#oh no not me gushing sentiment again.

[fairytsuk1]

Fwb but uts alex edition

friends with benefits with alex …

alex and you probably met in school! you thought he was sooo cute and funny, thankfully he felt the same ^^

i think you guys would honestly be very close considering alex tends to maintain a smaller friend group, aso you guys are two peas in a pod!! until one day, and you both have had too many beers…

“who was the last person you were with,” you hiccup, “sexually!”

alex leans on his arm with flushed cheeks. he looks everywhere but you before giving a shy shrug, “a while ago, i guess. you?”

you echo his sentiment. neither one of you are sure on who makes the first move, but his lips are soft and he tastes like lime. it’s heavenly.

[alexis]: heyyy

[alexis]: what are you up to?

you smile in pink, frilly shorts.

[you]: nothinggg

[alexis]: can i come over??

[alexis]: been missing you

it shouldn’t make your heartbeat stutter in your chest. it really shouldn’t.

[you]: come over

alex sucks a dark mark on your neck, prying hands desperate to rid you of your sleep shirt and indulge in your soft tits, “fuck, ‘lex.”

“missed you so bad. missed this so bad,” he says, “was practically dreaming of you, mi amor.”

it’s too hard to think when he tweaks your nipples. it’s even harder to think when a pink tongue laves over the nub, pebbling in his mouth as he sucks.

“alex!! don’t tease me, nghh!”

he chuckles lowly into your skin, “you know you like it.”

you take in how he pants above you with a sigh. he looks borderline fucking angelic, black hair draping in front of the eyes and moonlight reflecting of the cross of his chain. your hands wrinkle the fabric of his shirt as you pull him down for an even harder, more passionate, and delicious kiss.

your tongues glide against each other with the ease. alex is hard under your touch when you cup him, groaning with fisted hands in your sheets.

“lemme fuck you, yeah? please, i want you; oh!!”

you smirk as you stroke him over gray sweatpants. alex practically crumbles under your touch. you can’t even help yourself when you push him down to tug down the elastic of his pants.

“b-but,” he tries, but his eager hips show you what he really wants.

“let me suck your cock, lex,” you whisper, mouth hotly running over his bulge, “please?”

deft fingers skim the hair as his base before finally gripping him fully, “okay, ohmygod. yeah, yeah okay.”

you’ve taken him billions of times before, but there’s nothing like watching the smooth plane of his abs heave. his cock fills your throat and your eyes are already watering; he was so fucking big.

“aah! your mouth is so good, l-love when you suck me off!”

your head bobs on his dick. the spit dripping down your chin and your watery eyes look so beautiful. alex doesn’t think he’s ever met anyone as pretty as you.

alex stops you with a gentle tug, hard and leaking as you leave him with a pop!

“i-i’ll fucking cum too early! you’re so good at that, let me…”

he’s automatically reaching for your panties. he’s got that crazed, hungry look in his eyes that only grows in intensity as seeing your soaked panties.

“no,” you grab his hand, “i want you inside of me.”

alex shudders at your words. he nods steadily, reaching over for a condom before you stop him again.

“huh? everything okay?”

you trust him. he’s your best friend.

“i want you to cum inside me,” you speak slowly, “i-i’m on the pill.”

maybe he’ll think it’s weird. maybe he’s gonna say no!—but he kisses you. he kisses you hard and pulls you into a deep stretch with your legs on his shoulders.

“gladly, mi princesa.”

if you weren’t soaked then, you gush at his words. it feels more intimate than usual when alex lines himself up, shallowly thrusting between your folds. his head catches on your clit and you whine, “just fuck me already…!”

“hush. i wanna savor this.”

alex pushes into you slowly, inch by inch. the stretch doesn’t even compare to how he feels raw. his heavy cockhead drags against your walls and you’re already grasping at him, crescent moons sprinkling his back.

“holy fuck,” and it feels like you can’t even breathe, “feels so good!! you always make me feel good, always fuck me so we—aah!!”

“you’re so tight… don’t wanna breed you yet,” he giggles with twitching hips.

alex looks down at you, sweating beading down his temple.

“you want me?”

“please!!”

it’s more than pleasure, it’s fucking ecstasy the way he fucks into you. he takes your pussy like you’re his, and you know he’s yours by the way he whines your name, “such a good girl for me. shit!! you’re s-so amazing, ohhh fuck.”

the room echoes with the lewd slapping of skin on skin. it’s hot and heavy the way alex angles his hips drive up against your g-spot. he’s never been so deep like this, fucked you within an inch of your life like this…. and it’s fucking delectable.

“feeling good?”

“yes, yes! mmpf, getting close alex,” and a tear spills from your eye, “feels too good!”

“i know, i know,” he rasps, thumb making quick work over your clit, “i love how spread out you are. you’re fucking, fuckk, you’re creaming around me. c’mon, look at me.”

your bouncing form makes eye contact with him. he’s towered over you with harsh unforgiving hips that thrust up into you, “there you go, look at you.”

he cooes at you, and you’re there. alex says something about you squeezing around him but you’re too broken to even reply. your voice only comes out in staccato moans.

“cum for me, baby. ‘m close too, want you to take it all, hm? fuck!”

you cum hard, eyes rolling from the force of your orgasm. your body spasms, legs shaking as you freeze. alex thrusts once, twice, and the hot rush makes you quake as alex fills you till the brim.

both of you are panting sweaty messes by the end of it, alex’s softening cock slipping out of you.

“holy shit, babe…”

alex peers lewdly at your clenching hole, cum spilling out and dripping down your ass.

“alex, don’t staree!”

“but you’re beautiful,” he whispers.

his eyes meet yours when he says ‘beautiful.’

you wonder if you’ll ever have the courage to tell him how you really feel.

[queenshelby]

Our Little Secret (Part 30)

Pairing: Cillian Murphy x Reader

Warning: Infidelity, Age-Gap, Birth, Complications, Infertility

Several days later...

A few days later, on your way to Cork with Mara, you became rather nervous about the prospect of facing your mother and Frank again. Nevertheless, you reminded yourself that you had come a long way since moving out of their home and had grown significantly as a person. Besides, you were accompanied by Cillian, who provided unwavering support and emotional security.

You arrived at Cillian's mother's country house early in the evening, just before sunset. The picturesque town welcomed you with warm hospitality, and the breathtaking scenery instantly calmed your nerves. The house itself was a beautiful house situated on an idyllic hill overlooking the ocean. It was surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers, creating a serene atmosphere.

You had been to the region before many times, but never to her house which, in itself, was something that caused you to panic a little.

"Y/N, relax," Cillian told you while parking the car in front of her house. "It is going to be fine," he continued to reassure you as he took Mara out of her carseat and carried her in his arms.

"Okay, let's go," you encouraged yourself as you gathered your belongings and followed Cillian, Max and Mara up the winding driveway to the welcoming home.

Cillian's mother came out through the door, a wide smile stretching across her face as she eagerly peered at the four of you.

"Oh, my! Isn't she gorgeous?" she gushed, reaching out to stroke Mara's soft hair lovingly. "Welcome! Welcome! We're so glad you could come," she chirped cheerfully, her bright eyes sparkling with warmth and affection before giving Cillian a hug.

Frank emerged from behind his mother, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied you cautiously. He paused, swallowing thickly before offering a stiff nod in greeting.

You followed Cillian into the house, Mara cradled securely in his arms, her tiny fingers wrapped tightly around his finger. Max trailed closely behind you, clutching his backpack nervously.

"Your house is beautiful Mrs Murphy," you told her politely in an attempt to break the ice. "Thank you for inviting us," you added sincerely while Cillian spoke to his brother Frank, who seemed to ignore Mara's existence. 

"Thank you for coming, Y/N. I know it wouldn't have been an easy decision for you to make with all that has been going on," she spoke honestly, her warm gaze flickering between you and Cillian. "But, you know, I am glad that you are here. I am just so happy to spend some time with my granddaughter," she smiled happily.

You reciprocated her smile, feeling a surge of gratitude for her kindness and generosity. "Well, we are definitely glad to be here," you echoed Cillian's sentiments, your voice quivering slightly while she turned to Cillian, wanting to hold her granddaughter. 

"Come on now, let me have a cuddle," she requested, extending her arms lovingly towards Mara and Cillian concurred, shifting Mara into her waiting arms.

You watched them closely, your heart swelling with emotion as you saw the purest form of connection between a grandmother and her grandchild. Their eyes locked, their expressions mirroring each other's gentle caresses and tender embraces.

"There's my precious girl," she cooed, gazing at Mara in adoration. "You look like a good mixture of your parents, don't you?" she observed, stroking Mara's hair gently. "Though mostly like your dad," she added, her eyes twinkling as she passed Mara back to Cillian.

"That's so true and quite unfair, isn't it?" Cillian's sister Siobhan chimed in. "We get to carry and birth them, endure all the pain and all, and they end up looking like their fathers. The irony," Siobhan joked, shaking her head in amusement while Cillian's mother greeted Max with a big hug as well. 

"Now, I have prepared the guest room for Y/N and Mara and the pull out sofa for you and your dad," she then said to him. "And dinner will be ready in about half an hour," she informed everyone.

Cillian carried through the house, watching your mother roam around in the kitchen and, whilst he greeted her politely, she ignored his presence.

Instead, she focused on Max, talking to him enthusiastically. You and Siobhan exchanged glances, acknowledging the tension between family members, before sitting down on the plush couch adjacent to where Cillian stood.

"So, how far along are you guys with planning Mara's christening?" Siobhan asked, raising an eyebrow curiously. "Or do you think you'll skip it entirely?" she wondered aloud, casting a sidelong glance at you.

"We haven't really talked about it yet," you admitted sheepishly, shifting uncomfortably in your seat while your mother threw your glances.

"I don't think she should have a christening, Siobhan. She is the result of an ex-marital affair. It would be improper," your mother then suddenly spoke loudly, casting a cold glare at you.

"What are you talking about, mom?" you challenged, shooting her a heated look before turning to Cillian. "How Mara was conceived has nothing to do with whether or not she should be christened," you then said, but your mother interrupted. 

"I know what I'm talking about, Y/N!" she snapped, her tone laced with bitterness. "It's just embarrassing enough as it is and you don't really need to embarrass yourself even more by giving Mara a christening," your mother rolled her eyes and Frank, standing nearby, nodded his agreement silently, his expression hardening further.

"Alright, that's enough of this Sarah," Cillian's mother interjected firmly, stepping forward to place her hand on your shoulder protectively. "Let's leave the poor girl alone. Let's not discuss this anymore during my birthday," she insisted calmly, her gaze imploring both you and your mother to comply.

Your cheeks burned red with embarrassment, your anger boiling over as you attempted to formulate a response. Just as you opened your mouth to speak, Cillian intervened, putting his arm around your waist and guiding you away from the tense conversation.

"Come on, let's take Mara upstairs and get settled in," he suggested, his deep voice soothing your agitation. "I think it's time for a nap anyway," he added, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he grinned down at you.

With a heavy sigh, you allowed Cillian to lead you away from the confrontation, grateful for his support and understanding. The tension between you and your mother remained palpable, however, and you couldn't help but feel unsettled by the unresolved conflict.

Cillian sensed your unease and sought to distract you, focusing on Mara as she played on the bed, exploring her surroundings with curiosity. You sighed, running your fingers through Mara's soft curls, grateful for the brief reprieve from the tumultuous emotions swirling within you.

"Do you want to feed her before we join the others downstairs?" Cillian proposed, his voice hushed and warm. 

You nodded, smiling gratefully at him. "I am not really hungry," you then told him. "So, how about you go downstairs, spend some time with your family while I look after Mara's needs up here?" you proposed, nodding towards the door. 

"Absolutely not," Cillian responded immediately, his grip tightening around your waist. "You should join us and, if your mother says anything else, I promise you that I will intervene," he stated firmly, his gaze piercing into yours. There was a tenderness in his eyes, but also a hint of determination.

You admired his concern for both you and Mara, and it warmed your heart that he was attentive to your needs. He had always been protective, empathetic, and selfless during your most trying times.

"Okay, fine," you conceded, reluctantly allowing him to guide you towards the rocking chair positioned near the window.

You sat down carefully, holding Mara close to your chest as you adjusted her position to nurse comfortably.

Watching you settle in, Cillian stepped back, allowing you the privacy you deserved. His eyes lingered on you, a mix of admiration and longing evident in his gaze.

You offered him a weak smile, attempting to ease the tension that hung heavily between you. He responded with a gentle nod, his lips quirking upwards briefly before disappearing behind the closed door.

Cillian walked downstairs to see whether his mother required help in the kitchen while you stayed behind with Mara, breastfeeding her quietly. 

"Do you think Y/N will be ready for dinner in 15 minutes?" she asked Cillian, eyeing the clock on the wall warily.

"Yes, she will," Cillian replied confidently, his gaze fixed on the ticking hands of the clock. "She just needs some time to herself and Mara," he added, hoping for a swift resolution to the lingering tension between you and your mother. She sighed deeply, a wave of empathy washing over her as she reached out to rub Cillian's shoulders gently.

"I understand," she whispered sympathetically. "It's a horrible situation, really. It's way too much stress for someone as young as her, but I must say, she is doing incredibly well," Cillian's mother confided as she chop vegetables for the salad.

Cillian nodded, his gaze flicking towards the staircase where you had disappeared. "She is quite resilient, but she shouldn't have to deal with this kind of toxicity," he sighed, running his hands through his hair. "If only things hadn't gotten so complicated," he muttered, shaking his head sadly.

"You know, sometimes you simply cannot choose who you fall in love with, son," Cillian's mother sighed heavily, placing her knife down on the cutting board with a clatter. 

"Mum, I am not in love with Y/N," he protested defensively, stammering slightly. "It was something casual. Nothing more," he corrected her with reddened cheeks before explaining to her that you were simply too young for him.

"She is young, but she is also the mother of your child and you seem to be having feelings for her," Cillian's mother noted perceptively, scrutinizing her son with an analytical gaze. "So I think that, considering the circumstances, the age gap between you and Y/N is less significant than you might think," she mused, tapping her index finger on the cutting board.

"Mum, please--" Cillian started to protest, but was swiftly silenced by his mother's steady gaze.

"Listen to me," she urged softly, her voice full of wisdom and understanding. "You deserve to be happy, regardless of what other people think or say. If you truly care for Y/N and wish to pursue a relationship with her, I believe that you should follow your heart and do whatever makes you happy," she advised him earnestly.

He swallowed thickly, contemplating the words she had spoken. "What do you think I should do?" he finally asked, his voice cracking slightly.

"Take care of yourself and your family," Cillian's mother answered, her words resonating with warmth and conviction. "And tell her how you feel," she assured him, patting his shoulder gently. "Remember, you deserve to be happy," she repeated, her gaze filled with compassion just as his brother Frank came barging in, pushing past Cillian to get himself a glass of water. 

"When do you think dinner might be ready?" he questioned, seemingly oblivious to the intimate moment unfolding between his mother and Cillian. "It's getting quite late, and Sarah needs to eat. She's 14 weeks along now and needs to eat for two," he informed them, leaving just as abruptly as he had entered.

"Thanks for reminding us, Frank," Cillian's mother retorted, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "She can help herself to the cabinet if she is really that hungry, but dinner won't be served until Y/N has finished nursing Mara because I want us all to eat together," she declared sternly, her gaze zeroing in on Frank.

Frank grunted dismissively, taking a large swig of water before exiting the kitchen, leaving a sour taste in their mouths.

"Well, you know Frank," Cillian's mother remarked wryly, shaking her head in resignation. "He means well, but he is a bit blunt," she sighed, returning to her preparations.

"He sure is and I certainly had no idea that Sarah was pregnant," Cillian replied, scratching his head. "I am happy for him I suppose," Cillian then stammered, seeing that this would be Frank's first child. "He deserves to be able to experience fatherhood. It's going to be a blessing for him," he added sincerely, causing his mother to chuckle at his genuine intentions.

"He does indeed," she agreed, picking up the wooden spoon to stir the simmering soup. "Anyway, I hope you can put the drama behind you, because I have to admit that I am thrilled about having my entire family here together with me this weekend," she confessed, studying Cillian intently before, eventually, pushing him out of the kitchen.

To be continued...

Tags:

@sunbeamseas @saint-ackerman @oatmealisweird @naxxsstuff @amanda08319 @r-m-cidnah @elysiannook @cillshot @infireddabdab @tastycakee @harrysbestiee @lilybabe22 @adalynlowell @henrywintersdearestgirl @ietss @thatgirlthatreadswattpad @ryiamarie @axionn

@heidimoreton @nela-cutie @futurecorps3 @delishen @nosebleeds-247 @thirteenis-myluckynumber @gills-lounge @hjmalmed @lost-fantasy @tiredkitten @sidechrisporn @smallsoulunknown @charqing-qing @hopefulinlove @aporiasposts @shycrybaby @me-and-your-husband @hjmalmed @lacontroller1991 @galxydefender @aporiasposts

@galxydefender @hunnibearrr @saint-ackerman @lunyyx @gentlemonsterjennie1 @ihavealotoffandomssorry @nadloves @lost-fantasy @nolucesn@mcavoy-girl @hjmalmed @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @blushykiss @tatumrileyslover @teawithsatanx @orijanko @rhaenyra4ever @xcinnamonmalfoyx @budugu @nadloves @kmc1989 @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @forgottenpeakywriter @smailaway @sophiaaguirred

[worriedvision]

Flowery tea - Wriothesley

Gender neutral reader, hanahaki fic because I'm a sucker for those. Readers basically from Liyue, but has started working alongside Wriothesley in terms of monitoring finances. Unhappy ending here.

--

"Sir, would you like some tea?" You ask him, knowing full well he will respond positively.

"Of course. Any time is a good time for tea." Wriothesley chuckles, sending your heart racing.

Truth be told, you had been visiting Liyue more often to get the latest types of tea, in the hopes of gifting them to your boss. As embarrassing as it was, you gushed to Zhongli - someone you got to be friends with - about Wriothesley. How he talked, how he treated those around him, the general attraction you felt for him. Zhongli teased you about travelling to Liyue to treat Wriothesley, but understanding Wriothesley was important to you.

"Wow, this tea has an...interesting taste." Wriothesley hums, taking another sip before continuing. "The aftertaste is nice, but the initial taste is strong."

"A friend of mine in Liyue recommended it." You explain, rubbing the back of your head.

Before Wriothesley responds, Chlorinde walks in.

"Oh, Chlorinde! Perfect timing, you have got to try this!" Wriothesley suddenly has a burst of energy, resembling a husky when talking to her. "C'mon, try it for me!"

"... I'm here for work." Chlorinde sighs. "...but I'll do it for you."

"Aww, thank you! I love you!" Wriothesley teases, Chlorinde wincing at his responses.

You, however, feel poorly after hearing that. Specifically, you feel like something is growing in your lungs. You go to excuse yourself, only to see the full in front of you animatedly talking. Not wanting to inconvenience them, you head to the head nurse for a check up.

"I can sense an anomaly in your chest, dear one! Unfortunately, this is a foreign item, and I don't understand how it's gotten there." Sigewinne states. "I'm sorry, but I haven't seen anything like this."

"It's alright, thank you for checking this for me." You smile, the feeling in your chest feeling worse by the second. Hunching over in pain, you startle Sigewinne before passing out.

--

You were not waking up.

That worried Wriothesley, so he decides to contact your friend to request he comes to see you before you, possibly, die.

Surprisingly, Zhongli showed up a few days later with the invitation letter in hand. Upon arrival, he was escorted to where you were, the head nurse explaining your condition.

"A foreign item, you say?" Zhongli hums out. "And there was a sign of growth? Did you perhaps sense some sort of...flora energy?"

"Yes! How did you know?" Sigewinne gasps, Zhongli closing his eyes in thought.

"This is a case of Hanahaki disease. My friend has feelings for someone, and they must have realised they do not return the sentiment."

"Oh...that is such a cruel condition."

"There is a cure. At this point, there is only one form of treatment that will help." Zhongli explains. "This will lead to the love in question being not only forgotten, but the chance of love being formed with them as well."

"Well what are we waiting for? Let's do it!" Sigewinne jumps, Zhongli opting to do this.

He would have a word with Wriothesley once the surgery is complete. For now, his top priority was removing the foreign item in your lungs. Your life was more important than your boss's opinion in his eyes.

--

"Come again?" Wriothesley tilts his head, taken back by Zhonglis words. What did he mean, '_ will not remember you'.

"The condition was caused by you. I know feelings cannot be helped, and you cannot be forced to reciprocate, however this surgery will lead to them forgetting everything about you." Zhongli explains calmly. "In addition to this, they will no longer be able to form a romantic bond with you."

"But they'll be alive and well?" Wriothesley asks, Zhongli nodding. "Then that is fine. It is unfortunate that I don't think of them that way."

"Thank you for understanding." Zhongli smiles, before getting up to leave.

"Hold on." Wriothesley stops Zhongli, getting up. "would you like a cup of tea?"

--

In the months of working with Wriothesley after the surgery, you couldn't help but feel out of place.

Wriothesley seemed disappointed that you forgot everything about him - including the fact he was your boss. Even after the clearing up of misinformation, you still didn't act friendly with him. You no longer had a personal relationship with him, keeping things professional.

During an argument you initiated after Wriothesley had yet again asked you to relax around him, he said something he regretted after you left his office.

"If I knew I was going to lose you because of feelings, I would have pretended to love you." Wriothesley grunts, your eyes widening in shock at the statement.

"So I was just a form of tea collection for you, huh? Fine, I quit." You storm out, Wriothesley calling for you to come back so you could get past the past. Unfortunately, he was the one who needed to move on.

You already had.

[giamee]

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐕! THE NIGHT IN QUESTION

<- prev masterlist next ->

"and here's to finishing finals!"

you grin alongside your friends, clinking your glass with theirs as you all take your first drink of the night. you're not even being dramatic when you can practically feel the weight of the past month's stress melting away as soon as the slight burn of alcohol meets your lips, and it's clear that your friends share the same sentiment with the almost collective sigh of relief that you all breathe, despite the crowded atmosphere of the local tavern.

every akademiya scholar had the same idea, flocking straight to the nearby tavern in sumeru as soon as they had finished their final exam, finding the perfect solution to the past month of stress and studying to blow off some steam and drink with their friends. in hindisght, it was lucky that your friends had managed to even snag a table, with most of the other darshan members sinply huddled together in whatever spare space was left.

kaveh suddenly throwing his arm around alhaitham's shoulders brought your attention back to your friends, and you grinned at alhaitham's disgruntled expression before shrugging a tipsy kaveh off of him. though you weren't too far behind the blond in terms of level of sobriety, you still giggled at the way he swayed even while seated, laughing even harder when alhaitham's eyes met yours in dismay as kaveh's head flopped down onto the table.

"take it easy, hm?" nilou reached across the table, patting his hand reassuringly. you could hear a muffled response from the man, before he suddenly sat back up again.

"finals are over," he gushed, his smile spreading to the rest of your table as you grinned and took another sip of your drink. you glance upwards again, feeling the heat of a gaze on you and almost blinking in surprise as you meet the teal-coloured ones of alhaitham's from across the table.

his chin was propped on his hand, head ever so slightly tilted towards you, and you weren't sure whether it was the alcohol or the look in his eyes that had you coughing and saying you would buy everyone some shots.

"careful, make sure you don't end up like kaveh here," dehya smirks at her own joke, the hilariously low tolerance of kaveh often making him the butt of jokes on a night out. kaveh huffed, the slight pink tinge to his cheeks not helping disprove her words.

"everyone here is sho mean to me," he slurred, and you bite back a giggle as you rise to your feet unsteadily. if the effects of your drink hadn't been felt before, they certainly were now as you fully straightened up, feeling the rush to your head.

you frowned, doing a quick headcount of the table.

"are tighnari and layla not here yet?"

you catch nilou and dehya exchange a look, before the redhead hesitantly tells you "they're with cyno." you blink once, nodding at this news.

"so no shots for them, huh?" you grin, trying to break the awkward tension as you slid away from the booth and made your way to the bar on unsteady feet.

you weren't exactly expecting everything to proceed as if nothing has happened, what with you and cyno breaking up a mere month ago, as well as the fact that you both had the same friends. and while there hadn't been any bad blood, per se, between you and cyno, there was still a rather bitter taste in your mouth at the mention of him. one that could get washed down with another drink, you mused to yourself.

your plan to do so was interrupted when you felt yourself collide with someone as you were lost in thought, an automatic apology slipping out of your mouth before your slightly tipsy brain finally recognised the girl in front of you.

"kirara?!" her own eyes widened as she recognised you too, a grin breaking out onto her face.

"hey! how's it been?"

"oh, you know, finals are over so i'm finally taking a break along with rest of the akademiya." as if to prove your point, you hear a particularly loud and drunken yell of a nearby student as he raises his glass above his head in some triumphant scream.

kirara smiles, shifting the glass in her hand to the other. "yeah, i saw the fun and i don't have to go back until tomorrow, so i thought i might as well join." you hummed, watching as her eyes flitted between the students that surrounded you.

"how's the business going?"

"oh, it's doing great. how's, um-" she furrows her brows for a second- "how are you and cyno doing?" that same pang returns, and kirara can see the way your face changes as she puts two and two together.

"ah, sorry."

"hey it's fine, it's not like you-"

"so how long ago did you guys break up?"

"like a month? finals and stuff got really stressful, so yeah." kirara hummed, and you cleared your throat as you started to move past her. "i've gotta go get some more drinks, so see you around, yeah?"

"of course, nice seeing you," she gives you a toothy grin, waving a hand as you continue on through the crowd of scholars, feeling a little more disgruntled.

by the time you had returned to the table of your friends, shots in hand, you were more than eager to throw back your own one, not even grimacing at the taste by this point.

"you guys wanna dance?" you heard nilou shout over the chatter of others and the fainter throes of music from who knows where. you nod enthusiastically, feeling your head swim as nilou grins and takes you and dehya by the hand, starting to lead you further into the crowd. you cast a glance behind you, seeing kaveh back and active again, trying with less success than nilou had to get alhaitham up and onto the dancefloor. you snickered at their little back-and-forth, and how alhaitham didn't even budge despite kaveh's best efforts, before you were whisked too far away into the crowd to see them any more.

this tavern must have been larger than you realised, since you could see a makeshift dancefloor a couple metres away where the music was now much louder. nilou took the lead, raising her arms above her head as she began to sway to the beat, beckoning to both you and dehya to join. your drunk self doesn't take much convincing, and even dehya joins, spinning nilou in a circle which has the redhead giggling.

the night continues in a drunken haze, sounds and colour blending into one as your senses are soon overtaken by the now loudly thumping bassline of the music, as well as the new swarm of bodies surrounding you and your friends as other students joined the already-packed dance floor.

it all got a bit much, and you shouted to tell dehya that you're going to go to the bathroom, getting a quick thumbs up in return. weaving your way through the sea of people makes you feel like you're worthy of joining the adventurer's guild, and you're fairly certain you've had at least one drink spilled onto your outfit by the time you made it to the toilets,

it doesn't quite hit you how drunk you are, until you find yourself clutching the counter and staring at the woozy reflection of yourself on wobbly legs. regardless, you freshen up a bit, waiting for the room to stop spinning before you open the bathroom door again, once again getting hit full force with the sheer volume of the tavern.

and, as it quickly dawned upon you, in your drunken haze you hadn't really planned out on how to exactly get back to your friends. you huffed out a breath, opting to turn on your heel and head back to the bar, only to almost barrel into someone.

"oh my god i'm so sorry-" your words were spilling out quickly due to the alcohol, that heady feeling returning as the stranger steadied you with their hands, and you looked up at their face with some difficulty to see the slightly concerned face of alhaitham peering down at you.

"y/n? where's nilou and dehya?" his words sounded far-off, and you merely giggled before swaying a bit, pointing in the general direction of the dancefloor as your answer.

"went to the bathroom on my own and i lost them." you couldn't help but pout, and you watched as alhaitham scrubbed a hand down his face.

"right, ok, let's get you home then." your eyebrows shot up at his words. he fixed you a firm glance, his warm hands on your shoulders now adding a gentle pressure as he began to guide you towards the exit. "you're clearly drunk, and i don't see you finding either of them any time soon." you open your mouth to complain, only for him to interrupt you before you even talk with a firmer utterance of your name. you frown, and his face softens a fraction before tugging at your arm again. "c'mon, it's late."

"you sound like my fucking dad," you ultimately grumble before relenting, hearing alhaitham snort briefly at your remark as he guides you around the throes of people before the cool night air greets your skin as you leave the tavern. you draw closer to him subconsciously, almost pulled in by his body warmth that seemed to emanate from him on this chilly evening.

much to your dismay, alhaitham had released his grip on your upper arm, now letting the two of you walk in tandem. you frowned to yourself briefly, coveting his warmth again, seeking out for it with your fingers until they met the expanse of his bicep. you wrapped your arm around it, practically giggling to yourself as alhaitham rolled his eyes at your antics. it felt nice, having something to keep yourself warm as you began to walk in the direction of your house, and clinging to his arm until you were practically pressed into his side also had the added bonus of ensuring that you wouldn't stumble and fall into the road.

it doesn't stop the asshole from snickering as you stumble over your own feet, detracting from the fact that his arm shot out and wrapped around your waist to steady you. you glared up at him as he made no attempt to hide his amusement, jostling him with your shoulder, though it didn't appear to have much effect.

"i'd like to see you try walk home while drunk." alhaitham merely shrugged, the smile still playing on his lips.

"i'm pretty sure i drank more than you, only difference is i can hold my liquor." you huff again, much to his amusement, and things fall to a comfortable silence for a few metres.

your attention diverts to the arm that's still rested comfortably against you, you're practically hugging it, and you give it an experimental squeeze, raising a hand to poke at one of the veins.

"the fuck are you doing?"

"you have nice arms." there you go again, drunk and babbling words before your brain can stop you from blurting them out.

"oh yeah?"

you hum in affirmation, letting your finger continue to trace his vein as it continues down to his forearm.

"you're tall and they're warm but not too warm and they're very solid. good arms." you pause for a second, appraising the one that you had in your grasp for another second. "they also look nice."

"you must be more drunk than i thought," alhaitham hummed, a tinge of mirth in his voice. "i'll keep that in mind though." you groaned a little, letting your forehead fall against his shoulder momentarily. alhaitham didn't seem to mind, merely slowing his pace slightly to glance down at you.

"you're gonna make fun of me for this when i'm sober, aren't you?"

"only if you want me to." you peek up at him, eyes narrowing at his smirk.

"i used to think you were nice to me, y'know."

"nah, i'm just drunk right now."

you scoff at this, batting his chest as he laughs, though the less inhibited version of himself that he was right now did nothing but corroborate his own claim.

that same easy silence once again enveloped the two of you, the walk back to your home once again becoming the primary focus. the cool air began to sober you up, and despite some newfound clarity, you felt hesitant to relent your grip on alhaitham's arm, and some insistent voice in the back of your head didn't hasten to point out that he wasn't moving away either.

this mini revelation almost had you reeling, having you walk next to him with bated breath, as if one wrong move would break the spell and he would move away from you, back into the safe zone of being just friends, and not whatever had been happening for the past twenty minutes. each step closer towards your house became more dreaded, carrying with it the growing realisation that you would have to let go of alhaitham and his arm, and have to look him in his eyes and bid him goodnight.

maybe it was some drunken selfishness, but you had grown rather accustomed to the way you had wrapped yourself around him, not quite willing to part with it yet. and by the time you were approaching your front door, this feeling still remained prominent.

you finally came to a stop just outside, and you fumbled with your keys, partially hoping that your fingers would never find them within the small confines of your purse. you cursed yourself as you felt the thin metal, drawing them out of your bag and flashing a reluctant smile at alhaitham as you began to unlock your door, fingers already itching for his touch again.

and then he utters your name, so low that you can barely hear it, and you can't help but glance back at him over your shoulder.

alhaitham stands at the bottom of the steps, not quite daring to cross the threshold despite the look in his eyes mirroring your thoughts. you swallow hard when you see the open longing in his expression, closing the gap between you somewhat by moving down a step, bringing you to eye level with him.

the briefest flash of an idea to invite him inside enters your mind, though fear holds you back from voicing it. alhaitham's eyes search your own for something, before they travel lower and gaze at your lips for a few seconds in a way that has your heartbeat increasing.

it has you leaning forward ever so slightly, drawn to his warmth all over again. the centimetres between the two of you diminish, and you can almost swear that you see him lean in too, before some unknown emotion flashes before hisbeyes and he straightens up, coughing once.

"it's late, y/n. get some sleep." you freeze, feeling warmth spread to your cheeks as you now ignore his gaze.

"right. thanks." you shut your door with a little more force than nencessary before alhaitham can see the way your face crumples, frowning as you pull out your phone, eager to tell your friends about what had just transpired, wiping away the stray tear that managed to slip past your waterline.

𖦹 if you had a ring doorbell instead of a regular one, you would have been able to see alhaitham lean his head against your door for a good 2 minutes after you closed it, before muttering "stupid" to himself and walking off

𖦹 gia's notes ⌨ and here is the flashback episode!! this should have been out like a fucking week ago but it's been so fucking hot recently that my brain feels like it's melted and i was too sweaty to sit down and write. moment of silence for all the girlies who dont have ac. also sorry if there are typos i am just. ausudhhehfjdjdhd you feel me?

𖦹 taglist ( let me know if you want to be added / you changed your username! ) @makimakimi @aeongiies @sukunasrealgf @ssoliva @sakiimeo @eggn0gcookie @yxcade @fiona782 @heartswonder @eunchaeluvr @clumsyphuq @pinksodacan @aelxr @themusingsofmany @obervation-subject-753 @kittycasie @aimno256 @maxineshearts @mafuyuslover @meigalaxy @mintydump

[isa-ghost]

I need the headcanons, Isa. I need them like I need air. (I also have had very little time to watch QSMP overall, so all of my q!Phil info comes from you) -River

OH FUCK I WASN'T EXPECTING TO GET MULTIPLE ASKS ABOUT THEM. /POS

Here's Headcanon Set 1

NOW MORE

He's an expert at playing stupid. I don't have any actual situations from canon off the top of my head to apply this to, but his wits are sharp enough for him to pull it off when shit isn't explosively hitting the fan

He hates not being able to fly, flying is/was the main way he would de-stress. Nothing makes him feel lighter than the breeze in his feathers and a breathtaking view

This man's commitment to The Bit is so underestimated. If The Bit was a person, it'd be part of his polycule. People just overlook his ability to commit to a bit because he has to personally find the bit worth committing to

Obligatory Shiny Good Crow Brain mention. Why do you think his backpacks need sorting like once every few weeks (though he neglects them for longer than that)? And shiny is not always literal. Sometimes it means flowers or pretty types of wood or a neat mob.

Every once in a while someone can get him to laugh in a way that Almost sounds like a squawk. He doesn't know how it happens, it's like an involuntary snort laugh, but with cawing.

Unfortunately for him, playfully raising his blood pressure (stares at the kids, Tubbo, the polycule, some others) is kinda funny. It's the way he gets louder the more exasperated he gets.

He has 100% slept so hard that he snored loud enough to earn a kick in the side from Chayanne

Speaking of sleep, this idiot will pass out in that wooden chair and then wake up in the morning and bitch about his neck aching as if he isn't the reason it's aching. Lullah especially has roasted him for this

His dedication to Chayanne and Lullah can go unmentioned bc it's just so obvious but I need everyone to understand it's not just how he'd burn the island to ashes for them. It's also how he'd stop mid-tea party with Lullah, Pomme & Co, dressed the whole nine yards in a tutu, tiara & obnoxious amounts of pretend jewelry to beat the ever-loving SHIT out of a threat

At first Irish Goodbyes were unintentional (which is what made them so funny) but now it's become one of the biggest bits he's committed to. This man loves embodying that gif of the dude going ✌🏻 and vanishing.

Lullah totally told him about the Duolingo "It's Spanish or Vanish" meme. It won't leave his head now

Anytime he does the reverb voice or something he is pulling a megaphone out of his backpack and yelling into it

Because I forgot it in the first hc set and it's too funny for me not to include, I must once again tap the sign that says "Phil and Fit fuck nasty behind Fit's gym." Why do you think the shit Fit says like "big boy" gets such a reaction out of Phil? He's heard it elsewhere

He thinks he has too much self-respect to do it but if he didn't, he'd 100% be the dad to dab or whip-nae nae just to make Chayanne and Lullah faceplant on the ground out of embarrassment

Speaking of faceplanting, Lullah is so good at timing when she does it, it absolutely kills Phil every time. It's like one of the Top 5 ways to get him to crack up

Calling back to the Bit Commitment hc: "The 4th Wall" is a bit he made up and won't stop referencing. It's not that he's fail rping in meta, he's getting conspiracy-style existential as a joke and that's why Lullah hates it so much

Stealing this one from my hcs about my angel OC inspired by Phil: If you put him in water, his wings will involuntarily flap like a bird in a bath. It isn't nonstop, it's like a stim he can't help doing every so often.

He loves Rose so much. She instantly makes him feel safe. He regularly has to resist the urge to passionately gush about her to people because he knows they'd be like What The Fuck Are You On About. Rose is blorbo from his brain (little does he know, she isn't entirely)

He likes to pretend he isn't, but he's sentimental as hell. Why do you think he hasn't changed the ugly dirt shack? Why do you think he has so many backpacks of stuff? He's got that crow hoarder brain but he also just attaches to things to easily. Nostalgia and love for history has him in a death grip. Little does he know, it's a trait he's kept from his past

Speaking of his past, until I get canon story explaining otherwise, in my mind he IS hardcore!Phil but the Federation wiped his memory after somehow managing to invite him to the island. The Ender King & Rose's arrivals into qsmp canon are two very different ways of attempting to trigger his memories. What he thinks are dreams are actually those forgotten memories of what he was doing before coming to the island

Okay that's long enough, look out for a third set because I got another ask waiting for more >:)

EDIT: Here's Set 3 :D

[krowfics]

Holding Still (ficlet)

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Ship: LAMP for @lamp-appreciation-week

Plot: Virgil is attempting to finish Patton's makeup for Pride

Words: 971

Notes: uhh barely edited, like only a smidge. day 1 prompt was 'hold' i am in fact late i am not in fact surprised. Patton 🤝 me - getting distracted by things out the window

AO3

~~~

“Hold still.”

“Sorry!” Patton said, whipping his head back to position.

Virgil glanced out the window to see it was a squirrel running along a branch outside of it that caught Patton’s attention this time. Maybe he should be annoyed, but he couldn't help just being endeared.

“It's fine, Pat.” he said, returning to the eye shadow.

“You gotta make it easier on our dear emo, Pattycake, it's already so hard for him to remember that eye shadow goes above the eye.” Roman said, ironically focusing on the eye shadow he was blending out under Logan's eye. Virgil had already finished that part anyway.

“Asshole.” Virgil mumbled.

“Hey,” Patton frowned.

Virgil ignored him in favor of turning to Roman and very maturely sticking his tongue out at him. Roman gave a sly smile and dove in for a lightning quick attack of pressing a peck to the hinge of Virgil’s jaw. 

“Wait!” Virgil pulled back but was too late to dodge, he quickly grabbed the nearest mirror to check the damage.

“Oh, calm down Scare-bear, I dodged your glitter.” 

Virgil confirmed that he, in fact, did, but the transfer-proof lipstick he was wearing had failed. Only slightly, Virgil wiped off the speck easily but it was the principle of the matter.

His attention was drawn back to Patton by way of his giggling. Logan next to him was looking with fond amusement, eyes darting between Roman and Virgil.

Virgil huffed, “Come on, let's finish so we can leave at a reasonable time.” He’ll be damned if he put glitter on his face only for them to miss the entire pride event. That wouldn’t happen, probably, but Virgil was nothing if not at least a little nervous about something all the time.

“Fine fine, I'll stop distracting you.” Roman conceded, “I'm sure you need your full concentration to work against your every instinct, dealing with pastels like that.” 

Virgil only rolled his eyes, opting to return to Patton’s face. He settled back into the zone easy enough, subconsciously tuning out the movement of Roman doing Logan’s make up beside them. It was only when he was completely zoned in on the final part of the pastel rainbow that his canvas suddenly moved again.

“Patton.”

“Sorry!” Patton jumped, “There was a sparrow- outside it was- It's gone now, sorry.” he said, sheepishly.

Any irritation he had evaporated instantly, “It's fine. I pulled the brush away in time and it's all stencils anyway so we’re good.”

“I'll stay still.” He said, somehow with confidence, and Virgil loved him so much, but he did not believe him for a moment.

“This part is nearly done, but I really do need you to hold still for the dots.” Patton had requested pastel hearts in rainbow order across his cheeks, which was easy enough being that they already had stencils on hand for that, and then little white dots, almost freckle like. They wouldn't be particularly hard to do but they would be very easy to mess up.

Patton nodded, “I'll be still.”

Logan must've had the same lack of trust in the sentiment because he blindly reached over and grabbed Patton’s hand, squeezing for a moment, and Virgil had an overwhelming urge to lurch forward and… kiss them? Bad idea, considering the make up. He should at least finish it before he ruins it. Well, he hadn't put on Patton's lip tint yet…

Now who's distracted? He shook his head in an attempt to clear it and returned to finishing the final heart. He did so, and proceeded to peel off the stencils and add the white speckles with little fanfare. Logan’s hand holding idea must've worked to keep their boyfriend’s attention occupied.

Patton made a chirp in excitement at seeing himself in the mirror after Virgil had finished, gushing over the look and flustering Virgil with praise.

“And done.” Roman announced, somehow having not gotten distracted by Patton’s joy. He held up the mirror to Logan and immediately looked to Patton so he could start with his teasing praises at Virgil’s work, “Our bundle of darkness really isn't allergic to color, it's a miracle.”

Patton meanwhile quickly got distracted again, “Oh oh oh! you're so pretty!” Patton all but gasped at Logan's more glam look.

Logan opened his mouth to speak but only managed a strangled noise at finally seeing Patton, having managed to look straight forward the entire time he was having his makeup done. “Virgil is very talented.” is all he said, eyes not leaving Patton while looking a bit like he was staring at the sun.

“Indeed,” Roman said, “It takes true talent to somehow manage to add to the beauty of Patton’s already perfect face.”

“A mastery of the art form,” Logan agreed.

“I am not wearing enough foundation to handle compliments” Virgil said, face ablaze. 

“But you did such a good job we can't help it!” Patton said, noticeably flushed himself, only adding to the look.

Virgil barely resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands else he’d smudge his own make up. “We should go if we're ready.” He said instead.

“Oh, fine.” Roman sighed. And Logan stood to gather last minute things, making sure they had water bottles and granola bars and the like.

A few minutes later, Virgil caught Patton staring out the window again, but he didn't interrupt him this time. Patton startled a bit when he noticed Virgil staring, but he smiled, “There's a butterfly.” He explained and indeed there was, but Virgil only gave it a glance, far happier to enjoy his own view.

“Stop being sappy, we're ready to go.” Roman interrupted, causing them both to blush. 

Patton giggled adorably while Virgil scoffed, “That's rich coming from you, you're the sappiest of us all.”

“I accept that title with honor, now come on, Logan's already in the car.”

~~~

taggg @flowercrownsandtrauma

edit after ive woken up and consumed coffee- never let me post things at 1 am oh my god i live in shame (there was a couple minor inconsistencies)

[httpknjoon]

quiet moments | ksj

plot | just a peaceful moment in the backyard of the a-listers' household.

word count | 630

genres | fluff, domestic au

pairing | actor!jin x famous!reader (also, pregnant!reader)

note | just something short and fluffy for the a-listers while I'm working for angst in my other series...

main masterlist | the a-listers: confidential masterlist

Sitting on the green grass of your spacious backyard, Jin strummed on his favorite acoustic guitar, humming to some melody he thought of, as you watched him. Your hand landed on your growing belly when you felt something in it.

“I think they like it. Maybe you should play something for us.” you grinned, teasing him.

Your husband looks up from you with his disheveled hair covering almost half his eyes. He smiled before strumming again. He cleared his throat. You felt your heart flutter as you heard a familiar song.

“To lead a better life, I need my love to be here…” he began singing.

It was The Beatles’ Here There and Everywhere. The song was one of the most sentimental songs for you and your relationship. It was the song your mother loved to play on her record player in the small apartment unit that you called home when you were younger. It was also the song you and Jin first slowly danced to as a married couple. In short, the song occupies a big place in your heart.

“Here, making each day of the year, changing my life with a wave of her hand, nobody can deny that there's something there.”

Jin looks at you as he sings every word from the song, taking a mental picture of you at this very moment. You were smiling softly with your hand rubbing your belly. Sunshine lights on you and your hair. You were glowing and ravishing with your most natural self, wearing no makeup and your most comfortable clothes. It’s crazy how he finds you more breathtaking each day he sees you. 

He felt butterflies playing around his stomach just by glancing at you. Quiet moments like this always take him back to the first time he met you, which was totally in contrast to this scene. It was a crowded, loud night of awards, filled with shining stars and flashing lights of Hollywood. He rarely enjoys those types of events but he always felt blessed to meet you there.

“I want her everywhere and if she beside me I know I need never care, but to love her is to need her everywhere…”

You swayed along to the tune, still listening quietly to Jin. He never sings in public. He jokes that he will just do it every day with or for you. And it makes you feel lucky that you get to be private will all these things going on between you and Jin. Growing up in front of the cameras, you always wished for something like this. Something quiet and peaceful, something that can make you at ease.

“I will be there and everywhere. Here, there and everywhere.” Jin ended and you clapped and cheered.

“Yay!”

You acted like a fan in a concert, making him chuckle. You clapped like a seal before you flinched, your hand instinctively resting on your tummy. You spoke, “Oh, come here. Give me your hand.”

Jin carefully laid his instrument on the space beside him and moved next to you. You reached for his hand and placed it on your belly. Jin’s lips formed into a small ‘o’ as he immediately felt the small movements.

“That’s a lot of kicks in there!” he gushed. Then, he looks at you, “Does it hurt?”

You shake your head with a grin, “Nope. Just a little discomfort but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Hearing that, your husband scoots closer to your tummy. His lips were closer to it and you can sense his warm breathing on your skin. He whispered, “Don’t cause too much pain to your mama, loves.”

You giggled, shaking your head with the scene, while he placed a soft kiss on the top of your belly.

taglist rules

THE A-LISTERS: CONFIDENTIAL TAGLIST

@xiumo @joonsbvtch @firesighgirl

PERMANENT TAGLIST

@dunixxd​ @cixrosie​ @jksjx​ @embrace-themagic​ @buttvi​ @starbtslove​ @missseoulite @vanntaesworld @kenqki @miyukihoshi @stopeatread @seolaquotes @greyrain23 @chimchimmarie

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

Made For Each Other

Fandom: Elvis Presley, American Musician, Elvis Movie, RPF

Pairing: Elvis Presley x Female Reader

Characters: Elvis Presley, Female Reader, Gladys Presley

Word Count: 2982 // Rating: Explicit

Summary: Elvis might not be an adult just yet but he’s about to become a man

Tags/ Warnings: Young Elvis, Kissing, Fingering, Vaginal Sex, Unprotected Sex, Loss of Virginity, Virgin Reader, Teenage Elvis, Reader and Elvis are 17, Mentions of Purity, Purity and Virginity Culture, Religious Sentiment, Established Relationship, Mentions of Marriage, Mentions of Engagements, Promise Rings, Mentions of Infant Death, Infant Death, Infant Loss 

Notes: its elvis’ birthday so lets celebrate with some smut. 

‘Are you sure you don’t wanna stay?’ Gladys asked looking at me as she continued to wash dishes. I didn’t want to not that I wanted to tell her that. It was Elvis’ birthday and whilst I had enjoyed spending time with him and his parents over dinner I didn’t want to spend the rest of the night celebrating with them in front of the TV. I had other plans. Though I knew why she was asking. She loved her son and whilst today was about celebrating his birth it was also about remembering one of the worst days of her life so I understood why she longed to keep him close…but he was older now. He didn’t want to spend his birthdays at home with his parents.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to say anything as Elvis appeared at the door frame having apparently caught the end of our conversation and said, ‘Mama you know we’ve got plans.’ ‘Nothing special though,’ she said turning to face him. I watched as he went to her and placed his hands on either side of her face, kissing her forehead gently. ‘I promised the boys we’d see a movie,’ he said, ‘and you always taught me to be a man of my word.’ ‘I s’pose,’ she said bitterly. ‘That’s what you get for raising such a good man,’ I joked trying to alleviate some of the tension in the air. Gladys smiled softly, ‘it sure is.’

Elvis beamed a smile at both of us and then said, ‘c’mon now. I won’t be going anywhere if the pair of you keep gushing over me. My head ain’t gonna fit through the door.’ ‘Well we can’t have that now can we,’ I smiled. He kissed his mama and we said our goodbyes to her and his father and grandmother and then we headed outside to his truck. He opened the door for me, allowing me to climb inside before he shut it and made his way around to the driver’s side.

Once I was settled inside my brain started whirring. I was determined to get him out of the house tonight but I had no intentions of meeting anyone at the movie theatre. It might seem silly for me to allow him to make plans when I had no intention of fulfilling them but I needed to make sure I had a way to get him out. As he set off I turned to him. He glanced at me, smirking a little as he said, ‘what?’ ‘I have another birthday present for you,’ I said. ‘Yeah?’ he said glancing at me again before his eyes went back to the road. ‘Yeah but it’s at my house,’ I said, ‘can we go get it?’ ‘Won’t we miss the movie?’ he asked. ‘Oh it won’t take two minutes,’ I said. Elvis looked at me curiously and then nodded, flicking the indicator to turn us the opposite way back towards my house and away from the movie theatre.

We drove mostly in silence though it wasn’t uncomfortable. Elvis was humming along to the radio, tapping the steering wheel with his fingers as he followed the drum beat. I sat beside him, watching him closely, taking him in. I couldn’t believe how handsome he was. His blue eyes shined even though the only light in the cab was the occasional passing of a street lamp. His perfect angular face flowed into pert lips that curled up in a smile as he caught me watching him. ‘What?’ he said nervously, pushing his fingers through his perfect raven hair. ‘Just appreciating how handsome you are,’ I said. ‘Y/N,’ he said as a faint blush crept across his face. ‘I mean it,’ I said placing my hand on his thigh making that pale pink on his face deepen to a true crimson. ‘Well ain’t you just full of compliments tonight,’ he smiled. ‘Well it is your birthday,’ I said leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek.

We were near my house now and he pulled up by the kerb and hopped out so he could open my door. We walked together hand in hand, only breaking apart as I moved so I could unlock the door. Elvis was watching me curiously as we stepped over the threshold.

‘Where are your folks?’ he asked looking around the place. ‘They’re out tonight,’ I said casually beckoning him to follow me, ‘come on it's in my room.’

I took his hand and pulled him to follow me which he did, trailing behind me silently. The moment we were inside my room I shut my door and wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning up to kiss him. He seemed taken by surprise but melded into it pulling me into him. When we broke apart he looked down at me with a tender smile. ‘What was that for?’ ‘It’s part of your present,’ I said all of sudden feeling nerves bubble inside me. I knew what I wanted and I knew I wanted it tonight. I just hoped he felt the same. ‘Well now I gotta know what you’ve got me,’ he said. I nodded and bit my lip before I said, ‘Elvis I gotta tell you something.’ ‘What is it honey?’ he asked stroking my cheek. ‘I’ve decided what I wanted to give you for your birthday,’ I said, ‘...and it’s me. I wanna give you all of me.’ ‘Y-y-you mean?’ he stammered. I nodded. He seemed to contemplate what I was saying for a moment before he said, ‘baby I don’t know about this…’ ‘Don’t you want to?’ I asked suddenly feeling embarrassed. He seemed to notice my humiliation and his eyes went wide. He pulled me down to sit on the bed, sitting beside me and holding my hands in his.

‘Of course I do Satnin’,’ he said, ‘god you have no idea how much.’ ‘So why not? If you want to and I want to. And this is what I want. I promise,’ I said dropping my gaze to my lap, ‘I mean we’ve done other things.’

It was true. Elvis loved making out. Whenever we were alone it seemed like it was only a matter of time before it devolved into us kissing. And once we were in the swing of things it was like our hands had minds of their own and were destined to roam one another, like we needed to memorise how every inch of the other felt. I’d felt how hard it got him and I had felt the damp heat that arose in me whenever he touched me. He’d tried to resist but over time he’d caved and let my hand replace his as we made out. But he’d been timid to do much else to me. Like if he dared go further I’d be defiled. I’d told him it was silly. And tried to show him how much I wanted him but he always pulled away. Which was why I had chosen to tell him today what I wanted. That I wanted to give myself to him. Completely.

‘I know sweetheart and it ain’t like I don’t want to,’ he sighed, ‘but it ain’t proper…w-we sh-sh-should wait till we’re married.’ ‘But we’re gonna be married one day,’ I reasoned placing my hand on his cheek making his baby blues fall on my face, ‘I mean you promised me that. That’s what my ring is for remember?’ ‘An’ I promise I’ll upgrade it to an engagement ring just as soon as we graduate,’ he mumbled. ‘I know,’ I smiled, ‘see why I don’t see the point in waiting?’ ‘But-’ ‘Elvis I love you. I want this. Isn’t that enough?’ I said. He looked at me for a moment and I could tell he was fighting a battle I couldn’t see in his mind. I knew he loved me. And I knew that it had been taking him all he had to restrain himself. I just didn’t see the point in fighting it anymore. I knew that we were going to be married one day. So why waste all the moments we could be having together on the point of technicality? After a moment he nodded and I broke into a wide grin.

‘So,’ I said placing my hand on his thigh, ‘my parents aren’t home.’ ‘Wow you really had this all planned out huh?’ he said with a mischievous smile as he leaned in and kissed me quickly. I nodded. ‘How’d ya know I’d say yes?’ he said sceptically. ‘I know you too well,’ I said. Elvis grinned and leaned in to kiss me deeply. We sat there for a moment, making out, until finally I pulled back and stood up, turning my back to him and moving my hair off the zipper. Elvis got what I was hinting at and stood up too, pressing a kiss into the nape of my neck as his fingers pulled the zipper down and he slipped it off my shoulders, allowing it to fall in a heap on the floor. As I turned around I found him marvelling over me and standing there in just my underwear I suddenly felt self-conscious.

‘You look beautiful,’ he said, placing his finger under my chin and tilting my face to look at him. ‘So do you,’ I said fumbling with the buttons on his shirt. My fingers shook a little and he placed his hands over mine stopping me so he could take over, ‘I don’t know why I feel nervous all of a sudden.’ ‘If you wanna stop just tell me,’ he said. I shook my head vehemently. ‘No, this is what I want,’ I said sitting down on the bed. Elvis looked at me for a minute and then nodded. He stripped his shirt and pants off and then climbed on the bed in between my legs kissing me once again.

‘Well let’s just start how we normally do,’ he said kissing down my neck. I nodded, enjoying the feeling of his lips on my bare skin. My hands roamed the planes of his shoulders, knotting in the hair by the nape of his neck which made him moan. That moan sent electricity down my spine and throb arose in between my legs. My hands left his hair as if on instinct, moving him back so I could reach behind my back and undo my bra.

As I slid it down my arms Elvis’ eyes went nearly black with desire. He sat back a little marvelling at my body, his mouth agape. He was hard as a rock which made my self-consciousness disappear almost completely. ‘You’re so pretty,’ he said leaning back to kiss down my neck, caressing my chest tenderly. As his tongue swirled around my nipple I moaned, the sensation new and exciting. I could feel him against my thigh, his hips rocking against it in an attempt to create some friction, which I assume it had done because I could feel a damp patch on his underwear which matched that on my own. I reached my hand down and traced my finger across the waistband. Before I could reach inside as I had done several times before he pulled back and placed his hand over mine.

‘Not yet,’ he said continuing as he noted my confusion, ‘if we’re gonna do this we need to do this right. Let me take care of you.’ ‘Okay,’ I nodded. He moved to lay at the side of me which was quite the squeeze in my cramped single bed but I didn’t care. I watched as he trailed a finger along my jaw and down my neck and chest continuing till he got to the waistband of my panties. His finger trailed along it for a minute before he reached down further and caressed my mound feeling the damp cotton underneath his fingers.

‘Oh Elvis,’ I said feeling that familiar tingle in my core. ‘Let’s take these off baby,’ he said and I nodded shifting my hips as we each grabbed a side and slid my underwear down. Then his fingers were trailing through my folds lazily, tracing around my clit. ‘That feel good?’ he asked and I nodded. He looked up at me and I kissed him trying to pour all the love I was feeling at that moment into it. He carried on working in his own rhythm as my excitement built. I’d heard about this. My schooling hadn’t exactly covered all the things I needed but I had heard more than enough stories from my girlfriends to know what would happen. Just as that feeling started to get more intense Elvis kissed my neck edging it on further. Then his finger teased around my opening making me gasp.

‘Are you okay?’ he asked panicked as my eyes flew open. ‘Yeah, just took me by surprise that’s all,’ I said placing my hand on his cheek to ease his panic. ‘Sorry,’ he said, ‘it’s just…ya gotta be ready y’know if we’re gonna-’ ‘No, no, it’s fine,’ I said. He was right. I could see the outline of his erection straining against his underwear and there was no way I’d be able to take him as is. Not only was he long he was thick as hell. ‘I’ll go slow, okay?’ he said. ‘Okay,’ I nodded. He reintroduced his fingers to my hole and inserted it gently as his thumb played with my clit. As he went a little further I groaned. ‘Does that feel good baby?’ he said starting to move in and out of me. ‘So good,’ I mumbled, ‘keep goin’.’ ‘Yes mama,’ he said as he inserted another finger. He was working at a pace now, teasing my clit with his thumb as he pumped in and out of me. I could feel my climax coming.

‘Something’s happening,’ I said as that excitement climbed. ‘It’s natural. All you gotta do is just let it happen, baby,’ he said and I nodded. Determined not to get self-conscious by having him watch me I grabbed his face and pulled it to mine so I could kiss him. Our lips had barely met before I was moaning against them, my walls fluttering around his fingers as a wave of pleasure ran through me leaving a trail of weakness in its wake. When he removed his fingers from me I opened my eyes and found him watching me with a self-satisfied smirk on his face.

‘That was amazing,’ I whispered breathily my brain foggy with pure pleasure. ‘Glad I could make you feel good baby,’ he said placing his forehead against mine and kissing me chastely, ‘are you sure you wanna do this?’ ‘I’m sure,’ I said kissing him again. Elvis nodded and pulled back clambering off the bed so he could take his underwear off. When he got back on the bed he knelt between my legs, pushing them open wide so he could fit. He leaned back to kiss me and I wrapped my arms around his neck. When we broke apart I put my hand on his chest and whispered, ‘just go slow okay? You’re a lil bigger than your fingers.’

Elvis smiled shyly. He pulled back and rested on his knees teasing his cock with his hand so he was full to attention. Then he moved so he was stationed at my entrance, looking at me for permission. I nodded and watch as he pushed forward, easing into me. It stung, as my body was not used to how big he was, but it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. He continued groaning as he pushed in until he was bottomed out inside me.

He rested above me looking at me with complete adoration as I traced my finger along his face.

‘You okay Satnin?’ he asked. ‘I’m good,’ I said, ‘you?’ ‘Better than okay,’ he said, ‘it’s like you were made for me.’ ‘Made for each other,’ I corrected. He nodded and started to move his hips thrusting in and out of me slowly and gentle. The more he moved the better it started to feel. As I moved to wrap my legs around him he groaned, falling into my neck, his breath hot and wet against it. ‘Oh Y/N,’ he moaned. ‘Keep going,’ I said kissing his forehead as he started to pick up speed.

As he continued my eyes roved over every inch of him determined to commit this image of him to memory. This was what I wanted. To be together. Completely buried in each other, conjoined by love and lust. I wanted to make him feel as good as I could and from the way his hips stuttered and his groans became more regular I figured I was. ‘Fuck Y/N,’ he grunted, ‘I ain’t gonna last.’ ‘Elvis,’ I whispered making him look at me, ‘we need to be careful.’

He looked confused for a second and then nodded. He seemed to be waiting until he was at breaking point before he pulled out of me, spurting hot ropes of cum across my stomach before he fell down beside me panting, his body half draped along me, creating a sticky mess between our bare skin. We lay there for a moment, Elvis coming down from his high as I ran my fingers through his hair, his head on my shoulder.

‘I love you,’ he mumbled as his breath finally evened out. ‘I love you too,’ I whispered watching as he looked up at me. ‘I’m glad we did this,’ he said, ‘you were right.’ ‘I always am,’ I giggled making him laugh. ‘Don’t I know it,’ he said falling silent for a beat before he said, ‘I mean it though. This was the best birthday gift I could’ve gotten.’ ‘I’m glad. That’s all I wanted. Just you and me together. Completely.’ ‘That’s what I want too,’ he said, ‘me and you forever Satnin.’ ‘Forever.’

[rachthepoet]

Sunflower, Vol. 6 Analysis

My baby, my darling, my decadent Sunflower, Vol. 6. Is this post just an excuse for me to gush my heart out over it? To write a self-indulgent love letter to my favorite song? Absolutely. But won't you entertain me with your time? Sunflower Vol. 6 holds genius on all levels the mind can conceive, lyrical, musical, and not to mention how it induces a flush to my cheeks in its romanticism! Ahhh. Yet it still remains the most underrated piece of art. Harry's use of extended metaphor here is something I'll forever love, for he knows how to execute it well, and this song feels like a masterclass in the technique. Oh, my bad. Am I getting too ahead of myself again? If it wasn't clear, the sunflower is our metaphor here, with many layers to unravel from it, petal by petal.

Here's a deep dive into Harry Styles' Sunflower, Vol. 6, from a poet. And a self-proclaimed resident sunflower connoisseur.

The Song Title 🌻

First, let's talk floriography, a grand love of mine.

Floriography is the language of flowers. Every flower out there holds different meanings, often based on the species, variant, color, characteristics, or all of the above in combination. Floriography then, also, is the art of communicating through flowers. It was popularized during the Victorian Era, though it's been around before then. A way to communicate without saying much at all. People would carefully select and organize flowers in a bouquet/floral arrangement to convey a specific sentiment to the recipient. The choice between a single flower and a bouquet also held significance and could convey very different messages, adding more nuance to this subtle means of communication.

Sunflowers in floriography will be our focus, though. Sunflowers symbolize loyalty, love of life, adoration, and devotion. The symbolism derives from the knowledge that sunflowers are heliotropic -- the flower's tendency to follow the sun across the sky as a natural part of its growth cycle. And, this leads perfectly to my first theory about the addition of the Vol. 6 in the song's title.

According to the National Sunflower Association & seen in the official sunflower production handbook, a sunflower has 9 stages of reproductive growth (R-1 to R-9). But, for the sake of time, let's skip ahead to stage R-6, or, if you will, the sixth volume of a sunflower.

"Flowering is complete and the ray flowers are wilting"

This is the peak of the sunflower's reproductive growth, as its seeds begin to ripen, signifying the sunflower reaching maturity. R-1 to R-5 is from seedling to fully formed. R-5 is the stage where you can cut the flowers down, arrange them in a pretty vase, and display them on your windowsill or as a centerpiece at your dining table. Which is beautiful, for a time. But, the flower cut will never progress to R-6, and will never complete the full cycle. It's the catalyst for the seeds to be harvested and replanted for one of nature's circles to continue.

Now, let's use this knowledge of the sunflower cycle to translate it into a metaphor for a growing relationship! Within said metaphor, stage R-6 would be the height of the relationship -- a time filled with ecstasy, admiration, and realization. And, pulling from our now shared knowledge of floriography, where sunflowers communicate loyalty, love of life, adoration, and devotion ... a theorization is that the relationship at the song's heart was one that he thought could last and sustain. It's in this stage R-6, the sixth volume, of the relationship where it peaked, maybe one of many peaks. But also has the possibility of going downward, as it parallels how the sunflower's seeds will soon be ready to fall. But in this cascading, there can be rebirth (as in, letting the natural cycle continue). The 6th stage is the catalyst for the cycle's fate. He could've chosen to let this person go, to cut the quote-en-quote "sunflower" down and put them in a vase to only fondly look upon, as his past. Rather, he wants them to make it to the next stage, and want to try and complete the cycle to continue to come back renewed. Ok, deep breath now, Rach.

Though the growth stage theory is the one I'm most fond of, I do have other thoughts and theories about that pesky Vol. 6 addition that never fails to leave my mind. Because, well, it's always good to have your backups! So let's run through them, shall we?

Numerology: The number 6 is considered the most harmonious of the numbers, holding close to representation of home, harmony, nurturing, and idealism. It's an embodiment of the heart & can represent unconditional love. Don't know if Harry has ever read up on numerology, but! I still feel as if it's a possibility of one of those odd things he'd pick a book up on. If we look at the number 6 in love, the numerology personality is a devoted lover, which ties back to sunflowers symbolizing devotion. And, I'll end this bit off by quoting a paragraph from Astrotalk:

"THOUGH NUMEROLOGY NUMBER 6 DOES NOT READILY FALL IN LOVE, ONCE THEY DO, THEY WOULD GO TO ANY LENGTH TO ENSURE THAT THEIR PARTNERS ARE HAPPY AND SAFE. "THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ENSURING A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR PARTNER. THESE ARE ENTHUSIASTIC PEOPLE THAT EXPRESS A LOT OF LOVE AND ENTHUSIASM."

Erik Erikson: Erikson's theory of Psychosocial Development has a total of eight stages -- and stage 6 is the psychosocial crisis of intimacy vs isolation, with the developed virtue being love. Those who chose intimacy foster deep meaningful connection, which is something that's been explored as an aching desire within Harry's songs previously. Within this 6th stage, the core question asks: "WILL I BE LOVED, OR WILL I BE ALONE?". This leads the path to an enriched life if intimacy is chosen. And, if this stage is ignored, it can manifest into a fear of rejection, and can detrimentally impact the other stages. Frankly, I could even stretch to think that this core question can be applied to the song itself.

The 6th Song About This Person in FINE LINE's Musical Repertoire / Continuation Chapter: A shorter one, and a more personal theorization that I have already convinced myself people might not see, but that's totally okay! The structure of Vol. 6 led me to a mindset of books. Not a very hard mindset to get me to, but I digress. Which, then, made me consider it being a continuing chapter or the next book in a series. Golden, Watermelon Sugar, Cherry, Falling, To Be So Lonely, and then Sunflower, Vol. 6. In my head, when I listen to the album, these all have this connecting red string to them. And that's all I'm going to say for now, for an elaboration would be a whole new dissertation here.

Just Five Other Volumes Exist: Admittedly the most mundane and easy explanation out of the many, but there could very well be just five previous versions of the song in his personal vault. Because, sometimes, you have to go through many versions before arriving at a final version you like. As a poet, I get you, Harry, and I feel you in that respect.

Lyric Pull Apart 🌻

[INTRO] Sunflower

Though sounding like gibberish at the top, this intro sets the foundation for all the genius to bloom. It's Harry saying the word sunflower, but reversed, which sets us up for a cyclical experience -- much like the natural growth cycle of our beloved little flower. Or, the cycle of the rising & falling of the sun. Or, the flower looking & the flower following. The relationship behind the song will circle back around, never truly wilting or fading away. Embedded in the stylistic choice of the circular structure, this love transcends the standard timeline, moving beyond chronological order. For it's always circling back around to its heart, to its peak. To its sixth volume. [Hint: listen later for the tense changes.]

We've already solidified the sunflower's meaning through floriography, yes? Devotion? Now, I'm going to offer you another perspective on the saccharine symbolism of Harry's sunflower, a comforting nickname for the person he's addressing throughout the song. And, I'm going to bring in some poetry. Oh boy, am I. Sunflower Sutra is a poem by Beat poet Allen Ginsberg that I can vividly imagine Harry reading & stashing away to his inspiration bank. Ginsberg right beside Brautigan. There's always been a fond love inside me for the Beat Generation, how their writing is dirty, down-to-earth, and weird in the best ways you could fathom. How the only right way to read their work is to rant it out. It's always about being alive, every part of it -- and, truly, I see FINE LINE the same, a celebration of being alive, every part of it. And my baby Sunflower, Vol. 6? You're a part of it.

"A perfect beauty of a sunflower! a perfect excellent lovely sunflower existence! a sweet natural eye to / the new hip moon, woke up alive and excited grasping in the sunset shadow sunrise golden / monthly breeze!"

In my interpretation (to which you are free to disagree or add to), Ginsberg's sunflower represents something that's been tarnished and battered, but can be redeemed and grow in beauty again -- all this he ponders alongside Kerouac. An anti-industrialization poem at its core, I think it could've inspired Harry in some ways for this piece.

I believe Sunflower, Vol. 6 can be heard as a romantic reassurance hymn when studied through the lens of Ginsberg's poem. Something, or rather someone, beaten down but with the potential to bloom out of hardships. I see this narrative & nuance running rampant through the song and its core relationship. And, I believe we again find ourselves back at the circle concept (wow). The relationship at the forefront of Sunflower, Vol. 6 continues to come back around to domestic comfort, a stabilizer despite their hardships, and I believe this to be a more fleshed-out reason behind the tense shifts we'll see soon. Though we've been beaten down by these outside forces, we will rise again -- with the lesson of not letting our circumstances make us believe we're something we're not.

"Poor dead flower? when did you forget you were a flower? when did you look at your skin and / decide you were an impotent dirty old locomotive? the ghost of a locomotive? the specter and / shade of a once powerful mad American locomotive? / You were never no locomotive, Sunflower, you were a sunflower!" 

The natural vs. the unnatural. The natural here is Harry and his sunflower, of course. The unnatural being encompassing of whoever and whatever that is a negative outside force impacting the health of the relationship. Think of infected soil. Sunflower, Vol. 6 invokes such joy when listening, and that's because it's supposed to! It's a happy reassurance of love. Harry reassures his sunflower that there will always be this sense of devotion, even when things fall. It circles. Like the sun. Like the flower.

"So I grabbed up the skeleton thick sunflower and stuck it at my side like a scepter, / and deliver my sermon to my soul, and Jack’s soul too, and anyone who’ll listen,"

[VERSE 1] Sunflower, my eyes want you more than a melody

Once you realize how much of a music nerd Harry can be, you'll come around to see just how fucking adorable this line is. He wants to see his sunflower in person more than he wants to write a song or discover a new melody. His life's passion. Like?? Oh, he's so loverboy for that. (HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE.)

[VERSE 1] Let me inside, wish I could get to know you

Get out of your dirty mind now! Urban Dictionary has rotted too many brains. He harbors this desire to get to know his sunflower on a deeper level. Wants to be let inside their head and thoughts (like they're already in his?), their heart (because the sunflower is afraid of love?), and their world (desire to be invested in all that is them, all-consuming type of infatuation). But, it's the phrasing that piques my interest. Wish I could get to know you. Saying wish implies hope, something hard to obtain, a dream almost. It gives off the notion there's some distance -- maybe physical, maybe emotional -- like there's a reason behind him not being able to fulfill this desire for transparency (something he consistently asks for in his music, despite his own character flaw of miscommunication)? And, that's exactly what this is to me, another yearning for transparency, trust, and open communication (themes in the sophomore album). Maybe, just maybe, this is something they're still working on, a hardship they're still trudging through. Maybe Harry doesn't feel as if he has that agency yet, still working on peeling back his sunflower's leaves.

[VERSE 1] Sunflowers sometimes keep it sweet in your memory

He holds onto the good of the relationship rather than focusing on the pitfalls. The growth over the destruction. His memories of his sunflower remain sweet and sunny by his conscious design. However... there's always been a way I've heard this line and I'm here shamelessly wondering if anybody else has heard it in this way, too.

I hear this lyric in two separate intervals: "SUNFLOWERS SOMETIMES" and "KEEP IT SWEET IN YOUR MEMORY", as if they're both interrupting the other. Has he gone tongue-tied, like he's just about to admit himself to? Almost as if he's going to say something negative, but stops himself with reassurance instead. The reassurance in question is how he'll keep it sweet in his head, in the melody, in a means of preservation, rather than dwell on the bad. This, then, ties back to the discussion of Ginsberg's poem leading us to believe it's a song of reassurance, one where he keeps getting oh so tongue-tied...

[VERSE 1] I was just tongue-tied

And speaking of getting tongue-tied! This term is used when people can't find the words to communicate and struggle with communication is a common plight scattered all across Harry's oeuvre. Also, this could be an allusion to kissing. Tongues intertwined with each other in passion. And, we adore that, too!

[PRE-CHORUS] I don't wanna make you feel bad But I've been trying hard not to talk to you

In what I believe to be a continuation of the line before, we witness more struggles with communication. We love an artist with a common theme. Harry makes it clear that it's not his sunflower's fault, yet feels some intimidation knowing that he won't be able to stop himself from falling like a little boy (TBSL CONNECT / HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE). Maybe he's had moments where he's tried to disengage out of bad habits but doesn't want his sunflower to ever feel guilt around his actions. Sometimes he pulls back because of his feelings of embarrassment from being so tongue-tied, sometimes he pulls back because he has moments of fear. Just as his sunflower does, as well.

[PRE-CHORUS] Sunflower (Sunflower, Sunflower!)

A return back a comforting nickname to soothe them, which brings us further into the Ginsberg-influenced perspective that this is a song of reassurance in romanticisms.

[CHORUS] I couldn't want you anymore

Don't know about you, but I think this is such a beautiful way to say I love you. And, there's such a giddiness about it, such joy in this part, in the choruses. As mentioned before, he keeps returning himself to domestic sweetness, these sunny memories, and you can feel the shift, even as the rest of the song rings joyfully. It's just a different kind of joy here, indicated by different instrumentals, by the way.

We also have found ourselves sinking into another moment of reassurance, reminding his sunflower how much he desires. And, once more, more signs of devotion.

[CHORUS] Kiss in the kitchen like it's a dance floor

Oh, this line. How I love it so! Kissing in the kitchen is a very sweet and domestic imagery that emphasizes a commitment to building up a long-term relationship. Which is, you guessed it, another example of devotion! The added implication is that he wants to move forward, continuing this growth cycle with his sunflower.

This could be a reach of connection, but it reminds me of Two Ghosts from Harry's eponymous debut, specifically the lyric: THE FRIDGE LIGHT WASHES THIS ROOM WHITE / THE MOON DANCES OVER YOUR GOOD SIDE. Revisiting an older song, reflecting on past relationships, and reflecting on past emotions, then proceeding to flip it on its head. Feeling the improvement and the more healthy situation he's in now.

[CHORUS] I couldn't want you anymore Tonight (Tonight, Tonight, Tonight)

Then, we repeat the signal of devotion, this desire that can be both physical and emotional. Devotion also can lend itself to reassurance, as I believe both of those are interwoven with one another. And, can't not give a shoutout to the Queen vibes I get from the echoing repetition of "tonight"!

[VERSE 2] Wondering, headshake Tired eyes are the death of me

Wondering, still getting to know things about one another often, there are still things left to mystery in regards to his sunflower. Headshake, a moment of disbelief. He can't believe his eyes, his luck, shaking his head to make sure it's not a dream or hallucinatory. Then, his sunflower's tired eyes are the death of him, he swoons as they wake up together, in a moment where both are unguarded. Implications lead us to assume that they've spent nights over at other's abodes, painting intimacy. Domestic intimacy, specifically, is what we return to. Sleeping next to one another, waking up next to each other, ending & starting the day together. The rising and falling of the sun. A cycle, perhaps?

[VERSE 2] Mouthful of toothpaste before I got to know you

A further continuation of the domestic intimacy laid out before, as we remain in the same scene I believe. I adore the visual I get from this -- honeymoon phase, where he sneaks out of bed to brush his teeth before his sunflower wakes up. And, with the line, BEFORE I GOT TO KNOW YOU, it does seem to be an earlier stage. Much like the honeymoon phase. Yeah?

[VERSE 2] I've got your face hung up high in the gallery

We revisit adoration, found representation back in the flower itself (floriography), alongside devotion, etcetera. His sunflower's face is hung up high (GOLDEN CONNECT), in a gallery where he's studying them, in a gallery like they are precious art to be looked upon in wonder. Up high with implications of importance. In this, I believe, he's saying that he'll never forget his sunflower's face, almost memorializing them and their relationship. The sixth volume of the sunflower is the catalyst for determining the fate of the cycle. Will the flowers be cut down and preserved in a vase temporarily? Or, will the flowers continue with the natural cycle, in a consistent death and rebirth? He reassures that he'll never forget them, and finds himself putting his sunflower on a pedestal -- but not having himself hung up high beside them, for he's the one in constant admiration (HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE.). A manifestation of his appreciation for his sunflower's beauty & sublimity. From the gallery, Harry can admire them, like one admires & studies a piece of fine art for hours and hours on end. Harry holds such great adoration for them, yet they still manage to mystify him.

And, we can't ignore the echo back to Cherry, and how these two songs contrast in both meaning and context -- so, to include a line that connects them to one another is a clever move on Harry's part to highlight the stark differences intentionally. As we move step-by-step through the stages of grieving set up for us through the structure of the album's tracklist, but I digress, for that's a whole other discussion to be had.

[VERSE 2] I love this shade, sunflower, sunflower

Continuing on from the gallery visual, this cute little line... hmm. I have to admit that it's stumped me for quite a significant portion of time, trying to draw out any hidden coding. But, this is what I've concluded for myself. Referencing the shade cast on him from their face hanging in the gallery, he doesn't mind being the one looking up in admiration. In fact, he loves it and relishes it. Much mirroring the nature of the sunflower following the sun up in the sky. Then, we turn back to this comforting nickname, sunflower, the soothing and reassurance that comes along in tow with it.

[VERSE 2] Your flowers just died, plant new seeds in the melody

Let's bring our minds back to the chat about the sunflower's growth cycle for a moment, yeah? Remember how we talked about the significance of being in stage R-6? Flowering is complete? What comes after is the beginning of the seeds ripening to be harvested, for which the flower has to die to make it so. Even in a sunflower's death, they are still celebrated and cherished as new life & new possibilities are found in the seeds that fall. And now, remember. How the sunflower's growth cycle metaphorize the circle Harry and his sunflower are in? Oh yeah!

YOUR FLOWERS JUST DIED is the first half we're going to focus on. What do the flowers represent? Hopes? Dreams? Something beautiful? Something that couldn't grow or bloom anymore? Possibly representing the ups & downs of life, but the two will find a way through it. The flowers died, but the plant is alive. And still the same kind of flower. Not losing sight (GINSBERG PARALLEL).

PLANT NEW SEEDS IN THE MELODY is the second half, and then we'll piece them together. In what melody? Well, in this melody, silly goose! He's using this melody, this song for his sunflower, as a reassurance (!!!) that they will both get through the hardships because his devotion and adoration runs deep. And, put these together now. When you plant the seeds gathered from the wilted sunflower and plant them into the ground, you bring up a new flower that'll run through the cycle anew.

[VERSE 2] Let me inside, I wanna get to know you

There's no more wishing, and, now, a bit more agency is gained on Harry's part. No more wishing, no more hoping, he is here and wants this. He's begging his sunflower to let him inside, then mirroring how earlier in the same verse he said BEFORE I GOT TO KNOW YOU. It's all a circle, a cycle, that goes around and around.

[PRE-CHORUS] I don't wanna make you feel bad But I've been trying hard not to act a fool

Can I just say that I love this depiction of him? HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE. Present eloquently in this song and others. He reiterates how he doesn't want his sunflower to take on the guilt for anything. He doesn't want to get it wrong, he doesn't want to say something foolish, but, shit, they are really making him lose his mind.

[PRE-CHORUS] Sunflower (Sunflower, Sunflower!)

To be expected, we come back around to the comforting nickname for the song's subject, his sunflower. We see reassurance each time this is brought back into the melody, with new seeds planted for hope each time. And this repetition in itself creates a cyclical effect, which, if you hadn't noticed, we always return to for this song.

[CHORUS] I couldn't want you anymore Kiss in the kitchen like it's a dance floor I couldn't want you anymore Tonight (Tonight, Tonight, Tonight)

More repetition, in specifics the repetition from the chorus before. Proclaiming love, domestic intimacy in the visuals, proclaiming love again. Repetition is to circling, and circling is to a cycle.

[CHORUS] Kids in the kitchen listen to dancehall

Is this a look into the future, the hope for the future he planted before? Or is it a reference to Harry and his sunflower themselves? As well as being a continuation of domestic visuals from the sweet kitchen we got, either interpretation has a lovey connotation to it.

Picturing kids in the future: He's planted the seeds for a future together, returning to the feeling that Harry believes that what's between the two is something that could last. So much so that he's picturing settling down with them, with dance parties in the kitchen to joyous music he introduced them all to.

The two as children: This could be a proper extension of the other visual in the other variation of the chorus, where Harry's referring to himself and his sunflower as the kids in question. Kids in love, fools in love (HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE.). He just keeps picturing domestic bliss for the two of them, kissing & dancing in the kitchen together as he shares parts of himself, what he loves, with them.

[BRIDGE] Sunflowers just died, keep it sweet in your memory

Even when something in life has come to a close doesn't mean it isn't something you can look upon fondly, and even in death doesn't mean there can't be rebirth. With the shift from YOUR FLOWERS to SUNFLOWERS, it's like he's directly addressing his own metaphor, his own symbolism. A return to the core's devotion, the romanticism of the circle of the sunflower, and the parallel circle of the relationship. Sunflowers represent spectrums of the life cycle (youth, vitality, hopefulness, etc). Even in their death, they are celebrated as their seeds promise new life.

Through this song, Harry is celebrating the beginning, the middle, and even the possibility of an end to his relationship with his sunflower. He's cherishing when they were blooming with love, immortalizing that vibrant time in these melodies we can listen to in this moment as the audience. When they were growing, blooming, flowering with idyllic dreams of domesticity, but simultaneously memorializing when they hit moments of ruin.

[BRIDGE] I'm still tongue-tied

This purposefully mirrors the line I WAS JUST TONGUE-TIED, furthermore completing that cycle that I know I'm getting repetitive reminding you of. But it's important, ok? He still can't find the words, he feels he still can't express his devotion to its fullness, and this entire song was him trying to explain it all! And, even in the song, he finds himself stumbling. No matter how long or how short this relationship lasts with his sunflower, he will always be tongue-tied, baffled, and utterly lovestruck. His adoration for and his devotion to this person take away all his self-control, wondering, headshake in constant disbelief.

[OUTRO] Sunflower, sunflower Sunflower, sunflower Ayy, woo, ow Woo-woo, woo-woo (x3) Yeah! Ooh, woo, ooh Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo

Oh, the outro! How it fills me with such joy! The outro mirrors the intro with the last (full) words he says being SUNFLOWER, SUNFLOWER before we lean into the random noises that further show HARRY, THE FOOL IN LOVE. And, it's so fun to try and sing along to, and we become a fool in love right beside him. This non-verbal section, raw emotion bursting through the seams, closes off the song with a moment of euphoria. Dipping down to go into WOO-WOO or BOOP-BOOP ... which is us listening as he plants the seeds to nurture the flower (the relationship) as we continue to spin in this cycle of love and hardship. With added reassurance. And added devotion.

We, again, oh I'm getting annoying, return to our knowledge about sunflowers, and how they're celebrated in their vitality, but also in their death because of the seeds they provide, even as they wilt. Harry is planting the seeds in the melody, in Sunflower, Vol. 6, to grow more, to bloom more, to maybe start anew with a perspective more rounded out than previous.

The sunflower that has fallen can rise again, celebrated in death as much as in life. Even if this ends, Harry is left with seeds of knowledge -- of love, affection, and devotion -- that he can plant to start a rebirth and rejuvenation in himself and even further, whether it's both theirs or not. The sunflower, his sunflower, has taught him a lot about how vibrant things can be, and how much of a fool in love he can be, even after all the moments of heartbreak and grieving. I stand behind my claim that Sunflower, Vol. 6 is one of Harry's most romantic and most genius songs. I mean, you can't even deny it -- this is a boy who loves love. A fucking fool in love. And I adore him and his romanticism of devotion so badly. Told through the subtle messaging of a flower metaphor? Oh my goodness.

Thank you for reading, you're absolutely incredible!

If there are any songs you'd like me to make an analysis of, please send your request to my inbox! Along with any questions or insights you might have yourself!

[sketchy-tour]

Please list 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you! Get to know your mutuals, followers and all the wonderful people on here! I do wish you a wonderful day or night! Btw, cool art!

OH! I got three of these!!! HELLO HELLO!!!! @crocchompers @kawaiialeisha SPINNING ALL THREE OF YOU IN MY ARMS!!! Thank you so much for the sweet words and the silly little asks! Funny, I had to recently list likes of mine in another ask. But hey, why not do this again!!!

First and foremost of course my friends make me VERY happy. I've been in a rather sappy mood this new year so my poor friends have been dealing with me gushing constantly about how much they mean to me. I'm a sentimental guy!!!

Then of course there's my comfort medias! Slapping them all in one category so I don't just list a bunch of shows and stuff for the entire list! Welcome Home, The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, MLP FiM, FNAF, Fallout 3, creepypasta, CentaurWorld, The Backrooms, and Undertale! I'm sure there's more that I'm not thinking of but that's what I can think of off the top of my head!

Oh if I write paragraphs for all of them, this answer will end up too long. Okay okay speed running. Nature, flowers, trees, bugs! Those all make me incredibly happy!

SEEING PEOPLE EXPRESS THEIR JOYS! I can't describe to you how much I FEEL when I get to see or hear someone gush about stuff they love. Fills me with so much! Feeling!

A special category to plop in my oc x canon. My self indulgence. My art I make for me to make me happy~ Oh! That makes five! Almost added another cause I suppose I cannot count. Haha.

[trashiewrites]

Some things never change

Pairing: Rise!Leo x F!Reader

words: 753

A/N: Okay! So my new obsession! I swear ill go back to cod but I needed to get this out my system! I may or may not do more ROTTMNT content idk not sure yet! Alrighty hope to those that read this enjoy!!!

WARNING: POST-MOVIE SO MOVIE SPOILERS?? KIND OF?? NOT REALLY!!

"LEO!!" (Y/n) rushed over, wrapping the blue turtle in her embrace. Resting her head on his shoulder as she sobbed. "You IDIOT! Scaring me like that! Scaring everyone!" She gripped onto his plastron, tears rolling down her face. Leo slowly placed a hand on her head, softly caressing her scalp. "I thought I'd never see you again! Your generally crappy one-liners, your charming smile," she went on and on; the others stood behind staring fondly at the two. They all shared her sentiment.

Leo moved her to see her face, "Woah Woah, you saying you don't like my one-liners!" He cupped his hands around her face wiping fresh tears as they fell. "First of all, how dare you~" he cooed at her, "secondly... I'm sorry. Keeping you safe, keeping everyone safe was my first priority." He spoke in a serious yet sincere tone, flashing her his iconic grin. She couldn't be angry as much as she wanted to be, she was just scared. "If my sacrifice promised you a better life, I would in a heartbe-"

"A world without you Leon, god, I can't even imagine it!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, resting herself in the crook of his neck. "Leonardo, I think I speak for everyone that without you; life, the world would be incomplete." Leo's eyes open wide, hearing those words come from her mouth. The others nod as Leo's eyes scan the room; overwhelmed by emotion, his eyes well with tears. Casey Jones looked on seeing the two acting like this made him relieved. It made of think back to his times, times he would be up late seeing master Leonardo sitting alone on the lookout.

Especially after the death of Raph and Donnie, Master Leo looked at those wastelands with a cloud of fear. Nights were then joined by his wife, who always brewed him a fresh cup of tea. The two always talked till late into the night, and despite being in the apocalypse the two always laughed about something. She kept Master Leo looking forward, looking straight. In the hell he lived in, he never saw a man happier in his life.

Coming back to reality Casey sighed, "I'm glad some things never change." He smiled, not yet realizing how loud he said that.

"What doesn't change Casey!" Mikey leaned closer to Casey, staring up at him intently.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to say that so loud! It's nothing!" He laughed nervously; he pulled his mask down slowly. His face flushed red from embarrassment.

"No no, go on Casey. I'm deathly curious now!" Leo raised his brow, giving him a smirk. Casey rubbed the back of his neck, "let me guess! Me being the greatest and strongest ninja ever~"

"Leo!" The group laughed in unison as he shrugged. (Y/n) wiped tears from her eyes as she stared lovingly at Leo. "All that talk about it not being about you!"

"What can I say, old habits die hard~"

"Okay shut it, Leo, let him speak." Donatello pulled out a notepad and waited intensely, "the next thing he says could possibly expand my research into quantum time theories and the existence of multiple timelines!"

"It's nothing that important," Casey rubbed his shoulder, "It's just for those two, even despite future changing their care for each other hasn't. It's kind of a relief to me." Casey raised his mask again, his eyes down to the floor, "I even see why they got married in my time..."

"MARRIED!" The room went into chaos after Casey spoke these words. Mickey and Raph were gushing, April wasn't reacting that much but had an approving look. Donnie threw his notepad on the floor in a huff and Splinter well he was silent, eyes closed while nodding his head; who knows what happens in there... (Y/N) was a stuttering mess, Leo watched her in amusement and even teased her from time to time. In any case, Casey should have never said it.

"Some things really never change" he spoke quieter this time. No need for another freakout.

BONUS!!

Leo: See (y/n)! We were destined for each other!

Y/n: M-m-m-m-ma-ma...

Leo: oooohhhh a wedding in an apocalyptic time, that must have been fun! Butalsolikereallydepressing... did we go on a honeymoon?

Casey: You guys got married before I was born so idk...

Y/n: m-m *passes out momentarily*

Leo: oughhh boi, I think we genuinely lost her... oh she must be so happy she died~

All: LEO!

Leo: JOKING joking! Jesuss- she passes out when she gets super overwhelmed, she's fine!

[mostmagical]

nicole my love will you rank your top three or top five or top ten video games… whichever number you wish to gush about… i love you…

hi sunny..... oughh I have a tough time picking favorites.... I looked at this question like a homework assignment.. I did a top 10 and I put reasoning even though you did not ask for that but I'm putting it under this read more in case you want it... you don't have to read more though... but you can... i love you...

Top 10

Kingdom Hearts - Obviously of course. I don’t always even rank KH1 as my favorite KH game but basically this was my “oh games can be like that?” game. Until I played this, I mostly played simulator games and movie tie-ins and Barbie games, and I loved those but this one had a STORY I could bury myself in. I forced the friend I played this game with to sit and wait while I read through every journal entry and character file looking for MORE, because I was so immediately hooked on everything.

Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories - This one always ranks high not just because of the story, which I love, but because this was the first game I ever beat entirely by myself. A lot of people skip or can’t stand this game so I’m extra proud of myself tbh. But this is the game where one of my favorite characters became one of my favorite characters, so it’ll always have a special place.

Ōkami - I love this game so much… It’s so visually stunning, I love the unique game play, and Amaterasu is such an amazing protagonist despite the fact that she does talk outside of barking and howling and also she is literally a dog. But she’s so good. There’s a dedicated bark button, which is important. AND THERE’S FISHING!

Final Fantasy X - I’ve literally never sobbed more over a piece of media in my entire life. The game wasn’t even over yet. I had to fight a boss with tears in my eyes. This was my first FF game and oh my god. Oh my god. I can say no more.

Horizon Zero Dawn - I got so sucked into this game. It was all I could think about for months. I love the environmental storytelling and the world-building and Aloy is a female protagonist WITHOUT a love interest in this game and it’s so huge to me and ugh. UGH.,

Hades - This game is so fun… I usually don’t like games that make me feel like I’m struggling but they somehow made it such a joy to die over and over again and see what’s up in the house. The sheer amount of unique dialogue makes it impossible to get annoyed. And it’s just FUN. Full of complicated family dynamics and Greek mythology… Collectibles… WOO (also has fishing)

Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life - This is a really sentimental add, but it’s genuinely one of my favorites. I have so many memories of me and my childhood best friend staying up until the wee hours of the morning playing this game, only to go to bed and set an alarm to get up and play it again. AWL has some of the best NPCs of all HM/SOS games, and also the cutest cows. Ever.

Final Fantasy XV - FISHING. And also stories about bonds we build… friendship… ough.. I love sitting in the back of the car and letting Ignis drive and feeling like we’re all on a friendship road trip together. Random stops for pictures and bathroom breaks included. Luna deserved better but the hours I spent fishing made up for that.

Persona 5 Strikers - It probably seems silly to put this here and not Persona 5, but I really loved Strikers so much. It had such satisfying gameplay, completely different from the source material, yet still somehow felt like such an homage to the classic movesets. It was a really good adaptation to a new genre. I loved the story and the new characters, who MADE ME CRY! and I think it’s such a shame, because a lot of Persona players skipped this one!!! Ryuji gets to say fuck. Come on, people.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles - I love the characters in this game so much… I miss them… I love the original AA trilogy, but this one was so much fun for me. I love Herlock Sholmes… I love him so much I forgot that his real name is not Herlock Sholmes. All the characters are so dynamic and the cases are so fun… That was a game I wished never had to end.

Special mention to Animal Crossing: Wild World, Barbie Horse Adventures Mystery Ride, Secret Agent Barbie, Ni No Kuni, God of War (2018), Gris... I love video games. Damn.

[themaladaptivewriter12]

Title: Diamonds Are Forever

Part 8.4 of my “Cray-Cray for Cater” series! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 , Part 7, Part 8.1, Part 8.2, and Part 8.3 can be found here!

Parings: Cater Diamond x Twisted Wonderland Male OC (Mirai Yuhara)

Summary:

With an extended break, Cater decides to take Mirai on a trip to remember. This trip should have strengthened their bonds, but somehow they break a little too.

cw: None! Unless you're weak to fluff! ψ( ` ∇ ´ )ψ

a/n: The slide referenced was the Sky Slide at the Edge in NYC, and the glass room was the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, also located in NYC!

Reblogs are appreciated, just use my custom tag, #TheMaladaptiveWriter12, if you do!  (─‿‿─)♡

Cross posted from my Ao3: TheMaladaptiveWriter12

Mirai slowly opened his eyes and rolled over only  to find the spot next to him empty. Mirai blearily looked around the room, a little more than annoyed that Cater wasn’t there when he woke up. Grumbling, Mirai slid off the bed and exited the room. After a quick trip to the bathroom, where he didn’t find Cater, he checked the living area, which still was a no, but as he got closer to the kitchen, he could hear faint pop music filling the space. 

Mirai found Cater leaning against the counter, propped up on his elbows. His butt stuck out as he swayed back and forth to the beat of his music, while he excitedly texted someone, occasionally taking a sip of his coffee, judging by the smell. Mirai waited for him to put down his phone, and just before Cater could actually grab his mug again, Mirai swung his hand forward, smacking Cater on the butt.

Cater gasped loudly with a yelp, hands flying to protect himself as he turned around to look at Mirai, his face surprised and offended. “Mi-Mi,” Cater whined, “You scared me!”

Mirai doubled over laughing. Cater pouted as Mirai laughed, stopping, just to fall into a fit once more.

“It’s not funny,” Cater pouted.

“It is,” Mirai laughed, “You should’ve seen your face!

“What did I do to deserve that?”

“You left me, that’s what.”

“It’s not my fault I’m an early riser!”

Mirai laughed again.

“You like being a little brat, don’t you?” Cater asked, eyes narrowed.

Mirai stuck his tongue out at Cater mockingly.

“Keep it up or Ima have to punish you.”

“You wouldn’t do anything” Mirai taunted with a smirk 

Cater looked surprised for a split second before his lips morphed into a sly smile. “You never know what I may have up my sleeve?”

Mirai hummed, pressing close to Cater, “Yeah. Tell me what you’d do to me.”

“I’d put you over my knee and spank that cute little butt of yours,” Cater purred, squeezing Mirai rear.

Mirai whined, “You sure I wouldn’t enjoy that?” 

“I know you would. Maybe I’ll just ignore you, and that would be your punishment?”

“Noo,” Mirai whined, pouting. “Don’t be mean.”

“I would never ignore you on purpose,” Cater cooed, kissing the top of Mirai's head. “ Maybe.

“Cater!”

The strawberry blonde laughed loudly, “Okay, okay, I’ll stop teasing. But we have a long day ahead of us, and I wanna make sure your first time to the Shaftlands is a memorable one.” 

“What’re we doing for breakfast? Are we gonna go downstairs or are we gonna eat up here?” Mirai asked. 

“I was thinking we’d go downstairs, and then go somewhere for lunch.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

“Cool. Now get dressed.”

As Mirai and Cater got dressed for the day, Cater tried to make sure they matched, gushing about couples outfits. Mirai didn’t mind, he liked the sentiment. Mirai ended up wearing a black tee under Cater’s blue and orange varsity jacket, black distressed jeans and his worn blue high tops. Cater wore a white tee with a cute character on the front, and over it he wore his blue and white varsity jacket. Instead of black jeans, Cater wore blue stone washed skinny jeans, and white high tops. Mirai liked it, Cater could always pull off the best outfits.

“Selfie time,” Cater cheered after they put on the rest of their outfits. 

Mirai chuckled, letting Cater situate them at the mirror.

“Oh my Seven! We look so cute! I gotta post this one! #CouplGoals, #CouplesOutfits, #Boyfriends, #BoyfriendJacket, and post.”

“We do like nice,” Mirai admitted.

“Right?!” Cater gushed. “Alright, let's go eat!”

The two went downstairs for breakfast and they were astonished with how much of a selection they had. This wasn’t like your normal chain hotel breakfast selection of hydrated powered eggs and heat lamp soggy sausage and bacon, they had an array of actual food. Fresh fruits, all different kinds of yogurts, drinks, cereals hot and cold, but what surprised Mirai the most was the cooks on sight that took personalized orders. You wanted your eggs over easy with cheese? They’d make it. Sunny side up, they’d make it. How about extra crispy bacon and sausage? Done. But there was so much more. There was sushi, scones, croissants, cured meats, muffins, roasted radish, porridge, oatmeal, eggs and a whole bunch of other things that Mirai couldn’t name. Needless to say, Cater video recorded the entire experience.

 Mirai ended up picking a bowl of fresh fruit, a blueberry muffin, some cheese covered scrambled eggs and two waffles. Cater got some bacon, a mushroom and pepper omelet and some biscuits glazed in a hollandaise sauce. 

“I realized that you really like blueberries,” Cater commented, taking a sip of his ice water.

Mirai smiled softly, “Yeah, I do. My mother would always make me muffins with fresh blueberries as a treat, and I’ve loved them since.”

Cater smiled in understanding. 

“I know it may sound like a small thing, but knowing she made them just for me by hand, made me so happy as a kid. I may not be her’s, but anything blueberry flavored holds a close place in my heart.”

Cater reached across the table to Mirai’s hand, “It doesn’t sound small at all. She sounds like a great person.”

“She was,” Mirai said softly. “But, on the topic of food, how’s that omelet?”

“To die for!”

After breakfast they headed out to start their day. Their morning was filled with sightseeing, and Cater took Mirai everywhere. Their first stop was the local park. It was so peaceful without so many people crowding the area. It was too early for children to be out, so the nearby playground was void of childish laughter and crying, nothing but early joggers and dog walkers. They took a lot of pictures at the park, of some ducks and their chicks, a bird's nest, squirrels, and some flowers. Cater was all for taking pictures of any dogs he came across, with the owners permission of course, their furry faces all too happy to have another human give them headpats.

Next was a museum. Mirai loved art and with both their love for photography, it was quite enjoyable. They went to so many exhibits. They went to anything from aquatic life, to prehistoric civilizations. Mirai had always liked history, and getting to learn about the many things of the world he was sucked into was exciting. He got to really see what this world was about. Cater really liked the exhibit about the stars, they even got to go to a planetarium. Mirai loved the way Cater’s face lit up while they watched the stars go by, Cater muttering little tidbits of knowledge to Mirai here and there.

As lunch rolled around Cater took them to a charming little cafe where they spoke over sandwiches, ice coffee, and cake. Cater spoke more than Mirai did, but Mirai let him. Mirai loved it when Cater put down his walls and actually was himself around him. There were no fake smiles, no empty compliments, and no fake personalities, it was all Cater. 

“Ugh, I drank too much. Brb,” Cater said, getting up to go use the bathroom.

Mirai nodded, watching Cater leave. 

Mirai fiddled with his phone, contently drinking his ice coffee. He knew good and well that he didn’t need the caffeinated sugary beverage since it always either made him crash and burn, hyper, or both, but it was so good, he couldn’t resist. Mirai was having so much fun, fun that he hadn’t had in a very long time. Sure, being at NRC was fun and he had some fun times since he arrived, but this was different, this was a different kind of fun and he loved it.

The chair across from Mirai clattered and Mirai perked up. “Oh, your ba-”

Mirai’s face fell instantly, words dying on his lips when he realized two females, one with long black hair and the other with auburn pigtails, had made themselves at home at his table.

“Can I help you?” Mirai asked, confused.

“Um, hi, I’m Bella and this is Vicky,” the girl with the pigtails, Bella, said. 

“Um, hi?”

“Sorry about coming over like this, but we want to get to know you and your friend, you know how it is,” Bella giggled.

No, Mirai didn’t.

“Well anyways, we were gonna go see a movie later and wanted to know if you’d like to join us?” Bella asked sweetly.

“What? I’m with someone, we-”

“Oh, that’s ok, perfect even! We wanted to turn this into a double date kinda thing. V with your friend, and you and I?”

“N-No, that’s not-I don’t think you're understanding something,” Mirai reasoned. “I’m with him. We-”

“Yeah, I know that. He’s the super cute guy with the updo who just went to the bathroom right? He can come too, unless you wanna split up and keep things private?” Bella asked with a wink.

Mirai was astonished. Was she serious? Mirai looked up at Vicky, who wasn’t paying him any mind, applying some lipstick to her already heavily colored lips.

“If you’d let me finish, instead of cutting me off every two seconds, you’d get that I’m-”

“‘Sup girls. What’s happenin’?”

The two girls turned and Mirai looked up and Cater was sitting down in the seat to his left, a not so genuine smile plastered on his face. The prefect tried so hard not to let the smirk that threatened to grace his face show.

Bella gave Vicky a look, nodding her head, mouthing a couple of words.

“Um, hi, I-I’m Vicky,” Vicky said, her voice soft like silk. “W-Would you l-like to see a movie later?”

“Sorry, Honey, but I’m with someone already,” Cater cooed with fake disappointment. 

“It’s okay,” Bella chimed in. “It would be a double date. Not unless you wanna just go with the two of us?”

Okay, on second thought, this girl was annoying him. Was she seriously flirting with his boyfriend? 

“H-Hey,” Mirai stuttered. “Wait a minute! We didn’t-”

“What’s the issue? You already made it known that you didn’t want to go, so we’ll just go with your cute friend,” Bella said, throwing a wink at Cater.

“Just think about it,” Vicky said, her fake nervousness replaced with sickly sweet confidence, “You and the two of us, a girl on each arm.”

“And later, we could go back to my place, hm?” Bella smiled, batting her lashes, a hand coming up to rest on Cater’s arm.

Cater smirked, eyes narrowing, “Hey we can’t leave him out now. A double date sounds good.”

Mirai’s mouth fell open, and the two girls cheered.

“Really?” Bella squealed, “I guess he could go. So it would be me and-”

“You and Vicky and me and my boyfriend right?”

“Wh-What,” Vicky asked, eyes wide.

“Well you said double date, and since I already have a cute boyfriend, it would be him and I and you with your girl, right?” Cater smirked.

The girls shared a look before they both got up, panicked. “O-Oh, uh, yeah, sorry about that,” Bella stammered.

Cater smirked, reaching over the table to hold Mirai’s hand, “It’s okay, accidents happen.”

“Uh, right, uh we, uh should go,” Vicky said, the two of them rushing out of the cafe.

“What’s up, Buttercup?” Cater asked, realizing Mirai’s was pouting.

“Nothin,” Mirai grumbled.

“You’re upset.”

“‘M not.”

“Like I didn’t see your reaction when she touched me,” Cater chuckled.

“She shouldn’t’ve touched you,” Mirai grumbled.

“Aww, you’re totes jelly right now,” Cater laughed.

“It’s not funny,” Mirai pouted. “She, she was flirting with you, and-”

“I was jealous too.”

Mirai’s eyes widened as his cheeks tinged with red. “Why?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?!” Cater scoffed. “I came back to see two pretty girls chattin’ you up!”

Mirai scoffed, “No they weren’t. All they were trying to do was get with you, and I don’t blame them. You’re hot.”

“And so are you,” Cater said seriously.

“No I’m not.”

“Pah-lease,” Cater scoffed. “You’re sexy.”

“Maybe on a good day. With some photoshop,” Mirai muttered bitterly.

“Everyday,” Cater corrected.

“But I’m not.”

“Y'know,” Cater started in mock thought, “those girls got me thinking, if they could hit on you like that, the-”

“B-But they weren’t-”

“Nuh uh,” Cater tutted. “Then maybe I wasn’t doing a good enough job of making it known that you were mine, and I’m definitely not doing my job at making you feel wanted.” 

Mirai clamped his mouth shut, face going beet red.

“Welp, we have this whole trip to fix that, don’t we?” Cater smiled, standing. “Let’s go, Sugar Plum.”

Next, Cater took Mirai to a tall building called The Aerospace, where the entire top part was made of glass. There was nothing in the room, just glass, the see through floors, walls, and ceiling making it feel as if you were walking on air. The room was so full of people that Mirai was fearing the glass floors would break. There was even a little attraction called The Aeroslide, where you could slide down a slide made of glass out the window to several floors below. Mirai loved that part, going twice. And of course Mirai took pictures the whole time, Cater more than he did. Cater could always find the better photo spots and his pictures tended to come out better than his. Cater told Mirai not to sweat it, saying his pictures had their own aesthetic, even if the majority of them were grainy and fuzzy.  

After lunch the pair hit a couple of more hotspots in the city. One of them was a boat ride around the city bay. It was thirty minutes long and information as there was a guide who gave them a bit of the history of the city. It was nice and peaceful as they watched the city go by, the sun warm, and the breeze refreshing. 

Next on the list was an Aquarium. Mirai loved Aquariums, they were just so pretty and fascinating. There were multiple exhibits, some full of freshwater fish, and others with saltwater fish. There were also little activities they got to do like petting the Stingrays, small Sharks and even Dolphins. There was an interactive Mermaid show the Mirai loved. It was performed with actual Mers and not paid actors like in his world, which boggled the Prefect’s mind. 

As they ended their tour, they decided to take the scenic route and make their way through the underwater tunnel. It was mesmerizing to watch the sea around you, watching sea creatures swim above and around you. Mirai couldn’t decide what was better, this, or his impromptu trip to the Coral Sea.

“Look,” Mirai chirped, “It’s Azul!”

Sitting in one of the back corners was a dark colored Octopus. It was camouflage with its surroundings but Mirai could still make its head.

“LOL, it is,” Cater laughed, taking a picture. “You think he’d be mad if we showed him this when we get back?”

“Maybe. Let’s see if we can find the Tweels.”

They did in fact find the Tweels, well in this case, their animal counterparts. It was kinda funny knowing that the twins had an animal counterpart in the wild. Mirai couldn’t imagine how that actually feels for the Beastmen and their Merfolk of this world, what it was like to have a bestial counterpart just existing. Unevolved? Were Bestmen a form of evolution? Or was it something totally different? And what about the Faefolk of this world? Were they the “bestial” counterpart to humans? Were they a type of evolution, or was that the Mages?

“So,” Cater said, looking down at Mirai, “You having fun?”

“Loads,” Mirai smiled, throwing that thought process away before he got lost even further. “I can’t remember the last time I had fun like this, let alone gone to an Aquarium. A Middle school field trip, maybe.”

“I’m glad. I wanted this to be memorable for you, so I’m happy I’m actually able to pull through with it.”

After their aquatic adventure, Cater declared it was time to #ShopTilYouDrop. Mirai refused, but Cater made the excuse of shopping for an outfit for the dinner they had with his father later and Mirai caved. The mall was huge. There were four stories and over four hundred shops to shop from. They both decided the best plan of action was just to start from the bottom up. Cater and Mirai shopped for two hours, messing around, making outfits for each other, and buying little trinkets to take back to their friends at NRC. They had been there for four hours, and by the time they were done, they both had a good amount of bags hanging off their arms. 

“Ready to go?” Cater asked, after they made their way down to the first floor.

“Yeah,” Mirai nodded. “I don’t think I can hold any more bags.”

“Same.”

“What time does dinner start?” Mirai asked.

“It’s five o’clock, we have just enough time to get ready for dinner tonight.”

“Cool. If we hurry, we might have just enough time to take some pictures for your Magicam.”

“Oh Honey, I always have time for taking pictures.”

[kindred-sims]

Part 1/2

TW: Emotional abuse, verbal abuse

"Josephine dear, so good to see you again!"

It was Cora who spoke first, plastering on that same fake, saccharine smile that Jo had become so accustomed to seeing in the little amount of time she'd spent in her father's home. As for her father himself, he wore that typical disapproving look, looking at his daughter with feigned interest.

"My goodness, it certainly has been a while," Cora chirped on, as Jo continued to stand there in shock. "And just look at you, all flushed with motherly glow! How have you been, dear?"

"I--I'm fine?" Jo tried not to stumble over her words, but it wasn't exactly easy, especially with Papa standing right there. As expected, he scoffed at her and her few words, placing both hands on his hips.

"Fine? Is that all you have to say for yourself, young lady?" he scolded. "After your step-mother and I came all this way too, I must say I expected better from you."

"Oh--no, no I'm sorry--" Jo felt herself shrink, as if she were five years old again and being reprimanded for accidentally spilling her milk at the dinner table.

"I just--I wasn't expecting you, either of you--please, won't you come inside?"

It wasn't what she wanted to say nor offer, but it was what was expected of her. Much as she was unprepared for this sudden visit, it wasn't in her nature to turn away guests, no matter who they were. Grandmother had always said to be charitable to everyone, even if you didn't think they deserved it.

Fortunately, Jo found a brief escape in excusing herself to make dinner, leaving Cora and Papa to settle in the parlor. Caleb had come in a few minutes later and while just as surprised, had been his natural, welcoming self, trying to make small talk and the like.

He'd tried to carry it over to the dinner table, but Jo made no such efforts. She remained mostly quiet as she picked at her food, content to let Caleb do all the talking.

"I do apologize for us dropping in unannounced like this," Papa's harsh demeanor had dropped since they'd all sat down, and he sounded quite casual as he spoke. All a ruse, Jo knew him better than that.

"We meant to pen a response to your letter, but as soon as we found out about the baby, I'm afraid we couldn't quite help ourselves. Certainly you can't fault a man for wanting to meet his first grandchild, can you?"

"Oh, of course not, sir. That's perfectly understandable," Poor Caleb, he was trying so hard to remain polite.

"Yes indeed, such an exciting time in any man's life," Sterling continued on, as if he hadn't heard Caleb at all. "Tell me, where is my grandson now? You've not mentioned him once since we all sat down and I'm not sure I can stand to wait much longer."

Jo felt dismay come over her as she looked up at her father, and beside her, Caleb had gone quiet.

"...your granddaughter is upstairs, asleep." She was the one to respond, despite her hand shaking as she lifted her fork. "I'll fetch her whenever she wakes up."

Sterling raised an eyebrow at Jo, a flash of something unreadable in his eyes.

"...I see."

The rest of the dinner was spent in silence, Sterling and Cora shortly returned to the parlor with Caleb afterward. Soon after, Jo arrived with Carrie, who lay half-awake in her arms, blinking sleepily.

"Papa...Cora," Jo spoke cautiously, entering the room with great reluctance. "This is Caroline...Caroline Harriet. Your granddaughter."

"We call her Carrie," Caleb added, trying his best to smile despite the growing tension in the room.

Sterling said nothing, barely paying the baby any mind. Meanwhile Cora seemed thrilled and was practically gushing from her seat.

"Oh my, well isn't she a precious little thing!" she exclaimed. "Isn't she precious, Sterling?"

But Papa didn't share the same sentiment, remaining unimpressed from where he sat. The sight made Jo's heart sink.

"I didn't come here for a granddaughter. I came here for a grandson," he said bluntly, his words causing further pain in her heart. "Why weren't we informed it was a girl?"

"That would be my fault sir," Caleb was quick to step in. "Jo was still recovering and was unable to write the letter, so she had me do it. I...well, I'm afraid my vocabulary is very limited compared to hers. I really thought I'd said the baby was a girl, I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't give me a grandson!" Papa snapped. Beside him, Cora tensed, looking visibly uncomfortable all of a sudden.

"Dearest, please, this is nothing to be upset over, can't you just--"

"No, Cora, I cannot!" He shot a glare to Jo, who'd gone entirely still. "And you! Must you continue to be a disappointment? It wasn't enough that you had to be born a girl, must you continue to mock me further by not giving me a grandson? God, you can't do anything right, can you!"

Jo felt her throat swell, unable to respond as she held Carrie close, trying to shield her from her grandfather's terrible, loud words. This wasn't fair, this was just awful! Everything had been so perfect, she should've known it would all come to an end sooner or later. Maybe he was right to say she was a failure, maybe he was right to--

"Mr. Blythe! How dare you!"

To Jo's surprise, Caleb had shouted. He'd shouted.

And he was angry.

No, not just angry. He was furious.

Jo didn't think she'd ever seen him this way before, nor had she ever thought him capable. He was always so gentle, not even the most uncooperative animal could make him upset.

This, it seemed, had been the thing to finally set him over the edge.

[stxrshxpxd]

🌷 fic friday;

partners in crime

hugh grant x reader,, playful, uni party

I had stumbled into a conversation with a group of guys suddenly and only just begun catching on to what they were talking about when Hugh had pulled me out just as suddenly.

“Excuse me! I was having a very profound discussion with those distinguished gentlemen right there,” I informed him, slurring the word ‘distinguished’ terribly. I gave him a jokingly offended expression and tugged on my arm which he was holding very firmly.

“Those wankers are not good enough for you by a long shot,” Hugh huffed playfully, kindly refraining from pointing out that I couldn’t have had a profound discussion even if I wanted in my current drunk state.

“Oh, and you are?” I asked, leaning in closer to him. He was still holding my arm tightly and in his other hand he held a half full bottle of tequila, which he now waved in front of my face as he smirked proudly. My face lit up.

“You are my hero,” I sighed happily, negating the sentiment of my previous remark, and I reached for the bottle but Hugh pulled it away swiftly. I groaned at him being much less drunk than me and I clambered onto his torso, reaching for his hand which was now fully extended towards the ceiling.

“Say it again,” he murmured, his smirk now smug and deep. He began staggering away towards the next room and I followed, clinging onto him and reaching for the bottle still.

“You’re my hero! You’re a genius! I bow down to you!” I gushed loudly in a damsel sort of voice and Hugh laughed heartily, clearly enjoying my surrender to him. He was suddenly caught off guard as he accidentally smashed the bottle into a hanging light in the ceiling and stopped in his tracks, startled by the loud noise.

“That’s what I like to hear,” Hugh purred, coming back to our little charade soon enough. “Now open wide for me.”

He hooked his arm around my head and held my mouth open with his warm hand as the back of my body leveled with the front of his. He poured a generous amount of tequila into my mouth, and some spilled down the sides of my cheeks, and I coughed at the burning warmth down my throat as I swallowed.

“Good enough for my favourite girl?” Hugh asked, spinning me around again to face him as he took a big gulp of his own. The room continued to spin for a long moment and so did my insides at the words he’d said. I giggled and nodded, realising I was fully leaning against his sturdy torso with my arms folded up between us.

“Mm, very good,” Hugh agreed with a slight grimace at the strong taste and he dropped his head down to lay his forehead against mine. He initiated a sloppy kiss and I returned it, loving the feeling of his tongue against mine. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders tightly and supported my full weight now as he laughed at my surrender.

“Is my kissing lulling you to sleep, darling?” he mumbled, our noses smooshed together.

“No,” I said into his mouth. “Your kissing is.. everything. You make me weak in the knees!” I slurred in that gushing voice again and Hugh laughed further.

“So do you!” he played along in a joking tone of distress and he staggered back towards the nearest sofa behind him, collapsing down on it and me naturally following to straddle him. We each took another swig of tequila and fell into another wet kissing match.

Funny how at parties the only people in the world were me and Hugh.

[senditcolton]

Best Believe I’m Still Bejeweled

summary: when your boyfriend Adam continues to mistreat you, you decide the cure is a night out with your friends. and it’s there where you meet a handsome stranger who may just improve your life... or at the very least, your night.

songs: X X word count: 1.7k warnings: a little spice and a mention of infidelity

The sound of your heels on the wooden floor is the only noise that echoes in your empty apartment as you pace, glancing up at the clock and feeling your hope drain with every passing minute. You felt as if you had been waiting for hours and with one final look at the time, you decide that you had enough.

You grab your phone, pulling up your friend Danielle’s number and dialing. It takes her a few moments to answer but when she does, you can here the noise and pounding bass on the other end of the line.

“I guess I don’t have to ask if you’re all still at the club.”

“Yep, we’re still here. Why? Are you coming?”

“Yeah. Adam was supposed to be here ages ago for our date.”

“He stood you up again!” Danielle screeches.

“Yeah, and honestly, I’m done with this.”

“Good for you! Yes, come and join us!! I’ll tell Este and Alana to keep an eye out for you.”

“Thanks Dani. I should be there in a few; I just got to get changed.”

“Okay, see you soon babe. Love you!”

“Love you too,” you respond with a smile before hanging up the phone and letting out another heavy sigh. You take another glance around the room, a small sliver of doubt still echoing within you. But you quickly banish it; your ‘boyfriend’ Adam had been acting like this for weeks and he always came back with an excuse. And you always accepted it. But you quickly came to realize that he was taking advantage of you. For as much as you cared about him, he didn’t return the sentiment.

So, honestly, fuck him. You were going out tonight.

After calling an Uber and changing into your favorite shimmering black mini dress and over-the-knee boots, you were headed to the club to have fun with your friends. Because that’s what you truly needed; some fun.

And when your friends Danielle, Este, and Alana spot you and screech with joy, showering you in compliments about how sexy you look… you feel lighter than you ever had before.

“I’m serious, babe, you are the hottest person in this nightclub right now,” Este continues gushing, her speech slightly slurred from the cocktails she had consumed earlier. You just smile as you take a sip of your own drink. “No, I mean it. When you walked in, it was like, bam! All eyes on me!!”

“Please,” you say laughing, “I highly doubt that was the case.”

“Well, Este might be exaggerating a little bit,” Alana says, scooting in next to you. “However, there has been this guy who has been looking at you since you walked in.”

“Really?”

“Promise.”

“Where?”

“He’s to your right, at one of the tables below the bar.”

You give a hum before discreetly turning your head in the direction Alana gave. Your eyes scanned over the crowd in a noncommittal way before they finally locked with the eyes of a drop-dead gorgeous man. His face, his beard, the way his hands wrapped around the cold glass in front of him, the patchwork tattoos you saw inking his arms. He notices you staring and shoots you a charming grin, causing heat to rush to your cheeks as you shyly return his smile.

Whipping your head back around, you take another swig of your drink in an attempt to calm the fluttering of your heart. Your friends notice your flustered state but they don’t help you at all, instead choosing to laugh and hoot at your predicament.

“Stop it, it’s not funny,” you groan, setting down your drink.

“You like him,” Este coos.

“I don’t even know him!”

“Well then go talk to him, babe,” Danielle replies, playfully rolling her eyes as if it was the most obvious thing.

“No, oh god no. Uh-uh, not gonna happen,” you shoot out.

“Why not?”

“He’s, like, hot. Like really, really hot. I honestly don’t think I could say anything to him even if I wanted to. Have you seen his face?”

“Yeah, I have,” Alana butts in, “and it’s been making bedroom eyes at you for the past hour! Go!”

You huff out a breath, having clearly lost the battle between your friends before you kick up off your stool, grabbing your empty glass from the table top.

“Fine, I’m going to get another drink and then I’ll talk to him. But, if he turns out to be taken or a creep or an asshole, I’m blaming all of you.”

“We’ll accept that,” Danielle retorts, shooting you another playful smile. “Now go!”

You roll your eyes in jest as you turn away from them, weaving through the crowd and making your way towards the bar. While you were moving, you found your eyes flitting back towards the handsome stranger, catching his gaze a few times. And every time you did, you couldn’t stop the smile from appearing on your face.

It was stupid that a complete stranger had made you this dumbstruck without saying a singular word to you. But another part of you understood your dizzying reaction; it had felt as if it had been ages since you felt this beautiful, this desired. Adam sure as hell wasn’t giving you this kind of attention and there had been a nagging voice in your head blaming you for his lack. Now, here, you knew it wasn’t true.

And that became more evident when you saw a pair of tattooed arms slide up next to you at the bar. A smile pulls itself onto your face before you even look over to him. You are glad you did because when your eyes connect to his, the beautiful blue-green of his irises catch you off guard, adding to the insane attractiveness that he already possessed.

“Hey,” he says gently.

“Hi.”

“Pierre-Luc.”

“Cute.”

“Thank you.”

“I meant your name,” you tease, causing a blush to appear on his cheeks. “And the accent. French-Canadian?”  

“Yeah. What about you?”

“What about me?”

“How about your name to start with,” he says and it is your turn to blush. You tell him and his only response is a hum and another smile in your direction. “Can I buy you a drink?”

As if the universe heard his question, the bartender dropped off your drink in front of you as soon as the words were out of his mouth. You pick up the glass and turn to lean back against the bar, taking a sip, watching a small chuckle move through Pierre.  

“Already have one,” you say, gently laughing as well.

“Put it on my tab,” Pierre says to the bartender, earning a nod in return and Pierre’s eyes dart back to you. “So…”

“So,” you repeat. There’s a small pause before you manage to speak. “Taken?”

“No.”

“I was afraid of that,” you say, taking another sip of your drink.

“Why? Are you?”

“It’s complicated.”

“I’d still love to hear about it,” he replies, relaxing against the bar, his broad body now angled in your direction. You sigh, trying to put your thoughts in order, debating whether to tell a stranger your relationship woes. But before you can utter a word, you feel something touching your hand. You look down and see Pierre’s fingers dancing across your skin, outlining your fingertips, grazing your knuckles. And those delicate touches set a fire within you that you had honestly forgotten existed.

“Well, long story short, he doesn’t seem to give a shit about me. Tonight, we were supposed to go out on a date and he never showed. I was left standing in my apartment feeling like an absolute idiot. And tonight wasn’t even the first time he’s done this. But every time I confront him, he always comes up with some sort of bullshit excuse and I accept it. And I know that he’s taking advantage of my kindness.”

“Hmm,” Pierre hums, “well your boyfriend –”

“Adam,” you curtly say.

“Adam?” he repeats and you nod in confirmation. “He kind of sounds like a dick.”

“You have no idea.”

“Have you dumped him yet?”

“Not officially.”

“What a shame,” he muses, his fingers still grazing across your hand.

“Why is that?”

“I was hoping to take you home tonight,” Pierre replies smoothly, causing your heart to skip a beat at his forwardness. You look over to him, his blue eyes hooded and raking up and down your body. Normally, you wouldn’t really consider taking him up on his offer, perhaps a side-effect of your ruined self-esteem. But then again, when Pierre is looks at you like that, making you feel beautiful and wanted… it’s a feeling you never want to let go of. You take a breath, turning towards him and mirroring his lustful gaze.

“Don’t let that stop you,” you reply. It now your turn to shock him with your forwardness.

“You have a boyfriend.”

“Ex. Just because he doesn’t know it yet doesn’t mean it’s any less true.”

“Still,” he counters.

“Fine,” you declare, pulling out your cell phone from your purse. You pull up Adam’s number and quickly shoot off a text message, telling him that it was over and you were done. Once the text was sent, you turn your phone back to Pierre, showing him the messages.

“Over text?” he questions, his eyebrows raising. “Kind of harsh.”

“No worse than what he’s done to me,” you shoot back, putting your phone away. “Now,” you say, riding the high of your newfound freedom and the feeling of being desired by the gorgeous man in front of you, “are you going to treat me better than he ever did?”

A dark chuckle falls from Pierre and you watch as he lifts himself off the bar, rising to his full height. You have to suppress the shiver that wants to run through you as his fingers dance up over the bare skin of your arm.

“Sweetheart,” he says, his hand raising to cup your jaw and pull your face closer to his. He looks into your eyes with such intensity that you feel you might drown within their depths. He leans in to you until your lips are barely touching. “I’m fucking planning on it.”

SIGN UP FOR MY TAGLIST HERE