#this has been my sun lounger read the last two days

[scoops-aboy86]

Your Smile Is My Favorite

Prompt Used: Summer reading (@thehairandthebanished) and cheesy pickup lines (@softsteddieseptember) | Your Smile Is My Favorite | Rating: T | CW: mild body image issues | Additional Tags: chubby Steve Harrington, gay Eddie Munson, pining, bizarre communication through intricate pickup line rituals, Robin loves these two idiots

I wrote most of this while on a 11 hour car trip, I’ll post it to ao3 later. 🥱 Still the 4th in my time zone though!

It’s hard to stay absorbed in a book when Steve Harrington is swimming laps in his little red shorts, but Eddie is managing. 

Sort of. Kinda. 

Okay, not really. Or at all. 

But he’s read Return of the King so many times before that he can fill in any paragraphs his eyes accidentally skim over from memory, so it’s fine. And he definitely rolled high on stealth by being smart enough to bring sunglasses, because Middle Earth has nothing on his view of Steve’s chest while the guy does the backstroke. 

Earlier in the summer Steve would have been poolside with Eddie and Robin, sprawled out in the sun snacking on pizza and chips with them and letting Eddie draw him into their umpteenth debate on which is better, Coca Cola or Mountain Dew. Now he’s going at it in the pool like he has something to prove, or diving in over and over while complaining about his form. 

Which, Eddie thinks, is a very fine form indeed. He’s thickened up some since their harrowing adventures last Spring Break, transformed from merely good-looking to downright beefy in a way that makes Eddie’s mouth water and fingers twitch with the urge to rake through that tantalizing chest hair, test the give of Steve’s deliciously softer pecs and stomach. It’s starting to become a problem. 

As if Aragorn, son of Arathorn, would have an easier time concentrating on a book about the Party’s adventures if Arwen were parading around in front of him while scantily clad, Eddie thinks, trying to make himself feel like a little bit less of a pining loser. 

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” Robin says, sounding bored from the next lounge chair over. She hasn’t even looked up from her own book. 

Eddie considers protesting. He could; they’ve never actually discussed the way they’d clocked each other as queer during Spring Break, he has plausible deniability. 

Instead, he says, “Got a camera you can loan me, Birdie?”

She snorts, sliding her bookmark into place as she turns towards him on her lounger. “No, but now that we’re talking about it, can we talk about how your crush is visible from, like, space?”

“He is not!” The protest tumbles out of him before Eddie even thinks about it, and his cheeks immediately flare red under layers of sunblock. It’s not like Robin would talk about the way her platonic soulmate had recently put on some extra weight like that, Eddie is just a moron. Well, he’ll just have to blow past it and pretend he’d been… bluffing about his crush not being Steve. Yeah. “Uh, I mean. Fuck, I’m not being too obvious, am I?”

Robin’s grin is smug, and definitely a little bit at his expense. “Not really. You’re super easily distracted when there’s more people around, so the kids haven’t picked up on it yet.” She glances back at the pool and the expression softens to amused affection. “It’s written all over your face right now, but I’m pretty sure dingus over there has this fixed idea about your type being all dark clothes and leather and tattoos. He’ll never figure it out on his own, completely hopeless.”

That’s a relief to hear. Eddie relaxes beneath the shade of his poolside umbrella, glances down at his book again… 

And snaps it shut and scrunches up on his side to face her too. He’ll be able to find his place again later, more or less. The occasional splashes of Steve reaching one side of the pool and flipping around to swim back fades into the background for the first time all day in the face of this new, unexplored conversational territory. 

“So,” he says matter-of-factly. Because he’s reconciled with this a long time ago: Robin has literally helped save his life a number of times, she’s safe. “Clearly you’ve got me all figured out. And there’s no way you could be around that all the time and still get anything done without being… oppositely inclined.”

She nods, and the teeny tiny bit of him that had been braced just in case he was wrong relaxes. “Yeah. I don’t see the appeal, but I’ve literally seen a few girls walk into things when they catch sight of him.”

Eddie snickers, like the hypocrite slightly wired on nerves and relief that he is. Curbs, trash cans, the glass doors of Family Video… he’s been there, done that, and been forced to turn it into a bit so no one catches on to what all of those instances had in common. (Steve smiling at him. Steve looking at him. Just, Steve.)

“Not as many lately though,” Robin confides, a little sad. “Shallow bitches.”

“Shallow as hell,” Eddie agrees. One hundred percent. “They have no idea what they’re missing out on.”

“It’s taking a toll on him,” she continues. “You know, how his hair kinda deflates a little when he’s bummed out? Those great big puppy dog eyes come out and it’s all—” her voice drops in a possible Steve impression “—‘Is it me, Rob? What am I doing wrong?’”

Eddie huffs a wordless disagreement with that whole sentiment. Wrong with Steve? Wrong with Steve? There’s nothing wrong with Steve, in his opinion. Badass scars, heart of gold, hair of the gods, and a little more meat on his bones making him even more solid and dependable? Sign Eddie the fuck up. 

Sure, there’s also the nightmares and a general jumpiness whenever the phone rings or lights flicker or a radio starts to crackle, but the same can be said of pretty much everyone in the Party, Eddie included. It’s perfectly understandable after everything they’ve been through, the number of times they’ve helped save the world. 

“I think that’s why he’s leaning so hard into swimming again,” Robin adds. And even though she seems totally casual, there’s something… not pointed, exactly, but definitely not dull behind her words. She’s giving him a look that Eddie can’t figure out, because he just doesn’t have the same kind of in-tune-ness with her that she and Steve display on a regular basis, having conversations with nothing but stares, blinks, and funny eyebrow twitches. 

He tries anyway. Even pushes his sunglasses up into his hair for a clearer look, but message not received. Frowning, he glances over his shoulder at the pool again. “Because he’s… upset about not going on dates lately?”

Not that Eddie had been paying attention or anything. Not that he’d daydreamed hopelessly a few times that it was because Steve was hung up on him, lingering a bit more than necessary when dropping off and picking up the kids on Hellfire days. Inviting Eddie to hangout days like this. Taking Eddie up on it whenever he offers to smoke the guy out, usually when they both have dark circles from sleeping poorly blooming under their eyes and everything about the no longer in peril world around them feels like too much. Springing for fast food whenever they get the munchies, since Eddie supplied the grass…

“Because he thinks there’s something wrong about him,” Robin corrects, “that he needs to work out.” 

Oh. What—oh. Eddie blinks, reorients, and realizes that the thing he hadn’t been able to read before is concern. “But… he looks so good,” he says dumbly. 

Steve is self-conscious about his weight? Oh no, that won’t do at all. Eddie’s mind is already racing through ways to reassure their friend that he looks great, fantastic, amazing, all the positive adjectives that he knows. He wants to build Steve up, make sure he knows that there are definitely people who would absolutely jump at the chance to be with him. 

Or, you know, right here. Or something. 

Splashing sounds draw his attention back to the pool, and it’s Steve wading up the shallow end towards them, apparently tired out for the time being. And Eddie… panics. 

“Damn, Harrington,” he blurts out, “is it hot out here or is it just you?”

Which is. It’s. Something out of that terrible pickup lines book one of the Corroded Coffin guys found at a yard sale a few weeks ago—he can’t remember who exactly, maybe Jeff?—that they’d all howled over, reading the worst ones out loud in ridiculous voices. Why the hell is that what popped into his head?

Steve pauses with one foot still in the pool, squinting at him. “Uh… It’s definitely hot today. Are you… overheated or something? I could get you some ice water.”

“No, I’m good,” Eddie manages. And then, because he’s an idiot, he continues, “Have I told you lately that you’re very attractive? You must eat magnets for breakfast.”

He catches a glimpse of Robin out of the corner of one eye. For a second he hopes that she might step in and save him from himself, but nope; her face is frozen in a look of appalled fascination. No help coming from that quarter. 

“I,” Steve starts, stepping the rest of the way out of the pool and putting both hands on his hips like he doesn’t know what else to do with them. “Dude, are you high?”

If only he were. The proximity of Steve’s naked, dripping wet chest and the gentle roll over the top of his swim trunks seems to have roughly the same effect on him though. 

“Nope,” Eddie squeaks. His face feels incandescent, and he can’t even blame it on a sunburn. And still he opens his mouth again, because he’s already gone this far, might as well commit to the bit. “But we should smoke up later, sweetheart. I think weed be really good together.”

That one wasn’t from the book. It’s an Eddie Munson original. If death took him now, he would not hate it. 

Steve looks to Robin, who shrugs and throws him a towel. He catches it and starts drying his hair, returning his attention to Eddie with a perplexed look. “Low blood sugar?” he asks, and it takes a second for Eddie to place that Steve is still trying to guess why he’s being so weird. 

As if the Freak of Hawkins needs something so pedestrian as a reason. 

“We can order pizza,” Robin suggests in a strangled voice. She’s trying so hard not to laugh, which is good. Probably. 

Eddie can muster a little gratitude for that, right up until he opens his mouth again and “Oh, are you craving pizza? Because I’d love to get a pizz-a you” falls out. 

… Maybe he does have low blood sugar. Or, like. A brain tumor or something. 

Steve sends Robin another look, then shrugs and heads inside the house. Presumably to order pizza, and hopefully for Eddie’s sanity to put on a shirt. 

As soon as the glass door slides shut behind him, Robin whips around and whisper yells, “What the hell was that?!”

Eddie throws himself back on his lounger and covers his face with both hands. “I don’t know. I wanted to cheer him up, make him feel good about himself or something, but—”

“And you thought hitting on him would do the trick? Very badly, I might add!”

“Oh, like you know anything about what works when hitting on dudes!” Eddie shoots back, even though she’s right. So very right. Cruelly correct, to a poor gay man who is suffering. 

He rolls over on the chair, only putting a knee or elbow through the plastic straps beneath him a few times before flopping face down and tugging his own unused towel over his entire head. It’s almost restful under there. The lounger cradles his face a little too high because the back is still angled slightly up for, you know, lounging… and Return of the King is dry and solid under one shoulder, twisting his frame a little oddly, but other than that…

~

By the time Steve comes back outside, Eddie barely notices. He feels slow and drowsy from the heat, everything muffled by the towel. But he does hear a scrape over the concrete beneath him and cracks an eye open to peer through the gaps in the chair. 

It’s a slice of pepperoni and extra cheese on a paper plate, positioned directly below his head, right where he can smell it. 

Fuck, okay. He can’t not get up for food freely offered. It’s just not how Wayne raised him. 

“There you are,” Steve says brightly when Eddie emerges and resituates himself with the plate in hand. “Feeling better? Seemed like the heat was getting to you there.”

“Must’ve,” Eddie replies with a weak laugh. “Thanks.” For the pizza, and for allowing him some semblance of dignity to fall back on after… whatever that had been. Because Steve, above all else, is a good dude; something Eddie has been all too aware of for over a year now. 

Steve passes him a can of Mountain Dew and taps his own Coke can against it like a toast. “Don’t mention it. And, uh, Eds…” He’s starting to smile, just a little. “I know this is going to sound cheesy, but I think you're the gratest.”

Somewhere to Eddie’s other side, Robin chokes on her drink and has to cough a few times to clear it. 

Eddie just stares, jaw dropped open and feeling flushed all over, heart in his throat. Even with his hair still wet and smelling strongly of chlorine, Steve has somehow retained that signature swoop. Maybe he fixed it while he was inside, procuring pizza and slipping into an old and raggedy high school gym shirt that makes him only slightly less biteable. 

And that smile, fully bloomed now and brighter than the afternoon sun. Like he’s decided, playfully, to meet Eddie at his level no matter how dumb it is. 

“Alright,” Robin rasps. “Okay. I’m just gonna go inside to finish my summer reading while you dingi do… whatever this is.” Followed by the creak of her chair as she clambers off. 

“Don’t mess with the thermostat,” Steve calls after her. He turns slightly to do it and releases Eddie from his tractor beam stare, letting Eddie breathe again—when had he stopped doing that? And then those hazel eyes are back on him, hypnotizing. “Well? Cat got your tongue, or do you have any more?”

The words are… different, now that they’re alone. Quieter. Steve is leaning forward slightly, legs over the side of the chair as he faces Eddie. Elbows on his knees and Coke can dangling forgotten from one big hand. His stare is intense in a way that is almost too terrifying to try to read into. 

Eddie wets his lips nervously. “No, I… I’ve got more.” He sits up a little straighter, turns to put his feet down on the shaded but still warm concrete and face Steve head-on. “I’m no photographer, but I can picture us together.”

It sounds, feels, almost terrifyingly like a confession. 

Steve’s grin gets impossibly brighter and Eddie is back to not daring to breathe, because what is happening. “Are you a camera? Because every time I look at you, I smile.”

Which is. That’s. Does he? Eddie is having some sort of out of body experience trying to think back. 

The part of him that’s still anchored in bones and nerves and skin takes a deep breath. Committing to it. 

“Of all the beautiful curves on your body, your smile is my favorite,” he hears himself say, and it’s probably the plainest, most honest words he’s uttered in his entire twenty-one years of life. 

It’s not like he thinks Steve is going to punch him for saying it. Or even for saying it like that. Good dude, inescapable. But he wasn’t expecting the guy’s eyes to go big and molten, or for him to swallow hard, all while that amazing smile never dims. 

“I’m… Shit, I’m going to give you a kiss, Eddie. If you don't like it, you can return it.”

And then Steve leans forward, and does. 

~

Half an hour later, Robin comes back outside to check on them and finds the two young men twined together on one lounger. Steve is sprawled half on top of Eddie, who looks like he’s holding him in place with both legs and teasing a half eaten slice of pizza against Steve’s mouth. Steve snaps at it with his teeth, and Eddie yanks it away but then goes back in to tap it against his lips anyway with a laugh, loose and easy. Happy. 

They both look so happy together. 

She knew it. All she’d had to do was get those two pining idiots talking about something real—even if Eddie had surprised her with a deeply unexpected means of doing so. Whatever, he’s weird, nothing new there. The important thing is that her plan to end her two best friends’ ridiculous mutual pining for one another had worked. 

And Steve hadn’t believed her when she’d insisted that the metalhead definitely doesn’t think it’s a bad thing that his clothes all fit a little more snug these days. Ha. One more tally on her own You Rule column. 

Feeling magnanimous, Robin decides to wait until they’re done with lunch to turn the hose on them. 

Permanent tag list: @hotluncheddie @lawrencebshoggoth @sofadofax @irishvampireboy @oatmilk-vampire

@wheneverfeasible @hamiltonswiftie @grtwdsmwhr @yesdangerpls @theseaofdespair

[theodorecanaryhood]

Anthology reading

Hey all! I’m really sick so need some writing therapy! Here’s some short stories with Dick and Jason

Prom Queen

Jason x Female reader

February was always a strange month for you as the weather could never work out if it wanted to scold or not, the milder days were better for you. The cold nights were even better as you could stay tangled with Jason in bed.

Today was one of those milder days but something kept making you feel a chill, you weren’t sure if it was the sudden drop from the AC in the store or the fact that you had seen someone you hoped you’d never see again.

‘Y/n, oh my Lord, it’s been so long how are?’ Jessica spoke with a smile as she approached you.

‘Jess, hi, it has been so long. I’m great how are you?’ You kept up a friendly tone, even though in your head you were thinking at 100mph on how to escape.

Jessica was prom Queen, popular, skinny, pretty and you were none of those things in high school. In fact you were the outcast who would rather sit and read history books than party with the jocks.

‘So what you been up to since high school Miss?’ Jessica asked, never dropping her smile.

‘Mrs, Mrs Todd’ you chuckled, Jessica looked surprised.

‘You’re married?’ She asked almost in disbelief as you showed her the wedding band and diamond ring on your left hand.

‘Two years soon, what about you? Married? Kids?’ You asked as Jessica’s smile vanished.

‘No, no luck for my love life. I’m still single and guys aren’t all that great to me if I’m honest. Think me trying to hold onto that party girl I was isn’t helping, also not a good idea to sleep with the guy on the first date’ Jessica joked, there was a hint of sadness in her voice.

‘Better to work it slow, guys won’t come for more if you give it all away’ you said as Jessica shrugged, grabbing a carton of milk from the fridge.

‘I guess, so you shopping alone?’ Jessica asked as you shook your head, seeing Jason approaching.

Jason came over and gave you a quick peck on the cheek as he dumped fruit and veg in the shopping cart, Jessica watching on.

‘Oh Jess this is Jason my Husband, Jason this is Jessica. We used to go to school together’ you introduced the two as Jason smiled.

Jessica checked Jason out as he said hello and went to get some cleaning supplies from a different aisle.

‘Well, who’d a thought? Y/n your Husband is…you’re a lucky girl’ Jessica spoke, you smiled.

‘Anyway, it was good seeing you’ you said as you walked with your shopping cart away from Jessica.

You just wished you hadn’t of seen her, or that she didn’t see you. Should’ve just played dumb and pretend you didn’t know her.

Though it was pretty priceless to know the Prom Queen and pretty popular girl has been beaten, by you. The quiet girl.

The little sister

Jason Todd x Female Reader

Jason Todd, boy wonder, Red Hood … whatever people were calling him these days. You’d just had enough of him catcalling you.

Dick and Hank were best friends with your older brother, so it only made sense that Dick’s annoying younger brother Jason would come along.

It was during summer break and you were staying with you older brother, Oscar. He was like your other parent and the two of you were really close. He had a big house and a pool, so summers at his were always great.

Dick, Hank and Oscar were in the pool outside while Jason lay on the sun lounger, drinking beer.

The last time Jason saw you it was Winter so you were wearing layers, but now he was seeing you in less.

You walked out of the house in nothing but a swimsuit, Red and figure hugging. Jason started choking on his drink and coughing, you looked at him concerned.

‘You ok Jason?’ You asked, Jason nodded as he smiled.

You hadn’t noticed the fact that Jason kept checking you out every chance he got, until you were sitting at the table outside reading.

Jason caught your eye when you could feel his on you, by this time he was in the pool. Wearing only his swimming trunks.

The older boys were out getting drinks together while you stayed to relax, Jason staying to do the same. Only that wasn’t his plan, not completely.

‘Stop staring at me’ you broke the silence, Jason smiled softly as he pulled himself out of the pool and sat on the edge, kicking his legs in the water.

‘Can’t help, you so pretty’

‘You don’t need to keep staring, it’s not a compliment it’s creepy’ you said, going back to your book.

‘That hurts my feelings’ Jason said, mocking offence.

‘Suffer’ you said monotone, Jason chuckled as he walked over to you.

You didn’t deny the fact you checked him out too but you didn’t make it obvious, there was much to be intrigued about. His curly hair, abs, the fact that he was a bit of a bad boy and dangerous. Something that always seemed to attract you.

‘Come on y/n just admit, you like me’ Jason smiled, his torso in your eye like as he stood in front of you.

‘You’re cute’ you said, looking in his eye for a second then returning to your book.

‘Just cute?’

You placed your bookmark in place then closed your book, standing up you went to walk away.

Jason grabbed your hand and pulled you back towards him and planted a deep kiss on your lips. A kiss to which you didn’t break, you placed your hands on his face and deepened it.

You pulled away from the kiss to see Jason smiling brightly, you chuckled.

‘Ok fine, you’re not cute you’re gorgeous. Can I have my hand back please?’ You asked as Jason let go.

Jason watched you as you walked away and bit his bottom lip. You had a thing for the bad boy, and he had a thing for the little sister.

Stay Home

Dick Grayson x GN reader

The sun came up at a threatening angle as it hit you, you didn’t want it to be morning yet as it meant you’d have to get up.

You checked and your alarm wasn’t due for another 5 minutes, which meant you could try and sleep for a bit more.

Dick’s arm remained around your waist as he grumbled at the sound, your alarm was going off already.

‘Ugh 5 more minutes’ you croaked, hitting the snooze button and rolling over to go back to sleep.

Only prolonging the process of waking up and knowing you would be annoyed you’ve woke up later, therefore having to rush getting ready.

You rolled out of bed in just your underwear and a t shirt that was massive on you, one of Dick’s that you stole, shivering as you walked around looking for some clothes.

‘Morning’ Dick smiled as he watched you, you smiled back.

‘Morning, go back to sleep’ you spoke softly as you kissed Dick’s cheek.

You shivered more as you went to walk into the bathroom, Dick’s arm stopping you from going further as he placed a hand on your head.

‘You have a fever y/n, are you sick?’ Dick asked concerned and he placed a hand on your cheek.

‘Nothing a hard day at work won’t fix’ you smiled, Dick shook his head and took your hand.

‘Back to bed, you’re not going to work if you’re ill babe, you need to rest and get better’ he said, you went to walk into the bathroom but Dick lifted you up.

‘Nope’ he laughed as he carried you to bed, pinning you down.

‘Fine, I’ll stay in bed. Can I call my boss at least?’ You asked, Dick chuckled as he handed you your phone.

Kissing you as he got out of bed and headed toward the kitchen.

Of course Dick got what you have but it was something that was going to happen, and of course you both took care of each other.

Nightwing and ‘Nightwing’

Dick x fem reader

Dick sat staring at your dog who sat on his lap and never moved, loving the attention and the fuss he was getting.

‘Nightwing, you want some dinner?’ You asked as your dog bounced off of your boyfriends lap and into the kitchen with you.

Dick always found it hilarious that your dogs name is his, at least his night name. He always found it sweet, especially since you named the dog that before you two even met.

‘Why’d you name your dog Nightwing anyway?’ Dick asked you as he walked into the kitchen, where you placed the dogs dinner down for him.

‘Why not? It was that or rolly’ you chuckled, Dick kissed you spontaneously as you deepened it.

‘What was that for?’ You asked, Dick just smiled as he kissed you again.

‘I just felt like showing some love’ he smiled.

The last one is short I know, also haven’t proof read so forgive me if there is any spelling mistakes!

[gridgirldrabbles]

Mexican Sun

Pairing: Pierre Gasly x Y/N

Words: 3k

Warnings: cocky pierre but that’s about it!

Request: Hi!! In case the requests are still open, I'd have one for Pierre 😊 inspired by all these amazing mexican workout vids ofc 💦

Reader either works or stays at the same hotel Pierre does, and he loves the attention everyone gives him - except y/n who never followed f1 and doesnt have a clue who this guy is. He finds him attractive, but too cocky, so she ignores him. This frustrates but also intrigues Pierre so he tries to get her attention (cue workouts half-naked at the beach lol), but she is still not impressed. He sees then that he wont succeed the usual way, just by flashing her a nice smile and taking off his shirt, this time he actually has to make an effort to make her like him, or let even make her talk to him.

 You’d been on holiday now for a couple of days, soaking up the gorgeous Mexican sun as you let yourself relax for what felt like the first time in months. You’d taken two weeks off of work, deciding that you needed a break, so you spontaneously booked yourself a trip away. While the first few days had been rather uneventful with days comprised of laying in the sun while reading your book and the occasional dip in the ocean, it all changed when he arrived.

Ah yes, him. You didn’t know his name; you just knew that he was absolutely gorgeous. And absolutely a cocky asshole. You’d noticed him straight away when he’d arrived at the rather expensive hotel, his hair fluttering in the light breeze, his smile lighting up the faces of those around him. You’d been intrigued by him at first, but then you saw how he interacted with other women and your curiosity fell flat. The way he took his shirt off and paraded himself around like a peacock just wasn’t for you, you’d rather someone with a little…depth.

However, you weren’t going to complain about how often he took his shirt off, you could still appreciate his chiselled abs and golden tan. You thought you would have gone completely unnoticed by him, that was until one day you felt a shadow looming over you while you were trying to tan. You opened your eyes, hidden behind your sunglasses, to see the guy you’d be watching for the past few days standing over you.

‘Can I help you?’ You asked politely, subtly checking out his abs which looked even better up close.

He flashed you an award-winning smile, his eyes unashamedly running over your bikini-clad body. ‘I was wondering you would let me buy you a drink.’

It took all of your effort to not roll your eyes, knowing immediately where he thought this would lead to. You closed your eyes and settled comfortably back into your sun lounger, ‘no thanks, I’m all good.’ You pointed to the left of you where you had a half full mimosa waiting for you. It didn’t seem to deter him though.

‘How about coming for a swim with me then? Don’t you think I deserve it after the weekend I’ve just had?’

You furrowed your eyebrows at his statement, how were you meant to know how his weekend was, you didn’t even know his name. You slide your sunglasses to settle on top of your hair, giving him an even better view of your face that made his breath hitch in his throat, not that he let it show.

‘How am I meant to know what your weekend was like?’

His cheeky smile dropped from his face as reality dawned on him. You didn’t know who he was. It was rare nowadays that girls didn’t know who he was, and that’s probably why he’d been acting the way he had for the past few months. When girls were constantly throwing themselves at your feet it’s hard not to take advantage of it.

‘You don’t know who I am?’

‘No, am I meant to?’ His plan was falling to pieces around him. Usually, he would just go up to a pretty girl, ask to buy her a drink and she would be fawning around his feet in seconds.

‘My name’s Pierre, I’m a driver in formula 1.’ He can’t even remember the last time he had to tell someone that.

‘Oh, I can’t say that it’s ever interested me, but well done you!’ You didn’t mean for your comment to come out as sarcastic as it did, and Pierre couldn’t hide the shocked look on his face. ‘If we’re done here, could you move out the way of the sun? It’s getting a bit cold in the shade.’

He was so dumbstruck by your complete lack of interest in him that he left without another word. Why was he feeling so flustered? He’d been rejected by girls in the past, not very often that’s for sure, but it had happened. Why did this one make his stomach feel strange? He looked back over his shoulders towards you, basking in the warms rays of the sun with your sunglasses settled back on the bridge of your nose.

Pierre immediately knew what the feeling in his stomach was. It was the same feeling he got before he started a race. It was the desire to win. If you didn’t know who he was now, then he was going to make you wish that you did.

The next day you were in the same spot, book in hand and a fresh fruit platter to your right. You could really get used to living like this. Around thirty minutes went by and then Pierre jogged into your vision along with another man, heading towards the gym that was set up on the beach. It took a lot more willpower than you were willing to admit to keep your eyes on your book, your gaze often drifting towards the gym to see Pierre’s muscles straining as he lifted weights that were heavier than you. You must’ve read the same page at least three times before you managed to get a grip of yourself.

You sensed his eyes on you during his workout, but you tried to remain unbothered by it. As much as you weren’t interested in him, it was hard not to be a little bit flustered when an extremely attractive guy showed interest in you. After your admission the previous day that you didn’t know who he was, you would’ve thought that he would’ve moved on to the next girl whose underwear he could easily get into. Yet, you were quickly proven wrong.

The same shadow as the day before blocked out the sun, causing you to groan in frustration. Your eyes raised from your books to the figure in front of you, ‘back again?’

‘I came to see if you were ready for that drink yet.’

‘I thought I told you yesterday that I wasn’t interested?’

‘Well that was yesterday, you might’ve changed your mind once you got to stare at me a bit longer.’ The wink he flashed in your direction undeniably raised goosebumps along your arms, having a much more severe affect than you think any guy had had on you in the past. ‘I saw the way you were looking at me while I was in the gym, cherie, it’s okay to admit you think I’m hot.’

You scoffed at his bold words. He definitely wasn’t wrong, but you didn’t want him to know that. ‘How would you know I was looking at you if you weren’t already looking at me?’

‘So you admit you were looking at me?’ The smirk on his lips made you want to get on your knees for him but also smack it off his face at the same time.

‘Look, I’m going to be straight with you right now. I don’t care who you are. And I don’t want to go for drinks with you just because you think you’ll end the night with me in your bed. That’s not what I do.’

He shrugged as his eyes raked over you once more, ‘it’s your lose, mon amour. You know where I am if you change your mind.’

Pierre tried to play it cool as he walked away from you, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment that you had turned him down again. What was he doing wrong? Maybe he was approaching you in the wrong way.

The next morning he woke up with a plan. It was clear that you weren’t impressed by his fame, and you couldn’t be swayed by his body (although he definitely knew you liked the view), so he decided to take another course of action.

The familiar shadow crept over you once again. ‘Good morning, Pierre.’ Your eyes hadn’t lifted from your book yet but he had his fingers crossed that today would be the day he could sway you.

‘Good morning! Did you have a good sleep?’ That caught your attention. It was the first time that he’d come over that he hadn’t immediately asked you to go for a drink with him.

‘Uh, actually I did, thank you for asking.’ He had your full attention at this point.

‘I wanted to apologise for how I’ve been acting for the past couple of days. I thought you were really pretty and wanted to get to know you more but I obviously went about it in the wrong way. Can we start over?’

As much as you tried you couldn’t hide the small smile that settled across your lips. ‘That sounds nice, I’d like that.’

‘I also never asked for you name which was incredibly rude of me.’

‘It’s Y/N.’ Pierre didn’t often get flustered, but the way you said your name sounded like music to his ears.

‘Would you maybe like to come for a walk down the beach with me?’ He had a light blush dusting his cheeks at this point, but you couldn’t tell whether it was from your interaction or the heat of the sun.

‘I would love that.’ You quickly got your stuff together, throwing it into the tote bag you brought down with you every day while you slipped your sandals onto your feet.

What you thought would be over very quickly actually lasted for over an hour. It turns out that the two of you had a lot in common as well as a similar sense of humour. Pierre told you all about his career and his family, while you told him the exact same. You might’ve come from two very different backgrounds but that didn’t stop the two of you from getting on like a house on fire.

‘I wanted to say sorry for judging you so quickly. I’ve just had bad experiences with guys that I thought were like you, but it turns out you’re actually pretty sweet.’ You kept your eyes trained on your feet while you admitted your mistake, and by doing so you missed the sweet smile on Pierre’s face as he couldn’t take his eyes off of you.

‘I know I came on quite strong, so you don’t have to apologise.’ The pair of you walked in comfortable silence until you got back to the hotel, both of you lingering, not wanting to leave each other quite yet.

Before you could second guess yourself you took the plunge and had been the bravest you’d ever been with a boy, ‘would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?’ No one could deny the brightness behind the Frenchman’s eyes at your offer, and he quickly agreed, planning on a time to come and pick you up from your room before parting ways.

It felt like an age before you heard the knock on your door. You’d already been ready to go for twenty minutes because you’d been so nervous that you occupied yourself with doing your makeup and choosing an outfit way earlier than you needed to. When you opened the door before you, you had to make a conscious effort to not gasp at the sight in front of you.

Pierre stood holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a baby blue button up adorning his torso, accompanied by white trousers and the most expensive looking shoes you think you’d ever seen. Not really used to the romance that came with a date, Pierre thrust the flowers towards you, words getting caught in his throat. You laughed at his actions and quickly went to find a cup that you could put the gorgeous arrangement in.

‘Are you ready to go?’ You nodded shyly, closing your door behind you. As gentlemanly as he could, he held his arm out for you which your gratefully latched on to. The small talk on the way down to the hotel restaurant was comfortable and it felt like talking to an old friend, not something you’d experienced many times in your life.

You were seated outside, the sea breeze dancing through the leaves of the palm trees that decorated the resort, the early evening sun giving you both a golden glow. Pierre chose the wine, you trusted that he knew more about it than you did, and then once you both ordered, you got back to chatting just as you were earlier in the day.

The more you learned about him the more you felt yourself wanting to open up to him. You spoke about the hardships you’d both faced throughout your lives, and he told you about the weekend that he lost Antoine. You felt the pang in your chest as he reminisced over the memories with his best friend and couldn’t help but smile when Pierre told you that you would’ve loved him.

Ambitions were shared between you both, discussions about where you both wanted to travel, what your favourite meal to cook was. It was like the two of you were catching up on years of missed friendship. You ate your meals in relative silence, both of you relishing in the five-star cuisine they had here.

Inevitably, the topic turned to your love lives. For you there wasn’t much to share, since your last relationship you’d been on a few dates, but nothing had ever come of them, not that you were really that upset by it. Pierre’s was definitely more complicated than yours.

‘It’s difficult to get involved with anyone being in the position I’m in, everyone feels as if they’re entitled to every detail of your life, and that includes whoever you’re dating.’ You nodded your head understandingly; you could imagine how hard it was to date in the public eye. ‘I’ve had a few girlfriends, but they always say that the pressure is too much for them and then they leave.’

You could see his throat straining as he was being painfully honest with you. ‘Well, if they can’t accept every bit that comes with dating you, then they obviously don’t deserve you.’ He smiled at your words, a genuine, heartfelt smile.

You settled on sharing a piece of chocolate cake for dessert, both of you too stuffer from your main course to have a whole one to yourself. You couldn’t help but think about how cliché it was. One dessert, two spoons, secrets shared over expensive wine that you would never be able to afford in a million years if you were paying for dinner. But you couldn’t care less. You were having so much fun that it just seemed so natural to do it with the man sat in front of you.

Before you could even finish your though, Pierre’s hand reached out across the table, spoon loaded with cake that he guided to your mouth. The blush on your cheeks could’ve started a housefire it was so hot, and you couldn’t help but giggle at his actions. You held out your spoon, copying his actions before purposefully missing his mouth and getting it on his nose.

‘Hey! What was that for?’ Pierre asked through his laughter while he wiped it off with a napkin. You didn’t feel the need to answer, instead grabbing his much larger hand in your own, thumb rubbing over his knuckles gently.

You both settled into your chairs, plates being taken away by the waiters and left to the quiet of the outside world. The only sounds that could be heard were the gentle rumbles of the restaurant indoors, the lulling of the waves onto the sand, and the sound of the crickets who had begun to come out as the sun had begin to set. It was perfect. Everything about this evening was undeniably perfect.

It wasn’t long before the restaurant was closing, and you had to part ways. Pierre insisted on walking you back to your room, claiming that he needed to be there if you get attacked by a cricket on your journey. You only laughed at his silly excuse and took his hand before heading up the elevator. Once you got to your door you both paused. You knew you wanted him to kiss you, but would that be too soon? You never kissed on the first date so why did you now feel an ache in your chest as you stared at his perfectly pink lips?

‘Can I kiss you?’ His whisper brought you out of your thoughts, solving your problem for you. You nodded gently and his lips slowly captured yours in a sweet embrace. You’ve had good kisses before, but nothing like this. His hands were settled on the curve of your waist, yours on his broad shoulders. It was tender and passionate at the same time, everything you had been hoping it would be.

You pulled away from each other gently, hands remaining in place while your faces were mere inches apart from each other. ‘Let me take you out tomorrow?’ He asked tentatively, hoping you had enjoyed the evening just as much as he had.

‘I would love that, as long as I get to watch you in the gym without hiding behind my sunglasses first.’ He chucked at your teasing, pressing his lips against yours for the final time that evening before bidding you goodnight, already counting down the hours until he could see you again tomorrow.

[sequinsmile-x]

Happy early birthday!! Can you do list 2, number 16?

Still going with these birthday prompts almost a month after my birthday lol

Thanks anon <3

The prompt is: “Come back to bed”

I'd also like to dedicate this one to @ssamorganhotchner since I tortured her with the idea of this one all afternoon.

-x-

Golden - Part 2

Words: 2.5k

Warnings: Some mild misogyny, but Emily and Aaron both shut it down real fast. Other than that just super fluffy!

Read over on Ao3, or below the cut

Emily groans as she wakes up, her eyelids heavy as she struggles to blink them open. She reaches over to her husband's side of the bed, frowning when she feels cold sheets against her palm instead of his strong chest. 

“Morning sweetheart,” He says, and she finally opens her eyes properly just as Aaron sits on the bed next to her, a smile on his face as he leans down to press a quick kiss to her lips. He was already dressed for the day, his swim shorts and a t-shirt she knew he’d take off the moment they got to the beach. 

“Why are you up already?” She asks, her voice rough, “come back to bed.” 

He smiles at her, reaching out so he can rub her back. “I would, but Evie’s already been up for an hour demanding we go to the beach,” he says, and he looks over his shoulder to the bassinet on her side of the bed, their 9-month-old son fast asleep, “was he up a lot in the night?” He asks and she nods in response, “Em, you should have woken me up.”

She smiles sleepily at him, “But then who would have gone to the beach first thing with our apparent fish of a daughter,” she yawns, her words slightly lost to it, “she hated the water last year what changed?” 

“Finding Nemo, that’s what happened.” He answers, his eyebrow raised at her. 

“Only our kid would take ‘just keep swimming’ literally,” she grumbles, his hand on her back lulling her back to sleep.

“You want to stay here with Elijah for a bit?” He asks, and she nods in response. He leans down to kiss her before he stands, “You two can come to join us when you’ve had some more sleep.” 

“Ok,” she mumbles, already half asleep by the time she hears the door open, her daughter demanding that Aaron hurry up echoing around the apartment they were staying in. 

The sound of the front door closing wakes Elijah, the baby crying in his bassinet almost instantly, shocking Emily back to full alertness.

“Great.” 

___

She manages to get him back to sleep for an hour or so after feeding him, her eyes closed as she chases sleep herself, her son resting on her chest. 

When he wakes up he smiles as he pats her cheek with his tiny hands, making it clear he was as rested as he was going to get. She tickles his belly, his laugh bringing out his dimples that made him look so much like Aaron it made her ache. 

Evie might well be her double, but Elijah was his, all the way down to the stern look the 9-month-old was somehow capable of. 

She gets him ready for the beach, dressing him in his little cartoon shark-covered sun suit. She waits to put his hat on until she’s ready herself, the choice of her red swimsuit very purposeful, knowing she’d get a reaction from her husband when he sees her. As excepted he tears it off almost immediately, throwing it to the ground before they’ve even left the apartment. 

“Eli,” she says, leaning down to pick the hat up with him on her hip, keeping it in her hand for now, “you’ve got to keep it on, we’re going to see Daddy.”

Elijah replies with a series of sounds that sound like he’s trying to say Dada, and rolls her eyes as she kisses the side of his head, pulling the door closed behind her. 

“You lived inside of me and half your meals come from my body, and your dad is still your favourite.”

___

When she makes it down to the beach she’s not surprised to see Aaron has claimed their ‘usual’ spot, belongings she recognises on a pair of sun loungers not too far from the shoreline. Aaron, Evie and Jack are in the water, the little girl clearly in charge of whatever game they are playing, neither of the older Hotchner men ever able to say no to her. 

Emily waves as she catches Aaron’s attention, smiling at him as he waves back. She places her bag with their things and slips her sandals off, walking towards the water, Elijah still on her hip, the little boy looking around and taking everything in.

“Hi sweetheart,” Aaron says, kissing the side of her head as he meets her at the shoreline, the waves crashing over her feet. Aaron then kisses the top of Elijah’s head, “Did you two get some more sleep.” 

“One of us did,” she replies, looking at Jack and Evie playing only a few paces away from them, the little girl on her brother's shoulders. 

“I’m sorry,” he says, smiling sympathetically at her, “I’ll get up with him tonight.” 

She smiles thankfully at him, but any response is cut off by Evie yelling for Aaron and Emily laughs.

“You’ve been summoned,” Emily replies, winking at him as he heads back over to the pair of them, Evie splashing him and giggling as he makes a show of pretending to be annoyed. Elijah babbles in her ear and Emily turns her attention to him, her smile widening as he reaches out for Aaron, his tiny fists following his father. “Sorry, honey, the water over there is too deep for you,” she says, explaining as if he’d understand, she kisses the side of his head and crouches down, shifting him from her hip so she holds him in front of her. She laughs as his feet hit the water, the way he squirms for a second before giggling, kicking his legs so he causes a tiny splash. 

Emily looks up, aware of Aaron’s gaze on her and she smiles at him, both of them in awe that somehow this was their life. 

___

She's rubbing sunscreen into her daughter’s skin, Evie reluctant to leave the water for even a minute, as she watches Aaron walk around with Elijah. He’s holding the infant's hands securely, helping him stand on his unsteady feet in the sand. It makes want rush through her, something primal inside of her that made watching her husband be an amazing father make him impossibly more attractive. 

He has the audacity to wink at her when he turns around and catches her staring, a knowing look on his face.

“What?” He asks, smirking at her.

She puts the bottle of sunscreen down now she was done. Evie settles back against her and she wraps her arms around her, welcoming the affection from her daughter despite the heat. 

“You just look good when you’re trying to teach our son how to walk, that’s all.” She replies, smiling back at him, she looks at Elijah, the baby reaching for a handful of sand and bringing it towards his mouth as Aaron was briefly distracted. “Aaron.” 

He looks down and successfully empties Elijah’s fist of sand as he picks him up, resting him on his hip, the little boy immediately resting his head on his father’s bare shoulder. 

“Sand isn’t food, buddy,” Aaron says before looking back at Emily, easily switching back into their flirting, “you look good too, I like the swimsuit.” 

“You guys are gross,” Jack says, cutting across both of them, drawing their attention to him as he talks around a bite of his sandwich.

“Your brother and sister don’t mind,” Emily replies a teasing smile on her face. 

“That’s because they are too young to understand,” Jack quips, an eyebrow raised at his stepmother, “sadly I’m not.” 

Aaron makes a show of leaning down to kiss her, handing Elijah back over as he reaches for his mother, both of her younger children in her lap. Jack blushes in the way that only a teenager can when embarrassed by their parents, groaning when Aaron kisses Emily again.

___

Emily can’t help but smile as she looks down at her son and daughter, the joy she felt threatening to burst out of her. Aaron and Jack had gone to get ice cream and she stayed behind with the kids. Evie was fast asleep next to her, snuggled against her mother in the shade as she recovered from all of her fun in the sea. 

Elijah was awake, but barely, his head against her chest as he rubbed at his eyes, fighting sleep as he always did, resistant to miss out on anything. He grabs at the top of her swimsuit, trying to pull it down, making her giggle. 

“Ok, sweet boy,” She laughs shifting him so he was in a more comfortable position, “you’re hungry, huh?” She pulls her swimsuit down so she can feed him, hoping he’d nap after she nursed him like he usually did. He snuggles in further, and she smiles at him, running her fingers over his forehead. 

It was hot, possibly too hot to be sitting with two of her children pressed so close to her, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. This was something she spent so much of her life telling herself she’d never have, something she wasn’t even sure she wanted until she and Aaron got together. They had the family she’d always dreamt she’d be a part of as a child, and it still felt like a dream even now.  Like she’d wake up alone in Paris, all of this a cruel trick of her imagination. 

“Excuse me, Ma’am?” 

She looks up, torn out of her thought process by the stranger standing next to her, a frown on his face.

“Can I help you?” She asks, subconsciously holding her children closer, unable to stop herself from profiling the short, angry-looking man in front of her. She looks past him to see a woman who looked significantly younger than him watching the interaction, a small amount of embarrassment on her face. 

“Do you have to do that?” He asks, his hands on his hips as he stares down at her.

“Do what?” She replies, confused by this stranger’s attitude. 

“That,” he says loudly, waving his hand around where she was feeding Elijah. He shocks Evie awake, the little girl grumbling next to her, sitting up as she rubs at her eyes.

“Mommy?” She asks, and Emily looks at her briefly, smiling encouragingly. 

“It’s ok, baby. You just stay there ok,” she says, pleased when Evie complies, still half asleep, her face set in a grim line at the rude awakening, looking exactly like Aaron. Emily turns back to the man, feeling uncomfortable, yet defiant, as he continues to stare her down. “I’m just feeding my son.” 

“It’s inappropriate.” 

“Feeding my son?” She asks incredulously, raising her eyebrow at him in defiance, “how is that inappropriate?” she continues, wanting to make him say it out loud, give her reason to lose it with him. A petty part of her brain, that sounded suspiciously like Penelope, daring her to get her other breast out. 

“You should at least coverup,” he replies, talking over her, raising her anger even further. 

“Do you cover your face when you eat?” She asks through clenched teeth. She feels Elijah pull away, any progress she had made at getting him to fall asleep undone by the commotion. She quickly covers herself up, holding her son to her chest. 

“No, but-”

“Is there a problem here?” 

She doesn’t think she’s ever been more relieved to hear her husband's voice, looking past the man who had been yelling at her to see him standing behind him, Jack next to him, both with ice cream sandwiches in their hands.

“I was just telling this lady she should cover up,” the man says, turning to Aaron, clearly expecting to find an ally in him, “it’s not appropriate for a public place.” 

Aaron stares at him for a second before walking past him silently, his shoulder not so accidentally bumping into his. 

“You ok, honey?” He asks, making a point of leaning down to kiss her, his hand on the back of Elijah’s head. 

“I’m ok.” She replies, smiling tightly at him, knowing he can see through it, that he sees the discomfort she hides underneath. 

Aaron stands back to his full height, the other man seemingly only now realising just how tall he was. 

“Do you have something else to say to my wife?” Aaron asks, his face set in its typical Hotch expression, “Or are we done here?” 

The man walks away quickly, almost tripping over the sand as he goes. Aaron sits down on the same sun lounger as Emily, careful not to overbalance it as he places his hand on her knee, giving it a squeeze as Evie all but crawls over to him, snuggling into his lap.

“Good one, Dad,” Jack says, taking a bite of his ice cream, “I think he almost pissed his pants.”

“Jack, language.” 

___

“The kids are all asleep,” Aaron says as he joins her on the balcony, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his chin on her shoulder.

“I’m not surprised,” Emily replies, placing her hands over his around her waist, “it’s been a long day.”

They stand in comfortable silence for a few seconds, enjoying the evening breeze, the smell of the ocean in the air.

“Are you ok?” He asks, kissing her cheek, “after earlier?” 

She turns her head to look at him, “The guy on the beach?” She asks, waiting for him to nod in response, “I’m ok,” she assures him, leaning into his chest, “it wasn’t my favourite part of today but I’m fine,” she smiles sadly at him, “it’s not even the first time it’s happened.”

“It isn’t?” He asks, horrified, his hands on his hips turning her so she’s facing him, his arms wrapping around her back.

She shakes her head, “No, it happened with Evie once too,” she explains, smiling wryly at the memory, “it was the first time I took her out, Jack was playing soccer in the park with his friends and I was feeding her on a bench. A man came over and told me to cover her up.” She avoids his eye contact. “I cried all the way home.” 

He hooks his finger under her chin to make her look at him. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?” 

She smiles at him, properly this time. “Because you would have killed him Aaron, and I didn’t fancy raising a newborn and Jack whilst you were in prison.” 

“I wouldn’t have…” he drifts off as she raises an eyebrow at him, “Ok, you might have been right.” 

She kisses him briefly, “I always am.” She yawns as she pulls back. “We should get some sleep,” she says, walking back towards their bedroom, his hand linked in hers, “The Little Mermaid will insist on being up at the crack of dawn again.” 

He chuckles as he follows her into the bedroom, closing the balcony door behind them. 

“Finding Nemo may have been on me,” he says, “but watching  The Little Mermaid with her was entirely your idea.” 

She turns and glares at him, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms over her chest. Defiance that used to be reserved for when she worked for him and they didn’t get along was now solely used for disagreements when it came to their children. Mundane things in their ordinary, extraordinary day to day life. 

“Aaron, it’s the best Disney movie. I won’t have this argument again.” 

-x-

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[itsbeaconhillsbaby]

(cruel) summer || tom holland x reader

a/n: well...this took me a lot longer than I expected. I can only apologise for how long this has taken, especially since the absolutely wonderful @glahmouur​ requested it so many months ago. I hope you’re still excited to read, and that I’ve done it justice for you. clinging onto the last of these summer vibes before my favourite time of year - and hopefully plenty more writing to come over the next couple of weeks! I’ve missed you all so very much. enjoy x  word count: 3735 (oops) warning: swearing, gross paparazzi, little bit of angst summary: it’s the summer of your dreams with your favourite people, something was always going to try and ruin it

The trip had been booked for months.

Tom, Harrison, Harry, Tuwaine and yourself. Mexico. 

Two whole weeks. 

No interruptions. No work. Just pure bliss. 

And, it was shaping up to be the most perfect break.

The first couple of days since you had landed included a lot of amazing food, sightseeing around the quaint picturesque villages and cultural landmarks, tackling hiking trails and joining in on the sports activities set up for you and the boys on the crystal white beaches. 

Your favourite part however, was the amount of quality time you got to spend with Tom. Both of you were considered workaholics, and you loved your jobs, but it meant that for the majority of the year you were in separate locations working on your own individual projects.

You both deserved, and needed, this break.

The timing couldn’t have been better, as across the two weeks you would be celebrating your 23rd birthday. Birthdays weren’t always something you and Tom could share together in person, but you would always make it work with FaceTime calls and the promise of a do-over when you were together again. 

“Hey!” 

You tore yourself away from the soft paperback that was resting warmly against your thighs.

“Hm?”

You look up at your boyfriend, strong arms hauling himself up against the hot paved edging of the pool. He shook his wet curls out of his hair, droplets springing from the tips. Tanned, freckled shoulders peeked out from beneath the water. The sun, strong and intense, commandeered the bright blue skies. A far cry from the cold, rainy weather you’d left back home in the UK. You were unwilling to make your way back to your hotel room in the sticky heat for your forgotten sunglasses, and were instead using your hand as a shield from the glaring rays. 

“The water looks good on you,” you flirt, smiling across at him from your position on the reclined sun-bed. 

He grins back at you, cheekily. 

“It’ll look better on you. Aren’t you coming in?” 

You pointed to the book nestled between your legs, “I’m reading, plus the water is freezing.” You teased him, training your eyes back onto the page. You heard brief splashing alongside the laughter of the boys as they continued to play their water basketball game. 

A shadow blocks out your sun, dripping water onto the hot concrete. 

“Yeah, no. Sorry, but that’s just not going to cut it birthday girl.” 

Before you had a chance to take in his words, Tom had scooped you up from your position on the sun-bed. The light droplets from his wet, messy hair chilling your tanned skin. 

“Tom! No! Put me down! What are you doing?” You laughed, lightly kicking your legs, “Wait, at least let me put my book down first.” 

You felt the grumbled laugh against your body, as you gently tossed your book onto the lounger. 

“Okay, go ahead.” 

He pressed a sloppy, wet kiss on your mouth - your hand knotted in the back of his wet, tangled hair as you pushed for more.

“Love you.” He said, before dropping you into the pool with a splash. 

“You suck, Holland!” You shouted back to him, once you’d come back up for air, shaking water out of your ears and trying to scoop your tangled web of hair out of your eyes as he laughed, eyes twinkling. ****

You continued to watch from your perch on the side-lines, legs tracing patterns in the water whilst the sun beat down across your back and shoulder blades. The boys continued to mess around in the water. Your book had been long since abandoned on your sun lounger, pages now curling with the heat. You couldn’t contain your laughter when Tuwaine jumped on Tom’s back, Harry on Harrison’s so the two teams could race from one end of the pool to the other, legs peddling in what seemed like slow motion under the water; raucous fits of laughter emanating from both parties as your cheered on your boyfriend.

You couldn’t help but be automatically drawn to Tom, his smile so wide and eyes creased with laughter as Tuwaine casually slung his arms over his shoulders. His hair was completely dishevelled from the water’s attempts to flatten it entirely. You could see a smattering of freckles breaking out across his nose, complete with a small shock of pink on his cheeks as he was officially branded by the sun. 

“Hey, pretty girl – forgive me yet?” Tom whined, swimming up to the edge to meet you. He gently pulled your legs further into the water, sliding himself between them, wrapping his arms around your waist as your legs wrapped themselves around his. 

You laughed, pushing against his broad shoulders.

“Not sure yet. I’m thinking about it.” 

He gave a toothy grin before peppering a small cluster of kisses against your lips, “You look so good.” He mumbled quietly against your mouth.

You rolled your eyes at him, before returning the kisses.

“Oi, get a room you two!” You laugh as Tom covers the front of you, ultimately taking the hit of water from Harry.

He gives you a light squeeze round the waist, and a soft kiss on the cheek whispering a quick, “Hop on.”  

Wrapping your arms across his warm shoulders, you eased yourself fully into the water, feeling the immediate chill up your sides before wrapping your legs around Tom’s waist. Leaning forward against his back, he held onto the backs of your thighs – propelling you both through the water.

As you arrive next to the boys, you lightly floated away from Tom and were pulled into a one-armed hug by Tuwaine. As Harry held up a fist for you to bump against, you flicked your wrist just under the surface of the water – splashing him as payback.

Tom tread water with the cheesiest grin on his face as all the boys’ eyes immediately trained on you.

“Come on then, what’s this ‘mermaids’ game you were talking about – and how do we play?” ****

The air con hummed lowly, wispy curtains gently blowing in the cool breeze from the open balcony doors. The ocean twinkled in the late afternoon sunshine. You were sprawled out on the large king-sized bed wrapped in one of the hotel’s fluffiest white towels, legs dancing in the air behind you. Lounging on your front, wet curls drying in the cool air you could hear the faint sound of spraying water from the en-suite shower. It soothed you as you continued to follow the written words on the pages of your, now slightly wrinkled and rough to the touch, paperback.

Your phone vibrated from the opposite side of the room, plugged in and charging atop the rustic, vintage vanity table where your new camera, battery pack and Tom’s wallet had all been left.

The camera had been a special gift from Tom which he’d surprised you with on your birthday, celebrated only the other evening. He’d been so giddy the morning of. The carefully, yet haphazardly, wrapped parcel had protruded just slightly from under the bed in the hotel room you shared, where he’d attempted to hide it. You pretended you hadn’t noticed. Puppy dog eyes shone as he eventually handed it across to you, surprising you in bed as the sun was going down, casting golden specks across your bodies, as he whispered a soft ‘happy birthday’ against your lips. Beaming at you once he saw your sheer shock and joy at his thoughtful gift, he had kept the first photo you’d taken in his wallet from that evening. Just the two of you - both sleepy shadows, full from all the sweet lemon sponge cake that has been especially ordered up to your room - cuddled together, legs entangled as you fell into each other’s embrace.

You’d all taken a boat to one of the smaller islands for a special celebratory dinner the next evening; where Harry had surprised you with the battery pack, his smart quick-thinking leaving Tom with a pink blush upon his cheeks. You thanked him with a smile, the rest of the crew spoiling you rotten with drinks and food. As the boys parted ways, you and Tom had waited around for the sunset, high off the sparkling, sweet tasting wine you’d both consumed all evening – bewitched by each other’s titillating company. A small wrap was knotted around your waist, as you had all stayed in your beachwear, black bikini top on show as a server snapped a picture of you both with your new camera per Tom’s polite request. The sun burned low behind you both, it’s vibrant orange glow glistening across the water towards the cove. 

Posting the photo in your wine induced haze, you captioned it with a simple 23 and a golden heart before tagging Tom in the blurry, sepia quality polaroid.

You knew the vibrating would be your phone going into overload. A common occurrence that happened anytime you posted a photo with your boyfriend, the hordes of fans coming in full throttle to interact in some way.

Leaving it to buzz in the background, you turned your attention to the bathroom door opening. Tom stepping out as he shook his wet hair, towelling it dry as it stuck up in multiple directions haphazardly.

“Come here.”

You sat yourself up, legs crossed beneath you as he walked over to you – that soft smile high on his lips.

He sat on the end of the bed as you brushed through his temperamental curls, “Please leave it curly,” you murmur, pressing your lips to his tanned shoulder blades, running your hands through the brown locks.

“We’ll match.” He said, turning to you as your hands fell back into your lap.

“Would it be too much?” You asked, as he gently tucked a rogue drying curl behind your own ear.

“Oh definitely. But I love it.”

With that, he pushed forward. Noses brushed as you both relaxed into each other’s embrace, mouths eagerly seeking out each other, the sweet smells of lotion and ocean spray engulfing you both.

****

“Right, it’s my round! Get your orders in!” 

The whole group hollered at Tom, who pressed a firm kiss onto your forehead as you tilted it upwards towards him, his two hands cradling either side of your head. Your eyes closed involuntary at the warmth before you turned to watch him leave the table and join the small crowd up at the bar. Dressed in a tropical patterned shirt, unbuttoned and billowing just slightly due to the aircon, you took a minute to admire him from afar. He worked hard to look the way he did, muscles contracting and relaxing again with each breath. 

You pulled the thin material of your summery dress down further, eager to cover up some of the bare skin you had on show after seeing Tom’s. You paled in comparison to the web-slinging actor, and sometimes if you focussed on it too much you couldn’t understand why such a gorgeous man would be interested in you. 

“Hello. Anyone in there?”

A hand waved in front of your eyeline. Shaking your head, you returned your attention back to the table where the boys were trying to mask their laughter. 

“She can’t take her eyes off him for two minutes. Outrageous.” 

“What? I’m on holiday, leave me alone!”  

Tuwaine smirked slightly, as Harrison patted your arm reassuringly.

“Why did we agree to have a couple on this trip again?” Harry complained cheekily, grinning his cheesy grin at you. You reached an arm across the table and pushed a hand against his forehead, playfully shoving him back.

“Shut up, you love me.”

As Tom came back with the tray; a colourful array of cocktails, shots and ciders, the group continued to laugh and joke around, cheers-ing to your recent birthday and to the remainder of their holiday under the heat of the Mexican sun. 

**** “Uh oh, incoming Tom.”

Everyone was rosy cheeked as they tumbled out of the restaurant, laughing and giggling as the sun cast its low golden glow over the glistening blue waters. Waves gently caressed the edge of the shore as you revelled in the drunken clinginess of your boyfriend, and the support and love of your friends. 

You walked with Tom - the pair of you in your own little bubble, as he tucked you into his side, his arm slung casually across your shoulders as you wrapped yours around his waist. You could hear the thumps of his beating heart beneath the now buttoned up fabric of his shirt.

As the words spilled from Harry’s mouth, catching you all off guard mid conversation, Tom whipped his head round; immediately sobering up as his arm tightened around your shoulders. You peeked over his.

Behind a cluster of people, the striking black camera was obvious as the paparazzi pushed forwards, eager to catch a glimpse of the web-slinger himself.

You felt a brush of cold air sweep over your body, the hairs on your arms rising like tiny pinpricks as little goose bumps littered your skin. You straightened up, unwrapping yourself from Tom’s side.

“You okay?” He murmured into your ear, eyes hardening as he focussed on the path ahead of him whilst navigating the drunken, bustling crowds.

You nod.

“How did they even find us?”

You could sense Tom’s frustration and anger at the situation, resting a comforting hand on his arm. You knew what this meant, if the paparazzi had caught wind of where you all were, it wouldn’t be long before they figured out where it was you were staying and you couldn’t imagine that they’d leave Tom alone for the rest of his trip.

“I posted a photo the other night. Someone could’ve recognised the restaurant.”

It was during your worried ramble that the shouting started, camera-wielding men desperate to get a photo of Tom.

“It’s okay, it’s not your fault, okay? Let’s just head back.”

Your heart was racing as you were led through the dimly lit cobbled streets of the small village, losing Tom’s hand you were flanked by Tuwaine and Harrison – Harry hurrying up ahead with Tom. The camera shutters were getting louder and louder, the constant clicking ricocheting off the stone walls surrounding you as you attempted to block out the shouting and the grabbing hands of the people around you. The once happy, bustling streets now felt claustrophobic.

It was so easy to forget who Tom was in regards to his public image and celebrity status when you were together. Forcing you to recall that he wasn’t just your boyfriend, he was suddenly an A-list celebrity, ‘Spider-Man’ himself. Back home you could easily be together in public without too much attention – only having to accommodate for the occasional fan photo or dinner interruption. Premiere’s and special events weren’t so bad because the press was supposed to be there, and whilst extremely intimidating, you understood it was part of the job.

You noticed Tom and Harry slip down a small alleyway to the right, a blink and you’ll miss it move – as you and the boys continued up the cobbled paths to the main street. It was a distraction technique discussed every time the five of you went out together and had to deal with any irritating situation.

“They said they’re getting a car, and they’ll meet us back at the hotel.”

As Harrison organised your transport, you reached the main road – twinkling lights from the city and the roaring of cars sweeping past you. The paparazzi slowed behind you, their shouts less desperate now that it was obvious Tom was no longer with the group. Their frustration was obvious as they all grouped together, scanning through the photos that they had managed to sneakily take.

Then there was a stupid comment.

As the paps brushed past you all, one leaned in far closer than you had anticipated, stabbing a pointed finger straight into your chest and leaning in close.

“Think you’re so special. Girl like you. So many other beautiful girls out there.”

Whilst the language was slightly broken, you pieced enough together before Tuwaine stepped in front of you both.

“What the hell man! Fuck off, you’re just a bully, why don’t you just leave her alone, yeah? Pick on someone your own size!”

You grabbed at Tuwaine’s arm, shaking your head in silent surrender.

“Just leave it. It’s okay. It’s not worth it.”

“I just hate them so much. Never let anyone have a bit of privacy. Constantly looking to bring people down, and start fights - assholes!” He shouted down the road at the small cluster of men as they continued on their way, “Are you okay?”

You nodded, “I’m fine. They’re just mad they didn’t get their picture. Let’s just get out of here. Should probably make sure that they don’t follow us back to the hotel.”

Harrison came jogging over, hand beckoning to follow him to a sleek black car parked just around the corner.

“Car’s here,” He paused for a minute. Noticing your smaller stature and Tuwaine’s puffed out chest and frown, he tilted his head, “We all okay?”

“Yeah, we’re good. Let’s go.”

Smiling a small, grateful smile you gave Harrison’s arm a comforting squeeze before sliding onto the black leather seats.

***** “Can’t even give us a couple weeks off. I love this job. But I would pack it all in if it meant that paparazzi just fucking left us alone.”

“Tom. Think we should call it a night.”

Harrison nodded over at you. Whilst your body was curled into Tom’s frame, your eyes unfocussed, having found a spot on the wall to gaze into as the boys all had a drink in the private hotel lounge.

You didn’t want to admit that the photographer’s words had any impact. And you really didn’t want to bring down the light-hearted, fun energy that your vacation had been full of. You were usually so good at brushing off any unwarranted comments, which were usually inevitable seeing as your boyfriend had such a large fanbase. There was no way everyone was going to like you, and you could cope with that. It wasn’t like you hadn’t been doing so for ages now. But whether it was the alcohol you’d already consumed, or something else – you just couldn’t stop thinking about what the man had spat at you.

Tom’s body shifts beneath you, holding out a hand for you to take as you both rise from the luxurious chaise. Shaking your head out of your daze, you smile softly as you grasp his hand and haul yourself up.

“We’ll see you guys tomorrow okay. Thanks for tonight boys, and sorry for ruining it.”

“Tom, you didn’t-” Tom waved them off with a shrug, before sliding his arms across your shoulder and entwining your fingers at the other side.

“Night guys.” It came out as more of a whisper, as you processed to walk with Tom up to your floor, your head nestling gently into his collarbone.

****

The hotel room was suffocating.

You lay on your side, facing the firmly locked balcony doors. The room was cold. The air conditioning incessant with its obnoxious whirring. There was a rustle. The thin cotton sheets slide across your body as Tom hops in next to you.

“I’m sorry.”

His soft words caused your entire tension-filled body to exhale.

“Tom.”

You turned to face him. His eyes were closed, tiny creases etched into the space between his eyebrows. Tom didn’t like being vulnerable, you knew he was staving off his true feelings – the striking anger that was coursing through his body. Gently smoothing the creases out with your fingers, he leaned ever so slightly into your touch.

“Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault.”

You pressed a soft kiss on his brow bone before settling in next to him, bodies warm to the touch.

“I love you. You know that, right? Whatever they’re all saying, it’s rubbish.”

The lump in your throat that you had been impressively swallowing down all evening came back to the surface, the pressure building.

“How did you know?”

He shrugged.

“I saw some of the comments.”

The pictures had been released pretty quickly. By the time you had all arrived back to the hotel they were already circulating across the internet, which people took as the perfect opportunity to hurl insults at your social media pages.

He shifts his head to the left to look at you, eyes softening.

“Hey. You can let it out. It’s just me. C’mon.”

You curl further into him, as his lips caress your forehead.

“People suck.” You mumble into his chest as he wraps himself around you, lightly trailing his fingers up and down your arm, the skin bursting with tiny goose bumps. You revelled in the soothing comfort.

“Sometimes I just forget. I forget that there are thousands – maybe even tens of thousands - of people out there who just don’t like me,” Tom squeezes you that little bit tighter, “And it’s okay. I don’t mind, really. I just wish they didn’t have to be so vocal about it – about how I look, how I act, how I dress. About whether I’m good enough.”

“You are good enough. You’re more than good enough. You’re amazing.”

Your lips pull up into a small smile as you look into those concerned brown eyes.

“You’re biased.”

He let out a small huff, chest vibrating beneath you, “Am not.” He sighed, those fluffy brows saying a thousand words, “I’m supposed to make all that crap better, not make you feel worse because of some so-called fans on the internet, and those stupid idiot paps; I’m so sorry.”

“Maybe if you just…weren’t so damn attractive. That would help.”

You both laughed.

“Oh, really?”

You nodded, as he pulled you in, peppering more soft kisses along your temple until he made his way down to your mouth.

“You’re ridiculous. And beautiful.”

Another kiss.

“And smart.”

Another kiss.

“And kind.”

Another kiss. “And I am so in love with absolutely everything about you. You’re enough. You’re everything.”

You felt your eyes glossing over. Scrunching your nose to avoid an onslaught of overdue tears, you felt Tom move beneath the covers – his arms wrapping around your torso, his curly messy hair resting on your stomach.

“I love you too.”

[iwaasfairy]

Hii uh this is literally my first time doing this so I hope i didn't do anything wrong! :D

I have read a lot of your step daddy iwaizumi fics and they are really really good. But there has been something that is stuck in my mind. How can i explain this- how would daddy iwa be with with us like is he nice is he mean? When he has time does he cuddle with us? Watch TV with us? What other activities would he do other than fucking us. How is he with us basically? :) its okay if you dont want to do this but its just stuck in my mind lolol

Thank youu 💗

Ahh sweetheart, you’re so cute, you did nothing wrong at all. Thank you for your message and enjoying daddy iwa!! i really do love the both of them, they are probably one of the most ddlg-pairs i’ve written so far (along with mattsun) and though i can think of a few other readers i know could definitely be that too, it just feels so natural with daddy iwa, idk heheridzh i just love him very much ฅ(♡ơ ₃ơ)ฅ

tw ddlg-ish but fluff, stepcest

Step daddy Iwa in honest and some of the other thirsts is definitely strict but really really sweet. He does treat her a bit like someone who can’t take care of herself at times, always seeing you as more vunerable and small than you are, but it’s all out of love and concern. Iwa doesn’t really like you drinking that much, but he’ll always stay up to make sure you get home safe and will take off your make-up for you.

He gets you ready for bed pretty sloppily because he really can’t deal with your drunken clinginess and ridiculous demands, but he does it even when you grab to his arm and refuse to let him leave. Then he does cuddle you until you drift off, littering kisses on your sleepy face and along your shoulders, letting you play with his fingers (but only if your mom is away or asleep of course)

He works out with you sometimes, not because he makes you or anything but because he always wakes up two hours early to work out before he has to leave and you can’t stand not seeing daddy before he has to leave for the day. if it does happen that you don’t want to get up early for the day he always swings by your room to press a kiss to your head and tells you he loves you a dozen times until you’re just aware enough to hear it.

Step daddy iwa is definitely a bit of a lounger, I think. Because he’s so fit and active and his job’s got a lot to do with exercise in general, he probably comes home tired and takes a nap right when he gets back, and if you crawl onto him to snuggle up he’ll just look so contented and just sleeps for an hour like an animal resting in the sun.

But beside that you either watch tv (he’s not that big a fan of watching tv for long but sometimes he’ll get invested in a show he sees you watch any time he’s making dinner and he’ll casually ask you about it and when the next episode is coming out like he didn’t just stand and watch along for the last 40 minutes, he’s so cute pls help) or you do little activities together in the house.

I think most of his free time is spent taking care of you, in a way? Like he always has a bit of a need to protect you and check on you,, but he’ll never admit that to you. It’s obvious any time he forces you to take a break from non stop studying or working to talk to him for a bit. And I feel like Hajime has memorized how to do your hair and sometimes offers to do it and you just melt because ♡(˃͈ ^ ˂͈ ༶ ) he’s the most thoughtful ever.

He’ll still be strict when he needs to though, definitely when you’re acting up. He really can’t stand having you talking back to him, he just hates it so much. So you’re definitely not above punishments. But yes of course most of the time they spent with just the two of them is spent fucking/being fucked stupid because daddy is pretty busy with everything and has to do extra hours a lot so :/ they both really cherish just being in each other’s presence for domestic stuff

[karlajoyner]

Stamps (Luke Patterson x Reader)

A/n: Hey guys so this one was rather long. I don’t know if I liked it very much but that’s just me being critical of myself. Anyways I hope you enjoy it!

Requested by: kennice1 (Wattpad)

Warnings: None

————

My eyes opened slightly to see my boyfriend laying beside me in his suit from the night prior.

We had done it.

We played the Orpheum.

And got rid of Caleb stamps.

Now we were here the very next day in Julie's garage like we'd been the past couple weeks feeling better than ever.

"Good morning beautiful" His raspy voice spoke as he to was barely opening his eyes.

"Good morning Luke" I replied staring up at the ceiling.

The bright sun rays hitting many different points of the studio since it was probably near mid day now.

"Morning? It's afternoon" Another voice in the room spoke making my head whip in their direction.

"Well then good afternoon my dear brother" I grinned sitting up only to see Reggie still passed out on the barkin lounger.

"Has Julie come in today yet?" Luke asked sitting up as well, pulling my body into his.

"Yeah. Said she was gonna go have breakfast and get dressed before coming back for practice. She also said she'll bring us something back"

"Oh to have breakfast. What a privilege we now have" I said stretching out my body.

"I sure did miss pancakes. I hope we have that" Reggie spoke in his morning voice.

"Look who's awake"

"Morning"

"Afternoon" I corrected him standing up.

"Where are you going?" Luke pouted.

"To get dressed for practice too. In case you haven't noticed I need to get out of this thing" I spoke pointing down at the long royal blue dress that sat tightly on my body.

"Or you could just stay in it. Maybe rip it up a bit make it more fitting" Luke suggested pushing the dress up my leg.

"Can you not try to sexualize my little sister in front of me?" Alex spoke.

"Sorry" Luke apologized.

"My boyfriend can sexualize me all he wants" I argued making my way towards the exit.

"Gross"

"I think it's endearing" Reggie said making me giggle.

"I'm gonna go see if Julie has anything I can barrow. And maybe a sewing machine. I think you were onto something there Lukey" I teased the boy watching a smirk take over his face before I walked out.

I giggled deciding to surprise Julie at her front door for the first time as an actual human being again.

Since I couldn't just poof into rooms anymore.

A grin formed on my face as I reached the front porch being careful to avoid any windows up the driveway.

"Look at you y/n. Looking as lovely as you did last night"

An all too familiar voice spoke from behind me before I could press the doorbell.

My heart immediately dropped as I spun around coming face to face with the devil himself.

"Caleb" I whispered.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh I just came to pay a little visit.... Tell me how does it feel to be alive again. Oh it must feel great"

"Just leave us alone. We've already defeated you and we're not joining your stupid house band" I bravely spoke watching as he inched closer.

I gulped nervously backing up until my back hit the door behind me and he was only a few feet away.

"That's not very nice of you to say. I've offered you and your boys everything and this is how you repay me. With insults. Nice try trying to be brave sweetheart but we both know your scared out of your mind. Scared that I'll hurt you. Or your little bandmates. Am I wrong?"

"Leave us alone" I repeated attempting to stand my ground

"I can see why Luke's so infatuated with you. Your strong headed like him. Too bad you won't make it home for breakfast"

My eyes widened as he grabbed ahold of my shoulders. My eyes rolling the back of my head.

"I have a fight too" I smirked hearing footsteps coming up the pathway.

My eyes fell upon a face I recognized to be none other than Nick. Julie's crush she'd been telling me about for weeks.

"Oh there's someone here" He said noting my presence.

"Hey, you look familiar. Wait. Aren't you that other girl in Julie's hologram band?" He asked hopefully.

"That's me" I smiled at the boy.

"I'm y/n" I said sticking my hand out for him to shake. He took it smiling back at me.

“I’m Nick”

"So your here to see Julie?" I asked ringing the doorbell for the two of us.

"Uh yeah. I didn't get to see her last night after the show so I thought I'd bring her these" He said showing me the flowers in his hand.

"How sweet. The broken hearted teenager fighting for his girl" I spoke mischievously raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry what?" He asked.

"Julie's told me about you Nick. It seems she's canceled on you a few times now hasn't she?"

"Well yeah but that's just because she was busy"

"Are you sure about that? In all honesty she just doesn't seem that interested if you ask me"

"R-really?" He asked looking down with a frown.

I cheekily bit my lip as the front door opened.

Taking my chance and caught the boy off guard, pulling him in for a passionately rough kiss.

Making sure that he fell into the trance. The flowers in his hand fell to the ground as he held my waist pulling me closer.

"N-Nick? Y/n?!" Julie's voice rang through my ears.

"Oh Julie. I-uh didn't see you there" I panted pulling away.

Slipping a note into Nicks hand before his eyes went from purple swirls back to his normal eyes color.

"J-Julie" he stuttered going to pick up the flowers.

"I-I don't know what happened"

"I think I can explain what's going on here. Nicks just not that into you Jules. Sorry. Anyways don't tell Luke about this. Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt now would we? See you later" I smirked walking down the front path of the house. Leaving the two dumbfounded.

I made sure I was out of sight before poofing away to the one place I called home. Awaiting for my revenge.

Julie's POV

I stood there in shock as y/n walked away. Leaving Nick and I standing on my front porch.

"Julie I- I can explain. She just- She was here and we started talking. I didn't even know her. I though she was your friend"

"I did too" I mumbled in confusion. What was wrong with her?

"She left me this. It probably her number but I don't want it. Your the only girl I want Julie" He said throwing the paper on the ground.

"I-I don't know what to say Nick. I um- can we talk about this later?"

"Of course. Take all the time you need"

"I will"

"These are for you by the way" He said sticking his hand out holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Thanks" I muttered watching as he too walked down the same path out the front gate. I picked up the paper Nick dropped. Confusion coursing through me. Until I opened the paper.

She's home at last. But alone. Don't make this any harder and come join my house band or else....

~Your friend at the HGC

I read to myself. Everything making sense now. I had to show the boys.

Y/n's POV

I glared at Caleb who sat across from me. Specifically at the same table we were seated at the very first night we entered this dump.

"They're not gonna come" I stated crossing my arms.

"Really? You think so?"

"They're not that stupid"

"Y/n you underestimate your bandmates. Your Luke's girlfriend, Alex's sister, and Reggies bestfriend. Of course they're coming for you. And when they do they'll be gifted with a new stamp. Just like you" He grinned at me making me scoff.

As if on cue someone flashed into the middle of the room making me audibly groan in frustration.

"Seriously?!" I shouted.

"Told you" Caleb spoke making me roll my eyes.

"Boys welcome home"

"This isn't our home. We came for my sister and we're leaving" Alex spoke up.

"That doesn't seem to be on my schedule for the day. Why don't I have Dante help get you boys settled into your new rooms?"

"Y/n let's go"

"She's not going anywhere. She can't yet"

"Why not?"

"Show them" Caleb said as I glared dagger through him.

"Oh now you don't want to speak. Don't be rude y/n show them what I've gifted you" Caleb encouraged me again.

I simply kept quiet with my arms still crossed.

"Fine then I'll show them" I let out a scream as my arms separated from each other turning until my wrist was finally viable to the three boys in front of me.

"What did you do?" Reggie asked as they inspected the golden stamp on my wrist.

"This my dear pal Reginald is a new stamp and once activated will send shocks through y/n here once again. Only this time it'll hurt just about three times as bad. That is until you agree to become apart of my house-band. Or you could just leave her here on her own it's your choice really" Caleb spoke tapping my wrist.

My eyes widened as the stamp began to float in the air before placing itself back on my wrist.

Suddenly an excruciating pain coursed through my body immediately making me drop to my knees.

"You have until tonight's show to make up your mind" He spoke before flashing out leaving us alone in the empty ballroom. Immediately I was engulfed by a pair of strong arms as the pain tingled on my wrist.

"Y/n! Baby are you okay?" Luke asked wiping away the stray tears that had escaped my eyes

"What happened? How'd Caleb get to you?"

"It was in front of Julie's house this morning. I went to ring the doorbell. I didn't even get to do it before Caleb showed up, possessed my body, made me kiss Nick in front of Julie, and then brought me here"

"He made you do what?!" Luke shouted.

"Uh- did she not mention that?" I asked sheepishly.

"She did not"

"All she said was that you were acting really weird and that you left this note" Alex said pulling out a folded up letter from his back pocket.

"Then forget, I said it" I quickly spoke attempting to move the conversation along.

"We'll talk about his later. We need to figure out how to get this stamp off your wrist" Luke said inspecting it closely.

We sat in Julie's garage trying to come up with an idea on how to get the stamp off which wasn't going so well since it still was sending electric shocks directly through my body.

I groaned in pain as another jolt course me evidently leaving me weaker as the time passed. It was getting dark out and we were running out of time.

"Guys it's almost 8:30. The show starts at 9:00" Julie said showing us her phone screen.

"We've got to figure out how to get this thing off" Luke shouted in frustration at the rest of the band.

The three of them expressing concern on their faces.

"Okay we have to think. What happened last night? What did we do to make your stamps disappear" Julie asked as Luke helped me sit up.

"Easy. Julie said she loved us. We said it back then we hugged"

"That's it! Julie said she loved us. She connected with us and we did with her"

"So your saying Julie has to say it again and hug y/n?" Reggie asked.

"We could try it" Julie suggested walking over to me.

I nodded standing up immediately falling back down as I was zapped once more. The stamp on my wrist tingling afterwards.

"Baby are you okay?" Luke whispered holding me in his arms.

"I-I'm fine. Let's just get this over with" I spoke standing up once more.

I looked at the girl in front of me seeing her eyes filled with hope.

"I love you" She spoke softly pulling me in for a hug.

"I love you you too Jules" I whispered in her ear. We pulled back seeing the stamp flatly sitting upon my skin.

"It- it didn't work"

"Do it again" Luke demanded.

"It's not gonna work Luke"

"It has to. Do it again" He ordered. I shook my head no looking at the girl in front of me. Her eyes beginning to tear up.

"It's okay Julie. I'll be okay" I whispered wiping away the single tear that left her eyes.

"Don't worry about me"

"How could I not? I can't lose you a second time y/n. Your like my big sister and I really do love you"

"I love you too. But I guess it only worked the one time" I said before another shock hit me.

"We could always figure out your unfinished business" Reggie suggested as I regained my posture.

"We don't have time"

"I have to get the Hollywood ghost club before that show or I'll become thin air"

"I'm coming with you" Luke said standing up.

"No your not. You are staying here. With Julie. Where your safe"

"Julie's not my girlfriend you are. So I'm going with you whether you like it or not. I'm sure Caleb wouldn't mind anyways"

"Luke Patterson you are not going anywhere"

"He's not but I am" Alex spoke.

"I am too"

"Not you guys too" I groaned looking at Julie for help.

"Do you understand what'll happen if you guys come back with me? Calebs going to brand you for life"

"So what?”

"So everything we've accomplished up to now would've been for nothing"

"It's going to be nothing if your not here with us" Reggie spoke.

"Julie a little help here"

"You guys need to go with her" The girl said letting out a breath.

"No Jules. You need them here with you. It's not Julie and the Phantoms without the Phantoms"

"Forget about the band right now y/n. You need them with you. You can't live whatever life you have left without your friends, your family, and your true love" I sighed looking at the girl who smiled softly at me.

"You guys brought music back into my life and for that I'll be forever grateful. And with Flynn I'll get through this. But I will never forgive myself if I separate you from your boys" She said making my eyes water.

"Our boys" I corrected her pulling her in for a tight hug.

I sighed in content as the rest of the boys joined our hug one last time.

"I love you guys"

"We love you too"

And that's when I felt it.

The feeling from last night. I was no longer week. The tingling had stopped.

"Your shining!" Julie gasped pulling away first.

Smiles formed on everyone's faces as the stamp arose form my wrist dispersing into thin air.

"W-we did it!" We did it!" Alex shouted jumping up and down excitedly.

"It makes sense now. I didn't just hug one of you. I hugged all of you!"

"I guess love really does conquer all" Luke stated pulling me into his arms, making sure to leave space so I could still look up at him.

"We did it baby"

"We did it" I confirmed pulling him in for a loving passionate kiss with everyone cheering in the background.

————

Up Next: Charlie Gillespie x Reader

Jeremy Shada x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Owen Patrick Joyner x Reader

Reggie Peters x Reader

Charlie Gillespie x Reader

Reggie Peters x Reader

Carrie Wilson x Reader

Sunset Curve x Reader

————

@lolychu @headheartbellarke @bookish0918 @kcd15 @ifilwtmfc @moviesbooksandfandoms @lovesanimals @lavender-writer @kaitieskidmore1 @morganayennefertyrell @iloveteenwolf @ghostofmgg @jammi13 @theravenclawlife

[ofbardsandmonsters]

Thank you @riotfalling​ for requesting I tackle this prompt and making it Winteriron!! You can also find it here on AO3!

**

Tony Stark has never been one to back down when there’s something he wants. Toys, sweets, attention, grades, cars, employees.

Lovers.

And the former Hydra assassin whose lips he now knows the taste of thanks to a split second decision fueled by a lack of sleep and coffee jitters three nights ago is no exception.

They’d been growing closer for months. Now, Bucky is more likely to be found lounging on the workshop couch with a book in his hand than spending any time with Steve. And Tony had been so sure that the big brunette had been giving him the same looks Tony had been throwing his way for the last several weeks. In fact, despite what some might consider evidence to the contrary, he’s still confident that he wasn’t wrong.

But that doesn’t leave him any less confused as to why Bucky’s been completely avoiding him since their kiss. A kiss that the other man had seemed just as enthusiastic about in the moment. He had looked just as affected before he gently encouraged Tony to finally get some much needed sleep. And Tony knows he hadn’t been imagining the little smile on the other man’s face as he walked away.

Which is why the fact that there’s been no trace of Bucky anywhere for three whole days makes no sense.

FRIDAY has been no help. His youngest child clearly has an even bigger soft spot for their favorite super soldier than her father does because she’s flat out refused to help him get the drop on Bucky. Tony’s not even sure that she isn’t helping Bucky by alerting him any time Tony’s headed his way.

A few years ago, Tony probably would have given up after day one and gone to hide in the shop to nurse his wounded pride. But he likes to think he’s grown past most of those insecurities. And he wants this. He knows they could be so good together. So he enlists the help of the one person that he knows is more invested in Bucky’s happiness and well being than anyone else.

He goes to Steve.

~~

By the time Tony’s done giving Steve the rundown, the blonde is groaning dramatically, one big hand thrown over his eyes.

“Damnit, Buck.”

Tony chuckles, bare heels drumming against the lower cabinets of the counter he’s perched on in Steve’s kitchen. Sometimes, Steve reminds him so much of Rhodey it’s a little spooky. He knows he’s seen the same look of exasperation on his own best friend’s face numerous times throughout their long standing friendship.

“Tony, I promise, you were not reading anything wrong. Bucky never shuts up about you. It’s kinda gross, actually.”

That makes Tony laugh harder, and he gratefully accepts the mug of coffee Steve presses into his hands. It’s made up exactly how he likes, enough cream to turn it a soft caramel color and exactly zero sugar, because Rhodey may be his best friend but Steve is a very close second and he knows Tony almost as well.

“I may have acted in a sleep deprived state, but even my less than functional brain wouldn’t have gone for it if I wasn’t absolutely sure it would be welcomed. I thought we would talk about it in the morning, but I can’t pin him down. So I’m… kind of at a loss.”

Steve drums his fingers on the counter next to Tony’s leg, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“I can help you corner him, but it’s not gonna be easy to convince him. Buck’s still… vulnerable, in places. There’s still so many things he thinks he’s not worthy of, that he doesn’t deserve, because of what Hydra made him do.”

That’s a mindset that Tony’s all too familiar with. It took a long time and a lot of reassurance from the people closest to him before he stopped holding himself to the sins of his past. He knows Bucky’s come a long way from when Steve first brought him home, but demons that size don’t let go easily.

“Steve, you get me in a room with him and keep him from running away, and I’ll do all the rest. And FRI, baby girl, daddy loves you but if you so much as hint to Bucky that Steve’s conspiring against him, I will recode you to run nothing but refrigerators. Are we clear?”

There’s no response for a moment, but Tony’s content to wait the AI out. Luckily, he doesn’t have to wait long.

“Yes, boss.”

Tony snorts, recognizing the petulant tone that he definitely did not program into her. Turning back to Steve, his face settles into a more serious expression.

“Bucky’s… special. He’s important to me. I’m not gonna give up easy.”

Steve smiles at his admission, and he wraps Tony in a hug.

“I know, Shellhead. There’s nobody I trust with him more than you.”

~~

Three hours later, Tony’s sitting amongst the plants in Bruce’s rooftop garden. It’s not really a strange place for him to be, honestly. The garden is calming, and he’s joined Bruce for sunrise yoga (on the mornings Tony hasn’t actually been to sleep yet by the time the sun is coming up) up here a number of times. Steve is standing at the railing overlooking the city when the elevator tings. Tony tenses, nerves and anticipation making his palms sweat, but he doesn’t move. It takes effort, but even when Bucky appears, he manages to push down the instant reaction to stand up and demand answers.

“Hey Stevie, what did you—”

“Sit down, Buck.”

The brunette looks confused, and a little worried, but he does as he’s told and takes a seat in one of the loungers scattered around the space.

“What’s this about, Steve? Is… everything ok?”

Steve sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose before turning frustrated blue eyes on his best friend.

“It’s about Tony, Buck. What the hell are you doing?”

Bucky shrinks back, shoulders rounding as he drops his gaze to his feet.

“Look, Steve—”

“Nope. No. Don’t even start trying to give me some bullshit answer. I know you. I know when you’re sweet on someone. I’ve seen that look in your eyes. You want Tony, and by his own admission, he wants you too. He’s a good person, my best friend in the world other than you. And I want my two best friends to be happy. So what gives?”

“I know , Steve. God, you think I don’t realize exactly how perfect Tony is?” Bucky sighs, rubbing both hands over his face aggressively before looking up at Steve. “That’s exactly why I can’t.”

“That’s bullshit.”

Bucky’s head snaps up, turning to look at where Tony had finally stepped out of hiding. The angry, heartbroken look on the other man’s face makes Bucky flinch.

“Tony…”

The smaller man comes closer, stopping just out of reach and tilting his chin up to look Bucky in the eyes. Neither man notices Steve quietly slipping away.

“It’s bullshit. We’re both so far from perfect, but don’t you think the world’s put us through enough? Don’t you think we deserve to be happy?”

Bucky takes an unconscious step forward, one hand reaching out towards Tony. Even as he tries to hold himself back, he can’t fight the desire to comfort and soothe the other man.

“Tony, of course you deserve to be happy. I just… I'm—I’m sorry. I’m not who you need.”

“But you’re who I want. Isn’t that enough?”

He doesn’t know if it’s Tony’s words or the way his pretty brown eyes turn liquid with the gathering tears, but something in Bucky breaks and there’s no stopping him from closing the distance between them and wrapping the other brunette up in his arms. Tony’s hands come up to fist in the back of his shirt, holding on tight. His next words are muffled by the fabric, but Bucky’s enhanced hearing makes them easy to pick up.

“Don’t you want me too?”

Bucky’s hands move to cup Tony’s cheeks, tilting his face up so their eyes meet. His thumbs brush under Tony’s eyes to catch the tears that have slipped out.

“I’ve never wanted anything or anyone more.”

Tony’s face breaks out into a delighted smile, and he stretches up to press their lips together in a soft kiss. When he tries to pull away, Bucky chases after him, deepening the kiss.

Tony’s already got him beat two to nothing. He’s got a lot of making up to do to even the score.

[granills]

Careless Whisper {B.H.}

Chapter 1 Chapter 2

3. Lemonades and Unwanted Past

A week went by fast, and Maristela was sitting at her usual spot behind the counter.

Joyce was busy at the storeroom since the inventory on some shelves was getting low. Mars tapped the pen against her blue notebook, the same colour as the hair tie around her wrist. A slight breeze from the desk fan was blowing her wavy hair on that hot day. The strands flew down her back, stopping in a line around her shoulders.

Normally she wouldn't have been so awkward around strangers since she'd communicated with them every day at work when they needed help around the store, but being around Billy caught her off guard, she would feel the soft panic, growing inside her. There was something in him that made her uneasy. She didn't know what to say for the reason that she couldn't know for sure how he would've reacted.

Mars sighed and continued writing down a list of products that were needed to be changed or restocked. Joyce had already finished the first part and Mars was helping her out to finish the list. She already wrote down a couple of products when Billy Hargrove walked inside the store all of a sudden. Mars nearly dropped the pen, she couldn't get used to his sudden appearances.

He reached her and stopped in front of the desk, leaning over it as he gave her a thoughtful look. "Why aren't you at the pool right now?" He asked, the question confusing her.

She went back to writing. The blue notebook was already filled till the last page, only a few lines were left blank. Rose had already asked Mars to go to the Hawkins Community Pool with her as it was one of those hot days outside. But Mars refused as she'd been stuck at work. "I am working."

He thought a bit and shook his head slightly. "No, that won't do. You're coming with me." He stated nonchalant.

"May I help you with something?" She asked, not wanting to continue the awkward discussion. Moreover, she had no intention of going anywhere with him. "Marlboro reds, maybe?"

"I appreciate you remembering my preference. But your friends are there, too." He smirked.

Right when she wanted to answer, Joyce appeared out of the storeroom, as if sensing the perfect time. Not for Mars though. Joyce was about to take another pack of products to the storage when Billy stopped her.

"Mrs. Byers, I wanted to ask if you'd allow Mars to leave her spot right now? It's not like the store has customers at this time." He asked her without hesitation, and she sent Mars a confused look, only meeting Mars's more puzzled look.

Not getting any signs from Mars, and knowing Billy already as he'd shown up earlier at their house looking for his little sister, she nodded. "Uh, okay." She said, sounding tired and not wanting to deal with it, and made her way back to the storage.

Mars closed her notebook and picked her bag. "I need to go home first." She said exiting the store.

"Hop in the car, miss." Billy said putting on his sunglasses. "And lead the way."

She opened the car door and went inside, a sharp smell of his cologne, a white-out of bergamot and pepper, filling her nostrils along with leather and smoke.

Putting her bag on her knees, she rested her hands on the bag.

Before starting the car Billy turned to her, smirking. "I advise you to buckle up."

"Why won't you?" She asked him but did as he'd told so.

In a mere 15 minutes Billy parked his car in her driveway. Driving somewhere with Billy seemed like a disaster to happen, with the radio turned up loud. A couple of neighbours were looking out of their windows to see the mysterious driver that had parked in front of the Crawfords' house.

Mars asked Billy to wait for her and went inside the house while Billy got out of the car and lit up his cigarette leaning against the car door and catching some judgy, some admiring looks of Mars's neighbours.

Mars went up to her room directly not noticing her mom in the kitchen. She didn't have many pairs of swimsuits like Rose, mostly because she attended the pool only two or three times every year. But she had two pairs of bikinis, red high-waisted and thin-stringed with flowers.

Without thinking twice, she grabbed the red checkered bikinis and put them on. She decided to wear a white t-shirt on top of it with black shorts. Red straps of the bikinis on her shoulders matched the white shirt perfectly. Putting on a peach lip balm, Mars decided she was ready and went downstairs.

"Mars? You're home early." She heard her mom's voice from the kitchen.

"Yeah. Joyce let me take a day off today. I'm going to the pool with Rose." Mars leaned over the counter.

"That young man doesn't look like Rose." Mary already noticed the blonde guy with a perfect hairdo.

"Rose is already there and Billy is just taking me there." You shrugged and looked out of the window.

"So, Billy?" Mary smiled at her daughter and as if sensing the moment Billy noticed Mars from the outside and smiled, to which Mars just turned away.

"Yes. A friend." She hurried to the door. "Gotta go. Love you."

She was back in the car in a mere seconds as soon as the driver's side door closed.

Billy flicked the cigarette over his shoulders seeing her. "Red bikinis? Matching my lifeguard outfit."

"What? You work there?" Mars was confused.

"Yep. My shift starts soon." He started the car, glancing at her.

As the car engine sung to the lone roads, Mars relished the roaring winds that twirled in her hair and whistled in her ears.

"Have you always lived here?" Billy asked, the question seeming out of place considering who had just asked it.

"Yes." She nodded, looking out of the window at the kids skateboarding, their figures disappearing among the woods, and turned around. He hummed looking away, and she found herself staring at his side profile. "Why did you move here?"

He seemed to tense up a bit at the question, which Mars couldn't not notice. "My dad and stepmother decided that."

Silence hung in the air, making Mars wonder if it was the right thing to ask.

"Anyway, what was the matter with that girl who went missing? Last year?" Billy asked changing the subject quickly.

"What?" She asked, turning to look at him, surprised by the sudden question. She was glad to change the topic, but only if it was any other question but that.

"The girl? Vanished mysteriously as the paper said." He told her.

She looked down, not knowing what to reply, biting her lower lip in a stressed motion. "Barbara."

She was the one to discover Barb, witnessing a slug-like creature slithering from her mouth and across her face. Having entered the Upside Down, Mars never told anyone what exactly she went through in there. Only Eleven read her mind, seeing her walking past the remains of the Demogorgon's victims, including Barb's corpse.

She regretted going there that night, of course she didn't believe that the other world had existed. Such thing wouldn't have come to her mind. Only it was real, destroying her happy, student life. And her friends were stuck in that, too.

"You okay?" He asked, his eyes burning into her skin. The car had stopped and they were at the entrance of the pool, people already gathering there with their rubber rings.

She nodded, no sound leaving her mouth.

The long anticipated swimming pool was filled with people. It was like half of Hawkins gathered there to take a bath in a large bathtub. Billy and Mars parted their ways when Billy turned to the dressing room and Mars turned right and entered the pool. Kids lay out on inflatable mattresses, dived, spun and played tag as the girl in a lifeguard outfit looked on.

Mars stood there for a while until noticing a girl sipping her lemonade in a watermelon swimsuit. Rose. A mix of voices and splashes greeted her ears as she walked confidently towards a sun lounger. A spare one was there next to her, and Mars hurried to take the place.

"Mars?" Rose took off her sunglasses, smiling widely. "Am I dreaming or are you skipping work?"

Getting the towel out of her bag, Mars laid the towel down on the sun lounger. "You were the one to get me here, now I'm here." She took off her clothes standing in her red bikinis and lied down next to Rose. Never forgetting the sunglasses.

"Good thing you're here, 'cause you've been missing some show." Rose smiled sipping the lemonade.

"What do you mean?"

"Look over there." Mars's eyes followed hers, looking at the lifeguard right across from them, who came down from her lifeguard chair.

Mars looked to the side and saw the guy in the outfit matching her bikinis. He'd got rid of hist shirt, his torso glowed in the sun, as he walked towards knowing for sure he looked good. With a well-toned and muscular body.

She slightly shook her head and turned to the side when she noticed her mother's friends, including Mrs. Wheeler. "Is that Karen?" But her question stayed unanswered as she witnessed the dreamy looks they all had when Billy had passed them, greeting them. And commented on Karen's swimsuit?

"They have been oggling the guy for a week now." Rose's face lit up.

"That is creepy. It's like Hopper hitting on us."

"Gross." They looked at each other and said in unison.

"I mean..."

"Rose!" Mars grimaced making Rose giggle.

Billy took the place of the previous lifeguard and had a whistle in his mouth, ready to yell at kids who dared to run on his watch.

She didn't know why she was so transfixed by the fact that he'd had all the attention of ladies at the pool. Surely, he was handsome and girls would whirl around him, but she'd never really thought of him in that way before. Until that moment, at least.

The warm wind messed up her hair as she relished the warmth of the sun and catching soft splashes of water. She opened her eyes, choosing to focus her attention on other people.

In that moment, she noticed how Mrs. Wheeler walked past Billy to dive into the pool. As soon as she was in the water, she went swimming backstroke, making it look even worse.

"Who even swims with a makeup on?" Mars mumbled to herself, furrowing her eyebrows. Mars remembered her father's words when he was teaching her how to swim, it all seemed to happen such a long time ago.

"Why did the blonde keep doing the backstroke? - She just had lunch and didn't want to swim on a full stomach." Dad jokes.

Not thinking longer, Mars put the lemonade that she'd ordered aside and took off her sunglasses. "Want to freshen up?" She asked Rose already anticipating the answer.

"No. I want to get a bit more of a tan."

The water was uncommonly clear and pale blue when Mars entered the pool. The water moved around her hips in swirls, she dived into the water. As a child she always imagined as if she was a mermaid, it was beautiful deep down under the water, like being in a different world.

She surfaced in the pool and went back underwater again, it was then when she noticed Billy's intense gaze on her, his sunglasses in his hands.

Mars dived into the water again and continued swimming under. She loved diving within the sea when she'd visited her aunt in California, and feeling the freedom it gave, transparent and blue, soft and powerful.

Billy couldn't keep his eyes off Mars, noting that she at last hadn't been a bad swimmer. He saw her going underwater and at some point lost her when Mrs. Wheeler had appeared out of nowhere. She asked about the swimming lessons where he had been teaching kids. Mars was still nowhere to be found. He waited. Ten seconds. Fifteen seconds.

"Your form is amazing." He heard her saying in the distance. Twenty five seconds.

"Thank you." He said walking away from her, speeding up.

He jumped into the water where supposedly Mars had entered the pool. He swam down and reached the bottom in one breath. Scared that she might've been drowning, he tried to focus.

The particular scenario has never happened to him before. He knew that drowning was quiet, their movements were subtle and among other people splashing it was hard to determine.

He swam back to the surface as his oxygen levels had run out, he immediately thought of how it would've been impossible for Mars to hold her breath that much underwater. He tried to breath and looked around when something particular caught his attention. He rubbed his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows. Mars just got out of the pool right across from him.

His brain stuttered for a moment, standing there motionless until a kid's ball hit his arm and he'd caught it before getting out of the water. He finally sighed in relief and approached Mars keeping his eyes on her.

"Your breath training is impressive." He spoke making her turn around at the voice.

"You didn't think I was a bad swimmer, right?" She said as if asking rhetorically and passed him making her way to the sun lounger.

"Didn't think so." He said a bit louder for her to hear, as if it wasn't him rushing to the water to rescue her a few moments ago.

[wildlittlefoxsworld]

Hey can you do a the old guard imagine about Andy x reader. Where the reader is immortal but ihas a younger doppelgänger and they team finds out and reader has to explain her family bloodline and all that jazz any questions message me. Thanks love the two imagines on the old guard so far. Keep up the good work.

Gene Recurrence | The Old Guard | Andy x Fem!Reader

Author's note: This was a very interesting request. I got instantly an idea and I hope you will like it.

Warnings: light smut, light angst, angry!Joe, fluff

Words: 2.6 k +

Masterlist

Sequel "Mornings in the Carribbean"

***

Vacation. Summer. Caribbean sun. Colorful cocktails. Your family. Your hot girlfriend. What did you need more?

A thin, white cloth was draped about your lower half of the body and your eyes still closed, you savoured how the warm wind felt on your skin.

That days were rarely, when you were just laying lazy in bed and having nothing to worry about.

You looked to your left side and noticed that Andy was still sleeping. You stayed silent, because Andy had a light sleep and you wanted her to rest. Her left arm laid across your stomach and her right served herself as a pillow. The actual pillows were shoved of the bed by her moving in the sleep.

“So beautiful,” you mumbled quietly and carassed Andy's cheek with your fingertips. A small smile started to spread on her lips and you knew she heard you. Andy opened her green eyes and wouldn't you have loved her already, you would fall for her all over again.

“You always say the right words,” Andy praised and shifted closer to you. Rolling your body to the side you were laying face to face. She raised her hand slowly to stroke over your hair and stopped in your neck. The grip was firm like everything about her, she was always ready to fight, but here with you. Here she could be soft and tender, despite you loved her sharpness and precision. She was a warrior in every aspect of her life.

Andy went straight for what she wanted and needed. Now she wanted to kiss you passionately, dragging you back on the mattress, making clear that she was in charge and you loved every second of it. You loved Andy for her careness in a authority way, always having the upper hand and yet she gave you everything you craved for. She hold you tight in her arms, kissed you in a way that aroused both of you and touched your skin with right strength or tenderness to drive you crazy.

The both of you ended up panting with her on top of you laying between your legs. Her mouth trailed down your throat and she sucked slightly on your skin. You gasped when she found your sweet stop, grazing her teeth over the sensitive area.

“Please,” you whispered and Andy knew excatly what you wanted, but before she could start regale your upper body with her kisses, there was a knock on your door.

“We go to the beach. Do you want to join or are you busy?” Nicky's voice came hushed from the hallway and Andy let her head sink on your breasts.

“Hurry up before the best sun lounger are occupied,” Joe shouted laughing. You heard their footsteps dissapearing after you told them you would follow soon. Andy groaned but hieved her body up to stand up, but you grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back down. Andy quirkend an eyebrow and smirked when you shoved your hand under her shirt.

“Are you in the mood for a quick shower? Together? Then going to the beach?” Andy suggested and you were more than happy to let her picking you up.

The shower with Andy let to more than washing away the sweat from a hot night. You felt statisfied for the moment and Andy gave you a last lovingly kiss before leaving the bathroom.

You put on a simple white bikini and a yellow long skirt. With a bag over your shoulder and intertwined fingers with Andy, you went down to the beach near the hotel.

“Only fourty-five minutes, is that a new record, Nicky?” Joe mocked and the the both men laughed including Booker.

“We thought it would take at least two hours,” Booker chuckled and Andy rolled playfully her eyes while you slapped Booker on the back of the head lightly.

“Hey, and what about Joe?”

You looked over to the dark-haired man and he grinned triumphal. You shrugged and gave Joe the same treatment. Joe looked befuddled at you and wanted to say something. “Behave, my love,” Nicky warned him and gave him a meaningful look with a hint of a smile.

“Good Morning, Nicky,” you said warmhearted and kissed him on the cheek.

“Good morning, principessa,” he replied smiling and you sat down on your sun lounger next to Andy and Nicky.

“I get myself something to drink. Anyone wants something?” Booker asked in the round.

“An apple spritzer would be great,” you told him and he nodded. It would take him a few minutes to get your, Nicky's and his drinks.

Meanwhile Andy ordered your services in putting sun screen on her back.

When Booker came back his expression was bewildered and you frowned, because he nearly spilled the drinks. Nicky helped him while you were massaging Andy's shoulders.

“Are you alright?” you inquiried about his well-being and you got worried when he didn't stop starring at you.

“I saw a girl that looks excatly like you. First I thought it was you, but then I looked over to all of you and you were here. She wears a green jumpsuit and looks the same as you from hair to toe,” he explained in hurry and nearly chocked on his own tongue.

“I was sitting on my girlfriend's butt the whole time,” you commentend his words. “And there are many women here that has the same hair and skin color like me. Did you see her face from the front? Maybe she was just looking simliar to me.”

Booker searched for help by the others, but Joe just shrugged and Andy closed her eyes again, she wiggled underneath you to make you continuing with your massage.

“Are you sure you aren't just drunk?” Joe suggested and Booker shook his head furiously. For a second he seemed meditative, but then his head spinned around and he acted like he was searching for someone. “There she is. Still at the bar,” Booker proclaimed.

All of you stretched their necks and in this moment the woman turned around, it was like you were looking in a mirror.

“Yep, that's you, Y/N,” Nicky said deadpanned. In shock you couldn't move, couldn't tear away your eyes. She could be your twin, the same hair, eyes, face, heigh, body figure. But she looked younger. You had been close to your thirties when you first had died, she was probably in her early twenties.

Of course, your family watched you curiously and expecting an explanation maybe, but they weren't sure if you would have one.

Even Andy lifted her body up and studied the appearance of the young girl. “Interesting,” she mumbled and her head turned to you. But you were frozen in your position balancing on your shins. Andy observed you. It was clearly to her how shocked you must been, but something in your gaze got her perplexed. Your breathing increased and your hands were clenched to fists.

Andy rolled herself on her back underneath you and took your hands gently in hers. You got frightened for a second before you noticed it was only your beloved one.

“It's okay, darling. Why are you so tense? I can tell you aren't scared or atonished. This isn't new to you, right?” Andy asked carefully and you were taken aback. She knew you too well and rumbled you most of the time. Frustration grew inside you and let you groan loudly

“Fuck,” you cursed. Andy watched you worriedly and pulled you down on her lap. You scrunched your face in annoyance when she rubbed your back, trying to calm you down. Why did this happen now? It didn't happen in your whole immortal time and so you needn't to explain anything.

“She's your doppelgänger,” Joe murmered still confused.

“I know, Joe,” you said through gritted teeths.

“Tell me, Y/N,” Andy demanded and you sighed in defeat.

“Fine,” you agreed.

“Now I'm curious about it,” Joe exclaimed and folded his arms over his chest. Even Nicky showed interest, but he wasn't demanding like the others, he just wanted to understand.

“I descend from witches,” you began to speak and Nicky's widened in surprise and he exchanged looks with Joe.

“Witches? Like riding-a-broom-witches?” Booker asked shocked and laughed in disbelief. You rolled your eyes and huffed.

“So, you are a witch?” Nicky tried to encourage you to tell further.

“I was a witch. I lost my powers after I had died the first time. Seemed nature doesn't allow more than one gift. And I never flew on a broom.” Your last words were full of fury over Booker's mocking tone. You hated that people always had prejudices about witches, but what should you say, people were always scared about supernatural things.

“What powers did you have?” Nicky shared his thoughts and you were glad that he stayed objective.

“Nothing special. I used spells to change weather for a good harvest or that someone found love. I brewed potions for simple illnesses or headaches. A few could more, a few were more powerful.”

“What do you mean? More powerful?” Booker was alarmed and you saw that your story scared him.

“Some could read minds or manipulate minds, able to control time or bring people back from the death, but that was only told. None of my family members could do that. It was simple magic we practiced and even at my time as a human our magic faded slowly away. Many of acient books and journals got lost in a fire when my grandma was a child. Only the knowlegde of basic magic survived and not everyone of us practiced magic.”

You didn't want to look in someones eyes, you were ashamed that you never told them the truth and you were sure they wereü mad at you.

“So witches are real,” Joe determined and stroked his beard. You nodded slowly.

Andy hugged you and you buried your face in the crook of her neck. “You are doing great, babe, you finally told them. I know it's hard, but it's better,” Andy soothed you and her words and presence helped you to calm down.

“You knew the whole time she was a witch?” Booker snorted and shook his head. “Why didn't you tell us?”

“It wasn't my story to tell and she was never a threat for us. She isn't a witch and I don't think she lied,” Andy explained firmly and lose her arms from around you. Gratefully you smiled at her and she mimicked it.

“In 700 years you didn't think once to mention that you were a witch,” Joe scolded reproachful.

“Don't overstate it. That's her past, Joe. It died with her and it wasn't important in her new life. And what she said… it seemed like her family never causes any harm towards humans,” Nicky tried to calm Joe down. He was always to patient, he tried to understand my situation and private motives not say anything.

“I know she would never hurt us and you know I love her like a sister. But she could've told us. She told Andy,” responded still a little angry.

“Do you remember how fast she bonded with Andy and Quynh, it's naturally that she told the people she trusted the most. Do you remember how suspicious she was towards men, it took us a decade to gain her complete trust. And then her past didn't matter, he left her family behind.”

Joe sighed in defeat when Nicky convinced him.

“I'm sorry, Y/N,” Joe apologized, but you weren't mad and you had already forgiven him.

“That doesn't explain why you have a doppelgänger?” Booker remembered on the original topic and you nodded in agreement.

“A long time before my birth a powerful witch of my family wanted the witches to be stronger. My family weren't sure what she could really do, but she casted a spell that didn't end up like she wanted. It didn't make her or any of her sisters stronger. It only made the wisdom and knowledge surviving the centuries. The nature allowed us to be reborn, like an reincarnation. The soul came back to earth in a new life, but with the memories of her past lives. Not all memories, but the important ones to remember all the lessons the soul had learned.”

“You never told me that,” Andy mourned and you quirked an eyebrow.

“I did, but I only told you that I could be reborn. I didn't know that it's possible. I still have my soul, this woman isn't me, she can't remember anything from me or my past lives. But I can remember neither today, the memories faded over the centuries. I think the memories from past lives started to come back when I was sixteen or seventeen, but well… it's a long time ago.”

“That's an incredible story, Y/N, but it still doesn't explain why she is your doppelgänger. Is it possible that you can be reborn without your soul?” Joe considered and watched your doppelgänger, she was talking to few other women.

“The soul goes back to her origin one day, that's my grandma always told me. I could imagine it's only a gene recurrence. Something the nature couldn't fix, because I'm still alive. So the nature gave her or if there were more reincarnations; them a new soul.”

Andy listened attentive to your explanation and it was a lot to process. She knew that witches existed, a long time before she met you and she knew that their magic slowly disappered over the centuries. You were part of a family that originated powerful witches, but maybe the curse of reincarnations guranteed the long survive of the witches in your family. After you became part of this warrior family she never heard again of real witches, because with the witch trials in the medieval time the real witches went into hiding and maybe never showed up again, until today.

“Do you think she's a witch?” Andy asked you and you inclined your head. “I don't think so. If she would have powers, then she has two different eye colours or a piece of a different colour in one eye.”

“You have only one eye colour,” Booker mentioned unnecessarily.

“I know, it was gone after I lost my powers. Booker you saw her closer than we could have. Do you remember her eyes?”

“Only one colour,” he answered and you believed him.

“She could wear contact lenses,” Nicky considered and you shook your head. “It's rarely to have different eye colours. But for our peace of mind Booker could do a background check on her, if she's dangerous, we will find out.”

“I will do it, just for safety,” Booker agreed and took a sip from his drink.

Nicky smirked cynically. “And I thought we could have a uneventful week for once.”

“That's would be boring,” you responded sarcastically and you all laughed.

Booker found out that your descendant wasn't dangerous. You hadn't incommon much, besides your family name and appearance. She was born in the U.S., worked as a nurse and was married. Booker told you that your family emigrated in the eighteenth century from today's Germany in the U.S. and remained there until today.

You didn't care about the new informations. You only cared about your current family. Nicky and Joe, Booker, and of course Andy. You didn't regret being an immortal, you met the love of your life and you couldn't be happier.

“I was weird to see a person that looks exactly like you. Now I look at you and I can tell you aren't the same. You have an old burnt scar on your left hand and your muscles are defined. You are talented with the cross bow and your father's long sword. You always smile when you look at me and tell me how happy you are that you had met me. And I love you so much that I couldn't bear to lose you,” Andy whispered in your ear when she hugged you from behind in the middle of the night.

“I love you, too, Andromache.”

***

What do you think?

[gumnut-logic]

We’ll Be Home For Christmas 5.3 (Bit 2) + Epilogue

From here | 5.2 Bit 1 | 5.2 Bit 2 | 5.2 Bit 3 | 5.3 Bit 1 | 5.3 Bit 2 + Epilogue

IT’S FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!

::dances around the room like a loon::

Finished before next Christmas! Woohoo!

This fic is my @tagsecretsanta​​​ fic for 2019 and it is for @scattergraph​​​ .

AND IT IS FINISHED!!!! 68,000 words! My longest Thunderbirds fic!

Many, many thanks for @onereyofstarlight​ who geeked out with me major league on this fic and helped me with research (oh, there was soooo much research for this fic - so much I plan to post about it all in a separate post once I’ve archived this monster) and reading through whatever I came up with and cheerleading :D Also, many thanks to @scribbles97​  @i-am-chidorixblossom​  and @vegetacide​ who also put up with all my crazy and wibblies and for reading through when I scream at random times ‘Does this work or it is crud?’ And, of course, to Thunderfam, who have taken this crazy whale fic on and cheered me to the finish line. Thank you alll sooo much ::hugs for everybody:: Yes, I’m a little excited. To start is fun, but to finish is ecstacy - I had that on my studio wall for a long time :D

Spoilers and warnings: A little Virgil/Kayo, a little Scott/Mel and a lot of brotherly fluff.

I hope you enjoy this last bit of the Kermadec Fic :D

-o-o-o-

Gordon had half expected Kayo’s call. Virgil had been fidgety all day. Scott had pulled Gordon aside at one point and expressed his concern, but there was nothing they could really do until Virgil made his move. Pushing him into anything would have gotten them nowhere. Virgil could be the most stubborn of them all. So, they sat back and waited, gave Virg his space and watched.

Trust Tin to kick his ass into shape.

From the moment Tin kissed Virgil it was a matter of countdown. Gordon had even dragged himself out of the pool, downed a coffee and poked Sam awake.

It wasn’t planned or conspired, just inevitable.

Sam guzzled a coffee beside him.

“You think he’ll talk to us.”

“I think he won’t have a choice. You don’t say ‘no’ to Kayo.”

“So, they’re a thing now?”

Gordon shrugged. “I don’t know. I do know he has a thing for her. He tries to hide these things but we’re family.” Which was why Gordon and the rest of the family knew there was something not right with the second eldest. He had been foggy, daydreaming and not-all-there since he had walked in so late this morning.

So, it was with both eagerness and a little dread that he stepped out onto Two’s runway, tablet in hand, and with a little hope that this could be the start of a healing process for his brother.

Tin was standing close with Virgil and Gordon’s heart warmed at the sight. His brother didn’t stand a hope.

That heart stuttered a moment later as his sister made her departure with those three words that implied possible death if Gordon didn’t look after his brother.

“Now, that’s a little scary.” And somewhat terrifying. Pranking Virgil from this point onwards may include having to cater to Kayo kicking his ass in retaliation.

He swallowed. Well, whatever made his bro happy.

Virgil straightened where he stood, determination in every line. “We need to talk.”

Gordon reflexively parroted his brother’s stance, his spine whipping to attention. Virgil may not be military, but his passion demanded respect.

“Then speak to me, bro.”

Virgil sighed and despite that determination, his shoulders shifted down a little. “I need information.” He turned to Sam. “Can you help me?”

“I can certainly try.” Sam had none of his usual bouncy enthusiasm. Something in Virgil’s agitation was communicating the seriousness of the situation.

“How do whales communicate?”

Sam opened his mouth and there began Whale Communication 101 with a minor in whale anatomy.

Sam was concise, but comprehensive. He’d obviously refreshed his knowledge overnight and even Gordon learnt a few new things.

They ended up perched on a circle of rocks under one of the palm trees, Virgil’s dark eyes fixated on Sam as he answered every question Virgil threw at him.

And there were many. How did their sonar work? What frequencies did humpback whales use to sing? What research has been done in this area? Had anyone been able to actually communicate before?

“No.” Sam’s voice was firm.

“Not even other musicians?” Virgil stared at him.

Sam shook his head. “They were all ignored.”

“What about using the right frequencies?”

Sam shook his head again. “You’re the first.” His friend bit his lip. “What is it like?”

There was suddenly a vulnerability in Virgil’s eyes that had Gordon wanting to stop this, stop this immediately, and he had to restrain himself. Virgil needed to talk it through.

“I…it’s…hard to describe.” An exasperated exhale. “In fact, that is the hardest of all of this. I can’t…express it. The colours, the shapes, the emotion…it’s all there, in my head, but I can’t articulate it, I can’t understand it, it’s just…a mess.”

Gordon’s eyes widened as Virgil waved a frustrated hand at nothing in particular, his focus drifting for just a second as his thoughts turned inward. The hand landed on his thigh and Gordon eyed those fingers as they desperately tapped out a beat on his brother’s jeans.

“Colours? Whales don’t see in colour. They don’t have the physical capability.” Sam’s eyes were as wide as Gordon’s, staring at Virgil.

His brother’s head snapped up. “Yes, they do.”

“No, they don’t. They don’t have the required cone cells in their retinas. They see in monochrome.” Sam was leaning forward.

“No, they see colour.” Virgil’s eyes focussed inward again. “So many shades of blue, green, the hot pink of exuberance, the yellow of warm sunshine, the deep midnight of sadness, the rainbow of sunset on cooling skin, white of pain, grey of threat…the black of loss. So many colours.” Virgil turned away and looked out into the caldera a moment before turning back and pinning Sam with his eyes. “It’s in the sound. You have to listen to the music.” To Gordon’s astonishment, Virgil sung a handful of notes only to break off and frown, yet again in frustration. “But I can’t…!” Virgil’s hands balled into fists.

Sam was staring wild eyed. “You can understand them?”

“Yes! No! Hell, I don’t know!”

Gordon reached out and placed a hand on Virgil’s shoulder. “Hey, take a breath. We have time. We can work this out.”

Troubled brown eyes latched onto his. “It’s in my head, Gordy, and I can’t get it out. I can’t sing it, I can’t paint it, I can’t express it, I can’t even understand it! It’s just…argh!” He clutched at his face, his fingers tangling in his hair.

“Virgil!” Gordon grabbed his brother’s arms and gently pulled them away from his head. “We’ll work this out. You’re not alone.” He drew in a breath. “Never alone.”

To Gordon’s horror, tears glistened in Virgil’s eyes as he stared back at him. The whales suddenly became a threat to Gordon’s family and he had the urge to protect his big brother from whatever the hell it was they were doing to him.

A window into Scott’s world was never clearer.

But Virgil composed himself. Voice rough. “It’s okay, Gords.” A dragged in breath. “I’m okay.”

Gordon’s grip on Virgil’s wrists just got tighter. “Are you kidding me? You have the t-shirt, but that is total bullshit.”

“Gordon-“

“No. They’ve gotten into your head and good or bad we are going to work through this until you are ‘okay’, okay?”

Virgil sighed and looked down before frowning at him again. “How?”

Sam cut in and Gordon startled. He had almost forgotten his friend was there. “Talk to the whales.” Virgil’s eyes hit the man and Sam’s voice became pleading. “Explain it to them. Ask them. Learn from them. Get more information and we can work it out. The more information we have the better we can understand it.” Sam’s passion rose to the surface. “This is a massive breakthrough, Virgil. You can interpret another species language.”

“No, I can’t. That is the problem, Sam.”

His friend’s pale blue-green eyes didn’t back down. “Yes, you can. Partially at least. You’ve said the words yourself. You’ve labelled colours. You’ve spoken of emotions and intent. You are communicating, Virgil.” If it was possible, the intensity in Sam’s eyes just lit up more. “And they know it. They sought you out. They responded. They know you. You’ve made a connection.”

Gordon let Virgil’s wrists go and his brother dropped his hands in his lap. “Virg, we’ve got this. John is on it. We have the technology; we have Sam and Mel and you have all of us. We can do this. Give yourself the chance.”

Those brown eyes fixated back on Gordon and the vulnerability was back. Hell, Gordon would do anything to protect his brother. Anything. “We’ve got this, Virg. Trust me.”

“I do, Gords. Always have.”

“Then let’s do this.”

The familiar phrase rang between them and Virgil responded, his body straightening where he sat. Voice still rough. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“FAB.”

-o-o-o-

Scott stood on the end of the main balcony peering out towards Two’s runway at the three figures sitting under the palm trees.

He bit his lip.

Mel was still asleep on the lounger. He should have stayed with her, but he was edgy and worried about his brother.

Kayo had walked through the comms room sometime earlier and the expression on her face made it plain that Virgil was speaking to Gordon and Sam. A long due discussion.

His brother, the whale whisperer. The whole concept was ridiculous, but apparently a thing.

“What the hell?!”

Scott jumped and Mel rolled over and off the lounger she was lying on. Scott hurried over to help her up. “Alan!”

But the young astronaut ignored him, shooting up from where he was sitting on one of the couches and dashed to end of the balcony where Scott had been standing a moment before. His game console hung from one hand. “John, you are dead!”

“What?” John’s voice wafted up from the pool deck below. “What did I do?!”

“You strip mined my sun!”

“What? No, I didn’t. How do you strip mine a sun?”

“What’s going on?” Mel frowned up at him. She was adorably mussed and dopey looking. He couldn’t help but kiss her hair.

“Hey, Dimples. Focus.” She smiled up at him.

“Oh, okay.” So, he focussed on kissing her thoroughly.

Her hand fluttered against his shoulder a moment before he gained her full attention and…hmmm.

Another squawk of anger from his youngest brother. “A black hole?! You ignited a black hole! You asshole!”

“Alan!” Grandma’s voice stabbed in from below somewhere and snapped Scott out of his pre-occupation.

Mel grinned up at him as he pulled away in automated embarrassment.

“It’s not fair, Grandma, he cheated!”

“That does not excuse your language, young man. We have guests!”

“I did not cheat.”

Really, did they have to yell across levels?

“It’s a black hole, John! You sucked in my entire solar system. If you don’t stop it, you’re going to take out the whole damn galaxy!”

“Alan!” This time it was Scott admonishing him.

“It’s not fair!”

John’s voice was puzzled. “I didn’t do that.” A scuffle of shoes on concrete and the scrape of a lounger. “Hell, I didn’t do any of that. Alan, did you set off a supernova in sector seventeen?”

“Seventeen? I haven’t even been to seventeen.” Alan glared at his game console. “You’re in seventeen already?!”

“I was. A supernova obliterated my base.”

“Well, I didn’t do it.”

Scott bit back an emerging grin. Oh, shit.

“This is impossible.” It was distracted and a sure sign John was poking into code.

He let the grin out and gave it a countdown from five.

“Virgil!”

-o-o-o-

The discussion about whales came to an abrupt and yelling-infused end as Alan jumped on comms and gave his engineer brother a piece of his mind.

John was less exuberant and ever so curious as to how Virgil had managed to not only enter the game without either John or Alan noticing, but then catch up, overtake and obliterate, all within the rules.

Virgil was glad it wasn’t initially a visual signal and only Gordon and Sam got to see his smirk when he answered that it was ‘for him to know and his space brothers to find out’.

John would, no doubt, take that as a challenge.

Alan would probably just take a note out of Gordon’s book and stick jello in his bed sheets in revenge.

The arched eyebrow on Gordon’s face was amusing.

But most of all, at John and Alan’s expense, Virgil felt the pall lifting. It was a pall he hadn’t even been aware was there. Sure, he was tired and the whale song was frustrating, but it had been a good day.

It was the heavy conversation, the focus on the issue and the confusion in his head.

It was Christmas, for crying out loud.

Theoretically, he had just kicked both his space brothers’ butt at the game they were all so cocky over. Well, technically he had simply asked Eos to act in his stead. He had taken one look at the game on his tablet that afternoon on Raoul, worked out a basic strategy, then asked Eos to sneak in and execute it for him.

He hadn’t asked her to hide it from anyone. Just to not mention it unless someone asked.

Eos really did love a good game after all.

And it wasn’t cheating if he was just smart enough to appoint a proxy who could do the job for him.

He’d even asked Eos to backup the game as it was before she entered so the entire scenario could be saved for his brothers to tackle again once he and Eos had taught them a lesson.

Virgil was quite chuffed when it took John a whole fifteen minutes to decipher exactly what had happened.

“Virgil!”

His red-haired brother was glaring at him across the comms room, fit to blow a circuit. “You coerced Eos?!”

A shrug. “No? She was bored. Gave her something to do, that’s all.” He relaxed back against the lounge. Kay found an excuse to join him and he was ever so appreciative when her hand crept into his.

“Eos!”

“I don’t know what the problem is, John. It was fun.” She snorted. Apparently, their AI could snort. “It is what you programmed me to do, after all. Virgil asked and I agreed.”

John opened his mouth, but nothing further came out for a full five seconds. Then, determinedly at the ceiling. “We will be discussing this.”

“We will? I’m looking forward to it. You should see how easy it is to strip mine a sun. The amount of energy I gained was extremely efficient and it allowed me to advance at a pace neither of you seem to have achieved. I have also developed some real-world models that you might be interested in. Application would have to be postponed until interstellar transport has been achieved. Though I have some thoughts on that as well. I would be very interested in what you think of these equations.” A bunch of numbers and symbols appeared in the centre of the comms room. “I’m not sure the energy expenditure variable is viable, however we could leverage this with some assistance from our own sun.” And she kept throwing out ideas that widened John’s eyes enough to dry them out and send them bloodshot.

Eos stopped eventually, possibly sensing an imminent explosion from her father. John was glaring daggers at Virgil.

Virgil shrugged. “She enjoyed it.”

John’s expression was somewhat comical and it was enough to set off Alan, who burst into laughter. Gordon was grinning like a loon as was Scott and Virgil found himself joining them.

John glared at all of them before settling into one of the lounges, tablet still in hand with more amused disgruntlement than anger on his face.

Maybe Virgil had to worry about jello from John’s direction rather than Alan’s?

-o-o-o-

The evening meal was a relaxed one.

Scott dragged out the barbecue and a variety of meat was charred on its hotplate. Virgil stood up to cook, as that was usually his task, but Sam shoo-ed him away and after taking one look at what Scott was attempting to do with the food, kicked him off the Tracy grill as well.

They were all the better for it.

Salads, desserts and even a bowl of marshmallows found their way out onto the patio.

Good food and good company, it was a lovely night as the sun headed towards the horizon on the other side of the Island.

Virgil sat on the edge of conversation, willing to just watch his beloved family. His brothers who had done so much just to get him home. God, he loved them.

Scott sat with his arm around Mel more relaxed than he had seen him in months. Gordon had tinsel in his hair and was chasing Sherbet around the pool, apparently trying to decorate him, too. Alan had cornered Elspeth again and was chatting away a mile a minute. Regardless, she appeared fully invested in what he was saying.

John was glaring at his tablet, no doubt attempting to out thwart Eos. Now that would be the match of the millennium. Genius father versus AI daughter. Virgil had the urge to step back just in case something exploded.

And sitting beside him was Kay, who wasn’t interested in Wayne Rigby. Kay, who smiled at him with her beautiful green eyes.

Again, the song for that colour danced in his mind.

He squeezed her hand, rolled himself off his lounger and stumbled to his feet.

Oh, so elegant, Virgil. An internal sigh as every eye in the room targeted him.

“I’m fine.”

Scott grabbed a marshmallow and threw it at him.

It left a puff of icing sugar in the middle of his chest.

Gordon snorted and Alan giggled.

Virgil rolled his eyes. “The bathroom, guys, yeesh.” He turned and trundled himself back towards the house.

“Have fun!”

He didn’t even bother to turn around. “Hilarious, Gordon.”

“You’re welcome.”

He didn’t bother to even acknowledge that.

He didn’t return to the party immediately. The ocean caught his eye and he had the irresistible need to climb down to the shore.

His brothers didn’t comment as he walked straight past them and down towards the huts, but he felt their eyes.

Really, he couldn’t blame them. He had scared them and then done a number with the whales. He owed them so much.

Something lodged in his throat and he had to swallow emotion.

His feet hit volcanic sand and sunk, grains slipping between his toes. The lagoon lapped gently at the edge of the beach. It was such a contrast to the roaring ocean of Oneraki on Raoul. There were no hot springs here, the Tracy Island volcano was long dead, thankfully. This beach was his beach. Volcanic sand marbled with coral sand and he traced the pattern with his toe.

There was a sound for sand and it was both beautiful and terrifying.

The colours were a kaleidoscope of meaning.

He let a breath out and raised his eyes towards the darkening horizon.

“Virgil?” Are you okay?

He closed his eyes.

Scott.

Another breath and he turned to face his brother. “No. I’m not. But I will be. I promise.” A half smile. “In the meantime, I’m thankful, grateful and ever so lucky. My family is more than I could ever ask for.”

That stopped his brother in his tracks and Virgil found himself smiling.

“Uh, John wanted me to give you this.” Scott held up a tablet.

John’s tablet.

John never let that out of his sight.

Scott approached and touched the device. A world globe appeared above it. Another twitch of fingers and it zoomed into the map far to the south of Tracy Island where a dot blinked. “John wanted you to know that he and Eos are tracking the mother and calf.” A swipe and Scott zoomed in even further, the tablet obviously connected to Five.

Sunset lit waves were interrupted by a spout of water and he watched as ever so far away, Mamma Whale took a breath followed by her daughter before dipping below the waves.

Virgil sucked in a breath and looked up at his brother.

Scott’s smile was soft but said everything.

God, he was ever so lucky.

Virgil turned away towards the lagoon and its gentle waters and blinked.

“Thank you.”

Scott didn’t answer, but a hand did land on his shoulder and Virgil took the opportunity to just exist beside his brother, on his beach with his family…

Here on Tracy Island.

-o-o-o-

  Epilogue: The Skipper

 It was late at night on Christmas Day and most of the family and their guests had retired to bed. Scott was intending on doing the same when he noticed light under the infirmary door.

Concerned that Virgil might be hiding something, he nudged the door open.

He was surprised to find Grandma staring at a hologram, her back to him.

“Grandma?”

She jumped. “Oh, Scott. Give me a heart attack why don’t you?”

The hologram disappeared.

“What’s wrong?” He frowned at her. His grandmother had been acting odd all day. Not obviously, but he knew his grandmother, something was worrying her.

To find her here, of all places, past midnight on Christmas Day…

“It’s nothing, dear. Just looking for some paracetamol for a bit of a headache.”

He stepped inside the room and shut the door behind him. “Grandma, you are as bad at it as Virgil is.”

“At what?”

“Lying.”

“Scott Tracy, how dare you.”

He narrowed his frown. “Grandma…”

She glared at him for several seconds before his glare won out. Her shoulders dropped. “You are far too much like your father for your own good, Scott.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” When she still didn’t answer his initial question, he repeated it. “What is wrong, Grandma?”

She sighed. “It’s probably nothing.”

Why was she so reluctant? “Grandma…”

Another defiant glare, but she poked at the holographic controls. “This is between you and me or I’ll cook for you exclusively for the next three years, you hear me?”

“Yes, Grandma.” But his eyes were already tracking across the hologram. A mass of wriggly lines hovered in front of him. It reminded him of a seismograph readout or one of Alan’s games stats graphs he liked to show off. It meant about just as much to him as the latter.

It had Virgil ‘s name written above it.

He didn’t have to ask.

“I did a brainwave scan when I assessed Virgil yesterday. This was the result.” She pointed at the mess of lines. “I compared it to his last scan.” She poked the hologram again and another bunch of wiggly lines appeared beside the first. It meant little to him, but undoubtedly something to his medical grandmother.

“And?”

She eyed him a moment before prodding several of the lines to highlight them. “There are differences.”

“Fluctuations?”

“No. Differences. Something has changed.”

“What has changed?”

She didn’t answer immediately and he received the impression that she didn’t want to commit to answering. “Grandma, if this is something to be concerned about, I need to know. Virgil needs to know.”

She turned to look at him. “It may be nothing.”

“But it is bothering you.”

She sighed. “There are changes in both his delta and beta wave production.”

“What does that mean?”

“Not much.”

“Grandma!”

“Scott, changes can be perfectly normal.”

“Then why is this bothering you?”

“Because John sent me Eos’ research.” She swiped at the hologram again and Eos’ graph detailing the similarities between Virgil’s delta wave production and that of the binaural beat produced by the whale song. “The delta waves matched, which leads me to believe where it started, but look at the beta wave production before the whales and after.” She highlighted the data and Scott stared at it.

The changes were obvious.

“What does it mean?”

“I’m not a neural specialist, Scott.”

“Then why aren’t we sending him to one?”

“It may be nothing.”

“It is obviously something!”

“Scott. There is no sign of impairment.”

“Except he’s talking to whales!”

She held up her hands. “Calm down. It is minor.”

“It doesn’t look minor.”

“And this is exactly why I haven’t mentioned it. I need to do some further investigation before I alarm anyone.”

Too late.

She might as well have heard as she turned to look up at him. “Scott, trust me. I will investigate. I have contacts. I will be discreet.”

He stared at her. “Grandma…”

Her glare was firm. “Trust me.”

Why was everyone asking him to do that lately? It was so damn hard to give the reins to others.

Her hand landed on his arm. “I love him as much as you do.”

Damnit.

He deflated just a little. “I know.”

“I will ask some questions. The answers will let us know if we need to investigate further.”

Her hand squeezed his arm and her eyes held his that moment longer.

He had no choice. “Yes, Grandma.”

“I will keep you advised.”

“Thank you.” He held her eyes a moment longer and he saw the worry in their depths.

“Go to bed, Scott.” He felt her urge for him not to worry, but her lack of saying proved she knew she would be wasting her breath.

“Yes, Grandma.”

She squeezed his arm again before pulling him into a gentle hug. “It will be okay, honey.”

He bit his lip and held her. He closed his eyes for just a moment.

“Yes, Grandma.”

She let him go and gave him a nudge towards the door.

His fingers drifted over her arm. A glance at the blasted hologram and he turned and left.

Mel was smiling at him when he arrived in his room and for a few moments he lost himself in her embrace.

“What’s wrong?” She frowned up at him.

He smiled. “Nothing.”

Her fingers ran tracks through his hair and she challenged him with her eyes. “Dimples?”

He smiled again and took her lips with his own.

He didn’t want to talk.

At all.

-o-o-o-

FIN.

[hollyxqx]

SHE’S THE ONE  //  SHOWNU

↪ PAIRING: Reader / Shownu  ↪ GENRE:  smut > fluff > f2l  ↪ WORD COUNT: 7.3k ↪ SUMMARY: Hyunwoo has worked for your family for almost a year now, maintaining the gardens and pool. He’s not as rich as you are, he’s working class and he knows it but it doesn’t stop either of you striking up an unlikely relationship. [inspired by this song]

↪ WARNINGS: lots of smut, dirty talk, rough sex but nothing crazy bc shownu is a sweetheart, total self indulgent filth everyone 

a/n: the idea of gardener!shownu came from this story. I just wanted to give the author some credit for inspiring me, so you should read that story if the idea appealed as much to you as me. other than the fact that shownu is a gardener for a rich OC the stories are nothing alike, fyi.  this was meant to be A LOT shorter but i couldn’t help myself, srry.

ALL ABOUT LUV SERIES

Hyunwoo can feel your eyes on him as he paints the new patio furniture, outside in the glaring hot summer sun. It's touching on thirty degrees Celsius and he can feel beads of sweat trickling from his nape, running down the back of his white vest as he works. He's thankful he remembered his cap today, not only does it shield his eyes from the brightness of the sun but it enables him to sneak an occasional glance at you.

The day you first met he remembers thinking two things. One; oh my god, she's pretty and two; I can't do anything about it. You were the bosses daughter and he needed this job. Unlike you Hyunwoo was not born into a life of wealth and luxury. His hands were his means to a living, not shy to hard work.

He didn't know what your father did exactly to earn the estate, from the other staff he'd heard the title but it was so long and self-important Hyunwoo failed to remember it. Some kind of marketing, analytical something or other. You didn't have to be a humble labourer to know that meant money.

The mother didn't work. She didn't need to. Hyunwoo only ever saw her shopping, having brunch, shopping some more and doing yoga with someone he highly doubted was just her yoga instructor, unless yoga meant fondling the tan 23 year old instructor three times a week. The whole world was so alien and unfamiliar to him, he almost felt like a spectator at times.

You, however. You were different. That fact was deduced very quickly. After only a few weeks of getting to know you it became apparent that you weren't like the rest of your family. If he didn't know any better he sensed some resentment on your part even though the you never explicitly said the words out loud.

It was in what was unspoken that clued him in - the disdainful sighs when your mother had a cocktail at 10am, the way you went quiet whenever your father was mentioned, the fact that you helped out the staff when you didn't have to. Many a time he saw you washing dishes with the maid. Only when your parents weren't around though, he knew they would scold you if they caught you in the act.

So, he didn't mind the fact that you were staring. You were a hot girl, who appeared nice enough, and who found him attractive, what wouldn't he like about that? Hyunwoo hadn't had a girlfriend in nearly two years, much of his time spent working to afford college, so the attention you sent his way felt nice. Even if he couldn't act upon it, he could enjoy it.

"Um, Hyunwoo?" Your voice draws his focus from his work and he squints up at you in the sunlight. You're wearing that navy blue bikini he's seen plenty of times before and denim shorts. An image he knows will be swirling in his thoughts for the rest of the day, whether he wants it to or not. "Would you like some lunch?"

He's overdue a break anyway, and frankly any excuse to get away from the midday sun before his skin starts to burn is good enough for him. "Sure." He accepts, carefully putting his tools away. He sets them in the shade, wiping at his sweaty forehead with the t-shirt he removed earlier.

"Come eat inside, there's aircon." You inform him and he follows you indoors. Inside the kitchen he's surprised to find a somewhat elaborate spread of fruit, sandwiches and salad atop the island that sits in the middle of the room. He immediately goes to the sink to wash up as you get some plates.

"Ana outdid herself. It looks great." He mumbles as he dries his hands. Ana was the head housekeeper, worked there the longest and she was well known as the best cook in the home.

"Oh, I did this." You blush adorably and he pauses for a second. "I thought you might be hungry. I know I am."

"You made all this for me?" He asks, a little dumbfounded. He can't quite believe you'd go to all this trouble for the gardener. It only further cemented your nice nature for him.

"Yeah." You reply shyly, smiling as you pour both of you some icy water. "I enjoy cooking. Especially for others."

Hyunwoo can't help but watch you for a moment as you load your plate up with food, biting back a smile when you take his plate and do the same. "Thank you." He says gently as he takes the food from you. You share a look and he swears his heart stills for a moment.

***

It doesn't take long until eating together becomes a routine. You're home from college for the summer, you tell him one Friday lunchtime, this time over some of the best steak he's ever eaten. From what he can gather you adore the college you attend, your entire face lights up animatedly when you speak about it. Part of him suspects it's because you're away from the clutches of your family.

"I really want to get a job this summer, maybe even volunteer." You tell him as you sit opposite the kitchen island once more. "The parents aren't so thrilled about that. My mom wants me to go to Europe with her. Dad is obviously working."

"Europe sounds incredible." He offers.

"I've been before." You sigh. Hyunwoo can't help but find it bizarre that you're so unenthusiastic about a potential overseas trip. He's never even been abroad. "The rest of my class are working or interning. I wish I could too."

He knows it's ridiculous to feel sorry for the poor little rich girl who has literally everything but he can't help it. He might not be wealthy but he knows all too well what it's like to feel like an outsider and wanting nothing more than to just be like everyone else. Albeit for different reasons. You were sweet, his empathy felt deserved.

"You should do it." He tells you sincerely. "Your parents can't exactly kidnap you and take you to Europe can they?"

"You'd be surprised." You laugh, drly. "Who knows what they're capable of."

He doesn't know how to respond, so he's silent as you finish you meal. As nice as it would be to have more money than sense, at least he has freedom.

***

The first time you kiss is at the end of the summer.

Hyunwoo doesn't anticipate it happening and is unprepared. It wasn't the best kiss he's ever had given it's surprising nature, your teeth briefly clacked, but it was nice nonetheless. The sun is setting when you corner him around the back of the pool house, hidden from view. You ask him some question about him minding if you go for a late night swim (he never has and you've never needed his permission) - he knows it is an excuse.

There's a moment of hesitation, a sweet thank you falls from your lips and before he knows it your mouths are connected. Body curled in to him, tongue in his mouth he can't help but kiss back. You walk away before he can barely register what's happened.

***

Autumn is creeping it's way on to the landscape when the second kiss happens.

It's almost as if you've forgotten the first one, since you've never brought it up. Hyunwoo doesn't either, mostly assuming it was just a momentary impulse moment, mostly not wanting to make anything awkward with you. He's still enjoying the lunches you're preparing for him and doesn't want them to stop.

The working day is coming to a close for him. He's a lot sweaty and a little dirty when your paths cross. Your voice startles him as he's winding up the garden hose. "Hi Hyunwoo."

"Hi." His hands continue on autopilot until the work is done.

"I'm going back to school tomorrow." He knew that, gossip among the staff, but he stays silent, nodding as if it's brand new information. "I just wanted to say bye. Until next summer I guess."

"Bye." He says softly, earning him a tiny laugh from you. "I know you will be happier there than here."

"I'll miss those lunches though."

He's surprised and hope it doesn't read too blatantly. "Me too. I'm going to have to go back to eating turkey sandwhiches or ramyeon. Alone."

"Are you working here during the winter?" You ask.

"Yeah, just less frequently. Once every two weeks." He's got another job as a waiter in a slightly posher-than-he's-used-to restaurant but he doesn't tell you that. You probably won't care too much about him when you're not here.

"Maybe I'll see you at Christmas break." You hum. He offers a polite agreement. "You weren't...mad that I kissed you?"

That he didn't expect, as far as he was concerned you had swept that off the table. "No, I wasn't. I liked it."

"I liked it too."

The air changes and he somehow just senses it, just feels it in his bones what's going to happen next. You're so close to him, licking your lips like that and he doesn't miss how your eyes flit to his own mouth. This time Hyunwoo closes the ga with the wave of confidence that surges.

This kiss is much better than the first one, an air of desperation of it being the last time hangs thickly. Momentarily forgetting he's just worked a hard day of manual labour and isn't necessarily the cleanest he pulls your body against his anyway. One hand on your waist, the other grasping you between your shoulder blades.

You're the one to deepen the kiss and he swears he hears the tiniest moan over the thrumming in his ears. A hand slides down his muscular chest and fists his shirt. "Hyunwoo." You say breathlessly. It's not a question because your lips are back on his again.

His knees hit the back of a sun lounger, unsure of who was pulling and pushing who. He sits down and tugs you on to him, a knee on either side resting comfortably on his lap. This is not a good idea, he knows it but that part of his brain that's rational is loosing blood supply when you grind your hips against his. He's growing hard and it would be embarrassingly quickly if you weren't whimpering atop of him, loosing yourself in the moment too.

You shouldn't have sex. Out in the open like this. You shouldn't have sex at all, he works for you. Hyunwoo is trying to wrack his brains to remember who is home and who's not. The thought evaporates when you bite his bottom lip and tug at the nape of his hair. "You're so fucking hot Hyunwoo."

He's never heard you swear before, always assumed you weren't into such dirty language. His brain instantly ignites at the idea of you saying the dirtiest things he could imagine to him. It's something he's definitely thought about prior. He groans.

"So are you." He gets out in between kisses. Instinctively his hand is sliding up your cold thighs, the dress you're wearing not entirely weather appropriate for the cooling summer air. He grips your ass with a squeeze.

"I've wanted to kiss you so badly since the day we met." You admit through a breathy laugh. Even in the diminishing light he notices your cheeks flush a little. He's a little lost for words at the moment otherwise he'd tell you that he's felt the exact same way.

"Yeah?" Is all he manages to get out in an exhale.

"Mmhmm," You nod, raking your hands all over his chest. "And so much more."

Before he can respond you're kissing again. He wants to know what more means and he wants to know so badly it's making his cock ache. He needs it, so he shifts you on to your back, skirt rising up and exposing your panties. Even the sight of that is something he never thought he'd see in his wildest dreams. You were so untouchable just weeks ago and know you were underneath him at his mercy.

"I'd do anything you want me to." He murmurs in your ear, a knee separating your thighs for him as he hovers over you. "You're so pretty."

"What if I wanted you to touch me?" You ask.

"I am touching you." He can't help but smirk.

"Touch me like this."

You take his hand and run it over your clothed centre where he grazes a knuckle over your folds. At the contact the material presses into your wetness and he can't believe he did that. You're wet. For him. He rubs his hand up and down a few times and the noise that you elicit is sinful.

He looks up at you for approval as he slides your underwear slowly down your thighs. Your finally bare for him and he can't help it, too lost in the moment, he places a kiss on your mound, tongue sneaking between your lower lips for a second. It makes you gasp.

"God, like this - " He hangs his head for a second between your thighs, overwhelmed. "Like this you're perfect. Even if you told me to stop now the sight of you like this is, fuck, a wet dream." His cheek nuzzles your inner thigh where he places another wet kiss.

"Would this make it better?" You tease, nimble fingers unbuttoning your dress so your tits are exposed. His mouth hangs open as he nods, unable to eloquently articulate how fucking good you look and how hard he's trying to commit this to memory.

Nothing is said but he knows what to do, sitting up a little and kissing your breasts. He begins to stroke between your legs as he devours your tits. "Is this the right spot? Show me." He whispers against your skin.

"Do it like this," You guide his hand to the exact right place you want to be touched, moaning when he reaches it. "Fuck, Hyunwoo, just like that." You whine.

He can feel his dick leaking at that. Not only did you swear, you whined his name. He sucks on your nipple as your hips begin to work in tandem with his hands. "You want my fingers in you too? Hmm?" He asks.

"Yes, yeah - oh fuck - yes."

You're wet enough that he slides two in right away. He can only imagine in his mind how lewd this scene must look from an outsiders perspective, hand buried in your pussy. Starting off slow to gauge your reaction he sets what he hopes is the perfect pace, examining every detail on your beautiful face as your eyes flutter shut. You're chewing on your bottom lip, arching your back and falling apart in just the right way.

It's so much, touching you like this. "Yeah?" He manages to husk.

He's rewarded with a loud moan and a roll of your hips in time with his fingers. "Would you - ahh, would you fuck me if I asked?" You pant.

He didn't expect the question, and ruts his hips against your leg involuntarily with a groan into your skin. "Ugh, yeah. Yeah, I would."

"Here?"

"Here?" He repeats in surprise, pulling back to see if you really mean it. He wonders if you maybe have a thing for getting caught, or maybe even watched. God. "Really? You really want that?"

"Or we could fuck in the pool house. It's up to you." You laugh, biting your tongue with a grin. His hand hasn't stopped moving this entire time, even if he has slowed down. The thought of fucking you out here is hot but he can't risk it. What if someone caught him? That's his income gone.

"Take me to the poolhouse." He kisses you, discreetly wiping your wetness off on his denim thigh. It's hard to stop when he wants to see you cum so desperately. You grin and don't even bother to fix your half open dress before taking him by the hand. Both of you stumble excitedly across the garden, him pressed up against your back. He can't stop his hands roaming your body.

The poolhouse is nicer than any house Hyunwoo has ever lived in. What else did he expect. You know the way so he lets you lead him to the bedroom. You don't even bother with the light, tumbling onto the plush mattress, tangling together the instant you're able.

You yank off his shirt. "I'm a little sweaty." He laughs once he's topless.

"I don't care. Is it weird that I kind of like it?"

"Probably." He kisses you again while he removes your dress entirely. "I kind of get the feeling you're into lots of weird things."

"Define weird." You breathe, kicking off the remnants of your panties. His denim and boxers follow.

"Kinky."

"One person's kinky is another's boring Tuesday night."

"I can't wait to find out." He really can't. You're naked beneath him now and he's half expecting this to be a dream. He hovers over you and loves the way you shudder when his bare cock brushes against your thigh. You whine and reach for it with both hands, giving him a few lazy strokes. If your hands are this warm and soft he can't even imagine how good your cunt is going to feel.

He fucks into your fist a few times because it feels so good. "I fucking need you inside me, Hyunwoo. Please put your cock in me. Stretch me open and make me cry because it feels so good."

Shit, he loves your dirty mouth.

The blunt head of his cock drags through your wet pussy a few times to make the glide of him entering just that bit better. He presses in slowly, watching with wide eyes as your cunt swallows him whole. You keen as you fist the sheets. Then he's buried to the hilt and has to still for a few moments, or risk cumming quickly and embarrassing himself.

Before he beings thrusting he pushes both your legs a little wider apart. "Please." You beg and he listens, rocking his hips to meet yours. "Yes, oh - fuck yes." You breathe as he moves.

"I want you to cum." He husks into your ear. "How can I make you cum around my cock huh?"

"Touch my clit and don't stop moving like this."

He leans a little heavier on one arm so he can access your swollen clit with his right hand. Remembering what you told him earlier he gets to work. There's not much more said as he fucks you, mainly just breathy gasps and groans escaping both of you.

He loves that you tell him when you're about to cum. He's been with girls before who never said anything and he always found it hot when they did. He cums shortly after you, pulling out and shooting his load on your stomach.

The way you look, plump bottom lip between your teeth, eyes closed and covered in the evidence of his orgasm, well. He doesn't think he's ever seen anything sexier.

***

He's done it before. Fucked girls and had no further contact with them again. But it feels weird with you because he works for you. Has to talk to the people in your life frequently but has no idea about you. Phone numbers were not exactly exchanged and he's not really interested in social media. It complicates things, and he prefers simple.

The worst part about it is he can't even ask about you. It's odd if he shows too much interest in you. None of the household were particularly aware that a minor friendship even existed between you at one time.

Hyunwoo's not sure if he wants to know. He assumes you're happy and that's really all he can logically come up with. You'd never discussed anything extremely personal  with him over your little lunch dates and he'd never pressed you on it. He wonders if you'll have a boyfriend by Christmas time when you're home again.

He hopes not.

***

He starts night classes late September now that he can afford to. His scrimping and saving allowing him to fund the  business management course he takes. It's not much and it's not exactly a degree from some prestigious university but he learns a lot and best of all, he can continue working during the day.

After all, he has rent and bills to pay. Hyunwoo wants to run his own business one day and even if it takes years he's determined it will be worth it. His parents own a small cafe but neither of them went to college of any sort and they struggle often. His plan is to do it smart. Maybe even franchise his parents business.

By November he's promoted to host at the restaurant. It's fantastic for him because he earns enough now that money isn't on his mind constantly. When he's in the supermarket he doesn't have to carefully calculate as he shops. The items simply get tossed in the basket it without a thought and it feels good.

Life is good; steady. Sometimes he catches himself singing to himself as he works in the garden of your house like he's in a freaking disney movie.

He meets a girl at college whom he gets on well with. She's nice, quite pretty and they go on a few dates. They end up having sex in his car after the third one and it's okay, not great. He finds himself thinking about you after he's dropped her off, wondering if you're doing the same thing. Maybe you were, that's what university life was all about, he supposed. Experimenting, having fun, finding yourself.

Suddenly he feels very insignificant. Did you ever think of him? That night you spent together you'd confessed you had, but there were months and thousands of miles of distance between you now. You were the beautiful, upper class rich girl and he worked two jobs whilst going to a community college.

Of course you weren't thinking of him.

***

Hyunwoo's last day of work before Christmas lands him at your house. He'd overheard from Ana that you were arriving very early the next morning, which meant he wouldn't be there when you were, and not knowing when you returned to school caused a slight air of disappoint to settle around him as he worked.

The weather restricts what he's capable of, so it's a few weeks longer than usual before he can return and he works a little later into the evening than normal. By the time he finishes the sun has set and the cold air is nipping at his cheeks, turning them pink.

He tidies his gardening equipment and heads inside to tell Ana he's leaving. She wishes him Merry Christmas and pulls him into a hug that colours his cheeks even more. "Oh! Hyunwoo?" She asks as he's at the door, ready to go home. He turns expectantly. "Can you leave me your phone number? I'm unsure what date Mr Kim wants you back in the new year." She smiles.

"Oh," says Hyunwoo dumbly. "Don't you have it already? I'm sure I gave it to you when I first started."

"This is embarrassing," Ana laughs. "My son bought me a phone. I can't use it for the life of me and I accidentally deleted everything a few days ago. I don't even know how I did it! I'm too old for modern technology, I think."

Hyunwoo smiles warmly at her. It's exactly the kind of thing his own mother would do and he feels a rush of affection. "Of course I can leave you it. If you need any help with your phone, I can do that too. I'm a pro at it."

He scribbles the digits on the post-its next to the phone and goes home for the night.

***

The text is sent on New Years Eve (technically New Years Day) but Hyunwoo only reads it when he wakes at 2pm, nursing a rather brutal hangover. He'd celebrated perhaps a little too hard with Minhyuk and the boys and barely even remembers going to bed. He rubs his tired eyes and re-reads the message several times.

from : unknown number happy new year hyunwoo!!! Hope your xmas was goood - y/n

from : unknown number ps - stole your num from ana I asked where you were and sshe said i missed y5tou

He chuckles at the typos, assuming there must have been some alcohol involved with the sending of these messages. Hyunwoo of course replies.

from : hyunwoo happy new year too lady hows xmas break?

from : y/n good boring cant wait to go back to school Im nursing a hangover from heeeellllll

from : hyunwoo haha i gifrued figured* me too tbh, i'll be hiding from the world today

He spends the rest of the day lazing in bed and occasionally swapping texts with you. The conversation is light, like acquaintances catching up, which is what he supposes you are. He can't deny that it's nice to hear from you. It's even nicer that you think of him when you're drunk. Drunk thoughts speak that of a sober mind.

He wants to see you but unfortunately doesn't get to. You're back at school by the time he has returned to work.

***

The girl from college is persistent, he'll give her that. There's nothing wrong with Kia, other than the fact that she's a little too eager than what Hyunwoo is usually used to but he accepts it regardless. Somehow he finds himself sleeping with her on a regular basis. It's a little selfish of him which he knows. But lately he's been feeling lonely, overworked, and she gives him all the attention he could ever ask for with very little effort on his part.

The sex improves since the first time so it becomes a thing. He tries not to look too deeply into it. By March they've been hooking up for well over a month.

He doesn't tell her about you. Not that that he's trying to hide anything per say; he just doesn't feel it's necessary. Especially because the conversations that he shares with you are far more interesting, now that he texts with you semi-frequently. Kia doesn't need to know about every single friend of his, he rationalizes.

Although he makes a distinct effort not to text you when he's with her.

You make him laugh. Like, really laugh. So much so that you rival Minhyuk's spot in his life. When you're away from your family you're a different person. Still you, but the version of you that's a little brighter, a little happier, and much more unrestrained than you are at home.

Even captured in the selfies you send you radiate more. He doesn't tell you (or anyone for that matter, he'd rather be caught dead) but he's been saving every image.

You tell him about your life in greater detail. He finds out that you spent Christmas with Ana and her family, since your father worked and your mom seeks warmer weather at that time of the year. It makes his heart ache slightly, he always has a wonderful day with his parents and a life without that seems a little sad. He's happy you have at least some family in Ana.

Hyunwoo cares. His thoughts drift to you often these days, more notably when he's working at your house. He can't even look at the poolhouse or the sun loungers without having flashbacks of you on your back for him. God, he wants to do it again. The need grows more and more the longer you talk.

When you phone him one night late night, practically purring the words, "I've been thinking about how we almost fucked in the garden." He knows it's over for him. He listens to you make yourself cum over the phone there and then and promises you, he'll have your body again as soon as he's able.

***

The next time you see each other in person it's April. Seven whole months since you'd fucked. He's finishing work when you appear, almost coyly hovering around the back entrance of the main house. He suspects you've waited for him. Hyunwoo grins reflexively when your eyes meet.

"Hey, you." You smile widely, tucking hair behind your ear.

"Hey lady."

Both silent for a few moments, simply taking each other in. Obviously he's seen pictures of you but the real thing is so much better. Your hair is longer, darker and your makeup is different but he still thinks you look gorgeous. A wave of confidence takes Hyunwoo.

"Want to hang out?" He asks before any inane small talk can ruin the moment. He knows how you are, you spoke this morning. You nod excitedly.

"I was hoping you'd ask." You tell him.

He's not ashamed of the car he drives, but he is when he knows you'll be in it. He's seen what occupies the twelve car garage. The kind of cars he would dream about as a young boy, and the worst part about all of it is they rarely get driven. To him that's the definition of insanity.

The back passenger window doesn't work on the old jeep and the leather is ripped on the drivers headrest but Hyunwoo takes care of it, so it drives fine. It gets him where he needs to go, so he's unbothered by the appearance. In a perfect world he'd drive you in something flashy.

You say nothing about the lack of extravagance, you hop inside with a beautiful smile. He likes that about you.

The plan is to go for dinner but somehow you never make it, ending up at Hyunwoo's modest apartment. It's a simple one bed with a tiny kitchenette. It's not much but he's worked hard to keep it.

"This reminds me of my dorm!" You laugh when you're inside. He incorrectly makes the assumption that you're insulting it but you reassure him. "It feels more like home than my parents house." You say gingerly with a touch to his arm.

His response is to kiss you and hoist you up, wrapping your legs around his waist. From the many phone sex sessions that have transpired between you, he's learned alot about what you like in the bedroom. He spanks your ass check with a slap, hard enough to sting. You audibly hiss.

You're in a dress again and he thinks it's intention was purposeful so he could have faster access to your most intimate parts. In no time at all you're pinned on his bed, both hands above your head held there by his own larger palm. The other is pushing your panties to the side, giving access to his bare dick.

Fuck me fuck fuck me, you chant, and he does. You look like such a mess for him, dress pushed up, hair fanned out across the pillow.  You guide his hand around your throat, forcing him to choke you. He almost cums when your gasping breath tells him to spit in your mouth.

When you touch your clit and cum he does as well. He couldn't hold off even if he tried.

He kisses you softly, in stark contrast to how rough you had just encouraged him to be; then you whisper, "I missed you."

***

He spends two complete days in bed with you. Kia calls him several times but he never picks up. You give him a curious glance when he turns the phone face down each time, yet you say nothing.

The only time you leave his apartment is to get food. Hyunwoo holds your hand in the supermarket without thinking about it, he just wanted to touch you. You pay for the entire shopping and he wishes you didn't but he supposes you don't think about these things in the same manner as he does.

When you leave (and it's only because he's working at the restaurant and had no choice but to part ways) he drives you home and watches the entire way as you walk up the drive, wishing he could have you back already, hoping there's not some college boy miles away thinking the same thing.

***

It's only five days later when he's scheduled back to work for your family. He's more than a little distracted after seeing you through the kitchen window. A small, discrete wave from you to acknowledge his presence. He knows there's not much time left before you're due back at school for the last term before summer.

The familiar tradition of lunching together is shared outside today. Pleasant sunshine basks down on you and Hyunwoo can't stop looking at you even as he eats the food you've prepared. "What?" You ask with a shy laugh. "Is there something on my face?"

"I just like looking at ya." He laughs and your cheeks tinge adorably. How can you be so cute yet so dirty? It's like he has the best of both worlds with you at times. The contrast drives him wild at times.

"Can we spend some more time together before I go back to school?" You ask him. For a moment he can't focus because you're eating a strawberry and all he can think about is his dick in your mouth. "Hyunwoo?"

"Yeah, course." He responds, blinking a few times. "Come over tonight?"

He wonders what the household think when you leave together at the end of the day. Surely they would not approve of this? A sad thought enters his mind; it's possible your family are too self absorbed to notice, let alone care. Ana however gives the two of you a friendly knowing smirk when you share your goodbyes.

Hyunwoo ends up making a stopover at the beach, a change of heart hitting him as he drove in the setting sunlight. There's a certain spot he started visiting when he first moved out and was overwhelmed by the stress and cost of being an adult in this world. He's never taken anyone there but he thinks (hopes) you'll like it as much as he does.

"We're at the beach." It's not so much of a question as a statement and you give him a confused look.

"Come on." Is the only instruction he gives you, clambering out of the jeep.

The ten minute walk from the car to very end of the beach is passed in comfortable silence. There's a bit of climbing involved up some rocks and a slightly steep sandy slope. Hyunwoo goes first so he can assist you up too. This secluded part of the beach is peaceful and he's watched many a sunset here.

You join him in the sand when he sits, resting your head on his shoulder. "Why did you bring me here?"

"It's one of my favourite places and I wanted to share it with you." He doesn't need to explain any further. You nod.

"Thank you."

He watches the sunset with his arm around your shoulders. When it's almost dark Hyunwoo leads you back to his jeep. You have sex on the backseat. It's different this time, tender and sweet, touching each other as if you're both virgins cautiously but eagerly mapping each other's bodies. All he thinks about on the journey to his place is how much he likes you.

***

When you're thousands of miles apart the distance somehow feels greater this time. During the day you cross his mind often but it's worse at night, when he's alone in bed, craving the warmth of you body next to his. Sometimes he looks, then re-looks at the selfies you've sent.

He hasn't kept track of when he last spoke with Kia. It's only when she sends him a particularly bitchy message does he remember that he's unintentionally being ignoring her for as long as he has. When he sends her an apology, citing work and family as an excuse she asks to see him.

He's in two minds about it. One, he's lonely, horny and missing you. However the topic of being exclusive never came up, not that it should. It's new territory. For all he knows some frat boy has you wrapped around him right now. The thought makes him prickle with jealousy.

So he accepts Kia's invitation.

***

"What are you grinning at?"

Hyunwoo looks up, trying to hide his smile when Minhyuk speaks. "Nothing." He lies. He's texting you and you just told him how you accidentally waved at someone who wasn't waving to you and now you're moving country and changing your identity before you die of embarrassment. Another thing he likes about you; you're not afraid to laugh at yourself.

"That means it's a girl!" Minhyuk teases with a laugh. "The chick from college?"

"Uh, no." Hyunwoo replies, avoiding his friends gaze. "Someone else."

"Oh." Minhyuk is surprised. "Who?"

"You know the people I sometimes do gardening and shit for? The daughter."

"Oh shit," His friend laughs. "Risky."

Hyunwoo agrees, adding. "We haven't really tried to hide anything. I don't think her family notice much. It's kinda sad."

"How can you be sad with all that money?" Minhyuk scoffs. Like Hyunwoo he comes from a family that had little to none of not just money, nearly everything. He doesn't work two jobs like Hyunwoo but he works even longer hours to sustain himself. "Crying in a ferrari. Boo hoo."

"She's not like that. Her family sure, but not her."

Minhyuk can tell he likes you. "She's special." He doesn't ask, he just knows Hyunwoo so well that he doesn't need it confirmed by the older male.

"Yeah. She is."

***

He hasn't heard from you in over a week which is highly unusual since you've been messaging or calling each other daily. It's making him a little restless but he reassures his anxious mind by reminding himself you're almost finishing school and you're probably just busy. Kia is a distraction right now, nothing more.

His phone rings while Kia is in his shower. She's going to want to stay the night but he really isn't that interested, right now he wants to be alone. Normally he doesn't speak to you when he's with her, but this will be his first chance in a long time so he takes the call.

"Hi lady, it's been a while." He answers.

"I know," You groan. "Finals. I had to turn my phone off because it was distracting me. I had a meltdown this week."

His first thought is relief. The second; he wishes he could have been there for you.

"I'm sorry," He means it. "How are things now?"

"One more exam then I'm done. No future break downs planned." You announce and he can hear you smile.

"Good."

"What are you doing right now?" You ask. He hears the shower shut off and Kia step out.

"Nothing." Technically it's the truth. "I missed you." He adds lowly.

"Me too, Hyunwoo. Is it weird that you're one of my closest friends?"

"You're one of mine." He says confidently.

"I wish you were here."

Kia re-enters his bedroom in a towel, giving him a quiet smile when she see's him resting against the headboard in the middle of a call. Hyunwoo swallows thickly. "Me too."

"I want to see you, can we face time?"

He knows what that means. More often than not your video calls to each to one another ends in a very explicit manner. He looks at Kia who is redressing. God, he wishes he could say yes.

"I..can't right now, I've got company." He adds lamely because he doesn't want to lie to you.

"Oh." The disappointment in your voice is prevalent. "Ok. Maybe another time."

"Yeah." He wants to say more, so much more, but he knows Kia is listening and doesn't feel like an argument.

"It's okay if you're dating y'know." You add, to his surprise. "I didn't exactly think you were some celibate monk every time we were apart."

He laughs at that. "I assumed you weren't either."

"I wasn't." The past tense confuses him. "Been too busy for that lately."

"I bet."

"No one fucks me like you do though," You laugh and he can't help but smirk. "Anyway, I'll let you go. I've got some stress to relieve anyway." He doesn't miss the innuendo. "And Hyunwoo?"

"Yeah?"

"I'll be thinking of you when I do it."

Fuck. He hold back a groan. Now that the image is in his head it's the only thing he wants to see. He gulps. "I always do."

When you've hung up he tells Kia in the kindest possible way he's tired and it's best if she goes home. He senses her unhappiness and he feels a little guilty but not for long.

***

The day you arrive home for the summer Hyunwoo realises it's been ten months of fucking, phone sex and talking about nothing and everything til 2am with you. He's not working today and offers to pick you up from the airport. He knows you could easily have someone on your father's payroll fetch you but you agree nonetheless.

At baggage claim you don't even greet him, flinging yourself into his arms instead. There's a kiss that's all too passionate for such a public space but neither of you seem phased. It's clear that you're just as eager as he is.

You smile at him when he carries your bags for you, loading them into his trusted jeep.

"Can I tell you something?" You ask as he drives. He nods. "I haven't told my parents but I've been working while I've been at school."

You hadn't told him that either. As far as he knew you wouldn't really have to work ever if you felt so inclined.

"I've saved everything. Every single penny I've earned."

"How come?" He's never discussed money with you and he feels awkward.

"Because I don't want to spend my life relying on them." You say simply. "After I finish school next year I'll be free."

Free, he thinks. He notices how ignored you are at home and how unhappy you are there. If you want to be free, Hyunwoo wants you to be free too.

***

You spend more nights with him over the summer than you do without. He doesn't tell you but he broke things off with Kia a long time ago. It's you, and it's been you for a long time. At the beach you tease him and ask him if the other girls like this spot as much as you do.

"I've never brought anyone but you here." He admits.

"Oh." You look surprised. "I thought..."

"Nah," He tries to make it sound more casual than it is. But it means something. You both know it. He laces his fingers through yours. "Just you."

Over the summer a few freckles have appeared on your shoulders as the two of you have spent a lot of time in the sun and he kisses them while he's got you in his arms. You sigh in content and lean back against his chest. He wants to tell you he loves you, has done for quite some time but doesn't want to force it.

You're the one. Not in the conventional sense where he's blindly assured that you're definitely going to get married and grow into old age together. No. How can anyone know that for sure?

You're the one in the sense that you make him happy to wake up each day. It's effortless and it's easy and you've never once held any of his choices against him. He'd do anything for you before any other girl. That's why you're his one. He just needs to tell you now.

MASTERLIST

[singledarkshade]

After The Holiday

Summary: Invited to spend time with her new boyfriend, his son and mother to get to know them better, Gideon worries if it was a good idea. Author’s Note: This is a sequel to Holiday Romance. Enjoy. Gideon lay on the most comfortable mattress she had ever slept on, feeling the sun through the curtains as she listened to the sound of laughter and splashing outside. Sliding out of bed Gideon pulled on her robe and stepped out onto the balcony to her bedroom seeing Rip playing with his son in the pool.

“Hi, Gideon,” Jonas yelled, waving up at her.

“Good morning,” she called back.

Rip gave her a smile, “Breakfast is on the patio whenever you’re ready.”

“I’ll be right there,” Gideon replied, watching as Rip threw his son into the water making Jonas squeal with laughter again.

Stepping back inside Gideon dressed before pulling a brush through her hair, still stunned to be here. She’d known Rip for all of two weeks, they’d been dating for less than one and she had accepted an invitation to spend the next few weeks at their beach house to get to know him and his son, as well as his mother. His mother the CEO of Xavier Industries, one of the largest companies in the world, which Rip ran the US arm of.

She felt Beach House was a bit of an understatement, her entire apartment could fit in the bedroom she’d been given.

They were in a small town just outside Central City, a place that was mostly properties like this one. It was a little overwhelming how rich her new boyfriend was but to her relief, despite the massive beachside mansion, they were completely normal people.

Leaving her bedroom, Gideon headed down the back stairs to the kitchen and out to the patio, relieved she had memorised the route when they arrived the night before. Mary Xavier was sitting at the table under the parasol sipping tea, her injured leg resting on a padded stool, and smiled when Gideon joined her.

“Good morning, dear,” Mary greeted, “How did you sleep?”

Gideon nodded, “Very well. The bed is incredible.”

Mary laughed, “I know, the mattresses are so comfortable. I may have gone a little overboard buying them for every bed we have but it was worth it.”

“Gideon!!” Jonas called interrupting them as he ran over to the table, droplets of water spraying from him.

“Good morning,” Gideon smiled at the little boy who then ran over to his grandmother and climbed up onto the seat beside her.

“Jonas,” Rip called as he joined them, “Put your t-shirt on.” Passing the t-shirt to his son, Rip then leaned over and kissed Gideon, “Are we ready for breakfast?”

Jonas nodded with a grin and Rip headed into the kitchen bringing out a large plate with pancakes and waffles.

“Did you make these?” Gideon asked.

“Daddy always makes my favourites for breakfast on the first day of summer holidays,” Jonas told her, “It’s a tradition.”

“We have a few for these two weeks,” Mary told her.

Gideon smiled softly, “I look forward to learning about them.”

 Rip checked his watch, he had about ten minutes before they had to leave and get Jonas to his camp. Jonas was currently putting his shoes on as Rip dropped his bag at the front door. He spotted Gideon standing on the patio looking out across the ocean.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly when he reached her side.

Gideon turned to him, “I feel a little bit like an intruder.”

“You’re not,” Rip frowned.

“This seemed like such a good idea yesterday,” Gideon sighed.

Rip wrapped his arm around her, “It still is.”

“But this is your two weeks with Jonas and your mother,” she reminded him, “The first two weeks of summer and I feel…”

“What?”

“Like I shouldn’t be here,” Gideon sighed.

Rip frowned, “I want you to be.” He moved so they were face to face, “Yes, we have some traditions for these two weeks, but Jonas is going a summer camp, mother will be meeting her friends, so it’ll just be us for most of the day this week.”

“A camp?” Gideon asked.

“Booked months ago. I honestly didn’t decide to send him away,” Rip assured her, “Can we at least spend today together and decide later if you want to stay?”

Gideon nodded and smiled when Rip kissed her.

“Daddy!!!” Jonas called suddenly, “We’re going to be late.”

Rip smiled at her, “I’ll be back soon.”

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

 Rip drove through the streets of the small town towards the park where the camp was set up with Jonas in the back who was checking through his bag.

“Jonas,” he said, making his son look up, “What do you think of Gideon?”

“She’s nice,” Jonas told him, “And pretty. She makes you smile.”

“What?” Rip asked confused.

“You smiled all last night, Daddy,” Jonas explained, “You never do that.”

Rip grimaced at his son’s words, “You make me smile.”

“But she makes you smile when I’m not there,” Jonas rolled his eyes, “And that’s good.”

Rip smiled at his son’s thoughts, “I’m glad you like her.”

They reached the carpark for the camp and Rip made sure he had the enrolment email on his phone ready to book Jonas in. Reaching the queue, Rip scanned the notice on the board that gave the parents information for the week.

“Jonas,” an excited voice made them turn to see his best friend William Clayton running over to him. Just behind the boy, his father and soon to be stepmother were walking.

“Rip,” Oliver Queen greeted him, “How are you?”

“Good,” Rip nodded, “How are you both? Should I ask about wedding preparations?”

Felicity Smoak rolled her eyes, “Don’t. It’s not a topic you want me to get onto.”

Oliver laughed, hugging his fiancé, “We’re having a barbecue on Friday if you want to come.”

“I’ll check if we’re free,” Rip promised, before adding, “I can drop William off tonight. I pass your house anyway.”

“That would be great,” Oliver said, “And we can organise a carpool for the rest of the week if you want.”

Rip smiled, “That sounds like a great idea.”

Reaching the desk, they booked their boys in then, after hugs, Jonas and William went running in to find their other friends.

“Let’s work this out,” Rip said pulling out his phone again.

 Gideon sat on a lounger by the pool reading her book, feeling a little odd that she was alone in the house. Mary had left not long after Rip, she was meeting what she called her ‘book club’, although the bottle of wine she took with her suggested it was something else.

Hearing noise from the kitchen, she turned to see Rip walking towards her. Gideon moved so he could sit beside her and smiled as he pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

“Is Jonas safely at his camp?” she asked.

Rip chuckled, “I got a goodbye then he ran in without looking back.”

Leaning into him, she asked, “Feeling a little sad by that?”

“A little,” he confessed. His arm wrapped around her for a moment before he pulled back, “I need to make sure that you know Jonas will always come first with me, he has to.”

“I wouldn’t be here if Jonas wasn’t your top priority,” Gideon told him, “From the moment we met I knew you were a good person but when you started talking about Jonas, I could see how much you love him.”

Rip pressed a kiss to her temple, “He likes you. Says you make me smile. Which you do.”

Gideon took his hand, “So, we have the day to ourselves and no planned activities, what are we going to do?”

Rip gave her an amused smile, laughing when she smacked his arm, “Have you ever been in the town?”

“No,” Gideon said, “I’ve not. Since I moved to Star City the only time that I’ve been anywhere else was a visit to Central City with Sara. And you know about that.”

Rip nodded, “Well it’s nice, the beach is beautiful and there are a lot of restaurants we can have lunch.”

“That sounds…” Gideon stood and tugged him to join her, “Like something we can do tomorrow.”

 Rip sighed contentedly as Gideon cuddled close to him. They’d spent the day getting to know one another in every way, talking almost as much as they made love. It had been a long time since he’d felt a connection like this.

“We need to keep an eye on the time,” Gideon murmured softly, “You don’t want to be late.”

Rip nuzzled her neck, “I won’t be.”

“Good,” she moaned at his ministrations, “I don’t want Jonas to think I am stealing you.”

“Come with me to pick him up,” Rip said.

Gideon frowned softly, “Are you sure?”

“You don’t have to hide in here,” Rip told her, “You’re not a secret, Gideon. I want everyone I know to meet you.”

Chuckling Gideon asked, “Show me off?”

“Let’s see you’re brilliant, beautiful and amazing to be around,” Rip told her, “Of course I want to show you off.”

She kissed him again, “If you’re sure.”

“Completely.”

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

 “Daddy,” Jonas called appearing in the living room dragging a large bag with him, “I have the tent.”

Gideon and Rip turned from the movie they were watching in surprise.

“Did you forget?” Jonas asked, sadness covering his face.

Rip shook his head, “Of course I didn’t. But it’s far too early. Come and watch the rest of the movie with us.”

Jonas shrugged and sat beside Rip. It had been four days since they’d come to the beach house, Jonas went to camp each day allowing Gideon and Rip to spend time together which let them get to know one another better. Although she was a little nervous about the barbecue they’d agreed to go to on Friday.

“Why do you need the tent?” Gideon asked.

“We’re going camping,” Jonas told her.

Rip clarified, “In the garden.”

Jonas nodded, “Me and Daddy toast marshmallows, have hot chocolate and sleep in the tent under the stars.”

Gideon smiled, “That sounds like lots of fun.”

“It’s just me and daddy,” Jonas told her sharply.

“Jonas,” Rip scolded his son.

Gideon caught his hand, “Of course, Jonas. I was just saying how fun it sounds.”

Rip tapped his son’s leg and Jonas looked at Gideon, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Gideon said softly, “You’re just looking forward to having your dad to yourself tonight.”

Jonas nodded as he leaned into Rip who grimaced in worry that he was ignoring his son.

 “You’re not ignoring Jonas,” Mary rolled her eyes at her son, as he pulled together the supplies for the camp out.

Rip sighed, “It’s just how he snapped at Gideon that it was only us tonight.”

“Michael,” Mary caught his hand, “As much as Jonas likes Gideon, and he does,” she cut him off before he could say anything, “This is a change for him. He’s never had to share you with anyone before.”

Rip frowned and bit his lip in thought.

“Listen to me,” Mary caught his hand, “It’s going to be fine. You’re in a new relationship and it’s wonderful. I’ve not seen you this happy since we lost Miranda. Even Jonas sees how happy she’s made you but it’s a change for him. He just needs some time to get used to this.”

“What do I do?” Rip asked.

“Just what you’re doing,” Mary replied, “You make sure you and Jonas keep up your traditions, and ensure he knows that although Gideon is a part of your life, he’s still your priority.”

 “Are you going to be okay alone with my mother?” Rip asked Gideon after dinner while they were finishing the dishes.

She chuckled, “We’ll be fine. This is your time with Jonas, and he is looking forward to it but,” Gideon slid her arms around his waist, “You need to promise to protect me tomorrow night at the barbecue.”

Rip nodded, “I will not leave your side all night.”

With a smile she kissed him, “Good. Now go camping with your son.”

Rip grinned at her before he grabbed the bag and headed to the living room where Jonas was sitting holding the bag for the tent, looking slightly anxious.

“Hey, little man,” Rip smiled at his son, “Are you ready?”

Jonas bounced up excitedly, “We’re going?”

Rip lifted the tent and nodded to him, “Let’s find a good spot.”

They headed out into the garden, just on the edge of the patio so he could use the portable barbecue for toasting marshmallows without destroying the lawn. With Jonas ‘help’, Rip got the tent up and their sleeping bags inside before they put the blankets on the ground to sit on. Settling down, Rip hugged his son close, “Tell me all about your camp this week.”

The next hour passed quickly and Rip finally set up the barbecue so that he could toast the marshmallows.

Hearing footsteps he saw Gideon arrive carrying two mugs.

“Why are you here?” Jonas demanded.

Before Rip could scold his son, Gideon replied, “Your grandmother asked me to bring you your hot chocolate.”

“Oh,” Jonas looked up at her, “That’s nice of you.”

Gideon nodded, “Can I sit with you for a few minutes?”

Jonas shrugged, “If you want.”

Rip took the two mugs before Gideon sat at Jonas’ side and looked out at the view.

“This is a beautiful view,” Gideon said softly, “I can see why you set up your tent here.”

Jonas nodded before whispering, “It’s so daddy doesn’t burn the grass.”

Gideon laughed.

Rip held out some toasted marshmallows to them, Gideon and Jonas both took one, laughing as the sweets melted all over their fingers. They ate several before Gideon stood again.

“You don’t have to leave,” Jonas told her quietly.

Gideon smiled down at him, “This is your special night with your daddy. I’ll see you both in the morning.”

She hesitated before pressing a quick kiss to Jonas’ head then kissed Rip goodnight and left them alone to their camping.

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

 “Are you alright?”

Gideon looked round to Rip and gave a weak smile, “Just a little nervous.”

“Hey,” Rip wrapped his arms around her, “It’s only a barbecue.”

“But it’s sort of the first time we’ve been out as a couple,” Gideon reminded him, “And these are your friends who live in a different world than I do.”

Rip chuckled, “Oliver and Felicity are the most down to earth people you will ever meet. Trust me, you’ll have fun tonight.”

Gideon smiled, “I’m still holding you to the promise that you’ll not leave my side all night.”

“I won’t,” he murmured, kissing her with a smile, “Not just because I promised but because you look stunning.”

She laughed enjoying the warm embrace, hoping that what she was wearing was fine for the evening. Rip had told her the dress code was smart-casual, so she was wearing her good black jeans, red heeled-boots and sparkly red off the shoulder top. Rip was dressed in black denims and a dark blue shirt, so she felt she was properly attired.

“Daddy,” Jonas yelled as he thundered down the stairs, “We’re going to be late.”

Rip turned and caught his son, “We’ve got plenty of time.”

Jonas sighed before he turned to Gideon, “You look pretty.”

“And you look very handsome,” Gideon nodded back making Jonas, dressed similarly to his dad, give her a big grin.

Rip grabbed the bottle of wine they were taking with them, handing it to Gideon before helping Mary with her crutches and heading out to the car.

 Reaching the Queen’s Beach House, Gideon took a few deep breaths to settle her nerves. Rip helped his mother out the car and onto her crutches, taking Jonas’ hand and wrapping his arm around Gideon before they started into the house.

“Mary,” Moira Queen appeared at the door, “You look wonderful. Even in plaster.”

Mary gave a smile, “Well it’s a distinctive look.”

Laughing Moira air kissed her cheek before turning to the others, “Rip, Jonas, it’s a pleasure to see you both again and…”

“Gideon Ryder,” she introduced herself before Rip could.

Moira nodded, a tiny grimace on her face seeing Rip’s arm around Gideon’s waist, “Come in.”

As they started in Mary turned to Gideon, “Ignore her. She’s just bitter that Oliver fell in love with Felicity and not one of her socialite friends’ daughters. She’s been trying to set up Michael for the last few years.”

They followed Moira out to the back garden which Gideon was stunned by. It was five times the size of Rip’s, coloured lights were strung up around the perimeter while the guests mingled.

“Jonas,” William appeared suddenly, “Come on, Dad let me set up my console in the living room.”

Jonas turned to Rip who nodded and the two boys disappeared talking a mile a minute.

“Gillian is over there. I’ll see you both later,” Mary squeezed Gideon’s hand before she headed over to a table where another woman was sitting.

“One of mother’s book club,” Rip whispered in her ear, “As you can probably guess, they rarely discuss books.”

Gideon laughed.

“Come on,” Rip wrapped his arm around her, “Let’s go say hello to our host.”

Walking over to the man standing at the grill, Gideon felt a little nervous as this was the first friend of Rip’s she was meeting.

“Rip,” Oliver greeted him, “Glad you all made it.”

“Jonas would never have forgiven me,” Rip replied before he turned slightly, “I want you to meet…”

“Gideon!!!” the stunned cry made them turn to see Felicity Smoak marching towards them a huge grin on her face.

“You two know each other?” Oliver asked as Rip shrugged confused.

Gideon laughed as she hugged the other woman, “We met when I spent a semester at MIT.”

“It’s so amazing to see you,” Felicity said, “Come and get a drink, we need to catch up.”

Smiling at Rip, Gideon happily followed Felicity to the bar before they found a seat by the pool.

“When Jonas said that his dad’s new girlfriend was called Gideon,” Felicity said, “I thought it might be you because it’s not the most common name.”

Gideon shrugged, “I’m the only one I know.”

Felicity laughed before asking, “How did you meet Rip?”

Gideon quickly gave her the story of the cruise, helping Rip and how she’d fallen for him.

“That’s a really great story,” Felicity sighed, “Much better than mine.”

“Which is?” Gideon asked intrigued.

Waving her hand, “I got a job at Queen Consolidated, working in their IT department. One day Oliver appeared because he had broken his laptop and needed it fixed quickly. After that anytime he needed something IT related, he called me.” Felicity smiled thinking back, “Then came the day he needed help during a presentation to set up the equipment which I had explained to him in great detail so he should have known how to use. Afterwards he offered to buy me dinner as an apology.” Sighing she continued, “I was a little unsure considering his reputation, but I am so glad I did.”

Gideon caught her friend’s hand and looked at the diamond ring she was wearing, “I can see that.”

 Rip slipped up behind Gideon who was standing looking at the view while Felicity had to attend to some other guests. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

“I thought I wasn’t to leave your side?” he murmured in her ear.

Gideon chuckled, “I forgive you since I was able to catch up with Felicity.”

Rip laughed softly, “Are you hungry? Oliver assures me he’s cooked the burgers fully.”

Nodding Gideon took his hand and they walked over to the food table, Rip handed her a plate and advised what to avoid. Once they had their food, they found a table in the corner to eat. Not realising they were being watched.

 “So,” Moira sat beside Mary, “Rip is dating finally. You must be pleased.”

Mary nodded as she watched her son smile at his girlfriend, “I am.”

“Even though they met on a couples cruise,” Moira said before asking, “Doesn’t that seem a little odd?”

Mary turned to the other woman, “It’s actually a funny story. Besides, Moira,” Mary smiled slightly, “I made sure I knew who was working with my son before there was any indication of romance.”

Moira shrugged, “Did you expect this to happen?”

“No,” Mary mused, “But I hoped when Eve told me about how well they were getting along that it might blossom.”

“And the fact she is not in the same social circle?”

“Your dislike of the fact Oliver fell for the IT girl,” Mary noted, “Is not something I agree with. Gideon is extremely smart, kind, is good to Jonas and the best thing that has happened to Michael in a long time.”

Moira frowned but Mary stopped her speaking.

“If you stopped actively disliking the girl,” Mary told her, “I think you would realise just how amazing Felicity is and how lucky you are that Oliver fell in love with her. That girl,” Mary continued before Moira could say anything, “Has changed Oliver for the better. He never would have stepped up as a father to William before her. Stop wishing for something you didn’t get and appreciate what you did.”

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

 Gideon cuddled into Rip’s arms as she woke on the last day of their two weeks. With Jonas no longer at camp, they had spent the week going to the zoo, the water park, the carnival, and other activities with him meeting up with Oliver, Felicity and William several times as well.

“I’m going to miss this,” she murmured softly as Rip pressed a kiss to her shoulder.

“This is just the last day of our vacation, it isn’t the last day we’re together,” Rip said before moving so she would look at him, “Is it?”

Gideon shook her head, “I don’t want it to be, but we live in different cities and I have to go to work.”

“Are you sure?” Rip moaned, “You can’t take another few weeks’ off?”

Chuckling at his teasing pout, Gideon kissed him, “I can’t, my contract starts on Monday.”

Rip rested his forehead against hers, “We’ll work something out.”

She kissed him, “We will.”

“I was thinking,” Rip said, “We drop Mother and Jonas off at the house then I’ll drive you back to your flat.”

“You don’t have to,” Gideon whispered.

He nodded, “Yes, I do. If we’re going to work this as a long-distance relationship, then I want to make sure I see you as much as possible.”

Gideon smiled.

They lay together for a while until the noise nearby announced Jonas was up, Rip kissed her and slid out of bed.

“Last day here,” Rip told her, “I have to make our final day big breakfast.”

“Don’t tell me,” she chuckled, “It’s a tradition.”

 Gideon sat in the car staring out the window as the other occupants talked or sang along with the radio. She was trying not to focus on the fact that she had no idea how long it would be before she would see Rip again after he dropped her off at her flat.

She jumped slightly when the car made a sharp turn into a driveway and stared in surprise at the house they were parking at. It was a normal red brick two story detached house with a neat front garden surrounded by a fence, completely different from where they’d spent the past two weeks.

“Okay,” Rip said, “Home sweet home.”

Gideon looked at him confused.

“What?” Rip asked as they got out the car.

“I just…” Gideon hesitated, “After the Beach House was expecting something a little different.”

Rip chuckled, “Well, I prefer not to have to sprint to catch Jonas if he’s dodging his bath. Besides for just the two of us, this is more than big enough.”

“Daddy,” Jonas called, “You have to open the door.”

Shaking his head at his son’s impatience Rip headed to unlock the front door leaving Gideon with Mary.

“I bought the Beach House not long after I took in Michael,” she told Gideon, “We rent it out whenever we don’t use it.”

Gideon bit her lip, “I didn’t mean…”

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Mary laughed, “When I first started the company, I lived in a one-bedroom flat. I enjoy being able to be extravagant for the people I love. As you can see though Michael has never let it go to his head, he remembers what life was like without money. He knows that hard work is what gave us everything we have, and he has made sure Jonas knows this too.”

Gideon nodded, “I enjoyed the time I spent with you, Mary. You’re exactly how I always imagine my mother would be.”

Wrapping one arm around Gideon, Mary whispered, “I loved getting to know you too.”

Letting the younger woman go, Mary manoeuvred herself onto her crutches and started to the house.

 Rip put his mother’s bag down in her room before finding Jonas in his bedroom.

“I am going to take Gideon home,” Rip told his son, “And I will be back tomorrow. Okay?”

Jonas nodded.

“You’ll take care of your grandma for me?” Rip asked.

“I will,” Jonas promised.

Rip smiled and hugged him, “I am so lucky to have you. Do you know that?”

Jonas beamed as he hugged Rip back, “I love you, Daddy.”

“Love you too,” Rip kissed his son’s hair before letting him go, “I have to go.”

He took a few steps out the room and found Jonas at his side who grinned, “I want to say bye to Gideon.”

Watching his son skip ahead to where his girlfriend stood by the car, Rip smiled as Jonas hugged Gideon. It was something he had worried about the moment he realised that he was falling for Gideon, that Jonas wouldn’t like her but thankfully he did.

Jonas scampered back to the house and waved them goodbye as Rip started the car out of the driveway.

They drove in silence with the radio playing and Rip was surprised how comfortable it was. He could always just sit in silence with Miranda, they didn’t need to fill it in any way and, when he lost her, Rip never thought he’d find anyone he’d feel this way with again.

Gideon turned to him and smiled, before she returned to looking out the window enjoying the music.

Rip smiled to himself and continued to drive.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

kiss me in the d-a-r-k .1.

saturday

Warnings: non/dub con sex 

This is dark!(dad)Steve and explicit. 18+ only.

Summary: The reader's vacation doesn’t go as planned.

Note:  Okay, so my dad!Steve fic turned into a gd series, but it’s gonna be short (six/seven parts) and it’s gonna be posted all this week (exception for wednesday for obvious reasons). The fic takes places over a week and so each chapter is a day.

We get a sexy dad!Steve who’s a bit more devious than dark and well...I’ll let you guys figure it out for yourselves! I really hope you enjoy. 💋

<3 Let me know what you think!

...

One week. That was your summer, truly. The rest you would spend working at the banquet hall, serving drunken guests at birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. At the end, you would return to the sleepy lectures and all-nighters which defined university living.

Six hours in the car and a pit stop or two and you were on official vacation. Kylie was waiting. A pool, too. That was the real attraction. The moment she mentioned that, you were sold. It was surely preferable to spending your only week off alone in the town you grew up in. 

Google led you to a long driveway. At the end stood a house three times as big as yours. By the look of it, the pool must have been massive. You couldn’t wait.

There were two other cars in the driveway. The cherry red Mercedes Kylie had bragged about but her dad hadn’t let he take with her to uni, and a Range Rover in pristine white. Both sat outside the double-door garage just off the side of the cobbled walkway.

You pulled up behind the Mercedes and climbed out with a groan. Your legs were cramped and you were sorely in need of relief. Your bladder was full from the ginger ale you gulped after the last rest stop. You grabbed your purse from the passenger’s seat and the compact luggage from the trunk. 

The small suitcase rolled over the bumpy cobbles and you lifted it up the steps. The wooden door was wide enough for two to go through at once and the wrought iron hinges gave it a vintage feel. You raised a fist to knock but paused. You supposed the doorbell in the middle of the ornamental sun was a more effective route.

You rang and waited. You gripped the handle of your suitcase and pulled out your phone. A whole two minutes and you pushed it again. Still, nothing. You swiped up and began to type out a message to Kylie. She was probably already floating in the pool, sunglasses on, the world blotted out from her mind.

You jumped before you hit send. The garage door jerked and the electric motor slowly lifted the folding door. The sound of a radio came faint from within. A man peeked around and you were ready to kick yourself. Google had taken you to the wrong house. Fuck.

“I thought I heard something,” He said above the radio hosts as they announced the weekend top ten throwbacks. “You must be Kylie’s friend. I told her to wait, but…”

“Stubborn,” You finished awkwardly. You gave him your name and looked around. “Um, so she told you about me?”

“A little. Mentioned a friend.” He shrugged. “I’m Steve...her father.”

His greying blonde hair caught the sun as he smiled. The corners of his eyes crinkled and he reached to his belt to loose the rag there, wiping the grime from his hand. Kylie’s dad was suppose to be out of town, or so she said. It seemed, however, he was very much in town. So much for a vacation.

“Door’s unlocked,” He shaded his eyes, his bicep bulged. He was in good shape for his age. Good shape for any. “Pool’s right through. Past the foyer and into the kitchen. Sliding doors are right there.” He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes glued to the unseen interior of the garage. “Drag her out and get her to give you the tour.”

You nodded and he disappeared back into the garage. He left the door open. You pushed down the lever and stepped inside. You slipped off your sneakers, afraid to mess the sparkling floors, and left your bags beside the mat. Just past the large curved staircase was the door to the kitchen.

This wasn’t just a house, it was a mansion. Kylie seemed the well-to-do type but you hadn’t expected this. The kitchen was just as grand. Pale checkered floors, marble counters, glass cabinets and fridge. Sleek but classic.

Kylie didn’t notice the door as it slid open. Didn’t notice as you approached the pool, the mosaic of dark blues, teals, and white formed swirled waves around the edge. Beach loungers lined the side and a round table with tanning lotion and an empty glass stood between two cushioned lawn chairs.

“Hey,” You neared the edge. She lazed by in a floatie, pointed sunglasses over her eyes, a skinny red bikini betrayed her confidence. “Thought you’re dad was gone for the week.”

“He got cancelled on,” She didn’t move, didn’t even open her eyes beneath the shades. “He’s cool with it though. Says he’ll give us our space.”

“Great, I’m sure he won’t mind the sixer in my bag if he’s at a distance,” You said dryly.

“Pfft, he’d rather I drink here than somewhere else.” She replied, “He’s always offering his beer but you know me, I don’t do beer.”

“Oh,” You wouldn’t guess a man like him with a house like this would be anything but strict. “It does preclude us from our little midnight trip to the beach. Mercedes has to be parked and polished by ten.”

“I told you, I’m not skinny dipping,” You grumbled, “I don’t care how dark it is.”

“Well, now it’s not an argument because we can’t go,” She stopped herself with a hand on the edge as she floated close to the ladder. “Tell me he wasn’t an ass.” She climbed out with a splash. “He didn’t tell one of his jokes, did he?”

“He was...nice,” You answered vaguely, “Why didn’t you tell me you lived in a palace?”

“Whatever, dunno why dad kept the house,” She grabbed the towel from over the closest chair, “Him and my mom built it but I don’t think it’s so much sentiment as spite now.”

“Your mom?” You wondered.

“She lives a state over now. Bigger house actually.” She wrapped the towel around her as she led you back to the sliding doors. “Richer man.”

“Sounds like the life,” You kidded. She laughed.

“Trust me, I know,” She guided you through the kitchen and to the base of the staircase. “Once I’m out of school, I’m gonna find me a good daddy. Maybe in L.A.” You giggled and she climbed the stairs lazily. “As you can see, this place is massive. “Not to hard to guess that upstairs are the bedrooms and downstairs the rest. Living room, dining room, kitchen, office, gym.” She listed, “My dad’s room is just down there,” She pointed to the end of the east hall. “Mine’s complete opposite. Thank god.”

“You can stay in the nice guest room.” She led you to the door two from her own. “The rest look like my grandma decorated them and this one has a full bath.”

“I’d sleep on your porch and be comfortable,” You scoffed and she rolled her eyes. “Better grab your stuff and get changed. Vacation starts now.”

“Sure,” You turned back down the hall. It wouldn’t be very relaxing with the unexpected third wheel. Or were you the third wheel?

-

You floated around the edge of the pool. Kylie had found a second floatie but it took ages to blow it up. She didn’t help. She went back to her own and swiped through instagram. Oh well. Beggars can’t be choosers.

In your flowered one-piece you even looked like you didn’t belong. Of course Kylie was tall, blond, and perfect and made anyone seem the opposite. You read the novel your sister had lent you but found yourself closing your eyes beneath your round shades. She hadn’t warned you it was a romance.

It was getting late. The air cooled and the sun was on its decline. You dipped your fingers in the water. Even with the heater on, it made you shiver. Of course, you'd been baking for hours now.

You paddled yourself to the side of the pool. You tossed your book up and carefully pulled yourself close. You hooked a leg over and were halfway onto solid ground when the floatie began to stray. In your struggle to keep aground, your lost the floatie and found yourself plunging into the pool.

You came up for air with a gasp. You were surprised by the two sets of laughter that greeted you. Kylie was at the ladder, holding her own floatie steady as she giggled. You turned as her dad stood just outside the open sliding doors. He had seen everything.

“Girls,” He cleared his throat, “I was just coming out to ask what you wanted on your pizza?”

“Pizza,” Kylie repeated. “I’d prefer sushi.”

“You’d prefer the world,” He returned. Kylie climbed up the ladder without a splash and you waded over to it. “Or you guys can fend for yourselves. I was just trying to set a good impression for your friend, but--”

“You know what I like, dad,” Kylie whined.

“Ah, only children,” Steve sighed and looked to you as you climbed out of the pool. 

The water dripped from your suit as it clung to your figure. You quickly crossed to the beach chair and pulled a towel around you. You nearly slipped as you came to a stop. 

“Careful,” He warned. You could feel him watching; was it concern? Amusement? “So, any preferences?”

“Um, not really. Don’t really like meat on my pizza but I’m not picky,” You tried to smile as you wiped your face dry. “Always considered myself lucky to get a slice with my siblings.”

“Alright,” He said, “I’ll go order. Kylie, close the pool up before you come in.”

“Yes, Dad,” She huffed and he pulled shut the door behind him. “You know he was supposed to go see some friend in the city but he’s out here making my life miserable.”

“Oh?” You didn’t wanna be ungracious to the man who had so far been rather nice. You also didn’t want to feed her only child syndrome. “He’s all paranoid because I had Taylor over without telling him and he walked in on us making out.”

“I’m sure it could’ve been worse,” You mused.

“Yeah, he could’ve walked in a few minutes later,” She shrugged and took the key from the glass table. She crossed to the end of the pool and knelt to open the lid of a box set into the stone. She shoved the key in and turned. The pool cover slowly whirred and unfolded across the pool. “I don’t think he believed you were real, to be honest.”

The pool cover finished its journey to the other end and she snapped the lid shut. She strode around the pool and slipped on her sandals as she grabbed her phone from the table. You hugged your own towel to you as she carelessly rubbed dry her body with one hand. She led you inside and barely acknowledged her dad as she walked through the kitchen.

You glanced over at Steve and he smiled. Caught, you tried to smile back and carried on. He didn’t seem the type to put up with Kylie’s attitude but he also seemed to have a way with her. She was snarky but she did as he said.

“Pizza’s due in twenty minutes,” He called after Kylie. “I’m not gonna wait for you.”

“Sure, Dad,” She shrugged and started up the staircase. You followed and resisted the urge to look over to the kitchen door. You swore a shadow filled it as you began your ascent.

-

You changed and followed Kylie down to the dining room. The table was more appropriate for a dozen than the meagre three who sat along it. The pizza had already shown up and Steve had stacked plates beside the boxes. He had taken two slices for himself. You sat beside Kylie and she took a single slice. You did the same and her dad chuckled.

“Come on, it’s a vacation, help yourself,” He caught the lid before it could close. “Take a second. Hell, a third.”

“Dad,” Kylie scowled, “We’re adults. We can feed ourselves.”

“I know, I know, but you should enjoy yourself,” He countered, “You’re not on another cleanse are you?”

“No, I learned my lesson,” She nibbled at her slice.

“An unpleasant one,” He laughed and took a bite. He swallowed as his blue eyes wandered over to you hiding behind your slice. “So, Kylie said you two are in the same program.”

“Yeah, uh,” You took a napkin from the pile and wiped your mouth. “For now, at least.”

“For now?” He asked.

“I’m trying to transfer. I don’t think Lit is for me,” You explained and watched the drops of grease trickle along the cheese. “I’m waiting for an answer from the head of the journalism program but...well, deadline’s well and passed and I thought I’d know by now.”

“I’m sure you’ll get it. If it’s what you really want, I can’t see why they’d turn a smart girl like you away.” He took another bite.

“Smart? How do you know that?” You raised a brow.

“Kylie mentioned something about honours. Also a little study session that saved her from a summer semester.” He chided and Kylie rolled her eyes.

“To be fair, that was a hard course. I barely eked out a low A and the drop rate was almost sixty percent,” You tried to help as best you could. You wouldn’t mention that Kylie had been hungover during the exam or that you hadn’t even been in that course. “And, well, I’ll at least know before we return to campus...I guess.”

“Looking forward to it?” He asked. “I know Kylie is. What’s not to miss in the city? All those boys.”

“Dad,” You chewed your pizza as Kylie cringed. “Don’t start on that.”

You hid your discomfort and focused on swallowing. Unlike Kylie, boys had not been the best part of your undergrad experience. In fact, they had been more stressful than classes. University had turned out little better than high school on that front.

“You’re young. This is the time to get your kicks in,” Steve laughed.

“Stop it, Dad!” Kylie griped.

“Don’t act like you’re not with that Taylor boy,” He jabbed. “No judgment, just be safe.”

“Please stop before I lose my appetite,” Kylie stared at her pizza in disgust.

“Alright, alright, you don’t have to tell me about all your illicit lovers,” Steve turned back to you, “Just one.”

“Dad!” Kylie dropped her crust. “Keep it up and she’s going to leave.”

You giggled nervously. You didn’t know what to say. You didn’t want to admit that you weren’t very experienced, though Kylie already knew. It was almost flattering that he would think you were more than a clueless girl.

“Only if you tell me yours,” You kidded and finished your crust. You reached for another and Steve opened the box for you.

“Don’t encourage him,” Kylie grumbled, “He will, you know? He’s not subtle.”

Steve chuckled at his daughter and met your eyes. He lifted his brows before he looked away. He lifted his second piece of pizza and chewed. You did the same. You always over-thought these things. 

Surely he had only been joking. Had to be. Afterall, you were entirely ignorant of the other sex. You were quick to read into every word and gesture. This was English Lit. There was no symbolism here.

-

tags to be added in reblog

[fics-kats-procrastination]

Elevators and Disneyland (Chris Evans x Reader)

Word Count: 2.5k

Requested: No

A/N: I’ve thought about making a second part to this depicting their day in Disneyland, so let me know if y’all would want that! (: Also, GIF not mine. Credit to whoever made it. 

     It’s common knowledge that everyone is born with a soulmark that leads a person to their other half. Their perfect someone. A human being with a soul crafted entirely with the intention to complete someone else. Soulmarks are an outline of a hand or finger, placed precisely where a person’s soulmate will touch them for the first time. Once the soulmates have touched, the outline fills in with the soulmate’s favorite color. Unfortunately, your soulmark is still just an outline of a handprint on the right side of your waist. The palm resting above your right hip while the fingers press against the soft skin of your lower back. 

   As a child, the story of how your parents met was used to lull you to sleep. It was your favorite bedtime story. Although you never worried much about meeting your soulmate during the stress-free years of elementary school, the thought of meeting your significant other ran rampant in your mind once you reached your teenage years. Growing up in a small town meant that 97% of people met their soulmate during high school; however, you weren’t one of those people. You graduated from high school with a black outline while the rest of your senior class graduated with a variety of colors painting their skins and massive grins etching their lips. Knowing that your significant other didn’t live in your town, you left home and headed upstate for university. After completing two years and still majoring in undecided, the enticement of a gap year made itself known, leading you to where you are now. 

     You and your best friend, Y/F/N, are currently soaking in the last rays of California’s setting sun by the hotel pool. A vacation to Disneyland was sure to kick a gap year off right and hopefully help you narrow down what career path to take. Y/F/N is lying on her front, eyes closed as she listens to whatever song is on her playlist. Her feet lightly bobbing in time to the music. Meanwhile, you are sitting up in a sun lounger, attention divided between relaxing in the heat or ignoring text messages from your family. While you believe taking a year off from schooling is in your best interest, your parents and siblings feel as though it’s a reckless move. They have no problem making you aware of their dissatisfaction either. 

     A muffled vibration from your hand causes one of your eyelids to drift open so you can lazily peek at your phone screen. Instead of another text message, like you had expected, a tweet from one of your favorite actors popped up in your notifications. You make a mental note to read it later before you casually shove Y/F/N’s shoulder. Y/F/N’s head lifts languidly from her arms and she pulls out an earbud to talk to you. “Are you ready to head back up to the room?” You ask, noticing that the sun is barely visible between the many hotels surrounding your own. Y/F/N nods, sits up, and stretches her arms over her head before grabbing her towel to wrap it firmly around her body. 

     “Do you have the room key?” Y/F/N wonders. “I didn’t bring mine, so I hope that you remembered to grab yours otherwise we’re locked out.” A cheeky smile accompanies the teasing words she throws at you. Rolling your eyes, you stand up and copy Y/F/N’s earlier actions, wrapping the towel around your body to hold in all of the warmth you gained from California’s hot sun. The pair of you pad over to the outside door where you swipe your keycard with an obnoxious grin directed at Y/F/N. The flashing green lights signal that the door unlocked, so Y/F/N tugs the door open, allowing you both to waddle inside. 

     Cool air from the hotel’s air conditioner greets you causing goosebumps to rise along your exposed legs. You silently curse at the temperature change while hurrying over to the elevator. Y/F/N follows closely behind, grumbling to herself. Repeatedly pressing the call button for the elevator, you tug your towel tighter around your frame. “Why is it always so cold in hotels?” You rhetorically mutter as the elevator dings. “Thank the lord!” Y/F/N and yourself enter the, thankfully empty, metal box; you press the button for floor 17 on the control panel as Y/F/N presses herself into the corner in a half-hearted attempt to gain more heat. “Okay,” you begin once the elevator has started it’s ascent, “what’s tomorrow’s Disney action plan?”

     Immediately Y/F/N begins gushing about what rides she wishes to go on first tomorrow and which rides could be saved for a later day on your trip; however, you’re only half-listening because the elevator stops on floor 9 to pick up three new male passengers, all of them fit, attractive, and wearing ball-caps as well as sunglasses. There’s something about the blue NASA hat that catches your eye. You squint, studying the cap more intently until you notice the wearer of it flashing you a timid smile, fidgeting with his long fingers. You offer him an apologetic smile for the obvious discomfort you caused him and allow yourself to tune back into Y/F/N’s rambling. “-Mountain needs to be done first thing though!” 

     “Of course!” You agree, trying to appear excited about the following day, although you’re not sure if you caught anything she said. The elevator steadily climbs, reaching around floor 15 before the lights flicker followed by an unusual rumble. A pit forms in your stomach while all of the elevator’s occupants glance unsurely at one another. Your anxiety climbs when the elevator screeches to a halt, causing you to drop the towel and be thrown into the arms of Mr. NASA. His right arm wraps around your waist to catch you and press you firmly to his steady frame. One of your hands land on his bicep while the other presses against his pec in an attempt to steady your own frame. Heart pounding as you right yourself and push your hair out of your eyes with shaking hands, you spare a quick glance around the elevator before asking, “Is everyone alright?”

     Y/F/N pulls herself up from the ground with help from one of the other men on board. A gasp settles in your throat, but doesn’t escape, when you recognize the person aiding your best friend. Although his hair is cropped shorter than previous press junkets and he has more color in his cheeks, you’re positive that you’re standing in the same elevator as Sebastian Stan. His hat and sunglasses lay askew on the floor. “Wait, Y/N!” Y/F/N shouts once she’s fully standing again. Her eyes grow wide, and she crosses the elevator in two long strides before she’s gripping your arm to force you into turning more towards Mr. NASA. His hands automatically find your hips when you stumble a bit from your friend’s enthusiastic push. “Holy…” She trails off and you feel her touch, lighter than air, drawing on the bare skin of you back, visible thanks to your swimsuit’s cutout. 

     “No way!” A deeper voice joins in on Y/F/N’s speculation. A shiver runs down your spine when her touch raises goosebumps on your flesh but your attention is focused on the new speaker. He’s got a slight accent that you're able to connect to Louisiana, New Orleans to be specific. He reaches up to put his sunglasses over the bill of his hat. You notice his eyes trailing along the spot Y/F/N’s still softly tracing-a corner of your mind makes note that Y/F/N’s fingers are doodling the empty, colorless space of your soulmark-before they trail up your arm and Mr. NASA’s arm, settling on Mr. NASA’s broad, strong chest. “You’ve got to be kidding me, bro! Take off your shirt. Take it off,” he bugs NASA. 

     NASA lightly steps away from you with a scoff, exasperation coloring his tone. “I’m not just gonna take my shirt off, Mackie!” Anthony Mackie rolls his eyes at the answer and steps closer to the other male. Anthony reaches for the hem of NASA’s shirt, resulting in NASA swatting at the offending appendages. “Stop it, man!”

     “Take it off, man or I’ll take it off you!”

     “I’m not going to take it off. Stop it!”

     “You made me do this!”

     Soothing motions across your back tear your gaze from the small argument in front of you back to Y/F/N. “Could you please stop that?” You question, goosebumps still littering your skin when she finally stops the constant, moving pressure. Sebastian’s head cocks toward you as you turn to face Y/F/N again instead of NASA. About to thank her for ceasing, your eye catches on a new color in the reflective surface of the elevator’s wall. 

     A small noise of confusion leaves your lips as you twist and turn your hips in an attempt to better stare at the skin there. One last wriggle before the reflection is clear, heart beginning to race faster than a horse at the Kentucky Derby. Your mouth drops open while your eyebrows furrow, hands trying futilely to pull your skin closer to your own eyes. “Judging from your reaction, I’m assuming that hasn’t always been like that?” Sebastian’s inquiry takes you by surprise because...no, it HASN’T always been like this. It’s never looked like this before now! Where a thick black outline of a handprint used to rest, blooming drops of navy blue have filled the entirety of the space. There wasn’t a spot left within the border that your skin was visible thru. 

     Your gaze snaps up to meet Y/F/N’s own ecstatic stare, your hands numbly dropping from their hold on your hips to rest by your side. “Oh...oh!” Pressing a palm to your temple, your body leans until the wall of the elevator is at your back, supporting you as you slide down it to sit. A trembling finger points accusingly at the attractive man still arguing with Anthony. “Y-you’re...you’re my soul…you’re my soulmate!” 

     In spite of your voice being barely louder than a kitten’s snore, both men stop talking and snap their heads towards you. A self-satisfied smirk rests on Anthony’s lips as he cockily says, “Take your shirt off, man.” Eyes slightly glazed over but filled with curiosity, you look over at NASA who takes off his hat and sunglasses then grabs the back of the neck of his shirt and tosses it over his head too quickly for you to see his face. You’re desperate to see what handsome features accompany this Adonis-like body, yet you let your eyes drop to roam over his chest and arms. A splash of Y/F/C dances along his left pec enhancing the same color being sported by his right bicep. A choked off gasp comes from your throat and your breathing becomes shallower the moment you allow yourself to see his face. 

     Eyes bluer than the clearest waters are framed by the thickest set of dark brown eyelashes. They’re overset by well-kept eyebrows, in a shade of hazelnut that perfectly match the messy hat hair he’s currently supporting. A nose shaped like a ski-slope sits proportionately on his face and draws attention down to a full pair of lips. His upper lip is carnation pink and slightly skinnier than the lower lip it rests against but that thought flees your mind when a shy smile causes his mouth to quirk upward while revealing two rows of shiny white teeth, straightened perfectly by years of dental work. Although there’s some light scruff dusting his cheeks and jawline that causes your cheeks to flush, you can tell he was clean shaven a few days ago and your heart lurches at the appealing thought. His tongue quickly peeks out to wet his lower lip while he tries to come up with words to explain the unneeded tension in the atmosphere. You beat him to it.

     “You’re Chris Evans.”

     Chris stares at the floor, gaze resting on his feet that are gently shuffling. His hand rubs at the back of his neck, cheeks flushed with color. “It seems you have me at a disadvantage, sweetheart,” he chuckles, Bostonian accent thick on his tongue. Heat rushes to your cheeks at the familiar sound of his voice. Memories of all the times you’ve gushed with Y/F/N over how attractive Captain America is floods through your brain making the light pink color dusted on your face darken to a rosier hue. A quick glance at Y/F/N’s face assures you that she’s thinking the same thing especially when her eyes meet yours and she laughs awkwardly, cheeks rosy as well. Since he hasn’t received an answer, Chris sweetly prompts again, “What’s your name?” 

     “I’m Y/N,” you answer, a soft grin tugging at your lips that mirrors the one on Chris’ face. Although, you have to admit that the action looks much more enticing on his beautiful features. A strong lurch pushes you against the elevator wall, and soon the elevator is making its ascent once more. Floor 16 passes quickly and soon the elevator stops on your floor. Y/F/N bids goodbye to everyone with a sweet smile and a light wave while stepping out of the elevator. She pauses once outside as she notices that you haven’t followed her. “Oh, this...this is my floor…” you nervously chuckle as you reluctantly side step Chris to exit. You do so and begin to walk away before you whip around and shove your hand into the doors to stop them from closing. You’re able to catch a glimpse of Chris’ downfallen face light up.  “Wait!” You exclaim, “We’re going to Disneyland tomorrow,” you motion between Y/F/N and yourself. “Would you three like to join us?” 

     An awkward silence follows your bombardment. The longer it stretches, the more the smile falls from your lips and the more you’re starting to feel like a fool for even asking. They probably had more important things to be doing than going to Disneyland with you guys. They’re celebrities for crying out loud. Disappointment washes over you and you nod gently while stepping back from the elevator. “Or not. That’s cool too. You’re probably really busy. So um...yeah, I’ll just see you guys another time.” You turn and give Y/F/N a grimace and a shrug. Her comforting gaze just makes you feel even worse. You both start to walk back to your room. 

     “No! We would love to go to Disneyland with you!” Chris proclaims, causing you to turn back to face them. He’s halfway out of the elevator and reaching toward you like he was going to stop you from leaving. “I mean, we’re free tomorrow and Disneyland sounds like a great way to spend a free day.” Matching smiles light up your faces. You can’t wait for tomorrow. 

[dashielldeveron]

Viper VIII: Inter Vivos

*author slaps bumper sticker across ass that reads I BREAK FOR QUARANTINE* 

Summary: You have a thought that only Steve Urkel and black-out drunks can have: did I do that?

Warnings: swears, the law. Murder/death. Stupid internet comments.

Show (3719) Comments on “There is Nothing New Under the Sun, But You Are New in Your Conglomeration.”

skellingtonbabey: thanks for putting all of the *gestures vaguely* into historical context. no one’s ever bothered to explain this shit to me, especially in such simple and thorough language. it’s like every other resource i try to learn from is stylistically designed to make me more confused.

readyplayer69: Just because it’s from the 60s and is racist doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have intrinsic value based on the goal towards which it was working. You’re a fucking lunatic. I have a degree in political science, so I know what the fuck I’m about. Though some of the protests may have excluded the minorities you’re talking about, it doesn’t mean that they weren’t ultimately working towards good fucking policies for everyone involved. It’s not like they were doing anything important then anyway; white people had to be the mouthpiece for…Read More

volcanolesbian: bro have u seen the incels freaking out over this???? it got linked in their cursed forum and they SO BADLY wanted u 2 hate women now. like you can regress from being a feminist once you’ve woken up. they’re giving u shit bc you called out the racist terrorists who were active in their community lmao. i can post screenshots if u want. But bruv it’s like they haven’t read anything you’ve written before lol

mozARTsexandviolins: I get when you say that ingenuity spawns ideals for the greater good, but don’t you think tradition has its place? How do we know if the new can spawn the greater good? How do we judge ourselves? Who watches the watchers?

simpleplan2eatthedirt: cool cool nice nice.  protesting is awesome, but be sure to get out there to fucking VOTE, people!!! Here’s a link to register to vote.

EaterJohn: Hello. It is nice to hear from you again, Epiales. Always a treat. Very insightful commentary on modern and past protests. I didn’t know about all of the revolutions in Europe 1848. I’ve send this to my co, and it’s already sparked a good conversation about who we are as a protesting people as we stand in history. Again, sorry to bother you, but I was wondering when the next article in your “Aeneid Autopsies: Current Crimes Reflected in Ancient Times” series was going to be released? It’s my…Read More

horneyvulcanbasterd: @mozARTsexandviolins Is that a Star Trek reference? Bc if so the answer’s Starfleet Command lol

MrsKatsukiBakagou: epiales. you have watered my crops and harvested my fields. thank you for the food.

mightiestavengereatmyass: eat shit and die, commie scum. your just a hired propagandaist for the fucking alt-left, aren’t you? You have no right to be running your collum in a real newspaper or on this fucking website. sending u anthrax in the mail would be too cool a death for you. I hope your so-called terrorist groupsfind out where you live and fucking murder you in the middle of the night. fukcs like you are the reason the country is going to shit the police have a total constitutional right int aht jurisdiction to enter. They had a no knock…Read More

fuckyouit’sjanuary: @readyplayer69 [image attached] [image description: blonde woman with caption reading, “I can tolerate racism, but I draw the line at looting the local target]

saltnpepa!!diner707: Hi. I’m trying to cite this piece in an essay, but your publisher isn’t listed on your website. Would you suggest using the NYT as the source in my bib? If it helps, this is due new week; idk if this will run in the NYT by then. Thanks

“I’m sending someone on a grocery run this morning,” said Tom, thumbs tapping away on his phone, “Do you need anything? Want anything?”

You glanced up from your laptop, closing it as much as you could without the light dimming. “I think I’m good, unless you used the last of the shredded cheese at some point.”

“Shredded…cheese,” he said under his breath, typing, “You mentioned capri-suns the other day.”

“Yeah, but I can tolerate the nasty, new flavour. No rush. Here’s a wild idea,” you said, and you waited until he looked up from his phone, a couple of ungelled curls falling over his forehead. “What if—now, don’t dismiss me as crazy; hear me out—what if we went to the store ourselves?”

“Again, no.” Tom grasping his coffee by the round of the mug, despite there being a perfectly functional handle. “Stop pressing me for it.”

“I’m not asking to go to a damn Broadway play. I’m asking to go to the closest 7-11,” you said, jiggling your leg and then making a conscious decision to stop fidgeting, instead scooting your chair closer under the table so that the arms slid underneath.

Tom hummed, his eyes not leaving his phone screen, but when you didn’t continue, he raised an eyebrow as he scowled at you. “Broadway is shut down because of the bomb threat.”

“Fuck off; you know what I meant.”

“Viper,” said Tom, and he locked his phone to set it on his napkin. “Do you want to get assassinated?”

“The term assassination implies I’m getting murdered for political reasons instead of the copious other crimes you’ve had me commit. So, I invite it.” Put your hands on the table where he can see them; it makes you seem more trustworthy. “Does 7-11 have an open carry policy?”

“If it’s any consolation, the renovated office should be waiting for you when you return.”

“It’s not.” You lifted your mug to your lips. “Working from here only makes me feel like a damn bureaucrat. Like I have no stake in the matter. I don’t want to become detached from everything; I might make a callous decision and send people where they can’t come back.”

“Keep watching yourself. If you stay on guard,” said Tom, running his middle finger around the rim of his mug, “then you won’t stray from me.”

“I’m useless here.”

“Then maybe you should become accustomed to the idea of being useless.”

Swallowing, you stared down into your tea. “There’s only so much I can get done through answering emails. Not to mention I hate answering emails. That’s how you get more emails.”

“Harrison has been telling me that your schematics have been more thorough since you’ve been holed up in here.” Tom tipped his mug all the way back to get the last of his coffee. “You’re still being just as productive, if not more methodical.”

“Did you mean obsessive? I have—I’ve had too much time to think. I’d rather not be alone with my thoughts, if I can help it.”

***

You could only read so much before losing your mind. You could only deal with so many of the same exact problems over and over again for lower level soldiers. You could only chart so many stars. You could only read so much fanfiction (if your identity thief were tracking your phone, he’d probably be baffled as to why you kept reading fic for fandoms you weren’t even a part of due to the desire for new ideas).

You could only give Glory Pham so many excuses as to why you’re not with her in person at the Museum of Natural History.

Sucking in through your teeth, you hovered your fingers above the keyboard.

Dear Ms. Pham,

Glad to hear John Mulaney’s signed on. Next step would be to ensure de Blasio doesn’t directly interact with him, given their history. Perhaps I should proof his set beforehand?

Unfortunately, I regret to inform you that I cannot attend the briefing in person yet again. I am currently indisposed, seeing as I am currently in hiding at my hot boss’s house, due to how dead I might be should I leave it (thus the basis of its appeal). Not to mention that if you criticise my blazer choices again, I shall peel the skin off your perfectly made-up face. Get fucked; getting your eyeliner tattooed on was a hell of a decision.

You shook your head, backspaced the last few lines, and stretched towards the wicker end table to grab your glass of pink lemonade, and you stole a glance at Tom’s work as you did so. A couple of files spread across his white wicker lounger (two blue files [socials of the family], two green [recent bids], a yellow [Manhattan locations], and a brown [requests from politicians, upper East side]). The pink sticky-notes had your and his written exchanges and edits on certain papers, and his laptop was open, the screen dimmed, while he copied something into a notebook with his cell phone held between his shoulder and his ear, just listening to the computerised voice.

He had joined you on the back porch to work remotely, claiming he couldn’t go into the city today due to the absence of news on Zendaya—if any information arose, he’d said he wanted your diagnosis immediately.

You wiped your forehead with your sleeve as a sweat drop slinked behind Tom’s ear. Even Tessa wouldn’t run in the heat; she’d curled up by the porch railing, her tail slapping against her water bowl. In an experiment to see if she wanted to spend some time outside, you’d slid the glass door open for Trout, to which she turned around to retreat to the bedroom.

Not all of the clothes you’d ordered had arrived yet, so you were stuck wearing autumnal clothes with long sleeves. To exacerbate matters, you were constantly moving—jiggling your leg, tapping your fingers—you couldn’t sit still for very long anymore; you had taken to pacing the porch when you couldn’t concentrate on the stars.

(Once, Tom had come out at night to check on you, wiping the sleep out of his eyes and sitting in silence with you. He’d made you go to bed after a while, claiming you’d run yourself into the ground if you kept this restlessness up.)

When your phone beeped, the both of you jolted at the sound. Tom hung up on the robotic voice as you scrambled to your phone, and he bent your way. “Is it Zendaya?”

Biting the inside of your cheek, you shook your head. “No. Looks like it’s a jailbreak.”

Tom sighed, his shoulders heaving as he eased back in his seat. “Where from?”

“I don’t even care,” you said, letting your phone fall to your lap. You slumped back in your chair, shielding your eyes from the sun with your arm. But you straightened yourself again and checked. “From Central. They don’t even know who’s all escaped yet.”

“It’d be too much of a gift if New York City would fucking relax for five minutes.”

“It seems like it’s in more uproar than usual lately,” you said, sipping through the reusable straw of your pink lemonade. “Do you suppose it’s our fault?”

Tom took a moment to pluck his damp t-shirt away from his chest. “I don’t think we’re instigating. If anything, we’re simply reacting to chaos.” He stood up and stretched, raising his arms above his head—his biceps strained at the sleeves, and the hem rose above his v-lines. “Unless you’re doing something I don’t know about.”

Ah, casual suspicion. “You’ve caught me,” you said as he approached Tessa and crouched next to her, “I’ve been running a koi smuggling gig on the side.”

“Why koi?” He held out his hand for Tessa to sniff, and she readily accepted his hand for pats. “Are they hard to get?”

“I don’t know,” you said, shrugging, “but I’ve been wondering if they’d be able to survive in your grist mill pond. You look through that water straight to the bottom, nothing living in your way. Just rocks and old equipment.”

Tom sat against the porch railing with a jittery Tessa partially in his lap. “Should we get some?”

“Oh, fuck off, Tom,” you said, grinning, a sweat drop falling onto your mousepad as you shook your head, “You can’t entertain every little pipedream I have.”

“Watch me. What do you want for Christmas?”

You ducked your head, biting your lip. “Promise me something.”

“Provided it’s not my head on a stake, I will,” he said, scratching Tessa behind her ears and cringing a bit when she stretched to lick his face.

“Then we’re going in person to the pre-opening fundraising gala for the Gawain Diamond.”

Tom narrowed his eyes. “Viper.”

“Bitch, I got John Mulaney to sign on to do the opening monologue, and he’s probably gonna roast de Blasio again. I’m not missing that.”

Your phone blared an alert again, and both of you held your breath as you unlocked it.

“Got a list of prisoners who escaped. Small group. Delores, Larson, Duncan, Mays, Selvin,” you said, “There’s more, but I don’t know them. Tell us something important, by God. Anyway, we’re going. I didn’t say I was going alone, did I? You’ll be there. I’ll be safe, and you’ll be safe.”

His jaw shifting to the side, Tom stilled his hand on Tessa’s back, and then he lifted it to flick sweat off his neck. “How many of us maximum can you get in?”

“It’s a fundraiser for idiotic rich people; if there are too many people without a name, they’ll be noticed.”

“It can’t be just us.”

“Why? Afraid you can’t protect me on your own?”

“Now, don’t start that.” Tom herded Tessa off his lap and onto her outside bed. “I’m not falling for it.”

“Yes, yes, I’m fully aware you’re capable of ripping me in half,” you said, draining your pink lemonade, the airy suction coming through your straw (almost loud enough that you couldn’t hear Tom’s sputtering over it—almost—and his phone beeping). “Want me to get that?”

“Bring it here,” he said, and you snatched it while he sat on the railing, dangling his legs off the side.

“It’s,” you said, eyebrows shooting to your hairline as you read the little notification, “It’s a tweet from Zendaya.” You tossed it to him to unlock and leant on the railing next to him, arm grazing his thigh with a heightened awareness of how close you were to his sweaty, sweaty abdomen. No! No time to thirst. Friend time.

Tom unlocked his phone and held it at your eye level, turning it horizontally as he pulled up the tweet.

ZENDAYA (@ZendayaMedias): Felt cute. Might delete later.

[video]

Tom pulled up the clip, waiting for it to load. “Why didn’t she post it to instagram, then?”

“The finer details of social media are an enigma. Do I look like I know,” you said, and his thumb hovered over the play button.

He cranked the volume up before pressing play, having to try twice due to how slippery his fingers were. “I wonder if Haz has seen this yet.”

A vertical shot of a murky, grey sky from the bow of a boat and dark ocean as far as the camera can see. It pans across the starboard side, and this boat is the only one in sight.

Only the sound of waves striking the boat.

The camera tilts down. Zendaya’s writhing on the deck, furiously straining against rope bonds that line up the entirety of her arms and up her calves; she’s yelling furiously at the person behind the camera through duct tape.

Scuffed, black boots roll Z to the starboard gunwale. She’s still fighting, still shouting.

The camera trucks to the right; before, the pair of cinderblocks attached to her feet were concealed. It returns to her face. A glove grabs part of her hair to show the weights tied into it. She bucks up to headbutt the camera; he avoids it.

Tom clenched his free hand on his thigh. “We’re running another scan for that black-stubble bell jackass from her instagram; did we have any fucking leads at all? What’s his fucking motivation? So he slept with her, allegedly; did she say no to a second time? Doesn’t fucking merit—”

The boot kicks the cinderblocks off the boat, and the camera tilts down to follow the trail of bubbles.

It’s quiet.

But then the camera pans to portside, where the guy in the picture with Zendaya is similarly tied up, but he’s openly weeping and shaking his head. He’s got something drawn on his forehead in black marker. The cameraman steps closer to focus on it: it’s a circle with an upward curve resting on top of it.

He’s still wearing the bell necklace.

Then the cameraman backs away and raises a gloved hand, in which a gun is aimed at the other’s forehead.

The bullet goes through the circle, and the bell rattles as he’s kicked off. Fewer bubbles.

Then the camera tilts up to show off the boat’s surroundings: a black and barren ocean, as far as the eye can see.

When the video started to loop, Tom switched his screen off, his phone hanging loosely in his grip. You released of his thigh once you noticed you’d grabbed onto him, and the evidence of your touch faded as the fabric relaxed.

His eyes glossed over at the blank screen, and his mouth opened before closing again, running his tongue over his lower lip. Tom brought a fist to his mouth and furrowed his brow, his hand hardly concealing the growing tremble of his jaw.

You took a step away from him, rubbing your arms as you ducked your head. “I’m going back inside,” you said, hoping Trout felt like being clutched to your chest, “I’m cold.”

***

The next morning, your mouth felt heavy and dry. You sneaked out as the sun was rising to go hide in the woods surrounding Tom’s house, but you talked yourself out of it. He would make too much of a fuss if he couldn’t find you—but you could delay the inevitable conversation even further. Both of you had separated and kept to yourselves the rest of the evening. Kept quiet.

So you rounded the outside of the house. You’re not camping out in a fucking copse. When you reached the pond, you scanned it for a dry place to hide, but nothing really held any appeal, save for the rounded platform where the mill wheel used to spin, its spoke notches overflowing with moss. You managed to get to it after scrambling alongside the stones for a few minutes, and though it didn’t look like you could get down the same way, you settled against the wall, scraping some moss out of the notches so that your feet could rest more comfortably in them.

(Dr. Prine called ten minutes after you sent her the email. “Did you send me the correct article?”

“Yeah,” you said, rubbing your face wash onto your cheeks, “Considering it’s the only one I have ready, and I can’t bring myself to write anything. I tried. I just fucking can’t.”

“I don’t think you want this published at this point in your life.”

“I don’t fucking care. Whoever’s using my pen name probably knows who the fuck I am in general. Just publish it.”

“Honey,” said Dr. Prine, her voice softening (and fumbling, like she was holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder), “You should probably rethink this. It’s going to connect Epiales you back to Viper you. Get some sleep; eat breakfast. Call me back then.”

“It’s an appropriate article for the political climate.”

“Not for your personal life.”

“I don’t fucking care,” you said between splashing water on your face, “I don’t. It’s a good fucking article, and hopefully, it can affect people for the upcoming election. Fuck self-preservation. Send it to the Times already.”

“Did I dial the wrong number?”

“Hilarious, Dr. Prine. I know it’s not the smartest thing for me to do, but I can’t—absolutely can’t—write anything. I don’t know for how long, but for now, at least.” You blotted your face dry. “I’ve got to meet standard deadlines if I’m keeping my column. It’s really only dangerous if Tom reads it and makes the connection, and his brain is offline right now.”

And so Aeneid Autopsies: Current Crimes Reflected in Ancient Times, chapter twelve, “The Political Tradition as Mob Rule,” would be published on Saturday. It’s a little too in the know about the mafia, but hey, you had written it on a whim a month ago, and you were known for your extensive research, anyway. It most likely shouldn’t be too different from your other exposés, though they weren’t on topics that were deliberately misleading the public by what information was out there.

The more you thought about it, it was almost like you wanted to reveal yourself, wanted to get stabbed while you were sleeping, because there’s an overwhelming question rolling around in your brain like a mis-weighted shooter marble: is this—)

“It’s not your fault.”

With crossed arms, Tom leant against the stone wall, his leg bent back for his bare foot to rest flat against it. He glanced sideways at you, sitting on your mill wheel perch almost halfway across the pond, but closer to the far side than to him.

He’s got major bedhead, his curls just fucking flopping about out of his part, and even from where you are, his face burned red amidst wet tracks trailing down it. Still, thank God for little mercies—his biceps were fucking straining the sleeves of his white t-shirt, and those idiotic, blessed grey sweatpants were low on his hips.

You lifted your head from your knees but still clutched them to your chest. “You’re not going out, then?”

“Of course not,” Tom said, and he wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “Can’t be crying during a meeting, yeah?”

“Been boxing?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you get any sleep last night?”

“Not really.”

He ran his tongue over his lower lip and sighed, and then he slid his hands into his pockets, his eyes glossing over while he watched the moss you’d picked off float in the pond.

You’re not going to fucking cry. Tom came out here for a reason. He has a purpose. All you have to do is wait.

Eventually, he said, “You’re avoiding what I said.”

You tilted your head.

“Listen, I know you’re beating yourself up about it. It’s not your fault this happened. None of this is your fault. Hey.” Tom tapped the wall, the travelling reverberations making you look up at him. “Whoever’s doing this is doing it of their own volition and not because of you. You hold no culpability for this.”

“Bruh,” you said, “One of your best friends is dead, and you’re comforting me? I thought I was the masochist.”

Tom scowled, his brow furrowing. “Viper—”

“I can’t interact with someone without putting them in danger, at a disturbingly high rate. You want me to enumerate where I’ve stuck my nose in not my business and people have gotten killed? Senator Hernandez, Isadora,” you began, holding up two fingers, “The nine men guarding Isadora, Maccabruno, Polson—”

“Don’t you dare do that to yourself.” Tom took a step forward, his foot almost curving into the pond. “You didn’t use the knife. You didn’t pull any triggers.”

“Yeah, but I sent them there. And a good many of them went because it was their job.” You sneered and propped your chin on your knees again.

“And it’s part of your job—”

“Yeah, whatever. Your friend is dead, and I have no home. I’ve stopped contacting the few people in my circle on the chance that they get dragged into this—Grace, Adrien—he’s the lights specialist guy, in case you don’t remember—I’ve got to email Glory, but that can’t be helped. And Dr. Prine only—fuck,” you said, dragging your hands down your face. “I don’t want anything to fucking happen to Dr. Prine. Or your family, for that matter.”

“Everyone not involved in the business is currently in hiding upstate,” said Tom, eyes narrowed as he glared at you. “If you like, I can ensure the same—”

“Stop acting so damn calm, Tom.” You let your legs dangle off the platform, hands clenching the edges. “I don’t have any strings left to pull. And fucking hell, I know that it would be extremely and absurdly conceited of me to believe that this series of crimes is aimed specifically at me, because how deluded, how arrogant could I get—but goddammit, this stuff feels a little too personalised. It feels like this person knows me.”

Tom clicked his tongue. “Don’t you think it’s worth something that Glory Pham has been left alone? He knows how to get into Crosscreek, yet Glory hasn’t been touched. Is that not worthwhile?”

Your eyes watered, but you ducked your head so that he couldn’t see—but you released a dry sob (Fuck! Now is not the time for crying! Now is the time for being badass! Frown, or something!).

Tom spoke so quietly you almost didn’t catch it. “Do you want to leave?”

God, no. But it would make you feel like less of a burden. “Let me find an apartment first.”

“No, not like that. Hey, V. Look at me,” he said, and he tapped on the wall again.

You wouldn’t. Not like this. Not when your nose was running and when you didn’t have a plan.

“Please look at me, Viper.”

Glowering, you raised your head, lifting your chin higher than normal to seem confident, and oh, God—his eyes were wide and gentle; he’s leaning as far as he can over the pond, still unable to reach you.

“What I meant was if you wanted to leave the mob.”

It rang through your head like a distant cathedral bell, chiming through a deserted town—but then you were farther, out on the mountains, still listening to faint clanging.

“You’d have to kill me,” you said, shaking your head, “Don’t you remember?”

“Fuck,” Tom was saying, sucking in through his teeth, and after glancing at the water, he started jogging around the pond.

“I swore. I bled. And then even after that—then you knighted me.” You inhaled sharply when he reached the stones you’d climbed. “I’ve let you down.”

“Viper, get the fuck down from there and come here,” he said, and he withdrew, winching, when he stepped on a sharp edge.

“We shouldn’t have met,” you said, looking over your shoulder at him, and Tom froze, his hand partially gripping a hole in the stone wall. “I shouldn’t have taken the job. I should have gone to a different city. I should have—”

“Wasted your life away in the shadows? Just shut up and get down here.”

“Ah! The fuck?” You swatted his hand away when it grazed the platform, and when he climbed up another step, you pushed yourself off the platform and into the pond.

The first thing that struck you was how quiet everything was once the bubbles dissipated, and then you noticed how clear the water was, even from within it—glancing down, you could easily see your feet treading water above the broken grist mill wheels that had sunken to the bottom.

Before you could take it in to feel the emptiness in your chest, bubbles filled your vision again—and then his hands were grappling for you, grasping at your clothes, and pulling you towards the surface.

“I wasn’t fucking drowning,” you said, sliding a hand back through your hair, while Tom shook his head to flick off excess water. “I was fine without—”

“I know you weren’t.” Tom gripped your waist tightly enough to be painful, and he slid his other hand up between your shoulder blades. “I know. You wouldn’t die on me, and I’m not letting anyone else lay their hands on you. C’mon, arms around.”

He guided your arms around his waist, and once you had a good grip (hands sliding up his back), he kicked off to swim to the stone wall, backing you into it. Your toes skimmed the bottom of the pond, but Tom kept your head above the water, his thumbs circling your hipbones through your wet clothes.

Tom closed his eyes, his eyelashes heavy with water droplets. “There’s no solution to this where you die, got it?”

“Shucks.”

“I mean it. Talk to me. Tell me what you can.” Tom let out a breath slowly, and he bent to rest his forehead on your shoulder. “Please,” he said once you tensed up, his breath hot through your wet shirt, “Won’t you let me in?”

(Fuck fuck fuck fuck his chest is flush against yours; he’s so warm, so damn warm all over, and the water’s chill only makes you want to cling to him more, fuck.)

“You won’t like me,” you said, tentatively lifting a hand to curl your fingers into his hair, pulling slightly, “I’m not whom I’ve presented to you. I don’t have it under control.”

“I don’t expect you to.” Tom turned his head towards you; his lips almost grazed your neck (you relish their warmth anyway). “You wouldn’t be human, otherwise.”

“I don’t know an awful lot. Some days it seems like all I do is guesswork.” You grimaced but kept the slim distance from Tom’s mouth. If he wanted to, he would. “I’m lost completely on whoever the fake Epiales is. I keep looking for a pattern in everything, even—even so far back as to—”

You stuttered. Tom had pressed his lips to the base of your neck.

“There’s no consistency,” he said, nuzzling his nose against the spot where your neck met shoulder, “but there’s got to be a larger plan. I get it. The whole case is like a hydra, and we’re chopping blindly at the heads.”

(Oh, my God, he kissed you? He kiss the neck? He?)

“Oh! I forgot to tell you.” Tom pulled away to look you in the eye, and your mouth hung open of its own accord—come back! “I made myself watch the video again.” His jaw shifted. “To see if I missed anything, and I did. This time, I recognised the symbol on the guy’s forehead.” Tom lightly traced it onto your forehead with his middle finger. “It’s a zodiac symbol. It’s the one for Taurus.”

You nodded, still not really thinking at full capacity. “Great. Another piece of evidence that I won’t be able to make fucking sense of. Goddammit. I’m so useless. Goddammit,” you said, dropping your hand from his hair into the water with a splash. “Tom, I don’t talk to my mother much anymore. She doesn’t know where or who I am, and to be honest, I don’t know who I am, either. I don’t know where the truth is.”

You nearly slapped him when you cupped his cheek, like you were desperate, like you had to be touching him, skin on skin, that instant. It’d be nice if he would close his eyes and lean into your touch, maybe kiss your palm, but Tom simply stared at you in shock, eyes wide, brows raised, mouth pinched.

Don’t tell him, you whore. You built this fucking kingdom with its walls and bastions so that you would be safe when the outer defences crumbled. You’ve set aside parts of yourself into neat little boxes so that you can throw any of them away at any time and escaped unscathed. Don’t you fucking dare screw that up. Tom doesn’t know about Epiales so that you can expose and destroy him if you’re on his chopping block; it’s insurance for when everything falls.

Bitch, since when do you want to be honest and raw and vulnerable around anyone?

You can’t let him in.

“You’re still a woman of honour,” Tom said, and—oh, God, oh, fuck—he’s easing his hands down your body, his chest pressed against yours again, and he’s sliding them down your thighs to hook underneath your knees, and he’s hitched you up against the wall, the definition of his muscles real and palpable through the wet clothes, warm, warm, warm—

“I should apologise,” you said, turning your head to the side while he steered your legs around his waist, “I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now.”

“You can’t?” Tom shifted you upwards, and that’s it; your heat is directly against him; you can feel every pull and tensing of his tendons, and if he keeps moving the way he is, then you’ll—

“I’m so sorry for making this about me when Z was closer to you. We shouldn’t waste time on me; we need to be searching, arranging a funeral if we can’t find anything.” You scrunched your eyes shut.

“You’re deflecting.” Tom let out a shuddery sigh. “I’ve lost too many people. Don’t make me lose you when you’re right in front of me,” he said, and he pressed his lips right below your ear.

You flinched away on impulse but tried to relax into him, blinking profusely.

Tom pushed against you (not localised enough to qualify as a thrust), and he cleared his throat before pulling away from your neck. “Listen, please. Please.” He shifted your weight to one hand and gripped your chin with his freed one. His eyes flickered to your mouth before he moved to rest his hand on your cheek. “You’re invaluable. Irreplaceable. You are no burden and are not at fault.” He clenched his jaw. “But I know you’re keeping something from me, and I will make the answer fall from your lips soon.”

Your own chin was shaking, and he was too close. If you put aside separate-self-as-insurance for a moment, let’s consider Tom did find out about Epiales. Would he control you through it? Would he use you to influence those he couldn’t reach? Would he grab hold of Dr. Prine? He might squeeze your life and time through his fist, and your freedom would be gone. Epiales was your freedom, your space to create and connect.

He was too close.

“You’ve got to promise not to hate me,” you said, and when he raised an eyebrow, you made your decision to lean in.

“No,” he said, and—and your lips met his cheek.

He’d turned his head.

After all that, he’s going to turn his head?

“No,” he said again, taking your chin again and leading you away, back to leaning against the stone wall, “I don’t want our first kiss connected to the memory of mourning. I can wait a bit longer.”

Tom released your legs, letting them sink. “You once told me that if you let yourself be vulnerable, you didn’t want an audience. I think,” he said, frowning, “I think you still see me as an outsider. As a member of that audience. And again, you said that you didn’t want it if it weren’t real.” He stepped away from you entirely, and he started wading towards the edge of the pond. “I’m going to hold you to the same standard. I’ll wait until you’re ready to be real with me.”

Tom slinked out of the pond, flicking away what excess water he could, and he squinted into the sun on the horizon. He shook his head, water flying, and he glanced back at you and scoffed. “Easy, sweetheart. No need to wear your heart on your sleeve now.”

His voice trailed off as he rounded the corner towards the door.

The sun is rising, and you feel rather cold.

***

inter vivos: between the living

***

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