#so glad Midnight has been around I know he's good at handling family shit

[spade-club]

Im overwhelmed and im coming to believe theres a lot of shit going on. I feel really overwhelmed. Just learned in this exact moment that we got drunk recently. Allegedly was not a good idea. Theres a person in our life that if I knew more about id be ripping my teeth out in pain and embarrassment, I can just feel it. Our social battery is so full lately its been fueling some wild decisions. I want to lay in bed forever and rot away. My head is killing me. Trauma has been flying around us. Theres no good news. Nothing to console me. Just listening to music and calmly freaking out over it all because I dont know anything thats going on. I feel like im being subdued. I dont feel upset but I also feel awful. I dont feel anything though. Its weird. This bed isnt as comfortable as my old one...

[highlifeboat]

Cause this AU got me by the throat and I love expanding on ideas with you (going off the assumption this is her more lucid/less violent times):

1. How's Max's mom handle daily life with the Dimitrescus? Her kid just casually having breakfast with cannibals, working for one, trading snide remarks and somehow not getting killed/attacked for it (Cass wants to, Mel just gives her a look to behave more in front of Max's mom - Max may take advantage until his mom scolds him for rudeness, even to a cannibalistic nightmare)?

2. You know the maids have gossiped about Max before, how is his mom handling that? Especially since some is true?

3. (Potentially little angsty) Oh God is Cass gonna tell her about some of the "dumb shit" (in her mind, honestly pretty horrifying for a parent to hear) Max has done while dealing with trauma?

4. Does she ever witness one of the midnight escapades (Mia being feral, group snack time, etc) and how does she respond?

5. Is Daniela trying to become her mother in law's favorite? Is she succeeding?

6. Does Max admit that Mel is his best friend?

Oh, I’m SO GLAD you’re liking this because I’m living for it rn.

ANyway

1 . It definitely takes a little time before his mom is somewhat comfortable around them, and even then it’s just… bizarre. Everything she knows about the Dimitrescus is that they’re merciless cannibals who will eat anybody that even looks at them wrong but… here they are. Eating dinner together like a normal family, with typical family banter going on. That her own child is taking part in. Him trading snide remarks with Cass especially scares her a little. Daniela tries to reassure her it’s fine “They’ve only fought once in the last month!” This somehow does not help.

Life really isn’t as… wild, as she would have imagined living with one of the Lords to be. There’s definitely moments of things being said/done out of pocket that’s clearly just normal for them, but overall it doesn’t feel any more chaotic than her own family.

Alcina and Mia try to be accommodating, and she actually makes decent conversation with them (dare she say she thinks they could almost be friends). Elena and Melony are both very sweet, she’s still not entirely sure what to make of Bela and Cass, but Bela’s been very polite and respectful, and Cass has been nice, if brutish. Daniela is very sweet. So, y’know, for a family of people eaters and their somewhat normal S/O’s they aren’t bad.

Looping back, Melony is definitely making Cass hold back from saying her usual snarky comments in front of Max’s Mom. On the flip side, his mom is also making him hold back negative remarks because “You shouldn’t be rude.” (Cue the “Sorry, mama…” “Good. Now apologize to Cassandra.” “*....Sorry Cassandra.”, to which Cass would chew him out for later. If Melony didn’t also make her apologize.)

2 . In terms of rumors/gossip, I feel like that’s something she isn’t entirely… surprised by, at the very least. It just largely depends on what type of gossip it is.

Even while living in the Village Max was pretty… not secretive about sleeping around with women, so hearing maids whisper things about him sleeping around wasn’t exactly a revelation. Of course there are exaggerations. Things that are clearly just rumors spiraled out of control. She can deal with those (though it does bring back some… less than fond memories of being harassed for having a “Whore (insert slur) daughter”)

There’s also… other gossip. Debates about his gender, whispers about his mental health, general mutters about his relationship with Daniela (mostly if it’s even real or not), something . Some of those are a little… harder to ignore. But Max seems to simply wave them off because “I don’t care what a bunch of idiots call me.” (which she’s pretty sure he’s said word for word years ago as well). She wants to talk to him about it, because she can tell it bugs him at least a little, but he doesn’t want to and she can’t make him. Even if she is his mom. She just reaffirms how much she cares for him instead.

It still bothers her, in all honesty, but she knows not much can be done about it.

3 . There’s things Max has done that Cassandra definitely classifies as “Just fucking stupid” despite it being part of a series of ongoing problems for him having no self preservation, that maybe she and some others don’t fully realize is super serious. Because not everybody knows how bad Max’s PTSD/trauma is and that it’s part of the reason for why he does certain things.

I can see Cass, when his mom asks about how he’s been doing, telling her about how he once “fell over the banister railing” in the main hall and landed on his face, or one of the many times he was shit face drunk and passed out and they almost thought he was dead, or literally any of the several instances of him getting into an “accident” that “could have killed him”. While his mom just sits there, horrified, and incredibly concerned for her baby boy’s well being.

Bonus points if Max is in the room with them (maybe cause he doesn’t fully trust Cass to be nice), trying to laugh this stuff off as “Haha, yep, I sure am stupid.” but silently freaking out because he can probably count at least 3 of those stories that were actual attempts on his life that he just failed at. But he doesn’t wanna bring down the mood or concern his mom.

I think the two of them have to have a conversation about that.

4 . Once. She’d gone to the kitchen for water, brought a candle for light, walked in on all Mia, Melony, Elena, and her own son all gathered around shoving snacks into their faces. They immediately noticed her, stared, Max said “It’s a coping thing.” Suddenly she wasn’t thirsty, and she turned around and walked back to the guest room with a muttered “That can’t be sanitary.”

They’ve never brought it up after, but she thinks about it sometimes.

She has seen Mia be feral more than once, though. She has no clue what her deal is, because Mia’s pretty normal like 90% of the time (Still a little weird, but normal compared to everything else). And then she’ll just see her perched on a chair devouring a bushel of grapes and a whole loaf of bread or something. At this point she chooses not to question it.

5 . Daniela definitely gets the “Must impress boyfriend’s mom” mentality real fast. Despite Max constantly saying “She already likes you, you’re fine.” Daniela is determined to be the best daughter in-law. She’s constantly trying to help and do whatever she can to stay on his mom’s good side (and maybe doesn’t realize she’s being a tad overwhelming)

To her credit, though, she probably actually is her in-law’s favourite. Cass is too much of a bully towards Max (well, and in general) for his mom to really like her, and Bela is… Bela. She’s very well mannered, but also just kind of awkward and stilted. Daniela is still weird, but she’s much easier to talk and get on with. If she had to rank them favourite to least it would be; Daniela, Bela, then Cassandra.

6 . I like to think the way Max was introducing everybody was like “This is X and she's pretty cool.” or whatever.

And then he gets to Melony, gently puts his hand on her head and is like “This is Melon Ball. You’ll love her. Kind of my best friend. She’s basically a sister to me at this point.” Which is not something Melony has ever heard him say out loud.

His mom thinks it’s cute her son has a little (haha) friend. (She likes Melony a lot more than the people he used to hang out with)

[arwainian]

Reading this week (final week of 2022!)

holiday week with Plenty of travel and variable reading habits. it pleases me a lot that the new year starts on a sunday just so like, the weeks will be all night like that when doing weekly recaps like this. i'm a few hours out from midnight where i'm writing this right now, but a happy new years to my friends and mutuals in earlier timezones who have already made it to 2023. here's hoping its a good one and i read many amazing things in the new year

Started and Finished:

Ruin of a Rake: A Cure by Cat Sebastian

in this year's collection of Holiday Epilogues from the author! Sebastian (re)releases a collection of epilogues/vignettes for her various books every year around this time, most of them previously published but still fun to read. out of the collection this was the one i felt interested the most in reading bc of it's cool premise: its not actually an epilogue, but instead a short story "written by" one of the heros of her romances, where he inserts himself and hs boyfriend as the main couple of a vampire story. WHAT a premise, and it was good. (also, i imagine its kinda mortifying for Courtenay to read that his Julian wrote his [Courtney's] pov for this)

recently published comics handed to me by my dad:

Nightwing (2016-) #99 Batman/Superman: World's Finest (2021-) #10

the comics my dad knows to pass along to me when he's finished with them. i am just loving World's Finest, but i found this recent issue pretty hard to follow visually (though there Was some super cool stuff like when Superman dragged Batman and Robin across Gotham mid-sentence)

Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins, Vol. III written by Jody Houser, illustrated by Olivia Samson & J.P. Massa

worked for me better than vol. 1 but not as good as 2, also getting this out of the library (on libby) was a crazy hassle bc there was something wrong with kindle downloading an individual issue from vol 2 instead of (literally any) of volume 3

a LOAD of Fire Emblem: Three Houses fanfic (all authors listed by ao3 handle):

a fool's dance by ohroses Summer by shenyun5000 Lament by grayimperia like a house on fire by acronymed my fellow passerine by Schistosity Moonrise by Schistosity halcyon days by 0shadow_panther0 The Red Pen by Pardra no archive warnings apply by rime

i have been Playing fire emblem three houses and that means diving into the ao3 tag a bit looking for the good shit. this is what i've read this past week (i'm almost certain there's stuff from previous weeks that i forgot to record) and i patently refuse to talk about every single on of them

Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey

okay. i need to check out more McCaffrey sci fi/fantasy, this was great and gentle while still exciting and new. also an amazing read for a plane ride

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

believe the hype about this book and go read it. it's fantastic. i could gush about it forever. the GENDER DYNAMICS AT PLAY in this book. wow it feels so well thought out, and also Zhu is such a clever protagonist. at several points i started like... grinning in distress? like as "WOW that is such a clever plan from Zhu and also. horrific. what a move"

"Toward a Trans History of Abortion" by Jules Gill-Peterson on her substack

this has been sitting open in my phone internet browser tabs for a little bit and i'm so glad i got around to reading it today! Gill-Peterson seems like a great source for me looking into trans history research, and I loved her insight in this as something that she's beginning to look into for conenctions and history

almost right by unchosenone on ao3

reread this one bc i saw a post recommending based-in-comics-batfam-fic, and in all honestly my family is on the precipice of a bit of reckoning right now, so reading this felt... Apt

Started and Ongoing:

Teen Titans: The Silver Age Omnibus, Vol. 1

my dad got this Behemoth for himself this year and i am happily reaping the rewards of his splurge. i love the og 60s titans so much they are my CHILDREN. super goofy and cute and i look forward to reading more once i am back home and not travelling and thus able to sit down with this 800 page tome of comic (in... 1ish week)

The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty

another rec from my dad. i read the first chapter today and it's intriguing! i'll probably save reading more of it for flight heavy days coming up

AND THAT CLOSES OUT 2022 for reading! (barring if i read any more fanfic before going to sleep tonight and don't feel the urge to come and add it here) GOODNIGHT

[imaginationintowords]

Folklore [song series]

this is me trying

Modern Day AU! Steve Rogers x OC!Reader; Bucky Barnes x Natasha Romanoff

Plot: Inspired by Taylor Swift’s new album folklore. The story follows the timeline of Bucky and Elizabeth’s life throughout the years.

word count: 3592

[a/n: I’m so sorry that it’s taken me so long to update this and my other story. i’ve been busy with school and work. thank you for your continued patience and support]

previous part

Series Masterlist

Age: 20 Year: Dec. 2014 Location: Brooklyn, NY

"How have you been James?”

Bucky looks out the window to his right. Hands grasped together in his lap as he sits on the dark green sofa across from the woman he's been seeing for the last 5 months.

He ponders the question, making sure to answer it honestly. He looks back at her giving her his full attention again.

"Good," he answers truthfully, a small smile planted on his face. Life has been good. School is going incredibly well. My job is going better than I could've imagined. Really learning a lot."

"How are things going with Natasha?" The older lady asks.

“Great. Really great," Bucky says with a slightly bigger smile.

"Good. I'm glad to hear that," she smiles back, proud to the see progress James has made since his first visit moths ago.

After the blow up he and Steve had, Bucky fell into a depressive state. He refused to talk to anyone about what had happened. It wasn't until his younger sister Rebecca came to talk to him:

"I get you don't want to talk to any of us about what happened last week," she said as Bucky laid in bed looking out the window, his back facing her, "But you can't just stay in bed, hiding for the world. Starving yourself isn't going to solve anything.

"Sulking is only going to make you worse. It's not healthy, Buck. We're all worried. Ma is incredibly worried. She's barely been eating. I hear her wandering the house at all hours, because she can't sleep."

"You don't want to talk to us, fine. But you need to talk to someone. If not for yourself, but for Ma. Please," she begs, before leaving Bucky alone to ponder what she said.

He knew he wasn't coping the healthy way. He hadn't realized how much he was affecting his family by shutting down. The last thing he wanted to do was worry his mother. So he got himself up, took a shower, ate breakfast with his family. They were surprised to see him come down, but tried not to draw any extra attention to it. Rebecca gave him an understanding nod, which he reciprocated. After breakfast, he began his research. He decided to listen to Rebecca's advice and find someone to talk to someone to help him make sense of what is going on in his mind.

And that's how he ended up in Dr. Abraham's office.

"Have you contacted Steve yet?" She asks.

"No," he answered fiddling with his fingers, "I feel embarrassed about the way I reacted."

"That's normal, James," she assured him, "But in order to repair any damage that's been cost, you need to talk to Steve. To move forward. From what you've told me he's a very understanding person. I'm sure once you've apologized and explain to him the steps you've taken to help your mental health, I'm sure he'd be willing to accept you back into his life."

"I'm not so sure," he looked down at his hands.

"You won't know until you've tried. Listen, I'm not here to tell you what to do or what not to do. I'm just here to help you navigate your thoughts a little better. In a more healthy way. If you're really serious about living a more healthier mental life, I think you should talk to him. You don't want to really throw this lifelong friendship away, do you?"

"No, I don't," he shakes his head.

"Good. Remember to be honest," she tells him, "Vulnerability isn't a bad thing. Your feelings aren't a nuisance. it's how you handle them is what matters. I'm not saying you have to talk to him as soon as you walkout of here. I just want you to start making the notion of doing so. Our time is just about up, how about we do this. Some homework for the week.

"I want you to write a letter to Steve. Bring it in next week, you don't have to read it. But I would like to discuss it. What do you say?"

"Okay, I could do that," he agreed.

Christmas week

Steve and Elizabeth flew back home a few days before Christmas. They put their bags in the trunk of their rental car.

The car ride was silent for awhile, both tired after a long flight, now sitting in traffic on their way back to their parents' place. This would be their first time back to Brooklyn since the whole Bucky situation. The road trip back to California was fun, but there was a looming sadness over Steve. It's not like he regrets standing up to Bucky he doesn't. He just wishes thing would've played out differently. He really wished Bucky would've talked to him before he left back to California.

"How are you feeling about being back?" Elizabeth asks, while they sat in traffic.

"I don't know," Steve sighs, "Feels weird going back home and not talking to Bucky."

"Maybe you should try calling him. It's been a few months. I'm sure he'd be willing to hear you out," she said, rubbing his right arm.

"I don't want to push him," Steve said through gritted teeth, his grip on the steering wheel getting tighter.

Bucky had been a touchy subject the last few months. During the first month Elizabeth would ask Steve if he'd heard from him, the answer always being no, followed by Steve shutting down. After that Elizabeth stopped asking, noticing how much it was affecting Steve, but the constant reminder of it wasn't helping. She knew that if Bucky ever did call, Steve would tell her. The only thing she could do was be patient and be there for Steve whenever he needed her.

The holidays kept everyone busy. On Christmas Eve. Steve spent it with Elizabeth's family at her grandma's house. Elizabeth found herself watching Steve play with her younger cousins, she couldn't help but giggle when they roped him into a tea party. She found herself imagining a future where Steve would do the same with their own children. She quickly shook the daydream away. Reprimanding herself a little for even thinking about kids at their young age.

On Christmas morning Elizabeth and Steve spent it with his parents. It was a nice peaceful day just lounging around in their pajamas. For dinner, Elizabeth's parents went over to have dinner at the Rogers' house. It was a nice little send off dinner for their parents who were leaving for Mexico to spend the New Years for a couples' getaway.

Elizabeth and Steve were heading to the Hamptons to spent NYE with Wanda, Thor, Loki, and Scott. They had planned to have a nice, peaceful trip.

While Steve and Elizabeth were at the Hamptons, Bucky and Natasha were spending their NYE at his family's beach cottage in Port Washington.

They were cuddled on the couch surrounded by take out containers, watching the New Years Eve special waiting for midnight to happen.

Bucky got up about 15 minutes to midnight to grab something from the kitchen. He walked back into the room with a new bottle of champagne and two champagne flutes.

"Got some champagne," he said holding it up for Natasha to see.

"Um," Natasha awkwardly shifted in her seat, "Actually about that."

Bucky looked at Nat confused, putting the bottle and flutes down on the coffee table before sitting back down next to her.

"What's wrong" he asked, grabbing the tv remote to mute the tv, and give Natasha his full undivided attention.

"So there's something I haven't told you," she says looking down at her fidgeting fingers.

"You're worrying me Nat," Bucky said, grabbing her hands to help ease her nerves

She looked up to meet his worry filled eyes.

"I'm pregnant," she announced.

Bucky eyes widen at her announcement, instantly dropping her hands. The look on her face showing she was telling the truth.

"How is that possible?" He asks in disbelief, "We've been so careful. We use double the protection. Condoms and you're on the pill."

"Actually about that," she nervously shifted under his intense gaze, "I haven't been on birth control in a little over two months."

"What?" Bucky yelled, quickly rising from his seat, "What do you mean you haven't been on birth control in a little over two months?"

"I got off of it," she shrugged trying to play it off, "It's my body and I can do what I want with it. And I just wanted to give my body a break, I've been on the pill since I was 15."

"I get it's your body, Natasha, I'm all for you doing whatever you want," he stresses, "but you should've told me. I'm your boyfriend, we have sex frequently. You should've at least had the respect of your sexual partner, letting him know that you were no longer on birth control. So in that case I could've been a tad more careful."

"We were using condoms," she half heartedly defended herself.

"They aren't 100% effective Natasha," he gripped his hair, in complete disbelief over this entire conversation, "You even know that. That also doesn't defend yourself for not telling me. You should've told me."

"I'm sorry. It's not like I was planning for this to happen," she yelled.

Bucky just stared at her like she just grew two heads. How is she not freaking out, he thought. They were clearly way too young for this. Which is why they took precautionary measures.

After a few moments of silence Natasha spoke up, "I'm keeping the baby."

Bucky didn't know what to say. He felt the room closing in on him. He started having a hard time catching his breath.

"James," Natasha quietly said, getting up to check on him. He raised his hand, silently telling her to stay where she's at.

He headed for the back door, the house felt too suffocating for him. He walked through the the small yard to the gate that led to the beach. Stumbling around.

To a stranger they would just think he's drunk. In reality he was just having a panic attack.

It was all too much. His mind was racing.

She's pregnant. With a baby. My baby. I'm going to have a kid. I'm going to be a dad. I'm not ready to be a dad. My dad was shit. God I can't be like my dad. I'm not ready for all of this.

He put his hands on his knees, hunched over trying to catch his breath. But he just couldn't. He did the only thing he could think of. He pulled out his phone and dialed the only person he knew would help.

Steve and Elizabeth were laughing with their friends, waiting for the countdown to begin. Steve felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He moved his shoulder off of the back of the couch, where Elizabeth was cuddled up against.

He pulled his phone out and his heart dropped at the name that appeared. He quickly got up and walked out of the living room and upstairs to the room where he was staying in for the week.

Wanda raised her eyebrow at Elizabeth, who just shrugged her shoulders, equally as confused.

"Bucky?" Steve answered the phone, closing the door behind him. He could hear Bucky hyperventilating on the other side.

"Steve," he tried to get out.

"Buck, what's wrong?" Steve asked, pressing the phone even closer to his ear the sound of everyone downstairs counting down to midnight.

"Steve, I-," Bucky was struggling to get out.

"Buck, please try to calm down," Steve stressed, "Inhale, hold it for a few seconds and then exhale. You need to calm down. I can't help you, if I can't understand you."

Bucky tried his best to calm himself down, with Steve talking him through it.

"Now, can you explain to me what's wrong?" Steve asked, hearing Bucky's breathing leveling out more.

"I-I'm not re-ready Steve," Bucky stutters, sniffling his nose.

"It's okay take your time, I'm here whenever you're ready."

"No, it's Natasha.”

"What's Natasha? Is she okay?" Steve questioned, getting more concerned.

"Yes, she's fi-ine," he stuttered again, trying to say the words.

"Where are you Buck?" Steve asked, looking around for his shoes and keys.

"I'm at the beach cottage."

"I'm in the Hamptons. Is there any way you can meet me back at my place?"

"Yeah, I think I can," Bucky said a bit more calmer now.

"Okay, I'll see you soon."

When midnight struck Elizabeth went upstairs to check on Steve, making sure everything was okay. She could hear him on the phone talking to Bucky, trying to calm him down. She waited outside of the door to give them some privacy.

Twenty minutes later Wanda went to go check on them, to find Elizabeth sitting on the floor.

"Is everything okay?" She whispered.

"I don't know," she answered, "I'm waiting for Steve. You can head back down, I'll be down shortly."

"Okay. We're here if you guys need anything," Wanda said before walking back down.

After another 25 minutes Elizabeth heard Steve hang up the phone. She softly knocked on the door, and let herself in. She walked in to see Steve frantically going around the room collecting his things.

"Steve is everything okay?"

"It's Buck. He called me while he was having a panic attack. Something about Natasha," he tells her.

"Is she okay?"

"I think so. I was able to calm him down. I need to get back home," he said putting his things in his suitcase.

"Okay. I completely understand. Do you want me to go with you for the drive?" She asked.

"I don't want you to have to cut your time here short," he says, feeling guilty for bringing this on her.

"Steve, something is clearly going on with Bucky. I want you to go to him, but maybe it's best if I drove. I haven't had a drink in hours, and you seem too frantic. Please let me help," she pleaded, placing her hand on his stopping him.

Steve looked up and noticed the worry on Elizabeth's face.

"Okay," he gave in, "We'll need to leave as soon as we can."

Elizabeth nodded, quickly grabbing her weekender bag and start shoving things in. If they forgot anything's he knew Wanda would bring it back.

They said their quick goodbyes and were on the road within 5 minutes, with Elizabeth behind the wheel and Steve fidgeting in the passenger seat.

Bucky took a few minutes to himself on the beach, trying to make sure his anxiety was at rest before he headed back inside. When he entered the house, Natasha shot up from her seat.

"Happy New Years," she awkwardly said, trying to cut the obvious tension.

"Umm," Bucky scratched his head looking everywhere but at Natasha, "We need to leave."

"What?"

"I mean, you can stay if you want and I'll pick you up tomorrow," he rephrased, "But I can't stay here. I need to go. Steve is meeting me at his house."

"Steve?" She was taken back by that mention, not expecting to hear Bucky say his name. He hasn't mentioned Steve in months.

"Yeah, I called him," Bucky says rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well that's good right?"

"Yeah, listen. I really need to go, so are you going to stay or come with me?"

"To see Steve?"

"No. I would drop you off at your place," he tells her, "I'm seeing Steve alone."

"Will she be there?"

Natasha didn't really know exactly why Steve and Bucky weren't talking, at first. Then she heard that Steve and Elizabeth were dating, and it all made sense. The only person that could tear Bucky and Steve apart. She never told Bucky that she knew. Figured it wasn't worth the fight. Especially not now when she was carrying his child.

To an outsider it might seem like she got pregnant on purpose, but that wasn't the case. She knew they were too young for this, at least that's what she thought when she first found out about the pregnancy a week ago. But now that she's sat with it she's taking it as a sign that this is meant to happen. She's just really hoping that Bucky would see it, if not now but eventually.

"Listen, Natasha, I don't have time for this," he looks her in the eyes, "Are you coming or not?"

"I'll get my bag," she remarked with a snark tone, walking passed him to their shared room.

A couple of hours later Bucky was pulling up in front of the Rogers' house. 2:15 am read the clock in his car. He looked to his right, out the passenger side window to see a dark figure sat on the front steps of the house.

Bucky took one last breath before exiting the vehicle.

As soon as he opened the front gate Steve stood up from where he was sat on the stairs.

Once Bucky approached him both young men threw their arms around each other. Gripping each other tightly, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. They stayed like that for awhile. Relishing in the comfort of being back in each other's arms. Their silent fight no longer important. All they knew in that moment was everything was going to be okay, because no matter what they'll always have each other.

Steve walked into his parents' living room holding two mugs of coffee. As he rounded the couch, he handed one to Bucky.

"Sorry, if I ruined any of your plans," Bucky apologized, "Tell Elizabeth I'm sorry for taking you away."

'Buck, don't worry about it," Steve waved him off, "She completely understands. And truth be told, I wasn't necessarily feeling in the New Year's mood."

"Yeah," Bucky sighs.

"Do you want to talk about what happened tonight?" Bucky nods his head, placing the coffee mug on the coffee table in front of him. He shifted his body to the left to face Steve.

"She's pregnant," he announces.

"What?" Steve asked, not expecting that to be the reason, he quickly placed his mug next to Bucky's.

"Yeah, my reaction exactly," Bucky said.

"What? How?"

"Apparently Natasha hasn't been on the pill in a couple of months," Bucky explains, "And even though we always used condoms, they aren't exactly 100% effective."

"Did you know she wasn't on the pill?"

"Nope," Bucky tells him, "If I knew I wouldn't been a bit more cautious."

"So she told you she was pregnant?" Steve said getting back to it.

"Yeah. She was so nonchalant about it. Like it was no big deal," Bucky stressed,

"How is she just so calm. We're not prepared for this. I'm not ready for this Steve. I can't be a dad. I don't even know how to be a decent human being."

"That's not true Buck," Steve disagreed.

"Come on Steve, we haven't talked in months, and we both know it's not because you didn't try," Bucky says, "I was so caught up in my own jealousy. And selfishness, that I never even considered your feelings or Elizabeth's. And I don't think I can ever make it up to you for treating you like you're nothing to me."

"You were hurt," Steve tried to excuse.

"Doesn't excuse the way I behaved," Bucky says, "I know that now."

"I've been seeing a therapist," Bucky informs him, "I never realized how much my mental health was taking a toll on those around me. So after our fight, I found someone to talk to. To work through the shit that's going on in my mind."

"How's that been going?" Steve asked.

"Good," Bucky gives a half smile, "Really good. She's good. I've realized a lot about myself that I didn't know. Working through all the issues I've had with my father leaving."

"That's good Buck. I'm proud of you, truly," Steve beamed, patting Bucky on the shoulder.

"I really am sorry for the way I behaved," Bucky repeated again.

"Buck, you really don't have to apologize again," Steve told him.

"I need to Steve," he said, "I can't believe I acted that way. I should've been happy for you and Elizabeth. I'm glad you two have each other. Seriously. I couldn't imagine her with anyone better, same goes for you. I won't cause any more issues for you two. It's not worth not having you in my life. You're my brother Steve, and I don't want to miss anything."

"Thanks, Buck. It really means a lot to me to hear that," Steve smiles, "Because I don't want to miss anything in your life also."

"Yeah, especially now," he says, the reality of why they're there dawning back.

"How are you feeling now about the baby?"

"I don't know, man," Bucky shakes his head, "I'm afraid I'm going to screw this up, like everything else."

"But now you're working on that," Steve reminds him, "And you're not going to be doing this alone. You have people who are always going to be there. I may be in California now, but I'm just a phone call away. You're not alone. But you do have to try Buck. That's all that you can ever do. Try your best, no one's asking you to be perfect, but as long as you're trying your best, that's what's important."

Age: 21 Year: 2015

The sounds of a baby crying woke Bucky up from his sleep in the early depths of the morning. He quietly and quickly got out of bed, making his way to the small New York kitchen to make a bottle.

He walked into the small nursery where the two-month-old baby wailed from hunger.

"It's okay," Bucky shushed gently, picking up the small baby, "Daddy's here."

He adjusted the small baby in his arms before placing the bottle in the baby's mouth.

"There you go," he encouraged the small one, as soon as he heard the sounds of the baby drinking.

Bucky sat down on the chair in the corner of the room, opposite of the crib. He just stared as the newborn drank their bottle, while simultaneously falling asleep. Even though he was completely exhausted, he had never felt more happier. More at peace with where his life was at.

As long as he kept trying his best, he knows he can do this for the rest of his life.

[greyfongschemmenti]

Lin x reader request: Happy New Year, my love

I’m so sorry I’m publishing so late. I am so blocked so I literally took all day to try and write something for this request. Hopefully I did not let you down. Luckily this will be the last fic of 2020!!! So this is a milestone in itself. 

It’s currently 11:16pm where I’m at so it’s still 2020. So I still accomplished getting this request in the year. 

Hopefully you like this one anon. If not....I’m sorry *tears*

Happy New Year, My Love | Lin x Reader FF

Word count: 2510

It was the first new year’s celebration you were going to spend in Republic City, and you weren’t sure if you were excited or treating it as a normal day. Walking up to Air temple island and seeing Bumi and Meelo carrying boxes of fireworks “Ahh I see the island is going to have their own show” you smile. Both men give you their shit eating grin and nod “of course, It’s going to be huge!” Meelo jumps excitingly as he hurries over to the safe location to set up. “You are going to keep it safe right, Bumi?” you give him a glare as you fold your arms, and he smirks. “Of course, plus if things go south Kya can use her bending to wash it out. Wouldn’t want the chief to fine us” he laughs, and you shake your head. “there is only so much leeway I can do to not get you arrested, Bumi.” You exasperated and slid your hands in your pocket.

“where is the chief anyway? She is not with you?” Bumi looks behind you as he holds up the box and you shake your head. “no, why would she be with me?” you look at the eldest son of the cloudkids and he gives you a knowing look. You and Lin have been dating for a couple months and so far Bumi has been the only one catching on. As far as you knew Bumi was the only one…. The island sure loves to talk even if they are all about peace and quiet. It gets really noisy with the gossip. You sigh as you rub the back of your neck

“Actually no, she had to work tonight. You know because crime spikes up in the holidays.” you stress, and he rolls his eyes “hey I got this. It’s not my first time dealing with these beauties.” He smirks as he walks over and helps Meelo set up with the help of a few acolytes.

*

Lin has never really given an ounce of care for the new year celebrations. If anything it gave her more work and paperwork since it seems there are always crimes. Busted windows, drunken fights, disturbance calls, noise complaints, just to name a few. But this was the first new year since Tenzin that she was going to have someone, you. A part of her felt bad that she had to work, but duty came first. You of all people understood and for that she was grateful. You had told her that you were going to spend the evening alone, but Lin suggested to head over to the island with the airbending family instead. Once the shift was over Lin would head over, but the both of you knew that Lin would return in the wee hours of the night, after the festivities would be over.

Lin sighed as she glanced down at the paperwork in front of her and got back to work as her officers answered calls.

*

After a couple of hours playing with the kids you told them to run off and let them give you a chance to get something to drink. Kya walks up beside you as you sip some water and gives you a smile. “Fancy seeing you here. Actually I’m glad you’re here. No one should be alone for the new year.”

You gave her a soft smile and nod “yeah, I suppose that is true. I’m glad too. I love the family as if they were my own.”

“I’m sure everyone loves you too. Sad Lin couldn’t make it through.” She sighed as she folded her arms, and you looked a way for a second as you nod. “yeah, you know Lin. Always working to keep the city safe.”

“yeah, but I’m sure the city won’t crash and burn one night.” Kya huffs and you softly laugh “that may be true, but who are we to stop the chief from doing her duty”

A snicker is heard from behind the both of you and Kya rolls her eyes “really Bumi, how old are you exactly? You still snicker over that word”

You smile watching the banter back and forth from the two siblings. You slip past them as Bumi gets defensive at how funny the word sounds.

Stepping outside and feeling the cool breeze as some citizens couldn’t contain their excitement and started already setting off their own personal fireworks.

No one should be alone for the new year.

Kya’s words repeated into your mind and you glanced back at the temples. She does have a point, but who were you to just step into headquarters at this time of night. There is just two hours until midnight.

*

“you know as much as we love having here. I’m sure there is a certain chief of police that will love to be brought into the new year.” Bumi sits beside you at the wooden gazebo as you look out towards Yue bay and you playfully scoff “is this your way of kicking me off the island? And only with an hour left of the year”

“No, but what Kya said had some truth. No one should be alone during new year’s” he smiles softly as he nudges you before standing up. You look at him puzzled before looking back towards the direction of where headquarters would be before looking back at the eldest brother. “Go, I’ll come up with some excuse to give the family.” He nudges you before you finally give him a smile and stand up. Lifting your sleeve up you look at your watch and see you have less than an hour to head over. “Traffic is bad. I’m not sure I’ll make it” you mutter as you purse your lips. “well you better get going. Isn’t that why you have your motorcycle to begin with?” he smirks, and you return the smile. Giving him a hug “happy new year, Bumi” he returns the gesture, and you climb over the railing and earthbend down the island.

*

Lin looked over at her clock on her desk, 11:40 P.M., she groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose. There would be no use to call the island, all the lines are busy with everyone else trying to call their loved ones. It’s just a day, tomorrow everything will be back to normal, surely you did understand and aren’t feeling out of sorts.

*

You were revving your bike weaving and bobbing through other cars and vehicles that were trying to do the same that you were going. Trying to get to your loved ones to wish them a happy new year. You almost collided into a guy balancing boxes of baked goods on the sidewalk when you swerved past a satomobile. You yelled out your apologies while he yelled out exploitative at you. Looking ahead at the road with the cold wind blasting in your face causing your cheeks to turn a rosy pink. Glancing down at your watch, 11:50 pm, “I can make it. HQ is right down the road.” You mutter under your breath as you revved and sped quicker.

*

A knock on the door brings Lin back to the present as she files a report in her cabinet, “Better be important” she calls out as she metalbends the door open. “Hey chief, with five minutes left to the new year I was wondering if you want to celebrate in the bullpen” Officer Zan talked to the Chief. Lin looked over and indeed the clock had just turned 11:56 P.M. since the question. “thank you for the offer, but I have work that needs to get done.”

“of course, Happy New Year, Chief” the officer bowed

“Happy New Year, Zan” Lin nodded at the officer and he closed the door.

“just 3 minutes until the sky is bright and the noises” Lin muttered as she looks into her cabinet for her stashed bottle of sake.

*

“10!”

You jump off your cycle at the front of the building as you start to sprint inside the building.

9

Running past the front desk as the secretaries were watching the television watching the broadcast. You hear the muffled counting.

8

You run up the stairs as you reach the top floor towards the bullpen. You’ve come here once or twice to visit Mako and in turn was a way to see Lin. Which was how you met the chief and got introduced to her, the start of that relationship. A smile appears on your lips as you think back to that moment.

7

No, this is not the time.

6

You push past the door and look around trying to remember if it was a left of right to the bullpen. You close your eyes as you try to visualize the floor plan. “Crap, ok focus…. Once you go up the stairs you make a….. right” you look in that direction and hurried over.

5

“followed by a left” you voice out the directions and then the first door to the right will open into the bullpen. Sure enough the bullpen comes into view

“Hey, you’re Mako’s cousin right? He’s not here” Tan looks at you as the guys are all holding cups to cheer in the year.

4

“I’m not here for Mako, is the Chief in? I need to report something” you urged to the officer and he shakes his head “She doesn’t want to be disturbed”

3

“It’s fine. She knows me” you brushed him off and l remembered where her office is, but Tan stands in front of you. “She’s busy” you glare at him and push past him

2

“Stop!” Tan shouts out as you grab the handle and open the door to Lin’s office.

Lin looks up and her eyes widen when she sees you and then looks at Tan “What is the meaning of this?!”

1

“Happy New Year!!!” the cheers coming from the bullpen as the three of you are looking at each other. “I’m sorry Chief, I tried to stop them” Tan quickly explains and Lin raises her hand up to stop him “It’s fine. You’re dismissed Tan, enjoy the festivities in the bullpen.”

“yes, Chief” Tan bows and he gives you a look before walking out as you closed the door behind you.

“What are you doing here, y/n?” Lin stands up and walks around her desk as she looks at you. Her voice laced with a slight anger that you caused a commotion at her place of work and surprise.

“Happy New Year to you too” you smile as you stepped closer to the metalbender.

“Still haven’t answered my question” she smirked as she leaned against the desk folding her arms.

“No one should be alone on New Year’s, Lin” you spoke softly to her as you stepped right in front of her. “if you couldn’t be with me where I was, then I figured I should come to you.” you gave her a smile as you looked into her eyes.

“it’s just like any other day, y/n” Lin muttered as she looked away to hide her slight blush.

“That maybe but I wanted to start the year with someone I love” you smiled more as Lin’s eyes widened slightly before looking over at you.

“what?”

“I love you Lin Beifong.” You confessed, looking right at those pale green eyes that you love to lose yourself in. A blush appears on your cheeks as you turn your eyes away from the slight embarrassment.

“Do you really mean it?” Lin looked up at you, this isn’t the first time you’ve dropped the word, but it still surprised her that someone would come to express it towards her. She didn’t think she would be able to find someone else to share those emotions with. She looked almost hopeful that you wouldn’t have doubts or regrets from saying it, doubts about you not really loving her. It all vanished instantly when you looked back at her and smiled. The love of your face is evident to anyone who looked at you.

“Of course, I do.”

Lin heard the fireworks setting off in the background followed by the cheers. You and Lin missed the countdown, but the most prominent sound that was going off was her own heartbeat. She was glad that you didn’t develop the skill to have seismic sense or else she was done for.

“Isn’t there some sort of tradition between couples?” you smirked as you stepped closer resting your hands on either side of Lin’s waist.

“I’m not sure I know what you mean” Lin breathed out as you looked at each other’s eyes. 

“well the tradition is to kiss the one you love. Since here you are”

“Here I am” Lin smiles as your eyes glancing down at her lips. Your head came down to meet hers, and you kissed her.

The kiss started off slow and sweet. A slight uncertainty at first, each unsure about how far either one could go, but it slowly became more and more confident. Lin wrapped her hands around your neck as your arms made their way around her waist, and you pulled her even closer to you than Lin thought possible. Lin felt herself relax against you; she has never felt anything more... Right. You opened your mouth, hoping to deepen the kiss which Lin responded eagerly.

After a couple of moments, Lin reluctantly broke off the kiss, to get some air. Both of your faces flushed as you rested your forehead against hers. Slowly opening your eyes and looking into each other's eyes, each with a smile imprinting on each other’s faces. You brushed your hands down and held her hands into yours as you stepped back. Lin’s brow raised wondering what you were doing, and you smiled as you tugged her towards the window.  

You spun her around once and Lin let out an amused laugh before you pulled her close to your embrace. Wrapping your arms around her waist as her back is pressed against your chest. A soft kiss on her neck as Lin’s face is illuminated by the bright lights of the fireworks. The other of you stand there a moment to enjoy the quiet moment and the sound of the city celebrating the new year.

"y/n," Lin muttered against you as she looked out in front of her.

"Yes, dear?" you muttered back, rubbing her waist as the both of you slightly sway side to side.

"Happy New Year," she looks over her shoulder to look at you watching you smile. How she loves your smile, it causes her to turn to face you as you cup her cheek.

“Happy New Year, my love” you whisper as you smile lovingly at your beloved. Lin pulls you into another kiss; and Lin knew at that moment, that if this year was even half as good as it was at this moment... then It was going to be a very good year.

[ijustwant2write]

Sweet Boy-Bonnie Gold x Reader x Finn Shelby (Part 4/?)

(GIF credit to @mizworldofrandom​)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

Masterlist

Tags: @stressedandbandobessed7771 @bethany-taylo @lovelynerdytraveler @savvy7392 @kingarthurscat @smallheathgangsters @soleil-dor @alyse45 @bloodorangemoonlight @amirahiddleston @captivatedbycillianmurphy @jenepleurepasbaby @haphazardhufflepuff

Summary: (Y/N) waits like the rest of the Shelby's, praying that the boys make a safe return. When one of them does finally turn up, it's not a happy reunion.

Characters: Bonnie Gold x Reader, Finn Shelby x Reader

Meanings: (Y/N)=Your name

Warnings: Swearing, mention of injury/blood/knives, arguing

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(Y/N)’s P.O.V

I wrapped my cardigan tighter around me as I sat at my tiny kitchen table. All I had been doing was pacing, and my neighbours downstairs came up to complain; you could hear a lot in these flats, if there was complete silence, and seeing as it was evening time, there wasn't a lot of movement...not until after midnight that is.

Trying to distract myself, I tugged slowly at the piece of thread that had come loose from my sleeve. It was a stupid way to pass time. But what else was I supposed to do? I had drank enough cups of tea, more than I could remember, dusted around the flat (and that didn't take long seeing as it was small) and even tried to read a book, but the words just wouldn't flow. In my frustration, I threw my book onto the table, rubbing my eyes as I felt the tiredness take over. As the flat descended into silence again, I almost jumped out of my seat as there was a knock at the door, even though it was quiet.

Racing towards it, I took a moment to compose myself. This could be anyone, perhaps someone who had the boys. Before I answered it, I grabbed the biggest knife from the kitchen, hiding it behind my back. I then slowly opened the door, my grip tightening around the handle of the knife, but I relaxed when I saw Finn’s face poking through.

“Oh thank fuck.” I breathed out, glad that he rushed inside and locked the door behind him.“Finn, I’ve been so worried.”

He was clutching his lower stomach, gritting his teeth as he spoke.“I’m fine, just got a bit of a scratch.”

I saw the blood that had seeped through his shirt.“Quick, go sit down.”

“What the fuck have you got a knife for?”

I didn’t explain as I put it away, grabbing a bowl for the water and a towel I was happy to throw away. Turning back around, I placed everything down on the table.

“Where’s Bonnie?” I asked as I helped him take off his jacket.

I didn’t miss his eye roll.“He’s safe, he’s back at his camp with his dad.”

Halting my actions, I got to eye level with him.“I don’t believe you, Finn.”

“Well I don’t know what else to tell you then.”

“Does anyone know you’re here?”

“I called Tom, told him I was safe with you. I also told them not to come get me.”

I started unbuttoning his shirt, noticing him tense up.“Why?”

“I don’t want to deal with them right now. Though I don’t know why I thought coming here would be any better.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” he groaned as we peeled off his shirt,“that you used to always give me a lecture whenever I came back like this.”

I scoffed.“You sound surprised. Right, you know the drill.”

I knelt down beside him, inspecting his wound. It really did look worse than it actually was, but it definitely needed cleaning to avoid infection. When the family finally trusted me, Polly had been the one to inform me of visits like these. The first time Finn came back with an injury, I had panicked and called her straight away, watching her movements like a hawk so I wouldn’t have to call her in the middle of the night again; and Finn hadn’t been happy with me that night either.

With one hand holding the towel against his wound and the other steadying myself on his thigh, I had flashbacks of old memories. Not all of them involved him being hurt, some were just of us staying here together. Lost in my thoughts, I accidentally pushed further onto his injury, flinching when he yelped out and grabbed my free hand.

“Sorry!” I exclaimed.

He chuckled.“You used to do that on purpose.”

“You remember those nights very differently to me.”

“I remember all of our nights together.” 

Finn’s P.O.V

I thought I would have regretted those words as soon as I said them, but surprisingly I didn’t. Perhaps it was the loss of blood making me speak freely, or maybe I was still in shock. I hadn’t expected her to brush off the topic of Bonnie so quickly. (Y/N) hadn’t even asked what happened to me. 

Her cheeks had flushed as she ducked her head, though there was no smile. I watched her clean my wounds. She was letting me hold her hand still, even though I wasn’t in that much pain anymore. 

“Let me find something to bandage it with.” she mumbled, scurrying away from me.

“(Y/N)-”

“You didn’t have to say that.” she snapped.

“Say what?”

“You don’t have to butter me up in order for me to help you. We have a messy past but I wouldn’t let you die on the street.”

I tried to joke with her.“I don’t think this will be the thing that kills me.”

She glared at me as she returned.“You know what I mean.”

“You haven’t asked me-”

“I was about to.” she started to cover up the wound.“Go on then, what caused this?”

“You also haven’t asked if Bonnie was injured.”

She threw the bandage onto the floor, looking up at me with tears in her eyes.“What the fuck Finn?! You don’t think that’s on my mind? When someone shows up like this, and has been gone for hours, and distracts me from-”

“(Y/N), I didn’t want to-”

“-thinking about anything else, it’s hard to talk about anything! W-why would you bring him up again, you hate him?”

I sighed.“Because you care about him.”

“Yeah, as one of my friends.”

“Don’t fool yourself (Y/N). I know the way you look at him is how you used to look at me.”

She stood up again.“Surprised you even noticed.”

“We’re going to get nowhere with this if we keep bickering like this.”

“What are you talking about? Do you have an agenda Finn? Are you here for something else other than a nurse?”

I huffed, slowly standing.“No. I’m sorry for what I’ve said.”

“Oh,” she seemed shocked,“uh, let me grab some extra pillows-”

“I’ll be fine on the sofa.”

“That’s where I was going to put you.”

(Y/N) disappeared into her room, and I could have slapped myself after all I said. Why could I never speak to her anymore? It was fine when we first met, when we first started seeing each other, then I turned into a complete arsehole, even though I knew I was going to lose her. I couldn't even blame my brothers either. They warned me that having a woman on the side of the business would put a strain on our relationship, even if (Y/N) was supportive of me; they had even praised me for finding such an understanding girl.

“Here,” she placed a pillow and folded blanket onto her sofa, which I definitely wasn’t going to fit on,“hopefully it’ll be warm enough. If not, you know how to use the fireplace.”

“Thanks.” I muttered, already feeling the ache that would develop in my back. She started to walk away, and I stupidly called after her.“Goodnight (Y/N).”

Glancing back over her shoulder, she just smiled, but not in her bright, usual way, before closing her bedroom door.

Bonnie’s P.O.V

I swatted away my father’s hand as he tried to clean the dry blood off my face. He frowned at me, especially when I snatched the rag out of his hand, trying not to show how it stung my face. We were away from the rest of the family, I had been appreciative of their worry, but I didn’t need them to know about everything that had happened.

“Bonnie, just explain this to me. I won’t say a word to Tommy, I just need to understand.”

“Dad, it’s Peaky business.”

“That’s not an excuse. From what I heard, this was supposed to be a simple task. And where’s the youngest Shelby?”

I clenched my jaw."He's safe."

"I don't like your tone son."

"He's with (Y/N)!" I snapped.

Dad sighed."That girl again, Bonnie."

"Don't talk about her like that."

"I've already told you boy, she's damaged goods. You know Finn’s heart still pines after her, and yet here you are playing with fire!"

"She would never go back to him. He treated her like shit!"

"And you were there for all of that?"

I looked in a different direction, hating the expression on his face."No, but I'm here now. And anyway, the job ended up going wrong. Finn opened his big mouth, thought he was more powerful than the men we were visiting."

"Now why doesn't that surprise me?"

I saw him smirk, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Is he going to tell his brothers that truth?"

"Yes."

"How do you know? I don't want you getting into trouble for something that wasn't your fault."

I hesitated."We made a deal."

"A deal."

"He would tell the truth as long as...as long as I allowed him to go to (Y/N)."

Dad threw his hands up in the air."And we're back to the girl again."

I scoffed."You don't understand-"

"No I understand completely. I can't believe you would consider going to her rather than your family. How would we have known you were safe? Finn was probably able to call his family, do you see any fucking telephones around here?"

Abruptly standing up, I angrily threw the rag into the grass, heading towards my caravan to be alone. Dad hadn't been in love like this for a long time, he had forgotten what it felt like. I stopped myself before opening the door, a sudden idea popping into my head. I couldn't let him go to her. What if he said something about me? Made it seem like everything was my fault and twisted the story? He found an advantage, he wasn't as stupid as he seemed to be.

(Y/N)'s P.O.V

After staying up worrying for hours, you'd think I would be able to fall asleep easily. Of course, with my ex sleeping just outside of my door, I felt this awkwardness wash over me. He used to sleep with me in this bed, jump out of it in the mornings when we realised how late for work we were. It was annoying me senseless and I just wanted to go to sleep after all that had happened. Just as I was about to close my eyes, there was another knock at the door, making me grip onto the bed sheets in fear. Who else would be here?

Peaking out of my door, I saw Finn already standing, holding an arm out to me as a sign to not move. Boldly, he went to check the door, picking up a gun from the holster draped over a chair. My whole body was tense, figuring out an escape route in case it was someone after Finn. I was frozen, trying to hear anything I could. The door opened, and all that followed was a sigh. When I heard footsteps headed towards me and Finn appear unphased, I was confused.

"It's for you." Finn mumbled, flopping back down onto the sofa.

Cautiously, I went to the door, knowing Finn wouldn't put me in any danger. It wasn't fully opened, my shaky hand reached out for the handle, the tension rising as I tried to figure out who it was.

"Bonnie?"

[mydekuacademia]

Can you pretty please do an aizawa x reader one. Reader is mid 20s as all mights is mid to late 40s But can you make the reader all mights daughter where she returns home gets a job at the school but the teachers don't know she is all mights kid. Aizawa begins to get close and well all might happens to hear stuff from her room and well he knocks on the door and well stuff has happened and he just is typical dad mode Just make it funny some fluffy and NSFW stuff or whatever you wish

Absolutely, love!

Warnings: light NSFW :)

Of grading papers and protective fathers

Despite the hours you had to spend grading papers every night, working at the prestigious UA was a dream come true for a young pro hero like you. Although you loved working on the front line saving the day, there was something so gratifying about teaching the next generation of heroes.

You sat in the teacher's lounge knee deep in essays doing your best to grade them all before you lost your mind when you heard the door swing open.

"(Y/n)? What are you doing here so late? It's almost midnight," a low voice said from behind you. You looked up to see Aizawa leaning against the doorway, his expression tired as usual.

"Oh, hi Aizawa!" you responded. "I assigned the kids a three page essay without thinking about how long it would take me to grade them all. I'll be here for a while."

He raised an eyebrow. "Three pages isn't that bad." He took the chair next to me and grabbed the stack of papers you already graded. "What was the prompt?"

"I described a villain attack and asked what laws they would have to keep in mind when dealing with the situation."

Aizawa nodded. "Hero law isn't acknowledged as much as it should be. Rookies get in trouble all the time for basic mistakes."

You grinned and nodded. "That's true. The students generally don't appreciate it though." You sighed. "Most of the essays so far have been pretty good, but maybe I'm just too tired to find any mistakes."

"Let me help you grade these," Aizawa offered. "I'll be awake for a while anyway."

"You don't have to," you said while waving your hands.

"Got a spare red pen?"

The two of you spent the remainder of the hour grading essays and telling stories about your students.

When you finally returned home, you found your father, the previous #1 hero, pacing in the living room.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" you asked.

His head whipped over to face you, blonde hair awry and blue eyes panicked. "Young (y/n)! You're finally home!" A slightly frantic grin broke out on his gaunt face.

"Um, yeah? I was just grading papers with Aizawa. Why so worried?"

Toshinori gave you a quick hug. "I am your father, I will always worry for your safety. Especially given that you are a pro hero. I know better than most how dangerous this world can be."

You smiled at his fatherly concern. He was right, the world is dangerous for a pro heroes. His worry used to annoy you, but given that you had been working out of the country for a while before working at UA, the concern just made you glad to be with family again.

"You're right, father. But please trust me, I'm an adult. I can handle myself, okay? I'll let you know if there's reason to worry."

He smiled sadly. "It seems my little girl truly is all grown up. I will let you handle yourself, (y/n). Now have a good night, my dear." With that, he went home.

---

After that night, you and Aizawa made a habit of grading papers together every few days. You brought snacks and he brought coffee, and sometimes one of you would bring a large blanket to share. Those quickly became your favorite nights, and Aizawa quickly became your favorite company.

One afternoon, you found the bland walls of the teacher's lounge too boring. When Aizawa entered the room, you made a proposition.

"Why don't we grade at my house instead? I'm getting tired of this room."

Aizawa's eyes widened a bit. "Are you sure?"

You nodded with a bright grin. "Of course! I have a really comfy couch and some killer coffee."

"Alright," he agreed. "Let me grab my stuff."

When you two arrived at your house, you quickly set up the couch with a large fluffy blanket and started the coffee pot. You turned on the TV to the news (it's always good to stay updated on current events in the hero world!). With that, you both got down to business.

Two hours into grading, you declared an official Break Time. When Aizawa agreed, you adjusted the blanket to lay over top of you both, and you sank into the couch.

Aizawa eyed you. "Don't fall asleep, (y/n). We still have more to do."

You giggled and leaned onto his shoulder, which was surprisingly muscular. "I'm just getting comfortable, Aizawa. My back needs a break."

His cheeks reddened a bit at your actions. Before he could talk himself out of it, he placed an arm around your shoulders.

Your cheeks reddened in turn. You had found yourself growing more fond of the man beside you in the past weeks, and at this point you really couldn't deny your attraction to him. He was strong and smart and patient and.....just good.

"(Y/n)?" Aizawa mumbled.

"Yeah?"

"Can I do something...stupid?"

You raised an eyebrow at his request. "Sure, I guess."

Aizawa seemed to steel himself for a second before he turned to face you and urged you to do the same. When you did, he placed a careful hand on your cheek and leaned in.

You don't know what you expected, but you were pleasantly surprised. His lips were warm and soft against yours. His stubble scratched at your face a bit, but you didn't mind. You immediately returned the kiss and placed a hand on his knee. After a moment, he pulled away and looked at you with half-lidded eyes.

"Can I do something stupid?" you asked in a whisper. He nodded. You kissed him again, wrapping both arms around his shoulders and pulling him in close. He tasted like coffee.

Aizawa responded by placing his hands on your hips and tugging you into his lap. You pulled away for a moment, prompting a questioning look from the man in front of you, but you quickly grinned and repositioned so your legs were on either side of his hips before reattaching your lips to his. A quiet hum of approval escaped Aizawa's throat, and he deepened the kiss.

Your hands tangled into his long black hair, reveling in the silkiness of the locks. Your fingers caught on a small tangle in the hair, and you accidentally tugged. Aizawa pulled away and released a low groan in response.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry!" you said. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Aizawa fixed you with an unreadable stare. "Don't you dare apologize, (y/n)."

He attacked your lips again, pulling you in closer by the hips until you were completely pressed together. You hugged his shoulders with one arm and threaded your fingers back into his hair, tugging lightly and purposefully. When you felt a growing hardness underneath you, you responded by grinding down on it and tugging on his hair again. Another groan filled your ears.

Aizawa parted from your mouth and moved down to your neck, placing searing kisses from your jaw to your collarbone. When he landed upon a spot just to the side of the center of your collarbone, you let out a light gasp. This prompted the hero beneath you to latch onto the spot and suck on it, occasionally licking and nibbling at it. You let out a loud moan in response.

Not even a second later, your front door crashed open to reveal your father in his muscled form, a look of rage on his face. Aizawa tore away from your collarbone and stared at the former hero in shock.

"All Might?!"

"Dad?!"

"(Y/n)!"

"Wait, 'dad?'"

"Aizawa?"

"Hold on!" you shouted. "Dad, what are you doing here?"

Before he could answer, he deflated into his usual lanky self, blood dripping from his agape mouth. You offered him some tissues before sitting beside Aizawa and asking him again.

"Young (y/n), I heard your distressed sounds from outside. I was just coming to visit. I had to make sure you were okay," Toshinori explained.

You groaned in embarrassment. "I'm fine, dad. I'm not distressed."

Aizawa tapped your arm. "Is All Might your father, (y/n)?"

You nodded. It hadn't occurred to you that most of the teachers at UA didn't know of your relation to All Might.

"Well, my daughter, if you were not in distress, then I must offer my advice," Toshinori said. "I implore you to be safe. Always use protection when having-"

"Okay, dad, I get it!" you yelled with an embarrassed laugh.

"And Aizawa," he continued. "I may be retired, but if you hurt my daughter, I will end you." With that, he left.

"Sorry," I muttered.

Aizawa placed a warm kiss on my forehead. "No worries, (y/n). I better get going, anyway. It's late. This time again tomorrow?"

"Of course." You kissed him again before he left.

If this is what grading papers meant, you thought you'd assign a few more essays.

[mayraki]

⋆⁑lost in the MORTAL WORLD ⁑⋆

jj maybank x witch!au

~chapter one~

sequel for ⋆⁑lost in HALLOWEEN TOWN ⁑⋆

masterlist

“Return to Outer Banks”

✶ A month can go faster than a cheetah, or slower than a turtle. But for JJ Maybank, who spent the last November talking to his witch friend, Lia Cromwell, happened faster than him saying the word ‘hi’. He didn’t expect to have grown a friendship with a witch, first of all, because almost a month ago he didn’t even knew that her kind existed in the real world. And secondly, a witch that could end his life by only clapping her hands, which if he thought about it was terrifying, was also so sweet and had one of the funniest personalities JJ had ever seen.

JJ was glad that everything was going like he wanted it to go, even though, he wanted more. He wanted to know more magic, and learn more about her world by exploring and visiting. But unfortunately, that wasn’t an option. He caught himself wishing that he could do magic multiple times, hearing Lia’s stories with Jervis, her cousin, and Evanora, her grandmother, didn’t help JJ with his desire to be a part of her world. He started to have dreams, dreams about him being able to do magic, being next to Lia and her family, having the best time of his life. But they were just dreams, all he had were the once a week conversations with Lia. That day was the most exciting of his week, the night he couldn’t stop wishing that came faster than the one before. His friends, The Pogues, sometimes asked him with who he was talking, but he learnt how to avoid those questions easily, having to lie to a bunch of powerful people about being a mortal made him even more good at lying. He was happy, but suddenly, it all stopped. Lia disappeared.

The first night Lia didn’t contacted him he got confused, and sad, but then carried on in mind that maybe she got busy, since she would always be. Without talking to Lia for more days now, JJ got even more impatient while waiting for the next time to have the conversation with Lia. The moment he stepped inside the Chateau that night, he dropped his bag and quickly walked to the extra room, to close the door and grab the tiny skull from his pocket. He waited and waited, but nothing. Not even a sound or a light coming from it. Nothing.

Frustrated, JJ dropped his body to the bed and kept thinking the same thing over and over again: “What if something happened to her?” Her world was a dangerous one. She even told that herself to him. The feeling of worrying appeared on his stomach but when another horrible thought came into his head, he felt even worst than before: “What if she didn’t want to talk to him anymore?”

The moment JJ closed his eyes he fell asleep. The frustration and overthinking the situation made him exhausted, so he fell asleep even more quicker than any other day he was tired. While his body was still relaxing on the bed, his brain was fully awake, and that made those dreams he was having appear again. But this one was different. It felt more... real. Lia had her eyes closed while kneeled down on the floor. It was blurry so JJ couldn’t fully see what she was doing, but he did notice that she was holding something... a piece of paper.

He wanted to talk, caught her attention, but for some reason he couldn’t. It felt like he was opening his mouth but no noise was coming out. The moment Lia looked up his heart dropped to his stomach since he noticed tears coming down her cheeks. With strength, he tried to move and hug her, but it was like he was glued to the floor. The only thing that was working normally were his eyes. Lia got up from the floor and let the piece of paper on the couch, she took a deep breath and then turned around when Jervis walked into the living room. His eyes looked worried and sad, but the way he immediately hugged Lia, it looked like he wanted to protect and comfort her, trying to be the bigger person and not let his emotions get to him. JJ was so confused because he didn’t understand what was going on, he kept repeating to himself it was just a dream, even if it felt more real than any other dream he ever had.

The next morning he couldn’t stop thinking about it. The feeling of it being real didn’t disappear when he opened his eyes, it looked like a distant memory. He wanted to see if he could do it again. So, the next night, he closed his eyes and waited for him to fall asleep. Soon after, his body was fully gone except his mind, just like the night before. But this time, Lia wasn’t there. It was just him and the dark living room of her house. He tried to move his feet but they were still glued, but then noticed that his arms were now moving when his brain told them to do so. He took that advantage and reached over to the couch, to where the piece of paper Lia left the night before. The moment he did, he read her name in it: “Cordelia”. It was beautifully written in cursive and in red. He furrowed his eyebrows confused and then wondered why Lia was crying after seeing her name in a piece of paper. He turned it around expecting to see some type of letter, but the thing that was written was letters “OBX”. He felt more confused than before. He looked up after leaving the letter on the couch to look for Lia or someone from the house. But nothing, just him and an empty living room.

JJ was getting even more frustrated. He didn’t understand why he was having that dream, if he didn’t had the opportunity to be in that scenario again, he would’ve just thought that it was nothing to be concerned about and it was just a dream, like the ones before. But he came back. He saw the letter again. And the fact that he didn’t understand and didn’t know how to get the answers was killing him. He needed to know if everyone was alright. He needed to know if Lia was ok...

The third night it took him a lot longer to go to sleep, but once he did, it all happened like the nights before. He was there, in the living room with the feeling that it was real. He tried to walk but it was no use, he still couldn’t walk. He moved his arms to make sure they worked like last time, and they did. He was about to try and say something, but when Lia quickly walked into the living room he closed his mouth.

“Jervis! I have to go!” Lia yelled while walking towards the couch. She grabbed the letter and then turned around to see Jervis, who just walked into the living room. “You don’t have your magic back, grandma can’t transport. It has to be me!”

“Do you understand that this is illegal? We can’t go back to the mortal world without the permission of the authorities and the only way is through dark magic!” Jervis yelled. “And besides, you don’t know what you’re going to face!” JJ was trying to keep his eyes focused since the image in front of him was getting blurry because it was still a dream.

“No! I don’t! But don’t you wanna know what this means?” Lia lifted the letter that had her name on it.

Jervis took a deep breath to calm himself down. “It could be a trap, Lia.” He said more calmly.

“I have to know. And I know you want too. Whatever it is, I can handle it.”

“I...” Jervis was about to say something but then closed his mouth.

“I want to know what happened. And you won’t stop me.” Lia said. “I’m sorry, but you either help me get the portal going or move, and let me do what I have to do.” Her firm tone made Jervis look up and JJ noticed how her words convinced him. Or it was more her being right, whatever it was, Jervis seemed to be ready to help her.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Jervis said before leaving the living room and Lia behind. She closed her eyes and then opened them again while letting out a big breath. JJ saw how a single tear came from her cheek and he tried to moved one foot to get closer to her, completely forgetting he was glued to the floor.

“Shit.” He said almost a whisper and when he looked up from his feet he found that Lia was looking straight at him.

“Who’s there?” She asked looking around. “Show yourself.” JJ stayed still worried that something bad may happen to him. His heart started to beat faster when his brain processed that Lia heard him. But, how? It was just a dream.

The moment Lia lifted her hand he knew that she was going to do a spell on him, so he lifted his hand into the air before yelling: “Lia! It’s me!”

Lia widen her eyes at the surprise and then they started to move around trying to locate JJ on her house. “JJ?”

“Lia... are you real?” He felt stupid the moment he asked that question, even if she was a dream, she would still say yes.

“What do you mean JJ? Where are you? How can I hear you?”

“I- I don’t know. I’m dreaming.”

“What?” Lia asked and then waved her hands around, tying to see if she could touch him.

“I’m sleeping back in Outer Banks.” JJ said. “I don’t know how I got here, but I’ve been getting this dream thee nights in a row.”

“A dream?” Lia asked confused but then widen her eyes. “Wait, are you in Outer Banks?”

JJ quickly nodded. “Lia, I feel like I’m waking up. What is going on? Are you ok?”

“JJ, there’s no time to explain.”

“Wait, what?”

“I need your help.” Lia said worried that the time wasn’t going to be enough to say what she wanted to say.

“What is it?” JJ tried to keep his focus on Lia since everything was getting blurrier.

“I think my parents are alive, and they’re there, in Outer Banks.” She said quickly without giving JJ to react or just say anything back. “I need you to meet me in the forest, where I created the portal to come here, to Halloween Town. Tomorrow at midnight. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.” He said but no noise came from his mouth, and then, his eyes opened again.

JJ felt so stupid the moment he started to walk through the trees behind his school. It was all a dream! Why am I following what Lia told me in a dream? I should just turn around.... But it felt so real. JJ kept thinking and thinking while walking until his memory recognised the tree he hide behind when Lia opened the portal for the first time. He stood there looking around and he felt more stupid than before, if that was possible. The flashlight that he had on his hand and the moon in the sky were the only things illuminating his surroundings and that made his body shiver, JJ didn’t remember the forest being that creepy. He watched the time of his watch before let his other hand inside his pocket while letting out a big breath. 12.00 am. He closed his eyes and the memory of Lia talking to him in his dream came into his mind. The feeling of being inside her house, having her close were giving JJ the need to go back. To see if it was real, to pay more attention to it. But he couldn’t. All he could do was wait and see if Lia was going to show up like she said. He waited and waited. But nothing. Again. He felt tired of waiting around and afterwards feeling disappointed. 12.09 am. He let out another loud sigh before locking down. A part of him was saying to him that he had to wait more, she could be delayed for some reason and if he left, he would never know if his dream was real. But another part of him was saying one thing: it was just a dream. And maybe that part was right.

12.17 am. That was it. His legs were getting tired so he turned around after giving his surroundings a little look to start to walk away. But a voice spoke behind him.

“I didn’t thought you gave up so easily, Maybank.” JJ heard Lia’s voice. He stood there with his eyes wide open but he didn’t immediately turn around, because it took him a second to properly see if his mind was playing a trick on him or not. “Oh, c’mon, don’t be shy!” JJ quickly turned around and there she was. The girl that got him excited every time they talked. The girl that would listen to him no matter what he was saying. Lia Cromwell. His dream was real.

“Lia.” JJ said with a smile to quickly walk towards her and give her a tight hug. He waited so long to do that again, that he didn’t even hesitated. But once he was close enough, he immediately wasn’t. The moment he lifted his arms he didn’t feel her. He was ready to touch her, but he didn’t. The impact of not touching anything made him take a sudden step forward and he felt a tickle on his stomach; he went through her. He widen his eyes and then turned around, since Lia was now behind him.

“What the hell?” He asked confused walking around her to lock eyes with her.

“JJ, I’m not here here.” She said. The second she said that, he realised. It didn’t look like Lia. It was her, but it didn’t look real. There was a white light coming from her body and her feet weren’t exactly touching the grass, it wasn’t even affected like a person was standing right on top of it, JJ could see it perfectly, like nobody was there. It was like Lia, at the same time, was invisible. Like a ghost.

“How?” JJ finally asked.

“You know I can’t transport myself out of Halloween Town, unless it’s October 31st, so I projected myself here. I needed to talk to you, because you can help me. Like I said before, I think my parents are alive and there in Outer Banks. I got a letter-”

“Yeah, I saw it. The night I talked to you in my dream.” JJ nodded and Lia furrowed her eyebrows confused.

“You did?” JJ nodded again. “That’s strange.”

“What is?”

“I still don’t understand how you were able to talk to me in your dream, and however you did it, you being able to touch something, that’s not normal. That’s very advanced magic.” Lia said and then looked down. JJ noticed how she started to think why all of this was happening, and felt worthless the moment his brain couldn’t even help a little bit in the situation.

“What is happening, Lia?” JJ asked after a couple of seconds in silence. “I saw that in the letter, it had-”

“My name.” Lia cut him off looking back at him.

“And OBX. That’s here, Outer Banks. Why did it say that?”

Lia looked at him in the eyes and after a taking a big breath, she said softly: “That handwriting, it’s my mom’s.”

JJ immediately noticed how her eyes were getting watery but then quickly closed them to brush her need to cry away. He wanted to hug her so bad, and knowing that he couldn’t got him feeling even worst for her. “That’s why you believe their here.”

Lia nodded. “I believe that I was sent here for my assignment for a reason.” JJ slowly nodded not knowing what to say since his brain was trying to follow Lia’s train of thought. “I mean, think about it. My first assignment out of the Academy was here, in Outer Banks. Usually the students get easy tasks, back in Halloween Town. But me, I got sent here, for a year. And then a couple of weeks later I receive this letter. It has to mean something very important.”

“Can you ask why you got assigned to come here?” JJ asked after a couple of seconds, still trying his hardest to keep up with everything.

“No.” Lia shook her head. “I can’t trust anyone right now. Expect for my family.” Lia said and then added, more softly: “And you.”

A little smile appeared on his face when he heard those words. The thought of her trusting him with such a big thing made all of those thoughts about feeling worthless disappeared from his body, from every single inch.

“That’s all I know. So I need your help so I can get there. Can you do this for me?”

JJ quickly nodded. “Of course, anything.”

“Alright.” Lia said with a smile. “But this is not going to be easy. Let me explain what you gotta do.”

⋆ ⋆

Get six candles and salt. Prepare the ritual. Concentrate. Say the words. Get six candles and salt. Prepare the ritual. Concentrate. Say the words. JJ was saying to himself repeatedly since the moment he woke up that morning. Since he said goodbye to Lia the night before, his heart didn’t stop beating faster than normal. If two months ago someone would’ve told him that he would be doing dark magic, as a mortal, with the help of his witch friend, he would’ve just laugh and yell to the person saying that that their crazy. But, he was. In a couple of hours he was going to do dark magic, with know knowledge at all, to help Lia get to the mortal world. Like Lia said, a mortal doing magic is impossible, but with her help, it turns into almost impossible, not forgetting the fact that is extremely dangerous to do dark matic, even for the people that do magic since they can walk. That didn’t help JJ to feel better and confident on his future actions.

When the hour that Lia and him said to start the ritual hit the clock, JJ made sure that nobody was at the Chateau, and luckily for him, non of his friends were around. He locked the door of his room and sat down on the floor next to his bed, he took the candles and the salt out of his backpack.

JJ made with the salt a star on the floor and let a candle in each corner of the star and another one in the middle. In the entire day that he was preparing the things to do the ritual, he forgot to prepare himself for the fact that it was almost everything in his hands. If he fucked a single thing up, it could go to chaos in the mortal world.

“Concentrate, JJ.” He said to himself before taking a big breath and then closing his eyes. The sound of his heart beating was stronger of his thoughts inside his head, so he took a couple of seconds to calm himself and think of every single word Lia said to him the night before.

“Remember these words, JJ. It’s the spell you have to say very carefully. And not mess any single word.” He thought in Lia’s voice. The moment he remembered everything he had to say, he opened his eyes and looked at the star on the floor.

He took another big breath before saying almost in a whisper: “Activate teleportation ritual.”

The second he finished that sentence, the fire on the candles became stronger.

“JJ, the moment you say those words, you’re going to hear voices. Those are people who are waiting for someone to let them through, their usually bad people, people who want to take over the mortal world. Their are going to try to put a spell on you. So don’t listen to them, do not respond, wait for my voice.”

JJ started to hear distant voices, they were whispers. Until someone spoke against his ear. “Hey pretty boy.” Their voice made his body shiver and the hairs on his arms to get up. It was a women’s voice, but it was deep and raspy. JJ felt like the voice was coming from somewhere next to him, but there was no one there. “You’re so handsome.”

JJ kept his eyes glued to the star waiting to hear Lia’s voice, trying his hardest to not get affected by the voices. “C’mon, say my name. I know you know the words.” She said against his ear almost in a whisper. JJ shook his head trying to get his heart to calm down and brush the women’s voice away. “C’mon, don’t fight it.” The women spoke again after letting out a laugh. “You’re trying so hard it’s cute. C’mon, I don’t what to do this hard way.”

His heart started to hurt strongly that he had to close his eyes once the pain started to be unbearable. “I can help you with your dad.”

The moment the women said those words, JJ quickly opened his eyes and his heart started to beat even faster. “Together, we can fight him. I can get rid of him, with a snap of my fingers. Just say the words. I’ll help you, boy.” With all the strength he had in his body, he brushed the women’s words away. He felt a tear coming down his cheek, he was starting to feel weak, like his body was going to give in to the women’s spell she was trying to put on him, but then, he heard her voice.

“JJ? Are you there?”

“Lia?” JJ’s heart started to calm down the moment he heard her voice. He quickly wiped the tear that escaped his eyes.

“Yes! I did it! It took me so long because that women claimed you first, but I won. I’m here. You’re ok.” JJ let out big sigh looking around but Lia wasn’t there, it was just her voice. “JJ, do you remember the next step?”

“Yeah.” He nodded. He lifted the candle that was in the middle of the star and the closed his eyes.

“Remember JJ, say every word carefully.”

JJ took a deep breath before saying, almost in a whisper: “Exteriore Traiciendam, Corderlia Cromwell.” The second he said those words, his room went completely silent. He opened his eyes waiting to see something, even if he didn’t know what it was, he waited. He wanted to talk to Lia, but he was afraid to ruin something and bring chaos, so he stayed quite and looked around. The candles were still lit but when a loud noise hit his ears, a strong wind made him close his eyes and the candles to turn off. Now his room was dark and the only thing that was illuminating the room was the light from outside. The wind wasn’t stopping but JJ opened his eyes with his hand in front of his face, to see what was going on in his room. Papers were flying around, the lamp that was always in his nightstand was now on the floor turning off and on repeatedly. He looked down expecting to see the salt of the floor gone, but it was still intact, it didn’t even moved one grain of salt. He got up with his whole strength since the wind was so strong, making it difficult for him to move his own body.

Suddenly, when his eyes saw the candles turn on again, he noticed that the salt was going up, forming a big circle from the floor to the ceiling. He wanted to close his eyes because salt was now getting in his eyes, but he wanted to see, so he tried his hardest to keep his eyes open every second that was passing.

The lights in his room were becoming more crazy, turning off and on even more quicker and the papers were flying more faster around the room. He started to hear a female voice from a distant, he immediately recognised Lia’s voice but he couldn’t understand what she was saying. Deep down JJ wished that she wasn’t talking to him because it was impossible for him to listen to something since the wind was blowing so strongly next to his ears. He had to squint his eyes since everything was getting unbearable, he never saw the ending coming, he felt like he had been in that situation for hours, but in reality it on had been no more than a minute.

“Exteriore Traiciendam. Exteriore Traiciendam.” Now JJ was understanding what Lia was saying. It was getting louder and louder by the second so when the voice was loud enough, to the point that JJ felt how she was in front of him, he opened his eyes normally and moved the hand out of his face. Seconds later, faster than he could let out a smile, the wind stopped and the salt dropped to the floor, leaving the room with a bigger mess than it already was before.

“Fuck.” JJ heard Lia say the moment it all went silent. She was in front of him. The real Lia Cromwell. It was not a dream, it was not an illusion, there was no white light coming out of her, it was the real deal, and JJ didn’t know how to act with himself in that moment. “Miss me, Maybank?” Lia said with a smile when she saw the shook on JJ’s face.

“We did it.” He said softly looking at her and then a smile appeared on his face.

“Yes, we did.” Lia nodded proudly.

JJ hesitated the moment the need of hugging her came into his body. He remembered the last time he tried, but also, the last time they hugged. But before he could think of something else, Lia walked closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. JJ widen his eyes a little bit surprised at her action, but then after a couple of seconds, he took the hug in and pulled her even more closer.

“You’re not writing a letter now, are you?” JJ asked jokingly and heard how Lia let out a tiny laugh.

“No, I promise.” Lia said once she broke the hug and stared at JJ’s face. “Is nice to see you again. Properly.”

“Nice to see you too, Lia.”

Even if they both had been talking for weeks they felt the awkwardness between them, like they were just two strangers who casually talked one or two times. Neither of them knew what to say... or they did, but all the courage they had it went completely away. They wanted to say that they missed each other, that they way they felt when the other one was around was something... new. Something that they never felt before. But how do you explain that without sound weird and pushy?

“What now?” JJ asked and that made Lia go back to reality and brush all the awkwardness regarding to their reunion away.

“I have to find a witch named Amethyst.” Lia said. “My grandma said that she’s going to have all the answers... or at least know where I have to go next.”

JJ furrowed his eyebrows a soon as he heard that name. “How is the witch called again?”

“Amethyst?” Lia answered confused because it seemed that JJ knew something about her.

“Yeah. I know that name.” JJ said confused at his own brain, since a couple of seconds ago he didn’t know a single bit about that name.

“What? How?”

“It’s a store at the mall, on the main land. ‘The great Amethyst.’ She’s a psychic.” JJ said those words, but he didn’t feel like he said those words, they just came to him and his mouth delivered it.

“Of course!” Lia yelled with a smile. “A psychic! That’s how some witches live here. JJ, I need you to show me where it is.”

He was about to say that he didn’t know where it was, but the image of the mall and the shop came into his mind like fast truck. He knew exactly where it was. What was happening to him? JJ slowly nodded still confused on how he knew about this witch and her store, but then brushed it away, with the thought that maybe he visited the place when he was a kid and suddenly remember it. It’s easier to believe that, right?

“You ready to go?” Lia asked when she noticed JJ was all in his thoughts. He looked at her and nodded without hesitation.

“Wait, how are we going to go?” JJ asked. The moment Lia let out a smirk JJ understood what was going through her mind. “Oh, no.”

“Yes, c’mon, I need you to show me where the main land is so I can transport us there.” The moment she started to walk out the door, JJ gently grabbed her arm to stop her.

“I’m glad you’re back, Lia.” He said with all the confidence in the world. His soft tone made him sound genuine and that made Lia let out a tiny smile.

“I’m glad I’m back too.” With her other hand, she touched her arm but he quickly walked out of the house leaving Lia behind.

She stood there looking at JJ walk away. She let out a tiny sigh when something came to her mind. ‘I can help you with your dad.’ Lia remembered the phrase the women said moments ago to JJ, and his face. Lia felt like she would never forget his eyes, and the tears wanting to come out.

Was something going on between him and his dad?

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆taglist ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

let me know if you want to be added!

@amberritonicole @pink-meringues @sortagaysortahigh @mdlyncline @sweetlysilent @ifilwtmfc @thisismynerdyself @acvross-the-universe @dmonchld @cordeliascrown @outerbankslut @chouetteschaussettes @lunaticlua @x-lulu @5sosbands @goldensk-es @behind-the-bleacherss @badbitsh13 @kenzie-rivers101 @raconteuxr @katy-barrett @allcopsarebussies @adiaryofasimpykid @beeeee06 @ilovethiswitchytimeofyear @nuwanda-greaser @crazyforsnow @ayo-its-vicki @dharma-babe @but-nice-butt @rudysbay @gryffendorqueen011 @angel-earth @noturpoet @purerepelsdirt @tmbquirky @idealmai @blueegansey @bloodthedevil @laurendaruler @cilorawr @sunneedazze @bhadlatina @xmmxlxlxtrx @ciarajoanna @makebank (+)

[transbibennyweir]

Sarah coming out to her family as vampire -Al

you got it! this was really fun to write. find it on ao3 as well

Getting turned into a vampire by her now ex-boyfriend was not on her list of high school ‘need try this at least once’, but Sarah learned that there were actually worse things than being a vamp. If anything the first week was tolerable if not nerve wrecking. The second was even manageable. By the third the lying and rat eating and overall weirdness of her new day to day life felt almost natural. Well, as natural as fighting the undead and chasing down rodents for a midnight snack could feel. Even after becoming a full on vampire things weren’t too different, the impending dread of never aging and all her friends and family dying still weighed on her, but at least she was more confident now. More herself in a way that might have scared her if she was still her fledgling or even human self. And maybe it should scare her more.

Maybe the fact she could eat people should still freak her out. Maybe living seemingly forever should terrify just as much as it first did. Maybe she shouldn’t be even consider telling her parents about any of it, but there she was; sitting across from her parents at their dinning room table. Over the course of her time as a the undead she felt more and more like a stranger in her own home, a stranger to her family. Sometimes she could say she was a stranger to herself.

“Mom, dad,” her voice came out nervous and quick. “I wanted to talk to you about some stuff. I know I’ve been pretty distant about my life this year, but I figured now is as good a time as any to fill you in with what’s been going on with me.” A part of her was kinda glad she didn’t have a beating heart anymore, less distracting with it not drumming in her ears.

“It isn’t drugs, right?” Her dad blurted suddenly worried. His tie worn low around his neck from just coming home from work. “That Jesse boy hasn’t done anything to you either?”

“Michael!” Sarah’s mother nearly shouted, slapping her husband’s arm. “Don’t say things like that! ‘Sides our Sarah knows how handle herself. Right, sweetie?”

Watching the exchange between her parents caused a slight laugh to calm her nerves back to something more manageable, her chest feeling lighter. “What? Ha, no. Not anything like that and I could totally beat Jess’s ass if he tried something now.”

“Sarah!” Her mom squeaked as her father laughed and ruffled her hair. “Mhm. So, what’s this you want tell us?”

Deep breath in, deep breath out. Just have spit it out. Everything is going be okay and if not... Well, if not then she hoped Benny still knew how do the brain wipe spell. “Right, Okay. So I know this is going sound crazy and make zero sense, but uh, ha I’mavampire.” She flinched into her self waiting for the reaction, she felt the worse yet to come. There was silence then a sudden booming laugh coming from her father first followed by her mother’s more soft giggle.

“Sweetie, that’s very funny, but I think you’ve been reading Dusk too much again.” Sarah’s mother giggles muffed into a charmed smile. “What’s this really about?”

Perhaps Sarah was too use to the strange, unexplained supernatural world of mystery and magic that if someone walked up to her and revealed they were a creature of the night, she’d believe them no questions asked. Maybe that was a worrying thing to just accept but somehow there was stranger things to accept as truth. Granted your own child being a blood sucker might be a hard pill to swallow no matter how use to the weird one might be.

“No, mom. Dad. I’m being serious here. I can, I can explain it. Mostly.”

“Sarah, don’t be ridiculous. If you’re going ask for a family meeting at least try not waste our time with these jokes.” Her father said, his tone even but annoyed. Funny how her short temper came from him. Even more funny that they were both quick to get annoyed now. Sarah’s frustration just slightly getting the better of her, and in a moment of total dumbassery she flashed her fangs with a hiss and snake yellow eyes. Shit. Okay. Okay. Well, maybe they can’t deny it now?

Then her mother screamed because of course she’d scream. “Damnit, Lynn I told you there was something wrong with this town!” Now her father felt the need to shout because shouting always helped. “Who did this to you? Was it that Jess boy? I’ll-I’ll kill him. No-I’ll rekill him!” Her father ranted and began to pace around the room as her mother fanned herself to calm back down. Although it wasn’t do much to ease herself. Sarah held her mother’s hand.

“What? No-Well, I mean. Yes, yeah this is kinda sorta totally Jess’s fault, but I uhh kinda killed him. More or less. My friends helped. Y’know the ones. Erica and those three weird boys.”

“The dorky ones?” Her father asked, stopping his pacing around the room.

“I mean... yeah.” Sarah replied slowly.

“And what are they? Human? Wizards? Vampires? Leprechaun?!”

“I think wizard falls under human but yes to like the first three.”

Her mother held her chest whispering some nonsense to calm herself down, it wasn’t working and the constant talking was going drive Sarah up a wall. “My baby is dead. But she’s right there. Undead. My baby is a little undead monster-”

“Hey!” Sarah and her father shouted at the same time. “I’m not a monster! I even get my blood from a human friendly truck and I help the town from being like wracked from whatever weirdness of the week I have fight.” Okay so maybe that wasn’t super reassuring and helpful, but she was feeling honest.

“Great, a vegan vampire!” Her father said tiredly.

“Listen, between grandma’s sixth toe and cousin Hector’s French Fry nipples I feel like I’m still the least weird person in the family.”

The laugher was back, if not more manic then before. Her father sat back down out stretched his tie as a nervous tick. “Hah, the truth is your mother and I have noticed that this town can be pretty... Strange, to say the least. But I just thought it was because it was toxic waste not because the whole place is basically haunted.”

“Cursed more like it,” her mother whispered. Sarah winced, all things considered this was going more smoothly then she would’ve thought. Which is great, totally. If only her mother didn’t look like she was a manic giggle away from losing her marbles. Suddenly realizing what she said her mother quickly corrected herself. “But! But-but we still love you, Sar-bear. I guess you’ll really be our baby girl forever now.” Their shared smiles were sad but honest. Sarah’s parents would always love her and living forever felt less scary knowing their love for her would last just as long. The comfort reaffirmed by a family hug between the three of them.

“And you made sure to get back at that Jess boy? Stake through the heart or something like that?” Her father asked half jokingly.

“Michael! Don’t encourage staking people through the heart.”

“It’s okay mom. He totally deserved it. Plus, I learned how do my makeup without a mirror which is a bonus.”

“You’ll have teach me that trick.” Her mother laughed, relaxing into Sarah’s touch.

This time their shared smiles felt less stained and sad and more hopeful now that there weren’t secrets and a cavern of distance between her and her parents. Maybe this wouldn’t be as painful of a change as she thought. Maybe it’d be just as manageable as week two of starting out her vampire life, just now she had a little more support to get through it all. So yeah, maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Now if she could just tell them about every other weird thing in her life that would be perfect.

[purplesurveys]

1162

What is the youngest age you can remember back to? I was 3 and I had just woken up in a Winnie the Pooh tent with my sister, who was 1 at the time. Our parents let us go ‘camping,’ which was really nothing more than a tiny tent set up on the floor in their room.

What sports are you trying out for this year? Wakeboarding and rock climbing.

Did you wear your hair in a ponytail today? Yeah it was in a ponytail for the whole day as it helps me focus better at work. I’ve kept the ponytail on even though it’s 11 in the evening right now, but now it’s because it would be too warm with my hair down.

Who do you have on speed dial? Nobody. I’m not sure how to do that with my phone, and even if I knew how to I don’t know if there’d be anyone I’d want to put on speed dial.

What colors do you like to paint your toenails? I never do anything with my toenails except clip them.

Would it be cool to learn how to DJ at a club? Sure!

Where are you going to be three hours from now? It would be 2 AM by then but I highly doubt I’d be asleep by then. I just bought all 7 of the BTS Cold Brew Americano bottles (yep, so much happened while I was gone and I am apparently an Army now...) so I’m drinking from one of them tonight; and they are strong as fuuuuuuuck.

What job would you NEVER take, even as a last resort? Anything related to sex work. Not that I’m against it, but it’s just not for me.

If you broke your computer, would you be able to fix it on your own? Only if it’s something a hard reboot could easily fix haha. If it’s beyond that, I don’t think so.

If someone looked in your closet, how would they judge your style? That I need to update my wardrobe. Most of them were trendy at some point, but not so much these days. They would probably comment that I need to add more colors as well.

What was the shittiest hotel you’ve ever stayed at and why? I’m not sure we’ve stayed somewhere I absolutely hated. I know my dad hated our first hotel in Palawan since the whole vibe of the room felt cheap, the bedsheets looked kinda tacky, and the power went out at night, but that’s also just the luxury liner executive in him. Since I don’t really travel just to stay all day in our hotels, I personally haven’t had any experience where I was like, “never again.”

Have you ever gone on a boat and been sick the whole time? No; I get seasick but I can handle it. It’s carsickness I have a problem with.

Did you get a good sleep last night? Not really. My sleep actually felt very shallow and it really felt like I had been up all night even though I’m pretty sure fell asleep by around midnight. Anyway, I’m getting a 3-day weekend since it’s a national holiday tomorrow, so at least I have a lot of time to catch up on much-needed sleep.

What is the weather like outside? It’s pretty chilly and I feel a few breezes every now and then, but it’s not enough. I’m not sweating, but I also need to have my hair up in a bun because otherwise I’d be too warm. Phone says 27ºC.

If someone makes a spelling or grammar mistake, do you ignore or correct? Mostly ignore. I only ever correct if it’s me who made the mistake by accident.

Do oversized sunglasses actually look good on you? I’ve never tried putting any on, so I wouldn’t know.

What is the most overrated thing in the world? Milk tea. It’s great and delicious I like having my own occasionally, but it’s seriously nothing life-changing.

Have you heard any completely untrue rumors about yourself lately? No. I’d feel sorry for someone who would still be making up rumors in their 20s.

What is one word to describe your room? Progress. It’s come a long way since the breakup.

Have you ever kept something from the wild as a pet? Not in the sense that we caught it ourselves from the wild, but there was one time my sister won a baby chick at a fair when we were super young and we had him for a few days. We tried our best to care for him, but we just weren’t equipped and knowledgeable with what baby chicks need so he didn’t last too long.

Do your parents try to plan out your future for you? No, and I’m glad they aren’t the stereotypical Filipino/Asian parents that dictate how I should be living my life. My mom will sometimes let a comment like “get a boyfriend already” slip through, but she also knows I don’t have the patience for remarks like that so she doesn’t bring it up most of the time.

Do you think that surveys are a huge waste of time? I personally don’t think so. Any activity that helps me relax and gather my thoughts isn’t something I’d call a waste of time.

Are you wearing a hoodie today? No. I would hate to be wearing a hoodie right now lmao, I’d be too miserable in the heat.

Did you sleep alone the last two nights? Yes.

You’re single, right? Yups.

How long was your last phone conversation you had? It lasted like 10 seconds because when I picked up, their signal was very choppy and his voice wasn’t getting through at all.

Who was it with? A delivery rider who sent me a package that Bea apparently arranged for me :’) It has all my favorite Korean snacks and goodies and she even included a cup sleeve of Jin from BTS cos she knows he’s my favorite :(((((

What was it about? Like I said, I never got to talk to him on the phone because his signal was poor, though he probably called to ask for directions. He eventually got to my house.

Excited for anything? Binge-watching Run BTS and Bon Voyage all weekend, and digging into the Frankie’s order I got for delivery tonight.

Got laid last night, didn’t you? Nope.

Do you have drama in your life? Kind of at the moment, but it’s something I couldn’t give less of a shit about so I’m not even getting into it lmao. What’s something you really want right now, be honest? To be able to get out of the house and get my cafe visits on weekends back.

As of this minute, what is going through your mind? That these instant noodles I’m eating are really spicy.

Have you laughed until you cried? Many times.

What are you listening to right now? I can hear a neighbor’s dog barking every now and then and a few airconditioners in the neighborhood whirring.

What color are your shoes? I’m not wearing any right now, but most of my shoes are white anyway.

Can you crack your neck? Nope.

What is the last thing you drank? I took a sip from my banana milk right after I had a forkful of my noodles. Too spicy hahaha.

Where would I have found you last night at 11pm? I was cuddling with Kimi in bed while watching Bon Voyage.

What’s your plans for next Friday? So, tomorrow? Just watch a shit ton of BTS videos since they’re my latest obsession.

Does anyone hate you? Possibly.

Would it be hard seeing someone else kiss the person you like? Erm, don’t really like anyone at the moment. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now? No.

Could you go out in public looking like you do now? Probably to the nearest McDonald’s or 7-Eleven, but I wouldn’t go out to the mall altogether with what I’m wearing.

Who will you be sleeping with tonight? Just meeee.

Is there anyone you wouldn’t mind punching in the face now? Not in particular.

What do you have pierced? Just the ears. < Same.

Do you know anyone that smokes weed? A few people.

Where is the person you want right now? I’m not into anyone.

Are you too forgiving? I’m not forgiving in the first place.

Will this weekend be a good one? Continued from last night. I’m just glad I’ll get to relax for three days, but I don’t have any big plans for the weekend that would make it something exciting.

What is your favorite thing about being sick? I don’t think being sick is particularly fun, even if it means skipping school or work...

Have you ever done something you told yourself you wouldn’t do? Many times, which is why I’ve stopped using the phrase, “I’ll never do X.” I always end up doing whatever the thing is at some point.

Are there any people who don’t like you? It’s possible, but I don’t care.

The boy/girl you truly care about needs you at 3am, would you go? Only for my best friends, and maybe close family members. If you had to get a piercing right now, what would it be? I would get a nose stud or maybe a lip ring.

Do you have any bruises on you? Yeah I have one on my thigh. As usual, I have no idea where it came from.

Are you ticklish? Everywhere.

Ever liked someone who treated you like crap? Yes.

Who do you like right now? BTS? Lmao

What’s the largest age difference between yourself and someone you’ve dated? A month and a half.

Are you gonna get high later? Nope. I know Andi’s always gonna be around as my ~supplier~ if I ever wanna try it out, but I have no plans to any time soon.

What was the first thing you said when you woke up today? That I wanna take a shower.

Do you blow dry your hair? Only for special occasions when I immediately need my hair styled in a certain way.

Do you look decent when you wake up? Some days, I think so.

Have you ever liked someone older then you? I mean they’re all celebrities, but yeah.

Is it hard to make you laugh? Not at all, I like to laugh.

How late did you stay up last night? Around 3 AM because I was watching Bon Voyage, and also memorizing BTS fanchants hahahahaha HELP

Which is worse for you: being hot, or being cold? I fucking hate being hot.

How many drugs have you done in the last three days? Just the caffeine in my coffee and nicotine in my vape.

[chasejackson-fan]

Chapter 1 - Trapped in a closet - I Hate U, I Love U

[June] I wake up with my father yelling at my uncle. This was not the way I wanted to wake up today. - June! - my mother screams. - Coffee is on the table! Don't expect your father! Sigh. It had been happening since the beginning of the summer. I look at the calendar. Today is the first day at Wakefield University, one of the best universities in the region. I get out of bed, stretch out and touch my toes and open the window for my cat to leave. I take a shower and start packing my backpack. I wear a white sweater, a blue jacket, black jeans and teal sneakers. I go down the stairs. - Buenos dias family. - I say taking my toast. - Buenos días, June - my mother caresses. - How did you sleep? - Good. Where's the father? "Fighting with your uncle," she rolls her eyes. - Again. I laugh. My mom finds it ridiculous that my dad yelling at her brother. I take a bite of my cheese and ham toast. I look at the clock. - Mom. I have to go. - Good class, dear - my mother handed me the key. - We'll be late today. - OK. - I open it and face Frank O’Sullivan at the door. Her curly black hair was combed. His blue eyes were intimidating and looking at me as if he were an obstacle in his path. And he had an upright posture. - So ... - he looks at me. - Where are you going, June? I was uncomfortable. - Going to college. - I would go down the stairs, but he stops me. - Why don't you stay? - he asks me. - To see your father lose the argument. - Your kindness moves me. - I said sarcastically. - Frank, don't you think it's done? a voice came from behind him. A tall boy with brown hair, black eyes and Caucasian skin says with his hand on the backpack strap. I've seen him. Ryan Sullivan. - Don't move, Reynolds - Frank looks at me. - If I see your cat at my house again, I'll cut her throat. Understood? - Got it. - he smiles maliciously. - Give her the cat, Jack. A second person takes off his hood and reveals Jack Sullivan asking his cousin to hand him Angelina. He had grown up over the holidays. Her hair was blacker and her midnight blue eyes were more beautiful. Like I look into his eyes. Why did I think that? He looked at me and I froze. He started walking towards me and I started to repair beard strands. Angelina was purring in his arms. Usually she scratched or bit the people who held her but for Jack, the cat was calm. Why does she stay calm in his hands? - Here's Angelina. - he says. - She's not to blame. - Huh? - I scratch her ear. - Thanks for saving my cat. - You're welcome - Frank had already entered my house. - Don't you want to go with us? I said yes with the head. Okay, I went on my way to college with two boys that I shouldn't talk to. Well, they are cool. Ryan took the lead while Jack and I stayed behind. - How was your vacation? - I asked. - It was ... ordinary. - You're lying. - Okay, it was cursing, fights and grass to cut. - he finishes the sentence. - Is that you? - My summer was complicated. There was that thing about Benny ... - Benny? he asked me, raising an eyebrow. - Benny. Benny BeCat. The mayor's son. - Ah, the rich man's son - he scratches the back of his neck. - Most don't like him. But he is a good person. - He's very good people. Moving on, he was promised. But I know he doesn't like me and he only sees me as a friend and I know that he is madly in love with Natalie Ferrari. - They are together. - Together? As a couple? - As a couple. - he shows me a photo of the two kissing behind a tree. - Dirk sent me the photo. - That Dirk ... - that's when I touched myself. - So if they are together it means that ... - That you and I can't marry them.

I felt happy for them and that I was no longer promised. I could be free to choose who I could fall in love with. We arrived at the school. - Look, I may not like you but I care about you. - He puts his hand on my shoulder. - Good class. - To you too. He comes in and I blush. - Speak, cousin! - Amanda gives me a push. - Are you thinking about who cousin? - Nothing! - I exclaim. - I wasn't thinking about anyone. - No one, right? - she looks at me with a smile. - No, you weren't thinking about Jack Sullivan who wished you a good class. No… - she made a movement with her hand. - You weren't thinking about him ... Not at all ... This is my cousin. She looks like a sister bothering me. - Did you hear that? - But of course! - Amanda gives me a naughty smile. - I have to hear all the information about your future boyfriend. - I ... - I blush. - I don't think of him that way. - I will pretend that I believe. Joey, Álvaro, come on, you softies! - Are your brothers giving you trouble? - Much work. Álvaro already gave me a hug and Joey gave me a smile. - All right with you? - All right, June. - Álvaro makes a thumbs up. - My brother is already in love. - Oh yes? - Amanda looks at Joey. - We are on the first day and you are already flirting? - Relax ... - Joey looks at me. - But she was also flirting. - What? - I asked. - With Jack Sullivan. Álvaro, help me here. - he and his brother positioned themselves. - This is going to be a good one. - "I may not like you but I care about you" - Joey takes a rose. How did that rose appear? - Guys ... - I wanted them to stop. - Then he says good class and you tell him too. - It was for education! - OK. Let's stop before you punch us. We entered 10 minutes before and we were talking until I saw a shadow and before I saw who it was, it was no longer there. [Amanda] After half past fifteen, I had an idea of ​​genius. I decided to do that today. - You can go ahead. - Are you sure? - Álvaro takes the backpack. - Have. See you later. - See you later. And they went home. I have to see if the boys are still here. I see Ryan and Quint playing Myth-Magic in the cafeteria. - Why did you get Poseidon? I could use Zeus. - Quint complains. - Boys! - I call and the two turn around. - Can you help me with a bid here? - You can talk. - Do you like it when June and Jack are together? The two smile and tell my plan of genius to bring the two lovebirds together. - And could you call Hunk? - I say looking at Ryan. - Yes, I do. And gets up from the chair and leaves. [Ryan] I know where Hunk is. I go to the dance room and find him shirtless dancing belly dancing. - Ahhh hi Hunk. He sees me, pauses the music and takes a bottle of water. - Hi Ryan - he smiles. - What are you doing at school after hours? - Playing Myth-Magic with Quint. - Ah. It was our thing when we were still dating. And he didn't look upset. - So you want something? - Actually, yes - and I told you our plan. - Do you really want to do that? - Hunk smiles. - I'm inside. - Great! - I was glad he didn't say no. - And could you wear a shirt?

- Clear. - he dressed, closed the door and says he has a date with Pedro and does not want to be late. - Let the games begin! [Jack] I always draw in the art room after the bell rang. And you can call me a stalker, but I know that June is practicing drums in the music room. So I have all the time in the world. Only not. - Look! The rainbow child - I know that disgusting voice. I turn around and see Filip McClain. - Hi, McClain. You are better than that. - I say sarcastically. - That's what we're going to see ... - and it's already on me. Dodgy and I leave the room. - There is! Eat dust. Two turns to the left and I stop to rest. - Sullivan! And that was the signal to keep running. I arrived at the physical education room and had no places to hide. - Hey, Jack. - June takes my shoulders. - What are you doing running like crazy? - Running away from Filip McClain. - I heard the noise in the music room. Oh shit. - What's it? I look in the direction where she was looking and see Filip watching the scene. - We will! - she takes my hand and guides me to a closet. Close and lock the door and put your hand on my mouth. I smell your hair and it smells like French vanilla. - Damn it! - I hear him curse. - Okay, he left. - she takes her hand out of my mouth. She unlocks and pushes the door. - Oh no. - What's it? - I push the door and it doesn't move. - We are stuck. - Just now did you notice? she said thickly. - Excuse! I'm going into despair! We stopped and wondered what we were going to do. - Try to hold the handle and I kick the door. she suggests. I grab the handle and she gets ready. She kicks and believe it if you want, it worked. - Thank God that worked. - June picks up her backpack. - Are you coming or not? We were walking home, she stops in front of me and says: - I may not like you but I care about you. - she does something that surprises me. She gives me a kiss on the cheek. - Good night. - Good night ... - she enters the house and I am smiling at nothing. And I think it is better to go to my house before it is a problem.

[neptunesnxpple]

Adopted by the League Part 7 (Shigaraki x male!reader)

****Minors Do Not Interact****

Summary of the Series: You move to a new country- only to find out the apartment you moved into is the home base of a league you don’t even know about! This is sort of a found family situation where reader takes care the league.

Warnings/Tags for this Part: reader is a man or masc identifying, new years celebrations, alcohol, reader and shigaraki get extremely drunk, kissing, going to bed together

Part 1 ;; Part 2 ;; Part 3 ;; Part 4 ;; Part 5 ;; Part 6 ;; Part 7

        New years eves you were passing out the glasses, mugs, and any other drinking apparatus you had stored away in the kitchen. You really hadn’t planned to have this many people over at any given time, but well, that hadn’t exactly gone according to plan. A month and a half ago you moved to Japan, got a small one bedroom apartment in a lower income area, and started work at a local market before being transferred to their café department. Unfortunately, your apartment wasn’t really that vacant- at least not after the first few days. Then, part of a league moved in. Without anywhere else to go, you didn’t feel all that great about kicking out six or so people even though technically the apartment was in your name. Now you shared the bathroom with a minimum of six other on any given day, kitchen space, living room, at least your bedroom was limited to one other person- the leader of the league, Shigaraki.

        Now you weren’t always the drinking type, usually sparingly if so, a glass here a glass there, but this was new years eve and you had a couple of conversation topics you wanted to get off your chest so to speak. You had already pre-gamed at a bar after work, gotten a drink or two, before heading back home with the left-over pastries- the café was closed on New Years Day and they weren’t a fan of keeping food around past the 24 hour mark. It was only two hours until the count down, you had laid out the pastry spread, Toga and Twice had worked together to pick up a couple of osechi-ryori for the group, Compress, Magne, and Spinner had put up decorations, and Dabi and Shigaraki were in charge of the alcohol, although you had a hard time imagining them working together. Shigaraki had gotten the others to bring the television out of the bedroom and into the living room where you could watch some kind of count down leading to a fireworks display. You hummed anxiously, finger tapping the edge of your glass and foot jittering. Shigaraki made his way over, pushing his hood down and taking your glass, drinking what was left in it, before capping it off again.

           “What’s got you so amped up?”

        “Nothing. Nothing at all. Why do you ask?” you accepted the glass, bringing it to your lips and not even pretending to look his way. You stared blankly at the tv screen,

         “You’re standing out here in the kitchen while everyone else is in the living room, and I’ve seen how many glasses you’ve downed so far. I’m pretty sure your eye keeps twitching, not like I’m looking or anything,” he muttered the second part of that, now fixated on his own mug. You looked over from where you were leaning. He looked soft. The front part of his hair was tied back, and you knew it wasn’t from his own doing. But it looked nice all the same. Seeing that much of his face. The skin around his neck wasn’t as crusted or peeling like it had been. There were still nicks, the excessive scratching and picking a hard habit to break, but it was nice to see some change.

         “I’ve got a lot on my mind,” you answered shortly, careful to not appear curt, “I’m glad you all were able to take off,” you said, changing the subject and watching the slight tense in his shoulders at the mention of work. Now it was his turn to feel uncomfortable. He wrinkled his lips, pressing them together for a moment,

         “Yeah, we had some plans but decided to hold off on them. At least until after the holidays.”

         “I didn’t take you for the celebratory type.”

        “I- We wanted your first New Years in Japan to be with friends. As a thank you, for letting us all stay with you,” he blurted out, rushing through the words.    You could tell the wine was working, his face was flush and he wouldn’t normally be so transparent about these types of these.

         “You don’t have to be so worried about this kind of thing, I would have been fine,” you moved a hand to your cheek, rubbing it as if to make sure this moment was real enough. “Thank you, though.” You let the sound of friends talking and the news caster reporting take over for the time being. Shigaraki had given you a great transition to something you had wanted to bring up. You heart began to beat harder in your chest, swallowing dryly, “there’s something I wanted to talk to you about. Well, a couple of things. I’ve got a lot of things to talk to you about tonight, but I’m not really sure which I want to do first, they’re not exactly… easy to talk about,” you turned fully to face him, both hands on the stem of your glass and nervously tracing it. You glanced up at him briefly, enough to catch the panic on his face. “N-nothing too bad. Well, one of them isn’t that good objectively, but the other is, or could be good,” you rattled on, sensing that this was actually making him more nervy or at least as uncomfortable as you were. You had a feeling you were losing him if you didn’t pick up the pace.

         “I’m, I,” you stuttered, stepping back for a moment to take a deep breath, “I really like all of you, and this past month and a half have been some of the best times of my life already, but, it’s really cramped in here. It’s kind of hard getting ready for work when there’s people sleeping all over the living room, and the bathroom is really tough to figure out. I bring a spare travel case with a tooth brush and tooth paste just in case I can’t get in before work. I don’t want to rush you all out, but I think I could use a bit of personal space from time to time. We could still hang out of course! I wouldn’t mind sleepovers every now and then. Have you had any luck, searching for a new base?” you all but pleaded, tongue feeling thick and heavy. You took a moment between heavy breaths to see how Shigaraki was taking it, worry clear in your brow. The answer was not well. His lips turned up into what could best be called a grimace, taking a half empty bottle of booze and stalking off towards the a particularly dark corner of the room, barking at Spinner to hop off the bean bag chair and flopping in it, loose strands of hair falling in his face. Your hands continued to shake, bringing you to the realization that they were shaking in the first place. You leaned back against the counter, shock and horror filling every muscle and bone in your body. You had just ruined everything. You set your glass down, grabbing the bottle of wine you had been sipping out of and deciding to make the process much quicker. The next thing you knew, a familiar shadow drew near,

         “Rough night?” Dabi asked, pointing to the bottle. Your hand squeezed the neck of it tighter, shrugging,

         “I’m not sharing,” you joked, voice falling flat,

        “Relax, I don’t drink wine. Reminds me of people I’d rather not think about. So, what’d you say to get him so riled up? Did you tell him you’d have to reschedule the wedding? You know he’d prefer something in the fall.”

         “Shut up,” you snorted, smiling and giving him a shove.

        “See? That wasn’t so hard was it? Now you’ve got me in the perfect spot between tipsy and drunk, which means if you want to spill your guts about anything without anyone else knowing, nows your chance,” he offered, picking through the assorted pastries until he came across a chocolate stuffed croissant.

         “I think I said something stupid. Something that messed everything up,” you sighed heavily, that weight being applied directly to your shoulders.

         “I’m sure it couldn’t be that bad.”

        “I asked him when you guys were thinking of moving out,” you forced out, feeling ashamed immediately, “I didn’t even mean it that way, it’s just…”

         “Relax. I know we’re a lot to handle, I mean Spinner just learned to pick up after his sheds not too long ago, there’s no way you should be expected to deal with seven other peoples craziness on top of your own.”

         You perked up a little, setting the bottle back on the countertop.

        “I mean, you didn’t really think it was customary to let strangers live with you while they apartment searched, right?” Dabi said between bites,

         “Well, at first I did,” you admitted sheepishly,

        “Then you’ve got nothing to worry about. Chances are his panties are just in a bunch because he thinks you’re kicking him out. For good.”

You tilted your head in confusion,

         “I sort of am though.”

        “No, I mean like from your life. He pissy because he thinks you’re trying to push him out, and he doesn’t want to admit that he’s taken too long to do anything about it, unless there’s something you’re keeping from us?”

         “Taken to long to do anything?” You paled, nausea coming back to you.

        “Yeah, he’s been trying to make a move since you let us move in here but has been too chicken shit to do anything. It’s embarrassing, really.”

         You looked over past Dabi, seeing a sulking Shigaraki that looked like he was locked in a conversation with Toga, Twice, Spinner, and Magne that he’d prefer not to be in.

        “Alright, advice time over, you don’t have to leave but don’t talk to me,” Dabi shooed you away, making his way down the buffet line. You stuck around in the corner for some time longer, lost in thought as you planned your next move. There was an hour left for midnight, more than enough time for you to work up some courage and practice what you wanted to say.

         Thirty minutes remained. You were back to your glass mode, keeping the liquid confidence going as your body felt warm, light, like you were made of all things sparkly just like the liquid in your hand. You were aware that you were a bit clumsier, bumping into the corner of the couch and taking a second to balance yourself out, slowly, slowly inching your way closer to Shigaraki. The energy had simmered out since an hour and a half ago, almost everyone was trapped in their own conversations. You guest starred in a few on your way over, buying time but also enjoying yourself. You had really grown quite fond of everyone in such a short amount of time. Ten minutes to go and you had only a couple more feet to go, your speed dramatically reduced, both anticipating and dreading the eventual meet up. Shigaraki was still in the bean bag chair, and while you made a point not to check out the situation, you were sure he was just as grumpy as before.  Five minutes left and you arrived, drunk, and feeling absolutely wiggly. You felt like a worm on the string being pulled around, and you wouldn’t lie, you could feel the smile pull on the corners of your lips. You knew something he didn’t know that you knew. You went to sit in the space next to him, miscalculating and ending up partially in his lap, throwing and arm around his shoulder and sipping your drink, kicking your feet a little. This was fun. It pleased you even more when Shigaraki didn’t try to push you off. At least not right away.

         “What are you doing?”

        “Hanging out. What are you doing?” you asked, a knowing grin rising to your face. He raised an eyebrow, eyes fixed to you. You could feel it, his breath was a little more labored, he was just as drunk as you.

        “Hanging out.” He repeated. He adjusted, moving an arm behind you, “I don’t want my drink to spill,” he explained. You looked at the countdown on the screen. Two minutes.

         “I know something you don’t know,” you started, mischevious glint in your eye. You leaned toward Shigaraki, speaking just to him, “Something you don’t know that I know. I found something out.” You whispered, inching closer. Your hand brushed the back of his neck, feeling how warm it was and the sweat that beaded along the jackets’ edge.

         “Oh? And what did you find out?” he lowered his drink, resting his free hand on one of your calves,

        “Something about you. Something fun,” you did the same, setting down the glass and poking his chest with your fingers. You twirled the drawstring of his hoodie. One minute left. You felt his breathing grow ragged, face flushed and not looking away. You watched the timer on the tv.

         “Something fun…” he repeated, trying to coax you along after some time. You nodded, resting your cheek on his shoulder and talking quieter now,

         “Something we have in common,” your eyes, half lidded and having trouble keeping them open, stayed glued to the clock. Sitting down had caused a wave of wooziness to wash over you, enjoying the way the room spun slowly. You felt his arm wrap around tighter, finally it was time. You sat upright, staring with wide, wide eyes as you heard your friends chant along.

Ten

Nine

Eight

Seven

Six

Five

Four

Three

Two

One!

        You turned to Shigaraki, the cheerful shouts of your friends as they celebrated became background noise. You bravely took the leap forward, pressing your lips to Shigarakis’, feeling both of your bodies tense before he tightened his grip even more, both arms around you now and pulling you closer. You both let out a breath sigh of relief, foreheads touching,

         “I found out that you like me. I mean, like like me,” you teased, eyes closed. Eyes closed felt nice. You felt yourself melt into Shigaraki, feeling more like liquid and less like solid mass. Shigaraki adjusted underneath of you, hand rubbing your back and pressing his lips to the top of your head. Your hands kept busy with his hoodie, twirling the draw strings and feeling the soft fabric, “which means you have to carry me to bed,” you joked, doubting that someone as scrawny as him could carry you too far. Or at all.

        “Alright,” Shigaraki slipped on arm under your leg, the other remaining wrapped around your back. He shifted in the overly amenable bean bag chair, pressing his feet firmly pressed to the ground, and putting as much force into standing as possible. He shot up, swaying clumsily with you in his arms. Your eyes snapped open, throwing your arms around his neck and holding on tight. Shigaraki continued to sway until his back was propped up against the wall. He adjusting you more, tossing you up higher on his shoulder for better grip and with a lot of swaying and stumbling from side to side, he got you in your shared bedroom, dropping you on the bed and flopping down on the blanket nest beside you. You rolled on your side to face him, pulling on of the warmer blankets around you and eyes drooping shut. “I thought about what you said.”

         “Hn?” you sleepily responded, shuffling closer to him.

        “I was talking with some of the league, and we agreed we need a bigger apartment. You can have your own room, if you want,” Shigaraki said softly.

         “My own room,” you repeated, smile creeping onto your face, “with you all. In a bigger apartment.” That sounded nice. You’d figure out logistics later, but for now you’d enjoy the idea, the fantasy, of living somewhere spacious enough for all of you.

         You wouldn’t mind sharing a room with Shigaraki, wherever that room might be.

[packsbeforesnacks]

I’m Not As Think As You Drunk I Am || Noah & Winn

TIMING: Sunday, May 3rd, 2020, After Midnight LOCATION: Bottomless Booty & Noah’s Townhouse PARTIES: @noah-kalani & @packsbeforesnacks SUMMARY: Two bros, chillin’ in a king bed. (Because of Winn’s dick, see?) WARNINGS: Nudity and tomfoolery.

“It’s just,” Winn started, slurring his words very definitely slightly (he hoped), “I feel for the kids, y’know? They tried so, so, so hard and to get beaten in the last game in overtime? It’s just… unfair.” He’d long since stopped eatin’ the seafood spread out in front of him and Noah. The younger man sat across from him, picking off some truly delicious shrimp. Bottomless Booty was a little kitschy, but Winn kinda liked it. Not a spot he would’ve chosen for a date (not… that this was a date), but the food was very good. And the booze was doin’ the job. “But shit, buddy, I feel like I’m suckin’ up all the air in the room. This is supposed to be about you!” He held up his mixed drink to Noah. (They’d toasted already, but… why not.)

Taking a swig of his third (no fourth?) beer, Noah sat back in his booth, studying all of the slightly sad, and slightly drunk Winn in front of him. He wasn’t quite sure how this celebration “date” had devolved into this. Okay actually, no, that was a lie. He knew exactly how they had gotten there, with three margaritas and fifty dollars worth of crab and shrimp, but honestly? He didn’t really mind it. It had been a long time since Noah had let loose and gotten drunk with a friend. “I know the feeling and it definitely sucks buddy. But at the end of the day a game is a game. Someone has to win and someone has to lose,” he replied with a small shake of his head. “Well, you are paying for this lot.” He motioned to the carnage in front of them, “So, the least I can do is listen to your troubles.” He winked at the other dude, before picking up a stray piece of shrimp and swallowing whole.

Winn felt himself flush at the wink, still holding up his glass to Noah. Stop that, Winner. “Well,” he mumbled, suddenly self-conscious. “Thank you, Noah.” He smiled, soft and loose. “So, don’t think I’ve ever asked ya, but… Why be a vet? I mean,” he dropped his voice low, “you’re, like, part dog, so I get it, but…” He winked back, partly in belated response to Noah’s wink and partly because he was funny, dang it. Winn lowered his glass, finally. It, unfortunately (?), did things to Winn to see Noah take down that shrimp whole, but he pushed it down. What was with him and men and food? Best not to examine it. “Fuck, am I glad we Ubered, bro, I’d be a smear on the highway if I tried to drive now. Not that…” He paused, considering Noah. “I mean, I’m not drunk. Not. Definitely not.”

If this was a normal day, Noah would have noticed the way Winn suddenly flushed red at his wink. But alas it was not a normal day, and flirty Noah was already too drunk to listen to the voice in his head telling him he was steering this ship into uncharted waters. “No problem bro,” Noah replied before picking up his beer and raising it yet again to the other’s very drunk toast, clinking his glass against the others, fingertips accidentally making contact with Winn’s. Oops. Placing his glass down before him, lest he injure everyone around him, Noah figured shoving more food into his mouth would be the next best course of action. “My dad was a vet actually,” he started around a chew, before remembering his manners. “So, I always grew up with animals, even before becoming,” he leaned in, “part dog.” Grinning from ear to ear, he straightened, fingers searching for a napkin as Winn confessed to ‘not being drunk’ “Yeah, and if you’re stone cold sober, then I’m Queen Elizabeth,” he joked, tossing the used napkin playfully at the other man.

Winn, damn him, had a half-thought to hold Noah’s hand as their fingers brushed. Just a little hand-holding between bros. But he restrained himself. Barely. (His hand did, shamefully, chase Noah’s glass. But that was totally fine. Totally.) “Ah,” Winn said, intelligently. “Makes sense to go into the family business.” He had just enough memory, just enough tact, to know not to pursue Noah’s family any farther, at this point. Not while they were drunk. (Not that he was drunk.) “What’s your favorite aminal?” Wait, aminal? “Animal,” he corrected, sheepishly. Noah’s napkin hit Winn’s chest, bouncing down into his lap. Lap. Shit, he had to piss. How had he not noticed? He should bring that up soon. He started to scoot out of the booth, before realizing he’d asked a question of his friend. “Piss?” he said helpfully, listening attentively to Noah.

“It’s cliche I know, but my favorite animal has always been a wolf.” Noah grinned, ignoring Winn’s slight stutter of his words. “Oh Me? No.” Noah shook his head assuming that’s what Winn meant when he mentioned piss. “But I can get the check while you’re doing it?” he asked, trying to be helpful, because, yeah, neither of them probably needed to stay and sink further into a drunken stupor, especially as Winn kinda paused at the end of the booth eyes slightly glazed. Oh boy. Winn was really really drunk wasn’t he? “Come here, big boy,” Noah said motioning for the other man to stand up and come closer to him, plan already in motion. See, Noah was gonna be a responsible drunk. He was gonna get everything paid, and both of them in an Uber, and everything was gonna be a-okay. But first. Money. “Need wallet to pay so we can go,” he grunted, reaching for the obvious bulge in Winn’s ass pocket before realizing. This was Winn. He was grabbing Winn’s ass. A man he had not established these “bro I touch your ass because you touch mine all the time” protocols with. Shit. Noah. What the actual fuck.

Wallet? What was… where was his wallet? Noah had mentioned something about the check. Right. They definitely had to pay. And Winn had to piss. Hmm. Winn stood at Noah’s call, almost trancelike, and walked towards Noah. He tilted his head a bit at “big boy,” even as drunk as he wasn’t, Winn scoffed a little bit. It wasn’t, like… Noah wasn’t small. He could take Winn. Had. Jacked up on Full Moon juice and bein’ pissed that Winn had given him the ol’ sniff. Which, if Winn wasn’t careful, was definitely going to happen again. He knew he wasn’t steady, and as Noah groped at his ass, Winn felt himself sling forward a little into Noah’s personal space. Did he always have to smell good? Fucking hell. But… Why was Noah grabbing his ass? It felt nice, but, like… Noah was, like, strai— Wallet. That wasn’t where his wallet was. That was his phone. Winn grunted low and close to Noah’s ear, and mumbled, “Front.” Thinking that maybe Noah wouldn’t catch the drift, Winn took his hand and placed it on the front of his pants, where his wallet bulged out… He hoped? He really, really hoped. His head leaned into Noah’s shoulder for a moment, as he snickered. He was a mess. They were a mess. This was a good night.

And now it was Noah’s turn to blush, the events unfolding before him like some sort of weird, sexy horror movie. Okay, well, maybe not a horror movie, per se. But it was definitely not Noah’s usual light-hearted, comedic, “Oh, I'm definitely not touching my super hot wolf friend’s dick right now, and having a panic attack because maybe I kinda like it?” genre, that was for sure. Moving his hand from Winn’s crotch, Noah grabbed the wallet, easing it gently out of the other man’s pocket and ignoring the weight on his shoulder. Because, yeah, leave it to drunk as a skunk Winn to make him have a bisexual crisis in the middle of a pirate-themed restaurant and then have the nerve to lean in for CUDDLES. Who did this motherfucker think he was? “Okay, go piss now,” Noah said gruffly, turning the other man around as fast as he could before they scared all the children. “I can handle this,” he said, waving the wallet in Winn’s direction. Hopefully, the other man was just sober enough to do that on his own, because Noah definitely needed a few seconds.

The bathroom, when Winn eventually found it, was somehow also pirate-themed. He was pretty sure he saw a “wipe your booty” sign, which, were he way more sober than he was right now, would be… mildly funny. Since he was drunk, it was hilarious. But. No laughing. Pissing. Right. When he wandered out of the bathroom a couple’a minutes later, Winn noticed Noah sitting at the booth, right where Winn had left him. Man, he had a pretty friend, huh? He should definitely tell him that. Definitely. He slid into the booth next to Noah, pushing the other man into the dividing wall between the booths and the tables in the main area. “Hey,” Winn said, dopey smile on his face, head leaned into Noah’s shoulder. They were super close. Winn loved bein’ close with his bros. Felt good, man. “You’re super hot, bro. You know that? Suuuuuper,” he dropped his voice low, feelin’ like maybe Noah could use some teasin’. Winn hadn’t teased him at all today! “Hot,” he finished, yawning. Noah’s shoulder was super comfy. He could get used to this… Then, because, well, in for a penny, in for a pound, he added, “Baby…” His voice was low, sleepy, a little mumbly. “I’d kiss you so nice.” And then, well. Then, Winn was asleep.

Once the hormones of the moment dissipated and Noah Kalani was able to get a breath of fresh air, he put the rest of his “I am a drunk yet responsible adult” plan into action, starting with motioning the waiter over for the check, and ending with ordering an Uber for the both of them. When Winn beelined for him, Noah should have known what was going to happen next, the older man sliding in and leaning on his shoulder. It had been a long time since anyone had been this, well, physical? No wait, that wasn't the right word. Cuddly? Caring? Gentle? Supportive? to him in a long time, and it was safe to say it was, well, kinda nice. Especially coming from someone who he knew actually meant every word. Even the ones that sent a full body flush down his spine. “Winn?” Noah asked, trying not to blanch too hard, thoughts still spinning of Winn and Kissing, and of Winn wanting to Kiss him. And… how would it even be to kiss a man? But the answer he was looking for never came, because of course Winn Woods would choose now to pass the fuck out. Goddamnit. Shaking all of the thoughts out of his head (because one crisis at a time, Kalani) Noah elbowed the other into submission, somehow getting them out of the restaurant and into their awaiting Uber.

Winn may have been drunk (and, alright, yes, he could admit, now, that he was drunk), but he was still a pretty light sleeper. Noah’s body pressed up against his, trying to guide them out of the restaurant, jostled him enough that he woke up and, bare minimum, held himself up as Noah guided him. He’d have to thank the man later. Had he mentioned kissing? Winn hoped he hadn’t said that aloud; he just wanted to mess with Noah, not freak the other guy out. The world went woozy again, as Noah put him into the Uber and, safety be damned, Winn refused to put on a seatbelt. Not when there was a Noah. He was a wolf, he’d be fiiiiine. The Uber was surprisingly roomy, enough for Winn to slink down in his seat, to tip over to the side, and to have his head land in Noah’s lap. Oops. “I’m sorry,” he said to… Noah? The driver? It was unclear. “We tip well. Five stars. Just lemme nap, pleeease.” Okay, so. To the driver, then. Here, in the darkness of the car, in the quiet, Winn felt… safe. Lo— Ha, no. He reached his hand back, under (?) his body, to grab at one of Noah’s (extremely nice) hands, guiding it to his hair. “It’s still your lap, buddy, just…” He laughed at the joke he was about to make. “Pretend I’m a dog. Pet me, Kalani.” He winked. His eyes were definitely closed, but, like, it was an emotional wink. Noah would feel it. Before passing out again, Winn felt a gentle, tentative hand in his hair. Oh.

While wrestling a whole almost 200 pounds of Winn into the car was relatively easy in the grand scheme of things, getting a seatbelt on him proved even more difficult. “Winn. Stop moving,” Noah said through gritted teeth, before simply giving up and letting the other just fall into his lap. And any other time he’d have just bro-elbowed him back into place, but for now the younger boy let it slide, too tired to care. His drunk mind focused on getting them both home safely. And preferably with the least amount of moving. But of course Winn had other ideas, grabbing Noah’s hand and spouting useless babble Noah’s drunk ears barely registered. “Your buddy okay back there?” the Uber driver asked tentatively, as if only to gauge the possibility of cleanup—or worse, shenanigans—the thought of which made Noah look down at Winn and roll his eyes. Leave it to Winn to make everything awkward again, and then stick him with the cleanup duty. But, for some odd reason, looking down at the man in his lap, he couldn't find it in his heart to be mad at the big lug. In fact, he felt oddly protective, the wolf in him comforted by the fact Winn was close and warm and nice. Was this what it was like? Having a pack? Noah didn’t know, but what he did know is that the brute in his lap wanted to be petted, and he guessed he would oblige. “He’s fine… He’s just drunk,” Noah responded quietly, brushing a stray piece of hair out of Winn’s eyes. Because yeah. Winn was just drunk. Noah was just drunk. None of this meant anything because they were both just drunk.

To Winn’s credit, he was a calm and quiet lapdog. He drifted in and out of sleep, only occasionally shifting his head to nudge deeper into the warmth that was Noah, feeling just… nice. Was he snoring, just a little, or was that a drunken thought? Noah’s hand, petting Winn just as the older man had asked-begged, soothed him, the wolf enjoying it as much as (if not more than) his human self did. The car eventually stopped outside of Noah’s house and the door cracked open, letting the cool spring air in and rustling Winn fully awake. He was… slightly more sober? Decently-slightly. He could make it to a door without any help, definitely. Instead, what Winn said as he half-rolled out of the car was, “Help me?”, stretching his arms and legs out and into Noah’s waiting grip, half-falling on the man. “I could go home, I’m fine,” he said, leaning against the younger man for support. “But I don’t want to...” Wait, had he said that aloud? Eh, fuck it. It was true. “Thankyouuu!” he called back into the car as Noah shut the door.

Feeling the car come to a stop, Noah jerked out of his drunken stupor, fingers intertwined in Winn’s hair, hazy eyes looking out for his aunt’s townhouse. Okay yeah, they were here, cool. Now to get both of them out of the car. Untangling himself from the other man, Noah reached over and pushed Winn’s door open for him, a grin erupting on his face as Winn practically fell out of it on his own accord. Yup, that about summed the night up. Exiting the car himself, Noah walked around to heed Winn’s pleas, pulling the dude upright again almost effortlessly. Winn was lucky he chose to get drunk with a dude who could haul him over his head and benchpress him. “I will not let your drunken ass go home by yourself, maaaate,” he grunted out as he hauled Winn up the steps to his front door, hand digging in his pockets for his keys. “Bros need tuh look out for bros,”he said, if only to fill the silence as he fumbled with the lock. Damn depth perception. Finally, the door swung open, revealing, by the hall light on, one of his large ass water bottles left on the entryway table with a note that said: “Drink me, bitch.” Aunt Leah, man, the Real MVP.  Taking a large swig himself, Noah carefully held out the bottle for Winn, chuckling as he grasped at it like he’d never had water in his entire life. “Thirsty, huh?” Noah snorted before he hauled them further into the house. Usually, he’d dump his friends on the couch, brownie points accomplished, but today? Nah, today he headed up the stairs. Winn had had a weekend it seemed; he deserved a bed.

The next thing Winn remembered was water being tipped into his mouth. He grasped at it, nearly (but not!) dropping it, suddenly aware of how thirsty he was. One chug, and it was gone. “More,” he gasped out, before realizing that was maybe not a good idea. “Wait, no. Not more. Yes more, but not more in me, more near me.” Winn had never been inside Noah’s house — well, not more than the entryway, guiding Noah’s snoring body to a couch, but he knew he was being led up stairs. He wasn’t as sleepy, which was… good, probably. And he felt, like, a little guilty, which meant that he was definitely sobering up. Wolf problems. “Sorry,” he mumbled, but then, louder: “Sorry, really. I’m… sorry.” Oh fuck, was he getting emotional? “This was supposed to be about you, babe, I mean. Buddy. I mean. Fuck.” They landed at the top of the stairs, and Winn suddenly felt a strong urge to hug the other man. So, he did. “Wanna hang with you sober, get to know you, I really… like you, Noah,” he said, smiling against Noah’s neck. “But we gotta stop meetin’ like this.” He let go of Noah for a second, looking into the other man’s eyes. The moonlight cut through a nearby window, and Winn re-realized, for what had to be the millionth time tonight, how beautiful the other man was. Winn leaned in, he could just… No. He chickened out, not willing to take the rejection, not willing to make Noah hate him, no matter how much he wanted to. Instead, he planted a kiss to Noah’s cheek, hugging him again, tightly. “Thank you,” he said, quietly. What for, he wasn’t sure.

Standing at the top of the stairs Noah just looked over at Winn, drunken mind not really comprehending what was going on right now. Winn was sorry? Why was he sorry? “Why are you sorry?” Noah voiced aloud as Winn started hugging him. And then he said the sentence that Noah was most familiar with, something that he had been told by countless women… and now one really drunk bro. I really like you. Oh. OH. Winn liked him. Oh my god. Winn liked him. That's why he was sorry, because he liked him. “Wait, what?” Noah breathed out, slightly confused. Why would Winn of all people like him? I mean, don't get him wrong, Noah knew he had a lot to offer (he was smoking hot and had his life relatively together), but at the same time… his brain trailed off looking at the man in front of him. This was Winn Woods, okay? Like, all hard edges and smooth talking. He was one of the boys, Noah’s boys, and while Noah had no problem with Winn being gay… Man, was he too drunk for this. But then Winn was kissing him, or rather Winn was kissing his cheek, and Noah's brain actually short-circuited right then and there, the feeling of stubble on his face for the first time almost too much. “Winn.” Noah placed a hand on the other’s chest gently before realizing how Winn might take that. A clear stop. A hard no. Rejection. Noah had been on the receiving end of this hand enough times to know what it could be construed as. “Wait, no. This is. I’m not pushing away. Just. I need to…” He trailed off, not really knowing how to vocalize what he needed in the moment, but hoping Winn would understand.

On the plus side, Winn figured Noah didn’t hate him. And, wasn’t… rejectin’ him? What was there to really reject, though? Winn was physically affectionate, he’d kissed bros on the cheek before! And Noah was straight, so, like, he didn’t think Noah would reciprocate the, like, lust for Noah that Winn had. He knew what this was, and he was alright with it! But sometimes, your bro just looks… extremely good. And you kiss him on the cheek, and it’s a pleasant tingle in your lips because your bro’s skin is, like, so warm. Ugh. He was too drunk for this. And not drunk enough. He barely processed what Noah was saying, figuring that he needed no more cheek kisses. Awright. Winn could do that! Easily. He followed Noah to the other man’s room, taking a token stop in the restroom (good, he’d probably need that before dawn!), and sat at the edge of the other man’s bed. Was there a tension in the air? Naw, Winn was probably imaginin’ it. “Sooooo,” he drawled. His voice was still slurring, a bit, but he figured he sounded… better? “Couch? Floor? I can do either, just need, I’unno a blanket or somethin’. Pillow, we’re… not animals.” He winked at the other man, unsure if Noah could even see it in the dim light coming in through the window. “Or, hey!” Winn said, an amazing idea coming to his head. “This bed’s big enough for the two of us. We can, like, squeeze together, it’ll be dope. I’m super warm, bud, I’m a great bed-buddy.” He smiled. Amazing idea. Yes. Winn patted the spot on the bed next to him, rolling over and making room for Noah and pulling off his shirt. (Didn’t want to get too warm.)

Watching Winn back away without a care in the world, Noah breathed a small sigh of relief. He could live another day without having to do some major introspection on his own life and why he kinda wasn’t like all the way put off by Winn’s kiss. Excellent. Leading the other down the hall, Noah pointed to the door on the right of his own and motioned that that was the bathroom, lest Winn need it or anything before opening the door to his own room. He was lucky he chose to clean up his space before going out on his date, (no, wait, that was not a DATE) bed nicely made and no dirty clothes in sight. Placing the small ratted wolf stuffed animal that sat in the middle of the bed on his desk for safekeeping, Noah just rolled his eyes at the other. He was going to let Winn take the bed anyway, but he guessed he could also be in it too. Hopefully… maybe… “Fine. We can share the bed, it is a king-size after all.” He shrugged, trying not to make too much of everything lest he have another heart attack. Cuz you know they were just two bros, sharing a bed after a cheek kiss. Five feet apart cuz they weren’t gay. Or at least Noah wasn’t. Gay, that is. Turning around, Noah pushed it all out of his mind, preferring to think of Winn as one of his footballer friends as he went to rummage around for sleep clothes. Yes, Marco and everyone had slept in his bed before. In a very non-gay way. So, why did this feel any different? “Also, here.” Noah threw a pair of basketball shorts at Winn before stripping out of his jeans and into his own pair. “These will be better than those.” He motioned as he turned around just in time to watch Winn pull off his shirt in a way that should not have made Noah raise an eyebrow but also. Damn Winn. Like, Noah was a jock, and he’d been around plenty of muscled men, but still just. Damn. And also were those… nipple piercings?

Winn ran a sleepy hand down his chest, scratching at the light dusting of hair on his stomach, as he watched Noah strip out of his jeans. Damn. Bro had legs… and, well. Winn wasn’t going to be a creep, ‘course not, but that was a nice ass. Noah was starin’ at his chest and, like, Winn was a good-looking guy, but why would a straight dude be givin’ him the once-over? He ran his hand back up his chest, realizing as he glanced a hand across his piercings. “Oh, right. You didn’t know about the bars! Forgot you were the only one not on campus that day.” He flicked one of them, ‘cause why not, and winked. Winn caught some basketball shorts to the face for his ogling. Was he supposed to… change into them? Awright, sure. Jeans weren’t comfy, ‘specially not when cuddlin’. Winn stood from where he’d rolled on Noah’s bed, and shucked his jeans. Winn had forgotten something important, something he failed to realize as he walked around the bed. “Oh, bro,” he said, stark-ass naked, to Noah, trying to get the other man’s attention. He looked distracted. Weird. “D’you have, like, mouthwash? Or, uh, an extra toothbrush? Booze breath plus dog breath plus mornin’ breath would be… bad, for our friendship.” He laughed, and glanced down, immediately realizing that the emperor had, uh, no clothes. “Shoot.” Winn quickly jumped back onto the bed, grabbing the basketball shorts he’d forgotten, slipping them on, and, well, giving Noah an eyeful, most likely. “Oops,” he mumbled. “It’s, like… bro. Wolves, you know? We get real… comfortable with nudity, and, like, I don’t like wearin’ underwear all the time, ‘specially with jeans, and, um…” Winn knew he was blushing and brought a sheepish hand up to his hair, running it through. “Well,” he started, laughing, “you already, uh, felt it, right? Seein’ it must not be… worse? I am… going to go look for some mouthwash and take a leak and, uh, like, whichever side of the bed you want. BRB.” Well. Embarrassment sure was one way to sober up.

“Why? Did you put out a PSA that you were getting them pierced or something?” Noah replied, rolling his eyes as Winn fondled his nipples in his general direction, the sudden amazement now lost on him after that. Noah picked up his shucked off jeans and t-shirt, folding them neatly and placing them on his desk chair, not paying much attention to Winn. “Yeah, I’ve got mouthwash in the bathroom, and if you want a toothbrush just let me…” He trailed off, eyes finally catching hold of the real elephant in the room. Because surprise, there was now a dick. Winn’s dick, to be exact. Literally, Noah turned around for two seconds and all of a sudden he was transported into Magic Mike. Except with way more tangible DICK. And it wasn’t that he had never seen dick before, oh no no no. He’d seen plenty of dick before. Nice dicks, too. But there was something about Winn's dick that just. Noah could feel his full body flush crimson against his will. Goddamn. He was too drunk for this. But as soon as the dick was there, it was gone, Winn realizing what a predicament he must be putting Noah in and grabbing the shorts (but not before giving Noah a moonful). Hoping that that was the last of it (because, really, how much worse could it get past accidentally seeing your new friend’s unsolicited dick), Noah flopped face first onto the bed, mind just done for the day. “I'm not uncomfortable with nudity,” he groaned out into his pillow, begging Winn for the love of God to stop talking before he made it even weirder. “I just need you to take it all of this down a notch, pal.” Lifting his head slightly, Noah hoped Winn heard his plea before he scampered into the bathroom.

Winn was, just barely, sober enough now to feel, like, a little bit bad. This, probably, wasn’t as bad as the sniffin’ incident, but… well, it wasn’t great. At least, this time, Winn was drunk. He knew he was a lot when drunk, and Noah hadn’t ever had to deal with that before. So. No more drunk Winn for Noah, not for a while. Winn had to prove that he could be, like, a good friend and a fun person to hang around that could literally keep his dick in his pants. He’d just forgotten. Really! (God, he hoped Noah believed him.) Winn swished the mouthwash around, spit, and thought about his life and his choices. Noah hadn’t kicked him out of bed, yet, so… That was a win. Cuddlin’ was still on. This night was still good, he still felt good, but it was a pleasant buzz, not an all-consuming torrent of booze and emotion. He was the epitome of control. Noah had left the light on for him, but was snugly in the bed, toned back to Winn. Winn wouldn’t have taken Noah for a little spoon, most straight guys were weird about that, but Winn was happy for the contact. He turned the light off, toeing off his socks (and, really, how had they stayed on?) and flinging them in the direction of his shirt and jeans. Winn slid into bed and under Noah’s sheets and wrapped an arm around the younger man’s torso, breathing soft onto the skin on Noah’s neck. “Hey,” he whispered, not knowing whether or not Noah had passed out already (he hadn’t reacted when Winn had come back). “Just wanted to say that I had a good time tonight. Thanks for takin’ care of me, and lettin’ me stay over. I appreciate it.” He pulled the other man closer, settling in for the long haul. He yawned. “Good night, bro. See you in the mornin’.” The last thing Winn remembered was the warmth of Noah’s body next to him, the other man’s presence easing both Winn and the wolf into a peaceful and, for once, uninterrupted sleep.

Using the five seconds he had in his bed alone, Noah rolled over slightly, eyes finding the wall. It was safe to say this night was not exactly the one he had planned, you know with the whole surprise kiss, and then the surprise dick. But honestly, as far as drunken nights went this one was really not that bad. Because yeah, what’s a dick among friends. Yeah. Friends. Frowning slightly at that word (for reasons only his subconscious knew), Noah sighed, snuggling his way into the sheets. His tired body was already starting to drift off against his will, but not before he registered Winn sliding in. And normally, Noah would have gently elbowed the other man to his own side, setting clear boundaries. But man. He’d already seen the guy’s dick, and ass. And he was just. He was so touch-starved at the moment that he couldn’t help but melt into the arm around his waist, part of him grateful that he had a bro like Winn to hold him. Even if just for a little bit. “It’s all no problem,” Noah mumbled out, rubbing his cheek against his pillow slightly as he settled. “Night Winn.” And with that, Noah drifted off into his own unconscious, sweet, sweet sleep finally calling his name.

[argylemnwrites]

It Couldn’t Wait Another Moment - Chapter 17

Pairing: Drake Walker x MC (Riley Liu)

Book: The Royal Romance (Canon Divergent from Book 2, Chapter 15)

Word Count: ~5100

Rating: R (language, implied inability to consent)

Summary: Drake goes to Ramsford while he figures out his next steps, Leo has something to ask Liam, and Hana is at her wit’s end

Author’s Note: I’m just gonna throw a trigger warning here that there is an interaction in this chapter where a man is clearly looking to engage in sexual activity with a woman who is not able to consent at that time. There is no actual sexual assault or violence, but it’s the type of thing that may hit close to home, so I thought I’d give some warning. It’s in the third and final “section” of this chapter if you wish to avoid it.

This series diverges from TRR canon, where instead of waiting to discuss his relationship with Riley until their last night in NYC, leaving her a note while Liam is proposing to her, Drake tackles this topic as soon as possible after Tariq makes his statement and Riley’s name is cleared. To catch up on this series, you can find the previous chapters in my masterlist (link is located in my bio).

“Hello?” Drake called out, glancing around as he stepped into the foyer of the Ramsford estate. He wasn’t surprised that there wasn’t any staff to greet him, given the Beaumont’s current financial situation, but he figured he should announce his presence somehow. Not just lurk around until someone found him. He was pretty sure he was the only person invited for dinner tonight, after all.

He hadn’t really wanted to come for this dinner, but when Savannah had called him, excited that he was still around and inviting him over now that she was settled at Ramsford, he just couldn’t bring himself to say no. He’d seen so little of his sister over the past couple of years, and even before then, he’d always found it hard to tell her “no.” So here he was, hoping that Maxwell and Bertrand had enough whiskey to get him through the evening.

“Drake, is that you?” Maxwell’s voice called out, echoing through the halls as he rounded the corner, “Hey, glad you could make it!”

“Yeah…” Drake trailed off as Maxwell came over. Maxwell was clearly going in for the hug, but thought better of it when he saw the look on Drake’s face. 

“So, yeah. Dinner might be a bit yet. Savannah is cooking but Bertrand has decided to ‘supervise’ as this is ‘their first dinner party’ as a couple or whatever. I wandered through the kitchen about 20 minutes ago, and it was not exactly going great.”

Drake just shook his head, “I hardly qualify as a dinner party.”

“Yeah, well… try telling Bertrand that. Do you want a drink while we wait for whatever the hell we’re gonna get for dinner at some point?”

“What do you think?”

“Right, stupid question. Come on, I’ll get you some whiskey.”

Drake followed Maxwell through the halls to the private lounge and took a seat on one of the couches as Maxwell wandered over to the bar cart and preparing a whiskey on the rocks and a glass of white wine before he joined Drake on the opposite sofa.

“So, has Riley been having a good time with Hana?”

“What?”

“Hana told me they were going to check out Riley’s favorite place for Chinese take out today and that she was going to see how it stacked up to authentic Cantonese cuisine. I was wondering if you’d heard the final verdict.”

“Maxwell, what the hell are you talking about?”

“Hana’s in New York,” said Maxwell, squinting slightly as he took a sip of his wine. “Drake, did you not know that?”

“No, she uhh… didn’t tell me that.” Drake downed his whiskey in one, pushing himself up off the couch and stalking over the liquor. That information warranted another drink.

Hana was in New York with Riley. Riley couldn’t be bothered to text him, but she was taking Hana out and keeping Maxwell posted about everything they were up to, apparently. It just was him she wanted nothing to do with. 

It was like every other time, and this time, he knew it was his own damn fault that she left him. He’d fucked everything up. He drank his second glass in one swig. He just wanted to go back to his quarters and be alone with his pain, but he could hardly duck out of a family dinner where he was the only guest. Pouring himself one more whiskey, he took a deep breath and rejoined Maxwell. He was gonna have to get through this night somehow.

Maxwell glanced up, tapping his finger on the side of his wine glass as Drake sat down. The silence was tense for a few moments before Maxwell broke it. 

“Drake, I wasn’t trying to pry, I swear. I’m just worried about Riley and I thought maybe-”

Drake jerked his head up and stared at Maxwell, “Why are you worried about Liu?”

Maxwell tensed for a second, “Look, I’m not trying to butt in where it’s not my business or anything-”

“Really? Since when have you had any sense of boundaries?” Drake snapped

“Hey! I’ve given you plenty of space! I get that you and Liam had to work through your… issues, or whatever. But she’s like my sister, and I have a right to be worried about her, too!”

“Yeah, I get it. It’s all my fucking fault. I already feel like shit about it so-”

“Oh come on, that’s not what I’m saying at all.”

“Then what’s your fucking point?”

Maxwell let out a sigh, “I’m just trying to make sure that both of my friends are doing okay and not isolating themselves and being all lonely and mopey and deciding that it’s better if no one knows that they are actually hurting.”

Drake took a deep breath, “Since when did you get so fucking insightful?”

“My greatest strength is that everyone underestimates me. It let’s me see things,” he said with a shrug.

“Huh,” was all Drake could muster, taking another sip of his whiskey.

“So, if you can promise not to jump down my throat, I’d like to ask how you are.”

Drake grimaced, “I’ll be fine. It just sucks right now because all I can do is wait for the other shoe to drop.”

Maxwell frowned at that. “What do you mean?”

“Well, as you could probably guess from my reaction, Riley’s basically ghosting me. I’m just waiting for the inevitable breakup text.”

“Or, she’s mopey and isolating herself, you know, like I said,” countered Maxwell.

“I don’t know. She won’t talk to me.”

“So go back and talk to her. The people behind the attacks are behind bars and you, Liam, and Olivia all said that things are looking good from that standpoint. You took care of what you needed to here, time to go take care of things with one Riley Liu.”

Drake shook his head, “It’s not that simple, Maxwell. I don’t even know if she wants me there.”

“I never said it would be simple. But you don’t know what’s going through her mind right now, right? So maybe she wants you there with her or maybe she doesn’t. There’s really only one way to find out.”

Drake bit the inside of his cheek, willing himself to keep calm. He couldn’t let Maxwell know that he didn’t know if he could deal with the possibility of face to face rejection from Riley. Not now, after he’d come to think that she might be the one woman who would stay. When Savannah left, it had nearly broken him completely. If he had to watch Riley leave him, too… well, he didn’t know if he could handle it.

“Hey,” called out Maxwell, forcing Drake to divert his attention away from his spiraling thoughts, “for what it’s worth, I don’t think she wants to leave you. But even if she does, wouldn’t it be easier to move forward knowing you did everything you could to try and make things right?”

After a few seconds, after processing the fact that Maxwell could apparently read him like a book, all Drake could say in response was, “Damn, you’re right.”

Maxwell smiled, “I’m fucking insightful, remember?”

Drake laughed at that, raising his glass to clink against Maxwell’s.

After taking a sip of his wine, Maxwell pulled out his phone, “Speaking of being insightful, what do you think the odds are that dinner preparations have completely fallen off the rails?”

“I’m going with about an 80% chance.”

“My thoughts exactly. So shall we preemptively order some pizza?”

Drake smiled and nodded as Maxwell called the restaurant he always used for late night sustenance at Beaumont Bashes. It was strange to think that Maxwell was now a close enough friend that he felt okay about talking with him about anything he was feeling. More than that, he realized that he had misjudged Maxwell a lot over the years. But if the past year had taught him anything, it was that Maxwell had pretty decent awareness when it came to a lot of things. He’d seen the value in Riley before any of them, after all. 

Drake knew he probably should apologize for some things he’d said in the past, both to and about Maxwell, but maybe bringing up his past intolerance of the man was not the best way to go. So instead, he waited until Maxwell finished placing the order and hung up the phone before he got up and walked over to the liquor once again.

“You need a refill, best friend roomie?”

The subsequent shriek of joy was loud enough to bring Savannah and Bertrand running.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liam sighed, rubbing his eyes as he scanned through the final reports on all the interrogations. Starting tomorrow, some the initial hearings were happening in public court. Liam had pushed for expedited trials, knowing that the people had been through enough with these attacks and didn’t need the court proceedings to drag at a glacial pace. Of course, this meant he was giving himself less time to develop a firm grasp on the details of the three men whose trials were starting this week for when the press inevitably asked for comments. Still, he knew the prosecutors had it worse, and he was grateful the team of attorneys had agreed with his plan yesterday, even agreeing to meet with Bastien’s agents on a weekend.

He’d slept in his office last night, reviewing the files well past midnight. When he woke up with his head hanging over the arm of his sofa, he’d scurried off to the Monarch’s Quarters, quickly getting freshened up before heading back to his office. He chose his desk this time, hardly able to risk drifting off to sleep again, but it was still hard to stay focused. The reports were full of so many conflicting details, it was hard to keep who said what straight, and he’d been at if for hours at this point. He was about to get up and stretch his legs for a few minutes, but heard a couple of knocks on the door. Before he could call out a greeting, the door swung open, Leo walking straight in and over to the side cupboards.

“Why hello, Leo. Please, come in.”

Leo paused to turn to Liam. “Why, thanks brother!” he said in an exaggerated manner, winking as he looked back towards the wall units, “I was thinking of fixing myself a drink; would you like one?” 

Liam glanced at the clock on the wall. “Leo, it’s not even noon,” he chastised, “and you won’t find the whiskey in that cupboard.”

Leo stopped rifling through to cupboard and walked over to Liam’s desk, a wide grin spread across his face. As he plunked himself down in one of the chairs facing Liam, he raised his eyebrows and cocked his head to the side. After a moment, Liam sighed and opened the bottom drawer of his desk, pulling out the Highland Park whiskey and two glasses.

“Keeping it close at hand, nice. I have to say, I like your style. Dad always kept his booze tucked behind the books. Your way is much wiser,” Leo said, accepting the glass from Liam.

“So what brings you by my office? We haven’t seen much of you around the palace the past couple of days.”

“Well, it seemed like things were pretty hectic around here. I thought I would give you some space while you dealt with all the official business. Besides, the casinos worry that something has happened to me if I’m around for more than two days and don’t make an appearance,” he joked. “Anyway, I just came by to let you know I’m flying out tomorrow.”

Liam took a sip of whiskey and nodded. He’d been expecting this since the funeral. He was actually kind of surprised Leo had stuck around Cordonia as long as he had. “Where are you heading this time?”

“I’m spending the next week in Havana, then it’s on to Rio.”

“Of course. Well, you know you’re welcome back anytime. Keep in touch, okay?”

“Yeah…” Leo said, trailing off and looking down at the surface of the desk. It seemed odd to Liam. Usually, when Leo said he was leaving, he appreciated a light-hearted goodbye. Liam figured years of Father attempting to guilt him into staying had taken their toll, so he always tried to show Leo that he understood his need to explore, to go elsewhere. But today, that seemed to bother him, and Liam wasn’t sure why.

“Is something wrong, Leo?”

Leo paused for a moment before he spoke, “You’re doing okay, right?”

“Of course.”

“I mean, you’re okay with the fact that I don’t spend much time in Cordonia, right?”

“Where is this coming from, Leo?”

Leo shook his head, “You don’t have to pretend you didn’t hear what Drake said to me the other day. I know you overhead us.”

Liam nodded slowly. He hadn’t heard everything, but he’d heard enough. And while the fact that Drake had mentioned being torn away from his life had been of more interest to Liam at that time, the fact that Drake had told Leo that he was a bad brother was also something that had stuck in his mind.

“It didn’t seem like the type of statement you’d put much stock in, if I’m being honest.”

Leo tensed at that. “He called me a shitty brother, Liam! Of course it stuck with me! Do you think so little of me that you thought I wouldn’t care about that?”

“Of course not. I just thought that you knew better than to hold Drake’s anger as a source of universal truth, not to mention you never seemed to mind being told you weren’t living up to expectations in this building.”

Leo gave Liam a small smile, “So, you don’t think I’ve been a bad brother to you?”

“No, I don’t feel that way.”

“But Drake was right. I haven’t really been around, I tend to get caught up in my own interests. I definitely have failed you in some ways.”

Liam shook his head, “I don’t expect you to care for me in the same fashion as Drake. He has his way of doing things, you have yours.”

“He called me your drinking buddy.”

Liam chuckled at that, “That’s an interesting perspective. It lacks some nuance, but yes, I suppose you do get me to let go of certain stressors temporarily by encouraging me to indulge in a variety of vices. It’s helpful at times, so I wouldn’t be so dismissive of it.”

Leo just shook his head, “Come on, you don’t need to shield me. If you need to get pissed at me, I get it.”

“Why would I need to get pissed at you?”

“I abdicated, for Christ’s sake! I left you with all the responsibility.”

“And didn’t I encourage you to take that course of action?”

“Yes, but Drake said-”

“Forget what Drake said. His interpretation of our relationship is highly irrelevant, and Drake is going to think what he’s going to think. I am telling you, I do not resent you for abdicating. Being Crown Prince was killing you; you were miserable. I love you, and I want to see you happy. How could I ever hold you taking an action that greatly improved your happiness against you?”

“But I want to see you happy, too.”

“I know you do. I presume that’s why you are very willing to take the full blame for indiscretions conducted by either of us.”

Leo scoffed a little, “Sure, when we were little.”

“And now. I heard Regina had some choice words for you after our night of drinking before the funeral.”

“She said she was amazed that after all this time, I still found a way to be a bad influence on you,” Leo said with a little smile.

“Exactly, and you let her believe that. Leo, you’ve always shown you care about me in your own way. I’ve never felt like you didn’t love me just because we want very different things out of life.”

“Still, the weight of the crown-”

“Is something that I don’t see as a barrier to my long-term happiness. It’s a responsibility, sure, but I am honored that our people trust me as their leader.”

Leo stared at Liam for a few seconds before throwing the whiskey back and finishing his drink. “You’re a good king, you know that right?”

Liam smiled gently, “Thank you, Leo. I appreciate that.”

“And I don’t just mean better than I would have been. You are a good leader. Cordonia is lucky to have you.”

“Thank you. But I think you would have been a better king than you give yourself credit.”

Leo just laughed, “We’ll have to agree to disagree on that point.” He stood to leave and strolled over to the door, but before he opened it, he spun back to face Liam.

“Do you mind if I give you a piece of advice?”

Liam inclined his head, “I would be a bad king if I couldn’t handle friendly advice.”

“Right, well this more personal than professional.”

“If it’s about Madeleine, give your history, that seems like a rather awkward topic-”

“Nah, it’s more general than that. Just... you need to be selfish sometimes. Not often, let’s say once a week. But you need to do something, no matter how small, that’s just for you.”

“Leo…”

“Promise me you’ll at least consider it. Remember, I love you, so that means I like seeing you happy. And I know you well enough that you might forget about your own happiness if things get hectic. So add it to your schedule or something, but remember, once a week, one thing, just for you.” And with that he was out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hana felt... well, the only way to describe it was gross. She knew that her plan for the evening was not something that was completely acceptable, morally speaking. But she hadn’t known what else to do.

All weekend, Riley had been completely uninterested in talking about anything of substance. She’d listened to Hana just fine and told plenty of amusing anecdotes. However, anytime Hana asked her how she was doing or if she needed to talk about anything, Riley had just brushed her off, saying she was fine before suddenly remembering a story about a funny customer or something of that sort. It was always lighthearted and superficial. There was never one iota of depth to anything she said. It had been shopping and restaurants and tourist attractions before Riley scurried off to get ready for work both Saturday and Sunday, and Hana was done with it. 

Maybe she wasn’t being fair. Both Saturday and Sunday evenings, when she’d been alone, trying to devise a strategy to encourage Riley to open up, she’d come to the realization that most of the weight that she’d felt in their friendship had come from her opening up, not so much the other way around. While Hana had discussed her distorted dynamic with her parents, her failed engagement and romantic inexperience, and her very lonely and isolated childhood, there was very little Riley had told her. She briefly mentioned that her father was long gone and her mother dead, but it had been Maxwell who told her that her mother had died of a heroin overdose. She wasn’t even sure if Riley had any family beyond that, any aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents. And Riley certainly hadn’t confided in Hana about her growing feelings for Drake at any point during the social season or Liam and Madeleine’s engagement tour.

The fact that her friendship with Riley appeared to be fairly lopsided filled her with both pain and guilt. It certainly hurt knowing that the first person in her life she saw as a best friend had probably not felt so connected with her. But more than that, she felt guilty for depending so much on Riley for emotional support and strength without offering anywhere near enough in return. But tonight, that was going to change.

Hana had tried being friendly and open. She’d tried asking gentle questions. She’d point blank asked Riley if she’d heard from Drake while they were at the Guggenheim. But Riley had deflected every single attempt. So tonight, Hana was getting her drunk. She hated thinking of it that way. It sounded so predatory, so malicious. But her intent was merely to use a bit of alcohol to help Riley feel comfortable enough to actually let her guard down and communicate openly. 

Her plan had been simple to execute, at least initially. Riley was off Monday, and given her apparent desire for all things fun and frivolous, it had been very easy to convince her that while in New York, Hana really wanted a little taste of the nightlife. Riley had been thrilled, offering to lend Hana club wear and taking them to a small little lounge after dinner before they headed to a nightclub. She hadn’t been out dancing in ages, apparently, and was very enthusiastic about the idea.

At first, it had gone exactly as Hana had hoped, with Riley downing vodka sodas while Hana just sipped on an amaretto sour as they sat in a little booth at the lounge. When they’d paid the cover to enter the nightclub, the bass from dance tracks resonating through Hana’s entire body, Riley appeared to be tipsy. Hana figured a couple more drinks, an hour or so of dancing, and then they could head out and actually talk.

What she hadn’t accounted for was the swaths of men who didn’t seem content to let them dance without butting in, invading their personal space without even saying hello. All of these men came with offers to buy them drinks, and while Hana always declined, Riley seemed keen on taking every single one of them up on it, wandering over to the bar time and time again, dragging Hana along with her.

Currently, Hana was standing there, watching as a tall man with very blond hair ordered Riley yet another Long Island Iced Tea. Riley was well passed the point of tipsy and was incredibly intoxicated, leaning heavily against the bar, the words she was practically yelling over the loud music slurred into a giant mess. The man in question didn’t seem to mind at all, though, handing his credit card over to the bartender.

“Excuse me!” Hana called out, the bartender pausing to look at her.

“Sorry!” yelled the blond man, leaning close to Hana so he could speak directly into her ear, “I didn’t know you were drinking. What do you want?”

Hana just shook her head and rolled his hand off her shoulder, leaning over the bar to speak directly to the bartender, tugging her skirt down as she did so. The length was not something she was used to, and she was feeling self conscious of how high it would ride up her thighs with her movement.

“Cancel that Long Island Iced Tea, please. She and I are leaving.”

The bartender glanced between the three of them, but after just a couple of seconds, he nodded with understanding. Hana then spun towards Riley,  hoping that she would be a cooperative drunk.

“Riley, sweetie,” Hana said, leaning to speak directly in her ear. 

Riley spun to face her, stumbling slightly on her heels as she moved, grabbing Hana’s arm. “Yeah?” she said, a concerning glazed looked to her eyes as she seemed to struggle to meet Hana’s eyeline.

“It’s time for us to leave.”

“I think she can decide if she wants to leave for herself.”

Hana rolled her eyes. She had hoped that the blond man would have moved on, but it seemed like he had set his sights on Riley. Ignoring him, she linked her arm through Riley’s and started to navigate them toward the coat check, but the man grabbed Riley’s wrist and tugged her back towards him.

“Riley, why don’t you tell your friend you’re having a good time and that I can get you home.”

Riley just looked dazed, her gaze unfocused, so Hana stepped forward and tugged her towards her side. “Riley, come on,” she said before looking at the man, “You are a disgusting excuse for a human being if you think that she is in any state to go anywhere with you.”

“Bitch!” the man spat out, but he seemed to decide that having this fight with Hana was not worth his time as he turned away and walked away from the two of them, probably looking for some other woman to ply with alcohol. Shaking her head, Hana wrapped her arm around Riley and moved them towards the exit. When they were waiting for their coats, Riley seemed to gain a little awareness of her surroundings.

“Where’d Peter go?”

Well, Hana had a name for the blond man with ill intentions now. “He had to go, and so do we,” she said, trying to guide Riley’s arms into her jacket.

“Oh,” said Riley, “Is Peter, I mean, where’s he, yeah, you know?”

Hana just blinked, not really having any clue what Riley’s drunken ramblings were supposed to convey. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s get a cab back to my hotel.”

Hana was able to shepherd Riley out onto the sidewalk, but when she attempted to flag down a taxi, Riley batted down her arm, almost falling into the gutter in the process.

“No taxi, only three blocks,” she slurred, stumbling away from Hana and down the sidewalk with surprising speed.

“Riley, wait!” Hana cried out, “Where are you going?” But Riley didn’t give any response, so Hana took off after her. Any efforts to redirect her were met with groans and slurred grumbles and complaints, so after a few attempts, Hana just followed along. Riley was clearly on some sort of drunken mission, and Hana was going to be along for the ride, apparently.

It was a tricky route to wherever Riley was going. There were numerous other bars, clubs, and restaurants in this part of the city, and even though it was after midnight, there were still many people on the sidewalk, many of them just as drunk as Riley. Trying to prevent collisions, dodging cat callers, and keeping Riley upright was taking a lot of effort. Hana barely felt like the sidewalk was any less of an overwhelming place of noise and bodies than the dance club. Her ears were ringing and she was exhausted. She just wanted to get Riley safely into a bed and then go to sleep herself.

After a couple of blocks, Riley stopped in front of a small market, veering towards a side door. Hana was about to correct her that not only was the market closed, but that she was trying to enter what was clearly an employee entrance, but Riley fished a set of keys out of her pocket and fumbled with them, trying to unlock the door. At that moment, Hana realized that this door wasn’t to the market, it was to Riley and Drake’s apartment building.

After a couple of tries, Riley got the door unlocked and open, so Hana followed her into what appeared to be a mailroom for the building and then up a flight of stairs. Hana didn’t know what she had pictured for where Drake and Riley lived, but it certainly wasn’t this. She was trying hard not to be judgemental, but she’d never been inside a building so run down. It had probably been an adjustment for Drake compared to living at the palace.

As Hana trudged up several flights of stairs behind Riley, catching her from falling twice, she couldn’t help but think about Drake and Riley, not only living in this building, but in this neighborhood, in this city. Riley she could kind of imagine, out at a different bar or restaurant everyday, trying new foods and drinks, charming different people left and right. She was so bubbly and outgoing and had a definite wild, impulsive streak.

But Drake? Nearly agoraphobic, routine loving, scoffed at the new and unknown Drake? She just couldn’t see it. He would have punched at least five people on their walk back from the club alone. Try as she might, she couldn’t picture him in a place that was so loud and with so many different people. It seemed like the type of thing he would avoid at all costs. She didn’t know what to make of that. Did Drake have some secret, social side that he only let Riley see? Or was he just miserable and surly all the time? Hana felt like it was probably the latter. It made her sad to even think about. Here he had made a grand romantic gesture, moving to be with the woman he loved, and it was probably draining and stressful beyond his wildest dreams.

Eventually Riley turned down a hallway and made her way to a door labeled 4B. She tried to use her keys, but was struggling to figure out which key went into which lock. After a few seconds, Hana stepped up to grab the keys herself, but before she could even offer her help, Riley started crying, sinking to the floor.

“Riley!” she cried out, crouching down and grabbing her shoulders and rubbing circles against them. “It’s okay; I can unlock the door. It’ll be okay.”

“S’not that,” Riley mumbled. “I jus’ wanted t’forget t’night… T’not feel so bad…”

“Shhhh,” hummed Hana, sitting down on the floor next to Riley, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

“I’m so lonely. But no one cares,” Riley slurred, head thrown back against the door, “He’s never coming back and I’m gonna always be alone.”

“Riley, plenty of people care about you,” Hana said, trying to provide words of reassurance, but it was like Riley was just giving some sort of emotional speech, and she just kept mumbling the same thoughts over and over again. That she was alone. That she had no one. That everyone would always leave her. So Hana did the only thing she could think to do. She sat there with her, letting her ramble and release her pain. She wasn’t going anywhere, and hopefully that fact would provide at least a little comfort.

Permatag: @mfackenthal @lilyofchoices @thequeenofcronuts @jamesashtonisbae

The Royal Romance/The Royal Heir: @kingliam2019  @sirbeepsalot  @texaskitten30  @princessleac1  @ladyangel70  @dcbbw @yaushie @octobereighth

Drake x MC only: @jovialyouthmusic @iplaydrake @gibbles82 @drakewalkerisreal @riley–walker @notoriouscs @butindeed  @addictedtodrakefanfic

It Couldn’t Wait Another Moment: @wickedgypsymoon @thesumofmychoices @cosigottahavefaith @thequeenchoices @katedrakeohd  @feartheendlesssummer  @ao719  @ooo-barff-ooo​ @sunnyxdazed

[numba99]

Fatal Attraction - Part 5

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Summary:When a mysterious man shows up at your job, you find yourself inexplicably drawn to him - and him to you. But behind the beautiful face is the dark lifestyle of a man who has made his wealth through becoming the most powerful drug dealer in the city. Word count: 4k whew my longest work ever I think (there are probably some typos towards the end forgive me!!!)

Song: I wanna be yours // Arctic Monkeys

Warnings: blood, stitches (please ignore if its not medically accurate I tried y’all), smut

Your eyes fluttered open as warm morning sunlight entered the room. With each slow blink, details from last night came back to you. For a few moments you were certain it wasn’t all just a dream, but the bruises on your knuckles told you it was very real.

You looked down at yourself, you were in the pajamas you had packed, but you had no memory of putting them on. You peeked inside your shirt, seeing your bra was still on. Mika must have got you into your pjs because you would have never left your bra on to sleep, no matter how exhausted you were. You thought it was sweet, though, he could have been a creep and stolen a look at you while you were passed out, but he didn’t. He really was a criminal with morals.

Speaking of your favorite criminal, you rolled over, happy to find him still in bed with you. He was closer to the other edge of the bed, which in a king-sized bed felt like a mile away. His back was to you, allowing you to sneak up behind him and wrap your arms around him.

“Morning,” he mumbled softly. His eyes were still closed, but he smiled when you pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Morning,” you whispered, cuddled against him. He was so warm and solid, curing the little chill you always seemed to feel in the morning, no matter the temperature outside. You couldn’t imagine anything that would be worth leaving this bed for.

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” Mika said, as if he could read your thoughts. He turned towards you, his eyes somehow even more beautiful with a hint of sleepiness in them.

“Who says we can’t?” you asked with a playful grin.

Mika chuckled, “Just about everyone who buys my product.” You thought it was interesting the way he spoke about what he did. It was all very professional, like he was working in a legitimate business. You didn’t mean that in a way to belittle what he did, clearly he did well for himself and you really didn’t have a problem with it. You wondered, though, if it was a show for you, like he thought you were more comfortable hearing “product” rather “drugs.” 

“Can they wait five more minutes?” you asked, not ready to leave this little slice of heaven just yet.

“Of course they can,” Mike replied, kissing your forehead.

“I have to say,” you began, absentmindedly running your finger over his arm, “I was a bit surprised about last night.”

“I’m glad I didn’t freak you out too much with Thomas. I was nervous you’d flip out on me,” Mika replied, watching how you touched him. He loved how delicately your hand moved along his toned forearm.

“No not that... well yeah I guess that surprised me too,” you laughed lightly. That was an understatement, but not what you were thinking of. “I mean the window thing. Not exactly what I would expect from a guy that wants to take things slow.”

Mika shrugged, “It was just the way you handled yourself, I don’t know, it got to me I guess. You're not very easy to resist, y/n.”

You were sure his words made your cheeks turn a bright shade of pink. “Guess it’s good you live so far up, or else some people would have gotten a good show,” you joked.

“I’d never let anyone else see you like that,” Mika said, laughing, though there was an edge of seriousness in his voice. You guess Mika was not a man that liked to share.

You laid together for a little while longer, but hunger got the best of you both eventually. You meandered out to the kitchen, thinking you would just be having some cereal or something. You should have known by now that Mika was not just a cereal type of guy.

“A chef?” you asked, not sure why you were even shocked. He was in the kitchen, churning out a little breakfast spread for the two of you. 

“I thought you’d be hungry after last night,” Mika replied. Your stomach growled as if to agree with him. You loaded your play with pancakes, eggs, and some fruit for good measure before settling down on one of the stools at the kitchen island. 

“Do you mind if Chris joins us?” Mika asked. You shook your head, your mouth was too full to reply verbally. 

At first you were sure Chris didn’t like you, but you think he was just very protective of Mika, which you appreciated. You guessed he thought you either just wanted him for his money, or got yourself into something that was way above your head. The former couldn’t be further from the truth and the latter, well, maybe there was a hint of truth to that. You didn’t know exactly what this lifestyle would entail, but you were prepared to do whatever it takes to keep up. You weren’t about to become a liability to Mika. With the look of approval you caught from Chris last night after handling Thomas, you think he was finally starting to see that too.

Chris came in form the elevator a few moments later, greeting you with a reserved smile, but a smile nonetheless. That was progress in your book. “We still on for tonight?” he asked as he filled his plate with eggs.

“Yeah, I’ve texted the guys to be ready at our normal spot at midnight,” Mika replied.

“What’s tonight?” you asked, not following the conversation.

“We’ve got a shipment coming in,” Mika explained, “Nothing big, really. It’s more of a decoy if anything. Dimitri’s trying to figure out where we import from so he can hijack the big one we having coming in soon.”

“Can I come?” The both shook their heads immediately.

“This isn’t like last night,” Mika replied slowly. You could tell he was trying to choose his words carefully. “Last night was secure. These things are... harder to plan for. Things can... go south fast. I don’t want you in the middle of that.” No matter how heavily he sugarcoated it, you knew he was saying there was chance he could get seriously hurt tonight, or worse. 

“You could die,” you heard yourself say. You didn’t want to sound scared or like you couldn’t handle this. Mika didn’t need another thing to worry about, and a small part of you was scared that if he thought this was going to freak you out too much he’d break things off.

“Please don’t worry, y/n,” Mika insisted, “I’ve done these countless times and I’m still here. Hell, this one is probably the safest one we’ve done in a while because we are anticipating Dimitri watching. We’ll be ready for him and any of the shit he pulls.”

Chris slung his arm around Mika’s shoulder and added, “I’d never let anything happen to Mika, I promise.” You gave them your bravest smile. It did make you feel better to hear that, but still you couldn’t complete ignore the nerves in your stomach.

“What am I supposed to do while you’re gone?”

“Isn't tonight your normal night to work a shift at the club?” Mika asked. You wondered if he planned it that way. He was right though, you were supposed to work tonight. You had almost completely forgotten about Rick’s shitty club; it felt like a lifetime ago.

“Ugh, yeah a do,” you groaned, “That place fucking sucks.” 

“Do you wanna quit?” Mika asked.

“I would love too.”

“So do it,” Mika replied casually, “You don’t need to work, I’ve got you covered.”

“Mika, I can’t, I don’t wanna mooch of you. It’s not fair,” you replied.

“You're not mooching, I want to do it,” Mika countered, “But if you want to work, I definitely support it. I’ll help you find a different job even. I just... I don’t really like the way other men look at you when you dance if I’m honest.” Yeah, he definitely didn’t like to share. You thought it was hot, though, how he spoke with such seriousness.

“Okay deal,” you replied, “I’ll work my final shift tonight and then look for something new. God it will be so nice to be able to tell off Rick once and for all.”

Chris let out a laugh, “Kinda wish I could see that.” You smiled, glad that he really seemed to be warming up to you.

“So I gotta ask,” you shifted the topic, “How did you to meet?” Mika and Chris exchanged a glance as if sharing a silent exchange of who wants to tell the story this time?

Apparently it was Chris’s turn. “Guess it’s not so crazy. I used to live with my family up in Massachusetts, but we didn’t get along well I guess you could say. My parents put a lot of pressure on me to excel in everything. They even wanted me to be a pro hockey player, I mean can you imagine?” Chris and Mika chucked before Chris continued, “Anyways, when I told them that isn’t what I wanted they basically kicked me out and cut me off. I moved to New York and started selling to get by. And that’s when I met Mika.”

“My dad used to have me scout guys,” Mika picked up the story, “Trying to figure out who we could recruit to work for us. I just clicked with Chris unlike I have with anyone else. He's one of the few people I trust completely.” Chris smiled bashfully at Mika’s words. You could tell they meant a lot to each other and you were happy Mika had such a great friend.

“I’m glad you have each other,” you replied. Specifically glad that Mika had Chris. It would make you nervous (well more nervous than you already are) for Mika to be out doing this without someone to have his back. Especially someone like Chris who, the more time you spent, with the more you were convinced he could wrestle a grizzly bear.

The rest of the day was pretty quiet. Mika was extremely calm for someone about to go out and break the law while being watched by some lunatic mobster. You spent much of your time laid beside him, his hand lazily tracing lines over your body as he made phone calls to the other guys finalizing the details. You wished you could get in his head and see if he actually had any fear, or if he was just being brave so you wouldn’t freak out.

Eventually, it came time for you both to go to your respective jobs. Hopefully it would only be your final time doing it. “Hey, don’t look so scared,” Mika said softly, tucking his finger under your chin and pushing it up so you had to look at him. “Everything gonna be okay, I promise. By the time you’re done with your shift at the club I’ll be home. You won't even have time to miss me.”

You couldn’t help but smile softly at the way he spoke to you. It filled you with such a sweet warmth and comfort. “I’ll be racing you back,” you teased, trying to show him you weren’t as nervous as you truly were.

“I know you will be,” Mika smirked, “So on the off chance you beat me to it, or if you need anything at all while I’m out, Lias is gonna be. We always have one person stay back in case- just for precaution. If you need anything call him.”

You nodded, wrapping your arms around him tightly. Mika gave you a peck on the lips and you returned it, which ended up in full blown making out in his living room. 

“Jesus there are plenty rooms in this apartment you guys need to find one,” a voice quipped. Lias had let himself in. You and Mika both rolled your eyes and laughed. “Chris and the guys are waiting for you in the car downstairs.”

“Thanks Lias. Make sure you keep your phone on you if we need anything,” Mika turned to you and kissed your forehead before saying, “I’ll see you soon.” You gave your bravest smile as a goodbye and watched him disappear into the elevator. You wanted to go out with him so you could spend as much time with him as possible, but Mika was concerned about being seen with you. As far as he knew, Dimitri didn't know where he lived, but he still didn’t wanna risk it if he was watching.

So after ten minutes passed, you set off to the club one last time. Despite your nerves there was a go giddy excitement coursing through your veins. There were so many times you fantasized about telling Rick off and now you were finally going to be able to do it.

That was all you thought about during your shift. Well that and Mika, but you were trying to not make yourself a nervous wreck and that was the best distraction. It definitely wasn’t your best night in terms of tips but you really couldn’t give less of a fuck. It wasn’t about the money. You were just there to fill the time. Each song brought you closer to giving Rick what he deserves. Each song brought you closer to Mika.

And finally it was time. You eagerly changed back into your street clothes, hugging the girls you worked with goodbye. They didn’t ask questions about why you were quitting. That was best part of this profession, the girls you worked with understood life could be... complicated. You were glad you didn’t have to come up with a lie.

“I’d like to talk to you, Rick,” you stated, shutting the door to his office behind you. It was less office and more closet he turned into a makeshift office to feed his sense of self importance.

Rick smiled a sleazy smile, “Finally gonna take me up on that offer to fu-”

“Oh would you shut the fuck up,” you snapped, stunning him into a brief silence.

“You can’t talk to me like that,” Rick fired back. He could be loud, but you were scared of him. He was coward and he wouldn’t lay a hand on you. Even if he did, you knew Mika would crush him in a second if he heard.

“I can do whatever the fuck I want. Because I quit,” you began, “You are never going to lay one of your disgusting fucking fingers on me again. Or any of these girls for that matter. None of them want to fuck you, they're just to scared to tell you off because you’re their gross, manipulative boss.”

“Why don’t you j-”

“I’m not fucking finished,” you cut him off, “If I hear you even so much as make one creepy comment towards any of these girls I promise you it will be the last thing you ever do. Got it?” You hadn’t realized you were getting closer to him as you spoke until you were right in his face. You never saw him look so afraid. It felt good.

“Got it,” he gulped.

“Great,” you flashed a mean-spirited smile, “Don’t even bother paying me for the shift tonight. I don’t need your money.” With that you left, feeling on top of the fucking world. You almost forgot about what Mika was out doing. Almost. 

Once the high of quitting wore off, you were practically running home. Had you not been so caught up in wanting to see Mika so badly, you may have thought more about how you were already referring to Mika’s place as “home” even though you haven’t even moved in. That didn’t matter right now, you just wanted to see his face.

You rushed into the apartment, nerves creeping in as you noted how quiet it was. You found Lias in the living room where you left him. Alone.

“They’re not back yet?” you asked, holding out hope Mika had slipped away to the bathroom.

“No, um, should be here soon,” Lias told you, though there was something off in his voice. He knew something he wasn’t telling you.

“Lias... did something happen?” Your heart was pounding your ears.

“It’s nothing really everything is-”

“Lias fucking tell me what happened,” you snapped. You couldn’t bare another moment in suspense. 

“There was a fight,” Lias relented, “Not Dimitri’s people, but they were attacked.” Before you could ask what he meant by that, the elevator doors lid open. Chris walked in with his arm around Mika, who was bleeding down his face from his forehead.

“Oh my god,” you gasped. You knew head wounds bled more than other wounds even if they weren’t that bad, but the amount of blood dripping down his face was startling. 

“It’s not as bad it looks,” Mika insisted. You rush over to him as Chris sat him down at on one of the stools in the kitchen.

“Seriously, you should see the other guy,” Chris added with a smirk, “Poor guy won’t be getting a date any time soon.” Mika and Chris had a laugh, as if Mika wasn’t still currently bleeding. You inspected the gash above his eyebrow, a little less than an inch long. You ran a finger over the skin around it and Mika winced.

“This is gonna need stitches,” you stated, getting a close a look as possible. It didn’t appear to go down to the bone, thank god.

“We can’t go to a hospital,” Mika told you, “Hospitals take names and ask questions.”

“Have you got a first aid kit?” you asked.

Chris nodded, “Should be a fully stocked one in the closet upstairs.”

“Grab it and bring it to the bathroom. Lias can you get some towels, please? Either dark ones or old ones. This will stain.” You held out your hand, which Mika took, but not without a quizzical look. You led him to the bathroom.

“Do you know how to do stitches?” Mika asked as you sat him down at the toilet. You turned on the tap, letting it run warm.

“I was studying to be a nurse before I left college,” you explained. By that time Lias had dropped off some black towels. You soaked one, gently removing the blood that had dripped down his neck.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” Mika asked, eyeing you with wonderment. You were trying to focus on wiping the blood around to wound off without pulling it open more, but his eyes on you clouded your thoughts.

“Long division,” you joked, mostly for yourself. You needed to lighten the mood. Once you got enough of the blood off, you instructed Mika to press the towel against his head to prevent anymore from coming out. Just then, Chris brought in the first aid kit.

“Need any help in here?” he asked.

“No, thank you,” you replied, your eyes scanning the interior of kit. You were relieved that it had everything you needed. Chris said something you didn’t really catch as you pulled out the disinfectant. You poured it on to the gauze and handed it to Mika. “Put this over the cut. It’s gonna sting, but it’s gotta get clean.” 

Mika followed your instruction without question, though he did wince when the gauze touched his skin. “Jesus this hurt more than the actual cut.”

“Sorry,” you replied empathically. 

“Not your fault baby,” he replied, his free hand finding the back of your thigh and rubbing it lightly. You ignored how it made your stomach flip as you tried to thread the need. It took you three tries.

“Try to hold still,” you said quietly as you positioned yourself over him. Your hands were shaking slightly, it had been awhile since you had done this. After a deep breath you were able to proceed, and you were surprised how easily it came back to you. Mika was an amazing patient, only a few little twitches of a frown as the needle went through his skin and the sutures closed up the wound.

“All done,” you said, letting out the breath you didn’t realize you're holding. You took a step back to admire your work. You were surprised at how good they looked. 

Mika stood up and checked himself in the mirror. “Wow, you’re amazing, you know that right?” he marveled at you. It made your knees weak.

“You were the bravest patient I ever had,” you told him. He didn't need to know your only other patients included little kids at summer camps.

“Hope you don’t mind how they make me look,” Mika teased, wrapping his arms around your waist.

“I think it suits you,” you replied. It was weirdly hot, in a way. “Plus, I’ve always loved a scar on a man.” You gently thumbed his forehead, just a few inches above the wound.

Mika’s eyes clouded over lightly. At first you couldn't quite place it, but when his lips found your neck you realized it was lust. “How can I repay you?” he asked in a tone that told you he already had an idea.

You slipped your hand under his jaw, making him look at you. You took a second to admire the look in his eyes, before whispering. “Like this.” Your lips were on his in an instant. You kissed each other hungrily. Your hands tangled through his hair while his found your ass. He gave you a slight squeeze and you jumped up, wrapping your legs around him. 

He was able to carry you effortlessly to his bedroom without ever losing contact with your lips. You fell into the clouds of his bed sheets gently, as Mika admired you from above. As much as his stare intoxicate you, you needed him. You reached up, pulling him on top of you.

Clothes feel off between kisses and gentle moans. Mika made it clear the other night that he was well-versed in foreplay activities, but right now you just wanted him. Nothing besides him inside you would satisfy the ache you felt between your legs.

Mika sensed this, reaching down to run his finger through you folds. He made sure you were wet enough for him and you were more than certain you were. Though when he removed the last of his clothes, there was a sliver of doubt in you. He was big, both long and thick.

“We’ll start slow,” Mika smirked, noting the look in your eye when you saw him. You didn’t have time to be embarrassed about being caught staring, he was already getting himself ready to push into you.

It didn't happen with you fistfuls of sheets and some gasps, but he managed to get himself all the way inside you. Mika was normally very composed, but you could see his willpower was crumbling as he felt your tightness around him.

Mika kept yo his word, moving slowing until you both adjusted to the feeling of the other. It didn’t take too long before he was able to move with more speed and strength. He felt unbelievably good inside you; you never felt so full in your life. His strokes were long but fast. It was the perfect mix of needy and passionate. He’d been thinking about this moment as long as you had.

Your orgasm approached surprisingly quickly. You clawed at Mika’s back, feeling the pleasure build to a near unbearable level.

“Fuck, Mika,” you gasped when you couldn’t hold on any longer. The sweet warm sensation of bliss filled you completely. You moaned into Mika’s neck as he kept going until he came along with you. The sounds he made were music to your ears.

Mika slowed up and let you both ride out the last few moments of your highs. He was panting lightly by the time he fell beside you on the bed. He had you in his arms within seconds.

“I guess neither of us understand the concept of slow,” you teased.

Mika chuckled, kissed the top of your head, “You get me. That’s why you’re my girl. Forever.”

[lovemesomerafael]

It’s Complicated                       Expectations

Source:  @sherrykinss​

Chapters 1-10   It’s Complicated: Surprise Party   Read It On AO3 

Once Frankie knew the reason for her symptoms, she gave in to her cravings, avoided smells that bothered her, and took naps.  Especially once she got over the nauseous stage, she began to thoroughly enjoy being pregnant.

Rafael did not.  Although he experienced a host of things he’d expected, he also experienced many things he never saw coming. 

He had expected Frankie to have mood swings.  So at five months, when he’d found her in their walk-in closet wearing only a pair of panties and crying because she was, as she put it, “already a planet,” he’d been prepared and happy to reassure her that she looked beautiful pregnant, just as she always did.  A week later, when she bit his head off for asking what she wanted for dinner, he had apologized, drawn her a bubble bath, and rubbed her back while she soaked.  But Rafael had not expected to have his own mood swings.  He hadn’t expected to be moved to tears by seeing his baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound for the first time.  He hadn’t expected that the smallest hint that Frankie might be unwell would make him want to rush her to ICU.  He hadn’t expected that learning he had a son would scare the living shit out of him. 

That one he really should have seen coming.  He admitted that he hoped for a girl because, by definition, that would mean that he and his child would have a different relationship than he’d had with his father.  But finding out his baby was a boy had been a major shock, and sent him reeling.

Rafael didn’t hate his father.  “Hate” was too strong a word.  But he most definitely didn’t like his father.  He never had.  Mostly because his father had never liked him.  Rafael’s father was a selfish son of a bitch who never should have had a child.  But he thought that having children was something he needed to do to prove his manhood and, at first, he’d been pleased and proud to have a son.  The problems began when he realized that the son he’d expected was not the son he had.  He’d imagined a son like himself, a working class, beer and football (real fútbol, not that clumsy American crap) guy who was unapologetically physical and didn’t mind throwing a punch now and then.   As it turned out, the only person Rafael Barba ever punched was his father.  But that’s another story.

Lucia Barba had always grieved for both of them.  Mateo Barba was a good man in most ways, and she loved him deeply.  She was sad for him that he felt such disillusionment, especially when Rafael was a boy who would make any father proud.  He was smart, clever, and good looking from infancy.  From his first day of school, he was at the top of every class, excelled at the extracurricular activities he chose, and never caused trouble.  He charmed anyone he cared to (which was not everyone he met, and Lucia liked that about him, too, because he got that selectivity from her).  She wished that Mateo could let go of his imaginary son and see Rafael.  But Mateo was a selfish man, and he was not a good father.  He didn’t shy from expressing disappointment in Rafi, for nothing more than simply not being the child Mateo had fantasized.  When he said those things, Lucia could see Rafi accept them.  She watched him begin to believe them.  And that, she could not allow.  

Lucia did several things to ensure that Mateo’s faults would not become Rafael’s wounds and, for the most part, succeeded.  The first thing she did was to confront Mateo and tell him, in no uncertain terms, the boundaries of what she would tolerate in Mateo’s interaction with their son, and the consequences for violating them.  He tested her.  He slept on the couch that night.  He tested her again.  He slept on the couch for a week.  He tested her a third time and lived elsewhere for a month.  He didn’t test her again.  Mateo Barba may have been a selfish, short-sighted fool, but he loved his wife.  It didn’t make for a good relationship between him and his son, but that’s why Lucia began to carefully, gradually, influence Rafi to value the opinions of other family members over those of his father.  And in that, she succeeded brilliantly and raised a happy, self-confident son.  It wasn’t ideal.  Life never is.

When Rafael learned that he and Francisca were having a boy, he talked extensively to his mother about his relationship with his father, and his fears that he would make the same mistakes with his son.  Lucia was a very, very smart woman who loved Rafael beyond anything, and he knew it.  He loved her just as fiercely.  So when she told him that she knew he was incapable of the things Mateo had said and done, he believed her.  And she was right.

 ************

Rafael had expected that Frankie’s cravings would continue, and they did.  She quickly learned to handle them in various ways.  More than once, Rafael was awakened by the doorbell to find that Frankie was not beside him in bed.  He would go out to investigate, and find her happily chatting with a delivery person bringing some food item she’d simply needed to have.  

He had not expected that he would be the one to gain a troublesome amount of weight as Frankie’s pregnancy progressed.  Frankie loved yoga, which she could continue while pregnant, although Dr. Brightman discouraged the hot yoga she especially liked.  Besides, Frankie was supposed to gain weight.  Rafael wasn’t.  Never very interested in exercise, Rafael avoided weight gain by being choosy about what he ate. But that went out the window as egg rolls, tamales, and carrot cake began arriving after midnight on a regular basis.  He ended up having to start jogging to avoid having to invest in alterations to all his suits.

He also hadn’t expected that he would have to become a regular at the all-night grocery a few blocks from their building.  One typical night, when she was around seven months pregnant, Frankie woke him up moving around in bed.  

“Are you OK?”  He felt the familiar jolt of panic that hit every time he thought something might be wrong with her.

“I’m fine.  I’m just having trouble sleeping.”

“What’s the problem?”

“I can’t stop thinking about Ben & Jerry’s.  Chunky Monkey, to be precise.”

“Mi amor, I don’t think we have any left.”

“We don’t.  But I’m dying for it.” 

“So have it delivered.”

“I can’t.  There’s a minimum purchase for delivery.   But as long as you’re awake…”

“Can’t you just go back to sleep?  I’ll get you a hundred cartons of Chunky Monkey tomorrow.  During regular business hours.”

“They have it at Carlson’s.  It’s only a couple of blocks.”

“No.”

“Please?”

“No.  You sent me out for Chunky Monkey a couple nights ago, and you were asleep by the time I got back.  Just go to sleep.”

“Really?  Because you know, it’s not really me who wants it.  It’s Baby Barba.” 

“Then it’s a good opportunity to teach him that he can’t always get what he wants.  Goodnight, Francisca.”

She cuddled up to him, belly against his back and one arm over him, and for a few moments they tried to go to sleep.  Except now he was awake.  Part of the reason was that there was a persistent tapping against him, low in his back, and Frankie was giggling.

“Is that…”

“Yes.  It’s your son.  He’s kicking you because he wants Chunky Monkey.”

“Damn it,” he sighed, throwing the covers back.  He leaned over and spoke to Frankie’s now fairly extensive bump.  “Next time, have a craving for something we have in the house.” 

“I love you,” Frankie sighed happily as he got out of bed.

“Grrrrrrrrr.”

 The next day, having lunch with his mother who was in Manhattan for a conference, he was tired and grumpy.  When she asked him about it, he made the mistake of complaining to her about Francisca’s late-night cravings.  

“What?  What are you telling me?  You said no?  She’s carrying that baby around for nine whole months.  She’s the one with the backache, and the stretch marks, and the constantly having to pee.  It’s her he’s kicking in the ribs.  You, what do you have to do?  Nothing.  You get up and you get her whatever she wants.” 

She smacked him in the back of the head, in full view of everyone in the restaurant, including several of his colleagues.  “I did not raise you to say no to your pregnant wife.”

 ************

Rafael had expected that Frankie would need a great deal of support while she was pregnant.  He had not expected that he would need at least as much, or that supporting one another would bring them even closer than they had been before.  

He sat on his couch, reading a professional journal, while Frankie slept with her head on his lap.  His arm was around her, his hand splayed out on her rounded abdomen.  This was very familiar.  She needed a lot of naps, although she didn’t want to sleep too long.  Every once in a while, Rafael could feel a movement that told him that, although his wife was asleep, his son was not.  That always got his complete attention.  Feeling the baby move made his existence entirely real to Rafael, who was still trying to grasp that he was a father. 

It scared him.  He was very glad that Francisca didn’t seem to be frightened at all of parenthood.  Her confidence helped allay his fears.  He remembered the conversation they’d had a while earlier, before she’d fallen asleep.

“Amado[1], you’re an attorney and I’m a physician. What could possibly happen that we couldn’t handle?”

“Well, I hope he doesn’t need an attorney until he’s at least out of diapers.”

Frankie laughed at that.

“I’m closer to fifty than forty, you know,” he groused.

“I do know that.”

“He’s gonna hate that he has such an old dad.”

“He will adore you as much as I do.  Besides which, I think how it works is that he will make you feel younger.”

“All the other parents will think I’m his grandfather.”

“They better not say that around me.  I don’t want to be a bad example to our son, but I might have to get medieval on anyone who said that.”

He wasn’t convinced.  This one bothered him.  “Why’d you marry such an old guy?”

“Because I love you.  Anyway, I’ve never had any use for young men.  They’re not even interesting until they’re at least forty.  Are you trying to say that I chose my son’s father poorly?  Because I would vehemently disagree with you.”

“And what a surprise that would be.”  He’d smiled and kissed her.

“I chose Baby Barba’s father extremely carefully.  I chose a man who speaks Spanish, so he can grow up bilingual, like we did.  I chose a brilliant man who can teach him things, and an educated man so he’ll value education.   I chose a man with a good job who will take wonderful care of him and teach him about responsibility and the value of work.  Let’s see, what other criteria did I have?  I chose a kind and caring man, of course, and a good singer for his lullabies, since God knows I can’t sing a note.  A good cook, a snappy dresser, someone with a social conscience so he won’t grow up to be an asshat…”

“I get the idea.”  Frankie loved to list Rafael’s good qualities, to which he felt duty-bound to object, although he actually didn’t mind.  And this time, he really needed it.

“But, of course, I also had some criteria for me.  I did have to conceive him, after all.  So his father had to be extremely attractive, of course.  And wonderful.  And romantic.  And good in bed, and an outstanding kisser, and…”

“All right, all right, enough.”

“Well, you asked.”

“Actually, I didn’t.”

“Sure, you did.  You asked why I married you.  And part of the reason is because you’re an excellent choice to be Baby Barba’s father.”

“We keep calling him Baby Barba.  When are we going to give this kid a name?”

“His name is Eliséo.”

“We haven’t agreed on that.”

“We will.”

“You are going to have a difficult time convincing people you’re his mami when you call him Eliséo and his birth certificate says Javier.”

“Then let me name him Rafael.”

“I thought we’d finally put that one to bed.  You can make his middle name Rafael if you must.  But his first name is Javier.”

“Eliséo.  If you want Javier, he can be Eliséo Rafael Javier Barba.  Or even Eliséo Javier Rafael Barba, because you’re so handsome I can deny you nothing.”

“Claro[2].  That’s how you got in this situation in the first place.  Now go to sleep.  Javi needs his rest.”  

“Javi won’t sleep.  He will kick me and do somersaults and try to keep me awake, because he is your son and therefore delights in tormenting me.”

Rafael directed his next comments to Francisca’s belly.  “I understand the impulse, mijo[3], but I’m the only one who gets to torment your mami.  You have to behave.”  

 ************* 

Rafael had expected that there would be work to do preparing for their baby.  And he had honestly not expected to be that involved.  Wasn’t that what mamis and abuelitas did?  Until it was his child for whom the preparations were being made, when he suddenly found that he wanted – needed – to be involved in every decision.  Fortunately, neither Frankie nor Lucia felt particularly territorial about the preparations.  Frankie was (mostly) charmed by Rafael’s fanaticism about the most minute details, and Lucia simply found it amusing.  Besides, they both knew Rafael well enough not to be particularly surprised.

As they entered into the ninth month, Rafael and Frankie were on the floor of the nursery putting the crib together.  Or at least attempting it.

“We have five college degrees between us, three of which are graduate degrees.  We should be able to figure this out.”  Frankie mused.

She was wearing a pair of pre-pregnancy yoga pants, which didn’t fit over her sizeable bump, so the waistband ran underneath it.  The soft, long-sleeved top she was wearing was a maternity top, but it only reached about halfway down her belly these days, so she basically had clothes on everywhere except for her bump.  As her belly had grown, she’d mostly adopted this style at home.  Rafael found it adorable and oddly sexy.  

“It would be helpful if these instructions were in either of the languages we speak.”

“Aren’t they printed in a bunch of languages?”

“Well, maybe the Mandarin or German are intelligible, but listen to this.  ‘Take railing to part E, careful to attaching on side.’  Does that mean anything to you?”

“It means we should have bought a crib that was already put together.”

As they worked together to try to figure out the crib, their conversation returned to a familiar issue they’d been trying to resolve for weeks.

“There’s got to be another way,” Rafael grumbled around the several screws sticking out of his mouth as he worked on the crib.

“There is.  You can chill out about it.”    

“Our son is not wearing some other kid’s used diapers!” 

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Barba, that’s a ridiculous way to look at a diaper service.  They’re totally clean and fresh and deodorized.  Way better than we could do here.  And you’ve already issued your absolute decree that we’ll be using cloth, so…”

“Don’t you care about his hygiene?”

“Of course I do, and a diaper service is perfectly hygienic.  You’re getting a little weird about this, Barba.”

“How is it weird to want him to have clean diapers?”

“You want him to have sterile diapers untouched by human hands.  Or backsides.  That’s weird. Besides, we should probably get used to the idea that he’s not going to be pristine.  He’s a little boy.  He’s gonna eat dirt.  Squash bugs and smear their guts on his pants.  Wipe his nose on his shirt.  Which brings me to the topic of clothes.”  

“Here we go.”

“Barba, you’re insanely picky about baby clothes.  I get it when it’s you and me – you, mostly – but you do realize what he’s gonna do to his clothes, right?  He’s gonna be gushing bodily fluids all over them with alarming regularity.” 

“I don’t care.  He doesn’t need to wear hand-me-downs.”

“He’s going to wear them for about five minutes before he grows out of them, just like the baby who had them before.  It just makes sense.”

“No.  Next topic.  My mami gave me the name of another possible nanny.”

Frankie bit her tongue. From day one, Rafael had refused to even talk about day care.  Which turned out to be no problem because, as a baby shower gift, Frankie’s father had announced that he would be paying all the expenses for them to hire a nanny.  It was a tradition he’d begun when his first grandchild was born, and had continued for each of the three he had thus far.  

The problem was that Rafael was absolute hell on every applicant.  Two had left their apartment in tears. 

“Will you promise to be nice to this one?  And try to see their good qualifications?” 

“I can’t help it the ones we’ve seen so far were all hopeless.”

“They were all qualified. You have impossible standards.”

“It’s not about me.  It’s about Javier.”

“Maybe Eliséo doesn’t need a nanny.  Nannies are elitist.  You hate elitist.”

“Many normal kids have a nanny.”

“He’ll be socially isolated.”

“He’ll be an infant.”

“What if we never find a nanny you can live with?”

“We will.  She’s out there.  Now we just have to find her.”

“Her.  So he can’t have a man nanny?”

“Absolutely not.  She has to be an abuelita who has raised at least ten kids of her own.”

“So no young nannies or non-Hispanics.”

“No.”

“Isn’t every one of those requirements flagrantly illegal?”

“Hush.  It’s for Javi.” 

 ******

Rafael had expected that their baby, and thus Francisca, would be big toward the end of her pregnancy. What he hadn’t expected was that he would want her as much when she was heavily pregnant as he ever had.  And that she would still want him just as much.

One evening after she’d stopped working until the baby was born, Rafael returned home to find Frankie sitting on their couch, crying.  As always, he was instantly terrified.

“Mi fresa, what is it?  Are you all right?  What do you need?”

“I’m stuck!  I can’t get up from here.  I’ve been trying for ten minutes and I can’t!”  Her face streamed with tears and she was practically wailing.

It would have been funny – actually, it was funny – but Rafael was far too intelligent (and, by now, experienced at having a pregnant wife) to laugh.  Instead, he went to her and put his arms around her, lifting her up from the couch and then holding her as she cried.  It was fairly awkward to hold her these days, with a full-term baby bump between them.

“I want to be done being pregnant now!  I walk like an elephant and I’m the size of Yankee Stadium! We can’t even have sex!  I don’t like this anymore!” 

“Mi amor, you do not walk like an elephant, and you are the same size you’ve always been.  It’s Javier who’s getting bigger, which, after all, is as it should be. You’re beautiful.  You’re gorgeous.  And you know we can still have sex.  We’re very adaptable, you and me.”

He led her into their bathroom and washed her face with a cold washcloth, telling her over and over how beautiful he found her and how much he loved her and Javier.

“His name is Eliséo,” she said, but calmly and with a small smile.

“I love him no matter what his name is.  And I especially love you.”  He began to kiss her, testing to see how she would react.  Although he was right that they’d managed to find several ways to have sex even as her bump had grown, making love had become less frequent as it became more challenging.  The baby made it impossible for her to rub against him as she normally would, but she reached for him and began to stroke him as they kissed.  

“I love you, too.  So much.”

“Do you really want to make love?  Because there’s nothing I’d rather do than take you to bed.”

“Even though I look like I ate a globe?”

“I’m a big fan of geography. Can’t say I’ve ever been particularly turned on by a globe before, but on you it looks good.”  

They chuckled together as they stood, kissing, until he tentatively took a step backward, pulling her with him.  Her hands were becoming seriously distracting, and the sounds she’d begun to make seemed to confirm that she was on the same page.  She followed him eagerly, beginning to undress him as they went.  Once Frankie had Rafael naked, he leaned over and kissed her bump, as usual bare between her shirt and her leggings.

“Don’t look,” he whispered, as he slid her leggings down.  

They had discovered that kneeling on the bed, with her grasping the headboard and him behind her, was so much fun they thought they would keep it up even when she wasn’t pregnant.  

They dozed for a while afterward, satisfied and spooning under the covers.  Frankie yawned happily when Rafael began to kiss her awake again.  

“We forgot to eat dinner.”

“Mmmmmm.  We did.  I’m not very hungry, though.”

“Me, neither.  I had a late lunch.  What would you say to a hot bath and some Chunky Monkey?”

“Will you be there?”

“If you want me to be.”

“Yes, yes, yessssssssss.” 

 ************

Rafael had expected that he would probably talk to his baby before he was born.  He hadn’t expected that the baby would begin to respond to his voice. Rafael was so enchanted to feel his son move and kick when he spoke that, by the time he was born, Rafael had already spent countless hours talking and singing to him.  Sometimes he would read to him, just because he would respond, and it made Frankie laugh.

Rafael had also expected that the birth of their son would be exciting, and maybe a little dramatic. He could never have been prepared for the actual event.

He and Frankie were lying in bed in the dark, Rafael singing lullabies partly for the baby, but mostly for Frankie, who was getting too uncomfortable to sleep very well these days.  She’d been a bit restless since they’d gone to bed, but he was used to that lately.  He noticed her give a start, but she seemed to relax afterward.  This was also something he’d become used to, as the baby’s kicks became stronger.  

A short time later, she gave a soft moan, followed by a sharp intake of breath.  He stopped singing and lifted his head.  “Francisca?”

“I-“ she winced and shuddered. Slowly and a bit thickly, she said, “I think…  Will you turn on the light?”

Rafael hurriedly rolled over and flicked on his bedside lamp, turning back to see Frankie holding the blankets up to reveal that she was lying in what looked to him like a lake of blood.

“Barba,” she whispered, her face a mask of fear.  “We’re in trouble.”

The next half hour was a blur. Rafael had no idea how he pulled his thoughts together enough to give their address to the 911 operator.  The only reason he was able to call their neighbor, Mrs. Rifkin, was that they’d taped her phone number next to the phone for just this possibility.  He had no idea what he said to her, but they had a plan, and she knew her role would be to open the front door of the building for the emergency crew if necessary, so she didn’t need much instruction.

Frankie was too sleepy. She’d been resting and trying to sleep when she’d begun to feel sharp pains low in her back and abdomen, but now she was even sleepier.  She initially clasped Rafael’s hand so hard his wedding ring cut into his finger, but he said nothing.  Now he would have welcomed that pain.  Her grasp felt very weak.  During the endless wait, he held her and tried to keep his own terror at bay for her, hiding his panic and speaking as calmly and reassuringly to her as he could.  She appeared to be in pain, but she wasn’t saying anything.

“Francisca?  Mi fresa, stay with me.  Help is coming.  I’m here. Stay with me.  Francisca?”

She only moaned his name softly in response.  

When the paramedics finally arrived, Rafael flung rapid-fire information and instructions at them as he led them at a run into the bedroom.  One quickly assessed Frankie, while the other blinked at Rafael somewhat blankly.  It took him a minute to realize he had been yelling at them in Spanish.  In any event, they didn’t need much information their eyes couldn’t instantly provide.  Working together, they very quickly started an IV and put an oxygen mask on Frankie, then wasted no time getting her strapped onto a gurney and rushing to the elevator.

There wasn’t much the paramedic sitting next to Rafael in the back of the ambulance could do other than assess Frankie and time her contractions by feel, because she was no longer responding. Rafael could only sit, holding her hand, and pray as the sound of the siren grated on his nerves until he wanted to scream.  He had no idea how long the ride to the hospital was.  He only knew it couldn’t have been as long as it felt.

The paramedics had been in contact with the hospital as they drove so that, when they arrived at the ambulance entrance, a team of nurses and doctors was already waiting for them. Rafael felt the tears begin when he saw that one of the team was Emma Brightman, Frankie’s OB/Gyn, whom he knew well.  The team grasped the rails of the gurney and headed to the elevator at a dead run while the paramedics shouted Frankie’s latest vital signs to them.  

On the elevator, Dr. Brightman spoke to Rafael even as she examined Frankie.  “We were a little worried about this, if you remember.  The placenta is a little closer to the cervix than we like. So we’re going to get this baby born right now.  We’ll take good care of them.”

All Rafael could do was nod. He still had Frankie’s hand in his.

When the elevator doors opened, the team sprinted toward a set of shiny metal double doors with a small window in each and a warning sign saying “No Unauthorized Entry.  Surgical Personnel Only.”  Frankie’s hand was torn from Rafael’s as the team ran through the doors with her.  A lovely woman with a lilting Caribbean accent touched Rafael on the arm.  

“My name is Kimona.  You’re Mr. Barba?”

“I don’t know…”

Kimona smiled kindly.  “That’s your wife who just went into surgery?”

“Yes.”

“Then you’re Mr. Barba.  They’re going to take great care of your wife and your baby.  And I’m going to take great care of you.  First, let’s get you into some scrubs.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re going to be meeting your baby in a few minutes.”

Kimona showed Rafael into a small dressing room where he floundered his way into scrubs, shaking with terror and confusion.  This wasn’t the plan.  None of this was the plan.  Frankie wasn’t supposed to be bleeding so severely she lost consciousness.  She wasn’t supposed to be having surgery. She was supposed to be sitting in front of him, resting against his chest, while he helped her sit up to push. That was the plan.  That was what they’d prepared for in their classes. Not this.  Not this fear.  Not this nausea and screaming dread.  There was never supposed to be any hint that he could lose her or his son.  Or, God help him, both of them.

When he stepped back into the hallway, Kimona smiled calmly.

At that moment, a phone on the desk behind Kimona beeped softly.  She gently took Rafael’s cell phone from him and turned to lean over the desk and answer the phone.  She murmured a few words, then hung up.  She smiled her soothing, placid smile at him.

“That was for you.  Your son is here, and he is just fine.  Shall we go meet him?”

“Francisca.”

“She is still in surgery, but she is stable.  Dr. Brightman will take good care of her.”

She helped him put on a yellow, papery-feeling gown and tied it behind him, then led him through the double doors.  Rafael noticed a large door with a window in it to his right.  It looked like it led to an operating room.  But Kimona led him into an examination room across the hall. In the room were two women, both dressed much like Rafael was.  

“This is Dad,” Kimona said in her gentle, musical voice.  “Mr. Barba, this is Dr. Keller, the neonatologist, and this is Jeannie, your son’s nurse.”

Rafael couldn’t speak.  He couldn’t even breathe.  He didn’t look at either woman, because his entire focus was on the small, red-faced infant kicking his legs and moving his arms in a clear plastic bassinet between them.  He looked as confused as Rafael was, and seemed to be trying to decide whether to cry, much like Rafael himself.  

“We’re just finishing, Mr. Barba. What’s your son’s name?”  The neonatologist said as she finished doing something to the baby’s feet.  

Rafael cleared his throat, but didn’t look away from his son’s face.  “He… Ha… Javier.  His name is Javier.”

Whatever Javier was thinking about his new circumstances, he suddenly felt better about things.  He turned his head toward Rafael and his expression changed from unhappy to surprised.

Jeannie, the nurse, laughed. “Well, somebody knows Daddy’s voice,” she said, taking over with the baby now that Dr. Keller had finished with him. It seemed to take her no time at all to have him diapered and swaddled, and slip a soft, striped hat on his head. All the time, he didn’t take his eyes off of Rafael.  Jeannie picked him up and stepped over to Rafael.

“Do you feel ready to hold him? I know this is a lot right now,” she said kindly, holding him so that Rafael could look at him.

“I…  Yes.  I want to hold him.”

Again, the baby reacted to Rafael’s voice.  When Jeannie put him into Rafael’s arms, father and son gazed into each other’s eyes as though there was nothing else in the world.  Rafael began softly to talk to his son in Spanish, telling him that he was his papá, and that he loved him, and that he thought his name was Javier but they would have to discuss that with his mami.  

Saying that brought Rafael back abruptly, if not completely, from his baby’s spell.  He looked up at the doctor and nurse.  “My wife…”

“You sit here for a moment,” Dr. Keller said, indicating a rocking chair in the corner.  “I’ll go across the hall and check on her.”

Rafael sat in the chair, moving so carefully that Nurse Jeannie had to hide a smile.  First-time dads were the cutest, and this one seemed to have fallen particularly in love with his new son.  Rafael allowed himself to lose himself in his baby again, knowing that the neonatologist was checking on Francisca.  He felt an inexplicable urge to unswaddle him so he could see all of him again, count his fingers and toes, and make sure he was really here, and really all right.  He settled for lifting the baby to his face and smelling him, giving him his first kiss while he was at it.  

Dr. Keller returned a few moments later.  “I checked on Mom.  She’s doing well.  Dr. Brightman’s still working on her, but she said that when your wife goes to recovery, she’ll come by and see you.  She wanted me to tell you that everything’s going well, and Mom should do just fine.”

Dr. Keller and Nurse Jeannie busied themselves with other things to give Rafael some privacy as he burst into tears of relief.  

 *********  

Frankie awoke slowly.  She felt exhausted and battered, as though she’d been tumbled in a clothes dryer for a week.  Gradually, she noticed several things.  The first thing she noticed was that she was lying in a hard, unfamiliar bed in a room she’d never seen before, and it was light outside.  Next, she noticed that she felt strangely different, as though her body was… deflated.  That popped her eyes wide open, and she was just about to panic when she saw Rafael, sound asleep, slumped in an oversized recliner with a blanket half fallen off of his legs.  At his left hand was a rolling cart with a clear bassinet on it, and she could see a baby asleep in it.  Her baby. Their baby.

“Barba?”  She called weakly.  He awoke immediately and sat up so fast the blanket fell the rest of the way onto the floor.

He was instantly at her side, leaning over to take her hand and kiss her forehead, his stubble scratchy on her skin.  “Good morning,” he said, his voice a little ragged but his smile radiant.  “How do you feel?”

“I want to see him,” she whispered, eagerness showing through her exhaustion.  

“Demanding as always,” he chuckled, but turned to lift the baby gently from his bassinet.  He laid their son carefully in the crook of her arm, and she lifted up slightly so that she could peer at him.  He blinked up at her and yawned before closing his eyes again.

Her face registered a hint of surprise as she smiled down at her son.  “Oh.  I guess you were right.  This is Javier.”

Rafael laughed quietly. He leaned down to press the latch on the bed railing, putting it down so that he could sit next to Frankie on her bed, laying a hand gently on her leg.  

“Can we make him naked?  I want to see all of him.”

“He’s our son, Francisca. We can do whatever we want.”

She looked up at him, the hint of a smirk on her lips.  “You’ve already done it.”

“Twice.  He’s irresistible.”

They laughed softly as they unwrapped Javier’s swaddling and examined him.  He wasn’t happy about it, so they re-swaddled him after only a few moments.

“He’s perfect,” Frankie said, looking adoringly up at Rafael.  “Thank you.”

Rafael tried to be gentle as he leaned down and kissed his wife, long and softly.  “I think that’s my line.”

An hour later, Frankie’s nurse had come in and helped her to begin nursing Javier for the first time. Rafael thought he had never seen anything so beautiful.  He sat for a long time on the edge of the bed, just gazing at his little family but, after a while, he noticed that Frankie was wearing a thoughtful expression.

“What is it, mi fresa?”

“Maybe Eliséo is his brother,” she said. 

“So we’re doing this again?”

“Well, not tomorrow, but yes.  We said we didn’t want Javi to be an only child.”

“And even after everything, that’s still the plan?”

“As long as you’ll be there with me,” she said, reaching for Rafael’s hand.  “If you’re with me, we can do anything.”

 [1] Beloved

[2] Obviously

[3] My son