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itiswhatitisboi · 2 months

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naked in manhattan || k. ledecky

katie ledecky x swimmer!reader

summary: katie had been your teammate for the past couple olympics and didn’t notice how much you were in love with her, a friendship you cared more about losing than a race.

warnings: none x

words: 2.6k

pictures cred by sinnerjannik !

first try at writing for katie i hope it’s alright! i have a lot of exposition i feel like so maybe there’ll be a part 2, who knows!

“there she is! she’s done it! once again, she is an olympic champion! setting a new record, nobody can ever count her out!”

that was the video of the announcer’s filtering through your speakers as you watched what all your friends and family had sent you, smiling at their reaction videos texted to you.

“is that from your mom?” katie’s voice asked, leaning over your shoulder to watch your phone screen.

you peeked back at her, smiling, “yeah. her and my brothers sent me this a while ago from when i competed earlier. i’m just watching it now cause i haven’t had the time.”

“makes sense.” katie nodded. “i could recognize her squeals from anywhere.”

you laughed. “man, of course you did. she always cheered louder for you than for me during races.”

the blonde laughed along with you. “not true!” the look on your face told her all she needed to know and she conceded, “okay but if she did, i cheered so hard whenever you swam to make up for it.”

you and katie ledecky had known each other since the rio olympics, which had been your debut and her second appearance, but the both of you were only a year apart at ages 19 and 18.

while you had no particular reason to be as close as you two were, your relationship was the strongest on usa’s swim team. when you were a late decision to be added to the relay, it only seemed to make the bond stronger as katie instilled all of her confidence into you. confidence that pushed you to have your best split in the butterfly portion— your stroke.

you placed gold twice in your debut, besides additionally coming in fourth for the 200 meter butterfly race. that had bummed you out back then, until katie had reminded you of the medals you already adorned and to not dwell on missing the podium no matter how many seconds it was, which was annoying to you because it was only 0.001.

eight years later you were still on the national team, still in the conversation as a medal finalist, and most importantly of all, still best friends with katie— the woman you were madly in love with.

maybe it was all the training, the long practice sessions, the work outs that all prompted you to spend more time with a girl that went to an entirely different school than you in those four years. until you ended up spending all your time with her. maybe it was her laugh, or the sparkle in her eye when she smiled. maybe it was the way she considered you before she thought of herself and you always did the same. or maybe it was at that one celebratory party where you got a little too drunk, a little too focused on her defined muscles that you just couldn’t help from wanting to touch.

you weren’t sure when it had happened..but it had.

and for some reason, this olympics felt different than all the others. sure, maybe paris the city of love was causing you to be a little more flirty with your remarks or touchy when you joked. but you could’ve sworn that katie leaned into you more.

was it contributed to the fact that the both of you were the two oldest female swimmers there? if it were, you didn’t care.

you held onto her gaze longer than you should, you smiled wider, and you just knew that anyone with a pair of eyes could probably agree with you that there was something.. something.

but no matter, you were going to enjoy this olympic games to the fullest.

and you had been. that’s for sure.

even at 27, when people had counted both you and her out of the paris olympics for your ages because you had to have peaked, right?— katie ledecky was proving everyone wrong. how she’s a generational talent, a leader, a gold finalist, and always shattering the glass ceiling that people tried to place her under. once again.

katie ledecky was amazing— perfect, in your opinion.

you didn’t compete that day so you were watching from in the stands with some of the boys from the swim team. when she started her take in her moment of glory, you excused yourself and shimmied past to make it down to the bottom.

you squeezed through two very enthusiastic australians and waved her down as she neared. “hey! ledeckster!”

katie’s head instantly snapped in your direction and the joy on her face seemed to grow once she spotted you. she broke into a jog until she reached you. the medalist’s arms instantly wrapped around you as you leaned over the bar.

“congratulations! it was your’s all day!” you tell her excitedly. “your race, ledecky!”

you heard her lightly laugh into your ear before pulling away to look at you. her smile was the most contagious thing you’ve ever seen. “thanks. i had no idea how ahead i was.”

“it was amazing. you’re amazing, you know that? keep showing ‘em what’chu got. okay? remind the world who you are, katie.”

katie laughed and it spread warmth throughout your body. “what would i do without you?” she grabbed your hand that gripped the railing and gave it a squeeze before peeling herself away to finish the rest of the lap.

a rush of heat colored your cheeks as you smiled to yourself, making your way back to your teammates. she had no idea how much what she said and did affected you, hanging onto to every touch, every word. she had no idea what she was doing to you—but it was driving you crazy.

the next time you saw a medal around katie’s neck was when you both partook in the freestyle relay and placed first.

stepping onto the podium, you realized a hand found its way to intertwine with yours, belonging to katie. you looked at her with bright eyes to find her grin wide, just filled with so much damn joy, a sparkle twinkling in her eye, nearly matching the crest of the chlorine pool reflecting the bright lights of the stadium above.

looking at katie made your heart flutter in such a way that butterflies seemed to fill your stomach, twirling around in a way that practically mirrored your typical butterfly stroke and the way you had to turn yourself around in the water. a smile on your face blossomed to match katie’s and it made the olympian give your hand a squeeze.

you held onto the hands of your teammates on the other side of you, forming a link from an initiation made by the captain. the captain you’d follow until the rest of time, from previous olympic games to this one, and to your last, whenever that may be.

and maybe this was your last games. because you stood there, soaking in the moment of finishing the swimming events on top, beating australia in gold and all other medals. nobody could touch usa. most of that was probably contributed to the talent beside you and that was when the realization struck.. you were finally ready. the only next thing to do was to figure out how to tell katie because if anyone had to know, it would be her.

after the ceremony you were paraded around and eventually directed to a panel of journalists, with one asking the question, “you have an icon here right now, next to you.” you watch katie duck her head at the realization that his gesturing meant his words were referring to her, and you cracked a wide smile. “she’s done such amazing things. tell us, what’s it like to just be in the area with her? what does she mean to this sport?” katie raised a brow, which prompted the interviewer to comment, “katie, you can answer it if you want, too:”

“i’ll just say ‘no comment’.” she waved her hand in a cutting motion along her throat.

“let me at it,” joked ryan murphy on the other end of the panel.

“i’ll answer,” you said as you leaned forward to the mic.

you peeked besides you at a blushing katie who was studying her hands in her lap. she must’ve felt your eyes on her because she glanced at you out of the corner of her eye and her smile at you caused your heart to flutter in your chest.

“i’ve been her teammate for over a decade now and i think the way she carries herself is second to none. she’s so humble and just such a naturally good leader but even better friend and person, which makes her great to be around. she’s unbelievable, and special and easily one of the best athletes of all time for our sport. we’re lucky to have her on our team.” you finished your answer and looked at katie once more, finding a glimmer in her eyes that you couldn’t quite decipher but it made you smile anyways.

todd went on to add his own response to the question and katie leaned over, whispering, “you know, i could say the same for you. you’re incredibly, you know that? thank you.” you smiled bashfully as she straightened back up, mouthing, love ya. meant so casually, but it never was going to be, was it?

then there was attending the basketball celebration the next day after one of the team’s games, which was originally not on your to-do list. but there wasn’t much that katie couldn’t convince you to do. it was annoying how convincing she was, how passionate she could become when it came to the support of the other american athlete— especially when she knows you know much more about the sport than her and she’d be asking you questions every other possession. she would tap your leg to peel your attention away from a play and it’s like your skin was on fire from wherever she touched, deep down just wishing her contact with you would last longer, every brush of your shoulders heightening your awareness to just how close she was, and yet so far.

you stood about the various athletes, having spoken with suni lee and anthony edward’s together (what an odd duo for you to talk with, something you hadn’t imagined for yourself). because what on earth did you have in common with either of them besides the olympics? you blinked away the spots from your eyes after the bright camera flash took the picture of you three. thank god you had a drink in hand, providing you a boost and giving you social buzz because you weren’t sure how you were going to survive the night. a whole collaboration of popular athletes with so many cameras to capture every moment.

“hey,” you heard the familiar voice of katie as she appeared beside you, having vanished a while back to talk to kevin durant and a few others. “how you holding up?”

she was wearing one of the white polos ralph lauren had given team usa and man, did it look good on her. she had some of her hair tucked behind her ear, really accenting the slight curve of her bangs on the other side of her face.

the slight crease of her brow made you realize you were staring and you hastily cleared your throat, “honestly i’d say racing for a medal is easier than this.”

she closed her eyes as she laughed, the giggle sounding as smooth as honey, her head falling forward slightly. “yeah, i can agree with you there. i mean, i just talked to steph curry. like, how is that even real life right now?”

you snort. “please, says the one who’s been competing in the olympics since she was fifteen,” you tease her, watching her over the rim of your cup as you took a sip, not really pacing yourself since swimming events were done.

“that is not the same and you know it.” her embarrassed flush of her cheeks made you chuckle as she pointed an accusing finger at you in a playful manner. she gestured to the people around you, “everyone here? they are all famous stars.”

“come on,” you clicked your tongue at that. you knew she was humble and you admired and loved that about her, but sometimes it was so tiring the way she thought she didn’t match up with all the others. “don’t sell yourself short. people know the name katie ledecky.”

katie shrugged as if she was unconvinced. “if they know my name then they know yours too.”

you scoff because in your head that sounds just so ridiculous. “don’t try and flatter me, ledecky. there are twenty times more articles written about you and all the records you’ve broken, the medals you’ve won, races you’ve done. i mean, do you even know how many of these people here know exactly who you are?”

your hand motioning to the other athletes makes her look around a bit and you’re eyes lock onto her because to you, all these other olympians don’t even come close.

“you’re a generational talent, a fucking national sensation.” at this point you don’t even know what you’re saying, the words are just coming out of you. her gaze meets your own and you swear you can drown in them, the softest pair of hazel eyes you’d ever come to know. “you make the most boring race in swimming fun to watch because you’re you. you’re katie ledecky. everyone loves you because of the type of athlete and person you are, and i don’t blame them because i do too. okay? and i need you to understand all that. i need you to see just how incredible everybody else knows you are.”

“i didn’t know you thought of me like that.” katie looked at you sweetly, her smile showing just how

“of course i do,” you sighed. because i’m in love with you— “because you’re one of my best friends. i could’ve gone on and on yesterday during press when it comes to you.”

you watched her face soften at your words, probably thinking how kind they were. but they meant so much more— an inch away from more than just friends. and what were you supposed to do about that?

she tilted her head at you and flashed you a bright smile, the one you adored so much because it brought so much light to your life every time. “thank you. thank you for saying that, seriously. it means a lot to me.”

“well you mean a lot to me.” you wished you could tell her just how much she really did.

“i know.” she nodded, making you notice the way her bangs shifted with every movement. “you mean a lot to me too. i’m glad you’re here. i’m glad you chose to return for another olympics, i bet it wouldn’t be the same without you right about now.”

“duh. i knew i had to if you were coming back.” you nudged her arm— and damn was it muscular?

you wished you could keep her hand there, and dangerously your mind was wishing you could feel more of her muscles, trace them to destinations you shouldn’t be thinking about, places your thoughts shouldn’t be taking you. her frame was already so intimidating as it is, her wide shoulders so distracting, her height making you always tilt your head slightly to look up at her.

“well i hope i have you as my roommate if we’re a part of LA28,” she smiled kindly, nudging your shoulder with her own.

you chuckled nervously and swallowed hard. you had so much to tell her but how?

“katie..”

i realize this is a bit of a cliffhanger !! so don’t worry, you’ll get more katie fics soon ;)

#katie ledecky #katie ledecky fanfiction #katie ledecky x reader #katie ledecky fic #olympic swimming #she needs more appreciation

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cupidjyu · 1 year

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the sweetener you are

hyunjae x reader (idea from the anon who requested childhood friends to lovers!)

summary: when a mysterious man moves into the apartment next door, you realize that he’s your childhood best friend who’s disappeared for years. he changed, his life seeming to have soured. but you could just be his sweetener, the one to make him smile again

genre: best friends to lovers, and boy-next-door sorta thing, hurt/comfort for him because he deserves the world, nightmares, healing, one bed trope, youre forced to move in with him hahaha am i evil, back hugs, he acts "drunk" when tired (dont ask why, it was just an excuse to write him being clingy), hes flirty ish and teasing, hes shirtless for like one second (BECAUSE.), sleepy love confessions, kissing, is there tension? i can't tell myself, “sweetheart” good god notes: school started so expect much much less after this... so see you in a bit 🥲🥲but hope u enjoy!!! this is literally just yumi who needs to stop writing long interpretations of their love for hyunjae in the form of fics + song inspo! word count: 12.7k

You coughed. You choked. And then you glared straight at Younghoon who was staring back in complete alarm. Setting the unfinished glass down on the counter with a loud clink, you clenched your jaw with unspoken curse words that threatened to escape your lips.

“This tastes like dirt,” You garbled out. Rushing over to one of your cupboards, you pulled out one of those small sugar packets that you liked to swipe from those cute coffee shops. If it was free, why not take a few? Ripping the paper open, you poured it into the drink that didn’t even look like it belonged on this planet. It was both… green and yellowish-blue at the same time.

Younghoon gasped, slapping a hand over his mouth dramatically. “That’s not healthy!”

“But it tastes so bad,” You whined. “It needs a sweetener.”

He glared, dragging his hand all the way down his jaw in an unattractive way. “It’s an herbal drink. It’s meant to taste bad. Think of all the health benefits you could’ve gotten out of that without the sugar.”

“You made this?” You scrunched up your face in disgust.

“No, I–” He laughed nervously. “My mom did. I promised her I would finish it.”

You narrowed your eyes. “And you couldn’t because it tasted so bad. So you’re making me finish it.”

He gave you a pained smile as he stepped away. “I– who said that?”

“Why’re we even friends?” You questioned before jabbing a finger at the door. “Get out.”

Younghoon pouted but he eventually obliged, opening the apartment door. “You still owe me money for that overpriced tiny piece of cake by the way.”

“It tasted good!” You shot back.

“It did not.” He sighed. “It’s just you with your horrible sweet tooth. Don’t even– hey…” You noticed him peeking out of your door and into the hallway. And then he leaned back in, searching your face with wonder. “Someone’s moving in next door.”

You brightened with interest at that, practically jumping off where you were sitting on the kitchen counter. Bounding over to the door, you poked your head out under Younghoon’s, just like they did in the cartoons. Squinting your eyes, all you could see was a tall man with a cap on that covered most of his face.

“Who’s that?” Younghoon said, slightly too loud for your liking.

With a groan, you elbowed him in the ribs. “Shh…how would I know? Though... he does look better than that old dude who constantly yelled at those courtroom TV shows like he was the judge.” It was like the apartment next to yours was cursed. Magic wasn’t real here. Or at least, in this world. But you still believed that a witch had strolled by and casually placed a hex on Apt 245 for the fun of it. For the time that you’ve been here, you’ve seen about five people move in there. And they were never happy.

Once, there were two parents who had to deal with multiple children who would not stop crying. You hadn’t slept a wink the whole time they were there. They did receive a noise complaint though. Another time, there was a teenager who couldn’t even properly pay off the rent. He didn’t have a job. But he could somehow afford the loudest speaker where he would play the most gut-wrenching, saddest music ever. He got evicted.

But this man… well–he looked decent. Really. No evident curse here. Or at least, yet. When he turned around, you could see that he was very tall and… broad. Apparently, that was the first thing you noticed. He also seemed to pick up the moving boxes with ease and when he had stepped just the slightest to the side, you could see the impossibly perfect slope of his nose. Also a very odd thing to notice.

Younghoon grasped your arm, pulling you back into your own apartment.

“Don’t fall in love.”

You gaped at him. “What? I don’t even know who he is.”

He raised an eyebrow. “But he’s tall. And broad. And has a nice nose. I know you. I know your type.”

Shit.

“You do know me,” You mumbled sheepishly. “But still!” You poked him harshly. “I won’t fall in love. I probably won’t even see him for like– a month. Or he’s going to be cursed and moved out like the others. Don’t worry.”

Your friend narrowed his eyes in skepticism but he eventually nodded. “As long as you don’t bump into him tomorrow or something.”

You laughed, rolling your eyes. “Of course. I won’t fall in love.”

You didn’t fall in love. You fell onto the floor.

And you also happened to bump into him the next day ironically enough.

If only—if only—you decided to pick up your mail yesterday like you were supposed to, this wouldn’t have happened. And by this, you meant being distracted by a cup that rolled out of your new neighbor’s door and then walking straight into his chest.

You squeaked in horror. “I’m sorry!” And then you stepped backwards, tripped on your badly-timed untied shoelace, and ended up on the floor in the middle of the hallway.

When you looked up, there was a pretty hand that reached out to help you up. Taking it with burning cheeks, you could finally see what this man looked like up close and without a cap.

And you would have expected maybe one of those boy-next-door romantic moments where you would fall into his arms and start dating the next day. Oh, and also kiss and eventually get married. But no, you—

“Hyunjae?”

The man—Hyunjae—gaped at you with comically wide eyes.

“Y/n,” He breathed out.

As long-lost childhood friends, the most sensible thing to do was ask how he was. But you often defied expectations, positively or negatively, and so instead you lunged forward, wrapping your arms around his waist and pulling him into a tight hug.

Hyunjae, whom you’ve known since you were just young kids, has been your best friend for as long as you could remember. He used to be on the elementary school track team while you… were on the bleachers trying to tell the difference between subtraction and addition. But luckily, Hyunjae was both a smart and kind kid and so he had stopped in the middle of his running to sit with you and teach what your teacher couldn’t do properly.

He was always one year older, always more mature and experienced. But he tended to throw that away just for you and join in on playing games with you when he should’ve been studying for an exam. But he did so to cheer you up. He was sweet like that and you adored spending your afternoons after school with him.

The two of you even got to experience those dreadful high school years together, except there was always that haunting realization—that he would eventually graduate first. But he always reassured you.

“It’s just one year, silly,” He joked, pulling you into a side hug, one that perfectly portrayed his understanding of your worries. “I’ll text and call you all the time. Promise.”

Promises were often broken and this wasn’t any different. For when he had left for college, he never contacted you ever again. You had tried to reach out, but he never responded. And so, for your whole college term, you never saw Lee Hyunjae, your supposed “best friend,” ever again.

And you should have been mad—no, furious to see him again. You should have pushed him away and went on with your life while skillfully avoiding him. But just the simple sight of him brought back all those fond memories–baking cupcakes, falling asleep together just after screaming over a horror movie, holding each other when life just gets too much... And so you found yourself buried into his chest, holding him tightly.

“Hyunjae,” You whispered again, shutting your eyes in both contentment and fear of him pushing you away again.

But you felt two hands snake around your middle, hugging you back. There were a million questions running through your mind at that moment, wondering why he had disappeared but welcomed you so easily. But you set them aside, choosing to just melt into his still familiar embrace.

Finally though, you managed to pull away, looking at him with a fond smile. He smiled back. He had grown even more handsome than before. He managed to become taller, broader, and more charming all at once. His features were sharp, more mature. Something about him–the way he was dressed in a literal suit–really portrayed to you that he really was an adult now, as opposed to the teenager who procrastinated on science projects.

“How are you?” He smiled, almost too polite for your liking. You could see the way he stood, awkwardly and with fidgeting hands. And that was when it all hit you like a truck.

Your eyebrows suddenly furrowed, your lips pulled into a scowl, and your eyes narrowed as you stepped forward. “How am I? No. How could you–” You banged a fist on his firm chest. “–leave me–” Another punch. “–like that–” He stepped back in growing alarm. “–and act all polite and uneasy as if we weren’t best friends for years?” Both of your fists lingered on his chest, your strength growing weak from frustration.

“Y/n, I–” He winced.

“Actually, I hate you.” You glared. But your words differentiated from your actions when your hand came to smooth down his crumpled tie. “I don’t want to see you ever again. You’re an absolute asshole and I–” But your eyes met with his, his gaze amused and soft. And then you sniffled, looking down at the ground, the urge to cry suddenly overcoming you.

Hyunjae laughed quietly. “I’m sorry. If you would allow me to explain?”

“Great,” You grumbled. “Then do so. Since you’ve owed me an explanation after all these years.”

He glanced at his watch. “I have work. Tomorrow, maybe? Trust me.”

You looked at him in bewilderment. “Work? But you haven’t even unpacked yet.” You eyed his apartment with the door open. There were multiple boxes strewn about, some not even open yet.

“Emergencies,” He sighed. That was when you noticed just how exhausted he looked. “I have to go.”

“Oh,” You stuttered. “Okay. I– good luck?”

Hyunjae smiled, pinching your cheek just like he had done all those years ago. He seemed to be completely unfazed over the fact that you just punched him in anger. “Thank you.” And he was locking the door behind him and heading for the elevator. But just as he was walking away, you felt the need to call something out. Just a few words.

“Hyunjae?” You said.

He turned around, tilting his head. You never knew just how well work attire suited him. He looked almost… attractive. But god, what were you thinking?

“I missed you.”

He smiled but he never quite gave you a response as the elevator ding had interrupted him. Instead, he just gave you a small wave.

It was odd. Awkward. But one step at a time, you figured. It’s been years after all.

The next day, as promised, he had shown up to your door. This time, since it was the weekend, he was wearing a simple white shirt. One that still never failed to accentuate his broad shoulders.

But initially, you thought it was Younghoon and not a guy who you haven’t seen for multiple years. So you may or may not have opened the door with your hair like a bird’s nest and your sleepwear on that… wasn’t meant for the general public to see. Apparently, Hyunjae fits in the general public category now. Best friend? No, you hate him.

Kind of.

Not really.

Stumbling to the door, you flung it open, your eyes barely open. Immediately, you were met with the sight of just. Long legs. Not very helpful.

“Who–” And then you looked up, only to meet Hyunjae’s eyes. Choking on your spit, you straightened up. “Hello,” You blurted out in a monotone voice.

He raised an eyebrow and tilted his chin down with amusement. “And who’s the uneasy one now?”

“Sorry, I…” Your eyes trailed down to what you were wearing. With an internal gasp, you stepped backward. “I’m going to– change.”

He widened his eyes and then his gaze also traveled down. His cheeks were oddly red and he cleared his throat, looking away.

You cringed and shut the door in his face before he could even say anything.

Now in proper clothes that were for the general public, you opened the door again. He was still standing there with that same smile. The same kind, caring one he always regarded you with even when you were just kids.

“Where should we talk?” You asked.

His eyes glanced over to his own door. “My place?” He offered quietly. “I have unpacking to do.”

You stared at him silently. And then you nodded with an excited smile. “I can help.”

“Oh no,” He laughed softly. “You don’t have to. I’m fine on my–”

“You don’t look fine,” You interrupted. And without thinking, your hand came up to cup his cheek, turning him to face you. “You look tired.”

He stared at you wordlessly before sighing. “I guess I am.”

“So let me help.” You grinned. “I’m using my vacation days from work right now anyway.”

He could only mutter a shy “okay” as he opened the door for you to enter. Looking around, you found that the only things that he had unpacked lacked much of any personality. He took out the necessities and a bunch of… work. Papers, a computer, work suits and the like.

“You seem busy,” You remarked as you walked over to the box labeled “decorations” only for there to literally be one single plant that looked like it needed to be watered. In fact, it was on the brink of death. Immediately, your face was contorting in worry and you turned to where he was just standing at the entrance with an embarrassed expression. “What… happened to your initial dream?”

He approached you and peered into the box. “What dream?”

“The one where you wanted to have a place full of pretty plants.”

“Yeah well,” He laughed bitterly. “Circumstances change aspirations.”

You gulped nervously at his change of tone. Something was bothering him. Something, in particular, caused him to move here. You led him to the couch and sat next to him.

“So what is it? Why did you cut everyone off and– disappear?” You asked cautiously.

He looked at you for a long minute like he was trying to figure out a response for himself. And finally, he just sighed in defeat.

“Problems.”

“Like what?” You prodded.

“A lot. And I wouldn’t want to lay them all on you.” He gave you a weak smile. You regarded him with a soft look in your eyes, searching his face for any sort of answer. All you could see was a flame that had long been put out.

“Then tell me one.”

“One?” He bit his lip nervously. “One…”

“Just one,” You said gently.

“Like the one where the place I used to work at didn’t treat me right? That they refused to give me anything?” He mumbled, his voice trailing off with embarrassment. “So I moved here so that I could get away? That one?”

You froze at his words. You processed them and that was when it began to make sense. He wasn’t going to work yesterday. He was going to an interview. His computer was open to job openings and the papers weren’t reports. They were resumes.

“Hyunjae,” You whispered. But he was already distancing himself, standing up from the couch. You gazed at him with concern as you stood up, only for him to take a step backward.

“Why are you…” You frowned. “It’s okay, you know. Did you think I would look at you any differently?”

His jaw clenched. “Well, I did cut you off because I didn’t want to worry you. You always told me I would be successful, the best. So how exactly could I face you after they…”

“That’s not your fault. And I’m sorry for putting that on you,” You mustered, stepping closer. This time, he didn’t step away. He allowed you to do anything. He let you trail a hand down to his wrist, holding it gently. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me more. I’m sorry.”

He watched you with slight surprise, and with his lips pulled into a straight line, he whispered a small, “I should be the one who’s sorry.”

You shook your head with a smile. “Don’t be.”

He stayed silent at that, simply studying your features. You could tell he still wanted to apologize. But then the corner of his lips lifted slightly. “You grew up.” His tone was gentle, so kind, just like you’ve always known. It was a little quieter than before though, more closed off as if he was afraid–scared of what you would think of him.

You laughed bashfully. “And so did you.” Your hand trailed up to his shoulder. “Did you start working out?”

He smirked. “Why, do you like my progress?”

You snorted. “Could improve.”

He scoffed yet he only looked at you with fondness. The two of you simply stood there, in the midst of his empty apartment, just staring at each other. And then you giggled. He laughed as well before reaching forward and pulling you into his arms, squeezing you so tight that you felt the air leave your lungs.

“Ah–” You choked. “Hyunjae. You’re killing me.”

“I’m showing you my newfound strength,” He joked, stepping away. You were about to refute but instead, you felt your gaze wandering to his arms. Since when were they so toned and–

“Very funny,” You weakly replied. Escaping from his persisting soft gaze, you stepped away and approached the various boxes. “What can I help you with?”

Hyunjae didn’t have much. Apparently, all those large boxes contained about three small things.

“I overestimated,” He replied with a sheepish smile when you asked.

Most of his things were put away yet when you looked around, the apartment was void of any joy or charm. The only boxes that were left were his clothes which he claimed he could do another day. After putting away his single cup and plate–that’s all he had apparently–you turned around only to see that he was crouched, bending towards that same plant that you pointed out. Its leaves were drooping and the stem wilting, as his fingers gently prodded at it. When you looked closely, you could see a melancholy look on his face, a small frown tugging on his lips.

It was true, that Hyunjae had many dreams when he was younger. That was normal for many people. But to witness it all dissipate before your sight, no sign of light behind his eyes, you couldn’t help but feel your heart clench.

Walking over, you crouched down next to him. He gave you a forced smile.

“Kind of sad,” He remarked with a disappointed sigh. “I bought it only for me to fail to take care of it.”

“You can always buy another one.”

“Mhm,” He hummed dully. “Sure.”

You watched him wordlessly, observing the way his gaze fell when one of the leaves broke off. Shaking your head, you suddenly stood up.

“Let’s go out.”

He looked up at you in surprise. “What?”

“I’ll be your tour guide of the town,” You joked. “I know everything.”

Standing up with you, he stole a glance at his phone. “I can’t.”

“Why?” You pouted.

“I’m waiting for my result from the interview.”

You sighed and took his wrist in yours, pulling him to the door. “You need to get your mind off that for a second.”

“But–”

“Please?” You looked up at him, even batting your eyelashes. “Just for a moment?” You also exaggerated a pout.

He blinked in shock, his eyes trailing over your expression. “What are you doing?”

“Making you feel bad. Is it working?” You held back a grin.

He huffed out a laugh. “Definitely. Fine, just for a moment.”

You grinned and you were already pulling on your shoes and bounding out the door, leaving Hyunjae to smile to himself.

“This is a convenience store.” You pointed at it with a bright smile.

He rolled his eyes. “I know what a convenience store is.”

You laughed and led him to the next block before abruptly stopping. “This is the karaoke bar,” You said, pointing at the nearby building.

“Fun,” He muttered.

“We should go one day.” You smiled. “Actually no.” You scowled. “I got drunk there once and I think they banned me because I was dancing on the tables.”

Hyunjae turned to you in slight shock. “You? Drunk?”

“What?” You widened your eyes in surprise. “What is it?”

“I just… you always said that you hated the taste of alcohol,” He replied in wonder.

“Times change.” You grinned, nudging his shoulder. He gave you a small smile back.

Then, you led him to your favorite spot. The central park in the middle of town. It was a beautiful day out, the sky bright and blue. You loved to sit at one of the benches, watching birds fly by or kids play happily on the playground.

“Wait here.” You patted the seat. And then you were running off, nowhere to be seen. Hyunjae simply sat there, observing the calm atmosphere. When you came back, you were holding a stick of cotton candy in your hand. It was large, almost covering your whole face. Hyunjae chuckled, taking it from you so you wouldn’t trip on the ground.

“Aren’t we too old for this?” He questioned.

You shook your head. “I still love it.”

He took a bite and turned to look at you with furrowed eyebrows. “It’s so sweet.”

“That’s why it’s good!” You stared at him like he was the craziest man alive.

“It’s because you’ve always had a sweet tooth.” He frowned, gently placing it back in your hands.

“Fine,” You scoffed. “If that’s how you treat your best friend.” And you were taking a bite on the opposite side. When you pulled it away from your face, you were startled by a loud laugh. From Hyunjae, specifically. Turning to him with wide eyes, you could even see him smiling.

It was not like the other smiles that you’ve seen so far. Those ones were small, lacking much of any emotion. But this one was wide, full with amusement and happiness.

“Wha– oh,” You huffed, realizing that there was cotton candy on your nose. Hyunjae laughed even louder and suddenly he was leaning in to gently wipe it off with his finger.

“Cutie,” He whispered fondly, his other hand gently cupping the side of your face.

Your heart stuttered at the word. “Wh-what?”

He gulped, pulling away like he was burned. “Oh, I…”

You quickly recovered, instead scooching even closer to him so that your shoulders were touching. “You think I’m cute? Even when I’m all grown up?”

“Always.”

“I missed your smile,” You stated as the two of you were walking back to the apartment complex.

You had expected him to point out that he had smiled other times before. But instead, he gazed at you with soft eyes.

“I did too. It’s been a while since I’ve felt so happy,” He said. “All thanks to you.”

“Of course!” You beamed, looping an arm with his before pulling him closer. “You can always count on me.”

He didn’t respond this time. But his expression said it all. Thank you, thank you, thank you, was all you could see in his dark brown eyes. Smiling, you bumped your body playfully against his.

“Are you busy tomorrow?” You asked.

Again, you found yourself in his apartment the next day. Apparently, he had just gotten back from running and he needed to take a shower. So, you were looking through his boxes full of clothes. You sorted through them, folding them until you came across a hoodie. You didn’t recognize it, but the fabric of it was so… soft and warm. Your hands held onto it, contemplating what it would feel like if you just–

The door to the bathroom creaked open. You gasped and shoved it behind you, greatly hoping that he didn’t notice you staring at it longingly. But alas, you just had to have slow reflexes at this moment.

“Do you like it?” He asked. “Put it on.”

You laughed awkwardly, turning to face him, only for your protests to come stuttering to a stop. Your eyes trailed down from his damp hair to his… whole torso. His bare torso. He was shirtless. Right out of the shower, water droplets sitting prettily on his collarbones, traveling all the way down to his chest and his– he definitely works out.

“Oh,” You breathed out, your cheeks flushing red as you frantically looked away. This was not how you expected to reunite with your best friend after so long.

“Sorry,” He replied, his voice low. “My shirt’s in there.”

You nodded, refusing to look up. It was quiet for a moment, too quiet that you contemplated just shoving his clothes into his hands while dutifully avoiding the sight of his bare chest.

But then he was right beside you and he smelled so, so good as he leaned over you, his hand gently grasping your waist. To take a shirt. Very unnecessary but it still left you inhaling sharply. Feeling yourself go dizzy as you stood there, eyes trained on the ground, and every single muscle in all of human anatomy completely rigid until you were sure he was properly dressed.

Taking a peek, you were met with his teasing smile.

“Everything okay?”

“Yes,” You mustered.

“You were staring weren’t you?” He leaned even closer, his eyes searching yours with amusement. His hand gently lifted your chin up, making you swallow thickly at the way he was gazing at you with a small smirk.

“I wasn’t,” You whispered shakily.

“Hm,” He hummed. “You look a little flushed though.”

“It was nothing,” You shoved him away, feeling like your face was on fire. “You shouldn’t just walk around like that. It’s…”

“Mhm.” He only continued to smile wider. “Whatever you say.”

You groaned, abruptly turning away to hide your reddening cheeks. But then your eyes landed back on that same hoodie.

“I know that look on your face,” He teased, picking it up. “You like it.”

“I don’t.”

“Okay,” He simply replied, shrugging and turning around. You were just about to question his suspiciously short response when out of nowhere, he whipped back around and pulled the hoodie over you. Immediately, you were encompassed in warmth and– did he always smell this good? And why was he staring at you so softly with that stupid fond smile and why was your heart beating a mile a minute and–

“Hyunjae,” You groaned. “What was that for?”

But he stayed silent, simply examining you wearing his clothes. You tilted your head.

“Do I look good?”

His breath hitched and now it was him with reddening cheeks as he backed away. You stifled a laugh as you stepped forward, cornering him against the edge of the kitchen counter.

“And I know that look on your face,” You teased back. “You like it.”

His eyes fluttered, almost like he was fighting the urge to look over your body once again. He inhaled deeply and then he straightened, leaning over you this time. With a subtle smile, he whispered something that left shivers down your spine.

“I love it.”

Oh my god. You treaded backwards, suddenly feeling conscious of everything. His eyes on you–all over you–the way the shirt clung to his body, the rushing thought of the fact that you saw him without it on just a few minutes ago–everything came over you like a bucket of ice water.

“I–” With wide eyes, he only continued to approach you, the scent of his shampoo overcoming you quickly. You couldn’t come up with a comeback anymore. At first, you thought that this was just friendly banter, the type that you guys would do in the school cafeteria. But this–this was something different. With the way he was looking at you with darkening eyes, you weren’t quite sure this was that “friendly banter” thing anymore.

“Shut up,” You blurted out as you pulled the hoodie off you and thrust it into his chest.

“Why?” He grinned. “I like this game.”

You raised your eyebrows. “What game is this exactly?”

“The game of making the other person flustered.”

You stood there for a moment, thinking. You couldn’t quite come up with a verbal comeback. So you could instead…

Taking a step forward, you hooked a hand around the back of his neck, letting your touch linger there for a moment. A stuttering breath was caught thickly in his throat as he looked down at you in bafflement.

And then you let your fingertips trail around, down his neck, across his collarbone, slightly pulling down the hem of his shirt and stopping just at his chest where you could feel his heart thump erratically.

Your trace on his skin left sparks flying in your heart and when you had looked up, you knew that Hyunjae was experiencing the same thing.

He was looking down at you, completely speechless and his eyes round in shock. You smiled in triumph, leaning close to one of his reddening ears.

“Then I win.”

And you were heading for the door. But just as you turned around, you could see Hyunjae who was still leaning against the counter, cheeks now red as he stared down at the ground. You giggled, closing the door behind you.

The next time you saw Hyunjae, unsurprisingly, he looked exhausted again. In fact, he didn’t even recognize you at first with how he was gazing off into space rather than unlocking his own door.

“Come over tonight,” You offered.

He raised an eyebrow. “To do what?”

You choked. “Not that. Movie night!” You winked, patting his shoulder before leaving for the grocery store. You made sure to mentally add popcorn to your list.

And so, when it was pitch dark at night, you had opened your door to Hyunjae, fidgeting nervously at the entrance. You laughed, grabbing his wrist and pulling him in.

“Don’t be nervous.” You grinned. “It’s just me.”

As you set up the movie, you couldn’t help but notice Hyunjae looking around your apartment. He seemed to be taking in all of your decorations, and the fact that you had more than one cup and plate. You smiled.

“We can go shopping if you want,” You spoke up. “For your apartment.”

He glanced at you in shock. But he eventually nodded with a small smile, that same one you noticed that he often forced when he was tired and down.

Now sitting on the couch, side-by-side but never quite touching, the two of you watched a movie. It was a comfortable silence and whenever you would glance at Hyunjae, he would notice and turn his attention back to you. And every time you would make eye contact, you made sure to give him a bright smile, one that showed him that “I’m always here for you.”

"Staring?" He teased.

"In fact I am," You replied. "Forget the movie, you're the award-winning feature."

He laughed again. The same bright one at the park.

"I didn't take you to be such a flirter," He remarked.

"I'm not," You refuted. "You really are amazing."

He gave you a smile that wasn't so convincing. "If you say so."

Near the resolution of the film, you found yourself scooching over to him, letting your shoulders touch. But that wasn’t exactly enough, so you lifted his arm so that you could rest your head on his chest, his body warmth easily spreading to yours.

“What are you doing?” He muttered.

For a second, you thought he might actually be annoyed. But, when you looked up, you could see his softening eyes and the slight blush on his cheeks. You huffed in amusement and you only persisted, snuggling close to his chest. Eventually, he gave up on the whole tough act and he let his arm wrap around you, rubbing your arm in up-and-down motions.

You didn’t notice that you had fallen asleep.

Though you did briefly remember two… moments. One of them was him cautiously bringing you to your bed. The other being a warm hand softly caressing your cheek.

You woke up alone. Good! Who else did you expect? Rubbing your eyes, there was a constant sound ringing in your ears. The doorbell, you groaned. Stumbling to the door, you were hoping maybe… Hyunjae? But instead, it was your landlord. You furrowed your eyebrows in concern.

She sighed, shaking her head.

“Bad news.”

When it was Hyunjae this time who had invited you over, you were pleasantly surprised. Opening the door, you could see him sitting at the table, staring intently at his computer.

Tilting your head, you were about to ask what he was looking at. But then he suddenly jumped up, the chair almost falling over. There was a bright smile on his face as he rushed over to you.

“Hyunjae?” You looked at him in confusion.

“I got the job,” He exclaimed. “I got it.”

“You did?” You gasped. “That’s so– that’s amazing! Congratul–” You inhaled sharply when you felt two hands grasp onto your waist. And suddenly, your whole world shifted once you realized that he was literally picking you up and twirling you around. You laughed shyly as you allowed him to, watching fondly at the way he smiled so, so freely.

Once he had slowed down, there was an impending thought in the back of your mind that appeared from all of the adrenaline. He could put you down and you could lean in and maybe… maybe– press your lips to his as an extra cheer. Mentally slapping yourself, you felt your cheeks grow hot. Again, what were you thinking?

His hands were still on your waist, the both of you out of breath. You smiled, giggling softly. He smiled back, his eyes bright and sparkling.

“I’m proud of you,” You finally said.

“It’s all thanks to you,” He replied.

“Hm, well,” You huffed. “Guess who lost their apartment.”

He gaped at you. “What?”

“Not permanently,” You groaned. “But there’s been a technical problem that has to be investigated and fixed. So I can’t stay there for the meantime.”

He looked at you, deep in thought. And then his hands tightened on your waist. “Then stay here with me.”

Now it was your turn to gawk at him. “What?”

“Please.” He smiled. “I owe you.”

You blushed. “I didn’t do much.”

“You did.” He walked forward, nearly caging you against the wall. “Everything. You’ve helped me get this job.” Another step forward. “I’m indebted to you.”

“H-hyunjae,” You stuttered, trying your best to avoid stealing a glance at his lips.

“Just temporarily.”

You made a mental pro and con list. Pros–He was your childhood best friend meaning that he knew you best. Cons–what if things changed? What if you… fell? And you didn’t mean physically.

With a hesitant sigh in defeat, you responded quietly.

“Temporarily.”

When you and Hyunjae had art class together, you learned a little bit more about him. He was always the one who enjoyed the sketching, the outlining with the black pen, and shading in grey. You, on the other hand, were the one who would color in between those lines with vibrant colors, brightening the picture into something truly complete.

That was how you complimented each other. People often painted him out to be cold and blunt, but you always saw past that. It was always you who thought that he was the sweetest person you’ve ever met–the one who took care of you when you were sick and who pulled you away from passing cars.

Just like one of those art projects, you began to liven up his apartment with your own things. Of course, you didn’t bring everything, but the simple pieces of your toothbrush next to his and your coat hung up on the rack, were enough to make the puzzle feel just complete.

Soon enough, the evening came which brought the dilemma of where you would sleep.

“The couch,” Hyunjae spoke up, walking out of the bathroom again, with damp hair. But at least he was fully clothed this time. Still, that vision was practically ingrained into your mind.

“You’re right.” You nodded in agreement. “I’ll–”

“Not you,” He huffed. “Me.”

“Oh,” You breathed out. Abruptly you stood up in defiance. “No!” You blurted out. “That’s rude.”

He looked at you entirely unimpressed. “I’m being a good host. A gentleman.”

“Exactly.” You scowled. “You’re going to make me feel like I’m intruding. And look who invited me in the first place?”

He sighed, glancing at the bedroom door. “There’s only one bed.”

“Then we’ll share,” You replied, completely sure of yourself. Hyunjae didn’t respond so you lifted your chin high and walked past him and into the bedroom as odd as it may sound. However, in the corner of your eye, you could see that his ears were slightly red.

You may have underestimated the sheer awkwardness. Just a bit. Maybe a lot.

The two of you stood on either side of the bed, facing each other, contemplating the fact that this would be the first time you would be sleeping together. Actually, it wasn’t really awkward per se. It was more… hilarious. You pursed your lips, trying to stifle your laughter, while Hyunjae’s cheeks were puffed out in embarrassment.

Again, as the bolder one, you climbed under the sheets first. Still, Hyunjae was just standing, hesitating. You squinted up at him through the darkness.

Even under the dim lighting, you could see that his cheeks were incredibly flushed.

“I think I’ll just go back to the–” He couldn’t even finish his sentence because you were grabbing onto his hand and pulling him down into bed. He didn’t really protest though as you could sense him slowly melting into the warmth of it.

The lamp was off now and you were both succumbed to darkness. It was silent, only the sound of Hyunjae’s calm breathing. You weren’t exactly tired right now. You knew that it would take you a while to fall asleep. But that was fine! You would just wait until he fell asleep first.

Except, when you turned on your side to face him, you could see him staring back, big, round doe eyes on you. So, scratch that. And now you were cold which you weren’t used to. Your apartment was usually the perfect temperature, but this one left you shivering all over.

Unconsciously, you began to shift closer to his body. He’s always been the warm one. That used to be your strategy to not freeze to death when the two of you would walk down the winter festival together.

Suddenly though, you felt an arm across your waist and steady breathing on the side of your neck.

“Hm?” You hummed in confusion, wondering if the chest against your shoulder was just a hallucination.

But then he replied in a quiet, lower voice.

“Is this okay?” He whispered.

Oh, this was more than okay. You were familiar with his embrace. But to feel it just moments before you fell asleep brought a sudden bout of tranquility.

“Perfect.” You smiled to yourself, curling up to his body in which he held you closer in response. It was warm, comforting, just perfect. It didn’t take you a while to fall asleep anymore.

When you awoke, you were slightly—no, very confused about why it was still dark out. You were pretty sure the room should be bright with natural light from the sun. Or maybe you’ve just gone crazy. But that was when you glanced at the time. It was still the middle of the night.

When you turned to your side, that was also when you realized that it was Hyunjae who had woken you up. Unknowingly at that. His arm was still around your waist but this time, his hold was almost painfully tight. If you looked closely, you could see that his eyes were screwed shut, his eyebrows twitching with small stuttering breaths escaping him.

But, you’ve always heard the saying that you weren’t supposed to wake someone up from a nightmare. So you hesitated, keeping your hands close to yourself, worriedly watching. At some point, he jolted awake by himself.

Now, his breathing was even faster and he had shot up, looking around frantically. Blinking your eyes sleepily, you turned on the nearby light and sat up with him.

“Hyunjae?” You whispered, looking him over in concern.

He turned to you in a growing distraught state and he widened his eyes. “Are you–”

“It’s just me,” You muttered. “Bad dream?”

Hyunjae froze for a moment but he slowly nodded. And usually, it was you who initiated the hugs. But this time, he was the one who lunged forward, holding you close to his chest. His hands grasped onto you tightly as he buried his nose into your neck.

With the way he was holding you so tightly, so… desperately, you wondered if this had happened before. But still, you allowed him to just hold you close, your own arms coming around to gently pat his back.

You didn’t know when, but he eventually pulled away. He refused to look you in the eye and so you brought a gentle hand to the side of his face, coaxing him to face you.

“How long has this been going on for?” You frowned.

He shut his eyes. “A while.”

Your heart clenched at his quiet response. For the past few days, you had thought he was feeling better, less exhausted. But behind the bedroom door, it must be different.

“Do you… want to talk about it?”

“I don’t know…” He trailed off.

“You don’t have to tell me–”

“...what they’re about.”

“Oh,” You breathed. “The nightmares?”

He nodded with tired eyes. “But while I was gone–away from you–people I’ve loved, everything I’ve cherished seemed to disappear before my eyes. It wasn’t just work it was… a lot.” His voice was quiet, hard to hear but it was loud enough that you could hear each and every heart-twisting emotion.

You stayed silent, your hand finding his to stroke the back of it soothingly.

“I felt hopeless.” He frowned. “I guess those nightmares felt like I was reliving that all over again.”

He didn’t say anything after that. You watched him cautiously, wondering what exactly to do. But then you felt his hand tighten on yours slightly and that was your cue to shift even closer.

He glanced at you with an ashamed expression that only made the pit in your stomach drop even more. Slowly, slow enough so that he could back away if he wanted to, you wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close against you. Almost instantly, he was breathing out a low sigh of relief as he nuzzled even further into your embrace.

“You’re not alone anymore,” You whispered. “And… thank you for trusting me enough to tell me.”

He didn’t say anything, but when he held you back, it was a perfect answer. The two of you stayed like that, in the dead of night, just holding each other until you began to feel drowsy from his warmth. It wasn’t the first time that you’ve done so. The only difference was that it was always you who needed that extra piece of comfort. It was never Hyunjae. Seeing him open up was different but something that you were most grateful for.

“I never replied to you the day we met in the hallway,” He spoke, interrupting your thoughts.

You pondered for a moment, recalling the memory. “When I said that I missed you?”

He nodded. “I didn’t reply because I was afraid you would still be mad at me for leaving you so abruptly.”

You smiled softly and shook your head, your hand coming up to the back of his head to stroke his hair soothingly. His eyes widened slightly in shock but he quickly melted into your touch. “I was angry at first.”

He laughed quietly, though his voice was watery with unfallen tears.

“But now I’m not,” You whispered. “I promise. I’m just happy to see you again.”

He pulled away to look up at you, searching your face to make sure that you were telling the truth. When you only gazed back with utmost sincerity, he let a small smile tug on his lips.

“I missed you,” He had finally replied, answering your statement from before. “More than you know. It was hard without you.”

Your gaze softened once you noticed the sparkle of a few tears in his eyes and when he blinked, your sleeve was immediately coming up to pat his cheek, drying the ones that had broken free.

“I missed you too,” You responded and gently, you were pulling him back into bed. And this time, without hesitation, he was hooking both of his arms around you, tightening you into his chest.

“...so much,” He muttered sleepily. “I missed you so much.”

“You have me now.”

“Always.” And you felt his hand grasp yours, guiding it to where his heart was, thumping in a soothing rhythm. “In here.”

You were the first one to wake up. It seemed that Hyunjae’s nightmare and tears had left him too exhausted to even notice you unwrapping yourself from his protective embrace. And so, you took it as your duty to cook something decent for him to wake up to.

Except maybe Hyunjae did notice because he opened the door shortly after. You probably should have placed a pillow in his arms before you left. He walked out and you had to stop yourself from cooing because that would be a little bit… weird. But you couldn’t help it because the sight of his hair tousled and messy, his eyes barely opened and puffy from the tears, and his lips pouted adorably, left you smiling with endearment.

“Morning sleepyhead.” You grinned, turning the stove on.

He didn’t say anything. Instead, he shuffled over to where you were standing behind the kitchen counter.

You tilted your head in amusement, wondering how he managed to navigate with his eyes barely open. “Are you feeling better?”

Again, still no response. You watched as he circled the counter, positioning himself behind you. And then you gasped quietly once you registered the strong arms that enveloped your waist, pulling you into a warm hug, your back now pressed up against his chest. You could even feel his nose nuzzling into the back of your neck, breathing deeply.

You simply just froze, unable to do anything. Once you realized he wasn’t going to move anytime soon, you turned the stove off and simply allowed him to hug you to his heart’s content. He let out a sleepy hum. Or was it a whine?

“You’re clingy in the morning,” You mused.

“Mhm.” Even his morning voice was cute.

And when you said sleepy, you meant it. Literally–you were pretty sure he fell asleep while back-hugging you in the middle of the kitchen. You practically had to hold on to the counter to brace his weight and when you stole a glance over your shoulder, you had to stifle a laugh. His cheek was smushed into your shoulder and his eyes shut in content.

“O–kay,” You heaved, forcing your body to turn around. And still, he would have almost collapsed into you if you hadn’t planted your hands on his shoulders to hold him up. His head lolled to the side as he peeked an eye open to look at you drowsily.

You chuckled and your hand came up to his hair to ruffle it. Immediately, he was leaning into your touch and when your hand traveled down to cup his cheek, he was nuzzling into it like a puppy.

“I missed you,” He slurred, his voice huskier than usual.

“Mm, you said that already,” You hummed teasingly, a smile threatening to spread across your lips. “Hyunjae.”

“Hm?” He smiled lazily.

“You’re acting drunk and it’s like–” You glanced at the clock. “Seven in the morning.”

“And what about it? I missed you,” He grumbled, an adorable frown on his lips.

“Ah,” You sighed, shaking your head. “Go splash water on your face, you dummy. Then you’ll wake up properly.”

He still didn’t budge. And so, using every single ounce of your strength, you had to carry him all the way to the bathroom as he was still clinging onto you like a koala.

After a few minutes, with the sound of the bathroom sink splashing in the background, you finally managed to start cooking something. But then the door clicked open and you looked up. Hyunjae, his eyes finally open, was blushing so hard that you couldn’t even conceal your laugh anymore.

“Missed me?” You remarked.

He winced in response, his cheeks continuing to flame red.

“I don’t know what got into me,” He muttered, refusing to look you in the eye.

You beckoned him over and he finally looked up at you shyly.

“It was cute,” You teased. “You’re cute when you’re sleepy.”

“And what else?” He quickly recovered.

Your breath hitched. Ah, you thought. There he was. The usual Hyunjae when he was fully awake. The one who loved to tease you until you were blushing and hiding your face.

“Don’t do this again,” You groaned.

“Do what?”

“That.”

“You’ll have to elaborate on that, sweetheart.”

You raised an eyebrow at the nickname, completely unfazed. But when your eyes traveled down, that was when you realized just how close he was. He continued to lean forward until he was caging you against the counter, both of his hands on either side of you. It wasn’t the flirting that got you, it was his body encompassing you so, so effortlessly, making you feel smaller than you really were.

He chuckled. “Cat got your tongue?”

Oh, this is definitely how best friends act. You were one hundred percent sure about that.

He smirked, tilting his chin down, as his hand traveled from the edge of the counter down to your hip.

Fifty percent.

His eyes wandering elsewhere–somewhere along the lines of your lips.

One percent.

“The breakfast is going to burn,” You stuttered.

He simply licked his lips, his gaze fixated on yours.

“I can always try something else.”

You were screwed.

The first day of Hyunjae’s new job was the very last day of your brief vacation from work. With a sigh, you scrolled through the shows and movies, only for you to ultimately turn off the TV in boredom. You weren’t going to beat around the bush and refuse to admit that you felt lonely without him. Of course, you saw him in the morning, already dressed in a suit (that fit amazingly on him, dare you add), but it was only for a short moment.

He still had nightmares but they were becoming less and less frequent. Sometimes, when they happened, you would just pull him closer and he would immediately relax with a small sigh, almost like you had the superpower to eliminate his night terrors.

And sleeping together never was awkward again. In fact, you adequately enjoyed it–his arms around you and vice versa. Did best friends regularly cuddle at night and gaze at each other for so long that your heartbeat started to speed up? That… you weren’t quite sure about.

Yawning, you found yourself lying down, spreading across the couch. You didn’t even do much today yet your eyes still threatened to shut close.

At some point, you blinked your eyelids open once you heard the door unlocking. Sitting up, you smiled softly at the sight of Hyunjae opening the door. His tie was already loose and his hair was blown up from the wind. Squinting your eyes, you then noticed that he was practically stumbling into the entrance, almost like all of his coordination had dissipated.

His eyes were droopy and his lips pouted from what you would guess to be exhaustion. Everyone’s first day of work was like that. You watched as he set down his work bag and walked over to you, very… very slowly.

“How was work?” You questioned, looking up at him.

And just like last time, he didn’t respond. Silently, he leaned forward and literally–very literally–laid on top of you. His body weight pulled you back down to lie on the couch and his arms were snaking around you as his legs tangled with yours. Speechless, you felt as he nuzzled back into your neck, just like he’s begun to do so often now.

“You look gorgeous today,” He whispered, his voice very oddly slurred.

Your breath hitched. “Are you drunk?”

He looked up at that and you practically choked on air once you realized how close his face was to yours. And then he smiled languidly and shook his head.

“Are you sure?” You searched him for any sign–red cheeks, the scent of the alcoholic drink–yet you couldn’t find any.

“I’m just tired,” He mumbled, planting his face back into the crook of your neck.

“Okay,” You laughed. Gently, your hand came up to his broad back to rub it in circles, the material of the suit rough and honestly quite unsatisfying. But still, you persisted once you felt his tense muscles slowly soften. Slowly though, you came to a stop. “Hyunjae.”

“Hm?” He hummed.

“You need to take a shower,” You huffed. “C’mon.” With all of your power, you pushed him up and off you. Again, his head tilted to the side with a tired smile. You laughed and shoved him until he finally obliged and went off to the bathroom.

Meanwhile, you were left there, contemplating his strange behavior. He never acted this clingy before. Not even for the years that you’ve known him. It was only after that particular night that he started to… do this.

When he was done showering, he stepped out. You had hoped that he would be more awake now, but it seemed he was even drowsier than before–too tired to even dry his own hair. With a click of your tongue, you motioned him over to sit down. Like a puppy, his eyes brightened at the sight of you as he obediently followed.

“You’ll catch a cold,” You ridiculed with a worried frown.

After finding a towel, you stepped in between his legs. Carefully, you began to dry his damp hair, marveling at the way his hair curled up after a shower. You rubbed his scalp, making your way around and behind his ears. When you peeked at his expression, you stifled a laugh at the way he basically fell asleep under your touch.

Once you deemed his hair dry enough, you were about to walk away but instead, he abruptly stood up, swaying slightly. And then he fell forward, pulling you into a warm embrace.

You smiled fondly. “Tired?”

It seems that when Hyunjae was tired, he never answered any of your questions, funnily enough. A lot of his answers were just “I missed you” or a small hum. But this… this answer was different. It was spoken so quietly, so softly yet it perfectly resonated through your ears.

“I love you.”

Before you could even say anything or really do anything, he was reluctantly pulling away and heading to the bedroom. Your lips parted as your eyes fixated on absolutely nothing. Just– space. Your whole body had gone rigid as you simply stood there, processing his words. You couldn’t even blink.

Best friends… say that too, don’t they?

It started to become a pattern for the whole first week of his new job. When he was actually fully awake, he told you that the work was demanding yet he never looked so happy and content. Sometimes, you wondered what his past work was like, but you never prodded.

But, because the work was just so demanding, every single day, from Monday to Friday, he came home exhausted. And any person would expect him to just head straight for bed. But like you said, it was a pattern, a usual thing, that he would cling on to you. Apparently, something had shifted in him. Originally, when you saw him exhausted, he would become closed off. But after… that night, he acted almost intoxicated. Not on a drink. But simply off being tired.

You found it endearing actually. His voice was always quieter and he often stumbled over his words this way. His eyes were dazed and soft on yours and he also became ten times heavier as he liked to lay all of his weight on you when he pulled you into a hug. He constantly just seemed to be in a completely different mindset–one that was very… loving and… yeah– different.

He liked to say things too. Slurred and quiet, but he still very clearly said them. You could never figure out if he meant them or if he was just tired and rambling things for the fun of it.

He said “I misssed you” a lot. Occasionally, he would blurt out that you looked pretty or beautiful. Or, it would be a small “hi” accompanied by a shy smile. Sometimes, if he was too tired to say much, he would just giggle over nothing in particular. But… there was one specific phrase that he would say out of the blue.

“I love you.”

That one always left you perplexed. It could be a… platonic thing to say, right? Where did the word “love” come from? You didn’t think much of it, but you couldn’t help but feel some sort of spark of light in the very depths of your heart.

It was weird, really. An out-of-this-world, alien-like thing for a best friend to say. The words I, love, and you arranged in that particular order were never syllables Hyunjae ever let fall from his lips. He never spent any particular ounce of breath to say them.

Yet now he did.

For some odd reason.

But again, he was just tired. Surely.

And just like before, the pattern started all over again. The week was coming to a close so maybe you wouldn’t hear those words again after this. But you didn’t really mind altogether. With a tired sigh, you walked out of the room, now changed out of your work clothes and into something more comfortable.

Right on cue, the main door was unlocking, and once again, the pattern began to unweave itself. He would walk in, with the occasional misstep and stumble. And like usual, he looked tired. Though, you envied his ability to still look… attractive. And then he would look up, search for a particular someone, and do that stupidly lazy smile–the one where his eyes weren’t focused on anything but you.

“What are you doing here?” He giggled–he giggled now, apparently.

You eyed him, completely apathetic. “You let me stay here temporarily, remember?”

He blinked at you with an adorable pout. And then he nodded. “You’re right.” He smiled. “Aren’t you smart?” He pinched your cheek.

Scowling, you wrestled his hands off. And for the first time this week, you finally decided to question his bizarre behavior.

“Why are you acting like this?” You whined, holding him up by his arms so he wouldn’t fall over you like he had done the day before.

“Because I missed you,” He grumbled, his eyes struggling to stay open. “Now let me–”

“Agh,” You groaned. But still, your hands fell to your sides as you let him wrap his arms around your torso, bringing you close to his chest. Whatever made him happy, was your motive. And totally not, I secretly enjoy this.

It was quiet for a few moments, just the sound of his slow breathing against your earlobe. For a minute, you worried that he had fallen asleep already, but he spoke again.

“Have I mentioned how uncomfortable this suit is?” He mumbled. “It’s very hot and–”

You didn’t even say anything. With a sigh–one that wasn’t particularly annoyed, but more… doting–you stepped away. He stared at you in both drowsiness and slight confusion, but his eyes slowly widened once he realized that you were taking off the jacket for him. Gently, you pulled it off his shoulders and down his arms, your eyebrows slightly furrowed in concentration.

He was quiet, simply watching as your fingers grasped his tie, unloosening it with a sharp pull, causing him to lurch forward, his lips startlingly close to yours.

“Interesting,” He teasingly remarked, but his voice was still slurred.

“Shut up,” You snapped yet there was no malice behind your tone.

Your hands then came up to his collar, unbuttoning the first few buttons to reveal slightly past his collarbones which… you’ve already accidentally witnessed before. With a friendly pat on his shoulder, you deemed him undressed enough. He slowly turned his gaze to you and your breath hitched at the sight– his work attire now loose with his hair slightly messy… ah. Not to mention, his tilted head and sleepy expression that only made things worse.

Clearing your throat, feeling your cheeks burn, you scrambled off somewhere to shove a change of clothes into his hands and left abruptly, your heart thumping. Soon enough–you didn’t know when because you were busy contemplating all of your feelings and the meaning of life–he walked into the bedroom. Undoing the made bed, you motioned him to climb in. Obediently, he followed and you pulled the blankets over him.

“Y/n,” He muttered, grasping your wrist before you could walk away.

“Hm?”

“...love you,” He whispered.

Again, he was just rambling. He was just saying things. He had stumbled over his words and his voice was quiet, so that meant that he didn’t mean it. He didn’t mean any of it. It was all fake–

“I love you,” He repeated—clearer, louder this time without an inch of hesitation. And this time, he was looking straight up at you, his cheeks slightly pink, flushed.

Maybe it was more real than you had thought.

The first week was over, meaning Hyunjae was more situated at work and most importantly, less exhausted. On the first day of his new, non-intoxicated-on-fatigue persona, he had simply greeted you and strolled past. You wouldn’t admit it fully to him but that simple interaction that did better fit what you guys were–best friends–left you feeling empty inside.

But it was fine. It was just a one-week thing.

Until it wasn’t.

The next day, the pattern appeared again, but it wasn’t… like before.

He was fully awake this time yet he still–

“Hyunjae?” You stammered. The arms wrapped around your waist tightened further as he stood behind you, hooking his chin over your shoulder, and breathing out a low sigh. And now that he was newly… conscious, he did more. His hands began to wander over you in soothing shapes and he pressed his chest further against your back.

“Just stay here with me.”

You could see his soft smile in the corner of your eye. With a bothered huff, you glanced back at him, only for you to inhale sharply at how close he actually was and how… nice his cologne smelt. Oh, and his hands were still wandering.

“I thought you only acted like this when you’re tired?”

He shook his head, shifting even closer, his warmth encompassing you comfortingly.

“Do you want to know something about me?”

“I know a lot about you,” You joked.

But he was quiet, a serious silence befalling the two of you. You gulped and whispered a small “what is it?”

You could hear him huff out in amusement, his hands never failing to leave your waist. “While I was away–when I was at my lowest–I thought of someone all those years.”

And for some reason, you knew exactly what the answer was.

But still, your voice tremored. “Who?”

A squeeze on your waist.

“You.”

Shutting your eyes, you breathed out a shaky sigh and looked down to where he was still hugging you from behind. Your heart was thumping and you were sure he could hear you. And even if he could make out the pounding, he never budged once. Not once did he stop tightening his arms around you and not once did he cease to bury his nose somewhere into your skin, leaving shivers down your spine.

With your heartbeat practically reaching your ears, you nudged him and turned around so that now, you were facing him. Without his dazed, sleepy look, it was just his soft eyes and the slightest tug of his lips, an endeared smile. Without his exhaustion that often left him sluggish, it was just his firm, stronger arms that held you so easily.

“Hyunjae,” You whispered.

“Sweetheart,” He replied, his voice gentle and content. And before, you wouldn’t have paid a single ounce of attention to that nickname because it just seemed like how best friends would fool around. But now… things were different and you weren’t sure how exactly. And so the name sweetheart now left your cheeks flushing.

You swallowed thickly, your breath shortening. “Do you know how much you confuse me?”

His smile only grew. “Elaborate on that.” A pause. “Sweetheart.”

You sighed, biting your lip with mortification. “That. The nickname.”

“Sweetheart? You never said you didn’t like it, I can stop if you want—“

“Don’t!” You rushed to say. You blushed more once you realized he was teasing you again, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Not just the nickname. Everything.”

“Like what?” He stepped closer if that was even possible.

You gazed up at him and you were sure you looked frustrated right now, judging by his fond smile. He always said you looked cute when mad.

“You say that you miss me all the time.”

“Because I do.” He dipped his head lower to look at you with those foolish, puppy-like eyes. “I think of you whenever I’m at work.”

“But,” You exhaled shakily. “Do you realize that you say something else?”

You were sure he wasn’t aware. He didn’t seem to be in the right state of mind whenever he was exhausted. So maybe, he would just stare at you in utter confusion, deny it, and this whole… feeling fiasco would be done and dealt with. But then—

“That I love you?”

Your lips parted in surprise and you peered up at him, wondering if he was just taking a wild guess. But no, the soft, genuine look on his face said it all.

“You… knew?” You stuttered.

“Of course I did,” He chuckled softly. “And I meant every single one.”

Eyebrows furrowing, you stepped backward from shock. As you avoided his eyes, you missed the nervousness and the unsureness that flitted across his face. But, just that one step away left chills down your body–as if being away from Hyunjae and his embrace wasn’t even natural anymore.

And so you stepped forward again. Immediately, you could hear a low sigh of relief escape Hyunjae’s lips and feel his hands snake back around your waist protectively. You weren’t sure what expression was on his face though, as you were very adamant on staring directly at his tie–his chest. You knew that he could still see your reddening cheeks, but you still preferred not to look him in the eye.

“That,” He said quietly. “You’re also quite confusing too.”

“Wh-what?”

“Stepping away and stepping back,” He spoke softly. “Looking me in the eye but refusing to when I say that I love you.” One of his hands left your waist to gently guide your chin up. “So look at me now.”

“I…” You trailed off, feeling yourself go weak just from his soft, loving gaze.

“And one more thing.” He tilted his head teasingly.

A pause. A great moment of silence.

“You don’t say it but you show it.”

“Hyunjae,” You breathed out, your heart beating like a loud, intense drum.

“I wasn’t completely unaware.” He smirked. His hand had already left your chin and found its place back to your waist, yet you found yourself staring straight into his dark eyes, stuck in a trance. “I know that you dried my hair with a towel–that you even undressed me. I know that you took care of me.”

You did do that all on your own accord, simply because you thought that you were being a perfectly good friend. But now that you thought about it–you didn’t have to. You could have easily pushed him off, and told him to do everything on his own but you didn’t. And it was all because you–

“So tell me then,” He whispered, his voice quiet–only for you to hear, almost like he wanted you all to himself. “What are we?”

You held your breath, your cheeks growing hot. Your hands rested on his chest and you could feel his heart pound, exactly like yours. He felt the same, you realized. With a shaky sigh, you gazed up at him.

“What do you want us to be?”

He hummed, a soft smile on his lips. “What do I want?”

He slightly reworded your question and you wondered why. But you nodded, your eyes studying his features. His handsome features. They were sharp when you had met him in that hallway. But his keen eyes, the angle of his eyebrows, his perpetual frown–they were just soft, soft on you. No longer was there a frown, but just an affectionate smile.

“What do you want?” You repeated his question, your voice hushed to a whisper.

He leaned in, his gaze warm and gentle, his eyes wandering over each and every detail of your face.

“I want to love you.”

You had expected to inhale sharply, gasp maybe–but no. Because everything made sense to you now. His kind words, his soft and fleeting touches across your body, it all pointed to one thing. And so, instead, you smiled shyly.

“Then love me.”

And just like that, his grip on your hips tightened and he turned you around so that your back was facing the door. He was walking you backward until you felt the hard surface against your shoulder blades and he was leaning down, close enough that if he inched further, he would be kissing you. But he didn’t–not yet.

“May I?” He muttered, looking over you with slight concern.

You nodded, embarrassingly with a bit too eagerness. He laughed softly and then he was fitting his lips against yours as your eyes fluttered closed. The press of it was gentle and tender as he tilted your chin up and angled himself so that it was more comfortable. The kiss was unlike any that you’ve experienced before. It was like the tension that had built up before had completely broken down, as you allowed yourself to just fall.

Fall, physically, almost because you felt your knees go weak, with only the door behind you to hold you up. But his hand traveled back down to your waist, hooking you in against his body, keeping you steady as he muffled a groan against your lips. You couldn’t hear anything but his breathing and the thumping of your own heart.

All you could think of was him–how he could so easily change from rough to soft, how he could push forward so quickly but pull away so easily to allow you a gasp of breath, and how he could make your heart pound yet lull it into a steady rhythm of love. He kissed like he could devour you, but if you decided to peek an eye open, you would see his adorably furrowed eyebrows and his flushed cheeks, showing that he wasn’t anything like that.

He was just a man who needed a bit of a sweetener in his life.

With a quiet noise, he pulled away. Immediately, his eyes searched over your features, making sure that you were okay and that he didn’t do too much. But, when you gave him a smile, your eyes flitting nervously, he grinned and leaned in to grant you another soft kiss.

“How long?” You laughed shyly.

“I came to the realization when you tried to cheer me up whenever I was tired. But I think I’ve already felt this way for a while.” He replied. He pinched your cheek again. “All those dates and extra care that you gave me…very cute thing to do.”

Your eyes went wide. “You… noticed?”

“I notice a lot of things, sweetheart,” He teased. “Like how you’re grabbing onto my suit to pull me into a kiss right now.”

“O-oh,” You stammered, letting go of his crumpled collar. “I didn’t realize I–”

He shook his head and before you could finish your sentence, he was cupping your cheek–something that he’s never done before–and guiding you back to his lips. And this time, his tongue swiped against your lip, making you gasp quietly.

“You taste like candy.” His gaze fixated on your lips.

“I didn’t know you could…” You had to stop for a second to catch your breath. And it wasn’t just because of his exceptional kissing, but it was the beat of your heart, of all of your love. “...you could kiss like that.”

“What can I say?” He tilted his head with a teasing look. “I guess I have a sweet tooth.”

“Trust me on this,” Younghoon whined. “I followed the instructions to the very dot. They’ll taste good. Promise.”

You eyed him skeptically but still, you picked up one of the cookies that he had baked. They looked a little… off, but it should be fine. Taking a bite, you took note of the odd texture, and then the taste started to register on your tongue.

You coughed. You choked. And then you threw the cookie back on the plate.

“Bitter,” You gagged. “It’s so bitter.”

“What?” He cried. “Are you kidding me–”

Your eyes lit up once you remembered your boyfriend who was sitting next to you on the couch. He was busy on his computer, doing some sort of work report but you ignored that, turning to him and grasping his collar tightly. You pulled him in, pressing your lips to his, causing him to let out a small “mmph” in surprise.

But almost instantly, he turned into jelly from your touch, a smile growing on his lips as his eyes fluttered close. He had tried to deepen it desperately but you pulled away shortly after, leaving him to chase after your lips adorably.

Younghoon gawked. “I’m right here.”

“So?” You shrugged, smiling innocently. “At least he tastes sweet.”

“Oh my god,” Younghoon mumbled, getting up to throw the cookies into the garbage can.

Meanwhile, Hyunjae was staring at you in a daze, his cheeks flushed. But, he quickly recovered and he was quick to pounce on you, pressing kisses all over you once Younghoon had left.

“A warning next time would be great.”

He was now hovering over you on the couch, caging you under his arms and his computer long forgotten. The position left you flushing but it was also the perfect one to knee him in the stomach.

He winced in pain. "What was that for?"

"A warning, you said," You mocked. "When literally yesterday you kissed me up against a wall in your own workplace."

"That's an exception." He smirked. "You liked it, didn't you?"

"I..." You blushed, remembering the way he had kissed you so fervently, dressed in that suit and tie, the thrill of getting caught still running through your veins. "It was alright."

"Sure, sweetheart," He whispered in a teasing tone. He looked annoying handsome like this, with that amused smile that contrasted his soft, loving gaze. "Then I'll make sure you like this one."

Oh, how you despised him.

And then his lips were on yours again, swallowing up any shy noises that threatened to escape you. But just before he did, he had whispered three quiet words against your lips.

"I love you."

And how you loved him too.

#deoboyznet #yumi 💞 hyunjae #the boyz imagines #the boyz fluff #tbz fluff #tbz imagines #the boyz reactions #the boyz x reader #tbz x reader #the boyz scenarios #hyunjae fluff #hyunjae x reader #requests 💞#fics 💞

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vioartemis · 10 months

Text

Friends? (Part 4)

(Wednesday Addams x fem! reader)

Summary: After your encounter with your mother, you go back to your time, and to your girlfriend Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4 Warnings: none (?) a/n: this might be the last partttt (English isn't my first language, I'm sorry if there are mistakes or if something doesn't make sense TvT)

When you opened your eyes again, you were back in your room, in your girlfriend’s arms. She was awake already but seemed lost in thoughts. You tilted your head up and kissed her jaw softly, letting her know you were awake too.

She looked down to you and pressed her lips on your forehead.

“Good morning”

“Wends, you’ll never guess what I saw!” you started, so excited to tell her about your mom

“What did you see, cara mia?”

You both repositioned yourselves on your bed in a more comfortable position to talk.

Your eyes were shining the whole time you talked. You looked so happy to finally know who your mother was��

“And you? Did you see anything?” you asked your girlfriend, a bright smile still on your face

Wednesday’s eyes scanned your face for a split second, as if she was taking in your features and traits. Again, she seemed lost in thoughts.

She woke up in a room, in Nevermore, but it was certainly not yours. The decoration had changed, and you were nowhere to be found. The raven frowned, confused. You were in her arms just moments ago, you couldn’t have disappeared like that.

She took a moment to examine the room with attention to try to understand what was going on. The decoration was quite pleasant to her; she could’ve decorated her room like that. But it was clearly not her room.

She was about to look at a picture on a shelf when the door burst opened. Surprised by the unusual discretion of the person, Wednesday jumped slightly, and took out the knife she always had in her pocket. A knife you had gifted her on one of your dates after hers broke.

The other person didn’t seem to have noticed her yet. It was a girl, who was looking for something into a drawer.

The raven took a few steps closer, silently, but the other girl seemed to hear it because she quickly turned around. Out of reflex, Wednesday’s knife found its place close to the other’s throat.

Surprisingly, the girl had a knife as well and it was also close to the raven’s throat. That was very unusual now.

“Who are you?” the girl asked

“I was about to ask you the same thing.” Wednesday replied, unimpressed

“I asked first! You have to answer first, that’s the rules”

Wednesday held back a little smile. It was totally the kind of thing you could say.

“My knife is closer to your throat.” she simply said

The girl looked at the knife, and it was clearly closer to her. She rolled her eyes and mumbled:

“I knew I had to practice more” she then looked back at Wednesday “Truce? We put the knives aside and then we can talk?”

The raven considered the suggestion for a second, before giving her a slight nod. They both put their weapons down at the same time but stayed alert.

“So?” Wednesday said again, becoming impatient

“Yes, sorry. I’m Lilith”

“Do you have a last name?”

“Addams. With two D’s” the girl declared as if people made the mistake very often

The raven was surprised, to say the least.

“Does Fester have a child he never told us about?” she asked, raising an eyebrow

“What? Why are you- How do you know- What is happening?”

“I didn’t know there was another Addams in Nevermore…” Wednesday mumbled to herself

“‘Another’? What do you mean?”

“I’m Wednesday Addams.” she simply replied

Lilith’s eyes widen at her words, and her mouth formed a perfect O.

“That’s why you look so familiar! But- how- I mean-”

She didn’t have the time to finish her sentence and got cut off by the door opening again. Wednesday’s eyes shifted to the person who opened it. It was an older version of you in her mid 30’s.

“Honey, is everything okay? You’ve been gone for a long time, we-” Wednesday’s gaze met ‘yours’ “Wednesday…? What the-”

You turned to Lilith, confused, then back to Wednesday.

“What is happening here?”

“I don’t know! I just wanted to show you the snowball, and then she was in my room! I swear mom, I-”

“Mom?” Wednesday repeated with wide eyes

You ran a hand through your hair, biting your bottom lip, trying to figure out what to do. Wednesday noticed a ring on your left ring finger.

“Lilith, baby, can you find your mother and tell her she needs to come right now?” you finally said

The girl looked at you, then nodded before going out of the room, not without a last glance towards Wednesday.

“Okay um… Hi? I guess?” you said awkwardly “Do you know how you got here, maybe?”

“… Y/n?” was all that the raven managed to say

You smiled at the sound of your name.

“Yes, it’s me. I take it as I didn’t age badly” you chuckle softly

“Oh, you clearly didn’t…” she looked you up and down “I have… no idea how I got here.” she then admitted

“What do you remember? Anything in particular?”

“We found a ritual in Goody’s spellbook but it didn’t work. And then we went to bed. That’s all.”

“The… the ritual? Oh god… Oh god…!” Your surprised expression soon turned into an offended one “So you didn’t wake up yet? I didn’t tell you anything about what I saw yet?”

The raven shook her head.

“Oh my god…” you put your hands on your hips

She was about to say something when the door opened again, revealing an older version of herself this time.

“Cara mia? What’s wrong? Lilith told me-”

“Wednesday Friday Addams!” you said, not letting her any more time, your index poking at her chest “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”

Confusion was visible on her face. Then she looked over to her younger self, and her expression changed to an amused one.

“Oh, so it’s today?”

“Don’t dodge the subject! You told me you saw nothing!”

“Sorry my love, I did not want to risk our future”

You rolled your eyes but had a little smile on your face.

“You were scared I wouldn’t marry you if you told me? I would’ve married you even if you had a third arm or something”

Her expression softened a bit more, and she kissed you softly.

“Let’s talk about that later, okay?” then she turned to her younger self “you have the answer you wanted, don’t you?”

“No. I didn’t see anything.” she gave you one of those smiles only you got to see “But it’s normal as I didn’t have any question.”

“Oh, right, sure” you said with a light chuckle, before your gaze fell on your alarm clock “Oh, shit! We need to go to class!”

You quickly got out of bed and ran to your bathroom to get ready.

Wednesday watched you from the bed, halfway between amused and exasperation, looking at the date on your phone: ‘Sunday 12 May’.

I am going to marry an idiot… My idiot.

[Previous part]

#wednesday #wednesday netflix #wednesday addams #wednesday addams x fem reader #wednesday addams x reader #wednesday x reader #wednesday x fem reader

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lightlycareless · 20 days

Text

Not really Naomi's first day of school, but more like your and Naoya's reaction to it. Mostly yours, Naoya tends to be quite... distant because of work ugh I hate it. 😿😭😭😭 I just like writing silly domestic things :)

warnings: fluff. domestic au; you have a beautiful daughter with Naoya named Naomi. He is a good husband!!! as well as an overprotective father, just like you.

Happy reading!

“—but nothing too far, we must be able to answer quickly if something happens!”

“Then why are we even considering beyond the estate? There’s no safer place than here!”

“Well, you are right in some way… but she still deserves to make friends, you know? Hang out with kids her age, make friends… do things of her age! And not limit herself to me or my staff…”

“No one will be good enough for my little mochi. We might as well keep her here, you know? Besides, she actually doesn’t need to go to school. She has her whole life set up already just for being my daughter!”

“Oh, Naoya, just listen to yourself! We can’t deprive Naomi of the world! It’s her right, just as anybody else’s”

“But we can choose what’s right for her, and I think her being homeschooled is the best option.”

“…For us, not for her.”

Naoya sighs.

Seems that at the end of the day, no matter how much the two tried to avoid the subject, they always came back to the same conclusion: Naomi needed to go to school.

No homeschooling, no private tutoring, none of that. She ought to go to an actual building where she’d meet other people, from teachers ready to aid her growth, to kids who wished to befriend and play with her.

It was a day that everybody knew was coming, and yet, you and Naoya couldn’t help but feel highly unprepared; mainly due to both needing to prolong the inevitably.

And neither could be blamed, after all, you and Naoya had grown accustomed to having little Naomi around all day; hearing her cute giggles resounding across the estate, the pitter patter of her feet running from one side of the hallway to the other, her witty chatter that often made little to no sense, yet you loved hearing, for it filled the cold, emptiness of your home with her warm presence, to her adorable snores…

You didn’t want her to go. You wished her to stay…

But as good parents, this needed to be done. And soon, instead of taking Naomi to accompany you to your errands, or your quick runs to satisfy whatever sweet craving you had, you’d be taking her to school; to leave her there for seemingly endless hours, unable to know what she was doing.

If she was happy, if she needed you.

And yet, that was the beauty of watching her grow; another part of you wanting to accompany her through this special moment and all that pertained through it: from buying her first backpack, dressing her up in her first school uniform, to helping her choose what hairstyle she wanted for her first day—

It was all exciting for you and Naoya.

Didn’t mean it wasn’t difficult for overbearing parents like you to drop her off at the gates of whatever prestigious school both decided to enroll her in (only the best, Naoya required, anything less is just a waste of my time).

You naturally preserved the moment through thousands of pictures, a few selections posted on her dedicated Instagram and causing an expected commotion in your family.

naomis_grandpa: Naomi-chan looks adorable as ever!! I can’t believe she’s going to school already—time sure flies by! Why don’t we celebrate her first day of school by having a small gathering? I can arrange something over there!

l/n_hinata: Oh, I wish I could’ve been there but you know how work is 😥😥!! I’ll call you later to ask how her first day went (and if you’re faring well lol) Good luck, Naomi-chan!!

l/n_ren: Haha, she looks just like you on your first day, all the way down to the pout! The resemblance is uncanny, she really is your daughter.

zenin_y/n: I wasn’t like that on my first day..

the_strongest_one: Yes, you were! I remember! You wouldn’t stop crying once your mom and dad left you hahahaha!! I think I have a picture somewhere… anyways, did Naomi cry like you? Or was she strong, like me?

zenin_naoya: leave my wife alone.

the_strongest_one: sure sure, but does your wife know you just dm’d me asking for the picture?

zenin_y/n: Naoya.

But Satoru’s words did highlight an important point, one that you expected to happen yet surprisingly, it didn’t. Naoya was equally amazed when you told him about it…

In other words, contrary to all beliefs… Naomi did not cry. She did not whine, demand to be taken back home, nor did she tightly cling onto you as you guided her onto the entrance.

Nope, nothing at all.

Instead, she was excited to start this new adventure! See what this so-called school had to offer and seize the moment!

You won’t deny that seeing her so happy was both elating and disappointing in some ways, undoubtedly for having your expectations refuted—the two were virtually inseparable, after all, surely… Naomi was just as affected as you were.

But alas, the ones far more emotionally invested were you and Naoya, trying your best to move on with their day as if nothing had changed, behaving like Naomi was still at home, just around the corner…

Kind of dramatic, wasn’t it? She was to return home 4 hours later…

“Oh!” Your thoughts would be interrupted by the loud sound of your cellphone ringing, a call from the only person you expected to do so at this time, pausing your work and rushing to respond, a smile on your lips as your husband’s face appears on the screen. “Hello, my love! How are you? How’s work treating you?”

“Dreadful, princess—as always, every second I go on without you is pure torture.” He confesses, exhaustion evident in his face. Oh, how you wished to kiss his worries away. “Just wanted to check in on you, I didn’t call you on a bad time, did I?”

“No, not at all. I was just tending to the garden; I heard you asked the gardeners to change the flowers to something Naomi liked, That’s very sweet of you.”

“Well, she mentioned liking sunflowers—and you know I had to do it.” He states proudly, your heart flutters at his smirk. “And you? How is my pretty princess?”

“Tired.” You admit. “And a bit hungry too; it’s almost noon.”

“Don’t forget to eat, I don’t want to come home and hear you hadn’t.”

“I know, I know… it’s not like my staff will allow it anyways.”

“Good. It’s what I pay them from.”

“Naoya…”

“I know, I know.” He sighs. “No need to scold me.”

“I’m not scolding you…” you pout, Naoya laughs.

“You’re adorable—anyways, do you know how my beloved dumpling is doing? I’ve missed her so much.”

“Ah, right! Wait, I think she should be awake right now so you can see her!”

“Wait,Y/N—" Naoya tried his best to lessen the shock which you would inevitably encounter once acknowledging reality, called out your name a few more times, but it was all for naught for you were determined into getting to Naomi’s room, hoping to find her playing with her toys in the company of either your seamstress Hitomi, or your cook Haruko, the latter being her favorite nee-san at the moment (though you don’t tell Hitomi that).

To see the glow of your face dim upon entering your daughter’s room is a sight that will remain imprinted in the back of Naoya’s mind, filled with an overwhelming need to comfort you, yet impotent to do so while kilometers away.

There’s no doubt now that you remember where Naomi was supposed to be, pushing you into a vivid emptiness her absence placed in your heart: a sentiment you never thought possible until becoming a mother.

“Y/N…” Naoya murmurs, heart-stricken upon seeing the sorrow in your face.

“Oh, Naoya… how could I forget that she was at school?” you lament, defeated.

“She’s always been there, it’s only natural that you’d forget.” Naoya attempts to console you, you sigh. “…What makes you feel this way? Besides missing her, of course.”

“… I don’t know, I guess… I fear that she might not like school at all. That the teachers don’t like her either… that she doesn’t get along with the kids…”

“She’ll be alright, my love. Naomi is a good kid, she’s our daughter after all.”

“I know, I just… wished I could be there for her. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but that’s how it’s always been! I’m there for her when she needs me… and she’s here for me when I need her…

I just… miss her, I guess.”

“I’m sure she misses you too.” Naoya can be nothing but understanding of the solitude you must feel in a place like the Zen’in estate now that he, and your daughter, were away.

Naomi had truly come into your life at the best moment, a blessing of sorts, that is without a doubt. For not only was she remembrance of the ever-growing love you felt for one another, and the achievement of a personal milestone…

But also, the one to fill the void your husband’s absence had unwittingly given you.

Though you knew the type of relationship you’d have once getting together with Naoya and all that his demanding career entailed, it didn’t make it any easier to live out. There were countless nights were your heart ached so much to have him near, and yet, all you could do is anxiously wait for his return—hope there would be one, if fate hadn’t decided to cruelly rip him—

You worry that your attachment to Naomi might come to harm her in the long run, that you’d hinder her growth for your own personal desire…

But you just loved her so much to act otherwise. You just wanted the best for her, and nothing less. Was it all too wrong?

“She’ll be home soon, you’ll see.” Naoya adds, snapping you out of your thoughts. Your gaze returns to him, to his gentle smile, a reminder that he’ll always support you. “And when she is, I will call her, and she’ll tell us all about her first day at school.”

“Do you think she’s having fun? Or do you think she’s afraid? She’s never been that social, you know? At least not when meeting new people. What if she doesn’t get along with anyone? Or what if no one likes her? Oh, she’d be devastated….!” You naturally fret as a concerned mother; there is nothing you’d like more than your daughter to be liked by everyone!

“I wish I could tell you.” Naoya continues, understanding your concerns for he too considered them—experienced them, in fact. He’s known what it felt to be lonely, even when given everything in the world. So, the last thing he desired was for his daughter to go through the same. “But there’s one thing I know for certain.”

“What is it…?”

“That she’s an adorable kid. The type one could only love. And if they don’t, they’re stupid.” He shrugs. “And there’s no cure for stupidity, so don’t worry about anything; She’s perfect just the way she is… and I know that because she’s got you as a mother.”

“Naoya… when did you get all sappy on me?” you murmur, doing your best to hold back your tears.

“I—I’m not sappy, I’m just… saying the truth.” He stammers, and though subtle, you’re still able to see a tint of red in his cheeks. “How about I pick you two up after work and we get something to eat? It’s been a while since we’ve gone down to the city.”

“Oh, that sounds wonderful! And that way we can also celebrate Naomi’s first day of school! I can’t wait to hear all about it; I’ve always loved how cheerful she spoke, makes everything far more entertaining!”

“We just gotta keep this a secret from your father; he’s been calling me non-stop about a supposed reunion he wants to make for our daughter.” Naoya warns. “Haven’t seen him so enthusiastic since… well, he’s always like this, isn’t he?”

“I kind of feel bad for leaving him out…”

“Well, he is on the other side of the country.”

“If it were up to him, I think he would’ve liked her to be enrolled in a school over there. And as much as I love it when they spend time together…”

“Yes?”

“…We’re a bit too much, aren’t we?” Naoya laughs at your words. “People might think we’re bad parents…”

“No, Y/N. I know for a fact that I have much to improve, but not you. Never.” Naoya smiles, wanting nothing more than to hug and kiss your insecurities away. For he could be nothing but glad that his daughter was unconditionally loved, cherished far more than his family even bothered to care.

Your worries and enthusiasm just proved what he always knew, what he saw the moment his eyes fell on you, what his heart sung when he fell in love:

“You’re absolutely perfect.”

🥺

#naoya zenin #naoya zen'in #naoya x reader #naoya zenin x reader #naoya zenin x you #jjk naoya #naoya zen'in x reader #jjk x reader #jjk fluff #jjk x you #prompt series: jujutsu kaisen

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websterss · 1 year

Text

MATTERED TO ME MORE — WES BENNETT

REQUEST: Smoking with Wes 🙏🙏

WARNING(S): none really, angsty, fluff, mentions of smoking????

WORD COUNT: 2,130

PAIRING: Wes Bennett x fem!Reader

A/N: I hope you enjoy it! @biqherosix it’s done bby! Feedback is always welcomed!

MASTERLIST

Wes had been reclined back in the lawn chair behind his house. The secret place, the only place really to give him any peace of mind. He inhaled the Swisher Sweet cigarette, then watched as a puff of smoke blew out past his lips. He was too lost in his own thoughts, that he missed that creak of the gate door being pushed open.

“Thought that was you...” He blew out another puff as he turned to see the culprit who disrupted the quiet he was bathing in.

“Hey?” He raised a brow, confused as to why you were suddenly in the Secret Area. “What are you doing here?” He sat upright.

“Saw the fairy lights on from my window...” You pointed in the direction of your house. “Thought I’d come say hi...so hi.” You breathe out a laugh, feeling awkward under his stare, you hadn’t missed the way his eyes raked you from head to toe. You looked away to avoid his awed expression.

Wanting to cut the tension and silence with a knife, you looked up playfully, a smirk on your lips as you flaunted and posed in a funny way. “What do you think? I was going for How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and The Wedding Date?” You give him a little twirl.

“Really? Could’ve fooled me...I would’ve guessed What a Girl Wants.” He smirks. You roll your eyes as you walk over and plop into the chair beside him. You sigh feeling the heat from the firepit, thankful for the warmth you were provided. You reclined back into the seat, your gaze trailing up to the minimal stars in the sky tonight. Wes couldn’t help the faint smile as he watched you. Two people admiring something beautiful to them. He would’ve thought that you’d be at after prom, taking advantage of a fun night with the rest of the student body, but to his surprise, you were home, and now you were here...right beside him. “What time you’d go to prom? I didn’t see you there.” He took another drag. You turned away from the sky to find his eyes already on you. You almost gasped at how intensely his eyes met yours. You didn’t want to fully get into the awful night you were having, but you always felt the need to let yourself be just a little vulnerable in front of the curly-haired boy.

“I...actually didn’t even go to prom.” You chuckled to ease your nerves.

“What? What do you mean?” He sat upright once more.

“Well, I wasn’t going to tell you but...you know how you usually see the protagonist or the best friend getting canceled at the last minute before the school dance in movies?

“Yeah...” He furrowed his brows.

“You expect it right? Because the climax of the movie makes it obvious, you expect it.” Wes nods a ‘yeah’ at you. Then it only takes a second for the obviousness to hit him like a truck.

“Don’t tell me...” He frowns.

“You just don’t expect it when your actual prom date says he’s taking someone else right before he’s supposed to pick you up. So there’s that...” You shrug. You exhale, feeling stupid and insecure. You shake your head, a chuckle spilling past your lips. “The worst part was that my mom was so excited, she had bought a disposal camera and everything. So imagine her disappointment when her daughter tells her, her date is suddenly taking someone else.”

“I’m sorry, Y/n...” Wes didn’t know what to say.

“It’s not your fault.” You turn to him, eyes wide in sincerity. He reciprocated your smile. Not an inch of sadness written across your features, if you were consoling how you were really feeling, then you weren’t showing it. “It’s cool...besides I’m getting to spend my night with my favorite neighbor.” You nudge his sneaker with yours.

“Me? I thought for sure that Liz would claim such a title.” He laughs.

“No...Not after Michael ditched me last minute to take her...but I guess I can’t be entirely mad, she did like him after all.” You finally confess. A careless shrug not missed by him. This had him sitting forward.

“Wait- Michael? As in Michael Young? Michael Young ditched you for Liz Bauxbum.”

“Saying his name three times in a row won’t soften the blow, Bennett...” You roll your eyes. “Yeah, he did. Gimme.” You motion to the cigar in his hands. He passes it over, watching as you take a drag out of it. Not as experienced as he was, you let out a cough as the smoke hits your lungs.

“What an ass.” Wes takes the cigar back from you.

“Eh, what else can a girl do? Cry over him?” You sigh. You dig the toe of your shoe into the dirt.

“That’s not right though. It’s your prom too. He ruined it.”

“Can’t ruin something that I wasn’t looking forward to in the first place Benett...besides he wasn’t the one who I really wanted to go with anyway. He too had a date.” You spare a glance at him, hoping he didn’t catch on. “It’s better this way, better to have stayed here than have gone alone. I don’t think I’d have had any fun anyway.”

“Yeah no, I can’t accept that.” You watch baffled as he gets up and pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Come on.” He extends his hand out for you to grab.

“What?”

“Come on get up.” He motions with his hand.

“Where are we going?”

“Nowhere.”

“Okay...” You eye him questionably as you take his hand and stand. Once you're up he pulls you to one side of the fire pit. “What are we doing Bennett?” You laugh as he pockets his phone.

“Michael’s an ass. You deserve at least one dance tonight.” He offers his hand to you again, not forcing you to take it this time. He gave you the option to choose for yourself. You’re taken back by his offer. You’re even more taken when Alina Baraz’s “Electric” featuring Khalid starts to play from his speaker.

Darker than the ocean, deeper than the sea You got everything, you got what I need Touch me, you're electric, babe

Your head turns to the music filling your ears. Wes waiting patiently. It was quite odd to you. His behavior all of a sudden. Wes was kind, that wasn’t a lie, and he liked to mess with Liz any chance he got, he was playful, sometimes annoying, but he wasn’t always so forward with his feelings. Hell, the dude never really did a good job to hide his infatuation with the redhead that lived in between you two. You were sure he liked her, so you questioned this moment. Wondering why? Why would he care so much to ensure you got to have at least one dance? You didn’t even go to prom? Maybe he was just being nice.

Wes was nice. He was nice and attractive and...

“You took Alex to prom...” You said out of the blue. The thought crossed your mind all of a sudden.

“I-I did...” He took his hand back. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“You took Alex to prom but Liz didn’t have a date then. You took Alex to prom.” You stated out loud. “Liz was without a date so why wouldn’t you have asked her instead?” You turn around and walk a few steps away from him. Wes was confused about what you were trying to get at. “That doesn’t make sense to me. You’ve liked her since the second grade. I’ve watched you tease and torment her for years, and chase after her. You have room in your damn driveway, Bennett. You weren’t fooling anyone by taking her spot. It doesn’t make sense.” You pull at your hair. “The girl you've been in love with for years was right there, and you took Alex! What the fuck dude!” You exclaim.

“Are you serious right now?” Wes’s shoulders drop.

“Yeah, I am! It’s not like she had a date!” You had missed the hurt in his eyes as he looked at you. He could not believe what he was hearing. Had you really not noticed?

It looks like it.

“Yeah, she did!” He exclaimed louder than you.

“So the girl you really wanted to go with had a date? That’s what you’re going him. That’s your excuse?” You scoff at him. Hands crossed over your chest.

“Yes! I don’t understand why we’re talking about Liz. She doesn’t matter right now. I wanted to dance with you.” The last sentence goes over your head entirely as you shout at him next.

“Because you’re being ridiculous. She was free and you just passed up the opp-”

“No, she wasn’t!” Wes grows frustrated with you.

“Liz didn’t have a date yet, Wes!” You try to reason.

“No, but you did!” He points at you. You freeze up.

“Wait what...” You mutter.

“I’m aware that Liz didn’t have a date, I am, but you did. So I took Alex instead...” He looks away.

“You took Alex because I had a date?” His words slowly begin to register.

“Yeah, and imagine my surprise when you didn’t even show up.” He kicks out a rock. You furrow your brows.

“But Liz-”

“What about Liz, Y/n? Who cares about Liz right now.” He lets out a chuckle.

“But I thought you- all the years you’ve- the frogs down her shirt?”

“Liz always had a knack for keeping you all to herself. The so-called teasing and tormenting was to try and get her to tell me something about you. The only thing she ever really told me willingly was that you were allergic to nuts.” He smiled as a memory invaded his mind. “I remember my mom used to get so mad at me for throwing out her pecan pies.” He chuckled, his twinkling eyes met your awed expression. “Just the thought of you even being near anything with nuts scared me.” He confessed, a faint smile painting his lips.

“You knew about my allergy?” Your eyes glistened.

“Since we were seven.” Wes nodded.

“Is that why you never offered me Snickers or the yellow M&M’s, except to everyone else?” You breathe out a faint laugh. It was all making sense.

“Yeah...I didn’t want you to swell up or break out into hives. I couldn’t live with that on my conscience.”

“I just thought you had some vendetta against me or something.” You giggled.

“With you? Never Y/L/N.” He shook his head. You nodded and looked down, then brought your gaze back up to him.

“I never knew you did all that.” You smiled graciously. “I haven’t had an incident in years, except last month, but you’ve all but kept me nut free.” You joked. Wes perked up at the mention of you having a recent reaction.

“Last month?” Wes frowned.

“I guess you could say it was kind of a sign. Michael made me have a reaction.” You wince.

“Were you okay?”

“Yeah, luckily Liz was there too. She knew where I kept my EpiPen.” You nodded. “If anything, you’ve taken my health more seriously than anyone else ever has. That alone I can’t thank you enough for.” You slowly walk up to him and go in for a peck on his cheek. But just to your luck he turned his head right as your lips were about to meet his skin. “Oh.” You gasped, as your lips were collided together for a mere second. You pull away slowly but get pulled back closer this time. Wes wraps a hand around one side of your waist and tugs you closer.

“I don’t know if you even remember this, but when we were six, you had a really bad reaction. I don’t recall what exactly it was, maybe something my mom gave all of us. I remember turning to look at you and you couldn’t breathe.” You furrow your brows trying to recall the memory. “I thought you were gonna die because you kept gasping for air and I just remember my parents rushing you over to your house. You were fine after an hour, but I knew then I never wanted to see that happen to you again.” He reached up to caress your cheek. “Since that day, your health has never mattered to me more.”

"It has?” Your eyes glistened again.

“Still does.” Those two little words welcomed a deeper meaning. It was all it took for you to reach forward and bring his lips down onto your own. He sighed in relief, as he wrapped his arms tighter around you.

#wes bennett #wes bennett imagines #wes bennett imagine #wes bennett x reader #wes bennett x fem!reader #wes bennet oneshot #bttm imagines #bttm x reader #better than the movies #better than the movies imagines #my gif #writings by juls

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artiststarme · 1 year

Text

Save Me From My Self (Esteem)

Based on a prompt from @nburkhardt. I hope it meets your expectations! Hope you guys like it and please leave your thoughts in the comments!

~*~*~*~

Eddie wasn’t used to people liking him or having positive relationships in general, really. From an early age, he learned that people would never truly like him for him. What was there to like? He wasn’t anything special and as much as he acted like he was, everyone always seemed to be able to see the broken boy behind the mask. Everyone hated him as soon as they laid their eyes on him and Eddie just couldn’t figure out why.

Day one of being alive earned him the hatred of his mother. He was born premature after a painful labor and as soon as he was placed in his mother’s arms, all she saw were medical bills. She could see the debt and misfortune that this bundle of angst would bring her and she was already over it after a mere minute of holding him.

She stuck around for a few years sneering and glaring at him from an emotional distance that felt infinite but a physical distance of just a few feet. And as soon as she walked into the trailer one day to find Eddie trying on her makeup and wearing her only black dress, she was done. She packed her things and left that very night with only a single sentence left to his dad in her wake, ‘you can deal with him now’.

Life became harder without his mom around. Even though her presence only brought sneers and hissed insults, she was still his mom. She’d acted as a barrier between Eddie and his dad. As soon as she’d left, everything became so much more miserable. His dad would hit him and push him around. He shaved his hair so short that his scalp bled. And worst of all, he would take Eddie on runs of the criminal variety to show him the ropes. He wanted to pass on his ‘legacy’, as if you could call grand theft auto and armed robberies a legacy.

Eddie lived with his dad for two years before he was arrested and then Eddie was shipped off to live with an uncle he hadn’t seen in years. And poor Wayne. It took a long time for him to be able to make Eddie comfortable enough to talk, let alone function as a normal human being. Eddie was a scared boy, neglected and abused by the people that should’ve loved him, and condemned by the people that could’ve helped him. But after months of soft voices, patience, and panic attacks, Eddie came around enough to whisper stilted thoughts about DnD and fantasy that goes right over Wayne’s head. Still, Wayne would nod and ask just enough questions for Eddie to understand that he cared. That he would be the first person in his life not to hurt him.

Everyone in Hawkins hated him. The adults of the town would turn their noses up at his skinned knees and bare head. He never even had a chance to prove himself in their scathing eyes. The kids would push him against the walls at school and poke fun at his living in a trailer. They would laugh at his worn down clothes and the shoes that always had a hole in the sole. They never gave him a chance to be himself.

Eddie had to change quickly to survive. He constructed a whole facade to act as armor to protect himself from all of the hate he received daily. He fully embraced their jaunts and sneers, he took their hisses of ‘Freak’ like it was a nickname of endearment. Eddie Munson became their worst nightmare just like they’d all expected him to. He couldn’t distinguish himself from his facade anymore, the edges having become too blurred over the years.

When he decided to form Hellfire, he didn’t really expect anyone to join. Who would willingly associate with the Freak of Hawkins High? But Wayne had been prodding him to make some friends outside of the stray cats at the Trailer Park and who was Eddie to refuse? He never could’ve imagined Gareth, Grant, and Jeff joining or inviting him to join their metal band too. It seemed too good to be true and Eddie waited for the other shoe to drop for months. When it didn’t though, he realized that he’d unknowingly made some lifelong friends.

His self-esteem didn’t improve during the week he was on the run from the cops for a series of murders he didn’t commit, hunting a bad guy from an alternate dimension who seems dead set on ruining his life in particular. This group of people took him in like they’d known him for years and Eddie couldn’t wrap his head around it. They were protecting him, making plans to confuse the cops and clear his name, including him in inside jokes like he was their friend, he didn’t understand. With everyone new in his life, he doesn't know what to do.

Afterwards when they defeat Vecna and he almost dies, Steve “The Hair” Harrington sits by the side of his hospital bed and brings him metal cassettes from his room in the trailer that wasn’t entirely destroyed. He asks him on a date two weeks after he’s released from the hospital and of course Eddie says yes, albeit confusedly and waiting for him to deliver a punchline. But he never does. He woos him with fancy picnics and movie nights, he kisses him under the stars with a joint between their fingers, and he cuddles him deep into the night when their nightmares keep them awake.

Eddie comes to the conclusion that there must be something wrong with him. Why else would Steve be interested in him if not for all of the head trauma? And something was probably wrong with Uncle Wayne, Dustin, the rest of the Party, and his bandmates. The whole town hates him, as they should, so for the Party not to, they must be disturbed mentally.

However, when Eddie mentions that to Uncle Wayne, Dustin, and Steve at one of their movie nights, Wayne smacks him on the backside of his head.

“Ow, what the hell!”

“Boy, I know you ain’t stupid but that’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard,” Uncle Wayne gripes at him.

Steve just looks heartbroken. “You think something is wrong with us for loving you?”

“Stevie, you’ve had a lot of concussions…”

“Well I haven’t!” Dustin yelled. “We love you because you’re you, Eddie. The people that hate you have something wrong with them, not us!”

Eddie just blinked at him. That thought hadn’t come to mind. Maybe there was something wrong with the people that hated him and not with the few that loved him, huh.

Steve saw him thinking and reached out to hold his hand. “You getting it yet? I love you no matter what, whether I have brain trauma or not.”

Eddie nodded, “Yeah? So I can stop waiting for the other shoe to drop?”

“Yeah and I’ll prove it to you for the rest of our lives. I’ve got both shoes firmly on the ground, Eds. You never have to worry about shoes dropping with me,” Steve whispered.

“Did you just fucking propose to him by talking about shoes?!” Dustin asked, flabbergasted.

“Huh, I guess I did.”

“I love you, Big Boy. I'd marry you in a heartbeat,” Eddie said, pulling Steve into a bruising kiss.

“Glad y’all settled this but go smooch each other somewhere else. I’m trying to watch Gremlins in peace, thanks.”

“Love you too, Uncle Wayne!” Eddie told him, borderline maniacally.

“Love you too kid, now go defile your boyfriend away from me.”

“Wayne!” Steve gasped, scandalized.

“I agree,” Dustin added.

“Dustin!”

Eddie just laughed as he pulled Steve down the hall to his bedroom. Hey, he wasn’t going to look at a gift horse’s teeth.

He still had a long way to go when it came to recognizing his own self-worth. But with Steve, Dustin, and Uncle Wayne in his corner, it was sure to be much easier than it ever had been before.

My Permanent Tag List: @doubleb11 @nburkhardt @zerokrox-blog @newtstabber @i-less-than-three-you @straight4joekeery @carlyv @pyrohonk @ksherlock15 @conversesweetheart @estrellami-1 @suddenlyinlove @yikes-a-bee @swimmingbirdrunningrock @perseus-notjackson @anaibis @merricatty @maya-custodios-dionach @grtwdsmwhr @manda-panda-monium @lumoschildextra @goodolefashionedloverboi @mentallyundone @awkwardgravity1 @anzelsilver @devondespresso @gregre369 @mysticcrownshipper @disasterlia @lillys-weird-world @messrs-weasley @gay-stranger-things @pnk-lemonades @coolestjoy30 @awkotaco24

@strangerthingfanfic @dangdirtydemons @bookworm0690 @hannahhook7744 @dreamlandforever @marsbars97 @precursorandthedragon @romanticdestruction @5ammi90 @death-thee-nervousqueer @panicatthediaz @justforthedead89 @futuristicnachostranger

#They all have ways of dealing with Eddie's poor self-esteem #Wayne gently smacks him and tells him to treat himself better #Steve kisses him and usually calls off work to spend the day with him #Dustin calls him stupid and gets Steve #Steve proposes again later when gay marriage is legal and its a much better proposal than this original offhand one #stranger things #steddie #fanfic #steve harrington #eddie munson #dustin henderson #wayne munson

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dragonfly0808 · 1 year

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Musa: The Thesis

Kay so… this one involves one of the biggest spoilers of s3 due to one of the biggest changes I made there revolves around Musa and I will be discussing it after the First Things First part. So please please please if you haven’t read up until Season 3 Chapter 24: The Space Between Where Our Ends Meet, DO NOT READ PAST THE FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTION OF THIS THESIS

I’M SERIOUS PLS DON’T

First Things First

The first words I have in Musa’s character sheet are small sassy goth.

One of the main things I focused on with Musa, especially in the first season is her struggle to be vulnerable. Musa has lived the past 5 or so years with a closed off dad and never got a real chance to truly mourn her mom due to her having to learn to pretty much take care of herself, because of this she becomes very defensive and doesn't trust many people, and it causes her to struggle with being vulnerable, making her feel weak to do so. Here we see her open up slowly to the girls and not really talk that much about her home life until s2.

This is also where the main problem in her relationship with Riven comes in, but we’ll talk about that later on.

Musa, along with Aisha was the loneliest Winx before going to Alfea, and this plays into how protective she can be over the girls, she knows what it’s like to have no one so she is more than ready to throw hands for her girls any day of the week.

Love’s a Loaded Gun, Nobody Wants to Fight

A theme we see with Musa is her not believing she’s really worth a lot of time. She worried about staying one place too long and becoming an inconvenience or sharing her hurt and becoming a weight.

We see that it really takes a lot for her to believe that she is not being selfish or ‘too much’ by expressing herself or deciding to stay in one place, namely Tecna’s home.

Musa has a lot of feelings regarding feeling like she’s being shut out.

She’s working on not shutting people out herself but when others do it to her, she could just have a breakdown since she is so sick and tired of her dad doing it to her and that’s just about the worst thing you could do to her.

She’s a tiny bit afraid of love. Not so much of love itself as just, the thought of losing someone she loves again.

Haunted

So… this is the part with the huge S3 spoiler so PLEASE TURN BACK NOW, THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL MOMENTS OF S3 MY INBOX WAS FLOODED FOR A WEEK IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT YET TURN BACK NOW

So, in s3 chapter 24 Musa gains her Enchantix… and kills Stormy in the process.

First off the second I decided to do s3 I knew I was gonna change how Musa got her Enchantix cause I think we can all agree she got the short end of the stick in the OG.

I also already had in mind killing off either Stormy or Darcy but Stormy just fit more.

I combined these two ideas by changing Musa’s Enchantix to be gained by taking down a building over herself and Stormy due to Stormy loosing control of a curse.

Now, this could’ve gone very differently so why did I chose Musa to be the one to kill Stormy?

Honestly? I felt like it would impact her the most.

Now, obvs any of the girls would’ve been hugely impacted by taking a life (see Tecna) but taking the life of one of the Trix who they’ve known and fought for so long is another level of personal.

And, just like Bloom, Musa can be a very angry person and she hated the Trix’s guts and maybe a tiny part of her would’ve been glad with them dead, but actually having a hand in it…

It creates very conflicting emotions and a mountain of trauma and feelings of inhumanity and just confusion for our girl which we will get to see a lot more of in s4.

Thoughts Behind her Main Relationships

Tecna

I love Tecna and Musa, they are very much a friendship between unconventional girls who don’t always come across as they mean to.

They both struggle to make friends for different reasons but the second they meet they realize that they are quite similar and so never push each other outside of their comfort zone at first and that’s what allows them to become close enough to then push one another.

Musa gets what makes Tecna tick and makes sure that she’s comfortable, she makes sure she gets her alone time and makes sure she doesn’t get overwhelmed.

Tecna gets that Musa doesn’t want to talk about herself so instead gets her to open up about her music.

And it’s through this that they start to trust one another and by s2 we see them knowing each other well enough to keep the other from spiraling.

When Tecna’s confused about her feelings for Timmy, it’s Musa who reminds her that it’s okay to not be ready for a relationship. And when Musa and Riven first kiss, it’s Tecna who suggests they take it slow since she knows how skittish they can both be.

At this point, they push one another when they need to.

They are crucial to each other’s growth.

Riven

I always loved the idea of Rivusa but hated the original execution.

I really like the idea of two kids who have been so hurt by the people that were meant to protect them figuring out how to love each other. How to be open and trusting and just how to work as a couple.

Riven and Musa fall very slowly over the course of a year and a half, they get to know each other, be friends, quite crucially: they’re able to be vulnerable with each other. Which is huge for both of them.

And, when they realize that these feelings are serious and more than just a crush, they are both terrified.

I’ll talk a bit more about Riven’s feelings on his thesis but for Musa, she’s scared of this failing, of flying till the bone crush like the queen would say. She’s scared of it going wrong and losing someone she loves so much.

The part I love about this is that this means that even after they get together we get to see them fuck up. Because just because they’re together doesn’t mean they’re just going to forget years of trauma and having their walls up.

And, in my version, once they’re together, it’s Musa who fucks up by keeping secrets and not being able to bring herself to be vulnerable.

I think my fave part about writing these two is writing about how they grow together both as individuals and as a couple, how they learn to communicate and be vulnerable and realize that they are both here to stay and that this relationship is soft and safe and everything that they have been denied for so long.

That’s what this couple is to me. Two kids learning to love and not be afraid of it.

Helia

Helia and Musa are the writers of the group, due to them both being artist and having had past or present issues with their fathers and being vulnerable, it made sense for them to be platonic soulmates.

They’re the kind of people to spill their guts out of paper and just take a pen and truly speak, word vomit comes out in prose and metaphors and long words that just make you feel serene.

That’s how they find it easier to communicate.

They bond over words and music and the crushing weight of a knot in your throat not letting you speak when it matters most. The falling feeling of everything coming out wrong when spoken but in a beautiful way when written.

Helia is the only person Musa co-writes with for her songs, because he gets her voice as a songwriter in a way that no one else does.

And Helia shared his favorite poems because he knows she’ll get them in the way few could.

They are the artists who write not just because they enjoy and love it, but because it’s a crucial part of who they are, of how they process things and how to keep going.

If you wanna get to know these two, the best way to do it is to look at what they write.

And that’s why they just click.

Who is Musa in this Rewrite?

Musa is a girl who’s hurt. Who has lost and has had to almost raise herself.

She’s done the best that she could but the best she could do to protect herself at the time, back home with her father was to build walls around herself.

She’s someone who is learning to be open and vulnerable and to believe the people she loves won’t leave.

She’s someone trying to leave behind a toxic environment and mindset.

Someone who is, in one word haunted. By her past, by both her parents be it in different ways, by words, by Stormy.

But she’s learning to live with it, to still grow and to not take steps back in her journey.

She’s an artist finding her meaning and voice.

—————

Masterlist

Musa Moodboard

Musa’s Instagram

Musa and Tecna Moodboard

Musa and Riven Moodboard

Musa and Helia Moodboard

—————

so this one took so long cause I couldn’t figure out how to word certain things and tbh I feel like this one is the worst one so far so pls validate me and tell me it was good I feel like crying but I think I managed to get everything across

#winx rewrite #winx headcannon #winx club #winx fanfic #winx #winx headcanons #winx club rewrite #winx musa #veiled wings and shattered panoramas

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justabackroundcharacter · 6 months

Text

Thoughts while watching Wish:

- base princess personality trope

- Never getting over the face that the goat is named Valentino

- 7 dwarfs vibes with the friends

- Hans type character

- Weird ass love song to wishes

- Evil Chris Pratt went from 1-100 really fast

- The wife was 1000000% the kings wish and he used magic to get it

- Angry guy is played by GIZMO MY BELOVED

- 100 year old man move like a 60 year old fr

- Asha also goes from 50-100 real fast

- My favorite song was a little disappointing:(

- What she’s singing and what the animation gives dosent match

- Wifey is CLUELESS

- We could’ve had A STAR BOY INSTEAD WE GET THIS THING

- Star is still cute

- When you are a Star and accidentally make a devils trap in the tree lol

- IM A STAR ⭐️

- thanks for not eating me John

- Throwing books like your cramming for a test

- King is bipolar like actually tho

- EVERYTHING IS FINE

- What are you five ?

- DANCING CHICKENS

- Best friends help each other commit crimes against the kingdom

- King really is evil he made everyone go to an assembly and they aren’t even in school

- WAIT WAS KING SUPPOSED TO BE AN ALIEN

- how old is the king ? Do we know at all ?

- Casually dooms yourself to an eternity of pain because you got insecure

- HE HAS A SECRET LAIR LIKE HAWKMOTH

- ok how do wishes work again ? Was gramps not free to still inspire people

- Not the mom pleading for her daughter to only get her wish trampled on (definitely don’t need to look at how accurate that is)

- Star said SQUARE TF UP

- He’s literally just your king hit him with your bookshelf

- Returns to your stable if anyone asks pLaY dUmB

- when you have to speed run the 5 stages of grief bc you are the main character damnit

- I know what your thinking- WELL I DONT girl that star doesn’t have an expression on his face

- I can not swim *proceeds to jump into the water with reckless abandon *

- You’ve been hit by, you’ve been stuck by LOSS OF YOUR WISH

- ‘AMYIA darling your just in time come meet my new TOY’ why would you WRITE IT LIKE THAT

- Hot take anyone who calls their partner darling is on THIN FUCKING ICE

- King man went insane that is fun

- HANS KNOCK OFF BETRAYED THEM I FUCKING KNEW IT

- Dont worry im a talking mouse but very clean

- When you only want to be a loyal knight but you end up betraying your friends- happens to the best of us dude

- Good find Valentino - my butt found it

- introverts deserve sanctuary— louder for the people in the back

- STRIKE, STRIKE newsies vibes

- YES fulfill your Sabos wish

- doc and dopey slayed

- They all did

- They are like any queer friend group fr

- the chase scene is cool

- YAZ QUEEN GET YOUR HUSBAND

- I was fooled by the love I felt- Its ok queen you were definitely manipulated not your fault

- Don’t destroy never land you bastard

- A stick ? What am I supposed to do with this ?

- The MUSHROOMS 🍄

- Poor gizmo can’t catch a break no matter what universe he’s in

- a dress on a tree more likely than you think

- Dude bro dear got into the mushrooms fr

- Sometimes a plan is just you and your six friends jumping from a high place

- FUCKING HANS GOT ME AGAIN

- thanks John

- Your so right bunnies are terrifying

- Nope nope nope nope nope

- StAr GeT aWaY fRoM tHeRe

- WAIT IS HE MAGIC MIRRIR GUY

- Yay singing again

- THE power of collective singing will always save the day

- GREEN SMOKE

- MyWiShEs dude get a grip

- Simon and queen should be besties now

- LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

- Peter Pan origin story 👀👀

- ZOOTOPIA ?!?

- bippty boppty boo the magic wand is fixed

- Give GIZMO THE WAND 😭he deserves it

- Fireworks yay

- 5/10 movie

#disney wish #wish movie #wish #wish asha #movie thoughts

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vergilthelibrarian · 2 years

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Deliverance

The woods were always eerily calm… but that could be because of the rumors in your town.

The rumors that one of the local woods were the home of an extremist Christian cult that kidnapped people who would go into their woods.

Of course growing up in the town, you and your friends would dare each other to go into the woods just like most of the kids and young adults did to the dismay of their parents and grandparents.

You and your friends would go into the woods, looking for the compound of the rumored cult only to find nothing… though one day, you and your friends came across something strange.

Well it was more like someone strange.

As you were playing around in the woods, you came across a boy who looked a bit younger than you.

You and your friends were around 10-11 while the boy looked like he could’ve been about 9 or 8 years old.

You stood together, walking close to the boy.

“Um hi.” Nina said, “are you lost?”

The boy stared at your group, a dullness in his eyes that honestly terrified you.

He didn’t look disheveled or anything. In fact, he was very well groomed but his silence and unreadable eyes… he was different from the other kids where just shy or quiet.

You all stopped in place, too scared to keep going forward.

Though you were scared, you didn’t like a small child being in the woods alone so gathering a bit of courage, you broke out of your pack and cautiously walked to the boy.

“Hey. Where is you’re mom and dad?” You asked him.

The boy didn’t answer and you walked closer to him.

“Are you lost?” You noticed how tensed his body was. “I’m not gonna hurt you. It’s just that you shouldn’t be here by yourself. You can get hurt. You can come with me and my friends and we help you find your mom and dad.” You gave him a small smile, offering your hand out for him to take.

A look of confusion broke onto the boy’s face.

“You’re not gonna hurt me? The leader tells me that the outside world will hurt me…” he finally spoke and his words came out in a tone like as if he was questioning something.

But his answer made you question what he just said.

“What? What does that mean?” And before the boy could answer a booming voice made everyone in the woods jump and before you could ask the boy what he meant, he ran off quickly into the opposite direction.

You sighed as the warmth of the Starbucks hit your cold cheeks.

You had just moved back to your hometown, growing tired of city life and wanting to live a more slow paced life again though you knew that you will eventually return to the city at some point, though you didn’t know when that would be.

Your town has changed drastically, turning more into a little hipster city and as you made eye contact with Nina, you smiled widely as you made your way towards her.

“Hey!” She said excitedly, getting up to greet you with a big hug.

You hugged her back, enjoying the embrace. You haven’t seen her in years since moving to the city and it was nice to be in her presence again.

She let go, taking her seat and watched as you took off your coat.

“God… Ya know, even though I know how you look now, seeing you in person… you’ve gotten really handsome.”

Your cheeks became warm and you bashfully laughed as you took a seat.

“Thanks.” You rolled up your a bit sleeves before placing your elbows up on the table and putting your head in your hands. “So what’s up?”

Nina laughed and you two soon caught up.

You knew that Nina had taken over her family’s farm and she was always talking about her frustration at how her chickens would get stolen from time to time and it just so happened once again the night before you came.

“I don’t know what to do. It’s not an animal, I already learned that fast and every time I set up a camera to see who it could be, my camera always get destroyed or stolen.”

A grin creeped onto your face as you said, “maybe it’s the cult.” And Nina hit you, rolling her eyes.

“Don’t joke about that!” She huffed causing you to laugh.

“I’m sorry, I won’t.”

“There’s rumors going around that the newer members are now trying to blend in just to recruit people.”

“Really?” Your eyebrows raised.

“Yeah. Something about “saving” more people that way. I heard there’s a new leader too.” Nina took a sip of her latte and quickly the topic changed.

As you and Nina conversed, you couldn’t help but feel as though you were being watched.

Looking around the cafe, your eyes gradually landed on piercing eyes… eyes that felt familiar.

You didn’t listen to your brain that was screaming for you to turn around, no, you kept eye contact with the man and Nina noticed, her own gaze following yours.

“Do you know him?”

You frowned in confusion.

“I’m not sure…” and you turn your attention back onto Nina.

The man whose piercing gaze lingered onto you for a bit longer knew it was you though you weren’t the girl he had met.

The girl that opened up his mind. The girl that stole his heart.

Such a small insignificant interaction to you held such a huge religious significance to the man.

Of course he needed to have you, girl or not, that didn’t matter.

All that mattered was that you were back.

You were finally back and now he can finally make you his.

And all you had to do was accept him as your savior. As your messiah.

#reader is ftm #I am rewriting that one fic that I wrote called join us #i actually wanted to turn that into a series but I felt like the writing was so bad so I decided to rewrite it #I will continue this #and this will have themes of religion mostly on the extremes of religion and how it can be distorted and abused #yandere mark #yandere mark lee #yandere nct #yandere nct dream #mark x reader #mark x ftm reader #mark lee x reader #mark lee x ftm reader #nct x reader #nct x ftm reader #nct dream x reader #nct dream x ftm reader

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madlyn5ever · 4 months

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Madlyn headcanons!

-Ashlyn calls Maddox Bub

-when everyone goes back to camp the next year, Ashlyn takes the bunk Maddox’s bed is on so that she can hold hands with her from the top bunk, and she starts writing her little notes and sending them down to her with a string. Maddox makes them a little mail box out of the wood she uses for sets so that she can send notes back. (They paint the mail box like Carl and Ellie in up)

-Ashlyn gets one of those shirts that says “I don’t need google, my girlfriend knows everything” and Maddox gets them both shirts that say “if lost return to Ashlyn” and “I’m Ashlyn” like that cute old couple with shirts that said “if lost, please return me to Dee” and “I’m Dee”

-Ashlyn says I love you first, and Maddox is so stunned she literally can’t get any words out and had a panic attack cause she wants to say it back but didn’t know what to do on the moment. She ends up asking for tips from Big Red, who is more than happy to help, and she ends up going backstage at the barn at camp and working the stage managers panel to drop a note on a string

(like they would do in the honey comb) where she tells her she loves in the note. (Including that Bug Red helped, cause who else could’ve inspired that -after all his little things like the light up sign, who else was gonna help her think of something that cute-. everyone is waiting outside and being nosey -in a sweet way- to their cute moment)

-Madlyn goes on double dates with Big Red and Andy, -I’m thinking Bandy or Brandy for their ship name, idk. Do we know if they have one and what it is?)

-Maddox becomes good friends with Big Red and bc they’re both neurodivergent they have a sort of symbiotic understanding in certain things. Big red knows all the best spots in school to go for quite. when Maddox gets overwhelmed for the first time around him he takes her to one of his spots, and some time afterwards he shows her where they all are in case she’s in a retain area of the school and needs one

-Maddox is ace and Ashlyn isn’t but she doesn’t necessarily need anything more than to have Maddox by her side and she doesn’t mind going her whole life without that side of a relationship as long as she has Maddox.

(Maddox eventually voices her worries about that when she tells Ash that she’s asexual and subsequently tries to avoid her -Ash is too good at knowing her girlfriend and finding her in a room full of people to not track her down to talk about why she’s avoiding her- it goes very well but Maddox can’t promise her reaction to stress won’t always be her running away and trying to avoid the person or thing causing it)

-For their one year anniversary, Ashlyn gets Dewey Wood to keep the camp running late (they keep it open for field trips and events during the year until camp over the summer) and she gets EJ as Val to drive them to Cali and sets up a movie night where they watch Maddox’s favorite Disney Channel original movie, Camp Rock 2 (the final Jam)

-after opening night Maddox’s mom asks why the hell she put a chunk of a tree in her room until she see’s what’s on it and they have a cute moment where Maddox gets to tell her mom Ash is her girlfriend offically. Her mom’s just happy Madison is out of the picture (she didn’t know what it was but she never liked Madison), but she’s so happy for her cause Maddox has been unknowingly gushing about Ash for weeks.

-When Maddox tells Ashlyn she’s autistic, Ashlyn does some research and gets her a little stuffed animal with the weighted beads inside it, (you can decide what animal cause I couldn’t pick between a d purple triceratops-which is what I have- and a raccoon -this one feels very Maddox I can’t explain why-) (Maddox likes the pressure of it on the side of her face for some reason)

-one of the first times she was there when Maddox was stressed and feeling overwhelmed and had darted to of the the nearest places big red had showed her, Ashlyn went after her and turned off the lights and sat with Maddox on the floor. (Eventually Maddox leaned against Ashlyn and fell asleep from being drained)

-The Balloons, sat in Ashlyn’s room until they deflated, and after that until Gina convince her that they needed to go because they were literally taking up space on her floor just sitting in their original spot. Ashlyn compromised and kept one folded in her drawer (including the note from Madison about how the way she talks about Ash is the way people talk about someone when their falling for them)

#and so much more #I’ll make a part two when it’s not 11 at night #hsmtmts #hsmtmts maddox #hsmtmts season 3 #hsmtmts season 4 #ashlyn caswell #autism

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ssadumba55 · 9 months

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5-4-3-2-1 (Cassie Lang x Sibling!Reader)

Request: Would I be able to request a Cassie lang (older version in the newer films in MCU, if ok?) where R is her adopted sibling who gets over whelmed easily and has social anxiety - and Cassie is protective and supportive of them, especially when Cassie starts to become a hero and R worries about her?

“Breathe in… and out… in… and out…”

Cassie sat against the wall with you, hand resting gently on your back right between the shoulder blades. Every once in a while, she’d rub comforting circles into the spot. She was used to dealing with situations like these. Anxiety attacks were a frequent occurence in the Lang-Van Dyne household. Your anxiety disorder really kicks your ass sometimes and having an entire family who is super in some way, constantly running around in situations that could get them hurt…

Today was the latest in a recent spout of them. Ever since Cassie herself had started becoming more independent and interested in heroics, your anxiety sky rocketed. There were so many ways that being a superhero could go wrong; just look at people like Iron Man or Black Widow. The greatest of the greats who’d lost their lives fighting a cause bigger than themselves. The stress of potentially seeing your sister one day on the screen in one of those memorials was eating at you day by day.

“Hey, if the breathing isn’t working, we can try the senses?” Cassie’s voice shocked you back into reality, back into what was happening in the moment. She was trying to ground you as best she could.

You wanted to tell her that the senses wouldn’t be necessary, but you couldn’t bring yourself to force the words out from the place they were lodged in your throat.

“Five things you see.”

“You, the ground, the sky, my feet…. dad.”

“Four things you can touch.”

“You, the ground, the wall and my sweater.”

“Three things you can hear.”

“Screaming, your voice and police sirens.”

“Two things you can smell.”

“The air… That perfume you insisted on wearing this morning…”

“Hey! I’m trying to help you here! One thing you can taste.”

“Blood…. I think I bit my tongue.”

Now that the grounding exercise was over, everything felt a lot more clear. Like the world was a television with the colours and sound muted that had once again been turned up. Only this time, it was less overwhelming, especially with Cassie’s hand on your back.

“That was really stupid, you can’t just ignore me when I’m giving you instructions. You could’ve been seriously hurt. You’re not like dad, mom or I, you have to leave when things get too much.” Cassie’s bossy sister voice had returned, now that she was sure you were okay. Gently, she prodded at your mouth, asking without words for you to open your mouth so she could take a look at what had happened with your tongue.

You didn’t respond, letting her inspect your mouth for a moment before she sighed and gave the all clear.

“Are you even listening to me? When I say get to safety, get to safety…” She stood, pulling you up with her. She was right.

You hadn’t been born into this family, you’d stumbled your way into it by accident and as a result you weren’t as super as the rest of them. That didn’t really matter, not in the ways that counted anyway. At the end of the day, dad would still praise you for a job well done on your homework, mom would ask you what you did over a nice homecooked meal, Cassie would fight with you over things that all siblings fought over, your grandparents would spoil you…

But deep down it felt like you couldn’t fully connect with them all unless you were super too. It frustrated you, they could go on adventures together, change the world. You’d always be stuck going to school, living the life of a mundane regular person. Anyone who wanted to be your friend, not that there were many, would only do so because of your connection to the Avengers. It was a personal hell for your social anxiety.

“Are you even listening to me?” Cassie repeated, getting annoyed at the lack of response. She had a job to do.

“Yes! I- Yes! I’m sorry! I’m just…” You fought the urge to tear up. Cassie probably wouldn’t think much of it, you get overwhelmed a lot. In that regard, you were a polar opposite to the rest of your family. They could handle things under pressure. You could not.

Cassie looked over her shoulder at the battle still taking place and sighed, reaching up to cup your face in her hands.

“Hey, I know you’re disappointed and worried. I know what we all do is dangerous and you worry, especially about me… But I’m okay. I promise. I’ll always come back to you in the end and you know that.”

Your fears were being realized, Cassie knew deep down what you were thinking. About the parents you’d lost in the war against Thanos, innocent bystanders who had been killed as the result of carnage they weren’t apart of. The memory of their death, of finding out you were an orphan was still seared into the back of your mind. It reminded you every day that all of this was fleeting. An intergalactic war had taken your family once, and it still could again. No one was infallible. Iron Man…

“You can’t promise me that.” You whispered softly and her expression changed to a softer one as well.

Her hands moved from your cheeks down to your shoulders and she squeezed. “You’re right.. I can’t promise that. But I can promise to keep you safe, at least. As long as I’m around nothing or no one will hurt you. I can’t protect you though, if you don’t get somewhere safe when the fighting starts. I know you’re worried we’re going to get hurt but I promise you, we can handle this. I can handle this.”

You met her eyes, the determination there was fiery. She had always been very eager to follow her dads footsteps into battle. To be a hero just like him and it was charming to see that she was starting to become that hero, that she could learn to fight with the help of the man who had inspired her in the first place. You knew deep down that nothing would happen to her as long as dad and mom were around anyway.

“Alright… I get it…” You smiled weakly.

Your worries weren’t completely dissuaded, but she was right. She was no use to anyone if she was sitting on the ground comforting you while the battle raged on.

“Go home. We’ll be there soon.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. You’re not going to be left alone this time.”

You reached up to squeeze her hand one last time, then the two of you split. You in the direction of safety, her towards the next battle. A distant memory of Cassie telling you that anxiety and mental illness were brave battles to fight and that you were just as much of a soldier as her passed through your mind as you ran, feet slamming down on the pavement hard.

It was nice to have a sister who understood you so well, even if she could be a little bit of a pain in the ass sometimes. She was your sister, and she always would be.

#marvel imagine #marvel x reader #cassie lang x reader #cassie lang imagine #gender neutral reader

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cal-a-bungaa · 2 years

Text

My Angel

My Angel - Josh Kiszka

Synopsis: A pretty angel all dressed in white just for him

Word count: 1k

Warnings: Josh being nervous and cute

Enjoy!

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Though he was used to being on stage, all eyes on him at this moment felt like he was going to be swallowed whole. He stood at the end of the aisle, waiting. The minister stood beside him with no emotion showing on his face as they all waited. It felt like his heart was going to beat right out of his chest and make a run for it.

His family sat in front of him as did hers minus his brothers. He could really use them beside him right now, but he had to wait for them as well. Wiping his sweaty, shaking palms down the sides of his pitch black slacks, he stood there impatiently. His mom flashed him a reassuring smile, but it did little to ease him. He wasn’t nervous that you’d back out, he was nervous to see your beauty after two long days of not being able to because you insisted it was ‘tradition’ for the groom to not see the bride before the big day. And boy, he really wasn’t ready.

The slow music rang through the speakers, telling everyone it was starting; she was coming soon. His twin brother and your best friend walked happily down the aisle with arms linked and obnoxiously large smiles. It was reassuring to finally have his other half with him. Jake clasped his hand on his shoulder as he went to stand behind him. Pair by pair, each member of the wedding party piled in to stand at the altar with him.

Your father stood at the opposite end of the aisle, arm out for you to latch onto as you came around the corner. Jake’s hands remained on his shoulders, squeezing on the occasion as he joked with Sam who stood behind him.

The music changed to the song you’d once mentioned to him that you’d love to walk down the aisle to on your second date. And soon enough, there you stood.

“Holy shit.” His brothers whispered in awe.

Josh was speechless. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you. The intricate lace detailing that decorated you was something he never could’ve imagined. The yellow and orange flowers you held close to your heart complimented your skin and eyes, bringing out the features of you that he loved the most. He hadn’t even realized that he was tearing up until he felt Jake bump his shoulder and chuckle. You were an angel dripping with jewels and genuine beauty. His beautiful angel.

All eyes were now on you, admiring each step you took closer to the one you were giving yourself to. Every nerve he felt had vanished. He now needed his hands on you and for you to finally be his.

Finally you stood right in front of him and he couldn’t breathe or see clearly with the tears brimming along his lash line. Your father kissed your cheek before placing your hand in your soon-to-be husbands. Your nails had even been done to perfection, a pleasing cream color. He could now see the smallest details in your appearance, the pearl earrings his mother had given you, the diamond necklace from your first anniversary together and the way your dress shimmered in the sunlight. Tears pricked your eyes as well, threatening to ruin your makeup.

“You may be seated.” The minister announces before continuing on with his speech. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the love that these two share for one another and the words that shall unite them in marriage.”

Your smile was so big that it was beginning to hurt your face, but you wouldn’t have it any other way. You were marrying the love of your life, the only one for you. You’d be staring at one another for so long that it felt like you were the only two people in the room, completely ignoring the minister who’d announced it was time for the vows.

Your fiance snapped out of his daze, “Fuck. Vows? Yes.”

The crowd roared with laughter at his oblivion and nerves. “Please recite your vows Mr. Kiszka.”

He bowed his head before looking up into your teary eyes again. “Today. I-um,” he stutters, “I promise to dedicate myself to you completely with my body, soul, and mind.”

Quickly pausing, he looks back at his brothers for guidance and Jake simply nods at him to continue.

“In this life, in every situation, in wealth or in poverty, in health or sickness, in happiness or difficulty, I will work to help you perfectly.” He gained confidence in his words as he stared at you and Jake held his shoulder as he shook. “The purpose of our relationship will be to attain enlightenment by perfecting our kindness and compassion toward all sentient beings.” he finishes.

After a moment of silence before the minister can speak again, your fiance opens his mouth again, “And might I say, fuck! You look gorgeous, angel.” The guests burst into laughter once more.

“Now, Ms._, please recite your vows.”

You repeat his words back to him, speaking every one with such truth. In the middle of your speech, he lifts your hand to his lips. Finishing your vows, you are both sliding your respective rings onto each other's fingers with tears rolling down your cheeks.

“And by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you as Mr and Mrs. Kiszka.”

“Fucking finally!” Your husband laughs.

Wrapping an arm around your waist and the other cradling your face, he bends you backwards. He stares at you for a moment before swooping in to press his pretty pink lips to yours for the first time in what felt like forever. His brothers cheered behind him as everyone else clapped. Bringing you back up to stand straight, you curl your hands into his tux.

“I fucking love you, angel.”

“I love you so much, Joshua.”

Walking hand in hand down the aisle with the biggest grins imaginable was a sight to behold. Josh finally obtained his angel. You were his for the rest of your lives just as he was yours. Husband and wife.

“My angel.”

#greta van fleet fic #gvf x reader #greta van fleet x reader #josh Kiszka fic #josh kiszka x reader #greta van fleet imagine

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yandere-writer-momo · 2 years

Text

Heart Shaped Wound: Yandere Various Baki x Fighter Reader

Reader grew up in Brazil but is not ethnically Brazilian (unless you are). I wanted to use a martial art I hadn’t seen show cases much in Baki so I decided to use Capoeira. Plus it’ll make more sense as the story progresses.

Also everyone is aged up past 21. Please let me know which characters you’d like to see. So far I have Katsumi, Retsu, Hanayama, and Jack as love interests.

I have an OC in this story who plays the role of your best friend. She is not going to interfere with the love interests. She is there as comic relief and for my guilty pleasure of sarcastic banter dialogue.

This story does not follow a specific timeline/ storyline in Baki. This is just a tournament being held.

Enjoy!

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“I think you’re in the wrong place, little lady.” A simple man wearing basketball shorts and a white wife beater smirked down at the (height) woman who stood in front of him and his friend. The two men continuing their sexist onslaught of the young woman. “This is where fighters come for the underground arena. It is not a shopping mall.”

“But if you wait long enough, one of us could show you a really good time. You’re an awfully pretty young thing.” The other man licked his lips as his eyes hungrily wandered the girl’s form. The young woman trying her best not to hurl in disgust.

The young woman with (hair length and color) hair tightly pulled up in a ponytail giggled, then two men blushing at the soft sound.

“You know what I love about you violently sexist clowns? You actually think you’re nice guys. That you’re just ‘being friendly.’ You’d never hit a girl.” The young woman smirked at the group of men outside of the arena with a smirk. “I could do this-“ She then reeled her fist back, punching one of the guys in the face, knocking him out cold in an instant. “And you wouldn’t do a thing.”

She then rose her muscular, (skin color) leg up, kicking the other man straight in the jaw. The much larger punk flying back, his back loudly colliding with the wall.

“Jesus! You’re not supposed to fight people when you arrive to the tournament, (your name)! You could get disqualified.” Another young woman with dark skin and black hair approached the fighter, sweat falling down her face from trying to catch up to the (hair color) woman. Zaria nervously casted a glance at the two men who were out cold. “Let me guess? Sexism?”

“You know me so well, Zaria.” (Your name) smiled at the brunette, the other girl laughing. “I feel like I could’ve done a lot worse. They’ll just be out for a hot minute. It shouldn’t deter them from fighting.”

“I heard this place has the best fighters in the world that come here. I can’t believe Mister Tokugawa specifically asked for you to come here.”

“He promised me a fun time. Plus when’s the last time a woman was asked to fight men. I don’t think it’s ever happened here.”

“Maybe he’s going to find you a husband before you mom-“ Zaria bit her tongue at the glare (your name) sent her. Zaria raised her hands up to try to calm (your name) down. “I’m kidding. Just kidding.”

“I have no interest in such earthly pleasures. I’ve been drinking a lot of matcha because I heard it makes you infertile.” (Your name) then cracked a smile at her best friend. “The bloodline ends with me.”

“Please don’t say it like that. You sound like some old nun or something. Plus, your mom might fall over and die if she hears that.”

“I hope she does. Maybe she’d stop pressuring me to get married. I’m only 22. I have plenty of time… if I live after today.”

“You really need to stop wanting to die. I don’t think you’ve ever even kissed a man before.”

“That’s because I’m saving these lips for the sweet kiss of death.”

“You’re insane.”

“And you’re delusional. That’s why your last name starts with a D.” The two women shared a quick laugh before entering.

“Thank you so much for making it, miss (last name).” An elderly man greeted the young woman with a smile, his dark eyes soon darting over to her friend. “Oh and you brought another fighter with you?”

Zaria bit back a laugh, (your name) interrupting her.

“Oh she’s just my friend. She’s my lifetime travel companion and emotional support d-“

“Yes, I’m here for emotional support.” Zaria intercepted (your name), her brown eyes glaring at the smiling woman. “I’ll be in the stands most of the time.”

“Right…” Tokugawa then flashed (your name) another smile. “I’m happy to have you represent all the different Brazilian martial arts. I haven’t met a formidable female fighter.”

“I don’t know if I should be flattered or insulted but either way I thank you for the opportunity.”

“You’ll definitely get you fill here.” (Your name) elbowed Zaria in the ribs before the Latina could crack a dirty joke.

“Follow me. I’ll show you where the other fighters are. You can get ready before your fight. You have about an hour till your match, so that should leave you enough time to mingle with the other fighters.”

(Your name) and Zaria gave each other a look. The Afro Latina wiggling her eyebrows at her friend, (your name) immediately scrunching up her face in disgust.

Tokugawa soon brought the two women into a room full of men, all eyes instantly flying to the pair in a mixture of bewilderment, awe, curiosity, and confusion.

“Play nicely, (your name). I’m only giving you this warning because of what happened before you came into the tournament.”

“Word travels pretty fast here, huh? I’ll take it into consideration but no promises.” (Your name) gave Tokugawa a playful wink.

Tokugawa laughed, his eyes crinkling in joy. “You’re funny. I like you. I’ll leave you to it then. Have fun.”

“Hey now that we don’t have to be professional, why did you bring me along?” Zaria asked (your name). “Is it because I’m your best friend and most loyal companion.”

“So if I snap my neck and become a vegetable, you can pull the plug.” (Your name) shrugged her shoulders at Zaria, the other girl scowling at how sarcastic (your name) was. “I’m kidding. Kind of. It’s so if I end up in the hospital, which I’m certain I will, I have someone there to support me.”

“Emotionally? Physically?”

“Both. Maybe put the pillow over my head and hold it down super hard too-“

“Hey what if people hear you, they might put you in a mental hospital.”

“Anything to be away from my mother at this point.”

“Hello, ladies.” A tall muscular blonde interrupted the two, a wide smile on his abnormally muscular face. What the hell were they eating here to look like that? Steroids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

“Hello.” Zaria smiled at the male, casting her friend a ‘do not speak’ look.

“I noticed you’re the only two ladies here so I’d like to be the first to introduce myself. My name is Jack Hanma.”

“It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Zaria Darosa and this is (your full name).” Zaria gestured to (your name) who was biting her tongue. The poor girl was almost in tears from not saying anything mean in less than five minutes.

“Well I’m guessing she’s the fighter. What kind of martial arts do you do?” Jack asked (your name), the young woman sighing.

“Capoeira.”

“See I knew you two looked out of place. So you’re latinas?”

“Well (your name) was originally born in (countries name) but she moved to Brazil when she was really young.” Zaria smiled at Jack, (your name) keeping a blank look on her face.

“You scared of her talking?” Jack joked, his dark eyes studying (your name)‘s neutral expression. “I heard she’s pretty feisty.”

“Oh she’s pretty nice once you get together. I swear on it.” Zaria nervously babbled, the young woman pointing at the sky. “Or may god strike me down if I’m lying.”

(Your name) also looked up, the young woman moving closer to Zaria.

“I’m going to stand in your general vicinity so that lightning hits both of us. So we die together.” (Your name) giggled, a smile enveloping her face. “Because that’s a lie and you know it.”

Jack released a loud laugh, causing Zaria to shake in fear. A competitive look flashing in (your name)’s eye.

Jack perked up in surprise at the genuine expression on (your name)‘s face. (Your name) was definitely eye candy in this sausage fest of a tournament. Maybe that’s why he was so quick to try to stake a claim on her. This was the first time in history of a female martial artist being able to set foot in this tournament so she must be special if Tokugawa himself invited her here. That or Tokugawa was trying to be more progressive. But he highly doubted that.

“You’re funny. I like that in a lady.”

“Careful I bite.”

“So do I.” Jack bent down, flashing his teeth at (your name). (Your name) pressed her forehead to his, flashing her teeth as well. Their eyes staring the other down. Poor Zaria trying not to piss herself in fear.

Jack pulled back with a chuckle. The muscular man placing his hands in his pockets in thought.

“You’re very brave for your size. How about I take you out sometime?”

“A fight or a date?” (Your name) asked, Zaria giving her friend a bewildered expression.

“You cannot be serious-“ Zaria whispered to (your name), her eyes blown wide open in shock.

“Maybe both?” Jack smiled, the other men paying close attention to Jack.

“How about maybe? You joke an awful lot, I somewhat like that in a man.” (Your name) flashed Jack a predatory smile, the two were like wild animals sizing each other up. Zaria began to tear up at how scary her friend’s face looked.

“I’ll see you around then. Good luck to you, (your name).”

“And good luck to you too, Jack.” Jack waved at her before walking off. Zaria grasped (your name)’s shoulders in terror.

“Were you two flirting? What the actual hell? (Your name), te has vuelto loca? Te has vuelto loca?!”

“Si, me volví loca hace mucho tiempo.”

“You’re a nut. A nut.”

“Aren’t you allergic to nuts?”

“I hate you.”

The two girls smiled at each other, their eyes trained on a pair of men making their way towards them. A muscular man with short black hair and some of the thickest eyes brows (your name) has ever seen and his equally muscular friend with darker skin and long black hair that was pulled into a braid came over.

“Hello. We would also like to introduce ourselves.” The taller of the two said with a smile, his friend respectfully bowing to the two. “I’m Orochi Katsumi and this is my best friend Kaiou Retsu.”

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Retsu gave the two a polite smile, his polite demeanor not going unnoticed by (your name).

“It is nice to meet you as well.” (Your name) politely replied with a smile, Zaria nearly having a heart attack from how polite the normally feisty girl was being to the two strangers.

“I am (your full name) and this is my best friend, Zaria Derosa. She traveled with me all the way from Brazil.”

“I’m also from out of country. I’m from China.” Retsu smiled. “I trained in a temple there for a long time.”

“That’s amazing, mister Kaiou.” (Your name) smiled. “I was trained by some wonderful dancers.”

“You may call me Retsu. And do you do capoeira? I don’t think I’ve seen a capoeira fighter here yet. I admire the origins.”

“That’s right. I ever learned from some wonderful people throughout the years.”

“You learned every dance you could. You love dancing.” Zaria joked. “Maybe we could go dancing after all of this. It’ll be fun.”

“Oh you enjoy dancing?” Katsumi piped up with a smile. “I think there’s a place that offers salsa dancing around here. Retsu and I could show you two.”

Zaria wiggled her brows at (your name), the female fighter ignoring her.

“Maybe. We shall see. I’m guessing you do karate.”

“Yes. I am a third dan of Shinshinkai karate.” Katsumi nervously fiddled with his hands, his dark eyes focused on (your name)‘a face. “If you ever want to stop by, I can teach you some karate.”

“I’m very happy to meet you. And maybe I will if you’re interested in learning some capoeira. I am not sure of who I am fighting yet but I wish the two of you luck.”

The two men gave Zaria and (your name) a curt bow good bye Katsumi’s face flushing slightly pink. The karate prodigy whispering excitedly to his friend.

“I think he likes you too.” Zaria hummed her brows narrowed at her friend. “And so did his friend. I’m a little jealous of you today. But then again, none of the guys here are my type.”

“Well I did beat up all the male fighters in central and South America so I don’t really have any interest in anyone back home.”

“I remember. Your mother was crying because you beat up every suitor she found.”

“I will not stop fighting. It’s something that is such a big role in my life. I will never give it up for anyone.” (Your name) frowned at the thought of her mother. Even though the old woman could be a bit much, (your name) knew her mother held (your name)’s best interest at heart. “I think she’ll understand after we’re done here. I probably won’t go back to Brazil if I enjoy it here.”

“What?”

“If the fighters are as good as mister Tokugawa say they are, I won’t leave. I’ll stay here forever.” (Your name) chuckled at her friend’s mortified expression. “You could always visit me-“

“No I’m going to live with you. Who will keep you out of trouble?” Zaria joked, causing (your name) to crack a smile.

“You’re the best.”

(Your name) shivered, the young woman slowly turning her head to glance at the person who was staring holes into her head. (Eye color) eyes clashing with the dark eyes of a massive man covered in scars. A predatory smile crawling on her lips at how intense his stare was.

“You need to stop smiling like that. You could probably kill some one with a look like that.”

“No. I just smile like this when I’m excited about fighting.” The scarred man simply took off his glasses and continued sizing her up from a distance. (Your name) could feel it in her bones that this man was powerful. Maybe even stronger than Jack, Katsumi, and Retsu.

“Well it’s scary and you need to stop.”

“Make me.” (Your name) continued her staring match with the stranger until he finally turned away. The ‘terrifying’ smile finally off of her face.

“We’re going to be finding out who your march is soon. So save your scary faces for later.”

“Okay, mom.” The two girls giggled before (your name) began to stretch. A smile on her face. She really hoped to face off against the man covered in scars. She felt as if he’d be the biggest challenge for her to beat.

She just hoped everything went smoothly until she was fighting the big dogs. They seemed to be the ones everyone else were avoiding like the plague. Yet they didn’t seem to be aware of what she was capable quite yet. But they would learn. They would all learn of how deadly capoeira could be when it’s sped up and actually connecting the hits.

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Author’s note: thank you for reading!

#female reader #yandere imagine #yandere #baki the grappler #baki hanma #kaoru hanayama #jack hanma #smut #katsumi orochi #retsu kaioh #yandere reader #guilty pleasure

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