m in my comfies.”

“Comfies?” Harry smirked.

You rolled your eyes and pointed at your sweats and baggy jumper – sweater paws and all.

“Oh who cares. Look, doesn’t a bottle of wine and some good company sound better than sitting here on your own?”

“The company is questionable at best, but the wine is tempting.”

 Harry led you down the corridor and the door was opened to reveal a group of already giddy twenty-something year olds and more than a few bottles.

“There’s a little more than a bottle of wine here I see. Who started on the whiskey?”

Everyone instantly pointed to Jack, who shamelessly raised his hand.

“Dumb question,” you muttered.

You sat down, and took the glass of wine offered to you.

 “So, Miss Y/N, you’re in charge of us, right?” Tom said with a twinkle in his eye, “What shall we do?”

“I don’t know,” you scoffed, “Watch a film or something?”

“We were thinkin’ summin’ more along the lines o’ a drinking game” Barry chuckled.

“We have work tomorrow. I don’t think Chris would be too pleased if we all show up hungover.”

“Best make it something enlightening and/or educational then,” Aneurin grinned.

“Enlightening and/or educational,” you huffed in disbelief. “You can wipe that shit-eating grin off your face Ni,” you laughed, somehow expelling the disgruntled attitude from you. “We’ll play truths. Someone asks you an uncomfortable question, you answer or you drink. It’s a bonding exercise, so we can get to know each other better.”

 They seemed to like your idea, and began asking each other questions, which were mostly, unsurprisingly, sex-orientated. When it was Jack’s turn to ask you a question, he rounded on you and asked, without hesitation, “What is the nature of your relationship with Christopher Nolan?”

Harry gasped and exclaimed, “Is Y/N screwing the director! You sly fox!”

“Ew, no mate, he’s her godfather,” Fionn corrected, hitting him on the arm.

You shrugged, indicating that it was true, and looked a little sheepishly at Jack. You watched as the realisation dawned on his face. “Wait, Fionn, how did you know?” he questioned, once he had fully processed the information.

“Viv told me.” Vivienne, the head make-up artists, was a notorious gossip and somehow knew everything about everyone. You all nodded in understanding.

“Well, now you know,” you said with a little uneasiness, “Let the piss-taking commence, I suppose.”

“Us lot? Take the piss? Never. Anyway, it’s not like you’re only person on the film that’s not here purely on merit… oh wait.” Harry grinned.

“Purely on merit, Styles? I thought you were just here to bring in the teenage girl demographic,” you retorted, followed by a chorus of ‘ooohh’s.

Thinking you’d got off the hook with your question, you tried to move on, but before you could, Barry proclaimed, “Y/N needs a new question, she didn’t even answer tha’ one.”

“What’s your sexual fantasy?” Tom piped up.

You groaned, as your eyes skipped to Jack’s for just a second. You were unwilling to share, as in recent weeks your sexual fantasy had involved one blonde-haired, blue-eyed Scottish arsehole, so instead took a big gulp of your drink.

Part Two

[titriwrites]

Scoop! - Chapter 12

A/N: Merry Christmas?! Honestly, I’ve got no excuse for not updating in like… half a year? Except for moving to another city, starting a new job, life and friends in general… I don’t know how fast these updates will be now, and this one is shorter than the others. But it came to me, and I want you to know that I still think of Tom and Jo. I know where this is going, and I will finish it. For now, enjoy!

Home Cooked Meal

It’s a fast food world, running and a-gunning Twenty four seven three sixty five, order it up and get what you like Yeah, it sure is something But here’s the deal, nothing’s real It’s a fast food world, dying for a home-cooked meal

Home Cooked Meal by Granger Smith

Jo didn’t know how to put her emotions and feelings into words. Well, in general she did; she was a journalist after all. But this was different. She’d made a mistake, and she knew it. Okay, maybe she did find a word: shit. She felt like shit.

She didn’t even need Eva’s disapproving tone on the other end of the line to know she acted horribly.

“That was a shit move,” her best friend had told her on the phone the evening after Jo had spent the night at Tom’s. “That was a massively very shitty move.”

Jo had sighed. “I know.”

“Do you, though?” Okay. Jo had already known it hadn’t been the best thing to do, but she didn’t need Eva to tell her the obvious.

“Of course, I know. I didn’t want to sleep with him, it just… it…”

“If you tell me ‘It just happened’ now, I’ll come to London simply to strangle you, Josefine.”

“But it did.” It was true. She’d never planned to do any of this. Sex was not in the game for her. But it felt so very, very good.

“You did want to sleep with him, though.” It had been that voice, that slight disappointment in it that had done it for Jo. She’d felt like shit, miserable, and like the biggest traitor of all.

“I did. But I shouldn’t have done it. I should have gone home.”

“Jo, I hope you know that I’m not judging you.” At Jo’s snort Eva simply continued on. “I’m not judging you for having sex per se. I’m judging you – rightfully so – because you had sex with him. You should not have sex with him. It’s bad enough stringing him along as it is. But with feelings involved? I know you, you’re not the woman who simply has sex. You at least have to find them nice. So don’t tell me, there are no feelings. I might have to kill you for that.”

Silence. If Eva had hoped, her rant would be met with more than silence she’d been in for a disappointment right then. Jo hadn’t known how to answer any of that. Eva was right, basically. But it had hurt a little to have it thrown in her face.

“Are you done?” was therefore all that she’d said. “Or is there anything else I already know to come?”

“Jo,” Eva sighed, “you know I love you. I’m watching out for you. This is getting way over your head way too fast. I’m not even sure that you should write that article.”

Jo had hung up then. A few hours later, they’d exchanged texts, telling the other how sorry they’d been, Eva again trying to find out who that mysterious man was. Of course, Jo didn’t tell.

And so, despite Eva’s warnings, Jo found herself in Tom’s flat again, three days later. He’d invited her to a dinner at his place, wanting a cosy night in, before there was the press night for Saint Joan to be gone to. A night where they would actually meet, though Jo wouldn’t tell him that. If he was clever, he could figure it out all by himself – a press night for a play would surely be attended by the culture news reporter of the newspaper.

So, they met at his place.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered to her, as he greeted Jo by the door, before kissing her softly on the lips.

As much as Jo tried to stay sane, not going into giggly dating mode, Tom’s lips on hers did something to her. In fact, they did many things to her, butterflies in her stomach, increased heart rate, sweaty palms, just to name a few of the things. Oh, they also made her moan.

“It’s only been three days,” Jo answered as they parted a little, the smell of his cologne filling her nose, mixing with the smell of food. There were definitely tomatoes and meat somewhere in there.

“Well, I’ve missed you for three days then. You sure you have to work during the week?” he asked, leaning in, stealing another kiss from her. She let him do it a little too eagerly for her taste.

“I do have to work, yes,” Jo mumbled. “But it’s Friday now. You’ll have me all to yourself now.”

Finally – or not so finally – letting go of her lips, Tom took her hand instead and led her inside. “That sounds promising. We’ll eat first though,” he winked.

She slapped him playfully while following him inside. There the smell got stronger, but also ten times more delicious. “What are we having?”

“Besides the wine,” Tom started, pausing just for pouring two glasses for them, “we’ll have spaghetti Bolognese. Made it myself.” Jo raised her brows at the already more than half-empty bottle, and Tom chuckled seeing the look on her face. “Only used it for cooking, darling. I swear. I didn’t want to ruin dinner by getting drunk beforehand.”

“Wise decision,” Jo agreed before sitting down on the bar stool at the counter top. “So, Bolognese?”

“Yeah,” Tom answered and handed her a glass. “I got the recipe from my dad, actually. My mum says it’s the only thing he’s actually able to cook. She’s right. But it worked on her.”

“So, you’re trying to use it on me?”

Tom actually blushed at that. “Um, well.” The smirk was back in the next second. A quite impressive recovery. “Would it work?”

Jo laughed out loud. Despite the fact that she actually didn’t want it to work – really, she didn’t – she was a little curious to see what Tom could do in a kitchen. She knew that he loved to eat, she just didn’t know how good of a cook he could be. “I’ll tell you later, okay?”

By the looks of it, it did work out, Tom thought an hour later when all the plates were in the dishwasher (Jo had insisted on helping, only resulting in both of them trying to push the other one away, followed by a rather heavy make-out session), and they were sitting on his sofa together, each enjoying another glass of wine.

He could get used to that. Not that he wanted to scare her away by telling her that. They were merely dating, having had sex just that one time. It shouldn’t be that intense. But it was. It always was for him, that was his problem. The media frenzy wouldn’t have been that big over the summer, if it wasn’t often all-in for him. But again, he wouldn’t tell her that. At least not before the second bottle of wine, and honestly, Tom had other plans.

“So,” Jo started, and by the tone in her voice Tom wasn’t sure if he really wanted her to talk on. “I’ve been on twitter recently.” Well, he didn’t expect that one.

“Yes?”

“There are quite a few theories about you.” At Tom’s raised eyebrow she continued, looking up from where her head was resting on his shoulder – another thing he could get used to. “About your dating life.”

Tom hoped Jo wouldn’t feel his breath hitching. “I swear I’m not secretly dating Chris Hemsworth,” he tried to joke, but knew that he failed miserably.

“It’s not about Chris actually.”

Tom cringed. Yeah, he had a hunch. “Oh.”

“It’s nothing bad, really. I was just wondering…” Jo fell quiet.

Tom nudged her with his shoulder. She’s looked away again, but if it really wasn’t anything bad, she could still look at him, couldn’t she? “You were wondering?”

“People think it was Taylor with you in that restaurant on Tuesday. And I admit it feels a little strange. You know… being there with you, knowing the truth, knowing,” she blushed, “knowing what we did afterwards. And then having people think you used the service elevator to get in and out unnoticed. They’re kind of watching you like a hawk.”

He was silent for a moment. Huh. He always felt like this would be coming someday. Jo backing out because she realised that the paparazzi were too much. He just didn’t know it’d hurt this much. “You also said that you wouldn’t mind the paps. That… if it meant us being together, you wouldn’t mind having your picture taken.” He tried to hide the hurt in his voice, but even being a Golden Globe nominated actor, Tom wasn’t so sure he succeeded.

And he obviously didn’t, as Jo shot up from his shoulder, turning to face him suddenly. “No, no, Tom. I didn’t mean it like that. I meant… the fans. It’s so strange having people speculate you being with one person, basically carrying her out of your house in a suitcase, when there’s me sitting in your living-room after eating the greatest Bolognese I’ve ever tasted.” She stopped for a moment, then continued softly. “I don’t want this to be more than dating for now. And I don’t want to make any grant gesture or statement, that’s just not what this is at the moment. But I don’t want people to think you’re still with her either. If that makes any sense.”

He looked at her for a long moment, before a grin spread on his face. It was quite scary just how relieved he felt hearing Jo’s words. “I’m afraid I can’t make them think anything without literally snogging you out on the street. And even then there would be a bunch of them believing it’s all PR. Again,” he added. “But I really like hearing you talk like that.”

He cupped both of Jo’s cheeks with his hands, noticing the slight frown on her face. “What’s wrong?” Tom whispered.

“Nothing,” she smiled. “Absolutely nothing.”

The kiss that followed felt different. It was more and at the same time Jo held something back. “I really like you a lot, Jo. And believe me when I say that I’d much rather walk into a restaurant through the front door than taking the fucking service elevator.”

She laughed at that and nodded, her head still between Tom’s hands. He never liked her smile more than then.

Leaning in for a kiss he mumbled, “Will you stay the night?”

Jo nodded. And she did.

Tagging @devikafernando @itsliterallythis @justthelosersblog @avenger-nerd-mom @archy3001 @nuggsmum

[90sgrungewriter]

3. Untitled - Eddie Vedder

Status: Unedited

Most of the walk was spent in silence. Well, that and smelling his cologne through his flannel. He smelt pretty damn fine.

"You let me know if you get chilly. I'll give this back to you." You motioned to the article of clothing with your finger. He chuckled, not making eye contact.  

"I'm alright. Still a bit sweaty from that show to be honest." He murmured. He was doing that fucking thing he does with his cheekbones again. Or maybe he wasn't doing anything at all. Either way it seemed to captivate you and  you were most likely staring like a lunatic at this point. He noticed and squinted his eyes a bit.

"You ok? What, I got something on my face?" His hand rose to greet his nose, as he felt around his face. There was a certain playfulness to his tone. You giggled. 

"Are you playing a joke on me?" You questioned, stiffling your laughter. His face broke out into a smile, and there it was again. Those pearly whites. 

He was cute.

Your cheeks flushed and you felt the need to look away. It was then you noticed you were on your street. 

"Well, this is my street. My building is a couple down, I'll be fine from here." You slowed your pace, maybe he didn't even want to walk you and he was just doing it to make Stone happy, so you didn't want to make him do more than he had to. He kept walking though, ignoring you completely.

"I promised Stone I'd walk you to your door and if I don't he'll have my head on a platter...He really likes you." He said the last part rather crudley. There it was again, the Stone liking me thing. What fucking mushrooms have these guys been taking and where the hell could you get some?

"Why the hell do people keep saying that to me tonight?" You sped up to catch up with him. "My apartment is in the building across the street." You motioned, making your way down to the road. 

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "S'Obvious isn't it?" He said nonchalantely. You exhaled loudly. "I'm pretty sure if it was obvious I would fucking know by now. I've known the guy since grade school." Your voice laced with annoyance. Eddie stayed silent till we reached the door of my building.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset. I shouldn't have said anything." He pinched the bridge of his nose, guilt was evident. You grabbed his arm gently and removed his hand from his face, and watched it fall gently back to his side. He was looking directly at you and it almost made you feel nervous. You tried to play it cool.

"Its okay. I'll see you around, alright? Have a good rest of your night, man." You spoke softly. He nodded. 

You both turn and went your separate ways. 

Finally getting into your apartment, you take off your boots and remember the flannel you bore over your shoulders. You curse under your breath. Why didn't he ask for it back? Its not like he wasn't looking right at you wearing it. You sighed. You would just have to give it back tomorrow or something. You threw the article on your bed and started to get ready for some Zzz’s.

You did your nighttime routine, you weren't very drunk or stoned at this point anymore, which was a good thing. When the time came you got to finally lay down and get some rest. You were exhausted and definitely weren't looking forward to going to work tomorrow.

The next morning came, and you awoke to a pleasant aroma. Your eyes still being shut, pictured a shirtless Eddie laying next to you. But you knew that wasn't the case. And why the fuck were you thinking this shit anyway? Oh my god, get a grip Dani. You scolded yourself, and decided to finally open your eyes. Your face was laying in Eddie's flannel, explaining the heavenly scent. You looked at your clock. 8:46 AM. It was now or never.

Once you were fully awake, you showered and got dressed. You worked at a dingy art store just around the corner from here. It was an ok job, and you were by yourself most of the time as the store rarely got busy. You just did whatever most of the time. You only worked on weekends, sometimes evenings, since you had classes during the week. You were a student at the Gage Academy of Art, and currently had a bachelors degree in graphic design.

Needless to say, the first half of your shift went by pretty quickly. It was nearing 2:30, and there had actually been a decent amount of people that came in. Your shift was done at 4:00, and you were certain an hour and a half would go by quickly. 

You had just finished eating your lunch when none other then Stone Gossard waltzed in to the store.

You decided to fuck with him a bit. 

"Hey there, lover." You said in a mock-flirtatious tone. His eyes widened slightly and he stammered a bit, but quickly recovered. You brushed if off and punched his arm when he made it to the counter.

"W-what? The fuck are you talking about?" He wouldn't look directly into your eyes and your smile faltered a bit, confused. Maybe he was offended? You couldn’t believe he wasn’t saying something ‘insulting’ to you. Was he feeling okay?

"You won't believe what I've been told by three different people." You spoke as though you were going to tell him the best joke he would hear in his lifetime. Well, you kinda were. "Get a load of this shit." You laughed plopping right back onto your stool. Stone approached you closer and leaned on the desk, intrigued. 

"Go on."

"Apparently, you're totally in - love with me!" You snorted, laughing like a fucking mad person. "I mean, according to Kim, Chris and Eddie."

Stone laughed too, but not as much as you did. You took a minute to catch your breath, you put a hand on his shoulder.

"I mean, can you believe that? What fucking drugs are you guys taking behind my back? I want some." Your voice laced with sarcasm, this was all so funny to you. He still stayed a bit quiet, but a small smile lay upon his lips.

"I mean, Eddie's been here five minutes and says its 'obvious'? I mean come on!" I shook him jokingly. "I'm pretty sure I would have known by now if you were in god damn love with me!" You spoke again, your hands heading for your coffee that was in front of you.

"Yeah, thats ridiculous. Love you? You suck." He mocked. 

You just shook your head. "Anyway, what are you doing here Stoney?"

"Well, the boys brought a few cases of beer over, and we were going to order pizza and have a chill night. Things have been pretty hectic, y'know? Eddie's barely had a second to actually communicate with people outside of a venue." He explained, looking around the store. He rarely came in here, so you guessed he was just observing a bit.

You thought about it for a second. You had to give Ed back his plaid anyway, so why not? 

"Sure, I'll be there. Your place right?" 

"Yeah." There was a honk outside. "Sorry, Dave is in the car, we couldn't find a parking nearby so I told him to just drive around a few times while I was in here." He started to make his way to the door, with so little as a glance your way.

"See you later, Danica." And he left.

You had a strange feeling in the pit of your stomach. He never called you Danica. Maybe you made him uncomfortable? 

In all the time you've known him, you never thought of him that way. Not because he wasn't good looking or anything, cause in truth he was a handsome guy. But because you didn't want to risk ruining the best friendship you would probably ever have. He meant a lot to you and if that were to fall apart over stupidity, you wouldn't be able to live with yourself. And you pretty certain he didn't see you that way anyway, which was a good thing.

The rest of your shift flew by and before you knew it, you were at home changing your clothes to go to Stone's. You wore your dark ripped jeans, a Soundgarden shirt and a dark baseball cap. Knowing the walk would be cool, you grabbed your dark green hoodie and put it on. You laced up your boots and made sure to grab Eddie's flannel before you left the apartment. 

The walk was a quick one. Stone only lived about 20 minutes away, and you enjoyed them. You were smoking a cigarette and finished it as you approached the door. Without knocking you entered. There were boys sprawled all out in the living room, all with beers in their hands, watching some movie. Their eyes darted toward you in the doorway and you smiled, waving your hand. So far, it was just the Mookie boys. 

"Hello boys." 

There was a chorus of greetings, and Jeff made his way over, grabbing your purse and the flannel, setting it down on the table. He engulfed you in a bear hug. 

"Glad you could make it! Pizza should be here any minute. Let me get you a cold one." He stalked over to the fridge.

"Me too. Who else is supposed to be here? I thought this was going to be for Eddie to meet some new people." You questioned. Eddie already knew everyone in the house.

"The Alice guys are going to be here any minute. They haven't met Eddie yet, but Soundgarden is playing another show at the Off Ramp tonight so they won't be here. Maybe they'll show up later. I think Mark said he would try and make it but that’s yet to happen." He spoke cheerfully, leading you to the living room. 

You and Ed made eye contact and he gave you a tight lipped smile.

"Hey you. I brought your flannel. Why didn't you remind me last night? I don't want to steal your things." You joked, taking a seat next to him on the couch. It was the only spot that was available actually, because Jeff was in it beforehand. 

But he had gone off somewhere, maybe the pizza was here.

"Thanks. I didn't want to say anything. It looked better on you anyways." His eyes that were glued to the TV took a minute to meet yours and it was a sweet moment. It was funny how he could literally just look at you and have you feel this weird mushy feeling in your stomach. You didn't like it. It scared you.

Before you could say anything about his comment, Jeff shouted that the pizza was here. Yes it was, and it smelled like fucking heaven. You were pretty hungry. You took a swig of your beer and stood up, along with everyone else and made your way into the kitchen.

"How are things, Krusen?" You smiled politely at the band member you were  the least closest to. It wasn't anything personal, you just hadn't known him your entire life like the other guys (minus Eddie, obviously). 

"Not bad. Still above the ground." He joked. You snorted. You always thought his sense of humor was hilarious.

"Yeah, I feel you bud." You patted his arm gently. 

"And you Dani? How are things up your alley?" You's made your way toward the couch with your beer and pizzas. This was going to be a good night. 

"Alright, I guess. Nothing ever really happens." And that was true, nothing ever happened to you. Your life was actually pretty boring. But when you hung out with these guys, it was different. It was never a dull moment with them. And you loved it. You always had a good time.

"Well well well, digging into the pizza before we even get here? Didn't your parents ever teach you manners!" Jerry Cantrell.

[thorne93]

First Impressions (Part 17)

Prompt: Imagine your friend, Anthony Mackie, brings you with him to an event and introduces you to his friend, Sebastian, who’s blown away by you. He immediately starts flirting and acting silly because you make him nervous and he just wants to impress you

Warnings: flirting (adult style), language (always, with me, come on), and drama (later on in the fic) violence/anger

Word Count: 2263

Notes: If anyone has kids or wives out of the celebrities mentioned, in this universe, they sort of don’t exist….Just for the sake of keeping it concise. Beta’d by @like-a-bag-of-potatoes (because shes perfectly amazing) and I could NOT, not, just not have done any of this at all without my amazing girl, @amarvelouswritings

Forever Tags: @amarvelouswritings @cocosierra94 @essie1876 @magpiegirl80 @letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked @harleyquinnandscarletwitch @iamwarrenspeace @marvel-imagines-yes-please @superwholocked527 @myparadise1982sand @missinstantgratification @thejulesworld @rda1989 @marvelloushamilton @munlis  @bubblyanarocks3​ @thefridgeismybestie​ @random-fluffy-pink-unicorn @hardcollectionworldtrash @igiveupicantthinkofausername @kaliforniacoastalteens​

Sebastian Stan Tag: @nedthegay @lostinspace33 @alwayshave-faith @elleatrixlestrange @buenostardissherlock  @lenawiinchester​ @the-red-world-of-jess-chibi​ @memory-of-a-goldfish

Chris Evans Tag (Normally wouldn’t, but he’s featured a lot): @nedthegay​ @camigt1999​  @lostinspace33​​ @alwayshave-faith​ @elleatrixlestrange

First Impressions Tag: @goodnightwife​​ @spacemarkimoo​ @masha-meow01​ @axelinchen @smuoooshie​ @hollycornish @seargantbcky @mellsstark @lyfewithtrish @cinema212 @sophiealiice @yes-this-is-doggo @sky-weirdo @feelmyroarrrr @mizz-kraziii  devil-may-cry-11-blog

Song - Eyes Closed by Halsey

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

“Hope you’re happy,” you snapped as soon as she opened the door.

“What? What’s going on?” Bee questioned.

You gave her the phone and showed her. “Here.”

She read over the heart crushing texts then looked up at you.  “What the hell? That doesn’t sound like him, surely there’s some other explanation,” she tried.

“Yeah, he doesn’t give a fuck about me,” you said as you walked over to the couch. “That’s the explanation.”

At that moment, Chris entered the room. “What’s going on?”

Bee handed Chris your phone and his eyes went from the phone to you, then back to the phone, a few times before he finally handed it back to you.

“I’m sorry, Y/N. I really...I don’t know what to say. Sebastian really seemed like he cared for you. I thought you two were good for each other,” he admitted as you peered at him.

“Yeah, me too...Guess I was right all along. I’m not worthy of love,” you said before your voice broke and you started to cry. Your buried your face in your hands as Bee rushed over to comfort you.

“Oh, no, Y/N that’s just not true.”

“Isn’t it? How many times have guys left me for a prettier face or a smarter brain or a kinder person. I mean, I am such a control freak, it’s not even funny. I’ve had guys leave me because I was too passionate about work. I mean, at the end of the day, it makes you wonder if anyone can ever put up with you….And now, I thought I found someone who could...but clearly I was wrong.”

“I’m gonna call him and see what the hell happened,” Chris said as he pulled out his phone and walked away. He dialed but after four rings, it went to voicemail. “Hey, man, Y/N’s over here, and she’s pretty upset by what you sent. Could you call me or her back? Just sort of talk to her. What the hell happened anyway? Okay, bye.”

Chris walked back in. “He didn’t pick up,” he informed. He shot him a quick text. “What’s with you and Y/N? I thought you’d be happy.”

“I’m not anymore, man. I don’t want her. Being away from her did me some good. Just better this way.”

Chris frowned at the response.

“Can you call one of us?”

“Nah, busy at the airport. I might talk when I get back.”

Chris shook his head but put his phone away. “Well, he said he might talk when he gets back.”

“I don’t give a shit. I’m through talking to that son of a bitch,” you snapped. “Thanks for trying you two, but this is just another disaster. It’s just another reason why I didn’t want any of this.”

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

You eventually made your way back home and apologized to Hayden. Your outburst wasn’t his fault. He shouldn’t have to pay for your heartache. You found your way to the bed, laying there, dealing with the pain that was consuming you, he came and laid beside you.

“It’ll be okay,” he promised as he tucked your hair away from your face.

“I know it will,” you said suddenly as you pulled him on top of you and began to kiss him. He pulled away and shook his head.

“Y/N, no, you’re upset and vulnerable,” he said softly. “I’m not going to take advantage of you.”

“You aren’t. I’m asking you to do this, I’m asking for this. It’s no different than when we were using each other beforehand, right?” you wondered.

Hayden couldn’t deny that, but it still felt wrong. You weren’t heartbroken before, just mildly upset, a little dejected. This was a whole other world of pain.

“I’ll do whatever you want, you know I always will,” he vowed.

“Then do this for me,” you said, kissing him. You wanted to forget Sebastian. You wanted him to be the furthest thing from your mind. You wanted to just melt into Hayden’s touch. You wanted the biggest distraction you could possibly think of. “Please? Please help me forget him,” you pleaded as you threaded fingers through his hair.

And like a good friend, he gave you that.

When Hayden first came down, it was platonic, for a day or two. You eventually started to talk about Sebastian and you two somehow came to the conclusion that being best friends with benefits was a good idea. And it was. You were lonely, wanted someone next to you at night, and you two cared deeply for each other. You two remained best friends and even while you were “dating” you often confided in him about Sebastian and he never complained. You loved him and he loved you, but not in the traditional way. It was a very open relationship.  You both enjoyed sex, you cared for each other, you wanted nothing but happiness for each other. There was never jealousy between you two, the only ground rule was that you were exclusive. When Hayden started to push you toward Sebastian though, that ground rule slipped away for you, with Hayden’s happy permission. He said should anything happen between you two, he would be happy for it.

And so, you slipped into the sensation and feeling of each other all night, fully ready to let go of Sebastian, just as you were ready to start a relationship with him.

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

After landing, going home to arrange everything, Sebastian showed up at your place. He couldn’t seem to find his phone, so he wanted to check on you.

He knocked on the door, waited a few minutes, to finally, Hayden opened the door in nothing but boxers and a robe. Sebastian ground his teeth and his pulse raced as he tried to assess the scene but decided to not assume anything.

“Is...uh...Y/N here?” he asked, trying to put the thoughts out of his mind.

“She is. She’s asleep, though. Why?” Hayden asked mostly casually, a bit of anger under his tone.

“I wanted to talk to her,” he said.

“Well, I’m afraid she doesn’t want to talk to you,” Hayden said nonchalantly.

“What? Why?” Sebastian wondered.

“Because you were a dick to her. How could you do that? How could you just…destroy her like that?”

Sebastian frowned. “Like what? I haven’t had my phone for two days. I can’t find it.”

“Sure you can’t,” Hayden said as he narrowed his eyes on Sebastian. “I don’t know why any of us ever listened to you. You lied about Marissa. You probably lied about the job offer. I’m not going to let you hurt her again.”

“What the hell?” Sebastian said. “What are you talking about? Let me talk to her,” he started as he moved forward into the apartment before Hayden put his hand on his chest to stop him.

“Seriously. Don’t,” Hayden warned.

“Hayden, let go of me. Y/N is an adult and I want to hear it from her that she doesn’t want to talk to me,” Sebastian said evenly, trying to keep his temper in check.

“And I’m telling you for her. She’s already stated she doesn’t want to talk to you,” Hayden replied, a fierceness in his eyes.

“And I want to hear her tell me,” he repeated. “Y/N!” he yelled before Hayden slammed him against the wall and held him there with his arm across his throat.

“Leave her alone. You’re not going to get another chance to hurt her.”

You came out to the living room in shorts and a tank top. “Hayden? Let him go,” you commanded softly.

Hayden obliged immediately, then backed up.

“Y/N,” Sebastian breathed. “What is this?” he asked, gesturing back to Hayden, as he came toward you.

“He’s just trying to protect me,” you said softly. “Sebastian, you really should leave. I’m not even sure why you’re here.”

“What? Why wouldn’t I be? What the hell is going on?” he demanded looking at you two.

“This,” you said as you handed him your phone. He read through the messages and was appalled.

“Y/N, I didn’t send that. I haven’t had my phone for two days.”

“Oh? Then who sent it?” you questioned. “Who would even know about us to send that stuff?”

“Marissa,” he said as the realization hit him. “It went missing after she was at my apartment.”

“Why was she at your apartment?” you accused, suspicious.

“Oh you don’t seriously think we did anything, do you?” Sebastian asked, frowning at you. “Come on. Jesus. No. She came by and said she had some stuff still there, grabbed it, and left.”

“How did she know you were even in the city?” you wondered.

“I don't know. She said a friend told her.”

“So it’s just coincidence that you ‘moved on’ and Marissa is back in your life at the same time?” you snapped.

“Hey, you’re the one who fucked your friend while you were supposedly waiting for me,” he said angrily. “Not me! I came here to be with you! And I find you with him!” he shouted.

“Don’t turn this around on me! Your ex is around and you just happen to basically tell me to fuck myself?”

“Looks like he already took care of that for you though, huh?” Sebastian quipped, his eyes never leaving yours as he gestured his head toward Hayden.

Without much warning for anyone you slapped him hard across the cheek.

“Go fuck yourself, Sebastian,” you spat, staring him down.

Without another word, he glanced to Hayden, then you, then stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

At that, you crumpled into another fit of tears as Hayden caught you.

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

A knock pounded on the door of the Evans’.

“Open up, it’s me,” Sebastian shouted.

“Sebastian?” Bee greeted, confused by his disarray. He was red in the face, had a red mark on his cheek, and his hair was disheveled. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“No, no I’m not,” he admitted, frustration in his tone. “Could I have your phone?”

“Sure.”

She grabbed her phone off the coffee table and handed to him. He tried calling his phone - no answer. He sent a text a generic text of “Hey. Call me.” and got a response “I’ll talk to you when I get back.”

“I knew it,” he muttered in an angry voice. He was so pissed off, he could only see red. He wanted to throw the phone or crush it but seeing as it wasn’t his phone he just loosened his grip on it.

“Answer the phone, Marissa, it’s me, Sebastian.”

On cue, she called back.

“Hello?” she greeted.

“You bitch,” he said into the phone. “Why the fuck do you have my phone?” he demanded in a growl as Bee looked on in horror, starting to piece together what happened.

“Because, Sebby, you don’t deserve anyone and neither does she.”

“You manipulative cunt,” he spat. He was so furious. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”

“I hope I do,” she sang into the phone. “If you want the phone, you know where to come and get it.”

“You better pray you’re no where nearby when I get there,” he vowed in a dark voice. He hung up and handed the phone back to Bee.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

“Did Y/N mention anything about weird texts?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Marissa sent them,” he informed. “She came to my apartment in New York to grab some of her stuff. I let her in. She must’ve grabbed my phone and pretended to be me. Whatever was sent to Y/N after 11:00 on Tuesday wasn’t me.”

“Oh, oh my god. Sebastian, you have to tell her. She was in pieces,” she explained, sorrow in her voice.

“Yeah? She didn’t seem too broken up with Hayden between her legs,” he scoffed.

“What? Hayden and her are back together? How...oh…” Bee mused.

Sebastian nodded and ran his fingers through his hair. “Shit. I don’t know. I went by her place, she wouldn’t let me explain. She heard Marissa’s name and just...all bets were off. I said something really dickish and…” He gestured to his cheek.

“She hit you?” she gasped, seeing the red swollen mark on his face.

He nodded his head side to side. He sighed.

“Fuck. I don’t blame her though. If she thought that was me, and Marissa being at my apartment doesn’t sound good. I get it. I would’ve done the same thing,” he said.

“No, Sebastian. No. You have to try and make this right. Just try to explain it to her again.”

“No offense but I really don’t want to go back to that apartment.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“I have no idea…It’s looking more and more like we shouldn’t be together,” he said, rubbing his neck.

“No, don’t say that. There must be something you can do. Sebastian, she was trying to be with you. She wanted to start a relationship.”

“Bee...It’s too late. Okay? Too much bad shit between us has happened. We need to just cut our losses and move on. I don’t want to keep dragging her through this. I’m not going to fuck up her life and her happiness any more.” He shook his head. “Thanks for letting me use your phone.” He turned and started to walk out as Bee tried to get him to stop but he was too fast and before she knew it, he was in his car, and driving away.