#the stress line forming right in the middle of her big ass forehead when she grins.

[irkendogma]

me when i'm definitely not fucking mad

[jimakuchan]

And They Were Roommates...

Part Fifty

The village of Gaipan was a sleepy town, surrounded by a gorgeous landscape filled with some of the tallest redwood trees Zuko had ever seen. If it weren’t for the stressful situation he found himself in, he might have taken a moment to appreciate the beauty of the sun sinking into the horizon amongst the tree tops.. but unfortunately now was not the time to take in the wonders of nature around him. 

“Uncle would be so disappointed” Zuko thought to himself. Iroh always chastised him for not appreciating the little things in life, but everything happening right now was not a little thing. It was a very big thing. A possibly life changing thing was about to happen to Zuko, and despite the pep talk Aang and Sokka gave him, Zuko’s leg was shaking from nerves. He could feel his hands clamming up, his knuckles turning white from how hard he was clenching his fist, and his entire body was on edge... waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

The entrance to the camp sight was just around the corner, and Katara was taking her time with driving on the uneven dirt road. It took everything within Zuko’s power to not yell at her to speed up. His friends were here doing him a favor, he needed to be patient. He took a deep breath in, holding it in his lungs, relishing in the burn before he let the air escape out his mouth. Memories of the text conversations running rampant in his head, the fear that he was too late sitting comfortably in the forefront of his mind. 

“Just stay calm, everything will be alright” Zuko heard his mother’s voice in his head, but it felt like a lie. How long had he been lying to himself? About his feelings towards Y/N, his family, his friends, Spirits his life? Everything felt like it was spiraling out of control. What was that exercise Aang taught him again? In for four out for four? Mindfulness? Zuko couldn’t remember and frankly didn’t really care to at the moment. 

“We’re here” Katara’s voice echoed throughout the SUV. Zuko felt it then, the drop. His stomach was swirling inside of him and he felt the bile rise up his throat. It was now or never. Zuko felt so sure of himself when he sprinted outside of the apartment earlier today, where did that energy go?

“Are you okay man?” Sokka placed his hand on Zuko’s shoulder, a reassuring touch that he so desperately needed. It grounded Zuko, and he started to believe the lie his thoughts told him moments ago.

“Yes” Zuko replied, Sokka furrowed his brows but didn’t comment on it any further.

“Okay then let’s go!” Sokka’s face broke out into a wide grin, how he managed to stay so calm and collected all the time was beyond him. 

“Yea go get your girl Sparky!” Toph shouted from the middle seat. Zuko looked around at the faces of his friends, hope filled all of their eyes. He wished he could have an ounce of their faith. With a deep sigh he exited the car, taking his first step in the dirt and looked at the campsite around him. The rest of the gaang followed suit soon after. 

“Do you know what cabin she’s in?” Suki asked as they were walking towards the small campsite. A litter of log cabins surrounded the large fire pit in the center. It was a pretty decent place for a corporate retreat, something Zuko might even consider doing in the future. That is, if this all ended well. He didn’t think he could handle visiting the place where he was painfully rejected within a business setting.

“Not sure I just know it’s the women’s cabin. I’m sure we could ask someone.” Katara answered. She sounded sure of herself, but the way she was fidgeting with her bag gave her away. She was nervous too, and that’s when it dawned on him. Jet. The bane of their existence was here, and Katara hadn’t seen him since he caught him cheating on her with Y/N. Zuko admired her bravery. He had talked this out with Y/N, how much what Jet did to them hurt her, but he didn’t dwell on it too much with Katara. The possibility of running into him must be bothering her. Aang must have picked up on Katara’s nerves too, because he went to go hold her hand and kissed her cheek. Katara smiled at the gesture, and Zuko hated the jealous feeling that crept into his gut. 

He wished he could be that way with Y/N, to hold her hand and kiss her cheek when she was feeling down. Did they know the gift they possessed? To be unapologetically affectionate with each other? They must know. Zuko could see it when they looked at each other. He just hoped that he could have that in his future with Y/N.

“Over there! That’s Y/N’s cooler on the porch!” Zuko looked to where Suki was pointing. The cabin to the far left of the fire pit must be hers. The bright red cooler filled to the brim with stickers sat neatly next to the front door of the cabin; he could see the bright yellow EI sticker she bought from Ember Island on the front. Before he even realized his feet were moving, Zuko sprinted towards the cabin. He nearly tripped on the rickety steps on his way in. With a bit too much of his strength, Zuko slammed open the cabin door.

“Y/N?” Zuko shouted inside. The cabin itself was decent, four beds lined the back wall with a wide window separating each pair of beds. The bed next to the window had Y/N’s duffel bag resting at the edge of it. A kitchenette was to the right, filled with the snacks Y/N bought for the trip. To the left was a small table with a few chairs, Y/N’s travel mug sat on top of it in the center. Yep, this was definitely hers.

“She’s not here” Zuko nearly jumped out of his skin from the voice that sounded too close to his liking. He turned around to see a short woman with a blunt bob haircut. Her bandana was slipping off her forehead nearly covering her eyes, where she wore an annoyed expression on her face. Smellerbee.

“Where is she?” Zuko asked mirroring the other woman’s annoyance. He didn’t have time for small talk.

“You think I’m going to tell a total stranger the location of my coworker? You must be dumber than you look.” Smellerbee responded with a huff. Zuko narrowed his eyes at the small woman in front of him. If this was any other circumstance he would have been grateful that she was protecting Y/N, but at the moment Zuko only felt rage.

“I’m Y/N’s roommate and I need to talk to her. It’s important.” Smellerbee looked at Zuko like she’d rather be anywhere else than where she was, and it was really testing his patience.

“She left to go to the lake with Jet awhile ago. You follow that path behind the cabin and it’s a straight shot.” 

“Thank you” Zuko brushed passed Smellerbee and ran towards the path, nearly knocking into his friends in the process. He could hear the shouts of his friends behind him, but Zuko didn’t pay any attention to them. It was like he had tunnel vision as he ran through the trees towards the lake. The wind whipped through his long dark hair, sweat forming at the tip of his brow. The trees blurred together as he raced down the path. If Zuko was paying better attention he might have noticed the rustle in the bushes to his right, but he wasn’t paying attention at all. So when he collided into the hard body in front of him, Zuko was knocked flat on his ass.

“Spirits watch where the hell you’re going!” Zuko could recognize that voice anywhere. That arrogant tone only belonged to one person, and it was the last person on Earth that he wanted to see.

“Jet” Zuko gritted out through his teeth.

“That’s my name don’t wear it out” He responded with a curt laugh. Jet stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants and extended a hand to the man on the forest floor. Zuko took it as Jet helped him to his feet. He might hate the guy, but he didn’t want to give Jet the satisfaction of knowing his mere presence bothered him to no end.

“Where’s Y/N?” Zuko asked, aggravation flooding his voice. Jet didn’t respond at first, and just stared at him. He eyed Zuko up and down, as if to size him up. Jet just laughed again, and Zuko was one step away from punching him in the nose. 

“Oh wouldn’t you like to know?” 

“I don’t have time for your bullshit Jet, just tell me where she is” Zuko took a step forward, towering over Jet’s figure. He took great satisfaction in the gulp Jet took when he did. “Good” Zuko thought to himself, “I hope you’re nervous you fucking prick.” 

“I’ll tell you where she is...” Jet paused, and Zuko’s patience meter dropped to a near zero. “Eventually...”

“You will tell me now. I’m not taking no for an answer” Zuko clenched his fists, ready to force his way past Jet if he was going to waste his time. 

“Let’s have a chat first, man to man. It’s been long overdue...” Zuko was about to walk past him when Jet grabbed onto his wrist. “Besides... I have some information you’d want to know concerning Y/N” 

Zuko could feel his heart sink at such a simple statement. Information. He knew that Jet couldn’t be trusted, but Zuko couldn’t resist his curiosity. He turned around to face the man he loathed, a smug look painted his face as he dropped Zuko’s arm.

“You have 2 minutes, don’t waste it” Zuko crossed his arms across his chest, waiting for the other man to speak. Jet tilted his head towards the fallen tree off the side of the path, beckoning Zuko to follow. The silence was thick as they both sat on the rotting tree, rays of remaining daylight peaking through the trees that surround them. It was eerie, how quiet it was. Just the whistling wind around them to break up the unforgiving silence. 

“I know you hate me, but I just want you to listen for a bit. Then you can be on your merry way” he began, Zuko just stared waiting for him to continue. Jet took a deep breath, fiddling with the toothpick between his teeth. Gross.

“I just wanted to apologize to you, for what I did. It was fucked up and I’m sorry” That... was not what Zuko was expecting, his eyes widening in surprise. So this was what he wanted to discuss? 

“I was.. an angry person back then. I felt like you’re family personally ruined mine. To be fair I was right, but it was just your dad. Not you. It wasn’t your fault that your dad and his company evicted my family. Hell he kicked out his own son, why would he care about kids from the projects?” 

Zuko remembered the day Jet found out who his father was. Before then they were friends, two boys pissed at the world and the cards they were dealt in life. They use to sneak out at night, and roam the streets; stealing booze from liquor stores, smoking pot in parking lots, and just relishing in the feeling of being young and angry. Zuko felt that Jet was the first thing that was his and his alone. Jet chose to befriend him, not out of obligation because of his sister, at least that’s what he felt at the time. They shared secrets in the dark, with only the neon lights of the city keeping them company. Yes, Zuko never told him who is father was, but he did tell him a lot of the abuse he faced. How he was afraid to come home and face his father’s wrath. How he used to wish for anything to stop the pain. He cried in front of Jet that day, and Jet held him and told him he felt the same. That all changed when Jet found out about Ozai. He called Zuko to come out like normal, but instead of the promise of cheap thrills he lead him to an alleyway and beat the shit out of him. Zuko held his own, and eventually got the best of him, but the price of winning the fight was losing his best friend. He told himself he’d never forgive him for what he had done that night, and now the same boy, now a man, is next to him once again with the sun setting around them asking for forgiveness. 

“Fuck man you were my best friend.. and I threw it all away for what? Something completely out of your control? Because of someone you hated as much as I did? Losing you is one of my biggest regrets.. close second is what I did to Katara and Y/N” Jet hung his head low, his shoulders tense as he hunched over. Zuko didn’t know what to say at that moment, stunned into silence. He understood what Jet was feeling, succumbing to anger is much easier than processing other emotions: sadness, guilt, pain. Over time the anger just becomes a part of you, and it lashes out. Jet didn’t have anyone to help him move on from that like Zuko did.. he was alone. 

“I’m so fucking sorry Zuko. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness.. like I don’t deserve Y/N’s.. but I want to try and be better. I know my apologies and promises in the past have been empty and hallow.. but I can’t keep doing that shit anymore it’s exhausting” Jet looked at Zuko then, his eyes shining from unshed tears. Jet was asking for forgiveness now, like Zuko had done many years ago. 

“I forgive you. For what you did to me..” Jet visibly deflated, finally releasing the breath he had been holding in, his body sagged in relief. 

“I don’t know if we could ever be as close as we were before... but if you’re willing to try I am. On a few conditions...”

“Name it” 

“Stop acting like a total ass to Y/N. That shit needs to end” Zuko requested.

“Done”

“You also need to apologize to Katara, she’s one of my closest friends and I can’t be friends with you if you haven’t done that. She won’t forgive you as easily as I did, and she may never do and that’s her right. You still need to though, it’s what she deserves.” Jet visibly shivered, an angry Katara was a terrifying sight, but he nodded in agreement nonetheless. 

“And finally you need to tell me where Y/N is” Jet laughed at this, but it wasn’t the smug laugh he used before. It was genuine this time.

“She’s sitting at the dock by the lake, at least that’s where she was when I left her.” He nodded and put a hand on Jet’s shoulder, the two men shared a moment of peace before Zuko went to stand up. Before he walked away Zuko turned to Jet and put out his hand, his way of extending an olive branch to the man he once called his best friend. Jet accepted it with a smile and they shook on it, what ‘it’ was neither of them knew.. but it was something. Change? Moving on? Something along those lines.

Zuko was the first to let go and turned to walk down the path, the sun light fading quickly. Before he got too far Zuko remembered he had one more thing to ask. 

“Hey Jet!” Zuko shouted, Jet turned around surprised.

“What?” he shouted back.

“You’re not dating Y/N again are you?” Zuko questioned, he needed to know before he made a complete fool of himself in front of the woman he loved. Jet let out a full belly laugh, nearly folding himself in half. Zuko quirked an eyebrow, unsure of what was so funny.

“Is that why you hauled your ass out in the middle of nowhere? You thought I made a move on her? Nah I wanted to apologize like I did with you. As if she’d ever take my ass back.” Zuko sighed with relief, but before he turned around Jet spoke again.

“The only bones she wants to jump are yours!” Zuko felt the heat rise to his cheeks, a smile growing on his face. He only hoped Jet was right as he ran further down the path towards the lake. 

As Zuko ran towards the lake the smile never left his face. He couldn’t ignore it anymore, Y/N definitely felt the same as he did. He could do this, he could finally tell her how he felt. With newly found confidence Zuko ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He could see the lake through the trees, he was close, so close to her. One more turn and he’d be there. 

When he finally made it to the small beach surrounding the lake Zuko whipped his head around desperately trying to find the dock. It was getting dark, both the sun and moon shared the same sky when he saw it. Saw her. 

Y/N was sitting at the edge of the dock, her feet dipped in the inky black water beneath her. The golden light of dusk shined on her hair as it swayed with the wind, her skin glowing as if she was made of stained glass. Zuko took a moment to admire her from afar as she sat blissfully unaware of his presence. He slowly walked towards her, gathering every ounce of courage he had.

“Y/N!” Zuko yelled out as he got closer to the dock. Y/N jumped, clearly surprised at his sudden outburst.

“Zuko? What are you doing here?” Y/N asked as she pulled her feet out of the water. She slowly stood up, trying not to put too much weight on her bad ankle. 

As Zuko got closer he thought about what he was going to say to her. He thought about how she took his breath away when he first laid eyes on her, how her smile lit up her face. He thought about all the little things he loved about her, how her nose scrunched up when she laughed and when she was annoyed. How she liked to dance around the apartment in her pajamas when she was stressed out. How she put way too much much sugar in her tea, and how she cried when she watched videos of baby ducks. He loved how much his Uncle loved her, his friends, and even though she would never admit it, his sister as well. He loved how she was patient, not only with others but with herself as well. He loved that she knew how to bring the best out of him, and how she was the reason he reconnected with the gaang. In such a short amount of time she became one of the most important people in his life. He wanted to tell her all of this and more.. but instead he said:

“I brought you the bracelet I made you” Zuko reached into his pocket and fished out the friendship bracelet he made with Kiyi. It was a pathetic little thing really, the pattern was inconsistent and the knots at the end were way too big, but he made it for her because he loved her. 

“You came all this way... to give me a bracelet?” Y/N asked, her head tilted to the side in confusion. Zuko wanted to smack himself, he barely even started and was already failing miserably.

“Um no that’s ugh, not the only reason” Y/N was looking at him waiting for him to continue. Zuko could feel himself drowning. “Why is this so hard? It’s simple. Three words. I. Love. You. Wait should I say I’m in love with you instead? Y/N says I love you to her friends all the time. What if she says I love you back but she means it in a friend way? I don’t mean it in a friend way. Shit I’ve been quiet too long. Say something you fucking idiot!!”  

“Zuko are you alright? Are you coming down with something you’re really red” Y/N raised her hand to feel his forehead but Zuko caught it. She furrowed her brows together, her eyes piercing right through him as he stood their awkwardly holding her wrist. The sky was turning dark, the only source of light was the moon that rose above them. It was late and he was wasting precious time. 

“Fuck it” Zuko said as he dropped her arm taking a step towards her, closing the insufferable distance between them. 

“What are you talking abou-” Y/N was interrupted with the feeling of Zuko’s lips on hers. It was chaste, but not without feeling. Instantly Zuko melted into it, her lips were as soft as he imagined so many times before. The skin on her cheeks felt warm under his hands where he gently held them, but before Y/N could even register what was happening Zuko pulled himself away, gracefully resting his forehead on hers. Zuko opened his eyes to see Y/N’s eyes blown wide in surprise,

“I’m in love with you. Spirits, I’m so in love with you Y/N” Zuko wished he had a camera then, because the look on Y/N’s face he wished he couple capture forever. He tried to memorize the details of her face, the way her eyes sparkled in the star light, the little gasp she let out that he could taste on his tongue, but most of all he wishes he could capture the smile she gave him. It fit her so beautifully in a way that only she could. She let out a little laugh, the one that made her nose scrunch up in the way he adored. 

“What took you so long?”  Y/N wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed all over his face, every inch she could. She kissed his lips, his cheeks, his nose, his eyes, his scar, his lips, his lips, his lips, over and over again until they were both gasping for air. Y/N’s heart was so full she felt as if it would burst at any moment. 

“In case you couldn’t tell, I love you too Zuko” Y/N giggled in between kisses. Zuko wrapped her arms around her waist pulling her closer to him. Even then he felt it wasn’t close enough. Zuko slowly felt his way up her back, trailing his fingers up her spine, touching her in the way he always wanted to. One arm remained tightly wound across her waist, while the other caressed the base of her head. Y/N gently moaned at the feeling and Zuko swallowed it. He wanted to take everything she was willing to give, nothing more and nothing less. Zuko wondered if she could feel his heart pounding in his chest, as Y/N wondered the same. 

They were in their own little world, completely oblivious to everything around them. Zuko and Y/N weren’t paying attention to the fact that they weren’t alone anymore. Neither of them heard the splash towards the other end of the dock, or cared to notice Sokka flailing in the water with Katara standing above him looking very pleased with herself.   

________________________________________________________________

A/N: FIFTY CHAPTERS AND THEY FINALLY KISS!!!!! CAN I GET A HELL YEA!!!!! This series is my baby and I'm so beyond thrilled that we made it!! I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter 💕

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[4stars-uswnt]

Healthy Competition [Tierna Davidson x Reader]

requested by anon: college tierna x ucla reader. 

A/N: i got a lil carried away with this one... also feel free to send in any requests!! :))

“I can’t believe you’re leaving me.” You pout at your best friend, Mallory Pugh. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“I know, (Y/N/N), I’ll miss you too, but this is what’s best for me.”

At that, you’re silent because you know she’s right. Mal was too talented for UCLA and joining the Spirit was her best option. Although there had been speculation of you also going pro, especially after your performance in the U-20 World Cup, you decided to stay at UCLA one final year, hoping to win a national championship.

With one final hug, you say goodbye to Mal, as she enters the airport, departing for Washington DC.

—————

It had been a long and tough season, but with you up on top and Jessie in the middle, UCLA was now about to play in the NCAA championships against Stanford.

While the two schools were not the biggest rivals, your own personal rival played for the Cardinals: Tierna Davidson. She had been your greatest opponent since high school, as the two of you had been in the same division, even facing off in the state championships. Your positions, you being a right forward and her a left back, just added more fuel to the fire. For the past two years, as UCLA and Stanford exchanged wins and losses, the two of you had formed a rivalry, getting under each other’s skins like no one else could. The only times you two would get a long, or at least act pleasant, was when you played for the youth national team.

—————

With the biggest game of your life being only a couple of days away, your nerves were through the roof. You hadn’t been your bubbly self at practice; instead, you were stone cold serious, constantly snapping at your teammates and yelling out directions.

Jessie Fleming, your other best friend, noticing your change in behavior, pulls you aside at a pause in training.

“What, Jess?” You ask, exasperatedly. The younger midfielder takes in your appearance before continuing, noting the dark bags under your eyes and the deep lines in your forehead.

“Are you okay?” You go to open your mouth, but Jessie interrupts you. “And don’t you dare lie to me, (Y/N/N).”

You give a tired and defeated sigh, knowing you could tell your friend what’s been bothering you.

“I’m fine, J. I’ve just been so stressed about this game, you know how it is.” And Jessie did know how it was, not only from personal experience, being only 15 on the Canadian national team, but also from all the publicity this championship game had gotten. Based on the number of articles with your name in the headline she had seen, she knew that had been adding to your stress and affecting both your attitude and your play.

Jessie gives you an understanding look, putting her arm around your shoulder, as practicing was staring up again.

“Look, I know this is a big game for you, I do, but losing sleep over it and stressing about it isn’t gonna help you. And yelling at your teammates definitely isn’t gonna help.” She smirks. “You’re (Y/N) (Y/L/N), and you’re gonna show the whole world who you are and why you’re going number one at next year’s draft.”

Smiling at the last statement, knowing your departure was still a sore subject for the midfielder, you lean your head on her shoulder.

“Thanks, Jessie. I really needed that.”

Jessie give you a smile in response. “Now, let’s get back to practice and get ready to kick Stanford’s ass.”

—————

Jessie’s pep talk had awoken something within you. That practice, you went back to your usual self, leading and working together with your teammates and putting the ball in the back of the net. In fact, you felt at the peak of your game, and your team was working like a well-oiled machine. You were feeling good about Saturday’s game.

—————

Despite the incredible practices you and your team had the days before, as you sit on the bus on the way to the stadium, you can’t contain the nerves that consume you. Jessie, knowing the telling signs of your nerves, the bounce of the knee and the long gaze, staring out the window with your music blaring, pulls out her phone to make a call.

Poking your arm, Jessie holds out her phone. Removing one of your headphones, you give her a puzzled look. Instead of an explanation, the midfielder just shakes her phone, waiting for you to take it. You hesitantly grab it, putting it up to your ear.

“(Y/N) (Y/M/N) (Y/L/N),” You immediately recognize the scolding voice to be that of Mallory Pugh. Your eyes widen, turning to a smirking Jessie Fleming, not believing your friend had basically tattled on you to your other best friend. “You better get out of that head of yours and stop worrying about other people and what they’ll say or think of you. Just concentrate on what you can control, okay? You and the team have worked all season long to get to this point, so just go out there and do what you do best.” Mal continues her pep talk.

Nodding along to your best friend, you gain more and more confidence. “Thanks, Mal.”

“Of course, (Y/N/N). And know that win or lose, you’re still my best friend, and you’re a winner in my eyes.”

You roll your eyes at the cheesiness of her words, even though you secretly love it. “So you’re gonna be watching?” You ask sheepishly.

“OF COURSE!” Mal screams, and you have to pull the phone away from your ear due to the volume. “Do you think I’d miss my best friend win a championship?!”

You tuck your head in embarrassment. “We haven’t won yet.” You mumble, not wanting your best friend to get her hopes up, and more importantly, not wanting to let her down.

“Well, yeah, but I believe in you.” You can practically see Mal smiling through the phone.

“Thanks, Mal. It means a lot.”

“Of course. Look, I gotta run, but I’ll be watching!” You got to end the call, but before you can, you hear Mal’s voice one last time. “Wait! One last thing: don’t get too distracted by Davidson either.”

As Mal hangs up, your cheeks flush, and you hand Jessie’s phone back to her without meeting her eyes, knowing the younger girl had heard the last bit of your conversation.

Although you and Tierna had been rivals, you couldn’t help but developing a crush on the defender. The way she challenged you both on and off the field not only infuriated you, but it also attracted you to her. When you weren’t competing against her, you admired her play and the way she stayed composed no matter the situation. Though the media pitted the two of you against each other, it was hard for you to hate her, as she was probably the kindest person on earth, off the field that is.

“Mal teasing you about your little crush again?” Jessie gives you a cheeky smile.

“I don’t have a crush.” You grumble.

Jessie laughs in disbelief. “Okay. Whatever you say.”

You go to protest, but your friend is already getting up from her seat, as the bus comes to a stop. Jessie turns back to you. “We can talk about this later, but right now we have a game to win.”

You nod in all seriousness, forgetting about your nonexistent crush.

—————

It was about thirty minutes into the first half when Jessie slipped you a through ball, right past the outstretched foot of Tierna. With one touch, you set up your shot just inside the eighteen. To say your shot was an absolute beauty would be an understatement, as it curved around the goalie, perfectly place in the upper right corner.

Throwing your hands up in the air, you feel Jessie crashing into you. Pulling the midfielder into a hug, you have an ear splitting grin across your face. You celebrate with the rest of your teammates with more hugs and high fives. Before making your way back to the center circle, you pass the blonde defender, giving her a smirk and a wink.

“Better luck next time, Davidson.”

Although clearly frustrated, Tierna playfully rolls her eyes at your antics. “You’ll be lucky if there is a next time, (Y/L/N).”

You chuckle under your breath, as you jog away from her, ignoring the the butterflies in your stomach.

The first half came to an end, your lone goal being the only notable action.

As you were heading to the locker room, you could feel a certain blonde staring at you from across the field. The two of you lock eyes, Tierna giving you a small smile. You return a smile, the butterflies returning.

Jessie pulls you out of your daze, wrapping her arm around your shoulder, guiding you towards the locker room.

“C’mon Romeo, we’ve still got another half before you can go suck face with your girlfriend.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.” You mumble.

—————

The beginning of the second half was pretty uneventful, until the Stanford freshman, Sophie Smith, broke through your back line. You could only watch, as she slipped a shot past your goalkeeper. Putting your hands on your knees, you hang your head, as the opposing team celebrates.

Jessie comes up behind you, patting your back. “C’mon, cap, there’s still plenty of time left in this game, and it’s only 1-1.” Recollecting yourself, you tap the ball forward, restarting the game.

—————

It was around the seventieth minute when you received a diagonal ball out on the right wing. Dribbling towards the corner, you looked up to the box, noticing Jessie had beaten her defender in the box. You take a long touch, hoping to out run Tierna. Getting to the ball first, you go to send the cross in, not noticing the blonde defender sliding in beneath you.

Despite making contact with the ball, effectively knocking it out of play, Tierna had also clipped your ankle. The tackle caused you to fall to the ground, grabbing your ankle in pain.

Squeezing your eyes shut, you try to contain your tears but with no success, as the pain is overbearing. You roll over onto your side, trying to distract yourself. Tierna kneels down next to you, wiping your hair from your face.

“(Y/N), you with me?” She gently grabs your hand.

You open your eyes, tears spilling down your face, and see Tierna with a worried look in her eyes.

“Had to injure me to win, Tierna?” You attempt to give her a cheeky grin, but you wince, as your ankle throbs.

She manages a small smile at your playfulness, even in pain. “The medical team is on their way.” Tierna squeezes your hand before getting up and letting your teammates and the trainers check up on you.

The trainers ask you a bunch of questions, and you affirm that you did hear a pop in your ankle. With the help of Jessie and one of the medical staff members, you limp off the field to the applause of the crowd. As you make your way back towards the locker room, you notice Tierna still glancing in your direction. Her eyebrows furrow, silently questioning if you’re okay. Although you were in an immense amount of pain and frustrated you couldn’t continue playing, you smile and throw her a thumbs up, not wanting to make her anymore guilty than she probably already feels.

—————

You laid back, as the trainer evaluated your ankle, moving it in different directions despite your grimaces and protests. Stuck back in the locker room, you were forced to watch the rest of the game on the monitor.

Holding your breath, you watch as Stanford takes a corner kick in the eighty-seventh minute. The ball knocks around in front of the goal, and you’re unable to see who kicks it in, but somehow the ball ends up in the back of the net, putting them ahead 2-1 with only a couple minutes left. You shut your eyes in disappointment, a fresh wave of tears overcoming with you. You barely register the trainer trying to get your attention, until he repeats your name once more.

“(Y/N),” He starts with a sympathetic look. “It looks like you completely tore one of the ligaments in your ankle and partially tore another. We’ll take you to get an MRI tomorrow just to clarify.”

You put your hands in your face, crushed from the disappointment of losing your final college game along with your injury. A knock on the door interrupts your thoughts. Removing your hands, you see Tierna Davidson peeking through the cracked open door.

The trainer gives you the details of your MRI appointment before exiting, leaving you and Tierna alone in the room.

Tierna comes to sit on the edge of treatment table, placing her hand on top of yours.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” You sigh. The two of you sit in silence, not really know what to say.

“I’m so sorry, (Y/N). It was an accident. I didn’t mean to hurt you at all. If I had known I would’ve clipped your ankle, I wouldn’t have—“

“Tierna.” You intertwine your fingers, interrupting her. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Like you said, it was an accident. It’s part of the game.” You give her a reassuring smile. You laugh half-heartedly, “I’m more disappointed about the loss.”

Tierna doesn’t really know what to say at that, knowing there’s nothing she can say to make you feel better. You and her stay like that, with your hands together, for a couple of minutes, before Tierna once again breaks the silence.

“I have something to tell you.” She whispers. You watch her intently, moving to sit up.

The defender takes a deep breath before continuing. “I like you. I really like you. I have for a while now, and I know we’re always competing against each other, but there’s just something about you. And now that we’re not technically rivals or anything, with both of us going to NWSL, and hopefully the national team, maybe I could take you on a date sometime?”

You remain quiet, still processing the other woman’s confession that turned into a mini rant. Not really knowing what to say, you grab her face and pull her in for a kiss. Your lips melt together, and before you can deepen the kiss, Jessie bursts through the door.

“(Y/N), how are you— OH! Oh my gosh. I am so sorry! I’ll just go. Let me know when I can come in. I’ll just— sorry. Bye.” Jessie interrupts, before realizing what she’d walked in on, stumbling backwards out the door.

You giggle at you friend, resting your forehead against Tierna. She reaches her hand up to brush your baby hairs out of your eyes.

“So, about that date?”

You frown slightly. “Well, I’m a little incapacitated at the moment.” She rubs your noses together and then places a kiss on your cheek.

“That’s okay. I’m fine with anything as long as I’m with you.” Tierna gives you a cheeky smile.

Your heart swells at her corniness. “Me too.” You hum in agreement.

“So no more rivalry?” She asks, almost rhetorically.

You smirk. “Mmmm. I dunno about that. I’m still going number one in the draft.”

Tierna playfully growls at you before pulling you into another kiss. Laughing, you can’t help but feel grateful for the rivalry between you and the defender.

And what’s a good relationship without some healthy competition?

[vintagereigns]

“Is That Why You Left?”

Warnings: Just some curse words and my sucky-ass writing. Oops. 

Tags: None so far. Let me know if ya’ wanna be tagged in my stuff. 

Note: This was requested from someone over on my Wattpad account. If anyone cares, Imma try to post a request form-type thing for Tumblr so people can properly request from me. Sorry for any errors and hit that reblog button if you like this. 

Amidst the chaotic environment backstage, Malaika found a quiet spot to talk to Renee. It was an even more stressful week than usual as this week was the Superstar Shake-Up and Malaika found out that she will be transferring from Raw to Smackdown Live. Unlike her friends that were excited to spend more time with her, Malaika couldn’t help but feel frustrated with her transfer because her ex-boyfriend was currently the main face on Smackdown; which meant she’d be seeing him a lot more. 

Roman Reigns was the top dog around here and everyone loved him, and WWE made it their mission to keep the scandal of Joe and Malaika’s relationship hidden. After their breakup, Vince approved Malaika’s request to transfer to Raw and it was a blue moon when she’d see Joe. Malaika believes he had something to do with her move back to Smackdown. She was unprepared for what was to happen and she rushed to the best source she could find who just so happened to be her best friend, the wife of Joe’s best friend, Renee. 

“It’s all gonna be okay, just go talk to creative and see what they can do. I’m sure all of you can come to some sort of agreement,” Renee said and took a sip of her coffee. She looked at her phone and then back to Malaika, yet her eyes trained on someone walking toward the two of them. “Oh no-”

“Hey, Renee… Malaika,” Joe said as he walked up to the two women. 

Malaika’s face deepened in color, her ears burning and her heart rate speeding up. Renee felt horrible for her friend but Malaika was a big girl and she didn’t know where her presence seemed welcome in situations like this. Joe turned to Renee and the tension thickened between the three of them. 

“Soo… how are ya-”

“Did you talk to Vince?” Malaika pressed, cutting Joe off. 

“What do you mean?” 

“You’re Vince’s boy. His main guy, the money maker of the business, his go-to for everything. Did you request my switch?” 

“N-”

“Don’t even think about lying to me, Joe,” Malaika warned. Renee stood back, her eyes shifting between the two. She thought about leaving but she didn’t want Malaika to feel alone. 

“Fine, yes. I did request it. But he told me he didn’t know, it wasn’t a for-sure thing. Besides, maybe we can fix wh-”

“No, don’t even. I can’t believe you. I was so close to winning the Raw Women’s Championship, but now, because of you, that’s all gone.”

“We can go talk-”

“No! I will go talk to someone and fix your mistake. Again.”

“Again? What do you mean again?” 

His question went unanswered and he watched her walk away. Joe turned to look at Renee who turned her head to look at him. She shrugged and Joe shook his head. He looked down at Renee’s hands and saw her mug, teasing her saying “You know if you drink any more of that shit, you’re gonna turn into a coffee bean.”

“Fuck off, it’s been a long day,” she said and flipped him off before he began walking in the opposite direction. 

                                                         ______

Catering was loud and crowded and it was just another kick to Malaika’s nerves. She walked through the rows of tables and grabbed a bowl for some grapes she planned on getting. Standing in line, she was an arm away from the fruit when Joe walked up and grabbed her hand. Swatting him away, she glared at him. 

“Get off of me,” she spat. 

“I need to talk to you. Please, it’s important,” Joe said with desperation. 

“Ugh, why can’t you talk to me here?” The line was moving and Malaika stepped up, Joe following suit. 

“Because. Let me buy you lunch and we can talk there. Please.”

She thought about it for a moment before rolling her eyes and placing the paper bowl down on the table. Joe went to reach for her hand as they walked together but she smacked his hand away. 

“What did I ever do to you?” he stopped and asked her in the middle of the hallway. She whipped around with a look of disbelief colored on her face. 

“You cannot be serious right now.”

“Well, I am. A year ago I came home to an empty apartment and my girlfriend nowhere to be found. What did I do?”

“Why are you playing dumb, Joe? Stop playing the victim. You cheated on me with one of my closest friends! How-”

“What the hell are you talking about, Malaika? I’ve never cheated on you! I fucking love you, why would I ever do something like that?” 

“I don’t know, but you did. The press caught it, Joe. They caught you and Paige going into our hotel room together and her leaving alone. You did it on the bed we shared!” By now, even though it frustrated her to cry in front of someone who broke her, she couldn’t help the tear that fell messily down her face. 

“No, no, no. That’s not what happened! I swear. Baby- hey, look at me- that was not what happened. Is that why you left?” He stepped closer to her and used his hand to wipe her tears. 

“Yes it’s why I left. If you didn’t cheat, what happened?”

“Paige was helping me pick out an engagement ring for you,” he said, his now soft brown eyes staring into hers. She looked up at him with her lip quivering. 

“What?” 

“Yeah,” he laughed softly. “I was planning on marrying your ass. It fucking broke me when I came home from tour to see all of your stuff gone and our pictures ripped apart.”

“You wanted to marry me?” she asked, her hand working to wipe up the rest of her tears. 

“I still do.” 

She stepped closer and fell into his arms and, for the first time in a year, let them wrap around her. More tears and her makeup stained his shirt, but Joe didn’t mind it. It was a small price to pay to have his girl back in his arms. His lips left soft kisses on her head and on her forehead. 

“I’ve missed you, pepe.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

Joe broke away from their hold and grabbed her hand, pulling her with him toward the exit.

“Where are we goin’?” Malaika asked, her hand locking with his. 

“We got some love-makin’ to make up for,” he grinned and winked at her. Malaika smiled and Joe brought her hand to his lips, kissing the soft skin. 

“You’re a pervy little man,” she teased. 

“Little?” he scoffed. “Baby, nothing of me is little. Nothing. And you should know that.”

[valeriethepussycats]

Assemble

Chapter 9

Pairing- Loki x Reader x Steve (one side)

Warning- cursing

Your thoughts and other characters are in italics.

Fury gathers Tony and Steve back into the briefing room everyone there has a look as if in a daze. A look of numb shock is shown on their devastated faces.

“These were in Phil Coulson's jacket.Guess he never did get you to sign them.”Nick throws Coulson's Captain America trading cards  on the table towards Steve. Steve picks them up, stained with blood.

“We're dead in the air up here. Our communications, location of the cube, Banner, Thor and I don’t know if Y/n will recover from this....I got nothing for you. Lost my one good eye. Maybe I had that coming.Yes, we were going to build an arsenal with the Tesseract. I never put all my chips on that number though, because I was playing something even riskier.” Nick told Steve and Ton. “There was an idea, Stark knows this, called The Avengers Initiative. The idea to bring together a group of remarkable people, see if they could become something more. See if they could work together when we needed them to, to fight the battles that we never could. Phil Coulson died still believing in that idea, in heroes.”

Tony gets up and walks off, not wanting to hear it anymore.

“Well, it's an old fashioned notion.” Nick finished.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Thor walks out far into the meadow. He looks down. Mjölnir.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Banner wakes up, in human form with Y/n words echoing in he’s head. He looks around and sees he is in a pile of rubble and looks up at the open ceiling he crashed in and is completely naked. A Security Guard stands there, amazed. “You fell out of the sky.”

“Did I hurt anybody?”  Bruce asked coming to.

“There's nobody around here to get hurt. You did scare the hell out of some

pigeons though.” The Security Guard  answered.

“Lucky.” Bruce replied.

“Or just good aim. You were awake when  you fell.”  The Security Guard told Bruce.

“You saw?”

“The whole thing, right through the ceiling. Big and green and buck ass nude. Here...”  He throws Banner a pair of big pants. Banner pulls on his pants. “I didn't think those would fit you  until you shrunk down to a regular size fella.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you an alien?”

“What?” Bruce asked.

“From outer space, an alien?” The Security Guard wondered.

“No.” Bruce answered.

“Well then, son, you've got a condition.”  The Security Guard disclosed.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Barton is strapped down. Natasha watches over him as Barton tries to shake off Loki's mind control.

“Clint, you're gonna be alright.” Natasha told him.”

“You know that? Is that what you know? I got...I gotta go in though. I gotta

flush him out.”  Barton stated.

“We don't have that long, it's gonna take time.” Natasha stressed.

“I don't understand. Have you ever had someone take your brain and play? Pull you out and send something else in? Do you know what it's like to be unmade?” Barton questioned.

“You know that I do.” Natasha replied.

“Why am I back? How did you get him out?” Barton asked.

“Cognitive recalibration. I hit you really hard in the head.” Natasha answered.

“Thanks.” Barton stated then Natasha unfastens the restraints. “Tasha, how many agents?”

“Don't. Don't do that to yourself,  Clint. This is Loki. This is monsters and magic and nothing we were ever trained for.”  Natasha explained.

“Loki, he got away?” Barton wondered.

“Yeah. I don't suppose you know where?”  Natasha asked.

“I didn't need to know. I didn't ask.  He's gonna make his play soon though. Today.”  Barton answered.

“We gotta stop him.” Natasha declared.”

“Yeah? Who's we?” Barton questioned.

“I don't know. Whoever's left.” Natasha replied.

“Well, if I put an arrow in Loki's eye socket, I'd sleep better I suppose.” Barton  remarked.

“Now you sound like you.” Natasha sits next to her partner and friend.

“But you don't. You're a spy, not a soldier. Now you want to wade into a war. Why? What did Loki do to you?” Barton  asked.

“He didn't, I just...”

“Natasha.”

“I've been compromised. I got red in my ledger. I'd like to wipe it out.”

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Y/n is in Coulson’s office or more like he’s room trying to calm the raging storm inside of her revenge and anger is never a good combination with her. She Angrily swipeseverything off of his desk breaking the laptop. Automatically feeling guilty Y/n been down to pick up the laptop and sees a briefcase under the desk Curiosity taking over her she pulls the briefcase out and sees that it has her name on it.

“What are you?”

Y/n opens the briefcase and see A sticky note that says play me. Y/n then moves the sticky note and play on the video. At first all you could hear is rumble and the  screen is black. Giving up on the video Y/n  moves to pick up the stuff she knocked off the deck. 

“You should cover up because it’s going to Rain.” Said Coulson’s voice.

Y/n turns to look back at the briefcase and see Coulson on the screen.

“No um time to bundle up because it’s going to rain no. Ohhh how about the  Red Wing Black bird soaring through the sky. Get it  because of the color of the wings  it reminds me of you and the Phoenix....The point is I had this uniform made for you because your a hero and every hero needs to dress the part and have a name. Now go save the world.”

The video stops an a Second part compartment from the briefcase opened up revealing a bodysuit that’s Blue, Red, with a Yellow. It’s like Funky and Radiant. The base of the suit is blue and it’s had a red vertical line going down the middle and two yellow diagonal lines on each side of the vertical line, and the sleeves and legs have the same design as the stomach but the sleeves go all the way down to Cover the two middle fingers. The top of the suit makes an ‘x’ separate each side of the chest, leaving the neck and a little cleavage showing.

Oh Phill this is beautiful

When Y/n turns the suit around to look at the back she see a Metal plate on her upper back.

What are you for?

Just as the thought ran into Y/n’s mind a small Wood sheath attached to the Metal plate. Y/n gaps in shock. She knows exactly what that is

Y/n goes to pull the handle of the Sword out of the Wood sheath  and see a small dagger that slowly start to unfold into a 65 cm Katana Sword.

“Oh my god...how could he had this made.” Y/n wondered as a slow smile creeped on to her face. She knew she could do it and so did Phill.

Red Wing has a nice ring to it

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Tony look at the hatch. He stands not saying a word. Steve walks in.

“Was he married?” Steve asked.

“No. There was a uh...cellist, I think.” Tony answered.

“I'm sorry. He seemed like a good man.” Steve  answered.

“He was an idiot.” Tony remarked.

“Why? For believing?” Steve asked.

“For taking on Loki alone.” Tony stated.

“He was doing his job.”  Steve voiced

“He was out of his league. He should have waited. He should have...” Tony said looking at the spot where  Coulson die.

“Sometimes there isn't a way out, Tony.” Steve started.

Tony walks away from Steve. “Right. How did that work for him?” Tony asked sarcastically

“Is this the first time you've lost a soldier?” Steve asked.

Tony turns around sharply. “ WE ARE NOT SOLDIERS! I am not marching to Fury's fife!”

“Neither am I! He's got the same blood on his hands as Loki does. Right now we've got to put that aside and get this done. Now Loki needs a power source, if we can put together a list...”  Steve trailed off.

“He’s in Manhattan and if I’m not mistaken I think he’s at your tower Tony. It’s the only power store in Manhattan that I can think of.” Y/n chimed in.

Tony and Steve turns around and see Y/n standing in the door waring a black and white suit.

“Y/n.” Steve said staggered.

“What do you think Phil had it made. I’ve never had a suit of armor before but this is kind of bad ass.” Y/n proclaimed while she was checking herself out.

When Steve saw Y/n’s suit he had to check himself. He know of Y/n’s powers before the rest of the team so he knows if he let’s he’s mind wonder it would go to ungentleman like place  and Y/n could pick up on that and he doesn’t want to make things awkward between them. Steve can really see Y/n being an important person in his new life. Steve clears his throat then asks. “Where you going?”

“To stop Loki but first I’m gonna find Thor.” Y/n answered.

“What about Banner?” Tony asked.

“I sent Bruce to Manhattan.” Y/n answered.

“Are you sure your ok to do this?” Steve asked in a  concern voice.

“Yes. Im 75% sure I can do. I just  had to take some time to clear my head because before fighting Loki To keep my emotions in check.” Y/n answered.

“Or you’ll  go Super Saiyan got it.” Tony remarked.

“I am so sorry about that...” Y/n trailed off.

Steve waves his hand. “It’s ok we understand anyone would be upset finding out that kind of news.”

Y/n smiles at Tony and Steve then opens the hatch. Clueless to what’s going on Steve and Tony backs up from the hatch.

“What the hell are you doing?” Tony questioned.

Y/n smiles. “You guys need to suit up I’ll see you there.”  

Y/n jumps in the hatch then it closes behind her. Steve and Tony look at the hatch wide eyes and their mouths slightly open.

“Did she just?” Steve asked.

“Yes. Yes she did.” Tony answered.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Erik works around the CMS device that has already been set-upon the rooftop of Tony's tower.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Steve walks in full uniform. Natasha looks at him, unprepared.

“Time to go.” Steve announced.

“Go where?” Natasha wondered.

“I'll tell you on the way. Can you fly  one of those jets?”  Steve asked.

Barton walks out of the restroom. Looks at Cap. “I can.”

Steve looks at Natasha and she nods her head to confirm Barton's on their side.

“You got a suit?” Steve asked Barton.

“Yeah.”

“Then suit up.”

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Y/n is flying in the sky searching the ground to see where Thor landed until a massive lightning bolt all most hits her, Y/n flys out the way and looks down and see Thor.

“Really you couldn’t killed me!” Y/n shouted as she flys down to Thor who is standing in a meadow of flowers.

“I know about Phill.” Y/n said with a hint of sadness.

“I’m sorry. I know he meant  the world to you.” Thor said as he gives Y/n a hug then placed his forehead on her for a moment of silence.

“I’ll deal with Loki I gave you my word.” Thor declare.

“What happens if you get hurt?” Y/n asked.

“You will not risky your life me Y/n not again.” Thor disclosed getting upset for his friend.

“I won’t but I won’t yet you get hurt knowing I can help...come on I know where Loki is.” Y/n voiced leaving  no room for an argument.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Captain America pulls on his Helmet and Shield. Tony welds his Iron Man helmet. Light slips down over Iron Man's eye holes. Black Widow attaches a glove gauntlet  with her rounds on her wrist and a blue light charges. Hawkeye slips on his quiver of arrows.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Cap, Widow and Hawkeye walk towards and into the Quinjet. A Young Shield Pilot looks and stands in their way.

“You are not authorized to be here...” The Pilot stated.

“Son... just don't.” Steve told the The Pilot.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Fury looks the window of the ship, contemplating. Agent Hill

walks up to him, knowing. “Sir.”

“Agent Hill?”

“Those cards, they were in Coulson's locker, not in his jacket.” Agent Hill disclosed.

“They needed the push.” Nick said  holding Coulson's cards.

A loud noise screeches. Fury looks out to see Iron Man flying off as well as the Quinjet.

“They found it. Get our communications back up, whatever you have to do. I  want eyes on everything.” Nick ordered.

“Yes, sir.”

Part 10

Kuddly Krab: @aesthethickks​

[zukofenty]

FWU

➜ Summary: The one where Katara (is sure) she's in love with the campus drug dealer. 

“Sokka, I swear! He’s not a drug dealer...he’s just an unlicensed pharmacist!” 

➜ Genre: Modern!AU, humor, DrugDealer!Zuko

➜ Words: 2.5k 

➜ Warnings: I will fight Katara for DrugDealer!Zuko 😩

AO3 

“We got the goods!” Katara squeals, throwing down flour, sugar, chocolate chips, and a sack of marijuana. 

Suki picks it up, sniffing the plastic bag. “This shit is loud and clear.” Her smile is dangerously devious. “Thanks, Zuko! This is going to be the best 4/20 ever!” Suki immediately begins to grab the proffered ingredients, shuffling them to the kitchen. She’s already taking some of the buds and putting them on a tray to prep in the oven. “Who knew fingering a drug dealer’s asshole would come in handy?” 

  Zuko immediately turns beet red. “Why do you keep telling people that happened?” Katara slaps Suki upside the head. 

  “Because I like seeing the two of you squirm, sue me!” Suki admits, shrugging her shoulders and dodging Toph’s slap to her ass. 

  Katara collapses on her futon, positively spent after spending the day helping Zuko drop off sacks for his clients, while buying all the ingredients they needed for baking edibles to celebrate the holiday.

  // 

  “Zuko, what the fuck are you doing!” Katara screams, almost losing grip of the wheel. 

  “How about you make sure your fucking Prius doesn’t eat shit?” Zuko screeches, coming back to his seat after sticking his entire body out the hybrid car. 

  Katara smacks her forehead. The pain where she hit is almost as bad as the frustration she feels. “This is the exact fucking reason I never get Chipotle with you!” She sees the car that was formerly beside her pulled over at the side of the freeway, the driver clearly angry with how hard he was pounding the pavement with his fist. His entire body is covered in Zuko’s half chicken half barbacoa burrito bowl. 

  “I’m not going to lie, that was impressive. The NFL’s vag must be positively pulsating,” Katara deadpans, rubbing at her temples to relieve the pressure from forming. Sokka always said her road rage was the worst he’s ever seen, but alas her shouting and occasionally flipping people off could never compare to Zuko’s hotheadedness. Her gut feeling about grabbing an extra bowl paid off, much to her dismay. This was not a rare occurrence. “How did you manage to throw your entire bowl through the crack of his window?” 

  “Well, the NFL can go eat a dick!” Zuko says, wiping his hands on a Chipotle napkin before taking a sip from his water cup filled to the brim with their lemonade. “And the shit dick had it coming.” He did, Zuko swears. It’s completely his fault for not only playing Michael Buble as loud as his Honda Accord was capable of, but also refusing to use his turn signal, and then screaming “fuck you, pussy hoe!” when Katara honked at him. That bitch. 

  “Right. Anyways, I’m recalling a conversation we had I think...yes! Two days ago. You’re still thinking about going to therapy, right? You’re moving on from your designated therapy toad?” 

  Zuko fully turns to face Katara. He accidentally bumps his head on the roof, and proceeds to smack it. “First of all, what makes you say that? Second of all, you know Frank has a name!” 

  “Not your anger issues, of course.” She doesn’t miss his eye roll. “Also, when you gave me your phone so I could text your uncle that you were going to pick him up, I went through your Youtube search history. Because I care. You deserve better than boxed hair dye tutorials, Zuko. I know you can do better.” At the red light, she grabs Zuko’s shoulder in an almost caring manner. He slaps her tiny hand away. 

  //

  Zuko was certain he was spending this 4/20 positively baked , so while he waited for everyone to wash their hands so they could whip up his favorite Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies edibles (with a gooey marshmallow middle), he took out his grinder from his hoodie’s pocket. 

  He grabs at the Sailor Moon bong he bought Katara for the one month anniversary of the time she saved him from being beaten to death by a group of frat brothers. She didn’t nearly like using marijuana as much her friends did, insisting on her maintaining her brain and lung health. She’d never admit to enjoying the cannabliss that came with huffing and puffing out some Mary Jane, but Zuko knows her sleepy smile after taking a hit lets her sleep just the slightest bit better. 

  Especially now that she’s working nonstop to pay off her tuition this semester. While Sokka was efficiently loaded, his record label was going through a rough patch after a scandal with one of their artists. Apparently, having viral toe sucking videos reflected badly on you as a person, and a number of investors pulled out after the news broke. Sokka was dipping into emergency savings, about to sell the Bugatti, but Katara insisted on taking on a few part time jobs. It breaks Zuko’s heart when he’s the first one to come home to her apartment, even after doing his runs for the night. She’s always blearly, insisting on taking a “quick nap” before she takes off her makeup. He likes feeling useful, when she instantly falls asleep and he’s the one using Micellar Water and a cotton pad to rub off her stubborn mascara of the day. 

  “I will literally curb stomp the Dean for you,” Zuko tells her, the fire behind his words that makes Katara doubt it was a passing joke. 

  “Zuko. No.” 

  He remembers being woken up in the middle of the night, Katara whispering into her phone. He invested in the Sailor Moon pipe after he found out she could only sleep a few hours, before being woken up abruptly from the stress weighing on her mind (her dark circles betrayed her).  “I started seeing someone,” Katara mutters, checking over her shoulder to see if Zuko was still sound asleep. She started wincing at the palpable silence that followed. 

  “As in dating or hallucinations?” Sokka questions, much too loud for her taste. 

  She sighs. “Don’t get like this! He’s a good guy, I promise. His name’s Zuko.” She hears shuffling on the other side of the line, after the prominent thunk of the phone dropping. “Why does that name sound so familiar? And so colonizer-like…” His voice is filled with suspicion, and she could almost see the cogs in his brain whirring to life. Before she could utter another word, her brother abruptly yelps. “Isn’t he the drug dealer who got beat up on campus?” 

  Katara sucks in a breath. “How do you know about that?” 

  “I read the Campus Crime Alert emails the school sends out, idiot! For such an expensive school, you would think they would have better security and less laptop snatchings. By the way, we need to buy you a laptop lock. You still have that self defense knife I sent you?” Sokka angrily whispers in the phone, mocking Katara’s quiet tone. 

  “Yes, dad !” She hears his irate protests as she flips her body to face Zuko. He looks a few years younger when he sleeps, breathing even and face forgetting the patented scowl. His bare chest and sweatpants hanging low on his hips were enticing. His hair was almost perfectly positioned, the strands messy and unruly but just screamed Zuko . The dangly cross earring doing too much to her heart. Down girl, down! Katara tells her pussy. “Sokka, I swear! He’s not a drug dealer...he’s just an unlicensed pharmacist!” 

  “I have the email right here! Right here! And tell me what about ‘student being violently attacked due to drug related incidents ’ doesn’t scream drug dealer getting beat up for drug dealing !” Katara bites down on her tongue, whether to hold back a laugh or scream she wasn’t completely sure. 

  Suki takes a hit from her Hello Kitty dab pen, a white, bedazzled one that Zuko had gotten her. Toph and Katara also had matching Hello Kitty dab pens, in green and blue respectively. She thinks Zuko has one in red, too. She added a second layer of soy lecithin to the weed infused mixture, before popping it in the oven again for another 30 mins. 

  In the meantime, Katara was preparing the ingredients for the cookies. Zuko’s laying on the ground, narrowly missing the futon, eyes glazed over. He hasn’t moved in the past twenty minutes. “Katara, that isn’t the hand mixer, that’s your vibrator .” Suko gently chastises, moving the device from her lax hands. Katara always complained her hands were numb when she was high, and once dropped a mug from their balcony after they packed a bowl together for the first time. Suki is still bitter. It was her favorite Gudetama mug. 

  After freezing the mixture for two hours, Suki, Toph, and Zuko were hard at work, mixing ingredients, and preparing to get fucked up. A few people have stopped by the apartment to exchange plastic bags for cash. 

  “Are you turning Katara’s apartment into a dispensary? ” Toph is absolutely incredulous. 

  “That’s a loaded question with an answer very much open to interpretation…” Zuko ducks the house slipper Toph propels to his face.  

  Katara has a dumb smile on her face, wide and threatening to split her head open. She’s an avid texter when she’s baked.  

 **

Katara: What are you doing right now? Come over! Zuko’s got apology weed for you <3

  Jet: I’m at McDonald’s!! Kinda of high lol 

  Katara: Ooo you got the munchies? 

  Jet: Nah 

  Katara: how come? 

  Jet: I smoke meth lmaoooo

**

  “Who are you texting?” Zuko asks, plopping next to her spot on the floor. She’s sprawled out, hair every which way and tangling into already unruly knots he’s going to have to detangle in the morning for her. Because Katara’s a lightweight, and suffers from weed hangovers regularly. Zuko’s already recovered from his many hits at the Moon Stick pipe. 

  “Did you know Jet smokes meth?” 

  Zuko rolls his eyes, curling up and trapping Katara with his outstretched embrace. “I really thought he would like my I’m sorry weed.” 

  “Me too.” He kisses the pout off of her.  

  Katara steadily crawls up (Zuko doesn’t miss her sleep shorts riding up) and tries her best to help Toph mix the marshmallow and Cinnamon Toast crunch mixture being heated up in their big pot they stole from Katara’s neighbor. 

  When Katara grabs the hand mixer to try assisting the cookie batter, Zuko knew he had to intervene lest something explodes. She smiles when he surrounds her with his body, the warm weight of his chest against her back and his hand wrapping around hers on the mixing device. 

  He loves her, he’s sure. Even while they roll the cookies together she tries to be funny (when she clearly knows she isn’t) and throws the dough at him, and it lands in his hair. He’s sure she peed herself with how hard she was laughing and scrambling to find the bathroom when her eyes could barely open. 

  Zuko shuts down his phone when the sweet scent of the pastries flood his nostrils. Even if 4/20 is like his version of Christmas, he’s determined to spend it with his girl. “I think my pussy just gave out. That shit looks dank ,” Katara squeals, shaking Toph by the shoulders to emphasize her point. 

  “Thanks for the visual,” Toph says, looking devious and wholly prepared to get stoned. 

  //

  “I could beat his ass if I needed to,” Katara loudly whispers in Suki’s ear. At this point, they were all laying down on the floor, the familiar tingle of an impending high at the forefront of their minds. 

  “Katara, you’re staring at a poster of 11 year old Frankie Muniz.” Suki shakes the girl off her. “Why do you always say that about any guy you see, sober or not?” 

  Zuko’s the most sober of them all, but based on the fact he killed a few joints on his own, he thinks he’s about to die. Toph’s on the balcony, weary of the smoke detector. She comes back in after repeatedly coughing, pounding at her chest to lessen the pain. She promptly lays on the floor with the rest of them, stupidly smiling. 

  Zuko sits, leaning on the futon for support. He pulls Katara into his lap, and she’s pliant, immediately melting in his hold. Hands coming out to wrap around his neck. “Check your school portal,” he says into her ear. She laughs at the sensation. 

  “Why?” She’s breathless, when he rubs comforting circles into her back. Zuko finds her phone, thrown carelessly on the futon, before gingerly handing it to her. After she types in the login information, she gasps, the sound reverberating through the room. Zuko blushes, and rubs the back of his neck gingerly. 

  “Happy 4/20, baby,” he presses a sweet kiss to her hair, wiping away the pricks of tears appearing at her eyes. 

  “ You’re lying !” She couldn’t believe her eyes, and thinks she’s a little dizzy from how many times she zooms in and out of the tuition financial statement. “You’re fucking lying!” The bill, formerly with a nauseating number of zeros was now only $0.00. “How?” she splutters, even spitting in her haste. 

  “Toph knew your portal login, so I just kind of...paid it off?” He’s doing the thing where he’s rubbing at his neck and looking shy, and so so positively adorable . The sheepish look he gives her makes it known that she was screwed . So absolutely in love. “I want you to not worry about it. Save the money from your job for something else.” The kiss she slams against his lips nearly knocks his breath away. 

  //

  “So what’s your plan, after paying all this off?” Zuko remembered Toph asking, after she entered Katara's password. 

  “After this, she’s catching all this ball juice. Going to suck her eggs out her ovaries like it’s boba. I’ll even use the straw and everything,” Zuko says, entering the pin of his debit card. 

  “You know what. She should have let you die that night.” 

  //

  “Who knew there would be perks to dating a drug dealer?” Toph teases.  “Girls be so single and then boom ! Baby shower pictures with some drug dealer in a Burberry shirt and Nike Air Maxes.”

  Suki groans. “Toph, I swear. You are a hindrance to society.” 

  “Well, you’re a cunt!” 

  She shoves the smaller girl. She gets up to face Katara, still staring at her phone in shock. Her hair is a bird’s nest after growing two sizes two large and painfully matted.  “You know, we thought we were bad friends for letting you date a drug dealer with mommy and daddy issues. We just sat there and prayed that our ‘we’re so happy for you guys!’ was convincing. But, I kind of like him.” 

  “Thanks for the support,” Zuko grumbles. 

  “Anytime!” The two say, perfectly synchronized.

  “Like MJ doctor, they killing me,” Zuko sighs, dropping his head in the crook of her neck, defeated. Katara’s heart nearly bursts because he’s so cute . A big bad drug dealer, but she still was squeezing at his cheeks like they were mochi, and he was dumbly smiling back. 

  “Why do you always quote Nicki Minaj lyrics when you’re high?” She thinks she can’t feel her face, the excessive smiling numbing her features. 

  He’s bombed, stomach growling from getting the munchies and devouring an entire box of Suki’s Wheat Thins cereal and he thinks he feels his heart about to explode. Whether it’s Katara’s sweet, sweet smile, or her body pressing to his, he’s not sure. She’s soft and perfect and everything he could have asked for. He’s sure he’s in love, the type of love that was dangerous and stupid and promised to consume him whole. Yet, he’s all but offered his heart on a silver platter to Katara. Her presence in his life was a constant he was willing to fight to keep. 

  “I love you,” he mumbles against her lips.

  “I know.” She stares into his eyes, before grabbing his hand. “I love you more.” 

  “Impossible.” 

  She pokes his chest in protest. 

  “Say it again, please?” Zuko begs, voice whiny. Her kiss was an adequate confirmation of the sentiment.  

[tessxomarie]

Saving You - Part Twelve

*This scene continues straight from Part Eleven! Leah, she’s still struggling with everything that has happened. Thank you all for being patient with me! I hope you enjoy this next installment of Saving You!*

Our moment together comes to an end when a knock at the door interrupts us.

“You two alright?” EZ asks as he slowly opens the door.

“Yeah, we’re good.” Angel replies but keeps all eye contact on me.

“The guys, they want to talk to Leah real quick.” EZ mentions, which leads me to have come concern but I eagerly await for the men to walk back in.

“Aleeah.” Marcus greets.

“After some lengthy discussion out there, Chibs, Tig, Bishop and I have agreed to grant your request for a club vote regarding Erik.” Marcus tells me and for the first time all morning, I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief.

Finally, some closure.

“Angel, you good with the vote?” Bishop chimes in.

Angel takes a few steps to stand by me as he puts his hand on my shoulder, “A vote is the least we can do for her.” He says while looking at me.

“Alright, let’s vote it. Leah, sweetheart, you cannot be in here – that’s the condition.” Bishop states.

I’m caught off guard, but after my decompress session with Angel, I really don’t have the place nor energy to argue.

“Fair enough. Thank you for listening to me. It means a lot.” I softly say to the guys as I let myself out of Church.

Chibs putting his hand on my shoulder just before I get to the door, “We love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you too.” I say to Chibs as I turn and look and see the chairs filling up with the guys.

I exit Church, EZ closes the door behind me.

I see Kendra sitting in the chair I was earlier.

It then hits me this is our first time alone since the hospital.

“Lee, I need to hug you because I don’t know what else to do right now.” Kendra alerts me as she now makes a b-line towards me.

“I’ll never turn down a Kendra hug.” I mumble as we embrace.

“How are we doing, babes?” She asks.

“My head is spinning, figuratively.” I reply.

“Rumor has it you want to be the one who makes Erik breathe out of his forehead.” Kendra tells me.

“That would be true.” I confirm as we make our way to some chairs.

“Angel and I just had a discussion about that, it got a little heated – he full named me.” I look at her with a quirked brow.

“Woah, what? Like middle name or he like, Aleeah-ed you?”

“Aleeah.”

Kendra’s face is in shock, she lets out a nervous laugh. “That man has some damn nerve. Why did he Aleeah you?”

I shake my head, “He doesn’t want me to kill Erik, he understands why I want to. I wouldn’t say he lectured me, he more so opened up to me, Kenz. He told me some shit, like shit that happened before we moved down here. I don’t know if I can ever say this to his face, but he has me almost convinced I shouldn’t kill Erik.”

“Killing someone is a big thing, Lee. I mean, I know these guys are used to it – hell, that’s the fucking reason Lorenzo is in prison, but I can bet Angel doesn’t want you to feel the shit they feel. It can be heavy.” Kendra says.

“That’s pretty much what he told me, that even though it may be the best thing to do, it won’t make me feel better. My stubborn ass wants to prove everyone wrong and say this is what will bring me full closure, but the more I think about it – am I even capable of killing someone? I pledged to save lives, not take them.” I say with a cracked voice, as the realization of what I have asked is setting in.

Taking someone’s life. That is heavy.

“Leah, Erik deserves to die a miserable death. I support that 110%. What I don’t support, is you being the reason he’s gone.  I know you, Lee; and even though you wouldn’t show it at first, over time that shit would eat you up.”

I nod my head in agreement, Kendra is right just like Angel was.

“I want revenge, I want closure, but I do not want to be a killer. That’s not me, Kendra.” I explain with few tears forming. “I know Lee, I know. Maybe, rather than opting for the kill shot – you can volunteer to torture him? Tie him up, gag him, then beat him; but not in the Christian Grey way.” She says with a smirk, which then results in me laughing for the first time all morning.

“How do you do that?” I ask genuinely.

“How do I do what?” She retorts.

“Make me laugh in my most difficult and stressful situations.” I say wiping a tear from my cheek.

“It’s my job.” She simply says.

“You know, the more I think about it, I just want Erik to have that fear that I had. I want him to be scared and I want him to beg for his life, just like he had me do.” I tell Kendra as some of the memories of last night and last year enter my mind. Kendra simply nods her head in agreement and reaches for my hand.

Kendra and I make small talk for a few more minutes as the men are all in Church. I’m starting to feel more normal by each minute, whatever normal is anymore.

“Leah?” I hear Coco ask as he peaks his head out of Church.

“What is it Coco?” I reply.

“You’re wanted in here, Kendra can come too.”

We both look at each other with odd looks, but we make our way to meet the men.

“You rang?” Kendra asks as we step inside Church.

Bishop lets out a light laugh at Kendra’s tone.

“A decision has been made regarding the handling of Erik Rodrigo.” Marcus announces.

I look at Kendra with nerves written all over my face. Kendra grabs my hand, the bandaged one, with ease and simply stands by my side.

I look over to Angel and our eyes lock, he gives me a simple head nod and I hope that means I’m going to approve of the outcome.

“Leah, darlin’.” Chibs says from the table, “This was one of the most difficult things we’ve ever had to discuss. I cannot express how sorry I am, and how we did not fulfill Jackie Boy’s promise. I know you don’t want us to feel guilty, but darlin’ we all feel guilty in this room.”

Hearing Chibs speak, it makes me emotional but I hold the tears back. I look over at Tig and he his holding Chib’s hand, a symbol of brotherhood – they miss Jax, we all do. They feel awful for not fulfilling the promise, and what hurts the most is that they think they failed me; but it was just a few hours ago I felt they did, that everyone did but now, as the hours tick by I don’t feel that way anymore.

“Chibs, Tig –“ I speak up, “You two did not fail me, or Jax. No one in this room could have predicted what Erik was capable of. But Samcro couldn’t have stopped him, I didn’t speak up – things got worse because of that. Please don’t feel guilty, no one here is at fault, just Erik.” I say trailing off, trying not to place blame on myself because I know that is not right in the slightest, it’s just hard when you think back and realize something could have been done, well maybe.

“Leah, the club, Samcro and Marcus want you to find closure, we want you to feel safe, once and for all.” Bishop explains to me, his hands folded together.

Marcus then speaks up.

“You won’t kill Erik, that is going to be me. I brought him into the club, I’ll take him out. But mija, you get to do some damage. Whatever tactics or methods you want to use to torture this fucker, go for it. We just can’t let you kill him, we all agreed the weight you’ll carry is too much and you do not need nor deserve that.” Marcus explains.

I feel like this is a dream, like I’m hearing what I want to hear but I can’t tell if it’s real or not.

It feels like a month goes by before I find the words to speak, but my brain is going in a million directions after hearing Marcus’ words.

Kendra is still holding my hand, but she seems just as in shock as I am.

“Leah, babe, you okay?” I hear in a whisper, but I’m confused where the whisper is coming from.

I blink, and I’m aware of my surroundings again, I look to my left and I see Angel standing right next to me.

“Leah?” He asks again so softly.

I simply nod my head.

“Thank you, all of you – for not just granting my request but for listening to me. Hearing my story. It means a lot that you all gave me a chance to speak.” I tell everyone, the nerves are still there.

I take a deep breath and try to pull myself together.

“Umm, just one question – when is this all happening?” I ask, Kendra and Angel are still by my side.

Bishop gets up from the table, and walks over near me.

“The guys are going to look for him today, if all goes as planned, we’ll bring him to the location tomorrow morning or early afternoon.”

I mindlessly nod my head up and down, everything just seems surreal.

Slowly but surely over the next few minutes, the guys empty out of church but I still remain standing there in a daze.

“Lee, come on. I’ll take you back to my place while the guys head out.” Kendra suggests, and that’s when I snap out of it.

I can’t be left alone, what if Erik is still around? What if he’s waiting for this moment?

“Lee?” Kendra calls out again, and that’s when I lose it…well somewhat.

I shake my head, “No. We can’t leave Kenz, we can’t just leave because Erik could still be lingering around here and waiting. We have no protection, I can’t subject you to that, I can’t leave. We can’t leave.” I begin to ramble and the rambling eventually becomes escalated.

“Aleeah, what’s wrong?” Coco shouts as he rushes back from the front door to where I’m at, Angel and EZ following behind him.

“Who is going to stay here to look out for Kendra and myself? You all can’t go. Just, no.” I explain, arms crossed while I look Coco in the eyes, and I then lock eyes again with Angel.

“Angel, you can’t go.” I order.

He gives me a confused look, “Leah, I need to…” He tells me, but I cut him off and finish his sentence.

“You need to stay here and protect me!” I lightly shout, EZ and Coco both looking on with shocked expressions.

Holy shit, did I just admittedly say out loud that I need Angel?

Yup, I sure did.

Angel looks over to them just as surprised. He then gently guides me over to the side to continue in private.

“Angel please. I need someone here to protect me, and I need to be able to trust that person. I can’t have you leave. If you go, I know Erik won’t make it back here and I don’t want to look in your eyes and see the guilt.” I explain to Angel as I grab his hand, looking into his soul because I know he still has one despite what he wants me to believe.

I continue to stare into those warm brown eyes, praying he understands my plea.

Angel doesn’t say a word.

He looks over to EZ and Coco, lets out a sigh and then cups my face.

“I’m keeping my promise. I’ll keep you safe, nothing is going to happen to my Leah.” He whispers to me as he leans in for another forehead kiss.

Forehead kisses, a common theme still.

I swear, the more forehead kisses Angel gives, the more I fall for him – or at least, the more I trust him.

I need that right now more than ever, to trust a man who gives a damn.

[smolfangirl]

Say my name and everything just stops

A sound so sweet, of you and me - 11 - First name

Oookay, here we are. It’s been such a stressful day (don’t start world wars, people!) and as a result, I can’t focus on anything so I can’t promise this chapter will be as closely proofread as the others... anyways, this contains guarenteed more fluff than this week’s episodes ^^

Story: In a world where you only know who your soulmate is by calling them their first name, Matteo soon finds that the smallest words can be the hardest to say.

Word count: 3.3k

Ever since his couch had found it’s place in Matteo’s room, he loved it. But he never loved it quite as much as now, with Luna laying on top of him like a big kitten – a kitten that smiled into his chest and curled up closer instead of purring.

“You know, you make a really good pillow”, she mumbled as he gently let his hand wander over her back. “Maybe I should take you home.”

He pressed a kiss on her forehead. “Maybe I’d let you.”

Luna tilted her head, her eyes finding his, full of happiness and joy and maybe, just maybe, she’d start purring for real any second.

Leaning forward, he stole a kiss from her nose.

She flinched. As he moved, her hands suddenly laid on his stomach, supporting her and by the look on her face, his abs didn’t go unnoticed. (The extra exercises definitely paid off.)

“If I took you home, you’d have to meet my parents. For real.”

Matteo’s hand kept wandering over her skin. She was already so close – he was literally covered by her – yet he wanted, needed, to feel more. Like a junkie always searching for a bigger hit.

“I know”, he replied.

“You seemed pretty nervous about it the other day”, she teased. “And my parents are actually nice, they won’t eat you or something. The only Italian they eat is pizza. Sometimes pasta, but not on weekends.”

Matteo hummed in agreement, a joke on his lips but then she shifted, her hips jolting against his and all his thoughts fell silent while his stomach lit up in flames.

Luna smiled at him. Her hand stroke his abs, moving along to the sides and it left trails of fire behind. He loved everything about this. Her smile. Them being wrapped up in each other, how she had to stretch to kiss him. How she made him happy, happy, happy.

“You realize that I’m falling in love with you, my little moon, right?”

Maybe it was selfish of him.

Luna deserved her name to be said, she deserved it coming out of his mouth. She deserved everything he could give her and so much more than that.

Yet, it never came across his lips.

Sometimes he imagined saying it. When they skated, and he felt like floating in the air. When she snuggled him, her curls tickling the skin on his arms and the touch of her body warming the coldest bits of his soul. The word would form in his throat every time, only to get exchanged for a nickname in the end.

Again, and again, and again.

Sometimes he caught her wrinkling her forehead now. Other times she only smiled like no cloud ever appeared on her very own, very blue sky. It bugged him, the feeling he disappointed her, but at the same time he just didn’t want this irrevocable proof, this shattered dream and the hauling demons lingering in the broken pieces of it.

So, he never said it.

It must have been selfish for sure. Luna gave and gave, she was like his personal Santa Clause all year long, and slowly he reached a point where he unpacked her gifts with the itching sensation that he got much more than he earned, deserved.

But she did it with a smile – he loved that smile, so much – so he spilled out how happy he felt around her and how he admired her until she replied by smiling even brighter.

In these moments, Luna’s aura burned the slightest shade of darkness in the world, burned the shadows until he only saw light.

In these moments, he slowly realized it would be okay.

He’d taken her out for ice creams. Just like that, for no other reason than to surprise her. Or that’s what he told her.

She loved those casual dates. Whether in school or at the rink, their friends lurked by closely, always in plain sight or hearing distance. So, getting Matteo all for herself was something special, like a weekend trip, and Luna enjoyed it just as much.

“Does it really bother you?”, he inquired in the middle of her second strawberry scoop.

A tiny pink dot landed on his cheek as she spoon-fed him, and when she laughed, he frowned.

Luna held in. “What does?”

“That I haven’t said your name yet.”

Her spoon clinked against the cup, with the ice cream falling right back into it. She had expected him to avoid this topic the same way he tip-toed around Gastón’s (inevitable) puns. Even now, with his question hanging in the air, she expected him to look away or fidget with the menu or stare on the menu – any sign of impatient anxiety, really.

She was wrong.

Instead of avoiding any eye contact, his eyes took her in, scanned her, studied her detail by detail. No anxiety, no fear, at least not for her to see.

“Look”, she rested her hand on top of his. “I don’t understand it. But it’s okay, it’s your decision and I will accept whatever you want to do. I’ll be fine either way.”

(Maybe she was wrong about something else too. Maybe he cared more about soulmates than she believed.)

“Sure?”

“Sure.”

Finally, Matteo smiled too. His gaze wandered to their hands while he played with her fingers. “Oh, just one more thing”, Luna added after she finished her ice cream.

“What?”

“Can I have one more scoop? Please? Just one!”

Matteo shook his head only to break out in laughter. “You’re insatiable.”

“Matteo, can I borrow your notes from physics class?”

“Why? You sat right next to me”, Matteo answered while he waited for Gastón to finally change from his PE clothes into his school uniform.

“I wasn’t paying much attention, besides that woman writes too fast to keep track. And you were writing the entire time, I thought I could just ask you.”

How incredibly unfortunate. “I wasn’t taking notes.”

Gastón completely did not approve of this. Matteo knew that before his best friend paused mid-changing his shirt to send him a distasteful click of his tongue.

“You can’t judge me, you said yourself you weren’t listening”, Matteo defended himself. “And hurry up, I don’t want to be late for lunch again only because of your slow ass.”

“Nina likes my slow ass.”

He rolled his eyes. One more minute and he’d take care of Gastón’s stupid tie himself. This laid-back fumbling made him nervous. “Yeah, because she’s your soulmate.”

“You’re my soulmate too.”

“Touché. Still, hurry up.”

Finally, Gastón grabbed his bag and walked towards the door. “I’m going to ask Ramiro for his notes. Dude copies faster than a printer. But what were you writing?”

They stepped outside into the air that felt even warmer compared to the air condition in the locker rooms. A few students relaxed on the grass, the younger ones chased each other around. Above them all, right in the middle of the sky, Matteo found the moon, lost in between the bright blue of the day. He smiled.

“I started writing a new song.”

“Uh, what’s it called? Ode to the moon? Moonstruck?”

“I can’t tell you often enough, you aren’t even half as funny as you think you are.”

Gastón crossed his arms in front of his chest, huffing, “Duh, I’m punny.”

“Not even that.”

It took Luna a good moment to pin-point the difference in Matteo’s room.

“You changed the sheets.” Dark blue and cotton replaced the satin. Very soft cotton, she found out when she let her hand wander over the fabric.

“Well, drunk you didn’t like them, so yes, I changed them.”

Drunk you. To her own surprise, she remembered that evening pretty well, though cuddling him turned out to be the most vivid memory. (It had felt as if he put a flame in her chest, but that flame was also what made her feel more alive than skating or singing or anything else she’d ever done.)

“I’d rather we not speak of drunk me again.”

Matteo let himself fall on the couch and pouted at her but waved her over at the same time. “I liked drunk you. Sober you doesn’t compliment me half as much.”

Luna climbed on his lap. “Sober me has to protect the world from your ego, that’s why.”

In the end, she had to kiss his pout away. Not that she minded.

Luna sat on his lap. His shirt had magically found its way on the ground and her hand cradled his hair. At first, her other hand gently rested on his cheek, but soon she caused goosebumps all over his skin. Featherlight kisses on his jawline, on his mouth, on his neck deleted any coherent thoughts, and he tried to get a hold of whatever was closest to his own mouth. Her nose brushed against his jawline before she went for this little spot behind his ears that just felt so good.

Matteo almost giggled when her knees pressed into his sides at her attempt to get closer but there were her lips on his and he could only pull her in.

“I really like that you have the whole house to yourself”, she whispered in between slow kisses.

He slightly nodded as to not disturb her in her mission to kiss as many spots of his face as possible. “I really like that your parents let you stay over.”

As she left more pecks on his cheek, he felt her grin. Her fingers painted the lines of his body in glorious colors, like an artist created a masterpiece, leaving behind a trail of her love wherever she touched him.

“The only reason they let me is because you finally had dinner with us and convinced them you don’t just want to seduce me.”

Matteo chuckled. Even in case he planned to seduce her – one look from her and he’d do anything she wanted.  

“I even had to have this embarrassing ‘We hope you are staying safe’ talk”, she went on. A blush slipped on her face.

By the stars, he’d take in the sight of her for the rest of time without getting tired.

“And?”, he asked, pretending they hadn’t had this conversation yet. “Are you? Staying safe?” His hands ran along her spine. She arched into him, resting her head on his shoulder. At the sensation of his lips on her hair, she sighed.

“Let’s see – I’m alone with my boyfriend in a huge house. His shirt is off and we’re making out on his couch…”

“So?”

Luna grinned into his shoulder. “I think I’m good.”

He began to draw circles on her back, sometimes sneaking down to the hem of her top. “They’re probably happy to hear that.” Luna wrapped her arms around his neck. “And your parents?”

A huff escaped before he got the chance to hold it in. “They’re not too invested in my life and this time, I’m actually glad about it.”

Within a moment, she sat up enough to meet his eyes. She opened her mouth, perhaps to say she felt sorry for him – either way, he didn’t let her and kissed her instead.

More kisses. Calm and steady, like rain drops against his window on a summer night. His legs eventually lost all feeling, which didn’t matter. Luna made him feel so many things, so many more things than he’d ever imagined, that numb legs wouldn’t stop him from tasting her lips.

Luna simply was intoxicating.

And tired. She broke away to yawn loudly, then rubbed her eyes.

“I think we should go to bed”, Matteo said, caressing her cheek. A smile, sluggish yet warm. “Only if you keep your shirt off.”

Darkness. His blanket. And Luna in his arms, peacefully breathing into his chest.

Matteo knew he should feel happy.

He did. Mostly. Because this one thought, this one crippling fear of his, grew louder and stronger the more time he spent with Luna.

First, it only hovered in the back of his mind, kept in check by all the light she radiated. The darkness now lured it out of that corner, until he felt like he’d explode if he didn’t ask her.

“Are you awake?” he whispered into the silence.

Luna shifted, a soft groan on her lips. “Hm? You okay?” Her voice reminded him of her drunk version. Perhaps – hopefully – she’d be just as honest.

“Would you leave me? If you find your soulmate?”

“What?”

Surprise, even shock filled her tone. “No! I’d never leave you.” As if to prove it, she wrapped her arm around him and robbed closer.

His doubt remained, and he hated himself for it. “What if… what if you only think that now?”

She caught his lips, but he was certain he left a bitter taste, and she pulled away soon. “Listen”, her finger poked his chest, tapping it with each word she spoke. “I’m not waiting to meet someone who might not even exist for all I know.”

Matteo breathed in deeply. The nausea slowly faded from his stomach pit, the oxygen flew into his lungs more easily.

“I don’t even know if that person is real or if I have seen them before or even know them already, and I don’t care”, Luna continued. “I don’t care, because I don’t want someone else and you are not a puffer until I meet my soulmate. You’re not second best. This is my choice, and I choose you. Got it?”

In loss for words, he hugged her. (If you could hug a person you laid in bed with and they already were in your arms.) “I choose you too. Thank you.”

This time, when they kissed, she didn’t pull away. He did, but only to worship the soft skin of her neck.

“What are you doing?”, Luna asked, her voice hoarse now, an indistinct moan hidden in it.

“Nothing. But you might wanna use your scarf tomorrow.”

“Matteo!”

Of course, meeting Gastón by the rink the next day ended up in an awkward situation. For Luna, anyway. Her idiot boyfriend grinned so hard his mouth almost formed a circle.

“I see you’re wearing my scarf.” A satisfied smirk and wiggling eyebrows, always the wiggling eyebrows. “Nice.”

His closet was gigantic. Literally, and ridiculously gigantic, both Luna and all her clothes would fit into this monstrosity ten times. She never even imagined the possibility of someone owning a closet like that, except for Ámbar, of course.

How was she supposed to find a blanket in here?

“It’s somewhere in the lower drawers”, Matteo told her while he put his shirt back on.

When she opened the first drawer, she found no blanket.

She found something much better.

“I can’t believe you own hoodies”, she gasped, her mouth even formed this little ‘o’ but then, she snickered, “Or wear them.”

He muttered something that she failed to understand. Maybe some Italian curses? At least he showed no intention of stopping her, so she dug further. Between two dark blue hoodies, one piece of cotton looked weirdly familiar.

“Hey, I think I know this one! You wore it before, no?”

No answer.

Her brain sorted through her memory, in eager search for the right moment. It must’ve been months ago… Only after a few seconds passed did she remember. “Oh, I know, when you were skating with Gastón in the park and I ended up watching you!”

Matteo groaned. Although the first three buttons of his shirt weren’t closed yet, he shot forward to get the hoodie away from her.

“Uh, no, I don’t think so”, Luna laughed, the hoodie tightly pressed to her chest. “You can have it back when you answer me one question.”

“What question?” “You were so cranky that day, and I always wondered what was wrong.”

A pout unfolded on his face. “It’s embarrassing.”

When she simply waved the hoodie in front of him, he sighed. “I didn’t expect you to be there, and I hadn’t put any effort whatsoever into how I looked.”

For a second, she believed he was joking. Matteo always cared about how he looked, regardless of where or who he was with. Always. That was just a part of him, end of it.

But a soft – the softest pink – spread over his cheeks, and it blew away her doubt. She stood on her toes to press a kiss on his blush. “Aww, that’s really adorable.”

“Can I get my hoodie back now? And can you get this blanket, so we can go and pretend this never happened? Please?”

“No.” With a grin, Luna pulled the hoodie over her head. The cotton felt soft on her skin – whoever took care of the laundry surely used fabric softener – and when she buried her nose in it, it still gave off the scent of his perfume. (Or deo, Luna wasn’t sure.)

“I don’t need a blanket, I’ll just wear this.” It fit her like a blanket anyway. “Oh, and don’t forget these open buttons”, she added, chuckling. “No one wants to see you half-naked.”

Finally, this sparked a smirk on Matteo’s lips. “Didn’t seem like that earlier.”

Every word failed to grasp the color of the sunset in front of him. Not really pink, not really orange, only these vibrant last rays of the sun against the baby blue sky leaking through the clouds.

A beautiful sight, truly, still his gaze ended up stuck on Luna.

“Sure you don’t want a blanket?” he snickered as yet another shiver ran over her spine.

“I can use you as one”, she replied, robbing closer until her head rested on his chest and her hands sneaked between their bodies. He felt the coldness coming from her skin through his clothes. When he slightly shook his head at her, she only snuggled closer.

“But now you can’t see the stars.”

“I can look at you instead”, she whispered, “You are so beautiful.”

“Not as much as you are.”

In her eyes, he found a reflection of himself. The fondness in them rendered him speechless, it warmed his bones better than any tea or blanket ever could and it was all he could focus on in this moment.

A part of him continued to struggle, struggled to believe he deserved so much happiness. That he got to lay here, with her in his arms, and that things were perfectly fine, that they fit like a puzzle he’d been trying to solve his whole life. Luna’s words rang in his ears, resonating in his heart as well – I choose you.

They weren’t soulmates, but for the first time, the thought didn’t bother him. It didn’t awake any fears or doubts, it was nothing but a thought. And, compared to all the other beautiful ones she evoked, it crumbled into a minor, unimportant one.

“Don’t fall asleep, you hear me?” He let his hand run over her arm, carefully so he wouldn’t disturb her in case she already drifted away behind her closing eyes.

“Mh-hm”, she mumbled. Eventually, the movement of his chest bothered her enough to lift her head. “What?”

Another smile on his lips. She looked so adorable, and his heart calmly beat in his ribcage and he felt at home, like he belonged right here, like every other place he’d ever seen only existed to lead him to this moment, to her.

“Nothing. I’ve just been thinking.”

“You can do that?” She laughed and flipped his nose. He snorted, glad she couldn’t see the grin his mouth formed. “And what were you thinking?”, she wanted to know but before she gave him the chance to reply, she kissed him. Her hand cupped his cheek and when she pulled away, her eyes outshone the brightest of stars sparkling above their heads.

He knew with every fiber of his being that this was the perfect moment. The one golden opportunity.

“I’m in love with you, Luna.”

[aviationfiction]

XXVII

Autumn Dupont

The medley of the roaring waves filled the spacious master suite and my eyes slowly opened to adjust to the sunlight while listening to the serene sound. Within my first line of sight were the mahogany wooden panels of the ceiling and I slightly sat up to take in all of my breathtaking surroundings. The tangled pale flat sheet on the spacious bed fell to my waist and slithers of goosebumps trickled onto my skin as my nearly bare upper frame became exposed. I’d been left alone for the additional sleep that I almost never have and yet his scent overpowered the salted fragrance of the sea to the point of nearly fooling me into believing my love was still in the room. More than just within the decorative bedding, I could smell his aroma powerfully exuding from me though the warmth of his body was absent. Thoughts of my painful night riddled me with embarrassment and suddenly I wanted to do nothing more than bury my head under the cool grey blanket and return to the deep slumber I was once in. It started with a vicious migraine that I masked on the nearly four hour flight to our Caribbean paradise, then that transitioned into a random nose bleed and nausea as I expected, and lastly a spell of sobbing on the bathroom floor that left my man riddled with confusion while desperately trying to help me. Pressure. Though I couldn’t come out with it right then and there, it was nothing more than that. Isaac was the trigger. Although we didn’t have another spat, the sight of him glaring at me as I arrived to the company to prepare for the trip effortlessly crushed my spirit and rattled my nerves immensely. He’d officially superseded the minor issues Dante and I were having just the day before and I could do nothing to get his words and that scowl of judgement out of my thoughts.

My cries in that master bathroom were less about his words and actions but more of a pointless plea for Shane. I needed his arms wrapped around me, his tender words of encouragement, and his brotherly love. I needed my greatest friend. Despite their differences between one another, he’d always been the one to be the mediator between Issac and I whenever we fell out with one another. He’d always bridge the gap to some type of peaceful resolve. There’s no doubt that he’d be able to do now if he were still here, physically within our family. Now I’m left to figure it out on my own because the last thing I want to do is take our sibling issues to my parents as a child would. I doubt he’d inch any closer to respecting me if I did. For now, I’m riding an emotional roller coaster and shamefully taking someone who doesn’t deserve it on the ride. The pain in his facial expressions as the tears poured out of my eyes is all I can see. I was supposed to be catering to his physical pain and yet he was on the floor with me laying in his tight embrace as his words soothed my breakdown and eventually sent me into a slumber. I have no recollection of how he removed all of my clothing and got me into the bed. We’re supposed to be here for the sake of celebrating him in the midst of him getting a much needed break from his everyday life and of course, myself and all of the drama that comes with me, would start of such a beautiful trip with my troubles.

My first task after climbing out of bed was to stare at the unbelievable view surrounding the Hawksbill Estate Dante rented out for our Turks and Caicos getaway. God knows how many tens of thousands of dollars he dished out so we’d be able to say in such a place. It’s multi generational design was clearly constructed for large family holidays or corporate retreats and yet we’re here with nearly all ten bedrooms and ten and a half bathrooms to ourselves. The only additional space being occupied is the one of the chef he hired to keep me out of the kitchen and he’s so far out in the guest house that I’m sure to forget he’s around. The tour I’d taken of the place was half-assed. I’m quite sure I haven’t even seen half of the grounds but I’d been baffled and weakened in the knees at what I’ve seen thus far. I could attest to never having seen any place as beautiful as this one and I wanted to believe he felt the same, but he was far too consumed with my satisfaction of all that he’d chosen, to allow me to take in his own excitement. By the time we were back inside and settling in, my mood began to take a turn for the worse and put a damper on the remainder of the evening and our night.

A proper freshening up and cleanse was next. My attire for the day was all I intended to wear for the next couple of days we’re on this island; a bikini and a pair of sheer white shorts as it’s cover up. I’d chosen a Zimmerman light denim polka dotted style bikini with scalloped ruffles throughout both pieces out of the dozen I packed. I didn’t bother with make up. I simply moisturized my face and ran my fingers through the wavy tresses cascading down my back to give them some fluff. Before exiting the master bedroom, I skimmed through the trivial topics Heather left in my inbox and scoffed at the two filthy ones about me not answering her because I was bouncing on Dante. I thought about ignoring her but I tossed that idea out of the window and responded to just about everything she said while on my search for the ever quiet man of this villa. When I found him, he was seated outside beyond the kitchen’s grand opening at the wooden table with a laptop to the right of him and a bowl of grapes on his left. While standing near the island, I took in the fumes of whatever cinnamon filled concoction Chef Aleem was preparing on the stove. In an instant, Dante’s eyes were leering at me and summoning me to come forward without him ever opening up his mouth to speak. My lips sightly parted at the sight of his glimmering skin as the sun cascaded over it and the beauty of his physical form and aura left my mind and body in dismay as my feet responded to his call.

“Good Morning.” As he leaned his head up, I leaned mine down to capture his lips but swiftly drew myself back when his lip came into mind. I then scanned his face for another spot and settled on kissing the frown lines dawning his forehead.

“Why are you acting like I have some type of contagious sickness? It doesn’t even hurt. Kiss me.”

“Dante.”

“Kiss me.” I obliged his command, but with caution. My lips gently pressed into his and though I could feel the swelling he didn't flinch or wince. He even took it upon himself to deepen what I’d planned to be a simple peck. Our eyes met once he drew his head back and his fingers affectionately slithered across the skin of my cheek. His warm smile comforted me.

“How long have you been awake?”

“Since about eight thirty.” Rather than taking a seat along side of him, I sat on the opposite side of the table so we’d be able to properly face one another. After dropping a grape into his mouth, he slid the bowl towards me so I could have a taste of his snack.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“I’m probably never going to wake you up if you’re sleeping, unless there’s an emergency and I or someone else really needs you. Other than that, no. You barely sleep as it is.” He glanced at the screen of his Macbook Pro and returned his attention to me. “Besides, we’re on vacation. I’d like to think one of the perks of that is sleeping for however long you feel like sleeping. Right?”

“And yet you woke up at eight thirty.”

“It’s not like I forced myself to get up. My body’s just used to being an early bird. How are you feeling?” I was hoping he’d avoid that question so I could escape the possibility of having to explain myself and the whirlwind of emotions I was experiencing last night. As weird as it sounds, I don’t want to be that person towards him; the one with the problems that he has to constantly cater to. I’d rather he not have to tread carefully with me or feel like he has to persistently be concerned about me. I’ve dealt with and am still heavily dealing with an overbearing set of parents who have yet to ease up; though my father isn’t as overdone with it as my mother. I’d rather not have him be an addition to that because he believes I’m all screwed up.

“I’m alright. I was a bit stressed out and my emotions responded to it. It happens to everyone from time to time.”

“I don’t know if you remember, but you were whimpering about a headache in the middle of the night. I asked you about medication but you didn’t answer me and drifted back to sleep minutes later. Do you have your medication with you?” In every conversation we have whenever I’m traveling, that’s a question my mother always asks me before I leave and in text messages or a phone call as soon as I land wherever. To hear it coming from him nearly made me crawl under the table.

“I have it.”

“Can I see it?” My face contorted into a deep frown at his request and I quickly jerked my head back in confusion.

“For what?”

“Because I need to know how to take care of you if you’re not feeling well.”

“It’s really not that big of a deal.” His once relaxed face tensed and he leaned forward to rest his arms on the table. As he thought about his next statement to me, he pulled his lip in-between his teeth and exhaled.

“It’s that big of a deal to me Autumn. I want to know how to take care of you. You see how you showed up to that hospital and made sure they were taking care of me properly and then took care of me for the rest of the evening and all throughout the night the other day? I want to be able to do that in return. You don’t have anything to be ashamed of when it comes to me because I’m not ashamed of anything when it comes to you. Yeah, I may be reluctant to have you around my immediate family, but that’s only because I want to protect you. It is not because I’m ashamed of you knowing how screwed up they are. I’d rather be assured in knowing that if you’re not feeling so well, I know what to do to make sure you’re okay whether it be because you have a headache, a stomachache, or a paper cut.” The sound of the waves crashing against the sandy shore filled our ears as we stared at one another in silence. To be genuinely in love with someone means to accept that person for their flaws first. The good is the easy part. I’m willing to accept his; I just fear what he will not accept all of mine. There’s this part of me that helplessly and foolishly hopes that what we have continues to blossom into a forever and there’s the other part that painfully torments my mind with images and a reality of seeing him blossom beyond me with someone else. Yet I continue to irrevocably fall for him. I love him.

I left the table without a word spoken and went to retrieve the container I carry the bottles of pills in. When I returned, I dumped all of it’s contents out on the table and began to explain each and every prescription to him; whether I currently use it or not. Plavix, Lipitor, Zoloft, over the counter Bayer, Ambien, and a ton of others I have been on and off since my time in the hospital. In the midst of my verbal explanations, he examined the bottles, milligrams, and even opened them up so he could get a good look at the pills. His questions were minimal. He simply nodded in understanding and caressed my hand in appreciation of my opening up about something so private.

“The doctor and I are working towards getting me off as much of it as possible. This is why I don’t take any of the sleeping pills. The Bayer is for the migraines.” The cinnamon I smelled upon my entry to the kitchen was pancakes and I certainly didn’t hold myself back from the plate placed in front of me. Pizza aside, I try to eat moderately, but that’s not what a vacation is about. I plan to consume every bit of their fluffy sweetness with the turkey sausage and cheddar cheese and spinach eggs side.

“Other than migraines and your hand, does anything else bother you?”

“No. My hand is an in and out kind of a thing. It was bothering me the other day, but today? Not so much. I could have corrective surgery but I’m not. I feel like those type of procedures make things worse. I’d rather not have a knife cut into my flesh unless it’s absolutely necessary for the bettering of my health.”

“Or for childbirth, if it’s necessary.” I halted before I could get the fork near my mouth and I stared at him. My exhale remained caught in my throat and I’d gone blank of a response for such a bold statement. We haven’t had many conversations about children but I know enough to understand that he certainly does want a family. He prefers to have three but wouldn’t mind there being more if they should come. In the time we’ve spent together, I can easily determine he will not allow his past and the strained relationship he has with his family to deter him from being the best father to the offsprings he’ll help bring into the world. He has the demeanor of a hands-on dad, who won’t be too prideful to get dirty with his son at the park, hit the dance floor with his daughter at a father-daughter dance, instill into his son the value of women and why they should be highly respected, and cry a pool’s worth of tears upon seeing his little girl in her first prom gown. His children will be spoiled while also knowing the value of what’s truly important; humility, generosity, love, respect, and honesty. Whether he has the three or a football team worth of them; they’ll be lucky to have such an upstanding and genuine man as their father. They’ll be just as proud of him as he will be of them.

“Yes. Of course if a woman cannot deliver her baby vaginally for a particular reason than a Cesarean section is necessary.”

“We’re not talking about women. We’re talking about you.”

“Hypothetically.”

“I don’t do hypotheticals.” His snicker wasn’t condescending. He’d done it because we were in accord when remembering he made that same statement once before when we were speaking about the same topic. I’ve imagined us having children. Hell, I’ve imagined us doing everything together. I just didn’t know he’d been doing the same. For the past two years, I’ve gone in between writing children off as a never going to happen type of situation, to possibly adopting at some point in my life, to sperm donation. Yes, my mentality was just as broke as my heart and spirit. Andreas damn near shattered my hopes in becoming a mother. He dismissed us having a child so much that I eventually determined it was me who wasn’t fit to be a mother rather than dealing with the harsh reality of the man not wanting  to have children with me. He was on top of my birth control renewal appointments far more than I was. I was left to watch the girlfriends and wives of his players start or extend their families while I wallowed in our misery.

“You’ll have to marry me first.” I jokingly tested the waters with laughter. Sure, I’d like to be a wife and be settled into a home properly before having children, but there’s no pressure here and I can’t even predict when that time will come. I’m not even sure if it ever will.

“I will.” Flutters filled my stomach to the point of me dropping my fork back into the plate. The statement flowed out of his mouth so easily. My startled gasp was low but he’d been observing me so intensely that I’m assured in him having noticed it. His assertive manner spoke his truth and he glared at me almost daring me to refute what he’d just stated.

“You sound sure about that.” Would he have said it if he wasn’t? Lying to one another isn’t something we do, but optimism can have it’s pretenses and false hopes. There isn’t a single person on the planet who hasn't said they’re going to do something but ends up never completing the task or accomplishing the goal. Realistically, we cannot do it all. So, no matter what this is, I cannot fault him for his hopes and desires within the moment.

“Autumn, I love you. We’re in a relationship and I’m in love with you. What comes next?” He too had dropped his fork in his plate but not because of nervousness like myself. He’d done it to rid himself of the distraction so he could speak his mind. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to just say it. I didn’t know if it needed to be something said after some major romantic gesture like in one of those sappy black and white films you love so much or if it needed to be something said at the most random moment of quality time we spend together. Ultimately, I figured that I’d just say it whenever I wanted to let it out and that’s now. I love you. I love everything about you. I love how kind you are and how you put others before yourself even though there are times when I wish you wouldn’t. I love how when you walk into a room, you immediately light it up with your presence and you bring peace to those amongst you. I love how open minded you are and how you’re always willing to encourage people to be the best versions of themselves. I love how you constantly push for people to take care of themselves first and everything else later. I love that little face you make when you’re concentrating on something and the smirk that follows once you’ve figured it out. I love how you dance around the kitchen while you’re cooking and sing along to every song on one of your playlists. I love how you now sleep so close to me, that we share a pillow, and you barely leave any space for my head.” I’d gone from trying to cease the fluid filling my eyes to full on laughing with him at that revelation. He’d chosen to work on breaking me out of my habit of sleeping on the edge of the bed to now suffering some consequences because of it. I’m sure my big ass forehead plays a part in it.

“I love how you’re always asking questions and showing interest in what I do for a living and what I’m working towards for the future. I love those dresses that you wear to bring me to the brink of a heart attack. I love how you stare at me when you think I’m sleeping and the way you trace your fingers over my chest. I love your awareness and how intuitive you are. I love the way you hug me when you know I’ve had a bad day. I love how much we laugh together. I love how much we share with one another. I love how much you love your family. I love your positivity, even in the midst of the pain that you’re still healing from. I love what you bring out of me and how you’ve motivated me to work harder at achieving what I truly want. You make me feel joy. You make me feel loved. I pray that I’m making you feel the same way.” I imaged this moment a couple of times but I believed it would be those three words of affirmation of our bond but in a simplistic manner. Though I feared blurting them out to him because it would officially be myself giving my all without looking back, in the back of my mind I was assured that I’d be the first one to say it. Given how much of a hopeless romantic I am, sadly, it’s within my nature to shower people with love verbally and physically whether they deserve it or eventually don’t. My thoughts of loving Dante were for me and I marveled in them on good days and worried about my pace on the bad ones. I knew I loved him when I could do anything more than pray for his well being every single night before I go to bed and every morning when I open my eyes. I knew in every flutter of my heart and tingling within my core at the sight of him and the privilege of being within his presence. I knew whenever I yearned for the next time we’d be together on some part of the globe basking in the company of one another with no interruptions or intrusive minds. I knew when I was dashing through my bedroom and stepping into my shoes in a panic before Fredrick could finish explaining what happened to him just two days ago. I know now as I sit here staring into his beautiful eyes while silently hoping they’re the last set of eyes I see as I peacefully leave this earth when I’m somewhere near or slightly over a hundred years old.

“I love you Dante Elliott St. James. I love your entire being through and through. You’ve shown me how to live again and despite being my significant other, you’ve become one of my greatest friends.” The smile on his face may have been the biggest it’s ever been and he quickly stood up and leaned his long torso over the table. I met him halfway.

“Say it again.”

“Which part?” I pecked his top lip.

“The love part.”

“I love you.” Our lips fully met and the smile he held against my own pulled a giggle out of me.

“One more time.”

“I love you.”  

“I love you too.”

“Including my big head that takes up so much space on your pillow?” His laughter was just as loud as it was when he said the sweet joke. He then kissed my forehead.

“Your forehead is stunning.”

“Shut up.”

Our lips collided again and I forced myself to the best of my ability to keep my tongue from doing what it craved for out of concern for his stitches. My love, on the other hand, couldn’t care less. Though the table was a barrier between our frames, it did nothing to stop him from groping one of my breast with his large palms and sensually tugging on my bottom lip with his own. He was showing me where his mind had gone but it was already there as soon as his eyes landed on me while I stood in the kitchen.

“Had you not been laying hands on people two days ago, we could finish what you’re starting. Now we have to be careful because you’re injured.”

“Say what?” He raised an eyebrow and gave me a challenging glare. “You finished with that?”

“The plate? Yeah.” He drew himself back and quickly made his way around to my side of the table. Before I could halt his actions, he effortlessly swooped me up into his arms. My laughter superseded my need to protest about the bruise on his chest. His stride was swifter than I expected it to be.

“Careful now. You’re injured and an old man in addition to that. I wouldn’t want to do any damage.” His smirk worsened the aching between my thighs and I kissed the very top of his forehead because of it.

“This shit talking is quite interesting.”

“I can back it up though. I’m just not too sure if you can.”

“Which one are you trying to give up today? Your voice or your capability to walk?”

“Dante!”

He kicked the bedroom door closed after our entry while our laughter meshed in the sweetest melody. If he took too long getting my barely there bikini and shorts off, I’d hand him a pair of scissors so he could chop it all away.

I’ve been craving him for long enough.

“Look how beautiful….”

The water was the perfect cool my body needed as it battled against the heat of the blazing sun while also not freezing my feet to death. I contemplated running until the ocean water was covering just about all of me but instead I merrily stood amongst the shore admiring it’s subtle waves and the way the soaked sand felt in-between my toes. While my hair blew with the light winds and my skin soaked up the luminous rays so that I could achieve that sun kissed glow that people already swear I already have. I couldn’t help but to take in the tranquility of the moment, the essence of the being resting on the sand just about a foot away from me, and God’s talents for having created such a breathtaking space. Despite what I know cost him far more than I would have ever wanted him to spend, just being here, immersed into such an environment, with a man that is every bit of it’s reflection is priceless. They say heaven is the ultimate paradise, but I’d like to think the creator gifted us with surroundings such as this, so we could have just a taste of what’s waiting for us beyond this life. I’m basking in it. I’m thankful.

“Breathtakingly beautiful.”

I turned at the sound of his raspy voice and chills trickled along the nape of my neck and slithered down the depth of my spine as his intense glare panned over my entire frame. He’d just seen it in all of it’s glory while further acquainting himself and amorously taking his fill of the most intimate parts, and yet he stares as if no other woman has shown him better. A faint throbbing arose in between my thighs and I lowly scoffed at the rage within my once dormant libido. Despite my urge to see the beauty of the islands, I’m far more consumed with the appeal to remain locked in the confines of our posh villa while panty-less and on a mission to leave our mark on every room possible.

“I’m talking about the view.”

“As am I.”

“That view.” I extended my arm towards the ocean so that he took could take in its horizons but I quietly accepted a defeat as he continued to eye me.

“You make it look better.”

“Dante…” My huff was followed by our simultaneous smirks and I quickly turned around so my blushing wouldn’t be the source of his teasing. I would have laughed had he been carelessly flirting like he tends to do from time to time, but I’ve quickly learned how to differentiate those moments and the ones filled with nothing but seriousness. I’d like to believe that statement was a mixture of the two.

“I’m happy to see you in better spirits.”

“Being here certainly helps. How could I ever focus on the nonsense of what’s back home while being surrounded with all of this? That would be a disservice to you and myself.”

“The nonsense meaning Isaac?”

“I suppose so. I’m not ashamed of you or any of this, but I’d rather not have you be viewed as an escape from my problems or as my dependency. That’s not fair to either one of us and it leaves this looming cloud of negativity there. Despite our differences, I’d like to think my older brother knows my intentions and if he doesn’t, I certainly wished he’d simply speak to me to understand them much like I’d be willing to do for what I don’t understand about him. Shane was the genuine talker amongst the three of us. The man could talk a cat down from a tree. Though he and Isaac often butted heads, he still spoke to him with love and looked out for him like a brother would. He was never much of an argumentative type of man; just wordy.”

“Raise your words, not…” I quickly turned to glance at Dante while his relaxed frame peered up at me.

“Not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” We finished the Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi quote in unison and my heart instantly fluttered as if I’d heard the sound of my brother’s voice through his own. The silence that followed was a result of my emotions and my lips slightly fell agape at the moment we just shared. I remember the first time Shane told me that. I’d been crying to him about an argument Andreas and I had over the most trivial situation. We were only dating at the time. He enraged me to the point of my screaming at him and he walked out on me. Though I didn’t expect it, we went days without speaking to one another and I was sure that our relationship was over. I wept to Shane as if the man had died and admitted my part in what happened. It was then that we an depth filled conversation about the pointlessness of yelling and the lack of proper verbal expression and misunderstanding one tends to deal with whenever it’s happening. That goes both ways. Words are far more powerful when they’re being expressed when we’re of proper sound, mind, and body.

“He’d always say that to me.”  

“It’s great advice to give.”

“I miss him.”

“I know you do.”

Suddenly the ocean appeared like nothing more than a massive space of my tears for the loss of such an exceptional being. Shane was the standard of what an upstanding human being is supposed to be. It’s not too often that I question God and the decisions that he makes because certainly he knows best, but I’ve yet to get on board with him snatching my brother, mentor, and best friend out of my life like the most vicious thief in the night. What purpose did that serve? He left a hole in my family that can never be filled. The grieving has yet to end. Instead it’s a topic that we tend to divert from to save ourselves from having to bear one another’s burdens of pain. Between my life and health unraveling in addition to my meltdown over my brother’s death, I am conscious of mine being the heaviest to bear for everyone. I’ll never understand the pain my parents felt in having to bury one child while consistently keeping their strength together to make sure they didn’t have to make arrangements for another. I suppose that’s the silver lining in all of this? Is that God’s gift? If you run down all of the details of our family’s history and all that we’ve gone through personally, Lillian and Silas Dupont could have outlived all three of their children. Today, two out of three are still alive and kicking. Maybe that’s why they’re a lot more positive about this life shit than I’ve been.

“He’s here with you. I tend of think of my uncle in the same manner. I have this belief that those who had a hand in guiding us throughout our lives is continuing to do so in the afterlife in some aspect. Shane’s around and I’m sure that he’s proud of you. He knows that you can handle yourself baby.” Within seconds, his arms were wrapped around my waist and he drew me back into his chest. The soft kiss to my neck was a soother.

“The same can be said for your uncle.”

“Yeah, I know that. Uncle Harry literally groomed me for it. He’d always tell me that life isn’t promised and he wouldn’t be around forever so I needed to take in as much knowledge from my elders as possible. Our time together was always a mixture of fun and him dropping tons of knowledge; even about shit that I was too young to understand  or I shouldn’t have been hearing about. He did it because he noticed that my manhood started a lot earlier than it should have.”

“Do you feel like you had a childhood?”

“Not really. In some cases, I feel like I did childlike things such as playing basketball at the Boys and Girls Club, watching cartoons, and playing video games in my bedroom but for the most part I don’t think I had the mentality of a kid. I always had to analyze everything and figure out solutions and conclusions for myself. I had to understand what should have been beyond my years. I’m not hurt about it because it’s the reason why I’m not so bitter today. I can admit that there’s some animosity within me towards my family that I do need to work through before I can have my own, but other than I’m alright and that’s because I wanted to be.” I turned around in his arms to be face to face with all of his handsome glory and I searched for the pain that I know he often sees in my eyes but I couldn’t find any. Indifference? Sure. Pain? No.

“You want to work through the animosity so you won’t inflict the pain of your childhood onto your children?” While he shook his head, he used one of his hands to tame my hair as the wind had it’s way with it.

“No. I’d never do that. I want to work through the animosity so that my children will know where their St. James last name comes from beyond myself. Eventually, I’d hate to know that they have two living grandparents and an uncle who they know nothing about or never met in person. As screwed up as it sounds, I know if I were to find out that I’m going to be a father tomorrow, I’d never share that news with them. I’d want to shield and protect the pregnancy and eventually the child from the toxicity. So hopefully before that time comes, all is well enough.” His words made perfect sense as they normally do and I confirmed my agreement with a kiss to lips. I could never argue with that despite my love of family unity. Every parent wants more for their child than what they had for themselves. In his case, it goes beyond the materialistic aspects of life. He’d like for his children to have a genuine understanding of a family dynamic and it’s importance.

“Two years right?” His light chuckle and the shrug of his shoulders made me raise an eyebrow.

“Maybe. I said two years but you never know. Life has it’s way of throwing curve balls into your plans from time to time.”

“Yeah….okay.” I jerked my head back and we quickly share laughter over him tossing in the possibility that his children could be planted within my womb sooner than he planned for. My womb being the incubator for his children is still the unbelievable part in all of this. I’m not that special. Hell, the thought of being a mother in two years or less dances on my nerves quite a bit. I don’t know where the hell I’ll be in two years. It’s such a short length of time.

“Do you have a hidden talent? Well, you do, but one that everyone can know about.”

“What?” His eyebrows flew up in amusement and my head dropped onto his chest as I did my best to mask my laughter.

“What’s my hidden talent that everyone cannot know about?” The laughter worsened as I shook my head in embarrassment at such a slip up. My bashfulness wouldn’t allow me to boldly blurt out the way the flicker of his tongue nearly made his apartment the last place I’d be seen alive. He savored me on that table; defying my warning of time and unhurriedly tasted me and lapped up my body’s nectar as it seeped out to him. I almost joined him in his desire to remained locked in the confines of his bedroom while we explored one another because of that. The dress I chose for the evening further enticed him and I paid the beautiful price of that when he made his irresistible face my seat as soon as we were in private again. Had I not avoided and playfully argued down his advances just a while ago, he would have done it without a concern for that cut inside of his mouth. Instead, I straddled his lap and took his mind off of it. The feel of his flesh…My God.

“Autumn.” The tips of his fingers raised my chin so our eyes could meet and he smirked as he eyed the lip I’d been biting while I drowned in my salacious thoughts.

“The piano. I can play. That’s my hidden talent.”

“You play very well?”

“Yes. I’ve been playing for a long time. I took a liking to my music teacher when I was in middle school. He was this quirky and super intelligent guy who could play just about any instrument you handed to him. He taught me and I kept up with it. What’s yours?”

“Mine isn’t as great as you being able to play the piano. Can you sing?”

“Fuck no. I sound like a dying bear when I sing. I can only play. Tell me yours now. ”

“I can draw.”

“Really? What kind of drawing do you like to do?”

“Sketch or abstract art.”

“Were you taught?”

“No. I stated doodling on paper when I was a kid and it sort of took off on it’s own. Shane’s the writer, poet, and fashion connoisseur. Isaac’s the singer and numbers expert. I’m the artist and visual aesthete as Shane liked to call me. If it were up to me, I’d tell you he over exaggerates things because he can be a dreamer, much like myself, especially with that Pisces state of being all within him. If you let him tell it, I’m a visual expert.” His eyes narrowed while listening to me and his thoughts went elsewhere. He pondered something and eventually nodded his head.

“Let me see your portfolio.”

“What portfolio?” My laughter of disbelief made him narrow those chocolate brown eyes of his once again and he stared into my set of emerald to call my bluff. “Portfolios are for people who want to pursue those endeavors in a professional manner. I draw for fun, I interior designed my parents house and my own house, a bit of Heather’s too, and I only help out with family related events. That’s it. I have no interest in doing any of that professionally.”

“Well your parents home looks incredible so there’s clearly some skill there and you’re not about to tell me that you don’t sketch on paper. So I’d like to see.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“What is there to think about?”

“I’m sensitive about my shit, sir.” His chuckle was the source of my smile and he grazed my cheek with his fingers.

“I’m no critic when it comes to you. I’m nothing less than awestruck by everything that you are and do.”

“Dante…” Yet again, he’d given me one of those compliments that left me breathless, speechless, and filled with flutters. As his hands trailed down my arms and took in the goosebumps his words left all over my skin, I sighed in bliss. There was no other feeling within my body.

“I’ll show you some of what I have when we return. I keep it all in a box at home.”

“What were you in school for? You’ve never told me that.”

“Well, I was a biology major and a statistics minor. I was also pre-med.”

“What kind of a doctor were you looking to become? I figured you were interested in medicine when you were at the hospital and damn near about to tell the doctor how to do his job.” My hand lightly slapped into his chest and my eyes playfully rolled at his commentary. I wasn’t that bad. I simply wanted to make sure those sutures were well done so he wouldn’t have any ugly scarring later on. I’ve seen some unnecessary scars and there’s nothing you can do about them once they’ve made their mark and healed. All it takes is actual care and genuine concern about the well being and future well being of your patient to make sure you do an excellent job in treating them.

“Obstetrician. I have a genuine respect for the field and to be able to witness the miracle of life all the time would have been nothing less than incredible. My hand not being one hundred percent has drawn me away from that. I’m sure I could still bust my ass and make my way through school but I’d certainly be limited in what I could do and I’d eventually expose myself if I tried to mask it. In addition to that, I’m not as passionate about it anymore. I want to be one of those people that can throw themselves into anything and just settle but I’m not that woman. I want to love what I do for a living.”

“We both know that I can identify with that very well. If you don’t pursue the medical field, is there anything else that you want to do?”

“I don’t know.” I do know. Though I was interested in medicine, my brother and I often meshed our hidden talents together for future goals that we were going to execute together. He was even willing to wait for me to finish medical school and start my residency before we could begin to put it all into play. Though that particular passion still lingers within me, the other half of it died literally and figuratively. I cannot picture myself doing any of it without he and his expertise there to further enhance my talents. He’d shake me and call me foolish if he were standing in front of me right now but he’s not and that within itself knocked my courage down quite a few notches.

“Deep down inside, you do know, and when you’re ready, it’ll happen.” Yet again, he’d read right into me. He never fails.

“What makes you so sure?”

“There’s a voice within you that seems to be telling you that you cannot do whatever it is that you want to do. Silence it by proving that you can. Trust yourself.” He meshed his lips onto my forehead. “I believe in you. Your family believes in you. You just have to believe in yourself because that’s the most important part.”

“I should have agreed with your idea to stay in for the evening.”

Coco Bistro. Though I insisted that we have dinner outdoors at our villa, Dante persuaded me in not wasting my desired attire for the evening on a private dinner. Instead, we went for a night out on the town and eventually ended up at the bistro for a bite to eat. With it’s one of a kind setting amongst the largest palm grove on the island, it is said to be a food lover’s fantasy and I was swayed once I heard about it’s local and fresh cuisine. I can be a bit of a sucker for an excellent seafood dish.

“Why?” I placed yet another spoonful of the roasted sweet potato and butternut squash soup in my mouth while his lust filled glare washed over me. I’d been going between the soup and the grilled shrimp satay and their Jamaican curry dip while he’d yet to touch anything. He ordered some sort of a grilled flatbread with caramelized onions, truffle cheese, fresh arugula, and chorizo. I was enjoying it far more than he was and per usual, he didn’t care. One of these days, I’m going to stop eating out of his plates. I hope.

“I want you.” What I thought was simple had been nothing more than a teaser for him and he’s done plenty to inform me of it. His hands and those fingers have been all but inside of me as they grazed over the crush black velvet of the dress and the smoothness of my skin whenever eyes weren’t on us. I chosen to wear the crystal lace up detailing on the side of it widen enough to show a nice amount of skin but most of all, so he and anyone else who paid attention would know that there’s absolutely nothing under it. My black Jimmy Choo heeled sandals were the perfect match. After having allowed the wind to tussle with my hair throughout the day, I pulled it back into a sleek ponytail for our evening.

“Maybe next time you’ll listen.” We smirked at one another, mine as flirtation and his as a quiet warning for what’s to come.

“I don’t know if this is going to sound cliche or if it’s going to sound like nonsense to you because you don’t know how to take a compliment, but you are by far one of the most beautiful women of all time.”

“Shut up.” I couldn’t refrain from laughing even if I tried. I always find statements like that to be so farfetched and unrealistic. In our stroll this evening as we took in the ambiance of such a stunning place in the world, I’ve seen a number of beautiful locals and visitors amongst us. Whether you deem them to be traditional beauties or unique, it was noticeable. That goes for anywhere else in the world. In addition to that, beauty’s in the eye of the beholder and given that he’s my man and loves me, the bias is there. I also have to wonder if he’s saying this to me because our waitress cannot seem to refrain from ogling over him whenever she approaches our table. You’d think in every time that she’s given me her back to stare at, I’m not nothing more than a nuisance standing in between her and the opportunity to invite him into her space.

“I’m serious.”

“You’re biased.”

“I’m not.”

“Yeah, okay. Says the man who has women drooling all over you everywhere we go. From L.A. to Miami, to Paris, to New York, to London. I don’t care where we are. They’re drooling. Our waitress is doing it tonight.” I don’t know if I should be admitting that I’m so used to that when it comes to the men in my life but I am. With Andreas, it was the norm. There was no denying his appearance was eye candy for women but they also had no issue leering at him, shamelessly flirting, or speaking with him whether I was within his presence or not. I’m used to waitresses speaking to and offering to serve my significant other first and damn near forgetting my presence. I’m accustomed to quietly observing and yet having nothing to say about it because ultimately, what can I do about it? Andreas thrived off of the discomfort I felt while it happened. He found my “jealousy” to be hilarious. I can admit in some cases I was jealous, but in most, I felt insecure. I began pondering which one of those women would be the one to finally lure him away from me but little did I know, I was looking in the wrong direction.

“I didn’t notice.” A nonchalant shrug followed his response.

“How didn’t you notice?”

“I was looking at you.” I used my left foot to lightly kick him and he widened his eyes with laughter.

“You play too much.”

“I was.”

“Sure you were. You’ve barely touched your starter. Are you even going to have a main course?”

“I am.”

“What are you going to have?” I’d already chosen the pan seared fresh salmon. It was either that or the seafood pasta, but the thought of salmon, smashed buttered redskin potatoes, and the sautéed spinach left my taste buds yearning for it.

“It’s not on the menu.”

“What?” I reopened it to understand why he had a lack of interest in the already delicious choices there and then pondered just how much pull he had to influence the chef to create a personalized dish for him, but the expression filled with mischief on his face left a flustered one on my own. I silently thanked God our table had some seclusion from the other guests.

“I’m going to order for you. You want steak? Lamb? Salmon?” The grilled black angus sounded like more of his speed.

“I want to go back to the villa.” His words beckoned my body and without hesitation the fluttering within my chest was in an unwavering accord with the throbbing exuding from the other half of me. “Can we order your food to go?”

“Yes.” The response went flying out of my mouth before I could comprehend what he asked. I just about called him rude when he raised his arm and summoned the same waitress towards us while she was in the middle of serving the other customers. He refused to wait.

“What do you want to eat?”

“The salmon.”

“Anything else?”

“No.”

Twenty minutes. That’s all it took for my serving to be in Dante’s possession and my body to be swiftly trailing behind his as we made our way to the awaiting chauffeured vehicle. The frustration on his face in response to the pace of our elderly driver was my amusement and I all but thought the man would hop over the driver’s side seat and drive the car himself. Had my arm not been wrapped around his shoulder, I’m certain he would have.

“I can’t believe you said that out loud.” My giggling most likely worsened the situation and yet I couldn’t stop as he used the keys to open up the door. He’d call the man Driving Ms. Daisy with no regard for his feelings. The confusion on his face after my aggravated lover spat the joke out was my cue to apologize with laughter that I could not cease.

He didn’t bother with flipping on the hall’s lighting. My dinner was tossed on the nearest entryway table and my back pressed against the door as it faintly closed behind us. As his body closed the space between us, the gleam in my eyes heightened as the moonlight glimmering through the door’s narrow windows and cascaded over his breathtaking face. My essence entered his realm and my weakening body cried for him.

“I love you.” His words were followed by his hand wrapping around my neck and his lips meshing into my own. His kiss was synonymous with his words. His tongue wrote it amongst mine and as his hands peeled away the velvet, I knew he planned to express that same sentiment to one more part of me.

Our gasps filled the space surrounding us. The coolness of the mahogany wooden door was no match to the raging heat radiating from our frames. The quivering of my lips against his and quavering of my thighs as one remained locked around his waist as he hoisted my body just enough for his sauntering drive and caress, left my being drowning in an addicting delirium. My mind pleaded for reality as the sounds of my love belted loud enough for anyone to hear.

Deeper.

Our cries for one another were in a competition of passion, with myself being the victor.

Slowly.

His determination to make me feel every stroke didn’t go without failure. I unraveled before he did. The trembling and pulsating of every limb coaxed him to fill me.

Our chests heaved in a plea for air as my limbs remained locked around his own.

All of my possessions remained on the floor of the foyer as he carried me away to the master suite. Once my body was resting in the middle of the bed, the rest of his clothing was discarded. Within seconds, he was nestled between my warming thighs with his lips pressed to my ear.

“I love you.” God, I could listen to him say it forever.

“I love you too.”

He slowly dipped back into his haven; my flesh curving around and latching onto him in instinct.

The sounds of my voice and the roaring ocean were a song for him; one that only his ears would ever hear.

I’ll sing it all night.

I’ll sing it forever.