#riding alongside him to meet the best friends you ever had

[longagoitwastuesday]

I just read an article on The three musketeers and it has left me teary eyed

[littlefluu]

𓍯𓂃𓏧 E N H Y P E N F I C R E C S

AUGUST 19th, 2024 RECOMMENDATIONS

WELCOME TO A SMALL LITTLE COLLECTIONS OF RECENT WORKS I ENJOYED (I was really busy with uni so there isn´t that much new material here! For more recommendations check out my main masterlist) ⤷ GO BACK TO THE MAIN ENHYPEN MASTER LIST WITH EVEN MORE RECOMMENDATIONS ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

ALL OF THE MEMBERS

love. f. moments where they realize they are in love or when they fall harder than they did before ᝰ fluff, short scenarios, all members .ᐟ₊ ⊹

Maybe in another universe !? by @leaderwon a. enhypen members texts after you pass away ᝰ sad, angsty SMAU, all members .ᐟ₊ ⊹

LEE HEESUNG

teeth by @gyuuberryy f, sug. you were not thrilled about the move in of your new neighbour. mostly because he was so strange and seemed to be hiding something dark. and partly because you couldn’t stop yourself from getting closer to him because of your unwanted attraction. you were determined to expose his dark secret and get rid of him once and for all. but, it was proving to be a difficult task because he was just so irresistible..and needy. ᝰ enemies to lovers, vampire!heeseung x reader .ᐟ₊ ⊹

talk tomorrow by @soobnny f. drunken confessions ᝰ best friends to lovers, heeseung x reader .ᐟ₊ ⊹

predictable predicament by @timextoxhajima f,s. so you're best friends with the campus hottie who happens to be the quietest one in his group of friends. he's different with you though. ᝰ best friend! heeseung, fluff, smut in the least explicit way .ᐟ₊ ⊹

PARK JONGSEONG

7:18 AM by @ashtxrie f. jay surprises a very sleepy y/n with breakfast. ᝰ established relationship, pure fluff, heavy domestic content timestamp, jay x reader .ᐟ₊ ⊹

Naturally by @ikeuverse f,s. ★ jay has always been very private about his love life and physical contact in front of his friends, but a comment from his work colleagues made him rethink some things. ᝰ established relationship, fluff, smut, domestic , chef!jay x fem!reader  .ᐟ₊ ⊹

How you get the girl by @jaylver f, a. ★ Beach parties are supposedly fun and exciting, aren’t they? Wrong. Experiencing college parties is rare for you, but you decided to give this one a go after your best friend’s constant pleas. Things were alright until everything turned sour when trouble found you and eventually you were roped into a fight alongside the campus’ famous hockey playboy. As if that wasn’t enough, the devil himself conjured up an idea that you found yourself being entangled in. It was all fun and games up until confusion arose, feelings being confessed and played, in the end, Jay had to learn how to get the girl, his girl. ᝰ strangers to frenemies to lovers, fake dating au, college sports au, romance, fluff, angst, secret pining, ice hockey player!jay x afab!reader .ᐟ₊ ⊹

SIM JAEHYUN

Car rides by @jlheon f. a sequence of events from your and jake’s senior year ᝰ neighbors to lovers, fluff, highschool au .ᐟ₊ ⊹

SOUL SISTERS f. where layla shows how much she cares about the growing life inside you. ᝰ fluff, heavy domestic content, husband!jaeyun x pregnant!reader, .ᐟ₊ ⊹

break the ice by @jaylver f, a. ★ Punching a guy in the club then kissing him not long after at a hockey game wasn't exactly a fairytale, but for you, it was your reality. The worst part of all it wasn't even the incidents that happened, but the fact that you didn't know him or his name. That was until another stir of events that happened which caused you and him to actually meet, so what was the best way to break the ice after a disastrous punch and a shocking kiss together? A date. It could be love at first sight, or more accurately, it was love at first punch, or … kiss? ᝰ strangers to lovers, college sports au, romance, angst, ice hockey player!jake x afab!reader.ᐟ₊ ⊹

Midnight train (back to you) by @jaylver f, a. ★ You declared to the world that this summer will be yours. Ever since you’ve left home to chase your dream further in Europe, you never dared to look back, leaving your friends and family along with the precious memories there, including your silent love for your closest friend. Years passed, you were making a name for yourself and chasing that fame, settling in perfectly fine and eventually moved on with life. All was well until the transfer window came, announcing a new addition to the men’s first team, who also happened to be your childhood best friend, Jake Sim. Summer in Spain wouldn’t be what it is without experiencing lots of rekindling, heartbreaks, fallout but also a shot at love. ᝰ childhood friends to lovers, college/professional sports au, romance, angst, pining, (slight) slow burn, pro-footballer!jake x pro-footballer afab!reader .ᐟ₊ ⊹

PARK SUNGHOON

Insatiable by @moonhoures s. your vampire bf suddenly becomes clingy which can only mean he’s hungry or horny . . . or both ᝰ non-idol!au, vampire!au, smut, sunghoon x reader .ᐟ₊ ⊹

Fatal trouble by @gyuuberryy f. your roommate is hot. really really hot. and odd too. really really odd. after a strange experience with him, you slowly start distancing yourself from him. but, it becomes exceptionally hard with your feelings coming in the way. how are you supposed to protect yourself if you can’t resist him? the answer is you don’t need to. your fates are intertwined and there's no letting go. ᝰ roommates to lovers, vampire au, soulmate au, vampire!sunghoon x reader .ᐟ₊ ⊹

MS. & MR. President by @jlheon f. seeing your ex in public leads to hiding in a small photobooth with your annoying student council vice president park sunghoon ᝰ non-idol!au, frenemies to lovers, sunghoon x freader .ᐟ₊ ⊹

CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE by @jaylver f, a. ★ Having a one night stand wasn’t your forte, but with the help of adrenaline, and most definitely not alcohol, you managed to rope yourself into one. Worst part of all was the fact that you didn’t even know his name! The only distinguishable part of him was his blinding white hair. You figured you will never see him again after, but you were so wrong. Your friend practically set you up for failure after convincing you to take her place on a blind date to try and drive the guy away, only for it to be the one you slept with, who also happened to be your mother’s best friend’s son that you met right before that.  ᝰ strangers to lovers, college sports au, romance, comedy, slice of life, angst, (attempted) he fell first but she fell harder, slowburn-ish, ice hockey player!sunghoon x afab!reader .ᐟ₊ ⊹

RIKI NISHIMURA

supernova by @star-sim f,a,h. riki was the city's top hero, you were the top villain. when your archnemisis pulls up to your apartment late at night, all battered and bruised, you just sighed and took him in. you were a villain, not a monster! ᝰ hero! riki x femvillain! reader, superhero! au, enemies to lovers, hurt/comfort, fluff, a lil bit of angst .ᐟ₊ ⊹

duck by @jlheon f. you want a sonny angel hipper ᝰ Idol bf! nishimura riki x fem! reader, established relationship, fluff .ᐟ₊ ⊹

MY FAVORITE AUTHORS THIS MONTH @jlheon ★ @jaylver ★ @gyuuberryy

[asvterias]

𝖯𝗋𝖾𝗍𝗍𝗒 𝖡𝗈𝗒 ~ 𝖩𝖺𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝖱𝖾𝗒𝖾𝗌

Part 2 | Part 3

Warnings: Jealousy & Allusions to Sex/Sexual Thoughts

Pairings: (FWB) Jaime Reyes x (FWB) Black!Fem!Reader, Best Friend!Milagro x Best Friend!Reader

Summary: Being friends with benefits with Jamie is hard to keep undercover, in hopes of Milagro never finding out. The number #1 rule is to be strictly sexual and not explore romantic feelings for the other. What happens when that rule is broken?

Word Count: 2.5k+

Tag List: @drqcrys @mageneire @websterss @pxachy-tea @moralesszz @odiesdayoff @allthingsvicf @tinkerbelle05 @alienstardust @lemonyboy97 @alastorhazbin @writing-fanics @veronicarose20 @conicoroahre @gay-dorito-dust @presidentbarbieirl @kayla2233454-blog @sodacatz @n7cje

Author’s Note: Watched the Blue Beetle movie recently and I was hooked on Jaime Reyes. This is my first time writing for Jaime Reyes, so he might be a little out of character but hopefully you like it!

Spanish Translations

“Por qué me estás mintiendo, Jaime?” — “Why are you lying to me, Jaime?”

Sneaking around can be full of excitement alongside the adrenaline of the whole ordeal. You and Jaime were secretly fooling around, being extremely cautious around his sister who was also your best friend. You didn’t even know how you ended up in this complicated relationship with Jaime Reyes. It started with two people under the influence of alcohol, both with the straightforward intention of getting laid and it ended with a confused hangover and a hurried conversation of forgetting about the whole affair.

At first, you two had avoided each other like the plague, sometimes accidentally crossing paths whenever you visited the Reyes residence or from basic errands that needed to be fulfilled.

Then the longer you two distanced yourselves from each other, the more agonizing it felt for the both of you. One day, Jaime snapped which led up to you two heading to bed for a passionate night. The morning after having sex, you two discussed your unofficial relationship and coming to terms with being friends with benefits and nothing more than that.

It was a simple and easy rule to follow, right? Wrong! How very wrong that you were! Too bad that you were breaking the rule. How could you not fall in love with him? With those beautiful doe dark brown eyes, his long curly hair, and his alluring personality, not to mention being completely star-struck when riding his di—

Oh, his voice…him speaking Spanish to you while in the most intimate positions has you craving for more.

You always missed the comfort of his arms at night as you watched him get dressed and leave, heading back home to avoid suspicion from his family. If Jaime’s family ever caught wind that he was not technically single, they would go ballistic, eager to meet the person and neither of you wanted that unnecessary attention.

It was finally official, you certainly loathed mornings, especially when Jaime spent the nights before. There were rare moments when he’d be able to stay the night with you. Luckily for you, today was one of those rare days.

Normally, he would claim that he’s the big spoon, but his sleepy smile widens when you’re the big spoon instead. His favorite sleeping position is lying on top of the softness of your breasts. Sometimes he would wake up face first right in the plushness of your breasts, that was always a good way to start the morning, wasn’t it? Your hands would subconsciously tangle themselves through his thick curly hair, softly massaging his scalp, sending him into a peaceful sleep.

You stirred yourself awake, no longer feeling the presence of Jaime lying on top of you. You tiredly stretched out your limbs, wincing at the soreness from your breasts down to your mid-thighs. Jaime certainly wore you out last night.

Very faintly, you heard the quiet shuffling and muttering of words. Regretfully, you slowly open your eyes, your eyelids still heavy as you rub the sleep out of them.

“Hmm…morning Jaime.” You yawn, scratching your braids through the satin red bonnet.

“Did I wake you?” He mutters walking over, giving you a quick kiss on the forehead, and continuing the search for his belongings. You assumed that he just came out of the shower. He wore a towel around his waist, dripping wet, glistening over his abs and that sight made you think unholy things. There was no way that you were still thirsty for him. Come on, you’re still recovering from last night and you were greedy for more the following morning?! Have some self-control, for once!

You shook your head, disposing of the lustful thoughts. “Wanna stay for breakfast?” You suggest, nervously gnawing on your lower lip.

“I would love to, but I have to quickly run an errand for my mami and then head over to work with Jenny.” He dried himself off, putting on a pair of boxers and an undershirt.

He opened your closet, digging out his ironed suit that you prepared a few days ago.

“When are you off this week?”

“Today and Sunday are my only days off this week.” You inform him, watching him get dressed, “I could run the errand with Mrs. Reyes, so you’ll get a balanced breakfast before heading to work.”

“Oh, really thanks (Y/N).”

“Anytime, pretty boy.” You reply, taking your bonnet off. Jaime blushes at the nickname, feeling giddy whenever you use that phrase. “What time do I need to leave?”

“About a quarter past eight..” He murmurs observing his watch.

“Speak English, please.”

“It’s 8:15 and my mami needs to leave around 9:30.” He advises, looking at your vanity. “Where���s my necklace?” He turns to you.

“You have to come get it..” You tease, wiggling the piece of jewelry in your hand. He chuckles at your playful yet seductive tone.

Crawling to you across the bed, he gives you a soft kiss making you caress his face. The slow sensual kiss lasted a few seconds, and even though you wanted to stay in the loving moment, air had become difficult to maintain, both of you pulling away from the kiss. You flutter your eyes open, catching him staring into your eyes with a hidden glint that makes you flush, which makes those butterflies run wild in your stomach.

“Come here, I’ll help you put on your tie.” You offer, shuffling towards the edge of the bed.

He sighs, allowing you to fix the tie underneath his collar. Your faces were so close that you could have fainted right then and there, completely embarrassing yourself on the spot. You started to worry, wondering if he felt you staring at him. Turns out, he was admiring you and he wasn’t ashamed of it. Once you finished his tie, you cleared your throat and smoothed over his suit, straightening out invisible wrinkles.

The Mexican boy faces you again. “What time do you get off on Saturday?”

“Probably by 10 or 11 pm.”

“Perfect! I’ll see you Saturday night.” He promises, giving you a reassuring nod.

“Yeah,” You agree with a lovesick smile on your face, “I’ll see you Saturday.”

You handed him the necklace but he stopped you, “Keep it, it looks better on you anyway.”

You tilt your head to the side, feeling yourself tingle with goosebumps as he appears from behind you and he gently brushes your braids away. You gathered your braids together, bunching them up into a messy makeshift ponytail, giving Jaime area to put the necklace on. Once he clasps the jewelry on your neck, you release your braids as you grin at him.

Smiling sweetly in response, he steals one last kiss from you and hurriedly leaves, shutting the front door. Even though you two were friends with benefits, he still was the kind and sweet man that you knew all those years ago.

You sigh, lingering your fingers on the necklace, fawning over the mere kiss that he shared with you. It was an empty kiss so it should be treated as meaningless, but it hurts your heart for you to wish otherwise.

Later that evening, Milagro helped you pick out an outfit for your blind date. Jaime tagged along with Milagro, under the impression of wanting privacy from his family.

You and Milagro picked out a nice evening dress, concluding that it was the perfect dress.

“You look so sexy in this.” Milagro squeals, momentarily catching Jaime’s attention. His eyes shift from his sister to yours, scanning the outfit that you are wearing, shamelessly checking you out. You did a little twirl to display the entirety of the dress, your eyes solely locked on Jaime to figure out his reaction. She was right, you looked so sexy in the dress. Maybe too sexy for another guy.

He noticed the mischievousness in your body language and decided that two could play that game.

“So…” Jaime ponders, lightly gritting his teeth, using his phone as a distraction, “What do you know about this guy?” His question was directed to you, attempting to conceal his jealousy. Slow and steady wins the race.

You turned to Milagro who spoke for you, “Duh, dummy, we don’t know who it is, that's why it’s called a blind date.”

“Wait! You’ve never even met this person before?” His eyes widened in surprise, processing the newfound information.

“Jaime, are you slow or something?” His sister asks. She rolled her eyes and continuously tapped her forehead, “Think, dear brother. Just think.”

He fakes grins at his sister and looks back at you. “It could be dangerous for you.”

“Okay, and I have a taser in my purse if anything goes wrong. I can take care of myself.”

“Why are you so interested in my best friend’s love life all of a sudden?”

“Just looking out for her.” He mumbles.

“Hmmm…” She sounds skeptical, surprisingly trusting her brother’s word.

All of a sudden, Milagro’s phone rings, indicating that her pizza order is ready. “I’m gonna pick up the pizza. Be back in 30 minutes.” She grabs your car keys and her wallet, leaving the apartment.

As soon as the door slammed shut, Jaime spoke his concerns for you.

“So…you’re going out with someone else.”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Then you should also know that I’m going out with someone else.” He boasts proudly with a tight-lipped smile.

“Oh, really?” You bite the inside of your cheek as jealousy boils through your veins at the thought of Jaime seeing someone else. Surprisingly, you managed to keep your jealousy at bay, refusing to let Jaime have the upper hand here.

You realized what he was doing, and he wasn’t going to win. It was so obvious that he was lying to you. So he decided to stretch the lie, just to witness your breaking point, “Her name is Maria Gonzalez, her family just moved to the neighborhood and we hit it off great. I also have her number.”

You remained nonchalant, continuing your mascara on your left eye, “Okay…good for you then?”

“That’s all you have to say?” He scoffs, folding his arms.

“Well, what do you want me to say? You want me to act jealous and forbid you from seeing this other girl?” You click your tongue, “Now that you mention it, no new family is moving into your neighborhood otherwise Mrs. Reyes would have told me, and I would have offered to decorate welcoming baskets with her and Milagro.”

Shit! You caught him in his lie. His eyes widened in surprise at your quick response to his lie.

As a matter of fact, he was more proud than scared of your realization of his lie. Your intelligence and ability to understand between the lines were one of the many traits that he loved about you. Intelligence is the glue that holds it all together, not that there aren’t many more characteristics from you that he adored. He would never put any other characteristic above the other, harboring his mutual love for all of them. After all, you attended Harvard, majoring in nursing, and left with multiple degrees.

“Por qué me estás mintiendo, Jaime?” You looked at him through the mirror with a pointed look.

Switching back and forth between English and Spanish daily was a neat trick that you mastered with ease. To be honest, Spanish was a beautiful language, and you just wanted to experience the full meaning of it.

You learned Spanish for your best friend and her family, wanting to connect with them on a personal level. At this point, you became fluent in Spanish and could hold decent conversations with the Reyes family in their native language. The Reyes family even made jokes that you would someday marry a Latino.

“I don’t know..” he shrugs his shoulders, “Maybe…I’m just confused right now.”

“May I remind you that you wanted us to be a casual fuck from time to time, and besides we also agreed on seeing other people.”

“Yeah, but—“

“Yeah, but what? You want to change your mind now?”

“Actually, I do.”

You paused from doing your mascara, making eye contact in the mirror with him. Of course, you weren’t expecting that answer. His statement rendered you speechless, allowing the silence to overtake the room. You gulped silently, intently watching him stalk toward you, almost in a patronizing manner to tease you even further. You were frozen, unaware of what he might do to you and it somewhat turned you on. The small thud of the mascara tube dropping on the vanity brought you back to your senses.

“…We shouldn’t do this, Jaime.” You lightly warn the boy. Jaime remains silent, making you consistently aware that he is gorgeously checking you out from behind. He made you so flustered to the point that you were stupidly smitten with him that it was almost ridiculous. It was a miracle that you couldn’t see a black girl’s blush.

“Milagro‘s gonna be back soon.” Your tone was soft.

The air was still tense as he nodded, his eyes still intently focused on your physique. Nervously, you began to play with your braids as your body squirmed under his gaze. The things that Jamie made you feel were out of this world. You held your breath, dilated dark brown eyes studying his every move that he made. It was the familiar gust of his infamous cologne that gave his sudden presence away, noticing his breathing was lingering on you. You shudder, minor goosebumps forming on your arms.

“Then, we just have to be quick, don’t we?” You swear that you could’ve felt his hard dick straining against his pants.

“Listen here Jaime—“ You were cut off by his hands roughly wrapping around your throat, raising your head, catching an upside down angle of the 22-year-old. A warm pair of lips was planted onto yours, reclaiming full jealousy as he slipped his tongue in your mouth. In a matter of seconds, the inviting kiss escalated into sexual tension, quickly heating the aura of the bedroom.

likes, comments and reblogs are highly appreciated!

© asvterias, 2023. please do not plagiarize any of my works.

[nathaslosthershit]

A Big Question (Teen Dad!Oscar AU) Part 2

(Read part 1 of this duology first!) (Part 9 of Teen Dad!OP au) Summary: Oscar needs to mend what he broke and he needs to do it fast

Getting into the car, Honey whipped the tears from her cheeks as she made up a lame excuse as to why Oscar wasn’t with her. The driver knew that she wasn’t being truthful, but thought it best to let the girl be. Having dessert and drinks in the picnic basket that Oscar had set up for the two of them after dinner, Honey decided to not let the total night be a bust and have her own moonlight picnic on the beach while she sulked. 

Back at the restaurant, Oscar sat alone for a few minutes, digesting what had just happened before he got up and paid the bill. Walking outside, he had expected the car to still be there. Now stressed out, he got his phone to check where the car was heading, a frown appearing as he saw she was on her way to the beach, alone. 

While it wasn’t necessarily his decision to go back to racing so soon, he would be lying if he said he wasn’t thrilled that he would once again be in the car. He knew he had fucked up in the past by not prioritizing his family, but he had learned from those tough few months and wasn’t going to let it happen again. 

Deciding to let her have some time to process, Oscar ordered a car to take him home. He had expected to get back late and had told Lando to take the guest bedroom. So his friend was also not expecting him home so soon, and when Oscar came home early, alone, and clearly upset, Lando was worried.

“Mate! What happened? Where is she? Did you get to-” Lando jumped up from the couch to meet his teammate at the door.

“No, I was interrogated and let it slip about what my meeting was about and before I could say or do anything, she left the restaurant.”

“Where is she now? Do you know? She could be in trouble, it's late!”

“She took the driver and went to the beach, I assumed she wanted to be alone.” “No, you muppet! You should have absolutely followed her! Why would you let her go off alone when she is upset? She doesn’t even know the full story and you are letting her think the worst.”

Oscar hadn’t thought of that, he probably should have gotten all he wanted to say out first before leaving her alone. God, he was such an idiot to let this happen again. To his credit, Lando was being very helpful. It never dawned on Oscar that he could need relationship advice, for his relationship of 7 years, from Lando Norris himself.

“Fuck, you’re right. But I did leave her, what should I-”

“Go to her! Jesus, Oscar what are you waiting around for, this was supposed to be the perfect night and you fucked it up 45 minutes into it! Fix it now!” With that, Lando shoved his friend out the door.

Driving closer to his average speed on the track rather than the speed limit, Oscar jumped out the car the minute he saw what looked like his girlfriend’s silhouette on the sand. He had spent the short car ride thinking of what he was going to say, how he was going to fix this. The moment she looked up at him though, hiccuping from her cries, everything he had rehearsed went out the window.

Instead he got down on the sand and held her tighter than he had in a long time.

“I don’t want to end up the way we were, Oscar. We were miserable, even before the fight.” She sobbed into his neck.

“I know, sweetheart. I don’t want to end up that way either. Never, ever again.” He replied soothingly, even though he could feel his heart breaking alongside her’s.

“I just felt so alone. Watching you choose your career over me, over the kids! It was so hard to see time and time again. I am not that strong.” “Hey, you are stronger than you know possible, my love. I know I have put you through hell, getting you pregnant at 17, reacting terribly to the news, then making so many empty promises and prioritizing the wrong things. But I promise, Honey, I will never ever make those same mistakes. I meant what I said before, you are it for me. I will never love anyone the way I love you, and I will spend the rest of my life making up for my shortcomings.” He said as he cupped her cheeks, whipping away the tears. 

Seeing her smile once again, he reached into his pocket to pull out the box that had been there all night. Her eyes lit up at the realization of what it was.

“Oscar, I-”

“I know this is a terrible time, I am the reason you were sitting here, alone and crying, but this is what I had planned all along. I was, of course, going to tell you about the meeting, but after I did, I wanted to reassure you that I wasn’t going anywhere, that I would never be leaving your side for as long as I live. My career is only going to get more hectic and unpredictable as time goes on, but I am going to go through it with you all as my priorities. I am in it to win, but I am also in it to provide for you all, and I sure as hell am going to return back to you all after every race. I love you so much, Honey, ever since I saw you at that karting track, months before you had even looked at me. I know I said ‘I’d knock your socks off with this second proposal’, and I was going to! But there is nothing more important to me right now than you knowing how much you mean to me, how much the kids mean to me. So please, my love, will you marry me?” He quickly got on one knee and opened the ring box. It was the same ring as before, but he had added two tiny stones onto the band, framing the much larger diamond, on one side was his birthstone, on the other, her own. 

Trying to reply had been harder than she thought as all these new emotions of relief and unadulterated happiness caused her to, instead of answering him, sob even harder into his shoulder.

“I know this is a lot, but if its too much, if you don't want to marry m-”

“Yes! Of course I do Oscar! Oh my I- I am just so relieved and emotional I can’t-”

“Shhhh, its okay I promise.” He laughed, tears of his own starting to fall as they held each other.

Several minutes were spent recuperating until Oscar was finally able to slip the ring back onto her finger. “I hope you didn’t eat all the dessert, I was kind of hoping we could eat it together.” Oscar joked.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t touch that. The wine on the other hand-”

They sat in each other’s company well past their usual bedtime, the twins normally tiring them out enough they can’t stay up past 10. But with the engagement firing them up, they were still wide awake as they both stumbled home, deciding in their tipsy state to take the chauffeur and leave Oscar’s car there for the night. 

Lando, who had taken to the guest room hours before the happy couple got back, was relieved when he was woken up to giggles being interrupted by what was clearly a make out session. And as he heard the couple close their bedroom door, he decided it was best to put his noise canceling headphones on in order to not scar himself for life, and to let them enjoy their night without any listeners.

oscarpiastri

liked by logansargeant, mclaren, landonorris, and 938,269 others

oscarpiastri Second times the charm or whatever they say. Who cares- I am getting married!

[1d1195]

Traditional Extra VI

Read Traditional here

Here's a little angsty bit from our lovely (jealous) MC this time around based on this ask

~4.5 k words

“I think you should talk to him.”

“No way,” she snorted. “Do you know how embarrassing that would be? And pathetic.”

Louis laughed. “The man has literally fired his best friend over jealousy of you. This is nothing,” he promised with a shake of his head.

“You don’t need to go with me, baby.”

“M’not arguing ‘bout this,” Harry muttered holding the door open for her to go through first. As she passed him, he glared at the cast on her delicate arm. For the last six weeks he looked at it loathingly. It hurt him to know she was in pain those early weeks, shaken, and physically broken.

Fortunately, it was the last day of glaring at it.

Things were better at Styles Incorporated. Her brilliant idea of course was beyond helpful, lifesaving in more ways than one. Harry was certain without it he would have had to make some deep cuts and would have ruined an innumerable number of his employees’ lives. They didn’t even know she was responsible for the idea.

Thanking her would never ever be enough.

Niall wasn’t fired anymore. She brought Harry tea every day at quarter past one. His office was spruced up with new furniture and electronics once more. Niall caught M&Ms in his mouth that she tossed from her desk and passed notes to her during meetings. Everything was right again.

Except her fragile arm. After the first week, she claimed it didn’t bother her (it didn’t, truly; but Harry was miserable about it). It was a little inconvenient. Showering was a challenge, but Harry rarely let her do that on her own without a broken bone, so it wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Having sex with a cast on was also her least favorite. There was nothing un-sexier than a honking plaster on her forearm. Harry swore it didn’t even register in his brain.

I hope this doesn’t bother you... But m’never looking at your forearm when we’re in bed whether y’have a cast or not.

So, there was that.

Harry was still Louis’ least favorite person. It made him extremely anxious; in some ways, he was more worried about Louis’ feelings for him than her arm being broken or even the state of his company. There was no her if Louis didn’t like him. She reassured him that he was being extra, and she would speak to him, but he was certain Louis would melt him with his eyes if he could.

“It wasn’t his fault, Louis!” She whined laying across the sofa dramatically. “You’re being the worst right now!”

Louis shrugged. “I don’t like that you got broken.”

“It’s not like Harry was the one that crashed into me or snapped my arm,” she reminded him.

“I don’t care; you shouldn’t have left.”

She groaned. “So blame me!”

“Never,” he shook his head decidedly. Even getting Eleanor to talk him off the ledge was no help. Louis was almost unbearably stubborn. Eleanor swore she would keep working on him.

Once the cast was off, she was hoping it would go back to normal.

That day was today. She waltzed up to the counter to check in and then sat beside Harry on the hard plastic chairs. He was on the phone while she checked in, speaking in hushed whispers so as not to bother the others in the waiting room. It was definitely a business call—it was the middle of the day and she almost got away with leaving without him knowing and fussing but Niall told him.

Niall walked toward their office when he dropped Harry off at the elevator beside her.

“Tattle tale,” she glared at his retreating figure. He turned his head over his shoulder and winked at her with a telling smile that he didn’t care at all.

Harry frowned. “Kitten,” he sounded so hurt waiting alongside her. “Why didn’t y’tell me?” He pouted.

She sighed. “Because you’ve been so fussy. They’re just going to take it off. Plus, it’ll smell and—”

The elevator pinged with its arrival cutting her off from listing anything else. The nice thing about riding the elevator with the CEO was rarely did anyone want to be caught in the elevator with Harry. It meant they often got to make out privately in the middle of the workday. Harry stood at the back, leaning against the handrail. He looked at the ceiling as they descended the floors with the world’s weariest sigh. She stood beside him and tilted her head up as well. “I’m tired of you being upset about it.”

“You’re the most important thing in the world t’me, kitten,” he reminded her. “M’not taking this lightly.”

She smiled sadly at him. “I know. I know, baby. But you’re... it’s not your fault. And I don’t need you to be here for this. I know you’re busy. I saw your schedule. That’s why I didn’t tell you about it. If you had the time I would—”

“I’m never too busy for you,” his look was nearly ferocious. Intense and serious. Way too much for getting her cast sawed off on Thursday. He grabbed her hand and twined their fingers together. “Y’have t’know that,” he whispered. “I’d...I’d give up everything for you.”

“I don’t want that,” she shook her head with a little eye roll, but the gravity of his words ached her heart. She could feel each syllable shaking her body and soul.

“I love you,” he whispered.

She smiled. “Say it again,” she teased.

He chuckled pressing his forehead to hers and pecked her lips quickly. “I love you,” he repeated.

“Again.”

“I love you,” he promised and cupped her face between his hands and kissed her until the elevator brought them to the main floor.

“You can stay out here while it gets cut off,” she offered when he ended the call and scrolled through a plethora of texts and emails.

“Absolutely not,” he murmured without looking up from his phone.

She rolled her eyes and crossed her good arm around her stomach and let the cast arm lay limply in her lap. He was way too overdressed. It wasn’t his fault. He was just dressed for work. A button down tucked into a pair of fitted slacks. He looked like a model for Armani. She stared at him and looked at her outfit—having known she was leaving early for the cast cutting, she wore a pair of leggings and a jersey dress over it. She was comfortable—not overdressed but still presentable for work. She looked like a mess in comparison to Harry.

“S’matter?” he asked glancing from his phone. “Are you in pain?”

“You look really nice,” she murmured.

He smirked and shook his head. “Yeah? S’that make y’sad?”

“I look like a goblin right now.”

He chuckled, tucking his phone back in his pocket. He shook his head. “You look beautiful. You always do.”

“Hey Harry, what are you doing here?”

They turned to the sound of the woman standing at the door leading to the patient rooms. The woman was stunning. Even in scrubs, with her hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Her cheekbones were sharp and accented by the prettiest contoured makeup she had ever seen. Her eyelashes were full and lovely. She was almost certain they were natural.

Her jaw dropped a bit just looking at her, seeing that she very obviously knew Harry.

“Oh, hi, Soph,” Harry stood and cleared his throat. “Um... my girlfriend,” he gestured holding his hand out for her to take and she rose to her feet. “Her cast is coming off today.”

“Oh, you can come this way. Sorry! That was a bit unprofessional. Just surprised to see Harry,” Soph smiled sweetly and gestured for the pair of them to walk through the door. She glanced at Harry as she followed behind the pretty woman in scrubs. Harry looked a little paler. If she wasn’t so obsessed with him, she might not have noticed the change in his expression. But she had seen the worry in his eyes hidden behind the careful front he managed to keep composed when he talked with other businessmen and businesswomen. Usually when they said something that irked him because he disagreed with their philosophy or work ethic—Harry was good at what he did and had been for a while. It was hard to listen to all but bad ideas.

But she hadn’t seen it in relation to a woman she had never heard of. Was Soph short for Sophia or Sophie? Or something else? How did he know her? Why did he call her by a nickname?

“How’s your arm feel?” She asked gesturing for her to sit on the patient table while she walked to the counter to type on the chart on the tablet she carried.

“It’s fine. I think it could have come off two weeks ago,” she said still feeling weary about how Harry knew her. Harry rolled his eyes.

“She’s been trying t’rush the healing process,” Harry said.

Soph smirked. “I don’t blame you,” she said looking back at her. “It’s no fun with a cast. I was in a splint for my ankle after an ice-skating thing, remember how irritated I was?” Her question was directed to Harry. She felt the pit of her stomach churn and warm with anxiety.

Harry smirked at the memory almost instinctively. “I remember,” he mumbled quietly. It felt like a knife had been twisted in her heart. She hoped her face wasn’t betraying her internal feelings.

Soph pulled the saw off the table that would cut the plaster off her arm. She had trouble focusing on what Soph was saying because she was almost unbearably pretty. Soph went through the standard cast-cutting procedures as if she said it a hundred times a day and showed her how the saw wouldn’t cut her, pressed it to her own hand as proof and reminded her to speak up if for whatever reason she felt pain and wanted to take a breather.

“You two know each other?” She couldn’t help but ask while she sliced through the plaster. Harry was staring at her arm and nothing else.

“Like four years ago,” she smiled softly. “I was in college; my roommate was an intern at Styles Incorporated. She hated it there,” she laughed quietly. “But she brought me to the holiday party, and I asked for a drink at the bar and this guy bumped into me; spilled my drink all over me. I was glad I was wearing a dark colored dress.”

“Niall shoved me,” he grumbled looking away briefly to hide the irritation he felt over the little faux pas.

“It wasn’t a big deal. Obviously, I was used to frat house parties so having a nice Chardonnay spill on me was a lot better than party punch,” she rolled her eyes. “He was beside himself though,” she glanced at Harry with this knowing smile that made it seem like a secret. Harry’s lips twisted slightly in a half smirk. Her insides twisted again, and she had to remind herself internally to keep calm. They had a private thing. Something she didn’t know about.

Harry was clearly with this very pretty girl. Someone he obviously cared about. Sure, it was ages ago, but it was everything she feared. That stupid woman from one of the worst days of her life was right. Harry didn’t date plain girls. Not if Soph was any indication. “Have you been dating long?” Soph asked.

“Just...” she shook her head trying to do the math and feeling pathetic that it didn’t add up to much. “Just about a year,” she murmured.

“Officially,” Harry added quickly. “We dated for about six months prior,” he reminded her and told Soph like it was necessary she knew.

“That’s sweet,” she cooed kindly. Her smile was genuine. Soph was genuine. There wasn’t an ounce of jealousy or cattiness in her voice seeing Harry. She wasn’t sure she would feel the same way if the roles were reversed which made her inferiority ache in her stomach and chest more. “Well,” Soph had excitement in her voice. “Here it is,” she smiled and pulled the plaster and cushioning off her arm in two pieces. “It might be a little stiff. Regular over the counter medicine will help alleviate any final pain from the muscle stretching a bit more freely. But you’re good to go,” she patted her arm.

She shook her head trying to remind herself that she was supposed to be polite. But the feeling of inadequacy washed over her. “Thank you,” she said kindly. “I love your nails,” because she did. They were pink for Valentine’s Day maybe and the little hearts on the ring finger were adorable. It also made her notice that she didn’t have a ring.

“Oh thanks! I am actually really disappointed in my nail place—I need these off, but I don’t want to go back to where I went—they’re so outgrown,” she frowned. “I’ve been trying for ages to find a good one.”

“Oh,” she pulled out her phone. “I go to this place—not very often, admittedly. But they’re good,” she offered and held her screen out to show her.

“Thank you so much, that’s awesome! Your nails look so healthy and lovely, I noticed while I was cutting  the cast off. You don’t even have a color on them and I’m so jealous of them,” at least the feeling was mutual. “Would you mind texting me the name?” She asked with a kind smile. “Harry probably still has my number,” she turned to Harry for confirmation.

This time Harry’s posture was as stiff as her arm. He cleared his throat. “Mm.”

“Perfect,” Soph smiled as if she hadn’t a clue how weird this all was. As if she wasn’t aware of the anxiety and jealousy coursing through her. Maybe she was a good actress. “It was nice meeting you!” Soph chirped sweetly. “Nice to see you, Harry,” she pressed her hand on his arm as she passed out the door and left the pair of them to leave behind her.

*

Harry chatted on the phone while he drove back to Styles Incorporated. Normally, she listened in on the phone calls trying to help as best she could when needed. Muting his call when she had something important to add or a tidbit of information, a file, or something to help with the call.

But the feeling of inadequacy was the only thing she could focus on during the car ride. She scrolled through her phone and tried to ignore the images of someone so pretty with Harry. She was a good three inches taller than her. Her skin was flawless. She looked like she worked out often. The thought of her in Harry’s personal space made her feel sick.

She was nothing like her.

How could Harry want someone like her when he had dated someone like Soph?

“Y’okay, beautiful?” He asked. “Your arm hurt?” He wondered, reaching over and placing his hand on her thigh. He gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Yeah,” she nodded. “Just kind of tired all of a sudden. Skipped our coffee.”

He smiled softly. “I was going t’stop on the way,” he promised.

“Thank you.”

“’Course, kitten.”

*

She hoped the feelings of inadequacy would have dissipated by now but after tracking down Soph’s phone number she even sent her a pic of her new nails thanking her for the recommendation.

An M&M hit the side of her head. “You okay, darling?” Niall asked.

It was hard to keep it in. “Do you know Harry’s ex, Soph?” She asked.

“Sophie?” He blinked in surprise. Her heart felt heavy knowing her full name. “Yeah...they dated a while back...uh...for like a year, maybe? She was in college. Harry was only just getting Styles Incorporated under way. The second or third year?”

A year?

She nodded. “She cut my cast off,” she explained.

“Oh,” Niall tilted his head. “Was she...mean?”

“No, she was...really nice.”

“Yeah. I kind of figured. She always was.” As awful as it felt to watch Soph and Harry share a smile at the fond memory of ice-skating—even if it ended with her in a splint—knowing that Niall thought she was nice was somehow just as awful. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He asked. “Is your arm bothering you?”

“No, it’s fine. I’m fine. Just a little distracted. I didn’t sleep well,” she lied.

“You should go home, I think Harry left for a lunch meeting,” Niall explained.

“He left?” She asked quietly.

Niall smirked biting his lip. “Sorry, darling. He pushed the lunch meeting to today so he could go to the hospital with you the other day.”

She hated when he did that.

“Okay,” she sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

She gathered her belongings trying to feel less ridiculous but unable to quell the frustration she felt. “Call me if you need something,” she reminded him.

“Always, darling. Same to you,” he eyed her suspiciously.

*

Louis was glad her arm was freed of the cast. “Maybe you should get my name tattooed on it,” he suggested missing his name across the entire plaster more than he hated the reason for the cast. She snorted.

Eleanor was still at work, but Louis returned to their place early per her request. They sat on the sofa, watching a movie and snacking on popcorn and candy. “Do you want to tell me why I left work early?” He asked.

She shook her head. “It’s stupid.”

“Trouble in paradise?” He questioned.

“Drop it, Louis,” she muttered stuffing a handful of popcorn in her mouth.

He did.

For like four minutes. “Did Harry mess up?”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing Louis, I’m being ridiculous.”

Another minute. “Are you finally mad about him breaking your arm?”

“Can you not be a child for like, five minutes?”

“Probably not.”

She sighed and pressed her palms against the length of her face and kept them over her eyes. “Harry’s ex cut my cast off,” she mumbled. “She was beautiful and nice,” she explained. “It was so humbling. I’m nothing like her. She was this dainty fairy and I looked like a potato farmer in comparison,” she sighed.

“Babe,” Louis frowned. His voice was gentle. Him acting like a child finally ceased. “Obviously I’m still mad at Harry—”

“Stupid,” she grumbled.

“–But that man loves you more than anyone has ever loved anybody. Except me with El of course,” he reminded her. “There’s a reason they didn’t work out.”

She bit the inside corner of her lip and tried to stop the feeling of tears in her eyes from surfacing. “She was so pretty, Louis,” she whispered. “It wasn’t even close.”

“But Harry loves you,” he repeated. “I know I’m being a little ridiculous about my frustration toward him, but honestly, there’s no one I trust with you more than him. He would probably break every bone in his body for you still.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“I think you should talk to him.”

“No way,” she snorted. “Do you know how embarrassing that would be? And pathetic.”

Louis laughed. “The man has literally fired his best friend over jealousy of you. This is nothing,” he promised with a shake of his head. Her phone vibrated with a message. “Speak of the devil?” Louis asked. She ignored him reading the message from Harry.

Niall said you weren’t feeling well. Hope everything is okay... Let me know what you want for dinner. See you later, kitten xx Tell Louis I said hi (and I’m sorry.)

“Can you imagine your ex-boyfriend doing that for you?” Louis asked reading over her shoulder.

She sighed and put her phone faced down. “Just tell him?”

Louis nodded. “Communication, babe. You might even get to have really hot sex after too.”

She spared her best friend of the details that all of their sex was really hot.

*

Harry had laid out a feast for the two of them when she arrived home. “Whoa, it smells good in here,” she called from the entryway kicking her shoes off. The relief flooded him. Niall told him she left early while he was gone, and it made him almost crazy immediately. It shouldn’t have, he had her location (she had his too) and he knew she was at Louis’...but it was more than that. She had been off all weekend. Less chatty with him. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes which always happened right before she got sick. She had gotten a nasty cold twice since he knew her, and he also remembered her cycle messing with her regular, adorable self.

He hurried around the corner to look at her. She was in a black turtleneck with a pair of tweed overalls. She was so pretty it hurt his chest and he had seen her at work, and he still felt speechless. As much as he loved to get a peek at her cleavage, he thought the turtleneck was so sexy and she looked like a princess. Her hair was twisted in a clip, a few pieces falling forward to frame her face. He couldn’t get over how beautiful she looked. “Are you okay?”

“God, you’re beautiful,” he sighed dreamily.

She laughed and looked at her feet briefly, her face warming at his compliment. “Thank you, baby.”

He pulled her into his chest and kissed the top of her head. “Are y’okay?” He asked. “M’worried. Y’were a little off all weekend. Like when y’get sick. I made y’some comfort food,” he explained. She nodded against his chest. He had swapped out his work clothes for a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt.

“M’fine,” she murmured in his shirt. She inhaled his heavenly scent and tried to steel herself to be brave and have the conversation she needed to have.

“Yeah? Y’seem sad, kitten. Tell me s’matter and I’ll fix it.”

She bit the inside of her lip. Part of her knew it would break Harry’s heart for her feelings of inadequacy. He had done nothing but adore her and she knew that. It was just... well, she couldn’t help the shake to her confidence (or lack thereof) seeing the pretty, nice girl who knew Harry intimately. “Is dinner ready or can we sit outside for a minute?” She asked. With her face still pressed to his chest, her body caged in his arms, she could feel his heartbeat flutter. She thought it was weird.

“We can sit outside,” he murmured and released everything but her hand and tugged her to the cold bed outside. Harry flipped on the heated lamp and aimed it toward the bed. She pulled a blanket from the basket near the swinging furniture and climbed onto the mattress. She waited for Harry to join her and wrapped the blanket around him, especially with his short sleeves.

“I have to tell—”

“Are you breaking up with me?” He blurted.

“Oh, for the love of God,” she rolled her eyes. “No Harry, of course not. You’re stuck with me,” she gave him a squeeze now understanding the flutter of his heart against her cheek was anxiety.

His relief deflated out of him in a sigh. “Oh,” he sighed. “Then what’s wrong?” He frowned. She closed her eyes and tucked her face into his collarbone. He rubbed her back soothingly, brushed his lips on her hairline. “Kitten,” he murmured. “Y’can tell me anything. M’sorry you’re upset—”

“I’m jealous,” she whispered.

He blinked, pulled back a bit from her so he could peer awkwardly at her face. “Jealous?” He repeated.

She closed her eyes and nodded. Her cheeks were red with embarrassment. “I’m sorry.”

“Jealous of what?”

“Soph,” her voice was so quiet Harry wasn’t sure he heard her right.

“Who?”

“Oh, stop it, Harry,” she grumbled.

“Kitten, I have no idea who you’re—oh. Oh,” there was a long pause. “You’ve been upset since Thursday?” He asked. “Why didn’t y’tell me?”

“Cause it’s embarrassing.”

He snorted. “Kitten, I fired m’best friend in a jealous rage,” he reminded her. “Y’have nothing on me.” She imagined when she told Louis about this, that not even the embarrassment she felt would feel as bad as Louis’ smug I told you so. “Did I do something t’make y’uncomfortable?” He asked. She could see his mind spinning thinking back to Thursday and the entire interaction.

“Harry,” she sighed and looked at his green eyes filled with concern for her. His gaze was gentle. It felt like a hug in itself just to be looked at him. “She is so pretty.”

“So?”

He was going to make her say it. “I look nothing like her,” she whispered.

“Well, ‘course not. You are much more beautiful,” he shrugged casually.

“Harry,” she whined and pressed her face into his chest.

“Are you jealous because you think she’s prettier?” He asked, tilting her warm-shamed face back up to look at her with those beautiful eyes. “Kitten,” he frowned.

“I am not jealous because I think she’s prettier,” she grumbled and looked down at her nose to avoid his gaze. “I know she’s prettier,” she mumbled.

He clucked his tongue disapprovingly. “Kitten, s’absolutely wrong,” he promised. “You are infinitely more beautiful than her. Look at how pretty y’look right now. And every time y’hold a door open for someone? Or how you jus’ know what I need in every meeting before I do. Or for anyone. The kindness y’have for everyone you meet. You were jealous of her and y’still told her where t’get her nails done,” he reminded her. “She would never do that. She’s pretty and nice but there is no comparison t’you, my love. We dated ages ago and it didn’t work. S'no reason t'be jealous of her.”

“I know but—”

“Kitten, I don’t think you would ever make out with someone else while we were dating; even if y’were drunk and at a college party,” he explained silencing her completely. Her lips parted slightly in surprise trying to process it. “We were at different stages in life. I was too busy for a girlfriend while m’company was starting. She wanted t'have fun in college. M’glad she’s happy. But when she told me she kissed someone else, I was relieved,” he explained. “It hurt a bit, but it was jus’ easier t’let go of something I knew wasn’t really right for me.”

“She made out with someone else?” She asked in shock. “How could she do that while dating you?”

Harry laughed loudly. He nuzzled his face against her ear and kissed the side of her head. “S’exactly why I know y’have nothing t’be jealous of, kitten,” he whispered. “M’so in love with you. I think if y'made out with someone else, I would probably kill him,” he admitted. “I didn’t feel that way with her,” he was quiet for a few moments. “Does that make y’feel better?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“M’sorry if I didn’t make y’feel beautiful or perfect, kitten. Y’very much are. Think I’d lose m’mind without you.”

She frowned slightly. “You always make me feel beautiful.”

“S’because you are,” he murmured and kissed her softly on the lips until he pulled away and kissed her forehead. “Y’ready for dinner?” He asked.

She nodded, but stopped him before he fully climbed off the bed. She gabbed his face and kissed him again, a smile on his lips as he kissed her back. “I love you,” she sighed softly when she broke away. His gaze was soft looking at her eyes again.

“Say it again,” he whispered, making her giggle.

--

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If you like this, check out my masterlist for more of my writing.

[thebiggerbear]

Jensen Ackles Fic Recs List

Rec list under Read More:

Get Him To the Con by @arazialotis - The reader stumbles into Jensen at her favorite bar, a very drunk Jensen. She soon realizes Jensen was booked for a con this weekend and has to be eight hours from town in only two.

Celebrity Next Door by @agirlwithdemonblood - Moving to a new location is difficult but living next to somebody you’d never expect to meet, and catching feelings? That’s damn near impossible to comprehend.

Merry Christmas, Sweetheart by @jawritter - Time doesn’t heal all wounds, sometimes it just drives them into our bones and festers there, until forgiveness is a four letter word, and it’s to late for second chances.

Push the Button by @smol-and-grumpy - No record session is the same. This one certainly is out of this world.

Memories Keep Them Alive by @supernatural-jackles - A delayed Valentine’s Date with your boyfriend takes a sad turn when you get a call from your Mom with some bad news in regards to your Papa.

Something About Fate... by @jawritter - Y/N has been homeless and living on the streets of Dallas, Texas since the start of Covid. Until one day, a handsome, green eyed strange notices her and turns her whole world upside down.

Austin by @winchesterwild78

Opposites Attract by @jawritter - Jensen's held up his 'family/good guy' image for a long time. When that image is gone or threated, then he's forced to do something he really doesn't want to do. Can he learn to love her before it's too late, and can she forgive him for the way he's treated her since the bigging?

Where the Green Grass Grows by @jawritter - Life changes, nothing ever stays the same. With most change comes with some degree of pain, that’s how we grow. Jensen thought he had his whole life planned out, written for him in the bright lights of Hollywood. One failed marriage later, and a lifetime of lessons learned, lead him home to a place he thought he’d left behind him when he was only a teenager. He thought his life was over. He felt like he’d lost everything, but who knew one little trip to the local diner that had just opened up outside of town would turn his whole world upside down. All because he met you. Maybe a little slower pace of life isn’t such a bad idea after all…

Drift Away by @luci-in-trenchcoats - After the reader discovers her long-term boyfriend has been cheating on her, she turns to her best friend Jensen to help her through it. But it’s too late to cancel her upcoming vacation at an exclusive couples resort. Jensen suggests going anyways and offers to tag along with her. But their relationship starts to change while away and both of them will have to decide what exactly they’re feeling and if they even want to share it in the first place…

Confidentiality by @smol-and-grumpy - Four months. Four long months that she’s been hiding in lockdown. So when everything starts to go back to normal again, she’s going back to work as Jensen’s handler for the first Supernatural convention after the pandemic.

Twitterpated by @smol-and-grumpy - Y/N starred alongside Jensen in a new blockbuster movie. For promo, they get invited to read thirst tweets. What if most of the tweets are from Y/N?

She's A Tease by @smol-and-grumpy - Jensen’s looking forward to a quiet day at home in Austin after a week of hard work, but then trouble arrived. And trouble can come in many forms…

Magical Mystery Ride by @smol-and-grumpy - Jensen’s been stood up by Jared but in retrospect, he couldn’t be mad about it.

Secrets.... by @jawritter

Burn by @jawritter

Don't Make A Sound by @jawritter - You are forced to share a bed with Jensen due to overbooking at the Dallas Con he had to work at. What do you do when you catch your boss having a very hot wet dream?

My Rescue Story by @jawritter - People can be cruel and judgemental, but they don’t get to see the side of him you see.

A Man of Action by @wayward-dreamer - While directing his episode of Supernatural, Jensen and Y/N, the female guest star of the week, can’t hide their attraction for each other any longer. A little fun in his trailer is nearly over before it starts, but they find ways to keep each other satisfied.

Profile Picture Not Included by @arazialotis - The reader has been single for a while and has had trouble with dating, even online matches. But with her sister’s need to meddle, giving up may not be as easy as it sounds.

Pride and Pretension by @arazialotis - The reader is headed downtown with her best friend to a weekly free salsa class. They cut corners through a dinner party and offend a guest after some playful mockery. Both the reader and the guest are unwilling to back down from each other.

Raining On Sunday by @jawritter - It’s hard to get out of bed when you have a man like Jensen in it with you. Especially when it’s raining and cold.

It worked by @deangirlsstuff67 - You decide to surprise Jensen at a convention with the help of Jared and Cliff.

I Know by @whatareyousearchingfordean

One Night Standards by @jawritter - What’s one night between two strangers. It can’t hurt anything, as long as you both have a good understanding as to what this is…right?

Imagine...Alpha!Jensen Being Protective Of You by @luci-in-trenchcoats - A pregnant reader gets a slight shove in the grocery store and sends Jensen into protect mode…

*I will add more as I go

dividers by @firefly-graphics

[tidaldragonz]

Why I love One Piece

To start off, I wanted to talk about why I find One Piece as an exceptional piece of media, and why it's really important to me personally.

I first found the show at a really difficult time in my life, where I felt like I was struggling to fit in and make friends, as well as not having a lot to do in my life at the time. I had always heard of how long of a series it was, and a close friend of mine had recommended it to me not long ago, so I decided to give it a try. Throughout the first few episodes I wasn't entirely on board; I liked a lot of the characters and the world-building of the show was fun but it didn't seem like anything crazy until I hit the Baratie story arc, where we first meet the cook, Sanji, and Dracule Mihawk, one of the seven warlords of the sea. Sanji's character struck a chord with me, his blend of kindness and chivalry alongside a badass opening scene with him beating up a marine commander for wasting food was incredible to look at and insanely unique from what I had ever gotten to see from the show. Later in that same arc, the duel between the protagonist's right-hand man Roronoa Zoro and Dracule Mihawk, who is revealed to be the world's strongest swordsman and the man Zoro is seeking, showcased incredible character writing from Zoro's desperation to his vow, chest and stomach cut wide open from the fight and sword's broken, to never lose again. At this point I started to see the show as not only something I could watch for fun, but something I really cared about. The character writing, the atmosphere, the absolutely gut-wrenchingly insane backstory Sanji was given, and the world of One Piece itself had captured me, but it didn't take much longer for it to completely seal, with the next park being the infamous Arlong Park

Yep. This is known throughout the community as the show's major hook, what would make you a ride-or-die or just a fan. If you don't like this scene and everything else that it has built up to, you simply might not like the series. However, I knew, seeing this, that this could very well be the best show I have and maybe will ever watch. While I would eventually fall in love with Luffy's older brother Ace, I can't deny how much I adore Sanji, Zoro and Nami, and since then I have continued loving this show.

[sehunniepotwrites]

WITH YOU | MK.L | TWO

SYNOPSIS. There are many things Mark Lee wants to do with you. He wants to walk you home. He wants to dive into the deep blue sea with you. He wants to go on a drive with you at his side. But mostly, this crazy, head over heels in love boy just wants to make it with you.

PAIRING. mark lee x fem!reader

GENRE. college!au, friends-to-lovers!au, tooth-rotting fluff, humor WARNINGS. beach setting, profanity, mentions of food

WORD COUNT. 3.9k+

DISCLAIMER. This is work of fiction. I do not own the people/characters or concepts I have written about. You cannot translate or copy my work. © sehunniepotwrites, 2022

I. WALK YOU HOME | II. DIVE INTO YOU | III. DRIVE | IV. MAKE IT WITH YOU

Three weeks before your summer break ended, you drove Mark’s car to your university’s athletic complex on an early Saturday morning.  As you made the turn onto the campus’ main road, the dashboard’s screen lit up with a familiar name. A simple button press allowed you to answer the call while your eyes remained on the empty street. It was a warm summer morning after all. No one else would even bother coming to campus unless they had work or summer school. “Hello?”

“Hey, Sunshine! You on your way to campus yet?” Mark’s bright voice filled your ears. You wanted to laugh. If anyone were pure sunshine, it would be Mark Lee and not you. If only the boy realized it himself. 

“Yeah, I’m only a few minutes away,” you replied as you stopped at the red light. Just as you finished that sentence, you saw a couple of charter buses drive past you as the other light turned green. You grinned, knowing that Mark and your other friends were finally home. “Hey, you just drove past me!”

The sounds of material shuffling around echoed through the speakers and you knew Mark made for the closest window to catch a glimpse of you in his car. “Oh shit, you weren’t kidding!”

“Would I ever let you down, Marky?” you laughed as green flashed before you. Feeling the wheel slip in between your fingers, you continued your way across campus and followed the path the buses took. 

“Actually, you—”

“Finish that sentence and I’m turning this car around,” you joked as you pulled into the lot where all the buses parked. As you drove closer, you saw all the athletes disembarking and gathering their belongings stored in the compartments. 

Every summer, your university required all student-athletes to attend a two-month-long training camp at a high-class sports facility. Your school wasn’t the only one in attendance, many others were invited as well. It was something every athlete looked forward to and dreaded at the same time. They loved being in their own bubble and meeting other teams to form a sort of friendly camaraderie but hated the long hours of training this camp asked of them. By the end of the month, they usually came back to school exhausted but in the best shape of their life. 

“Yes, ma’am,” he said and you could almost see him saluting you. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Yeah, I’ll come and find you, I just have to park.”

“Don’t be so shocked when you see Marky, Squirt. He’s a whole-ass man now,” a voice other than Mark’s responded. Johnny Suh must’ve been his seatmate during the ride back. The outside hitter of the men’s volleyball team always found joy in butting into other people’s conversations. The tall guy could never keep to himself.

“Dude,” was the last thing you heard before the line went dead. 

Johnny’s sentence left you wondering what he meant. Why would you be shocked?

You found out soon after as you stood by buses, standing on your tippy toes to catch a glimpse of your best friend amongst the crowd of athletes. Johnny, being the tall giant he was, spotted you first. Your friend gave you a shit-eating grin as he exited the bus alongside Ten Lee, a member of the ice hockey team, and another friend of yours. It was funny how you were friends with so many athletes but did not carry one athletic bone in your body. 

“Hey there, Squirt,” Johnny teased as you approached him. God, if you had the skills and accuracy, you wanted to spike a volleyball right in his devilishly handsome face. 

“Shut up, you menace,” you said as you avoided his hand that aimed to ruffle your hair.

“Yo, Marky, I found her for you!” he yelled over his shoulder. Johnny bent down ever-so-slightly to whisper in your ear, “You’re welcome, by the way.”

“For what?” 

“You’ll see, young one,” Ten chuckled, pressing a little kiss to your head before dragging Johnny to find their duffles and gear they brought with them during the course of the summer. 

And see you did as the athlete you didn’t recognize as Mark popped into view. You caught sight of him from afar but dismissed him because there was no way that man was your best friend. His shoulders were broader than you had last seen him. His chest and arms filled out the shirt he wore so well. As your eyes raked over his bigger build, you could not pinpoint that the shirt he wore was the very shirt you gifted him for his birthday last year.

When Mark first received the present, his lean build made the shirt appear fashionably oversized. It draped nicely over his shoulders and drowned the rest of his body in the softest fabric with a design that was so undeniably Mark you couldn’t resist buying it for him. His arms were thin compared to the large holes in his sleeves, he looked nothing but cute in the shirt.

But now, the design of the shirt was stretched out against the wide planes of his chest. A line appeared down the middle, drawing attention to his pecs, you could barely take your eyes away from the sight. The only things that caught your attention were the arms Mark frantically waved in your direction. Although not completely hugging his biceps, you could see his arms taking up more space in the sleeves. You couldn’t even bring yourself to blink when his flexed muscles hauled his hockey bag behind his back. 

And his face. Dear God, his face was even more chiseled than before, amplifying the good looks others would swoon over.

If someone were to ask you before Mark left for the summer, you would’ve called him your cute friend. If they asked you the same question now, at this very moment, you would say that Mark Lee was fucking hot. 

“You look different,” was all you could say as he approached you. A snort came from beside you. It was another athlete scouring through piles for their own gear. To him, you probably sounded like a lovestruck idiot. That was what you would call yourself at that moment anyway. 

Mark paused a few steps away from you, appalled at the first sentence you uttered to him since his return. “Like a good different? Or a bad different?” With the way his voice tilted up at the end of his second question, you could tell your friend (and crush) was beginning to pick at his new appearance.

Your eyes scanned his body again, appreciating the way his shirt was so deliciously filled in all the right places and how the curve of his butt still stood out in the soccer pants that hugged his toned legs. “No, uh, it’s a good different. Yeah, definitely—definitely a good different.” Since when were you the type to stutter? 

“Oh, good. Cool, yeah, I mean cool.”

“Cool.”

“Yeah, um, Johnny took me under his wing while we hit the gym during camp and he showed me a couple of things I could do,” Mark chuckled shyly, “I’ve got a solid gym routine now.”

“I mean yeah, it’s really working for you.”

“Y-yeah, you think so?”

Before your brain could spit out your big fat crush on your best friend, you quickly changed the topic and flashed a bright smile at him—the one that he called sunshine. ��I’ve missed you, Marky.” You opened your arms for a hug and waited for him to approach. 

“Oh my god, dude, I’ve missed you so much,” Mark practically sighed as he dropped his bags filled with expensive gear just to pull you into him. Being in his strong arms, feeling his chest against yours, and smelling the fresh scent of his cologne set your heart and skin ablaze. You were so in your feelings that you couldn’t bring yourself to respond. Instead, you shut your eyes and wound your arms around his waist to press him even closer to you. “I’m so glad to be back.” His voice was low and raspy, his breath hitting the shell of your ear, as he said those words and it sent a shiver down your body. 

“Glad you’re back too,” you whispered into the crook of his neck.

A loud slap rang in your ears and you felt Mark wince in pain. The hit broke your contact with Mark as you both shifted to see who inflicted the uncalled-for strike. Your neighbor, Jeno, just laughed as he hauled his gear over a shoulder. A shoulder that appeared wider than the last time you had seen him. Summer did him good as well. But not as good as it did for Mark. 

“God, you two are disgusting. Just get together already,” Jeno chuckled as he walked by, playfully shoving your head into Mark’s chest. 

Instead of denying the chemistry Jeno insinuated, Mark simply said, “Bro, shut up.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Jeno ignored Mark’s comment. “See you lovebirds at the beach later?”

The local beach was around one and a half hours away. A small group of friends—including Jaemin, Renjun, and Chenle—left earlier in the morning to secure a spot at the beach. You and Mark were going to stop by his apartment so he could drop off his hockey gear and change into beach attire before heading over to the rest of them. The remainder of the ice hockey team as well as some volleyball, soccer, and basketball folks were coming as well. 

“Yup, see you later, Jeno!” you waved him off before leading Mark to his parked car. Tossing Mark his keys, he caught them in his hand with his swift reflexes. You got into the passenger seat a bit sulkily. Your friend had a newer model than your beat-up, hand-me-down car; you were going to miss taking his car around the city. 

As Mark put his belongings in the trunk, he bit back a grin to see your things already there. It was such a weird thing to smile at but seeing your things mingling with his felt so domestic and right that it just brought him joy. The hockey player slid into the driver’s seat and you were off. 

It took ten minutes to get to Mark’s place. His apartment complex was closer than yours, which was why you crashed there half the time during the school year. You were there so often that you left extra sets of clothes in case of emergencies—meaning unplanned sleepovers—and Mark even had an extra key made for you. You could’ve gotten Mark’s things on the way to pick him up but your best friend insisted that he wanted to drop off his hockey gear first. It made sense, seeing as how expensive his gear was. No one would want to leave a bag as valuable as that in the back of a car trunk.

“Wait here, I’ll be quick,” Mark said as he unbuckled his seatbelt. Before completely sliding out of the car, he turned to face you with a shy expression on his face.

“What’s up, Marky?”

His face shifted from shy to determined, like he was hyping himself up to do something. You’d seen your best friend make that face many times in all the years you knew him—before a game, right before a test, or asking a girl out—but it didn’t make sense as to why Mark would do it at that moment. 

Light pressure on your cheek pulled you out of your inquisitive mind and back into the present. When you took a deep breath, the smell of clean, fresh laundry took over your senses followed by a whiff of his birch and eucalyptus shampoo that you used every time you stayed over. His shoulder brushed against your own as he pulled away. And that was when you realized what had just happened. Mark kissed you on the cheek. 

“What was that for?”

His eyes gleamed and his bashful smile widened. “Nothing, I just missed you a lot.” Leaving you no chance to reply, Mark slipped out of the car and slammed the door behind him. You watched as he ran inside, his hands slapping his reddening cheeks while he entered the building.

Mark’s unexpected action left you in a dizzying haze for who knows long, time slipping away while you replayed that moment over and over and over again in your head. Sure, he had done questionable actions to show affection before, like nuzzling his face in your hair or tugging you by the arm into a big hug, but Mark never went as far as kissing you on the cheek. He pet your hair, shouting “cute!” in the most endearing way with the other younger boys following his lead but a kiss on the cheek? Never been done before. But that didn’t mean you didn’t like it. 

The hour-and-a-half drive to the beach didn’t feel so long to the two of you, not when you were shouting into a Bluetooth microphone you saved for road trips. Singing in the car with Mark was one of your favorite past times. Whether it was headbanging (and almost losing control of the car) to a hard rock song or slowing it down with an R&B track that showcased Mark’s husky vocals, you loved every second of it and wouldn’t do it with anyone else.

It didn’t take you long to find where your friends camped out for the day, their loud shouts carrying over the waves crashing into the shore. They were the biggest group on the beach, with three canopies and two smaller tents all huddled in a circle. You saw Johnny and Jaehyun’s surfboards sticking out of the sand, the boys standing right by them with their rash guards hanging loosely around their waists. Ten was controlling the music while Jeno and Jaemin tag-teamed on grilling the food. Your other friends were either lounging about in their chairs, drinks in hand, and you swore you could Donghyuck shouting at Chenle from the shallow end of the water. 

Jaehyun, noticing how much you were struggling to make it through the sand with all your bags, ran to help. “Shouldn’t Mark be helping you with these bags?”

You shrugged as you handed the heavier belongings over to the star basketball player. “He sent me ahead with all the snacks and said he forgot something in the trunk.”

“How was your summer?” 

You elbowed Jaehyun’s side with a teasing grin. “Boring without you by my side.”

Jaehyun chuckled, elbowing you right back. “Don’t let Marky hear you say that.”

It was a weird comment to make. “Why?”

The basketball player shook his head knowingly before throwing an arm over your shoulder and pulling you to his side. “Ah, that’s for me to know and you to find out, Squirt.”

“And when exactly will I find out?” 

You heard Mark’s voice yelling your name, causing you and Jaehyun to turn around. The boy ran through the sand towards you with a grin brighter than the summer sun, bags tangled in his grip, and an unknown item tucked into his side. Jaehyun released you from his grip and with a gentle shove in Mark’s direction, he replied, “Soon enough I hope.” Your friend went ahead with the rest of your belongings, leaving you to wait for Mark. What did Jaehyun mean by “soon enough?” Was there something you weren’t aware of? Was Mark keeping something from you?

“Sunshine! Look what I brought for us!” Mark pulled out the item pressed against his side to reveal a kite. Your heart swelled with joy and all the feelings you carried for Mark increased tenfold. In the past, you expressed that you always wanted to fly a kite but never had a chance to. It was something shared in passing, nothing memorable by any means. But the fact that Mark remembered that tiny, childlike wish you carried touched you.

Mark stopped in front of you, setting his bags down, to hand the kite over to you. He gently placed it in your hold, giving you the time to admire it.  Its design was simple, just a diamond with rainbow stripes and a matching rainbow tail, but it was beautiful. Your fingers ran through the tail of the kite, feeling the thin fabric slip through the cracks. The breeze picked up, causing the tail to go with the wind, and the childish excitement inside you bloomed. “Can we try it now?”

“Yeah,” Mark laughed at your how your eyes grew brighter and brighter with each passing second. “We just need to drop off the rest of the stuff first and then give it a go.” 

Your gaze never left the kite.

“You like it?” Mark asked.

You shifted your gaze to look him in the eye. “I love it. Thank you, Marky.”

Tucking it to your side, you picked up half of Mark’s belongings. You used your free hand to tug Mark, causing him to stumble in the warm sand. “Now, what are we waiting for? Let’s go already!”

Mark wiggled his hand in your hold, twisting it so your fingers interlocked like it was nothing out of the ordinary. You felt heat rising within you and it had nothing to do with the warm weather. There were little catcalls here and there as you approached your group of friends. Jaehyun and Johnny, the ones who started it all, snickered as you shot death glares at them. You shoved the rest of the belongings into their hands. “Here take care of this stuff, will you?”

You dropped your beach bag under a canopy, quickly stripped yourself of your outer layers, and grabbed the pretty kite once again. Mark wasn’t too far behind you, chatting it up with Renjun and Doyoung, who preferred to stay under the shade. Taking your place beside him, you smiled at the other two. 

“You ready, sunshine?”

“We’ll be back!” you called to Renjun and Doyoung, who simply waved you off.

Mark led you to the shoreline, your feet sinking into the damp sand. You bounced up and down as you waited for your next step. As you held onto the kite, Mark unwinded a bit of the line from the kite spool with certainty. “Now, there isn’t enough of a breeze down here for the kite to launch, so you have to make a run for it.”

“That I can do.”

“As soon as you feel like you’re fast enough, let it go and run back to me. I’ll do the rest.” At that moment, Mark sounded so reliable and it made you melt into goo. “Sounds good?”

“Sounds great,” you whispered back, nodding at him before you broke into a run. You felt the tension of the kite line as your speed increased. And when the wind made its way through your strands, you lifted the kite up in the air and let it go. Your eyes followed its every move as it made its way up, up, up high into the sky, the tail of it fluttering so pretty below it. 

Mark called your name, motioning you to come back to him as he angled the kite to fly above the water. In no time, you were back at his side. Wordlessly, he handed you the reel and you held it with two hands. Mark’s toned arms wrapped around you so that your back pressed against his built front. Every little instruction that he whispered to you brushed against a weak spot of your neck, sending the slightest tingle down your spine. At times, his large hands would land on top of your hands to help you control the reel. When no further instruction was needed, Mark didn’t back away. Instead, he just rested his palms on your hips and watched you as you continued to control the kite. 

You flew the kite for the majority of the day, only taking a few breaks to eat or dive in for a quick swim with your friends. The others invited you to play a round of beach volleyball but there was no way you wanted to go against Johnny or Yuta in the sport. That was a losing game and you knew it. Besides, kite flying was more relaxing than chasing after a ball in the sand. 

When the sun began to set and the temperature dropped, it was time to set up the bonfire. When the breeze picked up, Mark handed you his hoodie and insisted that you needed it more than he did. Plus, unbeknownst to you, your best friend always left an extra jacket in the car for you in case you got cold. He took hold of the reel as you slipped it on, smiling ear to ear as you covered yourself in his clothes. Mark liked the sight of you in his hoodie so much, he loosened his grip on the kite and the flimsy item was picked up by the wind. The spool dragged on, leaving a tiny path on the sand, as the kite continued to drift away.

“Oh shit!” He yelled as the two of you chased after it. The kite landed right in the water, floating along with the waves. You laughed at the ridiculous situation, stopping right where the water met the sand, while Mark ran full speed ahead into the ocean.

“Mark, hey! It’s okay!” You yelled but your best friend didn’t listen. “Just leave it!”

Determined to get it back for you, Mark dived right into now freezing water and swam towards the floating item. He fought the cold temperature that was prickling his skin and the seawater that got into his brown eyes as he reached out for the rainbow kite. Once he latched onto the tail, he pulled it towards him, hugged it to his chest, and led himself back to the shore.

You met him as he made his way out of the water, immediately draping his beach towel over his wet shoulders. His teeth chattered as he winced at the breeze that wiggled its way through his wet layers. Feeling him shiver against your side, you wrapped your arm around his shoulders and ran your hand up and down his side. “You idiot, why would you go after it? It’s just a kite. Now you’re gonna get sick.”

Mark tucked his wet mop of hair into your shoulder, lips brushing against the skin of your neck. “Because you love the kite,” he muttered.

“You’re a dummy,” you whispered back, leaving a little kiss at the top of his head. His free arm circled around your middle, drawing you closer to him. If it was anyone else, you would easily shove them away for dampening your dry clothes. But because it was Mark, you didn’t mind how the cold fabric tickled your skin. It was nothing compared to the way Mark clung to you. “Let’s get you to the fire.”

If Mark Lee was an endless ocean, you would easily dive into his embrace. And much to everyone else’s knowledge but your own, Mark would do the very same. 

If you were a siren, he would heed your dangerous call, no matter the risk. If you were the breeze that pushed the sails, he would go along with the wind. And if you were the bottomless sea, filled with the unknown, Mark Lee would willingly submerge himself into rough waters and dive into you.

AUTHOR’S NOTE. harvest break from work and school means i finally have time to relax and unwind by writing <3 i haven’t released anything mark lee related in a while and thought this would be a good time to drop a mark fic! please let me know what you think. proofread but i may have missed some things!

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© sehunniepotwrites, 2022

[loverrofmineee]

The Parting Glass - Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal x OC

AO3 | Summary | Chapter 1

Chapter 2- Pilots and Prayers

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

The first mission for the new crew’s came after a couple of days, giving them time to settle in, but not enough to keep the nerves away. Sorcha could feel the anticipation radiating off of each new face she passed, as the men were eager, or terrified, to go up in the air. She gave each man a small smile in a feeble attempt to ease their anxieties, but there was only so much a pretty face could do.

Bremen was the target of the men’s first mission, which made Sorcha extremely anxious. She was privy to what the plans for the mission were, as the men in the tower talked freely, nearly forgetting the women were there. Each person working in the tower offices agreed to keep quiet about anything they overheard, as it was to be confidential until the crews were told. However, that didn’t stop Sorcha and her bunkmates from discussing their fears quietly into the night. Eventually, the mission day came, and what the new men had been waiting for became real.

Once all the meetings had been finished, Sorcha stood outside the tower alongside Aileen, Lilibet, Anika, and Siobhan. They had been dubbed ‘The Tower Girls’ since they all worked within the tower offices, and were the closest group out of all their bunkmates. As they did with every mission, the girls stood beside the tower, gazing at the crews getting ready to take off. No one ever got on them for leaving the office, since paperwork could be filed at any time, and everyone at the base often left their desks to see the men off.

Siobhan was the first to break the group's contemplative silence, “Do you think they’ll make it?”

“They have to, Shiv. They just have to,” Aileen stated in a matter-of-fact tone. She was the optimist of the group, always believing in the best-case scenario no matter what. Sorcha admired her for it, given that optimism ran low during these times.

“All we can do is hope and pray,” Sorcha comforted Aileen as she squeezed her hand, “They’re some of the best pilots up there, all they can do is stick to their training.”

The girls went silent again as the first fort took off, watching the line of planes exit the tarmac and head into the sky. Even though Sorcha had seen many crews come and go, the pit of anxiety in her chest never left as she saw them take off. She didn’t know every man personally but felt a sense of care for them. Maybe it was because she couldn’t be there for Cormack, not knowing if he had someone to care for him at Kings Cliffe, so she took it upon herself to pray for every crew at Thorpe Abbotts, not wanting them to feel alone.

—-----------------------------------------—

Once all of the forts had gone, the rest of Sorcha’s friends had gone inside, but she had opted to stay out for a few minutes. This mission felt different than the others she had witnessed, now having friendships with the men going up. She and Buck had become fast friends over the weeks, chatting at the officer’s club when Bucky had become too much for them, (though they loved him all the same). Benny had a growing interest in Anika, and turned to Sorcha for advice on how to handle it, taking long walks with Meatball as she gave him tips. She felt that so much was at stake for this mission, needing a few moments to herself to control her spiraling thoughts.

A great distraction came her way in the form of John Egan, who scared her half to death by sneaking up on her. “Jesus, John,” Sorcha spit out as she slapped her hand over her heart, “Never pop up like that again.”

“Using my actual name? Sounds like you’re mad at me Devs,” Bucky said with a half-teasing grin, “I was just wondering if you’d like to take a ride with me?”

Sorcha opened her mouth to give the man a retort about having to work but then debated the question as she saw how nervous Bucky seemed. There was no teasing cadence in his words, only an earnest tone. “Sure, Bucky,” She said softly, “Let’s go.”

Bucky only smiled in return for her answer, walking over to his Jeep and waiting for the Devlin girl to get in. The two were silent for the majority of the ride, both lost in their thoughts. Sorcha knew Egan was worrying about Buck the most, and wondered how to approach the subject. Though Bucky broke the silence first, “You ever wonder why Buck’s called Buck?”

“Honestly,” Sorcha started as Bucky spared her a glance, “All the time.”

“You’ve never asked though,” Egan stated as he threw a curious look her way.

“I just thought it’d come up one day. I know well enough not to poke around trying to find out the secrets of you two.”

A bark of laughter came from Bucky at her statement, causing the car to swerve for a moment. “You’re a smart girl Devs. But Buck’s seriously never told you? Don’t think I don’t notice the two of you chatting it up at the officer’s club when you want to get away from me.” “Who knew you were so attentive?”

“Only when it comes to the two of you,” Bucky stated, his true emotions shining through, “but only because I fear you’re both plotting something against me. Or Buck is tarnishing my good name.”

Sorcha chuckled at his retort, understanding that Bucky was quick to hide any semblance of real emotion that came out of him. “I believe your good name was tarnished long before Buck arrived. Seeing as you’ve flirted with nearly every woman on the base.”

“Are you gonna make me apologize for appreciating the beautiful women that reside here?”

“God, you’re so-”

“Handsome, charismatic, the best air exec you’ve ever seen?”

Sorcha’s head fell back as she laughed at Bucky’s words, causing the man to pull a face of offense. “I think you’re talking to the wrong woman about this. Have Aileen take my place and you’ll hear all the right answers.”

A small blush spread across Bucky’s face at the mention of Aileen, not going unnoticed by Sorcha. “As friends of both of you, I’m only encouraging that you try to at least have a simple conversation with her.” Sorcha spoke as they headed back to the tower, “There’s no harm in that, is there?”

“No ma’am,” Bucky said as he accepted his fate, knowing he couldn’t argue against Sorcha.

“Well then,” Sorcha started as the car came to a stop, “I will see you soon Major. Hopefully, after you’ve gained some courage.” Bucky protested at her insinuation, but Sorcha didn’t stay to hear his argument, giggling as she walked back to the office.

—-----------------------------------------—

The Bremen mission was many of the men’s first brush with death. Out of the 19 forts that left, only 15 returned. Statistically, it was not that bad of a mission, but the men had gotten their first taste of loss during the war.

Sorcha was in the middle of filing navigation reports from previous missions when she heard the sirens. All the women in the office looked at each other with fear in their eyes, believing the worst for a moment. The air execs and senior personnel all rushed outside, preparing for what would come next as the wheels of each plane hit the ground.

“Should we-” Anika started to speak but was silenced as Lilibet shook her head.

“We need to be here,” Lilibet’s tone was strong, as she had been in the war much longer than the other girls since she was from Cambridge. “I know what we’re all thinking, but we know what our duty is, to stay at our desks and do whatever is required. We’ll hear which forts came back soon enough.”

Sorcha nodded her head at her friend’s words, though she wished she could see if her boys were still alive. All she could do was hope and pray.

[theogonies]

Skating Lessons

characters | donquixote rosinante x g/n marine!reader

tags | friends to lovers, hurt/comfort

word count | 1.4k

content warnings | n/a, just sfw fluff

winter holiday event masterpost

When Rosinante first invited you out to go ice skating, you thought it was a joke.

Not because he was the type to do something so cruel–quite the opposite, really, you’d always known him as something of a gentle giant. There was just something a little absurd in the idea that, of all of the ways he could spend his shore leave, the clumsiest man on base wanted to take you to an ice skating rink.

You spent the night after he asked you out tossing and turning, trying to figure out the best course of action. Politely turn him down? But you did like him, and he didn’t seem like the type to keep pursuing someone after a rejection. Try to steer him away from the rink for coffees or a comfortable, seated sleigh ride? What if you injured his pride?

Eventually, you decided that the best choice was to go along with it and see what the night had in store for you. Maybe all that anxiety and clumsiness would vanish on the ice, like he spent all those years you knew each other hiding something graceful and elegant inside of him, waiting for the right opportunity to show it off.

He meets you at the entrance of the park that’s hosting the skating rink, and as you take in his cozy-looking knit sweater and hat flecked with snowflakes, you realize suddenly that after spending so long working alongside each other, you’ve hardly ever seen him out of uniform.

“Hey, (y/n),” he greets you. “I’m glad you showed up.”

“What, you thought I wouldn’t?” you ask, playfully bumping your shoulder against his arm. “Tsk. Can’t believe you think so low of me.”

“Not like that,” Rosinante glances away from you, rubbing the back of his neck. “I just meant–I’m happy to see you.”

“I’m just teasing,” you reassure him with a smile. “I’m happy to be here. It’s not often we get time off duty in such a pretty town.”

You’d hoped to prolong the inevitable disaster that Rosinante-in-ice-skates was sure to be just a little bit longer, but no such luck. He just gives an anxiously tight-lipped nod in response and tips his head in the direction of the rink.

“Shall we?”

Fortunately, it seems like your predictions may have been correct; he really comes into his own once the two of you are on the ice. It takes him a moment to get used to the skates, but as soon as he does, he offers a balancing arm to you.

“So gentlemanly,” you coo, earning a flustered laugh in return.

When you loop your arm around his, at first it just throws you both off balance. You wobble back and forth, and for a moment, you’re sure that you’re going to fall. The ice is so slippery, and Rosinante’s height throws the two of you even more off kilter as he slips back and forth.

But then, suddenly, miraculously, he catches himself.

It takes you a moment to get your own bearings, but it’s much easier now that you can lean on him, standing firm and strong beside you. Once you don’t feel like you’re in immediate danger of spilling over anymore, you look up at him and he smiles, seeming much more relaxed than before.

“Ready?”

You nod. “Ready.”

It’s not that he’s graceful on the ice, not exactly. At the end of the day, Rosinante is still a gangly, ten-foot beast of a man. But he moves much more confidently here than on dry land, sliding from one side to another, always steady and ready for you when you slip and find yourself needing something to lean on.

“I have to admit, I was nervous,” you say, looking up at his face just in time to catch him glancing away like he was embarrassed to be caught staring. “But I’m enjoying myself.”

“I’m glad,” he says sincerely as he guides you past another couple who are struggling to get their bearings on the ice. “We’ve worked together so long that… I mean, I was nervous too. I didn’t want to ruin things. It’s worth it, though. To see you like this.”

“Totally. You’re so different when you’re not all…” You press your hand against your forehead in a mock salute, earning a laugh from Rosinante.

“In a good way, I hope.”

“The best way,” you promise, tugging on his elbow to slide closer to him until he can wrap his arm around your shoulders as the two of you slowly but surely glide around the rink. “I thought you were a little scary when I first enlisted, to be honest. You seemed so serious. But you’re just a big softie at heart, huh?”

He takes a while to respond, long enough that you’re worried you’ve said something to offend him. But then he looks down at you, flushed, and says, “I’m not so sure of that. But I’m glad you think so.”

Despite how long you’ve known him and his gentle nature at this point, there’s still something so insecure and worried in his eyes that you feel the need to set things straight.

“You don’t need to be sure,” you say dismissively. “I am. Remember when you set those escaped slaves free instead of turning them in? Or all the times you’ve turned pirate loot over to civilians instead of HQ? Even the way you’re always leaning down to hear us or make yourself look small. You’re so soft-spoken and gentle. It’s what I like about–”

It’s at that moment when Rosinante inevitably spills face forward onto the ice.

It takes you a moment to process what’s happened. Thankfully, he managed to drag his arm from your grip just in time to keep you from falling, but as he struggles to his knees, you realize that there’s blood on the ice.

“Oh my god, are you–”

“I’m sorry,” he says mournfully, wiping blood from his nose. “I didn’t mean to–”

“It’s okay,” you reassure him as you slowly help him to his feet. “But let’s get you back to dry land, okay?”

After collecting some tissues from one of the rink attendants, you make your way to a park bench, sheltered from the snow by a small awning, and dab at Rosinante’s face until the blood stops flowing from his nose. It’s not broken, thankfully, just a nosebleed, but face to face as you are, you can see that he’s a bit teary eyed.

“Does it hurt?” you ask gently, dabbing the last traces of red from his face.

“Not really,” he says hesitantly, then, rethinking his answer. “A bit. Mostly I just feel bad.”

“Why?” You can’t help but giggle a little at the absurdity of it. “You’re the one who’s hurt.”

He glances away from you anxiously. “I wanted it to be perfect. But now you’re spending your shore leave taking care–”

“Shh,” you say, resting your head on his shoulder. “I just wanted to spend time with you.”

“Oh.” He seems genuinely surprised at the idea. “I–oh.”

After a moment of quiet, you let your curiosity get the better of you.

“I have to ask. Why ice skating? It seems… Risky.”

Rosinante takes another long moment to answer.

“Like I said, I wanted things to be perfect for you. And this, well… it seemed so romantic.”

“Oh, Rosi,” you say, taking his hand. It feels so familiar to use his nickname on the first date, but then, you’ve known him for so long, there’s nothing wrong with that, is there? “Romance is about the people you’re with.”

“...I don’t do this kind of thing much,” he admits, squeezing your hand tightly. “But I think you might be right.”

“Think?” you tease, lifting your head to look back up at him. “Well, I think I can prove it to you. C’mere.”

He doesn’t pick up on what you mean right away, so you tug at one of the tassels on his hat, which finally seems to give him the message. There’s something a little ungainly but cute in the way he wipes his palms on his knees before bending over to kiss you.

Rosinante’s lips are ice cold at first, but it doesn’t take long for the two of you to warm each other up, melting into each other on the park bench as snow falls all around you, dusting the grass in white. When you pull away from each other, he tenderly cups your face in his big palms, his expression equal parts terror and adoration.

“So?” you smile. “Believe me yet?”

“I don’t know,” he says, but he sounds less unsure and more playful than before. “I think I need you to demonstrate that again.”

[donovanlizzie]

Jungle Rot PT2 - Robert Leckie

MASTERLIST

THE PACIFIC MASTERLIST

Part 1

The bustling streets of Melbourne hummed with activity as H Company found themselves stationed in the heart of the city.

It was a welcome respite from the sweltering jungles of Guadalcanal, the air cooler and the atmosphere more relaxed. The decision to bring the Marines to Melbourne before the upcoming Peleliu campaign wasn't just about rest; it was strategic.

The city provided a chance for the soldiers to decompress, to experience a taste of normalcy before returning to the brutal realities of war.

However, amidst the vibrant chaos of Melbourne's streets, Robert Leckie found himself on a different kind of mission.

Despite his best efforts, he hadn't been able to locate the elusive medic, neither below deck nor above.

Even in the temporary barracks set up in the massive cricket ground, she seemed to be nowhere in sight.

But fate had other plans for him that day.

As luck would have it, amidst the throngs of people, he spotted her—walking alone, her uniform crisp, against the backdrop of the bustling city.

With a surge of determination, Robert pushed off the bench he was sitting on leaving his friends in the dust.

He quickened his pace, weaving through the crowd to catch up with her.

"Hey, wait up!" he called out, his voice cutting through the cacophony of sounds around them.

The medic turned, her expression guarded as she recognised Leckie. "What do you want, Marine?"

He slowed to a stop, a slight pant in his breath from the chase.

"I've been looking for you everywhere. Thought I'd never find you."

She raised an eyebrow, her demeanor cool and collected.

"And what makes you think I want to be found?"

Robert chuckled, his charm undiminished by her aloofness. "Maybe I just wanted to say hi."

She eyed him with a touch of doubt, but something in her eyes softened ever so slightly.

"Well, you found me."

Robert grinned, relieved at her response.

"Yeah, I did. How have you been?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Surviving. Same as always."

He nodded, understanding the sentiment all too well.

"Yeah, it's been a rough ride. But hey, we're here now. That's something, right?"

She gave a small nod, her gaze distant for a moment before returning to meet his.

"I suppose so."

Robert fell into step beside her as they continued down the bustling street, the rhythm of their footsteps falling into sync.

Despite the noise and chaos surrounding them, a sense of calm settled over him as he walked alongside her.

"You know," he began, breaking the comfortable silence between them, "I've been thinking about what you said back in Guadalcanal. About focusing on the mission and keeping things professional."

She glanced at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "And?"

Robert shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "I get it now. I do. But that doesn't mean we can't... I don't know, find a bit of humanity in all of this."

She considered his words for a moment before responding, her tone softening ever so slightly. "I suppose you have a point."

Robert nodded , seizing the opportunity to bridge the gap between them. "Exactly! So, what do you say we grab a drink sometime? Just two Marines enjoying a moment of peace"

She hesitated, her gaze flickering with uncertainty before finally nodding in agreement. "Sure, why not? I could use a break."

Robert couldn't suppress his grin, feeling a surge of triumph at the small victory.

"Great! How about now? I know a place not too far from here."

" Now? What about your friends?" she asked, looking back seeing the small group consisting of Chuckler, Hoosier, Runner and Sidney bogging the two of them out. Their new ice cream cones melting in their hands as they watched.

" They'll survive without me for one day" Robert waved them off.

She scoffed a laugh and stepped to the side, "Fine... lead the way Marine"

Robert's smile widened slightly, taking the lead through the bustling streets. The cacophony of sounds and the vibrant sights of Melbourne gradually melted into the background as they strolled along.

Finally coming across a quaint little bar tucked away in a quiet corner of the city.

He held open the door for her with a flourish, a grin spreading across his face. "After you, ma'am."

She hummed softly, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she stepped inside.

The dimly lit interior of the bar provided a welcome contrast to the chaos of the outside world, the soft murmur of conversation mingling with the clinking of glasses.

He Lead her to a table in the corner, away from the prying eyes of other patrons.

"So," He began, his voice tinged with excitement, "what's your poison?"

She glanced at the menu, a small smile playing on her lips. "Surprise me."

Robert grinned, motioning for the bartender to come over. "Two surprises, coming right up."

As they waited for their drinks, the soft glow of the bar's lights cast delicate shadows across her features.

Robert shifted in his seat, watching her play with one of the beer mats on the table, feeling the weight of the silence settle between them like a suffocating blanket. Desperate to break the tension, he grasped for conversation.

"So, uh... where are you staying around here?" he asked, his words hesitant.

She looked up from the beer mat, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "A place nearby," she answered softly, leaning in slightly. "In the same damn cricket stadium as you, Marine."

Embarrassment flooded Robert's cheeks, and he shifted in his seat, attempting to conceal his fluster. "Of course," he mumbled, feeling a flush of heat spread across his face.

She chuckled softly, her laughter like a balm to his nerves. "But I've been busy," she explained. "Helping at the hospital or nursing hungover Marines back to health before they go out and do it all again."

Relieved by her response, Robert pressed on, eager to keep the conversation flowing. "So, what do you think of the city so far?"

She shrugged, her gaze drifting away momentarily before returning to meet his. "It's... different," she admitted. "But I guess it's nice to have a break from the constant gunfire, screaming, blood, you know the usual."

Robert nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of camaraderie in their shared experiences. "Yeah, it's a lot different from that island," he agreed, grateful for the distraction as their drinks arrived.

As they toasted silently and savored their drinks, the hours slipped away in the cozy ambiance of the bar, with the day quickly turning into night.

Eventually, the medic glanced at her watch, a reluctant sigh escaping her lips.

"I hate to say it, but we should probably get going," she said, her tone tinged with regret.

Robert nodded reluctantly, realizing their time together was coming to an end. "Yeah, you're probably right," he admitted, pushing himself up from the table.

As they emerged from the warmth of the bar into the cooling night air, Robert couldn't shake the ping of disappointment that settled over him. The reality of war seemed to loom larger in the darkness, casting a shadow over their moment of respite.

Walking alongside the medic in silence, Robert felt the weight of their shared experiences pressing down on him. But as they reached the cricket ground, their paths about to diverge, he couldn't ignore the longing in his heart.

Stopping in their tracks, they turned to face each other, a silent understanding passing between them.

"You know," she began, her voice softening, "tonight was... it was nice. Thanks for the company."

Robert met her gaze, a warmth spreading through him. "Yeah, it was," he agreed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Anytime."

They lingered for a moment, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Then, with a nod, the medic turned to leave.

But before she could go, she stopped, turned back to face Robert, and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.

"Goodnight, Robert," she murmured before disappearing into the darkness.

Robert stood there, stunned, feeling like he was floating on air. A smile tugged at his lips as he watched her go, savoring the moment before turning to head back to his quarters. But his reverie was abruptly interrupted by the sight of Hoosier, staring at him with wide eyes and a half-smoked cigarette dangling from his lips.

"Holy shit," he murmured, watching his friend smugly walk past him.

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

An: sorry it took so long 🫠

[thegreenleavesofspring]

And now I want to know everything about youuuu! :D

lantern - how did you meet your best friend? What were your first impressions of each other?

frost - if you could give some advice to your younger self, what would you say?

maple - is there a hobby / skill that you’ve always wanted to try but never did?

harvest - what fictional character do you most identify with? Why?

fireside - if you had your dream wardrobe, what would it look like?

cider - a food that you disliked as a child but now enjoy?

amber - share an unpopular opinion that you may have.

fog - how well do you think you’d do in a zombie apocalypse scenario?

jack-o-lantern - if you could look like any celebrity, who would you choose?

spice - have you ever encountered a house that you believed to be haunted?

orchard - share one thing that you’d like to happen this autumn.

crow - which school subject do you wish you had an aptitude for?

bonfire - describe your dream house.

cinnamon - if you had to live in a time period different than the present, which would you choose and where?

cobweb - (if you’ve graduated) do you miss high school?

cranberry - what’s one physical feature that you get complimented on?

maize - share the weirdest encounter you’ve had with a stranger on the street.

quilt - how do you take your tea (or coffee)?

pumpkin - do you think that humans are inherently good or bad?

moonlit - are you a neat or messy person? Is your room / house orderly?

flannel - have you ever gone on a bad date? 

cocoa - if you could have any type of hair, what colour and cut would you have?

ghost - is there someone that you miss having in your life?

I do not have a 'best friend' as pop culture views it, per se. All my dearest friends were met online, though.

I think I would try to impart the lessons I have had to learn, a little earlier and a little more gently.

One time, visiting Mt. Vernon, there was a practical demonstration of weaving. The lady kindly let me try it and I wove about half a foot of cloth, and ever since then I have wanted to learn to weave properly and get a loom.

Ken Way is in many ways a self-insert.

A blend of Ren Faire and Edwardian Lady.

Bread-and-butter pickles.

...kay this one I can't really answer without going on a long rant and a soapbox, so I think I'll let it slide. :x

I like to think I'm fairly sensible and level-headed in a crisis, so if I could make myself useful to some warlord I'd probably be fine. I don't have the physical prowess to survive on my own along with protecting my children, however. (Per the tropes, arguably I'd be the gratuitous blonde killed at the beginning of the story for shock value and to establish the stakes, but I'm not sure I'm either curvy or promiscuous enough.)

Nil. I don't wanna look like a celebrity.

...yes, the one I grew up in for ~7 years of my life. It was... so freaking haunted.

I am DETERMINED to take my boys to the Fair later this year.

Math.

Any suburban pre-fab, at this point. Large kitchen, open floor plan, a yard and room for the boys to play, lots of windows and light. Ceiling fans. I'm rather more fond of trees than most neighborhood planners are at this point, though.

Nope. I'm good in the Internet Age.

I basically dropped out of high school and was homeschooled anyway so... not really.

🤐

If we're talking about on the street, I was one time on a ten-mile hike home after being abandoned at the store and a guy in a tow truck pulled over and demanded that I let him give me a ride home. Told me to call whoever I wanted and stay on the phone the whole time or whatever, but that it was a busy road that people flew down and I would get hit. And if I refused he'd just drive alongside me and make sure no one hit me. I did have someone on their way to pick me up, but I think about that man from time to time.

It depends on the tea. If it's spiced I put half-and-half in it, if it's not I take it black.

I tend to be very pessimistic about people but I also try to keep in mind that everyone has their own struggles and hardships and heartaches.

I prefer a certain amount of neatness in my life, but with three heathen little boys it's not as much as I'd like.

...almost all of them, if I'm being honest. 🤐

Overall I rather like my hair, recent difficulties not withstanding.

...there's a lot of people. Some of them my fault and some of them not.

Thank you for the ask! ^_^

[roshield]

ACHIEVED

GLIMPSES OF THE PAST

send ACHIEVED for a scene from my muse's past in which they completed / achieved something they were proud of

"Are you nervous?"

The question from Jill isn't anything of a surprise to the young lord. Clive looks over at the girl, Torgal scooped up in her arms. Despite not being the one partaking in the ducal tournament, she was the one who seemed the most nervous, the way she shuffles her feet a little. She's nervous for him, of course. There's so much riding on this.

"A little," admits Clive as he rolls his shoulders back. He's always been honest with Jill; he is nervous, because there's so much riding on this. Clive may be Joshua's elder brother, but that didn't mean he got the easy path in life, nor did it mean he would automatically be granted First Shield. Like everyone else who has entered the tournament, he had to prove himself.

Like always. Like he's always done ever since he could first walk.

"He'll do just fine, milady." Sir Murdoch's voice rings proudly, a strong hand patting on Clive's shoulder. "He may not have bested me yet, but those participating also have never had me as their tutor, so I'd say the young lord has a good chance of winning." The Lord Commander looks at his student with proudness in his eyes, confidant in him, and Clive can't help but beam a little underneath the praise.

( rodney murdoch had always been like a father to him, stepping in where elwin had failed. it's something he never admits, but he wonders if things would have been better for him and joshua if the brothers had been raised as sir murdoch and lady hanna's sons. living in the small cottage in eastpool, with no worries of being a prince, shield, or a son a mother could love. )

Sir Murdoch's words do, at the very least, ease Jill as well. No longer shuffling in nervousness, she looks up at her friend with a fire burning in her eyes, nodding her head towards him.

"Go get 'em!" She cheers him on, Torgal's tiny barks alongside her encouragement. "Do it for Joshua!"

The young lord nods his head, a smile on his face. He had to win this, no matter what.

For his brother. For the person he swore to protect ten summers ago.

---

It's a close call, certainly, but as the final contestant falls to the ground, Clive ensures his victory.

There's cheers from the crowd around him, some in disbelief that someone so young ( fifteen summers, nonetheless! ) could actually win the ducal tournament, but Clive does. He's worn out, he feels like his legs could give out at any moment, but he's won at that's all that matters to him. He won for his brother.

"Clive!"

Said brother's voice rings outs, and as Clive turns around both Joshua and Jill ( and torgal's little legs, trying to keep up with them ) are running towards him. Joshua barrels into him first, unable to stop himself from throwing his arms around his brother in a hug. Jill, polite as ever, has her hands clasped in front of her with a bright smile on her face.

"You did it." She's breathless, as though she's been holding her breath the entire tournament. Maybe she was, in nervousness for him or in amazement. "You were amazing, Clive."

Clive laughs a little, feeling a little sheepish underneath her gaze. "If you weren't cheering me on, I don't think I would have been able to do it." He meets her smile with one of his own - bright, happy, and something shining for the girl that's only for her.

"I knew you could do it!" Joshua pulls himself away from his brother. "You're going to be be my First Shield now, right?"

There's a small pause. Cerulean eyes glance up to the stands - Elwin sits with a proud smile on his face towards his first born. Anabella is not present at all. Clive didn't expect her to be; she never held much interest in Rosaria's shields.

And she would never hold interest for someone who she refused to recognize as her son.

Clive feels his heart clench. It only unclenches when he looks down at Joshua, whose eyes shine bright with happiness that his elder brother would be his protector. Hs mother doesn't matter in this moment, he realizes.

"Of course, Joshua." The First Shield finally answers, the smile on his face growing. "From this day forth, I will be your shield. And I will see my duty through."

No matter the cost.

[sunnys-ocs]

@human-au-rps-foryou

(we moved this here bc we're proud of it so far and wanted to share

Sunny

Sunny got up early that morning to get dressed before he had to wake up his daughter, the bright rich-born, young lady who was abandoned alongside her twin brother by their mother, a woman who Sunny had previously worked for.

Sunny put on his undershirt, vest, jacket, slacks, nice shoes, gloves, and bowtie. This was his work outfit.

Sunny. Was a butler.

He woke up his daughter and son, the two children he had adopted after their mother left her suite and her children, abandoned.

He gently shook awake his little girl and little boy. "Hello my little princess, hello my little astronaut."

Cass

Cassidy rolled over and whined. "I don't wanna get uuuppp." The young 4 year old pulled her blanket over her head. She knew her dad was also her Butler, being assigned to she and her twin. But he was also their father.

Shane raised his head a small bit and groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Can we have pancakes?" Shane asked, sitting up.

Sunny

Sunny smiled warmly at the two. "You can have pancakes if you get ready right now. That way you can relax and eat them before we have to leave for school." The twins went to public school as the staff, who paid for practically everything for those twins, couldn't afford to send them to a private school befitting to their high social birth status.

Cass

Cass'head popped up from her pillow. "I don't wanna go to school!!!" She complained. It was their first day of school. First time away from home. Away from the magnificent food, cozy beds, big TV, and most of all... away from their Dad.

Away from stories and snack times and cuddle sessions and play time. No piggy back rides or tickle fights. No playing pretend or movie night with popcorn and ice cream. No silly face wars or staring contests.

No. More. Dad.

Cass could not bare the thought. She simply pulled up the blanket.

Shane was already getting up and preparing for school.

Sunny

Sunny looked down at his stubborn little girl. "Oh, come now, I know you'll have lots of fun. Remember all those fun times I took you two to the park and you played with new friends? School has a lot more kids your age for you to meet and play with. I know you'll love it." He was smiling that kind of smile parents have when they're rolling their eyes in that knowing way.

Then he smirked. "Besides.. if you don't get up.." He then changed his voice to sound like a knock off cookie monster and a knock off Yoda had a child. "The tickle monster will get you!!" Then he threw off the blanket and started tickling her sides.

Cass

Cass giggled and burst into fits of laughter. She then practically threw herself off the bed and ran for the kitchen. Her giggles echoing the home.

Shane clung to the butler's leg, sitting on his foot. Still chatting about the pancakes. "Cass will want chocolate chip pancakes with whipped topping and sausage and berries on the side. And syrup! I want the same thing except no chocolate chips." Shane said. He loved his dad, but he was also hungry

Sunny

Sunny chuckled and shook his head at the twins. What was he gonna do with those two.

He loved them so much.. He was going to miss them while they were at school. It would be the longest he and them have ever been apart. Even while he worked they were somewhere nearby or only babysat for an hour or four at a time.

"Yes, yes, I'm aware, but you must get dressed. We can't have you going to school in your pajamas, my dear." He gently shook his leg as he spoke, as if it would actually shake him off (even though Sunny knew he was being too gentle to hurt him, meaning it would never shake him off.)

Cass

Shane got off the leg and began looking through his clothes. All of them were super fancy clothes. The staff, including Sunny, was rich beyond belief. So of course the 4 year old twins only got the very best of the best. Anything they wanted, they got at top quality. Yet the twins weren't brats about it. On the occasion they were told no, they never fussed over it.

Cassidy still didn't want to go. She wanted to color in her coloring book with Shane and Dad. She didn't want to make new friends, she had the staff of the establishment they lived in. She didn't want to go to school. But how could she tell her father

Sunny

Sunny looked over at Shane and smiled, and then looked over at Cass. Then he shook his head with a soft sigh. "Hunny bunch, what's wrong?" He asked while getting down on her level on one knee. "You have all kinds of fun making new friends at the park? Its the same thing hunny I promise you'll have tons of fun!" he said trying to get her excited. "Besides, we can have our special family breakfast before you go if you hurry." He knew she loved family breakfast. They were together and that was her favorite. She said so.

[luscalucca]

The Friends

Two strangers meet in a party, they’re friends of people each knows, and had barely interacted before, but the few times they had, it was a nice one. One of them is their friend’s friend from college, the other one is the friend’s friend from a previous job. The friend from college is about 19, although very inexperienced in all things life, the few experiences he had made him mature way too much for all the wrong reasons, but he tried his best to keep going. The friend from the job has a lot of experience, but doesn’t get enough time to process what happens to them as a result of consecutive things happening at all times.

They both don’t know anything about the other, aside from what they gathered along the party. They sit next to each other, by chance, when alongside other friends also talking. They were unaware of each other’s existence till a few hours ago.

There is no romance, the friend from the job is in an happy relationship with someone else who couldn’t come to the party, and the friend from college is simply not interested in a relationship, especially with someone who they’ve barely known and with little information he heard in another time at the party was exactly that the other was in a relationship.

The party has already mostly died down. At this moment, everyone who hasn’t left is just talking to themselves or on their phones mostly wondering whether or not they’ll be able to afford the ride home. There is no music, there is only a calm chatter from some of the groups still around that are starting to come together.

The friend from college has ordered an uber and due to the time being really close to past his time, and with the few bucks he had left in his account, that was the best time to order an uber. The friend from the job has no clue whether or not they’ll even get home till the next day and doesn’t even want to ponder when they’ll bother with it just yet.

In the midst of the group conversation, new information about the friend from the job comes up: They wanted to go for a music degree, but ended up in an engineering major. The friend from college hears this and remembers: they also wanted an art related degree but ended up in an engineering degree, although he dropped out of it as fast as he could.

-Oh, you’re in engineering? - The friend from college asks directly

-Yeah, I’ve been doing it for a while now.

-Cool, what type?

-Ambiental Engineering, I’ve always been more from that side of environment things y’know. I wanted to try and go for the Technical College but my parents said I should go for the Federal University.

-I see, I see.

-Yeah, yeah, and it's nice. But my dream has always been a music degree, it has been my passion since I was a kid, y’know. But y’know, it’s hard going for it when you’re stuck around here.

-Yeah, yeah. - They nod

-And like it’s not easy to convince your parents to go for an artistic degree when you’re more likely to not make money from it.

-I feel that I've also wanted to go for a Cinema degree.

-Really? What are you doing now?

-Publicity and Propaganda.

-Oh it’s always these three that come up huh? Engineering, Publicity and Law.

-Haha yeah, I went for Engineering too when I first started going into college, I went into Mechanical Engineering tho. Like, I tried for Cinema and Engineering, ended up being able to get into Engineering rather than Cinema. Awful stuff, it wasn’t like three days in and I was already seeing where I could drop out.

-Haha I’ve been like that. I really feel like I’m just wasting my time doing that. Because like, ever since I was a kid I’ve been into like, music, as in composition, singing and stuff, and that kept on till I was an adult y’know. But, again I went into college because my parents told me it is better to be making money doing than not while doing something I like.

The friend from college keeps nodding agreeingly seeing as they remember their experience was similar, and they thought the same until they dropped out. That juxtaposed by them thinking ‘man, should I stop staring too much? Am I looking weird? Nah, this feels okay, I’m locked in the conversation, that should be fine.’

-But I don’t think that way y’know? - The friend from the job continues - I think I feel like shit doing something I dislike, I don’t think I’d be suffering so much just doing something I like.

-Oh no, totally. Like, I don’t think you should drop out just yet-

-But I’m almost doing so though.

-Yeah, Yeah I know, I did that, don’t regret it. But it is a big thing, and I think doing something you like is more important, but like, as it is very apparent, artistic things are ultra undervalued, so you would need something else to survive off of. 

The friend from the job nods. And the friend from college continues:

-Like me, I went for Publicity because it kinda aligns with Cinema, I can use a lot of it.

-Yeah, I know, it’s just weird because I’m 20 and I feel like I’m getting old and I won’t get there if I don’t start going for it now. I don’t want to keep wasting time on this.

Although the conversation is picking up pace, the ride from the friend from college is getting here. The friend from college picks their phone up remembering this detail, they want to keep talking so they see if they could cancel the ride. But, the uber is a minute’s distance away. Will they get refunded if they cancel? Who knows. But their bank account won’t have a second ride waiting. But the conversation might too good to pass up, so they try to reach a better conclusion:

-Yeah yeah, I went through the same, and in your case I think you should, especially because we use that stuff in places we don’t even see and…

Although they had more things to say, and they kept talking till the college friend packed their things rapidly, it was too short. The conversation did not had a real conclusion. The college friend could not afford to waste the ride, and the friend from the job just stayed, they moved on to talking to the group again. 

The friend from college went away, unsatisfied, thinking they could really keep talking all night long with the other friend. Meanwhile, the friend from the job just kept talking about whatever they could with the group, and ran away from the conversation they just had, probably also unsatisfied, or maybe indifferent from the result of the conversation.

The party’s end continued till god knows when, the friend from the job eventually went home, and slept. And so did the friend from college.

Nothing was lost. No one died. No one was saved. At the end of the day, just a conversation that ended before its conclusion. Just two people who didn’t know of each other’s existence until a few hours ago. But now, they knew a bit more about each other. Maybe they’ll meet again, another time, at another friend’s party, and then they’ll end that conversation.

[pageofsuns]

i have some thoughts about cyrus' horse (and muriel's too!) in muriel's route because world building yada yada you know how it is. disclaimer that i know nothing about horses and im working solely with my imagination and realism means nothing bc this is a story where you fight the devil. so here's a really long post about HORSES

(route spoilers obv)

at the beginning of the route, cyrus is scared of horses. she's never had to ride in the 3 years she's been alive, and anytime she's seen them in the city they've huffed at her and she's decided just to give them a wide berth. she's always been INCREDIBLY wary.

when nadia says they'll be riding horses south, cyrus pales and begins wringing their hands, babbling incoherently to try to calm themselves as she and muriel make the walk to meet the horses.

muriel's horse is a massive, stunning black clydesdale named osiris. he's calm and gentle, a pure reflection of muriel.

cyrus, on the other hand, has been left a palamino akhal teke horse named apollo

he's one of nadia's favorite horses in the palace stable, he's reliable and notably has always been one of the easiest horses to work with.

osiris takes to muriel quickly, mostly just happy to be there, relaxed as ever.

cyrus tentatively offers their hand for apollo to sniff

but something about cyrus sets him off

he immediately bucks his head forward, knocking cyrus on their ass in the dirt

apollo is jittery and excited and suddenly extremely rowdy

cyrus has always been good with animals, this is unprecedented and WEIRD

with some coaxing and comforting from muriel, he's able to calm apollo and help cyrus onto the saddle

the first couple days of riding are far from smooth, to say the least

apollo seems to have taken so much interest in cyrus that he keeps trying to turn his head far enough to see cyrus, and keeps accidentally slamming his whole head into them

he'll start jumping and running sporadically and cyrus just holds on for dear life

a handful of times apollo bucked cyrus off just to turn around and lick their face as they lay in the dirt

this supposedly calm-natured, dignified, beginner-friendly horse has become far too excitable to have an easy ride

what cyrus first thought was aggression and anxiety is actually just him being excitable and, frankly, a little shit

cyrus decides she wants to bond with apollo, so will take breaks from riding to walk alongside apollo

after weeks of traveling together, they're pretty much best friends

he and muriel take time to braid flowers into their horses' hair while they walk

cyrus riles apollo up like a dog with zoomies

whilst muriel and osiris look on in poorly veiled admiration

while traveling through the forest on foot, cyrus and apollo share berry snacks, every other berry going to apollo

when lucio leaves after the first fight, apollo intercepts him at the entrance to cave practically growling, but after lucio swipes at apollo, the two horses flee back to the palace

cyrus is DEVASTATED and worried sick until asra informs them the horses returned safe

when they return to vesuvia, they're sure to make a stop at the stables to see apollo before continuing on to the masquerade

days have passed since the masquerade went to shit, tent-vesuvia is in full swing around muriel's hut, and up walk osiris and apollo to muriel's hut, disheveled and looking hungry

apollo, being a "golden horse", was lucio's first pick out of the stables

the second his stable was opened though, apollo knocked lucio to the ground and took off out the door, osiris following suit after his friend

apollo proceeds to then be the horse cyrus rides into battle

jump ahead to the games

obviously apollo cannot be one of the horses in the line up, it wouldn't be fair

but when cyrus sees lysinger, it hits like a truck

the memories come flooding back

the reason apollo acted so strange when they first met was because he knew cyrus before they died

apollo had been a novelty animal in the red market, a golden horse that was practically untameable

cyrus was able to "liberate" (see: steal) apollo from the vendor

nadia graciously allowed him to take apollo to the stables at the palace where they would proceed to train together

slowly, apollo and cyrus grew to be a team. he went from viciously wild to the perfect partner horse

eventually nadia was able to start using apollo as a beginner friendly horse because of how well trained he was

cyrus would visit apollo every day, but as times grew more dire, they would see less and less of each other

cyrus helped him get more accustomed to the stablehands, having the foresight to see that her time was on the horizon and she wouldn't be able to see apollo anymore

he grew antsy without them, but with some help from the stablehands, was able to become one of the best horses nadia had in her stable

in lysinger, cyrus sees apollo, which is why he's the horse he picks for the games

after all the dust has settled, apollo and osiris move to live outside muriel's hut, pretty much free range

just like the chickens, the horses are more like neighbors than anything

gay horses (they're in love) but anyway

any time muriel and cyrus travel south, they take osiris and apollo, making the trip with a lot less goats this time

and thats. all that i have, i think. in conclusion, i'm not a horse person and have never ridden horse irl and know literally nothing about them i just cant NOT make deep connections with animals teehee