#not saying they should’ve been together

[steddiecameraroll]

I Want to Know What Love Is

ao3

Steve doesn’t know when it’ll stop hurting. Everyone says time heals all wounds. But it’s been three years and that feels like more than enough time for the Eddie-shaped wound to heal.

Why does it still hurt?

“Steve?” Robin’s quiet when she peers around the corner.

Steve’s sitting alone on their couch in the middle of the night, staring at the blank television screen, with tears slipping down his cheeks.

“You ok?” Robin slides in beside him, immediately wrapping her arms around him and tugging him in close.

“I don’t know what’s wrong.” He wipes the back of his hand across his cheek, and then hugs her closer. “I’m just feeling lonely, I guess.”

“You got me,” she tries to sound upbeat.

“I know,” he pats her arm. “Thank you.”

They sit together in silence, rocking in each other's arms. The darkness feels like a vice around Steve’s heart, squeezing him until he can’t breathe.

“I miss him,” he murmurs.

“I know,” she presses a kiss to his head. “You could probably call him. You know he’s not asleep.”

“I know but it’s not the same.”

“I’m sorry, bud.”

“I think I should’ve gone with him.”

He’s regretted letting Eddie leave for the west coast without him, pretty much from day one. But that guilt, fear, and obligation of protecting everyone still in Hawkins was too strong to let him tag along.

“You could still go.” Robin nudges his shoulder.

“He doesn’t miss me like I miss him. He’s probably fucking all kinds of groupies. Y’know, people can’t resist a rockstar.”

“Steve,” her tone is soft but sad. “Don’t do this to yourself. First, they’re not rockstars. Eddie has a day job. Second, you know he misses you. I can always hear him through the phone when he calls. The way he says your name. That man is still crazy about you.” She runs her fingers through his hair softly. “Call him.”

Steve sighs but doesn’t respond. He wants to believe her, but also can’t withstand getting his hopes up only to be devastated later.

He just needs more time.

“Eddie?”

Eddie’s pulled from his thoughts when his coworker Dale waves him down.

“Sup, man?” Eddie leans his arms along the bar, ducking his head under the hanging martini glasses.

“You think you can take my shift tomorrow? Rach has to go to the hospital. Her mom’s in for something with her heart. I gotta watch the kids.”

“Yeah, man. No problem.”

“Fuck, you’re the best. Oh my god that’s such a relief. Thanks. I’ll owe you one.”

“No problem. Hope everything is ok.” Eddie’s heart always tugs a little bit when he hears someone’s mom is sick.

“Sounds like it. They’re just keeping her to make sure.”

“Good, don’t worry about tomorrow. I got it.” Eddie slaps his palm on the shiny bar top and slides down to a new patron at the last stool. He sets a napkin in front of the man. “What can I get ya?”

It’s a quiet night in the bar. Slower than molasses quiet. He hates nights like this. Not only does it hit his pockets it gives him enough time to think. And time to think is bad for Eddie’s mental health.

He’s been in California for three years now and he’s not anywhere closer to making it big than when he showed up. The guys are getting over it. Tired of burning the candle at both ends and hearing ‘no’ at every single turn.

Plus…

He’s fucking lonely.

He has been trying so hard to get over Steve. When he first got to L.A. he was able to distract himself with a new place, a new job, a new dream, new surroundings everything, but that fizzled away quickly.

He’s avoiding the party scene. There’s a lot harder drugs being passed around than in Hawkins. And thanks to his dear old pops, he’s learned stay away from that shit. He doesn’t want to be a washed up rockstar before he even becomes a rockstar.

He pours the new customer a beer then goes back to organizing the receipts. His thumb is tapping mindlessly along to the music pumping from the jukebox, when the tune changes and he feels it in his heart.

I wanna know what love is

I want you to show me

I wanna feel what love is

I know you can show me

Fucking, Foreigner. This song always reminds him of Steve and that night he, Steve, Robin, Nancy, Jonathan, and Argyle went out to the Robinson’s farm. A few six packs, some California Grade-A purple palm tree delight, and drunken karaoke style singing under the stars.

Steve was hanging off Eddie. His arm slung around Eddie’s neck while he sung his heart out into his beer can. Eddie couldn’t pull his eyes off the man. They hadn’t kissed yet. Hadn’t even acknowledged what was happening between them.

But under the August night sky of finally saved Hawkins, Indiana, Eddie Munson fell in love with Steve Harrington.

“You ok, man?” Dale suddenly appears to Eddie’s left, and Eddie has to clear his throat to hide the emotions trying to crawl up his throat.

“Mhm, I’m good. Fucking hate this song.” Eddie keeps his eyes pointed down because it would be painfully obvious he was lying otherwise.

Dale chuckles. “Yeah, hear that. Rach loves it. She belts it out whenever it comes on the radio and she’s in the kitchen.”

Eddie’s heart aches a little more at the idea that maybe Steve would do the same thing.

The phone behind the bar rings and Eddie jumps to grab it.

“Mickey’s.”

“Eddie?”

His heart drops to his feet because how could he know Eddie was thinking about him?

“Steve? Are you ok?” Eddie’s ears are pounding as he waits.

“I don’t know.” Steve sounds too sad for Eddie’s heart.

“Hold on, ok? I’m gonna take my break and pick you up back in the office. Ok? Just give me two minutes.”

“Ok,” Steve whispers.

Eddie presses the hold button and asks Dale to watch the bar, then races to the back room. His fingers fumble to pick up the phone as he drops into the ancient office chair.

“Stevie? What’s wrong?” Eddie’s heart is racing.

“Nothin’, really. I was- I was thinking about you. Robin said I should call.”

“I’m glad you did,” Eddie’s fingers wind through the phone cord anxiously. “Y’know what was playing on the jukebox? Just now?”

“What?” Steve’s voice sounds soft and fluffy.

“I wanna know what love iiiiiissss,” Eddie sings softly down the line. He hears Steve chuckle and it pushes him to keep singing. “I want you to show meeeeee.”

Eddie hears Steve take a shaky breath. “Eddie?”

“Yeah?”

“I miss you.”

Eddie can’t stop himself from smiling. “I miss you, too.”

“No-no you don’t understand.”

“What?”

“I miss you. I miss your smile. I miss your laugh. I miss poking your dimples. I fucking miss you. I should’ve gone with. I’m so stupid. I should’ve gone with you. And it’s too late and I miss you so fucking much. I’m sorry. Shit,” Steve clears his throat. “I shouldn’t have called you. I’m sorry. I’m a fucking mess. I’m sorry. I’m gonna go. Sorry for calling you at work.”

“Steve? Don’t hang up. Please. Don’t hang up.” Eddie rushes out. “Listen to me, don’t hang up.”

“Ok.”

“Stevie? Baby?” Eddie hears Steve whine at the pet name. “I miss you, too. I do. I miss the smell of your hairspray, and the way you crinkle your nose in the morning when your alarm goes off. I miss you and Robin giving me a hard time about my smoking. I hate it here, baby. Fucking California sucks. I miss the stars. But I miss you more. Don’t come out here. I wanna come home.”

He’s been thinking about it for months, waiting for his sign. If Steve calling him out of the blue, while Foreigner is playing on the jukebox, and tells him how much he’s missed him isn’t a clear sign then nothing will be.

“I love you, Steve. I never stopped loving you. I’m glad you didn’t come out here. You’d hate it and probably hate me because of it.” Eddie drags a knuckle under his eye.

“I love you, too. But I don’t want you to give up on your dreams. What about the band? What about The Garden?”

“They hate it here too. Gareth is a week away from quitting. I can feel it. Jeff has a girlfriend and a really good job that he’s not going to give up. It’s over. We tried. Music is different now. New decade means new sound. I wanna come home.” He takes a deep inhale and feels a million pounds lighter. “Fuck, I’d come home right now if I could. Sneak into your place and snuggle under your covers.”

“Yeah?” Eddie can hear Steve’s smile.

“Yep, scoop you up into my arms and kiss every single beauty mark across your skin. Fuck, I miss biting those two on your neck. Are they still there? Do they miss me?”

“You’re ridiculous. Yes they’re still there.”

“And??” Eddie leans forward in his chair.

“Yes they miss you,” Steve says quietly like he’s trying to hide his face.

“I knew it,” Eddie groans. “Tell them I’m gonna be home soon, ok? I gotta get back to work, baby. I’m gonna call you tomorrow and we can talk about it.”

“Ok,” Steve hums. “I love you.”

“Love you, too.” Eddie’s cheeks are hurting. He can’t stop smiling. “God, I love you. Fuck, that feels good to say. I love you, Steve Harrington. I fucking love you. Ok, I gotta hang up. Tomorrow. I’ll call you tomorrow. Ok?”

“Yeah. I love you, Eddie Munson. Night.”

“Bye, baby.”

Eddie slowly lowers the phone down before jumping to his feet and punching happily into the air. He spins around a few times before trying to collect himself and heading back to the bar.

Dale raises an eyebrow at him. “Everything good?”

“Yep, great. Everything’s fucking great.” He slaps the man on the shoulder and beams brightly at him. “You know what? We should play Foreigner again.”

Eddie bounces around the bar and giddily drops change into the machine. He punches in the corresponding buttons, leans against the device and waits for the music to fill the air. Dale watches amusingly from across the almost empty bar when Eddie starts to shimmy his shoulders to the music.

I've gotta take a little time

A little time to think things over

Eddie can’t help himself and sings along. His chest is filled with too much joy to hold it back.

I better read between the lines

In case I need it when I'm older

“Dude? What are you doing?” Dale yells across the room.

“I’m fucking singing, man. Someone still loves me back home. I’m fucking singing.”

Dale rolls his eyes fondly, shakes his head, and turns back to the bar.

Eddie doesn’t care.

He’s going home.

Steve still loves him.

He’s going home.

coffee? ☕️🍩💕

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[ckhaine]

❝ ENFERMER

pairings　jungkook x reader genres　 light angst + fluff + mentioned smut

ENFERMER where you and your boyfriend harbour silent treatment for two days due to a fight, yet jeongguk's got his special ways of apologizing.

warnings　vulgar language, mentions of sex, short argument, ? degradation (he calls her a bitch and brat once), bamie 🫶🏼, very cutesy stuff at the end yayahrbfhb - maybe some grammar issues sorry !

𝑐𝑘 𓃭　festa yomyom. said i was gon take a break from posting however i lied. uhhh this has been ROTTING in my drafts so im js posting it to get it outta my way :)) ok byebye enjoy reading my loves.

you’re so tired and you miss jungkook more than anything . . even though you can clearly see him from where you’re sitting on the couch. watching him make dinner. quietly taking in the sight of his back, you quickly look away once he turns around.

it’s been two days since you two had an argument. although, both of you are still pissed the more time passes without being held in each other’s embrace. not to add the uncomfortable silent treatment you are—again—both equally giving.

your hand reaches out to gently massage bam’s ears, who then peels open his sleepy, big, gray eyes. “bamieee,” you call softly, patting your thigh for him to come over. he does so, stretched out by your leg with his small head leaning against your thigh.

meanwhile, jungkook finishes up cooking. neatly serving the food within the baby pink, cat-themed bowl he’d bought for you a while back and walks towards your lying figure. “eat, y/n.” he sets the bowl on the coffee table, just standing there.

you can see his tongue poking against his cheek, jaw clenched as he keeps staring.

“is there something you wanna say?” you ask with furrowed brows, giving him the same attitude you’ve had for the past few days. “yeah. i want you t’quit being a fucking bitch and talk to me,” he snaps, crossing his arms over his chest.

you roll your eyes like a lil child, your lips pressed together in a thin line as you resort your graze to the tv. “who even are you? gosh. just for calling me a “bitch”, i’m not talking to you,” you state, hurt bleeding into your words.

jungkook scoffs, a smirk on his lips to avoid going batshit. “now, if you weren’t such a brat, then maybe i wouldn’t have called you one. ever think ‘bout that?” he sighs, features falling as he sits beside you, looking at you with those ample, round eyes.

“c’mon, baby. talk to me,” he pleads, a hand caressing your soft hair. “i acted like a child . . very immature ‘n i shouldn’t have said or done the things that i did. forgive me.” he sighs. “y’know, we’re gonna deal with stuff like this when we get married . .” jungkook quietly adds in his desired future.

fuck, he’s cute.

how could you be mad at him, seriously? guilt is written all over his face, like he’s taking the blame for every little thing that happened within the few days of the visit to hell.

you sigh, lightly shaking your head and leaning into his touch. “it’s not all your fault, gguk. i’m sorry too, y’know. i shouldn’t have reacted the way i did and-and i should’ve talked to you instead of ignoring you,” you stutter.

his heart thumps against his rib cage, a driven pout on his lips. “i love you, amour,” jungkook says softly, shifting to wrap his arms around your torso, a hand on your upper back. “i love you too,” you murmur, nuzzling into his neck — getting the yummy whiff of his clean scent.

safe to say the day ended with lots and lots of cuddling, giggles, training the lil baby bam, sweet nothings, and some good make-up sex.

ah, jeongguk and his ways of locking himself inside your heart.

© ckhaine 2024. all rights reserved.

[algae-tm]

KILL BILL P.10

Charles Leclerc x ex! Reader, Oscar Piastri x Reader

Author’s note : So I don’t write narrative or rather I don’t write fanfic narrative, but there’s so much I want to say in this fic that feels clunky putting in like a text message. So here y’all go. I’m not 100% satisfied with the Oscar bit but also I started writing at 2 and it’s now 3:30 am so I’m gunna go to bed and then probably write some more in the coming days, do not worry we will get more in depth Oscar lore! - Algae 🌱

••••

Despite almost being 20 years old, Charles had been just a boy when you met him. A boy with a chip on his shoulder and the world at his feet—a dangerous combination that should’ve sent you running but had the opposite effect. When you first saw him, you could practically see the gears turning in his head. He paid you no attention, probably didn’t even realise you were loitering on the outskirts of his garage, watching the mechanics run around in a dazed frenzy, but you were enthralled by him.

He stood steadfastly in front of his car, with a pinched look adorning his face, forehead creased, and eyebrows drawn together. Anyone else would’ve written him off as confused, overwhelmed, not fit to have signed a contract saying he’d be battling in F1 alongside the greats—they still wrote him off as an emotionally unstable boy. But even before you had ever spoken to him, you understood what hardly anyone else did. You understood that, while Charles Leclerc was still a boy, he was more calculating than confused. And in the years of knowing him that followed, as you’d watched him progress to f1, as you’d watched him win races, that statement would prove to be true time and time again.

As the memories of your early encounters with Charles flooded your mind, you couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. He had been so young, so full of ambition and determination. You had admired him from afar, drawn to his intensity and drive to succeed. Despite the chaos of the racing world swirling around him, he had always seemed to have a clear vision of where he was going.

But somewhere along the way, things had changed. The pressures of fame and success had taken their toll, turning him into a shell of the boy you’d met. The boy with the fire in his eyes had become a man weighed down by expectations and responsibilities. And in the process, he had pushed you away, convinced that you didn't understand the sacrifices he had to make. Convinced that he held you captive in a life you weren’t ready to lead.

Charles may have told you some bullshit excuse about children and the future but you had always been able to see through him and despite this separation nothing had changed. From the arguments in the months leading to the breakup you knew he was putting an unnecessary amount of pressure on himself, putting all his hopes and aspirations on Ferrari, despite how often that had proven to be a mistake. Yes, the stupid misunderstanding of your future together was a large part of the reason you broke up, but you had a incessant feeling that Charles had felt trapped in his life, in his racing, and had attributed that trapped feeling to you.

You did not want to forgive him. You were going to forgive him. You didn’t want to forgive him. You were going to forgive him. Those were the thoughts that plagued your mind on the 8 hour flight from JFK to Nice, and as you drove down to Monaco you couldn’t help but think about your parents. You had grown up with parents who had no business staying together, yet just couldn’t leave each others orbits. And no matter how much you cursed this dynamic as a child, you were worried that it was something you were bound to repeat. As you pulled in to the hotel you had decided to meet Charles at - nice neutral territory, you realised even if you didn’t get back together, you were going to forgive him. And it would be the easiest thing you had ever done. You checked in. Getting the key from the concierge as they told you someone had already checked in earlier.

You spotted him immediately. He was sitting at a small table near the window, a glass of something amber in front of him. He looked up as you approached, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. There he was, the man you had loved for so long, the man who had been your everything. He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. You sat down opposite him, your heart in your throat.

"Charlie," you said, your voice barely more than a whisper.

"Hi," he replied, his eyes searching yours. "You look good."

"Thanks. You too."

There was an awkward silence, both of you unsure of how to begin. Finally, Charles took a deep breath. "I'm glad you came," he said. "I wasn't sure if you would."

"I needed to see you," you admitted. "I needed to know if... if there's still something here."

He nodded, his expression unreadable. "I've missed you," he said quietly. "It's been strange, not having you around."

"I've missed you too," you replied, your voice cracking slightly. "But I don't know if missing each other is enough."

Charles looked down at his glass, his fingers tracing the rim. "I know," he said softly. "I've been thinking a lot about us, about what went wrong. And I realise now that I wasn't fair to you. I was so focused on my career, that I had built a different reality in my head, and that I didn't see what it was doing to us. I'm sorry."

His words hit you hard, the sincerity in his voice bringing tears to your eyes. "I'm sorry too," you said. He opened his mouth to speak, probably to say you had nothing to be sorry for, but you continued, eyes downcast "I wasn't always patient, I didn’t like that I couldn’t get a read on you. I just - I wanted us to be happy.”

"I wanted that too," he said, finally looking up at you. "And maybe we can be, but we need to be honest with each other. We need to figure out what we really want."

You nodded, wiping away a tear. "I don't know if I can go back to how things were," you said. "It hurt too much."

Charles reached across the table, taking your hand in his. "I don't want to go back," he said. "I want to move forward. I want us to be better."

His touch was familiar, comforting, but it also reminded you of the pain you had endured. You pulled your hand away gently, needing to keep some distance. "I'm seeing someone else," you said, the words hanging heavy in the air.

Charles looked taken aback, his eyes widening slightly. "Oscar," he said, more a statement than a question, “so you’re actually seeing him?”

You nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "It’s still new, fuck it’s really new, and it wasn't planned," you said quickly. "It just... happened. After we broke up, he was there for me. He wanted me, and it started off as this petty way to make you jealous but I feel something more for him."

Charles was silent for a moment, processing this new information. "Do you love him?" he asked finally, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"No," you admitted. You could practically feel a weight lift of Charles’ shoulders "I do care about him. A lot."

He nodded slowly, his expression pained. "I understand," he said. "I can't expect you to wait for me, to put your life on hold. But I still love you, and I think we could have a future together, if we both want it."

He held out his hand to you, and maybe you were going to regret it in the future but you took it.

INSTA

carlossainz55 posted on his story

(Image 1 caption : summer with friends. Image 2 caption : reunited )

seen by yourusername, oscarpiastri, and 2,344,234 others

User31 : brother what?

Used42 : oh my god please tell me they’re back together!!!

charles_leclerc : y/n isn’t going to like this. delete it now for your health

lewishamilton : so that’s where she is… tell her to message me

y/bff/n : oh brother this guy STINKS.

user32 : bop

yourusername : delete this now

carlossainz55 has deleted his story

••••

You hadn’t been ignoring Oscar, okay maybe you had just slightly. But spending the short break with Charles was, okay you don’t know what it was. You were confused. Really fucking confused. Being around Charles had encompassed you, like it always did. The week and a bit you had spent with him was a whirlwind of emotions. You spent time with Charles, talking about everything and nothing, rediscovering the things that had brought you together in the first place. You laughed together, reminisced about the good times, and shared your hopes and fears. It was comforting, but it also made you realise how much you had both changed.

But Oscar Piastri was something new. Not just new something novel, he brought fresh perspectives, and the way he made you feel was so different from how you felt with Charles, and something in you said you had to give him a chance. So you guess you had been ignoring him, but only due to the fear that he’d want answers you wouldn’t be able to give. The weeks after your ‘not date’ had been filled with constant phone calls, and texts, and despite the constant feeling to remind him that you weren’t dating you both knew that wasn’t true, you both knew there was something there. So you couldn’t blame Oscar for his eagerness, in fact you relished in it, you knew Oscar was playing it up to make you laugh, make you open up more and it was working. He deserved much better than you.

••••

TAGLIST

@forevercaffeinated-lee

@callsignwidow

@a-beaverhausen

@emryb

@c0deincrazy

@dontworryaboutitokie

@c-losur3

@chuxk-lerclerk

@silkenthusiasts

@ietss

@sp1rl

[skyward-floored]

This is an earlier version of my fic Murkier Waters, which I’d saved because I thought Legend’s perspective was interesting, even if it didn’t end up working for the end product. It ends at an odd moment and is kinda messy so pleeeeaaaase read the actual fic for much better writing (and an ending lol).

Anyway, voila. Fishy Legend from a different POV.

————————————————————

“I think we’re lost.”

Legend groaned at Hyrule’s words, watching as the traveler looked around at the trees above them. He stepped into a particularly moist section of dirt while he wasn’t looking, which splashed mud on his boots, and he failed to hold back a sigh.

“I told you we should’ve turned left at that last pond,” Legend grumbled, and Hyrule shrugged with an apologetic smile, a bird cawing loudly in the distance.

Hyrule had sensed a great fairy somewhere in the vicinity, and Legend had tagged along with him, half out of curiosity, and half to make sure his successor didn’t get completely lost. He’d rather failed on that second point though, and they were now miles away from the others in a swamp unfamiliar to them both, getting more lost by the second.

He hated not having a map.

“You don’t think this is the swamp that the Smithy said still had some poison spots in it, do you?” Hyrule asked as he stepped over a puddle, and Legend hummed, looking around.

“How many swamps can there possibly be around here? I haven’t seen anything poisonous-looking though, so maybe Four was wrong,” he replied.

Hyrule nodded, waving a bug away from his face. “Yeah... maybe whatever was left here finally got cleansed or something.”

“Maybe.”

They continued forwards through the muck, swatting away bugs and avoiding one or two birds that swooped past. They had to fight off a couple of keese at one point, but that was the only thing that actively antagonized them, and their walk was fairly uneventful.

Legend wasn’t sure how long they’d been going when the forest opened up, a small lake coming into view through the trees, tall banks on all sides except the one they were standing on. The opposite shore was easily visible, but the water itself shone with an unnatural shimmer, the depths murky and dark.

“Guess we found our poison water,” Hyrule said with a frown, looking across the oily-colored liquid. Legend grabbed a stick and poked it into the water for a minute before pulling it out and inspecting it, but the wood hadn’t corroded at all, and appeared unharmed apart from the slick now coating it.

“Well it doesn’t seem like acid at least,” Legend hummed, giving the water a suspicious look. “I still don’t think we should cross it though.”

Hyrule didn’t appear to have heard him, suddenly perking up as he stared across the shore. His eyes shimmered a little, and Legend raised an eyebrow, leaning over and looking at him.

“Traveler?”

“I think the fairy fountain is over there,” Hyrule replied excitedly, squinting across the lake. “I can feel the magic way more clearly now!”

“Oh. Well that’s great,” Legend drawled. “Except for the fact that there’s a poisonous lake in between it and us, and even if it wasn’t poisonous, you can’t swim.”

Hyrule waved him off, rifling in his bag a moment before pulling out a pair of boots.

“Doesn’t matter, I can walk across water with these, poison or not,” he said with a smile, already slipping off his other pair and putting on the new ones. “It’ll be easy!”

“Well how am I going to get across?” Legend said grumpily, admiring Hyrule’s boots. He could tell they were magic just looking at them, despite their unassuming appearance. Well-made too, magic interwoven as the shoes had been put together, allowing the wearer to walk across water.

...He wanted a pair.

Hyrule looked at him in surprise. “You mean you don’t have any items that’ll help you get across?”

Legend kicked at the mud, mentally going through the list he had of all of his items. Of course he did. He had at least six different ones. Did Hyrule have no faith in him?

“I didn’t say that.”

“Well then come on! Let’s go!” Hyrule said with a smile, and without further ado began walking across the water, faint ripples emanating out from where his feet stepped on the surface.

“I need a pair of boots like that,” Legend grumbled jealously, then pulled out his ice rod to freeze a path he could walk across.

If he was alone, he’d just allow his mermaid transformation to take over and swim across, but he didn’t trust the murky water underneath him one bit. Hyrule didn’t know about his curse yet anyway, and he’d prefer to keep the number of people aware of it as small as possible. Though Hyrule would probably take it in stride, knowing him.

Either way, Legend wanted his feet on something solid, and the ice rod was perfect for that.

He was just glad he’d packed his snowshoe ring.

Hyrule was a small distance ahead of him by the time Legend was ready, and he smirked to himself as he watched the traveler, an idea forming in his head. Legend cracked his knuckles, then suddenly bolted forwards, freezing a path as he ran and quickly catching up to the other boy.

“See you on the other side!” he called behind him, and he heard Hyrule let out an indignant noise, the sound of his boots slapping against the water alerting him to the fact that the traveler was trying to catch up. Legend smirked, and flicked his wrist, slightly curving the ice and making it easier for him to gain speed as he charged across it.

Hyrule was fast though, and soon caught up, then passed him, hair flying in the wind as they raced towards the opposite shore. He didn’t waste his breath on words, merely shooting Legend a cheeky grin as he shot past, and Legend adjusted his cap with a competitive scowl.

He wished he could safely use his Pegasus boots on the ice as he watched Hyrule pull even further ahead, but he’d quickly slip out of control, even with his snowshoe ring.

But Legend was still fast without his boots and managed to put on a burst of speed, quickly pulling up next to the traveler.

Hyrule let out a breathless laugh, and Legend grinned back as they ran, sunlight sparkling off ice and water alike. He and the traveler were neck-and-neck as they raced, and Legend felt his annoyance at the day so far fade with every step he took, keeping pace with Hyrule as they raced across a likely-poisonous lake together.

It’d been too long since he’d goofed off like this.

The shore drew nearer and nearer, Hyrule and Legend both sprinting as fast they could, and Legend was sure that Hyrule was just barely going to beat him —

— Until a scaly green hand shot out of the water, grabbing Hyrule by the ankle and pulling him into the lake.

Legend’s happiness evaporated as Hyrule cried out in surprise, his yell cut off as he was dragged under. Legend jumped forwards and reached out for him mere seconds too late, catching sight of the fear in Hyrule’s eyes before he was lost to his sight in the murk.

“Traveler!” Legend shouted, voice cracking with panic, “Link!”

The water didn’t so much as ripple.

Legend stared for a only a couple more seconds, mind whirling, then he shoved his ice rod into his pack as he bit back a curse.

Hyrule couldn’t swim. Hyrule couldn’t swim and even if he could, some kind of monster had dragged him deep into likely-poisonous water, nullifying the power of his boots and very likely currently trying to eat him.

And Legend could easily save him with the magic in his bones.

Legend hesitated at the thought, looking at the oddly-colored water. He didn’t know what it would do to him if he transformed in its depths, what effects it might have on him if he swam around and breathed it in.

But Hyrule was down there.

Legend looked at the murky water one last time as he drew his sword, then took a deep breath and dove in without further hesitation.

The water slipped around him like a slick of oil, the familiar magic of his tail twisting around his legs as soon as he was submerged. Legend took the few moments while it did its job to look around, squinting as he searched for Hyrule, but saw no sign of him.

Legend’s legs finished painfully merging into a powerful cerulean tail, courtesy of the item he’d picked up all those years ago that had become as much apart of him as his regular magic. He shook out his fins, and finally saw something thrashing nearby. Swimming rapidly towards it, Legend spotted Hyrule struggling with a scaled creature of some kind, his face panicked as he held his breath.

Legend growled and prepared to strike at the monster, but then he took a deep breath.

And it burned.

The water was like fire the moment it filtered through his gills, sending flames searing all throughout his chest.

Legend gasped, but that only made it worse, more of the oily water pulled into his system, the taste of it sickening. He barely felt like he’d taken a breath, and each consecutive one felt worse then the last, stinging needles of ice spreading through his veins as he struggled to breathe.

Ah. Right. Poison water.

Which he was now breathing in, in no small volume.

He coughed, starting to feel sick, but then he heard a hiss and Legend was reminded he wasn’t the only thing in the lake. He managed to swing his sword at the monster despite the ache spreading through his muscles, and it screeched, slipping away with Hyrule still in its grasp.

Legend chased after it, ignoring the heavy feeling in his chest and the burning of his lungs, squinting through the murk.

He could barely see anything, surprising since his transformation usually granted him much clearer underwater vision. But despite the gloom and barely-there streams of sunlight filtering through the water, Legend finally caught sight of two glowing eyes, and he couldn’t help but return the hiss the creature sent towards him.

It was hard to fully make out, but he could just barely see green scales and red fins, glowing eyes and grasping claws that were still clinging to Hyrule, the traveler struggling weakly in their clutches as he tried desperately to escape.

A Zora. The corrupted version that lived in his and Hyrule’s lands.

...Obviously a long way from home, considering they were in Four’s era.

Legend swung his sword as the Zora abruptly released Hyrule and charged at him, eyes blazing. A shrill screech gurgled outwards, and Legend pinned his webbed ears back at the noise.

Claws slashed at his face and Legend reeled backwards, but he was satisfied to see a cut on the Zora’s chest. Black blood billowed through the water from both this and his earlier strike, and Legend was careful to avoid it as it spread, the dark cloud as black as ink.

This water was bad enough on its own— infected monster blood was the last thing he needed.

As if to remind him what he was swimming in, a sickening feeling abruptly swept through Legend, and he breathed in a shallow gasp. The taste of the water was all in his mouth, he could feel it and smell it and taste it and it was awful and Legend had to fight back the urge to be sick.

He gritted his teeth as his vision wavered a bit, coughing and fighting past the heaviness sinking into his limbs. Every breath he took he felt worse, every bit of water that rushed through his gills making his head grow thicker and limbs like lead.

If he was doing so badly, he could only imagine the state Hyrule was in, and hoped the traveler had managed to hold his breath so far.

If he hadn’t...

Legend shook his head. He couldn’t dwell on that. He needed to finish this.

Now.

The Zora screeched, and Legend watched as it streaked towards him, green scales blending into the water. Legend twisted away from it as it lunged, swinging his sword around, but claws gouged into his side even as his weapon struck the monster.

His side screamed in pain as his muscles ached, his lungs were on fire, but Legend threw himself forwards anyway, plunging his sword right into the middle of the Zora.

The monster let out an earsplitting keening noise, thrashing to get away from Legend’s sword, but he held tight until its thrashing slowed, then stopped. The beast abruptly fell limp, beginning to sink before it exploded into purplish dust.

Legend didn’t stick around to watch, darting for where he could see Hyrule struggling to reach the surface.

Hyrule saw him approach and his eyes went wide, eyes darting over his tail and scales, webbed hands and gills. He tried to back away, but Legend held out a pleading hand towards him.

“It’s me,” Legend warbled, ignoring how it hurt to talk, and Hyrule stared at him another few moments, gaze softening as recognition lit up in his eyes.

Then he clutched at his throat, bubbles trailing up from his lips.

Legend didn’t hesitate any longer, noting the blood in the water wafting from Hyrule’s ankle. He slung the traveler’s arm over his shoulders, and Hyrule didn’t resist, clinging to his arm rather tightly, and he began to swim for the surface. The Zora had dragged them deep, nearly to the bottom, and it was quite a ways upwards to go.

Legend’s tail seemed unusually heavy as he swam, and he found himself slowing considerably, struggling to focus on his goal.

The sunlight above began to smear, a high-pitched whine ringing in his ears, and Legend desperately pumped his tail, fighting to get him and Hyrule out of the horrible water. But his tail had gone numb, and the ache of his muscles and the fire in his veins and throat and side and everywhere were too much.

He wasn’t going to make it.

Legend gritted his teeth, and put all his remaining energy into giving Hyrule one last desperate shove towards the surface, feeling a spark of hope as Hyrule’s head appeared to breach.

Then he felt himself begin to sink, too weak to keep himself going.

Legend looked through half-lidded eyes at the blood he knew was his, wafting around his tail and shimmering in the weak sunlight. Even the smallest of breaths hurt, lungs and gills aching with fire, and Legend‘s eyes slipped closed, despite how he resisted.

He didn’t want to die like this, or at all, really... but he was content that he’d at least saved Hyrule from a similar fate.

At least he won’t drown... Legend thought as pain and darkness overwhelmed him, and his world disappeared into shadow.

[loveliestdagger]

liability (bucky barnes x f!reader)

part two of THE MISSION REPORTS

read it on ao3

read part one | go back to the masterlist | read part three

summary: i went to a funeral last week. it was a shit show

word count: 1011

warnings: mentions of death, a funeral, guilt. i think it might be too angsty, but i tried to redem myself in the end (and accidentally made it a different type of angsty, sorry).

a/n: this chapter is completly self indulgent, everyone deserves to have someone to hold their hand during hard times. as always I did not proofread this, so please let me know if you find any mistake. feedback is ALWAYS appreciated.

I plunge at our phone, meticulously hidden but well in reach. It's our only form of communication with Nat since we’ve moved west to follow our target. We’re supposed to text her at exactly 8PM everyday and receive instructions for the next day. But when it buzzes the sun is far from setting, still high and hot above us. Even Bucky jumps up from the couch, eyeing me with expectancy.

My shoulders sag as I read the message over and over again, hands trembling slightly as I tuck the phone in between my hands. And I force myself to breathe and look up.

"Josh is gone." I explain and see his eyes widen for a second before he moves closer and hesitantly puts a hand on my shoulder.

"I’m sorry." he says, nothing but a whisper drowned in his sad smile and the circles he draws in my clavicle. The act has me completely unprepared, the heaviness properly setting in my heart. It’s so much harder to keep it together when you’re allowed to fall apart.

"The funeral is at 7PM." I blurt out, clinging to his arm. He straightens up immediately, lips pressed in a thin line as he blows air through his nose. I’m not even supposed to know he died, let alone know funeral details. I know that, he knows that. Nat knows that, though she did me the favor anyway. Though heavily encrypted, messages with times and places are a gigantic liability for any mission.Especially one as secretive as ours.

"We’re in the middle of an op." Bucky tries to remember me, following my gaze to the closet where our duffle bags lay. I’m already picturing how I'd look in the white shirt peeking through the doors as Bucky’s soft voice tries to bring me back to reality.

"The guy hasn’t moved in two weeks. I doubt he will now." I try to negotiate with him. He knows at least part of that statement is true. That’s why I can see his resolution failing him, my teary eyes boring into his. No matter the fact that, if we were to lose him while out, both our careers would be next to over.

"Please Buck." I hear myself bargain, my pain reflected in Bucky’s face as he begins to break. Bucky breaths hard. I try to stop the silent tears as my voice breaks. "He saved my life more times than I can count. I have to go."

Of course when I said that I didn’t expect him to come with me. That’s what I tell him even as I step closer to him, our shoulders brushing, my fingers softly grazing his wrist. I tell myself I’m overwhelmed by the crowd – the sounds of sorrow, the sad smiles and hushed conversation, of how the people flock together with supportive hands on eachothers backs and shoulders as dark eyes and heads low say what can never be effectively spoken. There’s a certain beauty to it, though I'd never admit it, to have everyone who ever loved you in a room: your family, your friends, the coworker you’ve gone on so many missions with, she earned a spot at your table every sunday. The one who gets to hold your wife and the child you named after her. 

"You should’ve been there." It’s not an accusation but I twist the knife myself as I slowly lower the three of us in the ground, the 4 year old safely snuggled in between me and her mother. I can feel Bucky’s figure protectively looming over us as she sobs in my arms. "You always brought him home to me."

It's a gut punch. It’s true though. How we had spent most of the last 6 years keeping each other safe. How the only reason Bucky’s on this mission is because Josh was severely injured on his last solo mission. How this will, most likely, be the first of many missions we’ll be paired on. How it’s his life I have on my hands now.

"I know. I know. I’m sorry." I whisper in her ear as I rock us back and forward, trying to keep horrible images from flooding my mind. I focus on her breathing, shaky and shallow, and the ghost of a hand on my shoulder. It’s tender and grounding and when she finally calms down it’s still there, pulling me up as I help her off the ground. He offers to drive them home and waits in the driveway till they’re safely inside.

He doesn’t drive far before stopping the car and demanding I get out. I look at him confused, puffy eyes framed in smudged mascara. And I guess I take too long to answer because he gets out and comes around to open my door.

"Come on." he encourages, open arms that envelope my figure as soon as my feet hit solid ground. It takes me by surprise and I resist before my own hands wrap around his torso, my head resting against his body. It tastes like coming home when he pulls me closer and I soon melt into him, tears cascading silently down my neck. It feels like laying down my armor when I look at him and he’s already staring, clear blue eyes looking into mine, bloodshot and burning, with an understanding I didn't think I would ever experience. He gets it. He gets me.

"Who would’ve guessed you’re a hugger?" I grin amidst sobs, slightly embarrassed by the amount of attention I'm dedicating to his lips. I melt into his touch, eyes fluttering close when his thumb wipes the tears in my cheek, the rest of his hand cradling my face. His fingers outline my jawline and I swear he pulls me closer, so close I can feel his breath down my neck. And I’m tilting my head, lips parting in anticipation. He whispers my name and I know I’m done for. 

This is it. It's him.

 Him who pulls away, clearing his throat, and gets in the car without a word.

taglist: @thetorturedbuckydepartment @the-ayo-lit @lukepadawan @isnow-0r-never @mrsnikstan

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[patito-oward]

Always Been You

masterlist

Prompt: And the other is about how Pato falls in love with the reader, just how he says "oh yeah she's THE ONE"

since this prompt was pretty vague I took a lot of liberties with it, but I still hope you like it :)

Summary: After being dumped by his long term girlfriend, Pato realizes everything he’s ever wanted in a relationship has been right in front of him

WC: 4.1k

It happened very suddenly. Here’s the thing, Pato didn’t mean for it to happen at all. On the list of things he had planned for the year, this was definitely not on it. A 500 win? Definitely. A championship? Yep. Extending his contract with Mclaren? Right again. But starting the off season by being dumped by his long term girlfriend and realizing he’s in love with his best friend was not anywhere in his mind.

It all started at the last race of the season, Pato was leading the championship, and granted he got a podium on this race he would finally have his championship victory. To celebrate and support, almost everyone he knew came to Nashville. Pato rented out a block of rooms at a hotel, and one of the many people who showed up for him was his childhood best friend, YN.

So maybe it all started in 2008, when YN and Pato were in second grade and met on the playground at recess. YN was sitting on the swings reading a book when Pato approached her, he was new to San Antonio and didn’t have any friends, and wanted to know if they could be friends. From then on the two were inseparable. Pato was a daredevil at heart, and would often hurt himself, and YN would take the delicate time of walking him to the school nurse and kissing his injuries better. Pato always made YN laugh, and made sure she was never sad, no matter what happened in YN’s life, Pato was there everyday to make her smile.

As they got older their relationship changed, it lost a little bit of their childish innocence, but they grew so much closer. YN was at Pato’s first win in karting, and she was more excited than he was. When YN’s childhood dog died, Pato was at her house at 6:00 AM and spent the whole day with her, trying to cheer her up. They’d even started their own holiday traditions, every year on Christmas Eve, the two of them spent the day making cookies together and exchanged presents. YN had practically become family, she didn’t have the best home life, and the entire O’Ward family was so loving that she ended up spending more time with them than her actual family.

The two dated for a few months in eighth grade, and were each other’s first kiss, but when Pato began racing for F4 and was in France every weekend the two agreed it was best they just stayed friends. Since then that is all they had been, things in YN’s home got significantly worse as they went through high school and despite whatever Pato may have felt, he knew she needed his friendship and wasn’t willing to risk their relationship.

With Pato coming up through Indycar and YN being a full time student and having a job, it was easy to assume the two would drift after high school, that was never the case. They still saw each other everytime Pato was in Texas and Pato made sure YN made a couple of races every year. She remained his biggest supporter as he went from her hometown best friend to the most popular driver in Indycar.

Fast forward to now, things were going pretty perfect for Pato. He finally won the 500, he’s about to win the championship, and he’s got a great girlfriend, Maria. He figures he’ll marry her, he does love her, she’s supportive and nice and insanely hot. They’ve been dating for over a year and things have been going really well. The only time they’ve ever really fought is over YN, when she found out there was a “history” between them, and in hindsight Pato realizes maybe he should’ve told her sooner, but he never really thought about it. Yeah they’d dated for a few months a lifetime ago, but she’s always just been his YN, he doesn’t even think of her like that anymore. YN was one of the most sure things in his life, and sure for awhile he always thought what if?, but that was in the past.

All that being said, he didn’t think twice about inviting her to Nashville to watch him possibly win the championship. YN wasn’t able to make it to the 500, or any other race this year, and he wished she was there. She knew more than anyone how much this had meant to him, coming up after losses she was always the person he went to, and he wanted her to see him now that it had all been worth it. YN was reluctant to come, but after a lot of begging from Pato she agreed.

Thursday night he made sure everyone he invited out came to dinner with him at a steakhouse. There were 20 people at the restaurant, but Pato ended up with Maria sitting next to him and YN sitting across next to Elba. Maybe Pato should’ve realized it, the tension in her shoulders and how Maria’s smile tightened as he laughed at YN’s jokes, but he didn’t. So Maria sat there all night, and she really tried to be understanding, but she felt as if she was third-wheeling her own relationship. She had to listen to a million inside jokes she didn’t understand, and watch as his family fawned over YN.

It was at that dinner she realized that she’d spent a year dating a taken man. Pato was too good of a man, she knew he wasn’t doing it on purpose, but it became undeniable. As she watched him, she realized everything she felt for him, he felt for the woman across the table. At first she felt possessive, the need to prove that he was her partner, and that no matter what he’d chosen her over YN, but as time passed she felt less possessive and realized that there was no way to continue the relationship. It wasn’t fair to her, she deserved a man who loved her and only her, and Pato deserved to be with the person he loves.

After the dinner, they headed back to the hotel where Pato, who was utterly clueless of her realization, continued to be the perfect man, only making it so much harder for Maria to leave. She didn’t know how long she should let it go on for, if she broke things off now would she be getting in his head and ruining the weekend for him? Would continuing a relationship she’s already checking out of be just as cruel? Could she stand the rest of the weekend watching her boyfriend making heart eyes at another woman?

After sleeping on it, or rather not sleeping very much at all, she’d come to the conclusion that a clean break was best for everyone. They ordered breakfast to the room and as they sat at the small dinette she knew she had to bring it up.

Pato was halfway done with his breakfast, but she hadn’t eaten much at all, mostly just pushing her food around with her fork. “Pato, I think we need to talk.”

It’s rare that she’s this serious, and Pato knows that can’t be good, his silverware clatters as he sets it down and looks up at her. “Uh oh, what’s wrong?”

She hesitates for a moment, not knowing the best way to start the conversation. “It’s YN.”

Pato’s shocked, he doesn’t know what he expected but it wasn’t that, “What about YN?”

She figures there’s no reason to beat around the bush, “You’re in love with her.”

Pato’s a lot of things, surprised for sure, but also shockingly defensive and angry. “What? Babe, that’s ridiculous. I know you were upset about us in middle school, but I swear there’s nothing going on! I would never even think about cheating on you!”

She rested her hand on top of his, “I know you would never cheat on me, and I know you said there’s nothing and I believe you, but I saw the way you looked at her, and how she fit into your life, and it makes so much sense because you love her.”

Pato doesn’t really know what to say to that, “I love you.”

“But you are in love with her. Listen I love you, Pato, and you’re such a good man, but it’s not fair to either of us to continue this relationship. Not when your heart clearly isn’t in it.” Maria struggles over her words, voice cracking and eyes watering, but a soft smile is on her face as she says them.

“Are you saying what I think you are? You’re just giving up?”

“Pato, I’m letting you free, tell her how you feel, you deserve that kind of love.”

And maybe what she’s saying finally resonates with him because the best thing he says is, “I never meant to hurt you.”

She lets out a broken laugh at that, a single tear rolling down her face, “Oh, Pato, you never could, we aren’t meant for each other, but we still had a lot of fun, right?” He nods at her.

After that she’s on a plane and back to her home before he knows it. Pato’s sad, he feels a little empty, someone who had been such a big part in his life just walked out leaving the biggest mess in her wake. He thought about her words, but shook them off. He loved YN, of course he did, but it wasn’t like that, she was like a sister to him.

Although it’s not his sister he messages asking if she wants to come over. YN is at his hotel room within a minute of him sending the “you busy?” text. YN asks where Maria is, but all he has to say is “gone.” and YN knows to drop it.

YN knows him better than anyone, knows that he has an irrational fear of being destined to fail at every relationship. She knows he has never actually broken up with a girl, only ever been broken up with, and she knows he spent over two years single because he was afraid of being hurt. But she also knows that there’s no way anyone could spend more than an hour with him and not be in love with him, God knows she is.

It’s the way he knows her, inside and out, but it’s also the way he makes everyone around him laugh, and spends hours interacting with his fans to make them all happy, and how caring he is with animals and babies. YN is only human, how is she supposed to feel when her insanely attractive best friend is doting over her niece?

YN puts it all aside because she’s his best friend first, she’d made that promise to herself a long time ago and she’s always kept it. She sits with him and watches Friends reruns with him, he’ll talk when he wants to, but until then she’ll be by his side.

They don’t end up talking, the one good channel the hotel room has switches from Friends to Modern Family, and then Pato has to go practice. A quick google search helps her find the best tacos in Nashville, so while he’s gone she runs out to get them dinner. They had dinner plans with his parents and Elba, but YN texted Elba long ago to let her know that plans were changing. He’s a superstar, so of course he doesn’t let his life affect him and it still the fastest person in the first practice, YN thinks that’s a good sign.

When he returns he seems to be a little better, talking to YN about track conditions over their dinner. YN has had enough of waiting for Pato to bring it up, and she can tell he’s feeling better, so she has to work up the courage to ask him what happened.

“Are you going to tell me what happened with Maria or am I supposed to guess?”

His smile drops, turning into one that’s much smaller and forced. “She just left.”

“No explanation? She just woke up and was gone?”

“Oh, she had an explanation but it was bullshit. She probably just got tired of me, it's no big deal.”

YN furrows her brows at that. “Pato stop it, you’re so great anyone would be so lucky to be with you. Maybe there was some merit behind what she said.”

“Well she said I was in love with you, but I told her so many times we’re just friends and that’s all we’ll ever be.”

YN’s stomach sinks at that, it’s not like she expected him to confess his love, but he didn’t need to friendzone her that hard. “Oh.” Is all she can think to say.

“I mean you’re great, but you’re like a sister to me!”

YN forces out a laugh, “Right.” She also can’t help but feel like maybe it’s her fault this all happened, was her pining really that obvious? “Well then, she’s stupid for leaving because she’s not going to find anyone better.”

Pato’s smile is genuine for the first time since the conversation started, “Thank you, you’re the best friend I could’ve asked for.”

“Right, and don’t forget that when you’re trying to figure out what to do with all your championship earnings.”

He lets out a real laugh at that, a stark contrast to how mopey he’d been the rest of the day. “One, greedy, and two, I’m not buying you anything else. I'm tired of you getting mad when I spend money on you.”

“Pato, a graduation gift is fifty bucks, not a two thousand dollar tennis bracelet.”

He leans back in his seat and shrugs, smirking as he says, “Yet I’ve never seen you not wearing the bracelet.”

YN’s eyes go to her wrist where, sure enough, the bracelet was, just like everyday for the past three years. When Pato gave her the bracelet she refused to take it, saying it was too much and he needed to return it. After arguing for ten minutes she thought he’d finally agreed to take the bracelet back, but found it later sitting on her dresser. “What can I say? You have good taste.”

The rest of the night mirrored the morning, but had a much different tone, the two of them sat sprawled out on the couch quoting the episodes of Friends that were on, having seen them so many times they were known by heart.

When YN went to her own hotel room Pato realized how empty the place felt again, something he hadn’t noticed all day. He chose not to think too hard about how effortlessly YN took up space in his life.

The next morning, Pato had already scheduled to have everyone meet in the lobby so he could take them to the track for the day. YN had clearly told everyone about Maria because despite some odd looks no one asked about her and he was grateful for that. He didn’t think twice when everyone began to split into different cars and he pulled YN along with him, or when they arrived at the track and Pato sent most people up into a suite, but brought YN and his immediate family to the pits. Maybe that’s how it’s always been, and how it’s supposed to be.

Pato gets swept up in work for the rest of the day and YN gets to spend some real time with her second family. As soon as they’re alone, Elba doesn’t hesitate to start interrogating her.

“What happened with Maria?”

“Apparently she told Pato he’s in love with me and just left.” YN shrugs as she says it, still a little puzzled by the whole thing.

“Huh.”

“What? No ‘huh’ I know what that means just tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I just thought Maria knew by now and didn’t care, maybe she’s not as smart as I gave her credit for.”

“What do you mean? Knew what?”

“Come on, YN, Pato’s been in love with you since you were nine, I wouldn’t want to be dating him.”

YN is struggling to process what she’s hearing, and automatically turns to deflection. “He is not.”

“Oh my god.” Elba starts giggling maniacally.

YN has no clue what could be funny, “What!?”

“You’re in love with him too!”

“I am not!” Despite her refusal, YN can feel and Elba can see the heat rising up her neck.

“You totally are! All this time I thought you had to know it’s so obvious, I mean, he follows you around like a puppy, but you had no idea!”

“Ok, keep your voice down.” YN puts her hand over Elba’s mouth really not wanting anyone else to hear their conversation. “Even if I did like him, and I’m not saying I do, he does not feel the same. I mean you should’ve heard how hard he friendzoned me yesterday.”

Elba looks sympathetic then, “Babe, I think my brother has spent so long denying himself what he wants he doesn’t even know what that is anymore. I love him dearly, but relationships are not his strong suit.”

“Then I guess we’re at a stalemate because I am certainly not going to be the one to ruin our friendship.”

Elba’s exasperated, “Oh my god, you two are exhausting!”

By the time Elba finished her intervention, qualifying finished resulting in Pato getting the pole. Mclaren has been dominant the last few weekends, and this weekend is no different with all three cars in the fast six. Pato is in the driver’s lot, getting ready to head back to the hotel, everyone else had dispersed from the track, and Felix has tracked down Pato and is calling after him.

“Hey, Felix! What’s up?”

“Bro, you’re about to win this fucking thing.” There’s nothing but excitement from Felix for his best friend.

“I know, I just hope tomorrow is a clean race and we can bring this thing home.”

“You’ve got this, I know it. Hey, where’s Maria been all day?” Felix says it like he’s just realizing she’s not around.

“Who knows. Yesterday morning she woke up determined that I’m secretly in love with YN and got on the next plane out.”

“So you guys are done?”

“Yeah about as done as you can be.”

“And YN?”

“YN is my best friend.”

“No, I'm your best friend.”

“Sorry, Fro, even you lose to YN.”

“I don’t want to win what YN is winning.”

Pato rolls his eyes and stomps his foot, huffing, “And what exactly is YN winning?”

Felix puts his hands up in self-defense, “Listen, all I’m saying is if you looked at me like you do YN, I think Emille would feel threatened.”

“Very funny.” Pato kicks the ground, staring at his shoe, he thinks about his relationship with Felix versus his with YN, sure it’s different, but him and YN have so much history. “Look, I don’t know what I feel for YN, but I don’t care either because she’s too important as a friend for me to lose her.”

“Mate you’ve been practically dating for years, I don’t think making it official will ruin anything.”

With that last piece of advice Felix takes off, leaving Pato alone with his thoughts. The whole drive back to the hotel and the rest of the night he spent thinking about YN. If everyone closest to him is saying one thing, how could they all be wrong? He thinks about everything they’ve been through together.

His first win in karting when she was the first person he ran to when he got out of the car; how she comes to every family reunion and often traveled to Mexico to spend time with his family; their senior prom when she was sad about not having a date, but she was the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen that night; except for Christmas mornings when she’s in her pajamas and he gets to watch her eyes light up as they answer presents together. Maybe it’s been in front of him all along. What’s been missing from all of his other relationships has been right there.

It’s a lot to take in, but it doesn’t really matter because, like he told Felix, he wouldn’t risk their friendship if she doesn’t feel the same. He can handle a trail of failed relationships, but he could never handle losing YN. He went to bed that night knowing he had to just focus on the race and on bringing home the championship.

The next morning he’s awoken by a knock on the door. “Patricio! Open up, room service!”

He knows who’s behind the door before he opens it, there’s only one person who cares enough to bring him breakfast. When he lets YN in he sees the bag full of takeout food from a nearby diner. “Breakfast of champions, for the champion.”

Of course she’s already decided he’s a champion before the race. No one has ever believed in him as much as her. “Calm down, I don't want you to jinx me.”

“Au contraire my friend, a jinx would mean you’re winning by luck, and you are winning by sheer talent.”

It always amazes him how smart she is in the morning, he knows no more than 5 words for a solid hour after waking up, and she’s always speaking a million words a minute. “7AM is too early to be speaking another language.”

“Aw, pobrecito, ¿estás cansado?” She knew very minimal spanish, but had picked some up from time spent with his family, and used it pretty exclusively to tease him.

“You’re so not funny my brain hurts.” He is slouched over the table with his head resting on his arms.

She begins to unpack the food in front of him, “Alright, come on, time to wake up you’ve got a big day.”

The smell of eggs and bacon is what gets him to lift his head and start eating. He tries not to focus on the fact that she got him exactly what he eats every race day because that’s a can of worms he doesn’t want to touch. Regardless he eats the meal, and is sad when she pulls out her pancakes and begins to eat with him. She offers him a bite which he takes, but they both know he won’t eat any more than that because he doesn’t like big meals before a race.

After they finish, YN starts picking up their trash and Pato thanks her, “You take such good care of me, can’t believe you brought me breakfast I’m not worthy.” She’s glad for her back being turned to him because she can feel how much she’s blushing.

The rest of the day goes by in a blur, leave it to YN to be the eye in his hurricane, bringing calm before the storm. The race was close, a shitty pit stop meant Pato had to make some big passes to make up position, but Pato ended up pulling away with the final race win of the season and the championship.

YN and Elba leave the suite a few laps early so they can be on pit lane when he gets the win. After his victory lap and celebratory donuts he pulls into pit lane. Immediately his crew is flooding around him as he struggles to get out. Once he does there’s a giant group hug around Pato. Rossi and Fro also both make their way to his pits to congratulate him.

When Felix pulls Pato into a hug he whispers into his ear, “Why haven’t you gone to your girl yet, she’s waiting for you.”

Felix’s words had weight to them, all these people were surrounding him, but none of them had been on this journey with him as long as her. She waited for him for the last 15 years while he chased a career and different women, and now he’s at the peak of his career, having everything he ever wanted, and she’s not the one by his side. It hits him like a ton of bricks how bad he wants her to be the one celebrating this win with him, and every win for the rest of his life. Walking over to YN he pulls her into a hug, hoping that everything he’s feeling can be conveyed through the touch.

YN is in his ear, “I’m so proud of you, I always knew you could do it.”

He can’t find the right words, so all he says is, “I’m so glad you’re here.” he’ll explain later.

Holding her in front of thousands of people, Pato isn’t scared of losing their friendship anymore. He’s not sure of a lot, but he knows they’ll be ok, and that he’s loved her since before he knew what love was.

[astoriasite]

EMPTY BOX II JEONG YUNHO

pairing: idol!yunho x fem!reader

summary: yunho is your best friend, but he's in love with you. can you handle the love he gives, or you pretend to ignore and satisfy your needs only?

warnings: reader is selfish and unstable, actions of cheating and mentions of heartbreak, VERY slight NSFW but mainly focused on angst.

recommended music!: empty box -ateez (obv) we can't be friends - ariana grande

author's note: this is pure fiction, the act in this story is by my imagination and not based off any true events. please do not copy the work.

(also i DREAMED this fic and i couldn't handle being yunho in my mind 24/7 so i had to write it out lol enjoy)

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝

Do you know that feeling when your heart desires someone so bad, that you can’t talk about your feelings openly, fearing that what if you screw everything up. Your heart is so full of someone, that you can’t even call it yours. Feelings are dangerous, but the heart is heavier than people predict. Especially when you’re in love. You're so full of different emotions that it sometimes pushes out the ability to speak or act straight. So it results in you denying everything you feel. Just in order to protect them and your friendship. 

But nevertheless, 

When you hear the other confessing those feelings you feel, it all comes together. 

When you hear him whispering “I think I’m in love with you.”

When you can feel his warm breath fanning over your skin, being so close you can feel his body warmth, 

When you can feel him pulling the covers over your body because you fell asleep one night you two watched a movie together,

It all comes together. 

You need to confess. 

So one day, when Yunho announced that he’s going away on a mini trip to another city, and he needs someone to keep an eye on his house and dog, you volunteered happily. Because what are best friends for? Without a doubt, Yunho trusted his house on you. It makes you feel so warm inside, knowing that he feels the same way changes everything. Although, the fact that he’s going away without knowing how you feel, eats you alive. Maybe you should’ve let him know about your feelings before it’s too late. However, it’s been almost a week since he left you here, and as you sit on the carpeted floor in his living room in front of a coffee table, you’re thinking about him. The weather outside went from sunny and warm to suddenly humid and cloudy as the day slowly creeps into late afternoon. You know it’s risky being in a relationship with an idol, but somehow that doesn’t bother you. The only thing on your mind is being happy, with him in your arms. 

But no use of these thoughts. It just slowly eats you alive, the more you think about it. You should wait for him like you’ve always been, sitting in his house and taking care of his dog like you promised. But no. Something inside you tells otherwise,and that is exactly how you end up standing in the middle of his room, staring at his neatly made bed in the dark room, only the streetlight illuminating the room. It kills you staring at his bed, basically still smelling his perfume he probably put on himself the day he left his house. It’s overwhelming thinking back to those times when you slept over because you were “tipsy” and needed someone who would take care of you. No doubt, you’re friends called Yunho. 

Of course they didn’t know how painful it was for Yunho to pick you up from parties and feed you with warm food and clothes in his home just as a friend. 

Whenever  your friends called him up, already teasing him about looking out for your boyfriend at the time to not to get jealous. 

It made his heart shatter in pieces when you stood in his door, wrenched because of the heavy rain outside because your so lovely boyfriend broke up with you. Saying the excuse that you needed a friend. So naturally, Yunho had enough.

Without your notice, he started distancing himself a little, until one night,you called him again, asking if you could crash at his house because your stuff is still at your ex-boyfriend’s place, still not being able to gather the courage to stand in front of him. What can he say when you’re asking him in a desperate voice, the voice only he knows because he heard it a hundred times? In no time, you were eating his self-made food and watching his favorite movies on his TV. He thought it would be a smart idea having you so close to his body, almost cuddling like a normal couple would, but instead you weren’t together like that. He lets out a sigh when he notices you sleeping deeply, dreaming about something happy because he can see a slight smile in the corner of your mouth. Before he could stop himself, he whispers;

I’m in love with you. 

But that was months ago. And he still thinks it was good this way, telling you he loves you without you really knowing, just so the pain would be lifted up from his chest and heart. 

As these memories flood your mind, you let the tears soak in his bedsheets you changed oh so dearly earlier today. As you’ve been spending your days here you avoided his room, afraid that if you go inside, you would call Yunho up and order him home. You couldn't do that, not when he’s working. But as you spent more time in the room, it didn’t sound so bad. Would he be able to come home? Just because you called? 

The answer is yes. 

Whispering on the phone that you need him home immediately, he left everything and rushed from the hotel he was staying at. He loved you too much to ignore such a simple request. It was you, in the end. But as you put down the phone, you look around once more in his room, you remember back one more time. 

To that night. 

That night, you were selfish. It happened way before he confessed, but just by looking at him you knew he might have felt something towards you. And you used it perfectly to please yourself. As usual, you and your “new” boyfriend had an argument and you didn’t want to be in the same place as him, so you escaped in your “Yunho always got my back” world. And Yunho couldn’t say no to you, not when you were crying in his arms, squeezing his body so close and telling him please don’t let go. It was unfair, really. How easily he fell for you and said yes to everything you asked for. Even when you asked him to take you to his room and make love to you. 

You overstepped something that night, but still wouldn’t admit it. 

But that night, you truly felt like you made love with someone with no strings attached. You truly felt like you were being heard. Someone cared for you,someone loved you. 

You felt his lips tracing your body like a feather, worshiping every part of you like fine crystals in the sea. You looked like a goddess in his eyes, the way your hair sprawled on the bed sheets, your body arching when his lips got lower and lower until he found your sweet spot that needed so much attention. That night, you repeated his name like a mantra, whispering in his ears to go faster or harder, or scratching his back to punctuating your words when you say ��� please Yunho, make me yours~

And all he said was; I love you - whispering in your hair when you screamed his name around him due the pleasure he caused. He whispered your name over and over, begging for you to finally hear him. But no use. 

Somehow you knew how to have him wrapped around your fingers. 

So why did you ignore him up until now?You don’t exactly know either. 

But there he was. You hear the car pulling up to the driveway, the headlights illuminating the semi-dark living room as you enter, running to the door just to almost trip over some dog toy in process. You shouldn’t be this excited, but you can’t help but smile when you open up the door and run towards him. Your heart skips a beat as you take in his tall figure,wearing a long gray coat as he runs towards you in the rain. He towers over you as both of you stop in front of each other, feeling the cold rain falling on your bodies, but that doesn’t even matter to you. His warm hands sneaking up on your cold face says it all. His worried expression takes you in. 

“Are you alright? Why did you-” 

You cut Yunho off by pulling him closer to you, inching closer to his lips but this time, the unexpected happens. His hands grips your face harder to keep you back, defeatedly putting his forehead on yours. The rain rolls off his dark soaked hair onto your face, making you smile as you look into his eyes.

 “I love you,Yunho!” 

The world stops, it feels like raindrops are freezed in the air, waiting for everything to go back to normal. Yunho feels the same way too, waiting for you to continue to make sure he doesn’t hallucinate anything. A moment passes, and your hair is soaked by now as you watch Yunho’s expression. His eyebrows are scrunched together slightly, his eyes searching for something in yours, while on the other hand, you smile brightly at him. It feels like you’ve been rejected, without words. 

“Can’t you hear me? I love you-”

Instead of finishing your sentence, you grab him by his face,slowly kissing his cold lips to snap him back to reality. It feels unreal to him, really. Too unreal, in fact. So he can’t help but trust his intuitions and pull you away from him. Your eyes widens when you take in his disappointed expression, his eyes still closed. “Do you…do you really love me?”He stutters out, his gaze suddenly glued to yours. Without another doubt, you nod heavily. “Of course.” 

“Do you realize what you're doing, Y/N?” As another moment passes the rain pours harder on your bodies, like the weather knows how Yunho feels too. You make a confused face, still holding his eye contact. “What are you talking about?” 

But then, he lets you go suddenly, stepping away from you as he swipes his hand over his wet face. “Both of us know what this is really about. Right?” 

“I think we should go inside, we’re going to catch a cold. Let’s go have a bath, yeah?” You whisper, trying to catch his hand from his frustrated face, but he pulls away. 

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me? How miserable my life is because of you?” 

The words simply slip out of his mouth, visibly not regretting. Yunho should feel morse because of his harsh words, but he doesn’t. He finally feels free saying these words to you, after being used to many times. The look on your face only upsets him more, the clear confusion and innocence sits on your eyes like you don’t know how you played him just right. You really thought you finally sorted your feelings out. Was it a lie? 

“I have been here for you, everytime something shit happens to you, Y/N. I was here when your shitty boyfriends abused you or you had enough of them. I let you use me because I was so blinded by my own feelings. Do you still not realize?” 

His words hit you like a thunderstorm echoing in the dark sky. It makes you more confused than ever. 

“Can you imagine what I had to go through because you thought of me just as a friend while I loved you with all my heart?” 

“But I love you too, Yunho-”

“No you don’t. You just the idea of me being here for you every time you fuck something up. You need someone to clear the mess up after you, and your other friends clearly can’t do that.” 

As Yunho continues, you feel like the world is slipping out from under you. 

“I tried to move on from the fact that we are not meant to be, but you had to come back and seduce me again, right?” 

He inches away from you, betrayal and pain showing on his tired face as he lets out another sigh. Before you could say anything else, you hear the car door opening and closing again, a figure closing to the two of you with an umbrella. Your breath catches in your throat as Yunho looks down next to him, his arms sneaking around the girl standing next to him. 

“This…this never meant to be on a long run, Y/N.” He says, not looking in your way as he takes the umbrella from the girl, her eyes intervening with his as she looks up at him with worry. You know this look from him. He used to look at you like that too. “W-what?” You’re left speechless when Yunho extends his arm towards you, keeping you under the umbrella as he takes your own hand and places it in it. He takes his coat off and hovers it above the girl next to him, his hand sliding into hers as he looks at you once more. “I think you should go home tomorrow and never come back. For the both of us.” 

Yunho loving you teached you a lot of things, nevertheless, in the end, you were just a girl who happened to choose the wrong people over the good ones.

(i literally dreamed about empty box someone help me i fear im oraculum)

[bvnniz]

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ bunny!reader x vox & valentino

𝜗𝜚 warnings: 18+, sexual mentions, manipulation, hurt, bunny goes into a bit of a depression, valentino is a bit violent towards bunny, valentino’s smoke.

A/N: sequel to my first bunny x vox & val, read that part first

valentino simply walked away from your small form on the ground, covered in the mixed cum of his & vox’s before putting his pants back on and walking out of the room.

that was abnormal, usually if you had been given a facial valentino would always collect as much as he could with two fingers before having you clean his fingers off forcing you to have a taste.

you weren’t quite sure what to do in that moment, simply just staring up at vox who didn’t seem confused at all. “no round two bunny, we’re too busy.” he took a step forward but was stopped from going any further due to you clutching onto his leg.

he let out a sigh before collecting the cum off your face, but instead of forcing you to clean his fingers off he simply just wiped his fingers off on your bra before putting his own pants back on and walking out of the room just as valentino did.

you waited a few minutes before finally getting off on your spot on the floor before following them to see them sitting on a couch together, instead of taking your usual spot on one of their lap’s ( or sometimes both as they would love to play fight over who got your attention for the time being ) you just simply sat on the ground facing them, rubbing your chin against valentino’s knee, your bunny instinct way of saying i love you

valentino just simply ignored you, moving his knee from under your chin. “stupid fucking conejita.” he muttered under his breath, thinking you wouldn’t hear it, but you did.

you just got up and walked to the guest bedroom after hearing that. locking the door and just sitting on the bed. it didn’t take long for the tears you had been trying to hold in to stop falling. you just didn’t understand what you did wrong.

it didn’t take a short time for them to notice your disappearance. it wasn’t even until the next morning that you heard a knock on the door. “conejita. we know you’re in there come on out.” but you just sat motionless on the bed.

it didn’t take long for vox to eventually get the lock unlocked and open it “princess?” he asked noticing you just motionlessly staring.

he sighed before walking over and sitting next to you, shaking you a bit to finally get you to move, he cooed at you as all you did was move your gaze so you can stare up at him

his heart practically shattered as he saw the dried tears on your face. “bunny?” he pulled you onto his lap concern all over his face. “talk to me what’s wrong?”

“you leave.” was simply all you said before hiding your face in vox’s chest. it didn’t take him too long to realize what you meant. “princess, i’m sorry, we didn’t know it would upset you so much.”

with that valentino finally walked into the room sitting next to the two of you “conejita, with how much attention you always get do you really need aftercare? my stars don’t get any and they get less than half of the attention you always get.”

you pulled your head out of vox’s chest to glare at valentino. “i’m not one of your fucking stars!” you practically yelled catching both off guard as it was mostly difficult for them to get you to talk louder than a whisper. your response invoked valentino to land a slap across your face, vox’s eyes immediately widening.

vox knew you well, he was the one out of the duo that was with you more, he knew you better. he knew your signs before breakdown which was something he took good care of memorizing due to knowing your sensitive nature, which made things worse as he should’ve known how you’d react with how the two treated you.

he immediately pulled you back into his chest, immediately putting a hand on your head and running his claws through your hair as he heard your soft crying against his chest. “val? seriously?” valentino just shook his head “did you hear the way she talked to me?” vox just shook his head sighing.

“we upset her feelings, i think she deserves to have a break and be able to yell at us. besides, you should know better than to slap her like that. i’m gonna go get her to no longer be upset about yesterday, then i expect you to come apologize to her about this today.” with that vox had wrapped your legs around his chest before standing up and walking to your shared bedroom.

it didn’t take long for you to forgive for yesterday, vox had given you some excuse about how valentino was in a bad mood and he knew he had to deal with val before val took his anger out on you, of course you believed it and forgave him.

that was the bit of toxicity with vox, he knew you were overly trusting and forgiving, and overall easily manipulated. that’s how vox and valentino got you to agree to date them in the first place. promising you that if you were to stay in hell without them you wouldn’t last a day. which you didn’t believe at first until they had sir pentious send his egg bois to come bully you

when valentino had finally calmed down enough he walked into your shared bedroom to see you cuddled up on vox’s chest sleeping. “really? i come to apologize and you put the little conejita to sleep?” vox rolled his eyes in response. “rather her be sleeping or her yelling all the damn time because she’s not getting sleep?”

valentino sighed before laying on the bed beside the two of you. although he wasn’t as good at listening to vox as you were as the first thing he did was poke you in the side causing you to let out a whine before sitting up, causing vox to let out a groan.

“you couldn’t just let her sleep?” valentino rolled his eyes before pulling you off of vox and onto his lap. “i think you can go now vox.” vox pressed a kiss onto your head before leaving.

valentino just looked down at you, your smaller form barely being able to hold itself up due to tiredness. he smiled before grabbing his cigarette. “cute little conejita.” he said before taking a puff of his cigarette, blowing the smoke in your face.

he waited for your face to look as it always does when he uses his smoke on you, big eyes staring up at him, not a single thought behind them “now you aren’t mad at me are you, baby?”

you just shook your head no causing him to nod before blowing more smoke in your face. “so you’re not upset that i hit you?” you shook your head no again making him smirk.

[hehe-69]

Tangerine x Reader

Warnings: cursing, mentions of death, blood, some ptsd from the reader. Maybe a tad bit suggestive at the end. (Couldn’t help myself I guess)

Reader and Tan are already in an established relationship. He comforts her in this one. (Also sorry if it’s butt cheeks I tried)

~•~

“Lemon what the hell is going on? It’s supposed to be an in and out kind of job. You two have been in there for way too fucking long. Call me back!” You throw your phone into the passenger seat of the get away car your in. The Twins were supposed to clear out the wear-house, get the info and get back out. Usally that takes them about an hour minimum.

But it’s been two and 37 minutes.

Your phone rings and you snatch it with the first two.

“Lemon, what’s-“

“Don’t got the time, we’re pined down. Looks like our client lied about the amount of security this shit hole has.” You can hardly hear Lemon over the sound of gunfire in the background. “We’re got the info but we’re running low on ammo…and we’ve got no way out.”

“Fuck” A pit grows in your stomach, you don’t want to lose them. Not after everything you’ve been through together.

“Listen Lemon, what floor are you on?”

“The second, why? Wait don’t tell me you’re going in after-Hey!”

“Luv?” It’s Tangerine, he snatched the phone from Lemon. “You’re staying right where you are, we’ll be fine.”

“Tangerine you’re both pined down, low on ammo, with no way out.” You’re already out of the car and in the trunk grabbing two guns and some knives. “I’m not going to just sit here and do nothing, I should’ve know it wouldn’t be that simple. This is my fault and I’m going to fix it.”

“(Y/N), I said n-“

“Tan I would never forgive myself if either of you got hurt, or worse...” You trail off, “Just sit tight, I’m coming.” You grab a bullet proof vest and put it on, hanging up the phone before Tangerine can say anything.

————————

“Bulocks!” Tangerine tosses the phone back to Lemon. “She hung up on me!”

“She’s worried about us bruv. She has every right to be too.” Lemon shoots two more guys. “Because right now we are fucked.”

“Yeah I know that Lemon, but you know how she gets! We just need-“ All the sudden a bomb goes off and the room fills with smoke.

“How the fuck is she up here already!” Tan whisper yells.

“Well, I’m pretty sure all the assholes are in this room with us bruv!” Just as Lemon says that one of said assholes is coming after then through the smoke. But before he can reach them he falls to the ground, a knife in his back.

“Shit! That was way too close-” Lemon exclamation fall short as the smoke begins to clear and they see you. Your eyes blank and you’re covered in blood, there’s a body at your feet and you’re just staring at it. Like you’re in a trance.

_____________

“Luv?” You can her someone call out, but it’s like they are calling your through a thick wall. Muffled and disoriented, you can’t move, all you can focus on is the man at your feet.

His wallet in his hand.

The family photo now soaked in his blood.

This is why you don’t do jobs anymore, all you see is the lives you’ve taken. And the family’s you’ve ruined.

___________

“Lemon, go get the car started, yeah.” Tan says a couple feet from you. “I’ll bring her out.”

“Yeah…” Lemon can’t stand seeing you like this. You’ve always been so caring and sensitive to others feelings, how someone as good as you got wrapped up in this life is beyond his comprehension.

He’s more than okay with getting the car at this point.

“Hey luv,” Tan says softly putting his hands on your cheeks, making you look up again him. All he is met with is a blank stare. “we’re going home. Okay? You’ve saved our asses.”

Tangerine knows you’re not in the state to listen to a word that comes out of his mouth. But the sound of his voice comforts you.

“Just…stay with me yeah?” He offers you a small smile, all you can muster is a small nod.

Once you’re in the car Tan is holding you in the back while Lemon drives.

“You know…” Lemon begins. “You’re definitely an Emily. Kind, caring, helpful and intelligent. Your sensitive to other’s feelings and and quick to right your wrongs.” You know what he’s doing, he’s trying to make you cheer up. “You’re sensible and you care about our safety. You always have. That guy back there, it wasn’t your fault he chose this life.”

“Lemon, I don’t think they want’s to hear about your fuckin trains right now mate!” Tan snaps, holding you closer as you shake.

“(Y/N) always does, plus if they’re Emily I guess that makes you their Thomas.”

___________

Once you reached your room you went straight for the shower. You’re shaking and your vision is foggy but you somehow managed to make it into the hot water.

It’s hot enough to burn a bit, but you welcome the bit of pain. It grounds you, pulls you out of the fog just that bit more.

After your done, you notice that you got shot in your leg. Bullet still logged in your flesh you’ll have to get it out, but the ned kits are down stairs. You’ll do it later.

Your movements are clumsy and sluggish once you finally get around to dressing yourself, putting on shorts and an old shirt. Sitting on your bed with a towel under your leg, you let yourself think.

——————

Just as you’re about to go down and grab a med kit, Tan enters your room with one in his hands.

“Figured you’d be too worried about us to take care of yourself luv.” Tan chuckles lightly in attempt to cheer you up. “And it looks like I was right.” You offer him a small smile, but it does not meet your eyes. “I’m assuming the bullet is still in there?” Tan asks knelling before you.

He’s cleaned up, his hair is curly with out a drop of gel in it, it’s always beautiful sight. And he’s in sweats and a shirt a huge contrast to his fancy suits. Which means you’ve been just sitting on your bed staring at the wall for a while.

To answer his question you just nod, and Tan sighs. “You know luv, you always say that it’s bad to keep things bottled up.” He begins as he gets out the clamps. “And…I know I’m not as good with feelings as Lemon is. But…I care about you (Y/N). We both do, and seeing you like this is hard for us.” He looks up at you to make sure your listing, but also to silently ask if you were ready. You nod and he goes in to get the bullet out of your leg. You let out a hiss in pain. “Sorry.” Tan says softly, a tone he doesn’t use with anyone but you and Lemon.

“What I’m tying to say is, we’re here for you luv. Whatever you need, we’re here.” Tan finishes his little speech, which may seem lackluster. But it speaks volumes for his own feelings. Tan says he’s bad with feelings but really he just has so many walls that it’s hard to decipher them.

“That’s my line.” You attempt to joke, a hiss follows after as Tan pulls the bullet from your leg.

“It’s a great line dove.” Tan smiles. “One you’ve used on me quite often, but I know you mean it. And I mean it too, I’m here for you.” Tan’s change from we’re here to I’m here, may seem small, but it’s enough to warm your cheeks and make your stomach do flips.

“You’re going to need some stitches, want me to get Lemon to do them?”

“No, let Lemon rest, I’ll do then myself.” You begin to reach for the needle but before you can grab it Tan snatched it from the med kit.

“Oh no you don’t dove, I’ll do them.” You don’t even try to argue, he patches you up in silence. It’s a comfortable one, interrupted a couple of hisses and grunts followed by an apology form Tan.

Once he is done he, Tan puts everything back in the med kit and cleans up the mess. You expect him to leave afterwards, but he sits next to you in your bed instead.

“I mean it luv. Whatever you need, whatever you want…I’m here.” Tan once again has a softness in his voice, but there is something more glimmering in the striking blue of his eyes. Something that makes your heart skip a beat. Something that has remained unspoken between you for months.

“I’m sorry Tan,” you look down at your lap. “I should’ve known the job wouldn’t be that easy. And I almost got you two killed-“

“Hey,” Tan lifts your head to look at him with his hand on your cheek. “We should’ve never gotten ourselves into that situation to begin with…” he moves a strand of your head out of your face. “I just wish you hadn’t gotten involved like that.” His hands frame your face as he looks at you, nothing but admiration shines in his eyes.

You let out a hum in response and close your eyes, letting yourself enjoy the weight and heat of his palms on your cheek.

“Could you say here, with me for a little bit.” You mumble out.

“Always.” Is all Tan says before he leans in to kiss your forehead. Something he’s done before in the past, but it never fails to make you swoon. You let out a soft giggle.

“There’s my girl.” Tan mutters as he leans back, he’s met with your smile. You narrow your eyes at him. “Your girl huh.” A playful tone in your voice, which causes a smile of his own to form on Tan’s face.

“Yeah,” he says leaning in this time to kiss you on your lips. “My girl.” You hear him whisper right before your lips meet.

The first kiss is a short but meaningful one, a quick peck.

When Tan moves away from your lips you pull him back in for another kiss, an action that pulls a breathless chuckle from Tan.

When your lips meet let yourself melt into it, all your tension and fear gone, as his hand cups your cheek with a delicate touch. He’s other goes to your hip. You let your hands run through his hair, and you hear the soft groan leave Tan’s lips at the feeling.

When you pull back you let your forehead rest against his. “I love you.” Tan whispers out. That’s something neither of you have said before, but it’s always been there. Just hanging in the air between the two of you, neither bold enough to say it till now.

“I love you too.” You respond softly and Tan grins genuine and bright, blue eyes shining.

God he’s beautiful you think as he kiss you again, this time pulling you into his lap.

~•~

BOOM!

I did it anyway, I count help it.

Sorry if it bad, I tried. I cannot tell you how long I’ve been thinking about this scenario.

But I hope it was enjoyable.

Thanks for reading, your a camp🥳

Also if there is anything you have been wanting to read about when it comes to tangerine please feel free to comment it or something and I’ll try my best to do it justice.

[zairene]

i feel like this is not necessarily a hot take more like a mild one but honestly katara & aang will never do it for me like zutara does

this is one of the only times enemies to lovers has ever worked for me

[whoredmode]

whitney srtt is my fave

[no1ryomafan]

Once again debating about the side mega man blog but regardless if I do make it or not, when I have the time I might make a whole long in depth post talking about the male ZX protags cause man while I have no idea how the tumblr fandom is I’m remembering some dumb takes with them so I think they deserve a proper breakdown to show “no they have character you fucking dumbasses”

[soft-serve-soymilk]

Working on my Inigo side story while I’m doing my amigurumi for the craft market and damn. Disigo writes itself 😅🥺☺️

[designernishiki]

hot take but. oda is honestly one of the most interesting prominent side characters in y0 to me. like. don’t get me wrong obviously i don’t condone his actions, but speaking as a character design guy, i think he’s got a whole lot of complexity to think about in his story and identity that people tend to ignore/overlook because he’s not a black and white “good” person. like no shit he’s morally fucked, that doesn’t mean his intense pining and crazed level of dedication to tachibana and the lengths all his guilt and repressed love for the man he saw as the best thing to ever grace his life drove him to aren’t interesting to think about– if anything it makes him more interesting. he was. really something

[breadsoup00]

In the back of my mind careless whisper is always playing on repeat

[sadlazzle]

honestly i cant wait until spectra gets a g3 doll. her design is so cute n i just know she’s gonna b so beautiful