#mendeshoney masterlist

[mendeshoney]

if you're still interested writing from the drunken confession prompt can you pls do "I can't wait for the room to stop spinning, so I can focus on your face again." With barzy but with the reader being the drunken one pls 😭

3.) "I can't wait for the room to stop spinning, so I can focus on your face again." with Mathew Barzal

"What the hell, Sydney?" Mat practically barks out, his hands shooting forward so he can steady you when Sydney all but dumps you into his arms.

You're absolutely wasted.

And it's not even one in the afternoon.

Sydney rolls her eyes, and from behind her, Mat can see her husband and his teammate, Marty, rolling his own eyes at his wife's lack of coordination. "Will you relax? She's fiiiiine!"

At Sydney's tone, and your sudden lack off coordination, Mat frowns, tightening his grip to keep you upright. "You two said you were going for brunch."

His tone is slightly accusatory, and it makes you scrunch your nose up in dissatisfaction. "We did!" You all but whine, and Marty sighs from his doorway.

"They went to that one café with the bottomless mimosas." Marty explains, barely breaking a sweat as he helps to keep his wife standing.

"They were amaaazing!" Sydney gushes, and you giggle from within his embrace.

"Sooo delicious!" You agree, and Marty sighs.

"She's been fine since I picked her up," his teammate tells him, "No nausea or sickness or anything, but I brought her straight home before these two could start brunch hopping."

Mat nods, letting out a small breath as he glances down at you, an amused smile crossing his lips when he finds you already looking at him with those big, beautiful eyes of yours and a toothy grin.

"Thanks man," Mat says, quickly shaking his teammates hand before pointing a finger at his wife. "And you! No more brunch."

Sydney whines a little more as Marty drags his wife back towards their car. Mat shuts the door behind him, turning to you and laughing a little when he finds you're still looking at him with that same grin.

"How are you feeling, princess?" He asks softly, brushing some hair out of your face.

You shrug, eyelids blinking slowly at his face. "Fine," you say, then frown a little, "A bit dizzy, I think."

Mat frowns now too, carefully putting one arm behind your back and the other behind your knees before lifting you bridal style. "Let's get you some water then."

"Mkay," you say dismissively, humming quietly to yourself as Mat walks you both toward the kitchen. He can feel your eyes glued to his face as he goes, and he hides the smirk threatening to cross his face.

He places you on top of the kitchen island, careful as he steps back, and he sees you blink at him, smiling, before your eyes blow wide and then squeeze shut, your body swaying a little.

"Whoa there," he says, placing his hands on either side of your face, steadying you, watching as your eyes do that slow blinking thing again. "Are you okay?"

"Mhm," you say, eyes still shut. "A little bit more dizzy."

"From me carrying you?" He assumes.

You try to shake your head, but Mat's hands keep you still. "Dunno baby."

"How many mimosas did you have?" He asks through a laugh, thumbs rubbing gently at your cheek bones.

"Can't count now, baby," you say, "trying not to be dizzy."

"I'm sorry princess," he says, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "I didn't mean to make it worse."

Your mouth opens like you're going to say something, but then it closes again, and your mouth forms a little pout, and he swears he can start to see tears beginning to coat your lashes.

He presses forward, hands still steady and holding your face. "Baby? What's wrong?"

"Too dizzy to open my eyes, room's spinning," your voice wobbles the way it does when you're about to start crying, and Mat can feel himself start to panic.

"Do you want water?" He asks, "I can get you water but I'd have to move to the sink."

"No, I don't want that." You pout more, and Mat's heart starts to fracture.

He presses another kiss to your forehead. "What do you want then?"

"Wanna look at your face."

It's quiet for a second, and then your words click in his head, and Mat starts to laugh. "What?"

"Wanna see you," you explain. "But I'm worried if I open my eyes, I won't be."

"Cause you're too dizzy?" He manages to ask through his chuckling.

You nod slowly, and then the tears that threatened to spill from your eyes start to disappear, and a small, pleased smile crosses your lips, posture straightening a little.

"I can't wait for the room to stop spinning, so I can focus on your face again." You declare happily.

It only makes him laugh more, and he presses his palms into your cheeks a little, delighting in the way they squish a little and your mouth exaggerates the pout that forms.

"Why do you want to see my face?" He asks playfully.

"S' pretty," you manage to say through the squish. "And I love it, love you."

"I love you too, princess." Mat punctuates his statement with a kiss to your squished up lips, then slowly lowers his hands from your face to your shoulders. "Now, how about that water? And some Advil. Definitely Advil."

[youunravelme]

hi! first off, just wanted to say i love love love your fics especially ‘this is how you fall in love’ and i think i’ve read them all more than what might be normal 💗 i like how you wrote certain scenes and how you managed to balance the fluffy and angsty scenes.

also just wanted to ask, do you have some fic recs for mat? or any other nhl players? i think i’ve read them all already 😭

hi! here's my list of recs!! (it's much easier than searching my blog for the fic rec tag truth be told)

i'm going to split this into a section of my all time favorites (regardless of player)! and then ones i love organized by player.

somethings you need to know BEFORE going on:

mat is my number one baby, so most of these recs are mat fics

i am a happily ever after girly, so most of these recs end happily unless otherwise noted

please support these authors! send them encouraging messages! reblog their works! hype. them. up!

there are a lot of fics that are older (bc i have no chill and will keep checking the tags until i hit the bottom)

here it is:

screaming, crying, throwing up (aka my all time favs)

questions -- anthony beauvillier by @col-islander43

the ENTIRE friends series with auston matthews by @leafs-lover

literally anything by @mendeshoney but here's a list of some of my fav things:

"I've been waiting for you to come to your senses." -- mat barzal

“I love you. But that’s a secret. So I won’t tell you about it.” & 11.) “You’re drunk.” “Yes. And hopelessly in love with you.” -- mat barzal

"I can't wait for the room to stop spinning, so I can focus on your face again." -- mat barzal

"You're so perfect. How can anyone be so perfect? Maybe you're just a dream." -- mat barzal

don't tell me you're my heartbreaker -- mat barzal

girl at home -- mat barzal by @midnightsnyx

this series is still updating!

a tale of dancing and romancing -- jack hughes by @thatintrovertedwriter

tkachuk!reader

paul revere -- mat barzal by @starry-hughes

angst city baby

this entire series see it with the lights out -- mat barzal by @barzysunflower

THIS ENTIRE SERIES IS SO GOOD

and let's just be so forreal, read ANYTHING by her. check out her masterlist! this series just happened to be a fav of mine.

lover of mine -- nico hischier

literally my all time fav nico fic.

graduation blurb -- mat barzal by @ladylooch

"i got you don't worry" -- mat barzal by @bitchinbarzal

second chances -- mat barzal by @bedsyandco

winter magic -- mat barzal by @matbarzyy

show me the places where the others gave you scars -- mat barzal by @miracleonice87

ours -- mat barzal by @puckinghell

cuddles -- mat barzal by @twinklelilstarkey

set it up -- anthony beauvillier by @troubatrain

slip of the tongue -- mat barzal by @jonesinghardy

caught in the middle -- mat barzal by @hockeywhy

this is literally my ALL TIME FAVORITE MAT SERIES (even if it's one part shy of being complete). i love it so much, i go back and read it all the fucking time.

defender -- mat barzal by @sorryjustafangirl

five times everyone knew mat loved you & the one time he realized it for himself -- mat barzal by @idontgiveaflyinggrayson69

general fic recs! (sorted by player)

jack hughes

a little funky by @bagopucks

mat barzal

bad reaction by @jackhues

there's a part one to this linked in the blurb itself

anthony beauvillier

communication skills by @ohmyeyesmyeyes

i'll do my best to keep this list updated at time goes on!

again, go show these authors some love!! send them a message/an ask/reblog!!!!!

[smileysvech]

The lights are so bright, but they never blind me

Welcome To New York (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift

1989 (Taylor's Version) moodboard series masterlist

tagging: @pyotrkochetkov @mendeshoney @thewintersoldierdisaster @comphy-and-cozy @ghostyjosty @barzysunflower @fallinallincurls @barzybeau @mattymartin @senditcolton

[shawnblrficawards]

Nominated Fics - Summer 2019 (updated daily)

part 2

updated August 11, 2019

***LINKS ONLY WORK ON ORIGINAL POST, NOT REBLOGS***

Best fic < 5K

You Play? || @shavvnmcndcs

Little Family || @saintlymendes

Honey, Honey || @shawnjpeg

Drunk || @t-lostinmendes

Lovely || @grawndolandes

In His Calvins || @smallerinfinities

Red, White, and You || @shawnscheekscar

Amsterdam || @bakedmendes

Not Good Enough || @sauveteen

Tell Me When You’re Ready || @shawnjpeg

Gold Digger || @chillmichelle

Nothing Feels Better || @shawnsmoose​

Best fic 5K+

Good Boy || @sauveteen

When You’re Ready || @softboyshawn

On The Edge || @wanderingmendes

Tutors || @fourtristattoos

Blood Stained Guilt || @heartsofminds

Decisions || @shawnandyn

Third Time’s A Charm || @sauveteen

Hitched || @softboyshawn

Break My Heart With Mercy || @mend-es

Ours || @softboyshawn

All That Matters || @softboyshawn

Bold and Bubbly || @feministshawnmendes

Coffee and Flowers || @feministshawnmendes

Falling Stars || @softboyshawn

Building Affection || @softboyshawn

If I Can’t Have You || @t-lostinmendes

Goth Girlfriend || @jawnjendes

For The Love Of Books || @shawnm521

Broken Glass || @chillmichelle

Winter King || @fourtristattoos

Change of Pace || @harryandmolly @achinglyshawn

Best Fic 10k+

Roommates || @infiniteshawn

Because Of You || @parkershawn

Dirty Little Secret || @getwaytooinvolved

The Perfect Arrangement || @softboyshawn

Like The Back Of My Hand || @harryandmolly

Third Time’s A Charm || @sauveteen

Jealous of Aladdin || @shawnsassymendes

Benefactor || @agentunwin

Healing Touch || @softboyshawn

Falling Stars || @softboyshawn

You Flower, You Feast || @shawnjpeg @sauveteen

Building Affection || @softboyshawn​

Goth Girlfriend || @jawnjendes​

Sugar I’m Going Down || @softboyshawn

​Fake It Till You Make It || @mend-es​

Stuck Together || @sauveteen​ @bluerroses​

Best Smut

At The Same Time || @shavvnmcndcs

Silver || @pastelshawns

Fooling Yourself || @parkershawn

Dirty Little Secret Part 1 || @getwaytooinvolved

Slow It Down For A Second || @shawnjpeg @wanderingmendes @harryandmolly

Routines || @shavvnmcndcs

Saint Valentine || @mendesromano

Knowing That You Love Me || @sauveteen

Soundproof || @harryandmolly

Taste || @curlsofshawn

You Flower, You Feast || @shawnjpeg @sauveteen

Hymn and Praise || @sippingchai

Camping || @parkershawn

Curious || @getwaytooinvolved

Stamina || @pinkk-peonies @dylshoney

Let Me Do That || @sippingchai

A Beautiful Existence || @wanderingmendes

Lost || @harryandmolly

Sunkissed || @pastelshawns

All For Me || @sippingchai

Best Fluff

Pre-Concert Talks || @bakedmendes

Showers || @pinkk-peonies

Oh Baby || @serendipitousshawn

A Baby’s Intuition || @ificanthaveu

1.0 || @choco-chip-cookie

Three Lifes || @accuratemendes

Prank Warz || @shawnm521

Boobs || @sauveteen

When You Can’t Fall Asleep || @shawnjpeg @sauveteen

Cherry Knots || @sauveteen

If I Can’t Have You || @parkershawn

Falling For You || @imagine-that-100

Shower || @cashmereshawn

Sleep || @cashmereshawn

Man Of The House || @atlas-of-a-human-soul

Wine Red || @bluerroses

Meet You Under The Moonlight || @shawnjpeg

From Italy, With Love || @shawnscheekscar

Best Angst

Third Time’s A Charm || @sauveteen

Little Matchmakers || @winterdaylove

She’ll Be Okay || @parkershawn

Because I Had You || @perfectlyephemeral

A Mother’s Love || @saintlymendes

Three Little Words || @choco-chip-cookie

Decisions || @shawnandyn

Spilled Popcorn || @chillmichelle

Cold Sheets || @honeyrosemuffins

Not Good Enough || @sauveteen

Gin and Juice || @smallerinfinities

You Flower, You Feast || @shawnjpeg @sauveteen

Slamming Doors || @shawnm521​

We Find Love || @cashmereshawn​

Mercy || @cashmereshawn​

The Start Of Nothing || @cashmereshawn​

Goth Girlfriend || @jawnjendes​

Finding The End Of The Line || @mendeshoney

Fight Series || @pinkk-peonies​

Anything by @winterdaylove​

Unsteady || @rosiemercy​

An Exuberant Burst, A Silent Beauty || @holdinbacksecrets

Best Werewolf!AU

She’ll Be Okay || @parkershawn

Hypersensitive || @parkershawn

In My Blood || @zankivich

Running With The Wolves || @tnhmblive

Comfort || @zankivich

Mated || @softboyshawn

Safe And Sound || @softboyshawn​

Werewolf Masterlist || @softboyshawn​

Growl || @shawnm521​

Bubba || @t-i-n-y-d-i-n-o​

Mine || @t-i-n-y-d-i-n-o​

@wanderingmendes​

@sugarshawn

Best Dad!AU

Parenthood Series || @fourtristattoos

Little Matchmakers || @winterdaylove

Hurt Feelings || @cottoncandyshawn

Brown Skin Girl || @lostinshawnsmemory

Bubble Baths || @redrebecca

Third Time’s A Charm || @sauveteen

Baby Steps Series || @shawnm521 @shawnhavemercy

Bring Heaven To You Part 5 || @shawnjpeg

Ours || @softboyshawn​

Family Night || @parkershawn

​Oh Baby || @imaginashawnns​

Skyla Rae Anne Mendes || @shawnm521​

Best Badboy!AU

Because Of You || @parkershawn

Rainy Nights || @cocoashawn

Senorita || @watchmegetobsessed

Tutors || @fourtristattoos​

She Got The Moon In Her Eyes || @harryandmolly​

Desperado || @harryandmolly​

Tequila Sunrise || @harryandmolly​

Best Plus Size!Reader

Girls Like Me || @shavvnmcndcs

Clothes || @alittletoomuchshawn

Neighbors || @zankivich​

Best POC OC

Nadine, “Stuck Together” || @bluerroses @sauveteen

Val, I Could Write It Better Than You Ever Felt || @harryandmolly

Kinks and Curls || @agentunwin

Witness || @fourtristattoos

Ginny, The Emancipation of Ginny || @harryandmolly

Tolani, Figure You Out || @lostinshawnsmemory

Teacher’s Pet || @zankivich

Lady Jane || @rulerofnocountry

Finding The End of The Line || @mendeshoney

Alisha, Bring Heaven To You || @shawnjpeg

Anya, Third Time’s A Charm || @sauveteen​

Best OC

Nadine in Stuck Together || @bluerroses @sauveteen

Lola from Because Of You || @parkershawn

Business and Pleasure || @zionsvalentine

Tolani, Figure You Out || @lostinshawnsmemory

Val, I Could Write It Better Than You Ever Felt It || @harryandmolly

Lady Jane || @rulerofnocountry​

Annalise Flores || @jawnjendes​

Penny, Complicit || @harryandmolly​

Most Unique Story

Superhero Blurb || @mani-lifes

Winter King || @fourtristattoos

The Rapture || @fourtristattoos

Jealous of Aladdin || @shawnsassymendes

I Could Write It Better Than You Ever Felt It || @harryandmolly

Benefactor || @agentunwin

The Guru || @shawnase

Anything By @fourtristattoos

Still Here || @agentunwin

All That Is Evil || @lumineshawn

Fireproof || @softboyshawn​

Goth gf series || @jawnjendes​

Melted Gold and Copper Crowns || @fourtristattoos​

Best Series

Routines || @shavvnmcndcs

Because Of You || @parkershawn

When The World Stops Turning || @harryandmolly

Your Favourite Colour Under The Light || @shawnjpeg

Stuck Together || @sauveteen @bluerroses

Fake It Till You Make It || @mend-es

You Flower, You Feast || @sauveteen @shawnjpeg

Teachers Pets || @zankivich

Lost In Ibiza || @serendipitousshawn

Fireproof || @softboyshawn

Senorita || @watchmegetobsessed

Honey, Honey || @shawnjpeg

Roommates || @infiniteshawn

Complicit || @harryandmolly

You Flower, You Feast || @shawnjpeg @sauveteen

Oh Baby || @imaginashawnns​

Words Cut Like Knives || @t-lostinmendes​

Curious || @getwaytooinvolved​

OC PAIRING || @rulerofnocountry

​Heavenly Entities || @mendesromano​

Goth GF || @jawnjendes​

Forgotten Memories || @pinkk-peonies​

Gin and Juice || @smallerinfinities​

Best Blurbs

@bakedmendes

@fourtristattoos

@choco-chip-cookie

@winterdaylove

@wordsandshawn

@pinkk-peonies​

@lumineshawn​

@wordsandshawn​

@honeyrosemendes

@shawnpetermuffins​

@gentleshawn​

Best Collab

Stuck Together || @bluerroses @sauveteen

Stamina || @dylshoney @pinkk-peonies

When The World Stops Turning || @harryandmolly @achinglyshawn

When You Can’t Fall Asleep || @shawnjpeg @sauveteen

You Flower, You Feast || @shawnjpeg @sauveteen

Change of Pace || @harryandmolly​ @achinglyshawn​

Best All-Around Writer

@shavvnmcndcs

@parkershawn

@fourtristattoos

@harryandmolly

@zankivich

@agentunwin

@softboyshawn

@dylshoney

@infiniteshawn

@getwaytooinvolved

@shawnm521

@rulerofnocountry

@jawnjendes

@mendeshoney

@pinkk-peonies

@sauveteen

@sippingchai

@alittletoomuchshawn

@smallerinfinities

@perfectlyephemeral

@shawnpetermuffins

@honeyrosemuffins

Breakthrough Writer

@curlsofshawn

@winterdaylove

@tnhmblive

@mani-lifes

@ruinedreputation

@serendipitousshawn

@lostinshawnsmemory

@pastelshawns

@shawnscheekscar

@imaginashawnns

@jawnjendes

​@Curlyshawny

@honeyrosemuffins

​@rosiemercy​

@tell-me-when-ur-ready​

@cashmereshawn​

@rosiemercy

​​@shawnmendesstorycollection

@winterdaylove​

@zankivich​

@fourtristattoos​

You can nominate your faves here! 

[egoludes]

issa 2k challenge masterlist.

hi, everyone ---- it’s been a little while coming, but here is the masterlist for my writing challenge that wrapped up at the beginning of the year! thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that reblogged, liked, or participated. it was so much fun putting this together and seeing what you talented people did with these prompts. i look forward to doing this again in the future!

reminder: if you snagged a prompt but haven’t posted it yet, you can still submit entries - just make sure you tag me in it! and if i am missing your piece from the list, please message it to me. :)

HARRY STYLES.

nostalgia by @stylishmuser​ // prompt: “who told you i would be here?”

NIALL HORAN.

suite surprises by @fireawaynjh (deactivated unfortunately but still wanted to show appreciation!) // prompts: “you’re gonna have to speak up if you want this to go somewhere.”

hold me by @thicksniall​ // prompts: neighbors au & hold me while you wait by lewis capaldi

SHAWN MENDES.

pink walls by @theshawnmendesstorycollection // prompts: single parent au & “you’re gonna have to speak up if you want this to go somewhere.”

kiss me by @rainbowshawn​ // prompts: “stop being so dramatic!” & friends to lovers au

get your kicks by @sinplisticshawn​ // prompts: road trip au

nervous energy by @heartopen-testify​ // prompts: “you’re really bad at this, huh?”

lost in space by @iconicharry​ // prompts: space au & “you promised me.”

e’caduto sceso dal cielo by @sabrinasweetner​ // prompts: fallen angel / guardian angel au & “that’s bullshit and you know it”

playing it cool by @mendeshoney​ // prompts: fake dating au & cool girl by tove lo

BUCKY BARNES.

from eden by @heartopen-testify​ // prompts: from eden by hozier & “you can’t do this to me.”

[kerwritesthings]

Hi, for your change the narrative thing, there’s a smaller Shawn blog mendeshoney who is a poc and she just finished a story about Shawn dating a Filipino teacher. Idk if that qualifies but I wanted to suggest it

@mendeshoney : Masterlist

(for some reason I cannot tag her but, I can link her name and drop the link to the master)

[goldenhemmings]

Do you know of any really good athlete! Shawn? I’m in a MOOD

lmao rt i’m always in a mood for athlete!shawn so here I go making a masterpost of my favorites

Baseball:

ok so aside from Stealing Second (which is linked in my masterlist, shameless self-plug) we’ve got

Rule Breaker (series) - @hollandlovely

Team Manager - @shawnm521

Big Shot - @shawnm521

Football:

Gin and Juice (series) - @smallerinfinities

Fines - @shawnm521

Hockey:

Finding the End of the Line (series) - @mendeshoney

Shoot Your Shot (series) ((I’m also pretty sure this one’s on hiatus or something but the parts it has are still good)) - @wanderingmendes

Ice Lesson - @softboyshawn

The Girl - @accuratemendes

Basketball:

For the Win by yours truly aka another self-promo. i have no shame

Misc:

The Ring: Boxer!Shawn - @fourtristattoos

Tooth and Cheek: Boxer!Shawn - @fourtristattoos

Faster: Streetracer!Shawn (series) ((not sure if this counts as “athlete” or not but it’s fucking good so I’m including it)) - @accuratemendes

ok that’s all i’ve got for now but I’m going to save this and add to it as more things come to mind, and if anyone else has any other recs send them my way!!

[wanderingmendes]

What accounts do you recommend that do a lot imagines or concepts of Shawn

Omg okay be ready theres a lot..

@shawn-mendes-thirst: She literally posts the filthiest stuff ever and is really good about posting. Also she’s my mom, so give her a follow.

@begginyouformendes: She has a series called Cohesion, and it’s honestly AMAZING. Also, her premature baby blurbs KILL.

@t-i-n-y-d-i-n-o: Run and Sugar are two of her best works, but everything else she writes is amazing too!

@planstonightbaby: She uploaded a bubble bath prompt last night and its banging. Also she’s a 10/10 person and always there if you need someone to talk to.

@infiniteshawn: She has a series called Roomates and it gets me weak overtime I read it, highly recommend. Also, she doesn’t ever take shit from anons and I LOVE her for it.

@smallerinfinities: GIN AND JUICE. I absolutely adore this series, and anything she writes always sounds so poetic and well thought out. I literally have no clue how she does it, also she’s a suuupppeer supportive, kind sweet person.

@lostinshawnslight: THIS BITch. SHE UPLOADS SO MUCH IT PUTS EVERY OTHER PERSON ON TUMBLR TO SHAME. Recommend her Badboy!Shawn fic.

@softboyshawn: She writes the most AMAZING Werewolf Shawn things. I could probably list everything in her master list as a recommendation so I’ll limit it to only 3. Safe and Sound, Mated, and Sugar I’m going down!

@flickershawn: I’ve binged her entire master list in a week and let me just say, WOW. I recommend all of her smuts, especially exposed as well as her love sick fic and I liked the building, not you.

@mendeshoney: She is SOOOO slept on here. Her mafia fic (I want you close, I want you closer) is the SHIT. Seriously though, go read it. 

@torontogawd: SOULMATE SERIES, READ IT! Also, all of her blurbs get me everytime, love her work!

@sincereshawn: Her entire master list has everything I’ve ever needed in life. Take the trade is amazing and she has a new au coming out with @nervousroses called somewhere in the dark and i’m super pumped for it!

@nervousroses: Her blurbs are so fluffy and amazing and I highly recommend her fic Because I Had You.

@song-bird-shawn: She has so much on her master list it leaves me confused as to how she can write so much, and not to mention that it’s all so good. I recommend her Neighbors fic.

@nightlyshawn: One word. Belted. That smut is my LIFE. Amazing work, always and a 10/10 good time guaranteed.

@shawnm521: I love all her work, especially Baby Steps, its soooo cute.

@sippingchai: ALL OF HER MASTERLIST. OKAY? But fr, her smut blurbs are incredible, and her porn blog is a must have.

@illumendes: Writes A LOT and everything is 10/10 content. Incredible work.

Sorry if theres anyone I forgot, those are just the ones I could think of right now/my go to blogs. Theres a lot more Shawn blogs out there with amazing work, these are just my top few!!

[infiniteshawn]

Lol I’m the same anon. You and mendeshoney are so cute. I’ve read both your masterlists ladies, keep up the great work!

she’s so good. everything she writes i’m just ugh. sis gimme ur talent

[mendeshoney]

for the drunken love confessions prompt, can you please do something with #20 🫶🏼

20.) "You're so perfect. How can anyone be so perfect? Maybe you're just a dream." with Mathew Barzal

"Oh god, he's wasted" you say, breathing out a laugh, eyes following along as Ethan all but manhandles Mat back to the table.

From beside you, Lenasia snorts. "Good luck getting him home."

You turn to where she's sitting and gently rocking Gracie in her arms. "This is technically your fault, you know," you tease the bride. "He's drunk because of you."

Lenasia shrugs, and you both watch, amused, as Ethan gathers both of Mat's unruly hands in his own, trying to guide Mat into his chair beside you. "It's my wedding, everyone should be drunk."

"Ease up bud," Ethan tells Mathew, handing him a glass of water. "I don't wanna hear about your hangover in the morning."

Mat scoffs, but takes the glass anyway. "M' fine," he says, and as he leans back in his chair, he seems to finally notice that you're sitting beside him, and a large smile grows on his face.

You frown a little, knowing exactly what's coming next, while Lenasia smirks and Ethan barks out a laugh.

"Well hello there beautiful," Mat drawls, "are you having a good night?"

"I am," you say, raising a brow as Mat's eyes start to slowly roam over your face. "You seem like you're having fun, too."

"I am now," he agrees, offering you his 'good boy' smile. "Now that I'm looking at the most expensive piece of art in the world."

The groan that escapes you is muffled by the laughs of the bride and groom, and your head snaps to them, eyes narrowed. "Don't encourage him."

"Don't boss the bride and groom around," Lenasia chastises, "That's illegal."

"No it isn't," you say, scrunching your nose, and Mat makes a soft sound.

Your attention diverts back to him immediately, to where he's got this fond look on his face. "You're so pretty."

You huff, ignoring the flutter of butterflies in your stomach. "You're drunk."

"You're still pretty," he muses, setting the glass down on the table and turning his body towards yours.

"Thank you," you say, watching carefully as Mat leans forward, resting his elbow on the table as he leans closer to you.

"You're such a great wedding date," he says, thinking out loud. "It's like you're almost too great, you know?"

"Here we go again," Ethan mutters, and Lenasia nudges him with her elbow, careful not to disturb Gracie in the process.

"You're nice," Mat drawls, then gestures to Lenasia and Ethan, "All my friends like you, you like all my friends-"

"Well she's my bridesmaid, so I sure hope so." Lenasia mutters, and you shoot her a look, ignoring her snickering.

"And you're a total bombshell," Mat continues, eyes crinkling at the corners as his smile stretches across his face. "You're so perfect. How can anyone be so perfect? Maybe you're just a dream."

"Oh yuck," Ethan murmurs, and Lenasia elbows him again.

Mat reaches for your hand then, thumb rubbing the back of it in gentle circles. When his thumb hits your ring, his motions pause, and the smile on his face instantly drops, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"You're married?!" He asks, completely shell shocked.

You sigh, exasperated, and Lenasia and Ethan burst out laughing beside you, Gracie bursting into her own fit of giggles just from observing her parents.

"I am," you say to Mat patiently.

"To who?!" He exclaims, head snapping up to look at you. "Who is he?"

"I'm married to you, Mathew." You say, grabbing his left hand and holding it up in front of his face so he can see his own wedding band.

His jaw drops. “You are?"

"For two years now," you confirm, dropping his hand and reaching for his glass of water. You hand it to him, wrapping his fingers around the glass and pushing it to his mouth. "Now drink up, I don't want to have to explain this to you for a third time tonight."

[brianc521]

Fav writers?

Oh god there are so many. 

@aeraxia rn is fucking it up man

@torontogawd, She just posted ‘I’m Sorry’ and it FUCKED ME UP. Just go read everything in her masterlist it’s totally worth it.

@ffsshawn, she’s back and badder than ever {HER MASTERLIST}

@infiniteshawn, she straight up fucks me up with what ever she posts. Puppy Love is killing me, but let’s be honest I go and reread House of Boys at least once a week {HER MASTERLIST}

@lostinshawnslight, EVERYTHING BY HER KILLS ME, rn she’s doing her Bad Boy Shawn series and it’s fucking LIT. Also her Shawn and Jo series is bomb, always a must when I need something good to reread. Neighbors is also amazing, love the whole story line there. Like I started writing bc of her, so yeah I’m a fangirl of her. {HER MASTERLIST}

@babyshawwn is also a big favorite, her masterlist saves me on my bad days.

@mendeshoney, SHE DESERVES THE WORLD. She also needs to write a fucking book bc lord knows I would be the first to pre order that shit no matter the cost. Summer for Suckers is my favorite thing right now. Like I can’t get over it. AND! Some Unspoken Thing is still my favorite series on Tumblr, always will be.

@shawnhavemercy, so like she helped me write Baby Steps, and she’s my girl and I talk about her all the time (sorry not sorry) but for the parts she wrote for Baby Steps and Workout, I couldn’t stop reading when I got it. Like I didn’t want it to end

Oh god and there is so much more 

[smileysvech]

Clear blue water, high tide came and brought you in

This Love (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift

1989 (Taylor's Version) moodboard series masterlist

I think a beach vacation with andrei would actually cure me 🤧 this is actually how I pictured the beach trip in @comphy-and-cozy's fic, every summer has a story

tagging: @pyotrkochetkov @senditcolton @andreisvechnikov @laurenairay @mendeshoney @thewintersoldierdisaster @hoesforthecanes @barzysunflower @fallinallincurls @typical-simplelove @ahoist

[egoludes]

issa 2k writing challenge!

first of all: thank you, thank you, THANK YOU -- i broke 2k followers a while back, and i am just so beyond grateful to you all. i’ve been writing on tumblr on and off for years at this point and this is the happiest and most welcome i’ve ever felt. it’s been so fun to reconnect with and write for characters, actors, and performers i love, but most importantly, to have you all along for the ride! :) 

to celebrate this milestone, i put together a little writing challenge! see rules + prompts below and let me know if you have any questions!

guidelines:

you do not have to follow me to participate.

this is a multi-fandom challenge; partial to ones that i’m plugged into (mcu, chris evans, sebastian stan, shawn mendes, harry styles, and niall horan), but open to all -- i will read, reblog, and shoutout every submission!

you can choose at most two prompts and they must be from different categories (i.e. one prompt from dialogue and one prompt from scenarios). bold them in your entry!

right now, there is no cap on how many people can use a prompt, but each prompt can only be used once per character/person. 

send me an ask with your prompts + character and i will add it/you to this post!

include warnings as needed and absolutely no underage smut. also drawing a hard line at noncon/rape. 

both reader fics and oc fics are allowed. 

all pairings (or no pairing!) welcome, so long as they aren’t incestous or don’t include underage characters.

submission deadline: january 1st, at which point i’ll put together a follow forever for all the writers who took part! miss that deadline? no worries! i’ll keep reblogging pieces and adding folks to the masterlist/follow forever as they come with the most up-to-date version linked from my masterlist. we stan content creators and community in this household!

finally, tag all entries as “samis 2k challenge” / tag me in them so i can find them. if i don’t reblog them after two days, you can send the link via submission to make sure i see it.

dialogue

“please, just talk to me.”

“you’ve got to be shittin’ me.”

“this was supposed to be different.”

“tell me something i don’t know.”

“sure, if you’ll let me.”

“you’re not making any sense.”

“please don’t make this any worse.”

“i would if i could.”

“i don’t know if we’ll make it.”

“did you know you could do that?”

“this is probably the stupidest thing i’ve ever done.”

“you promised me.”

“after this, i’m going to have to change my name and leave the country.”

“are you really just going to leave like that?” // @parkeraul​ + tom holland

“this has to end.”

“what do i get if i win?”

“it was you, wasn’t it?”

“come on, let me see you.” 

“we’re never getting out of here.”

“what’s with the entourage?”

“so much for being mature about this.”

“are you that scared of me?”

“shut up and let me think.”

“that’s bullshit, and you know it.”

“i don’t think that means what you think it means.”

“you can’t do this to me.” // @heartopen-testify​ + bucky barnes

“you’re gonna have to speak up if you want this to go somewhere.” // @fireawaynjh​ + niall horan; @theshawnmendesstorycollection​ + shawn mendes

“i didn’t believe you then, and I don’t now.”

“tell me what you know.”

“i’m not letting you blame this on me.”

“who told you i would be here?” // @stylishmuser​ + harry styles

“i would laugh if it didn’t hurt so much.”

“does it ever hurt being so wrong?”

“i’m done being the only one who cares.”

“could’ve fooled me.”

“this is it...this is how it ends.” 

“stop being so dramatic.” // @rainbowshawn​ + shawn mendes

“is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“you’re really bad at this, huh?” // @heartopen-testify​ + shawn mendes

aus / tropes

“oh my god, there’s only one bed.”

friends or enemies to lovers // @rainbowshawn​​ + shawn mendes

reincarnated soulmates au

neighbors au // @thickyniall​ + niall horan

mutants au

college au

roommates au

historical au

supernatural / monster au

crime / mafia / heist au // @feminarrie​ + chris evans; @parkeraul​ + tom holland

fake dating au // @mendeshoney​ + shawn mendes

 horror au

royal au

road trip au // @sinplisticshawn​ + shawn mendes

criminal + bounty hunter/cop au

fallen angel / guardian angel au // @sabrinasweetner​ + shawn mendes

apocalyptic / post-apocalyptic au

medieval au

single parent au // @theshawnmendesstorycollection​ + shawn mendes

 futuristic au

magic/witches/wizards au

pirate au

steampunk au

space au

superheroes/supervillains au

holiday au (can be any holiday of your choice!)

songs

find all the songs below in the playlist here.

crop circles / jon bellion

say it first / sam smith // @fireawaynjh​ + niall horan

hold me while you wait / lewis capaldi // @thickyniall​ + niall horan

superposition / young the giant 

rooting for you / alessia cara 

weary / solange

anna sun / walk the moon 

somewhere only we know / keane 

bambi / jidenna

lights up  / harry styles 

downward / ripe

god’s whisper / raury

gimme / banks

where were you in the morning / shawn mendes 

light on / maggie rogers

all night / beyonce

what a time / julia michaels ft. niall horan 

same drugs / chance the rapper

thunderclouds / lsd

cool girl / tove lo // @mendeshoney​ + shawn mendes

summertime magic / childish gambino 

false god / taylor swift 

waves / normani ft. 6lack

the tide / niall horan 

the last of the real ones / fall out boy

memory lane / mcfly 

from eden / hozier  // @heartopen-testify​ + bucky barnes

is this still love / danny jones

when the party’s over / billie eilish

cough it out / the front bottoms // @feminarrie​ + chris evans

laura palmer / bastille

[mendeshoney]

can u do a imagine that you and barzal get into a argument and it ends happily

The door slams loudly behind you, and you whirl around, fire in your eyes and venom in your words when you say "Just because you're angry that you're not getting your way doesn't mean you can start slamming shit like a caveman."

Mat's nostrils flare, the vein popping in his neck. "I'm not angry because I'm 'not getting my way,' I'm angry because you're just not listening."

"No, you're the one not listening, Mat. I've said exactly how I felt a dozen times. My mind hasn't changed, and we keep coming back to this same argument because everything I say goes in one ear and out the other with you. You can ask me as many times as you want, but I am not going to uproot and change my entire life around just because you feel like it suits you better."

"But we're dating! And we're in love! What's so wrong with living together if we're dating?"

You push air out of your nostrils, the brunch the two of you just ate turning sour in your stomach. "As I've told you over and over, we've only been together for three months, Mathew. You and I have entirely different schedules, entirely different lives, and I am both not ready to and believe that we are not in a place where I feel I can share my space with you that way, or take that step with you, until we've been together a little longer."

"I can respect your schedule, life, and space, and still do it as your boyfriend who lives with you." He pushes, gesturing around to your apartment. "Have I not done that so far?"

"You have," you say, frustration creeping through your veins at the fact that you've having to explain yourself yet again. "But you've done so because you don't live here. I do. And I've done the same at your place because I don't live there."

Mat waves a hand dismissively. "We sleep over at each other's places all the time, what's the difference if it happens all the time instead of a few times a week?"

"Because that's temporary! That's basically us playing house, not actually living together." You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose when you can feel a headache starting to bloom at the back of your skull.

"Well I don't see what's so wrong with me wanting someone to come home to at the end of the day." Mat bites out, and your eyes squeeze shut.

"You already do that. You call me or text me or you ask if you can come over if you need to see me at the end of the day, and I do the same to you."

His face hardens. "Oh, I see. It's fine that way because I get to leave after, right?"

Your eyes fly open and your hands drop to your sides. "Mathew," you warn. "You're being extremely unreasonable right now, and I do not have the energy to continue repeating the same script over and over until it finally sinks in."

"How am I being unreasonable? I'm pointing out the obvious here!"

And that...that's your limit.

The two of you had been arguing about this for the last two weeks off and on, and you'd hoped that this would be the last time.

You don't know if you had another fight like this in you.

"If you can't take no for an answer, then I think it's best you just leave."

He blinks, taking a step back like you've shoved him. "What?"

"I think you should leave." You repeat. "You're not listening to me, you're only hearing the things you think you can pick apart to try to win the argument. But arguing with the person you're in a relationship with isn't about winning, it's about understanding, and you and I clearly don't understand each other right now. So you should leave."

"Baby, I-" he says, swallowing a lump in his throat, and you sigh a little.

"Not like that, just...I just think we need to cool down, okay?"

You can see it in the lines of his body that he wants to protest, to demand to stay and work things out, but instead he nods, jaw ticking in irritation. His hands twitch at his sides, and you know what he wants to do, but clearly isn't sure if he's allowed to right now.

Instead, you approach him, kissing his cheek and gently squeezing his biceps. "It's okay," you assure him. "Just for a little bit."

He nods, body relaxing a little under your touch. "Okay," he says quietly, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. Without another word, he turns and leaves your apartment, this time, gently shutting the door behind him.

The second he's gone, all the frustration finally boils over, and you shut your eyes, tears silently falling from your face.

~

You're brushing through your wet hair, resting on the couch in your pajamas and trying to catch up on your favorite TV show before bed when the intercom on your wall buzzes.

Tossing your brush to the couch cushion beside you, you head for the intercom, already having a good idea of who's on the other side. You press the buzzer to open the front door to your building, then head back to the couch to grab your hairbrush and put it back in your bathroom.

You head back to your living room, heading straight for the door once you hear the soft knocks on the wood. When you open it, you find Mat just as you expected, but what you didn't expect was the find him with his face red, puffy, and tears caught in his eyelashes.

When he sees you, his body launches forward, and he wraps you tightly in his arms, bending down a little to bury his face in your neck, and you can feel him sag with relief.

Carefully, you wrap your arms around him, shutting the door and locking it before walking you both backwards a little, bringing him further into your apartment.

You hold each other like that for a little bit, and when you feel Mat's body shake a little as he starts to cry again, you can feel your own tears brimming in your eyes, exhaustion settling in your bones.

Mat hiccups a little bit, and then you feel him press a gentle kiss to the base of your neck before he murmurs "I love you so much."

You tense in his arms.

I love you so much.

I love you so much.

I love you so much.

He'd never said that to you before.

"You don't have to say it back." He says, voice scratchy. "I didn't say it so you'd forgive me, or so that it would make anything better. I just wanted...if this was the last time...I just wanted you to know that I do love you."

"I love you too," you say without hesitation.

His body sags a little more, and he holds you tighter. "You were right, about all of it. I wasn't listening, and I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too," you say. "If I hurt your feelings, or if I made it seem like I wasn't-"

"No," Mat says emphatically. "You have nothing to apologize for. This was all me."

You put your hands on his shoulders gently, pulling back a little bit and frowning slightly when you see his face. He frowns when he sees yours, his hands coming to your face and brushing your tears away with his thumbs.

"I didn't mean to make you sad." He mutters.

You laugh a little, thumbing away his tears too. "I didn't mean to make you sad either. C'mon, let's sit down."

You lead him over to the couch, and instead of sitting like you intended, Mat lays down, pulling you with him until you're pressed against the back of the couch and he's essentially wrapped himself around you.

"You're a whole person," he says once you're both settled. "Relationships should be about adding to one another's lives, not trying to take away from them, and I thought I was doing that, but I wasn't. I was asking for something that wasn't for us, but for me, and I'm sorry."

"I get where you were coming from," you assure him. "And I accept your apology."

A comfortable silence settles between the two of you, and Mat's breathing starts to even out as his tears settle. Eventually, the late hour blinks at you from your cable box, and Mat runs a finger along your jawline. "I can go home, if you want."

You shake your head. "You can stay the night, I want you to."

"Are you sure?" He checks.

"Yes," you assure him, starting to sit up and pulling him with you. "I think we've earned ourselves a good night's sleep."

The two of you head into your bathroom to start to get ready for bed, and Mat reaches for your hairbrush while you brush your teeth, running his fingers through it every now and again.

Something in your mirror's reflection catches your eyes, and after you rinse your mouth out and put your toothbrush away, you turn to Mat, tilting your head at him curiously.

"What is it?" He asks, setting your brush down on the counter.

"How about a drawer?" You ask, and Mat blinks at you.

"What do you mean?"

"A drawer," you repeat. "A drawer of your things at my place, and a drawer of my things at yours. It's not moving in, but it's a...a baby step."

Mat's quiet for a second, looking at you almost as if to make sure you're certain about your offer before he say anything. He must decide eventually that you are, because eventually, he nods. "I'd like that."

You hold your hand out to him, and Mat raises a brow at it. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Barzal."

Mat laughs, rolling his eyes before he puts his hand in yours and tugs you to him, pressing his lips to yours.

"I love you so much," he whispers against them.

You smile into his next kiss, winding your arms around his neck. "I love you too."

[mendeshoney]

apple of my eye, take a bite

A/N: surprise surprise! this is a part two to "a taste of the devine," with a special little halloween twist! to my lovelies, @pyotrkochetkov and @smileysvech happy halloween babes! the title is inspired by lyrics from the song “eve” by precious pepala

Summary: You and Andrei go to the team Halloween party at a club, and it takes Andrei down memory lane.

Pairing: andrei svechnikov x f!reader

Word Count: 5,120

Warnings: five year age gap, older woman x younger man, fluff, previously established dynamics (including msub x fdom dynamics, switch, mdom x fsub dynamics), smut, semi-public sex (in a club), hints of biting/hickies, penetration, finish inside, unprotected sex

Russian terms used (bearing in mind the author does not speak Russian and definitely Google’d these) can be referenced here.

~

“I feel like this won’t make much sense,” Andrei quietly mumbles to himself, adjusting the ‘hat’ of his costume, his eyes casting to the side once he sees movement from inside the closet.

The sliding frosted glass door is closed, so he can only see your shadow as you move around, and he can feel himself start to get antsy.

You’d kept your part of the couples costume a shrouded secret from him, claiming you wanted to surprise him. 

As far as surprises go, he typically liked yours a lot, but given his current predicament, he found himself a little more anxious than normal.

He glances at himself in the vanity mirror in your shared bedroom, running a cursory hand over the fuzzy material of his Halloween costume, and frowning a little at his reflection.

“Kroshka, I don’t-” He starts, cutting himself off and turning back toward the closet when he hears the sliding door open. 

You finally emerge, body in an emerald green mini dress that you’d sewed fake vines onto so that they curled and twisted around your figure, enhancing your silhouette, vines trailing down your shoulder and around your arms until they rested delicately on your wrists. Those beautiful legs of yours donned a pair of thigh high velvet stiletto boots, the color matching your dress perfectly. 

You looked a lot more like that character that Evgeny used to tease him for having a crush on when they were kids, Poison Ivy, than you did the biblical Eve.

Sukin syn.

Andrei’s hard in seconds, heart pounding furiously as his stomach flutters.

Babochki, he thinks. Butterflies.

He laughs suddenly, feeling nervous out of the blue. 

“What do you think?” You ask, turning your body a little so he can get a better view.

“I think there’s butterflies in my stomach,” he says honestly, the words coming out faster than he can process, but when you flush deeply, he feels a twinge of satisfaction. 

“You still have a way with words, don’t you?” You tease, trying to look anywhere else but him, and he knows that strategy.

Sometimes, when you’re not sure how to receive his compliments, you try to brush them off, but tonight’s not a night Andrei can let that fly.

He can feel his hands twitching at his sides, and his feet are moving towards you before he even realizes, that familiar gravitational pull too strong to resist.

“Ty vyglyadish' krasivo, lyubov' moya.” He murmurs. You look beautiful, my love.

You smile at his words, his hands coming to rest on your waist and pull you closer. “Spasibo, malysh.” You finally seem to take in his costume, and you giggle lightly. “You look so cute!”

He frowns, brows pinched together. “I’m glad you think so.”

You smile, giggling a little more. “Of course I think so.”

“Remind me again why I couldn’t just be ‘Adam’ for Halloween?” He asks, fingers playing with a fake vine on your shoulder.

“Because no one cares about Adam,” you remind him gently. “The story’s about Eve and the Apple. Adam’s just there.”

Andrei pouts a little, turning back toward the mirror and staring at the apple suit that covers his upper half, the red hat on his head with the apple’s stem and a little leaf, and the dark brown pants on his legs. “I guess so,” he laments, then turns his gaze back to you.

You know him so well at this point that when the corner of your mouth quirks up in a small smile, he isn’t even surprised, and just smiles right back at you. “Don’t worry, shchenok, everyone still thinks you’re sexy.”

“I don’t care about everyone,” he says without a second’s hesitation. “Just you.”

A small flush works its way up your neck and cheeks. “I still think you’re sexy, too.”

Andrei’s heart pounds then, that familiar disbelief that he was able to call someone like you the love of his life surfacing in his chest. He bends his head, pride surging through his veins when you accept his kiss. 

“We should probably go soon,” you murmur against his mouth.

Andrei hums, shrugging. “Or we could stay home. Have our own little Halloween party.”

“Not an option, I’m afraid.” You say, and pull yourself out of his arms to head back into the closet. He watches, completely entranced, as you pull on a pair of thigh high velvet stiletto boots, the color matching your dress perfectly, and he can feel himself start to tent in his pants. 

“Kroshka,” he tries again, the word nearly getting caught in his throat, “Are you sure we can’t just-”

You cut him off by standing, grabbing your small clutch and his car keys, tossing a curt “Let’s go, moye yabloko” over your shoulder as you head to the garage.

Andrei glances at himself in the mirror one last time, offering his reflection a long-suffering sigh, before grabbing his wallet and trailing after you.

~

His teammates don’t laugh as much as he expected, which he supposes is because out of all the costumes tonight, he looks the least ridiculous.

Jesperi, Teuvo, and Sebastian are dressed as Alvin and the Chipmunks - Jesperi was elected to be Theo against his will, Teuvo gladly accepted the role of Simon because it meant he was the smartest, which left Sebastian as Alvin, who claimed it was only fair since his last name began with an ‘A’ - Freddie, Anti, Jacob, and Brett dressed up as Michaelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Rafael from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Brent was dressed as Sully from Monsters Inc, and those were just the costumes he managed to figure out on his own.

There were far too many others for him to keep track of or understand and some were just a headache to look at, so he ended up focusing on the one thing he knew would keep his attention - the way your ass moved in your dress as you walked through club toward the VIP section they’d reserved for the team party.

The girls complimented you on your outfit and assured Andrei that he looked cute instead of silly, and it only made him feel marginally better.

He was still dressed as a giant apple for the night, after all, while his bombshell of a girlfriend looked like a walking fantasy.

After you’d said hello to everyone, the two of you ended up separated, the girls heading out to the dancefloor, some of the guys heading to the bar to grab drinks and snacks, and the rest settling into the VIP section.

Andrei plopped down between Jesperi and Freddie, removing his costume’s hat and putting it on the little table in their section, tuning out most of the conversation happening within the first ten minutes and instead finding himself focused on you and that beautiful dress out on the dance floor.

His eyes were glued to you as you danced, lost in the familiar way your hips moved and how carefree you were. Other people may have needed a little bit of alcohol in them to be so uninhibited, but you didn’t. You never had.

Watching you now, it reminds him of the first night he met you.

It had been earlier this year, when the guys had been having a particularly rough week of games, and they’d gone out to a club to relieve some stress.

You’d been there with some of your friends, and Andrei had been feeling a little bit too confident after a few drinks. He’d locked eyes with you barely ten minutes after he’d arrived and couldn’t take his eyes off you the whole night, couldn’t seem to find the need to wander more than ten feet out of your orbit.

He finally found the courage to approach you after Martinook had all but threatened to send Freddie after you first, pushing off the bar and heading over to you. 

He tried the gentlemanly approach, introduced himself properly by taking your hand, and from that first touch there was this crazy electric wildfire of sexual tension that neither of you seemed to be able to deny. You didn’t seem disturbed by him being five years younger than you, and he couldn’t have cared any fucking less about you being twenty eight. 

He worried for maybe half a second about you not being able to understand him through his accent, but you had no problems with it, even beyond the blaring music of the club. Then, he offered to get you a drink or a bottle of water - whatever you wanted really, he didn’t care - before asking if you minded if he joined you for a dance.

One dance became two, then four, then six, and then the next thing he knew, you both had locked yourselves in a storage closet down the back hall of the club and he had you pinned against the wall, his jeans and boxer briefs around his thighs, your dress hiked up to your waist, thong pulled to the side, and his cock buried so deep inside of you that you had to bite down on the meaty flesh of his shoulder to keep from crying out too loudly. 

You’d fucked twice in that closet before you took him back to your place and fucked another two times. In the morning, you’d managed to contain yourselves in the shower, but Andrei lost all restraint and licked your pussy on your kitchen table until your throat grew hoarse and your legs shook so much your table started to squeak.

He managed to rein it in and take you on a date two days later, and then you invited him out for dinner another three days after that. After about ten dates without any sexual interactions at all, and about a month in total of you actually knowing each other, he’d asked you to be his girlfriend, and you both celebrated when you said ‘yes’ to him by locking yourselves in at his place and fucking like bunnies for about two days.

Andrei had learned everything about what you liked in bed in that first month, and you’d learned everything about what he liked. 

You’d also learned enough about one another that Andrei was pretty sure he’d end up marrying you and having about five or seven kids within the next seven years, because there was no possible way he’d ever manage to find someone as brilliant as you ever again.

And at this point, you’d barely been dating a year. 

He’d say he was probably moving too fast in any other circumstance, but he was pretty sure you were on the same page.

He feels a nudge in his side, and Andrei glances over, momentarily shocked because he’d completely forgotten his friends were dressed in costumes, and the orange fabric around Freddie’s eyes nearly scared him shitless for a second. 

“You want another drink? The chipmunks lost a bet so they’re buying for the night.” Freddie says, gesturing to where Jesperi had gotten up and was now writing down orders on his phone. 

“Sure,” Andrei says. “I’ll take one.”

Jesperi points to where you are on the dance floor and asks Andrei “One for her too, right?”, and when Andrei nods, Jesperi gives him a thumbs up before stalking over to the bar.

He has a feeling it’s going to take Jesperi awhile to put in the drink orders for the whole section, so Andrei resumes watching you, reminiscing on the day you first met and chiming in on the conversations around him every now and again.

You finally wander over with the girls once the drinks arrive, and Andrei immediately opens his arms, feeling content when you settle into his embrace and onto his lap. He hands you your drink, careful to keep your hair out of your face when you take a sip.

There’s a sound of fake retching, and you and Andrei cut your eyes to where Jesperi’s making faces at the two of you. You roll your eyes, settling into Andrei a little more, and he wraps his arms around your waist, securing you to him.

“Jealous, KK?” One of the other girls asks, and Jesperi’s nose scrunches.

“Hardly.” He scoffs. “I’m basically watching my older sister make out with one of my best friends. It’s disturbing.”

Andrei feels you stiffen in his arms, but Jesperi’s already turning away, and Andrei squeezes you gently. “Zajka?”

You turn to Andrei, a slightly stunned expression on your face. “I…does he really think of me that way?” 

“What way?” Andrei asks, bringing a hand up to gently caress your cheek. 

He can see the shock starting to settle in a little more. “Like an older sister?”

And though Andrei knows they’ve never really talked about it, because it’s not really a topic that would come up, he knows for certain the answer is yes. 

Especially after the way you looked after everyone during the beach trip this past summer, all Andrei heard for weeks during training camp and preseason was how much everyone missed your cooking, people asking how you were doing, and demands for him to bring you around more.

Since you’d barely been together for six months at that point, he didn’t push you about it at all because he didn’t want you to feel pressured or rushed, even though he knew you liked everyone just fine. It was another thing he felt like would make it feel like this was going too fast, even though you’d probably be on the same page about this, too.

“I think a lot of them think that way.” He admits. “Pretty sure Freddie thinks of you as a younger sister. Burnsy too, to be honest.”

There’s a thoughtful look in your eyes now, and after a beat, you nod. “I didn’t know that.”

“Is that…is that okay?” He asks, slightly unsure. He doesn’t know that he’s seen you this…contemplative before.

You turn to Andrei, and give him that dazzling smile of yours he loves so much. “Of course it’s okay. Just took me by surprise a little.”

He nods, sitting up a little more so he can press a kiss to the base of your neck. “They love you as much as I do.”

Andrei’s surprised when his kiss makes you shiver a little, and he pulls back a bit, raising a brow at you.

You flush, suddenly bashful. “I just…” He raises a brow when you seem to be trying to find the words to say, and you gesture with your head towards the dancefloor. “Feels familiar, doesn’t it?”

Realization hits Andrei and he smiles, nodding. “It does, zajka.” 

A sly, cheshire smile works its way onto your lips, and Andrei feels his heart begin to pound in anticipation. “Let’s see just how well you can tempt me a second time, moye yabloko.” 

You’re downing the rest of your drink and getting up from his lap faster than he can blink, and then you’re heading back out to the dancefloor with the girls. 

As Andrei watches you walk away, he catches the wink you send him over your shoulder before you disappear into the crowd, and he smirks to himself. 

Da nachnetsya igra.

Let the games begin.

~ 

Drink in hand, Andrei makes his way through the crowd, his puffy apple costume coming in hand by parting the crowd a little as he moves - he even has the ridiculous hat on again - until he finally reaches where you are in the middle of the dance floor. 

He taps gently on your shoulder, and when you turn around, your eyes look up at him curiously, a small smile on your face.

Andrei leans down so you can hear him better, saying “Hi, I couldn’t help but notice you earlier, and I thought I’d introduce myself and bring you a drink.”

It’s not exactly what he said that first night, but it’s close enough. So what if he skipped a few cheesy lines?

You lean back a little, staring at the drink in his hand before taking it with a small amount of hesitation. “Thank you,” you say back, leaning in like he had. “That’s really thoughtful of you.”

“I’m Andrei,” he says, holding his hand out.

You take it, shaking it once when you tell him your name in return.

The nostalgia has those butterflies resurfacing in his stomach, and he tries his best not to smile like a total idiot. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too.” You say, then smirk a little at his costume. “You know, I’m pretty sure I was warned to stay away from you.”

He laughs a little, stepping closer into your space. Bending down so he’s right next to your ear, he rests a hand on your waist and says “One bite won’t hurt.”

At your responding chuckle, Andrei feels goosebumps ignite on his arms. “I’ve heard that before.”

“It’s different this time,” he promises. “It’s just us. And there’s no punishment.”

“Sounds a little too good to be true,” you say, pulling away a little and taking a sip of your drink, blinking up at him from under your lashes.

Andrei rights himself, shrugging. “Only one way to find out, isn’t there?” He gestures with his head towards a hallway that he’d confirmed about ten minutes ago had both a storage closet as well as what looked like an unused office full of boxes, but still came equipped with a couch and a perfectly solid desk.

He makes his way toward the hall, waiting for all of five minutes before you appear in front of him, the glass your drink was in now empty save for the cherry stem he already knew had a knot in it.

“Fancy seeing you here,” you joke, taking careful steps toward him. 

He holds a hand out, pleased when you take it, and he leads you toward the end of the hall. The door to the storage closet is on the left, and the door to the empty office is on the right. He places you in front of him, his hands resting on your waist from behind.

“Pick a door, zajka.” He says softly. 

You hum a little, taking a step forward. You open the door on the right first, but there’s a small noise that leaves you, and Andrei’s confused when you don’t take a step inside. You open the door to the left, and the second you see the closet, you spin around, smiling wickedly at him before pulling him inside.

He flips you the second he crosses the threshold, shutting the door and locking it before pinning you against the wood, placing his arms on either side of your head. “Didn’t like the office?”

You shake your head, tilting your chin up, waiting. “Not the same.”

“I would’ve liked fucking you on the desk.” He admits, the image of it still fresh in his brain.

“You didn’t fuck me on a desk till I moved in with you.” You remind him.

He smirks. “Oh I remember,” he promises. “Hard to forget the time you made me come so hard I almost passed out.”

You shrug. “You’re still alive, aren’t you?”

He drops one of his hands from the door only to bring it up between you, running a finger down the side of your neck, to your collarbone, your chest, before teasing at the neckline of your dress. 

“If you rip this dress before you get me in your bed, moye yabloko, you’ll be sorry.” You warn, but even so, your back arches off the wall, pushing your chest into his touch.

Andrei smirks. He’s never been one to shy away from his punishments.

Instead, he trails his hand down your dress and to the hem, pushing it up your thighs until he can reach under it to bring his fingers to your core, pleased when he finds the fabric of your thong already soaked. 

“May I, moya koroleva?” He asks sweetly, eyes focused on where his hand lingers. 

You nod, breath hitching a little when he pulls your thong to the side and runs his finger between your folds. “I want it like the first time.”

Andrei blinks, eyes darting back up to your face. 

That first night was intense - and beautiful - but also not the kind of sex the two of you have most often. He likes to please you, likes taking his time warming you up or worshiping you the way he’s learned that you like best. Other than the occasional quickie, you two rarely ever just get straight to it.

“Can you take me like this? Right now?” He checks.

“I can,” you say. You reach forward, fingers finding one of the belt loops of his pants and pulling him forward. “Please, malysh. I don’t want to wait.”

His heart beats hard against his ribcage. 

It’s rare that you’re the one pleading for him, that you’re the one asking for it this way, and he can feel the way his breath starts to stutter as he tries to maintain his composure.

The second he nods in agreement, it’s a race to get inside of you.

In a hurry, the two of you work to unbutton and unzip his pants, shuffling them down his thighs along with his boxer briefs. His aching cock springs free, and before you can reach for him, he’s bending down to lift you up and pin you against the wall, helping to wrap your legs around his waist. 

He balances you in one arm as you press your weight into the wall, reaching down to line his cock up to your entrance. The second he can feel it catch, he presses in at the same time that you angle your hips downward, and he pushes until he’s seated all the way inside and his hips press yours against the wall.

You take a gasping breath, head lolling back as your eyes squeeze shut, arms flying to his shoulders and nails digging into the skin as your pussy grips him tightly. 

“Zajka?” He asks, worried. “Are you okay?” 

You nod, breathing harshly through your nose. “Move, malysh, spasibo. I need you.”

Andrei has a sudden feeling he’s going to have a hard time trying to remember to breathe if you keep talking.

Carefully, he pulls his hips back until just the head of his cock rests inside, and then he pushes back inside in one brutal stroke that seizes the breath from your lungs once more.

“Just like the first time,” he reminds you, before setting a rough and steady pace. 

Your moans fill the room in seconds, and Andrei doesn’t care anymore about who can hear you or who can’t. 

Especially when he knows you couldn’t care less about it either.

This time, you’re not at Freddie’s house and worried about making a good impression. 

You’re here, with him, pretending like it’s the first night you met all over again, except this time there’s less to be cautious of for both of you.

Although…

If you do want it like it’s the first time again…

“You can’t moan too loud, kroshka.” He says, pressing in closer to you as his strokes slow a little, dragging himself in and out of you with precision. “Don’t want anyone to hear how pretty you are when you’re dripping on my cock, do you?”

Recognition flashes in your eyes like a bright flame, and you capture your lip between your teeth, nodding obediently. 

“Need something to bite down on, my beautiful Eve?” He murmurs, gathering you up in his arms and pushing until he’s flush against you, tilting his head to expose his neck. “Do it, it’s okay.”

You wind your arms around his shoulder and lean forward, and when Andrei feels your lips on his neck, his whole body shivers, groaning at the way he can feel your teeth bite down before licking over the wound, then sucking a bruise into the skin.

That’s another thing the two of you don’t give a shit about anymore. 

Andrei’s all too proud to wear your marks like a badge of honor, so as you suck on his skin, feeling his pulse beneath your tongue, he knows you take notice of the way his cock drives deeper into you.

He doesn’t know if he’ll be able to manage a second round in this closet, too desperate to fill you up and then drag you home so he can do it over and over again.

When his hips stutter a little, you finally pull away from his neck, leaning back to examine your work, smiling proudly. “Such a pretty little thing, moye yabloko.”

Fuck.

It is just like the first night all over again.

Andrei remembers the dirty things you whispered to him then, too. He remembers how he’d never heard something so sultry, so sexy in his entire life. It somehow made him hornier, made him feel like he could go insane with how much it made him need you even more in that moment. 

It was like you knew exactly what to say and what to do to drive him insane, to make him feel like he would do anything to prove to you just how good he could be. 

“You’re the same good boy you were that first night, too,” You taunt again when he doesn’t respond, and a sharp hiss falls from his lips when you tug his hair harshly, prompting him to tilt his head up so he can look at you.

His knees nearly buckle, and he thrusts hard into you once in warning. 

“You can’t say things like that,” he breathes out, focusing on fucking into you in deep, hard strokes. 

“Why?” You breathe out, bringing your hands from his shoulders and tossing the hat of his costume off of his head before sinking your fingers into his hair. 

He shakes his head. Any other man might be embarrassed, but that’s never been a thing between the two of you, and especially not when you’re being intimate. 

“It makes me…u menya babochki.” Andrei admits, trying his best to stay focused. I get butterflies.

“Babochki?” You ask, tone just shy of a whine, slightly mocking him. “Do I give my pretty shchenok butterflies?”

He looks up when he feels your hand on his cheek, staring into your eyes, and he can feel himself getting closer to his orgasm just looking at you. You run your thumb over his lips as they part, resting the pad of it on his tongue before his cheeks hollow, sucking gently on the digit. 

You smirk, eyes rolling back in your head when Andrei gives a particularly hard thrust, causing your back to arch a little more and your body to press further against his. He can tell you’re getting closer, can read all your little tells. 

The way your chest starts to heave, how he can see your nipples starting to poke through the fabric of your dress, the way your body starts to go lax, thumb slipping from his mouth and hand moving to rest on his chest instead. 

“You gonna come for me?” You ask, tone somewhere between taunting and begging. 

Andrei nods furiously, welcoming the molten lava spreading across his spine as he finds solace inside of you. “Da, moya koroleva.”

“Gonna come inside of me?” This question is definitely a taunt. “Gonna fill up the pretty stranger the very first night?”

“I did it once,” he reminds you. “I’d do it again, but only for you.”

Your blinding, satisfied smile takes over your face and Andrei feels his heart fall to your feet in adoration. “Come with me,” he begs.

You nod, tilting your hips a little until he’s hitting that beautiful spot inside, and your eyes flutter shut, pussy squeezing tighter around him.

He loses all control after that, cock pounding into you in a frenzied, nearly manic pace, trying so hard to keep going for you while also chasing his own orgasm. 

When he feels you lock him in that familiar death grip, your come drenching his cock and making the slide oh so right, his eyes squeeze shut, and a loud, satisfied groan leaves his mouth as he throbs, spilling inside of you until he feels like he can’t breathe right.

For a moment, the two of you can only remain like that - you slumped and sated in Andrei’s arms and his hips pinning you to the wall. 

When he feels you begin to squirm, he carefully pulls out of you, then sets you back on your own two feet as gently as he can. He’s quick to locate a stack of paper towels behind him and grabs a few to help you clean up before pulling your thong back into place and tossing the paper towels into a trash can near the door.

“Do I look okay?” You ask, fussing with your dress.

Andrei nods, letting out a content sigh. “Beautiful as always. What about me?”

When you glance up at him, Andrei’s expecting the same, but then you blink, and a surprised laugh practically barks out of you. It startles him a little, and your hand is flying to cover your mouth, eyes glistening with delight.

“What?” He presses, starting to fuss with his own costume. “What is it?”

“Drei, how hard did you come?” You ask through fits of giggles.

“You said like the first night, so pretty hard.” He admits, unashamed. “Why?”

“You’re…you’re…” You can barely say it through your laughter. After a second, you take a deep breath, calming yourself, and then smile at him happily. “You’re as red as an apple.”

If he - apparently - wasn’t already red, he definitely would be by now. 

“How bad is it?” Andrei asks, rubbing at his face absently. 

You shrug. “No better and no worse than after a shift on the ice.”

He pouts, brows furrowing. “I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”

“It’s normal,” you explain. “It might be tough to explain away when we say goodbye to everyone in a minute, but it’ll be alright.”

“We’re going home?” He asks, already excited. 

You nod, shrugging your shoulders a little. “Pretty sure that’s what we did the first night, too.”

He smirks, stepping closer to you and pulling you to him by your waist. “We did a lot of things that first night. And the next morning.”

Your own cheeks flush now, and you nod. “That we did.”

“Feel like a trip down memory lane, kroshka?” He murmurs, already leaning down.

You rise up on your tiptoes, lips brushing against his when you say “I think that sounds lovely, malysh,” before kissing him softly.

[mendeshoney]

HIII WELCOME BACK 🫶🏽 can you write a pt 2 to the enemies/one bed blurb with “I've been waiting for you to come to your senses.” from the I want you list? I want to see the ~to lovers~ part of mat and reader haha

thank you & I adore you!!! hope you’re well 💓

a lot of you wanted the "to lovers" part of the enemies to lovers blurb I did before so consider this the ~ to lovers ~ portion. please excuse just the hint of possible toxicity/possessiveness, I have been "in a mood" lately, shall we say.

I want you prompts w/ mat barzal

You can't help but blink in surprise when a second plate of wedding cake is slid in front of you, and when you turn to look at where it came from, you're even more surprised to see that it was Mat who gave it to you.

You raise a brow at him, gesturing toward the cake with your chin. "I see you're trying to poison me now."

Mat offers you a bored expression in return. "I saw you give your slice of cake to one of Ethan's cousins so he could have a second piece, and I don't want mine."

You glance at the cake one more time, and frown. "But it's Chantilly Cake?"

"Great to know your eyes work," Mat bites out, pushing your fork closer to the plate of cake.

You ignore his venom, pushing the cake back toward him a little. "I thought Chantilly Cake is your favorite."

He blinks at you then, all the heat and spitfire dissipating in a matter of milliseconds. "How did you know that?"

"Lenasia told me that when she and Ethan went cake tasting that he told you about the flavors and you kept pestering him to pick Chantilly over the White Chocolate and Raspberry. He said you were only telling him to pick it because it was your favorite and that not everyone liked White Chocolate Raspberry because it was too rich."

Mat blinks, then schools his expression, pushing the plate back to you and turning his body back toward the rest of the wedding reception. "Eat it, you've had three glasses of champagne and only one glass of water the entire night."

There's an argument at the tip of your tongue, but then Mat's words register in your head, and he's...he's actually right. But still, you're not sure how he would have noticed, since the two of you had been running around like crazy people for most of the day as best man and maid of honor to make sure Ethan and Lenasia's special day had been perfect.

Without another word, you dig into the cake, taking happy bites and savoring the sweet fruit and cream filling until the cake is gone. Mat stays seated next to you the entire time. When a waiter passes by with a tray of waters, Mat grabs one and places it in front of you.

When he does, he glances at you, then the corner of his mouth quirks up in a small smile. "You've got Chantilly cream," he says, gesturing to his mouth.

You move to wipe it, but before you can even lift a finger, Mat raises his hand, using his thumb to wipe at your bottom lip. The pad of his finger is gentle as he goes, and it feels like it happens in slow motion, his eyes tracking his finger the entire way.

Your own eyes stay glued to his face, taking note of how his pupils blow out wide as he focuses on his task, and how they seem to glaze over when he brings his thumb to his lips, sucking the cream off and locking his eyes with yours as he does, his gaze completely steady the entire time.

Whoa.

Butterflies suddenly fill your stomach in a rush, and a small shiver trails down your spine, making the silk of your maid of honor dress suddenly feel uncomfortable.

Flashes of the last few months leading up to the wedding flood your mind.

Sharing the same bed for the weekend of Ethan and Lenasia's engagement party. Mat threatening to make himself the last man on Earth because of your sworn resolution, him consistently destroying the pillow wall between you at night as he dreamt, how a few times after his destruction you could have sworn that he reached for you or called your name in his sleep.

Each day of the trip, he let you shower first in the morning or at night, and always made a point to make sure he turned the brightness on his phone all the way down so you could go to sleep easier when he planned on staying up later to scroll through social media.

Still, you had bickered the whole weekend, so all of those small moments had been tampered down and labelled "irrelevant" with how much of a pain in the ass he'd been the whole time.

Even as wedding preparations continued, with fittings, Ethan and Lenasia's bachelor and bachelorette parties, up to the rehearsal dinner, you'd bickered like normal.

But you were starting to recall having those...softer...moments in between, and you'd even wager they'd happened more often than they used to.

At that second, with you staring at Mat, watching him lick his lips as if to chase the taste of you, all of those moments started to add up.

Like today, he'd been nicer than usual, helping you with the train of your dress, holding your bouquet for you when you needed both your hands to help with something, making sure you had tissues ready in case you felt like you were going to cry.

During his speech as best man, he'd cracked a couple of jokes, and each time, you remember thinking how it felt like he kept looking at you after each punchline, almost as if he was checking to see that you were laughing. You'd chalked it up to him checking with Ethan and Lenasia that he was doing well, but now...the cake, the little stunt he just pulled...

"Oh my god," you murmured, tearing your gaze from his lips and staring into his eyes. "Mat...do you..."

He laughs once, like he's offended at your inferring tone. "I've been waiting for you to come to your senses."

And that's an admission if you'd ever heard one, but you're not the type to mince words, and you need to hear him say it. Word for word. Just so you know you’re not crazy for thinking it.

You clear your throat. "So, you actually..." like me, is on the tip of your tongue, but you know for a fact that if you say 'like,' Mat's going to tell you that's not the right word, and you don't know if you're ready to hear him admit it, or admit it to yourself that this is what that is.

Mat smirks. "You can say it, Sunshine, neither one of us is going to burst into flames if you do."

You can feel your nostrils flare, instinctively ready to be on defense like normal, but none of that heat is present in your voice when you say "Do you actually though? I mean...since when? Why? All we do is fight!"

He shrugs, leaning back in his chair. "That's our thing though. It doesn't bother me at all since I'm fighting with you." When you scrunch your nose, he laughs. "What? You don't like fighting with me, Sunshine? Don't like it when I rile you up?"

Now that he's mentioned it, you realize that yeah, you actually do like it.

And you've looked forward to it, too. Every single time.

God dammit.

"You've been doing it on purpose." You realize, staring at him in disbelief.

Who the hell is this guy?

Is this really the same Mat you've called a dozen names in your head? The same one you felt a prickling sense of irritation for every time you saw his face?

But was that irritation, or was it actually attraction?

He licks his lips, nodding at your statement and confirming it to be true. "Only way I could guarantee you would talk to me."

Alright.

Definitely attraction.

That makes you laugh a little. "You couldn't have just asked me to dinner like a normal person?"

Mat scoffs. "You and I both know if I asked you to dinner when we met you would've turned me down in a heartbeat."

"When we met?" You parrot back in disbelief.

When you'd met Mat for the first time, it had been during the days that he and Ethan played for the same team in Juniors, and Lenasia had dragged you to a game. You'd met up with Ethan afterwards, and he'd introduced you to Mat. At the time, Mat was definitely a little bit more arrogant, cocky, so he's probably right in assuming you would have turned him down.

But that was...that was over ten years ago, and now-

"You've..." liked me? Loved me? "Ten years, Mat?"

He looks smug. "What can I say? I'm a one-woman kind of man."

"You've definitely dated other people." You point out, remembering a few girls coming in and out of your lives.

"None of them were serious though, they weren't-"

"If you say 'they weren't you,' I'm going to stab you with this fork."

To your surprise, he sits up in his chair, scooting it closer to you and leaning forward a little. "Better stab me in the heart if you want to let me down easy, Sunshine."

Oh.

Oh shit.

He's actually serious.

"Must you always resort to murder?" You tease.

His expression doesn't waiver. Instead he offers a slightly shy smile, eyes soft around the edges. "I'm particularly fond of the phrase 'till death do us part,' if that's alright with you."

As his words sink into your bones, you quietly tell him, "I'm not going to stab you, Mat."

At first you're not sure he's heard you over the music playing from the DJ, but the bright, happy smile that spreads on his face assures you that he's heard you loud and clear.

Suddenly, the song the DJ's playing ends, and he gets on the microphone, saying "The bride and groom would like to invite all the couples in the house to the dance floor to share this moment with them."

Mat stands without a second thought, holding his hand out to you and gesturing toward the dance floor with his head. "That's us Sunshine, let's go."

"If this is how you're asking me, then-"

"I'm not asking," Mat says, tone just as serious as the day he swore he could make himself the last man on Earth. "I gave you Chantilly Cake, and I don't share that with anyone. There's no asking anymore, Sunshine. Not now that you know."

"What if I don't want to?" You push, half teasing, half serious.

Mat's playful expression is replaced by a serious look, one you've only seen before once he touches the ice. "You can fight me as much as you want till we're old and gray, Sunshine. Just not on this."

He shakes his hand, urging you to take it.

You hesitate for the briefest moment, slightly afraid and worried that someone is going to pull the rug out from under you at any second, that they'll tell you that this is just a dream or that this is all just a prank.

But you look at Mat, really look at him, and you know he meant every single word.

Carefully, you place your hand in his, and Mat takes that as the only answer he needs before he leads you out to the dance floor. As you go, you don't miss the looks the other bridesmaids, groomsmen, and even Lenasia and Ethan throw your way.

Once you find your spot on the dance floor, Mat places your hands on his shoulders and his hands on your waist, pulling your closer to him as a ballad plays and you both start to sway to the melody.

"People are staring," you point out.

"I get stared at all the time."

You frown a little. "I don't."

"Yes you do," Mat counters. "I stare at you all the time, you just haven't noticed."

Clearly.

It seems that you hadn't noticed a lot when it came to Mat.

"They're gonna stare at you even more when it's our turn to do this whole thing." He continues, and your eyes cut to his.

"You're required to actually ask me before that happens. Give me that, at least."

He sucks his teeth. "That's one demand so far, Sunshine. I'm only giving you five right now so you can hurry up and enjoy our first dance together. So if you've got anything else on your list of demands, you should list them now."

You opt in to play his game pretty easily, to your own surprise. "I'm old school, so I'd like it if you asked my parents for their blessing first."

Mat smirks proudly. "Your parents love me, so that's an easy one. Anything else?"

You roll your eyes, because unfortunately, he's right. "You'd better be getting down on one knee when you propose."

"I've got no objections to getting down on my knees for you, Sunshine. Spice up the list a little bit."

Little shit.

You attempt to throw him a curveball and say "I want at least three kids."

He widens his eyes playfully. "Kids already? You're moving a little fast for me, but I'm all for it."

You take his teasing in stride and attempt to throw him another curveball. "I demand we keep the pillow wall."

The curveball is a success when he immediately frowns. "Absolutely not. I hated that fucking thing."

"I like feeling secure in my sleep," you say, flashing him a sly smile.

Mat squeezes your waist playfully. "I can be plenty secure. No pillow wall."

You shrug, securing your arms a little tighter, fingers beginning to gently play with the hair at his neck. "Fine, no pillow wall."

"Glad we can agree on something. Last demand for the evening, Sunshine. What'll it be?"

"You have to kiss me."

It's a dare, a joke, and a slightly serious ask all at the same time.

There's a small pause on Mat's part, the ballad you've been dancing along to filling the silence, and then he takes you by surprise yet again, leaning his head down and capturing your lips in a kiss.

Your eyes flutter shut almost automatically, chin tilting up as you raise up on your toes a little. His lips are soft, and he kisses you like he's been doing it every day for the last ten years - naturally, earnestly...

Lovingly.

"I hope you know I'm telling this story at your wedding, too."

You and Mat split apart, a guilty look on your face with a smug look on Mat's as you both turn to where Ethan and Lenasia are beside you, Ethan gently rocking Gracie in his arms.

"If I didn't love you so much and if I wasn't so happy for you both right now, I'd accuse you of upstaging the bride." Lenasia teases, absolutely beaming at the two of you.

"Would you be particularly angry if the best man and maid of honor left your wedding reception early?" Mat asks, and you swat him on the arm.

"Mathew!"

The three of them ignore you, the bride and groom hugging you both goodbye for the night.

"Thank you for being here for me through all of this," Lenasia tells you, squeezing you tight. "Allow yourself to enjoy your time with him, okay? No fighting."

You smile, feeling heat creep up your cheeks as you move to hug Ethan, who shocks you even more by saying "He really loves you, you know."

All you can do is nod, and when you turn back to Mat to see his hand held out for you again, this time, you don't hesitate.

You take it immediately, and follow him out of the reception hall.