#one thing that gets to me is he's made remarks about needing to eat healthier & workout

[trashycosmos]

Hu5h

[tokoyamisstuff]

Tender Ch. 1 - Loki x Mute! Reader

Summary: Even though Loki doesn’t understand why the new member of the Avengers should be kind to him of all people, he doesn’t want you to stop either.

Warnings: Loki being depressed, the Avengers being kinda mean, mentions of Torture and Death

Words: ~2100

[Story Masterlist] [All of my Works]

All eyes were on him again.

As soon as Loki would step inside, the previously lively room would fall completely silent. Well, it’s not like he wasn’t used to being the involuntary kill-joy...

Usually, the God of Mischief craved attention, may it be positive or negative - most of the time being the latter. But lately, after months of having all those distrustful and hostile glares piercing holes into him, he’d rather wish for the ground to swallow him whole.

“Umm, so...I gotta go.” Natasha was the first one to flee the unpleasant atmosphere, not even putting the energy into mutter anything else than a cheap excuse on her way out. Clint wordlessly followed her close after, but not without shooting the Odinson one last, spiteful look.

Loki on the other hand was picking on his hands, a nervous habit he had inherited from his mother. As much as he tried to avoid meeting their eyes, the tensioned aura they were emitting making him feel close to breaking down completely - but he would never give them the satisfaction to witness this, he swore to himself.

And yet: Maybe he should just leave. Disappear, forever.

Although he’d never admit, Loki had grown very tired of his life following this stirr path, unable to diverge into a new direction. Everything he did would ultimately bring death and destruction upon mankind, inflicting fear in the hearts of all people.

His whole existence was based on being condemned to fail - just for others to reach their ‘glorius purpose’.

“Great” Tony scoffed. “Now they’re gone. Well done, prince of nothing.” Steve cut his friend off, clearing his throat very exaggeratedly.

The god still hadn’t moved from the doorframe of the conference room, while all others were already sitting on the oval-shaped table. He didn’t got what all that fuss was about. If Steve didn’t insist him to attend this emergency meeting, he’d just have gone about his usual business and avoided everyone as good as he could.

“C’mon, brother” Thor sighed, well knowing that if his brother was to stay in the team, it would ultimatively drive a wedge between them. All that pressure in the air was straining for everyone, including himself. 

Tony on the other hand was pretty chill about everything, aside of being passive-aggressive. This was probably due to their similar coping styles.

Even though his near-death-experience back when he stopped the Chitauri was still eating on his mental health, he’d prefer glossing over it with stupid jokes and overly confident behaviour. “No sassy remark today, Reindeer Games?”

Stark was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed as he rose an eyebrow on the god, who only muttered a hoarse “No...not today.”

Yeah, it was kind of his style to break the unsettling silence through puny comments or self-glorifying speeches, to distract from his own insecurity.

But right now, he was just so damn tired.

Of this planet and it’s people, as well as the humiliating circumstances he had to dwell in. The fact that he was a prisoner at the Stark Tower, amongst his worst enemies. Being forced by his brother to keep up this meaningless act, as if he’d ever be seen as a team member or ally - when in reality, he was but a slave to the people he once ought to reign.

Just like back on Asgard: Never one of them, never belonging. No way to break free - for his true self was something to be loathed.

However, first and foremost the one thing he was especially tired of was himself, for he couldn’t get out of his own skin. Not only could he never be considered a hero, let alone be redeemed.

After all the atrocities he had commited due to Thanos’ torture and the tesseract’s influence,  now that he woke up from that naive dream of power stilling the emptiness in his dark heart, there was nothing left for him - other than to be haunted by his crimes until the mercy of death would overcome him.

“Well” Steve began, slamming his palms on the desk to attract everyone’s attention. “As you all know, we are welcoming a new team member today.”

“They all know?” Of course they wouldn’t let him in on such sensitive information. Not that he minded either way - one Avenger more or less, it didn’t matter how many people hated him in here.

“Please, come on in.”

Loki cleared the entrance when he heared Tony’s words, turning around in anticipation of another dull creature like the Hulk to torment him - but his calm demeanour dropped completely at this unusual sight:

“Y-You?!”

That was simply not possible! The last time he had seen you was almost a year ago, and you were on the brink of death at that!

“For everyone that doesn’t know yet: Her name is Y/N Y/L/N. She is one of the victims HYDRA experimented on, and they succeeded in forming an artificial mutant.”

Steve went on and on explaining about your powers, but Loki’s head had already turned on autopilot, the only thing he could concentrate on being how the hell you of all people ended up here.

All these months, he was desperately trying to get any information about you, all of his hints ultimately leading him to dead ends - and in the end, tragically believing in your imminent death.

The memories were still painfully vivid in his mind: It was his first mission together with the Avengers, at a HYDRA hideout with most likely no civil survivors.

Actually, he had planned to make his escape right when the others engaged in a fight, wandering the hallways of what resembled a torture chamber rather than a laboratory.

On the walls were several instructions, about a serum that might cause a human to mutate if they were exposed to unbearable stress - pain being the most effective method, apparently.

Yet instead of finding anything useful for his personal gain, he found you: A  beautiful woman, yet emaciated and lying in a puddle of her own blood. At first he thought you to be dead just like the others - but as soon as your faint whimpers drang to his ears, he burst the cell you were trapped in open, rushing to your side immediately.

“Shh...” the god scooped you up from the cold stone floor, wrapping his cloak around your broken body. “Everything is alright now. Your savior is here.”

Loki gasped as he felt your hand stroking his cheekbone, even through all your pain and weakness wanting to bid your hero this due respect.

“Hel...you humans are such fragile creatures...” Loki muttered under his breath, cursing his own lack of talent when it came to casting healing spells. “Hang in there, look at me!”

Your eyes were teary and bloodshot, yet not less fit to bring across a message no words ever could: Incredible gratitude, and admiration.

He could tell you were close to passing out when your hand left his face, falling limp to the side. But he held you firmly in his arms, not once stopping to utter sweet words of encouragement as he made his way to the ship, leading you into safety.

“Your world in the balance, and you bargain for one man?”

Those were the words he once directed at Black Widow - but only now he understood her attempts.

Saving one person could never make up for all the lives he had destroyed - and yet he knew that for you, it would mean the world none the less.

In one way or another, with your life at his mercy, he began to finally grasp the preciousness of life, and doing everything in one’s might to protect it.

“Reindeer Games” Tony tapped on his shoulders, making Loki wake from his pondering. “I’d appreciate if you didn’t scare her away on the first day already.”

Oh.

Just now he was noticing his own grim expression, having towered over your much smaller form this whole time with furrowed brows.

“My apologies” was his firm response, but you only shook your head, trying to tell him it was not a big deal.

So this was what you looked like when you’re not imprisoned, he realized when he took in your physique.

Much to his pleasure, all of your wounds had seemingly healed, and you finally gained some much needed weight. Like this, you looked so much more healthier - and most definetly even more bewitching than he remembered you.

If people had let him know, would he have visited your sickbed, aiding you towards health again? Who knows...

Yet somehow, he dwelled in the thought of you being able to lead a happy life now that you were free - which made your decision to seek out the Avengers in wish for more battles even harder for him to accept.

“You are incredibly strong, Lady Y/N” Loki spoke firmly, everyone else rolling their eyes at his usual exaggeration - but you knew he meant every word. “Be sure of my eternal respect.” 

The God of Lies’ eyes widened in excitement when you directed a warm smile at him, knowing for sure that this one was genuine. It wasn’t like those fake smirks the other Avengers gave him out of politeness, or the mocking laughs when they were making fun of or excluding him.

No - that one was just pure affection. And it left him in awe.

“Thank you for saving me back then” you signed, just for Loki shooting you a puzzled look.

“What, I thought the all-tongue knows every language?” Tony yelled, as inconsiderate as always. Thor was quick to explain on his brother’s stead, him still being deeply invested with you. “Every spoken one, yes. ASL is not one of our fortes.”

Usually, Loki had always been a quick thinker. But right now he was to bewildered by your appearance that thinking straight was out of the question.  

What language were they speaking of? And why have you not been saying anything up until now? Maybe his presence was making you uncomfortable, after all? Should he leave on your behalf?

To make it easier for him to understand, you rolled down your turtleneck, revealing the unsighty scar that covered your whole throat.

There were not many people bold enough to come close to the God of Mischief without warning, yet suddenly you simply took his hand and slowly led it to your neck.

How could you be so naive and offer someone like him such a vital spot?! He’ll never get the human philosophy...

And yet, the flabbergasted god hesistantly let his hand run over the scar, while you opened your mouth to no avail - for 11 months already, no tone would leave your vocal cords.

“I’m incredibly sorry...” Loki whispered with a sorrowful tone, while the others just stared in disbelief. “If only I was able to heal this wound back then...”

What a puny god he was...and an even more pathetic wanna-be-hero at that...

He would try to take a few steps back, but you took a hold of his hand, squeezing it with both of yours, that cheerful smile not faltering in the slightest.

“Please, don’t be sad. I’m only alive thanks to you!” Bucky, whose cousin was mute as well, translated what you were signing for Loki. His tone sounded quite irritated, not fitting those meaningful words. “I only wanted to join the Avengers because I want to be just like you. You’re my idol!”

Those words touched him deeply, igniting a flame inside of him he thought long to be defunct. Was it hope?

Of course it was not nearly enough to pull him out of that deep, dark hole he felt trapped in for as long as he could remember - yet somehow, he now felt that it was not impossible to escape.

While the others were cringing at your declaration, making jokes about ‘choosing wrong idols’ or would plainly not believe Loki to have a positive effect on anyone, the two of you would just stare at each other in silent admiration.

Shyly, you signed yet another word for him - and this time, Loki would know what you mean from pure intuition. 

He smiled.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Loki was able to smile again, just thanks to your heartwarming welcome. And he was still blissfully unaware about what effect you could have on him, if he was brave enough to let you close.

One thing was sure: You literally had him wrapped around his finger from the very start.

[juleswolverton-hyde]

Not by the Moon | 08

Genre: Smut, Romance, Strangers to Lovers, Drama, Tragedy, Werewolf AU, Supernatural AU, Bookshop AU

Pairing: Bookshop keeper!/Werewolf!JB x Reader

Warnings: Mild swearing, eating disorder (personal experience, don’t be a bloody twat), heavy(?) angst, Werewolf!Jaebeom trying to be a normal boyfriend

Summary: Every story has a purpose or goal it is dedicated to, their authors at times going to great lengths to see the project they once started to completion. Nevertheless, the things the writers swore on to see their latest art piece to completion are static.

Unchanging.

None of them swore by the Moon nor Love because they can solely genuinely swear on all that changes like themselves.

And yet, a wolf in love foolishly swore by the moon.

That is when Time truly started ticking.

Author’s Note: This chapter is from Y/N’s POV.

I am seeing a trend starting to develop where every chapter turns into a behemoth that makes me not want to edit it at all. Nevertheless, I pulled through on this one despite being in the middle of a 32-hour work week and being absolutely exhausted.

Summer holidays, you said? I only see extra shifts and little me-time nor writing time and inspiration. That said, though, be prepared for some heavy worldbuilding because the plot thickens.

Also, and this has been edited in the previous chapter, a new special someone makes his debut in this chapter. Is this also a hint about whose story is next?

Who knows?

I don’t know.

Previous Chapter / Next chapter

Masterlist

“Jaebeom? Jay!” I nudge the big man’s shoulder to signal for him to step aside so I can turn the stove off before the burned pancake catches fire. “That’s the third one in a row.”

“I’m sorry,” he mutters quietly. “I- I have a... I can’t focus.”

“Is it because of this morning?” If so, then that makes two of us. However, I tried to forget as best I could by working with timed productivity sprints instead of writing the article on Bruges in one go. It worked fairly well until lunch time came around.

That’s when I, too, couldn’t escape the claw mark.

The image of it flashes before my eyes once more, joining my thoughts with his if his blank look is anything to go by.

How did it get there? What did you do?

“Yeah. Morning. I... I’m sorry.” He shakes his head, brows furrowed. “I’m sorry, this should be a nice evening. A cozy night in. You deserve my attention, for me to,” his breath tapers as he finishes the sentence, “be here.”

The quiver in his lips makes the roof of my mouth dry up and my mind empty save for gut-stirring concern, unable to think of a proper response. Nevertheless, I look for words to say what seems best. Like I did this morning when I went to get his medication. “How about I take it from here and bake the pancakes? You already made the batter and I can’t let you do all the work.”

“I like cooking for you.”

“I know you do, but it’s fine. Really,” I gesture at the couch by the living room window, which provides a glimpse of the small balcony, “sit down. I’ll call you once dinner’s ready.”

“Y/N,” he reaches out for my hand yet only dares to hold my fingertips, “I’m sorry I can’t be more.”

The crack in his voice breaks my heart. But its the vulnerability written across his normally stoic face which tears me apart at the seams. Whatever he means, it’s nothing to do with this morning. Rather, it’s about him as a person, the wonderful man he is. 

Throat blocked by something I can’t swallow, I scan his attitude for any hint about what he truly means. “What’re you on about?”

Let’s just forget about it for a little while and be a normal couple. I promise I won’t run away despite what happened.

Unfortunately, Jaebeom dismisses the question to make a point I wish he didn’t. “We both know what’s ahead. But, sometimes it’s as if you’re avoiding the inevitable.”

I let out a deep sigh, caught red-handed. “I’m not, because I know or, rather, can guess where this is going. I just don’t know how to respond at times. And I don’t want you to feel bad so I try to keep the mood high as best I can. To, well, keep us both happy.”

“Is your avoidance of food also part of that?” he asks, carefully formulating the question while keeping a close eye on any change in my demeanour.

“Yes.”

“I hate it when you don’t eat.”

“I know, but if you knew the reasons behind it, you’d understand why it’s difficult for me. Although, I want you to know that I’m trying to keep my promise to you and eat when you tell me to.” I cup his cheek, lovingly swiping my thumb to and fro over the tanned skin. “It’s really hard to escape your determination. You’re very insistent on things.”

“Too much?” Eyes dim and glistening with withheld tears, he nuzzles my palm.

“Sometimes.” I kiss the tip of his nose and smile, a sign of happiness that’s only half a lie. “It doesn’t make me love you any less. Now, let me be a proper girlfriend and cook for you.”

Regardless of the wonderful sight of Jaebeom wearing an apron and being absorbed in his element in the kitchen, it’s equally as wonderful to have something to eat tonight. Secretly, I would rather have made a healthier and less calorie-rich dish, but we both need a bit of a reprieve from last night. Thus, for the sake of us both, I’ve decided to let go of my rules for a little while.

To enjoy something sweet.

As wholesome as the sight of the wolf man seated on the couch, knees pulled up with round gold-rimmed glasses balancing on the bridge of his nose as he reads the novel he apparently borrowed from my bookshelves. I should write a little note on the title page and give it to him as a present so he’ll have one of my books like I have his.

They’ll be on his shelves for as long as we’re here.

Be there even after he’s gone.

Then they will return to me yet still be his.

He will still be with me.

The pages filled with his love.

It’s everything that will be left of him.

His legacy.

His remains.

The thought leaving me filled with bittersweet affection, I cut the fruit to put on top of the pancakes while gradually using up all the batter. Were it not for the move to the cottage at the end of the month, I could easily be content here if he’d ask me to move in. Wherever we are, evenings like these might become a common occurrence, a splendid reward at the end of a long day at the office.

They could turn any place into our home.

The long road of the lone wolf would finally come to an end.

Because as long as he’s there, I’m home.

“Mind your head.” Despite the warning, Jaebeom nevertheless puts a hand on my head while he opens the cupboard above to grab two plates.

“I was just about to say dinner’s ready.” I let out a breathless laugh, hardly hiding the sobs at the thought of one day having to live without his touch. “Talk about timing.”

For a second, a curious expression treks across his face. It passes by too fast to properly describe it, but it seemed to be triggered by the meaningless remark about his return to the kitchen.

When a dangerously short and sharp breath escapes me, he swallows it with a kiss. Perhaps it’s the sorrow of knowing a storm lies on the horizon that makes me delusional, but a soft whine rises in his throat each time he kisses a stray tear away as he peppers my face in small pecks. 

Satisfied he has taken the sadness more or less away, the corners of his mouth curl into a lop-sided smile as if nothing happened. Notwithstanding, it isn’t hard to figure the blissful ignorance is merely feigned. “Right. Timing.”

Our gazes lock and neither of us says a word until he perks up and motions for me to step back. “Fork and knife.”

Discombobulated by the shared confusion, I indeed set a step backwards so he can open the drawer. In the meanwhile, as Jay sets the dinnerware down, I put the final pancake on the stack and set it down in the middle of the table. 

Chest puffed out, I clap my hands. “Dig in.”

Like yesterday, Jaebeom insists on doing the dishes while I settle down for the night. However, whereas I gladly did before, I now do with an uneasy mind. Arms wrapped around my knees, my thoughts run down a familiar dark path.

I ate too much. Maybe I should go home and do a workout. Then again, I really don’t want to even though I have to.

“Y/N?” The faint though surprising mention of my name breaks the imaginary stones weighing down my shoulders. I snap my head to the side, almost headbutting the wolf man who has appeared at my side. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Lips pulled into a wistful smile, I scratch him under the chin in hopes of distracting him to the degree he won’t be able to ask further questions. “I’m tired, that's all.”

Unfortunately, Jaebeom is like a guardian who somehow notices a lot despite his absent-minded demeanour. Henceforth, the topic is all but abandoned. 

Without warning, and as effortless as if he were picking up a book, he lifts me up from the couch to hold me in his arms. Instinctively, I clutch his loose black shirt to have a grip of something in case I fall. It’s an ungrounded fear since his arms are sturdy, but it’s comforting nonetheless to have something to hold on to.

My haphazard action elicits a low chuckle that makes my heart skip a beat, although it almost thumps out of my chest again as he rests his forehead against mine. “Let’s go to bed.”

“It’s only eight o’clock,” I sputter, chest tight and no breath sufficient enough to lift the sensation. “Besides, I- I don’t have any fresh change of clothes or toiletries or a pyjama.”

Did he turn the central heating up?

“Doesn’t matter. Can borrow. You. No, that’s not right. You… you can. You can borrow clothes from me. Also, I think I have a spare toothbrush somewhere around here.”

“Jay,’’ As best I can, I try to keep my tone steady though the words come out too fast and uneven regardless, ‘’I think I should go home.” 

If I don’t and I won’t get in some more exercise, I’ll gain weight and slowly go back to how I was.

And I’ll lose him.

Back to square one.

Loveless.

Despite the effort, I can’t prevent the crack in my voice as I weakly tug at his shirt. ‘’Let me go.’’

“No.’’ The gentle kindness has malformed into rough sternness, translated in a sound similar to a growl. ‘’You need to calm down.”

“I am calm!” I retort, more ferocious and sharper than intended though the equal harshness might help to drive the point home.

For a split second, he snarls and bares his teeth. Simultaneously, a flicker of a second personality passes across his mismatched eyes.

The calm ocean warps into a watery grave with high waves on a stormy night.

The hazelnut cracks to set that which it contains free.

His lashes abruptly flutter shut, as he lets out a pained gasp. Beneath my fingertips, his chest caves as if an imaginary fist has dealt him a blow in the guts.

And in mine as well.

Rippling flesh.

There’s… there’s no… Jay, what is happening to you?

I hold on tighter to the fabric, hyperventilating while trying to refrain from bursting out in tears.

There has to be something I can do! But what? What do I do? How can I make this stop?

How do I get you back?

Withal, shivering lips parted to beg for guidance, are interrupted by a shake of the head hanging low. Slowly, Jaebeom looks up, a light layer of sweat on his skin. Our gazes lock, but whereas the wolf man’s was filled with savage chaos, it’s now returned to the stern tranquility it held before the attack. Nonetheless, an uncomprehending whimper betrays the fact that whatever happened wasn’t experienced consciously.

The rage was beyond him.

Outside him.

Another’s.

Still breathless, he scoffs, the sound gruff and overtly disagreeing. “Let’s watch the moon and stars.”

There is no chance to ask any questions about the swift changes in demeanour since he promptly moves to the hallway and up the stairs towards his bedroom. The bedframe of the two-person bed also functions as a bookshelf which takes up the entire right wall, the shelves stacked with second-hand paperbacks in various conditions. An empty picture frame is placed on his side of the bed, a pair of glasses next to it.

Jaebeom puts me down on the navy wool blanket on the edge of the bed and leans in to steal a kiss, which is easy to do considering I’m too shaken to offer any protest. Nor do I feel the comfort of his lips. “Take your clothes off. I’ll go find you pyjamas.”

A tad reluctant, mind occupied by guilt and terror, I start to undress as he rummages through the wardrobe on the other end of the room.

Left only in my underwear, I sit down on the edge of the bed. Although he’s seen me naked once, I still wrap my arms around myself to hide my body. A shield to protect a fragile ego housed in equally as vulnerable body flesh.

Afraid of what might happen when those ripples grow out of control.

Terrified of who he will become.

Of who he is.

“Don’t.” Jaebeom turns around with a black hoodie and grey sweatpants in his hands, eyebrows drawn together. He closes the drawer, throws the clothes on the bed, kneels, and firmly yet gently grabs my wrists to break the walls I put up. And I let him. “Don’t hide from me.”

Not understanding where the shame originates from, he grows still as he scrutinizes my face for clues. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

Instead of giving an answer, I change into the makeshift pyjamas. The hoodie is oversized yet comfortably baggy while the sweatpants hang disconcertingly low on my hips. Fortunately, any skin it reveals is covered up by the top.

Continuing to avoid his gaze without saying a word, I crawl under the sheets. Face turned to the window, I pull up the blanket he drapes over me and bury my nose in it.

A wild forest and cologne with a musty hint of pages.

It’s undeniably him.

I don’t know what else to do or say. So, I let the silence speak for itself.

A language he is fluent in too despite his oftentimes loud demeanour.

The mattress dips under his weight when he lies down and rearranges the sheets to cover us both. An arm wrapped around my waist and legs tangled, Jaebeom pulls me flush against him, his chest warm against my back.

A sob rises in my throat when I feel his lips place a kiss on my crown with a sigh of contentment.

I don’t deserve this.

Us.

Him.

The fear of losing him to whatever is happening inside.

Then again, Life isn’t fair. It deals everyone the same awful hand and leaves it up to the player to make the best of it.

I guess we’re both dealt a crappier hand than others. That, or we play them wrong.

Can we win at all?

“Talk to me.” As loving and happy as the casual intimacy of the embrace is, as forgetful it could make me if only I’d manage to fall asleep, Jaebeom’s oddly sweet cooing keeps me awake.

Staring at the moon.

A woman as fickle as me.

And infinitely more beautiful.

Funny how I, too, am jealous of a celestial body.

In love with the heavens. 

He continues when he notices I won’t be the one to break the silence, his intonation laced by a whiny undertone like a dog wanting something yet being denied what it wants. “You know what I’m dealing with. But...” he digs his fingers deeper into my hips, the grip iron-like without being painful, “I hope this is okay to ask, but what is it with you and food?”

The encouraging squeeze in my side almost has me bursting out in tears again. There has to be a price to pay somewhere in the shadows, the overwhelming sensation of being genuinely loved and protected must turn out to be as two-sided as the silver goddess in the sky. After all, Life is bittersweet.

“It’s only fair I tell you.” Especially after how open he’s been. Besides, there’s no opportunity to avoid the topic since we’d arrive at it sooner or later. And he deserves to know. In fact, I don’t want him to forget my brokenness the moment I tell him about it.

We both want each other to remember our own missing pieces.

So I sigh, turn over and bald my hands into fists to rest against the warm skin of his bare chest. As I speak up, I try to keep my voice as steady as possible. “I used to be quite a fat kid, to the degree the GP advised my parents to put me on a diet. Queue high school and social pressure which led me to perhaps work out more than is healthy and left me bordering on the edge of anorexia. There are still foods I won’t eat and days I’ll worry about my calorie intake, especially on the days I don’t work out.”

I can’t help the mirthless chuckle which turns into a rueful smile. “It’s the good old cliché. Just another soul broken for the shallow enjoyment and acceptance of others.” 

Lips pulled into a stern line, the wolf man remains silent. Notwithstanding, his eyes speak volumes when I dare to look up at him, the ocean and hazelwood alight with a watery sheen. Perhaps it’s the comfort of his nearness or the familiarity of those one of a kind eyes, but he inspires a confession which I never thought I’d make. “Nevertheless, I’m getting better and it’s partially thanks to you.”

Morgan spamming me with ‘Have you eaten?’ texts and Bam making sure I finish my plate whenever we go out for food either here or abroad help a lot too. Nonetheless, it’s mostly the bookish wolf who makes me want to try.

And be a little better than before.

“What do they feel like, those days?”

“The bad ones?” Jaebeom nods. “They’re ridden with guilt and self-loathing.”

He leans in, leaving only a few centimetres of distance between our faces. His breath is warm on my skin as he bumps his nose against mine. “You’re feeling that way now.”

“I am.”

“Don’t.”

“I can’t.”

“You’re still you. Beautiful as always. And I’ll love you regardless of how you look. I like your mind, which is as weird as mine. The way you hold my hand, as if you’re afraid I’ll walk away. How you unconsciously squeeze it when you need my protection more. How you feel in my arms, soft and warm as a bunny.” He hooks his finger under my chin and tilts it upward to run his tongue over my lips and nose. “Love you. A lot.”

“I love you too.” I turn my head to nuzzle his palm, my face perfectly fitting into it.

Please, no ripples. Let us have this moment. I don’t want to be afraid anymore. Let me have him, just him as he is. At least tonight.

The secure affection of the touch transforms into something else when he glides the back of his hand over my cheek and folds his fingers over my throat. Testing the waters, eyes boring into mine to stop at the slightest sign of discomfort, he slowly closes off my access to air.

It’s funny how the body and mind react to certain situations. Whereas I normally would flinch and run in the direction of safety, there is no urge to run. In fact, the tingling in my chest travels down to rekindle a familiar heat between my thighs while my adrenaline-infused system aches for the wolfish lover. Henceforth, instead of jumping up from the bed, I spread my legs so Jaebeom can comfortably nestle between them.

“Let me prove it. Let me mate you.” The calloused fingertip journeying across the collarbone to the crook of the neck sends a pleasant shiver down the spine. Another electric shock follows at the coarse prickly sensation of his moustache rubbing against my skin as his soft lips kisses and nips at it. “It will only sting a bit, I promise. Please, the mark will look pretty.”

“No biting, Jay.” Reminded of our agreement this morning and the movement beneath his skin when his emotions seem to get the better of him, I pull him against my chest. Before he can protest I scratch his jaw exactly in the way he likes it, thus subduing his great ability to argue. “Not today.”

“It’s not... hm, k- keep go- What do- Bit higher. There. Like, hm, mhm, there. But... what normal-’’ Arms wrapped around my waist again and letting out a content hum, dark lashes flutter shut. For a moment, it seems he’s fallen asleep. However, his drowsy murmurs, while growing incomprehensible, still haven’t finished. “It’s not what couples do.”

“You’re learning,” I giggle, amused by the remark which sounds like a student recalling a piece of knowledge during a test and repeating it for himself.

Without understanding the knowledge completely. “What do they do?”

Staring at the ceiling, I run my fingers through his long dark manes as I try to come up with ideas about what we can do next. “Well, you’ve already given me your clothes. We could try jewelry next, maybe a promise ring. It’s an old-fashioned idea, but people who are promised to each other wear matching rings. 

‘’What mean? Promised?’’

I say nothing of the faulty grammar of his question. After all, speaking becomes harder once exhaustion overtakes the body and mind. I have yet to find a sleeper being able to form comprehensible sentences. ‘’They’re sort of similar to engagement rings, but without the immediate implication of getting married soon.”

“Let’s get en- enga- enge-’’ Jaebeom lets out a groan, frustrated by his lack of speech. Nevertheless, it doesn’t perturb him enough to completely give up on the effort to properly pronounce the word he’s struggling with. “En. Gage. Ment. Engagement rings instead.”

I let out a breathless chuckle, amused both by his determination and the absurd proposal. “It’s definitely too early for that.”

“It’s not!” He barks, shooting up with a pinched expression on his face.   

Scratching him like before, I manage to calm him down enough to make him lie down on my chest again. Nonetheless, his discontent shines through in the gruff scoff he lets out. “It is.”

“What if...” Prompted by the idea in his mind, Jay scrambles upright to face me once more. Lips parted, the feral sharpness in his mismatched eyes is replaced by a twinkle of barely contained excitement. However, the enthusiasm dims with a shake of the head and a low self-deprecating chuckle that ignites my curiosity. At the same time, it also tugs at the strings of my heart. “No, it’s wrong of me to ask.”

“What is?”

What were you about to say? Don’t keep it to yourself. Tell me!

“Never mind.” He lies down again, nuzzling my breasts as he snuggles up into me.

Then, he slips his hand under mine to lift and compare it to his. “Cute paw.”

Fine. Keep your secrets, you big burly bastard.

“Go to sleep.” I push him off of me, earning myself a disappointed noise which resembles a yelp. “On the other side of the bed, please and thank you.”

In the days that follow, the movement like water set astir under his skin continues to haunt my mind. In fact, it does to the extent that even the keys beneath my fingers seem to flow rather than be pushed down, causing me to flinch for the third time in a row. 

For the past hour I’ve been trying to type out the notes on an interview with a chocolatier in Bruges and compose them into a coherent article. An otherwise simple task my mind won’t allow me to complete despite the attempts to remember the good moments we had recently. The video calls right before bed, the cuddle session a few days ago when we gazed at the moon, his enthusiastic texts about and photos of new recipes Jaebeom tried. None of it prevents the likely imagined terrible from destroying our happiness.

I’m going insane. He’s a normal person. Somewhat. I was jet-lagged and therefore not thinking clearly.

That’s why I thought I felt his skin move. I was delusional.

Drunk on him.

A buzz pulls me out of my reverie, the screen of my phone lighting up with a message.

Morgan: Starving! Found a new café thanks to a friend.

Y/N: Let me guess. I have no choice but to come along.

Morgan: There wasn’t a choice to begin with :)

Y/N: Of course not. What am I talking about, eh? See you in five.

Chuckling at the woman’s classic brashness, I shake my head, pack my belongings and head to the elevators.

Outside, regardless of the November chill, it’s pleasant. The sun shines brightly and the wind blows the little bundles of fallen leaves at the roots of the birch trees lining the street into motion, scattering them over the neatly swept pavement.

Winter is around the corner. God, I hate the cold. Hopefully, there won’t be snow any time soon.

I sit down on the bench under one of the birch trees, its branches already bare. 

Autumn is truly ending now. Shame. I haven’t even had a pumpkin spice latte and cinnamon roll yet. Maybe I should ask Jay out and find a nice coffee shop where we can get them. After all, if he’s there, we can share the pastry. He’ll be happy and I won’t have to eat the whole thing. A win-win situation.

Enjoying watching the people pass by, each stranger essentially a book with a unique story that is yet not entirely different from someone else’s. Withal, the world feels colder without him, the missing part embodied in the unoccupied spot next to mine.

A delighted sigh on the right makes me snap my head around, alarmed at the notion someone has appeared out of the blue on the empty seat. 

A woman clad in a white suit and matching fur-lined coat with pale skin and brown hair glowing copper in direct light stares contentedly up at the clouds. She’s in her very early twenties, although the freckles dusting her cheekbones and rosy cheeks might simply make her look younger than she is.

For a moment, taken aback and speechless, I cannot help but blatantly gape at the otherworldly stranger.

Wow, she’s like a goddess.

A stone sinks to the bottom of my stomach as a dark thought intrudes my mind. My throat dried up, I twist my wrists, the muscles stiff beneath my fingers.

Would Jaebeom like her? If he saw her on the street, would he... would he stop and stare? Prefer her over me or even try and give it a shot by introducing himself?

“It’s a bit chillier than I’d like, but at least it’s better than rain or snow.” The woman turns to face me, her features soft. “I hope spring will come again soon, though.”

I don’t get the chance to respond because a familiar voice calls out. Not that I would be able to form a proper reply otherwise. “You’re here already?”

“I happened to be nearby,” the stranger turns away to answer as Morgan comes to a halt in front of us, a puzzled expression on her face.

“I texted you fifteen minutes ago and you said you had to clean up. I thought you’d join us later.”

“The birth and after birth went faster than I thought so here I am.”

“I’m sorry, but what is going on?” More than a little lost, I look from one to the other in hopes of being given an explanation. “I didn’t know we’d head out with the three of us.”

“Right, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Brigid.” The dark-haired woman holds out her pale hand in greeting. “I work at the hospital as an obstetrician.”

“I’m Y/N,’’ I reply, shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Lass,” wonder turned to a darker version of itself yet not saying anything, Morgan shifts her attention to me, “you look famished. Come on, let’s go.”

Offering a few muttered words of agreement, I get up and sheepishly tag along with the other women. As we walk out the street and round a corner, following the signs leading to the artist district nearby the university, I’m occasionally tempted to join the conversation. However, as soon as a short silence falls, I don’t chip in, unsure how to contribute to the small talk they seem to deliberately keep up in order to avoid a topic neither is keen to discuss. Thus I walk in urban loneliness, my train of thought displaced on my face as I let the ghosts of Jaebeom’s skin freely haunt my mind.

Right before the descent into the darkness of the rabbit hole, strong long fingers wrap around my wrist and hold it in an iron grip. The slightly painful squeeze interrupts my reverie.

Jaebeom?

I snap my head to the side to find Morgan standing there, leaning in a bit and her voice low. “We’re here.”

I don’t know how I’ve managed to ignore the bustle of students looking for a free spot on one of the terraces and loud conversations accompanied by the rustle of the paper bags hailing from the shops owned by self-employed artists. It’s also miraculous that I haven’t bumped into anyone by accident.

“Oh,” is all I say, looking at the café we’ve stopped in front of.

Wolf’s is spelled out in a modern font on the sign outside and above the door. A big window provides visitors with a view of the plaza. The interior is simple yet cosy, the white furniture warmed up by oak accents and the bare walls decorated with various art pieces, centered around wolves and various flowers. By the looks of it, they were all made by a single artist who likes to experiment with style every now and then. A few plants are dotted around the place as well to add a hint of free nature to the underlying strangely forest-like aesthetic.

A tall broad-shouldered man with short curly chocolate brown hair partially covering up the scar running over his left eye, strong dark eyebrows and a big koala-like nose stands behind the counter. Both of his arms and hands are decorated with various intricately designed tattoos. Whereas Jay is muscled yet lean, the tanned barista looks like a man who knows how to fight yet is a warrior in a society without combat.

As soon as we walk in, his lifts his head and turns to us. Playful lights illuminate the milky white of his left and raven dark of his right eye. A meadow of snow, its glimmer reflecting off of the smooth feathers of a wise bird. “Hi, welcome. Brigid, long time no see.”

Nobody seems to notice it, but his female colleague, a short woman with long flowy caramel brown hair tied into a ponytail who has her back turned to us and is busy extracting a shot, cringes at the merry mention of the woman’s name. Slowly, she steals a glance at us, hazel eyes sharpening when they fall on the woman in white. Nevertheless, she remains silent and quickly returns her attention to preparing someone’s coffee.

Looks like I’m not the only one envying her.

It is wrong to hate a woman for her beauty. Nonetheless, although it’s shameful, part of me refuses to associate with Morgan’s acquaintance out of a toxic mixture of spite and jealousy.

Such is the female nightmare.  

“So this is what you’ve been up to,” Brigid muses, nodding appreciatively while inspecting the coffee shop. “You’ve got a nice thing going on here, Rome.”

“Please don’t call me that anymore. It’s Christian now. Chris or Ian for short.’’ Muscled arms crossed, he grimaces and shakes his head while looking down. Notwithstanding, the stern attitude melts into casual friendliness as a bright smile forms on his lips. ‘’But I do, don’t I? However, it’s not just me running the place. I’ve had some help.”

He turns around and motions for his colleague to come over. For a second she doesn’t move, darting glances to each of us like an alarmed cat checking for danger. Notwithstanding, though clearly tense, she warily approaches and halts at the man’s side.

Her eyes nearly pop out of her head when Christian places a hand on her shoulder. “In fact, Gráinne here still helps me out every day. She’s basically the second owner.”

“I- I’m not,” she sputters in a soft Ulster accent, fumbling with her fingers and her cheeks flushed, “I just work here some days.”

“You’re a bit more than a colleague,” her co-worker remarks, shoulders lowered and his tone holding more affection than would be the case when talking to a friend. A warm glow seems to form around him, ignited by the fondness he harbours for her.

Funny, Jaebeom wears that same expression when he’s with me.  

“I’m not.” Gráinne stiffens, each word dripping with venom as she steps away, grabs a serving tray and puts the order she was preparing before being called over on it. “Get back to work.”

Lips parted, Ian watches her as she moves past us as fast and agile like a hunting cat without any further acknowledgement of our presence. I hadn’t noticed before, but beneath her apron, she is dressed in clothes reminiscent of the Victorian era. “I know she can be harsh and isn’t easy to get along with, but I’ve never seen her act like this.”

“Och, let it pass. She has every right to be pissed with you since you put her on the spot like that,” Morgan jokes though nobody goes along with it.

She likes him yet doesn’t see it’s mutual. Should I say something? Then again, this is their business, not mine. Furthermore, why would they believe me, a stranger?

So I remain silent.

And leave this to blossom however it is meant to in Fate’s hands.

The icy glare Gráinne gives Brigid behind her back sends a chill down my spine. Evidently, she is a woman not cross paths with once angered. Withal, as the fair beauty looks over her shoulder, the other woman restores her professional composure. 

“You okay?” Christian asks as he watches her retreat into the kitchen, done serving for now.

“I’m fine,” she says thickly, the next breath hitching in her throat. Her focus shifts to the moon-shaped amethyst pendant around his neck. The ghost of a rueful smile forms on her lips, but it fades as fast as it appeared. “It’s not like I’m having a vision or something. Help them.”

She waves her hand dismissively when he doesn’t move, lips parted to say something yet at a loss for words. Notwithstanding, although I can’t see his expression clearly, it’s evident her feigned nonchalance is hurting him. “Go on.”

He clears his throat and forces himself into a rigid posture, frowning as he shifts his attention back to us. Finger hovering over the tablet functioning as a till, he stares at the display with an empty and distant gaze, which is as dull as the tears threatening to roll down his cheeks. “What can I get you?”

We place our order and settle down at the table by the window, neither of us offering a word of solace or dedicated to his colleague’s behaviour. 

After a while, Christian comes up to us to serve the food and beverages. As he puts the plates with our sandwiches down, he and Brigid exchange looks like siblings telepathically conversing. Whatever it is they mentally discussed, it only leaves the barista a slight bit less worried though the grave expression plaguing him remains as he returns to the counter.

An expression which must be similar to mine since it prompts Morgan to speak up regardless of having her teeth sunk into sourdough bread, looking equally as somber. “What’s on your mind, lass?”

“Nothing.” I shake my head and stir my cappuccino with the vintage silver spoon next to the porcelain cup, smiling at my own silly assumptions of what happened now four days ago. “Everything’s fine.”

“Except it’s not.” The raven-haired woman cocks an eyebrow, far from willing to dismiss my worries. “Now tell me. Or, well, us.”

“It’s something to do with your lover, isn’t it?” Brigid remarks, head tilted to the side as she assesses me while sipping at her Irish Breakfast Tea. Her features soften when she notices she has hit a sensitive snare, evidently meaning no harm.

I pull back in my seat as I take a sip of my coffee, flustered and cursing myself for being an open book. There is no way out of this conversation since the current company is like-minded in their refusal to simply let the topic pass before it has been discussed.

I swallow, put the cup on the dish again and clear my throat. Fumbling with the spoon and eyes cast on the cappuccino’s silky milk foam, I tell them of what I think happened. The story sounds strange to my own ears, like a terrible fairy tale told by a chaotic storyteller who can’t tell it in a manner that makes sense regardless of how he manipulates the plot.

Afraid of their reaction, unable to fathom the slightest bit of sympathy and empathy, I look from one to the other. Fortunately, my silence can be excused by drinking the remainder of the coffee although it’s futile since the thirst has nothing to do with bodily needs.

“Sounds familiar.” The woman in white scrunches her nose in disgust as she glares at Morgan.

“He was different,” Morgan sneers through gritted teeth, jaw clenched.

“In essence, he was similar to her lover.’’ Brigid points at me though she remains focused on my best friend, her voice dripping with venom. ‘’Or should I say, is similar?”

“Since when does it matter what he is?” Thin lips painted plum purple curl into a mirthless smile, onyx locks shaking in discontent. “How hypocritical you’ve become. Forgetful of the past.”

“A past worth forgetting. It’s never too late to change your political opinions, Morgan.”

Great, now I’m the one to open Pandora’s box. I should have kept my mouth shut, changed the topic.

Desperate for help yet knowing he cannot do anything, I look for Christian among the other customers. Expression stern and standing as rigid as a statue, he watches our table from behind the counter. It appears he, too, feels the sense of danger increasing as the conversation carries on. Notwithstanding, as becomes clear from the apologetic shake of the head when our eyes meet, he also knows his hands are tied at the moment.

We are on the same boat, waiting to see how the situation will develop.

Playthings of Chance and Fate.

“We’re not here to talk politics,’’ the woman in question answers, covering her mouth with her hands while chewing on a bite of goat cheese and pomegranate seeds, ‘’but to have lunch like civilized and amiable women. To help our friend.”

“You’re right,” Brigid concludes. Nonchalantly, she pierces a piece of egg in her salmon salad and puts its on the bread provided with it, a bread called St Michael’s Bannock according to the menu. Then, she points her fork at me. “But the best thing you can do is leave him while you still can.”

“L- Leave?” Utterly confused, I look at the woman calmly eating her lunch. “Why would I do that?”

Who is she? What’s more, who is she to tell me to leave Jaebeom after what I told her? He needs help and support, regardless of what may or may not be there beneath his skin.

Unless she is on to something I am not and judging by the current circumstances, I won’t get an answer even if I dare to ask. Henceforth, if only not to snap, I clear my throat and swallow the vile words dancing on the tip of my tongue. 

“Morgan can tell you why. All I can say is that it’s better to avoid men like your lover in the first place.” She coughs and takes a sip of tea to wash down the salad leaf stuck in her throat while the woman with hair as black as night chuckles darkly. Luckily, it is only loud enough for me to hear and Brigid is too busy preventing herself from choking.  

“Sétan-, I- I mean Seán was the one to leave me, not the other way around. And we mutually agreed to part ways in favour of our own well-being.”

“Sure you did. Totally didn’t resort to throwing plates and other pieces of furniture because he rejected you.”

Morgan growls something under her breath, glaring at the woman seated next to me. However, Brigid doesn’t seem to notice the reaction she has provoked or is indifferent to it. “Or washed clothes at the ford where he so ‘happened’ to pass by. Funny how he died soon after.”

Ford? There are quite a few in Ireland, so where and most importantly, when was this? Then again, what are these two on about? Washing clothes in a ford, people dying, politics, lovers to leave. They’re like arguing voices from ancient times.

Moreover, there is the question of Seán’s life. Is he alive or dead? One moment she speaks of him as if he’s still here, but then why would Brigid remark he’s dead?

“You shut your whoremouth, traitor!” With a loud bang, Morgan slams her fists on the table. She stands up with an expression that makes me cower in fear despite not being the target of her wrath.

Behind the counter, Christian slowly comes into motion, carefully moving with the likely intent to inconspicuously circle our table and jump in if necessary. He flinches as Gráinne places a hand on his arm, holding him hard enough for her knuckles to turn white when he tries to escape from her grip in order to prevent the worst from happening. Notwithstanding, whatever the plan was, it goes to waste since he decides to listen to what his colleague tells him. Sighing deeply, he stands down although he continues to observe us.

Gráinne follows his gaze, which seems to be directed at the brown-haired woman in white, her personal target of envy. Her wolfishly fierce expression falters, growing as bleak as the ash of a great bonfire.

This time he doesn’t see how she comes apart at the seams.

Brigid calmly finishes her tea, daps her mouth on the napkin and stands up too. “Get over your crush. There’s no future for you with him. As for you, Y/N,” eyes oddly alight with motherly affection, she turns her attention to me, “and as a piece of advice from a friend, end this relationship while you still can. There’s only heartbreak ahead.”

“Thank you, but,” a wistful smile forms on my lips regardless of the urge to give into the savage nagging inside, “I can’t leave him because I made a promise to stay.”

“I see. Perhaps you’ll prove me wrong and the flowers will bloom in spring.”

And with those final cryptic words, she leaves the café after waving at the tattooed barista.

Or so Brigid intends, but her way is cut off by his colleague. 

While clumsily taking off her apron she storms outside, clenching it hard and shivering as if she’s on the brink of tears.

“Gráinne? Gráinne!” Christian runs after his colleague, pale and eyes wide with worry as he comes to a halt in the doorway. “Where are you going? Gráinne!”

Brigid places a hand on his shoulder, giving it a consoling squeeze. After giving him an encouraging slap on the back she sets off, leaving the man standing there like a defeated soldier.

“Poor lass,” Morgan whispers as she watches the female barista pass the window. Something in her tone hints at a level of familiarity between the two.

“You know her?” I ask, frowning.

“I don’t think she remembers me.” She glances at Chris, who has retreated behind the counter. He has his head bowed, smooth black locks hiding his face from the customers. Trembling fingers entwined to conceal his distress as best as possible, he resembles a man of religion fervently praying for forgiveness. “And neither does he. I saw him and his close friend, Finn, once in the woods. No, it was his brother, Jor… was it? When he came to the island. Was that… who was that?’’

A mist clouds her ocean blue eyes, lost in thoughts far removed from this world and time. ‘’He was there. As for Gráinne, we met… somewhere. There was smoke, a burning body. It was- It was at… where? Fuck, I can’t recall. I think it was at his fu-’’ she abruptly cuts herself short to correct herself with a strange undertone in her voice, “not long after I... saw them.”

‘’Morgan, are you alright? You’re looking awfully pale.’’ 

Instead of breaking free from the spell that has taken hold of her, the reverie only seems to deepen. Rocking side to side, she clutches her arms to her chest. Her skin, although naturally pale, grows sickly like a walking corpse.

‘’I- I’m supposed to remember. I’m one of the few that do. No, he and I are the only ones left that do. I can’t forget. If I do, everyone will. I can’t… I can’t!’’

‘’Morgan!’’ I stand up from my seat to rush to her side. Rubbing her arms, I try with all my might to bring her back to reality from the depths of deliria. ‘’It’s all right, Morgan, nobody is going to forget. Please listen to me and follow my voice, use it as a guide back to me from wherever it is you are. Please, come back to me.’’

‘’May I?’’ Christian has appeared with a glass of water, which he sets on the table before crouching down at the woman’s side as well.

Gently he grabs one of her hands and holds it, talking in a voice that is surprisingly steady and soothing in spite of what happened mere moments ago. It’s rougher and more gruff, making it hard to distinguish one word from another if you are not well-acquainted with the speaker.

In fact, it belongs to a completely different person. ‘’Morgan, as long as there are people who remember, there is nothing to fear. The past has taught us that what might seem like the end isn’t necessarily truly the end. We are still here. We remember because you do and you remember because we do. You’re safe and sound. Instead, return and help me make her remember.’’

‘’Why, of everyone, did you have to fall for her?’’ Gaze blinded by her mind, Morgan reaches out to tenderly run her fingers through the barista’s hair. ‘’What makes her special?’’ 

‘’She understands.’’ A similar fog veils the misty white and dark eyes, Chris or, rather, the stranger pulled into the same realm of consciousness as my friend. ‘’She broke the chains that bound me and doesn’t allow me to slip into the shadows of what I once was.’’

‘’You’re all the same, aren’t you?’’

‘’It’s rare to find understanding and acceptance in a world naturally turned against you. So, please help me. Help me find her.’’ His voice breaks, the begging words coming out  high-pitched like a whining wolf. ‘’Help me find my reason to stay in this world and not forget nor be forgotten.’’ 

The veil lifts, the spell broken with the whimpered plea. 

Christian falls back, but manages to catch himself before his head hits the tiles. Refusing every helping hand from the customers hurrying over, he scrambles to his feet. Fortunately, he accepts the chair I offer him when his dangerous swaying almost causes him to hit his head against the wall.

‘’Are you okay?’’

‘’Yeah, I’m only dizzy.’’ The hiss he lets out flows over into a sound akin to a growl. ‘’And a splitting headache.’’

Morgan has a better return to reality, completely fine aside from a dazed mind. ‘’What happened?’’

‘’You tell me.’’ I search her face for clues, a sliver of the knowledge she is lying. However, I find none.

She is telling the truth.

‘’I… I don’t know. It’s the first time.’’ She clears her throat, brow furrowed. As if having heard a noise, she snaps her head to the side. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. Drink your tea, eat a sandwich and go home early from work.”

She hands the glass of water to Christian. ‘’And you, you drink this and stay seated for at least five more minutes until the dizziness has faded. Are you nauseous?’’

‘’No. Although,’’ he dry heaves, ‘’never mind.’’

‘’Make it ten. You look as pale as a banshee.’’

‘’Speak for yourself.’’

‘’You’d make a pretty one, though,’’ Morgan muses when she returns her attention to me. ‘’Beauty makes suffering leading to death easier.’’

Apparently, her return to reality has left her as mad as a hatter so perhaps it wasn’t as good as I initially thought.

“Why on earth would you say that? Besides, what kind of comparison is that, us and a banshee?”

“One based on truth. Now,” she shoves the remainder of her goat cheese and pomegranate sandwich to me, “eat, rest up and get cracking again. We’ll be in touch and visit the new café I found yesterday later, alright?”

“Hey, not so fast. Where are you headed off to?’’

She can’t be serious. There is no way she is unaffected by what happened. 

“Attagirl,’’ Morgan says as if I promised to heed her words, ignoring what I actually said. ‘’By the way, ignore what Brigid said and stay with your man. It’s plain to see how he makes you feel.”

“It is?”

“You’re glowing and you come alive when you speak of him. It reminds me of how I was with Seán.” She starts as if awakened from a dream, but tries to hide her awkwardness behind a sheepish smile. “Well, then, take care.”

“You too.’’ The two simple words, otherwise casual, are now carefully chosen in order to not to trigger another ‘attack’.

My gut tight and skin prickling thanks to her inhuman behaviour, I watch the raven-haired woman leave. I hold my wrist, my pulse too rapid to be healthy beneath my thumb.

Like I am at death’s door.

The next morning, there’s an article in the newspaper. A man’s been found dead at the edge of the bogs near town. The cause of his demise is unknown, but there are witness accounts who said they heard a high screech late the night before. In the days that follow, their names show up one by one in funerary advertisements.

A week later, none of the witnesses are alive. Moreover, nobody has heard the screeching since, though everyone remembers the description of the sound.

It was like the howl of a banshee.

[softomi]

The Girl

prompt: have you ever cried because you felt your heart was overwhelmed with love; the feeling of love just knocking you so hard that you just had to weep. 

Atsumu swore to himself that no matter what; no girl was going to ever make him settle down. No one was going to get him to fall in love enough to make him choose them over his career. Atsumu made a promise to himself, he was going to reach the top; he was going to be the best of the best and no girl was going to pull him back from that.

Not even the love of his life, not you.

Call it hope or just plain stupidity; but when you started dating Atsumu, you ignored the red flags. On the first date; he didn’t even introduce himself at first, what came from his mouth was neither a compliment nor cute remarks. On the first date, he sets the menu down, eyes staring at you, captivating you.

“I don’t intent on getting married or having kids, if that’s what you want, then I suggest leaving.”

You didn’t leave, in fact, those things weren’t even on your mind the slightest. Just like Atsumu, you were interested in a companion not a one way lane into settling down. But the longer you two were together, the more you began to imagine yourself with those honeymoon eyes.

He noticed right away and he was quick to shut it down. Even after years together, he was still adamant on not letting any girl falter him. He thought you understood.

Atsumu coined himself a simple man, he only needed three things in his life: himself, volleyball, and sex. He said that to your face during an argument. It was the argument that caused you to leave, because if after four years together, all he thought of you was sex; then it wasn’t worth anything.

Yet here you were, a month later; knocking on his door. A girl answered, her body covered in his t-shirt. He wasted no time. He leaned on the doorframe, the smug look on his face as he asked if you were here to win him back.

“No.” Your eyes didn’t falter, they weren’t shaking, you were not going to let him win; you weren’t going to cry over a boy pretending to be a man, “I’m pregnant.”

His smile falters, “You’re kidding.”

You place a hand over your stomach, “I’m not expecting you to be the father of a child you don’t care about.” It was these moments when he truly found you amazing; the way you could stay headstrong when he knows you want to break down, “You deserve to know and that’s it. Now you know.”

He was reluctant to show up; in fact he was forced into this. Osamu childlocked him in the car as they drove to the hospital for your first check up. You had invited Osamu as he was the uncle to be; but the moment you saw him, ugly box dye blonde hair and all, you frowned.

“I’m so excited!” Osamu was jumping in his seat, “I think it’s gonna be a girl.”

You laugh, “It’s still too early to tell, but I hope so too.”

“Boys are better.” Atsumu’s voice is filled with bitter.

“No one asked you.” When he expects a frown from you, what he receives is a smile. You dig your fingers to pull his hair, he’s screeching in the middle of the waiting room, “No one asked you to be here, so shut your mouth; look pretty and stay quiet.”

Your fingers interlocked with Osamu’s, you two stared at the screen of your baby. The sudden heartbeat of the child made Osamu gasp, it made you tear up, it made Atsumu feel nothing. He sat unaffected, a small scowl on his face.

“It’s a girl.” Osamu told him over a meal. Atsumu is not shocked in the slightest, “The baby is a girl.” Osamu repeats.

Atsumu is chewing his food slowly, a sudden foul taste in his mouth, “I heard you.”

“Then why don’t you care?” Osamu watches his brother eat as though he wasn’t about to be a father to be, “She needs all the help she can get.”

The image of your face sticks to his mind, “She didn’t want me to be the father, then why should I act like I care.”

“I’m talking about the baby.” Osamu’s words cut him deep, “Mom and dad are coming this weekend; I told them about the baby.”

Atsumu cleaned his apartment to prepare for the weekend. He knew once his mother walked in, she would lecture him about the mess. But as he sat Sunday night, alone with the television on in the background; his cell phone displayed your social media post. A happy family picture: you, his parents, Osamu.

She didn’t want you over. Sorry Tsumu, I couldn’t change her mind.

It wasn’t like he cared anyways, he didn’t respond to his brother’s text. Instead, he went to a bar and dragged another girl home. He wasn’t going to let you win, he wasn’t going to let a silly girl like you settle him down.

“What.” You weren’t fully opening your door for him, you weren’t even going to invite him in.

Atsumu stands with his hands buried in his jacket, “Samu says he can’t make it to the appointment, he says I have to go.”

You close the door on him. The door locking loudly and he’s rolling his eyes. An hour passes; when you open the door to leave for your appointment, he stands to his feet.

“About time.” Atsumu grumbles.

“Why are you still here?” Though you sent him a question, you’re walking away from him.

Atsumu waves his phone, “Samu said he wanted picture proof that I went with you. Smile sweetheart.” You smack the phone from his hand, “Rude.”

“Don’t follow me.” You’re snapping at him as he walks behind you.

To outsiders, it looked like a lover’s quarrel; to you it was like having shit following you everywhere. You two had even taken separate cabs to the hospital. He’s amused seeing you slightly waddle, at twenty-four weeks, your stomach was growing.

“And your relation to the mother?” The front desk lady looked at Atsumu.

“He’s just a friend.” You assure the lady.

She nods, “Okay, well we’ve placed some restrictions on who can enter the room; as of right now only family members can enter.”

“I’m the father.” Atsumu states bluntly.

You sigh deeply, “Unfortunately.”

The room was rather bare than the last time. The silence of the room made it awkward as you looked at him. There used to be a moment in time when you could picture him with a child, you pictured him with his child on his back, running in circles of the living room as they giggled.

“What.” He notices you staring at him.

“Can I hold your hand?” Your voice is quiet, different than he’s ever heard before.

“Why?”

You exhale, turning your head to look away from him, “Nevermind.”

But the stillness of the room suddenly holds different, as he laced his fingers with yours, there’s a moment of clarity.

It was nearing your due date and Osamu was taking no chances. He was with you practically every day and when he couldn’t be there for you, Atsumu was in his place. You had gotten used to seeing him, your snarky remarks lessened over time, but not much differred; not even his lifestyle.

The girl looked at you up and down, “Sorry, I think you might have the wrong place.”

Atsumu appears behind her, “I think it’s you who has the wrong place.” He’s shoving her clothes into her hands, pushing the girl out the door as you step into his place.

“Didn’t know you’d have company.” You took off your shoes, walking straight to the kitchen to raid his refrigerator. Ever since you started coming over more, the more you noticed his refrigerator was stocked with healthier options.

“Jealous?” He’s teasingly drinking a cup of coffee that smells like heaven for you.

“Oh my god.” You press a hand onto your stomach, a groan on your lips.

He stands straight up, throwing the cup into the sink, running to you, “What? Is she coming?”

You shoot him a smile, “Gotcha.”

He doesn’t find it funny, he’s actually lecturing you on why that wasn’t funny. But you suddenly feel it, the sharpness in your body; the way it causes you to clutch the edge of the kitchen counter. The sudden rush of panic in your eyes makes him go blank.

Nineteen hours, that’s how long it took. Nineteen sleepless hours, nineteen hours of holding your hand, nineteen hours until he held his daughter in his hand. 

The awe in his eyes, the sudden clenching of his heart when he looked into her innocent eyes, he had fallen in love. He was so in love, he was crying. He was sobbing at the vending machine, at two in the morning in the silent hospital hallway; bending his knees, using an arm to try and silence himself, he bawled. Even as a distant door opened, the silent tune of isn’t she lovely plays; Atsumu wept. 

[jekde04]

Hide and Seek

For Gruvia Week 2021: Day 3 - Discovery

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 4

Pairing: Gruvia (Gray Fullbuster & Juvia Lockser) Fandom: Fairy Tail Genre: Romance/Humor Word Count: 4,424 words Summary: It was safe to say that this wasn't the way Gray envisioned revealing their relationship to anyone. You may also read it on FanFiction.net and AO3! Check out my master list for other Gruvia fics.

The smell of curry wafted through his bedroom before he heard her call his name.

"Gray-sama! Lunch is ready!"

Really, he would have been happy with a couple of caramade franks delivered to his doorstep. But Juvia would hear none of it, saying he ought to eat healthier homecooked meals whenever he could—an indirect way of telling him that she would cook for him every chance she got. And even though Gray protested that Juvia was unnecessarily tiring herself out, she was the type of person who would go through all the trouble to make him happy. Even if that meant cooking a full meal of his favorite food the day after she just got back from a week-long mission.

Clad only in his boxers, Gray got up from his bed and made his way to his apartment's dining area. It wasn't much, just a square wooden table large enough to seat two people (or four, if you cramp them in). He watched as Juvia—wearing only his shirt that looked too large on her delicate frame—prepared the table, making sure to put extra curry sauce over his rice like she knew he loved.

Juvia moved her chair to the corner of the table so that she was sitting next to him, their arms and knees touching.

"Tsk! Why are you sitting so far from me?" Gray grumbled, pretending to be annoyed.

Juvia glanced at him, confusion evident on her face. "What is Gray-sama talking about? Juvia is almost on your lap." Even so, she moved closer to him so that they were almost squished together.

"But you're not."

With a mischievous smile playing on his lips, Gray picked Juvia up like a plushie and sat her on his lap. She shrieked and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Now that's better," he grinned, one arm around her waist and another across her lap, his fingers palming her exposed guild mark.

"Gray-sama!" Juvia scolded him, a healthy shade of pink blooming on her pale cheeks. "Juvia and Gray-sama should be eating. We already skipped breakfast!"

"So?" He ignored her weak protests as he tightened his hold on her waist and buried his head at the crook of her neck, leaving a wet kiss just below her ear. He could feel her fingers gripping the hair on his nape as he trailed kisses down her neck.

"Gray-sama..."

It was supposed to be a plea to let her go, but it came out huskier than Juvia intended, causing a tightness in Gray's boxers. With all the energy she could muster, Juvia pushed him away and cradled his head between her hands so that she could look him in the eyes.

"Gray-sama needs to eat so he can have more energy—" she kissed him on the lips—"to satisfy Juvia." She sported a sweet, innocent smile, but there was an unmistakably playful glint in her eyes.

Gray smirked. "Am I not satisfying you, huh?" He kissed her hard before she could even answer, and Juvia tried her best not to melt into a puddle right then and there.

"You are," Juvia said between kisses. "But Gray-sama and Juvia need to eat. Our last meal was last night."

"But I only want to eat you," Gray whispered as he nibbled at her ear, his hand sliding dangerously between her legs. Juvia tried to protest, but her voice came out so weak as Gray trailed kisses on her cheek and covered her mouth with his.

A couple of knocks made both of them jump.

"Are you expecting someone, Gray-sama?" Juvia asked, finally getting a chance to pull away, but not enough to completely escape.

"No," Gray mumbled. He couldn't care less as he continued planting wet kisses on Juvia's cheeks, down to her jaws and neck. If he ignored whoever was at the door, that person would surely go away.

A louder set of knocks pounded on his door.

Collecting as much willpower as she could possibly get (given that Gray was practically lapping her up like a cold popsicle on a blazing hot day), Juvia hopped off Gray's lap and straightened herself.

"Gray-sama should answer that."

"C'mon, Juvs," Gray whined, hating how she was suddenly out of his reach. He tried grabbing her wrist, but she quickly pulled her hands to her chest and pointed towards the door. He felt the urge to punch whoever was on the other side.

That bastard won't even know what's coming.

Sighing, Gray started to make his way towards the door when a barrage of knocks once again threatened to take his door off the hinges. It was followed by a voice that sent a chill down his spine.

"Open up, Fullbuster!"

It only took a second for Juvia to recognize the familiar voice and cover her mouth with her hands.

"Erza-san? What's she doing here?"

"How would I know? I told her I was sick!" Gray said, careful not to raise his voice. Not only did he lie to Erza and his whole team so that he could skip their mission—he did it so he could spend time with Juvia, his secret girlfriend for about a month now. After all, she just got back from a mission herself, and they had barely spent three full days with each other since they got together as they were whisked away to mission after mission—he with Team Natsu and she with Gajeel and Lily.

For goodness' sake, they deserved their 'alone time' together. And by that, he meant getting away from the prying eyes of his guildmates.

It wasn't like anyone would be disappointed to learn that he and Juvia were going out. In fact, he was quite sure he would have to endure merciless teasing from pretty much everyone in the guild for at least a couple of weeks when they found out about them.

It was just that with Juvia right here—in his home, wearing only his shirt and her skimpy lacy panties that barely covered her bum—it was safe to say that this wasn't the way he envisioned revealing their relationship to anyone.

"Gray! We brought food." It was Lucy this time.

He took a deep breath. Okay, you just have to show them you're fine and they'll leave you alone. Turning to Juvia, he said, "Hide. In my room. Now."

Juvia nodded and noiselessly scurried off to Gray's room. Though hiding their relationship for the meantime was more of Gray's idea than hers, she definitely didn't want to reveal it by getting caught half-naked in his apartment.

Another series of pounding brought Gray's attention back to his front door. "Gray, I swear if you don't open this right now, I will—"

Gray opened the door and came face to face with a worried Lucy and a frowning Erza, both carrying huge brown paper bags brimming with snacks and fruits.

"Thanks for visiting, but I'm fine. You can go," Gray said in a flat tone. Well, if he wanted to continue his make-out session with his girlfriend, he better get down to business right away and cut his friends' visit as short as possible.

"Hello to you, too," Erza answered the cranky ice mage. Without being invited in, she sidestepped Gray and walked straight to the kitchen, setting down the paper bag she was carrying. Lucy followed, muttering, "Geez, thanks for the warm welcome," and started taking out the food they brought with them.

"Seriously, what are you two doing here?" he asked as he followed them into the kitchen.

"We're being good friends, dummy," Lucy answered him. "You're sick, so we thought we'd make sure you're okay."

"Well, I'm okay. You didn't have to go out of your way for this."

"And just let you starve to death?" Erza asked. Everyone knew Gray couldn't cook an egg to save his life. She found a box of medicines in the grocery bag and tossed it to Gray.

"That doesn't seem to be the case, though," Lucy quipped, her hand holding a barely eaten bowl of curry. "Someone must have already stopped over to cook for Gray."

Gray gulped and tried his best to keep a straight face.

"You know, this tastes like the curry Juvia cooks for us in Fairy Hills," Erza remarked after tasting the dish, a crease forming on her brows.

Oh no, Gray thought. How did Juvia's name come up all of a sudden? And how the hell would he steer the conversation around? His mind drew up a blank, fixated on the fact that Juvia was just a few feet away from being found and he couldn't do a single thing about it.

"Did Juvia drop by this morning to bring you food, Gray?" Lucy asked in a teasing tone, a naughty glint in her eyes.

"Y-yes! Yes, that's what she did!" Gray answered, a little too eagerly. "And then she left right away. For a mission. For three days. Yeah, that's it. She won't be back for three days." Mentally, he thanked Lucy for giving him that perfectly plausible scenario.

"Really? I'm surprised she didn't insist on taking care of you," Erza said. Gray smirked as he remembered all the ways Juvia took care of him since last night.

"Yeah, that's so unlike Juvia, isn't it?" Lucy said, her hand cradling her chin like she was deep in thought. Her eyes shot up to Gray, making beads of sweat form on his forehead. "Are you sure you're not hiding her in your apartment?"

"W-what?!" A furious blush adorned Gray's cheeks. "Why would you think that?!"

He must have looked so exasperated as both girls broke into a fit of laughs.

"I'm just kidding, Gray. You're so fun to tease," Lucy said, while Erza placed her hand on his forehead and said, "I think your fever shot up again."

"Sh-shut up," Gray said, swatting Erza's hand and reverting to his usual poker face. He took a seat and grabbed one of the plates, taking a mouthful of rice in his mouth. Now that Juvia wasn't within arm's reach, he was starting to feel hungry. After all, it had been more than 12 hours since he last ate.

And Juvia, too.

"Look, I'm grateful for all your help, but I'd really like to be alone and rest," he said, trying to sound as convincing as possible. "I can totally handle myself."

"Aww, don't be like that! We were just teasing you," Lucy said as she sat next to him. She took the other plate of curry and started eating. "This is really good! I haven't tasted Juvia's curry before."

Noticing that Lucy was eating Juvia's share, Gray blurted, "Don't eat that!"

Lucy just rolled her eyes. "Chill lover boy, there's more than enough here for everyone."

"Can't believe you're not just overprotective of Juvia. You're also super protective of her food," Erza taunted as she got her own plate and started putting food on it.

Gray sighed. What should I do to make these two leave?

"Yeah, you're all protective but you're not doing anything about it. Juvia is a patient girl, but you never know when she'd get tired of waiting for you."

"Might be soon." Gray glowered at Erza, but she ignored him and added, "Mira saw her giggling and blushing at her lacrima several times while we were on a mission."

"Come to think of it, you're sick, yet she left on a three-day mission?" Lucy surmised and Erza nodded. "Perhaps she already found someone who would actually appreciate her."

Gray balled his fists under the table. Even though his friends had no idea that he was actually the one Juvia was talking to via lacrima during their mission, he couldn't help but feel a bit mad that they would think Juvia's affections would sway that easily.

"Juvia would never betray me," he snapped before he could even think.

"Betray you?" Lucy raised her eyebrows.

"Why would you call it betrayal? Is she your girlfriend?" Erza narrowed her eyes at him.

"Juvia's not my girlfriend! I don't care about her!" Gray blurted.

It was really more out of impulse than anything else, but he immediately regretted his words when he heard a loud crash from his bedroom.

"What was that?" Erza asked, a sword suddenly materializing in her hand. Lucy grabbed her keys, and both girls stood up and went to the direction of Gray's bedroom.

Oh, fuck.

Gray jumped in front of the two girls with outstretched arms, blocking their way. "Calm down! I'll go check it."

"No, you stay here," Erza said in that no-nonsense tone that would have normally made Gray freeze on the spot, if Juvia's life (and their secret relationship) weren't on the line. He grabbed her arm.

"That's my bedroom, okay? I'll check and you'll both stay here."

It all happened so fast. One moment he was holding onto Erza's arm, and the next thing he knew, she had escaped from his grasp and was heading towards his bedroom just as Lucy turned the knob...

"Stop!"

"Gotcha!" Lucy yelled as she barged into Gray's bedroom, the requip mage right behind her. Erza's eyes darted from the bed to the closet to the tightly shut windows, like a predator looking for its prey. Lucy pulled back his messy sheets and opened his cabinet with a vigor that he seldom saw in the woman. Why does she look so excited?

There was no trace of any living creature anywhere.

A wave of relief washed over Gray when the two women stopped rummaging around his room. Still, he couldn't shake off his worry as he thought of his girlfriend. Did she just manage to hide so well? Or was she attacked? Just the thought of someone laying a hand on Juvia made his stomach turn to knots.

"How could this fall for no reason?" Lucy wondered aloud as she picked up the intact plastic lamp on the floor right beside the bed. She also sneaked a peek under the bed, making Gray's heart thump loudly. But the frown on her face as she got up made it clear that she didn't find anyone there, either.

Sighing loudly, Gray said, "Alright, show's over. No one's here, so get out of my room and let me fix some stuff here." Erza and Lucy exchanged quick glances but didn't resist when Gray pushed them out of his room and slammed the door.

Alone at last, his eyes swept across his disheveled room. "Juvia, where are you?"

"In here, Gray-sama."

A small puddle leaked from under his bed, materializing into Juvia's body. She's safe. He pulled her up towards him.

"Great thinking. I really thought they're gonna catch us. Are you hurt?" Gray asked as he inspected her body. She didn't seem hurt or anything.

"Juvia's okay. She was just caught off guard so she accidentally toppled your bedside lamp." She smiled, but one look at her despondent eyes showed that it wasn't as simple as that. Something was bothering her.

"Was it... because of what I said?"

Honestly, Gray didn't mean anything by it. Saying that Juvia wasn't his girlfriend and that he didn't care for her that way had always been his default defense whenever he was being teased about her. And now it became a habit that wasn't easy to shake off.

When she didn't answer, he sighed. "Come on, you know what I said wasn't true. I just said those things to get them off my back." He captured her hands in his. "I'm sorry."

Smiling at him, she replied, "Juvia understands. Gray-sama should go outside, or Erza-san and Lucy-san would get suspicious."

She still had that forlorn look on her face, which reminded him of how much convincing he had to do when he first bared his feelings for her.

"Juvia's sorry for doubting you, Gray-sama. It's just that he has denied Juvia's love for so long that she finds this all hard to believe. What if she wakes up one day and realizes this isn't real?"

That was when he realized that even though Juvia took his rejections in stride, his words still cut her. He then promised himself to treat her better, not just in actions but also in words.

Even if she was the only one who heard it. She was the only one that mattered, anyway.

Gray moved his hands to her cheeks, cradling her face as they locked eyes. "Hey, you know me, right? You know how I really feel about you?"

Juvia nodded, but he knew the doubts still lingered.

"I love you, Juvia."

And even though he had lost count of how many times he already told her that, her eyes still shone with the same sparkle they had back when she heard those words for the first time.

"Juvia loves you too, Gray-sama."

He gave her a gentle kiss, which would have been perfect and magical were it not for a low grumble coming from Juvia's stomach. She giggled. "Sorry. Juvia's starving."

Gray opened his drawer and handed her a couple of candies. "It's the only edible thing I have here now, but I promise I'll make them leave right away so we can eat together, alright? Just stay quiet." He stole another quick kiss from his girl before he left, careful not to open the door too much.

He found Erza and Lucy huddled together on his couch, keeping their voices low as they talked. When the celestial mage noticed him approaching, she cleared her throat and said, "Hey Gray, are you feeling better already?" She walked towards him and caught his face between her hands, turning his head whichever way and inspecting his body as if looking for some wound or scratch or something.

That was weird alright, but he decided to shrug it off and just focus on the task at hand: kick his annoying friends out of his house.

"I'm good. Get off me," he answered, swatting her hands away. Moving right between the two girls, he draped his arms over their shoulders. "You know, I really appreciate your concern over me, but I can handle myself." He started pushing them towards the door. "I really, really, really want to rest a bit more though—" just a few more steps and he could already reach his front door—"so please leave."

Just when he was about to open the door, the redhead spun around and glared at him. "Hold it. Why are you so anxious to kick us out of your house?"

He froze. "W-well, I told you I'm okay already..."

"Are you sure?" Lucy said, facing him as well. She placed her hand on his forehead and pulled back immediately. "You're burning up!"

"No, I'm not."

He couldn't understand why they kept walking closer and closer to him with an excited look in their eyes. Taking huge steps back until he was almost right outside his bedroom door, he felt like a small kitty getting cornered by two hyenas.

Two crazy, vicious hyenas.

"Perhaps we could give you a sponge bath?" Lucy purred.

"Oh yes, just like when we were kids. I'm sure it'll make you feel all better," Erza added.

"What the hell is wrong with you two?!"

Before Gray could make a run for it, his bedroom door slammed open and a furious Juvia swooshed past him, pinning the two women to the opposite wall.

"LOVE RIVALS!"

But instead of getting scared by the dark aura coming from the water mage, Lucy clapped her hands and let out a delighted squeal. Erza, on the other hand, looked like she had saucers for eyes as she stared right back at the girl glaring daggers at them.

"I knew it!" Lucy yelled. She pointed to Juvia, then Gray. "You two..."

"So, the rumors are true..." Erza muttered to herself, still not believing what she was seeing.

Gray sighed. There was no use hiding things now. And he better do something before his girlfriend water slices two of his best friends.

"Alright, fine." He walked towards them and pried Juvia away from the two girls. "Juvia and I, we're together. Happy?"

That seemed to snap Juvia out of her jealous rage as her head whipped towards Gray. "Gray-sama?"

Lucy let out another squeal, cheeks pink with giddiness. "It's about time! But—" She punched Gray's bare arm.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"You didn't ask! It's not like I can just blurt it out in the middle of a conversation!"

"Of course you can!" Another punch. "How can you hide this huge thing from us? If Natsu hadn't told us, we wouldn't even know!"

"Natsu-san?" Juvia asked. "Did Gray-sama tell Natsu-san about us? Gray-sama told Juvia not to tell Gajeel-kun," she pouted.

"I didn't tell him, I swear! Why the hell would I tell that idiot about us?"

"Natsu overheard you talking to Juvia on your lacrima," Erza explained as she straightened her blouse and skirt. "Believe it or not, he was able to put two and two together and figure out that you two were dating."

She then narrowed her eyes at Gray. "And of course, it helped that he heard everything, Gray."

Juvia turned a bright tomato red, her hands flying to cover her mouth. Gray blushed, remembering the nights he spent during their last mission sneaking out of his and Natsu's tent, calling Juvia in secret just to ask her how she was doing. His flush deepened as he also remembered the not-so-innocent conversations he shared with Juvia when he thought everyone was asleep.

Damn that dragon slayer's hearing!

"There's just one thing I want to know," Erza said in her serious tone, which made both Gray and Juvia straighten. She cleared her throat. "Juvia... Gray didn't... forcefully take your flower, right?"

Gray, Juvia, and Lucy all turned as red as Erza's hair. Even Erza looked like she wanted to withdraw her very suggestive question as she couldn't stop the blood rushing to her face.

"Do you really have to ask, Erza?" Lucy whispered, her eyes fixed intently on the floor, finding it interesting all of a sudden. "I mean, just look at them..."

Gray gave out an indignant "Hey!" while Juvia literally had steam come out of her ears as she tried to cover her burning face with her hands. Thankfully, she had the presence of mind to wear Gray's boxers before storming out of his room, although Gray wasn't sure that the sight of them—him wearing only his boxers and Juvia wearing his clothes and not hers—could salvage their situation.

"W-well, o-of course I had to ask!" Erza reasoned amid her embarrassment. "I know I taught Gray how to respect women, but if he took advantage of Juvia in any way, I would—"

"Calm down, Erza-san," Juvia said, regaining her composure as she touched the requip mage's arm to try to diffuse the sinister aura starting to emanate from her. "Juvia swears that Gray-sama has been nothing but a gentleman to Juvia."

"Yeah, how could you even think I would take advantage of Juvia?" Gray asked, slightly offended. "We're both consenting adults and we know what we're doing!"

"And I am glad to know that." Erza firmly patted Gray's back, and he thought he was going to cough up blood from the impact.

"So..." Lucy teased, poking Juvia's cheek and smirking. "You two are doing it, huh? You owe us details on our next sleepover, Juvia!"

"Lucy-san!" an embarrassed Juvia exclaimed, once again burying her scarlet face in her hands. Lucy laughed, mumbling something about finally not being falsely accused of being a love rival anymore.

Now that everything was out in the open, Gray cleared his throat and hollered, "Okay, now that we're all good, can you leave us alone now?" He escorted the two girls towards the door once again, and this time, they complied without any protests, finally leaving the couple to their much-awaited alone time.

Gray slumped on his couch. "I'm sorry about all that, Juvia."

"It's not your fault, Gray-sama," Juvia said as she sat beside him and rested her head on his outstretched arms, Gray instinctively pulling her closer. "The whole guild would most likely know about Gray-sama and Juvia before this day ends."

"Yeah."

Juvia sneaked a peek at Gray. "Is Gray-sama okay with that?"

"Well, it's bound to come out sooner or later, right?" Gray answered nonchalantly.

"Juvia is sorry."

Gray looked at his girlfriend, surprised to see her looking a bit down, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "Why?"

He barely caught what she whispered. "Juvia knows Gray-sama doesn't want anyone to know."

And then, it hit him.

Taking her hand in his, he lifted her chin with his other hand so that she could look at him. "Did you seriously think I'd keep you a secret forever?"

When she didn't reply, he continued. "It's not that I didn't want anyone to know. I just didn't want to make a big deal out of it, announcing it and everything. I thought it would come out naturally, like people would just notice. And I certainly didn't want them to find out this way," he said as he gestured towards their half-naked forms.

Juvia giggled. "Gray-sama probably should not have called Juvia during his mission."

"As if you won't call me," he smirked.

"Juvia just didn't want Gray-sama to miss her too much," Juvia said as she nuzzled closer to him.

"Is that so? But I clearly remember a certain someone jumping into my arms the moment she saw me and telling me how much she missed me."

"And she definitely heard a certain someone say that he missed her, too," Juvia retorted, eyes gleaming at him. "He couldn't even get his hands off Juvia..."

"Hey—"

Juvia shut him up by pressing her lips on his for a long, loving kiss. When they finally went up for air, Gray whispered, "How about we continue where we left off earlier?"

"You mean our late lunch?" Juvia asked innocently.

"Not hungry." But just as Gray said that, his stomach grumbled.

"Oh, really?" Juvia cocked her eyebrows. "Come on, Juvia's hungry, too." With that, she dragged him towards the kitchen, leaving no room for complaints.

Gray let Juvia lead the way, watching her hair flowing down her back like soft ocean waves, all the way down to her long, flawless legs. He smiled.

"Alright. But I'm having you for dessert."

A/N: This came out WAY later than I expected. It was one of those stories that started out really good in my head, but the actual writing process turned out to be a pain in the neck. Now I'm just embarrassed to tag this as Gruvia Week 2021 because I'm more than a month late, lol. But I still would because I'm shameless like that, haha.

[ibijau]

I guess the question I have for the nhs is a half demon au is: what reason are we going to give for lxc to marry him after he comes back from visiting his mom? Also is he going to save wwx?

wwx did well for himself while nhs was off to live his little demon life, but he is the first person nhs visits upon returning among humans, because he's heard some concerning rumours...

On AO3

Small feet ran to the entrance of the cave, only slowing down at the very last moment and stopping just shy of actually coming in.

“Xian-gege, there’s a person at the gate,” Wen Yuan announced, careful to not actually shout.

Wei Wuxian smiled to himself, proud as always of this most excellent young boy he was helping raise, who obeyed rules much better than Wei Wuxian himself had ever done in his life.

“What sort of person?” Wei Wuxian asked, still hunched over his latest prototype. He was getting somewhere with this, he knew it. He just had to figure out how to…

“It’s an odd person,” Wen Yuan announced. “He says he’s here to see you.”

That was hardly news. Most of the visitors they'd had these last five years had come to the Burial Mounds to see Wei Wuxian. Sometimes, Lan Xichen would also come to see his brother and give them money. And in recent months, some people from the area had started coming to see Wen Qing in hopes she might cure them. But still, people mostly came for Wei Wuxian, either because they wanted to kill him, or because they wanted to join him. Either way, they were usually rejected.

“Did that man give his name?”

“He didn’t,” Wen Yuan announced, sounding indignant that anyone would be so rude. “He says you have to come see him, and then you’ll know him, and you’ll let him in. He sounded very sure.”

That intrigued Wei Wuxian enough to make him look up from his work and walk up to join Wen Yuan. A lot of people knew him, but there weren’t that many he knew, few of which would be sure to be allowed on the Burial Mounds, fewer still who would wish to be there at all. Jiang Cheng was the only person that came to mind, but he’d been around a few times in the years since Wei Wuxian had left Yunmeng Jiang, and Wen Yuan knew him well. Who else, then?

“That man, did he have any trouble walking?”

Wen Yuan shook his head. So it couldn’t be Jin Zixuan then. With his wooden leg, the climb to the gate would have been difficult anyway, and he would not have come unannounced.

“What did he look like?” Wei Wuxian asked, growing puzzled enough to consider meeting the stranger.

“He has a nice face, but it’s weird because of his eyes,” Wen Yuan said. “And he’s dressed with very good fabric, even better than Jiang-gege. And there’s a lot of teeth when he smiles.”

Without a word, Wei Wuxian started walking, with Wen Yuan following him. He didn’t like that description at all. He had hardly met him personally, but he’d heard about that boy in the Jin sect, that Xue Yang who was apparently trying to reproduce some of Wei Wuxian’s creations, with some success. He had an odd smile, Lan Xichen had said once when talking about him, so maybe…

“Oh, and there’s one more thing,” Wen Yuan said, slapping the side of his head. “I should have said first! But he has a mark on his forehead, it’s very red and looks a bit like a flame.”

Wei Wuxian froze.

“Xian-gege?”

“Go get Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian ordered. “Tell him there’s an emergency and I need him at the gate immediately. Wen Ning too. And tell Wen Qing to take everyone else to the hideout. No matter what, none of you are coming out until we come to get you. Go! Now!”

Frightened to see him so serious, Wen Yuan didn’t ask any question and scampered away as fast as his legs would take him. Wei Wuxian for his part hurried toward the gate after having made sure he had everything he’d need for a fight, knowing thing might turn vicious if he was right. He cursed as he walked, and hoped to be wrong about the identity of their visitor.

When he reached the gate and saw the man standing there, Wei Wuxian almost believed for a second that he’d been wrong indeed. The stranger, who had his back to the gate, was too tall, his shoulders too broad. But then, hearing that someone was approaching, the man turned to look at Wei Wuxian, and there was no mistake possible.

“Wei-xiong, it’s been a while,” Nie Huaisang said, smiling as if they were old friends who hadn’t seen each other for a few years. “You look worse than I remembered, but better than I expected.”

“Nie-xiong, it’s pretty bold of you to come here after what you’ve done,” Wei Wuxian retorted. “Couldn’t you have made it easier for everyone and stayed dead?”

Nie Huaisang's smile got wider, showing just a little more teeth than a mortal's would have. He looked better than he'd done last time Wei Wuxian had seen him. Healthier and a lot more confident. And why not? Last they'd been around each other, Nie Huaisang had been terrified someone might try to kill him, but he'd now proved just how difficult that would be.

“I would have, but some news reached me that forced me to rejoin the human world after all these years. Wei-xiong, won’t you let me in?”

“I hope you understand why I’d rather not. You have a history of slaughtering people I’d rather not see repeated.”

Nie Huaisang frowned and pinched his lips, looking almost sincerely hurt by the reminder of his past deeds.

“I’ve been told your shijie recovered,” he said in a softer tone, sounding more like the boy Wei Wuxian had studied with in Gusu. “And that Jin Zixuan too is… well, he’s alive, right? Don’t they even have a son?”

“They’re both doing as well as they can, no thanks to you.”

Again, Nie Huaisang looked wounded by the accusation. Wei Wuxian remembered how his old friend had been after the reveal of his true nature, the way he’d desperately tried to hide what he was, the terror he’d expressed in every letter they had exchanged… Still, what had been done couldn’t be changed, and Wei Wuxian hadn’t survived this long by trusting just anyone.

If anything, it was Nie Huaisang’s example who had taught him to be wary.

“Wei-xiong, you remember when we were in the Cloud Recesses together, and we made realgar wine a little before you were kicked out?” Nie Huaisang suddenly asked and though surprised by the change of topic, Wei Wuxian nodded. “All the other Nie disciples with us were quite stunned,” Nie Huaisang reminisced with a sad smile. “They’d never seen me drunk before. It’s a skill I’ve always had, though nobody at home really knew why. I can eat anything, drink anything, and never get sick… anything but realgar, which affects me badly, I’ve found since.”

Without thinking, Wei Wuxian nodded again. Realgar was used to ward off evil, and it was said to have a particularly strong effect on demons. That particular time, Nie Huaisang had only had one small sip because he’d found the smell of realgar wine unpleasant, and just that single sip had made him violently sick, and so irritable he'd bitten Jiang Cheng who'd only wanted to check on him… though of course most people would be in a bad mood after vomiting that much. At the time, none of them had thought there was anything odd with that.

Yet if he’d had more wine than that, Nie Huaisang might have died, or attacked his friends.

“It wasn’t the time of year for realgar wine,” Wei Wuxian noted, feeling himself grow more curious than angry. “So find a better excuse.”

“It wasn’t the season for it, and I didn’t notice the difference in smell,” Nie Huaisang agreed. “But the person who helped me recover from my wounds assured me that my blood was tainted by realgar, and I’ve learned since that there are ways to cover the taste, or to increase the effect. And Jin Zixun was ever so insistent on making me drink that day. Funny, when we’d never been close. Or indeed when I had been promised that he wouldn’t be there, since I didn’t much care for him.”

It was something that had always puzzled them indeed. Not just Wei Wuxian, but Lan Wangji too, and even Jin Zixuan and Jiang Yanli when they’d had a chance to speak about that. As far as everyone had known, Jin Zixun had been in hiding at that time, terrified that Wei Wuxian might try to kill him for what he’d done to Wen Ning and his family. And Jin Zixun had been quite vocal regarding what he thought should be done to Nie Huaisang, too.

Odd that he’d come to a Night Hunt where were present not only Wei Wuxian’s beloved shijie, but also the terrifying demon that terrorized everyone.

It sounded a lot braver than Jin Zixun had ever been known to be.

“It’s easy to blame a dead man,” Wei Wuxian remarked.

“And it’s easy to blame a demon,” Nie Huaisang retorted. “Especially for someone who’d have the demon’s trust. Funny also how this incident ensured that Qinghe Nie became isolated and despised, just when it was considered the one sect which might have stood against Lanling Jin’s ambitions.”

Wei Wuxian shrugged. He’d personally also profited quite a bit from this conflict between the Nies and the Jins.

It had distracted everyone from what he was doing in Yiling. By the time the Jins had emerged fully victorious from that political battle, Wei Wuxian’s presence in the Burial Mound had been secure, while the Jins had been too busy securing their new power to think of attacking him. Besides, with him no longer part of Yunmeng Jiang and thus not involved in politics, and with his actions having made it clear that he wasn’t a threat, everyone had found it easier to leave him alone. Sometimes someone would still wonder if he should be annihilated, but a few words from Lan Xichen or Jiang Cheng seemed to usually be enough to put an end to that, at least for now.

Everyone might start thinking differently if he associated with a demon though.

“Supposing I believe you,” Wei Wuxian said, and he was ready enough to believe Nie Huaisang, demon or not. “I’m not sure what I can do for you.”

“Don’t think of it as you doing something for me, Wei-xiong. Think of it as the two of us teaming up to protect our families. You see, demons gossip just as much as mortals do, and I’ve been hearing a few worrying things while living with them. There’s a reason I know your shijie has a son, you see.”

Wei Wuxian shivered, but before he could ask for details, Wen Ning and Lan Wangji arrived at last. They were both stunned to see Nie Huaisang, though Lan Wangji had to be the more shocked of the two, since he would actually recognise the young man, while Wen Ning had never met him before.

Smiling faintly, Nie Huaisang bowed elegantly to the two newcomers, as if this were but an ordinary meeting between old friends.

“Lan gongzi, I did not expect you had really come to live here!” Nie Huaisang exclaimed with something like real joy. “I suppose gossip these days carries more truth than I’d have expected.”

“Fine, I’ll bite,” Wei Wuxian said. “What have you heard about my shijie and her son?”

“Let me come in,” Nie Huaisang replied. “And then we can talk.”

It felt like a trap, and maybe it was one.

Even after having disappeared for years, Nie Huaisang knew Wei Wuxian’s weaknesses. It had been a mistake perhaps to write to him back then, to confide in him, to stay his friend when the rest of the world shunned him… but Wei Wuxian too had needed a friend after the Sunshot Campaign, and Nie Huaisang had never judged him for what he’d done, not even before his demon blood was revealed.

This was a mistake.

And yet, Wei Wuxian opened the gate.

[kyloswarstars]

ROOMMATES • Part 4

Divergent • College AU • Eric x Reader

ROOMMATES masterlist 💫 Divergent masterlist

You escaped your current living situation by moving in with your friend Christina – and five other college students. Little did you know that one of them was the guy who was your ultimate pain in the neck since your first semester. Now, you had to find a way to not strangle him in his sleep out of pure frustration. Also, you had to find a way to get rid of those weird butterfly feelings for him that slowly grew in your stomach.

Words • 2.3k

Warnings • mentions of drug use and unsettling text messages

The enemies to lovers story no one needed.

/////

In the following weeks you noticed Eric’s drive to make your life extra hard, by going against your opinions, decreased. You got along. Occasionally, your thoughts drifted back to that weird moment in the furniture store. Holding hands. And his fingers trying to intertwine with yours. If that was a deliberate action or an automatic reaction – you couldn’t say. All you knew was that the memory of it made your stomach twist and you didn’t like that.

The number of folded papers in your pockets had increased immensely. They were pulled out under the dinner table when you couldn’t endure Eric’s stares anymore. Or while waiting for the shower to be free. Or right after the ‚GN‘ knock at night when that stupid smile on your lips didn’t want to leave.

It was Friday. Friday was the weekly grocery haul day. It was your second time having to fulfil that task. The first time it had been with Tris who patiently showed you what everyone’s favorite snack was – Eric’s were those little pretzels covered in chocolate – and what kind of vegetables were an ultimate must buy.

It was Friday. And this time you had to go shopping with Eric. In the morning he told you to get read for noon. At noon he told you to get ready for five. At five he tried to push it back once more but you grew impatient.

„If we don’t go now, we don’t have to go at all today. All the fresh stuff will be gone,“ you pointed out, grabbed your backpack and didn’t leave him a choice anymore really. You put on your shoes and left the apartment. Eric was rambling something as he came rushing down the stairs after you.

„Where did you park?“

„Left.“

You walked ahead and tried to spot his car without being able. Further down the road you started to cross a street and suddenly felt a hand around your wrist. Eric nodded behind his back. „This way.“

His hand was immediately gone after telling you to change directions. Still, the spots where his fingertips had touched your skin was burning as if they had left marks. I don’t like that at all.

You were well prepared. After all you had the complete day to brace yourself for the struggle you expected. The shopping list was in your pocket, though not the only paper in there, the community money was in your backpack and you took a drag, or five, of Will’s joint earlier.

The store wasn’t that filled as you thought it would be on a Friday. Good. A lot of people made you nervous.

Eric pushed the cart and already at the first stop, fruit section, he remembered that your last discussion had been a few days ago. Too long. Time to settle for a new one.

„Take the blueberries.“ He pointed to the little containers as if you didn’t know what blueberries were.

„I want apples so I’m getting apples,“ you stated.

„Blueberries are super high on antioxidants, you know.“

„Cool but I don’t want to eat thirty tiny things. I want to eat one thing.“

„Fine. But I want blueberries.“

„Then take them yourself. You’re not decoration, Eric. You have hands to use them.“ You shook your head at how ridiculous he was. You weren’t his personal shopping assistant, this was a team work thing.

The veggie section wasn’t any better. You just tried to work your way through the shopping list and directed Eric on what else to pick. Admittedly, since living with your roommates, your eating got a lot healthier because they actually knew how to cook.

You completed the booze area, cheese heaven and dairy aisle without any further debates and turned into a new aisle. Then took a step back out of it again to look down the hallway.

„What now?“ Eric stopped the cart in time before running you over.

„I thought I saw someone I know.“ No one was there though. And if that person, you that had been there, really was there, you were glad they disappeared. Meeting ghosts from the past was under no circumstances something you wanted to happen while Eric was around.

Snack aisle. You grabbed some nuts for you and also the chocolate pretzels without thinking twice. Which caused another awkward moment when you placed them in the cart. Was life to be full of awkward moments now?

Eric looked at you bluntly, then forced a smile on his lips. You picked out the favorite snacks of your other roommates as well to show that his wasn’t the only one you remembered.

Whenever you turned into a new aisle you nervously checked if there was a ghost from the past. You never found one and were incredibly relieved when you made it through check out and had stored all the groceries in Eric’s trunk. And the backseat.

„Smartie waved at me yesterday,“ Eric said as the car rolled from the parking lot onto the street.

„Are you sure you didn’t imagine that?“

„It was close enough to be counted as a wave,“ he admitted. Though, talking about penguins broke the tense atmosphere. You hadn’t even been on the road for a minute and Eric pulled into another parking lot. He stopped at a diner drive thru window. „Milkshake?“

„Doesn’t look like I can say no now that we’re here.“

He rolled down his window and you were greeted by a waitress. She asked what she could serve you.

„Two milkshakes,“ Eric turned to you. „What flavour do you want?“

You leaned over to the window. „Strawberry, please,“ you smiled at the waitress and found yourself – too close to Eric’s face. Half leaning on his chest he mumbled a ‚for me too‘. Yep. Life would be full of awkward moments from now on.

You saved yourself to the passenger side and tried to hide the heat rising in your face by looking out the window. In fact you rolled it down to get a cool breeze. No chance, though. Chicago didn’t want to help you with that today.

„There you go!“ The waitress handed your milkshakes to Eric and you carefully made sure that this time your fingers wouldn’t touch. You sipped on your milkshake all the way back to the apartment.

The more often you took the way up and down the three flights of stairs, the more your muscles grew used to it. On moving day your legs had trembled so bad. Now, that all the groceries were up in the apartment you didn’t notice a single muscle being impressed by the stairs anymore.

Eric kneeled at the fridge, you handed him all the groceries that had to go in there. When you fished his blueberries out of the bag you couldn’t bite back a remark.

„Here, Eric. May they taste as good as my apples.“

He just shook his head and put them away. Once all the food that had to be cooled was put away, you stole away to sit on the balcony and finish your milkshake. He actually joined you.

„Why do you want to become a doctor?“ That question slipped faster than you had thought it to an end in your head.

„The obvious reason. To help people.“ He sipped as loudly on his milkshake as you did. „Why are you studying math out of all terrible things?“

„Same reason as yours,“ you bluntly stated.

„Yeah?“ Eric had stared at you ever since you sat down on the balcony. You had noticed that out of the corner of your eye. Now you looked at him as well.

„Yes.“ A smile grew on your lips. That was what you hoped you would be able to do one day.

/////

The evening atmosphere on the balcony was relaxing. Will came and joined Eric and you at some point. Then Christina got back home as well. One after the other found a spot on the balcony floor to squeeze in and contributed to a growing conversation.

It was warm instead of hot and Four provided everyone with beer. Tris suggested to head out to the beach all together soon. Everyone was all hyped for her plan and you hoped they wouldn’t notice that your excitement for that was just nonexistent. Nevertheless you enjoyed them making plans for everyone together. Christina didn’t exaggerate when she said, all those weeks ago when she suggested for you to move in, that all the roommates were like family.

Eric got out of one of the two lounge chairs. „Who wants pizza?“ And that question was the most rhetorical question he could’ve asked his roommates. Because everyone wanted pizza.

In this house pizza was made all by hand. So far the only pizza you had eaten here were takeouts someone brought home. The thought of completely self-made pizza sounded too good to be true.

Eric navigated his kitchen ‚staff‘. It seemed that when it came to pizza, he was the chef.

„Tris and Chris, you’re slicing the veggies. The guys can prep the tomato sauce.“ You waited to get a task too but so far he didn’t trust you with anything.

Eric grabbed flour from the shelf, oil and some water and yeast from the fridge. He placed it all in front of you on the countertop and fetched a bowl out of the cupboard. Balancing some sugar and salt down from the shelf, he came to stand right next to you.

„Did you ever make pizza dough yourself?“ He lowered his head a little for you to understand him better with the loud bantering about the vegetables that was going on behind your backs.

„Not really.“ You were a little overwhelmed. Not even cookie dough was within the realm of possibility for you.

„Wanna try?“ Eric’s voice sounded encouraging. He must’ve noticed the look of horror on your face.

„Don’t blame me if it’s gonna be a total mess.“

„No worries,“ he stated and he lowered his face a little more. „I’ll teach you step by step.“ His body came closer as well. It actually closed that little gap between your sides as he reached for the yeast. He crumbled it into lukewarm water and told you to add some salt and sugar. It had to set for ten minutes until you could continue with the flour. And during those ten minutes you realised that his body didn’t accidentally close that gap between your sides. Eric did it on purpose and he held it there. You sensed he gave you the chance to bring some space between you again but… you didn’t want to. You physically couldn’t, just couldn’t break the contact. It was way too intriguing, almost electrifying. And for ten minutes straight, he lowered his upper body to shield your nonchalant conversation about penguins – of course – from the others.

When the yeast-water-mix was ready, his following instructions were only whispers, so you had to keep close to him. Why was he doing that?

He added the mix to the flour, along with some oil, and dug his hands in to start kneading. The way his hands applied pressure, provided by his arms, made you… look. To say the least. To be honest, it turned into a very distracting sight. Eric kneading pizza dough? Come on. You had to give in and admit to yourself that this was something you couldn’t deny being totally sexy. The arm muscle escalation, whenever he flipped the dough and kneaded in once again set off a chain of thoughts you really didn’t want to have in a kitchen full of roommates.

„Wanna try?“ Eric asked with a brief glance in your direction, luckily unaware of your current admiration for his arms.

„Nah,“ you mumbled. In hopes to keep watching his arms. You were able to do so for a few more minutes. And were entirely embarrassed when you turned around to find Christina and Tris look at you with a mischievous grin on their lips. You deserved that.

From then on you kept a good distance between Eric and you. While the dough had to rest some. Later during making the pizzas and baking them. Only twice you met eyes with him during dinner. He probably didn’t even notice. After all, why did your brain make such a big deal about it? You were certainly not playing in Eric’s league nor was there even profound reason to think about that.

You were just roommates. Former enemies going onto maybe being some sort of friends.

And then there was a knocking on your wall again. Long, long, short. Long, short. GN. You turned to your wall and foolishly smiled at it. When you didn’t respond right away, the knocking was repeated.

Just as you wanted to knock good night as well your phone buzzed. For a second your pulse quickened, wondered if it was Eric because you didn’t respond soon enough.

You fished for your phone and unlocked it. It wasn’t Eric.

you were seen today

Your heart stopped for a second and then started beating in light speed all of a sudden. You opened the chat.

was that your new lover? already got someone new whose life you can fuck up?

or did you break up because of him?

The text messages didn’t end. Peter still understood very well how to provoke and intimidate you.

ANSWER ME

Do you think I’m just gonna let that sit???

You left the chat and threw it into your sheets. It bounced with a thud up and against the wall but you didn’t care. You searched hectically for a paper but all the clothes you grabbed were empty. The phone buzzed again. First you didn’t pick it up, scared it was Peter again. Then you rummaged around your sheets to find it because maybe it was Eric this time asking what that sound was. It wasn’t Eric. Again.

you’ll regret it. believe me y/n

/////

Taglist • @longlostinanotherworld • @dosentier • @dhunhdchrih • @coryisagee

[itstheendofthegoddamnworld]

Dreamcatcher Albino Drider: Levi

Made of Silk

It was the smallest of noises that you heard above you: the groaning of old floorboards, the continuous presence of something that you could never find, always sounding so large yet so minuscule. You could confirm that your great-aunt Fern’s old home was haunted, but you were the person to always be in denial.

She had this place for a long time, it wouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise if your speculations were true, especially in light of her passing. With no other children or relatives that were on her will, the inheritance and house she had lived in for more than 50 years fell into your hands, and you didn’t take a second to pack your bags and move in.

Her home may have been full of dust and full of more antiques than life, but it was the one thing of your family that meant so much to you, especially when you felt so much more like a burden to those you knew, and having this place instead of it being sold or given to another one of your relatives meant so much.

You remember so much to the house with its blue-grey bricks and oddly shaped corridors that were great for running around in, but your attention was always for trying to up to the attic. The attic hiding spots would’ve been perfect in your eyes… if your aunt Fern had allowed you.

You protested and whined, but you were always quick to try and get up there without fail and always never succeeding - being whisked away and told how unkempt it was up there.

There are many things up there, some that you will understand when you’re older, but for now, go seek play in the garden, it is sunny today. She would remind you, and you would naively forget everything for that visit until the next and next one after.

It would be sunny and the rays would warm your back as you played, but you enjoyed the comfort of silence, the lack of light as you want to seek darkness.

Maybe it was the lack of attention you got as a child? You enjoyed your own company the older you got, enjoying times to play with yourself whilst your siblings got your family’s love – your friends chatting around you and never seem to add you to their conversations.

You never cared too much so they noticed, but the one who seemed to notify you and seemingly cared was your great-aunt.

Her illness brought her wits to falter and for her delusions to fester: the kind lady you had known for the majority of your life withered into nothing more than a shell of a human being within months, her passing had been the hardest on you. Which was why you took the offer of owning her home before anyone else could. This place shall be my resting place if it has to be, but it shall be my home like hers.

The smallest of noises brought your attention, but you dismissed them at first to the old house being so rusted with age, life had come and gone and you didn’t surprise that it needed more tender care. Old homes like these keep the warmth even when not much was left, but they stay true and loving no matter what. Aunt Fern kept this place in the best of conditions when she was healthier, and you wanted to get it back to that wonderful state.

Then, things started disappearing. You would go to sleep and wake up to things that had been moved or things that had gone completely. You would turn off your radio to be startled awake with it playing downstairs in your kitchen when you had been certain that you had switched it off at the plug.

For months, you tried ignoring it whilst fixing the house room by room, before it slowed consumed you from the inside out. Where you going insane just like they said about Aunt Fern? The disappearances grew more frequent and you slowly believed that you were forgetting things.

The delusions and denials grew into anger then confusion then slow acceptance, having it eat at you like a storm consuming the land. It hurt to dream, the nights of sleep that didn’t help to silence the growing sounds and things moving and emerging someplace else, but the one thing that didn’t help was that you believed it all.

You would grow insane too like aunt Fern had long ago.

You laid wide awake as you tossed to your side, watching the hours in stages grow further with noises of things around you; creaking floorboards, the wind howling like a rabid dog. It was all-consuming you too quickly now.

“I want to sleep, that is all I ask.” You whispered to the air, not surprised when nothing replied back in a remark or an apology. Instead, you listened, turning a final time as you tried shutting your eyes. “I will not go mad, no matter what you wish for me to do, no matter what you are. An avenging spirit, a trickster – annoying teenagers. Just… just let me sleep for once.”

You screwed your eyes tight for the remainder of the early morning until it was time to get up, and when you did, nothing seemed out the ordinary. No radios playing downstairs, nothing out of place.

You stretched your arms upwards and recoiled when you felt something that had attached itself to your fingers - when you pulled them away, you saw the faint tug of lacework.

A spiderweb, attached to your fingers, and when you connected your eyes, you saw the laced together work of terrifying beauty; the webs connecting into a large dreamcatcher.

The dreamcatchers were crafted day after day, awakening you with the rising dawn and dispelling the unpleasant thoughts and nightmares. It was a relief to you when you could sleep soundlessly or in the best way possible without the worries, yet the nagging part of your mind still knew that it was no coincidence. Something or someone had made it for you; a gift for you plights.    

“If I knew who you were or could see you, I would be thanking you.” You called out to the evening air as you laid in your bed like every other night. The gentle breeze of the wind was calling and dancing around your garden, brushing against the thorn bushes with the trees scratching at your window; nothing but white noise to you by now.

“The dreamcatcher is beautiful, I can tell you that for sure,” you smiled to nothing, in particular, watching your darkened room for any miscellaneous shapes or shadows shifting in movement. “it has helped me greatly.”

You went to bed smiling, knowing when you heard the floorboards creak above you in the attic, your mind settling down to help you rest.

It was only the next few nights when you slept that you were aware that there was someone that was watched you through the shadows of your room: hiding as best as they could in the crooks and corners, apprehensively observing.

You had awoken in the middle of the night, where your eyes turned to look at the mantle above your head; the freshly new and improved dreamcatcher had been crafted so beautifully, larger and delicately made in marvel.

Through the darkness of your room: your bedside cabinet, the wardrobe and en suite bathroom, you could see the glimpse of a moving silhouette shift through the gap of the wardrobe and the back of your door.

You squinted through the abyss of sunken darkness, your voice calling out to them softly and warily. “You can come out, you know. I won’t hurt you.”

The abyss shifted slowly, its outline morphed into less of an amorphous form before it became a more defined figure hiding along the side of your walls. You stretched over your bedside table for the lamp, hearing the figure react with its many feet that seemed to bring itself to dash away, many legs scattering quickly in a hurry, but you had grabbed at the lamp switch, allowing a swarm of light to finally explode through the darkened room.

Your mouth hung open as you gawked at the figure in your room.

The first thing you spotted of him was his stark porcelain skin, the colour of pale milk that glowed even in the dimness of your soft room. 

Through the soft-glowing room, you could spot the many eyes that were guarded by his long pale white locks – four you could count, large and wide a pale lavender-blue colour. They were waiting waveringly for you to make a noise; a scream of bloody murder, to scare him away for good. Your eyes scanned over his body, much smaller compared to what you had expected when he moved across the floorboards in a nervous skitter. 

His ribs stuck out through his supple skin, his body trying to hide his body in the small parts of shrouded darkness, recoiling from your gaze.

His spider half was furry, the eight legs short and crouched, ready to scurry him away if this encounter all went wrong. The contrast between his human skin and spider body blended amazingly – the abdomen was just as fuzzy around his short legs, something that could’ve looked so terrifying to someone but rather adorable to you.

No, you had never seen anything like him before, and the questions were running in your mind. How long had he been living here for? And… had Aunt Fern known of his existence?

“I--- I guess you’ve been living here for some time?”

“Yes,” his voice held the nervousness that made him seem uneasy, “you could say that.

You sat up further in your bed, watching him shift on his many legs. “You’re… you’re-”

“Hideous?” He quavered softly. “I’m sorry that I was making noise. I will leave you alone.”

“No,” You blurted, making his white furry legs stop, tapping individually on the floorboards, tapping like how a human’s leg would bounce with anxiousness. “Please, I’m sorry—you can stay, if you want, you just… you’re beautiful.”

His pale skin flushed noticeably and quickly, trying to hide his embarrassed face as best as he could, which made him look even more adorable. “Have you been here for a while?” You continued.

“For a long time, yes,” he drawled, “but I saw you a lot.”

“Really? How comes I never saw you?”

“I saw you play a lot, and I wanted to join you, but the lady of this house told me it was dangerous, that I should’ve stayed in the attic until everyone had gone.” He stated, rubbing his pale hands together.

Something clicked in your head. Was Aunt Fern hiding him all this time? It may have made sense now, after all those years when you weren’t allowed in areas of the house when you visited. That curiosity could’ve ended badly if you hadn’t respected the boundaries.

“How did you know my great-aunt?” You were drawn to him, his presence – how otherworldly he looked. For a moment, he stepped out a bit further from the shadows, not as nervous as he had been, but still uncertain.

“She looked after me when I was a youngling, keeping me in the attic, but after she passed, I was left alone.” His face fell downcast, holding himself together. You understood his pain, the same you had felt when she had passed away.

Time paused for a moment before you brought her attention once more. “Do you have a name?”

“Levi. She called me Levi.”

Your lips parted and then you closed them thereafter. That name had been something so significant to her when she had once had a son who shared that name. He lived and died a long time ago before you had been born; a babe taken too soon and not given the chance to live.

 Levi loosened and drifted closer until he was hovering by the end of your bed, he found himself once more. “I didn’t know how you would react to the gifts I made. I didn’t want you to go confused – drawn to a spirit that I am.”

“You’re not a spirit, rather someone who I thought was trying to fool me.” You laughed timidly, watching the nervous smile that drifted over his face, smiling toothily and tensely. “But your dreamcatchers helped me so.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, they helped me sleep better if I’m honest. I didn’t think much of it at first – where they came from – but I knew someone was looking out for me.”

“You were lonely, and I didn’t want you to be… not like me.” He lamented. “Loneliness is a terrible thing, the death of your glee that never seems to return.”

You felt sympathy and sorry for him, knowing full well that his words were true from his bad experience. Loneliness makes you lost, the harder you try to push it away. “You can stay with me here if you wish. I think my Aunt would’ve liked you to stay.”

He smiled, grateful. “I think she’d be appreciative of you for letting me stay.”

You relaxed into your bed, looking over the time – almost 4. “I only ask of one thing.”

He smiled earnestly. “…Anything for you.”

Your eyes moved to glimpse back over his silk work, catching his eyes. “The dreamcatchers may stay like yourself. They held to get rid of my nightmares.”

 -

I have been going through some things so I apologise if this hasn’t been good, I’m gonna try and train my writer’s block.

-

Support me on Ko-fi!~

[lahyene]

Lone No More.

Pairing: bucky barnes x reader ft. shuri

Summary: You find yourself falling for the “White Wolf” when he moves to Wakanda, where you’re currently studying abroad for your major.

Themes: romance, fluff

Word count: 1283

You brush a strand of your hair behind your ear in the light breeze, eyes focused on the mysterious one-armed farmer in his home slightly further away. You have heard all about the legendary Winter Soldier, or “White Wolf” as the Wakandans have taken to calling him, but you have yet to get to know him. You wonder if you can possibly connect with him- both of you are foreigners, seeing that you are an environmental studies major from the US completing research in Wakanda. You love the people here, but it sometimes feels a bit lonely not having anyone who can share at least a little bit of your background. Maybe a man born in the 1910s and trained to be a ruthless assassin isn’t particularly the most relatable, but you figure it’s worth a shot to get to know him anyways.

“Hey! Y/N! You are staring again.” Shuri looks at you with amusement and you quickly snap back, clearing your throat. 

“It wasn’t staring, I was just… observing! We don’t really ever have new people here…”

“Just go talk to him. He won’t bite. Not anymore, at least, thanks to me.” She teases, referring to her little job of returning his brain back to normal. “He could probably use a friend. Or… something more…” She gives you a smirk, eyebrows lifting and you laugh, immediately nudging her. 

“Quit it! It’s not like that!” You watch him feeding his goats outside, barely biting your lip. “I would like to at least be friends though. Do you think maybe you could…”

Shuri chuckles, rolling her eyes playfully and grabbing your arm already pulling you towards his humble home. “Come on, come on. But you have to let me embarrass you just a little.” You whine half playfully, starting to regret wanting her to come along, but it’s too late now. She approaches the pathway going up to his house, calling out, “Oi! White Wolf! I have someone I want you to meet.” 

You blink, somewhat blushing slightly. “Shuri! You don’t need to make it sound… I don’t know, like I have other intentions or something!” you hiss quietly, but when the lone man looks up and makes eye contact with you, you’re momentarily distracted.

Wow.

He definitely looks like he’s seen some things- bad things- and your heart already hurts for him. However, at the same time, he has a sense of confidence and optimism in his brown eyes that makes you feel an odd sense of pride and respect despite not even having made formal introductions yet. You’ve never felt so impacted by someone.

“Hello,” he greets, coming down the pathway- one arm by his side while a shawl drapes over the other side. You force yourself not to stare. “Bucky. Nice to meet ya.” He extends his hand and you immediately smile, placing yours in his. 

“Y/N. You too, I’ve heard so much about you. I hope you’ve been settling in well.” 

Shuri watches with a mischievous smirk, crossing her arms. “Of course he has. He’s had the best caretaker in the galaxy. Even though he is incredibly high maintenance.” She makes a playful face at him and he scoffs softly in amusement, a slight twinkle in his otherwise dark eyes as he just barely smiles. You wonder how often he’s even been able to do that within the past decade.

Before either of you can respond to her remark, she suddenly drops her mouth open in exaggerated concern. “Oh, no! I just remembered that I was supposed to meet my brother. You know how he is, just as needy as you are.” She nudges Bucky before looking to you with an innocent smile. “You two have fun though!” 

Your eyes widen as you spin around, watching her practically scamper off. “Shuri- '' you call, but there’s no use- you stare after her fading figure for a few moments before turning back to him, laughing awkwardly. “I’m sorry, she’s a piece of work…”

He laughs quietly, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah. Believe me, I know. But she’s a good kid.” He looks at you for a few moments and you find yourself having no idea what to say- you’re getting slightly anxious because it’s becoming more awkward, but he suddenly breaks the silence.

“Want to come inside?”

_

“Come here, Steve! It’s dinner time!”

The tiny tan colored goat looks up from having been angrily headbutting the fence, looking slightly annoyed to be interrupted but reluctantly coming over nonetheless due to the fact that you’re holding food. Bucky comes up behind you, wrapping his one arm around your waist and clucking his tongue. “I can’t believe you named one of our goats after my best friend.”

“What? He’s exactly like how you described pre-serum Steve! The little guy, always fighting everything. He’s even blond!” you pointed out in protest, leaning over slightly to give the goat some food. 

Bucky can’t help but chuckle, eyes flickering over the scrawny runt. “Alright, alright fair.” He kisses your cheek, peering at the other goats eating their food. “I just think Steve is a ridiculous goat name. But you’re lucky I like you enough to let it be.” He glances down at you with a smirk and you roll your eyes fondly, though happily hold his arm around you. “What a relief. I feel so honored,” you reply playfully sarcastic.

You and Bucky have been together for nearly six months now. You clicked right off the bat upon meeting that first day- after inviting you inside, the two of you had talked for hours and hours. You felt like you had known him your whole life, and now, he’s your best friend and partner. Shuri constantly teases you and jokes that your relationship is all thanks to her, and in a way, it's true- you wonder if you would have ever had the courage to approach him yourself. You laugh at such a fear now; back then, he seemed so intimidating and aloof, and now, you know him as a little flirtatious goofball who loves to tease. You’ve noticed a significant improvement in his mental health, and you couldn’t be happier that he’s becoming healthier each day.

“Mm. That’s right. Now come on, sassy girl, it’s time for our dinner.” He takes your hand and leads you inside the hut, sitting down with you at the small wooden table where the food is already laid out. Fresh bread, cheese, and warm stew- you barely even find yourself missing food from back home now that you have such an amazing partner to eat farm fresh food with.

He notices you looking at the food with a little too much fondness in your eyes, and he reaches over to poke at your side playfully. “Hello? Anyone in there? I know you love food but I’ve never seen you space out over it.” You blink and giggle slightly, poking him back. “Yeah, I was just… thinking about something. You. And that I love you a lot.”

He looks at you and smiles softly, eyes gazing at you lovingly.

“Well. Isn’t that sweet of my little doll. I love you too.” He leans in to peck your lips gently before pulling back. “Now eat up. It’s a lot of work cooking with one arm you know, don’t let it go to waste.”

You laugh softly, lifting his hand to kiss his fingers cutely before nodding your head, serving yourself.

It’s a dangerous world the two of you live in, and he’s had an unfortunate past. You don’t know what’s to come, but you’re confident that as long as you’re by each other’s side, everything will work out in the end.

[youarejesting]

Hope in the Sheets.4

[Masterlist]

Beta: N/A Pairing: Hoseok x Reader Genre: Friendship, Comedy, Soft boy, Fluff, SMUT, Friends2Lovers,

Summary: You held many titles: his neighbor, colleague, wing-man… well, more likely a wing-woman, yet most importantly, you were his best friend. You had been friends since you were born. Between the two of you, you were younger; barely, but he never let you forget it. He always seemed to ruffle your hair and tease you, which could get rather annoying but he made up for it by treating you to things. What if a drunken one night stand between you and your best friend Hoseok leads to more complicated situations? Your reckless twenties are cut short as you find yourself suddenly responsible for something a little more.

Warning: Reference to a previous sexual encounter, pregnancy, Toxic Family.

You were sitting at the bar drinking your fourth glass of orange juice, the sweet citrus flavour was really hitting the spot. Laying your head onto the polished shiny wood you could see the dance floor lit completely. Jimin swept the floor and mopped it diligently, of course they cleaned up thoroughly when they closed the bar but Jimin prefers to clean again. 

You felt a fondness blooming in your chest watching Jimin dancing around with the mop in hand. Yoongi was setting up and testing each speaker individually and testing out his equipment.

There were two hours left before the bar opened and Seokjin began ordering some food, Jimin got a text as he was putting the mop and now empty bucket away. Yoongi leaned over to read it —That guy had no shame— “Hoseok is on his way over”

“Really?” You asked a little nervous to see Hoseok so soon, you hadn’t even figured things out, you weren’t ready to see him. 

“You sound surprised but we have pizza night every second friday” Namjoon smiled exiting the staff room, smelling clean and fresh his hair combed back. 

A part of you happy for the oncoming pizza boxes heading your way. Seokjin began by placing a container in front of you, you opened it excited. A large part of you hoping it was some fried chicken, only to see plainly seasoned roast chicken and vegetables. 

Seokjin had already started acting protective, reading the pamphlets and telling you, you can’t have barbeque, raw fish, deli meats or soft cheese. So you were enviable of their pepperoni cheese heaven.

“We haven’t had pizza night since before the renovations behind the bar, did you see the difference compare to last month when you had come in?” Namjoon added unmoving as Jimin gracefully spun around him heading towards the door unlocking it for Hoseok to come in when he arrived. 

“I don’t really remember much about that night and what I do know I have tried to repress” You couldn’t help but pout looking at the plate of beans, you could eat most veggies but beans were the worst. You pushed the plate away and Seokjin pushed it back and you looked up with puppy dog eyes and he shook his head.

“He could not have been that bad,” Yoongi said, missing the exchange between the two of you, especially the way you were making rude gestures to the manager. “I have danced with Hoseok, he knows how to grind.”

“What’s all this?” Namjoon said, sitting at the table and looking over the pamphlets Seokjin was reading. “Who is pregnant?”

“I didn’t want to tell you?” Seokjin looked at Namjoon his lips pursed the way they do when he tries to keep a straight face, “but I am pregnant”

“Haha, guys can’t get pregnant” A small voice chuckled and you saw a familiar face. He was freshly showered and looking well dressed in black boots pants and button up. 

“Oh everyone this is Jeon Jungkook, Seokjin and I hired him to help with the door and any rough housing” He gave a nervous smile, looking around. He opened his mouth to talk when the front door opened. Jungkook turned squaring his shoulders only to be deflated by Jimin carrying drinks “Jungkook sit down this is Hoseok”

You smiled pulling out your seat to the left and gesturing for Jungkook to sit. Hoseok faltered whilst removing his jacket for a moment, questioning why you had let Jungkook sit on your left. Genuinely sorry, you gave him an apologetic look. He laughed and walked across to the bar where he pulled out a pair of your spare shoes from his bag and placed them in the staff room. You found out last time that he was the one leaving your shoes at the bar but to actually see him do it was really sweet.

“Do you work here as well Noona?” The apprentice bouncer asked pulling your attention away from your neighbor and best friend.

“No, I just stop by every Friday for pizza night” 

“But you're not eating pizza?” He raised an eyebrow. 

“I will trade you some beans for a slice” you grinned and he nodded picking up a slice and turning to you and freezing “um… maybe not”

“No, you need to eat healthier,” Seokjin argued. 

“But they are disgusting!” You whined letting your head fall back. 

“Eat them or no ice cream” He stood up heading behind the bar for a tub of ice cream that was used for special cocktails. 

“ice cream?” You almost gave yourself whiplash with how fast your head lifted. 

“Eat the beans and you get ice cream!” He said sternly and Hoseok moved around the table and stole a bean. “And no help from Hoseok” huffing and putting them in your mouth grumbling as you chewed. 

“That wasn’t so bad was it?” He said

“I hate it, the texture is wrong, it’s not food”

“But you did it, so what ice cream would you like?”

“Cookie dough?”

“Can’t have raw egg, I got chocolate, vanilla and strawberry”

“We have coffee too…” Jimin’s voice died out with the glare Seokjin gave. 

“This house is a prison” you frowned, throwing a stray bean at Seokjin and he laughed handing you a bowl of chocolate ice cream. 

“Hey are we partying tonight?” Hoseok asked around a mouth full or pizza, how could he be so damn handsome even when he is doing the weirdest things. “Ah but you haven’t gotten changed from your work uniform”

“No, I am just having dinner and heading home, tonight” you sighed “doctors orders”

“Oh well I guess, we can go out another night or something” he said being polite and waiting for you to talk about your doctor's appointment, Hoseok never pried with things like this. Jungkook was a charming young man and Yoongi asked for a dance. 

It was Yoongi’s version of bonding, he held your waist and gently moved to the music and you laid your head on his chest. “You okay?” He asked the gravel in his voice was almost purr like and woke you from your daze. 

“Just tired” the words mumbled as you hugged his torso, his heart beating a steady rhythm. 

“You are thinking too much, no more thinking tonight, just go home and get some rest and think some more tomorrow” pulling away he looked you in the eyes taking your face in his hands he kissed your forehead. “I will support you and your body no matter the decision”

“Thanks Yoongi, I decided I’m not going to get the prescription. I think a part of me already loves them way too much” touching your lower belly, allowing yourself to be a little excited, if only for the moment. 

You were worried and you should be. This was a big deal, but something about the support the boys gave you made it almost exciting. You began to day dream about a baby just like Hobi running around your apartment and cringed, taking the child to school on the bus before going to work. 

Blanching at the thought, you needed to put the baby first and your life right now wasn’t good enough to support a family. It was time to stop thinking single and start thinking like a mother. 

Maybe Yoongi was right, it was time to stop thinking, get through the night and plan everything tomorrow. With you in tow Yoongi led you back to the other, he placed your hand in Hoseoks and told him to take you home. 

Hoseok nodded getting your coats and thanking them all for dinner, he reassured Jungkook he was in good hands and told him to relax. Hoseok helped you dutifully into your coat looking longingly at the bar you frowned feeling bad for him. 

He took your hand in his warm one and walked you to the door opening it for you like a gentleman. He noticed how miserable you seemed and took your hand racing down the sidewalk until he arrived at a small convenience store. 

“Wait here.” He turned to you and paused looking you over with a smile “you look really pretty today”

You visibly reddened a considerable amount enough so that Hoseok noticed grinning and ran into the shop. Watching his head pop up over the aisles as he ran back and forth, you had no clue what he was looking for but clearly he did as he raced back and forth not once appearing lost.

He emerged with a biodegradable bag filled with an assortment of midnight snacks. He opened the bag letting you peek inside. “I got all your favourites, we can go home and watch some late night telly or one of your favourite movies” 

Your mood skyrocketed. Grasping his hand, swinging it enthusiastically on the way home. Hoseok stepped between you and a group of men smoking and drinking on a bench. He gave them a curt but polite ‘good evening’ and continued guiding you along. 

The two of you made it to the door seeing the door had been pried open. “Again, I hate this stupid appartment, let’s hope they got bored before they reached our apartments.”

They got to their doors and thankfully noticed that they were not broken into. “We need to add a few more locks on the doors.”

“Or you know move” You laughed

“Come on the rent is almost nonexistent and the pizza shop is in sight, what else do two bachelors need in their lives.” He laughed flopping onto your couch and grinning at you upside down.

You placed the snacks into a bowl and placed it on the coffee table as Hoseok began flipping through the channels. “Knocked up is on you wanna watch that?”

The scene that happened to play was at the restaurant where Katherine Heigl announces she is pregnant and the father makes a witty clueless remark.

“No thank you,” Your tone was clipped and he thankfully changed the channel.

“Yeah it’s a bit overplayed. What about Juno, it just started?” He shrugged

“Nah,” You said, sitting beside Hoseok laying against him and closing your eyes to push back tears you were overwhelmed.

“Animation numbness?” He asked, turning on your Disney plus you laid there without opening your eyes “anything?’

“Yes” He put on his favourite ‘Peter Pan’ and pulled you up to lay against his chest sensing you were not quite alright. He sang cutely in your ear along to ‘We’re following the leader’ with the children on the television.

You got to the part where Wendy sings ‘You’re mother and mine’ before the tears started to fall. Hoseok noticed the way your chest shook against his and sat up. “Hey Little Darling, tell me what is wrong.”

“Everything.” You sniffed burying your face into his chest and he patted your head threading his hand through your hair soothing the raging emotions.

“Tell me little darling,” He whispered softly, trying to calm you and give the support you need. “Is it about the doctors, are you sick, is something wrong?”

“No nothing, it’s fine,” The finality in your voice made him go quiet, of course he was upset but he respected your decision and just held you. “I think... I might go to bed.”

The abruptness of your decision made him sit up, “Are you sure, I can stay and I won’t pry”

“I really should sleep, this is something I have to figure out by myself and then I can talk to you okay,” You said standing and he nodded standing grabbing his coat and heading to the door. Before you could shut the door he turned pulling you into a hug. 

“I am here for you okay, don’t try to do it on your own, not when I am here and willing to help you, okay” he looked at you grabbing your shoulder and making sure your eyes would meet his before he continued “I will be by your side no matter what, trust me okay. I love you sleep well”

You would be lying if that I love you didn’t hit a little different, you nodded “Thank you Hoseok let me process and then we can talk okay.” Shutting and locking the door you began taking a few deep breaths. There was undeniable comfort from Hoseok’s words and it made you believe everything was okay. 

Taking out your phone with shaky hands you searched for a name you hadn’t contacted in a long time, even their name in your phone was mocking you. You clicked ‘Mum’ followed by the small phone icon before placing the phone to your ear.

Your hands trembling, you didn’t know what to do. You heard your mother answer with her familiar underlying snobbish greeting. 

“Good evening?”

“Hey Mum,” You caught yourself before your voice cracked, never giving your mother the satisfaction, “What are you doing?”

“Nothing, what do you need?” Her voice clipped and you bit your lip trying not to fight, this wasn’t why you were calling. You journeyed into the bathroom feeling a little sick, your mother always brought your anxiety back ten fold.

“Nothing, I was just wanting to tell you…” You squared your shoulders and stared at yourself in the mirror. It was a challenge, you were telling yourself to be a proverbial man. “I am pregnant.”

“Of course you are, you wasted your college degree by becoming a carny and now you are pregnant. I was waiting for you to stuff your life up more. And what now you need money, to help get rid of the thing, come home and we will take care of it. Maybe this will be a reminder to keep your legs shut”

“What the fuck is wrong with you, I am an adult don’t ever contact me again, because I sure as hell am never going to” You hung up placing your phone down and the sickness faded like a weight off your shoulders your mother was not a part of the equation.

Walking to the kitchen you sat on the breakfast bar stool and pulled out a book and began writing out a plan. There were things you needed to do. Of course telling Hoseok was important but you were planning without him. Because if he rejected you and this baby well then you were on your own.

It was always best to plan for the worst case scenario. A better house; the baby cannot live in a broken down high theft studio apartment. A drivers license; you definitely couldn’t take the child to school on the bus everyday before going to work and as for work you needed a serious job. You paused; these were the first important things.

Opening your laptop you began looking at houses and loans, saving tabs and looking at a driving school, there was no time to party. Texting Seokjin ideas he told you he would help you with some of the lessons and you were grateful that he would help you.

[Jimin: Hey, I thought...] [Jimin: And feel free to stop me but...] [Y/n: Spit it out Jiminie] [Jimin: I might have a better job for you, I just thought that the theme park would be too physical and at somepoint you won’t be able to lift and such.] [Y/n: Oh wow, I hadn’t thought about the lifting and standing business but I did think I would need more money and a real job, what do you have in mind?] [Jimin: You are qualified for it and it is a desk job, that pays well.]

You kind of felt good about everything, Jimin gave you an application for the desk job and depending on what you heard back you would have to give your two weeks notice at the theme park.

[Jin: As tomorrow is Saturday, How about your first driving lesson?] [Y/n: I mean sure, I have booked in to see the Realestate and I have filled out papers for a home loan, I can’t live here, it isn’t safe for a child.] [Jin: I will be there in the morning and I will drop off some healthy meals...] [Jin: I am slaving away in this kitchen so you better eat them.] [Jin: We don’t want the little one getting hungry, okay?] [Y/n: Okay, I get it. We will drive and look at houses tomorrow don’t be late] [Jin: I am never late.]

Seokjin was really getting into his role as fake father. But it made you feel like you had some sort of support behind you and that made you happy. You were exhausted laying on your single bed and decided not to dwell on things any more that evening. 

The next morning Seokjin knocked on your door, upon opening he looked at you with horrified eyes, “Your front door has been smashed in, why do you still live here?” He huffed placing bags on the bench, “you better understand that I love you, look at all these dinners I prepared”

“Thank you Jin, for everything, I really can’t thank you enough right now” You hugged him and he held you a little longer than normal perhaps waiting for you to break down.

“Are you ready to go?” Seokjin said, opening the front door to reveal Hoseok standing there looking absolutely confused.

“Go where?” His voice croaked a little evidence of his recent rising.

“We are looking at houses” You said nonchalantly, “Do you want to come?”

“Sure let me get dressed,” He ran back inside and Seokjin looked at you cautiously and you nodded. The three of you got into the car and Seokjin began instructing you to drive and you were doing pretty well even Hoseok who is scared of almost everything was calm.

You all spent the day looking and discussing houses and your price range and the possibility of a home loan, Hoseok just listened. He seemed amazed by the length you were going to, just to get a home or at least that’s what it felt like.

You looked at different houses and you knew which one you could afford but you couldn’t help but dream about one of the more expensive ones that they had accidentally showed you. Even Seokjin and Hoseok saw you smile when you looked at the places.

The last house you looked at was overrun with grass weeds and trees, garbage in the yard, a broken window and everything needed fixing but it was the cheapest.

The neighbourhood wasn’t bad, but the plumbing was, there was no electricity either which meant you had a lot of work cut out for you. Nothing could compare to your dream house, it had french doors to a back porch and a large backyard with a neat garden.

After inspecting each property you went back to the real estate office and stood outside in the fresh breeze while the agent made a few calls about your loan flexibility. Seokjin went to get coffee from the Cafe just down the road and to enter the real estate office when Hoseok grabbed your arm gently and blushed apologetically, “Hey can we talk just really quick?”

“Sure Hobi,” Your eyes scanned his sheepish form and he opened his mouth but quickly shut it, “What is it?”

“Is it about the break in, I can totally understand if it is, We can find a new place together, something nicer, and with more space in a better neighbourhood.” He looked flustered he wanted to express so much he was fumbling over his words, “Just I don’t want it to be cause of something else, I don’t want it to be about me, or something I have done”

“Hoseok, I have something to tell you,” Your heart was beating out of your chest, “I got some news from the doctor and well I have to get my life in order because this is serious Hoseok”

“Oh god!” He clutched you in his arms, “Don’t say you are dying, please anything but that, I can’t live without you”

“No Hobi, I am pregnant, I have to get my life in order, I can’t raise a baby in a broken studio eating tinned food, I need a proper job and house and…” He pulled back to look at you in a mix of shock and relief “I am scared, and alone”

“You are pregnant, like really pregnant?”

“Yes, and I am pretty much disowned too, so I have no help from home and have I said I was scared because I am shaking” You sniffed tears falling and he held you

"I will be there for you" He smiled, “We can get a house together and raise a baby. Wait. Who did this?” 

“I got you a smoothie cause you can’t have Coffee” Seokjin smiled handing a coffee to Hoseok and a smoothie for you. You saw Hoseok’s eyes slid to Seokjin and flick back to yours.

“Him?”

It looked like Hoseok was about to punch him when the Agent stepped out and guided us back into the office, I spoke with the bank and they said you are only eligible for the broken down bomb site of a home.

But amongst the deadly glares of Hoseok and the disappointment on Seokin’s face at the bank’s refusal to lend any more he went to speak. “What about if I add a Ten thousand dollar deposit?”

“No, No deposit I will take it. I have some time to fix it and I intend to.”

“You can’t live there, it is creepy.” Hoseok said

“I can and I will, I have to make a safe environment for a baby Hobi, I can’t sit around in our apartment and wait for someone to stab me in my sleep, I have fate in my hands and I am taking it” You walked into the realtors office and signed the forms, the house was now yours.

You sighed stepping out of the realtors and Seokjin said, “the boys and I will help you clean up”

“I can get some of the guys from work” Hoseok said, appearing more like he was trying to outdo Seokjin, instead of genuinely helping. Either way you were thankful for their help.

The clean up was going to be a huge task and you needed all the help you could get.

Tags: @brbkpop​​​ @take-u-2-an0ther-w0r1d​​​ @munchyn​​​ @unadulteratedlyunique​​​ @jinhitwhore​​​  @knjkitten​​

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[hopetofantasy]

‘HUMO’s big youth survey - Politics, society and religion’ - With Nora Dari (part 3)

- TW: concerns about the future, climate change, mental health - FUCK THE CLIMATE Almost half of young people says they’re not interested in politics. Bouba Kalala: “(*filled with disbelief*) What? I don’t seem to have that impression, but maybe that’s because of my bubble. We talk a lot about politics at home. Everyone should do political stuff, even the baker around the corner.” Céleste Cockmartin: “Ever since my mom went into politics, I’ve become more and more interested. But I do notice that my friends struggle to understand. Current affairs programs are really boring too. ‘De Zevende Dag’? Sorry, but I’ll fall asleep.” Bouba Kalala: “Seriously, it’s so good: drama! Intrigue! Just like ‘Temptation Island’” Céleste Cockmartin: “But young people quit when they hear all these difficult and unspecific words: bilateral, cordon sanitaire, inter-ministerial agreement, Vivaldi, socio-economic parameters, ... It’s too complicated and unclear. What are they truly talking about? It can be so simple, but unfortunately we did not chose ​​for simplicity in Belgium.”

6 out of 10 young people think Belgium must continue to exist. That’s the same amount as much as five years ago. Céleste Cockmartin: “I might sound extreme, but why should everything be split? Belgium is very small. Big problems are asking for a bigger perspective in general: immigration, climate, crime, ... That’s one of the reasons why I’m liberal: I like the centre and cooperation with everyone, even internationally.” So you would know who to vote for? One out of three doesn’t know yet. Nora Dari: “I don’t know enough about politics to give a well-thought-out vote to anyone. If elections were tomorrow, I would need a night to study and research.” Bouba Kalala: “I’ve never voted. Last time, I stayed in bed. Not because I haven’t thought about it, but no politician could convince me. I didn’t want to participate in a fake democracy. That’s different now.” Connor Rousseau, your new employer, knew how to convince you? Bouba Kalala: “Yes. I saw him in ‘De zomer van...’ on VTM. I send him a message the same day, to ask if I could work for him. I truly believe he’s someone who wants to pull the bullshit out of politics. It only takes time. (*to Céleste*) Do you vote for your mom?” Céleste Cockmartin: “Of course, because I believe in her. She has proven that she can change things, in her own speciality and because of her 20 years of experience with the UN.” Are you concerned about the environment and climate? In the survey ‘Groen’ (= the socialist and green political party) is also doing remarkably well, at least with girls. Céleste Cockmartin: “I would love to vote for Groen, but I think some positions are the opposite to a green solution. I’m not pro nuclear energy, but at the moment, there aren’t any ecological alternatives for our production of energy. In an ideal world, every party should be green. Fortunately, you can see the classical parties fight for our climate as well.” Do you guys help the climate battle? Céleste Cockmartin: “Absolutely. I study the climate change, I separate my trash and don’t take showers longer than half an hour. I also haven’t eaten any red meat in the past year. I do eat chicken, because that’s the least polluting meat-source out there.” Nora Dari: “For two years, I was a pescotarian, where I solely ate fish and seafood. Now I eat meat again, but I do try to limit myself to chicken.” More than half of the youngsters worry about the climate. Nora Dari: “We’re constantly reminded of the seriousness of the situation: you talk about it with friends, you see it on television, you’ll get one measure after another. I do worry, yes. Our ancestors said ‘fuck the climate’ and transferred the problem to us. But the only thing we can do, is try to make it less bad for our children.” 17 percent took part in at least one climate strike. Did you? Nora Dari: “I didn’t skip school, but I’ve participated in one during a weekend. I had to. Only complaining and moaning, it would have left me a great sense of guilt.” Céleste Cockmartin: “I’ve got tremendous respect for Anuna De Wever and Greta Thunberg. What they’ve accomplished! A speech in front of the UN: I can only dream about something like that. I don’t understand the hate they get. Maybe they did wave their little finger quite a lot, but people who still don’t get how important it is, are simply either ignorant or chose to look the other way.” Bouba Kalala: “We don't like to be confronted with facts. If I’m at a café with a friend of mine and he orders water, then I’ll get cranky too. Because his behavior will send out the message that I’m doing something that’s not right for me. The same with eating meat or driving your car.” Do you feel guilty about taking your car? 37 percent prefers a bike or public transport. Bouba Kalala: “See, I try to contribute: I don’t leave the lights on, I use less water, ... But if you look at the numbers, then you’ll see that 70 percent of emissions are caused by big companies. Every human on the planet might try to live as green as they want, but as long as these companies aren’t restricted, it won’t improve. The biggest lie they ever told humanity, is that we can change a damn thing about that.” Céleste Cockmartin: “I don’t fully agree. Every company should invest a part of its profit into environmental research, true. But the responsibility still lies with each and everyone of us.” Bouba Kalala: “I understand Greta’s anger. She gets applause from the heads of state, but does it help? She knows she can’t save the world by reducing her shower time. It has to change at the top.” It does give you a free pass to do nothing and take the car instead of the bike. Bouba Kalala: “It doesn’t. By giving the good example now, I might change a mindset. The CEOs of polluting companies have children too. When they get the chance to lead, they might flip the script: ‘Grandpa, you were wrong, we’re going completely green now.’ That effect will continue to grow, but the fact that I can save the world by not tossing my cigaret on the ground? That’s bullshit.” Where do you see yourself living later on? 40 percent still prefers the countryside. Céleste Cockmartin: “The fact that young people chose the country side, has a lot to do with corona. The measures felt even more restrictive in the cities. I would like to live in a city - I love the hustle and bustle of London or New York - but a lot of friends of mine like a house with a garden.” Nora Dari: “I’m from Genk, I couldn’t settle in Antwerp or Brussels. Although, during the drive to this location, I noticed how beautiful Brussels truly is.” Bouba Kalala: “I grew up between the meadows. When I was older, I lived in the city. Now I alternate. I felt really bad for a little while and that’s when I noticed that the city was too toxic for me. My therapist advised me to go on a walk with my dog through the forest, every day. That really changed things. It’s healthier than popping some antidepressants. Humans isn’t made to live between concrete walls. We’ll have to find a happy medium.” One last number: at least 6 out of 10 youngsters are happy with their lives. Do you feel happy? Bouba Kalala: “Yes. It's kind of strange to say, but not so long ago, I was convinced that I would never feel happiness again. To find it, I had to go after it myself. How I look to the future? Not necessarily rose-coloured, because there really is a lot of shit to be addressed. But even if that doesn't work out, I know I'm going to make the most of it. Like people have made the best of corona in recent months. I try to hold on to that energy.

[deliberatelyvague]

This Too Shall Pass(obey me)

Prologue (1/?)

Started: April 15, 2020 at 9:47pm

Ended: April 15, 2020 at 10:54pm

Word Count: 2,069

Pairing(s): none yet

Trigger Warning(s): mentions of an eating disorder

Author’s Note: man I didn’t know where I was going with this one, either, but it seems like I’m making a series now. I was pretty much just ranting at the beginning about my life, and decided, yeah, that’s a good place to start, and viola, here we go.

Request/Prompt: nope, just my mind telling me to do it.

————

You had always been on the heavier side when it came to your weight. Ever since you were in elementary school, you always weighed more than everyone else. It was never a big issue to you until you hit middle school and your doctor started saying something about it.

You knew it was for your better health, so you didn’t try to take it to heart. She laid out a plan and you, along with your family, tried to stick to it.

But the gnawing, guilty feeling in your gut made you want to just stop the diet. It was obviously weighing hazardous on your parents, then being forced to buy ‘healthier’ options which in turn made them more expensive options, and your family was never the most rich, just having enough to live moderately comfortably.

So, the next time you went to the doctor and you had lost around 30 pounds, you were praised. Your doctor was proud of you, your parents were proud of you. And you thought all was fine.

But you gained the weight back. By eighth grade you had gained it back and more, by ninth grade you weighed 20 pounds more than your original weight in sixth grade.

“Are you stress eating?” Your mom asked you. Around this time of your life was stressful, you were being thrust into a new school, a whole new teaching environment, not to mention any clubs you had decided to join. Your depression and anxiety has also ridden you. But you told her you hadn’t, because you really hadn’t been stress eating, you just didn’t think much about what you ate.

The doctor wasn’t as nervous about this weight gain, though, because you had joined a ‘sport’, and you would most likely be losing some of that weight.

But you didn’t lose that weight, you stayed the same. So you made your new year’s tradition to lose weight. You started counting calories, making yourself a minimum of 1,300 and a maximum of 1,500. It worked great! The next time you went to the doctor, which was when you had a sickness and needed to get medicine for it, you had lost 15 pounds, and you were proud of yourself, and your parents and everyone around you were proud.

You didn’t feel like you needed to lose weight. But, the next year rolled around, and you were trying to get closer to your crush. You tried to text them and just talk to them, but they eventually just said

‘I’m just putting this out there, there isn’t anything going on between us and there never will be’

It stung, oh it really stung. You hadn’t even implied anything, and they still told you that. You played it off like you were trying to get anything, but you knew you were lying to yourself.

Then you found out they had a crush on a girl that you were friends with, who was noticeably skinnier than you. You took that to heart. They wanted a skinny girl, not one that was double the size of her.

So, you started counting calories again. But this time, you didn’t set a minimum, you were eating at most 1,300 calories, but some days you were eating less. Nothing below 500, but then you noticed how quickly the weight dropped. So, you cut out breakfast, snacks, and lunch.

Your friends were worried, but your parents didn’t notice. Your mom and dad knew you were counting calories, and they cheered you on, thinking you were eating the proper amount, and you didn’t tell them anything different.

But then, your mom started making little remarks here and there. You didn’t think she meant them to be actually mean or hurtful, but they were like a dagger in your already sore back.

“Yeah, she just measures her food, and half the time she has more on her plate than I do!” You cut your meals in half after that. Her saying that made you feel fat. But she was right, a lot of the time you did have more food on your plate, but not anymore.

Then you hit a wall in your weight loss.

“It’s probably because all you do is lay in bed all day. You need to start exercising.” Again, she was right. You were just laying in bed all day. So, you started going on walks, using an app to help you keep track of how many calories you burned.

Then you realized how easily you can cut down more calories and also burn fat off, so you continued to exercise. The weight started to come off again.

But you were still fat. You were still heavier than most people your age. You hated it.

You had gone on your daily run. You were tired of being trapped inside, so you put on your shorts and a tank top and grabbed your phone, some sunglasses, and your earbuds and went running.

Now here you were, standing in a new environment after being zapped from your world. You wore a black jacket, with an almost turquoise turtleneck underneath, a skirt that hit your mid-thigh, tights, and flats.

Your eyes met with a pair of golden ones, and a man wearing almost the exact same jacket as you but in a crimson color was looking at you. A grin adorned his face, and you couldn’t help but give a small smile back.

“Welcome to the Devildom, [Y/N],” he greeted, his voice coming out younger than you thought it would.

‘Wait, Devildom?’ You thought to yourself. ‘I must have passed out due to low sugar, I knew I should have drank a Gatorade before I went on my run, but-’

“Oh, pardon me, feeling a bit shocked, are we?” His smile was quickly replaced with a frown. You had just met this man and already you felt your heart start to flutter a little bit at his concern. “Well, that’s understandable, you’ve only just arrived, after all.”

‘Calm down, [Y/N], he’s not interested in you.’ You told yourself.

“As a human, it will probably take a little while for you to adjust to things here in the Devildom,” he said, his face going stoic again. You stayed quiet, just choosing to look at him. You sure as hell were not going to feed into this low-sugar induced dream. “I suppose I should start by introducing myself. My name is Diavolo,” he gave a smile again. “I am the ruler of all demons and all here know of me. And someday soon, I will be crowned king of the Devildom.”

You had a flash to a vision outside, a city outline met your view and a bunch of dark shades of red, blues, and purples flitted across your vision.

“This is the Royal Academy of Diavolo, though we just call it RAD. You’re standing inside the assembly hall, the very heart of RAD. This is where we officers of the student council hold our meetings and conduct our business. I’m the president of said council.” He tells you, looking directly at you after admiring the room.

“Why am I here?” You questioned, your arms crossing over your chest.

“I will explain everything to you,” another male voice sounded next to Diavolo. This man was shorter, leaner, and had a black jacket on like yours. He had black hair and an almost angry look on his face, but he seemed like he was one to have a resting angry face.

“[Y/N], this is Lucifer. He is a demon and the Avatar of Pride.” Diavolo introduces him, and you shake your head. This isn’t funny anymore, you just wanted to wake up.

You weren’t going to let your subconscious guilt-trip you into believing in that stuff anymore. Your church had cast you out, and you vowed to do the same to them.

“He’s also the Vice President of the student council and my right-hand man, and not just in title, I assure you.” Diavolo explains more, and you looked between the two of them. Were they lovers? You weren’t going to judge them, they would make a cute couple, but that’s one of the worst ways to tell someone that someone else is taken that you think you’ve ever heard. “Beyond that, he is one of my most trusted friends.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere, Diavolo,” Lucifer says with an uninterested look on his face. He turned to you. “Speaking on the behalf of the entire student body and this great and storied school of ours, I offer you a most heart full welcome, [Y/N].” He smiled after you.

You only frowned.

“On behalf of the students?”

“Diavolo believes that we demons should start strengthening our relationships with both the human world and the Celestial Realm.” No, you refused to believe this is real.

Maybe you had died? You had always been told that you were going to hell, maybe you pushed yourself too hard and you hit your head when you passed out and died. That would make much more sense than this being a dream. It seemed too, lifelike almost.

“As a first step toward this goal, we’ve decided to institute an exchange program. We’ve sent two of our students to the human world and two to the Celestial Realm. And we’re welcoming four students to ours: two form your world and two from the Celestial Realm.”

You purse your lips. Yeah, you had to be dead, there’s no other way to explain this. You guess when you die, you just become an ‘exchange student’ and your place gets taken by another being. Is that some twisted type of reincarnation that your church never taught you about? Your church falsely taught you a lot of things, so that was probably just something they hopped over because it didn’t fit their agenda.

“So, I take it you’ve probably put two and two together at this point, right?” He asks. “You’ve been chosen from among the people of the human world to participate in this program of ours. You are our newest exchange student.”

A feeling settled into your stomach. No, this was real. You weren’t dead, or passed out. This was real.

“Your period of stay is one year. You will have to work on the tasks that you will receive from RAD. After one year, you will write a paper about your exchange here in the Devildom.”

You were taken aback. Hold the phone for a moment.

“Write a paper?” You questioned, taking a step back.

“I am not telling you to write a doctoral thesis. You can take it easy,” he tried to semi-comfort, hit also giving you a ‘tough luck’ look. So you gave him one back, and glared at him. “Don’t glare at me like that. It’s not like I will abandon you all by yourself here in the Devildom. You need someone to look after you, and I think that someone should be my brother Mammon.”

He took a breath, almost as if to collect his thoughts.

“He’s the Avatar of Greed and how should I put it..” he paused again, thinking, with an unamused look on his face. “Oh, well you’ll understand soon enough.”

You opened your mouth to say something, a frown yet again covering your face, but you couldn’t get anything out before a phone-like item was thrust into your grasp. You just now realized that you didn’t have your phone on you.

“Take this device, it’s called a DDD. It’s a lot like the cell phones of your world. This will be yours to use as long as you’re here. Now,” he says gently. “Go ahead and try calling Mammon with it.”

You eye him suspiciously before going and tapping on the icon labeled ‘Mammon’.

————

This was written by me in no way trying to romanticize mental illnesses. I try to write what I feel would help me in the moment. I completely understand that mental illnesses don’t just ‘disappear’ when you’ve figured out that someone loves you or someone helps you once- that’s why I don’t write what happens after in most cases. If you are struggling, please reach out to anyone you trust, or call a hotline.

[blarrghe]

"Watching me while I sweat from exercising" for Dorianders because... of reasons? XD

Up on AO3 or uner the cut! (the formattinig is probably better on AO3 tumblr is the actual worst)

--

Befriending Magister Dorian Pavus continued to be the worst decision Anders had made since the one that had landed him in Tevinter in the first place. Not at the least because being friends with Magister Dorian Pavus was, on a scheduling level, practically impossible. It was almost maddening, how neither of them ever seemed to have any blighted free time. There was Dorian, very important and very busy, always rushing off to meetings or press events or fundraisers or galas, only available for a quick coffee or for trying to convince Anders to go out clubbing at two in the morning. Which, frankly, he had less than no interest in doing — for several reasons, only minimally to do with the fact that the music gave him a headache (the thought of standing by and watching Dorian dance and practice his smarmy lines on attractive club goers made up most of the rest of it). And then there was his own life, overflowing with unkempt medical notes and overdue bills, and a schedule packed with night shifts and on-call hours that made maintaining a regular sleep schedule impossible, never mind a social life. But despite all that, it was nice to have someone to talk to again. Someone passionate and revolutionary and witty and… just about as lonely as he was, so better not to go messing it up. Better to try to maintain this one terrible friendship — the only one he had that wasn't with a "work friend", or a cat. It was just a really difficult thing to do, between the unrepenting workdays and restless nights filled with dreams of his beautiful Maker-damned face.

 Dorian, however, was remarkably good at being his friend. He always managed to make time. Drew it out of thin air, it seemed, conjured it up like magic between his press conferences and business trips. He had this impossibly serendipitous way of always seeming to send a text offering to meet for coffee right as Anders' break was coming up, and thanks to his own life of impossible hours he was always amenable to a spot of caffeine well into the evening. Other times, he'd offer up an address, saying "meet me here tonight if by the end of your shift you're still alive", and Anders would reply "doubtful", and then show up later anyway to the movie theater, or concert hall, or burlesque playhouse, only to fall asleep in his seat once the lights went down — which, at the burlesque playhouse at least, everyone seemed to find incredibly amusing.

 Today, his shift would be finished at an uncommonly early hour, having started at one that was painfully so. And even though his work-to-sleep ratio for the week was currently hovering at around four to one, when a text came in from Dorian during his break that read simply, "lunch later? Meet me if you have an hour free." He cheerfully replied "I'm off at noon!" And decided to postpone his much-needed afternoon nap. Friends with Dorian, he smiled, terrible decision.

  ----

Anders did not work out. Whatever strength he had he came by naturally, by way of pushing hospital equipment around and running up and down stairs all day. His calves, as a result, were particularly firm, and he had defined, if skinny, biceps. His core was probably strong enough, what with the constant balancing act that was keeping up with his daily life, but if he had wanted abs he would probably have to do something about his diet; more protein, fewer sugary carbs, meals that weren't eaten while standing on a city bus. But a personal beauty routine had always been low on his priority list. If he was looking to impress someone, he usually tried to get his bad jokes and the somewhat trashy rebel-mage aesthetic (which he also came by naturally) to do the job for him. It was not, historically, the best strategy. But he also wasn't looking. Dorian, on the other hand, had beauty routines for his beauty routines. Apparently the way to make up for the sleeplessness of a busy life was to exercise regularly, drink exceptionally expensive vitamin concoctions (despite the fact that his friend, who was a doctor, had told him repeatedly that the vitamins in such quantities were oversaturated, contradictory, and essentially useless), and to apply a laundry list of products to one's skin and hair — that, at least, seemed to work.

And so it was that when Anders showed up at the designated spot, practically asleep on his feet and slouching eagerly off the bus towards the promise of an hour of good company and food, that he discovered that the place Dorian had instructed him to meet at was not a restaurant, or even a coffee shop, but a gym. A gym with wide glass windows facing the street, so that the gorgeous, obviously affluent, gym-membership-holders could sweat it out while on display for the benefit of all the less beautiful and less lucky passersby. Or perhaps it was the other way around, and rich people got a kick out of running in place for their health while watching working folk run breathlessly after the busses that pulled up to the dirty old bus shelter on the street outside. Anders didn't know, he didn't go to gyms. But Dorian did; he went to this gym. He paid an exorbitant membership fee and wore a tight t-shirt branded with the gym's logo while he ran himself sweaty on a treadmill, spraying fancy water into his mouth like he was advertising the stuff, and towelling himself off with the clean white towels provided while still running, panting with the efforts of his impressively athletic exertions. This, Anders discovered by staring at him as he did it, through the clear glass window from the street, his mouth falling open and throat going dry until Dorian spotted him, and he snapped his mouth shut while his cheeks went red. Dorian's cheeks were also red, a bead of sweat dripping down over one in a long glistening trail from his temple. He pressed some buttons on the treadmill, slowed down to a walk, smiled, and waved. Anders, like a dumbfounded puppet on a string, raised his hand and dropped it again, in some approximation of returning the greeting.

Ten minutes later, Dorian met Anders outside the door of the clean, white and minimalist setting of the gym's lobby with his regular (still tight) clothes on and his damp hair fragrant with some kind of rich, flower-infused cream.  

"You got here faster than I expected, sorry you had to wait."

"Good bus timing," Anders shrugged, pointedly not looking at him. One intolerable sensation at a time, and he still smelled amazing.

"You know there's an app for the schedules, GPS tracking and everything." Dorian commented. Why he knew that, when he'd probably never taken public transportation in his life, Anders couldn't guess. But then, Dorian was infinitely more organized than he was; good with schedules. Anders, meanwhile, struggled to keep his own thoughts straight, never mind the kinds of itineraries that Dorian kept. So he just nodded along, certain that he would never remember to check, or even download, the recommended app.

Dorian led them up to the intersection, and pressed the button at the crosswalk, every simple movement somehow upright and deliberate. "So, lunch? I'm starving, there's a great place across the street."

Anders glanced back at the gleaming white and chrome of the gym, and the equally sleek boutiques to either side of it. He frowned, fingering the well-worn leather billfold in his pocket. "How great?" He asked, cautiously.

"Great as in healthy, all vegan food and local produce and the like." Dorian smirked at him, and Anders made the mistake of looking at it. He blushed, and frowned some more.

"Oh, great." He said, with very little enthusiasm. A twelve dollar salad and one of those ludicrous vitamin waters, just what he and his malnourished billfold needed.

"You're a doctor, you can't live on cup noodles and granola bars all the time. It sets a bad example." Dorian berated, lightly, in return.

"At least cup noodles have salt." Anders protested, "Maybe too much, but that's better than none at all. And you know organic is just a buzzword, not everything organic is healthier. And the hoops of getting branded "Organic" just make it harder for actual family owned farmers, who grow perfectly healthy crops, to market to sellers," he ranted about it, albeit halfheartedly, until Dorian sighed and shook his head.

"Which is why I said local, not organic. And I've been, I promise they use seasonings. You really think I'd debase myself by dining somewhere that didn't know how to properly use spice?"

Anders grunted, still disapproving.

"It's good, really. You'll like it there, they have cats."

"They have…?" Anders spun to watch Dorian, squinting in confusion at him as he brightened the world about him with another one of those obnoxiously perfect smiles.

"Cats, they're all very tame. You can sit with them while you eat or play with them afterwards. An endeavour of the local animal shelter to help encourage adoption, as I understand it." Dorian explained casually. Then the light changed and he set off walking. Anders followed, significantly less grumpily, though now his stomach was turning flips for an entirely different reason besides hunger.

Forget Kirkwall, actually. Befriending Dorian was, hands down, the absolute worst decision he’d ever made.

[connorandersons-blog]

Kinktober day 13: Face-sitting/Hair-pulling, Kamcon

Spot the Marvel reference ajdaks

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

Connor liked playing with people's hair, all of his friends and acquaintances knew that. The Chloes definitely knew that and would all surround him whenever he visited, asking for different hairdos. 

He found it relaxing but obviously, there were some people's hair he didn't touch, not for lack of want, but he knew it made them uncomfortable. 

Hank was the first that had said no. He definitely means it rudely, but the man just didn't want his hair touched. Connor had suggested pulling it back into a ponytail to appear more professional, but Hank had shot that down (then went out and bought a thing of hair ties, totally just for Connor).

He had jokingly run a hand through Gavin's hair, mostly just to fuck with him but had gotten a rather interesting reaction. It had shut the man right up and he seemed to melt for a second before snapping out of it. He didn't yell at Connor for it, more like ran away. So he only touched Gavin's if absolutely necessary or he needed to just shut up.

The third person was North. His reasons were completely valid and he never brought it up. He knew what she was created for and the things humans would do to her. 

Then there was Elijah. The man had beautiful hair but never let anyone touch it, not even any of the Chloes. But Connor knew why. Connor didn't do it often because he wasn't always in the mood, but when he was he knew exactly how to get what he wanted. 

He had come to visit like he often did and had gotten through most of the Chloes, chatting with them while Elijah finished up whatever he was working on. The man could get so deep into it that he'd forget everything around him, including himself. That's partly why many of the Chloes were there originally, they would make sure Elijah took care of himself. 

Now that Elijah and Connor were together, he liked to drop by with some homemade food or dessert. As long as Elijah had eaten two meals that day he wouldn't pull him away instantly. If the Chloes hadn't managed to get him to eat then Connor would intervene with very interesting tactics. 

One of the most memorable ones was Connor climbing into his lap. He's done that before, but he would just sit there and cuddle close as Elijah worked. This time he had ground against him until he got his attention. He had then jumped off and run to the kitchen (already having warned the Chloes). Elijah had run after him and Connor managed to get him to eat before Elijah sat him on the counter. 

Currently, he had made brownies with very finely crushed peppermint (small enough to melt when baked) in. Christmas was drawing near and Connor had found he loved the baking ideas that came from it. His last Christmas, his first-ever, had been a busy one that he hadn't gotten to celebrate fully. He had gone home to Hank that night with the gift but it had ended in tears for both of them (understandably). 

This year he planned on fully enjoying it. He'd talked to Hank and the man had agreed to come along to Carl's house for Christmas. Elijah was close friends with Carl Manfred and had personally made Markus. Connor was invited, and then Connor invited Elijah and Hank with everyone's permission. Elijah had then invited the Chloes and Markus and Carl seemed to share the same thought, the more the merrier. The one person that was surprisingly invited was Gavin. 

Connor had known they were related since Elijah and he got together. Elijah didn't want to hide it and Connor kept noticing similarities already. It definitely helped his relationship with Gavin enough to call him an odd friend. No one was sure if he'd actually show up, though.

It was sure to be a hectic but wonderful day and Connor couldn't wait to celebrate with his family. Because that's what he considered all of them, his family. 

Connor and Markus could bicker for hours but the next minute could be found cuddling together. North and Connor had gotten close but he also wasn't afraid to call her out on her bullshit and Connor thought she secretly appreciated it. 

Connor adored Simon but they definitely had a rough start. It took a long time for Connor to open up about Daniel and how it still haunted him. Luckily the two were completely different so unless Connor was having a flashback they got along amazingly. Josh was a sweetheart but often stayed quieter, so Connor made sure his voice was heard and that he was always included. 

Carl had taken a liking to Connor almost instantly, saying how he and Markus were two sides of the same coin. Connor would try to fuss over him, but Carl always had a snarky remark to battle it. If Connor had to label their relationship, Carl was similar to a grandfather. 

Hank was definitely a father figure even if it tore open some wounds. Yet Connor could tell it was also helping. Connor would never replace Cole, he'd never want to, but Hank needed someone to look after. Someone new to this world and still confused by so many things. 

The Chloes were like sisters to him. They certainly treated him like a brother and seemed rather excited about that too. 

He finished french-braiding one's hair before looking up to see Elijah leaning against the doorway, hair still pulled into a bun he wore when working. Connor grinned at him from the floor and a few Chloes looked over before groaning. 

"How long have you been standing there?" He asked and watched as plenty of the Chloe's got up to leave. It really wasn't a secret what the two would get up to when given enough time and energy, and Connor had plenty of both. 

Elijah pushed off the wall and walked over, offering a hand to Connor. He took it and let himself be pulled up and into a long hug. Elijah didn't look like it, but he gave really amazing hugs. "Long enough, you looked so happy."

"That's because I am." Connor leaned back and poked at Elijah's stomach with a small squint. "You hungry? I brought something for you." 

Elijah would deny it but he perked up at the sound of Connor's food. Connor was proud of himself by getting that reaction. He had decided to learn how to bake and cook the human way and he put a lot of effort into everything. The brownies had been completely his own made-up recipe. "God yes, you're a blessing." 

Connor shrugged and led them to the kitchen giving a small wave to the last few Chloes. "I just need someone other than Hank to give good too. He loves it, but I'm trying to help him get into a better meal plan." Not necessarily losing weight, but he just wanted him to eat healthier, it was shown to help mental health.

"Oh, I see. The great Elijah Kamski second best and only needed to eat food." He put a hand on his forehead dramatically and sighed. 

Connor snorted and shook his head, grabbing the container. "Well, can the great Elijah Kamski get himself a plate, or does he need help with that?" 

Elijah pretended to think for a second before turning and half-heartedly reaching for the cabinets. He looked back over his shoulder with a small pout and once again Connor snorted. 

He walked right up to him, pressing Elijah into the counter, and arm going around his waist while reaching up and pulling down a plate. "Here you go, sir." He whispered in his ear before backing away and taking the lid off the brownies. 

Elijah huffed and reached for a brownie but Connor slapped his hand away. "Rude, I see you're in a fun mood today." 

Connor smiled and shrugged, dishing out a brownie to Elijah before taking one for himself, putting his hand under his chin to catch any crumbs. "Perhaps, you'll just have to wait and see." He took a bite of the brownie and was instantly thankful Elijah had given him the upgrade to be able to eat. This was definitely going on his favorites list. 

Elijah took a bite too and seemed to melt for a second before humming. "It's really good. You did very well on the balance, love." 

Connor leaned over and gave a quick peck at Elijah's cheek. "Thank you, I think I'll make some for Christmas." He had so many things he planned on bringing, but thankfully Markus just encouraged him. Said he should always do what he was passionate about. 

"Good idea, Carl will love them. Though Gavin will bitch he'll steal as many as he can. He's a sucker for peppermint even if he says that's a basic ass bitch thing." Elijah rolled his eyes and took another bite. 

"Well, I'll make him his own batch as a gift then, with 'basic bitch' spelled out on top with peppermint sprinkles." He'd definitely get into a play fight over that, but it would so be worth it. Plus he had been desperately trying to figure out what to get the man. 

Elijah snorted and covered his mouth. He quickly swallowed before bursting into chuckles. "Fuck yes! Oh god, he's gonna kill me but it's worth it." 

Connor smirked and finished off his brownie before stepping closer to Elijah and running his hand up and down his arm. "How has work been? And that new project? Being able to change facial features to be more feminine or masculine, right?" Of course, he already knew and he could never forget, but he loved the way Elijah lit up. 

Elijah scarfed down the rest, before moving and pushing Connor up into the island, standing between his legs. "Work has been interesting, there's a new intern, incredibly brilliant and so quick too. He's truly a prodigy and I see a bit of myself in him." 

Connor hummed and let his hands wander around Elijah's torso, not truly trying to start anything yet. "Oh?" 

Elijah nods quickly, his eyes lighting up. "Yes! He's so young so I'm trying not to push too hard or set too high expectations, but I also don't want him to get bored. He's… he's a really good kid, comes from a rougher home." His voice softened and Connor tilted his head. 

This was definitely interesting. Elijah wasn't one to like children, he mostly tolerated them when necessary. He'd never heard Elijah speak like this about any younger human. "Oh, what's his name?" 

"Petrus, I think you two would get along well." Elijah leaned forward and let their foreheads rest together. 

Connor hummed and let his hands settle around Elijah's shoulders. He'd most definitely need to meet this kid if Elijah was so...patriarchal. "I'd be very interested in meeting him, but maybe another day. I want you all to myself for tonight." With that he slid his hands up, scratching at the short stubbly hairs of Elijah's undercut. "Would you like that? We haven't gotten to play in awhile and haven't gotten to mess around with my new component." 

He scooted closer so that his entire front was pressed against him. He could feel the moment Elijah's heart sped up and his pupils grew wider. "Oh?" 

Connor nodded and let his hands scratch higher until he could pull Elijah's hair out of the bun. It fell down around his face like silk and Connor ran his hands through it. He got a few tangles out and focused on playing with it. "Yep, and I distinctly remember you promising certain things once I tried it out. 

Elijah hummed and leaned into the touch, a soft smile on his face as his hands slid down to Connor's thighs. "That I did, and I always keep my promises. How has it been feeling? Any adjustments needed?" 

Connor huffed and grabbed Elijah's hand, placing it under his skirt and against the boxers. Thankfully no one really questioned his choice of outfits as he was still experimenting but he'd found skirts could be very comfortable. The fingers gently pressed down then moved in a slow circle and Connor let his head fall back with a whine. "What do you think?" 

"I think you may be a bit too sensitive, baby boy, but we don't have to change anything." Elijah's other hand gently massaged Connor's thigh and he leaned forward to press kisses down his neck. 

Connor keened and took some hair into a fist and pulled, just enough to get a reaction out of Eli. "I'm very sensitive, but you will still do as promised." 

"God I love it when you're demanding, want it so bad don't you. You're so needy. Maybe I could do it right here?" Elijah whispered and nipped at Connor's skin. 

Connor huffed but smirked. "I'm horny as fuck, are you going to actually do anything about it or should I find someone else? Markus had expressed interest before, I'm sure he'd-" he's cut off but Elijah silencing him with a kiss. 

He knew it got Eli a bit riled up when Connor mentioned Markus like this. He could get a bit possessive in the heat of the moment and even slightly jealous. But he always made sure Connor knew he belonged to no one. 

"He can fuck off, you're mine and he knows it." Elijah picked him up from the counter and Connor wrapped his legs around him with a smirk. "Come on, baby." 

Connor yanked on his hair and pressed hot kisses to his neck, trying to distract him somewhat. He wanted to see how much he could stall the other but he still really wanted to get to bed. 

"Fuck, Connor baby come on." Elijah mumbled, stumbling slightly when Connor nipped at the softest part of his neck. 

He hummed and wiggled his hips, more to tease Eli than anything else. The fabric texture had him sighing softly when the movement caused pleasure to pulse through him. "Hm, am I distracting?" 

"Yes, we're almost there, just wait a few more seconds." Elijah kissed him thoroughly before starting to move again. 

"Elijah-oh, sorry!" One of the Chloes squeaked before turning tail and all but running off. 

Connor snorted and had to hide his face in Elijah's shoulder, blush bright on his face. It wasn't the first time a Chloe had walked in on them and it definitely wasn't in one of the worst positions they had been caught in either. 

Elijah gave a low hum but walked the rest of the distance and dropped Connor onto the bed. "There we go, you're so beautiful." Elijah said before pulling his shirt off. 

Connor smiled and gladly watched him. He had only admitted it after, but he had become flustered the first time he met Elijah. How little he wore and how confident he was with it. Now he had no problems watching and enjoying the view. 

Connor bent his knees and spread his legs. He dipped a hand under his skirt and started to play with himself until Elijah saw and snatched his hand away. "Hmm, maybe I should call Markus, I think he'd be great at dirty talk and he wouldn't take so long with his clothes. Especially with all those zippers." He had to hold back the snort at that, having always teased Markus about his choice of clothing. 

"You will not little boy, your cunt belongs to me. You cannot touch yourself without permission and no one else can either." Elijah growled and Connor smirked. He was so going to get what he wanted. 

Connor bit his lip and fluttered his eyelashes at Elijah, spreading his legs even wider. "Then why don't you take care of me? Show me what true pleasure is like, teach me to do it right." He was definitely going to stroke more than Elijah's ego tonight. 

Elijah ducked his head down and pressed gentle kisses to Connor's inner thighs. He sucked and bit at the skin, leaving marks only he'd be able to see. Connor would feel them tomorrow too, he'd hopefully feel much more as well. 

Connor tangled his hands in Elijah's hair again, and tugged him forward and closed to what he really wanted.

Elijah mouthed at him before pulling the panties to the side. It was like Connor's body was on fire but the heat pooled at his slit as Elijah licked his lips. 

Connor groaned and moved swiftly, straddling Elijah's face, hands still in his hair. "You're taking too damn long!" He complained and Elijah stared up at him with wide eyes for a second. 

"God, that's so unfair babe. You're too beautiful, but I'll do what I promised. Don't worry, I'll make you feel so good you can only think of me." 

Connor let out a gasp as Elijah finally licked at him, gentle and slow at first, to test. "Hmm, God that feels good." 

Elijah licked into Connor, his spit mixing filthily with Connor's wetness. Elijah groaned, the hum of vibrating through Connor and flashing starbursts behind his eyes. It was just so good. 

He pulled at the hair, his legs trembling from pleasure. He could hold himself up for days if he wasn't preoccupied, but he had to actively focus on not crushing Elijah.

Elijah held onto Connor's hips and pulled down, eyes flickering open to glance at Connor's face. He gave another low hum and Connor let himself put most of his weight onto Elijah and his incredible tongue.

He ground his hips down and Elijah gladly sucked, greedy for more. Elijah squeezed his hips, ass, thighs, and kept bringing him back down, closer and deeper. 

Connor yanked mercilessly at Elijah's hair, never hard enough to pull any out, but hard enough that he knew Elijah loved it. He didn't even have to have past knowledge about it with each moan that came from a partially sharp tug. 

He moved down and quickly fucked into him with his tongue again, pressing as deeply as he could. 

"Yes! There!" Connor moaned, his head spinning as Elijah hit that wonderful spot. "Fuck, keep going I'm so close." 

Elijah hummed and Connor pulled at his hair, his back arching. His whole body shook as he completely sat on Elijah's face, his mind going blank for a second. "Yes! Fuck yes, Elijah!" He sighed out, Elijah not stopping even as Connor came. 

It took him a minute until he sat back up, and moved down, finally letting go of Elijah's hair and letting the man wipe his mouth off. "Fuck, you taste so good." 

Connor hummed and leaned down, kissing Elijah and tasting himself. He pulled away after a few minutes and smirked down at him. "Yes, I do."

They end up curled together after they are both satisfied and Connor traces random patterns info Elijah's chest. 

"You talk about Markus a lot, would you like him to join one night? Perhaps just watching at first." Eli mumbles but is clearly still awake.

Connor blinks at him before kissing his collarbones. "No need if it makes you uncomfortable, but I won't lie, I do like that idea." 

Elijah nodded and pulled Connor closer. "I'm not opposed to the idea, and I want to make you as happy as you make me. It would be pretty cool to say I slept with two of the deviant leaders." 

Connor snorted and flicked at his skin but the smile was so wide on his face it hurt. "You make me very happy, Eli. Even if we never did anything like this, if we never slept together, I'd still be happy and content."

He snuggled closer and heard the soft pounding of Elijah's heart, he always found the sound oddly calming. 

"I'm glad. But as I was saying, if you'd like to we can talk to him about this, offer the chance. I can't guarantee it will be perfect or go smoothly but I'm willing to try and see." 

Connor closed his eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that. I love you, Elijah." 

Elijah hummed and gave him a tight squeeze. "I love you too."

[nightowlfandom]

Katsuki Bakugou- Cruel Prankster (Part 2) FLUFF AS FUCK

REQUEST FROM PROMPT LIST- RIGHT HERE!

This is dedicated to a special reader who has informed me that if this doesn’t get a part two, they’d be very sad and I can’t have any sad people on my watch, it’s just not right, SOOOOOOOO HERE WE ARE You know who you are and this is for you! 

I wasn’t planning a part 2 but I did this last minute especially for you reader person!

Also if you’ve requested, and haven’t seen it up yet. It’s still in my drafts, and I’ll get to it, I swear! Are you really for the cutest, most fluffy, most heart vomit filled imagine you have ever read! ARE YOU!?!?!?

READ PART 1 HERE!!

Leggo!

...

You walked through the halls, clutching your books to your chest. No one had really gotten over that incident and it was still the talk of the student body. People had noticed how you weren’t as cheery or bubbly. You were just kind of there, you smiled politely when people would say hi to you, but that was it.

“Hi Y/N!” Izuku smiled in your direction.

“Hi Izuku.” you smiled politely, continuing to walk down the hall. You had just wanted to get to the library. You didn’t really want to be bothered. You couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss with Bakugou and why he had done it. You could still hear his voice in your head too. You were sort of distraught in a way too.

First he drenches you in who knows what, then he brings you a lunch box and then claims to not care, but then says your quirk would suffer as if he did care, then the fool kisses you.

“Why are boys so stupid.” you huffed, walking into the library. You found yourself a nice little corner. You had gotten a pass to get out of classes today in preparation for an exam you had, which meant you had the entire library to yourself all day. (idk if it works that way but just pretend peeps)

You sat down with your books and opened them all, preparing to submerge yourself in your studies. It was a good thing too, this meant you could also avoid Bakugou with ease. 

Meanwhile...

“Where’s Y/N?” Momo whispered to the group of girls she was sitting with.

“I heard she got out of classes today to go to the library and study for a huge exam.” Mina replied. “She’ll be out of class for the day.”

“This means must a lot to her. I asked her if she wanted to eat lunch with me today and she told me-...do you mind?” Uraraka raised an eyebrow at Bakugou who seemed to be listening a bit too hard.

“What did she say to you?” Bakugou demanded an answer.

“She said she’d see if she could make it, but she didn’t want to bump into a certain someone on the way.” she scoffed in reply. “She would like to keep her focus without another incident.”

Bakugou scoffed, people were still talking about this! He had made another lunch box for you, but knowing the type of person you were, you’d probably hide.

Bakugou racked his brain, why did he kiss you! You of all people! He questioned why he even made that stupid lunch box in the first place. If you weren’t such a brat, none of this would happen! ARGH!

...

It was lunch time and you had decided to take Uraraka up on her invitation to have lunch with her. Of course you didn’t pack your own lunch, so just sitting to have a nice chat would do. You waved over, grabbing her attention.

“Hey Y/N!!” your friend waved you over. “I’m glad you made it. We saved you a seat!” The other girls at the table waved, obviously glad to see you.

You smiled your usual big smile and began walking over to them, only to feel something grab your hand and pull you to another table. You were surprised to see it was Bakugou pulling you along.

“Hey! Woah!” you whined, watching as everyone stared in confusion. You were sat down on one of the benches and a lunch box was set down in front of you. Bakugou sat across from you without another word.

“Eat.” he said, making you raise a brow.

“Any reason why you’re pulling me away from my friends?”

“OH SO I’M NOT A FRIEND?!”

“I don’t know.” you replied flatly, pushing the lunchbox back towards him. “I don’t know if you know this but we aren’t exactly great pals.”

“Stop being difficult! I know you didn’t eat all day, stupid.” he pushed the box back towards you. “So not only is your stupid quirk gonna suffer but you’re also gonna fail that exam!”

“How did you know about my exam?” you asked. “I didn’t tell you that.”

“Nevermind how I know. I’m not letting you leave until you eat every last bit!” he pointed accusingly. “Stop neglecting your health stupid!”

“If it will get you off my back.” you sighed, opening the box. You were welcomed by all kinds of good smells. Bakugou watched intently as you begrudgingly picked up the pair of chopsticks and picked at the first thing you saw. 

“I’ll be right back.” he said quickly, getting up. He soon came back with a bottle of fruit juice, which weirdly happened to be your favorite. “Here, it’ll help you focus more.” he mumbled as he got out his own lunch...which looked burnt to a crisp.

“You aren’t eating that, are you?” you raised an eyebrow. It looks like you cooked that in a volcano.

“Hey! The burn makes it healthier!” he said defensively. He grabbed what you thought was an...egg? Maybe a pickled cucumber? Whatever it was he ate it, and obvious tried not to act disgusted. “See! Delicious!”

“Or deadlier.” you mumbled, pushing the lunchbox towards him. “Here, take some of mine.”

“What?! N-no, stupid!” he retorted. “I made it for you!”

“Yeah, you also made way too much, there’s no way I can finish this alone.” you rolled your eyes. “Plus I saw your face scrunch up when you opened that box.” you laughed. 

“s-shut up! T-thanks...I guess.” he mumbled, before digging his own chopsticks into your lunch box. He picked up a rice ball. You smiled in victory picking up your own rice ball. You took note of the cute little face on it. 

Bakugou knew you had a thing for drawing cute faces on everything you owned, while it was very stupid and childish and a total waste of his time, he kinda wanted to make you you appreciated the lunch he made, so he took the extra time to match it to your personality.

“They’re sharing her lunch! That is so cute!”

“Are they together?”

“Bakugou and Y/N, talk about polar opposites.”

“Didn’t he pull that really mean prank on her, why are they sitting together?”

“I heard Bakugou likes Y/N.”

“Ooh mine!” you picked up a piece of carrot before Bakugou could reach for it.

“Hey! I was gonna get that!” Bakugou whined.

“Snooze you lose, time bomb.” you stuck your tongue out. You didn’t see it, but Bakugou shook his head, quietly laughing at you...in his head of course because why would he smile in front of you. “My carrot.” you mumbled. 

“...So how are your studies.”

“...Fine.” you replied, looking up. “I’m nervous...about this exam.”

“I’m sure you’ll pass, your one of the smartest.” Bakugou said casually. “Stop doubting yourself, stupid!” he said a little too fast, as if he had to remember to say that.

“T-thanks Bakugou.” you replied. He had never sounded so nice before, you weren’t sure what it was but it felt...more important hearing it from him.

“Don’t even think about touch that omelette roll.” you warned as Bakugou reached his chopsticks for the last thing in the lunch box, other than the bed of lettuce.

“You already had one!” he shot back. “So it’s mine.”

“Nonono because you hogged most of the seaweed and ate both of the octopus-hotdog...things” you trailed off, sounding silly.  “This is mine sir!” you pointed at him. “I will fight you for that omelette” You challenged.

“Fine! But next time you’re bringing lunch. I’m tired of cooking for you.”

Okay he was lying, he actually didn’t hate seeing you enjoy something he made, it kinda made him wanna make more things for you. Only out of pity because seeing you in a bad mood made everyone sad...yeah that’s it.

Instead of retorting with a smart ass remark...you giggled. “Sounds like a plan.” you gave a thumbs up, skipping off. “I’ll make sure to make it super tasty.”

“You’d better!” he mumbled.

You smiled in victory as you stood up.

“Wait!” Bakugou stood up after you and approached you. He tilted your face up and leaned down towards you. He quickly leaned you and gave you a super quick peck.  “I-I’ll see you around....THIS DOESN’T MAKE US FRIENDS, GOT IT?!”

“Y-yeah...totally.” you nodded, reaching your fingertips to touch your lips.

...

“BAKUGOU!” You bolted down the hall. You needed to tell someone the good news, anyone! Knowing your luck, it would be the last person you’d expect to bump into, which turned into the first as of late.

“Argh what do you want stupid!? You’re pounding my ear drums!”

“I PASSED!” You began jumping up and down. “I passed my exam!”

“I don’t know why you’re so happy, I told you that you would!” he barked back. “Stupid...” he rolled his eyes. He wouldn’t admit it, but it was kind of cute seeing you get all giddy.

“I know but-”

“But nothing! I said you were one of the smartest in the entire class stupid!”  he rolled his eyes. “Why are you so annoying....congratulations I guess.” he mumbled.

“Oh yeah, and as promised!” you announced. “TA-DA!” You held up the lunch box you had promised you’d made. “That lunch I promised!” You held out the box towards him. 

“Oh, so you finally hold up your end of the deal!” he rolled his eyes. “Come on.” he held out his hand. 

“...What??” you raised an eyebrow, staring at his had as if you’ve never seen a hand in your life.

“What does it look like!? We’re eating together! ...Now shut up and take my hand” Bakugou rolled his eyes and grabbed your hand, practically dragging you through the halls. You followed him as Bakugou’s hand tightened around yours.

“Are Bakugou and Y/N together?”

“They have to be!”

“She could do so much better!”

“Are you kidding, Bakugou’s threatened any guy who walked towards Y/N since she transferred here.”

Everyone watched and you gave Bakugou a pair of chopsticks and how he rolled his eyes but took them anyways. It made them wonder how you were able to forgive him to quickly or how he was able to put aside that weird short-lived hatred for you that no one understood why he had in the first place.

“Do you think they like eachother?”

“No way.” 

“ARGH! you idiot!” Bakugou yelled. 

“See, he’s gonna-”

“Why are you so messy!” he sighed, grabbing a napkin and wiping the side of your mouth. “Geez, you’d think to be so graceful you’d at least have table manners!”

“Sorry.” you felt your face heat up as Bakugou wiped the side of your mouth.

Definitely, he definitely liked you.

(PART 2, DUNZO!! I HOPE THIS MADE YOUR DAY KIND REQUEST PERSON! I HOPE YOU AREN’T SAD ANYMORE BECAUSE I DID THIS JUST FOR YOU!! 

Okay what do you BNHA lovers want more, confessing to Todoroki, being the new kid in class, or Izuku confessing to you, I have no idea,

 I just don’t want my entire blog to be kpop stuff so even if you don’t like BNHA, I write for a lot of other animes too so just let me know [extra points if its Fairytail, Diabolik Lovers, Attack On Titan, or Naruto because Kakashi can have some of this...ya dig? Older men in anime bring out my inner hoe, I am so sorry about but not really)

[bilbos]

To Capture A Heart || Tyson Jost

word count: 9.3k

requested: yes || no

author’s note: this was written as part of Hockey Trumps Hate by @hockeynetwork for @galchenyum <3

ao3 link

~ ~ ~

Magic isn’t the reason people return to Morning Glory, but it sure helps. Working at a popular café right after graduating university isn’t exactly what you expected. But when Jenna, the owner of the café, offered you to be the head baker for her, you couldn’t refuse. Knowing that you would be doing something that you love will make up for not using your degree.

Your parents were a bit hesitant when you said that you would be using your magic at work, but they eventually backed off when they saw how important it was to you. Besides, you never put anything harmful into the baked goods, just a bit of happiness and feelings of home. All you want to do is make people feel good before heading off to work or school. 

Six months later, and Morning Glory is doing better than you ever expected. Not like it was a terrible place before, but the energy here is different now. More people become regulars and they stay for longer when it’s not a rush. Jenna attributes it a lot to you, but you don’t really want to take any credit, not when she’s put so much of her life on the line for it.

Right after the morning rush one day, Maddy, one of the college students working part time here, pulls you off to the side. She looks a bit starstruck and you’re wondering what you missed. It’s rare for anyone famous to come here, so you’re curious has to how that would have gone completely over your head.

“Did you see who came in today?” she asks, in a hushed whisper.

“No?” you reply, confused.

“Tyson, Nathan, and J.T. from the Colorado Avalanche came in and ordered coffee today!” she said, excitedly.

“Oh, that’s…nice,” you comment. “I honestly know nothing about them. You know I don’t keep up with sports.”

Maddy just gives you a look. “Well, if they happen to become regulars, you should get to know them. Maybe you can start making something a bit healthier. They are pretty cute and around our age.”

“They’re breakfast pastries, Maddy. They aren’t supposed to be healthy,” you say. “Besides, I don’t know if there’s any regulations on them eating stuff with magic in it or not.”

“I mean, it’s just supposed to make them feel better right? No harm in that.”

“Okay, but I doubt whoever is in charge of illegal substances would agree with that. Anyway, they’re not regulars yet. Try and change my mind when that happens, okay?”

“God, why are you so practical? You’re only a year older than I am.”

“Consistently waking up at three in the morning takes a toll on any fun I want to have,” you say solemnly.

Maddy just makes a face and walks back to the cash register. You really enjoy having people your age, making it easier to create more solid friendships. Most of the people with whom you went to university had gone off somewhere else to start a new job. Considering your early shift, it usually means that you’re exhausted once most people are done with their workdays and you don’t have the energy to do much.  

A couple more days have passed before Maddy is freaking out again about the hockey players. She seems convinced that they’ll become regulars and insists that you come up with some type of breakfast protein bar.

“That’s going to take me ages to come up with one that other people will buy,” you groan.

“But you’re a food witch, y/n,” Maddy replies. “Doesn’t that make things easier?”

“God, I wish it did. But no, every witch has their own specialty and improvising with recipes is not mine. I just make people feel better.”

“That’s…not as exciting.”

“I don’t get this idea where every witch’s magic has to be exciting,” you sigh. “Actually, don’t answer that. I know where it comes from. But most magic is pretty mundane.”

Maddy snorts. “I know I said it wasn’t as exciting, but I wouldn’t call it mundane. I mean, it’s helping keep the café pretty popular.”

You shrug. “I mean, I disagree, but if it’s letting me keep this job, then I’m not complaining. But I’ll try to figure out some breakfast bars if they come in one more time in the next week. Third times a charm, as they say.”

Maddy laughs, as she walks back to the register as a group of college students come in.  

~ ~ ~

When Tyson and J.T. come in only four days later, Maddy just looks at you smugly. You sigh, knowing that you’ll be staying up later than you need to try to find a good recipe. There’s plenty of recipes that look good, but it’s hard figuring out which ones will be the easiest to make in large batches with your magic.  

Maddy and Jenna become your unofficial taste testers. Considering that you see them every day, it’s easier for you to note the impact of your magic on them. Some days, you barely notice a difference in their demeanor and other days…it’s a bit scary how upbeat and cheery they are.  

Two weeks later is when you perfect your recipe. You end up with a no-bake almond fudge protein bar. It’s healthy enough to actually be considered a protein bar, but nothing too off-putting where non-athletes wouldn’t eat it. Your magic settled into it nicely as well, considering the sweeter aspects of the recipe were there. Once you have the bars sitting out in the display case, Maddy seems all too happy about it.

“I think they’ll love it,” Maddy comments.

“You know, it doesn’t matter how much they love it,” you reply. “If our regular customers don’t buy it, I’m not going to keep making it just for them. There’s other things I could be working on and infusing with my magic.”

Maddy frowns a little bit. “That’s no fun, though.”

“Yes, but it’s an unfortunate downfall of deciding to be a baker. No point in making something that doesn’t sell. That’s money going to waste.”

“Ugh,” Maddy groans.  

“I still don’t see why you think a protein bar is going to change anything. I get making stuff to tailor to our customers, but I honestly don’t see how that’s going to make them like us any different.”

Maddy just shrugs. “I mean, it doesn’t hurt to try. You never know.”

“I think you’re just reading too many romance novels.”

“It’s fanfic, get it right,” Maddy jokes.

You just roll your eyes and go back into the kitchen to make some more muffins. It’s not like you don’t like the challenge of making something new, you just don’t know if it’s worth it to make something for a small target demographic. At least not athletes, anyways. They only come in twice a week on a good week, so you don’t see how they’ll ever remember the café, much less the people behind the register. It’s just a part of running a business.

Right before Maddy leaves at the end of her shift, she comes over to you, smiling smugly. You just sigh and motioned for her to start talking.

“They really liked the protein bars,” Maddy replies. “Said it was the best tasting thing that they’ve ever had.”

“You know, that doesn’t surprise me. A lot of protein bars are disgusting and they’re a couple of young guys. I doubt it’s crossed their mind to try making their own yet.”

“You’re no fun,” Maddy pouts. “Just let me have a little bit of fun with this.”

“Fine, I won’t make any smug remarks next time,” you reply. “Now, don’t you have to get to class?”

Maddy just rolls her eyes, smiling a little bit, as she leaves the kitchen. As happy as you are that they liked it, it really isn’t hard to make something that tastes better than the stuff you can buy in stores. Besides, you only really care if they actually sell, considering you only made them for a couple of customers.

~ ~ ~

A few days later, you’re working the cash register for a bit while Maddy takes her break right after the morning rush. Four guys come walking in, and Maddy has shoved their faces in your face enough to recognize them as hockey players. Unfortunately, Maddy hasn’t shown you them enough to actually remember their names.

“Uh, hey,” one of them says. “Is Maddy here?”

“Oh, she’s on break actually. She’ll come out of hiding in like fifteen minutes if you guys want to wait for her,” you reply.  

“It’s okay, actually,” he replies. “It’s just weird not seeing her here.”

You shrug. “Well, what can I get you guys? I have a fresh batch of protein bars and muffins out in the display case, but I promise everything was made this morning.”

“You’re the baker?” another one of them asks.

“Yeah, that’s why you never see me. I hide in the kitchen for most of my shift,” you answer.

They nod and place their orders. The coffees are about as sugary as you would expect them to be and they all order a protein bar and a muffin to go along with it. One of them hangs back after you ring up their orders and hand them their pastries.

“Maddy has actually mentioned you before,” he says.

“Uh, that’s nice?” you reply.  

“I’m Tyson, by the way.”

“Y/n, but I’m sure Maddy has told you that.”

He smiles. “Yeah, she was pretty excited to try and sell us on the protein bars. We were pretty hesitant since they tend to be pretty bland.”

You shrug. “I’m not going to put out anything that tastes gross. It’s the principle of the matter and it’s my job to make sure it all tastes good.”

“It must be fun,” he says.

“My 3am alarm clock would beg to differ, but I suppose it could be worse.”

His nose scrunches up a bit and before he can reply, one of the baristas calls out his coffee order. He waves at you a little bit before walking over to grab his coffee. You notice his friends look at him curiously, before looking over at you. Tyson just shrugs it off.

Maddy comes off of her break a couple minutes after they’ve left. She looks at you, wanting to know if anything interesting has happened.  

“Your hockey boys came in,” you remark.

She smiles widely. “Glad my timing was good.”

“You didn’t plan this, did you?”

“Why, I would never,” she replies, mocking being offended. “Okay, but I really didn’t plan this, considering I never know when they’re actually coming in. As much as I love them, I don’t stalk them that much.”

You snort. “That’s good to know. I was definitely getting worried there for a little bit.”

“Why are you literally the worst person ever?” Maddy groans. “I don’t see why I have to put up with you.”

“Put up with me?” you ask. “I hide in the kitchen for most of my shift. You’re the one who always comes to find me.”

Maddy just starts laughing. “God, I’m going to miss you when I graduate. Unless I decide to stay here in Denver.”

“Oh, please, you would never stay here. You complain about the snow every year.”

“I would suffer through it for you,” she replies, softly.

“Thanks, Maddy. That means a lot,” you say. “For what it’s worth, I’ll miss you too.”

“Okay, not to like…ruin the moment or anything, but why is that the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me?”

“I’ve said plenty of nice things to you,” you scoff.

“I would beg to differ.”

Any further reply is cut off by a group of college students coming in, looking like they’re ready to settle down for a long study session. Maddy just smiles at you before you go back to hide in the kitchen.

~ ~ ~

You don’t see Tyson and his friends for a couple more weeks, but Maddy always tells you that Tyson says hi and that everything tastes wonderful as usual. She tries to insist that this means he’s interested in you, but you know it probably doesn’t mean much. He’s only seen you once and good pastries that make you a bit happier than normal isn’t enough reasoning to start liking someone.

“I think you’re putting yourself down for no reason,” Maddy comments one day. “Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? He just wants to be friends? You need more of those.”

“Are you saying that you aren’t enough of a friend?” you joke.

“I mean, kind of,” Maddy says sadly. “We don’t really hang out outside of work and I never hear you talking about any other friends. Like, your weekend plans are always just you watching Netflix with your cat.”

“I guess you’re not wrong. But it’s just so exhausting trying to hang out with people in the early afternoon. I have the sleeping schedule of a grandma. And if my schedule is bad, then his is even worse. Like, aren’t they gone a lot for games?”

“But they still have other friends, I’m sure. It just takes time and effort.”

“Since when are you becoming the wise one?”

Maddy just smiles smugly. “I’m glad I’m becoming the smart one.”

“Good lord,” you sigh, rolling your eyes.

“Look, I can set you guys up and see what happens so that you aren’t the one taking a risk,” Maddy says.

“I’ve only talked to him once, Maddy. I would rather not go on a date with someone I’ve only had a brief conversation with.”

“Okay, by that logic, you’re never going to go on a date.”

“That’s fine by me,” you reply, shrugging. “If I don’t find anyone, I guess I can truly become the senile grandmother I’m growing into.”

“That is...the saddest thing I have ever heard and I’m a college student.”

“Please, it can’t be the worst thing you’ve ever heard.”

“I said saddest, not worst. There’s a big difference.”

You just give her a side eye, raising an eyebrow.

“Look, just come out here next time they come in and get a feel for it that way.”

“Fine. I’ll give it a shot.”

~ ~ ~

A week later, Tyson comes in with his usual group (which Maddy tells you when she pulls you from the kitchen). Tyson gives you a large smile when he spots you next to Maddy. You’re not totally sure how to react, but you give him a small smile.

“I was wondering if you were okay,” he says, as he walks up to the counter.

“I told you that I hide in the kitchen. It’s like spotting a cryptid when I come out here,” you reply.

Tyson snorts. “Maddy, you didn’t tell me she was funny.”

“She has her talents,” Maddy comments. “Is it the usual?”

All the guys nod and you notice that they’re trying to hide their smiles. You aren’t sure what that’s about, but you shrug it off. Guys your age are a mystery that you’ll never understand. Besides, Maddy has that thing covered way more than you need to.

“So, you making anything new?” Tyson asks.

“I’m experimenting with peppermint since December is almost upon us. It’ll be a good break from all of the apple and pumpkin spice.  Not that I don’t love them, it just gets boring constantly making the same thing over and over again,” you explain.

“Peppermint sounds wonderful,” Tyson comments. “I’ll be sure to try it when you put it out.”

“Wouldn’t that ruin your diet plan? That’s something that athletes have, right?” you ask.

“We get muffins every time we come in, so I don’t think I could ruin it any more than I already have,” he answers.

“Only muffins and the protein bars? I’m offended,” you joke. “We have plenty of other pastries that have just as much sugar in them.”

Tyson just laughs. “Muffins just seem healthier, I suppose.”

“Just promise me that you’ll try something else for once. I don’t get up at 3am to suffer over this just for you to have a muffin every time.”

“I still can’t believe you do that,” Tyson comments, scrunching his nose.  

“And I can’t believe that you work out as much as you do,” you reply. “We both suffer for our careers.”

Tyson smiles. “Well, it looks like the guys are ready to go. I’ll see you soon.”

“Bold of you to assume that I’ll leave the kitchen just for you.”

Tyson laughs and shakes his head as he walks off to his group, quickly grabbing his order before exiting with the rest of the group. Maddy smiles widely at you, a knowing look in her eye.  

“I think this deserves a movie night,” Maddy states.

“No, I really don’t think this deserves anything,” you retort. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

“You had an actual conversation with him and I think we need to come up with a plan.”

“If I get to pick the movie and food, I guess I can find the time to talk about it.”

“Done deal. Tomorrow night? Since I know you don’t wake up until at least 5am on the weekends.”

You nod and head back into the kitchen. In reality, there’s nothing you can really talk about in relation to Tyson. He seems nice and easy to get along with, but that’s it. You just know Maddy gets excited about you having any new friends to add to your tiny group. Besides, Tyson seems like he would be a good candidate for taste testing your pastries.  

~ ~ ~

The following night, Maddy comes with a cheap bottle of wine and her copy of Pride and Prejudice. It’s one of the few movies both of you love, with the both of you knowing all the lines to it. You’ve already made pizza with some leftover dough from the bakery. Jenna never really minded you taken a couple of things here and there, as long as nothing was going to waste.

“So, what are your feelings about Tyson?” Maddy asks as soon as the movie is playing.

“He seems nice, I guess,” you answer. “I really don’t see the big deal about this, though. I’ve literally had two conversations with him, both relating to pastries.”

“Look, no guy would pay attention to that if there wasn’t some type of interest going on,” Maddy replies. “Even if it’s just friendly, it wouldn’t hurt to reach out to him a little bit.”

“Maddy, I really appreciate your enthusiasm about this, but I really don’t think this deserves a whole night dedicated to it,” you complain. “Just because I made protein bars for them doesn’t mean anything. I would have stopped making them if they weren’t such a big hit with our morning crowd. It’s just…not that personal.”

“I know, I just want you to have friends that actually live here,” Maddy says sadly. “As much as I want to stay here, I don’t know how practical it is. And I know you just live and breath the shop, so I know you don’t really put yourself out there.”

“God, you make it sound so sad,” you groan. “I promise I’m mostly fine with it. Like, yeah, it sucks a lot and it does make me sad sometimes, I’ve come to terms with it.”

“That is…so depressing.”

You snort. “It really is. And I’ve only been here for six months. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time to figure things out.”

“I forget that sometimes. It feels like you’ve been there forever.”

“It really does.”

Things turn quiet for a little bit after that. It is really shitty that you haven’t really expanded your friend group since graduating, but you still feel like everything is settling in. There isn’t a need to really prove yourself to Jenna, but considering that this is your dream job, it scares you that it could be all taken away so easily.

Once the movie ends, Maddy takes the plates and wine glasses over to the sink. She comes and sits next to you again, looking at you expectantly. You sigh, knowing Maddy wants to continue the conversation from earlier.

“Maddy, once I start trying more with the peppermint pastries, feel free to give him one or two for free. I think it’s time for me to have more than you and Jenna as taste testers.”

“So he is moving up in the ranks of how much you like him.”

“Oh my god, shut up.”

~ ~ ~

A few days later, you’ve made a few new baked goods for the shop. There’s the classic peppermint brownie, and some various cookies. You’ve set them out in the break room for everyone to take, but you notice Maddy smuggle a couple to the front.  

“What? It’s just in case they come in today,” Maddy says defensively. “You did say Tyson could become a taste tester.”

“I was kind of hoping you wouldn’t remember that,” you say, jokingly.

“Neither of us were that drunk, which is how I know you really mean it.”

You roll your eyes. “Just let me know what he thinks of them, okay? If he says he doesn’t like them, I’m assuming it’s terrible.”

“Why do you think that? He hasn’t even tasted anything yet.”

“He’s a young male athlete. I’m sure anything will taste great to him.”

“That…is a good point. I’ll keep you updated.”

Maddy doesn’t come back to say anything until the end of her shift. But when she does, she’s smiling widely.

“We have the Tyson stamp of approval,” she announces. “He was very sad that you weren’t out there to give anything to him, though.”

“It’s almost the holidays, nobody can drag me out of here. Besides, did he tell you that he was sad about me not being out there?”

“No, he didn’t say anything specifically, but he looked sad.”

“I really doubt that.”

“Well, come out here next time. I’ll be sure to drag you out of your lair.”

“At this rate, I’m really not going to miss you when you graduate.”

~ ~ ~

Maddy doesn’t have to wait long to drag you out of the kitchen, as the next morning, she says Tyson is waiting for you. You sigh, knowing he probably didn’t actually ask to see you. Still, it would be good to hear his thoughts on what you made straight from him.

“Hey, y/n,” Tyson greets happily. “I’m glad I get to see you today.”

“Uh, thanks,” you reply, awkwardly. “It’s good to see you too.”

“The pastries were good yesterday. Are those for sure going on the menu?”

“Yeah, everyone seems to like it, which is nice. Especially the cookies, I was worried about those. I wasn’t sure how my magic would take to them,” you reply.

“Your…magic?” Tyson asks, confused.

“Yeah, I’m a witch,” you reply casually, despite freaking out on the inside. “Everything that’s made here has a bit of my magic in it.”

You forgot that this hasn’t come up in conversation yet and you aren’t sure how you feel about it. There’s no way to judge Tyson’s feelings on it all, so you just wait there as he processes what you just told him.

“I, um, I’m going to head out. I’ll see you later,” Tyson says, awkwardly.  

After he leaves, Maddy gives you a questioning look, not sure what just happened. You shake your head, knowing that she’ll just come bug you at the end of her shift. While it wasn’t a bad reaction, there’s still a knot sitting in your stomach. Whatever he’s thinking, it couldn’t have been amazing.

When Maddy comes to talk to you, you just tug her into the break room, not wanting to make any of this more public that it needs to be.

“So, I may have forgotten that Tyson doesn’t know about me being a witch,” you say.

“Oh, I didn’t even think about that,” Maddy replies. “Did he react badly?”

“Well, he didn’t even really react. He just said he would come back later,” you explain. “I hate not knowing what people think about me being a witch. It’s not even that exciting.”

Maddy purses her lips. “I suppose I can be a bit less nice to him until he figures out what’s going on.”

“I’m sure it’s not too big of a deal.”

“Even if it isn’t, I don’t want to be nice to someone who can hate you for who you are.”

“Thank you,” you whisper, as you pull her into a hug.

Most of the time, people really didn’t mind you being a witch, but you know it’s because they view your type of magic as harmless. Which it really can be, but the states of euphoria you’ve caused over the years is a bit disturbing. You’re mostly surprised at how much it hurt to have Tyson say that.

“I don’t even know why I’m taking it so hard,” you say.  

“He just seems like such a happy person and like things don’t really matter. But it is just a persona that he puts out.”

“God, you’re so right. I guess I should let you go instead of having you stick around while I mope over someone.”

“We’ll just have to have another movie night if it continues. I don’t want you moping alone.”

“I really am going to miss you, Maddy.”

She just hugs you tighter.

~ ~ ~

Neither of you see Tyson or his friends until a week and a half later. You notice Maddy being a bit less cheery with them and Tyson looks apologetic. He hands something to her, which looks like a letter. Maddy takes it, but she doesn’t look happy about it. Whatever it is, Maddy will come talk to you on her break about it.

When she finds you an hour later, she hands you the letter. You just look at her, questioning what it is.

“He said that he wanted to apologize, but didn’t want to make it a huge public thing. He wrote a letter apparently.”

You open it and there isn’t just a letter there. You notice two tickets to an Avalanche game for an afternoon game in a couple of weeks.

“Oh,” you whisper. “That’s…definitely a surprise.”

“Well, that’s definitely one way to apologize.”

You snort. “I’ll see what he has to say for himself after I get these cookies out of the oven. And don’t worry, you’ll get the chance to read the letter for yourself.”

As you grab the cookies, Maddy leans up against one of the walls.

“He seemed really sorry. But I’m still a bit hesitant, you know?” she remarks.

“Acting like he’s sorry is one thing,” you say.  

Once you put the cookies on a plate and the next batch in the oven, you open the letter.  

Dear y/n,

I’m sorry that I just kind of…left last week. I know that witches aren’t bad people and are harmless, but I’ve always been raised to be cautious. Especially being in the NHL, they warn us all the time about watching our backs. They don’t want us to be cursed or to be enhancing our play style at all.  

I guess this just took me by surprise and I didn’t know what else to do. I really am sorry and I know tickets can’t make up for it, but you also deserve to treat yourself. Hopefully you and Maddy can come to the game, but if it doesn’t work, please let me know and I can get you tickets to a different one. Maybe we can do dinner or something with the guys. Anything to make it better.

-Tyson

You hand the letter over to Maddy and she just skims through it.

“Do you think that he really means it?” you ask.

“I think so,” she answers. “I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to go to a game and grab dinner. Just show that you’re not any different from someone who isn’t a witch.”

“Yeah, that’s probably smart. When he comes back, tell him to wait for me and I’ll come out to talk to him.”

~ ~ ~

Tyson comes back the next day and he looks hopeful as you come out from the kitchen. You sit down at his table and he just looks at you expectantly.

“I’m still kind of hurt by what you did the other week, but I get why you did it,” you start off. “And I appreciate that you took the time to write the letter and give me tickets.”

“I really am sorry,” he whispers. “I know that you don’t have to forgive me for what I did, but I do want to make things better.”

“That’s the reason Maddy and I will take you up on the dinner offer. For after the game,” you reply. “I just want to know what everyone else thinks before I join you.”

“I didn’t tell them anything. I didn’t think it was my place to say,” Tyson says. “But I know it’ll all be okay. They’re a good group of guys, I promise.”

“That’s good to know,” you reply. “And my magic really isn’t that harmful, as long as I manage it right. All I can do is make you feel a bit happier from the different things I make.”

“Oh, that sounds amazing,” Tyson says. “But I don’t see how that can be dangerous.”

“Anything that makes people feel differently than they actually do can be dangerous. If I don’t control my magic, then it can make people experience nothing but happiness for days. It doesn’t sound bad, but the fact that they can’t feel differently is very off-putting.”

“That makes sense, I guess. But I didn’t notice that with anything I ate here.”

“And that’s the whole point. I don’t want anybody to feel drastically different. I just want to make sure that everyone starts their mornings off right. Just a little bit of happiness is enough for most people.”

Tyson nods as he listens, taking it all in. “Well, I guess that explains why Nathan stopped being so cranky at morning practices. We all just thought that he finally fixed his sleeping schedule or started getting laid more.”

You laugh. “It might still be those things; my food might just be helping that a little bit. But I need to get back to work, the muffins should be just about finished in the oven.”

“Can I give you my number before you go? So that I don’t have to keep tracking you down here?”

“Oh, yeah.”

The two of you quickly exchange numbers and you head back to the kitchen. As you head back, Maddy follows you, wanting to know what happened.

“So, you exchanged numbers, huh?” she asks.

“Yeah, to make it easier to plan for the game.”

“So we’re going to it now?”  

“Yep, and we’ll be getting dinner with some of them. I don’t know what all that entails specifically, but I think it’s happening.”

“Oh my god, when they first came in, I know I imagined this happening, but I didn’t actually think it would happen.”

“Here I was thinking that protein bars were a terrible idea.”

~ ~ ~

When it comes to the day of the game, you only stop into the bakery in the morning to cook up a few basics, leaving everything else to Jenna for the day. It’s weird not hanging out at the bakery, but she insisted that you only have to do what you have to and that she managed well before you came along.

You and Maddy both agreed to just meet at the arena since you both lived in different parts of Denver. This, however, did not stop the two of you from sending outfits back and forth to each other. Maddy was pretty quick to figure out what she’s wearing, seeing as she already has Avalanche gear. You’re stuck trying to find something that vaguely resembles their team colors. Thankfully, Maddy finds a hat that you can wear, so you end up just wearing a sweatshirt and some jeans.

When you arrive a few hours later, Maddy is ecstatic. Neither of you are able to really afford tickets on the regular, so this is a nice treat, especially for her, considering she actually keeps up with the team. The seats aren’t glass side, which you’re grateful for, but they’re still decently close.

“This is so exciting!” Maddy exclaims. “I’ve only ever been in the nosebleeds the couple of times I’ve been to games. I hope Tyson is ready for me thank him forever.”

“I’m sure he won’t mind,” you reply. “You know, I still don’t understand the game, so I feel like I’ll be asking you a lot of questions.”

“I only understand some of it,” she says. “Some things will never make sense, no matter how long you’ve been watching the game.”

You snort. “I feel like that’s true of every sport, though.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

About ten minutes later, some of the players come out on the ice for warm-ups. It’s interesting watching it all, and Maddy points out all of the players that have come into the shop previously. You’re more than likely not going to remember anything from it, but you’ll try since who knows who you’ll be getting dinner tonight with. The least you can do is try and remember something about the team.

Once the game starts, a whole new type of energy that only happens at sporting events takes over the arena. Even though you only are able to get a small part of what’s happening, you still have an amazing time. You love watching Tyson play whenever he’s on the ice and try to remember some of the good plays he made to bring up at dinner.

The Av’s scrape by with a 2-1 win and the arena slowly empties out. You text Tyson as you and Maddy head out to the car, asking him where they’re all headed for dinner. He doesn’t reply for almost 20 minutes, but he gives you the address of a burger place only a few miles away from the arena.

When you and Maddy arrive, the two of you wait until Tyson and some others arrive. The second Tyson spots you, he lights up, hugging you tightly. You can hear some of the guys snicker, but you just shrug it off to Tyson being overly affectionate. He gives Maddy a quick side hug, which just makes the guys hide their laughter.

“Hey guys, this is Maddy and y/n,” Tyson introduces. “They’re the ones that work at the bakery.”

“It’s good to officially meet you. I’m Nate,” a blond guy says. “I usually tag along with him.”

“Oh yeah, I recognize you,” you reply. “I actually recognize most of you. I’m the head baker.”

The rest of the guys say a quick ‘hi’ and do an awkward little wave.

“So, are we going to go in and eat or what?” J.T. asks.

“Yeah, yeah, we’ll head in,” Tyson jokes. “I made sure to make a reservation since there’s so many of us.”

All of you head in and there isn’t as much of a fuss over the guys as you were expecting. The table is in a back corner that is a bit more removed from the others, giving the illusion of privacy. You and Maddy end up sitting across from each other, with Tyson to your left.

As you’re scanning the menu, Tyson asks you, “So what did you think of the game?”

“It was a lot of fun,” you answer. “This was my first hockey game that I’ve watched all the way through so it was really cool.”

“I keep forgetting that you don’t really watch hockey,” Tyson replies, scrunching up his nose.

“Haven’t had a reason to until now.”

Tyson blushes a little and looks back to his menu. Maddy raises an eyebrow, but doesn’t say anything. You know she’s going to tease you mercilessly on Monday. But you haven’t casually flirted in a long time, so you just want to have some fun tonight, even if you don’t have a hardcore crush on Tyson.

Conversation stays relatively laid back up until the food arrives. Nate is sitting diagonally from you, and he grabs your attention to ask, “So, you have a boyfriend or anything?”

“Uh, no, I don’t,” you reply, slightly taken off guard. “With the hours I work, I just don’t really have the energy to try and make new friends, much less try and date someone. It’s not too bad, though, I can live vicariously through Maddy.”

“Oh, but you’re open to the idea of dating?” he inquires further.

“I guess so,” you answer, hesitantly. “They would have to understand that most of the time, I don’t really want to do much. I spend most of my time at the bakery as well, so that isn’t really helpful to personal time, either.”

“That must suck,” he says.

“I mean, I imagine that it’s similar to you guys as well. I can only imagine how crazy your schedules are during the season.”

“It’s not too bad,” Tyson says. “It’s a lot at first, but it’s worth it.”

You nod, agreeing. The guys get swept away into a conversation about training schedules, complaining about their early morning practice the following morning. You just listen along, not really feeling the need to add anything to the conversation. When the waitress comes around to ask how the check was being split, Tyson immediately jumps in to pay for you and Maddy.

“You didn’t have to do that,” you say once she leaves.

He shrugs. “I wanted to. Besides, I invited the two of you out, it’s the least I can do. And it’s burgers, it’s not like it’s that expensive.”

“Y/n, he is the millionaire here, so I wouldn’t worry too much,” Maddy jokes.

You laugh and shake your head. Once everyone has paid, all of you head back out to your cars. As your unlocking your door, Tyson comes over to you, looking a little bit scared. You just wait, letting him process what he wants to say.

“So, um, I was wondering if you would maybe want to go on a date sometime?” he asks, quietly. “I had a really good time tonight and I would love to do this again.”

“Oh,” you reply, a little bit shocked. “That would be a lot of fun, actually.”

“Really?” he replies, surprised. “Um, I’m not sure when you would want to go since I know that you’re usually pretty tired after work. But I’m pretty flexible for the most part, aside from practices and games.”

“I think Maddy would kill me if I didn’t say yes,” you reply. “And I think you’re pretty decent as well. I could do worse.”

Tyson snorts. “That’s really flattering. But I’ll text you my schedule for the next couple of weeks and just let me know what works for you.”

“Sounds good,” you reply, smiling brightly.

~ ~ ~

It’s a week and a half later when the two of you finally go on your date. Tyson is taking you to a nicer restaurant in town, saying that he wants to treat you and get to know you more. You’re a little bit hesitant, but since he’s the one footing the bill this time, you won’t be complaining.

The two of you agree to meet there since you’re coming almost straight from work. The waitress guides you to a table towards the back that has a little bit more privacy than you were expecting, but you’re glad for it. Tyson smiles widely when he sees you and pulls out your chair when you approach.

“Good to see that you didn’t change your mind,” Tyson greets.

You shrug as you sit down. “If anything, I’m just excited to try the food here.”

When the waitress hands you the menu, you glance down at it, trying not to look at the prices. There’s nothing too out of the ordinary, thankfully, and you just decide to stick with a basic pasta dish, figuring that it’s a safe bet.

“So, how’s the holiday season at the bakery?” Tyson asks. “I feel bad about not coming as much, but things have been pretty intense at practice.”

“I mean, it’s what you can expect during the holiday rush. We take small orders of some of the baked goods and the orders always skyrocket this time of year,” you explain. “I’m grateful that people like to order our stuff, but it always takes a toll on my magic as well.”

“I’m still getting used to the idea of your food having magic in it,” Tyson whispers.

“Not everything has magic in it, just my baked goods. Every food witch has a different specialty and their magic doesn’t just take to everything. It’s kind of like positions in hockey. Just because you’re good at what you do doesn’t mean you can immediately jump into another position and be just as good,” you explain. “We all work hard with what we’re good at and it pays off. It’s just a misconception that we’re great at everything naturally.”

“So, it’s like…a muscle almost?” Tyson asks.

“Exactly! Even though all witches are born with their magic, it needs to be worked with as we grow older, otherwise it won’t fully develop. Magic is much more…alive than people expect.”

Tyson mulls over your answer as the waitress comes and takes your order. You can tell that it’s a lot to process for him and that there was a lot of new information that he wasn’t expecting to learn. As much as you want to be surprised, you really aren’t. People who aren’t familiar with magic are always a bit taken aback when you explain how it all works.

“When you say that it’s alive, is it like a separate entity?” he inquires.

“Not necessarily. It’s still very much tied to who we are as people and is greatly influenced by the people we become. Magic is also influenced by the people we get close to,” you answer.

Tyson raises an eyebrow at that, clearly waiting for you to explain. The waitress comes with your food then and you take a couple bites, thinking of how to best explain it all.

“Magic can form tight bonds with other witches, or anything that has a strong magical presence. It’s a bit rarer for magic to attach itself to something without magic, but it can happen depending on how strong the relationship is,” you explain. “It’s a great thing most of the time, but sometimes the bond can do more harm than good.

“One of my childhood friends is a witch who works with plants and she lives over in New York City. Her bond with someone recently broke and it’s hard watching her go through it. When a bond breaks, it’s like your magic shatters and has to completely reform. The whole process is pretty nasty.”

“That sounds horrific actually,” Tyson replies. “I just…wish I could have learned more about this growing up.”

You shrug. “We’re not secretive about our magic, but we also don’t go spreading everything around either. History shows us that usually isn’t a smart idea.”

“I’m sorry it has to be that way.”

“It’s been worse for us. I’m just happy that I’m living in a time where my magic is actually getting me jobs instead of turning me away. Granted, that still happens way more than it should, but things are slowly changing.”

Tyson just smiles. It’s silent for a bit as the two of you finish eating. He seems to be processing everything that he heard, and you want to give him the space to try and understand what he learned. You did give him a lot to think over just in one meal.

After Tyson has paid for the meal, he leads you out to your car. He keeps brushing your hand, so you grab it. This causes him to blush a little bit and smile. It’s a good look on him, if you do say so yourself.

“This was really fun tonight,” he says once the two of you get to your car.

“I’m glad you didn’t mind me info dumping on you,” you reply.

“I want to learn more,” he whispers. “I love being around you and since magic is such a big part of your life, I want to learn everything I can. That’s probably a lot to ask, but it’s the least I can do, you know?”

“I honestly don’t mind. It’s interesting trying to put it all into words, but it’s been a good time.”

“Text me when you get home, okay?”

You nod. “Of course. We’ll have to plan something again soon.”

~ ~ ~

Over the next month, the two of you don’t have any chances to go on a date again. As it gets closer to Christmas, your schedule only gets more hectic. It makes hard for dates, but the two of you start texting a lot more to make up for lost time. He has a lot more questions to ask about magic, and in turn, you ask more questions about hockey. All of it seems like a fair trade to learn more about what the other person is passionate about.

A week after New Year’s Day passes, both of you have a free day to go on a date together. It’s more laid back this time, as you insist on going to your favorite diner. The cook is a fellow food witch who focuses more on feelings of comfort and home. You figure that this is as good of an opportunity as any to show Tyson the diversity in magic, as some of the waiters there are also witches.

When Tyson sees you again, he hugs you tightly. “I missed seeing you out of the bakery.”

“You’ve only seen me out of the bakery once, Tyson.”

“My point still stands, though. I’m glad to see you again.”

“Well, that’s flattering. It’s good to see you, too.”

As you two of you walk into the diner, a couple of the waiters greet you warmly and seat the two of you in the back corner to give some privacy. It doesn’t take long for your order to be taken, leaving the two of you to talk.

“So, I take it that you come here often?” Tyson asks.

“Not that often, actually. I just know them because they’re fellow food witches. It’s why I wanted to come here; the food here always helps me destress. Jamie, the cook, specializes in comfort and feelings of home.”

“Oh, that’s…very fitting actually,” Tyson remarks. “Do you know a lot of witches in the area?”

“Not a whole lot, if I’m being honest. We don’t go around advertising our magic, so we’ll usually just meet by chance.”

Before Tyson has the chance to reply, your food comes out and you wait for Tyson to try some. He groans and sinks back into his seat. This brings a smile to your face, knowing the feeling of first trying Jamie’s food.

“This is so fucking good, even though I know it’s going to wreak havoc on my diet,” Tyson says happily.

“I don’t know why you insist on having a diet plan when you get something sweet every time you come into the bakery.”

“I’m just trying to support you and if that means eating more baked goods than I tell the trainers about, then so be it.”

It’s mostly silent as the two of you eat and you can see Tyson thinking through something. You let him think through whatever he wants to say, knowing that when it’s serious, he likes to take his time to phrase things.

“So, it’s the start of the new year,” Tyson comments. “And I really want to make sure that I start it off the way that I want to. Part of that includes me asking you to officially be my girlfriend. Only if you want to though.”

“Tyson, I wouldn’t be going on a date with you right now when I would rather be sleeping if I wasn’t interested in you,” you reply. “So, uh, yeah, I would really love to be your girlfriend.”

He smiles widely and grabs one of your hands to kiss the back of it, making you blush.

~ ~ ~

When you tell Maddy that the two of you are officially dating, she squeals.

“Oh my god, I knew my plan would work!” she exclaims.

“What plan? Did you help him come up with how to ask me out?” you ask, confused.

“No, remember me asking you to make the protein bars for them so that we could get to know them better?”

“This was seriously your plan all along?”

“I mean, not exactly, but I wasn’t not hoping for it, you know?”

“You’re literally the worst, Maddy.”

“I can’t be, because I’m the reason your boyfriend started talking to you.”

“That’s going a little bit far.”

“Okay, but is it? Who knows if they would have come back again without the protein bars. Just let me have a little bit of credit here.”

You snort. “I’ll be sure to thank you and the protein bars at our wedding.”

“You’re planning for a wedding? I didn’t realize it was so serious,” she teases.

“Oh my god, you’re actually the worst.”

She just laughs as she walks off to go help some customers that just walked in. You roll your eyes, but you really are grateful for Maddy pushing you to talk to Tyson more. Even though it’s a fairly new relationship, you’ve got a good feeling about it.

~ ~ ~

The next few years truly are better than you could have ever asked for. Maddy graduates and gets a nice office job in Denver. The two of you move in together that summer in a small apartment and it’s one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

You and Tyson are stronger than ever and you’ve never felt so comfortable with a significant other before, which can be seen by the bond your magic has taken to him. It took him a while to get used to having your magic attached to him, as it often served as a way for the two of you to communicate your feelings easier when in close proximity to each other. Once Tyson settled into the bond, though, he did everything he could to strengthen it more.

One day, Jenna calls you into her back office to talk with you. She’s still an amazing boss and you feel truly lucky to still be working with her. You’re a bit confused as to why she’s calling you back, as normally she just talks to you in the kitchen about any updates. Any time someone gets called to the office, it’s a serious matter, as Jenna likes to keep things relatively casual when talking with employees.

“As you might know, I am getting a bit older,” Jenna says, once you sit down. “You’ve been an amazing asset to the shop and I wanted to let you know that I’m going to be retiring in a couple of years. I know that seems far off, but I want you to take over the shop when I do.”

“Wait, Jenna, really? I’m the head baker, but that doesn’t qualify me to run a business.”

“I know that, which is why I’m telling you in advance. I want this bakery to stay in good hands and I know that you truly care about keeping this place alive. I would help pay your tuition to get some training in business because I know that it’s daunting taking any business over. And I would obviously train you in specific aspects of the shop as well.”

“Jenna, this means so much to me that you trust me with this, it really does. I would have to look into online degrees so I can still work here, but I would love to take up your mantle one day. I can only hope to run this shop as good as you,” you reply, still in shock.

“You will, otherwise I would have never brought it up to you. I know you’ll do good. Now, I’ll let you get back to work and I’ll give you Saturday off so you can go celebrate.”

“I’ll probably just end up sleeping.”

“I’m sure Tyson will want to take you out to celebrate.”

You groan. “Ugh, you’re probably right.”

“As I always am.”

~ ~ ~

When you tell Maddy about it, she rolls her eyes. “Obviously Jenna is going to give you the shop. You’ve been there for six years now, nobody else has stuck around that long. Besides, it wouldn’t be the same if someone new took over the shop. Pretty sure all of Denver would riot.”

“That’s a little extreme.”

“Okay, but when you were gone last summer for only a week, the whole atmosphere changed and I swear to god, Tyson complained about it not being as cozy.”

“Tyson is dramatic, too, and you know it.”

“Is that why Jenna gave you Saturday off? Because I know he’s going to celebrate like crazy, even though you don’t officially have the job yet.”

“I’m really trying to not think about it. I just want to sleep.”

“If anything, I’m sure you can convince him to at least do a special dinner at home.”

“I sure hope so.”

~ ~ ~

It takes a while to convince Tyson to just have a casual dinner date at his house, but he finally relents when you tell him how tired you are. Maddy seems awfully excited to get you out the door, but you only assume that it’s because she’s going to have a wine night by herself.

When you arrive, you can smell the soup that Tyson has started on. Ever since the two of you started dating, you’ve been teaching him how to cook more and more. It’s what sparked the bond between the two of you, which isn’t too surprised. Through the bond, you can tell that he’s nervous, but you shrug it off, guessing that he’s trying a new recipe out.

Things are pretty laid back right up until the both of you finish washing the dishes. He takes you out to the living room and sits you down on the couch. You’re confused, but just going along with it.

“Um, sorry if this takes a little while, I practiced with Maddy a lot and I want to make sure that I get it perfect.”

“Is…everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is amazing, actually,” Tyson replies. “So, the last five years with you have been probably the best five years of my life. You’ve taught me so much and it’s something I can never repay you for. I love you more than anything and I can’t imagine a life without you.”

Tyson goes to the floor, going onto one knee and pulling a ring from out of his pocket. You start tearing up and smiling.

“Oh my god, Tyson,” you whisper.

“I want to be able to spend the rest of my life with you, whatever that may mean. So, will you marry me?”

“Of course I will,” you exclaim, pulling him up to kiss you.

He kisses you briefly before pulling back to slip the ring onto your finger. It’s a gorgeous vintage ring and one that has some small magic ingrained into it.

“It’s so beautiful,” you say softly.

“Maddy helped me pick it out from that vintage shop you really like. I really wanted something that had magic in it, just something to make you feel as amazing as you make me feel.”

“You’re such a sap, Tyson.”

“Admit it, you love it.”

“Unfortunately, I do.”

Tyson just laughs and pulls you in for a deep kiss.