#thanks for stopping by ly! it's always a joy to scream my heart out with you fjjekdkse (/pos)

[seelestia]

yea ofc!! ayato will be more than happy to indulge you after all that hard-work :nod nod: ૮₍ ˃ ᵕ ˂ ₎ა yeaa it's like- i can be a lot more energetic online and when i'm with friends since we have that liberty! but in public not so much. like "please don't talk to me". jfdkadsfj literally me and bedo will be holding hands in the corner of a room,,that or i'm just hugging his arm. oohh nilou + layla! i relate to sucrose, albedo, and tighnari! hbu? :0 ~Lycoris

tysm, ly! i hope you're getting thru your semester too, hehe <3 i will latch onto ayato's arm like a koala and hold it hostage until he agrees to pamper me. which he would but not after teasing me to see how long i can 'last' being so grumpy LOL (/lh)

ooo, is it just crowds in particular?? maybe, you'd prefer quieter and more intimate places! i think that suits albedo really well too, heh. due to how observant he is, albedo won't have a problem noticing when you feel uncomfy in a room full of people (ahem, because he doesn't like it either /lh) — so, he'd always ask if you wanna go outside to get some fresh air <3

yesss, i picked nilou and layla because the vibes i get from you just scream pretty and daydreamer-like! i can deffo see the sucrose and albedo in you, but i'm vv curious abt the tighnari part... do you, perchance, mentally flick other people's forehead whilst watching them from a distance?? jfjkwkre, that'd be funny. (/lh /pos) as for me, i personally relate to venti, hu tao, and kokomi! the latter shows more of my calmer side compared to how cheerful?? and energetic??? i usually am online, hehe.

ofc! i've been taking care of myself, but i sort of wish it didn't need to come at the expense of my time here <//3 (i'm working on it tho, so dw abt me! ;D)

FRRR. albedo is a canon blondie but i think he'd do really well with a cooler-toned hair color like silver or grey! (great, so he's turning into sophie now /j) even hoyoverse agrees with you, ly because they're not making it subtle with his constellation name. (chalk prince !!)

BUT IMAGINE THO. what if instead of howlbedo and sophiely, we have howly and sophbedo <3 will you be able to make him turn to goo instead?? fascinating, heh. what am i, a casting manager (/j)

awww, ty! i also enjoy writing abt this sassy but warm-hearted fox of yours too <3 i still remember when sumeru first came out and i had two to three works dedicated to him, cyno + alhaitham somewhat in a row. the banters he has with the reader is just so fun to write fhjejekske. the next time i include tighnari in a work, i'll deffo have you in mind when i write his part! ;D

OH MY GOSH, YEAH. tighnari finds it a little, a tad, somewhaaaaat (a lot) endearing that you always start banters with him because it reminds him of a little bunny (which you are, hehe /pos) that's trying to nip on one of his ears. it doesn't count as picking a fight if he actually enjoys it, right?? speaking of, ly, does tighnari ever... flip your face... gracefully with his tail. ik he takes care of it a lot, so i assume the hit must be as soft as a cushion— (/lh)

("oh, no worries! you can rely on me," i try to offer a cheerful grin. but that front is about to falter as soon as the general mahamatra takes out a piece of paper from his pocket. is that a whole list?! i shall take the responsibility to be the best lysitter ever /lh).

ly, i am afraid to tell you this: but i cannot stand bananas. i cannot eat them with a straight face since i was five (ㅠㅠ), but i tolerate banana lovers <3 and that just means more bananas for you! ofc, as a good lysitter, i shall limit just how much you can get or cyno will come for me—

"so, you're keeping secrets from me? is that what i'm hearing?" tighnari raises an eyebrow at you, but the smile playing at his lips makes that gesture seem less like a threat but more like he is teasing. OOOO, how do you think gorou would react if he was in tighnari's place instead?? 🤭 THEY WOULD. heizou is deffo the type to see me as a puppy and go, "heya, buddy!" but as soon as i puff into my human self, he immediately leans on a pole all cool and go, "oh— lia. hey, hon', didn't see you there. what's up?" he buddy-zoned me. oh yeah, and the sky is what's up. (/j)

hehe, i am but a harmless puppy who likes to nibble on people. i shall carry you on my back like a ship! (/lh)

MALL DATES. i'm instantly hoarding the bookstore and heading to a café afterwards to glimpse thru the books i just bought while sipping on iced choco <3 ayato would be so amused because of how enthusiastically i'm 'dragging' him into the bookstore LOL. i think heizou'd be as equally excited as me! he's on the hunt for some more good ol' mystery thriller books and i quote him, "seeing you so energetic is making me energetic. you should give a warning for being so contagious, don't you think?" end quote.

the brainrots, they keep on coming... ly, what have you done to me. (/lh) WBU?? >:)

d'awww, i can see him just obediently waiting for your instructions as he holds the stirring spoon. it reminds me a lot of these cyno chibis! but for the second one chibi, instead of the weapon, he's holding up the spoon LOLL (defensively in case you smear flour on him /lh).

cyno says it's unfair, but even he is having a hard time enacting justice to correct that unfairness because... um, ly... very cute... cyno.exe error /lh)

i've never had snickerdoodles before! ackkk, i'll deffo put it on my baking list >:) what's your fav pastry btw, ly? my personal favs are blueberry muffins and croissant with ice cream inside, hshhshsh.

[bvcky-brns]

That Would Be Enough

Pairing: Din Djarin x F!Reader, Established Relationship

Rating: Explicit; minors DNI

Advisory: Smut, PIV sex, oral (f receiving), near death experience, mostly smut with a dash of hurt/comfort I think

Word Count: 2,000

Notes: I've been sitting on this one in drafts for a while and finally decided to finish it and publish. It's the first smut I've ever posted. I wrote most of it after watching TBoBF finale; I have no excuses, I'm all hot and bothered and also angsty over my tin can husband.

Din had been fidgety since you’d returned to the palace. He couldn’t keep himself away from you, maintaining closeness and contact with your body however he could. Gloved fingers grazed your midsection as he passed by you, shoulders angled your direction while debriefing with Boba and Fennec, as if you were his center of gravity and he was powerless to stop the pull of his body toward your own.

You recognized the behavior, it’s how he always acts after a difficult hunt, the ones that remind him of his own mortality. His beskar-clad body tense and full of energy with nowhere to divert it, until business is taken care of and he’s able to get his hands on you. 

You felt the same adrenaline, thrumming and flowing through your veins, but it was muted by the relief of knowing Din is alive and unharmed and the joy of having your foundling - your son - back with you. You busied your hands distributing bacta and medpacks to the villagers of Freetown, your sweet little boy wrapped to your chest, snoozing away the exhaustion of calming the rancor. 

That damned rancor. When Din hit the ground and didn’t get up, your heart crashed into your stomach. Your feet were rooted to the ground in shock, silently begging and pleading for him to rise, to move, to give you any indication at all that he was still breathing. You didn’t even notice the kid had given Peli the slip until you heard her cry out for him, whipping your head around to see him gone, then turning again to see his tiny hands outstretched toward the beast that may or may not have just killed Din. 

Panic surged, and you’re pretty sure a yelp tore itself from your throat, but you can’t remember. Then it was over in the blink of an eye, the rancor calmed, and your tiny little gremlin curled up next to it as if it were as docile as a tooka cat. 

Everything that happened after that was a blur for you. Din rose to his feet, sending a sharp stab of relief through your entire body, and picked up your boy, depositing him in your arms as you shakily rose to your feet. He’d all too briefly pressed his helmet against your forehead, holding you close for a precious second. That much you remember, the rest was lost in the dust and the rubble of Mos Espa.

Now that the shock of it all was starting to wear off, the adrenaline of having almost lost your reunited little clan of three was sinking in and setting your body on fire. You could feel your nervous system screaming, your heart pounding in your chest underneath the sleeping baby as Din finally walked toward you. 

“Hey. Leave the kid with Peli, let’s go get cleaned up, okay?”

All you could do was nod dumbly, making your way to Peli and depositing Grogu with a word of thanks, and watched for just a moment as she snuggled him close, despite her grumbling about not being free childcare.

Din led you upstairs, his hand resting between your shoulder blades as he guided you through the halls toward the quarters Boba had prepared for the two of you. You still had first aid supplies clutched in your hands, not knowing what sort of scrapes or bruises he’d sustained in battle, reeling from the mental image of him lying motionless on the ground. 

When you reached your rooms, you toed out of your boots and crossed the room in bare feet, laying out the supplies you’d brought on the bathroom counter. You heard Din close the door behind him, followed by the sounds of his armor and weapons being removed piece by piece.

You felt rather than heard him come up behind you, his strong arms circling your waist and you noticed that he’d removed his shirt along with his armor. The heat of his bare skin at your back made your heart thrum steadily, grounding you and reminding you that you both survived another day. 

“You were amazing today, mesh’la.” 

You turned to face him and opened your mouth to reply but you were cut short when Din crushed his mouth to yours. 

He wasted no time hooking his strong hands under your thighs, lifting you up and setting you on the counter, never letting his lips leave yours, your arms automatically circling his shoulders to hold yourself steady. 

His hips created a tantalizing pressure between your legs, forcing them apart as he stepped closer. He buried his face buried in your neck, whispering mumbled words of praise between open-mouthed kisses, soliciting a whimper from you. 

Hands on either side of his face, you dragged his lips to meet yours in a desperate kiss as he unconsciously pulled your hips into his, both of you groaning as his growing erection ground into your clothed sex. 

Every sign of life you felt in his body spurred you on. His heavy, needy breaths on your throat, his pulse thrumming beneath your fingertips, the warmth of his hands as they slid underneath your shirt, your own pulse quickening as he squeezed your breasts. He made sure to roll each of your nipples between his fingertips for a moment before continuing his ascent, lifting your shirt up over your head and tossing it away. 

You groaned as his lips collided with yours roughly and dug your fingers into his hair. Nothing about this was soft; the way you met each other was urgent. Desperate. His hands slid down your back, cupping your ass and lifting you up. Your legs automatically tightened around his lower back, pulling his hips flush to yours as he crossed the room in long strides toward the bed, carrying you effortlessly.

Din covered your body with his, not so subtly grinding his half-hard cock exactly where you needed to feel him most. His mouth greedily kissing and biting at your neck as you raked your nails down his back, answering each well-placed nip with a breathy moan and a roll of your hips. 

He worked his way down, kissing and sucking and biting the whole way as if he were devouring you. When he reached the waistband of your leggings, he pulled them down along with your underwear, kissing down your hips and your thighs as he went. He stood to free your legs and removed the rest of his own clothes, giving his cock a couple of firm strokes with his hand before kneeling back down between your thighs and pulling your legs over his shoulders. 

You whined and rolled your hips, desperate for something, anything. His grip on your legs tightened in response, spreading you further as he finally licked a hot, wet stripe up your center, making you cry out. You threaded your hands into his hair and tugged, earning a throaty moan from Din that sent shivers up your spine as he worked you over, expertly sucking and licking at your clit and working two of his fingers inside you. 

He lifted his mouth with a groan, still massaging you with his fingers, and kissed the inside of your thigh. 

“You taste so good, sweetheart… can you cum for me like this? Cum all over my fingers before I fuck you?”

You nodded and moaned out an affirmative, feeling the pressure and heat building inside your core as his mouth returned to your clit, sucking it and massaging it with his tongue just the way he knows will get you there. 

Your orgasm hit you all at once, your back arched off the bed as waves of bliss crashed throughout your body. He licked and kissed you through it, rubbing warm hands up and down your shaking thighs, wanting to prolong your pleasure. When you started to come down, Din crawled up your body, catching your lips in gentle kisses as you caught your breath. 

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him close as your tongues danced together, his cock trapped hot and heavy between the two of you. He couldn’t help the way his hips rocked into you, seeking friction and relief from your body. You broke your mouth from his, nudging him up as you licked your palm and reached between you, taking him in your hand and stroking his length, using your thumb to collect the pre-cum dripping from him. His eyes shut tight as his hips twitched into your hand and he moaned your name.

“Sweet girl, please, I want to be inside you. Can I?”

You smiled up at him before placing a kiss on his lips, “Yes, Din. I want to feel you.”

Wasting no time, he replaced your hand with his and guided his cock between your folds, grinding against you and finding your entrance. He pushed into you slowly but steadily, leaving you gasping as he allowed you a moment to adjust to the intrusion. When he was fully inside you, hips flush with yours, he kissed your neck. His breath came in hot pants as you squeezed around him, and you begged him to move. 

He pulled his hips back until just the head of his cock remained inside you and immediately thrust back in, fucking into you hard and steady. Each thrust punched a breathy moan from you, and your hands scrambled for purchase anywhere they could -- his hair, his shoulders, his back. You pushed your hips up to meet him thrust for thrust, feeling another orgasm starting to build on the heels of the last.

Din fit his hands behind each of your knees and moved your legs back, folding his own legs on either side of your hips with your hips tilted up, giving him perfect access to your clit. The change in angle had him hitting a devastating spot inside of you, sending shocks of pleasure through you with each well-placed thrust of his hips. He licked two of his fingers and started playing with your clit in small, hard circles. 

Your second orgasm hit you like a punch to the gut, sending tremors through your body and stealing your breath in one loud, long moan of Din’s name. Din’s hips began to stutter as he felt you come apart around him, his rhythm faltering as he chased his own release. He came undone with a groan, you could see his stomach tensing with each pulse of his cock as he filled you, his release hot and wet inside you. 

Both of you panting, he bent down and slid his arms under your shoulders and rolled the two of you over, holding you tight to his chest, his softening cock still inside you. He ran his fingertips lazily up and down your back, all traces of his previous tension now gone. 

You snuggled into his chest, one hand threaded through his hair and scratching lightly on his scalp, kissing whatever part of him was closest at random until you tentatively broke the silence. 

“You know, I really thought I’d lost you for a second back there. Wasn’t sure you were gonna get up.”

Din wrapped his arms around you and squeezed. 

“I know. I wasn’t sure either.”

“Din, I-“

“Shh, I know. I know, cyare. I’m sorry.” 

He did know. He knew that witnessing his brush with death today firsthand would shake you to your very core. He also knew that you understood who he was. A warrior, who would gladly die fighting if it meant protecting others. Especially those he loved. He knew you wouldn’t ever ask him to change who he is. 

He pressed a kiss to your temple and held you close with your head against his chest so you could hear his heart beating, steady and strong. 

There was no telling which fight would be his last, but in this moment, you held your Mandalorian and thanked the Maker that he would survive to see his next. For this moment, that would be enough. 

[wandaromanova]

can i request wandanat x r? r wants to propose to wandanat and has been sneaking around to hide her plans of proposal. wandanat thinks r is cheating and maybe leaves her? you decide but angst please and i just love all your work i can't stop re reading them💕

Ruined

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff x Fem!Reader x Natasha Romanoff

Warnings: cussing, arguing, very slight violence, cheating allegations

A/N: hi! thank you for your request! im flattered to know that you love and re read my work! i may or may not have intentionally left this on a cliffhanger whoops 🤭 <3

Ruined | Regret

Word Count: 1.8K | masterlist

(gif is not mine)

You had first met Wanda and Natasha when you were tasked with being the Avengers’ liaison. You were tasked to handpick missions that you believed required the attention of the heroes and assigned team members onto those missions.

You worked very closely with the team, you even lived with them in the compound for convenience. In the time spent working for them, you had grown super close to everyone; most especially Nat and Wanda.

It first started off with the pair going into your office, always asking for missions. You had found it odd considering they never took a break. You didn’t understand why they’d seek out missions when they were clearly exhausted. You figured that maybe they just loved helping people so much that they got excited and anxious for missions, but little did you know what their true intentions were.

They wanted to spend time with you. They wanted to observe you close up and not across a conference table. They wanted to know everything there was to know about you. As creepy as it was, they wanted to get close enough to know what you smelt like. They wanted to know what your lips tasted like. They wanted the relationship with you to surpass professionalism.

Eventually, the two Avengers stopped asking for missions when they came in; they just went to your office for the sake of going there. They’d bring you various lunches every single day and shower you with small compliments.

You’d brushed it off as the women being very good friends that just so happened to be flirts. You were wrong. They were interested in you, in the same way you were in them. You couldn’t help but admire the two beautiful women.

Their green eyes, fit bodies, and kind smiles were a recipe for disaster, in the best way possible. With one look, you’d drop to your knees and do whatever they wanted. They just had to say the word and you would do it, no hesitation. Yeah, it sounds absolutely ridiculous, but it’s painfully and embarrassingly true.

Over the course of time, you had grown closer to Wanda and Nat. Your daily lunches turned into daily movie nights and dinners too. You saw them all the time and you didn’t mind it one bit.

They finally asked you out after a year of spending time with and getting closer to you. It was safe to say, you instantly agreed with a smile on your face as you let out an, “of course! fucking finally!”

•❅────────✧❅✦❅✧─────────❅•

Now, you had been dating the two women for five years. Yeah, it’s been a long ass time, but it still wasn’t enough for you. You wanted to spend forever with Wanda and Nat.

You wanted to get an actual house in the suburbs together. Not an apartment in the middle of New York, but a place you could call home. You craved the domesticity of it all.

You wanted to settle down and have kids with them somehow; whether it be by adoption or via surrogate. You just wanted to have a family of your own with the two woman you loved more than anyone or anything in the universe.

So, you’ve been sneaking around trying to keep your secret, well… a secret. You were planning on proposing to your girlfriends. Yes, this was a very huge step in a relationship, but you felt as though it was the right time. You guys had been together for five years! You were practically married to them already!

You would sneak off suddenly during your usual movie nights with Wanda and Nat or before breakfast to go and meet with different jewelers. You didn’t want to go into a store and buy their rings. That was not an option in the slightest. They were special and deserved special rings. They needed rings that were as unique and one of a kind as they were. It’s what Wanda and Nat deserved.

So, you were constantly leaving, whether it be early in the morning or the late hours of the night, on the search for someone who could make your ideas for their rings, a reality. You would hide your phone from Wanda and Nat’s view and even changed your passcode in order to prevent them from finding out. You’d face your phone down whenever you left it in a room with the pair, as well.

Unfortunately, in your excitement of what was to come, you didn’t realize how suspicious your behavior had been. You figured that you were being pretty discreet, coming up with pretty believable excuses. You even had some of the team help you with your lies, since you let them know what you had planned.

However, you forgot you were dating a world class spy and a witch. You were wrong, obviously. As each day passed, your girlfriends worried and assumed the worst. They let their minds spiral and searched for worst case scenarios. The worst one of all seeming the most likely; infidelity. They came to the conclusion that you were cheating on them.

•❅────────✧❅✦❅✧─────────❅•

Natasha and Wanda cried to one another on one of the nights you bolted off and zoomed out of the apartment with a lame excuse.

Wanda sat on the couch as Nat held her in her arms. They both had tears cascading down their faces as their thoughts were plagued by you; by your supposed betrayal.

“How? How could she do this to us? After everything we’ve been through? She’s goes and cheats on us?” Wanda spoke brokenly as she released a sob. Natasha pulled Wanda closer, the Sokovian woman placing her head in the crook of Nat’s neck.

“I don’t know. I really don’t know, Wanda. All I know is, this can’t go on any longer.” Natasha spoke, trying to keep her voice steady, but her voice failed her. She came out shaky as the sadness and hurt seeped in. You had betrayed them, or so they thought.

They sat there in the same position, waiting for your return. Finally, four hours later. You had come back to the apartment.

You were ecstatic as you made your way up to the front door. You finally found a jeweler that could make the perfect rings for Wanda and Nat! You couldn’t wait to get on one knee and present the rings to the two women who would forever hold your heart. You were over the moon excited right now.

However, your joy was quickly wiped away the second you stepped foot into the apartment. You took in the sight of Wanda and Natasha on the couch, staring at you with dried and fresh tears on their faces. You instantly shut the door and tossed your keys onto the counter as you rushed towards your girlfriends worriedly.

“Nat, Wands, what’s wrong loves?” You asked as you approached them, but Natasha abruptly stood up before you could get too close.

“Don’t you take another fucking step!” Nat snapped at you, and you stumbled backwards a little, in total shock. Your concern increased as you looked between the fuming redhead and the heartbroken looking brunette.

“Did something happen? What’s wrong?” You were so confused and desperately wanted to comfort your girlfriends. You don’t recall doing anything that could anger and upset them this much.

“Yeah, something happened. Our girlfriend is a fucking pathetic, cheating ass bitch who can’t keep it in her pants.” Natasha spoke with venom dripping from her tone. You literally let out a gasp, her words physically hurting you.

“What the hell are you talking about? I’m not cheating on you guys! I love you both more than you guys could even imagine!” You raised your voice, getting frustrated with the situation.

Wanda suddenly stood up and stuck beside Nat. She stared at you with anger clouding her sadness now.

“You’re not cheating on us? Then why the hell have you been running off at weird hours of the day? Why have you been hiding your phone from us?” Wanda began to fire a bunch of questions towards you.

You froze in your place. The answers to their questions weren’t what they thought they would be. The true answers were the complete opposite of cheating, you were acting weird because you were planning on proposing! But you couldn’t tell them that!

You stood silently as the two women stared at you, breathing heavily. They took your silence as confirmation of their suspicions.

“We fucking knew it. You’re a fucking joke, Y/N. Were we not enough for you? Was two women not enough for you?” Wanda inched her way towards you, eyes glowing red.

You backed away, not in fear, but in sadness. You really wished you could tell them the real reasons behind your behavior, but you couldn’t without blowing up your surprise.

“Did you really think you could go behind our backs without us noticing?” Wanda continued to stalk towards you, like she was about to murder you.

“I swear to you both, I would never, ever, cheat on you guys. You’re both more than enough for me. You’re my home, I’d never jeopardize that.” You tried to convince your girlfriends to believe you, but they weren’t having it.

“Stop lying to us!” Wanda screamed out as she sent you flying back with a scarlet colored blast as she used her powers on you. Your back connected with the front door as you groaned. That was going to be a huge bruise later, for sure.

“I’m not lying. When have I ever lied to you both, huh? Why the fuck would I start now?” You asked exasperatedly as you stood up slowly. You cringed at the pain radiating from your back.

“And here you go again, more lies coming out of your slutty mouth. The fucking nerve you have, Why don’t you go and fuck whoever you’ve been seeing and leave us alone?” Natasha spoke as she moved forward, placing her hand firmly on Wanda’s waist.

Before you even have the chance to speak, Wanda opened the door with her powers and tossed you out of the apartment. She abruptly slammed the door in your face. Wanda and Nat’s angry, pain-filled faces and scarlet colored magic being the last things you saw before the door blocked your vision with a harsh slam.

You sat on the ground in front of the door in shock. They thought you were cheating on them. They didn’t want anything do with you now. What the fuck were you supposed to do now? What did this mean for your proposal? Should you cancel on the jeweler? Or should you hold out hope and pray that they’ll hear you out eventually?

All you did know was that your proposal had been ruined regardless. Whether you told them about your plans or not, the moment was doomed the minute they began to suspect cheating.

Withholding the information from them, caused them to push you away. But now that you look at it, if you had just told them about the proposal, you’d at least be in their arms right now and not on the floor of your apartment complex hallway with tears streaming down your face.

You were at a loss, and you didn’t know if you could gain back the trust of the women you loved.

───────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──────────

join my taglist!

taglist: @wvnda-maximoff @everybodyhateserin @coconauwater @mindofwesley @xxxtwilightaxelxxx @d14n4ol @marrymemcgrath @olsensnpm @lesbiamelia @marvelwomen-simp @daenerys713 @fayhar @ymzki-haruki @peggycarter-steverogers @unstable-sapphic-hoe @q-hearts @lenissa @hallecarey1 @blackbird06 @prentisshoe @tquick99 @levram @frenchpolarbears @xxromanoffxx @madamevirgo @hopendeath @romanoffprint @hagridsmomma @mrsromanoff @mrs-avenger3000 @unknown5437 @acertainredhead @b-5by5 @midgardianweasley @romanovaslut

[youre-amazing-say-it]

Hellooo <3 Could you do a short fic where Loki is comforting the reader after he/she failed a big test? Like the reader is disappointed in themselves and Loki just reminds them of how awesome they are.

Hello! I would love to!!! Thanks for being my first request, and it’s fitting with how my life is going lol

Take Your Time

Tgif is not mine

Summary: you got the results for the TCT(teacher certification test) exam and it wasn’t what you expected. Little did you know the god of mischief could make your dark day brighter.

Warning: Crying, Anxiety, self hatred, school (lol), swear words, and just fluff

Word Count: 1.4kish

A/N: thank you to @ktellmeastory for helping me edit! really appreciate it! as i said this is my first fic so please give honest feedback! hope you enjoy!

“Come on. Come ON!” You yelled at your computer. You have been staring at the screen for the past 10 minutes waiting for the clock to hit 2:00 to get the results that would determine your future.

You were an aspiring teacher who had your whole life planned out for you since you were a kid. You always loved hanging out with kids and being creative and helping others achieve their dreams. So naturally everyone told you to become a teacher, and you listened to them.

However, school is expensive, so you applied for a job as a receptionist at the Avengers compound to help pay off the debt you were going to have. You’ve been working there for about two years and had become acquaintances with the heroes, and even earned the nickname “Little Miss Sunshine”. The avengers knew about your career path, mainly cause when you weren’t working you were studying or working on a lesson plan. They all enjoyed your company, and you even let them help you with your lessons occasionally.

The clock hit 2 and you pressed enter, and you waited for the screen to load, and slowly it came up.

Y/N L/N-TCT Fall 2022 Results-70%-Click for More

“FUCK” you screamed at the top of your lungs. You rest your head on your arms on the table and let out a sob. All the work, late nights, and countless breakdowns were supposed to pay off with good results, and now you aren’t even a teacher. You knew you could take it again in a year but what would be the point anyway. Nobody would hire someone who had to take the test twice.

Loki was roaming the halls of the compound when he heard your sobs. The God of Mischief peeked into the break room and saw the light of his life having a stormy day, and his heart hurt. You two didn’t spend too much time together, because of your polar opposite personalities. But to say he wasn’t fond of you would be a lie. Since you were always so happy, he felt the need to protect you and make sure you never lost that joy. But something broke you, and he was going to find out what happened.

“Y/N” he said, knocking on the door. You looked up and quickly wiped away your tears. You didn’t know what the God of Mischief would do to you in such a vulnerable state.

“Hey Loki” you said, forcing a smile on your face. “I’m on my break, but what can I do for you?”

“I think you mean what can I do for you darling,” he said, pulling a chair next to you. “What’s going on?”

“What do you mean? No-nothing’s going on Loki. I’m perfectly fine” you forced out, a little too quickly you realized.

“I’m the god of mischief Y/N. I can tell when someone is lying. Now either you tell me the truth, or I grab Wanda to get it out of you.”

“Loki, I said I’m fine. I appreciate the concern, but I have to go, my break is almost up.” You said, quickly getting up before you were stopped by a hand on your wrist.

“Y/N” Loki said, causing you to back towards him. You looked in his eyes and felt all your emotions start coming up slowly.

“What’s wrong darling?”

Those words broke you like a dam. You felt all the stress and anxiety you had over the years come out as you fell on Loki's chest. He quickly caught you and wrapped his arms around you, slowly rubbing your back. “It’s okay sunshine. take your time.” He said, and for some reason, that was exactly what you needed to hear.

You cried out until you couldn’t anymore. Loki took this as a sign to finally move you to the couch. You both sat in silence, you not knowing what to say, and Loki waiting for you to start the conversation.

"I’m really sorry about that," you said, talking to your lap. "I don’t know what happened."

"I think I know what happened," Loki said, turning to look at you. He grabbed your hand and started stroking it with his thumb. "I think you spent so much time putting other people first that you forgot to let yourself go every once in a while."

"I’ve been holding that in for a long time, I guess" you said, finally looking at him. "I didn’t even realize it. I just feel this huge weight off my shoulder."

"If you don’t mind me asking, what pushed this over the edge?" Loki said. You took a deep breath in, debating whether or not to tell the God how you are really feeling and what was going on. But he did just see you have a breakdown, so what's the point of hiding your feelings?

"Well, I had the TCT results come in today. And I failed. I have been working towards this for as long as I can remember, and I feel I put in all this work and effort for nothing. I mean if I’m even supposed to do this, what did I do wrong, am I’m not good enough, I just feel–"

"Hey, hey Y/N!" Loki said, pulling you out of the train of thought that was currently bubbling from you. "Listen to me. You need to stop listening to these voices that are in your head that are telling you you’re not good enough. Because you and I both know damn well that this is what you’re supposed to do. You have been working towards this for such a long time. So what if you fail? It just means that you’re going to study and become an even better teacher than you were going to be before. Plus, if your employer values a stupid test over your years of school, work ethic, personality, and beautiful heart, then they’re not the right ones and they are incredibly stupid."

You look at Loki shocked. You never thought he would say something so kind and sweet to anyone, especially you.

"Wow Loki, that was really nice. I didn’t think you had it in you to say something like that" you said, laughing to try to lighten up this sweet moment. You never felt comfortable with compliments, especially ones as sweet as you just heard.

"I didn’t either. But seeing you so upset apparently brought kindness to my heart." Loki said. You looked down at your hand, still being held in Loki's hand. For some reason, it felt right, but that was an issue for another day.

"Thank you, Loki," you said, pulling your hand out of his. "You really are a good friend."

"Oh? We’re friends now, are we?" He said with his infamous grin.

"I kind of think so," you said while laughing, "seeing as you just saw me break down," You stand up off the couch and start heading towards the exit of the break room. "But anyway, I have to go back to work. have a good rest of your day!" you said as you turned to leave.

"Oh no," you hear the god say behind you. "You’re not going back to work."

"Okay Loki, I appreciate it but I have to pay off my debt somehow."

"I understand that," he said, slowly walking towards you. "But today has been a really tough day for you and you deserve the day off. I’ll go tell Stark that you were sick, and I sent you home."

"Lok-"

"Ah ah ah! no buts. You need to go home and relax; you deserve a break after all this time"

"Thank you, Loki," you said, and for some reason you felt the need to hug him. You wrap your arms around the god, "for everything today"

"Of course, darling," he said, placing a kiss on your head. it felt right.

You go to the desk and start to collect your stuff. You are about to head out when you hear "hey Y/N?"

You turn around and look at Loki, who has a smile on his face. First time you have seen that on him. "Take all the time you need. I’ll always be here for you."

[rrickgrrimes8]

hi! i was thinking if you could write an imagine of reader being rick and lori's daughter and sister to carl, rj and judith. i don't have a specific idea in mind, but just her before and after the time jump, struggling with being there when lori and carl died, and looking for rick with daryl, her relationship with her siblings and michonne, maybe maggie and hershel too (i was thinking since carl was 10 when it all started, she was 7 so now she's 17) thank you so much, and btw i loved your imagines i've read so far 💞

Being a Grimes ~ Rick Grimes x Grimes!reader

thank you so much for requesting i really enjoyed making this one. i also have a series kinda like this about Jacey Grimes which i’m currently making a book two for.

warnings: alluding to sexual assault or rape, suicide, death, gore (lemme know if i’ve missed anything off here)

sorry if there is any mistakes please tell if there is and give me feedback i’d love to here back from yall

masterlist

request guidelines

request are open

It was strange for y/n. This world would be strange for anyone really. But she was different. At only a mere 7 years old when the world went to shit she struggled as did many others. With the recent loss of her father - one she didn't entirely understand - still protruding through her heart, it was hard - so hard. 

When it happened she was at daycare. The teaching assistant tried and successfully ate the teacher in front of her. She was next and was so close to being eaten until Shane rushed in. He kicked Ms Twune and grabbed y/n. Her mom sobbed at the sight of her, covered in blood and the tears smothering her daughters face. Carl was shocked too. He wanted nothing more than to protect his little sister. His dad always used to tell him that that was his duty - his job. And he hated how he had failed in this moment. 

They made it to the quarry soon after. Y/n thought the group was nice - well mostly. The Dixon brothers scared her was what she told her brother or any of the children she had befriended. But she was lying. Yes, she was scared but only of Merle. He was creepy and mean to anyone he saw. Daryl was somewhat the same but he always found himself being nicer to the young child. And often kept her company when Lori and Shane went for a ‘walk’ in the woods. Glenn was another she found herself drawn to. He unlike Daryl happily invited her company. Glenn was sweet and funny. He never failed at making her laugh till she felt like she was going to pee. They were good friends which came to a fault when he had to go on runs. She’d scream and cry and refuse to let go of him because she was afraid that what happened to her father would happen to him. 

That’s what happened earlier that morning. Glenn and a few others were going into Atlanta, despite her dismay. Glenn assured her he’d be fine, which she didn't believe and continued her tantrum. 

“Can yer’ shut that damn baby up?” Merle spat covering his ears. 

Shane shot him a threatening glare while Glenn stayed preoccupied with the distraught girl. “Hey, it's okay. I’m coming back,” He insisted holding her tightly at his hip, “I promise you, sweet girl.” 

“No, b-b-but dada promise too a-a-and h-he,” She stopped herself, sobs erupting from her small body. 

“I know sweet girl, I know. But I’ll be back I know I will.” Glenn placed her on the back of the RV, “I tell you what I’ll bring you back some of your favourite sweeties, huh? Would you like that?” 

Giddily she nodded at his proposition, “Yes! Yes!” 

“Alright, then I’ll bring back some for you, okay?” She nodded smiling cheerfully, “I love you, kid.” 

“I luv you too, dumbass,” y/n giggled. 

Glenn looked around cautiously hoping no one heard that “Hey sweet girl you can't say that.” 

“W-what? Why?” the child began to cry again, “Y-y-you say it.” 

“I know b-but its adult words okay? Not y/n words. When you're older, alright?” She nodded her head again kissing his cheeks softly and hugging him. “Thank you, sweet girl. I’ll see you soon,” He kissed the top of her head and started towards the car smiling as she shouted, “With sweeties!”

The group returned hours later bearing a new man instead of Merle. Y/n waited patiently for Glenn and the aforementioned sweets. "Gen!" She screamed happily still unable to say his name fully. The man sprinted over to her, pulling her into a much-needed cuddle after the day he had. 

"It's Glenn, sweetheart," He chuckled while correcting. 

"Oh sorry Gen," She wrapped her dainty arms around his neck. 

"That's okay, sweet girl. I missed you." 

"I missed you too," She whispered before letting out a longwinded 'ew', "You stinky, Gen." 

The man smelt his shirt and nodded as the potent smell of walkers reached his nose. "I know yucky right?" 

"Yucky!" Y/n buried her face in Glenn's shirt ignoring the stench and just enjoying his company. She always became clingy like this after coming home from a run. He loved it. On runs, if he ever encountered a life-threatening situation - like the one today - he always finds himself realising how much she means to him. Glenn saw her as a little sister - one almost replacing the ones that were cruely ripped from him when this began. 

"How was it?" She inquired. 

"Not fun, sweet girl. But I got your sweeties and a nice man helped us out. Saved us," She beamed. 

"I like the good man. I'll give him two kisses when I see him. Maybe even one of my sweeties," Glenn chuckled. 

"Why two kisses, y/n?" 

"One for saving you. Two for bringing you hom," Glenn grinned contently and kissed her forehead. 

"Its home bubs with an e on the end." 

"Oh," She mumbled burying herself again. 

"Oh my God," Someone muttered as they exited the van. 

"Dad! Dad!" Carl screamed causing Glenn to snap his head in their direction. Carl came running towards the man, Rick, who had saved them in Atlanta. Y/n hadn't moved yet as she feared it was only a dream. That her dada wasn't really here. 

"Sweet girl," He pulled her out of his neck, "Look it's your dad." The child gazed over to where her brother had run to. Sure enough, it was her dad. He held Carl as he cried, looking to Y/n wanting to hold her too. 

"Dada!" She screamed jumping out of Glenn's arms dangerously. The girl scraped her knee on the way down but continued throwing herself into the hug. 

"Oh, Carl! Y/n!" She kissed all over his face childishly, "I luv you, dada." 

"I love you too, baby girl."

~

The years hadn't been kind to Y/n. She lost so much. Too much in fact that it had driven her to the depts of insanity and made her do things to herself, to others that she more than resented. The first loss was her mothers. She wasn't there like Carl was but the grief burned through her still. Y/n was too young to understand it really. Just how she was when Rick supposedly died. Y/n couldn't understand where her mom had gone she just knew she had a little sister now. One she swore to protect. 

She thought she had failed that when the prison fell. The young child was on her own. Injured and lost. She wandered through the woods for days until she stumbled across a group. The group were mean and despite her resistance wouldn't let her go. They hurt her in ways she didn't and wouldn't speak of it even now. But that all changed when Daryl showed up. He protected her - stopped them from hurting her. And eventually led her back to her family. Where for the first time she began to fear her father. 

Terminus was next. The people there snatched her from her family. She was forced to watch from afar as they were guided into the crate. Rick fought against them, Carl too but it was to no use. They had sectioned her off in a playroom. Every once in a while an older woman came in to fed and played with her. She hated it. Being in this world for more than a year now she knew that people like them didn't just want to play even if she did. She learnt that from the Claimers. 

Carol found her. Although having never have been all that close to the older woman - the only relation being the closeness between y/n and Sophia - seeing her after so long made her cry out of joy. Carol was happy too as she rushed out of that place to take her to safety. The pair ended up in the woods. Carol had stopped a moment ago to clean the dirt from her face, "lemme help." 

The girl sat up from where she was put down and cupped some water splashing it on Carol's face. Carol flinched as the water hit her, "Uh thank you." 

"Welcome," She looked away getting distracted by the nearing sound of footsteps. 

"Get behind me, y/n," Carol ordered to which she shook her head. 

"No it dada," She ran away from the woman and towards the group. 

"Y/n come back here!" Y/n continued ignoring Carols pleas and crashed herself into the back of Rick's legs. 

The father shot around and began to cry as he saw the child he thought he lost at his feet. "Oh, baby!" He collected the girl in his arms. Carl rushed to them too happy to see her alive after Gareth claimed he killed her. "Oh y/n, never leave me again, okay?" He looked directly into her matching blue eyes, "Promise me." 

"I promise, dada." 

Later Carol led them to Judith. Y/n was over the moon and refused to let her out of her sight, which was exactly what Rick was doing too. They found the church a while after. There they had some semblance of peace. She was glad to have Glenn back - Maggie too. Along with the new people although Eugene was a bit weird. 

At the church was also when the questions started. Daryl had told Rick about the group they were with and regretfully had to inform the father how she was there before him. Rick asked y/n - begged her - to tell her what happened. But she refused. She couldn't say what happened. What they did, which just made Rick fear more. Eventually, she spoke a little about it. She was vague and could barely string two words together without crying. He hated it. He hated how this was a reality for his daughter. He saw the bruises they left. And he couldn't understand how someone could touch his child. Or how he could be so powerless to stop it. 

Bob died. She didn't really know the man but it still upset her. Beth too. Although she was a lot closer to her. Beth was one of her only friends and was someone who would look after her when her father couldn't. They bonded and now she was gone. 

After Beth's demise, they spent lots of time on the road. They suffered, almost died countless times but they prevailed. They got stronger - she got stronger. And they eventually found Alexandria. There everything was good again like how it was at the prison or even before this hell. She liked it there and didn't understand why the others were so sceptical. 

Though that didn't last for long. Y/n began to hate the place when Carl got shot. Alexandria almost stole her brother from her. So she despised it. She refused to leave her brother's side as he adjusted to his injury. Yes, he found it annoying how she wouldn't leave him be and he often snapped at her. But she was there when he needed her. Despite the age difference and the many years of memories they had lost to this fight, she understood his pain. When he saw himself as ugly, a monster even, she made him think otherwise. She kept him afloat, which he was eternally thankful for. 

Glenn was next. 

She didn't believe it even after she was forced to see it with her own two eyes. She was next to Glenn in the lineup. She had to watch up close. Y/n had to be mocked by that man. She had to stay the whole night with her best friends brains on her face. After that night she blamed herself. She told herself that if Negan was just one person off she would be dead and he would live. He would get to see his child born and grow old with Maggie like they had spoken about. She wholeheartedly believed he deserved to live over her. 

The war with Negan shook her to the core. At the time his face filled her nightmares. He just looked so normal. He looked nice even. Yet he hurt and he hurt and he hurt. 

He killed her Glenn. And then Carl. It wasn't Negans fault although she did blame him. Carl had gotten bit. Y/n held his hand as he died in that tunnel as the home they had built above them fell. She got a letter too - even though she would rather have preferred to have her brother back. In the letter, Carl told her how proud he was of her - how thankful he was to have her as a sister. He told her to protect Judith, their dad and Michonne, who she had recently begun to call momma. 

After Carl's death, y/n shut herself from the world well everyone except her father. For days she would cry until she couldn't anymore. She would scream and scream until her voice was gone. She just didn't understand why it had to be Carl? Why mom? Why Glenn? Why Beth? Why was it never her? The following weeks she found herself wishing it would be her next. She could never bring herself to say it out loud but with any battle, any fight, anything, she wished it would be her. 

So when she lost her father her whole world fell apart. He was her consistent so why did he leave her? She was at the bridge that day. Daryl held her crying frame as Rick set off that final shot blowing him and the walkers off the bridge. Y/n Grimes' father was dead. 

She stayed in Alexandria for a while afterwards. For the sole reason to protect her siblings. Yes, siblings - plural. Somehow through all the bad some good came from it. She just wished her father and Carl could've seen it. RJ Grimes came into this world 9 months later. And he was perfect. For months she would assist in taking care of him as Michonne wasn't doing the greatest without the love of her life. Truth be told neither was y/n she was just better at hiding it. 

Until one night it all became too much. Y/n didn't know how it happened but she found herself balancing on the edge of her window. She wanted to jump - to end it. But she just couldn't will herself to do it. And when Daryl showed up she knew she couldn't. "Hey step away from ta window, alrigh'," The man ordered as he saw her shaking frame rocking back and forth. 

"I-i can't," She sobbed. 

"Ye' ya can. Jus' step back I'll catch ya," Daryl moved closer but paused when she shouted to stop. 

"I can't, Daryl. They're all gone. They're all dead," The tears clouded her eyes. She shut them tightly picturing her families faces wanting so badly to join them. 

"Please jus' step back, y/n. Yer' not alone. I'm here," He croaked the tears floating down his cheeks, "Don't jump." 

"I love you, Daryl." 

"I love ya too, okay? So step away from the window," He watched as she turned her head slightly catching his eyes. 

"I love you but I can't. Tell mom, RJ and Judy I love them as well." 

Suddenly she went to fall forward but Daryl reacted quicker. He gripped her waist pulling her into the room unwilling to release his grasp. "Yer' not leaving me," He told her as she cried into his shoulder, "Yer' cant leave me." Overhearing the chaos, Michonne entered her daughter's room to see the window wide open and the two of them crying. Daryl looked at her. The look telling her all she needed to know. Michonne began to cry herself and joined them on the ground. 

"Y/n?" A small voice called from the door frame. 

"Judith go back to bed, okay?" Michonne told her but Judith continued towards her sister. The girl said nothing as she wiped her sister's tears and held her hand.

It was 5 years later now. After her attempt, she left Alexandria with Daryl in search of her father. She didn't believe he was alive despite everything inside her wanting to. But Daryl did and after what happened they became a lot closer. He was happy she joined him. Even though the act of being out there was gruelling at times he was glad he could look after her. And if something would've happened to her while he was gone he could never have forgiven himself. Understandably Michonne was angry that y/n decided to leave. Y/n was her daughter and Michone her mother. They needed each other but she was willing to let Y/n leave to figure that out. It brought her peace looking for her father. 

The silence was her favourite and as Daryl wasn't much of a talker she got lots of it. They got a dog too, which Daryl cleverly named Dog. Everything was a messed up version of okay but it was still good. Being out there made her find her purpose. She went home a lot more than Daryl did, which pleased her siblings and mother. It was always for a few days never longer as she feared she'd stay forever and she couldn't. As much as Alexandria is good it also drives y/n to a dark place. One she was in that night. She lost so much there. And staring at those four walls drove her insane. It didn't help how Negan was imprisoned there. Just thinking how close he was made her skin crawl. She knew how Rick visited him when he was alive that he believed Carl was right about the killing. That it had to stop. Y/n knew he was right too but she could never bring herself to one admit or two face Negan. 

It felt like a story she read as a child when the Whisperers showed up. Like Negan, they scared her. So when she was told about his escape she only assumed the worst. The Whisperers took so many from them. Like Enid for example. Her story was cut short because of them. The two never really spoke but she understood how she and Carl felt for each other at a time. So ultimately it felt like she lost her final piece of Carl when she died. Y/n wished she had spoken to her when she could've. She wished she could've heard the untold stories they shared. She needed to know about Carl's final years with her. But now she's gone too along with those memories. 

The war with the Whisperers took everything from them. The Kingdom. Hilltop. Alexandria. Along with the lives they lost in the process. With the group separated she found herself protecting Judy and RJ. Michonne had gone. Where she had gone to, y/n had no idea. For a messed up reason, she began to prepare herself for her mother's death before it was even announced. That was until she got the call. She was okay and... apparently so was Rick. 

Disbelief was what hit her first. She couldn't hear his voice nor see his face so how could she know it was true. Michonne didn't know either she couldn't if he was really there, still alive. That night of the call she left. Without hesitation, she kissed RJ and Judith's heads, told them she loved them and told them to tell everyone else that and left. She left in the direction Michonne had told her. 

She left to find her father. And she knew she wouldn't return until she did. "I'm coming, dad."

[mirobami]

Hey hey heyyy! I really love your writing skills and how you write the characters so accurately! I was just wondering if I can request the Kakegurui girls ( Yumeko, Mary, Yumemi, and Kirari ) having an idol S/O that's so popular? if that's fine? Thank you!

↳ onstage | idol!reader

♥ CHARACTER(S): y. yumemite, k. manyuda, r. batsubami, r. momobami, t. totobami, i. sumeragi, r. yomozuki

♥ NOTE: Hi! I did Yumeko, Mary, and Kirari already and here it is! I’ve been wanting to do a part three with more characters, so I added them in this request. I really hope you don’t mind! Let's get started!

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Fan!Reader

━ YUMEMI YUMEMITE ;

Obviously she wants to be a Hollywood actress but in order to get that famous, she had to become at least a little bit known

You were her inspiration from the get go

As the leader of your girl group, you didn't just stop there, you ensured that you wrote the songs and composed the music to them, sometimes directed your own music videos and people said that you had been offered a ton of positions everywhere within the industry

She's just a massive fan of your work and what you do as well as how you do it, she wants to be an actress and just be like you too

Whenever she needs inspiration for something, she finds herself going back to her Spotify playlist where it's just your songs; it seems like you can never do any wrong

So when she finds out you're going on tour, she ensures to get tickets in the front row and her manager decides to go along with her

During the concert, you can hear her screaming along with the lyrics and just cheering you on, the stars in her eyes are so much brighter than normal

You realize who she is and you’ve wanted to collaborate with her for the longest time so when Yumemi sticks around, you immediately jump at the chance to talk to her

To summarize, Yumemi went home that day with the possibility of a collaboration, a sore throat, and the sheer joy of the day

━ KAEDE MANYUDA ; 

He's already dealt with Yumemi so he kind of knows what's going on within the idol industry

However, when he sees you, he completely blanks because while you’re technically an idol, he did not see you as one, he just thought you were on your own level

This man probably has a twitter all about you and things you do so yes, he calls himself your biggest fan 

Yumemi found his Twitter and he’s mortified but what he doesn’t know is that Yumemi has connections for you; after all, most of his playlists have your songs in them so it’ll be out in public 

Friday comes along and he’s exhausted but there’s a swarm of students chattering and circling around something or someone

This time, Yumemi’s going over to Manyuda and dragging him along and oh my God, he could feel his heart drop to his knees because you were right in front of him with the same smile that caught his heart so long ago and-

You started to speak and he could’ve passed away right then and there

Props to Yumemi for getting him into the same room with you but then again, he’s also cursing her out because he literally cannot talk and he has the lightest blush on his cheeks 

It’s worth it to see you laugh and smile at him, he will never forget that day and yes, he will begrudgingly thank Yumemi 

━ RIRIKA MOMOBAMI ; 

She loves your songs because it matches with what she likes and what’s on her playlists a lot of the time

You usually have soft songs or songs that reflect on what she feels her position in the clan is, sometimes it makes her think that maybe you’ve been through something bad too and that’s when she feels the actual connection between the both of you

What she did worry about for a while was that you were like Yumemi; Yumemi had two sides to her: the one onstage and the one backstage

There was always that lingering fear that maybe you weren’t who you really were onstage

But Ririka knew how to see through lies and while focusing on you, she notices that you aren’t lying when you say that you love your fans, not even at the meet and greets

She resigns to wanting to meet you desperate and lo and behold, Kirari coincidentally has VIP tickets to your newest concert 

Ririka is so ecstatic, but the entire time, she’s panicking about what to wear and what to say and do

All you can see when you meet her is a girl who is passionate about things and the fact that she loves you absolutely endears you to her 

After the show, you make sure to talk to her and some sort of understanding comes between the both of you and you two are now friends

Ririka has never been more elated in her entire life 

━ REI BATSUBAMI ; 

Most of the time, she's too busy doing other things to listen to music but when she gets the chance, she finds new music

And then she finds you

You're a soloist with a variety of genres that you sing to and she finds herself liking them every day

A bunch of her liked songs are from you and you’re now her comfort artist, she turns to you whenever she’s sad or feeling like she’s not enough

Now she knows that never in her life will she be able to meet you, until the election comes along and she finds herself liberated from the chains of the clan, it seems like her life is turning a different direction

Sure enough, it is, because she won tickets to go and see you at the concert that was coincidentally happening near you

In truth, Yumeko used her connections to get you in the city so that Rei could anonymously receive tickets

Once she’s at your concert, her eyes are literally sparkling because you’re so much better in person for one, two you are actually just as genuine as she’s seen; after all, you’re the one that’s helped her during her dark times

It’s also fortunate that she got a chance to stay at the meet and greet and you recognized her name from Yumeko

In short, Rei is now astounded that you two have now become friends and that she’s actually gotten to meet you

Maybe her life truly is coming together and it’s all thanks to you

━ TERANO TOTOBAMI ; 

She isn't here for the music that actually has lyrics; she mostly listens to classical music 

That is, until she can hear Yumi screaming at the top of her lungs to a song and while she’d usually be slightly annoyed and grab her headphones, there was something about the lyrics

She needed to find out who it was and so, that’s where her tiny fan crush on you started

Once she finds you online, she starts going through all of your albums and she’s pleasantly surprised that all of your songs are genuinely good, nothing like a lot of the songs with lyrics she’s heard

So when Yumi finds her humming along to one of your songs, she’s over the moon about it because now they can both talk about you (however, Terano knows almost everything about your albums from melody to lyrics, literally everything)

She won’t call herself your biggest fan to not sound pretentious, but she absolutely is

The way she meets you is by Sumika, you both are the same in the sense that you hide yourself among the public; you’re literally an idol at school and no one around you has seen it

Meeting you and actually getting a chance to talk with you, you’re surprised that someone noticed but you happily oblige, because this girl is super excited while talking to you even though she’s part of the Hundred Devouring Families

You’ve now become the closest of friends and Terano cannot WAIT for your next concert

━ ITSUKI SUMERAGI ; 

Absolutely your biggest fan from the START

She has all your merch, she’s bought everything from your limited edition photocards to the only poster ever made of you only 

Name anything, she probably has it

Her playlists are mostly made up of your songs because she loves how you can switch from soft to catchy and bright within just a click of her phone

She has your songs memorized and she is your number one fan, trust me on this, she will also FIGHT for that position on Twitter because any news about you will first travel to Itsuki and she’s going to be screaming about it on all of her social media

Her dream is to win VIP tickets because she genuinely wants to meet you and so Manyuda definitely didn’t buy tickets had tickets on hand for her

Poor Manyuda could not hear anything much that day from Itsuki’s screaming and amount of “thank you’s��

When she goes to your concert, her ticket allows her to stay afterwards to talk to you and throughout your songs, she is screaming along to your lyrics and dancing with the rest of the audience

After the show, you can just see this bubbly girl excited to talk to you and it is so easy to talk to her that you find yourself wanting to talk to her more

Needless to say, Itsuki went home with you following her and the biggest smile ever

━ RUNA YOMOZUKI ; 

Do you see this girl? She's got a music taste that varies WILDLY so when she came across one of your albums, she just clicked on shuffle but didn't expect to be so invested in your songs

That's when she becomes probably your biggest fan, with a massive Twitter and Instagram fan account and she's known to have your limited edition merch, even the hardest ones to find

She likes to make a lot of playlists and all of them are guaranteed to have at least one song from you; she will occasionally annoy the other student council members by blasting it on a miniature speaker she has

Her goal right now is to be able to see you and she actually gets that because Kirari and Ririka both won tickets to see you (and they were the good ones at the front too) but Kirari didn't want to go so she gave it to Runa

Runa literally went with all your merch so that she would be noticeable (and she was) and she bought so much stuff there, from photocards to your brand of hoodies, she even got Ririka stuff because she needed to experience the glory that was you as an artist

An incredible audience just on her own, she's screaming along with the lyrics and dancing and yelling answers when you're asking random questions

Every time she sees your costume change, her heart stops for a second and she feels like she's going to pass out but it's quite literally the greatest day of her life

She stays long after the show and the meet and greet to be able to talk to you with Ririka and you're excited to talk to her because you saw her in the front row

Honestly, when Runa woke up the next morning to you following her on all her social media accounts, she went back to sleep, thinking it was a dream she never wanted to wake up from

[lovefrombegonia]

Clark once told Bruce that he finds Bruce's heartbeats really grounding and peaceful. It's very calm most of the time.

One night, after a tiring battle with the Parasite, Clark is unable to filter out all the noises around the world. The screams of new born babies, the howls of hungry animals, loud horns of vehicles stuck in traffic, sonic boom of airplanes, parents around the world shouting at each other or at their children, cries of pain, joy, and lust. Everything is driving him crazy. In his desparation, he flies towards the Wayne manor.

It's around 4 am. Bruce has just gone to bed when he hears the banging on his window. He is startled, sitting ram rod straight but he relaxes a bit when he noticed Clark. Not for long though. When he opened the window, Clark was crying. "Bruce...please...h-help me! It won't stop. They won't stop. The noises. I can't control! I hear everythin-everything! I can't--", he was begging, sobbing...Bruce was scared to see Clark like this. But he was even more afraid of how much it was hurting his own heart. Bruce was ready to burn the whole world down if it meant he could give Clark some moments of peace. He didn't even realise when he had hugged the man of tomorrow. Gently, the dark knight guided him to bed. It was almost like instinct. It came so naturally as he slowly cradled the kryptonian on his chest. He calmed himself the best he can...for Clark, for his Boy Scout. Bruce was lying down on his back, over the covers, holding the distraught man close to him, as if he would never let go, caressing his hair. 'So much softer than I ever imagined...'

Gradually, Clark calmed down. It was warm, cosy, safe...it felt like home. He didn't remember when he fell asleep.

By the time Bruce woke up, Clark had already left. The comfortable weight and warmth was replaced by a fluffy blanket. He didn't miss Clark. He certainly didn't wish he had woken up to a certain reporter's sleeping face. It was a silly thing to be annoyed about. But this is Batman, he is annoyed by everything. Even by the little note he noticed on the unoccupied pillow. "Thank you for lending me your heart, last night :)" it said with a single, bright sunflower. It reminded him of a conversation he had with Clark.

"What's your favourite flower?"

"...what--"

"Roses, right? Red roses."

"..."

"Well, it goes with the whole dark aesthetic-"

"Sunflowers...I like sunflow--why are you laughing?"

"Sorry! Sorry, it was just a bit jarring that 'I am the Night' likes sunflowers so much. I thought of roses because your of your gift. You know? Special Krypton rose?"

"...no, roses...were my mother's favourite. My father always bought her roses..."

"Oh...uh sorry, B. I didn't mean-"

"It's OK, Supes. Really."

"..."

"..."

"Why sunflowers?"

Batman said nothing. He just stared at Superman's bright smile...and then ignored him. They were on monitor duty, after all.

[its-deputy-caleb]

does the vdl gang include sadie because 😢😢😢😢😢 my lesbian meow meow SKLSKDKSJS but if u do!!! i was wondering if you could write a post-game sadie (bounty hunting, gun-slinging, gaslight gatekeep girlboss)/female reader where sadie is being paid to bodyguard rich/high-profile reader thank u so much 😭

hell yess it does, now warning i've never written for sadie so this might be terrible but i gave it a go! i hope you enjoy this!! :))

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

Gosh you absolutely hated your father sometimes. Not only had he ruined your plan for a relaxing weekend but he had dragged you off to one of his business parties again.

You had all these plans to get new dresses fitted at the tailor in Blackwater before heading home for a warm bath on your families Estate. You were so excited too, since the entire property would be yours for three days. Granted that didn’t include the array of maids, bodyguards and groundkeepers that worked on the Estate but for three peaceful days both your parents and siblings would be out of your hair.

That was until you received a letter from you father requesting you be dressed in your finest gown and make your way to Saint Denis immediately in order to arrive by sundown. Your family had been in the oil industry for many generations now and were extremely wealthy, even more so with the downfall of Leviticus Cornwall and these business parties were just one of the many responsibilities you had to attend to.

The whole point of the party is to make polite pleasantries with potential business partners and establish connections on to where your family’s company could grow. And it was so, so boring.

As you walk down the steps you see a young woman leaning against the carriage with a shotgun in hand. She’s dressed in slacks and a red waistcoat and a large leather jacket draped over her shoulders. Her beautiful golden hair is just peaking out from underneath her hat and her soft amber eyes match it perfectly. Wait a minute…beautiful??

“Who the hell are you?”

You hear her scoff before she rolls her eyes at your bluntness, some may call it rude but you’ve always preferred blunt or honest. Your father always told you that was more lady-like.

“Don’t get so upset Missy, I’m Sadie, your bodyguard until the regular guy comes back. I’m only here to take you to Saint Denis and I’ll be long gone.”

You huff angrily as you hold your hand out to her waiting for her to help you onto the carriage but she never does. Fine, you’ll do it yourself.

“It’s Madam to you and his name is Hamish.”

You hear her mumble a ‘whatever’ under your breath and get comfortable in the carriage. You signal to the driver up front to get the carriage moving as you watch Sadie mount her horse and ride up front. It was going to be a long ride to Saint Denis.

-

To say the ride was long was an understatement. You spent the first two hours staring at the seconds go by on your platinum gold pocket watch and twiddling with the ends of the ribbon in your hair. It was all rather boring until there was yelling from outside.

Fear wells in your stomach at the riders approaching, all heavily armed and with a murderous look in their eye. You anxiously grip the side of the carriage, looking out the window as Sadie and the two other guards aim their weapons high.

When the shooting starts, you hide between the lush velvet seats of the carriage, doing your best to avoid the gunfire. You’d never been one to defend yourself, its why your father had guards do it for you. You could’ve never matched to a woman like Sadie. So you’re complimenting her now? You’re in the middle of being shot at!

All your thoughts are interrupted by a scream, one you’ve now realised is your own as the carriage is flipped and sent you flying. Your back hits the door which barges open under the force of your body hitting it, leaving you lying in a puddle of mud.

You’re frozen for a moment, your body still trying to catch up with your adrenaline riddled mind. What the hell just happened?

Eventually the shooting stops and Sadie is running over to you in a panic to see if you’re okay. Her hair has fallen from her pony tail and strands of her blond hair blow over red cheeks from running.

“Are you alright?!”

“You ruined my dress, look at it! I can’t go to the party like this— and my hair! Oh my god my hair!”

Sadie stops dead in her tracks. Here she was worrying over your safety after not only saving your life but putting her own at risk and you’re more worried about your hair.

“Now listen here Missy, I did not put my ass on the line to save you just so you could whine about your— Oh jeez you’re bleeding.”

She rips her leather glove off with her teeth before bringing her surprisingly soft hand to your face. Its then you realise the cut on your cheek bone that must have come from the shattered glass of the window when you fell out.

You’re lost for words, mumbling incoherently under her touch as she takes the ribbon from your hair and begins to use it to stop the small trickle of blood there. She’s so concentrated and focused on your wound that you can’t help but blush under her intense gaze, feeling like the fool for speaking out.

“I’m sorry…”

She sighs, dropping the bloodied ribbon and puts her gloves back on.

“Ain’t nothing to be sorry for Missy, common now, let’s get you to the party.”

She takes your hand and leads you to her horse which is huge up close. Much larger than when you saw it back at the Estate. Her arm comes to wrap around your waist so she can hoist you up and sit you side saddle on her horse before hopping on herself.

When she starts riding you nearly fall of the large creature and wrap your arms around her waist out of fear of slipping. Sadie voiced that she didn’t mind you holding on and the rest of the ride was spent making pleasant small talk.

You learnt that Sadie’s horse was called Hera and that she was her pride and joy. She worked in all sorts of jobs as a gun for hire, working as a bounty hunter and personal body guard most of the time, she even told you of her most recent bounty of Shane Finley.

You were amazed at how brave and wild Sadie was. How she didn’t fear working on a job that could get her killed at any moment, no she didn’t shy away from it— instead she ran straight towards danger.

“I feel like such a bore compared to you, all I do is attend parties and lounge around the Estate all day. When I’m feeling extra adventurous its a trip to the store for some cakes and maybe a new dress not hunting and killing.”

You can hear her smile in front of you, a little laugh coming from under her nose.

“I’ve met plenty’a boring rich folk Missy, you are not one of them. For starters most of them don’t find themselves falling out of carriage windows on their way to dinner parties.”

The playful tone is enjoyable for you both and it continues through the rest of the ride. It seems like ‘Missy’ is a nickname that’ll be sticking with you for the meantime but you’d be lying if you said you didn’t like the way it made you smile and your heart skip a beat.

-

It was dark by the time Sadie pulled up to the party, hitching Hera and this time, taking your hand to help you down. Her hand didn’t leave yours until you were standing out the front gates where she dusted as much of the mud off your dress as she could muster. Her hand came to her neckerchief and untied it before ripping it in half.

You gasp at what she was doing to the fine fabric before she was tying it in your hair where the ribbon had sat, tucking the loose strand behind your ear.

“Now you’re looking like a real lady.”

She gives you a gentle nod before making her way back over to her horse.

“Wait! You’re not coming in? I thought you were gonna protect me?”

Sadie gives you a soft but broken smile, one that says she’s trying not to hurt your feelings.

“I handle outlaws and thieves not parties for the rich, you’ll handle yourself just fine Missy. Ain’t no more for me to do I’m afraid.”

You take her hand in yours squeezing it in a silent plea for her to stay. Despite the rough beginnings, you’re actually enjoying her company and would hate to see her leave.

“Will you wait for me…please?”

-

When the party ends you sigh defeatedly. You’re tired and worn out from today’s attempted robbery and excruciating party. You’re expecting to do home in one of your father’s carriages when you spot Sadie leaning against wall with a cigarette in her hand.

“Common Missy, It’s my job to see you home safe.”

That night as Sadie led you home on the back of Hera, your arms came to wrap around her as they had before. You cuddled up to her as you let out a soft yawn and slowly began to drift off to sleep. Your head rested on her shoulder as you slowly let sleep consume you, a large smile on your face.

Needless to say you now have a new personal body guard.

[mercurial-madhouse]

Trigger Warning: Healing is painful, but there’s so much light on the other side if we’re strong enough to walk through the dark.

My hope in sharing my story is to help anyone who reads it find peace or healing, just as I always aim with my fiction. If it feels right to you to do so, I encourage you to reblog this. It is highly personal, but I choose to share it publicly.

************

This past Sunday, I received an email responding to my desire to withdraw from a fic fest. Instead of the simple “You have been removed from the fest” that I’d been expecting through an official channel from mods to a participant, this is the response I received. Please be aware, the following is painful.

***

We've removed you from the fest and will mark you down as not being welcome to participate in future fests. We show a great deal of compassion toward our writers, which is why we send reminders, answer any and all questions, and provide extensions when requested. There's a reason why our fest has one of the highest numbers of fics of any fest/challenge in the fandom - it's because we support our participating writers and do everything possible to assist them as they complete their fics.

However, once a writer has repeatedly failed to communicate and missed both a deadline and an extended deadline, it's clear that they do not have any respect for the fest, the mods, our time, or our own unique situations, as we don't have endless extra hours to track down participants in a fic fest. Several reminders on three different platforms, an extension, and requests for writers to simply let us know if they need more time does not demonstrate a lack of compassion in any capacity. We also showed a great deal of compassion by welcoming you with open arms into the [redacted] after you insulted the fest, insulted [redacted] fics, and made writers uncomfortable last year after signing up to beta their fics, all while pretending to support and uplift writers in the fandom just as you did in your email here.

Have a great week!

- [redacted] Mods

***

This email arrived right at the end of the night, just as I was lying down to sleep. I couldn’t read it all the way through. It elicited a trauma response in me. My heart started racing, my palms were sweaty, I was shaking, I felt sick to my stomach.

I went into fight/flight/freeze/fawn mode. My first response was to freeze. In order to escape the barrage of pain bombarding me, I simply dissociated and disconnected from my body. It allowed me to sleep, but barely. I deleted the email in a desperate attempt to pretend it didn’t exist.

The pain caught up with me twenty-four hours later. I couldn’t breathe, my lungs shrunk in around my heart. My whole body locked up. I couldn’t move. I knew that if I spoke, even to say ‘hello’ to someone, I’d start crying.

The moment I was alone in my room the tears came. The pain came, bursting through me. I sobbed uncontrollably, curled into myself on my bed, begging for the pain to stop, begging for a miracle, screaming internally for relief and to understand what I’d done to deserve this because I didn’t have the air for more than broken whispers.

I fell asleep whispering ‘I need a miracle’ over and over. The mantra blocked out all the disgusting thoughts that wanted to keep swirling through my head. This is it. This is the final proof that you don’t belong here. You never have. You never will. Run away, M. It’s over. You tried, you failed. You always do. You always will.

I fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion.

Grief is intense. These are the moments where we don’t think we’ll survive what we’re feeling. My love, whoever you are, if you are reading this, hear from me. The agony passed. I needed to feel that agony, to allow it to move through me and to give myself the space to feel it. Without diving off the deep end into what hurts, I wouldn’t have been able to find the inner peace to keep healing, to start to understand.

The residual pain is still there, even as I write this post. But it no longer overwhelms my senses. And by Tuesday morning, I’d been given insight into what was happening.

I experienced a trauma response because it mirrored mistreatment I first received in childhood from family and classmates alike and continued into my adult life. In full view of others, it was acknowledged as cruel even by my mother, who struggles with her own guilt because she never stood up for me. No one did.

So I internalized the mistreatment. I must deserve it if everyone else around me is ok with me being singled out like this? At first I spoke up for myself. But in the end I stopped speaking up for myself too. I had never healed this pain and here it was, coming back around again, forcing me to face it, to heal it once and for all.

I still do not know what exactly I may have said to cause these accusations that you see in the email. **I do not and will not deny them.** Even if my words were taken in a way I did not consciously intend, to deny that I said anything that caused someone else pain is to deny my own power AND to deny that everyone’s emotions are valid and worth digging into.

I have the power to inflict pain, just as I have the power to spread and share love and joy.

Whatever I said came from a place of pain, of believing I did not belong in this community. That I am not good enough or worthy enough to be here. A series of unfortunate but necessary events when I first entered this fandom completely disintegrated my core beliefs in my abilities as a writer, something I have always kept so close to my heart, and my belief that I had a place in this fandom.

I expect, as I look into my past patterns, that what I did was try to logic why I wasn’t allowed to belong. At the time, this fest was the only subset of the fandom I knew, I was so brand new. So I looked through all the prompts in the fest. I brought a scientific method view to answering the question: “What is it about the fics people write in this fandom am I unable/incapable of doing?”

This process allowed me to generalize everything I saw that I perceived as ‘I can’t do that, this is why I don’t belong here’. Consumed in my own doubt that I could measure up and write something worth reading, I dropped from the fest last year too. If I can’t contribute writing that’s worth reading, I could at least stick with what I do best, which is helping others be their best selves. I had signed up to beta, and I chose to cling to the only grasp of belonging I had, which was through beta’ing. I ended up beta’ing four fics last year for the fest. And, of course, each of them were (and still are) incredible fics. At the time, it was further proof to me of exactly what I can’t accomplish.

In all likelihood, these generalizations, stemming from a place of pain and jealousy because I wanted to write good fics too, came out in a personal conversation with someone, which they translated as a personal attack. It is valid. Whoever you are, your emotions are valid. It does not matter how I meant whatever I said, pain is what you felt. This person did not feel comfortable sharing that pain with me, so instead they turned to others and shared. My moment of vulnerability and pain then spread more pain.

Pain only comes from pain.

The response was to shadow ban me. In fact, I was never meant to find out about any of this. The pain this person shared was simply taken at face value and that was that.

So on my end, this decision showed up in the physical world this way: Suddenly all my asks went unanswered, people I tagged to share snippets and last lines and get to know more through ‘about me’ posts or who had once talked to me through DMs simply stopped speaking to me in a way that is only noticeable to the person being ignored. I thought I was going crazy. But there it was, right in front of me: absolute proof that I wasn’t good enough to be a part of this fandom.

Is anyone else beginning to see the cycle of pain?

I expect I continued this cycle right back, because the pain turned to bitterness. I’d been doing everything I could to support every author the best way I knew how, and this was what I got? The exact opposite?

I found out about this shadow ban and actual blocking around June of this year. An ask sent in by a friend for me, inquiring why I couldn’t reblog a post that’d been sent to me by someone else, finally gave me the answer that I’d been banned for the accusations you saw above.

Horrified, hurt, and unable to comprehend any of this except to know that I support every author no matter what they write, I sent an apology to the mods, trying to end this cycle the best I could without knowing any of the details of what had happened. There was nothing more I could do.

They thanked me for the apology, though as you can see from the email, it was never accepted. I do not say that as a judgement call, but simply as a statement of what happened. Everyone is entitled to accept or not accept in their own time and their own ways.

I have been healing so much since everything that occurred last year. And the more I dig in to this cycle, the more my heart goes out to the drafters of this email, to the person I hurt with my words who then turned to share it out of context with others, and to the people who shadow banned me in connection with this situation.

We attract to us what resonates with us. Like attracts like. Which means just as I’ve attracted the greatest friends to me, I have also attracted this pain, and conversely, these mods and that person attracted me to them.

Deep down, on some level we share the same core wounds. And the person who can really understand just how painful those wounds can be is someone who feels them too.

So this is my message to the mods of the above email, to those who have shadow banned me and want nothing to do with me, and to the original person I hurt with my words:

I am sorry for my part in this pain. I am sorry for causing pain and I apologize for it. You are loved. You are enough. You are doing a fantastic job. Your feelings are valid. Your hurt is valid. I don’t know what occurred that hurt you before I entered the fandom, but after finding out from others that an email like the one you sent above is ‘Oh that’s just how they are’ tells me something else happened to hurt you before I even arrived.

Your hurt then is valid too. Allow yourself to feel it and process it. Don’t let it consume you. Don’t let that hurt and fear of it happening again or believing that that’s how everyone is push away from you people who in fact love just what you love. If someone has a different belief from yours, don’t let it invalidate what is true for you. Believing internalized lies about myself only caused me pain. And we spread and create what we believe to be true, whether we consciously realize it or not.

So here, now, is my truth:

I choose to perpetuate love. I choose to spread love. I choose to understand my pain and the pain of others, to transmute it, and to heal it, instead of passing that pain on.

I choose compassion. Compassion for myself in making these mistakes, and compassion for those who have hurt me. I do not condone the email that was sent to me. No one deserves to be treated that way. I choose to focus beneath the visceral anger and lashing out, to focus on the agony beneath the words, and stop this cycle of pain.

I choose to belong in this fandom. I choose to support every author in this fandom and ensure no one ever feels not good enough. I choose to own my past mistakes and learn from them.

I choose trust. To trust that those who I truly hope will see this, will see it. I have no expectations of responses or outcomes or reactions. My only hope is that whoever will benefit from seeing this post will see it.

This is not a matter of right or wrong, bad or good, just or unjust. It is a situation of two parties in pain, triggered by the same triggers.

Looking back on that email, I’ve come to realize that half of the pain I felt when I received it was not my own. I felt the pain of the attack, sure, but I also felt the immense pain beneath those words. And I wish I could hug you. I acknowledge your pain and I acknowledge how painful it is because I know that pain myself. I also know that this pain isn’t you and it isn’t who you are.

So I choose to remember the mods I first met around this same time last year in this same email chain. Mods who were so kind and offered advice to a brand new writer even when she sent an email that had nothing to do with the fest and was still struggling to find her place in the fandom. I choose to remember how beautiful that kindness felt. I choose to remember how I was so grateful for that kindness that I shared my gratitude for these same mods in an email with with another fandom friend at the time. I am still grateful for you.

You are so loved. You are loved for being exactly who you are. This fandom is built upon love. A shared love of five incredibly talented lads who have brought so much joy and light when each and every one of us has needed it the most. Shine your light through the dark and believe with all your heart that you are not alone. You have support. I support you. Shine on. Don’t let anyone dim it.

[miracleonice87]

Cape Cod Confessions - Kevin Hayes

a/n: this one hit me outta nowhere and I blame my Philly loves @broadstbroskis and @princessphilly for enabling me 😉😘 (jk you know I adore you.) writing this one actually made writing feel fun again. I'm grateful for that. also hey, I'm writing for Kevin Hayes now! keep that in mind for the next prompt list lol.

warnings: I think just swearing. also heads up, this is an OC. I like them and I ain't sorry.

word count: 4.4K+

_____

The familiar scene in the yard of Kate’s parents’ summer home on Cape Cod would normally fill her with contentment and peace, as all her family and closest, lifelong friends were gathered together in celebration. Her brother was marrying his college sweetheart in twenty-four hours, and Kate had every reason to be happy.

Today, though, after not being part of such an occasion for many months due to work obligations back in Seattle, Kate felt strange pangs of guilt and discomfort. Days like today made her wonder why she had ever left Boston in the first place.

And seeing her childhood best friend Kevin manning the grill, his nieces and nephews hanging from his long limbs as he promised them he would play with them as soon as the food was finished, made her wonder why she had ever left him in the first place.

How she had ever left him in the first place.

Kate was still lost in her own thoughts when, from across the lawn, she heard a shrill scream, followed by an ecstatic, “Auntie Kate!”

Her goddaughter Neila’s voice was unmistakable, and Kate set her purse on the grass just in time to catch Neila on her running jump, all the way from her Uncle Kevin straight into Kate’s arms. Pure joy flooded Kate’s soul as she caught Neila, giggling, and held the little girl to her chest.

“My beautiful Nene!” Kate exclaimed, kissing her cheek. “I missed you!”

Neila pulled back, pushing her hair away from her face. “I missed you, too,” she said sincerely before throwing her arms around Kate’s neck again.

A moment later, Neila wriggled out of Kate’s hold and turned toward the crowd of family and friends on the patio.

“Auntie Kate is here!” Neila announced, eliciting chuckles from the adults. Except for one — Kevin, whose eyes had already been glued to Kate since his niece’s initial squeal upon discovering her arrival. He’d turned his back on the grill to find his niece holding onto Kate’s hands and hopping backwards in an effort to pull her to join the party on the patio.

Kevin looked on as Kate threw her head back in laughter, and he felt the sort of distinct happiness that he only found when Kate was near. He couldn’t stop staring, mesmerized by how radiant she looked in her lilac sundress, with her curls thrown over her shoulders… that is, he couldn’t stop staring until his brother clapped him hard on the shoulder.

“Steaks are gonna burn, Kev,” Jimmy said loudly in order to bring Kevin back down to earth. Kevin simply nodded and turned back to the grill. Jimmy’s eyes traveled to where Kate stood reuniting with her immediate family, and a soft smile found his lips.

“She looks beautiful, no?” Jimmy spoke into Kevin’s ear, more softly this time. He was always more than willing to publicly embarrass his little brother when it came to an array of subjects. But Kate wasn’t one of them. Jimmy wouldn’t dare.

Kevin only nodded, again. Jimmy squeezed his shoulder, then scooped up his little son in his arms and headed to see his old friend.

Kate’s parents, her older brother Patrick, and his fiancée Joelle had just finished taking turns greeting her with hugs when, over her brother’s shoulder, she spotted Jimmy carrying Beau.

“Baby Beau!” Kate gasped, holding out her hands as Beau smiled and reached out for her. “Who let you get this big?!” she questioned as she took him in her arms. He simply giggled and laid his head on her shoulder.

“Hello, Kathleen Paige,” Jimmy greeted, using her full name as he had for Kate’s entire life, no matter how much she had hated the Irish moniker as a young kid.

“Hi, J,” she replied fondly, leaning in so that he could wrap her in a hug and plant a kiss to her forehead. “Your boy is getting way too big,” she told him, tickling Beau’s belly and making him laugh.

“Tell me about it,” Jimmy said. “How are you? You look great.”

Kate glanced downward, tucking some hair behind her ear.

“Thanks. I’m okay,” she replied uncharacteristically dryly, switching Beau to her other arm. “It���s good to be home,” she added without elaboration.

Jimmy nodded in understanding.

“It’s good to have you home,” he agreed, then tilted his head toward the house. “Kristen’s inside. She can’t wait to see you.”

Kate beamed at the mention of Jimmy’s wife, one of her closest friends for years now.

“I can’t wait, either,” she said, just as Beau reached back toward his dad, making them both laugh. “Here, take your mini me. I’m gonna go finish my rounds,” she told him as her eyes flickered in search of the younger Hayes brother.

Jimmy retrieved his son and smirked down at her, his own eyes dancing.

“You do that,” he encouraged, teasing in his tone.

Kate rolled her eyes, but, just as Jimmy had anticipated, she headed straight toward the barbecue next, passing at least a dozen other people who had been waiting to see her.

“Hey, grill master,” she said, her hand gently coming to rest on Kevin’s back.

Her touch took him by surprise, and he nearly fumbled the tongs in his hands as he turned to greet her, his tall frame towering over hers.

“Hey, Katie girl,” he spoke, and Kate realized just how much she had missed that voice speaking those very words. She could only grin like an idiot.

Kevin pulled Kate in, his arms crushing her against his chest, and she hugged his waist as she felt his heartbeat against her ear.

“Missed you,” she said simply.

“Missed you, too, Kate,” Kevin said, his voice rumbling against her cheek. She pulled back to look up at him with a relieved sigh as he grinned at her.

And in that moment, she finally felt some of the contentment and peace she’d been searching for.

_____

Hours later, after the cookout lunch and the rehearsal dinner, when the attention-commanding nieces and nephews had long been put to bed, Kevin found Kate where he’d always found her on summer nights at the Cape — down at the boathouse, her feet dangling above the water, her short stature prohibiting them from actually being submerged.

“Fancy meetin’ you here,” he found himself saying — immediately followed by an internal monologue of, God, Kevin, why are you so fucking lame?

Despite his pathetic attempt at humor, Kate still smiled up at him.

“I knew you’d find me eventually,” she replied, letting her gaze drift back across the water.

Kevin hummed in response as he set down the pair of beers he’d brought and took a seat on the dock beside her.

“I’m surprised you’re not with the girls,” Kevin said. “They’re up there poppin’ bottles in the kitchen.”

She laughed softly at the thought. “Nah, just needed some time to think,” she told him.

Kevin nodded, knowing not to press any further if Kate wasn’t feeling forthcoming.

“Well, I come bearing beers,” he said, offering her one of the bottles.

With a grateful sigh, she murmured a “thank you,” and accepted the cold beverage. And that was just another item that fell somewhere in the middle of the long list of reasons why Kevin adored her — because she never needed champagne or an apple martini or a Mai Tai. A beer that matched his always suited her just fine.

Kevin was smiling at the thought, and when Kate caught him, he quickly saved face by lifting his bottle in the air.

“A toast,” he announced. “To Pat and Joelle.”

She nodded, lifting her beer toward his. “To Pat and Joelle,” she echoed, clinking the neck of her bottle against his. “Cheers.”

Kate took a long pull, looking back across the cape, and after a few silent moments, Kevin casually reached for her ankles and swept her legs atop his lap, his free hand resting on her shin. It certainly wasn’t anything unusual — anyone who knew Kate and Kevin and their relationship knew that they had always been affectionate with one another. (So much so, in fact, that on many occasions, Jimmy had muttered, “Jesus Christ, just fuck already.”) But it had been so long since he had initiated such a gesture that Kate would have been lying if she said her breath didn’t catch in her throat a little.

She sniffed and made work of picking at the label on her bottle, trying to act as cool and collected as possible.

“You look great, Katie,” Kevin eventually piped up, interrupting the silence and making Kate feel somehow more nervous and more at ease all at once. She tucked her chin to her chest with a breathy chuckle. “I mean it,” he added earnestly. “I should’ve said it before, but… anyway, just wanted to tell you now.”

She tilted her head up to look at him, and Kevin had to remind himself to breathe as she shot him her famous pursed-lipped smile, pushed to one side of her mouth.

“Thanks, Kev,” Kate said softly. “You do, too.”

“How’s work?” he asked, assuming that he’d be posing a simple, run-of-the-mill question, one that might lighten the mood and give his heart rate a chance to slow a bit.

But Kate snorted, lowering her bottle from her lips after a swig. “What work?” she asked cynically.

Kevin’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?” he asked, confused.

She cleared her throat, turning to face the full moon instead of him. “The magazine shut down,” she finally admitted. “It’s been almost a month now, I guess.”

And for once in his life, Kevin was speechless.

Kate had started working for the small, independently-owned Pacific Northwest tourism magazine five years ago — the publication was the whole reason she’d moved to Seattle in the first place. She was so proud of her photography that was featured in each issue, and so was Kevin — though Kate didn’t know it, he had subscribed to the magazine after her first photo was featured in an issue early in her time on staff. And since the monthly magazines were mailed to his place in Philly and not in Dorchester, he realized that he would have had no way of knowing about the shutdown if it weren’t for Kate directly.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Kevin asked gently, concern evident in his tone.

She shrugged. “Not something I really felt like talking about this weekend,” she replied, rubbing her hands along her upper arms to warm them from the cool ocean breeze. “Not necessarily something I was all that proud of.”

Kevin’s heart sank. “But it isn’t your fault, Kate,” he said, squeezing her calves. “You didn’t have any control over the magazine going under.”

She heaved a sigh. “I know, but…” she began, tipping her head back wearily, “it just feels like everything’s crashing down around me in Seattle. Half a dozen of my friends have moved away in the last year, my freelance clients are dwindling seemingly by the day because everybody and their mother think they can be their own photographer, and now the magazine’s gone. It just feels like I’m failing at everything, Kev. Failing at life.”

“Hey,” Kevin said firmly — immediately. He nudged her chin with his thumb so that she was looking straight at him, those sea blue eyes of his suddenly the only thing she could focus on, as all of her self-doubt was washed away, even before he continued to speak. “You are not failing. You’re 28 years old. This is just a part of growing up, Kate,” he assured. “This shit happens to everyone. Remember when I got shipped to Winnipeg and then to Philly so quick? I went through the same shit. I felt like nobody wanted me, like I couldn’t do anything right. But it got better. It always does, Katie. Especially for people with as good a heart as you.”

Kate sniffled, wiping at a lone stray tear with her knuckle.

“Thanks, Kev,” she said softly, followed by a few more quiet sniffles. “You’re the best. Reasons why I love you,” she blurted out before she could stop herself.

Kevin’s brows lifted and his eyes widened as he looked at her, wondering if he’d just heard her correctly.

As with the physical touch, it had always been this way with Kate and Kevin when it came to their long-simmering feelings for one another. One of them would slip up and say some shit like “I love you” or “you’re so hot” or “come home with me,” and then try to play it off or walk it back, while the other person was left reeling, unsure of whether or not the other had truly meant what they’d said.

“I mean, you know, like I—”

“I love you, too, Kate,” Kevin said without hesitation, not walking anything back, interrupting Kate’s hopeless stuttering.

She glanced at him, taking a few chugging sips of her beer, and shook her head.

“No, you don’t,” she asserted flatly. “You’ve had a lot to drink. So have I. It’s a wedding weekend and we’re—”

“No, Kate,” Kevin insisted. “I mean it. I-I love you.”

And Kate suddenly felt really dizzy, like, really dizzy, and not because of the alcohol or the day she’d spent in the sweltering July sun. Dizzy like her best friend since diapers had just fully admitted that he love loved her in a manner far more sincere and more convincing than all those other times before.

“I… I gotta go to bed, Kev. Big day tomorrow,” Kate said abruptly. She drew a deep breath, swung her legs out from beneath Kevin’s hold, and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before pushing herself up from the dock and heading for the steps. “‘Night.”

_____

“You did what?!” Jimmy asked on the golf course the next morning, coughing as he nearly choked, not because of his cigar smoke, but due to pure shock upon hearing his brother’s declaration.

“I told her I loved her,” Kevin said. “And she told me I was just drunk, and I told her I wasn’t, and then she went back to the house.”

“I think I need to lie down,” said Keith Yandle, Kate and Kevin’s mutual lifelong family friend, as he dramatically took a seat in the golf cart.

Jimmy stood slack-jawed in front of Kevin, waiting for more.

“And?!” he finally prompted.

Kevin shrugged. “And I haven’t talked to her all morning,” he said, earning groans from Jimmy, Keith, and Noel Acciari, another longtime member of the crew. “But I don’t regret it. And I’m bringing it up again tonight.”

“At her brother’s wedding? What, are you nuts?” Jimmy accused.

“No, that’s perfect,” Keith bellowed. “You know how girls get about weddings. All gooey and shit. Just get her a couple drinks at the reception. She’ll cop to loving your sorry ass, too. We all know she does. This has only been about three decades in the making.”

Kevin hated to admit it, but Keith was right, and he knew that Jimmy knew it, too, as Jimmy stood with his hands on his hips, sighing as he exhaled cigar smoke.

“Alright, fine,” Jimmy said, putting his hands up and rounding the golf cart to take the driver’s seat. “That’s not your worst idea ever, Yands. And you know what, Kev? I’m proud of ya. I wasn’t sure ya had it in ya.”

Kevin let out a singular chuckle and adjusted his golf hat.

“Neither was I.”

_____

“He said what?!” Kristen said loudly from the makeup chair as Kevin’s sister Justine squealed in the hair chair next to Kate’s.

“He told me he loved me,” Kate replied incredulously, still not convinced that last night was anything more than some fever dream. “Like, actually loved me. And I didn’t say it back. Because I’m an asshole.”

“No, you’re not,” Kristen assured firmly as Justine waved Kate off. “He caught you off guard, that’s all. You’ll have plenty of time this weekend to make it up to him,” she said, waggling her eyebrows.

Justine flung out an arm and squeezed Kate’s elbow.

“Wait, are you gonna say it back?” she asked in a sharp whisper.

Kate just pursed her lips, smiling crookedly.

_____

“Jesus fuck,” Kevin muttered as Kate walked into the narthex of the church to be lined up for the walk down the aisle. Noel elbowed him in the ribs.

“We’re in a church, bud,” Noel muttered. “You’re gonna get struck down, and I’m gonna be standing next to you when it happens.”

Kevin barely heard him as he watched Kate approach her brother, who let out a “wow” at her appearance and pulled her in for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Wow was putting it lightly. Her hair was left long and curled, save for a few pieces pinned back from her face, and she donned an elegant, v-neck, pale blue bridesmaid dress that appeared to have been designed just for her. Her makeup, though simple, was flawless, accentuating her strong features, making her hazel eyes, in particular, impossible not to notice.

Kevin had never seen Kate look more stunning in all his life. And that was saying something.

Kate turned toward the groomsmen next, her eyes immediately locking with Kevin’s, despite Jimmy’s wolf whistle and Noel’s “damn, Katie.”

She shot them both an eyeroll before refocusing on Kevin.

“Hi,” she said dumbly.

“Hi,” Kevin repeated. “You look beautiful, Kate. Perfect.”

There was that pushed-to-one-side, pouted-lip smile that made Kevin’s pulse race.

“Thanks, Kev,” she replied. “You look really handsome.”

Kevin gave her a grateful smile, then took a step closer to her.

“Can we talk later?” he asked, softly enough that he hoped no one else could hear and then subsequently give him shit for asking such a middle school question. His breath against her ear sent shivers through Kate, and his low tone made her mouth go dry.

She nodded, looking up at him doe-eyed and unable to form a single word. He nodded, too, and before she knew it, he was reaching for her hand, brushing a soft kiss against the top of it, and giving it a quick squeeze.

Kate didn’t have a chance to overanalyze his actions because the wedding planner quickly marched through the group, announcing that Patrick and his groomsmen needed to make their way to the altar for the start of the ceremony. Kate stepped forward to pull her older brother in for one last hug and a few whispered sentiments, then she smiled shyly at Kevin, smoothing her hand over his lapel as she passed, unaware of the knowing smile that Jimmy and Kristen shared watching the two of them.

_____

Back at her parents’ house for the reception, Kate was well on her way to a hangover for her flight back to Seattle tomorrow. Naturally, she’d been seated next to Kevin at the head table, and though the two of them hadn’t yet found time for an actual conversation, they each knew it was coming, which only increased the number of trips they’d both already made to the open bar.

After the meal, Pat and Joelle were invited to the dance floor in the middle of the yard, beneath twinkling string lights and the glow of the moon, and the strains of “Marry Me” by Train came over the sound system, filling the salty air with the peaceful guitar melody.

Kate’s jaw dropped just slightly, but enough for Kevin to take notice.

“That asshole,” she whispered.

Kevin held back a laugh at her reaction to this significant, romantic moment in her brother’s life.

“What?” he asked quietly.

“This is my wedding song,” she told Kevin incredulously, putting her hand to her chest. “I’ve said that since I was, like, in middle school. He knows that.”

Kevin wasn’t sure if it was the drinks or how breathtaking Kate looked or the feelings he’d long been pushing down finally bubbling over, now that he had let his little confession slip last night, but he suddenly heard himself say, “We can use it, too. Nobody’ll remember by then.”

Kate stiffened in her chair and snapped her head toward him.

“What?” it was her turn to whisper.

“Oh, come on, Kate,” Kevin said, sipping his whiskey casually. “Let’s not kid ourselves. That’ll be us up there someday.”

And there was that goddamn smile of hers again — Kevin knew she was trying so hard not to pull a full-on, megawatt grin, which was fine by him because he was perfectly happy with this version. Preferred it, actually.

She cleared her throat and shook her head.

“Don’t hold your breath, Kev,” Kate replied lightheartedly. But her tone was… less than convincing, some might say. Even less convincing was the way she almost imperceptibly leaned closer toward Kevin, whose arm rested loosely around the back of her chair.

And at that, Kevin smiled into his glass.

_____

Somehow, even in the midst of her own brother’s lively wedding reception, Kate still found her way to the boathouse. Kevin hadn’t even bothered to look for her elsewhere — once he noticed that she’d disappeared from the dance floor, he grabbed two Boston Lagers from the bar and headed for the dock.

She smirked when she heard his footsteps.

“Want some company?” he asked on his way down the wooden steps.

“Only if it’s you,” she replied, the flirtation evident in her tone.

Kevin smiled, pleased with that answer, and took his familiar spot next to her.

“Nice day, huh?” he asked, again pulling her legs across his lap before nudging the second beer into her hand.

“Really was,” Kate replied, clinking her bottle against Kevin’s for yet another toast.

They sat wordlessly for a few minutes, staring out at the water, listening to the laughs and chatter and music from the party up in the yard.

Eventually, Kevin cleared his throat, drawing Kate’s attention.

“Listen, Kate, about last night,” he began, but Kate’s anxiety spurred her to interrupt.

“No, it’s okay, Kev,” she said, shaking her head quickly. “You don’t have to explain—”

“No, I do,” Kevin insisted. “I-I don’t know if you’re getting it.”

She frowned. “Getting what?”

Kevin opened his mouth, looking into her eyes, then closed it again with a humorless chuckle.

“I meant it,” he finally said. “I said I loved you. And I meant it.”

Kate couldn’t break from his gaze despite the flipping sensation in her stomach, and despite the warmth creeping up her neck. The intensity of his stare was foreign to her — she was so used to happy, joking, jovial Kev, who never took anything too seriously. Even his earlier comment about their supposed future wedding reception had been tinged with sarcasm.

There was no ounce of him that was kidding now. That much Kate could see.

“You’re perfect for me, Kate,” Kevin continued. “You always have been.”

She blinked, tucking her loose waves behind her ear.

“Kev, I—”

“Wait, wait,” he laughed to himself, shaking his head before taking a long pull from his beer. “Listen, you gotta let me finish, because it took me this long to get this far. Okay?”

She nodded. He took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on hers.

“I love you, Kate,” Kevin said. “I love you in the worst way. The most real way. Not just some fleeting, fling-type shit. I mean, I want it all with you. Everything. The whole fuckin’ thing. Ring, wedding, babies in little ‘13’ jerseys. Nice house, a dog. Picket fuckin’ fence. I want what our parents have. And our siblings. You’re the only person I wanna share that with. Ever.”

Kate was crying now, blissfully unfazed that her mascara tears might stain her pretty makeup. Though, they didn’t, because before they could, Kevin’s thumbs had wiped them away, and after rubbing his fingers together, he smoothed his thumbs along her cheekbones.

“And I’ve always known it,” he continued. “But it took you going away and coming back for me to work up the balls to say it.”

Kate hadn’t flinched this whole time, Kevin noticed. In fact, her eyes grew brighter and her soft smile a bit more noticeable with each word he had spoken. But she had yet to utter a word. He studied her in anticipation.

“You gotta say something, Katie girl,” he said nervously. “I’m dyin’ here.”

But there was little left for her to say, she realized, and so instead, she leaned in, cupped Kevin’s neatly-bearded cheeks in her hands, and kissed him like she had never kissed a single soul before. And Kevin kissed her back, his relief evident in his tender touch, in the way he exhaled softly against her mouth.

As soon as Kate pulled her lips from his, hers curled into a breathless smile, and she leaned her forehead against his.

“I love you, too, Kevin Hayes,” she whispered, her fingers combing through the hair at the back of his head. “I’ve loved you since forever.”

“Be with me,” Kevin blurted, as if he actually needed to. “Like, officially. I wanna do this with you.”

She nuzzled her nose against his and circled her arms around his neck.

“Oh, we’re doin’ this,” Kate told him, beaming. She pressed a kiss between his brows and whispered, “Can’t get rid of me now.”

_____

Three summers later, in her parents’ yard on the Cape, Kate twirled around the dance floor to “Marry Me” by Train with a tall, reddish-brown-haired, blue-eyed boy from Dorchester, the very one she had loved since she was a little girl, long before she even fully understood what love was.

But now, Kate knew exactly what love was, because she knew Kevin.

Her newly dubbed husband leaned down to speak softly into her ear as her song continued to play.

“Remember that night we finally got together, when Pat and Joelle had their first dance here?” Kevin asked. “And I told you, ‘someday it’ll be us up there,’ and you told me not to hold my breath?”

Kate hid her face in his chest and felt her face warm, chuckling bashfully. Her recoiling only caused Kevin to hold her tighter and press a kiss to the top of her head. His thumb and forefinger found her chin and angled her face toward his.

“I’m glad I held my breath, Katie girl,” he said, his voice low.

Kate nodded, her eyes damp with unfallen tears. “I’m glad you did, too, Kev,” she said.

[lovetorn]

Life Was A Willow [Part 2]

Witch Hunter!Dream x Witch!Fem!Reader

Part 1 Part 3

Summary: It's always been hunters vs. witches, right?

Word Count: 3.6k+

Warnings for Part 2: violence, mentions of death (familial), swearing

A/N: part 2 !!!! thank you so much for the support and feedback from part 1, omg thank you !! well, i hope you enjoy part 2 ahhhhh !!

It’s 9 pm and Y/n still waits for the signal. She looks in the direction of the Castle and swings her feet back and forth from where she sits on the cottage’s roof.

The air is cold and the trees continue to rustle, the same way they do every day, but tonight, she has an eerie feeling about it. Regret slips into her mind sometimes, telling her that she is foolish for even accepting such a vague invitation by someone she doesn’t even know—but it was so intriguing and she trusts them (she doesn’t exactly know why).

Suddenly, a large pop startles Y/n out of her daze. Sparkles dance in the sky as fireworks burst from the land below. She quickly notes that the explosions are coming from the West side of the Castle and takes that as the signal. Very grand indeed.

Y/n jumps from the roof, landing gracefully on the dirt, and takes off running through the forest. She misses tree roots emerging from the earth and ducks under low branches from the undergrowth. The only thing that lights her path is the moonlight and at this moment, Y/n is thriving. The full moon allows her abilities to heighten and she places her full trust in her instincts.

The fireworks continue to explode and Y/n fills with more adrenaline, the sound making her scream out in joy. She’s excited about the meeting, and she doesn’t even know who it is. And maybe that’s what she’s eager for; the unknown.

The entirety of the concept scared her before, but now she’s exhilarated. And as the show comes to a close, Y/n nears the East side of the Castle. It’s completely silent at this end and the eerie feeling she had before creeps back. It’s not a feeling of uncertainty but one of opportunity and her instincts are telling her to take it.

When she reaches the abandoned cottage, Y/n inhales sharply. There’s no light coming from the house and the door remains closed. As she steps onto the stairs in front, the wood creams beneath her and she scolds for giving away herself to the person inside. Instead of sneaking around, Y/n stomps towards the door and swings it open.

She sees a man in the corner and makes her way towards him, her hands out and ready in case this interaction goes south.

“Who are you? And how do you know me?” Y/n calls out. The man jumps slightly and lifts his head. And in the moonlight flooding in through the window, Y/n recognises him as Dream, even with his mask off. He stands in a white button-up and brown pants, his hunter boots on and a newsboy hat sat on his blonde hair.

“Dream?”

“Hi, Y/n. I knew you would recognise me.” Y/n doesn’t want to look away from him. This is the first time she’s seen his face, and despite the darkness, she sees how handsome he is.

“Why—how? Why did you want to meet me in such a creepy way?” Y/n asks in disgust, picking a cobweb out of her hair and then off of her shoulder; they seem to be everywhere. Her expression falls back to one of admiration when she looks back at him. However, the moonlight lacked the light Y/n needed to see him properly.

Dream laughs slowly. “I forgot to bring a lighter for the lamp. Do you think you could, uh—maybe,”

“Glady,” Y/n sighs and flicks her hand towards the candle in the glass encasing. It immediately comes to life and the room becomes brightly lit. Her eyes fall onto Dream again and she finally sees him; his piercing green eyes and the scar that runs from the top of his left temple to the corner of his lip.

“Wow,” Dream mumbles under his breath. “Anyway, I wanted to talk to you, and I know that everybody I know would, just, obliterate me for even thinking about doing this, but I needed to talk to you about—“

“You’re rambling.”

“Right, right...”

Y/n squints at the man and then tilts her head. “Whose C?”

Dream’s eyes widen as he nods. “Yeah, uh, that’s me. My name’s Clay.”

The witch doesn’t say anything as she stares at him. “So why do they call you Dream?”

This isn’t where Dream thought the conversation would go, but he’s happy they’re not fighting.

“My mother came up with the nickname when I was born. I nearly didn’t make it and then through some miracle, I did. So, she called me her Dream.” Y/n can tell the story makes him emotional, so she doesn’t push any further.

“That’s really sweet, Dream.” And at the sound of his real name, Dream perks up slightly before he cracks a smile. Y/n grins back at him; a real genuine smile. The pair stand in the low lit room in comfortable silence, until Y/n’s curiosity gets the better of her.

“What did you want to talk about?” She asks. Dream nods once and continues from where he was cut off before.

“I wanted to discuss the possibility of a truce between witches and hunters,” Dream isn’t smiling anymore, instead his lips are screwed up and his hands fidget in front of him. Y/n, however, grins even bigger.

“I’m all for that, honestly. I’m tired of being on edge every day and being scared for my life. If we can find a way to create peace, even for a little bit, I’m on board.” Y/n keeps it short for now, not wanting to scare him off by how passionate she feels about the situation.

Dream’s eyes light up at the sound of her agreeing. “Really?” Y/n nods and becomes surprised when she feels Dream’s arms wrap around her. “Thank you, thank you.”

“No, Dream, thank you! I’ve been trying to convince people of this for years. I’m really glad that you feel the same way.” The pair pull apart and Dream flicks his eyes down to Y/n’s lips for a split second.

“You’re so pretty,” Y/n nearly chokes at his comment. Dream feels his cheeks burn when the words tumble out and soon they’re both flustered. “Sorry! Oh my, I’m sorry, that didn't mean to slip out—”

“Dream, it’s fine. I think you’re pretty too; especially without the mask.”

The hunter swats the witch’s shoulder playfully. “Stop~” The pair laugh together, and then proceed to stand in another comfortable silence. The wind howls and whistles outside and makes the cottage creak, adding to the eerie aura that surrounds it.

“What’s with the hat? It’s nighttime.”

Dream plucks the accessory off of his head and runs his opposite hand through his hair, the soft locks falling back into place when his hand returns to his side. “Part of the disguise, duh.”

Y/n squints at him, her expression morphing into one of mischief. “Isn’t the mask a disguise in itself, though? Also, put the hat back on, you look handsome with it.” It’s time for Dream to blush now. He covers his face with his hat and scoffs softly. “Y/n!”

The girl slaps her hand over her mouth to muffle her embarrassed laughs. “It’s true!”

The man rolls his eyes before placing the hat back on his head. “Happy?”

Y/n nods before telling him to answer about the mask.

“Well, no, nobody at the Castle actually knows what I look like—except for my best friends, Sapnap and George.”

“George? As in Prince George?” Y/n is shocked, to say the least. She now understands why Dream is so passionate about the peace between the Hunters and Witches. Prince George is known for his differing morals and ideas from his family, which makes him stand out from the other Royals. Y/n admires his bravery and courage to do so.

“Yeah, we’ve been friends since we were young. I’m jealous that he can be so open with his opinions in that Castle—Lord knows if I was, I'd be executed,” This makes Y/n’s stomach drop. “But, it’s okay, with your help, hopefully, we can convince humans and magical-kind alike, that there can be peace. A—And we can live together in harmony, without being consumed by the overbearing thought of death every moment of our lives.”

Dream stops his tangent, his face flushed and his eyes pleading. Y/n feels like crying; she has waited years for someone to be as passionate as her about this topic. “I’ll help you, Dream, no matter what; because I wholeheartedly believe we can do this. I trust you.”

Y/n shocks herself with this statement; she’s never trusted a human before.

“And I trust you Y/n.” The pair stare at each other, smiles spread across their cheeks as the night outside slips away, and then it’s just them; standing in the main area of a small, abandoned cottage that sits East of the Castle, lit up with a lantern that casts a warm glow over the pair. Y/n can almost say it looks and feels magical.

“Ok, enough flirting, let’s get planning on the truce. Sounds like a plan, doll?” Dream gives her a lopsided smile and Y/n feels her heart rate increase at the sight of him.

“Where were you?” Wilbur says. His voice is deeper than usual and fits in perfectly with the way he’s sitting ominously in the dark. Y/n stops tiptoeing towards her room and turns to face him; defeated that she got caught. However, she still remains giddy and her heart beats faster for other reasons.

“I was meeting with Schlatt—I need more toadstools for a potion I’m making.”

Wilbur squints at her, his lips curling into a frown. “I know you’re lying, and so does Niki.”

Y/n sighs and starts walking towards him. “I’m sorry—“ She pauses when she sees Wilbur shake his head.

“Don’t.”

Y/n screws her lips together and nods once. Her once excited demeanour fading away when she sees Wilbur’s look of disappointment. “I was meeting one of the new hunters, Dream.”

Wilbur furrowed his eyebrows, “What? Why?”

“We’re formulating a truce amongst witches and hunters.”

He raises his eyebrows in both surprise and suspicion. “Okay? And why are you doing this? We don’t need peace.”

“Uh, so we’re not in danger every living second?” Y/n’s nerves grow into anger. “Why are you so against the chance of maybe, finally getting this?”

Wilbur shakes his head and stands up, the chair screeching against the wood floors as he moves. “Haven’t you heard what becomes of curious minds?”

Y/n is at a loss for words while the tall man rolls his eyes and leaves, avoiding her as he circles around her to walk down the hallway.

His abrupt exit confuses Y/n. Why is Wilbur so against peace with the Hunters?

—

Dream manages to sneak into the Hunter’s Wing before they lock the front doors for the night. He sits silently on the bench in the training room and slips his boots off, making sure to place them on the floor as quiet as possible. He takes his hat off of his head and holds it in his palms, smiling stupidly at the inanimate object. The flame in the lantern next to him is fizzling out and it's hard to see 4 feet in front of him.

“Dream?” Even in his daze, Dream can sense the anger and fear in Sapnap’s voice.

“Sapnap? Why are you awake?” The younger boy walks out from the hallway and towards him.

“Me? Where were you? It’s midnight.”

Dream sighs and rests the hat on the bench next to him. “I was out.”

“Out? You mean meeting with the witch?”

Dream’s eyes widen. “How do you know that?”

“Fireworks don’t just go off for no reason, Dream. And I found the note in your room.” Sapnap says, ripping the letter from his pyjama bottoms pocket.

“Just say you have a crush on her, Dream!” Sapnap yells, throwing his arms up in defeat.

“I don't—I promise, Sapnap.”

“Fine, if you don’t like the witch, then kill her.” Dream’s dumbfounded. He stares at his best friend with such bewilderment that even Sapnap feels a twinge of guilt. Dream sighs, carding his hand through his hair in frustration and confusion.

He doesn’t reply, even when George arrives in a hurry, still in the process of wrapping a dressing gown around his body.

“What’s happened? I heard yelling.” The pair remain frozen, refusing to meet the Prince’s glare as they avoid eye contact.

George shakes his head, “Has this got to do with Dream meeting with the witch?”

“George! How do you know, too?”

George huffs. “I know everything that happens in and outside of my Castle. But, fireworks? Really?”

Dream throws his hands down in frustration. “Yes, fireworks! It was a good distraction and it was a signal for her anyway.”

George eyes the blonde before he crosses his arms over his chest. “As much as you hate to admit it, it's obvious that you’re fond of her, Dream. And no matter what happens, I’ll be by your side, okay? You know that.”

“What the fuck?” Sapnap spits. “You have his back? George, I can tolerate your ideals about the magical kind, but this is the witch who killed half of the hunter population.”

Dream stills. “What?”

“You’ve gone and done it now, Sapnap!”

“Y/n killed people?”

“Dream—“ George goes to speak, but he’s cut off by Sapnap.

“Yes! That’s why I’ve been trying to warn you! Why do you think we got this job so easily?” Dream stares at the concrete floor, his heart dropping into his stomach. He can’t believe it, he refuses to.

“Sapnap!” George snaps. The younger boy cowers away slightly, his once confronted facade crumbling at the sound of the Prince's tone. “Stop it, right now. You are in no place to tell him this, okay? You may be my best friend but that doesn’t excuse you from doing this.”

Dream chews on his bottom lip quietly as he watches Sapnap turn around and stomp out of the training room, but not before he scrunches up the letter and throws it on the floor. “Thanks.”

George’s gaze remains on the door. “Don’t thank me. He should know better anyway, considering his last relationship.”

The blonde nods once, reminding himself of the youngest boy’s past relationship with a fairy from the kingdom next door. Dream lets out a laugh at the thought.

For the next few days, Y/n hears nothing from Dream. She worries for him, has he been caught?

She stands on the porch of her cottage, hoping, begging for a sign that he is okay. Clouds plague the blue skies above and Y/n knows the bad omens swirling around the kingdom are the cause—and the inside of Niki’s crystal ball had burst with black and dark red clouds which had only confirmed her suspicions.

The wind howls through the trees and calls to her, speaking words of concern under its tongue. Y/n rolls her eyes and sighs, she knows to be careful, especially with the humans inching closer to their world.

However, a faint voice draws Y/n’s attention away from the wind and to the well in the corner of the garden. The sound confuses her at first, and then the wind’s guidance is forgotten as she makes her way towards it. The short fence around the area is still broken from the fight with the hunters weeks ago, and nobody has had a chance to repair it yet, so Y/n takes it upon herself to fix it.

The whispers from the well become a string of mumbles and are impossible to decipher as Y/n kneels with her back towards the forest—and for the first time, she is anxious about what lies within it.

But, before she can even begin picking up the pieces of wood, the sound of someone approaching her at a fast pace alerts Y/n immediately. She spins around with her hands out and is shocked when she sees Dream with his sword raised. The ground moves beneath her feet as she uses the earth’s power to aid her in meeting his strength.

“Dream?” She screams, her body struggling to resist the force of his weapon. Sparkles fall from her fingertips as she pushes back.

“You killed an entire army of people, Y/n!” Dream’s tone is low and angry and Y/n knows he would have found out eventually.

“Dream, I didn’t do that!” Y/n exclaims and Dream swings his sword backwards.

“How can I trust you? Hm? After all, you’ve killed people!” Y/n could cry at his utter naivety. She drops her arms by her sides as Dream glares at her in pure disgust.

“Instead of fighting, can we talk about this?” Y/n pleas. Her feet move swiftly beneath her, maneuvering her body away from Dream’s sword.

Suddenly, Dream brings the sword down to slice into Y/n’s arm, but a force pushes it back towards him, making the blade fly high into the air before it clatters onto the ground.

Y/n stands with her hands out, remnants of glitter falling around her fingers. “I told you! I’d never do that, and I have proof.”

“Proof?” Dream still stares at his sword, unable to meet Y/n’s eye.

“Proof. Now, how about we calm down and I’ll show it to you. Okay? Sounds like a plan?” Dream nods slowly, turning his head to face her. Finally, his green eyes soften and the raging fire that burns within them fizzles out.

“Okay.”

Y/n sighs before she begins. “When a witch kills an innocent; a human, they gain a marking on the back of their neck to signify the betrayal of the harmony between the two. However, since King James, that peace has been terminated; hence his need for hunters, like yourself.

“But, anyway, everybody in this damn kingdom thinks I killed those hunters, but I don’t have the mark,” Y/n turns around, her hand going to lift up her hair from her neck. The skin is clear, with no markings, nothing.

Dream nods, furrowing his eyebrows. “How do I know you didn’t just cast a spell to make it disappear?”

Y/n rolls her eyes. “There’s no way to cover up the marking; it’ll just shine through whatever you put over it. It’s permanent and very obvious.”

“I told you, Dream, I didn’t kill them. I’d never kill an innocent.”

“Why didn’t you show them, then? You've had proof this entire time and never thought to actually show anyone?” Dream is bewildered. Y/n nods slowly, understanding his argument.

“I don't need to prove myself to your kind.” Is all she says. Dream waits for her to continue but soon realises she's not going to. “Fair point.”

“So, why did you come at me swinging? Did you really believe I would do that?” She whispers and Dream feels his heart sink. He is speechless for a few moments—did he really think that? Or was he feeding into Sapnap’s ideology of witches?

“S—Sapnap convinced me of things. I didn’t believe it at first, but the more he went on—I guess he got into my head.”

Y/n cocks her eyebrow and scoffs out a laugh. “Yeah, he did. You could’ve easily killed me with the amount of anger you had.”

This makes Dream’s breath catch in his throat. “I—I’m so sorry, Y/n. That was never my intention—”

The witch shakes her head and holds her hand up. “It’s okay, Dream. You didn’t offend me. I’m still here, with you, right? Isn’t that enough to tell you that I’m not angry?”

“Yes! Yes, sorry—”

“Stop saying sorry, it’s annoying.” Y/n giggles, holding her hand out to grasp Dream’s.

“So—”

“Dream!”

The cottage is quiet, too quiet, and Y/n walks into the small kitchen, hoping to bake a cake to cure her boredom. But, Wilbur sits at the round dining table, his beanie and a sewing needle in his hands.

“Wil, I wanted to talk to you,” Y/n mumbles, pulling out a chair. Wilbur doesn’t meet her eye as she does so, continuing to patch up his beanie that got ripped on a tree last week.

“Why are you against harmony with humans?”

Wilbur sighs softly. He places the beanie on the table and turns to face Y/n. “Y/n, when I was young, I lived amongst the humans in a town not far from here. We tried as hard as we could to mix in and not draw attention to ourselves.”

The girl listens intently, both curious and scared for his answer. She can tell the story makes him anxious so she reaches for his hand that lays on the wooden table. “Go on, Wil. I’m here.”

Wilbur nods, his eyes already full of tears as he continues.

“However, one day, my family decided to move to a more secluded area within the town, so my father could teach me more about magic without the risk of being caught. When we entered our new cottage in the forest, we were ambushed and they killed my entire family, leaving me, the only child, alone. I was left there, with my parents' bodies for weeks. I was made to fend for myself until I found Niki in a cave several years later. I was only 7, Y/n.”

Tears cascade down both of their cheeks. Wilbur takes in a shaky breath before he collapses onto the table out of grief. Y/n immediately leaps into action, wrapping her arms around the older man and letting him use her for support. His broken sobs and heart-wrenching cries stab Y/n all over, and she immediately regrets asking him about it.

“I’m so sorry that happened to you, Wilbur,” She didn’t push anymore, and that was all Wilbur needed.

[aminiatureworld]

Reanimate

Characters: Ganyu, Zhongli, gn!reader

Word Count: 3,930

Warnings: Character death, violence

Premise: There is something cruel in the sudden death of a loved one, especially one who should’ve gone on so much longer. And yet perhaps that is not the cruelest twist of fate. Perhaps death is sometimes a small mercy.

In which the reader returns as a member of the Abyss.

Author’s Note: I decided to give archons ichor-like blood just because. Also sorry I did my best to be ruthless, I hope I didn’t get too carried away

Ganyu

In all the thousands of years of her existence Ganyu had never received the answer to the question of her humanity. Which pieces of her were adeptal and which were mortal? It was a foolish question perhaps, but something that had haunted her, almost as much as you.

She’d received a sort of answer one day, though not one given but rather one snatched away. It was a little time after your passing, when Ganyu still couldn’t discern the nightmares of her sleep from the memories of her waking moments. She was laying up on the peak of Mount Hulao, wondering why the sun should be shining up in the sky, when the familiar lilt of Cloud Retainer’s voice traveled up to her ears. There had been more adepti frequenting her abode than usual, all peering over the mountain, making sure their ward did not drown herself in sorrow. Ganyu didn’t know who Cloud Retainer was talking to now, but her words were as clear as ever.

“Poor darling, she was born with the heart of a human after all.”

At the time Ganyu had felt almost affronted, as if some great wrong had been laid at her feet. Yet even as there had been anger there was also curiosity. What did it mean then, to have a human heart? Perhaps there was weakness in it, but it seemed there was also privilege. For even as she curled around herself, bleeding out from some invisible wound, she could still picture your smiling face, and the happiness she’d gleaned from it.

Now this picture swam in her head once more, floating in stark contrast to the image now in front of her.

You had returned, how in Teyvat had you returned? Ganyu knew the ways of the world, knew that half-adepti could be killed. Had she not experienced proof of this when you’d died? Had the demon which stood upon your corpse, laughing at the blood coating his hands, not shown Ganyu that even those blessed with immortal age could not escape the wrath of the world? How could you be standing here in front of her now then, as alive as you’d been those thousands of years before?

Though perhaps you weren’t alive, perhaps this was simply a trick of the Abyss. For there was no light in your eyes, no flicker of recognition in regards to the person you’d once pledged your soul too. Ganyu was bewildered, glancing this way and that at the heralds surrounding you. “What have you done to them?” She pleaded, voice barely audible. “What monster did you create?”

And yet she couldn’t bring herself to harm you, to take up her weapon as she had done so many times before. If the Abyss was tricking her than the likeness was impressive. Your attack patterns were familiar, an old dance that Ganyu had learned so long ago. You stabbed this way and that, as if Ganyu was being attacked by a needle rather than a sword. And yet she still could remember the dance, and had only a scratch on her arm. She’d always chastised you that your form was too artistic.

“Why don’t you remember me?” She now turned to you, ignoring the Heralds which lay frozen upon the ground, having no qualms in their destruction. You narrowed your eyes in response to her callings, seeming as mute to her entreaties as you had been to your name. Did you even remember it?

Ganyu jumped back as you once more aimed to stab her. Unfortunately it seemed as if you had learned somewhat from this fight, or perhaps just retained the memory of the sparring the two of you had often shared. Stretching out from your lowered position you rammed your back into Ganyu, causing her to topple to the floor. Flames coated your sword, which you now pointed at the pinned half-adeptus. Ganyu’s eyes widened, as panic truly began to run through her. Once more she called out to you.

“Stop.”

“What?” Ganyu watched as your arm faltered and your face contorted itself into a frown. You narrowed your eyes, breath coming faster now.

“Stop saying that name!”

“But it is yours.”

“It is the name given to me by a liar. It is the name of a weakling.”

“It is the name of the person I love.” Ganyu knew she should be running, should be taking advantage of your weakness. And yet she couldn’t bring herself to pull herself away, desperate in the hope you might return to her.

“That person died thousands of years ago.”

“And yet they’re standing right in front of me.”

“Thanks to those who the gods would destroy. Thanks to those who understand the true nature of this world.”

“And what is that?” Ganyu felt her voice falter, shocked by the venom in your words.

“Cruelty. The cruelty of the gods. They betray humanity, betray that which they’re sworn to protect. They’re nothing but fickle creatures, no more than beasts. The only thing they truly love is their own superiority.”

“You’re wrong. You know you’re wrong. You… you love the gods.”

“How could I love such monsters? You’re deluding yourself. Deluding yourself as you always did. You were always too soft… Ganyu.”

As if reinvigorated you took a deep breath. Taking a few steps forward you loomed over Ganyu. She couldn’t help but notice your eyes, how glassy they seemed to be. For a moment she was so seized by them she barely registered the sword raised above her head.

Yet the practice which had led her out of the darkness of your death now refused to let you take her life. Rolling over Ganyu jolted as your blade came crashing down into the stone right next to her ear. Running back towards the exist of the lair in which she’d found herself Ganyu foundered one last time.

“Come with me. There are so many who miss you. Cloud Retainer and Moon Carver and Madame Ping. Come back with me. We can go see the statue they’ve created of Skybracer for the Lantern Rite, I know how much you liked the festival.”

“I’d rather die again than be a traitor to humanity. You’re part human yourself. And yet you bow and scrape at the feet of tyrants.”

“And aren’t you also part adeptus?” Ganyu felt tears pooling at the corners of their eyes, their salty warmth stinging her frigid skin. “I wish you’d taken my hand.”

“And I wish you and the rest of the traitors would just die!”

“So be it.”

Ganyu tried not to remember the scream that pierced your throat as your leg buckled, tried not to think of the blood that pooled where her arrow had lodged itself at the top of your knee, droplets landing in icy circles on the barren ground where she herself had just been lying. Instead she ran, ran out of the domain, ran away from the person who had once brought her such joy.

The moon outside was a smiling crescent, its light casting a cold shade on the trees around her. The stars which seemed so far away were now hunters, she was their prey. She plunged through the scraggly forest, desperate to reach the safety of Jueyun Karst. The sky seemed to be burning away, or perhaps swallowing up the world. Finally a familiar mountain ridge was spotted, and Ganyu let out a cry of relief. She was halfway to the top when the darkness descended and the night swallowed her whole.

 Ganyu dreamed. Or perhaps she did not dream. Perhaps she simply remembered. The wind rustled her hair, and the faint sound of a flute echoed in the air. She lay on your lap now, smiling sleepily as you recounted some odd experience, expression one of soft, sedate joy.

“I’d never truly met a pilgrim before. They were quite unlike what I expected. The poor man, he nearly fell over in his attempt to bow as low as he possibly could. I told him that there was no need, that I wasn’t important enough for that, but then he only seemed surprised when I talked. Perhaps he expected some divine wisdom, although according to you I might only be able to offer him a somewhat incomprehensible account of the Archon War, since my mother saw approximately half of it.”

“Still, you must have made him very happy.” Ganyu smiled up at you as you twisted your expression into one of exaggerated solemness.

“Perhaps you are right. For what are we but being to give our souls to the happiness of humanity? Although I must admit that I have already pledged mine elsewhere.”

“And where might that be?”

“How silly of you to ask Ganyu! Honestly, you’re becoming quite forgetful. Why, it’s right there, in your heart.”

“Y-you shouldn’t say that.” Ganyu stammered, a familiar blush dusting soft warmth over the bridge of her nose. You merely laughed, leaning down to give her a quick kiss. Your lips tasted of lazy summer sun, and Ganyu found all embarrassment replaced with a sense of utter contentment.

“Why not? It’s the truth. And it will always be the truth.”

“Even when you and I have turned into enemies?” This surely was no longer a memory.

“Even then. For in my heart you will never be anything but my beloved. And don’t you forget it.”

“I… I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? What a foolish thing to say Ganyu. Of course you know! You always will.”

“I… I love you.”

“I love you too. Always.”

When she awoke the half-adeptus gave herself up to the small luxury of crying. She knew that she couldn’t stay here, knew that there was work to be done, the work she’d promised to the people of Liyue. Yet even as she told herself to get up Ganyu continued to cry, to sob as if in great pain.

For indeed what is more painful than the sudden, utter shattering of one’s heart?

 Zhongli

Throughout the millennia of his existence, throughout all the changes that had been wrought on the former geo archon, Zhongli could feel at least a little bit grateful to time.

Time had been kind to the archon, for it had let him retain all those things that mattered. He could still recall the soft tones of Guizhong, the excitement as she explained some new contraption; he could recall the way that the familiar tones of a flute once echoed throughout the canyons of Liyue, the call of an adeptus who was still young and untethered to the sins of others; and, if he focused but for a moment, he could still recall the look of surprise on your face, the exclamations of protest, and the soft smile that brightened your expression as you finally reached out to take the glaze lily from him.

How he missed you, you his most perfect half. It seemed so long ago, and yet so painfully close, the day you two had met. You were a minor deity, formed for the benefit of humanity, made incarnate by the prayers of those early inhabitants of Liyue who could not simply lock their doors to keep the dangers of the world out. You had been an odd deity, the combination both of hope and suffering; the longing for peace combined with the knowledge that such a thing was unlikely.

“It’s very odd, being a deity born of human hope.” You’d commented once. You’d joined Zhongli to look out upon the sunset, climbing a mountain that would one day be dwarfed by the pillars that would spring up after the last of the Archon War.

“I should not see why it would be any different than any other deity. After all, we all live to give to humanity in some way.” You’d shook your head at his response.

“Zhongli, you weren’t made from humanity. Even if the people of Liyue foundered, even if they moved or lost faith in you or no longer needed a geo archon, you would live on. We who are born from humanity, we will fade if we are forgotten, if human prayers no longer reach us.”

“I doubt there will be a scarcity of the need for hope anytime soon. Alas the dangers of the world are not yet gone.”

“Perhaps not, but one day humans will be able to fight and hope for themselves. And then who knows where we lesser deities will be.”

Your odd conversation had worried Zhongli at the time. Not because he truly believed that you would disappear, no he had too much faith for that, or perhaps too much love. No, it was the way you had said it, as if you had resigned yourself to some terrible fate. He’d held you closer for the next few days, as if to remind you that you indeed existed, as if to assure himself that he would not have to lose another person who he held within his heart.

The death of Havria had been a shock, but Zhongli could tell you were more shaken than he was. For some time, the amount Zhongli could never calculate, you had said little, withdrawing into yourself. Old shadows had reared their ugly heads again, and now you seem at their mercy, drowning in your own self-imposed prophecy.

“My love, do not fear your own disappearance. You are not like Havria, you have no one who might betray you.”

“It’s not that Zhongli. It’s… it’s just the reminder of how fickle humans are.” You sighed, eyes fixed not on the archon sitting in front of you but on some unseen horizon. “Gods are fickle, they always have been. But that’s what you expect, and you cannot hold it against them. Humans on the other hand, humans are supposed to be static, even as they grow their faith is seen as assured. It’s… uncomfortable, a reminder that such an assumption has no real basis except one of hubris. Who else might fall at the hands of those they protected.”

“Not you. I could not imagine them harming you. You are their incarnation of hope after all, of the human will to survive. And no human can live without the will to survive. Besides my love, last I checked you had rejected the chance at a domain.”

“And leave you? Of course I did.” Your tone was indulgent, but the smile that passed your face was distracted. “I hope that I won’t meet death in such a way. I thought to be forgotten was the cruelest fate, but perhaps it’s not; perhaps the cruelest fate is to be betrayed by the ones you love. How much Havria must’ve suffered in her final moments.”

“But you will not meet either of those fates my love, I promise it.”

 Zhongli had ended up being right, as neither of those paths were to be the one you walked. The one placed in front of you was perhaps one you would’ve approved of, though Zhongli could never truly bring himself to accept that. When the Qingce had threatened the quiet settlements which grew out of the harbor you’d come to the aid of humanity. In a manner that felt much too passive in Zhongli’s mind you met your fate. What was the emotion of your final moments? Zhongli could never find it in him to delve into that question. He could barely find it in himself to think of you at first, drowning his sorrows in the blood he spilt to ensure the continuation of Liyue, and then in the millennia of his rule afterwards. Even his tears had seemed distant, as if they were wetting the face of another person, someone very far away and very different than he was.

 There were reports of a disturbance in the Guili Plains, of the agitation of Ruin Guards, and of whispers of the Abyss. Zhongli realized that it was no longer his duty to look into such things, that his resignation of the post of Geo Archon also relieved him of the duties of scouting the plains of Liyue for such dangers. Yet just because the stipulations of a contract have shifted does not mean the contract no longer exists. Zhongli’s duty to protect Liyue remained. He was not perhaps a deity from humanity, but he was destined to protect it nonetheless.

The domain that he’d managed to find was oppressing, the atmosphere tense. It made Zhongli think of older times, though not so long ago. It made him think of a razed city after the smoke had cleared, though this location was sure to be crawling with enemies. A pity there were no allies to fight alongside him now.

And yet you had somehow managed to follow him here, somehow managed to appear once more, after a millennia of buried loss. Upon entering the chamber in which you stood Zhongli could do nothing but stop in his tracks. You had appeared. Somehow, despite your death, despite the years, despite the fact that you’d never known the Abyss in your long ago existence, you were now here. Zhongli felt dazed, mind clouded, limbs made of stone. He made no effort to move, not when your eyes lit up in grim, impersonal recognition; not when an all too familiar claymore appeared in yours hands, not when you lunged forward and geo-infused steel slammed into his shoulder.

Zhongli knew something was wrong, knew that he must’ve made a mistake a some point in his long, drawn out existence. Whatever it was he couldn’t piece it together, could barely continue to stare at you as your weapon battered him over and over again. Blood was sticking to his gloves, his shoulder, his neck; small golden trickles opening up every time you swung your claymore. He knew he should fight back, knew that this wasn’t truly you, could not be truly you. And yet he couldn’t bring himself to fight back, to harm even an illusion of the person he once loved.

Eventually he found himself slumped against a wall, eyes still gazing up at you in mute entreaty. He hadn’t tried to call for you yet, hadn’t yet attempted to break the spell washed over you. The words stuck in his throat, those lovely words that belonged to you. He could not fight and he could not call out. Instead he sat there, frozen, heart beating erratically as he tried to find the ground beneath him.

“You’re a surprisingly abysmal fighter, Morax.” The voice was yours but the words weren’t; you would never call him such a thing. Perhaps it was that which finally enabled him to speak.

“And you have changed in a millennia”

“I learned of your treachery, of the crimes you committed when I was gone. Of the people you slaughtered.”

“I do not know what spell they cast to bring you back in such a state, but you cannot believe what you have been told. My love, since when did you mindless follow the rules of others?”

“Mindlessly?” You barked out a laugh, though it sounded almost like a cry to Zhongli’s ears. “The only time I mindlessly followed someone was when I was with you. You tricked me, you lied to me. You pretended to care, only to betray my existence the moment I was gone. Morax, the god of Liyue. What sort of god slaughters people for attempting to create a civilization just as he once did?”

“You were not there for the life of Khaenri’ah. You do not know what took place.”

“I doubt I needed to be there to understand the facts. You betrayed humanity Morax. Do you not deserve to pay for such a crime?”

“Zhongli.”

“What?”

“You used to refer to me as Zhongli.” At that moment the ex-archon pulled himself up. Standing up he managed a smile, though inside he felt as if he were fracturing. “If your anger must be removed in such a way, so be it. Take it all out on me. But, when your rage has finally been spent, please come back to the light. This place, it is too dark for you.”

“My rage can only be quenched in death.”

“So be it.”

Zhongli was not sure how long you hacked away at him, claymore swinging in a wide arc as the future scars which Zhongli would wear multiplied. His clothes were in shreds at this point, his coat barely clinging on to the semblance of what it was made to be. The metal which he wore was stained a rusty golden color, and his shirt was now damp with blood and sweat.

Perhaps this was his rightful punishment, the result of having ruled Liyue too long, having grown too old. Perhaps you truly did hate him now, having somehow reincarnated into a being of pure wrath. Perhaps he’d somehow meet his end here, and perhaps then you would be waiting for him, you and all the ones he’d lost, restored to your former selves.

And yet another part of him knew that he was tethered to his contract, to the promise to protect the citizens who now bustled about, enjoying their newfound freedom. And that part of him knew that this could not truly be you. Even if the Abyss had managed to coax your body and soul from the other side they’d only managed to bring back a shadow. A shadow could never replace you, for it knew none of you complexities. It could only haunt those around it, in hope to be paid the same amount of attention.

It was this knowledge that allowed him to fight back, even as he willed himself not to hurt you. Claymore met polearm, and the ground seemed to shake around the both of you. If any other members of the Abyss had managed to rouse themselves within this time they were almost assuredly crawling away, for surely the structure would fall at any moment. But Zhongli cared not for this fact; the walls could crumble around the two of you for all he cared. There was nothing else in the world, only you, the weapon in his hand, and the contract in his heart.

Finally you began to falter, the energy you’d contain slowly draining away. Slowly Zhongli began to regain the upper hand, beating you back into the edges of the abode. Finally at one point you slipped, and Zhongli found himself kneeling over you, polearm planted into the ground, barely grazing your cheek.

“If you have truly been brought back to life, then I beg you not to throw such a thing away on the revenge of those who never knew you.”

“I won’t listen to your disgusting lies any longer!”

“You loved me once, do you not remember that?”

“How could anyone truly love a tyrant?”

Zhongli sighed, but his hands were trembling violently. He knew it wasn’t you, that it could not truly be you. And if it was, then Zhongli was ready to pay the price in suffering.

Contracts were the most sacred concept of Liyue. One must abide by them, whether it benefits them personally or not. Though he was no longer Liyue’s god, Zhongli was no less tied to those promises he’d made. This was his price, the price of power and influence, the price of his continued existence.

“When time has run its course and the world of the gods comes crashing down, I will see you again.”

He did not expect your blood to run red.

[adorehs]

cabin fever

Hi! This might be my last fic of the year- I’ll try and get another out for New Years since I’ve had one in my WIP for a few months now but I’m not sure if I can get it done since I’m having surgery later this month. With that being said, I hope you guys enjoy this!

Summary: Y/N and Harry are having a really good honeymoon (4.7k)

Warnings: lots of fluff and smut. The reader is kinda a horse girl :/

“Harry!” a whisper left your lips as your lips tightened into a wide smile- Harry easily concluded that you were happy. 

“Yeah?” he let out a short chuckle, “What’s got you so excited?” his hand met your chin, tilting it upwards to meet his face. His eyes studied yours for a moment as they glimmered with pure joy. 

You tilted your mouth to meet his palm, leaving a kiss on the soft skin, “Look!” your head whipped towards the dirt pathway, “There are horses,” you whisper again. 

Harry hums in realization, “There are horses baby,” he responds with an amused tone. 

Your head slowly turns back in his direction, “Be quiet! You’ll scare them,” you scold him softly, “And don’t make fun of me,” your bottom lip puffs out into a pout. 

“Sorry love,” he lets out yet another laugh, trying his best to be quiet for you, “Just excited for you,” his hand met yours tightly, wrapping it around his. 

Your eyes narrow into a glare- a look you feel absolutely cruel giving, but Harry thinks you look adorable- you just knew Harry was lying now. “Alright,” you dismiss him with a mocking smile. 

Harry smiles wider than before: he was really fucking in love with you. He bumped his hip with yours as you watched the horses in pure awe. One of the horses turned its head towards you, prompting you to squeeze Harry’s hand in excitement. You were still worried you would scare them away so you acted with caution- inaudible reactions and hushed tones would make due. 

“Are you excited?” Harry asks you, watching the horses intently, anxious about your ultimate reaction to what he has planned.

You looked at him in pure disbelief, “Of course I’m excited.” 

He hummed in response, his eyes never faltering from the view of the horses that were hardly a yard away at this point, “They're coming this way,” he told you. 

Your eyes snapped back instantly. The horses were within reach and if you could just get close enough maybe you could brush through one of their manes. Excited was an easy word to describe how you felt at that moment. 

“Harry,” you whispered again, “Do you think I can pet one?” 

“Yeah, let's do it,” he assured. Your face was starting to hurt from how much you were smiling. 

You let out a giggle, pulling his hand softly as the wind blew against your body, “Do you know how you’re supposed to pet them?”

“Yeah,” he replied gently. As you approached the horse, he could feel you tense up in anticipation. The white horse before you seemed to be standing still, awaiting your arrival. You shoot Harry a nervous smile and slowly step close enough to touch- Harry close behind you. 

“You don’t wanna do it for too long. Don’t think horses are big cuddlers like you, angel,” Harry prefaced. He watched as you nodded in concentration, “Alright, I’ll show you, hm?” 

His hand held yours softly, guiding it to the horse’s shoulder. Your hand shook slightly in his and Harry doesn’t know how much longer he can take your cute nervous habits. He stroked your palm against it’s shoulder three times in an expert rhythm before the horse's head turned towards yours and you let out a soft yelp, retracting your hand. 

“He’s not scared, just trying to see who you are,” Harry laughs at your shock, “He looks quite happy, no?” 

You gulp harshly- for some reason you were scared. “I guess,” you reluctantly agree with your now husband. 

“Okay ready for my surprise?” he asks you after a moment of silence, you still working up the courage to pet the horse. 

“What surprise,” you turn to him, eyes wide. You were really fucking excited and Harry was really fucking nervous. 

“I- uh,” he pauses, his finger brushing his nose in thought, “I brought someone here,” he says. 

You squint your eyes at him, “Are you pregnant,” you harmlessly joke. “No, wait!” you let out an exasperated gasp, “Am I pregnant?” your hand meets his chest in an instant, “How did you find out? I didn’t even know I was pregnant. Did I miss my period? Babe where’s my phone I need to check my tracker-” 

Harry cut you off with a hearty laugh, oh how he loved you more and more each day. “No, you’re not pregnant, love,” he breathed out, his tension evaporating almost instantly. 

“Then who did you bring?” you asked, eyebrows furrowed, “On our honeymoon?”

“Okay, I didn’t exactly bring someone. I hired someone,” he states simply, knowing you would get worked up at his sub-par answers. 

“God, Harry you couldn’t get more vague if you tried.”

Harry hummed in agreement, “Well that’s all I have to say. I hired someone.”

“Did you hire a male stripper because I feel like that would be a better use of my time tonight,” you joke, slightly annoyed with him. 

Harry’s laugh (which you defined to be more of a scream), echoed across the empty field, “I hired someone to help us go horseback riding, you twat!”

Your face turns upward instantly, a smile adorning your lips and a gasp falling out of them softly, “I’m going to ignore that word you called me because we’re going fucking horseback riding!”

-

It was later that night when Harry felt like his heart was going to explode out of his chest. He had watched carefully as you nibbled on the last of your dinner, your eyes focused on the newspaper you had found lying inside a drawer of the rental house- you were doing the crossword. 

You just looked so cozy. Sitting at the dining table under low light, your tea long forgotten in front of you, and the pajamas you wore made you look so comfortable. And Harry loved that you were comfortable around him.

Actually, he loved a lot of things about you. Being comfortable was just one of them. But, the thing he loved most was that he made you smile. Day after day he tried his hardest amongst the long hours he worked to come home and make you smile- to make your day better- because you were an instant (and permanent) solution to all his worries.

He stood from the couch steadily, his mind focused on nothing but coaxing you into cuddles by the fireplace, “You doing alright over here?” he asks, his hand landing on your shoulder gently.

You hum in confusion, a sign that you were lost in thought. Harry let out a chuckle before sitting down next to you, “Think this one is dream girl,” his finger lands on 42 across: ‘Lover’ being the clue that had you stumped. 

You nod slowly along, mentally inserting each letter into each box, humming in agreement when it fits perfectly, “You’re clever,” you tell him, wrapping your arm around his waist, pulling him into a short hug. 

“You got about 100 words in without me, love,” he chuckles. 

“I guess we’re both clever,” you look up at him, puckering your lips asking for a kiss. Harry happily obliges, “Alright,” you sigh as you stand up, “Whatcha want?” you ask with a sweet smile. 

“I got everything I need in here,” Harry cheeses a grin at you. 

“God I hate you,” you roll your eyes, making your way to the sink to wash your dishes, “You just ruined this whole thing!” 

“No I didn’t. And you love how cheesy I am,” he sticks his tongue out like your six year old nephew always does. 

You bellow out a laugh, “You make me feel so young yet so old.” 

“What does that say about me?”

“Means you’re crazy,” you dry your hands off before giving him a proper hug. Your hands make their way under his sweatshirt, Harry fighting to urge to jump at the icy feeling of your fingertips. He shakes his head at you in disbelief before wrapping his arms around you too. 

“Alright, well the crazy old man wants to watch a film,” Harry tells you, feathering a few kisses at your hairline, making you burrow your head into his chest to hide your warm cheeks. 

It takes a moment to recover from his constant affection, “Alright, but I’m choosing because I refuse to cry over The Notebook again. Not today, Harry. You and your crazy habits are being put to bed today.”

You can feel his chest rumble with laughter, “Okay,” he pauses, “Then what’s your suggestion?” 

“We will be watching,” you pause in thought. 

“No, don’t say it,” Harry begins, “Not again, you say we watch The Notebook a lot but here you are starting Ferris Bueller's Day Off for the hundredth time-”

You cut Harry off in full offense, “It’s a good movie! And we have not seen it a hundred times,” you mumble.

Harry laughs, “No sorry ninety nine times.” 

“Alright well no movie for us- want to watch a show?” you brush off. 

Harry hums in thought, “Sure, let’s watch Game of Thrones,” he says.

You nod your head slightly in approval, “But we watched that a while ago,” your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 

“Yes but that was a different era, baby. You’re my wifey now, not my girlfriend,” he says, smothering your temple with a long line of kisses.

Your nose scrunches up in disgust, “Don’t call me your wifey.”

“But you are, no?” 

“But it makes me cringe, no?” you counter. 

Harry smiles, giving you an extra squeeze (making you gasp and feign suffocation) before letting go and guiding you to the couch. He took an extra moment to turn the fireplace on and bring a few throw blankets to the warm couch before turning the tv on, “Okay round two with my wifey,” he speaks to himself, making you roll your eyes. 

“You’re so annoying,” you huff out before snuggling into his side, you leg over his lap and your arms around his body. 

Harry smiled softly at the sight of you. He can’t stop thinking about how happy he is. And how lucky he is. And blessed. You were his number one blessing and he couldn’t be more thankful for you. 

But, despite how grateful he was, he couldn’t be more frustrated with you. Maybe it was the way you kept inching yourself closer. Or the way your arms started to droop and your hand was lingering all too close to the apex of his heart. 

Usually, it would be an endearing motion. But Harry knew you had ulterior motives. He sat in thought, that’s where she pushes me to lay on the bed. And he really wanted her to push him onto the couch. 

It was hardly a moment before the feeling became overwhelming. He sat in a deafening silence, tuning out Daenerys’ cries for help as his mind became consumed with lust- he wanted you. And he was impatient. 

You grimace at the tv, slowly retreating into Harry’s hold, and that’s when you feel it. Or rather you both feel it. His stiffened cock slowly pushing on your lower back as you try your hardest to ignore the pit forming at the bottom of your stomach. 

The feeling was almost repulsive- you’d been to all too many parties with the same outcome. People having an inability to control themselves and pushing it onto you. But this was vastly different because this was Harry, your Harry, and you welcomed the feeling of desire that is forced upon your body.

First it was your head that turned slightly. You locked eyes and smiled at your new husband- his breath slightly fanning on your face as his eyes begged for you to feel the same way. Then, it was your body slowly turning to face him entirely- the show long forgotten. His arms wrapped around you silently as you leaned onto one leg to hoist the other around his lap. 

You sat straddling him with a small smirk playing on your lips, “Couldn’t help it, huh?”

Harry groaned in response, “Was I just supposed to let it go unnoticed?” 

Your teeth found your bottom lip and pressed into it seductively while Harry began to lose all control, “I don’t know,” you shrug, definitely unsure of the conversation he was trying to hold. You were tuned into him, your body slowly beginning to circle around his cock, grinding slowly and almost noticeably. 

But Harry certainly noticed.

He let out an elongated groan as the pressure between the two of you increased and his head fell onto your shoulder. He could almost feel how your panties continued to accumulate your arousal. Seeping through the thin material and onto the sweatpants you wore, your entire body was soon to be glazed over with a thin layer of sweat and his would follow shortly after just by the look of you. 

“C’mon,” he urged you to stand, “Let’s get to the bedroom.”

You let out a disgruntled whine, “Love me out here,” you tell him with a small pout. Your lips pursed together as you pleaded. 

Harry’s breath hitched in his throat at the sight of you- so innocent and ready to ruin, “You want me to fuck you by the fireplace?” he asked with an amused chuckle. 

“Would you?” you ask, with a grin creeping up on your lips as he watched you shift excitedly on his lap- or rather his cock. 

He sends you a charming smile before his hands tug up on the hem of your (or rather his) shirt. Carefully flinging it aside, he traced his hands around the soft swells of your breasts as you released a longing sigh of pleasure.

Your hands wrapped around his shoulders as you sat up straighter in his lap. His hands met your collarbone before he leaned his face into your chest, his mouth immediately attaching itself to your hardened nipple. His tongue worked quickly to outline your nipple and suck on it harshly. Teeth gently coming together to bite and smacking sounds could be heard as he leaves open mouthed kisses around the mound. 

His eyes watched you the whole time- your hands knotting into his hair as your head is thrown back in absolute pleasure. Your mouth parted open angelically urged him to go faster and longer- to suck a bit harsher and bite a bit deeper. The purple bruise left on your breast made him smile widely before he replaced his mouth with his hand and started on your other breast. 

He continued to massage your nipple with his tongue and your breast in full with his hand. You were going absolutely insane as he worked on your body- your breaths getting shallower and more frequent as you panted for him to continue. 

When he finished his assault on both nipples, he was sure he had lost a few chunks of hair but it was worth it. 

His mouth worked back again, a chaste kiss left on your lips before spongey kisses were left along your jaw and neck. Your hands shoved his head closer to your body, if possible, and you sat in pure ecstasy as he worked his way down your décolletage and onto your stomach. 

Your hips bucked upwards as Harry laid you down on the couch, his forearm making a home on your hip bones to hold you down as he kissed lower and lower on your body. It felt like pure torture as you let out a defeated moan, his lips getting exceptionally close to the top of your sweatpants but avoiding them perfectly.

“Please,” you whine out, nudging up with your foot. 

Harry hummed in response, “Get up, babe,” you tell him as you groan in pleasure. Harry obliges, his body lifted from yours as you immediately kick off the rest of the clothes you wore, “Okay,” you mumble as you pull his arm back to its place by your head. Harry smiles at you sweetly, giving you a long kiss before making his way back down to your glistening cunt.

He gave you one last look before making a long, broad lick across the expanse of your vagina- his tongue immediately enrapturing in your taste that he gathered on his tongue. He smacked his lips together playfully and moans in approval at the sweet taste before bringing his head back to your cunt. 

He leaves a harsh kiss at the center of her opening, his tongue sneaking in for a short moment before he backs away. Moving up slightly, he makes contact with your swelling clit. It was puffier than usual- the grinding doing a lot for sheer horniness you were unable to get away from. 

He teasingly bites it with a hardly noticeable pressure before his lips wrap around it, sucking harshly as if he was milking it of everything you had to offer. It hardly took him two seconds to elicit a scream in pleasure from you, your hips moving up rapidly to get more friction. He was doing everything for you.

“What,” he mumbled out as he continued to suck. 

“God, Harry, you’re not funny.” you insult him as he continues his assault on your wet clit. 

You begin to grind your hips against his face. You want more. And Harry knows that but he is no gentleman. 

He begins kissing along the folds of your skin, teasing you by slowly moving from the outside in. His eyes followed yours as they skewed shut and you tried your best to calm your body down, which seemed impossible at the moment. He gets so close to where you want him but he’s teasing. He stops right before he gets to the center making you whine in disapproval. 

He lets out a hearty chuckle before laying his tongue down flat at the base of your entrance. He licks fully up your cunt before returning to the base. He follows into a short pattern- he begins going halfway up, fully up, and laps up and down three times before he repeats. And this has you going absolutely crazy.

You let out a series of moans and a string of curses before calling out his name, your voice laced with sultry, “Harry please,” you moan out, your voice a bit raspier than usual. He hums in approval against your cunt, making you let out another moan at the feeling.

Then, he finally finds your clit again, this time his fingers deep inside you to aid. He bites softly, the pressure feeling euphoric through your body, before you find yourself letting go onto his fingers. 

He sits up, you following shortly after and leaning back onto your elbows. You were out of breath but too lost in lust to care. 

Harry licks his fingers clean, dipping them back in to tease you a bit. You move your body sharply at the contact, feeling so overstimulated in that moment. Harry sent you a smile before bringing his fingers to your lips. 

Your lips wrapped around his fingers easily making him groan. You sucked every last drop off, leaving some on your tongue to tease him before swallowing it all and kissing him after. This time, it was your turn to make him feel good. 

You begrudgingly sat up, your body still in dire need of rest from the orgasm you just had, and allowed Harry to lie down, putting a pillow behind his head for support. Your hand found the drawstring of his sweats and quickly worked the knot loose before sliding them off his legs along with his boxers. While you worked on his pants, Harry haphazardly tossed his shirt behind him, hyper aware of the fireplace that was blazing next to them. 

You moved between his legs and gingerly wrapped your fingers around his cock. Feeling it stiffen (what seemed like to its last degree) made you smirk before running your thumb over the tip. 

Harry exhaled out a sharp breath at the contact and rolled his head back onto the pillow, his hand making a makeshift ponytail for your head as you started moving your hand up and down around the base of his cock and lowered your head to be eye level with his swollen tip, “God, Y/N. Takin’ too long, love,” he moaned out as you slowly inched your mouth closer and closer. 

Jokingly, you stuck your tongue out slightly, giving his shaft a small kitten lick, before fully retracting and leaving him with just your hand. 

He let go of your hair in defeat and ran a hand over his face, “And you say I’m not funny?” he asks.

You chuckle at his annoyance before moving your head fully down to his cock just as he wished from you. You left a series of kisses along the length of his shaft before you wrapped your lips around it, barely taking in the tip and your tongue greedily swirling around it with no hesitation. 

Harry can feel everything perfectly- you’re teasing him so well. He can feel the way you breath out from your nose and he can feel your hand creeping up his thigh and getting all too close to his balls. 

“Y/N,” he moaned out in ecstasy, “Please,” he begged you softly as his words strung together, similar to when he was drunk.

Your hooded eyes look at him as your hand reaches where he wanted. You fondled his balls with your left hand as you continued to stroke him slowly and teasingly with your right. You allow him to gather your hair once more before sinking his cock deeper into your mouth. 

Harry groaned at the sight of his cock poking your cheek- perhaps it was the sight of him being inside you in a way he could see that was so pleasurable to witness. You hummed around his shaft, making him moan out a “fuck” before you removed your right hand and swallowed his entire cock. 

Harry was absolutely lost on how he was supposed to survive at this point. He was so sure you were going to kill him with pleasure in that exact moment as you began to bob your head up and down along his cock and as your hands played with his balls- worshiping him fully. 

He bucked his hips up against your mouth, signaling he wanted to fuck your face, but you weren’t going to allow that to happen. He could take control in a bit. 

You let your mouth off his cock fully, a string of your spit connecting your lips and his cock. He groaned at how hot he thought you looked- your lips absolutely swollen and the way you swallowed all the precum before sticking your tongue out at him. It almost felt childish to him- how excited he was to kiss you- but it was real. 

You leaned into him slowly, hardly touching your lips together before you went back down to his wet cock. 

You spit onto his hardened shaft before moving your hand along it quickly. Your thumb ran over the tip of his cock before sliding back to the base, bringing the drop of precum with it. 

Though Harry had the feeling for a while, he had begun to get a fiery pit at the bottom of his stomach. It was much quicker than he anticipated but he was never able to fully hold back with you. 

His hand tapped your shoulder to notify you he was about to come- he knew you didn’t like to swallow. You glanced at him in acknowledgement before you finished getting him off. 

He let out a few whines before an elongated moan left his lips. It was deep toned and louder than usual and it made you feel everything in that moment. His eyes shut harshly as you made the last movement before ribbons of his cum flew out of his cock and onto your chest. You sent him a smile as he breathed heavily, “Every time I think I can go longer but you just have to make me come, huh?” he groans out. 

You let out a laugh, “I can say the same.” 

Harry smiles before grabbing your arms and turning you around in an instant, “We can try again,” he tells you. 

You nearly moan at the thought of him finally being inside you as he works quickly to lay you on your stomach, his hand reaching towards his cock and stroking it gently as you get comfortable, a pillow pulled under your stomach so he could access your body easier. 

“Please, H,” you moan out as you feel him shuffle to get above you, “God hurry up, you’re literally just standing there,” you complain.

“Oh what? Is this over now because I wasn’t fast enough?” he asks, a smirk hinting at his lips.

“Shut the fuck up,” you groan, “You’re so annoying just put your dick in me.”

Harry laughs, you’re all too impatient these days. He situates himself above you and angles his stiff penis at your entrance, his cock glistening from your saliva and your cut still wet from before. He pushed in fully, a groan leaving both of you simultaneously as he began to slowly tease you, his cock making incredibly short strokes in and out of you. 

You were beginning to have enough of his teasing, though the position was deemed your favorite- he just felt so much bigger- it was beginning to lose its appeal. It was hard for you to take control when you couldn’t even see him.

Sitting up slightly on your knees, you pushed your ass back onto him, making him thrust fully into you in a quick instant, “Doesn’t that feel so much better?” you pant.

Harry groaned a bit, “Yeah but it won’t be as satisfying-” he tries to explain.

“Just fuck me, we can talk about satisfying later,” you tell him with a snappy tone, your head craning awkwardly so you can send him a calculated glare.

Harry rolled his eyes in defeat, leaned forward and gave you a quick kiss and an apologetic smile before immediately thrusting in with as much power as he could muster up. 

The sound of skin on skin and your combined moans filled the room and fueled the fire between you two. The room was much warmer now, filled entirely with your sweaty bodies and the now sweaty furniture, but neither of you paid enough mind to care how uncomfortable you felt from being so sticky. It was trivial, really.

His cock hit you just right over and over again, your body falling numb to anything but the feeling of him on you. Your throat began to hurt from the screams you were letting out and Harry’s knees were beginning to give out at how good he felt in that moment.

You clenched around his cock, milking it for everything it had to offer, making Harry groan, his arms falling down beside you so he could stay upright. 

As his thrusts slowed down, you could feel how exhausted but happy Harry was. It had been a long day and a wonderful night that he could feel nothing but pleasure throughout. 

Your moans kept him going as he continued to thrust into you, hitting your g-spot perfectly, the position making it feel more than satisfactory. He was coming down from a high and feeling everything between the two of you became a new drug for him. He was addicted and couldn’t seem to get enough. 

His hand found your clit as he regained his energy and began rubbing furiously, his thrusts slowing down slightly but never fully stopping. As usual he was on a mission to make you feel good.  You knew he was waiting for you to come before he had the pleasure himself. 

You were close though, there was close to nothing for him to worry about in that department. With your lips falling open and disgruntled moans leaving them softly, Harry was about ready to explode.

“Oh my god, Harry,” you moan, your eyes shutting tightly as your body shook with pleasure. You reached your climax and Harry found himself giving you a few more thrusts before following himself. 

He was severely out of breath and you were at a loss for words as Harry laid down next to you, his head turned and your eyes caught light together. The fire was slowly dying down as the sound of the Game of Thrones intro made itself noticeable again. 

A soft smile was sent between you two, “Let's stay here until we have cabin fever.”

[spencersawkward]

hi! today is my birthday (yeah, a day before his) and as a big fan of yours that i am, i know that you made a one-shot for his birthday, but could you do it like it would be if it was your first birthday with him? i reeeally appreciate and love your work! keep doing this, you're amazing! thank you!!

ok the daddy kink gotta go on pause bc we have an EMERGENCY called it's a baddie's birthday! 🥳 happy birthday babe i hope it's as special and lovely as can be! also thank you that made my day of course i'd be happy to write a one-shot like that :)

summary: reader reunites with Matthew for her birthday after his absence on a week-long trip. 

relationship: Fem!Reader/Matthew

content warnings: unprotected penetrative sex, creampie, fingering, oral (female receiving), dirty talk.

word count: 3.8k 

masterlist

after lighting my favorite candles on the bedside table and smoothing out the wrinkles on the bed, I climb onto the mattress and fold my legs up beneath me, criss-cross applesauce. there's a warm, peachy light that falls onto the white comforter, aureate and gentle when I straighten my spine.

I have spent my birthday so far dealing with tired limbs and people I don't like; the only good part so far was getting lunch with a couple of my friends, but something still feels absent.

that something is Matthew.

he's been in Los Angeles for a week, and I miss him like crazy. the apartment is cold and hollow without him in it, despite the numerous objects of his that decorate every nook and cranny. a star and moon mobile hangs above our bed, which sounds childish but actually is fun for both of us to look at when we're lying together at night.

our eyes always follow as the crescent and circle shapes cross each other in a slow circle while we talk. and every time he's gone, his side of the bed gets cold. I miss his mouth and the shape of his arms when they enfold me. I've never been much for showing affection, but I would cover him in kisses if we had all day together.

absence makes the heart grow fonder, I guess.

he's coming home tonight and I've been looking forward to it for days now. even our kitten, Clarisse, lifts her head every time someone in the hallway of the building passes. she likes to sit between us whenever she can.

I let my thoughts roam freely as I take deep breaths and center my mind. it's hard to reign in the joy I feel at the memory of him. I haven't had an orgasm since he left, not because I haven't had the motivation, but because Matthew has created a new rule.

neither of us can pleasure ourselves until we see each other again. technically, I suppose we could break the rule and there would be no ramifications-- but it's kinda fun, to be honest. every night he calls me, and every night he tiptoes around the things he wants to do when he gets home. he can always hear the shortness of my breath when he says anything erring on risqué, asking what I'm wearing or if I've been thinking of him. of course I've been thinking of him; my nights swell with apparitions of his touch, moving over my skin without any tangible reality.

it usually ends with him tsking and telling me to be patient while I dig my fingernails into the inside of my thighs, resisting every urge within me to get off to the sound of his voice. he does it so well, too. all deep and desirous when he tells me to be good.

even as I sit here on the bed, a tingling feeling starts in my stomach. I want him too badly, and waiting has been absolute torture. I remember two nights ago, when I was sitting in his favorite armchair with my knees tucked into my chest, speaking softly to him.

"what have you been up to?"

"nothing out of the ordinary: filming, drawing... thinking of you." he had said, the last three words igniting a flame in my stomach. I love to hear him say that.

"anything in particular?" I started to trace absent-mindedly over the skin of my calves.

"thinking about how good you'd look with your hands between your legs." his voice was somehow silky and raspy all at once, like the idea of it was arousing him. I bit my lip and squeezed my thighs together.

"stop tempting me."

"why?"

"you know damn well why." I giggled. he sighed on the other end of the line.

"I'm starting to hate this rule."

"you made it!" I argued, practically able to hear the mischievous little smile on his face.

"I know, but I wanna hear your noises."

"Matthew..." I blushed, even though he wasn't right in front of me.

"I can't wait to hear you scream that." the drop in his tone made goosebumps rise over my skin.

"are you hard right now?"

"maybe." he hesitated. I felt every cell in my body begging me to cheat our rule-- maybe bend it slightly-- but I hold true.

"get home, then, and I'll suck the soul out of you." I laughed a bit and heard him move in his seat.

"stop teasing."

"you're one to talk," I glanced out the window at the city glittering, full of so many people and empty of him. "I should go before we fuck this up for ourselves."

"no..." he whined like a needy puppy for a moment. "just talk to me normally."  

"fine," I pretended to be disappointed. I didn't want to hang up, anyway. "do you wanna hear about my coworkers? that's guaranteed to eradicate all sexual thoughts."

...

he texts me half an hour later, as I blow out the wicks of my candles and watch the rest of the sun disappear. I love nighttime. he's on his way and I get butterflies, despite the fact that I already know what's coming.

instead of waiting giddily with Clarisse, I elect to take a hot shower and wash the day from my bones. I feel more at ease now that I've had some time to sit with my thoughts, although they've made me even more sexually frustrated.

it's only when I'm drying my hair and sitting in my new lingerie slip dress that relief walks through the door in the form of Matthew and a pizza from our favorite neighborhood place. I hear him come in, practically leap up and run into the living room.

"hi!" he greets, standing in the entryway with his suitcase and a scarf thrown casually around his neck. he shuts the door just in time for me to get to him.

"hi hi hi!" I attach myself like a parasite, wrapping my arms around his waist and holding him tightly.  

"happy birthday, my sweet girl," he kisses the top of my head and lets out a chuckle at my affection. "can I set my stuff down, quick?" Clarisse brushes against his leg.

reluctantly, I disentangle myself and take the pizza box from his hands and carry it into the kitchen. he makes a high-pitched whistle noise as I walk away, bending over to greet our cat.

"liking the view." he jokes. I set down the box and return to him, removing his scarf and coat with something of an impatience.

"shut up," I laugh. he starts to kiss my cheekbone, smiles against my skin while I peel off the winter layers. he's got too many clothes on. "you didn't need to pick up a pizza."

"it's your special day-- I wanted to get you the finest cuisine in Manhattan." he replies sincerely. I bite back a grin and stare up at him, completely and utterly in love with his stupid turns of phrase.

"it's gonna get cold, though."

"why?" he frowns. I answer by pulling him in for a voracious kiss, cupping his face in my hands. after a moment of us pressing our torsos together, he grabs the backs of my thighs and I jump, letting him hold me up. one of his hands rests beneath my butt, squeezing the flesh while we embrace.

"you're gonna drop me if we don't get to the bedroom soon." I giggle into his mouth. he playfully smacks my ass and carries me into our favorite place, slamming the door shut with his foot and setting me down on the mattress. I smile at his perfect features, wanting to both tear into him and preserve this moment in time forever.

he climbs onto the bed, pushes my legs apart and runs his hands along the outside of my thighs to hitch up my slip. I raise my eyebrows but don't argue when he gathers the dress up around my waist and yanks my panties down.

"I've been thinking about your pussy all day." he kisses the skin above my knee, moving much too slowly up my legs while he holds them open. I feel my hips leave the bed in eagerness, and he glances at my core hungrily. "you're dripping, baby."

"don't make me wait any more." I roll my eyes and he places the flat of his hand over my center, barely stimulating me while pushing me down. he knows the effect it has from the tortured whine I release.

"the best things come with time." he winks and continues his open-mouthed kisses along my inner thighs. his head is between my legs, but not nearly in the way I'd like it to be. I crave more; he knows it. he licks over a spot near my pussy and I moan.

"sensitive, huh?" he raises an eyebrow. I run my fingers through those unruly curls, tug.

"don't act as if you aren't just as turned on right now."  

"delayed gratification is a skill, darling." he's smirking and it's driving me wild looking at him in this position, not doing anything. he peeks at my body again before meeting my eyes. "you're dragging this out by talking, by the way."

"oh my god." I throw my head back into the pillow, but go silent as he starts to resume his movements. finally, slowly, he licks up my entrance, pausing at my crest to flick his tongue. I gasp and look at him, his focus all on my face.

he rolls his mouth expertly over me, dipping between my folds to taste and releasing a greedy moan before starting to lap and play with it like he can't stop himself anymore. this time, when I grip his hair, I use it as leverage to grind against him. he feels so good, the sounds coming from my lips are truly unhinged.

"oh, shit, shit-- just like that." I choke out. every part of me clings to him. he wraps his hands around my thighs and yanks me down the bed so he can do more with me. every action with his tongue is like a delicious torture, him exploring all the parts of me as if he's never tasted them before. when he runs his teeth gently across my clit, I moan loudly.

"so hot, Matthew, god, please--"

he doesn't even stop to tease me at all. judging by the darkened irises and blown-out pupils, he's lost in his own world while he eats me out. I can feel the pads of his fingertips gripping onto my skin as if it's his only tether to reality. he behaves like someone inebriated, trying new tricks and thrusting his tongue into my entrance. I'm already close, and he can feel from the insistence of my sounds.

he pulls away for a second and I whine, but he puts two fingers over my clit and rubs me like crazy while he talks.

"is this what you wanted for your birthday, sweetheart? to cum?" his mouth is glistening with my essence, lips swollen, while he holds my gaze. I'm whimpering.

"we're gonna have dinner after this and then for dessert, I'm gonna give you what you want," he pants and I can see the erection straining against his clothes. "okay?"

"mhmm." I buck against his touch, which is bringing me closer with every passing second.

"I'm treating you until that little pussy can't take it anymore." he bites his lip and watches me squirm. I'm almost to the edge and I know what will finish me.

"I need your mouth." I beg him hopefully. Matthew grins.

"whatever you want, baby." and with that, he bends down again and replaces his talented fingers with his lips, flicking and running over my clit until I can feel my stomach tensing.

"fuck!" I cry out, rolling against his face and climaxing intensely. my eyes squeeze shut at the tightening of all my muscles. my skin is on fire as I clutch at my tits through the fabric of my dress and feel my back move off the bed. he's pulling my legs up so that he can work me through my orgasm at an angle, harshly sucking at it until I'm completely worn out.

he puts me down and I breathe deeply, try to settle the quickness of my pulse.

"how was that?" he asks, rubbing over my legs affectionately while I come down from my high.

"amazing." I sit up and start to tug at his belt in the hopes of undoing it, but Matthew removes my wrist and shakes his head. I peek up at him with a curious, disappointed expression.

"it's your day, remember?" he says it so lovingly with a slightly higher pitch than normal, soft and laced with kindness. I look at his erection, anyway, always wanting the sight of it.

"that can't be comfortable."

"oh, it's not." he laughs. I let him lift me off the bed and he guides me to the kitchen on my slightly weak legs. everything about him leaves me like that.

Matthew and I eat pizza and drink champagne while he tells me about his trip, about all the cool people he met and places he went to shoot. he shows pictures of the cast and him making silly faces, and a bakery he saw.

"all the pastries are named after amazing women," he grins and presents a photo of the interior, which is full of flowers and hues of rich blue. "so I obviously thought of you."

I smile through my bite of food, heart fluttering. he shows me a picture of a half-eaten cookie that has the silhouette of a woman on the front, sitting in a chair. it's very 1800's-looking.

"it's supposed to be Jane Austen."

"I'm jealous." I grin.

"I'll take you sometime." he puts his phone away and we go back to talking normally. I could watch his lips move forever, listen to his voice forever. there's a quality to his speech that is entirely unique, that draws me in and makes me want to claim him for life. I didn't know it was possible to want someone so completely.

I rant about the things I had to deal with today, and he chuckles at my naturally indignant tone. by the time I run out of steam, we're just sitting with pleased expressions on our faces. even when I'm angry about something that's happened earlier, he knows how to make me forget all about it.

"it would be fun for everyone to meet you." Matthew toys with the napkin in his lap. I sigh.

"as long as there's alcohol involved, sure."

"why?"

"they make me nervous!"

"you have no reason to be nervous," he shakes his head slowly. "they'll love you."

"that's the thing-- I want them to like me so badly, I'll do something to mess it up."

"you couldn't. you're adorable when you're shy." he reaches under the table and squeezes my knee reassuringly. I try to smile, but my stomach twists up at the thought. it's easy for Matthew; he's so uninhibited.

"you say that now, but it'll be a different story when I've managed to fall on my face in front of everyone."

he snorts. "okay, that would be kind of funny."

"hey!" but I'm hiding a smile.

"they'll love you," he keeps his hand on my leg as he looks at me. "you wanna know how I know?"

"how?" I wait patiently for his reply. he leans forward in his seat and beckons me closer.

"because you are the sweetest--" he kisses me. "smartest--" another peck. "funniest girl I know."

"stop." I deadpan as I turn my face away just enough for him to nuzzle my cheek with his nose as I laugh.

"not to mention the sexiest one, too." he whispers in my ear. I put my hand on his shoulder, intending to push him away playfully but finding myself not wanting to.

"I knew that's where you were gonna take that." I roll my eyes. his other hand has been creeping progressively up my thigh until his fingers brush my core. I suck in a breath, remembering that my panties are still in the bedroom.

"you want me to prove it to you?" he starts to stroke over me, gathering the wetness on his fingers that already waits for him. I let out a slight moan as he dips inside and curls his digits.

"mhmm."

he starts to finger me easily, adding a second and pumping them inside while I grip the edge of the table and watch his face concentrate on mine. he's rough and deep, the result of not having his own orgasm earlier. I can see the lust in his eyes like he can't wait to dive in. all that comes out of my mouth are chants of his name, begging for him as his thumb toys with my clit. my walls clench and his jaw hangs open with a slight smile.

"do that again." he says. I obey, squeezing my thighs around his wrist. he feels so good there, and he's not even doing that much. "god, I can't wait for you to do that on my cock."

"fuck me, then." I breathe.

"gladly," he removes his fingers so suddenly, I make a disappointed noise. "get on the table, sweetheart."

"the-- the table?" I glance down at the surface. he nods in complete seriousness. oh, wow.

we clear off the two plates and down the rest of our champagne, his lips capturing mine easily the second I turn around from putting them in the sink. he walks me back to the table, never breaking our contact, before I end up sitting on it. he's between my legs, pushing his hips to mine while he moves my dress up again.

I hum into his neck while he starts to grind against me, undoing his belt and breathing quickly in my ear. I can feel his length through the fabric, feel how desperate he is. I scoot closer to the edge and try to get more.

"are you sure you don't want me to suck your dick?" I peek at him. he tilts my face up and I feel myself sink into those dark circles around his eyes. my beautiful, haunted boy.

"I need to be inside you." he says it without an ounce of humor. every word weighted with desire as he holds me there. my insides feel like they've been electrified, nerves sparking. all I can do is nod fervidly and pull his shirt off.

he takes off his bottoms and stares back at me, stroking his cock while I trail my nails down his chest, abdomen, whatever I can find. he's so gorgeous, I want to leave marks just so I can make sure he's real. he rubs himself in my essence, then pushes the head inside.

"Matthew--" I bite down on his shoulder to silence myself as he stretches me out. it hasn't even been that long, but it feels like the first time. his head dropping down with a long, low groan of pleasure.

"I missed this." he sheathes himself inside, deep, and I feel my walls tightening around him. there's a pressure on my clit from the position we're in, too. I whine on it, letting myself wiggle impatiently.

"move." I whisper. he starts to withdraw, only about halfway, before going in again. I throw my head back at the force of his thrust, so greedy. he's groaning softly while he presses his mouth to my throat, the flutter of his breath over my skin causing shivers to run up and down my spine.

I wrap my legs around his waist and he starts to find a rhythm with my body. nails dig into his back as an anchor. the closeness of his chest to mine is comforting.

"do you know how hard it was not to get myself off, baby?" he says, the words threaded with a needy tone. I shake my head and pray he'll keep talking. "every night I'd think about you and I couldn't do anything about it."

"you could have." I taunt.

"this is better," he goes faster, clutching at my waist and legs to pull me closer. "so much better."

"yeah?" I giggle, although it's hard when he's pounding into me so hard. I cling tightly and try to meet his thrusts. he's hitting different angles within me that I didn't even know existed, tearing me apart in the absolute best way.

"I wanna be inside it all day." he moans. I'm scratching his back with the way we're working together, every word out of his mouth and the sounds he makes causing me to lose my mind. his fingers dig into my ass as he slams into me. the table shakes beneath.

"that feels so fucking good." I grab on and roll my hips against his. his hand moves to my shoulder to push the straps of my dress down.

"let me see you," he tugs them until my tits are out, at which point he grabs my waist and pulls me against him, moaning loudly at the feeling. "pretty girl."

I can feel the tidal wave building within me, the seconds that gather into one wild, exquisite torrent of pleasure. the knot in my stomach tightens as he fucks me.

"I'm gonna cum." tears prick the back of my eyes. he's working my figure so perfectly, I can barely see. my legs are shaking before I even reach the culmination.

"good." he gets erratic as he imagines how pleasurable it'll be to have me clenching around him, and I sink below the surface. my hips jerk and I cry out like it's my last time being with him, his name pouring from my mouth. Matthew speeds up.

"so... tight--" he shudders. "oh fuck-- that's it, baby, that's it."

he spills inside and it prolongs our orgasms, both of us breathing hard while I remove my arms from his shoulders and lean back on my hands against the table, him still thrusting gently into me while we hold eye contact.

when he's finished, he removes himself from me and then we're just there, looking at each other with love all over our faces.

"happy birthday, Y/N." he grins.

"can you give me one more gift?" I bite my lip. he frowns.

"oh, I have several gifts for you in my suitcase--" he starts to say with a laugh, then sees that I'm not referring to anything tangible. "yes, anything."

"can you Clorox this table, please?"

Matthew kisses my cheek. "of course."

[unholyobsessions]

Story of Another Us

Pairing: Luke Patterson x fem!Reader

Description: After Julie finds a song Luke wrote about you, he reminisces on his moments with you

A/N: The song Luke wrote is Story of Another Us by 5 Seconds of Summer i highly recommend listening to it

Warnings: Cussing

Word count: 1.7k

Part 2

Julie is a curious person by nature, nobody can deny that. So when Luke gave her his journal and told her to look at all the dog eared songs, she couldn’t stop herself from reading them all. When she got to the last song in the journal she hesitated. It was not dog eared and looked to be the newest written. Most words were crossed out and corrections were written between the margins, she turned the page to find the final version of the song, written coherently. She raised her brows at the wet spots that stained some of the words. She read through it, her own eyes tearing up and threatening to smudge the beautiful lyrics composed by her lead guitarist.

The faint pop Julie has grown to recognize startles her. She meets Luke’s eyes and tries to flip the notebook back to another page but he catches sight of it before she can.

He stays quiet for a second and Julie bites her lip in anticipation.

“What is it that you always say Jules? Boundaries?” The look in his eyes is a mixture of anger, betrayal, and pure sadness, and it breaks Julie’s heart.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. She doesn’t know what else to say and ultimately decides to risk asking the question that is on the forefront of her mind. “Luke, who is the song about?”

He sighs and takes a sit next to her on the bed, there’s no point in lying to her. “My girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” Julie asks, both confused and surprised.

“Yeah ex-girlfriend I guess. We uh dated back in the 90s,” a sad smile on his face as he spoke. “She was there the night of the concert but she hated hotdogs so she stayed back with Bobby at the Orpheum. I didn’t want to think about her when we first came back but last week I looked her up and I went to see her. She has a family, married, children everything that we talked about having together.” Tears were falling down his face and Julie wanted nothing more than to be able to hug him.

“I-“ she started but what was she supposed to say? Luke shook his head, not finished talking.

“Her youngest son, his name is-“ he pressed a fist against his mouth, biting back a sob. “She named him Luke.” It’s something that took him by surprise when he heard her call his name. For a second he thought she meant him, but then he saw the cute nine-year-old dashing into the room, smiling brightly at his mother.

“Oh.”

“And I am so happy for her but I just, I guess I finally realized just how much I lost that night.” He finally turned his head and made eye contact with Julie.

“Tell me about her,” she said. Luke’s eyes widened, not expecting that to be her response. He regained his composure and nodded his head, thinking back to the moments you shared together.

. . .

You’re sitting on the couch, waiting for the boys to get back to the studio after playing at the pier for change. You actually had school and therefore could not go and watch them but you have the rest of the day off and decided to spend it with your favorite people.

The loud, excited voice of your boyfriend breaks you from your thoughts. He pushes the door of the garage turned studio open and smiles when he spots you. He rushes to the couch and throws himself on top of you. You grunt and try to push him off, which only causes him to hold you tighter.

“Get off me you doofus. You’re sweaty and gross,” you exclaim. He looks at you in mock hurt and you use his surprise to your advantage and push him off the couch. You sit up and wave at the rest of the guys.

Bobby smiles and shakes his head walking forward to ruffle your hair. Alex and Reggie make it seem like they will throw themselves on top of you too and you scream, raising your arms over your head in defense, making everyone laugh. You stick your tongue out at them and look down at your boyfriend still laying on the floor.

“How was your physics test?” He asks, remembering last night’s mental breakdown about you not understanding anything. He always felt useless in those situations, never having taken physics himself after dropping out, so he couldn’t help you study. He normally just holds you close and hopes you stop crying, because regardless of what Alex says, he would never leave you to cry alone.

“Meh, pretty sure I passed but I never know.” You shrug your shoulders dismissing any thoughts of your grades.

Bobby laughs and points an accusatory finger at you, “You always say that and you always end up being the highest score. Don’t give us that ‘meh’ bullshit.”

You throw a pillow at him but he easily catches it and throws it at Reggie, who gets hit in the head. Reggie complains and both you and Bobby chuckle at his inconvenience.

Luke finally gets up from the floor and sits next to you on the couch, pulling your body to lean against his. You’re used to this proximity, realizing early in your relationship that Luke is a very touchy person and has to have physical contact with someone at all times.

You smile and look up to him, asking how the performance at the pier went. He excitedly goes on about how people complemented them and how he knows that they are on their way to becoming big and you can’t help but agree. If there is one thing you know is that Sunset Curve is on their way to greatness.

. . .

“She believed in me, in all of us. Every second of spare time she had, she spent helping us get gigs. She would even sit on that old coach while we practiced and do her homework.”

Julie smiled at the way his eyes lit up. “She sounds amazing. Though I am surprised she was able to concentrate with you guys playing.”

Luke laughs and shakes his head. “She was not. She would yell at us and blame us if she didn’t do well on a test, but we always convinced her to stay when she tried to leave.”

. . .

You tried to block out the loud playing of instruments as you read Lord of the Flies for your english class. You snap the book shut and let out a frustrated sigh standing up abruptly and making your way out the door.

Luke stops singing and slips his guitar off before rushing over to you.

“Hey where are you going?” Luke asks a little breathless, bouncing on the balls of his feet, his body still full of adrenaline.

“I can’t concentrate,” you reply. “I’m pretty sure I have a test on the first four chapters tomorrow.” You look up to find him pouting adorably at you. You roll your eyes and try to leave again but he grabs your arm.

“We’re almost done. Let us just finish this song and then we were all just going to write. Just don’t leave.” His eyes are pleading with you and you know that you won’t decline. You let him lead you back to the couch and you sit down, reopening your book and trying to finish the chapters assigned.

Five minutes later the guys were all milling on different areas of the studio with a pen and an instrument, working on melodies as Luke works on lyrics on the floor in front of you leaning back against your legs. You run your hand absentmindedly through his hair as the other holds up the book.

The pager clipped to your jeans beeps and you glance down at it, your eyes widening when you see the message. You stand up quickly, dropping your book on Luke’s head in the process. You ignore the calls of pain and protest from your boyfriend as you run out of the shed and into the house. You greet Bobby’s mom and walk to the living room where the landline is at. You dial the number quickly and mumble “pick up” repeatedly under your breath. The club owner picks up and you talk for about fifteen minutes. At the end confirming a gig for Sunset Curve every Saturday this month at one of the hottest clubs in LA.

You scream with joy and run back to the studio yelling for their attention.

“Guess who just booked you guys a gig!” You exclaim, a joyous smile on your lips. The boys all jump up from their places around the room and rush to hug you but you raise your hands stopping them in their tracks. “Sunset Curve will be performing every Saturday this March at The Reserve!”

They all freeze, mouths opening in shock before they tackle you in a hug and jumping around in excitement. Luke pulls you close against him and kisses you desperately, trying to convey every emotion he is feeling at the moment. The guys cheer like they always do whenever Luke kisses you in front of them.

They all give you their thanks and a hug before Luke pulls you back to the couch, picking up his lyric journal and placing your hand back in his hair. The room is still buzzing with excitement but your force yourself to concentrate as you pick your book back up and continued reading.

. . .

Luke looks down at his hands, “She was the love of my life, quite literally, and I guess that now in my death I have to learn to live without her.”

Julie let her hand hover over his and if she concentrated hard enough she swears she could feel the heat radiating off his skin. “It’s a beautiful song Luke and she sounds like she loved you very much. Just remember that getting over her doesn’t mean forgetting her.”

Luke smiles at his friend, thankful to have met her and have her be a part of his (after)life. He looks down at his journal, eyes skimming over the song. “Do you think,” he pauses. “Do you think it’s good enough to perform?”

Julie stares him like he’s insane. “Anything you write is good enough to perform, especially this song.” Luke turns away, a blush creeping up his cheeks.

“Thanks Jules.”