#or how hes in front in 4 which is fighting but shes slightly in front in 1 which isnt fighting for the same reason

[flwrstqr]

CALL ME YOURS !! (LHS - 이희승)

SYNOPSIS: ever since you broke up with your ex, choi jiho, who cheated on you with another girl, you have always wanted to get revenge. when you meet jiho again at school, to prove you were over him and had met a better man, you told him you were meeting someone. you lied and told him you were meeting a random guy who you pointed at on your school's bulletin board for being the top student in the whole school. coincidentally, that guy was lee heeseung, known for his quiet and smart personality. then jiho demands to meet him in real life, hand-in-hand with you, which now you have a huge problem. first, you have to find heeseung, and next, you have to date him.

pairing: topstudent!heeseung x popularstudentfem!reader

genre: fake dating, s2l, romance, high school au, sunshine x cold

warning(s): reader + heeseung being in denial, your ex cheated, kissing, inspired by a k-drama (i forgot which one), two of them being awfully awkward at first, swearing, grammar errors, party, lots of love confusions, does say that winter is dating beomgyu, punching, fighting

word count: 7k

AN: guys im back with a long au, i never really write long aus, so this is slightly new to me. i did proofread it but not super thoroughly so if i made any mistakes, my bad for that .

taglist: @yenqa @mylstserenade @jlheon @naespas @jooniesbears-blog @erehkinnie30 @wonifullove @miumiuisme @shawnyle @dimplewonie @beomluvrr @jiaant11 @teddywonss

ALL YOU WANTED WAS REVENGE. Sweet revenge against your idiotic ex, Choi Jiho.You remember the moment you walked into the girls locker room to go deliver something to your PE coach, only to find the room “empty”. It hit you like a ton of bricks when you stumbled upon Jiho, locking lips with your “supposed” best friend, Kim Haeun, in the girl’s locker room Lip on lip, eyes closed, moving in sync. Heart shattered, tears streaming, you bolted, tripping over a basket of equipment and scraping your knees quickly catching attention of Jiho. His voice trailed after you, calling your name as you fled into the distance.

Losing both your best friend and your boyfriend cut deep. Being single was one thing, but being unable to find anyone who measured up to Jiho was another.

"YN, your standards for men are too high!" Karina remarked from the bleachers during PE.

You shrugged. "They've always been high." For the past 4 months, no one was your type compared to Jiho, the perfect boyfriend in your eyes: tall, handsome, a football player, rich, and occasionally nice.

"It's because of that disgusting asshole," Ningning scoffed.

"He isn't disgusting!" you retorted.

"YN, you need to get over him. This is just becoming toxic, plus you dumped him in front of the whole school ," Giselle chimed in. She was right. You vividly recalled the moment, twenty minutes before the bell, eyes swollen from crying all night but disguised behind makeup, replaying yesterday's scene you witnessed in your mind.

"YN!" Jiho's voice snapped you back to reality, his figure rushing towards you.

"Can we talk?" he asked, breathless.

"Talk about how you fucking cheated on me? Fine, I'll hear you out," you yelled, drawing everyone's attention.

"Can you keep it down, YN?" Jiho snapped.

"Sure I’ll quiet it down when I want to. Go to your girlfriend, Haeun. Why does she have to be my best friend, out of all people?" you glared.

"YN, let's talk inside," Jiho groaned, irritated.

"No, we're done. I never wanted you anyway, you asshole. Just fuck off," you spat, the words stinging even as they left your mouth The next thing you knew the scene spreaded like wildfire at school.

"Are you okay?" Minjeong asked as you sobbed at the lunch table.

"Listen, YN, Jiho wasn't worth it. You saw what you saw," Karina tried to console.

"I don't know... it's just over now," you murmured, head in your hands.

"Maybe it's a sign to find someone better," Ningning suggested.

"I don't know..." you whispered, feeling lost, unable to move on.

“I’m for sure there’s someone way better than him.” Giselle added (biggest lie you ever heard).

MONTHS PASSED AND YOU FOUND YOURSELF IN THE LIBRARY, lending a hand to the librarian in organizing books before school started. As you went about your duties, dropping off books and preparing to fetch more, the one and only, Jiho, stood by the school bulletin board waiting for you. It had been months since the breakup, and yet, the wound was still fresh, a constant reminder of the pain (really yn..)

"I wanted to say a word," Jiho awkwardly mumbled, eyeing you for a reaction, his hands in his pockets.

You reluctantly agreed, "Fine, make it quick. I'm busy."

"I broke up with Haeun," he stated, the words hanging in the air.

"What?" Your eyebrows shot up in surprise. 

"I ended things with Kim Haeun," he said more firmly. His words sank in, but confusion lingered. But why was he telling you this now? Then it hit you—he wanted you back. Yet, on a day when you missed him, you suddenly felt nothing. He had left you for another girl (well, technically, you dumped him), betrayed you, and now he came back because you were his second choice?

"Why are you telling me this?" You managed to maintain calm.

"I still like you, YN LN," he confessed, causing your eyes to widen. You bit your lip, before you could accept his confession like your 5 minute ago self would. Your heart didn’t thump like it did when you were around him. Your hands weren’t sweaty like they were when he looked at you before. Your mind wasn’t racing like it was when Jiho confessed to you for the first time, months ago. It was nothing like any of that–you just felt empty and cold.

"I'm seeing someone," you blurted out, realizing the lie you had just said. Crossing your fingers, you hoped he wouldn't ask about the identity of your "so-said boyfriend"

"Who?" he inquired, raising his eyebrow. Desperately searching for an excuse, your eyes landed on the bulletin board, displaying a list of top students and their ID photos.

Rushing over, you pointed at the first photo and name you saw, "That guy," you said, reading his name, "...Lee Heeseung! I'm dating him."

"Oh, really?" Jiho cast a skeptical glance between you and the photo, a smirk playing on his lips. "Then," he leaned in closer, "how about you introduce me to him, hand-in-hand, next week? I want to see if he's worthy of you." Panic rushed in you, and your throat went dry. You forced a smile and nodded in reluctant agreement.

"Sure," you replied.

"Great, see you next week," Jiho said, turning and walking away. You were officially doomed. Now, you have to find this Lee Heeseung and give him a deal.

YOU WANDERED DURING LUNCH, TRYING TO FIND HEESEUNG. You only heard about him because he got a perfect score on the hardest SAT exams, but you didn't really pay attention.

"Heeseung? Sorry, I don’t know who he is," a girl replied when you asked her about Heeseung.

"It's okay," you smiled politely and left, feeling frustrated.

"I'll never find him," you groaned to Karina, who was with you while you asked everyone about Heeseung.

"Why did you lie to Jiho then? I thought you weren’t over him. Last night, you were giggling at how cute Jiho is and how much you want him back," Karina asked, taking a bite of her apple.

"I don’t know. He was just using me. I knew it because he and Haeun broke up," you explained, letting out a soft sigh. "He saw me as a second option, and I got into this mess because I lied to him about having a boyfriend who's probably some ugly nerd."

"I told you he was using you the entire time! But you didn’t trust me!" Karina scolded you.

"Sorry, I was just blind back then," you mumbled.

Before your last attempt, you walked up to a boy and asked the same question you’d been asking everyone.

"Do you know Lee Heeseung by any chance?" you asked. The boy's eyes widened, and a big grin spread across his face.

"Yes, I do! For what reason?" the boy quickly replied. For the first time, someone knew who he was.

"Do you know where he is then?" you inquired, hoping he could help.

"I do. I’m close friends with him. Come, I’ll show you where he is," the boy replied as you followed him, waving to Karina goodbye.

As the two of you awkwardly made up the long staircase, you arrived at the rooftop of the school. When the boy opened the door, a lonely figure sat by the table, reading a book.

"Heeseung!" the boy called out, causing the figure, supposedly Heeseung, to turn around.

"What, Jungwon?" Heeseung raised his eyebrow, quickly glancing at you and then back at Jungwon.

"YN was looking for you," Jungwon quickly said, nudging you to speak. Heeseung obviously knew who you were, known for dating Jiho and your soft-delicate visuals.

You walked towards him awkwardly, “Uhm…can we talk privately?” Slightly glancing at Jungwon, signaling him to leave quietly. As Jungwon left quietly, you cleared your throat.

“So…” you started off a bit nervous, “I need some help?”

"What help?" Heeseung answered a bit coldly, “If it’s anything studying related, I’m not interested-”

"I need help dating," you blurted, realizing what you had just said.

"What?" Heeseung gave you a puzzled look, "Dating what?"

"I lied to Jiho. Okay, I don’t have interest in you or even Jiho. I lied to him saying that I’m meeting you," you spilled the news. Heeseung had an empty look on his face as you tried to read his expression.

“Why me?” Heeseung arched his eyebrow.

“You were the first name I saw,” you explained, “So can you fake date me? I need it, please,” you pleaded, hoping he would accept your request.

"No, I’m not interested," he turned around, quickly getting his book to start reading again. Your jaw dropped, no one had ever rejected you like that.

"What?" you spat, feeling terrible that you got rejected for the first time.

"I’m not interested in you or in dating. So, I strongly believe that I shouldn’t do it," he said, quickly focusing his attention on his book.

“I’ll do anything!” you begged, feeling desperate.

"Anything?" Heeseung quickly averted his attention to you, dropping his book slightly to make eye contact with you.

"Yes, anything. I’ll do anything," you replied, hoping he would accept it.

"Then introduce me to her," Heeseung answered. You looked confused.

"Who's her?" you raised your eyebrow.

Heeseung’s cheek slightly blushed, it was the first time you saw him so embarrassed. “Karina,” he mumbled under his breath. Suddenly it clicked—he was interested in Karina, your best friend.

You gave an eager look, “Deal! I’ll introduce you to her after all of the fake dating.” You pulled out your hand.

"Deal," Heeseung replied, shaking your hand.

A  FEW DAYS LATER, YOU FIND YOURSELF in the convenience store, an unexpected place for someone like you—a popular girl to be at. Your outfit was simpler than usual, baggy gray sweats and a white tank top, with your hair thrown up in a messy high ponytail and an oversized jacket completing the look.

You scan the snack aisle, contemplating your choices, when the doorbell chimes, signaling a customer had entered. Your heart thumps as you recognize the last person you expected to encounter—Heeseung. He's dressed in simple gray sweatpants and a black hoodie, his messy hair somehow adding to his charm.

Your eyes lock momentarily before you both awkwardly shuffle towards each other. "What brings you here?" you ask, surprised to find him in a convenience store at 2 am.

"Why are you up so late?" he counters, swiftly turning the interrogation on you.

"I couldn't sleep. What's your excuse?" you reply.

"Studying," he responds matter-of-factly, grabbing an energy drink before swiftly checking out and leaving. You hurry after him, catching up as he strides down the street.

"Studying late? That's a first," you mutter to yourself, gazing up at the night sky.

"I don’t want to flunk my classes, unlike you," he retorts, avoiding your gaze.

"I'm not that hopeless," you roll your eyes.

"Yeah, you are," he quips, taking a sip of his drink.

"Hey!" you playfully threaten, pulling back your arm as if to hit him. But then something unexpected happens—you catch sight of Heeseung's smile, genuine and endearing. You quickly shake off any wayward thoughts; after all, you're just his so-called “girlfriend”.

"Where do you live?" you inquire, trying to change the subject.

"Stalker much?" Heeseung teases.

"Shut up," you retort, rolling your eyes.

"I live in the house near the college," he answers, disposing of his empty can.

"Do you walk to school?" you ask, trying to prolong the conversation.

"Yeah," he replies.

"Then... do you want to walk together tomorrow?" you suggest, stopping in the quiet and empty streets.

"Walk together?" he repeats, surprised.

You nod and quickly add, "Yeah, you know, for you know..."

Heeseung considers for a moment before agreeing, "Sure."

"Great! I'll come by your place at 7 am since school starts at 7:30!" you smile, remembering to ask for his number. He inserts it into your phone, adding, "Don't blow up my phone."

"I'm not that obsessed with you," you retort.

"I think you are," he jokes.

"In your dreams," you shoot back.

YOU FOUND YOURSELF STANDING OUTSIDE Heeseung's door, feeling an awkward knot tighten in your stomach as you waited, fingers fidgeting nervously. After what seemed like hours, the door swung open to reveal a woman, likely Heeseung's mother.

"Hi, who are you?" she inquired, her eyes curious but welcoming.

"I'm YN LN," you replied, managing a warm smile despite your nerves. "A friend of Heeseung's."

"Heeseung's friend?" Her expression softened into a delighted grin. "I didn't realize Heeseung had such a pretty friend. I'm Heeseung's mother. Just call me Mrs. Lee."

"Mom..." Heeseung's voice interrupted, his presence suddenly beside you as he quickly shuffled to put on his shoes.

"Heeseung, she seems like a sweet and pretty girl," Mrs. Lee remarked before Heeseung darted, closing the door behind him before his mother could say anything else.

"Your mother seems really nice," you commented, attempting to ease the tension.

"Mhm," Heeseung mumbled, his attention already diverted to his book that he quickly pulled out from his backpack. 

With a pointed look, you reached out your hand, silently urging him to remember.

Heeseung sighed, rolling his eyes in mild exasperation, but he relented, tucking the book away and clasping your hand in his. The touch sent a jolt through you, a feeling you couldn't quite grasp.

"So..." you began, eager to break the silence. "Where's your class?"

"Class 3-B," he replied shortly, his gaze fixed ahead as if unwilling to meet your eyes.

"Mine's right next door." you exclaimed, hoping to inject some enthusiasm into the conversation. "Perfect! Do you know what this means?"

"What?" Heeseung's response was clipped, his tone guarded.

"That I can come over to your class during lunch!" you declared with a wide grin, trying to lighten the mood.

"I eat on the rooftop, alone." he added, emphasizing the word alone.

"Ah, I forget you’re a loner," you teased gently.

"At least I'm productive with my free time," he retorted.

"Well, today we're together!" you suggested brightly and then with a smirk you whispered, "And I can introduce you to... Karina." The mention of your best friend's name made Heeseung blush slightly.

"Shut up," he groaned, moving to cover your mouth with his free hand just in case you would say anything else.

"Like I want to-" feeling a sudden hard squeeze in your hand "Ow..."

"Now shut up before I squeeze harder," Heeseung warned, though there was a hint of genuine threat in his tone.

"You're no fun," you muttered. Eventually, you arrived at the school, fingers still intertwined as you drew curious whispers from the hallway.

"YN and Heeseung, dating? No way..." you heard a girl whisper by the lockers, causing a flush of embarrassment to color your cheeks. When you reached Heeseung's classroom, you reluctantly released his hand, noticing the tension in his posture as he leaned against the doorframe.

"See you later?" you asked, "I'll be on the rooftop during break."

"Alright..." Heeseung's response was hesitant, but then came an unexpected word that caught you off guard. "...baby." The pet name hung in the air.

"R-right... anyway, bye..." you stammered, feeling a rush of different emotions. You'd been in relationships before, but you were never so flustered for such small things like that. Could it be... you weren't falling for him, right?

HEESEUNG SETTLED AT THE EMPTY TABLE on the rooftop, his gaze drifting across the school grounds. The rooftop held a special meaning for him, offering a quiet place to read, barely visited by others.

“Heeseung!” Your voice sliced through the silence, drawing his attention. He glanced up to see you approaching, two lunches in hand.

With a bright grin, you placed the meals in front of him. “I brought lunch!”

"Thanks," Heeseung replied , his tone cool as he examined the homemade kimbap. As you both sat down, awkwardness settled between you, by the avoidance of eye contact.

Summoning his courage, Heeseung brought a question that had lingered in his mind for months. "Why did you like Choi Jiho?"

Your eyes widened at the unexpected, catching you off guard. You paused, hesitating with how to respond.Memories of Jiho flooded your mind. You had forgotten about him for the past 4 days due to Heeseung being on your mind 24/7.

You cleared your throat, summoning a bitter lie to your lips. "I... uh, he was nice, I guess."

"Did Jiho even like you back?" Heeseung's question cut through the air. That’s when you realized something. You remembered the way Jiho would never defend you in any moment or barely spend time with you. And the time when he did? He would always be on his phone. You realized how stupid you were as you thought the moments where he just wanted attention from the public by kissing you or flirting with you meant that he loved you. 

"I... I don't know," you admitted. Deep down, you knew the painful reality—that Jiho had used you.

"Oh, okay..." Heeseung responded, sensing the weight of your words. "So, let's change the top—"

"I know he didn't like me," you interjected, your gaze drifting to the sky before meeting Heeseung's gaze. "I know he was the worst boyfriend I could ask for."

Confusion flickered across Heeseung's features at your sudden confession.

"I was blind. I regret it," you murmured, your gaze falling to your lap. "But it's in the past."

Heeseung regarded you with his usual stern and cold look. "Then why did you tell Jiho you were meeting someone else?"

"Because... I wanted to prove I was happier now," you muttered, grappling with your tumultuous emotions.

"Are you?" Heeseung's gaze bore into yours.

"I... I think I am," you replied

"You 'think'?" Heeseung pressed, his tone firm.

"I'm happier than before," you insisted, though the vagueness of your answer hung in the air.

"That's not specific," Heeseung challenged.

"I can't be specific," you confessed, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Because I don't know, at all."

"Are you sure?" Heeseung persisted.

"Heeseung, it's my feelings, yes I'm sure," you asserted.

"I'm just physically and mentally curious, so it allured me to—" Heeseung began, but you cut him off.

"Okay, I think that's enough. The bell's going to ring soon. Text me later!" With that, you rose abruptly, snatching your lunch bag and offering a quick wave before descending the stairs back to class.

HEESEUNG LAY ON  HIS BED,  staring up at the ceiling. He knew he should be studying, but your words about Jiho lingered in his mind. "I'm happier than before." Why was he even pondering such things? Lost in thought, he was jolted back to reality by a faint buzz from his phone. Retrieving it, he found a message from you.

YN LN: heeseung!! all my friends rejected me to go to the mall TT, so wanna go together?? ><

Heeseung paused, a moment of surprise flashing across his features. You were asking him to go to the mall with you? It felt almost like you were asking him out. He composed himself and replied:

Heeseung: Sure. Send location and time, I’ll be there.

Putting down his phone, he realized the weight of his agreement. He had just agreed to go on a date with you. And now, he needed to get ready. Hastily, he rummaged through his closet, seeking out a suitable outfit. Opting for his lone stylish varsity jacket paired with jeans, he ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tidy it up.

Rushing to the mall, he found you leaning against a store wall, your attention fixed on your phone. As he approached, a cupid seemed to strike him with an arrow as his cheeks flushed. The simplicity of your outfit and the gentle cascade of your hair rendered you utterly captivating.

You looked up, catching sight of Heeseung's slightly stunned expression, and greeted him with a warm smile, gesturing for him to join you.

"Hi," Heeseung muttered, still awestruck by your beauty.

"Hi!" you returned the greeting with equal warmth. "I just need to buy some makeup for my friends, or maybe myself, and possibly shop around! Anything you need?"

"Not necessarily," Heeseung replied, scanning the mall.

"Okay then, follow me," you said, seizing his arm and leading him to the nearest makeup store. Arriving at the lip product section, you perused the selection of lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip tints. Grabbing a random lip tint, you turned to Heeseung.

"Can I try it on you? I need to see if it looks good on a person," you suggested.

"What? When did I sign up for this?" Heeseung sighed.

"Please," you pleaded, giving him your best pout. "I can erase it right after."

"Fine."

With careful precision, you applied the tint to his lips. The warmth of his breath brushed against your cheeks and neck, sending a flurry of sensations through you. Your heart raced as you admired his perfectly shaped lips, now tinted with color. After smoothing out any unevenness, you stepped back to admire the look.

"Hmm... I think this works," you concluded, grabbing the new tint to go check out and pay for it.

YOU SAVORED THE SWEET TASTE OF vanilla ice cream as you took a bite, sitting side by side with Heeseung on the bench outside the convenient store where you first met. He listened attentively as you shared stories about your friends and family.

"And then Giselle told me—" Your sentence was cut short as Heeseung's fingers delicately wiped a smudge of ice cream from the corner of your lips.

"Mhm?" He hummed softly, encouraging you to continue. Your heart fluttered at his touch, beating rapidly in your chest.

"...y-yeah," you stammered, trying to regain your composure, your gaze drifting to the hues of the sunset painting the sky in shades of blue and orange.

"Are you done with your story?" Heeseung inquired, to which you nodded hastily. You weren't finished, but another word might turn you into a flustered mess.

After a brief silence, you suggested, "How about we go for a walk by the Han River?" Heeseung agreed with a nod, and soon you found yourselves strolling side by side along the riverbank, the gentle sound of water trickling in the background adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

Unexpectedly, Heeseung asked, "Are you going to the dance?" It was a question he wouldn't normally ask.

"The dance?" you raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by his inquiry.

"Yeah, the school dance?" Heeseung clarified, his expression tinged with skepticism.

"Oh, well, yeah," you replied, feeling a pang of disappointment as you remembered his feelings for Karina. He didn't like you, so why did you allow yourself to hope for something more?

"Is Karina going?" Heeseung continued, and you struggled to find your voice, your throat suddenly dry.

"O-oh, uhm, I think she's going..." you managed to say, the reality of your situation crashing down on you like a wave. Foolish fantasies had consumed you for the past five days, but now you bit your lip to stave off the embarrassment and tears threatening to surface.

"I think I'm tired. I'm gonna go home now. Bye, Heeseung," you forced a small smile before turning away, walking in the opposite direction. Heeseung watched you go, a confused expression clouding his features as you moved farther and farther away.

LEANING AGAINST THE WALL, you found yourself lost in thoughts of Heeseung, the person who was on your mind day in and day out. Why did it bother you so much if he had feelings for your best friend, Karina? Why did his presence hold such sway over you?

"YN?" Winter's voice broke through your trail of thoughts,snapping you back to reality.

"Oh, sorry, I was zoning out," you replied, trying to shake off the distraction.

"You've been distant all day. Is everything okay?" Ningning's concern was evident in her voice.

"Just tired, didn't get much sleep last night," you reassured them with a forced smile, hoping they wouldn't press further.

"Are you sure?" Giselle's skepticism lingered, her gaze searching yours.

"It's nothing, just life being complicated," you offered, trying to reassure their worries.

"If you need to talk, we're here for you," Karina chimed in, her comforting touch on your hands a familiar gesture she usually did. How you longed to confess and tell them about Heeseung and the jumble of emotions you felt and fought with, but the fear of ruining your relationships with both him and Karina kept you quiet.

At that moment, it came to you: you were in love with Heeseung. It had to be a mistake right? You could never like someone like Heeseung.  The way your heart thumped when Heeseung did small actions like hold your hand or even wipe off anything from your mouth.

 Yet, you couldn't shake the fear, the fear of history repeating itself with someone like Jiho, selfish and foolish. What was the point of falling for someone who didn't accept your feelings and liked someone else

HEESEUNG HAD REHEARSED EVERY WORD, every breath, for the moment he would finally summon the courage to ask you out for dinner. With trembling fingers, he reached for his phone, his thumb hovering over the call button. The weight of his nerves pressed down on him as he prepared to take the risk.

As the phone rang, his heart raced, the sound of your voice on the other end sending a jumble of emotions through him "Hello?" you answered, your voice like music and beauty to his ears.

"Hi..." Heeseung replied, his voice betraying his unease.

"Why did you call me?" you asked, curiosity tinged but yet your voice sounded heavy and drained. Heeseung couldn't help but notice the change in your tone for the past days, wondering if he had somehow caused it. Had he done something wrong? 

"I was just wondering if... uhm... you wanted to go get dinner tonight together?" Heeseung's voice faltered slightly, the weight of his question hanging in the air.

"Dinner tonight?" Your voice held a hint of confusion, but there was also a spark of interest. "When and where?" you inquired.

"At the Japanese place down the block, at 6?" Heeseung suggested, hoping you would agree.

"Sure, I'll see you at 6 then," you replied, your voice brightening slightly.

"Right, anyways, bye!" Heeseung quickly ended the call, a rush of happiness coursing through him. He had done it. He asked you out for dinner.

With a sense of pride, Heeseung flopped onto his bed, his phone resting on his chest as. a wide grin spread across his face. He replayed the conversation in his mind, excited for the evening of day. 

Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, you couldn't contain your excitement. Heeseung. Lee Heeseung. had. Asked. you. out. to. dinner. You, YN LN.  You couldn't help but squeal with delight into your pillow.

Eager to make a good impression, you jumped out of bed and rushed to your closet, rummaging through your clothes in search of the perfect outfit for the occasion. 

HEESEUNG SAT NERVOUSLY, tapping the table as he waited for you to arrive. Within minutes, you rushed in and quickly spotted him.

"Hi!" you greeted with a smile, settling down at the table.

"Hi," he smiled back (inside you felt a flutter at how cute his smile was). You both looked at the menu and ordered as the waiter approached. After eating, you quietly walked outside, enjoying the cool evening air.

The dark, cloudless sky revealed a glimmering array of stars. You admired the view, unaware that Heeseung was watching you, captivated by your beauty.

"The stars are so pretty," you remarked in awe.

"Mhm," he replied, still focused on you. Suddenly, you felt his fingers gently tuck a stray hair behind your ear. Your face flushed as butterflies fluttered in your stomach.

"I have a question, YN..." Heeseung began, and you turned to him, curious.

"Do you... want to go to the dance?" he asked. Your heart raced, your stomach churned, and your head spun. He had just asked you to the dance.

"T-the dance?" you stuttered.

"Yeah... I mean, just as... you know, for visual purposes," he tried to clarify.

"Right..." you nodded, agreeing. "I'll go with you." Heeseung's face lit up with a big grin as you accepted his invitation.

"That's great! I'll, um... see you at the dance then," Heeseung said with a small smile and a wave as you both went your separate ways, heading home with a light heart.

As you walked home, your mind buzzed with excitement. The thought of going to the dance with Heeseung made your heart skip a beat. You couldn't help but replay the moment he asked you, feeling a rush of happiness each time. It was like a dream come true, and you couldn't wait for the night of the dance to arrive.

WEEKS FLEW BY, each one filled with anticipation, excitement, and a series of dates. Finally, the much-anticipated day of the dance had arrived. It had been six weeks since you eagerly marked this date on your calendar. Reflecting on the past four months since you met Heeseung, you knew deep down that you were head over heels in love with him. The moment he asked you to the dance, those feelings intensified.

"Do you think this dress is pretty enough?" you asked, twirling in your knee-length black dress adorned with delicate lace details, a sweetheart neckline, and spaghetti straps.  The dress hugged your figure perfectly.

"It's gorgeous," Ningning complimented, deftly assisting with your hair.

"It's perfect, just like you," Winter reassured, adjusting your dress with care.

"Easy for you to say, with Beomgyu as your date," you teased, prompting laughter from your friends.

"And you have Heeseung," Winter smiled, smoothing out the fabric of your dress.

"You two are so cute together," Giselle teased, earning a blush from you.

"I love you guys," you said, feeling grateful for their support as you shared a group hug.

"Even if I'm dating a man, you'll always be my number one," Winter jokes, lightening the mood as you head to Karina's car.

Upon arriving at the dance, the lively atmosphere was perfect. Laughter, music, and chatter filled the room as people talked, danced, and enjoyed themselves. Spotting Heeseung entering the room, you felt a rush of excitement.

He looked perfect in his suit, his hair perfectly styled. Rushing over to him, you greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Heeseung!" you exclaimed. Heeseung looked up, his eyes lighting up at the sight of you. I

"You look amazing, YN," Heeseung complimented, his smile genuine.

"Thanks, but you're the one who looks stunning," you replied, feeling your heart flutter as you took in his appearance. "Come on, let's grab some snacks and go have fun!"

The next two hours were filled with laughter, dancing, and cherished moments spent with Heeseung and your friends. However, it was until you excused yourself to the bathroom, to then meet Jiho.

"YN," Jiho's voice cut through the noise, sending a chill down your spine.

"What do you want, Jiho?" you asked, your tone laced with irritation.

"Are you here with your 'so-called' boyfriend, Heeseung?" Jiho taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Yes, and what's it to you?" you retorted, your patience wearing thin.

“Yeah there is.” his smirk widened, “Don’t act stupid, I knew everything.” 

“God I hate you Jiho.”  you spat, feeling your anger rise.

"Come on, YN. Admit you still love me, and everything will go back to normal," Jiho sneered.

“I don’t even like you anymore, Jiho.”  you said firmly, trying to keep your composure.

"Oh, really? Maybe this will change your mind," Jiho said, leaning in closer. You felt his fingers slip into your waist, his grip firm and tight. You felt his face leaning closer to yours. You quickly stepped back and pushed him aside. 

“Are you fucking crazy?” you yelled. 

“YN, why are you so pissed? Not like you like anyone.”  Jiho's eyes bore into yours, a smirk playing on his lips.

“I don’t want to fucking kiss you,” you glared, “Now fuck off please.” 

“Why is it because of Heeseung? Your fake boyfriend? God, he probably doesn’t even like you YN. He only likes you because you're popular.” he laughed. Your heart sank at his cruel words. The words stung as you heard each word. Heeseung was just a stupid fake boyfriend you had. The two of you had never had a real relationship. A real love. Was Heeseung just playing with your feelings? Did Heeseung even love you like how much you loved him? 

"I hate you, Jiho," you whispered before leaving the party alone, your heart felt heavy. 

YOU SPENT HOURS lying in bed, staring out the rain-splattered window, your cheeks damp from the relentless stream of tears. Days had passed since the dance, and you hadn't mustered the strength to leave the confines of your home. 

"YN, you've been here for hours," Karina's voice broke through the silence, her concern evident as she entered your room. 

"Why didn't you text me?" 

"Phone died," you muttered, burying your face deeper into the sheets.

"Tell me what's wrong," Karina urged gently, taking a seat beside you. 

"I don't know," you confessed, your voice barely audible. 

"Come on," Karina coaxed, her comforting presence offering a glimmer of solace. 

"Okay, fine," you relented, the words tumbling out in a rush. "Jiho said some awful things to me at the dance. Now I'm a wreck, and I can't face Heeseung. I'm in love with him, and it's tearing me apart." 

Karina's eyes widened at the torrent of emotions pouring out. "And you kept this from me all this time?" 

"Karina, I didn't know what to do," you admitted, your voice choking with emotion. "I thought Heeseung felt the same way, but then Jiho made me doubt everything."

"How does Jiho know anything? He's not Heeseung," Karina retorted, frustration evident in her tone. "He's just trying to mess with your head." 

"But what if he's right? What if Heeseung was just pretending all along?" you sighed, a heavy weight settling in your chest. 

"YN," Karina's voice softened, her touch gentle as she sought to comfort you. "How do you know Heeseung doesn't like you? Have you talked to him?" 

"I haven't," you admitted, uncertainty clouding your thoughts.

"Then how can you be so sure?" Karina questioned, her eyes searching yours. "Heeseung cares about you, YN. He was worried sick after the dance. He searched everywhere for you and even left the party early out of concern."

"Are you serious?" you asked, a glimmer of hope flickering in your eyes. 

"Dead serious," Karina affirmed, her sincerity unwavering. "Talk to him, YN. You'll see." 

"But what if I'm wrong?" you hesitated, your fear holding you back. "Just trust me on this," Karina reassured, squeezing your hand gently. "Talk to Heeseung. You'll thank me later." Karina offered you a reassuring smile before enveloping you in an embrace.

HEESEUNG WAS SERIOUSLY DEAD WORRIED about you. He thought you were possibly hit by some car or even worse kidnapped. His thoughts wandered as he tried to think of all the possibilities you were. You stopped even coming to school for weeks.

The memory of the dance replayed in his mind like a broken record, haunting him with unanswered questions. Your sudden disappearance after excusing yourself to the bathroom left him questionable and restless. Desperately, he asked your friends as your friends only left him shrugs and quietness making him uneasy of the situation.

When you finally returned after a week-long absence, Heeseung couldn't help but notice the change in you. You awfully looked tired and you had eyebags. And the most important change, you were avoiding Heeseung. Was it something he had done to mess things up?

Heeseung sat at his usual spot on the rooftop, gazing out at the view, trying to get his thoughts out.

"Look who it is, Lee Heeseung," a voice pierced through the silence, pulling Heeseung from his reverie. Turning, he found Jiho leaning casually against the stairway exit, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Heeseung's girlfriend, huh?" Jiho taunted, his words hitting Heeseung like a sudden blow.

"What did you do to YN?" Heeseung's voice was edged with a mixture of anger and concern, his gaze sharp.

"Nothing much, just a little truth-telling," Jiho chuckled, his demeanor full of arrogance. 

"What truth?" Heeseung's tone was laced with urgency, his fists clenched in frustration.

“Just a few things that need to be said. Like how you guys are just dating, nothing more than that.”

Heeseung's jaw tightened as the weight of Jiho's words settled in, his mind reeling with disbelief and anger.

"Do you even know why YN hates you?" Heeseung spat, his voice seething with contempt.

"Why don't you tell me?" Jiho's smirk widened.

"Cause you’re truly an awful person” Heeseung retorted, his patience wearing thin.

“Oh really?” Jiho teased, “I didn’t know.”

Jiho's mocking laughter only fueled Heeseung's rage, his frustration exploding into action as he delivered a swift punch to Jiho's jaw.

"You're really undeserving of her," Heeseung's words echoed in the empty space.

“You could punch me as many times, I don’t care.” Jiho smiled. 

“I would but actually I don’t want to see your ugly face, so fuck off.” Heeseung stormed out of the rooftop leaving Jiho alone on the ground.

IT WAS 1 AM WHEN YOU FOUND YOURSELF at the convenience store, clad in your most comfortable clothes, not even caring if people saw you. The rush of cold air from the conditioner greeted you as you stepped inside, scanning the assortment of snacks. The scent of sweet delights filled your senses, tempting you to buy more. You reached for a snack when the chime of the door signaled someone's arrival.

Looking up, you were met with the sight of Heeseung standing across the store, his gaze fixed on you. It felt like deja vu, reminiscent of the first time you laid eyes on him. Your throat went dry, memories of Jiho's words echoing in your mind: "He probably doesn’t even like you." Anxious, you bit your lip as Heeseung approached.

"Can we talk outside?" Heeseung's voice broke through the tension. With a quiet nod, you followed him out of the store.

"YN, what's going on?" Heeseung's concern was evident as he confronted you, hoping you would answer honestly.

"Heeseung, it's nothing," you lied

"It's not nothing," Heeseung persisted, his tone firm.

"Okay, fine, I'll tell you. I fell in love with you, but then Jiho made me doubt everything. I thought you probably didn’t even like me, maybe you liked Karina instead. What was the point of being with you if I'm only going to hurt myself?" The words spilled out in a rush, leaving you empty.. Heeseung froze at your confession, disbelief in his expression.

"You like me?" Heeseung's eyebrow arched in surprise.

"I know you don't like me—" Before you could finish, Heeseung silenced you with a soft kiss. His lips were soft and perfect.You felt his fingers sliding into your waist, pulling you closer to deepen the kiss. Your lips were moving in sync, in the same passion, kissing each other back. You felt his fingers intertwined with yours, drawing soft circles on the back of your hand.

Pulling away, breathless, you attempted to speak, but Heeseung beat you to it. "I like you a lot, YN. I was in denial of my feelings for months, but I realized I was actually in love with you." You widen your eyes at his confession

"Heeseung, you're not lying, right?" suspicion tinged your words.

"Do you think I would ever lie to you?" Heeseung chuckled, tucking your hair behind your ear, a gesture that he would always done 

"No, but it all seems non-real," you confessed.

Heeseung's laughter, the sound you cherished the most, filled the air. "Then, will you be my real girlfriend, YN LN?"

"Of course, any day I'll choose you," you smiled, leaning in for another kiss. 

MONTHS HAD PASSED and you found yourself in a state of bliss you never imagined possible. Seated on the rooftop with Heeseung, your fingers intertwined, you gazed out into the view before you, the cool breeze enveloping you in a sense of serenity.

"Look how far we've come," you remarked, a smile gracing your lips as you watched Heeseung absentmindedly draw small patterns on your palm.

"Yeah," Heeseung nodded, his touch gentle and comforting.

"I love you, Heeseung," you whispered softly, your words carrying the weight of your affection.

"I love you more," Heeseung replied in a tender whisper, his warm breath tickling the sensitive skin of your neck as he leaned in to press a series of delicate kisses along its curve.

"Heeseung, that tickles!" you laughed, squirming slightly at the sensation.

"This is your punishment for getting a 60% on the exam," Heeseung teased, his tone playful yet teasing.

"Hey, I'm not some nerd like you!" you retorted, playfully poking his side.

"Nerd?" Heeseung chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"A cute nerd," you amended with a grin, your heart swelling with affection.

"And you're my cute princess," Heeseung declared, pressing a sweet and tender kiss to your lips, his love for you shining brightly in his eyes. You truly were in love with Heeseung, and you weren’t going to deny it.

[hisui-dreamer]

we are one

Characters: Trey, Ruggie, Rook, Sebek

Synopsis: You shared a night of passion with your lover before you left for the other side of the mirror, but fate's cruel hands strike once again as you realise you have to raise his child alone in your original world. Thankfully, your child is incredibly drawn to magic, and they opened a portal...?

Tags: slight angst, fluffy end because im a sap, fem reader, reader gives birth to a child, reunions

Word count: 4.5k+

Notes: im sorry this took so long lol, but part 4 is finally here!!

Part 1✧Part 2✧Part 3✧Masterlist

A few months passed as you settled back into your routine at home. Eventually, with the noticeable changes in your body, it dawned on you that you were with child—his child, your lover from the other side of the mirror whom you could no longer reach.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turn into months. You had adapted to the trials and tribulations of parenthood. Juggling the responsibilities of work, childcare, and household chores was no easy feat, but you found solace in the small moments of your child's growth and development.

Your child was a true joy to behold, a mirror image of their father in many ways, and you often see the ghost of your past lover in them. Having inherited his magic, your child experimented with their powers, leaving you to support them with what limited knowledge of magic that remained from your NRC days.

On one such experiment, your environment started to shift as a wave of magical energy engulfed you. When you opened your eyes again, he was there, right in front of you—

Shizuka (靜菓) with 静 meaning "quiet, still, calm" and 菓 meaning "confectionery, sweets, pastry"

your daughter had silky green hair the colour of fresh matcha and golden yellow eyes that were reminiscent of fresh honey

you named your daughter after her father's dislike of noise and his culinary abilities that never failed to amaze the whole of Heartslabyul

she's rather a quiet child, not very loud but too quiet either

she gets along with other kids perfectly fine, and she doesn't mind sharing or taking a step back at all, always choosing to go with the flow and not get worked up over small things

honestly she's really a mature kid

also just really good at being a peacekeeper and stopping other kids from getting into big fights

buut she does have a mischievous side and may tease her friends when she's in the mood to

at home, she's pretty obedient and will listen to you, but there are moments when she sneaks around

loves helping you with cooking, and her eyes sparkle when she's baking with you

she loves sweets and desserts, but thanks to your warnings about her dental health, she does stop herself from eating too much sugar

is slightly freaked out about cavities so don't you worry, she'll never need any reminding about brushing her teeth or late night snacks

when it comes to school, she doesn't put in too much effort, but you can tell she'd be excellent if she cared more about her grades

which is clearly shown when fixates on learning magic, always so focused that you'll have to call her twice before she snaps out of her trance

you can't blame her for giving it her all though, after all, you've never seen her more excited than when you told her how amazing a person her father is, calm and soothing like a gentle summer rain

once she puts her heart to it, there's really no stopping her

so on another normal evening, as you were cooking dinner while she was studying on the kitchen counter, you found yourself enveloped by a soft light

when you open your eyes, you find yourself standing outside a charming bakery, the fragrance of roses engulfing your senses

and peering through the bakery windows, was the man you had yearned for all these years

It was just a normal day of running the bakery for Trey. With the sun on the verge of setting, he began preparations for closing, when the soft chime of the bell announced a new customer's arrival. He turned around, catching sight of you. His eyes widened in surprise, mirroring the disbelief in your own.

Before words could be exchanged, Trey rushed past the counter. The warmth of his embrace enveloped you as he pulled you close. The years melted away, and the two of you were transported back to a time when you always had each other.

"Is this real?" he wondered aloud, your hearts pounding in sync.

You nodded into his shoulder, tears flowing freely down your cheeks. He pulled back slightly, brushing away your tears as his gaze softened, a warm smile gracing his lips.

"It's been a long time," he whispered. "I missed you so much."

he's just holding you tight, crying as he thanks the heavens for being so lucky to have you in his life again

trey returned to his hometown after graduation, helping out and eventually inheriting the family bakery

he loved incorporating your favourite foods into the store's selection, adding some new desserts from your world that you taught him, and always reminiscing on those tender moments when it was just the two of you in the kitchen

he always knew you had to go home eventually, but that didn't stop him from wishing you could be his life-long partner, supporting each other through thick and thin

so he's beyond grateful and excited to know you and his daughter(?!) shared the feelings even though you were apart

he's rather surprised about said daughter, but there would be no denying how similar they looked

shizuka is a bit nervous, tugging your skirt as she stares curiously at her supposed father

but Trey very quickly makes her feel at home, his warm smiles and even warmer hugs melting away all her nervousness!

he closes the bakery for a few days to help the two of you settle down a bit

this involves reunions with friends and of course, the clover family, who welcome you and their granddaughter with open arms

the clovers are just really really glad their son finally has someone in his life and that he seems a lot more energised now

Shizuka is very quickly introduced to uncle riddle!! who is very surprised but delighted by the behaving little girl who seems to stick to him a lot

uncle deuce and ace also get along with her wonderfully!! especially when Shizuka wants to play around with riddle for a bit hahaha

don't forget uncle cater who flies instantly to meet his new adorable niece and show her off on magicam!!

the three of you settle into a nice rhythm and you help out trey at the bakery now

Trey is very very affectionate with you always, pecking you on the cheek or nuzzling into your neck any chance he can get

Shizuka loves helping out whenever she can too!! she loves learning from her papa and sometimes will just spend hours watching him work

all in all, a blissful, simple family that Trey had always dreamed of, but never would he have believed he was so blessed to have the two of you come back to him

Trey gazed at the young girl, her silky green hair catching the light in a way that seemed surreal. With a heart full of emotions, he approached her hesitantly, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Shizuka, was it?" he spoke softly, the name lingering on his lips like a prayer. "It's so nice to meet you."

Shizuka's gaze flickered from Trey to you, seeking reassurance. With a gentle nod from you, she turned her attention back to him, her eyes studying him intently.

Trey knelt to her level, his heart racing. "I know this might be a lot to take in, but I'm your father."

She took a small step forward, cautious but curious. Trey extended his hand tentatively, offering a warm smile. Without a word, Shizuka reached out, placing her small hand in his.

A soft smile graced her lips, mirroring the warmth reflected in Trey's eyes. With a tentative but genuine embrace, Trey enveloped his daughter in his arms, tears cascading down his cheeks. Shizuka, feeling the sincerity in his embrace, wrapped her arms around him as well, a sense of belonging beginning to bloom within her.

Kenji (賢至) with 賢 meaning "intelligence, wisdom, cleverness" and 至 meaning "to arrive at, to reach, to come to"

Kenji (賢至) with 賢 meaning "intelligence, wisdom, cleverness" and 至 meaning "to arrive at, to reach, to come to"

your son had the softest hair the colour of wheat, and blue eyes that reminded you of cloudy skies

you named your son after how clever his father was, and his endless determination to reach his goals

he's a really sweet kid, always eager to help around and even others when he notices they're in need

you've heard about the many experiences his father had when he grew up, so you've tried your hardest to make sure Kenji wouldn't have to go through them, knowing it's what your hyena would've wanted

but even then, he's never complained about not having enough, there's a subtle wisdom to him that really mirrors his father

though he differs from him in that he's always willing to share, because he knows not everyone can be so lucky

he may not be too good at haggling prices, but his puppy dog eyes work just as well!

he loves doing chores with you, always smiling and laughing that familiar laugh as he helps you sweep the floor while he tells you about his day

he loves cuddles and kisses!!! his favourite part of the day is climbing into your warm bed to wrap his arms around you, asking you for a goodnight kiss and sometimes even bedtime stories

his ears and tails are a bit of a problem, so you keep his hair a bit long to hide the ears, or just say they're fun accessories

you've told him how his father's determination to support his family and community shined through even in unfortunate circumstances, the resourceful and intelligent man he became and you fell in love with

his blue-grey eyes almost resembled a clear sky when he listened to you, asking you more and more questions about this amazing person

he'll try learning more to be like him, but his kind nature stops him from being too schemey

he's not exactly academic weapon material, but he's pretty quick at absorbing information and putting it into practice

and with lots of determination and practice, he somehow manages to manifest the very thing the two of you wanted, and before your eyes was the man who never failed to make you laugh with him

As Ruggie's eyes adjusted, your figure slowly came into focus, revealing the very person who took his heart with them. "Prefect...?" He whispered, his voice a mix of disbelief and overwhelming joy.

His usually carefree expression shifted to one of disbelief, and then a bittersweet smile spread across his face as the tears welled up in his eyes. Without a second thought, he rushed towards you, sweeping you into a tight embrace.

"You're here... You're really here, right?" Ruggie mumbled, his voice choked with emotion.

You nodded furiously, comfort washing over you at his touch. "Yes, Ruggie, it's real. I'm really here."

His hand reached up to thread his fingers through your hair, cupping the back of your head. "I'm so glad... So, so glad..."

he's holding onto you as tightly as he can, so afraid that you'd disappear into the light if he let you loose for even a bit

after graduation, Ruggie followed leona to become his official attendant, what with him knowing how leona likes to get things done, and his ability to pick up etiquette cues

he's also a great information gatherer, so he's perfectly able to assist leona with his foreign affairs

it's leona's voice that finally breaks the two of you out of your trance, him rushing over to investigate that weird light

the two of you pull back and you almost wouldn't notice it, but leona's smile has softened a bit from the image you had in your memory

Ruggie never expected himself to be a father, and things are going a bit faster than he'd like, but there's no denying he's absolutely grateful to have you and your kid at his side

almost immediately the next day, he takes you back to his hometown so you and Kenji can meet grandma and the neighbourhood

grandma bucchi welcomes the two of you so warmly, she even gets a little teary eyed when she sees Kenji, with him looking so similar to the very hyena she raised

leona and Ruggie delegate a room for you in the side palace, where they also live, so you'll be able to see familiar faces often

Kenji loves following his father around, picking up his mannerisms and wanting to learn more about being more schemey

Ruggie's a bit conflicted his angel of a son wants to learn his ways but even he can't deny those puppy dog eyes

uncle leona and guard jack also love spending time with him! though one of them pretends it's annoying

leona shows him magic tricks and jack will teach him how to fight! he'll be getting great lessons all around

Kenji is very eager to learn more and explore this world, so sometimes you'll have to hold him back a bit just in case he gets hurt

but you suppose with the splendid man his father is, you don't have to worry too much

Ruggie's schedule can be a bit hectic and he pulls a lot of late nights, but he always tries to make time for his family

they're the most precious thing to him in the entire world, did you think he'd let them go that easily?

"Dad!" Kenji exclaimed, darting over to grasp at the fabric of Ruggie's pants. "You're my dad, right?"

Ruggie blinked in disbelief, shifting his gaze towards you. "Is... Is he?" he asked, hope saturating his voice.

You affirmed with a nod, and Ruggie redirected his attention to Kenji. "Yeah... I'm your dad..."

Instantly, Kenji wrapped his arms around Ruggie's legs. "Yay! I've always wanted to meet you, Dad!"

Ruggie couldn't help but marvel in awe at the bundle of joy now clinging to his legs, realizing that this spirited kid was the product of your love.

Ayaka (斐佳) with 斐 meaning "elegance, beauty, grace" and 華 meaning "flower, splendour, brilliance"　

Ayato (斐斗) with 斐 meaning "elegance, beauty, grace" and 杜 meaning "forest, grove, woods"

maybe a part of you should have expected it, with how unpredictable your beloved hunter always has been, but you ended up having to raise twins

the two had luscious golden locks that rivalled sunlight and sharp green eyes akin to the forests in the summer

you named the two of them after their father's love for all things beauty and his love for forests and nature

the two are well-behaved children, though they can be surprisingly sneaky and mischievous

Ayaka is more outgoing and is always fascinated by the pretty things in her vicinity

while Ayato is more introverted and quiet, often silently following his younger sister and nodding along to her ramblings

he definitely appreciates beauty, but he's less vocal about it

and whereas Ayaka is more fascinated by gems and cute plushies, Ayato is more interested in nature, finding beauty in the moss, the trees and the insects

the siblings are just really really curious about the world and they love observing the little details, from catching beetles to keep as pets, to planting flowers they found on a hike

they really do reflect your hunter's wide range of appreciation

the twins love sticking to each other and they're rarely arguing

though they do fight a bit over who helped you more with chores or who you love more

they're very helpful and efficient, and though they may complain about not wanting to work because the other twin is lazing, they'll still get the job done

they love watching tv shows and dramas, often acting out scenes in the shows or in fairytales

and oh the way their eyes sparkled when you told the fascinating man their father was, a man who could control his own heartbeat, keep track of time so accurately, and with such incredible eyesight, who devoted himself to spreading joy and beauty

almost immediately they doubled their efforts in studying, wanting desperately to meet the man to learn his ways and see for themselves just how interesting he is

and just like that, the dazzling light gradually subsided, unveiling a world that you thought only existed in your dreams

you remember the villa, it's where he took you on vacation for the first, and supposedly last time

You hesitantly knocked on the weathered wooden door of the villa, the echoes of your anticipation mingling with the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. As the door creaked open, memories flooded back to the first time you entered this place with the man who had captured your heart.

Rook's usual stoic expression shifted, replaced by a mix of surprise and unspoken emotions. "Mon amour... You're really here," he murmured, his voice a tender whisper that hung in the air. Without uttering a single word, he enfolded you in an embrace, as though afraid you might slip away like a fleeting dream.

"I missed you so much," you whispered back the tears flowing freely now that you've felt as you savour the warmth of his touch and the comforting scent of his cologne.

He pulled back, soft brushes of his fingers wiping your tears, his eyes lingering on your face as if trying to capture the essence of the time that had passed. "I missed you too, so dearly..." he admitted as tears threatened to spill from his eyes, a rare vulnerability in his gaze.

this was the most emotion you'd seen from him, even when you said goodbye he kept a smile on his face

he's holding you so delicately, as if you were going to fade away if he applied just a bit more pressure

he's surprised by the children, but he instantly warms up to the idea!

he's remained a pursuer of beauty even after graduation, sponsoring artists while he makes a living through hunting and his film critique

he was taking a break in the family villa for old times sake, but it's almost as if the universe planned it all along

he's very affectionate with you, even more so than before, which you didn't even know was possible

always a warm hand on your waist, an occasional peck on your cheek, and every once in a while he'll feel the urge to pull you in for a hug

he tries to do everything for you so you don't even have to lift a finger, breakfast in bed, waking the children, even cooking and cleaning

he loves spending time with the twins!! teaching the two of them how to hunt and explore the forest safely

he'll show them pretty plants, and interesting fungi, all while explaining what properties they might have and whether or not they're poisonous

the twins are so fascinated by everything, their excitement and energy are seemingly endless

and who's a father to deny his children? he spoils them rotten

he also loves showing the kids a certain idol he's supported...

as well as films of vil!! occasionally talking over the movie to express how perfect a scene is or how flawless his acting is

and when the twins get to meet the vil schoenheit, they're beyond thrilled

asking questions, throwing compliments, all directed towards vil, but they're quiet the moment he tells them to shush

uncle vil loves talking to his niece and nephew, but only when they're... calm

uncle epel also loves popping by and giving the twins some apples so they'll get proper nutrition!

really, you'll have to step in to prevent your kids from being spoiled rotten

but you'll indulge Rook for a while, he's just blissfully happy with his family after all

"Are these...?" he began, his voice trailing off as he looked at the children with a mix of awe and wonder.

"Ours," you answered, a gentle smile gracing your lips as you delicately wiped away the tears that had welled up in your eyes. "Meet Ayato and Ayaka."

The hunter knelt down to their eye level, his usual face softening into a loving. "Ayato, Ayaka," he said, his voice gentle, "It's so nice to meet you. I'm your father."

The children exchanged glances before Ayaka stepped forward. "Hello father!" she exclaimed, throwing her tiny arms around him.

Ayato, the quieter one, followed suit with a nod, a shy smile on his face.

The hunter embraced them both, a warmth in his eyes that spoke volumes. "Such angels... Mon amour what a blessing you've granted me...," he sighed as he held them close.

Atsuki (惇貴) with 惇 meaning "sincerity, loyalty" and 貴 meaning "precious, valuable, honourable"　

your son had curly hair with the softest shade of light green, and piercing golden eyes with slits that reminded you of reptiles

you named your son after the chivalrous values his father had devoted his life to

he's a rather loud and excitable child, always forgetting to control his volume when he gets too emotional

doesn't really get along with other kids, but it doesn't affect him much, he's just happy to have his mama with him

if he's done something wrong, you don't even need to yell at him really, most of the time he's already holding back tears at the thought of disappointing you

very into sports and is also really good at several sports, he's earned a couple of medals and trophies already

he's not the best at magic, and you're also not too sure how his dark fae blood affects that, but he's still pretty good at making progress

he really is just a good kid who tries hard at everything and tries to make the right decisions, but he's quick to get disappointed when things don't go his way, and suddenly you're faced with a very familiar and endearing puppy dog face

so a lot of times, you'll just have to pull him in a hug, and remind him things almost never go the way we plan, and it's okay to accept defeat and learn from it

but there's nothing he's more motivated about than learning more about his dad, who in his mind, is an honourable, talented knight straight from the fairytales who devotes his life to protecting the people important to him

so much so, that you'll find him swinging around the toy sword you got him for training

he'll also start putting even more effort into learning magic, wanting to connect to his amazing papa in a way

and then on one night, you're not sure what triggered it, but he's incredibly emotional and crying about how he can't help you and you're always taking care of him and he just wants to have his dad in his life and it's all so unfair why his mama is alone and-

he starts emitting bright light, so bright you can't keep your eyes open, but you reach to hold him in your arms

when you no longer feel the bright light, you tentatively open your eyes, only to find yourself standing in the dark, spacious throne room of Briar Valley

and standing there, right next to the throne, was your knight in shining armour

Standing next to the grand throne, was your knight in shining armour, Sebek. He, along with Silver, stood in positions of defence, but the moment his eyes met yours, the mask of composure crumbled, and he rushed toward you with an urgency that mirrored the longing that had lingered in his heart during your separation.

He enveloped you in a fierce embrace, his arms securing you but also gentle to not hurt you with his armour.

"I thought... I thought I lost you," Sebek's voice was a shaky whisper against your ear, his grip on you tightening as if trying to confirm that you were indeed real.

"I'm here, Sebek. I found my way back," you reassured him, feeling the softness of his hair against your cheek.

"I never thought I'd see you again," he admitted, his words a whispered admission of the fears he had harboured, pressing his forehead gently to yours.

he's a mess the instant he sees you, and he melts completely when you're finally in his arms

malleus and silver are also immensely happy that you're back, calling lilia to join the family reunion

Sebek's pretty overwhelmed with your presence on its own, so silver and lilia have given him a gentle push to actually function and introduce himself to Atsuki

he's grown to be less awkward with his affection, and particularly with how long you've been away, he doesn't hold back too much

his hands are always inching closer to touch you, his forehead resting on your shoulder every once in a while, it's all really endearing

but his parenting style is a bit awkward

Atsuki really admires him, but that also makes him ever so slightly afraid of him

meanwhile, Sebek is nervous because he doesn't want to do anything that ruins the image of a perfect knight for his son

so they're a bit awkward, but with you as the middle person they can get along pretty well!

they bond over training, with Sebek teaching him sword fighting (with you reminding him not to push him too hard)

Atsuki also really enjoys sparing with uncle silver, who always lets him him, but Atsuki just wants him to fight for real, so it's just silver being "this is real??"

uncle malleus taking him out for gargoyle studies (Sebek is jealous lmao)

and of course, uncle lilia who cooks extremely nutritious meals that always end with Atsuki puppy dog eying you to save him

sebek's family is also very very happy to have you two!!

grandpa baul grumbles around a lot, but he keeps note of Atsuki's favourite foods to prepare them when he visits

also comments on his sword fighting and stance when he feels like it

mom and dad also adore you guys!! mrs. zigvolt loves giving you gifts and talking about sebek when he was younger haha

all in all, sebek's so incredibly grateful you could come back to him, and though he's still awkward with his affection sometimes, he'll never stop trying his best to love the both of you

Atsuki's eyes widened as he took in the sight of his father, the mythical figure he had only heard tales of until now.

Sebek's gaze shifted from you to Atsuki, and his breath caught. His eyes softened as he knelt down to be at eye level with the child who was undeniably his son. "Hello," he said, his voice trembling with a mix of joy and uncertainty. "I... I'm your father."

Atsuki's eyes flickered with a mixture of awe and excitement. "Papa?" he questioned, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sebek nodded, his hands trembling slightly as he reached out to gently cup Atsuki's face. "Yes, little one. I'm your papa."

The room seemed to hold its breath as father and son locked eyes for the first time. Atsuki, still processing the enormity of the moment, broke into a wide, joyful smile. "Papa!" he exclaimed, launching himself into Sebek's arms.

Sebek, overwhelmed with emotion, held Atsuki close, a mix of laughter and tears escaping him. "I've missed so much, haven't I?" he murmured, his heart swelling with love for the son he never imagined to exist.

Part 1✧Part 2✧Part 3 ✧Masterlist

if you liked this post, don't forget to reblog!

[miley1442111]

needing you- r.cameron

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

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

a/n: saw an edit of him today and decided i had to write something for him. the buzzcut is just too good, i might do a part two if I'm bothered....

summary: rafe makes some awful choices, stemming from his need for you during a hard day.

pairing: rafe cameron x reader

warnings: hurt/ angst, breaking up, fighting, shouting, mentions of rafe's addictions, mentions of al-anon, mentions of break downs and bad mental health in general, kissing, no happy ending :(

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

Rafe was pissed, rightfully so. He was so angry, and he knew he shouldn’t talk to you, not even be near to you, but he had nowhere else to go. Surely his girlfriend would welcome him with open arms, right?

Wrong.

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

He knocked on the front door of your house, only to be met with the confused face of your father.

“She went out on the water with some friends, she left her phone at home, sorry.”

It’s fine. He would just have to wait to see you. He thanked your father and set on his way to John B’s place, waiting out by the dock for you to come back. He would just have to wait the 4 long hours it took for you to get back to land. See, you were a mix of a kook and a pogue, but most of the time, leaned towards full-pogue. This was something Rafe usually admired, considering you took no shit from him, or anyone else, and you didn’t let anyone put you down for your friends and how you presented yourself. What he hated right now though, was the fact that Jj Maybank’s arm was resting firmly on your shoulder, as you 5 came back from your strenuous day of swimming and leisurely fun. Strike one before Rafe lost his shit. 

“Rafe,” Kiera scoffed. “Y/n, your man-child boyfriend is here!” She shouted back to you. Strike two, before Rafe lost his shit.  You nodded, but made no attempt to come up to him, still entirely engrossed in Jj’s story. You two were best friends, you knew everything about each other- don’t be a jealous asshole Rafe. He reminded himself as he bit his nails, waiting for you to come over. He watched as your face lit up with a beautiful smile as Jj’s story concluded, in a very ridiculous manner. Rafe didn’t make you laugh like that. He couldn’t, he wasn’t funny. He knew he wasn’t funny. Should he try to be more funny? 

Jj pressed a kiss to your cheek and waved you off as you walked over to Rafe. Strike motherfucking three. 

You wrapped your arms around his neck as you pressed a soft kiss to his jaw. His skin was hot and tanned, more than usual. 

“Were you waiting long?” You asked, looking up at him. 

“4 hours,” he punctuated every syllable. Your face fell, he was pissed, and he was trying to hide it. 

“Did we have a hangout scheduled? I’m so sorry baby,” you apologised immediately, and Rafe almost felt like pretending it wasn’t true, but he just nodded. 

“No, we didn’t,” he swallowed harshly, taking your hand and leading you to his truck.

Your face turned to confusion. “So what’s this about then? Why did you wait for 4 hours?”

“Because I needed to see you,” he explained as tears welled up in his eyes. Rafe Cameron was not a man for emotions in public, even around his most trusted confidants. But he trusted you implicitly and knew you’d never tell a single soul about his emotions, so he showed them around you.

Today, in all honesty, had been awful for him. The second he woke up, rose was screaming at him for something he didn’t do, something about his dirtbike making a mess on the lawn (he hadn’t used his dirtbike in months, not since you said you’d rather walk home than go on it, since it makes you slightly nervous), then he got in a fight with Ward over him ‘not spending enough time working for the company’, which sent him into a spiral, and resisting his urges to just go get high and drunk and forget all about it were even more difficult to manage than usual. 

It was shit. And he needed you. 

You stopped walking and pulled him into you, noticing the wobble in his voice as he spoke. “What’s wrong baby?”

“Nothing is fucking wrong,” he groaned, wiping his face. “Well, apart from the fact that my girlfriend was too busy with her fucking pogue 'boyfriend' to be around today! Or maybe it’s the fact that you’re never there for me?! Or maybe I just fucking hate you!” 

You stood and stared at him in shock. “If you hate me so much, just break up with me,” you sighed, your own tears welling up as you crossed your arms over your chest, staring at the ground as the moonlight lit this awful moment. 

Every night when you’d sneak out just because Rafe needed you there to talk to and hold him, to be there for him, it all meant nothing. Every time you left your friends, or family, just so you could calm him down because he was having a panic attack, or bad cravings. Every time you pushed him to go to the Al-Anon meeting and picked him up after, then held him as he cried in your arms in the car, whispering about how he ‘didn’t deserve you’. 

Where was that boy now?

He was in front of you, screaming in your face. 

“Maybe I am!” He shouted. “Yeah, we’re done!” 

You wiped a tear away and sighed. “Alright,” walking back to John B’s to be with your friends. 

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

It all hit Rafe the next morning. He had broken up with you. You were out of his life. You weren’t his girlfriend anymore. 

What the fuck had he done?

He dialled your number, only to get no response. He checked your house, John B’s house, your work, your school (even though it was a Saturday), and even decided to check Jj’s house, just in case. 

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

Knock, knock, knock.

Jj opened the door to see a very flustered and surprisingly distraught Rafe. 

“Hello?-” 

“Is she here?” he asked. “Y/n, is she here?”

“Yeah,” Jj shrugged. “But she doesn’t really want any visitors right now, y’know. The girl needs her beauty sleep.”

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

“I need my beauty sleep Rafe,” you chuckled as his hands roamed your body. God, you were so perfect right here. Here, in his bed, his bed sheet draped over you, the sunset spilling in from the window. You were so perfect, so beautiful in that moment. He’d wanted to make it a memory he’d never forget. 

“You’re beautiful all the time,” he whispered, pressing soft kisses to your collarbone, just to feel the goosebumps start to form.

“When I get the proper amount of sleep,” you corrected him, humour lacing your words. 

“Nah,” he pressed a kiss to your lips. “You look beautiful all the time, trust me, I’m an expert.”

“In beauty?”

“In you.”

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

“Please just let me talk to her-”

“No can-do bucko,” Jj smirked. “She’s busy sleeping, don’t want to wake the beast.”

“Jj, I swear to fucking god-”

“Don’t talk to him like that,” you sighed from behind the door. “Jj doesn’t deserve that.”

“Thank you sweetheart,” Jj smiled. Sweetheart. Rafe had always hated that Jj called you sweetheart. 

“Can we talk?” Rafe cleared his throat. 

“Sure.”

And there you were, looking as gorgeous as ever, still in pyjamas, but still flipping his entire world on its head. 

“I’ll leave you to it,” Jj sighed and pottered off back into the house. 

There was silence for a few minutes. 

“What do you want?” you huffed. 

Rafe didn’t exactly have an answer for that.

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

obx masterlist :) <- part two :)

navigation for my blog :) (criminal minds, obx, the bear, marvel, top gun, the hunger games, challengers :)

[charismaofobedience]

ranking the milgram characters by how they'd hold babies if their bouquets were actual babies

MAHIRU SHIINA — 10/10 MOTHER MATERIAL

Solid and overall perfect stance. If we ignore the slightly bunched back, she's perfectly holding both the lower part of the baby and the upper part by giving legs and back/head support, protecting them and having a solid hold on the kid in a way there's no chance the baby would fall unless she's really distracted. Congrats mappi

YUNO KASHIKI — 9/10 UM GUYS UM

Thank god this young lady has no kids! Overall Yuno's hold is very solid. She isn't giving full protection on the upper part of the body but by her hold the baby would be fully resting upon her own body in a way they'd only fall if they make some parkour to roll out of her grasp and fall into his back. Contrary to mappi she's not shielding the baby so they'll probably see amazing things like jackalope and the walls of milgram and the other prisoners.

SHIDOU KIRISAKI — 9/10 SOLID FIRST TIME DAD HOLD

This is the baby hold of a man who just saw their children being born and is now holding them for the first time. You can see he knows the basics like holding the legs and resting their body into your arms but there's way too little protection in their back when compared to yuno who can give the baby uppies so they don't fall. Shidous isn't as much of a "hold" as much as it is a "there's a baby resting in my arms" and that's okay!

MIKOTO KAYANO — 7/10 SILLY UNCLE

Not a parent hold as much as it is an uncle hold! They're not exactly holding the baby properly but they're probably keeping support to the kid by holding them by the legs and making them rest the upper body against his own which again quite dangerous but it's okay because this dude isn't the parent as much as he is those uncle's that would give insanely annoying toys as gifts for the children to annoy their parents

KAZUI MUKUHARA — 4/10 KID GRASP

he's literally just grasping the kid by their back as if they're a sack of oranges this is great. Either that or the kid is just hanging to him by grasping his shirt and fighting for it's life as he holds their back against him. Bad hold but not horrible I wouldn't trust him with a child but it's okay. Almost passable grade.

FUUTA KAJIYAMA — 2/10 POTATO SACK

This guy is holding this baby as if they're a potato sack. As if he'll just hit someone up with this baby. The baby is at least FULLY leaning into the shoulders as we can see so it means they won't immediately fall and someone can save them but the way he's grasping the baby's legs is worrisome. That's a potential trip to the hospital. Do not trust fuuta kajiyama with your babies he will turn them into gamers

MUU KUSUNOKI — 1/10 PEEKABOO

Why are you hiding the poor baby from its parents. this kid is probably keeling over to the front and will soon fall into his head but for now they're safe because they're at least leaning upwards. This is probably some workout because holding a baby like this would be painful as shit the shoulders would be sore. Bee/10

HARUKA SAKURAI — 0/10 HE HAD TO DO IT TO EM

We can excuse Haruka because if I was in his shoes I too would probably hold a kid by doing the i had to do it to em pose. Upside down. This kid will immediately fall into his head and get some good injuries the moment his hold on their legs slips and the baby falls. Haruka Sakurai can play with babies but both should be on the floor, do not let him pick them up.

KOTOKO YUZURIHA — -1/10 LIFTING

Like harukas but with one hand. Somehow more dangerous because as we can see this baby is actively attempting to walk away and is therefore not only more likely to slip because of that, but because Kotoko is holding them with one hand only. this baby will fall directly into their mouth and start crying for hours on end because kotoko couldn't even give the kid both of her hands to hold them.

AMANE MOMOSE — FLOOR/10

floor

[kyeomyun]

2:01 AM

pairings: dad!jeonghan x gn!reader

genre: FLUFFY FLUFF FLUFF :((

warnings: none... you might lowkey go through baby fever :)

word count: 0.8k

synopsis: jeonghan would do literally anything to stop his baby from crying, even if it included being dolled up.

::note: WELL- yes ik now those jewels on jeonghan hair are indeed stickers and not hairclips but YK WHERE I WAS GOING WITH THIS. also hello strangers :). it's been a fat minute since I have actually written something down so if this seems a little dry... just know I haven't written anything since august 🧍🏾‍♀️but i do hope you enjoy this absolute brain rot I wrote last night at 2 in the morning 😍

network(s): @kflixnet

If there was one thing Jeonghan absolutely despised, with his whole entire being, it would be seeing someone who he holds, oh so dearly to his heart, cry.

He knows crying is a trigger for intense emotion, don't get him wrong, he knows very well it was common with toddlers. Including his. But that does not eliminate the huge tear he feels in his chest when the salty crystalline drops roll down his wife or his daughter's cheeks.

And he would do about everything (except cook the pot roast dinner that you LOVE that takes almost 5 hours to make and Jeonghan could not, for the life of him, stand on his two increasingly aging feet for more than 2), to make his loved ones stop crying. Even if that included doing something he thought he would not fit..

"Almost done, darling?" Jeonghan asked softly, careful not to make the tire of his voice get the best of his tone.

It was 2 AM, and his daughter, Yoon, had a rude awakening with cold sweat and vivid memories of a nightmare that she did not want have the guts to relive with her father. Which the father could understand, reliving a nightmare is not fun at all and he did not want to force that scenario onto his precious girl.

"Nu-uh," She clipped another hair clip onto Jeonghan long hair, humming in approval watching her masterpiece come to life in front of her eyes. "You said I can put a lot, daddy!" She pouted, hands flowing through the overload of bows: baby pinks, baby blues, even ones with sparkles and stars dazzled upon the long strands of freshly washed hair. Messy? Yes. Did Jeonghan care? Just a little tiny bit. "I have to make you really, really, really, pretty!"

"I did say that, did I?" Jeonghan said that more to himself, his words playing back on him tremendously. His eyes were drooping, fighting back the wondrous dreamland he was in before he was awoken by a frightened 4 year old. As much as his body wanted to shut down, his mind was stuck on one thing and one thing only.

Well maybe 2.

How long will it take to take these hairclips out and how is his miniature him doing?

"Mhm!" She clipped glittery pink hairclip on a randomly selected portion of her father's hair. "But at least daddy will look extra, extra pretty!"

Jeonghan butt was staring to numb, sitting on the carpeted floor of his daughter's room criss-crossed and Yoon standing up behind him with the next 2 hairclips awaiting their home on his head. But his heart filled rapidly, an intense feeling he has always had at moments like these. Ever since Yoon was born, this feeling was almost... unexplainable. Too immense to be just happiness and too extreme to be just love. It could be a mix of both but those 2 words are just not enough. No words could ever be.

Oh, he is down bad...

The smile that stretched upon his poorly chapped lips was one worth describing though; a smile that held so much value, love, adoration, did he think love?

"One more, daddy!" Yoon announced enthusiastically, a pretty baby blue butterfly, clipped on a strand near the front of Jeonghan head. A small giggle was heard as the little girl admired her work, grabbing ahold of the mirror and giving it to her pretty caregiver. "Is it pretty?"

Jeonghan took the mirror, its weight light but enough to slightly tilt his hand a bit. This motion was able to show the awaiting face of his daughter, who too stared into the mirror and tried to read her father's face. But he obviously had his answer.

But he still pretended to contemplate, his pointer finger tapping his chin in wonder. "It's not pretty,"

That cute pout adorned her lips again, her fragile heart clenching painfully. "You... don't like it? I thought–"

"It's beautiful, baby," Jeonghan looked behind him, and nothing, absolutely nothing, could match the cuteness of seeing his other half, his small angel, puffy cheeks bunch with joy. A smile that could kill many, Jeonghan being one of millions. Billions.

"Yay!" The excitement was barely contained in her small body, slightly bouncing in her place she stood in for almost 30 minutes before her stubby arms wrapped around the neck of her father. "Do you think uncles will be jealous?"

"Very," Jeonghan stared back in the mirror, his smiling bundle of joy warming his heart to the greatest. "Very, very jealous."

A kiss was planted on his cheek, and now he was conflicted about what his members will actually be jealous about.

His marvelous creation on his head, hairclips and bows that were placed in no particular pattern, or the creator, that shined her crooked teeth and eyes shining just as bright as she went back to slightly messing with the butterfly hairclip that hung just barely in his peripheral.

Ok, definitely the creator.

did you enjoy your order?

if you did, please reblog, like, (pls) comment, all of that jazz :>

have a good day, sweets ^^

tagging: @wheeboo @etherealyoungk @rubywonu @trblsvt @icyminghao @idubiluv @odxrilove @stormyjisung @slytherinshua @fairyhaos @gyu-effect @hannieheartuu @jaehunnyy @luvhyun3 @lvlystars @mesanthropi

[munson-blurbs]

Single Dad!Eddie x Fem!ReaderSeries

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Summary: It's finally time for your coffee date with Eddie, leading the two of you to fall even harder for each other.

Warnings: brief mention of drug dealing, Reader's grandma has dementia, character death

WC: 6.5k

Chapter 9/20

Divider credit to @saradika

The lime green numbers of the microwave clock reads 11:57, which means that Eddie will be here any minute. You drag your palms on the thighs of your boot-cut jeans, triple-checking that your perspiration hasn’t left a visible stain on the light-wash fabric.

“Okay, her lunch is in the fridge. And the number of the coffee shop is on the counter,” you tell Jess, pointing to the scrap of notebook paper in front of her. “If you need something, just call, and I’ll come home.”

Jess waves away your concern with a kind smile. She’d been pleading with you to get out there and date for ages now, and she was just glad you’d finally taken her advice. Though, you note wryly, she would not be happy if she knew who that date was.

“We’ll be fine,” she reassures you, bracing a hand on your shoulder. “If anything, we’ll need to check on you. Who is this mystery date, anyway?” 

“Just a guy,” you say, trying to remain light and casual while simultaneously fighting down the barrage of nerves in your stomach.

Jess takes a step back, wrinkling her nose and crossing her arms over her chest. “Oh, God, it’s not one of those creeps from a dating hotline, is it? Because I’ve never heard of one of those that didn’t end up on 48 Hours.”

“No, no, don’t worry,” you shake your head, spotting a piece of lint on your cable knit sweater and plucking it off carefully. You flick it off of your finger, silently berating yourself when you remember that you’ll have to vacuum it later. “It’s a guy from around here.”

Your friend wipes imaginary sweat from her brow as the buzzer rings. You race to the intercom to let him in before he can say anything, but your reflexes are too slow.

“Hey, it’s me.” The sound of his voice has your body pulsing, an eager grin tugging at your lips despite your intentions to keep calm. His slight rasp has you craving the sting of tobacco just to flatten your nerves.

You clear your throat before speaking. “Okay, I’ll be right down.” Grabbing your jacket from where you’ve haphazardly thrown it over the back of the couch, you’ve almost made it to the door, when—

“No. No.” You cringe at the way Jess’s words bite into your excitement. “Please tell me that your date is not Eddie Munson.” You can only offer her a sheepish grin, and she rolls her eyes. “Seriously?!”

You huff out a sigh, both impatient to go on the date and flustered at being caught. “Look, he’s changed. A lot.”

“Oh, you mean he stopped calling you a bitch and making shitty comments about your grandma?” Jess snorts. “How chivalrous.”

There’s no time to explain everything that’s happened, so you simply say, “I’ll be back in two hours,” before closing the door behind you, making sure that it latches before you start down the hallway. 

Eddie is waiting in the tiny lobby. He’s leaned up against the double doors, tapping one Reebok-clad foot and examining his fingernails anxiously. A memory crashes over you; one where his nails are painted jet black, though there hasn’t been any polish on them in some time. 

He smiles as soon as he spots you, standing up straighter and walking to meet you before you can get to the door. “Hey,” he says softly, letting his hand brush yours as he kisses your cheek. 

“Hey, yourself.” You want to kiss him back, but not on his cheek. Your lips yearn to crash against his once more; this time, anchored in belonging rather than lust. Instead, you manage a compliment. “You clean up nice.”

It’s the truth. His gray jeans are free of any holes, sometimes intentional but often the result of overwearing. The sleeves of his red sweater are pushed up slightly, exposing the litany of tattoos on his arms, and it occurs to you that you want to know each of their origins. 

“Can’t lie, Harris helped pick out my clothes today,” he admits. “He caught me trying to figure out what to wear and we finally agreed on this.” He sweeps a hand down his side to emphasize his point. 

“Was the ponytail his idea, too?” His curls are pulled back and rest at the nape of his neck. 

Eddie shakes his head with a laugh as his cheeks tinge pink. “Nah, that was all me.” He pauses, gaze briefly landing on your mouth before his eyes are drawn back to yours. “You’re…you’re beautiful.”

You try to shrug off the compliment, still caught off-guard by his kindness. You wonder when—or if—that unease will dissipate. “I think you’re just used to seeing me with Play-Doh stuck to my shirt,” you tease, but he doesn’t break his trance. 

“You’re always beautiful.” The sincerity of his statement clings to a silence that should be awkward, but is somehow comforting. After a few seconds, he clears his throat, lifting the fog of budding romance that clouds the lobby. “Let’s go get some coffee, yeah?”

Eddie takes your hand in his when you nod, leading you to his car and opening the passenger door for you. He sweeps his hand in the direction of the seat, and you giggle.

“Such a gentleman.”

He doesn’t divulge that Wayne reminded him to open doors for you when he’d come over to the apartment for dinner last night, or that the older man had slipped him a crumpled ten dollar bill and whispered, “get her something to eat, too,” punctuating his statement with a wink.

His left leg bounces as he starts the engine and he grates his teeth over his lower lip. He doesn’t even realize that he’s doing either of these things until you timidly rest a hand on his right knee and ask, “You okay?”

“Mhm,” he mumbles, gliding the gear shift from ‘park’ to ‘reverse’ as he backs out of his spot. “Just, uh, been a long time since I’ve gone on a date.” And never with someone so goddamn perfect, he wants to add, but he’s stopped by the fear of coming on too strong.

You graze your thumb over the gray denim and smile at him. “Well, you’re doing great so far.”

“Yeah?” Eddie grins at your reassurance, the soft dimples at the corners of his mouth deepening. 

“Yeah.”

He turns on the radio with a slight snap of his wrist, shifting the skull ring that wraps around his middle finger. A metal song comes on that you don’t recognize, drumbeats thumping through the old speakers. Eddie winces, nudging the volume down so he can hear himself speak over the impending guitar solo. “You can change it to something you like better.”

“Nah, this is fine,” you shake your head. “Kinda warming up to heavier music since someone gave me a Guns ‘N Roses tape.”

Eddie’s eyebrows brush the edge of his tousled bangs in surprise. “You really listen to it?”

“All the time,” you confirm truthfully. It’s quickly become one of your favorites; each time you play it, you’re reminded of Harris dressed as a miniature Axl Rose, drawing a picture of you and Eddie holding hands. Not to mention the way that Eddie adoringly gazed at you while you calmed his son down, quickly throwing together an art project and saving the day.

“How’s Grandma?” he asks now, pressing on the brake as he approaches a stop sign.

“Same as always. Her aid had to take her to the hospital the other day because she fell, and she’s been losing more language.” You try to play it off like it doesn’t bother you, but your heart pangs as you speak. When she was initially diagnosed, you’d known that she’d forget who people were, but you hadn’t realized that she would eventually forget how to talk. “Good news is, she hasn’t lost her appetite for Oreos. I have to keep the package you brought over hidden away so she doesn’t eat them all.”

Eddie laughs at this. “Told you; there’s nothing Oreos can’t fix.” He pulls into the cafe parking lot and snags the first available spot he sees. “I really am sorry that you have to see that, though. It can’t be easy.”

You keep your eyes trained on the dashboard, knowing that you’ll tear up if you catch a glance of his sympathetic expression. “‘S just par for the course with dementia, I guess.”

Eddie doesn’t say anything else–he isn’t sure what to say–as he kills the engine. He clicks off his seatbelt to scramble to your door, but it gets snagged in the crook of his elbow, yanking him back.

“Jesus, shit,” he grumbles, untangling himself from the trap he’d inadvertently created. “Don’t move; I’m not done being a gentleman.”

You put your hands up in surrender, watching as he walks to your side and opens the door. “Wow, that was such a surprising gesture,” you mock him, letting out a breathless scoff when he flips you the bird. “Giving me the middle finger kinda negates the whole ‘gentleman’ thing, dontcha think?”

Eddie pretends to consider this, crossing his arms over his chest while shifting his weight to one leg, bringing his hand to his freshly-shaved chin. “Mm, nope.” He helps you out of the seat, still not letting go of your hand once you’re standing next to his car. He holds it tighter, so you can feel every etch of the lifelines across his palm.

The mouth-watering scent of warm pastries and freshly brewed coffee swirls throughout the cafe, wafting to your nose as soon as you open the door. Or, more precisely, as soon as Eddie opens the door for you. You assume he’ll slip his fingers back through yours after you’re both inside, but he hesitates before letting his palm hover on the small of your back. You can barely feel the pads of his fingertips through your thick sweater, but as soon as you give him a smile, he allows himself to hold you a bit closer.

A chipper, twenty-something barista whose name tag reads Stephanie greets you as you approach the counter. “Hi! What can I get you folks?” 

Eddie nudges you to place your order, which you give with a polite smile. “Just a coffee with room for milk,” you tell her. 

You turn to Eddie so he can give his order, but he says softly, “Get something to eat, too.” He points to the display of baked goods before you, and you peer into the case. The prices are listed next to each item, and you furrow your brow at the $2 brownie. 

“Oh, s’okay,” you murmur, trying to play it off. The last thing you need is for Eddie to think you’re pitying him, which, okay, maybe you are. He just doesn’t have to know that. “You can get something, though.”

He shakes his head with a grin. “I’m not falling for that trick, Sweetheart.” It’s odd to hear the nickname without the prefix Ms. in front of it, or without a sneer in his voice. It’s kind, comforting, dare you even venture…a term of endearment? “You tell me you don’t want anything, and then you end up eating half of what I pick. Nope, you’re getting your own.”

“Fine, fine,” you roll your eyes playfully, eventually settling on a blueberry muffin. Eddie’s coffee order is the same as yours, but he gets a chocolate chunk cookie with his. He digs into his back pocket for his wallet, worn and frayed around the edges, and pulls out a ten-dollar bill, leaving a remaining dollar in the colorful jar marked ‘Tips’.

You grab the plated pastries and Eddie shuffles behind with the coffee mugs, gently placing them on the counter next to the silver thermoses and baskets of sugar packets. You pour a bit of milk into yours, watching in amusement as Eddie dumps some of the coffee into the trashcan, filling the mug with half & half and tearing open three Domino packets. 

“You want some coffee with that sugar bomb?” you gently tease, and he flicks your shoulder with a dramatic pout on his lips. 

“I’d rather this than whatever bitter concoction you’re drinking,” he retorts, taking an exaggerated sip from his mug and punctuating it with an aaaahhh. 

You roll your eyes. “You really should be grateful that I like bitter things. If I didn’t, then I wouldn’t like you.” Your response earns you another flick to the shoulder before Eddie brings the drinks to a table tucked away in the corner. 

You set the cookie in front of him and the muffin at your spot across from him, pulling a crumb from the side and popping it in your mouth. The sweetness of the pastry with the slightly sour berry is heaven on your tongue. 

“‘S good?” Eddie asks, smiling brightly when you nod your head. “Wanna try a bite of mine?” He breaks off a piece, and a smattering of crumbs fall to the table. You expect him to place the piece in your hand; instead, he leans over and brings it to your lips. His fingertips brush against them, parting them ever-so-slightly. An electric buzz hums down your spine, and you wonder if he feels it, too. 

You’re careful not to let your tongue graze his fingers as you take the chocolate-flecked dessert into your mouth. Eddie, however, is in no rush. He lingers, slowly moving the rough pads of his fingers across your soft lips. In doing so, he wipes away rogue remnants of the cookie he just fed you, though you strongly doubt that that was his intention. 

“Here, try mine.” You pinch off a piece of the muffin, a bit bigger than the piece you took for yourself, and bring it to him. His lips close around the very tips of your thumb and forefinger where you’re holding the bite of muffin. You feel the brief flicker of his tongue, gone before you can even process it, taking the muffin piece with it. 

“Not bad,” Eddie says with a grin. “I don’t usually like fruit in my dessert, but I’d make an exception for that. Could definitely use some more chocolate, though.” As if to illustrate his sentiment, he takes a comically large bite of his cookie. 

“One of these days, I’ll get you to eat a vegetable.” You mean it as a joke, a ribbing towards his poor eating habits, but it implies that you’ll stick around. That you care about him. You’re unclear about how he interpreted your statement, so you quickly change the subject before he can think about it. “I do have a question for you. Completely unrelated to the lack of nutrients in your diet.”

Eddie ignores the teasing jab and takes another bite of cookie. “Shoot.”

“The, uh, lock-picking kit,” you start, biting the inside of your cheek to keep your nerves calm. “Do you just keep them laying around?” You hate the idea of him using it to commit break-ins. If that was the truth, would he even admit it to you?

But Eddie just laughs, sipping his barely-coffee with a knowing smirk. “When Harris was about two, Wayne was watching him. He left for a second to grab the mail and the little stinker locked him out.”

“Out of the trailer?!” you ask incredulously, jaw dropping in shock.

“Out of the trailer,” Eddie confirms, shaking his head as though he still can’t believe it himself. “So, yeah. Ever since that happened, I’ve kept a lock-picking kit in my car.” He takes a deep breath, looking into your eyes with a gaze that makes your heart skip a beat. He drums his fingertips on the table as he says, “Tell me about you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you,” Eddie accentuates his request with a quick poke of your hand before returning his grip to the mug handle. “Like, how did you end up being the one schlepping out to Hawkins to take care of Grandma?”

You shrug and bring the hot cup to your lips, letting the steam tickle your nose before you drink. “She and I were always really close, and teaching is a job that’s everywhere. It was just easier for me to pick up and move, I guess.”

Eddie pauses, nodding as he considers his next question. He rubs his palm back and forth on the side of his mug; there’s an air of nervousness around him. “Tell me about her. Grandma, I mean. Like, how she was before she got sick.”

“Where do I start?” It’s strange, you think, the way memories work. Sometimes it seems like the more Grandma forgets, the more you remember. You’ll just be lesson planning, or hurriedly making photocopies at work, or heating up leftovers in the microwave, and a memory will crash over you. Suddenly, you’re plucked from reality and transported to Benny’s Diner where you and she used to split a giant stack of pancakes. Or to the shoe store where she’d buy you a new pair of sneakers every August before the start of the new school year. “She just loved taking care of people. Cooking for them or cheering them up. She wasn’t the type of person to tell you to stop crying when you’d get upset, y’know? She’d sit there with you, rub your back, and let you get all the tears out.” You muster a wistful smile in a paltry attempt to hide the shame blooming in your chest. “It’s all so fucked, the way I talk about her like she’s gone when she’s still here.”

 “No.” Eddie’s voice is soft yet adamant. “I don’t think it’s fucked at all. Because, I dunno, it’s like she’s not here, in a way. Physically, yeah; but almost like…” He stops himself to avoid speaking out of turn and making a fool of himself.

“Like she’s a shell of who she used to be,” you finish for him, and relief floods his body when you understand the point he’s trying to make.

He nods. “Exactly.” He smooths his ponytail reflexively. “I think you’re a lot like her. How she was, anyway. The way you’re always looking out for people, like…let’s say…a bitter wannabe rockstar and his adorable yet mischievous son?”

“That’s the best compliment I’ve gotten in a long time.” It’s all you want, really–to spread joy and kindness to others, filling in gaps that have remained empty for so long that they seemingly go unnoticed. “Maybe ever, actually.”

Good, Eddie wants to say. He wants to whisper sweet nothings into your ear, each one kinder than the last, until you’re utterly flustered. Instead, he abruptly changes the subject and asks, “What made you wanna be a teacher?”

This is a much easier question for you to answer. “I just love seeing kids learn,” you beam. “Being able to do things they couldn’t do before; things they never thought they’d be able to do.”

He returns your smile easily; something about hearing you speak about your profession with such gratification has him buzzing.“Speaking of which,” he says, sneaking a mouthful of cookie between words, “I took Harris to the supermarket yesterday. And when we passed by the seafood section, he points to a sign, sounds out cuh-ahh-d, and goes, ‘that says cod!’”

“That’s incredible! Look at our little reader go!” You could jump out of your seat with excitement, held back only by the desire to not go overboard in your display of enthusiasm.

Eddie nods in agreement. “I was so proud, I damn near bought all of the candy in the store.” He cocks his head, amusement tugging the corners of his lips upwards. “Any idea where he learned how to read like that?”

“Not a clue.” You try to force a deadpan expression to reinforce the sarcasm in your remark, but your happiness betrays you in the form of a giggle. You clap a hand over your mouth, but he reaches out to pull it down, keeping your fingers clasped with his.

He strokes his thumb over your knuckles, watching the digit sweep back and forth for a moment. “You really are pretty, y’know.” The admission feels like a weight has been both removed from and added to his shoulders. Now you know how he feels, but now you know how he feels.

You, meanwhile, are far less fixated on his vulnerability and focus instead on his phrasing. The opportunity has presented itself so perfectly, and you have to seize it.

“Like a princess?” Your eyes gleam with playfulness.

“Wha–oh, Christ.” Eddie’s features shift from confusion to embarrassment over the span of a second. “What did that kid tell you?”

“Not a lot,” you say nonchalantly, taking an innocent swig of coffee. It’s cooled down considerably, but you’ve never been one to let a drop of caffeine go to waste. “Just that you think I’m ‘pretty like a princess.’”

Eddie uses his free hand to rub his eyes, swiping his thumb and forefinger across the lids. “What a little snitch.”

“It’s true, then?” You perch your chin in your hand, batting your eyelashes and reveling in his awkwardness. His cheeks flush red and a nervous chuckle splices the silence between you.

“To be fair,” he finally counters, trying to gather his thoughts before they scatter again, “I was asked if I thought you were pretty like a princess. I didn’t, like, come up with that on my own.”

You purse your lips into a pout, feigning disappointment. “So you don’t think I’m pretty like a princess?”

“N-No, you are!” He takes a deep breath and composes himself as he notices you trying to hold in your laughter. “All right, which would you prefer? We talking trading your fins for legs or losing your glass slipper at a ball?”

“Neither,” you chide, scratching at the base of your neck absentmindedly. “More like…bookworm who rescues people in need no matter what the personal cost and captures the heart of the town outcast.” You hope that he doesn’t take offense to that last part, as true as it might be.

“So…Belle?” Eddie chuckles when you raise your eyebrows at him. “What? I have a little ankle biter, I know Disney movies.”

“Harris would never bite your ankles,” you scoff, grinning at the mere thought of the littlest Munson gnawing at the bottom of his dad’s legs mid-tantrum. “He’d just lock you out of the house until he gets what he wants.”

Eddie lifts his half-drank cup of coffee. “I’ll drink to that,” he agrees, and you gently knock your mug into his. The porcelain rims make a slight clink as they touch, echoes muffled by the chipped edges.

“So,” you start, allowing yourself to swim in his deep brown eyes for a beautiful moment before you pivot the conversation. “Why did you move to Chicago? Why not, like, LA or New York?”

He shrugs, wiping the residue of a coffee mustache from his upper lip. “Guess I wanted to stay kinda close to home. In case something happened to Wayne, or the music thing didn’t work out, or,” he smiles wryly, “if I knocked up a groupie and needed help raising a newborn.” 

You press your lips together to stifle a giggle of your own, careful not to smudge whatever’s left of the lipstick you meticulously applied earlier. “So you moved back after Harris was born?”

“Yeah, when he was about…” Eddie silently does the math in his head, “a month old? Six weeks, maybe? When I realized that the whole ‘parenting’ thing is a hell of a lot harder than I thought. Especially doing it alone.” He drops his voice to a whisper as though he’s about to divulge a great secret. “Did you know that babies wake up, like, every half hour?”

“You don’t say?” Sarcasm is thickly woven into your tone. “Tell me more, Dr. Spock.”

Eddie snatches the muffin from your plate and takes an unprompted bite in retaliation. He chews like a cow on cud, slow and deliberate, relishing in his baked good thievery. You watch, unblinking, as a smirk crosses his face. “All right, smartass,” he snorts once he finally swallows, “not all of us specialize in taking care of kids.” He breaks off a hunk of his cookie and leaves it on your plate, a delicious peace offering that you gladly accept. “Anyway, Wayne let us stay with him until I found a place. Took a while to build up some funds, but I finally managed.”

“Where were you working?”

His face blanches at your question, and he finds himself inclined to bunch the paper napkin into a ball and shove it in his mouth to avoid answering. “Wh-What?”

“You said you had to build up some funds,” you explain, as though it were a convoluted construct. “Were you at the music store back then?”

“Oh, um. No.” Quicksand. Volcano eruption. A piano falling from the sky like in a classic Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote showdown. Eddie would’ve taken any of these options over giving you an answer. “I went back to my old high school gig of, uh, dealing.” His cheeks are beet red, the heat radiating from them is the only distraction from the shame curdling in his lungs. 

He keeps his eyes on the floor; to his surprise, your feet remain planted on the ground. You’re not leaving. “Oh.” Your voice draws him back to reality. “But you don’t…”

“Nope.” Eddie shakes his head. “I’m totally done with that scene. It’s just minimum wage, on-the-books bullshit for me now. I even pay taxes.” He laughs when you roll your eyes. “Although…the manager is transferring to another store soon.”

You slam your hands on the table in excitement, eyes alight with joy at this new opportunity for him. “Eddie, you have to apply!” Your eagerness fades when you notice the frown on his face. Shit, did he think you were telling him what to do? “I’m sorry if–”

“Nah, you’re good.” He bites his thumbnail without thinking, withdrawing it from between his front teeth when he sees you watching him. “‘S not like I haven’t considered it. Just feels like…if I do that, I’m officially giving up on the whole rockstar dream. Like I’m closing that chapter of my life.”

This time, you’re the one who holds onto him. His palm is pressed flat on the Formica table, and you bring your fingers underneath it to scoop his hand into yours. You give it a quick squeeze, watching a delicate smile develop across his lips. “Is that necessarily a bad thing, though? You’re not giving up on anything; you’re just shifting your priorities to make sure that Harris is always number one.” He nods halfheartedly, but you continue. “And you can always get back into music, find another band, or…maybe even make up with the Corroded Coffin guys?”

Eddie sighs, taking a strand of hair that’s fallen from its rubber band enclosure and tucking it behind his right ear. “Yeah. Maybe.” He doesn’t quite believe it; not after the terrible things he said to Jeff. Not after Gareth said he doesn’t look up to him anymore. A Corroded Coffin reunion seems about as likely as Wayne becoming a Radio City Rockette. He clears his throat and shifts his gaze back to you. “This is, uh, not first date conversation.”

You laugh at this, nodding in agreement. “No, it most certainly isn’t.” You use your free hand to take a final swig of coffee, now on the cooler side of lukewarm. “But I don’t think you and I have done anything conventionally, so it seems to be par for the course.”

Eddie shifts in his seat to lean in closer. He’s heard your response, but he’s not accepting it. Just because things began backwards didn’t mean they had to continue that way. “Tell me about you,” he says. “What do you like to do for fun? Like, hobbies and stuff.”

Your mind goes blank, as though you’ve never enjoyed any activity in your life. “Hmm,” you ponder, trying to remember a moment that wasn’t spent lesson planning or breaking up big arguments between small humans or taking care of an elderly woman who couldn’t stand you half the time. “I really love to cook,” you finally manage, thinking of the hours when you and Grandma stood in her kitchen, preparing meals or snacks or baked goods to munch on.

“No shit!” Eddie blurts out, eyes widening. “I really love to eat.”

“I’ll have to cook for you sometime,” you tell him. Surprisingly, you’re not shy when you say it. The image of you standing before the stove, stirring a pot on a burner or taking a tray of roasted vegetables from the oven while Eddie and Harris set the kitchen table, warms you from the inside out. You express your love by making meals for others, just like Grandma does. Did. “Your favorite food is olives, right?”

Eddie rolls his eyes playfully, crossing his arms over his chest and sitting back in his seat. He opens his legs slightly as he bites the inside of his lower lip to hide his smile. “I hate you sometimes, y’know that?”

“Yeah, I hate you, too.”

As soon as you and Eddie step out of the little cafe hand in hand, the bitter slap of winter is all-consuming. Snow flurries flutter to the ground, melting as soon as they touch the faded green grass. The coldness of the flakes stings the tip of your nose, and you wiggle it to try to ward off the impending numbness.

Eddie breaks the connection to dig out a crumpled pack of cigarettes from one pocket and his lighter from the other. He flicks the switch a few times before it finally catches as he shields the flame from the harsh winds. As soon as it does, he tucks the lighter away and immediately re-laces his left fingers with your right, taking a long drag and offering it out to you with a grin.

“Since you’re just a social smoker and don’t keep any on you,” he says with a twinkle in his eyes. You wonder how he could possibly know this until memories of that fateful night at the Hideout come roaring back to you. You and Eddie standing outside, making painfully awkward small talk while you figured out how to initiate a sexual encounter.

You inhale, letting the tobacco mingle with the taste of coffee and muffin already saturating your tongue, and pass the cigarette back to him. It’s a slow walk to his car; the two of you take your time as you breathe in smoke and each other’s closeness. Eddie lets you kill out the cigarette, eyes never leaving your body as you stub it into a nearby ashtray.

“I have a little confession to make,” he begins, quickly amending his statement when he catches the horrified expression on your face. “No, nothing bad; I swear!” He laughs lightly when you exhale, pressing your hand to your heart in relief. “Okay, the reason I took you out for coffee is because, well, I figured if things went well, I’d know your coffee order and could bring it to you at work or something? Like when I drop Harris off in the morning.”

The early December chill dissipates at his offer. Just the thought of Eddie memorizing your coffee order, handing you the styrofoam cup with a chaste kiss to your cheek so that none of your students or co-workers can catch you, fills you with a buzzing warmth. “I’d really like that.”

“Good,” Eddie nods, stopping at his parked car. You spot Harris’s carseat in the back, reminding you of the night Eddie drove you to his place after his show. The way he tried to hide the existence of his son from you, as though it would deter you from pursuing anything further. You can’t help but wonder how many women had turned him down after learning that he’s a dad. It has to be a decent amount, a pattern that developed, for him to become so jaded and guarded over it.

His calloused thumb ghosts over your cheek, though you can hardly feel it after being exposed to the stinging air. His gaze meets yours and he holds it, chocolate orbs fueling the fire within you.

“Feels weird asking to kiss you after we’ve already…” he trails off with a chuckle, tone laced with ambivalence. The last time he’d pressed his lips to yours, he didn’t want to stop, which scared the living shit out of him. And that was under the pretense of casual sex, not intended to go any farther than a one-night stand. But now? Now he was about to kiss you after a date, after telling you that you look pretty, after admitting that planned to get you coffee in the mornings.

If he kisses you now, there’s no going back.He’s sealing the deal, opening himself up to heartbreak, the potential to be crushed when the relationship comes to a screeching halt.

But, he reminds himself silently, it also means someone to watch movies with. Someone to buy flowers–or coffee–for. Someone to hold, to touch. Someone to share stories with, from the mundane tasks of the day to big, exciting news. Someone who I could love, who could love me and my boy.

“Eddie?” Your voice breaks into his mind, overrun with racing thoughts about the good, the bad, and the ugly of falling in–

You bring your lips to his, effectively silencing his inner monologue. His right hand stays on your face as his left grips your waist to return the kiss, deepening it with a gentle prod of his tongue. It’s wanting, but not hungry, like he’s savoring every last bite of a long-time craving. He wants this, he wants you, forever. He swears he’d never let you go if he didn’t have an oversugared, overtired four-year-old to attend to.

“You are…” he murmurs, nudging his nose with yours, but he has no idea how to end the sentence. Perfect? Mine? The one for me? “...the best.” It feels like a cop-out, but he doesn’t want to come on too strong. The irony is not lost on him that he had no problem spewing insults at you, but hesitates when it comes to affection.

“The best coffee date?” you tease, resting your hands on his chest. The sweater’s scratchy wool itches your palms, and you can’t imagine he’ll make it ten steps through the door before changing into one of his signature band tees.

“Yes. No. Yes.” He kisses your nose, an electric spark flying between you. “But also just…the best.” His fingers clasp around the door handle as he begrudgingly opens your door, not wanting the date to end. “Shall I take you home?”

No, you think, biting back your protest. No, take me to your place. Kiss me more, kiss me deeper, kiss me where the curve of my hips meets the plush of my thighs. Let me help you with your sweater; you’ll be so much more comfortable without it, Eddie.

“Okay,” you manage, sliding into your seat. He closes the door once you’re inside, jogging around to his side with a breathy chuckle.

“Gotta keep warm,” he says, turning the key in the ignition. The car rumbles to life, and as soon as he’s out of his parking spot, he takes your hand once again. Your intertwined fingers rest atop the gearshift for the entire drive to your building.

He turns off the car and faces you. “Let me walk you in.” Five simple words that ordinarily would preface sex; Eddie doesn’t think he’s ever uttered them in that order without at least the anticipation of getting laid. But there’s none of that now. He just wants to spend as much time with you as he can, before the spell is broken and he turns back into a pumpkin. Could the prince turn back into the Beast? he wonders wryly.

You cock your brow. “You sure about that? What if Grandma’s gotten herself into more trouble?”

“I’m willing to take that risk.” And he is. He’d risk everything, and for the first time in a long while, he’s not running from that feeling.

Luckily, there’s no crisis when you and Eddie arrive on your doorstep. You trade a few more giggle-laced kisses before you finally part.

The stars align on Monday morning, with Harris actually cooperating and getting ready with enough time for Eddie to stop off at the cafe to get your coffee. Okay, letting him have a Pop-Tart for breakfast instead of cereal definitely helped the situation, but it was a special occasion! And it’s not like he could tell Harris that he needed to pick up coffee for Ms. Sweetheart; the kid would be hiring caterers for a wedding if he knew. 

Eddie had wanted to call you on Sunday, maybe see if you wanted to go to the playground with him and Harris and get some ice cream afterwards, but he’d ultimately decided against it. Give it some time; don’t be too eager. 

It occurs to him that bringing you coffee is something that a boyfriend would do, and he hasn’t actually asked you to be his girlfriend yet. Do adults do that? Or is it just kinda implied? Shit, maybe I can take her out again this weekend and ask, just to be sure.

He gives Harris a hug and a kiss goodbye, careful not to spill any of the hot beverage as he crouches down to his height. Jitters course through his veins as he approaches your classroom, but he knows that the joy on your face–either from his kind gesture or the prospect of caffeine–will make it all worth it.

When he gets there, he only sees Will. He can’t stick around long; he doubts his boss will accept trying to impress my maybe-girlfriend as a valid excuse for tardiness.

“Hey, Byers,” Eddie calls out with a wave, pointing to the cup. “I’m just gonna leave this on her desk, if that’s cool.” He spots a black Sharpie and is about to use it to write Date night on Friday? when he catches Will’s expression. It’s a combination of confusion and sadness, with his brows pinching together as he walks over to Eddie. 

Will shoves his hands in his pants pockets. “Um, she’s not coming in today. Probably not for the rest of the week.”

“Is she okay?” Worry mars Eddie’s confidence, and the sense of dread only worsens when Will quietly ushers him to the corner of the room away from the kids. “Is she sick or something?” he adds once the students are out of earshot. Will looks up at Eddie, though the height gap has decreased considerably since he was a freshman and Eddie was working through his third senior year. His eyes are shiny with tears, and he blinks them back and clears his throat. “Eddie…” he says softly, “her grandma died last night.”

--

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[the-froschamethyst4]

Baby Brains pt2

𖤐Pairing: Husband! König x Wife! Reader

𖤐Pronouns: She/Her

𖤐Pt1: the-baby-brains

𖤐Warnings: tooth-rotting fluff, worrying parents, wholesome, language, married couple, high school, some bullying, badly translated German, a child genius,

𖤐Summary: After the phone call about Heidi being able to come to the high school, Y/n starts to get a little worried that her daughter might get bullied by the older kids

————

————

"Heidi, baby, do you have everything?" Y/n asked, bending down to her daughter and fixing her daughter's shirt.

"Meine liebe (my love) leave our baby girl alone, she's in high school, now," König tells her.

"Oh hush, König, you'd be worried too."

"Mama, I need to go in," Heidi says, she starts walking into the big school, the older kids looked at Heidi and immediately started to talk about her, laughing and pointing at her.

"King...I'm worried."

"I know, liebe (love) I am too, I'm worried about our little girl," he holds Y/n's arms puling her closer to his side.

Heidi walked to the office and had gotten her schedule from the lady sitting down behind the counter.

"You must be Heidi King, the rumors were true, we have a child genius in the building," she slightly giggles at her.

"Where is the science lab?" Heidi asked the lady.

"Down the hall, pass the computer lab and it's the first door on your left," she smiles down at Heidi. Heidi walks out of the office tries to follow the ladies directions.

She saw the computer lab and found the science lab with no problem, she sees the older kids all laugh and joke around before class started. She goes to the front desk placing her backpack on the desk and grabbing a notebook from her bag.

Heidi opened the book to the first empty page and started to write the date.

"Hey is that a child?"

"Why is there a child in here?"

"Who knows?"

"Go introduce yourself to her, Maddie."

"Heidi?" She looks up and saw the teacher.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Oh good, good morning, I'm Mrs.Vasel, your homeroom teacher." She slides a paper towards Heidi letting her look at it. "This is the first assignment, sorry to drop it on you immediately." She smiles.

"It's okay," Heidi says.

-------

Y/n was biting her thumbnail worried like a mother should be. König looked at his wife sitting in the passenger seat.

"Liebe (love) she will be okay, and if not, I'm not scared to fight some teenagers," König says.

"But I don't want my husband to go to jail," Y/n says, placing her hand on his chin.

"She'll be just fine," he says, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.

-------

Heidi held her pencil in her hand and was filling out every answer, she didn't know what she was doing but from the looks of it, she was getting every answer right.

The kid next to her would look at her paper every so often to see what she put she got 4 for one answer, he got 50, was he wrong or was she right?

Heidi flipped her paper and worked on the back which was a word problem, she hated them, everyone hated them. But she does it anyways and gives it her all.

Heidi jumps off her stool and heads to Mrs.Vasel's desk. She placed her paper on the desk.

"I'm done," she says.

"Alright, I'll grade it once everyone else is done," Heidi heads back to her desk and pulls out her schedule along with the map of the school on where her classes will be, she even grabbed a book of hers she's been reading.

Some students behind Heidi were laughing and giggling, where they laughing at her?

Heidi slowly looked over her shoulder and saw a group of girls laughing and looking at Heidi. She quickly turns her head.

"Girls, no talking," Mrs.Vasel says.

Heidi opens her book and reads her page she was left off.

--------

The first class was done. Heidi grabbed her backpack putting it on her shoulders and walked to the door, she looks out and saw how the hallways was flooded with older kids and the hallway was crowded.

Heidi stepped out and looked at her map and schedule, she needed to get to math class now.

She goes to a hallway and saw the amount of kids that looked at her. They were told by rumors of a child coming into the high school but they didn't think the rumor was true till they saw Heidi coming into the hallway.

Heidi tried to ignore the older kids, but she needed help to look for Mr.Muller's class. She walks to a group of girls, who were laughing not at her but at some photo on their phone.

"Entschuldigen Sie, bitte (excuse me) can you show me to Mr.Muller's class?" Heidi asked.

"Oh yes, he is down the hall, room 52, last door on the right," she moves Heidi to the center of the hallway and showed her with her hands on where to go.

Heidi looks up at the older girl. "Danke (Thank you)."

Heidi takes off down the hall, she looks around the hall seeing older kids look at her and she looks to her right seeing Mr.Muller's name on his door.

She walks in and was greeted with a male teacher looking down at her and slightly chuckling.

"Wow, I do have a child in my class," he chuckles.

"Are you Mr.Muller?"

"I am, go find a seat," he says, walking passed Heidi and she saw some students had already picked their seats.

She walks to the second row and picks a seat.

"Alright, take your seats all of you," he was shutting the door and one more student pushed by the door and quickly found a seat.

"I should write you up Mr.Kitzler."

"I wasn't late," the older kid laughs as the class did too. Heidi just shakes her head.

"Anyways, we have a child in my class," everyone looked at Heidi. "Care to come up here and tell us about you, Ms.King."

Heidi stood up fixing her skirt and heading to the front of the class, she hated public speaking, she was better at writing answers and problems.

"I'm...Heidi King...I am 6 years old-"

"6 years old?" A student sounded shocked.

"Oh shit we do have a child," the kid who was late laughed.

"She's a child prodigy, I'd be careful if I was you, Kitzler."

"Mr.Muller come on, you are going to let a child run the class?"

"Maybe," he tilts his head. "Go have a seat, Heidi," Mr.Muller says.

--------

Mr.Muller was going over a new lesson for Heidi to be able to catch up. Heidi was taking notes and everyone around her just seemed bored out of their mind listening to Mr.Muller.

"Heidi, answer please."

"Umm~ 500."

"How'd you get it?" Heidi then started going over how she got the answer. "Correct...did you get it Mr.Kitzler?"

"Hell no," he laughs.

--------

Heidi didn't know if she liked High school. The kids were just not use to seeing a child in the high school.

Heidi was going to lunch now. She had her pink Disney Princess lunchbox, she didn't know where to sit, she looks around seeing everyone eat with their friends.

Heidi played with the handle of her lunchbox as she walks around, she opened the door that led outside and saw some of the older kids eating outside on black metal tables.

"Oh, hey!" Heidi looks up and saw it was the girl from the hallway that helped her look for Mr.Muller's class.

"Hi," Heidi walks to her.

"Sit with us, we have plenty of room," she moves over to let Heidi sit with her and her friends.

"What's your name?" She asked, Heidi.

"Heidi."

"Wow."

"How old are you?"

"Six."

"SIX YEARS OLD!!" Almost the entry table shouted.

"WOW!"

"Well, I'm Emma, these are my friends, Alice, Hannah, Anna, Mia and Elke."

"Nice to meet you all," Heidi says.

"How'd a kid like you get so lucky?" Alice asked.

"My mama says it was because of the school looking at my testing score and I reached the highest grade within the elementary, and wanted me to come into the high school," Heidi says, opening her lunchbox and grabbing her juice box.

"Gosh, I remember those juice boxes," Hannah laughs.

"Childhood," Emma coos and the table giggle.

"My mama buys them because of me liking them." Heidi says.

the table were fond of Heidi, wanting to hear about the elementary school, wanting to hear about her relationship with her parents.

"My mama and I go shopping every Saturday, my papa and I will sometimes go out to eat almost every Friday. My papa was a operator in the Military-"

"Operator? He was a sniper?" A boy overheard Heidi talking.

"I think so?" Heidi didn't know what a sniper was. She just thought her daddy was cool.

--------

School was letting out, Heidi walks out of the school looking around does she take a bus or does she look for her papa's truck? She looks around in the car rider line and didn't see his truck.

"Bohne (bean)." Heidi turned hearing her nickname that her daddy calls her.

She saw König standing just behind her, hand out wanting her to take it. She runs to him taking his hand.

"Papa!!" She yells, he picks her up instead and placed her on his hip.

"How was school?"

"Good. I made some friends."

"Really?"

"Yeah," she smiles as König walked to her truck opening his back door and placing her into her car seat just behind the passenger seat.

-------

König opened the front door and Heidi runs in.

"MAMA!!" She yells running towards the couch and jumping on her mom.

"Oh my baby, how was school?" Y/n asked.

"Good."

"She made some new friends," König said, kicking his shoes off.

"Well, that's good," Y/n says, cupping her daughters face and kissing her forehead. "I'm going to start dinner soon, what would you like, Heidi?"

"Chicken schnitzel," she says.

"I can do that," Y/n says.

------

Heidi was doing her homework. König sat next to her just in case she needed help. He was very impressed on how she was getting every answer right, how she never bothered him for help, he was just impressed with his daughter.

Y/n cleaned the dishes and König got off the stool and helped Y/n with the dishes.

"Mama, why did you think I would be okay to go into high school?" Heidi asked.

"Because baby, I knew you could do it, high school may be hard but I know you could do it baby. I did get really nervous but I calmed myself down-"

"You mean, I called you down," König said.

"Whatever, but I know you could do it, and you are a genius baby," Y/n says, turning to her daughter.

"Thank you for believing in me, mama."

"Of course baby," Y/n walked to her daughter, kissing her forehead again.

[impact-theater]

𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓

Pairing: yandere!Xianyun, yandere!Ga ming

TW: yandere, obession, self-aware

You've collected 60 wishes for this banner. Ever since you saw Ga Ming, and then Xianyun, you knew you needed them in your team! Especially when you saw their leaks!

89%... this game is really taking forever to uploud. You might as well go grab yourself a cup of coffee.

Inside the game, there was fight going on you didn't knew about!

─ "They'll be here soon!" - Ga ming panicked, going all around wishing screen

─ "I wouldn't count on that. They just went to get cup of coffee and still have 3 more procent." - While Xianyun kept her calm, not bothered by how fast the bar went

─ "It can pass in a second! I just bet my cutie will first wish for me and I will appear in their first 10 wishes!" - boy fixed his hair and brushed off the non existing dust from his shoulders

─ "As you wish. I'm taking their first wish." - woman said with her eyes closed and her face unbothered

You came back to your pc to find game already installed! You could only click "launch" and let the white screen blind you as you took a sip of your coffee.

Xianyun stood up, fixing her glasses and began walking to her banner space, stopping in front of brown-red haired boy first though...

─ "I wouldn't mess with Cloud Retainer on your place." - she kept her head high, so only her eyes looked down at the boy. her voice somehow menacing

─ "I'm willing to risk ANYTHING for them to see my fice as first thing after loading." - Ga ming on the other hand seemed to not get scared at all and instead kept his face courageful

While you finally entered the game. You claimed all the rewards possible before finally clicking on the wishing icon. Immidietly seeing Xianyun and Ga ming you smiled, getting any of your ritual objects ready.

Ga ming already had a big grin, so luckily he didn't had to hold back from that. What he needed to hold back from was blush that was risking being more and more visible. While Xianyun, having rather cold face, needed to keep herself back from cracking smallest smile or else you'd notice.

Seeing you had not 60 but 61 wishes, you decided to challange the fate and do one single wish first! Promising yourself oh so dearly outloud that you'll main and triple crown whoever comes first.

In that 2 seconds of making a wish, happened more than you could imagine. Ga ming runned like he never did, motivated to make his cuties day. Though Cloud Retainer seemed to not stand back and watch as she made sure to pass the boy. Surprisingly they arrived at your screen almost at the same time!

Well... almost...

On your screen appeared woman with long black-green hair and name "Xianyun" above 5 stars on left.

You let out small squeak and Xianyun couldn't help but crack a grin which she quickly turned into well known cold face to not raise suspicion.

You clicked the x button hoping to check out skills but you were surprisingly stopped... you saw image of boy with brown-red hair, name "Ga ming" above 4 stars on the left...

─ "Weird... I only made one wish..." - you thought to yourself, thinking it as of a simple bug. well at least you gained 2 wanted characters just like that!

After clicking x again, you returned to simple wish screen you knew. Leaving Xianyun and Ga ming enough time to talk again before you check any of their profiles.

─ "Do you realize what you just did?" - woman asked furrowing her eyebrows

─ "Oh don't tell me you wanted to see cutie's sad face when they wouldn't get me!" - boy asked furrowing his eyes in response, his tone slightly annoyed

─ "No, I'm saying that if they or anyone who discovers about this reports it to Hoyoverse, they'll fix this 'bug' in a second. You might loose your self-awarness and so may I."

─ "Oh it won't happen! They're gonna triple crown me after all~"

─ "They saw me first I'm afraid."

─ "Maybe. But they said they're gonna triple crown whoever end in their first pull! And that was me as well!"

Xianyun rolled her eyes, annoyed by boy's confidence. She looked at your happy face from the other side of the screen and smiled on her own.

─ "How cute you are, my dear~" - she thought seeing you clicking on "characters" button

─ "I can't wait untill you start to main ME~" - he thought seeing you hesitating who to check out first

Author note: I wanted to write something based on actual genshin bug or so but since these 2 are coming out, I decided to just do classic self-aware fic. Still thinking of what next to do sooo I'll figure it out later!

[kitchenisking]

Day 4

Seires Fic Rec part 14

Queer Your Coffee by alisvolatpropiis - (Queer Your Coffee) - (Rating: Not Rated, Words: 3,084, sterek)

Derek's just over the city line when he sees a sign for an independent drive-thru place, Full Spectrum Brew. There are three cars in line when he turns in, which annoys him but gives him hope. Not that he really trusts the people of Beacon Hills to have much taste when it comes to coffee (god, he is a snob), but the shop’s popularity does seem to bode well. The line of cars moves way more slowly than he’d like, each customer in front of him seeming to take way too long to order, and then lingering when they get their coffee. He’s irritable from lack of sleep and an even more detrimental lack of caffeine, anxious to get out of the car. Finally it’s his turn and he slowly rolls up to the window, turning the radio down.

For a second, he thinks he must have fallen asleep while he was waiting, because what he sees when he looks in the window surely must be a dream.

Stunning brown eyes like glowing honey and sweet little nose, slightly upturned; a shapely pink mouth, bottom-lip pierced by a thin black hoop that he's worrying with the tip of his tongue as he smiles a gorgeous hello.

He's the most beautiful man Derek's ever seen.

And he’s shirtless.

It's a Beautiful Night by khasael - (Hale and Hearty) - (Rating: T, Words: 2,887, sterek)

Just because they're all almost used to fighting against the Creature of the Week and assorted other Bad Guys, doesn't mean it doesn't get Stiles's heart rate going.

Dream a Little Dream by Yoiko - (A Little Dream of Me ) - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 1,101, sterek)

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. And since this is my dream you’re going to let me do it.”

All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man. by devilscut - (There are nights when the wolves are silent and the moon howls.) - (Rating: Mature, Words: 11,687, sterek)

A shell-shocked Stiles regroups with the pack to find his father who has been kidnapped by the Darach. Their search leads them to the Nematon, where their confrontation with the Darach reveals her plans and that there is more to being a True Alpha than they know. Derek and his family's legacy is at the heart of her schemes and when the Darach has him under her control Stiles begins to realise the extent of how much he really cares for the sourwolf. In true Scooby-doo fashion, the villain has told them of her plans but more shockingly to Stiles she also reveals a very important aspect of his and Derek's relationship.

The virtue of patience by nofeartina - (Patience) - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 11,827, sterek)

Stiles isn't afraid of admitting his feelings to Derek, but that doesn't mean that Derek wants to hear it. 

Or the one where Stiles knows that all good things come to those who wait.

I Feel Like You Can't Feel the Way I Feel by i_might_be_in_over_my_head - ( Einherjar MC ) - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 14,087, sterek)

“Fuckin A, dude! The last time you gave me that look I ended up in the woods in the middle of the night, lost my inhaler, and almost died. Please tell me why you’re always trying to get me killed?” Scott shook his head resigned. He knew Stiles was going in and nothing he could say would change that. “If we wake up dead tomorrow just remember this was your idea.”

Stiles threw his fist in the air enthusiastically, almost punching Scott in the face, and turned to the door. He knew if he didn’t go quick Scott would probably change his mind and he’d have to start all over. “Dude that was sophomore year of high school, let it go! Plus dead body! We had to go. We’ll just have a drink and check it out. It’ll be fun!”

fingertips have memories by thatworldinverted - (let's talk about sex ) - (Rating: Explicit, Words: 1,800, sterek)

Pochemuchka (Russian), noun: a person who asks a lot of questions. 

"I saw the way you watched me, when I was home last month. How long have you been dreaming about getting me on my knees?"

seems to me it's chemistry by HalfFizzbin - (covalent bonds) - (Rating: T, Words: 4,153, sterek)

Awkward Nerd Derek has been crushing on Handsome Jock Stiles since forever—so getting paired with him on a Chemistry project is definitely the best/worst thing that's ever happened to him.

These next two fics go hand in hand. 😇

The One with All the Kids by Itsreallyjustforresearch83 - (Rating: G, Words: 6,527, sterek)

Derek didn't know what he did to deserve to have this again. A house full of people, of family. He's going to be forever grateful to that rouge witch for what she did for him and Stiles, because after all the hurt they went through together, many years later, they're standing in the Pack house, in their house, surrounded by their family.

A New Hale by Itsreallyjustforresearch83 - (Rating: G, Words: 4,543, sterek)

The Pack meets the werewolf cub that Stiles and Derek gets placed with them on Christmas.

[first-edition]

Fox and the Hound

Chapter 9

Sum-Joffrey wants to send a message to your family after your brother embarrasses him, so he marries you off to his most unwanted man in his court, the hound. But will this marriage truly be a statement for an eyesore, or will it grow into something more. 

Cw for chapter- mention of rape,mention of wine, alcohol consumption, Mention of vomit, mention of period/men trial cycle, talk of pregnancy, 18+ language and themes

Previous chapter here

Sandor didn't leave the following morning. He wanted to stay with you so he did. You stand in front of the mirror behind you and look of pure focus on his face. His large hands fiddle with the small delicate straps of the dress that he's helping you put on. You can hear him cuss under his breath.

“Would you like me to call the maids?” You ask 

“No, for fucks sake, I’ve got it.” He says you smile watching him through the mirror seeing his continuously  focused expression on the ties of your dress. 

“It's so fucking easy to get it off, why not on?” He mumbles. 

“That’s because you tore it off. I've gone through 4 dresses, one of many of which were gifts from the queen.” You say 

“Fuck the queen and her dresses, and this fucking bloody dress ties.” He says giving up and walking over sitting on the bed. You smile at Turning to see how much he'd completed, nodding in approval. 

“You’ve done most of the work.” You say before looking at him and walking over to him resting your hands on his shoulders his rest on your waist always seeming so small within his grasp. 

“Do you think stannis will be a good king if he takes King's landing?” you ask 

“I don't care. We'll all be under a king's foot whether he's a ‘good king’ or not '' sandor huffs resting his head against your chest. 

There's a knock on the door interrupting both of the moments you share.

“Enter.” you speak. Sandor pulls away from you. Your hand maiden walks in curtsying to you before she speaks. 

“Her grace the queen requests your presence my lady.” she says, eyeing sandor who glares at her for interrupting. 

“Thank you, could you help me with my dress?” you ask her. 

“Of course my lady.” She speaks and walks over to you scurrying around Sandor as you take your place back to the front of the mirror. She continues where he left off and tightens up the laces fixing a few things Sandor didn't do correctly. 

Sandor gets up walking over all his armor and begins putting it on. You notices as he clips together his pieces. 

“Are you leaving?” you ask him looking back to where he is. 

“If the queen requests you I'm sure that the king won't be far behind to request me.” he grumbles. You nod as he continues to fix his armor to himself in success all of it is on. He walks over to you seemingly larger than he already is with the armor set he has on. Leaning down slightly he places a kiss on your cheek. You lean into his gesture placing your hand in his, he pulls away and stands straight before mockingly bowing to you. 

“Princess,” he says. You giggle rolling your eyes at him. He walks off your hand letting go of his. He opens the large door disappearing from the room. 

“Shall I escort you to her grace my lady” your maiden asks as she finishes with your dress.

“Yes thank you.” you smile at her.

—-----

Walking into cersis chambers you see her standing on the balcony with a cup of wine in her hand looking down at the city below. 

“Your grace.” you are curtsy to her. She turns with a smile but it so fades as you see youtube not wearing a dress she sent to you. 

“Hello my dear..” she says, holding out her hand to you. You walk up to her, taking it in yours before she lets it go when you stand next to her. 

“Do you know what the greatest honor for a woman is my dove?” she asks

“No your grace.” you say. 

“Being there. We don't have to worry about fighting wars, or hunting bears, or betraying others because we are women. Women don't do that sort of thing.” she says you don't answer without knowing what to reply to. 

“Have you heard of the news?” she asks

“Which news do you have?” you answer. 

“My royal husband's brother is coming to take the throne, take king's landing…” she trails off. 

“Y-yes your grace in three days ti-” “Tonight” she cuts you off, your eyes widened as she looks back out at the people and you follow her eyes outwards you can see many guards stationed outside and the now barricaded walls and fortified outposts. 

“S-sandor said three days your grace.” you says

“Your husband. He was probably trying to not worry you my dove. Men can do that if they want us safe and I assume he wants the same for you. I called you here to give you this.” she says holding out a small vial of something for you. You take it in your hands. 

“Your grace..what is it?” you ask her looking at the liquid in the wax sealed glass vial. 

“Drink it when I send you back to your room tonight. All the women and children will be held under the keep to possibly have a chance at survival.” she says before chugging the rest of her wine. 

“I told was a woman's greatest honor is but do you know a woman's tears aren't her only weapon…there's one between her legs and when Stannis and his flock of cocks comes pouring through those gates he’ll find us and take us first. Take the weak ones begging for him to have mercy, to spare them.” she chuckles and rolls her eyes. 

“y-your grace..” you speak quietly. 

“Illan Payne will be with us of course but even he won't be able to withstand a strong current of horny, battle drunk men, like i said my dove they will come for the weakest,...smallest..” she says, looking at you up and down. 

“Youve not need worry in sure your lord hound wil bark and save you, after all who would want to fuck another dogs bitch.” she says obviously drunk. Your lips part open in slight disbelief.

“I’ll have to tell the dressmakers why the garment I sent in today didn't arrive..” she says before truing away from you.you curtsy shakily before standing again and walking out. 

A lump of emotion fills up in your throat as you place your hand on your stomach. Panic circling you. 

“My lady?” your maid says to you as she follows behind you. 

The feeling grows stronger only to turn your stomach. In fact, it was not emotion coming up into your throat…keeling over to a large plant you vomit into the pot gagging as you grip your stomach.

“MY LADY!” your maid rushes to you moving your hair out of your face and resting a hand on your back. 

You cough feeling the worst nausea ever as you stumble your knees giving out the feeling like the world is spinning. 

“YOU THERE! GET THE MAESTER!” your maid yells to a guard to rush out of view only to return a few moments later with him and another guard as well as two other of your ladies in waiting. 

“Princess are you alright!?” the maester asks placing a hand on your forehead checking for fever but there's no sign of any sickness. 

“M-my lady it..it may not be my place to ask but…when was your last bleed?” he asks for a moment everything stops as you go through your mind counting the days not realizing that you were supposed to bleed the next week after marrying sandor but it never came.

“F-fuck.” you speak.

“H-help me up.'' You say your maidens help you stand still feeling nausea but it soon subsides. 

“E-excuse me…” you say and hurry off down to your chambers, your ladies following after you. Your mind races with ways to explain it to sandor if he will be happy or not. You'd forgotten that the way to conceive a baby is the one thing you and sandor do almost frequently. You've heard him once scoffing at the idea of children and not caring when he has to tag along with Joffrey and Sansa at the orphanage. 

“M-my lady.” your maid says you snapped out of your thoughts stopping before your chamber doors seeing sandor two guards and joss who follows close behind him holding his sword which seems so much larger when its not in sandors hands. 

“My lady.” two guards and joss bow to you as they stop in front of you. 

“Wife.” Sandor speaks. But all you can do is stare up at him fear circling your mind, not fear of him, fear of tonight of what cersi was saying that stannis will not leave those who once followed the lannisters alive, fear for the ever growing babe that houses safety in your belly. 

“y/n.” Sandor speaks, taking a step to you. You involuntarily step back from him a twinge of pain in his heart full of hurt and confusion as to why to step away from him. Quickly correcting yourself you reach out a hand taking his arm. 

“N-no no i'm sorry I didn't mean..I-...Sandor..I..” you can't seem to get the words out of your mouth as tears well up in your eyes. 

“S-stannis is planning to invade tonight. I have to be down in the cellar with the other women and children.” you change your speech to something else. 

“What?” he asked. 

“Her grace the queen informed me.” you say. 

“You two go inform trant.” he barks orders at the other guards who rush through the halls telling others on their way there. Within minutes guards run through the halls to help form a barricade outside the walls. Sandor is about to leave with the rest when your grip on his arm tightens. 

He looks down to you but still you're unable to tell him. You let him go and he hurries off joss following after him,

Chapter 10 here

Tag list- @stephyshadows @germansarechill @urfavbiscuit

[heyclickadee]

Okay, a few thoughts on the trailer now that I’ve collected my thoughts a bit:

1. Between the shots of the crashed ship and Omega in the cockpit, it’s looking like a self-rescue on Omega’s part. At this point I’m thinking she gets herself and Crosshair out, and then, based on the shots of Cross with the batch, gets separated from him at some point. He rejoins the batch, and she is…somewhere else. Though I don’t know if that means she goes back to Tantiss.

2. It’s entirely possible that she gets got by one of the bounty Hunters in the trailer, and that’s what separates her from Crosshair.

3. I do think that it is Crosshair in the armor, but other possibilities include: one, Tech, who may not have his own armor anymore and needed to wear something protective on short notice, and; two, Hunter’s having a real bad time and is actually hallucinating Crosshair being with them. I don’t think that’s the case though—I think it really is Crosshair.

4. It’s also possible that those shots with Crosshair are from a little later on in the season.

5. Poor Omega’s going to be in Tantiss for months.

6. I swear Hunter looks like he’s lost weight. Like. I know a lot of the fandom is deep in the Crosshair and Tech are twins sauce (and honestly, I am too, I adore that head-canon and basically think if it as canon), but darn it if Hunter isn’t getting so drawn he’s starting to look a little like Crosshair.

7. I find it weirdly amusing that the half the trailer in which the bad batch actually features is mostly taken up by Hunter and Wrecker doing Adventure Man things. I get the sense they were scrounging to find shots of the batchers that weren’t massively spoilery (and they still put those shots of Crosshair in. Which, admittedly, is one of the things that makes me slightly suspicious of that being Crosshair at all, because that could be a misdirect, but only slightly).

8. I’m going to laugh if it turns out that Cid hired all of the bounty hunters we see to find Omega. Like, if that’s what she uses the money she got from Hemlock for, and she’s basically trying to get Omega out of the situation she got Omega into and goes a little overboard on the means.

9. Ventress! I’ll be honest, Ventress has never been at the top of my favorite character list, though I’ve warmed up to her quite a bit (I used to like the idea of her more than the execution), but I always love Nika Futterman’s performance, and I’m intrigued to see Ventress here at the very least. Because. How. She was very dead. Very, very dead. Not “fell into The Mists” dead—she had a funeral after being dead for months. My only thoughts are that were either seeing her in a flashback sequence that takes place before Dark Disciple, or it turns out that nightsisters can use their force magic to do some weird shit after getting hit by lightning. Either way, I don’t think she’s fighting Wrecker and Hunter here—that’s just some misleading editing.

10. Man, I hope Hemlock dies a lot.

11. Anyway, speaking of the dead and those back from it, Tech is so alive and I’m trying to not be the Smuggest of Gremlins until we for sure see him, but jeez are they making that difficult. (I checked the trailer release blurb on the Star Wars dot com page—it doesn’t mention Tech being dead. It just says the team is “scattered” after the events of season two. Like. Guys, you’re not even trying anymore.)

12. And more on Tech, I do think it’s possible—possible, mind you—that Tech is the guy we see in the clone X armor in front of what looks like the Archium. There are some small differences between that armor and both the armor we see on Clone X in season two, and the Clone X we see speaking later in the trailer—namely, the shoulder straps, what looks like a glass visor covering the two eyeholes, and *sigh* the pouches. And it’s the straps and the pouches that are giving him a bit more of a Tech-ish silhouette—especially the pouches, and especially from behind. If it is Tech, though, I don’t think it’s a brainwashed Tech at all (and honestly, it’s the pouches that make me lean towards not brainwashed if it is Tech in there, because a shin pouch is just a very Tech-and-not-blank-slate thing to wear).

I actually think it’s more likely that it’s Tech in disguise and having taken the armor from the Clone X we see later in the trailer (with some adjustments of his own), and that that’s what’s being referred to by the titles “Infiltration” and “Extraction;” Tech infiltrating imperial forces, and then the others having to get him (and probably the people of Pabu) out. And, if that’s the case, I’m banking on these shots being from the midseason. (I know I said I wasn’t going to speculate on the episode titles. That was aspirational.)

Basically, I could be persuaded that it’s Tech in there or that it’s not. I’m less likely to be persuaded that it’s a brainwashed Tech in there—I still don’t think that’s happening.

12. Whether that is Tech in that armor or not, I do think that the clone X we see speaking in the trailer isn’t the same guy in the armor in the Archium shot.

13. I am SO HAPPY to see Phee back THANK GOODNESS. I was a little worried they’d drop her like a rock, but nope! She’s here! She’s got her cool jacket! We see her ship!

14. There is a criminally small amount of Echo in the trailer, but I’m not giving up on seeing more of him. It’s possible that he’s either a walking spoiler, or that he features a little more heavily in the back half of the season.

15. “The Cavalry Has Arrived” is the most optimistic episode title in the whole damn show and, yes, I will die on this hill.

16. Crosshair. Oh, Crosshair. Someone please save him immediately.

17. There’s a lot of early doom panic around, well, everyone and everyone (especially Hunter) dying that I’m honestly going to ignore going forward. For reasons.

[jinjinxedsoul]

When The Sun Loved The Moon - Aegon II Targaryen

CHAPTER 4. QUEEN OF LOVE AND BEAUTY

130 AC

The swords clashed with force, and the metallic sound made the youngest of the brothers cover his ears. The man holding him in his arms chuckled at seeing him so annoyed by such trivialities.

“I want to fight too!” exclaimed one of the princes, looking at the older one.

“You already fought with Jaella and she left you lying on the ground.”

“Be more careful!” complained the silver-haired girl, pushing her older brother while rubbing her jaw.

“In the battlefield, no one is careful, princess,” Sir Erryk reminded her.

The teenager rolled her eyes and then threw her sword away, raising her hands in surrender as Jacaerys laughed at her, earning a new punch to the stomach.

“I don’t want to do this anymore,” Jaella complained, sitting next to Daemon. “Can you remind me why it was agreed that I should be trained in combat?”

“Something had to be done with your temperament,” Daemon shrugged. “Besides, I prefer that you know how to defend yourself rather than just be a pretty face, bear children, and smile.”

“Do you think I’m pretty?” she asked, looking at him with a surprised expression.

“You’re insufferable, Jaella.”

“But pretty, right?”

“Too pretty for your own good,” he added, not losing the irony in his voice. “That’s why you need to know how to handle a sword.”

Over time, Jaella’s relationship with Daemon improved, moving from individualism to starting to see each other as a complete family. Jaella hadn’t said it out loud yet, but she was beginning to consider Daemon as a father.

“I won’t let my sister have to pick up a sword to defend herself,” Jacaerys spoke firmly.

“And what would you do in the event of a war, boy? When you’re short on hands and swords, you’ll wish to draw support from the rocks themselves.”

“It doesn’t matter if the bloodiest war in history breaks out, I’ll make sure that my mother, my wife, and my sister never have to fight.”

“I’m very grateful for that, my sweet child,” their mother’s voice drew everyone’s attention.

Princess Rhaenyra walked over to them, lifting little Joffrey, who had jumped from Daemon’s lap the moment his mother arrived.

“I’m glad to see you’ve finished your duties for the day,” Rhaenyra announced. “We’re expecting a visitor this afternoon, and I would like everyone to be available to receive him.”

“A visitor?” Jacaerys asked, frowning.

“Your uncle Aegon is coming from King’s Landing.”

The news hit Jaella like a bucket of cold water, and her gaze instinctively sought her mother’s, who gave her a reassuring smile. It had been quite a while since she last saw Aegon; however, they continued to exchange messages whenever they could. Over the past few moons, those messages had carried repressed feelings and words she wouldn’t dare say aloud in front of anyone, but which involved Aegon’s promise to claim her maidenhood before it was taken by another.

Her heart raced, well aware that her uncle’s promises were not mere empty words; it was a silent pact she had happily accepted, but which filled her with a nearly suffocating nervousness.

She found herself both eagerly anticipating and dreading Aegon’s arrival, but there was little she could do to avoid it.

═════𖠁 ═════

She ran her hands over the fabric of her dress once more. During her childhood and even a few years ago, Jaella had almost religiously worn the blue colors of her late father's house. But as she grew, she favored rich burgundy fabrics with black and gold accents. The blue had almost disappeared from her drawers, though she still wore it when she missed Laenor.

That day, taking advantage of the slightly warmer weather in Dragonstone, she dared to wear one of her few short-sleeved dresses with a neckline that revealed her shoulders and collarbones. The burgundy color stood out against her siblings' darker outfits. Her hair, usually worn up, was left loose, with only a braid on the sides.

It was obvious to everyone that Jaella was trying to enhance her beauty for Aegon, though no one mentioned it, even though Jacaerys seemed particularly annoyed by all the attention his sister was lavishing on herself.

When they reached the stone steps, Sunfyre had already landed, and the prince, clad in emerald robes, dismounted from his dragon with ease. It was clear that time had been kind to Aegon, as his features were becoming much more mature and his bearing was now that of a man. Though he wasn’t very tall, he was considerably taller than the young Velaryon, who barely surpassed Lucerys' height.

Aegon seemed quite uncomfortable visiting a place he wasn’t used to and that his mother had insisted he avoid. However, when his gaze met Jaella’s, everything else seemed to fade into the background. Violet met violet, quickening his heart and drawing a bright smile from her.

“I hope your journey was comfortable, Prince,” Rhaenyra said as she approached.

“As comfortable as a dragon ride can be,” he replied with a half-smile, trying to lighten the mood.

“Why have you come to my home with such short notice?” Daemon seemed quite distrustful of Aegon’s visit, but Rhaenyra quelled his hostility with a glance.

“I’m sure Prince Aegon has a good reason for his visit, doesn’t he?”

Despite the princess Rhaenyra’s diplomacy, the younger brother could sense his sister’s nervousness and the subtle yet urgent way she was asking for answers.

“I’ve come as a messenger,” Aegon hurried to clarify. “Our father wishes to celebrate Princess Jaella’s nameday with a tournament, and at its conclusion, he plans to finally celebrate the wedding of my sister to Prince Jacaerys.”

Rhaenyra exhaled sharply, momentarily relieved by her half-brother’s visit; her muscles relaxed, and a smile spread across her face.

“That is excellent news,” the elder princess exclaimed. “I’ve arranged for a room to be prepared for you so you can rest from your journey. We are about to have supper.”

Although the dragon ride from King’s Landing to Dragonstone was not very long, the hospitality of the family was always to be well received. Despite what his mother might say, the young prince did not mind the idea of spending the night or even a couple of days at his sister’s home, especially since there was something more than the roasted pig in plum sauce at dinner that demanded his attention.

Dinner proceeded without major issues; in fact, one could say that Aegon, Rhaenyra, and especially Daemon put aside their differences to enjoy a meal like any family that hadn’t been consumed by the flames of discord. Rhaenyra noticed that her half-brother was also very different from how he was around Alicent, and this sparked an idea in her mind.

“Feel free to stay as long as you like. If possible, you can stay until the day we travel to King’s Landing for the celebration,” she offered.

“That’s a very generous offer,” the prince smiled, taking a sip of his wine. “But I’m afraid I can only stay a couple of days, or my mother will go mad.”

“Then feel free to do as you please. The island isn’t very large; I’m sure you’ll be able to visit the best spots during your stay,” the elder princess offered. “I’m sure Princess Jaella can give you a good tour; she knows this place better than anyone.”

Jaella held her breath at her mother’s suggestion. Throughout dinner, she had remained silent, aware of the furtive glances Aegon cast her way from time to time. It was all very strange, as she had never felt this way before, as if the mere attention of the prince was burning her.

“Of course, Mother,” she finally replied, forcing a smile that she hoped appeared natural. “It will be a pleasure to show the prince the secrets of our island.”

Daemon chuckled, fully aware of the double meaning that Jaella’s words might imply. The prince didn’t seem too pleased with the idea, but since the young woman’s mother was in favor, Daemon had little say in the matter.

“It will be a pleasure, Princess,” Aegon said in a soft voice, his tone laced with insinuation, which did not go unnoticed by any of the present.

Jaella looked down, her face turning red almost immediately, and her insides twisted with a mix of nervousness and excitement. She definitely wasn’t sure how she would face what was coming.

═════𖠁 ═════

“I thought you’d wait until morning to ask for a tour,” the princess declared.

Aegon had called for her shortly after dinner, asking her to take him on a tour of the garden. The prince knew little about Dragonstone, but he had heard from his father that the fortress’s garden was named after the Conqueror, just like him, so he had been curious to see it.

“I have been deprived of seeing the things I delight in for too long.”

From the moment her uncle had set foot in the castle, there had not been a moment when her cheeks did not flush, whether from Aegon’s subtle comments or the way his gaze seemed to see through her very soul.

“Then I won’t make you wait any longer.”

The prince’s smile widened, but he said nothing, simply following the path Jaella showed him, which was not very long. There was a certain excitement spreading through his chest at the thought of soon being away from the curious eyes of the servants, alone with her after having spent so much time apart.

They arrived at the Conqueror's Garden, where the silence was only broken by the gentle sound of water from the fountain in the center. The air was filled with the scent of pine, and the red of the wild roses and the berries growing there stood out vividly against the darkness of the night.

“It’s more beautiful than I imagined,” Aegon murmured, taking a deep breath and filling his lungs with the scent. “It’s darker too.”

“Everything in Dragonstone is darker than in other places,” she said with a smile, passing by him before approaching the fountain, sitting at its edge and playing with her fingers in the water.

“Sometimes darkness has its own charm.” The prince decided to sit beside her, quickly taking her hand and bringing it to his lips to place a gentle kiss on the back, which elicited a sigh from the young woman. “I longed to see you again.”

“Dragonstone isn’t that far from King’s Landing,” she said as if reproaching him. “By dragon, the journey is even shorter.”

“It’s not the distance that kept me from visiting you,” he smiled, caressing her hand without letting go, keeping it on his lap. “As time goes by, my mother keeps finding new responsibilities for me; the more occupied I am, the better it is for her.”

“I thought you were more rebellious than that.”

Aegon let out a small laugh that made Jaella smile.

“I thought that if I fulfilled my duties diligently, perhaps my father would see me differently and maybe... accept our betrothal,” he spoke so quickly that Jaella had trouble understanding what he was saying.

“Our? Yours and mine?”

“Why does it sound like a surprise to you? I think I’ve made it quite clear that I want you to be my wife.”

“It sounds like a surprise because the letters I receive from my friends at court paint you as a completely different person,” she said with a soft laugh. “They surely wouldn’t believe that Prince Aegon wants to get married.”

“Do those friends include Harland Arryn?” he asked, curiosity laced with what sounded like jealousy.

“If you’re worried about the messages I might share with Harland, you can dismiss it from your mind; yours are infinitely more... appreciated.”

A mischievous smile appeared on Aegon’s lips as he vividly recalled the contents of those letters, and Jaella blushed, or at least that’s what he thought from the way she seemed to avert her gaze nervously.

Aegon stood up and gently tugged on Jaella’s hand to get her to stand as well, which she did immediately. The prince pulled her closer to him, looking her up and down with a scrutinizing gaze. To him, there was no woman more beautiful in the Seven Kingdoms than his niece, and he wasn’t sure when he started considering her this way, but he knew he was right, and if anyone dared to question it, he himself would tear their tongue out... In fact, he had done it once before, with one of the women he was with in a brothel.

That woman had boasted that the prince had chosen her because she was the most beautiful girl in that place, even calling herself more beautiful than the Valyrian pearl, which made Aegon furious. He imposed severe punishment on her for even daring to compare herself with his Jaella.

“I’m glad to hear that” he murmured, placing one of his hands on the younger girl's cheek “That means you've taken everything I've said seriously”

She wanted to answer, but her throat seemed to be completely closed so she simply nodded softly, Aegon smiled even more and, unable to hold back, joined his lips with Jaella's. It had been too long since they had last kissed, but it was clear that there was a difference in the way they had done it then.

This time the kiss was more demanding, more passionate compared to the first one he had given her, Jaella had to search for some air in the middle of the kiss, her lips opened a little and Aegon took advantage of this to force his tongue into his niece's mouth; she was not so expert in the art of kissing due to the lack of a companion, but she tried to keep up with the pace he imposed on her

The prince’s hands were clasped tightly around her waist, gripping her as if she might escape or disappear, and Aegon had been a victim of that in his most pleasant dreams, where, in the end, Jaella always vanished.

He pulled away from her a moment later, only to bring his lips to Jaella’s neck. She was still wearing the dress from that afternoon, the one that exposed her collarbones, a sight that had driven him mad since his arrival. He had wanted to kiss her neck and mark it relentlessly so that anyone who even glimpsed Jaella’s skin would immediately know it belonged to him.

Jaella shivered at the contact of his lips on her skin. It was the first time someone had touched her this way. A sigh escaped her as Aegon began to trace a path of wet kisses from her neck down to the line of her dress, which was low enough to graze the top of her breasts.

"Aegon..."

The way she whispered his name, with a blend of desire and insecurity, made him smile against her skin. He knew this was an unfamiliar path for his niece, and though he wanted to be the first to lead her down it, he was aware of everything it entailed.

The words he had written in all those letters came back to her mind, making her tremble slightly, realizing that there was nothing she could do to escape the situation. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be with Aegon in every possible way, but she feared she might not be good enough for him.

Sensing the tension in her body, Aegon lifted his head and looked directly into her eyes. His hands remained still on her waist, tracing small circles with his thumbs to calm her.

"Shh..."

“You said…”

“...that I would take you?” He asked, and when she nodded, he added, “And I meant it.”

One of his hands moved up to her face, gently caressing it and then tucking the stray locks of hair that had fallen over it. He smiled at her and couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her once more.

“But I’m not going to take you here,” he continued, his voice barely a whisper. Jaella looked at him in confusion. “You’re not a whore or a maid. I don’t want to take you the way I take others. If one day you are to be my wife, I want to know that when you gave yourself to me for the first time, it was of your own will. I want to know that you chose it that way because that’s what you want.”

The princess swallowed heavily, processing the weight of his words. Aegon, whom everyone described as carefree and libertine, was showing her a side that no one else seemed to know. A side that made her feel special but also frightened her, as it implied an emotional responsibility she wasn’t sure she could handle.

“Besides, a mere garden is not what you deserve,” he said, still caressing her face. “Do you trust me?”

Jaella nodded firmly; there was no reason for it to be otherwise. Aegon had never given her a reason not to trust him, and despite all the gossip surrounding the prince, Jaella trusted him completely.

“That’s all I need right now.”

═════𖠁 ═════

“Congratulations, my prince, your performance in combat has improved considerably,” Sir Criston complimented from the ground, defeated by Aegon. “In a few months, you’ll be able to compete formidable against your brother.”

Aemond chuckled, a laugh quickly joined by Harland Arryn, who had recently joined the princes’ training sessions.

“I don’t have a few months,” Aegon complained once Sir Criston had left, not wanting him to hear anything.

“Why are you so anxious to become a good fighter, my prince?” Harland asked with his usual mocking tone.

“Don’t call me that,” Aegon requested with a grimace of annoyance. “We shared a woman at the brothel some time ago.”

Harland laughed, clearly entertained by the anecdotes the prince considered as a sign of closeness between them.

“Aegon wants to win the tournament that will take place in a few days, at Jaella’s name day celebration,” Aemond spoke up, interrupting his brother’s chatter as he didn’t want to hear any more. “To crown her as the Queen of Love and Beauty in front of everyone.”

Young Arryn raised his eyebrows playfully, earning a disapproving glance from Aegon.

“So that’s what this is all about?” Harland asked. Aegon remained silent, but to Harland, it was confirmation. “Don’t you think that might be a little… disrespectful to your betrothed?”

“She’s not my betrothed.”

Aegon was irritated by people referring to that graceless girl as his betrothed, especially since she wasn’t. She was a Tyrell girl his mother had found for him, invited to the tournament as a way to push a match between them; the girl’s family had arrived a couple of weeks earlier because Alicent wanted her son to develop some affinity for her before Jaella’s arrival. This, of course, was not working, as Aegon had refused to even spend a moment in her company.

“And you’re just going to publicly show your disdain for the engagement?” Aemond asked. “What about Lady Laisa’s honor?”

“That’s her name?” Aegon asked with a frown, clearly uninterested. Aemond rolled his eyes. “Lady Laisa’s honor matters little to me, and of course, I won’t be honoring her by crowning her at the tournament.”

“What will Mother say?”

“She’s already said enough,” the elder cut him off with a heavy sigh. “Don’t you think it would be a bit disrespectful not to crown the princess, considering the celebration is in her honor?”

“I think Prince Aegon is right,” Harland agreed, crossing his arms. “It’s well known that Princess Jaella enjoys that kind of attention. We don’t want to provoke a tantrum on such an important day.”

“And couldn’t any of us crown her with that honor?” Aemond seemed determined not to let his brother embarrass their house.

“I’m sure the princess would prefer it to be Prince Aegon who honors her,” Aegon smiled at Harland’s supportive words. The brunette placed a hand on Aemond’s shoulder and continued, “We’ll make sure you’re the one who wins the tournament.”

═════𖠁 ═════

The silver-haired prince withdrew his hand from beneath the skirts of the young Tyrell, glancing around to ensure no one had seen them. The corridor seemed deserted, and he relaxed a little. The girl smiled and pulled him in for a passionate kiss.

“Will you come to my room tonight?” she asked with a mischievous grin.

“If that’s what you want,” he replied, barely smiling.

“This might be the last night we can spend together. After tomorrow, I’ll likely be betrothed to your brother.”

“He doesn’t want to be betrothed to you,” he said coldly. “Why not avoid the drama and change the course of the engagement? I’m sure your father would be pleased with either of us. If you ask him to betroth you to me…”

The girl’s laughter interrupted him, a genuine burst of mirth that irritated Aemond enough to darken his expression.

“I came here to be promised to a future king. Why would I settle for marrying you when I could be the queen of the Seven Kingdoms?”

Aemond was not one to develop strong feelings, let alone romantic ones, but her words had certainly bruised his ego, and the sting in his chest was sharp.

“Aemond the One-Eyed, what would people think of me if I married you?”

“Lady Tyrell has a sharp tongue.”

Aemond immediately turned upon hearing that voice, a voice he hadn’t heard in a good number of years but always remembered consoling him when other children teased him.

“Princess Jaella,” the girl hastily greeted, with a curtsy that Jaella regarded with disdain.

“Quite a bold choice of words,” Jaella criticized, Aemond looked away. “Are you disrespecting my uncle? In my view, you’d be very fortunate to marry him.”

“I only… I’ve been promised to your uncle Aegon, Princess, and I…”

Jaella quickly glanced at Aemond for confirmation, and he shook his head slightly.

“Not yet,” murmured the prince, causing Lady Laisa’s face to flush with anger.

Jaella let out a small laugh that only served to further unsettle the other girl.

“Do you dare to boast a title you don’t yet possess, Lady Tyrell?” Jaella’s laughter became louder, and Lady Laisa’s eyes began to fill with tears. “Perhaps you should remember that a woman’s fate is not always as secure as she might like to think.”

“The Queen said that Prince Aegon and I…”

“It doesn’t matter what the Queen has said,” Jaella interrupted. “If I want it, you’ll never marry him, and if you do, I’ll make sure there isn’t a single peaceful day in your entire marriage. I’ll sleep in your bed, with your husband, and raise your children as my own.”

Laisa couldn’t help but sob, overwhelmed by despair. The princess had made it clear that she not only had the power but also the intention to destroy any hope Laisa might have had for a future with Aegon.

Aemond was clearly surprised by the fierceness with which Jaella, who was usually serene, spoke. He well knew that the princess often reacted abruptly when her family was mentioned or threatened, especially if those matters were related to her favorite uncle.

“I hope my words have been clear,” Jaella said, feigning a smile that contrasted with the devastated expression of the maiden. “Shall we, uncle?”

The prince nodded and, without giving Lady Tyrell a single glance, offered his arm for Jaella to take.

═════𖠁 ═════

“Are you alright?” the princess asked as they arrived at the garden.

Aemond made a barely audible noise as he nodded, feeling suddenly embarrassed that it was Jaella who had come to his rescue as if he couldn’t defend himself.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said seriously, but the Velaryon’s smile didn’t fade.

Jaella, like her mother, used to show her affection by gently holding people’s faces, which she did with Aemond at that moment. No one had ever touched him with such genuine affection. Perhaps his mother did, but her touch wasn’t as gentle as Jaella’s, and the women he had been with had only done so because they were paid.

“Family should look after each other,” she murmured. “If your brother and your mother won’t, then I will.”

A gentle caress on Aemond’s cheek made him sigh and close his eye, feeling momentarily content with that display of affection.

He didn’t say it explicitly, but he decided that he should also defend his niece if the opportunity arose. Although he was supposed to be loyal only to his siblings and mother, Jaella had consoled him many more times and with much more encouraging words, so he had a certain affection for her.

“The gods have been kind to you,” Jaella murmured after a few seconds. “You have a handsome face.”

“Not more handsome than Aegon’s for you, I suppose,” Jaella’s face turned crimson, and Aemond smiled broadly. “I’m just teasing you.”

Jaella let go of his face and gave him a light tap on the chest that made him laugh. It was rare to hear him laugh, but no less pleasant.

“The ladies of the court don’t find me as attractive with this patch, not that it bothers me, of course. But they would surely be horrified if I took it off.”

A wave of regret washed over Jaella as she recalled the reason for the loss of his eye, but she managed to stay calm.

“I would like to see it, if that doesn’t offend you.”

“It doesn’t offend me. I wear the scar with pride; after all, I won Vhagar that day.”

Aemond placed his hands on his face and skillfully removed the patch. Jaella held her breath, bracing herself to see the empty socket she expected, but she was pleasantly surprised when the blue sparkle of a sapphire gleamed beneath her uncle’s eyelids.

The princess’s fingers immediately traveled to Aemond’s face, gently caressing the scar that adorned his features, giving him a more imposing appearance.

“Symeon Star-Eyes,” she whispered, still marveling at the gem. “It’s a story that…”

“I’ve read it.”

The prince was quite surprised. Since Jaella had left King’s Landing, Aegon had been trying to get closer to him, spending several nights reading in his chambers. Among the many tales they had read, one of his favorites was indeed that of Symeon Star-Eyes, with which he had strongly identified after losing his eye.

The fact that Jaella knew the story made him understand why Aegon seemed so enthusiastic when telling it, and the fact that his brother had chosen to share it with him made him feel special and appreciated, something that had been difficult for him to achieve before. Aemond knew how important Jaella was to Aegon and how protective he was of their affairs, so this came as a pleasant surprise to the prince.

There was a moment of silence as Aemond readjusted the patch over his eye. Then Jaella cleared her throat and spoke, trying to bring closure to the matter that had brought them together.

“I won’t tell anyone about Laisa, especially not Aegon.”

“Aegon knows,” he said simply. She looked at him, puzzled.

“I thought he would be a bit more territorial about the woman who will be his wife.”

A burst of laughter escaped Aemond’s lips, causing Jaella to frown, unsure why her uncle found it so amusing.

“Even I, with just one eye, see things more clearly than you, niece. Aegon will not take a wife who isn’t you, and if he were to do so, that poor woman would never know what it’s like to be respected by her husband.”

“Do you think Aegon would go against his mother’s wishes?”

“Aegon has never really cared about anything except for you, of course. Do you think he would be willing to fight for an honor that means so little to him when he could fight for you, who seems to be the only anchor he clings to?”

She wasn’t sure if it was good or bad, but she adored Aegon, and as long as he was willing to challenge anything for her, Jaella could only repay him with the same level of loyalty.

═════𖠁 ═════

The atmosphere in the arena was filled with joy, the cheers deafening the ears of those present, but their spirits remained undiminished.

In the royal box sat the Targaryen family, accompanied by some of their most esteemed guests, including Laisa Tyrell, dressed in the green and gold colors of House Hightower. Rhaenyra’s family wore the characteristic black and red, except for Jaella and Jacaerys, who wore precious blue garments given to them by their grandfather in tribute to House Velaryon.

On the lapels of Jacaerys’s suit were embroidered silhouettes of Vermax and Dreamfyre with beautiful silver thread, symbolizing his union with Helaena. Jaella also wore an embroidered bodice, adorned with pearls and symbolic figures of those close to her, including, to the surprise of many, the beautiful golden embroidery of Sunfyre’s silhouette. This enraged the queen when she saw it and earned Laisa a few apologies from her.

Jaella couldn’t care less about the presence of the young Tyrell, knowing with certainty that no one was paying attention to her and that all focus was on her and her brother.

“What will they do first?” the young Velaryon whispered, leaning toward Jacaerys, who was sitting next to her.

“The jousts.”

Jaella made a face, as she had never been a fan of those violent games. Although she knew they were tradition, they always worried her more than entertained her.

“Do you know who will be participating?” asked Helaena, who was sitting on the other side of Jacaerys. Jaella shook her head slightly.

“My two brothers and Harland Arryn. They’ve been training quite a lot.”

The fact that Aegon would be participating filled her with a mix of emotions ranging from worry and pride to nervousness and excitement.

The knights were announced, and Daemon watched with amusement as his stepdaughter adjusted herself to get a better view of the young prince. He extended his mockery by glancing at Alicent while grinning unabashedly.

The first joust was announced, between Prince Aemond and a knight of House Baratheon. The Targaryen prince approached the royal box with his lance in hand and his helmet resting on his lap.

“I would like to request the favor of Lady Laisa,” he exclaimed. “Surely the goodwill of my future sister will help me win these games.”

Alicent’s face flushed, as it wasn’t supposed to be Aemond who made that request. The young Tyrell looked at the queen for a few seconds and didn’t rise until she nodded.

“Good luck, my prince,” she said, sliding the small garland of foliage around his lance.

Laisa’s gaze shifted to Aegon, hoping that he might at least be looking at her inquisitively, but the eyes of Alicent’s eldest son were fixed on someone else.

The combat was exciting, showcasing the prince Aemond’s great skills. Jaella and Helaena clapped enthusiastically when he was declared the winner. Alicent also looked proud, while lady Laisa seemed uninterested in the matter.

“Prince Aegon of House Targaryen will choose his opponent!” they announced.

Jaella sat almost at the edge of her seat, feeling a knot form in her stomach due to nervousness.

Alicent was also nervous, causing her to damage the skin of her fingers. Aemond had asked for the favor of his brother’s future bride, and she feared that Aegon might ask for Jaella’s favor. That would only earn them the resentment of the Tyrells, which they did not need. However, what Aegon did was even worse, for once he was at the foot of the royal tribune, he did not stand before Jaella but before her mother.

“I wish for the favor of my sister, Princess Rhaenyra, to win this tournament.”

The murmurs were immediate, and the princess seemed as surprised as anyone around her. Alicent wanted to get up and leave, feeling the penetrating gaze of her own father on her back, which contrasted with the bright smile that adorned the decrepit face of King Viserys.

Rhaenyra smiled widely, immediately rising to take one of the floral crowns. Aegon gave a slight nod when their eyes met.

“May the light of the warrior be with you in this contest, brother,” she said, still smiling as she slid the crown around his lance.

The crowd erupted in exclamations of joy. This was the first time Princess Rhaenyra referred to Aegon as her brother and not as her half-brother, which was seen by outsiders as a sign of goodwill and reconciliation between the houses. However, those closer to the situation knew that things were not as simple as they seemed.

And Alicent was sure that this simple act would cost her dearly someday.

═════𖠁 ═════

Several more matches took place as the afternoon progressed. Jaella had given her favor to the young Arryn, whom she saw was blessed by the gods with an incredible physical appearance and the gift of excelling in the art of combat. However, despite several knights standing out throughout the tournament, it was Prince Aegon who was declared the winner.

Alicent, whose irritation had lessened over the course of the event, smiled softly at Laisa, silently reminding her of what she had said earlier that morning. The queen had assured her that Aegon would crown her as queen of love and beauty if he was chosen as the victor, and she had said this with such certainty because her own son had told her so.

Aegon had the tiara brought out with which he would crown the maiden. Usually, it was a beautiful crown of flowers, but for this occasion, and aiming to irritate the honoree, Alicent had commissioned a fine silver tiara with intricate patterns resembling branches and leaves on the sides, joined at the front by a crescent moon adorned with a single precious stone.

The crowd watched with anticipation as Aegon, with the tiara in hand, made his way towards the tribune. Once there, he flashed everyone a bright smile and then approached the edge of the platform.

“I want to give this tiara to the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms, whom someday I will take as my legitimate wife and with whom I am destined to share my life.”

Aegon turned, looking at his mother and the young Tyrell, both of whom wore satisfied smiles. In the girl's eyes, there was a singular sparkle that the prince categorized as one full of hope and excitement. The silver-haired prince gave an almost awkward bow to his mother and then passed by, heading directly to Jaella's seat.

The heart of the young Velaryon quickened as she watched her uncle walk decisively towards her. She knew that this gesture could mean a great deal to everyone present, both in negative and positive ways, but that thought took a back seat as her enthusiasm was much greater than her concern.

With a firm gesture, Aegon lifted the delicate silver tiara and placed it on Jaella’s head. The attendees erupted in jubilant exclamations that the princess barely heard, as her attention was solely focused on Aegon, who smiled with enthusiasm as he finally crowned her.

The prince took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it, his eyes still locked on Jaella’s.

When he pulled away from her, Aegon, for the first time, did not search for his mother with his gaze. Instead, his attention focused on Rhaenyra and Daemon.

His sister, who was observing the act with a mixture of surprise and emotion, met Aegon's steady gaze. Her expression softened into a smile that seemed to hold both pride and an unspoken promise. Daemon, for his part, gave the young prince a satisfied smile while applauding the bravery of his nephew. A subtle nod was all that the younger prince needed to know he had done the right thing.

This gesture from Aegon was more than just a declaration of love; it was an affirmation of his will, one that would resonate in the days to come.

[chrissbluehat]

Nervous

Part 1 2 3 4

Pairing : y/n and Chris Sturniolo

Summary: You lived a pretty standard life, you kept to yourself mostly, and never felt you drew the eyes of anyone. Though this always felt conflicting when comparing yourself to friends. This was until a boy came into your life and flipped it completely around.

My account is a little more alive now so I'm posting this part :)

In that moment it felt like the world stopped, everything other than this paper felt like a blur. I continued looking down at the paper in awe until I fell conscious and felt the flush of my cheeks snapping me out of the trace I unknowingly fell into. My eyes quickly shot up to make sure no eyes had been on me in those moments, glancing quickly at Masie who luckily was in her own world and unaware of the wall around mine. I finished gathering my things and slotted the paper into the front pocket of my bag and walked off to my first class.

Through the day, as per usual, the idea of Chris swirled around my head and consumed me as if I was some kind of unsuspecting prey that was never fast enough to escape the grasp of him. Though the thought had a fresh concept. Messaging Chris. He must have somehow gotten my number and gave me his in hopes I wanted to reach out first, it didn’t make sense that he would just give out his first and not need mine otherwise. I wondered if he expected me to reach out first, I mean the idea was not that terrifying it’s not like i’m asking him out. Simply just starting a conversation between two friends. Friends. The idea had me shiver in my seat slighting, resulting in a quick glance from the kid that sat next to me in chemistry. I glanced back, shooting her a quick smile and then sinking back into my thoughts. 

What was I even supposed to say really, I thought to myself. I mean he's so awkward that I can't imagine just saying “hi” and hoping he starts a proper conversation. I dreaded the idea of small talk. It's so incredibly awkward and both parties want it to do nothing but end. No one truly cares for what is being said between the two, I hated the idea of dry conversations in hopes that it sparks something more than what they currently had.

I then thought about the number a bit more. Maybe he was using it as a ploy to work out how down bad I was. I mean who still hands out their number like that, it’s not the 90’s? If anything he should have given me his snap or something or just added me though I also didn’t want that kind of romance that doesn’t fill the right void, it all felt slightly artificial which is the last thing you want in a relationship.

I snapped out of my thoughts at the mention of homework, causing me to internally groan. I understood why we had to do homework but that didn’t make me hate it any less. I quickly copied down anything that seemed remotely important as the bell went off, I gathered my things and headed off.

Until lunch my thoughts remained pretty consistent, silently wondering if he would message me or if I would have to initiate the interaction. I had also wondered if I should tell Jenna. I didn’t want to constantly hide things from her, I knew that would start more fights between us but I couldn't bring myself to let her know. She was already disappointed in me for even talking to him, I couldn't tell her about the number. 

I walked into the lunch hall and took my usual seat next to Jenna. In that moment the guilt ate at me a little more than it had before, sitting next to her and acting as if I wasn’t betraying her word, more day in and day out. I tried to shake the thought out of my head as she started talking about something that had happened in her English Language class but my mind continued to wonder. The last person I wanted to see at that moment then walked past our table with his friends. I looked up as if instinctively and made eye contact with chris. I tried to hold back the blush I could feel coming but I knew it was written across my face so I looked down and leaned onto my hand and averted my gaze back to Jenna as she continued to talk. I could feel a couple eyes on me. Since Masie's confrontation the other day the girls make small comments about him when he’s close which is always slightly embarrassing, especially since I was trying to act like I liked him no more than a friend. A table of girls giggling whenever you walk past isn’t really getting the right message out.

“You guys don’t have to giggle every time he walks by, I don’t like him like that, we’re barely friends”, I said lowly glancing over at Masie who gave me a look that told me she didn’t believe a word of what I’d just said.

“Sure sure”, Lily chimed. 

“That’s not even funny Lily”,

“Guys she doesn’t like him, just stop talking about him”, Jenna added, taking the attention off of me, causing me to relax slightly. The bell eventually went off and we all headed off in different directions.

Back at home my mind was back on the number, it made me want to bang my head against a way in hopes the thought would disintegrate at impact. I threw myself onto my bed and put the number into my phone and labelled it just “Chris”, I would have labelled it ‘loml’ as a joke but I didn't want him to somehow see it and connect the dots. I opened the chat and started mindlessly typing in hopes it sparks something worth sending, but nothing really came of it. Instead I tossed my phone to the side and stressed to myself silently. I didn’t want to make a fool of myself. What if he regretted even giving me the number? My hands tangled into my hair and I groaned to myself. Why did he have so much control over how I felt? A part of me loved it but the other part made me wish i’d never spoken to him in the first place, the tug he’s had on my life since sometimes didn’t feel like it was completely worth it. In the end I decided to wait for him to message me first, I didn't want to come off too desperate, I mean surely it would happen soon enough. The rest of the evening I would glance at the notification bar of my phone, checking for his name. But the message never arrived. I sighed and went to bed wondering why he never messaged and questioned the whole situation. I wouldn’t be shocked if I woke up with a head of greys considering how much this boy makes me stress.

The next day I decided not to address it in homeroom, I didn't want to make things awkward. It was easier to act as if the whole thing hadn’t happened, it saved us both the slight embarrassment I know we would both be feeling.

The following week Jenna didn’t come in, she was apparently too sick to come in leaving me alone or at least I thought. The monday went by slowly and felt as if it dragged on a bit without her there. I hated school when she wasn‘t in, it felt more daunting than it usually did. Yes I had other people to hang with and I wasn't completely alone but they didn’t fill the void like Jenna did as much as I loved them. By Tuesday Chris picked up on my absence at lunch the day before. “Is your friend not in?”,

“Nope, how did you pick that up?”, I furrow my eyebrows slightly confused.

“Well you were obviously in yesterday because I saw you in the morning but then I didn’t see you or that girl at lunch so i was just wondering”.

“Yeah Jenna isn’t in, she’s sick so she's off for the rest of the week”,

“Oh”, he hummed. He suddenly reached down. I noticed him rustling around in his bag but I tried to avert my attention back to what I was doing so that he didn‘t think I was nosing on him, he then pulled out a book and grabbed a loose piece of paper hanging out of it and placed it on the table and retreated back to bag to grab a pen. I then felt a small tap on my shoulder, I turned to look at Chris, whose attention was on the piece of paper he had just pulled out of his bag. I looked down and realised it was homework. “Help”, he shot me a smile causing me to giggle. I grabbed the paper and he passed me the pen. 

“No, take the pen back, I'm only explaining it. You’ll never learn to do it yourself if I do it for you”, I laugh. He rested his face in his face and mumbled something that I didn't quite catch. I showed him how to work out his algebra homework, and as per usual he did it as lazily as possible. 

“Do I really need to show all this working out? I mean how else would I have gotten to the answer, this is so annoying”,

“It saves them moaning at you when you hand it, just show your working out”. He rolled his eyes and smiled going back to write on his paper. I talked him through the rest of the work and the bell eventually went off. We put our things away and he got up and headed out of the class shooting a quick smile at me and mouthed “thanks” before turning out of the door. 

The rest of the lessons rolled by again slowly without jenna. When i was leaving class for break olivia caught up with me and asked if I wanted to hang out with them since she realised I wasn’t there the day before, but I kindly turned down the offer and pretended I had to be somewhere but in reality I was heading towards a tree that was slightly shielded from the rest of the playground. It was peaceful there and shady which was nice in the heat that ran through the air currently. I sat down and grabbed my phone out of my bag, resting against the tree. A little after I heard footsteps approaching my space, I looked up and noticed it was chris. I furrowed my eyebrows. “What are you doing here?”

“My friends are in detention”, I laugh. 

“Why?”

“They don’t have a smart friend that can explain algebra to them”. He gave me a small smile, causing me to smile back at him, though the mention of friends was simmering around in my mind but I swallowed it down and acted as if it meant nothing to me because we were just friends and it shouldn’t hurt to hear him say it. 

“So you used me to get out of detention, I feel so valued”, I laughed pretending to be offended.

“You’re so dramatic”, he smiled down at me. His cheshire smile could light a hundred dark rooms, I fell harder every time I saw it, it made me melt but I had to hold myself and pretend I was completely normal about the guy in front of me. “Why aren’t you with your friends again?”,

“I’d rather be alone”,

“Oh do you want me to go then?” I took a second. Obviously I didn't want him to go. That was the last thing I'd ever want but he couldn’t know that. I shake my head causing him to smile. He sat down next to me, maintaining a reasonable distance and glanced down at my phone.

“Stop eyeing my phone, you’ll judge my feed”, I laughed, turning it away from him.

“Why, it will help me understand you better”,

“And why would you need to do that?,

“Because you don’t give off very much”, I tilt my head at him. “What you don’t”, he laughs, grabbing my phone from me and starts to scroll. If he was anyone else I would have fought for my phone back but for some reason not even a part of me cared for it back.

 We sat together for most of break talking about random things. He then sat back and realised the time. “I should probably get going, their detention must be over now”. He got up and dusted himself off and started to head off, waving me off. I waved back and then watched as he grabbed his phone from his pocket and started typing into it. I started to get myself together to head back to class, but then I heard my phone ping beside me. I picked it up and the screen lit up. His name was on my screen.

[justtwotired]

Hi!!

so i saw that you posted a marauders prompt list and i was wondering if you could do one for me?

so i was thinking of you writing prompt 1&4 with remus. like specifically he gets into a fight because someone was decided to talk bad about the reader while he was around and he wouldn’t stand for it. (no pressure if you don’t wanna write this or make any changes to it).

Thank you!

Hiii, yes ofc I can do that, thank you so much for the request<3

“Idiot.” Remus chuckled as Y/n balanced a play on her head. Sirius gave her a light shove and it almost fell but James caught it before it happened.

“Idiot.” Remus said after they had tripped over their own feet and landed on the floor.

They kissed him on the cheek as they headed for their ravenclaw friends in the great hall, and he looked down, blushing. “You idiot.” He murmured.

Now, they where walking trough the corridor and they excitedly told Remus about their day and how Pandora had accidentally used a charm on their teacher instead of her appointed object.

They were rambling on and on about it and two boys in front of them laughed.

“Oh, Merlin! And then she was all apologetic and stuff and bla bla bla.” They mocked them while laughing. “Their such an idiot.” One said and Remus felt his blood boil as Y/n went quite next to him, and suddenly, he had a bunch of confidence.

“Hey!” He walked up to the boys who turned around. “You can’t call them that! Only I can call them that.” He said angrily and the boys exchanged glances before smirks grew on their faces.

“So what, Lupin. What will you do about it? It surprises me you can stand being in a relationship with them.” One said mockingly. This took the cake and Remus punched him square in the face and Y/n’s eyes widened as the other didn’t hesitate to protect his friend.

They couldn’t do anything as the boys easily overpowered Remus. The pushed him and he fell, they kicked him in the stomach and ribs before walking of laughing and Y/n quickly darted forward to come to his aid.

They helped him up quickly and he held a hand over his stomach. “Are you alright, love? Why did you do that? Can you walk? Shall I get a teacher?” They rambled as they helped him to stand. “I’m fine, darling.” He said a bit raspy.

He pressed a kiss on their forehead but they where still looking at him with a worried expression. “I’m taking you to the hospital wing, come.” They stated and put an arm around his waist as he leaned slightly on them for support.

Madam Pomfrey spent some time helping him heal and then they left again.

“That was stupid, Remus. You could have gotten badly injured.” They told him sternly. “You don’t have to protect me like that.”

“I do, because I love you and no one can just mock you like that. They where just some stupid boys who needed to learn a lesson, which I could not teach them, but Sirius can.” Remus said and Y/n widened their eyes. “Since when do you support Sirius picking fights?” They asked.

“Since today.”

[cloudsmateria]

that one summer in 2003 - leon kennedy x reader

im planning on continuing this, but this is just a short start.

words: 939

basically i was thinking, what if leon kennedy ended up with an avoidant attachment after everything he went through? which is a reasonable conclusion as he never ended up with anyone, and couldn't go for claire because he had an avoidant attachment (or just couldn't get ahold of ada).

it would be perfectly reasonable to suggest that he had an avoidant attachment or for him to have ended up with one after both his parents died due to gang violence and now he works in an incredibly violent job where people he knows and is close to die around him all the time.

AND his fucking ex gf left him (one that he really loved since he was fucking drinking all night because of it and the consequences of that were mad since he had to experience raccoon city which fucked up his whole life). Ada pretended to kill herself in front of him after they started something and for years he thought she died.

he would be scared of whoever he's interested in getting hurt because they're involved with him, or just innately scared of losing them after everyone else. so i just thought it would be cute to write a little prologue about a romance w an avoidant leon kennedy.

i would love to see more fics w an avoidant leon kennedy

Leaning against his shoulder, both at the top of the edge of a cliff, the sun just starting to set. He took another sip of his beer, passing it to you. This was a common weekend since the start of summer, finding some music festival or a nice beach to camp in. 

"So, where's the party tonight?" He asked, the breeze pushing back his hair.

"The city. Jill's friend's birthday, and she's rich." You answered.

"Is that the one you want to go to?"

"Not today, I like us like this." 

You heard him laugh quietly. "Adorable."

You smiled, leaning your head on his arm, his hands wrapping around you. "I hope this never changes."

He kissed the top of your head. "I'm glad we did this."

"Getting drunk and looking at the ocean?" 

"Looking at you… And other things." He whispered into your ear, making you laugh.

"Like what, hmm? Kissing you?"

"A bit more than that."

You had no idea how you ended up with Leon. You had no idea why he chose you. He was so out of your league but in your friend group that you couldn't even have a crush on him because it was certain that it would never work out, but he was an easy friend. Freakishly easy to speak to, although slightly edgy and relatable. Everyone loved him. Even worse, he was attractive and good at everything he did. Any time he was around people were laughing, someone would always choke on their laughter when he was there. 

Although you knew you were at least one of his favourite friends, always passively trying to be in your group when it came to group events, although you didn't realise it was because he liked you until you started speaking. The competition between you was palpable, everyone loved watching you both fight at every competitive night out. Rock climbing? Laser tag? Kayaks? Sandcastles? Somehow you both managed to make it competitive. For 4 years you kept that type of friendship until you broke up with your boyfriend at the end of spring.

It was raining that night, walking home from the karaoke bar since this time your houses were in the same direction. He gave you his jacket, although you didn't think twice about it. From there, it was more natural for you both to speak one-on-one and then you made plans without the others... You thought it was friendly, again, why would he pick you? You knew he had a line of girls for him in his other groups. In fact, it took him a week of flirting for you to realise that he was actually trying to be romantic and not trying to make a joke. Swept off your feet in a heartbeat, he came out of nowhere. How stupid.

And after that week, he asked. 

"Are you sure about this?"

"About what?"

"Doing this. Us."

"I don't think I've ever liked anyone this much." Instead of what usually would've gotten a laugh, he nodded with what was almost a grimace. 

"I need to warn you before this goes anywhere."

"Okay."

"When I get close to people, I get distant. I can't do anything about it. It just happens, I try to stop it, but all I can do is warn you."

"That's fine."

"I don't want to hurt you, especially not you."

"What about me?"

"You're kind, not like the other girls I've met, you don't deserve that."

"Why would you hurt me?"

"I just have a bad feeling."

"I would give you space if you needed it." 

"That’s not the problem. But can we do this but not put a label on it? We'll be exclusive, act like a couple, but not a label." In your head, that was a relationship. You were screaming inside, he finally asked.

"Can I ask why?"

"If there weren’t a label, maybe I wouldn’t get distant since it’s not official. Every time I’ve been in a relationship it hasn’t ended well, I’m scared of getting too close and people leaving me."

"I wouldn't do that."

"I know but it's just a gut feeling when I get close to people." He never went into detail but some of his self-deprecating jokes made it clear, at least to you that his life was fucked. You knew he struggled to get too close as even when a conversation about the death of someone close came up when you needed to let it out, he immediately shut it down, changing the subject without making it awkward. He was uncomfortable with all that personal baggage, his own, and everyone else's. You wished you were that socially adept to so casually manipulate a conversation. 'I can fix him' was the only thing you were thinking of, the only red flags you saw were heart-shaped. Two fucked up people would be perfect for each other. 

"Let's do it." 

Bit by bit, he gave you tiny fragments of the shitty parts of his life, not enough to know what had happened to him at all, but to know that he was depressed although you couldn't believe it from how lively he was. You knew that the years of his life since he was a child were full of despair although you never knew why. He was a rebellious boy, getting into fights, and substance abuse, and he was trying to leave it behind. All of the mystery just drew you in further. He was all you could think about, gushing at even the thought of him, checking your phone every 3 seconds even though you knew he couldn't have messaged that fast. 

No one knew about it in your group as it just never came up, and you both spending a lot of time together was normal. The little glances and comments at each other kept it exhilarating, sometimes his hand would rest on your thigh at dinners which made you go silent. 

[jisungchan]

30 minutes | na jaemin

or: where your friend convinces you to get a massage for the first time

further on this drabble i wrote

⚔︎ warnings: masseuse!jaemin x collegestudent!reader, afab! reader, hella petnames from jaem (angel, sweetheart, etc.) softdom!jaemin, nipple play, fingers in mouth, fingering (f!receiving), lighttttt praise (more like encouragement idk), NO race specific descriptors (skin colour, hair texture, etc.), NO body type specific descriptors (size of reader body parts, height, weight, etc.), no piv... jaem does NOT whip his dick out sorry... if i missed anything lmk!

~2k word count

a/n: giving the people what they wanted (by people i mean me and two others)

with the stress of school, your friend had just the thing she said would help you relax and destress.

“i’m telling you! a quick 30 minute massage is perfect to help you work out all this tension in your body!’ your friend said, walking behind you gripping your shoulders.

“i’m not sure, i’ve never had one before; it’s making me even more tense because i’m nervous…” you trailed off, thinking about being practically naked while a stranger felt all over your body. 

with no time left to turn around, you two walked into the doors of the small massage parlour.

massage parlour near your college town. the inside was dim, with warm lamps illuminating the front room. there were green plants everywhere - hanging from the ceiling, the walls, and some on little plant stools. the faint smell of lavender and eucalyptus coming from essential oil diffusers filled your senses as you got closer to the front desk. standing behind the counter was a friendly woman, in about her late 30s, she smiled as you two walked up.

“brought a friend this time, y/f/n?” 

“yup, if you think i’m stiff, wait until you see her.” 

you simply rolled your eyes, taking in the rest of the surroundings as your friend finalised the appointment with the receptionist. finally, she led you two to the hallway, where there were only 4 different massage rooms. she gave you each a fresh warm towel and robe and notioned to your rooms.

rooms,

two opposite rooms.

sensing your confused face, your friend laughed at you, 

“what, you thought i booked us a couple’s massage or something? go! i’ll see you in a bit, hopefully you’re feeling better then.” she snickered and disappeared behind her door. 

following suit, you went into the, once again dimly lit, room. this time, peach and vanilla hit your nostrils. the room was quite small, a cushioned table sat in the middle. similar greenery around like the lobby, with a sprinkle of pink flowers. you start to undress, simply taking off everything but your bra and underwear, opting to leave them on for some sense of privacy. you slip the robe on and sit on your phone, waiting until the masseuse comes in.

after a few minutes, you heard three knocks at the door. jolting up, you meet eye to eye with him.

him…

why were you under the assumption your masseuse would be a woman? you had no clue. wondering if your friend might have strategically picked out the masseuse for you.

“hi sweetheart, i’m jaemin, and i’ll be helping you out today, is that okay?” he asked with a sickly sweet grin. stepping into the room completely and shutting the door behind him. he donned a simple black shirt with loose jogging pants, a comfortable pair of slippers at his feet. you couldn’t help but take a deep breath, he was hot.

his arms had a few veins slightly protruding up to his biceps, which seemed to be fighting against the hem of his sleeve. his chest held itself in a proud position, square and present, which was a contrast to how small his waist was, disappearing under the fabric of his tee. his collar exposed some of his collarbone, shining in the warm lighting of the intimate room. his face, he had plump lips which adorned a small smile. his skin was glistening from within - looking as plump and bouncy as his lips. his hair set a bit messy, but not enough to take away from his beauty, though you’re not sure if anything could take away from his attractiveness.

“hello? you doing okay there angel?” he asked again, teeth showing as he laughed a bit at your obviously flustered state. 

“oh! uhm yea, all good!” you replied quietly yet eagerly - eager to get this massage over so you  can curse your friend out in the car. 

he walked over to you, making your heart race even faster. “let’s take your robe off and get you ready, yeah?” he asked as one of his hands went to undo the tie and the other went to your collarbone, slowly peeling it off just the top half of your body. 

he chuckles again as he sees you in your bra and underwear still,

“trust me princess, it feels much better with all of your clothes off.” 

he then turns you by your shoulders, facing away from him, as he undoes your bra clasp, lightly grabbing the strap and placing it on the pile with the rest of your clothes. 

sensing your rigidness, he leads you to the table, all but two steps, and helps you lay down, keeping you facing away so you don’t expose yourself to him.

he places the towel over your lower half, then finishes taking off the rest of your robe. 

being in such a vulnerable position, you felt goosebumps all over your body, awaiting his next move. you were face down through the hole in the table, trying your best to regulate your breathing. 

“first massage, is it?” he asks, rubbing his hands with a faint sweet smelling oil.

“y-yeah…” you stutter, trying to make yourself as comfortable and relaxed as possible. 

he chuckled, “it’s okay, i’ll take good care of you, but you have to relax, can you do that for me love?” he asks, hands softly hitting your back, starting to rub the oil all over. 

you mutter a quiet yes, letting him get to work. 

he starts on your lower back, working out all the tenseness from your lumbar, working his way up to your mid back at your waist. admittedly, it felt nice. you could feel your mind emptying as you worked his magic with his hands. working his way up to your shoulders, he put a bit more strength into massaging the knots out.

“what’s got you so stressed, hmm?” he asks, seemingly genuinely. 

“school.” you say flatly, focusing on the way his large hands work their way into the grooves of your muscles and release tension. 

he moves down your arms, massaging your biceps and forearms, making his way down to your hands. he takes your one hand in his two, and slips his fingers in between each one, lightly yet firmly squeezing along all sides of each digit, making sure you feel him on every area of your body. he takes your palm face up in his hand, using his other to gently press into it. using his thumbs to splay across the skin. you feel your hand submit into his hold, reveling in the way it feels. once he’s done with both hands, he delicately places them back at your sides.

he walks down the table to your legs. starting at your feet, he works similarly as he did to your hands, working his way up to your calves, he feels the muscle and uses his flat palm to firmly rub up and down. moving onto your thighs, he wraps his large hands around each thigh, using his thumbs to manipulate the flesh and dig into your softness. as he inches closer and closer to the cusp of your rear, he again has his hands wrapped around your lower hips, using his long thumbs to swipe just where your rear ends and your thighs meet. he fingers are so lengthy, you can feel them dangerously close to your pelvic bone, almost skimming the outer edge of your panties. you lightly moan at the feeling, hoping it was quiet enough for him not to hear.

what you didn’t see is how his ears perked up to the beautiful noise that just came out of your mouth. he looks up at the back of your head, which seems to be pressed into the head rest a bit further than before. he releases your hips from his grip and goes back to your shoulders, flipping you around.

your face immediately blushes and your eyes widen, arms quickly going to cross against your chest. 

“this is a full body massage, so let’s see how your chest feels, yeah?” he asks, the same utterly sugary smile adoring his lips as before. you simply nod and slowly lower your arms back to your sides. looking to the opposite side as to try to hide your face from the embarrassment present. 

he reaches for more oil, this time drizzling it directly on your chest, causing you to hiss and arch your back at the cold sensation. his smile turning a bit more devious at your reaction. he reached down and takes each breast into each hand, taking the malleable tissue and squeezing it every which way to his liking. he lets one of your breasts go, opting to softly caress your stomach, while the other lingers to pinch your nipple. 

“ahh! jaemin!” you squeal, back attempting to arch, but his other hand on your stomach presses it back flat. 

“shhh, it’s okay, it feels good, doesn't it?” you nod, one hand up by your mouth, as he continues to twist and pull at each nipple. eventually, the hand on your stomach goes down under the towel, toying with the waistband of your underwear. as he continues his efforts at your chest, his lower hand then moves to feel the seat of your heat, gently pressing to feel your wetness seeping through the thin material. your breath hitches once you realise, and you snap your head back forward to look at jaemin, who is already looking at you. 

‘how about i massage her too, hmm?” he asks, and you just can’t say no when he looks at you with a face that looks like he genuinely wants to help you. 

you eagerly nod your head yes, but he tsks at you. 

“words, darling. need to hear you say you want me to feel her.”

you squeak out a yes, please. and that’s all he needs before he throws the towel off of you.

“‘i think she’s feeling a little neglected, let’s fix that.” is the last thing he says before he pulls your underwear down and off, you bare cunt, glistening with evidence of your need. he taps thrice at it, making you cover your mouth to muffle your yelps. he moves your hand down, and places two fingers in your mouth. 

“full body massage love, gotta make sure every part of your body feels my touch.”

his eyes are glued to his fingers massaging your pussy. his fingers glide teasingly up and down your slit, catching your clit every time he goes up. a muffled please tries to speak around his fingers, and he smiles softly before circling around your pulsing entrance. your hips jolt up in an attempt to push him inside, where you need him the most. sensing your urgency, he pushes a single finger in, tantalsingly slow, and you sigh in relief before he pushes another one in you. clamping down on him in shock, you moan as you’re lightly gagging on his fingers. he slowly motions in and out, shallowly thrusting his fingers into your dripping sex.

“there you go love. you’re so tight, need you to relax a bit for me.” he says as his finger goes to your clit, giving it dainty circles to help you ease up. finally allowing yourself to relax back on the table, your body starts to rock back and forth as he quickens his pace. you suck harsher on his fingers, and he looks back to you with adoration written all over his face before looking back to your gushing cunt. your slick is dripping onto the table underneath you and getting all over his hand. the sound of you squelching around his fingers and the moans coming from your mouth are barely disguised by the faint sound of the parlour’s ocean waves music playing in the background. 

he finally starts rubbing firmer shapes onto your clit, and you start whimpering harder around his digits, your eyebrows furrow as he starts curling his fingers inside you, hitting a new spot which has your eyes fluttering and your heart racing. his fingers leave your mouth and grab you by the chin, moving you to face him. 

“open your eyes when you cum for me sweetheart, need to see what that pretty face looks like when you finally relax.” you try your best to keep your eyes open, thighs threatening to shut around his hand as you get closer and close to coming undone. 

“please please please jaemin, wanna cum…” you mutter, one of your hands trailing down his chest to feel his abs under the fabric. 

“you can do it angel, just stay focused on me.” he says, guiding your hand further to feel his throbbing erection under his pants. you groan at the contact and your eyes flutter back up to him as he goes impossibly harder on your poor weeping pussy, aching to come undone. 

which you do, as soon as he gives you one particularly long and hard thrust. you let out a broken moan as you shake around him, his hand still going at it in your overly sensitive cunt, riding you through your orgasm. your head falls to your side, and you buck your hips as he slowly stops his motions. he brings his fingers up to his mouth, licking them clean as he hums pleasantly at the taste of you on his tongue. 

you breathe out deeply, letting out a long sigh as you feel the towel delicately wiping you dry from your sweat and slick. 

“how about next time you book a 60 minute massage? i don’t think i got your throat good enough.”

a/n2: RAHHH so hear me out... 60 minutes part 2, then 90 minutes part 3... let me know...

taglist: @bockhyun @nctspark