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iamjungkooked · 2 years

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Breaking Free (Part 1)

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↳Pairing: Jungkook x female reader

↳Genre: Romance, Angst, (maybe some smut)

↳Word count: 14.6k

↳Warnings: swearing, mentions of alcoholism, dysfunctional family dynamics

↳Rating: 14+

↳AU: fake dating!

↳Summary: For y/n, rescue comes in the form of Jeon Jungkook, a man who finally gives her the courage and support she needs to break free--from everyone and everything she has ever known. Intirgued by the promise of the unknown , she plunges in head first. Little does she realize that being with him will make her question everything she has known about herself. As delectable as the prospect of freedom is, what will she do when everything changes?

A/N: Hello. I know I know. Its been like a year. But I hope you enjoy this!

Chapter 1

“Oh, my darling sweet daughter” my mother rushes down the stairs to wrap me in a hug. She’s lightning quick so I can’t dodge her. I look over at George, our butler who nods at me to go with it. She’s in her nightgown, her hair still just as fresh-looking as last night. She even smells incredible for someone who has “just woken up”.

I suffocate between her arms, barely able to breathe. I try to push her away but she’s much stronger than I am. “Mum, I can’t breathe” I manage to choke the words. She pulls away. I see that her eyes are a little glossy, yet she hasn’t shed a single tear. Sometimes I can’t understand if she doesn’t know how to express her emotions or that she doesn’t have any.

“Sorry” she says to me, in that sweet voice of hers. “Anyway, are you all packed up?”

“Yeah. Nancy helped me” I look over my mother’s shoulder at the middle-aged lady, who is actually crying. Nancy was my nanny when I was younger. But then my parents decided that they would need her services indefinitely. She raised me. My parents never had time for me.

We don’t even have any pictures together. There is only one picture of me with them, the day I was born.

So it is super safe to say that my parents and I don’t have the best relationship. I barely know who my father is. He’s never around. He only comes home to sleep. I do not know what he does the rest of the day. I suppose he’s busy making money. That is all he seems to care about. Last night when he came home, he did not even know I was going to college.

“Oh” was all he said in response. That was the end of our conversation.

My relationship with my mother isn’t any better. She’s a hard one to describe. Sometimes she does care about me, that is when she isn’t busy showing off to the ladies in her kitty party, or trying to one-up one of the other rich wives in her friend circle, or going on vacations to pass her time.

I say goodbye to both Nancy and George, giving them each hug-- longer than my mother. They are more my family than she has ever been.

I turn to my mother. “Okay mum. I will see you when I see you”

“What do you mean, dear?” she says. “You’re coming home for the holidays aren’t you?”

“I uh..” I have to pause because I don’t really know if I want to. “I am not sure if I will”

“Your father will not like it.” she says sternly.

A scoff crosses my lips. I hate how she has the audacity to tell me this. “He didn’t even know I was leaving for college” I remind her because she seems to have forgotten the nightmarish exchange between us last night.

“This is no way to talk to your mother!”

I take a few deep breaths before I respond. “Look mom, I am not promising anything. I will see if I can make it” It’s not like you will care if I miss thanksgiving or Christmas. You probably won’t even be here.

I grab my suitcases and head for the exit before my mother can get another word in. I place my bags in the car. Nancy and George follow. I hug them one last time and get into the car. I feel a small pang. I wasn’t expecting my mother to come, but somehow I thought at least on this occasion she would come to say a proper goodbye.

But she didn’t.

I wasn’t even sad. I was just numb.

Chapter 2

Living away from my parents turns out to be the exact thing I needed. No more toxicity, no more fighting. No more having to pretend and please my parents. I don’t even know why I tried so hard. I don’t want the college fund or the trust fund. I don’t want anything from my parents. But somehow I wound up trying my whole life to impress them, to get their attention.

I thought that if I acted the way they wanted me to they would give me a little bit of attention. I would have been happy had they attended my birthday-- just that one day out of the whole year I would have been content. But nothing I did seemed to work. I worked my ass off to get good grades. I got into an ivy league college as my father wanted. Never even had a sip of alcohol, or partied, or tried drugs.

I was the good girl. I did everything they wanted me to. I even befriended the people they wanted me to so that my father could gain favour with some of the political families. They decided what courses I would take, what extracurriculars I would enrol in for prep school. Every single decision of my life was taken by the people who never even spent a good minute of their time on me.

I have lived my whole life in that mansion. So living on my own it feels weird.

When I come back to the dorm but roommate isn’t there and she leaves a note on the door that we are almost out of food. She asks me to bring Instant noodles, sushi and strawberry milk.

“What a weird combination” I mutter under my breath. I turn right back around.

It’s a relief that there is a convenience store just a block down. It’s not much of a walk but I welcome it the moment I step out. The sky is cloudy overhead. A soft wind blows through the trees that surround the campus. The cemented pavement leading down the steps of the dormitory is wet, but I doubt it will rain. For a moment I wonder if I should run back to get the umbrella but when I turn around and see the flight of stairs I find the perfect excuse not to.

The hoodie I am wearing is cozy enough, but I still feel the chill against my skin. The campus is quiet at this time of night. With only thoughts to occupy me, I begin to wonder about Nancy and George. I haven’t spoken to them since I got here, which is six weeks too long. I pull my phone out.

Hi Nancy. I am sorry I haven’t checked in for so long. How are you and George doing?”

I pocket my phone after sending the text. But not a second later my phone is ringing.

“Hi Nancy” I smile into the phone.

“Oh y/n, it’s been so long” she sounds ecstatic. “Have you been eating and sleeping well?”

“I am. Don’t worry about that” I feel slightly guilty because I haven’t been. But I don’t want her to worry.

“Oh that’s good” she says. “Your parents are doing fine too”

“Oh yeah” I suddenly feel out of energy even just thinking about them. I don’t feel particularly guilt.

“Nancy!” I hear my mom’s voice in the background.

“Anyway, I just wanted to check in with you. I know my mom will get angry if she sees you on the phone with me. So take care of yourself please. I’ll call you later” I hang up hurriedly because I don’t want Nancy in any trouble.

Arriving at the convenience store, I see only one other person in the store. Without paying him mind I go to the aisle and grab noodles, and a 6 pack of strawberry milk. I head to the fridge and grab a few trays of to-go sushi and then proceed to the counter to pay. Offering the cashier a smile I hand him my card.

He runs it for me and hands me a receipt once he’s done ringing the items. I take the bag from him and turn on my heels. “Shit” I mutter. I don’t even get to the door when it starts pouring.

The rain is coming down so fast I can’t see the other side of the road. I doubt I would be able to make it safely. I decide the best course of action is to just sit at the seats by the window inside the store.

The sound of the rain against the window calms me down. I feel drops of water on my hoodie and turn to find a random guy violently wiping himself off.

“Do you mind?” I say.

He looks at me expressionlessly. “Sorry” he says and then proceeds further into the store.

I pat my hoodie dry. It wasn’t much water but still, he should have been watching it. I ignore the small spark of frustration in my chest and face ahead, watching the rain fall down. My phone buzzes again. I turn it over and find Yoona, my roommate’s message.

From [Yoona]:

Did you go to the store? It’s raining and both our umbrella’s are in the stand. I can come to get you if that’s where you went.

To [Yoona]:

Yeah I am. Don’t worry. It’s raining heavily. I don’t think it's safe for either of us. I’ll just wait it out.

From [Yoona]:

You’re sure?

To [Yoona]:

Yes. I am sure. Don’t worry I’ll bring your food to you safely.

From [Yoona]:

🤪 Thank you. But please be safe.

To[Yoona]:

I will :)))

I put my phone away again.

“I am sorry about earlier”

I turn around to find the guy from before, holding out a coffee cup towards me.

“Sorry?” I don’t really understand what is happening.

“I sprayed you with water. I am sorry about that” he nods to the cup in his hand.

“Oh uh-- thanks” I take it from him and hesitantly place it on the table in front of me.

“You from around here?” he asks as he sits next to me.

“Yeah. I go to the university” I look at him.

He nods, sipping his coffee.

I notice the tattoo on his arm and an extension of a tattoo on the side of his neck. He’s wearing multiple rings on his fingers, he’s got a dangly earring in one ear. He’s wearing a white graphic tee, tucked into his black ripped jeans, and to finish it off he’s wearing black combat boots.

Devilish

“What about you?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Not exactly the studying type”

“Kinda figured” I reply drawing the hot coffee cup towards myself.

He quirks a brow. He turns his torso towards me as if he’s interested. “Oh yeah? What kind of a guy am I? Indulge me” a lopsided smirk that has me almost fleeing makes an appearance. This was the only thing missing from his “bad boy” repertoire.

“I don’t know. You’ve got the whole grunge look going. Art major maybe?” I shrug.

He looks at me for a few seconds like he’s trying to decide something. I can’t tell what he’s thinking but with dangerous looks like that, it can’t be anything good.

“What are you thinking?” I feel a little daring. Under different circumstances, I would be running the other way. But there is something about freedom from my parents' influence that is making me feel in control.

“I am thinking what’s a goody-two-shoes like you doing here?” he narrows his eyes at me.

I laugh. “At a convenience store?”

“Isn’t it a little late for you? I bet you have a curfew”

I can’t help but snort. “Excuse me, but you don’t know me”

He narrows his eyes at me after giving me a once-over. “Oh honey, I know your type”

I start to laugh. “This is…” I lick my lips as I take a good look at him. “Okay fine. What type of a girl am I? Indulge me”. Somehow I am liking the challenge he’s throwing me. I want to know what he thinks because it’s clear he’s got something on his mind.

I have no idea where this courage to flirt is coming from. But Yoona was right when she said flirting is fun. I can’t remember a single time in my life where I have flirted with a man. In fact, I wasn’t even allowed to have guy friends in school. But somehow this is exhilarating. Interest and attention can do wonders for a human, especially one like me who has been starved for affection and attention their whole life.

Men are no good. I married one. Trust me I know.

That’s what my mother used to tell me.

Looking at the man in front of me, I don’t think she was entirely wrong. I can see it so clearly in my head. So many broken hearts, so many tears wasted.

What a waste of mascara, as Yoona would say.

So many girls out there, wondering where they went wrong. When all they had to do was avoid him. But then again a handsome face like his is hard to ignore. He knows how to make girls feel special as if they are “the only one”.

He begins to smile. “I am Jungkook” he says.

“I am Nancy” I reply. There is no way I am telling him my actual name. “So tell me what kind of a girl am I?”

“Mmm” he pulls his lips between his teeth as he regards me. “A pretty one”

I stare at him. I am at a loss for words. “Okay. That was bad”. But it was also a little bit funny. I can’t smile and give in though. That would make me look weak.

“You don’t like compliments?”

“Not when they come from guys like you”

“Guys like me?” he raises a brow at me.

“You know, the kind who don’t care about anyone or anything. The heartbreakers. Words don’t mean much to you. You say them but they’re empty promises. Empty words.You’re all the same. You only know how ruin a girl’s mascara, not her lipstick”

“You’ve had your heart broken then, Nancy?” he takes a sip of his coffee all the while eyeing me over the rim of the cup.

“Hmm” I move closer to him. “Wouldn’t you like to know Jungkook? You think I am going to give you my life story just because you look like you are the remedy to every girl's daddy issues?”

“Clearly not yours” he shrugs like he doesn’t care at all. “But give me something at least”

“And let you have power over me?” I smile. “Tsk Tsk. Not happening”

“So I do have power over you” he comments, almost like he’s won this little exchange.

“Maybe. Maybe not”

“You know I like mysteries?” he says.

“There is a difference between liking them and solving them” I bring the cup of coffee to my lips.

He nods. “I like you”

“In a good way, I hope”

“Wouldn’t you like to know” he echoes my words from earlier. I can’t help the smile it elicits as I lower my head.

I raise my head to look at him and put on my best poker face. “I don’t like mysteries''. I am not lying though. I hate uncertainty. I have grown up with it. Spending my Sunday’s at the dinner table waiting for my parents to come, backstage at my ballet performances wondering if they will come to support me, delaying my walk on the stage for graduation because I couldn’t see my parents in the crowd.

Turns out I really do have “daddy” and “mommy” issues. He would probably have a field day with me though. I am exactly the kind of girl who gets caught in his trap. He will say he knows how to fix my “daddy” issues, and I will believe his words because he’s giving me attention. But then he breaks my heart because it all becomes too boring for him. He’s been there and done that.

“Where have you been all my life?” he chuckles.

“Avoiding guys like you” I say.

“I can’t win, can I?” he asks.

“Does this usually work on other women?”

He nods. “Pretty much all the time”

“Time to step up your game then” I say. I look at the clock on the wall and then back outside where it has stopped raining. “Well, it was nice meeting you. Had it not been for you I would have been bored just waiting”

“I’ll give you a ride” he throws away the coffee cup.

“My mother told me not to accept rides from strangers” the practiced coy smile comes useful. Yoona’s teaching paid off. Let’s just say she worked hard on me. I’d probably be fumbling my words were it not for her.

“Well your mother is one wise woman isn’t she” he pauses. “Then I’ll walk you to wherever it is you are going”

“What if I had to take two buses to get here?”

“It either makes you really dumb or just really passionate for strawberry milk” he looks down at the bag in my hand, the faint outline of the milk bottle visible.

“I do love strawberry milk”

“Come on. Let’s go” he gets to the door first and opens it for me, not giving me much of a chance to run away or keep stalling.

If my mother saw this she’d definitely call me a slut. She’s blunt like that. Though, I do not think she would live long enough to see this. The fact that I am talking to him would be enough to send her to heaven. Jungkook was her living, breathing nightmare. Her and my father’s. But oh-- how I would just love to shove this new side of me in their faces.

We arrive in front of the dorms. “Thank you Jungkook”

“It’s not a problem,” he winks. “I hope you have a good night” he gives a two-fingered salute. “See ya again strawberry girl” he reaches for my hand, plants a kiss on the back.

And just like that, he saunters off into the dark.

Chapter 3

The semester has ended and I am back at my parent's for a while. I am not thrilled about it but when Yoona had to move back home for a family emergency I decided I didn’t want to stay at the dorms either. So here I am yet again, in this fancy mansion that looks like a dream but is filled with nothing but loneliness.

I fix my dress again for the nth time. I really don’t know why I have to wear a dress for a thanksgiving party. I have always hated these parties. They are superficial. Every word exchanged is laced with poison. There is something to be gained everywhere. Everyone wants one thing or another. Even youngsters my age come to these parties to find trophy husbands or wives for themselves. Every single one of them is full of themselves.

A group standing near me, some of whom I have known since prep school are talking about where they travelled to in the summer.

“Oh Amsterdam was amazing,” says one of the girls airly, flipping her hair.

I can’t help the scowl that overcomes my face. I can’t stand a single person at this party. They are all lonely shells of a human being, who care about no one but themselves. My parents included.

My mother is standing in the corner twirling around in her pretty red dress, going on and on about the designer she bought it from for $50,000. My father is standing with some of the politicians I recognize from the TV. God knows what they are talking about.

I walk towards my mother. It’s the only choice I have. Standing by myself is worse because I keep thinking about how much I hate these people. I stand quietly next to her, pretending to sip on the champagne in my hand when one of the trophy wives comments on my dress. “Oh that is a lovely dress dear”

“Thank you” I reply, offering a half-hearted smile.

“Oh come on sweetheart, tell her about your dress” my mother places her hand at the small of my back and presses hard. She usually does this as a signal. She used to do this when I was younger too and when we had guests over she would force me to play the piano, or the violin or show them the new moves I had learned in Ballet class. I reach back and pull her hand away.

“I think I am good.” I tell her and escape from there.

“Excuse me” I hear her say.

“Young lady, you stop there right now” my mother’s shrieking voice follows me. “That is no way to behave in front of guests” she spins me by the elbow.

I almost drop the champagne on my dress. “I told you mother, I have no interest in this party” i yank my elbow from her grip.

“ This is important for your father and you will behave” she is stern.

I scoff. “I am not a child anymore. I am perfectly capable of having my own opinions. And right now I think this place sucks. Everyone is so fucking pretentious, Jesus”

“Watch your language” she gives me a firm look. Had I been 7 years old, I would have cowered in fear. But I wasn’t and she needed to know that.

I am about to reply when someone catches my attention behind my mother. He looks very familiar, except this time he’s wearing a suit. A black suit that fits his curves and edges perfectly, as if the fabric itself was made for him. We lock eyes and he raises his champagne glass in acknowledgement. “Who is that?” I ask. I know who he is but how the hell is he at this party?

My mother turns around following my line of sight. “That is Jeon Jungkook. His family owns a massive chain of five star hotels” she turns back to me, blocking my view of him. “It’s best you stay away from him. He is a good-for-nothing- boy. Completely ruined his family’s legacy” she scowls, hatred and judgement evident in her eyes.

So he’s a rich kid too. And he doesn’t listen to his parents? He’s practically perfect.

I hand her my champagne glass “Excuse me mother. I will be back” I say as I make a beeline for him.

“Y/N, come back here right now” I hear her say, but I don’t care. There is one person at this party I like and I will be damned if I don’t talk to him. Besides, I would love to piss my mother off.

“Strawberry girl” he says as he reaches for my hand and places a gentle kiss at the back. “Fancy seeing you here”

“Jeon Jungkook” I nod in acknowledgement. “I can say the same for you. I did not think this was your scene”

“It’s not. But I am forced to be here. My father was adamant I attend and that I do not further ruin his reputation”

“Tsk Tsk. You’re a bad boy. What did you do?”

“Well my dear father” he looks over my shoulder and raises his glass and I see a middle-aged man giving him a stern, disapproving look. “That would be him” he says. “Anyway, he wanted me to join the family business. Take over in fact. But I didn’t want that”

“What did you want?” I ask, moving closer so we’re standing toe to toe. I know my mother is looking.

He doesn’t seem to mind it. In fact, he smiles at the increase in physical proximity. “I wanted my own business, which I have”

“Ooh self-made man. I like” I wiggle my brows at him. “What business?”

“I have my own music company”

“That’s amazing”

He sighs. “Not to my father it isn’t. He says I have let him down. He said he may have forgiven me had I chosen a higher profession. But like I told you I am not the studying type. Always hated that, but always loved music”

“I guess your whole look also adds to it” I gesture to his tattoos and piercings. He’s still wearing the dangly earring in one ear, and his tattooed fingers are adorned with rings.

“Why?” he leans in to whisper against my ear. “You don’t like it?”

I play with his tie, feeling the soft silk between my fingers. “I like them a lot. Tell me about them”

He pulls back, places his hand in mine and pulls me along.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Well if you want to see my tattoos, we need a private space” he winks.

“I know just the place” my steps quicken as I take the lead and pull him along.

I take him to the secluded basement. It’s supposed to be the entertainment room. There’s a pool table, a large theatre screen with pull-out couches for seats. There is a bar to the side, stashed with my father’s most cherished alcohol. Some of them are as old as sixty years. I have never touched them though. I am the “good girl” after all. But I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel like trying some. I look at Jungkook and I know he would enable it-- which may just be what I need.

“Wait, is this your place?” he asks as he takes in the large suite.

“You didn’t know?” I ask going around the pool table and sit on the edge of it while he circles back to me and stands right in front of me.

He shakes his head. “I had no idea. But good to know”

“Anyway, show me your tattoos”

Without a word he shrugs off his suit jacket, which I insist I hold because I’d rather something that expensive doesn’t get ruined. He hands it to me and folds his sleeves to reveal something that resembles a crossword puzzle. He moves closer, I reach for his arm and trace the letters. “I’d rather die than be cool” I read the words on his forearm. “What does it mean?”

“I’d rather die than try to fit in with the crowd. It’s from a song” I know he’s looking at me. But I dismiss the small flutters in my stomach.

“It fits you” I trace the line crossing over this tattoo. “Make hay while the sun shines” I look at him. He’s got this soft look in his eyes. “What?”.

He fixes my hair behind my ears, a small smile on his lips. “I don’t know. You just look beautiful” his hand lingers on my cheek.

Is he going to kiss me?

I slap his hand away. “This isn’t going to work on me” I wag my finger at him. “Show me this one” I traced the outline of a tattoo on his neck.

He begins to unbutton his shirt. “Stop me at any time” he smirks.

I don’t know what has gotten into me. “Actually you know what” I place my hand on top of his as he reaches for the last button. “Show me some other time”. I look away. The temptation,too much for me. Maybe he’s right.

I let go of his hand.

“As you wish” he smiles softly, beginning to button his shirt back up. “I meant it you know, this dress does look amazing on you”

“Oh?” I feel at a loss for words. He looks sincere enough but with someone like him, it can just as easily be a game. “Well, in any case, you’re kind of too perfect in some ways”

“I am not all that dreamy. I might be every girl’s wet dream-- not yours” he says when he sees me open my mouth to protest. “But I am not without flaws”

“Elaborate”

“I vape”

“Better than smoking

“I drink”

“Who doesn’t?”

“I fucked my way through college”

“Not winning any points there”

“I’m every father’s worst nightmare”

“You’re every girl’s wet dream”

“Okay, you win” he concedes. “Maybe I am not that bad”

“Yeah. Except for the’ fucking your way through college’ part”

“Oh that. I just said that to be cool” he shrugs. “I didn’t think you would take it seriously.”

“Fuckboi’s are not cool” I remind him.

“So if you don’t like fuckboi’s or guys like me, what do you like?” he walks to the bar, slipping in behind the counter and begins to inspect the liquor bottles. His back is turned to me. I follow his lead and stand on the opposite side of the bar.

“Well, I don’t know. But It’s definitely not you. I won’t make the mistake of falling for you”

He turns around, a bottle in hand and he opens it. He reaches for the glasses piled up high in the cabinet to the right and pours himself one. “You want one?” he asks.

I shake my head. It won’t do me any good to get drunk with him.

“How are you so sure?” he questions, sipping on his drink and then reaching for the bottle again. “Damn this is good whiskey” he turns it around in his hand taking note of it.

I can’t help but frown at him. “Well, it’s not you. Let’s just settle on that”

“So, someone extremely handsome?”

“You mean conventional aka boring”

“You mean Devilish?” he grins.

“Maybe”

“You can’t control how you feel. You might just end up falling in love with me” he eggs this whole thing on like he’s enjoying it. I am too. But he’s dangerous. He makes me want to throw caution to the wind.

“You can dream on lover boy”

He snorts. “No one has ever called me that. I am not sure if I should be turned on by that or if I should be turned on by that ”

“Run the other way. I can be kind of crazy”

“That’s my type though. I like crazy. Saint in the streets, a devil in the sheets? Now that is the best of both worlds” he folds his arms atop the counter and leans in towards me. “Something tells me you’re both” his gaze bounces to my lips.

“Am I?” I pull back.

Not because he’s overstepping, but because I am. I haven’t done this routine before. I don’t know what’s too little and what’s too much. I am just going with the feeling in my gut and hoping I can keep up.

“You know it”

I roll my eyes at him. “You’re bad for me”

“Very”

“You are going to break my heart”

He pretends to think for a moment. “Most definitely”

“You’ll tell me you love me”

“Everyday”

“What a liar”

“I’d say, lover”

“You’re out of luck then. I don’t need a lover” I turn on my heels and begin to walk away. In two quick strides, he’s blocking my way.

“But you do need my number” he holds his hand out for my phone.

“You give me yours” I say with confidence and he hands me his phone.

I put my information in and give it back. He looks at the screen and then back at me. “I feel betrayed, strawberry girl”

“Why? You didn’t really think my name was Nancy did you?”

“I knew after talking to you that you couldn’t be a ‘Nancy’. Turns out I was right” he pockets his phone.

I turn around. “It’s getting late, lover boy” I start walking towards the door to the basement when he catches up with me.

“You’re going to break my heart one day, Nancy” he chuckles, throwing an arm around my shoulder.

Chapter 4

Jungkook and I began to text a lot. It mostly consisted of flirting and banter going back and forth with an occasional sincere compliment from him and a sincere bit from my life to him. It turns out he’s not as bad as people make him out to be. He wants to pave his own path and walk it, with or without his father’s help.

That is something I can appreciate. He’s a breath of fresh air in the staleness of entitlement I have become used to. He’s true to himself. If he doesn’t give a fuck he’ll say it. He’s unafraid. Maybe that’s what draws me to him. I don’t know how to not be afraid.

For instance right now as I am sitting across from yet another rich dude my mother set me up with, I don’t know how to not be afraid of getting up and just leaving without causing a scene. He’s been going on and on about something I really could not care less about.

“You know during my trip to Africa?” He clears his throat. “I realized something”

“What would that be?” I offer a tight lipped smile.

“We are so fortunate to live in a country as great as ours. You know, people in poor countries can’t even get clean drinking water. The whole time I was there I had to keep asking them to bring me those cheap Dasani water bottles” his face contorts with disgust and I throw up internally.

“Mmhmm” I nod along, barely able to contain my frustration.

“When we were flying back, you know in our private airplane” he pauses for effect as if expecting me to look impressed. “From up above you could see just how dirty the living conditions were.” he shudders. “But it was just so rewarding to help these people out, you know. If we don't, who else will?”

Entitled fucking prick.

He then continues to go on and on about how the middle class is leaching from the rich. I mean talk about absurdity.

“So you think people who actually pay their taxes are the problem?” I can’t help it. The venom in my voice just comes out automatically.

He dismisses it. “They are dropping the standard, you know?”

I roll my eyes. I can’t deal with this. I tap my foot impatiently, waiting for an out. I look around the speakeasy. It’s a very popular “dating” spot for all the rich kids in the city. They gather here everyday and drink away their first world problems or come looking for a trophy wife or a husband they can flaunt around. I have seen it. I know how it’s going to go for them. They’ll flirt a little. Get to know each other, date, get married and then maybe 5-10 years down the road they will be at each other’s throats. She’ll be fucking someone else and he’ll be doing the same. Just like that marriage over.

As I am looking around I catch Jungkook in the corner of the bar. He was already looking at me. He waves, moving his fingers in a scraggly fashion. How long has he been here?

“Excuse me” I say, hurriedly walking away. There is my out.

I push through bodies here and there as I make my way across the lounge. I take the empty seat next to him. “You couldn’t have helped? Given me a call so I could pretend that a friend has an emergency?” I say to him.

“First off, hello. Secondly, I think you were doing pretty well” he shrugs. “I didn’t think you needed help”

“Yeah. I was doing so well that I was desperate to get out of there”

“So who’s the chump?” Jungkook nods at rich kid.

“I don’t know his name” I look over across the room. Said chump looking around, I assume trying to find me.

“That’s my girl” Jungkook grins as if he’s proud of me. “What did you lovebirds talk about?”

“Oh, only about where we would go on our honeymoon” I say dreamily, placing a hand on my heart.

“Where did you decide?” He humors me and takes a sip of his drink. It smells like whiskey again.

“Africa. You know to help out the children and to show off to our other rich friends our giving spirit”

He snorts. “You will fit in perfectly, strawberry girl”

“Hardly. So what brings you here, lover boy?”

He raises a brow. “Her” he nods to a girl in the corner of the room, currently taking selfies of herself. She’s definitely an eye candy, even I can admit it.

“Wow, she seems like a bundle of joy”

“She is” he nods. “She’ll make the perfect housewife for me. But I doubt I can provide for her needs. Or anyone really”

“I think you’ll do better than 99.9% of chumps in here”

He looks at me, highly amused. “What makes you say that?”

I shrug.

“Oh come on, strawberry girl. You’re making my male ego curious”

“Tell your male ego to shove it then” I offer a mocking smile. “Although, thank god you’re here. I honestly heard angels singing when I saw you sitting here”

He laughs silently. “Should we get out of here then?”

Jungkook slides a couple of bills across the bar as we get up.

“Hey! Where did you go? I have been looking for you” the chump comes out of nowhere.

“What’s up champ?” Jungkook stands up and throws an arm around him. He’s wearing black ripped jeans and a black half-sleeve t-shirt tucked into his jeans. His arms are filled with ink and it draws me in.

I can’t help but draw a comparison between them as I observe. Jungkook looks infinitely better than the chump dressed in chinos and a white button up shirt.

The chump looks confused. “Who are you?”

“Let me tell you something” Jungkook whispers something in his ear. With wide eyes, he looks at me and then walks away as if he’s seen a ghost.

“What did you tell him?” I question.

“That you are pregnant with my baby and that your parents are going to disown you once we tell them today and that he’s better off finding another girl” Jungkook looks proud of himself, a beaming smile on his face.

I gawk at him. “You did what? Jungkook, you do know that this is going to spread like wildfire right?”

“Don’t worry” he throws an arm around my shoulder. “You can live with me once your parents kick you out. I’ll take care of you” he presses a kiss to the side of my head. “And our baby”

“Oh my god” I groan. “I am sure my mother will hear of this”

“That’s perfect then. Make a scene and leave your house” he looks down at me, a good-for nothing smile on his face. He talks about it so lightly it blows my mind.

“You’re serious?” I frown at him.

“Very” he looks me straight in the eyes. “Honestly, you need to leave that place”

It wouldn’t be bad to live with Jungkook. It would be nice for once to have someone who will be present for me. For a moment I actually consider it. My mind plays me a highlight reel of how the conversation between my parents and I would go down. I can imagine myself packing my bags and leaving my house to live with Jungkook.

“Okay. So if my mother asks, is it a boy or a girl?” I wiggle my brows at him. I won’t lie, playing pretend is king of fun. Especially with him.

“Girl. I have always wanted a girl” he looks serious for a brief second.

“You?” I scoff in disbelief. “Don’t you want another mini Jungkook?”

“Oh god no” he shakes his head. “I don’t want that disappointment”

“What are we going to name her?” I ask as we begin to walk, his hand wrapped around my waist.

He pulls out a vape. I don’t think it’s allowed but who is going to stop the rich kids from breaking the rules? We know how to use “daddy” as a threat. “Violet. I have always loved that name you know”

I smell strawberries as he puffs out the smoke. “If it’s a boy?” I play along.

“I am going to abandon you two. If he’s my son he’s going to disappoint me” he chuckles.

“You are crazy Jeon Jungkook”

He winks. “Now let’s go give your parents the good news” he smiles from ear to ear, dimples on full display.

Chapter 5

My imagination does come true because a few days after my so-called “date” my mother and I got into a fight. She stomped in my room after she heard from her friends over at brunch that I am pregnant. I imagine the shame she must have felt but at the same time I couldn’t help but feel a little twinge of happiness at seeing her so furious.

“I told you to stay away from that boy! look what he’s done” she yells so loud I flinch.

I assume she’s talking about Jungkook. “Mother! You don’t know him”

“I don’t have to. He’s a good-for-nothing, shameless boy who has already ruined his life. But now he has ruined yours too!”

So my mother actually thinks I am pregnant. I wonder if I should go along with the lie. But then how would we even manage? I know Jungkook wouldn’t mind it. He’s the one who started this mess.

“I am not pregnant! Jungkook just said that so your dear Joe would leave me alone!”

“What? Why would you lie?”

“Because I am sick of you trying to set me up with men I have no interest in” my voice rises too.

My mother looks furious and confused. “It’s for your own good!”

“Mom, he was so entitled! Showing off about how much money he has and how he pities the poor!”

“What’s so wrong with that?“ she doesn’t even seem to grasp how wrong she sounds. I would explain to her that she sounds like a royal b.i.t.c.h. However I doubt she would understand.

I shake my head. “Point is, I am not interested in dating any of these rich assholes”

“Watch your language, young lady” my mother looks at me sternly. 10 year old me would have cowered. But not me, not right now. “You stay away from that…” she almost looks disgusted. “from that boy. He might actually get you pregnant”

“What’s wrong with that? I would rather him than another entitled prick who lives on Daddy’s money. At least Jungkook is independent and knows what he wants in life. He treats me with respect unlike these other guys who over the years have objectified me, made me feel worthless and tried to take my dignity away from me”

“You do not talk like that. Do not do anything to jeopardize the respect your father has gained in our circle. If you do-”

“To hell with this! You have never cared about me. You were absent my whole life and you think you can continue to dictate what I do? Not anymore”

“So that’s what this is about? Is this why you are rebelling?”

“You can’t even acknowledge that you did wrong by me. All these guys you want me to meet. They know it too. That’s why they think they can ask anything of me and I will give it to them” I can feel the frustration bubbling in my throat. I know that I am going to cry.

“Know what?”

“That you and dad have been neglecting me my whole life. That I have never gotten attention. So, they think that I’ll do whatever to get any kind of attention”

“Y/n”

“Because that’s what girls with broken hearts do, mom” my voice quivers and that’s when I know I need to stop. “Leave” I look at her, taking a few steps to usher her out. She doesn’t say anything further and marches out of my room.

Immediately I look for my phone. I rummage through the covers and when I find it I call him.

“Hey, strawberry girl” Jungkook says.

“Hey” I sniffle. “So listen. You know how you said I could come to live with you if my parents kick me out?”

“Yes” he says.

“Is that offer still valid?”

“Are you crying?” he sounds concerned

“Mhmm” my voice shakes. “So can I?”

“Of course, you can. Do you want me to pick you up?”

I wipe the corner of my eye as another tear escapes. “God no. I’ll fill you in later. Thank you Jungkook. I really appreciate you”

“Anything for you, strawberry girl” I can hear his smile through the phone.

Jungkook is waiting for me when I arrive at his apartment. It’s like he was waiting by the door because it opens on the first knock.

I drop my bags and engulf him in a hug. He holds me tight. “How are you holding up?” he asks.

“I’ve been better” I mumble against his shoulder. He sways us side to side, making me giggle. “Thank you for doing this. It means a lot to me”

“I should say sorry to you” he gently strokes my back. “If I didn’t impulsively lie you’re pregnant to that chump, you wouldn’t be here”

“No” I sniffle. “This was going to happen one way or another. Twenty years of neglect and abandonment issues… this should have been obvious to everyone. I am just glad that I have you here” I pull back.

“Of course, my beloved strawberry girl. What kind of a baby daddy would I be If I abandoned my two beautiful girls?” his lips rose in that naughty grin. It seems like he’s really enjoying this whole thing.

“So we have decided it’s a girl?” I try to suppress my smile but I can’t when he looks so happy.

“Violet” he reminds me.

“Oh yes. Violet. Right.” I pause. “ Tell me something”

“Mhmm” he says.

“You’re really having fun with this whole pregnancy shebang aren’t you?”

“Is it obvious?” he looks shy the way he looks away momentarily. “I can’t help it. I love the idea of little Violet” he’s almost entirely giddy even just saying it because his smile grows wider, reaching his eyes.

Cute

“You’ll make a great father someday”

“Hmm. I hope So. Anyway, welcome to my humble abode” he pulls me along inside, leaving my bags by the door.

The first thing that catches my eye is that along the walls of the short hallway, there are pieces of vinyl cascading up. It looks very cool. He definitely loves his music. At the end of the hallway to the left is the living room. His interior is black and white— white walls and black furniture. To the right is the kitchen— granite black countertops and black cupboards. There is a large window in the living room and a couple of smaller ones in the kitchen.

There is a giant 90-inch television mounted to the wall to the left and a bookcase flanking each side.

I point to it. “Didn’t take you for a reader”

He shrugs. “I went through a phase where I collected books” he walks over and picks up one, stroking the spine. “I haven’t touched a single one in a long time.” he places it back.

On the shelves, placed here and there are pictures of him when he was younger. I move closer to take a look. There is one with him, probably 7 to 9 years old, holding a soccer ball. As I look further down there is one of him from graduation—another one of him from prom. There are a few of him and his parents too.

“It wasn’t always so tense between my dad and I” he picks up a really old photo of him and his dad on his birthday. Jungkook is on a pony and his dad is holding the reins. “We were actually close when I was younger”

I watch as he looks lovingly at the photo, a small smile on his lips as he thinks back. There is also regret in his eyes. ”Do you miss it?” I rest my head against his arm and gently stroke his back— a comforting gesture to ease whatever negative feelings must be surfacing for him.

“Of course. Sometimes” he shrugs, putting it away. “What about you?” he lays his arm across my shoulders.

“Ummm… I don’t have any great memories with my parents. Yeah. Not much to say there” I look away and clear my throat.

“I am sorry” he gives a tight squeeze. “You deserve every good thing”.

“Thank you. No one has ever said that to me”

“As your friend and baby daddy-

“Oh god” I roll my eyes.

“I will tell you this every single day” he lets go.

I look upwards. “Violet, I know you don’t exist. But one day when you do, you should know your father is a crazy man”

Jungkook laughs at this. “I am going to love that little girl. I’ll be a better father than my dad was to me” he says softly.

“I know.” I say gently.

She’s going to be a lucky girl.

Chapter 6

Jungkook and I settled into a routine. I give him a wake up call every morning for work because even with three different alarms on he never wakes up. We walk around each other as we get ready in the morning —bumping into each other in the bathroom as we brush our teeth. Then it’s a cutthroat competition for the shower as we push and shove each other out of the door. Sometimes he lets me win though when I put on my amazing puppy face. I make horrible breakfast where I burn the toast because we’re both late. He drops me off at university and then heads to work.

I usually come home late because of assignments and exams that I have to do long study sessions for. But he waits for me every single night. Without fail. Even after I tell him he doesn’t have to, he insists on doing so because he doesn’t want me to feel lonely anymore. Every single time I walk in through the door and he sees me he opens his arms out wide and I collapse into them. He holds me and then asks me how my day was and if I ate. The answer usually is no, so he always insists I eat before bed.

I was expecting him to do the same when I got home.

He was sitting on the sofa, eyes glued to the television. I kick my shoes off and as usual he holds his arms out for me. I throw my bag on the floor and crawl next to him, laying my head on his chest.

“You’re early today” he comments.

“I got tired. I don’t think my brain can take any more of krebs cycle today” I sigh, contentment flooding through me.

“Please tell me you ate something”

“You will be happy to know that I did eat today. Since I actually managed to get my shit done at a respectable hour, the cafeteria was still open. So I got myself food”

“That’s my girl”. he ruffles my hair.

I pull away from him so that I can look at him.

“What exciting piece of music did you make today?” I ask. His work really intrigues me because he’s a composer.

He sighs heavily. “Didn’t get much done today. Just went over some old songs and such”

I catch a whiff of his cologne. “You smell good” I didn’t realize it before because I was just so comfortable in his arms that I didn’t even pay attention. It’s odd because he never wears perfume or cologne when he goes to work. He even got his “going out clothes”on. He dresses casually for work and when he’s at home he’s in sweats and a hoodie. “Going somewhere?” I frown, figuring that he must have a work thing.

“Oh yeah. I have a date tonight” he looks at his watch.

I was not expecting him to say that. “Oh” is all I can say.

I feel something stir deep inside me when he looks at me. It’s an ancient feeling— familiar yet unknown. Something changed in me. It’s a sudden shift of perspective, momentarily. Then, he’s not just Jungkook anymore. He’s Jungkook.

When you take the word ‘just’ out of the equation, it elevates him to a level reserved only for: a) men who have the potential to make a woman’s heart flutter and b) men who do make a woman’s heart flutter.

Because the value of anything can be reduced to dust when you add ‘just’ in front of it.

My heart doesn’t flutter though. It wavers. Now, I don’t know where I stand. I am afraid the act of being uncertain is pushing me towards a place I don’t want to be. I want clarity. But when he says he’s going on a date and my heart sinks, I don’t think my brain and my heart are on the same page anymore.

This wavering— in a single moment— brings about a lot of emotions. Disappointment is at the forefront of it, but lingering deep down is a resentment towards him that I have never known. My heart says: how can he go on a date? Where my mind knows he’s free to do whatever he wants because we’re not in a relationship. We’re not anything.

We are just friends…

He’s just Jungkook. A man who has helped me more than my parents ever have. A man who has gone out of his way to make sure I don’t feel lonely.

I rummage through my mind to find the words that will help me find clarity and respond to him in a way a good friend would. But then I feel that sinking feeling in my stomach and I am forced to wonder if he is indeed just a good friend.

I don’t have time to ponder on this fleeting thought because he gets up. “How do I look?” he asks.

I stand up, forcing a smile on my face that will be good enough to fool him. “Handsome as always” I say as I fix his hair. It begins to feel too intimate when I realize we are standing in each other’s personal bubble. I step back slightly but not enough to cause him alarm.

“Alright then” he places his hands on the sides of my face and kisses my forehead— and I wish he hadn’t. “Don’t wait for me.” he says.

“Good luck” I say but I know I don’t mean it. I hope his date doesn’t go well. I wish she turns out to be some psycho-rich bitch, the kind he can’t stand. I wish she’s not as beautiful as my mind is making her up to be. I wish so many things that I forget I am meant to be supporting him. Because I am his friend.

He offers me his beautiful smile. My face falters once his back is towards me as he leaves. He’s at the door and I have this desperate wish he’ll change his mind. Then he turns around— a second of hope shines through— “oh and please sleep at a decent time” his dimpled smile makes an appearance.

He disappears, the door automatically locking behind him.

“Fuck” I cover my mouth in that devastating way when someone gives you bad news.

Chapter 7

Sometimes when Jungkook gets busy, he doesn’t eat. Rather he forgets to eat. It’s not high on his list of priorities.Lately, his work has been so busy he comes home late and collapses on the couch. His room has remained untouched for the past week, the covers on his bed laid out the way he had left them.

He did not eat dinner and in the morning he left without having breakfast. I worry that he’s going to pass out if he keeps doing this. So I do the next best thing.

I knock on his office door after his secretary lets me in. For some reason, she didn’t believe Jungkook knew me. But when I call him, and he got angry with her she apologized profusely before leading me to this office.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, walking towards me, arms wide open.

I walk straight into them. “I came to surprise you”. I pull away and hold a brown bag towards him. “You didn’t eat. Again”

“Oh” it’s like he just realized it. “I have a lot of work to do. We’re putting out a new music album so it’s been crazy around here” he takes the bag from me, opens it and takes a whiff. “You got me a chocolate croissant? How did you know?”

“What can I say? I am a good girlfriend”

He grins. “So you have promoted yourself from my baby mama to my girlfriend?”

“I hope you don’t mind” I chuckle.

“Come on. Have a seat” he escorts me further inside.

He sits on the edge of his desk while I take a seat in the very comfortable chair, spinning around a few times. I come to a halt. “Who is the artist?”

“Taehyung” he takes a big bite of the croissant. “Thank you for this by the way” he mumbles between bites, clearly hungry.

“Wait. Did you say Taehyung? As in Kim Taehyung?” I look at him wide-eyed, hardly able to believe it.

He nods. “You know him?”

“Of him. I like his music. Oh my god can I meet him? Please?” I look at him expectantly, folding my hands.

Jungkook responds with a blank look. He doesn’t say anything. It’s like he’s thinking something, almost like he’s judging me. I can’t discern the look in his eyes. The silence on his end drags on. I am tempted to smack him in the face because he’s being very irritating about this whole thing. It is so unlike him.

“No” he blinks and then takes another bite of the croissant.

“Why?” His response is so scandalous that I can’t help but scowl at him.

“Just no” he quips, hopping off the table and going to sit back in his chair like the CEO he is. He opens his laptop and begins typing away acting like I am not sitting in front of him. I continue to fume and stare at him. He continues to pretend he can’t see me. We sit in silence. It’s not awkward at all. It’s just heavy with something I can’t put a name to.

“Give me one good reason” I finally say.

“Because…” he looks at me over the screen of his laptop. “Because, just no” he shakes his head. “You can’t”

“What are you so afraid of?” I lean over the desk, trying to get a good look at him while he dodges my stares.

“Stop doing that” he looks exasperated. “I am not afraid of anything” he avoids looking at me, clearly lying. I can’t figure out why.

“Jungkook seriously” I lean back in my seat and fold my arms across my chest. “You really can’t lie to me”

“Look, when women meet Taehyung they tend to…” he pauses to think. “They tend to lose their shit. You’re my roommate, and he works for me. It would be weird” he shudders as if completely repulsed by the idea of me meeting Kim Taehyung.

“Of course J, what do you expect? He’s Kim Taehyung! You would have to have a penis in most cases to not lose your shit”

“So you’re telling me you’re going to be like that too?” he shuts his laptop as he stares at me, completely offended.

“You tell me. If you saw that actress you like- what’s her name…”

“Sanne Vloet? Also, she’s a model, not an actress” he corrects.

“Yeah. Her. If you had the opportunity to meet her wouldn't you act like a total mess?”

“It’s different. She’s not my roommate and me having sex with her won’t change anything” he shrugs.

The only thing I can do is gape at him. “Who said anything about having sex?!”

“You’re telling me if he puts moves on you, you won’t have sex with him?”

I have to think about it. He’s not entirely wrong. Kim Taehyung would be everyone’s dream guy. He’s just dreamy and hot. “I swear I won’t do anything to make things awkward. Besides, all this is hypothetical. What makes you think he’ll hit on me!?”

“Have you seen yourself? What guy wouldn’t hit on you?” he sighs, leaning against his chair and looking up at the ceiling.

“You”

“I did hit on you. But you shut me down, so I gave up” he reminds me.

“Wait…” I narrow my eyes on him. “Are you saying you think I am hot?”

His brows pull together with disbelief. “Dude, did I not make it obvious enough the first time we met?”

My heart wavers. Again. Just like it did that day.

“Okay fine—”

“Hey man, I was thinking we could change the lyrics a little. I brought the revised version”

I turn around to find Kim Taehyung sauntering into the room not even looking at anyone as he’s reading over the papers in his hands. I turn towards Jungkook, unable to hide my excitement. “Introduce me” I mouth.

He shakes his head.

Jungkook immediately gets up and jogs over, blocking my view of Taehyung on purpose. He looks over at whatever Taehyung brought him. I try to get a good look but Jungkook keeps sliding left and right to keep him from seeing me.

“Hi!” I get up and walk over, hand already extended. I push Jungkook aside with my hip “I am y/n”

Taehyung looks at me and I promise I could faint, were it not for Jungkook scowling at me.

“Taehyung” he shakes my hand. His skin is so soft and smooth as it makes contact with mine. “Pleasure to meet you” he flashes me that perfect smile of his and I could melt into a puddle of goo. “You know Jungkook?” he looks between both of us.

Jungkook puts his arm around me, staring straight at Taehyung. “Yeah. She’s my girlfriend” he gives my shoulder a squeeze. For a moment I am puzzled. My super-suppressed feelings surface back up and I try to push them back down. I have zero chance with Jungkook because he just thinks of me as a friend. While standing in front of me is Kim Taehyung, someone who I may actually have a chance with. If I date him I’ll still manage to piss off my parents just as much as if I were to “fake date” Jungkook. It works out either way.

“He’s joking.” I smile at Taehyung. “Long story”

Jungkook looks absolutely pissed as he separates himself from me.

“How do you guys know each other then?” Taehyung addresses me and I forget how to breathe.

“Um...Roommates” I say, tucking my hair behind my ears. I don’t really feel like explaining my situation, instead feeling this urgent need to compliment him. “I wanted to say I really like your voice.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Thank you” Taehyung takes a bow, making me laugh.” “I really like your smile.” his lips upturn into a cheeky grin.

It elicits a laugh from me. I look at Jungkook from the periphery of my vision and notice he’s absolutely not impressed with whatever is happening and I immediately pull my lips into a straight line. He’s standing to the side, arms crossed, hostile look on his face as he looks between me and Taehyung.

Taehyung offers a lopsided smile. “I hope this isn’t too straightforward but would you like to have dinner with me?”

“I would-”

“Absolutely not!” Jungkook intervenes before I even have the chance to open my mouth. He steps in between Taehyung and I. “She’s my roommate and you can’t date my roommate. Sorry buddy, house rules” Jungkook pats Taehyung on the shoulder. He turns over his shoulder, grasps my wrist and begins to pull me away and towards the door. He yells across the room. “I’ll be back and we can talk about the lyrics”

“Wait” I try to wrest my arm from his grip but to no avail.

Once we’re outside his office Jungkook shuts the door. He stands in front of it as if he’s guarding the room. “I’ll see you at home” he holds my face in his hands and presses a kiss to my forehead. He hurriedly slips inside the room. I gape at the now empty spot where he stood.

I don’t even get a word in as he shuts the door on my face.

Chapter 8

“Babygirl, we need to talk” Jungkook comes into the apartment from his morning run. His shirt sticks to his skin, leaving nothing to the imagination. His hair is sweaty, pulled back in a bun and I swear to god I think I wet myself a little.

“About…?” I look at him perched on the couch.

“So apparently, my mother also found out about the whole pregnancy lie I made up and that you are living with me. So she is hell-bent on inviting us to dinner so we can introduce you” he raises his brows and lays down, placing his head on my lap. “Your parents are going to be there too, apparently”

“I am not going” I announce. “Hell no”

“I kind of already said yes” he looks up at me, utterly unaffected by whatever he just said. He doesn’t even look like he cares. “Besides, it’s the perfect opportunity to piss your parents off” he wiggles his brows, trying to entice me. “And mine” he adds.

He’s right. It would be a really good time to show my parents I can manage on my own, and make my own decisions, which is why I moved in with him in the first place. Between discovering my new found not-so-platonic feelings for him, and meeting Taehyung, and just getting comfortable living with him, I had forgotten the world seems to believe I am pregnant.

In fact, I haven’t even texted my mother or father a simple ‘hello’. They didn’t call either. I expected them to march over right away and drag me back home. Something about it being a shameful thing to do. But they didn’t. Half of me felt relieved and the other half felt forgotten and neglected all over again.

I sigh heavily. “Fine. Do they think we are in a relationship?”

“Mhmm” he nods. “I told them we are”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because if I didn't, don’t you think our parents would try to do everything in their power to split us up? At least this way, we have a reason for living together and I love having you here. What can they do if we say we love each other?”

I feel it again. That little flutter in my stomach. It is so easy for him to say things like this and not even flinch. He uses the word ‘love’ like people use the word ‘water’. Might as well be the same because we can’t survive without either of those things.

Love, he says.

If only love was that easy.

He waves his hand in front of my face. “Hello. Where did you go?”

I blink out of my thoughts.“Nothing. So, what are you thinking?”

“Let’s pretend we’re in a relationship. Give them what they want so they will leave us alone. I don’t know about you but I would love to live with you in peace.” he smiles with his eyes-- the sincere kind of smile.

Abort.

This is a bad idea on so many levels for my mental health. I don’t even know if I can pretend to be in love with him, without actually falling in love with him. I have already started to feel something and doing this is only going to make me go down that hole even further. But do I even have a choice?

“How are we going to do this?�� I ask, my mouth already parched at the idea of all this.

“I’ll hold your hand, look lovingly into your eyes, whisper sweet-nothings in your ear, say how much I love you and voila” he looks proud of himself, with a cheeky smile on his face.

Is it really that easy for him? If it is, then maybe I am better off ignoring his rule and just going out with Taehyung. It wouldn’t matter to him anyway.

Right?

“You really think it's that easy?” my voice falters a little, and it makes his forehead crinkle with concern.

“I do” he says softly, holding my gaze.

I think about it a little bit more.I realize there aren’t many thoughts in my head. I am only at a loss for words because I feel unsure. “Okay. Lets do it”.

“That’s my girl” he gets up and plants a kiss on my forehead. “ I am going to shower”

It’s a horrible idea. All my life I had been looking for trouble, and now here it was in the living breathing form of Jeon Jungkook.

And I was starting to regret it.

Chapter 9

The dreadful evening arrives much to my chagrin. Jungkook steps out of his room looking like he just came straight out of a rom-com. I don’t know if he does it on purpose, but he’s wearing a black, half-sleeve button-down shirt revealing all his tattoos. He’s left it unbuttoned just enough for everyone to get a peek at the tattoos on his chest. He’s even pulled his hair into a bun, the undercut completely visible.

I swear I don’t breathe for a few moments when I lay eyes on him. I ignore it though because none of it is real. He’s going to put on an act and I am going to get roped into it regardless..

“Wow” I breathe. “You look really good. My parents will definitely not like any of this” I gesture to his whole look.

“Good. But I am glad you like it”

Like it? I fucking love it. I am basically melted inside right now, just an empty shell of a body.

“You look really beautiful” he walks over to me placing a soft kiss on my cheek. He stands toe to toe with me and smooths a hand through my curls. “Just one thing missing” he leans in close to my ear, hands sliding up my arms and behind my neck. I can smell his cologne— the familiar scent of vetiver, a welcoming addition.

He pulls back, tracing his fingers on my neck. “There. Now you look perfect”

I feel something on my neck and under the pads of my fingers I can feel a chain. “Jungkook you didn’t have to”

“Look at it.” he says.

I pull on it with my thumb so I can see it. Hanging from the gold chain is the letter ‘J’. It's small but still very visible.

I am not going to survive the night if he keeps doing things like this. How is any girl not supposed to fall in love with him? Not when he looks like that and acts like this.

“I-I don’t know what to say”. I can’t take my eyes off it. It’s like he’s marking his territory and I don’t know what to think, or say, or do. Some primitive part of my brain finds this gesture really hot. It’s like he wants everyone to know I am his.

“It looks good on you.” he grins. “I am sure this will get their attention”

Right. This is just for show. He doesn’t mean anything by it.

“Careful Jungkook” I look up at him, my lips beginning to curve up in a smile. “I might actually fall in love with you”. My true feelings are disguised as a joke.

He shakes his head with a small smile of his own. He caresses my cheek. “Would that be so bad?” He looks into my eyes, sweet, tender and loving. Just like he said he would. But no one else is around.

“You’re really going to fool everyone tonight” I reach up and fix his hair, and the collars of his shirt. “You just had me there for a second” I accidentally look into his eyes. A few beats of silence pass and we just look at each other.

His smile begins to falter. “I think I fooled myself too, a little bit” he says softly looking into my eyes-- into my whole being and for a second I am afraid he’ll see what I am trying to hide. “If anything I think I might fall in love with you” he’s not grinning like he usually does when he’s joking or teasing. He’s not even smiling. He states it like a fact.

But I can’t tell if he’s pretending or if he’s serious. For my own sanity I decide he’s practicing for later. “Alright lover boy” I sigh. “Let’s go do this”

Jungkook acts like the perfect boyfriend. He holds my hand, whispers things in my ear making me giggle like a schoolgirl, and never leaves me alone. I play along, nodding and smiling. I end up forgetting that we are acting, that none of this is real. I forget that every kiss he places on my skin is only fake. I forget that all the words he’s whispered in my ear are empty. I forget that he’s not my boyfriend.

He’s a friend.

We had initially assumed that the dinner would just be his family and us. But it turns out Jungkook’s mother invited her friends and some family as well. All Jungkook and I could do was look at each other when the doors opened and we were met with so many people. Jungkook calmly slipped his hand in mine and led me inside. He introduced me as his girlfriend when we greeted different groups of people.

“Hi Aunt Jackie” he yells as he leads me to a lady standing by herself, glass of wine in her hand.

“Oh Jungkook! Look at you!” she says embracing him.

“How have you been?” he asks.

“I have been good!” She smiles at him and then looks at me. “You must be the famous y/n I have been hearing about all night”

“Aunt Jackie, meet my beautiful girlfriend y/n” Jungkook grins as he presents me to her. He looks so proud I feel myself getting giddy.

She embraces me the same.

“Aunt Jackie is my mom’s younger sister. She used to live in Korea. But when I was younger she moved here to help my mom out with me”

“He was a very naughty boy” she leans in and whispers.

“I am sure he was” I wrap my hand around his arm, sticking to his side. “He still gets into trouble sometimes” I smile at this warm-hearted woman who is such a contrast to my mother. Speaking of whom, she isn’t even here yet and the thing started like two hours ago. Neither is my father. But that’s a relief because there are two less people we need to convince of our “relationship”.

“I am sure he does” she looks at him momentarily before shifting her attention to me again. “I am glad he met someone as good as you. I can tell you make him happy”

We simultaneously look at each other. Jungkook offers me his signature dimpled smile.

“He makes me really happy too” I look at her while giving his arm a gentle squeeze. Jungkook places a kiss on my cheek catching me off guard. I gasp as I look up at him. “Jungkook…” I look at his aunt, shyness overcoming me.

“Oh don’t mind me” she waves her hand. “I was young once too and in love. I know how it is”

“Oh uh-- we’re not--”

“Bubba, I forgot. But we need to say hello to my father” Jungkook interrupts. “Aunt Jackie, do you mind?” he looks at her.

“Oh no no. Go ahead. I am going to get myself some more wine” she excuses herself.

Once she’s out of earshot he turns to me. “ What was that?”

“I know. I am sorry. I forgot for a second. This is too stressful” I lower my head.

“Hey” he holds my face in his hands and forces me to look at him. “Trust me. We’re okay. Alright?”

“Jungkook! My brother. How are you?” we both turn towards the voice.

Approaching us is someone I have not been introduced to. Jungkook beams, for only the second time after his aunt,he actually looks happy to meet someone else. A very intricate handshake follows “Hey man, how have you been? It has been a while”

“It has.” the tall stranger says. “I assume you are y./n?” he turns to me with a polite nod.

“Does everyone know?” I laugh.

“It’s not every day Jungkook brings his girlfriend home. It’s the first time he’s introduced us to someone”

Jungkook gives him a look-- the kind people give when they are embarrassed. “Come on dude, you’re ruining my bad boy image in front of my girlfriend”

every time he addresses me as his girlfriend my heart jumps.

“Wait, how do you know each other?”

“This” Jungkook throws an arm over the unknown stranger’s shoulder. “ is my cousin Hoseok. Aunt Jackie’s son. My brother from another mother”

“Oh” a look of realization passes my face. “Nice to meet you. By the way, I think I love your mother” I beam.

“Thank you. If you want we can trade places. I am sure she will be more than happy with a daughter” Hoseok chuckles.

“Please no” Jungkook’s face contorts with disgust. “That would make her my cousin” he points to me. “No thank you” he leaves his cousin’s side and stands next to me, pulling me close, his hand around my waist. “Please let my girl be my girl”

“What did you do to him?” Hoseok looks at me, almost bewildered.

“Wasn’t he always crazy?” I look at Hoseok who begins to laugh.

“I like her” he looks at Jungkook. “Don’t let this one go”

“You got it.” Jungkook nods once.

“Anyway, it was a true pleasure meeting you y/n. I have to go make sure my mother doesn’t drink herself to death” Hoseok holds his hand out for me to shake, which I do. “Nice seeing you brother”

Jungkook’s hand slips from my waist and they hug. We bid Hoseok goodbye.

“I like him” I say to Jungkook once Hoseok is gone.

“I don't think I like the fact that you like him,” Jungkook jokes, nudging me.

I stare at him blankly. “Didn’t pin you for the jealous type”

“Oh baby, you have no idea” a wolfish grin spreads on his lips.

I slap him on the chest. “Anyway, can we get some fresh air please”

He pulls me close, hand around my waist as he takes me to the secluded balcony where no one is. It looks out to the front of the mansion, the circular driveway of which is filled with expensive cars. Visible in the distance is the bridge. It’s silent save for the sounds of a soft wind that ruffles the leaves of the trees of which there are many on the front lawn.

“Do you think they believe us?” I ask and he lets go of me. We stand side by side looking to the front.

“I think so”

“Good. I can’t wait for this night to be over” I admire the stars in the sky.

“Really?” Jungkook frowns, eyes on me “ I like it”

I turn to look at him, thoroughly puzzled. “Which part?”

“All of it” he looks down at me. “I have had dates to parties like this before. But tonight is different”

“How?”

“Because you’re here and I don’t have to worry about anything. Everyone loves you. Every single person in there”-- he turns to look over his shoulder. “Has told me how lucky I am to have you”

I don’t say anything. I am not sure if there is anything I can say.

This whole night has been amazing. He has been amazing. But it’s all just a lie and a part of me feels hurt. A part of me feels like crying. As the moon reflects on his skin and he glows a part of me wants to scream at him for making me go through this. As we stand under these stars I want to tell him that everything I have done tonight has been true. I want him to know that my heart has been true.

“They are being nice.” I shrug.

“Come on” he chuckles in disbelief. “You really think they are being nice? You think this is a crowd that knows how to be nice? Yeah sure they are hypocrites but they would have found a way to tell me how much they dislike you, had they actually disliked you”

“You’re right. But we’re just acting right? So what does it matter?”

Does it?

“You’ve managed to make everyone fall for you” he says.

Except you.

“Take the win”

I nod. “I have to say though, you’re really good. You should have gone into acting instead.”

He doesn’t say anything for a bit. He just looks at me, blinking. “Yeah” he says softly, slowly nodding. “Not sure though that all of it was”

I am confused. “What do you mean?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing” He clears his throat.

I snort. “My parents didn’t even show. Typical”

“It's not worth thinking about” he shakes his head. “Should we get out of here now? I think my parents are plenty convinced”

“Please. I miss our home” I say he holds out one arm, beckoning for me. As has become the custom between us, I glue myself to his side and he holds me tight as we walk.

“I miss our home too” he says.

Jungkook makes some bullshit excuse about me not feeling well and we leave.

Chapter 10

The clock strikes 12 am and on the dot Jungkook stumbles into the apartment. I turn around as I pace for the 50th time.

“Where were you?” I run to him. He’s barely taken his shoes off as I start interrogating him.

“At work” he takes off his jacket, and hangs it on the coat rack and kicks off his shoes. His posture is slumped, he’s dragging his feet underneath him, and his eyes are droopy. He looks like death and I immediately feel terrible.

“Did you eat?” I follow after him. He collapses on the couch and closes his eyes.

He shakes his head. “Recording ran long and I forgot to eat”. His chest rises and falls with each breath.

“Hold on.” I say and run to the kitchen. I take out the ramen from the microwave and walk back to the living room. I knew he would not eat. If there is one thing I have learned in all this time, it is that Jungkook is horrible at taking care of himself. He does not put himself first, despite the confident aura he projects which would cause people to assume otherwise.

Soft sounds of Jungkook’s breaths fill in the silence. I place the bowl on the coffee table. I grab the throw and cover him with it. I sit on the floor facing Jungkook. “Kook, are you sleeping?” I ask. Just for good measure. He doesn’t respond. I wave my hand across his face and he doesn’t move. I figure he is deep asleep. I stare at his face. He’s the prettiest boy I have ever seen. He doesn’t even seem real sometimes. He’s too kind and generous, warm, and inviting. My heart swells with so many emotions that my throat tightens.

I sigh, letting the courage build inside of me.

Because I can only say these words when he’s sleeping.

“Jungkook, you know how sometimes you meet someone and everything seems like a fairytale? I feel like that with you. I never would have imagined that I would be living with someone as amazing as you. I know I don’t say it enough but thank you” I press my lips to the side of his head. “There is something I really want to say to you, but I don't think I wlll ever be able to”

He shifts and I feel my heart beginning to race. I freeze, eyes wide as I wait with bated breath. He lays on his side, facing me. I wait to make sure he’s still sleeping. When he doesn’t say anything or open his eyes, I exhale the breath I had been holding.

Can’t you like me?

I want to ask him

Because I have come to like you

I want to tell him.

He folds his arms over his chest. “What did you want to tell me?” he says sleepily.

I think my soul travels out of my body at this point because everything goes numb out of fear. “You… you’re awake?” I ask.

He opens his eyes. He looks at me, softly, and gently. “I heard the whole thing”

“You did!?”

He nods. “What can’t you tell me?”

I pull my lower lip between my teeth. “Well, if I could tell you I would”

“I think I know what it is”

I blink rapidly, my brain going into overdrive. I can’t even say anything in return.

“It’s about Taehyung isn’t it?”

Again. I can’t say anything. He’s not even close. He’s so far away from the truth.

“I know…” he gulps. “I know you like him.”

No, I don’t. I want to scream.

“I thought about it” he gets up and pats the spot next to him. “Come here”.

Like a child, I follow his words and sit beside him.

“I know I said you can’t date Taehyung. I had my own reasons for it. But I realized it was selfish of me. I didn’t consider your feelings. I only thought of myself. It was unfair of me to ask that of you. Especially me, because I was supposed to be different. I was supposed to treat you with consideration because I know so many people in your life didn’t. I wanted to be different. I am sorry I wasn’t– “

“Jungkook…”

“Let me finish, please”. He pauses. “If you and Taehyung want to go out, do it. I won’t stand in your way. I just want you to be happy”

“Jungkook…” is all I can say. I feel frustrated with myself. “I- It’s not–” I sigh and hold my head in my hands. “It’s not what you think..” I mumble.

“What?”

I look up. “I don’t want to date him”

I want to date you

Why can’t he see it in my eyes? Why can’t he tell?

“Then what is it?” he turns to me.

“If I tell you, it could ruin our friendship” my eyes begin watering, and I bite my lip to stop myself from crying.

“Nothing could ruin this” he holds my hands in his.

“There is one thing. Something you don’t know” I take comfort in looking at my lap. I cannot for the life of me make eye contact. I am not planning on confessing that I am starting to feel something for him. Something greater than platonic. Something greater than every other feeling combined.

I can feel his gaze on me. The air around us grows heavy. The silence grows even heavier as he keeps looking at me. Even though I can’t see what his expression is, I can tell that something lingers on his mind. The gentle circles he’s drawing on the back of my hand tell me he’s trying to comfort me. He’s trying to coax it out of me by being silent, by making this so awkward that I am faced with no choice but to speak.

Yet, I do not plan on saying anything to him.

But it seems like he has other ideas because I feel the warmth of his mouth on mine.

The suddenness makes my eyes go wide. It’s like the feeling of being at the highest point of a rollercoaster. The adrenaline builds for a few seconds, and then-whoosh– my heart crashes down to my toes. I feel it coming in waves.

Once

My head becomes dizzy

Twice

My heartbeat reverberates in my ears

Thrice

I feel like passing out

I see his eyes flutter close. His lips are soft and warm against mine. His hands are warm as they leave mine. They are even warmer when they touch my cheeks, trapping me so I can’t escape this.

I want this, but I also want to push him away. I don’t want him to ever stop kissing me.But I also want to tell him to stop because he’s making everything harder.

He pulls away, and his face comes into view. He places his hands in his lap as he looks at me.

I can’t stop staring.

“I just wanted to do that. I don’t know why. I just… wanted to” he looks at me, apologetically. “I am sorry I didn't ask before. I am sorry”

“Why?” I ask. My voice is barely above a whisper, but that is all I can manage.

“You just looked...." he shakes his head, a shuddering breath exhaled.

I can’t take it. I feel like I am going to collapse if I stay in the same room even for a second longer. “I have to go” I hurriedly leave and shut myself in my room.

He doesn’t call for me.

End of part 1

A/N: Thank you so much for reading, dear reader. I appreciate your time. Feel free to check out some of my other stuff and please take 2 seconds out of your time to click that heart, reblog or if you're daring enough,leave a comment. The support you show, means more than you will ever know.

#bts #bts jungkook #bts writing #bts smut #bts fake dating #bts roommate au #bts jungkook x reader #bts fanfic #jungkook scenarios

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imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl · 3 years

Text

Good Girl, Bad Boy (Pt. 06 of 15)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X Reader

Word count: 2.4 K

Summary: You're the extreme opposite of Billy Hargrove. The good girl, with perfect grades, the child every mother wants to have. And you don't want to have nothing to do with his kind. Ignoring Billy – and his constant, lingering stare – became an habit. But after you're put together for a special school program, you'll have no choice but to get along with him. And soon enough you'll find out that Billy is so much more than just Hawkins' bad boy.

<-Previous part (05)

Next part (07)->

{Stranger Things Masterlist}

{Dacre Montgomery Masterlist}

Change Of Heart

“C'mon, Nancy. Watch the game with me.” Walking against the crowd, you try to convince Nancy to stay. Billy has a basketball game today, and you'll have to wait anyway since he's driving you home, so you decided to watch. And why not having Nancy join you? “You don't have anything to do.”

Rolling her eyes, she finally nods. “Fine, (Y/N).”

Smiling, you run to the court, making your way to the middle of the bleachers. “We have to pick different teams.”

“You'll cheer for Billy, that's pretty obvious.”

“Well, I–” You're cut short by a whistle, and a few seconds later the boys come out of the locker room.

You didn't want to look for too long, just enough for him to know you're here. But something quickly gets your attention. “Oh, boy,” Nancy mutters, elbowing you. “Don't even try to convince me you didn't notice.”

Of course you noticed. How could you not notice he's shirtless. “Shut up, Nancy.” You manage to say, eyes still set on Billy. Once he finds you in the bleachers, he squints his eyes a little, a smirk coming to his lips.

“Alright...” She mumbles, and you finally manage to look away.

“What?”

“Nothing, nothing.” She sing-songs, laughing a little. “I'm just really excited for the day when you'll call me to talk about whatever is going on between you and Billy Hargrove.”

You nervously giggle, feeling heat spreading through your cheeks. Thankfully, the game starts so you have something else to pay attention to. “You know what's going on. We're studying.”

“You're studying.” She puts some emphasis on the ‘s’, making you roll your eyes. “Then explain me the heart eyes.”

“What heart eyes?”

“The heart eyes Billy makes at you. Like, all the time.”

Taking a deep breath, you lightly shake your head. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“I'll be here when you're ready.”

“Shit, Nancy.” You burst out, eyes set on Billy. He looks at you every now and then, that smug smirk never leaving his face. You really wish you could pick on him after if all his staring was causing him to suck at the game. But Billy is amazing, and he's nailing it, making it look easy. The man doesn't even try, the jerk. “Things are... Complicated.”

“We have time. Spill it out.”

Running a hand through your hair, you sigh. “Billy... Billy said something about wanting to change. And he said he was trying because he found a girl–”

“And the girl is you.” She cuts you off, a hand on your knee, shaking it until you look at her. “Explain it, (Y/N). You've been a mystery since you and Billy started that program. Tell me what's going on because I know something is going on.”

“One day we were talking about relationships. And I told him I do believe he can change if he meets the right girl... And some time after he told me he found that girl and yes, it's me.” You lower your voice, making a pause just to see Billy making an amazing dunk. You can't help but yell, getting a smirk and a wink from him. He's absolutely amazing. “And I... I told him we're completely different but... That we could see how things play out.”

“So help me out here.” She mutters, looking at something behind you. When you give a quick look over your shoulder, you see Stacy and two of her friends coming to the bleachers. “You gave Billy Hargrove a chance.”

“No, I just... I just said we could see what happens. I mean...”

“(Y/N), be honest with me.” Nancy gets your attention again, and you forget the game for a while, turning your body towards her. You've been avoiding talking to her because you didn't want to think about it too much. But now you know you need to. “You're acting like it's nothing but I know you. I know there's something.”

“Nan, I'm really–”

“Hey, (Y/N),” Stacy says, right before settling down next to you.

Raising an eyebrow and exchanging a glance with Nancy, you look at her. “Hi. May I help you with something?”

“Oh, always so good, (Y/N).” She giggles. “But actually yes, you can help me. Stop monopolizing Billy.” Stacy finally looks at you, and she's mad. Angry even. “Ever since he was shoved into this stupid program and paired up with you, he hasn't had time for anything else. No parties, nothing. Not even on weekends.”

Taking a deep breath, you roll your eyes. “Billy can have time off whenever he wants. It's not my fault he doesn't want to go out with you anymore.”

“Honey, Billy goes from a girl to another, but he always comes back to me.” She puts a wicked, mean smirk on. “Because he knows I'm a hell of a good–”

“Shut up, Stacy.” Nancy cuts her off, raising her voice. “If the guy doesn't want to hang out with you anymore, just suck it up.” Your eyes go wide at Nancy's choice of words. She's changed a lot from last year, and now she stands up for herself a lot more, and for you too. “You said it yourself. He goes from one to another, so maybe your time is over.”

“And do you really think he'll pick her over me?” Stacy laughs, a finger on your face, and her two friends laugh as well. They both had Billy, you know it. “Tiny little thing, small tits, the perfect good girl who never lies, never disobey her mommy and daddy. Always have the perfect grades.” Nancy stands up and you do the same, being followed by Stacy and her stupid friends. “You think you're better than us because you never wear anything short, never show too much cleavage, never exposes yourself.”

“I never said–”

“You're a freaking prude.” She pushes your shoulder, taking her hand away as if you were dirty. “A stupid, little puritan who had the audacity of thinking you could hook up a man like Billy.”

Some guys from the team hear it, you can tell by how they hang around longer, eyes on you and the others. Nobody ever spoke to you like that, and you feel... Like your sinking. Cheeks burning and tears starting to pool in your eyes. But you're not stupid. You're not the type of girl who listens to this shit and lowers your head. “If I'm a prude, then you're a slut.” You burst out, crossing your arms. “Sleeping with a different guy every day and acting like you're all that when you're just a stupid–”

“Cow,” Nancy whispers in your ear.

“–cow.” You quickly add, shrugging your shoulders. “But I don't put my nose on your business so don't you put yours on mine.”

“You little bitch.” Stacy pushes you again, a lot harder this time, and you lose your balance, falling two steps down. Your leg gets stuck, and as you finally stop, you feel a sting on your knee. “Oh, I'm so sorry.” You hear her high-pitched voice, full of irony.

“(Y/N)!” Nancy is quick to reach you, helping you get up. “Are you alright?”

The game stopped, and you see through the corner of your eyes as the guys come closer. “I'm fine.” Your knee hurts, but still, you climb the two steps that separate you from Stacy, ignoring the pain on your leg and using all the anger you can gather to help you move, just to slap her right across the face. The hit is so strong it echoes through the gym and your palm burns. “You won't do that again.” You yell, only then letting Nancy pull you down, limping a little.

“(Y/N),” Billy calls, and the moment you turn to look at him, he picks you up, a hand on the small of your back and the other under your legs. “I'll take her to the infirmary.” He tells Nancy, clearly pissed.

“I can walk.” You mutter, glancing at Nancy. She nods and makes a gesture with her thumb and little finger, bringing them to her ear and mouth. But you won't just call her, you need to talk to her face to face.

“Even so.”

Billy is silent on the way to the infirmary, and when he leaves you on the hospital bed they have here, he excuses himself. Then you're left alone with a very curious school nurse. She makes a lot of questions you only give half answers to. But lucky for you, your knee is fine, you'll just need a bag of ice to prevent any swelling. She gives you one and tells you to get another when you get home.

“I'm not going back there, that's final.” You hear Billy talking to someone, and seconds later he comes into the infirmary. “How are you?”

“I'm fine. Just need to put some ice on it.” Billy is weird, keeping a certain distance. “Where did you go?”

“To speak with the Principal. Or else I'm sure you'd get suspended along with that bitch.”

“Thanks.”

“I'll wash the sweat away and drive you home.” And he leaves again.

As you wait, in the empty infirmary, you take the ice off your knee when it starts to burn. What's wrong with Billy? He was normal during the game, and now... A lot of possibilities go through your head. Maybe he realized this is stupid, the idea of you and him. Maybe he decided to go out with Stacy again because she gives him what you don't. But it just doesn't feel like it.

And the weird feeling in your chest gets you by surprise. It feels like a sting, a pressure. You have no idea why Billy acting distant suddenly makes you feel this way. As if you just lost something you don't even know how to get back.

“Let's go.” The voice snaps you out of your thoughts, and when you look at the clock, you see there's still half an hour of the game.

“Won't you get in trouble for leaving the game?”

“Don't worry about it.”

“D-do you think you can carry me?” The question comes out the moment he gestures for you to move. You don't know where it came from, but you just need to be closer to him. What Stacy said is still burning in your head, and part of you silently prays that this isn't the reason why Billy suddenly stepped back. So you just need to break through him, take down this wall he decided to build.

But to your relief, Billy's expression changes at your request. His face gets soft, and he nods before carefully picking you up. “I'm sorry.” He mutters, walking out of the infirmary.

“It wasn't your fault.”

“Of course it was.” He's avoiding your gaze, looking forward. It feels weird to be carried like that, and you wonder if you'll fall. But something tells you Billy wouldn't let go. His grip is firm, and he doesn't seem like he's in a hurry, since his pace is slow. “Stacy thinks she owns me because... Because what she said was true. Part of it, I mean.”

“Which part?” You softly ask, wrapping your arms around his neck.

“That I used to go back to her. In between a girl and another.” Billy's voice is heavy, and he sounds... Angry. At Stacy, maybe, or just at himself. “But it wasn't because she's good at something, it was because she was always easy. All that it took was a call, and everything I had to say was the time and place, and she would be there.”

It didn't go unnoticed that he's talking in the past, and it makes your heart beat a little faster. “And... All the rest?” Billy leaves the halls, reaching the parking lot and heading to his car.

“I don't think you're a prude.” When you get to his car, Billy puts you down and opens the door for you. “And I don't see anything wrong with the way you dress.” He pushes the door close, and your eyes follow him as he walks around the car, taking the driver's seat. “I'd comment on the part she calls you ‘small tits’ but I know you well enough not to, so...”

“Oh, shut up, B.” You giggle, running a hand through your hair.

“Buckle up, pretty girl.” He says, and that's what you do.

But the moment was just... A moment. Billy is back at being weird the entire ride, and he doesn't say anything as he carries you inside, putting you on the couch. You quickly tell your mother what happened, but you made it sound like an accident. There's no reason for her to know the rest. And when she goes upstairs, you call Billy to sit with you. But he doesn't, eyes on the floor as he stands by the coffee table.

“You could've broken your leg, you know that?” He says in a low voice, still not looking at you.

“But I didn't. And I don't understand–”

“That was on me. That was because I gave her reasons to think–”

“B, you can't blame yourself for what someone else does.” Cutting him off, you reach out your hand. “C'mon, I'm alright.”

“No.” Shaking his head, Billy finally looks up at you. “I can't do this. I can't be the reason why you get hurt.” And then, he walks away.

“Billy.” You call, but since doesn't stop, you push yourself up, limping to the door. But by the time you get there, Billy is already in his car. “Billy, don't go!” It comes out as a plead, as you feel a familiar lump in your throat. “Please...” You whisper as he drives away.

You don't know what just happened, you don't know if you did something. But there's one thing that just took you by surprise. An acknowledgment, a terrifying truth you don't want to think about.

You like Billy way more than you thought you did.

And as you push me the door close, leaning against the wall, a tear rolls down. There's a lot of things you don't understand about Billy, but you want to. You thought you were taking some walls down, growing closer to him, but now... Now you just don't know anymore.

@multific @clockworkballerina @tina1938 @graciehams @moatsnow @all-the-stars-on-your-skin @captain039 @rebelemilu @vivian-likes-frogs

#billy hargrove imagine #imagine stranger things #billy hargrove fanfiction #imagine billy hargrove #billy hargove x reader #billy stranger things fanfiction #billy stranger things imagine #billy stranger things #stranger things x you #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things imagine

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sunrisefairy · 4 years

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Last chances

Pairing: George Weasley x reader Warning: Alcohol, swearing, angst (but worth it i promise) Summary: Y/N is getting married. To someone that isn’t George.

A/N: this was written for @inglourious-imagines 1K writing challenge (i just realised i didnt tell you before hand what prompts i was gonna do so i hope thats okay) based off the prompts ‘you need to leave’ and ‘d-did you just k-kiss me?’

Taglist: @hufflepuff5972 @inglourious-imagines @klausdatprettyboi @georgeweasleyswhre @horrorxweasley @amourtentiaa send me an ask if you would like to be added

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George felt all the air being sucked out of his lungs as he read over the golden cursive words printed onto the crisp white paper. He could feel Fred’s pitiful stare burning holes into the side of his head, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the paper in his grasp. George’s brain was overflowing with thoughts, but his head was empty at the same time, as if every time he reached out his thoughts were dissolving into liquid and slipping through his fingers.

By the time George managed to make eye contact with Fred, his eyes were red and burning with tears, the only thought he could wrap his fingers around was the one which was destroying him the most, “she’s getting married?”

~~~

The sun was beating down harshly making the sand feel like tiny grains of lava, but George didn’t care. It was the middle of summer and the Weasley family had invited the Y/L/N’s to the beach. John and Nancy Y/L/N had been very good friends with Molly and Arthur Weasley for many years having met during high school. But soon after graduation John and Nancy got married and decided to travel the world which they had done for a few years before having their daughter Y/N. They moved around a lot while Y/N was a baby, still wanting to explore and see what the world had to offer. But now, Y/N was 7 and they decided it would do her and themselves some good to settle down somewhere, plant some roots so to speak. Which is how they ended back in the small town John and Nancy grew up in, the one where the Weasleys were still living.

Giving that it was summer, and the weather was reaching high temperatures the Weasley family decided to spend the day at the beach so the children could kill some energy and excitedly invited their old friends, John and Nancy to catch up.

George was particularly thrilled not only because he loved days at the beach playing with his siblings and making sandcastles just to pretend he was a giant and stomp on them, but he couldn’t wait to meet Y/N. His parents had told him and Fred that Y/N was their age and although Fred wasn’t very interested in playing with a girl and would much rather prank Ron, George had a good feeling about Y/N.

George had just finished constructing a sandcastle he named ‘Castle Weasley’ and was about to jump on it when his mum calls for him. He drags his bare feet through the hot sand over to his parents who are chatting with 2 people he doesn’t recognise.

“Fred, George this is John and Nancy, and this is their little girl Y/N.” Molly gestures to the timid girl hiding behind her mum’s leg.

Reluctantly Y/N moves from her previous hiding spot and stares doe eyes up at the twins in front of her. George’s mouth is dry and his palms are clammy, but he doesn’t think it’s from the blistering heat. George Weasley is staring at the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen.

~~~

It’s been 3 weeks since Y/N’s wedding invitation arrived in the mail and George had shoved it under a pile of bills he was also planning to ignore. Although he doesn’t need to see the invitations to remember the words which were written on the paper ‘kindly join us for the wedding of Y/N L/N and William Chapman. Saturday the seventeenth of April at 11 o’clock.’

It was the 10th of April today, just 7 days till Y/N’s wedding. George felt bile rising in the back of his throat every time he thinks about Y/N marrying someone which wasn’t himself. George has had a crush on the girl ever since he first met her that day on the beach. Back then he only ever saw it as a silly little crush which he hoped he’d eventually get over. But years went on and his crush only grew and grew until it was suffocating. When they reached high school, George planned to tell Y/N about his feelings but chickened out each time, scared of ruining their friendship.

To be honest George always felt (maybe he just hoped) that him and Y/N were meant for each other and sooner or later they’d be together. He held tightly onto this when Y/N started dating William. George was optimistic that William and Y/N’s relationship wasn’t serious and eventually they’d break up and George could finally confess his feelings. All of that went down the drain the second George open up that stupid envelope.

“I ran into Y/N today. At the store,” Fred says carefully trying to gage his brother’s reaction to her name. George just offers a grunt in response, eye staring blankly at the tv in front of him. “she asked about you, wants to know if you’re going to the wedding since she hasn’t heard anything from you.”

George doesn’t reply. Fred just sighs, ”c’mon mate. You’re really not going to go? It’s Y/N we’re talking about here. She’s your best mate.”

George racks his ringers through his already messy hair, squeezing his eyes closed. “That’s exactly why I can’t go. It’s Y/N. How can I sit there and watch Y/N marry some other guy and pretend I’m okay with it?” George feels tears threatening to fall down his cheeks, it’s a wonder he has any tears left to cry.

Fred moves closer to George on the couch, wrapping his arm around his twin who chokes out a sob, “I know buddy, I know it fucking hurts.”

~~~

Since graduating high school George and Y/N made it tradition to catch up once a week if not more so they wouldn’t lose touch. But their newfound busy lives with university and work meant they hadn’t seen each other for a month. They finally found a day that they were both free and decided to meet up for coffee. George had paid for Y/N’s latte while she found them a table by the window. He set their drinks down admiring how beautiful Y/N looked, she was practically glowing.

“So, Y/N what’s new with you? I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you,” George takes a long sip of his coffee.

George knows Y/N must have some important news for him, judging solely off the smile that she’s failing to conceal. “Well, if you must know. I met someone.”

The colour drains from George’s face and he coughs trying to regain his composure. “Like a boy?”

“Yes a boy silly, his name is William and I met him at the library. It was actually really funny I was turning down one of the aisles and he” George drowns out Y/N’s voice, he can hear his heart thumping in his chest, threatening to jump out.

George knows, he knows it’s his own fault for not telling Y/N how he feels sooner. He knows he doesn’t have anyone else to blame but himself, but it doesn’t make this hurt any less. Sweet, kind Y/N, who had gently cradled George’s heart unknowingly since they were 7, has squeezed it between her slender fingers like a stress ball.

“George?” Y/N words break him from his trance.

“That sounds amazing Y/N, I’m really happy for you.”

~~~

It’s Monday and Y/N has been trying to contact George for days with no luck. She ran into Fred last Saturday who said George has just been super busy with work, she didn’t believe it one bit, she needed to find out why George has been ignoring her.

She pushes the store door open and the bell above chimes announcing her arrival.

“Sorry we’re closed for the day!” a voice travels through the store before it’s owner exits the storeroom to see who the culprit is, who clearly cannot read the ‘closed’ sign hanging on the door.

George’s eyes land on Y/N who is standing by the front door unmoving and twiddling with her fingers, playing with an engagement ring that seems out of place on her left hand. “What are you doing here?”

Y/N steps closer, not noticing the way George takes a small step back, “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

George doesn’t speak, he’s certain that his voice would be unsteady if he did. Y/N hates the silence, so speaks again, “I’m getting married you know, on Saturday.”

George sucks in a breath, turning his back to fix one of the displays. “Yeah, congratulations,” he mumbles.

“I didn’t know if you got the invitation or not, kind of expected you to call.” Y/N shoves her hands into the pockets of her jeans, moving so she is standing beside George who is avoiding her gaze. “What’s the matter Georgie?”

George shakes his head, “kind of fast isn’t it? Why the rush to get married to that twat?”

Y/N rolls her eyes, ever since George met William, he made it very clear he didn’t like the bloke. “George stop it. He proposed and I said yes. We figured why wait to start our lives together, y’know? So on Saturday I thought that-“

“-I’m not going.” George’s words felt like a hot knife to Y/N’s chest. When George finally mets her gaze he continues, “I’m not going to the wedding Y/N.”

“Why?”

“Because! Because William is a prick and doesn’t deserve you. I can’t sit there and watch you marry some idiot.” George knows his voice is getting louder and that his hands are flailing around but he doesn’t care. “He’s an absolute tosser! You deserve better than William.” You deserve me.

“William has done nothing but love me, George.” The thought of George not being there at her wedding breaks her heart. George was her best friend; how could she not have her best friend at the wedding. “Are you really not going to be there for me?” Y/N’s voice is quiet and timid.

It shatters George to see her so upset and the next words almost kill him.

“No, I won’t be there.”

~~~

Click.

“Okay mum that’s enough photos now!” Y/N giggles trying to hide her face behind her hands.

“Just one more please! George put your arm around her this time.” Nancy says holding the camera up to her face.

George wraps his arm around Y/N waist pulling her closer to him very aware of the way Y/N leans into his side. It’s the night on the school dance and somehow he had gathered enough courage to ask Y/N to go with him, she agreed of course and now they were standing out the front of Y/N’s house in front of the rose bushes while Y/N and George’s parents took photos.

“Okay now one with the four of you together,” Molly says pushing Fred and his date over to the rose bush. The four of them stood together smiling at all the flashing cameras which almost blinded them.

Molly wipes a tear that slips down her cheek, she always got emotional during things like this, “I cannot believe my little babies are growing up. 16 and going to a school dance with their gorgeous dates.”

“Right mum that’s enough, we’re gonna be late,” George groans although he didn’t mind having his arm around Y/N’s middle.

Molly nods agreeing, “right fine! Don’t want to keep you from your dance, have fun!”

Arthur drops the 4 of them off at the school hall reminding them he’d be back at 12 to pick them up.

All 4 of them spend most of the night dancing together and laughing at Fred’s questionable dance moves. Soon the upbeat song comes to an end and a much slowly one started playing. Immediately Fred extends a hand to his date, “m’lady. Care to dance?”

George turns his body to face Y/N who is gazing up at his tall frame, he gulps “Y/N do you wanna dance with me?”

The smile that spreads across her face could light up the room, “yes please.”

For the remainder of the night George and Y/N sway slowly to the music, Y/N moves closer to George until her head is resting against his chest and his arms find their place on her hips.

Y/N can hear George humming to the music above her and she smiles giving his shoulders a small squeeze, then whispers so quietly she’s worried George doesn’t hear her. “I hope we are always best friends Georgie.”

“I promise we will be love.”

~~~

Friday night and George hasn’t spoken to Y/N since she visited the shop. He’s ignored her phone calls and text messages; she came into the shop again on Wednesday, but George locked himself in the backroom telling Fred he had to do stocktake.

George could feel himself falling apart, Y/N was upset with him, Fred was annoyed at his childish behaviour. George felt himself fall deeper and deeper as his heartache and sorrow grew stronger every time he remembered Y/N’s engagement. The only thing which seems to numb his feelings was the alcohol.

At this point George wasn’t sure how much he had had to drink, but the buzz running through his system was better than the bitterness he was feeling before. It had just hit 11:30pm at night and he had finished the last of the tequila from the bottle. With no alcohol to distract his brain his eyes drift over the numerous photo frames he has hanging on the living room wall. His eyes stop at one photo in particular, it’s of him and Y/N from the day at the beach when they were 7. Despite it being the first time the two had met, they looked like they’d known each other since birth. Y/N had been very shy when she was introduced to the twins, but George quickly made her feel comfortable and the day was spent with lots of laughter and smiles. In the photo George and Y/N are stood side by side on the sand, grinning up at the camera. They had just made a huge sandcastle village and were very proud to show off their creation. George’s eyes wander down the photograph to their hands which are tightly intertwined. He bites his lip before stumbling out the front door.

~~~

“Do you ever think about getting married Georgie?” Y/N questions, she’s lying beside George outside on the grass, staring up at the clouds moving above them. They did this a lot, gazing at the sky trying to find the funniest shapes in the clouds.

George is only 12 but he knows exactly who he wants to marry, not that he will admit that.

“No, not really.” George tries not to freak out when he feels Y/N’s hand intertwine with his own, “do you?”

Y/N nods, “yep, I want to marry someone who is funny and will let me eat ice cream for dinner.” She giggles and it makes George’s heart soar, it the 5 years of knowing Y/N it had quickly become George’s favourite sound.

He turns his head to face Y/N, she’s still looking up at the sky, there’s a faint smile on her lips.

“I’m funny.” George isn’t sure what he’s insinuating.

Y/N turns to face him, “you are. Would you let me eat ice cream for dinner?” he nods eagerly.

Y/N purses her lips before smiling, “well then Georgie, maybe I’ll marry you.”

George can only hope that’s true.

~~~

George’s fist hammers against the wooden door. It knows it late and there’s a chance William will answer instead of Y/N but in this moment he doesn’t care. “C’mon Y/N open up! It’s me George.”

The door swings open and Y/N is standing on the other side in a fluffy dressing gown wrapped snuggly around her body rubbing her eyes. “George what the hell are you doing here?” There’s a trace of annoying on her voice, mostly because he’d woken her up but also because she’s been trying to talk to him all week and he decides to show up at her house at midnight the night before her wedding.

“I-um,” George stammers, his words getting stuck in this throat. He has spent practically his whole life wanting to tell Y/N he loves her but never being able to find the words, this time was no exception. So, in George’s alcohol fuelled mind he decides if he can’t use words then actions are the next best thing.

Y/N is staring blanking at the redhead on her porch, eager to know the reason why he’s standing in front of her after ignoring her all week. George timidly steps closer towards Y/N before resting his hands on her cheeks and pressing their lips together roughly.

Y/N is stood frozen on the spot until her hands reach up to rest on George’s chest. She can taste the strong alcohol on Georges mouth, and she’s pulled back to reality and pushing him away. “D-did you just k-kiss me?”

George nods.

Y/N is filled with anger and it starts to bubble up inside of her. “What the fuck George? You’ve been ignoring me all week not answering my calls or texts and-and then you just come here drunk and do that? You can’t come here the night before my wedding and kiss me. It’s not fair!”

George’s shoulders slump, “I’m sorry, I just had to say- that I…” he pauses again, his eyes scanning over Y/N’s face hoping somehow she’s learnt how to mind read.

“What? You had to say what George?” Y/N is aware that she’s yelling but she can’t bring herself to care.

“That I love you.”

Y/N doesn’t speak her brain is running a hundred miles a minute. The silence is unpleasant and unbearable, George looking into Y/N’s eyes trying to read her expression.

“You need to leave,” Y/N utters, her face unmoving.

It’s like George’s feet are glued to the ground, he’s brain is screaming at him to move but he can’t.

“You need to leave George.” Y/N’s voice is firmer this time, “I’m getting married tomorrow and you need to leave right now.”

~~~

George Weasley is an idiot. No, he’s more than an idiot, George Weasley is a dickhead, plain and simple.

He hadn’t been able to fall asleep when he got home, he kept replaying the night over and over. Every time he closed his eyes, he was met with Y/N staring back at him. Except she’s staring with so much disgust it makes George feel sick, he can still hear Y/N’s voice telling him to leave. George Weasley not only managed to lose the life of his life in one night but also his best friend. He feels like a dickhead.

George glances over at the clock next to his bed. 10:30 am. Y/N is getting married in 30 minutes. His chest pains, he thinks he might throw up.

George staggers out of bed and towards the kitchen, he needs water. His journey is interrupted by a harsh knock from the front door. He sighs, he knew Fred would come around to try and convince him to go to the wedding. George figures he couldn’t go to the wedding even if he wanted to, sure that his invitation was no longer valid after last night.

“Fred, seriously I’m not going,” George flings open the door and he almost passes out.

Y/N was standing there looking like an angel, he thinks maybe he died from alcohol poisoning and was actually in heaven. Y/N’s hair was laying loosely across her shoulders, she was wearing a breathtaking white gown which hugged her body perfectly.

George mouth is gaping open his voice coming out breathless and in a whisper, “what-what are you doing here?” He’s half expecting Y/N to slap him across the face for his antics last night.

“I couldn’t do it,” Y/N also whispers, as if this is a secret conversation, only meant for the two of them.

“Why?” George squeaks.

“Because I love you.”

Y/N steps closer and drapes her arms around George’s neck pulling him closer so their foreheads are resting against each other.

As soon as she woke up this morning Y/N felt ill. It wasn’t until she was standing in her wedding dress by the church did she realise why she felt sick. It was because the man that was waiting for her inside the church wasn’t George. Her mum sensed her daughters doubts and offered a comforting hand on her shoulder, “darling, you tell me right now if you want out. I’ll get a car, I’ll sort out this whole thing, you won’t have to worry about a thing.”

Without thinking Y/N had responded, “I want out mum.” That lead to Y/N zooming away in her dad’s car straight for George’s place.

Y/N gazes into George’s warm and gentle eyes, she felt home, “I love you even though you’re an idiot who waited to tell me you loved me till the night before my wedding to someone else.”

George chuckles, “yeah I guess I am but I’m your idiot.”

#inglourious1kwritingchallenge #George Weasley #George Weasley x reader #George Weasley x you #George Weasley Angst #George Weasley fluff #George Weasley oneshot #George Weasley one shot #George weasley fanfiction #Writing challenge

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peculiarpatches · 4 years

Text

𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 - 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐱 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

this is part 1 of 4 or 5 (??) parts. if you like this, please give it a like and or reblog (or both). feedback is appreciated, always!! this first chapter contains smut. so if that makes you uncomfortable, this isn’t for you. and again, this is part one of others so there will be more :)

WARNING: public sex, dirty talk, unprotected sex, angst slightly??? but not really??? it’s going to get angsty more later down the road, lmao. so, buckle up. it’s one hell of a ride. enjoy :)

*~*

A flush of regret wipes over my body. The moment our lips touch, it washes over me like a waterfall. One drop then thousands of drops came pouring down, soaking me until I was drowning in it. Regret & anxiety; Both washes over me and yet, I know what I am doing is wrong but I can't bring myself to stop. A tiny part of me didn't want it to stop, either. He knew that, I knew that. Yet, nobody said anything. We didn't have to. We were too busy, too caught up, in each other that we didn't need to talk. No words needed to be spoken, to be said. We knew it was wrong but... if it was so wrong, why did it feel so right? A moan escapes past my lips and drips onto his tongue. His hands found their way to my hips, fingers sneakily trailing up my shirt and he curls his fingernails deep into my skin, making another whimper slip out from me; no matter how hard I tried not to speak or let any noise out, he got me to do the complete opposite. "Now, now, remember what I said... We've got to keep quiet, okay, baby girl?" He had said this earlier and yet, it seemed as if he wanted nothing more than to get me to scream and shake. To be putty in his hands, to melt under his touch.. The little shit was trying anything - everything - to get me to make noise. And unfortunately, it was working. I shouldn't love him and he shouldn't love me. Yet, here we were; Tangled together with our lips locked and our hands caressing every body piece we could manage to find. We were in the most uncomfortable place to do this at, though. We were in one of the closets of Hawkin's community pool. It was after hours now, the pool had been closed for some time, they always closed when the sun went down and when the children's fathers got off of work and the mothers had to be quick on their feet and head home to cook them a meal. A few people were still in the parking lot, a few life guards were also gathering their supplies and getting ready to set, sail, and go home. Yet, Billy told me he had a surprise for me if I stayed past my curfew and past my work schedule. Of course, I knew what he wanted. I knew what he had up his sleeve. (The so called surprise, as you may have guess is... *drum roll* his cock!! What an amazing present to gift someone, right?) I, being the dumbass that I am, agreed, though. It wasn't bad, per say. It never was bad. Hell, it only got better within each sacred and secret moment we shared together. That's where the problem was at; I was tired of being a secret. Tired of hiding from everyone. Tired of feeling used. I wasn't Billy's rag doll he could use and carry with him wherever. I also wasn't his personal sex toy that he could slip his dick into whenever, wherever. I was tired. So, fucking, tired. I was exhausted, mentally and physically. Having to keep the secrets buried away, hiding them in a place they can't be broken or seen, it was truly going to be the death of me. Especially from Steve. I was tired of lying to him. Steve Harrington was my best friend. Best friends since kindergarten, he and I. I hated that I was hiding my relationship - was it even that? - with Billy to him. Steve and I went to each other for everything. Always have, always will. When he and Nancy broke up, he came to me, crying his heart out and drowning my shirts (and pillows and blankets) with tears and snot. (Thankfully, he cleaned them up so I didn't have to. I would've done it in a heartbeat, though. I loved Steve. Steve is my best friend, I'd do anything for him, as I know he'd do anything for me. So, lying to him made me feel like the shittiest person alive.) That night, along with many other restless ones, we talked and talked until the sun came up. I did everything I could to make him happy, to cheer him up. I baked him his favorite cookies and favorite meal once as well to try and make him feel better. Almost burnt the kitchen down while doing so, too. And, okay, maybe, the meal and the cookies didn't work out and I failed. In the end, it put a smile on Steve's face which is all I had been dying to see. Soda dripped from Steve's nose and burnt his nostrils, he was laughing so hard when the fire alarm went off, letting us know the cookies in the oven were bursting in flames. Luckily, we saved the kitchen from exploding with fire and clouding with smoke. Can't say the same for the cookies, sadly. From that day and onward, he and I still made jokes about burnt crisp cookies and nearly dying because of trying to bake them together. It was one of our favorite inside jokes, actually. ("I went to the store yesterday and I walked up and down the aisles and guess what? Not a single one had burnt crisp cookie dough.") ("You see this bullshit, Harrington? All the cookies in the world are at this fundraiser expect for burnt crisp cookie dough!" "Oh, man, I'm going to have to talk to the principal about that one... I cannot believe they'd do something like this.") When I got dumped by one of the basketball players on the Hawkin's high school team, Steve was the first (and only) one who reached out to me and cheered me up. He rented out a few of our favorite movies together and before they could close, Steve and I were quick to rush to the grocery store and we picked up as much junk food as our arms could carry. That night - along with others - was full of nothing but contagious laughter, sweet and salty foods, and horrible but too good to put down and look away movies. All the thoughts of Steve wash away once I feel Billy's hand dip into the opening of my underwear, his calloused fingers pushing the thin layer of fabric aside as his index finger slips between my folds, a gasp leaving me as I feel his touch. His touch felt like fire among my skin, and I was an ice cube, melting in the palm of his hands. I could feel myself sinking and sinking, slipping away into the pleasure he was about to bring onto me. "I love when you make that face," He whispers against my neck, lips drifting across my skin, not quite in contact but not so far away either where I couldn't feel him. His breath was hot and I could smell the peppermint gum as he talked. "Love hearing those pretty but pornographic moans of yours.... gets my cock so hard, you get me so worked up, baby girl...." Billy's scent was intoxicating. Even right now with the left over smell of coconut lotion smeared across his skin from lathering himself up early in the morning, he smelled perfect. As perfect as can get. He smelled of coconut mixed with peppermint and a cologne I couldn't pinpoint on exactly what or which brand. All the scents together may sound odd and unsatisfying but I was nearly drooling as the different fragrances overwhelmed my senses. That and the fact he pushes his index and middle finger inside me, so easily, without any trouble whatsoever. Him, doing that earned another gasp to fall off of my lips as it was so sudden, so unexpected. I knew I was wet, could feel the puddle of wetness coating the bottom half of my underwear but I hadn't known I was so hot and bothered he could easily slip two fingers into me. I shouldn't act so surprised, this was Billy Hargrove, after all. Billy was one, if not, the most attractive guy in Hawkin's, Indiana. Well...in our age group, anyways. A lot of other students and fellow classmates were far from attractive. (Minus Steve, but of course, he doesn't count. He knows he's attractive, just as much as Billy does. Me, telling him he's cute and everything wouldn't change the fact. He already knows it.) Moments like this, I wish I had a jar I could bottle these memories up and store them away, have a look back upon them some day with a smile on my face. I've never felt so alive, so wanted, needed and loved... not until I met Billy. He made me feel as if I was on cloud nine and he made me feel as if I could do anything - everything - and I wasn't just some girl, some hookup, to him. I was special. Sure, hiding and keeping secrets wasn't the greatest feeling in the world, I'll have to have a talk with him about it, about the way I felt, but as of right now, I wanted to touch him the way he was touching me. I wanted to make him feel the butterflies in the pit of his stomach, the ones I was feeling right now. The ones I always feel when he presses his lips against mine or when he just touches me, in general. Hell, even when he smiles in my direction, holds my hand with his much larger one and or laughs at a not so funny joke I tell. I wanted to make his heart skip a beat, as he did with me. I wanted to make him feel as special as he makes me. Before I could register what I am about to say, those three little words leave my lips before I could put a stop to them. "I love you." I couldn't stop the sentence, even if I tried. Billy said nothing. He hums in reply, but no words leave his mouth. He continues to move his fingers back and forth, curling and scissoring his digits deep inside me. I groan quietly, leaning my head back against the shower tile wall, holding myself up the best I could from the position I was in. "There's a good girl," is all he says. He either doesn't acknowledge what I said or he chose to ignore it. My heart aches at the second option but the feeling goes away rather fast as he's sinking to his knees and spreading my legs far apart, his head guiding up to face my cunt and before I know it, his tongue - his mouth - everything is inside and I feel as if I'm on fire. "Oh... Oh, Billy..." I mewl, slowly my eyelids drift close on their own as I press my lower half into his welcoming mouth, my breathing began to grow heavy as his tongue swirls against my cunt which hardens underneath him. He grips his fingers into my thighs, more than likely putting imprints of his nails into my skin by how hard he pressed them down. I didn't mind a few bruises. The bruises were a reminder this was all happening and not some form of my imagination. Even from the position he was in, I could feel the outline of his lips curving upward and I didn't need to look down to see the famous Hargrove smirk sitting there across his face; I could feel him smiling in between my thighs. He, to my disappointment, pulls away, but he doesn't stay far back for too long. The cheeky little shit only wanted to lock eyes with me, shoot me a wink before diving back down in between my legs, eating me out as if he was starving. Saliva dripped down his chin and I could feel it sliding off of my thighs, too. His tongue was everywhere, going from my pussy to the inside of my thighs to my clit back and all over again. He was devouring me, eating me out as if we were running out of time which was far from the truth. I didn't mind it one bit. Wasn't complaining in the slightest. My only issue was how close I was getting to an orgasm. The signs were all there, slowly building up. My heart was pounding faster than before, my legs were shaking and my knees began to buckle. It was getting harder to keep upward. My eyelids could barely keep open, the familiar fluttery feeling grew bigger and stronger in my stomach. Billy, probably knowing I was close to my peak, pulled away and before he stands up, he pushes his shorts down, letting them hang by his feet. "Next time, princess, I want to see that mouth of yours stuffed with my cock; see you gagging for it, all around me. As of right now, I just want to fuck you and leave you breathless, now bend over and let me see that pretty pussy of yours, baby. 'm gonna wreck it, have you feeling me for days, have you feeling this cock in your stomach. That's what you want, isn't it? To be fucked like I hate you?" Before I could reply, he's taking me by the wrist and bending me forward, laying my body against one of the shelves in the closet as he rubs my opening with the head of his cock, sending a shiver to run through my body, goosebumps prickling my skin as I breathe through my nose, closing my eyes. I wait for him, wait for the stretch and the opening of his cock but it doesn't come as quickly as I would have liked. "I don't, by the way. Hate you." He said, leaning forward whereas his back touches my own, "I'll fuck you like I do but I don't. The feeling is mutual." He said and before I could reply - before I could ask what he meant - he's pushing forward, pressing his cock deep inside me, sinking into me with a growl. "You're so fucking tight, always so fucking tight." He grunts, hissing through his teeth as he rocks his hips back and forth, his cock going deeper inside me, inch by inch, I feel him. He's all I could feel. He's all I want to feel. "Please..... please, Billy." My words are crumbling together, my body was breaking apart. "Tell me," He purred, his breath lightly fanning against my ear as he spoke, his voice was low and irresistible, it made every part of me shake as he spoke. "Tell me what you want. You have to speak up in order to get what you want, love.... So, tell me." "Just you, you, you, you." I'm begging now. I can feel myself getting closer and closer. I'm holding onto the shelf so tightly because I'm afraid I'm going to fall over. The feeling is growing, the bubbling sensation is getting larger and I can feel myself getting ready to burst. "Please, Billy, fuck me like you hate me. Fuck me like I'm some whore on the street. Fuck me-" My words are cut off by the way he pulls out only to slam back into me. Him, doing this - the sudden force and movement - is what makes me come undone. I knew I wasn't going to last long. Luckily, neither does he. "Oh, fuck. Already came, did you? Such a good girl. Fuck~ you're such a good girl for me. 'm gonna cum too, fuck, I'm so close, (Y/N)." His words, much like mine were, slur together, his thrusts become sloppy and messy. And before I know it, he's cumming with a cry of my name, filling me up as he does so. "Shit...." He groans, pulling back slowly as he then pulls me up with him, pulling me around to face him as he kisses me suddenly, the taste of myself still strong on his tongue. It shouldn't be a turn on but it was. However, I was too exhausted for a round two any time soon. I kiss him back, smiling against his lips. We stay in this position for a few seconds, saying nothing because the kiss says what all that I needed to hear. He loved me too. Pulling back, Billy smiles and moves a few pieces of hair out from my face, leaning forward, he captures my forehead with his lips, kissing it with so much softness and affection, I feel all warm and tingly on the inside. This is the Billy nobody but me got to see. This is the Billy I was in love with. Not the one he portrayed for everyone in town to see. He didn't have to play pretend, to put on a show, I loved him for who he was. Even the fake persona he wore. I knew it wasn't him, not at all. "I love you." Something flashes across his face the moment I say those three words, there's a certain look in his eyes I can't make out but he grins nonetheless and pulls me closer to him, hand finding their way to my cheeks as he moves to kiss me the way he had done before. "And I love you." Of course, I should have known he was lying. It was Billy Hargrove, after all. He didn't date. Didn't fall in love. All he cared about was the person that looked back at him in the reflection of his mirror and getting into girl's pants, no matter who it was. More importantly, he didn't fall in love with me. It was all a lie, all a trick, and I was nothing more than a puppet on strings for him to toy around with. I didn't know this until the next day. If I had known, I wouldn't have given myself up to him so easily.

I was - I still am - a fool for falling for his little white lies. I should have known. All the red flags were there but..... I guess I was just color blind. I just wanted to be loved. And I thought he loved me..... I really did. I guess I was just another girl to put on the top of his list.

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reyesstrand · 4 years

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#11 for tarlos 🥺

thank you for the prompt kim!!! i hope you enjoy!! 💗

feel free to send me a number from this list! also available on ao3!

He’s been restlessly tossing and turning for close to an hour when the storm starts.

TK finds comfort in the sound of rain pelting against the window—it's been that way since he was a kid, and he was missing his dad when he worked overnight shifts or his mom when she travelled on business, and the rumble of a light thunderstorm would lull him to sleep better than any tea blend or natural remedy both of his parents seemed to believe in. Even now, with the memories of a day full of hard calls seemingly creeping up his spine, TK blinks through the burn of his eyes and watches as lightning envelops the room in a bright flash of white.

He can't stop seeing it, is the thing. Every time he closes his eyes there it is: the little girl going limp in his arms as he held her in the back of the ambulance, Marjan sitting next to him with the other child they pulled from the fire in her lap. Nancy and Tim had jumped into action when TK's voice steadily climbed in volume as he tried to wake her, eventually passing her over so they could start CPR. There had been a sense of finality when they pulled up to the hospital, Marjan's hand on his shoulder the only thing keeping him standing, as the stretcher disappeared into the building.

TK's brought back into the moment with another loud crack of thunder, and he sighs to himself.

He hadn't wanted to admit defeat when he'd curled up next to Carlos, who'd only stirred briefly with the dip of the mattress under TK's weight when he'd slipped into the room past midnight. He’d quickly fallen back asleep, though, and TK was momentarily jealous of his ability to just be out like a light whenever and wherever he is. He's still getting used to maneuvering around in Carlos' room at night, even though several months of a solid relationship has resulted in TK having his own drawer at Carlos' place. He stays with his boyfriend more often than not, and usually he loves it—he loves cuddling up close and seeping all the heat from the other man; he loves waking up to Carlos' unruly curls and the soft look he always points at TK. But tonight it's just something else to consider as he grabs a shirt and creeps out of the room, as he moves quietly to avoid waking his boyfriend up. The last thing he wants is for Carlos to suffer from his own restlessness.

Closing the bedroom door behind him, TK winces when it creaks before it latches, before he slowly backs away from the room and pulls his well-worn AFD shirt over his head. He rubs a hand down his face as retreats toward the kitchen, the window over the sink letting in the occasional flash of light as the storm brews. There's a moment where he hesitates, until he remembers the way Carlos had told him again and again that he wanted TK to feel at home, here, and so he continues on—grabbing the kettle and setting it on the stovetop, before digging through the cabinet, moving past several rows of spices and herbs to find the box of tea he'd brought over once a month or two ago. It's a cheap multipack, but there's still a couple bags of chamomile, and TK grabs one, putting it and the Scooby Doo mug he'd stolen from the firehouse on the counter while he waits.

The house feels still around him, in the middle of the night like this. The time on the microwave blinks back at him—2:04—and TK feels complete and total exhaustion in every part of his aching body. He loves his job, and doesn't regret choosing this life and this family, but sometimes it's impossible to escape the feeling that he could be doing more; it's impossible to not feel like a failure for saving three people but not being able to do anything about the five-year-old girl who'd inhaled too much smoke by the time they got to her.

He drops one hand to the cool countertop, and stares out the window. Raindrops create little rivulets as they trail down the pane of glass, and with another bright flash of lightning and rumble of thunder, TK loses himself to the melody of the storm, the soothing repetition of it.

As the rain starts coming down heavier, he thinks of the mess the alternate crew is probably dealing with, and isn't expecting it when he feels arms wrap around his waist.

TK lets out a small sigh without even being conscious of it, sinking into the hold. He feels completely enveloped in Carlos—his citrusy and woodsy scent, the weight of his arms curled around him, the press of lips to his nape.

"Ty," Carlos murmurs, mostly into his hair, and TK makes a vague noise, deep in his chest. "Hey, you okay? Did something happen?"

Instead of directly answering, TK lets the question sit in the air for a moment. Shifting the direction of the conversation, TK whispers: "Have I told you how much I love you recently?"

"Doesn't hurt to hear it again," Carlos replies, hooking his chin over TK's shoulder.

TK hums, and lets Carlos pull him even closer, tightening the hold he has around his middle. Quietly, he says, "Well, I love you. So fucking much."

"I love you, too, Ty," Carlos says without hesitation, and TK feels warmth spread through his body. He knows how badly Carlos wants to get him to talk about it, but he won't push. Not yet.

They just slightly sway, embraced in the hug, until the kettle starts whistling. Carlos lets him go, then, and TK wordlessly moves across the kitchen; he blindly grabs another mug from the cabinet and drops a teabag in each, carefully pouring the boiling water.

"Baby," Carlos finally looks at him, head-on, once TK's passed him his tea. TK meets his eyes and finds nothing but love tinged with worry. Like always, Carlos has a way of reading him like an open book. "Talk to me?"

"It's just—" TK hesitates, violently dunking his tea bag. He leans back against the counter, body turned toward his boyfriend. "We lost someone today. She—she basically died in my arms, Carlos, and I can't stop thinking about how we could've saved her."

Carlos' face drops. "I'm so sorry, Ty."

There's a beat, and TK bites on the inside of his cheek. He cocks an eyebrow at his boyfriend, prodding him to continue. "But..."

"But," Carlos says quietly, eyes practically seeing right through to his soul. "You can't put that pressure on yourself. You did everything you could."

"I know," TK rubs at the back of his neck, his eyes starting to burn again. "And I know I just need time. You know how it is though. I just—I see her every time I close my eyes."

He admits it in a voice barely above a whisper, staring down at the floor.

The warmth he leeches from the mug feels nice against his palms, but it's nothing like a Carlos Reyes hug, and his boyfriend seems to telepathically catch onto that, as they move in unison; both of them put their tea down on the counter and step into each other's space, TK throwing his arm around Carlos' shoulders. He drops his head to Carlos' neck, and feels his boyfriend's hands on the small of his back, rubbing soothing circles. He's just—he's so tired, he doesn't even think he has tears to shed.

"C'mon," Carlos whispers, turning his head slightly to press a kiss to TK's temple. It takes him a few moments to realize they're moving, and they make it back to the bedroom. With them repositioned on the bed, Carlos laying on his back and TK keeping his face tucked into his neck, leg thrown over Carlos' thighs, he gets a kiss to his forehead. "Get some rest, okay? We'll deal with everything in the morning."

There's a few more whispered promises—I'm here and I'm not going anywhere, Ty—and TK finally lets himself be consumed by his exhaustion. TK kisses Carlos' throat, and murmurs I love you into the skin there. And with the rain maintaining a steady beat against the window and Carlos' heart thrumming under his palm, he knows that at least he gets this, and it's something he'll never give up on.

#tarlos #911 lone star #tarlos fic #my fic #letitialewiss

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blackjack-15 · 3 years

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Adoration to Ashes, Dust to Just — Thoughts on: Alibi in Ashes (ASH)

Previous Metas: SCK/SCK2, STFD, MHM, TRT, FIN, SSH, DOG, CAR, DDI, SHA, CUR, CLK, TRN, DAN, CRE, ICE, CRY, VEN, HAU, RAN, WAC, TOT, SAW, CAP

Hello and welcome to a Nancy Drew meta series! 30 metas, 30 Nancy Drew Games that I’m comfortable with doing meta about. Hot takes, cold takes, and just Takes will abound, but one thing’s for sure: they’ll all be longer than I mean them to be.

Each meta will have different distinct sections: an Introduction, an exploration of the Title, an explanation of the Mystery, a run-through of the Suspects. Then, I’ll tackle some of my favorite and least favorite things about the game, and finish it off with ideas on how to improve it.

If any game requires an extra section or two, they’ll be listed in the paragraphs above, along with my list of previous metas.

These metas are not spoiler free, though I’ll list any games/media that they might spoil here: ASH; mention of a whole host of previous games with the Hardy Boys in them; mention of SCK; mention of STFD; mention of FIN; mention of DED; small spoilers for SPY; unflattering mention of the Nancy Drew: Girl Detective series; brief mention of erotic-shifter-romance book Bearllionaire.

The Intro:

Welcome to the Nancy Games, lads!

Before we begin, since we’re at the beginning of a new “section” of games, let’s go over exact what the “Nancy Games” entail. Unlike the other games, this section (which runs from ASH through SPY) of games is most concerned with Nancy’s personality, growth, and showing her through a different character foil each game.

These games not only give us a better picture of who Nancy is, but also how she fits (or doesn’t fit) into the world around her and with the people that she meets. Rather than solving the case, these games are made to make Nancy react to things; rather than ‘where is Nancy Drew’ or ‘what case is Nancy Drew tackling’, the preeminent question for ASH and the four games after it is simple: ‘Who Is Nancy Drew?’.

Though only possible because of the nature of the miscellaneous games (WAC, TOT) and the Faerietale Games (SAW, CAP), the Nancy Games have been sorely needed since the series graduated past the first few cases. For a lot of the series, the games weren’t really concerned with the main character of the series, preferring her to be a blank slate that players could superimpose themselves onto…which, as recent media (such as Twilight, and Twilight But With Bondage This Time), isn’t a good basis for a character outside of a dime-store bodice ripper.

But these games aren’t Bearllionaire, they’re detective stories, and detective stories need a strong main detective to carry the story — not to mention the stakes.

That’s where these games come in. Building obviously to the story in SPY, each game explores another facet of Nancy’s personality, and shows what she could become — or could have become, in a few instances — should she let the more negative sides of her personality take over, or if she trusts the wrong kind of people and makes the wrong friends.

How better to illustrate than by showing exactly the kinds of people that Nancy’s friends are? That’s what ASH is primarily concerned about — showing who Nancy is by showing the reactions of people who have known her all her life to a crisis. The only difference between Nancy and her Foil in this game is the fact that Nancy has good people — good friends — fighting for her. It’s how she gets herself out of jail, and how she manages to solve the crime.

And it’s a fun (if a bit clunky) game mechanic as well.

This is why this story can only happen in Nancy’s hometown. Not only is it delightful for fans to see (modern-day, as we saw the old version in CLK) River Heights for the first time and get to explore a bit around the town, but hometowns in media are quite significant when looking at who a character is.

Almost always, a hometown is used as sort of a microcosm for the character, giving us a bit of a cheat sheet into who they are as a person just by showing their environment. Think about it — how many times in cop shows (which are the most blatant offenders by far) are we told that a character is from a small town, and thus they’re intent on proving themselves, probably a ridiculously hard worker (to get out of “that place”), and a bit more innocent than their inner-city colleagues? Or that a character grew up overseas to justify their interest in international crime, establish them as a bit of a wildcard, and handwave them knowing about 16 languages? Or that they grew up “on the streets”, justifying a hidden juvenile record, skills in hand-to-hand combat, and a soft spot for Youths Just Like Them?

(But enough about Criminal Minds. I’d rather focus on something that actually has thought put into it.)

The same thing is happening here in ASH; from River Heights, we can extrapolate that Nancy is well-off, straight-forward, comfortable largely around adults (think about it — ignoring the usual phone characters, we only meet one person around Nancy’s age in RH, and she hates her), and has a drive to be Somewhere Other than her small town.

Another interesting point is that River Heights is chosen as the backdrop for something that has only happened twice in the series, and only once been done well: a personal revenge story against Nancy herself. Sure, RAN attempted it, but RAN’s story is — if you haven’t read that meta, spoilers — hot, flaming garbage, and the personal revenge plotline is bungled to the extreme, resulting in it not putting across that theme very effectively.

ASH is different; from the very beginning, it’s obvious that whoever is doing this is working off of a person grudge against Nancy specifically — and burned down the town hall in order to implicate her, so they’re not playing around. It’s the reason that the culprit search is so focused, which really benefits the games as well. The question isn’t really “who would want to get rid of Town Hall”, it’s “who hates Nancy enough to burn down a building to get her in trouble”. It makes questioning so much more interesting — and very full of mines, which is Great — when it’s the person, rather than the specific crime, that matters.

The last thing I’ll touch on in this introduction is a question that the fandom has posed both seriously and jokingly many times over the last….almost exactly 10 years (10 years!!! I need to lie down my land!!!) since the game first came out: where are the Hardy Boys? Surely, if there was ever a game where they made sense to appear, it would be this one; their friend is in prison and needs the help of practiced investigators — you’d think that even if Carson wouldn’t think of hiring them (which, as desperate as he was, he totally would have), that Nancy would have given them a call, if only to see if ATAC had anything on the suspects.

There are two reasons why the Hardy Boys don’t appear, from a storytelling perspective (ignoring the issue of how much money it would cost to include them or any other technical considerations), no matter how much I would have liked them here, or how much sense it would have been to at least name drop them, if not make them phone friends.

The first is to keep the game centered on River Heights. Everyone in the game — both suspects and allies — is from River Heights and is a part of the town’s makeup. Our suspects reporter, a politician-slash-ice-cream-store-owner, an ex-detective-turned-antiques-dealer, and a college student born and raised in RH. They represent different facets of the town — the media, the political, the business, and the rising generation — and so each represent a part of the town. Nancy’s allies all fall under the “rising generation” — the “Future of the Town”, if you will — or under the justice system category, with Carson. Even the Chief represents another facet — the law — that can both hurt and help Nancy in turn. By keeping all suspects and allies tied to the town, the mystery and the story can focus on exactly what’s going down in River Heights, without any distractions.

The second reason that the Hardy Boys don’t appear is a little less obvious and a little less cut-and-dried plain fact, but I find it compelling enough to mention here: Ned is present. Other than as a foil in CAP (and an oddity in CRE/VEN), the Hardy Boys don’t appear in the games where Ned is present — it tends to be an either/or thing as far as phone characters are concerned. The why of this is, admittedly, conjecture, but I do find it fascinating that the two (three, technically) don’t intersect — and when they do, it’s to compare them.

Also there are not enough fics of the time Nancy sent Ned to hang out with the Hardy Boys like their house was a vacation kennel and Joe broke Ned’s car. Just saying.

Ned represents River Heights, safety, security, constancy, and comfort — the same things that the other River Heights phone friends (Carson, George, Bess, Hannah) do, albeit to a slightly lesser extent. The Hardy Boys, on the other hand, represent excitement, danger, the unknown, new discoveries, and growth — as do, in different extents, the non-River Heights returning phone friends (Hotchkiss, Savannah, Prudence).

Nancy sits squarely in the middle of these two extremes; she’s from River Heights, but she’s not exactly of River Heights, if you get my meaning. As the games have progressed, they’ve shown Nancy moving further and further away from safe, small, friend-related cases to professional jobs with more than a few people actively trying to kill her. For me, that’s the reason we don’t see the Hardy Boys and Ned mostly in the same games; they represent different spheres of Nancy’s life.

And, had competent writer(s) stayed and the games not, well, imploded due to Penny being one of the worst business people I’ve ever encountered, it would have been interesting to see that push-and-pull dynamic being expressed in Nancy’s relationships. As it is…thank Heaven for AO3, am I right?

Now, let’s refocus on ASH in specific, and talk about its composite parts, shall we?

The Title:

Other than being catchy and evocative (and telling us exactly what crime was committed here — that of arson), Alibi in Ashes is also a notable title for its flexibility in meaning. Like CAP, there are so many different connotations for “fire”, and all of them apply neatly to this game.

First, we’re dealing with the literal fire that sends Town Hall up in smoke, and the inciting incident for our mystery (and Nancy’s jail time). Next, we have the word “fire” standing in for “emergency” — as in “where’s the fire” — and there seems to be a new emergency every five minutes in this game — the fire, Nancy’s arrest, Bess breaking the vase, Carson’s absence, etc.

After that, we venture even further down the abstract hole, and dive into the political — whistleblowing, which is often referred to as “setting a/the fire”. This is partially what Nancy does, and is also what Brenda likes to do, no matter the accuracy of the report. Finally, we stay with Brenda for the term “media wildfire” – which is exactly what Nancy’s arrest (due to Brenda’s machinations) causes.

The title in total — “Alibi in Ashes” — also works in a few different senses. Literally speaking, Nancy’s alibi — and the evidence to prove it — is in the ashes of Town Hall, waiting to be discovered. More metaphorically, due to the work of the culprit, Nancy’s alibi (aka her innocence) is in pieces, in ashes — it’s been destroyed. Finally, in a literary sense, Nancy’s situation can be shown in the “ashes” of a past life — in the “wildfire” that destroyed Alexei’s life and career as a detective.

Its acronym being “ASH” is also pretty awesome, not gonna lie.

It’s the multifaceted nature of the title that really gives it its staying power, catchiness aside. Many titles are just as good as ASH’s, but almost none work harder at having so many possible meanings that are all represented in the text of the game itself.

The Mystery:

Sufficiently chastened into spending more time at home (at least for a few days), Nancy comes home in order to spearhead her team (consisting of Ned, Bess, and George) to victory in the River Heights Clues Challenge. This friendly little competition that included No Cheating Whatsoever on the part of Other Teams heats up, however, when a clue leads Nancy to the historic Town Hall — only to have it erupt in flames minutes later. Coughing but still moving, Nancy escapes the inferno…only to be greeted by the suspicious press, declaring her guilty of setting a beloved building on fire.

Things only get worse when Chief McGinnis shows up the next day, taking Nancy into custody due to political pressure in the town. An arsonist is afoot in River Heights, and unless her friends can dig up some dirt on someone — or everyone — else, it looks like Nancy Drew won’t just be convicted by the press, but by the town that raised her…

As a mystery, ASH has some great personal stakes — for Nancy and for our suspects — and pretty layered motivations. The cast comes alive through their relations to Nancy, especially as she’s unprotected with Carson being in Australia. The shift in the mystery that occurs when Nancy can finally get out and speak to the suspects — and seeing how differently they treat her than how they treated the other members of the cast — really helps to add something new to a mystery that’s tying itself up a bit, and give it the last push of gas it needs to get us to the conclusion.

While it’s not the most involved, complex, or thematic Nancy Drew mystery ever, it does what it needs to do, and does it well – and that’s honestly all I want in a game more devoted (as it should be) to character than it is to a twisty plot.

The Suspects:

ASH has a rather full cast (not because of the size of the suspect pool, but because there are so many people involved that should be mentioned), so let’s get started with our suspects, then move on to our other cast members.

Brenda Carlton, resident Reporter of River Heights News and perpetual thorn in Nancy’s side, is both our first suspect and our culprit, proving once again that the media cannot be trusted. We haven’t had a reporter be our culprit in 21 games (TRT’s Lisa being the previous example), so I guess we were due, but Brenda is a delightfully hateful example of just how bad the media can be, so kudos for that.

And this game didn’t even come out in an election year. How refreshing.

As a suspect, Brenda is awesome. Catty, arrogant, and with a penchant for dressing up as Nancy – titian wig and all! – to perform her dastardly, dastardly acts, the game doesn’t try to be subtle for one second that she’s up to no good. While Nancy and Brenda are equally as interested — and equally as talented, by all appearances – in ferreting out a good story, Brenda takes it a step further and makes one if she can’t find one – and nurses a grudge against Nancy for exposing her for it.

Up next is ice cream shop owner and scaly politician Antonia “Toni” Scallari, a woman with a bright-eyed, smiling public face — and if you don’t like that face, don’t worry…she has others. Toni is your typical politician — pretends to be nice and pleasant, is actually a scheming villain, hates people who do honest work, and thinks that fairness in government is a luxury – but the game does stop shy of making her The Villain, preferring instead to show the crimes she’s committed in her search for money and power and letting her quietly bow out of the election.

So definitely better than she deserved, but at least the game shows her corrupt nature rather than sweeping it under the rug.

As a suspect, Toni would have made a decent villain, but it would have turned the game into a tale of cold political expediency and machinations, rather than hot-blooded revenge, and that would have been a shame. I’m a fan of how the games from about TOT on always have multiple characters who Do Crimes and Bad Things, and Toni is a prime example of a bad guy who just happens not to be The Bad Guy.

Third on the docket of suspects is our resident grumpy old man (and Nancy’s foil in this game) Alexei Markovic, who provides not only some of the best voice work in the game, but whose age is also proof that Nancy’s dad really is the silver-haired DILF we’ve been waiting for.

C’mon, he prosecuted Alexei when Alexei was 20. The youngest Carson could have been was 25 if he booked it through college, took no breaks to study for the LSAT, and blazed through law school — and immediately got a job the day after graduation. And seeing as Alexei has the “old coot” personality and grey hair…well, Carson is probably straddling the line between DILF and GILF.

(I’m so sorry for that aside, guys, it got away from me. I’m equally sorry for the first recorded use of the term “GILF” in the Nancy Drew fandom. It’s not the legacy I wanted, but perhaps the legacy I deserve.)

Back to Alexei!

Alexei is a great character, full-stop, and his VA just improves the experience more. Bitter and jaded, but by no means uncaring or evil or myopic about his troubles, Alexei is, where Nancy is concerned, a bleeding heart whose blood happens to run cold. While he could be bitter about Carson playing a part in taking away everything he had, and thus treat Nancy poorly, he instead empathizes deeply, wants to help, and, in effect, treats her the way that somebody — anybody — should have treated him.

As a suspect, Alexei, as Nancy’s foil in the game, would have been a poor choice; he’s not really there to be suspicious, he’s there to show the stakes of the mystery. No matter if Carson could find a world-class defender to get Nancy off the charges, no matter if they couldn’t even indict her, the stakes aren’t “Nancy will go to jail for Realsies” — the stakes are the town turning its back, she loses those she loves, and is unable to do the job that is the essence of who she is. In other words, if things go poorly, Nancy becomes Alexei.

One of the reasons that Alexei is such a good character is that he recognizes this immediately, and is determined to do all he can to prevent that. Sure, he knows the odds are stacked against him, and the whole town is his enemy, and he won’t get anything for helping out — but at his heart, he’s still the Magnificent Markovic; “no case too big, no fee too small,” remember?

Last of the actual suspects is noted red-light runner and girl in envious, envious green, Deirdre Shannon. Deirdre’s a rather divisive character in the fandom — especially of late — but is a character I stand firmly on the side of great, for a few reasons.

The first is that the games took a 1-dimensional, wouldn’t-cast-a-shadow-if-you-turned-her-sideways character from the Girl Detective books, there purely to make Nancy look good, and instead gave her a fully realized character, sympathetic motivations, and a whip-sharp tongue.

The second is her hilarious banter with the River Heights crew and wry sense of humor, which would be enough to make her a favorite character of mine alone.

Annoyed by constant, unflattering comparisons to Nancy from her parents (her father also being a lawyer in River Heights), she’s amused when Nancy’s arrested — though, if you read in between the lines, never suspects Nancy actually set the fire nor thinks Nancy will ultimately get the blame — though not as amused at Bess’ spying on her. She harbors a not-secret crush on Ned and enjoys spending time with him, girlfriend or no girlfriend — though it should be noted that even Ned isn’t spared her sharp tongue.

As a culprit, Deirdre would have been the obvious choice for writers who were the caliber of…well, of the Girl Detective series writers, but thankfully we’re on a higher playing field with Nik, Cathy, and the rest of the crew behind ASH. Deirdre is a snarky observer, but that’s as far as her ‘evil’ goes — and looking at her methodology for solving the Clues Challenge clues (and her commentary on her compatriots) is a joy — real detective work, indeed!

After our suspects, let’s talk about our players on the side of Right — or at least, on the side of Nancy — starting with the girl detective herself (as we will for all of the Nancy Games). ASH provides a better look at Nancy than we’ve had before (as befitting the first of the Nancy Games)

Nancy Drew is our main character, sometimes-protagonist, and at times villain protagonist — especially in the eyes of our culprits — when it comes to unearthing long-buried hurts and wrongs. Stuck in jail for a crime she didn’t commit due to political and community pressure, for the first time, the girl detective can’t really do anything by herself, and is relegated to “phone friend” while her boyfriend and childhood friends are running around frantically trying to introduce reasonable doubt in a frame-up par excellence.

Our source in SPY refers to Nancy as an autodidact — one who teaches themselves — and that’s a perfect summation of Nancy’s character. She’s no museum expert, nor cowgirl, nor entomologist, nor any other hat she’s put on — but she can fake it if someone hums a few bars. Her other big pluses as a detective are (once again according to the source in SPY) in interrogation and code/puzzle breaking — and the differences in the questions that Ned et al pose and the questions Nancy poses to our suspects does bear out the first point, at the very least. Her code and puzzle skills are the usual fallback for the games’ mysteries, more so in the modern games than in older ones (which is both a good and bad thing, depending on what types of puzzles you like).

In ASH, we learn about a key trait of Nancy’s — self-sufficiency, and, more importantly, the limits of that self-sufficiency. Able to fake most things until she makes it, Nancy is finally put in a situation where she can’t do anything by herself, and it’s a source of frustration and impatience to her that overrides other feelings (“Also, I’m in jail, and I would really like to get out,” anyone?). It’s rather stunning that Nancy goes from a triumphant Girl in the Dress to stuck in a police station, relying on the phone and her own intuition, and it does some good for her character exposure and development.

Next up is Edward “Ned” Nickerson, erstwhile boyfriend and long-suffering Emerson College student, Ned is part of an honors fraternity and is in River Heights for the Clues Challenge — and to see his girlfriend, of course. While his attempts to be Detective Ned have really only resulting in finding the keys that were in his pocket, Ned is nevertheless quite useful in getting information out of Deirdre (and is responsible for one of the funniest bits of dialogue in the game that’s not spoken directly by Deirdre).

According to the files from SPY, Ned’s defining characteristics are his honestly and his loyalty, both of which mean that he’s the ideal ‘phone friend’ when Nancy’s in a pickle — and means of course he’d be front and center, ready to do anything he needs to in order to help clear Nancy’s name. His main role in the game, however (and very interesting, as one of 6 or so Neirdre shippers in the fandom!) is to be the object of Deirdre’s window-shopping affections and to be made fun of (good-naturedly, of course) by his friends.

Because of his relationship (such as it is) with an overtly antagonistic character, Ned’s a lot of fun in ASH. I feel like he gets a lot of characterization that he often lacks in most other games (excepting CAP and SPY, of course), and it just makes me like him more.

George Fayne is also here to help — though, irritatingly, not required the same way Bess and Ned are — with her knowledge of technology and impeccable Togo-watching skills. George is a great character in the OG Nancy Drew books – the ultra-modern, straightforward, clumsy flapper, to contrast Bess’ more genteel sensibilities and Nancy’s down to earth, practical, yet fashionable nature — and one of the greatest disservices that the 60s rewrites, post-60s ND books, and, yes, the game series has done to the ND universe is to turn her into a “hurr-durr tomboy because name George like boy name” sort of mockery of her original character.

And no, I’m not crediting her as “Georgia”, because that was not her name in the books. Her name was George, full stop — once again, quite fashionable of her to have a “boy’s” name in the 20s/30s — named after her grandfather. You may fight me on this, but you will not win.

George is noted to have above-average skills in mechanical engineering, and indeed creates a jammer to stop Brenda’s broadcast in the game, but is otherwise…well, kind of pushed to the side in favor of Bess and Ned, her enmity with Deirdre notwithstanding. I’ll address this issue more in The Un-Favorite and The Fix, but a few tweaks while developing the game would have gone a long way towards defining George as a character — we’re ignoring MED wholesale, don’t worry — and helping the gameplay be a bit more varied.

George’s maternal cousin, Elizabeth “Bess” Marvin, on the other hand, is basically required to get what you need to know from Toni, but is very much not the favorite person of Alexei, due to her breaking an antique vase upon coming into his shop.

When a vase can survive the Nazis but not Bess Marvin, it seems a shame that Bess didn’t go to France with Nancy during DAN. They would have found that secret room with the artwork in like a minute and a half.

Bess is mentioned to lack judgment (her reveal of George’s crush on the snack shop boy illustrates that pretty well) but to have above-average intuition and, while manipulated easily enough, is too honest for that manipulation to really cause any lasting harm. Because of her sweet, open nature — and her open pocketbook when it comes to ice cream — she’s a favorite of Toni’s, and uses that in order to try to clear Nancy’s name and discover just what illegal, corrupt pies Toni has her grubby little politician hands in.

Going a little less friendly and a little less college-aged for our next helper, we turn to Chief McGinnis, a grumpy pushover of a cop who’s really only important for letting Nancy walk around a Police Station and solve a crime while under arrest because he didn’t wanna do his job, and for a hilarious diatribe about Pancake City.

Seriously, I go and watch that scene every so often when I need a good laugh. ASH has some fabulous comic writing, and McGinnis’ rant is a prime example.

McGinnis is pretty ineffectual as a helper, but he does allow for the first 2/3 of the game to happen by locking Nancy up (“You cannot leave jail! This is a very basic concept!), and for that, we salute him.

Rounding out our cast of Nancy-supporters is Carson Drew, who is (frustratingly, to him) stuck in Australia when all this goes down, and thus cannot use his legal prowess to free her.

Of course, as a prosecutor, I’m not sure how much help he’d be anyway, but hey, a lawyer is a lawyer is a lawyer, at least in the ever-wise eyes of HER Interactive.

Carson’s really just there (or not there, as the case may be) to explain how Nancy can be locked up with such a powerful lawyer father, honestly, but he gets some good lines in, so we’ll forgive it. He’s also there to round out the “River Heights Cast”, but I can’t help feeling that, if we were gonna have another Drew in this game, I would have taken the puppy over the golf ball. #Togo4Ever

The Favorite:

There’s a lot to love in ASH, so I’m going to focus on the biggest things. Suffice to say if a part of the game isn’t in this section but isn’t in the Un-Favorite, I love it.

I’m going to start off just by saying that the dialogue in ASH is wonderful. We’ve got distinct individual voices, sarcasm galore, enough cattiness to fuel the Halle Berry movie, and great interpersonal work, especially with Alexei.

One of the places Nik truly shines is dialogue, and a small-town environment like River Heights really shows off his skill. I sometimes hear the charge that “no one talks like this!!” leveled against the Nik games but, honestly, I talk to people every day who speak similarly to Nik’s characters, allowing for the differences in written and spoken speech, and so do most people I know. Allusions, analogies, metaphors, and aphorisms aren’t just for English class — they’re part of speaking well.

If you really wanna see dialogue where “no one talks like this,” look at the early ND games. FIN is a particularly bad offender, but SCK and STFD aren’t much better.

My favorite puzzle in the game is the letter swap puzzle inside of Scoop, by far. Sure, I enjoy other puzzles — Alexei’s number box, fingerprinting, the suspect board — immensely, and have a blast doing them, but I can spend hours figuring out old quotes on that aqua background and not notice the time passing one jot. It’s fun, references old games, and is exactly the kind of puzzle that gets me excited anyway, and I love it to pieces.

My favorite moment in the game is probably the moment Nancy takes control and goes and talks to Toni, oddly enough. The stark difference in what Toni says about Nancy while she’s in the station to what she says to her face is like a brick wall to the chest, and is, every time, the moment when you see exactly how River Heights turned on Alexei so completely as to push him out of his job and into the antique business. It’s a moment of almost stomach-sinking disgust, and I absolutely adore the game for not pulling its punches and instead keeping true to one of its major themes — that you need to see who people are in the dark, not when they’re facing you.

In the light of day, Alexei is just a cantankerous old man; Toni is a smiling, motherly ice cream store owner, Brenda is a hard-hitting reporter, and Deirdre is a vapid Queen Bee type. Under the cover of darkness, however, we see Alexei’s charity and heart, Toni’s corruption and two-faced nature, Brenda’s unethical and illegal means to her ends, and Deirdre’s soft center. And I love the game for pointing out the world of difference it makes to see what someone truly is.

For my last point, there are two characters are of note in this game that I love for very different reasons.

The first is Alexei, who is the inspiration behind the title of the meta. There’s something incredibly compelling about Alexei’s down-to-earth nature and the way he deals with being dealt the poorest hand in the world without ever dipping into “woe is me” or any other self-indulgent crap. Insatiably curious, bright, and caustic, Alexei feels like the perfect person to sit down, drink a cup of something warm, and talk about puzzles, antiques, and harsh truths with.

He’s a character who watched his entire life fall apart with one bad person’s actions — “one time, just once, I tried to speak truth to power, and man if I didn’t pay the price” — but still had it in him to keep going, even if it wasn’t what he was doing before. He went from being the town’s golden boy to a pariah, and yet still looks after River Heights and its history, even becoming the curator of the River Heights Museum (when it opens). The difference between his reaction to being falsely accused to, say, Noisette Tornade’s (DAN) reaction to being “falsely” accused is huge and, I think, rather inspiring.

The second is Deirdre Shannon, if you couldn’t tell by my gushing about her above, and, can I just say, I love everything about her. There’s a temptation to assume at first blush that she’s your average boy-stealing popular rich girl a la WAC, but actually looking at her tells a different story.

Sure, the rich part is true — but so is Nancy, and from the looks of their houses and all the trips/vacations they do, the Marvins and Faynes seem pretty well off as well. She shares the tendency for a sharp tongue with Nancy as well (as befitting her status as Nancy’s foil in DED, stay tuned!). Deirdre also doesn’t qualify as popular — her two “friends” that she hangs out with in ASH for the Clues Challenge are still in their “free trial”, and aren’t really her friends.

And her feelings for Ned? While she openly flirts with him (even if Ned doesn’t get it until the girls tell him), Deirdre isn’t looking to actually cause damage (if only because she sees Ned as completely unobtainable), and is up-front about everything she does to Nancy’s face. Putting yourself in her shoes, she’s a bright girl, in love with a boy who is the definition of out-of-reach, is constantly (and negatively) compared to the boy’s girlfriend, and feels stuck in her small town, desperate to move beyond the boredom. In other words, in any other story, she’s the protagonist. It just so happens — as she’s acutely aware — not to be her story. And that’s the kind of character that it’s impossible for me not to love.

And speaking of things impossible to love…

The Un-Favorite:

My biggest problem with ASH, as was mentioned above, is the fact that George is relegated mechanically and interpersonally to the “unimportant” bin. Nancy, Bess, and Ned all have suspects that like and don’t like them, while all George gets is a note that her and Deirdre particularly don’t get along — no extrapolation, no explanation. It makes the decision to include her as a playable character feel a bit like a last-minute decision, like Bess and Ned were planned and George was supposed to be watching Togo until the very end when she makes the jammer or something.

My least favorite puzzle in the game has got to be the stacking of the boxes and crawling towards the exit at the start to escape the fire; it’s a time-sensitive puzzle, which are usually my least favorite, and takes the mechanics of Renate’s bag puzzle and small visual distinctions, which we’ve already noted in the last meta are not particularly my jam either. I wouldn’t replace or get rid of it, it’s just my least favorite. I tend to start my game from a save I have after the puzzle — while I have to refresh on the opening occasionally, it’s better than the frustration from the combined puzzle.

I don’t have a least favorite moment from the game, to be quite honest, so let’s move on to the last section of this meta.

The Fix:

So how would I fix Alibi in Ashes?

The big thing I would change would to be to ensure that each member of Team Danger should have one culprit that likes them and one culprit that hates especially them. Nancy already has Alexei for her plus and Brenda for her minus, and Bess should keep Toni and Alexei, respectively, but both Ned and George need one more. Luckily, with four friends and four suspects, they’ll divide up evenly very easily.

My fix would be to have Ned keep Deirdre as his plus and give him Toni as his minus (local business owners usually don’t like football players for being rowdy and taking up a lot of seats, plus he’s Nancy’s boyfriend and staunchest defender).

George, meanwhile, keeps Deirdre as her minus (though flesh it out a bit more — what exactly went wrong there?) and gains Brenda as her plus. Not only would this make the endgame where she creates the jammer a little more interesting, I’d note that George and Brenda have a bit in common, due to Brenda’s technical and mechanical prowess that we see throughout the game. Throw in something with George having done a technical internship with the River Heights broadcasting network or something during high school, and we’d get a slightly different side of Brenda, even though George still dislikes her privately.

Just fixing this issue would be enough to where nothing in ASH would stand out as a real negative, but for my second, smaller fix, I’d make the friends able to call each other to change off, instead of having to call Nancy, then have her call the other person. That slows the game down and is needlessly clunky, and I’m still not quite sure why they did it.

Once those two things are fixed, there’s nothing in the way of ASH being a truly excellent game. Sure, it’s not as thematic as the few games preceding it, but it’s not supposed to be — it’s supposed to have an entertaining mystery while showing us a little more of who Nancy really is and why she does what she does, and on those (and most other) fronts, ASH is an incredibly solid, enjoyable game that I replay whenever I get the chance.

#nancy drew #clue crew #nancy drew games #alibi in ashes #nancy drew meta #long post #my meta #ASH #video games

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witchiswriting · 4 years

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‘Tis the Damn Season Chapter 1

Summary: Pre-Apocalypse. Adrielle left her town and Negan behind three years ago but when she comes back along with her feelings she found the man she couldn’t get over is moved on. Dealing with depression at the same time, could Adrielle find what she’s looking for?

Warnings: Angst, Swearing, Depressed Main Character, Mental Illnes

Author’s Note: This is a story I came up with when I listened to Taylor’s Tis the Damn Season song. I don’t know how but the song painted a really clear picture for this story. So, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Also it’s my participation to @band--psycho‘s Music Writing Challenge.

Pairings: Negan x Adrielle (OC)

Enjoying feeling of the melting snowflake on tip of your nose, you watched the town you could never leave behind. No matter how long it has been, this place has been with you all the time. Thinking about the Christmas dinners your mother served every year even though you were absent in all of them for the past 3 years. During those years you thought you were healed, or you made yourself believe it. The difference doesn’t matter, you’re here because of him. Because you can’t deny your feelings anymore. You miss the man you hurt the most.

After all the things that took place and all the disasters you left behind your departure, you couldn't control your feelings and fears anymore. So, you left LA for the holiday season and came back to spend Christmas with your family, and if you are lucky enough, with him.

In the past 3 years you thought if he moved on and found someone else who is worthy of his love. The possibility left a bitter taste in your mouth. You know you are being selfish but imagining him with some other woman makes your heart ache. So, you’d done what you do best, drowning yourself in meaningless relationship and casual sex yet it wasn’t enough to stop that nasty voice in your head, none of them were him.

Shutting down your cruel mind, you quickly pushed the thoughts away. You were standing in front of the door of your home, your parents’ home to be correct. You put on the best smile on your face and knocked the wooden surface.

In a rush the door opened, and you found your mom, Jane, in front of you, smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. The years added a few wrinkles around her eyes, but her emerald green orbs shined with the same tenderness. Her hair was longer, and it suited her sharp features just right.

'Oh, thank goodness, you're finally here' Jane took you between her welcoming arms, surrounding you with that welcoming feeling you’d never forgotten, holding you tightly. 'Adrielle Pamela Wintringham! If you dare not coming back and visit us every year, you'll find me on your door with my bags. This is a serious threat miss!' She laughed into your raven hair.

Before being able to answer your mom, you heard a pair of very familiar footsteps. Your father, the only man you trust with your own life, is now standing right before you.

'Jane, leave the poor girl alone. If you keep saying shit like that, she will probably change her identity and start a new life who knows goddamn where.' He joked, showing his pearly whites.

Leaving your mom, you took a big step and hugged your dad. The break which lasted for 3 years made you miss your family more than you could ever imagine. 'Well, dad don't worry. I'll be coming back every year from now on. I missed you so much, guys.' You didn't even try to hold your tears back.

William laughed smoothly. 'C'mon Elle, let's get inside before we all get our asses frozen as shit.'

Stepping into the house, you immediately went back to 3 years back. Nothing has changed. The beige couch you used to spend your days on is still located at the same place, the warm colour of the walls never failed to make you feel at ease, the shelves are still stuffed with your and your sister’s pictures. Though a new one caught your eye, she was standing with her volleyball team, holding the medal she probably won and next to him was the person you wanted to see most and avoid at the same time.

He had that charming smile on his lips, of course he has changed over the years, the salt and pepper beard took its place around his mouth. You remembered the feel of his stubble on your skin. ‘Fucking great’ you thought, years did him good. He was more handsome than you remembered, and you used to think it wasn’t possible.

Clearing her throat, Jane interrupted your thoughts with a soft tone. You knew she saw you staring at that picture but didn’t say anything and honestly you were grateful for that. Yes, you came back mostly because of him but it didn’t mean you were ready to face him even though through a picture in the first moments of your arrival.

'Baby, go change. The dinner will be ready in 10 and hopefully your wayward sister will be back by then.'

Making a fake offended face 'Where the hell is Andrea? I mean the Santa is back in town but she's out.' you joked slightly.

You knew you hit a sore spot when you parents shared a worried glance, they were still thinking about your mental struggles probably, but you wanted to prove that you’d beaten down the illness that chasing you since your childhood.

'Honey, she's out helping to the others with the giant Christmas tree which they put in the centre of the city.' William explained like it was nothing, but you knew your father too well to catch the tension in his baritone voice.

Not wanting to address the elephant in the room so you shook your head replying with a cheerful tone, 'Apparently nothing has changed. God I really missed this town.' The words slipped out from your mouth, but you weren't sure your parents bought it.

It's an old tradition that kept going on in your town for years and you have no doubt about Negan being there, helping everybody with a joy. He always loved this kind of stuff, you silently hoped this hasn't changed, and unfortunately Andrea is one of his best students.

Jane called from the dining room, letting you know that dinner is ready. Feeling thankful for distraction, you pulled a chair, took your usual spot in front of her.

Just as you were about to take a big bite from the delicious chicken, your troublemaker sister stepped in and made her presence known. She was looking at you with a Cheshire cat grin on her face.

'YAY! The older one is back. I have so many things to tell you Adri, oh, by the way we're still having the dinner tomorrow night, right? There are 5 days to Christmas, and it would be a shame if we skip that famous tradition.' She let the words out from her lips with overjoy. Andrea has always been a social butterfly and on the contrary of kids her age she enjoyed hanging with adults.

'Is there a special reason for mom to not throw the party this year? Or is it my presence that bugs you little lady?' You said with a sassy tone before you could think about the sore subject you spotted on. As soon as you realised what you just said you kicked yourself internally.

'Don't worry babe, I already planned everything and told everyone. We're going to be so busy tomorrow night.' Thankfully, your mom ran to the rescue again and replied with nonchalance.

Beyond excited Andrea blundered without realization, ‘Oh great! That means Coach Negan is coming too.’’

For a moment everyone around the table didn't mutter a word and you heard your sister whispering 'oh shit' looking at her feet.

The awkward silence was starting to annoy you, so you sighed and decided to clear the air, at least with your family. 'Guys, I really appreciate your concern, but it's been years, we both are adults and what happened back then is water under the bridge. You can't prevent us from encountering each other. I'm pretty sure Negan wouldn’t have a problem with this too. I'm sure he's already moved on and living his life peacefully. I doubt he would turn his back and run as soon as he sees me. Also, I’m here to fix my past mistakes. I can’t do that if I avoid talking to him, right?’ You arched your left eyebrow, a faux smile on your lips, the tension you feel in your stomach could make you burst into tears and then make you laugh hysterically afterwards. You were trying your best to suppress this feeling.

Your mom examined your face with a suspicious look but didn’t pressure the matter further and raised her glass in a toast.

Quickly the heaviness in the air disappeared and left its place to cosy atmosphere.

You could feel your insides hurt from laughing too much at your sister’s adventures in the school.

The happy banter interrupted with the ringing doorbell. Andrea started getting up from her seat. ‘It’s probably Nancy, she forgot her folder in my room this morning.’

Before she could move forward you stood up. ‘If it’s okay with you I would like to answer the door. I missed her too since she practically grew up in our house.’

With a genuine smile you walked toward the door. Ready for greeting Nancy and chat with her after a couple of years. You loved her like your sister. Both of them always managed to cheer you up.

You met with a pair of hazel eyes instead of Nancy’s blue ones. Negan was standing before you just shocked as you were, staring at you with wide eyes.

You were speechless. You didn’t expect to face him this early, you’re caught off guard.

His lips curled upwards with a genuine smile. Trying to be polite and casual as possible he finally said something. ‘Oh, hi. I didn’t know you’re back.’

Shaking off the whirling emotions that made you dumbfounded. ‘Hi, uh yes I’m back for Christmas.’’ You said, managed to keep trembling off your voice.

You continue to stare at each other. There was so much you want to tell him, and you weren’t sure if you could stop yourself from your arms around his neck.

‘Elle, baby invite Nancy in. You’re going to freeze to death if you keep standing on the porch.’ Your father intervened before you made something stupid.

Your dad couldn’t hide the slight shock but shrugged it off quickly. ‘Hello Negan. Troublemaker daughter of mine forgot something again?’ He asked with a smirk on his lips.

Negan laughed, you wished you could keep the butterflies in your stomach cool. ‘Fuck, not this time William. Actually, I’m here to give you these cookies.’

Deciding to form a friendly banter with him and yourself you popped the question. ‘Wow, did Coach Negan learn how to cook finally?’ You teased slightly.

He bit his lower lip before answering your simple question. ‘I wish I could fucking say yes but no, Eleanor baked them.’

Yeah, he indeed moved on.

@negans-network

#jeffrey dean morgan #jdmdaily #negan #negan angst #negan x reader #negan smut #negan fluff #twd #the walking dead #twd negan #negan au #negan x adrielle #story: tis the damn season #negans thirst squad #negan smith #pre-apocalypse

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vanaera · 5 years

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The Heart Holiday | Act 1 | myg

Synopsis: Valentine’s Day is declared as an official holiday. However, private companies’ standards dictate it’s only for the people who are currently in a relationship. Unluckily for Y/N, she doesn’t have this year’s PRS’ (Proof of Relationship Status) “in a relationship” box ticked – the only ticket out she can have to enjoy one paid week of holiday leave away from her hellish job. And more unfortunately for Y/N, everyone around her is oh so conveniently currently committed in a relationship. Except for one person: Min Yoongi, Y/N’s biggest critic in every pitch meeting, the picky guy who always picks on her, and the most annoying jerk of the century. Desperate for that holiday leave, Y/N strikes Yoongi up with an offer: Fake date each other two weeks before February 14, just enough time for the Department of Relationship Management (DRM) to consider processing your PRSs. After Valentine’s Day, they will go back to their own ways and never speak about whatever that may happen during the plan. Good, plain, and simple. That is until, Yoongi uncharacteristically oh so enthusiastically agrees to Y/N’s offer, leaving her thinking that she may have bitten something too much more than she can chew.

Characters: Yoongi x Female Reader

AU/ Trope: Office AU (Creatives manager!yoongi x PA!reader), enemies to lovers, fake dating

Genre: fluff, angst, comedy (the triple t(h)reat)

Wordcount: 11, 798

Warnings: Lots of curses from two emotionally-constipated characters (PG-15 Rating)

A/N | This fic is in part with FWL’s Valentine’s project, The Luv Library: Romance. I had this premise about a Valentine’s holiday for a while and finally, I got to use it for this fic.

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Ten seconds are enough to look at Min Yoongi. Two seconds to look at his unkempt, unprofessional, and stupid fringes that nonsensically cover his already small eyes. Three to look at his stupid, smug smile. Another two for his overly-confident stance—leaned forward in his chair, elbows on the table, hands clasping together—as if he’s better and of higher power than anyone else around the room when he’s just a measly representative of the day for the Creatives Team. And the last three seconds—they are enough to look at his mocking eyes, his jeering gaze, and the arrogant quirk of his brow.

This is the same look he gave to Y/N when he got promoted ahead of her. This is the same look he flashed to Y/N when he berated every word choice in her reports. And, this is the same look in his face when he ruined her presentation which could have been her ticket way out from this hellish job. Smug, arrogant, and proud, Min Yoongi is set to ruin Y/N’s life. And all Y/N could do now is glare at him and hope her eyes could set him on fire so it will be easy for hell to swallow him up and—

“Y/N?”

Y/N whips her head to her right, “S-sorry?”

Nancy Kim clicks her tongue, “Why are you just standing there, glaring at the windows? I told you to distribute the copies among the room.”

“R-right,” Y/N gulps and rushes forward. She hands the copies of last month’s Travel Loca issues among the representative of each department. Gracie from the Marketing Team sneaks her a small smile, which Y/N returns. However, that smile falls into a frown when she reaches the devil himself.

“Good morning, Y/N,” Min Yoongi greets, chin rested on his palm. When Y/N doesn’t greet back, Yoongi takes it upon himself to wink at her. With a huff, Y/N slams down the copy on the table in front of him, enough for the glossy, firm cover page to hit his pile of notes and cause some pages to fly off the table.

“Thank you, Y/N,” Nancy calls out, sighing. She waves away at Y/N and the latter takes it as a cue to sit back on her chair. Nancy leans back in her huge black chair, “Okay, let’s get the ball rolling. Now tell me something I don’t know.”

Y/N seats herself on the chair by the corner of the room, behind Nancy’s chair, far from the round meeting table. Every team representative starts to report their progress last month and their suggestions for the next, next month’s issue. Meanwhile, Min Yoongi is still busy picking up his notes on the floor. When he’s gathered them back, now in a sloppy stack, he looks from his crouched position and flashes Y/N his middle finger. She flashes back a finger at him, grinning. Y/N looks down at her small pocket notebook.

“Y/N – 1. Yoongi – 0.”

So far, this morning is really good.

Y/N hates Min Yoongi, and this is beyond an understatement. She hates him so much that the word “hate” started to become insufficient to describe her tantamount distaste for that man. Y/N blames his last name for that. “Min” should not be how his last name spelled. It should be M-E-A-N because that man is beyond mean.

When Y/N first met Yoongi, she knew there’s something off with him. He stands so arrogantly, so prideful as if he deserved every bit of the floor space of Travel Loca’s Main Office when he just got hired because there’s no other job-seeker that has actually applied. Yoongi looks at other people as if he’s any much greater than them. Lazy eyes, far-off gaze, indifferent façade—he just looks at you as if he’s listening when he’s actually just hearing so he can make some witty comeback. And Yoongi talks like a dictator know-it-all. He corrects every word people say here and there, like “Y/N, are you sure it’s ‘demonstrate,’ not ‘visualize’? We can’t physically see something if there’s nothing to see,” or “Y/N, you shouldn’t say ‘Xerox.’ It should be ‘photocopy.’ Xerox is just a brand, our junior high teacher told us so,” as if every word anyone says but him, will always be wrong. Yoongi talks as if no one but him will always be right and that everything around him does not deserve a bit of his attention unless they prove their worth to him.

And it frustrates Y/N to no end that no one seems to see his real form but her. Because apparently, Yoongi is “amazing.” Yoongi knows a lot of foreign places, having traveled to Malta, New Zealand, Hawaii, and yaddah yaddah, making his first-hand knowledge essential to the Writing Department. Yoongi has a lot of expertise in various editing apps, and he’s willing to teach the tricks and nicks to it to anybody. Anybody but Y/N. Because behind closed doors, Y/N knows his true face: Min Yoongi is a thick-skinned, double-faced bitch. That even if his name is on the tip of the tongue of anyone around the office every single morning, his quick promotion as manager of the Creatives Team a never-ending topic starter, Y/N knew the real story. Because Min Yoongi started out as Nancy’s Personal Assistant…just like Y/N.

Nancy Kim is the best photojournalist in the history of travel magazines. God-tier even, because when Nancy is just an intern in The Traveler’s Foot, she wrote the best articles Y/N has ever read. It didn’t matter if they were about a cliché tourist spot that has been featured over and over again or something bizarre that could make anyone wonder someone in their right mind would actually go there. Nancy is the goddess of travel journaling and Y/N obsessively consumed every article she wrote during her entire senior high and college life. So, to be able to get accepted in a company Nancy built, as Nancy’s personal assistant, is a sweet as fuck dream come true. Y/N didn’t care if she has to go home by 12 A.M. or 1 A.M. as Nancy said PA’s always have to leave the office after their bosses left. Nancy just shows the dedication to work one must have. Y/N didn’t find it tiresome when Nancy has to send her back-and-forth for errands both for work and personal life. She’s learning how to be resourceful while being good at time-management all at the same time. She’s learned a lot from Nancy. So, seeing Min Yoongi be so lax at work after getting hired frayed Y/N’s nerves to no end.

Yoongi doesn’t keep a tab on Nancy’s schedules just like Y/N does. He says there’s no reason for such rush to keep every event on track because Nancy will just cancel or push forward them anyway. It’s true, Nancy does sometimes mess up the week calendar Y/N arranged for her, but still, not tabbing anything on your work diary is still an evident proof Yoongi slacks of. He even takes a nap in between work hours for God’s sake. Yoongi also likes to talk behind Nancy’s back: of how inconveniencing, overbearing, and unnecessarily over-the line abuser she is as a boss. He tells this to Y/N day in and day out. Yoongi even mocked Y/N’s work ethic as a “willing subservience to work slavery.” He mercilessly reduced her dedication to work as blind obedience to an authority for the sake of monthly paychecks instead of hard, honest efforts to learn the essential skills in travel journalism.

And, it’s not a miracle no one finds out about this. Because when Yoongi is indeed caught, he finds one loophole in his and Y/N’s dynamic as co-PA’s for Nancy and implicitly, oh so subtly, turns it around against Y/N. Y/N remembers one time when Nancy berated them two for not inserting her friend Rosa’s son’s first birthday party into the 6 PM slot of one Monday in March. After her long sermon, Yoongi apologized for not encoding it into Nancy’s Schedule Work Sheet. Y/N handles Nancy’s Schedule Work Sheet, not Yoongi. Nancy knows this. So, after her 9-12 shift that same Tuesday, Nancy reminded Y/N of her replaceability in Travel Loca during one of the most tension-filled elevator rides in her life. She went home to her flatmate, Mina, in tears which did not permit her to get an ounce of sleep. Y/N turns up the next day at work, red eyes and red nose close to make Rudolph the reindeer run for his title, only to know from the call logs that Yoongi did not receive Rosa’s call because he was sleeping when Y/N outright told him to take over the phone because she needed a bathroom break.

Min Yoongi is mean and Y/N has seen the last straw of her respectful tolerance to people ticked off by this insufferable man one cursed Thursday night of September.

Thursdays are horrible. It is always assured to be the worst day Y/N will have in a week. Either an investor will change their mind about a deal with Travel Loca, or Nancy will lash out at her because of stress from stupid shenanigans of her rebellious teenage daughter—Thursdays always have it out for Y/N. Y/N can already tell this so when Nancy called for her at 10:30 P.M. to give her a run-down of her schedule for the weekends and the upcoming week. It is already an established routine that Nancy will have Y/N over to her office to give a schedule report at any time of the day. It’s just happened this day that Yoongi took a leave and Y/N shouldered every task to be done, easily wearing her out in the afternoon.

Y/N is close to crying right now because of exhaustion and it does not help that Nancy is wearing a sour face. She does not even look up at Y/N from her laptop when she said, “Tell me this week’s schedule.”

Y/N pulls up her notebook and traces her pen over her notes, “Tomorrow you have an 11 AM meeting with investors from VanTae Apparels. At 1 PM you will have an online meeting with our overseas partners, JM Restaurant Group. We also have to submit the Kim Yuna special feature by 2 PM and at 3 we have the Travel with RM to interview. And–”

“Push the Travel with RM to 2. We’re holding the Yuna feature ‘til next week because Jennie is writing as if she’s still in college.” Nancy presses a hand over her forehead and huffs, “The Writing Department has been consecutively disappointing me with boring, generic articles. Are fresh pieces non-existent nowadays?!”

Y/N looks up, eyes wide, hands sweaty.

Nancy turns back to her laptop, “What else is on my sched?”

“Um, O-on Saturday 4 PM, you are invited to your friend’s, Rica’s baby shower, and for 5, you are invited to Jungsoo’s son’s 1st birthday party. Then Sunday 2 PM is Hana’s sister’s daughter’s 1st birthday party. You are also invited to Nick and Ken’s wedding on Friday and–”

Nancy clicks her tongue, “Cancel them all. I have no time for these parties and meaningless chit-chats that always have these housewives bragging how great their husbands are or their children’s stupid what-nots.”

Y/N nods and slashes through her notes, “Okay.”

“So send them my apologies and give them a $300 gift instead.

“Okay, ma’am.”

Nancy turns her swivel chair to face her, “Did you get my daughter the unpublished sequel of The Swallowing?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Y/N smiles, recalling her last week’s adventure and success. Maybe Nancy’s mood will lighten up if she knew how she accomplished such an impossible task. “I got to grab a copy after weeks of talking with R. Lewis’ manager. Luckily, R. Lewis caught wind that it’s for your daughter. So he agreed to give me the copy. I actually have it right now, let me go back to my table –”

“You don’t have to. Suzie changed her mind. She doesn’t like The Swallowing anymore. Return the copy and get her the unpublished sequel instead of Bird and Foe.”

Y/N’s jaw nearly falls as she stammers, “S-sure, no problem.” Deep inside, Y/N cannot help but think to herself, “Yes, Nancy may be fickle-minded and forgetful of differences in company protocols that intervene with such transactions, but she cannot just disregard my hard work! All the money in my train tickets and brain cells have gone all in the drain for nothing—Okay, calm down, Y/N, this is Nancy. Nancy can help you to write the best articles in no time. This is just training for the real deal—

“Y/N, did you hear me?”

“S-sorry, what?”

“I said, where’s the USB I told you to get from my laptop at our home? I need the files for the JM Restaurant Group.”

Oh shit. The USB. Y/N told Yoongi to get it since he lived nearer to Nancy’s residence in West Street than her. And since, Yoongi’s on leave, the USB is—!

“And first thing in the morning, I want you to go to the Writing Department to get some fresh stories. I do not want to personally see them or else I will be able to fire one whole department in a day.”

At this, Y/N fiddles with her fingers. “Umm, I think I have a story.”

Nancy quirks her brow.

Y/N wrings her hands behind her back. “I-it’s not yet polished and I still have more to cover on–”

“So, you’re already telling me it’s bad before you even pitch a formal proposal –”

Y/N’s eyes widen and she rushes to Nancy. “No! I-it’s about the Write and Backpack Trip Club. The-they’re a club of unpublished writers, usually late 30s, who met on Facebook and decide to travel together to the countries or places their stories are supposed to take place.” Nancy tilts her head and Y/N picks up her tone. Her hands start to quiver with her voice as she says, “People think—people think it’s hopeless. Like, like, they’re wasting their lives on something so trivial instead of focusing on their jobs. But this club gave them a purpose to still reach for their dreams even when people tell them it’s already too late. And I just,” Y/N wipes a stray tear on her cheek–which she doesn’t know if it’s because of her attachment to the club, Nancy’s new orders, or her frustration at Yoongi for leaving all their responsibilities on her–but she sucks them up and breathes out, “I find it really inspiring to have the courage to seek out your purpose when everything in the world is against you.”

Nancy stares at her, brows furrowed. Another drop of tear falls from Y/N’s eyes. Nancy fixes her eyes back on her laptop. “The USB, Y/N, I need it now. A.S.A.P., capiche.”

Wiping her cheeks again, Y/N nods, “Ye-yeah, capiche.”

Y/N could not remember any time she’s rushed out the office as fast as now. Yoongi’s cell is out of reach and nothing is present in Y/N’s mind but to just run out of the building. She needs to clear her mind. She has to think of a solution. She can’t go back to Nancy empty-handed. Nancy’s already unimpressed of her sloppy work for this day, much more at her uncalled emotional breakdown in her office. She will definitely get fired for sure this time.

The cold dry wind hits Y/N’s face the moment she pushes past the large glass doors of the Rockfort Building. The night sky has blackened into dark indigo and the establishments that dot the neighboring grounds of the building have blurred into monotonous dim shops. With just their solar lights left on, the rest of the complex looked like a washed-out commercial center. The only thing that stands out has to be the small mango tree just a meter away from her—the center-piece and quite the only humanizing element of the harsh Rockfort Complex.

Okay, this is great. Y/N always tend to get the best ideas and solutions when she’s standing near this tree. She proved this twice. First, when Nancy demanded her to re-do all their presentations for VanTae Apparel. Y/N managed to slay it by getting inspired by the mangoes and editing the templates to look like nature’s rendition of Van Gogh’s starry night, which happened to be the favorite painting of VanTae’s CEO. And second, when Yoongi messed up Y/N’s schedules for Nancy’s personal events by misnaming each invitation, this mango tree provided her peace to quickly fix everything up before Nancy gets to the office.

Put your thinking cap on, Y/N. What should you do? Should you rush to Nancy’s house now? Oh no, maybe Yoongi already got the USB. Should you go then to Yoongi’s house? Shit, I don’t know his house address—

“Here’s $25, sir. Thank you!”

Y/N freezes. It can’t be.

Y/N turns to her right only for her eyes to land on a man with a familiar jet black mop of hair, standing about two meters before her, talking with a blue-vested delivery man.

No. No. No. NO. Min Yoongi cannot just swoop out of nowhere and sound so chirpy like that while I have to stress over a problem that I DID NOT create. I cannot get fired in a company I’ve spent my life on for two years just because of this man’s unreasonable incompetence!

Fueled by the purest form of aggravation, Y/N stomps ahead and brushes Yoongi’s shoulder, making him turn back to her.

“Oh, hi, Y/N.”

“‘Hi?!’ ‘Hi,’ yourself, Min Yoongi!—"

“Oh my God,” Yoongi rolls his eyes, “she’s Adolf Hitler again.”

“Adolf Hitler?!” Y/N scoffs, “Say it for yourself, Min! You’re Hitler because you’re twisted enough to ruin my career because doing shit in yours is not enough. Where’s Nancy’s USB?!”

“If you’re going to talk about work again, I gotta leave. If you didn’t know, a ‘leave’ is a leave.” He emphasizes the last syllable as he starts to walk toward the street.

Letting common sense knock into her, Y/N momentarily disregards her pride and runs after him. When he rounds the corner of a clothing boutique, she slips by his side and places herself in the middle of the sidewalk, blocking him.

Unlike his usual work attire, Yoongi is clad in a black hoodie and denim ripped jeans, an ensemble that remarkably turned to look horrible in 0.5 seconds just because he’s wearing it. Y/N deduces it’s just Yoongi ruining fashion because he 24/7 looks like an asshole.

“What, are you just gonna stare at me?”

Yoongi’s voice brings Y/N back to her purpose. “No, I’m here to tell you, you forgot to do your job—Nancy wants her USB for JM Restaurant Group right now.”

“Well, I don’t have it, sweetheart. Work hours are already over so practically, I’m in no responsibility to do whatever the fuck Nancy wants,” the man quips back, smiling.

Y/N cannot help but snap. “Why are you even here in Rockfort, then? You didn’t turn up for work and now you’re just casually strolling in front of our building. You didn’t take home at least a quarter of our tasks and dumped everything on my shoulders like an irresponsible, signature free-loader high school groupmate. And now you think it’s okay to tell me ‘sorry, I don’t have the USB’ when I told you yesterday to bring it today?! I cannot believe what an asshole you can be, Yoongi.”

Yoongi raises a hand. “Okay, chill, tiger. To answer your question, I am here because my friends and I hung out at a bar near here. Not that you will understand, of course, considering your whole life revolves around work, work, and work. Ooh, and Nancy,” Yoongi grins. “How can I forget you idolize Nancy? Actually no, you worship her.”

Y/N’s face falls into an indignant scowl, “I do NOT worship Nancy! I respect her. Which you also should do because she employed you, not the other way around. Also, I have friends! Mina is my friend!”

“Correction, Mina is your only friend at work. And she happened to be your flatmate and college buddy first before you both had luck to also be co-workers. So no, your friendship with Mina is out of the equation.”

Y/N opens her mouth to tell him Mina cannot be out of the equation when Yoongi beats her, “And second, how could I be a free-loader? A leave is a leave. Our job description did not say we should also take work home. You are the only one who does that because you’re paranoid. So don’t impose your so-called work ethic, that is actually masked obsession, to me because I am a mentally healthy person. I don’t want to have a stick in my ass like you do.”

Y/N steps closer to Yoongi, making the latter cock a brow at her. “I’m not paranoid, Min. It’s you who is the problem. You don’t take this job seriously. You don’t take on responsibilities like a mature adult. You think you’re so great just because no one told you you suck at something when you were a kid. Well, let me tell you now. You suck at plain human decency, something that should be innate in every people. You’re so high up your ass you think you can just do anything and get away with it and you–”

“If you’re just going to insult me, can you do that tomorrow? My food is getting cold.”

Oh no. Nancy’s USB. Y/N closes her eyes and releases a long sigh. She thinks her eyes already did a 360 by the time she managed to fix her composure. She looks up at the man in front of her, currently giving her an amused look. Y/N’s voice cracks as she says, “Yoongi…This is the only time I will ask a favor from you. Please help me with Nancy’s USB. I just want to end this night and go home peacefully without her chewing my head off further more. So please, please, please, can you just help me for once?”

“Hmm,” Yoongi scratches his chin, “let me think about it first.”

“Yoongi, please!”

“Okay, fine,” Yoongi grimaces, “considering you practically begged to me for dear life, I, as a human with pure soul will help you out despite all the shits you said to me—”

“Just help me out!”

Yoongi slaps your reaching hands, “Stop, I’m not yet done with my speech. Anyway, considering this as a favor, not a request, I expect a return of favor, too.”

“Sure, fine, anything!”

“Okay, I think I may or may not have slipped in Nancy’s USB in my bag,” Yoongi breathes out as he reaches for his black satchel. “Oh yeah, I totally have it,” he says, flashing the orange 32 GB USB in front of you.

What the fuck. All this time-!

“Why didn’t you tell me you already have the USB?!”

Yoongi nearly guffaws, “Didn’t I tell you a “leave” is a leave? Wait, oh my god, you should see yourself, sweetheart. You’re about to pop a vein.”

“Min Yoongi, I fucking hate you!” Y/N snatches the USB from Yoongi’s hand and stomps back to the direction of the Rockfort Building. The man doesn’t seem to go on his own way though because Y/N hears him holler “Same sentiment too, Y/N!”

Y/N doesn’t turn back. She just raises a middle finger up that she’s sure Yoongi will not miss. And he did not, for the man’s faint chuckles only continued.

The travel back up to the 12th floor seems like the longest elevator ride Y/N has ever been on. Every additional second into the constricted metal box feels like a one-second deduction from her own lifetime. So when the elevator doors open to Travel Loca’s floor, the air is immediately knocked off Y/N lungs. But not because of relief. Nancy stands in front of her, bags in hand, and obviously upset.

Y/N quickly steps out of the lift. “Nancy, here! The USB!”

“You took too long. Just e-mail them to me. I have to cram-reading them in the morning anyway because a certain someone forgot to do their job.” Nancy brushes by her shoulder and steps into the elevator. “You know, Y/N, if I’m paying you to make my life easier for me and instead, you’re making it harder, your position in this company is useless.” Nancy presses the button for the parking lot. The doors close in front of Y/N, letting her see the disappointment on Nancy’s face for the last second of the night.

Y/N goes home twenty minutes later, worn out, and ready to sleep the second she reaches her floor. But when she opens the door, Mina’s smiling face greets her, and she immediately rushes to the sofa next to her bestfriend.

“Mina, oh my god, I have so much to tell you.”

“Me, too!” Mina giggles, wrapping her arms around Y/N’s arms, “Can I go first though?”

“Yeah, yeah, sure,” Y/N smiles, fixing her seat.

“Well, remember last week when I told you I finally confessed to Mark?”

“Mark, as in, the café barista Mark Tuan?”

Mina jokingly hits Y/N’s arm, “Yes, what Mark would I be talking about?”

“Sorry, you know how I get so spaced out when I’m tired and groggy. Anyway, what happened?”

“Well, Mark finally said yes!” Mina bursts into a wide grin, arms outstretched in joy. “I finally get to date Mark!”

“Oh my god, I’m so happy for you, Nana,” Y/N engulfs Mina into an embrace, “I can’t believe you’re finally in a relationship! I mean, who would not want to date you? You’re smart, pretty, and funny. The boys have missed out on you for seven long years. And now, there’s finally someone who has eyes and can see what a gem you are. And damn right, Mark would see that. It’s not every day he can have a gorgeous girl court him for six months after getting rejected twice.”

“Oh my god, stop bringing that up!” Mina playfully slaps her back and Y/N chortles.

“Okay, okay, I’m just joking. What I really mean is: Mark is a lucky guy. I’m glad he finally realized what an idiot he will be if he rejects you again for the third time when you’ve been with him through all his problems. He won’t find another beautiful girl willing to ride his motorcycle with him in a huge-ass dress just to help him deliver orders in time. You’re the total package Mina and I’m so happy Mark has realized it.”

“Oh, Y/N, you’re making me blush,” Mina laughs. She sways the both of them in their hug, “Mark has an impossibly high standard to meet now because of you.”

“Mark doesn’t have to meet any standards,” Y/N snickers, “You already drool at his face the moment we enter The Daily Bean.”

Mina detaches herself from Y/N and dramatically places a hand over her chest. “How can you remember that so well and not who Mark is?”

Y/N shrugs, “Because I’m not staring at Mark and eye-fucking him 24/7.”

“Oh my god, I do not!” Mina giggles, making you laugh again as she hugs you tight once more. Mina’s fingers card through your hair as she murmurs “But you do know, Y/N, even if I’m in a relationship now, I’m not gonna leave you alone. Even if Mark will start to occupy the top priority in my life, it doesn’t mean you will lose your spot in the top-pest part of my list. You know you’re still and will forever be my number one, right?” Y/N hums at that, closing her eyes from the head massage Mina is currently giving her. She feels Mina nod, “Right, you should because you’re practically my baby.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are! Who would wash the red stain on your pants and underpants in the girl’s CR while you prance around the cubicle only in a top because you bled through your bottoms during your period, much more, on our Christmas Party, other than me?”

Y/N grimaces, “Oh god, you didn’t have to bring that up.”

“You hit right through me when you said I eye-fuck Mark so yeah, eye for an eye, bitch,” Mina cackles as she finally unlatches her arms around her friend. “Anyway, I’m finished with my story of the day. Your turn. What happened tonight?”

Y/N bites her lip, unconsciously easing an inch between her and her bestfriend. Mina is in a good mood today. Y/N doesn’t want to ruin it by ranting off about how horrible Yoongi is again. She knows Mina. She will listen to her rant about another bullshit done by her co-PA and she will also indulge in an insult-fest against the man. That’s just their dynamic: Y/N’s enemy is Mina’s enemy and vice versa. So as Y/N looks at Mina’s smile which doesn’t do much covering up her dark eyes, which have grown from staying up late to wait for her to come home for multiple nights on end, Y/N decides it’s enough negativity for the day.

“It’s nothing, Mina,” Y/N shakes her head, forcing a smile on her face, “just another tiring day from work.”

Mina tilts her head, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Y/N flashes her another smile as she heads for her room, “I’m totally fine. Just tired. Congratulations to you and Mark again.”

“Yeah, thank you,” Mina replies, but the look on her face tells Y/N she’s unconvinced of what she said. Seemingly aware that her friend needed space, Mina turns back the TV. Before Y/N closes her door, she hears Mina chuckle to a punch-line in the airing sitcom.

Y/N flops on her bed face down. If Yoongi didn’t put much of a fight and just handed her Nancy’s USB when he knew he already had it, then maybe this night won’t be so horrible. Y/N would have given Nancy her USB in time, and her boss could have acknowledged it as a peace offering to her unremarkable work performance that day. Y/N would have totally rejoiced with Mina with her full heart into it and not force a smile on her face when such an announcement deserves much more celebration.

Y/N releases a stifled scream into her pillow. Thursdays are really the worst and it’s all Min Yoongi’s fault.

However, what Y/N didn’t expect is that the following week will get much worse. The Writing Department is late in their deadline, causing the online publication of the September issue to be pushed in the first week of October, a big deal late to the releases of their magazine competitors. Thus, Nancy became more pissy and naggy, giving Y/N a cold shoulder for the longest streak in her work life. Nancy became more frigid when Y/N failed to get Nancy the copy of the unpublished sequel of Bird and Foe. Y/N tried her best, she really did. It’s just that the publishers of Russell Park refused to give another copy because they said they cannot give out two unpublished copies at the same time. Of course, this turned out as a lazy excuse to Nancy, making her dump additional workload on Y/N’s already staggering pile. But that was not what made Y/N’s last week of September the worst week she’s ever had. It was Min Yoongi getting promoted as a staff member to the Creatives Team after giving Nancy the unpublished Bird and Foe sequel.

Ringing phones, staff members running to- and fro- the beige faux wood office floor, and the occasional requests for coffee from the break room–Travel Loca is buzzing with life as usual. But not for long though, because the clock hands are currently on 12:49 P.M. At 12:57, it seems everyone on the floor have gone silent. Almost everyone taps their foot against the floor. All eyes were set on the digital wall clock. Some have even glanced on their own wristwatches to check if the wall clock was right. The hands start to move. Everyone gulps.

The hands hit one o’clock. Everyone scrambles off their swivel chairs. Some have bee-lined for the break room. Meanwhile, a huge mass had created a bottle-neck of office workers at Travel Loca’s main door. No one is left on the staff chairs, except for one: Mina Young.

The accountant slides her swivel chair to the left. Her hands meander through her large file cases and when she feels a cold, ribbed metal surface on her index, she smiles. Mina pushes the on-button and immediately, the then-silent office space has now become a replica of her own flat.

“Good morning everyone! Today seems an extra sweet day than yesterday because you know what? I can smell and see the sweet aroma of those dark, chewy chocolates and those pretty pink balloons surrounding our streets. That’s right folks, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Which also means–drumroll for me, Alexa–Holidays are about to sweep in! It’s just three weeks to go, folks, note that! So, for our dear, sweet listeners, I hope you already got your hotels booked and your plane tickets ready so you can finally have that amazing buffet, relaxing spa, or a fun tour around places you’ve never been with your very lovable significant others! I’m sure all of you will have that wonderful, exciting, and pleasurable rendezvous away from school, work, and any responsibilities. Just make sure to channel in on our station if you want the best playlist to get you in the mood for some steamy, passionate, and intimate time–”

“Mina, will you turn off that radio?”

The short-haired brunette frowns at her friend, whose also frowning at her. Mina pushes up her glasses on her nose, “Why? You know I always listen to this station during break time. Plus, Nancy is not here.”

“Still, it doesn’t excuse how irritating that DJ sounds.” Y/N rolls her eyes as she plops herself on another swivel chair. “His voice sounds like there are two styrofoams gyrating each other in a sweaty club.”

Mina’s jaw drops as she turns off her portable mini-radio on her desk. She faces Y/N with a frown this time—actually a scowl now. “Kim Seokjin’s voice is like creamy velvet to the ears! Also,” she scrunches her nose in disgust, “you did not just sexualize non-living objects so casually as if you’re not aware that the mental image you’re painting is so disturbing.”

“First off,” Y/N turns to her, swivel chair squeaking in her abrupt movement, “you’re already seeing Mark Tuan for you to have any weird fantasies about Kim Seokjin and his voice or how cute his laugh is when it literally sounds like he’s an old man dying on a choked-out old joke. And second, sexualizing objects is not illegal by law and even if it so, I did NOT sexualize them. They are just the perfect representation of how Seokjin’s voice sounds.”

Mina purses her lips and props her elbow on her desk to cup her face. “Cut to the point, Y/N. Just tell me what is with you today. You barged in furious in here for no reason, threw a fit at the break room, and now you’re ruining lunch by insulting Seokjin for something so trivial.”

“Trivial?! His voice is fucking irritating! Just because he’s handsome does not mean his voice will also sound good on the radio. It’s like listening to a whale dying while making mating calls–”

“The point, Y/N?” Mina cuts you with an unamused look.

You deflate in your seat. “Fine, it’s Min Yoongi. He made it a point that he is more intelligent and capable than me in our 10 AM meeting with Nancy for this month’s spread. Said he knows more about weird facts and trivia about Sweden because I never got to travel outside this fucking country when I damn well know he only uses some advanced search engine to look for info like the computer whiz that he is! I went so many times on his Facebook to know he posts nothing in his wall but his work achievements—and his dog! Of course, if you went outside the country, you will post pictures in your wall, ‘cus social media sites are just platforms masked as an outlet for free expression when we damn well know it’s just a place where you can brag and be not called out for being arrogant. And damn hell, Min Yoongi does not have any out-of-the-country pictures posted there. What only comes close is his picture of that gumbo he said he made—yeah, quotation marks—because it looks too good to be made by his ugly crooked hands and even if it’s got this aesthetic background not expected to come from this fucking country, I still think he just photoshopped it.” Y/N crosses her arms, “Bet that gumbo did not even taste good.”

Mina scrunches her forehead, “Are you the only flawed person Min Yoongi sees? Why does he always have to nitpick every single bit of your work? He just criticized your last week’s report because of your ‘poor articulation.’”

“Right?!” Y/N leans back on her chair. She groans, “I still remember how he sabotaged my files for Nancy’s professional and personal events. Who in their right mind would change the contact names to mythical creatures? Rica’s 2nd baby shower was named ‘Merlin’s Demon Baby’s Party?’ It’s a baby event for God’s sake!” Y/N looks at her friend, “I swear Mina, one day I will get a brain hemorrhage because of Yoongi’s shits.”

Mina winces, “Please don’t. I don’t want to be the one to tell your mother you already died before you even managed to pay your housing loans.”

“Hey! Don’t attack me like that,” Y/N slaps the back of her friend’s chair. Mina, choking on her spit first, erupts into a fit of giggles.

Unfortunately, it seems lunch’s fun will be cut short as Y/N hears Nancy’s megaphone’s speaker start up, “Calling for Y/N to come into my office. A.S.A.P!”

Y/N scrambles from her seat as Mina sees her off with a sad wave. Pushing through Nancy’s glass door, Y/N could see the lines of ridges forming on Nancy’s forehead before the latter can even eye her.

“Y-yes, Ma’am? You called for me?”

Nancy pins her a look, “You’re asking me if I called you? Are you deaf? Did you not understand what I said?”

“Yes!—I-I mean on the understanding part, yes, not about being deaf or something hehe-“

“Y/N,” Nancy clasps her hands on her table, “I called you here because I have something important to tell you.”

Y/N nears her table, pulling up her notebook and pen.

“I need you to work in the Creatives Department for the next two weeks.”

Y/N’s fingers freeze. She looks up at Nancy with eyes as wide as a goldfish. And before she can brain-filter out her words, they’ve already escaped her mouth. “What do you mean I have to be in the Creatives next week? I’m your personal assistant, not Min Yoongi’s!”

“Y/N, I didn’t say you will work for Yoongi. He’s not the head of the Creatives. Steven Spielberg is,” Nancy gives the girl an unamused look, waving her off from her desk. Y/N bites her lip as she takes two steps backward. She didn’t know she’s rushed up too close to Nancy’s table just at the prospect of Yoongi and her working together came from her boss’ lips.

Nancy leans back on her chair, “I know you two have this petty children-in-the-playground fights ever since the start of October last year. I get that your differences are too great to be bridged anytime soon, thus the reason why I grew tired telling you to stop doing your cat and dog thing because I know you two wouldn’t listen anyway. You two just like to bang heads whenever you like—”

“But, it’s Yoongi’s fault-”

Nancy raises a finger, “But, Y/N, this is really important. I will be out-of-the-country for the next three weeks for both some business and family matters. Hence, why I cannot bring you with me as usual. And why I will need you to work under Steven for the meantime: to report to me about any of their progress. The Creatives’ current designs will have us late into this month’s deadline and I do not want this business going down anytime soon because of a weak holiday cover. So, as my PA, you will report everything about their progress to me, and you will report my feedback to them. At the same time, you will tame your childish fights with Yoongi to a minimum so Travel Loca will function as well as it can be while I’m not physically here. Understand?”

Y/N nods, “understand, Ma’am.” She doesn’t have a choice even if she wanted to object. Whatever Nancy dictated is already set in stone.

“Also,” Nancy looks at Y/N, “since I will be off the next three weeks, my schedules for the weeks in my absence will be pushed and packed on the following week. So, I expect you to still work on your station—and work even harder after I came back. Understand?”

More workload? Y/N internally groans. She doesn’t like work getting reduced early into the week then doubling into hell in the latter part of the month. She likes them evened out—everything is balanced, familiar, and predictable. Nevertheless, Y/N only nods, “yes.” “No” doesn’t exist in Nancy’s dictionary.

Nancy returns to her laptop and waves her off, “Okay. Then, capiche.”

“Yes, ma’am, capiche,” Y/N makes a quick bow and scampers out of her boss’ office.

When Y/N reaches her station, she sinks herself into the cushion of her seat. First, Min Yoongi belittles her researching ability in the morning meeting. Then now, she will work with him for the majority of three weeks. After that, another hell will start because of Nancy’s incoming packed schedules.

Y/N’s eyes land on her laptop and she immediately sees her calendar. January 16, 2020. Thursday. Y/N releases an inhumane groan. Of course, the goddamn Thursday curse. When will she ever live?

“When will I ever die?” Y/N sobs into Mina’s shirt. Her friend keeps her arms around her tight as she cards through her hair.

“Hey, don’t think so negative,” Mina coos, “Think of this as an opportunity to finally have Nancy off your back.”

“Yeah, as if working with Min Yoongi is better than that. He already ruins my life when we only physically encounter each other in meetings and breaks and lunches. Imagine working with him for a whole fucking day!”

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I take that back,” Mina hugs her friend tighter.

Y/N continues, “And after enduring all that, my workload will quadruple when Nancy comes back after three weeks! I already experienced this during her daughter’s debut last year. When Nancy said a pile of work will come, it fucking means four metal file cases of work. I spent the last two weeks of August plunging myself into an abyss of papers. I did not sleep for two weeks straight! And now— I will have three weeks-worth of hell work to come after spending three weeks working with the personification of Satan. Can the world just eat me up?!”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait,” Mina pulls away to hold her bestfriend at arms-length, “What did you say will happen in three weeks?”

Y/N closes her eyes, “Another hell will come because a shit-pile of work is coming in three weeks! Mina, I’ve been telling you this since morning-”

“Y/N, after three weeks, it’s Valentine’s Day.”

Y/N’s eyes immediately shoot open, “What?”

“Look,” Mina clicks on her phone and flashes Y/N her calendar app. “Today’s January 17. Exactly after three weeks is the Valentine’s week.”

Y/N’s jaw drops ajar, “Oh my god.”

“Yes, Y/N, oh my God. It’s the fucking Heart Holiday.”

“…The country’s long-time problem with their low birth rate has driven the government to build another department that will help its citizens build, manage, and maintain healthy relationships. The Department of Relationship Management was established in 2015, and ever since then, there have been impressive developments in our country’s birth rate. One of the best programs of DRM behind this wonderful growth is the Heart Holiday, the holiday held in the week of Valentine’s Day. It grants any person employed in a private sector one week of paid holiday vacation leave as long as they are currently in a relationship. Meanwhile, education establishments and students are given one week off their academic calendars without regard to their relationship status. Isn’t that sweet? The only downside to that, folks, is that government employees can only have two days of paid holiday leave on the 14th and 15th. But, still, a holiday is still a holiday! So for our lovely listeners, start planning your vacation trips and hangouts! Especially when Cloud 10 Airlines is there to make your holiday week even sweeter with their 70% discount on local trips! Just contact 675-9859 and 568-987—”

“Mina, can you turn off the radio?!”

“Again?!” Mina heaves, “What’s with your aggravation streak these days against Kim Seokjin’s voice?”

“It rattles me,” Y/N half-screams, plopping into the swivel chair next to her friend’s cubicle. “Yesterday, he already announced that goddamn timeline of the DRM and ‘all hailed’ importance of the Heart Holiday. Why does he have to repeat it again today? In that overly-enthusiastic voice, too, as if he’s never read of that script again and again?!”

“Y/N, it’s how broadcasting works. It’s one of the most awaited holidays in the year, so of course, they will nab as many advertisement deals as they can.”

“Well, I don’t like how they work!”

“You cannot just tell a radio company to stop working,” Mina turns in her chair to face her friend, “Also, stop venting your frustration on Seokjin. He doesn’t even know you hate his voice. Routinely doing this noise pollution doesn’t do anything at all. Just tell me what made you upset today.”

“It’s Yoongi!” Y/N scowls. “He won’t explain to me the technical editing terms on Steven’s report for Nancy! He said a five grader can even know what they are. I went through fifth grade, Mina, and I did not freaking know about any photoshop shit!”

“Well, that’s because you’re old.”

Mina looks up and sees Yoongi hovering her cubicle.

Y/N’s scowl deepens, as she turns her chair to the direction of the intruder. “As if you’re any much younger. From what I know, you’re four years older than me, dumbass.”

“Well, at least I know what Steven is talking about,” Yoongi props his chin on Mina’s cubicle.

Y/n rolls her eyes, “Because it’s your freaking line of work! Of course, you’ll know about it!”

“Well, you’re now working most of the time in the Creatives Team and you don’t know it. What does that make you, then? I’ll give you a hint: It’s what you called me three seconds ago. Starts with the letter ‘d’ and ends with the letter ‘s.’”

“What? You think you’re so smart now just because you know that vector-mask-thingy?! News flash, Yoongi, you did not graduate with any Latin honor. I did! So, who’s the real dumbass?!”

“You damn well know Latin honors doesn’t actually have any effect on real life. Practical knowledge has—especially knowledge about terminologies used in digital designing. Which you need because you won’t be able to report anything to your god Nancy. Because, well: You. Don’t. Know. Anything. Like. Always.”

“Min Yoongi, fuck you–”

“Guys, guys, guys, can you stop?”

Y/N gives Yoongi another glare before fixing herself back in her seat. Mina puffs, “Yoongi, can you leave us alone for a while? We’re talking here and you just invited yourself in our conversation.”

Yoongi chides, “Well, tell your friend that if she wants to shit-talk a person just a meter away from her without the said person barging in the conversation, she should keep her voice on the down-low. Not screaming around like a crazy ape.”

Y/N’s jaw drops open, “What crazy ape?! You’re the crazy ape! You look like a fucking gorilla who accidentally get dwarfed by a tooth fairy and-”

“Min Yoongi, just leave us alone,” Mina gives the man a pointed look.

Yoongi shrugs and detaches himself from her cubicle. He heads back to their office but he doesn’t completely leave the room without giving Y/N a middle finger.

Y/N’s mouth drops open in disbelief. She turns to Mina. “See? Isn’t it obvious he just wants to make me the bad man to Nancy again? What kind of person are you to not cooperate with your co-worker like a goddamn adult? I don’t get why no one sees this bitch’s true face but you and me! I just want to freaking tear off his face, make him wipe it in his ass, then place it back on his head since he’s such a literal ass—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Mina clasps a hand over your shoulder, “don’t get too homicidal. What you just said, aside from disturbing, is very disgusting.”

Y/N slumps in her seat and crosses her arms.

Mina sighs. “Okay, yeah, I know, Min Yoongi is the worst. But I don’t want you to do anything stupid so let’s not talk about him for a while, ‘kay?” Y/N nods. Mina leans back in her seat with the nth sigh for the day. “Okay, I got some update from Jaehyun.”

Y/N leans forward. “What did he say?”

Mina gives you a sad smile, “He already has a fiancé.”

“So soon?” Y/N scoffs. “He was just courting me two months ago.”

“Yeah, well he’s getting married this week. Whatever,” Mina waves off, “I don’t like him for you anyway. He dresses like a college fuckboy.”

“Okay, what about Dahyun?”

“Already married.”

Y/N’s eyes widen, “and she didn’t tell us?”

“Yeah, I already nagged her on the phone. She said it all kinda happened too fast–her and Sana. And the marriage was in New York. We’re too broke for out-of-the-country trips to attend anyway if we were informed.” Mina smiles, “She said she’s gonna invite us to the Christening of their baby.”

“Okay, I’m glad she still cared about us. Oh,” Y/N pipes up, “what did Jackson say over the phone?”

Mina gives you a tight smile. “Getting married, too. And guess what, the invitations were already in our mail box when I went to get our bills.”

“Momo?”

“Engaged. She and Heechul just broke out the news a week ago.”

“Sam?”

“Married. And 4 months pregnant.”

“Jongdae?”

“Engaged. Also has a baby in way.”

“Hana?”

“Engaged.”

“Changmin?”

“Engaged.”

“Jaebum?

“Engaaaaaged.”

Y/N throws her hands in the air, “Why is everyone getting married?!”

“Well, we’re in our late 20s. It’s the “marrying age” they say. It got more enphasized when DRM’s programs had succeeded in encouraging hundreds of people to marry in the recent year. Even my mom already expects Mark to propose by next month. We’re just dating for 6 months!” Mina cringes. She pulls Y/N’s chair closer to her to hold her hands. “Y/N, I’m really sorry. It kinda slipped my mind that we always apply together for the Heart Holiday every year. It’s just that Mark and I—”

“Hey, hey, don’t blame yourself. You’ve been pining after Mark for about two years and now look at you—together, stable, and in-love half into the year! I don’t want you to fret having a relationship with the boy you liked for so long.”

“Yeah, Y/N, I know,” Mina closes her eyes. “It’s just sad and unfortunate everyone we know are already in relationships.”

“Yeah…” Y/N nods and the two fall into silence. Why is everyone conveniently in a relationship just in time with the Heart Holiday? What, the whole world suddenly knew the loophole in DRM’s program? Y/N and Mina studied that for a whole year! This is unfair. Y/N cannot be the only single person out there who’ll miserably work in the office while everyone gets to have the time of their lives—wait.

Y/N grabs Mina’s hands. “Hey, Nana, I know we said co-workers are off-limits because Nancy will definitely know it’s a ruse. She’ll block my application form before it can even have the seal from the HR. Especially when she found out our lesbian “relationship” was fake after you and Mark updated your civil statuses.” Mina winces and opens her mouth to apologize again but Y/N cuts her with a finger to her mouth. “Nancy will definitely call me a liar and grill my head if she finds out what we’re planning to do now. But look, Nancy’s out of the country. Teddy is the general supervisor and she’s the next in the hierarchy. We damn well know her 45-year-old heart is soft for some nicely-woven romantic story. Even more, in an office setting—the bane of every middle-aged woman’s sappy romantic heart. So, what do you say?”

Mina lets out an exasperated breath, “That crossed my mind, too, you know. But, Y/N, the thing is—the whole Accounting Department is in a relationship. And the same goes for the Writing, Marketing, Logistics, and HR. All of them are either in a relationship, married, or getting married.”

“What?” Y/N’s eyebrows curve up high, “How come I didn’t know this?”

“Uh, because you’re busy working for Nancy day-in and day-out? Also, I just happen to be friends with Jisoo from HR. She’s in charge of the company’s relationship records. Sometimes, she slips in everyone’s stories while we listen to WWL Radio during break time.”

Y/N bites her lip. This can’t be happening to her. Not now. Not when the most un-objectifiable reason for a break from Nancy is about to slip through her fingers like fine sand.

Mina scratches her nape, “I…may have someone in mind though.”

Y/N’s eyes look straight into Mina’s. “Tell me.”

“Well, the entire Creatives Department is either married or engaged save for one.”

Y/N holds Mina’s hands tighter. “Who?”

“Min, Yoongi.”

Y/N must be going crazy. She thinks she must be growing a nest of vultures in her brain now, the mother routinely picking on her numerous dead brain cells to feed to her young. It doesn’t help that the bags under her eyes have started to droop like a waterfall, forming a sad saddle of grey on her cheeks. She cannot even remember the last time she had a decent meal. All she remembers is the finger foods Mina hands to her station every once in a while.

The universe is being unfair to her and it is all taking a toll on her body. They weren’t kidding when they said adjusting to a new environment is an entire whole work in itself. The Creatives Team runs a completely different routine. Large monitors crammed with multiple editing softwares Y/N cannot understand surround the studio-size office space. There are drafted papers and previous issues scattered in every possible corner, some even gathering dust by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Y/N is not even sure if anyone has re-arranged their desks in the last few months. The Creatives’ work ethic is loosely bound on schedules and everyone seems to be doing everyone else’s job. Except for Y/N, because Steven is the only one willing to share their team’s progress to her. But that alone is not enough for her daily report to Nancy because Steven is always busy in his computer. More unfortunately, everyone is wary of her. Y/N’s sure she even saw Kim Myungsoo clutch their design folders closer to his chest when her eyes glanced at his cubicle.

Sure, Y/N expected everyone will have their guards up on her. Who wouldn’t be when they know Nancy still has eyes on them even if she’s countries away? But still, it doesn’t lessen the pain on Y/N’s self-esteem and the stress on her back. If Y/N can’t get someone to talk to her, she won’t be able to provide a more substantial report to Nancy more than just reading Steven’s printed reports verbatim.

Y/N is desperate to find a workmate to discuss everything happening in the Creatives with her, but unluckily for her, she only has someone she wishes to not even breathe the same air with. Of course, no one in the Creatives wants to talk to her except for Min Yoongi. He’s an insufferable ass who doesn’t know when to shut up. He welcomes Y/N every single day with an annoying “Yo, Y/N” and an unneeded commentary about her outfit, like how yesterday he told her “I know retro is in but I didn’t know grandma blouses are deemed stylish again.” He blabbers about his unnecessarily extensive general knowledge about every South Asian country, even if Y/N countlessly told him she didn’t care. He brags about the cover designs and templates he did in the previous issues, flipping the pages too close in Y/N’s face while he speaks about colors and mixing like Y/N is an imbecile about basic color combinations high school students used in their PowerPoint presentations. Yet despite them all, Yoongi still refuses to explain to her the jargon in Steven’s reports.

Y/N tried her best to keep herself from bursting and giving Yoongi an earful of sense. Yes, everyone knows she does not like Yoongi but Y/N doesn’t want them to know to what extent she can go to express them, afraid of embarrassing herself. But in her defense, three days into the first week without Nancy, Yoongi has gone as far as to chip a small bit off Y/N’s mug in the break room. The mug with the “creative juices” in cursive printed around its body—Mina’s gift from college. Y/N’s patience meter was blasted off the roof. It will be safe to tell that at the end of the day, Y/N has screamed the hell out of Yoongi that everyone can be sure the latter’s ears may have fallen out of his head. Steven was close to reporting to Teddy what just happened. It was just Y/N’s remaining luck that helped her successfully and implicitly begged Steven not to do so by telling him calling Yoongi “a mean, inconsiderate, self-absorbed jerk who should eat his shit because people are what they eat and he is obviously the biggest shit in her life,” is just her “unique” way of expressing co-worker appreciation to the man.

Aside from putting up with Yoongi’s Satanic attitude, Y/N has to endure Nancy’s intermittent calls with her forever pissed voice coming in first thing in the morning until in the late, ungodly hours. And despite Teddy’s patient guidance over Y/N’s “transition” to the Creatives Team, Y/N’s still close to digging a six-feet deep hole in her station. No, not because of Teddy or Nancy. It’s because she poured her remaining effort dedicated for work by spending the entire week going through every staff member of Travel Loca. Y/N thought Mina must have overlooked a face. That it’s possible Jisoo skipped on a detail she told to her friend. But despite learning Lee Minyoung from the Writing Department is going to call it quits to her boyfriend just after Valentine’s, or how Michael Park from Marketing is about to pop the ring to his girlfriend just right on Valentine’s Day, the looming fact Y/N dreads presents itself on January 24, two weeks before Valentine’s: No one else in the office is single but her…and Min Yoongi.

Of course, it didn’t surprise Y/N, Yoongi must be single. With that know-it-all façade and condescending tone wearing you out like a 24/7 walking instruction manual no one even asked for, who would even like to date him? One week with him as a co-worker alone already makes Y/N want to throw herself into the flaming hot pit of the nearest volcano.

But it’s only two more weeks before Valentine’s and Y/N is desperate and desperate times call for desperate measures. Y/N did a last-minute check-up on her and Mina’s lists of contacts—phone, social media, e-mails, everything under the sun—only to come up with nothing. Mina’s “marrying age” theory must be true because everyone, every single one, of their acquaintances are already married or getting married. Y/N then changed up her game. She started to opt for resources she never thought she will ever use in her life: dating apps. Tinder, Bumble, The League, Grindr—name it, Y/N had made every account for every conceivable dating site. She even spent the most of her break time this week hiding her phone beneath her desk and swiping right. But even this last considerable option proved to be pointless as all the replies she received are either honest “sorry, not interested,” rude “you’re no fun,” or out-right salacious “suck my dick.”

This then left Y/N no choice but to consider the most unspeakably horrendously unfortunate option she didn’t even want to have. Min Yoongi is her only choice left. And for that, Y/N spent two days making an elaborate plan. She can’t afford any loose threads or plan-holes that can further make her at the mercy of the infuriating jerk. However, even if she made everything as seamless as it can be, Y/N knows it will be the worst decision she’ll ever make in her life. Mina also expressed the same concern, even apologized for planting that small information about Yoongi in her friend’s mind. But even her friend’s day-by-day discouragement to push through with her plan is not enough to deter Y/N.

Because even if just thinking about the plan makes Y/N feel the world is about to crumble and swallow her down in its unending, fathomless depths; even if it makes her want to set up an appointment with an exorcist, Y/N knew she won’t back out. It’s not viruses or bacteria, it’s a seeded idea that is the most contagious living entity that can take hold of any human being. And the moment Y/N realized there’s no other ticket way out of her dilemma but Yoongi, she knew this thought will haunt her for nights on end.

This is the reason why Y/N’s currently standing by the corner of the Creatives’ office when it’s already 6:46 P.M. while almost everyone has left the office. Almost, because Yoongi, apart from her, is the only one left in the office as Steven requested him to finish a color palette by tonight. Y/N gulps a thick blob of saliva. Sweat runs thick on her forehead. God, if Mina could see what Y/N’s about to do, she will be already by her side, yelling for her to just give up. Y/N shakes her head. This is Mina’s fault anyway. If she didn’t plant the idea in her head, she wouldn’t have to do this. She wouldn’t be creeping behind a door like a disgusting stalker. She wouldn’t be profusely sweating in an air-conditioned room like a guilty murderer. She wouldn’t be-

“What the hell are you doing behind the door?”

Y/N shrieks and jumps a half-foot away from her spot.

“The hell—what’s gotten into you?!” Yoongi frowns, “And why are you even here?”

Y/N’s brows meet together in her forehead. But before she can speak, Yoongi’s snickers drown out the words in her throat.

“Wait, don’t tell me you’ve come as far as spying on my work. I didn’t know you’re going to be this petty,” Yoongi sighs and puts his hand on his waist, “Well, if you think going through my work laptop will get you to understand Steven’s report, I’m sorry to say you won’t get anything, little girl.”

Yes, it’s true. The words did die out in Y/N’s throat. It’s just flames of anger sweeping in the valleys of her mouth. Y/N surges forward, fists clenched tight, “‘Little girl’? I am not a fucking little girl!”

Yoongi grins, “Then what should I call someone who’s a foot smaller than me?”

“What fucking ‘foot’?! We’re just inches apart! Have you ever seen yourself in a mirror? You’re not even that tall!”

“Says the one who’s looking up at me just to level her eyes with mine,” Yoongi raises his brows, “and who’s now standing a little too close to me because apparently, standing a socially-decent foot away won’t enable her to see my face.”

Y/N’s eyes widen and she immediately takes a step back. She doesn’t get how easy it is for Yoongi to rile her up that she instantly forgets how to control her body. When she looks up at him, the man is smirking at her. Her mouth aches to tell him he actually looks stupid with that lopsided smile if he thought doing it will make him a tad bit inch sorry excuse of “sexy.” But then, Y/N remembers she has a purpose tonight. She didn’t just waste an hour waiting in the excruciating office space of the Creatives Team just to get nothing done.

Y/N closes her eyes and breathes out. When she opens them again, she looks at Yoongi in the eyes. “I’m not here to fight with you, Yoongi. I’m here to make an offer.”

Yoongi scoffs, “An offer? You? Are you hearing yourself right now? In case you weren’t informed, I don’t need anything from you. And I didn’t—”

“You’re single right?”

Yoongi gawks at her, “W-what?”

“Well, I’m single, too. And Valentine’s week is coming in two weeks.”

“So?”

Y/N tries not to grit her teeth, “So, that means the Heart Holiday is also coming. Nancy is bound to come back during that time, too, with an obvious incoming large workload to come for me. I can’t afford to hole myself up in this office while everyone gets to enjoy a paid holiday week. And since you have an affinity for disliking your job, I figured you also wouldn’t want to go to work during Valentine’s week.” Y/N crosses her arms, “So I’m here, Min Yoongi, to give you an offer: Fake date me for two weeks to make it to DRM’s PRS’ application deadline. When our application gets approved, we part ways and never speak about what happened in these two weeks. It’s a win-win situation. I don’t get to work during Valentine’s. You also don’t get to work, and we both will still get paid. So, what do you say?”

Yoongi just stares at her. Y/N could feel cold sweat running from her scalp and down to her back. Why is he looking at her like that? Why is he being so silent? Is he about to make fun of her and bring it up to work tomorrow? Oh God, Y/N shouldn’t have even gone through with this plan. This is a bad idea. A bad, bad, bad, idea that should have never been entertained and buried in a trunk of embarrassing memories, never to see the light again—

“I’m in.”

Y/N freezes, “W-what?”

Yoongi takes a step closer to Y/N. He leans forward, closing the distance between their faces into mere six inches. Y/N doesn’t need to crane her head up anymore because this time, their eyes are finally leveled with each other.

Yoongi smiles, “I’m telling you, Y/N, I’m in in your plan.”

Y/N looks at him. She just looks at him. Five seconds have already passed. Yoongi should be laughing in her face right now. But the man did not, and takes a step back away from her. He fixes his satchel on his shoulder and closes the Creatives’ glass door behind him shut. When Yoongi looks back at Y/N, he gives her a shrug, “Hey, if you’re not going home, I am.” He heads for the main door, hands dug into his pockets. Y/N’s eyes just follow his figure. Before Yoongi completely gets out of the office, he hollers, a hand cupping over his mouth, “I said I’m already in in your plan. You can go now. See you tomorrow.” He sends Y/N one last smile.

It takes Y/N five more seconds before she breaks her frozen stance. What did just happen? Yoongi didn’t laugh at her. He didn’t put up a fight. He….agreed? Just like that? This is impossible. This cannot happen! Yoongi doesn’t agree, he argues! Always! And he just doesn’t bid her goodbye and “see you tomorrow.” Yoongi annoys her with one last hit of “goodbye, grandma.” And Yoongi doesn’t smile. He smirks. He just pulls up one side of his lips, squints his eyes, and snorts. Y/N must be going crazy. This is not Yoongi! A whole different man has suddenly appeared before her. This cannot be!

But despite all the things going back and forth in her head right now, there’s only one looming thought on top of them all that had Y/N release a staggered breath:

What the fuck did she just get herself into?

next | series masterlist

Disclaimer: This first chapter is based on Netflix’s Set It Up (2018), particularly Nancy’s briefing scene and the USB scene. Netflix’s Set It Up (2018) is the inspiration for this fic and so I based Ms. Nancy’s personality on Lucy Liu’s portrayal of Kirsten Stevens! Ms. Lucy Liu was fantastic in her performance! That being said, all scenes and references from the movie used in this story are the property of its respective owners. The rest belongs to the author. This work is for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended. Anyways, if you wish to watch the movie, don’t worry about encountering any spoilers in this fic!

A/N pt. 2: Hi hons! I decided to cut this fic into parts as this will be very long (hello banter dialogues). Writing a 25+k wordcount (so far, this is my assumed final wordcount) may overwhelm a lot of readers and make them not want to read this anymore ☹ Anyway, the succeeding parts will be released soon as I already have a detailed storyboard and outline for this mini-series so you don’t have to wait that long. Thank you for giving this fic a chance, hons. Also, feedback is more than appreciated. Tell me what you guys think! ♡♡♡ \(> u

Taglist: @fangirls94 @ditttiii @chogiyeol-utopia

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suckerfordylansstuff · 5 years

Text

New Journey (S.H.) Prologue Season 2

Pairing: Steve Harrington x henderson!reader

Summary: Y/n Henderson joins her brother’s little adventure and makes a new friend on the way.

Warnings: swearing

Notes: tell me your opinion on this chapter. If you wanna be tagged just comment and also english is not my native language. Enjoy!

Not requested

Also gif not mine

~ New Journey Masterlist >> Chapter 1

“Hey, Steve! Steve, wait up! ”

A year has passed since the whole upside down thing and fortunately your life is still pretty much the same. You were doing great in classes, you still hang out with your friends and your family was stronger than ever. You were extremely glad that your brother and you of course, but manly him, made it out alright after those Demogorgons came around. You were both now safe, but the memories still haunted you.

He just missed Eleven a lot. And you can’t blame him. That girl had an impact on you too. You just felt like you had to protect her, but you failed. You weren’t there when she disappeared, you were with the quite weird trio. Well four with you too. Jonathan, Nancy and Steve. Jonathan had told you everything that was happening from the day Will went missing, since you two were best friends because of your connection from your brothers. You were devistated. You loved that kid with your whole heart and when weird things started happening you were more than willing to help. Nancy came along too and after the events you grew even closer with her.

One thing tho changed. Your opinion in Steve Harrington.

After he decided to actually come back and help (and save your life from the terrifying creature) you saw him in a different light. You weren’t friends. No. More like acquaintances with shared drama. You two just gave small smiles while passing each other and had little chit chats whenever you were both waiting for Nancy to exit school. And to your surprise you realized that he was actually a decent guy, once he had left that awful little group of his.

But now, you really could not believe that you were running after “King Steve” to see if he was ok. Well.. former King. Now that Billy guy had taken over High School. Ugh Billy. If you thought that Steve was an asshole, Billy was 10 times more of a douche than him. He was a jerk that just wanted to show off, bang girls and be an idiot. Tonight at the party he had tried to hit on you too, but he failed miserably, since you didn’t take this kind of crap. He was actually ready to hit his “second chance” with you when a troubled Steve came running from upstairs and directly out.

You were with Jonathan at the time and when he pumped shoulders with him, he made eye contact with you and you were able to see the state he was in, but he didn’t stop. Even when you grabbed his hand he didn’t stop. But now that you were trying to catch him and were yelling his name, he did.

“ What?” he simply said when he turned around, head low so you wouldn’t be able to see the tears in his face. But you already had.

After quickly catching up to him -‘damn high heels’ you thought. You were dressed as Sandy from the movie Grease and of course your outfit had to be from the scene of the best song from the whole thing- you started questioning him “ Steve.. What’s wrong? What happened?”

“ Nothing you need to worry about..” he said coldly and started walking away from you, but you couldn’t just leave him. So you walked up to him to stop him from getting any further away.

“ Steve. Something is crearly wrong. Please tell me what happened, maybe I can help.” you told him as sweetly as you could.

“ Yeah.. Like you care, Henderson. Just go, I don’t need your pity.” Steve told you and made his way around you to leave once again. But you did want to help. You did care. Even if it felt weird that you wanted to make him feel better, you did.

You were ready to call his infamous name again when he stopped, sighed and turned to look at you. Only then were you actually able to see the hurt look in his eyes and you started to connect all the dots together “Did you know?” was his simple question, but you knew what he meant.

You had seen the scene that occurred between him and Nancy earlier, he was just fine when he took her upstairs, but then he left the house like a hot mess. And Nancy was very drunk. So much that she may not have been able to control what she was doing.. Or saying.

“Yes, I did..” you answered, but continued when his face fell much further than it already was, if that was possible “But she didn’t tell me. I just.. I just figured, you know? You looked at her the way she looked at someone else..”

'Why did I continue?’ You questioned to yourself. What you just said did not make something better. Most likely made it worse. You just did not seem to stop talking when you needed to.

“ Was I so.. so oblivious?” he said quietly more to himself than you and sat down at the pavement. You followed his actions and sat next to him, as a way to try and comfort him the best way you could.

“ It could happen to anyone..? ” you said slowly not sure what was the right thing to tell him right now. He chuckled. Not what you had expected him to do.

“ Y/N, you.. You really don’t have to pretend like you need to make me feel better. Don’t try.” he sniffed and run his hands through his hair and like magic it stayed the same way.

You stayed silent trying to think of the right words to say to make him understand that you did want to be here. You just couldn’t. Your mind was blank, the only thing in it was the sad expression the messed boy has beside you.

You both stayed silent until he spoke again “Just go.. Don’t waste your time with me..” and you finally were able to think again.

Even if Nancy was your dear friend you had to admit that she surely did a number on him. He didn’t deserve it. He truly loved her and his heart was crushed in seconds in the most terrible place and moment ever. And then you realized that you were angry. You were angry with how Nancy made him feel. You knew that she shouldn’t be in a relationship were she doesn’t have to offer something to the other person, but she couldn’t just blurt it out like that.

“ No.” you replied after several seconds.

Steve looked up to you with disbelief in his eyes surely not waiting for that answer. He was sure that you would leave. Like everybody seems to do.

“I’m not leaving. You clearly need someone right now and I’m gonna be here for you. You’re hurt Steve and that’s okay.. But, what Nancy did.. It’s not. No one should find out something like that like this. And no one should be alone after it, so I’m gonna stick here with you and you can’t do anything about it. And you don’t have to talk. I mean- if you want to you can, but if you don’t feel like it, it’s okay. We can just.. Just enjoy each other’s company.” you finished with a smile and turned your head looking forward missing his surprised and glad expression on his face.

He did want someone there. He did not admit it, but he was happy you stayed. He was always fond of you, especially after that crazy night at the Byers’ house, but he was afraid to get to know you better cause he thought you disliked him. Guess he was wrong.

After some minutes in pure silence he spoke up “You need a ride home?” he looked at you. He seemed better, hurt but better than before. His tears had dried but his eyes were still red.

“No, Jonathan brought me here and I don’t want him to be concerned about where I am.” you answered with a small smile.

“ Well.. Seeing that he is now busy with taking a drunk Nancy in his car, I don’t think that he remembers he owes you a ride.” he finished pointing on your left.

You turned and indeed saw Jonathan getting, with a little difficulty, Nancy into his car and driving away. He didn’t seem to remember that you were there too. You sighed and cursed under your breath.

“ So.. You rethinking my offer now?” Steve said getting up and looking at you down.

“ If you don’t mind I’d appreciate it.” you said after getting up too.

“ My car is that way” he replied and started walking with you behind his track. You got in the car and started driving. You didn’t really talk, but neither of you minded. You just needed to relax and that was easy to do with Queen songs quietly playing, the wind softly hitting your faces and the nice silence.

After about 10 minutes he pulled up to your house “ We’re here” he said and turned to look at you, not meeting your eyes

“ Thanks.” you answered softly “ Have a good night. ” you continued and got out of the car, but you were able to to hear him say “Wish I could.”

You really wanted to make everything better, but that was something he had to work with himself too, but you still were worried. So you just stopped and bend down to look at him through the open window in his driver’s seat.

“ You sure gonna be OK?” you asked looking at him like he was fragile.

“ Yeah, Henderson.. Don’t worry about me, I’ll do just fine.” he responded with a small smile on his face that definitely did not reach his eyes.

His eyes.

So red and so hurt. The warm brown was now cold and no life was in them. Like you said you weren’t friends, but for some reason it hurt you and made you mad to see him like this. Finally you genuinely smiled at him and said that if he ever wanted to talk to someone you would be happy to listen. He thanked you and then left.

You watched him disappear into the cold night and when he was out of sight, you turned and headed for your house. And to your suprise your brother was looking at the garbage. A year ago that you have weirded you out, but you were used to weird stuff by now.

“Watcha lookin there, little man?” you said a bit louder than you had entended to and that made Dustin jump from fear and curse under his breath.

“Jesus.. Y/N, don’t scare me like that.” he told you and returned to looking at the bin.

“Hey, what’s so interesting in there?” you walked up to him curiously.

“I would answer you if I could.” he answered and you pushed him softly away to take a look. A look you would regret later.

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington #steve harrington x you #stranger things #steve harrington imagine #stranger things imagine #steve harrington fanfic #stranger things fanfiction #dustin henderson #henderson!reader #jonathan buyers #nancy wheeler #joe keery

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merakiaes · 3 years

Note

Hello! Can I get Marvel, Harry Potter, Twilight, Stranger Things, The Witcher, Peaky Blinders, The Walking Dead, Suicide Squad, Game Of Thrones ship? 💖 179 cm tall; dark brown, past shoulder-length hair with bangs; blue eyes (the left eye is mixed with hazel, aka, heterochromia iridium); heptagon face shape with dimples; rectangle body shape. Hufflepuff. INFP-T. Bi-curious. Pisces-Aries cusp sign. ”Looks like could kill you, but is actually a cinnamon roll.” At first, I may come off as reserved, shy, yet polite. I, as many of us, have a resting bitch face, that’s why people may think that I’m in a bad mood. It takes me a lot of time to warm up to somebody, cause I have social anxiety. Hate small talk, or speaking in front of the public. When I’m nervous, I tend to mess up my words or forget what I was supposed to say. I’m usually playful, dirty-minded and goofy around close friends. I’m the so-called, ”fashionista and mom” from my circle of friends. A perfectionist, punctual, over-thinker, slight control/clean freak. Stubborn in some situations. If I’m annoyed or getting impatient, I can say something witty or sarcastic. I’m constantly fighting an inner battle with myself, trying to accept myself. I don’t like to smile or laugh in public, cause of the small gap between my front teeth. I really hate taking selfies or somebody else taking pictures of me. The clothes I wear depends on my mood (and the weather outside), but it’s always a mix of smart casual or comfortable. Don’t like doing things out of my comfort zone, prefer to stay indoors. Dislike asking people for help (it makes me feel uncomfortable). I don’t like arguments, but I will square up if they come for my family or I snapped. I’m a kind-hearted person, always ready to help someone in need, quite modest as well. My hobbies include listening to any type of music, reading, watching movies or tv shows, traveling (if given the chance), and cleaning. Have a thing for writing. Very protective of my family. Divorced parents. Motherly towards kids and friends. An old soul, and the ”black sheep” of my family. A feminist, support LGBTQ+ community. Sometimes I like to try and cook easy recipes. Dislike black coffee, prefer tea or orange juice. That’s it, - thanks!

MARVEL

I ship you with Bruce Banner!

He would be kind of wary and scared to talk to you to a start. The other guy may be big and strong, but he’s not. He doesn’t have much confidence in himself when in his human form and he would be intimidated by you at first glance, but once he actually works up the courage to come and talk to you, you’d get on great.

He knows what it's like to struggle with social anxiety so he would be patient and need some time to become comfortable with you, as well, scared of messing things up by saying the wrong thing and/or sharing too much.

Like you, he rambles when he’s nervous so that’s just another thing you have in common, but once he’s comfortable with someone, he’s more than happy to participate in some sarcastic, dirty-minded banter.

He’s very reserved and, like earlier mentioned, doesn’t have much confidence. He would never understand how someone like you would want someone like him but he would be so in awe of the fact that you did want him.

He knows all too well what it’s like to be at odds with yourself and accepting who you are so he would be very understanding and supportive of that, and he’d comfort you about your insecurities and let you know that you’re more than good enough.

You’re also very similar in that you prefer to stay indoors, away from all kinds of social activity, and not go out of your comfort zones while, as well as the way you’re both more than willing to help other people in need while disliking asking for help for yourselves.

HARRY POTTER

I ship you with George Weasley!

George is the literal definition of a cinnamon roll. He’s so kind, caring and thoughtful, and I feel like we don’t talk about that nearly enough.

You’re shy and reserved, and he’s forward and energetic. You struggle to warm up to people, and he has no problem whatsoever getting to know new people. So I feel like it would be a good match. He would kinda just force all his energy onto you so that you, as a result, wouldn’t feel as anxious about meeting someone new, you know?

He could help you let loose a bit more, and I mean that in the most respectful way possible; not because you’re uptight, but more so to help relieve some of that stress and pressure that everything always has to be perfect.

He’s so loud as a person that neither you nor anyone else would even notice your mistakes, like messing up your words, because George and his twin just take the stage wherever they go.

George loves pushing his limits and discovering new things so I feel like he’d definitely try to get you out of your comfort zones on some occasions, but at the same time, he’s a lot less pushy than his twin and would give up if he noticed that you really didn’t want to do something, whereas Fred probably would’ve just dragged you along by your arm and bugged you until you gave in.

He’d find your shy personality adorable to a start but once you got comfortable enough to show your playful, dirty-minded and goofy side, he would just be amazed and get even more excited around you.

And knowing him, he’d love both your heterochromia and the gap between your teeth. He would find your eyes the most fascinating thing in the world, and he’s just generally a person who loves “different” and finds it beautiful.

Being protective over family and loved ones is a plus for any of the Weasleys, seeing as the most precious thing they have is just that; family. So the fact that this is a quality you have would make George even more attracted to you, as would your motherly instincts.

TWILIGHT

I ship you with Embry Call!

Like Bruce, Embry probably would’ve been a bit intimidated by you on first sight. Not only because of your resting bitch face, but also because he just has no experience with girls, whatsoever.

After much encouragement from the other boys, however, he probably would’ve been able to work up the courage needed to approach you and most likely, knowing him, he would’ve stumbled over his words and completely messed up, so you’d never have to worry about messing up like that, yourself, because he would just be such a mess that it would be hard to beat.

Embry is, like you, playful, dirty-minded and goofy when he’s in the right company, but he’s much quieter and shyer than the other boys on the reservation, as well as reserved in general - like you. He’s also a lot more caring and loving than his pack members but, like the rest of them, he’s very protective of family, which is just another thing the two of you share.

Embry is a wolf so, obviously, he enjoys being outside and participating in fast-paced activities, but I don’t think he’d mind staying inside with you, watching movies, or just listening to music and hanging out. His mom definitely wouldn’t mind, as he’s technically grounded for life for sneaking out every night, which he keeps ignoring much to her dismay.

He’s just so kind and humble. He’d be so sweet and supportive about your insecurities and never force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with, and he’d be all over your cooking, no matter how good or bad you are at it!

STRANGER THINGS

I ship you with Jonathan Byers!

Jonathan knows everything about being the black sheep. He had to find himself and learn his value completely on his own, so he knows what it’s like to be at war with your own mind in accepting who you are.

He believes that people should be judged by their ability to work rather than by what gender they are and that women should be respected just as much as men, as seen when he disapproved of how Nancy was being treated by her co-workers, and therefore also shares your feminist ideals.

He would be the sweetest to you about your insecurities and tell you that it’s okay to be different no matter what and that you’re beautiful and enough just the way you are.

He’s introverted, asocial and kind just like you, cares very deeply for family and knows what it’s like to have divorced parents.

He’s very much into music just like you are and is not very fond of small talk nor fighting either, so I feel like you would have a really calm and stable relationship.

THE WITCHER

I ship you with Jaskier!

Jaskier is a little like George Weasley in the way that he always steals all the attention whenever he walks into a room. He’s got a very loud personality and for the same reasons I think you’d be good with George, I think you would be good with Jaskier!

Unlike you who prefer staying within your comfort one, Jaskier might care about that a bit too little. Let’s just say that he would never bother you about not being more adventurous, because he’d be far too busy stepping out of his comfort zone and getting into trouble, himself, to notice.

Jaskier is also a big fan of writing, reading and, of course, music, so I think you’d be able to have some really good times together.

PEAKY BLINDERS

I ship you with Ada Shelby!

Being the only woman as well as the only really sensible member of a family full of gangsters for sure puts a person under the “black sheep”-category, so Ada knows all about feeling out of place.

She’s the only member of the Shelby family who absolutely hates violence which is one of the main reasons I think you’d suit each other, seeing as you don’t like arguments. Just like you, she will square up if she absolutely has to in order to defend herself, but she’d much prefer not to.

She’s very level-headed and tries her best to stay well clear of all the illegal activities that her family get up to, instead, putting her focus into activism and trying to improve equality for everyone, as well as trying to embrace the beautiful and sensuous things life has to offer.

She has a natural instinct to take care of those who can’t look after themselves, she’s kind-hearted and humane, accepting and understanding, so she would be very patient with getting to know you and let you take the time you needed.

Out of all the Peaky Blinders characters, I can almost guarantee you that Ada is your best shot at getting a peaceful and unproblematic life.

THE WALKING DEAD

I ship you with Daryl Dixon!

Daryl may be brave and good at surviving, but he is, at the same time, constantly facing challenges from his past as an abuse victim. Because of his trauma, he’s very socially awkward and doesn’t really know how to connect with other people, even though he does seem to have the desire to do so. For example, at the beginning of the apocalypse, he often spoke to people without making eye contact and cringed away from physical touch, with little to no social skills, and even though he has definitely gotten better at it, the struggle is still there to some extent.

His childhood trauma is also the reason for his insecurities, of which the biggest one is his scars. He’s ashamed of them and every day he’s reminded of the fact that he, through all his life, has been nothing and no one. He often shows signs that he considers himself to be worthless as well as depressed, and shows clear discomfort and distrust for people he’s not all that familiar with.

Because of the discomfort of being around people, he prefers to keep his distance from groups, because he functions best when he’s either alone or in the company of just one or two people; preferably the former. So naturally, he’s very quiet, not at all fond of small talk. Even with people he’s comfortable being around, he’d rather sit in a comfortable, mutual silence than speak.

You have all these things in common; finding it hard trusting and opening up to people, being over-thinkers, disliking small talk, constantly fighting inner battles with yourselves and struggling to accept yourselves, disliking asking people for help, as well as having big social anxieties in general.

But what you also have in common is that you’re very protective of family. Daryl may prefer to keep to himself, but he doesn’t hesitate to risk his life in order to save the members of his group. He’s incredibly selfless and loyal to a fault and would stop at nothing to protect his people as well as help people who can’t protect themselves.

As a result of his abuse, he also an extreme attentiveness to others. He’s so hypervigilant that not only is he always prepared for zombies, but he can also attentive to the emotions of people. So even though he might struggle with communicating sympathy verbally and through touch, he will go to great lengths to use his special skills to help those in pain, this meaning - you wouldn’t have to communicate your feelings through words every time since he’d most likely pick up on your body language, which can be a really big relief when you’re self-conscious about stumbling over words when nervous and struggle with social anxiety.

He would just be very understanding of your social issues in general and as he absolutely hates when people try to pry into his life before the apocalypse, he would never put any pressure, whatsoever, on you to open up to him in anything other than your own time. If anyone knows what it’s like to feel out of place, it’s him.

SUICIDE SQUAD

I ship you with Rick Flag!

It’s no secret that Rick is very serious and short-tempered when in combat and on the job. His personality is usually described as sturdy, stoic and serious and he’s been trained to serve and follow orders without questions. He takes his responsibilities very seriously and gets frustrated when others don’t pay him the same respect.

But away from his job, Rick also has a softer, more vulnerable side and is capable of warming up even to enemies through his ability to see things from different perspectives, as seen when he happily hugs Floyd after defeating Enchantress. He’s deeply protective of those he loves and would go to unthinkable lengths to protect them.

He isn’t a person who willingly goes out of his comfort zone either; on the contrary, it’s usually something he’s pressured to do by other people who, often, have some kind of leverage on him.

So had he only been presented with the choice, I think he’d really be into the idea of a simple life with no drama, no danger. Just him, his significant other, living together and going about their ways either separately or together, before having dinner and falling asleep together in front of a good movie or tv show. He’d be more than happy living a life as simple as that.

Underneath that whole military attitude, he also has a sense of humor hidden away; the goofy and playful one, just like yours. And I think that you would be really good together in that sense.

GAME OF THRONES

I ship you with Jon Snow!

Jon is known to be humble, calm and withdrawn and would, at least after the events of the last season, much rather live a calm, simple life than one full of adventure and challenged limits since he’s so clearly shown to be burdened by the constant danger and responsibility.

All his life, Jon has lived as an outcast; a bastard, and the black sheep in a family of wolves. Because of Catelyn’s consistent hatred and torment, he never felt anything other than hatred, self-doubt and shame toward himself and has never felt like he belongs anywhere, with anyone.

He was forced to quietly wrestle with dejection and loneliness his entire life; always among them, but never really one of them, and because he never quite fit in, he was naturally more susceptible to anti-social behavior, as shown in the way that he always tends to mind his own business, prefers to stay within his comfort zone and also in the way that he isn’t big on small talk.

He was so ashamed of himself and who he was that he pledged himself to the Night’s Watch in order to escape the label of a bastard, so he knows better than anyone what it’s like to try and accept oneself.

To finish it off, he’s the ultimate feminist, who takes powerful women for what they are and understands the importance of lifting them up. He encouraged Arya and her proclivity for archery and combat and he admitted to his misjudgments and faults without being derisive or sexist when Sansa outsmarted him and saved his ass in the Battle of the Bastards so he doesn’t consider it to be emasculating to be equal, or even inferior, to a woman, and doesn’t pick and choose what kind of woman to support. He supports all of them and their individual strengths, whether it be physical power in combat, or mental power in politics.

FAST AND FURIOUS

I ship you with Leon!

Little is known about Leon since he was only in the first movie with minimal screentime, but I have, over the years, built my own opinion of him through his way of behaving in the moments we actually got to see him.

My first thought on him was that he’s a bit of the lost loner type and that he’s much more rational and level-headed than the others.

He voices his disapproval to Dom on several occasions and got shut down every time, which showed that he didn’t really trust him to keep them safe and out of handcuffs, and that he wasn’t comfortable with how far they were taking things.

This, to me, equals that he’s not a person who is very fond of stepping out of his comfort zone and would much rather play it safe and stick to the things he knows.

I wouldn’t go so far as to call him a coward, but he’s definitely more cautious than the rest of the squad. Rather than getting high off the thrill, he just seems like he’s along for the ride, without actually needing the excitement like the others do. Plain and simple: he’s a tag-along:er, not an adrenaline junkie.

In the scenes he’s in, he was always the one to, in one way or another, look out for the well-being of the others, and I can imagine, since he and Jesse met before the two joined the squad, that he looked after Jesse for a long while, as well.

Jesse had pretty severe ADD as well as slightly faulty instincts and understandings in some social settings both because of his ADD and because he was raised by his criminal dad to know no better, so looking out for him would probably take a little bit of work since I’d guess that he got himself into trouble a lot.

Because of this, I’ve kind of put him in the “caretaker”-category, since he seems to be so much more genuine and caring than the rest, and that, in turn, is why I think he’d be a good match for you.

I also think that you’d be good together because of the fact Jesse shares a lot of qualities with you; a bit reserved, stuttering when nervous, and being generally anxious around strangers. Since Leon has experience with this, he wouldn’t judge you but rather know how to handle it, support you and make you feel more comfortable.

His mother left him when he was still young and he has clearly been struggling to find a place where he belongs. He thought that he found it with Dom’s crew, but when Jesse died and Vince and Letty got seriously hurt, he obviously had enough, decided that the heat had become too risky and that he didn’t want anything more to do with the illegal activities.

Once again, after Jesse’s passing, he was left alone, and I’m one hundred percent sure that he left the crew to go live a safer, calmer life because, like Rick Flag, he just seems like the type to want a quiet life with a like-minded significant other, maybe some animals and/or a kid or two. Basically just a “perfect, happy family”-situation with no risk-taking, just staying safe within your comfort zones.

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ghostspideys-moved · 4 years

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All For The Best

Chapter Eight

A/N: I’m actually pretty proud of this chapter. Don’t forget to leave a comment or reblog if you’ve been enjoying this ride so far.

Word Count: 2.7k

Pairings: Steve Harrington x OC, Nancy Wheeler x Jonathan Byers x OC

Summary: While El looks for the flayed, Hawthorne reveals a secret he’s been keeping in for a long time.

Somehow, Hawthorne was stuck sitting in the waiting room, watching over the kids. He supposed someone had to look after them, especially since Nancy and Jonathan decided they’d be the ones to visit Mrs. Driscoll.

He was sitting next to El, who was reading a magazine, mostly flipping through and glancing at the pictures. He’d already heard about her break up with Mike, and he didn’t need to be able to read her mind to know it was bothering her. Especially when he’d caught her glancing over in Mike’s direction a few times.

“How are you holding up?” Hawthorne asked. El glanced up at him, a confused look on her face. “You know, with you and Mike?”

El shrugged. “Okay.”

As she turned back to her magazine, he debated exactly how to help her out. It wasn’t exactly Mike’s fault, though he hadn’t been the smartest either. Hawthorne remembered what Hopper said about his “talk” with Mike, and he couldn’t help feeling that was the real problem here. Not that he was surprised. Even he was a bit annoyed with Hopper handling this the way he had.

“You know, I think you two should talk,” he finally said. “I mean, you both seem miserable without each other?”

“Miserable?” El set her magazine down, clearly wondering what he was getting at.

“You know, like...sad. But, like, really sad,” Hawthorne explained. “If you two don’t talk to each other, I’m sure it could get a lot worse.”

She at least appeared to be considering her words. Sure, he didn’t know how solid his own advice was, but he was a little tired of watching them tip-toe around each other. He could practically see the wheels turning in her head. “Like Nancy and Jonathan.”

Hawthorne sighed, slumping in his seat. “Yeah, something like that,” he said. “They’re working it out, but it happens. Fights happen.” It wasn’t like he was some expert on relationships, and he didn’t really know where all of this was coming from, but he hoped it was helping her, even if only a bit.

Turning to her, Hawthorne gave El a reassuring smile. “Just don’t hold a grudge against him, okay? Most guys your age do dumb things.” He was glad that part earned a laugh from her. “Hell, I do dumb things all the time.”

For all his attempts to keep Nancy and Jonathan together, it was taking a toll on him. And, though it was taking some time, it seemed like the two of them were finally making progress. There was still some understanding needing to be reached, but it was something. He didn’t plan on mediating forever. Eventually, they’d have to own up to their own mistakes - they both had some apologizing to do, he was sure - and he was just glad to help kick-start the process. If anything, he didn’t want El and Mike to let this sour their relationship. They were kids, and they deserved to learn from their mistakes just as much as anyone else.

Hawthorne let his advice sink in and left when Mike came over to talk with El. He was more than happy to give them space to work things out, though he made a mental note to have a talk with Hopper about the mess he’d made.

By now, he was starting to realize Nancy and Jonathan had been gone for a while. And maybe there was nothing to worry about, but he had an awful feeling. It was sitting in his gut, constantly pestering him. With how easily things went to shit again, Hawthorne hoped they were okay. It occurred to him to check on them, but there was no way he was going to get past the receptionist. And if he did manage that and it turned out he was worrying for nothing, he would just feel like an idiot.

Just as his anxiety was starting to get the best of him, the lights started flickering. Normally, Hawthorne might pass it off as nothing, but that usually wasn’t a good sign. He’d learned that by now. Thankfully, he wasn’t the only one to notice, and even worse was how jumpy Will was. The poor kid looked pale and unbelievably freaked out. It was becoming abundantly clear to Hawthorne that he may well have been right to be worried.

Will’s shaky, “he’s here,” was enough for it to dawn on Hawthorne that this was about to get pretty intense, as much as he hated it.

At the very least, they’d missed the action so far, but neither Nancy nor Jonathan looked like they were in very good shape. And as soon as they explained everything that happened, they were off to the cabin.

Rex came running over when Hawthorne let them all inside, and El ended up locking herself in her room as she tried to track the flayed. Hawthorne tried to busy himself with feeding Rex while everyone else was working out their plans. In the grand scheme of things, he wasn’t sure how to help, and he felt pretty useless. He’d hardly done anything to help. If only he could stop being a coward for just a minute, he might be able to contribute something.

He’d been so deep in thought that he’d accidentally spilled some of the dog food. His only response was a deep sigh as he moved to clean it up. Hawthorne looked up when he noticed Nancy trying to help. She opened her mouth to speak a few times, trying to find her words.

“Are you okay?” Nancy asked.

If there were any words to describe how he was feeling, “okay” was not one of them. “Fine,” Hawthorne lied, standing again.

It was clear she didn’t totally believe him. Even when they finished cleaning, she didn’t let up. “If this about what’s been happening between Jonathan and I, I’m really sorry you got caught in the middle of it.”

Sure, that might have been part of his stress, but he had no clue how to even explain everything that was going on in his head. It was so much more than that.

“No. I mean, not really.” Hawthorne sighed, looking down. “I guess I’m just stressed out with everything that’s been happening. After last time, I really hoped all of this was behind on.”

The concerned look on her face only made him feel bad for putting all of this on her. Nancy had much bigger things to worry about. Seeming to sense his apprehension, she took his hand and made him look her in the eyes.

“Everything’s gonna be fine, okay?” Whether it was true or not, he almost believed her. “We’ll get through this just like last time.”

“Nance, I don’t even know where my sister is, or if she’s even okay. I don’t know where Hop is either, and I feel like I’m doing a terrible job of keeping it together.”

Nancy paused for a moment before asking, “You saw it, didn’t you? When you were walking in the parking lot?”

Hawthorne had almost forgotten about his vision, but he could never forget the dread he felt in that moment. “Yeah. It wasn’t much, really,” he admitted. “But I freaked out.” If it came down to it, he wasn’t sure if he’d really be able to help any of them. This was worse than last year, and he just knew that, given the chance, he’d freeze. Just like he always did.

Somehow, Nancy always had a way of making him feel better, and this was no exception. “You’re stressing yourself out too much,” she said. “Don’t forget. You’re not alone. You have me, Jonathan, the kids, your family. None of us will ever make you deal with this alone.”

Deep down, he knew that. It felt good to hear it, though. Sometimes, he needed a reminder that he wasn’t carrying all of this weight alone.

Hawthorne offered a slight smile as she kissed him on the cheek. Now that he was feeling at least somewhat better, he let her get back to planning. He let her borrow the phone in the meantime, and he actually managed to feed Rex. The poor dog probably needed it. Hawthorne was feeding him as regularly as possible in all this mess, but he felt bad for leaving him for so long every now and then.

Just as Hawthorne was settled, Nancy finished her final phone call, none of which produced any results. It wasn’t looking so good. With no clue where any of the flayed were, they had no clue what they were doing. It was like they’d just disappeared, and they weren’t any closer to finding the source of the flaying.

Worse still was the argument happening between Mike and Max. Hawthorne didn’t feel so inclined to agree with either of them, no matter how much they yelled. Realistically, both of them were right. He’d learned the hard way that even if they explained to El how damaging it could be to push herself, that didn’t mean it would stop her. Mike was very adamant on finding a new plan, though, and Hawthorne couldn’t blame him. El had been locked up for quite some time now looking for the flayed.

“You’re treating her like some kind of machine when she’s not a machine, and I don’t want her to die looking for the flayed when they’ve obviously vanished off the face of the earth,” Mike snapped. “So can we please just come up with a new plan? Because I love her, and I can’t lose her again.”

His words were met with silence as they sank in. Hawthorne could hardly believe what he’d heard, but Mike said it with such confidence and conviction that it was almost frightening.

Before anyone could say more, El finally came out of her room. She looked fine, if not a bit exhausted, and Hawthorne thanked whatever omnipotent being there may or may not be that she was okay.

“What’s going on?” El asked, glancing at each of them curiously.

Mike was quick to cover for them. “Nothing. Nothing.”

“Just a family discussion,” Lucas added.

“Oh.” El seemed satisfied enough with their answer, even if she didn’t totally believe it. “I found him.”

El usually needed some quiet when she was tracking. The TV was turned on, only playing static for her, and her blindfold was back on. Everyone was trying to stay quiet for her sake in the hopes she would find something.

Thankfully, she found Billy, just like she’d said, though they didn’t have much to go off of with the information she had. He was sitting in his room, which Max confirmed wasn’t normal. It was clearly a trap.

But El was insistent that she might know a way to figure out where he’d been, and while Hawthorne didn’t want her to push herself, he knew it was the only way to get anywhere. They hadn’t been having any success on their own.

After taking a break, El put the blindfold back on and tried to look again.

Hawthorne sighed and sat back while she gave it another go. “So, what do we do if this doesn’t work?” he asked quietly, trying not to bother El.

“Don’t you have powers?” Mike asked. “Can’t you help somehow?”

Nancy gave him a stern look. “Mike.”

“We’ve never seen him use them. Maybe he just doesn’t have any,” Lucas said.

“If they took him to the lab, he has to have them.”

Hawthorne raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, hi. Standing right here.”

“Well, do you?” Mike asked.

There was no way around this. Hawthorne was going to have to explain himself eventually, and he knew that.

“Yeah. It’s just...not a good idea for me to use them,” he claimed.

“But whatever it is you can do, it might help El.”

“I haven’t used them in years. The last time I did that things went wrong.”

“We can’t push everything onto her, though. She’s going to wear herself out.”

“You told her you’d trust her, though.”

“And I do, but I know she could use the help.”

Max finally cut in. “Okay, seriously. You’re gonna break El’s concentration.”

Hawthorne and Mike finally shut up, but they gave each other one last look of disdain. Nancy pulled him and Jonathan over to the kitchen where they wouldn’t bother El.

“Hey, don’t worry about him, okay? He’s just worried,” she said.

Hawthorne sighed, leaning against the counter. “I know. I get it,” he replied. “I’m just as worried she’s going to wear herself thin, but I don’t think I’d even be all that helpful.”

“What happened the last time you used your powers?” Jonathan asked. “It sounded like it was pretty bad.”

That felt like the understatement of the year. But if he trusted anyone with this, it was both of them. He might as well get it off his chest.

“I just...they made us do a lot of tests, you know? The scientists liked to up the stakes each time, and they’d already learned a lot about my powers. I really just tried to go along with what they asked of me because it was better that way.” Hawthorne swallowed dryly. “Whenever I touch people - any sort of skin contact - I absorb their strength, memories, abilities, sometimes even pieces of their personality. But it always wears off eventually, and they just pass out until it wears off.

“One time, I guess the scientists were curious what would happen if I tried it on one of the other kids. Maybe I could absorb their powers. And they were right. It worked the first few times, and it only lasted about half an hour at most. They’d always be fine afterwards. But one time, it didn’t go that way at all. There was this kid they had me try it out on and-” Hawthorne almost couldn’t finish, but he dismissed their looks of concern, trying to press on. “It didn’t wear off that time. And he went into a coma. Pretty sure he didn’t make it.”

Jonathan placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring look. “How long did it take to wear off?” he asked.

“It didn’t.” Hawthorne avoided their eyes, knowing he’d break down otherwise. “I still have his powers. I don’t use them, but I could any time. It’s kind of been eating at me.”

They shared a look, almost seeming to debate if they should ask him anything else. But he knew they’d stop if he really asked them to.

Nancy finally braved one more question. “What exactly were his powers?”

Hawthorne hesitated. “Shapeshifting.”

In his mind, it wasn’t anything monumental. Nor was it going to do them any good. And while he had his powers mostly under control by now, he wasn’t sure how he’d feel about knocking anyone else out if he didn’t have to.

Before he could go into it any further, El announced she’d found the source. They raced over as Max asked where it was.

“Brimborn...Steelworks.”

Jonathan grabbed the phone book and flipped through the pages in a hurry. “Found it. 6522 Cherry Oak Drive.”

“That’s close,” Nancy realized.

El still hadn’t come back yet, which was beyond worrying. Mike was trying to call her back, but it didn’t seem like she could just yet. There wasn’t anything they could do to bring her back. She had to do it herself, but it didn’t look like she was ready yet.

The room went silent as they waited hopefully for her to get out of there. El finally threw off the blindfold, screaming.

Hawthorne felt his heart sink when she started crying, throwing herself into Mike’s arms. He raced back to the kitchen and grabbed her a glass of water as Mike calmed her down. They made her sit down and take a drink, giving her enough time to bounce back from whatever she saw.

Hawthorne was taken by surprise as she clung onto him, clearly exhausted and scared beyond belief. He tried to calm her down, wrapping his arms around her as he let her cry. If he was having any doubts before, they were only growing and settling in his mind, but he would never back out on any of them, but least of all El. Mike had been right about her needing all the help she could get.

Taglist: @charmedtenderness @nxncywheeler @koibecomedragons

#steve harrington #jonathan byers #nancy wheeler #steve harrington x oc #steve harrington x original character #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington one shot #jonathan byers x oc #jonathan byers x original character #jonathan byers x reader #nancy wheeler x oc #nancy wheeler x original character #nancy wheeler x reader #stranger things #stranger things 2 #stranger things 3 #stranger things fic

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im-not-a-joke · 4 years

Text

The Soulmate AU Thing

Whoop I wrote it

Read it on ao3

based off this post (and the comments on it)

warnings: none, really, there’s a little cursing and like a tad bit of internalized homophobia but it’s very minor

Relationships: Byler, Stoncy (but like, once, and its vague), Dustin/Lucas/Max/El

Wordcount: 1,753

you can also read it below the cut

The realization hit Mike like a truck.

Will and I are soulmates.

He had been minding his own business, just going about his regular day when he remembered the lab and Will’s episodes and seeing his best friend lose control of his own body. He remembered the Mark that was left exposed after the doctors had taken Will’s shirt. The same Mark that matched Mike’s own. He hadn’t thought about it at the time, being more concerned about his best friend being possessed. And he had forgotten in the aftermath, too busy focusing on said aftermath and the quickly approaching holidays.

Well, forgotten may have been a strong word. He didn’t think it ever left his mind, but he had pushed it to the side temporarily to deal with bigger problems. He had quoted it during his Big Emotional Speech, but that was beside the point.

Now it was January, and Mike was back in school and bored out of his mind, so he let it wander. And it wandered to the little black you said yes imprinted on Will’s side. Luckily for Mike, Will had been possessed during his speech and most likely didn’t remember him saying it. (But the look in his eyes when Mike said it told him otherwise. Oh God, what if he knows that Mike knows what if he hates him oh no oh no no nonononono-)

(Deep breaths, Wheeler)

Mike had never really considered his soulmate. Sure, he occasionally wondered what they would be like and when they would meet, but who didn’t? And yes, he had found himself thinking about his small friend a little bit too much, but that was just because they’ve been friends since they were five, right? Apparently not, he grimaced to himself, how are you going to deal with this one?

But that would have to come later, for now he had to make it through the day.

It wasn’t until he got home that the other realization hit him.

I’m gay.

That one was less surprising. He had never really been interested in girls, and liked El significantly less now that she looked more feminine. He had realized after the Snowball that he felt like El was more of a sister to him, and they had come to a mutual agreement to be friends and nothing more.

He supposed that the gay thing made sense, but he worried about what everyone else would think if and when they found out. Nancy would probably be okay, she had never really agreed with their father on anything, and Mike doubted she would start agreeing when it came to gay people. His dad might be more of a problem, but he didn’t have to know. Not yet, at least. His mom was a wild card. He hoped she wouldn’t be disgusted by him, but there was really no telling. His friends would understand, he hoped. Lucas would. He had once confided in Mike that he had three Marks, so he would definitely not be grossed out by Mike being gay.

But what about Will? His reaction would probably be the most important. He was Mike’s soulmate after all. He wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t want to be Mike’s friend anymore, especially with having dealt with Lonnie. But, soulmates were supposed to work out, right? Maybe not, he was 90% sure his parents weren’t soulmates anyway, so maybe his Mark was broken. Oh God, what if his was broken?

It couldn’t be. That’s not how things worked. He was just tired and overthinking, a good nap would help. But, he had homework to do first. Ugh, homework.

~~~~~~~

Do you remember the first day that we met?

“Nancy, can I talk to you?”

“What did you do?”

“Nothing, it’s just,” come on, Mike! You can do it! “I like boys and not girls,”

Nancy’s face softened, she pulled the collar of her turtleneck down to reveal two soulmarks, one, a camera, the other, the nailbat.

“Oh.”

It was.. It was the first day of kindergarten. I knew nobody.

“Lucas, we’ll always be friends, right?” They were sat on Lucas’ bed, and Mike was reminded of Lucas’ angry, confused confession just a year prior.

“Yeah, unless you like, murder my soulmates,” Lucas had made a lot of progress, part of which was finding out that Max was one of his soulmates, and that, he didn’t hear it from Lucas but, she also had three soulmarks. Mike was 90% sure it would turn out to be Lucas, Dustin, Max, and El but never mentioned it.

“I’m gay. Will is my soulmate.” Lucas looked shocked for all of three seconds before he smiled at Mike.

“I’m glad you could tell me, dude.” He didn’t ask how Mike knew the Will thing, he just patted him on the back and went back to talking about the last family movie night he had to suffer through.

I had no friends. I just felt so alone and, and so scared

“Guys, I have to tell you something important.”

“What’s up, Mike?” He had four pairs of eyes on him. Two curious, one annoyed, and one knowing.

It was one of the few days Hopper would let all of them visit El in the cabin, but Will had a doctor’s appointment. Mike missed him, the group wasn't the same without Will there to offer his typically cheerful input. Mike also felt like he was third-wheeling the four other kids.

“I’m gay, I like boys.” El’s expression didn’t change, Dustin looked somehow, relieved? Max softened, but tried to keep up the annoyed flair. Lucas wore a proud smile.

“Doesn’t everyone like boys?”

“No, El, usually boys only like girls and girls only like boys.” That made it sound bad, fuck, backtrack backtrack backtrack-

“It’s not a bad thing, you can like whoever you want.” Thank the lord for Lucas Sinclair, saving Mike’s ass since first grade.

“Oh, well, in that case, I like boys and girls,” El looked pleased now, and the other three went red. Definitely soulmates.

But I saw you on the swings, you were alone too. You were just swinging by yourself.

“Steve, I need your advice”

“I swear to all things good and holy Dustin, if this is about any of your little- oh hey, Mike. What’s up?”

“You like boys and girls, right?” Mike barely knew where he wanted this conversation to go. But he knew Steve was definitely the one to go to.

“Yeah, why?”

“How did you tell people that you weren’t sure about their reactions?”

“Hey uh, are you, are you bi?” Mike had never seen Steve this reserved before, it felt like he was trying to approach a scared animal, well, he may as well have been a scared animal at this point.

“No, no, I’m gay, i just, I want to tell my mom and Will but I’m worried about how they’ll react.” Mike had to cut himself off. He could feel himself start rambling and he didn’t want to say too much.

“Oh, ok then, uh,” he paused to think, “I think Will will be fine. As for your mom, probably sit her down and just rip the bandaid.” If he thought Will was going to be fine, he probably would be, Mike trusted Steve, he usually knew what he was doing.

“Thanks, Steve.”

“No problem, big guy,” and Steve wrapped him in a hug.

And I just walked up to you, and, I asked. I asked if you wanted to be my friend

“Mom, I have to talk to you.” There was a rare moment of peace in the Wheeler house, and he was going to take advantage of it. He sat himself next to her on the couch, avoiding eye contact.

“Mike, sweetie, what’s wrong?” The concern in her voice gave him hope. Things would be okay, she would love him no matter what.

“I know who my soulmate is, and uh, he’s a boy. And I really like him.” Mike had retracted in on himself, but his mom just grabbed his wrists gently, pulling his hands toward her.

“Mike,” he finally made eye contact to see her smiling down at him, eyes brimming with tears, “thank you for telling me, I am so proud of you, and I love you.”

He collapsed into her for a hug and cried. It had gone well.

And you said yes. You said yes.

“I’m gay.” He was finally telling Will, the most important person in his life, after a good three months since his realization.

“Me too.”

And that was that.

And it was the best thing I’ve ever done.

~~~~~~~~

It had been four months since Mike came out to Will (and vice versa), and Mike could barely hold it in anymore. Lucas had been bugging him about telling Will the thing since he had come out. He wanted to do it, but could never find the time without making things awkward.

The six of them were walking up the hill to set up Cerebro, WIll and Mike trailing behind slightly. Dustin was rambling on, holding hands with El (the four of them had come to their realization and had been inseparable ever since). Mike was going to do it now. He had to.

“Hey, uh, Will?”

“Hmm?”

“Can we, uh, talk?” He grabbed his wrist, and turned to face him, they had both stopped walking at this point. Will looked confused, usually Mike was very forward.

“What do you need?” Mike’s brain was firing at a million miles an hour, he had no idea what he was going to do.

“I have something to show you.” He was doing it. It was happening, this was real. He lifted his shirt a bit to reveal the small lettering on his side in the same place as Will’s. Will’s eyebrows shot up into his hair.

“I saw yours back in November when we had to take you to the lab. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before but I didn’t want you to be mad and I didn’t know how to say it and I really really li-”

“Mike. It’s okay. We got there in the end.” Will was smiling wider than he had in over two years now, and Mike felt complete. Will grabbed his hand.

“Y’know, back in the shed in November, I heard you say it. I brushed it of but it took me by surprise, I’ve wondered ever since.”

“So that’s why you looked at me like that.”

#whooooo i did it #yay ok #time to tag this #byler #byeler #carson rambles #if yall enjoy this i can do more #i have more ideas

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let-me-write-shit · 4 years

Text

Somebody To You: 5

I post a new chapter every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! Please let me know what your thoughts. It helps more than you think!

Warning: smut (but it doesn’t get too explicit. I DID put **** before and after in case you wanted to skip)

Word Count: 5,636

Click Here For Previous Chapter & Other Completed Stories

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

CHAPTER FIVE

The breeze was slightly cooler from the twenty second story balcony as the night air whipped at Zoey’s ponytail. She sat on the ground at Nancy and Aurora’s feet, stroking the soft, sweet fur of a tabby cat they had found wandering their neighborhood for weeks. They couldn’t just leave him outside. Not when they had the means and space to take him in. Zoey nuzzled her nose into the crook of the cat’s neck and he purred, pushing his face into her cheek, plopping onto her lap as Nancy continued to talk to her and Aurora about how she wanted to get some more plants to liven up their balcony.

The view from up here was breathtaking and she never got tired of it. In fact, the other night she accidentally fell asleep on the lounge couch, listening to the noises of the city and watching the twinkling of the lights against the night sky. Who would have known that the bustling city of LA could have been more relaxing than her quiet, suburban, Pennsylvania home town?

Zoey carefully stood up, holding the tabby tightly to her chest, not that he minded as he snuggled into her neck even more, announcing, “I’m gonna grab some more wine. Want anything?”

“I’m good,” Nancy held her glass of wine, still half full.

Aurora looked at her empty glass for a moment before shaking her head, “No thanks, I’m alright.”

Her ponytail bounced as she clobbered back into the darkness of her apartment, trekking back over towards the kitchen and grabbing the wine bottle out of the fridge, quietly whispering loving words at the sweet cat in her one arm as she managed to open and pour more wine into her glass. But as she attempted to push the cork back inside, she thought she heard the distinct sound of beeping at the keypad on her front door. Zoey paused for a moment, listening carefully. And just before she shook it off, the whoosh of air as the front door was pulled open echoed through the silent apartment.

Zoey’s heart skipped a beat, sinking into the corner of the dark kitchen, pushing the bottle of wine back onto the counter and hugging her furry friend tighter into her chest as he continued to purr, uninterested in her terror. Heavy footsteps were heard trailing towards the kitchen where she stood. Her eyes flashed towards the knives that were inconveniently at the other end of the island, in plain view of whoever was walking down the hallway.

“Hello?” she heard a deep accent hum in the air.

Zoey stood up straighter, stepping away from the corner and into view, “Harry?”

An overhead light flicked on, partially illuminating the island as Harry stepped around the corner wearing a black t-shirt, grey sweatpants, and a teal beanie, ringless fingers clasped around his phone. Zoey let out the breath of air she had held and pushed her free hand onto the counter for support, trying to stabilize her heart rate. Why was everyone constantly startling her?

“Jesus, Harry! How’d you get in here?” Zoey breathed, gazing up at his amused grin.

“I know the code. My plane just landed and I thought I’d stop by on my way home. Did I scare you?” He chuckled.

“I thought you were fucking intruder,” Zoey groaned, standing up straight once more.

Harry wheezed when he noticed the cat in her arms, “Who’s this?” he asked.

She took in the scene as she watched him stepping closer and slowly reaching a hand out, tenderly stroking the length of the tabby’s fur. Zoey’s been talking to him for weeks, and has been in his presence before, but for some reason it felt different now. Like the hours of talking and joking with him was a fever dream and she was suddenly forced to wake up and act casual amongst one of the most famous artists alive. He couldn’t have dressed more casually if he tried, and yet his existence in front of her seemed so intimidating. He looked up through his eyelashes from his bent over position, level to the cat, and she snapped out of her thoughts, realizing he was waiting for an answer.

“Binx,” she responded, “We called him Binx. Remember the cat I told you we found wandering by the dumpsters?”

“This is him?” Harry cooed, standing straight, towering over her, “he’s so sweet, how could you be a stray? You’re too cute for the streets, aren’t you?” he continued tickling the top of Binx’s head, making the cat purr even louder with his baby talk. She smiled, her stress fading as she realized it was just Harry, the same weirdo friend she’s been talking to for weeks now. His attention turned back to Zoey and he smiled, stepping to her side and giving her a friendly hug, “How are you? Alright?” he asked.

Zoey put Binx down and nodded, grabbing her glass of wine from the counter and taking a quick sip, “Are you asking me if anything’s changed in the ten hours I spoke to you last?” she smirked, raising an eyebrow, “Go on, what did you really want to ask?”

He pursed his lips, grinning. Zoey knew him too well. Harry continued, “How is she? Is she here?”

Zoey nodded, a sympathetic smile stretching across his face, “Yeah, she’s on the balcony.”

After their fight last week, Harry apologized and tried to fix things with Aurora, but it didn’t exactly go to plan. Like Zoey said, Aurora was very understanding and kind about the situation, but things just weren’t the same afterwards. Aurora was more cautious when it came to Harry and getting her feelings hurt. And nobody could blame her for it, she was right in protecting her heart. Harry messed up. He should have been straightforward about his intentions and stipulations from the jump, not wait until three months in to say anything. Because of this, Harry was nervous for their double date tomorrow with Zoey and Brett.

After their game night last week the flirting at work and through text had increased, and it was more fun knowing she was in control of the situation. She could still flirt and get the phone numbers of attractive guys that came into the bar without feeling guilty that Brett, who was only feet away, might get upset, because that’s not how their ‘relationship’ worked. It was pure, unadulterated fun. For the first time in her life she felt like she could be completely independent.

Zoey frowned at the look of anxiousness on Harry’s face. She couldn’t lie, she agreed with Rory’s reluctance, but she did feel bad for Harry. “It’ll be fine,” Zoey encouraged, squeezing his forearm, “come on, don’t be a baby.”

Zoey chuckled as she dragged her friend towards the balcony, her wine glass in her free hand, and slid the door open, “Hey, I picked up this homeless rat off the street so Binx could have a friend to play with,” she joked as she and Harry stepped out.

Nancy gasped, pushing herself off of the couch and giving Harry a big squeeze, “Where did you find him? He looks like he’s been living under a dumpster!” Nancy joked back, earning a fake laugh from Harry.

Aurora stood up, a sheepish smile on her face as she gave Harry a soft hug. You could tell the attraction was still there for both of them, but the awkwardness was very evident. Neither of them knew how to interact with each other or backtrack to how things used to be after their fight last week. But they were trying. It would just take some time.

As the four of them continued to talk and laugh, Rory and Harry started to loosen up more and more, slowly getting closer to each other as the evening continued. Harry had half a mind to invite Rory back to his place, or even spend the night since it was getting so late, but he didn’t want Rory to feel like he was taking advantage of her and just sleeping with her because he could. So in the end, he went home alone giving Nancy and Zoey a hug before Aurora walked him out to the parking garage.

The walk was quiet and almost uncomfortable. But, once at his car, he turned to face her sweet, freckled face and smiled, “So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”

She nodded, her French accent coming out a little bit more as she got tired, “I’ll try and make sure the shoot doesn’t run over.”

Harry nodded, staring into her sky blue eyes and down to her mouth, every bit of him wanting to kiss her. But it didn’t feel right. Not yet, at least. He quickly gave her another hug and opened his car door, “I’ll see you tomorrow night, then,” he said before getting in and starting up. He watched her figure get smaller as he drove away, her head hanging down as she just stood there, and he frowned. Maybe he should have kissed her.

Although he had a ton of friends all around the world, and especially in LA, Harry got into the bad habit of going through these phases where he would only see one group of friends at a time and essentially friend-hop. So he decided to make the most out of his short trip in LA and see a few of his other friends in the area on Wednesday before he had to get ready for his date. Besides, Zoey and Nancy weren’t responding to any of his texts to hang out. Annoying. He could have just showed up like he did last night, but rather than risk them not being home, he figured he might as well see some of his other friends that have been asking to hang out.

Overall, it was a fun day riding his motorcycle towards the coast and roaming through some small business boutiques with a few of his guy friends and their girlfriends, but eventually they had to leave and Harry was bored again. It was still an hour before he had to get going, but he decided to change into brown plaid pants, a red and black striped shirt, and topped it with a baby blue blazer. The restaurant they were going to was nice, but pretty casual; somewhere they could get privacy but wouldn’t be too high end. He tried calling Nancy and Zoey once more, but again they didn’t answer, so he headed towards their condo, anyway. At least he knew the code to get in.

As soon as he pushed the door open he could hear the television speaker resonate throughout the apartment. The pitter patter of Binx’s paws running up to him made him smile and Harry bent down to pat him on the head before picking him up and walking further into the condo, calling out their names. Nancy was the first to poke her head around the corner from the kitchen.

“Oh, hello!” she smiled, surprised, “Little early. Aurora’s not back from her shoot yet.”

“I tried calling you!” He ignored her statement.

“Did you? Sorry, my phone’s on silent in my room. I was trying to get some work done and all the notifications were annoying me.”

“It’s alright,” he put down Binx and gave Nancy a long squeeze, “Where’s Zoey? She’s been avoiding me, too.”

“Think she just got out of the shower, actually. Probably starting to get ready for tonight. I’ll go check on her.”

Nancy pulled away and traipsed down the hallway towards the bedroom, knocking lightly on the last door on the left and cracking it open. Her voice was muffled as she poked her head in, but seconds later Nancy backed up and gestured Harry over while walking back towards him.

“She’s decent. She said you can go in. I’m just going to finish up some emails,” she said before heading back towards the kitchen to grab the dinner that she made herself.

Harry tapped on Zoey’s door that was slightly ajar and heard her soft voice say, “Come in!” before he pushed it open fully. He had only been in her room once, on the first day she moved in, and it already seemed much different now that she had fully made it her own space. It was the smallest bedroom of the three, but she moved the furniture around so that it seemed more spacious. The color pallet and decor seemed more in the style of modern boho with whites and natural browns, even a sprinkle of different pinks and blues that made it seem more soft and airy with a few assortments of plants scattered throughout. The bed was fully made and the curtains were fully opened letting the sunset over the city horizon shine through her large windows as Zoey sat at her makeup table in a large, fluffy gray dressing robe, still fresh faced. Her hair looked like it had already been blow dried and she was in the middle of pulling it up into a sleek ponytail when her eyes caught his in the reflection of her mirror.

Zoey tied her elastic around her dark blonde hair and turned to face him just as his mouth cracked open, “Before you say anything,” she started, “I didn’t answer earlier because I was on the phone with my sister, and the second time you called I was in the shower. I was going to call you back, but I got distracted.”

Harry screwed up his face in an attempt to scowl and said, “What if I was having an existential crisis and really needed you?” he plopped on the edge of her bed, folding his arms.

Zoey snorted, teasing, “Don’t you have friends? What the hell did you do a month ago before you met me?”

He shrugged nonchalantly, “Suppressed my feelings and watched rom coms to distract myself.”

They looked at each other for a moment before they burst into laughter. “We’re pathetic,” Zoey finally wheezed, turning her attention back to her makeup table and grabbing a moisturizer.

They talked about Harry’s day as she finished her makeup. He found it hard to believe that in a matter of weeks, this random girl from Pennsylvania had become, what he considered, one of his best friends. He hadn’t told her that, though he didn’t feel like he needed to, because he was pretty sure she had felt the same, too. They talked every day and confided things to each other that he didn’t feel comfortable sharing with anyone else, and that was so hard to find anymore.

But even better, he had fun talking to her. No matter what he was going through, she always managed to make him laugh when he needed it the most. She could keep him from spiraling too deep into his thoughts and could ease the pressure he put on himself with only a few words. Especially when it came to him psyching himself out about his relationships and intimacy. It’s so easy to say ‘He’s an international celebrity and sex symbol’, but when it came down to it, even he had insecurities about himself. But she had a way of saying such simple words of self assurance that really helped him see himself in a better light. Plus, she’d always follow up with a ‘Princess Bride’ reference that made him realize when he was being self deprecating.

When she finished with her makeup, she disappeared into her closet. Hangers scraping against the metal curtain rod and a lot of shuffling could be heard from inside. Harry heard a few grunts and thuds which sounded like hopping until she emerged from the closet wearing a white, off the shoulder, puffy sleeve crop top with a lace up detailing in the front paired with high rise skinny jeans that were cuffed at the bottom, a black belt, and some black ankle boots.

“Is this nice enough for the restaurant? Or do I need to dress up more?” she asked, gesturing to her outfit.

Honestly, she looked beautiful. Most of the times that Harry saw her on Facetime, Zoey usually had a messy bun stuffed into an oversized hoodie. Even the first day she moved her and yesterday when he surprised them she was wearing loungewear. The only other time he saw her dressed up was the night of her welcoming party, but even then he couldn’t remember what she wore or looked like because he didn’t really know her that well, yet, and he was so focused on Rory (and not to mention he was drunk). He hardly noticed her curves before this moment.

“No, it looks great. But I think you’re missing something. Do you have a necklace?” he asked, standing up.

She pulled out a tiny jewelry box from the drawers under her makeup table and opened it up to show him. There weren’t many options, but in the end he pulled out a star choker necklace with a strand of dangling stars. She took it from him and clasped it around her neck, letting the stars plummet down and disappear into her cleavage. He watched as she took another look at herself in the mirror and scrunch up her nose in an almost dissatisfaction, pulling at the waist of her jeans and shifting it.

“The enemy is always in the mind,” Harry quoted ‘Princess Bride’ with a frown, hating to see her discontent. Especially when she looked like that. She sighed and smiled at him, understanding what he meant. Zoey plopped down on the bed beside him and they sat in a comfortable silence before Harry spoke again, “You okay?”

She shrugged, “It’s weird to be going on a first date again. I mean, it’s with Brett, so I know it’s not a big deal and I’m not nervous or anything. But I haven’t been on a date in four years. The last time I went on a first date I remember Jess coming over and helping me get ready. I don’t know. I just never thought I’d be doing this again.”

Harry nodded, listening, “Were you gonna get married to him? Michael, was it?”

“I thought so. We talked about it. It seemed like the next logical step because we had been together for so long. I think a part of both of us knew that we were still together because we were comfortable and familiar with each other. But, looking back on it, there was never a spark. Sure, we were physically attracted to each other, but I don’t think we had enough time to really explore and figure out who we were as individuals first before we got serious and we changed. Especially after Jess died. As much as he hates to admit it, I think we were never meant to be together and that just forced us to see it.”

“But he doesn’t believe that? He still wants to be with you?”

“He thinks he does. But I think he’s just scared to be alone again.”

Harry nodded, staring out of the windows at the busy city below, trying to wrap his head around their conversation. She managed to say everything he’s ever felt but was unable to put into words about every relationship he’s been in. Albeit, most of his relationships were short lived, but it felt the same. He stayed because it was safe. And although all of his past girlfriends had their own quirks and personalities, they all fit the same general mold. He had a type, and he rarely strayed from that because it was what he knew.

Zoey let her head fall onto his shoulders and they sat there for a few minutes, just letting the time pass by. A soft smile began to form on his face, grateful for a friend like her. Thankful to have someone that could empathize and understand without explanation. He hated to complain, because he had the best job in the world, but it got hard sometimes. There was no home with his lifestyle. He’d always have England and his family, but nothing ever felt like solid and stable. He was constantly flying all over the world, and even though he would be surrounded by people, it got lonely. So having someone he could talk to about absolutely anything and everything without being scared of judgement was the closest thing he’s ever been to feeling like he was home in years. Friends like these stick around. Friends like these are forever.

He sat up, forcing Zoey to sit up as well, and he smiled widely, feeling an overwhelming feeling of friendly love for her, “Well, tonight is going to be great. I know your thing with Brett is just ‘casual’, and who knows where it’ll go, but at least you’re getting back out there and being more adventurous. That was the goal, right?”

“Yes it was.”

The two of them joined Nancy in the living room and the girls decided to play with Harry’s hair and braid his curls while they waited for Aurora and Brett to arrive. They had agreed to meet up at 8 PM, and as the time neared ten minutes to, Zoey’s phone rang and Brett had informed her that he had arrived. A knock on the door had proved this, and she skipped to the entrance to let him in.

Harry stood when he heard their footsteps coming closer and watched as Zoey came in, laughing, with Brett trailing behind her. He was dressed similar to Zoey, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans with a black belt, but wore a plaid white and gray button up completely opened and paired it with a black baseball cap. Nancy smiled, standing up to greet him with a hug. When they pulled apart, Harry stepped up and put out his hand to shake, remembering the last time they met when he nearly lost all feeling in his hand from how hard he shook.

“Theo, nice to see you again!” Harry smiled nicely. In an instant, Zoey and Harry shot their attention towards each other and Harry’s eyes widened at the mistake he just made. Brett’s grip loosened in confusion and Harry shook his head before he had the chance to speak, “Brett!” he corrected himself, “Sorry! I knew it was Brett. I just mixed you up with someone else.”

Harry’s face went red, embarrassed by his mistake. But as Brett assured him that it was okay, he noticed Zoey stifling a laugh in his peripheral that made him ease up. They headed towards the couch and Zoey whispered in his ear as he passed.

“Idiot,” she giggled.

They talked and Harry got to know Brett a little more while they waited for Rory. Finally, twenty minutes later, she hustled through the door, dropping her bags. She looked exhausted after a long day of shooting, but luckily that meant she already had a full face of makeup and hair done.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she breathed as she passed them, heading towards her room, “they wanted to do a few more shots and we ran over. I’ll just change real quick and we’ll leave.”

Aurora dressed into a red velvet plunge bodysuit that hung just above her navel and paired it with a pair of jeans, black heels, and a gold necklace, her long brown hair down and wavy. They decided to all take one car and climbed into Rory’s Lexus, as Harry had arrived in his two seater and didn’t have enough room for everyone. When they pulled up to the restaurant and parked, Harry spoke.

“So we should have you and Zoey walk ahead of me and Brett,” he said.

He noticed the wheels turning in the girls head when they seemed to realize what he meant. He shouldn’t walk side by side with Rory in public in case there were paparazzi. The girls got out first and linked arms, heading towards the front, shortly followed by the boys.

“Do you have to do this a lot?” Brett asked him after they closed the car door, his Australian accent thick and curious.

“Unfortunately.”

Just as he thought he had avoided it, a flash went off as he grabbed hold of the front door. He groaned, quickly slipping inside. At least the girls were already inside. Harry greeted the hostess with a charming smile and informed her of their reservation before they were quickly whisked away towards the back. He felt the occasional glances and stares by other guests as they sat, boys on one side of the booth and girls on the other across from their respective dates.

Service was quick, all ordering drinks which ranged from lemon water, to wine, to beer and placing their food orders and chatting some more. As much as he hated to admit it, Brett was actually really cool. And Zoey clearly liked him, at least in some sort of capacity, because he hadn’t seen her smile so much. Although, to be fair, he hadn’t seen her much in general. He felt proud, watching her having fun and joking around. She really was doing her best to be more present and carefree, you wouldn’t know just by looking at her that she was having a hard time.

As the night went on, Harry noticed that Rory had eased up a bit more, too. She went from being a bit nervous around him, to interacting like that had previously with flirting glances and blushing. He was beginning to feel like everything would go back to normal, again.

Zoey swallowed a bite of her food and chuckled, “You know, I’m the only one here without an accent,” she said, putting her silverware down, “all of you have traveled all of over the world and the coolest place I’ve been to other than here is Ohio.”

Everyone laughed and Brett shook his head, “Typical uncultured American.”

“Well, if you could go anywhere, where would you go?” Harry asked.

She leant an elbow on the table and rested her head in her hand in thought before speaking, “I’m not sure. Somewhere with history, because that’s so interesting to me, but I also want to be able to relax at a beach or something, you know?”

“So maybe like Rome. It’s close enough to the beach, and it’s a standard vacation spot. It’s beautiful there,” Rory suggested.

Zoey nodded, picking her utensils back up and stabbing her food, “Maybe one day. I’ll just sell my firstborn to get there.”

They chuckled and Harry noticed the twitch of disappointment in her voice again, that no one else seemed to notice. He quickly thought of a ‘Princess Bride’ quote and, mocking Vizzini’s voice, shouted out, “Inconceivable!”

She looked up and laughed, recognizing the quote and responded the next line, doing a dramatic rendition of Inigo Montoya’s accent, said, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Her and Harry cracked up and tears formed in his eyes, trying not to laugh so loudly. When he looked up and saw the confused expressions on both Rory’s and Brett’s faces, he laughed even harder, realizing that they had no clue what the hell him and Zoey were talking about. He shook his head, trying to collect himself while Zoey tried to explain, fighting to get the words out, but gave up.

“Why did you have to say it in that voice?” She wheezed, avoiding Harry’s eyes so she wouldn’t start laughing again.

Harry took a deep breath in, steadying his voice, “You can’t not say it in that voice.”

Rory and Brett shared a look of amusement and the group finally changed the subject. It took them a while to eat because they talked so much, but by the time everyone had finished, Brett was holding Zoey’s hand that stretched across the tabletop and Harry and Rory were more or less playing footsies underneath the table. Their waitress brought out the check. Harry offered to pay, but Brett insisted on splitting the check, and they scooted out of the booth, Rory and Zoey linking arms and heading towards the car first.

“Feeling better?” Zoey quickly asked Rory before the boys got in the car.

Aurora knew she was referring to the situation between her and Harry, but she shrugged, “We’ll see where it goes.”

Eventually, the boys joined them and they decided to carry on the date back at the girls’ apartment where Nancy was already asleep in her room. They decided on a scary movie to watch and stretched on the sectional, Zoey and Brett laying down and cuddled up on one side of the couch while Harry sat with his arm around Rory as she leaned into his side.

There was so much tension in the room that it made Zoey’s stomach hurt. It was nearly impossible to pay attention to the movie after Brett slipped his hand in between her thighs to warm his fingers up, and her heart fluttered whenever his grip tightened. She tilted her head up to look at his face, only for him to meet her gaze. The curtains of the wall length windows were closed, so the only light that illuminated his face was the flashing colors of the television.

Brett bent down slightly and closed his eyes, planting a wet kiss on her lips, and when he pulled away, they both shared an understanding expression before Zoey pushed herself up from the couch and straightened her shirt as Brett used her hips to pull himself up.

She felt Harry and Rory’s eyes on them and, feeling only slightly embarrassed, pushed the feeling aside and simply said, “Goodnight, guys,” before leading Brett towards her room.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Brett spun her around and began attacking her face with wet kisses. A shame, really, to have such plump, beautiful lips but not know how to use them. Still, he was hot, and at least his lips still tasted like beer. They stumbled through the room towards her bed, pulling off pieces of their own clothes and tossing them to the side until They were completely naked.

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

Brett, once again, lifted her off of the ground and wrapped her legs around his waist. She could feel his large member bouncing and smacking the bottom of her butt as he carried her to her bed, tossing her onto her sheets and causing the pillows to scatter from the impact. He had the habit of tossing her around, not that she was complaining. But she had a feeling that he did it because he knew he could, not because he knew she liked it.

He hovered over her, standing at the edge of the bed and grabbing hold of her thighs, pulling her closer to him. Typically this would have been the time where he would kiss her some more before fucking her, but he skipped it this time, raising the condom pack that he had managed to grab out of his jean pockets before he took them off and ripping it open, forcing it onto his cock before running his tip up her slit and shoving himself inside of her.

It all happened so quickly, and honestly a part of her was happy that he had skipped the kissing because her mouth always felt so raw and chafed afterwards from how rough and wet it was, but, unfortunately, the thing she was beginning to notice about Brett was that he wasn’t a man of foreplay. Which would be fine if you just wanted a quickie. But that’s not how it went with him. Brett liked to hold out for as long as he possibly could, constantly pulling out before either of them could finish so that it would last longer. He got off on teasing her to the edge of climax and every time he did it, she arched her back and trembled in frustration, causing him to thrust into her harder and faster.

She’ll give it to him, he knew what he was doing and what positions to be in for optimum performance, but after so long, the act became more of a chore. She had cum nearly thirty minutes prior when he finally finished and collapsed onto the bed beside him, letting the jizz filled condom sit on his still erect penis while he tried to catch his breath.

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

Zoey sat up and rolled out of bed, pulling on an oversized t-shirt and some sweatpant before slipping out of the room and tiptoeing down the hall towards the bathroom. She snuck a peek into the living room to see the flashing light from the TV illuminating Harry and Rory’s faces, who sat facing each other and, from the looks of it, in the middle of a deep conversation. Not wanting to disturb them, she silently closed the bathroom door behind her and did her business, wondering if they were okay.

She stole one more glance on the way back to her room and caught eyes with Harry, the look on his face reading an off mix of dejected and hopeful, while Rory’s body language seemed comfortable and cool. Whatever it was, she was sure she’d hear about it tomorrow.

Her bedroom door creaked as she opened it to see Brett now tucked underneath her covers, his body turned the opposite direction, facing the windows. Zoey rounded to his side, pulling the curtains closed before climbing over him and laying in the bed beside him. But she couldn’t sleep. Her mind kept wandering back to her friends in the living room, hoping that they were okay and worried that Harry would be texting her any minute, needing to talk.

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